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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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128 th YEAR | ISSUE 22

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Low temperatures call for freeze warning in Mississippi

by Pranaav Jadhav Staff Writer

Most of the state of Mississippi will be covered with sub-freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday. This includes Mississippi State University

and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service in Jackson issued a freeze warning which began on Thursday night and will continue until 8 a.m. today, but significant low temperatures are expected to continue into Saturday morning.

Freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures

are imminent and these conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

Mike Brown, state climatologist and professor at MSU, said a freeze warning just means that temperatures below freezing are expected over a widespread area.

“Overnight low temperatures with this airmass will

likely dip into the mid-20s for both Thursday and Friday night,” he said.

The freeze warning issued by the NWS Jackson on Thursdsay said, “The coldest temperatures so far this season will overspread the region tonight into Friday morning.

Over six hours of sub-freezing temperatures are expected

which will bring an end to the growing season.”

Lower average temperatures for the next two days in Starkville and surrounding areas will be from 21-25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Google recommended a list of things to do before winter approaches on its new current events website.

According to the web page, “Before winter approaches, add the following supplies to your emergency kit: Rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways,” and when operating under warning, “Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.”

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The Bulldogs’ road to Atlanta

by Blake Morgan Sports Editor

Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector

Josh Robinson runs the ball against the UT Martin Skyhawks. Mississippi State University’s No. 1 Bulldogs are up against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. If MSU wins the game against Alabama this weekend, it is likely it will be in the SEC Championship game. Florida State is the only other team in the AP top 25 that is undefeated.

With three games left in the season, Mississippi State University’s football season can go a lot of ways.

There are a few different scenarios that can play out.

Scenario one is the easiest to explain, but will be the hardest to pull off. If MSU wins out, it will be in the SEC championship game. Win that, and a spot in the College Football Playoff will be a lock.

According to the current College Football Playoff ranking, the Bulldogs are No. 1 in the country, so win out and there is nothing to worry about.

Scenario two gets a little bit dicier. If MSU loses in Tuscaloosa or falls to rival Ole Miss, the road to Atlanta and to the playoffs becomes tougher to predict. According to a tweet from Joe Schad, MSU has a 95 percent chance of losing at least one of the next three games. The most likely of the three would be to Alabama.

The Bulldogs would need to beat Ole Miss and have

Alabama lose to Auburn if they would hope to make the SEC Championship.

This would not kill the Bulldogs’ chances to make the playoffs. Having only one loss to a top-five team in the country would not look too bad. Florida State is the only one other undefeated team in the AP Top 25, so MSU would be comparing its one loss to the other teams vying for the remaining three spots.

Three wins against teams in the top-10 in the country at the time would still make for a formable resume. It would ultimately come down to whether or not the selection committee would allow two teams from the same division, let alone the same conference, into the College Football Playoff.

A win at Alabama and a loss to Ole Miss would make it even more difficult to predict what might happen to the Bulldogs. Assumingly, MSU would without question be in the SEC Championship, (assuming MSU takes care of business against Vanderbilt) and have to beat the SEC East Champion for a chance to make the College Football Playoff.

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MSUPD seeks extension of jurisdiction

by Taylor Bowden Staff Writer

The Mississippi State University Police Department seeks to make a change to a law that would extend its jurisdiction 500 feet around campus.

According to MSUPD police chief Marvin Rice, the police forces for all junior colleges, such as EMCC, currently have this special expansion to their jurisdictions as well as two other four-year universities. Rice said the intention is to alter the law so every institution formed under the Institute for Higher Learning will have this expansion.

Rice said MSUPD’s main reason for seeking the expansion is Blackjack Road. Blackjack lies outside

of both Starkville Police and MSUPD’s jurisdiction, so it is left to the county sheriffs to patrol.

“We go out and sit a lot,” Oktibbeha Sheriff Steve Gladney said. “I’ll take deputies and sit them out there to be seen and hopefully slow some folks down, but we can’t run a radar. I’d love to be able to run a radar.”

Gladney said last year a bill was presented to state legislature that would allow for sheriffs in counties with a significant population to operate radar, but it failed.

“Right now Blackjack is kind of a no-mans land,” Rice said.

Rice also said the expansion would allow the police department to have better control of game-day traffic on Hwy 12 and 182 without feeling like they were stepping on SPD’s jurisdiction.

Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector

Veterans Day: The G.V. ‘Sonny’ Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans, along with other student organizations, held a Veterans Day ceremony on the

Drill Field Tuesday. Names of the deceased from Mississippi for the War on Terrorism from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom were read and recognized.

Cooley building receives APA award

by Katrina Smith Staff Writer

The E.E. Cooley building located on the campus of Mississippi State University has received the American Planning

Association (APA) Award for the “Best Project/ Outstanding Project” for 2014. The award was presented Nov. 13 at the annual luncheon in Tupelo, Mississippi. Along with this award, the building will be a state-of-the-art conference and meeting

center for individuals.

Construction on the historic John M. Stone Cotton Mill began in May. Buddy Sanders, APA-MS member and community development director, submitted the project to the American Planning Association of the Mississippi chapter.

The 73,975-square-foot conference center will feature a 1,000-seat ballroom, breakout rooms and office space. The latest communication technologies will be integrated throughout the facility, and on-site catering will be available.

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EXTEND The change would not grant MSUPD full jurisdiction 500 feet past campus property; rather, it would only allow them to patrol for traffic violations.

Anything involving criminal activity would still have to be handled by the respective departments that originally had jurisdiction.

“If they run across a warrant or something like that while making a traffic stop, they could make the arrest, but if a serious crime happened in that area it would be out of their jurisdiction,” Rice said.

