March 21, 2017

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 24 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

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MSU freshman golfer dies Alec McChesney Staff Reporter @Alec_McChesney

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Students sit outside Hill Hall, which will undergo renovations beginning summer 2017.

Hill Hall renovations begin this summer Matt Campanelli Staff Reporter @THE_MattyCamp Hill Hall can be difficult to navigate, but construction this summer hopes to fix that problem and update the overall look of the building.

Built in 1924, Hill Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Located on the quadrangle across from Siceluff Hall and beside Carrington Hall, Hill Hall houses the College of Education and the department of psychology –– it is also one of the most difficult buildings to navigate on campus.

“The building is extremely difficult to navigate,” Department Head of Psychology Dr. William Deal said. “Odd-numbered rooms are located on one side of the building, even-numbered rooms on the

other. The first floor is particularly challenging to navigate due to the differing levels (in terms of elevation) present and the effort it takes to make it from the north side of the building to the south and from the east to the west.”

Deal also said that offices from the department of psychology are scattered throughout the building and lack a central location.

“The renovation objectives include as a primary element improvement in accessibility and way finding, and this objective has been a driving force,” Deal said.

This summer, renovations on Hill Hall will begin to help solve the navigation problems and to update the interior look of the building. According to meeting notes, faculty are supposed to be out of the building

by June and will be moved to

the Glen Isle Shopping Center, located on south Glenstone Avenue. Classes that are in Hill Hall will also be moved to the Glen Isle Shopping Center for the upcoming fall semester.

Missouri State University is collaborating with Helix Architecture and Design to help design the renovations for the building. Design planning for the project began last October. Since then, regular meetings have been held and included Helix Architecture and Design; Missouri State Planning; MSU Planning, Design and Construction; and faculty and staff from the College of Education and department of psychology.

Deal said he has been heavily involved in the planning process and that it’s been easy u See HILL, page 9

Over the weekend, Missouri State University learned of the death of freshman golfer Sam Holmes.

“Sam was a remarkable young man whose generosity and selflessness affected so many people,” head golf coach Neal Stafford said in a press release. “Our golf family is hurting deeply, and we will miss Sam and the joy he brought us.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Tim and Mary Jane, and his sister Mary, knowing how difficult this is for them and all of us who knew Sam.” Holmes, 19, lived in Springfield and graduated from Glendale High School.

In high school, Holmes was ranked first in Missouri by the

American Junior Golf Association. As a senior at Glendale, he finished in fifth individually in the state championship and led Glendale to a state championship.

“On behalf of Missouri State University and the athletic department, we want to express our condolences to the Holmes family,” Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said in a press release. “Our golf team lost a brother, and we are heartbroken for them.

“Sam had a positive impact on the Bears family and touched so many lives.”

MSU will host the Twin Oaks Intercollegiate meet on Monday and Tuesday at Twin Oaks Golf and Country Club.

This is the only home meet for the Bears in 2017, and it will be played in honor of Sam. According to the press release, Sam’s visitation will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Fu-

neral Home on Tuesday, March 21, from 5-7 p.m., and a funeral service will be held at the Venues, 2216 E. Battlefield, on Wednesday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Photo by Kevin White/MSU Photo Services

Sam Holmes

Missouri State instructor murder case slowed in court Cortlynn Stark Staff Reporter @Cortlynn_Stark Another pretrial conference was scheduled for the Missouri State University instructor murder case.

Edward Gutting, a 44-year-old former MSU modern and classical languages professor, was charged with first-degree murder in August after police found him covered in blood Photo by Nathan Papes/ down the street from where News-Leader, Pool Photographer Marc Cooper, 66, was found Edward Gutting is brought stabbed in his home, according to a probable cause stateinto the courtroom by ment. After the incident, defense attorney Joseph Gutting was placed on adPassanise. ministrative leave.

Prosecuting attorney Todd Myers seemed frustrated in court on March 20.

“I would rather do it today to keep it moving,” Myers said after the defense requested the next date. “I would rather do it sooner, rather than later.”

Defense attorney Scott Pierson said the defense still intends to rely on mental disease and defect. The defense received most of the discovery, or evidence, from the prosecution, but Pierson said they are still working on going through it.

