Indiana Statesman For ISU students. About ISU students. By ISU students.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Indiana Statesman
@ISUstatesman
isustatesman
Volume 125, Issue 58
Indiana State Day at the Indiana Statehouse Alexandria Truby Reporter Students traveled to the Indiana State Capitol for the annual ISU Day on Monday, Feb. 26 as representatives of their departments and student organizations. During the event, students were able to meet with state legislators, discuss their work and activities at ISU, and tour the capitol building. “This is a student-centered event whereby students get to see politics in action via both a direct connection with their state legislators and also the real-time lawmaking process. In short, this event brings the students directly to government and promotes civic and political engagement within the student body,” Dr. Carly Schmitt, assistant professor of Political Science & coordinator of the American Democracy Project, said. The American Democracy Project, a network of more than 250 state colleges and universities, took the students by charter bus as part of their goal, stated on their website, to “produce college and university graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences they need to be informed, engaged members of their communities.” “This event has been ongoing at ISU for over five years. I have coordinated the
event since its conception. After the list of students has been compiled, I, along with the American Democracy Project student coordinator, locate and contact each student’s hometown state representative and state senator. Here, I let them know that their student constituents will be visiting the capitol. These lawmakers are invited to a lunch reception to meet their student constituents. At the capitol, students not only meet with their legislators, but they also have the opportunity to go on a formal tour of the capitol to see, among many things, an ongoing committee hearing or action on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives or Indiana Senate,” Schmitt said. The Indiana Statehouse is “the seat of government for the Hoosier State and is a leading travel destination for visitors from around the world,” according to their website. It has been recognized as “one of the most impressive government buildings” since the late 1800s and now “greets over 60,000 guests per year.” “There are a wide range of departments and organizations attending. Students from the American Democracy Project to Campus Life to 21st Century Scholars to Delta Sigma Theta attended. In all, over 50 students from 12 departments/student organizations participated,” Schmitt said.
ISU Communications and Marketing
From left: Nathan Bromm, Natalie Lawson and Casey Phillips at the Indiana Statehouse.
Inclusive Excellence defined at State
Photo courtesy of Chase Meehan
ISU Freshman runs for office Rus’sel Butts Reporter Chase Meehan is a politically involved ISU freshman that is running for Precinct Committeeman in this upcoming election. The Committeeman’s responsibilities involve registering voters, teaching voters about candidates, and getting voters to polls on Election Day. This position explicitly focuses on the voters, and having just turned the age of 19, Meehan is prepared to do more than just wait in line for the ballot box. “I hope that, as a result of my candidacy, students realize that their votes do count,” said Meehan. “ISU students do have a voting center, and with it, an opportunity to create change.” Many students on campus have been surprised that Meehan is running for public office as a freshman. Many firstyear students tend to focus on keeping their grades afloat and participating in campus activities if they have time. This elected position’s jurisdiction would spread to ISU and the entire city of Terre Haute. That is a lot to handle while being a full-time student. Meehan answered this contention by stating, “I have been doing very similar things at ISU compared to what I would be doing in this position. I know I can handle it because the work I’m doing now relates directly to the occupation.” Meehan has membership in many organizations on campus including The Student
Coalition for Social Justice, College Democrats, and the Citizens for Better Government. As a Precinct Committeeman, you are entirely unpaid and expected to be a genuine public servant. This position is one of the least partisan positions in local government. The primary goal of the committeeman is to have as many citizens vote as possible. These factors have led to a meager amount of people running for this office. According to Meehan, “with little monetary incentive, there have been some people who have been elected but don’t care about the responsibilities of the position. I care for the students at ISU and Terre Haute, in general, to make change for the better.” When asked what made him stick out from the other candidates, Meehan said, “I have a passion for social change. The 2016 Presidential election results prompted me to be more aware and concerned about politics. I developed a love for politics in the town of Paoli, IN, which was a small community where there was not much to do. When I went to college that changed.” Chase Meehan has plans to talk to people in the Terre Haute community to educate them about his candidacy. “I want to focus on the door to door aspect because that’s the best way to get to the most people,” said Meehan. “I try to meet as many people as possible to learn about
ISU CONT. ON PAGE 3
Brittney Willaims Reporter Indiana State University is commonly known for its level of diversity on campus and the Student Government Association is sponsoring a video that highlights those aspects of diversity. Diversity can be a hot topic in society today, whether it be from immigration, politics, or community. Diversity can add to the marketplace of ideas, cultures, beliefs, and systems. According to College Factual, ISU ranks as having a “very good diversity.” Overall, the rating from College Factual for ISU was a 69 out of 100. This rating was based on ethnicity, gender, geographic, international, and age demographics. Rating a 69 was above the national average, ranking ISU 809 out of 2,475 colleges and universities. But, what does diversity and inclusion mean
to everyday life as a Sycamore? The ISU Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion defines the process of inclusion as “[to be] inclusively excellent means going beyond as a representativeness exercise to one that also routinely examines and addresses where organizational cultures, structures, policies, and practices impact equity and belonging for the members of a community.” Organizations and groups across campus have hosted events to promote these causes. One example is the ISU Student Government Association recently asked for volunteers for a diversity and inclusive excellence video they are currently sponsoring. “This project is an opportunity for the University and our students to learn more about their individual backgrounds,” Director of Inclusive Excellence for
ISU Communications and Marketing
Michelle White, director of inclusive excellence for SGA.
