The Murray State News

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The Murray State News January 30, 2015

TheNews.org

Vol. 89, No. 18

New Franklin will result in less parking Amanda Grau || News Editor agrau1@murraystate.edu

“The worst part of my college experience thus far is the parking.”

Kelsey Spillman, senior from Louisville, Ky., vented her frustration after learning that four rows of parking are to be removed from the residential lot on the south side of Hart Residential College.

When construction begins on New Franklin Residential College at the end of March, those rows of parking will be sectioned off with barriers.

New Franklin will be built closer to Hart than the current building, cutting off those parking spaces permanently, even after New Franklin is finished in the fall of 2016.

Jason Youngblood, assistant director of Facilities Management, said there are no plans to add

new parking spaces, but students will be asked to use the lot behind the current Franklin Residential College more.

“The lot behind Franklin is being underutilized at the moment,” Youngblood said. “But that lot can be used by students during the project and after.”

The focus of the University shouldn’t be on new housing, it should be on parking lots, Spillman said.

The influx of students from Mid-Continent University closure last year threw the student-to-parking space ratio out of whack, she said.

“It’s so frustrating, because they took in all these people from Mid-Continent and they weren’t prepared in the parking lots or in the dorms,” Spillman said.

An education major, Spillman said the parking situation is particularly hard on those who have to

drive to off-campus classes.

Spillman had to drive to her assigned school at 6 a.m. for her practicum. When she would return to campus later in the day, she couldn’t find a free parking space on the residential side.

“The other day I got a ticket for parking at (the Curris Center),” she said. “I parked there late in the day and took a risk because I couldn’t find another yellow spot. I can’t imagine how difficult is for (agriculture) majors. They have to drive to the farms.”

Erin Potts, sophomore from Louisville, Ky., said the solution is simple: first-year freshmen shouldn’t get yellow tags, whether they meet the 30 credit yellow-tag requirement or not.

Currently, freshmen living on campus are assigned a purple tag unless they’re living in Regents Residential College or White Residential College

– they’re assigned brown.

According to Potts, exemptions are made.

“Sometimes the freshmen come in with credits that bump them up,” she said. “My little (sorority sister) came in with enough credits and they bent the rules for her.”

Comparatively, the $75 students pay for a yearround parking permit is a drop in the bucket to the $264 students at the University of Kentucky are faced with, or up to $590 at the University of Louisville.

Public Safety and Emergency Management is working in conjunction with Facilities Management to come up with viable plans to deal with the parking shortage, said Roy Dunaway, interim chief of Public Safety.

“There are multiple plans in the works,” Dunaway said. “There will be parking.”

Strategic plan town hall sparks student feedback

THROUGH THE

GOOGLE GLASS

Mary Bradley Editor-in-Chief

mbradley9@murraystate.edu

Ben Manhanke || Chief Videographer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

Editor’s Note: Chief Videographer Ben Manhanke is one of few Murray State students to use Waterfield Library’s Google Glass. This is his firsthand account to give you, the reader, complete insight on the new technology on our campus.

Once you get past looking like an android from a cheesy 1950s science-fiction movie or an extra from Star Trek or Star Wars (take your pick), Google Glass is actually pretty cool.

For the past week I have tried out and experimented with Google’s much-hyped wearable technology, courtesy of the University Libraries, who purchased a pair in May 2014.

This is the first semester the administration is allowing the Google Glass to be checked out.

If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of

Proposed LGBT bill causes concerns of ethics, legality WHAT’S

INSIDE

the University purchasing Google Glass before, it’s because this is also the first semester libraries are advertising its availability.

After facing several speed bumps, including the first pair needing to be replaced after it unexpectedly stopped working, Waterfield Library is finally ready to check the glasses out to faculty for 72-hour periods.

Part science-fiction and part technology upgrade, Google Glass allows the wearer to surf the web, make phone calls, take pictures and videos and do everything your average smartphone can do.

Using a combination of voice commands and a touchpad located on the frame of the glass, you can manipulate a small heads-up-display projected just in front of your right eye.

Google Glass applications all ran flawlessly, in my opinion. I was able to check my email, get on

see GOOGLE, 2A

Ben Manhanke || Chief Videographer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu

With the introduction of Senate Bill 76 to the state General Assembly last week, Kentucky came to the forefront of a growing national debate concerning transgender rights.

SB76, also known as the “Kentucky Student Privacy Act” would, if passed, ban transgender students in grades K-12 from using school restrooms and locker rooms which don’t correspond to their anatomical sex. Students who encounter a transgender person of the opposite sex in one of these locations would be allowed to sue the school for $2,500.

Under the bill, transgender students may ask their school for reasonable accommodations to be made such as access to unisex or faculty restrooms.

Advocates on both sides of the issue spoke out this week including the bill’s author Sen. C.B. Embry Jr., R-Morgantown.

Embry said he introduced the bill on behalf of the conservative educational organization, Family Foundation of Kentucky,

MAJOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Curris Center Small Ballroom held approximately 80 laughing students.

President Bob Davies joked about holding a microphone, saying he preferred to not stand behind a podium because it made him look small.

Spanning across several rows of chairs were smiling students, but they were not in the Curris Center for comedic purposes. Rather, there were there to hear and ask questions about Murray State’s Strategic Initiatives plan.

Held in a town hall setting, students of all majors, hometowns and involvements were invited to discuss how the University will change over the course of the next seven years.

With a PowerPoint presentation, Davies and committee members reviewed what initiatives students now and in 2022 could expect to see.

Each committee that falls under the overall executive committee – student success, academic excellence, scholarship, research and creative thought and community engagement – discussed their goals and how they plan to achieve them, illustrating

and in response to a new policy enacted by Atherton High School in Louisville, Ky., last year.

In an 8-1 vote by Atherton’s site-based decision-making council, a transgender male student was allowed to use restroom facilities designated for girls. This decision was later upheld in a 5-1 vote by the Jefferson County Public School appeals board.

“Schools have a duty to respect the privacy rights of students including the right not to be compelled to undress or be unclothed in the presence of members of the opposite biological sex,” he wrote in his bill.

Jody Cofer Randall, Murray State’s LGBT program coordinator, said the bill is idiotic and not about students’ right to privacy at all.

“This is a really ugly bill,” Cofer Randall said. “Basically it’s putting a bounty on trans-peoples’ heads and has drawn attention to this line of thought that if you can find a trans-person in a bathroom you win $2,500.”

OUR VIEW

Occupational Health and Safety Google Glass has its scholarships are a plenty, 6A occassional mistakes, 4A

see BILL, 2A

in detail what measurable achievements are planned to be reached.

While the town hall highlighted important aspects of the University’s future, the meeting’s intention was to share in planning that future with current students.

“The purpose of tonight is to hear you give us feedback on the next seven or so years on the direction of this University,” said Tim Todd, co-chair of the Strategic Initiatives executive committee.

And feedback there was.

Lauren Cox, freshman from Murray, shared two of her questions with the committee members.

Cox’s questions hit pivital topics for students: the upcoming tobacco ban and having Winslow Dining Hall swipes utilized in the Thoroughbred Room.

I n r e s p o n s e , D a v i e s stressed that there was a separate committee for the tobacco ban, but that elements of student health existed in the student success committee. Additionally, Cox’s question on Winslow swipes emphasized the purpose for the town hall meeting, which was to engage in discussion regarding changes students would like to see.

Cox said she attended the

see MEETING, 2A

Correction: On Jan. 23, 2015, The Murray State News printed a photo on page 1A attributing a car to Courtney Wright. The photo appeared with the story, “Drunken driver hits four cars in complex.” Wright does not own the car. The News regrets the error.

Find an error? Let us know by sending corrections to murraystatenews@icould.com

WHAT’S ON THENEWS.ORG VIDEO

Check out our video coverage of events on campus with new videos every week at TheNews.org.

RACER BASKETBALL Follow @MSUSportsNews on Twitter and check out our continuing game coverage at TheNews.org.

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Learn about the man behind the food truck’s Twitter, 5B

The News

News

2A

BILL From Page 1 Cofer Randall said while this bill does not have a direct impact on Murray State, many of the high schools and potential Murray State students in the University’s service region would be affected. Cofer Randall said the University is often called upon to help with LGBT issues in area high schools which do not have the training or personnel to deal with them on their own.

Apart from ethical concerns, the bill’s introduction has also raised legal concerns about whether SB76 will come into conflict with federal Title IX protections which were extended to transgender students in 2014.

According to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, “Title IX’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity and OCR accepts such complaints for investigation. Similarly, the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the par-

“

ties does not change a school’s obligations.”

Schools found to be in non-compliance with Title IX can lose their federal funding or be subjected to substantial damages in cases brought to court.

Ethan Mainstruck, freshman from Benton, Ky., said he could see the logic behind the bill, but does not think it is reasonable. He said the bill seems to address a specific incident more than an actual problem Kentucky schools are facing.

“I think it’s a reaction based on how the public views transgender persons,” Mainstruck said. “Most people wouldn’t exactly be accepting of them so that’s people’s first reaction, to automatically go against anything transgender related.”

Chase Adams, sophomore from Bowling Green, Ky., said what schools’ policies are concerning transgender persons bathroom use shouldn’t be up to the government.

“There shouldn’t be a bill that says all schools should allow it or a bill stating no schools should allow it,” Adams said. “Passing that bill would be pushing just one thought on the whole entire school system of the whole state when it should be up to that school.”

Basically it’s putting a bounty on trans-peoples’ heads and has drawn attention to this line of thought that if you can find a trans-person in a bathroom you win $2,500.

- Jody Cofer Randall, LGBT program coordinator

GOOGLE

January 30, 2015

Fumi Nakamura/The News

Renae Duncan, associate provost, speaks about the academic excellence committee’s plans at Wednesday night’s meeting.

MEETING From Page 1 meeting to ask questions and to be involved. Since both her parents work for the University, she wanted to be able to give back, too, she said.

While she went into the meeting with an open mind on the committees and discussion points, she said she appreciated the ability to voice her concerns when she had them.

“I really like that we are able to give our own feedback,” Cox said. “You could email that address, and it’s open to everyone. The president’s here and University staff members are here – you can tell how much they care about the University.”

Faculty, staff and students were in attendance Wednesday, but in some instances, there have been little to no student attendance at previous town hall meetings.

Ryan Knight, one of two students on the student success committee, said students and the University depend upon each other, with the students acting as the core component.

He said in past meetings for his specific committee, there have been no students in attendance.

Knight said students should begin to learn and to get involved in the planning process because they will begin to see changes on campus due to the Strategic Initiatives plan.

“A lot of the faculty and staff are a part of (the plan) because they can see the changes as they come through,” Knight said. “The students are going

Opportunities to get involved: For full details on the Strategic Initatives plan, visit murraystate.edu.

