The Print Edition 4-3-2012 by Reflector Editor

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TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2012

125TH YEAR | ISSUE 45

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Judge sets hearings for students All three charged with kidnapping BY MICAH GREEN News Editor

Preliminary hearings will be held on April 12 for the three Mississippi State University students charged with kidnapping a female student last month. Corey Skelton, Fredrick Oglesby and Donovan Carroll were all arrested and charged with kidnapping on March 2 after a female student filed a report March 1 claiming she had been held against her will. All three men were identified at the time of the arrests as members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Starkville Police Department’s Lt. Troy Outlaw said the incident occurred at a residence located at 411 Scales St. He also said the female victim knew and was friends with the suspects prior to the incident. “She was a friend of theirs. She was there with them; it wasn’t an abduction or anything,” Outlaw said.

BY MATT TYLER | Staff Writer

he wait is over. After a lengthy coaching search that left many Mississippi State fans frustrated, Rick Ray was introduced Monday as the new head coach of the Bulldogs’ basketball program. Ray, who was hired to replace Rick Stansbury, arrived in Starkville after a two-year stint as the associate head coach at Clemson University.

SEE COACH, 12

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

Maroon Alert system success vital in crisis situations BY JENNIFER SABOURIN Contributing Writer

Since 2005, Mississippi State University has had a plan to alert and inform students and the surrounding areas about special situations that could impact campus. The Maroon Alert system informs students of incidents that are developing on campus or in Oktibbeha County. The system is made up of multiple ways to alert campus, including sending text messages, emails, updating the MSU webpage and alerting local media. In severe weather, sirens and loud-

speaker notifications will be activated. Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, said the Maroon Alert system was designed to give students multiple ways to receive information about circumstances around campus. Kibler said there are many benefits to the Maroon Alert system. The main purpose is to keep campus safe through the multiple alerts sent out in crisis situations. Kibler also said sending out accurate information to students about various situations is the system’s primary benefit. “It is absolutely important to inform everyone on campus (about situations) as quickly and accurately as

MSU celebrates 150th anniversary of historic Morrill Land Grant Act BY JAY BALLARD Staff Writer

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862. Mississippi State University, being a land grant university, was established and still receives funds through this piece of legislation. MSU will be celebrating the anniversary of the Morrill Act in several ways this year. One of the scheduled events is the Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. There, 18 universities will be represented, and MSU will have three projects on display: the EcoCar, the Ryan mobile veterinary clinic and a demonstration on the benefits of thermal imaging technology in improving health and well-being of domestic and companion animals. Peter Ryan, associate provost for Academic Affairs and president of Gamma Sigma Delta, said MSU will be a major part of the event. “We are actually the big gorilla at

this event,” Ryan said. Last Thursday, James Giesen, assistant professor in the department of history, presented a lecture titled “History of the Morrill Act: The Mississippi Perspective,” which was open to the public. His lecture was the inaugural spring seminar of Gamma Sigma Delta honor society. Giesen began by saying the simplicity of the Morrill Act itself had little effect on its success. “This piece of legislation is hard to get a handle on from a historical perspective,” Giesen said. “There really isn’t much to it from a legal history perspective, but its impact has been incredibly far-reaching.” Giesen said he views the act as a story about citizenship and as a depiction of how each level of government interacts with its citizenry. He said the history of the Morrill Act is really the history of America. The West was still seen as a desert because it was empty. However, it would no longer be a desert if someone farmed it, he said. Thus, the land grant act was established to fund the education of American citizens who would then farm the West.

READERʼS GUIDE CAMPUS CALENDAR..................2 BAD DAWGS...............................3 OPINION...................................5 CONTACT INFO......................5

SEE GIESEN, 4

POLICY CROSSWORD..............................6 CLASSIFIEDS..........................6 LIFE.....................................7 SPORTS.................................12

possible,” Kibler said. Thomas Bourgeois, dean of students, said Maroon Alert has benefits but also some drawbacks. He said some students rely on the system to provide all the information they need, but the system is only used to alert students. Bourgeois “The Maroon Alert system is around to alert campus of something that is potentially hazardous or dangerous,” Bourgeois said. Maridith Geuder, director of university relations, said the Maroon

Alert system should not be used as the only way to get information, especially in weather situations. Geuder said anyone who receives Maroon Alerts should check multiple outlets to get information, such as websites, radio and television. “Any person receiving messages needs to be proactive in looking up or gaining additional information,” Geuder said. Geuder also said the reason there are so many avenues used by the Maroon Alert system is to encourage students to gather additional information for themselves. MSU has a crisis action team that

controls when a Maroon Alert message is sent out and what medium should be used. The team is made up of representatives from a variety of areas around MSU that include student affairs, university relations, housing, facilities, academic affairs and Information Technology Services. Kibler is the incident commander responsible for authorizing Maroon Alerts. He said the main concern about using the Maroon Alert system is to make sure it is not overused. If a Maroon Alert is issued, students should understand that a dangerous or hazardous situation is developing on or near campus, Kibler said.

SEE ALERT, 3

Black Jack Road to undergo renovations Project expected to be finished by August BY LIZZIE SMITH Contributing Writer

Black Jack Road will finally receive repaired as part of a project expanding the south entrance. The road work will be completed before school starts back in August. Mississippi State University pursued funding in Washington, D.C., in 2005. Kyle Steward, executive director of external affairs, said the purpose was to construct a new south entrance into campus. “The roadway would run from Poorhouse Road near the Mississippi Horse Park to the intersection of Stone Boulevard,” Steward said in an email. Funding for the south entrance project has been a multi-year effort. Funds have totaled $17 million in appropriations bills and in two federal highway bills. Some of the funding will require a 20 percent match. While MSU is working closely with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, officials hope to offset a significant portion of the cash match by providing in-kind contributions, such as land and services.

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SEE REPAIRS, 2

TUESDAY

Stormy

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

$900,000 to $950,000 will be spent to improve the poor condition of Black Jack Road on the south side of campus.

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY HIGH

83 64 LOW

Stormy

HIGH

81 64 LOW

Stormy

HIGH

80 58 LOW

NEWS REPAIRS

Calendar 2

T U E S D A Y , A P R I L 3, 2012

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continued from 1

Engineering will still continue on the south entrance and will begin construction sometime in 2014. “This new path to campus will greatly aid trafﬁc ﬂow by reducing pressure on South Montgomery Street and offering another major thoroughfare for alumni, faculty, staff and students who travel to campus from the Highway 25 corridor,” Steward said. Part of the south entrance project included the repair of Black Jack Road. Black Jack Road runs from the intersection at Locksley Way through the roundabout at the intersection of Oktoc and Blackjack Roads. Marvell Howard, president of Oktibbeha Board of Supervisors, said before construction could begin, an Interlocal Agreement had to be made.

MARTIN

An Interlocal Agreement combines the city of Starkville, Mississippi State and Oktibbeha County. The agreement speciﬁes that all parties give their permission to MSU to be the leading entity over the construction of Black Jack Road. “All local governments had to enter a proposal joint effort,” Howard said. Mayor Parker Wiseman was asked to provide data and the extent of the information. “We were very happy tocontinued complete that request. from 1 We are very excited. It is a road that receives quite a lot of trafﬁc from the community, and it is in bad shape and this should dramatically improve the road conditions,” Wiseman said. The cost of repairing and resurfacing Black Jack Road is estimated at $900,000 to $950,000.

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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.

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COURTESY PHOTO | LIZ WHELAN

GRAND OPENING IN STARKVILLE

| C Spire Wireless will host a grand opening of

a new state-of-the-art customer service store in Starkville today to showcase its new store design. The store located off Miss. Highway 12 will feature an open floor plan design, wireless devices and smart phones and accessories.

