Feb. 11, 2022 by The Wichitan and Wai Kun

Feb. 11, 2022 | thewichitan.com |Real Students. Real Stories. | Vol. 86 No. 9

NEWS: Pg 3

Bridwell Activities Center renovations are delayed.

COLLEGIATE HEALTH: Pg 6-7

The negative mental health effects of social media are becoming more substantially documented and evaluated everyday. So, is social networking worth its potential pitfalls?

ENTERTAINMENT: Pg 9

Let’s talk about the latest episodes of “Euphoria.”

CAMPUS VOICES: Pg 2

ESPAÑOL: Pg 11

STANG STORIES: Pg 12

Here’s how to dapper up for a first date.

Fluent in Spanish? The Wichitan needs your help.

Alemu Mercer Miko shares his soccer journey.

@WichitanOnline

@wichitanonline

@TheWichitan

E DI TOR I A L

Love Languages

ince Valentine’s day is right around the corner, it’s important to remember that everyone has their own love language. This term refers to how people give and receive love. This phenomenon was discovered by Gary Chapman, an American author, who is known for “The Five Love Languages” series. According to Chapman the five love languages are: Words of affirmation: People with this love language value verbal acknowledgement of affection, such as compliments. Physical touch: People with this love language value physical signs of affection including hugging, hand holding and kissing. Gifts: People with this love language value receiving visual signs of affection. This love language is not about monetary cost, but the process that went into giving the gift. Quality time: People with this love language value spending time with loved ones. They feel most adored when a loved one spends intentional time with them. Acts of service: People with this love language value when loved ones go out of their way to make life easier, for instance, making coffee for them in the morning. Understanding the love languages will help with communicating love in your life, whether it be giving or receiving. Do you know your love language?

Vol. 86 | No. 9 Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd. | Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@msutexas.edu | thewichitan.com @wichitanonline

Dappering up before a first date F

irst impressions are everything; when properly executed, they have the power to open opportunities for an individual’s future. Let’s take this concept and transition into the realm of Shun’de Hooks dating. When you’re putting yourself out there to meet someone up to your standards, it’s imperative to make sure you’re doing your part in that process. How you present yourself on a date can lead to a lifetime of memories or a significant loss of other people’s interests. The other person will make sure they look their absolute best for you; why not do the same for them?

Communicate the plan

Before any date, it’s good to communicate with that person. This allows two individuals to be of one accord when it comes to date night ideas and assists in developing a sense of comfort and safety. Keep in mind you don’t want to bombard your date with information, but communicate enough to show them you are interested.

Clean up

The next one is a given: getting fresh and clean. We know that practicing good hygiene is helpful for the body, but are you aware of how something as simple as smelling great can make a person feel. It is said that the sense of smell can trigger emotion in the brain, like happiness or excitement. Taking that moment to wash up, clean under those fingernails, or spray cologne creates an intimate environment before any contact. Once you get that in check, you want to get yourself groomed. Take the time to get yourself a haircut, touch up if you have facial hair and a facial if the barbering service offers it. Getting these things in order is a thoughtful step in the first impression process of dating. This gives off classy vibes by showing that you take pride in presenting yourself.

Choose your fit

The exact energy you put in communication or your hygiene process is the same amount you put in when choosing from the ward-

PHOTO COURTESY OF PNW PRODUCTION FROM PEXELS

Man preparing for a first date. robe. I’m not here to tell you what to wear; I’m just saying you want to dress for the occasion. Overall, things to think about are wearing relaxed and comfortable clothes. Be mindful of what impression you want to give while on the date.

the date to get yourself mentally together, whether it’s listening to some music or any stress relief activity. Be confident; visualize being present at that moment.

Calm down

After you’ve done everything to prepare for the date on your end, everything else is history. This is where you make that person feel special. Compliment their smile and tell them how beautiful they look to you. Be a gentleman, trust me; chivalry isn’t dead, fellas.

When it comes to first dates, there can be a lot going on in your head. Palms may begin to sweat; hearts may begin to race; I think you get the gist. That nervousness is very normal because you’re getting closer to meeting that person. Take some time before

Editor in Chief: Stephanie Robledo Managing Editor: Samuel Koone Design Editor: Omar Combie Photography Editor: Colin Stevenson Business Manager: Abigail Jones Issue Staff: Emily Beaman, Javier Contreras, Natalie Cook, Thalia Doe, Shun’de Hooks, Lizbeth Jaimes, Keza Muvunyi Advisor: Jonathon Quam

Carry out the plan

Copyright ©2022. First copy free. Additional copies $1.00 each. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

