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April 23, 2020 | Vol. 94, No. 27

State Senate confirms appointment of alumnus Daniella Tebib News Editor dtebib@murraystate.edu L eon O wens’ appointment to the Board of Regents was confirmed by the State Senate on April 14.

Owens was appointed regent on August 21, 2019, and has served since. Owens is the chief executive officer of Swift & Staley Inc. in Paducah, Kentucky, and an alumnus of Murray State. His term as regent will expire on June 30, 2025.

“I am humbled and honored to be confirmed by the State Senate in order to continue my service on the Board of Regents,” Owens said. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to Chair Dan Kemp for his support, encouragement and early resignation which allowed me to be confirmed. Murray State University means a great deal to me and my family and I look forward to my service in the years ahead.”

In addition to O wens’ confirmation, other changes have been made to the board. Because the board has been statutorily out of compliance regarding political registration, Dan Kemp, chair of the board, plans to resign from his position six weeks early on May 15 instead of June 30 to accommodate this appointment.

“It has been an honor to ser ve as a member of the Board of Regents of Murray State University since 2014,” Kemp said. “I have enjoyed my service on the board and it has been a distinct honor to serve as Board Chair this past year. Under the circumstances, I was glad

to facilitate the Senate confirmation of Regent Leon Owens by resigning my post six weeks early. It was the right thing to do because Regent Owens is a highly qualified person who I know will serve with great distinction during his six-year term.”

Kemp has served on the board since 2014. He is also an alumnus, practicing attorney and former mayor of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Kemp’s resignation will leave a vacancy on the board which will be appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear.

“Chair Kemp has served this University extremely well since 2014,” said President Bob Jackson. “He has worked very hard, left an indelible mark on this institution and has led the board with honor and dignity. His selfless act to resign early speaks to his commitment of always doing what is best for Murray State. In addition, Regent Owens has served with distinction since his appointment in 2019. He is an excellent board member, has worked diligently to advance the University and it is an honor to work with him in every respect.”

In accordance with the policy of the board, Jerry Rhoads, vice chair of the board, will become the chair of the board on May 15. Rhoads is also an alumnus, attorney and former Senator from Madisonville, Kentucky.

The Board of Regents will hold a special meeting on Friday, April 24, at 8:30 a.m. CST via Zoom with the academic excellence and scholarly activities committee, enrollment management and student success committee and the finance committee.

Photo courtesy of Swift and Staley Leon Owens’ appointment to the Board of Regents was confirmed by the State Senate.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital forced to furlough

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Anderson Because of the impact of COVID-19, the Murray-Calloway County Hospital is furloughing some of their workers.

Addison Watson Staff Writer awatson25@murraystate.edu COVID-19 continues to affect the local community as Murray-Calloway County Hospital is forced to furlough workers due to revenue loss.

There are currently 2,522 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kentucky. Twenty cases have been reported in Calloway County, including one person who has died from the virus.

In a press release on Thursday, April 16, the hospital said because of the rescheduling of surgeries and procedures, the furlough cannot be delayed any further.

“The actions follow the suspensions of some services and rescheduling of elective surgeries and procedures, which make up the bulk of revenues to support operating costs at the hospital,” according to the release.

The hospital is made up of nearly 1,100 employees. Many staff members have already had their hours cut, but that has not been enough to offset the $5.3 million reduction of net revenue the hospital has experienced throughout April.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act, the hospital received $2.3 million, but the shortfall of $3 million remains.

Expense reductions range from 15 percent to 30 percent across the board based on department, according to the release. Jerry Penner, CEO at MCCH, has set the example at the hospital by enduring two periods without pay, and all management positions have had a reduction in pay by a minimum of 20 percent.

However, Penner said the furlough is only a temporary measure.

“We have delayed this action as long [as] possible because we value our employees and need to ensure we will be here when our communities need us most,” Penner said.

Penner said the response to COVID-19 was necessary but like local businesses, the hospital will need the support of the community to become financially stable moving forward and in the future.

“Hospitals, like MCCH, will require additional financial assistance to overcome shutdowns mandated by the government,” Penner said. “These shutdowns were necessary but just like our local businesses, we’ll need assistance coming out of the crisis to secure our financial future.”

The hospital is still servicing emergency and urgent health care.

“We don’t want folks to be fearful of coming to the hospital,” Penner said. “We are continuing to provide urgent and emergency health care and surgery services throughout our hospital and physician clinics.”

Opinion

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April 23, 2020

Toxic ideas grow alongside presidential campaign The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

As November creeps closer, the presidential campaign intensifies, not just for the candidates, but for the voters, as well.

With the intensity growing, a certain slogan has become more popular and is making headlines in university papers all over the nation.

“Vote blue no matter who,” a movement aimed at removing the possibility of a second term in office for President Donald Trump. Even the satirical publication The Onion has run an article regarding the topic.

It’s an interesting idea with plenty of polarization; on the one hand, it’s gained support through the notion of booting Trump out of office. The other hand, however, seemingly holds much more reason to keep the idea down.