SGA, Michelle White said. As stated in the SGA email asking for Sycamores to volunteer, the video is reflecting the mission of the SGA that is “to promote a culture of inclusive excellence at Indiana State.” Inclusive excellence has been a long tradition at State according to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “Our campus community recognizes the importance of maintaining
an environment that not only recognizes individual differences, but empowers our community to learn and grow from a culture that embodies inclusive excellence in all of its complexities,” The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website said. ISU now host students from over 83 countries around the world, 52 states and territories within the United States, and
STATE CONT. ON PAGE 3
Bike share spreads through campus
Danielle Guy | Indiana Statesman
The program allows students to share bikes through an app called SPIN.
Devin Neely Reporter With Earth Day approaching in April, the ISU Sustainability Team has been working on a new program, the Campus Bike Share. This program allows students to download
an app, called SPIN Bikeshare, and unlock said bikes to ride around campus and throughout the community. Earlier this year in the Fall Semester, many students found bright orange bikes that they could “rent” through an app and could
ride around campus. This trial run showed positive feedback, encouraging the ISU Sustainability Team to bring this program to life. Students who were able to use the bikes during the trial provided positive feedback, and seem eager for the program to officially launch. “I highly recommend this,” said Miranda Wood, a freshman here at ISU. “It’s the perfect solution to getting around campus and town quickly without a car. It’s better for the environment and it gets your exercise in! I’m excited for the University to expand this program; I loved using the bikes between classes and just for fun in the evenings! It’s so easy to use, and if you really struggle with it, the FAQs help out a lot. It’s a cheap and easy way to get around, especially if you don’t have any means of transportation.” Due to the overwhelming popularity of the trial bikes, the Sustainability
Coordinator, Nicholas McCreary, has high hopes and plans for launching the full program of 100 bikes on April 18, which happens to be Earth Day. When asked how many bikes are currently available, McCreary replied, “Currently there are just a few for a mini pilot. We will be expanding the program with 100 bikes available to students.” McCreary explained that these bikes will be available to anyone, including students and staff, with the use of the SPIN Bikeshare app. Through the app, users will be able to locate any available bike and unlock it by scanning the QR code located on the bike using the camera on their phone. The bike will then unlock and the timer for the riding period will begin. The timer will be able to keep track of how far you go, where you go, and for how long. Once
BIKE CONT. ON PAGE 3
NEWS
Page 2
USC students explore civil rights, national security in university’s first history class on WWII internment
Lesley Clark McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS)
University of Southern California faculty member Susan Kamei was struck by discomforting moments of deja vu during the 2016 presidential campaign. As some calls rose for restrictions on Muslims and Arab Americans, purportedly to protect national security, Kamei thought of her parents. Exactly 76 years ago Monday, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which paved the way for the incarceration of Kamei’s parents and about 120,000 others of Japanese descent, most of them American citizens, after Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Kamei had helped right that wrong as a legal advocate for the successful 1988 effort to win an apology and monetary reparations from the U.S. government to those incarcerated. But after President Trump’s election, she feared that any lessons learned were being forgotten. “Between the election and President Trump’s inauguration, there were things in the press about the Japanese-American internment being a precedent for what various people were proposing … like a Muslim registry,” Kamei said. “We thought: ‘Wow, we thought we won on this 30 years ago. And here we are again talking about this and fighting the same misconceptions and prejudices.’” Now Kamei is leading a new generation of students to plumb that past in USC’s first-ever history course on the Japanese-American internment, the constitutional issues raised and the relevance today amid the war on terror. “I want students today to have an opportunity to appreciate the importance of the issues around the constitutional tension between national security and civil liberties,” said Kamei, a lecturer in history and managing director of the USC Spatial Sciences Institute. In 2004, UCLA launched the nation’s first endowed academic chair focusing on the internment; but most universities that cover the subject do so in broader classes on Asian American studies, U.S. history or constitutional law. Kamei said that USC history professor Lon Kurashige approached her about the course as a timely offering for a new major in law, history and culture. She was particularly well-suited to teach it, he told her, because she had served as national deputy legal counsel for the Japanese American Citizens League in the successful fight for redress. Philip J. Ethington, chairman of the USC history department, said it was not surprising that a separate course had never been offered about the internment because it was a specific set of events in the “gigantic” context of World War II. But times have changed, he said. “The whole story of the internment and the disavowal of it by the U.S. gov-
ernment officially through the reparations is a very important case study in recognizing and undoing injustices,” he said. “It’s not just a thing that happened. It’s an example of something that still could happen … as America reckons with its troubling past.” The multidisciplinary course, War, Race and the Constitution, is an intimate seminar of about a dozen students — some of whom had never before learned about those wartime events. Henry Fusaro, a USC sophomore, grew up in Arizona and learned about the internment in a law class only last year. He became fascinated by the overarching issues of civil liberties and national security it raised. Matthew Weisbly’s interest in World War II is more personal. His Jewish relatives suffered the horrors of the Holocaust and his Japanese-American family members were interned in one of the gov-
futing allegations of Japanese-American disloyalty. In one class session, students watched a documentary about one of the plaintiffs, Minoru Yasui. Then they met his daughter Holly, who made the film, and Jay Hirabayashi, the son of another plaintiff, Gordon Hirabayashi, via video hookup. How have your family experiences influenced your views on current immigration cases, one student asked, referring to Trump administration policies. “I live in Canada … and we look south to the United States in horror,” Hirabayashi replied. “The difference between Canada’s acceptance of refugees and immigrants and people trying to get into the U.S. … is really disturbing to us.” Students also have explored the history of Japanese immigrants to the United States, the racism against them and the Pearl Harbor bombing.