NEWS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

TUESDAY , APRIL 3, 2012

Staff Writer

Looking for a car is a task many Mississippi State University students undertake each year for a variety of reasons. Whether he or she will receive a car as a graduation gift or needs a new car for his or her summer plans, a first-time car buyer should be careful, attentive and confident when looking for a car. Think about the lifestyle of the buyer: When buying a car, one of the most important things a potential buyer can do is think about what he or she needs in a new vehicle and why he or she needs this car. Chris Wilbourn, freshman political science major, said he chose his first car by choosing between something that looked nice or something that was functional. “I chose functionality when I chose my Jeep. I liked the way it looked, but I also liked how sporty it was. It fits my personality,” he said. Lindsay Linhares, junior communication and political science major, said she had a list of needs her car had to meet, including dependability, safety, high miles per gallon and a reasonable price. She also allowed herself to identify splurges she wanted in a car. “Extra aspects that were important to me were an auxiliary

plug-in for my iPhone for music, leather seats and the car being a charcoal gray color,” she said. Students who enjoy mud riding might consider vehicles with four-wheel-drive, while students who rarely use their vehicles except for longer trips should look for smaller cars with high gas mileage. Research your options: Once a buyer knows his or her needs in a car, it is important to look at the options that can fulfill these needs. Looking for dependable models and makes is essential, especially if the car is used. Linhares said she researched cars with her parents and made sure to drive a few before making a final decision. “Even though the first car I drove was the one I knew I wanted, I made sure to go to other lots and test drove other cars before I settled on my final choice,” she said. Deb Addington, MSU alumna, said she checks Consumer Guide’s car-buying issue for the best and worst car models and asks advice from other experts. “It tells you all the problems people have reported on each car,” she said. “I also check with a popular garage because they can tell you what make or model of cars have the least problems.” Addington said she also looks for past information about the car and its previous owner if it is used.

THINK BEFORE

YOU BUY! $

Friday, March 30

• 12:15 a.m. A student was arrested for possession of marijuana on Yeates Street. • 12:43 a.m. A student was arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license on Stark Road. • 1:14 a.m. A student was arrested for running a red light, no insurance and a second DUI on University Drive.

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

“Ask for Car Fax to make sure the car has never been wrecked. Ask the seller for information on the previous owner. If it was a young male, it was probably driven harder than if it was an older person,” she said. Bargain with the salesperson: One of the most common tips for first-time car buyers is never to accept the list price without first discussing a deal. Buyers need to know the invoice price of a new car or the “blue book” value of a used car to understand the inflation used by car dealerships and how low the price can be. Lisa Fulgham, an English graduate student, said she thinks buying a car requires a lot of patience and consistency in know-

ing what the buyer wants. “Don’t give in until you’ve thought the whole thing over, bargained and made a deal that you’re comfortable with,” she said. Linhares said knowing the prices offered by other dealerships can help because a salesperson will often lower the price to keep you from buying from another lot. Addington said she has made a habit of asking the dealership to help cover smaller costs related to a new car as well. “If you ask, they usually will eat the cost to put an inspection sticker on your car and sometimes will even give you a full tank of gas, but you have to ask,” she said.

continued from 1 Kibler said there is a price to using the text message aspect of the Maroon Alert system. MSU has a contract with a company that sends out text messages over any phone service with the push of a button. Every time a text message is sent out, it costs MSU money. “You cannot put a price on keeping campus safe. The cost is worth it,” Kibler said.

DAWGS

Saturday, March 31

ALERT Kibler said there are two types of alerts that are issued by the system: emergency conditions and alert conditions. Under emergency conditions, a yellow bar will appear at the top of the MSU website which explains that a situation is developing. In alert conditions, a blue bar will appear at the top of the website, which is a way of drawing attention to a situation that may worsen.

BAD

Students weigh options when car shopping BY LAUREN CLARK

Students and employees can receive alerts via text messaging.

• 1:21 a.m. A student was arrested for minor in possession of alcohol in the Cresswell Hall parking lot. • 10:27 a.m. A student reported a suspicious male in Mitchell Memorial Library. • 2:49 p.m. A student was issued a student referral for possession of drug paraphernalia in Cresswell Hall. • 5:46 p.m. A student reported a possible drug sale in South Hall. • 7:24 p.m. A non-resident/visitor was arrested for driving under the influence, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, speeding and minor in possession of alcohol on Stone Boulevard.

Sunday, April 1

• 12:25 a.m. A student was arrested for no seat belt on Research Park and Miss. Highway 182. • 1:17 p.m. A student was having seizures in Hull Hall. Subject was transported to OCH Regional Medical Center. • 5:56 p.m. Students were issued student referrals for being on the intramural soccer field after hours. • 8:17 p.m. A student reported losing a wallet in Hull Hall. • 8:49 p.m. Non-resident/visitors were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center from Coliseum Boulevard for medical assistance. • 9:01 p.m. A student reported four males were walking toward her from behind the Phi Delta Theta house.

Citations:

• 4 citations were issued for disregard for a traffic device. • 31 citations were issued for speeding. • 2 citations were issued for expired tag. • 1 citation was issued for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

CORRECTIONS:

Anyone can receive alerts via Twitter and Facebook.

CORRECTION: In Friday’s edition of The Reflector, the graphic in the “Parking expands, costs rise” article said South Zone spaces would cost $51,045,000 when it should have said the cost was $1,045,000. The Reflector regrets this error.

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

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Prescription Drug Abuse A DEA Focus

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NEWS

TUESDAY , APRIL 3, 2012

GIESEN

continued from 1

The Morrill Act was passed in 1862 during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, which was also during the Civil War. It gave federal land to each of the United States to fund colleges to teach agriculture and engineering, rephrased by Giesen as colleges for the industrial classes. The bill, however, stated land would not go to any state in rebellion against the United States. Mark Keenum, MSU president, said the Morrill Act opened opportunities for many students, which is something to be prideful about. “Enactment of the Morrill Act was the first in a series of steps that created the nation’s land-grant universities, which grew into the largest and most effective, public, higher-education system in the world. We take great pride in our land-grant heritage and the wideranging opportunities it has offered so many individuals over the years,” Keenum said. “From that solid foundation, Mississippi State continues to play a leadership role in educating the future leaders of our state and nation.” Giesen said the two land-grant universities in Mississippi are Alcorn State University, which was originally the school for black Mississippians, and The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi (now known as Mississippi State University), the school originally for white Mississippians. Only Kentucky and Mississippi funded seperate race-based land-grant colleges. The first president of MSU, Stephen D. Lee, was a questionable candidate for the position, Giesen said. “When students arrived in 1880, the board of trustees figured ‘Who better to put in charge of this federally-created school than a former confederate general whose only experience farming had been STEPHANIE GODFREY | THE REFLECTOR an abject failure?’” Giesen said. James Giesen lectured on the Morrill Land Grant Act in Thompson Hall. Giesen said Lee quickly learned he was starting from scratch. Lee noticed the northern land-grant colleges had an advantageous head start, so he embraced the model of the northern colleges instead of about the way the act has affected America. “I think Morrill would be shocked at rejecting it, as did other southern states. He what the land-grant schools have become, took trips to study those northern land-grant and, though much of it would please him, I universities and occasionally returned with think in the end he might be disappointed faculty from the colleges whom he had conat the way things are today,” Giesen said. vinced to come work in Starkville. “Certainly what would please him today The rivalry between The University of Miswould be the democratic nature of the sissippi and MSU was evident as early as the university. He’d certainly be shocked and 1890s, Giesen said. He said the rivalry took pleased at the amount of research the union powerful political meaning long before versity does.” the two teams ever met on a football field. He said the disappointment would come “People in the state were making an imfrom Morrill seeing how the quality of portant political statement by siding with life for Mississippi farmers fell within the one school over the other,” Giesen said. “The 20th century. He also said Morrill would University of Mississippi represented the clasbe dismayed at the fact that the Mississipsical education, and A&M (now MSU) was pi Delta, some of the richest farmland in about teaching the industrial classes a skill the world, is home to some of the nation’s that they could use immediately.” poorest citizens. When Lee left office in 1899, one of his Giesen’s last statement was a summary of main achievements was he had industrialized JAMES GIESEN, ASSISTANT what he feels was the major effect of the southern agriculture by training a generation PROFESSOR IN THE Morrill Act. of new farmers, Giesen said. In the years that DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY “The Morrill Act laid the foundation for followed, the Morrill Act began to be less imchanging not only agriculture in Mississipportant to the way the school was run. pi but the politics, as well,” Giesen said. Giesen brought his speech to a close by predicting how the namesake for the piece of legislation would feel

“Enactment of the Morrill Act was the ﬁrst in a series of steps that created the nationʼs land-grant universities, which grew into the largest and most effective, public, highereducation system in the world.”

