SPORTS | 7
DAWGS MAKE HOME DEBUT
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What is happening to OPINION | 4
Reflector The
FEBRUARY 17, 2012
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 125TH YEAR | ISSUE 36
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Writing Center serves, edits MSU students
SA Executive candidates square off in debate
Offers students help, suggestions
Students hear positions, platforms
BY LINDSAY MCMURTRAY Staff Writer
The Mississippi State University Writing Center, a free service with three locations on campus, is available to assist all MSU students, faculty and staff with any concerns they have while completing a writing assignment. English lecturer Chelsea Henshaw said the Writing Center is available for any assignment that involves writing, not just for those in English courses. “We can help with any writing that pertains to a student’s academic or professional goals,” she said. “I’ve worked with students ranging from freshmen with English composition papers to a graduate student composing a thank you letter to his professor who wrote his recommendation letters.” English teaching assistant and Writing Center tutor Lisa Fulgham said the tutors in the center can help clients with any stage of the writing process. “We can guide students as they formulate paper ideas, create a thesis, revise paper drafts and edit,” she said. Henshaw said she thinks it is important for students to know the Writing Center is for improving a student’s writing skill, not to have an essay proofread. “A student cannot simply drop off a paper to be edited,” she said. “A typical Writing Center session involves the client and tutor discussing the paper through elements of rhetoric and composition.” She said many people do not realize that the Writing Center staff is not comprised of peer tutors like many universities, but all 23 tutors have been trained by the English department to work with students.
BY MICAH GREEN News Editor
Bulldog pitchers setting lofty goals
COURTESY PHOTO | MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
MSU squares off with Washington State to start season BY MATT TYLER Staff Writer
the program and amongst Bulldog fans. The primary reason for the increased expectations is a pitching staff that returns almost every contributor from uring Mississippi State Unilast season. A lack of pitching depth versity head baseball coach has been the program’s Achilles’ heel John Cohen’s first three years on the job, only one thing was a given for the better part of a decade, and entering each season: the Bulldogs were it appears as if this may finally have ceased to be the case. projected to struggle. In year four, this is no longer the case. MSU pitching coach Butch Thompson thinks returning a veteran pitching Coming off a successful 2011 camstaff certainly makes things easier on paign which saw the Bulldogs win the the coaches, but he cautions against Atlanta Regional and come within a overhyping a group that was statisticalfew outs of knocking off eventual national runner-up Florida in a Super Re- ly the ninth-best group in the Southgional, expectations have risen around eastern Conference.
D
SEE
SEE WRITING, 3
director of external events, an appointed cabinet position, plan the majority of Staff Writer Bulldog Bash, including the process of During a special session Wednesday, securing sponsors and entertainment. the Mississippi State University Student The failure to override the veto ensures Association senate failed to override a this procedure will remain in place for the presidential veto regarding the creation of upcoming year. SA president Rhett Hobart, who vean ad hoc committee to make decisions toed the resolution on Feb. 8, said in his related to the 2012 Bulldog Bash. notice of veto that he did For the first time in not support the comnearly a decade, the mittee because he feels it SA senate petitioned is important for the SA for a special session in president and director of an attempt to overexternal events to have ride the presidential the ability to make the veto. For a veto overdecisions related to the ride to occur, a twoannual concert. thirds majority of the Many SA senators total senate members, said they felt strongly or 32 votes, in favor about the creation of of the override was the ad hoc committee in necessary. order to uphold the high The proposed veto standard MSU students override failed to HUDSON FREY, expect from Bulldog meet the two-third Bash. majority with only SA SENATOR SA senator Hudson 27 votes in favor of the override, three votes against it and Frey said he felt the committee was prothree senators abstaining from the vote. posed to help begin the planning process for Bulldog Bash during the transition Not all senators were present. According to SA senator Courtney between the current and future executive Harris, Resolution 29 would create an ad committee and cabinet members. hoc committee of seven members from “I think we are just making sure that the Student Association to begin the pre- during this transition period before those planning steps of this year’s Bulldog Bash new members take their role that deciprior to the new SA president and cabinet sions will be made with equal opportumembers taking office in March. nity given to everybody,” Frey said during Traditionally, the SA president and the the session. BY LINDSAY MCMURTRAY
“I think we are just making sure that ... decisions will be made with equal opportunity given to everybody.”
SEE SENATE, 2
READERʼS GUIDE CAMPUS CALENDAR...................2 BAD DAWGS..............................3 OPINION ...............................4 CONTACT INFO...................... 4
POLICY LIFE.............................. ........6 CROSSWORD...............................5 CLASSIFIEDS.......................... 5 SPORTS....................................8
BASEBALL, 7
SEE DEBATE, 3
Hamilton remembered, treasured
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
SA Senate fails to override veto
Candidates for Mississippi State University’s Student Association Executive Council were given the opportunity to expound on platforms and present ideas Wednesday night during a debate in McCool Hall’s Rogers Auditorium. The two candidates for president, Shelby Balius and Morgan McDowell, both addressed the need for improvement in several areas in Student Association and at MSU. Balius, senior management major, said better transparency in SA and the increased use of the SA’s public relations resources is key to showing students the impact the group can have. “Having a press secretary as one of the appointments, as opposed to the structure that we have now, I feel would channel the resources we have better,” she said. McDowell, junior marketing major, went outside SA and pointed to the Sanderson Center as one of the places needing the most improvement at MSU, especially with the growing enrollment. “Every time you go to the Sanderson Center to work out it’s always packed,” he said. “The Sanderson Center definitely needs to be enlarged, and we need to get some new equipment in there.” McDowell also stressed the importance of the revitalization of the Difference of One campaign, a website that helps students find the right on-campus organization for them.
