The Murray State News

The Murray State News TheNews.org

March 8, 2013

Vol. 88, No. 24

MPD issuing city sticker violations at University Ben Manhanke || Staff writer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

More than 200 students with vehicles parked in the residential college parking lots and near Roy Stewart Stadium were greeted Monday morning by yellow Notice of Violation tickets from the Murray Police Department.

The violation these students were being notified of: failure to purchase city stickers from the city of Murray as per the new interpretation of the city sticker ordinance enacted last March.

The NOVs warned those violating the current city ordinance they had 10 days to purchase a city sticker or they would be subjected to a $100-$500 fine. The ticket itself did not carry a fine.

Consequently, city hall was flooded Monday by hundreds of students all wishing to purchase city stickers and stave off any

impending penalties.

Matt Mattingly, city administrator, said the purpose of the notice distribution by the MPD was not to force students to comply with the ordinance, it was just part of the law enforcement’s responsibility.

“It’s almost a year now since the ordinance changed; students started school back in August and now we’re in the beginning of March,” Mattingly said. “We felt like there had been enough time for students to understand their requirements.”

Mattingly said he thinks the education aspect of the ordinance has been a success so far due to close cooperation between the city and Murray State.

The University allowed the city to supply personnel and provided a space to sell the city

Lori Allen/The News

President Randy Dunn answers questions from SGA senators Wednesday evening after he presented the earliest budget report to the constituency.

see STICKERS, 2A

Dunn visits constituencies to announce BPR report cuts Meghann Anderson || News Editor email@murraystate.edu

Chris Wilcox || Chief Copy Editor cwilcox2@murraystate.edu

Following a semester and a half of financial evaluations, the University’s budget planning and review teams have submitted their final reports to the President’s Office.

The BPR teams were originally charged with the task of finding a way to cut expenditures by $2.3 million in an effort to make up a state-made deficit to the University budget.

On Monday afternoon, President Randy Dunn presented the proposed budget cuts to Faculty Senate. Each

Taylor McStoots/The News

SEASON END: The women’s basketball team fell short to Eastern Kentucky (6251) Wednesday afternoon in a first-round game of the OVC Tournament. See page 1B for coverage of the game and the men’s bid for an OVC championship.

member received a copy of the document and were allowed to ask Dunn questions regarding concerns they had.

As a result, Faculty Senate passed a resolution expressing appreciation toward the President and his promotion of shared governance through the budget review process.

The group, however, did not pass Higginson the resolution concerning compliance with the University policy and the protection of academic programs in the president’s

budget planning review process.

On Tuesday afternoon, Dunn visited two more constituency groups, Staff Congress and Student Government Association.

Dunn allowed for debate on the recommendations, which were divided into categories of nonacademic and academic.

Prior to constituent meetings on Feb. 25, Dunn and Chief of Staff Josh Jacobs began collapsing the report and identifying priority recommendations.

Following the condensing process, the vice presidents met with Dunn and Jacobs to make suggestions and decide

see REPORT, 2A

Basically the city of Murray is looking to move City Hall. With that move, the current City Hall would be used for the police department.”

-Matt Mattingly City Administrator

Lori Allen/The News

The Murray Long Range Planning Committee is planning to relocate City Hall.

City Hall to relocate, make room for police department Meghann Anderson || News Editor manderson22@murraystate.edu

The City of Murray Long Range Planning Committee voted on Feb. 22 to authorize Mayor Bill Wells and his staff to hire an engineering firm to start a process that could end in the relocation of City Hall, two fire stations and the police station in 2015 fiscal year.

This proposal also includes the construction of a new city hall and three new fire stations.

City Administrator Matt Mattingly said the committee met in executive session to talk about potential acquisition of property. He said when the committee reassembled in open session the group

gave an overview of public safety facilities within the city.

“Basically the city of Murray is looking to move City Hall,” Mattingly said. “With that move the current City Hall would be used for the police department.”

The plan proposed by Wells and his administration will start with seeking the engineering services that the committee authorized.

Mattingly said the city hoped to hire a local firm to build the new City Hall, rehabilitating the current City Hall and building new locations for Fire Stations 1 and 2.

The recommendation to the committee was to relocate City Hall, which would make more space for offices, the map room and expansion

of their Customer Service Center.

If the plan is deemed feasible by the Long Range Planning Committee, the design work should take place during the 2014 fiscal year.

The current City Hall was built in 1978 and had renovations done to the HVAC system, fire alarm, elevator and architectural work in 2002.

He said the city is also looking at relocating Fire Station 1 to 16th street on an area of approximately four acres that was donated by Murray State in 2009. This would house the main fire station.

He said Fire Station 2 would be relocated to the north side of town, between Woodcrafter’s Galleries and Holmes Family Restaurant.

He said the city is also looking to expand the fire and police services to the west of Murray.

The city would need to hire three additional firefighters for Fire Station 3 once all the construction is complete and the stations are in their new locations.

Along with the movement of the fire stations, the police department will also get a new home. The plan is to move the city police department to the current city hall building.

“For years the police department has been out of space,” Mattingly said. “They are currently working

see RELOCATE, 2A

Lori Allen/The News

William Jones, assistant professor of English, brandishes a T-shirt Tuesday afternoon as part of the Shakespeare Festival activities.

Ol’ fashioned Annual Shakespeare Festival draws crowds with workshops, lectures Hunter Harrell || Staff writer hharrell@murraystate.edu

William Shakespeare invaded Murray State this week during the annual celebration of the Shakespeare Festival.

For twelve years, the English department has sponsored this week-long event filled with performances, lectures and educational workshops.

“The Shakespeare Festival has things which are both educational and entertaining,” said Rusty Jones, chair of Murray State’s Shakespeare Festival. “There is a lot of outreach and many diverse events for the community and the region in general.”

This year, Daryl Phillipy, assistant professor of Theater, conducted a workshop

on Shakespeare’s metrics set to rock music in Wilson Hall. The event was called Shakespeare’s Dance Party.

“The Dance Party was a new experience for the students,” Phillipy said. “I hope they were able to free some inhibitions and took away some understanding of the ‘music’ of Shakespeare’s language.”

In addition to the Dance Party, the theater department hosted a flash mob and Shakespearean insult battle in the Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge on Tuesday. T-shirts and other small prizes were given to the students who participated.

The largest parts of the festival this year, however, were the performances of

see FESTIVAL, 2A

WHAT’S

CAREER FAIR

STAFF OPINION

INSIDE

Event gives students advanced job opportunities, 3A

Newspaper weighs personal Racer men must win two games Student finds passion in design, creates own clothing brand, 5B freedom, same-sex marriage, 4A to qualify for Big Dance, 1B

OVC TOURNAMENT

FACES PLACES

The News

News

2A City Hall

N. Second Street

N. Third Street

N. Fifth Street

Walnut Street

Main Street

Maple Street

S. Second Street

S. Third Street

Ky. Hwy. 121

S. Fifth Street

Popular Street

MPD Station Evan Watson/The News

FESTIVAL From Page 1 “Twelfth Night” and “The Duchess of Malfi.” The plays were performed by the American Shakespeare Center actors from Staunton, Va., as a part of their Tempt Me Further Tour.

These actors are professionals who attempt to recreate the Shakespearian or Renaissance feel in every show they perform. They involved the crowd in each performance by having audience members sit on the stage.

Much like the performances of

March 8, 2013

Shakespeare’s plays, curtains and sets were not used.

“The performers come here to offer low-cost, professional theater to Murray State students, faculty and staff,” Jones said. “But they also provide the entire region with lowcost, professional theater.”

These performers also aided the theater department with an acting workshop which took place at Playhouse in the Park.

In previous years, the ASC performances and workshops have drawn in more than 2,000 Murray State students and community members. According to Jones, the large turnout is good for numerous reasons.

“This provides more outreach to

the community,” Jones said. “We are able to offer the community this level of professional theater, and frankly that is a public service the English department will carry on as long as they can.”

Preparation for future generations of education majors is another reason Jones said he believes the festival is helpful to Murray State students.

“Those who are education majors here at Murray State will face teaching Shakespeare,” he said. “We are helping produce teachers who will have a much better grasp of Shakespeare after seeing a professional company perform the play.”

Phillipy said he agrees the students benefit greatly from seeing the plays performed on stage and

attending the workshops.

“The Shakespeare Festival exposes our theater students to Shakespeare in live performance,” Phillipy said. “It helps them gain a greater appreciation for the wonderful legacy that Shakespeare has left for actors.”

At 3:30 p.m. today, the ASC will host a stage combat workshop in Faculty Hall Room 208. The workshop will feature Murray State’s Fencing Club and will last about an hour.

Bringing the festival to a close this evening, the ASC will present their last performance of “Twelfth Night” at 7 p.m. in Lovett Auditorium. Tickets are $5 with a student ID and $10 for the general public.

Trading Spaces City officials say if City Hall relocates, the open space on North 5th Street would be an excellent location for a new police headquarters.

RELOCATE From Page 1 out of a 5,000-square-foot facility and the current city hall facility is approximately 16,000 square feet, so that would give them a lot more room for operations and for parking.”

He said it also allows the police department to stay downtown, a better place from which to dispatch.

“Our current locations of the fire stations do not currently provide the adequate service level we need and doesn’t allow for expansion in the future,” Mattingly said.

The goal of the police department is to a have a response time of four minutes or less from each location. It’s a top priority to relocate Fire Stations 1 and 2, he said.

“We feel like we have a delayed service currently on the southwest of town with all of the subdivisions,” Mattingly said. “We are tying to prepare for future growth.”

REPORT From Page 1 which parts of the list needed expansion or more background information prior to final submission.

The six-page draft could change before the Board of Regents sees it after Dunn visits other constituencies on campus.

Dunn said if all of the recommendations form the working draft made it past the Board of Regents, then ap-

STICKERS From Page 1 stickers on campus at the beginning of the school year.

“I myself was a student at one time and I know this is new to them and I know it’s going to take time for them to understand the process and what the requirements are,” he said. “Hopefully students will adhere in the next 10 days and buy the $50 city sticker that is required of them; otherwise if they decide to forego that, the penalty is very steep.”

Mattingly said he does not believe the police will be allocated again to specifically patrol the campus for city stickers for the remainder of this fiscal year. He has not, however, personally spoken with the police chief.

According to Alan Lanier, director of finance for the city of Murray, 17,969 stickers have been sold from April 1 through Dec. 31 and of those, 2,125 were sold to individuals claiming to be students. As of Dec. 31, no fines had been issued in Murray as a result of not complying with the city sticker ordinance.

The police action Sunday night and Monday

proximately $6.2 million could be generated through savings to the University’s operating budget in the coming fiscal year.

Two open forums will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the Barkley Room, located on the third floor of the Curris Center.

Steve White, assistant professor of biology, said many of the items listed as nonacademic items in the long-run effect academics.

“Cutting and reducing some housing scholarships was marked nonacademic,” White said.

He said if that means a student does

morning, whereby officers systematically checked student and faculty vehicles on campus, marked the first premeditated mobilization effort made by the MPD to enforce the new ordinance on the part of the city.

While Lanier said the city has no way of knowing if an NOV is given to a student or non-student, he did say 211 NOVs were written last weekend alone.

President Randy Dunn said the police action last weekend took him and many of the administrators by surprise as he was under the impression the city was not completely certain of its authority to enforce its municipal ordinances on campus.

He said as Murray State’s legal staff and the Murray State Police have investigated the legality of enforcing city ordinances on campus, they have found the city is within its rights to do so as long as they are addressing individual behavior.

“Our Murray State general counsel’s office found a 1992 opinion of the Attorney General which stated a city ordinance could be enforced on state property when the purpose is not to regulate the use of the state property but to regulate the conduct of individuals,” Dunn said. “By statute, the city police could exercise its powers anywhere in the county in which the city is located.”

The enactment of a new city sticker policy on March 22, 2012, overturned an exemption for student’s which had lasted since 1961 when the

not attend Murray State then that has an academic impact by cutting out a student who would otherwise be paying tuition.

Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, said budget cuts were never a pleasant item for a University to consider, but her impression is that at this point there seems to be a general balance.

“Some items might generate a lot of discussion,” she said. “There are going to be things that students, faculty and staff wont like, but it is not as bad as what most people feared.”

