Feb. 11, 2015 by The Wichitan and Wai Kun

pg. 7 PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETICS

Feb. 11, 2015 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 79 No. 18

“I would be willing to pay more for the meal plan if that meant we got more food options over by Quiznos.”

“I would only be willing to pay more if they also increased the quality of the food in the Mesquite Cafe, otherwise no.”

ELIZABETH MEJIA BIOLOGY FRESHMAN

TYLER BLAKER BIOLOGY FRESHMAN PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Trey Brumley, computer science senior, waits for his food at Grille Works during his lunch break. Brumley said he doesn’t have a meal plan, so he finds it convenient to have places to eat on campus beside the Mesquite Dining Hall.

New contract could redefine campus dining BRI SHEEN REPORTER

t the Board of Regents meeting Feb. 12 - 13, board members will review the recommendation for a new dining hall contract, submitted by the office of housing and dining services’ committee. “We will recommend that we enter into a contract with Chartwells but that contract is not finalized,” said Michael Mills, director of housing and dining services. “We’ll have to bring that back to the board once we get the terms. The board will eventually be the one that approves the contract.” The current contract with Aramark, who has been the dining hall’s food service provider for 19 years, is set to expire July 31, so the committee has been reviewing bids from other companies, according to Mills. “We had three companies submit their

Concealed Carry

bids—Aramark, Chartwells, and Sodexo, which are the three major national food service companies,” Mills said. According to the official agenda for the upcoming Board of Regents meeting, Chartwells was recommended for a few key reasons, like the size of the company, the value to the students and the $5.2 million financial incentive. “There’s a component where they’ll basically provide you with a capital investment so we can make those changes, but then they’ll also propose retail options in the student center,” Mills said. If the contract with Chartwells is approved, there will be many changes across campus, not just in the Mesquite Dining Hall. “There will be name brands that students recognize and are happy to see on campus,” Mills said. “You’ll see a brand new dining hall.

pg. 3

Senate Bill 11, if passed by state legislature, will allow concealed carry on college campuses.

Campus Crime

You’ll see all new retail in the student center. You’ll see expansion of services in the Dillard college, possibly the library, and at the wellness center.” According to the meeting agenda, Chartwells’ $5.2-million financial package will provide the capital to fund these renovations to existing facilities and additional development of dining concepts. Mills said this investment by Chartwells will help fund the dining improvements without raising the cost of meal plans for students by too much. “We don’t want to build all this stuff if it’s going to make the meal plan rates increase for the students,” Mills said. “We want to try and keep the meal plan costs pretty close to what they are now.” If the contract is approved, Mills said it should take about two years to complete all the changes on campus.

pg. 5

According to university police, the number of thefts are not above normal.

“In one of the years we’ll either totally redo all the retail and leave the cafeteria as-is with some minor improvements and then the next year fully renovate the cafeteria or viceversa,” Mills said. The committee, made up of students, administrators and an academic dean, heavily weighed the well-being of students in their decision. “We had student representation on the committee,” Mills said. “We had two students who definitely were both very important parts of that committee. We tried to keep your cost as flat as we could while still providing a new and improved product.” Students can expect to see changes by the time they come back next fall, according to Mills.

Coach Cut

see DINING pg. 3

pg. 7

Former head volleyball coach reassigned after 16 years with the program.

2 | Feb. 11, 2015 |

Are you right for the Republican party?

