May 2, 2014
Vol. 88, No. 31
TheNews.org
15%
83%
of you said the week before finals wasn’t overwhelming and it didn’t bother you.
of you said you felt overwhelmed the week before finals.
Photo illustration by Lexy Gross and Fumi Nakamura/The News
Rebecca Walter || News Editor rwalter@murraystate.edu
Copious amounts of caffeine, neverending assignments, sleepless nights and endless amounts of stress have notoriously been associated with the week before finals, also known by Murray State students as “dead week.” For Kari Street, senior from Paducah, Ky., the week before finals has been anything but “dead.” “This week I have had two huge papers and three projects due,” Street said. “By the end of this week I will be feeling pretty ‘dead.’”
She said she will only have one final during finals week due to exams being given during dead week. Even with the week of May 5-9 being officially set aside for the purpose of giving final examinations, some Murray State professors administered final examinations the week before. According to a letter sent to deans, department chairs, faculty and the Student Government Association from Jay Morgan, vice president of Academic Affairs, “Final examinations shall be given only during (the May 5-9) period.” Exceptions to this request are courses meeting at special sites that are on differ-
Tuition cap set to 8 percent over next two years
ent schedules, courses for which department chairs have approved an early examination for extraordinary reasons and make-up tests. Belmont University, which has nearly 7,000 students and, like Murray State, is located in the Ohio Valley region, has a specific day during the week before finals called “dead day” where classes do not meet for students to have time to study for finals. Samantha Harms, sophomore at Belmont, said she feels time to prepare for finals is essential to doing well. “I think that Belmont gives (students) adequate time to prepare; they let (stu-
Staff Report Tuition at Kentucky universities could increase as much as 5 percent this year and 8 percent over the next two. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education met Tuesday in the Curris Center to discuss this new biennial tuition plan, among other issues on Kentucky campuses. The CPE also decided to include “gender identity” and “gender presentation” in the definition of diversity in Kentucky higher education. Issues at Mid-Continent University and Georgetown University were discussed at
dents) know in advance what will be due and if (students) work ahead, finals week is a breeze,” Harms said. She said having a day set aside to study is beneficial for students. “Dead day lets students catch up on school work and lets them work ahead or allows (students) to rest before buckling down and finishing school,” Harms said. Renae Duncan, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, said giving assignments before finals can be beneficial instead of detrimental to students in preparing for final examinations.
length, along with possible remedies for these financial crises. The most anticipated decision, however, was the first vote the CPE made. Instead of setting a cap on the percentage Kentucky universities could increase their tuition for the 2014-15 academic year, the board instead proposed a two-year plan. Although it passed an 8 percent total and 5 percent cap in the first year, the cap can be re-evaluated next year if state funding is cut again to universities. Jay Morgan, vice president for Academic Affairs, said he was pleased with the CPE’s vote. “We were very pleased with the pro-
see DEAD, 2A
posal that passed today and it will be up to our Board of Regents now to determine what the final percentage will be,” he said. The Board of Regents could decide to increase tuition by 5 percent or less this for the 2014-15 academic year. If it chooses to increase tuition by 5 percent in the fall, it can only increase tuition by 3 percent for 2015-16. Morgan said he does not think increasing tuition would effect enrollment at Murray State. “Our board is a pretty well-educated board and they understand the ramifica-
see CPE, 2A
WKU provost provokes University response Ben Manhanke || Staff writer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
Fumi Nakamura/The News
CHASE RICE: Rising country star Chase Rice performed on the stage at Lovett Auditorium Tuesday night. Check out our Q&A with Rice on page 5B.
Recent disparaging remarks from Western Kentucky University’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Gordon Emslie regarding Murray State, prompted response Friday from the University. Emslie is quoted in a Kentucky School Board Association press release concerning the impending closure of Mid-Continent University and where the displaced students are seeking to finish their degrees. Murray State, along with Western Kentucky and other regional colleges, is in the process of recruiting MidContinent’s approximately 2,000 students in the past weeks, the majority of whom were enrolled in classes online. “We want to make sure the students are afforded the right opportunity at the right place,” Emslie is quoted as saying. “Our online programs are much stronger than Murray State’s.” Jay Morgan, provost and vice pres-
ident of Academic Affairs, emailed Emslie on Friday requesting he apologize publicly to Murray State. Morgan acknowledged the “friendly-competition” between Murray State and Western Kentucky. However, he said he found Emslie’s public negative remarks to be uncharacteristic of another provost or chief academic officer. “To date, I have received a significant number of notes, emails and phone calls from various individuals expressing their opinion that your comments were out of line, unprofessional, and simply untrue,” he said in his email. “Summarily, I admit that I fully agree on their opinions.” Shortly after Emslie’s comment was published, Western Kentucky President Gary Ransdell was in contact with President Tim Miller and Emslie responded to Morgan’s email. Emslie said at no time did he make the comment attributed to him in the KSBA press release and that this misquote was drawn from an inaccurate report that appeared in an article by
WHAT’S
DERBY DAYS
OUR VIEW
INSIDE
Sigma Chi hosts philanthropy week for cancer foundation, 7A
Dead week should actually exist Reminisce Spring 2014’s at Murray State, 4A greatest athletic feats, 1B
SPORTS RECAP
The Bowling Green Daily News. “I apologize for any concerns that the inaccurate reporting of my statements may have caused,” Emslie said in his email. “As you know, I Morgan have enormous respect for the academic programs, faculty, staff and students at Murray State, and I trust that we can put this unfortunate episode behind us and move forward in our usual collegial manner.” Emslie attached a link to the Western Kentucky board of regents’ podcast for April 18 to his email where, in reference to Murray State’s support of Mid-Continent, he said he applauds the University’s support. He said “we believe, with (Western Kentucky’s) strength in online programming, we
see APOLOGY, 2A
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Students look to service learning, internships for education, 5B
News
2A
CPE From Page 1 tions of setting tuition at a proper place that’s best for the University,” Morgan said. “I think all of them have the institution in mind when they cast their vote.” If tuition increases by 5 percent during the 2014-15 academic year, each credit hour for Kentucky residents would increase from $293.50 to $308.18 per hour. The maximum (12 credit hours a semester) undergraduate tuition amount would increase from $3,522 to approximately $3,698.10. Tuition for regional and out-of-
APOLOGY From Page 1 will have a large share of (Mid-Continent’s) market.” The Western Kentucky provost was on campus Monday in order to attend the Council on Post-Secondary Education’s meeting at which the tuition cap for Kentucky universities for the next academic year was determined. Morgan said during this time he did get a chance
The News
state students would increase as well. President Tim Miller said there will be another open budget forum for the University community to attend before the final budget is submitted to the board. “I hate to raise tuition for students, but we have no other choice in balancing our budgets,” Miller said in an email. “State appropriations have been reduced by over $9 million for Murray State since 2008. “Students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and friends must let the state know that prior budget cuts should be restored to higher education in order to maintain the quality of the educational experience that students expect.”
to speak with Emslie in person. “I just communicated to him that I was pushing back a little bit because that type of comment caught us off guard,” Morgan said. “And really what I relayed to him was that we have great academic programs here at Murray State and I’m going to defend them if anybody starts picking on them.” Morgan said he believes both he and Emslie have said their piece on the matter and that the collegial relation between the schools is still a strong one and has not been affected.
May 2, 2014
DEAD From Page 1 “Assignments would be helping students process the information at a deeper level and would be preparing students for the final instead of getting in the way of the exam,” Duncan said. However, she said she does understand assignments can be time-consuming and an irritation for students. Alex Donovan, junior from Columbia, Ill., said although he has not personally had any finals during dead week, he can see the stress it can cause to students. “I think that it is silly to have big assignments due right before the final,” he said. “I can understand a little bit this year because of the snow days that we had earlier in the semester, but professors should still try and stick to the syllabus and allow enough time to prepare for the final.” In the letter from Morgan it said, “Excessive scheduling of tests during the last week of regularly scheduled classes, coupled with the upcoming final examinations, may place students at a serious disadvantage.” According to an article by the Washington Post about tips for preparing for finals, working out, eating right and getting enough sleep can make a big difference in success.
Megan Godby/The News
Libby Menz, freshman from Sikeston, Mo., studies in Waterfield Library. Some of the less obvious tips included working in study groups, setting a schedule to prioritize time and double-checking all exam times. Duncan said her advice to students is to spend a little time each day studying for each class, teaching the material to someone else and work-
ing in groups. Preparing for finals, along with the large amount of assignments due the week before, is stressful for students, Street said. Said Street: “This is my fourth year at Murray State, so I am getting used to (there not being a dead week).”
Funding secured for 16th Street underpass project Staff Report
Lori Allen/The News
Students cross 16th Street to get to class.
Due to the signing of House Joint Resolution 62 Friday, along with recent passing of Kentucky House Bill 237, Murray State has secured the funding for and is now one step closer to completing an extensive overhaul and renovation of 16th Street. House Bill 237 and House Joint Resolution 62 comprise Kentucky’s six-year road plan which will award more than $5.2 billion to road projects across the Commonwealth. From House Bill 237, $9.3 million has been awarded to Calloway County for the purpose of constructing an elevated roadway/pedestrian underpass combination on 16th Street, which would allow students to cross the busy street more safely.
The University, along with the city and the Department of Highway Safety, began to investigate ways to improve safety last fall and collected data on how many students cross and how many cars use the stretch of road which passes through campus. According to the study recently completed by Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc., more than 11,000 vehicles use this strip of road a day, and there are approximately 6,000 crossings made by pedestrians. Shortly after this data was collected, the University hired Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc. to formulate several plans for a re-envisioned 16th Street. Ultimately, Murray State selected the overpass/underpass combina-
tion from a list of three plans based on its impact on existing and planned development, its impact on mobility, the environment and safety, as well as how easy the plan would be to implement. Of the funds now allocated to the project, an initial $800,000 will be awarded at the beginning of fiscal year 2015 which will be used in a lengthy design phase that will also include the selection of an engineer and several public hearings. The money from House Bill 237 will fund the initial years of the plan while House Joint Resolution 62 will cover any remaining deficit over the course of four years. Kim Oatman, director of Facilities Management, was not available for comment on how long the project will take, its estimated total cost or when construction may begin.
The News
News
May 2, 2014
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News Editor: Rebecca Walter Assistant Editor: Mary Bradley Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
Bikers vs. pedestrians
Police Beat
Students dodge collisions due to small pathways, lack of bike lanes
April 25 12:08 a.m. A caller reported a noise complaint in the 1100 block of College Courts. Officers were notified and an information report was taken. 1 1:55 p.m Murray Police Department reported a dead animal in the road near Sparks Hall. Central Cooling and Heating Plant was notified.
April 26 12:56 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at 5-Points. A written warning was issued for speeding 10 mph over the limit. 9: 4 3 p.m. Students stopped an officer near 15th and Olive streets because of a loose dog. Murray Police Department and Calloway County Sheriff were notified.
April 27 1 2:28 a.m. A caller requested a welfare check at Elizabeth Residential College. Officers and Murray Ambulance Service were notified. The patient refused transport. A report was taken. 8:30 p.m. A caller reported being stuck in an elevator in the Price Doyle Fine Arts building, but the caller was able to get off the elevator. Central Plant was notified.
April 28 1 2: 4 3 p. m . A caller reported a bicycle found at the Facilities Management Complex. Officers were notified and a information report was taken. 4 :57 p.m. An officer reported being rear-ended at 5-Points with no injuries. Murray Police Department was notified and a report was taken.
April 29 8:40 a.m. A caller from Waterfield Library reported threats being made via social media. Officers were notified and a report was taken. 8:08 p.m. A caller reported a theft of property from a vehicle. Officers were notified and a report was taken for theft by unlawful taking under $500.
April 30 1 1:04 p.m. A caller reported vandalism of a vehicle at Winslow Dining Hall. Officers were notified and a report was taken. 11:35 p.m. A caller reported an intoxicated person at Hart Residential College. Officers were notified a the patient was transported by Murray Ambulance Service.
Call of Fame April 28 - 7:07 p.m. Murray State’s main campus experienced an electrical power outage. Central Plant was notified. The cause of the outage was a disabled transformer.