Bridwell Activities Center Renovations Postponed Due to Supply Shortages JAVIER CONTRERAS REPORTER upply shortages are affecting construction projects across the country, as well as on campus. The delay in materials has resulted in postponement of the completion of the Bridwell Activities Center and Cannedy Greek Commons. Kyle Owen, associate vice president of facility services, said the pandemic has taken a toll on the progress of the structure. “The pandemic has kind of wreaked havoc on that project,” Owen said. Officials for the project originally hoped to have it up and running by the fall of 2021 but due to a lack of materials, like steel and aluminum, and a delay on components like glass, the new expected completion date is May 20. Owen said it could be even later than that. “Delays in materials, delivery, what we’re told on items. It should be done by [May 20] but I’m not going to guarantee it. I would fully anticipate it to be used by the fall,” Owen said. The BAC will located to the north of the Clark Student Center, where the Daniel building used to be. Matthew Park, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students, said that the BAC will be built within the structural frame of the Daniel building. “The shell of the building is the same, it’s like the bones of the building but it was what they call a ‘messy remodel’ meaning the entire inside was essentially gutted so all you had

were the structural supports but all of the walls and everything in them came down and then you’re building within that skeletal structure,” Park said.

“The pandemic has kind of wreaked havoc on that project.” KYLE OWEN

Associate Vice President of Facility Services

on COVID-19’s impact on the renovations of the Bridwell Activities Cener

The completion of the first floor of the BAC will be known as “phase one.” The funding for the first floor of the BAC came as a five million dollar donation from the Bridwell Foundation. The completion of the second floor will be called “phase two”, but until the funding for that is secured, the second floor will be used primarily as mechanical space for heating and air conditioning equipment that serves the first floor. “All of this is happening on the first floor of the building which we’re calling phase one. We hope at some point in the future, obviously pending the donations to do it, to have a phase two, which would be the ability to remodel the second floor of the building,” Park said.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

May 20, 2022 is the new completion estimate for the Bridwell Activities Center, Feb. 10. The BAC will be focused on student engagement and involvement. When completed, it will be equipped with a multipurpose room, seminar room, coffee shop, and common space for students to hang out. Park said the BAC will act as an extension of the Clark Student Center, allowing two offices to move from the CSC to the BAC. Those offices are the Student Leadership and Involvement office, and the Student Government Association office. Park said that moving some things to the BAC from the CSC will provide students with more room to learn and grow.

“We should have a robust atmosphere for student organizations, for those peer connections and that peer learning.” MATTHEW PARK

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students on the environment the Bridwell Activities Center should foster

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

The Bridwell Activities Center will take the place of the Daniel building, Feb. 10.

“We need to make sure we are also giving our student center back to our students. They should be able to do their programs, they

should be able to do their events. We should have a robust atmosphere for student organizations, for those peer connections and that peer learning,” Park said. The Mustangs Pantry will also be moved to the BAC to provide students who may be experiencing food insecurity with even more options. The Mustangs Pantry is currently a small space within the student government suite in the CSC. Park said the new building will provide the pantry with its own space in the BAC. “It will have its own space in the Bridwell Activities Center and it’s a larger space so they will be able to expand their offerings that are available to those students experiencing food insecurity,” Park said. The Cannedy Greek Commons will house five Greek chapters that are mostly using space in Fain Hall for the time being. Those chapters are Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa, and Sigma Lambda Alpha. Hannah Harder, primary education junior, is a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Harder said that the new building will provide many benefits for students. She also said it will offer students more space to get things done and allow for more students to participate as well. “There are lots of benefits. Definitely more people are able to be included. There is more room to do the things that we need to do,” Harder said.

PIERCE HALL TO BE CLOSED DOWN FOR 2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR ABIGAIL JONES REPORTER ue to post-COVID enrollment numbers, Pierce Hall will be closed down starting in the fall 2022 semester. According to Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and housing, MSU’s lower enrollment numbers follow a post-COVID trend of fewer students enrolling into college. Lower enrollment means fewer students in on-campus housing. To maximize the space available to them, residence life and housing made the decision to consolidate their resources, beginning with closing Pierce Hall. Pierce residents received emails on Jan. 25 informing them that they need to look at other housing options for the fall, but the decision to close Pierce has been in the works since October of 2021. “At this point there’s no intention to use Pierce in the upcoming year. If that changes we’ll definitely have some information out there, but we’ll pretty much go ahead and it will be an empty facility,” Schulte said. “We’ve developed our reapplication process where returning students sign up [early] for housing next year...Those students will actually have an opening... to preserve some of the existing community even if they choose to move to a different building.” These students will be classified as displaced residents and will be able to apply for housing before juniors and seniors. Lauren Kam, residence hall director of Pierce and McCullough-Trigg, said that this early sign-up will aid in preserving the community of Pierce Hall. “It’s so hard to think about losing that culture, because Pierce is a culture. It is an accepting home where people feel really comfortable and close,” Kam said. “I think we can do that in Killingsworth. I think we can create a culture that isn’t just a replica of Pierce but will be better.” According to Kam, this culture can be attributed to the significant international student population and friendly, accepting environment. Chance Thompson, mathematics freshman, said he was sad to leave what felt like a growing residential hall. “It sucks because, even last semester we had already seen some growth in it, like the second floor lounge was getting renovations. It was just so sudden, but if it happens then it just has to happen, I guess,” Thompson said. “Currently they’re talking about having a lot of the Pierce residents go to Killingsworth because it’s going to become coed. So, I’m just gonna follow the crowd, basically, go to Killingsworth with them and see if we can build up the same community we had over there.” Even though residents and residence hall director alike are aiming to preserve the community of Pierce Hall, students like Thompson

