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The Murray State News Student The big questions feels ‘shock’ TheNews.org

March 28, 2014

Vol. 88, No. 26

Davies answers student questions, University concerns

of fencing problem

Incoming President Robert Davies is back in Oregon, tending to the needs of his university while keeping in mind his future presence at Murray State.

Davies was selected by the Board of Regents to be the 13th president of Murray State, starting in July.

However, students had questions they wanted answered before President Tim Miller resigns and leaves his office open for Davies.

The News wanted student questions and concerns to be answered, so Editor-in-Chief Lexy Gross asked the questions for them.

Mary Bradley Staff writer mbradley9@murraystate.edu

The recent shut off of the lights surrounding the tennis courts by Regents Residential College has become a necessity for student safety.

On Feb. 20, a student who requested to omit his name, was playing tennis and was shocked by the fence after reaching to pick up his tennis ball.

The student was told by Facilities Management that parts of the fence became electric due to deteriorating wiring of the lights surrounding it.

The wiring deteriorated over the years and came in contact with the fence, causing it to conduct the energy powered to the lights and create a line of flux, which shocked the student.

The student who suffered the shock said it was enough to numb his arm for an hour and compared the shock to a strong jolt that felt like he was being tazed, but suffered no other injuries.

He said he noticed nothing about the lights or the fence before playing tennis and contacted Facilities Management after the event, which led to the lights surrounding the fence to be turned off.

There is no longer power for lighting at the tennis courts and there will not be until Facilities Management resolves the reoccurring wiring problem.

Kim Oatman, chief officer

Lexy Gross: How will you work to improve communication between the Board of Regents and the Office of the President?

Robert Davies: Several things – the role of the president is to serve the faculty, staff and students at Murray State University and at the same time is responsible to the (Board of Regents).

The president needs to make sure he keeps the board informed of the mood and temper of the campus and convey those ideas and suggestions to the board.

The president must be in the role of being the communication link from the board to the campus community.

In doing so, my pledge to the board and to the campus for that matter is the pledge of no surprises.

I never want to have the board caught off guard; I never want to have the board surprised of a certain situation or anything along those lines.

The campus community also needs to know what decisions the board is making, what their thoughts are on various issues and where they’re heading.

The key element to that is no surprises, and again that goes

Kate Russell/The News

Incoming President Robert Davies talks to students at an open forum before Spring Break. both for the campus and the board itself.

Another key part of my style of leadership is that I don’t brush challenges or issues under the rug and hope they go away. My view is that if we have a challenge or an issue on the campus that we take it and meet it head on.

That again means being open and upfront, honest, transparent and inclusive with the campus community on those issues. It’s the same thing with the board.

I need to be engaging them in these conversations in a manner that’s productive to deal with those significant issues and challenges. It really goes back to having a relationship with the board and also the campus community of faculty, staff and students.

Part of that is not being afraid

Colleges see potential cuts from Senate budget plan

to say, “Here’s the elephant in the room; here’s something we need to discuss.”

LG: What is your commitment to nontraditional students? How do you envision their involvement on Murray State’s campus?

RD: Nontraditional students are becoming traditional students. The research and trends in higher education are showing that the true traditional student isn’t a majority.

Something I find extremely encouraging and I’m proud of at Murray State is the commitment to serve students where they are.

And by that I mean their backgrounds and histories.

Nontraditional students are a growing segment of our popula-

Staff Report The Kentucky Senate chose to abolish the 2.5 percent cut to higher education as proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear in January.

The Kentucky Senate passed its first draft of a two-year state budget with a vote of 53-46 Moore, making approximately $1.51 billion in cuts from the House’s budget proposed last week.

Among the cuts made were funding to several Kentucky universities’ building projects.

tion and they will continue to grow. The nontraditional student market presents immense opportunities for University growth and to be honest, they add to the campus dynamic.

To have classes in which you have a plethora of individuals with many different backgrounds, looking at the same problems and situations is extremely beneficial.

Nontraditional students add to that vibrancy of class discussion.

Traditional students also add new energy and new ideas to the equation in which our nontraditional students can benefit from as well.

It’s imperative that we work with nontraditional students and on a co-curricular front again I

see TENNIS, 2A

see DAVIES, 2A

Murray State was spared the loss of funding for the Breathitt Veterinary Center, despite the approximately $520 million in cuts for projects at the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville.

In an interview with WKMS, President Tim Miller said there are advantages and disadvantages to both the Senate’s and the House’s budget proposals.

He said although neither is ideal for Murray State, the Senate’s plan would potentially have

the worst effect on the University.

Miller said it’s possible that if the Senate has its way and Beshear’s proposed cut is lifted then the Council on Post-Secondary Education may decide to more severely limit the amount Kentucky schools will be able to raise tuition.

“We’ve got a pretty large deficit already and if (the Senate’s budget passes) then we’re going to have to go back and make some really serious cuts,” he said.

Sen. Bob Leeper, chair of the

Senate budget committee, said he was proud of the changes the Senate made to the House’s budget, which included reducing debt as well as increasing the Kentucky’s “Rainy Day” fund by $25 million.

State budget negotiations between the Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-led House could begin as early as this week.

Leaders from both chambers said they will have a recommended budget for Beshear before they adjourn April 15.

Greeks come together for week of service, competition Meghann Anderson News Editor manderson22@murraystate.edu

After coming back from Spring Break, the three nationally-affiliated Greek councils at Murray State competed and united for Greek week.

Re’Nita Avery-Meriwether, director of Student Life and the Curris Center, said the All Greek Assembly was a huge success and that everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Rachel Ross, freshman from Murray and a member of the winning stroll off team, said winning stroll off for Alpha Gamma Delta was a great experience because it was the first time their team was rewarded for their hard work.

“We have being working hard since Christmas so we were ready to compete,” Ross said. “Alpha Step Off is a big deal to (our chapter) and with five members of our team being freshmen we felt the pressure.”

“It was great to share the win with each of my sisters and not just the eight of us,” Ross said. “We all win and celebrate together, and those are lifetime memories.”

Ross said Greek Life at Murray State is being a part of a community that acknowledges similar values.

“I see Greek Week as an important part of the year because it's one of the only times when we all celebrate our success together,” Ross said. “There are so many fantastic movements happening in different organizations that I would unaware of if it weren’t for certain events during Greek Week. Being aware of my community helps me to be the best Alpha Gam I can be.”

Josh Johnston, president of Sigma Pi, said the members of his organization pride themselves on brotherhood, so winning the outstanding brotherhood award exemplified something they have always felt.

“All of our Greek chapters here at Murray State are great at something, and Greek Week allows us to come together and discover these things about each other,” Johnston said. “From attending Greek Week events such as the All Greek Assembly and philanthropic activities such as Sigma Pi’s ACE Project, the canned food drive, and Alpha Phi Alpha’s Step Off, we are able to strengthen our fraternal bonds and build up our community as a whole.”

While all Greek organizations on campus are encouraged to participate in Greek Week events, Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha were not present at Monday’s All Greek Assembly.

Lindsey Muskopf, member of SAI and junior from Belville, Ill., said even though SAI and Phi Mu Alpha are not social Greek organizations, she thinks that they should

see GREEK, 8A

Jenny Rohl/The News

Two members of Alpha Gamma Delta compete in Tuesday’s stroll competition.

WHAT’S

FIRST YEAR

OUR VIEW

INSIDE

Students display interest in helping others adjust, 3A

When are we going to fix our de- Racers beat Towson to advance teriorating facilities? 4A to next round of CIT, 1B

SEMIFINALS BOUND

STEP SHOW Lovett Auditorium overflows with students, 5B

The News

News

2A

March 28, 2014

A part of that is understanding the language, issues and traditions. As we are able to educate not only in the technical fields but the global fields, and have our graduates and students able to compete and work in a global community, it is imperative that they are educated in different cultures. Language is a major part of that.

I am a proponent of as many opportunities as we can of our students being around as many cultures as possible – different ideas and different beliefs as well. As an undergraduate, exposure to different cultures is important.

DAVIES From Page 1 think that nontraditional students, like any student, bring in a set of needs and support mechanisms we need to be ready to serve.

They present different challenges.

The working parents have needs not only related to class schedules but also when services are offered.

Murray State is strong in serving students as individuals and not as a lump. I think again that’s something we can build off of at Murray State very effectively.

LG: One of the biggest issues we hear about is parking on campus. Do you have any ideas or concerns about parking at Murray State?

RD: I know of only one university in the U.S. that doesn’t have a parking problem and that is the University of Miami in Ohio. They don’t have a parking problem because students aren’t allowed to have cars. I don’t think we’re going to go down that line.

Parking is a continual problem on most university campuses. Is it something we will address and take a look at? Absolutely.

Maybe we can find some creative ways to solve the problem at Murray or at least alleviate the situation. Having walked across campus, I haven’t parked yet, but there are a lot of cars.

TENNIS From Page 1 of Facilities Management, said they are working on a plan to fix the wiring and the fence is no longer electric since the lights are not energized.

“It’s totally safe right now,” Oatman said. “But the downside is that we can’t turn the lights on.”

However, this problem has occurred before, about three years ago, and Facilities Management said it needs to assess the problem fully before deciding on what steps to take.

At the time, Facilities Management solved the wiring problem, but since the issue reoccurred, Oatman said the lighting as a whole needs to be re-evaluated.

“We tested everything out then and it was good,” he said. “It lasted three years, but in another place the

Kate Russell/The News

Incoming President Robert Davies discussed concerns with students at an open forum two weeks ago.

RD: I will say at my campus here in La Grande, Oreg., we have made significant strides in clean energy, clean technology

and environmental sustainability.

All of our construction projects that we have gone through in the last five years have been certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold rated and that is a significant commitment. In fact, we were able to put up the first LEED gold building in the region.

I am a founding signer of the president’s commission on sustainability and so I hope that commitment continues on in my presence at Murray State.

How will we lessen our carbon footprint and provide sustainable al-

wire went bad again. So, I decided we need to shut it down so we can get new wiring.”

Eventually, new wiring will ensure that the fence is no longer dangerous and the lighting will be able to be functional, but the timeline for rewiring is not yet clear.

Because of the recent budget cuts, Facilities Management is unsure of what funding they have for the repairs and there are additional campus problems, which need to be resolved first.

“We’ve got to come up with the money first, and it’s a tough time with the budget, but we’re working on that,” Oatman said. “But there are quite a few other things that take a higher priority, so I can’t say a time right now of when it will be done.”

The current price tag on repairs is unknown and could be expensive if the lighting fixtures show deterioration along with the wiring.

While Facilities Management cannot fix the lighting and wiring now,

Oatman said they intend to complete it as soon as they can.

The lighting problem may be on its way to being fixed, but for now students who live in Regents and White Residential College and who play tennis are left without the extra lighting.

Landon Gibbs, sophomore from Washington Court House, Ohio, said the lack of lighting makes that side of campus much darker and could make it more dangerous for students.

“It’s very dark – there isn’t much other light,” Gibbs said. “It could potentially be more dangerous. Students should just be smart about being out alone when it’s dark.”

Gibbs, who lives in White, also plays tennis at the courts, and has gone more as the weather has gotten nicer.

He said the lack of lighting will affect those who want to play.

“It definitely affects the players,” he said. “They can’t stay out as long as they could before.”

Maybe we could offer an award if someone could come up with a creative way to solve the parking problem at Murray State. I love challenging students in creative ways.

LG: How are you committed to green energy on Murray State’s campus and do you have any ideas for The Sustainability Commission?

ternatives? This is all very important.

(Eastern Oregon University) is in the heart of that cultural area where sustainable energy and practices is of a paramount importance. That is something we will take on.

LG: What are your thoughts on foreign language education?

RD: One of the key things I think is important of an undergraduate student’s experience and curriculum is exposure to different cultures.

LG: How involved do you plan to be with the administration up until your start date?

RD: I communicate with the vice presidents on a fairly regular basis now through emails and phone calls. I will be on campus the week of April 15 to continue the transition process.

President Miller and I have an agreement that we’ll be working together on all major decisions as they move forward.

I am basically doing two jobs – I’m president at Eastern Oregon University and serving in this transitional role to Murray State. My role and my goal is to be as aware of the challenges and opportunities to the best of my ability so that when I’m officially on campus July 14 we don’t miss a step.

During that time frame, as I mentioned in the interview process, I’m very much in the listening mode, in the gaining of information mode and the learning mode.

Jenny Rohl/The News

A student, who chose to remain anonymous, was electrically shocked by the fence at the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts.

DON’T BE A FOOL...

SIGN UP FOR GRAD SCHOOL!