Motorists assists – 4 Racer escorts – 7 Arrests – 0
Mary Bradley, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Amanda Grau || Staff writer agrau@murraystate.edu
The dynamic between on-campus bikers and pedestrians is a daily struggle for many students on their walk, or ride, to class. The lack of bike lanes and communication between bikers and walkers leave pedestrians hoping not to end up colliding with a biker on their way across campus. Patrick McCluskey, junior from Chicago, said he usually rides his bike for exercise and stress relief. The times he has brought his bike on campus for the commute between classes, he has dealt with weaving through pedestrians. “It’s sometimes a little difficult to get around the people that are in close groups,” McCluskey said. “There’s really no good path to ride from say, the residential area to the chemistry building.” Students who are not used to bikers also tend to be unaware of the jargon bikers use to let each other know when someone is coming up behind them. For bikers, this makes a quick decision to turn in order to miss a pedestrian difficult. Bikers cannot predict the future, said John Shehan, junior from Louisville, Ky. “People freak out when there’s a bike,” Shehan said. “When they try to get out of the way when there’s a biker, that’s when wrecks can happen because bikers can’t predict where the person’s going.” Shehan said he has never personally hit someone, but he has had a serious wreck on campus involving pedestrians. Shehan biked around a corner too quickly to see a group of students standing just feet from the building blocking his view. He had to bail off
of his bike to avoid hitting the group of students. The wreck left Shehan with a number of scars and a more cautious attitude toward his biking speed, he said. Several non-biking students said they agree that bikers move too quickly without riding in a specific area. Seth Dias, freshman from Indianapolis, said people become careless in their rush to get to class. Dias said he has noticed this is especially true on more constricted paths like the bridge or the sidewalk between Price Doyle Fine Arts Complex and Blackburn Science Building, and said it gets dangerous when bikers whiz by. “Some people are late to class and start blowing by, and with the crowds, sometimes it’s even hard to walk through,” Dias said. “I’m surprised there aren’t more wrecks, actually.” Shehan and Allison Jones, sophomore from Nashville, Tenn., said they would support the construction of a bike lane in order to keep pedestrians out of bikers’ and harm’s way. As a child, Jones lived in Murray and spent many summers biking around the campus, never worrying about hitting people. As an adult, she fears for her safety when biking the busy streets around the city to the point that she does not bring her bike on campus at all. Even without cars, Jones said she can see the danger presented to pedestrians and bikers on campus. “I feel like if they had their own area — their own lane, it would be okay,” Jones said. “You know, because people walk slowly and biking slow can be a pain.”
Haley Hayes/Contributing photographer
Bikers use the sidewalk and street to navigate around campus. Shehan, who bikes to class every day rain or shine, said he is in full support of the creation of a bike lane. He said he would even be willing to help pay for the lane’s creation.
“Heck yeah I’d use bike lanes,” Shehan said. “I think there definitely should be specific spot for bikers. I would even pay. I’d pay a tax or fee or something to have a bike lane put in.”
Long-serving Regent’s term ends June 30 Ben Manhanke || Staff writer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
After serving four terms on Murray State’s Board of Regents, having been appointed and reappointed to the position by three different Kentucky governors, Marilyn Buchanon will no longer be a Regent. Buchanon began her first term in 1992, and is one of the longest-standing members of the board in its history, and began serving before limits were placed on the number of terms a member may serve. She served 19 years on the board, a culmination of one one-year term and three six-year terms, with her final term coming to an end June 30 of this year. Buchanon said serving on the board for so long and getting to watch and contribute to Murray State transforming into the school it is today has been a wonderful experience. Being a University alumna, she said she has been glad for the opportunity to give back to the University which helped shape the person she is today. “I certainly plan to stay connected with Murray
Power outage leaves students in the dark
State in whatever way anybody deems necessary,” she said. “For now, I will continue to watch Murray State grow, watch the graduation and enrollment rates continue to climb and, of course, make sure to follow and support the Racers in all sports.” Buchanon said it had always been her desire to serve on the Board of Regents at some point in her life and that she has been fortunate in the amount of time she has had in this capacity. The biggest and one of the most important changes she has seen in Murray State during her time on the Board of Regents, she said, is the physical change the University has undergone Buchanon since her time here, courtesy of several building projects launched in the late 90s. Buchanon said the most important thing to the board’s success is it being on the same page as the president and working toward the same goals. “My favorite years were when it was that way and when no one had a private agenda,” she said.
“When all anybody cared about is the betterment of Murray State.” The job of the Board of Regents is to hire and also to be supportive of the president as long as they act in the best interest of the University. Buchanon said she is confident she is leaving the future of Murray State in competent hands. Renee Fister, Faculty Regent, said Buchanon’s experience serving on several boards provided insights into a variety of issues. “I have only had the opportunity to serve with Mrs. Buchanon on the board for one year,” Fister said. “Within that year, she has reached out to welcome me to the board, has been forthright in her opinions and has been a wealth of knowledge, especially in regards to buildings and grounds.” Gov. Steve Beshear will be in charge of appointing a new Board of Regents member, a decision in which the current Regents have no say. Buchanon said she hopes the person who is appointed is not only someone who has attended Murray State and who has a history of giving to the University, but one who has a deep love for this institution.
Staff Report
son Hall, simply because of the age of the building and the elevator, making it more difficult to open than updated elevators. Hicks was not the only person stuck in an elevator. One person was stuck in Faculty Hall and another in the Business Building. Some buildings, including many of the residential colleges, have generators that powered them, which prevented students from being left in the dark. Many students, however, resorted to visiting Winslow Dining Hall while the issue was addressed, because it was running on a generator. The power outage was resolved in approximately an hour and a half.
At approximately 7 p.m. Monday, Murray State’s main campus experienced a power outage due to a blown transformer. Both the academic side and residential side of campus lost power, leaving students in the dark and some even stuck in elevators. One student, Adam Hicks, waited for nearly an hour as Murray State Police, Murray Fire Department and Central Heating and Cooling Plant opened the elevator door on the third floor of Wilson Hall. Officers had difficulties with the elevator in Wil-
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Opinion Editor: Carly Besser Phone: 270-809-5873
Our View
Dead week expectations becoming irrational The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.
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The meaning of “dead week” is different for each university, but changes made at Murray State during the week before finals have students experiencing whole new levels of stress. There are multiple reasons why it feels like Murray State is working against us during a time when we need all the help we can get. While some universities cancel classes the week before finals, Murray State follows regular class times along with giving regular homework assignments, stacks of papers due at one time and provides a severe lack of resources for students to be successful. Fortunately, Waterfield Library offered 24hour services to students during dead week from Monday through Thursday. The hours were cut last semester and were brought back this spring so students can cram. If faculty justify making multiple papers, projects and assignments due at one time while also expecting us to be prepared for final exams, we need all the study venues possible. Since the University could not refrain from dumping a massive workload on students,
cutting the library hours seemed unfair and impractical, so students urged Murray State to reconsider the decision. Some college students also have additional responsibilities of working jobs, paying bills and supporting families. Graduating students have the added stress of preparing for careers, moving out of Murray housing and preparing for another chapter beyond college. The unreasonable amount of work dumped on students comes in conflict with balancing other parts of their lives and makes it difficult to fulfill other priorities. It is an ongoing joke that dead week makes students resort to a zombie-like state. The campus is eerily silent, and students skip sleeping and eating to get in extra study time. Some turn to ADHD medication to perform better, which is another problem in itself. Is this the impression that Murray State wants to give to future students? People don’t want to attend a school that doesn’t allow them to lead normal, productive lives because of the stress the week before finals brings. This is a time when faculty need to be more understanding of the demands placed
on students. They should realize that the majority of the students are considered full-time students, who also have to worry about at least three other classes. Teachers notice the dropping attendance numbers during dead week and don’t understand why students are not showing up. We are in a position where we have no choice but to prioritize some obligations over others instead of taking everything on at once. Missing a class means more time to study for a test. We are not looking for a reprieve, but we are looking for professors to work with us and accept that we cannot perform at our best under the circumstances Murray State has given us. We were warned that college wasn’t a cakewalk, and we didn’t expect it to be, but the expectations placed on us are some that even the best students find difficult to fulfill. Murray State places high importance on students being successful and prepared to excel both in the classroom and outside of it. For students to perform well in their classes, especially during finals week, the University needs to meet us halfway.
Captain’s Log
Garrison: It’s time to carpe diem Alice Cooper couldn’t have said it better; “School’s out for summer.” Whether or not you have something big and important planned for this summer, or you plan to just coast by and lay by the pool, you’re more than likely excited to be done with finals. You worked hard this semester. Zac Garrison Don’t worry, you deJunior from serve it. Franklin, Ky. Here is the question that has plagued every one of us since we first discovered what Summer Break actually is. What on earth am I going to do with all this free time? When I think of it, I still get that giddy feeling I experienced when I was eight and realized that you actually could play Pokemon for ten hours straight. College students are constantly stressed about classes, grades and most of us have part-time or full-time jobs to stretch ourselves even thinner. Summer break is looked forward to like the light at the end of the tunnel and it can never come quick enough. Summer Break is kind of bittersweet, though. All your best friends head back to their respective hometowns, are spread apart throughout the states (or world) and the only real communication you get with them is the occasional Skype conversation or the standard “I miss you” text message. Not only that, we all go home and have to see all the kids we went to high school with, and more likely than not, that is not a pleasant experience. The real question is: how are you going to utilize your time during these few sacred
months? These months of no school, if utilized effectively, can put you ahead of the curb of your peers and help strengthen your career once you get out of college. Of course there is always time to sit around and simply vegetate, but try to make something of this time where your daily commitments are at an all-time low. Most of us groan at the idea of a summer job, but there are quite a few positive aspects of working your way through summer. First off, the extra money never hurts. Since most of us are living back home with our parents who house and feed us, we make a solid chunk of cash with minimal expenses. A lot of this excess income can be thrown into a savings account to help counteract the fate of being a broke college kid day in and day out. Working a job over summer also helps make sure you don’t create a trend of lethargic behavior for yourself. It’s so easy to fall into a spiraling cycle of sleeping late, Netflix marathons and 3 a.m. McDonald’s runs, but how are these going to benefit you in the future? I’m not saying never do any of that. Those three things are vital pillars of life, but only in moderation. We are all at a critical point in our lives where we need to begin to tackle the responsibilities of being an adult, yet retain our spirit of youth. It’s a challenging balance to achieve. Try to find a job in your major. This way, during summer, you are getting real work experience in your future area of work while beefing up your resume. So many college kids get stuck in the “experience-required” catch 22 upon graduation. Every employer says that the position requires previous experience in the field, but how can you get any experience when all the jobs require previous experience? It’s a devastating complex that makes most college grads feel like they’re walking down death row instead of walking up the stairs to
get their diploma. Look for internships – these opportunities take your resume from zero to hero. They are mostly at larger companies and can be pretty specific to a major or area. They are great ways to get experience in the field you are looking to enter, and real world training in your future environment can really shed light on whether or not you are on the right career path. Most people go their whole college career with a major that has an interesting curriculum, but honestly, they have no idea how the field is after college and are not prepared for the real world. For instance, accounting majors slave over the challenging courses and classroom demands only to realize that they hate being an accountant their first day on the job. This happens more than most people realize with careers that involve entirely new experiences every single day (i.e. engineering, accounting, etc.) The reasoning is that college gives us the tools and teaches us how to use them, but being able to apply them to every situation is difficult for some people who are overwhelmed and feel like they aren’t trained for certain experiences. Like I said, you worked hard. You did what was required (and then some), studied hard, took the tests and made it through another semester of higher education – good for you. Now, are you going to use all that hard work you did as an excuse to be lazy? You wanted free time all year and now you have it. Are you going to let Netflix automatically play the next episode for the 18th time, or are you going to make something of your summer? In a world where it’s so easy to blend in and take the easy road, people are attracted to individuals who stand out. So jump on your desk and quote Walt Whitman. Rip pages out of a book. Do something with the time you have. It’s up to you to truly seize the day.