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Pierce Hall will be closing for the 2022-2023 academic year, Jan. 25. or Jason Thomas, first-floor Pierce Hall RA, are still mourning the loss of their home. “I feel like Pierce Hall had the connection [where] everybody knew everyone and it was just like a real home. It was kind of like a village type situation. That’s probably what I would miss the most,” Thomas said. “Fortunately I am a senior so I won’t really be coming back here next semester, but I feel for my residents and the residents of Pierce… Some of them were even saying Pierce is the reason they haven’t dropped out yet. It’s kind of just sad to see them have to move from what they’ve established as their home into a new building. I feel like it has to happen.” Schulte recognized that Pierce has become a real home for students. For this reason, Pierce residents were the first to know about the building closing down, but Pierce’s doors won’t be shut forever. “I anticipate that within the next couple of

years we’re going to see, you know, [as] we always want to see huge growth in terms of freshman classes and we’ll need to open very shortly. We’ll definitely need to put Pierce housing back into our housing rotation,” Schulte said. “We know that community is important to students. Students move into a building and they connect with people that they’re living with. They make friends and that’s important. It’s an important part of the student success puzzle. We know that students who are connected to campus and connect to a group of peers are far more likely to graduate than those who are not. So it’s important for us to put community first.” Although it was not originally planned as a goodbye, Kam and her staff are in the process of planning a Pierce pride week near the end of the semester to send off the building and acknowledge the strong community that its walls cultivated. The pride week will possibly include a talent show, the awarding of the title “Mr.

Pierce Hall,” ping pong or basketball tournaments and other fun events for students. “When we found out the news I think we were all grieving a bit. I think they need that closure to just be like ‘Yeah. This was a really great year and we’re going to make these memories in a different building.’ They may never get that back,” Kam said. “I haven’t told my staff this, but I’d like to do something really special, whether it be at the end of Pierce pride week or just at the end of the school year with just like a remembrance wall or maybe a candlelit vigil. I know that sounds really dramatic but at the same time I just want everyone to get up and just talk about what was so special about their year because you can tell everyone has so much love for Pierce and I want them to have that opportunity to say goodbye and have this moment of mourning and grieving.”

LEGACY FIRE BRIEFLY DISRUPTS CAMPUS LIFE SAMUEL KOONE MANAGING EDITOR n Friday, Jan. 28, a fire broke out in Legacy Hall’s 4B lounge. The fire was extinguished by the automatic sprinkler systems in the building and all students were evacuated safely. Campus and city police forces reported to the incident, as well as the city fire department. Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and housing, remarked on the rapid response. “By the time I responded, Wichita Falls Police, university police and Wichita Falls

Fire Department [were] already on scene. The sprinkler activated and the fire pressure systems did what they were designed to do. They put the fire out by the time I had arrived,” Schulte said. The night of the fire was a wild one for Legacy residents according to Kaitlyn Postell, biology freshman. She described the scene leading up to evacuation. “It started with two girls screaming, ‘everybody get out of their rooms! There’s a fire going on!’ The fire alarm wasn’t happening then. I was thinking somebody was

high and messing with me so I come out of my room and was like ‘what’re y’all yelling about?’ …One of the girls had a fire extinguisher and tried to use it and apparently it didn’t work… So I grabbed my things, and when I grabbed my things, the fire alarm finally started going off,” Postell said. Schulte said around 70 students from Legacy Hall were temporarily displaced. However, she was pleased with the turnaround with which students were returned to their rooms. “It was roughly 11 o’clock and we thought that it was

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

The fire at Legacy Hall left damages in the lounges of Hall B on floors two to four, Jan. 29.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

The third floor Hall B lounge experienced considerable water damage from the fire sprinklers on the fourth floor, Jan. 29.

in our best interest to get students to a place where they could sleep for the night, and that would also allow staff to be coming in on a Saturday to do the necessary work that they needed to do with as minimal disruption as possible. We were really happy to be able to have those students back by 4 o’clock on Saturday.” Schulte said. Damage to dorm rooms in Legacy was minimal. If the fire was more severe, uninsured students could be facing serious financial losses. The residence life handbook heavily recommends that students purchase renter’s insurance. “Although steps are taken to maintain all university facilities and ground and to provide adequate security, Mid-

western State University is not liable for the loss or damage to personal property caused by acts of nature, fire, water, smoke, utility, or equipment malfunctions, or caused by the conduct of any resident or their guest(s). Therefore, residents are strongly encouraged to carry a personal property or renter’s insurance policy for their belongings while living on campus,” the handbook states. Schulte also recognized the fire as a wake-up call for residents. She said situations like these are why so much emphasis is placed on fire drills throughout the academic year. “I think that this is just a really good reminder for our students: why we take fire alarms and fire drills so seri-

ously. As a matter of fact, this week we had already planned. We do fire drills each semester and this week is actually part of our semester-wide fire drills…We do encourage students to understand and to abide by those alarms, evacuate the building, because safety and security [are] so important,” Schulte said. “We’re not doing this because we just think it’s fun to disrupt students for about an hour. We do it because it’s important for students to understand how to evacuate a building, where they should meet at and to be in a position where they have some agency in that situation [and know] how to take care of themselves and others. So, it’s an important thing to remember.”

