Volume85Issue26

M THE MANEATER The student voice of MU since 1955

GREEK LIFE

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Vol. 85, Issue 26

april 10, 2019

MILITARY

New Greek life policies to require GPA baseline for new housing guidelines The Fraternity & Sorority Advisory Board released a report April 1 outlining improvements to the Greek system.

BEN SCOTT

Assistant Student Politics Editor MU announced Greek life policy changes to address issues including hazing concerns, freshman housing guidelines and diversity inclusion efforts.

The MU Fraternity & Sorority Advisory Board released the report April 1, and implementation dates vary from fall 2019 — for policies regarding selfreporting hazing incidents — to fall 2021, for new freshman housing policies.

The advisory board was created in January 2018 for the purpose of creating the report and addressing the five areas of concern identified by a previous external review board. It included diversity and inclusion, hazing prevention and member education, academic calendar and recruitment, freshmen in Greek housing and social event and risk management.

One of the new housing guidelines requires Greek life chapters to maintain a “rolling average of a 3.0 or higher GPA for two consecutive semesters.” MU will aim to connect chapters

gpa | Page 4

MU recognized as Purple Heart University

MU has had a 180-year history with the U.S. military.

RIDDHI ANDURKAR

Staff Writer

MU was recognized as a Purple Heart University in recognition of its support of military members, including veterans and their families, during a ceremony at Stotler Lounge on Monday.

The Purple Heart medal was originally called the Badge of Military Merit and was created by George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782. After the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit was not awarded until Gen. Douglas MacArthur authorized an updated version. It was reinstated on Feb. 22, 1932, on Washington’s 200th birthday.

“The Purple Heart is a medal that is bestowed upon members of the United States military who have been wounded or killed in action by an incident of war in the hands of an opposing armed force,” Bryce Lockwood, representative from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said. “It’s a medal no one seeks

Chancellor Cartwright with MU Veterans Center members celebrating that MU is now a Purple Heart University. | COURTESY OF TWITTER VIA @MIZZOU

to obtain, but it truly represents the high price we pay for our freedom.”

Memorial Student Union was originally constructed to honor former students who died in World War I, but its purpose has changed over time,

Chancellor Alexander Cartwright said during his speech.

“It has since become a tribute to all members of our Mizzou family

heart | Page 4

FINANCE

MU Finance Committee approves new housing rates, Sinclair School of Nursing building budget The committee is collaborating with financial consultant company Kaufman Hall to reach its financial performance goals.

KYNDALL HUBBARD

Reporter

The MU Finance Committee held a public meeting to discuss and approve financial plans for a variety of areas in the university system, while establishing an overall updated method of financial planning.

The need for change was we discussed, there really education, and the financial decided to keep up with the is a shift in the financial model is what underwrites rapid changes in our mission, so higher learning the things that we in order to meet resorted to in the the financial past will not work performance goals as we start to look set for the next moving forward.” few years.

The board is “We clearly collaborating know the pace with financial of change is only c o n s u l t a n t going to accelerate company Kaufman as we think about Hall to help the environmental reach its goals factors that we for financial face in higher The Sinclair School of Nursing on MU’s campus. | COURTESY performance as education, just OF NURSING.MISSOURI.EDU well as using like any other the university’s industry,” Vice President for model that’s fundamentally Finance Ryan Rapp said. “As changing for higher

nurse Page 4

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T H E M A N E AT E R | N E W S | APRIL 10, 2019

INSIDE THIS THE MANEATER The Student Voice of MU since 1955

Vol. 85, Issue 26 G210 Student Center • Columbia, MO 65211 573.882.5500 (phone) • 573.882.5550 (fax) editors@themaneater.com www.themaneater.com

Twitter: @themaneater Instagram: @themaneater Snapchat: @the.maneater facebook.com/themaneaterMU The Maneater is the official student publication of the University of Missouri and operates independently of the university, student government, the School of Journalism and any other campus entity. All text, photos, graphics and other content are property of The Maneater and may not be reproduced without permission. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the University of Missouri or the MU Student Publications Board.

“I shouldn’t look at a picture in a newspaper and be able to tell if you are circumcised.”

Reporters for The Maneater are required to offer verification of all quotes for each source. If you notice an inaccuracy in one of our stories, please contact us via phone or email.

PAGE 3

‘Queer Eye’ star included among 20 MU Pride Month events.

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Editor-in-Chief Skyler Rossi

Opinion Editor Tatyana Monnay

Managing Editor Stephi Smith

MOVE Editors Janae McKenzie Joe Cross

Production Coordinator Corey Hadfield Copy Chiefs Kaitlyn Hoevelmann Anne Clinkenbeard News Editors Emily Wolf Ethan Brown Sports Editor Adam Cole Online Development Editor Joshua Thompson

Visuals Director Hannah Kirchwehm Designers Sara Marquardt Emily Mann Isaiah Valdivia Marisa Whitaker Social Media Editor

Leah Glasser Adviser Becky Diehl

Online this week: The transition from OrgSync to Engage, research about political polarization on social media and more at themaneater.com

MSA

Julia Wopata reflects on her year as MSA president As her term comes to an end, Wopata reflected on things her administration accomplished, including holding officials accountable about mental health and becoming more transparent to the student body.

SHELBY MATTHEWS

Staff Writer

Julia Wopata is proud of what her administration has accomplished during her term as Missouri Students Association’s president.

Wopata said a significant part of her platform when she ran for office was making mental health services at MU more accessible. This past year, Wopata said her administration has collaborated with Vice Chancellor Gary Ward and sat in on interviews

reflect Page 5

Former MSA President Julia Wopata. | COURTESY OF MSA.MISSOURI.EDU

PRIDE

EVENT

MU Pride Month to feature events from ‘Queer Eye’ star, on-campus groups Despite this year’s Pride Month having fewer events than previous years, LGBTQ Resource Center Coordinator Sean Olmstead said events’ effects will still be impactful.

JASMINE LOPEZ

Reporter

Sean Olmstead, coordinator of the MU LGBTQ Resource Center, believes that student organizations collaborating with the center have a lot in store for students this April to celebrate Pride at MU. Olmstead said the center has decreased the number of events from years past in an effort to alleviate stress on the center and student organizations. He also said he wanted to ensure the best use of the center’s resources from seeing student interests and needs.

This year, there are 20 events lined up throughout April, including an evening conversation with popular figure Antoni Porowski from the Netflix reboot of “Queer Eye.” Olmstead is moderating the event, which is set for April 11 at 7 p.m. in Jesse Hall.

The LGBTQ Resource Center has also posted many different events

to its Facebook page for students to partake in, such as “Ace-Cream” — hosted by Aces & Aros to discuss asexual and aromantic identities — and the “Let’s Get Loud Drag Show,” hosted by MU Triangle Coalition for students to come and support student drag performers.

“There are different motivations for going to those programs. They all have their own appeal and different types of audiences,” Olmstead said.

Meanwhile other events, such as “Queer Monologues” and the “LGBTQ Art Showcase,” are volunteer-based events for members of the LGBTQ community to express themselves through art and performance, according to the Pride Month calendar posted to the LGBTQ Resource Center page.

With each event serving its own purpose, Olmstead said turnout varies, but the value of an event isn’t determined by its popularity.

“The people who are interested in that [event] found it to be really powerful and impactful,” Olmstead said.

MU junior Lucy Doll said she hopes to attend as many events as her schedule allows.

“It’s just a good way on campus to show support for members of the LGBTQ+ community and show my friends that are part of

pride | Page 5

Preview: Show Me Mizzou Day

The annual Show Me Mizzou Day is on Saturday April 13, 2019. | COURTESY OF FACEBOOK VIA @MIZZOU

The annual event offers opportunities to attend MU sporting events, participate in various activities and attend open houses.

