3.15.11

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Shimmy and shake Burlesque troupe heats up downtown

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Tuesday • March 15, 2011 • Vol. 104 Issue 23

Briefs

Students volunteer over spring break

SGA to hold debate

By Amanda Hess The Standard

The Student Government Association will hold a debate at 7 p.m. Wed., March 30 in the PSU Theater between student body president/vice president candidates, as well as an open forum from the senior class president candidate. Following the debate will be an opportunity for students to ask the candidates questions. The debate will be moderated by Dr. Romano of the Political Science Department.

VOICE applications now available

Applications for the VOICE Leadership Diversity Retreat are now available for the student body. The VOICE Retreat will take place from Friday, April 8 to Sunday, April 10 on Missouri State’s campus. This retreat is intended to promote greater understanding and more effective and meaningful interactions across differences of race, class, religion and gender. Applications can be found on the SGA website or in the SGA office (PSU 123). Applications are due back to the SGA office by Friday, March 25.

Ten students volunteered around Springfield last week through the Student Government Association’s alternative spring break program. Abigail Jasinski, director of student affairs, said students participated in different volunteer programs throughout the week. Some of those programs included volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, picking up trash on Ozark Greenways Trails and spending time with nursing home residents.

Peng Zhang, a graduate student in business administration, said it was a good way to experience Springfield. “I’m an international student, so I stay here over breaks,” Zhang said. “I like to travel and was invited by some friends to join a road trip, but I think this is more exciting than a road trip.” Jasinski said alternative spring break (ASB) is something different for students to consider for their time away from classes. “ASB will be similar to regular spring breaks in that it should be a fun and relaxing time for students,”

she said. “It will be different in that the focus of the break will be helping others.” Jasinski said she hopes students will have great experiences during the program. “We want it to be fun, but more importantly, we want it to be fulfilling,” she said. “I really hope students who participate will walk away with a better understanding of the imporPhoto courtesy Abigail Jasinski tance of helping others.” Students helped over the break. Students also discussed MSU’s public affairs mission throughout the can be applied to all aspects of life. week, she said. Students will hopefully have a better grasp on how it See SPRING page 2

Officials say women need education on sexual assault By Rachel Bonar The Standard

Calendar

March 15 to March 21

Tuesday

Women’s history tour of campus 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Craig Hall SAC meeting 4 to 5 p.m., PSU 313 Student Senate meeting 5:30 to 8 p.m., PSU 313 “Behind the Label” panel 7 to 8:30 p.m., Karls Hall 101 “The Power of Sleep: Implications for Health and Disease” lecture 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.,Temple Hall 002

Wednesday

“How to Identify Students in Distress” noon to 1 p.m., PSU 313 Coronary Health Improvement Project information session 12:15 to 1 p.m., Taylor Health and Wellness Center conference room MSU Women of Distinction 4 to 5:30 p.m., PSU 400 Panhellenic Council meeting, 6 to 7 p.m., PSU 313 “Lecture on Human Trafficking: Katie Rhoades” 7 to 8:30 p.m., PSU Theater

Thursday

Faculty Senate meeting 3:30 to 5 p.m., PSU 315 Students for Sustainable Future meeting 4 to 5 p.m., Temple Hall Pit PRSSA Day 9:15 to 2 p.m., PSU West Ballroom “Active Shooter Scenario/Hostage Negotiation” with SRT Springfield Police Department noon to 5:30 p.m. HRA’s Board of Advisers speakers series 2 to 4 p.m., PSU Theater

Matt Kile/THE STANDARD

Construction continues on the Rec Center despite the fluctuating weather this semester.

Rec Center on schedule Snow storm didn’t hurt progress By Lauren Healey The Standard

The “snowpocalypse” might have caused classes to be canceled for a few days, but it didn’t affect the new Rec Center’s progress, an MSU official said. Cyndi Barnett, director of campus recreation, said the department hasn’t revisited changing the date of the completion at this point. “Of course, like any other building under construction, we figure a certain factor for weather,” she said. “We could have beautiful weather from here on out until they get it done and make up for lost time.”