APRIL 1, 2014 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Carr Health Lawn (7730*(;065 -,, >033 ), >(0=,+ (773@ (5+ ,(95 ( */(5*, ;6 >05 ( -9,, 07(+ 9,-9,:/4,5;: 796=0+,+ -69 (33 :;<+,5;: >/6 :;67 )@ *IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, WE WILL HAVE A TABLE SET UP OUTSIDE OF THE MSU BOOKSTORE (CURRIS CENTER)

The News

News

March 28, 2014

3A

News Editor: Meghann Anderson Assistant Editor: Ben Manhanke Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

Search begins for FYLs

Police Beat

Alex Mahrenholz Staff writer amahrenholz@murraystate.edu

March 21 12:22 a.m. A caller reported a suspicious person in the Quad. Officers were notified and an information report was taken.

11:39 p.m. A caller reported a noise complaint in College Courts. Officers were notified and an report was taken.

March 22 12:29 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop on Olive Boulevard.

A warning was issued for having unpaid parking citations.

12:1 3 p.m. A fire alarm was activated in White Residential College. Officers and Central Heating and Cooling Plant were notified. The report was referred to another jurisdiction.

March 23 10:55 p.m. A caller reported suspicious activity on the fire escape of the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

11:20 p.m. A caller reported an animal running at large outside the William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center. Officers were notified and an report was taken.

March 24 12:10 a.m. A caller advised of a suspicious person outside of the Blackburn Science Building. Officers were notified, but the person was gone on their arrival.

11:24 p.m. A caller from Franklin Residential College reported a theft. Officers were notified and a report was taken for burglary.

March 25 1:11 a.m. A fire alarm was activated in White. Officers and Central Heating and Cooling Plant were notified. The report was referred to another jurisdiction.

8:27 a.m. A caller reported a dog in an unattended vehicle outside the Howton Agricultural Engineering Building. Officers were notified and contact was attempted to be made with the owner.

March 26 12:33 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at Five Points. A verbal warning was issued for disregarding a stop sign.

1:54 p.m. A caller reported vandalism at the Blackburn Science Building. Officers were notified. A report was taken.

Call of Fame March 25 - 1:41 p.m. A caller advised of a vehicle fire outside of Heritage Hall. Officers were notified. The report was referred to another jurisdiction.

Motorists assists – 2 Racer escorts – 1 Arrests – 0

Ben Manhanke, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.

If you remember how unnerving your first few days on campus were, you might want to look into helping new students by becoming a First Year Leader for Fall 2014. Recruitment for next semester’s First Year Leaders begins next week.

First Year Leaders is a program that provides new Murray State students an opportunity to connect with experienced students.

Emma Schell, sophomore from Madisonville, Ky., is an FYL captain.

“There is an FYL captain for every residential college,” Schell said. “During Great Beginnings, which is the first few days before class begins, FYLs will attend programs with the new students and have meetings.”

Schell said the program’s intention is to build relationships between the leaders and their students as well as help those students become acquainted with campus in general.

FYL responsibilities begin in the fall. Schell said FYLs move in early and train before their students arrive on campus.

FYL responsibilities may begin in the fall, but these students are encouraged to keep in contact with their FYL group throughout the academic year.

She said each FYL is assigned approximately 10 students within their residential college.

Photo courtesy of Emma Schell

First Year Leaders pose during Great Beginnings for a photo in the Curris Center.

During Great Beginnings FYLs organize activities with their students so they become comfortable and familiar with campus and get to know FYLs better.

“After Great Beginnings and throughout the semester, FYLs keep in contact with their students to see how they are doing and be there for them when needed,” Schell said.

She said the FYL program welcomes various majors and all types of people.

The FYL program is vital because

FYLs serve as an important resource to new students, Schell explained.

“Coming to college can be a very tough transition and students need someone immediately to go to if they need help, direction or advice,” Schell said.

Schell said that just as FYLs are extraordinarily beneficial to students, taking the time to serve as an FYL is also beneficial to the leaders themselves.

“It provides leadership experience, which looks great on resumes,” she said.

“FYLs have the opportunity to develop professional and personal relationships with faculty, staff and students. FYLS will also receive academic credit for completion of the GUI course.”

Schell said her experience with the FYL program was a beneficial one and something she enjoyed.

“I love being an FYL because I get to mentor girls through their first semester of college,” she said. “I am able to be an extra resource that my students feel comfortable going to because I live right down the hall.”

According to the Murray State website on the FYL page: “a First Year Leader is one of the very first people who will make an impression on new students and their families.”

“To be an FYL, I recommend going to an interest session in your residential college starting in the next couple of weeks,” Schell said.

Online applications to be an FYL open April 1 and the interviewing process begins April 21.

The requirements for being a FYL are a cumulative GPA of 2.3 and a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Schell said FYLs are also required to take either GUI 251 or GUI 252.

She said more information about all of these requirements along with other common concerns will be discussed at each residential college’s informational meeting.

Schell encourages students who are interested in being a FYL to apply as soon as they can.

GOP holds Bus program assists orphans fundraiser at Murray State Rebecca Walter || Staff writer rwalter@murraystate.edu

Ben Manhanke Assistant News Editor bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

Soon after most students left Murray State to start their Spring Break, the University was again repopulated by western Kentucky Republicans attending the annual Calloway County GOP’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner.

Approximately 300 people gathered in the Curris Center for the part-dinner, partfundraiser, part-call-to-action, which featured Texas Gov. Rick Perry as the keynote speaker and was attended by a number of local and state Republican figures including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

In his speech, Perry stressed the importance of regaining control of the Kentucky House of Representatives for Republicans.

Perry said that a Republican monopoly in Frankfort could lead to making Kentucky a right-to-work state, like his home-state, and lead to the elimination of Kentucky’s individual income tax.

Desiree Isaac, president of the Murray State College Republicans, was one of several students who attended the event, along with fellow club members and college Republicans from other Kentucky universities.

Isaac said she and her colleagues had a chance to meet with both Perry and McConnell, to speak with them and ask questions. She said the event made her excited for the future and wants to be even more involved. “(The dinner) gave us a good opportunity to network and actually know the politicians on a personal level as opposed to a figure you see on advertisements and you get emails about,” Isaac said. “I’m really hoping that the dinner served to encourage students and participants to be more involved in politics.”

Traveling across the country in a double-decker bus, the Red Bus Project is headed to Murray to make a difference in the lives of orphans around the world.

The British-style double-decker bus has been turned into a thrift store, where donations of clothing are available for purchase. The proceeds go to helping orphans find permanent homes.

The Red Bus Project was created by Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman’s Show Hope foundation. The mission of the project is to engage students across the country and encourage them to make a difference and give orphans a voice and a home.

Emily Bruns, a student volunteer for the Red Bus Project, said the project is giving students a chance to make a difference in the lives of others. “(The Red Bus Project) is a good way for students to get involved and help people around the world, not just the United States,” she said.

The bus has traveled to almost 60 colleges since the project was started, and will make its way to Murray April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Murray State is one of 25 schools included in the Red Bus Project’s spring tour.

More than 177,000 students across the country have already participated in the Red Bus Project, and Bruns said she hopes to see that number continue to grow after the bus stops at Murray State.

When the bus makes its stop in Murray, it will be located at the main gates of the University near the Quad.

Students will be able to shop on the bus and purchase the clothing items that are donated.

More than $50,000 has been raised since the project began in 2012. These funds go toward adoption grants that are provided to families through the Show Hope foundation.

Hannah Miller, student volunteer, said students who engage in the Red Bus Project are becoming a part of something bigger than themselves.

“I believe that it is important for people to become part of these sorts of projects because it is not every day that we can help out someone else across the world,” she said. “We often think of ourselves over others, and this is a nice way to put some other people first, who would not normally be put first.”

According to the World Orphans website, there are an estimated 153,000,000 orphans worldwide.

Miller said students can help out by not only donating clothes, but by engaging with people walking past and

Photo courtesy of Red Bus Project

Students from Austin Peay State University pose for a picture with props from the Red Bus Project. telling them about the Red Bus on campus and spreading the word.

Clothing donations for the Red Bus can be brought to the Baptist Campus Ministry, which is located behind Elizabeth Residential College on Waldrop Drive, or to the Newman House Catholic Campus Ministry, located across from White Residential College on North 15th Street.

Bruns said through the Red Bus Project, students might find a desire to reach out and help people in ways they did not think of before.

Said Bruns: “(Students) will be able to find a passion for helping others, which will lead to them making more of a difference in the future.”

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March 28, 2014

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Carly Besser Phone: 270-809-5873

Our View

Facilities Management needs to maintain history The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 msu.thenews@murraystate.edu Fax: 270-809-3175

TheNews.org Lexy Gross Evan Watson/The News

Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 cgross2@murraystate.edu Me g h a n n A n d e rs o n News Editor • 270-809-4468 manderson22@murraystate.edu Ca r l y B e s s e r Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 cbesser@murraystate.edu H u n ter H arrell Features Editor • 270-809-5871 hharrell@murraystate.edu R y a n R i c h a rd s o n Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 mrichardson5@murraystate.edu K a y la Ma c A ll is te r Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 kmacallister@murraystate.edu Jared Jeseo Online Editor • 270-809-5877 jjeseo@murraystate.edu

Murray State’s campus has an old charm.

Ivy-covered walls and nearly centuries-old buildings captivate and intrigue students when they realize the rich history this University has to offer.

Some buildings have remained active since the day Murray State Normal School was founded in 1923.

While we cherish these standing artifacts of our history, we have not done enough to maintain and renovate them so they can withstand more than 80 years of use.

In President Tim Miller’s budget address, he said that 60 percent of the buildings on campus are more than 50 years old and are in dire need of repair. These include residential colleges, class buildings and more.

On-campus students are constantly reminded of their outdated accommodations when they witness electrical shorts in wall outlets, rusted pipes and regular visits from plumbers, electricians and other forms of routine maintenance.

These buildings could arguably pose hazards to the students living there, and filling them while they are in need of maintenance

J a n i e S t e n b e rg Advertising Manager • 270-809-4478 jstenberg1@murraystate.edu Sarah B eitel -Stark s Advertising Production • 270-809-5874 sbeitel@murraystate.edu Ka te Ru sse ll Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 krussell13@murraystate.edu J o e H e d ge s Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu

Write to us!

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Letters should be 400 words or less. Contributors should include phone numbers for verification.

Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the University. Commentaries should be between 600 to 800 words. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Tuesday of each week via email at letters@thenews.org. Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News.

The News strives to be the University community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate.

The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy, and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

aggravates the structural problems the residential colleges already have.

It makes us wonder if the proper measures are being taken to fully restore residential colleges or if the University is employing shortterm solutions to long-term problems.

So far, two residential colleges underwent full-scale renovations and were closed for a year. Students were scrambled by the University and placed in Old Richmond Residential College as a halfway home for students who were assigned to live in the buildings during their renovation period.

Last semester, the push for higher student recruitment was capitalized as a way to increase University revenue.

The influx of incoming freshmen were welcomed by Murray State to rooms of four, empty promises of receiving campus housing and a heap of disorganization.

Murray State and Facilities Management have to prioritize the infrastructures of campus before pushing for higher enrollment.

Our facilities are falling apart and are full to the point of busting at the seams. This combination bodes an expensive and difficult future

for the main campus.

Residential colleges are not the only buildings in need of maintenance. The infrastructures of the rest of campus are also approaching breaking points.

The fence surrounding the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts has been known to shock students because of the deteriorating wiring that power the lights. The only solution to the problem was to shut the lights off. A temporary solution to a mounting problem.

We saw the swift demolition of Ordway, one of the oldest buildings on campus, after it was regarded as an integral part of the original campus. Was this something that could have been prevented with proper and regular maintenance?

If demolishing Ordway Hall was necessary, buildings such as Lovett Auditorium, Wrather West Kentucky Museum and Wilson Hall may face the same fate in the near future.

These buildings are regularly used for classes, on-campus jobs and extracurriculars.

They have the ability to serve a purpose, despite their age, and Facilities Management should recognize their importance.

Captain’s Log

Garrison: Make life a good investment If you’ve ever taken a finance or accounting class you might be familiar with the acronym ROI. ROI stands for Return on Investment. In the finance and investing world, Return on Investment is an equation used to value certain investments to make sure you are getting a favorable profit for your time and money. So think Zac Garrison about this, are you a worJunior from thy investment?

Everyone you have Franklin, Ky. ever met has made an investment in you. No matter how small and menial, the investment was made. Whether it was a simple glance on the street, a smile in the cafe or a handshake at a conference, everybody you have ever met has invested their time and their energy into you. Now that you have thought about this, ask yourself, are you worth investing in?

I know so many people, especially in college, who have had so much invested in them and continue to be lazy, uninvolved and entitled to something.

We are in college to get an education and we are paying thousands of dollars for it. So what excuse do you have to be boring?

I don’t mean boring as in can’t hold a conversation, no personality, etc. I mean stagnant as someone who is not progressing forward.