The News
Opinion
May 2, 2014
5A Did she really say that?
Letters to the Editor On Friday, a tape was released, which allegedly features Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling telling his girlfriend he doesn’t want her to bring black people to Clippers games or “broadcast her associations”with black people on Instagram. Sterling’s shocking history of racism is well documented. In response, the nation’s largest online civil rights group, ColorOfChange.org, launched a petition calling on corporate sponsors to drop the Clippers and its overtly racist owner. “Donald Sterling has expressed incredibly disturbing and racist remarks, and he should not be allowed to continue profiting from the achievements of some of the world’s most exceptional black athletes.” Rashad Robinson, executive director of ColorOfChange.org, said, “Major corporations that rely on business from black folks shouldn’t be lining the pockets of an NBA owner who doesn’t want us at the games. Stripping the Clippers of their corporate sponsorships is an important first step toward removing Sterling as their owner.” “The NBA is a league with a distinctly black identity. Someone
Tattoos: Kiss your career goodbye
with such vile views towards black people and a wretched past of racial discrimination should not be allowed to profit in a professional league in which more than 75 percent of players are black.” “ColorOfChange.org has never taken money from big corporations that don’t share our values and as a result we have a history of working to hold corporations and their leaders accountable since their resources don’t fuel our model for progress.”
Kayla Keller Senior director of media relations, Fitzgibbon Media. We want to hear your opinion! Write us a letter and send it to letters@thenews.org.
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You voted; we listened We asked readers if the workload given during dead week was too much. This is what you had to say.
83% It’s too much I don’t feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t bother me.
3%
EMAIL US!
14%
I don’t know or don’t care.
I’ve Got a Story for You
Valentine: Summer can be life-changing It’s summer time. Summer, for most of us, means an end to school for a brief respite. It does not, however, mean an end to learning. It’s not even a break in the road. Whether you’re off to a high-powered internship in New York or a summer of part-time work (for which you have not yet begun to look), you’ll be learning Robert Valentine new things. Senior lecturer of In fact, it may be the most important time for advertising learning. What you do and what you learn is entirely up to you. In the summer of 1950, a tall kid named Bill Spivey spent eight hours a day working on his hook shot. “He would shoot 50 hooks with his right hand, and then shoot 50 hooks with the left,” said the old man who was his landlord that summer. “When he started, he couldn’t hit the garage with his left hand, but by the end of the summer he could hit every time with either hand.” Spivey grew to 7 feet tall, played on an NCAA finals team and was named Athlete of the Year. For him, it was a good summer. I know a guy who, when he left for college, was told by his uncle, “I guess you’ll have to read ‘Moby Dick.’ That’s what they do at college. If you finish it, you’ll be the first one in the family to do it.”
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
During his freshman year no one asked him to read Melville’s long, heavy classic. So, in between waiting tables at a state park, he read it on his own. He finished it before the Fourth of July and, in his words, “It changed the way I look at literature.” When I was between fifth and sixth grade (this was during the Jurassic Era). I apparently whined to my mother that there was nothing to do. She decided I could learn to type. Not “keyboard,”mind you, but “type.”
You never know what a new summer can bring, but this much is sure: whatever comes will be filling a space that is wide open and filled with potential. - Robert Valentine, senior lecturer of advertising Typing, in those days, was done on heavy black machines that required about 750 pounds of force to depress the “a” key. My favorite key was the space bar, because I rarely screwed up with that one, and it was struck with the thumb – my most agile digit, as it turned out. My friends thought I was a sissy (which had about the same meaning then that it does today) or weird (which means nothing in today’s parlance), but typing is the spinach of academia. I’m
pretty sure that the ability to type raised my high school grades by a full letter and added at least one full point to my college GPA. For me, it was a good summer. So, there it is: the summer stretches out before you like an empty blackboard. It waits for you to write on it, draw on it or lean against it. You can read something you’ve never read before or, if you like, watch a different film every day. You can learn to ride a bike, to skate, to surf or (and this is a tough one) to enter and exit a hammock with grace and confidence. This might be the summer you learn to drive a truck, a fork lift or a bargain. It might be the year you eat your first asparagus, escargot, crawfish, or take your first overnight hike, cross-country drive or transcontinental flight. Chances are that you will make new friends this summer, and that some of them will be with you for life. You’ll never know until your life has moved along for a decade or so, but you might want to bear in mind the possibility that the kid in the next bunk or the girl who takes over for you on the afternoon shift could end up coming to your wedding or being godparent to your firstborn. You never know what a new summer can bring, but this much is sure: whatever comes will be filling a space that is wide open and filled with potential. This is when we can make mistakes (which are valuable learning tools) or go beyond the bounds of what we thought we knew or believed we could accomplish. Go for it; we’ll all be here when whoever you become returns in August.
Cheers to ... The end of the semester. Dead week has us feeling exhausted and beaten to a pulp. Let’s hope all your studying manifested itself in a positive way and your final grades show it. Take the time to sleep in this weekend. Good luck. We believe in you!
Jeers to ... Donald Sterling The former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was banned from the NBA and fined $2.5 million after making racist comments to a “female acquaintance. Professional organizations have no room for racism.
Jeers to ... Dead week not being dead. The only thing dead about dead week is the way we feel once it’s over. Professors: we are humans, not zombies. Most of us haven’t had a decent night’s sleep this week.
Cheers to ... The last paper of the year. Since August, the editors, writers and other members of our staff tirelessly designed the paper that you’re reading. If you know one of us, give us a shoulder to cry on. We need it.
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I recently lost a friend who was important to me. It was unexpected, abrupt and it left me at a loss for words. I had no idea how to express my grief in a Carly Besser way that she would have Opinion Editor liked until I reflected on who she was. Kelly loved tattoos. She was covered in them, and we had discussions about getting tattoos for each other multiple times. Getting a tattoo seemed to be the only appropriate way to commemorate Kelly, but I felt uneasy just thinking about it. I wasn’t deterred by the pain or how much it would cost. Those things didn’t matter. I was the most concerned about how it would negatively affect my future career. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder in 2011 showed that 31 percent of employers ranked “having a visible tattoo” as a reason for denying an employee a promotion. As much as my mom doesn’t think that I though about the repercussions, the surveys and articles about corporate attitudes on tattoos were things that I considered. Though I was divided on the issue, I ended up getting a tattoo to memorialize Kelly’s death in a place that I could easily hide. While I’m happy I went through with getting tattooed, it made me think about the negative stigma of tattooed and pierced people in the workplace. I am now in that notorious club. Tattoos and piercings aren’t as frowned upon in more creative career fields like art and graphic design, but corporate attitudes on body art is an increasing topic of discussion and debate. It is a shame that someone would be turned down for a job, despite his or her talent in that field, because he or she has ink. According to Forbes.com, corporations with established policies on visible tattoos are uncommon, but the decision to turn away a tattooed applicant is still a practice. Established tattoo policies vary from corporation to corporation. The most common reason stated for banning tattoos in the workplace is that if they are visible or offensive in nature, they can distract coworkers and negatively impact professionalism. While I will argue that tattoo acceptance should be more common in the workplace, I will not argue in the name of every tattoo. I don’t feel that someone with a swastika on their forehead (sorry, Charlie) should be promoted to a CEO position, or even hired in a place that requires professional employees. With that being said, however, people with tattoos of that nature don’t typically look for professional jobs in the first place. Some people who tattoo an expletive on their knuckles will probably not be eager to look for a nine-to-five job in a cubicle filing paperwork. I’m a strong advocate of the idea that a tattoo can be a socially acceptable form of self-expression, and some would be considered beautiful works of art. It’s strange to think that earrings are perfectly acceptable in the workplace but other body modifications are strictly forbidden. Just like people, all tattoos are different. To condemn them all as unprofessional and grounds for corporate rejection is something that needs to change. cbesser@murraystate.edu
Final feelings By Katie Wilborn
The News
News
6A
May 2, 2014
Rising retention due to University effort Mary Bradley || Assistant News Editor mbradley9@murraystate.edu
Retention rates at Murray State have been increasing since 2012 and an even higher number for the 2013-14 school year may be in store. Rates are up from 70 percent to 72.6 percent, and the retention rate for 201314 will be reported after the close of the academic year. These numbers are based off how many students stay enrolled from their first fall semester to their second fall semester, and the office of retention has been working on improving numbers by promoting the MAP-Works survey. After Jamie Mantooth became the director of the office of retention in April 2012, MAP-Works was developed as an online retention platform designed to help identify at-risk undergraduate students early. By taking the survey, Mantooth can identify what problems students have in and out of the classroom. “We’re looking to see if there is an out of the classroom factor that is affecting inside the classroom behavior, because most of the time it is not really an academic issue,” Mantooth said. “If there’s a roadblock that has come up, then how can we address that and what is going on?” He said the biggest issue students have is homesickness, followed by financial issues and difficulties transitioning from high school to college. Student involvement on campus can help make the adjustment to college easier by distracting students from homesickness they may experience. Mantooth said he believes involvement is also important in helping stu-
dents return to campus, and involvement ranges between multiple facets of campus life. “Involvement is anything from being in a fraternity, running for an Student Government Association office, being on your RCC board or attending a basketball game,” he said. “Those are all forms of campus involvement.” While Mantooth said people can automatically default involvement to Greek Life or SGA, even eating at Winslow Dining Hall is being involved. Catherine Hunt, sophomore from Cincinnati, said her involvement has kept her on campus and is a factor in her decision to not transfer from Murray State. “I’ve been very involved in Elizabeth Residential College and I’ve formed a family of sorts here,” Hunt said. “I have thought about transferring maybe a little right after I moved in freshman year but once I started getting involved and getting to know people, I have been fine.” She said she believes getting involved is a key part of students getting to know each other and making friends. “For the most part, there is ample opportunity for involvement on campus,” Hunt said. “You just have to know who to ask to find out if there’s a club.” Administration and student say the University can also make a few changes to help improve retention rates, despite the recent progress in increasing numbers. When President Tim Miller first joined Murray State’s community for his undergraduate degree, he said retention rates were not the best. However, since he’s returned, he believes focus has been shifted back to keeping students on campus when they arrive
and changes can always be made in keeping them. “We need better advising and that always helps,” Miller said. However, Miller also said students should become more aware of their programs and what they want to do during their time at college. While students can speak to Mantooth and other University staff and faculty available to help with out-of-classroom problems, professors can also notify the retention office through referrals if a student has shown consistent problems in class. “If faculty members notice a pattern of behavior in students that might be a point of concern, they can log into MAP-Works, send us an electronic form and then we reach out to the student to find out what we can do to help,” Mantooth said. “The whole point is to address a small issue before it becomes a big issue.” He said the top two reasons the retention office gets referrals is excessive absences and academic performance. From the beginning of MAP-Works, the retention office has received about 1,500 referrals. They are now receiving about 1,200 referrals, but official numbers will not be reported until the end of the school year. The professor referrals are designed to help extend retention efforts as far as possible and allow for professors to get students the help they need if they are struggling. Mantooth said: “All those (referrals) are instructors and staff members that are concerned about their students, which I think is a real hallmark for the University because the instructors are noticing their students.”
