The Murray State News

Chalice Keith/The News

Did you miss the first football game? Don’t sweat it – we have you covered on all the details. Check out page 5B.

The Murray State News TheNews.org

September 4, 2015

Vol. 90, No. 3

Revisiting Eracism

Abby Siegel

Contributing writer asiegel@murraystate.edu

Lunch at the Thoroughbred Room on campus around noon provides an image of the student body at Murray State.

Clusters of students gather, holding tiny slips of paper waiting for their numbers to be called and their hamburgers to be ready.

Others are crowding around a long table, already munching on their food, wearing similar shirts that represent the brotherhood they love. Students are working hard at Dunker’s Deli, toasting sandwiches and making salads for those looking for a light lunch.

This is the student body.

They are tall, skinny, short and stubby. They are overachieving, procrastinating and busier than they’d anticipated. They are black; they are white; they are just about every hue in between. They are one body, but they are not treated the same.

The University includes students, faculty and staff from more than 60 countries and 43 states and the roughly 140 registered student organizations include missions to promote different religious, social, educational and ethnic issues.

“We want to make sure everyone on this campus feels valued, part of things, not like

Photo illustration by Jenny Rohl/The News

Branden Higginson, sophomore from Mayfield, Kentucky, holds a sign expressing how racism makes him feel. an outsider,” said Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs.

Robertson described the student population as openminded, accepting and able to appreciate the differences of others. He said the community is stronger since the racist comments posted last fall on Yik Yak – an anonymous social media app. The comments sparked a student, faculty and staff-led event on the Carr Health Building’s lawn last October, titled Eracism, to address racism at the University.

Ariel Mitchell, junior from Louisville, Kentucky attended Eracism and said since then, she has intentionally pointed out microaggressions – or sub-

tle racism – to some friends, who she said she was experiencing microaggressions from those people.

“What people need to understand is that racism isn’t being mean to someone because of their skin tone,” Mitchell said.

“Microaggressions are socially taught, and when we say them we don’t know that they’re racist.”

The borders of the University campus do not confine the effects of racism that influence students.

Nikkous Crump, senior from Memphis, Tennessee, is an African-American student in the National Guard. He said he believes Murray State is inclusive, but the city and

What’s next for 16th Street?

Three options presented by the Murray City Council looks to the future of the congested street.

Teddy Martin

Contributing writer emartin@murraystate.edu

The new Engineering and Science Building will not be the only project that will affect Murray State’s campus, as a town meeting was held over the re-zoning of 16th Street entirely.

At the meeting, three options were displayed. Options included: • Create an underpass on the street, • Loop the street around the Gene W. Ray campus, which includes the Jesse D. Jones building and the biology building, or • Loop the street around the Gene W. Ray campus and connect the bridge to a road running through.

Murray has also had problems finding a way to balance traffic between pedestrians and cars. Now, pedestrians at a crosswalk have the right-of-way, and therefore cars must stop to let them pass.

Given that campus is filled with students trying to get from one class to the next, the cars could be sitting in an ever-expanding line for sev-

WHAT’S

INSIDE

eral minutes before there is a break to let them continue down the road. This causes congestion on the roads and creates a choke point on 16th Street.

The Murray City Council planned a meeting to showcase each of the three options that would be the most plausible.

Attendance was high at the meeting and citizens and officials both joined in. One of those citizens, Becky Spann, is a realtor based in Murray.

“I’m interested in knowing what’s going on in my community,” she said. “I grew up in Murray. I’m very familiar with the street and very aware of the issues that we have now, so I wanted to have a better understanding of what my options were.”

Spann said she preferred the option that would build a bridge to mitigate traffic and pedestrians, though she still questioned if there was a better solution to the problem that would be less expensive.

Tim Schott, project manager for the BFW Engineers who are working on the project, said there were different ideas to select from.

“We have three alterna-

DRYER SCARE

tives and what we wanted to do was introduce them as a mitigation of the conflicts between the pedestrians and traffic on 16th Street,” he said.

Schott said funding had been moved from the transportation cabinet back to the city.

The city will look at the problems arising between walkers and cars.

Gabrielle Tinebra, junior, said she thought any changes that would help with traffic would be the best.

“I have an 8 [a.m.] class and people are trying to cross the street with their family and kids,” she said.

“So minimizing the accidents that could occur would be great. There are a lot of drivers trying to get to work and a lot of students trying to cross the street. That causes a lot of back up, so any sort of mitigation would be enormously helpful.”

Schott said any sort of relief would be a plus to the University in addition to the community at large.

“All three of our alternatives positively separate the majority of the pedestrian traffic from the vehicular traffic,” he said.

surrounding areas are not. He said he has felt tension at the Wal-Mart and the gas station in Benton, Kentucky, regarding his race when he is not in uniform.

Crump said he believes people aren’t necessarily racists.

Instead, he said it is likely they fear being offensive or saying the wrong thing, as well as being uncomfortable with the social environment that they are not used to.

“It’s a problem,” he said.

“But it goes beyond Murray State.”

Robertson said if students feel that citizens within the community have oppressed them, they should let faculty or staff know because it will be

addressed with the appropriate city officials.

‘FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN’ Mary Tripp Reed, lecturer of economics, spoke at the Eracism event and said educating people on the issue allows them to do more than just react to the media.

Reed said she encourages students to ask themselves, “At what point did you realize your class, race and gender,” and, “At what age did you realize that was part of your identity?” Reed said the answers to these questions often encourage students to take action or at least have a greater understanding of their role in the

issue of identity.

“It isn’t either you’re racist or you’re not,” she said. “That’s just not accurate.”

Reed said the feelings of racism are rooted in fear of being embarrassed and lack of experience interacting with the ethnicity encountered.

“Let’s not be naive – there is some fear and hatred,” she said. “But it is mostly a fear of the unknown.”

Although the University has addressed issues regarding inequality and racism, collectively students and faculty said they believe the conversation isn’t over yet.

Nathan Brown, junior from Trenton, Illinois, grew up near east St. Louis where the Ferguson shootings took place and uses his experiences with part of the city to influence his opinions of those different than him.

On Aug. 9, 2014, Mike Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting spurred rioters and protesters to flood the streets for several weeks afterward. A few months later in November, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson, a decision that sparked another round of protests in the small town.

see ERACISM, 2A

Regents discuss 16th street, key personnel Mary Bradley Editor-in-Chief

mbradley9@murraystate.edu

With nearly two weeks of the fall semester accomplished, the Board of Regents met for its quarterly meeting, held Aug. 28 in the Jesse Stuart Room in Pogue Library.

Calloway County District Court Judge Randy Hutchens swore in four regents, including Clint Combs, the Student Government Association, or SGA, president.

Combs, along with regents Phil Schooley, Jerry Rhoads and Sharon Green, swore in at the beginning of the meeting.

Not long after, President Bob Davies gave his report of the president. He called Matt McMahon, head coach of the men’s basketball team, up to the regents, calling McMahon an outstanding ambassador for Murray State.

McMahon, who had taken another job at a different university, told Davies prior to former head coach Steve Prohm leaving that he would love to return to Murray State.

Davies said that when he received a call regarding Prohm’s departure, he then called Mc-

OUR VIEW

A Hart Residential College dryer Never be afraid to ask for help causes evacuation, 6A from campus resources, 4A

Mahon.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to be head coach,” McMahon said.

Also in his report, Davies discussed 16th Street and noted the McMahon number of cars and pedestrians that cross the street on a daily basis. He said on average, the street will see 11,000 pedestrians and 7,000 cars.

Davies said his first concern with the street was to make it safe for all pedestrians, but he wanted it to be a fiscally responsible project as well.

Chairman Harry Waterfield said he recently drove on 16th Street during a busy time and noticed the congestion. However, he said the number of cars and pedestrians wasn’t the only problem.

“I am amazed at the number of [pedestrians] that never look,” he said.

He also mentioned the retirement of Kate Lochte, station manager for WKMS, to the

board, noting that Lochte has helped the station grow during her time. Chad Lampe will become interim station manager after she retires. “[Lochte] will be a tough act to follow,” Davies said.

The student constituency report provided by Student Regent Clint Combs covered move-in day and other Great Beginnings events. He said he and SGA plans to make some improvements and changes during the academic year, including: • Have more inclusive programming, • Review SGA’s constitution/ by-laws, • Work on the organization’s website and • Participate in local and state government.

Additionally, Public Safety and Emergency Management was given an award by Jim Pendergraff, executive director of the Kentucky Association of the Chiefs of Police.

He said Public Safety was a great program, a sentiment echoed by Davies. “[They’re] community orientated and [they] understand the community and staff that they work with,” he said.

RACER FOOTBALL

VET TRIP

Mitch Stewart coaches first home game as head coach, 1B

Student studies elephants abroad in Thailand, 5B

The News

News

2A

September 4, 2015

Cessation class offered for students looking to quit Ashley Traylor

Contributing writer atraylor@murraystate.edu

Murray State officially became a tobacco-free campus this August, a change on campus that came along with the need for cessation classes.

The policy was set into effect this semester, which added Murray State to the list of 1,000 tobacco-free schools in the nation.

Murray State’s Wellness Center is offering a weekly Not on Tobacco program, called NOT, for the fall semester. Brittney Stinnett, fitness coordinator at the Wellness Center is the director of the program.

“My role is to facilitate each discussion and bring the materials, but it is very much a relationship between everyone involved and encouraging each other,” Stinnett said.

The program is designed for

Murray State students who want to become tobacco-free, no matter the form of tobacco.

Stinnett said Not on Tobacco is made up of 10 sessions that explain what smoking does to the body, factors that cause people to smoke and ways a person can prepare to quit.

She said the fifth session will be an important day because students will either choose to quit tobacco officially or they may find themselves dropping out of the program.

Sessions six through 10 will focus on how to combat the cravings and urges to use tobacco, and ex-smokers can surround themselves with encouragement to stay tobacco-free.

As of Monday, three students have signed up for the first session that began Thursday in Wellness Center conference room.

Judy Lyle, former director of Health Services at Murray

State, was the creator of the Not on Tobacco program.

Lyle asked if Stinnett would take over as a facilitator and Stinnett agreed.

Stinnett and Lyle said they want students to know there is a healthy way to kick tobacco use.

“We wanted to make sure everything was lined up for when students came on campus, so they knew they would have a support system from faculty and staff,” Stinnett said.

David Becker, freshman from St. Louis, Missouri, said he thinks the Not on Tobacco program will benefit students if enough join the movement toward quitting smoking.

“I’m glad that Murray State is a tobacco-free environment,” Becker said. “I think the NOT program is making strides toward a better lifestyle that will also provide accountability through the program and after.”

Jenny Rohl/The News

Cody Barger, junior from Huntington, Tennessee, vapes.