Pierson said they were still working on getting information from and tracking the opinions of two doctors used in the case and having a court date would be premature until the April date.

The next pretrial conference is for April 17 at 3 p.m.

VERWATCH TO BECOME INTRAMURAL SPORT

Brenner Moore Staff Reporter @brennerm2

The Missouri State E-Sports Club is currently in the process of making the popular competitive game, Overwatch, an intramural sport for Missouri State students Over the past few years, esports have become a cultural phenomenon. Esports, at its most basic principle, is competitive video game competitions where either individuals or teams compete against each other for prize money.

The United States alone has given away over 290 million dollars, according to www.esportsearnings.com. One of the newest games in the realm of esports is Overwatch.

Overwatch is a first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on team-based strategy. Being released fairly recently, in May of 2016, the game has already made a splash in the gaming world. The first major tournament took place

at Blizzcon 2016, an annual gaming convention, and awarded over $6 million in prize money.

The Missouri State E-Sports Club recognized the critical success of the game and jumped at an opportunity. The club believes there is a major audience that can be reached by adding this to the semesterly intramural sports list.

Joshua Devine, senior exercise and movement science major, is the current president of the E-Sports Club and said he thinks esports will be popular. In the past, the club has had a lot of success with just their tournaments.

“When we published our tournament last year, we had way more people sign up than we expected,” he said.

The club has very high ambitions for the potential they have. Devine said he wants Overwatch to become a club sport eventually and believes that they can achieve that. As of right now, though, the club is just trying to get its footing.

“Right now, we just want to get recognized,” said Mark Johnson, a senior cellular and molecular biology major and vice president of the club.

In the last few semesters, the club has significantly grown in size. They have slowly seen more and more turnout for watch parties and club-ran tournaments.

“We have at least quadrupled in size from this point last year,” Johnson said. “We went from about 10 of us to around 30 to 40.”

Both Johnson and Devine said they are proud of the way the club is heading. They recently demoed the game for the Missouri State Intramurals staff as part of the preliminary attempts to get the sport recognized. “(They) invited us in and let us do a trial run, and I really think they liked it,” Devine said. “Since then, they are letting us do a trial run before becoming a full intramural sport.”

The club doesn’t want to stop there. They believe that they have enough interest and drive

that they could become a club sport team eventually.

“We already have had some talks with Tespa about potentially signing a contract with them,” Devine said.

Tespa is a third-party company that organizes and officiates collegiate esport tournaments. Tespa has sponsored over 1,200 colleges since it has come around and has given out roughly $1.29 million in scholarships according to Tespa’s website. Sponsorship could be a huge step for the club in regards to national competition.

With the club making steps to better themselves, Devine said he still wants the original message of the club to be remembered.

“We just want to bring everyone together and play sports,” he said.

If you would like to join or have any questions about the E-Sports Club, contact Devine at Devine23@live.missouristate.edu or Johnson at Mark777@live.missouristate.edu.

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Oldham Family Veteran Student Center opens: Page 2

Women’s History Month: Page 4

Inconsistent: Page 6

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THE STANDARD

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

Who runs the world: Girls Students discuss intersectional feminism

Chloe Skaar Staff Reporter @chloeskaar

COLLIN O’CONNELL/THE STANDARD

Mike Oldham, Navy veteran and MSU alumnus, speaks at the opening of the Oldham Family Veteran Student Center.

Veteran student center provides ‘sense of belonging’ Matt Campanelli Staff Reporter @THE_MattyCamp On the third floor of Carrington Hall, there was a little hole-in-the-wall lounge for student veterans. Now, the Office of Veteran Student Services has moved to Meyer Library and has been renamed the Oldham Family Veteran Student Center.

The new location is a total of 2,500 square feet and contains four offices, a computer lab, a lounge, a reception area and a study room. The old location in Carrington Hall measured 13 feet by 17 feet and did not have any windows.

In the front reception area, there is a flag display and ornament seals depicting the five service branches. The flags were donated by the Ozark Empire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of Amer-

ica.

The office moved over to the new location last December, and the Veteran Student Center opened at the beginning of the spring semester.

Staff Sgt. Deidre Ashley, president of Missouri State’s Veteran Student Organization, said that getting a new veteran student lounge was exciting.

