VOL. 87 NO. 05
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
LGBT fraternity to form on campus By ASHLEE GRAY Contributing Writer
Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editor
Supporters of the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro raised peace signs into the air Thursday as opponents discussed why the community center should not be built during the Rutherford County Commission meeting last
Mosque leader reacts Imam explains center’s absence in protests By JORDAN BRIEN Contributing Writer
Just days after the Rutherford County Commission meeting Thursday, Imam Ossama of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro voiced support for First Amendment rights and said it was one of the reasons he loved America. Ossama said he supports the local community’s right to protest construction of the new Islamic Center and is glad to see that freedom of speech actually exists, but he said he feels the center should not get officially involved with the protests because he wants to remain peaceful. “We are comfortable here and will reside in peace,” Ossama said. “To our opponents, the door is always open.” The center will replace the current mosque that has been in Murfreesboro for more than 30 years. The current mosque, at about 3,000 square feet, only houses a small portion of its members, Ossama said. The new mosque, proposed to be 52,000-square-feet will include a 6,800-square-foot multipurpose room for praying and holding social events. Ossama said members know the opposing side is a very small group of residents, and that they appreci-
ate the local supporters and counter-protest efforts designed to show the positive side of the argument. Aaron Shapiro, an instructor of religious studies in the philosophy department, said he believes religious freedom is a core democratic value and Muslims deserve the same right to worship as any other American citizen. Layla Hantouli, a member of the Islamic Center, said she converted to Islam three years ago and is taking the protests personally. “Walking down the street, people yell at me to go home, and look at me strange because of my head scarf,” Hantouli said. Saleh Sbenaty, an engineering technology professor in the College of Business, said he believes the protests could have been part of a healthy debate if it was not for the hate messages that protestors have shouted in the past. “When Muslims are labeled as terrorists, and accused of crimes that they have never committed, the freedom of expression turns into an organized hate campaign against Islam,” said Sbenaty, who serves as chair of the center’s planning committee. MOSQUE, PAGE 3
Constitution Week informs about Americans’ rights By JOSHUA M. WARD Staff Writer
Student organizations gathered outside of the Keathley University Center last week to hand out shirts, give political quizzes, and encourage students to register to vote in celebration of the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. The American Democracy Project, Young Americans for Liberty, Printer’s Proof and student musicians volunteered to inform students about the Constitution, their rights and their responsibilities as citizens, as part of MTSU’s Constitution Day celebration. Volunteers from the Democracy Project set up a table outside of the KUC with a mock Constitution for
people to sign, and many students decided to show up with their own John Hancock’s. “[Students] can come up here and sign that they still agree with the Constitution,” said Andrew King, a junior majoring in public relations and member of the Democracy Project. “It’s pretty much one universal thing all Americans can agree on – no matter what their political beliefs are.” King said he felt the primary objective was to get students excited and involved with their civic duties, something that he said many young people don’t exercise much these days. “We want to light a fire in people’s hearts and get them involved in govern-
Opinions: SPORTS page 4 FEATURES pages 5, 6 OPINIONS page 7
Appreciate military veterans’ sacrifice despite political views page 7
ment,” King said. “We want to get more people out voting, and whether they are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or whatever, we just want them to understand that they need to be involved in the political process.” To follow through with their goal of getting more students to vote, members of the Democracy Project set up with voter registration forms. “[We’re] getting people registered to vote, giving them a change of address if they need to, and if they’re in Rutherford County, we can mail it out for them,” said Carlin Stinson, a sophomore majoring in nutrition. “We’re making progress, and they can feel like they’re making a difference.”
ternity life and scholAn LGBT Fraterarship, acnity is slated to join the cording to MTSU campus with the the Greek support of students and organiThomas the administration. z a t i o n ’s Brandon Thomas, a nationa l junior majoring in powebsite. litical science, said he has As of right now, been interested in starting there is only one chapup an LGBT-only frater- ter, the Alpha Chapter nity for quite some time. in Arizona. “It would give memThomas said he looked bers a place to hang for a fraternity that out and serve the com- would accommodate munity fraternally,” him. However, he wanted Thomas said. “This fra- to join a fraternity that ternity will serve as an not only allowed gay organization for men men, but also, accepted who want to be Greek transgender men. but are not comfort“When I was looking able in a heterosexual around for fraternities environment.” I wanted an allowance The new fraternity of transgender men,” would be called Sigma Thomas said. “A gay alPhi Beta and focus on fra- lied fraternity is open ternal values, including to everyone.” brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, education, fraFRATERNITY, PAGE 3
NPR reporter to visit campus By AMANDA HAGGARD Contributing Writer
Nina Totenberg, a reporter for National Public Radio, will be on campus Wednesday as part of MTSU’s Constitution Week to speak about how justice has evolved in the U.S. Supreme Court throughout her more than 30 years of journalism experience covering the Judicial Branch. Totenberg’s lecture titled “Establishing Justice: The New Supreme Court” is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Tucker Theatre, and the event is free and open to the public. “Ms. Totenberg’s experience and intelligent interpretation of the nation’s highest court will provide insight and perspectives to further our study,” said Mary A. Evins, an associate professor of history, in an MTSU press release. Totenberg has won many journalism awards in broadcasting, such as the National Press Foundation Award for Broadcaster of the Year, and the 2010 Edward R. Murrow Award, which is given by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “The national call to form a more perfect union and establish justice commences the U.S. Constitution,” Evins said. “Justice and the American court system frame Constitution Day activities this year, and [her] experience and intelligent interpretation for the nation’s highest court will provide insight and perspectives to further our study.”