ERACISM From Page 1 “I try not to let it affect how I view other people,” Nathan Brown said. “You can’t judge them and how they grew up because you are different to them, too.”

He said he encourages students to be aware of issues in society and to see things from all sides of the story, and that comes from being educated on the issue.

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION

File Photo

Students protest outside of Waterfield Library last fall because of the shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

“For some reason, nobody is particularly comfortable talking about the topic of racism,” said Jasmine Young, graduate student from Louisville, Kentucky.

Subtle racism can include

groups of the same race, sexual orientation or religious belief often sticking together.

“Black events are open to everyone but it is hard for other ethnicities to come because they don’t feel welcome,” said Victoria Yocum, junior from Bardstown, Kentucky.

Yocum said people are afraid of stereotypes and being judged, so they don’t even approach the issue or event, and to a degree this perpetuates stereotypes.

To combat this, Reed suggests beginning the conversation in places in which students feel trust with others.

“If you have trust then you can talk about more intense issues,” she said. “It takes someone who has initiative to do it, no matter what ethnic background.”

Robertson said students shouldn’t underestimate the power of their voices and the

roles they can play in educating the public on racism.

“If the students stand up and say this is not going to happen on our campus, then that is the quickest way to stop it,” he said.

He said he believes students – and especially student leaders – play critical roles in combating racism by practicing bystander intervention when they know something is wrong with the way their peers are acting, no matter the behavior.

Bystander intervention is a prevention strategy that encourages individuals to interrupt situations that could lead to assaults and is often encouraged to prevent sexual assault and dating violence situations.

“Murray State is making strides of being an inclusive environment,” Yocum said.

“However, there is always room for improvement.”

With you from your first day of class, to your first futon, to your first house.

At U.S. Bank, we offer Student Banking that can grow with you. Our Student Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance,1 free access to more than 5,000 U.S. Bank ATMs, and convenient Online and Mobile Banking.2 And when your needs change, you’ll have the resources of U.S. Bank ready to help.

Start the journey with us today.

Calloway County Main Office 1111 Main Street 270.759.9443

branch

usbank.com/student

800.771.BANK (2265)

1. All regular account-opening procedures apply. $25 minimum deposit to open an account. Fees for nonroutine transactions may apply. 2. The U.S. Bank Mobile App is free to download. Your mobile carrier may charge access fees depending upon your individual plan. Web access is needed to use the Mobile app. Check with your carrier for specific fees and charges. Some mobile features may require additional online setup. Any fees for optional transactions will be identified during registration for these services and during their use. For a comprehensive list of account pricing, terms and policies, see the Consumer Pricing Information brochure and the Your Deposit Account Agreement. Deposit Products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. 150469 8/15

The News

September 4, 2015 News Editor: Mari-Alice Jasper Assistant Editor: Jessica Bostick Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews

POLICE BEAT Aug. 27

1:20 p.m. A person reported a skateboard policy violation at the Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts. The people were advised of Murray States skateboard policy.

10:36 p.m. A caller reported a theft at Franklin Residential College for over $500. Murray State police officers were notified and a theft report was taken.

Aug. 28

12:35 a.m. A medical emergency was reported at Springer Residential College. Murray State police officers were notified and the person was transported to Calloway County Hospital.

3:26 p.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle accident with no injuries at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Officers were notified and a report was taken.

Aug. 29

3:20 p.m. A caller complained about loose animals at West Farm. Murray State police officers and the building coordinator were notified.

10:42 p.m. Murray State police officers issued a citation for failure to wear a seatbelt. A verbal warning was given for speeding.

Aug. 30

9:06 p.m. A caller reported a fight in the Curris Center parking lot. A report was taken for harassment with physical contact.

11:09 p.m. A caller reported the smell of burning plastic at Hart Residential College. Murray State police, Central Heating and Cooling Plant and the Murray Fire Department were notified. The source of the smell was from a malfunctioning dryer.

Aug. 31

10:21 p.m. An animal complaint was reported via the LiveSafe app. Murray State police officers were notified.

11:07 Murray State police officers conducted a traffic stop at Racer Arena for failure to stop at a stop sign. A written warning was issued.

Sept. 1

8:11 a.m. A caller reported a sparking outlet at Elizabeth Residential College. Murray State police officers and facilities management were notified.

No threat of a fire was found.

9:25 a.m. A non-injury vehicle collision was reported at Jesse D. Jones Chemistry Building.

Murray State police officers were notified and a collision report was taken.

Sept. 2

2:04 p.m. Murray State police officers conducted a traffic stop on 16th St. for failing to stop at a stop sign. A citation was given.

11:29 p.m. A person reported a suspicious bag under a vehicle outside of Springer Residential College. Murray State police officers were notified. Nothing suspicious was found.

Call of Fame

Aug. 27, 4:11 p.m. A caller reported the smell of marijuana at Franklin Residential College.

Murray State police officers were notified and a citation was issued.

Motorists assists – 6 Racer escorts – 3 Arrests – 0 Jessica Bostick, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with material provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Not all dispatched calls are listed.

News

3A

Swipe right delight Kayla Harrell

Contributing writer kharrell4@murraystate.edu

Ryan Mahoney, Murray State sophomore from Owensboro, Kentucky, started using Tinder when the app came out two years ago.

Mahoney began swiping right on his preferred individuals, the matches popped up and conversations between two strangers began.

“The Internet is like a mask,” Mahoney said. “You can hide your true self.”

Using a dating site, like meeting a potential significant other at a social event, comes with risks. The risks can range from unforeseen vulnerability to stalking.

“It’s much easier for people with questionable motives to become available on those services,” said Sean Rife, assistant psychology professor.

Jana Hackathorn, assistant professor of psychology at Murray State said Tinder tends to be a dating site with an emphasis on physical attraction. The first thing a user sees is a picture of a potential match.

Rife said the purpose of Tinder is not about finding the right person for students, but more about increasing the self-esteem of an individual.

There’s a component to Tinder that gives the user a sense of instant gratification. Students feel this sense when they receive a match because people found them attractive. However, this attraction is usually superficial.

“Studies show that people don’t know who they are attracted to,” Hackathorn said. “They have these things in their heads that they think they find attractive, but actually that’s not always what they actually find to be attractive.”

Even with the negative, there are still positives to using a dating site.

“There are a lot of people whose mental health issues include anxiety,” said Angie Trzepacz, director of Murray State counseling services and psychologist.

“The dating sites are a good resource for them because they are too anxious to go out and meet people in

McKenna Dosier/The News

Tinder allows people to find other singles in their area with just the right swipe of a finger. person,” Trzepacz said. “It’s easier for them to do it online.”

Students talk about the dating sites, but few admit to using one. Many are embarrassed that they use one of these sites and believe they are less capable of finding a significant other.

“Admitting that you need the site bothers people because it somehow says that you’re meaningless, you’re worthless and that you can’t easily find another person,” Hackathorn said.

However, a 2013 study by the Pew Research Center shows Americans are becoming more accepting of using dating websites.

According to the study, 21 percent

of people said they agree with the statement, “People who use online dating sites are desperate.” This statistic was down eight percent from another study conducted in 2005.

If a student uses one of these dating sites and experiences negative effects, Hackathorn recommends seeking help in the Psychological Center on the fourth floor of Wells Hall.

“I would emphasize the importance of social support,” Rife said. “If a student has had some negative interactions on these services, certainly having a good network of friends and supportive family members is an important component.”

When a student decides to use one

of these sites, precautions need to be taken, Trzepacz said. Both Rife and Hackathorn advise finding a site that focuses on the interests and preferences of that individual.

“Take things slowly. Be really careful. Have other people read the profile of a match to see if there is something that you missed,” Trzepacz said.

Mahoney still uses Tinder to connect with people but has developed boundaries for the individuals he meets through the app.

“I do not trust people as often as I used to,” Mahoney said. “With the sites, no one tells their true self, especially if they don’t like something about themselves.”

Packaged alcohol sales likely coming to Mayfield Alicia Steele || Contributing writer asteele5@murraystate.edu

In July, Marshall County voted to legalize the sale of package alcohol within the county, and Mayfield could be next.

In 2012 the city of Murray voted to approve the sale of alcohol by the package, except on Sundays per city rule, expanding from a 2001 vote to sell alcohol by the drink.

As a result of this vote, restaurants and liquor stores such as The Big Apple Cafe and The Cellar Door have established business in the city.

Boone Chambers, owner of both The Big Apple Cafe and The Cellar Door, said that Murray is a third class city, which means that the city has a population greater than 10,000 but does not exceed 20,000.

Third class cities have the ability to vote independently from the county on matters such as the liquor laws.

Chambers said a petition has been circulating through Mayfield, but the date of the vote depends on when the petition is turned in.

Chambers said the city of Mayfield cannot hold a vote 30 days outside of an election, so it is rumored that Mayfield may hold a vote in early December.

As of mid-August, around 450 of the needed 600 signatures had been collected for the petition to approve packaged alcohol sales in Mayfield.

Steven Cole, junior from Mayfield, said Marshall County going wet would be a good thing.

“It’s going to bring in a lot more businesses and help the city grow, and that’s exactly what Mayfield needs,” he said.

Cole said he grew up in Mayfield, and though it always had a small town charm, it’s time to bring more businesses into the city.

Cole feels that if Mayfield votes to approve the sale of packaged alcohol, it would result in the same scenario that the city of Murray experienced when they chose to approve the law in 2012, which was more businesses coming to Murray.

“Mayfield needs to grow like that” he said.

Chambers confirmed that he has plans to expand his stores in the future, if the petition passes.

“I think it will pass; let’s be honest, its 2015,” he said.

He already has plans to expand his package store business to Marshall County, after the July vote is approved.

Chambers said the new law in Marshall County will have an impact on business in Murray.

“I get a small percentage of my business from Marshall County, so it will definitely have an impact,” he said.

Lauren Thomas, senior from Benton, Kentucky, said she voted for the sale of alcohol in the wet/dry vote in Marshall County even though she isn’t a drinker.

“Ultimately,” she said. “I believe the government doesn’t have the right to decide what people are and aren’t allowed to consume.”

Zachary Maley/The News

Mayfield allowing the sale of alcohol could have an economic impact on Murray.

City to vote on Hospice House funding Thursday Mikayla Marshall Contributing writer mmarshall5@murraystate.edu

At the next city council meeting, Sept. 10, council members can vote on spending an additional $22,864.76 to fund the Anna Mae Owens Hospice House.

Hospice is provided when a person is terminally ill or facing life-ending injuries.

Hospice creates a comfortable environment where patients can live out their last moments in peace.

The program also helps families spiritually through this time and helps them heal.

