Nov. 18, 2015

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Nov. 18, 2015 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 80 No. 13

#NoHateAtMSU Torres: ‘Hate and bigotry have no place at Midwestern State University’

TAYLOR COURTNEY REPORTER

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picture posted of a Midwestern student on social media last week has drawn attention to the subject of discrimination on campus. The picture, originally posted on Yeti, features senior psychology major Marco Torres walking into the CSC. Text at the top of the picture reads, “See a Fag, Post a Fag #MarcoTorres.” Torres responded to the post on Facebook alongside a screenshot of the original: “The photo devastated me. Not only was I labeled a fag, but I was specifically mentioned by name. This type of behavior and harassment has no place at Midwestern State University. What’s even more upsetting is the fact that 92 fellow students liked the photo.” His reply didn’t stop there; he challenged the campus community not to tolerate such harassment. “No student should feel unwelcome at MSU regardless of sex, gender, race, etc.,” he said. “As a leader on my campus, I will take any and every step to ensure this does not continue to happen. Hate and bigotry have no place at Midwestern State University. I ask that you share this photo to raise awareness to the situations that minority group college students face. #NoHateAtMSU.” His post got 280 likes, 876 shares and 108 comments, garnering support from fellow students using the

POSTED ON YETI An anonymous student posted this photo of Marco Torres on Yeti. Torres responded with a message of zero tolerance for hate and bigotry on Facebook that has received almost 900 shares and 300 likes.

“TODAY, WE ARE ALL HUMAN,” a remembrance of the terrorist attacks on Paris | Monday, Nov. 23 5-9 p.m. | CSC Comanche Suites #peaceforparis logo created by London-based French graphic designer Jean Jullien

hashtag #NoHateAtMSU. Torres said, “I’ve gotten really good responses from people all over the country, whether it’s been messages on Facebook or directly commenting. [N] ow I want to use this as a positive thing.” Torres said he faced this type of behavior once before while campaigning for SGA president. “So this next time I was attacked, I knew something had to be done, and I had to do something because usually I would just brush it off,” he said. The LGBT members of the community are also reaching out with Pride, an organization that has been around for years. Christopher D’Amico, co-advisor for Pride, talked about its objectives. “We tell people it’s not solely a gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgender organization,” he said. “It’s about inclusiveness for all people, all sexuality, all gender.” Houston Pokorny, theater senior and member of Pride, said, “I joined it to educate people. I really want to see change in how people view other people. [I want to see them] accept other people’s differences and to show that just because we are dif-

ferent doesn’t mean we are not all the same.” Members of Pride are not the only ones who know the importance of educating people when it comes to this topic. Wynter Taylor, psychology junior, said, “On a wider scale, it’s important to educate people on the subject so they are less likely to make offensive comments, but on an individual level, the only thing you can control is how you carry yourself.” Pride members said they plan to host two workshops in the beginning of next year to train students in subjects ranging from language and cultural education, local and national resources, coming out processes and identity development models, and sensitivity education that interrupts bias and makes appropriate referrals or responses as needed. “We welcome allies at the safe zone training and had plenty of allies attend,” D’Amico said. Allies are those who are straight but support LGBT friends, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, family members and others in variety of ways. Members of the organization handed out condoms at the Homecoming parade and said they will have free anonymous HIV testing on World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. With social media being a key subject in all of this, Pokorny said, “I don’t personally feel safe. Anyone can just post a picture of you saying, ‘You’re a fag.’ That, to me, screams hate and prejudice. They might just be frat boys, but prejudice comes out in many forms. It shows ignorance--not stupidity but ignorance and not understanding of other people.”

“No student should feel unwelcome at MSU regardless of sex, gender, race, etc.” MARCO TORRES PSYCHOLOGY SENIOR

FORUM ON CAMPUS CLIMATE Tonight at 4:30 p.m. in CSC Comanche


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STAF F E D I T O R I A L

Don’t tolerate intolerance OUR OPINION: The world is full of intolerance. But intolerance has no place on a college campus. Prejudice, hostility or personal attacks based on sexual orientation, social status, race, disability, religion, ethnicity, gender, age or other demographic characteristics are unacceptable.