The University’s administrative

ordinance was first drafted. The majority of city council members found the city could not treat one group of citizens, Murray State students, differently from any other group and argued they could not continue to legally justify treating students on campus as a separate class of citizens.

Mark Welch, director of community relations, said the new interpretation of the city sticker ordinance is also part of a broader issue about how the city pays for itself in lieu of having no payroll tax.

He said the sales of city stickers is a major revenue stream for the city. Sales from the past year alone total $817,931. Money from the purchase of city stickers primarily pays for the upkeep and construction of city roads as well as other various features relating to the roads, such as police enforcement of them and general safety.

“Most municipalities have a payroll tax, but we do not,” Welch said. “Having a payroll tax would actually raise more money than the city stickers, but I think the political climate right now in Murray would make passing a payroll tax difficult.”

Most cities impose a payroll tax of 1-1.5 percent on residents similar to federal and state income tax. If a resident makes $35,000 a year, $350-$425 would be taxed annually by the city depending on what percent of a resident’s income is taxed, a monumentally greater price than what Murray residents pay for a city sticker.

council met Tuesday morning, prior to constituent meetings, so Dunn could lead the group step-by-step through the condensed BPR report.

Higginson said the administrative council was created at the beginning of Dunn’s presidency and is composed of the vice presidents and prominent leaders who represent different aspects of the University.

She said the deans of each academic college were also at the council meeting Tuesday morning.

“The allocated time for the meeting was two hours,” she said. “While the group was thorough in its discussion

of the recommendations, we did not extend beyond our allocated time.”

Higginson said reactions were mixed, but the constituents understand the University had to find ways to save money.

“As far as the items that are academic, particularly as they relate to the academic colleges, the cuts are not terribly significant and should not impact students largely,” she said. “However, there are some additional items that are fairly large in dollar savings that could have a negative impact on the academic side of the University.”

%HVW RI 0XUUD\ The Murray State News is compiling its annual best-of Murray State special section, ‘Best of Murray.’

Cast your votes here and return the completed ballot to 111 Wilson Hall by noon April 5.

Best faculty member: Best student athlete: _________________________ _________________________ Best staff member: Best pizza: _________________________ _________________________ Best Greek organization: Best Mexican food: _________________________ _________________________ Best bar: _________________________ Best place to work Best sandwich shop: Best live music/ local band: _________________________ on campus: _________________________ _________________________ Best coffee shop: Best place to take a date: _________________________ Best campus tradition: _________________________ _________________________ Best Asian food: Best place to get your hair cut: _________________________ Best place to study: _________________________ _________________________ Best place for breakfast: _________________________ Best place to live on campus: Best place to live off campus: _________________________ _________________________ Best place to get ice cream/ Best place to worship: Best public restroom: frozen yogurt: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Best packaged alcohol store: Best place to cure a hangover: Best bookstore: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Best clothing store: Best place to nap on campus: Best healthcare provider: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ All votes are write-in. One ballot per student. At least 20 categories have to be filled out for the ballot to be counted. Duplications, (including photocopies) will be disqualified. Please write clearly and legibly. Return to the news office, 111 Wilson Hall by noon April 5.

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The News

News

March 8, 2013 News Editor: Meghann Anderson Assistant Editor: Lexy Gross Phone: 809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

Fair displays job potential Wreck claims

Police Beat Feb. 28 3:47 p.m. A caller reported a verbal altercation at the 800 block of College Courts.

6:38 p.m. An officer reported a medical emergency at the CFSB Center. Murray Ambulance Services were notified and a report was taken.

March 1 12:20 a.m. A caller reported smelling marijuana at Clark Residential College. Officers were notified and a citation was issued for drug paraphernalia to Yazeed Aldalbhi, non-student from Martin, Tenn.

1:00 a.m. An officer checked a suspicious person at the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot. Caleb Smith, freshman from Leoma, Tenn., was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place.

March 2 3:17 a.m. A caller reported a fight at Regents Residential College. Officers were notified and Michael Morrissey, freshman from Murray, was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place.

9:39 p.m. A person fell at the CFSB Center. Officers were notified and the person denied treatment.

March 3 2:53 a.m. A caller reported a verbal dispute at Springer Residential College.

8:49 p.m. A caller reported smelling marijuana at Hester Residential College. Officers issued a citation to Dimitri Taylor, freshman from Franklin, Ky., for possession of marijuana.

March 4 10:48 a.m. Murray Police De-

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partment requested to speak to an officer concerning a suspicious person at the Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot.

3:46 p.m. A caller reported ash in the stairwell of White Residential College. Officers, Murray Fire Department and the state fire marshal were notified.

March 5 5:13 p.m. A caller reported damage to Murray State property at Hart Residential College.

11:35 p.m. A caller reported smelling marijuana in Hart Residential College. Officers issued a citation to Reyon Williams, junior from Atlanta, Ga., for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

March 6 12:59 p.m. A caller reported a parking complaint at the Curris Center. The Murray State ticket writer was notified.

3:31 p.m. A caller reported recovering a stolen bicycle. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

Call of Fame March 4 – 5:08 p.m. A caller reported finding marijuana in Winslow Dining Hall. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

student life

Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau@murraystate.edu

Students strengthened their resumes for the spring semester Career Fair Wednesday, where they had the opportunity to make first impressions and meet potential employers.

Employers at the fair varied from technical support positions to the Marine Corps.

When it comes to characteristics in a possible applicant, the common theme among the employers were an outgoing personality, a firm handshake, a smile and strong communication skills.

Michael Denny, Murray State graduate and employer for Crop IMS, said within the first 10-15 minutes, employers may understand an interviewee’s work ethic and their ability to work with others.

While the Career Fair is not meant to be a hire-on-the-spot setting, it is a place where students could potentially earn an interview.

Employers are also looking for pizazz on a resume, something to set a student apart from the rest. For many, having experience in the field being applied for is a definite advantage.

Having knowledge of the equipment, software or type of company hiring is suggested as well.

For applicants entering the workforce, gaining experience on their own time shows a good attitude.

Extracurricular activities

Staff Report

Michelle Grimaud/The News

Students talk to potential employers at the biannual Career Fair. can also give students an extra boost.

Whether it be sports, Greek life or a love of reptiles, hobbies set a resume apart from the others.

Josh Wallace, an employer, said a resume should include a student’s character. Wallace was looking to fill the spot of safety manager for the Rehrig Pacific Company.

Ross Meloan, director of Career Services, said the fair is one of the easiest ways to meet potential employers. He said it is a powerful networking tool for students looking to enter the job market, and for those trying to scope it out.

Several Murray State programs, such as agriculture and

Associate professor Begley dead at 62 Staff Report

Motorists assists – 0 Racer escorts – 2 Arrests – 1

Lexy Gross, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety. Not all dispatched calls are listed.

occupational safety and health, have students create resumes for class credit.

Murray State also provides extra help for students wishing to clean up their resumes before they give them away at the fair.

The Career Services website has tips and suggestions for creating a resume, and Katie Mantooth, a Career Services counselor, will revise an emailed resume within two days of it being sent.

The website has graphics explaining what to avoid posting on social networking sites as well as a phone number for students to call if they wish to set up mock interviews for some rehearsal time before the main event.

Kentucky State Police responded to an automobile accident Saturday morning on Highway 94 East in Calloway County.

KSP trooper Jody Cash of Post 1 in Mayfield, Ky., responded to the two-vehicle accident near mile marker 11 on KY 94E. KSP said 20year-old Murray State student Theiss Shelby Theiss was driving westbound and lost control of her vehicle while crossing an ice-covered bridge.

Theiss' car entered the opposite lane of traffic and hit an oncoming vehicle driven by 63-year-old William Blackford. Blackford was driving a 1996 Freightliner.

She was taken to Murray-Calloway County Hospital where she later died.

No other injuries were reported and both Theiss and Blackford were wearing seatbelts.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Wrather Auditorium.

Theiss was vice-president of Alpha Omicron Pi social sorority.

Jason Hinson-Nolen, Greek life coordinator, said within a community of more than 1,000 members, there will be a large amount of grieving.

Said Hinson-Nolen: “It’s a time for the community to come together and we see that happening a lot.”

Thomas Begley, associate professor in health sciences and human services, died Sunday at Lourdes hospital in Paducah, Ky. Begley died of natural causes, according to the McCracken County Coroner.

A memorial visitation was held Thursday at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home in Murray. No additional services were held.

David Kraemer, chair in the college of

Health Sciences and Human Services, said Begley was key in the development of the occupational safety and health program at Murray State.

“The department is deeply saddened by this loss of a friend and colleague,” Kraemer said.

Begley

“(Begley) was not only a professor, but a strong supporter of the University community and a team player.”

Kraemer said Begley not only supported the OSH program, but he also supported the students in it as well.

Begley had been on staff at Murray State since 1976, serving 36 years at the University.

He also served on Faculty Senate for 34 years.

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March 8, 2013

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Devin Griggs Phone: 809-5873 Twitter: MSUNewsOpinion

A Professor’s Journal

Our View

Student bloopers

A (more) perfect union

N he n/T atso nW Eva ew s

Kids say the darndest things.

And, sometimes, you, dear students, write the darndest things.

An essay response is required on every examination that I give in Duane Bolin my history classes Professor of at Murray State.

You usually History produce well-reasoned, well-organized and wellcrafted essays within a fixed block of time, one hour and fifteen minutes for a Tuesday/Thursday class.

Sometimes, faulty sentence structure, poor word choice and fuzzy thinking produce sentences that I wince at and savor all at once, sentences that I am quick to include in a growing ‘student blooper’ file.

My favorite bloopers come in the written offerings of history students.

I grade essays for style as well as content, and sometimes students resent such meddling.

On one of my course evaluations one student moaned (and I quote directly): “This is a history class not an English class I do not feel me English down fall should make me loose points. Even English class was give more than 5 min. after answering 40 problems to write 3 pages with no gram. & spelling mistakes.”

Oh well.

In an examination essay, one of my very own students stated that “the biggest gold rush in the 1880s was the 1849 gold rush.” My students are not the only culprits, however. Richard Lederer, a teacher in Concord, New Hampshire, is the editor of “Anguished English,” a book in which he compiled some favorite bloopers from his students at St. Paul’s School.

One of Mr. Lederer’s students wrote that “Ancient Egypt was inhabited my mummies, and they all wrote in hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert and traveled by Camelot.”

In a unit on ancient Greece, a student revealed that “Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. Socrates died from an overdose of wedlock. After his death, his career suffered a dramatic decline.”

In American history, one student elaborated on the early years of Abraham Lincoln. “Lincoln’s mother died in infancy,” the student wrote, “and he was born in a log cabin which he built with his own hands.”

My favorite blooper came from the pen of a student contemplating the achievement of Sir Francis Drake when the explorer circumnavigated the globe. Perhaps the student was confused when he or she wrote, “Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a hundred foot clipper.”

Oh me.

Students, I write this column to make an important point.

A president of a Kentucky college once told students just like you that “to be educated means to be aware of the importance of language and to employ it accurately.”

“You may have the skills necessary to become a first-rate manager,” he said, “but if you cannot write a decent memo, if your words are imprecise, and your thoughts unorganized, and your syntax muddled, you are likely to be thought incompetent.”

The president concluded that “the proper use of language is routinely accepted as a mark of intelligence, the first basis on which we are judged, by those whose judgments matter.”

Cheers & Jeers

The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

As spring approaches, so approaches a season defined by new beginnings. Spring is a season marked by new marriages, new additions to families and new relationships.

But for same-sex couples in the commonwealth of Kentucky, in the city of Murray and at Murray State, this season of love and marriage only brings a stinging reminder that these rights are not theirs, that they are denied these rights by our democracy.

We believe that in this season of new beginnings, we as a nation should reaffirm our belief that all men and women are created equal, and that whether gay or straight, all should have the right to marry the person they love.

Let our new beginning stand as a new birth of freedom.

America is not a perfect union. We have seen the dark days of slavery, of Jim Crow, of women denied the right to vote, when children labored in the factories and when the elderly spent their twilight years in abject poverty.

We have, however, recognized the injustices that have plagued our union and sought correction. We are a work in progress – making marriage equality the law of the land would put us one step closer to the “more perfect union” of which Lincoln spoke and for which our brave men and women in uniform have fought and died from Valley Forge to Iwo Jima.