The hospice contract is implemented throughout nursing homes and hospitals, but Murray-Calloway County Hospital made the decision to have a specific facility where patients and family can share final memories.

“It will better the hospital and the city greatly,” Jane Schumaker, Murray councilwoman, said. “Hospice isn’t an easy thing to go through and the Hospice House will help the patients along with the families.”

The Anna Mae Owens Hospice House is an extension of the 34-year-old hospice program at the Murray-Calloway

County Hospital.

The program specializes in care for those facing end-of-life scenarios and provides pain management, symptom control, and medical control in a home like setting, where friends and family are encouraged to visit, according to their website.

The Hospice House itself broke ground in June 2014.

Keith Travis, vice president of Institutional Development, said the funding for the Hospice House was a success.

It’s the first major project of Murray-Calloway County

Hospital, a public nonprofit city and county-owned hospital, to ever be funded completely through philanthropic donations.

“It was seven years of private donations,” he said. “It was an amazing thing to witness because we were getting funding not just from Kentucky but from other states as well”.

However, there were some setbacks because of summer rain and construction on the Hospice House is a little behind. The hospital expects that the Hospice House will be complete by December 2015.

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital is excited about the opportunity to provide this level of care to its patients, Travis said.

“Thirty years ago hospice wasn’t even heard of,” he said. “Patients had the choice of in the home or in the hospital. This is a new level of care.”

The Hospice House will be opened, not only to those in Calloway County, but to all of western Kentucky.

“At some point we all have our destiny,” said Travis. “It may not be what we expect but we have to live life as best we can.”

4A

September 4, 2015

The News

Opinion

Opinion Editor: Allison Borthwick 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 Mari-Alice Jasper News Editor • 270-809-4468 mjasper1@murraystate.edu Allison Borthwick Opinion Editor • 270-809-5873 aborthwick@murraystate.edu

Selena McPherson/The News

Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

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

Connor Jaschen Features Editor • 270-809-5871 cjaschen@murraystate.edu Kelsey Randolph Sports Editor • 270-809-4481 krandolph3@murraystate.edu Adrienne Vititoe Chief Copy Editor • 270-809-5876 avititoe@murraystate.edu Elizabeth Leggett Online Editor • 270-809-5877 eleggett@murraystate.edu Jenny Rohl 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 Cameron Witte Chief Videographer cwitte@murraystate.edu

“Haha oh my God, that was so awkward I want to kill myself.”

“What is she wearing? Did she even try? She looks homeless.”

“I don’t understand why he won’t just try to get better. Start living your life and snap out of it, you know?”

“Jesus, eat a burger or something. You’re SO skinny!”

These are sentences we sometimes say to our friends and family in casual conversations but are emotional daggers to those suffering from depression, emotional trauma and eating disorders.

These are sentences filled with the weight of issues not to be taken lightly.

Instances of sexual assault, suicide, eating disorders and domestic violence are the subjects of news stories about events on this campus time and time again.

We published a news story last year titled, “It had taken over my life.” While it was one instance of many, it ended up the story of

sexual assault that took over this campus and caught the right people’s attention.

Now, we have the LiveSafe app, we’re required to take Title IX sexual harassment training and more people have been hired in the Title IX office.

Three years ago, Jacob Derting, a 20-year-old, jumped to his death from the seventh floor of Price Doyle Fine Arts.

He was one of the 18 percent of undergraduate students who have seriously considered attempting suicide, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Since then, Murray State has hired more counselors, started new programs and opened new centers.

You’ve seen this phrase time and time again in similar “callto-action” pieces about mental health, but it bears repeating: you are not alone.

Not only are there other people who go through what you’re

Joe Hedges Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu

Write to us!

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Letters should be 600 words or less.

Contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the University.

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

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

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

going through – there are people who can help. There are people with open doors, open hearts and open minds ready and willing to hear your story.

Whether you’re suffering from the effects of sexual assault, body image issues, unhealthy relationships, stress or any number of other life problems, there is someone available at Murray State to help.

An article in The News this week details the effects Tinder has on its users.

While it may just be an online dating app to most people, the feelings of rejection, low self-esteem and loneliness it can cause are not to be taken lightly either.

Counseling shouldn’t be a last resort. It’s an easily accessible tool to help manage and alleviate any problems you may be dealing with – and there is no problem too small.

The Murray State Women’s Center’s goal is “to foster a world where men and women are re-

spected.” Despite the name, this is a safe place for all students to turn to when dealing with gender crises, relationship problems, sexual violence, stalking, body image issues, alcohol problems and more.

University Counseling Services offers help with homesickness, anxiety, anger management and grief, to name a few.

Murray State’s Psychological Center offers counseling on many of the same issues as Counseling Services, along with hyperactivity and impulsivity.

The Counseling and Assessment Center, which opened last fall, provides psychoeducational services for mood disorders, learning problems and brain development disorders.

These resources are at your disposal. They are here for you.

You are not a burden.

You are a person who is hurting – a person deserving of love and acceptance, not resentful tolerance and ridicule.

Some Things Considered

Grow up and show up I’ve got a secret for you, readers – one I learned in high school from a great musician and have cherished ever since: if there’s a class or professor you cannot stand and spend every lecture deliberately ignoring the words coming at you from the podium, Hallie Beard there’s a way Junior from to remedy the Louisville, Ky. torture.

There is a catch, though; you have to actually put in some effort before seeing results.

Once you’ve accepted that, read on.

Let’s say you’re taking a survey class that infuriates you.

The lectures don’t make sense and the professor is rude, so you don’t care about completing assignments on time. In fact, you don’t care about the class at all – it’s that painful, and

it’s a waste of your time.

Sound familiar?

If you want to step up in a troublesome class – this is the secret: show up. That’s all you have to do. Show up.

Sit up in your chair, actively listen and look interested – even if you have to pretend.

Showing up means producing the energy you want to receive, and doing it every day.

Recently, I overheard a student complaining about a class, joking that she always ignores the professor’s requests to not sleep or text during lecture. Supposedly, when the professor asked why she came at all, she replied that it was more convenient to stay on campus for her next class.

Too kool 4 school, right?

I get it – some classes are boring, or there may be a professor you don’t exactly vibe with.

I’ve skipped my fair share of classes (though I like to call them Mental Health Days a la “treat yoself”), and have been tempted on more than one occasion to rest my eyes in a giant lecture hall.

However, this is Murray State, and giant lecture classes are rare past freshman year.

In most classes, professors totally see our attempts at texting or sleeping.

When we’re using that kind of behavior to convey disrespect or apathy, it doesn’t matter that we’re physically in class, because we’re

not showing up in the way we should.

Some students see no issue in texting, sleeping, doing other homework or surfing the web during class; the way they see it, they’re paying that professor’s salary, so they deserve to have a good time and be comfortable.

Here’s the thing, though: that’s not how it works, and professors don’t owe us a good time.

While there will always be a few who act like they want students to be trumped by their positions of power, the majority of professors are here to help us become better-thinking adults as we transition into the “real world” of jobs and/or graduate school.

It can’t be a one-sided relationship between professor and class, though. The attitude of us vs. them isn’t fruitful for anyone, and it wastes energy.

Imagine if, every time you tried to contribute in class, the professor pulled out her phone and started texting or plopped down on the desk and started snoozing.

If that scenario seems ridiculous, flip your perspective.

The professor shows up, so we have to as well. There’s really no easy way around it – we have to bite the bullet and do our jobs.

College is tough, but it’s even tougher when trying to keep up a bad attitude.

Drop the act, grow up and show up.

The News

Opinion

September 4, 2015

Letter to the Editor Poll results

60

I Have a Lot of Feelings

We still want to hear from you

49% Yes

Are you concerned about a certain issue on campus or just 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 your submission to letters@thenews.org.

40

32% 30 20

Like our polls?

In our latest poll, we asked you if you felt comfortable seeking counseling resources on campus. To participate in future polls, visit TheNews.org.

We asked students if they feel comfortable seeking counseling resources on campus for depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, etc. Here are the results of 63 people.

50

5A

No

19% Not sure

10

I’ve Got a Story for You

Questions you shouldn’t ask College students come to campus seeking answers to their questions about life, love, beer, careers and the nature of the universe itself.

All their questions deserve answers or, at least, the best guess the professors can provide.

Most teachers will tell you they don’t get enough Robert Valentine questioning – that Senior lecturer modern students are too ready to of advertising accept what is written or said. They would love it if you would ask and ask again. After all, it’s your job to ask and their job to answer.

And yet, there are some questions that will only cause disappointment and heartbreak for the ambitious student.

There is a short list of “Questions You Should Never Ask Your Professor,” and you should learn them as soon as possible.

We can assume that professors try to be as objective as possible when it comes to grading but, let’s face it: some things are just hard to forget when the red pen comes out.

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

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

Comic

Probably the most common Question You Shouldn’t Ask (QYSA) is the one you usually ask when the professor runs into you on campus after you missed her 8:30 a.m. class.

You are obviously not dead; there are no apparent injuries and seriously ill students are not usually seen laughing like hyenas and telling jokes to a pair of Alpha Delta Pi’s.

You’ve been caught.

Wisely, you skip the excuse about a mysterious and violent illness that rendered you unable to walk the two blocks to class. Unwisely, you say, “Oh, hi, Doc. Did we, uh, like, do anything in class today?”

This sudden interest in her lecture is far too late. Instead, the professor will assume you believe that she has wasted 150 minutes of your time each week.

Regardless of your opinion on the matter, she thinks she has been earning The Nobel Prize in Undergraduate Teaching. She will not appreciate the suggestion that “doing anything” is a remarkable change of plan.

“

Bad Question: “Oh, hi, Doc. Did we, uh, like, do anything in class today?”

”

Cheers to ... Labor Day.

The best thing to do is to look at your watch and exclaim, “Hey! He’s late again. Has anybody seen my worthless twin brother, [insert your name here]?” Then wander off, continuing to shout your own name with a sense of real concern.

Drop the class.

A second QYSA has to do with turning in assignments.

Submitting assigned work is a good thing, and the professor will usually tell you how to do that, and when. There are exceptions of course, but generally that’s when and how she wants it.

When you failed to complete it on time and pull ye old “broken printer” excuse out of its well-worn bag, try to avoid the casual question, “Can I just email that to you?”

It’s another way of saying either “Let’s use up your toner; better yours than mine,” or “I don’t know how to follow simple directions.”

Pick one. They are equally bad for your reputation.

A third QYSA has to do with the passion of the professor, and the timing of a question which might cast doubt on the sincerity of your interest in the subject.

After a half-hour lecture on the causes of the Civil War, during which the instructor wept, shouted and exhorted your generation never to repeat the errors of the past, it is a bad time to pick up a pencil and pose the QYSA, “So, like, will that be on the test?”