Christina House |Los Angeles Times|TNS
USC student Matthew Weisbly has Jewish and Japanese relatives who experienced the Holocaust and internment.
ernment’s 10 prison camps in Gila River, Ariz. Laura Dominguez is a doctoral student researching Western American and Chicano history. For her, the Japanese-American internment offers a chance to study memories of oppression among both ethnic groups. “It couldn’t be more timely now to dedicate a full semester to this, given where we are in the U.S. today with questions of exclusion, citizenship and who belongs and who doesn’t,” Dominguez said. The students are examining the cases of three Japanese-American men who violated the wartime curfew and evacuation orders in order to challenge their constitutionality. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a divided vote, upheld the orders as justified by “military necessity.” In the 1980s, the men’s convictions were vacated after Peter Irons, then a University of California, San Diego political science professor, discovered that government attorneys suppressed evidence re-
They visited reconstructed camp barracks at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo and learned about the hardships of camp life, including a lack of antibiotics that led to some deaths and depression that sparked some suicides. One of the liveliest sessions, Kamei said, was a look at the visual archives of the era: photographs of camp life by Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Toyo Miyatake; art by those interned, newspaper photos and their inflammatory captions. The course also covers the U.S. military experiences of second-generation Japanese-American soldiers, draft resisters, the community’s postwar resettlement and the redress campaign. Students will study legal cases involving Muslims who are disproportionately affected by Trump’s travel ban and “enemy combatants” detained without specific charges under President George W. Bush.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
House GOP leaders dismiss Trump plan to arm teachers as a local matter Cathleen Decker Los Angeles Times (TNS)
House Republicans declined Tuesday to sign onto President Donald Trump’s proposal for a federal mandate to arm teachers in the wake of the Florida school massacre, and also made clear their aim is to oppose further restrictions on guns. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., speaking as Congress returned from a long break after the Feb. 14 killing of 17 students and teachers by a former student armed with an AR-15
rifle, said decisions about teachers’ use of weapons should rest with local authorities. “That is really a question for local governments, local school boards,” he said of the proposal to arm educators, which Trump repeatedly has promoted since last week. “As a parent myself and as a citizen, I think it’s a good idea. But as speaker of the House, we should respect federalism and respect local jurisdictions.” Ryan instead cited “system failures” and mental health issues as “the kinds
of things we are going to be discussing with our members, with the Senate and with the president.” He did not include gun restrictions in that list. “There are a lot of questions that need answers,” Ryan added. “What we want to do is find common ground to make a difference.” The day’s events suggested an election-year struggle for House and Senate Republicans — how to confront rising national support for gun restrictions,
GOP CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
University should not take money from the Chinese gov. John Drescher The News & Observer (TNS) The Chinese philosopher Confucius, who lived 2,500 years ago, traveled widely inside his country but never outside it. Nonetheless, an institute is named for him at N.C. State University. Since 2007, the Institute, which is based in the McKimmon Center on Western Boulevard, has operated modestly. Its mission “is to enhance intercultural understanding in the U.S. by supporting and organizing Chinese language and culture programs.” It offers three classes this semester — two classes in Mandarin Chinese and Beginner’s Chinese Brush Painting. But the level of scrutiny of the Institute might be about to change. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently said the FBI is “watching warily” activities at dozens of Confucius Institutes, Chinese government-sponsored acad-
Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS
FBI Director Christopher Wray, joined by top intelligence officials, testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a hearing focusing on global threats on Feb. 13, 2018 in Washington, D.C.
emies that are often embedded within universities and public schools to offer U.S. students Mandarin language classes. More than 100 universities and high schools in the U.S. have a Confucius Institute. N.C. State’s has an annual budget of about $400,000; Hanban, the Chinese agency that sponsors the institutes, provides at least $200,000 a year. “The Chinese govern-
ment plays no part in the day-to-day activities, oversight or curriculum for the Confucius Institute at N.C. State, and have no staff at the Institute,” Fred Hartman, a spokesman for NCSU, wrote in an email. “N.C. State’s Confucius Institute is a part of the Office of Global Engagement and its budget is managed by our contracts and grants office. The institute’s
GOVT CONT’D ON PAGE 3
indianastatesman.com BIKE FROM PAGE 1 Once the student manually locks the bike up again, the timer will turn off and the user will be charged through the app via credit/debit card at the rate of 50 cents per half hour. However, frequent users may choose to use the unlimited 30-minute ride, which is $14 a month. There is no time limit to how long you may ride, following the 50 cent per hour fee. There is also no distance too far when using the bikes. “We hope students do use the bikes to go off
ISU FROM PAGE 1 their concerns.” Meehan has support from other political representatives such as Todd Nation, who was a former committeeman
GOVT FROM PAGE 2 grants office. The institute’s director, Anna Dunaway, interviews, hires and trains all staff for the program. All staff are held to the same standards as other N.C. State employees.” The Confucius Institute at NCSU also is affiliated with “Confucius Classrooms” at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, Enloe High School in Raleigh and Concord High School. Those schools manage their own Chinese language and culture programs but apply for funding through NCSU’s Confucius Institute. Detractors say there’s substantial evidence that Hanban tells Confucius Institute instructors not to discuss topics deemed sensitive to Beijing, such
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 • Page 3
campus,” said McCreary. “There is no limit to how far they can go. We are always trying to build a culture that values sustainability here at ISU. I do believe this is a step in the right direction.” Along with information about the upcoming program, McCreary also expressed his eagerness to have more students and staff become involved with the Sustainability Team. “This process isn’t going to just happen. We need students to step up, and take action if sustainability is a core value to them. Luckily, we have a strong sustainability student group that is always
looking for more driven members.” Said McCreary. “If any student wants to help with the push for more available sustainability on campus, then they can shoot me an email at Nicholas.mccreary@ indstate.edu.” With the upcoming regularity of warm weather approaching for spring, the timing for the bike launch fits well. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, and to join the Campus Stability Team as well, to help push forward more programs such as the Campus Bike Share.