Sanctions

Received for Student Honor Code Violations: 2011-2012

The University values academic honesty in the classroom. In order to successfully promote academic honesty, the campus community must be vigilant in discovering and reporting alleged violations of the Student Honor Code. The purpose of this document is to deter academic dishonesty by publishing the sanctions that students received for violating the Student Honor Code this academic year. We intend to periodically publish this information to the campus community.

Total Cases Resolved: Responsible: Not Responsible: Faculty Member Dismiss Charges: Charge Cheating

Plagiarism

214 192 5 17

Number Reported 76 Sanctions Received XF Zero Lower Course Grade Verbal Reprimand

90% 2% 8%

Honor The Code

Percent of Total Cases 36% Percent 32% 54% 12% 2%

113 Sanctions Received XF Zero Lower Course Grade Suspension Rewrite of Paper

53% Percent 20% 65% 13% 2% 1%

14 Sanctions Received Zero Lower Course Grade AIIP

7% Percent 34% 33% 33%

Falsiﬁcation

8 Sanctions Received Lower Course Grade AIIP Zero XF Verbal Reprimand

3% Percent 38% 25% 13% 13% 13%

Multiple Submissions

3 Sanctions Received XF Zero Charges Dismissed

1% Percent 33% 34% 33%

Complicity

THE REFLECTOR

BRIEF

Student Broadcasting Association now accepting entries for video competition According to a press release, the Mississippi State University, CO Student Broadcasting Association is hosting a video and broadcasting competition on April 26 at 6 p.m. in McCool Hall 124 for all MSU students. The categories include news package/ feature, sports package, directing tape, best script, weather cast, public service announcement/ commercial, music video, movie scene, 8-minute documentary, 5-minute promotional video and 15 to 40 minute short film. All entries are due by April 17 at 4:30 p.m. with a $5 fee per video. All entries are to be submitted on a DVD-R with proper labeling. Students can submit multiple videos on one clearly labeled DVD-R. Entries and fees are to be submitted to the main office of the Department of Communication, 130 McComas Hall. Entry fees are non-refundable and submissions will not be returned. Submissions must be original work. The awards ceremony will take place April 26, the same night as screening. SBA encourages all MSU students to submit a video. For more information please contact MissStateSBA@gmail.com or on Facebook. The main office in 130 McComas Hall is only responsible for collecting entries.

University Relations announces “This is OUR Campus” video competition According to a press release on the MSU website, the Mississippi State University Alumni Association and the Office of University Relations are proud to announce the “This is OUR Campus” video competition for student organizations. Students are asked to highlight their service, passion and support of MSU in a video no longer than 60 seconds and submit it by Monday, April 16, at 5 p.m. The winning organization’s video will be revealed Super Bulldog Weekend during the Maroon and White Spring Game. Winners will receive an Alumni Association prize pack. Rules: Each student organization can submit only one video for the competition and the submitting team can have a maximum of 10 members. Videos should be 60 seconds or less and should not contain profanity, copyrighted music or inappropriate material. Mississippi State University reserves the right to disqualify any video not meeting these criteria. MSU groups may send information for campus briefs to news@reflector.msstate.edu.

TUESDAY , APRIL 3, 2012

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

OPINION ONE LITTLE SPARK | WHITNEY KNIGHT

T.J. VAUGHT

Pennies’ existence makes no cents C

anada has had some good ideas over the years: maple syrup. Calling ham bacon. Public health care. Putting a leaf on their flag. And, most recently, deciding to get rid of their penny. Today I’m telling you that, like many of Canada’s decisions, the U.S. should follow suit. Now, I hear you stirring. What, get rid of the one coin that looks different than the others, you say? What about Abraham Lincoln? Wouldn’t that make sellers raise prices? Don’t we need pennies? For, like, the metric system or something? The simple answer is no, we don’t. In 1972, a penny was worth what a nickel is worth today, and yet the economy kept floating right along. In this day and age, there is no reason we need a coin worth 1/100 of a dollar. Do you get angry when gas stations round your total up from the 1/1000 of a cent they use to calculate? Probably not, because 1/1000 of a cent is not only beyond legal tender but also infinitesimal. The penny is the same. Rounding up to the nearest nickel, or even dime, will have negligible effects on consumers. On my desk, along with a bunch of other stuff I rarely look at, I keep a plastic container full of almost all the coins I have received from transactions since freshman year. In all that time, I have collected $1.42 in pennies, in comparison to the $26 in quarters emptying the container in preparation for this article yielded. Statistically speaking, rounding every transaction to the nearest nickel would lose me barely any of that $1.42; but even if I did somehow lose ALL of that through rounding, the loss of a Coke’s worth of money over the span of two years seems inconsequential in the face of never having to deal with those fake copper discs ever again. There is no reason we need a coin worth 1/100 of a dollar. The cheapest burger on the Mugshots menu costs $7.59 (which brings up another point. If we get rid of pennies, merchants will no longer be able to use this condescending “nine cents look cheaper” practice). If you decided you wanted to pay for that burger

Whitney Knight is a sophomore majoring in English education. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. with only pennies, you would have to haul around over 4 lbs. in coins. Compare that to 1.67 lbs. in nickels. (Although in a perfect upheaval of the U.S. coin system, nickels would be done away with as well, or at the very least undergo a change in composition: They cost 6 cents to make.) That is why vending machines and parking meters and waiters at fancy restaurants don’t accept pennies: they’re inefficient and have a use value of next to nothing. Indeed, pennies are more useless now than ever before. It costs the U.S. Mint 1.6 cents to make each penny. This means the U.S. government actually LOSES money on every single penny it makes. Not only does the government directly lose money in making the penny, but several studies have shown that consumers also lose up to a billion dollars per year in efficiency as cashiers, consumers and tellers fumble over pennies. Eliminating the penny could go a long way toward lowering the national debt. So why do we still have pennies? Because getting rid of them is a nonpartisan issue without political pull. Democrats and Republicans cannot fight over whether or not we should kill the penny because an equal number of them agree we should and many of them are afraid of their districts. While Canada quickly and efficiently revitalizes their economy, our Congress bickers over a budget and turns in their homework late. But you can do something about this. Send a note to your congressman telling him how you admire Canada’s action. We must stand together against the penny. It’s what Abraham Lincoln would do.

“Indeed, pennies are more useless now than ever before. It costs the U.S. Mint 1.6 cents to make each penny.”

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

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Copy Editor Kaitlyn Byrne

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Copy Editor Mollie C. Reeves

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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.

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CORRECTIONS

THE GINGER SNAP | REBECCA KELLUM

Making English official language ethnocentric T hough English is the primary language heard throughout our campus outside of foreign language classrooms, events such as the International Fiesta remind me that many people even within the greater Starkville area speak languages other than English. Which raises the question: if there’s a relatively large group of people in Starkville whose fi rst language is something other than English, how many more throughout our nation speak another language in their homes? Even if they speak something other than English at home, should it be required to learn English to assimilate into our society? Do those who wish to make English the United State’s official language believe it is truly the superior language, or do they assume that everyone “converting” to English would make everyday life more simple? Either way, the assumptions for the basis of the argument advocating English as the official language of the United States are false. According

to the United States Census Bureau, “Nearly 47 million people — about 1-in-5 U.S. residents — age five and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000. The figures represented an increase of 15 million people since the 1990 census.” The part of the nation’s population that speaks another language at home is clearly increasing, so why not embrace our own individualistic ideals and allow everyone to speak the language they choose? Many in the past have tried to deem English as America’s official language, including President Theodore Roosevelt who once said, “We have one language here, and that is the English language, and we intend to see that the (assimilation) crucible turns our people out as Americans.” Though Roosevelt claims it would be more “American” for everyone to speak English, was it not to America many ran to escape persecution? Is it not prejudice in some ways to ask those who wish to preserve their own culture and heritage to learn a new

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.