The question of morality is intertwined with this most moral of unions. What could be more moral than treating all people equally in the eyes of the law?

Those who oppose marriage equality often do so in the language of biblical morality, but in doing so, they neglect America’s historic separation of church and state. In America we hold that no religion should have the right to dictate the laws of our democracy.

We preference no belief or non-belief, we privilege no denomination.

Those who wish to substitute the morality of one religion over a nation with a diversity of faiths and beliefs seek to deprive the vast majority of Americans of their right to choose how or if they worship.

They seek a redefinition of what America is – biblical morality rather than legal equality, biblical law rather than constitutional law. Shall the U.S. be governed by priesthood or by the people?

Even if marriage equality were to become the law of the land tomorrow, it would not force one pastor, one priest, one rabbi or one imam to perform a same-sex marriage.

The religious freedoms of the many will not be lost to secure legal equality for our gay brothers and sisters.

Spring is a time for new beginnings. With marriage equality being weighed by the Supreme Court and discussed as close to home as last’s nights forum on marriage equality at Richmond Residential College, we believe it is time for a new beginning in America.

Our new beginning should be one in which every American shall be allowed to marry whomever they choose based not on their gender, but on the love they have for one another.

We have no illusions that this will solve all of the problems that plague us. We know that we all won’t sit and hold hands and sing kumbaya around a campfire if marriage equality became law tomorrow. But we do know that if we can make this change, if we reaffirm our commitment to our ideals as a people, we can get one step closer to that more perfect union.

Opinionated Tweets

Cheers & Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor.

Questions, concerns or comments should be addressed to dgriggs@murraystate.edu

Cheers to ... Cheers to ... facilities management. Thank you for keeping Murray State beautiful!

Jeers to ... tests in every class in the same week. Do professors meet in secret to ruin our week?

C h e e rs to ...

S p r i n g B re a k !

What else n e e d s to b e said?

Jeers to ... Dennis Rodman. It's one thing to play basketball in North Korea, it's another to be an apologist for crimes against humanity.

Cheers to ... the Walking Dead, the best thing to happen to zombie apocalypse shows since zombie apocalypse shows.

Jeers to ... Congress. The economy is on the brink and you go on vacation?

Can we suggest the first 535 layoffs?

Cheers to ... You! Whether you only pick us up to make a rad paper plane or for reading material, you rock.

Jeers to ... people who don’t tip the waiter or waitress. Seriously, if you don’t tip, you shouldn’t eat.

Parking Job of the Week

We sift through the muck so you don’t have to.

This week: #Filibustersongs proteinwisdom @proteinwisdom #filibustersongs (Drone You) Forget About Me 8:58 p.m. March 6

Vince Roberts @vincerob91 We Are Never Ever Getting A CIA Director #filibustersongs 8:27 p.m. March 6

Alexandra Petri @petridishes (Not So) Little Talks #filibustersongs 5:52 p.m. March 6

Photo courtesy of Joey Woods

A Murray State Police car parks atop the wheelchair ramp near the residential colleges.

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The News

Opinion

March 8, 2013

5A

Professors offer differing views on abortion rights Abortion is a constitutional right

Abortion is an immoral act In 1857, the Supreme Court of the United States decided a case known as Dred Scott v. Sandford. In this case, the high court ruled by seven to two that slaves were property and that Congress could not regulate or prohibit slavery in any of the American states.

Slavery had existed in southern states prior to the adoption of the Constitution and it was generally, though not universally, accepted that slavery was constitutionally protected in those areas.

First, the Louisiana Purchase and then the Mexican War raised the question of expansion into new states. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850 attempted to deal with the festering issue, but it would not go away.

Stephen A. Douglas then proposed the idea of “popular sovereignty” whereby new states would have the freedom to choose or reject slavery by referendum. This was implemented by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. The Dred Scott decision of 1857, only the second time the Supreme Court had declared an act of Congress unconstitutional, then nullified this policy and ruled that neither Congress nor the states could prohibit slavery anywhere in the United States.

Why would anyone oppose this solution to this age-old problem? The highest court in the land, made up of eminent and learned jurists, had determined the law of the land and certainly no one was required to own slaves if he did not want to. Moreover, it enshrined freedom of choice, supposedly a good thing, as the law of the land. But some people did oppose it and one of those people was a lawyer from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln opposed the Dred Scott ruling as well as the Kansas-Nebraska Act because he believed slavery to be morally and ethically wrong. Regardless of how the Supreme Court may have (incorrectly) interpreted the Constitution, Lincoln believed slavery to be a violation of the principles upon which the United States was founded. To him, the primary American founding document was the Declaration of Independence, and its teaching that all people are created by God with “unalienable” rights such as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Lincoln simply did not accept the Southern argument that the property rights of slave owners trumped the liberty and, in some cases, the life right of slaves. Lincoln also correctly thought that slavery corrupted the character of slave owners as well as slaves themselves, and that it was a blemish on our national character. We still suffer from the legacy of this most unfortunate chapter of our history.

The 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision Roe v.

Wade, January 22, 2013, also decided by seven to two, prompts me to suggest that today we might take a lesson from Abraham Lincoln; that he is commonly regarded as the greatest of all our presidents is not an accident. Roe v. Wade does not require abortion; like Dred Scott v. Sandford, all it does is give the right to choose. What could be wrong with that? What would Lincoln say?

Lincoln truly knew how precious life was because he had lost his mother, his sister and his only true romantic love to early and tragic deaths. Today, with a much larger population and modern medical science, we are much more casual about life. Again, regardless of how the Supreme Court may have (incorrectly) interpreted the Constitution, I believe, and I believe Lincoln would agree, that abortion is a violation of the principles upon which our nation was founded. As the Dred Scott opinion said the property interest of the slave owner

trumped the liberty interest of the slave, Roe v. Wade says the liberty interest of the mother trumps the life interest of the unborn. That position is morally and ethically wrong. As slaves were living humans with God-given unalienable natural rights, so are the unborn; the difference is that the aborted unborn are not around to be seen and heard. The natural rights of life, liberty and property are not three equal rights that must be juggled in some kind of balancing test. Life comes first, then liberty and then property.

Simply put, we do not have the right to harm others to benefit ourselves. No rights are absolute. The exaltation of the right to choose is a chimera. We are not allowed the choice to steal our neighbor’s car, to defame his character or to kill his wife, to drive while intoxicated or, increasingly, to smoke in public places. Why? Because it harms other people. Much of what government is about is denying the right to choose; “Obamacare” denies people the right to choose not to have health insurance, for example.

A fundamental hallmark of a civilized society is that it protects its weak and defenseless, and there is nothing weaker and more defenseless than an unborn child.

As with slavery, abortion corrupts the character not only of those who engage in it but also of those who defend it and it is a blemish on our national character. What a society requires, defends, tolerates, sanctions and prohibits goes a long way toward defining it.

Much has been said lately about violence involving the unlawful use of firearms, and the recent shootings are terrible tragedies, indeed. But guns and their availability are not the real problem.

The real problem is the decay of our society as evidenced by, for example, incessant and extreme violence in entertainment media, the removal of ethical symbols from our public places, the decline of the family and by our devaluation of human life through lawful abortion. Morally speaking, there is no difference between killing a child before it is born and after it is born.

People are decisively shaped by the society in which they live. We have sown the wind and we are reaping the whirlwind.

The Dred Scott opinion virtually made the Civil War inevitable. Slavery was ended by this civil war and two constitutional amendments that followed.

Roe v. Wade will not lead to civil war but it has contributed significantly to our current highly contentious political environment and what might be called a culture war.

Though several constitutional amendments have overturned Supreme Court decisions, that will not happen to Roe v. Wade because 13 states dissenting will defeat the proposal. So, where do we go from here?

Where we go from here is that we can support the culture of life at every opportunity, and there are many, one of which is voting in the next election.

When those 40 and under vote they should remember that their parents could have lawfully terminated them before they were born.

As someone has said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Abortion is a constitutional right. To prove my point, I will break down the relevant parts of the Fourteenth Amendment.

According to Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment, no state “shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens.”

Separated by a semi-colon, the next clause states that no state may “deprive any person of life, liberty or property.”

Syntax and grammar are extremely important here.

The semi-colon means that readers should consider both clauses together.

While they hold separate ideas, the fact that there is a semi-colon and not a period between the clauses shows that they are being held in tension together.

Notice the change in objects between the two. The first clause speaks of “citizens of the United States” while the second clause specifically changes the word to “any person”. What does this mean? Why are these clauses purposefully separated?

This is not a separation about the unborn. This is a separation for the foreign-born.

This clause makes sure that all noncitizens, whether they be refugees, visitors or foreign exchange students, are treated fairly under American law just like citizens.

To make this clause refer to fetuses would be a perversion of its original intent.

Therefore, any state that passes laws to inhibit my access to a medical abortion is violating my constitutional rights.

Carrying an unwanted child to term has the potential to harm my life, my liberty and my property.

Removing my safe legal ability to terminate an unwanted or nonviable pregnancy is a violation of my American freedoms.

Jennifer Crocker Adjunct Professor of English

Winfield Rose Professor of Political Science

Evan Watson/The News

Comics

Born in the U.S.A.

Big Brother in the workplace One thing that always baffles me about my conservative friends is how inconsistently they apply their ‘live and let live,’ philosophy. Keep out of the corporate boardrooms, they say, but make sure Devin Griggs there’s no funny Opinion Editor business going on in the bedroom.

It’s simply a wonder that these ‘live free or die’ conservatives seem willing to impose on the rest of us a moral code that says business should be free to do as it pleases, but that women should be required to undergo invasive procedures before they can choose to have an abortion.

Philosophically, this kind of thought comes full circle with the embryonic corporate nanny-state developing in the American workplace.

Usually a term used to deride government that interferes with daily life by conservatives, the nanny-state with which Americans are more familiar comes not from the halls of Congress, but from the corporate boardrooms.

If you work for a living, you know what I’m talking about. I work fast food when I’m not writing for The News and I can tell you that I’ve seen this kind of thing all too often.

There’s an explicit policy on the books prohibiting management and crewmembers from intermingling outside work. A coworker of mine was explicitly denied a raise because “he plays too many video games” (as written by my supervisor on his performance review, no joking here).

Another one of my coworkers was denied a 25-cent raise by that same supervisor because he has long hair, something that I should note has never affected whether or not my female coworkers have gotten raises.

The corporate nanny-state is but a component of a larger development in American workplaces – the return of the authoritarian workplace, a place where workers have no rights, no say, and no choice but to comply. Like the company towns of old, the new authoritarianism in the business world has developed largely as a way to prevent workers from speaking up.

Bosses are to be obeyed even if doing so would put your life at terrible risk.

Potential rebels are screened out by bizarre personality tests that force job applicants to be a better liar than their competitors. Invasive drug tests are forced upon every applicant, and in the event of an accident at work. Unpaid internships are an opportunity, not a modern form of slavery. You don’t have the right to go home whenever your shift is over; you have to ask for permission from your boss. Your wages are dependent upon what they’ll report, not what you’ve actually worked.

Perhaps the trend towards an authoritarian workplace is part of the broader trend towards authoritarianism in the United States. The Occupy protests were dispersed with force outsized to the supposed threat they posed. The right of protesting has been curtailed by court order and by legislative act. The Internet, a forum for democratic discourse unlike any other, is steadily being encroached upon by corporate America in the name of enforcing copyright law. Is the authoritarian workplace out of place in an increasingly authoritarian society? Or is it symptomatic of a broader problem – a problem that has at its core the need to manage those who aren’t benefitting from the current economic and social order in the United States?

Devin Griggs is vice president of finances for the Murray State College Democrats. dgriggs@murraystate.edu

Grift Town

By Casey Vandergrift

Prof. Bruce, Campus Curmudgeon

by Greg Knipp

News

6A

NEWS PULSE

SINKHOLE CLAIMS FLORIDA MAN Digging crews are still sifting through the rubble of what used to be the home of Jeremy and Jeff Bush before a 20-foot-wide, 50-foot deep sinkhole collapsed part of the building killing Je ff Bu sh Thursday.

By Saturday most of the house had been demolished by workers eliminating the threat of any further collapse.

Rescue efforts have since ceased although the body is still missing.

