WWW.REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
@REFLECTORONLINE
WELCOME BACK, BULLDOGS
133rd YEAR ISSUE 25
FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
SA unveils new myState polling tool Dylan Bufkin staff writer
The Mississippi State University Student Association is unveiling a new online tool to increase student feedback in hopes to find more ways to improve campus life. The SA Executive Council has set out to achieve a common goal this semester: a more inclusive SA to bring about a more consistent and beneficial relationship between the SA senators and their respective constituents. Ben Mackin, director of special interests for the Student Association, was one
of the minds behind the SA’s new polling tool. “We have students come up here (to the SA offices) all the time,” Mackin said. “We have students e-mail Tyler (the SA President) all the time with complaints or ideas or anything really. So, when we go to administrators with these problems and we want solutions or have a solution in mind for the administrators, a lot of the time they want a quantifiable way to show that students are sharing these problems.” The new polling system is to appear on the myState homepage under the long-
Winter conditions cause pipe panic around Starkville JorDan DarensBourg staff writer
The deep freeze in Starkville and across much of the nation caused many pipe issues, occurring on campus and around Starkville during the holiday break. At many points during the holiday break, temperatures were below freezing for an extended period of time, causing pipes throughout the city to burst, resulting in damage. One of the areas to suffer damage was an underground water main serving Dogwood, Deavenport and Nusz Resident Halls. Sid Salter, chief communications officer for Mississippi State University, said although there was no damage done to the buildings themselves, precautions had to be taken. “State Health Department regulations require that after a pipe break of this nature, the water had to be tested for safety to make sure it was free of contaminants and safe for consumption,” Salter said. “The impacted area was put
under what is called a ‘boil water notice’ from the State Health Department until those tests were completed and the water was declared safe by state inspectors by noon on Monday, Jan. 8.” Jamie Dyer, associate professor of meteorology in the Department of Geosciences at MSU, said pipe bursts are caused by water expansion when the water freezes. Dyer said keeping faucets and shower heads dripping can help prevent pipe bursts. “A pipe bursts because water expands when it freezes,” Dyer said. “To prevent it, they need to insulate the pipes, so that the water doesn’t freeze.” As a result of the water main burst on campus, Salter said certain accommodations had to be made. “The university provided alternative housing for any students or residence hall staff impacted by the situation, then provided bottled water for consumption after students were allowed to return to their rooms until the boil water notice was lifted,” PIPES, 2 Salter said.
dormant “myState polling” section. The first question will pertain to the use of block meals at retail locations, like Moe’s or Starbucks. Mackin hinted at the possibility of using the Student Life tab on myState for similar polling purposes, as well as the possibility of polling to be used by the SA Senate for legislative purposes. As the director of special interests, Ben also gave previews for several upcoming events during the semester: a political debate in late January, trips to the Mississippi Capitol building to meet legislators known as “Cowbells to
the Capitol,” Block-forBlock drives throughout the semester and an LGBTQ+ Pride Week in the spring. Many initiatives created last semester will have a lasting impact on MSU students for the foreseeable future. Both President Tyler McMurray and Vice President Layton Little heralded the updated ID cards as a big step forward for both SA and the student body. Starting in Fall 2018, the back of the ID’s will now have the suicide prevention hotline, campus police department and counseling center phone numbers.
rsity
ippi State Unive Nov. 24, 2017 Mississ wl 31-28 g Bo Bulldogs lose the Eg
Nov.