According to Rice, MSUPD can and will still respond to calls made in that area in cases where someone is in danger as it did when the shooting was reported on Blackjack Road Oct. 31.

However, any further action would have to be handled by other departments.

“Because of our proximity and that it is usually our students involved, in those cases we respond to those calls,” Rice said. “There

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are times the county only has three or four officers for the entire county. They have to spread out and the nearest officer might be 30 minutes away,” he said.

The decision will have to be made by the state legislature in 2015, Rice said, and if it passes it will be up to the legislature when the change would take place.

Currently, there is a representative lobbying for the expansion.

“I don’t think they’ll have an issue with it because so many schools already have it, and we aren’t just asking for Mississippi State,” Rice said. “We’re just asking to standardize the laws across all the (Institute of Higher Learning) schools.”

Blackjack Road has seen a large increase in daily use due to student apartments and MSU’s recent record-breaking athletic success. The condition of the road was also worsened significantly when construction of Aspen Heights saw the weight of heavy machinery warping

AWARD Other amenities The Mill offers include a 450 space-parking garage, a Courtyard Marriott Hotel, retails stores and restaurants According to the AMAMS, the project was noteworthy because of its innovation, comprehensiveness, quality and implementation.

Mark Keenum, MSU President, said he feels this project will bring more people to Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

“The project will

the road on Mississippi’s soft soil.

“The sheriffs work a lot of accidents there currently,” Rice said. “I have heard that the Aspen/Pointe area accounts for a majority of the county’s calls.”

Gladney said it would be nice to be able to have police who are able to enforce the speed limit via radar on Blackjack Road.

The expansion would essentially be a quick fi x, and according to Rice, the city of Starkville is looking to expand its limits past Aspen Heights. This would place Blackjack Road under SPD jurisdiction and allow for radar-enforced policing, but such an action would take several years to complete.

MSUPD’s potential expansion will not happen for a few months at the least, but Rice said he wants the word out.

“I think it is important for students to know that we are looking to expand so that they can give feedback,” Rice said. “I don’t like people to be uninformed.”

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transform the front door of our university and the main point of transition from the campus to the community into an inviting place that highlights the beauty and livability of Mississippi State and Starkville,” Keenum said.

According to David Shaw, vice president of research and economic development, this award highlights the character of this project and provide it with additional publicity.

“This will open up untold opportunities for MSU and Starkville to put its best foot forward and demonstrate to conference participants the caliber of university and community we are,” he said.

Mark Castleberry, project developer, said he feels the APA award will have an impact because it is good exposure to a new group of people. It also can be used for advertising and promoting the project.

Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector

Meet Your SA Senator:

The Student Association hosted ʻMeet your SA Senator Dayʼ Wednesday In the Colvard Student Union. Senator Matt Jones (left) and Senator Hunt Walne (right) allowed students to participate in ʻCookies for comments,ʼ in which students contributed to the Student Association Senate with ideas for change. Student Talla Cisse (far right) participated by providing the SA with comments.

FREEZE “Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. Watch for signs of frostbite. These include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately,” NWS reported.

Hannah Strong, meteorology major at MSU urged people who will be affected by the low temperatures to take care of their plants.

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“Bring pets inside overnight and leave pipes dripping. It’s also a good idea to wrap outer pipes in cloth to keep them warmer. The weather is unseasonably cold.

Last year at this time our highs were in the 70s and today and tomorrow our highs will be in the 40s. Expect it to stay cold for a while,” Strong said.

MSU football which is ranked No. 1 in the AP poll is scheduled to play the University of Alabama on Saturday. The game is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. from

Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. According to weather experts, the temperatures will remain on the cooler side in Tuscaloosa as well.

Brown said the game will remain rain-free.

“For Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa, you can expect temperatures at kick-off in the upper 40s or low 50s, although it should feel warmer in the sunshine. As the game ends temperatures will drop into the low 40s,” he said.

The Reflector staff would like to thank our dedicated readers and advertisers for supporting us throughout this semester!

Grab the last two issues for this semester next Tuesday & Friday!

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REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 2:17 p.m. A student was having a seizure at the Colvard Student Union. The subject was transported to OCH. 4:47 p.m. A student reported receiving harrassing messages from her ex-boyfriend over social media.

9:29 p.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for possession of marijuana.

10:54 p.m. A student reported his Fender acoustic guitar stolen out of the bed of his truck while parked at the Sawyer Tennis Courts.

Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector

ʻCampaign for Changeʼ: The Student Association at Mississippi State University hosted its second ʻCampaign for Changeʼ event on the

Drill Field on Tuesday. SA allowed students to write changes they would apply to the Universityʼs advising and registration system on a white board.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 9:29 a.m. A student was arrested on a warrant for petit larceny.

10:38 a.m. An employee from Hill Poultry Science turned over unused material for disposal.

12:11 p.m. A student reported his issued MSU Bully Bike stolen from behind Rice Hall.

3:43 p.m. A student reported her issued MSU bike stolen from the bike rack at Rice Hall.

4:21 p.m. A student reported his iPhone 5s stolen off the south loop transit bus.

4:24 p.m. A student reported unknown charges to her debit card.

Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 1:17 a.m. An officer reported finding an MSU Bully Bike at the Band Hall.

Pathways: Diversity conferences reveal education issues

by D.J. Wormley Staff Writer

Mississippi State University held a 2014 diversity conference called “From Conversations to Collaboration: Pathways to Diversity” Thursday and today.

James DelPrince, professor in the department of plant and soil sciences at MSU, said the conferences are a way of giving the university and other universities more knowledge about issues in terms of diversity that affect higher learning.

“The President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities holds a diversity conference every two years. It is a way of providing our university community

as well as attendees from other colleges and universities a way of learning about diversity issues facing higher education,” DelPrince said.