WICKER PERLIS

Staff Writer

Saturday is Show Me Mizzou Day, and there are 94 official activities that the public can attend to show MU pride, learn something new or just to play some games.

There are two major sporting

events planned for Saturday, the first being the annual Mizzou Football Spring Game, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Faurot Field.

Admission is free to the public.

The second event is a baseball game, as the MU baseball team takes on LSU at 5 p.m. in Taylor Stadium.

Admission is free for students if they present their student ID. Marching Mizzou will perform at the football game at 3 p.m and its 11:45 a.m. rehearsal will be open to the public. Other musical performances will occur on Saturday as well, including the

SHOW | Page 5

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T H E M A N E AT E R | N E W S | APRIL 10, 2019

HEART

Continued from page 1

student veteran organizations established in

who have given the

Smith,

greatest

the

sacrifice

in

1944,” president

Mizzou

Kyle of

Student

service of our country,”

Veterans

Cartwright said. “Every

said. “Whether it is

time I read the names of

Memorial

the brave Tigers we lost

Memorial

in battle, I am reminded

Mizzou has shown its

of their loyalty to our

appreciation

core values: Respect,

service

Responsibility,

accepting this award,

Discovery

Mizzou

and

Association, Union

or

Stadium, toward

members. solidifies

By its

Excellence. We salute

commitment

to

the

all

preservation

of

the

of

those

Mizzou

family members today

Mizzou military student

and

veterans culture.”

we

accept

the

Purple Heart University

MSVA helps student

designation in honor of

veterans

their sacrifices.”

from their military lives

MU has had ties with

transition

to academic lives, learn

the U.S. military since

about

1862.

resources

“[MU started] as a school

where

every

the

academic available

to them and connects them

to

service

careers.

Cartwright

said

he is grateful for the recognition

MU

is

receiving for its support of veterans in the MU community.

“We are truly honored to be designated a Purple Heart

University,”

Cartwright

said.

“We are proud of the immense contributions our

community

has

made to this country throughout

our

180-

year history. I want to thank the Military Order of the Purple Heart

representatives

who recognize the great work happening here to support the military service members and veterans who are part of the Mizzou family.”

and

Edited by Emily Wolf

program,

potential employment

ewolf@themaneater.

to one of the oldest

for after their academic

male the

went ROTC

through

opportunities

GPA

Continued from page 1 to academic centers, like the MU Writing Center, and fund academic advisers for chapters. By 2021, freshmen must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to live in a chapter house.

Matt Eblen, president of the Interfraternity Council Executive Board, sees these changes as a positive overall addition to the Greek system.

“I think that we have been working towards, and I think everyone is always working towards giving their members the best experience, and I hope we can continue to take those steps forward,” Eblen said.

The IFC Executive Board is a self-governing body that oversees Greek chapters within the IFC community and oversees any programs

and auxiliaries related to the Greek system.

Eblen became the president toward the end of the advisory board’s investigation and suggested tweaks for the final report. He said Jake Eovaldi, former president of the IFC Executive Board, had a stronger role in dictating what went into the report.

Separate from the report, the IFC also has auxiliaries it supports, such as Active Minds Mizzou, a student mental health program, and Greek Allies, a program that aims to stop discrimination against LGBTQ Greek members.

“Our main goal through all these recommendations is to be the national model for Greek systems and how to do it correctly and safely,” Blake Heckel, the IFC vice president of public relations, said.

Edited by Ethan Brown ebrown@themaneater.com

The 2019 Interfraternity Council Executive Board. | COURTESY OF FSL. MISSOURI.EDU

com

NURSE

Continued from page 1

credit rating, according to Moody’s Investors Service, to establish their targets.

Comparing the rating, which signifies credit worthiness to those of other institutions, there are hopes for improvement.

“I think when we’re talking peers, we’re really talking about our peers in terms of a credit rating and that gets back to us taking this financial markets approach to looking at where we want to be,” Rapp said.

“It’s not to say that we couldn’t look at this and strategically make a choice and say because of the strategic importance of something we want to do, we would intentionally be OK with moving to an Aa2 rating. But I hope we can see through this process, that would be something that we actually discuss and would intentionally

decide.”

Actions were also approved, i n c l u d i n g revised 2020 student housing rates and the budget for the Sinclair School of Nursing building renovation, which is part of the five-year capital plan for the entire UM System.

There were no changes to previously approved housing rates but four new rates of $9,995, $6,550, $5,999 and $4,150 were added.

The School of Nursing renovation budget was also increased from $20 million to $30 million.

The reconstructed building will feature larger, active learning classrooms and more simulation space. The school believes this change will contribute toward meeting academic goals for research and reducing the shortage of nurses in Missouri and across the country.

“A [new] building will allow us to increase our class size and work with MU Health and try to increase the

production of graduates and nurses that will stay in this area and help with their patient care and recruitment and retention of nurses,” School of Nursing Dean Sarah Thompson said.

Board members and other attendees c o m m u n i c a t e d optimism for the new financial plan and its broad implications for the UM System.

“I think what we’re doing here is pretty leading edge in higher education.

I think as we work around the country a lot of institutions are still focused on the annual operating budget as the foundation for decisionmaking,” Kaufman Hall consultant Charles Kim said. “I think taking a longrange view, all funds, including capital, debt, investment decisions into a holistic platform that allows you to really see the impact of your strategic decisions and tradeoffs, it’s certainly leading edge.”

Edited by Emily Wolf ewolf@themaneater. com

T H E M A N E AT E R | N E W S | A P R I L 1 0, 2 0 1 9

REFLECT

continued from page 3

for the new interim director for health and well-being.

She also said her administration succeeded at holding MU’s administration accountable on things they promised students, such as shorter counseling wait times.

“We talked to the counseling center about the myth that students have to wait for three to six weeks for an appointment, and we were wondering if that was still the case,” Wopata said. “We were just holding

them accountable because students really do want this promise of one to two weeks for a waiting time.”

Having a more diversified counseling staff was something Wopata wanted when she ran for the position. She said progress has been made but also noted that decisionmaking in this scenario comes down to MU’s administration.

Being more transparent was one of Wopata’s goals for her administration and she feels that her staff has improved greatly.

“I have to think from my perspective that I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people that this is the best relationship in the past few

years that they’ve had with exec and senate, and that’s really comforting for me to hear,” Wopata said.

She said she noticed halfway through her term that her administration wasn’t vocalizing to the entire student body what they were doing. In response, they started releasing a monthly newsletter to lay out what her administration and senate was doing. She hopes that incoming president Jennifer Sutterer and vice president Mary O’Brien will continue to do that.

Wopata said one of the things she was most proud of was partnering with MU Athletics and having Keyon Dooling come to campus and speak

PRIDE continued from page 3

thewcommunity that people are out there that care,” Doll said.

The center doesn’t look at the turnout as a measurement of success, but rather evaluates attendees’ response to the events, Olmstead said.

Olmstead said he hopes a takeaway from Pride Month this year is for everyone to have a continual appreciation and recognition of the value that various identities and communities bring MU’s campus.

“I say ‘everyone’ because just because I’m part of the community, I may not have that understanding of other identities within the community,” Olmstead said.

After overseeing the LGBTQ Resource Center and Pride Month

MU students posing for a picture to kick off Pride Month on April 1, 2019. | TWITTER VIA @ MIZZOUDIVERSITY

since June 2015, this April marks

SHOW continued from page 3

annual Music and Art Concert at Mizzou North at 6 p.m., and the Glenn Miller Orchestra with a jazz concert at 7 p.m. in the Missouri Theatre.

There will be multiple intellectual and academic events on Saturday as well.

