Find the elf — Burnie — at the Fantasy of Lights
Dec. 5, 2018 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 83 No. 13
FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN
Students line up to make their own Lucky Bamboo as a part of Finals Frenzy in the Clark Student Center Atrium Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. | Students take goofy photos at the Photo Booth station | Christopher Cruz, theater junior, leads Omega Delta Phi in their stroll after knighting in two new members to their fraternity.
IT’S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE RYAN O’MALLEY REPORTER
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ith the end of the semester approaching students are starting to prepare for finals which can be stressful. The Thursday before finals The University Programming Board will be hosting the 31st Finals Frenzy on Dec 6. The event will be held at the Clark Student Center from 6-11 p.m.
WHAT IS FINALS FRENZY? Ruby Arriaga, coordinator of student activities, said, “Finals Frenzy is a combined effort between UPB and different office and organizations to kinda have stress free activities.” This event gives students a chance to take a break from studying and to have some fun before hitting the books again said Arriaga. The students got to pick the movie UPB made a Twitter poll on their page so the students could vote for what movie they wanted to be shown. The results were 41 percent voted for Crazy Rich Asians, 34 percent voted for
Finals Frenzy
Night School, 20 percent voted for Ant-Man and the Wasp and 5 percent voted for Small foot.
THE COST “With every event held on campus, there is some type of cost.” Arriaga said, “The cost just depends on what we get and how much money the organizations pay to cover some of the cost.” The organizations decide if they want to host certain activity based on if they have the funds to do so. Most organizations do volunteer to run the events and UPB ends up handling the cost. For this year the cost is estimated to be around seven thousand dollars which include all the events. Arriaga said, “All our events are free and we get a lot of student input because the students are actually helping pay for all the events that are happening.”
THE PLANNING The planning for Finals Frenzy starts a month and a half before the event is set to
take place. Arriaga said, “This year wasn’t as much planning because in the summer we kinda thought about what we wanted which is the is skating rink so once we decided on the theme everything else was kinda easy to figure out.” The theme this year is Frosty Frenzy, a holiday theme. “The theme is usually the hardest part to figure out,” said Arriaga. In the past, the UPB have done themes such as Comic Con, Fly Away with Finals Frenzy. The event is one of biggest events that UPB puts on all year. The attendance for this year’s Final Frenzy could be around 150-200 plus people. To promote this event UBP will use social media very heavily along with flyers. Arriaga said. “We are going to try more creative programming so you will probably see different creative marketing with either handing out candy or having an inflatable snowman something like that to get people who do not know about finals frenzy to know about finals frenzy.”
STUDENT INPUT This event is meant for students to relax, have fun and, take a break from studying for finals. Danlee Duncan, kinesiology freshman, said, “Final Frenzy is a great idea that helps students relax and take a break from all the test. College can be stressful especially when it comes to finals. Students need a way to release their stress and take a minute to realize how successful they have been and how much they have accomplished this semester. I would recommend participating in Finals Frenzy events, not just because they relieve stress, but they’re fun and get you involved as well.” Duncan thinks the university could advertise the event more before it starts but other than that it’s phenomenal. Sergio Lara, kinesiology junior, said, “It’s cool to be getting our minds off of test and just relax a bit.”
THE EVENTS 6-10 p.m.| Ice Skating Rink (Sunwatcher Plaza) 6-9 p.m.| Massage Therapist (Kiowa) and Karaoke, Hot Cocoa, Games (Wichita)
6-7 p.m. | DIY Holiday Slime (Atrium) and TRAxing Thru The Snow Outdoor Game(Sunwatcher Plaza)
7:30-8:30 p.m. | Stocking Stuffer service project (Atrium)
6-7:30 p.m. | DIY Stockings (Atrium) 8:07 p.m. | The Knights are koming (Atrium)
6-8 p.m. | Decorate Grad Caps*Bring your own cap (Cheyenne)
6:30 p.m. | Reindeer Relay Game sign up at UPB table
9 p.m. | Snowball fight (Sunwatcher Plaza) and Free finals testing supplies (Atrium) 9:30 p.m. | Late Night Breakfast *Free with meal plan (Mesquite Cafe) and Door prize drawing (Atrium)
8:30-9:30 p.m. | DIY Snowman (Atrium) 7-8 p.m. | Bingo (Comanche)
11 p.m. | “Crazy Rich Asians” (Legacy MPR)
2 | Dec. 5, 2018| S TAF F E DI T O R I A L
Go to Finals Frenzy OUR VIEW: Finals Frenzy gives students the opportunity to relax, destress and participate in fun activities before finals week starts.