DelPrince said the conference includes various groups of people and is important because it gets students to participate in discussing the issues that affect them every day and help them be more successful in their college careers.

“This year’s conference is important because it takes a grassroots approach to learning about diversity. It is rich with opportunities for discussions and sharing.

We are also working to bring students to the discussion table, including undergraduate and graduate students.

The conference will also focus on veterans, disabled

students, the LGBT community and issues centering on retaining diverse students so that they can attain success by fi nishing their degrees,” DelPrince said.

DelPrince said he believes MSU encourages progression and accepts differences.

“MSU supports the progress of its students, staff and faculty. A diverse campus, a community of those who embrace differences and are fortified by them, is stronger, wiser and poised to achieve greater success,” DelPrince said.

Rasheda Boddie-Forbes, assistant director at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at MSU, said she believes there is a greater focus on diversity in the U.S., and Institutions of Higher Learning should

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create more mixed settings.

“America has placed an increased emphasis on the value of diversity, so it’s not going away. But why should it? The success of every institution rests on its conscious effort to build healthy and diverse environments,” Boddie-Forbes said.

Boddie-Forbes said she believes the conference will strengthen students’ college experience.

“I think the conference will enhance the educational experience of individuals.

People will essentially walk away being challenged to think about preconceptions they may, to learn how to communicate with individuals of varied backgrounds and have an appreciation for critical thinking and teamwork,” she said.

Amanda Alberti, Magnolia Hall Residence Director at MSU, said she believes the conference is important because students and faculty should understand how to communicate with each other in an effective manner and people should be more receptive to learning about each other.

“This conference is incredibly important for this generation of college students and staff,” Alberti said. “Our nation’s society is becoming a much more diverse one, and it is important that students and staff understand how to effectively interact with each other. You lose nothing by learning about the cultures and histories of the people around you, but you are potentially putting yourself at a disadvantage if

you aren’t open to learning things about others.”

Alberti also said she believes the conference gives the people at MSU a chance to build and strengthen relationships with colleges in the surrounding area.

“I believe this conference is a wonderful opportunity for Mississippi State University. It has allowed us to create relationships with surrounding institutions,” she said. “We also hope that the conference will help bridge relationships on campus between students, staff, faculty and administration. Each person comes to the table with a unique perspective on diversity.

Our hope is that this conference will create a more cohesive Bulldog family,” Alberti said.

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

College students discover value in studying abroad

by Frank Bradford Contributing Writer

Every day as I sit in my apartment, I’m reminded by the pictures on my walls of all the journeys on which I have embarked. Studying abroad can be one of the greatest joys of the college experience. It was for me, and it ended up changing my life and my outlook on the world. In the summer of 2013, I decided to participate in the university’s study abroad program in Alcala de Henares, Spain.

Choosing to go to Spain was easy for me because I was pursuing a minor in Spanish, and it happened to be a perfect time in my life for me to study abroad. The summer before my senior year was approaching with lots of curiosity and anxiety about what lay ahead for me. The study abroad office on campus was of great help with everything.

Spain was more beautiful than I had ever imagined.

Big cities, beaches, countrysides and amazing landscapes always surroundedme. My favorite city was the capital, Madrid. I visited there many times a week

via the 20-minute train ride. I also traveled around to the cool Spanish cities of Granada, Barcelona, Segovia and Toledo. I often found myself becoming more observant because of how intriguing the surroundings and all of the people were.

Life can be crazy, adventurous and full of moments that take your breath away.

These are the emotions I felt while studying abroad.

I’m grateful for everyone who convinced me of study abroad special value, and since returning I have made it my mission to talk to others about doing the same.

I remember arriving at the airport before leaving I knew only one other person on the trip, and now I share a special bond with a group of friends from our travels.

Just meeting people from different corners of the world for me was a special experience. When I met my host mom the fi rst day I was full of anxiety. I realized I would be spending the next couple of weeks with a family I knew nothing about. I was scared to even eat and speak; luckily I got past those feelings fast.

After living in Mississippi

my entire life, it was fascinating to see those different cultures there that contrasted with the life I have here in the United States. In my classes, there were students from Canada, Brazil, South Korea, China and Denmark. Being enriched in other cultures you come to realize everyone doesn’t speak English, or at least may not speak it as well.

“Life moves fast; take advantage of opportunities while you can.”

Not understanding someone and just smiling can sometimes work wonders.

I remember forgetting to answer questions in Spanish at times, and my teachers would look at me with confused expressions, which were followed by awkward silence and laughter because of the language barrier we were caught between.

The time spent studying

abroad is something I took for granted at fi rst, I simply did not realize how perfect the opportunity was. At times, I think many forget there is a whole world outside of what we normally see, and we often seem to live our lives in a bubble. I was surrounded by historic buildings many centuries old, mesmerized in a state of awe of the architecture and the color that comes to life.

Spain is a place I now think of every single day, wondering how and when I can return. Life moves fast; take advantage of opportunities while you can. I remember being the last one to show up at the bus to return to the states, somehow thinking I could stay behind and not let that special summer come to an end. I still keep in touch with a friend I met there and constantly express my desire to travel there again and return to that state of happiness.

I encourage anyone who has thought about studying abroad to do so without hesitation and follow his or her emotions. Not everything can be taught from a book. Sometimes it’s best to get out there and take a leap of faith.

