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FRIDAY

DECEMBER 2, 2011

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 124TH YEAR | ISSUE 26

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Students should avoid cramming for final exams Committing information to long-term memory is most effective study method

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Staff Writer

Each year, college students across the nation find themselves staying up all night studying for final exams rather than managing their time to prepare.

To avoid being part of the cram craze, Rita McReynolds, college reading and study skills instructor, said she thinks students need to know how to study in a way that allows the student to commit the information to long-term memory.

“During final exam time, the suggestion is to expand (your study time) to a five-day study plan,” she said. “If you can hit it five days in a row for as long as you can, you will have a better chance of processing it to your long-term memory.”

Jannell McConnell, English McReynolds teaching assistant, said students need to know even if they have not studied a lot throughout the semester, they should still work hard to study for their final exams.

“If you are one of those students who hasn’t tried as hard as you should during the semester, don’t give up yet,” she said. “You can still try to do the best you can on your final if you start studying now.”

Caffeine, sugar cause health issues

BY WILL HAGER Staff Writer

With final exams approaching next week, many Mississippi State University students turn to energy drinks and caffeine to help prepare for the end of the semester.

Mandy Conrad, registered dietician in the Health Education and Wellness Department, meets two days a week with students, faculty and staff for one-on-one nutrition counseling. Conrad said the environment during finals week is conducive to students developing bad nutritional habits.

“More so than the rest of the year (students) get so preoccupied with all the deadlines and things that are coming up, that their diet, their exercise, everything gets put on the back burner,” she said.

Conrad, said at the end of the year, she sees students relying heavily on processed snacks and energy drinks with high caffeine and sugar content.

According to Conrad, eating protein and complex carbohydrates can help combat hunger and cravings.

JuLeigh Baker, MSU health educator, said in an email student reliance on energy drinks and other stimulants stems from not getting enough rest.

“Some students do not obtain enough sleep and turn to energy drinks that are mostly loaded with sugar and caffeine. These can be dangerous if consumed in large amounts over an extended period,” Baker said.

Conrad said some students have the misconception that energy drinks can be used as the sole source of fuel throughout the day. She said the trade-off for quick energy catches up in the long run. “(Energy drinks) can keep you up and help you study a little bit, but they can also cause jitters, unstable blood sugar, and when that happens, you’re going to get an energy crash and that’s what you’re trying to avoid to begin with,” Conrad said.

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GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION | PIPER REAVES

BY LINDSAY MCMURTRAY | Staff Writer

M

ississippi State University felt many growing pains this semester as the student enrollment reached more than 20,000 students.

According to the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, enrollment in fall 2011 was 20,424, a 2,400-student increase from fall 2008 and a 4,200-student increase from fall 2006 at MSU. Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, said this increase in enrollment is the result of an effort by MSU to grow the student population by 4 to 5 percent each year.

“None of the growth is a surprise to the university. It was strategic,” he said. “This was the intention of President (Mark) Keenum and those of us who work with him for the university to grow fairly aggressively.”

Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president, said MSU is making changes in parking, housing and classroom capacity to ease issues caused by the large number of students.

“There are plans underway to build more capacity for teaching and housing as is evident by the approval to build a new classroom building, approval to build replacement housing for Aiken Village and the current construction of two new residence halls on the south side of campus,” he said.

SEE ENROLLMENT, 2

Police seek public’s assistance in identifying suspects

BY HANNAH ROGERS Editor in Chief

The Mississippi State University Police Department is investigating a series of burglaries that took place at the Cooley Building on Nov. 5 and 11.

Detective Brad Massey said the suspects appear to be college age white males who could face charges of burglary if caught. They were identified through surveillance equipment on the property.

“We believe (these individuals) are involved in both incidents,” he said.

The building was broken into and property was stolen from offices. The police still hope to recover the stolen items.

To report information, contact the MSU PD at 325-2121.

COURTESY PHOTOS | STARKVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Two white males were videotaped exiting the Cooley Building, which was burglarized twice last month.

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MSU groups may send information for campus calendar to news@reflector.msstate. edu. Additional campus events can be found online at msstate.edu/web/news.

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FALL 2011 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

THE REFLECTOR

Class gifts, bullring set to return

BY RACHEL MUSTAIN Staff Writer

This year, Mississippi State University Student Association will recommence the class gift project by restoring the bullring to campus. The bullring is a concrete ring encircling a large oak tree that was once used as a seating area and gathering space outside the YMCA building. It was gifted to MSU by the senior class of 1933 and stood on campus until the construction of Colvard Student Union required its removal.

Rhett Hobart, SA president, said the SA constitution requires each graduating class to donate a class gift, but this policy has not been followed for several years.

The constitution states planning for the class gift begins freshman year and is organized over four years by the elected class council.

“Somewhere in the last 15 years we lost the class gift,” he said. “We are at a disadvantage this year for our graduating class because we have no history of fundraising in our four years here.”

Hobart said when he realized SA was not adhering to this part of the constitution he reinstated the project for the 2012 senior class but looked for an alternative gift due to the lack of funds.

“Instead of first looking to bring new things to campus, we think we should restore what others before us gave that have been removed from campus or are broken and restorable,” he said.

Jimmy Abraham, director of the Alumni Association, said the bullring was an integral part of the MSU landscape for the many years it was here. It stood at the heart of campus across from the YMCA, which was a hang out area for students, and next to Miss. Highway 12, which ran through campus at the time.

He said alumni who were here during the time of the bullring remember it as a central aspect of student life.

“It was the true gathering place on campus. It is where everybody met and caught up on things. I think it would send a great message to our alums who were in school here that a part of what they were all about is now coming back to campus,” he said.

Roy Ruby, interim president in 2008, attended MSU when the bullring was here and said the name comes from how it was used.

“College students would sit out there and they would ‘shoot the bull,’ meaning they would have great conversations. Every now and then when a young lady would go by they would have various comments to make and wolf calls and things like that,” he said.

Hobart said the bullring is currently in storage at the Cooley Building and is in acceptable condition but needs restoration.

The plan is for the original structure to be placed in a marble casing with a brick base in between the concrete legs to provide support. There are a few options for its placement which need to be approved by the campus master planning committee. A decision

should be made next week.