I consider myself a pretty lucky guy. Born into a financially stable and loving family, I never went a day without my needs met. If you think about it, I owe my parents everything I can give.

No matter how terrible your relationship with your parents currently is, they brought you into this world.

They made the ultimate investment when they decided to have a child, and you were the

result. I try every single day to better myself and become a better person so that my parent’s investment of countless trumpet lesson carpools, Capri-Sun soccer snacks and infinite Yu-Gi-Oh cards will be worth it.

Parents do these things because they love us and they don’t really expect anything back from it. But why not give back?

I feel, as my parent’s child, I am obligated to return on their investment by growing up to be a happy, healthy and responsible adult.

Not someone who has no interest in bettering themselves and becoming the man my mother and father envisioned me to be the day I was born.

As much as you want everybody else in your life to consider you a worthy investment, you owe it to yourself, more than anything, to be the best version of yourself.

In a land of unlimited opportunity and a navigable social class structure, we can do anything we wish with some will power and true dedication. It is also easy to become boring and stagnant.

I understand this maybe a little too well after spending my Spring Break laying on my couch and eating unreasonable amounts of cheese quesadillas.

But with the national life expectancy only being at 78 years old, why waste these years on being boring?

As a 20 year old, I feel as if I’m invincible with millenniums of time ahead of me, but I’m sure when that day comes I will wish that I experienced more of the essence of life and ate less quesadillas.

Go out and get involved. As a student at Murray State, you have almost unlimited access to diverse student organizations whose sole purposes are to progress forward and become better people.

I’m the president of a Greek organization, so of course I would recommend fraternities and sororities. I am a firm believer that they have a lot to offer to students who are willing to

make the leap to be involved in their community and school.

Through my fraternity, I have gained immeasurable amounts of leadership abilities as well as chances to be involved with philanthropy events as well as school events.

As much as I love being involved in Greek Life, there are several people who frown upon it and that is totally fine. Everyone has their own opinion on it.

I’m not saying the only student organizations that give you opportunities to be a leader and to be involved are Greek organizations quite the contrary.

Murray State has more than 200 different student organizations including the Sci-fi Club, the League of Legends club (which I’m quite partial to) and even a rugby team.

If a student is interested in something, chances are Murray State has an organization for it.

Is there something that interests you that there isn’t an organization for here at Murray State? Make one. It’s fairly simple.

There is no excuse to sit at home and be boring and stagnant.

I had a pet rock once, whose name was Rocky (I never claimed to be a creative child).

Rocky was excellent at being boring. He never moved, never ate his food and wasn’t involved with anything other than being a rock.

Why be comparable to a rock?

Do it for yourself and every person you have ever met.

When people look at you, make them sure that they are making a worthy investment of their time by being extraordinary and exceeding expectations.

You only have a certain amount of time to live this life, so do it big and do it the right way. When you’re lying on your deathbed, you will reflect one of two ways. One way being, “I wish I had done this and that.” The second way being, “Damn that was a good ride.” Make your choice.

The News

Opinion

March 28, 2014

5A Did she really say that?

Letters to the Editor Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway refused to defend the Commonwealth's marriage law which put him in good company with fellow Louisvillian and former GOP Chairman Brad Cummings, who waved the white flag of surrender and called on the Kentucky GOP to abandon its defense of man/woman marriage.

A teary-eyed Conway said if he appealed the ruling that he “would be defending discrimination.”

Discriminating minds might wonder how Mr. Conway defines discrimination. Literalists may equally ponder why he defended the law for five months in federal court if he really felt this way. But what politicianaspiring-to-be-governor ever let consistency get in the way when he can default to decrying the woes of discrimination? The term has been retooled today and attached to anyone who makes a moral judgment, especially regarding judgments of human sexual behavior.

The GOP should be inclusive and tolerant (how one defines those terms is another story.) But Cummings is dead wrong to say that redefining

marriage doesn't affect anyone else's marriage. How human beings order themselves in the most intimate of ways has everything to do with the success or demise of their civilization.

Marriage advocate Maggie Gallagher put it bluntly: “sex makes babies, society needs babies, and babies need mothers and fathers.” Sometimes the obvious must be restated.

Thank you, Gallagher. Revisionist marriage, while at odds with nature, is also at odds with society as it is incapable of producing the public good produced by heterosexual marriage.

Gallagher said the task of marriage is “to regulate the sexual relationships between men and women in order to reduce the likelihood that children (and their mothers and society) will face fatherlessness, and increase the likelihood that there will be a next generation that will be raised by their mothers and fathers in one family where both parents are committed to each other and to their children.”

What? Is this woman from Mayberry? Before you can say “awe shucks Aunt Bea it's the 21st century, get over it,” marriage revisionists will

Let’s teach ‘em a lesson pull the race and bigotry cards from their stacked deck of moral relativism and say that denying “marriage equality” is akin to refusing service to blacks at a lunch counter. Problem is that we are not talking about race, nor are we talking about restaurant service. We are actually talking about a covenant that Christians, Jews and Muslims believe is a sacrament that God ordained.

Redefining marriage is incompatible with religious freedom - the ability to live in society according to one's moral convictions.

We all want tolerance, but when tolerance means that a baker will face jail time, as did Jack Phillips who owns Masterpiece Cake shop in Colorado, for failing to lend his talent and trade to an activity he believes is sinful, then modern notions of tolerance need to be redefined.

The Republican Party should be inclusive. In fact, Americans have an inherent inclination toward inclusivity.

We’re a melting pot after all. But when inclusiveness defines an irreplaceable human relationship to the realm of “whatever” then it’s time for

inclusiveness to be redefined.

Christians like the Rev. Louie Giglio and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin experienced how a morally bereft, hyper-sensitive culture defines inclusiveness when they were both disinvited from participating in major political events last year (Obama’s inauguration and MLK commemoration). Their transgression? Each simply said that homosexuality is a sin - years ago. The Unforgivable Sin. Interestingly, protecting marriage was a plank in the GOP's original 1856 platform; “It is the imperative duty of Congress to prohibit in the territories those twin relics of barbarism polygamy and slavery.”

They should equally reject marital norms outside one man and one woman just as they did in the beginning. Should Cummings successfully lead Republicans astray from their founding principles, the party is destined to join the Whigs which ended up a sorry footnote in history.

Richard Nelson Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center

I’ve Got a Story for You

Valentine: What I have learned in college Spring Break has come and gone.

We enter now into a season of the year that is not quite spring and decidedly not winter.

We are either refreshed or exhausted, depending upon how we spent our precious Spring Break, and we have returned to the job of pushing back the frontiers of ignorance.

Robert Valentine Sometimes, as deadlines creep slowly toward us Senior lecturer through the growing grass in advertising of spring or are launched upon us by procrastinating faculty or inattentive students, we have brief moments to reflect on the meaning of it all. What, in the end, is accomplished by a university education or, at least, the framed certificate attesting to years of thought and study?

Many of us currently approaching the end of the trail will look back over long years of searching for the eternal truth only to find that some of the most important lessons of life were presented to us when we were scarcely old enough to grasp their importance.

Now we can see that which was obscure back in those all-too-short days of youth, when valuable truths were brushed aside in favor of a copy of last year’s test, or nuggets of useful wisdom were dropped by the roadside to make room for the lyrics to a new “song” from Enima (I think that’s how his name is pronounced) or Bouncie (a lovely young lady).

In any case, as I look back at college, an environment that I haven’t really left since 1964, I find that the things I learned often had very little to do with classes, papers or tests.

Cheers and Jeers Cheers & Je e rs i s w ri tte n by t he O p i ni o n Ed itor.

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

Comics

I benefited from all the mental activity, but when I make a list of life-changing bits of knowledge they seem to have more to do with evenings, weekends, associations and friends.

We are entering the season of banquets.

Every student organization and faculty association will want to have a reflective breaking of bread to award plaques and certificates, announce new officers and thank those who are leaving service after months of interminable meetings resulting in plans for another meeting. All banquets will have an elected speaker – some of them will do so on purpose.

Here’s what I learned about banquets, and I think it explains after-dinner drinks.

On banquets: late in the evening, with a full tummy, is no time to encounter the eternal truths of the universe, no matter how badly some banquet speaker wants to share them.

This is also the time of year when students realize that there are no more tomorrows into which they may push the next deadline.

They will not realize that the people to whom they will deliver these excuses are hardened veterans of the excuse business and are capable of recognizing a work of fiction at 30 paces in a thick and heavy fog.

On bad excuses: “Nothing is lost if one does not seek to say the unsayable.” – L. Wittgenstein.

As the stress of the semester increases like the air temperature – whether from tests, election campaigns or relationships – it is always wise to remember that sticks and stones can send you to the infirmary, but names can kill a friendship.

There is no reason that someone who loves you like a brother at dawn will decide to say something hateful and upsetting by lunchtime.

It is more likely that someone – and it could be you – is having a bad day. Misunderstandings occur more often than slanders, and poor word choices should be forgiven at least as easily as snoring is.

On the matter of useful communication: “There are two rules: First, don’t forget to listen. Second, never, ever lose your sense of humor.” – R. H. “Doc” McGaughey.

Pressures increase as spring finals draw near.

It’s more than just your sinuses; it’s the growing realization that there is a reckoning here and the consequences could be significant.

On multitasking: multitasking is an absolute myth. It will only become reality when the human brain evolves to the point at which it can outperform a cellphone.

Finally, we come to the crux of the matter: getting ready for finals.

I think I was in my senior year of college when I discovered the secret to success on finals: there is no secret.

Grades, of course, are very different from final exams. Grades may not even depend on examinations, but they almost always depend on the acquisition of knowledge.

Regular classroom attendance always has its advantages, but it is much like church services for very pious people: nothing really changes, but you have a good feeling about yourself and a chance to speak with people who feel as you do – and may be wiser.

On lectures: “I cannot see that lectures can do so much as reading the books from which the lectures are taken.” – Samuel Johnson.

So, in the end, it is the work of the whole semester that ends in finals: final exams, final papers, final lectures and final goodbyes to classmates. For some, it is hard; for others it is easy to step aboard some metaphorical ship bound for an undiscovered country.

May you find these last seven hectic weeks to be memorable, if not easy. It only took me 50 years to learn this one: On achievement: “Anything is easy if you know it.” – H. A. White.

Cheers to ... The applications we received for staff positions.

We’re excited to see the potential that new applicants can bring. As a student publication, we really can’t do it without you. OK, we’ll stop getting mushy now.

Jeers to ... Murray State canceling a game for being “too cold.”

Meanwhile, high school softball teams played. If they can play through cold, wouldn’t college athletes be able to? Time to put your big kid pants on, Racer Athletics.

Jeers to ... The tennis court’s electric fence.

Years of deteriorated wiring have turned the fences surrounding the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts into an electrical hazard. With a reputation of zapping students, shouldn’t we make it a priority to fix the problem? How shocking.

Cheers to ... The semester.

It just seemed like yesterday that the spring semester began, and now there are only seven weeks left. We hope you all power through finals and had time to recover from Spring Break festivities.

In the midst of selecting a new president and reviewing our failure of last year’s budget, I’ve had to hear the words “transparency” and “honesty” used Carly Besser more than a milOpinion Editor lion times.

It's almost subliminal. However, as often as we hear them used in reference to our relationship with Murray State, they really are important. Throughout the year, we have been informed of budget hearings and updates on the presidential search.

It’s such a step in the right direction that one governing body could learn a few lessons from Murray State – our federal government.

When revealing facts about the practices of the National Security Association were leaked to the public in 2013, we discovered how blindfolded we really were by federal agencies.

We couldn’t believe that mass surveillance of our personal and digital property was necessary, or even considered constitutional.

Even those of us who aren’t criminals are kept accounted for. Mass surveillance does not discriminate.

We, as American citizens, are taken out of the decision-making process of national policy. As a democracy, it should be our right, not our privilege, to know what we are subjected to and discuss whether or not it is acceptable.

What reasons would there be for not being part of this conversation?

What is considered our property?

Should agencies require subpoenas to seize our emails, phone calls and online conversations?

These are all important questions that were raised in the midst of the security leaks.

While I’m proud that the transparency of Murray State makes it function more as a democracy, I'm disappointed that our federal government can't follow suit.

Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who revealed the practices of the NSA, is considered a traitor and faces two counts of espionage if he returns to the U.S. and stands trial. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty.

Snowden was living a privileged life in Hawaii. He was considered a wealthy person, with a large estate before he decided to reveal the practices of the NSA. To give it all away in exchange for his integrity, he must have believed that it was worth letting us know. He was absolutely right.

His actions sparked a national conversation about where we should draw the line. American citizens, for the most part, agreed that the federal government took advantage of its power.

When President Tim Miller pointed out the shortcomings of former President Randy Dunn's budgeting skills, we saw it as honest and we drew our own conclusions based on the facts. Was that wrong of him to present where he went wrong? Not to me.