Ponder This

Writing benefits both writers and readers Author Orson Scott So many people check title list, a character sketch, Card had it right when he writing off their list of hob- a journal entry. Writers are summed up exactly who is bies because they either per- like dancers, like athletes. made to write and how easy ceive writing as a talent they Without that exercise, the or difficult is it to come up could never possess, or they muscles seize up,” writwith ideas. are conditioned by school er Jane Yolen stated. She He said, “Everybody couldn’t be more right. walks past a thousand As any creative writing story ideas every day. professor at Mississippi “The person that can get State University would The good writers are the ones who see five tell you, writing is to the point where some an exercise. Practice or six of them. Most people don’t see any.” makes perfect. The form of writing is a stress only way to set this In other words, anyone can be a writer: in motion is to reliever already has a head practice whether people choose understand writing has to write stories, poems, value. start in health.” journal entries, songs The reason we have or even a collected so much literature and series of inspirational know so much about quotes. It does not matter assignments to believe history from hundreds of how, when or why. Nature, that to write is to suffer. So years ago is not because of activities or happenings in many famous authors, com- any one person’s special everyday life can inspire monly people who started talent. It is because peoa person to write. We just off with nothing or who ple saw value in what was have to be able to see these had to suffer multiple fail- happening around them story ideas and write them ures before their work was and chose to write it down down. Not everything will known, would say writing is or document it, whether it become a great work of art, not painful. was through cave paintings but it might at least serve as “Exercise the writing or in print. Written work is an uplifting journal or blog muscle every day, even if probably how future popuentry for us one day. it is only a letter, notes, a lations will study our culture hundreds of years from now.

Writing is also healthy for the mind and body. The Orson Scott Card person that can get to the point where some form of “There’s a reason why every human society writing is a stress reliever has fiction. It teaches us how to be ‘good,’ to already has a head start in health. Writing is a good behave in a way that is for the benefit of tool for sharpening the the whole community.” mind and good exercise for

RE F L E C T I O N S

Brooklyn Tucker is a senior majoring in kinesiology. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

perception and memory retention. People who write may also be more observant. Many writers, such as Stephen King, argue good writers must have an unbelievable perception and value for truth. As a writer, one might fi nd that the focus is no longer just on them it is both on them and the world around them, because that is what it takes to write a realistic story.

Travel and nature are good ways to develop a sense of observation and a unique style of writing. If you take a vacation or study abroad, jot down the events or things that made your experience memorable and see how you can sum up what happened on paper in a way it deserves to be perceived from another person’s point of view. This is the value of writing.

Living By My Wits

Student organizations provide enrichment In the past eight years, I’ve spent 1,056 hours practicing.

That evens out to five-and-ahalf days per year marching, playing and learning drill — because for the past eight years, I’ve been a member of a marching band.

In a survey conducted by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), 65 percent of students said participating in a large campus organization helps them learn to balance their social lives with their academic lives. For every one of the four semesters I’ve been a member of the Famous Maroon Band, I’ve taken at least five classes and been involved in another on-campus organization. I’ve also managed to work and have a social life without spending all of my time worrying about my grades. I’ve been involved in everything from theatre to Relay for Life to sorority life. Personally, having certain obligations every week in addition to attending classes helps me keep up with my schoolwork. For example, I know everyMonday through Thursday I have

Claire Wilson is a senior majoring in communication.

She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

games, organize a basketball pep band, march in the Christmas parade and come back from our Christmas break early to go to any postseason game. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun. Band isn’t for everyone. Alternatively, being part of the Student Association allows you to help plan homecoming, Bulldog Bash or really anything. Large campus ministries give students a place to worship and fellowship with others who share their views.

Large organizations aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. That’s why they say that “there’s a club for everything,” when you go

“In addition to helping students balance their social and academic lives and increasing grades, campus organizations are resume-builders.” rehearsal at 5 p.m., and after band, I’ll spend a few hours doing homework — or, on the rare occasion I have none, I’ll watch something on Netfl ix and turn in early.

Another 25 percent of the NASPA survey respondents said their grades increased when they joined a campus organization. Some of this is due to the grade requirements larger organizations hold. And, as a member of a larger organization, you’re likely to meet more people who can help with any difficult classes. I can’t express how many times I’ve asked someone in band for help with a class — after all, with 350 members, it is the largest student organization on campus. With that many members, it’s easy to find help for any class.

If you’re into big organizations that work toward bettering themselves and the university, there’s a place for you. The Famous Maroon Band is the largest student organization on campus. We perform at halftime every home game, travel to away

to orientation. If you like Disney movies, there is a club for that. If you were a majorette in high school and still like to twirl, there’s a club for that. If you just really love bass fishing, anime or ballroom dancing, there is a club for you.

In addition to helping students balance their social and academic lives and increasing grades, campus organizations are resume-builders.

Most employers look for well-rounded individuals.

On average, employers prefer their potential employees be involved in more than one extra-curricular activity.

When I decided to join the marching band as a freshman in high school, I had no idea I was making the best decision of my life. I’ve been to Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Baton Rouge and countless other places. I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had and had fun everywhere I’ve been. Eight years later, I can attribute my good grades and well roundedness and even my job, to band.

Step Into My Office Managing Editor Catie Marie Martin

Editor in Chief

Emma Crawford

News Editor Lacretia Wimbley

Multimedia Editor

Opinion Editor

Kelsee McKim

Cameron Clarke

Life Editor

Photography Editor

Copy Editor

Noor Mujahid

Emma Katherine Hutto

John Galatas

Graphic Designer

Sports Editor

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Blake Morgan

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Editor in Chief/Emma Crawford

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.

325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Catie Marie Martin managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Lacretia Wimbley news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Cameron Clarke opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Blake Morgan reflectorsports@gmail.com Life Editor/Noor Mujahid life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Emma Hutto photo@reflector.msstate.edu Multimedia Editor/Kelsee McKim multimedia_editor@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising Sales/Alex Anthony 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu Newsroom: 325-8883

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The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

Road trips broaden horizons within our borders

The United States of America is a weird, weird place. Swamps, mountain ranges, bays, canyons, beaches, cacti, Joshua trees, hot springs, rivers... The list of the varied terrain and ecosystems goes on. Once you factor in all of the cultural regions and ethnicities represented, there is no better way to describe the U.S. than a melting pot. And it is worth exploring.