”

• • • •

General Town Hall meeting at 3 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2015 in the Curris Center Theater 19 future committee meetings Five upcoming Town Hall meetings in March and April Comments and suggestions about the plan can be submitted through murraystate.edu and also by texting (603) 957-7274

From Page 1 Facebook and follow Google Maps as it directed me around campus without difficulty.

To manage and operate Google Glass you must download the MyGlass phone app.

This app also allows you to store photos and stream your videos onto your phone so others can see what you’re seeing.

After the initial excitement of the technology wore off – canonized by Time Magazine as the “Best Invention of the Year 2012” – it began to feel like just a computer strapped to my face. It seemed as if the heads-up display and Google Glass in general was more of a novelty gimmick than a useful piece of technology.

Apparently sharing similar misgivings about their product, on Jan. 15, Google announced it would stop manufacturing Google Glass and developing applications for the prototype.

According to the search-engine giant, Google still intends to develop smartglasses for the common man. Further development of this technology will be in the hands of their Google X division, also responsible for designing the self-driving car.

Adam Murray, dean of University Libraries, said he does not consider the $1,500 purchase of Google Glass to be a waste, even now that the product is being discontinued. He said the technology can still serve its intended purpose on campus: educating faculty.

“Delivering courses needs to change as technology changes,” Murray said. “Students have

Fumi Nakamura/The News

Ben Manhanke, Chief Videographer for The News, uses Waterfield Library’s Google Glass. changing expectations for how they’ll interact with their course content. Being able to experiment with technology is pretty important to faculty so they can adapt their teaching styles to the technology that’s available and really try to meet

Tinseltown

Tuesday

New Life Campus Ministry Curris Center Theatre - 7 p.m.

to see some of these changes over the next several years as they graduate and maintain a relationship with the University or as they come in. That cycle will continue for the next seven years.”

The cause, to Knight, for the previous lack of student involvement in the plan is simply due to not knowing about it.

He said there have been multiple offices on campus that have reached out to students about different town hall meetings in the past through RoundaboutU and email. However he said gathering the attention of students lies in social media.

“What we discussed in the student success committee was getting the message out through Facebook,” Knight said. “Obviously, that had great success.

Through that we directly contacted students who served as an intergal part of this process.”

student expectations.”

Google Glass was first introduced to faculty at the 12 Gadgets technology seminar at the request of Elizabeth Price, research and instruction librarian.

12 Gadgets, which is held in December, introduces faculty to 12 new pieces of technology that could be incorporated into the classroom. Hosted

by Waterfield Library in partnership with the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology and the Faculty Development Center, past exhibits have included 3-D printing, Amazon Kindle, Apple iPads and Chromecast.

Price said apart from the 12 Gadgets seminar, faculty has not had the chance to access the Google Glass.

“We had really hoped in the about six months we’ve had them that more people would be able to use them,” Price said. “But the logistics have made it very difficult. In that sense I’m disappointed, but we didn’t know (this problem would arise) going into it.”

The problem is Google Glass’ inability to connect to Murray State’s Wi-Fi. Most of the glasses’ applications are rendered useless unless professors have phones with a data plan for Google Glass.

Issues with Google Glass included, for me, how long it took to learn to operate certain functions and its lack of functions different from what my phone already has. However, I still think there is a future for this technology.

I can see how professors, as well as other professionals, would utilize this technology. Perhaps faculty might use Google Glass to make a “how-to” video for a course or upload their PowerPoint to the glasses for easy access. I can see surgeons using them to pull up a patient’s X-rays during a procedure or an engineer on site referencing blueprints they’ve saved.

Google Glass may not be perfect, but it is the beginning of what is sure to be a long line of wearable technology.

Feb. 3

Brave Feb 10

Valentines Day

TheNews.org

The News

News

January 30, 2015

News Editor: Amanda Grau Assistant Editor: Mari-Alice Jasper Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

Jenkins Smith speaks on shooting

POLICE BEAT Jan. 23

Jan. 27

1:41 a.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop at U.S. Highway 121 and 5 Star Food Mart. A verbal warning was issued for improper equipment.

8 p.m. Racer Patrol reported that an individual from Hart Residential College wanted to speak to an officer. Officers were notified and a report of harassment including physical contact that resulted in no injuries was taken.

4:58 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle collision on 15th Street. Officers were notified. The owners did not request a collision report, so none was taken.

11:05 p.m. Officers conducted a traffic stop at Heritage Hall. A written warning was issued for failure to signal and for not having working headlights.

Jan. 24 2:39 a.m. A caller reported an intoxicated person at James H. Richmond Residential College. Officers, Murray Ambulance Services and Student Affairs were notified and the person was transported.

12:57 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle collision in the CFSB Center upper parking lot. Officers were notified and a collision report was taken.

Jan. 25

8:26 p.m. A caller reported a medical emergency at Richmond. Officers, Murray Ambulance Services and Student Affairs were notified. The person was transported and a medical report was taken.

9:25 p.m. A caller from Regents Residential College requested to speak to an officer. Officers were notified and a report was taken for an assault resulting in a minor injury.

Jan. 26 9:56 a.m. A caller reported damage to their vehicle parked in the 16th Street lower parking lot. Officers were notified and an information report was taken.

11:43 p.m. A person from Hester Residential College reported a drug complaint.

Officers were notified.

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Jan. 28 3:25 p.m. A caller reported suspicious people near Wrather West Kentucky Museum. Officers were notified and a person was arrested for criminal trespass.

7:02 p.m. A caller from Richmond reported a missing person to Public Safety and Emergency Management. Officers were notified and a report was taken.

Call of Fame Jan. 24, 5:39 p.m. - A caller reported a burning smell at Hester. Officers, Murray Fire Department and Central Heating and Cooling were notified. It was determined that the smell was due to burning incense. No threat of fire was detected.

The incident was referred to Housing and a report was taken.

A message of determination after 1997 high school shooting Brittany Risko Staff writer

brisko@murraystate.edu

Paralyzed from the chest down after a bullet hit right above her heart, Missy Jenkins Smith still manages to pick herself up and will speak to students at Murray State.

The Office of Student Disability Services will sponsor Jenkins Smith’s presentation at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 in the Large Ballroom in the Curris Center.

Jenkins Smith is a victim of a regional public school shooting that happened more than a decade ago.

On Dec. 1, 1997, a bullied 14-year-old boy opened fire in Heath High School inside Paducah, Ky., killing three and injuring five people during a prayer circle in the school lobby.

As time passed, Jenkins Smith did something unthinkable: she forgave the shooter, accepted her disability and reclaimed her life.

“I was able to graduate college, work the career of my dreams, get married and have children,” Jenkins Smith said.

Regardless of her disability, Jenkins Smith was able to do everything she wanted in life.

“I chose to be happy,” Jenkins Smith said. “I am mak-

Jordie Oetken/The News

Missy Jenkins Smith speaks to students at Murray State about her experience. ing my own choices and not letting my disability get in my way.”

During her program, Jenkins Smith will dis-

cuss the events of that day, while talking about bully prevention, the power of forgiveness and violence prevention.

“I was 16 years old,” Jenkins Smith said. “I had to grow up faster than most of the people my age.”

Cindy Clemson, assistant director of Student Disability Services, said the office chose Jenkins Smith’s story because it is a good follow-up to RJ Mitte’s story from last semester.

This is not Jenkins Smith’s debut at Murray State. She said she has spoken here a few times before because the message is geared toward a mature audience.

“I feel like (Murray State) is the best place to reach young people to benefit from the message of perseverance and forgiveness,” Jenkins Smith said.

She will sign copies of her book “I Chose to Be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph over Tragedy” before and after the event.

The book contains questions for discussion between students, teachers and parents on topics such as bullying, forgiveness, setting goals and overcoming obstacles.

Jenkins Smith said the biggest challenge she has to overcome in everyday life is her ability to complete simple tasks.

“It takes me longer to get things done, but with patience and working with it I can get it done,” she said.

$40,000 in scholarships for safety students Lucy Easley || Contributing writer leasley@murraystate.edu

Motorists assists – 12 Racer escorts – 2 Arrests – 1 Mari-Alice Jasper, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided

by Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Not all dispatched calls are listed.

Sexual assault reported On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, Murray State Public Safety issued a “Timely Notice” of a sexual assault. A Murray State student reported being sexually assaulted in early Sept. 2014 in her residential college by a known assailant. Public Safety is investigating this incident. This is the fifth incident of sexual assault reported this academic year.

About $40,000 in scholarship money has been raised by the Kentucky Safety and Health Network, and it is up for grabs for students across the Commonwealth.

Although these scholarships are funded by safety-related industries, they aren’t strictly for occupational safety and health majors.

So what could students do with this extra cash?

Patrick Edmonds, senior from Hardinsburg, Ky., said extra scholarship money could help students cover the basic expenses of a college education, such as books or a meal plan.

“It would have been helpful to find out about scholarships like these as a freshman or sophomore,” Edmonds said. “If you take the time and apply, it would probably be in your favor.”

Students interested in a number of programs are encouraged to apply for these scholarships because multiple different majors could relate to health and safety.

Scholarships are awarded to students in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene or related fields, according to the KSHN website. Related fields include occupational medicine, industrial engineering, degrees in science and more.

These scholarships, known as Scholastic Achievement For Education or SAFE awards, are funded by donations from various industries in the safety field. The awards are designed to help students continue their education and earn degrees that will benefit safety-related industries.

Many related fields are considered because of the strong presence of safety in various industries. Traci Byrd, professor of science engineering and technology, said SAFE awards help students earn a degree that prepares them to work in almost any industry.

“There is no place not touched by safety,” Byrd said.

Students in Murray State’s OSH department have found work with insurance companies, Delta Airlines, Marathon and more.

Last summer, 120 students were placed at internships with various companies across the nation.

Haley Hays/The News

Kristen Spicer, professor of science, engineering technology, lectures in an upper-level OSH class.

“Working in the safety profession allows students the opportunity to wear many hats and work in many different settings,” Byrd said.

Some students would not have the chance to work in such a diverse field without the aid of scholarships and grants. Byrd said that some students are hesitant to apply, but many could benefit from the SAFE awards.

The applications for SAFE scholarships are due Feb. 28. Recipients will be announced April 30 and recognized formally at the Governor’s Safety and Health Conference and Exposition in Louisville.

Students find winter recreations at state parks Mari-Alice Jasper || Assistant News Editor mjasper1@murraystate.edu

The frigid waves of Kentucky Lake soaked three members of the Murray State Bass Anglers Club and stole three of their fishing rods on one windy evening in late January.

Even as the days seem to shorten and the temperatures drop to freezing, students still make their way down to the water’s edge to enjoy the local lakes in many different ways.

Justin Berger, president of the Murray State Bass Anglers Club, said their problems began when they decided to go into a bay to get out of the wind. The wind speed on the lake that day was as fast as 10 mph coming from the north, according to the Kentucky Lake website.

Berger said after fishing in the bay for a while, he, Jason Shaw and Mat Cardani decided to drive to another fishing spot to try their luck.