“This means a lot,” Ashley, a senior criminology major, said. “As soon as I heard we were getting a new space, I was so excited.”

Ashley enlisted in the Marine Corps two weeks after she graduated high school. After her four years of active duty, she came to MSU to take advantage of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill provides educational benefits for service members and can cover the full cost of tuition for a student, provide a housing allowance and cover the

cost for books.

“When I got here in 2013, I felt like I really didn’t belong,” Ashley said. “I didn’t really know a lot of veterans and didn’t really know a whole lot of people around here.”

Ashley said that she found a sense of belonging when she first went to the veteran student lounge on campus.

“I know it’s an issue transitioning from military to civilian life, especially when you’re in college,” Ashley said. “A sense of belonging is what veterans need, and it’s great that the (United State Department of Veteran Affairs) gives us these education benefits to help pay for our education. But what’s really important is feeling like we belong because you can get really lost.”

Ashley said student veteru See OLDHAM, page 10

Missouri State University students gathered in the Plaster Student Union on March 8 to participate in a discussion called Intersectional Feminism and share their observations of the importance of International Women’s Day. Students led Intersectional Feminism, a discussion comprised of individual reflection activities, small and large group discussions and informational presentations. Smallgroup facilitators engaged students in learning about each other’s family history and culture, personal experiences with oppression and shared ways to empower one another.

The term intersectional feminism is defined as “the view that women experience oppression in varying configurations and in varying degrees of intensity”—first

coined by American scholar Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989.

Discussion topics centered around this ideology, along with the activism of Moya Bailey and Bell Hooks.

Dorothy Vance, sophomore socio-political communication major, said that Intersectional Feminism proved both unifying and informative for the diverse group of students that attended.

“I felt connected to the students on this campus and my peers elsewhere,” Vance said.

“It was beneficial that it was student led because it helped make the topics more personal and effective. The activities showed how we all have some types of privilege but are also neglected in some ways.”

Although the event focused on the issues facing feminism, discussion topics went far deeper than gender. Students enlightened one another through firsthand experiences of prejudice, privilege, race,

sexuality, body image, peer pressure and coping under society’s skepticism.

“Doing an activity about privilege really opened my eyes to some new things,” Vance said. “Like whenever I take charge in a group situation I am not called bossy or annoying, but when my close friend, who is African American, takes charge she is considered to have an attitude problem.”

Ashley Blankinship, senior English Education major, said the discussion benefited students who felt frustrated by recent divisions among social and political groups in the area. She felt that it was particularly effective for community members looking to help one another progress.

“Intersectional Feminism is a great start to this,” Blankinship said. “(It) lifts up all women, not just some women. u See FEMINISM, page 10

MIRANDA ROLLER/THE STANDARD

Students sit in groups to discuss feminism’s effects different demographics.

opinion 3 THE STANDARD Letter to the editor ADULT SUBJECTS ‘TOO CONTROVERSIAL’ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

James Cathey Greene County resident

Be willing to debate uncomfortable topics

Ali Spies Columnist @alicethespy Since I am a freshman at Missouri State, I have to take the much dreaded COM 115: Introduction to Public Speaking. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like that we have to give speeches, and I can see how that prepares us for the future, but the class itself is not my favorite.

The way this class works, at least in my section, is that we have to get our speech topics approved a couple of weeks in advance of when we give the speech. This is so a student doesn’t do anything inappropriate in a classroom setting. I know how to be the appropriate and professional, so when my most recent speech topic was rejected I was shocked.

I wanted to do my speech over the Planned Parenthood program in the United States. I wanted to talk about what the program does, why it was put in place, and what portion of it is funded through the government. Many people like to talk about Planned Parenthood, but I feel that not many know what the institution actually does. I thought this would be an amazing topic for right now, and I could find many recent and relevant sources for my research. My

intent was to keep my personal opinion and political propaganda out of my speech.

This topic was rejected and deemed “too controversial” by the department, according to my professor. At first, this angered me, but having had a few days to reflect on the situation, I am more disappointed than anything else.

“I thought the

whole point of college was to talk about controversial things, to discuss these things in class with other students and professors.”