Obviously, Starkville is the greatest part of America. It is home to the No. 1 football team in America after all, but let me be the one to tell you in case no one else has: get out and go far every once in a while. Why and where would I even go, you ask? Allow me to elaborate.

Disclaimer: driving cross-country is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

Just pick a major interstate, stay on it for a while and consult MapQuest sporadically. Quality campgrounds or hotels are easy to find. It can be done smart and safely, so do not let that be your excuse.

The U.S. is worth exploring. Have you ever seen a Joshua tree before? The whole park in Southern

California looks like a Dr. Seuss story taking place in a desert that has come to life.

There are rocky hills surrounding desert plains of these trees that look like they are made of rock bubbles, and they make for great climbing.

Have you ever been to downtown Los Angeles? It makes for great people watching.

“There is no better way to describe the U.S. than a melting pot, and it is worth exploring.”

China Town is spectacular.

The Mexican cultural markets are beautiful. And if you want an exotic pet fish, I can tell you where to go. Have you ever been to Portland?

It really is the epitome of strange. Fred Armisen was right the dream of the ‘90s is alive in Portland. There are countless restaurants. There is a bookstore that is near-infinite — City of Books is aptly named.

Obviously, we all have

different preferences, and I have not been to that many places, so I will not be mad if you do not heed my advice.

My biggest piece of advice for you is to explore. Do not go somewhere that is simply sitting or staring at something — go play. My favorite national parks are the ones that involve random activities. Rather than going to a tourist attraction in Yellowstone, take a hike off the beaten path to a waterfall. Do not just look at things, explore them. Be a part of the scenery, the city, the water, wherever you are.

Spend more time walking than having your face in your camera. There is a beauty to capturing images and having them as keepsakes, but that’s not the point.

Don’t stay on the rim of the Grand Canyon with the other tourists; go on a more isolated hike into it. Swim in the lake overlooking the mountain range at the Grand Tetons. Admire the Golden Gate Bridge while enjoying a beautiful state park around it. Set up your hammock in a quiet spot among the Redwood trees. Sure, top10 tourist attractions are in a guide book for a reason, but

Geny Kate Gurley is a junior majoring in special education. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

after you see those, put the book down and explore yourself. That is when you get to really experience where you are. See things different than what you’re used to, learn about a different culture and see just how vast and how varied this world we live in is.

Actively look around, don’t just rely on other people to tell you what to see — find it.

But I will warn you, after an amazing cross-country experience, it is hard to stay in one place. That’s when you start to explore more around where you are. A cross-country trip teaches you not just about the country we live in, but it teaches you how to look, how to learn and how to see beauty in the most random places.

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

An In-Class Distraction

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY

The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Classifieds are $5 per issue.

Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

FOR SALE PARKING

Selling football parking?

Looking for tailgate space for your next road trip (‘Bama maybe?). Checkout GreenDotParking.com; be part of the largest network of private party parking listings.

FOR RENT Canterbury Townhouses 2 min from campus. 1 br $540, 3 br 3 full baths $720. Water, sewage, trash included. Price for the whole apartment, not just a bedroom! Get 1 month free with 12 month lease.

Call 323-9216.

Subleasing a 1 bedroom/ bathroom in a 4 bedroom/

bath apartment at 21 apts.

Starting January through July. Other roommates are male. Please contact Wes 601-906-7582.

CLUB INFO

The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email club_info@reflector. to with the msstate.edu 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 availability.

CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS

Christians on Campus will host renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Hughes, MD, on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m. in room 227 of the Colvard Student Union.

Nov. 11 solutions:

Waltmon Frame & Body Shop Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Automotive Refinishing •Collision Repair •Insurance Claims Welcomed 1105 Stark Road Starkville, MS 39759 Phone 662-323-0516•Fax 662-323-0539

BLACK VOICES GOSPEL CHOIR

Black Voices invites everyone to their fall 2014 concert scheduled for Nov. 15, 2014 at 5 p.m. in Lee Hall. Admission is free.

ALPHA PHI OMEGA

Alpha Phi Omega presents Bulldogs for Batson’s in the Union Dawg House Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6-9:30 p.m. to benefit Batson Children’s Hospital.

Raffle items and live music! Free admission.

THE STREETCAR CREATIVE ARTS JOURNAL

The Streetcar is Mississippi State University’s creative arts journal open to student submissions.

Submit your art, poetry, shortstories, nonfiction and more before November 25 online at thestreetcarmsu.com.

MSU HILLEL

Jews wanted! If you’re Jewish, let us know!

Like us on Facebook at Hillel @ Mississippi State University. Join us for meetings. For more information, contact Josph Metz at 601-813-7720.

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Nick Jonas sheds boy band image in new album

by Noor Mujahid Life Editor

The story is age old—a successful boy band, the desire of hundreds of screaming female fans, breaks up and then one member veers away and attempts to do things solo.

Case in point, Nick Jonas’s recent autonomous success distinct from the Jonas Brothers with his release of his self-titled album, “Nick Jonas,” which came out on Tuesday.

After the Jonas Brothers confi rmed their amicable split in October 2013, Nick Jonas took his vocal chords and decided to go solo. The 22-year-old singer’s new album is nothing short of risqué, and it shatters Jonas’s previous good-boy Disney image.

“Nick Jonas” has a total of 11 songs that break the stereotypical mold of the former boy-bander. The fi rst track on the album, which was fi rst released as a solo, is “Chains.” The deep beat is accompanied by even deeper lyrics. Jonas sings, “trying to break the chains, but the chains only break me,” as he croons about a tormented relationship that keeps him imprisoned.