He said as they drove away, the bow of their boat dipped into the water, causing a large wave to overtake their bass fishing boat and drench them.

“We all laughed after it happened,” he said.

“One of the boys stripped down and changed into his rain gear, but we kept on fishing.”

Berger said navigating the 20 foot long Ranger v520 bass fishing boat takes a high skill level especially with so much wind. He said they lost about $300 worth of gear out on the lake.

“We went out there to have a good time and to practice for upcoming tournaments,” he said.

Shaw and Cardani said they asked Berger to help them develop their bass fishing skills and navigation skills because he is a senior member of the club.

“This is the perfect time of the year to work

Courtesy of Justin Berger

Randy Haynes, professional bass fisherman, competed at the Fishing League Worldwide tour event on Kentucky Lake in June of 2014. on things like that before we get into season,” Berger said.

Berger said the club uses Kentucky Lake yearround as their home lake to practice and compete in tournaments.

He said members of the club compete against each other eight times a year to rank their strongest performing members. These high-ranking fishermen then represent Murray State in the bass anglers national championship.

More than 300 collegiate teams participate

nationally. Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, University of Louisville and University of Kentucky are all in the same competitive division as Murray State.

Berger said Murray State’s close proximity to Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley has given the club an advantage over other teams.

“Our ability to easily access the lakes allows us to be one of the most competitive and most winning teams nationally,” he said.

Berger said Murray State’s location and Bass

Anglers Club influenced him to enroll. The club has one of the highest membership rates on campus, topping out at more than 40 full-time Racers, casting their lines out on a regular basis.

Berger said fishing is a year-round sport and there are tournaments nearly every weekend.

The Murray State Bass Anglers Club is the 2009 National Championship winner.

The bass anglers aren’t the only Murray State students out on the lakes this time of year.

Bryce Watson, president of the rowing team, said the team also primarily uses Kentucky Lake to practice. He said the team is active yearround and in the warmer months the rowing team hits the water almost every day.

“I don’t know if we would actually be able to row if we weren’t able to use the lakes in the state parks,” he said.

Bryce said the team averages 25 members, but fluctuates by semester. The Murray State rowing team is one of only two collegiate rowing teams in Kentucky.

The other belongs to the University of Louisville. He said in the fall participants train for the 5,000-meter race, which is a test of endurance and in the spring they train for the 2,000-meter race.

“The 2,000-meter race is more intense and fast-paced,” Watson said. “It’s more entertaining to watch.”

Berger and Watson agreed that the close proximity of the lakes to the University are an integral part of their activity.

“It would be an extreme detriment to our club if we were unable to use the local lakes,” Berger said. “It would have a huge impact on membership for us and we wouldn’t be able to compete at such a high level.”

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January 30, 2015

The News

Opinion

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

­

Our View

The News 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 murraystatenews@icloud.com Fax: 270-809-3175

TheNews.org Mary Bradley

Editor-in-Chief • 270-809-6877 mbradley9@murraystate.edu Amanda Grau News Editor • 270-809-4468 agrau1@murraystate.edu Carly Besser Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 cbesser@murraystate.edu Breanna Sill Features Editor • 270-809-5871 bsill@murraystate.edu Mallory Tucker Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 mtucker11@murraystate.edu Kayla MacAllister Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 kmacallister@murraystate.edu Elizabeth Leggett Online Editor • 270-809-5877 eleggett@murraystate.edu Allison Borthwick Advertising Sales Manager • 270-809-4478 msunewsads@gmail.com Alex Hilkey Advertising Production • 270-809-5874 shilkey@murraystate.edu Fumi Nakamura Photography Editor • 270-809-5878 fnakamura1@murraystate.edu Ben Manhanke Chief Videographer bmanhanke@murraystate.edu Joe Hedges Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu

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Katie Wilborn/The News

Google Glass is only somewhat helpful The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

With additions like Interactive Television Classrooms, Mac desktops and iPads, Murray State tries to keep the classroom innovative and up-to-date technologically.

Some see these accessories as distracting and intrusive elements to learning, but others argue that new technology keeps students interested while aiding professors.

Google Glass is part of a series of wearable technology that is still in its beginning stages of development, but the University decided to test it and see if it can be a positive tool for teachers that are trying to update their curriculum. The eyewear costs $1,500 and one pair was purchased by University Libraries.

The design looks like something out of a sci-fi series, with the microcomputer in front of the right lens. The questionable design goes against the idea that

wearable technology should be sleek and seamless. These elements are only mentioned by people concerned with the fashion aspect of technology. If wearable technology is functional, it should also be discreet. Would it be a distraction if our professors looked like cyborgs? Most likely.

After spending some time with Google Glass, the editorial board developed mostly positive feelings. The point of the glasses was make our lives convenient, which for the most part, it did.

The voice-activated Google searches work well, the camera and video recording features were sharp and the apps seem to work well, but the question is still there. Will this be useful to us?

Unfortunately, the concept of Google Glass still has ways to go. There was a learning curve which makes us sure that teachers would experience the small

issues. We already have troubles with the technology we have. To add more to the list would be counterproductive.

Google Glass can be connected to the Internet through a mobile data plan, but can’t connect to the University’s Wi-Fi, which is a major disadvantage. Murray State’s Wi-Fi connects the majority of students as well as teachers, who often access Canvas or Google Docs online.

These criticisms are likely the reasons that Google discontinued the glasses in 2014. Customers can’t buy Google Glass. All development, like applications and updates, stopped. With no development, Google Glass has a limited future as far as improvements for the software go.

According to CNET’s tech blog, of the 16 Glass developers, nine abandoned development projects because of multiple limitations and lack of consumers.

The only hope of the technology improving is if Google re-releases the Glass with some serious renovations.

For Murray State, $1,500 is a drop in the bucket. It won’t make a large impact on finances, but we know which technologies are helpful for education and which ones aren’t worth the investment.

For $1,500, the University could have purchased three 16 GB iPads, one iMac or more public printing centers.

We believe that there is room for the concept of Google Glass to grow. Its recording and search capabilities could be useful for professors. With more development and compatibility with our Wi-Fi, the Glass could be a convenient tool for work or play. For now, we’re not convinced that it can be integrated as a helpful part of the classroom yet, but there is room to believe that it could be useful in the future.

The Captain’s Log

Creativity and the American Dream

I often write about creativity. I wholeheartedly believe that it is one of the most effective ways to remind ourselves just how truly unique we all are.

Not every person draws an apple the same way.

Not everyone has the same vibrato. In a Zac Garrison world that is Senior from whitewashed Franklin, Ky. with conformity and fitting in, creativity helps us stick out.

But ask yourself – how is creativity viewed in modern society? We look at those who would rather spend their time singing and drawing instead of learning long division like they lack ambition and are not serious about their schoolwork. Why is that? What it boils down to is that modern America looks at creativity as a distraction from the “American Dream.”

You can’t find the term “American Dream” in any dictionary, because there is no concrete

definition for the term. It was in the early 1900s when Ellis Island immigrants became enamored by America’s opportunities for wealth and its navigable social class structure.

It is a place where you could truly start at the bottom and work your way up with hard work and elbow grease, which is different than some countries. Their “American Dream” was to come to America, work and rise to the top.

However, that term doesn’t apply to creativity. People look at those who want to be artists and poets as lost souls and emotional teenagers. Professions in the creative world are in a tough place. Imagine how many parents scoffed when their child told them they wanted to major in musical theater or creative writing.

Being a professional creative is looked at like it’s illogical, comical and provides no use to the world. The common rhetoric in this situation is, “You need to major in something that will make you money.” I understand this, but would you rather spend your days pushing pencils across paperwork wishing it was a sketchpad?

So, what kind of jobs should we have?

Should we be accountants? Should we be politicians and let our allegiance lie with whoever is slipping the most coins into our pocket? I’m not saying those are bad professions, but the world needs creative minds just as much as it needs people who professionally make other people money.

It’s a known stereotype that artistic or cre-

ative industries don’t make a lot of money, but that because we have structured our society that way. We have let people tell us that being creative is silly and unessential to the world, so why pay them?

To me, the worst part of it all is that these young creative kids’ role models are famous singers, dancers, artists and poets. As a child I worshiped the ground that D.J. MacHale and Shel Silverstein walked on. But I was told early in life that being a professional writer is a terrible career choice because odds are that you’ll never make it.

Teachers tell that to young children in elementary school every single day. We tell kids at young ages they can grow up to be anything they want, then turn around and shoot those dreams down by telling them few people go on to be professional singers and writers.

We tell them to dream big but, we put a box around that dream if we think it’s getting too big.

I can’t imagine a world where people no longer see creativity as a necessity, but this is the direction that we’re headed. When we teach our youth that punching numbers into a calculator is more important than learning to play an instrument or draw a picture, they learn at a young age that there is no need to nurture their creativity because it will never be useful when they grow up.

We need to remind ourselves of how necessary creativity is before we turn our “American Dream” into the American Nightmare.

The News

Opinion

January 30, 2015

5A

Letter to the Editor Last week, two representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center sent a Letter to the Editor, criticizing the proposed fairness ordinance created by Murray’s Human Rights Commission. In the letter, they made claims that I for one consider to be false and show a misunderstanding of the issues at hand.

In the letter, they first claimed that the cartoon and editorial in The Murray State News were wrong, that “concerned citizens of Murray” merely shared their concerns and asked how said action could speak volumes about bigotry and negativity.

I attended the meeting referenced

by The Murray State News. As a gay man, I was struck by how many citizens there seemed to have concerns about the ordinance formed out of negative stereotypes and myths about LGBT people.

I saw citizens state that they were concerned that if protection was given to LGBT people, then it would also eventually be given to criminals, for example, axe murderers. If this is not an indication of bigotry and neg-

ative attitudes thriving in Murray, I don’t know what is.

It was also claimed that there was no need for such an ordinance – that there are no documented cases of such discrimination in Murray. That may be true, or it could be that individuals were afraid or unable to report them.

However, even if it has never happened before, that doesn’t mean that an ordinance shouldn’t be made. It’s like saying that if a bank has never been robbed before, then security cameras and other precautions are unnecessary.

The writers made claims that such an ordinance would violate LGBT activists’ statements that an individual’s sexual life is their own business – that said private life would be brought to the public fore by the ordinance.

Perhaps if bigots didn’t drag other people’s private lives out themselves by discriminating against them, the ordinance wouldn’t be needed.

Lastly, the writers stated that “credible employers” wouldn’t try to disqualify a well-qualified employee.

Did she really say that?

Love thy fellow weirdo

True, credible employers wouldn’t, but not all employers are credible, especially bigots. This has been demonstrated time and time again, and it is why the ordinance is needed.

In short, the writers’ claims are incorrect, and originate from an ignorance of basic human rights. The proposed ordinance is needed, and I fully support it.

Robert Scott

Senior from Springville, Tenn.

We still want to hear from you.

Are you concerned about a certain issue on campus or want to share your opinion?