Film festival continues BY LIZZIE SMITH Contributing Writer
The Magnolia Independent Film Festival continues until Saturday at State Theatre showing a variety of short films from Mississippi to international filmmakers. Ron Tibbett made his own film and upon having no way for people to see it, decided to start his own film festival in 1997, making it the oldest in Mississippi. The festival is known for its Southern hospitality separating it from other film festivals. Each filmmaker, once selected, is invited to stay in Starkville for free. The filmmakers will stay in Hotel Chester and will visit downtown restaurants. Head director Glen Bryant wanted to use the State Theatre because of its location. “It (is) reminiscent of the old movie theater. It has character and plus it has a bar,” Bryant said. Last year, the festival averaged 170 people per night. This year they’re expecting at least 200
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to show up. Previously, the films shown have been from filmmakers from Czech Republic and Germany, as well as from many places around Mississippi such as West Point, Clarksdale and Tupelo. When speaking about the festival, head director Glen Bryant said everyone involved in hosting the event are film lovers. “We want to help advance Mississippi filmmaking,” he said. Bryant said none of them dabble in their own filmmaking. Upon selecting which films make it into the festival, they just go with age-old question: Would we want to watch this film? They make sure that everyone watching would appreciate the movie itself and that the content is appropriate for the Starkville community. Bryant and his assistant director, Elaine Peterson, said that all involved are great films but some of their personal favorites include: “Zombie Pickles from Space” and “Illumination”. SEE FILM, 3
FRIDAY
Partly Cloudy
MSU employee died Monday BY MEGAN MCKEOWN News Editor
A black wreath now hangs on the office door of a deceased Mississippi State University employee. Deborah Hamilton was 53 when she passed away in a car accident Monday afternoon. Greg Merchant, Lowndes County Coroner, said she was pronounced dead on the scene. “She was driving her vehicle and exited off of Highway 82. (She) was crossing the southbound lane (of Highway 45 Alternate) when she was struck on the driver’s side,” he said. Merchant said Hamilton’s daughter, Temeria Poe, was with her in the accident and sustained serious injuries. He said the entire family was devastated by the tragedy. Mike Harris, director of parking operations and Deborah’s friend, said she was the manager of laundry operations in the Roberts Building next to Parking Services. He summed up how her coworkers were handling the news with a few words. “They’re shocked. Absolutely shocked,” he said. Harris said he spoke with Deborah before she left on the day of the accident.
SEE HAMILTON, 2
SUNDAY
SATURDAY HIGH
64 45 LOW
Rainy
HIGH
58 38 LOW
Sunny
HIGH
54 31 LOW
NEWS
Calendar 2
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FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 17, 2012
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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.
THE REFLECTOR
HAMILTON “I’ve known her for 14 years, and she’s been with the university for 22,” Harris said. “She was basically my right arm when it comes to our operations over here. She’s just a very close and dear friend.” He said losing her is a loss for the entire MSU family. “I don’t think people understand we spend more time with our work family than our biological family. We’ve all been together for a long time, and it’s like losing a sister for me,” Harris said. He said several people came by her former work place on Tuesday to express their condolences and grieve with friends and co-workers. Heather Enas, Deborah’s coworker, said she was a strong leader and a very outgoing person. Coworkers Penny Blair, Tomara Scales and Enas all agreed she was the life of the party. “I just feel like she gave each and every one of us a chance to better our lives at Mississippi State, and she didn’t have to,” Enas said. “(Deborah) gave all of us our jobs. We really miss her.” Juanita (Niecy) Minor, Deborah’s cousin and coworker, said Deborah’s job at the laundry was her life, and she rarely took vacations. “She loved this job,” she said.
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MSU LAUNDRY | COURTESY PHOTO
During a visit from the Aiken Village Preschool, Deborah Hamilton (far left), shows the children how to operate the flat iron at the MSU laundry.
“This was her sanctuary. She would get here every morning at six on the dot and leave at 3:30.” Minor said a plaque would be hung on her office door to commemorate her time at MSU. “I don’t care how many people they put in that office; that will always be Deborah’s office,” she said. Sheila Blakely, Deborah’s younger sister, said when her sister laughed, it could be heard throughout the laundry. “She was very strong-willed (and) easy going,” she said. “She was one of those people that
SENATE
when you met her, you had a friend.” Blakely said Deborah had a love for her entire family and loved watching her grandson play baseball. At the time of her passing, Deborah attended Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Starkville. “She loved the Lord, and no matter what people thought about her, she loved people and she loved life,” Minor said. Blakely said since Deborah’s daughter is still in the hospital from the accident, funeral arrangements have not yet been made.