“Ask,” says the ancient teaching, “and it shall be answered.”

Just be sure you know how the question will sound when you say it out loud.

Jeers to ... Green Day jokes.

We’ve been back at school for three weeks – it’s time for a break. We’re only human.

Three weeks of homework and having to put on pants for class is three weeks too many. A three-day weekend is just what the “Treat Yoself“ doctors ordered.

WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS, AM I RIGHT, GUYS? ... GUYS? *crickets* It’s not funny anymore. That song came out 10 years ago. TEN. Let it go. It’s time to move on.

If you’re still making that joke, I don’t want to wake you up.

Just sleep forever.

Jeers to ... Poor communicators.

Cheers to ... Counseling services.

Dear people who don’t reply to texts and emails: Who hurt you? What evil do you wish on the world? Don’t you know that while you’re living your life in communication ignorance, someone’s anxiety levels are off the charts? Think of the children, or something.

We should be grateful for the amount of services available to students dealing with mental health issues. Stressed?

Someone can help. Depressed or battling an eating disorder?

There are services available.

As the editorial states: you are not alone.

Planned obsolescence We’re living on borrowed time.

In this case, I don’t mean in the sense that we’re all SLOWLY DYING (which we are). I mean we’re living in a time of planned obsoAllison Borthwick lescence.

Our phones Opinion Editor function well for about two years – the average length of a cellphone contract.

Our laptops have an average lifespan of four years, even if you treat it well and don’t drop it off your bed every other night while switching Netflix-watching positions.

Video games and their respective gaming systems start glitching and God forbid you can’t play the newest version of Sims.

Trends are as flimsy as the $60 seethrough rag Urban Outfitters tries to pass off as a graphic T-shirt.

Our personal favorite: the textbooks that cost more than our fanciest clothing are worth two pennies by the end of the semester because edition 13 trumps 12 on EVERY level (one of the statistics buried in chapter 4 changed).

The companies who make the objects we’ve become so dependent on know what they’re doing – they’re smart.

Why build something that can last well forever when they can build something that lasts well for now?

Quantity of purchases over quality of products, am I right?

They know it’s happening. We know it’s happening. Yet the lines at Apple stores keep growing.

It’s amazing what we’ll do to satisfy our short-term wants instead of our long-term needs.

For instance, we will take a class for the sole purpose of meeting credit hour requirements. A class that costs us money taught buy a teacher who actually cares becomes a place filler in our academic career.

Even if it is a class in our major or minor, we often cram for tests and “read” information in such a way that none of it has a chance of sticking.

Whether we convince ourselves it’s unintentional or not, we plan on forgetting half of the information we learn here at Murray State. Even higher education isn’t safe from planned obsolescence.

Say we do take some golden nuggets of knowledge away from this University – what happens in a few years?

The game changes. New tactics come into play. Google becomes our best friend.

Google search: how to write an opinion column that isn’t super pessimistic. (I’ll let you know when I find an answer to that one.)

Why do people stay in relationships when there is a clear end in sight?

There are more tears than laughter, more fights than celebrations and more loneliness than being alone.

None of it adds up, yet here you are – months/years later with no hope for a happy future.

And for what? Just to say you’re taken for the time being?

Rip the Band-Aid off and let yourself heal.

Stop spending hours of your life staring at screens of technology not meant to last, scrolling through news feeds telling you about the lives of people you don’t plan on keeping around.

Live. See. Plan. Change. Plan again.

Happiness cannot be planned. Happiness cannot become obsolete. aborthwick@murraystate.edu

Self-control

By Jade Simpson

The News

News

6A

September 4, 2015

Parking on campus proves problematic Bailey Bohannon

Kalli Bubb/The News

Contributing writer

Parking spots in the lot across from the quad are usually some of the first to fill up once the school day begins. According to an email send to The Murray State News by Assistant Director of Facilities Management, more than 100 parking spots have been eliminated from the construction of the Engineering and Physics Building.

bbohannon@murraystate.edu

More than 100 parking spots have been eliminated from the limited reservoir of parking made available at Murray State because of the construction of the Engineering and Physics Building on 16th Street, according to an email from Jason Youngblood, assistant director of Facilities Management.

Combined with the more than 100 parking spots in the residential college circle lost last semester to the construction of the New Franklin Residential College, parking spots available at Murray State are becoming a scarcity and leaving students, faculty and staff alike scrambling to find a place to pull in and gear shift into park.

Marilyn Harris, lecturer of humanities and fine arts, drives about 40 miles from Paducah, Kentucky, to Murray State to teach her classes.

Harris said this semester she has had to leave her home an hour away several hours early to get a parking spot on campus.

“I have to get here far earlier than I used to, because in order to find a parking place I have to leave the house at about eight,” she said. “I don’t have a class until 12:30.”

Harris said this was the biggest inconvenience to her as a faculty member.

However, faculty members are not the only people on campus affected.

Adam Wade, senior from Leitchfield, Kentucky, said he parks outside of Lee Clark Residential College on a regular basis.

This year though, he has had to park over by the tennis courts and on the other side of the intramural fields more than ever.

“It’s usually always difficult to find a spot whenever school starts back up,” he said. “I’ve had to go out of my way to find a parking spot.”

Allie Roberts, freshman from Woodford County, Kentucky, said she lives on campus as well at Regents Residential College and worries about moving her car at all for fear of losing her space.

“If you leave, you might have to go park in White, especially during the day,” she said. “We all try to not have to move our cars.”

The parking lot at Regents is zoned to allow all parking passes, including residents, commuters and faculty.

Haley Purvis, freshman from Versailles, Kentucky, said she has no choice but to move her car in the middle of the day because she has class off campus at the barns.

“On Mondays and Fridays I have a class 10 minutes after my class at the barns,” she said. “Finding a parking spot just makes me that much later to my next class.”

Along with the complaints and the problems that the lost parking spots have caused, solutions are on several people’s minds.

“Restricted vehicle use helps a lot on big university campuses,” Harris said. “Underclassmen restrictions have helped a lot.”

Harris said the problem with parking on campus is that everybody feels entitled to their own cars, which adds more and more unnecessary vehicles on campus.

“Well, since I’m a freshman, I try and shy away from the ‘no freshman cars on campus,’ rule,” Roberts said. “Honestly, I think the problem during the day is the commuters. If they had their separate parking lot it would be a lot easier for everyone.”

From a senior perspective, Wade said the easiest thing to do would be to make more parking spots. He also suggested an overhaul of the zoning at Murray State.

“I wish that we could use the areas that only a certain color is allowed to use,” he said. “Change the color system.

I see so many spots that certain passes can’t be used in.”

Parking prices across Kentucky ky

tuc en K n ter ity Eas ivers Un

ar : ate 60/ye R t $ Fla

uck n Kent r e t s e W sity Univer

y

ousing: r Garage H $240/yea : g n si u o H r Premium $220/yea : g n si u o mium H r Non-Pre $110/yea : rk a P s mpu South Ca $50/year

Morehea d Universit State y

Aug. 1 - Dec . 31 Reserved: $4 80 AH, A2, C, E, S: $180 Zone O Ove rflow: $1

00 Jan 1 - M ay 3 Reserved : $240 AH, A2, C , E, S: $12 0 Zone O O verflow: $ 65 June 1 Ju Reserve ly 31 d: AH, A2, $80 C, E, S: $ 45 Zone O Overflo w: $25

Murr a Univ y State ersit y

Upp

ercla

ssme n: Fres hma $75/ye n ar park in Stew g at Ro y art S tadiu m $45/ : year

Graphic by: Alex Hilkey

Wade believes that because of the lack parking spaces, more students are prone to get parking tickets because they are desperate for spots.

Fingers are pointed in all directions because of the parking crisis on

Murray State’s campus this year, but hopefully a solution will be found.

Harris, a 15-year veteran of Murray State, said parking will continue to be a problem at the University until new policies are made.

“Parking is always going to be a problem until someone decides to put their foot down, somewhere,” she said. “Where they are going to put their foot down at, I couldn’t tell you.”

Malfunctioning dryer in Hart Residential College causes scare Lauren Epperson Contributing writer

lepperson@murraystate.edu

Residents of Hart Residential College woke to the fire alarm blaring at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday.

They were then quickly evacuated from the building and proceeded to stand along the edge of Springer-Franklin Residential College.

Fire Chief Eric Pologruto said the fire department was called to the scene because of an issue with a malfunctioning dryer.

“There was a maintenance problem with the dryer that caused the clothes, probably inside the dryer, to become scorched and probably gave off some smoke,” he said.

Pologruto said while there was no active fire, an electric charge from the dryer did cause the materials inside to become scorched.

A firetruck and police officials arrived

on the scene at 11:27 p.m. By that point the scorched material had already been removed from the appliance and doused in water.

Students remained along the edge of Springer-Franklin until 11:43 p.m. when officials indicated that it was safe to reenter the premises.

Kyle Schneck, sophomore from Boston, Kentucky, said he was surprised that something like this could happen from not doing laundry correctly.

“I thought that it was negligent for someone to cause a fire doing laundry.

You don’t really hear about it often,” he said. “It’s great that nobody was hurt, but I hate that actions like actually calling the fire department and evacuating the building were even necessary.”

Many students remain unhappy about the incident, claiming that it was an incident that could have been easily avoided.

“I realize that the individual may have been trying to save money by loading ev-

TINSELTOWN TUESDAYS

erything into one dryer, but it’s really dangerous,” said Gabby Tinebra, sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky. “I know a lot of people were very upset because they lost sleep or were distracted from their studies.”

The lack of sleep and study time is not the only inconvenience residents have complained about. The dryers of the sixth floor of Hart College are not to be used by residents at this time.

“Officers notified Murray State University personnel to remove the appliance from use and have the unit serviced and to remove scorched material from the building,” Pologruto said.

The appliance will undergo a maintenance service in the near future to determine whether it will be fixed or replaced.

“I think that this incident should lead us to recognize that safety should always come before convenience,” said Selena McPherson, sophomore from Beechmont, Kentucky.

e

9/1 ....... God’s Not Dead 9/8 ....... Big Hero 6 9/15 ..... 23 Blast 9/22 ..... Alexander and th e Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Bad Day 9/29 ..... Postman Pat Sponsored By: New Life Campus Ministry

•Keep the lint trap clean.

•Keep washers and dryers plugged in properly to avoid a shortage.

•Keep the surrounding area rid of flammable items.

•Never dry rubber, foam or plastic.

•Never dry clothes that have been in contact with alcohol or gasoline.

Graphic courtesy of Classroom ClipArt

Do you have sweet design skills and love to work as part of a team? $ VKRXW RXW WR RXU OR\DO WHD ORYHUV

The Murray State News is looking for ad production staff!

