The Murray State News March 31, 2016
TheNews.org
Vol. 90, No. 24
Evaluation bias
Alicia Steele Staff writer
asteele5@murraystate.edu
Last month, Robert Donnelly, professor of mathematics, sent an email to faculty, staff and student leaders to bring attention to claims of racial bias professors have found on student’s evaluations in the Mathematics and Statistics Department “I am deeply concerned about the serious implications of this claim for our university,” Donnelly wrote in the Feb. 18 message. “I believe the seriousness of this issue demands the attention of the university community.” Donnelly wrote that any recipient of his email likely knows that student evaluations of instructors are “a major component of the performance reviews of Murray State University faculty members,” and he wrote that he didn’t believe these claims could be handled within a “low-level” committee such as his department’s tenure committee. “I put this issue before the university community in general and before the [Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access] Director in particular,” Donnelly wrote. Donnelly’s message comes as groups across campus are debating bias within student evaluations. The Faculty Development
Racial bias questions in student evaluations of faculty in the Mathematics and Statistics Department
see BIAS, 2A
Photo illustration by Chalice Keith/The News
Take Back The Night reinforces assault awareness
Ashley Traylor
Staff writer
atraylor@murraystate.edu
Monday’s Take Back the Night consisted of personal testimonies from assault victims, a pledge to take action against these crimes and a call to action by President Bob Davies. Take Back the Night has a “purpose of uniting campus community and taking a stand against sexual assault and promoting active participation of each campus and community member in creating a culture of respect,” said Clint Combs, Student Government Association president and emcee of Take Back the Night. Most sexual assaults – 90 percent – are not committed by strangers, but by someone the victim knows, and it can happen in relationships,
Sign language classes ‘a dream come true’
friendships and marriages. Davies said these victims are students we see in class, on campus and our friends. The rally opened with a personal account of a Murray State sexual assault survivor, read by the Wellness Center’s Fitness Coordinator Brittney Stinnett. The survivor wrote of how her relationship with a man and later husband turned from romantic to threatening and that she was completely controlled by him. “I slowly realized I was living my life in fear,” Stinnett read. “This was not the kind of life I wanted for my daughter but felt powerless to change.” The survivor’s perpetrator was her husband and father to her two children. She said she felt scared to call the cops, and she did not know why “no” did not mean “no” to him.
After she escaped her relationship, she moved to Tennessee and her husband was charged with rape and sentenced to six years in prison. “I want others to know they can do it too,” read Stinnett. “I took my journey alone. You don’t have to.” Hannah Barney, a survivor of sexual assault and the residence director of Clark Residential College, said she questioned whether she caused it, but she said everyone should understand these doubts are lies because she did nothing to imply she wanted it. She said she is not a “slut,” “damaged” or “unlovable” and she did not want it. “Going through sexual violence can take you to a deep, dark place that’s hard to get
Bailey Bohannan
“MSU is the only university to offer these classes in western Kentucky,” Strong said. “The parent Signed English classes that I attended years ago are no longer offered in western Kentucky. Parents of a deaf child need local classes to learn their child’s language.” Murray State offers first and second-level American Sign Language classes, and beginning in the Fall 2016 semester, a third-level class will be offered, according to a press release from Murray State Public Relations. The program will expand to offer ASL 104 in the Fall 2016 semester if enough students show interest in expanding their education of American Sign Language. The classes will be taught by deaf educators via Skype or in-class lectures.
Staff writer
bbohannan@murraystate.edu
Forty years ago, a family adopted a baby girl with hopes for the future, but when the girl was 3 years old, medical tests showed discouraging results confirming the child was deaf. Nancy Strong, administrative assistant in the College of Education and Human Services, was a life-long friend of this family who adopted the little girl. Strong said she took parent American Sign Language classes with the deaf 3-yearold’s parents to learn the language and said this event from 40 years ago motivated her to encourage Murray State to offer American Sign Language classes.
see NIGHT, 2A
Emily Harris/The News
Take Back The Night was held Monday in the CFSB Center and included speakers including survivors and university leaders. Strong said that although the courses do not teach students to be an interpreter, they provide enough education for students to communicate with the deaf to tell them an interpreter has been contacted. She said all students can take the American Sign Language classes as an elective, but many students majoring in communication disorders, special education or nursing have taken the classes. Madison Stallings, freshman from Owensboro, Kentucky, said she would be willing and interested in taking an American Sign Language class even though it is not required for her major. “I’m an elementary education major so it would be awesome if I could incorporate sign language in my future classroom,” she said. “Sign language
is something I would love to learn.” Strong is a leader in this movement to expand the American Sign Language program at Murray State, along with other professors, including Max Williamson, according to a press release from Murray State Public Relations. Strong said she encourages any student to take the firstlevel American Sign Language class to see if American Sign Language is for them, but she encourages students not to wait because the classes fill up quick and there is normally a waiting list for these classes. Strong said a dream of hers is to bring deaf awareness to western Kentucky. Another dream of hers is to have students in American Sign Language
classes go further and get their education to become an interpreter and then come back to the area to help other students. “There are very few certified interpreters in the area, which makes it difficult for the deaf in the area, including deaf students who are enrolled at MSU,” Strong said. The program is just beginning to pick up speed, but Strong said Murray State’s contribution to American Sign Language education is a dream come true. “Communicating with the deaf and assisting families and the community to communicate with the deaf is my passion,” Strong said. “It has been my dream to offer ASL classes in western Kentucky ... ASL classes at MSU are a dream come true.”
New Franklin to house Honors College students Abby Siegel
Assistant News Editor asiegel@murraystate.edu
New Franklin Residential College will have designated wings exclusively for Honors College members designed to create a Living Learning Community (LLC) for these students. In an email to all Honors College members, Warren Edminster, Honors College director, said that the new LLC would consist of three of eight wings
WHAT’S
INSIDE
exclusively for Honors College students. All residents voluntarily living in these wings will be Honors College members, and there will be Honors programs and a number of Honors seminars held within the residential college for them. A concern expressed by current Franklin Residential College residents is that the LLC could potentially create an “usagainst-them” divide in the terrapin community. Samantha Wright, sophomore from Owensboro, Ken-
tucky and Franklin College Head assistant, said she sees the transition as an exciting challenge. “The challenge is going to be keeping Honors events open enough that Franklin College residents don’t feel uninvited, but not losing that Honors College feel and environment,” Wright said. Wright said she believes good communication, an active Residential College Council and active resident advisers are key to making a smooth transi-
tion. “I hope we all can work together and stay united,” Wright said. “It is a big challenge, but I think we are up for it.” New Franklin may also become the meeting place of the Honors Student Council, rather than their current location in the Lowry Center. “Although we are uncertain about all the arrangements, at this time, the council meetings would benefit by being closer to students, students’ community and students’ concerns,”
said Paige Drew, junior from Murray and Honors Student Council president. Drew doesn’t plan to live in New Franklin her senior year. She said she believes the LLC will “serve as a unifier of Honors students” and will be a great option for incoming freshmen. “Although the freshmen will not know each other yet, they will be in a welcoming environment and an atmosphere of
see HONORS, 2A
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STEP SHOW
ICE CREAM
OUR VIEW
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By popular demand: Winslow Dining Hall’s main dessert, 6A
Bringing politics into the classroom, 4A
A long-standing tradition Football Head Coach Mitch Stewart signs five more men, 1B returns to Murray State, 5B
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BIAS From Page 1 Center held two discussions on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 about gender bias in the evaluations as part of the center’s Coffee and Conversation series. The Women’s Faculty Caucus discussed the same topic at their kick-off event on March 8. Elizabeth Price, interim coordinator for the Faculty Development Center, said every department evaluates tenure
differently, but they all take into consideration teaching, research and scholarly activity, as well as university service. “Each college I know has different levels of what they consider good,” Price said. “And there is some research that shows that teaching evaluation numbers are different depending on disciplines.” Price said many years ago Murray State was supposed to put together a uniform policy that told chairmen and deans how to interpret evaluations when making personnel decisions, but it
never became official. In response to questions about Donnelly’s message, Camisha Duffy, executive director of the office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) sent a statement to The Murray State News. “In short, the university considers all inquiries related to non-discrimination serious and upon receiving such inquiries begins the process of a review,” Duffy wrote. Duffy included Murray State’s non-discrimination policy, which says Murray
State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability. “Further, the university community trusts IDEA with its inquiries and expects that the inquiries be handled with both sensitivity and care,” Duffy wrote. “To that end, it would be inappropriate for IDEA to comment on any specific inquiry to protect the community trust.” However, Duffy did not respond to a follow-up request for additional context, such as
March 31, 2016 how these claims are investigated and how Murray State should use student evaluations if there is inherent bias. “I appreciate that so many at this university are taking very seriously the concerns I have raised, and I am very hopeful that there will be constructive outcomes from the discourse I have started,” Donnelly said. However, Donnelly said he believes that at this point it is best if he takes a step back to allow the university process to work. Price said she hopes Mur-
ray State faculty and administrators become more aware of the possibility of bias in evaluations. She said there’s been conflicting research over the years, some of which was done by companies that administer the evaluations, saying there is no bias. However, Price said recent studies are using technology to measure the presence of bias differently than they have before. “That perhaps opens the doors to this being a little bit more of an opportunity to address some things,” Price said.
HONORS
Honors more involved.” Baker said she believes it is a “step up” for the Honors College. Other universities across From Page 1 Kentucky have a Living Learnlearning,” she said. “The LLC ing Community for certain stuwill most certainly strengthen dents, such as the University our sense of community within of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky the Honors College as a whole, and Northern Kentucky. including Wright said our stushe believes dent counthe LLC will cil.” make the The LLC Honors Colwings will lege more have Honcompetiors College tive in the resident market for advisers. Honors stuThe specifdents. ics of their The Honprogramors Program ming havshifted to an en’t been Honors Coldecided lege in 2015. - Paige Drew, yet. With the Honors Student Council president Kourttransition ney Baker, the college freshman from Springfield, hired a Student Development Illinois, said she is excited to Counselor who works with apply to be an Honors resident students on scheduling, scholadviser. arships and internship oppor “I think it will bring Honors tunities and has expanded their students together on a personal programming with events like level,” Baker said. “It will get “EAT TALK THINK.”
The LLC will most certainly strengthen our sense of community within the Honors College as a whole, including our student council.
”
Nicole Ely/The News
Three of the eight wings in New Franklin Residential College will be used to house Honors College students, who will then become a part of the Living Learning Community.
NIGHT From Page 1 out of,” Barney said. “When you fall into that hole, it’s so easy to think you’re alone.” Survivors and victims of sexual assault are not alone, Barney said. They are loved. They do not need to be fixed. They have a story, and they choose what to do with it, she said. Davies said the campus community needs to take action against sexual assault, since one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted on college campuses. Murray State has resources such as the LiveSafe app to report sexual assaults and Public Safety and Emergency Management to respond to assaults. “We must be the solution, not the problem,” Davies said. He said everyone works together to prevent these assaults, and there are no innocent bystanders. We must have the strength to support and intervene to help the survivor know they are not alone. “This isn’t just on survivors to take a stand,” Barney said. “It’s on all of us.”