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With activities like bingo, massage therapy and graduation cap decorating, Finals Frenzy has become an annual end of the semester tradition. It’s also a time to destress and celebrate the end of the semester with friends before having to study for the upcoming exams. Themed “Frost Frenzy” this year, the 31st Finals Frenzy is happening Dec. 6 from 6-11 p.m. and is a campus wide thing with multiple events. Ruby Arriaga, coordinator of student activities, said, a group effort between the university programming board, different offices and organizations is what helps put Finals Frenzy together. While most students feel inclined to stay inside to study or prepare for finals or even just stay inside completely to relax or wind down, we believe they should participate in the activities that are offered and celebrate the end of the semester by spending time with their friends before finals week. These events are hosted by using funds allocated to UPB and what organizations pitch in. All of the events for Finals Frenzy had an estimated cost of 7,000 dollars. With the scale of this and the planning that goes into it, UPB starts planning this event a month and a half in advance for students enjoyment and we think that is very important. This shows that they care about what students want to see and do. The staff wants to see a good turn out and we want everyone to have a good time and relax. Hope to see you there.
wichitan Vol. 83 | No. 13
Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd. | Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@mwsu.edu | thewichitan.com @wichitanonline
Religion doesn’t matter I want to preface this article by saying that by no means am I bashing those who practice religion. That is not the purpose of this article, instead it is to tell how we shouldn’t be blind followers in the name of religion. A majority of my examples will come from the Christian faith, as that is the one I have known all my life. Samuel The 10 Commandments are no doubt Mitchell reasonable rules within the bounds of Christianity, and even outside of them. The teachings of Jesus to be kind to others and to have an open and loving heart are all good philosophies to have. However, if you only do these things in the hopes of gaining access to heaven, you’re doing it wrong. Take the time to step back from situations in front of you and try to think logically instead of religiously. Just because you do good things does not mean you are a good person. If you act kind or help others simply because God wants you to, that doesn’t make you a good person. If you live with an open and loving heart just in the hopes of going to heaven, that doesn’t mean you are a loving and caring person. This just makes you a good follower. Again,
this is in no way bashing those who practice religion, instead it is the argument that doing what your religious text tells you to just because it tells you to makes you a good follower, not a good person. To truly live a virtuous life, you must step back and think logically. You have to look at the things you do and take the time to decide if they are virtuous for yourself. Before you volunteer at your local food bank, ask yourself if you do it just because you know it is what you’re supposed to do, or if it is because you honestly see it as a virtuous thing to do. The latter is what makes your virtuous. If your actions come from you actively identifying something as virtuous instead of being a blind follower, then you can live a virtuous life. In this sense, religion doesn’t matter. You can practice it, read the texts, and attend service all you want and still be blind. You shouldn’t not kill, steal, lie or cheat just because God said so. You shouldn’t not do those things because you identify them as non-virtuous. In the same sense, you shouldn’t love and care for people just in the hopes of getting through the pearly gates. Samuel Mitchell is a Mass Communication junior.
International students disadvantaged Walking across campus in the cold air and icy wind, met by locked doors on most of the buildings; no car or bus to leave campus, and little to do on campus, the holidays are far less fun than most students imagine them to be. This is the unfortunate reality that international students must confront while U.S. students are enjoying Christmas, Jason Thanksgiving and New Year’s with their Wilson friends and family. About 9.4 percent of students enrolled this fall are foreign. Often, they don’t have cars. While international students have the Mustang Shuttle to get around Wichita Falls, the bus does not run over the holiday break. Because of this inconvenience, they have no way to leave campus without catching rides, paying for cabs or walking. During breaks, the Clark Student Center is closed along with all of the facilities including the cafeteria, labs, rec room, book store and the ATM are all unavailable to the students who still call MSU their home for the Holidays. Over Thanksgiving break, it didn’t get very cold. However in past years it has been much colder, and many of the students who stayed over the fall break will also stay over
the winter break and will be met with much lower temperatures. In fact, students who stay over winter break will be required to pay $20 a night in addition to their in-semester housing fees. It’s unfair that the University markets to international students, particularly in the Caribbean, and does so little to accommodate the needs of the students who can’t go home. The University should at least offer dining services over the winter break. International students who stay for Christmas don’t have vehicles to go to the store, and can’t stock enough food for the month-long break in the mini fridges in the dorm rooms. Several international students said that break was difficult for them because they had to leave campus to buy food and had trouble finding rides in the cold. Even if they found a ride, the ATM on campus being closed meant an extra stop. International students face circumstances over break that are unfair and make the break experience less enjoyable while they are paying more. The University should do more to take care of the students who have traveled across the world to be a part of the MSU family. Jason Wilson is a Mass Communication sophomore.
EDITORS: Alyssa Mitchell, Chloe Phillips
Copyright ©2018.