and now serves on the Terra Haute City Council. ISU students that are registered to vote in Vigo County can choose their precinct committeeman of choice on May 8, in the Dede Activity Centers, from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
This will be one of the very first uses of the new voting centers and one of the few representations to see if ISU will be a politically active campus, or a politically apathetic one.
as the status of Taiwan or the treatment of Tibetans and other ethnic minorities in China. The FBI’s Wray described China as using a lot of “nontraditional collectors” of intelligence and technology, in the business community and in academia, McClatchy’s Tim Johnson reported. “I think the level of naiveté on the part of the academic sector about this creates its own issues. They’re exploiting the very open research and development environment that we have, which we all revere. But they’re taking advantage of it,” Wray said. U.S. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., this month asked all Florida institutions that host Confucius Institutes to reconsider their agreements. The University of West Florida said it had already decided not to renew its contract. The University of Chicago and
Penn State already had ended their agreements with Hanban. Critics also say the Chinese government uses Confucius Institutes to keep tabs on Chinese students. NCSU has about 1,300 students from China; none are enrolled in classes at the Confucius Institute. NCSU’s Confucius Institute has a worthy mission and its classes serve a good purpose. As China’s influence and economy grows, we need Americans who understand the country and speak the language. That objective is so important, we ought to pay for it. NCSU’s accepting money from the Chinese government is an unnecessary entanglement that raises questions and invites scrutiny. “The cautious seldom err,” Confucius once said. N.C. State would be wise
STATE FROM PAGE 1 countless different ethnicities and backgrounds. “Many of our students are proud and/or curious about their heritage and this project gives them the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of who they are and who their family is,” White said. The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has six goals to achieve
GOP FROM PAGE 2 and the powerfully emotional testimony of the high school victims, without reversing their long support for expansive gun rights. Teenage survivors of the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., have led a dramatic public fight to expand background checks before guns can be purchased and to limit the availability of semiautomatic weapons such as the one used by 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz. But Ryan and other leaders made clear that congressional Republicans consider local law officials’ handling of warnings about Cruz to be their prime focus. “There was a colossal breakdown in the system locally,” Ryan said, citing Cruz’s run-ins with law enforcement and the FBI’s failure to investigate after its tip line received detailed allegations that he might be planning a mass shooting. “Of course we want to listen to these kids, but we also want to make sure that we protect peoples’ due process rights and legal constitutional rights while making sure that people who should not get guns don’t get them.”
inclusive excellence as part of their strategic plan. These goals include: diversifying the workforce, diversifying the curriculum, bridging the gap through connection, communication, and collaboration; resources and institutional effectiveness, acknowledge and award diversity efforts on campus, and finally to increase awareness and competency on inclusive excellence through quality and effective
programming, training, and education materials. Increasing inclusiveness on campus is up to every member of our community. “I hope that this video project is able to show that ISU students come from all corners of the world,” White said. Resources and events to learn more about inclusive excellence can be found in many offices around campus.
Trump last week also proposed raising the minimum age for purchasing long guns from 18 to 21. But after a weekend meeting with several executives of the National Rifle Association, he has dropped that proposal for a federal age minimum, which the organization opposes, from his public remarks. His spokeswoman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, suggested Monday that its fate was up in the air. The president has persisted in pushing for legislation encouraging the arming of teachers, which the NRA supports, though it has generated opposition from teachers, law enforcement officials and politicians of both parties. Trump said that while teachers should not be forced to carry weapons, those who are “adept” at shooting should — and should be eligible for bonuses if they do. Addressing wary governors this week, he said the federal government could help pay for bonuses. Even as that measure has doubtful prospects in Congress, Republicans controlling both houses stand at odds on other, related legislation. The House, as Ryan reiterated Tuesday, wants the Senate to act on its previously passed measure ordering federal, state and
local agencies to more rigorously add information to the federal background check registry that could disqualify some gun purchasers. That measure also would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns across state lines, an expansion of gun rights that is opposed by Democrats, as well as officials from states that do not sanction concealed guns permits. A pending Senate version of the background check bill does not include the concealed weapons component. A leading gun rights advocate said Monday that Republican House leaders had promised not to take up the Senate bill if it is passed without the concealed weapons provision. Ryan on Tuesday would not say if he would allow a vote on a stand-alone background check measure. “We’ll discuss and cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said. Neither the House nor the Senate plan would expand the background check system to cover the full range of gun sales, including those over the internet or at gun shows that currently are exempt from checks. Closing that sales loophole has been among the most urgent demands from the Florida survivors.
