The Print Edition 2-14-2012

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SPORTS | 8

DAY UPSET VALENTINE’S ISSUE DAWGS follow the hearts...

TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Reflector The

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 125TH YEAR | ISSUE 35

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Felony drug charges brought following overdose death BY MICAH GREEN News Editor

According to the Starkville Police Department, a former Mississippi State University student has been charged with four drug related felonies following the accidental overdose death of an MSU student on Feb. 3 in his apartment. Lance A. Kennedy, 20, of #7 Dawg’s Landing, who was enrolled as a freshman kinesiology major last semester, was arrested Feb. 7 on charges of felony possession of marijuana, Xanax, heroin and cocaine. Also seized at the time of Kennedy’s arrest were scales, drug paraphernalia and $700 in cash. He posted $100,000 bond and has been released. He is scheduled to appear in Starkville Municipal Court Thursday at 2 p.m. When asked if Kennedy would receive further charges, SPD Chief David

Lindley said the investigation is ongoing. Teresa Veal, 20, of Madison, Miss. was found dead in the early morning hours of Feb. 4 in Kennedy’s apartment. Toxicology Kennedy reports indicated high levels of heroin and cocaine in Veal’s system. Lindley said the combination is often referred to as a “speedball.” “The stimulant (cocaine) allows you Veal to consume more of the sedative (heroin) than you ordinarily would,” he said. “The end result is this … the stimulant will leave the system, and the heroin can shut down your body.”

Lindley said this is an extreme example of a common situation, and even though heroin is “particularly unheard of ” in Starkville, the same effect can come from more common groupings. Mixing alcohol with energy drinks can produce a similar result, and he said he has seen the consequences all too often. “People pass out at the bar, on the sidewalk, have wrecks in cars or are unable to communicate altogether. Just completely incoherent,” Lindley said. He said that Veal’s parents, despite being devastated by the news, wanted the information surrounding the cause of her death to be made public in order to bring more attention to incidents of this nature. Veal was a senior marketing major and a member of Phi Beta Pi. She graduated from Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill.

COURTESY PHOTOS | STARKVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Photo shows evidence collected at Kennedyʼs Louisville Street residence by the SPD.

Employee relationship policy changes Faculty Senate BY LACI KYLES Staff Writer

Mississippi State University is in the process of implementing a new operating code in the coming months that would outline how amorous relationships between employees are handled. Eddie Keith, associate dean of students, said via email that while MSU already has policies regarding nepotism, sexual harassment and general employee conduct, there is no existing policy on amorous relationships between faculty or staff and students and supervisors and supervisees. “I understand that some colleges and universities have such a policy,” Keith said. “Obviously the concern stems from problems which could develop in unequal relationships (such as) when one party has the power to hold something (such as pay, evaluation, grades, etc.) over another.” Judy Spencer, human resources management director, said since MSU currently does not have a policy on amorous relationships, the draft of the policy is a good move for MSU because it offers guidelines to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. “We want to get ahead of any problems,” she said. “Sometimes you need a policy to maintain smooth operations.” Spencer said one of the motives behind the draft is to make sure each party involved in such a relationship understands he or she is responsible for handling the appearance of the relationship in the correct way. The draft focuses on ensuring involved parties

understand they should take steps to remove a conflict of interest or any appearance that may suggest the relationship could become problematic. “Normal rules would be applied (if the policy is violated) just like any of our policies,” she said. Spencer said the draft will be vetted by the constituency of faculty, staff and students. MSU has a policy that concerns the correct procedure to create a policy. The proposed policy goes through various levels of review and discussion, according to MSU’s operating policy and procedure system. Meghan Millea, faculty senate president, said the policy must be reviewed by the executive committee, then internal audit and general counsel before it goes into effect. The policy could possibly be in place within the next two months. “It’s appropriate for us to have a policy like this, and we just haven’t,” she said. “It’s common for universities. It lays out how people should interact with each other.” Millea said MSU has two different types of policies, academic operating policies and operating policies. The latter is the mechanics of MSU and has to go through a different vetting process than policies regarding academics. “It’s a pretty strong policy,” she said. “It will make sure power differentials are not a problem.” Millea said she agreed with Spencer that one of the main things about this proposed policy is that the appearance of a relationship is proper.

GLANCE . . . . AT A

discusses construction Email system evaluated

There is no existing policy on amorous relationships between faculty or staff.

The new policy offers guidelines to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

The policy ensures that involved pa understand they should take parties steps to remove a conflict of interest. The policy could possibly be in place within the next two months.

BY DUSTIN HAZLETT Contributing Writer

The Robert Holland Faculty Senate meeting on Friday addressed a number of issues future construction concerns. One of the main topics discussed was the new classroom building, which will be built behind the YMCA Building and will be five stories tall. The first two stories will be parking, while the remaining three stories will be classrooms. There will also be a shuttle loop in front of the building to provide students with easy access to the building. Millea Meghan Millea, faculty senate president, discussed this matter in her report. While the planning for this classroom building is still in the early stages, she said it is vital for the classroom building to be suitable for the students and staff. “Right now the classroom building committee is mainly concerned with the floor plan of the building,” Millea said. She also said there will be study space in the building, as well. “The committee is also discussing the overall look of the building ... Plans for the building have been passed along to the provost for consideration,” she said. SEE SENATE, 3

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

love. BY CANDACE BARNETTE Staff Writer Sophie and Abby Stricklin both giggled at first. They had been asked what they thought the meaning of love was, and, despite the color that rushed to their faces revealing an age appropriate innocence, the two girls quickly and matter-of-factly shed light on the matter. Sophie, the 8-year-old and youngest of the two, said she believes love is about the way you treat someone. “I think love means being nice and giving someone something you make,” Sophie said.

“I’ve only ever read about love in books”

Abby, her 11-year-old sister, said she shares a similar opinion on the definition of love. “Love is all about helping one another, really,” Abby said. “You have to be there if they ever need anything.” We all know the cliches. A young boy picks a dandelion for the girl next door. Then there is the first time he reaches across the truck to hold her hand and steal a kiss; wedding bells in early spring; welcoming a new baby into the family; an elderly couple strolling through the park. Each stage finds new experiences and, with that, new perspectives.

SEE LOVE, 2

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

READERʼS GUIDE CAMPUS CALENDAR..................2 BAD DAWGS..............................3 OPINION...............................4 CONTACT INFO......................4

CROSSWORD.............................5 CLASSIFIEDS..........................5 LIFE.....................................6 SPORTS................................10

POLICY

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