DESIGNER: Brittni Vilandre
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ISSUE STAFF: Ryan O’Malley, Alexis Rucker, Karen Earle, Tommy Chhe, Jason Wilson, Gretta Gottschalk, Yerasly Duran, Carli Woolsey, Amber Hernandez
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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.
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PHOTOS BY NATHAN MARTINEZ AND ALEXIS RUCKER, ALANA EARLE| THE WICHITAN
Buddy praying that students pass all their finals. | Ellie, English Pointer gets her head pet at the Moffett Library. | Merrily poses for the camera. | Students relieve stress petting Claire, Cardigan Welsh Corgi at the Moffett Library. | Moose and Buddy loving all the attention they received.
Last Christmas I gave you my paw ALEXIS RUCKER | KAREN EARLE REPORTERS
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o give students a stress-free study break while they focus on finals, the Obedience Training Club brought their therapy dogs Buddy, Sydney, Merrily and Oliver to the Moffett Library on Dec. 2. “The dogs love it, but it’s also very calming for the kids. It makes everyone happy,” Shera Humbert, Buddy’s owner, said. The dogs come out to Moffett Library each semester during finals to comfort students who are overly stressed. All of the dogs that come out have attended obedience training
to get certified as a therapy dog. “We have to take tests and [the dogs] have to go through activity and agility tests to be registered,” Margaret Tresser, Sydney’s owner, said. During the tests, the dogs are exposed to things like walkers, dropping ladders, and people running up to them so they know how to remain calm in any situation. Along with this, the dogs participate in teaching elementary school students about bite prevention. “Therapy dogs are really born therapy dogs. You can’t make them that way; they have to get along with other dogs and gener-
ally like people,” Tresser said. The owners volunteer their time each semester to bring the dogs to the library. The dogs main goal is to provide comfort for students that need it and to change student’s moods. “Any program based on emotional support is one that we should support. These dogs increase the moods of students who are stressed about finals,” Kaitlin Raber, research biology sophomore, said. Not only do the dogs visit college students, they also make trips to elementary schools and nursing homes within the community.
“The dogs must be really stable and well behaved. They take the dogs to first responders to help them relax,” Cindy Smith, Merrily’s owner, said. Once the dogs have completed the first two levels of being a therapy dog, they can undergo training to become certified in crisis response. They visit first responders to alleviate their stress as well. “I am very pleased that society is starting to recognize therapy dogs as a way to treat [some] medical diagnoses. The dogs are important to helping people,” Holly Irby, Oliver’s owner, said.
Have a holly jolly variety show ALEXIS RUCKER REPORTER
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o display the talented members of their organization and give people a safe space to be who they are, PRIDE, which stands for People Respecting Identity Diversity for Everyone, hosted a variety show on Nov. 30 in the Kiowa Ex-Students Room. The variety show was composed of 10 acts that showcased the different talented members of PRIDE. It began with a performance from the hostess, Tiffany, a local drag queen that has helped with PRIDE events in the past. She opened her performance with a musical number and made the audience laugh the whole night with her banter between acts. “I was part of the [drag] show last semester and that was my first time doing drag. I loved it, performing with amazing performers is an experience. Just being able to do it again is an honor,” Logan Haddock, English senior, said. Agatha, Logan Haddock’s drag persona, was a hit with her two performances during the show. Along with this was the “Cinderfella” short play that performed by three members, an original poem, two more drag
“Anybody... can come to our organization and feel as though they have a place to exist as themselves.”
performances and The drag perforone of the members mances consisted talked about the of the performers struggles she’s faced lip syncing to wellsince coming out. known songs to enThe show flowed tertain the audience. smoothly and TifThe music for the fany’s dialog between performances had a the acts kept the enlot of static and the ergy alive between microphone was givthe performances. ing a lot of feedback However, there were when Tiffany and some technical difthe other performficulties with the miers would speak into crophone and sound it. PRIDE officers atsystem throughout tempted several times the night. to rectify the issue but “The mic issue each time, the muZARYA MAIATO definitely took away sic and microphone MARKETING CHAIR FOR PRIDE from the show. I’m would work for a few not sure they handled minutes then would it as well as they could of, but I also don’t have trouble again. know what I would’ve done differently has I This became a major part of the dialog been in that situation. I would suggest having for the show. The hostess, Tiffany, brushed a plan B next time,” Brenna Rhodes, political off the issues with funny commentary and science and pre law junior, said. cussing out the sound system. Not only that,
but the performers were encouraged to do their acts again once the system was fixed since it was too bad for most of them to lip sync to. Toward the end of the show, the members working the sound system realized the issue was that they had two microphones on causing interference. After turning one of the microphones off, the remainder of the show flowed smoothly with no technical issues. “We have a lot of talented members that do poetry, drag, and other things. It was just a fun way to get everyone together, show some performances, and get PRIDE’s name out there,” Lia Wiley, senator for PRIDE, said. The organization puts on a drag show each spring to allow people to come out and enjoy drag queen and king performances from members as well as local queens. This was the first time PRIDE has done a variety show, however. PRIDE officers wanted to give other members the opportunity to showcase their own talents outside of drag and thought a variety show would be the way to go.
