THE STANDARD M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
VOLUME 110, ISSUE 20 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017
TheStandard_MSU
@TheStandard_MSU/@Standard_Sports
MSUStandard
issuu.com/TheStandard-MSU
Reality reimagined Chloe Skaar Staff Reporter @chloeskaar As of the beginning of spring semester, Missouri State students can paint shooting stars in the galaxy, learn to engineer robots, fly over continents, ride a train through a city of lights and protect medieval castles from intruders – all free of charge. These experiences are available to students and faculty without ever needing to leave Meyer Library, thanks to virtual reality gear that is now accessible upon reservation. The world of virtual reality is accessed through a headset and two hand controllers that, once donned, transport the user to a digital dimension that is reflected onto a computer monitor. Users then have the option of where to travel, ranging from simpler programs like Tilt Brush, which turns all surroundings into a multitude of canvases for painting and 3-D design, to arcade video games and even a world that teaches the user how to repair robots with different damages. The equipment is primarily used for entertainment and introductory purposes at this time; more programs focused on education are expected to be available soon once university professors establish a better idea of how to implement the technology into their courses. “We are trying to get professors engaged
and to tell us how this could be useful to their departments,” Jir Shin Boey, who runs the music and media department of Meyer Library, said. “It is a unique way for students to experience their own lessons, creations and designs.” Boey also said the technology can be utilized in a classroom setting to learn about dentistry, engineering, surgery, midwifing, graphic design — even for things like therapy and travel experiences. “I come from a biology education background, so I was interested in the different programs that allow you to travel through the body and stop at different parts of focus,” Scott Fischer, supervisor for Meyer Library’s music and media department, said. Fischer also said that the majority of those who come in to test out the equipment are professors who are interested in introducing their students to the world of virtual reality. “It can be better for professors to come in and tell us what they are looking for,” Fischer said. “They know exactly what software their students are using and whatever subjects would be most relevant to their class.” Students and staff must make reservations at least two days in advance in order to use the equipment, which is rented in two-hour increments. Reservations can be made online or in person at the media and music office on the second floor of Meyer Library.
MIRANDA ROLLER/THE STANDARD
The virtual reality equipment is available at Meyer Library.
SGA reaffirms commitment to international students Cortlynn Stark Staff Reporter @Cortlynn_Stark Members of the Association of International Students and Student Government Association clapped as Student Body President Adam Coffman handed Aline Gomes, president of AIS and senior global studies major, a copy of a resolution that reaffirmed SGA’s commitment to international students. Coffman, a senior communications major, said he felt it was the right thing to do. According to the document, they are aware
it is not SGA’s place to “wade into the political thicket of public discourse,” meaning SGA usually does not make political statements. However, because Missouri State is “home to more than 1,000 international students” and “no student should have neither their academic freedom, nor their ability to travel to and from their home infringed upon,” SGA re-emphasized its support for students, according to the document. Student Governor Tyree Davis, a senior management major, originally brought the idea to Student Body Vice President of the Student Body Brianna Duda. Duda, a senior commu-
nications major, then passed it on to Coffman. The resolution was first introduced into SGA on Jan. 31. One senator attempted to introduce a change that could potentially allow the bill to be passed that day, but senators voted it down. On Feb. 7, the same senator introduced an amendment to the resolution that would have called for administration to make MSU a “sanctuary campus.” Coffman said he thought that failed because most senators believed it was important enough to be a separate resolution. “I thought it was important because, I mean, SGA has no real power when it comes to ex-
ecutive orders from the president,” Coffman said. “But at the very least we could do is just reiterate our support for international students. They’re Bears just as much as we are.” Coffman used one of his powers as student body president to ask for legislation to be passed. He said he wrote the resolution with Duda. It was sponsored by SGA Director of Public Affairs Daezia Smith and SGA Director of Diversity and Inclusion Bree Moore, who read the resolution at the meetings. Smith is a senior global studies major. Moore
u See SGA, page 9
Feeding Bears: Food pantry open to students “We are all students, and to think that there are people at Missouri State struggling is awful,” Warfield said. “The Student Food Pantry is important because it’s necessary to provide (for) and help our fellow Bears.” Each individual is allowed to shop at the Student Food Pantry up to eight times per semester. Due to the lack of volunteers on campus over the summer, the pantry is not open during the summer months. One of the major stigmas associated with the Student Food Pantry is that individuals will be judged for needing the assistance. Shopper Selma Beltran, a senior public health major at MSU, debunks that myth entirely. “The volunteers at the Student Food Pantry are always so helpful and are incredibly nice,” Beltran said. “This has been rather helpful for me, and it’s nice because it helps with the basic necessities.” Even though students like Beltran love the experience of shopping at the Student Food Pantry, Warfield said the pantry lacks students using the provided assistance. “We don’t get a ton of people, but the ones we do get make this so worth it,” Warfield said. MEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD “It’s just about getting this information out and
Alec McChesney Staff Reporter @Alec_McChesney
The Well of Life Food Pantry on south Kimbrough Avenue provides Missouri State University students and community members facing food insecurity or hardship an opportunity to receive food assistance. Well of Life helped create the Missouri State University Student Food Pantry, which dedicated a pick-up time specifically for students and faculty who may be going hungry, are not able to make ends meet, for are acing a delay in financial aid or other assistances, etc. From 4-6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays the Student Food Pantry is open and available to all students and faculty at MSU — all you need is your BearPass. Each person who uses the Student Food Pantry becomes a shopper, and they are given choices of certain meats, soups, cereals and toiletries. Every shopper automatically receives milk, butter, bread and a half-dozen eggs. Katy Warfield, a junior socio-political communications major, has been volunteering at the Student Food Pantry since January 2015. The Well of Life Food Pantry hopes to end the stigma of needing assistance.
news
life
sports
‘The Normal Heart’ sheds light on AIDS: Page 2
Alumni: Where are they now?: Page 4
Stiles immortalized: Page 6
u See FOOD, page 9