7:00 PM

3rd Floor Curris Center Theatr

{ } Tips for Laundry Safety

1RZ RIIHULQJ SUHPLXP ORRVH OHDI WHDV 7DNH KRPH WKH WHDV \RX ORYH WRGD\

Bring in your MSU ID to receive 25% off your specialty drink between 8pm-10pm Monday-Thursday! (not valid in drive-thru)

12th & Payne 270.761.4800

Grow your design portfolio while gaining experience.

Turn in an application to Wilson Hall 111 or visit thenews.org/apply.

September 4, 2015

Section B

The News

Sports

Sports Editor: Kelsey Randolph Assistant Sports Editor: Lily Harris Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews ­­

Racers run wild against Panthers

Chalice Keith/The News

Murray State beats Kentucky Wesleyan College 52-12 Mallory Tucker Sports writer mtucker11@murraystate.edu The senior football players asserted their dominance on Senior Night as they combined for five touchdowns, a field goal and four sacks to beat the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers 52-12 Thursday night at Roy Stewart Stadium during the season opener.

“As older guys, we feel like we’re the leaders of this team,” said wide receiver, Jeremy Harness. “We’ve got to help try to show the younger guys the way. For us to come out and put on a show like we did, I feel like that lets the younger guys think ‘Hey, we can do this too.’

What makes them different than us? There is no difference. Hopefully we can put a little bit of confidence in them so they can come out and do the same thing.”

First-year Head Coach Mitch Stewart took the first win in his new role in stride – water cooler shower and all – thankful to Racer Nation for all the support he’s received.

“I’m super grateful, to be honest with you,” Stewart said. “Super grateful for the work that the staff has put in up to this point, super grateful for the work the kids have put in up to this point. I’m also really grateful for Racer Nation. We had a good crowd out there tonight. Just the experience for our kids was awesome.”

Just two plays and 23 seconds into the first game of the season, the Racers were off to a strong start with a pass from redshirt junior quarterback KD Humphries to senior receiver Paul Rice that resulted in a 10-yard touch-

KD Humphries 25-34, 385 passing yards 5 touchdowns Roman Clay 17 attempts, 98 rushing yards 1 touchdown Jeremy Harness 7 receptions, 156 yards 3 touchdowns

Racer Roundup

see FOOTBALL, 2B

Volleyball sweeps season opener, set to take on Washington Kelsey Randolph Sports Editor

krandolph3@murraystate.edu

Nicole Ely/The News

The Racers take an early morning practice Wednesday to prepare for the trip to Seattle, Washington, Friday and Saturday.

WHAT’S

INSIDE

Coming off of a weekend win at the Catamount Classic Crown, the Racer volleyball team prepares to travel more than 2,500 miles and face two opponents in Seattle, Washington.

Entering the weekend against Fresno State, the Racers struggled with an early 11-4 slip in the lead. In the first set, they trailed 24-22 and it looked as if Fresno State would take the match point, but with four consecutive points, the Racers brought it back 26-24.

Respectively the sets ended when Murray State took the second set 25 and finished the sweep with a 25-21 victory in the third set.

Entering its second day,

Head Coach David Schwepker said the team was adjusting to the court lighting, which is very different from Racer Arena.

Black ceilings, low lighting and a wide lay-out distracted the players in the first game, but Kristen Besselsen, junior right side, said once the team could gather its bearings and understood where everyone was in relation to each other, the Racers picked up their game for the second day of the tournament.

The Racers matched with the Western Carolina Catamount’s, sweeping them 25-15, 25-18 and 25-15.

Finishing the day with a positive outlook for the next week, the Racers finished against Georgia State with a 25-6 win in the first set, 25-21 in the second

and rounding the tournament 25-20 sweeping the weekend 3-0. Besselsen was named All-Tournament MVP with 13 kills against both Western Carolina and Fresno also adding eight kills against Georgia State.

“We were down in one set one time and they came back and pulled it off,” Schwepker said. “It was a tough win. It was the first set of the first match of the season. They maintained and got the win.

Those kinds of wins help people to become stronger and pull through. They don’t give up when it gets to be like that.”

In addition to Besselsen’s team high three-aces, Taylor Olden, a senior outside hitter added 11 kills against the Cat-

see VOLLEYBALL, 2B

RACERS ABROAD

SOCCER WINS

GOD’S BLUEPRINT

MOVIE REVIEW

Track and field athlete finishes third in 10K in Paris, France, 3B

Racers take loss at Little Rock, finish 3-2 against Arkansas, 4B

University professors discuss religion Monday, 5B

“No Escape,” packs a heavy box-office punch, 6B

The News

Sports

2B

September 4, 2015 Off the Gridiron

VOLLEYBALL

From Page 1B

amount’s, Scottie Ingram, a junior outside hitter, finished with 10 kills and 10 digs along with her first double-double of the season, while Sam Bedard, a senior setter, recorded 105 assists which averaged to 11.67 assists per set.

Besselsen and Bedard were named Adidas OVC Offensive Player and Setter of the Week

for their performance in the Catamount Classic.

It was the beginning to what is shaping up to be an even better season, said Besselsen.

The trip to Seattle is the only flight trip they will have this season. Schwepker said he likes to travel by plane at least once in the players’ four years to experience something as different as Washington.

Besselsen said while the team is nervous to travel and, play a team like Washington, who played to the third round

of the 2014 NCAA tournament and lost against Nebraska 3-1, but unlike when they played Illinois State in the NCAA Tournament, she feels well prepared.

Being that nobody graduated, Schwepker said training has remained similar to the previous years, though to compete each week they have begun weekly tournaments to determine who will compete the following weekend.

“When you go through and pass a hundred balls you

just go through the motions,” Schwepker said. “When you play as if you just go through the motions you won’t score very high. With this tournament style, the girls play against each other; I don’t pick who plays every week they pick and they know. It creates the competitiveness within those practices that we normally can’t duplicate. We want to duplicate what we do on the weekends. All of a sudden you get to the game and it suddenly matters and that’s

The News’ Athlete of the Week Kristen Besselsen

Volleyball Position: Right side Height: 6 feet, 3 inches Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri High School: Incarnate Word Academy

1. How long have you been playing your sport and why did it interest you to begin with?

“I started playing volleyball when I was 13; my mom had tried to get me to play earlier but I always told her it was too girlie. I guess to be candid, it didn’t interest me at all. But once I started playing, I couldn’t stop. Two years later, I had dropped every other sport for volleyball.”

2. What is it about your sport that makes you enjoy it?

“I like the pace of the volleyball. It’s fast and easy to tell when two teams are evenly matched.

I would say defense is my favorite part of the game because it’s not every day that you see a 6’2” player in the back row. I have to prove myself every time we step out on the court.”

3. How did it feel to win in the season opener for volleyball?

“Winning is an awesome feeling. As a team, we have worked a lot on mental toughness and I felt that it showed over the past weekend. For MVP, it was exciting. At the same time, I’m taking it with a grain of salt. There are many more matches to come before the OVC championship.”

4. What do you most look forward to the rest of the season?

“I am looking forward to playing the University of Washington, but mostly for our first home match. There is a different feeling playing in Racer Arena and I miss that.”

5. If you could give one piece of advice to someone about accomplishment, what would you say?

“I would say to live in the moment and think about the accomplishments after the fact. After the season is over and the team has gone as far as they possibly can. Not getting all caught up in the winning streak or breaking records, but each competition individually.”

what we are creating. Now practices matter just as much.

They get that feeling of camaraderie.”

Playing during the week is just as important as playing on the weekends for Schwepker.

There is no difference anymore with the new style of competitiveness amongst the team.

An individual may play one week but if they don’t prove themselves again the following week during practice— they won’t play during the weekend.

“If someone changes and earns a spot then that means they’re good enough to be out there,” Schwepker said.

“They know they’ve made it and they know they should be there. Everybody around them knows it, too.”

Though the Racers won’t see home court until Oct. 7 against Austin Peay State, Schwepker said the team is putting its head in the game and focusing on consistently doing better.

Schwepker looks to the fans this season for support and camaraderie alike. He said the atmosphere of a full arena with painted faces and filled chair backs is what helps give the team an extra edge.

It is not only encouraging but intimidates the opposing team.

“We left off with tons of people in the gym,” Schwepker said. “I just want to get those fans back out and keep stressing they can be crazy —not rude to the other team —but be supportive. It’s a big deal. I don’t think the fans realize how much they help. It makes you feel good.”

Friday the team travels to Seattle, Washington, to face the University of Washington and competes Saturday against the University of Buffalo.

Sports Calendar for Sept. 4-12 Friday, Sept. 4

Saturday, Sept. 5

Sunday, Sept. 6

Friday, Sept. 11

Saturday, Sept. 12

Volleyball plays against Washington State in Seattle, Washington, at 6 p.m.

Volleyball plays against the University of Buffalo in Seattle, Washington, at 9 p.m.

Soccer plays against the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee at 1 p.m.

Soccer plays against Louisiana Tech on Cutchin Field at 3 p.m.

Volleyball plays against Indiana University-Purdue University in Terre Haute, Indiana, at 12 p.m. and against Eastern Michigan at 3:30 p.m.

Volleyball plays against Indiana University-Purdue University in Terre Haute, Indiana, at 3:30 p.m.

Women and Men’s Cross Country races in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, at 9:20 p.m.

FOOTBALL From Page 1B down. Senior kicker Carson Greifenkamp made the extra point and Murray State took an early 7-0 lead.

It was four up and four down for the Panthers as the defensive line showed vast improvement from last year’s 3-9 season.

“This defensive line is strong,” said senior Zach Dean said, who tallied two of the Racers’ four sacks. “We’ve been working all summer, all camp. We’ve been getting bigger, stronger. And when we added Elijah (Daniel) to the defensive line, it just made it that much better.”

Kentucky Wesleyan’s Eman Westmoreland punted 65 yards to Murray State’s 11-yard line as senior Shawn Samuels-Connell, who was receiving punt returns in lieu of senior Janawski Davis, who was benched for the home opener for violation of team rules, failed to gain yards on the play.

The Racers maintained possession for the majority of the quarter before scoring their second touchdown with 2:44 left as Humphries connected with senior receiver Jeremy Harness for their second touchdown of the game. The duo connected two more times before the clock ran out at the end of the night.

“It’s just about whatever the offense needs, I’m willing to

do,” Harness said. “I remember numerous times this summer I’m at the house asleep, KD calls me at 5:30 in the morning.

‘Hey, what you doing? Let’s go outside. Let’s throw the football.’ Him being the quarterback, it comes with the job. Me and him have been in sync like that since the summer.”

Stewart reiterated Harness’s sentiment, saying they were the type of guys he has to tell to go inside and quit practicing.

