February 2019

P ROFILE Drag ‘til You

THE HENDRIX COLLEGE

VOLUME 107 ISSUE 4

THE HENDRIX COLLEGE

P ROFILE

Table of contents 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16

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Letter from the editor New Dorm, New Rules “The Rat Race of College Pricing�

Animals on Campus Vaping on Campus Fresh Face Miss Represented?

Eyes on the Prize Room Searches Cause for Concern Through the Lens of Public Safety Longest Government Shutdown Ends Soccer Mommy Comes to Hendrix

Editor-in-Chief: Marlee Bird Online Editor: Sarah Gilmour Managing Editor: Lauren Berry Photography Editor: Alice Fan Copy Editor: Peyton Coffman Layout Editor: Monica Martinez Photographer: Graydon Carter Photographer: Sarah Pickering Photographer: Samantha Huckabay Staff Writer: Trey Dyer Staff Writer: Kaitlin Lowe Staff Writer: Alyssa Jones Staff Writer: Julia Kraus Staff Writer: Anna Norman Staff Writer: Indigo Kroll Videographer: Mary Katherine Nail Online Editor: Sarah Gilmour

Advisor Dr. Alex Vernon

Mission Statement As a student-run and student-funded newsmagazine, The Profile uncovers the smart edge to campus culture: the people, places, ideas and trends that curious, confident students and faculty want, need and ought to know. By critically examining issues important to the Hendrix community, The Profile aims to act as a catalyst for change, a tool for transparency between the student body and faculty and a source of inspiration for its readers to begin thinking globally and acting locally.

The Oscars for Amateurs In My Free Time... @Hendrixprofile

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The Profile At Hendrix

hendrixprofile.com

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

MARLEE BIRD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

At this point, I’ve given up on trying to prepare myself for what to expect for Miss Hendrix – no matter how raunchy I remember the last show being, the next one always seems to be raunchier. After all, it’s the spectacle of irreverent moments that make the show special.

With any spectacle, there are reasons we keep watching despite the fact that, in many ways, we may be uncomfortable with some of the material. Miss Hendrix takes the discomfort and puts it out in the open – the MCs do it, the dancers do it, I fully expect BenDeLaCreme to do it, and we as audience members do it. Yet, as much as Miss Hendrix tries to fight sex and gender taboos, I think our campus has come to acknowledge that Miss Hendrix is not a comprehensive lesson on these topics, or drag culture in general.

In the past, Miss Hendrix has been criticized for making a mockery out of drag culture, a criticism which has largely gone away thanks to the new tone of inclusivity and acceptance in the show. This change mirrors the history of drag itself, however questions about the show persist.

In their op-ed “Miss Represented?”, one of this year’s Miss Hendrix contestants, Ploy Freebairn, talks about the expansion of Miss Hendrix to include drag kings; they also acknowledge ex-

clusions that still exist within the contest.

In the fall, The Profile sent a poll to the student body asking if the name “Miss Hendrix” should be changed to “Mx. Hendrix,” “Mx. HDX” or some other title that reflected a gender-inclusive environment. A majority of students who voted were in favor of keeping the name “Miss Hendrix” and these results were recorded in our October issue. Although the name didn’t change this year, other shifts took place.

This year is remarkable because Miss Hendrix has the first group of even-numbered drag kings and queens (3 kings, 3 queens). This fact shows that Miss Hendrix is changing at a rapid pace, perhaps more rapidly than was expected, and illustrates that although tradition lives on, that tradition is not immune to change.

Sincerely,

Have a question, response, or inquiry? You can reach us anytime at thehendrixcollegeprofile@ gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest stories.

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NEWS

NEW DORM, NEW RULES As the construction of the Miller Creative Quad continues, discussion about the housing process, residence traditions, and hall community has become imperative.

In the past, students have had the opportunity to “squat� a room that they would like to continue living in the following year. However, Veasey and Martin will be closed next year for renovations. When they open again, Galloway and Hardin will close. The next year, both will open, and Raney will undergo renovations. Because students living in residence halls won’t be able to squat rooms slated for renovation, Dean Wiltgen has suggested to Student Senate that squatting end within the residence halls until all renovations finish in 2021. Doing so eliminates the disadvantage students living in Veasey and Martin will have during housing selection.

The Veasey and Martin closures remove 238 beds, while the Creative Quad will open 100 beds for a mix of upperclassmen and first-year students. The original proposal suggested that 70 spots be reserved for returning students, while 30 will be given to first-year students. Dean Wiltgen aspired to take whatever recommendation Senate passed, so constituents received several emails with links to polls about the Creative Quad policy.

A majority of the responses said that the Creative Quad should only house upper-class students. However, with the Veasey and

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Year begins with talk of changes to beloved squatting privileges Indigo Kroll| Staff Writer

Martin closures, space for incoming students will be far more limited than in previous years. Without reserving some beds for new students with the Creative Quad, the proportion of first-year to upper-class students will change within the traditional residence halls. More freshmen would need to be placed in rooms currently used as singles will be used as doubles, and there will be fewer empty rooms in each hall.

Some students voiced concerns about the 30-bed limit for first-year students. Many were worried that the new students living among upper-class students would feel isolated and struggle to form community. Ultimately, Senate recommended that a maximum of 40 beds be reserved specifically for first-year students, with the understanding that there should be as few freshmen as possible within the Creative Quad.

The Creative Quad will be co-ed by room; genders will not be separated into wings. However, housing aims to cluster first-year students near each other.

Students suggested that art students be given preference to the Creative Quad, since many of the resources there will be centered around artistic expression. However, Dean Wiltgen hopes that the relationship between the Quad and art students will occur organically.

photo by Graydon Carter

“THE RAT RACE OF COLLEGE PRICING” Private colleges face revenue shortfalls, but are changes being made the right ones?

Trey Dyer|Staff Writer

It’s no secret: college is expensive. Whether a student attends a private college or a public university, chances are they’ve taken out a loan or two to cover the cost. As of October 2018, total student loan debt in the United States reached a staggering $1.5 trillion.