Is the Republican Party right for our generation? That’s the question that sparked this editorial. But as fair as that question is, it should be reversed. Is our generation right for the Republican Party? Jonathan Lyne I’ve identified with the GOP for as long as I’ve held my own political opinions—nearly a decade. In that time, the party has changed more times than I can recall. I don’t agree with every point on the platform and I probably never will. Both Republicans and Democrats alike are guilty of “evolving” on issues to reach new voters, but that’s the nature of the game. I guess that’s the predictable problem that comes with a two party political system. I’m Republican for a hundred reasons but here are a few ideas people from all political parties can appreciate. I’m not going to waste space addressing issues that our generation, for the most part, all agrees on (i.e. gay marriage, marijuana legalization) and I won’t parrot traditional talking points strictly for the sake of following party lines: • Securing the border: Regardless of how one feels about immigration, and regardless of how one feels about illegals already in the country, I feel we can agree on one thing: the border must be secured. Deportation and amnesty are only temporary problems as long as people can still enter the country without notice. Once we secure the border, we can turn the bulk of our attention to eliminating the hurdles associated with legal immigration. Everyone deserves a chance to be an American, but we need to do it the right way. • Reduce Spending: There is no question that the government spends too much money. It is in our best interest as a nation to direct funds to essential programs and cut extraneous and nonessential factions. By gradually reducing spending, we can begin paying off our comically large debt and continuing our economic growth.

the

• Reduce Government Dependency: We as Americans treasure freedom above all else. But we have so many impoverished citizens living off welfare programs that their quality of life is in decline. We need these people to become productive, to give back to society. Welfare should never be eliminated entirely, but it should remain only as a safety net—welfare recipients must let go once they are back on their feet. In the end, our goal is to help people who are struggling to pull their lives back together, contribute to society and live rewarding lives. • Lower Taxes: Rich or poor, smart or dumb, no one likes giving up a portion of their paycheck. Taxes are a necessary evil, but this evil is starting to get out of control in direct correlation to our spending. Last year we collected more in tax revenue than ever before. If we can rein in the spending, our taxes won’t need to be so excessive. We can keep more of our money at home allowing families to spend more, helping the economy. • Return Our Freedom: Americans all over are enraged by the National Security Agency’s open violations of privacy. Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who are willing to give up liberty for safety deserve neither.” We want to restore privacy, root out corruption from top to bottom, and retain our right to bear arms. Simple as that. So are you right for the Republican Party? I think everyone is. There are ideas at the core of both parties that make sense. We will never find a box to check that fits our ideas perfectly. But in the new, young Republican Party there are plenty of opportunities to move in and have our voice heard. And with enough voices, things that matter to our generation are sure to change. Jonathan Lyne is a junior in economics.

wichitan Vo. 79 | No. 18

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

Come out of the closet, Democrats Universities are almost always a bastion of sorts for Democrats. Even in the reddest of cities and states, gathering a bunch of educated youth together creates a pocket of blue. We feel more comfortable Ethan Metcalf around those who are like us or think like us, so naturally it is easier to be a Republican in Wichita Falls. But if more Democrats start “coming out,” so to speak, we would realize that we really aren’t as outnumbered as we thought. Liberals have great ideals that appeal to both sides and all it takes to see that is a quick look at last year’s midterm election results. Yes, Democrats were handed a decisive defeat in the House and Senate races, but while people didn’t vote for Democratic candidates last year, they voted for liberal ideals. Voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota (all red states) voted to increase

EDITOR: Ethan Metcalf PHOTOGRAPHER: Rachel Johnson BUSINESS MANAGER: Courtney Gilder DESIGNER: Brianna Sheen ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

the minimum wage, a major platform for the Democratic party in 2014. Yet voters in these same states elected candidates who oppose raising the minimum wage, leaving the rest of us scratching our heads. Democratic students need to “come out of the closet” and start generating support for their party within the state because it has a direct effect on us as students. In 2011, Republicans cut $1 billion from higher education and $4 billion from public schools. Perhaps the problem lies in organization. I covered Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis’ campaign stops in Wichita Falls and noticed the discrepancy in organization. Abbot’s folks run a much tighter ship. But much of that problem, at least in Texas, lies in numbers. When more Democrats “come out of the closet,” the party gains more resources. Even if “out” Democrats don’t pound the pavement and engage in grassroots politics, just having a larger voice will make it easier for more of us to be “out.”