FEATURES
Page 4
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Natalie Portman is still blazing her own trail in ‘Annihilation’ Colin Covert
Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (TNS)
Some actresses use movie stardom as a stepping stone to mainstream roles as innocent ingenues and light comedy pixies, but that has never been Natalie Portman’s game plan. She was nominated for Oscars for stabbing love’s heart to pieces in the happily-never-after drama “Closer” and for delivering a bravura performance as blood-soaked Jackie Kennedy in “Jackie.” And she took home the gold statuette for going insane in a tutu for the ballet spinechiller “Black Swan.” Then she decided to try something a little more challenging. She has certainly found it in “Annihilation,” an audacious science fiction story unlike anything in her career — or anyone else’s. Almost exclusively centered on a five-woman exploring party entering deadly territory, it’s likely the most female-focused space opera ever made. The film casts her as a biologist and combat veteran confronting mutated lifeforms, firing assault rifles at alien beings and playing catch me if you can with a doppelgänger who mirrors her every movement. All while trying to unlock the mystery virus that has sent her husband (Oscar Isaac) into hospital coma care. And to keep her increasingly shaky grip on sanity. Guiding that character through a mission that transcends the usual man vs. monster adventure was irresistible, Portman said in a recent phone interview. “I think I tend toward sort of psychologically based explorations, whether they’re
Paramount Pictures
Alex Garland has been accused of white-washing the characters in Annihilation.
in terms of fantasy or sci-fi or just straight drama,” she said. “It was a unique opportunity to get to play such an interesting character at a point in her life when she is in a crisis with who she is and exploring her own weakness.” Especially because “Annihilation” was being directed by Alex Garland, whose jaw-dropping “Ex Machina” made a story about artificial intelligence really about men trying to control the women around them. “I’m such a fan of Alex’s work both as a writer and a director,” Portman said. What she didn’t realize when she signed on was that he had the artistic ability to create an alien environment distinct from any we’ve seen before. “Alex is incredibly visual. Sometimes when he explains an idea for you, he
draws it for you. He draws really well. It’s impressive, a lucky and unusual talent to have from our director.” Garland’s renderings guided the production team through filling the film’s dangerous paradise with vast wreaths of eerie wildflowers. “It was really dressed,” she said of the set. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a production team work so much on exteriors.” His drawings also prepared the actors for on-screen encounters with surreal creatures that wouldn’t be digitally added to the scene until months afterward. “Of course, you don’t see the real thing when you’re doing it,” she said. “Even when you see the previsualizations and everything, it’s not quite what you’ve seen before. They’re sort of first-of-their kind monsters. So you do have to associate
them with your own deepest fears as opposed to something you see.” SCARY AT FIRST The tone of fearful wonder that Garland wanted reflected the sense that “a lot of things, if you saw them for the first time, would seem very strange. But we get used to it. We see trees every day. But if you came from another planet, a tree is a very strange thing. And that was kind of a wonderful way to go through the world.” The film’s bizarre interbreeds of familiar animal and plant life “was something beautiful, something really wonderful that Alex brought to it. … There were these mutations that were so beautiful” in ways she recognized from her personal perspective. “Some of the most beautiful things in my life are mutations,” she said. “They’re mutated objects or emotions. You know that there is something that can be grotesque or might be beautiful because of that alteration. And sometimes it’s both. That was a really special thing that he brought up.” Noting that some of the past year’s most acclaimed hit films have featured complex female leads, Portman said she’s waiting for a time when putting women in major roles becomes routine. “It’s still at a stage where there’s still not enough representation in film of women and particularly of women of color,” she said, echoing her subtle swipe at the allmale director nominees as a presenter at the Golden Globes. “I hope it gets better and better. That’s what we’re all trying to do with our work, and hopefully we can get other people to do with their work, as well.”
A rising leader
February games: what’s new, review in progress AJ Goelz Reporter
February this year saw a crazy release schedule with a little something for everyone, and hidden amongst everything were two gems that deserve some attention. Developed by Warhorse Studios, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” takes players back to medieval Bohemia. Players control the son of a blacksmith, Henry. Henry is an everyday peasant. He has no special skills or talents, but early on in the game he must deal with the guilt of being watching his parents murdered knowing he could do nothing to stop it. Henry must find his way to get his revenge and find his place in the world. For those who are looking for a more action-based game where they can hack and slash their way to victory, “Kingdom Come” is not for you. Saying that this game is a simulation type game is an understatement. “Kingdom Come” is punishing in the early game, and not because it is difficult. It is hard because Henry has no abilities or skills. To increase skills, players need to repeatedly do the action. They do not increase with experience. If players want to be better with a sword, start swinging. If they want to pick pockets, be prepared to be caught a lot. Henry does not even have the ability to read. This method of character development is not entirely unheard of, Bethesda’s “Elder Scrolls” series uses a similar system. The difference is that in “Kingdom Come” players start at zero. It is frustrating, but after a while
a revelation hits. As Henry increases his skills, the player gets better. This seems like an obvious statement, but it is frightening when one realizes that Henry increases skill levels at an exact parallel to the player. In many games the player has skill in the game mechanics that can be far superior to the in game character’s level. In “Kingdom Come” this feeling is gone. This may be because Henry starts with nothing. Players, like Henry, start at nothing and it can feel extremely frustrating and extremely rewarding at the same time. Combat is reminiscent of “For Honor”, just in first-person. There are five directions for attack with a sword up, left, right, bottom left and bottom right. There are two basic means of attacks, stabbing and slashing. Stabbing always attack in a straight line and slashes come from one of the five directions that were previously stated. There are some finer complexities, but for the sake of brevity let us leave it there. There are some set combos, but players can attack in any way they want as long as they have stamina. One big piece of advice, never take on more than one enemy. As previously stated, this game is a simulation, and fighting two people at once in “Kingdom Come” is a short path to the grave. For those with more sci-fi oriented tastes, Konami’s “Metal Gear Survive” will scratch that itch. “Survive” is set in an alternate time line and takes place right after “Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes” and is set in a parallel dimension called Dite. Players control a player created
character sent into Dite to find the members of the Charon Corps. Quickly discovering the Corps had been wiped out, players must find a way back home and try not to die in the meantime. Mechanically, “Survive” is a carbon copy of “Metal Gear Solid 5”. There are a few differences with the crafting system. It has been expanded to fit the games new focus. No longer is this a third-person stealth game. True to its name, “Metal Gear Survive” is a survival game through and through. Not just focusing on crafting equipment, players also craft upgrades for their base camp. The base camp serves as the player’s home base and storage are while in Dite. Hunting and gathering resources are also a big part of survive. Unlike “MGS5” players need to consume food and water or their health and/or stamina will suffer. Players do need to be careful to cook their food and purify their water, or risk getting food poisoning. The addition of survival elements in this games is a fresh change that feels natural in the game. The only issue is that thirst and hunger decrease so fast is can be hard to stay on top of. These were not the only great game to launch this month, but they were two that seem to be overlooked for one reason or another. As the old saying goes time and tide wait for no man, as we prepare to enter March. There is not much dropping this month giving gamers a chance to clear out some things form their back log. Though there is one major release coming on March 27, “Far Cry 5”.