“Chains” is followed by the catchy tune of his fi rst single, “Jealous.” The song is not only a lyrical masterpiece that would appeal to any person who has ever experienced jealousy within a relationship with the hook, “Cause you’re too sexy, beautiful/ And everybody wants a taste that’s why/ I still get jealous.” It also contains just the right

amount of pop combined with a hint of rock music.

The third track on the album is “Teacher,” which has a very Michael Jackson-esque air. The beat is poppy and upbeat, and the lyrics are steamy.

“Teacher” is followed by “Warning,” which is very repetitive as Jonas describes the distress of being trapped in one’s head. He sings, “I keep trying to escape/ From this cage that I live in/ This prison in my head.”

The fifth track, “Wilderness,” begins with humming and strips love down to the basics. Nick sings, “Gotta have it/ The feeling you give me is savage.” It is followed by “Numb,” featuring Angel Haze, which is Jonas’s fi rst leap into hip-hop, sort of.

He drops an f-bomb in the fi rst verse of the song, and

TRASHIONshow features recycled goods

the beat is as close to hiphop as the former Jonas Brother has ever come.

The next song, “Take Over,” is more characteristic of Nick and goes back to his pop roots.

“Take Over” is followed by “Push,” the album’s fi rst ballad. It is slow, yet rhythmic with the lyrics, “You need space, you need time/ You take yours, and I’ll take mine.”

“I Want You” is the ninth track on the album, and it describes a man that is hell-bent on keeping his girl to himself and only himself—a bit creepy, I know. In the next track on the album, “Avalanche,” Jonas works with former Disney co-star Demi Lovato. His voice is soft and pleasant in the song, and Lovato complements his vocals well.

The fi nal track on “Nick

Staff Writer

Wednesdayʼs TRASHIONshow, put on by NOMAS and MSUʼs Fashion Board, featured models in recycled materials.

Models wore everything from bubble wrap to bottle caps. The show showcased innovative ways to recycle.

believed that the purity rings the Jonas Brothers once wore warded off all sin for time eternal.)”

It is evident Jonas’ new album is different from the work for which he is known. He transitioned from a Disney boy-bander to somewhat of a sex symbol over time. His new album screams lust, and his image has accordingly transitioned.

In a Rolling Stones article Brittany Spanos says, “For Jonas, the new sound works well: He’s sweetly confident while singing about all the adult lust that he has been suppressing in his music for years.”

Overall, Nick Jonas’s latest self-titled album epitomizes a blend of the pop and R&B genre with its catchy lyrics and rhythmic beats.

Taylor Swift makes fun of her infamous love life in latest video

by Bo Vaughn

Jacob Follin| The Reflector

Jonas” is “Nothing Would be Better,” and the song lives up to its title. The song is the perfect end to Jonas’s new album. It is melodic, and the lyrics are genuine and deep. He sings, “Like it or not, we were doomed from the start/ I know that you’ll agree/ But nothing is forever, nothing would be better/ Better than you and me.” The lyrics are cryptic, but hold so much meaning that it comes together as a sweet, unflawed song.

In a New York Times article, Jonas is said to have grown as a singer and into his own musical style. The article says, “Mr. Jonas is a capable singer, with an effective falsetto, and as a signifier of maturity, you suspect, he’s switched from applying it to rock to putting it in service of R&B. (He also curses, which matters only if you

In Taylor Swift’s most recent video release for her song “Blank Space,” which is fresh off of her new album, “1989,” she shows her fans a new side of her: a crazy side.

In the video, she is rather convincing, and it is fascinating to watch her with make-up running down her face while she fights with her boyfriend. Swift seems to be addressing her reputation for singing songs about her past relationships through the lyrics of this new hit; she sings: “Got a long list of ex-lovers/ They’ll tell you I’m insane/ But I’ve got a blank space, baby, and I’ll write your name.”

Reputation aside, it is the fact she sings many songs about broken relationships that so many of her fans feel they can relate to her.

In the beginning of this video, Swift is lounging

in bed wearing sexy black lingerie while holding her white cat, Olivia Benson.

Then, the man of her dreams arrives at her doorstep.

Swift and her handsome beau fall in love. They are seen having romantic dates and spending time in this beautiful mansion, but then suddenly something changes; next we see Taylor Swift angrily tearing up her guy’s clothes and his nice sports car.

According to acclaimed music video director, Joseph Kahn, the video was meant to offer a “deconstructivist version of Taylor Swift.”

It appears the video accomplished this and more; as Swift wields a knife, axe and golf club in this charade, she still manages to look fabulous, and her style is completely her own.

Perhaps this article should be titled: “On dealing with haters” since the young star is bravely sending a message to the public that this is who she

is– take it or leave it.

In a recent interview with “People Magazine,” Swift stated, “People are going to talk about you, but maybe you’re having more fun than them anyway.”

Well, it is clear Swift is defi nitely having fun, and she should be, especially after learning her album is the fi rst album of 2014 to sell 1 million copies in its fi rst week.

Lindsey Batia, junior elementary education major, said Swift makes a statement with her video and is simply shaking off her “haters.”

“I think Taylor is defi nitely showing a new side of her, and she is showing the media that if they want a crazy or insane ex-girlfriend, that’s what they’re in for,” she said.

With her most recent hit, “Shake it Off,” and now with “Blank Space” climbing the charts, Taylor Swift will fi nish 2014 with a bang, and I can only imagine what 2015 and the years to come have in store for Taylor Swift fans.

KVNG

Jewelry and Accessories Sale

• Wednesday, November 12 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Thursday, November 13 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Friday, November 14 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Choose from a wonderful selection of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, brooches, rings, scarves, handbags, coin purses, hair accessories and more!