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PHOTOS BY TOMMY CHHE | THE WICHITAN
Moffett Library second floor gutted to prepare for upcoming renovations. |Chemistry juniors Teresa Vu and Matthew Mitchell studying at the Moffett Library on Nov. 28.| Construction workers performing construction outside the Moffett Library.
Wreck the halls of Moffett Library TOMMY CHHE REPORTER
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or students going into Moffett Library to study for their upcoming final exams, getting a preferable spot is already tough. Yet, the dilemma has another twist as the construction at the library sees the second and third-floor being shut off to students. Students have access to only one floor during finals week to study during the remodels. Sara Burrows, respiratory care senior, said the congestion of the library affected her studying performance for the worse. “It is hard, I can’t find quiet areas to study and it is hard to find tables to sit at. There are not many outlets to charge your devices anymore,” Burrows said. Claudia Antill, pre-pharmacy junior, said there is an increased vocality among students at the library because of how people come in groups. “It would be nice to have an extra floor because there’s a lot of people that come in groups. Just having the extra space would be nice just so not everyone would be so close together and we’re not having to listen as to what other people are talking about. Some people are more verbal and louder than others,” Antill said. Matthew Mitchell, chemistry junior, said the waiting time to find a table to sit was lengthy. “I was trying to find a table for my group to sit at for twenty minutes and all the tables were filled because we’re all on the first floor,”
Mitchell said. Teresa Vu, chemistry junior, said she was disappointed with the second floor of the Moffett Library being shut off. “I study mostly on the first floor, but sometimes on the second. I am disappointed because there are less tables available on the first floor since the other two floors are closed,” Vu said. Elizabeth Chavarria, business management senior, said she was disappointed with the lack of study rooms. “I am not a fan of sitting on the first floor because a lot of people do talk. In the second floor, you were able to talk, but some certain areas you have study rooms,” Chavarria said. Kyle Owen, associate vice president for facility services, said there were two phases that the Moffett Library undertook during the course of the semester. “We have known for a while that we needed to close parts of the library this fall. Initially, when we first developed this project, the intention was that the restrooms would be done by the time that classes resume in August. We called that phase one. Phase two is what is going on now. Those drawings were completed in early summer, we bid out the project, got the bids back in August and we were hoping by early September, we could release the contracts to start the construction. Mid to late September, we release the contract so we could start construction that is starting now. As the case, we have to do negotiations relating to the bids, get everything signed
off because there is a process we have to go through,” Owen said. Owen said the official okay for construction did not come to an agreement until Nov. 1 due to negotiations. “It had to do with prices that came in, some of them were higher than we wanted. We talked about value-engineering, basically a way to cut budgets. We reviewed options to get within budget which is quite difficult within any construction project and that process can take some time,” Owen said. Owen said the decision to shut off the second and third-floor section of the Moffett Library was not made by one person. “It was a committee of people. The conversations which consist of the contractors, the head librarian, Dr. Latham, and the administration, the decision was made based on that it would be the most expeditious way and it would maximize our dollars. Best value is what drives the decision. We want to optimize the money, we don’t want to waste any more of it. The more money we spent for a guy to shuffle books all around is less carpet we get to put in the building,” Owen said. Among students, frequent comments were that the construction of the Moffett Library could have been halted. Sydney Bateman, education senior, said construction should have waited for a future date. “It could’ve been planned better. I know they did start construction during the summer and I know construction takes time. But
at the same time, they knew finals week was coming up and they should have not shut down the entire library during the week of finals. They should have waited until the break and next semester rather than trying to finish over finals, just because no one has a place to study. That’s not fair,” Bateman said. Owen said if the project was delayed for another month, it would create a scheduling conflict. “We have about eighteen months of work to do. If we delayed it another month or two, the whole calendar just shifts. At this point, we’re planning to be through of April 2020. Instead of being done in April 2020, it would be done in June 2020 which means the people that taking finals in May 2020 wouldn’t be able to use it [Moffett Library]. Pick your poison. I realize that students now, particularly seniors, will not worry about what about what someone is going to deal with a year and a half from now. People from a year and a half now will be glad we started when we did. You’re going to tick someone off no matter how you look at it,” Owen said. Students said despite the inconvenience of the situation, they understand the situation. Christopher Sun, biology sophomore, said there should not be maximum criticism. “I find construction as inconvenient as opposed to unacceptable. At least they’re trying to make it better. They’re trying to do something for us in the first place, I don’t think we should feel the need to feel harsh towards the construction,” Sun said.
