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134th YEAR ISSUE 37
FRIDAY MARCH 1, 2019
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
SMART paratransit services to expand to county SA Recap: Senate around campus, has discusses homecoming HANNAH BLANKENSHIP continually grown to serve more purposes and patrons. “It originally was set up campaign expenditures The Starkville-MSU Area just to be a student system. That’s it. It moved students STAFF WRITER
DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER
The Mississippi State University Student Association Senate met again to discuss the last 10 pieces of legislation to hit the Senate floor before newly-elected senators begin shadowing their predecessors. Prior to discussing legislation, Tyler Gall, the new honorary ACCESS senator, was sworn in by current SA President Mayah Emerson. To clarify, the legislation will be discussed categorically, rather than chronologically, to streamline the process. Six bills were put the floor, only three of which passed. Bill 6 would have increased the maximum amount of campaign expenditures for Homecoming King and Queen elections. Currently, candidates can only spend $75 during the general campaign and an additional $25 in the event of a runoff election. The originally proposed bill by Senator Qwantaria Russell increased the amounts to $1,000 and $500, respectively, but discussion began on whether those amounts were too high. Senator Drew Baker proposed an amendment to change the amounts to $300 and $150, which was then voted upon and passed. However, Senator Russell returned with a compromise of $500 and $250, which was then voted upon and passed. Finally, the bill itself, now reading an increase to $500 and $250, was voted upon, but it failed, unable to reach a two-thirds majority. Bill 4 reorganizes the Senate’s committee structure to have three main committees, with various subcommittees comprising
them. Each subcommittee will have a designated chair, but most senators will only be designated to one of the main committees, in hopes of creating a more efficient system. Subcommittees with no legislative potential will have lessened priority, and senators will be able to move between subcommittees as needed. Senator Ryan Jeffries, chair of the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Committee, championed for the bill, even though his committee will be dissolved by the bill. He stressed the varying need for some committees, which his committee had struggled with this term. Bill 5 reduces the organizational seats on Senate to one per organization category, which will reduce the Senate to 49 seats. The bill seeks to make the seats more competitive, since there are recurrently few candidates for them. However, the bill stipulates an ad-hoc committee will be created before each election to rebalance the Senate organizational seats, based off the number of prospective candidates. Bill 9 creates the responsibility for the SA president to appoint members to the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities, which will host the Seat at the Table event and continue the Nicholas Harris Student Humanitarian Award. The appointees will be interviewed by the president and confirmed by Senate vote, and an entirely new commission will be appointed by each subsequent president. All three of these bills passed. SA, 2
Rapid Transit, S.M.A.R.T. system is expanding to more effectively serve residents of Oktibbeha County. Starting Oct. 1, the S.M.A.R.T. bus system will provide complementary paratransit services to all Oktibbeha County residents. Jeremiah Dumas, the director of Parking and Transit Services at Mississippi State University, said the S.M.A.R.T. bus system, first implemented in 1996 to move students
from their parking location to their building,” Dumas said. “In 2011 and 2012 there were discussions, and even a little earlier than that, there was a need identified that we needed to focus on more than just students. It wasn’t just a need of moving people around campus, but we needed to look at moving people to campus, and then, through partnerships with the city, it was identified that there was a need for moving people in the city.” SMART, 2
Kierra Magee | The Reflector
Students utilize the Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit system to travel around campus and the city. The bus system is expanding its paratransit services to Oktibbeha County residents.
Relief efforts underway after tornado, storms hit Columbus
MSU contributes to state’s volunteer efforts
COURTNEY CARVER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
An EF-3 tornado touched down in Columbus on Saturday, leaving residents stunned as they mourned the loss of their businesses, homes and neighbors. The National Weather Service in Jackson confirmed the tornado was a result of severe thunderstorms throughout Saturday evening. As a result of this twister, Tupelo resident Ashley Glynell Pounds, 41, died due to injuries acquired when a building collapsed on her and three others. According to The Weather Channel, the death of this Tupelo mother marks America’s first tornado death of 2019. A second tornado-related death has been confirmed. Columbus resident Donald Charles “Donnie” Schippel, 77, died Wednesday. Schippel was repairing damages on a local business’ roof when he fell 12 feet. RELIEF, 2
DREW GARDNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Mississippi’s volunteer department had a massive year in 2018 with over 15,000 volunteers participating in activities across the entire state. Over 400,000 hours were spent on 3,700 projects and through all their hard work, Mississippi’s volunteers raised nearly $650,000 last year alone. Mississippi State University’s volunteer department contributed to those numbers. Just last year, over 6,500 students partnered with around 85 nonprofits and local partners, and volunteered through various channels to help give back. Students are encouraged to volunteer through several outlets, whether that be fraternity and sorority life, local leadership communities, the Maroon Volunteer Center or just helping for extra credit. Through the hundreds of organizations and clubs here on campus, there are many ways to help the state. However, it is not just students who have volunteered. Plenty of MSU staff members participated in local events last year. The MSU faculty, along with helping the city, also operate as advisers for younger volunteers looking to help. The staff also volunteer through the same paths the students do, mostly consisting of the Maroon Volunteer Center and Volunteer Starkville, led by MSU students and the Starkville volunteer community respectively.
Frances McDavid | Courtesy Photo
After Saturday’s intense storms, many buildings suffered flooding along the Tombigbee River.
MSU senior runs handmade jewelry business EMMA DRAY BRASWELL STAFF WRITER
Gracie Byrne | The Reflector
Senior Allie Virden, a human sciences major, sells various styles of homemade jewelry through multiple platforms like Instagram and Etsy. Her store’s Instagram is @evasjewels.