“Vote blue no matter who” is a very privileged idea. It gives candidates the impression that we as voters don’t care what their policies and platforms are, we’re going to vote for them specifically because they’re represented by a donkey, not an elephant. In a way, it also acts as a disservice to the candidates as it causes a generalization of them all.

If you look at the policies of some of the front-runner democrats from the start of the presidential campaign, many of them focus on separate ideas. Bernie Sanders was a strong advocate for democratic socialism. He backed the Green New Deal and wanted Medicare for all. Elizabeth Warren was focused on ending corruption in Washington, increasing taxes on the wealthy and fighting for fair wages. Amy Klobuchar was focused on ending the opioid crisis and bringing in cleaner power and energy.

They are different and affect different needs of different people. The key word there is different. To act like the differences in those policies don’t matter is ignorant and privileged.

Some people can’t afford to “vote blue no

Cadence Utterback/TheNews

matter who” because the candidate might not run on policies that will help them. Policies affecting the prison system, Medicare, fair wages, gun laws, equality—these are the platforms that need to be given extra attention and care.

People are also settling for “voting blue no matter who” entirely too soon. There is a lot that is still in the hands of the Democratic National Convention. Policies from

both Sanders and Warren, two very popular candidates with blue voters, have policies that may yet be adopted by the DNC. We are still six months away from Nov. 3.

To tell someone that, right now, on this very day, they need to be prepared to vote for the “lesser of the two evils” is almost a slap in the face to the First Amendment.

People should embrace the voicing of

opinions and relish in the differences. By promoting an idea like “vote blue no matter who,” we inadvertently take that away from someone.

Yes, it is incredibly important we remove Trump from office, but it is one thousand times as important to consider the situation of each voter and remember that when we cast our vote this November.

Gage Johnson Danilla Tebib Cady Stribling Josh Embry Megan Reynolds Editor-in-Chief

News Editor Features Editor

Sports Editor Opinion Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu dtebib@murraystate.edu cstribling1@murraystate.edu jembry3@murraystate.edu mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

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Bryce Anglin Jenna Carnes Production Manager Chief Copy Editor

zanglin@murraystate.edu jcarnes2@murraystate.edu

Kalea Anderson Elizabeth Erwin

Chief Videographer Public Relations Manager kanderson29@murraystate.edu eerwin1@murraystate.edu

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amanning4@murraystate.edu jrush4@murraystate.edu

John O’Neill

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Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

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Sports

April 23, 2020

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Gage Johnson/TheNews

Head Coach Rechelle Turner watches the Racers run a play.

Racers add depth for 2020-21

Josh Embry Sports Editor jembry3@murraystate.edu

Following the Murray State women’s basketball team’s loss in the first round of the OVC Tournament, the Racers will look to solve the depth issues that hampered them this past season with this year’s incoming recruiting class.

With Ashley Hunter, Sadie Hill, Sarah Sutton and Lauren Jackson transferring, Head Coach Rechelle Turner added guards Jalexis Russell, Bria Sanders-Woods and Manna Mensah along with forwards Charlee Settle, Katelyn Young and Hannah McKay for the 2020-21 season.

Jalexis Russell

Russell was the first of this incoming class to sign with Murray State and is from Florence, Alabama. In her last two seasons, Russell was a key contributor for Gadsden State Community College.

As a freshman at Gadsden State, Russell averaged 11.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Russell improved significantly this past season, as she averaged a team-high 15.1 ppg along with 7.7 rpg, 2 spg and 1.7 bpg.

Before her college days, the 5’10’’ guard excelled at Florence high school, where she finished her career first in the school’s history in rebounds (833) and steals (270) and second in points (1,402).

County High School graduate signed with Turner told goracers.com that Young’s Murray State last fall. post scoring and competitiveness will prove to be valuable for the team next season and The 6’1’’ forward had an incredible high that she is excited to have her as a Racer. school career for the Lady Lakers, totalling 2,804 points (42nd on the state all-time “Katelyn will bring toughness and a scoring list) and 1,700 rebounds (10th on remarkable level of skill into the post at the state all-time rebounding list).

Murray State,” Turner said. “She is an uncanny low-post scorer, and she possesses This past season, Settle averaged 20.7 the skill to space the floor into the high ppg and 13 rpg and carried her team to post and to the three-point line as both a 19-12 record and an appearance in her shooter and passer. Katelyn is a relentless region’s semifinals. competitor, and her combination of will and talent have her primed for a fabulous Settle was named the Paducah Sun collegiate career.”

All-Purchase Player of the Year both this season and last season. Turner told goHannah McKay racers.com that this award is difficult to McKay was the last recruit to sign in the receive even once, not to mention in backto-back seasons and shows that Settle’s fall of 2019 and comes from Owensboro skill and work ethic are exemplary. Turner Catholic High School. said she is excited to have Settle as a Racer.

The 6’0’’forward finished her senior sea“Charlee’s back-to-back Player of the son averaging 18.6 ppg and 9.8 rebounds, Year awards serve as testimony to her tal- both team highs. She also shot 40% from ent, her effort and her consistent produc- three and 56.6% overall. tion over the last two seasons of her high In her high school career, McKay helped school career,” Turner said. “Charlee is an outstanding player and an outstanding guide the Aces to three consecutive KHyoung woman, and we are very excited to SAA Sweet 16 appearances and has rehave her join the Racer family. I look for- ceived honors such as being named a 2019 ward to coaching Charlee and helping her All-State second team selection by the on the journey of being the best player and Courier Journal and an honorable mention person she can be.” by the Lexington Herald Leader.