There are more than 44 million borrowers with an average of $37,172 of debt according to Make Lemonade, a personal finance website that helps students with loan refinancing and banking.

The enormous behemoth that is American student debt looms over graduates for years and has been blamed for the decrease in home-ownership and the lack of average savings.

The price of a college education continues to rise while an undergraduate degree is more and more necessary to secure a decent job.

Hendrix students are no strangers to rising costs of attendance. Since 2000, the total cost of attending Hendrix has risen more than 234 percent. Over the past seven years, students have been hit with an increase of approximately $2,000 per year.

According to College Data, it costs about $62,174 to attend Hendrix today. That’s just shy of $3,000 less than the cost of attending Vanderbilt. While Hendrix College is a highly rated institution, it does not compare to Vanderbilt on the national stage and lacks the brand recognition that could secure jobs for graduates.

Consider the cost of attendance in context of the economic status of residents in each state: USA Data shows the poverty

level in Arkansas at 17.2 percent and Tennessee’s at 15.8 percent. The median household income in Tennessee sits $4,223 above the median in Arkansas.

This presents Hendrix with a problem, one faced by hundreds of private colleges across the country. Given the drop in attendance, the rising costs, and increasing revenue shortfalls, how does the school attract students?

Colleges like Hendrix continue to raise costs while simultaneously increasing scholarship and financial aid awards in an attempt to keep students and families interested. But several private colleges have resorted to what collegiate financiers call a “tuition reset.” A tuition reset means that an institution lowers its “sticker price,” or the cost of attendance, before scholarships and financial aid are applied. This decrease is normally of a large amount, $10,000 or $15,000. When a college cuts its sticker price, it also drastically cuts its financial awards.

Some economists call tuition resets “gimmicks.” A reset has the potential to negatively impact poorer students more than wealthier ones. For those who pay most of their tuition, a reset could mean savings. For students from less wealthy families who rely on scholarships and financial aid, a reset could mean no change—or at worst, an increase—in costs.

And so goes the rat race of college pricing. More and more, tuition pricing seems like a psychological game rather than an indication of true cost. Nothing yet indicates that Hendrix will opt for a tuition reset, but one thing is certain: the college is not alone in its troubles, and something has to change.

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Photo courtesy of Mary Cook

ANIMALS ON CAMPUS

As assistance animals become more visible on campus, knowing the regulations is crucial

Julia Kraus | Staff Writer

This semester, there have been many assistance animals on campus in the form of service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals. Julie Brown, Director of Academic Success, explained that the most visible assistance animals on campus are service animals because they perform functions or tasks that an individual with a disability cannot perform individually and may accompany their owner to almost any location on campus, including the cafeteria. There are currently 33 assistance animals on campus, three of which are classified as service animals. The remaining 30 are therapy and emotional support animals who can soothe and comfort students but are not allowed to leave an individual’s personal residence, except for hygiene reasons.

Brown stated that, while the assistance animal program has been largely successful, “we still have a problem with students bringing their animals into other dorms and even

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Photo courtesy of Hannah Berlin

across campus.”

Students can report any issues regarding assistance animals to their RA, who will inform the Office of Academic Success.

“We don’t usually have a lot of complaints about animals, because we have such strict regulations with them. Obviously, having an animal that’s not approved is against campus policy, so something like that, I’d have to let my supervisors know and go through the protocol there,” said RA Shelby Bowman.

Despite logistical concerns, emotional support and therapy animals are an important part of many students’ lives.

“They make me feel safe, and they can also be there for you sometimes more than other humans. I can cry on my rats and they won’t judge me,” said Alexandra Lambert, a sophomore with two emotional support rats.

More information on assistance animals can be obtained from the Office of Academic Success. The deadline to apply for assistance animal approval for the fall semester is March 1.

VAPING ON CAMPUS

Photo by Samantha Huckabay

Anna Norman | Staff Writer

Students and staff share opinions about vaping ban on campus According to a Gallup poll from July of this year, 20 percent of people ages 18 to 29 vape. The number of young people smoking cigarettes, 16 percent, is half of what it was in the early 2000s. As vaping has surpassed smoking traditional cigarettes in popularity for young adults, it is unsurprising that vaping is common here on Hendrix campus. People view vaping as a cooler, less smelly, healthier hobby, and vaping has attained a quasi-ironic cult status in today’s society.

Despite its popularity and its legality for those over 21, there is a huge movement against vaping, both on a grand scale and at Hendrix. Vaping devices maintain the same status as cigarettes in the Hendrix handbook and in the eyes of the administration.

Because Juuls and other small e-cigarettes are so easy to conceal, they present the school with unique problems.

“There have been increased fire alarm activations in residential facilities from vaping due to the larger haze created from vaping versus regular smoking,” said Associate Dean of Students Kesha Baoua. “There have also been several cases of individuals vaping at indoor social events. That rarely happens with cigarettes or cigars.”

Health concerns about vaping aren’t unwarranted. New research that is soon to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference finds a connection between the use of e-cigarettes and an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to the risk of nicotine addiction, many people cite the lack of conclusive research on vaping’s health effects as a reason to put down the Juul.

“Back when they started with cigarettes, we didn’t know how terrible they were either. Give it about twenty years, and we’ll find out they were bad for us,” said Director of Student Health

Services Denise “Necie” Reed.

Many young people, including those who vape, are at least partially aware of the harmful effects that these devices have, especially as they relate to nicotine addiction.

“It hasn’t been as popular for as long [as smoking cigarettes], so there’s really not a lot of studies on long-term health effects.

I suspect it is probably better than cigarettes in some ways and probably worse than cigarettes in some ways,” said a student who turned to vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.

Additionally, at least some students who vape seem to understand why the administration bans vaping on campus.

“They should restrict it as severely as smoking because it’s still vapor smoke, and that is annoying. Even though your Juul won’t leave the same smell, and it’s not as bad as second-hand smoke, it’s still stupid if you don’t allow people to smoke somewhere but do allow them to vape,” said a student who Juuls.

However, just because students are understanding of the school’s policy doesn’t mean they will follow it.