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SA senator Sara Vance said during the session she was in favor of the veto override because of a month delay in executive council elections and cabinet appointments. She said she hoped the committee would start the planning process early to secure the best sponsors and acts for the event. Some SA senators opposed overriding the veto, including SA senator Julianne Frost, who said she thinks the way decisions have been made in the past has been successful and does not wish to change it. “In the past few years the way that Bulldog Bash has been run – it’s obviously worked so I’m going to say that I completely agree with President Hobart’s veto,” she said
during the session. “I think that the power should lie within the directors that are appointed.” SA Vice President Halston Hales said he thought the special session went well regardless of the outcome because many senate members learned about the powers and duties of the SA at MSU. “It was an interesting display of authority at both the legislative and executive levels,” he said. “Just the fact that the senate was trying to override a veto has not been done since I have been here.” Hobart, who has created the ad hoc committee in an advisory form, said he respects the SA senators for calling a session to discuss a possible veto override. “It is a testament to the passion
each of these senators has for MSU as they called this special session to further discuss Resolution 29,” he said. “It is essential to have senate involvement in all parts of the SA, so I appreciate all of their hard work.” ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
PHI MU Would Like to Invite:
Skiler Hays Paul Thompson Kyle Fortenberry Colby Roberts Fletcher Battles Nic James Jake Johnson John Ford Ryan Callahan Kirby Keith Drew Jackson Garrett Quinn Mitchell Lindsey Taylor Nowell Alex Albritton Andrew Blaine Ethan McKee Rudy Watkins Zach Webb Fletcher Johnson Tyler Lumley Adam Stalnaker Brandon Briggs Kip Clark Will Clarke Chris Haynes Will Appleby Jeffrey Thomas Gabriel Bouldien Rustin Gaines Philip Anthony Jonathan Papania Ruben Burke Kurt SchneiderZach Carter Logan Adcock Lyon Brown Colton Brown Hunter Farrior
Forrest Merrill Nick Leber Caleb Reed Colton Schmidt Blane Sellers Kyle Little Dustin Smith Colin Conway Brandon Maddox Adam Wade Brooks Heyman Reid Heckel Clayton Mangum Charles Capdepon Arrington Rhett Zach Puckett Austin Lane Derek Buck Caleb Williams Hamilton Lunsford Luke Stanley Jeremy Hill Jason King Parker Hurst William White Beck Scholtes Will Knight Austin Terry Nicholas Schoenbachler Jonathan Hodges Josh Hancock Patrick Bierdeman Alan Hayes Skye Jones Mark Longworth Dallas Hannah
Caleb Hardman Zach Reynolds Forrest Floyd Gardner Richey Adam Box Nick O’Donnell Dave Storment Will McBeath Beau Burns Devon Rose Trey Koury Cody Carpenter Percy Olsen Rich Jayroe Camp Pittman Stephen Rogers Evan Browning Park Wynn Dustin Williams Tyler Fannin Kyle Warren David Miller John Doug Allen Zach Scott Kell Sneed Michael Hogan Christian Hartman Tanner Wilson Kyle Carpenter Brad Edmondson Drew Hutchins Andrew Rodgers Tyler Patterson Michael Helmbrecht Cameron Cobb Jamison Powell
To Their Annual Crush Party
The Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach Henry Meyer Media Center, Mississippi State, MS 662-325-2090
MEN’S MARCH TO END SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE
MONDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2012 4:00– 6:00 P.M. AT THE JUNCTION “This project was supported by grant No. 2010-WA-AX-0002 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in the publication are those of Relationship Violence & Outreach and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.”
NEWS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
FILM Glenn Payne is a 2006 Mississippi State University graduate and will appear in “Gypsy Heart,� “Illumination� and “The Fall of Henry,� which he also directed. “As an actor, you always hope you’re giving the director what they need to make any given scene work out as they had planned,� he said. “It’s always fun to work with different sets of casts and crews, and I personally enjoy watching other directors work because it helps me analyze my own choices as a director on my films.� Payne said he credits his comedic training as preparation for the roles. He is a member of improvised comedy troupe, The West of Shake Rag in Tupelo. “I was extremely blessed to be cast in as many films as I was last year, and I thank everyone very much for the opportunity. I just hope people at the festivals don’t get sick of looking at me.� The schedule for each night is available at magfilmfest.com. More information can be found on the festival’s Facebook page and by following its Twitter account @magfilmfest.
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 17, 2012
Saturday Afternoon February 18th, 2 p.m.
Saturday Evening February 18th, 7 p.m.
1. Illumination 2. The Couch Detectives 3. THE BEST DAY 4. When Walt Whitman Was a Little Girl 5. Sub Rosa 6. Oh, my god 7. Bad Fever
1. Gypsy Heart 2. Another Dress Another Button 3. The Jesus Picture 4. Humble Pie 5. MIJO 6. Carta a Julia 7. Zombie Pickles from Space 8. Pisces of an Unconscious Mind 9. Dancing with the Trees
1. MickelĘźs Pickle 2. El Resultado 3. Piece of Cake 4. Bitter Shoes 5. The Fall of Henry 6. Close-Up
DEBATE “This is a great way for stuBarnett cited Texas A&M’s dents to get involved and re- student senate when he discussed ally helps you find your place on what he said he sees as a lack of campus,� McDowell said. proficiency in MSU’s SA Senate. Balius agreed with McDowell He excluded the last couple of on the importance of promoting years, saying the senate has bethe Difference of One campaign gun to pass real legislation that but said this was a small respon- actually matters to students, but sibility for the SA president. She he said he wants to increase this said more focus should be put on number. the relationship SA has with uni“It’s great to say versity administrators. thank you to people “Things that need to be acwho come and complished at the universpeak at senate, sity can be taken care of but, as the stuvery quickly if the lines dent body senof communication ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR ate, it is your between the students, job to make faculty and administrators are impactful changes,� Barnett said. clear,� she said. Wynn agreed with Barnett’s McDowell and Balius empha- stance on bringing more imporsized ensuring MSU’s student tant legislation in front of the body voice is heard not only on senate but proposed a different campus but at the Mississippi solution. He said he wants to Capitol as well. With budget cuts increase the communication beinevitable, both candidates want tween the SA Senate and the facto keep students on the mind of ulty as a whole. the legislators. “I’d like to increase the numFor the SA vice president posi- ber of meetings with the Faculty tion, Park Wynn and Gavin Bar- Senate from once a year to once nett debated plans to strengthen every two months,� Wynn said. the SA Senate and discussed the Shelby Sims, unopposed SA benefits of having a Faculty Sen- secretary candidate, presented ate and staff council. her ideas for the upcoming year
Sunday, February 12
and laid out her platform. She addressed the needs for SA in three points: communication, transparency and organization. Sims said her ultimate goal is to ensure that students are more aware of the SA’s position and power. SA attorney general candidates Rob Franklin and Donnie Banerjee were asked to explain their plans for the SA constitution. Both candidates accentuated constitutional adherence regardless of the changes made, but both had different focal points. Franklin said he would focus on publicizing the constitution and make sure more student organizations utilize it. Banerjee said he wants to focus on clarifying certain sections and articles in the constitution that are vague. Blake Shepherd and Larry March, candidates for treasurer, answered questions regarding MSU’s budget. Shepherd emphasized transparency, while March stressed budget submissions by student organizations. Elections will be held Tuesday Feb. 28.