Possible smoking ban stirs debate Alex Mahrenholz Staff writer amahrenholz@murraystate.edu
A ban on cigarettes and other types of tobacco smoking on campus could be a possibility for Murray State. The Commonwealth of Kentucky bases its smoking legislation on local ordinances and each city or county has the choice of ordinances it places. D.J. Irvine, senior from Paducah, Ky., said he thinks a smoking ban on campus would be going too far. “I try my best to be polite to people around me,” Irvine said. “If someone is walking by me, I don’t take a puff and blow it out right in front of them.” Irvine said he respects that some people do not want to breathe smoke and tries to stay on the safe side by assuming no one wants to breathe it. He said for the most part, people who smoke on campus are respectful about it. “When you’re outside I think it’s a little bit ridiculous to impose a ban,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with smoking bans when it comes to indoors, but outdoors is ridiculous.” The Student Government Association and the Board of Regents is researching the issue to gain further information on whether or not to ban smoking. SGA President Michael Dobbs said there will be a significant amount of input from sources to confirm whether any type of smoking ban is necessary. “The final approval will have
Lori Allen/The News
A student smokes a cigarette outside of Faculty Hall. to come from the Board of Regents,” Dobbs said. “The SGA has a committee in place to represent the students and from what I understand the insurance and benefits committee for the University is also investigating the possibilities.” Dobbs said he was unsure as to how the topic was brought up in the first place, but he assumes it was a health issue as well as an appearance issue. Dobbs said he guesses that if a smoking ban is imposed on campus it will apply to either all of University property or at
least the main campus for the sake of being able to enforce the ban. Eric Baldwin, freshman from Cunningham, Ky., said he does not have a strong opinion toward an overall ban of smoking on campus, but he believes something should be done to regulate smoking on University property. “There have been multiple times when I walk out of a building on campus after class and I am flooded with a cloud of smoke from smokers who stand right outside the doors,”
SUMMER IS JUST
Baldwin said. “I don’t think all smokers abuse their habit, but the ones who do make it uncomfortable for people like me who don’t smoke and don’t like to breathe in secondhand smoke.” Baldwin said he tries to avoid secondhand smoke as much as he can, but sometimes there is no way to avoid it. He said he does not think he should be the one who has to go out of his way. “I think placing designated smoking areas away from places on campus that have high traffic would be a sufficient way to solve this problem,” he said. Stephanie Patterson, senior from St. Louis, Mo., said she does not think a campus-wide smoking ban would necessarily be a good thing. “Murray is clearly a city that supports smoking. I mean, the city is surrounded by tobacco farms,” Patterson said. “It is strange to come from St. Louis that does not allow smoking anywhere but bars, and the city of Murray allows it in a lot of places.” She said she understands and respects the different attitudes on smoking but that a complete ban on campus, rather than a ban on certain areas, would be ineffective. “I think putting a ban on smoking within a certain distance to entrances and exits of buildings would be a good idea though; that way people would be able to just sit outside a building without walking through a cloud of smoke.”
How other Kentucky universities’ retention rates compare:
81.5
University of Kentucky
73.8 Western Kentucky 73.1 University Eastern Kentucky 66.3 University Morehead State University
Retentions ra tes p rovid ed by Coll eg eMeas ures.org, b a s e d o n 2 0 1 1 nu m b e r s .
Spanish health workshop helps prepare students Amanda Grau Staff writer agrau@murraystate.edu
On April 23, students met in Mason Hall Auditorium to attend an interactive program on using Spanish in healthcare fields. Dylan Gerlach, senior from Louisville, Ky., is graduating with degrees in Spanish and biology and decided to resurrect the program, which stopped a few years ago. Gerlach said his inspiration for rebooting the Spanish program was a mission trip to Costa Rica the summer after he graduated high school. “I had four years of high school Spanish and I really found that I was really able to cross those cultural boundaries and kind of communicate, and be creative with the language, working around and ad-libbing words I didn’t know, and that left a lasting impression on me,” Gerlach said. “I think that trip really kind of provided some insight into how I’d like to implement Spanish into the medical field.” Gerlach worked with Susan Drake, assistant pro-
fessor of Spanish, weekly to prepare for the workshop. Wanting the program to be interactive, Gerlach used games he learned from Drake, such as “Simón Dice” (Simon Says), to help teach body parts to program attendees. Gerlach stressed the importance of learning medical Spanish in his program for those planning to head into the healthcare field after graduating. “It’s important that people learn the language so those cultural barriers can be crossed,” he said. “If you cross those cultural barriers, then you can communicate better. “If you can communicate better, you can treat someone more effectively.” For Gerlach, the goal of the program was to make sure each participant came away with, at the very least, a little more awareness about the importance of knowing medical Spanish. Said Gerlach: “For every participant I have, I want them to come in knowing a little or a lot, and know that they learned something — whether it be why Spanish is important or the language itself.”
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May 2, 2014
7A
Sigma Chi hosts annual Derby Days Lori Allen || Staff writer lallen21@murraystate.edu
Fumi Nakamura/The News
Katie Todd, junior from Marion, Ill., sits on the shoulders of Logan Carroll, junior from Paducah, Ky., as she smashes an egg on his head while the two participate in Derby Days.
Raising money, collecting food and sending letters were all done as part of Sigma Chi’s annual Derby Days April 21-25. The week-long Derby Days has been held since the 50s, nationally, and the 80s, locally, as one of Sigma Chi’s staple philanthropic events. The majority of the event is set up as a competition between sororities and is facilitated by the fraternity. Chris Koechner, senior from Marion, Ill., is the Derby Days chairman for the Epsilon Tau chapter of Sigma Chi. Koechner set goals to raise more money than prior years for the Jon Huntsman Cancer Foundation, a group who raises funds to support the mission of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the group’s chosen charity for the event. “This year I had a single Derby Darlin’ from each sorority meet with me, “ Koechner said. “Two brothers are coaches for each sorority team and the rest are distributed as part of the team.” Spirit points were awarded during the week to sororities for a variety of different competitions. A banner design contest, penny wars, dunking booth and Sign-A-Sig day were all held during the week. On April 23 in the Curris Center, a table was set up so that sorority members and other students could write letters to be sent to military personnel. Koechner said that 352 letters were written and mailed to those serving our country overseas. A skate night was held April 24 at Circus Skate. The evening supplied more than 1,200 canned goods for the Murray-Calloway County Need Line. Sigma Chi hosted a social event at its house Friday night. Boulder’s Smokehouse BBQ was served and The
Lee Gantt Band from Ohio was the entertainment for the evening. Field events were held on Saturday at Hamilton Field and included tug-of-war, relay races and an egg smash. Sorority team members, holding an egg in one hand and a rolled up newspaper in the other, perched on the shoulders of fraternity members. The goal was to smash the eggs on the heads of opponent team members with the newspaper. The Derby Days week-long events were wrapped up at the Sigma Chi house with a dress-your-coach-like-agirl contest, the traditional hat chase and the awards ceremony. Sigma Sigma Sigma earned the spirit award plaque, but Alpha Gamma Delta took home the grand champion trophy. Aida De La Fuente, junior from Louisville, Ky., and member of Alpha Omicron Pi, was announced as the new Sigma Chi sweetheart. De La Fuente said that Sigma Chi went above and beyond with this year’s event. “Chris (Koechner) and Sigma Chi put their heart and soul into it all,” De La Fuente said. “Like the concert, they don’t usually have that.” Alex Reynolds, sophomore from Benton, Ky., and member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, said it is sometimes hard to keep an event big all week long, but that sororities like competition. “This is one of my favorite (philanthropies),” she said. Kappa Delta, the newest sorority at Murray State, participated for the first time this year. Jessica Kraintz, senior from Belleville, Ill., and member of KD, said the event was awesome and a lot of fun. “I like that we’re all involved,” Kraintz said. “It’s very competitive, a little bit more than we thought it was, but it’s awesome.”
Cashier’s off ice moves College Courts scheduled online to cut costs, time for summer renovations Alex Mahrenholz || Staff writer amahrenholz@murraystate.edu
Ben Manhanke || Staff writer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu
In an effort to reduce spending, student expenses and streamline efficiency, the cashier’s office will move the entirety of its services online this summer for the fall 2014 semester. The cashier’s office, located in Sparks Hall, is responsible for receiving, verifying and recording all payments made to the University by students, employees and departments and offering limited check cashing. The office already allows for University payments to made online via eCheck, credit and debit cards along with in person and through the mail with cash, check and money orders or cashier’s checks. Beginning July 1, the cashier’s office will be closed to walk-up traffic. Will Cox, the cash management and eCommerce coordinator for the Cashier’s Office said this transition to online-only service is ultimately the result of University budget cuts, but will benefit students as well. “The University administration has studied efficiency measures over the last year and has determined that this is one efficiency step that will help reduce overall administrative expenses and to help minimize added fees and costs for students,” Cox said. “The transition will involve the education of our users on current electronic payment options and continued communication to students and parents regarding this change in payment procedure.” Cox said the cashier’s office will install a new deposit box on the second floor of
Sparks Hall for University departments to safely drop off deposits. It will also continue to accept student payments that are mailed to the office or Sparks Hall and which are dropped off in the Sparks Hall drop box. In addition to the new drop box, the office will add a new international payment option which will allow international students to wire money from their home country and have it post directly to their Murray State student account. “Paying bills and items in an online setting is becoming the norm,” Cox said. “Our online setting gives students, faculty and staff different options on the payment method they use and provides them a safe and secure format to make those payments.” Maroo Lee, graduate student from Seoul, South Korea, said he typically uses the cashier’s office only at the beginning and the end of the semester. Lee said as an international student he supports the decision of offering additional services online as that would allow him to easily take care of transactions from his home country instead of waiting until he is in Murray. Skylar Oakley, junior from Madisonville, Ky., said she uses the cashier’s office frequently as she works on campus at the Women’s Center. She said she doesn’t like the idea of only being able to access the office from online. “I’m pretty much technologically illiterate, which I know is a weird thing to be in the 21st century,” Oakley said. “When I come to the cashier’s office, I like that I can actually see and speak with a person to get what I need done.”
College Courts will receive an update this summer as well, using the same funds allotted to the University to renovate Hester Residential College. After years of students living in on campus apartments, College Courts will go through several renovations to make them safer and more efficient for students to live in. Kim Oatman, director of Facilities Management, said many new systems will be installed into the College Courts complex over the summer. These installations include a new fire suppression system (sprinklers) in about half of the buildings, new windows and doors in all of the buildings and a new hot water system. Oatman said the new hot water system could possibly include solar panels. He said this is currently being studied. He also said they will be abating the apartments with asbestos and installing new flooring in about half of the buildings, along with some exterior improvements to the buildings as well. “Most of these projects are being funded with agency bond money that Murray State received when we issued bonds for the Hester renovation and miscellaneous housing projects last year,” Oatman said. “Total estimated cost of the improvements this summer is approximately $1.5 million.” Kaila DiMaggio, junior from Marion, Ky., said she has lived in College Courts for two semesters. She said she decided to move to the complex for several reasons. “When debating on moving to an actual
apartment, I liked the option of College Courts better because I wouldn't be stuck in a year-long lease,” DiMaggio said. “And I am on campus so I can still be involved with spur of the moment activities instead of having to plan commute time.” She said she is thrilled that renovations will be taking place to her apartment building. “Now that sprinklers are being installed it will ease my mind while I sleep that there is some protection put in place Oatman for fires,” DiMaggio said. “I would like to see the washer and dryers put back. “There is too many families to have to fight over washers or have to walk down three blocks to wash your clothes.” DiMaggio said she likes living in College Courts because of the privacy it allows her and the fact that she has her own kitchen and bathroom. She did say there are some improvements she would like to see made. “If you are lucky enough to have an outlet in your bathroom (not everyone does) there's only one and it is attached to the light bulb. I would greatly appreciate having one installed so all my bathroom stuff can stay in my bathroom,” she said. “College courts has given me a middle ground that is ultimately kept me at Murray State and I could not see myself living anywhere else.” Said DiMaggio: “I think the renovating actions are long overdue and I’m happy they’re taking place.”
Students spend summer studying abroad, learning Mari-Alice Jasper || Contributing writer mjasper1@murraystate.edu
While summer usually signifies working and staying at home, for some Murray State students it means a chance to study abroad. Three hundred students at Murray State participated in Study Abroad programs last year. Study abroad programs are offered for the fall and spring semester and summer and winter breaks. Steven Guns, education abroad adviser, said the Study Abroad Office offers programs that are a great opportunity for students. “Most (students) study abroad during the summer,” Guns said. Brianna Moss, sophomore from Sheffield, Ala., has participated in several study abroad programs. She said her favorite trip was Prague-Berlin. “Ecuador and Costa Rica were more outdoorsy, but Berlin had the best food,” Moss said. She said her love of travel and meeting new people is what motivated her to study abroad. She said she encourages other students to study abroad because of the lifelong friends that are made during travels. “You have to be open to meeting new people though,” she said. “The first trip that I went on I didn’t know anybody. In fact, everyone on the trip had only met each other the day before.” Moss said there are some drawbacks to about traveling abroad. She said it is best to
Photo courtesy of the Education Abroad Office
Students explore Xi’an, China on a summer study abroad program through the Education Abroad Office. learn to go with the flow and expect changes. Within a few weeks, students from Murray State will experience cultural differences first hand. A group of students will ship out to visit Xindao and the Shandong Province in China May 22. They will be under the guidance of Jie Wu, assistant professor of Chinese.