Emily Harris/The News
Hannah Barney, left, speaks about how it can be difficult for sexual assault survivors to speak up. Shirts, like the one on the right, were displayed around the CFSB Center, encouraged students to find their voice and tell their stories.
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March 31, 2016 News Editor: Kayla Harrell Assistant Editor: Abby Siegel Phone: 270-809-4468 Twitter: MurrayStateNews
POLICE BEAT March 23
6:51 a.m.p.m. RacerAPatrol Mur12:08 calleradvised reported ray State to Police an abandoned damage theirofvehicle in the golf cartCenter outsideparking the Lowry CFSB lot.Center. OffiOfficers were notifiedand anda an inforcers were notified report mation report was taken. was taken. 11:42 An officer officerconducted conducted 5:29 p.m. An a atraffic stop on at Gilbert 121 North and traffic stop Graves Coldwater A citation was Drive forStreets. speeding. A verbal issued to the warning wasdriver given. for failure to wear a seatbelt. The passenger
March 24
3:10 p.m. A person required a vehicle checkoninan theoutstanding James H. was arrested Richmond College warrant andResidential was taken to Calloparking lot. Jail. Officers and vehicle way County owner were notified. 8:20 a.m. A caller reported a res3:51 p.m. A caller a idential college flag requested missing. The room unlock College Courts. Housing Officein was notified. The on-call director a 11:22 p.m. Aresidence caller reported was notified. motor vehicle accident with no injuries at White Residential Col-
March 25
12:43 p.m. Anwere officer conducted lege. Officers notified and a a traffic stop on Gilbert Graves report was taken. Drive. citation wasconducted issued for a 7:17 p.m.A An officer failure to wear a seatbelt. traffic stop at the Business Building 1:53 p.m. officer conducted parking lot.An A citation was issued a traffic stop near the Fivelicense. Star for driving on a suspended Marathon Gas Station for fail8:51 p.m. A caller reported the ure to wear a seatbelt. A citasmell of gas at Hart Residential Coltion was issued and a lege. Officers, Murray Fire verbal Departwarning wasHeating given for ment, Central andfailure Cooling to have a driver’s license in posPlant, Murray Gas and the State Fire session. were notified. A report Marshall was taken.
March 26
7:32 a.m. 12:01 p.m.An A officer caller conducted reported a a traffic stop of sparking outletatinthe thecorner 300 block andCourts. White Officers, Residential ofPayne College the College.Fire A citation was issued Murray Department, Cenfor Heating expired registration plates, tral and Cooling Plant no registration receipt and failand the State Fire Marshal were ure to wear a seatbelt. notified. A report was taken. 1:25p.m. p.m.The An officer 4:57 Murrayconducted Police Dea traffic stop for failureoftoa wear partment was notified media seatbelt at Ryan Avenue and cal emergency at the Volleyball North 16th Street. A citation Courts. Officers and Murray Amwas issued. bulance Services were notified. The patient was transported and
March 27
4:17 p.m. The Murray Police a Department report was taken. reported a med3:46 Officers ical a.m. emergency in conducted 1100 Block a check of aCourts. personPublic on North 12th College Safety, Street. The person was arrested and Student Affairs and Murray transported to Calloway County Jail Ambulance Service were notifor alcohol intoxication in a public fied. place. report was taken. 5:10 A p.m. A caller requested a 9:09 p.m. A reported vehicle unlock caller in the Franklin a smoke detector activated at Residential College parking lot. Springer Residential College due to Officers were notified. a hair dryer. Officers were notified and no threat of fire was found. An
March 28
8:52 a.m. An officer information report wasconducted taken. a traffic nearreported Campus aCuts 4:42 p.m.stop A caller theft Olive Street. citationfrom as ofonproperty from aA vehicle issued for failure to wear a Alexander Hall. Officers were notified and failure a report taken for seatbelt, forwas non-owner theft of under $500 by unlawful to maintain required insurance taking from a vehicle. and no operator/moped license 6:12 p.m. A caller reported the in possession. smell marijuana at Hart. Officers 10:52ofa.m. A caller reported a were notified and an information theft of property in the Busireport was taken. ness Building. Officers were notified and a report was taken for burglary, 2:47 p.m. A third callerdegree. reported an unauthorized company selling
March 29
12:09 a.m. An officer conproducts campus Winslow ducted a on traffic stop atatWaldrop Dining Hall. The caller was A reDrive and Valentine Avenue. ferred to Student Affairs. citation was issued for speed6:12 p.m. caller the ing 14 mphAover the reported speed limit, smell of natural gas at the Fine expired registration, noOld regisArts Building. Officers, Central tration receipt and failure to Heating and Cooling Plant, Murray produce an insurance card. Fire department, Murray Gas and 7:34 p.m. caller reported the State FireAMarshall were notibeing on was an elevator in fied andstuck a report taken. White Residential College. Public Safety and Central Heating and assists Cooling Motorists – 8were notified. Racer 1 able to get out The escorts person –was Arrests 2 of the –elevator prior to officer’s arrival. Mary Bradley, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials Motor assists – 1 Safety and Emerprovided by Public Escorts –0 gency Management. Arrests - 0 Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Abby Siegel, Assistant News Editor, compiles Police Beat with materials provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.
Love Police Beat? You can check it out every week online, too, on TheNews.org.
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Ice cream inconsistencies solvable Cody Hall || Contributing writer chall22@murraystate.edu
Many students find the path to good ice cream at Winslow Dining Hall a bit of a rocky road, but ice cream requests can – and have been – fulfilled. At Winslow, there is always some form of frozen treat for those who want it. But students have complained about the inconsistency of the flavors that the dining hall offers. One week they will have someone’s favorite, and the next it is gone. “If you aren’t going to have good flavors, at least have decent ones on the days we don’t have the amazing flavors,” said Emma Boehm, sophomore from Waterloo, Illinois. “Most of the time, the good flavors are gone within a day or an hour.” Tim Bruce, executive chef at Winslow, said that all of the flavors cost almost the same. The plain flavors cost slightly less, but the price difference is small enough that it does not matter which flavors are bought. Boehm’s favorite flavor is mint chocolate. She explained that there were weeks that there would be mint chocolate available every single day, and the next week there wasn’t a single tub put out. And many of the less desirable flavors are there consistently, Boehm said. “We check all the time, and there are empty tubs just sitting there sometimes,” said Keesha Pedigo, freshman from Morgantown, Kentucky. “They should check every hour to make sure that they aren’t out.”
Pedigo said during lunch a friend asked for moose tracks flavored ice cream, her personal favorite, and the workers quickly provided a tub of it. It was not difficult for them to get the ice cream when asked. This was not a busy day, or one during which the ice cream was in high demand. Winslow has around 16 different flavors at any given time, said Timothy Heriges, inventory and receiving clerk for Winslow. He orders around 25 to 30 buckets of ice cream per week to prevent it from running out. “It wouldn’t be sanitary to replace half-finished buckets and throw them back into the freezer. But we can have it put out after one of the buckets is empty,” Heriges said. “We try to switch them out so we have more variety.” The flavors that are on the floor are completely decided by the workers at the time, Heriges said. They bring out the flavors that are easiest to get to. So if there are tubs from the previous day that were not used, they are going to be the first ones to be brought back out. For students who want their voice to be heard, the food committee meets every other Tuesday in Hart Residential College. Different flavor requests and frequency of flavors can be brought up at these meetings and influence them. “A few years back at the food committee meetings we had students tell us that they wanted birthday cake ice cream out 24/7, so we had a slot just for it. And we haven’t had a single ice cream request this year,” Heriges said.
Nicole Ely/The News
Students have expressed complaints about the inconsistent ice cream flavors at Winslow Dining Hall.
Maneuver Murray raises funds for Needline
Alicia Steele || Staff writer asteele5@murraystate.edu
Some students are gearing up to spend next Saturday racing around Murray competing in tasks, such as eating a cupcake as fast as they can or playing a life-size version of Jenga, with one catch – no cars allowed. The Honors Student Council, with financial sponsorship from The Murray Bank, will hold its annual Maneuver Murray philanthropy event for Needline on April 9. “The idea was to create a fun, unique, community-based way for Murray State University students and citizens of Murray to come together in raising money for our local Needline,” said Jessie Hedrick, co-chairwoman of Maneuver Murray and junior from Palatine, Illinois. “Needline provides countless community services and supporting them should be a community effort.” She said the event was started by Madison Mucci in 2011, who was a freshman at the time. Hedrick said she first volunteered for Maneuver Murray in 2012, during the spring semester of her freshman year, and she enjoyed seeing how much fun each team had while completing clues and solving puzzles. “Every year, the race is different,” Hedrick said. “Participants never know what’s next until they’ve solved a clue and reached their next location.”
Photo courtesy of Anna Collins
Anna Collins (left) and her teammates participated in Maneuver Murray last spring. Each team is given 12 clues that will lead them around Murray. Clues can include puzzles, word games and obstacle courses, according to the website. Each team will have until 2 p.m. to complete 11 of the 12 clues to be eligible to win the grand prize. However, for every clue that is wrong or incomplete, the team will add 20 minutes to their finishing time. Hedrick said the teams race through Murray to complete tasks on foot, bike, skateboard etc. to finish with the fastest time possible. However, cars are not al-
lowed. Competitors can use cell phones, laptops and GPS, according to the website. However, any team found using a car or accepting a ride will be disqualified from the race. Anna Collins, junior from Shelbyville, Kentucky, volunteered for Maneuver Murray her freshman year and participated on a team last year. Collins said while volunteering her freshman year, she saw how much fun the teams had, and saw nearly all participants walk away with some sort
of prize, most including free or discounted food, so she decided to start a team her sophomore year. “The task I worked with my freshman year was a giant Jenga set over one of the parks,” Collins said. Collins said teams had to remove one of the Jenga pieces without making the set topple over. Her sophomore year, as a participant, Collins remembers eating a cupcake from The Cupcake Lady as fast as possible, fashionably dressing a mannequin, going to a firehouse and following the steps to properly save a team member and going to the movie theater to re-enact a famous movie scene. Collins said re-enacting the movie scene was her favorite activity, because her team chose a scene from the Lion King. Teams of two can register for a fee of $40 and teams of three or four can register for $60. Each entry includes a t-shirt and a swag bag, according to an event flier. This year, the grand prize will be $200 for the first place team, and $100 for the second place team. There will also be door prizes. “Maneuver Murray is such a unique event,” Hedrick said. “It’s like putting together a massive, months-long puzzle. Seeing everything come together on race day and tallying up the amount of money we raised for Needline is an incredible, humbling reward.”