Black History Month keynote speaker, Payton Head.
A rising community leader, Payton Head details the adversities caused by race, gender and sexual orientation discrimination and proven solutions to facilitate open dialogue and embrace marginalized communities. Paige Carter | Indiana Statesman
indianastatesman.com FAKE FROM PAGE 6 since middle school. It’s honestly very annoying when someone in college brings the guy up and I have to sheepishly say, “Oh no, I’m sorry, I never actually got into the show, I don’t know what you’re referencing.” And it’s not like I’m ashamed that I never fell in love with Bikini Bottom or it’s characters, but I don’t like getting the judgement that comes from
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 • Page 5 the dropped jaws and wide eyes after I say that (I should probably stop dropping my jaw and widening my eyes at people when they tell me they don’t like the show ‘Friends’ then). The person who created the rumor probably thought, “hey, maybe if enough buzz is around this, they’ll actually do it.” Yes, buzz was created, but sadly the end of SpongeBob SquarePants is still not in the near future.
OPINION
Page 6
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
College students really do need more sleep Whitney Slaton Columnist
Sheneman | Tribune Content Agency
Fake news in Bikini Bottom Will SpongeBob be ending soon?
Emma Osowski Columnist
Recently there has been a heartbreaking tweet floating around the Internet from one of our beloved childhood friends – SpongeBob Squarepants. In it, he said, “Unfortunately, our show will be coming to a final end as of March 1, 2018. It’s been a long ride, and we are very grateful for all the fans worldwide that have shown support throughout the years, none of this would have been possible without you.” While a lot of people found this as a shocker, an even bigger surprise is that
it’s not true. Apparently, it’s a rumor. “Fake news.” That’s right, SpongeBob isn’t done yet! Although I’m sitting here wondering why not, I’m here to tell you SpongeBob lovers some good news. Not only is the show not going to end on March 1, but the series has been renewed for another 26-episode season in 2019. That’ll make the series 20 years old by then, and I personally don’t get it. I honestly think that may be just about fifteen years too long, and here’s where I’m coming from. On one hand, I think, I’m most likely just bitter that everyone loves this show that I never got into. I mean really, how has it been going so strong for so long? I noticed that somehow, he’s gotten more dimensional through the years, but other than that I’m pretty sure it’s the same thing every time. SpongeBob, an obnoxious yellow sponge, either goes
on some sort of adventure or is focused on how to possibly annoy Squidward, who hates everyone. Patrick says something stupid. Mr. Crabs only cares about money. Plankton is figuring out another evil plot to steal the Krabby Patty recipe. Gary is a wise bystander. Sandy comes to the rescue, and someone is always wondering who is selling chocolate. How much more can the creators come up with from what they already have? On the other hand, I think it’s very important for us as a generation to at some point come to a time when people can reminisce about the show. Like when we reminisce about shows like ‘That’s So Raven,’ ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ ‘The Amanda Show’ and ‘Drake and Josh.’ I think it’s time that all the shows that were big when I, or rather we (anyone born before 2000), were growing up, should be retired. It
just makes sense, but yet somehow SpongeBob isn’t quite there yet. How is it that this show has gone on longer than ALL of the highest rated television shows? That question might be a little irrelevant since the show ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ has an 8.1 rating on IMDB, which confuses me just as much. I’m not saying it needs to stop being aired, but we need to start that transition to where it can become something reminisced about at least. If they keep on the rate they’re going, my own kids will be watching SpongeBob and I’m not even dating anyone for that to be in my near future. So, what I want to know is who created the “fake news?” Using my imagination, it was probably someone like me who is fed up with SpongeBob SquarePants and his gang and has been
FAKE CONT. ON PAGE 5
Sleep is something that just about everyone wants more of, but who has the time? Especially as college students, we are swamped with classes, homework, essays, studying and possibly a job as well, but we don’t have enough time for sleep. What is most harmful to our grades is that we are getting less sleep to attempt to get the higher grade. Studies like those in the University of Minnesota Journal of Psychology show that a student that had little sleep has a significantly lower academic performance than a student that had a full night of sleep. According to WebMD, a full night of sleep can allows for a better memory, clearer thinking, better health and a better mood. As students, these are all things we need in order to be at our best for classes, studying, and working on homework, yet we sacrifice this important aspect in an attempt to get in one more hour of studying before the test or making sure our homework is perfect. Imagine going to class after getting 8 or 9 hours of sleep – you would be wide awake, have clear thinking, and would remember more than you usually would with less sleep. If all we have to do is sleep more to have better academic performance, then why do we get so few hours of sleep? Sitting in the library at 11 p.m. is an interesting thing too. Some people have been there for hours already, but many students continue to walk in throughout the night to spend hours working on homework. Most students have morning classes; whether it be the dreaded 8 a.m. classes or later, these students must wake up early to get to class. Using myself as an example, I typically leave the library