March 8, 2013

Two of three sorority visits complete Meghann Anderson || News Editor manderson22@murraystate.edu

Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Ben Manhanke

The News

Last week, representatives from Phi Mu and Kappa Delta took a campus tour which provided them with the opportunity to learn more about Murray State's campus and the typical day of a student.

Each sorority had the chance to meet the Panhellenic extension committee, where they discussed Greek community and what the committee expects of a new chapter.

The meeting with the extension committee was followed by lunch with members of the Panhellenic council.

Originally four groups were scheduled to visit Murray State, but Jason Hinson-Nolen, interim Greek life coordinator, said Gamma Phi Beta is no longer in consideration for the new sorority coming in the fall.

He said Gamma Phi Beta is changing its national focus and doing some reorganization and it is overcommitted by deciding to drop out of the running for the new Murray State sorority.

Hannah Mylor, representative for

Sigma Sigma Sigma on the extension committee, said both visits have gone well and they are excited to have Delta Zeta visit next week.

“They were educational and provided insight into these national organizations and how they would fit on our campus,” Mylor said. “I think it's a great idea to add a new sorority to campus. Our campus is ready to expand and grow.”

The representatives started their day with a tour of campus. They were then interviewed by the Extension Committee, which consists of a representative and an alumna from each sorority on campus, along with several other staff involved in student affairs.

Afterward the representatives from Kappa Delta and Phi Mu went to lunch with the Panhellenic Executive Board. Each group then gave a presentation that was open to the entire Greek community and was followed by a reception hosted by the current sororities on campus.

“A new sorority is an opportunity for women that haven't previously been involved in Greek life to get in-

volved, and for incoming freshmen that are looking for an experience that is different from what is already offered with one of our existing sororities and to become a part of the Greek community,” Mylor said.

She said Panhellenic enjoyed the group’s perspective on the Greek community and appreciated their excitement for a new sorority to join the community.

During the presentations, the Hinson-Nolen sororities explained their extension and colony plans for Murray State and their commitment to share a value-based sorority experience with unaffiliated women on campus.

The day concluded with a reception hosted by the Panhellenic community in the sorority suites.

Jessica Winkles, extension director for the Phi Mu fraternity, said Phi Mu was thrilled to have the opportunity to make an extension presentation at

Murray State and to be considered as an addition to the fraternity and sorority community.

“We enjoyed meeting with members of the Murray State University administration, office of fraternity and sorority life, extension committee and Panhellenic community,” Winkles said.

She said Phi Mu is interested in opening a new chapter at Murray State for the strength and reputation of the fraternity and sorority community and she believes Phi Mu would benefit from having Murray State students as members of their organization.

Kirstin Barry, extension and new chapter development manager for Kappa Delta sorority, said Kappa Delta was unable to provide detailed comments about the visit, but the group had an enjoyable and informative day on campus and would be honored to return to Murray State.

Delta Zeta is the last group to visit campus and will present to the extension committee on Wednesday.

The extension committee will make its vote for which sorority come to Murray State in the fall on March 15.

Professors against texting Restrictions being placed on cell phone use Rebecca Walter|| Staff writer rwalter@murraystate.edu

HUGO CHAVEZ DEAD On Wednesday, the president of Venezuela died after he succumbed to cancer, A funeral was held for Hu go Ch ave z after the 58-year-old controversial socialist leader died after his forseen death.

Elections will be held in 30 days, and Vice President Nicolas Maduro will assume the presidency in the interim.

Associated Press

KEEP ON TALKING: U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R–Ky., began a filibuster before noon Wednesday to oppose the nomination of John Brennan as CIA director. The filibuster ended after more than 13 hours of talking.

*For a limited time only

Whether it is sneaking a quick text during class, browsing through Facebook or posting an update on Twitter, most college students will admit to having used their phones in the classroom at some point.

According to a study complied at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, 91 percent of college students admit to having used their cell phones during class.

Due to such high statistics, several Murray State professors have implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward cell phone use in the classroom.

Among these professors, Winfield Rose, professor of government, law and international affairs, said his biggest objection to cell phone use in the classroom is that it can interrupt the learning process and make it hard for the class to get back on track.

“If a cell phone goes off in class it is a distraction for everyone, for the professor as well as the students,” Rose said. “It is rude to disturb other students who are trying to concentrate on the topic of the day.”

Rose mentions in his syllabus the fact cell phones are not to go off in class and there is no text messaging allowed due to the affect it has on other student’s ability to focus on classroom discussions.

Many teachers at Murray State are similar to Rose and have no texting policies for the class.

Some professors give warnings before being on a cell phone can effect a student’s grade.

Many cell phone policies are listed in the syllabus handed out at the start of the new semester. The policies can very from professor to professor, but when questioned, some students said they do not read the syllabus or the policy.

Most policies state the use of cell phones is not permitted in class. All cell phones must remain off or on silent and kept in a book bag or purse.

Among those students surveyed in the Wilkes University study, 25 percent said others texting during class makes it difficult to focus and 75 percent reported being distracted by a ringing phone at some point during class.

Bellarmine Ezumah, professor of journalism and mass communication, said her main problem with cell phone use in class is it distracts the student from learning as well as other students who are trying to pay attention.

“My priority is to have students learn,” Ezumah said. “If students are multitasking with things such as texting, there is a higher likelihood that they are not paying close attention and processing everything which is being taught.”

S t u d e n t s h a v e a l wa y s f o u n d ways to be di strac ted i n cl ass.

P r i o r to c e l l p h o n e s , s t u d e n t s exchanged notes.”

–Bonnie Higginson vice president of Academic Affairs Ezumah said since she mentions in her syllabus as well as the first day of class that texting is not allowed, she has experienced few problems with the issue thus far.

She said if there was a problem with a student persistently texting in class, consequences could result in the student be asked to leave class due to the disruption cell phone use can cause.

According to Bonnie Higginson, vice president of Academic Affairs, students always discover ways to distract themselves from their studies.

“Students have always found ways to be distracted in class,” Higginson said. “Prior to cell phones, students exchanged notes.”

Higginson said a University-wide rule on cell phone use might be something worth exploring for Murray State.

Some Murray State students tend to agree

Lori Allen/The News

Most professors are finding that the majority of their students text or surf the web during classroom instruction.

with the professors, saying the main objective of going to class is to learn, not to text.

DePaul Hendrix, junior from Cadiz, Ky., said students need to put cell phones aside to gain their full tuition’s worth and completely grasp the subject matter.

“Students pay for their education, meaning they’re paying the professor to teach them what they need to know,” Hendrix said. “If students are too busy on their phones and not paying attention, then they’re clearly wasting their time and money.”

At Murray State, students with a Kentucky residency and classification of undergraduate pay $285 per credit hour, meaning a typical three hour class costs $855.

Factor in the cost of textbooks averaging at $80-$100, and students can end up losing their time and money from distractions such as texting in class.

According to a recent study done at the University of Pittsburgh, college students who frequently text message during their classes have difficulty staying attentive to classroom lectures, which can consequently lead to poor academic performance.

The study showed texting in class interferes with a student’s ability to pay attention, which is necessary for effective cognitive learning.

Students who did less texting during class tended to be ones who practiced higher levels of self-control and reported paying more attention to the instructor.

Not all students think it should be up to the University to decide on a cell phone use policy.

Other Murray State students believe since they are who is paying for their education, they should ultimately be the ones making the decision on whether it is acceptable to text in class or not, not the teachers.

Becca Kilby, sophomore from Murray, said more professors need to be more understanding with texting occurrence in the classroom, such as when an emergency arises that the student must deal with immediately.

“Sometimes there are situations out of the student’s control,” Kilby said. “When these incidents occur, professors need to be more understanding about cell phones being used and recognize that emergencies do happen.”

She said people need to learn the rules.

In the study done by Wilkes University, 62 percent of students believe texting in class should be allowed, provided it did not distract others around them.

“No distraction is good, but there have always been ways for students to tune out,” Higginson said. “It is my hope that our faculty teaches in a way so that students are inclined to learn instead of being disengaged.”

The News

News

March 8, 2013

7A

Students direct Dining Services expands options fundraiser for Red Cross Alex Berg || Staff writer aberg1@murraystate.edu

Ariel Watson || Staff writer awatson@murraystate.edu

Two Murray State students are leading a program through the American Red Cross Association that will use fundraising to aid members of Calloway County.

Laura Nightingale, from Hopkinsville, Ky., and Tyler Cope, from Mayfield, Ky., are both double majors in Youth and Nonprofit Leadership and Organizational Communication.

They were selected to be the student coordinators for the Heroes campaign sponsored by the American Red Cross.

This campaign is new to the Murray State campus.

The funds collected for the campaign are used to aid residents of Calloway County. They assist and provide necessary supplies for families who experience disaster slike fires or floods.

The American Red Cross is also responsible for blood drives on campus.

Nightingale and Cope will come up with fundraising ideas, in collaboration with various organizations at Murray State to help raise the money.

All fundraising efforts will continue through the end of March.

“I think it will be like us going to the organizations and then the organizations themselves doing the fundraising,” Cope said. “We will just be delegating telling them this is what we need, and can you do this.”

The University Store, located in the Curris Center, is already supporting the campaign by collecting monetary donations.

After a purchase, customers are given the option to donate.

When a person donates, their name is displayed in the bookstore window.

Carolyn Byrd, a University Store employee from Murray, said

as long as the bookstore is supporting the campaign, students will come and donate.

Nightingale said after hearing the organization present the idea to her YNL 351 class, she wanted to take on the opportunity with the assistance of Cope to lead the campaign. After an interview process, they were both selected to help lead the program with donations.

Nightingale and Cope have no set precedent. Cope said there is no specific goal they have to reach instead they are setting the goals and standards for the University.

“We’re not exactly sure what to

I think it’s important for students on this campus to be aware that it is more than just blood drives, but the things they do play a part in affecting the people of Calloway County...”

–Tyler Cope sophomore from Mayfield, Ky. expect so were just throwing it out there and hoping people will pick it up and run with it,” Nightingale said.

“For the University I would hope students and organizations become more community aware of what goes on with the Red Cross and the amount of funding they need to continue to provide the services they do,” Nightingale said.

“I think it’s important for students on this campus to be aware that it is more than just blood drives, but the things they do play a part in affecting the people of Calloway County and meeting their basic needs,” Cope said. “We ourselves can volunteer to go out to those people, to help fundraise, to build up this community. As a community, we can make a difference.”

Dining Services has been striving to make Murray State’s dining areas more convenient for students since last semester.

Lately, they have been concentrating on Fast Track and Winslow Dining Hall by turning to students for food recommendations.

Tim Bruce, department chef and manager at Winslow, said Dining Services is working to gather more suggestions from students in several ways.

Bruce said Dining Services has placed a recommendations box in Winslow and Fast Track for any students who have something specific they would like to see on the menu.

Dining Services is also encouraging students to post suggestions on their Facebook page. He said the recommendations will hopefully be implemented by the end of Spring Break.

Keawanna Houston, junior from Carbondale, Ill., is a Fast Track employee and said they get recommendations from students almost every day.

“The most international suggestions so far have been for Mexican churros and an item called Pocky’s, a popular Japanese snack food,” Houston said.

Paula Amols, director of Dining Services and Racer Hospitality, said they are open to any suggestions, but have been hoping for recommendations concerning international foods to be served at Winslow.

Amols said Dining Services has reached out on several occasions to international students who have asked for

Beamer BarronThe News

Son Le considers his options in Fast Track, where sugg estions for international food have recently been made. more options, but they have not gotten much of a response.

“What we have been hearing more recently is requests from some of the Middle Eastern students for Hallal food in Winslow,” Amols said.

Winslow has also made a recent upgrade concerning its fish menu. Dining Services is currently acquiring their fish through a new vendor called Sea2Table, a company that until recently, dealt mostly with restaurants.

Amols said the fish Sea2Table sells are caught by local fishermen and are caught in a sustainable manner.

“The company can identify exactly which boat and which captain caught

our fish, and they provide us with that information which is displayed on the serving line,” Amols said.

Although the prices are higher than the fish Dining Services used to buy, they are willing to spend more for the sake of quality and sustainability.

“It is worth the expense for a quality, healthful fish, and it is nice to be able to support local fishermen around the country,” Bruce said.

Poached salmon, caught in Alaska, was recently served and proved popular.

Said Bruce: “I think the student’s knowledge of this and their recognition of its quality has definitely boosted the amount of fish we serve.”