CONSTITUTION, PAGE 3
Brandon Flowers, lead singer for the Killers, releases strong new solo album SUNNY NO CHANCE OF RAIN HIGH 94, LOW 64
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SIDELINES MONDAY, September 20, 2010
Sigma Phi Epsilon rewards students
Training Corps. “I feel pretty good about it,” Musselman said. “I thank the brothers for voting for me.” Two of MTSU’s finest freshmen have been seMusselman played as an offensive guard on lected from a pool of about 1,600 students to re- the Trojans football team at Collinwood High ceive a scholarship from Sigma Phi Epsilon, the School in Iron City, as well as served as a memfirst such award in five years, according to the ber of The National Beta Club and the Fellowmembers of the fraternity. ship of Christian Athletes. Alex Musselman, a pre-medical major, While the scholarship was offered to all male and Caleb Jennings, a law enforcement ma- incoming freshman students, whether they jor, received the scholarship for displaying applied to be a brother of Sigma Epsilon or not, academic excellence and for involvement in Payne said he hoped that the two finalists would their communities, said Corbyn Payne, vice consider joining. president of communications for Sigma Phi “They are the kind of people that we are Epsilon. usually looking “ W e for,” Payne said. looked “We interviewed at a lot of them and had things, them around f r o m the house, and I leaderthink they would ship skills feel at home with CORBYN PAYNE and civic VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATION FOR SIGMA PHI EPSILON our fraternity.” involveMu s s e l man and Jenment, to athletics, extracurricular clubs nings said they would consider joining and church groups,” Payne said, Sigma Epsilon. “They are a great bunch of guys,” “pretty much any involvement in Jennings said. the community.” Although it has been a few years since Both freshmen received a $500 scholarship the MTSU chapter has participated in its Saturday evening at an award dinner held by national program, members of the fraterSigma Phi Epsilon. nity said they hoped to offer it more often in “It’s an honor, especially considering the the future. amount of people they offered it to,” Jennings “I wish I had, had the same opsaid. “I couldn’t be happier.” portunity when I was a freshman,” Jennings, who attended Smyrna High School, was on the cross-country team, in Steven Hartford, vice president of recruitment the drama and Spanish clubs, and in all for Sigma Phi Epsilon and the organizer of the five clubs in the Junior Reserve Officers event said. By CHRISTOPHER MERCHANT Assistant News Editor
“They are the kind of people that we are usually looking for... I think they would feel at home with our fraternity.”
Gordon votes on new energy bill
Photo courtesy of Sigma Phi Epsilon
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity hosted a banquet Saturday, giving two scholarships to incoming freshmen for their outstanding academics and loyalty to the community. The fraternity hopes to increase its scholarship budget in the future so it can offer larger scholarships to more students, Hartford said. While the scholarship was offered to more than 1,000 freshmen, Hartford said that about only 25 applied in time for the July 1 deadline. “I know when I first started going to school I checked my email pretty regularly, but I understand that a lot of these guys prob-
ably didn’t,” Hartford said. “I think if we had offered more money then more students would have applied for it, so we hope to in the future.” Nationally, the fraternity has been offering the scholarship for 20 years, Payne said, and that currently over 150 chapters offer it. Every chapter is responsible for raising the funds and distributing the scholarship. “We hope that more people will apply next time,” Hartford said.
Turkish lecture informs students STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted Thursday in support of a bill designed to provide loans to American families and farmers to pay for environmentally friendly home improvements. If passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama, the Rural Energy Savings Act would establish the Rural Star and “The cheapest form of energy is enHome Star programs. Both would provide from $3,000 up to $7,500 in ergy you don’t use. Families and comloans to qualifying homeowners to panies are finding ways to cut down pay for the initial cost associated with on energy use and save money” energy efficiency upgrades. CONGRESSMAN BART GORDON “This bill will lower utility bills for U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES families, reduce our country’s energy use, and create thousands of needed “American manufacturers could use jobs in the manufacturing and conthis boost that these loans would prostruction industries,” Gordon said Frivide,” Gordon said. “What’s more, the day in a press release. program is designed to be deficit neuThe loans would be facilitated by extral, with all of the capital going out as isting electric co-ops in rural commuloans instead of grants.” nities. Customers would then repay the More than 90 percent of these maloan over 10 years as part of their norterials, such as caulking, insulation, mal electric bill. heating, ventilation, air-conditioning “We are helping American families and farmers drive our economic recov- systems, hot-water heaters, sealant, ery by giving them the tools they need and windows and doors, are made in to make their homes and farm buildings the United States, according to the more efficient,” Gordon said. press release. According to the press release, energy “The cheapest form of energy is enersavings created by the renovations would gy you don’t use,” Gordon said. “Famihelp to offset the cost of the loans over lies and companies are finding ways to time. The programs would be intended cut down on energy use and save money. to boost demand for American energy Supporting their efforts with research efficient products, materials, and con- and smart economic policies has been struction and installation services. on of my major priorities in Congress.”
The University Honors College is planning to host a lecture Thursday on campus about democracy and the military in the Muslim country of Turkey, according to an MTSU press release. “Civil-Military Relations and Democratization in Turkey” will be delivered by Isa Afacan, director of Academic Affairs at the Istanbul Center in Atlanta, at 2 p.m. in Room 106 of the Honors Amphitheatre in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. The lecture is free and open to the public. John Vile, dean of the Honors College, recently visited Turkey and observed that while the country is a leading democratic Muslim nation, the military has at times intervened in politics to preserve the separation of church and state, according to the press release. “The ongoing relationship between military and civilian authorities is critical to the future of the country and possibly
Photo courtesy of The Society of Universal Dialogue
Isa Afacan, director of Academic Affairs at the Istanbul Center in Atlanta, is slated to give a lecture on campus Thursday about democracy and military in Turkey. the region as a while,” Vile said. At the Istanbul Center, Afacan has worked as a liason between visiting dignitaries from Turkey and state and local officials in Georgia, according to the press release. He is a doctorial candidate in the School of International and Public
Affairs at Florida International University, where he taught international affairs for three years. Afacan’s dissertation is on Turkish-American foreign relations in the post-Cold War era. He will have time after the lecture to answer questions from audience members.