Former Racer begins art ‘War on Coal’ impacts and design scholarship Kentucky families Bailey Bohannan || Staff writer bbohannan@murraystate.edu
Jimmy Wright announced he will be giving a portion of his estate to the Department of Art and Design to establish a scholarship for students with talent and potential in the future. “Murray State University is one of three schools that will be receiving the proceeds from his estate,” said Christine Bernot, Interim Executive Director of Development in the Office of Development. Although the amount of the scholarship and criteria for recipients have not been decided yet, Bernot said this will be a significant donation and Wright wanted to give back to the Art Institute of Chicago, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Murray State for their contribution to his success as an artist. Wright is a nationally recognized pastel artist who was first discovered by Clara Eagle, the chair of the Department of Art and Design at Murray State when Wright was in high school. Bernot said Wright was visiting campus when he was in high school when Eagle took notice of his talent and offered him financial aid to come to college and pursue a degree in the arts. If Eagle had not offered him financial aid, Bernot said he probably would never have been able to attend college. “He’s a small town boy from a rural community, and he never even really thought college was an option for him,” Bernot said. Bernot said Wright never graduated from Murray State. He attended for two years, but Wright feels Murray State contributed to his success by initially recognizing his talent. This will be the first gift Wright has given the university.
The scholarship will not be established until a later date, but by announcing his gift now, Bernot said it shows great support for art and design at the higher education level. “Funding for art students is particularly important because class and studio time make it challenging for students to work while pursuing an art degree,” said Staci Stone, Interim Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Stone and Zbynek Smetana, chairman of the Department of Art and Design, are thankful for this scholarship that the department will receive in the future from Wright. Smetana said this scholarship will provide the department with more talent and help the students out as well. “For some students, it may make the difference to be able to go to college who might not be able to go to college,” Smetana said. “It speaks extremely highly for the department, that [Wright] would be still remembering us so fondly.” Stone said the department appreciates Wright’s generosity and support for helping art students pursue their dreams. “Mr. Wright's donation will make a real difference in the lives of our art students,” Stone said. Bernot said this scholarship will not only encourage future students to pursue their aspirations, but it will help the university and Department of Art and Design. She said Wright’s individual journey with Murray State is a testament to that. “I think [Wright’s story] shows the university community that higher education is possible and that career aspirations are only sometimes limited by financial resources or by opportunity,” Bernot said.
Mikayla Marshall || Staff writer mmarshall5@murraystate.edu
Oregon will be the first state to begin phasing coal from its energy supply because of Gov. Kate Brown’s signature on a bill in early March. The bill will wipe out coal-generated energy in phases through 2030 and requires utilities to provide half of customers’ power with renewable sources by 2040. Families in Kentucky have been worried ever since the phrase “War on Coal” began. The commonwealth relies heavily on commercial coal mining in order to supply jobs and keep energy costs low. After more than two centuries of commercial mining operations, Kentucky’s domestic supply of coal remains an important component of the commonwealth’s economy, according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. The Environmental Protection Agency has set emission regulations on all commercial mining operations in order to decrease the amount of emissions released into the air. Kentuckians’ main concern is how these regulations will affect their jobs and income. “My family has been hit pretty hard with the layoffs, not to mention that we also do hydraulics for many of the mines. It is hard to ultimately not know the fate of the mines,” said Caitlin Wyatt, sophomore from Madisonville, Kentucky. She said she believes that we should want and need to protect the environment, but we have to do it cautiously. Thirty-nine percent of all electricity in the U.S. is produced by coal, according to the Energy Information Administration. She said she is worried the emission regulations will ultimately hurt the
energy source. With the layoffs and the budget crisis in Kentucky, families are worried for their children’s futures. The 9 percent budget cut Gov. Matt Bevin is proposing will hurt families all across Kentucky looking to provide higher education for their kids. “Kentucky coal miners, families and supporters of the industry are all being bombarded with such a huge crisis. It is also their kids’ future college education,” Wyatt said. Kentucky’s coal production has hit the lowest level since 1945, and hundreds more miners have been laid off, according to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. Families are struggling to meet needs with incomes disappearing. “The future of the coal industry is pretty bleak. I don't think it is going away entirely, but the role of coal in power generation is probably going to be limited,” said Jim Clinger, professor of political science. He said the coal industry also faces competition from other fuel sources, including natural oil and gas. Much of that is because of subsidies or regulations such as state renewable portfolio standards (RPSs), which require that a certain percentage of the electric power generation within the state be produced by renewable sources. However, a major setback happened in early February. The Supreme Court suspended efforts to regulate emissions from coal-fired plants. The brief order will not be the last word on the case, which is expected to return to the Supreme Court after an appeals court considers an expedited challenge from 29 states and dozens of corporations. The states that rely on coal will be affected by the decision and it could change the future for many families.
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March 31, 2016
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Opinion Editor: Allison Borthwick Phone: 270-809-5873
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Bringing politics into the classroom The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board. With democracy comes controversy. Controversy breeds conflict, and conflict sparks conversations – conversations, as with most things, have a time and a place. Conversations about politics can be the trickiest to time and the most difficult to place. There is not only controversy in democracy, but in the very notion of teachers or professors bringing politics up in classroom settings for fear of their jobs, credibility and reputation. We recognize that professors discussing politics in class can be problematic, but we do not think it should be discouraged or explicitly banned. Young adults, for the most part, enter college ready and eager to learn – both in terms of academia and about themselves. Some high schools and households foster a limited, narrow view on life and self-image. Raised under one roof, with one
religion and one political party, the first response to the question, “What do you believe in?” or, “Who are you voting for?” might be, “Well, my parents are Catholic. I’ve gone to Mass every Sunday for as long as I can remember. And I think my parents voted for the other guy.” Responses like this dance around the question without addressing the fact that the person asking it had “you” in mind – not your parents and not how you were raised. Talking about controversial issues, like religion and politics, with the help of an intelligent, unbiased facilitator is crucial to developing a sense of self – moving from a nurtured status quo to a nature of individuality. We are our own people now and we don’t have to be defined by the actions of generations before us. We are also lumped into an age demographic of notoriously and statistically-apathetic voters, despite the fact that many political
Cameron Witte Chief Videographer cwitte@murraystate.edu Joe Hedges, Ryan Alessi Adviser, Co-Adviser • 270-809-3937 jhedges@murraystate.edu, ralessi@murraystate.edu
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platforms and debates revolve around issues directly related to us – millennials. The funding of higher education, the prospect of free college and issues relating to school loans are all on the table in this particular political race – these are absolutely things we need to be talking about both in and out of the classroom. With regard to the university’s diversity statement and respect toward various viewpoints, professors should be able to facilitate educational, healthy discussions about politics and their effect on our future. As long as the conversation doesn’t dominate the class or detract from its syllabus, professors have the opportunity to use their authority to steer conversations from being problem-oriented to being solution-oriented with an overall sense of respect and open-mindedness. If the conversations are more centered on how to fix political
problems rather than the controversy around the problems themselves, the tension will likely be diffused. Open-mindedness and respect are crucial because without them, students might be afraid to speak up or voice disagreement, and differences in opinion and healthy debates can do more good than harm. If allowed and if they’re comfortable enough, students can learn how to develop and defend arguments, both in terms of politics and in general – an invaluable life skill. Students shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about expressing their thoughts and opinions and professors shouldn’t be afraid of losing their jobs. We then need to turn these discussions into action – we all need to register to vote and show up on Election Day. Participate in the conversation and in the national effort to put effective, qualified and respectable leadership in office.
I Get to Write About Anything I Want?
Anything, not everything. Productivity expert David Allen says, “You can do anything, but not everything.” He’s right. That’s terrifying. Allen’s sentiment rings especially true for me lately as I prepare to graduate. I don’t know what I want to do. I studied Taylor Grace Suiter Organizational Communication Senior from – which touts its Brentwood, Tennessee curriculum as being applicable anywhere. I can’t disagree, everyone needs to know how to communicate effectively, but I am clueless as to where and how I want to utilize my degree. When I entered school, the thought of being able to do “anything” with a degree sounded like a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to have all of the options? Now, I envy those who enter school with clear-cut dreams and pre-planned goals of nurs-
“
ing or education. I long to know what it’s like to have a calling or a passion that translates into a major and a career. As the once far-off and vague concept of building a career now hurdles at me in all its detailed glory, it becomes less of an idea and more of a reality.
So, in a bold effort to keep all of my options open while delaying choice and attempting fulfillment all at once, I’ve made a home in the crossroads.
”
Growing up, when people asked what I wanted to do and I said, “A psychologist and a TV show host and a fashion designer and a writer and an actor and ...,” I was almost always met with, “It’s OK, you don’t have to choose yet.” – a comforting response. People still tell me that, but it feels like choosing time. It feels like my early 20s are the Fertile Crescent, and whatever choices I make during this part of my life will dictate what populates the rest of my time on the planet. Perhaps that sounds self-important, but if I just relax and see what happens, it’s a potential waste of my Fertile Crescent years.
I don’t want to catch myself in middle age looking back, asking myself why things turned out the way they did. The problem with choosing is that once you set your eyes on one thing, a million others fall from focus. If you pick a corporate career, you aren’t going out on a whim to try script writing. If you join the Peace Corps, you miss out on the salary you could make in an office. So, in a bold effort to keep all of my options open while delaying choice and attempting fulfillment all at once, I’ve made a home in the crossroads. Doing an internship in D.C.? Sure! Reporting for WKMS? Maybe! Move back to Nashville? Why not? Who knows where I’ll end up? Not me. For now, I’ve set up shop in a place where I am emotionally overwhelmed and on the brink of panic at any given moment for fear that if and when I move, it will be in the wrong direction. The time will keep passing, whether I make a choice or not. I know (hope) that one day I can look back, perhaps on this very column of mine, and be able to tell myself that it all works out as it should, and more beautifully than I could have ever imagined. Maybe one day that happens. Perhaps between now and then I make peace with the idea that maybe there are no “should haves” and instead only “dids.” My career will be what it will be. Things will happen as they do. C’est la vie.
The News
Opinion
March 31, 2016
5A
Letter to the Editor Rotary phones. Newsreels. Slide rules. Tube radios. Floppy disks. All obsolete, and for good reason. My $6 calculator is literally a million times more precise and blindingly faster than that $16 slide rule from 1972. It would take $10,000 worth of floppy disks from 1988 to equal the capacity of a $5 flash drive today. We get news from the web or TV almost instantly, so who needs a newsreel? Surely each obsolete item had its place for a while, but no longer. It’s called progress. Eons ago when I was a freshman, chemistry was a midterm exam and a final exam – a fairly common arrangement. Since the midterm was about half the total grade it was usually a reasonable metric of performance. But it’s 2016. Courses often have three or four exams and a final. Quizzes. Graded homework. Class participation, group activities, term papers, etc. The sheer variety of material, along with scheduling of class activities, means that less than half of the material – sometimes (usually?) much less – has been administered
by midterm. The situation is compounded by the foolish requirement to post midterm grades at seven weeks – BEFORE the middle of the term. Then there’s the issue of high school background and introductory courses. In first-year chemistry, physics, biology, calculus and other courses, the first exam often covers material that was studied in high school. Many students do better – sometimes much better – on that material than on the new material that follows. A midterm grade based on such an exam may mislead students into thinking they’re doing better than they actually are. This is a serious problem. Let’s stop clinging to the obsolete past. Let’s use a better way. What about Canvas? The grades posted there can be fully up-to-date. And it’s already here! The student who cares can easily see his/her progress every step of the way. Frankly, I do not use the Canvas gradebook. But I’ll change to it immediately if we use it to replace midterm grades.