The same concept should apply for people with the integrity to reveal the unethical practices of our national government.

I’m a proud student as well as a proud American. I’ve witnessed firsthand the changes in communication Murray State has applied to make us feel more included.

Can the same not apply to a government that is quick to define America as a “democracy”? I suppose not. cbesser@murraystate.edu

March Sadness

By Katie Wilborn

The News

News

6A

March 28, 2014

TV Club promotes student talent Ben Manhanke || Assistant News Editor bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

Kate Russell/The News

John Gruccio, president of TV Club, speaks to members at a weekly meeting.

ODK hosts pencil drive for Belizean students

Thanks to a new organization on campus, students are given the opportunity to film, act, write, edit and produce their own television show.

The TV Club formed last semester, and according to the club President John Gruccio, the group has now accrued approximately 25 members. Members are a combination of television production majors and others from the department of journalism and mass communication.

“The goal of the TV Club is for students to gain experience and to find out what aspect of television production they’re interested in: those who want to edit, or who find computer and software interesting, or people who are more interested in using or being on camera,” he said.

Gruccio said last semester the club produced a variety of shows on different subjects with small groups of club members working independently of each other.

Despite several successful attempts, he said this method of working was hard to maintain, so they decided that this semester the members would all work on one project together.

The yet to be named variety show is scheduled to be posted on YouTube and possibly aired on local cable.

“It will be your typical variety show: entertainment, comedy, some skits, just a whole variety of different things,” Gruccio said. “We want it be something that people in our generation would find humorous: not necessarily a Saturday Night Live-like program, but

Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau1@murraystate.edu

Pencils are a commodity easily forgotten about. Not all students can take such a simple tool for granted.

Omicron Delta Kappa has organized a pencil drive to get this essential tool for students in Corazol, Belize for the past four years.

“A quality education begins with the right tools, as basic as they may seem,” said Hannah O’Daniel, senior and president of the Murray State chapter of ODK, said. “While writing implements are often overlooked in our society as mundane, children who cannot afford more than one pencil per year view these items as precious commodities.”

ODK, a national leadership honor

Kate Russell/The News

Members listen to TV Club president John Gruccio talk about ideas for their TV segments. something along those lines.”

Club members shot, edited and acted in the content produced for the show.

The segments run from three to five minutes long.

Gruccio said he hopes to produce at least one more episode of the variety show this semester and said he has also been in contact with Murray State’s Student Government Association about possibly producing a Murray State-themed music video for Pharell Williams’ song, “Happy.”

Chris Haynes, the TV Club’s faculty adviser, said now that the club has been established, the next goal is to make the campus aware of its presence.

He said one of his reasons for cofounding the club was that so students would come to him and ask if there were any television projects outside of class

society, aims to recognize campus leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in all aspects of college life.

The pencils collected by ODK will be delivered to Corazol by student-teachers who are traveling to Belize with Bonnie Higginson, professor emeritus in the education department, Higginson on the Belize International Teaching Experience study abroad program.

The Belize International Teaching Experience is currently the only Study Abroad program offered at Murray State with a teaching component.

they could be a part of.

“I’d always have students asking, ‘Is there anyone they could shoot a project with?’, ‘Does anyone need a camera operator?’, ‘I have an idea for a video, where can I get some help?’,” Haynes said. “The TV Club is about bringing together individuals with like-minded pursuits so they can help each other and learn together.”

Haynes said having the TV Club is also important for television production majors because in the region Murray State is in there aren’t as many opportunities to get involved off campus.

“Despite the fact we have WKMS, Digital Media Services and WPSD in Paducah, we live in a very media-poor environment in terms of video,” he said. “The reason why we need a TV Club is because we need something to exist so students can get experience.”

Through this program, students and teachers involved get firsthand experience in Belizean classrooms and a close look at the conditions in which Belizean students learn.

Previous participants in the program, both teachers and studentteachers, have recognized the need for writing utensils in Corazol, a relatively poor city in Belize.

Higginson said the schools in which Murray State student teachers are placed frequently lack technology and other common tools.

“They (student teachers) must be able to adapt to a very different and challenging environment,” Higginson said. “The program is truly transformational - all of the students have written about how they have grown, both personally and professionally.”

Higginson said teaching internationally is an important experience for future teachers to have, not only because of personal growth, but also because it is an opportunity to interact with and touch the lives of possible future transfer students.

The Belize International Teaching Experience had its inaugural trip in 2007 after a long road of organization.

Those involved in the Belize International Teaching Experience will travel to Belize April 26 and will deliver the collected pencils when they arrive. O’Daniel said ODK asks people to donate whatever they can by the end of the drive, which is April 4.

Said O’Daniel: “By providing the students with something to write with, we can enable students to actively participate in their education.”

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THE NEWS .ORG

The News

News

March 28, 2014

SGA Student Government Association Current

7A

To ensure that the SGA Constitution meets the needs of all students the Student Senate unanimously approved the following change to the SGA Constitution. The changes will go the entire student body for a vote on April 14-16, 2014 (during the Student Government Association general election on MyGate). Once approved by the Student body it will go to the Murray State University Board of Regents for final approval.

Proposed Changes

Current

Proposed Changes

Article 1, § l.

Article 1, § l.

Article 4, § 3.

Article 4, § 3.

The officially organized body governing all students and student organizations at M.S.U. shall be the Student Government Association. The Student Government Association shall be composed of the Student Senate, the Judicial Board, the Campus Activities Board, the Residential College Association and any other boards as agencies created in accordance with the By-Laws.

The officially organized body governing all students and student organizations at Murray State University shall be the Student Government Association. The Student Government Association (hereinafter S.G.A.), shall be composed of the Student Senate, the Judicial Board, the Campus Activities Board, the Residential College Association and any other boards as agencies created in accordance with the By-Laws.

The Senate shall solicit applications for the Judicial Board. The Senate shall interview the applicants and select ten (10) nominees for the seven (7) board members from the list of nominations recommending a chair and vice chair. The President of the University shall appoint the seven (7) board members from the list of nominations designating a chair and vice chair. The President shall also designate the remaining three (3) nominees as alternates.

Article 1, § 2.

Article 1, § 2.

The Senate shall solicit applications for the Judicial Board. The Senate shall interview the applicants and select ten (10) nominees for the seven (7) board members from the list of nominations recommending a chair and vice chair.

The President of the University shall appoint the seven (7) board members from the list of nominations designating a chair and vice chair.

The President shall also designate the remaining three (3) nominees as alternates.

Article 4, § 4.

Article 4, § 4.

Any full-time student and any “part-time student” (a part time student, for the purposes of this constitution, shall be defined as any student paying the part-time student activity fee; these students should be enrolled in 7 to 11 hours for undergraduates or in 5 to 8 hours for graduate students) shall have the privilege of seeking office in any branch of the Student Government Association as prescribed in the By-Laws. “Part time students” are not eligible to run for or hold any of the top four executive offices; pursuant to the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Any full-time student and any “part-time student” (a part-time student, for the purposes of this constitution, shall be defined as any student enrolled in 7 to 11 hours for undergraduates or in 5 to 8 hours for graduate students) shall have the privilege of seeking office in any branch of the S.G.A. as prescribed in the By-Laws. “Parttime students” are not eligible to run for or hold Executive Council positions.

The Judicial Board shall have the power to hold hearings and to render decisions and interpretations in cases brought to it by the students, faculty or administrators involving the University Code of Conduct or the Constitution of the S.G.A. It shall have the authority to hear parking/ traffic violation appeals.

The Judicial Board shall have the power to hold hearings and to render decisions and interpretations in cases brought to it by students, faculty or administrators involving the University Code of Conduct or the Constitution of the S.G.A. It shall have the authority to hear parking/traffic violation appeals.

Article 4, § 6.

Article 4, § 6.

The Judicial Board shall be advised by one (1) faculty member.

The Judicial Board shall be advised by one (1) faculty/staff member.

Article 4, § 7.

Article 4, § 7.

Article 2 Officers

Article 2 Executive Council

Article 2, § 1.

Article 2, § 1.

The Chairman of the Judicial Board will be responsible for a report to the Senate following each Judicial Board hearing.

The officers of S.G.A. shall be President, VicePresident, Secretary and Treasurer of the Student Senate.

The Executive Council of S.G.A. shall be President/Student Regent, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the President of the Residential College Association.

Article 2, § 2.

Article 2, § 2.

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the S.G.A. Qualifications for office require one to have attained at least junior class standing the fall semester following the election and to have been a full-time student at the time of election, with a cumulative point standing of at least 2.7 on the 4.0 system. The President shall maintain such standards during their term of office. The President’s duties and powers shall be to serve as President of the Student Senate and to serve as an ex-officio member of all S.G.A. committees, councils and boards.

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the S.G.A. Qualifications for office require one to have attained at least junior class standing the fall semester following the election and to have been a full-time student at the time of election, with a cumulative point standing (hereinafter G.P.A.) of at least 2.7 on the 4.0 system. The President shall maintain such standards during the term of office. The President’s duties and powers shall be to serve as President of the Student Senate and to serve as an ex-officio member of all S.G.A. committees, councils and boards.

The Judicial Board Chairperson shall serve as chairperson of the Murray State University Student Judicial Board. The Chairperson will preside over the Murray State University Student Judicial Board and be responsible for communicating concerns and issues to the S.G.A. Executive Council. The Chairperson shall serve as a liaison between the S.G.A, Public Safety and various judicial offices of the University. This position will be selected each spring, by the Student Senate, from the members selected to serve on the Murray State University Student Judicial Board. The chairman of the Judicial Board will be responsible for a report to the Senate following each Judicial Board hearing

Article 4, § 8.

Article 4, § 8.

The Judicial Board shall be required to advertise their meetings one (1) week in advance.

The Judicial Board shall comply with the Kentucky Open Meetings Laws, KRS 61.800 et seq and shall notify interested parties of their meetings at least one (1) week in advance.

Article 4, § 9.

Article 4, § 9.

Article 2, § 4.

Article 2 § 4.

The Secretary and the Treasurer of S.G.A. will serve as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Campus Activities Board, shall be full-time students, shall have at least a cumulative 2.7 on the 4.0 system and shall maintain these standards during their terms of office.

The Secretary of S.G.A. shall serve as the Secretary of the Student Senate and the Campus Activities Board and shall be responsible for keeping minutes and attendance of Student Senate and Campus Activities Board meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining all records and documents, other than financial records, of the S.G.A., shall be a full-time student, and shall have at least a 2.7 G.P.A. on the 4.0 scale. The officeholder shall maintain these standards at the time of election and during the term of office.

The Judicial Board shall meet twice a month or whenever two (2) members of the Judicial Board request a meeting of the Chairman.

The Judicial Board shall meet twice a month or whenever two (2) members of the Judicial Board request a meeting of the Chairman.

Article 5, § 2.

Article 5, § 2.

Article 2, § 5.

The Treasurer of S.G.A. shall serve as the Treasurer of the S.G.A., shall be responsible for maintaining and safeguarding the financial records of the organization, shall be a full-time student and shall have at least a 2.7 G.P.A. on the 4.0 scale.

The officeholder shall maintain these standards at the time of election and during the term of office.

Article 2, § 6.

Article 2, § 6.

The Residential College Affairs Chairperson shall serve as the President of the Residential College Association. The Chairperson will preside over R.C.A. and be responsible for communicating Residential College concerns to the Executive Council of S.G.A. The Chairperson will serve as liaison between S.G.A., the housing department and Residential College Councils. This position will be elected each spring in an election held within the residential colleges no less than two weeks following the S.G.A. general election.

The Residential College Association President shall preside over the Residential College Association, (hereinafter R.C.A.), and shall be responsible for communicating R.C.A. concerns to the Executive Council of the S.G.A. The R.C.A. President shall serve as liaison between the S.G.A., the housing department and the Residential College Councils. The R.C.A. President shall be a full-time student, and shall have at least a 2.7 G.P.A. on the 4.0 scale. The officeholder shall maintain these standards at the time of election and during the term of office. The R.C.A. President shall be elected during the S.G.A. elections each spring, by a student body vote.

Article 3, § 2.

Article 3, § 2.

In order to be a member of the Senate one shall be a full-time student or a “part-time student” of the University and shall maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative point standing during the term of office. The “freshman senators” shall at the time of election, be in their first or second semester at Murray State and maintain a 3.0 grade point cumulative from high school and/or Murray State.

In order to be a member of the Senate one shall be a full-time student or a “part-time student” of the University and shall maintain at least a 2.5 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale at the time of election and during the term of office. The “freshman senators” shall, at the time of election, be in their first or second semester at Murray State.

Article 3, § 3.

Article 3, § 3.

The Senate shall be advised by two (2) faculty members and one (1) administrative member.

The Senate shall be advised by three (3) faculty/ staff/administrative members.