The intent is to place the bullring as close to its original location as possible. One possible location is the grassy area to the west of the front of the Union around a new tree. Another possibility is to place the bullring around a tree outside the east entrance to the Union.

The SA constitution states the class gift should be completed by April of the class’s graduating year, but Hobart said the restoration of the bullring may not be complete by that time.

The progress will depend on the fundraising done by the senior class council officers and collaboration with university officials.

Hobart said he plans for class councils to continue restoring class gifts until a class has four years to follow the procedure in the constitution for a new gift.

Possible gifts for restoration include a second column at the entrance to campus from University Drive opposite to the column donated by the class of 1922. Another option is the restoration of the sitting area called Orientation Park with a fountain and bricks engraved with the names of past orientation leaders. This gift was donated by the classes of 1988 to 1992.

ENROLLMENT Ann Bailey, director of the Department of Housing and Residence Life, said housing is one of the major concerns addressed by university officials as the campus continues to grow.

“We will open two new buildings, Oak Hall and Magnolia Hall, for fall 2012 on the recently-cleared Arbor Acres site, which is a total of 750 new bed spaces,” she said.

December 9, 2011 7:00 P.M. Try Our

The University Registrar announces detailed graduation information regarding regalia, invitations, photograph’s, DVD’s, and marching instructions. This information is available at the University Registrar’s web page address, www.registrar.msstate.edu, under announcements/notes for you to view and/or print.

COURTESY GRAPHIC| OFFICE OF CAMPUS PLANNING

The original bullring served as a gathering area for students. This graphic depicts a possible location after restoration is completed.

Combo Meal for $3!

I’m thinking Arby’s

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Bailey said with the student increase, MSU residence halls reached their capacity this year, resulting in many non-freshmen being turned away from on-campus housing assignments.

“We had twice as many requests for upperclassmen and returning student spaces than we could fill,” she said. “In order to give those students as much notice as possible and resources to explore other local options, we partnered with the Dean of Students Office in the development of an off-campus housing website.”

Mike Harris, director of parking operations, said parking is another issue addressed by MSU as the student population grows.

“As with any growth, there are strains that are put on particular areas where that growth is seen.

Parking is no different,” he said.

MSU parking operations sold about 20,000 parking permits this year for its 13,552 parking spaces. Harris said parking operations keeps a 68 percent ratio of permits to spaces available because not all students and staff will be on campus at one time.

While parking operations made minor changes this year to parking lots in the south resident and commuter east zones, no major changes were made for the increased enrollment, he said.

Harris said many changes will be made for fall 2012 including two new bus routes that will allow students to buy reducedprice parking permits. He also said MSU will add almost 300 commuter parking spaces on campus for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Kibler said MSU has also created about 20 new faculty positions in areas of study that have seen significant growth in recent years, including biology, communication and kinesiology to account for the increase in class sections necessary for the large student enrollment.

Gilbert said he commends MSU faculty for its cooperation with the larger student body.

MSU has worked to avoid the lay-offs of tenure-track and tenured faculty members.

“Dr. Keenum and I both have thanked our faculty for their contributions to helping us through these challenging times of growing student numbers and flat or decreasing budgets,” Gilbert said.

“We need to hire more faculty and will do so when it is financially feasible.”

Kibler said officials are committed to managing the issues in housing, parking and faculty availability as enrollment continues to grow.

Happy Holidays from the Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach We want you to * Be S.A.F.E * Be Self Aware, Focused, and Empowered Few points to remember this holiday season:           

Stay ALERT Don’t get distracted. Stay aware of your surroundings Go out in groups Walk purposefully, stand tall, and make eye contact with people around you Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable— leave Make yourself a “tough target” Don’t think it cannot happen to you Should you resist? Every situation is different If being followed call 911 or drive to a police station Stay as calm as possible and evaluate your options and resources You may be able to turn the attacker off with unusual behavior such as throwing up, screaming, or stating you have a sexual transmitted disease  Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy does not work , try another. Possible options include negotiation, stalling for time, fleeing to a safe place, and physical resistance  After a sexual assault go to a safe place and call the police  Call someone to be with you. You should not be alone For more information visit us at www.health.msstate.edu/sas/ (662)325-2090

NEWS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

FRIDAY , DECEMBER 2, 2011

Staff Writer

Jesus Valdez, marketing research associate for the Thad Cochran Endowment for Entrepreneurship at MSU, won sixth place at the 2011 Elevator Pitch Competition in Fort Worth, Texas.

The competition was organized by the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization, and 128 competitors attended from many schools including Texas Christian University, Baylor University, Florida State University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Competitors were put in a simulated reallife situation in which they only had 90 seconds (about the time of an elevator ride) to pitch their business idea to professionals who might be interested in acting on their ideas.

Gerald Nelson, director of MSU’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer, said this competition was a true test of the competitors’ knowledge and skills in the field of business.

“This was the ultimate of an elevator pitch competition at the collegiate level,” Nelson said.

This was not Valdez’s first success within the business field. He has already won the Mississippi Technology Alliance Business Plan Competition along with his business partner, which assured Nelson that Valdez would be fully capable of doing well in the Elevator Pitch Competition. This, along with other

COURTESY PHOTO | UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Jesus Valdez placed sixth out of 128 competitors.

factors, including the fact that Valdez was already running a real business, led Nelson to sign him up for the competition.

Nelson said the College of Business looks for competitions such as these to help its students excel in the world of business.

“We want our students to be able to learn about entrepreneurship and take part in many meaningful competitions and events,” Nelson said. “Jesus not only learned business, but he also practiced business and entrepreneurship in the real world.”

Valdez said he credits the MSU Entrepreneurship Center advisory board for helping him gain presentation skills.

He said pitching his idea was no problem, but he had to work at getting it down to 90

CRAZE

seconds while still being as personable as he is in normal conversation. Along with being quick and personable, he had to be just as persuasive as he would be if he had hours to pitch the idea.

Nelson said Valdez’s success in this competition came from his knowledge and hands-on experience in the field.

“Jesus was not just pitching an idea, he was pitching a real business,” Nelson said. “He knew what he was talking about.”

Allison Pearson, Giles Professor of Management in the College of Business and MSU Entrepreneurship Center advisory board member, said Valdez is a great example of what MSU students can do. He found a passion for it, and he now thrives and excels in the field.