University president: Talk to me

The terrorist attacks in Paris and Kenya show lack of Before I committed to attend MSU, Union. When Shipley heard this, her face lit up and she tolerance for religious freedom. The rallies at the University I went to a Mustangs Rally. There were said that we should talk sometime soon. of Missouri show lack of tolerance for racial differences. seniors from across the country who I was surprised to hear her invite me to speak with were curious as to what MSU had to her at a later date. I also thought that maybe she just And the acts on our campus at the Lip Sync Battle and on offer; however, I had already done my said it to be nice and that I would never see her again. social media show lack of tolerance for differences in sexual research about the university and was But recently, I received a phone call from the president orientation. almost sure that I would attend MSU in of the Black Student Union saying we had a meeting With every thought and every action, we should be the fall. the next day with Shipley, as well as other black leaders Kharmyn Instead, I was looking for faces more on campus, to talk about the black student experience Lewis intolerant of such behavior. like mine at the rally. My parents and I at MSU. It is not enough to just tolerate others. We need to be were concerned about the diversity here on campus. I was thrilled to be able to share my concerns with accepting. We need to understand better the people who After I committed to MSU, I had to attend orienta- the president. There were four other officers from diftion, where I saw people from cultures across the globe ferent organizations at the meeting, and we took turns are different from us. The world is full of people who live and plenty from my own. Once the school year started, sharing our stories about our experiences with discrimtheir lives in ways vastly different from the lives we lead though, I felt more alone than I ever had, so in order to ination on and off campus. Shipley carefully listened to in rural, conservative, North Texas. Not everyone will meet more people and escape the comfort of my dorm, our suggestions on how to unite the campus commuconform to how we want the world to be or how we see it. I joined the Black Student Union. Two years later, I am nity and shared with us her own strategies. I watched the vice-president and am active on campus. as she took notes and offered to personally assist our orWe should keep up with current events to see how others I first met University President Suzanne Shipley at ganizations. She told us she wants her students to feel respond, educating ourselves about the way other people the President’s Picnic in August. As people walked onto comfortable and to know their voices are being heard lead their lives. the yard of the President’s house, they were encour- at the executive level. I personally thanked her for inaged to help themselves to refreshments. While I was viting us to speak with her and for listening to what we Then, we should take an active role in changing the serving myself, I heard people introducing themselves said. community for the better. to someone, but I didn’t know to whom they were talkI also noticed that she wore the “Talk to Me” butWe expect people to show kindness and tolerance when ing. My friend was in line behind me, and I heard her ton from the day we first met. I am comforted by the speaking to someone. I turned around and was greeted thought of our university president reaching out to her we need help, regardless of our religion, skin color, sexual by a smile and a button that said, “Talk to Me,” so I in- students and being willing to make changes so that we orientation, gender or even regardless of deep values they troduced myself as vice-president of the Black Student can feel safe and know our voices are being heard. may hold. We should not put them down when their Contact University President Suzanne Shipley, Hardin Administration Bldg 107, 940/397-4211 values don’t match our own. suzanne.shipley@mwsu.edu @shipleysuzanne1 Everything you do today will change how society acts tomorrow. Be the difference that will change the future in a FORUM ON significant way. Stand up for people who can’t stand up for CAMPUS CLIMATE themselves with every thought and action. Tonight at 4:30 p.m. in Foster an environment that supports all aspects of CSC Comanche diversity.

wichitan the

Vo. 80 | No. 13

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 - wichitan@mwsu.edu

PHOTO EDITOR: Rachel Johnson

PHOTOGRAPHER: Francisco Martinez DESIGNER EDITOR: Justin Marquart COPY EDITORS: Hannah Redder, Careisha Whyte ADVISER: Bradley Wilson Copyright © 2015. 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 telephone number and address. The editor retains the right to edit letters.


| Nov. 18, 2015 | 3

PHOTO BY KAYLA WHITE | THE WICHITAN

During F-It’s final performance at the Lip Sync Battle, members of other groups and the audience joined the two in taking off their shirts and grinding on girls in the audience, Nov. 13 | Tyler Hughes, business freshman, grinds on Laura Flores, biology senior, at the Lip Sync Battle held in CSC Comanche.