Underground newsletter resurfaces Staff Report An underground newsletter that was started by Murray State faculty in 1978, resurfaced Monday with their first issue from volume six.

The newsletter, titled Sisyphus, is compiled by the members of a board of editors who have long known about the faculty newsletter of the same name published by Ken Wolf, now a professor emeritus of history. The newsletter addressed campuswide issues of the day, always with good humor and keen insight.

“As with the original version, we believe there are many roles Sisyphus can play,” the board of editors wrote in an email. “It can be a vehicle for faculty to communicate with one another, so pertinent information and good ideas and divergent viewpoints can be widely aired. It can serve as a reminder to faculty

(and students) of the academic and indeed humanistic purposes of university education. Perhaps it can be a catalyst to help faculty move ideas towards resolution; and, hopefully it can provide some comic relief.”

Rob Donnelly, professor of mathematics and statistics, is open about his connection with the newsletter. And most obviously, Sisyphus is likely to consider controversial campus issues, and we want our editors and other contributors to be able to speak freely so that their ideas, rather than their identities, can be the focal point.

The group is mainly printing the newsletter, rather than having an electronic-only copy. However, electronic copies are freely available for the asking, just contact sisyphus.msu@gmail.com.

Another issue is in the works, and the board said they hope readers across campus will look for it in the coming weeks.

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8A

The News March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

Section B

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Jaci Kohn Assistant Editor: Carly Besser Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUNewsSports

Out of Left Field

Two games to make Big Dance

I have a dream I have been a ’L-raiser for as long as I can remember. The University of Louisville has given me years of entertainment, and has been the subject of many years of undyCarly Besser ing fandom on Assistant Sports my part.

Editor Hours were spent watching games in the living room with my family, and I do not even know how much money I’ve spent just to watch my favorite team in person.

The Angry Bird, the Yum! Center and the stacked basketball roster Louisville brings to the table each year is more than enough to make me proud to be a product of such a great city, with an even greater athletic program.

With that being said, I love Murray State, too. The only thing I’m not used to is being in an environment where the majority of people bleed blue by default.

That’s right. I am surrounded by University of Kentucky fans on every corner of campus. Nothing sticks out worse than a lone, red ranger in a Big Blue Nation.

While most would say if you can not beat them, join them, I simply couldn’t. Watching the semifinals of the NCAA tournament in the Regents College lobby last year reinforced how alone I was.

I was the only Cards fan among Anthony Davis’ personal cheerleading squad. Even when Louisville lost, I was already pre-planning my trash talking for next season. However, before I opened my fat mouth in pure jealousy of the Cats winning the National Tournament, I thought about something.

Being a fan of any sport, in a way, is a passage of self-identity as well as an unofficial club. Fans of the same team stick together. It applies anywhere.

When Murray State went to the OVC tournament, more Racer fans showed up to Municipal Auditorium than fans of Tennessee State. Tennessee State’s campus is roughly 15 minutes away from where the tournament took place, so it speaks volumes of how loyal a community of sports fans can really be.

Even though the basketball team is not having as historic of a season as they were last year, students still show their devotion by waiting in that annoying, long line to get tickets.

It is exciting, as a sports enthusiast, to see so many fans of teams in different regions coming together and finding common ground. I can honestly say I have never met a St. Louis Blues fan, or a hockey fan for that matter, until I came to Murray State.

While I once pledged undying allegiance to Louisville, and deemed any other college team irrelevant, I have grown to adopt an athletic tolerance.

Even though we are not the athletes, we should still be expected to have the same amount of dignity and sportsmanship the players need to express whenever they play a game.

While I may not like your team, I respect that you are a sports fan just like I am. It is a common bond we share.

Instead of constantly battling each other, we should come together with the shared interest of watching games.

Though I bleed red and always will, I am officially waving the white flag. I won’t wear your team colors if they do go on to win the Big Dance this month, but you will certainly get a congratulations. I have a dream that my fellow Louisville fans will one day live on a campus where they will not be judged by the color of their jerseys, but by their love of the game.

Here’s to you, sports fans. cbesser@murraystate.edu.

Racers need OVC wins for NCAA entry Jonathan Ferris || Staff writer jferris2@murraystate.edu

Lori Allen/The News

Senior Brandon Garrett struggles to break through Southeast Missouri’s strong defense during the final home game of the season Saturday night. The Racers need to win two games and to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

A long season full of ups and downs finished Saturday with a second consecutive home loss for the men’s basketball team.

Despite the adversity which has plagued the team since well before the season started, the task facing the Racers remains quite simple: win two games and advance to the NCAA Tournament, or lose and go home.

After seemingly righting the ship with a double-overtime win against Morehead State, and a convincing BracketBusters win over South Dakota State, the Racers closed out the regular season in the worst way possible, dropping home games to 819 UT Martin and 14-15 Southeast Missouri.

When asked about the final two games, senior forward Ed Daniel summed up the Racers’ struggles in one word.

“Defense,” Daniel said.

“We have to get back to defending on

see OVC, 2B

Paul Radke retires after announcing 27 seasons Jaci Kohn || Sports Editor jkohn@murraystate.edu

In addition to losing the winningest class in school history, Murray State Athletics will also lose another figure at home football and basketball games.

Paul Radke, who has been the voice of women’s basketball for 27 seasons, men’s for 24 and football for 20 seasons, will retire this year.

He announced his last home game Saturday during the 84-68 loss against Southeast Missouri.

“Sometimes in every person’s life, you know when the time is right to let the next person have their turn,” he said. “Both my wife and I feel that this is a good time to do this.”

After working in higher education for 38 years, Radke and his wife will be retiring to Foley, Ala. The move will bring him closer to his children, who live in Alabama and Mississippi, and to his wife’s mother, who lives

in Orange Beach, Ala. He said he is not done working, however. He plans to do something, though he is not sure what that will be yet.

Before Saturday’s game, Murray State honored him for his time at the school. Radke said he was surprised by all the fans’ appreciation and that the feeling was rewarding.

“I just did a 360, just kind of looking at the student section, the band and all the fans who sit right behind me that I talk to on a regular basis, all the folks on the upper deck that pay general admission just to come in and watch a game,” he said. “It was just a blur.”

The hardest part for him was at the end of the game, when it was time for him to sign off and say goodbye for a final time he said. He got very emotional and still gets emotional thinking about it.

Lori Allen/The News

see RETIRE, 2B

Paul Radke announces at his final home game Saturday. Radke has worked at Murray State since 1986 and will retire to Alabama at the end of the semester.

Season ends with loss to Eastern Kentucky Carly Besser || Assistant Sports Editor cbesser@murraystate.edu

Taylor McStoots/The News

Senior Kyra Watson dribble past an Eastern Kentucky defender at the OVC Tournament game Wednesday night. Though the team started out the first half strong, they could not hold back EKU’s strong defense.

WHAT’S

RACER CLASSIC

INSIDE

Men and women’s golf The women’s basketball team compete at home match, 3B says goodbye to seniors, 4B

FINAL SEASON

The No. 8 seed Murray State basketball team ended its tournament journey early in a 62-51 loss against Eastern Kentucky Wednesday night.

Led by senior guard Mariah Robinson with 23 points and 11 rebounds, the Racers put up a strong fight in the first half.

“They’re a solid defensive team,” Head Coach Rob Cross said. “They were getting a lot of layups. We could have changed the completion of the game.”

A deep three by Eastern Kentucky guard Marie Carpenter began the quick tempo style of play. Robinson retaliated with her signature shot beyond the arc, along with a layup in the paint.

From there, the Racers dictated the majority of the first half, snatching offensive rebounds and pushing ahead of the Colonels, who were forced to convert early in the game. Freshman forward Kelsey Dirks’ 6-foot-3-inch frame was a key component in Murray State’s defense, grabbing rebounds and scoring two second-chance points. desperate to stop a strong run, the

Colonels put the Racers at the line, where they shot 80 percent. Before the Racers could run with the lead, the shooting drive went cold, giving Eastern Kentucky the opportunity to inch its way to a one-point lead with three minutes left. Murray State was 23 percent from the field by the buzzer.

“Earlier in the game, we were doing a good job rebounding.” Cross said. “They ended up rebounding us by six, and that was one of our keys.”

After keeping the Racers out of the paint for the final five minutes, Murray State left for the locker room, down by four. Despite the deficit, Robinson was only three rebounds short of a doubledouble and had 11 points.

With the second half starting with Eastern Kentucky in possession, it was a footrace to both sides of the court. Scoring remained stagnant as both teams turned over the ball in a rush-style offense.

The Racers were revitalized after a pair of free throws were made by Dirks, ending a second-half scoring drought. Robinson followed suit with another 3-point shot, tying the game up against an East-

see SEASON, 2B

MIDTERM MADNESS

LOCAL GALLERY

Staff gives tips for studying for mid-semester exams, 5B

Murray State displays state, national art in Fine Arts, 5B

Sports

2B

RETIRE From Page 1 “I have that way that I always say it, which is ‘We appreciate your support of Racer Basketball, come again and please drive safely’,” Radke said.

“Well, I started it, and I couldn’t finish it. A lot of the fans kind of cheered and yelled and they helped me get through it.”

That moment, he said, was one he would never forget. There was a lot of love in the room that day, and he really appreciated it.

When Radke started at Murray State in April of 1986, he did not expect to stay long. He thought he would stay for three years and then move up the career ladder, which was 27 years ago. Currently, Radke is the director of development for the Hudson School of Agriculture.

He is also the Associate director of gift planning and has worked as the director of school relations.

When Radke came to Murray, he fell in love with the city and the University.

He said it became home to him even though he grew up in Wisconsin and lived in Chicago, Ill. “Murray State has given me an opportunity to be able to grow professionally, to be able to raise my girls in a safe, nurturing environment and to have lots of fun just working here,” he said. “It’s a place that I am going to truly miss, but I

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will not be a stranger.”

One of the things Radke is most excited to come back to Murray State for is Homecoming, and not having to work the event.

“I get to go to Tent City, and I can stay there as long as I want without having to run up to the press box in Roy Stewart Stadium to get ready for the football game,” he said. “I will be able to yell at the officials like every other fan does. I will be able to anticipate Racer One being let loose on a touchdown.”

He said he is excited to come back and be an alumnus. Even though he did not graduate from the University, he still feels like one in body and soul.

Radke said he got into announcing on a dare. He was a pitcher at George Williams College and the public address announcer for his college was leaving. They were holding open auditions, which his roommate dared him to go to.

“I used to kind of mess around with it in the room, you know the way guys do,” he said. “My roommate was a basketball player and a volleyball player.

So I would introduce him in the room just to kind of get him pumped up for a game. So one thing led to another and I got picked.”

As a junior, he became the public address announcer for basketball and volleyball. This opened many doors for him. In the ‘70s in Chicago, there were many international volleyball matches.

He was able to announce the Russ-

OVC From Page 1 the perimeter to where we’re able to pressure the ball, deny passing lanes and push people farther out,” Head Basketball Coach Steve Prohm said. “We’re having a tough time guarding the basketball off the dribble right now and I think that’s been our biggest weakness. You win at a high level by defending and we’re not doing that right now.”

During the two-game skid, the Racers struggled mightily to defend the 3-point shot.

UT Martin and SEMO shot an astronomical 58 percent from beyond the arc during the two games.

The Murray State defense allowed opponents to easily find wide-open shots, and the Racers paid the price.

The team will have to figure out its defensive struggles quickly, however, as they face Eastern Kentucky tonight in the semi-finals of the OVC

ian National Team when it came through and played the United States Team, as well as the Japanese National Team.

He also announced some South American teams and the Cuban National Team when they were still able to travel to the U.S. All in all, he has announced for basketball, soccer, football, some swim meets and water polo matches. One thing he never announced for, however, is baseball.

“Here, I am, a baseball athlete at heart, and I have never really gotten the opportunity to do a baseball game, other than my daughters softball games,” he said. “I have had a front row seat to a lot of great games, not only here at Murray State, but growing up, and it has been a lot of fun.”

For about the last 20 years, Radke has been the public announcer for the three major sports: football and men and women’s basketball.

He started as just the women’s basketball announcer, then slid into all three sports over the years.