Notably, Nobel Laureate and MU professor emeritus George Smith will be hosting a lecture titled “Saturday Morning Science” at 10:30 a.m. in Jesse Auditorium. In addition to this, the Geological Sciences Department will be hosting “Hands-on Rheology: How Food Flows like Lava!” in the Geological Sciences Building in room 103 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Ellis Library will be hosting a tour of the rare books vault and much of its newer technology from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition, there are many activities planned for children. There will be a bridge building competition for middle schoolers in Naka Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the STEM Cubs Festival will be located in the grassy area between Townsend and Lafferre Halls from 10 a.m. to 2

Olmstead’s

p.m.

Many schools and departments are hosting their own open houses as well, such as the Geological Sciences Department, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the Honors College and more. Chancellor Alexander Cartwright and his wife will be having their own open house at the Residence on Francis Quadrangle from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Additionally, Campus Activities Programming Board will be hosting Zou Fest, which will have games, trivia, food and drink and will be located on the main floor of the MU Student Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Buck’s Ice Cream is putting on an event called “I Scream For Ice Cream” where people can learn about the ice cream making process and taste some as well from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MizzouRec will also be having tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Edited by Laura Evans levans@themaneater.com

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Apply Now! themaneater.com

5 about his experience as a professional athlete with mental health issues.

“We might not have a direct hand in getting a counselor hired, but we are able to foster a conversation about mental health,” Wopata said.

Wopata said her advice to the incoming administration is to go out of its way to talk to people even if it makes them uncomfortable.

“Put yourself in what you think will be uncomfortable situations and ask people not what they can do for you but about their lives and experiences,” she said.

Edited by Ethan Brown ebrown@themaneater.com last Pride Month at MU. Olmstead shared his hopes for the future of the event at MU after he graduates in May. “I want to continue to see the month focus on intersections of identity within it. How are we focusing on queer and trans students of color, how are we continuing to focus on queer and trans students with disabilities,” Olmstead said.

Ultimately, Olmstead said he wants Pride Month to highlight the importance of the LGBTQ community at MU. “This is a community that exists,” Olmstead said. “It’s a valuable part of our community and that we [should] continue to be supportive and inclusive of everyone.”

Edited by Ethan Brown ebrown@themaneater.com

6 MUSIC

Weyes Blood's 'Titanic Rising’ is a blissful achievement in art-pop Weyes Blood’s fourth album “Titanic Rising” asserts itself as the art-pop album of the decade.

have

1970s singer-songwriter era,

the record almost invokes a

explored,

it also carves out its own

sense of being underwater,

destitute Titanic rising from

Mering’s take is a unique

unique sound. It’s hard to put

the depths and coming back

one. “A lot's gonna change

into words just how textured

similar to the album’s cover.

to life. Even the album’s

/ In your lifetime / Try to

the instrumentation on this

spectacular cover art shows

leave it all behind / In your

record is. “Titanic Rising”

Mering defying a post-climate

lifetime” she sings on the

includes french horns, pianos,

JACOB LUEBBERT

change

album's

drum

Columnist

existing in an underwater

Gonna Change.” On cursory

electric and acoustic guitars,

bedroom.

listens, “Titanic Rising” can

trumpets

seem like a lot of doom and

string sections, and that’s just

gloom, but Mering’s message

a fraction of the instruments

and

is one of hope. If difficulties

used.

applies it to 21st century

are inevitable, why not make

to persevere in the face of

problems

the most of the present?

adversity. In fact, one of the

gracefully. The album’s lead

album’s major motifs is the

Natalie

Mering’s

fourth

album’s title makes listeners

While

envision

certainly

old

Weyes

Blood,

through

Rising,”

begs

its

listener

world,

broken

and

peacefully

Mering takes that centuries-

album under the pseudonym “Titanic

the

trope

of

persevering

adversity effortlessly

and

these

topics

been

opener,

Instrumentally,

“A

Lot's

machines, and

Sometimes, instruments

synths,

orchestral

that

many

can

bloat

It’s peaceful, yet powerful and maybe even dangerous.

Let “Titanic Rising” wash over you and you won’t be disappointed.

Albums incredibly

this

good

rare.

are

Weyes

Blood nails every part of the

music-making

process

from songwriting to visuals to instrumentation. It results in what will be one of the top

Mering

an album, but thanks to

single “Andromeda” concerns

juxtaposes these modern-day

Mering’s compositions and

hymn, “Nearer, My God, to

technology,

“Everyday”

themes with Carole King-

Jonathan Rado’s (of Foxygen

Thee,” the presumed final

discusses modern romance

like vocal delivery and piano

fame) production, “Titanic

song played by the Titanic’s

and “Wild Time” talks about

balladry. While the album

Rising” instead feels lush

Edited by Joe Cross

band as it went down. The

impending climate change.

heavily borrows from that

and ethereal. The sound of

jcross@themaneater.com

albums of the year and one of the best art-pop releases of the decade.

T H E M A N E AT E R | M OV E M AG A Z I N E | A P R I L 1 0, 2 0 1 9

7

FILM

‘The Beach Bum’ should be way funnier The long-awaited Harmony Korine project is here to bring moviegoers an hour and a half of Matthew McConaughey cackling on the verge of a blackout.

that’s been out of style since before he was even admitted. The nihilist livewire has a penchant for good times and bad behavior. So does Captain Wack (Lawrence), an old chum and alleged Vietnam veteran who makes a living off dolphin watchers, even though he can’t distinguish them from killer sharks. Seeing Lawrence’s return to screen in brash physical comedy mode for a role that so easily could’ve come from his own “Martin” series on HBO JESSE BAALMAN is a real treat for fans of the Columnist ‘90s stand-up legend.

Moondog, Flicker and All viewers need to know before going into “The Beach Captain Wack are some of the Bum” is that it’s an R-rated comedy starring Matthew most original and uniquely McConaughey as a stoner poet who attempts to write the inspired characters I’ve seen next great American novel. It wouldn’t hurt to know that in recent memory, and they it’s written and directed by Harmony Korine, or maybe it complement the actors who would, depending on how fondly you remember his “Spring portray them immensely.

Breakers.” It wouldn’t hurt to know why the infamous Miami It’s a shame the latter two Moondog (McConaughey) writes his magnum opus in the weren’t more central to first place, but the movie surrounding him isn’t concerned the story and given more with that as much as it is with lionizing him as a hero and of an arc. McConaughey is provoking us with behavior that’s freed from the dark clouds spot-on as Moondog with of ambition, expectation and self-criticism. a persona inspired by his In a way, these are compelling aspects to find in characters own. It’s probably his best on screen these days. They’re signs of youth that can be found outing since “Dallas Buyers all over “Broad City,” which just wrapped up its final season Club” brought us to peak on Comedy Central. That, however, is different because McConaissance.

Perhaps Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer gave their characters funny there is also some of Korine lines in plot-driven situations while exploring that lack of in Moondog given that the ambition. Here, Korine’s unfocused narrative is content to director of a film titled just coast along with montage after montage and musical “Trash Humpers” — and sequences here and there. Nearly every scene could be other works cherished by edited down at the end by cutting out characters howling freaks everywhere — is also over something that they obviously find funny, but isn’t an outsider who plays by his necessarily set up for the viewer’s enjoyment. This is one of own rules. those movies that confuses sleaze and raunchy behavior with In the end, “The Beach Bum” being provocative and hysterical. doesn’t feel contemplated or I will say the characters themselves are very wellaccomplished, much like a conceived materials that could’ve been mined for comic party you’ve been to a million gold. Isla Fisher brings what she can to the underwritten part times with the same people of Moondog’s wife, Jonah Hill shows up trying really hard doing the same things over as his guru agent and Snoop Dogg makes a big stretch for and over. Korine might’ve the role of his best friend, Lingerie, an R&B singer and pot let you in on an interesting A still of Matthew McConaughey in his upcoming movie “The Beach Bum.” | supplier. They, along with Jimmy Buffett and Bertie Higgins, conversation with someone COURTESY OF IMDB are a joy to spend time with, but it’s Zac Efron’s vape god you didn’t know, but the and Martin Lawrence’s dolphin expert that give Moondog whole ordeal has left your something to work with, energizing the movie as a whole. memory sooner than you can Unfortunately, viewers must sit through half its running time before being recollect it. Here’s to hoping a movie headlined by the too-good-to-be-true graced by their presence. characters that are Moondog, Flicker and Captain Wack is on its way.