THE S TUDY HOURS FOR FINALS WEEK W I L L B E : MO N - T H U R 8 A.M.-2 A.M. | FRI 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. | SAT 10 A.M. - 6 P. M . | S UN 2 P. M . - 2 A. M . D E C . 1 5 -16 AND 22-31 CLOSED | SPECIAL HOURS DEC. 1 7 - 2 1 8 A. M . - 5 P. M .
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PHOTO BY BRITTNI VILANDRE | THE WICHITAN
Exercise physiology senior, Sheria Cole relaxes and watches TV on her roommates couch during Thanksgiving break.
Silent night, lonely nights on campus JASON WILSON REPORTER
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alking across campus without a person in sight. The parking lots are empty. Not a student or a professor; it seems the only ones to talk with are the geese when 6,100 students and 250 faculty and staff members are away for the holidays. Accounting junior Kenneisha Spanish stayed on campus over break because she is from the Caribbean Islands and can’t go home for a three-day break. Spanish said being on campus while everyone is gone is not all bad. “I like that everyone was gone. It was like a little private hotel,” Spanish said. “You could make as much noise as you wanted or it was quiet because nobody was making noise. Had the bathrooms to yourself.” During break, there were two on-call resident assistants available if residents locked themselves out or needed any help. Radiology sophomore and Resident Assistant Tomeya Mckinney said, “As break RAs, we weren’t allowed to leave campus because we were required to have a five-minute response time if anyone called.” While most students who stayed on campus are international, others stayed for various reasons. Sheria Cole, exercise physiology senior is from Wichita Falls but lives on campus. “I live in town so there was no point in leaving my apartment when I was so close,” Cole said. Students who worked on Thanksgiving or that weekend, couldn’t go out of town. “I had to work, so there was no point in go-
ing anywhere farther just to turn around and come right back,” Cole said. With everyone gone, there wasn’t any competition for facilities that are ordinarily shared commodities. Radiology sophomore Heather Armbrister, said, “It was nice having the washing machines to ourselves. Nobody was there to have to share with.” Those who had cars had a much easier time finding parking than during the semester. “I loved parking. I could park where I wanted and never had to park in the back. It was amazing. You could pretty much park anywhere you wanted,” Cole said. The environment was also different without anyone to upset by being loud. “With nobody being there, we could make as much noise as we wanted,” Spanish said. “Quiet hours just didn’t exist. The freedom was nice, I had my TV up really loud”. Students also took advantage of the quiet to rest up from a long semester of school. “I mainly relaxed over break. I usually don’t slow down. It was really nice to not do anything. I watched TV and ate pizza,” Cole said. “It was a lot more chill, no high anxiety. It was just relaxing and calming environment. You never really even saw the campus police.” While classes are out, students who stayed on campus found ways to keep themselves busy. “I slept and watched a lot of movies. Some of us played monopoly too,” Spanish said. “The gym was open over break for something to do.” Most of the buildings on campus, including the student center, were closed during
break. This requires that students staying on campus to find other things to do. “The student center was closed and the computer lab and game room are in there, so you don’t really have anywhere to go except the dorm building and just hanging around there,” Spanish said. The student center being closed left students to plan ahead for their meals as well. Armbrister said, “The only time we stayed in our dorms were to cook meals. We went to Walmart before break to get food to cook because the cafeteria isn’t open.” The dining hall being closed was difficult for a lot of international students who don’t have cars to go to the store or out to eat. “One of the main inconveniences was the closing of the dining hall. I know a number of my residents that were international questioned why they closed it,” said Mckinney. Because the majority of the students who stay on campus are from other countries, the facilities not offered during break creates difficulties for the students without transportation. “The bus isn’t running and a lot of us are international so we don’t have any cars or anything here. We have no way of getting around other than walking or an Uber or Lyft service which are expensive,” Spanish said. If students did venture off campus, even finding cash was a challenge. “The only ATM is in the student center, and it was not available to us, so we had to hope we have cash,” Spanish said. The ATM was closed before classes ended on Tuesday. “The ATM closed earlier than we expect-
ed. I went at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday and it was already down. The ATM was closed before Chick-Fil-A and Burrito Bowl were even closed,” Spanish said Students who didn’t have money for transportation were left to walk if they needed to leave campus, despite cool, winter weather. The high temperature on Nov. 21 was 39 degrees. Spanish said, “I’m from the Caribbean so I’m not used to the cold. Luckily it wasn’t super cold so it wasn’t too bad, but it was pretty chilly.” The cold weather wasn’t enough to keep students from having fun over their break. “We can only do things that are close to the school, go to the mall, go to the movies,” Armbrister said. “Some days it was cold and we had to walk if we wanted to go anywhere. It wasn’t cold enough to prevent us from going where we were going though. We were determined.” Having friends and making new friends was a great opportunity for the 150 students who stayed on campus. “You should plan ahead and find out who’s going to be there so you can split costs and even if you do get an Uber, you’re not covering the cost by yourself,” Spanish said. “Someone can pay on the way there, another on the way back. It’s also good having someone to walk with because walking by yourself can be scary.” Despite the difficulties, international students have over break, Spanish said it’s up to the individual to make something of it. “It is what you make it. If you don’t make it fun, it won’t be,” Spanish said.