“I have had some blessed experiences,” he said. “I have had players fall in my lap. I have had players jump over my head. I have heard some words that I probably should not have heard. I have had cokes dumped on me, I have had water dumped on me, but I would not have changed it for anything. Its the best seat in the house.”

To read about some of Radke’s fondest memories, go to thenews.org.

Tournament. If they can regain the defensive prowess which was present earlier in the season, and defeat the Colonels tonight, they will advance to the finals tomorrow night to play either Belmont or Tennessee State for the championship, and earn an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

“We’ve just got to be better on the defensive end,” senior guard Isaiah Canaan said. “We’ve got to be more locked in and focused on our defensive assignments. They always say defense wins championships, so now we’ve got to go prove it.”

Despite two straight losses, the Racers remain confident heading into the tournament as the defending champions. The team is led by six seniors, all of whom have participated in multiple OVC Tournament games, easily making them the most experienced team in the field.

Though they may be struggling heading into the tournament, Canaan reminds fans he and the other seniors have not forgotten the dominance they exhibited in the tournament a year ago.

“We’ve been taking bullets all year long and everyone wants to shoot us down,” Canaan said,

March 8, 2013

Taylor McStoots/The News

Senior Mariah Robinson tries to shoot over the top of Eastern Kentucky defender Senior Raechele Gray during Wednesday nights loss.

SEASON From Page 1 ern Kentucky team, that was originally leading by as much as seven.

A tightly-locked zone defense executed by the Racers stopped the Colonels in their tracks, giving them time to regain an advantage.

Eastern Kentucky kept an edge in steals, putting them in possession twice as often.

“but until it’s all said and done and someone else is holding up the trophy, we’re on top. That’s where we plan on staying, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”

Compared to last season the Racers find themselves in a much different position headed into the tournament. In fact, in each of the last three seasons, Murray State entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and clear-cut favorite to cut down the nets.

This season, however, the Racers find themselves with the No. 2 seed and are considered by many as an underdog. With the team limping Daniel into the tournament with consecutive home losses, and a dominant Belmont team seemingly poised to win its first OVC crown, the Racers no longer remain the favorites.

Senior Brandon Garrett said the team’s recent struggles has put them under a lot of teams’ radars. Garrett sees this underdog status as an advantage, however, as some teams

Down by six with just 3:30 left in the game, the Racers hustled to convert, making faulty passes and poor shot selection.

Both teams were in the bonus, with Murray State trying to grasp points behind the line. The Colonels were not fazed by the frantic pace, but instead extended its lead to double digits in the final minute of play.

The game, and season for the Racers ended in a loss by 11.

“We stuck in, and we played hard,” Robinson said. “I’m very proud of the team.”

may label the Racers an easy target and overlook the defending champions. “(Other teams) probably think we’re pushovers, and every team thinks they can beat us,” Garrett said. “If I were them, I’d believe it too, but we’re going to come out Friday with our heads high and all the swagger in the world.”

Pushovers or not, Prohm said he is not happy about the way the Racers’ season ended, and he expects his players to respond.

“These guys are best when they’re a little angry,” Prohm said. “And they should be angry, because I’m angry. We’ll be ready. I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked if he was in fact angry, Daniel’s response was loud and clear.

“There’s a lot of heat in us right now,” Daniel said. “The next team that plays us is probably going to be mad they got these Racers.”

As the team prepares to fight for its season tonight, it can rest assured the slate is wiped clean.

When the players hit the court tonight at 8 p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., the entire season is reduced to one simple concept: win or go home.

We do it daily at

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March 8, 2013

3B

Golf

Swing and a Drive

Racers have strong start to spring

Story of the year

Staff Report Men and women’s golf played two-day events Monday and Tuesday to tee off their spring season schedule.

The men’s team traveled to the Hoover Country Club to play in the Samford Intercollegiate in Hoover, Ala. The last time the Racers played was Nov. 5-6 to finish the fall season with a second-place out of 13 in Gulf Shores, Ala., against golfers from Vanderbilt and Rice.

Samford University hosted the matches that started Monday.

After the first day, Murray State placed 15th of 18 overall in the Samford Intercollegiate. The Racers 15th-place finish tied them with Southern Illinois and Bowling Green State at a score of 308.

The first round started late after a delay to due to frost on the green. The second round of golf was not played due to darkness.

The individual rankings for Murray State were topped by senior Hunter York, who ranked 16th of 94 players with 1-over-par 73. Tyler Brown, senior, scored 1-over-par 76, leaving him in 45th place. Patrick Newcomb, senior, earned 61st place with a 78. Freshmen Preston French and Daniel Harper scored 81st and 88th place respectively with scores of 81 and 84.

The second day, the Racers earned a 14th place finish out of 94, with a score of 919. Newcomb led Murray State with his 28th place performance with a final score of 224, and York placed 37th with 226. French and Brown placed 56th and 82nd out of the field with 231 and 239 respectively. Auburn

University won and took home the title with a final team score of 865.

As for women’s golf, the Racers hosted the Time Warner Classic at Miller Memorial Golf Course to start their own spring season Monday and Tuesday. Last year, the Racers placed second out of eight. Murray State teed off with similar success in 2013 as Murray State led in 1st place in a field of eight schools after the first day.

Murray State finished Monday with an overall score of 312, which firmly placed them ahead of second-place Lipscomb University with 321 and thirdplace Austin Peay University at 324.

Junior Delaney Howson scored an even-par 72 to lead the Classic, and teammate Alexandra Lennartsson, senior, made a 76.

Alli Weaver finished the first day with a score of 81 in 11th place while Sophie Hiller and Abbi Stamper tied in 20th place with 83. Gina Nuzzo, sophomore, earned an 87 to round out the Racers for their first round of golf in 2013.

The second day was canceled during the middle of second round play due to inclement weather conditions.

Murray State won the classic using the team scores from the first 18 holes played Monday.

Howson was a medalist for the event with a score of 72, which was aided by an eagle on the fifth hole.

Men’s golf moves on from the Samford Intercollegiate to play the Monday and Tuesday at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tenn.

The women’s team will play in the March 18-19 Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate in Sevierville, Tenn.

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Senior Tyler Brown follows through with his swing at the Samford Intracollegiate held on Monday and Tuesday. The team finished 14th out 94 teams.

Player Profile

Howson tee’s off, hopes to continue success Taylor Crum || Staff writer tcrum3@murraystate.edu

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Junior Delaney Howson follows through with her swing during a competition in the fall. She medaled in the Racer Classic on Monday and Tuesday.

A friendly, bubbly young lady sits down in a relaxed position with her hair in a ponytail and her hands stuffed inside her sweatshirt pocket.

This young lady goes by the name of Delaney Howson. A Canadian native from Toronto, Ontario, Howson is a member of the women’s golf team and a junior finance major at Murray State, but why did she choose Murray State?

“Honestly, it was kind of a fluke,” She said.

Howson said her coach back home knew a recruiter who had connections with Murray State Women’s Golf Coach Velvet Milkman.

After looking at other colleges in Georgia and South Carolina, Howson preferred the atmosphere of Murray State to any other prospective school.

“I actually do like the small-town feel,” Howson said. “Everyone is so friendly.”

However, Howson said the transition into college took its toll on her.

“I was really excited the summer before I was coming in,” she said. “I got here and it was a meltdown. It was beyond terrifying. I knew no one.”

Howson says despite not knowing anyone, her team was immediately accepting of her. She now describes her team as her support system.

“We rely on each other all the time,” Howson said.

As a lover of hockey and lacrosse, Howson said golf was not her first love, as she did not pick up the game until the age of 14, with the help of her brothers.

Not only did her brothers lead her onto the golfing path, but her mom was a big influence as well.

“My mom didn’t want me playing lacrosse anymore,” Howson said. “(It was) a little rough.”

Howson’s mom did not like the dangerous effects of lacrosse and hockey. Therefore, she wanted her daughter to go into training with a golf coach.

As the saying goes, mother knows best.

Howson’s golf career took flight, and she was named OVC Freshman of the Year during her first season at Murray State.

Howson was also the first golfer in the University’s history to qualify for the United States Golf Association’s United States Women’s Amateur Championship in West Bloomfield, Mich.

“I’ve never been to a better run tournament,” Howson said. “It was an unbelievable experience to play in a big event like that.”

Although Howson is an outstanding golfer, she is just like any other student at Murray State, balancing schoolwork with everyday life.

When she has spare time, Howson said she loves to hang out with her teammates and eat at her favorite restaurant in Murray, Jasmine Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar. As far as a future in golf, Howson said it would be a great experience, but she has other goals.

“I want a degree,” Howson said, “but obviously I would enjoy doing something with golf.”

This summer Howson plans to head back to Toronto and work full time at a golf course and play in a few tournaments.

It was supposed to be Isaiah Canaan’s night.

The AllAmerican guard who has taken this campus and this entire community by storm Jonathan had one final Ferris game at the Staff writer Bank.

Poised to see him join the 2,000-point club and earn one last victory, more than 30 family members and 8,000 fans filled the stands, all there to see him one last time. It might as well have been changed from Senior Night to Isaiah Canaan Appreciation night.

Canaan had other plans.

I had heard rumors before the game that he would give up his starting spot to Jordan Burge, the four-year walk-on who has yet to score a point.

I was doubtful. Surely Canaan wouldn’t give up his Senior Night start for Burge. He’s a senior, too.

Yet, the starting players’ numbers were displayed on the scoreboard before the game, and Canaan’s No. 3 was replaced by Burge’s No. 33.

All I could do was let out a big smile, laugh and do my best not to cry in front of everybody.

Despite Canaan’s gesture, the evening didn’t have a storybook ending.

Burge failed to score his first points, and Canaan ended the night with 1,999 career points.

Additionally, the most successful senior class in program history ended its home career with an anticlimactic 16-point loss.

As far as I’m concerned, none of that even matters.

After the game, Head Coach Steve Prohm told the media, “If you’re not playing the game to impact people, what are you doing it for anyways?”

It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement and the winning of sports.I am guilty of it all the time.

A loss by one of my favorite sports teams can literally ruin my entire day.

Sports have a tendency to bring up emotions in all of us. Win or lose, sports can cause our perspective on what’s really important to fly out the window.

Sure, it sucks that the Racers lost. I’ll be even more upset if they lose this evening in the semi-finals of the OVC Tournament.

But I was reminded of how irrelevant the scoreboard really is when I saw Burge and Canaan embrace at center court before the walk-on left the game for the final time.

Prohm is right. At the end of the day, the trophies lose their shine and the banners become yellowed and dusty.

It is the people you meet and the memories you make in life that should motivate you to do what you do.

Starting on Senior Night is a memory Burge will carry with him the rest of his life.

Losing to SEMO on Senior Night will be forgotten as soon as tonight’s tournament game tips off. jferris2@murraystate.edu.

(to The Murray State News) Now hiring for the position of 2013 – 2014 Editor-in-Chief Submit an application and resumé at 111 Wilson Hall by 5pm March 15th

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Sports

4B

March 8, 2013

Softball

Racers need to finish innings Megan Kavy || Staff writer mkavy@murraystate.edu

The Racer softball team will play its final preseason tournament at the Evansville Invitational Saturday and Sunday.

Murray State is scheduled to face Bowling Green State and the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind. Head Coach Kara Amundson said she wants the team to continue to compete in all of their games and focus on its game, rather than if the team wins or loses.

“We still haven’t really fully embraced being able to compete through seven innings,” she said.

Amundson said she believes the team needs to work hard play a solid seven innings this weekend in Evansville.

She said she believes being able to stay consistent through seven innings is going to be a key factor in conference play.

Amundson said she hopes the team can better compete through the adversity and struggles of close games. She wants the team to battle through all of their games and not let up, regardless of the score.

“Being able to compete start to finish is something we’re still really looking forward to doing,” Amundson said.

She said she believes certain players need to step up at different times to help the team pull through some of their close games.

Amundson said she wants the team to help each other in tough situations. If it

does these things, the team can accomplish their goals this weekend she said.

The Racers finished the Magic City Classic last weekend with one win and three losses.

Two of the games against the University of South Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham were close games.

The Racers lost 0-1 and 0-2 in those games.

With some tweaking, Amundson said she sees the team coming out on top in Evansville. She said the team displayed a lot of positive things, despite the losses.

She said she believes the team did not overcome the adversity in close games as well as they could have.