LOCAL EVENTS On Campus Open House: MTSU Student Programming Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Keathley University Center Room 208 FREE
Greek Affairs: Interfraternity Council
Event: “Our Parade Of Flags” & Ping Pong Tournament Tuesday 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Keathley University Center Knoll MTSU Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Center in partnership with English Language Services of the University College FREE
Greek Row Recruitment begins Monday for the 12 fraternities of the council.
Greek Affairs: Panhellenic Council
Student Life: “Glee” Season Premiere Party
Wednesday, 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Wine Tasting: A Fine Wine Affair
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Monohan Hall Room 219 FREE
Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Student Life: Palatial Concert Series Thursday 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Health, Wellness and Recreation Center FREE
Tuesday, 8 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Film: “The Karate Kid”
Monohan Hall, 1st Floor Lobby FREE
Sunday 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Event: “Express Yourself!”
Keathley University Center, The Knoll FREE for students
Greek Row Recruitment begins Monday for the six sororities of the council.
Off Campus 1710 E. Main St. Reservations: 615-893-0022
Concert: The Hold Steady Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville Tickets: $49.50 and up
Concert: Jimmy Gnecco of Ours with Cynthia Catania
Exit In, Nashville Tickets: $18 in advance, $22 at the door
Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Musical: “9 to 5: The Musical”
Sports: Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Pre-Season Game
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Tennessee State Museum FREE
Concert:
Mercy Lounge Tickets: $20
Thursday, 7 p.m. Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Tickets: $3 and up
Festival: “Southern Fried Festival” Friday through Saturday Downtown Columbia For more information: 931-381-0954
Events Policy
Sidelines welcomes current campus and community events submitted by all readers. Please e-mail events to slcampus@mtsu.edu or slnews@mtsu.edu, and include the name, date, time and location of the event, as well as your name and a phone number for verification. We reserve the right to refuse events at our discretion as our space is limited.
Sidelines is the editorially independent, non-profit student-produced newspaper of Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines publishes Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and online during June and July. The events listed are not necessarily associated with Sidelines or MTSU.
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MONDAY, September 20, 2010 SIDELINES
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Center attempts to stay out of protests MOSQUE FROM PAGE 1
Sbenaty said the “organized hate campaign” against the local Muslim community is “totally unwarranted” because it has been one of the most productive and law-abiding communities in Middle Tennessee for decades. “As for Kevin Fisher, one of the organizers who is hiding behind environmental and traffic concerns, I would ask where was he when the World Outreach ‘mega’ Church was built,” Sbenaty said. Spencer Dixon, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, said he is not Muslim but supports the Islamic community in Murfreesboro. “It’s sad [that] such a small group gives such a bad name to the community,” Dixon said, adding the U.S. Constitution should protect everyone. “Christians have caused just as many problems throughout history,” Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editor Supporters and opponents of the construction of the new Islamic Center of Murfreesboro lined up Thursday inside of the Rutherford Dixon said. County Courthouse before the County Commission’s meeting.
Multiple organizations gather to commemorate founding of nation CONSTITUTION FROM PAGE 1
Photo courtesy of Brandon Thomas, junior political science major
Zak Craft (Left), Janee Ivorie (Right) and Brandon Thomas (Middle) set up a table in the Keathley University Center for MT Lambda’s annual “Spring Out Week” last semester.
Student vies for new organization FRATERNITY FROM PAGE 1
He said he wanted to inform the campus and community about issues in the gay community concerning discrimination. “Our campus is not as informed as it should be,” Thomas said. “A lot of people need to be educated. People don’t know that you can be fired for being gay.” Thomas said he spoke to Angela King, director of Greek Affairs, two weeks ago and discussed plans for bringing the LGBT fraternity to campus, and he learned the necessary steps he would have to take in order to get approval to have the fraternity on campus. “This week was the first time anyone has shown interest in this fraternity,
and they have the full support from Greek Affairs and administration,” King said. “We support any organization that can uphold their fraternal values and the mission of MTSU.” King said there are other LGBT fraternities and sororities across the nation on other college campuses, and she said those would be welcomed to campus as well. She said she was very optimistic about the new fraternity’s formation on campus and hopeful to get the process of establishing the fraternity started as soon as all of the guidelines are met. “Most organizations begin as a colony,” King said. “Once they are on campus, they must meet national standards and be a colony for a certain period of time. Also, the organization must comply with Greek Affairs, and must actively recruit as
well as have a certain number of interest.” There is a project underway called the Lambda 10. This project’s purpose is to inform the community about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics at the college level, and provide educational tools to understand sexual orientation, according to the national Lambda 10 website. When an LBGT organization arrives at MTSU, the fraternity will be placed into a council, King said. “Right now, they would have the opportunity to join the Multicultural Greek Council, but if they want to join Interfraternity Council, they have that option as well,” King said. “When an LGBT organization comes to the university we will be completely supportive and thrilled to accommodate any student’s request.”