The Racers started the second quarter with a 21-yard field goal by Greifenkamp before tacking two more touchdowns on the board.

Four minutes into the quarter, sophomore Nick Taylor tallied the Racers’ first rushing touchdown of the season before Humphries connected with Harness once again.

The play-making partners of Humphries and Harness kicked off the second half scoring with yet another passing touchdown five minutes in. Senior Pokey Harris solidified the score at 45-0 with a 72-yard touchdown, shaking off three tackles on his route downfield.

The Panthers Travion Tucker put the first and only points on the board with a 76yard passing touchdown. Kentucky Wesleyan missed the PAT and kicked away from Murray State’s receivers. Senior Joey Cicoria received the ball to end the third quarter as Humphries took to the bench to rest and redshirt freshman Houston Hartz saw the first minutes of his college quar-

Football plays against Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois, at 2:30 p.m.

Nicole Ely/The News

Freshman rally before the football game Thursday to rush the field for the second annual Gold Rush event hosted by Racer Athletics. terback career. Junior Roman Clay added a touchdown with just under seven minutes left in the game to widen the gap to 52-6.

The Panthers’ Fred Coleman ran three yards for their

second touchdown of the game before failing on a twopoint conversion attempt. The clock wound down as the Racers celebrated the first win of a fresh season 52-12.

“To be perfectly honest

with you, I’m not a big stat guy,” Stewart said. “Other than the one that matters the most – and that’s the W or the L. And right now we’re sitting on the W. For the most part, that’s all I care about tonight.”

All about the Benjamin’s

The 2015 Super Bowl: Seattle threatens to score the winning touchdown.

They are at New England’s 1-yard line.

John Morris Millions are Staff writer watching as there are 26 seconds left on the clock.

Instead of handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who was last year’s best running back in the NFL, Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson attempted a slant pass to the right that Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler picked off.

Game over.

Seconds later, social media exploded with thoughts of conspiracy and the game being rigged.

As a fan and a player of the game, I was quick to defend the play, but when things like this happen it’s only human nature to question it.

People have come to question the operations and outcomes of sporting events and even investigations about endorsements and media coverage.

In some cases, there has been evidence of money controlling the outcome of sporting events.

The biggest skeptical view of these accusations is that those athletes and sports figures in major sports sell out games for more money and benefits.

It’s hard to believe someone who devoted their life to a sport would sell out their hard work for extra cash or benefits.

But on the inside looking out, I have met those people in different sports with different lifestyles, who are not all about the love of the game, but are about how much can they get out of this.

The money is nice and can do a lot for you but at the end of the day, one thing stands out: athletes play to play.

But, there are always different circumstances that lead up to the scenarios that I’ve mentioned before.

ESPN did a short documentary on the Boston College basketball point shaving scandal, where the Mafia, led

by Henry Hill, recruited and bribed several members of the 1978-79 basketball team to fix games.

As of spring, FIFA has had one of the biggest scandals revealed to the sports world, in which it was released that racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracies and other offenses are in connection with a 24-year scheme to enrich top dogs through the corruption of international soccer.

Ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy was known as one of the top tier refs in the NBA for 13 years. In his last four years he participated in a gambling scheme with the mob where he was betting on games and winning 75 percent of his bets.

Other scandals and issues seen in sports in 2015 are arrests centered on the alleged use of bribery, fraud and money laundering to corrupt the issuing of media and marketing rights for FIFA games in the Americas that estimate $150 million.

In a recent development concerning FIFA, an sports equipment company, identified in multiple sources as Nike, is alleged to have paid at least $40 million in bribes to become the sole provider of uniforms, footwear, accessories and equipment to the Brazil national team.

This changed the entire view on what is believed to be one of the world’s most popular sports.

With so many ins and outs to how sports are ran, looked at and played, who’s to say that money doesn’t control some people’s actions.

From an athletic standpoint, no one wants their love for their respective sport, their character or organization questioned.

Money is a source of power, and society and sports accumulates a lot of it. Those responsible for the revenue should reap what they sow. jmorris36@murraystate.edu

The News

Sports

September 4, 2015

3B

Taking on the world one race at a time Murray State athlete crosses the Atlantic and finishes third in 10K Lily Harris Assistant Sports Editor lharris23@murraystate.edu Meagan Smith, sophomore at Murray State, found herself racing a 10K on the cobblestone streets of Paris during her last weekend of her study abroad trip to France this summer.

The “Foulees Dueme” race through the Bois de Vincennes section of Paris was Smith’s first international race. She finished third out of 224 women, first in her age group and 115th out of 807 total participants.

Smith crossed the finish line at 39 minutes, 38 seconds.

“That is not my best time, but I am very proud of my time,” Smith said. “This was the best road race I have ever run.”

Smith is one of the top runners on Murray State’s cross country team. She came in first for the Racers and placed 15th overall at the OVC championships. She also came in second for the Racers at re-

gionals.

Smith is also one of the top distance runners for the track team. She participates on the 800-meter race. She wrapped up her track season with a seventh place at OVC and is now ninth in the Murray State All-Time Best list.

Running has always been a passion for Smith. She was a four-year member of the track and field team and two-year member of the cross-country team at Danville High School.

Among many accomplishments in high school, she was cross-country state champion in 2012 and 2013, was Danville High School Runner of the Year in 2013, Kentucky Track Cross Country Coaches Association Cross-Country Runner of the Year 2012 and 2013 and in Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2014.

“I had the pleasure of coaching Meagan throughout her high school career however, it is Meagan’s character that makes her a champion,” said Danville High School Head Coach, Chris Verhoven.

“She is a fantastic student, a supportive teammate, and a sweetheart to everyone that is around her.”

Smith’s goals for the season are to help lead her team to a victory at OVC after the women’s team came in fifth last season. She also wants to beat her personal record in cross-country and track.

Running has already opened doors for Smith in France; she was determined to run a race while she was there. During the trip she learned to rely on her independent skills to be able to finish her race.

For Smith the culture of studying abroad was a shock and though she wasn’t sure what she would take away from it—she knew she would take away something.

She hopes to study abroad again.

“The study abroad program was an amazing opportunity,” Smith said. “Running in the 10K was the best experience of the whole trip; I look forward and hope I get another opportunity to do it again.”

Nicole Ely/The News

Meagan Smith traveled across the world to participate in a KIIS Study Abroad program in Paris, France where she raced a 10K and placed third in her respective category.

Racer band practicing for Festival of Champions Alec Mullins

Contributing writer amullins32@murraystate.edu

As the sun set on campus Tuesday, the air around Roy Stewart Stadium buzzed with energy and music.

The only sound that could be heard above the noise was the voice of John Fannin, director of the Racer Band, as they put the final touches on their halftime shows for Murray State football games.

The band has also been re-

hearsing with something else in mind.

On Sept. 19 at Stewart Stadium, Murray State and the Racer Band staff will host high schools from all across the state for the 2015 Festival of Champions.

Established in 1976, the all day showcase will feature the best marching bands from Kentucky, in a competitive celebration.

“We’re ready to show everyone what we’ve been working on and see what the

schools that are coming here have to show us,” Fannin said.

Though the focus of the event is on the high school bands and students, the Racer Band will also perform its show, first during the preliminary round and then again for the finals.

“I think all of us really enjoy the reactions we get when our old classmates and friends see us perform with the Racer Band the first time,” said Charlie Graves, junior band member. “It’s a reminder

Jenny Rohl/The News

HARD WORK: (Left, top) Drum line members look at racer band director, John Fannin, for its cue during Thursday night’s game against Kentucky Wesleyan. (Left, bottom) Xylophone player, Katherine Holler, plays “Uptown Funk,” during its halftime performance. (Right) Xylophone player, Jacob Therin, concentrates on Fannin’s direction during the halftime performance.

of the progress we’ve made since high school.”

Festival of Champions is open to the public but the event will also be broadcast on Kentucky Educational Television, which brings an air of excitement for the students involved.

“I love the fact that the event is broadcast across the state because it gives everyone the opportunity to see not only the Racer Band but the all of the great high schools we have performing,” said

Jimmie Powers, bass guitarist of Racer Band. “We don’t have a lot of opportunities to showcase the work that we put in but Festival of Champions really gives us a platform to show why we work as hard as we do.”

Statewide attention aside, the audience in Stewart Stadium makes the event as special as it is, said Bryan Edwards, a member of the front ensemble.

“Specifically after we perform, the reaction from the

crowd is nothing less than electric, being able to put a smile on someone’s face through music is the greatest feeling I could ask for,” Edwards said.

Beyond the Festival of Champions, the Racer Band will play in a Bands of America Super Regional event on Oct. 17 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.

Band members want students, alumni, faculty and family to come cheer on the Racer Band at the event.

Sports

4B

The News

September 4, 2015

Soccer losses against Little Rock, wins in Arkansas Alec Mullins

Contributing writer amullins2@murraystate.edu

Establishing success early is a key component in any sport and the Murray State soccer team did just that as they claimed the program’s first regular season victory against an SEC team to start the season.

The past week’s road trip did not bring the same level of success as the Racers lost to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2-1 but rebounded against Arkansas State with a 3-2 victory.

“Little Rock has a turf field and we’re not used to playing on that and it showed,” said Head Coach Jeremy Groves.

The weekend was not a letdown with the win against Arkansas State coming two days later. Though the Racers had several good opportunities to score, it was Arkansas State forward Jacqueline Greer who would find the back of the net first.

Arkansas State’s lead would

not hold long as two minutes later a penalty kick was awarded and senior midfielder Racheal Foxley tied the game at 1-1. That score would hold going into the half, where freshman goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald replaced Shelby Haworth.

“We figured that if there was ever a game to give Alex a chance to play in, that Sunday’s game should be the one,” Groves said.

Both teams would score again in the second half, but the deciding goal came in the 80th minute when forward Harriet Withers avoided Red Wolves keeper Kelsey Ponder to score on an empty net.

“We lost to them last year on two penalty kicks and an own goal. I remembered that and I’m sure some of the girls did,” Graves said. “It definitely felt good to get this one.”

The Racers next game is at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the University of Tennessee, that will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

The added attention doesn’t

bother senior forward Marissa Burroughs.

“It’s just another game,” Burroughs said. “We want to win them all, so it’s not too different.”

After Tennessee, the Racers will play on Sept. 11 at Cutchin Field for their first home game of the season against Louisiana Tech in a matchup the team is taking just as seriously as any other.

“That’s something we talk about every week,” Groves said. “Playing with the same level of intensity every game, no matter who we’re on the field with.”

After two games at home, the Racers issue with turf could resurface as they travel to Indianapolis, for a game against Indiana UniversityPurdue University at Indianapolis.