SOCIAL MEDIA AND reported. In 2018, a University of Pennsylvania study found that unlimited social media use can lead to negative mental health outcomes. It suggested that limiting the use of social networking platforms can mitigate the psychological harms they can cause. Two groups of people were studied, one that used social media as normal, and one that limited their use to 10 minutes each day on each separate platform. “Experimentally limiting social media usage on a mobile phone to 10 minutes per platform per day for a full three weeks had a significant impact on well-being. Both loneliness and depressive symptoms declined in the experimental group,” the study stated. Although many negative effects of social networking have been recently documented, some professors on campus view it as a mixed bag of risks and benefits. David Carlston, chair of the psychology department on campus, discussed both sides of social media use. “On the positive side, social media can PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN provide a place of belonging and connection Assistant sociology professor Isaac Christiansen said “[Social media] are for-profit companies that for individuals. Social connection and group benefit the more people spend time on their phone, the more money they make, the better they are membership are often strongly associated with self-esteem. As we are accepted and to sell your posts and you to advertisers,” Feb. 10. valued by members of our social circle, our worldview is confirmed and, more importantSAMUEL KOONE However, while Barnes stated that social ly, we are able to accept and value ourselves… MANAGING EDITOR media is a positive force in her life, she under- On the other hand, excessive or problematic ocial media is present seemingly every- stands how it could be harmful to some. She social media use can be associated with a vawhere and Midwestern State is no excep- expressed that online presences can create un- riety of mental health difficulties, including tion. Student organizations post updates realistic expectations that are difficult to live low self-esteem. Social media use increases on Instagram, MSU posts campus updates up to. out awareness of what others are doing that we on Facebook and Twitter and future gradu“People like to compare themselves to mod- might not otherwise have known about. As a ates search for jobs on LinkedIn. Social me- els on Instagram and that blows their self-es- result, I may now feel excluded or left out…The dia use is almost inseparable from a college teem. People like to act like they have this or content that appears on social media is seleclifestyle. Online platforms help students keep that because this person has this or they want tive, often edited, and, often, doesn’t reflect the up with campus events, stay in contact with to have it… copycatters, you know,” Barnes whole picture. Consuming high levels of social their friends and stay informed about cur- said. media changes our perception of normality rent events. However, social media use has a In September of 2021, the Wall Street Journal and establishes a nearly impossible standard more sinister side that users are only recently made waves by reporting on Facebook compa- to measure up to,” said Carlston. becoming acquainted with. Negative mental ny research that demonstrated that their subIsaac Christiansen, assistant professor of health effects of many platforms are becoming sidiary platform, Instagram, was causing men- sociology, said that some of the harms social more substantially documented and evaluated tal health issues for teen girls. This research media causes can be traced back to one of its by the public eye. Is social networking worth was displayed on easy-to-digest infographics primary purposes; to create profit. He stated its potential pitfalls? Tori Barnes, social work that displayed statistics regarding a myriad that this can lead to social media having some freshman, emphasized some of the positive as- of sensitive issues and their correlations with addictive properties. pects of social media. Instagram usage, including self-harm, suicidal “I think that’s very true. I think it’s extraor“I use Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Tik- ideation and body image. dinarily dangerous. I was just watching with tok… all the time. [My favorite] would have “The tendency to share only the best mo- my own family. I’ve watched it with many difto be Facebook because I get to scroll, I get to ments, a pressure to look perfect and an addic- ferent people. It’s visible, people don’t interact laugh, I get to react… you get to do a lot of stuff tive product can send teens spiraling toward with each other, they’re stuck on their phones... you don’t get to do on Snapchat, Instagram, eating disorders, an unhealthy sense of their It’s deliberate. I mean, these are for-profit comwhen you’re on Facebook… social media af- own bodies and depression, March 2020 inter- panies that benefit the more people spend time fects my mood in a good way because it’s fun- nal research states. It warns that the Explore on their phone, the more money they make, ny. Some stuff is really funny and if I’m mad, I page, which serves users photos and videos the better they are to sell your posts and you go to social media and start laughing,” Barnes curated by an algorithm, can send users deep to advertisers. With that dynamic, it just led said. into content that can be harmful,” the Journal to a pernicious political economy…Human be-

A 2018 University of Pennsylvania study suggeste cause, Feb. 10.

