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Introducing: Bulldogs 2 Go p7

Bicycling on campus:

MSU

Better for your health? p5

vs

LSU

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

The

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Reflector

130 th YEAR ISSUE 6

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

What is Title IX?

MSU pushes sexual misconduct policies

IX

by Bailey McDaniel Opinion Editor

Title IX effects discrimination in any federally funded institution based on sex: In the classroom

Athletics

Work environment Resources:

MSU Safeline (662)-325-3333 (Safeline has 24-hour advocate counselor access) MSU PD (662)-325-2121

Housing

This semester, Mississippi State University is increasing enforcement of education and awareness on sexual misconduct policies in connection with non-discrimination policy umbrella, Title IX. Since 1972, there has been a non-discrimination policy on the basis of sex known as Title IX. According to the Department of Justice, “Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.” In 2011, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) made a push for Title IX awareness across the country in every educational system that receives federal assistance. This push set off nationwide awareness of student and faculty rights regarding sexual assault and misconduct. Over the last four years, universities have been investigated and penalized for noncompliance with this policy. Ivy League institutions such as Harvard and Yale along with local universities in the surrounding states have been investigated for violating Title IX guidelines. Due to the push by the OCR and desire to keep the integrity of the

university at its highest, MSU has created a new set of sexual misconduct guidelines and hired a Title IX coordinator. Also this semester, the university required every syllabus to include Title IX policies. In November 2014, MSU hired Brett Harvey to oversee incidents of sexual misconduct and Title IX compliance throughout the university. Harvey said he has worked with university officials, including President Mark Keenum, to create new guidelines and policies for sexual misconduct and provide support for students and faculty who have been discriminated against, harassed or assaulted. “Education is the key to raising awareness across campus,” Harvey said. “I know that some people have heard our message two or three times, but I don’t apologize for that. There really is no downside to repeating this message.” The new policy outlines the definition of sexual misconduct, the definition of consent, the steps to take in reporting sexual misconduct and many other important elements including resources for students, faculty and staff. Leah Pylate, assistant director of health promotion and wellness and sexual assault, said she works with outreach and education throughout campus. IX, 2

2015 sets record enrollment Bulldog Bash brings fun by Kelsey Horn Contributing Writer

This year, Mississippi State University’s enrollment has experienced a dramatic increase. During a speech given to the general faculty this semester, President Mark Keenum said around 3,450 freshmen have enrolled at the university.

Keenum said, “That’s something to be proud of, to grow our numbers and maintain quality.” According to Keenum, the size of the faculty has increased as well. Keenum said there were around 100 new faculty members have joined the Bulldog community, but growth in people is not the only change happening at State. Expansion and renovation of current buildings as well as the construction of new buildings are underway. ENROLLMENT, 3

Human trafficking awareness highlighted in Mississippi by Savannah Taggart News Writer

This summer, human trafficking specialists from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation traveled to Mississippi to host a one-day training seminar for more than 100 troopers from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, as well as

representatives from other state agencies such as the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security, district attorneys’ offices and police and sheriff’s departments across Mississippi. Chief of Police at MSU, Vance Rice, said that unfortunately, no MSU officers attended the human trafficking training program this time, but he expressed interest in sending some officers to any future training programs the state provides in the future.

by Kaitlin O’Dougherty Life Writer

Starting today, Bulldog Bash will take over the streets of Starkville with tournaments, vendors and the main attraction—music. JoJo Dodd, Student Association president, said several events will preced the concerts tonight. A Maroon Market will be set up on University Drive at 2 p.m. This market will host vendors from all over the city of Starkville. There is a corn-hole tournament at 3 p.m. for students to partake in. At 6:15 p.m. there will be a Dawg Rally with the MSU Spirit Crew. Local Natives, MisterWives and X Ambassadors will perform

Jacob Follin | The Refl ector

A crowd stirs about in the Junction during last yearʼs Bulldog Bash weekend.

tonight at 7 p.m. in the Cotton District. Dodd said that each of these bands have a unique and diverse sound. “This year’s bands were selected by our rock-star Bulldog Bash directors, who were chosen because of how in-tune they were with the students’ desires,” Dodd

said. Logan Reeves, SA secretary, said the independence and creativity of the students will be present at the Maroon Market and with the indie lineup. Reeves said the competitive spirit will be shown at both the corn-hole tournament and the Dawg Rally. BASH, 7

TRAFFICING, 2

SA senate passes Resolution 12, pushes for flag change by Jennifer Flinn News Writer

The Student Association Senate of Mississippi State University voted Tuesday evening to approve “Resolution 12,” a sentiment that urges the Mississippi Legislature to examine and modify the state flag. Senators Ashley

Brooks and Patrick Coccaro voted against the resolution, and Senators Emily Anderson, Lauren Coleman, Hannah Fiser, Molly McAdams and Taylor Wilkinson abstained. MSU’s Faculty Senate also passed a similar resolution during their Aug. 21 meeting. Resolution 12, proposed and

co-written by Senator Taylor Thomas, a junior representing MSU’s College of Engineering and Senator Hunt Walne, a junior representing Agricultural and Life Sciences, states the current flag of Mississippi should be examined and modified by the Mississippi State Legislature to ensure it represents the people of Mississippi. Resolution

12 also states MSU enrolls the highest percentage of African American students out of all the Southeastern Conference universities. It reads: “Be it resolved that, the Student Association expresses the need for the legislature of the state of Mississippi to examine the current state flag and modify it in a way that acknowledges our

important history, but also communicates that Mississippi’s best days are ahead.” Senator Coccaro, a junior forestry major serving his first year on the SA Senate, said there was not enough evidence warranting the S.A. Senate to take this step toward pushing the legislature to change the state flag of Mississippi. Coccaro also said the state flag is

not a priority issue for the legislature. “I personally don’t see the state flag of Mississippi as a racial symbol. Also, I feel like race relations within the state of Mississippi are a little bit better than other states,” Coccaro said. “I don’t think the state flag of Mississippi is keeping any students from applying to Mississippi State.” RESOLUTION, 3

Weather

Reflections

Friday

HI: 86 LO: 64 SKY: Slight rain Grant Walton, Campus Connect Forecast POP: 40% (Department of Geosciences)

Saturday

Sunday

HI: 77 LO: 64 SKY: Clear POP: 20%

HI: 77 LO: 53 SKY: Clear POP: 0%

FORECAST: Friday will be partly cloudy with rain early. Saturday is going to be gorgeous, mostly sunny skies, perfect game day weather. Sunday will be nice with sunny skies.

Readerʼs Guide: Bad Dawgs Bulletin Board

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