I thought the whole point of college was to talk about controversial things and to discuss these things in class with other students and professors. I thought college was where you learn the skills of how to actu-

ally debate uncomfortable topics without starting a fight. I thought talking about this topic would actually make the audience think, instead of just sitting there waiting for another speech to be over with.

I would understand if this were my persuasive topic and I was trying to persuade the audience into abandoning their beliefs on the situation.

Yet, all I wanted to do was inform the audience about the program.

There are many young women in my class, and this program directly affects them. Many college students can’t afford healthcare on their own if their parents have stopped providing it for them. Planned Parenthood is an amazing program that provides women’s reproductive health care when women can’t afford it.

This situation disappoints me, because all I wanted to do was inform my fellow students of something I care about and that many of them might not know about. I wanted to let them know that there is a place that could help them if they need it.

I wanted to feel passionate about the work I am doing and that it could actually impact someone else.

I guess it is just “too controversial” to talk about an adult subject in a room full of adults.

I will not send lots of words. I am ashamed of MSU (SMS)! This is why our great county is in trouble.

We have let those who go against God’s law be given special privilege and treated them special. Yes, we are to love them, but we cannot allow them to feel that they can undo what God has taught us is right in His eyes.

All the money spent on accepting

them could be used to help those that need real help just to be able to stay in college.

We are not taking anyone’s “rights” away, only following what is true and following what our forefather saw was right from the start of our great country.

We have to wake up, look around see how far we have already fallen from all the Laws of God we have broken. May God open our eyes before it is too late to turn back.

Campus Chat: Q of the Week Who do you believe will win the March Madness Tournament?

“UCLA.” Nate Hilker sophomore recreation, sport, and park administration major

“KU.” Beth Bleil, sophomore psychology major “Kentucky.”

Seth Brown, junior technical theatre design major

“I don’t follow sports.”

Christian Puckett, sophomore psychology major

“Kansas.”

Lucas Homer, sophomore exercise movement science major

“Gonzaga.”

Alec Benefiel, sophomore marketing major

“The company that supplies the paper for everyone’s brackets.”

Jaren Newman, junior political science major

Professors help students follow their passions

Ally Gaither Columnist

For most of us, it has been a struggle to make it to this point in the semester. I, for one, didn’t go to two of my classes at all the week before break.

This semester has been kind of a mess, really.

It’s okay now, though, because we all had last week to recuperate and are off to a fresh start after break. Hopefully, you still have a high GPA and are going into the second half of the semester feeling good.

If you’re like me, you know that you must get your life together this last half so that you can keep your GPA up and keep your scholarships.

If you’ve slacked off too much, and you’re thinking there is no hope left for you or your good academic standing, never underestimate the power of talking to your professors.

Professors can seem intimidating sometimes, but most of them are approachable and willing to help you out.

Even if they can’t provide you with extra credit, just letting them know what is going on usually makes them view the situation less harshly.

Professors are very under-

SABRINA MERRILL/THE STANDARD

standing. Any professor at Missouri State that I’ve talked to about missing class or assignments has always been concerned about my grades and my well-being. They are here because they want to help

you succeed, not watch you fail. Give them a chance to help you out. I’m not saying that they will just give you points you don’t deserve just because they feel sorry for you; I am saying that if they are aware of

why you’ve missed so much, they will most likely be more willing to give you opportunities to make up the work.

At the very least, even without being more lenient on grading or giving extra credit, a

professor will most always be willing to sit down with you and give you study tips. That way they can explain things specifically to you and how you learn so that you have the best chance of surviving the

remainder of the semester.

If you’ve missed a lot of classes, professors might assume that you don’t care about your education or maybe that you’ve fallen off the face of the Earth, depending on how long it’s been. Let them know that you are still here and that you do in fact care about your education. Professors know that you have a lot on your plate at this point in your life.

They want to help you succeed in their classes the best that they can, but they can’t help you if you don’t ask them to.

I always dread emailing a professor and explaining why I missed an assignment or why I wasn’t in class, but every time I always get a thoughtful and helpful response from my professors. They not only give me advice for school, but they also seem to be interested in making sure I am thriving in all areas of life. I can tell that the professors at this school genuinely care for their students. You shouldn’t be scared to reach out to them. The worst thing that will happen is they don’t help you. “No” can’t make your grade worse.

The professors are here to help you follow your passion –– you just have to ask.