The News is always accepting Letters to the Editor. For a chance to get your letter published in print or on TheNews.org, email us at letters@thenews.org.

I’ve Got a Story for You

Valentine: Equality month If this paper is “hot off the press,” you are reading this essay at the end of what may appropriately be called, “Equality Month.”

It may be so called because two of the world’s greatest advocates of human equality have their birthdays celebrated worldwide in January. They were Robert Valentine not politicians nor generals. Neither Senior lecturer was ever elected to of advertising high public office and both came from professions that were – and are – unlikely to spawn political leaders.

Americans will immediately name Martin Luther King Jr. Before his assassination at the age of 38, he had led a revolution in peaceful protest and led the nation into a new age of political and social equality. A national holiday marks the debt owed by the nation to his wisdom and courage.

We celebrate the Monday nearest his birthday Jan. 15.

Most of us, however, would not recognize the contribution of the son of a poor Scottish farmer.

Cheers and Jeers Cheers and Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor.

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

Comic

Born in the southwest of Scotland, Robert Burns grew to be the best-known poet of his age. Dead for more than two centuries, authorities still recognize him as the greatest poet in the English language. Around the world, his admirers gather for celebratory dinners on his birthday: Jan 25.

Burns led no marches, counseled with no presidents or kings. He headed no movements, nor did he create memorable speeches that stirred a nation to action. In his day, there were no televisions, no elections to compel the powerful to attend the will of the people.

“

It’s a great month for equality.

-Robert Valentine

”

But there were books. Burns’ passionate poems of respect for the common people and his logical appeals for the inherent worth of every individual moved thousands of his fellow Scots. In Scotland, his love of family and country inspired new self-respect among the poor who would soon emigrate to the New World – or be transported against their will by the English king.

Like King, his words proved to be powerful tools to encourage freedom from tyranny and to embolden a belief in self-worth among both men and women.

Although popular with the high-born and the wealthy for the beauty of his verse, he was revered by the common people for the dignity he

Cheers to ... Tess Munster.

The size 22 model is the first of her size and height to land a major modeling contract. She also started the #EffYourBeautyStandards movement, which encourages women to celebrate their bodies no matter what size.

You go, girl.

Jeers to ... Winter Storm Juno.

Areas in the Northeast are declaring states of emergency after the blizzard produced more than 28 inches of snow. Also, can you share some of that snow with us, New England? You’ve got plenty to share and we could use a snow day or four. It’s still sunny and fair here.

gave their lives.

You probably sang his great hymn to friendship less than a month ago. “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” we sang on New Year’s Eve. The answer is so obvious, that the poet never provides it. Friendship is forever.

Among his many poems extolling the worth of the individual and casting doubt on the rights of monarchs is the manifesto of equality best known as “A Man’s a man for all that.” After making the powerful argument that a man of character and honesty is of greater value than one who is merely wealthy or high-born, he concludes, Then let us pray that come it may — as come it will for all that — That sense and worth, o’er all the earth may best be prized, and all that.

For all that, and all that, It’s coming yet for all that, That man to man, the world o’er, Shall brothers be for all that.

One hundred eighty years later, King would call for “the content of their character” to be the standard of acceptance for his children. “Sense and worth” had finally arrived. Burns died of illness in 1796. He was 37.

So, Burns and King are linked by more than a coincidence of birthdays and tragically shortened lives.

They help us all start the year with a reminder of the value of freedom. It’s a great month for equality.

Jeers to ... Russian Spies.

Three Russian citizens were charged Monday in connection with Cold War-style spying in Manhattan, N.Y. The trio was found exchanging “sensitive U.S. intelligence” outdoors and attempting to recruit college students to join the spy ring.

Yikes.

Cheers to ... Bill Nye. Our favorite science guy took on New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick’s excuse for using deflated balls in the playoffs. In the most scientific way possible, Nye explained that Belichick was full of it. Science rules, cheating doesn’t.

As a senior in college with some elective credits I need to get off the table, I decided to take a course on the psychology of human sexuality.

When people ask me about my Carly Besser classes this Opinion Editor semester, they usually chuckle when I mention this is on my weekly itinerary. I’ll admit there’s something humorously intriguing about discussing sex every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. However, one discussion in this class made me think.

The No. 1 question people have regarding their sexuality is, “Am I normal?” Am I normal for being attracted to the same gender? Am I normal for having a certain fetish?

The list of examples can go on forever. This idea of wanting to stay in the bubble of normalcy can expand beyond our sex lives. It seeps into our daily lives as well.

As social animals, it is in our nature to try and not rock the boat.

We don’t want to be the outsiders because we fear being ostracized by our peers. We don’t want to go against the grain because we don’t want to get in trouble. For many of us, normativity is comforting.

However, there are many ways that strange people with abnormal ideas have changed our society for the better.

In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention was the first women’s rights commission to pass a recommendation of women’s suffrage in the United States. This happened in a time where women were restricted to a limited societal role as housewives with no business in politics.

According to the Syracuse University Press, even some of the Seneca Falls Convention organizers were against the idea of women’s suffrage because it was “too extreme.”

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the primary organizer of the convention, was doubted and rejected for her beliefs in gender equality. For lack of a better explanation, she was considered an extremist weirdo in that particular time period. If it wasn’t for Stanton resisting the normative culture of the 1800s, women would not have had the right to vote by 1920.

Martin Luther King Jr. went against a prejudiced establishment and spearheaded great progression in the Civil Rights Movement. His abnormal train of thought and his promotion of nonconformist ideas landed him in an Arkansas prison.

Even after receiving a letter from the FBI that encouraged him to commit suicide, he remained passionate about his objective and continued to fight for civil rights. Though he may not have lived to see the fruits of his labor, they are certainly here, despite the fact that there’s still work to do.

These people were once outsiders, but now we see them as heroes and innovators. People like Stanton and King are considered the pillars of progression in America, and we look to them as inspiration.

Everyone wants to make the world a better place, but that may require abstract thinking, a commitment to the unconventional and the drive to make it a reality. The next time you do some self-reflection, first ask yourself, “Am I normal?” If you conclude that you are normal, ask yourself, “How do I change that?” The majority of world history was made by the weirdos, the wackjobs, eccentrics and the unconventional. cbesser@murraystate.edu

Winner’s Streak

By Katie Wilborn

The News

News

6A

January 30, 2015

Station 74 goal: finish by August Sara Gantz || Staff writer sgantz@murraystate.edu

A new off-campus apartment development will soon bring competition for the other apartment complexes in Murray. Station 74 is under construction off North 16th Street.

The apartments are scheduled to be completed in August of this year, said Chelsey Gilbert, property manager of Station 74.

The windows and roofs have been installed on three of the six buildings, putting the project on target for its Aug. 2015 deadline.

“We’re definitely excited to be in Murray,” Gilbert said.

Station 74 offers two and four bedroom apartments, each person receiving their own private bathroom, Gilbert said.

The two bedroom will cost $625 per person, while the four bedroom will be $499 per person.

The rent includes all utilities and the apartments are furnished.

According to the Station 74 website, the apartments include Internet, cable, furniture and a washer and dryer.

“They seem very nice and will open up more living opportunities for students,” said Tanner Grider, freshman from Louisville, Ky. “They are close to campus, so you can still be involved in campus activity. They’re an appealing idea.”

Grider, who is apartment hunting, said his price range is $500 to $600 per month but he has also been looking at Campus Evolution Villages, where prices are cheaper.

Students see the world, still graduate on time

Jon Carter, Campus Evolution Village leasing consultant, said three-bedroom apartments at CEV North cost $432 per person, while the four-bedroom costs $423 per person.

The rent includes all utilities except for electricity, which is $25 per person.

According to floor plans featured on the CEV website, their apartments also have private bathrooms for each bedroom, along with a washer and dryer.

CEV’s rooms are also completely furnished, along with cable hookups and Internet, according to the website.

Adam Wilson, freshman from Memphis, Tenn., said his price range is $300 to $500.

Wilson and his roommate are looking at a house on Vine Street, which appealed to them because of its closeness to the University.

“The house wasn’t pet friendly, which will probably prevent us from getting it,” he said.

Neither Station 74 nor CEV allows pets, said Gilbert and the CEV website.

Grider believes being pet friendly is a major selling point, but is only an added bonus and not necessary.

Gilbert believes Station 74 will stand up well against the competition in Murray.

The complex’s modernization and the “college experience” the company works for is what will set it apart from other apartments in the area, Gilbert said.

“As a company, we strive to provide the best college experience for our residents,” Gilbert said.

Lucy Easley || Contributing writer leasley@murraystate.edu

Imagine spending Spring Break in the Czech Republic, learning about international treatment practices for communication disorders, or Summer Break in Hungary, comparing healthcare methods abroad to ones used in America.

In summer 2014, the largest number of students studying abroad were majoring in nursing, elementary education and studio art.

Students are taking advantage of opportunities to travel the world as programs that were once confined to campus are expanding their horizons abroad.

Murray State is sending students around the world to study commu-

Courtesy of Landon Gibbs

When construction for Station 74 began in fall of 2014, the apartments were no more than piles of rock.

Haley Hays/The News

As of Jan. 28, Station 74 has started to resemble the apartments students will be living in this August.

nication disorders, archaeology, economics and more.

Programs offered for students in these majors, however, are designed for students who can’t fit a semester away in their schedules.

Students are taking advantage of the opportunity to travel during summer, winter, and Spring breaks.

Allison Caudill, senior from Louisville, Ky., chose to study literature and creative writing abroad in the summer so that she could take a smaller course load during the traditional school year and not push back her graduation date.

“I got to experience Europe and spend most of my travel time on foot because of the summer weather,” Caudill said. “It was also a shorter program, so as someone

who had never traveled before, it was a nice introduction.”

Several majors have added new course options around the globe.

The nursing program is the most recent to join.

Nursing students and professors get to participate in courses taught during the summer in Belize and Hungary every year. The Belize program focuses on clinical delivery, while the course in Hungary allows students do a comparative analysis of the healthcare systems at home and abroad.

Nursing is not the only program to develop new study abroad opportunities. Bobbie Albertson, junior from Evansville, Ind., said communication disorders courses offered in Prague allow her to complete the

Honors Program requirement of studying abroad and earn credits in her major.

“I’m glad that I can study abroad and receive credits that I need,” Albertson said.

Melanie McCallon Seib, director of Education Abroad, said the change is the result of faculty designing courses and encouraging students to enroll.

“Six years ago, only 10 faculty members helped organize and lead study abroad programs,” she said.

“Now, there are 62 faculty members going abroad with students.”

McCallon Seib said the Education Abroad Office will continue working with faculty in all departments to develop more programs to increase the opportunities offered.

January 30, 2015

Section B

The News

Sports WINNING GOLD

Sports Editor: Mallory Tucker Phone: 809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews

­­

From the Sidelines

Super Bowls of food

Mallory Tucker Sports Editor

Kory Savage/The News

Mallory Tucker || Sports Editor mtucker11@murraystate.edu

The starting five huddled at half court as they prepared to defend a 15-0 win streak against Eastern Kentucky at the CFSB Center Thursday night. The tension was mingled with high expectations as senior forward Jarvis Williams won the tip and started the game for the Racers.