Edited by Joe Cross Flicker (Efron) is a pyromaniac who helps Moondog escape rehab. He’s jcross@themaneater.com rocking bottle-blonde hair and a panini beard with ultra-wide jeans, a look

LIVE MUSIC

Jazz Appreciation Month holds educational concert series at MU, nationally Both the MU community and larger cities have acknowledged the history and contemporary forms of jazz music through educational events during Jazz Appreciation Month.

ALLISON SAWYER

Staff Writer

Jazz Appreciation Month officially kicked off April 1 with events held around the nation, including within the MU community. Over the next month, MU will host dozens of jazz related events through the “We Always Swing” concert series.

The upcoming events are aimed at promoting education about jazz music and as an entertaining way to celebrate historical artists and more modern artists.

Josh Chittum, assistant director of the “We Always Swing” concert series in Columbia, said that Jazz Appreciation Month started in April of 2001 and was created by the Smithsonian Institution. He noted that the “We Always Swing” series participates with organizations across

the country and not just in Columbia.

He said New York City, Detroit and San Francisco, among other cities, hold numerous large events over the course of the month.

Chittum also noted that thus far in the month, there have been a number of events that have contributed to students’ education in Columbia.

“Already this month, we’ve had two concert presentations in elementary schools and middle schools and we’ll have more of those coming up,” Chittum said. “We’ll have our open house on April 30, which is International Jazz Day. It’s hard to say what we’re not doing because there’s so much happening.”

Chittum said as assistant director, he books concerts and helps plan each individual show. Also, he said he takes the initiative to find ways to make Jazz Appreciation Month educational for MU students.

“I take the lead on the educational steps as well, so that includes contacting schools and their principals and music teachers because I want to inspire and educate students on what jazz is,” Chittum said.

Similarly, Larry Brown Jr., a Chicago jazz artist who has toured for 20 years, had an interview with a Larry Brown Jr. vlog page that

honors him, in which he said that the promotion of education on jazz music is a key part of Jazz Appreciation Month.

“One of the primary purposes of these events is to continue to educate younger generations about the richness of this music, the culture surrounding it and the history that comes with it,” Brown said.

Brown also noted that the month offers a means of remembering the foundations of jazz music and how it surfaced.

“Across the nation, Jazz Appreciation Month is a time to reflect on our forefathers and the contributions and courageousness that they showed to embark on this journey of developing jazz music that we still perform and celebrate today,” Brown said.

Brown added that it doesn’t matter which part of the nation the events are taking place, because ultimately they all serve the same purpose, which is to celebrate older jazz artists, more contemporary artists and this style of music in general.

On a national scale, several books have been published in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month. According to University of California Press, renowned musicians have made

claims about the quality of these books.

Musician and NPR contributor Will Layman said the book “Why Jazz Happened” successfully sheds light on the pieces of jazz that deserve to be told. “‘Why Jazz Happened’ makes its points like a snazzy lawyer in the courtroom: zip zam zot… students and fans of jazz will come away enlightened about a huge part of the jazz story that has been mostly untold, before this otherwise intelligent and well-reported book was published,” Layman said.

As events continue over the course of the next month, Chittum said the Columbia community has plenty of big events in store.

“This Friday we’ve got the MU Concert Jazz Band at The Shack,” Chittum said. “Later on we have the New York Standards Quartet who will stay after their performance to give a workshop to the MU Jazz Tenant students free of charge.”

Jazz Appreciation Month ticket sales will direct the proceeds to the education programs behind the “We Always Swing” jazz concert series.

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

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ACROSS: 1. “And so on,” briefly 4. Cheerleader chant 10. “I’m _____” (current meme) 14. Films not for kids 16. Prop- suffix 17. EU currency 18. Unforgivable St. Louis error, and a key to this puzzle’s theme 21. City in Tex. 22. Cutting-______ 23. Associated Press 24. “It ____” (dramatic way to announce oneself) 25. Vows 26. Sign before Virgo 27. “______ as a bug” 29. “Waterfalls” band 31. Opposite of WNW 34. Donald Glover’s “Star Wars” character 38. National Transit Database 39. Injured Los Angeles player, and a key to this puzzle’s theme 44. Opposite of fro 46. Something sworn under 47. Horror director Hooper 48. Casual refusals 51. Expenses 52. Dismal debut in Denver, and a key to this puzzle’s theme 58. Popular YouTube video genre 59. Alternate Method of Entry 60. Private Dallas university 61. Genre prefix 66. Popular video game series, in slang 67. “Watch your _____!”

68. Who, in Paris 69. Big-league blunders, and this puzzle’s theme 72. Popular card game 73. Smallest unit of matter 74. Subtlety 75. Late “Faces Places” director 77. Home planet 79. Event Horizon Telescope

MOVE Crossword: The Sequel

It’s back!

DOWN: 1. Good at making spreadsheets?

2. Exchanges (with) 3. Hauled goods 4. Outdoor retailer 5. Syed of podcast “Serial” 7. North Carolina capital (abbr.)

8. American National Standards Institute 9. Thought-out theft 10. “To __ or not to __” 11. German car manufacturer 12. Actor Pitt 13. Carpe diem, in teen slang 15. Kendrick Lamar label, for short 19. Controversial “Simpsons” character 20. Popular wafer brand 27. Number on a sunscreen bottle 28. Fancy event 30. Long section of a poem 35. WWF and Greenpeace are these, for short 36. Money owed 37. What you might hear before a bullfight 41. At a _____ for words 42. Steven Spielberg alien 43. “Live Free or Die” state abbreviation 45. Pens 49. Target 50. In this place, legally 51. Result of concussions, for short 54. Positively-charged ion 55. Toyota model 56. Love, in Spain 57. Rat or gerbil 60. 2016 Best Actress Winner Emma 61. “Buy our ______” 62. “I’m _______” (Drake song) 63. Marine prefix 64. Oxygen tank 65. “Live ____” (Taco Bell motto)

67. Spanish Mrs. 70. Average name 71. “____-Roh, Raggy” (Scooby Doo saying)

I’m a FAN of registered

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Truman the Tiger University of Missouri Tigers

A game-changer for organ donation Truman the Tiger, who fires up crowds at the University of Missouri, is a special Green Ribbon Champion for 2019.

As a big fan of those who choose to give hope and share life, he is showing his team spirit by wearing the Green Ribbon pin for organ donation.

Nearly 2,000 people in Missouri are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, so Truman encourages you to “be an MVP” and join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

When it comes to saving and improving lives, this tiger is a real team player.

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DIVERSITY

College of Education’s The Bridge promotes diversity through research discussions The Bridge, located in the College of Education, promotes diversity, equity and inclusion by facilitating research discussions, workshops and mentorship between students, staff and faculty across campus.

NICKETA COOMBS Reporter Teachers’ support of students’ basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness facilitates learning, academic performance and well-being in college students.

Like many other academic spaces, MU has experienced significant racial unrest over the last few years, and very little has changed within classrooms. To move forward and thrive as a community, it is crucial to identify possible solutions to improve race relations across campus and student retention.

The Bridge is a step moving forward by providing opportunities to reduce the gap between research and practice, therefore preparing pre-service and in-service teachers to be change agents in their classrooms.

The Bridge, founded in 2015, is located in the MU College of Education and is run by Diversity Engagement Coordinator Theresa Metz.