OCH Regional Medical Center Community Room Cash & Credit/Debit Cards Accepted • Sponsored By and Proceeds Benefit OCH Auxiliary

GO DAWGS!! twitter@LBBShop 100 N. Lafayette St • 648-9271

Open 7 am 5 pm daily Close @ 12 pm Sat.

Sports

7 THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

MSU prepares for Alabama Crimson Tide

to produce comes when the stadium lights are shining at their brightest.

“You know big- time players make big-time plays in big-time games. That’s what we live for, and it’s the reason we came to play for Mississippi State. To play on a big stage, against SEC opponents, which is the best conference in college football,” he said.

The primary concern facing the Bulldogs heading into the game lies in the matchup between their secondary and Alabama quarterback Blake Sims’s favorite wide receiver target Amari Cooper, who is having a good enough season to be mentioned in the Heisman race himself. Cooper has amassed 1,215 yards on 79 receptions, crossing the goal line 10 times. Only once this season has he failed to go over 70 yards, and that came against Arkansas.

It’s no secret the Bulldogs have been below average at defending the pass this season, ranking last in the SEC. Head Coach Dan Mullen said his unit will need to be disciplined to contain Cooper.

“One, what you can’t do is do the same thing over and over on him. Because they’ll find out what you’re doing, they’ll get in a rhythm and go take advantage of you.

So you’re going to have to change it up, change your look, change the people that are covering him and get some help to the guys that are covering him,” he said.

“And most importantly is he’s going to catch the ball.

When he catches it, get him on the ground. Because a lot of what he does is he’s really good before the catch, but he’s even better after the catch.”

The true fortitude of this year’s defense rests in its ability to stop the opposing team’s running game.

That will more than likely be put to the test this weekend with a collision course set to occur with the superb double punch of Alabama’s running backs T.J Yeldon and Derrick Henry. Both are incredibly tough runners that are deceivingly shifty in the open field. If the Bulldogs wish to walk away from hostile territory with their perfect record intact, they will want to limit the Alabama rushing attack early and often.

A win for Mississippi State would almost surely guarantee it the SEC West title and a berth in the SEC Championship game.Alabama’s entire season hinges on a favorable result. Its journey of making the playoff will either be completely destroyed or more alive than it has been all season long, depending on what the scoreboard reads after 60 minutes on Saturday.

Football Playoff at all. It is not likely the team will lose, but if it was to lose, that would seemingly be too bad a loss to overcome to make the College Football Playoff. However, wins against Alabama and Ole Miss would still send MSU to the SEC Championship.

A two-loss MSU team would more than likely fail to

make the playoffs and would fall into a tiebreaker that would probably not end in the Bulldogs’ favor to make the SEC Championship.

The two losses would send the Bulldogs out of contention of those two opportunities. However a 10-2 record would still make this one of the best seasons in Bulldog history.

by Zach Wagner Staff Writer

The college football world will watch Saturday when the No. 1 Mississippi State University Bulldogs take their unblemished record on the road to Tuscaloosa, where the Alabama Crimson Tide will be waiting to make their own kind of statement to the entire college football landscape. Alabama will already feel like it is being under appreciated, as they have yet to appear in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings. This past week’s rankings saw the Crimson Tide get jumped by TCU. There exists no better possibility of reclaiming a spot atop the national rankings than to take down the No. 1 team in the country.

While many people spent the first half of the season questioning this Alabama team from top to bottom, the Crimson Tide has responded to its critics by ravaging off three impressive wins against SEC competition over the past four weeks. It enters this weekend’s heavyweight bout as the declared favorite

by Vegas, even though it is ranked four spots lower in most of the national polls.

Most would feel disrespected by this spread, however, some of the major voices within the Bulldog locker room are using it as fuel to get motivated for this weekend’s big game. Wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson said his team has always had a certain edge about them.

“We always have had a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “Before the season no one even expected us to be No. 1 in the country, so we just enter every game and every day remembering that and go from there, honestly.”

It’s not just Vegas that

Junior Benardick McKinney makes a move around a UT Martin player. McKinney leads MSUʼs defense with 55 total tackles.

sees Alabama as the favorite, but the overwhelming majority of media personalities and college football experts seem to agree with the notion Alabama will make some sort of positive statement. If this is going to be the case, then Alabama will need all aspects of its team to be functioning at the high rate that has been displayed over the past couple of Saturdays. Its defensive prowess still remains better than ever.

The Tide currently ranks fourth in the nation in terms of total defense, only giving up 4.27 yards per play. To go along with this, it has only given up a total of 11 touchdowns to opposing offenses, the best mark set by any team in the country, as it ranks second nationally in scoring defense. Its defensive unit is highlighted by players such as strong safety Landon Collins, who helps

give his squad an intellectual and physical advantage on game days, as well as defensive end Brandon Ivory. For a squad that has been lauded as the most aggressive defense in the country, its discipline also stands out, evidenced by the fact that it does not usually help opposing teams out with miscues or penalties.

Potential Heisman candidate and Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott said he is excited at the opportunity to go up against a defense of the magnitude Alabama possesses and pointed to its overall physicality as a potential obstacle.

“They’re definitely going to be a physical group.

They’re big guys, they run well, and they tackle well from back to front, defensive line to secondary,” he said. “This league is just physical.”

Thankfully the Bulldog

From Center Field

Bulldogs will fight to control ‘f low’ For years the Battle of Hwy 82 between Starkville and Tuscaloosa has been insignificant. Usually, it matches two teams that differ in talent as much as the night differs from the day.

One team to win, the other throwing up a prayer to keep it close. One program has never been in elite light before, and one program has more crystal in its trophy case than Kay Jewelers has in its stores. But in 2014, a new chapter is being written.