Don’t hate on them: Professors shine in their own ways

Qiuyue Li Columnist @Holiday12058442

Have you ever had a professor who had the worst rules? Have you ever had a professor that always picked on you? Have you ever had a professor that forces you to challenge yourself?

I, unfortunately, have met a ton in both China and the United States, and I have discovered that these professors have a profound impact on my life.

Those like professor Leonard Hor-

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ton in the Media, Journalism and Film Department will never let you off the hook. Ask students in his class and they will say, “Oh, he is so extra. He has high expectations for students.”

But they will also compliment that he is the most caring professor.

As someone who has been called on every day in his class, I am pretty familiar with the fear and terror that can come with taking Horton’s classes. I am susceptible to becoming intimated by his poker face and harsh comments that completely break my sensitive, vulnerable heart. Once, being afraid of getting a bad grade, I

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almost didn’t attend class.

Professors like him set high standards for students and expect us to aim higher and work harder while they do everything they can to help us accomplish our goals. Their offices are full of problematic students like me, searching for an answer. They guide you to discover your innate qualities and skills and help you navigate the difficult times with patience, unconditional love and the best intentions –– kind of like your parents.

I find myself full of depression and ambition at the same time because their constructive criticisms can

defeat and heal me. More often than not, they drive you to make intellectual adjustments and believe in yourself.

Parents always say, “It’s for your own good.” I learned over time that while they, wise and empathetic, are able to console me and give suggestions, I sense that there is a distortion.

Chinese parents, especially, are overprotective and cautious about changing roles and seeking out new challenges, and I couldn’t convince them out of this.

Professors, however, are experts of this very practical and sophisticat-

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Illustrator Sabrina Merrill Opinion writers Ally Gaither Ali Spies Qiuyue Li Photographers Megan Burke Collin Hadley Collin O’Connell Miranda Roller Nina Todea Bailey Vassalli

ed domain. Their opinions, for the most part, may not include personal prejudice and preferences. So, you know when they impart wisdom to you, you should listen.

It is these demanding yet caring professors that push you to flourish vigorously. It is these bossy yet animated professors that help you shape critical thinking and pursue professional success and personal fulfillment.

Don’t hate professors, for they shine in their own ways. It just takes time to discover their warmth and kindness.

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life

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

Poetry slam empowers women to speak their minds Asia Key Staff Reporter Glasses and plates clinked in the kitchen, while murmurs vibrated from the dining room as Untamed Tongues president Honesty Gant, sophomore mass media major, stood before a mic stand in the middle of a small stage. She performed a piece about current events in the United States and how these events related to her as a young, black woman. She then asked for volunteers to come up to the microphone to speak their minds.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Student Activities Council coordinated Spoke HER Word, a poetry slam and open forum, hosted

by Untamed Tongues. The event was held at Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar on Tuesday, March 7.

The purpose of this event was to highlight women’s history and honor women’s experiences, Gant said.

“Oftentimes, our struggles and our triumphs (as women) are overshadowed,” Gant said.

“When we look at history, it is a straight, male, white-dominated story told by them. As people of color, we’re not really in it, but especially as women of color –– women

period –– we’re not in it too much. It’s somebody else writing our stories.

“We all came from a woman at the end of the day. We all have women in our lives: our aunts, our moms, our grandmas, our sisters, and it’s just a way to pay homage to them.”

About 10 people went on stage to share their concerns and perform spoken words.

Some, like senior socio-political communication student Aadaisia Stevens, performed for the first time.

Stevens joined Untamed Tongues a year ago and took this opportunity to perform a piece called “She,” about expressing herself, how she has been hurt in the past, where she has been and where she wants to go.

She read from a small notebook that’s cover read, “God plants seeds of love and makes them grow.” She said she began taking her passion for poetry more seriously because of God. “He put it in my soul and told me that I need to start writing,” Stevens said.

Stevens said the thought of performing made her anxious, but the experience overall was rewarding.

“I was so nervous, and I don’t usually get stage fright,

SPRING CONCERT:

Hoodie Allen previews his upcoming show with D.R.A.M. at Missouri State Alec McChesney Staff Reporter @Alec_McChesney On April 19, musicians D.R.A.M. and Hoodie Allen will perform live at the Hammons Hall for Performing Arts for the spring concert, organized by Missouri State’s Student Activities Council.