Metz describes The Bridge as “a brave space for students, faculty and staff to develop and expand their multicultural knowledge, awareness and skills.”

In 2017, Doug Carnine wrote in the journal Exceptional Children that one aspect of improving education is the ability to bridge research and findings to practice. Additionally, there is an increase in both research scholars’ and educators’ recognition of the relational nature of learning.

“The goal of The Bridge falls in the realm of what The Bridge is about,” Metz said. “Inclusion, diversity and equity… [to] see and present what scholarship is being done to impact policies and practices.”

According to The Bridge’s website, the program was developed in an effort to expand social justice perspectives and address critical societal needs through opportunities for learning, training and service-related endeavors of diversity, inclusion and equity. In essence, to be a world-leading college in inclusivity and equity efforts.

“The Bridge is open to everyone on campus and gives us a chance to connect research to practice while allowing for interdisciplinary collaboration,” Metz said. “Most of our presenters are by recommendations or just word of mouth.”

The Bridge’s website lists that it provides programming, activities and opportunities for individuals in the College of Education to connect with one another. These connections aid in the understanding of shared humanity while valuing our different cultural assets.

Programs and activities provided by The Bridge include a Research Discussion Series, One-onOne Support, a Student Discussion Series, Movie Screening & Discussion Series, Real Talk & Cookies with Dean Kathryn Chval and a Book Discussion Series, among many others.

A research discussion held at The Bridge on

April 2 led by Shannon McClain from the Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology, e x p l o r e d student-teacher relationships and academic outcomes.

McClain’s r e s e a r c h discussion focused on the importance of teacher trust, especially for students of color.

“Studentt e a c h e r relationships are important for collegians because this interaction is a strong Theresa Metz, The Bridge diversity engagement coordinator. | COURTESY OF EDUCATION.MISSOURI. EDU p r e d i c t o r of college Students of color are at risk for reduced sense learning and success,” McClain said. “These of trust from their teachers and therefore are less relationships are related to greater levels of likely to have those positive academic and social classroom engagement, academic and cognitive outcomes related to student-teacher relationships. skills development, academic self-challenge, This might prompt one to ask, what factors can academic self-concept and sense of belonging.”

Mizzou use to improve outcomes for students of McClain also said, “Student-teacher relationships are important for all students, but research has color? Sebastian says artistic expression could be found that this is especially true for students of one of the keys. “I am big into the arts, and this provides them the chance to learn more about color in predominantly white schools.”

McClain cited an article written by Christopher themselves and where they are in their own Niemiec and Richard M. Ryan in the journal development,” Sebastian said.

Edited by Janae McKenzie Theory and Research in Education, explaining jmckenzie@themaneater.com that relatedness in the classroom is deeply associated with a student feeling that the teacher genuinely likes, respects and values him or her.

“Within predominantly white universities, these relationships are especially important for students of color,” McClain said.

Bini Sebastian, a counseling psychology Ph.D. student, attended McClain’s research discussion session and found value this research discussion.

“Dr. McClain’s research touched on a subject that is rarely talked about in education. She was able to describe trust in a way that we could all understand,” Sebastian said.

The Bridge’s social justice work is critical to college students’ success.

The literature review found that African American students report higher levels of unfair treatment by teachers, and African American males are particularly likely to perceive teacher discrimination.

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FILM

‘Shazam!’ pulls off light-hearted DC film The DCEU’s best film to date has come in the form of a fun comingof-age story.

BON ADAMSON

Columnist

The following review contains spoilers for “Shazam!”

If you’re at all familiar with comic books, you’re bound to have at least one long shot character: a character you enjoy that, for one reason or another, is bound to remain on the page and in cartoons. For me, that character had always been DC’s Shazam (aka Captain Marvel). I always held the firm belief that the character held too much 1940s cheese to be adapted. Whereas Superman and Batman matured with time, Shazam didn’t.

And for good reason — how do you mature a 12-year-old foster boy who can say a magic word and turn into a superhero?

As you can imagine, when “Shazam!” was announced in 2014 I was ecstatic. Finally, on April 5, “Shazam!” was released, and it’s fantastic.“Shazam!” is a nearly-perfect adaptation.

Everything feels right. The casting of Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and Shazam (Zachary Levi) are absolutely spot on.

For this adaptation, Batson is aged up two years and given his more cynical personality seen in The New 52 . Angel absolutely nailed his share of the character, but Levi’s performance as a 14-year-old in a superhero’s body especially shined. The movie’s best moments are enhanced by the chemistry held between both Batson actors and Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays Batson’s foster brother and in-universe superhero nerd Freddy Freeman.

Interactions between these two characters make up a majority of the film and the outstanding

DC’s newest movie “Shazam!” was released in theaters on April 5, 2019. | COURTESY OF IMDB

chemistry between the three actors made a lot of moments that much more memorable.

“Shazam!” is one of the most well-casted superhero films of all time.

The film’s antagonist is Doctor Sivana (Mark Strong). The film opens with Sivana being transported to the Rock of Eternity and meeting the wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), who promptly deems him impure and unworthy of his power.

Sivana becomes obsessed with gaining the wizard’s power and eventually gets corrupted by the Seven Deadly Sins. Of course, the one to get Shazam’s power is Billy. While this makes for a nice parallel between Billy and Sivana, superheroes and their villains sharing similar backstories is becoming a little overdone. It becomes that much worse when Shazam gets an, “I understand how you feel,” moment with Sivana. This moment rings hollow considering it’s a 14-year-old who was purposefully abandoned by his mother having this moment with a grown man who had a mean millionaire dad.

Something superhero films going forward ought to take note of is how “Shazam!” handles its place in an extended universe. “Shazam!” has characters seamlessly acknowledging the existence of other heroes in the film’s universe, but never too vaguely or gratuitously. My favorite instance of this is Freddy’s ownership of a bullet certified to have bounced off Superman, which is later referenced when Freddy gets video certification of bullets bouncing off Shazam. This is also a notable example of the film’s wonderful use of callbacks.

What ended up pushing this movie beyond the typical superhero affair for me was the final 30 minutes. The last act of this movie left me feeling the most childlike joy I’ve ever felt watching a movie. The movie finished off with a chain of events including the introduction of the Shazam Family, a realization of what family is, a Superman cameo and two suitcase wedgies. I suppose it was a little bit of that 1940s cheese I thought made the character unadaptable that ended up making the movie incredible.

“Shazam!” definitely stands out as the best DC Extended Universe movie to date, and is a must-watch for superhero fans. With any luck, “Shazam!” is a sign of things to come for DC’s presence on the big screen.

Edited by Joe Cross jcross@themaneater.com

PLAYS

‘The Omnilvx Method’ debuts as part of Mizzou New Play Series The new play by graduate student Taylor Sklenar combines theater, science and poetry.

BEN WICHE

Staff Writer

The Missouri Theatre Department held a stage reading of “The Omnilvx Method,” the new play written by MU graduate student Taylor Sklenar, at McKee Gymnasium on Friday, April 5. The reading was part of the Mizzou New Play Series, a weekend of stage readings. Instead of a fully produced play, stage readings involve the actors reading their lines on music stands while a narrator reads the stage directions.

“The Omnilvx Method” is the story of Jeanine, a young woman with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who falls into a new-age religion that promises her a way to find true happiness. As Jeanine becomes a bigger and bigger follower of this religion, she pushes her family away. Tensions rise between the followers and their leader and Jeanine must decide between life as she knows it and the uncertain promises of her religion.

Sklenar has written various plays that incorporate bits of drama, comedy and science.

“The Omnilvx Method” was just one of the four plays he was putting on as part of the New Play Series, the others all being shorter, one-act plays.

Though he has had plays of his run in big cities like Minneapolis, Sklenar enjoys the local theater community.