I Have a Lot of Feelings No offense, but...
“But some students won’t look at their midterms!” Agreed. Having spent a few years on Academic Appeals, “I didn’t look at my midterms” was a common admission. It’ll be true whether or not midterm grades are posted. If there is some pressing need for an office or department to know a particular student’s grades, can’t the student give permission for that office to view his/her posted Canvas grades? Or arrange to have those grades sent to the appropriate office? If we’re to post grades, let’s do our best to make them meaningful. “We’ve always done it this way” is not a reason. We have technology. Let’s use it.
We still want to hear from you!
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.
Terry McCreary
Professor of Science, Engineering and Technology
Rational Animal
Moral sympathy and terror This past week the world experienced another horrific terrorist attack that killed dozens of civilians. I am, of course, talking about the suicide bombing in Lahore, Pakistan last weekend. At least 65 people, mostly women and children, were killed. This attack came just days John Muenzberg after another terLecturer of philosophy rorist attack that killed dozens of civilians. I am, of course, talking about the suicide bombing in Iskandariyah, Iraq, which killed 29 people. Both of those attacks came just days after a terrorist attack in Brussels. Two attacks, at the airport and a subway station, killed at least 35 and injured 200. I don’t need to tell you that the attack in Brussels received more news coverage here than the attacks in Baghdad and Lahore.
Cheers and Jeers Cheers and Jeers is written by the Opinion Editor. Questions, comments or concerns should be addressed to aborthwick@murraystate.edu
Comic
The Brussels attack received more breaking news coverage and more follow up stories about victims and survivors. I may need to tell you that there were other attacks in Yeman, Iraq and Syria just before the Brussels attack. The U.S. news outlets devote more time to Brussels because more people in the U.S. have connections to Europe than to Iraq or Pakistan. Also, at least four Americans died in Brussels, while it does not appear any Americans died in the other attacks. Philosophers are less interested in the amount of news coverage and more interested in the possibility that we may actually care more about the people in Brussels. That may strike you as heartless, but it does provide some insight into human beings and a way to reflect on our moral beliefs. Historically, philosophers have noted a distinction between moral systems founded in rational consideration of values and systems founded on emotion and sentiment. Rationalist moral systems tend to focus on rules that can be justified for all persons. Notions of universal equality and human rights are generally from the rationalist tradition. Following such moral duties we must conclude that the lives lost in Pakistan and Iraq are worth no more or less than those in Brussels. While this ideal is noble, and a foundation for international human rights, it may not align with our
Cheers to ... An end in sight.
intuition or natural reactions. We must confront the fact that many of us are genuinely more interested in the Brussels attack, or in the Paris attack last November. We feel more sadness at this attack. Culturally, we are closer to Europe than we are to Pakistan. Murray State offers numerous study abroad programs to Europe; I do not think there are any to Iraq or Pakistan. Because of this, many philosophers have argued that while we intellectually may recognize that all persons are equal, we may not be motivated to help them and may not feel feelings of care or sympathy about them. These philosophers argue that an emotional connection may be required to recognize an equivalent moral wrong. That we are more moved by events that have a connection to us is not generally disputed. But that we may not believe in the moral worth of those we do not have a connection with is troubling. This argument is not an excuse to disregard others, but rather challenges us to transfer this natural feeling of sympathy for those we care about to those we are not familiar with. It is a challenge to not just feel moral outrage at murder, but reflect on why you feel that outrage. It is a reminder to not ignore the plight of those that are unfamiliar, but rather become familiar, and offer sympathy for all.
Jeers to ... Spring Break brain.
Higher education is a privilege. Knowledge is power. Learning is fun. But how great is it that there is less than two months left in the semester? Summer is almost here, which means a break for some and some real-world experiences for others. Either way, bring it on.
It’s the first week back from break and our brains are still getting used to that fact, it seems. Whether you left your brain on some sandy shore, back home with your family or in your bed where you were able to catch up on some sleep, we all struggled through this week together.
Jeers to ... Job-search process.
Cheers to ... March.
With an end in sight comes the weight of the realization for some May graduates that they will be entering the job market very soon. Searching, applying, waiting and interviewing for jobs and internships is an ordeal, to say the least. It can all be rather disheartening, but one day it will all be worth it.
So long, March. You were nice while you lasted. You threw us some curveballs with the weather a few times, but all in all you gave us some good times. Thanks for a great break and the recent sunshine. Until next year!
Allison Borthwick
Opinion Editor
I have always been amused by the disclaimers people use to nullify or placate atrociously offensive statements. As soon as I hear someone utter the words, “No offense, but…” I grab a bowl of popcorn and a cup of tea and wait for the
horror show to start. Because it’s never anything like, “No offense, but I think this paragraph could use a little more detail and fewer commas. I love the direction you’re taking it in, though!” That would involve constructive criticism with a person’s best interest and feelings in mind. Instead, it’s usually something along the lines of, “No offense, but everything about you makes me wish I was blind and/or deaf, depending on the day. Also, you’re ugly. And I hate you. But most importantly: dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow – aka you – and you’re stupid. No offense, though!” What is a person supposed to do with that? “Right. Valid points. Well, as long as I’m not offended, I’m just going to go scream-cry my way off a cliff. Thank you for your input, friend! See you in another life! I’ll do better next time. Maybe I’ll come back as a kitten, or a rock.” Another favorite is the southern disclaimer, “Bless her little heart, but…” When I hear this I ditch my popcorn for some fried okra, dump eight pounds of sugar in my tea and buckle up for the ride. “Bless her little heart, but she’s got a butt that could flatten the love seat in my sun room. Also, she’s ugly. And I hate her.” Man, tough break. Good thing her little heart is blessed, though! One of the hardest things I’ve actually had to sit through, however, was a terribly offensive conversation where every horrible sentence ended with, “… but that’s just my opinion.” I have been Opinion Editor of The Murray State News for almost a year now. I have been a rational, relatively decent human being for 22 years. I know the difference between an opinion and an illogical insult. Two people I sort of know sat down with me at lunch the other day, uninvited. I really had no problem with it – I wasn’t going to be there long and they hadn’t given me any reason to dislike them, up until that point. And then they started talking about interracial relationships. It was a train wreck of a conversation that kept getting worse and worse – the train just kept backing up and crashing into the wall again and again and again. The past couple of conversational scenarios were made up, but here are some very real things I heard these two people say: “I’m just glad it’s something I don’t have to deal with…” “I just don’t understand it…” “I have it in my family…” All followed by the closing assurance, “…but that’s just my opinion.” Excuse me, but when you’re talking about the human right – not choice – to love like it’s a disgusting disease you don’t want anywhere near you or your loved ones, your “opinion” is indignant and unnecessary. No offense, but if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t even think about speaking, no matter how many disclaimers you throw out there. Bless your little heart, because it seems to be a very ugly and dark black hole of ignorance that needs all the blessings it can get. Loving another human regardless of sex or race isn’t comparable to diabetes or cancer, but that’s just my opinion. aborthwick@murraystate.edu
The power of coffee
By Selena McPherson
The News
News
6A
March 31, 2016
Murray State students go on missions over Spring Break The Baptist Campus Ministry traveled to New Orleans and St. Louis for service and tourism opportunities within multiple ministries. Photo courtesy of Instagram
Abby Siegel
Assistant News Editor asiegel@murraystate.edu
In the New Orleans French Quarter, numerous Murray State students could be spotted during Spring Break, but Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) members were walking down Bourbon Street with different ambitions than the stereotypical college student ideal. Every Spring Break, BCM members engage in volunteer opportunities – mission trips – to share their faith and give back to the United States’ communities through service. This year, the BCM took students on two separate trips – one to New Orleans and the other to St. Louis. The trip to New Orleans encouraged international students to attend alongside American students, including components of both service and tourism. In all, 34 people attended with students from China, South Korea, Yemen, Japan and Taiwan present. The main goal was to build lasting relationships with international students that attend the university while exploring an American city together. Each morning consisted of service opportunities at local churches or with homeless ministries. The evenings were filled with tourist attractions such as a visit to the French Quarter to
drink café au lait and eat beignets or a 90-minute swamp tour, getting up close to alligators and wild boars. “I’m going to surprise my mom that I sat on a street and talked to homeless people,” said Sara Yang, graduate student from Qingdao, China. Yang said she has been taught not to talk to homeless people or give them money, and she was scared to approach them. While in New Orleans, she said she talked to a group of four homeless men and women for more than 90 minutes. “They are just like you and me,” she said. “They have their dreams and I have my dreams.” Although physical impacts of Hurricane Katrina weren’t evident, emotional impacts were discovered when talking to Louisianians. “Even ten years later, people are willing to talk and go into detail of what they experienced,” said Chandler Cochran, sophomore from Cincinnati. Cochran said his favorite part of the trip was giving care packages to the homeless. He said he talked to a Vietnam veteran named Thomas who was in prison for 21 years for manslaughter. “Everyone has made an impact,” he said. “We all can go back and know we have helped.” Ten other BCMers went to St.
Louis to complete various projects in poor areas around the city. Projects included building a community garden, painting and landscaping at local churches and helping church planters move. “The church planters at Church of Affton were inspiring because of their passion for their community,” said Lindsey Coleman, sophomore from Murray. “Not only are they in the process of restoring a church building, but they are concerned with restoring the hearts of the broken Bosnian community around them.” Coleman said she left the trip enlightened about the nature of church planting and the passion she desires to have in her life that mimics what she saw in the church planters she met. “It was really encouraging to see how the locals wanted to see their neighborhood improve,” said Justin Moseley, senior from Utica, Kentucky. Moseley decided to spend his final college Spring Break in St. Louis because he said he wanted to help people rather than “drive hundreds of miles to pamper” himself. “I’ve spent my last 14 Spring Breaks spending money on myself, and I finally realized how selfish that is,” Moseley said. “I want to help those around me because I want to reflect that love Christ has shown me by helping others.”
The Native Americans in Arizona received mission work from students and Hardin Baptist Church, who made house additions and hosted Vacation Bible School.