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.

| Feb. 11, 2015 | 3

Legislators file bill allowing weapons on campus COURTNEY GILDER REPORTER

C PHOTO BY COURTNEY GILDER | THE WICHITAN

Cheeseburger and fries with “Scott’s Famous Cherry Lime” from Scott’s Drive In.

Drive-in diner burgers, shakes impressive COURTNEY GILDER REPORTER

cott’s Drive In is everything I pictured when thinking about the 1960s drive-in and diners. The odd colors and architecture were the staple of this small drive in. The older men even dressed the part of the 1960s cook with the triangular paper hat and white shirts. There were multiple speaker boxes and menus placed around the outside of small diner. Featuring everything from hot dogs to grilled cheese to burgers, the Super Scottie Burger topped out the prices on the menu at $6.59. The interior of the restaurant was a little messy, but that’s just because I hadn’t cleaned out my car in a while. I ordered a classic cheeseburger with all the fixings (lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and pickles) and fries with a “Scott’s Famous Cherry Lime” to drink, and my friend ordered the bacon

cheeseburger plain with tater tots and a vanilla shake with M&Ms. While the fries and the tater tots were subpar, the burgers and drinks were both too good to put down. We ended up spending $22 with a small tip. The most expensive of our meal was my friend’s shake, which she said was the best part of her meal. We went at around 4 p.m. and there were still five cars waiting on their meals including ours. For the fresh food we received it didn’t take long, but it felt shorter because of the lovely oldies playing over the loud speaker. I would go back, but I would definitely wait till I had a few extra dollars that way I could get a larger shake.

SCOTT’S DRIVE IN 4701 JACKSBORO HIGHWAY (940) 767-2921 HHHHH

DINING pg. 1 “You’ll see just a brand new, fresh, totally remade environment,” Mills said. “It’s exciting.” Many students are in favor of possible changes to on-campus dining. According to Jonathan Woodward, vocal performance sophomore who does not have a meal plan, he might consider getting a meal plan if the food changes. “If I could see the food through the grease, I would buy a meal plan,” Woodward said. Although Mills said the office of housing and dining services will try to

keep meal plan costs down, some students said they would pay more for better food. Tanaka Madyara, vocal performance senior, said he would be willing to pay more for his meal plan if the food quality improved. “I want to see fresher food, like the salads and stuff,” said Tanaka Madyara, vocal performance senior. If the recommendation for a new dining contract is approved by the Board of Regents, would be finalized within six weeks, according to Mills.

oncealed carry legislation has failed to pass the Texas Legislature in its last three sessions and yet concealed carry legislation has been proposed again. University police have said allowing guns on campus could make it harder to maintain safety especially in an active shooter situation. Senate Bill 11, coauthored by 19 of 20 Republican senators including Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, was filed on Jan. 26 to allow concealed handguns to be carried on college campuses. An identical bill, House Bill 937, was filed on the same day. According to the current campus policy, individuals can have weapons on campus as long as they are concealed within a vehicle. SB 11 and HB 937, as filed, would allow Texans over the age of 21 with a Concealed Handgun License to carry the weapon into buildings, but give universities the option to institute a check-in policy for the residence halls. “The bill as filed gives universities the chance to have students check their weapon upon entering a residence hall,” said Keith Lamb, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “Frankly, that mitigated one of our biggest concerns of having weapons in a residence hall.” Lamb said residence halls are densely populated and there is a concern about students leaving weapons unattended and another student getting ahold of it. A concern expressed by Lamb and Chief of University Police Dan Williams is maintaining safety on campus. “The last three or four legislative sessions the conceal carry on campus has been close to passing,” Williams said. “It would not surprise me if it does pass mainly due to the support the bill currently has. Many of the top legislators in the state are supporting it.” Lamb said if the bill passes, MSU could not maintain the same level of safety on campus because officials could not predict when a person would pull a weapon or under what circumstances. Further, he said it could make emergency situations even more dangerous. “The last few times this has come up statewide police organizations have said that they are concerned with safety with concealed carry,” Lamb said. Lamb said he was concerned about campus police arriving to a situation where multiple firearms