“The school’s ban has literally no impact on my use of it. I Juul in my room, at parties, walking to class, in class, and at the cafeteria sometimes,” the same student said.

Many people, including Nurse Necie, are wary of the marketing groups and companies that are profiting from these devices.

Nurse Necie also stressed that vaping is not the best alternative if you are trying to kick a cigarette addiction. “[The vape industry] doesn’t have the public’s best interest at heart,” Nurse Necie said, adding that these groups will try to keep any negative health effects under wraps for as long as possible.

You can watch the video version of this story at www. hendrixprofile.com.

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FRESH FACE: New counselor on campus brings unique skills, perspectives to counseling services Alyssa Jones| Staff Writer Photo by Sarach Pickering

Student Senate’s Mental Health Working Group connects the student body with members of the counseling services, Dr. Vetter, Dean Wiltgen, and Dr. Davis, the psychiatrist who comes to campus every Tuesday. The working group is led by sophomore Natalie Burgess.

“We meet biweekly and discuss issues that we see happening. We have also worked with COGS this year and partnered with them on a project that concerned the disparities with mental health in the LGBT community,” Burgess said.

Burgess started her first counseling sessions in August with the new counselor Mr. Darrick Ball. It is her first experience with a counselor.

“He repeats back what I say to him often, which helps me synthesize my own feelings about things,” Burgess said. “It has been really helpful. He has connected me with Dr. Davis.”

Seventeen years ago, the counseling services at Hendrix consisted only of Dr. Mary-Anne Seibert, who is now head of counseling services. There are two full-time and one part-time therapists. Dr. Seibert is very focused on making sure the counseling services meet the needs of students.

“I want to ensure this office is growing too,” Dr. Seibert said.

“Students really care about mental health issues on campus and have used their voices to ensure that we are adequately staffed.”

Along with the demands of students being met, Dr. Seibert would like to ensure versatility in the counseling services. For example, having Mr. Ball allows for students to choose a female or male counselor.

“I want to ensure that we have different kinds of therapist that students might relate to in different ways,” Dr. Seibert said.

“My staff is really wonderful, and all three of us could see any student and be comfortable with that. There are times when

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students have a preference, and I’m delighted that we can offer that. It’s nice to be able to give them that choice.”

The transition period for Mr. Ball was very smooth, consisting mostly of reviewing Hendrix College procedures and policy. Mr. Ball began his services in August 2018.

“This was his first time working in a college counseling center, but because he’d had such a broad range of experiences before, he was able to transfer his skills to this kind of setting,” Dr. Seibert said.

Mr. Ball has had previous experience at Youth Home Incorporated, Department of Human Services, Center Street Youth and Families, crisis management hotline services, and at the Youth Home Day Treatment. During his time in these facilities, Mr. Ball aided chronically mentally ill and at-risk adults, homeless adolescent boys who were in the state’s custody, and public school children.

“I’m used to a lot of emergency crisis behaviors where things are volatile,” Mr. Ball said, “I think it has been an interesting transition. It’s a new experience to walk-in and see a person who is wanting to see or do things differently, maybe in a healthier way. I’m so impressed that students are proactive to do things differently, to put them in a better space for themselves.”

The students’ reactions and openness have been a surprise and new experience for him.

“I was surprised by students’ willingness to come in for services because there is this stigma that counseling services are for [people] who are unable to manage,” Mr. Ball said. “It’s been refreshing to see people with a healthy perspective of what counseling is about. It’s an honor every day to sit with someone who’s willing to share some of their deepest, darkest pains.”

MISS REPRESENTED?

OPINION

Does the name of the popular drag show represent inclusivity?

Ploy Freebairn| Freelance Writer

Photo by Alice Fan

“We have a drag pageant in here every year, put on by students,” a friendly Hendrix tour guide told me as I, a nervous prospective student, gazed upon the rows and rows of chairs in Staples auditorium. My eyes opened wide with surprise— I knew this college was progressive, but the thought of the LGBTQ community’s most iconic and influential art form being showcased as a major college event made my then-closeted heart flutter. Learning about this event actually influenced my decision to come to Hendrix; I had found a place where my community was not only accepted, but celebrated.

Before I could even respond, the student finished with, “But only male students can compete.” I was bummed, to say the least. Playful thoughts of my future self performing in the competition were squashed abruptly before they could really form.

However, by the time I stepped into my fourth year at Hendrix, the strict gender rule was gone, and the walls that barred so many from competing were being torn down.

The rule allowing drag kings to perform in Miss Hendrix didn’t simply make the pool of contestants wider; it pushed the competition to capture the rich diversity that lives and breathes within the drag community. Drag kings in particular have contributed to and enriched the art form as much as queens have, and to dismiss them from the competition was more than unfair— it kept students unfamiliar with drag from experiencing the full extent of its culture. Yet, even after this addition, there was still much to be done to improve the event’s inclusiveness.

Earlier this school year, there was another modification of the previous rules, which had stated that only male contestants could perform as queens and female contestants as kings.

When I attended the Miss Hendrix interest meeting in the fall, we were told that contestants of any gender could perform as either a queen or a king, a rule that gave both cisgender and transgender contestants a fuller freedom of expression. This was a huge step in dismantling the gender rules that existed—a

code that simply doesn’t exist in the drag community, where the bending of gender is celebrated.

It is impossible to avoid the conversation of gender when discussing drag, as it has always been a way to assess the intricately constructed gender binary and, in a flash of color and glitter, tear it to pieces. Drag gives individuals the opportunity to intimately explore their own concepts of self and their relation to gender. When you create your character, it may be a version or alter-ego of yourself that you’ve always wanted to bring to life, or perhaps a facet of your personality crafted into parody. For me, Dr. Freakenstein is somewhat of a caricature of how I view myself: a masculine, goofy, gay scientist. Even though I will be competing as a king, my own character’s focus isn’t on male presentation or the male gender. I wanted my character to step away from the traditional ‘gender illusion’ (as many other drag performers do in the community) and focus on embodying the eccentricity and campiness that exists within me.