or finish schoolwork around midnight or shortly after, then get to bed around 1 a.m. I then must wake up at 8 a.m. to get ready for the day and drive to campus to get to my 9 a.m. class on time. This is a typical sleep schedule for me – 7 hours of sleep, and that is probably slightly more than most students get. I know it is more than some of my friends get. So why are we staying up so late if we need to get up so early? Imagine this: you wake up for class at 8 a.m. and have class throughout the day until 3 p.m. You may have a job and must work until 8 p.m., then you do school work until 11. Then you go to bed, allowing a 10-hour period for sleep. This is one of the many time management schedules that has been recommended to me by my family; however, there is a major flaw in this schedule. It has no time for relaxation, fun, or socialization. It does allow for plenty of sleep in order to be fully awake and aware during the school day, which is exactly what students need in order to be successful in their academics. It is not a healthy schedule, though; all work and no play could not possibly be healthy for anyone. School and work cause stress through deadlines and studying. Having no time to relax could cause you to become physically ill which would only cause you to miss school. Every student is different and needs to find the perfect balance of school, work, play and, most importantly, sleep. A lack of sleep can cause a student more harm to their academic success than anything. Students need to be at their best when going to class, doing homework, and studying; if sleep allows for this, then a change of daily schedule is needed.
College can either help or hinder friendships
Rachel Modi Columnist
Being a freshman in college, we’re given the choice to keep our old friends from high school or change it up. Some of us have the option to study far from home, which can limit our old friendships, but then we’re given the real option of maintaining those friendships or not. Remember when the older kids would say friendships from high school mostly never stay, unless you have those one or two you will never part with? Being a stubborn child as usual, I said I would
stay friends with at least six of my close friends, but that number plummeted down to about three. Friendships from a distance are similar to romantic relationships. Effort between both people is important and necessary. Having your best friends two hours away from you instead of two feet away may make it more difficult to keep up; however, those solid friendships do not require a constant check-up every day. The best friendships are those when you can pick up where you left off. I am pretty sure we’ve all had one of those awkward or fake friendships when you’re spending time together. Maybe it’s because you’re both involved in the same club or activity, so it brought you closer, but as soon as it’s over you gradually stop talking. Then when you see each other in the hallway again, you give a casual nod or “hi,” but that’s where the conversation ends. Those are the cringey friendships that clearly will not last through college.
In order to maintain friendships from high school, both people need to want to maintain it. Yes, you can pick up where you left off, but that also means updating them on life from time to time. Last week I had a three-way phone call with two of my best friends for almost three hours talking about life. Even though we spent time together during winter break about a month ago, we still updated each other. The type of friendships we should maintain are the ones that keep us stable. Leave those toxic, drama-filled friendships in high school. Life is already a mess, so why bring an unstable support system in the picture? When you’re having a tough time, you should be able to call that best friend and spill your heart out, even if you have to wait a couple hours because they still have class. College is also a new and inviting experience that leads to developing ourselves even more, finding who we are, and sharing it with our loved ones.
College means you’re away from family and your best friends from home, so it can get lonely. Freshman year, I’d say, is the hardest year, especially if none of your friends are with you. Getting out of your shell and bonding with others who will share the transition and experience with you is important, which means joining clubs and organizations. If that means joining a sorority or a fraternity, take your shot. However, the friends who you maintain from high school are your true friends. If they are supposed to stay in your life, then they will. But if it’s time to move on and go on your separate paths, then let it be. It is absolutely healthy to let go of friendships that just won’t work out, but it’s the effort that matters. However, new college students need to give their new environment a chance, because then they will just be stuck in their small bubble and possibly never find that true best friend.
Editorial Board
Wed, Feb. 28, 2018 Indiana State University
www.indianastatesman.com
Volume 125 Issue 58
Grace Harrah Editor-in-Chief statesmaneditor@isustudentmedia.com Rileigh McCoy News Editor statesmannews@isustudentmedia.com Joe Lippard Opinions Editor statesmanopinions@isustudentmedia.com Claire Silcox Features Editor statesmanfeatures@isustudentmedia.com Andrew Doran Sports Editor statesmansports@isustudentmedia.com Danielle Guy Photo Editor statesmanphotos@isustudentmedia.com Ashley Sebastian Chief Copy Editor The Indiana Statesman is the student newspaper of Indiana State University. It is published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the academic school year. Two special issues are published during the summer. The paper is printed by the Tribune Star in Terre Haute, Ind.