DAWGS
• 8:52 a.m. A student was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident in Starkville.
Tuesday, February 14
• 10:46 a.m. A student was arrested off campus for petit larceny. CORRECTION: In Tuesday’s edition of The Reflector, the article “Felony drug charges brought following overdose deathâ€? said Teresa Veal was a member of Phi Beta Pi. She is actually a member of Pi Beta Phi. The Reflector regrets this error.
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
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3
BAD
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Friday February 17th, 7 p.m.
|
WRITING
continued from 1
“Every tutor is either a teacher in the English department or a graduate teaching assistant who has taken a Writing Center tutoring course at MSU,� Henshaw said. Director of the Writing Center Sarah Sneed said beginning in this year’s summer sessions, students will find the main Writing Center location in the Harpole house, a white house adjacent to Allen Hall, while Lee Hall undergoes renovations. In addition to the Writing Center’s main location in Lee 200, the center has recently expanded to include a location in the Templeton building near Humphrey Coliseum and a mobile Writing Center located in the Colvard Student Union. English lecturer Dan White said he thinks the addition of the Templeton location during the lunch hours for the Real Food on Campus dining room will help the writing center become accessible to more students. Fulgham said the mobile writing center, located
across from the Dawghouse in the union, is a resource for students with small questions or no writing center appointment. “It is perfect for the busy student. One can receive help on a paper and pick up some Panda Express at the same time,� she said. Henshaw said unlike the other locations, sessions with a mobile writing center tutor typically last less than 15 minutes. Since students cannot schedule appointments for the mobile center, it runs on a drop-in policy and is more relaxed than the other locations. “Students can use the mobile unit to its full potential by actually stopping by with any question they have. Even if a student stops by the mobile (Writing Center) for just five minutes before dinner, we can help him or her be a more successful writer,� she said White said there is also an online writing center available to distance learning students, but the department hopes to expand the online services to all students in the future.
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OPINION |
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK | HANNAH ROGERS
THE REFLECTOR
NATHAN bAcKES
Sex, drugs, affect MSU students, need discussion
W
hat the heck is happening to The Reflector? In the past few months, I have received multiple letters to the editor (and tweets, posts and other comments) asking why the newspaper has chosen to publish certain articles. For the most part, these articles have focused on sex and drugs — basically, controversial subjects. But our intent is not to simply publish articles on certain issues to gain attention. We simply believe these topics concern the student body and therefore deserve discussion. In agreeing to publish a sex column, the staff sought to start a dialogue with our readers. Yes, we publish a regular column from one person with an opinion. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear from you. Whether you agree or disagree, if you have a response to the column that you want to run in the paper, please send it to us. The opinion section doesn’t belong to the members of The Reflector staff — it belongs to every reader we have. We want to write columns and stories that deal with issues that matter. Sex matters — whether you’re having it or not. Relationships matter. In college, a lot of people have new experiences that include love and dating. It just makes sense for The Reflector to acknowledge that aspect of student life. Of course, we don’t want to cross the line from being honest to inappropriate. I understand why some of you have concerns about the content being published. And, on the staff’s part, a lot of thought and effort goes into making decisions about what to run in those columns. We do our best to act ethically and make the right choice to protect the integrity of The Reflector. And let me reiterate that publishing other viewpoints is always important. We are here to report the news — the good and the bad. When we ran articles on reparation therapy, mental health and drug trends, we chose to do so because these are issues that we felt needed attention. As journalists, part of our goal in publishing The Reflector is to give voices to minority groups and highlight topics that affect the community. Just because a topic is uncomfortable or “controversial” doesn’t mean we should ignore it. Reparation therapy is something that has remained under the radar but has affected specific people
Hannah Rogers is the editor in chief of The Reflector. She can be contacted at editor@reflector. msstate.edu. profoundly and — in many cases — traumatically. Mental illness diagnoses of college students are rising. Illegal drugs can lead to arrests, tragedies and harmful side effects. Adderall has been abused by students in order to increase or maintain GPAs. Our readers deserve to gain information about these topics so they can be informed and find somewhere to seek help if they need it. The Reflector should be a resource. We try to handle these subjects with sensitivity. We do everything in our power to do something that will be a service rather than a way to get cheap attention, but we will write about these subjects. The Reflector is here to inform. We are journalists, not public relations writers. We aren’t trying to cause trouble. We are just seeking the truth. We want to highlight the best Mississippi State, Starkville and the surrounding community have to offer. Doing the Paying it Forward issue last Friday was something I am proud of — the staff worked extremely hard to publish articles that highlighted people and organizations who make our community a better place. We want to continue to publish those articles. Essentially, we are the student newspaper and will continue to make sure to focus on everyday topics that matter to Mississippi State. But we also want to tackle topics that are below the surface. We want to dig for stories that matter. In order to serve you better, the readers, let us know what topics you want to see in The Reflector. Give us feedback. I am willing to listen and receive critiques.The newspaper isn’t about the editorial board; it’s about the readers. So communicate with us. We write for you. The Reflector has always been here to serve its readership. Let us know how to do it, and we will do our best to accurately cover our community.
“We are here to report the news — the good and the bad.”