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PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY AARON DEVAUL, TIFFANIE GONZALES
Aaron DeVaul, Luke Saunders, Luke Hellmuth, Charles Reeves, psychology seniors, at the Blind Beggar pub in East London. | (Back) Nate Mitchell, (middle) Tiffanie Gonzales, Raphael Muchabaya, Laura Rubio, Cassie Jarrett, Nolita Isbell, (bottom) Carrie Valencia, Tsion Desta and Aroob Bhatti, nursing seniors, in Venice, Italy during the five-day mini break. | Laura Rubio, Tiffanie Gonzales, Tsion Desta, Carrie Valencia and Raphael Muchabaya, nursing seniors, taking a selfie with the London Eye.
Feliz navi-study abroad
GRETA GOTTSCHALK REPORTER
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o not be a student that dismisses the exhilarating idea of studying abroad because of the false assumption that the cost is too expensive. Studying abroad, as a college student, is a once in a lifetime experience. Michael Mills, international education director, said, “No MSU student is paying the sticker price because of scholarships and some of the other things that are out there.” Study abroad programs are available to students during each summer semester which allow them to travel while concurrently getting an education. “Not only does it prepare you for the global marketplace and give you the skills that you need to be able to succeed in a world where we’re becoming more frequently intertwined on a global scale, it gives [you] a totally different perspective on kind of our place and our role in the bigger world and the world affairs,” Mills said. Mills said he regrets not being able to study abroad during his college years. However, he is thankful his career has allowed him to travel abroad. “Shortly after I got hired, one of my very first conferences was an international conference, and it was a very eye opening experience to me,” Mills said. “To have that opportunity right after college and into my career, it’s something that I’ve always advocated for other students.”
COST EFFECTIVE
The study abroad office does not shy away from addressing the reality that college can be expensive for some students. “Cost is going to be important to every student,” Mills said. “We try to do it so that
we can package it to the student at the lowest possible price point.” The maximum cost for a student to study abroad is $6,950, which includes a round-trip airfare, tuition, fees, housing and all program related transportation. According to Mills, this price is relatively close to the cost that students pay to study on campus. “Look at [the] cost to take those classes abroad versus [the] cost to take them here on campus. That’s the real difference,” Mills said. “It’s not adding classes to your degree plan. It’s just are you taking them here on campus or are you taking them as part of a study abroad?” Some students realize that the cost varies by person in that each person may have different scholarships available. Margaret Greenhalgh, English senior, who studied abroad in London, said, “I can understand how they come up with those numbers. If you are dedicated and seek out all funding opportunities possible then you can usually find enough scholarships and such that the end result is pretty much the same. But [not] if you’re just looking at the price tag.” Other students think the cost is not an issue in comparison to the price requirement they have seen with other universities. Mass communication sophomore Clarissa Alvarado said, “It’s a decent price for a month. It’s not too expensive compared to other schools and their study abroad programs.”
FINANCIAL AID
The Financial Aid Office works alongside the Study Abroad Office to assist students with finding alternative ways to pay for study abroad programs. “My office works very well with the Business Office and with the Financial Aid Office,” Mills said. “You can come to the Study Abroad
Office and fill out the purple form for financial aid.” The short, one-page purple form is sent to the Financial Aid Office where staff will determine if a student has any available scholarships. “That does not sign you up for the program. That does not obligate you to anything,” Mills said. “It will just let financial aid send you an estimate via e-mail of what type of scholarships, if there is grants or loans, available to you.” This information is helpful to students that are curious as to how they would pay for a study abroad program. “You can start to see what your financial aid package would look like should you want to study abroad,” Mills said. “Once you get that, then you can compare what it actually costs you to go study abroad versus what it would cost you to take them here on campus.” All students are welcome to study abroad and most will find a class to contribute toward their major. “Anyone is welcome to take some of the classes, but if you want financial aid to be of assistance, it does have to count toward your degree plan,” Mills said.