D MENTAL HEALTH ings have an enormous propensity to become addicted to things. Instead of trying to curtail this sort of thing, the companies that benefit will try to encourage it.” Christiansen said. MSU students provided a range of opinions on and purposes for social media use. Brennan Wright, theater sophomore, mentioned its potential for making connections and keeping up with pop culture. “The theater department that I’m in primarily uses Facebook to get information out…I’m a geek, any movie news, any stuff like that, I’m primarily looking out for that, I usually don’t post anything, I just kind of see like what’s new that’s announced today…the nerd aspect of me is able to keep up to date on whatever exciting’s coming out…There’s the obvious thing where it’s like friends and family that I haven’t seen or haven’t seen since high school or whatever, I get a little post about what they’re doing, what they’re up to and it’s cool to see they’re still going on, they’re still out there doing really cool stuff, and it’s a nice little reminder that even though I don’t see them as much or haven’t talked to them, they’re still having a good life,” Wright said. Theater junior Sunny Scabora talked about some of the potential pitfalls of social media for neurodivergent people. He explained how he has experienced difficulties with social me-

dia in the past. “I have a couple of neurodivergences. I’m ADHD, and I’m Bipolar. One thing with social media is that ADHD does not lend itself well to things like Twitter and things like that, that distract you very easily… With my Bipolar too, I get major depressive episodes and so a lot of the times what would usually be me thinking ‘Wow these people are so happy’ would be like ‘Wow why can’t I be happy?’ that kind of thing. It sometimes can be a pretty severe effect on my mental health when I get one of those episodes.” Carlston offered advice for students using social media. He accentuated the importance of being actively aware of time spent using social networks and the feelings associated with that time. “I think that my biggest recommendation would be to monitor and be aware of your social media use. Monitor the time that is spent, your mood prior to and subsequent to your use. Monitor your time thinking about social media. Ask feedback from others. I might even try a ‘social media fast’ for a few days or a week. That is a great way to gain insight into your social media use,” Carlston said.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

ed that limiting the use of social networking platforms can mitigate the psychological harms they can

Among teens who reported suicidal thoughts, 6% of American Instagram users traced the desire to kill themselves to Instagram according to files from Facebook’s internal message board, Feb. 10.

“LAUREL HELL” IS INCREDIBLE BUT PLAYS IT SAFE

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAD OCEANS

Cover art for Mitski’s sixth album, “Laurel Hell,” Feb. 4.

itski has come a long way from releasing her 2012 debut album as a student at the Purchase College music school in New York. Ten years, and four full length Samuel albums later, Mitski MiyKoone awaki is a bonafide indie rockstar, slotted to open for Harry Styles in the UK later this year and releasing her sixth album “Laurel Hell” in the beginning of February. Masterful and polished production abounds on “Laurel Hell.” Mitski’s signature vocals take center stage, as powerful and emotionally moving as ever, feeling almost three-dimensional on each track. Synthesizers provide a background for almost every song on the project, from the pulsing electronic bass of “Everyone” to the twinkly interlude found on “Heat Lightning.” Drums on each track range from simple drum machine backing tracks (“Everyone”) to complex, syncopated patterns clearly played by a skilled percussionist (“There’s nothing left here for you”). Each of the songs on the album unashamedly pulls elements from the same curated

sonic palette yet manages to maintain a distinct identity. Songs range from somber (“Working for the Knife”), to upbeat and poppy (“Stay Soft”), to cinematic (“Heat Lightning”), to triumphant (“That’s our Lamp”). Most instrumentals on this project are heavily layered without overwhelming the vocals, always leaving something new to discover on a second, third, or twelfth listen. Lyrical content on this album is tinged with melancholic lines that remain abstract, avoiding specific details. For example, on “Working for the Knife” Mitski laments stagnation, crooning “I always knew the world moves on, I just didn’t know it would go without me.” In “Valentine, Texas” Mitski paints a haunting picture of a place that seems like it couldn’t possibly exist by singing “let’s drive out to where dust devils are made, by dancing ghosts as they kick up clouds of sand.” These lyrics are open to interpretation, providing plenty of room for listeners to project their own sadness, shortcomings and nostalgia into each song. Very few songs follow a traditional structure, with only a handful having full choruses. These frameworks lend themselves well to Mitski’s songwrit-

ing style, making the tracks on this project feel more poetic than anthemic. Despite “Laurel Hell” being a joy to listen to, it does have a few shortcomings. The record definitely plays it safe with production, opting for the 80’s synthpop sound that has seen a resurgence recently with artists like The Weeknd and Bleachers. Mitski’s production in the past has been experimental and daring, and while every track on Laurel Hell sounds incredible, the album doesn’t break nearly as much new ground as other releases in her discography. “Laurel Hell” also clocks in at just over 30 minutes with 11 tracks total, barely feeling like a full-length release. While this runtime is standard for most Mitski releases, I feel that this hinders the album somewhat, with some songs ending just as they start to gain momentum. However, these flaws do little to mar the experience of listening to “Laurel Hell,” which proves to be a stellar addition to Mitski’s discography.