Article 3, § 4.

The Senate shall be composed of three (3) elected The Senate shall be composed of the Executive senators from each Academic College of the Uni- Council of the S.G.A., three (3) elected senators from each Academic College or School of the versity, Hutson School of Agriculture, and two University, two (2) “freshman senators,” eight (8) (2) from School of Nursing, two (2) “freshman senators elected at-large, and two (2) senators senators,” eight (8) senators elected at-large and from each Residential College who, along with two (2) senators from each Residential College who, with the members of the Executive Council, the members of the Executive Council, shall have the right to vote. The President of the S.G.A. shall have the right to vote. shall only vote in case of a tie.

Article 3, § 4.

Article 4, § 2.

In order to be a member of the Judicial Board one shall have attained at least a junior class standing, shall not be an officer or member of any other S.G.A. branch and shall maintain a cumulative point standing of at least a 2.5 on the 4.0 scale system.

Article 4, § 2.

In order to be a member of the Judicial Board one shall have attained at least a junior class standing, shall not be an officer or member of any other S.G.A. branch and shall maintain at least a 2.5 G.P.A. on the 4.0 scale.

Funding for the Campus Activities Board shall be Funding for the Campus Activities Board shall be through the accounts of the Student Government through the accounts of S.G.A. Association.

Article 6, § 1.

Article 6, § 1.

The Residential College Association shall serve as the voice of the students living within the Residential Colleges. The organization will maintain its own Operating Principles and function to increase communication between residential students and the Student Government Association.

The R.C.A. shall serve as the voice of the students associated with the Residential Colleges. The organization will maintain its own By-Laws and function to increase communication between Residential College students and the S.G.A.

Article 6, § 2.

Article 6, § 2.

The officers of the Residential College Association shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and the National Communications Coordinator.

The officers of the R.C.A. shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, National Residence Hall Honorary President and the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Communications Coordinator.

Article 6, § 3.

Article 6, § 3.

The membership of the Residential College Association shall consist of the officers, 16 Residential College Senators, the President of each Residential College, at least one representative chosen by election from each college and President of NRHH. Each college shall have one vote.

The membership of the R.C.A. shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer of the R.C.A., National Residence Hall Honorary President, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Communications Coordinator, the President of each Residential College Council as well as two (2) representatives from each Residential College.

Article 7, § 1.

Article 7, § 1.

Any full-time or “part-time” student enrolled in a college shall have the privilege of voting for Senate positions representing that college, all S.G.A. officer positions, at-large Senate positions. Any full-time or “part-time” first or second semester student may have the privilege of voting for the “freshman senators.”

Any full-time or “part-time” student enrolled in a college shall have the privilege of voting for Senate positions representing that college, all S.G.A. Executive Council positions and at-large Senate positions. Any full-time or “part-time” first or second semester student may have the privilege of voting for the “freshman senators.”

Article 7, § 2.

Article 7, § 2.

The primary constituency of S.G.A. officers, at-large Senators and students on the Campus Activities Board shall be full-time and “parttime” students in the University. The primary constituency of a Senator representing a college shall be full-time and “part-time” students in that college. The primary constituency of the “freshman senators” shall be the freshman class.

The primary constituency of S.G.A. Executive Council, at-large Senators and students on the Campus Activities Board shall be full-time and “part-time” students in the University. The primary constituency of a Senator representing a college shall be full-time and “part-time” students in that college. The primary constituency of the “freshman senators” shall be the freshman class.

Article 8, § 2.

Article 8, § 2.

Senators or Executive Officers of the S.G.A. can be recalled on the petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of their respective constituencies, subject to a majority vote of such constituency.

Senators or Executive Council members of the S.G.A. can be recalled on the petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of their respective constituencies, subject to a majority vote of such constituency.

The News

News

8A

March 28, 2014

Fumi NakamuraThe News

Students from the three Greek councils worked together and collected cans for Need Line of Calloway County.

This year, Alpha Delta Pi collected the most with 834 cans.

GREEK From Page 1 be equally involved with Greek Week.

“I didn’t even know it was Greek Week or about the All Greek Assembly until after it happened,” Muskopf said. “It’s just frustrating that the Greek community at Murray State doesn’t seem to accept us as true Greek organizations even though we compete in the step show and host All Campus Sing.”

Muskopf said she wishes SAI and Phi Mu Alpha were made more aware of Greek events on campus.

“We’re still just as Greek as the social organizations,” she said. “We don’t want to be closed off from the Greek community just because we are musically based fraternities. We have girls in SAI who are also a part of social Greek organizations. We are very open to them, we just want the same in return.”

While SAI and Phi Mu Alpha were not at the All Greek Assembly, they still participated in other Greek Week events such as the stroll off and Alpha Step Off. In between stroll off and the step show, Wednesday was the canned food drive for Need Line and more than 1,500 cans were brought in for donation. Alpha Delta Pi brought the most cans with 834.

Students packed Lovett Auditorium Thursday night to watch the annual Alpha Step Off, and students will end Greek Week tonight with an all Greek social event.

All Greek Assembly awards Outstanding New Member Education Alpha Delta Pi

Outstanding Philanthropic Chapter Lambda Chi Alpha

Outstanding Collaboration Community Service Alpha Omicron Pi and Lambda Chi Alpha

Outstanding Fraternity Community Service Award

Fumi Nakamura/The News

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Members of Kappa Delta participate in the annual Alpha Step Off.

Outstanding Education Award Sigma Phi Epsilon

Outstanding Brotherhood Award Sigma Pi

Outstanding Sisterhood Award Kappa Delta

Outstanding Chapter President Ryan Johnson – Sigma Pi

Outstanding Adviser Wyatt Alverson – Sigma Pi

Outstanding Greek Woman Elizabeth Tarter – Alpha Gamma Delta

Outstanding Greek Man

Jenny Rohl/The News

Ryan Rist – Sigma Phi Epsilon

(Above) Chase Harris leads the Phi Mu Alphas in the stroll off Tuesday night. (Right) Haley Barfield strolls for Alpha Gamma Delta.

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March 28, 2014

Section B

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Richardson Assistant Editor: Nick Dolan Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews

# of postseason wins for men’s basketball (most ever in a season)

Racers beat Towson, advance to semifinals Jonathan Ferris || Staff writer jferris2@murraystate.edu

Two wins are all that separate the Racers from a CollegeInsiders.com Tournament (CIT) championship after defeating Towson 85-73 Thursday night at the CFSB Center.

A dominant final 10 minutes allowed the Racers to pull away, securing the quarterfinals victory and leaving Murray State as one of the final four teams remaining in the CIT. After a back and forth first half, senior guard Dexter Fields ignited the Racer offense.

Not ready to see his Murray State career come to an end, Fields drained two consecutive 3’s midway through the second half to break a tie and give the Racers a six-point lead.

The Racers never looked back. Murray State kicked off a 24-6 run to put the game out of reach and put an end to Towson’s season.

Head Coach Steve Prohm said Fields’ long balls were what pushed his team over the top. “(The 3-pointers) were big,” Prohm said. “It was kind of nip and tuck – nobody could pull away. Then bam, bam, it was six, and then it was double figures and our guys were having some fun out there. It just snowballed.”

Assuming he’d played his final game in front of home fans more than a month ago, Fields said he is enjoying the opportunity to play some extra games.

“I’m just excited that I’m still playing here in front of these fans,” Fields said. “They’re giving us more energy than we expected and the crowd has been outrageous. The only Jenny RohlThe News

see ADVANCE, 2B

Junior forward Jonathan Fairell prepares to block a shot in the win over Towson.

Track begins outdoor season Jonathan Ferris || Staff writer jferris2@murraystate.edu

Last weekend, the track and field team ventured outdoors for the first time in its 2014 season, traveling to Conway, S.C., for the Shamrock Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina.

Only a few weeks removed from the OVC Indoor Championships, Head Coach Jenny Severns said she was anxious to see how her team made the transition to the outdoors.

“Sometimes the beginning of outdoor is a little bit rough because you’re going from the championship mentality back into the regular season,” Severns said. “It can be tough to keep that killer instinct and fight sometimes, especially because some of them have been competing all year.”

Several athletes competed in unfamiliar or outdoor-specific events for the first time in nearly a year.

Junior Tonia Pratt – 2013 OVC Hammer Throw Champion – picked up where she left off last May. Pratt broke her own school record in the hammer throw and earned a third-place finish. She also placed second in the shot put.

Junior Sydney Potts also set a record in her first performance of the year after winning the 2013 OVC Championship in javelin last May. Potts beat her previous personal record and took fifth overall.

“It was really big to have (personal records) in the events they don’t compete in indoors just because it’s their first time competing in those events all year,” Severns said.

Junior Brittany Bohn also had a big day. In her first time ever run-

see OUTDOOR, 2B

Jenny RohlThe News

A Racer fan shows support for the team Thursday night.

Women start on top in OVC play Tom Via || Staff writer tvia@murraystate.edu

Playing six matches in nine days, women’s tennis overcame fatigue to get off to a perfect conference record over Spring Break.

In their first four conference victories, the Racers have dropped only one of 28 matches they have played so far. While the lone loss came from senior Carla Suga in the conference opener against Jacksonville State March 18, Head Coach Olga Elkin said there are still things to work on.

“We need to make sure that we stay mentally tough, because we have been playing really well lately,” Elkin said. “We need to just take it one match at a time.”

During its busy schedule, Murray State’s only loss as a team came against No. 47 University of Tennessee, where they were swept 7-0. Though they lost all their matches, many of them were close.

The closest match came at No. 3, where junior Andrea Eskauriatza and sophomore Erin Patton fell 8-6.

“The team and I love playing tough opponents because we have to play our absolute best to beat them,” Elkin said. “For our doubles to stick around with (Tennessee), it

shows the improvement we have made.”

Facing the ranked team individually, the team got early success from Patton, who earned a 6-3 first set victory before momentum swung to her opponent and lost the final two sets 6-0.

Despite the losses, Elkin said the team took a step forward with its play.

“We all gained some confidence from those matches, especially (Eleonore Tchakarova) because she is a freshman,” Elkin said. We are going to have matches like this later on this season, so we learn from playing teams like (Tennessee).”

Freshman sisters Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova were two of three Racers that played in every match during the break.

Elkin said she wanted to give the duo more experience that would help them when conference play arrives.

“They are getting more comfortable and they are playing better and better each match,” Elkin said. “They are freshmen and really need the experience for later in the season.”

As the only two freshmen on the team, the twins have improved in each match this spring. When the two sisters joined the team

see PERFECT, 2B

Lori Allen/The News

Freshman Eleonore Tchakarova hits a backhand in Saturday’s match.

Men struggle during Spring Break Tom Via || Staff writer tvia@murraystate.edu

Lori Allen/The News

Senior Adam Taylor returns the ball in a match against the University of Tennessee.

Despite disappointing results over Spring Break, men’s tennis Head Coach Mel Purcell continues to stress the importance of getting better each day.

“Overall, we are competing well and as a coach all I can ask them is to play as hard as they can,” Purcell said. “These matches could have gone either way because we had chances.”

The Racers went 1-3 during the break, which included the opening of conference play against Tennessee Tech.

While Murray State won only two individual games in the losses to the Golden Eagles, Belmont and nonconference opponent Oral Roberts, Purcell believes that the team can make changes to bounce back this weekend.

“We are 1-2 in conference right now, but I feel pretty excited with how we played,” Purcell said. “The guys got better and showed some promise when we earned some wins.”

While one of their wins came by default against Belmont, freshman David Hess pulled out a two-set win Sunday.

“It is good to see a freshman playing well, and that is something we will need later down the road as he progresses,” Purcell said.

In the first set, Hess and his opponent traded games and were forced to play a tiebreaker.

Having lost the game just before the tiebreaker, Hess settled down and took the extra points 7-3 to earn the 7-6 win.

With momentum on his side, Hess made quick work of his opponent to win the final set 6-0.

While Hess was a bright

spot for the Racers in their losses, one area of concern is doubles play.

In their losses, the Racers dropped each match with senior Adam Taylor and junior Max McLean losing 8-7 against Tennessee Tech March 15.

“We had our chances to win and we really should have,” Taylor said. “We just made some mistakes and it cost us.”

Purcell said he is concerned with the team’s performances that have put the Racers behind, therefore adding pressure to their singles matches.

“Winning the doubles point makes things much easier because you only have to win three of the six remaining matches,” Purcell said. “We just aren’t getting anything out of No. 2 and No. 3, so we may try a

see STRUGGLE, 2B

WHAT’S

OVC PLAY

RIFLE CHAMPIONSHIPS

FACES HADFIELD

MOVIE REVIEW

INSIDE

Softball wins in conference, loses at home to WKU, 3B

Junior Kelsey Emme finished her season at the NCAAs, 6B

Singer/songwriter from Paducah makes tour stop in Murray, 5B

Impressive cast solidifies ‘Divergent’ plot, 7B

The News

Sports

2B

March 28, 2014

OUTDOOR

ADVANCE

From Page 1

From Page 1

ning the 5,000-meter outdoors, Bohn won the event with a time of 17 minutes, 51.06 seconds.