Mikayla Marshall
Staff writer
mmarshall5@murraystate.edu
Murray State students traveled to the Native American reservation in Sacaton, Arizona over spring break. The group of 27 college students went with Hardin Baptist Church and spent March 19-25 helping the people of Sacaton. They built an addition to the missionaries’ home, who live on the reservation at First Pima Baptist Church. The group also held Vacation Bible School (VBS) at night at First Pima and went to Cockleburr and Chuichu, two Native American tribes within the Tohono O’odham Nation, and did VBS during the day. “This was actually my second time going on the Arizona mission trip. I think God doesn’t call the
equipped, he equips the called and God really put the people of Sacaton on my heart,” said Kerisha Simmons, senior from Owensboro, Kentucky. She said the most rewarding part was just seeing the kids’ faces light up when they came to VBS every day. She said she became close with a first-grader named Tony, who lives in a house with eight other kids, and it meant a lot to spend one-onone time with him to make sure he knows he is loved by someone, especially Christ. “I believe the trip went well overall,” said Kayla Cayce, junior from Owensboro, Kentucky. Just by spending time with preschoolers and elementary children every day, she got to show the love of Jesus. She said the trip revealed how much she takes for granted as a college student, especially with her
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salvation. She said it’s hard to describe the oppression the Natives have endured and explain the depression and brokenness she witnessed. “I believe the biggest difference would be the lack of hope and something to look forward to,” Cayce said. Cayce will be going on another trip to Canyon, Nicaragua with her church in Owensboro, Kentucky, in October where they plan to put on a sports camp. “This trip was an awesome opportunity. I got to step out of my comfort zone and see a new culture and I felt a huge burden for the people there,” said Kaitlyn Neal, junior from Murray. This was her first mission trip and she said she would be going on more in the future. She said everything is different in the ways the Native Americans live their lives.
Students from the group said Christianity is not as “popular” there as it is here. Many people on the reservation had not heard of Jesus. They said it felt like they were in a different country, even though Sacaton is only 30 minutes away from Phoenix. They said oftentimes college students get caught up in their own lifestyles and forget the impact they can make in others’ lives. “God commands us to love others more than ourselves. Serving others is such a great way to let them know they are loved. Jesus counted himself equal with the people here on Earth, not above them,” Simmons said. Hardin Baptist brings a group to Sacaton every year because two full-time missionaries from Marshall County have built relationships with some of the Natives.
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GATEWAY has arrived.
2016
Gateway magazine is a special publication of The Murray State News. Be sure to pick up your copy today!
March 31, 2016
Section B
The News
Sports
Sports Editor: Kelsey Randolph Assistant Sports Editor: Mark McFarland Phone: 270-809-4481 Twitter: MSUSportsNews
Softball ends week with two wins Five more
men added to Racer football
Mark McFarland
Assistant Sports Editor
mmcfarland1@murraystate.edu
The softball team took to the road over Spring Break and played in many close games but came away with two wins of the eight games they played. Murray State played three different OVC series and traveled to the University of Kentucky during Spring Break. They took a game each from Morehead State and Southeast Missouri State but dropped the other six games. Head Coach Kara Amundson said the team is close to putting some wins in the win column in some of the close games. “We’ve done a better job of putting the ball in play, and I think we are starting to click a litAmundson tle bit offensively, which is great to see,” Amundson said.
MOREHEAD STATE
Last Saturday against Morehead State, the Racers committed only two errors, but gave up a combined 11 hits and 11 runs. Though Murray State outhit the Eagles in the doubleheader, they left a combined 12 runners on base in losing one of the two games. On Friday, the Racers played a doubleheader against Eastern Kentucky and lost both games 3-2 and 4-3 in 10 innings. Amundson said there were some defensive mistakes made that cost the
Staff Report Football Head Coach Mitch Stewart signed five more to the Racers on Monday. Among the recruits are four junior college transfers and one true freshman. The signees will begin their season with the 2016 team. On National Signing Day, Feb. 3, Stewart added 28
Isaiah Foster
Jenny Rohl/The News
Assistant Sports Editor mmcfarland1@murraystate.edu
The Racers went 3-7 on the break, with two wins against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and one win against the University of Memphis. The two wins against SIUE gave the Racers an OVC win for a new conference record of 3-9, after being swept by Austin Peay State last weekend. Head
team in the first game. “The first game against EKU we were up, and four errors on routine plays that would have ended innings for us,” Amundson said. “We just didn’t get the job done there.” Both teams finished the doubleheader with 19 hits apiece, but Murray State finished with four errors to Eastern’s one in the two games. Senior infielder Shelbey Miller finished the weekend hitting 8-17, a double, a triple, three RBIs and two strikeouts. Jessica Twaddle, junior infielder, finished the weekend only hitting 2-14, but had
a home run, three RBIs, two walks and two strikeouts. Amundson said if they could have fixed the simple things they could control, like base running and fielding, they would have been coming home 3-1 instead of 1-3 on the weekend.
KENTUCKY
The Racers traveled to face the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats last Wednesday and lost 6-1 being out-hit 5-4. Murray State committed one error in the game and Amundson said she liked how the team played. “I thought we competed
really well,” Amundson said. “We gave up a big inning, which we can’t do either, but I was happy with how we competed and with our offensive approach, some of those at-bats against UK. We had them tit-for-tat up until the last second there.” Miller and Twaddle combined 2-5 with a double; the only run for the Racers came off the bat of junior catcher Jocelynn Rodgers, doubling to score Twaddle.
Coach Kevin Moulder said taking 2-3 against SIUE was good, but they let the one game get away from them.
KENTUCKY STATE Murray State welcomed Kentucky State to Reagan Field with an 18-5 victory Tuesday night. The Racers finished the game with 22 hits to the Thorobreds’ eight. Senior right-handed pitcher Brad Boegel struggled on the night giving up five hits
and three walks in just two innings. Chad Gendron, junior right-handed pitcher, came in for the next three innings giving up one earned run on one hit to earn the win. Junior left-handed pitcher and first baseman Jack Hranec went 4-6 with a triple, a walk and four RBIs to lead the team, following him was graduate student and outfielder Tyler Dixon who finished 4-5 with four doubles, a walk and four RBIs. Sophomore infielder
Emily Harris/The News
INSIDE
Rangel Lowry 6 feet 3 inches 305 lbs Offensive Lineman Brentwood, California Diablo Valley College
SEMO
Rangel Lowry is a junior transfer. He helped the Vikings average 31.1 points and 465.2 yards per game. He averaged 348.3 yards per game in the 2015 season.
see SOFTBALL, 2B
Caleb Hicks also helped the cause by going 2-5 with a double, a walk and three RBIs.
James Sappington 6 feet 5 inches 220 lbs Kicker Peculiar, Missouri Raymore-Peculiar High School
AUSTIN PEAY STATE The Governors swept the Racers in three games last weekend winning by a combined score of 32-17. Murray State got out-hit 41-32 in the series while leaving 28 runners on base. Austin Peay finished the series with 17 extra base hits including 14 doubles, while the Racers came away with 13 extra base hits, including three home runs. Though the Governors committed four errors to the Racers’ zero errors in the series, it did not hurt Austin Peay in the sweep. Ramsey Scott, junior first baseman, led Murray State on the weekend by hitting 7-13 with three doubles and two RBIs. Sophomore catcher and infielder Kipp Moore followed by hitting 6-11 with one home run, two doubles and five RBIs for the weekend.
The Racers defeated the Tigers 10-6 on March 22 in a mid-week match-up at Reagan Field. Murray State committed two errors defensively leading to two of the six runs the Tigers scored. Memphis came up just short as it left seven runners on base on nine hits. The Racers finished the game with 11 hits, only one of which was an extra
Junior first baseman Ramsey Scott catches a pick off throw in the game against Memphis on March 22.
YOGA WELLNESS
Isaiah Foster is a sophomore transfer. He racked up 54 tackles, 29 of them solo in 2015. He also had half a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Both teams mercy ruled
MEMPHIS
WHAT’S
6 feet 2 inches 175 lbs Safety Pacoima, California College of the Canyons
Junior outfielder and utility player, Cayla Levins bunts the ball during the Racers’ game against Evansville on March 17.
Baseball goes 3-7 over Spring Break, wins big over Kentucky State 18-5 Mark McFarland
athletes to the Racer family including seven defensive linemen and wide receivers, four offensive linemen, four safeties, three linebackers, two cornerbacks and one quarterback. The five additional signees include one safety, offensive lineman, kicker, defensive end and linebacker.
see BASEBALL, 2B
Troy Quinn 6 feet 1 inch 245 lbs Defensive End Prattville, Alabama New Mexico Military Institution
Troy Quinn is a junior transfer from central Alabama. Quinn made 29 tackles, 10 of them being solo, 11 sacks and 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble and an interception. He was ranked 11 in the NJCAA for number of sacks.
Sean Rodriguez 6 foot 210 lbs Linebacker Nickerson, Kansas Butler Community College
Sean Rodriguez is a junior transfer from central Kansas. During his time at Butler Community College, Rodriguez led the team with 98 tackles, which is the second most tackles by a Grizzly.
**Info provided by Racer Athletics press release.
INTRAMURAL STANDINGS RACERS FOR BERNIE
Popular classes for class credit Find out about the volleyball being filled for stress relief, 3B playoff standings, 4B
James Sappington comes to Murray State as a true freshman. Sappington went 25-for29 in extra points and 11-for-17 in field goals in 2015. Sappington averaged 60.4 yards per kickoff in 43 opportunities and 36.5 yards on 42 punts.
A new political organization making moves on campus, 5B
TERRAPIN STATION Regional band takes to the stage, 6B
The News
Sports
2B
SOFTBALL
From Page 1
each other once and the Redhawks came away with the other victory to send the Racers home with a 1-3 record on the weekend. The first game SEMO won 4-3 despite committing six errors and out-hitting Murray State 10-4. The Racers couldn’t capitalize on any chances as they left seven runners on base. SEMO mercy ruled the Racers in the second game of the doubleheader 9-1 in six innings. They were able to outhit the Racers 15-6 and had a combined five extra base hits. Murray State got its lone run from junior outfielder and utility player Cayla Levins on
a solo home run in the second inning. Murray State returned the favor in the third and final game of the series beating the Redhawks 16-5 in five innings. The Racers came away with 20 hits to SEMO’s seven. Although they committed one error in the game, it did not hurt Murray State. Of the 20 hits for the Racers, six of them were extra base hits and of those six, two were home runs off the bats of Levins and junior infielder Taylor Odom. Miller finished the weekend by hitting 6-12 with a double and two RBIs, while Twaddle went 3-9 with one RBI and two walks. Going into the weekend series against Eastern Illinois, Miller has been in a walking boot. Amundson said she is
March 31, 2016
practicing and playing at 100 percent. “She’s great, that is just more of a precautionary thing,” Amundson said. “Shelbey is a senior so she is an old lady right now, so it’s more of a precautionary thing just to make sure that we’re getting her at the most optimal level we can when it is coming game time.” The Racers host Eastern Illinois in an OVC matchup this weekend with two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. Eastern Illinois is 9-21 overall and has a 3-4 OVC record. “I know EIU is a team that we can go in one direction or the other,” Amundson said. “But it doesn’t matter that it’s EIU; it matters that Racer softball team shows up this weekend.”
Emily Harris/The News
Junior outfielder Cody Gilbert bats during the Racers’ game against the University of Memphis March 22.
BASEBALL
From Page 1
Jenny Rohl/The News
Junior pitcher Mason Robinson pitching the ball during their March 17 game against the University of Evansville.
base hit. Hranec led the way for the Racers as he finished the game hitting 3-3 with three RBIs and a walk. Moulder said that he was proud of his guys for coming out and winning a pivotal midweek game that could help boost their confidence as the season moves on. “Memphis was a quality win for us,” Moulder said. “That’s a good program on a yearly basis and for us to get a win against a team from that conference is
always a good win and confidence builder for us.”