language to fit into our current American society? In response, some may argue that those who speak a language other than English would only have to learn it for the official interactions that would need to take place outside of the home. However, how long would the children of those who speak other languages continue in their parents’ ways if the schools they attended and the majority of their friends only spoke English? Susana C. Schultz, an employee of Strictly Spanish Translators, mirrors my sentiments when she said, “According to U.S. English, Inc., an advocacy group that supports declaring English as

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | JONATHAN BARDEN

Cheering fires up MSU teams T

he Cameron Crazies at Duke. The 12th man at Texas A&M. The Izzone at Michigan State. What’s the common denominator between these three things? They are all iconic student sections. Take a good, hard look at the student sections at Michigan, Notre Dame and Nebraska football games. Watch what they do — how they act, how they cheer. Now take a good, hard look at ours. See the difference? Since I became a student at Mississippi State in 2008, it has troubled me we don’t have a student section — or a fan base in general — that consistently makes our home venues tough places to play. (Before I go any further, don’t misconstrue this with me saying I don’t like our fan base because that couldn’t be further from the truth. I love our fan base.) However, there needs to be something more — something that makes us unique. Right now, we don’t have it because right now, we don’t know how to cheer. What transpired this past weekend ultimately culminated into this article, but it’s been a recurring theme since I’ve

been a student here. I currently serve as the public address announcer for the MSU softball team, and, during the series with Tennessee, something irked me. That Saturday afternoon, we packed the stadium. There was not a seat available and people lined the outfield wall. It had all the makings to be a memorable atmosphere for our fans and players. It never became that. I noticed people looking around when others were cheering with a look of, “What do I do next?” People didn’t know how or what to cheer. I’m not picking on just the softball fans because this has been consistent of our fans in almost every sport. In football, we’re steadily getting better, and I love how much has changed since 2008. Excitement is at an alltime high, and I couldn’t be happier with the direction in which things are headed.

DO YOU THINK THE NEW BASKETBALL COACH, RICK RAY, WILL DO A GOOD JOB?

In basketball, baseball, softball and other sports, I can’t say the same. I’m not saying you have to do everything the 12th man does or everything the Cameron Crazies and the Izzone do. But I am saying you need to cheer as loud as you can for the duration of the game. There’s no reason we can’t make every venue we have the loudest, hardest place to play in the country. We have 55,082 seats at Davis Wade Stadium that are now filled every Saturday. We have 10,200 seats at Humphrey Coliseum that are right on top of the court. We have the nicest and arguably the most historic college baseball stadium in Dudy-Noble. Make these even better than what they are. To student groups like Rick’s Rowdies in the past: keep cheering, but don’t isolate yourselves to where it

“To student groups like Rickʼs Rowdies in the past: keep cheering, but donʼt isolate yourselves to where it makes others not want to cheer. To everyone else: cheer anyway.”

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.

Rebecca Kellum is a freshman majoring in English education. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

our official language, 322 languages are spoken in the country, with 24 of those spoken in every state and the District of Columbia. California has the most languages, with 207, while Wyoming has the fewest with 56. So why won’t Congress declare an official language? Because we are a nation of immigrants, and these numbers prove it. Because declaring an official language would abridge the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals who are paying taxes and who are entitled to the same rights as those who speak English.” When people are truly aware of the numbers, there’s only one other reason why they would support one national language: ethnocentrism. Ethnocentric views revolve around one culture, such as those who speak English in the United States, believing that their ways are superior to others. If their only argument for deeming English the official language is that it’s simply “the American way,” then I’d dare to say it isn’t American at all.

- Yes, I think he will do a great job. - No, I think he will hurt MSU’s basketball program. - I don’t care.

Vote online at reflector-online.com. ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

makes others not want to cheer. To everyone else: cheer anyway. I promise you’re not too cool to do it. If I wanted to sit down for an entire basketball game, I’d stay at home and watch it. We reunited the student section at the Hump. Take advantage of that and buy into what the athletic department is trying to do. Do this at every athletic event. Get to the field or arena early and cause hell for the opposing team. That’s what makes college athletics so much fun — the pageantry, the emotions and the student sections. Don’t feel like you can only cheer when we play Kentucky in basketball or Alabama or LSU in football. Even if we’re playing a Division II team in basketball or a Football Championship Subdivision school in football, pack the arena or field and create the same atmosphere you would for the big games. The sign behind DudyNoble Field says, “Home to College Baseball’s Greatest Fans.” That isn’t limited to just baseball, though. We have the greatest fans in the country, period. Show everyone why we deserve that title.

16 17 2

Yes, we need more spaces.

No, they are already too expensive.

WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE A MORE EXPENSIVE PARKING PERMIT IN ORDER TO PAY FOR MORE PARKING SPACES?

I don’t park on campus.

Total number of votes: 35 ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

6 | tuesday , april 3 , 2012

THE REFLECTOR

BULLETIN BOARD

AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...

Across 1 Puts behind bars 6 Opera headliners 11 Dairy creature 14 Stanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sidekick, in old comedy 15 Call forth 16 Hubbub 17 Dish thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrown together? 19 Fix a button, say 20 PDQ, in the ICU 21 â&#x20AC;&#x153;__ I a stinker?â&#x20AC;?: Bugs Bunny 22 Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa 24 Belted out 26 __ Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rith: Jewish org. 27 Phone bk. info 30 Where 6-Across often are when performing 35 Most of 34-Downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface 37 Sugar suffix 38 Visiting Hollywood, say 39 Protective feature of most power strips 43 Ticklish Muppet 44 Bearded grassland grazer 45 Rib cage locale 46 Wall protector near a room entrance 50 Campfire residue 51 Catches some Zâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 52 Musical work 54 Travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry document 55 Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleeveless undergarment, for short 57 Watchmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s order 61 Tasseled headgear 62 One who follows tornadoes ... or an apt description of the starts of 17-, 30-, 39and 46-Across 65 Get along in years 66 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Casablanca,â&#x20AC;? for one 67 Protein-building acid 68 Low-quality 69 Make off with 70 Liberal voter, slangily Down 1 Scribbles (down) 2 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s __ of hooey!â&#x20AC;? 3 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Casablancaâ&#x20AC;? heroine

4-3-12 4 Leans to port or to starboard 5 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get it?â&#x20AC;? 6 Draw up plans for 7 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fathers and Sonsâ&#x20AC;? novelist Turgenev 8 Chevyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plug-in hybrid 9 Rap sheet abbr. 10 Some Avis rentals 11 The Volga River flows into it 12 Dedicated poetry 13 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Holy guacamole!â&#x20AC;? 18 Copenhagen native 23 Not quite timely 25 Skin breakout 26 Uncle Remus title 27 Hard-__: very strict 28 Eye-related prefix 29 Spoke from the pulpit 31 Refresh, as a cup of coffee 32 Psychic hotline â&#x20AC;&#x153;skill,â&#x20AC;? briefly 33 Shine 34 Fifth-largest planet 36 Old Greek markets 40 Capt. saluters 41 â&#x20AC;&#x153;__ momento!â&#x20AC;?

Solutions for 3-30-12

42 Neutral shade 47 Cricks and tics 48 Saddle knob 49 Sweeping in scope 53 Disgrace 54 Folk singer Suzanne 55 Sheltered inlet 56 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Marriage of

Figaroâ&#x20AC;? highlight 58 â&#x20AC;&#x153;In your dreams!â&#x20AC;? 59 Pre-Easter time 60 City tricked by a wooden horse 61 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marvy!â&#x20AC;? 63 Trike rider 64 Actor Holbrook

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY The deadline for Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost. for sale Ziggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buy & Sell. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw it away! Get cash for your used furniture and other items. We sell everything from furniture to antiques to music. 434 Miss. Highway 12 West, look for the orange sign with Ziggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture, or call 312-8895. Faculty investment opportunity. Enjoy benefits of retirement now, as you teach. Live in your five-plex on Oktibbeha County Lake, and let rentals pay your mortgage. 340â&#x20AC;&#x2122; waterfront, five-plex, dock, skiboat. $342,000 firm. 418-2790. for rent Canterbury Townhouses. 990 Old Mayhew Road. 2012 lease special (12th month free with 12-month lease). One, two and three bedroom newly-remodeled townhouses. Call 323-9216 for details. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lodge at the Lake.â&#x20AC;? Great one bedroom, waterfront, dock, appliances, washer/dryer, free cable and fast-access Internet. See now. Available May 1 for 15 months. $525/month. Pet friendly. 418-2790. AVALON Large two and three bedroom apartments from $729 per month. Reserve your apartment today for fall. live atavalonapts.com. Rates include cable Internet and all appliances; unfurnished. One bedroom mobile home for rent. One mile from campus. Hunting and fishing privileges. Pet friendly for additional fee. $350 per month. Lease and deposit required. Call 418-8555. Pasture boarding also available. On a lake, furnished, one-bedroom apartment. Available June 1 for 14-month lease at $525 per month. TV cable, water, sewer, high-speed wireless Internet provided. You pay electricity. Call Bob at 418-2790. One, two, three and four bedroom apartments available for fall 2012. $400 to $1,600 per month. No pets. Call Barbara at 418-8603. HelP WanteD Bartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800-965-6520 ext. 213.