“In Columbia you don’t have quite the same quantity of theaters, but what is happening is fascinating,” Sklenar said. “On the whole Columbia’s a more tight knit community.”

The MU Theatre Department recently released its New Play Series, which featured a reading of “The Omnilvx Method.” | COURTESY OF COAS.MISSOURI.EDU

Sklenar found inspiration for “The Omnilvx Method” in the story of NXIVM, a multi-level marketing company whose founder was indicted on forced labor and sex trafficking charges.

“I became really interested, not just in the negative things that these sorts of groups produce, but also the ways in which people find fulfillment in that sort of thing,” Sklenar said.

Though Sklenar’s passion is theater, he also draws inspiration from science. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, English and performance art from Iowa State University, and loves to work at the intersection of art and science.

“I’m really intrigued with thinking of theater as a laboratory and the audience response as a unit of

measurement,” Sklenar said.

Director Cat Priamos admires the various themes that Sklenar incorporates into his plays.

“He’s so inventive, and he has a really interesting mix of science and poetry,” Priamos said. “ I love bringing out the poetry in his work and giving it a space on stage.”

MU junior Tim Boykin appreciated Sklenar’s eerie tale.

“I found it interesting because it relates to real life and how you want to believe in something,” Boykin said. “But sometimes you need family to set you on the right path.”

Edited by Joe Cross jcross@themaneater.com

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Submit a letter to the editor by emailing letters@themaneater.com.

EDITORIALS REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OPINION OF THE MANEATER EDITORIAL BOARD.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THE MANEATER COLUMNISTS DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE MANEATER EDITORIAL BOARD.

ROGER THAT

Hey Campus Dining Services, can you switch to reusable dishes?

Campus Dining Services needs to be held accountable to its “pride points” — one of which is sustainability.

ABIGAIL RUHMAN Abigail Ruhman is a freshman journalism and political science major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about student life, politics and social issues for The Maneater.

The first thing I remember when I was walking into my residence hall for the first time was a small sign on the concrete pillar outside the door. It requested that residents only use the automatic functions on the door when necessary by urging students to “Think Green!” As an incoming freshman and someone who cares about the environment, that sign showed me that my college cared about the environment just as much as I do.

MU has made strides to be more environmentally conscious, but part of the campus is behind on the crusade. Campus Dining Services usually only uses reusable dishes when the university is expecting a large quantity of prospective students or family.

With the near-constant use of plastic plates, bowls and utensils, it’s shocking that one of CDS’ pride points is sustainability.

The CDS website explains under the sustainability category, “Our commitment is to make right decisions and take right actions to continually improve each step we affect in this cycle.” By continuing to use plastic ware, CDS is ignoring a large portion of the cycle it adds. Plastic doesn’t just hurt the environment; it hurts the health of people all over the world.

From production to disposal, “plastic threatens human health on a global scale,” according to a report from released by the Center of International Environmental Law in collaboration with six other environmental organizations.

The report walks the readers through the life cycle

of plastic and each step provides an additional risk for consumers.

The chemicals needed to produce plastic have been linked to many health issues including cancer, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, impairment of the immune system and many more. The only way to access over 170 of the chemicals necessary is by fracking, which in and of itself is an environmental risk, according to National Geographic.

The use of plastic products opens the door for consumers to inhale or ingest large quantities of both microplastic particles and hundreds of toxic substances, according to the same CIEL report.

As the plastic begins to degrade, plastic additives have the opportunity to transfer to water, soil or body tissue. This happens easily due to the lack of attachment between polymer matrix and the additives.

Once the consumer is done with the plastic, the next danger accompanies the disposal of the plastic. Due to a lack of technology surrounding waste management, all the current forms of disposal release toxic metals such as lead and mercury, acid gases and other toxic substances to the air, water and soils.

These parts of the plastic life cycle are linked to the consumption and production of plastic. Due to CDS’ use of plastic, these environmental impacts are something that people on this campus are participating in everyday.

The thing is, CDS has made environmentally friendly decisions in the past. In 2011, there was a student-driven movement to make the four all-you-care-to-eat location trayless to cut down on energy and water used when washing the trays, according to Missouri Students Association’s initiatives page. In addition, CDS paired with Bradford Research Center to create a composting program for the food waste on campus, according to a video released on CDS’ youtube channel.

While the trayless movement saw success, the composting initiative has seen a decrease in participation, according to the Columbia

GRAPHIC BY DESIGNER EMILY MANN

Missourian. CDS’ published content states that it composts 90 million tons of food and waste annually. Eric Cartwright, executive chef of Campus Dining Services, told the Missourian that he wasn’t sure how much the decrease is, but estimates a 20 percent drop in collected materials.

The use of plastic materials is part of the reason this drop has occurred. With the 30 million individual pieces of cutlery and containers bought for CDS every year, the waste is thrown away with the plastic.

Rollins and Plaza 900 don’t use reusable dishes often, meaning that they have students throw their waste in the big red trash cans. From there, the entire bag is thrown away, meaning that two of the biggest on-campus dining locations are no longer participating in the composting program.

CDS claims it takes steps to become more sustainable, but it’s taking steps back at the same time. Plastic has environmental and health related consequences that CDS may be ignoring for the sake of convenience. Between a decrease in composting and an increase in plastic, CDS is failing the students it’s meant to serve by lying about how sustainable the dining halls actually are, while still echoing the phrase, “Think green!”

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Column: This is how not to be an ally Through a series of tone-deaf tweets, actress Alyssa Milano demonstrates how not to be an ally.

ROSHAE HEMMINGS Roshae Hemmings is a first year journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about civil rights.

In a time where activism, social consciousness and awareness areprominent, allyship is a way in which many showcase their solidarity with marginalized groups. However, at times there can be confusion as to what role allies are to play in the movement towards acceptance and equality.

Such was the case with actress Alyssa Milano. When asked if she was transgender by a Twitter user, Milano responded by tweeting, “I’m trans. I’m a person of color. I’m an immigrant. I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay man. I’m the disabled. I’m everything. And so are you, Kirk.

Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know or understand. No one wants to hurt you. We are all just looking for our happily ever after.”

The tweet was met with backlash, with many asserting that this particular statement is everything that allyship isn’t. Given the conversation that followed Milano’s controversial tweet, I thought I’d turn this into a teachable moment and use

the situation to demonstrate how not to be an ally.

to say about allyship, she turned a pointed finger to them asserting that she was right in the situation. If there is any opportunity to better serve as an ally, listening is an important step.

Number 1: Don’t make things about you, the person in a position of privilege.

Number 3: Be One of the willing to learn. many issues with Milano’s original This is arguably the statement, and most important thing s u b s e q u e n t that an ally can do. apology, was In her apology, Milano that there were used her 30 years of multiple “I” activism as a means to statements; “I’m defend her statement. trans. I’m a person In essence, her of color.

I’m Actress Alyssa Milano’s tweet responding to a Twitter user. | COURTESY OF TWITTER statement came off as, VIA @ALYSSA_MILANO everything.” While “Because I have been she was clearly involved with activism using metaphor to can’t just fake an experience you for so long, there is no possible show that she loves the people and don’t have. You don’t navigate any way that I could offend anyone of causes that she is an advocate for, space like these groups. This is the these communities.” While it may those statements make it seem as if “I don’t see color” approach which is have been true that she meant no allyship is self-serving, when it is the oppression and erasure.” harm in what she tweeted, those exact opposite. Being an ally requires Despite people offering up their a sense of empathy and willingness thoughts and perspectives, Milano who read it were offended. Instead of being dismissive, Milano should to steer the attention from you as a responded with a formal apology in have taken the opportunity to listen someone who is privileged to those which she said, “I learned it doesn’t to the people that were calling her who you are advocating for. matter how pure your intentions are, out and taken those comments as or your 30 yrs of advocacy work & an opportunity to learn how to be a Number 2: Listen to those who activism, if you use well established better ally. you are advocating for. poetic license & nuance the very When done properly, allyship people you passionately fight for will can be a powerful thing. It is an After Milano’s initial statement, be upset because you didn’t say it the opportunity for those in positions social media was not having it. literal way they’d prefer.” of privilege to learn from the Many responded with claims that the There are numerous things wrong marginalized and assist in the latter’s tweet was ignorant and insensitive, with activist and writer George M. with this statement, primarily the efforts for equality and equity.