Eastern put the first points of the game on the board with a 3-pointer, returned shortly by William’s first sunk free-throw of the game. Eastern was on a roll as they added their second three to the score less than two minutes into the game.

Sophomore point guard Cameron Payne settled the fans’ nerves by laying a short lob into the basket, cutting the Colonels’ lead to just three points before a media timeout stopped the game.

The pace didn’t slow as both teams struggled to swoosh buckets. Shot after shot bounced off the rim as the Racers and Colonels battled. What the Racers lacked in points, they made up for in rebounds as they exceeded Eastern’s statistics on both offense and defense.

The Racers took their first lead of the game with just under 11 minutes in the first half from a layup

by Fairell. Senior guard T.J. Sapp and freshman guard Kedrick Flomo sunk back to back 3-pointers to increase the Racers’ lead to 19-11.

The Colonels tied the game at 22-22 with a 3-pointer before senior forward Eric Stutz sunk yet another, taking Eastern up 25-22. Redshirt sophomore Justin Seymour put a 3-pointer of his own on the board tying the game at 25 with less than four minutes in the first half.

The fans were loud and rowdy as halftime approached, shouting “walk” as the Colonels evaded questionable calls. Colonel standout Stutz limped to the bench at the under-four minute media timeout, injured both physically and by the jeers of Murray State fans. Eastern returned to the court with a renewed sense of urgency and began to pull away as they did early in the game. With under two minutes left in the first half, the Colonels led 32-25.

Williams put on a strong front for the Racers with his second dunk of the game, cutting the score to 3327. Moss laid up another basket as the fans stood to encourage the Racers in their final seconds of the first half.

Eastern’s senior guard Corey Walden went one for two on free throws before Moss gathered a layup and one. Walden hit a 3-pointer before entering the locker room with an Eastern lead 38-32.

The Colonels didn’t let up as the second half began, maintaining a two-possession lead for six minutes before a diving steal by Fairell and a dunk by Sapp cut the score to just one point, 44-43.

“I said ‘play of the game, automatically’,” Sapp said.

“It goes to Fairell getting on that ground. That was actually when we got our spark going, too. We started getting some stops, some runs. He played tremendous defense on the switch.”

The fans were rowdy and the lower bowl was covered in gold as long balloons waved with excitement in the student section.

Confusion got the best of players, fans and referees as Payne was called for his fourth foul with over 12 minutes to play. Fans cheered and jeered as the officials watched the play on screen multiple times before retracting their call. Payne remained benched

until after the 12 minute media timeout as the Racers trailed 50-45.

A few sloppy plays and rushed game action put the Racers down 55-47.

None of their baskets seemed to hit home as both teams scrambled, turnovers and steals occurring more frequently than baskets. Neither shot selection nor disputed officiating were advantageous as the Racers fell out of their element on their home court.

With eight minutes left to play, Payne drew a foul and the game slowed as the Racers found their offense once again. Fairell ended a dry spell with a layup

see BASKETBALL, 2B

Racer Fast Stats The Racers are ranked in seven top 25 national statistics

Payne named Player of the Week, fourth time this season Sophomore point guard Cameron Payne was voted as the OVC Player of the Week Monday by the league’s sports information directors.

This is the fourth week of the 2014-15 season Payne has earned this honor.

Payne tallied a career-high 33 points during the Eastern Illinois game Jan. 22. He is ranked 28th in the nation in scoring average with 19.2 points per game and 17th in assists, with 5.9.

Payne has tallied 976 points during his two years at Murray State, nearly becoming the 41st Racer to tally 1,000 career points.

Payne is also on the Bob Cousy and Lou Henson Award watchlists, which name the best point guard in the nation and the best mid-major player, respectively.

Harris, Wade earn final postseason awards Senior running back Pokey Harris was joined by redshirt sophomore defensive back D’Montre Wade on the final All-American teams announced for the 2014 season.

Formerly known as the Phil Steele awards, TonySoftli.com named Harris to the first-team All-American team and Wade to the Freshman All-American third team as a cornerback. These teams are selected by college football analyst Josh Buchanan of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

things in life.

This sacred day requires minimal effort and maximum leisure.

It’s the epitome of a perfect Sunday.

The only effort, in fact, that I plan on putting forth this Sunday is preparing food for the party I’ll be attending. That and putting pants on – which often times proves to be more difficult than cooking.

There is a certain coordination that must occur before the party. You know, where everyone scrambles to decide what they’re bringing – to make sure they have enough of this and no duplicates of that. Planning is difficult, but to remain true to the lethargy of the holiday, the snacks themselves must remain simple.

There’s chips and queso – a must for all Super Bowl parties.

And you have to have Doritos, which have become synonymous with the Super Bowl thanks to their advertisements. (Super Bowl ads, by the way, cost $4.5 million per 30 seconds.) Pizza, chicken wings and buffalo chicken dip are all staples, as are pigs in a blanket. Pretzels and beer cheese pop up frequently, too. Actually, anything with beer in it. And just beer. Lots of beer.

And any snack wrapped in bacon.

The more I think about it, the more I love this holiday.

Fun and food are both group efforts during the Super Bowl, so don’t be that jerk that shows up empty-handed. (Also don’t be that jerk that shows up with a vegetable tray. This is the Super Bowl, not a book club.) If your mouth is watering but you’re no expert in the kitchen, don’t worry. My skillset is not limited to sitting behind a computer in a pressbox, but expands to mediocrity in the kitchen as well. Since dips are the classic go-to, here are a couple simple recipes that anyone can pull off and share on the most wonderful day of the year.

SOUTHWEST QUESO DIP

Ingredients: 16 ounces Velveeta Mexican Mild Cheese, cubed 10-ounce can Ro*Tel diced tomatoes and green chiles 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup frozen corn 1/4 cup diced green onion (if you’re feeling fancy) Directions: Microwave Velveeta, Ro*Tel, beans and corn on high for three minutes. Remove, stir and microwave two more minutes on high.

Stir again, and top with green onions if you’re fancy. Omit this step if you’re lazy. Actually just omit this step. Serve with tortilla chips.

12th in field goal percentage at 48.9 15th in total assists with 337 17th in 3-point percentage at 39.9 21st in won-lost percentage at 81 23rd in scoring margin at 11.9 ppg 24th in total steals with 170 *as of games through Jan. 27

Sport Shorts For more sports news in a minute or less follow us on Twitter: @MSUSportsNews

This Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year.

Filled with football, friends and food, Super Bowl Sunday is the summation of all my favorite

WISCONSIN BEER DIP

Prohm selected for Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge Men’s basketball Head Coach Steve Prohm advanced to the second round of the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge, which started Monday at noon.

Prohm is one of 24 remaining coaches in the challenge. The challenge is composed of four rounds. Each eliminated coach from the first round will receive $1,000 for their charity, and each coach eliminated in the second round will have $7,500 donated on their behalf. The ultimate winner will receive $100,000 toward their chosen charity. Prohm’s contribution will support the Lupus Foundation of America.

Voting takes place online at ESPN.com. Infiniti is also a corporate partner of NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball.

Ingredients: Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1/3 - 1/2 cup beer. Probably Natural Light. Be honest.

One 1 oz packet dry ranch dressing mix 1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Directions: Mix cream cheese, beer and ranch powder until smooth. Drink remaining beer. Spread mixture evenly over a plate or platter and top with shredded cheese. Serve with pretzels and cry silently if you’re a Packers fan.

Get in the kitchen and do your part, and feel free to hit that Easy Button after. I hope everyone has a safe and gluttonous Super Bowl.

I know I will. mtucker11@murraystate.edu

WHAT’S

INSIDE

NEW RULE

PERSONAL BESTS

CAMPUS LIGHTS

ELECT HER

Tennis finds no advantage in rule change, 3B

Track and field athletes break personal records, 4B

Theater department raises funds with annual event, 5B

Women’s rights lecturer to visit, speak to campus, 5B

The News

Sports

2B

January 30, 2015

No. 8 Rifle team prepares for final regular season match Kelsey Randolph

Assistant Sports Editor krandolph3@murraystate.edu

The No. 8 Murray State rifle team ended its regular season by winning the Withrow Open last weekend at its home range and, in the process, took down two of the top five teams in the country.

At the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, the Racers out-shot the other nine teams, including the No. 3 University of Kentucky as well as No. 5 Jacksonville State.

Both of those teams had defeated the Racers in competitions in the fall. In addition to that loss, Jacksonville State beat the Racers Jan. 18 in Alabama, 4677-4649.

“We’re always concerned about the University of Kentucky and Jacksonville State,” said Head Coach Alan Lollar. “They always make it tough, but I was real proud of them.”

During this last competition before the OVC Championships Feb. 7, Lollar said he saw more consistency than he has all season.

“The biggest challenge was overcoming all the distractions,” Lollar said. “We managed to break records and set a new smallbore aggregate score.”

Lollar said the entire team came forward

setting new records and stepping up on the way to a season-high score of 4,687.

Among the Racers’ top shooters were junior Tessa Howald from Ozark, Mo., shooting a career high of 586, and senior Kelsey Emme from Piedmont, S.D., as well as freshman Ben Estes from Ozark, Mo., shooting the same score of 583.

Junior Hannah Harris from New Albany, Ind., proved to step up and shot her season high of 573.

“The more experience they have and the more they get used to the idea of doing the best they can do, the better the outcome will be as a team,” Lollar said.

The Racers will rest this week and prepare for OVC Championships at the range in Jacksonville, Ala. Lollar said he believes the team has been growing up and should do well as long as the shooters stay focused during competition.

Lollar said the team members won’t train any differently for the championships than they have the rest of the season.

“OVC is no different than any other match,” Lollar said. “It’s doing the best you can do every shot. They’ve proved they know how to do that but it’s whether or not they can do it again this time.”

Kory Savage/The News

Junior Tessa Howald led the Racers in smallbore during the Withrow Open at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range Sunday.

BASKETBALL From Page 1B

Kalli Bubb/The News

Racer Band member Wil Underwood, senior from Beech Grove, Ky., and crowds in the student section celebrate during Thursday’s game.

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before Payne grabbed a steal, laying the ball up and adding a free-throw to it, making the score 55-52.

Payne then took control of the game, slowing the pace before tying it at 62-62. The Colonels returned with another 3-pointer and Seymour rallied, keeping it 65-65 with under four minutes to play.

Seymour rallied for the Racers once again, hitting a 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds to play and tying the score at 70.

With 18.5 seconds left, Eastern called a timeout. Fans and players alike were electrified as they worked toward the final outcome. Eastern searched for the easy layup that Murray State wouldn’t allow as the clock timed out and teams and fans prepared for free basketball.