Dollie Jo Alexander, junior from Benton, Ky., will join her for this trip on a full scholarship from the University. She said she is somewhere between excited and terrified to experience a new culture. “I want to be completely open and absorb everything so that I can come back with no regrets,” she said.
Although the deadline for studying abroad this summer has passed, the Study Abroad Office has already released information on programs that will be available for summer 2015. So far, 12 countries are listed, including Japan and Germany. Emily Cayton, freshman from O’Fallon, Ill., said she hopes to be able to study abroad next summer. Her desire to study abroad stems from having lived at Camp Zama, Japan for more than 12 years. “I know I want to study abroad somewhere in Europe,” she said. Cayton said she is interested in the nursing program in Hungary as a possibility. Scholarships for studying abroad are not guaranteed, but 85-100 percent of students who apply receive a scholarship, Guns said. Before applying for a scholarship, students have to commit to a program and pay a registration fee. The scholarship amount awarded is based on the number of applicants and the quality of the application submitted. “The Study Abroad Office is pretty helpful, but you have to be dedicated to the program,” Moss said. When a student applies for a study abroad program, they are assigned an education adviser. Moss said having an adviser was helpful to finding out what she needed to know. For students seeking more information, the Study Abroad Office is located in Woods Hall.
The News
8A
May 2, 2014
Final exam schedule Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
8 a.m. for 8:30 a.m. •8 Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
8 a.m. for 9:30 a.m. •8 Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
8 a.m. for 9:30 a.m. Tues•8 day and Thursday classes
•10:30 a.m. for 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes
•10:30 a.m. for 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
•10:30 a.m. for 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
•1:30 p.m. for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
•1:30 p.m. for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes
•1:30 p.m. for 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes
Night classes meet at •N their regular times
Night classes meet at •N their regular times
Night classes meet at •N their regular times
Thursday
Friday
8 a.m. for 8 a.m. Tuesday •8 and Thursday classes and for 4:30 p.m. Monday Wednesday and Friday classes
8 a.m. for 7:30 a.m. Mon•8 day, Wednesday and Friday classes and for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes
•10:30 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
•10:30 a.m. for 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes
•1:30 p.m. for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes Night classes meet at •N their regular times
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May 2, 2014
Section B
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Sports
SEMESTER IN SPORTS
Sports Editor: Mallory Tucker Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews
The school year is drawing to an end, but Racer Athletics are still making huge headlines. Here’s a recap of the greatest sports moments of spring 2014, and a few to look forward to.
Women’s tennis bound for NCAAs After winning a regular season title and their seventh OVC Championship, the Racers were selected to travel and play No. 10 Vanderbilt May 9 during the first round of the NCAA tournament. Of the Racers’ five NCAA appearances, the Racers have drawn Vanderbilt four times and have yet to win a point.
Lori Allen/The News
The Racers have faced the obstacles of a larger opponent in a hostile environment earlier in the year against competition such as Tennessee, Memphis and Chattanooga. From breaking Eastern Kentucky’s 30-match OVC win streak to bouncing back from their only conference loss to Morehead State, the Racers
have overcome much adversity this season. Their determination also helped them overcome a doubles point loss to UT Martin in the OVC Championship semifinals. The Racers resumed practice this week in preparation for the game, which will take place Friday, May 9 in Nashville, Tenn., on Vanderbilt’s home court.
Racers claim CIT championship
The men’s basketball team finished its 2013-14 season at home as the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament champions with a 65-57 win over Yale. This was the Racers’ first post-season title since 2012, when they won the OVC Tournament. The Racers went 23-11 on the season with four of its home wins taking place during the CIT. Murray State is the tournament’s sixth champion since the event was started in 2009, and only the second team to win the title on their home court. Freshman guard Cameron Payne, the second Murray State freshman to score 500 points on his rookie season, was named the CIT MVP. Junior forward Jarvis Williams
was also named to the All-Tournament team, scoring 17.2 points and averaging 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 71 percent from the field. Before hosting Yale, the Racers traveled to Springfield, Mo., to defeat Missouri State by just three points, 66-63. They then hosted the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Towson and Pacific, respectively, before taking down the Yale Bulldogs. Lone senior Dexter Fields finished his college career not only with a title, but on what tied for the team’s longest win streak of the season, at five games. The CIT title allowed Murray State to end its own season for the first time since 1978. Fumi Nakamura/The News
Rifle hosts NCAAs, individuals compete Murray State hosted the 2014 NCAA National Rifle Championships for the ninth time and the first time since 2004. The championship consisted of eight teams competing March 14-15. The smallbore competition was held in the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, while the air rifle competition took place in the main arena of the CFSB center. In addition to the eight teams that qualified, eight individuals were selected to compete,
including junior Kelsey Emme. In her second NCAA Championship, Emme placed 26th in smallbore and 30th in air rifle, firing scores of 577 and 584, respectively. She was one of only two individuals who qualified in both guns at the championships. Freshman Katarina Bisercic also competed postseason at the ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning, Ga., representing her home nation of Serbia.
Golf to begin NCAAs in Florida After winning its ninth OVC Championship April 23, the women’s golf team will advance to the East Regional NCAA tournament. The first round will take place Thursday at the SouthWood Golf Club in Tallahassee, Fla. Head Coach Velvet Milkman, who started the program
21 years ago, has never had a class graduate without at least one OVC Championship title to its name. Lone senior Delaney Howson won the tournament with a low score of 212 and was named OVC Player of the Year. In addition, Howson’s second round of 4-under-par
68 was a tournament record. With an overall team score of 915, the Racers were neck and neck with defending champion Eastern Kentucky, who carded 917 over the three rounds. The Racers look ahead to the East Regional as one of 24 teams to compete at the event.
Jenny Rohl/The News
WHAT’S
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TOUGH COMPETITION
FINALS WEEK
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May 2, 2014
Golf finishes eighth at OVC Jonathan Ferris || Staff writer jferris2@murraystate.edu
Jenny Rohl/The News
Freshman Myles Morrissey practices at Frances E. Miller Memorial Golf Course April 17.
Racer golf ended its season April 27 with an eighth place finish at the OVC Men’s Golf Tournament Championship in Muscle Shoals, Ala. For the third time in four years, the tournament’s third and final round could not be completed due to weather. The round began Sunday morning with good playing conditions, but the stormy weather moved in around noon. The tournament was originally halted at noon and was delayed for more than an hour and a half due to lightning. The teams then got in another hour of playing time before being stopped for good before 3 p.m. As a result, the tournament was decided based upon the scores at the end of Saturday’s second round. Jacksonville State took the top overall spot with a score of 567 – six shots better than Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay State’s 573. UT Martin and Belmont rounded out the top five. The Racers finished 39 shots off the pace with a score of 606, just two strokes behind Eastern Illinois. The team tied with Tennessee Tech for eighth in the 11-team field. Junior Jordan Smith led the Racers with a 22nd place finish with a seven over score of 79 in the first round and a one under 71 in the second for an overall total of 150. Sophomore Jared Gosser came in two shots behind Smith, and sophomore Preston French finished with a 153. Sophomore Duncan McCormick and freshman Matt
Zakutney rounded out the five-man Racer team. “It was very disappointing,” Smith said. “I didn’t play very well in the first round, and struggled for part of the second. Jared and Preston played alright the first round but didn’t play very well the second round. “We just never could get four solid scores going.” The senior-less team struggled throughout the 2013-14 season. The loss of OVC Champion and twotime Player of the Year Patrick Newcomb proved too big a void to fill for the young Racer team. “You could just tell (Newcomb) was the leader and you could count on him to come in with a good score pretty much every round,” Smith said. “We just didn’t have that this year.” Though the results may have not been what the team wanted, Smith said many of the younger players gained valuable experience this season. “We all need to work really hard and improve this summer. We gained some experience this year and we’ll be looking for some guys to have better years next year. I think we have plenty of talent on the team to compete for a championship.” The team returns all ten members next season. Additionally, Head Coach Eddie Hunt has signed three Kentucky natives to join as freshmen in the fall. Lance Davis of Mayfield, Nick Choate of Cadiz and Daniel Taylor of Princeton will all join the Racers next season. As the team’s senior leader next season, Smith’s goals for 2014-15 are clear. “I want to win a championship next year because it’s my last year,” Smith said. “We will talk to the guys and let them know that’s what we want and we that we need to start working for it right now.”
Rugby hosts alumni game
Peter Northcutt || Staff writer
pnorthcutt1@murraystate.edu
The Murray State Rugby Club held its annual alumni scrimmage Saturday afternoon. The current team triumphed over the alumni in the best of three games. Relatively few alumni could make it to the game, so the teams played seven on seven with seven-minute halves, with one of the teams comprised of both active and alumni players. Four alumni were in attendance Saturday: Andy Biggs, Kurt Ladendorf, Shawn Linder and Ian Stamps. Biggs and Linder both had long road trips to attend the game, coming from Texas and California, respectively. “The whole point is to get together with people who have played at Murray State in the past and just have fun,” Biggs said. “It’s fun to see where people have gone and what they’ve done since college.” The first game started unfortunately as two players, alumnus Ian Stamps and current player Branson Schroeder, were injured within the first five
minutes of action. Play continued, however, and Murray State bettered the alumni 7-6. The alumni responded in the second game with a 6-5 victory of their own to even the series. The third and final game was tied at seven at the end of regulation, forcing a sudden death overtime. Murray State pulled out the win in the end, scoring the first point in overtime to win the game 7-6 and clinching the three-game series. “It’s really cool to be able to play with the guys who helped grow this program on campus,” said Sophomore Travis Nelson. “It was a super fun experience.” The Rugby Club now turns its attention toward attracting new interest in the program. “There will be 15 guys that show up for everything and are super dedicated,” Biggs said. “But there needs to be more people involved in the program.” The current players have plans to set up booths at Summer Orientations to attract incoming freshmen. They are actively seeking new participants and will provide more information to those interested.
Fumi Nakamura/The News
Sophomore K.J. Washington runs the ball past a grounded defender.
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Tennis in her blood Born of a tennis pro, Olga Elkin dreamt of Europe, now dreams of NCAA title Tom Via || Staff writer tvia@murraystate.edu
Being one of the youngest head coaches in college sports has its pros and cons, according to women’s tennis Head Coach Olga Elkin. Hired at 23 years old, Elkin is still mistaken by many to be one of the players. “We have been at many restaurants where we will sit down and the staff will ask, ‘Where is the coach?’� Elkin said. “Even at the doctor’s office, when I was wearing my tennis jacket, this couple was congratulating me for winning the OVC Championship and asked if I was a senior.� While her team may be getting annoyed with people not knowing who its coach is, Elkin views the situation positively. Being a student-athlete just a few years ago benefits her as a coach in many ways. “It helps me relate to the girls because I used to play and I know when I can and can’t push them,� Elkin said. “I schedule and know what to do because I went through that as a player.� Elkin’s journey to Murray State wasn’t one she thought she would be on, as she originally planned to be in Europe. “I had played for four years, and coached for two years and had gotten my undergraduate and master’s degree and I was tired,� Elkin said. “I was planning on going backpacking in Europe but my dad sat me down, and after a long talk he told me that I should apply for a couple of jobs.� Elkin’s mother was a professional tennis player in Russia before her family moved to the U.S. Elkin was very young at the time. She participated in activities such as soccer and tae kwon do at first, since they were cheaper than tennis. At 11, Elkin started playing tennis, and the sport once again became an important part of the Elkin household. “The mood at the dinner table was determined by how tennis went – everything revolved around tennis,�
Lori Allen/The News
Head Coach Olga Elkin addresses her team in their huddle before the OVC Championships in Paducah, Ky. Elkin said. “Our family dynamic revolved around tennis.� While Elkin’s mother was the professional, it was Elkin’s father that quickly learned the sport and became her biggest coach. Despite starting at an older age, the game was in Elkin’s blood, and she quickly found success.