are drawn. “How do they discern who’s the aggressor and who’s not,” said Lamb. Though it is unclear how the law will be worded, Lamb and Williams both said the university will have to follow whatever statue, if any, is put into place. “Midwestern State University is a state agency so whatever the Legislature statutorily requires, we will adhere to those laws,” Lamb said. Williams said because the law hasn’t been set into place he would not comment on how the policies and procedures will change on campus or what would or would not be allowed. “Until the final bills are passed it is nearly impossible for me to state how it will change what we currently do or do not allow on campus,” Williams said. Lamb said he just knows that something will have to change. “We have to look at our response policies and make sure we are accounting for that somehow,” Lamb said. “I don’t know how you do that, but I don’t think you can have response policies in that environment that mirror response policies in a non-carry environment.” Students express concern for their safety if Texas Legislature allows concealed license holders to come into classrooms with a weapon. “It sounds like a terrible bill to me,” said Kenneth Griffin, mechanical engineering sophomore. “Considering the age and apparent mental health of some of my fellow students, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable knowing some of my fellow students had a firearm on them. Around finals time last semester, we had a bomb threat at the campus that wasn’t handled all too gracefully. I can imagine if an active shooter on campus happened next year and my fellow students decided to be heroes, there could be possibilities for more casualties.” Other students think it is well within their second amendment right to carry a gun and that it might even protect you in the long run. “I feel like there aren’t many students who would actually conceal carry,” said Branson Spencer, music education junior. “The students who ‘shoot up’ the school would bring a gun no matter what the law was. I feel like taking away restrictions on where you can and can’t take guns can only benefit for society. For every ‘bad guy’ there can now be a law abiding citizen that could possibly save a life if anything was to happen.”

SENATE BILL 11: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB11 SPONSORS INCLUDE: Sen. Craig Estes, district 30; Sen. Charles Perry, district 28; Sen. Konni Burton, district 10 HOUSE BILL 937: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB937 SPONSORS INCLUDE: Rep. James Frank, district 69; Rep. Susan King, district 71; Rep. Kenneth Sheets, district 107

4 | Feb. 11, 2015 |

Greeks to sponsor spelling bee CONNER WOLF REPORTER

February — the month of love. In addition, for members of the campus Greek community, it is also the Month of the Scholar. To celebrate, fraternity and sorority members are hosting a spelling bee Feb. 24. “It’s important because it’s a way to show others that fraternities and sororities take education seriously,” said nursing sophomore Kaitlynn Watterson, Alpha Phi member. She also said her sorority plans to send about five members to be in the spelling bee. Reagan White, Chi Omega member, said she will also have sisters in the bee, but will not participate herself. She said she does not like the idea of a theme. White, nursing junior, said, “It’s kind of degrading that we have to have a dress up theme for the spelling bee since people already think we don’t value academics.” However, she said she agrees with holding a PHOTO BY ETHAN METCALF | THE WICHITAN

Brock Skinner, chemistry sophomore, Andrew Collins, history junior, Jacob Singleton, business freshman, Michael Gilbert, theater senior, and Christopher Wood, political science sophomore, begin playing a game of Magic: The Gathering in the “nerd lounge” in the Clark Student Center.