Attention students: $15 starting pay. Flexible hours around class. Customer sales and service. No experience required. Call 2685097. Collegeincome.com. CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@reflector. msstate.edu with the subject heading â&#x20AC;&#x153;CLUB INFO,â&#x20AC;? 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. 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. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;likeâ&#x20AC;? our Facebook page: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mississippi State Catholic Student Association.â&#x20AC;? 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spiritual but not religious?â&#x20AC;? Spirituality and home-cooking at the Episcopal Church (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canterburyâ&#x20AC;?). 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. PHIlosoPHY ClUB Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in Union 226. rUf Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a campus ministry that has been on Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus since 1976. Our large group Bible study meets Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in Dorman Auditorium. For further information and for upcoming events, visit msstate.ruf.org. All are welcome to come. stUDents for a sUstaInaBle CaMPUs Tuedays at 7:30 p.m. in Union room 227. trIatHlon ClUB Learn more about MSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Triathlon Club by visiting MSUTC.com or on Facebook @ Mississippi State Triathlon. V-DaY natIonal CaMPaIGn The Vagina Monologues: Until the Violence Stops. Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Rickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cafe. $2 entry/ donations appreciated. Proceeds benefit Safe Haven. WesleY foUnDatIon Insight! Weekly worship, Bible study, and fellowship. Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation located next to Campus Bookmart. For more information, visit statewesley.org YoGa MoVes Stressed out? Try hatha yoga to soothe the body and the mind. Yoga Moves meets every Tuesday from 5 to 6:10 p.m. in Studio C at the Sanderson Center.

OCTOPUZZLE Due to space, Octopuzzle will not be in this issue of The Reflector. The puzzle and solution from Friday will reappear as space allows.

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Life & Entertainment tuesday , april 3, 2012

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

courtesy photo | blake mccollum

Fine arts thesis students have been preparing all year for their final exhibition. Left, Paul Richey works on his wooden sculptural piece. Below, Heidi Robinson displays her photographic works on stone.

Fine arts students reveal thesis exhibition works By Mary Kate McGowan Staff Writer

A simple, one-syllable, fourletter word has come to define 16 seniors' lives. That word is ‘seek.’ Today through Friday, April 13, "SEEK!," the Mississippi State University Fine Art Thesis Exhibition, will open and display senior fine arts majors’ gallery work. According to the event’s press release, a public reception will be held Thursday, April 12 at McComas Hall in the Department of Art Gallery downstairs at 5:30 p.m. The reception will move to the Colvard Student Union Art Gallery and will end at the Visual Arts Center. Blake McCollum, senior fine arts major with a concentration in photography, said every fine arts major, no matter if their emphasis is painting, drawing, sculpture or ceramics, has to go through the thesis process to get a degree. “The thesis process happens the semester before you graduate. You take classes that help you research and draw a blueprint for your project,” he said. Brent Funderburk, College of Architecture, Art and Design professor and thesis coordinator who teaches one of the required thesis classes, said all studio Bachelor of Fine Arts programs

culminate in an exhibition. the student during the entirety “This is their first professional of the project). They are there show. It gives the students the to help you, but they have eagle opportunity to eyes for flaws,” learn the exhishe said. bition process,” Senior art he said. theses are very The senior important to art thesis grants these students students the and to their opportunity graduation. to get a feel “If you do not for the gallery make it through atmosphere. the thesis, you Paul Richey, do not gradusenior fine art ate. This project major with a has always been concentration in the back of in sculpture, my mind since I said the work began college,” to be shown McCollum has been comsaid. pletely done Fine arts this semester. seniors are “It is a culexpected to take mination of brent Funderburk, a full course the work I have proFessor, thesis load in addition been pursu- coordinator to completing while here ing their senior at MSU,” he project. “ I said. am taking 18 Heidi Robinson, senior fine hours this semester to complete arts major with a concentration my requirements to graduate,” in photography, said the process Richey said. “I wish I had not has been fulfilling overall but waited so long to take trigonomvery difficult at the same time. etry.” “The most stressful part is the “This is a total commitment,” meetings with your committee (a Funderburk said. “The students board hand-picked by the student work on their projects at least 30 of two to four people who advise hours per week on top of other

“The students work on their projects at least 30 hours per week on top of other classes. It takes every fiber of their being.”

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classes. It takes every fiber of their being.” The students are obviously passionate about their work and have also recently competed in the Mississippi Collegiate Art Competition where MSU won more awards than any other school. “I love photography,” Robinson said. “I use traditional and alternative photo methods such as film and liquid emulsion, so it feels good that I am keeping

the darkroom tradition active.” The senior art thesis process is long but is necessary for students’ future success. “If I had to categorize the thesis project into three things, they would be stress, time management and one big project that takes up a semester,” McCollum said. With the concrete necessity of doing well on the senior art thesis, students gain experience that will help propel them forward.

“These 16 senior students in Mississippi State University's Fine Art BFA degree program have spent their undergraduate careers seeking to create the work that demonstrates the skills they've acquired and the journey they have and will continue to take,” said the event’s press release. For more information, contact the MSU Department of Art or visit the “SEEK!” event page on Facebook.

LIFE

TUESDAY , APRIL 3, 2012

THE REFLECTOR

Honors college develops new literary magazine BY MICAH GREEN News Editor

A new literary and art magazine being developed by the Shackouls Honors College has begun accepting submissions from students interested in having his or her work published next fall. The still unnamed magazine is the brainchild of Christopher Snyder, dean of the honors college, and will be managed by a group of students. Only undergraduate students enrolled in the honors college are eligible to apply as an editor for the magazine, but any student, regardless of major, may submit their work. Gracy Hewes, junior kinesiology major and president of the honors council, said she and Snyder recognized the need for an outlet where students could have their work published. She said The Reflector gives student journalists a chance to have their work published, and the honors college wanted to give a similar opportunity to other creative students on campus. “I know students who work at The Reflector get to see their work whenever a paper comes out, and I know they take pride in that,” she said. “We wanted other students to have that chance as well.” Snyder and Hewes selected Julia Pendley, junior English major and managing editor at

The Reflector, as the lead editor can be submitted through email or personally delivered to the for the project. Pendley said the magazine magazine’s office, a room in will feature multiple literary Griffis the honors college has and art forms including poetry, set aside for the magazine operashort stories, essays, paintings, tions. Hewes said the new magazine sketches, photography and anything else students would like to will differ from the Jabberwock submit. Any photos submitted Review, a literary magazine should be of high quality and funded by the College of Arts & Sciences resolution. and the She said the Department magazine will of English, include print because conand online editent will come tions with the strictly from print edition students. The either running Jabber wock monthly or Review curbimonthly. rently accepts “My goal is submissions to have the first from anyissue go to print one regardby the end of less of their September or affiliation with the beginning Mississippi of October,” S t a t e Pendley said. University. Pendley is Submissions one of three and inquistudents workries for the ing on the GRACY HEWES, new magazine project. She is PRESIDENT OF THE should be sent currently being HONORS COUNCIL via email to assisted by msulitmag@ Field Brown, gmail.com. junior English “We don’t really have a set-inmajor, and Morgan Marrero, sophomore biological engineer- stone vision for the publication right now,” Hewes said. “We ing major. Pendley said she is searching want to let Julia (Pendley) and for an editor for the arts section the other students involved to and especially encourages stu- really have the say as to what the dents with previous publication magazine looks like and what direction it will go.” experience to apply. Snyder was out of his office Contests will be held in the fall to encourage students to Monday and unavailable for submit material. Student works comment prior to deadline.