Williams won the tip over Stutz as the teams headed into overtime. Moss put the first score of the third period on the board as he sunk two free throws. Payne went one for two on free throws, putting Murray State up 73-70 a minute into extra time. Big men Stutz and Williams battled under the basket for rebounds.

Payne lobbed a signature shot into the basket, increasing the gap to 75-70 as the Colonels struggled to make a shot.

A layup by Williams bounced out before Moss was able to get the rebound and hook it in the hoop. Eastern put their first points of overtime on the board with a layup before losing the ball on a sloppy play. Eastern’s junior guard Ja’Mill Powell made a free throw with a minute and a half to play, making the score 79-74.

Williams took his fourth foul of the game attempting to pull down an offensive rebound.

Fans cheered their disapproval in light of what many believed to be a jump ball. Sapp put two on the board for the Racers and Murray State led 81-76 with 48 seconds left.

The Racers focused on passing as the Colonels’ senior guard Timmy Knipp fouled out in hopes of a turnover.

Eastern’s Walden sunk two free throws after Williams fouled out, before fouling out himself on the next play.

Sapp went one for two on free throws with less than a second left in the game.

The Colonels were unable to close the gap as the Racers extended their win streak to 16 with a final score of 85-78 in overtime at the.

“We need games like this,” Sapp said. “We need games where we have to battle and show our character and show that this team has got a little grit to us. We can play those games where everything is going well for us, or we also can play those games where we’re going to go down.

But we’ve got enough toughness and enough type of players and talent and character on this team to be able to fight back and make it a game. I just think it’s us growing up.”

“20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.”

EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.  “Exchange” with other schools for up to one

full calendar year  Pay Murray State University’s tuition to attend participating schools throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories  KENTUCKY RESIDENTS, can use KEES funds to pay tuition at Murray State University and exchange to another college or university  Choose which school to attend from 200 different colleges and universities  Scholarships and financial aid may apply toward tuition  Full-time status and a 2.5 GPA are required at the time of application The application deadline for Fall 2015/Spring 2016 is FEBRUARY 27 2015.

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The News

Sports

January 30, 2015

3B

Tennis finds no advantage to new rule

INTRAMURAL SPOTLIGHT:

Down a man, Tri-Lam still drops Team Lob City

Blake Bernier

Contributing writer dbernier@murraystate.edu

Nicole Ely/The News

Tri-Lam uses a combination of outside shooting and domination on the inside on their way to beating Team Lob City even with just four players to start Tuesday’s game.

Blake Bernier || Contributing writer dbernier@murraystate.edu

Tri-Lam needed just four players to beat Team Lob City Tuesday night.

Tri-Lam lacked six of their 10 players, but still stormed out to an early lead. A fifth team member arrived late in the first half but by that point the score was already 24-12.

The game could have been worse for Team Lob City, but it was called because of the mercy rule with 10:25 left in the second half with the score at 45-15.

It was Tri-Lam’s first win of the season.

Tri-Lam utilized a 2-2 zone defense to stifle Team Lob City’s offense in the first half and switched to a 2-3 zone once the fifth player arrived.

Sophomore Tyler Matthews from TriLam said they had to play a zone defense especially when they only had four players.

“We can’t play (man-on-man) in a five on four situation,” Matthews said.

He also had a scouting report on most of the players on the opposing team.

“I knew all the guys,” he said. “I’ve played basketball with the guys on the other team for a year now.”

Matthew Farr, freshman for Tri-Lam, scored 10 points and took some risky

long-range shots, including one from 35 feet that grazed off the rim.”

“All I’m about is fun,” Farr said. “I’m like Aaron Rodgers: F-U-N, fun.”

In its first game of the season, TriLam was on the wrong side of the mercy rule, even with five members showing up at the start to play.

A major factor in Tri-Lam’s success in Tuesday night’s game was sophomore Alex Beckerson.

Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches, Beckerson towered over most of Team Lob City’s players. He collected 15 rebounds and scored 21 points in the game.

At Burgin High School in Mercer County, Ky., Beckerson averaged a double-double — around 20 points and 10 rebounds, he said.

“So this was a pretty typical game,” Beckerson said.

In the second half, Team Lob City couldn’t score. Meanwhile, Beckerson continued to score.

“We are just here to play as friends,” said Thomas Mix, junior from Team Lob City. He scored six of his team’s 15 points and shot 50 percent from threepoint range.

Captain of Team Lob City Ronnie Mills said they were “clearly a little shorter but we had a lot of fun.”

Men Independent Monday/Wednesday 1. Zulu Warriors, 2-0 2. Bad Boys, 2-0 3. (4 Teams tied at 1-1)

Independent Tuesday/Thursday A 1. Mighty Ducks, 3-0 2. Free Ballers, 3-0 3. (Tie) The Whitey Tighties and Steak Sauce, 3-1 1. Blue Ballers, 3-0 2. Tune Squad, 2-0 3. Richmond Shenanigans, 2-0

Residential College

1. Hart A, 3-0 2. Lizo A, 3-0 3. (Tie) Richmond A and White Sharks, 2-1

Fraternity

1. Lambda Chi Alpha, 2-0 2. Sigma Phi Epsilon, 2-0 3. Pi Kappa Alpha, 1-0

Intramural standings Women Independent A 1. Racer Mix, 3-0 2. Monstars, 2-0 3. Soccer Chicks, 2-0

Residential College

1. Hart Ravens, 4-0 2. White College A Girls, 3-0 3. (Tie) Hester Hedgehogs and Regents Girls, 3-1

Sorority

1. ADPi, 2-0 2. AOII Pandas, 2-0 3. AGD Squirrels, 1-0

Results are as of Tuesday, Jan. 27. Standings courtesy of IMLeagues.

Independent Tuesday/Thursday B

Nicole Ely/The News

Tri-Lam’s height advantage and second-chance shots prove to be too much for Team Lob City.

and said he wouldn’t want it any other way.

His team got swept in seven matches by the University of Louisville on Jan. 18 and Middle Tennessee State University on Jan. 16.

“The first week was definitely tough, but I think it will help us in the future,” said senior Max McClean. “And we’re not going to be playing that good of teams for the rest of the year.”

A challenge for the men’s team is roster depth. With only six players eligible, there is little rest for players. By Saturday, they will have played three teams in three straight days. That means each player will have to compete in one doubles match and one singles match per day for a total of six each for the weekend.

“We are just having to survive you know, because we play three matches in a row this weekend,” Purcell said.

“That will be the tough part where nobody gets a rest.”

In the first match of the season against the University of Tennessee, Murray State twins Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova lost games they might have been able to win a year ago before a new NCAA tennis rule change.

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams are adjusting to the elimination of advantage points when players are tied at 40-40. That means when two players are knotted at 4040, or deuce, the next point scored wins the game.

In the past, a player had to win from deuce with two straight points. The change effectively creates a sudden-death situation. The new rule – dubbed “no ads” by the players and coaches – frustrated the Racers.

“The no-ads thing was getting on my nerves because five of the six games they took were because of no ads,” Verginie said.

ENDURANCE TESTING The twins lost their doubles McClean said he hopes all match 6-1, and the team lost to the training they’ve put in Tennessee 2-5. over Winter Break and all year “It was a good first match will help them get through the against an SEC team, and I’m weekend. very happy with that,” said “This is probably going to be first-year the toughHead Coach est stretch Jorge Caeof the seatano. son, play In the secing six ond match matches against Mer- - Eleonore Tchakarova, sophomore in three cer Univerdays,” sity, the women swept their McClean said. way to a 7-0 victory.

As for the new “no-ads” Freshman Nancy Karaky enrule, he said it gives players tered the season ranked 106th less margin for error. nationally. She is undefeated “So you just have to concenso far. trate on each point now,” Mc Clean said. “You can’t take any BIG WEEKEND AHEAD of them lightly.”

The women face three After their match against teams Saturday and Sunday at Abilene Christian at Kenlake Kenlake State Park. They play State Park on Thursday, the Alabama A&M and Lindsey men traveled to Memphis for Wilson College on Saturday matches Friday against the and Lipscomb University on University of Memphis and Sunday.

University of Tennessee-Cha “I’m glad we have eight girls tanooga on Saturday. that can play because three matches in two days is not TEAMS AT A GLANCE easy,” Caetano said. “But I’m Women, 1-1 going to be able to rotate them and give everyone an opportuNext matches: nity to play.”

• Saturday at Kenlake State Park Preparing for this weekend vs. Alabama A&M and Lindsey has two elements.

“We are mentally prepared,” Wilson College Eleonore said. “We will see • Sunday at Kenlake State Party about the physical part.”

“

We are mentally prepared. We will see about the physical part.

MEN FACE TOUGH ROAD

The men’s team has played two tough opponents to start its year.

Head Coach Mel Purcell has always tried to schedule tough matches to start the season

”

vs. Lipscomb Men, 0-2 Next matches: • Friday at Memphis vs. Memphis • Friday at Memphis vs. Chattanooga

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Murray State Employees

s Diagnosis and treatment of eye disease s Budget & designer eyewear s Most insurance accepted s All types of contacts

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Sports

4B TRACK AND FIELD

The News

January 30, 2015

Women drop eighth straight Staff Report The women’s basketball team ex-

Haley Hays/The News

The women distance runners practice Tuesday. Several runners are coming off personal record performances at their last meet in Arkansas on Saturday.

Racers athletes break personal bests as they prepare for Indiana Relays Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer

best list after setting a personal record in the triple jump with a distance of 11.25 meters.

Jachino also set a personal record in the long jump with a 5.12 meter jump.

“Jill has been working really hard,” Severns said. “In track and field, you just have to be patient and ready for your time to come and this is her time.”

Having 30 personal best perfor-

dtuck@murraystate.edu

The Murray State track and field athletes set 30 personal bests while competing Saturday at the Scarlet and Black Invitational in Jonesboro, Ark. “It’s a pretty big deal for us to walk away with 30 PRs (personal records),” said Head Coach Jenny Severns. “We are proud of all of them.”

The invitational, hosted by Arkansas State, was not a teamscored event.

It gave the Racers an opportunity to compete against athletes from eight other schools, including the University of Mississippi, University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State.

Senior Tonia Pratt had another successful week. Pratt beat 11 other competitors in the weight throw with a distance of 18.87 meters.

“Tonia is one of our most consistent point scorers and has been ever since she arrived in Murray,” Severns said. “I wouldn’t expect anything different from her as the season continues. She is truly a great asset to the team.”

Junior Jill Jachino landed in seventh on Murray State’s all-time-

“

In track and field you have to be patient and ready for your time to come.

She went to the final heat and finished fifth with in 7.33 seconds.

Shaw also finished fifth out of 22 athletes in 8.52 seconds in the 55meter hurdles. Shaw qualified for the final heat where she finished in sixth in 8.56 seconds.

• Distance runner Brittany Bohn set a personal record in the 3000- meter run, where she finished in 10:14. Bohn once again made it on the Murray State all-time-best list, following her performance the week before in which she made the list for the 1600-meter run.