Johnson tweeting, “No. You are an fact that it is somewhat defensive However, the roles that allies play advocate. Be ok with that. This isn’t and deflective. Opposed to listening within the realm of activism should the way to say you are with us. You to what other activists and allies had be understood.

BEHIND THE MAD[I]NESS

Column: Blackface should not be tolerated Blackface isn’t something that should just be overlooked — people need to be held accountable for their actions.

MADI BAUGHMAN Madi Baughman is a sophomore journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about political and civil rights issues for The Maneater.

One thing we’ve seen a lot of controversy over in the news recently is famous people or authority figures in blackface, both recently and in the past. Even if the incident took place

years ago, people are finally being held accountable for their actions.

Blackface even hits close to home here in Columbia. Recently MUPD Officer Marcus Collins was fired after a photo of him in blackface resurfaced.

To start, we have to explain why this is a problem and explore why many people don’t see it as such.

Many people don’t understand why blackface is an issue, particularly those who have never experienced racism before.

To those people, they might claim it’s nothing more than a costume.

When Collins did it, he claimed it was a costume portrayal of the rapper Flavor Flav. In theory, this doesn’t seem too harmful — however, it goes a lot deeper than that. It can also be said that it seems pretty obvious that unflattering representations of black people are offensive and racist

in general.

The major reason why blackface is problematic is because it has historically racist connotations. In the 19th century, white actors would smear their faces with black paint to portray a mocking version of the African American.

In a society that regularly dehumanized black people, the portrayals put on by these actors made it clear that they viewed black people as inferior. Simply put, it’s indecent and racist, and it’s important to recognize how things that happened in history still have effects on people and society today.

The fact that the university acted quickly to remove the individual who wore blackface is applaudable, and I think this sets an example for what should continue to happen. Far too often these cases are simply swept under the rug or ignored, such as

Virginia governor Ralph Northam, who still hasn’t explained the photo of him in blackface.

You can combine that with the fact that Collins had a position of power.

Because of that, consequences of ignoring a case like this could have an impact that was a lot more negative.

This is especially important since campus is a place where everyone is supposed to feel safe.

It’s important to note that people can grow and change, and that their viewpoints can change over time as they become more educated on the topic. However, people should still be held accountable for the things they’ve done, and they should acknowledge that before moving forward.

Especially for people in power, it is important to remove them from situations where people may feel uncomfortable or even threatened.

Online this week: The Tiger Invitational, SEC midweek softball and more at themaneater.com.

BASEBALL

Sikkema throws seven strong innings in front of MLB With 11 strikeouts on the day, Sikkema set a new career-high in the category.

BEN RAMIREZ

Staff Writer

As T.J. Sikkema slid into his windup, arms popped up in the stands to track the pitch. Armed with radar guns, major league scouts came out in throngs Sunday to watch the junior southpaw pitch in Missouri baseball’s series finale against Kentucky.

On a picture-perfect, 75-degree afternoon, Sikkema didn’t make many mistakes. He began his seventh start of the season by giving up a home run to Kentucky second baseman Austin Schultz. Recovering quickly, he finished the first inning with a groundout, a walk and two strikeouts.

It took the Wildcats another seven batters to capitalize on a missed pitch. To open the fourth inning, Kentucky left fielder Ryan Shinn turned on a pitch left over the plate and deposited Sikkema’s dealing over the left field wall for the lefty’s second homer given up in the game.

Over the remainder of the outing, Sikkema would only give up two more hits while racking up a careerhigh 11 strikeouts and walking two.

He earned his third win on the season, leading Missouri (22-11-1, 5-6-1 SEC) to a series-clinching 9-2 win.

“I thought he competed really

well,” Missouri coach Steve Bieser said. “He’s a guy that everyone knows has very good command. He throws the ball through the strike zone, and his stuff is really good. He was okay with pitching to contact early, and he did a really, really good job of staying in the zone.”

Prior to Sunday, Sikkema had not only been dominant in conference play, but made his opponents work for their runs. In 23 innings against Southeastern Conference teams, he’d given up nine runs while surrendering zero home runs.

Multiple scouts were impressed with Sikkema’s competitiveness and ability to throw breaking balls for strikes. A scout for the Miami Marlins commented on Sikkema’s toughness on the mound.

Just half an inning earlier, Sikkema had been struck in the shin with a line drive that kicked out to junior Chris Cornelius at shortstop who made an off-balance throw to record the out at first. After throwing a couple pitches off the mound as Bieser and an athletic trainer checked on Mizzou junior baseball player T.J. Sikkema. | COURTESY OF MIZZOU ATHLETICS him, he finished the inning.

Sikkema’s two earned runs Zimmermann led the way for the seventh. Zimmermann and Cornelius over seven innings would be plenty Tigers on offense, hitting back-tofor Missouri.

MLB | Page 15 Juniors Kameron Misner and Peter back home runs in the bottom of the

BASEBALL

Missouri blows past Kentucky late, clinches home weekend series Junior Peter Zimmermann led the way Sunday afternoon with a home run and 3 RBIs for the Tigers.

OWEN KRUCOFF

Senior Staff Writer

After the tense, back-and-forth struggle that defined the first two games of the baseball series between Missouri and Kentucky this past weekend, it made sense to expect something similar as the teams met for the final time on Sunday afternoon.

For the first six innings on a beautiful afternoon at Taylor Stadium, that was exactly what happened.

But in the seventh, the game broke

open as the Tigers (22-11-1, 5-6-1) exploded for five runs to finalize a 9-2 scoreline and win the series as Kentucky (17-15, 2-10) faded and collapsed.

Junior T.J. Sikkema had an impressive day on the mound for Missouri, striking out a career-high 11 batters over seven innings, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing early on.

Kentucky leadoff man Austin Schultz hit a home run on the second pitch of the game to put Kentucky up 1-0.

Senior Ryan Shinn went yard as well in the fourth to even the contest at 2-2.

After each home run, Sikkema was able to steady himself and keep the Wildcat lineup under control.

He finished the afternoon with just two hits allowed apart from the two

home runs to go along with his heap of strikeouts.

“Every single time [Sikkema] goes on the mound, we think he’s going to hold them,” junior Kameron Misner said. “As an offense, we try to get as many runs as we can and let T.J. do his thing and that usually works out.”

The Missouri offense first broke through in the third, when junior Peter Zimmermann hit a sharp grounder that Kentucky third baseman Coltyn Kessler couldn’t corral. Senior Paul Gomez and junior Chris Cornelius crossed home plate as the ball ricocheted into the outfield.

Zimmermann came through again in the fifth, this time without the aid of a defensive error. His single brought Gomez and sophomore

Thomas Broyles home to score as the Tigers went up 4-2. “[Zimmermann] was really good this weekend, and I liked the disciplined approach,” Missouri coach Steve Bieser said. “He’s really in tune to how the opponent’s going to work him, and he’ll wait the at-bat out.”

Sikkema continued to keep Kentucky at bay before the inexperienced Wildcat bullpen unraveled in the seventh. Misner and Zimmermann took freshman reliever Hunter Rigsby deep to start off the inning. Another freshman arm, Cole Daniels, didn’t fare much better.