“It’s a unique line-up that Missouri State put together for the show, but I couldn’t be more excited to perform at MSU with D.R.A.M,” Allen said. “It’s a really cool opportunity, and it’ll be awesome to play a full show.”

Grace Murray, SAC Concerts Committee Chair, said that they surveyed MSU students and came up with the idea of having two artists headline the show.

“We just wanted to see what the students were interested in doing, but Hoodie’s campaign on Twitter about the voting was awesome,” Murray, junior entertainment management major said.

Allen, previously Steven Markowitz, started his music career at a very young age, writing lyrics and rapping songs to his friends at college parties at the University of Pennsylvania.

“I absolutely loved when artists and bands would come play when I was in college because I never got to see some of them otherwise,” Allen said. “So, I love going to colleges and playing these shows.”

In 2012, Allen’s first official EP, “All American,” put him in the world of music spotlight. From relatively unknown to 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and just under 50 million downloads of “No Interruption,” Allen’s move to the spotlight is striking.

Allen followed “All American” with “Crew Cuts” and

his debut studio album “People Keep Talking.” Both albums spent time on the Billboard 200.

Since his latest release in January 2016, Allen has remained relatively quiet constructing his next album.

“I am working on a new album that will be out this summer most likely,” Allen said. “I will have a single from the album that should be coming out right before the show at MSU, so I should be able to play that.”

During the spring, Allen is traveling across the country and playing at several colleges in the United States before the album launches. Allen said MSU is the only school he’s performing at in the Midwest.

“We used to perform much more in the Midwest, but this go-around is much more on the coasts, so kudos to Missouri State for putting this together,” Allen said.

In the fall of 2017, Allen will head out on tour to introduce the pending album, so these college shows are a little different for someone used to performing in front of giant crowds.

“College shows are much more entertaining,” Allen said. “And that’s my responsibility to make sure anyone who comes out have the best night possible. We will have a live band, there will be lots of freestyling and I’ll definitely sing some songs that relate to the Bears.”

Last year, the spring concert organized by SAC was ‘Young the Giant.’ Murray said SAC hasn’t had a hip-hop artist in awhile.

“Bringing a hip-hop show to Springfield is something we haven’t done in a very long time,” Murray said. “We are all really excited about that.”

With the show being at u See ALLEN, page 10

but this was my first time ever performing poetry,” Stevens said. “But once I got on stage, I felt very empowered.”

Sophomore electronic arts major Gina Becnel serves as one of the programming chairs for Student Activities Council for Public Affairs Mission, which includes constructing messages of Cultural Competence, Ethical Leadership and Community Engagement. She was also on the planning committee for Women’s History Month events and came up with the idea for Spoke HER word with co-chair and graduate assistant Britt Spears.

Becnel went on stage to share her thoughts on the abortion messages that were written in chalk around the fountain in front of Meyer Library. She said she thought about how that affects all women in college, no matter their subdivisions, and that moved her to speak on it.

“I kept seeing this graffiti over and over again, and it’s been a horrible experience for me because I have to come to be educated, at the same time, my body is being politicized,” Becnel said. “That’s a distraction that men definitely don’t have to face and that I have to face constantly.”

Becnel went on to describe

MEGAN BURKE/THE STANDARD

From left: Sophomore mass media major Honesty Gant, freshman modern language major Natalie Berry and sophomore psychology major Ominique Brand write in their poetry journals at the Spoke HER Word event on March 7. how she grew up Catholic, hearing pro-life rhetoric, and then hearing pro-choice comments while in college.

“I don’t have any kind of space where I don’t have to worry about how other people feel about whether or not I’m going to have a child. I feel like that’s no one’s business but mine,” Becnel said. “No matter which side you fall on the subject, it shouldn’t be something you go write about in public,

where young women who are at risk of having abortions can see it. Women on our campus don’t deserve to be subjected to that politicization of their bodies.”

Becnel said they chose Big Momma’s not only because it is black-owned, but because it also offers a safe space for students to speak their minds. “(Having this event at Big Momma’s) gives students a chance to say things they

wouldn’t be allowed to say on campus,” Becnel said. “I would be terrified to stand up on campus and say, ‘I don’t want to constantly talk about abortion.’ But here is definitely a place where I feel comfortable saying it. And that goes for other women who have issues they wanna talk about on campus, but can’t because it’s not as safe for them.”