MORE PROGRAMS
The university staff is not planning to add any other study abroad programs or locations to their list of places, but they are open to the possibilities. “We’ll definitely keep the four that we have because those are good quality programs,” Mills said. “There are locations that we might potentially be interested in, in the future. At this point, we’re sticking with the four that we have and making sure that we’re running the best program we can in the location that we’re already established before we start look-
ing to add on to more logistics and locations” Mills said that China or an Eastern European city like Prague could be some future possibilities. “Almost all majors are represented now at some level in study abroad,” Mills said. “If we launch new programs in new locations, the reason is to add programs for other majors that we don’t currently serve.”
SAFETY ASPECT
The university staff makes the safety of all students a top priority while they are studying abroad. Greenhalgh said she felt safer walking to the grocery store at 2 a.m. than she does in Wichita Falls at 2 a.m. “Obviously we won’t ever send students to a location where we don’t personally feel comfortable traveling ourselves or to a place that we feel like we’re putting students in danger,” Mills said. Depending on the location, students either stay on university campuses or with a host family. “London and Grenada, we’re staying on university campuses. So we’re in a regular dormitory style facility similar to what we would have here on campus,” Mills said. “France and Spain, because they are immersion and culture language classes, they stay with vetted host families who are cleared by the institute that we partner with.” Mills said he encourages students to travel in groups if they want to go out and explore their new surroundings when outside of class. “We don’t want students traveling alone,” Mills said. “That doesn’t mean you can’t walk to the grocery store right there, but if you’re going to be going out and traveling, we want students to be traveling with others just as a safety precaution, unless you’ve received permission.”
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PHOTO BY YERASLY DURAN | THE WICHITAN
Vanessa Quiñones, radiology freshman, studying for an upcoming test at the Clark Student Center.
All I want for Christmas is a 4.0 As finals begin Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. until Dec. 13 at 5:45 p.m. Students on campus begin their study preparations to receive their best grade. While some students like to use flashcards to study, others just rewrite their lectures. Each student has a unique way to study for their classes. Yerasly Duran | Reporter
“I’ve studied. I used to only write down everything my professors would say without thinking about it. Now when they say something [in class] I try to think about it and make a connection with something I already know and then I write it down in my own words. This way, I don’t have to study as much because. I already did the process of learning it in class and it truly works.” | FRIDA ARREDONDO, SPANISH AND FRENCH JUNIOR “My study tips I guess is [to] actually read the book sit down and actually read and make flash cards. Look over them before your test, like all your tests. I have flash cards for every single chapter for every book for every class.” | CAROLINA BELTRAN, NURSING FRESHMAN “I tend to look at my notes that I write in class,
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so what the professor says or what he writes in the board. When I’m writing notes I’m also looking at the chapter. I have the book open and I follow along in what he’s lecturing at the same time.” | GLORIA VILLARREAL, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRADUATE “When you’re reading the textbook, don’t read the whole thing. Read the important parts, you gotta figure out how the textbook works. You get the info you have and you look over the info over and over. And at the end of the week you test yourself” | ALASKA CARILLO BELL, PRE-MED BIOLOGY JUNIOR “Something that really helps me is that when I get my syllabus I put everything in my planner so I know when everything comes up. We have a lot of reading as an English major, so sneak in 15-20 minutes of reading when waiting on something.” | JES-
SICA ODOM, ENGLISH SENIOR I study by looking over my notes, adding things from the book and going over graded homework. I like to write in blue ink and students can make flash cards or draw out stuff to better learn info. I [also] leave my phone in the living room when studying. | ESTAFANI VAZQUEZ, BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY FRESHMAN “Whenever I study, I usually use flash cards because writing down stuff helps me remember. Then I say it out loud to myself because I heard that hearing yourself repeat information helps [it] stick to you more.” | KELLY LE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ENGLISH, SOPHOMORE “When I study I mainly go towards making flash
cards and making quizlets to help me memorize the material. Tips that I have are making sure you don’t study last minute and try saying the material out loud, this also helps me memorize things. “ | MAYRA GARZA, ATHLETIC TRAINING SOPHOMORE ”I usually study by making note cards [but] this isn’t a method that works for everyone. I would [tell] other students to go to a place with as little distractions as possible with little to no noise.” | IVON MENDOZA, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT JUNIOR “I find a quiet room where no one an hear me, and I basically I read out loud first and then I try to write over the stuff in my own words and read it back to myself. Read out loud that helps a lot. The more you read of the same thing, the more it sticks.” | EARLYN PIERIE, NURSING AND SPANISH SOPHOMORE
Always hiring great stylists
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Graduation, the most wonderful time of the semester CARLI WOOLSEY REPORTER
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alarie McCubbins, MSU alumna, will be delivering the commencement address on Dec. 15 at Kay Yeager Coliseum to approximately 512 students starting at 10 a.m. McCubbins said, “When I opened the email I was shocked. I wasn’t quite sure what the email was saying or wanting me to do. After about a day or two, I stopped second guessing myself, and I realized ‘Why not me?’ It took a couple days for me to feel comfortable with this, but I realized I could do it, and I am not backing down.” McCubbins received an email inviting her to speak at graduation this year. Her initial reaction was shock, but she has turned her emotions into fuel for success. “This feels really big and important to me because I have been there,” McCubbins said. “I have sat where these students will sit on Saturday. I have had all of the same fears, questions and excitement that they have had while they are trying to figure out what they will do next. I just feel like this is a great moment for me to come to them as someone who has been there and explain how I tackled what the next steps are.”