FRIDAY HI: 54 LO: 46 SKY: Cloudy POP: 20
SATURDAY HI: 63 LO: 50 SKY: Rain POP: 50
SUNDAY HI: 65 LO: 28 SKY: Rain POP: 60
The MSU campus is full of people with ambition to do great things, from engineering to agriculture, however some students’ passions differ from their majors. Allie Virden is a senior majoring in human sciences, but she has a passion for fashion. With a creative mind and a love of all things fashionable, Virden has built her own company focused on selling jewelry. In this company, known as Eva’s Jewels, she sells earrings, necklaces, bracelets and chokers. “Eva’s is a jewelry company that Allie created a few years ago,” explained
Sarah Baxter, a close friend of Virden’s. “She designs and creates the latest styles of jewelry, and showcases them at festivals and art shows.” Jessica Bullock, a close friend and supporter of the business, described the beginning of the business, saying it was an inspiring experience. “When she decided to start her business, I was excited to see her (Virden) creations and be one of the first customers,” Bullock said. “She is very creative and brings a lot to her business through her love for fashion.” Though she does not have any exclusive workers, running the store solely by herself, Virden does have friends willing to help out when she attends festivals
FORECAST: Over the course of the next three days we have a few chances for some rain, where highs will range from the mid-50s to the mid-60s. Friday skies will be cloudy most of the day, whereas overnight we’ll see occasional rain showers. Saturday rain will be early in the day, giving way to overcast skies later in the evening. Thunderstorms will develop late after midnight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday, and then it will be cloudy overnight where temperatures will take a dramatic dip, as the low will be in the high 20s.
Jaella Ficklen, Campus Connect Meteorologist
to showcase her jewelry. “I have helped Allie work some of her festivals and sales. I love the vibe of her shop and how fun it is to help work,” said Baxter, who explained her main role was at the register during some festivals. Sioson also supports and helps Virden sell her jewelry. “I’m a customer, and I help her,” Sioson said. “I’ve definitely bought jewelry from her, and I work with her at music festivals or art festivals here in Starkville.” While Virden certainly has helpers who come to her aid, she puts as much effort as she can into this business. “I make everything, I put everything on the website, I have to apply for different festivals, set-up, clean-up,” Virden said. JEWELRY, 2
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From there, the system grew to include a paratransit service, which is a doorto-door transportation service for handicapped riders. In order to take part in this service, residents must go through an application process that includes doctor’s notes and an interview, much like applying for a handicapped parking pass. Once in the system, residents simply call 24 hours in advance to ask for pick-up, and the transit system will take them from their home to their desired destination. The S.M.A.R.T. bus system already provides limited paratransit services for residents located within
1.5 miles of the system’s 11 fixed routes, in keeping with federal mass transit fund requirements. However, when the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District stopped offering their paratransit services, the county approached S.M.A.R.T. to propose expanding its paratransit services to fill the handicap transportation void left by this organization. The county agreed to allocate funds in order to help expand the S.M.A.R.T. paratransit system into the rest of Oktibbeha County. “They are funding us $50,000 a year that will go into our operational budget, and that will allow us to then grow our paratransit system
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to the entire county,” Dumas said. “So instead of only providing service within that 1.5-mile range of our current system,we will now provide paratransit services to anyone within Oktibbeha county.” Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Orlando Trainer said the expansion of the S.M.A.R.T. bus system coincides with the growth of the county, and will be immensely helpful for those without personal transportation. “The county’s growing and as the county continues to grow, you have different individuals who have different perspectives as far as the things they think will make the county a much
any chance I get to support my friend ... She does a great job offering items that are very in-style and brings her own flare to every piece,” Bullock said. Not only do these students love Virden’s products, but they also love being able to keep themselves up to date on the social media for this company. “I also love following @evasjewels on Instagram so I can see all the newest styles she has available,” said Bullock. Virden’s main jewelry selling platform is Instagram, but customers can also visit her Etsy page, which is Eva’s Jewels Boutique. One of her jewelry lines has trendy chokers and necklaces, ranging from $10 to $40. Virden’s second line is actually sold in a few stores in the Delta area, with prices ranging from $55 to $115.
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With faculty and students combined, MSU accomplished 3,772 projects for the city of Starkville and its local communities within the span of July 2017 to June 2018. These projects are all meaningful tasks, and really help the community in the long run. Meggan Franks, current head of the Maroon Volunteer Center said just in 2019, the volunteer base has gained plenty of new members with it being somewhere between 6,500 and 7,000 as of right now. Here in Starkville, volunteers can choose from plenty of tasks to help the city. Whether it be smaller scale tasks like contributing to food pantries, organizing food drives, mentoring and
tutoring, or building houses with Habitat for Humanity, help is always needed. Along with their long list of events around the city, students helped with these bigger events like Habitat for Humanity, MLK Day of Service or Service Dawgs Day. These events, called signature events, always have at least 500 volunteers to help with the process. The biggest turnout each year goes to one of these signature events—The Big Event brought in 1,100 volunteers giving back to their community. If interested in potentially volunteering through MSU, log onto the Maroon Volunteer Center’s website at www. mvc.msstate.edu for more details.
Start Fresh with Green Tree!
