The Murray State News September 15, 2016
TheNews.org
Best in the bluegrass
Vol. 91, No. 4
Michelle Hawks Contributing writer mhawks@murraystate.edu
Washington Monthly named Murray State as having the “Best Bang for the Buck” for public universities in Kentucky. According to the publication’s website, the methodology of its 2016 report took several factors into account, including the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants and first-generation students, as well as loan repayment rank, graduation rates and net price of attendance. According to the report, the purpose of the list is to rank colleges and universities by “the extent to which they charge students who aren’t rich a reasonable price for quality education that will advance them in their careers.” Murray State ranks 24th among Southern colleges and universities and is the top public university in it’s category in the state. Over the past year, Murray State approved a new structure for scholarships and changed the scholarship application. However, Murray State’s faculty realize that a valuable, high-quality education would
not be possible without their dedication. “The faculty’s willingness to contribute to student life on campus, mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers, and play an active role in the campus community all contribute to enhancing the quality of education here,” said Danielle Nielsen, assistant professor of English. Nielsen said without faculty who work to ensure students are able to apply their knowledge inside and outside of the classroom, the current emphasis on “Bringing Learning to Life” would not be possible. Students also recognize the value provided by Murray State, acknowledging that it is a large reason they chose to attend Murray State. “The quality of the classes is exceptional, and the cost is cheaper than most,” said Emilia Kueker, freshman from Ellis Grove, Illinois. Parker Upchurch, junior from Harrisburg, Illinois, said that while the cost was a factor, there were other benefits that drew her
Payroll tax could replace city stickers Ashley Traylor Staff writer atraylor@murraystate.edu
A proposed payroll tax by the Murray City Council to replace city stickers raises concerns about how it will be a disadvantage to Murray State. Mayor Jack Rose said the payroll tax was discussed at the city council retreat, but the tax is not concrete yet. Wesley Bolin, city council member, said in an email he doesn’t know any details about the tax, when it will be proposed, or what the proposal will include. The proposed tax is to be around 1.25 percent, President Bob Davies said. Davies said during the Faculty Senate meeting last week that there have been rumors of the city implementing a payroll tax, but a city council member confirmed the mayor will be putting forward a payroll tax in a short period of time. “I think it is a huge mistake,” Davies said. “I think there is a lot of issues with that.” Thomas Pharis, Governmental Affairs Committee chairman and assistant professor of education, said he does not see where a payroll tax is going to benefit the university as a whole. “We just don’t know the impact that that additional tax will have over recruitment of new faculty and new staff, retention of faculty and staff,” Pharis said. “...Particularly, if we were recruiting against some other
WHAT’S
INSIDE
institutions, who don’t have the payroll tax.” Pharis said the mayor is adamant about no overall revenue increase if a payroll tax is set in motion. He said he supposes the idea is to replace city stickers with payroll tax, but possibly lower property taxes as well. “I think the idea there is, it would shift the tax burden from those people who are retired, who are not earning money right now, who are on a fixed income,” Pharis said. “It lowers their overall city tax, while people who are still working in the city of Murray will pay more to make up the difference.” The University Administration is working on a document of disadvantages of a payroll tax to the university to present to the city and public. Davies encouraged the Faculty Senate to reach out to city council members to make their voices known because he said the mayor wants to institute the tax before elections. Seid Hassan, professor of economics, wrote in an email to the economics finance department that the public needs to reach out to city council because it is not easy to reverse a decision once it has been made. “It seems to me that barring that we do not live in a continent/country where I am from, the only way that this could be stopped is sufficient noise and objection from members of the faculty, staff and citizens of the city/county of Murray/Calloway County,” Hassan wrote.
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
to M u r r a y State, such as its small size, which allows students to have one-on-one time with professors. “Murray State is excellent at preparing students for their futures. As a biology student, we are constantly given opportunities to advance our understanding of the sciences and improve our resumes or graduate school applications,” said Upchurch. Murray State is consistently named one of the “Great Colleges to Work For” by The Chronicle for Higher Education and was ranked as the 28th Best Regional University among all public and
Graphic courtesy of Austin Gordon
Murray State ranked Kentucky’s “Best Bang for the Buck” for public universities for third year straight
private universities in the South by the U.S. News & World Report. Murray State ranks 24th in “Best Bang For the Buck” in the entire Southern region.
Big Apple Café up for sale Staff Report The Big Apple Café has been a staple in the region for more than 50 years, and it could change owners again. The restaurant is currently listed for sale with Transworld Business Advisors, specializing in the sale of business and commercial real estate.
It was originally located in Puryear, Tennessee, moving to Murray in 2001 after liquor by the drink was passed. Employees at the restaurant confirmed the business was for sale. However, co-owner, Boone Chambers declined to comment. According to the Big Apple Café’s website, Chambers took
over ownership from his father, Skip, in 2007, along with family friend Kaycee Cooper. Transworld could not comment on the listing, citing confidentiality agreements. There is no word on potential buyers. The restaurant, which specializes in BBQ and Mexican food, is listed for $449,000.
Chalice Keith/The News
Mold forces students out of Springer Lindsey Coleman Contributing writer
lcoleman7@murraystate.edu
An email sent Wednesday to all Murray State faculty and staff said any student forced to relocate to another residential college due to the mold discovered in Springer Residential College will be given a $100 housing credit for the Spring 2017 semester. The email also confirmed that students displaced by the mold in Springer will be charged no additional fees for moving to a new residential
college, regardless of price differences and will pay no additional cost if they need a new student ID as a result of the relocation. Student bills containing information on new housing assignments and a confirmation of credit will be sent out this Friday. On Sept. 8, the office of Student Affairs sent a memo to all Springer residents that said all residents would be moving to Old Franklin Residential College or a different residential college of their choice.
OUR VIEW
Fewer than 25 programs earned Get rid of the city stickers, get accreditation, page 3 rid of us, page 4
CELEB SHOT
“This is a difficult situation, no question,” President Bob Davies said during the Board of Regents meeting Sept. 9. Davies said many residents will be moving to Old Franklin, which has been ready for move-in because it was prepared for overflow housing at the start of the semester. Davies said about 240 residents will be moving to other residential colleges on campus. About 130 of those residents had already moved to a new building as of Sept. 8. According to the memo, “A cleaning contractor will begin
working to remove mold from the impacted areas, however, there is no immediate time frame for residents to return to Springer,” and the mold is a “non-toxic, allergen type mold.” Adrienne King, vice president of University Advancement, said Summit International handled the initial testing of air quality and also determined the type of mold. A separate organization is moving forward with the mold remediation project.
see MOLD, 2A
ARISTA MANNING
Racer football makes appearance Murray State musician releases debut album, page 9 in documentary, page 6