“Since it was my first one, I didn’t really know what I was getting into,” Bohn said. “I was constantly looking over to coach every lap trying to figure out what I needed to do and when I needed to go.”

The next day Bohn set another personal record, this time in the mile, where she posted a time of 5:05.16 – good for a seventh-place finish.

“We knew Brittany could run really fast in those events,” Severns said. “She just hadn’t done it yet. I expected she was capable of it, but I don’t want to take anything away from it because it was a really great performance.”

Other notable performances included sophomore Hannah McAllister’s 15th-place finish in the 100-meter and personal record in the 200-meter, as well as sophomore Emma Gilmore’s two personal records and topsix finishes in the 400 and 800meter dashes.

The Murray State relay teams also performed well with three top-10 finishes in the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

The team now prepares for Vanderbilt’s Black and Gold Invitational in Nashville, Tenn., this weekend.

With several runners scheduled to compete in new events, Severns said she is simply hoping to see continued progress.

“We just want to keep moving forward,” Severns said. “A lot of people are running different events this weekend than they did last weekend, so I just want to see them keep getting better and moving forward.”

Despite the outdoor season just getting underway, the Racers have less than two months until they finish their season at the OVC Championships in Edwardsville, Ill. “We only have about six weeks until our conference championship,” Severns said, “so as long as we’re doing what we need to now, we’ll be where we need to when that comes around.”

The Black and Gold Invitational begins today and lasts through Saturday.

thing on my mind right now is finishing these two games out strong and leaving as a champion.”

The Tigers’ superior size posed issues for the Racers in the first half. Towson relied on a strong first-half performance from two-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Jerrelle Benimon. After the first 20 minutes, the Towson senior had torched Murray State for 14 points and five rebounds.

Murray State limited Benimon in the second half, however, allowing him to score only four points in the final 20 minutes.

“When you make shots, when you get stops and when you turn people over, you’re going to look good,” Prohm said. “It was one of our better halves (of the season).”

The Racers relied on a balanced attack, with four players scoring double-digit points. Freshman Cameron Payne led the way with 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Junior Jarvis Williams finished with 18 points and nine rebounds and fellow junior Jonathan Fairell earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Fields rounded out the double-digit scorers with 15 points on 5-9 shooting from 3-point range.

The Racers now advance to the semifinal round of the CIT, where they will host Pacific Tuesday night at the CFSB Center.

The Pacific Tigers defeated San Diego 70-65 Monday night to advance to the semifinals. The Tigers boast an 18-15 record – good for an eighth-place finish in the West Coast Conference.

If victorious, Murray State will play the winner of Yale and Virginia Military Institute for the CIT championship Thursday.

Murray State and Pacific tip off Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the CFSB Center.

Lori Allen/The News

Freshman Verginie Tchakarova hits a forehand from the back of the box in her win Saturday.

PERFECT From Page 1 in the fall, Elkin said they needed to work on doubles. Now, six months later, the duo leads the team with 13 wins in doubles.

“It’s all thanks to (Elkin) because she taught us a lot of things about doubles that we didn’t really know,” Verginie said. “We knew that in America we would have to make changes and we have done it quite well.”

That success as a team has translated to their individual performances, where they are tied for the team lead with 16 wins. Verginie hasn’t had to play a three-set match since mid-October, and she has only two losses this spring.

The closest she came to going three sets in conference play was her first OVC match against Jacksonville State. In a back-and-forth match, Verginie was able to avoid a first set tiebreaker and won 7-5. With the confidence of winning her first set in OVC play, she settled down and won 64 to win the match.

“Everyone talks about conference and knows it is a big deal,” Elkin said. “It was their first match, and

STRUGGLE From Page 1 different combination.”

While the team dropped two conference matches, there was a bright moment when the Racers hosted Tennessee State Saturday.

Playing on their home court for the first time this spring, Murray State de-

we hadn’t played in a couple of weeks, but she played great and pulled out a first win.”

Eleonore entered the spring as a nationally ranked player by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Playing at No. 3 for the Racers against players with more experience hasn’t kept her from getting victories. While the matches may be difficult for Eleonore, Elkin is proud of the poise she has shown as a freshman.

“Every match she goes out there and competes,” Elkin said. “She likes playing girls that play that pace at that spot, so it was a natural fit for her at (No. 3).”

Just like her sister, Eleonore’s closest match was against the Gamecocks. After dropping the first set 6-4, Eleonore composed herself to win the next to sets 6-3, 6-1. Since that match, she has only lost seven games in six conference sets.

While the Racers are nearing the midpoint of their conference schedule, their final home matches are this weekend.

“We have a couple tough matches this weekend and then next week, too, but we just need to focus and play our match,” Elkin said. “We need to be focused on one game at a time.”

Murray State will host Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at 10 a.m. Saturday and Eastern Illinois at 10 a.m. Sunday.

feated the Tigers 6-1.

The Racers gained the first point of the day when they won in doubles for only the second time this season.

While sophomore Nicholas Mitric and junior Aleks Mitric won 8-3 in the No. 2 slot, Taylor and McLean had a closer match.

The duo traded matches back and forth with Tennessee State winning the final four games to win 8-5 and gain the point.

CIT Final Four Yale vs. Virginia Military Institute 6 p.m., April 1 Pacific vs. Murray State 8 p.m., April 1

With momentum on their side, the Racers took five of the six singles matches against the Tigers.

With Murray State sitting at 1-2 in the conference, Purcell said this weekend’s matchups against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois are crucial.

After falling to both teams 4-3 last season, Purcell believes being at home could give Murray State the edge it needs.

“This (weekend) is going to be the difference if we are going to give ourselves a chance to qualify for the OVC Tournament,” Purcell said. “After losing here at home to Belmont, we will be fired up to defend at home.”

The Racers host SIUE Saturday at the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts after the women’s match.

Then, the men’s team will host Eastern Illinois Sunday after the women finish playing.

The News March 28, 2014

Sports

3B

Win streak comes to end for softball Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers snapped Murray State softball’s four-game winning streak with a score of 3-2 Wednesday.

The Racers began their winning streak with a pair of wins in a doubleheader March 22 at Tennessee State. After losing six consecutive games, Murray State posted a shutout in game one with a score of 3-0 and then rolled in the second game of the series on the back of a huge team effort, outscoring the Tigers 8-1.

The team returned home Sunday to face Belmont in a doubleheader, resulting in two of Murray State’s best performances all year.

The Racers crushed Belmont in both contests, scoring a total of 12 runs while holding the opponent to only two.

Head Coach Kara Amundson said she didn’t want the team to focus too much on its wins over the weekend when preparing for its game Wednesday against Western Kentucky.

“We have a short memory, win or lose,” Amundson said. “The past doesn’t matter, the only game that counts is the one in front of you.”

The momentum of the winning streak failed to translate onto the final scoreboard against the Hilltoppers despite a valiant comeback attempt in the sixth inning.

After the Racers fell behind 2-0 to the Hilltoppers early in the game, they gained their composure and tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Freshman Maggie Glass led off with a single while sophomore Shelbey Miller followed with an RBI double up the middle. Miller then advanced to third base on a sacrifice from junior Mo Ramsey.

With a runner on third, one out and a 2-2 count, freshman Cayla Levins hit it back to the pitcher for a throw to first, and a scored run

by Miller tied the game 2-2.

After the big inning, freshman pitcher Mason Robinson continued the momentum by striking out the side in the top of the sixth.

The 2-2 tie continued into the eighth inning before the Hilltoppers scored an RBI with runners on second and third to pull into the lead 3-2. The Racers couldn’t recover in the bottom of the eighth as their four-game win streak failed to stay alive.

Miller was pleased with the team’s performance, but she credited the loss to some unusual fielding mistakes.

“Our hitters did a pretty good job adjusting to the pitching and making changes throughout the game,” Miller said. “We just had a few

Jenny Rohl/The News

Freshman BT Wichman delivers to the plate during the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game against Southern Illinois.

Baseball tops SIU in extras Nick Dolan || Assistant Sports Editor ndolan@murraystate.edu

Jenny Rohl/The News

Junior Alexa Becker warms up before Wednesday’s contest against the Lady Hilltoppers. miscues here and there and we let things get away from us.”

Admundson agreed that the team played well in a hard-fought game.

“They scored early and we went down 2-0, and to battle back and tie it up was a big deal,” Admundson said. “We just couldn’t close it out in the end. It was a good battle by both teams.”

The Racers have their work cut out for them Saturday as they take on Eastern Illinois, the defending OVC regular season champions. The 209 Panthers are 2-2 in conference play this season.

“They’re a big conference game,” Miller said. “I know we’re all excited to play Eastern Illinois and they would be huge wins if we could get them.”

As junior Matt McGowan crossed the plate with the sun setting in the bottom of the 10th, the ’Breds breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The streak was over.

Murray State (10-12, 4-5 OVC) snapped its five-game losing streak with a 7-6 extra innings win against the visiting Salukis of Southern Illinois Wednesday.

“It felt great (scoring the winning run),” McGowan said. “I know we’ve been on a losing streak lately but it felt great just to come across with a win. It’s a big win.”

The ’Breds had to fight back to stay in contention all day as they fell behind 2-0 after the opening half inning.

Senior Ty Stetson scored Murray State’s first run after freshman Tyler Lawrence was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Junior Michael Hargrove drew a 3-2 bases loaded walk, scoring McGowan from third to tie the game at 2-2.

The Salukis added another run in the second, but the ’Breds came right back.

Stetson tallied his second RBI, ripping a double down the right field line to plate sophomore Taylor Mathews after he stole second.

Both teams held each other in check over the next four innings before swapping leads in the later innings.

Southern Illinois was the first team able to gain a small advantage.

Freshman Tanner Edge sat the first two SIU batters down before walking the next two.

Fellow classmate BT Wichman took over in relief, but he gave up an RBI single, charged to Edge, and a walk.

Junior Cameron Wallace got the final out of the seventh but surrendered a bases loaded walk, also charged to Edge.

The ’Breds did not go away, though.

Freshman Clay Kelly took a pitch to the upper

back with the bases loaded, bringing in Mathews to make the deficit 5-4.

But that would not be all for Murray State.

Stetson scored on an Anthony Bayus double to tie the game before scoring the go ahead run after Lawrence reached on a fielding error.

Freshman John Lollar preserved the ’Breds’ lead over the next few innings before giving up the tying run in the ninth; he sat the next two batters down to end the inning.

With game time nearing four hours, the light began to be an issue, and Head Coach Rob McDonald did not want the team to be left holding their bats if the game were to be delayed. “(The umpires) had already kind of indicated that it was going to be the end of it, as it was getting dark,” McDonald said. “You’re always concerned in that situation, when you’re batting in the bottom of the inning, that they go out and score and then here we are hitting in the dark or something like that.”

Luckily for McDonald, the ’Breds were just as ready to leave with a win as he was. McGowan singled to start the inning, Bayus walked and Lawrence’s attempted sac bunt was thrown away

by SIU’s Kyle Pruemer, allowing McGown to score the game winner.

“Lawrence put down a beautiful bunt and we ended up coming out ahead,” McDonald said.

“So, we will definitely take it. It’s big to get the win. I’m proud of the guys for the way they battled and nobody has complained or made excuses; they’ve just kept battling.

“So that kind of made it a little extra sweet to get that win. Just feeling like the guys deserved one.”

The two clubs combined to use 16 pitchers in the contest. The ’Breds’ seven runs came off seven hits as they took advantage of four SIU errors.

Senior pitcher Tyler Saltsman earned his first victory of the year.

Murray State travels to Austin Peay State for a three-game series starting Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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4B

March 28, 2014

Emme finishes season at NCAA Championships Ryan Richardson || Sports Editor mrichardson5@murraystate.edu

A few bad shots were all it took to knock junior Kelsey Emme out of contention for both the smallbore and air rifle finals in the NCAA Rifle Championships held March 14-15.

Only eight shooters in a field of more than 40 competitors could advance to the championship round of each event. On day one, which was the smallbore event, the shooters were divided into three groups, while day two â&#x20AC;&#x201C; air rifle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was split into two groups.

Though Emme shot near her season average in both categories and was only a few points off the leader, it was not enough to place her in the top eight either day.

Day 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Smallbore

Lori Allen/The News

Junior Kelsey Emme aims at a target in air rifle competition in the CFSB Center during the NCAA Rifle Championships.

After the 14 shooters in relay one exited the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, the eighthplace individual had a score of 579, and first place was set at 586.