“He’s doing something that fits his own skills and abilities,” Pearson said.

Through his work with the Entrepreneurship Center, Valdez entered a partnership with Robbie Spears, senior interdisciplinary studies major, who has created the guitar pedal company for which Valdez now serves as chief operating officer. The business is named The Juliet Collective.

Valdez said he and Spears want The Juliet Collective to become an increasingly better known company in Mississippi. Within the past few months, the company has earned about $15,000 in total revenue.

He said he hopes to continue in school to earn his Ph.D. so he can pass on his knowledge and experience to other students.

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McReynolds said she thinks students do not understand studying at night is less productive than study times during daylight hours. She said research proves students concentrate, learn and retain information better when they study during the day instead of at night.

Students should study the hardest for his or her least-liked subject first so the student will have steam left for the subjects he or she enjoys, McReynolds said.

She also advised students to make a special set of notes with information they had trouble learning for one last look the night before or morning of the test.

Justin Dornbusch, a history graduate student, said he does not find cramming for tests to be a good way to study. He said he moves to new study areas while he studies to keep himself from becoming distracted and bored.

“In my experience, changing locations as you study helps you retain information and prevents you from getting into a rut,” he said.

Jessica Temple, English teaching assistant, said students tend to remember the first and last things studied more than the information in the middle, so students should mix up the order of the information they are studying.

She said she thinks cramming may help students in the short term but will not prepare them for long-term learning.

“Cramming might help students pass a test, but it will not

LAUREN CLARK | THE REFLECTOR

Erin Nesbit said she always crams the night before a test. Research shows that cramming increases stress and test anxiety in students.

help them actually learn the information. That means they will have to cram just as much for the next test,” she said. “A student who studies all along should be able to remember the information after the test and build on it later on.”

McConnell, McReynolds and Temple all agreed the best way to avoid the cram craze is to start studying now for next week’s exams.

“You can study in little bits.

If you do it every day and avoid cramming, you’ll feel so much better. It gives you so much confidence when you know you’ve looked at it once, twice or three times,” McReynolds said.

Mississippi State University has many resources for students to help them improve their exam study habits. Today is the last day for free peer tutoring at the Learning Center in Allen 266. It has tutors for a variety of subjects; students can check the schedule on the door to see what is being

offered at that time.

Mitchell Memorial Library will remain open 24 hours a day on weekdays for the remainder of the semester, with special extended hours on the weekends.

Students can visit library.msstate. edu for today’s hours of operation.

MSU Dining Services will host Pajama Jam at Real Food on Campus in the Templeton Athletic Building on Dec. 8 with a midnight breakfast menu, karaoke and door prizes. Dining Services will also host Caffeine Craze at the Marketplace at Perry Cafeteria Dec. 4 through 8. Colvard Student Union will also have extended hours during finals week.

Postmaster Ken Oglesbee requests students check their mailboxes before leaving for Christmas break. Students who are not planning to return in the spring need to turn in keys and fill out a change of address slip to close the box.

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BAD

MSU graduate places 6th in elevator business pitch competition COURTESY PHOTO | TERESA GAWRYCH

BY JAY BALLARD

|

DAWGS

Wednesday, November 23

• 11:55 a.m. An employee reported fraud on his bank account at an unknown location.

Thursday, November 24

• 1:32 a.m. A student was arrested for possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle in Starkville.

Citations:

• 1 citation was issued for disregard for an expired tag.

• 15 citations were issued for speeding.

• 1 citation was issued for an expired driver’s license.

• 1 citation was issued for child restraint violation.

CORRECTION: In the Friday, Nov. 18 edition of The Reflector, the article about the Aiken Village reconstruction identified Mississippi State University as the only university in Mississippi with family housing for students. USM Pine Haven also provides housing for student families. The Reflector regrets this error.

ENERGY Sarah Anne Adamson, junior communication major, said caffeine allows her to stay up later to study and she does not plan on changing her approach this year.

“The second they make a caffeine-free water that keeps you awake, I’ll stop using Dr. Pepper and coffee to stay up,” Adamson said after sipping on her third Dr. Pepper of the day.

Although losing sleep is seen as a temporary sacrifice, Baker said getting less sleep can have more negative side effects than just an energy crash.

“If a student does not deal with the added stress very well, it can affect their health. Stress and lack of sleep can lower a person’s immune system making them more susceptible to colds and viruses,” she said.

Conrad said staying healthy and alert is crucial to having a good performance during exams. Students set up appointments with Conrad for a variety of reasons ranging from wanting to manage their weight better to constructing a healthy grocery shopping list. Maintaining healthy habits goes hand-in-hand with feeling better.

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Finals week= Energy Boost Approximately 90% of adults consume caffeine on a daily basis

The top three sources of caffeine in adults are coffee (70%), soda (16%) and tea (12%). medicinenet.com PIPER REAVES | THE REFLECTOR

“We know stress, anxiety and things like that can impact your ability to focus,” she said. “Being more alert and being more focused is going to come through treating your body right.”

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FRIDAY , DECEMBER 2, 2011

OPINION |

THE REFLECTOR

GETTING OFF THE RECORD | RACHEL PERKINS

ʻChristmas cheerʼ requires creativity

Reflector The

I

Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers Managing Editor Julia Pendley

Chief Designer Piper Reaves

Online Editor Matthew Witbeck

News Editor Micah Green News Editor Megan McKeown

Sports Editor James Carskadon

Life Editor Kaitlin Mullins

Opinion Editor Wendy Morell

Copy Editor Rachel Burke

Photography Editor Eric Evans

Copy Editor Mollie C. Reeves

CONTACT INFORMATION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor in Chief/Hannah Rogers

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/Julia Pendley 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Micah Green 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu News tips/Megan McKeown 325-7906 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Wendy Morell opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/James Carskadon 325-5118 sports@reflector.msstate.edu Life Editor/Kaitlin Mullins 325-8883 kmullins@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Eric Evans 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Emily Moak 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

EDITORIAL POLICY 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.

CORRECTIONS

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.

Do you think f o o t b a l l

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“The only coal-colored smudge marring my merry heart is the pressure to be in a relationship for the holidays.”