Kierra Magee | The Reflector
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Bill 7 would have instituted an i next to any incumbent candidate’s name on the electoral ballot, signifying the experience the candidate had over their opponents. Though only nine words in total, the bill caused controversy on whether the symbol would give the candidate an unfair advantage, seeing as senatorial experience does not necessarily mean legislative experience. Some senators argued the advantaged is earned, while others were opposed to limiting the possibility of new blood entering the Senate. The bill failed to
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meet the two-thirds vote required to pass. Bill 8 was proposed to the floor, but it was immediately tabled, as it had yet to pass through the Rules and Legislation Committee first. Act 9 appropriated funds for several organizations and events on campus. The appropriations included funds to the Arnold Air Society for the 24-Hour Service Relay, Volunteers Around the World for their Valentine’s Day Fundraiser, the Women’s Club Volleyball for the Campus-Wide Volleyball Tournament, and the Nepalese Student
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need it, and they then return that favor to us.” Spruill said she believes this is just the right thing to do. “I think it’s the fair thing to do, the neighborly thing to do,” Spruill said. “They are also a sister city to us in the Golden Triangle region, and so from my perspective, that is something that you share as part of a region and its also something that is just how you treat your neighbor.” According to an announcement sent out to MSU faculty and students, there are various
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to incorporate OERs whenever possible. Back in 2015, the Senate passed a joint resolution with other SEC student associations to advocate for OER use, and currently, Chemistry I and II are currently using OERs. Finally, Resolution 19 supports the renovation of the Class of 1924 fountain between George Hall and the YMCA Building. Since the area is heavily trafficked, the resolution sees fit the renovations repair the fountain, so it can serve as both a gathering space and a historical campus landmark. CONTINUED FROM 1
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Association for their Nepal Night 2019. Resolution 16 was passed to inform North Zone commuters they are able to park in any other commuter zone, in the event of theirs being blocked off for special events, like basketball or baseball games. Resolution 17 expresses student concern for the lack of off-campus recreation, and promotes the need for the situation to be rectified. Resolution 18 continues the Senate’s expression for the need of open education resources (OERs), and asks faculty to continue
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excited to see this addition to the S.M.A.R.T. bus system, and hopes it continues to expand its routes. “I think the S.M.A.R.T. bus is a wonderful system, so I have long hoped that they would be able to have enough funding to go out into the county and to help those folks, in this case it is the paratransit services. I am delighted that some of those people who are in need of the paratransit system will be able to be helped by it,” Spruill said. “I’m also hopeful that one day in the not-too-distant future, the county will work with the S.M.A.R.T. bus system to expand the regular bus service out into the county.”
Mississippi State University’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness has enacted Operation Beautiful. Messages, such as this sticky note, can be found in bathrooms across campus to promote body positivity.
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said the City of Starkville began aiding in the relief efforts to its sister city on Saturday by sending fire trucks and fire truck assistance, as well as working to help restore electricity to the impacted areas. “From the public standpoint, you are assisting the public,” Spruill said. “That is one of the things government does. Just because you are not within our boundaries, we have NEW MANAGEMENT NEW OWNERSHIP NEW LOOK NEW PACKAGES a mutual aid agreement with our surrounding COME SEE US AT THE OLD SUNSATIONS communities that we will LOCATION ON HWY 12 (662-324-9191) help them wherever they
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who are handicapped or of a lower socioeconomic level are not. “When we see that we are providing a service to people in this community that do not have another option of transportation and cannot walk and don’t have a means to get to their doctor’s appointments other than paying someone an astronomical taxi cost, those impacts on quality of life,” Dumas said. “When we know we are benefitting someone’s fundamental quality of life, then those are big positives for us when we look at that service and how it impacts people across the community.” Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said she is very
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She also handles taxes and anything else it takes to further the company. “Allie (Virden) has taken this company and made it her baby,” said Bullock. “She dedicates a lot of time, work and money to her products to ensure she is delivering the best items she can.” Though there is a lot of hard work, Virden said she certainly enjoys running the company because she likes “keeping up with the trends.” Her friends and customers confirm she does this well. “I love Allie’s necklaces and chokers, so those are my go-to pieces,” Baxter said. “They are such unique and fun styles that you can’t find anywhere else.” Bullock said she feels the same, and her favorite pieces are the dainty chokers and trendy earrings. “I love everything Allie (Virden) creates and love
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better place to live,” Trainer said. “I think expanding S.M.A.R.T. bus services will give individuals who have issues of transportation, ... an opportunity to be able to go from place to place and enhance their quality of life, get them where they need to be, get them back home when they need to go back.” Trainer also expressed the hope for future plans of being able to provide paratransit services outside of Oktibbeha County to locations like the airport. Dumas said although providing transportation for students is important, students generally are able-bodied or capable of finding another means of transportation, while those
1105 Stark Road Starkville, MS 39759 Phone 662-323-0516 Fax 662-323-0539 www.waltmonautobody.com
opportunities to aid with the relief efforts for those impacted by Saturday’s tornado. In order to volunteer in the area, one must register before showing up. “Capacity is stretched very thin during disasters, and you need to make sure that you be utilized,” the university announced. If anyone is interested in volunteering or making monetary donations, contact the Lowndes County United Way at 662-328-0943, or the Maroon Volunteer Center at 662-325-2150. To help MSU students
who have been effected by the tornado, donations can be made to the MSU Student Relief Fund. During this time of need, Spruill said she feels helping Columbus revive from this tragedy is something for which she is proud. “Part of what we do with the university is we share resources, and I think that is the way we handle our relationships with our neighbors,” Spruill said. “I don’t think this is any different than that, and I am very pleased that we have been able to give assistance at their time of need.”
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BAD DAWGS Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 • Student reported a cracked windshield on his vehicle while parked in D5 parking lot. • Non-resident/visitor reported a disturbance with a SP employee on Lakeview Drive. • Officer assisted outside agency on a warrant of a non-resident/visitor outside Humphrey Coliseum. • Referrals issued to two students for smoking marijuana in C1 parking lot.