Nerds find safe place to be nerdy the way of heavy traffic. “I come over for inspiration. The boys t’s right outside the cafeteria. Hundreds are always funny,” said Bailey Smith, of students walk beside it every day. But marketing freshman, one of only a handful for a few dozen students, it is more than of girls that come to hang out. She also said the group a place to walk by. It’s their has too much testosterone lair, their hideaway. and hopes that more girls This area — properly venture over soon. known as the Arrowhead To outsiders, the “nerd Commuter Lounge but lounge” is just another affectionately known meeting place for friends. as the “nerd lounge” — “It’s pretty creative gives students a place to the way they can find a hang out and play games, common ground and use everything from card games it to their advantage,” said to computer games. Susie Mensah, nursing “It’s one of the few places junior. we can play and not be in Although Mensah has the way,” said Christopher never heard it being referred Wood, political science to as the “nerd lounge,” she sophomore. SUSIA MENSAH really likes how they all get According to Wood, NURSING JUNIOR together and “do their own the most popular games played are Magic the Gathering, Vanguard, thing.” But for those that do use the lounge, League of Legends and Buddy Fight. Wood also said the area is convenient because it is they have only one complaint. “It’s stupid that they won’t let us move adjacent to the dining hall, it is furnished well with seats and couches, and it is out of the furniture,” Smith said. YOLANDA TORRES REPORTER

“It’s pretty creative the way they can find a common ground and use it to their advantage.”

Feb. 6

CRI M E L OG

Drugs: Possession of Marijuana| 8:37 a.m. | Sunwatcher Village | An employee of Housing called to request an officer at an MSU apartment in reference to marijuana.

Feb. 3

Criminal Mischief | 1:31 p.m. | Mustang Village | An employee of Housing called to request an officer at a Mustang Village apartment in reference to a door that has been kicked in.

Feb. 3

Drugs: Possession of Marijuana | 3:16 p.m. | Sunwatcher Village | An employee of Housing called to request an officer at an apartment in reference to someone smoking marijuana.

Feb. 2

Theft - From Motor Vehicle || 1:20 p.m. | A student reported someone had stolen his decal off his vehicle. SOURCE: http://www.mwsu.edu/police/crimelogs/

UPCOM I NG E VEN T S Faculty Forum Series: Dr. Yo Guo | Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in CSC Shawnee | Free MSU Theater: The Vagina Monologues | Feb. 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. in Fain Fine Arts Center Theater | Free for students, faculty and staff with ID. Music Series at Akin: Julie Abers & Orion Weiss | March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Akin Auditorium | $10 per performance or $15 for both for MSU students Imagine Graduation Fair | March 10-11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in CSC Comanche | Free

spelling bee for Month of the Scholar to show that the Greeks are competent. The idea came about in a meeting discussing what activity to do. Chi Omega member Kylie Goble jokingly suggested a spelling bee. But Whitney Threatt, director of scholarship for Panhellenic Council and Alpha Phi member, said she liked the idea and ran with it. “A spelling bee sounded a lot more fun than the other ideas, like a GPA contest, or a studyhour competition,” Threatt, social work freshman, said. And the rest of the council agreed. Watterson also said the idea of adding a theme would make more people want to get involved, and that she hopes for the spelling bee to become a Month of the Scholar tradition. Threatt said there will be a prize for first place like a gift basket. A theme she describes as a “smarty-pants theme” is being added to make the spelling bee a little more fun.

Campus police: theft remains steady BY MATTHEW SWIGER

s a new semester begins, campus crime follows, and while some students feel the frequency of thefts has increased, university police Sgt. Albert Jimenes said the number of thefts is actually normal. According to the campus crime log, since the start of the fall 2014 semester, there have been 26 thefts total, three of which have occurred since the beginning of this semester. “Before, during and after finals is when we’ll have a little bit of an increase,” Jimenes said. “It will mostly be happening in the dorms with people moving out.” Jimenes said residence halls are more susceptible to thefts during this time because people are focused primarily on finals, and with the stress of moving in and out of a new room, they are not as aware of their valuables as they could be. But according to Mark Davis, resident assistant for Sunwatcher apartments and politiALBERT JIMENES cal science senior, his residents UNIVERSITY POLICE SERGEANT do not report thefts if ever at all because the apartments are more secure than traditional residence halls. “Everyone keeps their doors locked,” Davis said. According to Davis and other RAs, Sunwatcher and Sundance Apartments are two of the safest buildings because the doors are locked and the rooms inside are separated by resident. “We have the card system,” said Jordan Carter, RA of Pierce Hall and biology junior. “Not a lot of people get in without checking in, so we usually know who they are and when they got in.” While dorms can be rife for pilfering, the crime log seems to indicate other areas as a higher risk for theft, namely open areas such as parking lots, the wellness center and the Clark Student Center. “Students might leave their stuff lying around and someone will see an opportunity to steal a bookbag,” Jimenes said. Jimenes said prevention is the best way to stop thefts, and the postmaster sends out reminders to keep valuables someplace safe and to ensure car and room doors are locked.