Another topic brought up at the interest meeting last semester was the possibility of another change—not to a rule, but to the name of the competition itself. Miss Hendrix is a fantastic pageant name…. for a competition consisting strictly of female or female-presenting characters. I believe the current name lacks the inclusivity for which the event pushes. A genderneutral alternative was presented: Mx. Hendrix. While some students may be indifferent toward the name, many individuals point out that maintaining the name Miss Hendrix could be discouraging to drag kings. If you are a king, and you enter a competition that was originally intended for drag queens only, you might question the validity of your part in the competition—can I truly compete with the queens for a title that doesn’t reflect my character? Three years ago, it was established that drag kings and queens alike have been able compete on equal grounds. I think it’s about time we have a title that solidifies this revolutionary change.

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EYES ON

MARILYN MONHOE

Stand aside modern day broads and bimbos because while some like it hot, and some like it cold, this OG queen likes it jusssssst right. Marilyn Monhoe is a sultry vixen who employed her assets to take on the status of an XXX-list Hollywood star. Marilyn has starred in tons of cockbuster films and has even blown.... Uh.... minds on the cover of many magazines such as Playboy and Hustler. She proves that all a lady needs to be successful is a bodacious rack and some serious balls. Marilyn typically doesn’t mix business with pleasure, but a little generosity can go a long way. After all, any man of Marilyn’s knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And have no fear, she’s pretty sure she’s cured her “seven-year itch” and she’s eager to prove just how her two favorite girls sparked a nation’s sexual revolution. Besides, everyone knows that gentlemen, especially handsome U.S. presidents (wink, wink), prefer blondes.

Get ready Hendrix, Marilyn Monhoe is cumming to steal the show!

RIM McRAW

Rim McRaw, singer, cowboy, and generous lover, recently left his tan-legged Juliet, Faith Hill. When asked about the divorce, Faith reported that she knew it was over when Rim said “It’s your love. It just does not do something to me.”

The divorce comes right after Rim’s most recent tour in North America. It was on his tour that he allegedly met his new lover: a juicy cut of tenderloin, Girth Brooks. Since meeting Girth, Rim says some of his songs have been given a new meaning, namely his hit “The Cowboy in Me.” Rim says that he and Girth have been making good use of the big house he got from Faith in the divorce.

They’ve been celebrating their love on piles of money and on the kitchen counter and in the hot tub and in the recently added dungeon. Last week, Rim told Out Magazine “I wouldn’t pretend to be straight again if someone gave me a million bucks… because I already have a million bucks!” When asked about his and Girth’s relationship, Rim said “What can I say? I like and I love it and I always want some more of it.”

DR. FREAKENSTEIN

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Lab coats have never been more in since Dr. Freakenstein arrived on the scene. Take his hand and dive into a new world brimming with electricity …. and body parts. Some may call him a “Mad Scientist” …. And they would be absolutely correct. He sees beauty in all things post-mortem and breathes life to creatures of all shapes and sizes. He has spent years and years piecing dozens of monsters together, trying to build a being that was stronger and fiercer than any human could dream to be. Eventually he crafted the most famous of his creatures: Frankenstein’s Monster. Together, he and his creatures roam across the world, showing off their macabre beauty. However, he is still on the lookout for new pieces for his collection, and who knows - he may just be interested in experimenting with you.

THE PRIZE

TAYSTEE POUSSEY

Ring the alarm and call all guards, this inmate is on the loose! They’re serving more than just face, but a life sentence. This deep throating specialist knows how to swallow more than just their pride. This black queen was the leader of the riot at Litchfield prison, surviving max, and now has come to take what’s theirs. They’re the shot caller of their army and always carry a strap with them.

Lock your doors and call 911 because this queen has come to steal the show and kill the competition. Just as their names implies, at the end of the night, you’re going to want to taste. Please give it up for the sexy, and curvaceous Taystee Poussey.

HANNAH COCKTANA Miley Clitoris lives a double life as an average college girl by day and an international pop singing sensation, Hannah Cocktana, by night. While Miley Clitoris has always wanted to be wild and crazy, Hannah Cocktana dominates the stage as the sweet innocent star that she is supposed to be. Lately people have started to get suspicious of Hannah and are questioning who she really is. Although she would hate to disappoint her fan base and lose the best of both worlds, she knows that she needs to be herself and show the world that she can’t be tamed. Even though Hannah Cocktana’s career might be coming to an end, who knows if Miley Clitoris might wreck the music world.

AVRIL LACREAM After the death of a popular punk rock singer, the record label decided to replace the star with a doppelganger in order to capitalize on her popularity. They searched and found an exact look- alike, Avril Lacream. She was groomed and trained to sing and rock out just like the audience would expect of the star she was supposed to be. However, this diva is not complicated and does not want her life to be controlled. Avril wanted to never grow up, and she was going to get the happy ending that she truly desired. After claiming her success and wealth in the music industry, the new Avril has decided she is not her record label’s puppet, and she is her own woman. Now, Avril Lacream is going to get, and do, what, and who, she wants, and nobody can tell her otherwise.

Photos by Alice Fan, Graydon Carter, Sarah Pickering

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FEATURE

ROOM SEARCHES CAUSE FOR CONCERN Kaitlin Lowe | Staff Writer

Students and faculty discuss Public Safety’s tendency to perform checks unannounced Students who reside in any apartment owned by Hendrix College may not be aware that a Public Safety officer will enter their residence, without advance notification, every 31 days for visual inspections of their fire extinguishers.

Several Hendrix students have expressed concern and frustration that Public Safety can enter their residences in this manner.

“It made me feel uncomfortable,” Trey Webb, ’19 said about a Public Safety officer performing a fire extinguisher check. “I would prefer to know when someone is going to come into my apartment.”

When the officer entered Webb’s apartment, the officer noted some empty alcohol bottles and took photographs of them. Webb and his roommate are both 21.

“They told us that someone would be back within 24 hours to make sure our apartment is clean,” Webb said.