‘Bump and Grind’

Lip Sync Battle has students questioning acceptable levels of comfort RACHEL JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

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t started off as any other lip-sync contest. Contestants performed to “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Baby Got Back,” and “Same Love.” The 10 groups that started the evening in CSC Comanche Suites were whittled down to five after the audience voted on little slips of white paper. Erin Hagy, marketing senior and University Programming Board late night/weekend chair and student in charge of the event, said in the first and second rounds the groups had to submit a 60-second long version of a song, and in the third round they were allowed to perform a full song. Each group had requirements to meet to be a part of the event, including a registration deadline, a song submission deadline and early attendance at the event. Then the audience voted. Three groups remained. The competition was fierce. So when the last group, F-It, took the stage, the stakes were high for the duo — a $300 gift card to the MSU Bookstore. Then things went a little off script.

WHAT HAPPENED As seen in a video streamed live on Periscope, which has since been removed, the two boys in the group were joined by three other young men in the audience in the taking off their clothes. They then pulled some of the girls in the audience on stage. Some were given lap dances, and some had their legs lifted in the air and grinded on, upsetting some members of the audience. Mario Ramirez, activities coordinator for student development and orientation, said the group, F-It, had told Hagy that they were going

to do something different than what actually happened. He said he went over and to turn off the music about 40 seconds into the performance, when the boys began to involve the female students. “It went a little bit overboard when other people who were not apart of that duet got into the performance as well,” Ramirez said. “When that happened I went over and turned off the music, because it got a little bit out of hand, and little bit rowdy, which is not what we anticipated.” One of the girls pulled on stage, Laura Flores, biology senior and SGA secretary, said she was not expecting what happened at the event. “I wasn’t expecting what had happened that night to happen,” Flores said. “I just thought it was going to be a fun event.” “The only reason that it wasn’t blown out of proportion is because we are all adults,” Jonte Davis, biology sophomore, said. “If it was a family event, then that should’ve never happened.” Both Myles McBride, exercise physiology freshman, and Tyler Hughes, business freshman, agreed that they were under the impression that they were allowed to do exactly what they performed and that they had gotten an okay from Ramirez. “We barely practiced — probably about a total of two hours. We just winged it,” Hughes said. “Originally [F-It] was our competition, but they were our friends. So they asked us if we wanted to do a performance with them,” McBride said. “Then we asked Mario, of UPB, and he had no problems with it so we just joined.” Marco Torres, psychology senior, said he felt the young men who performed weren’t aware of the term comfort level. “Once shirts came off, that could be labeled

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Francisco Ramos Armas, biology junior, discussed the lip-sync incident at the Student Government last night. He said, “I can’t fathom an environment where students can’t feel safe. I ask MSU to help me uphold our values which we stand for: emotional well-being, mutual respect, social justice, and civic service.”

as harassment. Some people don’t like when others are topless,” Torres said. “They find that disrespectful or rude, but then to go even further and actually touch other students in the crowd, could be perceived as sexual harassment.” Nevertheless, Torres said he thought the whole performance was interesting, and wasn’t personally bothered by it.

WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN Francisco Ramos Armas, biology junior, said, “My biggest issue was the fact that the guys got rewarded for what they did.” Armas said he plans to take action regarding the events that took place. Armas said he met with Ramirez and Cammie Dean, director of student development and orientation, Nov. 17 about the issue. He said the next step he can take is to submit a letter about the issue to the Student Conduct Committee. “In Javi’s instance, the fact that he recognizes that he saw something that was offensive and was potentially damaging to people and he wants to say something and do something about it is commendable,” Dean said. She added that the standard first step for someone who wants to speak and address an issue, whether it be about Title IX, which is sexual harassment or assault, or a Student Code of Conduct, is to visit with the dean of students. Nov. 17, Armas addressed the issue at the SGA meeting when the floor was open for public speaking. Andrew Gray, business administration and management junior, thanked him for his comments and said they are greatly appreciated. By unanimous vote, the senators passed a resolution that SGA would not tolerate discrimination on any level for any reason.