“Before, during, and after finals is when we’ll have a litle bit of an increase. It will mostly be happening in the dorms.”

CLERY ACT The Clery Act is a federal law requiring U.S. colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.

| Feb. 11, 2015 | 5

On-campus burglaries 2011

“We had a guy a few semesters ago whose roommate had an iPad stolen from his room, and we asked what the problem was. They said they couldn’t lock their door because we lost our keys,” Jimenes said. “We told him to go down to housing and get a new key…the next day he called us, hadn’t gone to get a key, and his Playstation was gone.” An instructor in the criminal justice department may teach students to understand how crime prevention starts with the person and not the police. Jimenes solidifies this point. “It’s the best advice I can give them,” he stated, “I cannot do it for them.” Thefts are a problem for the community regardless, and those who want to see a decrease are left to wonder why 23 thefts in a single semester is still an average number. Jimenes said punishments for crimes can be a deterrent against future offenses, but Jimenes said not enough victims will press charges, essentially letting thieves off the hook. “The student will come in and we’ll spend hours on this case,” Jimenes said. “Once we gather all the information, and find the suspect, we’ll ask if the student wants to press charges and they’ll ask for only the item back without pressing charges. So that’s over 72 hours of manpower and effort.” While students may not wish to rat out other students, once a person has gone through the thought process and the planning to commit a crime, and they carry it out, it is likely not the last time that person will attempt to steal. “I don’t think somebody should steal something that costs a few hundred dollars and just get off free,” Jimenes said. In legal terms, the minute an offender commits a crime and they are caught, they are classified a criminal. They have a criminal mind when they carry out the crime. Unless there is punishment for the offense, they see it as getting off easy. Jimenes said once a student decides not to press charges, campus police report the offending student to the dean, but even then, the offending student may not receive as much punishment for having committed a crime as they might otherwise. Jimenes said if a victim of theft does press charges, the offender would, simply put, go to jail. “They would go to jail, a bond would be set, and they would have to bond out of jail,” Jimenes said. “A month or two down the road they would go to court.” Jimenes strongly encourages students to press

On-campus burglaries 2012

On-campus burglaries 2013

charges, as the likelihood the person will steal again is still greater than if charges were not filed. “Sometimes it just takes that one time someone sees somebody going to jail,” Jimenes said. What many do not understand is the police need someone to press charges in order to do anything with the offender. The campus police do as much as they can each semester to ensure students know the preventative steps to take, but the best prevention for crime is not so much the police as it is the civilian. Overall, thefts have not increased by any noticeable rate, and the rate of thefts will usually taper off during the semester with classes starting up and students being more protective of their valuables. The beginning and the end of the semester is when thefts appear closer together. Jimenes said to remember preventative methods, such as locking the doors and double-checking to make sure the car is locked, but also that that the campus police are there to enforce the law. While they cannot be everywhere at once, they PETER FIELDS can make an arrest when the stuASSOCIATE ENGLISH PROFESSOR dent decides to press charges. According to Peter Fields, associate English professor, instructors also worry about theft. “We have to keep our doors open during office hours,” Fields said. “So when we step out for a minute, we leave our door open so our students realize we’re coming right back.” Fields said thefts of faculty offices in ProthroYaeger Hall that occurred a few years ago caused him and other faculty to become more active in preventing future thefts. “I’m talking about since 2002, there have only been a handful of thefts,” Fields said. “That is a small scale, but to a victim, it is certainly much larger.” Fields said thieves could also come from off-campus. “We see people walking down the halls that could be delivering food, or salespeople that want to sell or buy books from us,” Fields said. “Any one of people can go through our desks if the opportunity presents itself.”