No. 1 Mississippi State University, a program on the rise, will travel 82 miles into Bryant-Denny Stadium to take on the titans of football, the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide. This is easily the biggest game in MSU history, and with it comes several storylines.

Oh the struggles of the wild, wild SEC West. For the Bulldogs to win the Western division and get into the playoffs, they may need to knock off five, yes five, ranked SEC West opponents. Whoever wins this physical matchup puts themselves in the primary position to win the toughest division in the nation.

For the first time in school history, the Bulldogs have a Heisman contender.

Quarterback Dak Prescott enters as a legitimate contender for the most prestigious award in college football, but this game will ultimately decide his fate.

A great performance in the game combined with a win could cement himself as the front-runner of the award going into the final two weeks. A poor performance and a loss could end his chances.

There will be a No. 1

ranked team playing in Tuscaloosa, and it will not be Alabama. Mississippi State comes in as the top-ranked team, while Alabama sits just outside the playoff rankings at No. 5. For the time being, Alabama has a chip on its shoulder, and it will come in fired up to prove itself as a true playoff contender.

On the other side, Mississippi State is an 8.5-point underdog. Even with a No. 1 ranking by its name, the betting lines still don’t have much confidence in this team. It looks as if the Bulldogs have found chips on their shoulders as well.

So which team can prove itself? Which team will come into Saturday and be able to control their emotions and execute? Mississippi State will win this game if one aspect goes its way, and if it doesn’t, it will need help to come out with a win. The answer? The Flow.

Let me explain.

This game will ride on emotion. Alabama might be the best team in the country playing at home, and if the crowd and the team get into a groove, it will be hard for the Bulldogs to climb back into it.

If Mississippi State can come in and control the tempo and punch Alabama in the mouth early, it could very well be the deciding factor in the biggest win in school history. It sounds possible, but Alabama has ways of making things difficult for any team.

The Crimson Tide comes in with the top-ranked SEC defense for the eighth year in a row. The defense has size and speed that will try to throw anything it can at

Shane Anderson Shane Anderson is a senior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com.

Prescott and the Bulldog offense to try and confuse them.

If the Bulldogs are going to control the flow, the main key will be balance in the offense. They already have the most balanced offense in the country, averaging 267 yards passing a game and 255 yards rushing a game. However, if they become one-dimensional, Alabama will key on players and use its talents to wreak havoc all day long.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs will have to lean heavily on their secondary, which has shown some issues all season. To keep the flow of the game in MSU’s favor, the Bulldogs will have to keep eight or nine players in the box and stop the run. Put the game on quarterback Blake Sims shoulders. Blake Sims is the X-factor for Alabama.

For the third time in the history of MSU, the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa 8-0 or better. The first two meetings (1999, 2012) had the Bulldogs coming home defeated. Hopefully the third time is the charm and the Bulldogs can pull off its greatest milestone win in history.

A win would sure make that 82-mile bus ride home much more enjoyable.

offense which can bring just as many accolades to the table as the Alabama defense can. This is because it ranks sixth in the country in total offense, and it has managed to score at least 31 points in every game this season, except in the game versus Arkansas. Its strong suit though is running the football. The MSU offense currently averages 5.64 yards per rushing attempt and has compiled 2,294 total yards on the ground for its campaign. Half of this equation is attributed to junior running back Josh Robinson. Against Auburn he posted 97 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Along with this, the game that gained him the most recognition came against LSU, where he collected 197 yards on only 16 carries to help down the Tigers.

Robinson said his ability

FIGHT

Jacob Follin | The Reflector

CONTINUED FROM 1

The loss to the Rebels would look worse than a loss to the Crimson Tide, but if MSU were to pull out an extra win over the SEC East Champion then MSU would probably be in a very good position to make the final four as well.

If MSU loses to Vanderbilt it would make it very difficult to make it to the College

Q&A

Kelly Ward Sports editor at The Crimson White

Q: How well do you think Blake Sims has led the Alabama offense?

A: Blake Sims has done a very good job of leading this Alabama offense. As the season’s gone on, he’s become more comfortable. As you can tell from Saturday, he can make plays and lead the team in tough situations. He’s the guy you want on third-andfour without any timeouts to run out of bounds for a first down. He has more composure than he did earlier. He’s also a good quarterback. He’s a dual-threat who knows the offense and can come through clutch even if his performance earlier wasn’t his best.

Q: The offense seems to have been a little hit or miss at times this season, how much of that do you put on offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin’s shoulders?

A: To rip off a Seth Meyers joke: Plays are like award show nominees; they can’t all be winners. Still, Kiffin’s going to find something that works. I think Alabama’s offense has been more explosive than in recent history, and that’s on him. He has the pieces to work with, and when something doesn’t work, he dreams up something that will. It also helps having guys like Blake Sims and Amari Cooper, among others.

Q: What is the biggest strength of the Alabama defense?

A: Alabama is the No. 3 rushing defense. It will stop the run. It gave up 89 yards rushing, five of which were in the second half. It has had some trouble with the quarterback run recently, but the teams left are more upfront about that as an option on offense.

4. What is the biggest weakness of the Alabama defense?

A: The weakest link is in the secondary with the cornerbacks, who’ve battled injuries.

Q: How do you think the Alabama defense game plans to stop Dak Prescott?

Something along the lines of Cover 1 Robber.

Q: Do you think the emotional and hard-fought win in Baton Rouge will affect how the team will play this weekend?

A: It seems like in years past it has, but you can chalk that up to underestimating the team.

I don’t think there’s any way Alabama doesn’t know the No. 1 team in the country is coming into Tuscaloosa. It’s going to be a tough game, and if Alabama is going to come out on top, it’s going to need its best.

Advertisement REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014