“I started at 11, which is very late in the tennis world,� Elkin said. “There wasn’t much in Omaha, so I started playing tournaments and got to be a top-50 player in the nation.� The success continued into high school when Elkin won a state title as a freshman. At that moment, Elkin and her family knew that she could
earn a scholarship. With that goal in mind, Elkin began training at the Mike Woof Tennis Academy in Kansas. Elkin’s hard work led her to become a four-star recruit and the No. 1 recruit in Nebraska. Being the top-ranked tennis player in state, Elkin started attracting attention and offers from many programs. With numerous options, it
was the bond with an assistant at Wichita State that cemented her choice. "She was Russian and I just fell in love with her and so did my parents," Elkin said. "It is tough choosing a school based on a coach, but the academy that I was playing at was close to the school and Wichita kept watching me play. It established a strong bond between me and the program." As a Shocker player for two years, Elkin won the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championship in the No. 4 draw, but she still wanted something bigger. Elkin transferred to West Virginia after her sophomore year of college. As a Mountaineer, Elkin won 24 matches her junior season playing doubles and three different spots in singles. A sudden knee injury early in her senior year changed her goals for the future. The injury occurred just before the team’s annual trip to West Point, New York. Elkin’s head coach decided that she should travel with the team, but not as a listed player. “He allowed me to travel because in women’s tennis you are allowed to bring three coaches, so I was made a student coach for that trip,� Elkin said. “I fell in love with it and wanted to go into coaching right after that moment.� When her collegiate career ended, Elkin took a graduate assistant position at Kennesaw State and met Head Coach Jeffery Kutac. The relationship they formed continues, as the two still speak daily. “He has been (coaching) for 30 years and he has been through it all from big universities to Division-III schools,� Elkin said. “He has had every scenario thrown at him, so he is someone that helps me out.� As Elkin prepares to lead the Racers into the NCAA Tournament starting at Vanderbilt, she said she is thankful for everything the sport has given her, even if it means she will have to postpone backpacking in Europe a while longer.
’Breds 3-1 on the week Staff Report The ’Breds held an early two run advantage on the road against Arkansas State but could not hold on. Murray State (18-24, 10-11 OVC) eventually fell 7-6 to the Red Wolves Tuesday. The Racers led 5-3 through the fourth inning, but Arkansas State came back shortly afterward to claim the lead for good. Sophomore Dalton West doubled home junior Michael Hargrove with two outs in the second inning to open the scoring. Murray State then looked to run away with the game, scoring four runs in the fourth. However, Arkansas State took the lead in the next inning, striking for three runs. It then plated three more in the fifth and another in the sixth. The ’Breds scored one run in the ninth, but the next two batters struck out to end the inning, leaving junior Matt McGown and sophomore Pokey Harris stranded on second and third, respectively. Junior Anthony Bayus, freshman Clay Kelly, senior Ty Stetson, McGown and sophomore Taylor Mathews
all tallied RBIs in the contest. The three Murray State pitchers combined to strike out eight Red Wolves while only walking four. The loss comes after the ’Breds claimed only one win in their three-game series against Tennessee Tech over the weekend. Leading the OVC in home runs, the Golden Eagles were kept from hitting a single long ball in game one but came away with the 5-1 victory. Murray State came back the next day in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Tennessee Tech with a 6-3 victory. Junior Brock Downey earned his eighth win of the season by striking out seven and only allowing a threerun home run in the eighth. The Golden Eagles were too much in the doubleheader finale, beating the ’Breds 10-5 behind three homeruns. Murray State stays on the road as it travels to Southeast Missouri State for a three-game set against the Redhawks. The series begins today with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
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Korea A shuts out Steak Sauce Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu
Jenny Rohl/The News
Sophomore Caleb Newcomer dribbles downfield against Korea A Tuesday on intramural field No. 2.
Fifth-seeded Korea A shut out 13th seeded Steak Sauce in the quarterfinal round of the intramural soccer tournament Tuesday night with a 5-0 victory. Korea A came out of the gate confidently with an immediate shot on goal. It continued pressing, forcing Steak Sauce to play on its heels early on in the game. After a few Korea-dominated minutes, Steak Sauce gained its composure and began to even out the possession battle. After a few unsuccessful counter attacks from Korea A, the team was finally able to put one in the net about halfway through the first half. Steak Sauce attempted to respond late in the half with a few shots on goal, but none found their intended destination. The half ended with a one goal advantage in favor of Korea A. The second half started dramatically, as Steak Sauce had a breakaway opportunity but was unable to capitalize. Korea A responded immedi-
ately with a breakaway of its own, ending in a goal, pushing the lead out 2-0. A few minutes later, Korea A capitalized on another counterattack that stretched the length of the field, increasing its lead to three. About halfway through the second half, Steak Sauce had an opportunity to cut into the lead when sophomore Ray Hecht blasted a shot to the far post. The Korea A keeper made the save to keep the lead at three. Korea A then continued to put on the pressure, tacking on one more goal to its score by sneaking the ball past the keeper. The final minutes ticked away as Korea A coasted to the 5-0 victory. “This game was an instant classic,� said Steak Sauce senior John Kollenberg. “It was definitely one for the record books.� Korea A moved on in the tournament. losing to top seeded SSOA Wednesday in the semifinals. “The game against SSOA was very tough,� Korea A player Seunghoon Ahn said. “We’ve played them twice already this season and lost both times. We needed to work on our strategy.�
SSOA wins Softball sweeps SIUE, Memphis championship Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu
Peter Northcutt || Staff writer pnorthcutt@murraystate.edu
Saudi heavyweights SSOA and Alfahad battled it out for the intramural soccer championship Wednesday with SSOA edging out their opponent in overtime 3-2. The match looked the part of a championship game early as both teams were playing sound, evenly matched soccer. The possession battle was played in the center of the field for the majority of the early game. Alfahad had an opportunity early on a corner kick that floated right in front of the goal before SSOA found the back of the net to give them the early 1-0 lead. SSOA continued its slight advantage in field position in the following minutes as it was able to accumulate several shots on goal. It was Alfahad, however, that responded next as it was able to blast a shot from more than 50 feet past the keeper and into the back of the net, tying the game at one. Less than two minutes later, SSOA had a corner kick opportunity that led to an Alfahad breakaway counterattack. Alfahad was able to beat the backpedaling SSOA defense and shot the ball past the keeper to gain the advantage 2-1. The second half followed a similar theme as the first. The ball spent most of its time on SSOA’s end of the field as the team tried frantically to even the score. For most of the half, it was unsuccessful as Alfahad was able to clear the ball time and time again. Finally, SSOA found the net and tied up the match at two when they fired a shot from almost midfield that sailed over the goalkeeper. Neither team could score in the remaining minutes, sending the game into overtime. The teams played two fast-paced overtime periods as both teams had opportunities throughout but could not cash in on them. At the end of the second overtime period, SSOA player Ahmed Alruwaili hit the game winning shot to seal the championship for his team. “I was expecting a goal,� Alruwaili said. “My thought turned out to be right.� Team captain Meshaal Alamr was excited about the championship win after the game. “It was a nice game,� Alamr said. “Both teams are Saudi and Saudis don’t like to lose. Fortunately, SSOA was able to come out with the victory.�
The softball team bounced back from a rough week to sweep conference leaders Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday at Racer Field. Head Coach Kara Amundson was pleased with her team’s response to adversity. “It was a great turnaround for us from the weekend before,� Amundson said. “This is the second time this year that we’ve swept the team that was No. 1 in the conference at the time we played them, both of them on our home field here.� Junior Alexa Becker got the Racers off to a hot start in the first inning of game one when she hit her seventh home run of the season. SIUE quickly responded, however, tying the game on an error. In the fifth inning, with freshman Cayla Levis and junior Mo Ramsey on first and third, respectively, they completed a double steal for the Racers’ second run. Moments later, Becker hit her second home run of the game, pushing the lead out 4-1. SIUE came back in the sixth with a three-run spurt of its own, tying the game at four. Neither team could tack on another run until the 10th inning. After SIUE intentionally loaded the bases, senior Leslie Bridges hit a sac fly to right field that allowed Levins to score the winning run, ending the game 5-4. The second game of the doubleheader was dominated by Murray State. In the third inning, the Racers jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Five Racers had hits in the inning, scoring Levins, Ramsey, Bridges and freshman Jessica Twaddle. Murray State added two more in the fourth as Becker batted in sophomore Shelbey Miller and then Bridges scored Miller from third. Amundson applauded her team’s efforts against the conference leader after the game. “SIUE is a team that is very competitive every year,� Amundson said. “We know they are a team that we will have to compete against, and so we have to step up in those situations and that’s exactly what we did.� The home series finale Sunday was canceled due to inclement weather, but seniors Bridges and Morgan Harrell were honored for their hard work and dedication toward the Racer softball program as planned. Amundson spoke highly of both seniors.
Jenny Rohl/The News
Junior Mo Ramsey bats left-handed against Evansville April 10 at Racer Field. “Morgan is actually a transfer, and I think this year out of all the years she has really stepped into a role where she contributes on a regular basis,� Amundson said. “The catching position is always tough to lose. They run the field very quietly and they work a lot behind the scenes. Morgan is definitely going be tough to replace.� Amundson also spoke about Bridges, who is the fourth four-year letter winner in program history. “Leslie is going to be a really tough one to lose both for me personally and for this team as well,� Amundson said. “She’s just an incredible person and when you talk about coaching and why I love to coach it’s because I get to interact
with the players and watch them grow. I’m really excited to see where life takes her.� According to Bridges, the feeling is mutual. “I’m just so thankful for what these last four years have taught me,� Bridges said. “To play four years and to play under somebody like Coach (Amundson), it’s like crazy to think it’s all coming to an end.� The Racers traveled to Memphis Wednesday to win 4-3 on the Tigers’ home turf. Their first program win over Memphis came from a two-out seventh inning homerun from Miller. Racer softball will be back in action Saturday against Southeast Missouri State.
Track and field competition improves heading into OVC Jonathan Ferris || Staff writer jferris2@murraystate.edu
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Sophomore Kiara Austin jumps at the Battle of the Cumberland April 22.
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After what Head Coach Jenny Severns called a â&#x20AC;&#x153;tune-upâ&#x20AC;? April 25-26, the track and field team is now set to make its run at an OVC Championship this weekend. A handful of team members traveled to Jonesboro, Ark. for the Arkansas State Red Wolves Open. Not originally a part of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule, Severns added the meet as one final chance for some athletes to perfect their events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got what we needed out of it since it was kind of just a bonus meet,â&#x20AC;? Severns said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 800 (meter) groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s times werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t awesome but they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad. They just kind of raced a different way than they ever have. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad they tried that then instead of at OVC.â&#x20AC;? Junior Brittany Bohn, sophomore Emma Gilmore and freshman Raevan Wilson all competed in the 800-meter, with Bohn taking third, Gilmore eighth and Wilson 10th. Severns said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s especially tough for those runners in the middle-distance events, such as the 800-meter, because most of them have been competing for nearly nine months straight. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the middle distance group, most of them race crosscountry, indoor and outdoor,â&#x20AC;? Severns said. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re firing on all cylinders during indoor season, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fear of whether you will still be firing on all cylinders throughout the outdoor season, because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been competing since August. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have asked for a better group though. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all still putting up (personal records) and they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too tired. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited to see what they can do at OVC.â&#x20AC;? Three Racers also had impressive performances in the javelin throw. All three Murray State competitors finished in the top 10. Junior Sydney Potts took third place with a throw of 39.35 meters. Sophomore Kennedy Berkley and junior Ash-
ley Conway both set personal bests in the event and took eighth and ninth places, respectively. The team now prepares to head to Edwardsville, Ill. for the OVC Championships today and Saturday. Junior Tonia Pratt is headed into the weekend on a quest for another year of outdoor conference championships. Last year, Pratt took the title in both the hammer throw and discus. Despite another impressive season, the Murray State and OVC all-time record holder finds herself in an unfamiliar position this time around. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not ranked first in anything going in,â&#x20AC;? Severns said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the first year that will be the case. I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to make her want it more. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be harder than itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever been, but because of that (a championship) would mean more than it ever has.â&#x20AC;? The team also looks to improve its overall finish from a year ago. The Racers came up just short of Eastern Illinois last season, finishing second in the overall team points competition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not even close to the same conference as it was when I got here,â&#x20AC;? Severns said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As fast as we get better, everybody else is getting better too. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just one area thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s improved; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s across the board. Every event has gotten a ton better and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for the conference.â&#x20AC;? Bohn echoed Severnsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; thoughts on the conference, saying it is frustrating at times seeing her competition improve each week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little frustrating how much better the conference is this year,â&#x20AC;? Bohn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how it always seems to happen, when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the top of your game so is everyone else. It would definitely make (winning a championship) mean more. The conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth is definitely a positive but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little scary at the same time.â&#x20AC;? The OVC Championship begins at 9 a.m. in Edwardsville with the multis. Field events will begin at noon and track events at 3 p.m.