With a season high of 586, Emme, shooting in relay two, still had a decent chance to rank at the top of the list.

Emme said going into the first day, she wanted to have a good attitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really just wanted to do the best I could do, stay positive and motivated, do what I could and not get too nervous,â&#x20AC;? she said.

In her first 10 shots from the kneeling position, Emme had a few that were off the mark. At that point, with a score of 93, she had some ground to make up in order to advance to the next round.

Though the rest of her scores were solid, her aggregate score was not enough to place her in the top eight.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a pretty decent day, but I just had a couple bad shots,â&#x20AC;? Emme said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It kind of made my score drop to a little lower than I wanted, but it was about my average all year, so I was OK with that.â&#x20AC;?

Her aggregate score of 577 left her tied for 15th place, with one group left to shoot.

By the end of the final relay, Emmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score left her in 26th place.

Day 2 - Air rifle Though she fared better in her overall score in the air rifle competition than in smallbore, Emme was unable to earn a spot in the finals.

As in smallbore, only the top eight individual scorers advanced, but air rifle had only two relays of shooters, and Emme was in the later group.

After the first relay, there was a tie for eighth place with a score of 586.

This season, Emme averaged a 585.8 in air rifle and shot a season high of 592, meaning a spot in the finals was once again not out of the question.

For much of the match, Emmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scores were on pace with her top competitors.

However, as in the day before, a few misfires dropped her out of contention.

Emme finished the day with an aggregate score of 584, ending her chance at making the finals.

By the end of the second relay, the eighth-place score had risen to 591.

Though she finished only 12 points behind the first-place shooter and seven points behind the eighth-place shooter, Emme finished air rifle in 30th of 46 competitors.

Lambda Chi Alpha stays undefeated Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu

Alpha Sigma Phi, sporting a 2-1 record, came up short as it failed to knock off undefeated Lambda Chi Alpha in a heated intramural volleyball match Monday night.

Both teams were sloppy out of the gate, but it was Lambda Chi that gained the slight edge, jumping out to a 10-5 advantage.

Alpha Sigma Phi fought to cut the lead to three points at 15-12 before Lambda Chi captain Barrett Pazderka buried a spike to end the run. Lambda Chi used the momentum to cruise to a 25-18 win in the first match. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had several defensive errors,â&#x20AC;? said Alpha Sigma Phi captain Doug Ebert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had back-to-back mistakes that just werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t supposed to happen.â&#x20AC;?

Alpha Sigma Phi came back with a chip on its shoulder in the second match. Both teams were playing competitively as they swapped kill shots throughout most of the match.

A spike by Pazderka that went astray ended the second match as Alpha Sigma Phi held on to a slim lead to in the second game of the match 25-23.

The third match looked to be leaning in favor of Alpha Sigma Phi early as Joao Pelosi crushed two consecutive spikes to push the lead to 9-4.

The advantage didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold for long as Lambda Chi surged back to win the last match 15-9.

Pazderka was quick to credit his teammate for the win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jack Whyte really played his heart out tonight,â&#x20AC;? Pazderka said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a lot of heart. He led the team vocally and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we needed.â&#x20AC;?

Jenny Rohl/The News

Lambda Chi Alpha stays undefeated in intramural volleyball by beating Alpha Sigma Phi.

Tracy D. McKinney, CIC Steven S. Dabbs, CIC

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News in less than a minute Women take fifth in two tournaments Staff Report The womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf team added two fifthplace finishes to its season over the past week.

The Racers played in Tennessee Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate tournament March 17-18 and Morehead Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ocala Spring Invitational, which was Sunday through Tuesday.

Senior Delaney Howson led the team during the first tournament, finishing in second place and earning her spot on the All-Tournament team with a total score of 149 from the tournamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two rounds.

Freshman Sydney Trimble was the next closest Racer, finishing in 24th place, while teammates Jacklyn Van Meter and Sophie Hillier tied for 30th.

Eastern Kentucky took first, while the University of Evansville took second and Indiana State and Marshall tied for third.

Murray State again took fifth place Tuesday at its second tournament, which was held at the Juliette Golf Course in Ocala, Fla. Howson and Trimble lead the Racers and tied for 14th place overall.

Daytona State College won the tournament overall, finishing 22 strokes ahead of the Racersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; final score of 911.

The Racers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete again until April 4-6 at Ole Missâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rebel Invitational.

Men place tenth over Spring Break Staff Report Like the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf traveled to Sevierville, Tenn., over Spring Break to participate in the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate. The Racers finished 10th in a field of 12 teams with a team score of 914.

Sophomore Duncan McCormick led the team over the tournamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three rounds, carding scores of 74-77-74 to total 225 and finish the tournament in 28th place.

Sophomore Preston French tied for 37th place with scores of 79-74-73 to total 227.

The University of Tennessee led the field for the men with an 11-under-par finish at 853, with OVC competitor Eastern Kentucky placing second.

The Racers also faced conference rivals Tennessee Tech, who took home fourth place, and UT Martin, who placed sixth.

Next up, the Racers will compete at Lake Worth, Fla., in Florida Atlanticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring Break Championship at Fountains Country Club March today through Sunday.

After this tournament, the team only has one more scheduled tournament before heading to the OVC Championships April 25-27 in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

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The News

Features

Features Editor: Hunter Harrell Assistant Features Editor: Breanna Sill Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

STEP

IT

UP Fumi Nakamura/The News

Sigma Alpha Iota, Alpha Omicron Pi and Alpha Sigma Phi participate in the annual Alpha Phi Alpha philanthropy step show Thursday night.

Greek organizations train, compete for annual step title Katrina Yarbrough || Staff writer kyarbrough2@murraystate.edu

The rain did not stop students and community members from attending Alpha Phi Alpha’s annual step show Thursday at 7 p.m. in Lovett Auditorium.

“I’ve never been to a step show before,” said Amanda McNevin, freshman from Lexington, Ky., “I’ve watched videos on YouTube before of some

shows and I love it. It’s a cool thing to do.”

The Alpha Step Off is hosted each year to raise money for March of Dimes, an organization that primarily assists mothers with healthy pregnancies.

Tickets could be bought in advance for $7 or at the door for $10.

2000 marked the first year the step show unified the students and organizations of the Murray State campus. It is now in its 13th year.

The show is judged in four different categories that began Tuesday during the stroll off, which was won by Alpha Gamma Delta. The change wars done throughout the week were also used to raise extra money and give teams extra points, with Sigma Alpha Iota taking the top spot.

During the step show, banners made by each competing team that represented their themes were judged and awarded accordingly. SAI’s banner took first place.

The fraternities and sororities included in the

2nd place in the fraternity division while Sig Ep took home first place. For the sororities, SAI won second place and Tri-Sigma won first place. The fan favorites were first time competitors KD. SAI finished off the night as Grand Champions.

The Alpha Step Off in 2013 put APhiA the top organization in the state by raising $3,000 for the March of Dimes. The total amount raised at Thursday’s show had yet to be counted but according to Ryan Hudson, member of APhiA and senior from Paducah, Ky., this year’s turnout was much larger than previous years.

“With the addition of Kappa Delta, there was a larger group this year,” Hudson said. “They all came out to support the ones returning and the ones doing this for their first time. The energy and enthusiasm was certainly at an all-time high tonight.

I’d say there were well over 1,500 people in the auditorium. It was a great show with a lot of talent and everyone did exceptionally well.”

F aces&Places

ROTC to host Best Racer Competition

Hadfield to perform in Murray Hunter Harrell || Features Editor hharrell@murraystate.edu

Brandon Cash || Staff writer bcash1@murraystate.edu

This week, the Reserve Officer Training Corps organization at Murray State continues to prepare for its annual Best Racer Competition in April.

The event is a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations where students compete in a series of 10 different events ranging from a zombie attack to tire flipping.

In previous years, the proceeds from the competition went to the Wounded Warrior Project but ROTC recently decided to sponsor a hunt for individual soldiers.

“This hunt is completely paid for through Best Racer Competition,” said Cadet Eric Dobberfuhl, senior from Mequon, Wis. “One hundred percent of what we raised is going to this,” said Dobberfuhl. “We are hoping that we can sponsor more than one soldier next year and years to come depending on how (many) more competitors we can get for the competition.”

The idea of the fundraiser is to keep everything local. However, since Wounded Warrior has grown, ROTC decided to switch to sponsoring hunts for soldiers in order to show the community where the entirety of their donations is going.

The soldier they sponsored last year was Brandon Zettl. Zettl served in active duty for 10 years and was deployed to Africa once and Afghanistan twice. He currently lives in Clarksville, Tenn., and is pursuing a degree in engineering.

Since the goal of the fundraiser is to keep everything local, ROTC holds the hunt at Snipe Creek Outfitters, a hunting and fishing lodge located not far outside the city limits.

The competition takes place at Hamilton Fields where teams from various fraternities, sororities and other organizations compete.

Some of the events in the competition include a zombie attack where participants will have flags attached to them and one zombie will try to pull off the flags.

There will also be a log walk where the team members will all stand on two 4-by-4 logs and are required to walk a hundred meter distance and back again.

Other events include a rope bridge, ammo carry, litter carry, sled pull, sled drag, sit ups and a high crawl/low crawl course.

Said Dobberfuhl: “The ROTC organization at Murray State also wants to get the student body involved and show them what those in the ROTC program do.”

show were: Alpha Sigma Phi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Mu Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Omicron Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Gam, Kappa Delta and SAI. The 11 organizations were each expected to put together an original step show that would last around 10 minutes. Each show consisted of a theme that allowed the groups to demonstrate their skills and creativity through props, music, outfits and dance.

“We started in January,” said Amanda Hobson, member of AOPi and sophomore from Henderson, Ky. “We would start around 7 p.m. and practice until around 11 p.m. The past week, we began at 4 p.m. and didn’t stop until 1 a.m. A lot of the girls have done this before. With the help of them, our coach and practice, we knew that either way, we were going to have the best time and give it everything we had.”

At the end of the night, Phi Mu Alpha received

Photo courtesy of Sam Hadfield

Sam Hadfield will be performing April 10 at Fidalgo Bay.

The smaller music venues in Murray offer the community a unique, up-close and personal concert with some of the best musicians in the region.

Sam Hadfield, singer and songwriter based out of Nashville, Tenn., is coming to deliver a little country, blues and bluegrass to Murray April 10.

He will make an appearance for an in-store performance at Terrapin Station from 1-1:30 p.m. Hadfield will also be perform at Fidalgo Bay from 6-8 p.m.

Hadfield grew up in Paducah, Ky., and attended Lone Oak High School. When Hadfield graduated he attended University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky. “I skated by as much as possible,” Hadfield said. “I like to say I ‘passed’ college but that’s about the extent of the work I did there. I was more interested in Louisville’s music scene.”

Though Hadfield immersed himself in the music scene in college, his interest in music developed at a young age.

“My dad was in the Navy in San Francisco in the 70s and he’d tell me stories about seeing crazy rock

‘n’ roll bands out there,” he said. “That captured my imagination for sure. I was a basketball player at the time and I grew out my hair and started showing up to practice wearing a Grateful Dead T-shirt. It was all over after that.”

Hadfield’s passion for music led him toward an interest in music journalism. He said he always thought he was a decent writer, but not much of a musician.

Hadfield’s ever-growing interest in music had him digging into discography of legends such as Bob Dylan and John Prine. These influences shed some light on the songwriter’s potential career path.

“You don’t have to be a great singer or a virtuoso guitar player,” Hadfield said. “If you can write and capture a feeling you can be a musician. It’s all about making a connection with your fellow humans.”

While staying true to his beliefs, Hadfield pursued his music career and created the sound he has today.

The music he plays is inspired by his surroundings and experiences in everyday life including moving from the country to the city, past relationships, traveling and late nights on the town.

see HADFIELD, 6B

Jazz ensembles celebrate awards, look to future Madison Wepfer || Staff writer mwepfer@murraystate.edu

The Murray State jazz ensembles have leaped into the limelight this semester.

When Todd Hill began at Murray State several years ago, he had trouble retaining one group. Today, he directs five jazz ensembles including jazz orchestra, blue jazz combo, gold jazz combo, jazz lab and symphony orchestra.

“When Dr. Hill came here, he barely had enough people for one big band and now we have three,” said Will Brooks, senior from Bloomfield, Ky. “It’s been constantly growing.

We’re finally at that point where we can go out there and show people what we can do.”

The jazz orchestra and blue jazz combo have already been successful this academic year.

The two ensembles have had multiple performances at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) conference in Louisville, Ky., and the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival in Chicago, Ill. “It was incredible to be around so many jazz groups of such high caliber,” Brooks said. “Not only to listen to them

but to learn by being immersed into everything that was happening.”

To be invited to play at the KMEA conference, ensembles must be selected through blind auditions judged by a committee of the leading music educators throughout the state.