Young Americans for Liberty also had a table set up with the “World’s Smallest Political Quiz,” which determines your placement on the political spectrum and shows students what historical figures share their political beliefs. YAL handed out pocket-sized Constitutions and copies of Frédéric Bastiat’s “The Law,” an 1850 essay on political economics that emphasizes individual liberties and criticizes a government that takes advantage of its own laws to control its citizenry. “Everybody should read it, regardless of what they believe,” said Galadriel Robinson, a member of YAL. Robinson, who hopes to attend MTSU to study graphic design, said she also feels that student involvement in government is of the utmost importance. “There are so many people that don’t even think about politics, like ‘I don’t want to be involved,’” Robinson said. “The thing is, politics are going to be involved with you whether you like it or not.” Robinson said YAL also had several pages of signatures on a petition to have
CRIME BRIEFS Vandalism
Kenneth Sprott, 51, was issued a state citation for parking in a f ire lane.
Scarlett Commons Club House A f ire alarm went off.
Greenland Drive A car was reportedly vandalized in the parking lot.
Theft
Traffic
Sept. 17, 8:51 a.m.
Sept. 17, 10:51 p.m.
Traffic
Davis Science Building Items were reportedly missing from a classroom.
Rutherford Boulevard Jennifer Lokey, 33, was issued a state citation for driving on a suspended license.
Fire
Alarm
Sept. 17, 11:41 a.m.
Sept. 18, 1:25 a.m.
Bell Street A car caught on f ire in the parking lot.
Scarlett Commons Club House A f ire alarm went off.
Traffic
Alcohol
Sept. 17, 3:31 p.m.
Sept. 18, 2:15 a.m.
Maintenance Lot A vehicle was damaged in the parking lot.
Rutherford Boulevard Lawrence Clayton Chambers III, 21, was arrested for a first offense of driving under the influence and violation of the implied consent law.
Sept. 15, 12:45 p.m.
Sept. 15, 4:52 p.m. Bell Street A tag was reported stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot.
Theft Sept. 16, 10:16 a.m. John Bragg Mass Communication Building Items were reportedly missing from a classroom.
Traffic Sept. 16, 1:26 p.m.
Alarm
Business and Aerospace Building
Sept. 17, 6:09 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas’ 14th Congressional District visit MTSU. Printer’s Proof brought out an oldfashioned printing machine to make shirts with constitutional themes like “We The People.” “All the designs are based on the Constitution, trying to get more people aware of it,” said Cullen McMackins, a junior majoring in studio art and co-president of Printer’s Proof. “It’s $10 if you don’t have a shirt, and if you bring a shirt we’ll print it for free.” Musical performances were also heard throughout the day as students and volunteers played songs relevant to the occasion. “We put a call out across campus for any student who wanted to perform songs of patriotism and protest, anything that was Constitution related,” said Mary Evins, associate professor of history, who serves as coordinator of the Democracy Project. “One professor from the College of Mass Communication has brought his songwriting class,” Evins said. On Friday morning, there was a live reading of the Constitution featuring John Vile, dean of the University Honors College, members of the American
Democracy Project and any other student that wanted to read his or her favorite portion of the text. The importance of active involvement in government was the major theme of both days, but some said that more than anything Constitution Week was about getting students’ attention. “It’s just good to get out there to talk about views and opinions, like the Founding Fathers did,” Robinson said. “We’re supposed to be involved, the Constitution wants us to be involved.” King said he understands young people often get frustrated with the political process. “It gets a little confusing at times,” King said. “You’ve got Fox [News] on one side yelling something, and you’ve got MSNBC on the other side yelling something else - we want to clear out all the clutter and get to the meat of things.” Evins said that although Constitution Week didn’t have a major turnout, she hopes that this will help some students grow in terms of their civic responsibilities. “More than anything, what we’re really doing is planting seeds,” Evins said.
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SIDELINES MONDAY, September 20, 2010, 2010
SPORTS Many things to consider in Dasher case
Scott Henry
Overtime
College football coaches have several questions to answer before they make disciplinary decisions. Which decision is good for the program, for the player, for their careers? Rarely do all three agree. In the odd case of MT quarterback Dwight Dasher, Head Coach Rick Stockstill concentrated on the first, disguised the second, and set the third aside. What’s good for a coach’s career is winning games. In the season opener, Minnesota’s defense would have been sorely tested in trying to contain the slippery Dasher. A win over the Gophers would have enhanced Stockstill’s already rising profi le; a profi le that adds to the stress that Blue Raider fans feel every offseason, waiting for news that coach Stockstill will one day don another school’s hat at a press conference. What’s good for a player is to play and show their skills to scouts. That’s what the player thinks, anyway. Even if Stockstill didn’t do right by Dasher, the player, he made a more important decision in doing right by Dasher, the man. We all need occasional reminders that choices have consequences. This lesson goes on long after the thrill of living is gone, to borrow a line. Dasher’s pro prospects take a hit here, however. A player with gambling habits, real or rumored, whether betting on poker, football or turtle racing, raises red flags with the conduct-conscious National Football League. As a man though, Dasher’s taken his medicine and can now carry on with his personal life. But is the medicine sufficient? Some question the ethics of bringing a player back after a situation like this. To them, I ask: a situation like what? This is an athlete making a poor choice of people from whom to borrow money. True, the theft of a teammate’s personal check is more disturbing. Colin Boss, the teammate that Dasher stole from, however, appears to have forgiven Dasher and refuses to fi le charges. Did Dasher rob a 7-Eleven, send a girlfriend threatening texts, or take gifts from an agent? No, no, and only if you think agents hire 80-year-old runners who live in Veterans Affairs hospitals. Before this week’s NCAA ruling, Dasher was technically still eligible to play. He could have started those first two games. If the four-game suspension had still come down last week, Dasher would have been out for a pair of Sun Belt Conference games, including the expected title showdown with Troy University. The Sun Belt games are the ones that decide bowl bids, so no, it’s not all civic awareness at work here. Dasher missing the first two games was still an MTSU decision not an NCAA ruling. President Sidney McPhee sits on the NCAA Board of Directors, so we can believe that everyone working under him will closely consult NCAA law in times like these. What’s good for a program - at least one that isn’t a professional sports assembly line like Southern Cal football or Kentucky basketball - is showing that it plays by the rules. We know college athletics can be shady at times. But if integrity was paramount, Tennessee would be looking for a new basketball coach, John Calipari would be selling cars in New Jersey, and Lane Kiffin would be pumping gas in South Carolina. There is no loss of integrity in Stockstill’s choice to keep Dasher on the team, after a case in which no charges were filed. To think otherwise is to expose one’s own envy of an athlete’s perceived sense of entitlement. This is a learning experience for a player who may have thought himself bulletproof. Maybe it didn’t do much for the player. But, what’s good for the program is what times like these do for young men as people.
