INSIDE
Mustangs host SMU Classic
What to wear in Spring 2013
PAGE 2
Gun control misses the mark
PAGE 6
Alum nominated for third Oscar
PAGE 7
PAGE 5
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 23, 2013
Wednesday High 71, Low 53 Thursday High 74, Low 51
VOLUME 98 ISSUE 48 FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS
crime
Student reports sexual assault Julie Fancher Assignments Desk Editor jfancher@smu.edu
Courtesy of AP
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance at the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday.
President Obama sworn in for second term Julie Fancher Assignments Desk Editor jfancher@smu.edu Fifty years ago Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Capitol and proclaimed to millions of people, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” On Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the first African American President Barack Obama was inaugurated for the second time in front of a crowd of 800,000. Although Texas is a red state, five SMU journalism students were scattered amongst the crowd to be a part of this historical moment. Inauguration Day began in the early hours of the morning as thousands of Americans from all over the country walked to the National Mall to begin lining up. Many got an early start to avoid major traffic, security lines and
not being able to sit in their seats, as happened in 2009. Last inauguration, many visitors had to walk on the interstate to get to their entrance at Capitol Hill. Visitors with exclusive purple tickets had to go through the tunnel under the National Mall and were stuck underneath during the inaugural ceremony. Police officers blamed unprecedented crowds. But this year was different. “This is a lot easier this year. It is much more organized. You couldn’t bring food or water in four years ago, and when you stood up and looked back it was just a sea of people,” Shirley McCombs said. McCombs travelled with her friend Stella Blair from Illinois to make this her fourth inauguration. She was present for both of President Clinton’s and for President Obama’s 2009 inauguration. She received her ticket by
being a member of the Electoral College and through her position as the Secretary of the Democratic Party in Illinois and the State Central Committee woman of the 18th Congressional district. McCombs and Blair knew Barack Obama before he became a U.S. State Senator, and they said they have enjoyed watching him evolve over the years into the President of the United States. “It’s so exciting. There’s just something about him. When we first met him we knew he was going to be successful,” Blair said. For many though, this inauguration was a first time experience. Howard and Nell Pizzo came from Michigan and got their tickets from being a part of the Electoral College. For the Pizzos, this was an exciting time for the country to move forward under President Obama. “I’m looking forward
to going forward and him accomplishing some of his goals,” Nell Pizzo said. Many people said that they were looking forward to President Obama accomplishing his goals of stabilizing the economy, working on climate change, immigration, gun control and health care. “We need a progressive solution to the economy and deficit. It has to be progressive and start with the middle class,” Howard Pizzo said. Most importantly, everyone was looking forward to cooperation between Congress and the president. Around 9 a.m., the National Mall had almost completely filled up all the way to the Washington Monument. P.S. 22 from Staten Island began signing to get people excited for the festivities that were still three hours away. Although everyone was waiting for hours, no one was complaining about the nice
weather. “It’s just beautiful outside! So much better than freezing [temperatures] four years ago,” April Atilabede from Fairfax, VA. said. As members of the House of Representatives and the Senate filed into their seats, Travis Monroe from Montana reflected on how monumental the date of the ceremony was. “It’s kind of amazing it falls on MLK Jr. day. I think that’s what brought a lot of people here,” Monroe said. Monroe previously worked on the Hill for Sen. Baucus. One of the two bibles used in the inauguration was the same bible that Dr. King used when he gave his “I Have A Dream Speech.” The crowd was attentive and quiet as President Clinton, President Carter and Vice
See OBAMA page 3
An SMU student reported an on-campus sexual assault to the SMU police according to a crime alert issued to the campus Tuesday afternoon. The student told SMU police that she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance who has also been identified as a SMU student at the Perkins residence hall early Monday morning. Kent Best, the Executive Director of News and Media Relations said in a statement: “SMU takes all allegations of sexual assault seriously and its police department vigorously investigates all such complaints. The alleged sexual assault reported to SMU police on Jan. 21 is under police investigation. Anyone with information about this matter is asked to contact SMU Police at 214-768-3388.” This is the sixth reported sexual assault on campus since the beginning of the school year. This past September junior Donald Cuba was indicted by a grand jury for sexual assault that allegedly occurred in March 2012. His trial is set to begin on March 25. Sophomore John David Mahaffey was arrested in late September 2012 after allegedly sexually assaulting another male student. He was indicted in November and as of now there is no trial date set for that case. Dr. Lori White recently sent out an email to students, staff and faculty in regards to the sexual assault task force. The email said the task force has created an email address to "obtain feedback from the SMU community on current sexual misconduct policies and practices". The task force will accept any feedback or comments sent to taskforce@smu.edu until Jan. 28.
Health
Influenza season hits peak, vaccines available on SMU campus Parminder deo Video Editor pdeo@smu.edu As the semester ramps up, SMU students have more than just classes to worry about. The flu season is back and it may be shaping into a bad one. According to the Center of Disease Control’s latest report, “influenza activity is high across most of the United States.” The strain of the Influenza virus varies from year to year and it is recommended to receive a flu shot as soon as it becomes available. This way the body is well equipped against the flu. But for those who faint at the sight of a needle there is also a nasal spray flu vaccine known as the “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine.” The flu season can start as early as October and can last until May. The season reaches its peak in January and February.
“SMU emails students with everything they need to do to get a flu shot which makes it easy and it was free,” first-year Moez Sayani said. While students run the risk of getting the flu, younger children, the elderly, and people with certain health illnesses are more prone to serious flu-related complications. The flu can spread quickly and up to six feet away. Be on the lookout for the telltales signs of coughing, runny noses, and sneezing. The CDC reports that the number of flu related deaths can range from 3,000 to 49,000 in a given season. “I am being more conscious of washing my hands and I make sure to eat healthier,” first-year Katherine Zopatti said. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. Students and faculty
avoid the flu Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick or may be sick.
Courtesy of AP
Vials of the Influenza vaccine at the Whittier Street Health Center in Boston, Mass., Jan. 9.
who find themselves with these symptoms are recommended to stay home up to 24 hours after their fever has subsided. A healthy individual can infect another person without even
realizing it. A person who becomes infected can begin to infect others one day earlier than symptoms develop and to five to seven days after becoming sick, the
CDC reports. The Memorial Health Center offers flu shots to faculty and students. Vaccines are available on campus during immunization hours.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. An alcohol based wipe or hand rub will also work. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.