An In-Class Distraction
her ex-roommate via telephone. • Employee reported items missing from Hand Chemical Lab.
Notable Traffic Violations: • Justice Court citation issued on Morrill Road for careless driving. • Five MSU citations were issued for speeding, the most notable of which was East Lee Boulevard for 57/30. • Justice Court citation issued on Barr Avenue for leaving scene of an accident. Wednesday, Feb. 27, • MSU citation issued for 2019 disregarding a traffic • Student reported being device on President’s harassed by another Circle. student. Dean of students was contacted. • Justice Court citation issued on Hardy Road • Officer responded to for expired tag and D16 parking lot for a improper passing. child being locked inside a vehicle. Starkville Fire • MSU citation issued on Lee Boulevard for Department was called. disregarding a traffic • Student reported device. being harassed by
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY...
Feb. 26 puzzle solutions
So, you think you know it all?
usefultrivia
1. What is the earliest surviving system of laws? 2. What TV show is famous for the catchphrase, “Missed it by that much?” 3. Who was the first costumed superhero? 4. What was Oprah Winfrey’s birth name?
… in 1872, former President Grant signed a bill creating the nation’s first national park at Yellowstone. The key to Yellowstone’s future as a national park all started in 1871 with an exploration led under government geologist Ferdinand Hayden. Hayden brought along William Jackson, a photographer and Thomas Moran, a landscape artist. These two helped depict a visual record of the expedition, which provided the first visual proof of Yellowstone’s wonders. These images caught the attention of Congress. Early in 1872, Congress moved to set aside 1,221,773 acres of public land straddling Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone became the first national park. The Yellowstone Act of 1872 set a precedent and popularized the idea of preserving sections of the public domain for use as public parks. history.com CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT: Searching for Female roommate (or two) who loves dogs (at least not allergic). Preferably graduate student or young professional, but not necessary if personalities seem to work well together. I am super chill. and play guitar. I attend the Orchard Starkville on Sundays. Rent $400/ month + utilities. Call 662-213-6371. FOR SALE: Starkville Habitat for Humanity ReStore Thrift Shop will open Saturday, March 2 from 8-11 a.m. Located
Bargains on furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday. The deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are listed at $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are listed at $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found items: Found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed at standard ad cost. CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday. The deadline
p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to managing@ reflector.msstate.edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space
1. The Code of Hammurabi, 2. “Get Smart,” 3. The Phantom, 4. Orpah
4
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OPINION
Ole Miss Confederate rally should have been stopped
PHIL EVANS
is a junior majoring in political science. Contact him at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.
There are few moments in today’s society that truly teach us how there is a difference between the races. I grew up in Germany and remember my white mom telling me, “I don’t really get the race issues in America. I mean is not slavery and real racism over?” Sometimes as black people, we shelter ourselves into believing if we enclose ourselves and stay out of the light, we will not be subjected to racism. Then one day, you drive down the highway in the middle of Alabama, and you see multiple trucks, each with seven flags symbolizing white supremacy and the South’s secession. Imagine being afraid to speed up or slow down in fear that they would follow you if you changed speeds. I always told myself “Nope, flags don’t scare me,” until they did. I remember growing up disliking Ole Miss. You know, the typical in-state rivalry. My dad played for Mississippi State University, so I knew which team to support. I remember having black friends, teachers, etc., who declared Ole Miss was the better school. I remember walking in the halls of my high school in Georgia proudly wearing Maroon and White, and a teacher yelling down the hall and asking why I did not want to attend Ole Miss. I remember telling one of my mentors I would be attending MSU and for a month straight she expressed sincere concern with my decision to attend a college in a notoriously close-minded state. Maybe you think the reason I never considered
Ole Miss as an option in any way was because of family ties. However, there is always more to the story of someone who has so much affinity for history. I have always been a documentary-lover, and I will never forget the moment I saw an SEC documentary on early black athletes in the conference. Stories of Ole Miss having KKK rallies right down Main Street while black students were huddled, scared for their lives and expected to perform to the greatest extent of their athletic ability, were reported by Jacob Bogage of The Washington Post. This was the final straw for me and that school. There is no change in mascot or any other symbol that can fix that image. Sometimes others do not get it. Being black is often like having PTSD. We experience the lessons passed down by our ancestors, families and mentors in real life, and become accustomed to what is happening around us. Sometimes we try to believe those ideas are history. Yet, here we are in present day watching Ole Miss falter to keep the mirage of a world without racism. In a country where, according to Emily Badger of The New York Times, white families hold 90 percent of the wealth, and where racialized medical practices still run rampant, it is not surprising that a university did not see it fit to stop a racist march, but it is horrific nonetheless. Some protests do not make sense, but when you are bringing in money to an entity to which you are beholden to by its laws, overseers and coaches, while not receiving pay, that sounds a little bit too much like slavery to not decide we should stop a proconfederate rally happening in our town square. So, here I sit as a black person, in a country I want to believe in, in a state I have chosen to attend school, hoping change is going to come. Ultimately, injustice to one person is an injustice to everyone.