READ THE ENTIRE STORY AT HTTP://THEWICHITAN.COM

HISTORY In February of 2013, then senior Daryl Smith, an openly gay man, was not allowed to give blood in a campus blood drive due to federal guidelines.

HISTORY In April of 2015, Posters displayed around Pierce Hall used, according to some, derogatory language to advertise “Save the Males,” a multievent program in Pierce. The event was put on hold


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F OOT BAL L

W OM E N ’S BAS K E T B A L L

ME N ’ S SOCCE R

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON

The football team celebrates their victory in the Lone Star Conference Championship game against Texas A&M-Commerce, by posing for a group photo while Brandon Gordon, education senior, hold up their trophy, Nov. 14. PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ

Derek Lockhart, sports and leisure senior, walks along the field with Brandon Gordon, education senior, and the rest of the football team after winning the Lone Star Conference Championship against Texas A&M — Commerce Nov. 14.

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Albert Rodriguez, criminal justice senior, rushes toward the ball during the NCAA II Round Two play off game Nov. 15. MSU won 4-2.

UNDEFEATED

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ

Kendriana Washington, criminal justice freshman, goes up for the shot in the game against Rogers State University, where MSU lost 51-48 in D.L. Ligon Coliseum, Nov, 13.

Team advances in playoffs; next game Nov. 20

Football team advances to NCAA playoffs for 7th time SAMUEL SUTTON REPORTER

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ

Kathryn Odom, general business senior, attempts to maneuver around Kami Bunch of Rogers State. The next day, the women lost to St. Mary’s 81-58. In the first game of the season, they lost to Iowa State 79-36.

WOMEN — 0-2 on season Next home game: Tonight at 7 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan MEN — 1-0 on season NEXT HOME GAME: No. 24 at 7:30 p.m. against Colorado State – Pueblo

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fter a 37-33 comeback victory over Texas A&M –Commerce, the football team will play in the NCAA playoffs at 1 p.m., Nov. 28 at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls. In addition, MSU moved ahead one spot to claim the No. 9 spot in the American Football Coaches’ Association’s final regular season poll, the highest ranking the team has received since a No. 8 finish in 2012. “It was a tremendous privilege to get this win. There may have been some problems, but it doesn’t matter. We’re champions, and we take that to heart,” head football coach Bill Maskill said. After the game, the players were running all over the field with excitement after they finished shaking hands with the opposing team. They huddled together and threw the LSC Championship T-shirts up in the air, while holding the trophy high above so the crowd could see. Darian Childers-Brown, a defensive lineman, and a kinesiology junior, said, “I’m at a loss for words with this. I can’t believe we did it. I hope we keep this success going.” The team struggled a little bit on defense in the

third quarter, which almost lost them the game. “We need to tighten up on defensive. It was an amazing win, but we can’t give up touchdowns like that again,” Childers-Brown said. It’s the fourth time MSU has won 10 games in season previously achieving the feat in 1949, 2006 and 2011. In their first-round playoff game, the Mustangs face the winner of the No. 4/5 game as Indianapolis travels to face Colorado State-Pueblo next Saturday in Pueblo.

PLAY BY PLAY The game was back and fourth through the first half, as both teams had almost an equal amount of punts. The first try for points was failed when Andy Alkhazshvilly missed a field goal from the 25-yard line. It was back and fourth again for a few drives after the missed kick until Lance Evans finally put the first points on the board with a touchdown catch from the 47 yard line, making it 7-0, Texas A&M Commerce. On the next offensive series for the Mustangs, Vincent Johnson scored a quick red-zone touch-