Katelyn Young

Young will join the Racers following a highly successful high school career Turner told goracers.com that Russell’s at Oakland High School in Oakland, athleticism and offensive skill will be valu- Illinois. able for the Racers going into next season.

In 29 games played, Young finished her “Jalexis is a long, athletic guard and she senior year with averages of 22.7 ppg, 10.9 possesses great speed and explosive quick- rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.6 spg and 1.5 bpg. She ness that should allow her to be a dynamic amassed a school record of 2,361 points defender,” Turner said. “She shows great during her career. promise on the offensive end with the Young did not just play basketball but ability to make threes, score in the midrange and finish at the basket. Jalexis’ abil- played volleyball, two years of track and ity to break down defenses off the dribble field and one year of softball as well. will also make her a shot creator for her Last season, only three Murray State teammates.” players were at least 6’0’’. With Young, who is 6’1’’, the Racers will add additionCharlee Settle al height and some more post presence, Settle will not have to go far to contin- as that is where Young did the majority ue her basketball career, as the Calloway of her scoring.

in scoring in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.

Along with amassing over 1,000 career points and 350 rebounds in her career at Grayson, Mensah is a two-time All-NTJCAC first-team selection, an All-Region V honoree and the 2019 NTJCAC Freshman of the Year.

Turner told goracers.com that Mensah’s ability to score anywhere on the floor will be valuable to Murray State next season.

“Manna is blessed with tremendous offensive talents,” Turner said. “She is a true three-level scorer capable of finishing at the rim, making tough mid-range shots and knocking down threes, and she is not afraid to take and make big shots. Manna will bring toughness and grit to our team and her athleticism provides her the tools to be a fine defender.”

Bria Sanders-Woods As another late addition to the Racers recruiting class, Sanders-Woods will join the Racers’ backcourt following a successful career at Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Sanders-Woods’ offensive talent was on full display her senior season, as she averaged 23.4 ppg and scored 40 points in a Turner told goracers.com that McKay’s game twice this past season. She finished team’s success and her overall skill level will her high school career with over 1,500 be a great addition to build Murray State’s points. culture as a winning program.

Along with being named a three-time “Hannah has fantastic athletic ability All-Conference selection, Sanders-Woods that allows her to impact the game all over was named the Big Ten Conference’s Most the floor,” Turner said. “Hannah brings a Valuable Player. championship pedigree that will be critical Turner told goracers.com that Sandas we continue to build a culture of excelers-Woods’ offensive and defensive talent lence at Murray State.” along with her competitiveness will be a welcoming addition to the “we before me” Manna Mensah culture Turner has been implementing.

Mensah, a Toronto, Canada, native, will “Bria is a dynamic scorer, armed with an come to Murray State as a late addition to extremely quick and accurate release from this year’s recruiting class. the perimeter,” Turner said. “She is an acThe 5’8’’guard attended Grayson Com- tive and talented defender who is capable munity College as a freshman and sopho- of applying suffocating pressure on the more. This past season, she averaged 17.9 ball. Bria is a driven and focused competippg for the Vikings and led the NTJCAC tor and we look forward to adding her relentless passion for winning to our culture.”

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Features

April 23, 2020

Cadence Utterback/TheNews

Career Services talks dinner etiquette

Dionte Berry Contributing Writer dberry11@murraystate.edu

After campus closed, many events were canceled including the Career Services’ Etiquette Dinner, which would have taught students dining and networking skills.

The dinner was going to include formal instruction and a five-course meal and would have been held in the Curris Center Ballroom. Director of Career Services Matthew Purdy was going to lead the event.

“We were going to go over the importance of dining etiquette, offer networking opportunities, give guidance and direction before each meal is served and then enjoy the various dishes,” Purdy said.

The etiquette students would have practiced during the five-course meal might seem “pedantic or nit-picky,” but Purdy said there is logic behind each rule.

A few basics Purdy would’ve gone over include following the host’s lead, not ordering the most expensive thing on the menu and passing salt and pepper together.

“Etiquette can add another layer of polish to a candidate,” Purdy said. “Following etiquette and dinner protocol doesn’t have to be difficult, but it can drastically help someone stand out.”

Purdy said hosts are always looking to see how candidates behave at dinner meetings, so showing poise, grace and polish can help somebody immensely, even beyond the job search.

“There are numerous times throughout one’s career where they will be in an eating environment,” Purdy said. “Knowing how to handle various situations can help lower stress and improve performance.”

Beyond learning about dinner etiquette, guests were supposed to learn networking tips and build relationships.

Students would have had a networking period before their meals were served, as well as conversation cards at each table.

Other than being effective during the job search, etiquette and networking can benefit people socially.

With the cancelation of the awaited event, rescheduling is already in the works. Purdy said Career Services is planning on hosting a dinner in the upcoming fall semester.