• Middle-distance runner Heatherly Paschall also walked away with two personal bests after this week’s meet. She set her top time in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:35.52. In the 1600-meter run, Paschall crossed the finish line at 5:40.78, also her best time in that event.

Next, the Racers will head to the Indiana University Relays in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday.

Severns said that will be a more competitive meet.

“Everyone is going to have to step up to a new level,” she said.

“I am completely confident we are ready to do that.”

tended its losing streak to eight games Wednesday night as the women fell to the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 75-59. The Racers have not won a game since entering conference play Jan. 3.

Murray State trailed by a basket for the majority of the first half, entering the locker room down 33-31. In the first half, the Racers shot 44 percent from the field, their best percentage since their last win Dec. 30 over Brescia University.

The Racers took the lead as they re-entered the court in the second half before Eastern Illinois went on a 6-0 run and began to pull away.

The loss was their third in a week.

The Racers fell 64-59 at home to Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 22 and 78-52 at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Saturday.

During the Eastern Kentucky

matchup, the Racers made 31 free throws, tied for eighth on the all-timebest list. The lead changed five times and included five ties in the first half.

Eastern started the second half with a 7-0 run. Freshman guard Ke’Shunan James cut the score gap to just five points with 35 seconds left to play, but the Racers were unable to take the lead.

Senior forward Netanya Jackson tallied her third double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Keiona Kirby made a career-high 14 free throws, putting her third on the all-time list at Murray State.

The SIUE game featured the OVC’s best rebounding offense in Murray State, averaging 45.7 per game, while SIUE boasted the conference’s best rebounding defense with an average of 35.8 per game. The Cougars are now 7-1 in the conference.

The Racers tip off at 5 p.m. against UT Martin Saturday at the CFSB Center.

”

- Jenny Severns, track and field head coach

mances in one meet can be a big motivator, Severns said.

As soon as one person steps up, that boosts the entire team’s confidence to do more, she said.

Other athletes who had personal best performances in Jonesboro included: • Senior LaShea Shaw, who qualified as one of the top eight runners in the 55-meter sprint.

Kalli Bubb/The News

Guard LeAsia Wright tries to drive against Eastern Kentucky University during the Racers’ 64-59 loss Jan. 22.

BETTER than the SUPER BOWL! The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots will meet in the Super Bowl this Sunday. During their careers, some players have talked openly about their faith. Offensive tackle Russell Okung put it this way, “Jesus is everything.” He added, “And the great thing about Jesus is He'll meet you right where you're at. It's free. You don't have to earn it. You don't have to work for it.

He gives it because He loves us and He is full of grace.”

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12.

God is reaching out to men and women through His son Jesus Christ. To find out more about God’s relevance in your life we encourage you to listen to the thoughts of some NFL players. Go to murraystate.edu/christianfacultyracers and click on ‘Better than the Super Bowl.’

CHRISTIAN FACULTY RACERS We are a group of professors, lecturers, and administrators united by our common experience that Jesus Christ provides intellectually and spiritually satisfying answers to life’s most important questions. We are available to students, faculty, and staff who might like to discuss such questions with us. For more information about the Christian Faculty Network, please visit our website: Murraystate.edu/ChristianFacultyRacers.

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January 30, 2015

5B

The News

Features Editor: Breanna Sill Assistant Features Editor: Madison Wepfer Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

Features ­

‘Workin’ 9 to 5’

Madison Wepfer

Assistant Features Editor mwepfer@murraystate.edu

Murray State held its 79th annual Campus Lights musical from Jan. 23-25 in Lovett Auditorium.

“The miracle of Campus Lights has happened again,” said Lane Northcutt, director of the 79th annual Campus Lights performance.

This year’s musical was of “9 to 5.”

Northcutt said he has recieved nothing but positive feedback from the audience Jan. 23-25.

One audience member with 42 years of Campus Lights experience thought the show was well done.

Claydean McCallon has been going to Campus Lights since 1973. It started as an outing with friends from her church and quickly became a tradition.

“There were 30 or 40 of us and we made it a night out,” McCallon said. “We would go out to dinner then we would go to the play. Since then, I’ve gone 13 years straight in a row.”

She took a break in 1983 after she got married and started back up again the year “Bye Bye Birdie” was performed.

McCallon said the shows get better every year, and this one in particular did not disappoint.

“I thought the lead characters were wonderful, and the costuming was better than usual,” McCallon said. “I was disappointed in the sound system, but that was beyond their control. If they had a bigger budget to do a little more with their sets and their sound system, it would have been better.”

Regardless of the sound system and financial shortcomings, Northcutt said the theater department made up for that in ticket sales.

He said they sold roughly 800 tickets during the three performance days.

“Campus Lights hit its ticket sales goal, which means we will be contributing a few thousand dollars to actual scholarships in 2015,” said Ryan Knight, Campus Lights chairman.

The show’s humor and quirky characters are

see LIGHTS, 6B

Jenny Rohl/The News

Lecturer of Students buck wild for food truck women’s rights to visit campus

Taylor Inman || Staff writer tinman1@murraystate.edu

Get ready to feel the girl power, ladies of Murray State. For decades, women have been encouraged to go after leadership positions in government, their community and careers.

This spring semester, Murray State will collaborate with Elect Her. Elect Her – Campus Women Win is a program that encourages women to become involved in their student governments and political offices.

The program will include several speakers and activities that will help women who want to be leaders find ways to achieve their goals.

The project will start with Jessica Grounds speaking about the importance of women pursuing leadership positions on campus, in the community and on a national scale. The lecture will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Mason Hall Auditorium.

Grounds has been working several years to improve the empowerment of women in politics.

She is the executive producer of Running Start, a program that brings 14 college women to Washington, D.C. every year to learn about politics first hand. The women are placed in the roles of political leaders and taught skills that they will use when they become politicians themselves.

Grounds is also is a founder and principal strategist for Solid Grounds strategy, a firm she helped create that helps women who are running for political office for the first time.

According to the Center for American Progress, the United States ranks 60th worldwide in female representation in politics.

This can be a surprising statistic for some, because the United States is home to some of the world’s most influential women, Grounds said.

At the lecture, Murray State’s Student Government Association and the Residential College Association will have tables to encourage women to apply for leadership positions in their groups.

Stephanie Smith, senior from Mount Vernon, Ill., plans to attend Ground’s lecture Wednesday and said she thinks Elect Her will have a positive effect.

“I think women are starting to make themselves more present on the collegiate level,” Smith said. “I think this program is such a good way to let women know that it’s OK to have those leadership positions. It’s not that we need the permission, but it’s so encouraging to see someone accomplish the same things you want to accomplish,” The Elect Her program is sponsored by the Murray State Women’s Center, and was made possible through the financial support of American Association of University Women and the Pantene Shine Strong campaign.

Kayla MacAllister || Staff writer kmacallister@murraystate.edu

The man holding the reins of the Pony Express and its humorous Twitter account has grown the food truck phenomenon exponentially since he took over in July of 2014.

Joseph Woods, assistant manager of Dining Services and Racer Hospitality, was handed control of the Pony Express one year after its start in July of 2013. A man of average height and a tan complexion, Woods started working at the University in 2007 even before he obtained a degree here in 2011.

Woods also spearheaded the ideas of Wild Wing Wednesdays at Winslow, Campus Pizza and the installation of Big Ass Fans in Winslow. The Pony Express, though, was the first of his “brain children,” as he calls them, to go viral on a social medium.

Nicholas Buckingham, assistant manager of Dining Services and Racer Hospitality, set up the Pony Express in 2013 and managed it until Woods took over in 2014. The Twitter account has since grown in followers from about 480 to more than 1,300. While Woods does not drive the truck or serve the food, he writes the specials and controls the options it provides.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it,” he said.

While Dining Services has Emily Asher, manager of data and communications, to handle all of its social media, the Pony Express has Woods.

Woods tweets the daily movements of the truck, the weekly specials and answers questions students tweet at him. The account isn’t afraid to joke with students and has no qualms about responding with- “bae” and other terms of endearment.

“I think it’s important to at least relate to the

students,” he said. “You can’t take Twitter too seriously. That’s not what it’s supposed to be for.”

The Pony’s roaming isn’t limited to University grounds, however. It extends into several apartment complexes and neighborhoods that are primarily occupied by Murray State students, such as the Cambridge neighborhoods.

The Pony also serves both Campus Evolution Villages North and South on a month-by-

month catering contract.

The food truck has continued to be successful, regardless of the fact that its menu went from 30 offerings to 12 in the summer of 2014. The change was a result of a seminar at a conference Woods attended where he and other food service professionals discussed the benefits of limited offerings in the food truck

see PONY, 6B

Hannah Fowl/The News

Joseph Woods, assistant manager of Dining Services and Racer Hospitality runs the Pony Express’s Twitter account.

Guidelines on whether to drop or audit a class Tiffany Whitfill || Staff writer twhitfill1@murraystate.edu

Each course on a student’s transcript has a letter grade printed to its left side. Some students take a withdrawal, or “W,” instead of a grade they consider unsuccessful, but when is the correct time to make that choice?

As classes are in full swing, students may feel overwhelmed in certain courses or realize the class is no longer necessary for their degree. It is in these cases dropping a course may be on students’ minds.

Professors and officials in the Registrar’s Office advise students to choose their actions wisely when deciding whether to drop a course.

Tracy Roberts, registrar, said it is important for students to be informed of the process for registering and dropping a course.

“Students are required to use MyGate to drop a class,” Roberts said. “To audit a class, students must get written permission from the instructor and bring the written permission to the Registrar’s Office, Sparks Hall basement, by the deadline.”

Although students may recognize what it means to drop a course, some may not yet understand how auditing a course may benefit them more.

Roberts said professors may be willing to allow students to audit a course rather than dropping.

“Talk with your instructor and academic adviser to see if dropping the class is the best option or if there is another solution,” Roberts said. “Sometimes the professor will allow the student to audit the class so he or she can still gain the knowledge of the course and be better prepared for repeating the class at a later date.”

If students feel overwhelmed, Daniel Wann, professor of psychology, suggested auditing a course if that course is required for a student’s major.

“It depends on who the student is and what is this class supposed to do,” Wann said. “If they have to take it again, they may as well audit and get the information.”

Wann said he does not believe a withdrawal on a transcript will disinterest an employer unless there are multiple withdrawals. Wann

said students who are struggling in courses related to their major may consider auditing or dropping a course if they are going to attend graduate school in the future.

If a student must drop a course, half-semester courses are an option to consider. Students should also be aware of the registration dates for these courses.

Wann said he encourages the idea of half-semester courses. These courses are designed for the first or second half of the semester but may require more hours per week than when offered as a full semester course.

“They are very much a good option,” Wann said. “I wish Murray State would offer a few more.”

Before making any changes to a schedule, Wann and Roberts both suggest speaking to the course professor.