MT’s Tennis teams starts season swinging Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editor
Alex Dachos, a sophomore on the tennis team, (Top); Yuiri Nomoto, a freshman on the tennis team, (Bottom left); and Carla Nave, a sophomore on the tennis team, (Bottom right); played in the Buck Bouldin Classic on Friday and Saturday. The second annual tournament boasted many MT winners, winning all seven of their singles matches and one-half of the doubles contests played Saturday.
Soccer: Kicking since birth Mueggler discusses her senior year, graduation By WILL TRUSLER Sports Editor
Like many girls around the world, Vanessa Mueggler began kicking a soccer ball with her father as a child. He coached her through youth leagues and recreation ball and simultaneously passed on his love and knowledge of the sport. She showed potential early in life, but Mueggler truly knew she had found her calling when the trophies started stacking up after a summer with her 13-year-old club team, the Lakers. Playing in her final campaign as a Blue Raider, Mueggler continues to shine and is leading MT offensively through one of its toughest schedules in school history. The senior midfielder leads the team with five goals and 11 points after eight games. The All-Sun Belt Team performer spoke with Sidelines about her time at MTSU and her hopes to turn the season around. SL: How do you feel the team is doing so far this season?
VM: I’ve been a little disappointed with how we’ve done. We haven’t been playing to our full potential. As individuals, everyone is really talented, but we haven’t been taking the field with the focus and determination we should be. I think if we focused more, we’d have better results. SL: What are your goals heading into the rest of your season? VM: Individually, I just want to help the team out as much as I can. We want to win the conference tournament and take MTSU to NCAA’s for the first time. SL: As a senior, how do you embrace your leadership role, and what do you do to turn things around this season? VM: I tend to lead more with actions. I just go out and play my game, play hard and hope people latch on to that mindset. We’ve all just got to continue to play hard. We’ve played a lot of hard teams, but we can’t be intimidated anymore. We’re going to turn it around before conference play, and we’ll be okay. SL: How does it feel knowing this is your last season
MT SPORTS SPOTLIGHT VANESSA MUEGGLER CLASS: Senior POSITION: Midfielder Nicknames: “V” Hometown: Pincourt, Quebec Major: Economics Role Model: Mia Hamm Favorite Movie: “Pride and Prejudice” Favorite Book: “Eat, Pray, Love” Favorite Food: Sushi Pre-Game Rituals: I read a chapter from “Mind Gem” before every game. with the team? VM: It’s kind of weird. I don’t like thinking about it, because I have no idea what I’m doing with my life after school [laughs]. SL: What is your most memorable moment playing here at MTSU? VM: Last year, I scored in the conference tournament against North Texas. My teammate Jen [Threlkeld] crossed the ball, and I finished. She was one of my favorite players to play with, so that was really memorable. Also, scoring against [University of North Carolina] this year was special, because
they were the number one team in the country. SL: What do you enjoy when you’re not playing soccer? VM: I really like cooking with my roommates. We always try new recipes together. I also like shopping and yoga. SL: What are your plans after you graduate? VM: I’ll hopefully finish my degree next December. Then if I work at a job using my degree for a year, I can qualify for a visa to stay in the states. I don’t have any plans to keep playing soccer right now, but I would if I get the itch later on in life.
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MONDAY, September 20, 2010 SIDELINES
DO YOU LOG INTO FACEBOOK EVERYDAY?
FEATURES
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WOULD YOU EVER TAKE A CLASS ON HARRY POTTER OR LORD OF THE RINGS?