While at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival (a national event), the Murray State jazz orchestra and blue jazz combo both earned “Outstanding” distinction awards. There were more than 50 performing groups and only eight were awarded with this distinction.

The Murray State jazz orchestra band was also named “Outstanding Big Band” at the festival.

“It was a really cool experience going back because the first time we had some constructive comments because the group then wasn’t as tight as it is now,” said Colton Burge, senior from Mt. Vernon, Ill. “It was really cool going back to see how much better we’ve gotten.”

It was an honor for the jazz ensembles to be invited back to Elmhurst to perform again because it is such a prestigious event, Hill said.

“The Elmhurst College Jazz Festival is one of the oldest in the country,” Hill said. “Groups are invited based on previous achievements

Megan Godby/The News

Members of one of Murray State’s jazz ensembles practice for “Swing into Spring.” and reputation. It is terrific to be invited to perform, let alone to be classified as ‘Outstanding’ in the Big Band category. Where many festivals give these sorts of awards freely, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival has the reputation of not handing out ‘feel good’ certificates. These have been earned.”

The Murray State jazz ensembles have a lot in store for the University in the future. They will host “Swing into Spring” in mid-April where they will perform for the community. Last

year the event was broadcast on the radio. They are also planning a Murray State Jazz Festival where high school groups from the surrounding area come to Murray State to perform and participate in clinics hosted

by Murray State students and faculty.

Burge attributes their success and recognition this year to the close sense of community the group has with each other and their sheer talent.

see JAZZ, 6B

The News

Features

6B

THE

March 28, 2014

F

“Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversation”

lashback riday

WATER COOLER

Flashback to 2004 when Facebook was launched and rovers Spirit and Opportunity began exploring the surface of Mars. 2004 was a great year for the box office and classics were released like “Mean Girls,” “Anchorman” and “The Notebook.” Although those didn’t make the cut for the top five, they are worth an honorable mention. Here are the top grossing movies for 2004 according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb):

Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Breanna Sill Jenny Rohl/The News

Briana Tyson performs one of her original songs during Lovett Live, Tuesday.

Tyson’s first stage performance Brandon Cash Staff writer bcash1@murraystate.edu

CHRIS MARTIN AND GWYNETH PALTROW PART WAYS Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and rockstar husband Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, used the term “conscious uncoupling” to announce their breakup Tuesday.

The couple announed their news from a joint post on the actress’s lifestyle website, goop.

The couple has two children together – Apple, 9, and Moses, 7.

Leather couches, ceiling lights, fog machines, crew and audience members filled the stage Tuesday night as rising star Briana Tyson performed with her band in Lovett Auditorium.

Tyson and her band were welcomed onto the stage by local radio station Froggy 103.7, who also broadcasted the entire show.

Tyson’s show was a part of the Lovett Live concert series.

Lovett Live is a concert series that brings a mixture of artists to Murray for an intimate concert setting.

“Thanks for coming out tonight,” Tyson said. “I’ve never actually been to Murray so I’m very excited.”

The band opened with one of Tyson’s original songs called “Never Been Better” and ended the night with a cover of Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim.”

Tyson also sang one of her idol’s songs “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” Tuesday was the first time Tyson performed live with the full band, although they had practices beforehand.

Also in the band was Tyson’s sister, Sabrina Tyson, who sang backup vocals.

“One of our sorority sis-

HADFIELD From Page 5B

CHICAGO’S LOLLAPALOOZA LINE UP ANNOUNCED Eminem and Outkast have been announced as the headliners at this year’s Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago.

The lineup also includes artists like L orde, Kings of Leon and Skrillex.

This will be the festival’s 10th anniversary and will be held in Chicago’s Grant Park Aug. 1-3.

Soundbyte "If I ran a third time, it’d be sort of like doing a third Hangover movie. Didn’t really work out very well, did it?”

Compiled by Madison Wepfer

Regardless of the nature of the song, Hadfield says he is true to himself by writing about these life experiences.

“My family plays a big part in my music (because) we’re really close,” he said. “I try to write about what I know and what I’ve grown up around.”

For seven years, the musician has played live gigs, but this is the first year Hadfield will tour, which he says is bittersweet. Although touring is exciting, there are disadvantages for any traveler.

“When you’re starting out like me you run

d Tweets e r u Feat of the week

- President Barack Obama from Funny or Die’s “Between Two Ferns”

A compilation of Tweets that made us laugh, cry or scratch our heads.

This week’s topic: #Frozen

PUZZLES Want to sponsor Sudoku Puzzles?

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

into new responsibilities every day,” he said.

“You have to act as your own manager, booking agent, accountant and publicist. And after all of that you write and play. It’s really just a constant grind but to me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Getting to travel and meet new people every night is very appealing to me.”

Hadfield also works fulltime to save money for his travels so he can continue to meet new people and book more gigs. He said he looks forward to visiting Murray not only to meet new people, but to reunite with old friends as well.

“I can’t wait to visit Murray,” he said. “Since Paducah is so close a lot of my friends and family have moved to Murray to go to school.

So it’s kind of going to be a little reunion of seeing old faces. I’m expecting a wild good time that evening.”

“Shrek 2”

“Spider-Man 2”

3

“Meet the Fockers” “The Incredibles”

5

2

4

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

JAZZ From Page 5B “The reason we gel so well as a group is because we have a mix of majors and different levels of experience,” Burge said.

“That chemistry lets us add our own spin on the music.”

Other students say Hill’s unique teaching style has an impact on their success. Hill gives the players instruction but also gives them freedom to have their own opinion and develop their unique voices, said

Zenon Garcia, junior from Elizabethtown, Ky. “The capabilities of our band to listen to each other are pretty outstanding,” Garcia said. “And as we listen we’re able to blend better and have a more effective sound.”

The jazz department at Murray State has more to offer its students and its community in the future. Hill is pushing them onward and upward to receive more widespread recognition.

Said Hill: “Everyone with amazing talents all magically wound up here at Murray State and they’re here to become legends.”

Alyssa Campanella

Jen Carfagno

@AlyssCapanella Thanks a lot, #Frozen. Now I feel like putting on my most flowy maxi dress and spinning around my apartment OBNOXIOUSLY happy.

11:08 p.m. 23 March 14

@JenCarfagno It is so ironic that I'm watching #Frozen with my kids while late March #Atlanta area flurries are falling. #EternalWinter 5:28 p.m. 25 March 14

Torrance Coombs

Tom Koehler

@torrancecoombs Sven makes me irrationally happy. #Frozen 9:37 p.m. 23 March 14

@TKREFRESH22 @smashbomb07 just made me watch #Frozen and all i can say is. "The Cold Never Bothered Me anyway" 6:02 p.m. 19 March 14

SOLUTIONS AT THENEWS.ORG

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ters who works at the CFSB Center, posted on our sorority’s (Facebook) wall to come to the show tonight,” said Sarah Mattison, freshman from Bowling Green, Ky. Mattison attended the show with two of her Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sisters, Katherine Dawson, freshman from Henderson, Ky., and Holli Gromelski, junior from Mattoon, Ill. The sorority sisters also met with Tyson and her band after the show where they got their tickets autographed

by Tyson.

Tyson’s next performance will be in Nashville, Tenn., where the band will continue working toward a tour this summer.

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Interested in performing or helping out in ROC’s fall student production?

Call the Women’s Center at 270.809.3140 or email msu.womenscenter@murraystate.edu

Visit our website at www.murraystate.edu/womenscenter

The News

Features

March 28, 2014

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’?

TODAY • All day Block and Bridle Steer and Heifer Show, William "Bill" Cherry Agricultural Exposition Center

SATURDAY • All day

S U N D A Y

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

• 7:30 p.m.

M Homocon: A Gay Conservative's View from Trenches of the O Culture Wars,theCurris N Barkley Room Center, D A Y

• 2:30 p.m.

"Charlotte's Web," Playhouse in the Park

• 7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents "Oslo, August 31st," Curris Center Theater

Block and Bridle Steer and Heifer Show, Expo Center • 7 p.m.

"Charlotte's Web," Playhouse in the Park • 7 p.m.

Beasley Scholarship Banquet, Curris Center

TUESDAY • 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY • 2:30 p.m.

THURSDAY • 7:30 p.m.

"Don't be a fool... sign up for grad school!" Carr Health Building Lawn

Creature Feature: Bobcat Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes

Cinema International presents "Best of the 2013 River's Edge Film Festival," Curris Center Theater • 7:30 p.m.

MSU Reading Series: Alan Shapiro, Clara M. Eagle Gallery

• 2:30 p.m.

Creature Feature: Red Wolves Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes

7B

Don’t Miss: Today: 7:45 p.m.

VS.

Movie Review

Photo courtesy of divergentfans.com

Shailene Woodley stars in the movie adaptation of the book “Divergent” which was released in theaters March 21.

Newcomer Shailene Woodley rises in ‘Divergent’ John Gruccio || Contributing writer jgruccio@murraystate.edu

In a time where young adult novels are starting to reign supreme at the cinemas, we are given one more book series to become ensnared in. With an intriguing cast, remarkable dedication to source material and wonderful action, “Divergent” succeeds as another novel adapted to film.

Based on the novel by Veronica Roth, the film follows Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior, a young woman on the verge of a huge personal decision.

She, along with many others, will have to choose her place in this world. In this future society, people are divided into five factions: Abne-

gation (selfless), Amity (kind), Candor (honest), Erudite (intelligent) and Dauntless (brave). When tested, Tris learns that she is Divergent, a rare type that fits into all categories; this however, makes her a threat to the current system.

In order to survive, Tris chooses Dauntless. Now, besides being away from her family, Tris must deal with an overwhelming fear that if she is found, she will be killed. While in training, she soon learns of a sinister plot that is brewing between factions in this perfect society.

Leading this impressive cast is newcomer Shailene Woodley (TV’s “The Secret Life on the American Teenager”). She brings her all in her

first action and leading role. Playing off an intense plot, Woodley adds vulnerability to the role. With two more novels, “Insurgent” and “Allegiant,” up for adaptation in 2015 and 2016, I’m sure Woodley will truly impress us in these films to come. Jennifer Lawrence, you may need to watch your back.

The film also stars Theo James (Underworld: Awakening) as Four, Tris’ instructor and love interest, Ashley Judd and Tony Goldwyn as Tris’ parents, Miles Teller as Peter, Tris’ enemy, and Academy Award Winner Kate Winslet as Jeanine Matthews, the leader of the Erudite faction.

Behind the visual beauty of the fictional world and impressive casting is

director Neil Burger. Burger did his homework on this film, which explores a dystopian Chicago. From a wonderfully adapted screenplay to the awesome score, Burger commands this film and graces us with exceptional adaptation.

As far as negatives go, I will say that this film was too long. The runtime is clocked at two hours and 20 minutes.

It also suffers from an unbelievable romance between Tris and Four. I’m sure their characters will grow in the next film, but throughout the film, their scenes together seem awkward and a bit rushed.

With a talented cast, intense action and a great overall story, I am giving “Divergent” four out of five stars.

Advice you didn’t ask for

F is for friends As I was packing the car, I looked at the items I felt were necessary for the journey I was about to begin. I placed checkmarks by each thing: Hunter backpack, Harrell school supplies, books, movies, Features Editor photos, extralong twin size sheets, bed risers, my entire wardrobe and plenty of quarters for laundry.

As I left for college, my parents gave me a few sound words of wisdom to ease the anxiety. “You will meet some of the best friends for life during your college years,” they said.

I didn’t believe them. I brushed off their words thinking they knew nothing about college, considering they never experienced a university setting. It kills me to this day, but I am getting better at admitting my parents are always right.

The worst part is, this epiphany hit me while on Spring Break. I spent a lot of time with different groups of friends from my high school days. It was absolutely wonderful catching up with them, but I couldn’t help but miss Murray and the friends I have made here.

I have honestly made some of the best friends I couldn’t imagine life without now.

It’s funny to me how I came kicking and screaming to Murray as a freshman, hating that my random roommate, Breanna Sill, was the polar opposite of me. I even declined her friend request on Facebook. We didn’t listen to the same kind of music, dress similarly or even like the same kind of movies.

Now we are nearly inseparable.

Though Breanna has earned her place in my life forever, the quality friendships don’t stop there. The great thing about college is you get to know people because you have similar interests instead of where you “fit in.”

It is mind-blowing how friendships pan out in college, but I can tell you they are sincere.

This week isn’t as much life-advice, as it is a shout-out to those friends in my life who get me through the day.

It is a running joke that there are three things everyone wants in college – good grades, a social life and sleep. The trick is you can only pick two.

Though I am pretty good at time management, I will continue to sacrifice a few hours sleep for the sake of the memories made.

So, here it is in writing, Mom. You were right. Friendships made in college are friendships for life. hharrell@murraystate.edu

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The News March 28, 2014