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So why does America want to make me feel like a leper come Christmas time? The commercials aren’t the end of it. I grip my steak knife a bit tighter at the dinner table each time my grandmother asks if I have a boyfriend yet, and I reluctantly listen to my coupled-off friends’ exasperating worries of which gift to buy for their someone special.

All this talk of relationships tends to get in the way of my favorite Christmas traditions, like ignoring the white guilt I’m faced to deal with during the year’s 11 other months.

So, I’m taking back the holidays. CHRISTMAS IS MINE. And yours. You don’t need a relationship to be happy or content or sexually satisfied this holiday season. Being single for the holidays is preferable, actually. Because I’m single, I don’t have to worry about buying a present for a significant other. I’m terrible at gift giving anyway. Instead, I get to buy myself something extra! I’m calling this my “single achievement holiday bonus,” and you should, too.

have little to do with your self worth all year round, so don’t let the holidays get you down.

If you get to feeling lonely, put on your favorite Christmas carols, pour a little more rum in the cider and invite someone over to put the XXX back in X-mas. Your real life might not be anything like the ads on television, but it could be like the ads on certain websites. It’s up to you.

Cheer up, and spread some cheer. Whether you spend your holidays giving back to those in need or if you spend them on your back getting what you need, I hope this Christmas is everything you hope it to be.

Take a break from the pressures of school, take several naps per day and take in all Christmas has to offer because it only happens once a year.

As for me, when I’m not throwing candy canes at television screens, I’ll be in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, among other things.

To all my single ladies and fellas, and to all of you lovey doveys out there too, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. (I would wink again there, too.)

AN UGLY FACT OF LIFE | TIM MCGRATH

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Rachel Perkins is a senior majoring in English. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

Being single for the holidays opens up all sorts of doors.

By that, I mean the doors to other people’s bedrooms. (This is where I would tilt my head and wink.) Seriously though, something about the holidays really sets the mood right. Tis the season for hooking up!

Hometowns across America, rejoice!

We all need to stay warm this holiday season, and is there anything hotter than meeting up and getting down with some feisty festivities? Get creative with the mistletoe this year and give yourself an “Oh!” holy night. (Thank me later for that one.) And remember, the holidays are for giving AND receiving. Nobody likes a Scrooge in bed.

With all the pressure to buy gifts and ignore your grandparents, it’s easy to forget the reason for the season. Don’t forget Christmas is when we celebrate the day a baby was born with absolutely no sex involved. So let that be a reminder to you — always use protection.

So my advice for getting through the holidays as a single is this: spend some time with your family, but spend some time having fun, too.

Your relationship status should

is

important to academic institutions?

Yes

t’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, Christmas season has descended upon us again. Even at my most cynical, I can’t deny the holiday spirit. The wintry air rings with dulcet tones of silver bells and my television glows with the Claymation specials of Christmases past.

The only coal-colored smudge marring my merry heart is the pressure to be in a relationship for the holidays.

I can’t even enjoy my favorite television program without some ostentatious jewelry ad reminding me I’m single with the type of holiday commercial that leaves me unwittingly digging my fingernails into my clenched fist.

The scene begins from the outside of a frosted window, inside of which a forlorn and well-dressed woman is gazing out and clutching her pearls, only to be awoken from her solitude by the brawny touch of a man’s hand upon her shoulder.

From the pocket of his khakis, he withdraws a box, opening it to reveal the ring/ bracelet/watch/necklace of her most romantic and plutocratic dreams. The clip ends with a tawdry jingle reminding me that, “Holidays are for sharing with someone special,” or “This season, give a gift to the one you love,” or “It’s Christmas and you’re alone and you will be forever so go eat some more sugar cookies, you fat misanthrope.”

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Total number of votes: 87 PIPER REAVES| THE REFLECTOR

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his past weekend we sent Ole Miss back to Oxford in a bodybag to win one of the most storied football rivalries in the U.S. for the third straight year. The slogan proudly proclaims, “This is Our State!” Be it athletics, academics, traditions, or any other pillar of the American university, MSU strives to be the best the state of Mississippi has to offer. But after the Golden Egg is returned to our trophy case, are we done? After U.S. Newsweek ranks the best universities in Mississippi, do we stop classes?

After the dust settles, are we ultimately satisfi ed with being the best Mississippi has to offer?

By the end of this semester, I have come to the conclusion that MSU and its student body are content with just being better than Ole Miss.

When applying to school here, I was bombarded with statements saying, “We are the best at X in Mississippi!” I was told we have the biggest student body in Mississippi, the best engi-

..during..the... winter break PIPER REAVES| THE REFLECTOR

neering school in Mississippi, the best football team, etc. No offense to Mississippi, but in comparison, that isn’t all too impressive.

I don’t go home to Louisiana and pride myself with the fact that my student body is bigger than Ole Miss’s, or that my engineering school is better than USM’s non-existent one. When I brag to friends back home about my university, I don’t compare it to the rest of Mississippi because I’m not satisfied with only being the best in Mississippi. I want to be better than Louisiana universities, so that I’m justified in leaving my home state to come here.

If I didn’t see a reason to think MSU was better than what I had at home, I would have stayed at home.

Here comes the part where I make everyone angry. According to StateMaster.com, Mississippi ranks last nationally in more categories than any other state. Statistically speaking,

“There is a massive world outside the state of Mississippi, but you have to look to see it. If our biggest concern is being the best in the state, our priorities are way out of order.”

Tim McGrath is a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering.

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

Mississippi has the worst public education, the highest obesity rate, the highest teen pregnancy rate, the lowest family income, the worst dental hygiene; the list goes on for days. This state is also last in the country in not voting for Ralph Nader, though I have no idea what that says about Mississippi. StateMaster even said it’s the worst state to live in. I encourage you to look up these statistics. And for the sake of unbiased journalism, Louisiana isn’t much better, I know. But with all of this in mind, being the best of the supposed worst isn’t too tantalizing.

This is why over time, I’ve come to hate the “This is Our State” slogan. For all I care, Pearl River Community College can have Mississippi. I want this to be Our Region, Our Country.

You never hear MIT declare, “We have the best mathematics program in Massachusetts!” Or Stanford claim, “We philoso-

phize better than those losers at USC!” Because those are both major academic powers, and striving to be the best in their respective states merely limits their accomplishments.