Watch out, and stop ignoring potholes BRITTNEY DEAL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
They are sneaky, they are annoying and they can cause a lot of damage; and no, I am not talking about siblings. That is right, I am talking about potholes. For those of us from towns or cities that tend to ignore road conditions, potholes are no strangers, and many of us have experience with the damage they can cause. It seems they tend to come out of nowhere, and sometimes we see them after it is already too late. When you realize you cannot swerve to miss them, you just have to accept your fate and prepare for the impact. Most of the time, potholes are in places with already bad road conditions, and they just get worse during the winter. Many of us know a place like this in Starkville called Blackjack Road. Blackjack Road is possibly the worst road in Starkville because of all the potholes and narrow lanes. People who live at Campus Trails or The Pointe must drive down the road nearly every day, and it seems to just become worse. About two weeks ago, the road was so bad there were traffic cones placed over the potholes to warn drivers.Blackjack is already a narrow road. At night, it is hard to see the edges of the pavement, and oncoming cars with bright lights can cause drivers on both sides to overestimate or underestimate just how much road there actually is. Because of this, these cones became extremely inconvenient, as they caused drivers to have to swerve to the other side of the road. This caused more traffic jams, and essentially, the road became more dangerous.
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According to Alex Leanse of Your Mechanic, “Roads are particularly likely to form potholes in winter and spring months, when ice and lots of running water disrupt the base layers under the pavement.” This means that simply filling in potholes when they become a problem is not going to fix anything, as they will continue to form due to weather changes. While some small improvements were made to Blackjack Road, they are merely temporary solutions to a problem that will continue to pursue if not taken care of properly. Blackjack Road is just one example of many places in Starkville with dangerous potholes. This problem needs to be addressed and taken care of, because potholes can cause a lot of damage
to a vehicle. The worst time to hit a pothole is when you already have low tire pressure or when you had just gotten your car realigned, and you know that you will have to pay for damages. According to Firestone, hitting a pothole can damage your tires and rims, can wear on your shocks and struts, cause suspension damage and steering system misalignment and much more. As a consequence, pothole damages can end up costing a lot of money. A study conducted by American Automobile Association (AAA) found Americans spend roughly $3 billion a year fixing damages caused by potholes, as reported by Insurance Journal. If you hit a bad pothole and have to take your car to the shop, you should
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expect to spend about $300 in damages. For many of us, $300 in damage can be a significant blow to a budget and can cause a lot of stress. Potholes are not something towns and cities should ignore. They can cause a lot of damage, and many of us cannot afford these damages. Especially on Blackjack Road, potholes can lead to car accidents if drivers see them too late and swerve into oncoming traffic. Fixing these potholes may be costly, but they do not have to be. While it is a little too late for Blackjack and some parking lots, potholes can be prevented if they are taken care of early on. It would be well worth the town’s time and their budget to fix these problems.
Our constitution should not be viewed as antiquated
MICHAEL BOURGEOIS
is a freshman majoring in English. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States ... shall be the supreme Law of the Land.” This is an excerpt from Article VI of our Constitution, unambiguously enumerating its purpose for every citizen within the U.S. The Constitution reaches far beyond party lines or petty politics, as the Constitution is the foundation of American freedom, which the founders constructed nearly 250 years ago alongside the establishment of American democracy. Since the nation’s founding, the final word of the Constitution as it was originally written was the supreme arbiter of legality, only changeable through the
process of constitutional amendment. This is how it was in the America of the past. We now could be facing a much more different and darker future. We are in an age where the Constitution is understood as outdated and antique, or the founders intended it be a living document capable of snap adjustments as the times evolve. This idea is a ridiculous one; the Constitution is monolithic and immutable, its words are law, and those who think otherwise have a flawed understanding of what the cornerstone of American democracy is built upon. There are two distinct perspectives when analyzing the Constitution: the literalist perspective and progressive perspective. Beginning with the literalist view, according to Bruce Allen Murphy of the New York Times, “the Constitution was static, unchanging and enduring, and should only be changed by the voters through the amendment process.” This method is how the document should be viewed,
else the foundation of American laws is unstable. Former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was one of the fiercest defenders for literalism as a constitutional philosophy. Scalia saw the dangers of evolving the Constitution firsthand by serving on the Supreme Court.
“When terms like ‘spirit of the constitution,’ and ‘ living document,’ are employed, they are meant to undermine this inherent truth.” Scalia’s perspective, as reported by NPR, was formed by “the idea that it would be an enduring document, and that if there were going to be major changes in the way policies were implemented, that they would have to be
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“It does not try to deny the discretion of the justices … but instead says that discretion should be used to effectuate the underlying values of the constitution.” This fundamental belief is why progressivism in inherently dangerous. They put no value in the history or the rock-solid foundation the Constitution provides, but rather leave it to the opinion of each Justice to determine the constitutionality of a law. Let me repeat myself, the progressive vision puts zero stock in the Constitution to determine the constitutionality of a law, as Article III directly enumerates is the job of the Supreme Court. The reason progressives hold this absurd opinion is obvious: they are trying to support an agenda the Constitution is silent on, to expedite the implementation. Rather than endure the lengthy process of amending the constitution, the only legal way to change the document, mind you, they seek a lazy alternative and simply call their point of view “progressive.”