Reflector The
Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers Managing Editor Julia Pendley
Chief Designer Zack Orsborn
Multimedia Editor Eric Evans
News Editor Micah Green News Editor Megan McKeown
Sports Editor James Carskadon
Life Editor Kaitlin Mullins
Opinion Editor Wendy Morell
Copy Editor Kaitlyn Byrne
Photography Editor Jay Johnson
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/Jay Johnson 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Emily Moak 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu
CORRECTIONS
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.
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.
gettINg Off the recOrd | RAcHEl pERKINS
Rebounds create sticky situations
I
’ve never played basketball. I’ve only watched Mississippi State play basketball once (I’m sorry! It’s so squeaky!). I never learned the rules of basketball in grade school because I used to fake sick during gym classes involving team sports (I was angsty, okay?). I don’t really know anything about the rules, but I know there is an orange ball and two hoops and the goal is to get the orange ball in the hoop more times than the other team does. There is one basketball term I am all too familiar with though, and you might be too. I’m talking about the rebound. From what I’ve gathered in my extensive basketball research for this article (I watched “Like Mike” and the “Scooby Doo” episode with the Harlem Globetrotters), a rebound is when one really tall person gets the ball after another really tall person missed the basket. Then they do something with it. I’m not sure. Something about defense? Whatever. I don’t write for the sports section. In relationship world (a very scary place only recently discovered by NASA to be inhabitable), rebounds are something very different. A rebound in relationship world is the first person you get with after a breakup. Okay, I just remembered this is 2012 and I have the Internet. Time to learn stuff I will forget by tomorrow! I just looked it up, and there are two types of rebounds in basketball, according to Wikipedia. In relationship world, there are four types of rebounds. The first type of rebound is known as the “Emotional Rebound.” This one’s a doozy. In an emotional rebound, you’re feeling a lot of pain. Somewhere between the cookie dough and the “Dirty Dancing,” you find someone to hook up with. Now, read this carefully because I don’t
Rachel Perkins is a senior majoring in English. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. know if you’ll get to see me write this again: DO NOT HAVE SEX. In your volatile state, you’re in no condition to be swapping any sort of bodily fluids because, trust me, all you’re going to end up adding to this equation is tears. Have you ever cried during sex? It’s really weird and it’s a total boner kill. Plus, if you get it on with someone before you’re emotionally ready, chances are you’re going to develop this weird clingy thing and you’re just going to hate
already, I feel confident in my ability to lead you through this journey of drunken recovery. Alcohol can be awesome. Drinking is a fun way to alleviate yourself of those troublesome inhibitions and finally realize your dreams of becoming the world’s best poplock-and-dropper! After a breakup, though, try and limit yourself. If not, risk waking up somewhere weird and the inevitable walk of shame. (Though I prefer to call it “The Stride of Pride” or “The Swag Saunter.”) Plus, when you’re slizzard, you’re much less likely to use protection. Just yesterday you didn’t even know this person and now you could be having a child with them! Bad news, dudes. Sober up or just get drunk with a bunch of people who aren’t sexually attracted to your gender! Bam! Positive life choices. The third type of rebound is the “Low
jay johnson | the reflector
it, but you won’t be able to stop yourself! To avoid the emotional rebound, make sure you’re dealing with your feelings properly. Watch the Jim and Pam wedding episode of “The Office” and cry it out. You’ll be better soon. The second type of rebound is the “Drunk Rebound.” While probably the most common type of rebound, this is also the most deadly. Sometimes in life, tequila tells you to do things. You probably shouldn’t listen to tequila, though, trust me. The goal of any breakup should be to avoid doing anything that will land you in either the hospital or jail. Having been guilty of both of those things
Blow Rebound.” This is when you sleep with your ex’s best friend. Just don’t do this. On that note, if your best friend breaks up with someone, don’t sleep with that person. Come on, folks. This is why we created those “Bro Codes” and “Woman Laws,” and this is also why we created this thing called “Being a Decent Human Being.” If you find yourself in this situation, try to handle it honestly and carefully. Or leave town. Mexico’s nice this time of year. The last type of rebound is the “Auto Rebound.” This one’s especially dangerous territory. An auto rebound is when you hookup with your ex again. This can go
one of two ways. The first way plays like a romantic comedy. You wake up in each other’s arms, and silently stare into each other’s eyes before you both, in tandem, silently whisper “I’m sorry.” Then you laugh wildly, go at it again, make some sandwiches, and the scene ends as you both dance off into the sunset to some Counting Crows song. The second, and more likely, route plays like this. One of you wakes up first with the taste of rum and regret in your mouth. You’ll be forced to engage in some sort of discussion about, “So what does this mean? Where are we? What are we?” If you can make it through that without vomiting, you’ll have a decision to make. Maybe the two of you will try and make it work again. You’ll keep hooking up in this weird alternate universe of stale feelings and hollow sex. Eventually, you’ll start to bother each other again. Feelings will creep in and you’ll remember why you broke up in the first place. Either that or you’ll actually make it work and maybe you’ll get married and have kids and live happily ever after in Disney World, and you’ll live forever. But let’s be real. Only I get that future. The moral of the story is rebounds are pretty much bad news. Having been both the rebound and the rebounder, either way you’re in for some icky emotions. After a breakup, take some time off. You’ll know when you’re over someone and ready to get under someone else, but in the meantime, don’t hurt yourself or another person. When you’re ready, it will be a slam dunk! Maybe. I still don’t really know how to use these basketball metaphors, but you know what I mean. Touchdown!
letter tO the edItOr | jOSH TucKER
Student athletes seen in new light O
ne thing that makes me unique as a student at Mississippi State is that I am a chemical engineer and also a student athlete. Before I say anything, it should be known that I have a 3.97 GPA that I have had to work very, very hard for, so my academic career has been no cake walk. But I know a lot of people think student athletes are babied, selfish and lazy, especially when they have every leg up in college. There is a big stereotype that student athletes have it easier than other students. And before I say we don’t, I must admit there are many advantages.