Samuel’s Album Rating: 4/5

ENTER INTO “EUPHORIA” T

his season of “Euphoria” is the emotional rollercoaster that keeps on giving. Just when you think this show can’t get crazier, it does, usually in ways you Natalie Cook don’t even see coming. These two episodes were a lot to take in, so get ready.

EPISODE 4 |

The two love triangles are quickly crashing down. Elliot (Dominic Fike) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) are hanging out, and end up kissing. Throughout the episode we see the two of them kissing when Rue (Zendaya) isn’t in the room. I begin to dislike Jules more as each episode airs. First, she was jealous of Elliot, now she’s hooking up with him behind Rue’s back? Towards the end of the episode Rue tells Jules that she can’t stand her, and I can see why. Jules pretends to be innocent, but in reality, she has her own demons. Now, I don’t support Rue hiding her relapse, but to me, cheating on your girlfriend is a lot worse than hiding pills. Something that made me really mad was that Elliot, who has aided Rue in her drug usage, spills it all to Jules. Like I said, this trio is more than messed up. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) becomes furious when she finds out that Nate (Jacob Elordi) has been talking to Maddy (Alexa Demie), and rightfully so. I know there’s a lot of people who don’t like Cassie for being with Nate… but in all fairness to her, he was single, and Maddy does nothing but talk trash

P A R T

about him. Maddy’s psychotic tendencies are obviously why Cassie isn’t saying anything. Nate, the master manipulator, quickly turns on Cassie, yelling horrible things and trying to place all the blame on her. Nate is doing everything he can to ruin their relationship and tear Cassie down. I’ve been there, and it’s not fun, so my heart broke for her. Say what you will about Cassie, but the girl obviously loves Nate, no matter the consequences. Watching the couple narrowly avoid being busted at Maddy’s birthday party was anxiety-provoking to say the least. Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane) is absolutely wild as he drives drunk and gets kicked out of his favorite bar. The last scene of the episode shows Cal peeing on the floor, flashing his family, and admitting to sleeping with men. I have to say, his monologue was one of the funniest yet most twisted moments of this show. The worst part of this scene occurs when Cal tells Nate that he is his biggest regret. It definitely helps the audience understand how Nate developed toxic tendencies. Growing up in a home like that, the odds were stacked against him from the beginning. The last we see of Cal is when he leaves the house clutching a family portrait. The episode then cuts to a shot of Cal’s construction site, and I’m almost positive that his days on the show are numbered. This one was pretty heavy and there was a lot to process but also plenty of entertainment value.

EPISODE 5 |

TThis episode was chaotic from the start.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO ENTERTAINMENT.

Sydney Sweeney plays Cassie Howard in HBO’s “Euphoria,” 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO ENTERTAINMENT.

Zendaya stars as Rue Bennett in teen drama “Euphoria,” 2022. Writing a review that isn’t 3 pages long is proving to be challenging, but here I go. The episode seemed to be purely dedicated to Rue and while I found this interesting, my mind wandered to what has happened to the other characters since last week’s episode. Rue has relapsed, and now everyone knows, thanks to her now ex-girlfriend Jules and fellow addict Elliot. I think everyone was super frustrated with Elliot for ratting on her, because he isn’t any better. Zendaya portrays this character so well, watching her raid her house searching for drugs, yelling at her family and breaking down doors felt so real. I was fully convinced that she wasn’t just playing a drug addict but was one. But Rue isn’t done causing scenes yet. Rue eventually agrees to go to the E.R. but realizes she’s being taken to rehab, jumps out of the moving car and runs into traffic. The remainder of the episode follows Rue as she searches for her next fix… which lands her at Cassie’s house. She makes a big mistake going there, as all of the girls are present and call Rue’s mom. They all try to encourage Rue to stay clean but as Cassie tries to tell Rue to take it one day at a time, Rue sees an opportunity to let things hit the fan. My jaw dropped when Rue ratted on Nate and Cassie… in front of Maddy, who loses her mind, causing chaos and leading to Rue’s escape. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to witness the aftermath of Rue dropping this

bomb on her friends. Hopefully next week we will see more. By the end of the episode, Rue breaks into someone’s house, evades police in an intense chase and ends up at drug dealer Laurie’s (Martha Kelly’s) house and receives her first intravenous dose of morphine. The last 10 minutes of the episode were eerie as we watch Rue try to escape from what many on social media are assuming was an attempt at human trafficking.

SUMMARY

I have one word to describe these two episodes: heavy. Each was full of information, emotionally draining moments, and anxietyridden cliffhangers. My favorite part of both of these episodes is the new music introduced. Labyrinth is a genius and the score for the show is spot on. For episode 4, “How Long” by Tove Lo was released as part of the official Euphoria soundtrack. Not only do I love this song and have listened to it on repeat but also feel like it perfectly encapsulates Cassie’s emotions as she struggles with being in love with her best friend’s ex. If you haven’t yet, go listen to it. After watching the teaser for next week’s episode, I’m hopeful to get a lot more of my questions answered. I really would like to know where Cal Jacobs is… mainly if he’s alive. Tune into HBO Max on Sunday at 9PM Central to see what the next episode holds.