Chermerinsky perfectly illustrates their intentions in saying “a progressive vision of constitutional law must seek to eliminate serious flaws in American democracy, such as the electoral college and racially discriminatory voting laws; champion criminal justice reform, including finally ending the death penalty and ensuring competent counsel for all criminal defendants; and fiercely defend privacy rights, including reproductive autonomy for women.” When it is a moral imperative to modernize how we read the Constitution to be more efficient to judge critical social issues, when coincidentally all these political issues happen to agree with traditional left-wing ideology, reason to be skeptical is obvious. By its nature, the Constitution should reside above the political. Its content should transcend the partisan. When terms like “spirit of the Constitution,” and “living document,” are employed, they are meant to undermine this inherent truth.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Life Editor/Emma Moffett
Managing Editor/Kristina Domitrovich News Editor/Katie Poe
done through the democratic process. And that you don’t want to give judges too much power to make those kinds of decisions.” Supreme Court Justices operate with complete autonomy in regards to adjudication of American law. They are beholden to no one other than themselves in American government. Scalia argues the Constitution should, and must, serve as the basis of all Supreme Court decisions so they may stay grounded in traditional American values. Justices interpreting law on the basis of the “spirit of the Constitution” as opposed to the enumerated text gives them free range to enforce their will to undermine the document without any form of legal backing or democratic vote, but solely on the opinion of nine judges. The belief in the spirit of the Constitution is where the progressive perspective emerges. Erwin Chermerinsky of The Guardian praises the progressive vision by claiming,
Circulation/Sierra Pruitt circulation@reflector.msstate.edu
Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector. msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 @REFLECTORONLINE
LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
5
Meet the future of longboarding at MSU BRANDON GRISHAM STAFF WRITER
Emma Moffett|The Reflector
Seniors Brennan Bell (left) and Landon Casey (right) helped develop an electromagnetic attachment system for longboards.
While hover boards similar to “Back to the Future” never arrived in 2015, there is an exciting development within the longboard community at Mississippi State University. Electrically ModifiedBoards is one of the latest projects to receive funding through MSU’s E-Center. Called “EM-Boards” for short, the enterprise began in September 2017 with a singular goal: to innovate the longboard industry. By using their patentpending electromagnetic attachment system, riders can instantly lock and unlock themselves to the board with a handheld wireless remotecontrol. The team, made up of Brennan Bell, Landon Casey and Ethan Schultz, has utilized their knowledge of engineering and technology to achieve euphoric and miraculous results without a difficult learning curve. Pressing down on the controller, riders lock themselves to the board,
akin to that of snowboard bindings. To detach, they simply stop pressing down on the controller in order to either push against the ground or adjust their footing. Without the constant focus of balance, riding becomes easier and allows for higher speeds with precise control. Their first product is designed to help several demographics in the longboard industry. It assists beginners by providing more stability on the board while they learn to ride. Advanced riders can perform otherwise impossible tricks by locking the board to their feet all while maintaining the ability to bail if needed. The team is hosting an event at the E-Center to gauge the market and provide details about their product at 5 p.m. March 5. Casey, CEO of EMBoards, expressed his enthusiasm about the event. “Hopefully we can get enough people there who are interested and excited about us,” Casey said. “If someone
is interested in longboarding or wanting to learn more about longboarding, we want to see them.” The EM-Board team is currently working toward raising money to launch their business. With the help of the E-Center and Innovate Mississippi, they have raised over $17,000, and are looking to raise more from the Bulldog Angel Network. Their goal is to open their beta program before fall 2019, and launch the final product by the end of the year. The EM-Board team is currently housed within MSU’s E-Center. The MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach was founded in 2009. Each year, they accept roughly 100 teams for their Venture Catalyst program to develop ideas into fullyfledged companies. In late 2017, Bell, Casey and Schultz were selected to create their vision for the future of longboarding. Following countless trials and tribulations, they are finally close to achieving their goal
of a finished product. Eric Hill, the E-Center’s director, offered acknowledgment of the team’s progress so far. “The EM-Board team represents everything the E-Center is about and works to promote. These brilliant students took something they were passionate about, and they turned it into a significant line of products,” Hill said. “While still in college, they are already becoming change-agents in the real marketplace. Their product makes it easy for new riders while transforming its potential, and that’s really cool.” EM-Boards wants to provide longboarders of all skill levels with a fun, secure and smooth experience at an affordable price. Learn more about EMBoards by visiting their E-Center event on March 5 at 5 p.m., or visit their website at http://www.getemboards. com. Right now, they provide merchandise including hats and shirts through Starkville’s Idea Shop on Main Street.
‘Nathan’s Kingdom’ coming to the Magnolia Film Festival BRANDON GRISHAM STAFF WRITER
Expect a slew of unique motion pictures, incredible popcorn and an endless amount of creativity to be on display at the Magnolia Film Festival this weekend. Held at the Hollywood Premiere Cinema, multiple nights of intimate film will be showcased throughout the event. The Magnolia Independent Film Festival is a non-profit organization that brings quality independent cinema to the Golden Triangle. Mississippi’s first and longest running film festival has supported the state’s growing film industry by offering a platform to home-grown filmmakers and storytellers. This year marks the festival’s 22nd year, continuing the tradition of showcasing a carefully curated lineup of films. Started in 1997 by Ron Tibbett, “The Mag” gave an outlet to inspire and encourage independent filmmakers within Mississippi. Beginning in a cold auditorium in West Point, The Mag quickly grew in popularity and wound up
being permanently fixed in Starkville after its third year. Thanks to Tibbet, other prominent film festivals were created within Mississippi, including the Oxford Film Festival, Crossroads Film Festival and the Tupelo Film Festival. Many films, both short and theatrical, will be on display at this year’s festival. One of the films featured Saturday is “Nathan’s Kingdom,” a unique vision that will enthrall the audience with intense curiosity. “Nathan’s Kingdom” is a road trip film with fantasy elements, and also stars an actor on the autism spectrum. Directed by Olicer Muñoz, this film acts as a directorial debut and a first-time feature for the cast. Jacob Lince, the young actor with autism playing Nathan, exposes the audience to his fantastical coping mechanism. He and his teenage opiate-addict sister, played by Madison Ford, escape social services into the wilderness in search of his kingdom. On the way, the two battle monsters, and endure a treacherous journey in hope of finding a fictitious kingdom with
Rosalind Hutton the power to improve their lives. The film worked to push boundaries of the roles actors on the autism spectrum can play in cinema. The film’s writer and director Muñoz shared his passion about achieving his vision and the obstacles overcome through creating
this film. “This is a personal journey for our cast and crew,” Muñoz said. “We deeply believe actors on the autism spectrum are extraordinary and deserve a spotlight on the big screen.” Muñoz collaborated with the Performing Arts Studio West (PASW), a nonprofit
actors’ studio dedicated to talent with disabilities. Through this organization, Muñoz discovered Lince as his lead actor. “I believe full-heartedly that ‘Nathan’s Kingdom’ is a story that will inspire the minds and touch the hearts of everyone in attendance at the Magnolia Film Festival,”
Muñoz said. “Nathan’s Kingdom” has multiple strengths and weaknesses. While constant exposition and narration plague the film, there is a surprising level of talent on display. The cinematography and directing are breathtaking at times, providing a stable foundation for its bizarre storyline. The acting is not anything spectacular, but Lince’s performance carries the film effortlessly. The animations, energy and ridiculous interactions make this film charming and a genuine joy to watch, even if occasionally awkward. It is certainly worth the effort to see, as few films ever match this level of creativity. Multiple awards will be given out during the festival. The categories include Best Feature, Best Short and a slue of others. The audience also picks their favorites for the Audience Choice award. For more information on The Magnolia Independent Film Festival, visit the festival’s web site at magfilmfest.com. Tickets go fast, as cascading amounts of imagination and innovation are available for those in attendance.