“We may have to go practice on the football field a few times if we know that we’re playing on turf,” Groves said.

“I don’t know if that’s the answer but we’ve got to try something else.”

Soccer statistics Leading scorer Saves leader

Harriet Withers

2 goals

Shelby Hawthorne 7 saves

Murray goals vs. shots

6-34

Opponents goals vs. shots

5-32

Highest attendance

Little Rock, 781

Zachary Maley/The News

During practice, the soccer team practices catching the ball. The Racers take on Louisiana Tech at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 at Cutchin Field.

#financialgenius

Want extra credit? Start by getting a free credit score.

Visit the Student Union—a free online resource from U.S. Bank built to equip you with knowledge to help manage your money, now and in the future. Get a free credit score and use the credit simulator to see how certain decisions can affect your score.1 You can even get a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship by completing our easy online modules,2 all at usbank.com/studentunion.

No purchase necessary. 1. Free credit score access and Score Simulator through TransUnion’s CreditViewSM Dashboard through 12/31/2015.

The credit score is not the one used by U.S. Bank when making credit decisions and is intended for educational purposes to help consumers understand their credit risk. 2. Scholarship eligibility restrictions apply. Refer to usbank.com/studentunion for details. Credit products offered

by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. 150381 9/15

September 4, 2015

5B

The News

Features

Features Editor: Connor Jaschen Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures

­

Photo contributed by Laura Cortazzo

‘I am not the same person.’

Student spends summer abroad in Thailand studying elephants Gisselle Hernandez

Assistant Features Editor

ghernandez@murraystate.edu

When junior Laura Cortazzo learned she had been selected to go to Thailand for part of the summer, her initial thought was “Awesome! I get to work with elephants!”

However, throughout the two weeks, her perspective changed as she realized that the animals were there for a reason.

Boston-based program Loop Abroad chose a group of students who had applied for the trip to go to Chiang Mai, Thailand to volunteer at animal shelters from July 9 to July 30.

The first week, students worked at the Animal Rescue

Kingdom dog shelter where dogs who had been abused and beaten were taken in.

In the second week, students treated rescued elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand.

“I was there learning about animals,” Cortazzo said. “But I also learned about people and how cruel they can be.”

The veterinary service program allowed the students to work alongside a staff veterinarian.

As a pre-veterinary student at Murray State, treating and working with large mammals helped her broaden her experience in her major.

Cortazzo’s work at the dog rehabilitation center included clinical work, testing for parasites, vaccinations, neuters

and general treatment the animals needed which truly made a difference in the animals’ well-being, according to Loop Abroad Media Director Jane Stine.

At the Elephant Nature Park, founded by Songduen “Lek” Chailert, Cortazzo worked closely with the elephants, treating their foot issues that were caused by being caught in traps and their abscesses that resulted from being bound.

The sanctuary is home to more than 40 elephants who have been rescued from trekking, logging and being tortured at tourist attractions.

Seeing elephants with rope burns on their necks from being tied up and ribs clearly visible because of starvation

caused Cortazzo to reflect about the way people really mistreat animals.

A popular ritual in Thailand is the Phajaan ceremony, which is known as “crushing” an elephant’s spirit.

The purpose of this process is to tame young elephants so they can become domesticated for tourism purposes by being beaten, taken away from their mothers and deprived of food, according to kimpluscraig.com.

A lot of the elephants at the park where Cortazzo worked had been victims to this ritual.

Some elephants are rescued from entertainment industries, such as circuses.

Elephants performing may be described as entertain-

ment, but it is an entire different story behind closed curtains, said Cortazzo.

She believes seeing dire situations where animals are being mistreated to the point of fatality makes her even more passionate about what she is studying.

“This not only changed my whole thought process of veterinary medicine, it has made me question a lot,” Cortazzo said, “I am not the same person.”

Apart from being emotionally impacted from seeing these animals in pain and hearing each elephant’s background story, Cortazzo enjoyed being immersed in an entirely new culture and experiencing new things every day.

Her fiance, Phillip Michaels, said he was proud that she was willing to go the distance to do what she loved.

“Her motivation is inspiring,” he said. “I’m happy to be at her side.”

This was the first time Cortazzo was abroad for volunteer work, and she said she will definitely revisit since it was a breath-taking experience. “[On the trip] we were working and it was hard and it was hot and we were doing a lot of stuff,” Cortazzo said..

“But it was amazing.”

The Loop Abroad program offers financial aid to make the trip possible for the greatest number of students.

Interested participants can apply at LoopAbroad.com.

University professors discuss God, ‘Big Bang Theory’ Brianna Willis || Staff writer bwillis2@murraystate.edu

Chalice Keith/The News

Josh Ridley, assistant professor of physics, speaks to the crowd.

The theater on the third floor of Curris Center was bustling and cheerful Monday Aug. 31, all to hear about the scientific evidence of God’s existence.

Students, faculty, staff and community members began to fill up the room, leaving standing room only as laughter and excited chatter energized the air.

The Christian Faculty Network hosted God’s Blueprint: Scientific Evidence for a God Designed Universe.

Josh Ridley, assistant professor of physics and Murphy Smith, distinguished professor of accounting were the two guest speakers who took turns presenting scientific data for their beliefs.

The presentation was informative, yet laid-back. Occasionally a joke would be made to really emphasize the points being presented.

“Now it’s time to get serious, and of course, I’m talking Star Wars,” Smith said, and proceeded with a story about Obi-Wan Kanobi.

Quoting Kanobi, he said there was no

such thing as mere luck, tying the story into his point that nothing – including the universe – is by chance.

However, it wasn’t all jokes and pop culture references.

Smith and Ridley used math, astronomy and physics to support their claims of a God-designed world and cited several scientists and philosophers, such as Albert Einstein and Cicero.

Smith and Ridley’s presentation centered around the notion that God invented the universe through the “Big Bang,” a theory that suggests that approximately 13.8 billion years ago stars and galaxies began to form through scientific processes.

Smith and Ridley moved through the presentation making scientific concepts absorbable to the audience and relating everything back to biblical text.

They left the presentation open ended, admitting that different conclusions may be drawn from the same data; however they personally don’t believe in random coincidental happenings.

They believe in God, but said everyone is allowed to make their own opinions.

“Everyone” consisted of the large

crowd of the theater, and Ridley said he was shocked by the turn out.

“When I looked out there wasn’t an empty seat and people were standing up,” Ridley said.

He said this was a pleasant surprise, but also an indicator that people want to hear other opinions.

“A lot of college students think ‘I have my religion I can’t have science,’ or, ‘I have my science I can’t have religion,” Ridley said.

He doesn’t want students to be afraid because they’ve only known one thing.

He said that it is OK to hear a variety of opinions.

Tyler Covington, freshman from Murray echoed that sentiment.

Covington said he is a religious person and is involved in Christ Ambassadors on campus.

He said a family friend recommended the event to him, but that it was more than a recommendation that made him attend the event.

“I’ve heard arguments against God’s existence, so I’d like to hear views for God’s existence to help strengthen my faith,” Covington said.

The News

Features

6B

The week ahead...

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

September 4, 2015

If you would like an event to appear on the calendar here or on TheNews.org, email the Features Editor, Connor Jaschen, at cjaschen@murraystate.edu.

Please submit events by noon Wednesday for consideration.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

9:30 a.m.

Canvas Collaboration Tools, Room 304 North Applied Science Building

7 a.m.

Downtown Farmers Market, Maple Street-Court Square

11 a.m.

Marshall County Exceptional Center Fish Fry, Mike Miller Park in Benton, Kentucky

University Closed for Labor Day

Registration Add/ Drop Deadline

6:30 a.m.

Women’s Only Zumba, Carr Health Building

6:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting, City Hall Council Chambers

New platform, Annual Penguin Project plans play The Odyssey, hits campus Da’Sha Tuck || Staff writer dtuck@murraystate.edu

Jessica Bostick || Staff writer jbostick@murraystate.edu

The Odyssey is a new online publication to Murray State that “crowdsources ideas from millennial thought leaders in their local communities,” according to their website.

Seventy-nine percent of writers for The Odyssey are 18 to 24 years old.

The Odyssey allows writers to share events happening in their local communities and opinions on various issues.

The Odyssey was founded at Indiana University by two students who desired a platform on which people their age could share their thoughts and ideas.

Starting out as a printed publication, The Odyssey eventually shifted to online to allow further reach.

Murray State senior Kelsey Grapperhaus from Troy, Illinois began writing for The Odyssey in June.

“The Odyssey is different because I can choose what I want to write about each week,’’ she said. ‘‘No one is here to tell me which story or topic to cover; it’s all up to me. I think that’s what’s so great about The Odyssey because the website is filled with the thoughts and interests of actual college students – written by college students, for college students.”

The informality of The Odyssey is a hit with many students but others see a negative side to this casual take on journalism.

“I’ve read some good and bad articles from The Odyssey. I feel like it’s more of an outlet for college students to vent about what bugs them about Greek life or college in general instead of real articles,” said Rayleigh Melton, senior from Cadiz, Kentucky.

“They’re not well researched

at all and are mostly opinion pieces, some of which are negative and offensive.”

Magazines such as Forbes, Indianapolis Business Journal and many others have also discussed The Odyssey and its unique approach at journalism.

“At the center of this democratization of brands and the new mechanics of marketing and advertising are young peopledigital natives, but more than that, individuals who have little regard for established rules of engagement,” according to a Forbes Magazine article.

“...written by college students, for college students.”

–Kelsey Grapperhaus senior from Troy, Illinois

The Odyssey is growing quickly in popularity among college students as an exciting place to express opinions for pleasure, rather than as a job.

The Odyssey is expecting to add 200 communities to its already existing 250 by the end of 2015.

“We submit a new article every Sunday at 5 p.m. and whoever gets the most shares on their article out of all of the writers on staff gets $20 in their PayPal account,” Grapperhaus said.

“I like this a lot because it’s not considered a job, but a hobby. It also keeps the staff competitive and encourages us to write about something even better the next week.”

According to Forbes, “They are fearlessly rewriting the marketing playbook, finding whitespace and developing unprecedented tools, processes, strategies and companies.’’

• All rooms have refrigerator and microwave.

• Rated 100% by Dept. of Public Health.

• Owned and operated by an MSU graduate.

• The only 100% non-smoking and pet-free hotel/motel in town.

RA MU TED #1 • Free Wifi.

R O

RAY HO F 9 TRIP ON TELS ADV ISO R!

506 S. 12th St. (US 641) Murray, KY 42071 270-753-2682 Online reservations: murrayplazalodge.com Email: mpl@murrayplazalodge.com

10% OFF for MSU members including parents, alumni & visitors

Broadway’s Seussical is coming to Playhouse in the Park. Performing this musical will be, what the directors of the program call artists, children ages 10-22 who have been diagnosed with a disability.