SIUE
After being swept in the season series last year, the Racers took 2-3 games at home against the Cougars March 18-20 to bring their OVC win total to three games on the year. Murray State was led by Scott, who finished the series 4-10 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and two walks. He was followed by Hicks who went 5-13 with a double and four RBIs. The Racers outscored the Cougars 18-13 and also out-hit them 31 to 25 on the weekend. Murray State finished off the
weekend with eight extra base hits, six of them doubles. SIUE struggled in the extra base hit category as the team only had five of them, all of which were doubles. Murray State will welcome the last place team in the OVC, Eastern Illinois. Moulder said that any time you’re at home, you want to take care of business. “It will be a very big series for us; this will tell a big part of the story for us,” Moulder said. “If we can come out and win this series, it will get us right back in the mix of things, where we can compete for the rest of the season. It would not behoove us to falter in this series.”
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The News
Sports
March 31, 2016
3B
Women’s tennis splits matches, now 2-2 in play Sarah Combs || Staff writer scombs8@murraystate.edu
The women’s tennis team split the weekend 1-1 with a win against Eastern Illinois 4-3 but lost momentum on Saturday against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 7-0. The Racers are now 2-2 in conference play. With a competitive schedule, the Racers face the top six opponents in the conference in the first seven matches preparing them for the season.
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Partners Erin Patton and Haily Morgan took the No. 1 court for doubles play but were defeated 6-4, followed by partners senior from Mississauga, Ontario Megan Blue and freshman from Esbjerg, Denmark Amina Hadzic in the No. 2 doubles position 6-1. The Racers haven’t been able to clinch a win without the security of a doubles point this year, but Head Coach Jorge Caetano said this weekend changed that. The Racers made up for lost time in the singles. Blue defeated her opponent 1-6, 6-2, 6-2; Hadzic won early 6-3, 6-2; freshman from Dinard, France Jeanne Masson responded to adversity with 0-6, 6-3, 6-0; and junior from Hamburg, Germany Alina
Schibol secured the win after her match 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. “They were very confident in the match,” Caetano said Caetano. “They just played hard and were able to win four matches in singles.”
SIUE
The Racers fell in their match against SIUE 7-0. Patton and Morgan opened doubles, losing 6-3, and partners Masson and Schibol lost 7-5, losing the doubles point for the second day in a row. The Racers weren’t able to pull out the win without the doubles point as SIUE swept through the singles 6-0. This is the third time in a row that the Racers have lost a succeeding game after a win, and which could be attributed to their young team. The Racers look forward to having shorter, more intense practices preparing for five games in nine days. Caetano said the team will focus on doubles and earning the reassurance of the doubles point for the matches. They also intend to adjust their approach on doubles and have fun.
Jenny Rohl/The News
Amina Hadzic, freshman from Esbjerg, Denmark, waits to return the ball during a match this season.
Track and field spend Spring Break at Vanderbilt’s Black and Gold Invitational Yoga for wellness teaches students to calm their minds Justin Gaston
Contributing writer
jgaston2@murraystate.edu
After spending their Spring Break doing some team bonding, the Racers kicked off the start of their outdoor season at the Black and Gold Open Invitational last weekend at Vanderbilt. While there were no overall team points scored in this invitational, the Racers came out strong by setting some personal best times as well as a new school record in the 2,000-meter steeplechase by sophomore distance runner Rebekah Priddy with a time of 7 minutes, 6 seconds, placing her fourth in the event. Priddy also set a new personal best record in the 1,500meter race with a time of 4 minutes 51 seconds. Sophomore distance runner Vallery Korir also ran a personal best of 4 minutes, 38 seconds. Senior distance runner Leah
Krause ran a time of 4 minutes, 49 seconds, also a personal best. The distance runners for Murray State continued their success on to day two of events with Korir running the 3000 meter in 9 minutes, 50 seconds, a new personal best that makes her time the second-fastest outdoor time in Murray State history. Other notable times: • Freshman sprinter Tamdra Lawrence finished second in the 200-meter dash, running the fourth-fastest time in Murray State history with a time of 23.94 seconds. • Krause also ran her personal record in the 3000 meter, running a time of 10 minutes, 27 seconds. Her time is the tenth all-time best at Murray State. Senior distance runner Heatherly Paschall finished with her personal best time of 11 minutes, 38 seconds in the
The popular class focuses on a variety of relaxing exercises, which can also increase flexibility, strength and balance. Clara Firtos
Contributing writer cfirtos@murraystate.edu
As the school year winds down, stress levels increase but some students are finding ways to alleviate that stress with the century-old tradition of yoga. Elizabeth Poquette, sophomore from Hopkinsville, Kentucky says yoga is a great way for her to release stress as the semester becomes harder. Poquette is a military science minor and she says ROTC can become, at times, very stressful. “The class I went to was great. I felt so relaxed after,” Poquette said. “In fact, all the guys and girls seemed relaxed afterwards, not just me.” The practice of yoga can appeal to students of all ages, genders and sizes. Gayle Rogers, adjunct instructor, said she believes that the popularity of yoga comes from students who are looking for a way to release stress. With yoga, students can join their mind, body and spirit. This discipline helps to produce wellness, and it helps students refocus on the school year.
“Yoga can help students identify and manage their stressors in ways that other disciplines that only address physical needs cannot,” Rogers said. Rogers believes there is a definite need for an increased peace and calm that comes with yoga. Lynn Patterson, professor and licensed yoga instructor, agrees that yoga is an escape for her students. “Patterson’s class may just be an hour, but it helps me find myself,” Poquette said. “I can take on my school work again.” Poquette said her favorite thing about the class is the calming music that is played and how the lights are dimmed during the practice. “You walk in and you are just instantly relieved to be here. You can’t wait to get started,” Poquette said. Patterson likes to help students with their core strength, flexibility, stretching poses and connecting her students to the earth. The yoga Rogers teaches also focuses on a variety of poses. Yoga poses help increase metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular
activity, flexibility, strength and balance. The practice of yoga is adaptive to everybody. “I tell my students there are no goals, no charts, no competitions and no judgments ... only that they leave each class feeling better than when they came,” Rogers said. Rogers and Patterson believe that the basic instructions of yoga are to do what feels good, and no one is required to push beyond their comfort levels. Yoga encourages, enthuses and empowers every student to be happy in their own skin. Yoga has a language from the ancient Sanskrit, but in classes instructors use everyday language for helpful instruction. “The poses are all fun and easy to do,” Poquette said. “Anybody can do them and you don’t have to be an expert because it’s very easy to understand the instructors.” If you are interested in taking yoga classes, you can call the Wellness Cen-
event. • Freshman hurdler Jabreuna Brimlett ran the 100meter hurdles, finishing in 13.97 seconds, placing her fourth-fastest time in Murray State history. • Senior hurdler Lauren Miller also set a personal best time in the event with a time of 15.14 seconds. • Senior jumper Jill Jachino made a personal best in the triple jump, jumping 11.63 meters putting her at seventh-best triple jump in Murray State history. Head Coach Jenny Swieton talked about her satisfaction with the Racers performance in their opening meet of the season. “I think we would’ve scored really well,” Swieton said. “If the invitational had kept an overall team score.” The Racers competed well against more than 20 other Division I schools in two long days of meets with multiple
competitors. Oftentimes when there are a large number of teams and competitors in a meet such as this, athletes Swieton are more susceptible to injury due to muscles tightening after long periods of waiting and weather changes throughout the day. Swieton said they were lucky many of the Racers compete in multiple events, which really helps keep players from waiting around and tightening up. Swieton also said she plans to shorten the number of events her players compete in the smaller meets. The Racers will compete again Friday, hosting their only home meet this season at Roy Stewart Stadium for the Margaret Simmons Invite.
Illustration by Kelsey Randolph/The News
ter and request a spot in any class. Rogers’s yoga class has been available as a credit since 2011, and she is currently teaching REC 113 as a one-hour participation class and elective on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning. Patterson is teaching her yoga classes on Mondays and Wednesdays in the evenings. The typical yoga class has space - Elizabeth Poquette, sophomore from Hopkinsville, Kentucky to allow 20 to 30 people.
“
You walk in and you are just instantly relieved to be here. You can’t wait to get started.
”
The News
Sports
4B
March 31, 2016
Men’s tennis struggles on the weekend Clara Firtos
Contributing writer cfirtos@murraystate.edu
The men’s tennis team entered conference play and fell to both Eastern Illinois 5-2 Friday and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday 4-2. With the two losses, the Racers fell to 2-14 overall on the season and find themselves in the midst of a seven game losing streak. Srdjan Trosic, sophomore from Novi Sad, Serbia, said despite the losses, the team
can see and feel progress. “Every one of us was very focused and very motivated to play all matches from the first ball to the last,” T r o s i c said. “We tried to give our best and I believe Trosic that based on how the season is going, we will only get better and better.”
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Sophomore Marcel Ueltzhoeffer from Oftersheim, Germany, helped give the Racers the lead with a win from his No. 1 spot. Ueltzhoeffer lost his first set 7-6 but won the next two 6-3, 7-5. Playing in the No. 6 spot was freshman Javier Villar from Madrid. Trosic won his first set 6-2 but lost the next two 4-6, 4-6. “I think I did really well at the first match against EIU,” Trosic said. “But the loss was motivation for me to do better.”
Villar won his match right away in the first two sets 6-2, 7-5. At the No. 2 spot was Will True, sophomore from Bowling Green, Kentucky. True lost his match 6-4, 7-6. As for the No. 1 doubles, Ueltzhoeffer and partner David Schrott, freshman from Mannheim, Germany, lost to their opponents with a score of 6-3. At No. 2, partners, Trosic and David Hess, junior from Louisville, Kentucky, fell to their opponents 0-6. In their doubles match, True and Villar lost as well 7-5. This loss gave the Pan-
thers an early lead of 1-0.
SIUE
The singles competition started off with Ueltzhoeffer in the No. 1 spot finishing off his opponent with a score of 6-0, 3-6, 6-4. No. 2 player True fought in both sets and won 7-5, 6-0. No. 6 Villar lost his first set 2-6 but made a comeback, winning his second set 7-6. Villar lost his third 2-6. In at No. 3 was Schrott. Schrott lost to his opponent 6-3, 6-2. “I think that as a young team we are getting more experience from match to
match and I think that will be the key for our win,” Trosic said. Villar and True won their doubles 6-3. Ueltzhoeffer and Schrott were defeated by their opponents 6-1, giving Edwardsville the 1-0 lead. “We experienced a lot with these two matches, and I think we are ready for our win,”Trosic said. Men’s tennis will play Austin Peay State April 5 for the OVC. They haven’t won a match since their split match against Tennessee Wesleyan earlier this month.