Social networking can produce poor grades
Does Facebook take over your academics? By CASEY WARREN Contributing Writer
Graphic by Andy Harper, production manager
Think back to when you first met your best friend. The two of you had so much in common and so much to learn about each other that you were inseparable. Those of us who use Facebook on a daily basis are unknowingly making ourselves a new best friend. Facebook allows us to give insight into our daily lives. It lets us brag about what we did last weekend and even show off our best pictures. We can keep up with birthdays and breakups. It even lets us create event calendars and chat live with friends. With so much to see and so much to do, it is no wonder why Facebook has become such an enormous part of our lives. Social networking sites seem to have revolutionized our online experiences in the way we communicate and keep in touch with one another. Such sites, especially Facebook, seem as if they were designed to be addictive. “I wouldn’t say I am addicted, but it does leave me wanting to keep coming back to see if there is anything new,” says Krista Klein, former MTSU student. Many people check their Facebook pages at least five times a day and do not even have to be in front of a computer to do so. “I probably check my Facebook about six or seven times a day,” says Lindsay Williams, a senior majoring in psychology. “Plus, I have Facebook mobile so new notifications go to my phone too.” This all seems very handy to the user. The problem with this is that the more we log into our home page to check for status updates, look at peoples
pictures, or see who wrote on our walls, the more time we are taking away from other important things we could be doing. Studying could be the biggest thing affected by our Facebook cravings. “I’m literally addicted,” Williams says. “There is more to see than on MySpace or Twitter or any other site for that matter, therefore, inquiring minds learn more.” Last year, Ohio State University conducted a study indicating that students who use Facebook regularly tend to study less and also have lower GPA scores. 148 of the 219 students who were surveyed were regular Facebook users. These 148 students were, on average, scoring a grade point lower than the 71 students who were non-Facebook using students. The average GPA for Facebook users is 3.06, while nonFacebook users hold an average GPA of 3.82. The Facebook users admitted to studying only one to five hours per week while the non-users were studying an average of 11 to 15. “I can totally understand this,” says Amanda Wilson, a student majoring in interior design at Western Kentucky University. “Facebook can quickly get in the way of school work and work itself and even make it hard to stay focused on studying sometimes.” Although this study does not directly prove a correlation between Facebook and falling grade point averages, procrastination and distraction could be part of the culprit. “As a teacher, I can see how Facebook can distract and create problems,” says Emily Parker, Special Education teacher at Lakewood Elementary. “Especially with the younger crowd because they are more focused
on their social lives than on their future at times.” Instead of checking our school-or work-related emails, many of us stray to social networking. “Facebook is definitely in the top three places I go to when I first get on a computer,” Klein says. “I have had to tell myself many times not to get on Facebook on a particular day because I had a lot to get done that day.” In turn, this causes many students to receive lower grades. “Facebook becomes addictive when it starts interfering with your life, your grades, or your work,” Parker explains. “When you get to this point, you are probably wondering why there are not more than 24 hours in the day.” Many students have Facebook constantly running in the background. We have alerts sent to our cell phones or we always have our homepage up and running on our computers. This prevents us from missing new information, news or gossip, but hinders our abilities to carry out other tasks. When we are alerted with notifications, our first instinct is to see what is up, distracting us from what we were doing. “We need to remember to put the important things before our social lives,” Parker says. Facebook cannot be held entirely responsible for students’ productivity levels; after all, it is our friend. We must place some blame on ourselves for getting sucked into the joys of social networking. “I believe it is in everyone’s nature to want to know about what our peers are doing in life and in general,” Wilson says. “Facebook is just a tool that helps us do that.”
Sophomore releases new R&B single
Aspiring musician discusses balancing hectic schedule with love of music By JANANI WEBB Contributing Writer
It is not unusual for the Keathley University Center to be swarmed with people, but on Tuesday, the crowd had a purpose – the Lighthouse Music Group hosted a promotional event for emerging R&B artist Lauren J. Lauren J is the stage name for MTSU student Jessica Lauren Winters, a sophomore majoring in recording industry with a dual concentration in music business and audio production. Jessica was born and raised in Memphis, and she has been singing since she was 3 years old. Members of the promotional team were dressed in 1940s style, consisting of loud printed clothes, red lipstick and pin-curled hair. They walked around selling raffle tickets and promoting Lauren J’s new single “Betty,” which discusses the life of an independent businesswoman. “I can remember her waking up singing in the morning,” said Donna
Winters, Jessica’s mother, who left Memphis at 6 a.m. on Tuesday in support of her daughter. Like many artists, Jessica’s musical roots came from church. As a child, she sang in the church youth choir. In middle school, she participated in Talent Fridays when students would showcase their many talents. “I would always get up and do something,” Jessica said. Jessica says she was sure she wanted to be a musician when she performed a song she wrote called “Secret Boo” in front of her school in eighth grade. “I was singing from my heart and the crowd was vibing with me,” Jessica said. She wrote the song for a guy she had a crush on. “He knew it was about him, so he played me good,” Jessica said with a laugh. From there, Jessica continued to perform wherever she could. She even met Memphis-based rap group 8 Ball & MJG whom she networked with and
was able to meet producer Al Spears to record her fi rst demo tape. She used the studio of a woman by the name of Flow, who gave Jessica her fi rst stage name, JBaby. Flow introduced Jessica to a rapper named Rapstar, and Jessica got the chance to sing with him when he opened up for heartthrob Bow Wow at the Cannon Center in Memphis. Jessica credits her musical influences to many artists. “Different artist influence me in different ways,” Jessica said. She admires the power in Aretha Franklin’s voice, and whenever she is asked to sing on the spot, she sings Franklin’s hit “Natural Woman.” She gets her inspiration for dancing from the late a&B singer Aaliyah, and she strives to sustain her voice while dancing like Beyoncé. As a writer, Jessica admires Keri Hilson and Lyfe Jennings because of the powerful messages their songs have. Photo by Janani Webb, contributing writer
MUSICIAN, PAGE 6
Lauren J, an MTSU student and aspiring musician, discusses her upcoming single “Betty,” slated for Sept. 18, during her CD release party on Sept. 13 in the Keathley University Center.