If an officer observes a smell of marijuana or an amount of alcohol that the College deems excessive, Public Safety may return with Residence Life staff and search for controlled substances. Per person, excessive alcohol is defined as more than a) Two one-liter bottles of wine, b) One one-liter bottle of hard alcohol, c) 30 twelveounce cans of beer or a malted beverage, or d) “a reasonable combination of these types.”

But is this a reasonable amount to begin with? This question prompted a discussion with Residence Life and Student Affairs.

“That one is hard,” John Omolo, Director of Student Life, said. “We want you to have fun when you are of age. At the same time, we don’t want you to hurt yourself. We are your parents away from home.”

Omolo said he often receives calls from concerned parents about their child’s class attendance, their general health and wellbeing, or unanswered phone calls from the parent to the student.

“Let’s say the parents are in California and they ask the college, ‘Can you go tell my son to call me?’ And I know Hardin is a couple steps away. [He knocks on his desk]. ‘Hey, your mom called, could you call her?’ Let’s say I tell the mom, ‘No, I can’t do that.’ They feel hurt,” Omolo said.

In an initial response about the over-possession threshold, Associate Dean of Students Kesha Baoua said that the policy “was based on county ordinances that have limited the possession of alcohol in Faulkner County.” Faulkner County Civil Attorney David Hogue said that he was not aware of any such current ordinance on possession of alcohol. In response to a follow-up with Student Affairs on the attorney’s answer, Dean Wiltgen said that the policy was in fact based on a Faulkner County law. This law was repealed “about five years ago,” Dean Wiltgen said.

After discussing the over-possession policy, Omolo addressed some of the student reports about dorm and apartment searches.

The majority of students who gave accounts of their rooms or apartments being searched said that their search was prompted by the smell of marijuana. However, sometimes the source of the smell can

be difficult to identify from the hallways of apartments or dorms.

One former resident of Martin Hall first floor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said his room was searched last year.

“The basis was a weed smell in the hallway,” said the source. “My roommate and I weren’t there when they entered. It had been many months since we’d smoked in the room.” According to the student, “It’s absolutely, 100% impossible that our room would have been the source of a smell strong enough to fill the hallway.”

A search was still carried out and, according to the discoveries of the search, the only other probable cause would have been a bag placed over a fire alarm. The only item the search revealed was “an old pipe” so concealed that “even my roommate didn’t know it was there,” the student said.

Asked if a marijuana smell permeating the hallway—to the point that the room or apartment of origin is indistinguishable—should be cause to search multiple students’ spaces in that hallway, Omolo said, “No. If I don’t know exactly where it’s coming from, I am not going to search every single student’s room. That’s something I don’t recommend we do.”

However, it’s unclear whether this recommended policy is an official one.

Nicola Bryan, ’20, was recently searched in Market Square North, but has concerns about what she was told initiated the search.

“When the Area Coordinator, two Resident Assistants, and a Public Safety officer entered my apartment, my door was closed.

I heard them ask my roommate if I was there and inform her they intended to search my room before I had opened my door. They did not initially inform her or me why they had knocked on our door and intended to search my room,” Bryan said.

After raising concerns about the search to administration, Bryan was told that the cause for entering her apartment was a report of smoke seen coming out of a window in the building, and that Residence Life followed a smell of marijuana in the hallway to her apartment’s door. Bryan’s roommate was not searched, and Bryan was told that Residence Life did not search her roommate’s space because they did not smell marijuana in her room. According to the justification Bryan was provided, the smell of marijuana was strong enough to emanate from the apartment into the hallway but not into her roommate’s room.

“On any given day, hallways of Market Square North can smell of weed,” Bryan said. “Residence Life claimed they followed the smell of weed to my apartment. But when the smell emanates throughout the hallway, it is almost impossible to determine which particular apartment it is coming from. When that is the case, I feel a more objective way of determining which apartment to search is needed.”

However, the student handbook does state that, “While fulfilling their administrative responsibility to enforce College regulations, members of the Office of Residence Life staff may enter student

Photo by Alice Fan

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rooms at any time.”

Similarly, Director of Public Safety Michael LeBlanc and Dean Wiltgen both emphasized that the College does have the authority to enter unannounced for monthly fire extinguisher checks. LeBlanc said that efforts had been made before to notify students but had not materialized into a policy “due to manpower changes and fluctuating schedules.” This legally required task is done during officers’ downtime and is not built into their shifts.

Initially, LeBlanc said that, because of the wide time frame of the checks, a monthly email notification could be given to students that “fire extinguisher checks are going to be done this month.” However, providing students with a 31-day time frame in which to expect checks that are completed every 31-days would give students no narrower time frame in which to expect the checks. Later, in an email, LeBlanc said that “An officer only has a total of 10 days to complete his or her assigned checks.” This narrower time frame

could be useful information in providing students advance notification.

“I will be examining ways that we may be able to communicate better when fire extinguisher checks are being conducted,” LeBlanc said.

“We will work to change that,” Dean Wiltgen said regarding the lack of notification about the checks. He added that it would be incorrect to conclude that advance notice of the checks cannot be given.

“I favor a notice to students ahead of the process,” Dean Wiltgen said.

Dean Wiltgen also emphasized an openness regarding feedback and communication with students about the efficacy of the over-possession policy. The policy will be up for review next year.

THROUGH THE LENS OF PUBLIC SAFETY Here’s everything you need to know about Public Safety’s new body cameras

Anna Norman | Staff Writer 1. The cameras were inspired by incidents that brought officer safety into question.

These incidents would have been easily resolved if there had been photographic or video evidence. In response to the issue, Director of Public Safety Michael LeBlanc examined the policies of other colleges and institutions, as well as the International Association of the Chiefs of Police, and tailored their guidelines to fit our campus. He spoke with students and members of the administration and presented them with his idea, which they met with support.

2. One body camera has already been in use on campus for over a semester.

To test the effectiveness of the body cameras, a Public Safety officer has been wearing one since May of 2018. “It has worked out wonderfully and we have not had any complaints,” Leblanc said. “In several situations, it has been very useful.” At this point, LeBlanc is ready to move past the pilot stage.