PRESENTANDO EL PLAN DE CALIDAD

PARA MEJORAR MSU EN 2022 EMILY BEAMAN EDITORA DE NOTICIAS LIZBETH JAIMES TRADUCTORA a próxima reacreditación de MSU viene en 2022 con muchos planes importantes para avanzar la universidad. SACSCOC, la agencia de reacreditación para MSU, requiere que cada institución provea un plan de calidad (Quality Enhancement Plan, QEP) para que la universidad mejore las experiencias de sus estudiantes. El QEP anterior que había implementado MSU era EURECA, que se centró en la investigación del estudiante universitario. El QEP que llegará a los estudiantes de MSU en 2022 se centrará en un área diferente surgida de la necesidad de los estudiantes. “El [QEP] que fue seleccionado y ahora se mueve del comité que selecciona el tema al comité de implementación, es casi una experiencia de todo el año,” dijo el Presidente Interino James Johnston. Hace solo un año que MSU empezó a trabajar en los planes para el QEP de 2022. El primer paso fue identificar el tema, lo cual es un proceso difícil porque hay muchos asuntos a

clasificar. Martin Camacho, el rector interino y el vicepresidente para los asuntos estudiantiles, quien también sirve de catedrático en el comité de identificación del QEP, platicó sobre lo que su equipo buscaba en un tema. “Necesitamos enfocarnos en un asunto que va proveer suficiente apoyo, tiempo, [y] recursos para asegurar que [nosotros] mejoremos el éxito del estudiante lo cual es…una cosa que deberíamos hacer mejor,” dijo Camacho. “En lugar de hacer historias de anécdotas solamente, queríamos ver la información. Entonces miramos un gran número de encuestas que tenemos en nuestra posesión…y luego empezamos a formular una idea de lo que es más urgente.” Al principio el comité preparó siete propuestas sobre la información que habían juntado y lo redujeron a cuatro. Esas cuatro fueron discutidas por el gabinete del presidente y reducidas a dos finalistas. La asociación del gobierno de estudiantes analizó las dos propuestas finalistas, y después de discutirlas con los senadores de la facultad y el personal, tomaron su decisión final. “Hubo un tema que surgió sobre la

falta de acción de las artes liberales. Pensé que era muy bueno también. Nosotros necesitamos esto, también es una buena idea,” dijo Johnston. “Después de pasar por el proceso, la experiencia comprensiva del primer año (Comprehensive First Year Experience, FYE) fue seleccionada’’. El QEP del próximo año se enfocará en crear un FYE para todos los estudiantes del primer año con un énfasis en un aspecto de las artes liberales. Esto es un ideal central de MSU y la comisión del QEP desea un plan nuevo que ayudará a los estudiantes a entender su importancia y valor. “Parte de nuestro principio rector

FOTO POR COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Después de hacer el primer touchdown del juego, el receptor abierto y estudiante de ultimo año de deportes y ocio Kandin Robertson es felicitado por el estudiante de primer año y receptor abierto de camiseta roja de deportes y ocio Ja’Juan Mason y el estudiante de ultimo año de fisiología del ejercicio y corredor Trenton Kennedy, Oct. 9.

FOTO POR COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Estudiante de primer año de negocios y acomodadora Regan Willms sirve mientras su equipo aplaude para animarla, Sept. 11.

FOTO POR COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

El estudiante de primer año de ingeniería mecánica, Micheal Morrell, comienza a deslizarse de un toro mecánico instalado en la fiesta de cumpleaños de Maverick, Oct. 27.

como una institución es pensar sobre el valor de una educación de las artes liberales y alineándolo, o enseñando, como un entrenamiento en las artes liberales quiere decir que nuestros licenciados son entrenados en pensamiento crítico, comunicación efectiva, el trabajo en equipo, y un sentido de comunidad,” dijo Kristen Garrison, la vicepresidenta asociada de los asuntos estudiantiles y coor-

dinadora del comité de planeación e implementación del QEP. El próximo paso es empezar la planeación e implementación del QEP. Este trabajo ha sido delegado a un comité recién formado que planea presentar sus recomendaciones finales para el principio de marzo. “Nuestro trabajo es idear los resultados, lo que queremos que los estudiantes ganen, cómo lo cumplimos, cómo podemos ser responsables en el uso de nuestros recursos y cómo lo evaluamos para asegurar que estamos logrando lo que queremos lograr,” dijo Garrison. Después de la propuesta final y la reacreditación en la primavera, empezamos el experimento en el otoño. Desde ese punto, se harán ajustes dependiendo de las faltas o vacíos que los comités no habían anticipado ante el lanzamiento oficial para estudiantes empezando en el otoño de 2023. “Entonces hay una necesidad de nuestros estudiantes para ser exitosos fuera del salón pero dentro de la

universidad. Pienso que esta experiencia comprensiva ayuda a nuestros estudiantes del primer año a conectarse a sus estudios en la universidad y les dan las habilidades que van a necesitar para tener éxito. Esto es lo más importante de lo que necesitamos que esta cosa cumpla,” dijo Johnston. Garrison dijo que la meta principal que su comité está tratando de cumplir es ayudar a los estudiantes. Quieren crear un plan que daría a los estudiantes de MSU las experiencias correctas y las habilidades para acabar sus estudios y disfrutar su tiempo en el colegio mientras son parte de la comunidad en su conjunto. “La cosa importante para saber sobre el QEP es que a pesar de que hay un comité trabajando con los detalles…este comité representa la comunidad universitaria,” dijo Garrison. “El plan final va a representar el todo. Su propósito es servir a toda la comunidad universitaria.”