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SIDELINES MONDAY, September 20, 2010, 2010
Students bond over bicycling Campus ‘bike gang’ stirs up adventure in Boro By TAYLOR HIXSON Staff Writer
Wind whipping through your hair, bugs colliding with your face, and going fast, fast, fast – oh, the joys of riding a bicycle, an activity that is even more fun with friends, old and new. For more than a year, the Murfreesboro biking community has been taking in all the joys of friends, and fun-fi lled nighttime bike rides at a weekly event called Mother F***ing Bike Night. As classes come to a close on Thursday nights, the biking community takes over the Quad outside of the James E. Walker Library. At 8:30 p.m., people start riding into the Quad on bicycles. Most come in groups, backpacks blinking red with lights, ready for their weekly dose of friends, fun and physical activity. “I’m just trying to get in shape,” joked Jaime Shafer, a senior in College of Mass Communication. “It’s a good social event, and I like to ride my bike with people, instead of by myself,” Shafer said. “It’s just fun to be on the road, on your bike and not in a car.” The early riders slowly circle the Quad or show off bike tricks as they wait for the stragglers before Bike Night goes into full swing. Before riding out, the bikers play a game they call “foot down,” said Natalie Newberry, a sophomore in the College of Mass Communication. Foot down involves riding in a circle and trying to make the other riders put their foot on the ground by creating a wall of bikes and pushing the ones stuck in the middle. The last one on their bike in the middle wins, Newberry explained. At 9 p.m., the group “circles up,” to signify the start of the ride through town. The group takes the same route every time: past the Health, Wellness and Recreation Center, behind Greek Row, right onto Rutherford Boulevard, hanging another right onto East Main Street and finishing at the Murfreesboro Square, where they circle around a few times
before heading to SONIC Drive-In for a post-ride powerup. Contrary to what some might expect, the pace is relatively slow, not a crawl, but steady enough to have a conversation with the rider next to you. Sometimes Red Bull brand managers come to support Bike Night, waiting at the Murfreesboro Square in the iconic Red Bull car for the riders to arrive. MTSU student Alison Ford, a brand manager for Red Bull, usually shows up at the beginning of the night with a case full of Red Bull to energize the riders for the ride around Murfreesboro. Ford, who is a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts, supports events and students around campus as part of her job with Red Bull. She usually attends Bike Night, but a night class has been keeping her from coming lately. “More people should come to Bike Night,” Ford said, as she handed a Red Bull to one of the riders. A misconception about Bike Night is that you have to ride a fixed-gear bicycle to participate, but all types of bikes are welcome – road bikes and fixed gears, cruisers and mountain bikes, tricycles and tall bikes. “There are so many cool people here that are free-spirited and open-minded,” said Sarah Cendejas, a junior in the College of Mass Communication. Cendejas also likes the environmental aspect of riding bikes. “Every bike helps cut down on pollution,” Cendejas said. Aside from the environmental and physical benefits of Bike Night, the event is a great place to meet people with a common interest: bikes. “I love the community aspect of it,” said Ryan Green, an MTSU graduate and one of the fi rst to become involved with Bike Night. “Now that I don’t go to school here, it’s the one night a week I look forward to hanging out with friends and doing what I love to do – ride bikes.” Before Bike Night, there was Critical Mass, a global event held once a month. About a year ago, some members of the
local biking community wanted to ride together more often, said Charley Rose, a senior in the College of Business. Since then, the weekly event has grown significantly, on average, more than 50 people show up to Bike Night. “Everyone that shows up plays a pivotal part in Bike Night,” said Eric DeTorres, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts. “Why aren’t you at Bike Night?”
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MUSICIAN FROM PAGE 5 “I want my music to have a purpose and still be fun,” Jessica said. Currently, Jessica and personal manager Veronica Ratliff, known as “Ronnie V,” are working on taking her career to the next level. Veronica is also from Memphis, and the two met last year through producer Kenneth Worles Jr. of Eternal Productions. Veronica has a long yearning to be a businesswoman, and she has owned businesses as a small as setting up a lemonade stand as a child to playing the violin at various parties and functions. Hopefully, Veronica’s lifelong business will remain to be RonnieV management. She manages two other artists at MTSU, in addition to Lauren J. “I’m a personal manager,” Veronica said. “I want to be a part of every aspect of their lives. I see them as artists, not just my clients.” While these ladies are on top of their game, they admit that at times life can be stressful. “It gets stressful, but you have to keep the vision,” Jessica said. “It’s better when you struggle.” In addition to music and management, the
ladies also have school and other obligations. Jessica is taking an 18hour course load that includes three night courses, one online course and three lecture classes. She is a member of MTSU’s dance group MPAC. Her hobbies include dancing, and recently, she took up cooking. “I’m not sure if I’m good at it but it’s fun,” Jessica said. Veronica on the other hand is busy balancing school, work and managing. She has a 15-hour course load and waits tables at Ruby Tuesday, Inc. “We have to put our personal and social lives to the side and stay focused,” Veronica said. These ladies only see their futures getting better. Next summer they plan to move to Atlanta to further their careers. “Right now, Lauren J is locally known, and we want her music to reach the masses,” Veronica said. When asked if she has a backup plan in case music doesn’t work out, Jessica replied, “My whole life I have tried to think of a backup plan, but I can’t find anything else to do that would make me truly happy.” Jessica’s single “Betty” will be released on Sept. 18, and she plans to release a mix tape in early spring.
OPINIONS
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MONDAY, September 20, 2010 SIDELINES
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Sidelines is the editorially independent, non-profit, student-produced newspaper of Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines publishes Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and online during June and July. The opinions expressed herein are those of individual writers and not necessarily Sidelines or MTSU.