“We’re working this week in practice to make sure we’re learning from those adversities,” Amundson said.

Even with three losses, she said she believes all of these preseason tournaments are a learning opportunity for the team and good things will come out of these beginning games.

The team did record one win over Nicholls State. The game was close, and the Racers managed to come out on top.

Amundson said she was proud of the win.

She said a win is always a good thing.

Amundson said she said she hopes to accomplish the things the team lacked last weekend and compete its hardest to bring home a few more wins before the start of the regular season.

The Racers first game is against Bowling Green State at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Isaiah Canaan @SiP03 One Team, One Goal, One Mission!!!

Men’s Basketball

Kelsey Dirks @KelseyDirks93 If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!

Women’s Basketball

Emily Schmahl @eschmahl11 Looking at my panama pics has me so excited for spring break #11days #panama Volleyball

Will Handlin @Whandlin32 Gotta make sacrifices to reach the goals you have in life.. they aren't always easy Baseball

Taylor McStoots/The News

Freshman J.J. Francis winds up to throw at a recent practice on the football field.

Steve Prohm @CoachProhm Congrats to @ED_EDD_EDDY_02 & @SiP03 on their post season awards! Really proud of the men u have become! Now let's go get those nets!

Men’s Basketball Coach

Basketball

Eyecare Specialties 308 S. 12th St., Murray 270-759-2500

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Seniors honored at final home game Carly Besser || Assistant Sports Editor cbesser@murraystate.edu

Stepping onto the court of the CSFB Center, joined by their families with roses in hand, it was the final night the Murray State seniors would play at home in uniform.

Guards Mariah Robinson and Tessa Elkins and forwards Kyra Watson and Jessica Holder were honored Saturday for their contributions to the program, as it would be their last performance in Murray.

It was a bittersweet moment that was still difficult to process, Elkins said.

“The good news is, we’re moving on to the post season,” she said. “It’s the last time we’ll play in this gym. It’s not something that has quite sunk in yet. We might only have one game left.”

The attitude from the commemoration changed when the Racers fell to OVC rival Southeast Missouri by three points, leaving the Racers with an 8-8 regular season record.

All the seniors started against the Redhawks, but Holder was seated shortly after her first minutes of play to prevent further straining of her injuries. She missed more than two seasons due to injury and went through several surgeries, preventing her from seeing much time on the court. It was painful to walk out on her final game, she said.

“It hurts,” Holder said. “It’s something that’s going to take a lot of time for it to heal, and I think it’s going to make it happen a little faster if I’m not putting it through the stuff I’m putting it through. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but when God closes one door he opens another. It’s not the end of the world.”

Forward Watson brought energy and momentum for the Racers Saturday when she scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds. With little time to play left, she said she feels a sense of urgency to leave the program with a memorable performance.

“I feel like an animal,” Watson said. “I feel like I’ve been away for a long time so I owe it to my team to step up and be everything I can be for them.”

Robinson ended the performance

Taylor McStoots/The News

Senior Mariah Robinson dribbles to the hoop during Saturday’s final home game against Southeast Missouri. Robinson lead the team with 23 points and six rebounds. against SEMO on a positive note. She led the Racers with 23 points and six rebounds, just four shy of a double-double. She was also awarded a certificate from Mayor Bill Wells for her hours of community service.

This season, Robinson reached many milestones in her athletic career by scoring more than 1,500 points and securing more than 500 rebounds.

She currently holds the program record for the most 3-point shots made in Murray State’s history.

Head Coach Rob Cross said he was disappointed to lose a game on Senior Night, but is proud to see the players grow as both athletes and representatives of Murray State.

Local

Saturday:

Baseball

Murray State vs.

Morehead State 12:30 p.m.

Mason, Ohio.

Saturday:

Softball

Murray State vs.

Evansville 6 p.m.

Evansville, Ind.

“The good thing is they’re leaving the program better than they did their freshman year,” he said. “We have a winning record. They should feel good about leaving the program better than it was.”

While it feels like the end for the seniors, it will not be the last game they have to look forward to. Despite the loss to Southeast Missouri.

Even outside the court, Cross said he is glad to see how the seniors have improved as people. They will be inspiring and hard-working people after their careers at Murray State, he said.

“I’m incredibly proud of them,” he said.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth out of them and I know they’ll be successful in any endeavors they get into. ”

National Saturday:

NHL Minnesota Wild vs.

Nashville Predators 7 p.m.

Saturday:

NCAA Basketball Notre Dame vs.

Louisville

3 p.m. CBS

March 8, 2013

THE

5B

The News

“Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversation”

WATER COOLER Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Anna Taylor

VALERIE HARPER DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN CANCER People.com reported Wednesday that Valerie Harper, who played Rhoda Morgenstern on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The report states Harper’s doctors have said she has as little as three months to live.

She received the news Jan. 15.

MTV MOVIE AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED MTV announced the nominees for their annual Movie Awards on Tuesday. “Django” and “Ted” are the top nominees with seven nominations each.

Actress Rebel Wilson will host the show, and actor Will Ferrell will receive MTV's inaugural Comic Genius Award.

The MTV Movie Awards will be broadcast April 14.

Features Midsemester exams cause student stress

Features Editor: Anna Taylor Assistant Features Editor: Savannah Sawyer Phone: 809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

Shannon MacAllister || Staff writer smacallister@murraystate.edu

“Procrastination is the key to success,” Sarah Sunderman, senior from Mascoutah, Ill., said with a laugh, as she knows how far her statement is from the truth.

It is with that in mind that many students find themselves caught up in the stress, tests and overall madness that accompany midterms. Students need to be careful, however, as stress can take a toll not just on the mind, but on the body and even grades, reports show.

When studying for tests, students should study in small increments, Hannah Robbins, senior from Lockhart, Texas, said.

“It’s better to study for an hour, then take a break, then study for another hour than it is to just study nonstop,” she said.

Studying in increments helps students retain more of what they study, while also keeping stress levels down. It gives the brain time to process what has been learned and file it away, whereas nonstop studying can cause the brain to fatigue and stop processing what the student is studying, she said.

“Study in groups,” Kenny Fister, science engineering and technology senior lecturer, said. “It’s better to have four or five people working together to figure something out than just one. That way, if one person doesn’t know it, someone else might.”

When students study in groups, they should still take breaks and even make something fun out of the study break time.

“Go get something to eat, play a game or take a nap,” Sunderman said. “It lets you relax for a minute.”

Evan Watson/The News

Rule of Threes Three Awesome Study Breaks

Three Awesome Study Snacks

Three Awesome Study Tips

1. Take a nap.

Go to sleep for 30 minutes, or just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. Relax, step back and take your mind off those tests.

1. Mint Chocolate It tastes amazing and mint is rumored to help the mind recall if eaten while studying, especially if eaten during the test as well.

1. Study in groups Two minds are better than one, and three is fantastic, so use the minds of others and work together to get the best grade.

2. Grab a snack.

Get some comfort food, a little sugar and a hydrating drink to rejuvenate for the next study session.

2. Pistachios The nut provides protein to keep students sustained while studying. They are also tasty and fun to eat.

2. Study in intervals Study, then take a break to allow your mind to rest. In turn, your mind can process the information absorbed.

3. Have a dance party.

Take a minute to have a dance break with a set song to allow the body to stretch and get rid of some of the aches and pains while having a great time.

3. Goldfish crackers The snack that smiles back. The beloved cheesy treats from your childhood and their smiles cheer students up in the long, dreary hours of study time.

3. Use a reward system Reward oneself for accomplishing study goals. When reading excerpts from the textbook, put gummy bears after every paragraph, and eat them as you come to them.

Student creates, sells savvy shirts Kelsey Randolph || Staff writer krandolph3@murraystate.edu

Carrie Fisher confirmed on Wednesday that she will be joining the cast of “Star Wars: Episode VII,” and reprise her role as Princess Leia.

“She’s in an intergalactic old folks’ home,” Fisher said in an interview with The Palm Beach Illustrated. “I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle.”

Mark Hamill will also be reprising his role of Luke Skywalker in the film.

Madness Faces&Places

Faces & Places is a weekly series that profiles the people and places of Murray. Every person and every place has a story. Let us tell it.

CARRIE FISHER TO PLAY PRINCESS LEIA

Midterm

Kory Savage, junior from Clinton, Ky., has taken his interest in art and design to the next level. He is the creator of Savy Brands Clothing.

Before Savy Brands, Savage had never considered being a fashion designer of any kind. He said the project started as a spur-of-themoment decision while participating in an internship for Walt Disney World. One day during the internship, Savage was helping a friend with his homework where the task was to design something, he said. Savage then sketched a design for his friend which was later printed on a shirt.

After his friend told him what a hit the shirt had become, Savage decided to take this interest further.

Inspired, he drew up another sketch that was designed for a shirt for himself and his friends in Murray.

“I was impressed by the people

(at Disney),” Savage said. “It was amazing to experience the feeling you get by sparking a conversation with someone of a different race or religion just by asking them about the clothes they are wearing.”

Savage said he has always been interested in art and design, but when it came to clothing design, there are not as many males involved in the industry.

“I’ve always wanted to do something (with my creativity),” Savage said. “My dream was to become a veterinarian, but as I took the courses, I began to realize I enjoyed other things. (Designing clothes) always came to mind, but didn’t seem like it could have become a reality.”

Savage knew starting a clothing brand would be expensive, which is what held him back, he said. It became a reality when a long-time family friend told him they would sponsor his idea of printing and producing shirts.

He draws up his ideas via Adobe Cs6 and sends it off to be printed.

As a result, his family friend

Kristen Allen/The News

see SAVY, 6B

Kory Savage, junior from Clinton, Ky., sketches his shirt designs for his clothing line, Savy Brands Clothing, and then brings the designs to life on his laptop.

Exhibits display local, national talent

Community gives back on Impact Day

Hunter Harrell || Staff writer

Kelsey Randolph || Staff writer

Art

JEFF FOXWORTHY TO HOST BAKING COMPETITION SHOW Jeff Foxworthy, comedic host of “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?”, will host a summer reality show on CBS titled “The American Baking Competition.”

The contest is based off Britain’s “The Great British Bake Off.” The show premieres May 29.

Quoteable “I just wanted Judith to see what her mom looked like.”

–Carl from Sunday’s “The Walking Dead” on AMC

hharrell@murraystate.edu

Murray State’s Clara M. Eagle Art Gallery will be displaying both regional and national works of art this weekend.

Both the Kentucky National exhibition and the Kentucky Art Education Association Regional High School Art Show will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

All works submitted will be displayed in the Eagle Art Gallery for public view, free of charge.

The Kentucky National is a biennial event which Murray State hosts in unison with the KyAEA Regional High School Art Show.

The Kentucky National features a survey of quality, contemporary art in America. This is the sixth year Murray State has hosted the event. According to Colin Tuis Nesbit, director of University Galleries, submissions come from across the country,

representing different regions and demographics. This year, Kentucky National generated 167 submissions, he said.

The show is juried, meaning someone examines the portfolios submitted by participants and chooses the best ones to display in Kentucky National. This year’s juror is Jill Dawsey, associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego.

“For us, a juried show is a fundraiser,” Nesbit said. “But it gives these participants access to someone and making sure they are looking at their work, which is an opportunity most artists are not going to have.”

Murray State holds the Kentucky National every other year for a variety of reasons. Both students from the University and others across the country benefit from the exhibition.

“Kentucky National gives art students an exposure to a lot of

things that are happening right now across the country,” Nesbit said. “It is essentially a poll of contemporary art across the country.”

It gives these participants access to someone, and making sure they are looking at their work, which is an opportunity most artists are not going to have.”

–Colin Tuis Nesbit Director of University Galleries Nesbit also mentioned the show allows all the participants to build up their art careers by being featured in the exhibition.

“If your art is chosen, that

see ART, 6B

krandolph3@murraystate.edu

Several churches in Calloway County are collaborating with local organizations for Community Impact Day on Sunday.

Community Impact Day was an idea implemented by Tricia Foster, a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The purpose of the event is to bring the community out to aid organizations with multiple projects, such as constructing bookcases, cleaning planters downtown and planting seeds, among other things.

About 10 volunteers from at least six churches have been planning and organizing this event for several months. They called various organizations in the area in search of places that need some extra help. The volunteers had problems finding places that were in need, but that just shows the generosity of the community already, said Kristin Taylor, event organizer, from Murray.

