WWW.REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
@REFLECTORONLINE
Quidditch takes over the Drill Field
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2016
National Prison Strike Deserves Public Attention
Reflector pg. 3
The
Opinion:
MSU Football Headed to Kentucky
pg. 5
pg. 4
131st YEAR ISSUE 16
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Cowbell Cabs cater to students MSU prioritizes cyber security
by Sean McCarthy Contributing Writer
Most weekends, hundreds of Mississippi State University students head out to area bars and restaurants to celebrate the end of the week. During the fall, several weekends are dominated by football games. After games the Cotton District becomes a lively center for socializing, fun and partying. For students who choose to drink, the ability to get home safely at the end of the night is a top concern. While some students will volunteer to be designated drivers, many students might find themselves without a safe, guaranteed and cheap alternative for getting home. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 1,900 students die each year in alcohol related incidents. The highest contributor to this number is motor-vehicle accidents. Due to this alarming statistic, the MSU Student Association, beginning in 2014, sought out options that might assist in keeping MSU students safe when they head out on Friday and Saturday nights. Cowbell Cabs is an initiative started by former SA President Brett Harris in spring of 2014. Working with then-future SA Presidents JoJo Dodd and Roxanne Raven, a plan
COWBELL CABS A S
by Kristina Norman Staff Writer
Jenn McFadden, The Reflector
was drafted to implement a cab system around the Starkville area during the weekends. The goal was to introduce a safe alternative to students who might drive while under the influence, while still allowing for an efficient manner for students to be transported around Starkville on weekend evenings. The program has seen immense success since its implementation. SA President Roxanne Raven, senior political science major from Okemos, Michigan, is happy to see students using the Cowbell Cabs program. “Cowbell Cabs has
been very successful. Since the program has started in fall 2014, ridership has increased by roughly 500 people each semester with spring of 2016 reaching just under 2,000 riders,” Raven said. Sagar Shetty, a resident advisor with the MSU Housing Department, and a junior business administration major from Mumbai, India, admires the program. Although he has never used Cowbell Cabs himself, as an RA in charge of Cresswell Hall, he sees the benefit that such a program has for the students in the residence hall. “I believe such a program offers a safe
service for college students that need rides when they go out, [so as] to have a safe alternative to getting home,” Shetty said. Shetty especially sees the value of the program for freshmen, who he feels are especially vulnerable to driving under the influence. “I think it’s an excellent idea,” Shetty said. “Especially with freshmen, that would definitely assist in reducing the risk of getting behind the wheel. [It’s] not just putting yourself at risk, it’s putting others at risk. So a program like this goes a long way in ensuring safety on the road.”
Across the Mississippi State University campus this week, events promoting the university’s eighth annual Cyber Security Awareness Week promoted safety online to students, faculty and staff. Every October MSU hosts their cyber security week in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Month. Each of the event’s seminars highlight a different threat for individuals and how they can better protect themselves from threats they may encounter online. Among the topics the seminars discussed include: cyber security, cybercrime, phishing and cyber threats. For those who may have missed these events, there will be an additional event on campus Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom U. The free event presented by Whole Child Initiative with a grant provided by the United Way of North Central Mississippi aims to inform about the dangers of predators and bullies that exist online. Richard Guerry, a digital safety expert, will be the event’s featured speaker. Guerry will speak on a wide range of topics aimed at preventing cyber bullying, inappropriate photos, the careless use of apps and poor
social media behaviors and attitudes. The event’s target, digital awareness and safety online, seeks to supply educators, youth advocates and those with families the resources they need to combat the dangers that exist in the digital realm. Kellum Kim, director of Marketing Whole Child Initiative, a program of the Columbus based Palmer Home, which focuses on the physical, spiritual, emotional and educational well-being of children, said the event allows her organization’s reach to go farther than it otherwise could go on its own. Poor social media behaviors and attitudes are something Kellum said anyone can improve on and should think seriously about before posting anything online. “You don’t think about your digital footprint or digital trail that you leave behind,” Kellum said. “Nor the impact that a post on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter has. Once it’s there, it’s there.” Thomas Ritter, MSU’s Security and Compliance Officer, said the technical work he does on campus protects MSU’s campus, its reputation and students’ data. One of the cyber threats he works closely with on campus is phishing. Phishing occurs when people click links in email and have personal information stolen from fake websites.