26, 2017 Dan Mullen leaves for head coac MSU hing position at the University of Florida
As a way to honor and cherish the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Mississippi State University’s Maroon Volunteer Center and Volunteer Starkville are pairing up to dedicate the holiday to service. The MLK Jr. Day of Service is celebrated all over the country on Jan. 15, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization leading the service effort. According to their website, “the MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.” According to Megan Franks, MSU assistant director of student leadership and community engagement, volunteering is a significant way individuals can become more involved with the holiday. “MLK (Jr.) Day is an important activity to participate in because it is
d
re e Moorhead is hi Nov. 28, 2017 Jo ball head coach the new MSU foot as
Dec. 14, 2017 MSU is named the leading research university in Mississippi
lldogs beat
17 MSU Bu Dec. 30, 20 rdinals 27-31 Ca the Louisville r Bowl ye la in the TaxS
Jan. 3, 2018 Starkville Board of Aldermen terminate Parks and Recreation Director Herman Peters
Jan. 4, 2018 Wat er main break af fects two MSU dorms Jenn McFadden, The Reflector
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
immobile artists direct the trackers by signaling a response through nodding, blinking their eyes or making sounds. “The tracker leaves their ego at the door, they have no co-creation,” Lefens said. “They make no suggestions. They’re not art teachers. They’re not therapists. They simply offer menus and manipulate tools based on exact directions from the immobile person. According to Lefens, a tracker becomes the assistive technology allowing a disabled person to artistically express ideas
FORECAST: Another shot of cold air moves in for the
MLK DAY, 2
J.L. King Center
Starkville Habitat for Humanity
in an unhindered manner. “When [the artists] see for the first time that they could gain absolute authorship of every step of the process, they would sit up and come to life,” Lefens said. EXPRESS Yourself professional artist Candance Stephenson said the program releases her, if only for a moment, from the physical constraints of her wheelchair. Stephenson said her physical disability is similar to being involuntarily confined, and relying on others to release her. EXPRESS, 2
an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy through serving others,” Franks said. “MLK (Jr.) Day of Service is a great way to learn about your community and bring individuals together for a good cause.” Franks said there are various activities in the area volunteers can participate in, such as minor construction, painting, gardening, cleaning and organizing donations. Individuals can register to volunteer on the MLK Day service’s website. Volunteers are asked to check-in at The Mill Conference Center at 8 a.m., which includes breakfast and a free t-shirt. Afterward, volunteers can go to one of the 19 service locations. Franks said transportation will be provided to those who require it. A free breakfast to honor MLK Jr. will also be available to those not volunteering. MSU’s 24th annual MLK Jr. Day Unity Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., with the doors opening at 7:30 a.m. Seats are limited to first-come, first-served.
staff writer
182
Odd Fellows Cemetry
Heritage Museum Palmer Home Thrift Shop
S Montgomery
A streak of blue paint flew across the room, landing on a blank canvas. As the paint splattered, a mute boy began to wiggle with delight in his wheelchair. With an occasional nod of instruction to the woman throwing paint, his masterpiece began to unfold. “How would a person make a real painting with total control if you can’t move?” Tim Lefens, founder of Artistic Realization Technologies said in an online TED Talk.
EXPRESS Yourself at Mississippi State University uses the techniques of Artistic Realization Technologies to provide a means for Mississippians with the most severe disabilities to express themselves through art. Trained individuals, called trackers, act as neutral arms executing the vision of the physically challenged through guided tracking and exacting technologies. The foundation of the artistic process is accomplished through a series of yes or no questions asked by the tracker. The
katie Poe
SA GOALS, 2
N Montgomery
contriButing writer
to continue working on legislation. Little explained internal training needed to improve to limit the learning curve for new senators and to create a more seamless transition between terms. Legislatively, Little discussed a new bill aiming to improve paratransit systems to help transport disabled students across campus, as there is only one bus capable of doing so now. Little said his goals for the Senate this semester is to focus on encouraging the senators to be more immersed in the student body.
MSU host MLK Day breakfast, volunteer events
what i miss?!
EXPRESS Yourself liberates Mississippians with a disability nicole lee
In addition, academic advising is now centralized between all colleges, and training is now available to all advisors willing to participate, which the SA hopes will lessen the confusion and frustration students may feel during advising. This change is directly linked to the Senate’s efforts last semester to pass a bill in favor of adding an advising training policy. Little was optimistic for the SA Senate’s spring semester. As elections were moved toward March, this is the first year the senators will have a full spring semester
12 McKee Park
Starkville Parks and Recreation
Jenn McFadden, The Reflector
Reader’s Guide:
Policy: Any person may