“Students should know that before they make this type of decision they should really talk to the professor,” Wann said. “I have had students on rare occasion audit or withdraw that probably shouldn’t have because they didn’t realize there were opportunities to raise their grades and panicked.”

The News

Features

6B

The week ahead...

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

January 30, 2015

If you would like an event to appear on the calendar here or on TheNews.org, email the Features Editor, Breanna Sill, at bsill@murraystate.edu. Please submit events by noon Wednesday for consideration.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

30

31

01

02

03

04

05

7:30 p.m.

Cinema International presents “Two Lives,” Curris Center Theater

5 p.m.

Swing Dance Club, Carr Health Building, Dance Lounge

2:30 p.m.

Playhouse in the Park presents “Arsenic and Lace,” Murray Central Park

8 p.m.

Men’s basketball vs.

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.

7 p.m.

Men’s tennis, Memphis, Tenn.

9 a.m.

Early Bird Eagle Tour, Golden Pond Visitor’s Center, Land Between the Lakes

7:30 p.m.

Mallet Music Concert, Performing Arts Hall, Price Doyle Fine Arts Building

LIGHTS

From Page 5B

Photo courtesy of Pony Express’s Twitter page

A tweet from Pony Express’s Twitter page that got 17 favorites.

PONY

From Page 5B setting.

Now, he and the employees of Pony Express try to offer selections their patrons can’t find anywhere else on campus or in the City of Murray.

Its success is seemingly in large part due to its interactive Twitter presence that entertains and informs students.

Unlike many other Murray State platforms, Pony Express’ online presence is untouched by University administration and censorship.

“I guess I’m fortunate that they haven’t put strict regulations on what I’m allowed to do,” Woods said. “I’ve been given a lot of chances to create opportunities.”

This success has prompted students to question if a second Pony Express is coming anytime soon.

“I wouldn’t dare say it any louder than a whisper,” Woods said. “We’re not at that level yet, although I imagine if we continue on this path of success it might have to happen.”

Regardless of the number of trucks, Woods and his Pony plan on staying for the long haul.

The man who has been called “the most booty-called man in Murray” promises that he and the Pony Express are “more than happy to deliver.”

Students perform in the 79th Annual Campus Lights production in Lovett Auditorium on Jan. 23.

possibly what drew such a large crowd this year.

Gabrielle Wibbenmeyer, who played Doralee Rhodes, said the dialogue made the cast laugh, even during the beginning of rehearsals.

“Even if we’re not acting it full out, during the read through we were all dying laughing,” Wibbenmeyer said. “It was hilarious. The comedy of the show in general was a really good time.”

Vocal director Paige Middleton said Molly Nimmo, who played the role of Missy Hart, sings tenor sometimes, and Middleton needed another guy in the allguy song.

She said they bandaged her breasts to flatten her chest backstage, painted on some facial hair and sent her onstage.

As for Mr. Hart’s lift, played by Nathan Brown, Northcutt said the system they used to lift him was educational.

Murray State students built a steel frame for their welding project.

The Campus Lights crew attached a steel cable to Brown and fed it over the steel cage. The system was man-powered – there were crew members behind the frame pulling Brown up by his harness.

After three weeks of rehearsal and months of planning and preparation, the show finally came together.

McCallon, with 30-some years of shows to compare “9 to 5” to was pleased with it as well. The cast, crew Jenny Rohl/The News and fellow audience members can count on her attendance for years to come, she said.

Elections: Online voting Mon., March 9 at 12:01 A.M. through Tues., March 10 at 11:59 P.M.

Student Government Association applications are available online at www.murraystate.edu/sga or in the Center for Student Involvement office, Curris Center 111.

Senate Chair: Elections/Ways & Means - 1 position, 2.5 gpa Publications & Public Relations, 1 position, 2.5 gpa University Affairs - 1 position, 2.5 gpa Judicial Board Chair - 1 position, 2.5 gpa SGA Webmaster - 1 position, 2.5 gpa

Applications due Mon., April 6 at NOON in the CSI office.

Judicial Board: 10 members, must be Junior by fall semester, 2.5 gpa

Applications due Mon., April 6 at NOON in the CSI office.

Campus Activities Board: 15 chair positions, 2.5 gpa

Applications due Mon., April 6 at NOON in the CSI office.

Mandatory Candidates Meeting Monday, Feb. 20 at 2 P.M. in the Barkley Room

Senate & RCA Positions: President - must be: Junior by fall semester, 2.7 gpa Vice President - must be: Junior by fall semester, 2.7 gpa Secretary - 2.7 gpa Treasurer - 2.7 gpa Senator At Large - 8 positions, 2.5 gpa College of Business - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa College of Education & Human Services - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa College of Humanities & Fine Arts - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa College of Science, Engineering & Technology - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa Hutson School of Agriculture - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa School of Nursing and Health Professions - 3 positions, 2.5 gpa RCA President: 2.7 gpa RCA Vice President: 2.5 gpa RCA Secretary/Treasurer: 2.5 gpa *ALL RCA officers must have lived in residential college 1 year prior to election

Applications due Fri., Feb. 20 at NOON in the CSI office.

The News

Features

January 30, 2015

Pop Culture Corner

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FEATURED TWEETS SUPER BOWL XLIX

Celebrity Encounters

Mashable @mashable On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans eat enough chips to fill 39 Boeing 747 airplanes.

9:43am 28 Jan 2015

Albert Brooks @AlbertBrooks Excited about the Super Bowl. In anticipation have let the air out of all my tires.

2:13pm 28 Jan 2015

Leigh Anne Tuohy @LeighAnneTuohy I just saw the #GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial & am just sitting here stunned. Seriously? Could we at least see the puppy adopted? Not funny 9:20am 27 Jan 2015

billboard @billboard Puppies + horses = your new favorite #SuperBowl commercial, courtesy of Budweiser!

1:12pm 28 Jan 2015

2 CHAINZ RUNNING FOR MAYOR

37-year-old rapper 2 Chainz is considering running for mayor of his hometown, College Park, Ga. “I am looking forward to running at the end of this year or next year,” he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

2 Chainz said he wants to run for mayor to legalize marijuana and to gain “the right to vote for felons.”

Photo courtesy of johnnydepp.yuku.com

Johnny Depp stars alongside Gwenyth Paltrow in “Mortdecai.” The film was released in theaters on Jan. 23.

Full of mustache jokes, minus the laughs John Gruccio || Contributing writer jgruccio@murraystate.edu

DEPP ATTACKED BY A MYTHICAL CREATURE

Johnny Depp claimed he missed a press conference for his new film, “Mortdecai,” because he was attacked by a chupacabra.

Depp said the animal was persistent and mean. Thankfully, Depp said he “threw him off the 23rd floor, so we’ll never see him again.”

Soundbyte “I’ve gotta beat Emma Stone at lip-syncing.

That’s my 2015 goal.”

-Jimmy Fallon, on what he’s working toward for the new year.

I remember seeing the trailer for this film last year. It reminded me so much of actor Peter Sellers’ performance as the clueless Inspector Jacques Clouseau in the classic film, “The Pink Panther.”

Alas, this film was no “Pink Panther.”

In a performance unlike any other we have seen from him, Johnny Depp brings the words “classic” and “sophisticated” a new meaning in “Mortdecai.”

There is only one man who has the power to juggle angry Russian mobsters, the British Secret Service (MI-5), his impossible wife and an international terrorist.

His name is Charlie Mortdecai and once you meet him you will learn how his fashionably good looks and special charm will win you over.

As a debonair art dealer and part-time rogue, he must travel the globe in a race to recover a stolen painting which is rumored to contain a long-lost code to a bank account that contains Nazi gold.

Mortdecai stars Depp, Gwyneth Pal-

trow, Paul Bettany, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn and Jeff Goldblum. David Koepp directs the film.

The only part that kept the film from failing entirely is the fact that Depp is having fun as Mortdecai. He is truly trying his hand at something different and has a ball with it.

Does this mean that Depp is only good at the dark and dramatic roles? I don’t think so.

Despite having an impressive supporting cast of A-list superstars, the performances are lacking at best. Bettany as Mortdecai’s thuggish manservant is probably one of the funniest roles in the movie.

Seeing Bettany give a stern and intimidating performance is just hysterical to me. He pulls it off, but it is a change of pace for him. I don’t think Paltrow portrays a posh wife character, which I am glad because she is really a better actress than that.

The same could be said about McGregor, who plays a Scotland Yard inspector who also harbors longing feelings for Mortdecai’s wife.

The

Lastly, another actor who has seen better roles, is Olivia Munn, who is very sexy as the seductive, nymphomaniac heiress, but is primarily used as eye candy.

Koepp is most famous for being a writer. He has written films such as “Jurassic Park,” “Spider-Man” and “War of the Worlds.”

His first mistake with this film was not writing the script. If he had written it, the film would have been immensely better.

As for directing, he truly has an eye for it, especially capturing all of the action scenes. But without the writing being solid, it is hard to notice.

As a whole, the movie focuses way too much on silly and sexual innuendos.

After the first 10 times I saw a joke being made about Mortdecai’s mustache, I seriously just wanted to rip the thing off.

On the other hand, the mustache jokes are something unique and this role is unlike anything Depp has previously done.

NEWS

Ain’t nothin’ but a party I really like all types of music. I’ve never been super picky when it comes to the music I like and don’t like (which doesn’t hapBreanna Sill pen very Features Editor often). I’ll sing along to anything when I’m in my car alone I’ll belt “Jolene” by Dolly Parton and rap “Blunt Blowin’” by Lil Wayne.

I’ve never considered myself a music snob.

What really makes an artist stand out to me has always been their character when the cameras are off and the world is not watching. An artist immediately gains my respect when they treat their fans well, and a really easy way for them to reach out to their fans is through a fan club party.

Fan club parties are such a great way for fans to spend quality time with their favorite artists and get a personal experience with them that they wouldn’t normally be able to have.

In the past, I have gone to two of Carrie Underwood’s parties, one of The Band Perry’s parties and one of Luke Bryan’s parties.

Each of those events has held a special place in my heart because of the personal feel you get just being in the room with the artist and they are there just for you.

At The Band Perry’s and Bryan’s parties it isn’t out of the norm for them to come straight into the crowd and take pictures with fans and just have one on one conversations with them.

At Underwood’s parties she almost always holds a question and answer session and a raffle.

The first year I attended her party, in 2008, I won two tickets to the Nashville, Tenn., show on her upcoming Carnival Ride tour along with two meet and greet passes to hang out with her before the show.

Artists will usually just sit on stage with their microphone and guitar and perform a set of their songs, but with each song they include a story: why they wrote it, what it meant to them, anything that the fans might not already know about that particular song. It adds so much to the experience.

There is nothing more special to a fan than being able to make memories with their favorite artist.

So shout out to the artists who still take the time out of their busy schedules to have these special parties with their fans. You’re the real MVPs. bsill@murraystate.edu

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The News

January 30, 2015