CABS, 2
CYBER SECURITY, 2
ROTC offers students professional opportunities by John Lee Staff Writer
What is Reserve Officers’ Training Corps? For anyone thinking about joining the army, ROTC is the way to go. Here on campus, Mississippi State University’s ROTC program is a way for students to be slowly introduced to the army in a better atmosphere than somewhere like boot camp. Alisha Irvine, ROTC MS IV Cadet Captain and senior animal and dairy science major, said MSU’s ROTC program provides a way for students to try military training before being totally thrown in. “There’s a lot of training that we all go through that’s in a much nicer and more comfortable atmosphere
Weather
Reflections
Jessica Faith, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)
than basic combat training or basic camp that contracted cadets need to go through,” Irvine said. “It’s a way for students to kind of test the waters before they dive on in head-first. We train everything from maintaining military bearing and customs and courtesies to how to react to contact, and conduct an ambush.” According to Irvine, there are currently 42 people contracted in ROTC, and they have a little over 70 in total on the army side. “I think ROTC is a great program and really teaches people how to step up and take charge and really enhances leadership abilities,” Irvine said. “It also really teaches you how to work with your peers and become a team.” Brian Locke, professor
of military science at MSU, said the ROTC teaches students a lot of great skills. “Army ROTC teaches leadership and discipline, management techniques, cultural awareness and problem solving,” Locke said. “Those who participate in Army ROTC and subsequently serve as Army officers develop leadership and managerial skills that last a lifetime.” Locke said army officers are responsible for leading and training enlisted soldiers, planning missions and organizing the internal and external affairs of the army. They are also entrusted with the welfare, morale and professional development of the soldiers under their command. The Army commissions only the most qualified and talented men
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
HI: 70 LO: 41 SKY: Sunny
HI: 73 LO: 44 SKY: Sunny
HI: 77 LO: 48 SKY: Sunny
POP: 0%
POP: 0%
POP: 0%
and women. “Newly-commissioned second lieutenants have responsibilities that far exceed those of most new college graduates,” said Locke. “They routinely shoulder responsibility for training, inspiring and leading more than 30 soldiers–but are also expected to be America’s diplomat in demanding overseas environments.” Locke is a product of the Army ROTC program and has been an active duty army officer for 22 years. “The experiences I’ve had during those years are a direct result of my decision to join ROTC,” Locke said. “If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would gladly do so.” Caleb Law, Cadet Battalion Commander of
FORECAST: A cold front moved through the Mississippi landscape Thurs. The cold front’s affect on the temperatures will start Fri. and last through the weekend.
Caleb Law | Courtesy Photo
Mississippi State Universityʼs ROTC program teaches students valuable skills for their future.
ROTC, encouraged others to join ROTC. “I entered the ROTC as a brand new freshman, and it’s hands-down an outstanding decision to make,” Law said. “You get huge scholarships that pay up to four years of college, and it’s a great way to develop yourself as a leader.” Law was given the opportunity to go to Jungle School in Africa and had the chance to do military intelligence at the Pentagon. To get into ROTC, students must pass an Army
Physical Fitness Test with a score of at least 180, but the higher the score is, the better. One must also have a 3.0 GPA, a minimum of 30 college credit hours and at least two recommendation letters to be able to get a scholarship. “The hardest requirement is having to pass the army PT test,” Law said. Students may visit www. armyrotc.msstate.edu if they are considering joining the ROTC and would like to know more.
Readerʼs Guide: Bad Dawgs Bulletin Board Opinion Contact Info
2 3 4 4
Puzzles Classifieds Life&Entertainment Sports
3 3 3 5
Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.