“We want to let

Julia (Pendley) and the other students involved to really have the say as to what the magazine looks like and what direction it will go.”

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY

MICAH GREEN | THE REFLECTOR

| Music Makers Productions brought Ghostland

Observatory to the Mississippi State University Horse Park last Saturday. A little over 1,000 people packed the enormous venue to see the electro/rock/funk duo. The band thrilled spectators with an energetic performance and world class light show. Ghostland's laser operator, who was with the band for the first time in four months, had been busy directing the lasers for Kanye West and Jay-Z on the Watch the Throne tour. EASTER

CAROLYN HAILEY

VISIT

THE REFLECTOR (ONLINE)

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Join us in the Burgundy Room- Starkville’s only downtown bar that still serves drinks the “Old Fashioned Way” Monday: $1 Bud, Bud Light & Miller Lite Draft and 2-4-1 Bellini’s $2 Tuesday’s: $2 draft and bottled beers and 2-4-1 Bellini’s. Wednesday’s: 3-4-1 Wells, 2-4-1 Bellini’s. Half off House Wine (4-until) & Half off Single topping pizzas from 4-7 2-4-1 Thursday’s: 2-4-1 wells, drafts, & Bellini’s Ladies Night Friday: Happy Hour all night & from 9-11pm Saturday: Happy Hour 3pm-7pm! Sunday: 1/2 off Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas 110 E Main St. Starkville MS, 39759 662-320-6872 www.oldvenice.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

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LIFE

TUESDAY , APRIL 3, 2012

Men's summer fashion MSU students, staff trends heat up season hold production of THATS A WRAP | ZACK ORSBORN

s the temperature rises, the trends in menswear take on bold colors for this season. Expect to see bright yellow and tangerine orange in men’s wardrobe to create a sun-inspired look. Wearing a variation of blues is another trend seen on this year’s runway for those who are not feeling as bold. Unlike last summer which was dominated by long shorts, shorter proportions in shorts and blazers are taking over. Instead of bright whites, sun-bleached neutrals will be prominent this summer with sand-like colors and off-whites. Sarah Daws, junior human sciences major, discussed what men should look out for this summer. “We’re going to see a lot of silk skinny ties with micro patterns. Also, instead of hi-tops or lowtops, mid-ankle shoes are coming into style,” she said. She also said menswear will be brighter and more daring. “There will definitely be a lot of color. Colored pants are going to be a big trend this summer. Red pants, especially. For specific colors, designers are focusing on primary colors. There will be a lot of greens, blues and reds,” Daws said. While name-brand runway fashions can hurt your wallet, Daws said there are affordable ways to look fresh off the runway. “Gap is putting together a GQ line that will be reasonably affordable. Clothing from the line will be handpicked from GQ’s staff favorites,” Daws said. For those who do not want to look too far, Reed’s in Starkville offers affordable and stylish menswear brands. “Reed’s is probably the best in Starkville,” Daws said. “They have dress clothes that are good for church and going out, but they also have casual clothes that are stylish. They also sell TOMS. They just started selling the new TOMS eyewear.” Austin Lenox, sophomore business major and employee at

this summer,” Freeman said. For those penny-pinchers, Freeman suggested shopping at Old Navy. “At Old Navy, although the quality may not be as great as other stores, you can still get some more of the trendier items Zack Orsborn is chief designer as well as some of the staple for The Reflector. He can be items for a really good price,” contacted at kmullins@reflector. he said. Freeman said menswear is msstate.edu. headed in a great direction. “I think men are starting to Reed’s in Starkville, said Reed’s has picked up a new brand that dress up more,” he said. “Especially with influences like ‘Mad follows this summer’s trends. “We just picked up a new Men,’ one of my personal favorite shows, you brand called see a lot more Mine, and men starting they sent us to take a little some awesome bit more time spring-colored with their linen button appearance. downs. North You see that Face has sent men are getus some great ting back to water shorts simple things called Class like shaving, Five Shorts taking care perfect for of themselves summer,” he and groomsaid. ing. They are Charles wearing laceFreeman Jr., up shoes with apparel, texnicer socks.” tiles and merFreeman chandising CHARLES FREEMAN also said i n s t r u c t o r, JR., APPAREL, TEXTILES men’s fashion said the bigAND MERCHANDISING on campus is gest trend for changing in this summer INSTRUCTOR an excellent will be printway. ed pants and “ T h e y shorts. “Pants or shorts with plaid, aren’t just putting on a pair of striped or bold prints will be a square toed slip-ons or sticking on a pair of flip flops with trend this summer,” he said. Red and electric blues will a pair of shorts and throwing a most likely appear in this sum- hat on backwards and going to class,” he said. “They are taking mer’s color palette. Freeman also said purchasing time now, saying, ‘If I’m going anything you can mix with a to be out and about today, I staple item is a fashion forward can at least do my best to look good.’ I’m really happy with the decision to make. “You can put on a plain- direction that menswear is gocolored tee with a bold pair of ing, especially on campus when pants. You can also toss on a I see men dressing up more by cotton blazer with it, and you wearing bow ties and blazers will have a good, stylish look with jeans.”

“You can put on a plain colored tee with a bold pair of pants. You can also toss on a cotton blazer with it, and you will have a good, stylish look this summer”

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Vagina Monologues BY KAITLIN MULLINS Life Editor

On April 4 at 7 p.m. Rick’s Café will host a production of the Vagina Monologues to raise funds for local and international women’s advocacy groups. The Vagina Monologues is the cornerstone of the V-Day movement. According to its website, V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sex slavery. Each year between Feb. 1 and April 30, participants hold performances and other related events around the globe to benefit rape crisis centers and similar resource centers for women. In 2011, over 5,800 V-Day benefit events took place by volunteer activists in the United States and around the world. According to its website, in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, V-Day commits ongoing support to build movements and anti-violence networks. Working with local organizations, V-Day provided hard-won funding that helped open the first shelters for women in Egypt and Iraq; sponsored annual workshops and three national campaigns in Afghanistan; convened the "Confronting Violence" conference of South Asian women leaders; and donated satellite phones to Afghan women to

keep lines of communication en’s issues, raise funds for orgaopen and action plans moving nizations dear to her heart and provide great entertainment. forward. One of the most popular “I’m so excited to bring this events related vital mesto V-Day, sage to the Starkville and The Vagina Mo n o l o g u e s MSU commuis a series of nities again,” Walsh said. monologues performed by “The Vagina women about Mo n o l o g u e s is an imporeverything tant producfrom injustices against women tion because to first menit brings to life the actustrual cycles and childal words of birth. women from This year, various relithe famous gions, age collection of groups, races, monologues cultural backgrounds and will be directed orientations. and performed MELANIE WALSH, by Mississippi The producDIRECTOR OF THE tion is filled S t a t e VAGINA MONOLOGUES with humor, University stuPRODUCTION dents and staff rage, sadness with the supand empowerport of MSU’s ment, which sends a mesGender Studies Program and Department of sage of strength and hope that Relationship Violence and should resonate with the audiOutreach. For the third time this ence.” year Melanie Walsh, graduate The cost of admission is $2 student in counselor education, with donations greatly appreciatwill be directing the collection. ed. Rick’s Café's doors will open According to a press release, at 6:30 p.m., and all donations Walsh brings this production to will benefit Safe Haven Battered Starkville again this year with Women’s Shelter in Columbus hopes to raise awareness of wom- and V-Day international.

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“The production is ﬁlled with humor, rage, sadness and empowerment, which sends a message of strength and hope that should resonate with the audience.”

The Reflector is currently seeking applicants for circulation manager, chief designer, circulation staff, and advertising representatives positions.