3. You’ve probably seen them and haven’t noticed.

Because one of the cameras has been floating around since May, it is likely that you’ve come into contact with the body camera and just didn’t see it.

The camera is small and, at first glance, looks like a walkie talkie. It has a lens on the front and a small screen on the back for playback, as well as a port for an HDMI cord to view the video on larger screens.

4. The body camera initiative is part of LeBlanc’s overall mission of transparency.

When he first arrived at Hendrix, one of his main concerns was communication between Public Safety and the student body. “What better way to become transparent within this office than with body cameras,” LeBlanc said.

5. Officers will only turn the cameras on when they receive a call to service.

If you are worried that your every move in front of a Public Safety officer will now be recorded, rest assured that this will not be the case. When an officer is doing a walk-through or performing their normal duties, the camera will not be on. Additionally, body cameras will not be used in restrooms or other areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy.

6. The cameras will provide accurate, easily referenced records of events. “[Officers] can turn to [camera footage] when writing their reports to make sure that all of the information is included,” LeBlanc said. Additionally, in very serious situations, Public Safety can turn the footage over to the Conway Police Department. LeBlanc also emphasized the importance of the cameras as an unbiased form of documentation, especially when there are conflicting reports of an incident.

7. Leblanc guarantees that the cameras won’t be used to get more students in trouble.

According to LeBlanc, the cameras are for transparency and safety purposes only, and not a new way to catch students doing things they shouldn’t be doing. Like the security cameras already set up on campus, the body cameras will be mostly passive, and footage will only be watched to review certain incidents. At the end of a shift, an officer will turn over the footage, which, unless it is needed for an investigation or other similar purposes, will be deleted after 21 days. The devices and videos are password protected, so officers can’t alter, delete, or send any of the videos.

8. The cameras can be used for training purposes and to ensure that officers are doing their jobs to the best of their ability.

Officer Matt Brown, who has worn the body camera during the pilot period, thinks it has already helped him improve. “Once he [LeBlanc] has reviewed the video, it’s helped me to see some things that I could have done differently. I’ll go back and do better next time,” Officer Brown said.

9. Mr. LeBlanc hopes to fully implement the cameras before the end of the semester.

Following the success of the pilot phase, LeBlanc is ready to move forward with purchasing more cameras. He plans to have six: two for the day shift, three for the night shift, and one extra. Each camera costs $150.

10. The cameras will help hold everyone accountable.

Ultimately, the body cameras will serve to hold everyone—both students and officers—accountable for their words and actions.

Photo by Alice Fan FEBRUARY 2019

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Longest Government Shutdown Ends “What did the shutdown mean for Arkansas or the Conway community?”

Trey Dyer | Staff Writer Friday, January 25, marked the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history following 35 days of negotiations between Congress and the White House. The partial shutdown ended when President Trump signed a temporary funding bill. Trump’s signature came as a surprise to many; the stopgap bill he signed was almost identical to the one sent to his desk in December at the beginning of the shutdown. Noticeably absent from this bill was funding for Trump’s border wall. The president, however, insisted, “This was in no way a concession” and “in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!” Presumably, that means another shutdown will ensue.

Early efforts by Democrats pushed funds for “border security” upwards of $1.5 billion, but President Trump rejected the idea. As the shutdown began, he characterized the Democrats efforts as “obstruction” of the “desperately needed wall.”

During the 35 days of partial government shutdown, approximately 800,000 government employees went without paychecks, half of whom were deemed too essential to governmental operations to be furloughed. This means that they worked without being paid. Many furloughed employees already lived paycheck to paycheck and were forced to find part-time work to make ends meet during the shutdown.

These federal workers are expected to earn back pay—wages lost due to the shutdown—as was the case for past shutdowns. Contract workers do not work directly for the govern-

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ment, so their wages are gone. This could change with the passing of a Democrat-backed bill encouraging agencies and contract companies to reimburse at least some workers’ wages.

The Congressional Budget Office—the nonpartisan budgetary advisory office of the legislative branch—estimates that the U.S. economy lost $11 billion during the shutdown, $3 billion of which will not be recovered with projected GDP growth.

The effects of the shutdown are easily seen on the national level, but what did the shutdown mean for Arkansas or the Conway community?

National Parks across the country mostly remained open but went unsupervised. That was the case for Arkansas parks as well. Certain services in Hot Springs National Park were unavailable and some parts of the park itself were closed to the public. The Buffalo National River remained open along with Fort Smith National Historic site grounds and the Pea Ridge National Military Park.

State parks went unaffected because they are state funded. All 52 state parks remained “open and clean,” said Kellie Nichols with Arkansas State Parks.

The United States Department of Agriculture released Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for January using existing funding. February’s SNAP benefits were released early in preparation for a longer shutdown. If an appropriations bill is not signed in the next three weeks, SNAP funding could be

put in jeopardy again for the coming months.

Approximately 163,000 people, or 14.3% of Arkansas residents, receive SNAP benefits. In Faulkner County, 4,862 people, or 11.2% of the county, receive SNAP benefits.

As for Conway itself, 2,572 people, or 10.8% of city residents, rely on SNAP benefits. In the coming weeks, those families’ subsistence will hinge on Congress passing a long-term appropriations bill, giving the USDA the funds to keep dispensing SNAP.

By January 4, the Department of Housing and Urban Development had sent out letters to at least 1,500 landlords asking them to refrain from evicting those who live in housing assistance programs. Funding for the Section 8 housing vouchers were depleted due to the shutdown, putting those in federally subsidized housing at risk.

Transportation and Security Administration workers were calling in sick at record rates because they were not being paid, leaving airports across the country scrambling to keep up with security demands.

The Department of Agriculture delayed the release of certain world and domestic crop reports due to the shutdown, causing Arkansas farmers anxiety as these reports provide them with data when planning for planting and harvesting.

The Interior Department also shut its doors to Freedom of Information Act requests. Each year, the department processes over 800,000 requests.

Photo courtesy of conwayarkansas.org

Conway Public Schools were not directly affected by the shutdown according to district communication specialist Heather Kendrick.