Supplies are the other factor that could slow the building’s progress, Barnett said. “If there’s a hang up on steel or something to finish the building with, that could delay the opening,” she said. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” Individuals who pay the phasedin student fee before the facility opens will receive credits for use of the facility once it’s open, Barnett said. How the credits will be determined is still being discussed. “We’re working with a group of students called POWER (Promoting Opinions of Wellness, Exercise and Recreation) who are helping us make recommendations about what’s appropriate, and we’ll send that to SGA for their input as well,” she said. “If you paid three semesters, do you get to use to the building for the first three semesters it’s open? Do you get to use it for four years, since that’s how long the assessed student fee has been around? What

about the summer school students, who only paid a very small portion of the fee? Do they get a free semester or just a summer?” said Barnett. “We’ll figure all those questions out in the next few months.” The $80 fee is included in the student fees students pay each semester, she said. “The students voted when they passed the referendum to begin assessing themselves. Then the building could get started, working with the architects and so on,” she said. “It was February 2004 when they voted to fund a feasibility study to see if students really wanted the building. If so, how much (students) were willing to pay for it.” Barnett, who said she’s been involved with the Rec Center plans from the very beginning, said the recreation department will be managing the facility; most of the planning and staffing will come through that office.

Program cuts recommended Graduation numbers low for degrees By Megan Gates The Standard

The Missouri Department of Higher Education recommended Missouri State eliminate seven degree programs by the end of 2011 in its report to the governor, officials said. The MDHE conducted a review of all public four-year and two-year institutions of higher education from September 2010 through January 2011 at the request of Gov. Jay Nixon. Upon completing the review, the MDHE compiled a report of recommendations for the governor about degree programs that needed to be eliminated due to low gradu-

ation numbers, said Kathy Love, a spokesperson for the MDHE. “The programs recommended for elimination were those that had less than 10 graduates over the past three years,” she said. “Each institution received recommendations of programs to be eliminated and those needing further review in three years. However, these are merely recommendations; it is up to each institution as to what actual changes they will adopt.” Love said these recommendations were long-term, strategic decisions that would be adopted as the institutions see fit. “The report went to Gov. Nixon’s office last week and will be passed on to the Coordinating Board (for Higher Education) on April 7,” she said. “From that point, it will be left to the individual institutions to make changes that will naturally fall into place.” There were 41 degree programs reviewed at MSU, 20 recommended for re-evaluation three years from now and seven — Antiqui-

ties, Dance, Emerging Technologies Management, Engineering Physics, Public Administration, Technology Education and the master’s degree of Engineering Management — recommended for elimination. John Catau, deputy provost at MSU, said all seven of the degree programs would be eliminated by the end of the year. “MSU will be deleting them, but in some respects, it won’t be so bad,” he said. “Some of these programs we had already made the decision to delete before this report came out. There are several steps we have to take to eliminate these programs, but hopefully, it can be done by the end of this year.” Catau said MSU will make efforts to incorporate the eliminated programs into those that are not at risk in the future. “We have a very strong theater program, and so we will be incor See CUTS page 2

With sexual assaults still occurring on campus, it is important for women to be educated on the matter, officials said. “Statistics go down in areas where women are informed,” said Mike Abbey, public safety officer and SHARP instructor. “I encourage any woman to attend the class. We want more women to be involved to keep them from being a target. Everyone knows someone who has been sexually assaulted.” To help prevent sexual assaults on campus, classes are offered to teach women selfdefense and rape prevention. “I strongly encourage women on the campus to go to a SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention) class,” Abbey said “There are two parts to the class: situational awareness and physical. We don’t teach students how to defeat an attacker, but we teach them how to escape and prevent attacks.” The class is short and worth the few hours it takes, Abbey said. “The class takes two days in the evenings,” he said. “It is offered once a month on a Monday and Tuesday normally from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There are two instructors present during each class, which consists of a PowerPoint and some physical training.” Registration for SHARP classes is available on the Missouri State website, said Roy Staeger, investigator for the Department of Safety and Transportation. “You may register online (at the Rec Center website) or at the campus recreation office in PSU 131,” Staeger said. “It is free to university faculty, staff and student women.” If the SHARP class isn’t a viable option personally, there are a few good tips to know to keep safe on campus, Abbey said. “Use common sense,” he said. “The university offers a safe walk. You could just call dispatch and they will send an officer to walk with you to your destination on campus. Greek Row is also included in this. To call dispatch for a safe walk, the number is 417-836-5509. If you are in immediate danger, however, call 911.” Along with the safe walk, the university offers other protections for its students, Abbey said. “There are emergency contact phones throughout the campus,” he said. “They are in all of the elevators. There are six in Bear Park North and four in Bear Park South. These phones can be used for any emergency.” Knowledge and responsibility are important for safety, Abbey said. “It is up to you to keep yourself safe,” he said. “The best thing against sexual assault is knowledge. If more women get involved and get more knowledge on how to keep themselves safe, it will take more women off the victims list.”


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