We get free tutoring, free printing, financial aid and advisers to look out for us. For most of us, we have people buy all our books and put them in a box for us every semester so we don’t have to worry about it. We even have attendance checks for classes to make sure none of us skip class for which there is oftentimes severe consequences when we do. But, there are major commitments many students are unaware of. As a senior in chemical engineering, I spend roughly four to
“Don’t get me wrong, college athletics have been one of the best experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything... but the next time you see me walking across the drill field, know my life isn’t as easy as you might think.”
Yes, they charge too much
Do you think MSU parking tickets are overpriced?
12
Total number of votes: 63
45 No, they have to charge enough to deter people from breaking parking rules 6 I don't know how much they cost zack orsborn | the reflector
five hours a day doing homework, studying and preparing for the next class. This is not special by any means as I know plenty of students who do the same. But I also spend at least four hours a day involved with athletics in some way. That means I have 20 hours a week less than other engineers to get the same amount of work done. I don’t get to turn in less homework or shorter papers just because I’m an athlete; I just have to take it out of my free time. Then there is the athletic season and all of the traveling. I will miss just about every Friday and every other Thursday due to meets in the spring semester. And I’m not even good enough to go to the three big week-long meets. Everyone knows how hard college is, especially when you skip classes. Now skip every Friday for an entire semester. And many of us miss more than that. Then there are injuries and fatigue from practice. It is hard enough to get up the gumption to do home-
work on a Tuesday when you have been to four classes already; it is even more difficult when you just got through with a grueling three hour practice with another hour of rehab on top of that. Now imagine the unthinkable happens and you tear an ACL and have to crutch around for two months or you tear your Tommy-John and can’t bend your elbow for three. Dealing with the pain and hours of rehab every day and still having to limp to class without ever missing a beat, it’s what’s expected. Don’t get me wrong; college athletics has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have been to almost every SEC school and many colleges in other conferences, as well. I have met amazing athletes and seen wonderful feats of athleticism including national and world records. But the next time you see me walking across the Drill Field, know that my life isn’t as easy as you might think.
XYes, I believe my vote matters. you going to vote in X No, my vote doesn’t matter. Are the upcoming SA elections? X No, I don’t care. Vote online at reflector-online.com.
zack orsborn | the reflector
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 17 , 2012 | 5
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AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
Across 1 Payment option 5 The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage is one 9 Detergent target 13 Peek-__ 14 One-named singer of “Rolling in the Deep� 15 Creepy lake? 16 Joint Chevrolet/Kia vacation package? 19 Burns rubber 20 Sources of inspiration 21 Spy novelist Deighton 22 Pres. before RWR 23 Joint GMC/Hyundai vacation package? 32 Sheepshank, e.g. 33 Cleveland’s Quicken Loans __ 34 Blend 35 Elihu for whom an Ivy is named 36 Took the wheel 37 Colada fruit 38 Sidewall letters 39 Glistened 40 Feature of American paneling, but not British? 41 Joint Ford/Chrysler vacation package? 45 Chap 46 ICU workers 47 Two-time loser to Ike 50 Sought at auction 56 Joint Dodge/Toyota vacation package? 58 Clock radio letters 59 Colleague of Thomas 60 Pale-green moth 61 Homer’s tavern 62 Legendary Brazilian footballer 63 Celtic land Down 1 Cleveland cagers 2 Contribute to, as a crime 3 Sound measure 4 Portable cooker 5 Site of an early exile 6 Space exploration org. 7 It’s hatched 8 Ja or da, stateside 9 Take off, as a discount 10 Malleable metal
11 Thieves’ group 12 Earl Grey et al. 14 Rice-__ 17 App downloader 18 Colleague of Clarence 22 Dick’s partner 23 Internet telephony provider 24 Jawbone of __: Samson’s weapon 25 Type of acid found in veggies 26 Mystic’s medium 27 Home to Maine’s Black Bears 28 Lowest card in klaberjass 29 Essential acid 30 Of a higher quality 31 Praise 36 Played, but not in the field, briefly 37 Ice cream truck offering 39 1992 Summer Olympics country 42 Roosters, at times 43 Lyre-playing Muse
OCTOPUZZLE Solutions for 2-10-11
Due to space, Octopuzzle will not be in this issue of The Reflector. The puzzle will reappear as space allows.
2-17-12 Solutions for 2-14-12
44 Ladies’ court gp. 47 Stuck, after “in� 48 Major-__ 49 Rapper __ Fiasco 50 Pulitzer-winning WWII journalist 51 $150 Monopoly
prop. 52 Carry 53 Gloomy 54 Present opening? 55 Asian flatbread 57 “The Purloined Letter� monogram
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FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 17, 2012
BY TYLER RUSSELL Staff Writer
Among the ubiquitous small town cover bands, the classic rockinspired bands and the open-mic singer-songwriters, the local band The Cicadas is a welcome noise. The largely instrumental trio is characterized by cacophony, a technical precision rarely found in rock music and music that would make grandmothers cover their ears. Michael Wilkerson, guitarist for The Cicadas, said he has been pleasantly surprised with the positive response from local folks to The Cicadas. “When we first started playing music at the Princess (in Columbus), we didn’t really know how people would take it,” he said. On any given Friday night in Starkville, art rock is about the last genre of music one would expect to hear, but The Cicadas have been largely successful at its shows around town. “It means a lot to us,” Wilkerson said when discussing the positive feedback from the community. The Cicadas’ drummer, Kyle Walker said its music is self-consciously provocative and is meant to stir something in the listener. “I would rather it be loved or be hated; I don’t care for the in between,” he said. The music itself resembles the
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extremes Walker hopes it evinces, often swaying from the brash to the beautiful, from the melodic to the discordant. “This is music meant to throw you off guard,” he said. The band lists a vast array of music that has inspired it, from symphonic to old soul music, from the esoteric and abrasive to the intimate and even the inanimate. “For me personally, I want to take everything in. I want to take in old soul, abrasive instruments and jazz, but I also find inspiration in anything with a rhythm, in people that I see eye-to-eye with, in art,” Walker said. She said even the sound of a UPS truck backing up at the warehouse he works at can influence the creative process. Ben Hodge, the bassist and newest member of The Cicadas, said although he has just recently joined the group, it seems like Wilkerson and Walker have a unique writing process. “I’ve mostly been catching up, learning their songs, but their songwriting seems to be very collaborative. The songs seem like they are continually evolving,” he said. Hodge, who is also a member of local bands Poacher and Mortar Kit, said his other bands often played with The Cicadas when it was just Wilkerson and Walker in the band. “I’ve seen them play a lot, and I was really excited and a little intimidated when they asked me to join the band,” he said. Hodge said he was a little apprehensive about adding bass
The Cicadas create buzz around Starkville
COURTESY PHOTO | THE CICADAS
A mostly instrumental local band, The Cicadas, has shared its interesting art-rock style of music on several stages in Starkville.