“What we have seen is an increasing need to support our students and their families as they personally see an impact from the shutdown.”

Parents of Conway students have lost jobs and certain benefits as a result of the shutdown, and the district does what it can to make sure the students themselves continue to get what they need to succeed in school.

“While the school does not have districtrun programs to support [the families], we do facilitate and support many programs to help our students, such as our ‘backpack program,’” Kendrick said, “and several of our schools also have food pantries where kids can go and get extra food to eat and take home.”

The situation for Hendrix students was similar according to Hendrix College Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Financial Aid Kristina Burford. “A few of our students did report to our office that closure of local IRS offices caused them delays in obtaining tax documents needed to finalize their financial aid files,” she said.

The Internal Revenue Service ceased certain services during the shutdown, causing stress for those waiting for tax refunds at the beginning of the year. In response to this anxiety, the White House directed the IRS to release tax refunds—breaking with past policies. This brought many furloughed workers back to the office to work without being paid.

Burford also shared information given

to them by the Department of Education on January 3. This document stated that Federal Student Aid (FSA) is not directly impacted by the lapse in funding, but some of their systems and processes depend on other federal agencies that were closed.

This slowed the office’s work considerably, but with the government back open, operations should continue as normal.

The shutdown’s effect on the local economy remains unclear. The Conway Chamber of Commerce did not respond to The Profile’s request for comment, but one notable aspect of the shutdown as it pertains to local businesses is the closure of the Small Business Administration offices. This agency processes small business loans that support thousands of entrepreneurs and business people.

The White House insists that the economy on the national level will recover as previously unpaid workers will pump new money into the market, but as previously stated by the CBO, a percentage of the lost commerce is gone for good.

After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, it’s clear that the country can continue to function in the absence of government funding, at least for five weeks. But for those who work in the halls of the USDA or the janitor closets of the Smithsonian, it’s more than a news headline or a Profile story, it’s their livelihood—it’s their financial security.

While the February 15 deadline might seem like a distant speed bump, it’s more of an impending wall, literally. Republicans in congress

are walking on eggshells when it comes to supporting the president, and Democrats now find themselves unable to budge on the question of wall funding—even if they were so inclined to give it to Trump. Each party stands on the edge of their constituency’s approval, each on their own island of a position.

By the end of the shutdown, however, it seemed more apt to frame the opposition between Congress and President Trump. Several bills to temporarily fund the government made it to Trump’s desk but were denied due to their lack of border-wall funding.

This was advantageous for Democrats, effectively placing the ball in the president’s court. Republicans tried to shift the weight of the stalemate to the Democrats by adding certain protections for Dreamers, recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, to the funding bill, but Democrats waited this offer out.

Trump, however, remains adamant in his campaign promise, tweeting on January 30, “If the committee of Republicans and Democrats now meeting on Border Security is not discussing or contemplating a Wall or Physical Barrier, they are Wasting their time!”

Only time will tell if we’ll see a long-term appropriations bill signed by the president.

If not, we may be looking at more weeks of uncertainty and anxiety—a shutdown that echoes long enough to affect local operations and institutions.

FEBRUARY 2019

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CULTURE

SOCCER MOMMY COMES TO HENDRIX

Hendrix Student Activities scores a goal

Indigo Kroll | Staff Writer

Photo by Marlee Bird Proud Gemini and bedroom pop artist Soccer Mommy performed at Hendrix on February 6th alongside Texan duo Hovvdy. Hendrix College Student Activities hosted the concert in Worsham at 8 PM; it was free and open to the public.

Soccer Mommy is from Nashville, Tennesee, and her performance was just one of the many she has planned for February, and later in April.

The band is a project created by Sophie Allison whose popularity is relatively new. In 2015, she began to publish her music, but her career began to take off when she returned from college in New York to pursue music in Nashville. Soccer Mommy has toured with several other artists.

On their 2018 summer tour, she opened for Paramore and Foster the People. Later this year, Soccer Mommy will tour with country and pop singer Kacey Musgraves. She will also perform at The Governor’s Ball in New York City and at Coachella in Indio, California.

Before signing onto Fat Possum Records, Soccer Mommy gathered a large fan base on bandcamp, a site for publishing and discovering music. There, she released DIY albums created from her own bedroom: “songs for the recently sad,” “for young hearts,” and “last girl/be seeing you.” Her songs about unrequited love, complex relationships, and heartbreak allured Hendrix students and other attendees just a few days before Valentine’s Day. It was a refreshing concert full of honest, vulnerable, and transparent music.

For similar reasons, Soccer Mommy has been hailed as one of the most relatable artists rising in the indie genre. Her fanbase has grown significantly since her debut album, Clean, was released in early 2018.

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The big turnout reveals just how popular the band is becoming.

Fat Possum Record’s website describes Clean as, “an emotional album, heavy on themes of growth, isolation, and change, but balanced by a lightness of touch, and with hooks to spare. “ Soccer Mommy refers to her music as “chill but kinda sad,” with song titles to match: Benadryl Dreams, Skinned Knees, and Blood Honey, to name a few.

Soccer Mommy’s music is influenced by favorite artists like Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne. This is obvious in her songs, which lean heavily on nostalgic pop from the mid-2000s. Her most popular song from the album, titled Your Dog, features plenty of guitar riffs and a bold bass line. The music video solidifies Soccer Mommy’s unique aesthetic: “I’m not a prop for you to use/When you’re lonely or confused,” she sings as she dances around what looks like a dead body. It’s an empowering song about refusing to be taken advantage of any longer; her lyrics are honest, and her voice is full of emotion. Another favorite, Cool, features a grainy, 90’s worthy video of Soccer Mommy singing in the middle of an empty football field. As the scene switches to a shot of the band with a solid yellow background, the camera shows Soccer Mommy’s necklace that reads “Hot Topic.”

Many students who attended the concert got a good feel for Soccer Mommy’s style, but for those yet to hear their music, one Youtube comment sums it up nicely for fans of Parks and Rec: “This is what I imagine if April had to fill in for Andy in Mouse Rat.“ Another concert attendee said, “Soccer Mommy is a surprisingly good performance artist. I hadn’t heard of them before now.”

