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Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Volume 109, Issue 13 | the-standard.org The Standard/The Standard Sports
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Ryan Welch/THE STANDARD Missouri State students walk across campus on Thursday, Nov. 12 in solidarity with University of Missouri, which has recently been experiencing racial tension across its campus. Students also held a Plaster Student Union sit-in.
S EW Students hold silent protest in wake of Mizzou protests
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Amid protests at University of Missouri, both Missouri State University Office of the President and the Student Government Association sent out emails to students hoping to encourage them to voice their concerns about racism on campus. Last week, several students at Mizzou staged protests to express their dissatisfaction for the way Mizzou President Timothy Wolfe handled instances of racism on campus. These students, who formed a group called Concerned Students 1950 –– a reference to the first year African Americans were admitted to the university –– have held protests over the last month. A hunger strike led by Mizzou graduate student Jonathan Butler and a refusal to play in last week’s game by some of the Mizzou football players brought national attention to these issues. Due to student outcry and protests, Wolfe resigned, effective immediately, and Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin is “transitioning out of his role through the end of the year,” according to CNN. After a Black Lives Matter protest during homecoming and a Plaster Student Union sit-in last school year, students are wondering how Mizzou’s protests will affect MSU. That is what the Office of the President and SGA wanted to address in their Nov. 10 emails. In the Office of the President email, it said they hope the actions at Mizzou would give other universities reason to evaluate their own institutions, which MSU plans on doing. “We know that our students, faculty and staff
of color face obstacles every day,” the email said. “There is hurt and a strong sense by some that these real issues are not being heard or, worse, are being ignored. As a campus community, we are working to have very meaningful conversations and to put actions behind our words.” Both the Office of the President and SGA want students to voice their concerns. In SGA’s email, they told students to get involved with SGA, in order to bring attention to any racial and minority issues on campus. “As student representatives, we must be better about being made up of all voices,” SGA’s email said. “We must make more concerted efforts to encourage student initiatives from everyone, rather than doing what we think or assume students want.” In order to have more student input, SGA emphasized the need for a variety of student backgrounds in SGA. “We have the means and resources to make real, meaningful change in our campus community, but we cannot do it if we all look the same or come from the same background,” the email said. “It takes all voices to shift our campus culture, so the change starts now. Every student reading this letter has valuable ideas, and SGA must be more committed to encouraging the development of those ideas.” On Nov. 18 and 19, MSU will hold Tough Talk Table Talk sessions where students and faculty can discuss the “Mizzou and Yale racial differences.” The Nov. 18 session will be held in Strong Hall room 409 at 12:15 p.m. The Nov. 19 session will be in Strong Hall room 350 at 12:30 p.m.
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By Emily Joshu Staff Reporter @EmilyJoshu
A report was made to the Missouri State University Department of Public Safety on the morning of Nov. 11 regarding sexual assault. The incident was reported to have occurred in the early morning on Oct. 28. A female Missouri State University student reports that she was forcibly fondled by a male student in an on-campus residence hall. This is the seventh case of sexual assault to be reported this semester. Last school year, eight sexual misconduct reports were made for the entire academic year.
By Emily Joshu Staff Reporter @EmilyJoshu
Missouri State University takes pride in the three pillars of its Public Affairs Mission. One of those pillars is cultural competence, and on Saturday, Nov. 14, the community was able to see cultural competence represented. The Association of International Students hosted the 37th International Banquet and Show for 550 students and Springfield community members. The event was sold out about one week earlier. “(It is) a tradition at Missouri State University,” Rafael Vite
Miranda Roller/THE STANDARD
u See INTERNATIONAL SHOW, Japanese students perform a traditional dance at the page 8 37th International Banquet and Show on Nov. 14.
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The world can be scary: How will you make a difference?
As with the previous cases, the students were acquainted with each other and the sexual assault occurred in a residence hall. This case is not affiliated with any of the previous cases. The Department of Safety and Transportation emphasizes consent in regards to sexual acts. Make sure consent is clear –– consent is a definite “yes,” not the absence of a “no.” Bystander intervention is also essential. If a concerning situation is observed, intervene or call law enforcement. Sexual assault is not only punishable by the university, but by law. This case is currently being investigated by the Springfield Police Department.
37th annual international show
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By Nicole Roberts News Editor @NReneeRoberts
Seventh sexual assault reported
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Starbucks cup creates a holiday controversy
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MO State leaders, students discuss diversity in wake of racial tensions at Mizzou
TS R O Volleyball prepares for conference tournament