We attend a major national university, so we should compete as one.

We at MSU are blessed with an extremely diverse campus, representing most of America and many countries worldwide. Unfortunately, we tend to forget this fact, and that slogan misrepresents our student body.

This may be your state, but to be honest, it isn’t mine.

We bleed maroon and white together, but to put it simply, my pride stems from Mississippi State University, not the state of Mississippi. No matter how much maroon and white I hemorrhage onto the streets of the French Quarter, I will still be from Louisiana.

There is a massive world outside of the state of Mississippi, but you have to look to see it. If our biggest concern is being the best in the state, our priorities are way out of order.

We have a whole planet to touch, but we are afraid to cross state lines. So we become lethargic, confined by invisible borders. And if we can’t see past those boundaries, our university will never see its true potential.

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THE REFLECTOR

BULLETIN BOARD

AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...

Across 1 Some are chocolate 5 Trim 10 1968 self-titled folk album 14 “My body’s achin’ and my time __ hand”: James Taylor lyric 15 “Climb aboard!”

16 Israel’s Iron Lady 19 Former Calif. base 20 “CHiPs” star Erik 21 China’s Chou En-__ 23 See 24-Down 25 “Dogma” star 26 “Assuming I’m right . . .”

28 Places to treat v-fib 31 Not family-friendly 36 Prefix for Caps or Cat 37 Confuses 39 Modem owner’s need: Abbr.

42 Lara Croft portrayer 45 Not very much 47 Hr. related to airspeed 48 Garr of “Mr. Mom” 49 Patient contribution 51 Spanish hors d’oeuvre 55 Driver’s gadget 56 Like many bazaars 59 Synopsis 61 Historic Cold War crossing point 64 Offer as proof 65 Navel variety 66 Dramatic opener 67 Part of AMEX: Abbr.

68 Turn aside 69 Midway game word Down 1 Henry Blake’s rank in “M*A*S*H*” 2 Tempe sch.

3 Odd-shaped reef denizen 4 Keep one’s word?

5 Post on Facebook, e.g.

6 Passport issuer?

7 Fitting 8 __ squad 9 Slaughter in the outfield 10 Ethically unconcerned 11 Handles differently?

12 Rest a spell, or a

fitting title for this puzzle 13 Seat of Florida’s Orange County 17 Émile, par exemple 18 Abbr. on some cheques 21 Landlocked Alpine principality 22 Pro Bowl div.

24 Statement before a 23-Across 27 Needing no Rx 29 React in shock 30 “I agree, señor!”

32 Stat for Cliff Lee 33 Share for the fourth little piggy 34 USMC NCO 35 Parochial school figure 38 Light touch 39 Big name in Chrysler history 40 Shout after a pursesnatching 41 Capital of French Polynesia 43 Personal transport,

12-2-11 Solutions for 11-18-11

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 rent Roommate needed in Colonial Arms Townhouses. 2 bedroom/2.5 bath, washer/dryer. Spacious bedrooms. Call 901-481-1868.

HeLP WAnteD Bartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800-965-6520 ext.

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Plan for spring break now. Join the best wholesale company in the world to travel and make extra money. properties.worldventures. biz.

MISCeLLAneoUS Ziggy’s Buy & $ell thrift store in Starkville. Furniture, household items, games, DVDs, plus 10 vendors selling everything from monogram items to scrapbooks to antiques. 434 Hwy. 12 West, next to Army-Navy Pawn. 3128895.

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

Solutions for 11-15-11 in science fiction 44 Refinery input 46 Comet colleague 50 Tibetan milk source 52 Links nickname 53 ‘80s baseball commissioner Ueberroth 54 Eastern NCAA

free announcements in Club Info.

Information may be submitted by email to club_info@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 availability.

BAPtISt StUDent UnIon The BSU at Mississippi State invites all students to our weekly worship service, PRIORITY, on Tuesday nights at 6:15 p.m. You are also invited to a $5 home-cooked meal, called NOONDAY, on Wednesdays at noon. The BSU Center is located directly across the street from Campus Book Mart. All students are welcome. Visit msubsu.com for more information.

CAMPUS BIBLe StUDentS Intensive Bible study Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. in room 324 of the Union. All are welcome. Email tns54@pss.msstate.edu for more information.

CAtHoLIC StUDent ASSoCIAtIon The CSA invites you to join us each week at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Student mass is on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Good food and fun fellowship can be had at $2 dinners on Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by weekly bible

study at 7 p.m. Come to one of these events and learn more ways to get involved! For more information, simply “like” our Facebook page: “Mississippi State Catholic Student Association.”

FAAMSU Come join us for lively discussions. Believers welcome!

Every Thursday, starting Sept. 8, in the Union room 226 from 6 to 9 p.m. Twitter: @SAUCEFORALL. We are the Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists of MSU. FeMALe GrADUAte StUDentS New group for female graduate students in science, engineering and mathematics: Please email msu.gwise@gmail.com LIGHt BeArerS Yeah! We Bear The Light! Come join us for fellowship, dynamic worship and inspirational devotions every Thursday at 7 p.m. Union 3rd floor, room 329.

MSU CAnterBUrY ePISCoPAL FeLLoWSHIP “Spiritual but not religious?”

Spirituality and home-cooking at the Episcopal Church (“Canterbury”). Free dinner, activities each Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Canterbury Lodge, 105 N. Montgomery St., Starkville.

For more information, contact Chaplain Carol Mead at 6941178. Sponsored by Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship.

OCTOPUzzLE

Directions: Place the numbers 1 to 8 in each of the octagons such that the numbers are not repeated in any octagon, row, column, or diagonal. The sums of the minor diagonals (diagonals that contain either four or six numbers) are provided at the beginning and end of each minor diagonal. The sum of the four numbers that border a diamond are provided in that diamond. The numbers that border diamonds do not have to be unique.

hoops gp.

57 Modern music source 58 Don Juan sort 60 Cries from successful puzzle solvers 62 Hairy TV cousin 63 AAA info

12-2-11

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Life

friday , december 2, 2011

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

Pinterest.com, people have discovered the magic and power Staff Writer of these personalized presents.