IM Standings Women’s Sorority A
Men’s Fraternity
1. ASA A Team and Tri Sigma B
4-1
1. Lambda Chi Alpha
5-0
2. Kappa Delta A
3-2
2. Sigma Phi Epsilon
4-1
Sorority B
Independent A
1. Tri Sigma B
5-0
1. Arabian Gulf
6-0
2. ADPI Lions
4-1
2. Tri-Lam
5-1
Independent A
Residential College
1. Murray State ACErs
6-0
1. Lizo A
7-0
2. Omega Mu
4-2
2. Hart A
6-1
Co-Recreation North
Residential A 1. Lizo A
7-0
2. Hart Ravens, White Sharks A Girls and Spring- 5-2 er/Franklin A
Residential College B 1. Lizo B
6-1
2. Hart Attacks and Regents C
5-2
1. White
2-0
2. Lizo
1-1
South 1. Hart
2-0
2. Hester Co-Rec
1-1
Results are as of Tuesday. Standings courtesy of IMLeagues.
Jenny Rohl/The News
Will True, sophomore from Bowling Green, Kentucky, gets set to return the ball in a match.
March 31, 2016
5B
The News
Features
Features Editor: Connor Jaschen Assistant Features Editor: Gisselle Hernandez Phone: 270-809-5871 Twitter: MSUNewsFeatures
Jenny Rohl/The News
Step off stomps onto campus
Da’Sha Tuck Staff writer
dtuck@murraystate.edu
All Greek and non-Greek students were united on March 17 for one cause at this year’s Alpha Step Off, a 16-year tradition that had students sleeping on the steps of Lovett Auditorium in anticipation. “We wanted to be the first people to ever sleep outside of Lovett the night before the step show and hopefully start a trend,” said Georgia Keeney, freshman Kappa Delta from Providence, Kentucky. The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha host the Alpha Step Off every spring as a philanthropy event. This year, the fraternity raised about $15,000 for
the March of Dimes, which researches birth defects and helps mothers carry their babies to term. For the second year in a row, Alpha Sigma Phi took the win for the fraternity division. Kappa Delta won in the sorority division, and they were also the overall winners of the week’s activities, including change wars and the banner contest. However, when members of the step teams were asked what they knew about the history of stepping only a few knew where stepping originated. Stepping can be traced back to Africa. The Divine Nine (National Pan-Hellenic Council Organizations) are known for stepping and strolling, including Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho. “I think it is great that the [Interfraternity Council] and Pan-Hellenic organizations participate in the step show,” said Shelby Hubbard, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and junior from Dyersburg, Tennessee. “It takes a lot of time
and participation to put together a routine; however, sometimes the event is so sensationalized that people don’t recognize the rich history behind stepping.” Hubbard said that, to her, stepping is about creative expression and showing pride in the organization she is a part of. “As an African American, stepping is also about connecting with my African roots,” Hubbard said. Each fraternity and sorority is coached by a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha. “I myself have expressed to my team why our organizations enjoy stepping and why it’s something we are passionate about,” said Ariel Watson, member of Delta Sigma Theta and senior from Lexington, Kentucky, who was involved with coaching Alpha Sigma Phi. “I try to get them to express the love they have for their organizations through their performance so they have passion throughout their show.” Watson said the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha do a great job with the step off every year, finding new ways to keep the event entertaining, like having emcees
who can keep the crowd excited in between each performance. She said at one point the history of stepping was incorporated throughout the night, but that eventually faded out as the event itself became more popular. “It has evolved into one of the biggest traditions at Murray State so the history isn’t as important to the groups as winning is,” Watson said. Watson said she enjoyed being involved in Alpha Sigma Phi’s process that led them to another victory on the stage of Lovett. Each Greek organization has its traditions and values but no matter what the differences are, they all have at least one common factor: pride for their organizations and the willingness to get together and raise money for a cause. “It’s one of the most exciting philanthropy events to attend,” said Elizabeth Hernandez, member of Kappa Delta and junior from Murray. “Plus, all the money goes to a great cause. If there is anyone out there who hasn’t gone to step show, I advise them to because I know they won’t regret it.”
Pride Week engages students in national conversation Brianna Willis || Staff writer bwillis2@murraystate.edu
Nationally, the rights of members of LGBT groups have been making headlines, from the legalization of same sex couples’ right to marry on June 26, 2015 to CNN’s recent coverage of a lawsuit raised against North Carolina by the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina [ACLU] for their transgender bathroom bill. From state to state, LGBT rights are at the forefront of the media. Members of the Murray State community are also attempting to raise awareness and bring light to the LGBT community. Nikolas Winslow, vice president of Murray State Alliance, lead the charge this year for the second annual Pride Week. The week consisted of several events, including advocacy efforts, social programs and a safer sex practices discussion, facilitated by Winslow. “Pride week is Alliance’s baby,” said Jody Cofer Randall, coordinator of LGBT Programming. “It was really student-organized and led.” Winslow has been trained five times by Planned Parenthood in
safer sex discussions, he said. He said he wanted to bring that training to campus to help serve the student population. Randall said that they really wanted to tap into Winslow’s experiences back home and bring it to campus. “These type of programs we have to do periodically,” Randall said. “LGBT gets branded as the ones who always talk about sex, but it is all inclusive because really no one else is doing it.” Randall said “pride week” type of events are commonplace at universities, especially those who want to create a more inclusive environment for those who identify as LGBT. While June is the nationally-recognized LGBT Pride Month, Randall said this doesn’t work well for a university setting and so many schools plan them around what works best for them. “It just happened that spring semester was the best time to do this,” she said. “Drag Show really aligned well with it as well.” While Alliance is the student run organization that led Pride Week, the LGBT Programming office is involved on campus as well
With efforts such as the Safe Zone Project, Randall said that both organizations are really trying to increase ally involvement on campus. “The Safe Zone Project, through education, advocacy, visibility and skill development, supports faculty, staff and students to become allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and colleagues,” according to the Safe Zone Project website. Randall said the Safe Zone Project has more than 500 participants currently, including faculty, staff and a few students. Randall said that increasing ally participation in the community is important for bringing about awareness and increasing the safety of LGBT students. Winslow said the safer sex workshop he facilitated used gender inclusive terminology throughout the whole presentation and was designed for all students. “It is important that people understand that just because you go to an LGBT event doesn’t mean you are LGBT,” Winslow said. “Many come out to support a friend or someone they know, and that is
Nahiomy Gallardo/The News
Pins being given away to raise awareness for Pride Week, which hosted events throughout the week. OK.” Randall said they spend a lot of time combating misinformation on top of continuing the effort to spread correct information. Winslow and Randall agreed that the best way for students who want to get involved but may be nervous or scared to do so is just to ask questions. Randall said that by being proactive and spreading cor-
rect information, they can affect change quicker. Winslow said for students who want to get involved or maybe have questions, they just need to ask. “In trying not to be offensive you didn’t do or say anything,” Randall said. “You can ask questions in an affirming and supportive tone and no one will be mad you took time out to educate yourself.”
Racers for Bernie find a niche in the student body Taylor Inman Staff writer
tinman1@murraystate.edu
There is a long-running stereotype that the millennial generation does not care about politics, that they are not informed or care to be informed, but there is a change this year that has even affected the political student groups at Murray State. Allison Prokop, president of Murray State’s College Democrats, said she finds it hard to get students interested. “People aren’t politically minded. It wasn’t until I was president that I became interested in it myself,” Prokop said. “It’s hard to get them to engage because they don’t care.” But there are students who have decided to take it upon themselves to support the presidential candidate of their choice. Racers for Ber-
nie is a student organization that openly supports Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders and operates in the same way the College Democrats and the College Republicans do. “The party is split right now,” Prokop said. “We have a lot of people who like Bernie Sanders and a lot of people who like Hillary Clinton.” Racers for Bernie founder Brandon Simpson said they were looking for a way to support Sanders that allowed people who normally were affiliated with other parties to join and help spread the word about his campaign. Racers for Bernie has five officers and a Facebook group of 156 members that they look to for volunteers to aid in campaigning, Simpson said. “We’re going to start canvassing in Murray soon,” Simpson said. “We’re going to go door-to-door and ask them who they’re voting for and if
they need a ride to the polls.” Simpson said if Sanders doesn’t get the nomination, many of the young voters who support him would feel discouraged. “A lot of newcomers probably wouldn’t vote. They’ve never been involved with the process before and they are disenchanted with it,” Simpson said. “They’ve felt like their vote wouldn’t count. This is the first time they feel like their vote would count.” There have been student-run political organizations on campus for years, though in the past few years they have been small in numbers. Savannah Futrell, president of the College Republicans, said the group gains new members when the presidential election comes around. She credits social media and recruiting at Summer Orientation for the group gaining members.
“We got 30 names added at Summer Orientation,” Futrell said. “I think social media has really helped us, too. We keep our Facebook and Twitter updated on the regular.” The College Republicans have about 30 standing members and about 70 people on their email list, including both professors and students. The group meets twice a month and holds booths in the Curris Center to get information to students about the candidates running and the voting process. Prokop said that it’s easier for the Republican Party to get interest in Murray. “The south is pretty red,” Prokop said. “They have an easier time making their presence known.” The College Democrats have ten standing members and 45 people on their email list. The group meets once a week and, like the College Republicans, hold booths in
the Curris Center to help educate students on the candidates and voting. The College Democrats aren’t registered as a student organization. The Campus Student Involvement office said that the paperwork had been started, but the organization had never finished the official process. Both groups get support from the Calloway County Democrats and Republicans, respectively. The College Democrats get their support from the Calloway County Democrats when they hold their annual Democratic Banquet on April 21. The College Republicans also work with local and state politicians. Futrell considers her group to be a recruiting tool. “We are a recruiting tool for the Republican Party and for politically-involved students on campus,” Futrell said. Futrell said that while she
wants people to join her party, she understands not everyone holds the same values. “The most important thing from our officers is to stay informed and educated,” Futrell said. “We want everyone to be as informed as possible, even if they don’t support the Republican candidate.” Both Prokop and Futrell said whoever gets their party’s nomination will have the party’s best interest at heart, and they are ready to support their campaign. “Come August we will be out there setting up booths,” Futrell said. “Ready to support whoever gets the nomination.” All groups are gearing up next semester and will be making their presence known as Election Day draws nearer, and Racers for Bernie will be preparing for the Kentucky Democratic primary on May 17.