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ALEMU MERCER MIKO From Africa to Spain, to North Carolina, to the Falls

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Business management senior Alemu Miko lived in Mallorca, Spain for a large majority of his life before coming to the United States, Feb. 8. THAILA DOE FEATURE EDITOR ew year, new soccer player for the MSU men’s soccer team. Business management senior, Alemu Mercer Miko, from Mallorca, Spain has been at Midwestern for just a little under a month. “I’m originally from Africa, my brother and I were in an orphanage when we were adopted and then taken to Mallorca, Spain; the largest island among the three of the Islas Baleares. I was just four years old when my parents adopted us...I grew up in Mallorca and was there until I was 18...so basically my entire

life. It was a really big change, but a change for the better of course. My parents were in Ethiopia for around a month to also understand our culture and where we were coming from,” Mercer said. Though being the first year in Texas, this is not Mercer’s first year in the States. Mercer was just 18, freshly out of high school when he first came to the U.S. and attended Campbell University, in Buies Creek, North Carolina. “When I first came to the U.S. I went to North Carolina to play for Campbell. It was a very rural area, we didn’t have much; Wichita Falls is a lot big-

ger than where I was. Whenever I needed to get food, we would have to drive like 20 to 40 minutes to encounter something; anything. While playing for Campbell, we won two championships and made it to the second round. At first, playing soccer for Campbell was difficult but little by little, we came together and made a great team. Now, I’m at MSU with my final year of eligibility to play,” Mercer said. Assistant men’s soccer coach, Ross Fitzpatrick, reached out to Mercer and informed him of the success the MSU soccer program has had. From winning championships to national tournaments. Overall, Mercer said he was able to tell how much the players simply enjoyed playing. From the age of 10 to 18, Mercer’s life consisted purely of soccer. Although he says the system is very strict, one of the biggest differences between playing soccer in Spain versus the U.S. is the style of training. “In Spain, playing soccer is more complicated than here. It’s more difficult to get to where you want to be, and even more if you study on top of that, versus how things are done in the U.S. where both academics and the sport are both given equal importance. I think it’s very good because while I was in Spain, all I did was play soccer. My whole life was soccer. The biggest difference in playing soccer in Spain versus the U.S. is the style of training. It’s more physical, more gym. I’m used to more technical and working off of talent, there are more people and opportunities here so they are able to work more physical with their bodies and not just by playing soccer,” Mercer said. Mercer, although still settling in, is so far, content with his decision of transferring to

MSU. The environment and friends, then sooner or later, would like to play soccer probeing surrounded by other it becomes a hobby. When I fessionally. To him, it doesn’t Latinos has helped eased his started playing more then got matter playing in League one transition to Midwestern the call about an opportunity or two, he just knows he wants State. A few MSU soccer play- to play with elite teams, we all to play professionally. This ers have either graduated and supported each other...That’s summer, Mercer will be playor transferred so there is a when, I started realizing like ing with a semi-professional new look to the team. Mercer hey, I can make a living do- team in Tennessee. “There’s so many opporsaid he’s enjoying the team ing this. It was up until I was and getting to know one an- 18 that I was focused on that. tunities to play soccer proWhen I saw that I was getting fessionally here in America, other. “It’s almost like a new team, promoted, and traveling to I love that. If I do well and it can be difficult because you play soccer, I just really saw people come to see us, there’s have to adapt to playing and that I could live like this for- always more than one way to get to where you want to be,” being with one another...but, ever,” Mercer said. After graduation, Mercer Mercer said. there’s a lot of good people on the team and that’s the most important thing to me; without that you can’t win. Furthermore, the chemistry within the boys on the team is also strong. A lot of us are Latinos, so we are able to understand each other…there’s also a few from Europe, so there’s good diversity on the team. Since we are in spring, we have time to get to know each other before the official season starts. I think we can really do some damage with the team we have this year. We have strong technical players, aggressive ones, and ones that play from literally their head to their toe. I think we can become champions,” Mercer said. Mercer plays mid field offense. He says he enjoys how fast pace soccer can be and likes taking opportunities to make a goal when having the ball in possession. “Of course, just like most people, we all start playing just PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN by being kids want- Business management senior Alemu Mercer Miko transferred to MSU from ing to play with their Campbell University in North Carolina, Feb. 8.

Feb. 11, 2022

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