SPORTS

T U E S DAY , APRIL 3 , 2012

THE REFLECTOR

Morrow looks to bolster receiving core BY RAY BUTLER Staff Writer

STEPHANIE GODFREY | THE REFLECTOR

After watching and learning the Bulldog offense for a year, freshman Joe Morrow will look to strengthen MSUʼs receiving core next fall as an increased passing game is expected.

When the Mississippi State football team enters Davis Wade Stadium this fall for the opening game of the 2012 season, the Bulldogs will have some key differences on the offensive side of the ball compared to the 2011 campaign. With quarterback Chris Relf and running back Vick Ballard both graduated and pursuing football options at the next level, MSU will likely look to throw the ball more during the 2012 season than any other season during the tenure of head coach Dan Mullen. One player who has not yet seen playing time for the Bulldogs and is poised to make an impact in the fall is Joe Morrow, a redshirt freshman wide receiver from Ocean Springs. Morrow, a player who has received a strong amount of praise by fellow teammates and coaches throughout the beginning of this year’s spring practice, is a physical, prototypical skill player who will undoubtedly add a new fold to the MSU offense for the next four seasons. At 6’4 and 205 pounds, Morrow nearly saw playing time as a true freshman at State. Now with a year of practice under his belt, Morrow said he was thankful he was given time to learn and mature as a college football player. “(Redshirting last season) really helped me learn the speed of the game,” Morrow said. “I was also able to get in the weight room and get stronger during last season.” The talented freshman also said being able to be with the team during games was a valuable experience in his maturing process as an SEC football player. “Being on the sidelines during games was really fun,” Morrow said. “Just being around my teammates on game day and during games was really helpful.” With his first week of spring practice in the books, Morrow is quickly making his presence known amongst his teammates. One MSU veteran who has witnessed Morrow’s progress is Corey Broomfield, a defensive back who said Morrow is among a group of

young wide receivers who have greatly improved since last season. “They have all gotten a lot better and are making the defensive backs work this spring,” Broomfield said. With Morrow’s size and speed, MSU will finally have a tall receiving threat that can also run deep, vertical routes. During the 2011 season, the tallest receiver who saw substantial playing time for MSU was Chris Smith, who stood at 6’2. With the mismatches the redshirt freshman presents, opposing defenses will have increased problems focusing on just one Bulldog receiver, which will make life easier for quarterback Tyler Russell, who is projected to be the starter for the 2012 season. Along with the talent he brings to the MSU passing game, Morrow’s added presence will also increase the consistency of a passing game that was shaky for long stretches of the 2011 season. The Bulldogs have not surpassed 300 yards passing in a single game since MSU’s 59-14 victory over the Memphis Tigers in the first game last season. “I feel like I know the offense really well,” Morrow said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help this team win.” In the Southeastern Conference, there is no such thing as having too much depth, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Since Morrow must produce to see playing time in the 2012 season, having young players with the necessary knowledge and talent to compete at the SEC level is crucial in building a team of contention. This is felt from the coaching staff all the way to the players, like offensive lineman Gabe Jackson, who said teaching younger players, such as Morrow, is the responsibility of the veteran players on the team. “Being able to rotate several players in is very important,” Jackson said. “It takes some of the pressure off of the older guys, and it keeps everyone fresh.” As Morrow continues to learn and mature, anxiety surrounding the potential of the redshirt freshman wide receiver continues to grow within the MSU football program. While Morrow said remaining humble is important to him, he also said he does not see a ceiling to his potential at MSU. “My motto has always been ‘the sky is the limit,’” Morrow said. “If I keep working hard and stay hungry, I think that someday, I’ll be the player that I want to be.” ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

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REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

Zach White and Ethan Wilkinson celebrate after winning a point in their doubles match. MSU now stands alone atop the SEC West at 6-1 in the conference. The Bulldogs have a tough task ahead, though, when they take on No. 9 Kentucky in a match that has the potential to decide the SEC.

Source: Northwestern Indiana Times, Yahoo! Sports ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

Bama proves too much to handle for Lady Dogs BY JACK HILL Staff Writer

The Bulldogs outhit but did not outscore the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide Sunday in Starkville. After dropping close contests both Friday (5-4) and Saturday (4-2), the Lady Dogs lost a competitive 9-3 ballgame Sunday afternoon, completing the series sweep for the Tide. With the loss, Mississippi State fell to 19-18 (3-13), and Alabama improved to 35-1 (12-1). Leading the way for Alabama was pitcher Jackie Traina, the starter for both Friday and Sunday, who came to Starkville at 19-0 and left 21-0. Her 18 strikeouts on the weekend proved to be the difference in an otherwise relatively even series. Pitching was not the only reason the Crimson Tide edged the Bulldogs. On the series, Alabama hit four home runs to Mississippi Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two; this included a gamedeciding grand slam Sunday in the top of the fourth to give Alabama a 6-1 lead, one they would not relinquish. MSU head coach Vann Stuedeman said the grand slam was a key turning point in the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They had a very key, timely home run. You just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a break in that lineup,â&#x20AC;? Stuedeman said. The Bulldogs did not go away lightly, though. Starting on the mound for State Friday and Sunday was junior Stephanie Becker, who pitched 9.2 innings on the weekend while striking out 10 and giving her team a chance to win. Although State wanted to take a game from the Tide, a moral victory could certainly be taken from this weekend for this young team,

playing toe-totoe against arguably the best team in college softball. Senior Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ili Smith said despite the losses, she was Smith still proud of her teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We still lost, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re never satisfied, and we always want the W. I am proud of my team for playing through all seven innings for three games,â&#x20AC;? Smith said. A timely hit here or there could have made the difference in possibly grabbing a game in this series for the Dogs, who stranded 10 on base Sunday. The Bulldogs left the bases loaded in both the third and fifth innings, losing a chance at a couple of huge innings. On the other side, Alabama capitalized with the bases loaded, with Danae Hays hitting a grand slam in the fourth en route to a six-run inning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to be able to stop the bleeding. You have to follow an error with an out or follow a walk with an out,â&#x20AC;? Stuedeman said. Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only home run Sunday was a solo shot by senior Brittany Bell, her eighth, in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs now turn their attention to in-state rival Southern Mississippi Wednesday and Arkansas, in Fayetteville, this weekend. The Razorbacks were swept last weekend by LSU and are the only team in the SEC West behind State, sitting at 18-17 (2-13). Stuedeman said MSU must figure out a way to get some timely hits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hitting the ball and hitting it well. That timely hit is going to fall, no doubt,â&#x20AC;? Stuedeman said.

No. 10 Bulldogs on a roll in final stretch BY ELLIOTT REES Staff Writer

A day after defeating Louisiana State University 6-1, Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior Day at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre featured Bulldogs Louis Cant, George Coupland and Artem Ilyushin. All three were key contributors in the match as No. 10 Mississippi State defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 4-1 to obtain its second match win in as many days and remain atop the SEC Western Division. The day did not start off entirely the way the Bulldogs would have liked after the pairing of seniors Ilyushin and Coupland surprisingly fell to the Razorbacks 8-1 in doubles play. The duo had a record of 12-3 coming in, and Coupland said he was disappointed but credited Arkansas for their great play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Me and Kit (Ilyushin) after the match said that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never been beaten 8-1, and we were just like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yeah, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guys played really, really good double doubles today, and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make enough, and we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take enough opportunities.â&#x20AC;? State faced an early 1-0 deficit following its second doubles

loss shortly afterward when senior Cant and sophomore Malte Stropp fell 8-3. However, the Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead following two impressive match wins which ended almost simultaneously as Ilyushin, the No. 15 ranked player in the nation, and Stropp both won in straight sets posting 6-3, 6-1 wins. Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to get the two early singles wins seemed to have shifted the momentum back in the Bulldogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favor, and, according to head coach Per Nilsson, it was something the team needed coming out of the locker room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;College tennis is all about momentum swings, and they had the momentum in the beginning with the doubles,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We felt that in the locker room that we could very easily make it feel like we were going to win this match within the next 10 minutes if we came out strong.â&#x20AC;? The turning point of the match probably came when Cant, who had already won his first set 6-1, battled to avoid his match being sent into a third as he won the second following a 7-3 tiebreak to win it 7-6 and give State a 3-1 lead in the match. The win gave MSU some breathing room with