Daniels allowed three runs via a bunt, balk and a wild pitch before

tigers | Page 15

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TENNIS

MU loses to Tennessee, extends conference losing streak The Tigers stayed close with Tennessee, but the result was the same as every SEC match this season.

WILSON MOORE

Staff Writer

Mizzou tennis (13-10, 0-10 SEC) dropped another conference match on Friday, this one to Tennessee (16-5, 6-3 SEC), by a final score of 4-1.

The process has become an all-too-familiar one for Missouri, as the last time the university won an SEC match was April 16, 2017.

Compared to the rest of the evening, MU gave the Volunteers some trouble in doubles matches.

Tennessee’s Sadie Hammond and Kaitlin Staines handled Missouri’s Ellie Wright and Lisa Fukutoku 6-2, but the other two matches were much more close. Gabrielle Goldin and Serena Nash stayed competitive with Rebeka Mertena and Johanna Silva before losing 6-4. Meanwhile, Mackenzy

Middlebrooks and Marta Oliveira’s match against Maia Haumuller and Tenika McGiffin was left unfinished with the score 6-5 in favor of the latter.

In singles, Missouri’s only win came from freshman Vivien Ábrahám, who took down Haumuller 6-3, 6-3 on the far right court of the Mizzou Tennis Complex. One court over, Fukutoku fell to Merterna 6-3, 6-2. Wright hung with Silva in the first match before losing 7-6, but couldn’t maintain that play and lost the second set 6-0.

Nash lost 6-0, 6-2 to Staines. The match ended on an ace that Nash called out, only to be overruled by the chair umpire to cap off a frustrating day. Nash made her displeasure with the call clear to the official as she walked off the court. Middlebrooks and Oliveira’s respective singles matches were left unfinished.

Mizzou tennis is back in action on Sunday with a doubleheader against Georgia and Western Illinois.

Edited by Adam Cole acole@themaneater.com

Junior Mackenzy Middlebrooks during a tennis match against Tennessee on April 5, 2019. | COURTESY OF MIZZOU ATHLETICS

SOFTBALL

Missouri softball shines as it honors Vonda Decker, late mother of Kara Decker Madi Norman led the Tigers to an 8-0 victory over Oregon with a five inning no-hitter.

MAX BAKER

Staff Writer

It was an emotional and special day for the Missouri softball team as it honored Kara Decker’s mother Vonda Decker who died of breast cancer on Dec. 31, 2017.

Both teams gathered across the foul lines and watched as Kara’s father, Rob, fired the first pitch to his daughter. They embraced with a long hug in front of the pitcher’s circle.

Before Kara took the field, coach Larissa Anderson told her, “I’m going to be your softball mom for the rest of your life.”

After the ceremony, Missouri (2116, 6-6) raced onto the field with bright pink socks to take on Oregon (16-19, 1-7). The Tigers defeated Oregon 8-0, concluding the Mizzou Tournament with a 2-2 record.

Both teams remained scoreless after the first two innings, with the Tigers leaving the bases loaded in the first. In the third inning, both teams stood outside their respective dugouts and held up signs of a person’s name that has battled cancer.

“It’s tough for any young person to go through losing a parent,” Anderson said. “But for someone to do it when she’s in college and happen freshman year shows you how strong that Kara is and how much support she has from her teammates.”

Senior Madi Norman silenced the Oregon offense and pitched the 41st no-hitter in school history. She allowed no runs in five innings of

Senior Madi Norman pitches the ball against Oregon on April 6, 2019. | COURTESY OF MIZZOU ATHLETICS

work.

“Madi had an outstanding performance, but she can’t do that without the defensive plays that we made behind her,” Anderson said.

“Today she was much improved in establishing that strike one and getting ahead of batters.”

The Tiger offense started rolling in the bottom of the third inning after sophomore Brooke Wilmes reached first base on an error. Senior Regan Nash and freshman Jazmyn Rollin hit back-to-back infield singles to third base, loading the bases. Sophomore Kim Wert, who flew out with the bases loaded in the first inning, followed with a grand slam, her team-leading 15th homer, to put MU ahead 4-0.

“I just missed the ball in my first at-bat and I knew that in my second at-bat I wasn’t letting that happen again,” Wert said. “It’s really just making sure that you learn from your mistakes.”

In the bottom of the fourth, Wilmes lined a double down the right field line to extend the lead to 5-0. In the next inning, sophomore Hatti Moore led off with her fifth homer of the year.

“Hatti did an unbelievable job behind the plate and put up some run production,” Anderson said. “Overall, a great team effort. Today, we came out and looked fresh and were ready to play with a lot of energy.

Missouri tallied two more runs in the fifth courtesy of RBI singles from Decker and freshman Emma Raabe. Raabe’s single ended the game because of the mercy rule.

Missouri will head to St. Charles, Missouri, where it will face Illinois in a doubleheader on April 9.

Edited by Emily Leiker eleiker@themaneater.com

15

T H E M A N E AT E R | S P O RTS | A P R I L 1 0, 2 0 1 9

MLB

do his thing,” Misner said.

to pitch to Shelby — who had

teams over the weekend that only

of the eighth, sophomore Ian Bedell

in the series – walking him twice and

said started in 2017.

Coming in for Sikkema in the top

Continued from page 13

each had two hits. Along with the long ball, Missouri took advantage of four Kentucky errors, scoring seven unearned runs.

“As an offense we try to score as many runs as we can and just let T.J.

took over, tossing two scoreless innings to finish the game.

A potential storyline throughout

the series, Sikkema said after the

game that he thought about hitting Kentucky outfielder Jaren Shelby

with a pitch. He instead decided

showboated two home runs earlier striking him out.

“If [Sikkema] wants to hit someone,

he’ll hit him,” Misner said. “He’s not

scared of anybody, and that’s why it’s fun to play behind him.”

Shelby’s home run antics were two

of multiple demonstrations by both

perpetuated a rivalry that Sikkema “You could argue that I probably

started [the rivalry] my freshman year,” Sikkema said. After a brief pause, he altered his statement.

“Yeah, I did start it,” he said.

Edited by Adam Cole

acole@themaneater.com

TIGERS Continued from page 13

finally escaping the frame.

“That was a really good swing,” Bieser said of Misner’s home run. “It was good to see him stay through the baseball. The first couple of at-bats, he was kind of pulling off just a little bit.”

The

back-to-back

home

runs

became the latest chapter in a rivalry between that

has

Missouri

and

blossomed

Kentucky in

recent

years. Misner’s hit, which bounced off the roof of the indoor football facility in right field, was likely the farthest anyone has hit a ball

Junior Peter Zimmermann misses the hit against Kentucky at Taylor Stadium, April 5, 2019, in Columbia, Missouri. | PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHER MARCO STOREL

we’re ready for one of the most dangerous

out of Taylor Stadium this season,

teams in the country.

and Zimmermann made a point of

When

saluting the visitors’ dugout as he

and they’re playing

trotted toward home plate after his

well, they might be

long ball.

the No. 1 team in the

they’re

“This has been one of our rivalries

country.”

in the SEC,” Bieser said. “It’s been

Before

knock-down,

drag-out

series

for

the last three years. It usually gets decided on the last day… that’s why the teams go after each other.”

The series win leaves Missouri in third place in the SEC East and solidly in the NCAA Tournament picture, but some of the Tigers’ toughest tests still await. Louisiana State, a consensus top-15 team in the nation, will arrive in Columbia for a three-game set next weekend.

“We’ve got a little momentum going,” Bieser said. “But we’ve got to really start the preparation, make sure

on,

taking

a

crack at LSU, Missouri will first face a trip to

Edwardsville,

Illinois on Tuesday night

to

take

on

SIU-Edwardsville.

First

pitch

in

the

nonconference matchup is set for 6 p.m.

Edited by Adam Cole acole@themaneater. com

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