Some people believe that is Through this and other chanthe most wonderful time of the nels, many have learned the key year. But behind all the reindeer, that unlocks the barrier between Santa and menorah decorations, classy, crafty and other than a necessary evil lingers in the crappy.

Rachel Cheatham, a freshman background … the deflated and almost empty wallets and bank special education major, said she accounts. But have no fear; a enjoys Pinterest because it helps saving grace has come to every- to get her creative juices flowone’s rescue. Do it yourself gifts ing.

“It also is a great source for have made an impressive cometons of really back.

And cool and easy conveniently DIY projects,” just in time she said. for the busiest Some people shopping time are probably of the year. asking what is Katie Kraft, Pinterest right a sophomore about now. elementary The official education mawebsite states, jor, said DIY “Pinterest is gifts are more a virtual pinpersonal beboard. Pintercause spendest allows you ing time on to organize someone is and share all always better katie kraft, the beautithan spendsophomore ful things you ing money on elementary find on the him or her. education major web. You can “I enjoy browse pinmaking DIY boards created gifts because I love the creativity that goes by other people to discover new into making each personal gift,” things and get inspiration from people who share your interKraft said.

And that feeling of spending ests.”

DIY gifts are nothing new. But time appears to be reciprocated a common dilemma with the and appreciated.

Laura Lee Williams, a fresh- homemade production of gifts man biological sciences major, is when the crafter does not cresaid she loves getting DIY gifts ate something at which he or she is good and skilled. For example, because they are heartfelt.

“I know that they took time attempting crocheting a scarf is out of their schedule to make probably not a good idea when me something, and that makes you are a knitting rookie but a skilled painter. No one wants me feel special,” Williams said.

Not only are DIY gifts more a poorly made gift — not even common, they seem more ac- mothers and grandmothers. But ceptable. Through the emer- there is no need to be frightened gence of the popular website of the prospect of “messing up.”

By Mary Kate McGowan

“Making gifts definitely helps relieve the stress off my pocketbook, and I do not have to worry about buying everyone a gift.”

Landry McMillan, a junior business administration marketing major, said some people are intimidated to do DIY gifts because they want things to look perfect, which can be frustrating.

“It is worth it because gifts you make are usually not only less expensive but also more sentimental to the person you are giving it to,” she said.

This common predicament can easily be solved with just a little bit of research. Pinterest is a good, reliable source that can even instruct on how to create the present.

“I have done a couple projects off the website, and I am planning on doing more for this Christmas. It is a great way to organize all your ideas and see what other people have done,” McMillan said.

Even if the most perplexing problem about DIY gifts can be solved, just imagine the good that can come out of them for not only the receiver but also for the giver. First of all, people can save money.

“Making gifts definitely helps relieve the stress off my pocketbook, and I do not have to worry about buying everyone a gift,” Kraft said.

DIY gifts can also serve as a remedy to help relieve stress when considering the holiday shopping frenzy, traffic and chaos.

Amanda Gilstrap, a freshman kinesiology major, said shopping stresses her and by making gifts it helps alleviate her stress level.

No matter what a person’s artistic skill level or their specialty is, DIY gifts are a perfectly reasonable, financially responsible and personally fulfilling process that is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face and to wallets everywhere.

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Interested? Addicted? Here are a few examples of interesting DIY gifts that are sure to make someone happy.

You can do this project if … You can color in the lines: Pretty Bird Wall Art (Pictured top far left; borrowed from Blue Cricket Design; http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/08/pretty-bird-wall-art.html) Supplies Needed: Two canvases, permanent marker, printed birds to trace, scissors, paint, wallpaper or vintage pages, glue or mod podge 1. Print off pictures of birds on cardstock or mount the picture on cardstock to make them sturdy.

2. Cut birds out.

3. Glue newspaper pages, scrapbook paper or book pages to the canvases. Make sure to completely cover the canvases.

4. Lay canvases next to each other. Trace tree branches on the paper, then fill in the lines using a permanent marker.

5. Place birds on the canvases and arrange them.

6. Trace the birds, and then color them in using a permanent marker.

7. Add as many details as you please like leaves, etc.

You can glue something to something else: Jeweled Monogram Letter or Word (Pictured top far right; borrowed from Handmade by Ryoan; http://www.etsy.com/listing/78871167/jeweled-monogram-letter-m?ref=v1_other_2) Supplies Needed: Old or broken jewelry, trinkets or knick-knacks, premade wooden letter, glue 1. Arrange decorations on letter.

2. Glue decorations to letter.

You can paint something: Painted Paper Towel Holder/ Bracelet Holder (Pictured top right center; http://pinterest.com/ pin/22518066856434169/) Supplies Needed: Paper towel holder, paint, paint brush 1. Paint a paper towel holder. Hint: Make a bracelet to put on the holder.

You can write and color inside the line: Painted Canvas with a Quote (Pictured top left center; http://pinterest.com/ pin/3096293463408983/) Supplies Needed: Canvas, quote, paint, paintbrush 1. Paint border and background.

2. Write quote with pencil. Make sure it looks good, centered and proportional.

3. Paint in the words.

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LIFE

TUESDAY , DECEMBER 2, 2011

THE REFLECTOR

GUEST COLUMNIST | ASHLYN WATKINS

Become a savvy shopper for this year's holiday season S hopping bags, coupons and crowds, oh my! We all know holiday shopping can be quite stressful.

Every year, we spend countless hours and loads of money on finding that perfect gift for everyone on our list. Some say there is a trick to tackling this holiday shopping beast.

By using online resources, marking your calendar for those post-Thanksgiving sales and doing a little financial planning, you can take on this year’s holiday shopping with ease.

Your first task should be to decide how much money in all you are able or willing to spend. Try and designate a certain amount for each person you want to shop for, so that you can keep a reasonable price range.

From there, try to get an idea of what type of items you want to search for. Another suggestion is to keep your shopping money separate from your everyday spending money to avoid overspending.

When it comes to how you spend, be careful when using

Ashlyn Watkins is a senior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at life@reflector. msstate.edu. credit cards. According to Kiplinger, try to pay with cash, so when you run out of money, you run out. If a credit card is needed, try to receive cash-back rewards and look for low interest rates.

Another option for paying for items is to set them aside on layaway so you can gradually pay off the item with small, consistent payments instead of paying in full.

Kiplinger also suggests having a plan for paying off your bills.