May 2, 2014
Features
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Students find ways to dismiss finals stress
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Tiffany Whitfill || Contributing writer twhitfill1@murraystate.edu
It is that time of the year again – the time where students get on Canvas to plug in the lowest possible “what-if” scores to make sure their grades will hold on for the rest of the semester. It is also the time where students participate in nontraditional activities to let go of the stress of finals week. Doing something as simple as watching a movie provides a stress relief for Lauren Cates, senior from Fancy Farm, Ky. A mid-week viewing of “Finding Nemo” is a tradition Cates began four years ago during finals week. The plot of the movie and Cates’ current situation are strikingly similar. “I just connected it with Marlin who never gave up looking for Nemo after overcoming all of the adversity,” she said. “It is just like when we want to give up and not want to study for our finals.” While it may be hard to find a comparison between
a fish and a human, Cates said we can all learn a little bit from Marlin about overcoming hurdles, and of course, how to “just keep swimming” like Dory. It has been said that many people eat when they are stressed out. For Torie Ramlose, senior from St. Louis, Mo., eating cookie dough has become a way to alleviate stress during finals. Baking cookies is a common ritual for Ramlose and is a reflection of an earlier memory with her sister. “My sister and I have always loved it,” Ramlose said. “Baking cookies was something we did often growing up and we ate the dough throughout the process.” Just the taste of the cookies provides an instant escape from the anxiety of finals week. However, Ramlose does not need much to take her back, she said. “I would never condone binging on it, but eating a small amount gives me a chance to remember some happy moments of my childhood,” Ramlose said. She also suggested that baking cookies breaks up
Rice ‘ready, set, rolls’
Chase Rice Q&A Breanna Sill: When did you decide music and performing was the path you wanted to take? Chase Rice: Because I enjoyed it. I was working in Nashville doing odd jobs, but I wasn’t happy and I would go home from work and start writing and start singing and that is really what made me happy. So I figured, you know, if that is what makes me happy to go chase it.
Breanna Sill || Assistant Features Editor bsill@murraystate.edu
Students and community members threw on their cowboy boots and ventured to Lovett Auditorium Tuesday night for an evening with Chase Rice and his up-and-coming country sound. Rice brought his How She Rolls Tour to Murray along with local opening act Brandon Lay. Lay, originally from Jackson, Tenn., said being from a small town has made a big impact on how he has learned to interact with other small town crowds and get them excited for the show. “When you start your musical journey you start small and local,” he said. “And starting small and local, that is something you never try to lose focus of.” Rice also knew just what to do to get the crowd revved up and excited for a night of music. He started his second song by prefacing it with some crowd interaction. He instructed the audience to follow his lead in yelling “I like drinking,” while the audience responded with “’cause it’s fun.” Another way he got the crowd riled up was by doing cover songs. Rice covered everything from “Drunk on You” by Luke Bryan to “Get Low” by Lil Jon and Eastside Boyz to the theme song of the television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” “My favorite part of the whole show was whenever he covered “Ignition” by R. Kelly,” said Derek Rogers, junior from Cadiz, Ky. “I thought it was awesome because that’s my favorite song.” The person who stole the show was a little boy named Landon. Being one of the only children in the audience he quickly caught the attention of Rice, who then pulled him onstage and carried him around during a song early on in the show. Landon was brought back on stage later in the show and stole the crowd’s heart when he asked Rice if he would let him play his drums for everyone. Rice closed the show by performing his newest single, “Ready Set Roll,” and also by performing “Cruise,” a song he co-wrote with childhood friends Brian Kelly and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, which went No. 1 on country charts.
study sessions so that she does not get overwhelmed with her responsibilities. Other students prefer to escape outdoors. Kayla Reynolds, junior from Big Rock, Tenn., enjoys hanging out – literally. Reynolds started studying in a hammock in the Quad to relieve stress. “I started because I hate being cooped up indoors and it feels good to relax in a hammock and get things done,” Reynolds said. Not only does this activity help you to de-stress, but it also keeps you in touch with nature, she said. “It is fun on campus because you can just talk to people and make new friends,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes I will do it alone but usually there are always other people on campus, too.” While no two ways are the same, and not one is better than another, relaxing for finals is imperative to students’ success. In one short week, those “what-if” grades will be final.
BS: Who is your biggest musical inspiration? CR: It’s going to sound weird, because our music is nothing alike, but Garth Brooks. I grew up on him and Chris LeDoux. I saw Garth live when I was probably 12 years old and he is just an awesome performer and he just has great songs. BS: Why have you chosen to remain an independent artist despite all the major label offers you have received? CR: Because, for lack of a better term, they were horse shit offers. Sorry, I don’t really have a filter much. I just thought we gained a huge fan base. We’ve done all the work and got all the pieces in place, so why are you going to take it all away and do it your way? We are going to keep it our way and Columbia Records was all about that. They said you need radio and we have a radio staff and they thought they could help me. They’re a perfect teammate. BS: What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention? CR: I’d say front row at Myrtle Beach, S.C. I look up and three or four songs in and this girl is dancing and I look up a couple seconds later and she’s completely naked in the front row. She got my attention with being naked in the front row. If we had that happen every night I guess I couldn’t complain. BS: When you sit down to write a song, what is your process like? Where do you get your inspiration? CR: It’s different every time. I usually have a hook or idea going into it. And then I go in and it turns out being a completely different song. It rarely comes out being the same song. It’s different every time, but it’s fun. BS: When you’re not touring or doing shows what is your favorite pastime?
Fumi Nakamura/The News
CR: Well, when I’m not touring, I’m touring. It doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. But if I can get out on the water and ski and wakeboard – just get on the water – I’m happy. And summer is coming, so I’m excited.
Chase Rice addresses the crowd before taking a drink and performing another song.
F aces&Places
Universities Community supports vape store adopt ‘bring learning to life’
Brandon Cash || Staff writer bcash1@murraystate.edu
Vape Paradise opened last December in Murray after the positive feedback its owners received from their Paducah, Ky., store. “It was clear that we should open another store,” said Jordan Hines, general manager at Vape Paradise. “Murray is just far enough away that people don't particularly enjoy the commute, but just close enough that it wouldn't be difficult to bounce back and forth between stores if necessary.” Vape Paradise first opened its doors in November of 2013 in Paducah. The owners feel that vaping is the way of the future. When they opened, there weren't any other stores that catered solely to the vaping community. “We saw a niche in the area that needed to be filled,” Hines said. “And we’re lucky enough to have such great support from the community to continue to grow.” Hines said people are using their vapes (ecigs) and are finding they smell better, they are saving money and feel better. With this support, Vape Paradise has been able to open a third store in Mayfield, Ky. “Honestly, I wouldn't say Vape Paradise is any more popular with Murray State students than it is any other demographic,” Hines said. “It is just as likely that a 76-yearold lady walk into our store as a 21-year-old. That is what makes our work so exciting.” The college-age group is most often the early adopter of technology. Although vaping isn’t brand new, it is still fairly new to this region, so people in their early 20s are likely to gravitate toward it, if for no other
Madison Wepfer || Staff writer mwepfer@murraystate.edu
Jenny Rohl/The News
Vape Paradise sells a variety of supplies for e-cigarettes and vape pens. reason than to try something new. Hines said the college-age group is becoming more health conscious because it has witnessed the negative effects of traditional smoking on their families and friends and don’t want the same thing to happen to them. “I went because it was one of the new vapor stores I was interested in,” said Jacob Linde, freshman from Louisville, Ky. “I walked in and there was this big open
space with tables where they had different flavor caps you could try out. I think for a new business it is doing very well.” Those who visit the store must be at least 18 and have their I.D. on hand to try sample flavors in the store. “There is always someone new to meet and bring into the future of vaping,” Hines said. “I have had whole families of smokers come in to try something new together and they have all converted that day.”
In the typical world of American education, some students do not have to worry about extensive research and writing a thesis until they attend graduate school. However, Murray State has raised the bar for its students, offering them mini-grants to do research and write a thesis paper on a topic of their choice. “Bringing Learning to Life” is a campaign promoting this research and experiential learning. It is part of Murray State’s Quality Enhancement Plan. Its goal is to improve the quality of education at Murray State. Murray State participates in the National Survey of Student Engagement once every three years. It asks students about their participation in community-based projects, participation with faculty members, participation in practicum, internships, field experiences, co-op experiences and clinical assignments, among other questions relating to work outside of the classroom. All of these categories ranked low in the most recent survey. To improve the University’s student education and experiential learning, Adam Murray, dean of University Libraries, and Robert Pervine, interim associate provost for graduate education and research and professor of mathematics, created a committee to develop “Bringing Learning to Life” as part of the Quality Enhancement Plan. The term “experiential learning” refers to students stepping outside of the classroom and working inside
see EDUCATION, 6B
The News
Features
6B
THE
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Entertainment news sure to spice up your lunch conversationâ&#x20AC;?
Students walk on water for good cause Hunter Harrell || Features Editor hharrell@murraystate.edu
WATER COOLER Information and photos from The Associated Press Compiled by Breanna Sill
POLICE FIND MOCKING NOTE IN COBAINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WALLET CBS has obtained an undated note written by Kurt Cobain that was taken from his wallet by police who arrived to his home after he fatally shot himself. The note was written like a mock wedding vow against wife Courtney Love, calling her his â&#x20AC;&#x153;lawful shredded wifeâ&#x20AC;? who would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;siphoningâ&#x20AC;? his money for drugs.
MILEY CYRUS CANCELS MORE CONCERT DATES Miley Cyrus has been forced to postpone more concert dates of her Bangerz Tour. This time the dates were in Europe. A news release states that symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics have returned and her doctors will not allow her to travel. Cyrus has postponed the rest of her U.S. tour as well.
Soundbyte "A large Budweiser blimp was reported to be floating somewhere above New Jersey after it broke loose over the weekend. Which brings New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total of out-ofcontrol blimps to two.â&#x20AC;?
May 2, 2014
They say not to judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. However, what do they say about those who do not have the luxury of owning a pair of shoes? Each year in April, TOMS hosts â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Day Without Shoesâ&#x20AC;? to raise awareness for children lacking shoes. According to the TOMS website, children who lack proper education and good health struggle to break out of the poverty cycle. The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center supports TOMSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Day Without Shoesâ&#x20AC;? each year by organizing a one-mile walk across campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We host this march because it is an easy and cool way to raise awareness,â&#x20AC;? said Abigail French, director of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center. However, due to the rainy weather, there were few attendees to participate in the walk Tuesday. Though few students showed up to participate in the march, a handful of students
still showed their support by going barefoot to class. Kendall Swinney, graduate student from Louisville, Ky., said she braved the weather conditions because the cause is important to her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it is important to raise awareness,â&#x20AC;? Swinney said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been walking without shoes all day.â&#x20AC;? Kathryne Miracle, sophomore from Standford, Ky., participated as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The walk is a good opportunity to spread the word,â&#x20AC;? Miracle said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I volunteer because I want others to help raise awareness as well.â&#x20AC;? Last year, the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center teamed up with the University Bookstore and supported a shoe drive as well. Though that was not a part of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event, French said they plan to do something new next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are other barefoot events we could host, such as game nights or flag football,â&#x20AC;? French said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We plan on expanding in the future.â&#x20AC;?