only needing one more match out of three to obtain the victory. Nilsson said the win by Cant definitely played a major role in the Bulldogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to set themselves up to win the match. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was the key to the match,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If that goes the other way, Arkansas for sure would think they could win on every court out there; instead, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at all we got to do is win one of these three, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re out of here.â&#x20AC;? A storybook ending to Senior Day was achieved as Coupland, after dropping his first set 3-6, went on to win the final two 6-2, 6-4 and clinching the match with Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth point. The win improved Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall record to 16-4 and 7-1 in conference play. Couplandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win also gave all three seniors a win as State ended the regular season home schedule in style. Coupland said it is important for him and his fellow seniors to perform well for this team to have further success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was good to feel for all three seniors to have won the singles,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It shows how much we have meant to this team and this program and hopefully how much we are going to mean to the future

of this program. It is important that each three of us fight hard and keep playing the way weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing.â&#x20AC;? Mississippi State has three matches remaining on the schedule, all of which are on the road, but none are as big as this teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next foe, No. 9 Kentucky. The Bulldogs are second only to the Wildcats in the SEC overall standings, and a win this coming weekend on April 6 against the Wildcats could not only lead to State winning the West but also the entire Southeastern Conference regular season crown. Nilsson said winning the West last year was a goal, but this team wants more than a Western Division crown this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year our goal is to win the whole SEC, and we have to beat Kentucky to do it,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know the guys will be really fired up.â&#x20AC;? State will round up the regular season with trips to Vanderbilt on April 8 and in-state rival the school up North on April 14. The Bulldogs will finish out conference play by hosting the SEC Tournament, which will begin the Friday of Super Bulldog Weekend.

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SPORTS 12

TUESDAY , APRIL 3 , 2012

COACH

THE REFLECTOR

STAT OF THE DAY:

867 EMAILS, 347 TEXTS RECEIVED BY RICK

RAY BETWEEN THE TIME HE ACCEPTED THE JOB AND ARRIVED BACK IN CLEMSON

JUST A BIT OUTSIDE | JAMES CARSKADON

continued from 1

During his time at Clemson, the Tigers won 38 games and qualified for the NCAA Tournament one time. Prior to becoming the associate head coach at Clemson, Ray was an assistant at Purdue for four years, where he helped sign one of the top recruiting classes in school history. This class was rated No. 5 nationally by Scout.com and included All-American Robbie Hummel. Athletic director Scott Stricklin said Ray fits the characteristics of a coach he looks for when trying to fill a job. “Rick fits the model of head coach we have sought to bring into our program over the last several years,” Stricklin said. “He is bright, enthusiastic, disciplined and is a man of integrity. He has served with some of the top head and assistant coaches in college basketball and will bring a piece of all of them to our head coaching position.” Ray may not be a well-known commodity to many MSU fans, but he wasted little time letting people know what to expect of the MSU basketball program under his watch. “We will be successful. I don’t know how to lose. The only thing I’ve ever done is win ballgames,” Ray said. “I don’t care if you are an assistant coach or associate head coach. If you come from a winning program, you know how to win.” With MSU’s basketball program serving as the butt of many jokes over the last few years, Ray emphasized his desire to see his team perform well on and off the court. “I’m really big on doing things the right way. We are go-

ing to instill toughness. Sometimes you don’t have a banner year recruiting; you miss out on the McDonald’s All-American. You better have a system that will overcome some sort of bad recruiting year or attrition,” Ray said. “I want to make sure we put a team on this court that you guys can support and feel good about. That is very important to me. I want to make sure our guys are going out there and fighting and competing.” Ray’s next few weeks will be spent trying to sell the program to potential assistant coaches, recruits and fans. With the spring signing period right around the corner, it is important he try and assuage any fears current signees might have as well as work to add any talented players who are not currently signed with a school. Ray said he believes his style of play will be attractive to recruits. “This is going to be an exciting brand of basketball, offensively. We want to push the basketball and put people on their heels. We want to make sure we run a motion offense,” Ray said. “I believe the motion offense does one thing: it allows guys who are good enough to do what they need to do to go and make plays. It is as simple as that. I want them to go out there, make plays and be free.” When it comes to filling out his staff, Ray would like to keep one of the current MSU assistants on staff to help with the transition and to ensure MSU continues to recruit well in Mississippi. Along with keeping one of the current assistants, Ray said he wishes to bring in an assistant he knows, and he wishes to bring in another who really

ON THE TUBE: MLB OPENING DAY ST. LOUIS AT MIAMI WED., 6 P.M. ESPN

Not an easy road ahead for Rick Ray

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

Rick Ray was introduced as the MSU head basketball coach yesterday morning in front of an estimated 200 fans at Humphrey Coliseum.

wants to be at MSU (a “wild card” as he referred to him). Due to the transition phase that will take place after Stansbury’s 14 years on the job, Ray stressed that fans should cast their doubts aside and believe in him and Mississippi State. “As a basketball coach, I want to go out and connect with our players. I want them to have a positive experience at Mississippi State. I’ve been on the phone non-stop with recruits and players. It will take time, and it will take some patience,” Ray said. “All I ask you to do is throw away your doubts, throw away your fears and just go two feet in to Mississippi State basketball and then see what hap-

April 10th, 2012 10:00 A.M.– 2:00 P.M. Drill Field Presented by: The Department of Relationship Violence and

Outreach & MSU Chapter of Active Minds

1100 students die from suicide each year…. So, why aren’t we talking about it? The Send Silence Packing Showcase is a nationwide award winning program done by the local chapter of Active Minds to promote a dialogue about mental health and to combat suicide among students. Back packs are used nationally to convey stories and facts about suicide. For information about this event or how you can participate Contact the Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach at 325-2090.

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*MSU student statistics taken from the fall 2011 Core survey.

pens. If it doesn’t happen, then you can be judgmental, but don’t be judgmental right now. Just make sure you go out and support these guys because they need it. We’re going to be good, and we’re going to be successful. We’re going to do it the right way, and we’re going to put a brand of basketball on the court that all you guys can be proud of.”

LOOKING FOR MORE? For more information on the timeline of the Rick Ray hiring, see the graphic on page 11.

onday’s press conference to introduce former Clemson associate head coach Rick Ray as Mississippi State’s 19th head basketball coach had all the normal bells and whistles. Fans cheered, Ray shook hands with athletic director Scott Stricklin and then rang a chrome cowbell. The press conference was the easy part for Ray. What happens next is the hard part. Before a single X or O can be drawn, Ray must keep the current team and signing class intact to keep MSU competitive in the SEC and on the national radar. Ray said Monday the “most important recruits” are those already on the team. In the case of Rodney Hood, he’s right. Hood, who was freshman AllSEC this season, has hinted in reports about transferring. That loss would be a huge blow to an already thin roster. If he stays, Hood has the kind of talent and work ethic around which Ray can build the program. Of course, there’s the recruiting trail, where Ray quickly needs to become familiar with the talent in Mississippi. Also, keeping Josh Gray, MSU’s guard signee out of Texas, is key for this signing class. Once the 2012-2013 roster is set, then Ray can start drawing out the motion offense he plans on running. It’s far from a ‘sexy’ hire, and Stricklin has admitted that much.

James Carskadon is the sports editor of The Reflector. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com The hire has been both criticized by some MSU fans and praised by national college basketball columnists. I fall somewhere inbetween, but depending on how much talent he can convince to come to Starkville, I think Ray could prove to be a good hire. Stricklin’s first public comments on Ray were that he “fits the model of head coach we have sought to bring into our program,” and Scott is right on this one. A relatively young, highenergy guy that can sell MSU is certainly the type of coaches that have been hired recently, and Ray fits that mold. We’ll find out soon enough how good he is at selling the program once we see who stays and who goes. Rick Stansbury built MSU into a program that could achieve consistent success, but unfortunately for Ray, he left it with a bare cupboard. Now it’s up to Ray to replinish that cupboard. It won’t be easy, but it can be done. The baton is now passed from one Rick to another.