down run to tie it up, 7-7 with 3:52 left in the first quarter. Commerce wouldn’t be kept down though, scoring a field goal on their team’s next offensive series, making it 10-7 with 1:52 left in the first. The next score didn’t come until the middle of the second quarter when the Mustangs’ offense marched down and scored a field goal by Alkhazshvilly, tying it up, 10-10. Commerce couldn’t do anything with their next offensive drive, and when they tried to punt, the Mustangs’ special teams were able to block the punt, and take it back for a touchdown, making it 17-10. Another score came at the end of the first half, when Derrick Macon caught a long touchdown pass for Commerce, tying the game up, 17-17. The second half was full of points for commerce, and Macon became a big part of that. He scored another touchdown in the middle of the third quarter, putting them in the lead, 24-17. He didn’t stop there. After another punt by the Mustangs’ special teams, he scored yet another touchdown, making it 30-17, scoring only six due to a missed extra point. The next Mustangs’ score came at the end of the third, when Hagen Hutchinson ran the ball in for a quick red-zone touchdown, making it 30-24. After

that, touchdowns became pretty slim for a while. The next score was a field goal by Martinez, putting Commerce in the lead 33-24. After plenty of struggles, the Mustangs’ started to connect, and play like a team. In the middle of the fourth, the defense forced a fumble, and gave the offense the ball at the 39 yard line. The offense put their next possession to good use, throwing a touchdown pass to Arsenio Phillips, making it 3331, Commerce. The next time the defense came out onto the field, Harold Wills was able to get an interception for a touchdown, putting the team in the lead, 3733 after a failed two-point conversion. The team got another interception on the next defensive series, which sealed the game up in Commerce. Harold Wills, a criminal justice senior, and the player who made the game-winning touchdown interception, was incredibly humble after the game, giving his team and coach all of the credit for his play. “The coach put me in the right spot to make the play, and it was all just the right place and the time,” Wills said.

SAMUEL SUTTON REPORTER

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he men’s soccer team won its playoff game against the Colorado Mesa Mavericks by a score of 4-2 on Nov. 15. This win marked the teams’ 17th win of the season, keeping the undefeated streak alive. The team will go on to play its second playoff game against undefeated Colorado Mines at home on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. “It’s gonna be like a World Cup game next weekend since we’re both high caliber teams, but I think we can keep our streak,” Elder said. Doug Elder, the head coach, naturally, said he was excited to get the win in a season that included him becoming the winningest men’s soccer coach in program history. “It was awesome getting the win, man. We gave up some points in the first half and tried to give up the game, but our intensity was too much for them in the second half,” Elder said. Flavio Guzman, a criminal junior, addressed the team’s positives and negatives. “After we finished our undefeated season, we knew the teams would bring the intensity coming to our home. We gave a 2-1 lead at halftime, but we knew what we had to do to get back into it,” Guzman said. He also said the team needs to do a better job of limiting goals.

PLAY BY PLAY

The game started as a defensive battle until Ben Clarvis scored the first goal for the Mustangs in the late beginning of the first half, putting them in the lead 1-0. The next score came directly after that when Colorado Mesa’s Trenton Atkin scored the team’s first points, tying it up 1-1. Mesa scored almost immediately after that with a goal by Moshe Perez, putting them up 2-1. It was a tough first half, but the Mustangs’ team turned up their intensity in the second half. After seven minutes of no scoring, the Mustangs scored the second point by Flavio Guzman, tying it 2-2. After several more minutes of aggressive play, the team scored again from Leon Taylor, putting them in the lead 3-2. They scored yet again from Lawrence Chamberlain, adding to the lead, and making it 4-2. They were able to keep that score until the end of the game to win it. Albert Rodriguez, a senior in criminal justice, agreed with Guzman about the toughness of the game. “We knew it was gonna be a dogfight, but we just had to bring the intensity and aggressiveness to win it in the end,” Rodriquez said.