“This project is important because it brings together different churches in the community to help meet needs right here,

see IMPACT, 6B

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6B

SAVY From Page 5A helped him mark something off his bucket list, and they turned his idea into a real-life project. “My inspiration is in myself of course, but it is also bigger than me,� Savage said. “It comes from people, music, art and where ever else I can get the feeling from.�

Currently, Savy Brands clothing sells only T-shirts and crew necks.

Savage would like to eventually sell hats, tanks and frockets. The dinosaur logo was an accidental discovery.

While researching prehistoric animals for a class, Savage said he came across a cartoon T-Rex and thought it would be a good idea for his shirt. The diamond on his other shirt was inspired after

starting the process. For a diamond to shine it needs to be polished, Savage said. “Depending on the profit from my current shirt sales, I will then make other products available for buyers,� he said.

For now, the future of Savy Brands Clothing is unknown. Savage said it is a dream to see his shirts being worn around the country; however, his ultimate goal is to still become a veterinarian. “I definitely will keep Savy Brands Clothing going long after my first goal is hopefully accomplished,� Savage said.

Savage currently sells T-shirts and crew neck shirts for $20-34.

The clothing is for both males and females and is made with preshrunk cotton.

Students can purchase Savy Brands Clothing at savybrandsclothing.com.

ART From Page 5B information becomes very valuable to the artists who are trying to get into bigger shows or teach at different institutions,�

Nesbit said.

In addition to the benefits of the artists, Murray State receives interest from around the country during Kentucky National.

According to Nesbit, the Murray State department of art and design’s website along

5 things... not to ask in an internship interview

1

From Page 5B where we live,� Taylor said.

This is the first year for the event and the volunteers hope it will make a positive impact throughout the community so it will be held annually. “We want to help in the community by assisting the people who do the serving,� Foster said. “One of the goals is to expose people to the different organizations. We also want to show our kids about volunteering, and develop ongoing service projects for families to do.�

There will be nine events between organizations such as Angels Clinic, Life House, Playhouse in the Park and several others. There are also four projects that are specifically kid-friendly so that the whole family can be involved.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, starting at any of the event locations. Concluding the day will be a dinner for volunteers at 5:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

How much money will I make? First of all, not all internships are paid and secondly, just don’t.

How much am I expected to do? As an intern, you’re not going to be expected to run the place. However, your boss probably expects you to go above-andbeyond your assigned tasks to show your passion.

Kristen Allen/The News

with the Kentucky National website have generated more than 1,900 hits.

Nesbit also said the accepted artists will receive an exhibition catalog featuring all displayed works.

Also available for the public view are the submissions of high school art for the KyAEA Regional High School Art Show.

This show is juried by the professors in the Murray State department of art and design.

However, winners from the art show will have their work go on to the next show.

Scholarships are also given away to the high school artists.

The regional show not only presents stu-

IMPACT

March 8, 2013

dents the opportunity to have their work displayed and examined by professors, but also allows the students to meet with those professors during the opening of the exhibit. “Students like to see all their work up in the gallery,� Nesbit said. “Ultimately, it is a great recruitment tool. The faculty has direct access to see the student’s portfolio.�

Although the exhibit opens tonight from 6-8 p.m., Murray State students as well as community members are invited to browse the Clara M. Eagle Gallery during normal viewing hours.

The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

3

Information about the company. You should already know how the company operates and any background information ahead of time.

Could I get (date) off? You don’t even have the internship yet. Slow down.

5

2

4

Do you offer jobs to your interns? Generally if an intern performs their tasks well, there is always a chance that they will at least gain references by the end of it.

Don’t bug your boss about a job.

Compiled by Anna Taylor

EVENTS � Making veterans’ cards at First United Methodist Church � Cleaning out dead brush from planters and bases of trees downtown on Main Street � Cleaning the inside and outside of the house at the Higgins House/Library Annex � Cleaning up cigarette butts at Chestnut and Central parks � Murray Farm project: planting seeds in posts and making marks for crops. � Visiting and singing at Spring Creek � Donating children’s clothing at Immanuel Lutheran Church � Organizing regular community lunches at First United Methodist Church � Building storage shelves at the Court Appointed Special Advocates Association

Dine-In, Drive-Thru, and Carry Out Available

Friendly’s L i q u o r, W i n e & B e e r

DOLL FESTIVAL: International Cultures and Languages Association (ICALA) held a Japanese Doll Festival on Monday in Faculty Hall. Students learned how to create paper dolls as well as origami in a classroom setting.

Lori Allen/The News

Open: Mon - Thurs 8 am - 10 pm Fri - Sat 8 am - 11:45 pm

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401 Sycamore Street in the old Brothers Barbeque building

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lower level of New Life Bookstore.

Cour t Square, Murray

Features

March 8, 2013

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’?

TODAY

S A T U R D A Y

• 7 p.m.

“Twelfth Night” performance, Lovett Auditorium • 7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “Once Upon A Time In Anatolia,” Curris Center Theater

• 7 p.m.

Murray State College Democrats Spring Banquet, Curris Center Small Ballroom • 7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “Once Upon A Time In Anatolia,” Curris Center Theater

SUNDAY • Daylight Saving Time Begins • 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Community Impact Day • 6-7 p.m.

Ji-Myung Kim violin recital, Farrell Recital Hall

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Student Health Fair, Curris Center Dance Lounge

7B

If you would like an event to appear here or on thenews.org, email us at features@thenews.org. Please submit events by noon Wednesday for consideration.

T U E S D A Y

• Noon Relief & 3D Silkscreen Workshop with Derrick Riley, Old Fine Arts, room 1004 • Noon-12:45 p.m.

Obesity: It's More Than Aesthetics, Curris Center Barkley Room

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Senior Salute for May 2013 Graduates, Curris Center Dance Lounge • Noon SGA sponsors Pet Therapy, Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge

MONDAY

W E D N E S D A Y

T H U R S D A Y

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kentucky Kids Consignment Spring Sale, CFSB Center • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Senior Salute for May 2013 Graduates, Curris Center Dance Lounge

Music Review

Bryan’s new album kills Spring Break buzz Savannah Sawyer || Assistant Features Editor ssawyer@murraystate.edu

When you hear Spring Break, what comes to mind? Lying out on the beach? Relaxing, having a good time with friends? Luke Bryan’s latest album, “Spring Break … Here To Party,” revolves around the concept of Spring Break.

While Bryan does a decent job of demonstrating he knows how some college students feel about Spring Break, by the time you get to the third track, “Buzzkill,” that’s exactly the turn the album takes.

Bryan’s album is mediocre at best.

With such intelligible lyrics as “If you ain’t here to party/You picked the wrong place/You picked the wrong Friday night/You’ll be missing out/On the best damn time of your life,” from the fourth track, “If You Ain’t Here To Party,” it kind of makes me wonder how he made it this far as a musician.

The artist fits nearly every stereotype of country music in this album.

Almost all of the songs on the album mention drinking and pick-up trucks.

Don’t let me forget his impression of a woman in the song “Little Bit Later On.” If I didn’t already dislike the album from the first four tracks, the fifth track is what would have done it in for me.

I always have hatred, for lack of a better word, for artists who don’t write their own music. No, not even that, but artists that can’t even sing about songs that can relate to their lives to make it somewhat believable.

But that’s not even the case with Bryan. He’s mentioned before during interviews that he does write his own music. That just makes this album even more confusing to me.

The man is 36 years old, so why is he even singing about Spring Break in the first place? He’s married with two sons, why is he singing about other girls?

The sixth track brings back some credibility to Bryan with “In Love With The Girl.” But it almost seems too forced. I understand not saying the name of the girl in order for your fans to relate the song to their personal lives, but did he really have to

go with ‘the girl?’ Sounds like he’s compensating for something, as if he’s trying too hard to convince everyone that he really likes this girl.

The creepiness of his lyrics does not end there. He has a song entirely dedicated to sorority girls.

Basically, the entire song is mentioning different sororities. We get it, you were a frat boy in college, that was more than 15 years ago, get over it.

Bryan has had success in the past, so this album may just be a fluke. Last year he won every single award for which he was nominated at the American Country Awards, which include Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. He won six awards alone for the song “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” including Single of the Year, Single by a Male Artist, Music Video of the Year, Music Video by a Male Artist, Most Played Radio Track and Most Played Radio Track by a Male Artist. He also won Album of the Year for his sophomore album, “Tailgates and Tanlines.”

This year, Bryan has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for “Tailgates and Tanlines”) and Vocal Event of the Year at the American Country Music Awards.

Before listening to the 10th track, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. Considering the track is titled “Love in a College Town,” I figured it would be talking about finding the one you love while you’re in college, which is something a lot of people can relate to, including Bryan himself (he married his college sweetheart in 2006).

Instead the track was about a onenight stand with these wonderful lyrics about not being able to pay attention in class, “I’m gonna fail this test/Thinking about your dress/Layin’ on my floor/Runnin’ out the door/AA-B-A-C, that sounds good to me.”

What surprises me even more is the fact that this isn’t Bryan’s first Spring Break album. This is his fifth.

Some of the tracks that are featured on this album were also featured on previous albums, which has me questioning, if you’re going to reuse songs, what’s the point of putting out a new

Photo courtesy of target.com

“Spring Break ... Here to Party” is Luke Bryan’s latest Spring Break concept album. album in the first place?

None of his previous works were even recognized, so why he keeps making these albums is beyond me.

The first two did not make the Billboard U.S. chart or the Billboard U.S. Country chart. The third made it to No. 6 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart and No. 23 on the Billboard U.S. chart. His fourth Spring Break album

topped off at No. 2 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart and No. 9 on the Billboard U.S. chart.

The only song on the album that could somehow relate to Bryan, is the song “Cold Beer Drinker,” where he talks about how he has responsibilities but he likes to kick back at the end of the day with a cold one in his hands.

Facts and Tidbits Artist: Luke Bryan Album: “Spring Break ... Here to Party” Released: March 5, 2013 Genre: Country Similar to: Jason Aldean, Jake Owen and Eric Church Review Rundown: Rolling Stone: 2/5 Random Fact: Bryan has put out four other Spring Break albums.

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Friday, March 8

“Oz: The Great and Powerful”

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Call our Advertising Department at 809-4478 to find out how. connect. attract. grow.

Tuesday, March 12

“Life of Pi”

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Tuesday, March 12

“What About Now” by Bon Jovi

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Tuesday, March 12

“Middle C” by William Gass

A Natural Woman In today’s music industry, many artists have gone under fire for their use of certain recording methods to create a song and make it sound Savannah the best it posSawyer sibly can.

Assistant The following Features Editor quote was brought to my attention by my mom just last week and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share it with all of you.

“Technology is not necessarily helpful in my hands. Trying to record and manipulate audio takes me away from the emotional trajectory of a song. Some might argue that it’s the most important instrument because it records and enhances all the others. Others believe technology is making music less musical.

Which brings me to a question I’m asked consistently in interviews and discussions: “Has today’s technology lowered the quality of music from that of previous generations?”

I believe that as long as people have hearts and minds and the capacity to laugh, cry, dance, feel and fall in and out of love, a good song will always find an audience because it connects us to our humanity. If technology can help people make that connection, I’m a fan.”

The quote is an excerpt from the Carole King biography, “A Natural Woman: A Memoir,” in which she expresses how she feels about the music industry today.

It never really occurred to me that auto-tune, along with other technologies that are commonly used today by many artists, could actually be a good thing.

Of course, I still stand strong by my belief that the music industry is not what it used to be, but maybe these new additions can be for the better.

King said she never wanted to be a performer; she only wanted to write music. It was James Taylor who asked her to perform onstage for the first time.

If anyone is wondering who exactly is Carole King and what songs did she write, check out her second studio album, “Tapestry,” which she won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1972.

The album features hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Where You Lead,” which later went on to become the theme song for “Gilmore Girls.”

King makes a good point. Before you are quick to judge others for their tastes in music, really take a second and try to understand what meaning they take away from the song.

Music means different things to different people. That’s the great thing about it. You can take a song and make it relatable to something you’re going through. And if that makes your life just the slightest bit easier, then who are we to judge? ssawyer@murraystate.edu

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Tuesday, March 12

“God of War: Ascension”

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The News March 8, 2013