McCubbins spent 12 years the graduating class,” Barin New York City working row said. “We leave it up to within the marketing and the speakers to present the advertising departments for address however they like. I multi-million dollar brands. think she will do a great job. She now works in Texas as SeShe has done some really nior Vice President of Client great things. I feel very confiService at the Austin marketdent that she will have a good ing firm Unique Influence. message for the students.” Director of Board and Working for the businessGovernment Relations Debes she has, McCubbins has bie Barrow, said, “Valarie Mcspoken to many large crowds. Cubbins is one of the people According to McCubbins, that the members of the Valarie McCubbins minoring in theater gave her committee thought would good practice for being in make a great impression. She has had success front of people. and hasn’t been out of the university for too “I feel prepared,” McCubbins said. “I don’t terribly long, but she has accomplished quite back away from anything that scares me. Even a lot.” though I wish I could be 1,000 times more Ideas and suggestions for the speaker for prepared than I am, it still excites me because commencement are given by a committee it’s something I have never done before. I feel consisting of the Chair of the Faculty Senate, so honored that anybody thought I am the the Chair of the Staff Senate and the President right person to do this.” of Student Government. The final decision McCubbins said she feels that if one perfor the speaker is made by the President of the son takes something away from her message, University, but the decision is made consider- she will feel like she succeeded. She hopes she ing the thoughts of the committee members. can help any student that might be listening “We would like the speakers to talk about and feeling like they are unsure of themselves whatever they think they should share with or the future.
“If the students could take one thing away from my speech, I hope it is ‘Don’t waste your time planning your life too much, make sure you are actually living you life,’” McCubbins said.
MCCUBBINS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: • Earned a Master of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas in 2005 • Member of Alpha Phi at MSU • Served as President of the National Panhellenic Council • Named Greek Woman of the Year in 2004 • Member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi, Alpha Psi Omega • President of Order of Omega • Awarded Outstanding Freshmen Chemistry Lab Student • Her senior group won first place in videography/editing at the Southwest Journalism Congress • Performed in several theatrical productions • Directed a one act play as part of a course for her theater minor • Received the Mass Communication Department’s inaugural Alumni Award in 2012
Have yourself a merry little business AMBER HERNANDEZ REPORTER
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hat was initially just a couple of friends hanging out in a game room at 1 a.m., turned into the beginning stages of opening Garage-Made Hair Pomade. Peyton Macklin, sophomore political science, saw a need among his friends of wanting to find the perfect hair pomade and decided to make his own, selling them for $12 a can. “We just tossed the idea around jokingly then realized why not? It could be fun, and we were trying to find a new hair product anyway,” Macklin said. Two days after their first discussion, the friends took the first step and bought a business license to begin the process. “After getting the license, we went out to buy some of the basic parts of what goes into hair pomade [bee’s wax and essential oils] and just did a lot of trial and error until we found the right consistency,” Jacob Stacy, co-owner of Garage-Made Hair Pomade, said. While running the business, Macklin is a full-time student and works part-time at Walmart and Stacy runs a children’s ministry
at his local church along with working parttime at Market Street. “School comes first for me, so it does get hard to stay on top of the business sometimes but some of what I learned here, I can apply to Garage-Made,” Macklin said. Even though Macklin finds it tricky to stay on top of everything, he has found some perks to the business being just the hair pomade. “It does work out though because we do what we can when we have time since it’s not a legitimate store that has to have business hours, so we can work on it whenever we can find the time,” Macklin said. The pair’s business has since gained popularity and support from friends and family. “I think it’s awesome that these local young guys have an entrepreneurial spirit and that they’re creating and offering great products,” Aaron Little, friend of Stacy and Garage-Made product user, said. For the future, Macklin and Stacy hope to continue the business and see it grow. “We just want to be able to continue it and not let it die out. It’d be cool to see it spread even further in the Texoma area,” Macklin said.
PHOTO BY AMBER HERNANDEZ | THE WICHITAN
Jacob Stacy, co-owner of Garage-Made Hair Pomade and Peyton Macklin, political science, sophomore, working out business details at a local coffee shop. Nov. 30.