Opinions Policy The opinions page of the Indiana Statesman offers an opportunity for the Indiana State University community to express its views. The opinions, individual and collective, expressed in the Statesman and the student staff’s selection or arrangement of content do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the university, its Board of Trustees, administration, faculty or student body. The Statesman editorial board writes staff editorials and makes final decisions about news content. This newspaper serves as a public forum for the ISU community. Make your opinion heard by submitting letters to the editor at statesmanopinions@isustudentmedia.com. Letters must be fewer than 500 words and include year in school, major and phone number for verification. Letters from non-student members of the campus community must also be verifiable. Letters will be published with the author’s name. The Statesman editorial board reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity and vulgarity.
indianastatesman.com
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 • Page 7
To place a classified ad call: (812) 237-3025 fax us: (812) 237-7629 stop by the office: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Room 143, HMSU or send us an email: Stacey.McCallister@indstate.edu
FOR RENT NOW RENTING FOR SUMMER & FALL Studios, 1 BDRM-10 BDRM houses available. Lots of variety Find your unique space Call for details! 812-877-1146 or SharpFlats@gmail.com SharpFlats.com Check us out on Facebook: SharpFlats, LLC AVAILABLE MAY 1st Nice 2 bedroom house. Fridge, stove, DW, W/D, AC. 1.2 miles north of campus. Close to Collett Park. $550 per month plus deposit. Pets Welcome 1922 N. 10th St. 812-894-2015
CLASSIFIEDS Rates Per Issue 20 words or less Classified Rate is $7 Frequency Discount $6 ISU Organization $5 Extra words are 15¢ each.
FOR RENT
FOR RENT
3, 4 & 5 BEDROOM HOUSES Close to campus! Extra nice homes Lower rent for additional people. Call 812-232-6977
NOW RENTING FOR SUMMER OR FALL! 1 – 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Some close to campus! NO PETS ALLOWED Call Gibson Apartments 812-234-4884
Deadlines For Monday Issues: 3 p.m. Thursday For Wednesday issues: 3p.m. Monday For Friday issues: 3 p.m. Wednesday Advertise in print and your classified will run online for FREE
Sudoku answers from Monday’s issue
The Samurai of Puzzles by The Mepham Group
SPORTS
Page 8
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Collin Markle | Indiana Statesman
Wendi Bibbins (23) scored 13 points during the match against Loyola University.
Indiana State looks to keep momentum Sherrod Reed Reporter
Our women’s basketball team will travel this week as they take on the Southern Illinois Salukis this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Sycamores seem focused and have been playing with confidence as they push their way into a three game win streak. The Sycamores out-shot Bradley University during their face off two weeks
ago, locked down Valparaiso University with intense defense, and then bested Loyola University just last Sunday at home. Sunday was an exciting senior day indeed as the team secured their win while Wendi Bibbins and Ashli Taia had 16 and 13 points respectively. Head coach, Josh Keister, was very proud of his ladies accomplishments saying, “That is a team that has gotten better and better as the season has
gone on. We kind of had to grind it out there but that is the story of our group here the past month. When we’ve had to make stops, we’ve gotten them.” Keister went on to say that this is the third straight game that the Sycamores have had more assists than turnovers and that positive ratio alone makes the team all the more dangerous while on the floor. Optimism seems to be a common theme now
amongst the Sycamore teammates and coaching staff, however will they be able to keep up the positive momentum this Thursday in Carbondale? The Southern Illinois Salukis themselves are actually recovering from a close game against Missouri State, which is commendable considering the Bears are no. 2 seed in the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The interesting thing about this all, is that Indiana
Sierra Hargens
State University and the Illinois Salukis are now actually tied for fourth seed. This tip off will certainly be an interesting matchup as the Sycamores have admirable shooting abilities and the Salukis have over half a dozen women on their roster who stand over 6’0. Most teams prefer their home turf when it comes to the realm of sports, but Indiana State has actually proven to play more effectively when traveling. This
might have given them an edge in this game, except that the Salukis record is pretty solid overall when the play in front of their home crowd. Both teams have shown that they have players who can regularly score double figures and stakes are high as this will determine who gets placed 3rd overall. Let’s wish our ladies safe travels and good luck as they compete to bring back a W!
Records low Sycamore round at Kiawah Island Classic
Sophomore Sierra Hargens owned the low round of the day and two Sycamores shot in the 70’s during the second round of the 2018 Edwin Watts / Kiawah Island Classic. Today’s round was held at the par-72, 5,974-yard layout of the Osprey Point Golf Club. Hargens led the way with a round of 77, which followed her opening score of 81, and her twoday total of 158 is tied for 152nd place. Staubo who carded a 74 on the first day
followed that up with a 79 on the second day to give her a total of 153 which is the team’s best score over the two rounds and is tied for 101st place. Sophie Benetti tallied a second score of 81 which followed her opening day score of 79 and gives her a two-day tally of 160 which is tied for 164th place. Dawn Turner’s 85 followed her opening day score of 86 and two-round score of 171 is tied for 202nd. Robyn Blachard had an 89 after a score of 81 on day
one for a tally of 173 and is in 212th place. In one of the largest collegiate golf tournaments of the season, Indiana State stands in 39th place out of 43 teams. ISU fired a team score of 318 in their return off the winter lay-off and returned with a score of 322 on day two for a total of 640. College of Charleston fired an even par round of 288 on day one and came back with a 279 for a total of 567. Athletic Media Relations By Athletic Media RelaSierra Hargens led the way with a round of 77 and 81 during the two day tournament. tions