Second annual U40 art exhibition showcases local art NICOLE RIGSBY STAFF WRITER
Last Friday, NineTwentynine Coffee Bar hosted the second annual U40 art exhibition reception created by the Starkville Area Arts Council. Multiple artists’ submissions are currently hanging in the basement lounge area of the coffee shop. Anyone can submit artwork to this exhibit, as long as the artists are between 18 and 40 years old. These pieces are submitted locally by Starkville community members, high school and college students. John Bateman, executive director of SAAC, said he has a personal love for art exhibits, and believes the community can benefit from these exhibitions. “We love to do public art shows because it is a way to introduce the community to new artists and a way to introduce artists to a new audience,” Bateman said. “The great thing about exhibits is it could be educational, it doesn’t have to be about selling or buying art–it can inform people, it can
highlight cultural events or social issues.” The artwork ranged in colors, meanings and styles. Pure talent is displayed in drawings, sculpture, water color and acrylic paintings. The majority of the artwork has personal or symbolic meanings. There was a detailed, texturized vampire bat eating fruit. Other pieces were of a woman without a shirt, a bright sunset, an abstract face and many more beautiful works of art. Many current and future Mississippi State University students were rewarded for their talent and hard work, and are featured in the gallery. Gracie Conn, an MSU senior fine arts major, created a functional ring pot ceramic sculpture for this exhibit. She enjoys ceramics, and plans to become an art teacher. “I fell in love with ceramics in high school, with George Ohr being my inspiration,” Conn said. She said she spent roughly 12 hours on her piece, and it is on sale for $150. An MSU student of architecture, Sidnie Hunt,
submitted a large drawing of a bulldog. Hunt decided to make a bulldog because she felt people would want to buy it. She spent about seven hours creating it, and is selling it for $600. “I do not like the process of creating art, but I love the finished piece and how it makes people feel,” Hunt said. All artwork is available for purchase. Prices range from $75 to $600, and sizes range from tiny drawings to huge paintings. For people with money to splurge on art, Bateman recommends purchasing locally. “There is a tremendous amount of talent here locally. We have a vibrant, strong, creative pool of artists. It is probably a lot cheaper to buy original art than they think,” Bateman said. “People will go to Kirklands or Pottery Barn and buy the framed print, and they’ll spend easily a couple hundred dollars; but then you go look at the things that are for sale here and realize you’re getting something no one else has and you’re supporting local artist. So buy locally.” The SAAC produces many art exhibits
Nicole Rigsby| The Reflector MSU students and Starkville community members gathered together at the Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar for the second annual U40 art exhibition reception. The SAAC created this reception to exhibit local artists.
throughout Starkville all year round. They host a mix of invited and open submission shows. The Partnership will have a new exhibit of a single artist coming soon to their lobby.
The SAAC also helps artists develop networking skills, and inform artists on how to make profits. They host quarterly business skills workshops, which teach aspiring
artists how to sell art, present pieces and provide resources and information. This art exhibit will be displayed until the end of March and all pieces are available for sale.
