3/5/19

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Indiana Statesman

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Indiana Statesman

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Student radio station, WZIS, nationally awarded

Danielle Guy | Indiana Statesman

To the right: Garrett Short speaks on air to Garrat McCullough. WZIS won Best College Station in the Nation and several other awards.

ISU students experience a new, virtual reality Cheyenne Fauquher Reporter

Associate Directors of Campus Life, Kevon Christian and Shantrice Bradley, came up with the idea of having a virtual reality simulation on campus. The Union Board welcomed students to experience a new reality with just the swipe of their ID. This event was held Friday, March 1, from 7-9 p.m. in Dede 1. At the event, a big screen was set up in the middle of the room. There was a small platform in front of the screen large enough for one person. The platform had handlebars surrounding it for security. When students stepped up for their turn, they stood on the platform and were given headsets. These headsets are what triggered the virtual reality. When these headsets, which looked like masks and covered the eyes, were put on they blocked out all vision of the real world. The headsets had attached ear buds to plug into the individuals ears to give sound affects for the experience. When all the preparation steps were taken, students were instructed to hold on to the handlebars.

Once the students were ready to go, they had several different virtual reality options to pick from. The platform they were standing on moved as they experienced obstacles in this reality. This type of illusion felt so real that students were screaming and jumping as if they were experiencing the reality on screen. Some students were even jittery as they walked away after their time was up. “I have never experienced or felt a ride so real. I know I was just standing there in one spot, but I felt like I was actually on a slingshot flying through the air and dodging objects coming at me like a ninja,” freshman Jacob Girten, said, “I am sure my response to the reality was comical to anyone walking by unaware of what was going on.” Girten’s virtual reality was a slingshot ride. He said, he experienced soaring through the air and had to avoid hitting branches and other objects in the air. Several students shared that they would try this again in the future. “I have actually experienced a virtual reality before, and I enjoyed it so much that when I heard ISU was hosting the Emotion Matrix event I had to come and try it out again. It was just as thrilling as I remembered. I don’t think the experience

Samantha Layug | Indiana Statesman

Students enjoy the virtual reality experience offered by Union Board on Friday, March 1, in Dede 1.

of virtual realities can get old,” freshman, Luke Young, says. Students came and went from this event for the two hours it was available. Union Board said they felt this event was

a great idea and had a good turnout. They look forward to finding more fun activities for the students on campus to enjoy in the future.

Forensic Anthropology research taken in a unique direction Marissa Combs Reporter

Tiarra Taylor | Indiana Statesman

Dr. Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, spoke to students on her job as a forensic anthropologist and her work with the Body Farm at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on March 1 in University Hall.

Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Dawnie Wolfe Steadman came to speak as a part of the Whittman Lecture series Friday in the University Hall Theater on March 1. An Indiana State University alumna, Laura Whittman and her husband Jim sponsored the talk. Steadman spoke about a series of topics relating to forensic anthropology and her work within human rights. Steadman presented the definitions of various forensic anthropology terms to provide background knowledge to the audience. Steadman opened her talk with how her work is nothing like the TV show, “Bones.” Forensic anthropology roles actually are search and recovery of human remains, personal identification and biological profile; interpret trauma and the time since death. Steadman is the director of Forensic Anthropology center at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, better known as, “Body Farm.” Steadman described it as, “Research designed to help the criminal justice system, also other anthropologists with their cases.” Steadman discussed the body donation program, pre donors otherwise considered “body willed,” where someone can declare their intentions to donate their body to science after their death. It brings in roughly 4,000 donors. The center does a series of studies like body decomposition. Such as decomposing in the trunk of a car, on the ground, clothed and unclothed, etc. Animals are also used to study decomposition, such as the differences of how pigs and rabbits decompose and the placement of the bodies. Steadman said, “Raccoon scratches can be mistaken for weapon markings such as a knife.” Steadman is currently working on recovering a mass grave in Uganda. Recovering bodies of the aftermath of a civil war that took place there. “We are keeping records of everything we find within the mass grave,” Steadman said. She explained how they are keeping track of the soil, decomposition rates and other things that they find within the grave. An audience member asked how far back in time they could go when finding a body. Steadman explained “It depends on the soil where the body is found and if we can get DNA. Sometimes we don’t find any,” Steadman said.


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