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Shelby Davis, 2013-2014

TIMELINE Nov. 30: Application deadline Jan. 1: SGA has to pick up to five candidates. Feb. 1: President’s office has to narrow the field and send recommendations to the governor’s office. June 1: Governor’s office will appoint a new regent. APPLICATION | http://www.mwsu.edu/ studentregent/

Jesse Brown, 2014-2015

Megan Piehler, 2015-2016

Apply to be regent

Applications open for position on university’s governing board TALIA HARRIS REPORTER

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pplications for student position on the Board of Regents, the university’s highest governing body, opened on Sunday. “It’s an educational and developmental opportunity for a student who is interested in higher education, state and local institutional governance,” said Matthew Park, associate vice president for student affairs. While the student regent does not have a vote, he or she is still present during conversations about everything from the budget to construction and parking on campus. “They do get to engage in the conversation

and ask questions,” Park said. Director of Board and Government Relations Debbie Barrow said the Student Government Association has set up a website with information about the program. “There are two applications that the student has to fill out,” Barrow said. “One is the state application that the government office requires and the other is an application that we put together here at the university.” Barrow said officials in the president’s office usually bring candidates in for an interview. Mass Communication Junior Megan Piehler is the 10th and current student regent.

“It’s been an honor,” Piehler said. Piehler said being student regent is an enlightening experience because she gets to see the inner workings of the university. “The biggest part of being a student regent is asking questions and being vocal about things that are of interest to students,” Piehler said. Piehler said it is nice to know what is going on. “I have the ability to walk up to people and ask them how they feel about something,” Piehler said. “And it’s not just a random question or a random stranger, but a question from someone who can do something about it.”

MSU FacUlty ForUM preSentS

WHEN COMPUTER SECURITY FAILS

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

The Board of Regents meeting held in the Board Room in the Hardin Building, where they discussed a lot of issues, Nov. 12.

7 P.M. NOvEMbER 19 CSC SHAWNEE THEATER PRESENTEd bY

dR. NELSON PASSOS PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Admission is free. For more information email jonathan.price@mwsu.edu or call 940.397.4288.

Insights from the student regent RACHEL JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

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egan Piehler, mass communication junior and current student regent, feels there are three important topics addressed in the Board of Regents’ Nov. 12 meeting of which the student body should be aware. She encourages students to come to her with any questions or concerns. The First Issue First, the board discussed the issue of where the new rec field will be placed, on top of the six-dollar service fee that will be added to each credit hour to fund the proj-

ect. The board narrowed possible locations for the field down to two options but ultimately decided to postpone the vote until December, saying it needed more time to gather information. It wants President Suzanne Shipley to look at other options for the field’s location, as well. The Second Issue Second, the board discussed next year’s academic schedule. It passed the proposed calendar because there was nothing that could be done about it, Piehler said. Next year, school will start on August 27 and get out Dec. 17, leaving students with 27 days off instead of the normal 34,

which Piehler said tends to happen every few years. The Third Issue Third, the board voted on changing admissions standards. Right now, MSU automatically accepts anyone in the top 10 percent of their class; the board wants to change that to the top 25 percent. It also wants to add standards for students with homeschool backgrounds. It is currently on a case-to-case basis but wants to make an across-the-board standard. The board’s vote tied 4-4. It decided to readdress the issue and vote again during its February meeting.


Lack of holiday message offends few students NATALIE BURKHART REPORTER

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mean, is that really what we’re worried about?” Stone said.