56-Life
THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 @SPORTSREFLECTOR
SPORTS
Grimwood shines in Arizona as Bulldogs finish in Top-Five HUNTER CLOUD STAFF WRITER
Rosalind Hutton
Win over Tigers gets Bulldogs closer to big dance in March
BRIANNA WALKER
STAFF WRITER
Let the good times roll, or laissez le bon temps rouler, in lieu of Mardi Gras. Mississippi State University (21-7, 9-6 SEC) won their fifth-straight game Tuesday night against the University of Missouri (12-15, 3-12 SEC)with a final score of 68-49. Tyson Carter, a junior guard from Starkville, led the Bulldogs in scoring with 22 points, and not far behind was Quinndary Weatherspoon who scored 20 points accompanied by two assists. For the past few weeks, the Bulldogs have played with intensity, dominating their opponents. With only three games left until the SEC Tournament begins, for the first time in a decade, the Bulldogs are expected to make an NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Ben Howland. “I am so excited for our players and their chance to experience and compete in the NCAA Tournament,” Howland said. “We want to
put ourselves in the position where we have a chance to advance and win.” A little déjà vu, in 2009, the Bulldogs were a No. 13 seed as they appeared in the NCAA Tournament. The squad was led by head coach Richard Stansbury. The Bulldogs lost to the No. 4 seed, University of Washington in the first round with a score of 71-58. With the Bulldogs performing the best they have in the past three seasons, their chances of making an appearance in the tournament increase win after win. Carter, whose dad played basketball for MSU, recalls the Bulldog’s most recent trip to the NCAA Tournament when he was just 11 years old. “I remember watching and being disappointed,” Carter said. “It’s a feeling I have never felt before and none of my teammates have either. It’s exciting, but we know that the work is not done.” For the past five games, the Bulldogs have shown they can be consistent in play with power and intensive energy. They have also shown they
dominate the defensive end of the floor and control the tempo of the game. These have been keys to the Bulldogs’ success on their five-game winning streak. This year’s team under Howland is nothing short of different. This squad has grown, and possesses maturity and skill from seasoned juniors and seniors who are accompanied by talented freshman. There is no doubt, this season just feels different. One of those freshman contributing greatly is Robert Woodard II, a freshman guard from Columbus, who has averaged 6.1 points per game, but scored nine points in the game against Missouri. “It’s definitely great energy,” Woodard said. “Coming in this year and trying to lock in that spot feels great, especially for the seniors. I can sense the excitement.” The Bulldogs’ next game will be March 2 against Auburn University at the Tiger’s home. Tipoff is at 3 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPNU.
The Mississippi State University women’s golf team traveled out west to Peoria, Arizona, to compete in the Westbrook Invitational, and finished fifth place as a team. According to a press release sent out by the athletic department, head coach Ginger Brown-Lemm said she was pleased with what she saw from the team, but is also hoping they can learn from their mistakes to improve. “I am proud of this team,” said Brown-Lemm. “We learned what it is like to be in contention and took away irreplaceable lessons from that. We didn’t play as free as we needed to today, but being in that final pairing is a necessary learning day for us.” One of the players who really shone in the tournament was Ela Grimwood, a junior from Auckland, New Zealand, who shot the lowest score for the Bulldogs, posting 3 under par for the tournament. Brown-Lemm said she was thrilled with her performance. “Ela (Grimwood) was low for the team, and I’m super proud of her commitment to the process,” Brown-Lemm said. Grimwood said she was also excited with her performance this past weekend because she felt it showed what she is truly capable of this year, which has given a boost to her confidence and in turn a boost to her game. “This weekend really showed me what I am capable of,” Grimwood said. “I knew I was putting well and had a chance to make anything that was on the green with my irons going well, too. I had a
Trevor Birchett | MSU Athletics
Ela Grimwood drives the ball. Grimwood finished three under par at the Westbrook Invitational.
lot of confidence.” Grimmwood said one of the reasons she has improved at putting was from the amount of time the team has spent working on their short game indoors due to the amount of rain Starkville got in the week leading up to the tournament. “I think the weather in Starkville (last week) that pushed us inside meant we spent a lot of time working on short game,” Grimwood said. “Which made me that much more confident over
my putts. Being in a good position after yesterday was very exciting for all of us.” Grimwood believes the great finish for the team is just the beginning and they will continue to improve. The Bulldogs will not have a tee time until they return to the courses on March 15 for the Clover Cup in Meso, Arizona. “Overall, I think this was a great start to the spring, and people should watch and see because we have some great things coming,” Grimwood said.
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Peyton Plumlee pitches against UAB on Feb. 20. Plumlee had nine strikeouts in a win against the University of Southeastern Louisiana Feb. 27.
HUNTER CLOUD SPORTS EDITOR
Mississippi State University (8-1) is off to a hot start on both offense and defense, as they have averaged 8.8 runs per game and only given up 1.7 runs per game. Head coach Chris Lemonis said they are keeping their rhythm early in the season, according to a press release sent out by the Athletic Department. “I think we’re playing good baseball,” Lemonis said. “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, some roles and our pitching (as) we’ve been trying to figure out those pieces. I’m excited to see how we match up against some of the better teams in the country.” Peyton Plumlee, a senior right-handed pitcher from Olive Branch, said this is a good team. “This is the probably the best baseball team that I’ve ever played on in my entire
life,” Plumlee said. “That even goes back to sophomore year with Brent Rooker and all of them. This is no doubt the best team that I have ever played on.” Lemonis said MSU will meet some of those best teams in the country at the Frisco Classic in Texas when they play Sam Houston State University, Texas Tech University and Nebraska University. “We’re going to have to strap it on and show up and be ready to play all three days against a different opponent each day,” Lemonis said. Facing three different teams in three days does pose some challenges for the Diamond Dogs, one of which is scouting for so many opponents. “It’s a lot harder for the coaches doing the scouting,” Lemonis said. “My scouting guys have gotten a team each week with five different opponents, so you’re figuring
out the team.” Lemonis said the tournament should also prepare the team for postseason play in the NCAA tournament if they were to make it, as it offers up a regional atmosphere. “It keeps us fresh. It makes you feel like you’re in a regional, which is what I like about this,” Lemonis said. “You’re traveling so much everywhere and playing in a regional atmosphere, so it should get our guys ready for that.” Plumlee said the team could use this weekend to announce to the college baseball world that MSU means business on the mound and at the plate. “Moving into this weekend, I feel like we’re going to have to take care of some business,” Plumlee said. “I think it’s a chance for us to make a statement down in Texas and put our name on the board.”
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