Residence housing burglaries 2011

SOURCE: MWSU. EDU/ASSETS/DOCUMENTS/POLICE/2013-CLERY-STAT S. PDF

“Since 2002, there have only been a handful of thefts. That is a small scale, but to a victim, it is certainly much larger.”

Residence housing burglaries 2012

Residence housing burglaries 2013

6 | Feb. 11, 2015 |

Theater students take ‘First Step’ toward change

SERAH WELBORN REPORTER

he student-driven production of “The Vagina Monologues” could be the best valentine given to First Step Inc. this weekend. All proceeds of the $5-per-ticket show will go to the nonprofit that aids domestic-abuse victims and provides them with resources and shelter. According to Elizabeth Lewandowski, theater chair and professor, First Step’s newest executive director was moved to tears when she heard students of Alpha Psi Omega wanted to raise awareness and funds for her organization. “If a large number of people do come out, that sends a message to victims: they’re not alone,” said Chantel Grant, a worker at First Step. “A lot of people don’t understand that the abuser will tell [victims] they’re stupid, they’re alone, and there is no help. That’s the most dominant thing that you can [say]. That’s why they don’t leave. Victims can literally step outside their homes, but if they have that psyche in their mind, they won’t. It’s just unheard of that they can get out. [Attending the play] definitely sends a message to a victim that, ‘There are people that are interested in [me], and maybe I can get help.’” Having seen the “Monologues” herself, “I think it’s really important for college-age students to see it,” Grant said, “because they’re making the decisions for tomorrow and setting that pace of what’s acceptable, what’s not, what should be important for society to talk about.” MSU joined the V-Day movement along with Alpha Psi

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Members of the cast for the play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ rehearse for the first time together to block with a set Feb. 1. Omega to produce the “Monologues” in 2013. Together, they raised around $600 for First Step and, in order to fulfill demand, performed it over two weekends. “Rather than have people object to it or be offended,” Lewandowski said, “we had people come back night after night. I’ve been here for more than 20 years, and in all that time, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is the only show we’ve held over for an extra weekend.” Lewandowski said she hopes the fundraiser will become

a tradition and was eager to assist Alpha Psi Omega with the show a second time. “I try to incorporate social learning in my classes, and this is really a reflection of that, though the students are really behind the idea,” she said. “This [is a] way of making a difference, and they’re excited about it.” Houston Pokorny, president of Alpha Psi Omega, said he believes the play empowers women of the audience and cast. “We wanted to do a show that helped benefit women since our whole season is about equality and feminism,” Pokorny said. “We want most people to feel change, but [they could feel] anger, sadness, heartbreak, happiness—anything. Theater is meant to affect you in some way and make you see the world in a different light.” This year’s event was registered through V-Spot, a part of the globally-oriented One Billion Rising Revolution. Proceeds will be given directly to First Step, meaning that if each showing sells out, $1,000 will be donated. “Any amount, from one dollar to one hundred, helps a victim,” Grant said. “Sometimes victims leave with only the clothes on their backs. They have nothing. They may not be able to get a job immediately or they do have jobs and [must] leave everything in order to get away. If you think of someone who has nothing, any amount makes an impact on that person.”

| Feb. 11, 2015 | 7

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

The softball team warms up on the practice fields Feb. 10.

2014 FILE PHOTO BY LAUREN ROBERTS | THE WICHITAN

Then head coach Venera Flores-Stafford talks to the team during its match against Texas A&M University-Kingsville Oct. 4, 2014. MSU lost to TAMK in the fifth set.