Holly Bloodworth, director of the Penguin Project in Murray, said this particular production is more challenging for the students because of the extensive music selections. Last year the Penguins performed Annie. These productions are modified versions of the original Broadway musicals.

“The origin of the name ‘Penguin Project’ comes from the unique characteristics of penguins. They are extremely playful and curious, and work well together. More importantly, they have a ‘disability’ that distinguishes them from other birds – they can’t fly!

Instead, penguins waddle and toboggan on their bellies over the snow, and are excellent swimmers in the water.

So like our young artists, they have adapted to the challenges of their environment, and have not allowed their unique difference to interfere with their lives,” according to The Penguin Project Foundation Incorporated website.

“We have physical disabilities,” Bloodworth said. “We have a few children in wheelchairs and a child with a cleft palate. Some disabilities are cognitive. There is a range of disabilities.”

Each artist is matched with a volunteer mentor of their same age to help them through to production. The mentors go through training that equips them with the skills they will require.

Each disability is unique as is each personality. Bloodworth said some students are more confident about being on stage and some need more support.

Bloodworth said she has an artist this year who has broken free of her shy-

ICYMI:

Zachary Maley/The News

Members of the Penguin Project practice for their performance ness and is confident without her mentor being so close.

Bloodworth said there are a lot of rewards with being involved with this program.

“In this environment, children have breakthroughs,” Bloodworth said.

Lynn Melton, assistant director of the program, said they have picked up new participants this year. She said they knew the abilities of the students in the previous year who have returned but learning the abilities of the new participants is a transition.

Melton, retired teacher, said the most rewarding part about her position in this program is centered on expectations. She said people do not usually place high expectations on children with special needs but in this program she has even seen parents surprised at what their children accomplish.

“You have to admire them, some of

them are just friends of the artists and want to help them have this experience,” Melton said. “I have seen kids build bonds that last beyond this program.”

Rehearsal for Seussical began in July.

They first began rehearsing two days a week for an hour and then extended gradually. They had to rehearse at Murray High School because of productions scheduled on their actual stage. This week will be the first time the artists rehearse on their actual stage.

The Penguin Project will have the production on Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 20.

Showtimes vary and tickets are available upon arrival or online at playhouseinthepark.net. Tickets cost $11 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for students and $8 for a children. Ordering online will add a $1.50 Internet processing fee per ticket.

Fraternity Rush and Photos

Breanna Sill || Staff writer bsill@murraystate.edu

INSTAGRAM UPDATE In its newest update, the social media app Instagram has solved all of its users’ picture sizing needs.

While the app will always be known for its square images, the new update allows users the option to post a photo in either a landscape or portrait size.

An Instagram executive wrote in a blog to the company’s website that one in five users were not posting square photos to begin with so the update was their way of improving the site’s image quality.

“Clarity and detail with every shot,” a spokesperson for the app wrote in the blog. “You’ll capture beautiful moments in all their glory.”

The new update changes the size of a photo from 612 x 612 to 1936 x 1936.

Also available in the Instagram 2.0 update are three new filters called Moon, Gingham and Clarendon.

FRATERNITY RUSH Last week Murray State held its annual fall social fraternity rush for men on campus.

Two hundred and forty four men participated and 165 men accepted bids on Monday from the fraternities of their choice.

Throughout the week, the men of the eight social fraternities on campus mingled with rushees during events, like paintball fights, and each fraternity hosted a formal “smoker” meal with their alumni.

Courtesy of Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity

The brothers of Lamda Chi Alpha pose with their new members.

Tracy D. McKinney, CIC Steven S. Dabbs, CIC Kyle Overbey, Agent

AUTO - HOME - FARM - BUSINESS LIFE - MOTORCYCLE - BOAT 270.753.3500

100 NORTH 5TH STREET MURRAY

TheNews.org thenews.org

Just a click away.

The News

Features

September 4, 2015

7B Let’s Be Honest

FEATURED TWEETS

Pop Culture Corner

Don’t Be That Guy

#BackToHogwarts

Meaghan Smith @MeaghanSmith I swear I’m a witch trapped in a muggle’s body. #BackToHogwarts 1:4.3 pm 1 Sep 2015 Matthew Ziff @MatthewZiff #BackToHogwarts Still waiting for my letter...

1:35 pm 1 Sep 2015

Ariel Cheung @arielfab I wonder how many small children (and also adults) are running into barriers at train stations at this very moment. #BackToHogwarts 10:30 am 1 Sep 2015 kylie @kyliemcconv In honor of #BackToHogwarts, I decided I will reread HP for the billionth time 8:58 am 1 Sep 2015

Nicki Minaj and the Onstage Antics of the VMAs Unless you have been living under a rock for the last week, you have most definitely heard about the circus that is the Video Music Awards held by MTV. Nicki Minaj took to the stage and threw serious shade toward Miley Cyrus for an interview made earlier that week.

Cyrus played off the name calling pretty well, chalking it up to the media’s manipulation of interviews.

While this delivered arguably the most buzz, some other memorable moments included Cyrus’s wardrobe malfunction and Kanye West’s 2020 presidential bid announcement.

Photo courtesy of businessinsider.com

Owen Wilson takes the lead in this fast-paced thriller, proving his ability to hold down a blockbuster action movie.

McBreakfast Mania and an Internet Meltdown The fast food giant, McDonalds, just announced their beloved breakfast menu will be open for orders all day starting Oct. 6.

This news was delivered via Twitter on Tuesday. The decision was made in an executive level vote held two days prior, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The news quickly spread on Twitter and was met with overall positive responses.

After years of slowly declining sales, this could be the boost in sales the company has been asking for.

Soundbyte “Miley, what’s good?”

-Nicki Minaj, toward Cyrus who had made comments about Minaj earlier that week.

‘No Escape’ packs a heavy box-office punch Owen Wilson proves his worth as both a leading man and an action star Adam Winn || Staff writer awinn@murraystate.edu

When it comes to most thriller films nowadays, they either turn out to be exceptionally good or painfully bad. Luckily, this film falls into the first category.

Are you looking to watch a movie that is nail biting and full of on-the-edge-ofyour-seat suspense? Then look no further. You get all that and more in the new film “No Escape.”

This movie centers on a family who has just recently moved from the United States to a poorer part of Southeast Asia because of the father’s new job opportunity. However, not long after arriving, the family is thrown into the middle of a civil war that starts after the murder of the prime minister. Once the family realizes what’s going on, it’s already too late and they discover they are trapped in an unknown city. Their only way of survival is being ten steps ahead of the savages who are trying murder them.

This film contains practically nonstop action and suspense to the point that you are constantly wondering what the writers are going to throw at you next.

One scene in the movie shows the father throwing both of his daughters off of the roof of an extremely tall building on to the top of another building to save them from being murdered by the attackers. The suspense in this scene, as well as with the suspense in several other scenes, is very intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The film stars well-known actors, such as Owen Wilson of “Wedding Crashers,” Lake Bell of “No Strings Attached,” and veteran actor Pierce Brosnan, known prominently for his role as the title character James Bond in the “007” franchise.

All of the acting is very well done, including those of the two little girls that play the daughters. There is a strong family dynamic between the actors in this film and the characters make you truly care for them and hope for their safety.

Most people who know of Owen Wilson’s acting career notice how most of his roles are comedic and how he’s usually typecast to the comedy genre, so with this film it was refreshing to see him change it up and take on a much more serious role that he did great job acting in.

The editing was also top notch and added extra suspense to the scenes throughout the movie.

The current IMDB rating for “No Escape” is rated a 7 out of 10 stars and it has a 72 percent audience score on the Rotten Tomatoes movie review website.

With that said, this film is not perfect.

There are some moments and scenes in the film that felt like they drew out too long, but the quality of the rest of the film makes up for these minor flaws.

The movie also contains a couple of unrealistic moments, such as a character popping up out of nowhere and saving someone from being killed. The ending of the movie, while not bad, seemed to be a little anti-climactic.

The film is overall a pretty great thriller, with an amazing plot that’s worthy of your time and money because it constantly has you craving more. If you’re looking for the perfect date night movie, something good to watch with your friends or you just really enjoy thriller films, then this is a movie I suggest.

C o l lege is a time to reinvent yourself. Were you a skater punk in high school but now you want Connor Jaschen to be professional?

Features Editor Good. That’s just part of growing up.

With that being said, there’s a few key things to remember when moving into this new stage of your life, one of which being: You have a three-step grace period to take off your sunglasses after walking inside.

What does that have to do with reinventing yourself? Well, this reinvention phase can be a tragedy for someone who wants to be the typical ‘cool’ guy.

Coming into your freshman year, kids will gear up. Yes, those Ray-Bans you paid way too much for – because lets be honest, they’re glasses – look cool. Throw some croakies on and you’re on your way to looking ‘frat.’

A major swing and a miss is when you wear those shades inside. There is no more need for UV protection. You likely aren’t that sensitive to light and have no real reason to wear them other than you being the worst type of person. Or, you have a disability that causes you to need your glasses, and if that’s the case, more power to you.

This is where the three-step rule comes into play. Open the door and, unless you are holding a small child or fine china that you really don’t want to drop, take those shades off immediately. You don’t need them and you just look like an explicit word that can’t be published in The Murray State News.

As far as being ‘that guy’ goes, there are a ton of things someone can do to cross that very fine line that have nothing to do with your Raybans.

Here’s to all of you who think it’s okay to take the elevator to the second floor: it’s not.

When it comes down to it, even the third floor is pushing it.

Some of us have classes to go to, and in buildings like Fine Arts or Faculty Hall, you are the hold up.

You are the obstacle. You are the traffic jam of our college lives that simulate the frustration only a six car pile-up can muster in the real world.

In short, you are the worst.

Now, there are some exceptions to this golden rule.

First off, if you have a real reason for taking the elevator, I grudgingly accept. And I’m not talking a leg cramp here; if you make me late, I want to see some crutches.

Secondly, I will understand if you have a load to carry. While nothing is worse than having the trumpet ensemble think they can all pile in to your elevator, I get the necessity of it. An instrument can’t be too fun lugging up eight flights of stairs.

College is a time of molding yourself into whatever you want to be and everyone should respect that, because we have all either been there or are currently working on ourselves.

However, if you decide to cross the line into ‘that guy’ territory, please know you will be judged, harshly and without mercy.

Out this week

Read It

“Mad Max: Fury Road”

by Camilla Lackberg

See It

“Wolf Totem”

Hear It

“Book of Souls” by Iron Maiden

Rent It

“Unfriended”

Play It

“NHL ‘16: Deluxe Edition”

8B

The News

September 4, 2015