he arrival of the Starbuck’s red holiday coffee cups sans season’s greetings is MORE THOUGHTS causing a controversy students were • “I really don’t think it’ll have any effect quick to chime in on. on our campus. As far as it goes nationally, The discussion over this season’s solid it might for a short period of time, but I rered holiday cups comes because the lack of ally don’t think Starbucks is going to be hurt designs makes them — some students peras far as their profits go because of it. I think ceived — anti-Christian. Previous designs on everyone can agree it shouldn’t be as big of the cups included holiday symbols, but not a deal as it is.” |Lindsey Stone, respiratory religious ones. care sophomore Johnson Ho, senior in nursing and forPHOTO COURTESY STARBUCKS • “I don’t think we really care what the cup mer employee of the Starbucks on Kemp looks like. As long as we’re getting our cafBlvd., said, “They’re equating these red cups The holiday cups — sans any holiday greeting. feine and coffee, I think that’s all that matto Christmas, but it’s just there for the holiters to us.” |Johnson Ho, nursing senior days. It kind of symbolizes that the holidays are upon us, so I think it’s silly that people are making it a big deal when it’s not necessarily even • “As a Christian myself, I do believe that Jesus is reason for the seaa specific holiday — it’s just holidays in general.” son, but Starbucks is all about diversity and I don’t think they had Ho said he first noticed mention of the controversy on Facebook any intention of offending anyone. It’s kind of disheartening to see and Twitter before he looked into it further. people of the faith not representing it the way they should.” |LindLindsey Stone, sophomore in respiratory care, said, “Honestly, I sey Stone, respiratory care sophomore think it’s really silly. I mean, it’s a cup. A national hysteria has been • “I don’t think people will stop going there because coffee is coffee, stirred over a cup.” and it’s not like they changed their flavors. Overall, I don’t think it And Savannah Terry, junior in radiology, also said there was too will severely affect Starbucks. It’s just a cup, so I will still go.” |Savanmuch hype over it. nah Terry, radiology junior “People get offended too easily now,” Terry said. Terry said she thinks maybe people miss the decorative symbols, but also that she doesn’t see how it would affect Christians because the FROM STARBUCKS symbols were general ones not geared toward a certain religion. • This year’s iconic red Starbucks cup features a two-toned ombré Ho said he thinks people accusing Starbucks of being anti-Christian design, with a bright poppy color on top that shades into a darker are “blowing it out of proportion and making it a big deal.” cranberry below, the company said in a Nov. 8 press release. Terry said nobody talked to her about the controversy, but she saw • “In the past, we have told stories with our holiday cups designs. sarcastic posts about it online that supported the belief that the holiThis year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design day cups do not provoke a serious issue. that welcomes all of our stories,” said Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks vice Stone said she heard about the controversy from the Ellen Degepresident of design and content. neres video which used humor to tackle the issue. “Somebody needs to make light of it because it’s a coffee cup. I

EINSTEINS BAGELS NOW OPEN

| Nov. 18, 2015 | 7 UPCOMING EVENTS Flu Shot Clinic Nov. 18, 2 - 4 p.m. | Vinson Health Center | Schedule an appointment

Undergraduate Research Forum

Nov. 19, 9 a.m. | CSC Comanche Suites | Free

Building the Job I Love Series: Hollis Sullivan Nov. 19, noon to 1 p.m. | Dillard 189 | Free

Tri-lingual Café

Nov. 19 at 2-5 p.m. | CSC Wichita | Come brush up on conversational skills in Spanish, German and/or French. Refreshments.

When Computer Security Fails: Faculty Forum

Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. | CSC Shawnee Theatre | Free | Nelson Luiz Passos, a professor of computer science will discuss how recent reports have shown how unprepared come companies and agencies are underprepared in protecting computer systems.

FIFA Tournament

Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. | CSC Comanche | As part of International Education Week, come participate in a single elimination, video game battle.

Today We Are All Human

Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. | CSC Comanche Suite | A remembrance of the terrorist attacks in Paris including: Advanced French students translating information, Arts and Literature Society providing notebooks for attendees to share condolences and an open-mic night for attendees to share their reactions to the tragedies.

Fantasy of Lights Opening Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. | Hardin Lawn | Concert at 7 p.m. | Free | The program begins with a concert and visit from Santa Claus. After the opening, the displays will be turned on each night from dusk until 10 p.m. until Dec. 27.

‘Summer and Smoke’

Nov. 20-21 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. | Fain Fine Arts Center Theatre | Free with MSU ID

Photo by Francisco Martinez | The Wichitan

Students line-up after Einstein Bros Bagels opens in Dillard Nov. 16. Zack Santagate, marketing senior, said, “I really like it. They’re pretty similar [to the real Einstein’s Bagel].” They served bagels, coffee, salads, lemonade, and assorted snack type foods. Shelby Ermis, education senior, said, “It’s my first time here. I just hope it’s better than the Starbucks.”