Ignore politics, thank veterans It would be safe to say that service members from each branch of the military are hardly comparable to those of fellow college students. The intensity and fast pace of the military often belittles the intensity of college due dates, unruly professors, exams and dealing with financial aid. Though the intensity levels differ, the transition from carrying a gun fi lled with bullets to carrying a backpack fi lled with books must be challenging. At MTSU, many veterans are facing that challenge every day. Veterans play an intricate role in our society. While serving, veterans defend the nation, standing up for those who are unable. America sends them all over the world, from combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, to supporting military airbases, and to providing support throughout the vast oceans
E.J. Hirsch
Staff Columnist and seas. Many experiences are gained from traveling into places one would not normally find them self. When veterans return from the duties that carried them far from home, they return with a broadened mind. Their minds, for those who choose to enter college, learn the fundamentals of English, mathematics, humanities and many other basic studies beyond the basics of high school. This focus al-
lows veterans to contribute, once again, to the society they fought to protect and serve. It is often hard to recognize a veteran unless an article of clothing or a backpack denotes some military connection. Many of you unknowingly share classes with veterans. In fact, many of you probably wouldn’t know that the number of veterans enrolled at MTSU is increasing at a fast rate. According to the MTSU’s Veterans Services, which helps veterans initiate their GI Bill and helps them integrate into college life, there are more than 900 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans enrolled at MTSU. The amount of veteran students enrolling at MTSU is increasing every semester. This could partly be due to the new Chapter 33 GI Bill, which increases funding for students who served post 9/11. The Department of Veter-
College: The best four years of my life
“Remember, this will be the best four years of your life,” my mother said, as I waved goodbye in front of McHenry Hall during the fall of 1995. My parents were both teachers, and I grew up in Germantown. I focused on school, and in the process, I earned the Presidential Scholarship. I had two goals: Maintain a 3.0 GPA and have as much fun possible in the meantime. My mom highly suggested that I pledge to a sorority in order to meet people and get involved on campus. I joined a sorority. However, I did not abide by all the rules and was asked to leave. This allowed me to get together with 12 other girls on campus and start our own sorority. Thus, Phi Chi was born. At the time, we were a very successful sorority, and I built friendships that will last a lifetime. Unlike most people who would have stopped with this huge venture, I decided to get involved with the Student Government Associa-
Jessica Van Eyck Glatstein
Guest Columnist tion. I held positions on the traffic court and within the College of Mass Communication. These opportunities allowed me to understand the power of having a voice and how one person can make a difference. Today, I am a board member for my neighborhood and the Midsouth Compensation Association. I suppose I am a glutton for punishment because I also played for the women’s soccer club team and the first women’s rugby team. If you have never experienced a rugby party, well you are missing out. This is by far my top recommendation for those seeking a new cultural experience.
an Affairs’s website indicates that veterans can receive up to $13,426 per term under the new GI Bill. Not only are tuition and books covered by this maximum, veterans who are eligible for the new GI Bill receive a housing allowance that is based on the zip code of their home. Another reason for the surge of students could be that the economy is doing so horribly that it now appears to be the best time for veterans to seek higher education, rather than delve directly into the struggling workforce. There are many factors that MTSU’s veterans include in their decision-making process before choosing a degree. Despite the reasons, MTSU is sharing its campus with a type of person who will contribute to our nation in so many ways. Veterans have endured hardships that most college students could benefit from
hearing about. Though campus life may not be as rigorous as a combat zone, it is a transition that requires adaptation. Be aware of those who have served and share the campus with you. Veterans allow you to enjoy the freedoms they have so selflessly provided. Though you may not agree with the wars or political agendas, veterans don’t decide where wars will be fought. Instead, they defend something they believe in – our country and our freedom. If you see a veteran on campus or know of one in your class, say, “Thank you.”
U.S. Army Sgt. E.J. Hirsch served with the 101st Airborne in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a junior majoring in journalism and can be reached at ejh2x@ mtmail.mtsu.edu.
Comic
There are many more clubs and activities that I have not mentioned. The key is to get involved in a group that speaks to your interests and have fun while making a difference. My involvement in campus life helped me to become the person I am today. I graduated in the fall of 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in mass communications. I worked various jobs for a couple of years and then headed back to school. I earned my master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resource management in 2002 from the University of Memphis. I am currently a contract recruiter for VACO Memphis, and I still play soccer on two leagues. I never thought I would say this, but my mom was right. My four-and-a-half years at MTSU were the best years of my life! Jessica Van Eyck Glatstein is an alumna of MTSU. She can be reached at jvaneyck@bellsouth.net.
“Public Opinion”
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Randall Munroe
Motivation key to successful future
You’ve undoubtedly been bombarded with a constant strafing of advice your whole life, whether its come from the people who are paid to give it — school counselors, coaches and the like — or those who give it free — parents. If you’re a confused college student who feels that prior advice hasn’t progressed your life, scratch it all from your mental record and follow the simple slogan of a company who merely wants you to buy shoes: Just do it. Mark my words (with a highlighter if possible): Those three words, if utilized properly, will get you through the rest of your days
Middle Tennessee State University 1301 East Main Street P.O. Box 8 Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Editorial: 615-904-8357 Fax: 615-494-7648 Advertising: 615-898-5240 Fax: 615-904-8193 www.mtsusidelines.com
Michael Stone
Guest Columnist and nights feeling fulfilled and joyous. Let me explain. Just: It is a word that rings of immediacy. And there’s nothing more immediate than the life that runs forward with or without you.
For college-age students, there presumably is a tomorrow, but those tomorrows start to add up quickly, eventually leading to grey beards and diabetes. As the ancient saying goes, “A man [or woman] who puts off work is always at hand-grips with ruin.” As of 2007, a study revealed three- out of four- college students consider themselves procrastinators. I would assume there are more who actually are. “People who procrastinate tend to be less healthy, less wealthy, and less happy,” the author of the study, University of Calgary professor Piers Steel, told USA Today in 2007.
So correct that oversized gut, negative bank account, and perpetual, saddening sighing by getting off that rump and just doing it. But, what if you don’t have any “doings” lined up? Well you’re in luck — at least partially because you are enrolled in a university that has classes and extracurricular activities galore. Additionally, you’re on earth and it goes without saying that there’s tons of stuff you can find to do on this hunk of rock. Granted, square boxes are easy
Sports Will Trusler slsports@mtsu.edu
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to mindlessly stare at and interact with for hours upon endless hours. But, moving pictures don’t lead to that fulfillment and joy I referred to earlier. You and I both know that.
Michael Stone graduated in May with a degree in journalism from the College of Mass Communication, and he is a former editor-in-chief of Sidelines. He now works as a reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He can be reached at michaelstone428@gmail.com.
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