Timing your shopping is a necessity.

Make sure you know when to shop because timing is everything when it comes to the best

ITS ABOUT THAT TIME TO...

deals and bargains.

You can never start searching for that special gift too early, especially when it comes to highdemand products or this year’s must-haves. If possible, get your easy gifts out of the way early.

A key shopping time for deals is two weeks prior to Christmas.

Look out for coupons and codes for extra savings. Websites such as retailmenot.com and currentcodes.com help you find promotion and coupon deals for online retailers and products.

Other websites like savycircle. com, shopstyle.com and shopittome. com help find current or upcoming deals. You can even sign up to receive email notifications when certain items go on sale.

So, take a deep breath and channel your inner shopping guru.

Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but shopping can damper your holiday spirit if you are not prepared.

By applying these simple tips, you can have a stress-free shopping experience. Grab that list and get busy because Christmas is just around the corner!

CAMERON MCMASTER

COURTESY PHOTOS | THE REFLECTOR

WMSV radio station seeks student help for Haiti Saturday

BY JULIA V. PENDLEY Managing Editor

When November and December roll around each year, people are filled with the spirit of giving, and this year, Mississippi State University’s radio station, WMSV-FM 91.1, will be continuing this great American tradition with a Peanut Butter Radiothon this weekend.

Steve Ellis, the station manager, said participants will be collecting both jars of peanut butter and money to go toward the purchase of peanut butter at the State Fountain Bakery Friday from 6 p.m. to

midnight and Saturday from 6 a.m. to midnight.

All peanut butter collected will go to Haiti through Operation Ukraine, an international relief organization located in Columbus. The station’s goal is to collect 8,000 jars of peanut butter.

To promote the event, Aramark will provide free coffee and peanut butter cookies at the bakery throughout the event. Donations will also receive on-air benefits. All donors of $10, or four jars, will receive an on-air “thank you;” donors of $20 will get to record a “shout-out” at the nearby radio studio;

and donors of $30 will be able to play any song and make an on-air dedication.

Groups who donate $300 will receive 30 minutes of airtime in January. For every $1,000 received, Wal mart Stores Inc. will donate a $100 gift card and will also be responsible for transporting all the peanut butter from Starkville to Columbus. The U.S. Air Force will deliver the shipment to Haiti.

The idea to collect peanut butter is based on the fact that two tablespoons of peanut butter provide all the protein nutritionally needed on a daily basis.

SPORTS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

FRIDAY , DECEMBER 2, 2011

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Looking for tickets to the bowl game?

Mississippi State's bowl selection will be announced Sunday evening, but plans for student ticket sales are already in place.

A lottery will be held next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Humphrey Coliseum. Students can enter the building at 6:30 p.m., where they will have their ID scanned and be given a ticket with a number on it.

At 7:30 p.m., the lottery will begin and numbers will be called out in blocks of 50.

All student seating at the bowl game will be reserved, so come to the Hump with the people you plan on sitting with at the game.

The number of tickets available will not be determined until MSU knows which bowl it will be playing in.

Regular tickets can also be purchased through the athletic ticket office at mstateathletics.com.

PIPER REAVES | THE REFLECTOR

COURTESY PHOTO | MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Sharon Fanning-Otis celebrates with her team after reaching the 600-win milestone for her career Wednesday.

Fanning-Otis picks up win No. 600 State improved its record to 6-1 overall and to 5-0 at home this season with the win over the The Mississippi State Lady Lady Jaguars. The Lady BullBulldogs defeated the South dogs now lead the overall series Alabama Lady Jaguars 63-47 9-6 against the Lady Jaguars and Wednesday night at Humphrey have beaten them three straight.

Coliseum to give head coach After getting off to a fast Sharon Fanning-Otis her 600th start scoring within the first 10 career win. seconds of the game, the Lady Fanning-Otis is now part of Bulldogs went scoreless for just an elite group becoming only over five minutes in the first half the 14th NCAA Division I and trailed 7-2. With 14:50 left coach to achieve this mark. Not in the first half, senior forward only did she win her 600th, but Ashley Brown began a 19-0 run she also added to her already all- for State with her only bucket of time leading wins total at Mis- the game. Feeding the ball inside sissippi State that now stands at and offensive rebounds were a 273 wins in 17 seasons as head big part in the run. coach for the “We were reLady Bulldogs. bounding. We Howe ve r, were living in Fa n n i n g - O t i s the paint, which said milestones is something are not what she we’ve been disis most grateful cussing as a for. team as some“Every milething we need stone I think in to do,” Johnson everyone’s career said. is always special, South Alabut what are rebama, in the ally special are meantime, went the young ladies, DIAMBER JOHNSON, nearly 10 minthe coaching SENIOR POINT GUARD utes without a staff, the fans basket during and the people the stretch, fithat have been nally scoring with you through those times,” with 5:46 left in the first half she said. with a layup by junior guard Win number 600 is an out- Mary Nixon to make the score standing accomplishment, but 21-9. coach Fanning-Otis said she reSouth Alabama shot 14.3-peralizes the path does not stop here cent in the first half as State took in order to get where the Bull- a 29-17 lead into the half. It was dogs need and want to be. the lowest percentage allowed by “It’s great, but I’m looking State this season. forward to the next win, and the “We just tried to play hard and next win,” she said. together,” said Fanning-Otis.

Senior point guard Diamber The second half was a more Johnson said she is also aware competitive game. South Alathat each win is important and bama pulled within six points at just as big as another. the 14:19 mark when the score “It’s special, but looking at the was 36-30 after a 3-pointer by bigger picture, it’s a win we need guard Jennifer Johnson. Howevto get to be in good stance at this er, that was as close as the Lady point,” Johnson said.

Jaguars would get. State went on

BY ELLIOTT REES

Contributing Writer

“Itʼs special, but looking at the bigger picture, itʼs a win we need to get to be in a good stance at this point.”

to outscore South Alabama 3430 in the second half.

Although senior guard Diamber Johnson went on to score a team-leading 22 points, they did not come easy as she shot a dismal 6-21 from the field. She felt taking the ball to the hole would remedy the problem.

“My shots weren’t falling, and I don’t like to force shots. I knew I had to get the ball to the bucket,” she said.