Features
6B FRIDAY
THURSDAY 31 7:30 p.m. All Greek Assembly, Lovett Auditorium
The News
1 All Day Wear Teal Day, Murray State campus
SATURDAY
March 31, 2016
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
2
3
4
5
6
8:00 a.m. Jazz Festival, Performing Arts Hall
3:30 p.m. Joint Student Recital, Performing Arts Hall
4:00 p.m. Post With The Prez, Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge
All Day #CultureofRespect Challenge, Murray State campus
8:00 a.m. Museum Exhibit: The War Between the States, Wrather West Kentucky Museum
Terrapin Station brings regional talent Gisselle Hernandez
Assistant Features Editor ghernandez1@murraystate.edu
The punk rockers of Murray clambered out of their musically-enveloped homes to witness the band R. Ring, along with other local bands, perform at Terrapin Station, a local music store, on March 17. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyls have been making a comeback in recent years and record store sales have been increasing since the 1980s for that reason. Terrapin Station pairs the increased revenue with frequent rock shows at night, showcasing local and regional bands, like R. Ring. Fronted by Kelley Deal from The Breeders and Mike Montgomery from Ampline, R. Ring is described by Montgomery as “chaotic and abrasive, but sometimes peaceful and gentle.” The band’s genre may be all over the map, but their third performance at Terrapin Station attracted a wide audience, from teenagers and college students to older fans who brought their young children with them. Since Deal and her band The Breeders toured with Nirvana in the 90s, longtime fans of hers came out on Thursday to see her play, Montgomery said. Him being the younger of the duo brought out the younger audience, he said. The music store, decked with vinyls on shelves and newspaper clippings on the walls, was rear-
ranged to accommodate those who had come to support the bands on Thursday. Local band Quailbones kicked off the concert at 8 p.m., followed by Hi-Fi Ninja. R. Ring was next, featuring a drummer from Schwervon, as Deal took to vocals and Montgomery the guitar. R. Ring’s performance had the audience either cheering, head banging, singing along or doing all three. As opposed to the other bands, Deal and Montgomery bantered playfully and joked with the audience, something that happens at every show, Montgomery said. “With Ampline, it’s really more everyone trying to play precisely, and if someone messes up, you really notice it,” he said. “With R. Ring, it’s more loose; we sort of celebrate the randomness of our attention span.” The venue catered to this relaxed yet erratic atmosphere, allowing people over 21 to bring their own alcohol, on the condition of being on their best behavior, said Bobby Copeland, owner of Terrapin Station. Despite an employee having to kick out two people for disruptive behavior, Copeland said this was a rare occurrence. Terrapin Station being one of the few places that allows smoking, and it helps people appreciate having a cigarette while listening to a band play, Copeland said. The shows, which happen three to four times a month,
allow bands from all over the country to play and showcase their talent to locals. Copeland said it is the bands that usually contact them to ask to play in Murray. The store usually has a waiting list, and before the night shows began five years ago, Copeland had local artists playing acoustics during store hours. The bands make money through donations when performing at Terrapin Station, and sometimes they are successful. At the Thursday show alone, R. Ring made $160 from donations. “[The shows] are mainly an attempt for people to get to listen to local bands and to primarily get our name out in the community,” Copeland said. Originally from Marshall County, Copeland lived in different places in the United States and saw records were attainable almost anywhere. Noticing that back home there wasn’t a place where vinyls were readily available, he decided to open Terrapin Station in 1985. Since then, bands like R. Ring frequently entertain the audiophiles of Murray by playing at the store. Terrapin Station, located on South 12th Street, offers a variety of LPs, CDs, tobacco accessories and, as described on their Facebook page, a place for anyone to come in and chat while having a cigarette. The store will host another show this Friday and has an upcoming event celebrating Record Store Day on Saturday, April 16.
Jenny Rohl/The News
Regional artist, Kelley Deal, brings a bit of a “chaotic” performance to the Murray community.
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The News
Features
March 31, 2016
7B
MEDIA REVIEWS Most anticipated film dominates box office with $420M Adam Winn || Staff writer awinn@murraystate.edu
After riding the coattails of success created by the release of the fellow superhero movie “Deadpool,” many film enthusiasts have speculated if the current sequel/reboot “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” would be able to live up to all the publicity it was creating. While this film is certainly different from previous installments in both the “Superman” and “Batman” franchises, it is undoubtedly worth the cost of an admissions ticket. The plot picks up following the events of what happened in “Man of Steel,” the latest Superman film. After the alien attack that left the city of Metropolis in ruins, many citizens, including Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), who plays Batman and had one of his buildings destroyed in the invasion, immediately begins to see Superman (Henry Cavill) as a threat to all lives on Earth. Batman begins to search for a way to stop the Man of Steel with the hopes of preventing him from using his powers for evil. During this time, the devious villain Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) is also conspiring his own vicious plan against Superman. The film’s runtime was a little over two and a half hours long, which makes it the second-longest superhero movie todate behind “The Dark Knight Rises.” However, even with an incredibly lengthy runtime, the plot never seems to wane or become tedious. Like most blockbuster superhero films, the cinematography was nearly flawlessly executed. There were a few scenes where the CGI was slightly overdone, especially during the climactic fight scene near the end, but these trivial imperfections don’t hurt the overall film in any way.
The acting was outstanding, with Affleck bringing a dark ferociousness to the character of Batman. He does this even more so than any other actor that has portrayed Batman in the past, including Christian Bale. Even with Affleck’s astounding performance, it’s honest to say that Eisenberg’s portrayal as the psychopathic Luthor was particularly commendable. He creates this unsettling presence during every scene his character is in. He ultimately shows the audience just how insane his character is by the time the movie reaches its epic climax. Some film critics and audience members may criticize this movie and compare it to Christopher Nolan’s extremely successful “Dark Knight” trilogy. Even though Nolan helped produce this new film, this movie exists in its own universe and is more of a reboot with very few connections to any of the previous ones. While Nolan’s film series was exceptional, this picture is more honest and connects to the actual comic book version of Batman, more so than any of his previous movies. Another thing viewers might also notice is the fact that the Dark Knight is different from the way he has been shown in former movies. For instance, this Batman has no problem killing bad people, unlike previous portrayals of the character who goes out of his way to avoid hurting anyone, including villains. Some audience members will love “Batman v Superman” and appreciate its connection to the comics, and others may be displeased with the film due to its differences from previous adaptations. As long as the viewers go in knowing that this flick is intentionally setting itself up for future installments, including the upcoming “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League” movies, then spectators are guaranteed to have an entertaining and engaging experience. Photo courtesy of www.comicbookmovie.com
From wooing pre-teens to wooing your girlfriend Nick Erickson || Staff writer nerickson@murraystate.edu Almost exactly a year ago, the
fan base of British boy band One Direction was torn at the seams at the news that Zayn Malik was departing from the group. Despite everyone’s horror, the future seemed bright for Malik. He has the looks and a voice that sends shivers down the spines of preteens across America. Malik’s debut solo record “Mind of Mine” just hit shelves, and it’s everything one could ask for from the 23-year-old singer. This record is 14 tracks of sensuous, R&B laden pop that is executed on par if not better than any of 1D’s discography. With his split with ex-fiancée Perrie Edwards in mind, one could presume Malik would bring forth some heart-wrenching tracks. Malik has previously stated in interviews that a majority of “Mind of Mine” is about falling out of love, while never directly mentioning anything specific. From a lyrical standpoint, this record is overall more mature than anything Malik put out with the 1D
boys. The lyrics are provocative, tinged with sexual urgency, and there’s the occasional swearing. None of these fits the innocent image 1D had embroidered. Lead single “Pillowtalk” has already gathered millions of YouTube hits. Malik sings with the edge and power to fill a stadium, albeit singing of the risqué: conversations that occurs in bed with a sexual partner, hence the title. The wall of ambiance and synth driving the song coats Malik’s smooth vocals, and it fits the mood he conveys. “I’m seeing the pain, seeing the pleasure. Nobody but you, ‘body but me, ‘body but us. Bodies together.” The solemn church organ and light drum beat of “It’s You” carries listeners through the track as Malik shows his vulnerability. “Tell me your lies because I just can’t face it,” Malik sings, coupled with some extra “oohs” and subtle piano chords. A chilled atmosphere is the key component that makes this simplistic track so beautiful. Mellowed out “Drunk” shows Malik’s true R&B influence. As
the title suggests, Malik sings of having a drunken good time and cautiously trying not to blow his chance with a girl he’s interested in. It’s intriguing and fun, just as pop should be at its core, and also is relatable to anyone who has been in the situation. Closer “TIO” features Malik’s impressive high-end range, with creative staccato vocal patterns, a crisp beat and a faint, pulsating synth line. Malik channels the late Michael Jackson while giving his own unique flare. “I just like it when you take it off,” Malik sings. The seductive nature of this track, plus the infectious beat, are bound to stay on repeat in the car radios of millions. There is substance to be found in “Mind of Mine.” This isn’t absent-minded, watered-down pop society is used to. A lot of passion and hours went into this record and Malik makes it prevalent. Whether or not his solo debut outshines his five-year span with 1D is subjective to the listener. But with the talent he shows in this record, it’s bound to be enjoyed by anyone who loves a fun, easy-listening experience. Photo courtesy of www.hypetrak.com
Just So You know
Debt free “I didn’t want to be rude.” “I was just trying to be nice.” “I didn’t know how to say no.” We all have heard Gisselle Hernandez of the term “the friendAssistant zone”: the Features Editor d r e a d e d hellhole a guy or girl finds him or herself in when their affection toward a person is unreciprocated. Their “unrequited love” goes unappreciated, and it seems that the deep abyss of the friendzone goes on forever. There have been well-rounded arguments where the entire mindset of expecting something in return simply for being “the nice guy” is deemed misogynistic, since it is usually males who find themselves in this situation with disinterested females. Recently, however, because of the ludicrous slang term, “friendzone,” and the repercussions that come with rejecting someone – being called derogatory names, fear of causing someone to spiral into depression or even fearing someone turning to violence – has led to more horrifying solution: women feeling the need to say “yes.” Women have it ingrained in them that they should always “behave like a lady” or let the husbands earn higher wages, among other norms. Thankfully, women are now more empowered than ever, often surpassing men in the economic and political world. But 100 years ago, all women were expected to do was shut up, cook, clean and obey their macho husbands. Perhaps because of this, men have it easier to manifest the guilt trip whenever a woman rejects their advances. Women, especially after hearing the men’s perception of entitlement, become afraid of coming off as a prude or seeming ungrateful when a guy does nice things for them. An opinion column on the Daily Trojan discussed an instance that cemented the idea of how bad saying “no” can get: In 2014, a teen from Isla Vista, Santa Barbara, shot 14 people and killed himself after girls had rejected him. With consequences that violent, who’s to blame women for fearing the result of them actually expressing their opinion? With the friendzone memes plaguing the Internet and a lot of men feeling it’s unjust for a girl to not like them back, women have the constant pressure of consenting to “being nice” and saying “yes.” It’s not just fueling a dishonest relationship, it’s breeding a dangerous mindset for women. Here’s to you women who are guilt tripped into going on a date with that one creepy guy who won’t stop messaging you on Tinder. You. Don’t. Owe. Him. Anything. You are not expected to reciprocate, especially when it’s your own happiness that truly matters. If he believes he deserves a little something after just being a decent human being by opening the door for you, be nice to yourself this time and find someone who truly values you and will respect your wishes. ghernandez1@murraystate.edu
Out this week
Read It
“Mother, Can You Not?” by Kate Siegel
See It
“Kill Your Friends”
Hear It
“Super” by Pet Shop Boys
Rent It
“The Hateful Eight”
Play It
“Adam’s Venture: Origins”
8B
The News
March 31, 2016