F
lashback riday
While students are gearing up for finals, others are daydreaming of their next vacation spot. Here are the top five Summer Break destinations from 2012:
1
Catalina Island
2
Bermuda
3
Amelia Island
4
Chicago
5
New Brunswick
d Tweets e r u Feat of the week A compilation of Tweets that made us laugh, cry or scratch our heads.
- Seth Meyers
Jenny Rohl/The News
Members and volunteers of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center participate in â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Day without Shoes.â&#x20AC;?
EDUCATION From Page 5B the field in which they want to eventually have a career. Music education major Ryan Knight came to Murray State on a scholarship to do four years of research about the correlation between reading music and language fluency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The experiential learning program is trying to get out into the field doing things and not just sitting in a classroom and talking about it,â&#x20AC;? Knight said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My research is a culmination of about four years of data collection and research.â&#x20AC;? Some students study abroad to further research and develop skills in their major and complete a research project. Students are encouraged to go out into the field and experience hands-on learning through internships, or other opportunities presented. According to the QEP, experiential learning encompasses the following objectives: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the implementation of learning experiences in which students apply principles learned in the classroom in a real-world setting; and professional development opportunities related to such relevant pedagogical areas as application, problemsolving, critical/creative thinking and information literacy.â&#x20AC;? Students must apply for a mini-grant through an application process during their time at Murray State or apply to attend Murray State for the purpose of research. Full-time faculty â&#x20AC;&#x153;who wish to create new or improve existing experiential learning opportu-
nitiesâ&#x20AC;? may also apply for a mini-grant, according to the QEP guidelines on Murray Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. Research may include service learning, internships, study abroad or other co-curricular projects. Students who enroll in recreation and leisure services courses are participating in service learning. It combines education and service, allowing students to contribute to organizations such as Murray and Mayfield YMCA, Murray Public Schools, 4-H, FFA, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and more. The University plans to give grants valuing from $500 to $1500 every year. In order to receive a grant and pass the committee evaluation of the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal, students or faculty must provide an application containing a description of the proposed experience-rich activity, how the proposed activity will benefit student learning, how the proposed activity and its results will be disseminated to the department, college, University and at the state or national level and a budget. Murray State is not the only University to administer grants for undergraduate research. Many other universities such as University of Georgia, University of Delaware, Harvard University and University of California, Berkley offer mini-grant programs as well. The methods of educating students are evolving at each university, according to the QEP plans and prospects for future developments in those plans. Murray State has jumped on the bandwagon within the last several years with the QEP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bringing Learning to Lifeâ&#x20AC;? suggests that education evolution is at its tipping point, not only at other universities but at Murray State as well.
PacSun
Allison DeBona
@PacSun Is butter a carb? #MeanGirls10thAnniversary 4:05 30 April 2014
@allidebona Do you wanna do something fun? Do you want to go to @TacoBell? #MeanGirls10thAnniversary 8:00 p.m. 30 April 2014
Francesca Eastwood
COVERGIRL
@Francesca_E YOU GO GLEN COCO #MeanGirls10thAnniversary 3: 36 p.m. 30 April 2014
@COVERGIRL Got a compliment on my hair, so gave the only suitable ans: "Thanks! It's so big because it's full of secrets." #MeanGirls10thAnniversary 1:57 p.m. 30 April 2014
This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topic: #MeanGirls10thAnniversary
SOLUTIONS AT THENEWS.ORG
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The News
Features
May 2, 2014
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’? TODAY
SATURDAY
• 5:30 p.m. Line dancing with Donna, Wellness Center
• All day Top Gun Car Show, Roy Stewart Stadium
•5:45 p.m. Aqua Zumba with Keisha, Wellness Center
• 8 a.m. 5K for congenital heart defects, University campus
TUESDAY
• 5 p.m. Zumba with Ashley, Wellness Center
• 4:30 p.m. Full Body 30 with Stefan, Wellness Center
• 5:30 p.m. Group TRX with Phil, Wellness Center
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.
SUNDAY • 11 a.m. “From Rags to Riches,” recyling rags into rugs, Land Between the Lakes
MONDAY • All day Calloway County High School Agriculture Department Greenhouse Open, Calloway County High School
THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY
• 12:30 p.m. Lavender Celebration, Curris Center, Commonwealth Suite
7B
• 4 p.m. AB Attack with Betsey, Wellness Center • 5 p.m. Water Aerobics with Debbie, Wellness Center
G ood lu c k o n f i n a l s f ro m T h e M u r r ay S t a t e Ne w s !
Movie Review
Photo courtesy of thehollywoodnews.com
Stars Kate Upton, Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann star in a revenge-based chick flick, “The Other Woman.”
New era chick flick teaches life lesson Madison Wepfer || Staff writer mwepfer@murraystate.edu
In “The Other Woman,” Carly (Cameron Diaz) and Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) have an indescribable connection – a spark. From their first date, they’re completely hooked on one another. However, when Mark has to “take care of a busted pipe” and Carly comes to surprise him, who answers the door? Mark’s wife, Kate. The next day, Kate visits Carly at work to calmly and maturely confront her about the situation. Instead of a calm confrontation, Kate freaks out, crying hysterically. To avoid embarrassment, Carly takes Kate to a bar and eventually back to her apartment where they get drunk and bond over the reality that the man they love has played both of them. When the two get past all the awkwardness that comes with finding out the man they love is sleeping with
‘Dog Sees God’ takes audience on journey
someone else, they devise a plan to find out what other dirty secrets Mark has been hiding. When Mark goes away on “a golf trip,” Carly and Kate follow and find him with a hot 22-year-old named Amber (Kate Upton). Carly and Kate accidentally run into Amber on the beach, where they explain their situation. She then helps them plot to take Mark down. Unbeknownst to Mark, the three follow him around in hopes to dig up enough dirt and make sure that he never plays another woman again. They dig around just enough to find that Mark has been stealing from several companies and that he plans to pin the blame on Kate. This film is the perfect chick flick because it combines aspects of “John Tucker Must Die,” “Legally Blonde” and “9 to 5.” “John Tucker Must Die” is the pioneer of revenge movies (at least for our
generation). “The Other Woman” follows in its footsteps as the three women bond over their hatred of the man who cheated on them. The film has the witty and girly banter of “Legally Blonde,” and it has the basic plot of “9 to 5.” I think almost every girl can relate to some portion of this movie, whether it be Kate and Carly bonding over tequila and playing dress-up, falling for your best friend’s hunky brother or having the unavoidable urge to get back at your ex. Although a lot of the movie hit home for me, some parts were not so great. There were far too many montages, and too many of them were in slow motion. An occasional makeover or shopping montage is always great, but I don’t need to see several of them in one sitting, unless it’s a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. Movies like this tend to get cheesy and sometimes a little strange. I was expecting some awkward sex scenes and
Kaylan Proctor || Contributing writer kproctor1@murraystate.edu
The Wilson Hall Studio Theatre was transformed last weekend into a dismal scene. Black walls covered in multi-colored graffiti depicted harsh language and drawings. A haze of soft blue and purple lighting set the tone for the play. A twisted version of the “Peanuts” theme song played in the background, a few keys off. There was no stage, only a section of the room that wasn’t covered in chairs for seating. The audience in that room was not watching a play - it was in it. The theater department performed “Dog Sees God,” a play depicting the “Peanuts” characters in an older, adolescent setting. Megan Gallagher, sophomore from Benton, Ky., went to see the play because some of the cast members were her friends. “I lost who they (the actors) were as my friends,” Gallagher said. “They became the characters themselves. It was so easy to get lost in the story.” The play dealt with a variety of issues such as sexual
other unnecessary weirdness to help develop the characters. In that sense the movie let me down, but this time for the better. The director let the actors play off each other and let the characters do the comedy for him. Everything felt natural, not forced. The three leading ladies had chemistry that made me want to be their best friend. Given that Cameron Diaz is old enough to be Kate Upton’s mother, they worked well together. Carly, Kate and Amber each brought something to the table and made the audience want more. This film has just enough comedy and just enough romance to make the perfect chick flick and teaches women a pessimistic but important lesson: when you think you find that special spark, look twice. You never know what he may be hiding.
Celebrity Encounters
Celebrities are people, too Being a talentseat filler at the CMA Awards in 2012 was easily one of the most memorable nights of my life. The CMA Awards are pretty much biggest Breanna Sill the and most presAssistant Features tigious award Editor shows in country music – you know, aside from the Grammys. Because of this, the rules for seat fillers are very strict compared to all the other award shows. The dress code is black - all black everything, as well as formal. Talent agencies do this because they do not want you to stand out amongst the crowd of stars. Because, really, the whole reason you are there is to take the distraction of the empty seats away any, so why would they want you wearing some bright, flashy dress? It is perfectly fine by me if it means I can sit next to Luke Bryan or Keith Urban, you know? But like I’ve said before, you can under absolutely no circumstances talk to the talent sitting next to you, unless they talk to you first. But spending the whole night sitting in the second row of the CMA Awards knowing Reba McEntire is sitting directly in front of you and Garth Brooks is just a few rows away is not something that just anyone can get used to. No matter how many times I attend a show like this, that feeling will never get any less exciting. You see the artists in rare form. During commercial breaks, they will get up and run around to their friends’ seats and gossip about everything from their kids to their new projects. You also are able to see everyone’s true opinions of each other in the way they act whenever one of their peers is performing. Some artists stand, clap and dance during performances of friends on stage while others stay seated and whisper to the person sitting next to them, whether that be a manager or a friend, in what could only be viewed as a snarky way. Another thing you often notice while seatfilling is all the alcohol consumption. There is nothing funnier than seeing a starlet running around like a drunk college girl snapping selfies with her friends and tripping over her high heels while trying to make it back to her seat after a commercial break. Hearing the drunken screaming of a hit song coming from behind you from an artist who is just there to have a good time is very memorable. All it really comes down to is no matter where you are sitting at the award show you just have to remember that everyone is the same; some people just have better seats.
bsill@murraystate.edu
orientation, body image, religion, suicide, depression and death. The content of the play was emotionally heavy for both actors and audience. “My emotions went up and down throughout the show,” Gallagher said. “By the end of opening night, the entire audience left the theater hugging each other, hugging the cast, crying and laughing. One girl even made the comment, ‘We are just a room full of emotionally exhausted individuals.’ Even after I went home, I couldn’t sleep because I was still trying to relax after the emotional rollercoaster I had just been on.” Daryl Phillipy, assistant professor of College of Humanities and Fine Arts and director of the play, said that he was pleased with the way the actors performed and handled the intense content. “All of the characters had emotional preparation they had to go through,” Phillipy said. “It was difficult for them sometimes because they had to get to that emotional dark place before each show. I was pleased with their commitment to the process; it paid off for them in a great way.” Despite all of the deep emotional content, the play ended with a message of hope. At the end of the play,
the main character receives a letter from his long-silent pen pal. The letter tells him to never stop asking questions and to always immerse himself in life, not in death. “The best part was that, even through all the sadness and the intense moments, there was a positive message: to focus on life more than we focus on death,” Gallagher said. After seeing this performance, Gallagher said she would be returning to see more plays from the theater department. Phillipy said he hoped the audience walked away with a new understanding of the fact that everyone has problems and that you never know what someone else might be dealing with. He hoped that the messages of kindness and being true to yourself resonated within each member of the audience. After the performance, the actors invited the audience to come join them and dance together. The dancing lifted the mood, reminding everyone of that ray of hope. “We loved the curtain call,” Phillipy said. “At the end of the day, that’s one of the main messages of the play – to love each other.”
See It
Rent It
Hear It
Read It
Play It
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2”
“Devil’s Due”
“Storyline” Hunter Hayes
“Unlucky 13” by James Patterson
“Child of Light”
Photos courtesy of amazon.com
Out This Week
8B
The News May 2, 2014