to The Cicadas’ sound, but he now thinks the bass can add another dimension to the music. “What they do is already really good and really progressive,” he said. “If we’re adding bass to the mix, I want every song to be better with bass. Also, it can play as another counter-melody to the guitar and the drums.” Although The Cicadas have not yet recorded any music, they plan to keep playing around the area and are making plans to record their music in the future. When asked about the origin of their band name, Kyle Walker told an anecdote about a wayward cicada running into a wall
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while they were trying to think of a band name. “Cicadas are so abrasive and scary when they get in your house,” Walker said, drawing parallels between the actual
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insect and the band. He went on to say a band name really means nothing if the band isn’t any good. “After all, The Beatles, the greatest band in the world, are
only named after a lowly bug,” he said. The Cicadas are playing at the Del Rendon Music Show at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern on March 3.
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ian prester | the reflector
Ka’ili Smith, head coach Vann Stuedeman and Stephanie Becker will play at home for the first time in 2012 today.
Softball opens up home season By Kristen spinK Staff Writer
Almost eight months have passed since Vann Stuedeman was announced as Mississippi State University’s head softball coach, and the much-anticipated first home game of her MSU career is finally here. After starting the season off 5-0 on the road, the Bulldogs return home to host Mississippi Valley State and SIU-Edwardsville in the Bulldog Round Robin this weekend. Junior pitcher Kylie Vry said Stuedeman has done a great job of being both calm and pumped up at the same time, which has allowed the girls to have fun playing the game. “We’re all excited to play for the first time at home with a whole new group of coaches,” she said. “I’m excited to have the coaches know what it feels like to play at home and have all our fans here. It will be a lot of fun.” With an impressive start and an entirely new coaching staff, the Dogs recently have been getting a lot of hype. Stuedeman related this hype to a roller coaster and said the team does not want to ride the roller coaster and get too high or too low. “We have high expectations, and we are striving for excellence
every moment ...We’re trying to really think about living in the moment, about what’s important now … and about this moment, not the past,” Stuedeman said. “We’re not trying to focus on any kind of hype or negative energy, but we just want to have a nice, smooth ride.” As for this weekend, the team is excited to play an in-state rival in MVSU that will hopefully bring a large crowd, and SIUEdwardsville will be playing one of its first games outdoors due to the cold weather in its home state of Illinois. The MSU and MVSU coaching staffs know each other well as they recruit at many of the same tournaments. Also, Bulldog volunteer assistant Shanika Randle played two years of softball at MVSU before coming to MSU for graduate school. Bell said the girls are not worried about preparing specifically for their opponents this weekend because they treat every team the same way. “We don’t play the opponent; we play the game. We come out with the same intensity no matter who we play, and we’re going to stay focused,” Bell said. “We need that energy and that drive to want to be great and to do well, and I think that was the key we’ve been missing last year and the last
three years I’ve been here.” Most recently, the Dogs defeated Samford on Tuesday and used three home runs to do so. Senior Brittany Bell accounted for two of those, and junior Jessica Cooley knocked one out in her hometown. Junior Stephanie Becker picked up the win for State, improving to 2-0 on the season. Vry recorded her second save of the season to go along with a 2-0 record of her own. Pitching is Stuedeman’s specialty, and it has reaped benefits already this season. Her staff is 5-0, including a 1.80 earned run average and three complete games. And that is without having played even one game at home. For Stuedeman, the time has finally arrived. The long-awaited first MSU home game of her career is here. Stuedeman she said she is looking forward to playing at home in front of the MSU fans. “We love our fans, and anytime fans are here, I feel like they’re the tenth man on the field,” Stuedeman said. The Bulldogs take on SIU-Edwardsville today and tomorrow at 5 p.m. They battle Mississippi Valley State tomorrow at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
“I don’t believe in hype,” Thompson said. “This is the ninth-best pitching staff in the league that has to get better. We have 36 out of our 38 wins back, all 16 of our saves back and basically 88 percent of our innings pitched from last year. There is a reassurance there, but this group of guys has been through it, so I do not think they get sped up or concerned walking into a ballpark because they have all done that and pitched at home and on the road. Every one of these guys that are back; it is comforting, but at the same time we have to improve. We have to pitch better than we have in the past.” With redshirt sophomore Ben Bracewell returning from an injury to his labrum that forced him to sit out last season, the five starters competing for jobs in the starting rotation will be experienced. Along with Bracewell, sophomore Evan Mitchell, juniors Chris Stratton and Kendall Graveman and senior Nick Routt are all going to be given a chance to earn a spot as a weekend starter. The advantage of having experienced starting pitching and set roles for each player is not lost on Routt. “It helps out a lot because we know what it takes to win, and we have been there,” Routt said. “If you can get a set rotation, it really helps. Everyone gets in a good routine, and they know what to expect every week. It can really help with performance.” Along with having experienced weekend starters, this year’s MSU pitching staff has an abundance of arms to bring out of the bullpen. Whether it is All-American closer Caleb Reed, crafty junior Luis Pollorena, talented freshmen such as Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Lindgren or dual-position players such as Taylor Stark and Daryl Norris, the Bulldogs do not lack pitching depth. Reed said he cannot help being excited about the potential of the group. “I think it is probably the best
friday , february 17, 2012
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jay johnson | the reflector
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Ben Bracewell missed all of last season because of an injury but is expected to be a starter for MSU in 2012.