Player leads team to split games at tournament COURTNEY GILDER REPORTER

Volleyball coach reassigned T MATT JOBE REPORTER

thletic Director Charlie Carr relieved head volleyball coach Venera Flores-Stafford of her coaching responsibilities this week after 16 years with the program and 14 seasons without a playoff appearance. Carr said the search for a new coach has already begun. “She had many jobs. She was the head coach as well as the athletic programs senior accountant and volleyball recruiter,” Carr said. “She wore many hats.” Coaches often have more than one job on campus, such as teaching or advising, but Carr said that hers were particularly demanding. “Coaches have many jobs, but hers were very heavy,” Carr said. Flores-Stafford, who made $60,680 this year, will still serve as associate athletics director, and Carr believes the change will be beneficial to both sides. “It’s a win-win,” Carr said. “She has a family and works hard, now the new

48-72 overall record, last four years

coach can be focused on volleyball and not try to balance too many balls in the air. The kids deserve that.” Interviews will open this week, and Carr said thanks to MSU’s successful history, he is confident the job will be filled by March. “There is always a lot of interest,” he said. “MSU has a history of winning, and people want to be a part of that. It’s a blessing.” The decision has come after a fouryear stretch of miserable records against conference opponents, going 22-50 against in-conference teams since 2009. “They can achieve more, and they want to be better,” Carr said. “A focused coach will help with that.” According to volleyball players Meghan Bettis, undecided freshman, and Morgan Haire, mass communication freshman, the changes will be welcomed, as the players and the coach would often struggle to get along. “She was overaggressive,” Haire said. “She would mislead us and threaten our scholarships. We were frustrated.

71-87 career conference record

Part of being a coach is bringing the team together, and she didn’t do that.” Since Flores-Stafford took the helm of the program in 2004, the team has made the NCAA playoffs only twice, and only four times have they had a winning record. Bettis feels like the volleyball program has been a “few steps below” other athletic programs on MSU. “We are the only MSU sport without a championship,” Bettis said. “It doesn’t feel like an MSU team, but we can change that.” Bettis said the team has a very high potential, and is confident that a change in staff will improve the teams morale and production. “We definitely have room for improvement,” she said, “But we already have the talent. We even started out really well last season. We won four out of five games in our first tournament, then won the next three. We were just frustrated and fell apart.”

22-50

conference record, last four years

he softball team split their wins and losses on the final day of the National Fast-pitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic Sunday at the Lincoln Park Complex. The NFCA Leadoff Classic consisted of 18 teams from around the country, including West Texas A&M and Texas Women’s University, both Lone Star Conference contenders. There were three games of pool play and three games of bracket play. MSU received the gold consolation prize at the tournament. Katelyn Vinson, nursing junior said, “We faced some of the best teams we will see all season. It was a good start of the year.” Kelley Schaefer, biology senior, set the pace for MSU’s eighthit attack by going 2-for-4 with a double. Tayler Jerrick, nursing sophomore, falls 1-1 on the season, allowingww two runs on three hits in three innings. Katlyn Holmes, undecided sophomore, only allowed one solo homer in the seventh inning as just one of only two she permitted in four innings. Vinson led the team to the split with three home runs against Southeastern Oklahoma State, which led the team to seven runs in the first inning at Sunday’s game. Chelsea Wall, special education junior, and Katelyn Potts, business management senior, got RBI singles before Paige Stevens, business management junior, delivered a two-run single to close the first inning of scoring. “It was a good feeling,” Vinson said. “It’s always fun to celebrate wins with the team. It was nice to be able to contribute to the win.” Vinson also gave the only offense on a solo hit in a 4-1 loss against Missouri-St. Louis in an earlier game. “It was great,” Vinson said. “I just wish it would have been earlier in the game though.” The team finished 3-3 for the weekend coming back from a 3-1 setback to Missouri-St. Louis. The MSU team came up with an 11-4 win against former Lone Star Conference foe Southeastern Oklahoma State. MSU will return to the mound for six games next weekend at West Texas A&M’s Woodward Invitational in Canyon, Texas starting with a games against Metropolitan State (Colo.) and Chadron State (Neb.) Friday afternoon.