SPOTLIGHT SERIES 2017

Shurita Thomas-Tate works for inclusion, unity in community Danisha Hogue Staff Reporter @Danisha_Queen On Clay Street and Kimbrough Avenue, in a second-floor office with a view, sits a woman who has seen students learn and has inspired community change. Picture frames of family line the windowsill, telling a story of the community leader who placed them there.

This is the office of Dr. Shurita Thomas-Tate, a communication science and disorders professor at Missouri State University. Thomas-Tate has taught at MSU for six years, but this community was not her first choice.

“The story has morphed over the last few years,” Thomas-Tate said. “When I first got here I was not necessarily excited about it.”

Thomas-Tate is from Portland, Oregon. She has called four states “home” while working her way up to her doctorate degree: Oregon, Louisiana, Michigan and Florida. After earning her Ph.D., she taught at Florida State for four years. When she needed a change, a push from a longtime friend landed her in the Show-Me-State.

After adjusting to her new environment, she has taken to Missouri and is working to make Springfield a more inclusive city for African-Americans and children. Under her belt of community involvement includes working as a NAACP Board member, foster parent and a public school program coordinator.

Her own project, Ujima, is about increasing literacy for elementary-aged students. It is a collaborative project between Thomas-Tate, Missouri State’s CSD program, Springfield Public Schools and the NAACP. “Together we have started

some programing focused on literacy and African-American and other low-income populations here in Springfield,” Thomas-Tate said.

Ujima started as a threeweek camp in the summer of 2016 at the Bartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center. Five MSU graduate students and 15 undergraduates volunteered to work with children from kindergarten to third grade on literacy skills. The program expanded to pre-kindergarten up through the fifth grade because of Thomas-Tate’s passion for children.

It is this passion that led her to become a foster parent in the Springfield area about two years ago.

“There’s a large need for foster parents in Greene County and Missouri,” she said.

“It’s challenging, (and) probably one of the harder things I’ve ever done is being a single foster parent. It’s a lot of work so ... kudos to all those single parents out there.”

Ujima expanded to a monthly literacy night during the school year. It will expand to a two session summer explorer camp this summer.

“This is why I now enjoy being here so much. The ability to bring all those things together –– my research, my service, my teaching –– (and) to be able to combine them in a way that’s meaningful to me, the community and my students –– I love it,” she said.

After volunteering at Ujima, Maggie Cartmell, senior child and family development major, says she saw positive engagement from participants.

“I think it’s important to extend education and interaction outside of the classroom,” Cartmell said.

It is important, said Thomas-Tate, that people know how to interact with others who are different than them. Her other area of expertise is dialects, or

BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD

Shurita Thomas-Tate the vocabulary used by a specific group of people. She studies the way speech affects how people view one another.

“Dialects are variations of a language. Every language has dialects, (and) every speaker of a language speaks a dialect because a dialect is just a variation of a language.

No dialect is less complex, no dialect is less intelligent, no dialect is less of anything except for prestigious,” she said.

Those who work with her vouch for her character and community involvement.

Mark Dixon is the executive director of Bartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center.

“She is a person who obviously cares about people, (and)

a person of commitment,” Dixon said. “She will do what she says she’s going to do, which is sometimes lacking in our society.”

He says there can be challenges to housing the Ujima program, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He applauds Thomas-Tate for her efforts to sustain relationships in the community.

“She is an example of an academic from MSU taking to heart the Public Affairs mandate,” Dixon said. “She’s always looking for ways to make it a win-win for everybody.”

Thomas-Tate received a tenured promotion March 8, granting her a permanent position at the university.

Moore: ‘Paterson’ preys on fear of change Brenner Moore Staff Reporter @brennerm2

Almost every person is guilty of falling into a boring daily routine that we repeat day-in and day-out without change. That is the exact problem for Paterson, the main protagonist of the movie that shares the same name.

“Paterson” is a heartfelt movie that follows the life of a city bus driver whose life is a monotonous cycle. Adam Driver plays the role of Paterson almost flawlessly, to the point where I am almost convinced that Driver has the personality of a wet dish cloth in

real life.