pitching staff since I have been here at Mississippi State,” he said. Thompson said he thinks one of the greatest benefits of having a veteran pitching staff is it allows the coaching staff to bring the freshmen along slowly. “You have guys like Brandon Woodruff, Will Cox, Jonathan Holder and the whole collection of freshmen, and we are going to be able to put them in many more winnable situations because of those upperclassmen. Another thing that many people don’t think about is when Chris Stratton and Nick Routt were here, there were no upperclassmen,” Thompson said. “It is one thing to have a coach barking at you; it is another thing to have five or six upperclass teammates that kind of show you the ropes. Chris and them did not have
that, and, now, they know the importance of it and get to serve in that role. I think it is going to help our younger guys get to a higher rate quicker.” With the Bulldogs opening play today at 6 p.m. against a quality hitting team in Washington State, MSU fans will soon be able to judge this pitching staff for themselves.
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SPORTS
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FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 17, 2012
THE REFLECTOR
STAT OF THE DAY :
SATURDAY SPECIAL:
HOME GAMES MSU BASEBALL WILL PLAY TO OPEN THE SEASON
VS. AUBURN
17 – THE NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE
MISSISSIPPI STATE
7 P.M. SAT. FSN
Bulldog golf searches for consistency this weekend in BY ELLIOTT REES Staff Writer
The Mississippi State men’s golf team took another step in its quest to return to nationals for the first time since 2008 after a strong finish in the first spring tournament of the season this past weekend in the Gator Invitational. The goal in collegiate golf is to finish in the top 65 and have a winning percentage of .500 or better. Accomplishing this will allow State an opportunity to qualify for one of the final 81 spots in the NCAA tournament and to compete for a national championship. The Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 52 in the nation according to Golfstats and have a record of 32-28-2, following four tournaments played this past fall and the most recent ninth-place finish in Gainesville, Fla. The Bulldogs find themselves in a good position to make a final push with five events remaining this season. The men’s golf team has finished in the top 10 in all five events thus far and has achieved this while currently having a strength of schedule that ranks No. 27 in the nation. The Bulldogs also had three of its five golfers place in the Top 23 in the Gator Invite and have momentum heading into their next tournament taking place on Monday and Tuesday at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in Alabama. The team currently has 12 members who compete weekly among each other in order to
be one of the five chosen to play in future tournaments. The five that qualify normally changes week to week and is based on how well each does in practice and in prior tournaments, head coach Clay Homan said. “I want to take the five that are going to give us the best opportunity to win that week,� Homan said. The only constants so far have been sophomore Chad Ramey and senior Alex Rowland who have competed in all five tournaments this season. Homan said although the team has had great individual achievements, all five members of the team that qualify to compete need to be able to perform well before they can win any tournaments or consider themselves a national championship contender. “We had positive things we can build on, but in order to put ourselves into contention we need consistency throughout the line-up,� he said. Finding a team that can contribute consistent play has been an issue and is vital in order for this team to succeed. State has competed in five tournaments and has had five different lineups. There have been positive performances by several players, but one player Homan said he would like to see back on the course in action is freshman Fletcher Johnson. Johnson is ranked No. 93 in the nation but has only participated in two events this year and shot a 1-over-par in both. However, Homan said he needs to work out some kinks in his game before he can put him back out there. “He has ability, and it is key to getting him back to form, but his game is not where it needs to be at the moment,� he said.
MSU SPORTS FRIDAY:
. . SATURDAY: . . . . SUNDAY: . . . .
Softball vs. SIU-Edwardsville MSU Softball Field - 5 p.m. Baseball vs. Washington State Dudy Noble Field - 6 p.m.
Baseball vs. Washington State Dudy Noble Field - 2:30 p.m. Softball vs. Mississippi Valley State MSU Softball Field - 3 p.m. Softball vs. SIU-Edwardsville MSU Softball Field - 5 p.m.
bas Men's basketball at Auburn Auburn, Ala. - 7 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
COURTESY PHOTO | MISSISSIPPI STATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Mississippi State senior Alex Rowland is one of only two MSU golfers to compete in every tournament the Bulldogs have played in this year.
The golf team has also had problems putting three consistently good rounds together. According to Homan it has been a combination of periods of poor course management and an inconsistent short game. Rowland said the team is trying to address the problems and improve in certain areas of their game. “What we need to do better is to put three rounds together,�
Rowland said. “Across the board, it’s short game and putting, but for me it’s hitting greens in regulation.� Closing out holes is certainly a concern for the Bulldogs and is an area in which the team has room for improvement, he said. “Where I see we can make the most improvement immediately is not throwing shots away around the green,� he said.
Softball vs. Mississippi Valley State MSU Softball Field - 1 p.m. Women's tennis vs. Stephen F. Austin A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre - 1 p.m. Baseball vs. Washington State Dudy Noble Field - 1:30 p.m.
Women's basketball at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. - 2 p.m. ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
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