CRIME LOG Nov. 10

Theft: Misdemeanor | 10:42 a.m. | D.L. Ligon Coliseum | A student reported that his jacket was stolen from the bleachers inside DL Ligon Coliseum. His ID card was also in the pocket of the coat when it was stolen.

Nov. 10

Assault: Misdemeanor | 3:57 p.m. | Christ Academy Building | MSU Police responded to a report of assault


8 | Nov. 18, 2015 |

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Caleb Hannon, assistant director of rec sports, sounds off for participants to begin running in the Turkey Trot 5K around Sikes Lake. The entry fee was one canned food item. Winners received a frozen turkey.

FAST FACTS Number of runners: 102 signed up Food collected: 40 pounds of cans Number of shirts: 100 printed Cost of shirts: $862

Running for fun, T-shirts About 100 participants donate food for 15th annual campus Turkey Trot PATRICK GERMAN REPORTER

T

he runners, most of them at least, didn’t seem to be serious. Maybe they were at Sikes Lake for the T-shirt. Maybe they were there to win a turkey. Or maybe they were just there to get some exercise walking or jogging the 1.1-mile trail — twice. But most of the 100 or so people who participated in the 15th annual 5K Turkey Trot Nov. 17 said they had one thing in common: they had fun. Leya Archer, nursing junior, said, “This was my first time coming to the Turkey Trot, and I loved it. I got to meet a lot of new and interesting people, and I’m a competitive runner. I will come back next year, for sure.” Sponsored by the division of recreational sports, 102 people signed up for the event, which brought in more than 40 pounds of canned food for a local food bank. Joey Greenwood, director of recreational sports and the Wellness Center, said, “With Thanksgiving a week away and cold weather looming, students are less likely to go outside and exercise in cold weather, so this gives them an opportunity to do so now.”

Andrew Sotelo, “I actually wasn’t math senior, said, “It really interested in feels really good condoing it, but my sidering I used to run friend and I wanted cross country and I the free T-shirt, so never won a race, but we decided to do it. it’s pretty awesome. Hobson said. “This I’m not going to lie: win is nothing new the turkey was my for me, since I do motivation. The prizcross country and es were two 20 pound track, but it feels turkeys for the first good to come out place male and female here and run.” winners of the race. Riley Johnson, Not only is it about sophomore mestaying in shape, but PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN chanical engineer, it’s actually about Denaijah Shaw, athletic training said, “The T-shirts having fun. The or- freshman, and Sarah Dempsey, that we received ganizers placed a big theater freshman, sign up for the were sick. I kind inflatable turkey in Turkey Trot 5K. of only do these the center of the lake things for T-shirts, around which participants ran. so when there are T-shirts available, I “It’s a great opportunity for stu- am there.” dents to be physically active, as well as Residence Hall Association membeing able to come out and give back bers received the canned food reto the community and by donating quired for participation, helped distheir time to get to know their com- tribute the shirts and also made sure munity,” Caleb Hannon, assistant di- that the participants signed in. rector of recreational sports, said. Frank Cruz, marketing junior and The first 100 participants to finish president of RHA, said, “We’re doing the race received a T-shirt that cost this can food drive for the food bank. $865 to be produced. We have people from the community,

as well as the school, running this 5K race and donating cans to the less fortunate.” The dozens of cans of food collected from participants will be given to a local food bank. The winners of the 2015 Turkey Trot were: Brandi Hobson, kinesiology junior, who finished in 16 minutes and 48 seconds, and Sotelo, who finished in 12 minutes and 52 seconds. “I love the fact that people are so generous. We really didn’t expect people to give that many, but we’ve had a group of people today bring in multiple bags of cans,” Hannon said. According to Hannon, since 2000, the Turkey Trot has been a huge success. It has averaged more than 105 people per year at the events. “I would say that 2012 was our best one. By participation, we had over 160 runners at the event, and we had over 85 pounds of cans, also,” Hannon said. According to Greenwood, this was the sixth consecutive year they have had more than 100 participants. “Anytime we can have over 100 people at these types of events. I would say that it’s a success,” Greenwood said.


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