For another, “Soccer Mommy is a new favorite for me.”

THE OSCARS FOR AMATEURS What to say when you haven’t seen any of the films

Kaitlin Lowe|Staff Writer

Best Picture: “Black Panther” Social Committee spent hundreds of dollars to show this at Hendrix for free last year, so if you aren’t a freshman and didn’t see it, this one’s on you.

“BlacKkKlansman” Just say something like, “If ‘BlacKkKlansman’ wins Best Picture, that’d be great, but it still won’t make up for every time Quentin Tarantino got an Oscar.”

“Bohemian Rhapsody” If you know “Bohemian Rhapsody” and one other Queen song, you’re fine.

“The Favorite” Roughly quote Tamara Orlova-Alvarez from Ikon London Magazine: “It’s like “The Other Boleyn Girl” and “The Lobster” had a child.” No one will understand it but will pretend they do.

“Green Book” If this film wins Best Picture, it’ll be as cringy as Kevin Hart hosting the Oscars anyway.

“Roma” Distract from the fact you haven’t seen it by talking about how weird it is that a Netflix film is nominated for Best Picture, then launch into an incoherent spiel about how Netflix is taking over the world.

“A Star Is Born” There can be a hundred people in a room who haven’t seen “A Star is Born.” You just need one person who has and will talk about it forever so you don’t have to.

“Vice” Probably won’t win. Remember how pretty much everyone but Dick Cheney felt about the Iraq War? That’s how pretty much every movie critic reviewed “Vice.”

Photo courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Lead Actress: Yalitza Aparicio Martinez, “Roma” Aside from being very talented, Aparicio never acted until “Roma,” so no one else will know anything about her either. Fun fact: Aparacio Martinez is the first indigenous woman to receive an Oscar nomination.

Glenn Close, “The Wife” Take up the cause for Close this year because she is the Leonardo DiCaprio of actresses and holds the record for receiving the most Academy Award nominations without winning.

She’s gone through this heartbreak seven times now.

Photos courtesy of meridianhillpictures.com

Since 1929, people have been lying about whether or not they’ve seen the Oscar-nominated films. If you didn’t have the time or money to see each film and find yourself trapped in a conversation about the Oscars — or worse, a viewing party — below are some suggestions on the top three categories to help you save face.

Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born” Insist that if Lady Gaga wins, she should share it with Glenn Close.

Olivia Colman, “The Favorite This is only Colman’s first nomination, not her seventh. She can get over losing this time.

Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” If she didn’t get an Oscar for “Bridesmaids,” why now? It’s Glenn’s turn.

Lead Actor: Christian Bale, “Vice” Avoid talking about his performance by pretending you didn’t know he was British.

Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born” If Bradley Cooper winning the Oscar is what it takes for people to stop talking about “A Star Is Born,” so be it.

Willem Defoe, “At Eternity’s Gate” Like Glenn Close, Defoe has never won an Oscar either despite four nominations. Maybe, like Van Gogh, he’ll be posthumously recognized at some point.

Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” Rami Malek should win just so he can give another perfect speech, and because it’s fun to make all the “A Star Is Born” fans mad.

Viggo Mortenson, “Green Book” All that anyone and the Oscars voters need to know is that Viggo Mortenson said the Nword in an interview about “Green Book.” Boo loudly.

FEBRUARY 2019

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IN MY FREE TIME...

What did your professors do over break?

Dr. Toni Wall Jaudon

Alyssa Jones |Staff Writer

Dr. Jay Barth

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“

In addition to finishing up watching “The Leftovers,” I watched “A Very English Scandal,” the Australian sitcom “Please Like Me,” and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”

Over break I read Cal Newport’s “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.” While the book has its shortcomings, it offers some smart observations about how to guard one’s focus and attention from our addictive devices. I also binge-listened to Rachel Maddow’s podcast series “Bagman,” about the impeachment of Richard Nixon’s vice president, Spiro Agnew. It’s a great story full of bribery, shady dealing, and heroes who do the right thing in the public interest—highly recommended.

Dr. Lilian Contreras-Silva

“

I re-read two books of short stories, “Cuentos de amor de locura y demuerte” by Horacio Quiroga and “Mujeres de ojos grandes” (“Women with Big Eyes”) by Angeles Mastretta. I prepared for a class, so I read some of those options. I read poetry by Delmira Agustini, first for class and then because I couldn’t stop (I did get lost in some Neruda as well). I listened to all of the music I could find by the singer LP (Laura Pergolizzi) because I’ve just learned about her.

Photos by Alice Fan

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Dr. Dionne Jackson

“

I finished a suspense novel, “Love You More,” by Lisa Gardner, and received “Becoming” by Michelle Obama as a Christmas gift. I love mystery novels, and Gardner’s novel kept me wanting to read more. Reading “Becoming” has caused me to be even more inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s life.

Dr. Barry McVinney

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I finished two long novels that I had been reading before the break 1. “Killing Commendatore” by Haruki Murakami 2. “Secondhand Souls” by Christopher Moore I listened to The Beautiful Day, a Christmas album by Kurt Elling, the top male jazz vocalist. I started watching the amazing Amazon series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. “

Dr. Kim Maslin

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My latest obsession is “Scott & Bailey,” a British crime drama featuring two female detectives from different generations. It deals with a variety of gender in the workplace issues, feminism, and sexual harassment.

“Black Earth Rising” is also an amazingly complex portrait of the Rwandan genocide, subsequent international efforts to seek justice, and Rwandan politics post-genocide.

Dr. Andrea Duina

“

I read two books over the break. They are both by a Japanese author named Haruki Murakami; he’s one of my favorite authors. One is a big novel called “Killing Commendatore.” The other is 5-7 short stories, and it’s called “Men Without Women.” His stories tend to have some confusion, a lack of clarity whether something is really happening or if it’s a dream. There’s something about the way he writes that I enjoy reading; it’s not very complicated. The way he writes is poetic to me.

FEBRUARY 2018

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1600 Washington Ave. Conway, AR 72032