Senior center Catina Bett also contributed with 11 points which was her highest point total of the season and crashed the boards for eight rebounds.

However, she said she realizes there is still room for improvement.

“I feel like I’m getting my ‘mojo’ back, but it’s just going to take time and effort to get where I need to be as a player,” Bett said.

Freshman center Martha Alwal also cashed in with seven points and two blocks. She only needs six more blocks to break the freshman singleseason blocks record of 32 set

by LaToya Thomas during the 1999-2000 season.

Next up for MSU is Tulane at the Hump on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs are seeking revenge after losing to the Green Wave last year.

“It’s sort of like the Xavier game in that it’s going to be payback,” Bett said.

Fanning-Otis is positive it is going to take an inspired effort on behalf of the Lady Bulldogs to beat the Lady Green Wave.

“It is a very aggressive, successful basketball team coming back from an NCAA tournament appearance,” she said.

The Lady Bulldogs have a December stretch which includes the Reno-Tahoe Classic in Reno, Nev. leading up to the start of Southeastern Conference play on Jan. 5 against Louisiana State University at home.

Mullen discusses recruiting, PSU rumors

BY RAY BUTLER Staff Writer

After beating in-state rival Ole Miss for the third consecutive year, the Mississippi State football team (6-6) finds itself bowl eligible for the second straight season for the first time in 11 years. The Bulldogs now find themselves in a short rest period before learning their post-season fate.

But while some of the staff and players get to relax and catch their breath, head coach Dan Mullen is busier than ever, traveling to numerous regions and states around the country in hopes of assembling the best recruiting class possible for next season.

“This is the busiest time of the year,” Mullen said. “This is our first opportunity to get on the road, so we’ve got seven guys out beating the path trying to get some great players to come play for us here at Mississippi State.”

But similar to much of Mullen’s three-year tenure at MSU, there is an abundance of speculation of

the coach’s immediate future.

This escalated on Tuesday, when reports surfaced Mullen was the leading candidate to replace Mullen Joe Paterno as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, a team that the head coach grew up cheering for.

When asked about the report, Mullen said he takes it as a compliment to Mississippi State football as a whole.

“I think it’s great for the program,” Mullen said. “I would imagine there are two rumors about you: either rumors that you’re going somewhere or rumors you’re getting fired, so I’ll take the going somewhere rumor.”

When asked if he had been contacted by Penn State or any other school, Mullen denied comment.

“We don’t talk about that,” Mullen said. “We’ll talk about Mississippi State.”

The speculation about Penn State’s coaching vacancy comes less than a year after Mullen’s name was said to be in the mix for both the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators coaching positions, the latter being a school in which Mullen coached before coming to Mississippi State. It was then that MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin and the rest of State’s athletic administration decided to raise Mullen’s yearly salary, a contract extension Mullen said he remains happy with.

“They did a great job (last year), and I’m really pleased,” said Mullen. “The school really stepped up and took care of me, and I know I’m very, very happy with the agreement that we came upon last year.”

Mullen also talked about MSU’s bowl possibilities, and said State’s preparation for its bowl will begin Dec. 9, adding that the first week of practices leading up to the bowl game will be open to the public.

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friday , december 2, 2011

THE REFLECTOR

stat of the day :

103-53 – the combined score, in favor of msu, of the last three egg bowls

saturday special: west virginia vs. msu

8 p.m. sat. espnu

MSU takes on Big East foe West Virginia by ray butler Staff Writer

chris roland | the reflector

THREE IN A ROW

| Mississippi State senior running back Vick Ballard poses with the

Egg Bowl trophy after State’s 31-3 win over Ole Miss on Saturday night. The win marks MSU’s third consecutive Egg Bowl victory and sends the Bulldogs to a bowl game.

Less than a month ago, the Akron Zips marched to Starkville and dominated every facet of their contest with the Mississippi State men’s basketball team, which at the time was only playing in its second game of the 2011-2012 season. The loss left State fans with no choice but to draw parallels to bad, unforeseen losses in past seasons.

MSU, however, has refused to let the upset at the hands of the Zips define its season, and senior point guard Dee Bost went as far as to say the loss helped bring him and his teammates back down to earth. “A lot of teams have their ups and downs, and of course we had ours early (in the season),� said Bost. “We needed that loss, and it helped us change our focus going to New York.�

The change of focus helped the Dogs in New York, where they torched the Texas A&M Aggies and Arizona Wildcats en route to being crowned champion of the 2K Classic benefiting Coaches vs.

Cancer. After the tournament, MSU came back to Starkville and beat three mid-major opponents by an impressive average of over 21 points per contest.

The wins pushed the Dogs’ record to 7-1, which is the best start for State since the 20032004 season. State is now the winner of six straight and is currently ranked 21st in the latest Associated Press poll. The Bulldogs face a Saturday night matchup with the West Virginia Mountaineers as part of the SEC vs. Big East Challenge taking place throughout the two conferences this week.

Under the direction of head coach Bob Huggins, West Virginia is a team that is no stranger to March Madness, having played in the NCAA tournament

eric evans | the reflector

True freshman Rodney Hood, a Meridian native, has drawn praise from head coach Rick Stansbury in State’s non-conference slate.

four consecutive years. The highlight of that impressive run was in the 2009-2010 season, when the Mountaineers advanced all the way to the Final Four before being beaten by Duke.

This season, WVU (4-1) has fallen victim only to Kent State and the Mountaineers rank inside the top 50 in the country in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game and field goal percentage.

Although West Virginia is not currently ranked, MSU head coach Rick Stansbury said it would be foolish to look past the Mountaineers. “The biggest thing to simulate is when they shoot it, their best offense is to try and go get it,�

Prelease your apartment for the spring semester today!

Stansbury said. “Forget the rankings, I promise you West Virginia is one of the better teams in the country.�

To keep WVU off the boards, State will depend on junior forward Arnett Moultrie, who leads the Southeastern Conference with 10.8 rebounds per game.

Besides having talent as a rebounder, Moultrie has also made a huge impact on the MSU basketball team as a scorer. Through eight games, the forward is second on the team with 16 points per game.

MSU’s game against West Virginia will tipoff at 8 p.m.

Saturday evening at Humphrey Coliseum and can be seen on ESPNU.

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