Paterson is so likable and relatable; he embodies a person that everyone can relate to. He wakes up for work between 6:10 and 6:15 a.m. every morning, has the same bowl of Cheerios, has the same conversation with his boss and listens to conversations of patrons each day. Once he is off work he takes the same walk home to his tiny house where his stay-at-home wife makes dinner for him at the same time every night. He rounds out his evening by taking his English Bulldog for a walk, then stops halfway to go to the same bar and has exactly one beer. He then returns home and repeats

the process the next day.

The idea of such an exact and repetitive routine scares many people to the point where they feel they must make efforts to shake up their lives.

This movie preys on those fears and slowly shows how things can go terribly wrong if you stray too far from your routine.

Paterson isn’t exactly your Average Joe, however. He has an almost animalistic instinct and knack for poetry. It comes to him naturally, and he has never known any different. He makes things as simple as matches and rain into elegant love poems. His wife pushes him to publish his writing for

the whole world to enjoy.

Golshifteh Farahani plays the role of Laura, Paterson’s wife. Her character is that of a outgoing woman who is more of a dreamer than a doer. As a stay-at-home wife, she spends her day redecorating her home her signature colors of black and white, baking or attempting to chase her dream of being a world-renowned country singer.

After introducing a strong supporting cast, the movie slowly approaches its climax.

As the week progresses, Paterson’s routine starts to go more and more out of sync.

The climax delivers a gut wrenching turn of events that

sits with the audience. The implication that even the slightest change of routine can cause your world to fall apart leaves the audience with reassurance that sometimes boring is better.

The movie finishes off where it started, Paterson wakes up at 6:13 a.m. on Monday and sets out to drive his bus around the streets of his town. Wrapping up at two hours long, the movie does get a tad slow at times, especially considering the plot of the movie. That being said, the pacing usually stays on track, unraveling the story. As a

u See MOXIE, page 9

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

THE STANDARD

Outdoorsy: A Comedy Show

THE-STANDARD.ORG 5 Chloe Skaar Staff Reporter @chloeskaar

Students from Missouri State and local community members gathered among the bookshelves at BookMarx last weekend to indulge in comedy and live music during Outdoorsy: A Comedy Show, hosted by MSU senior socio-political communications major Caleb Hearon.

Outdoorsy’s lineup consisted of two comedians from Chicago, Josh Ejnes and Austin LaFond; Aida, a recording artist from St. Louis; and Sarah Jenkins, an Emmy-award-winning writer for the local television series “The Mystery Hour.”

“I organized the show because Ejnes and LaFond were coming through town,” Hearon said. “We were lucky to get Aida to play some music for the COLLIN O’CONNELL/THE STANDARD show, too. She's signing a Aida, a recording artist from St. Louis, played for the crowd at BookMarx on March 11. recording deal on Friday

and is insanely talented.

Sarah Jenkins is an Emmy-winning writer on “The Mystery Hour” here in town, and getting her to perform with us was super fun.”

Hearon said the show’s variety was especially important in organizing the event; he was excited to reflect the diversity in local talent and artists in the lineup.

“Outdoorsy just reminded me, again, how lucky young artists are to be in Springfield,” Hearon said.

“We get the opportunity to make stuff here that would be more challenging to make in other communities.

I thought the show was a bunch of fun, and the owners of BookMarx were so nice to host us.”

Andrew Sigler, a sophomore studying modern and classical languages at MSU, attended Outdoorsy and said he was delighted by the comedic talent throughout the evening.

“Caleb Hearon was up first and was probably the biggest surprise, although I will concede he had a slight home field advantage,” Sigler said. “His command over social issues in his act was incredible, and the reactions from his audience were probably the greatest out of all the comedians. He was able to turn a complicated news issue, conversion camps, into both a satirical and hilarious joke.”

Sigler said that a certain theme of controversial topics connected each comedian’s set; audience members were laughing both at the punchlines and at the audacious content of the jokes.

“Jenkins was, again, hilarious. Her ‘erotic fan fiction’ was the funniest thing (I’ve) heard in a long time,” Sigler said. “The slow burn of the joke was realizing she was reading about ‘Stefan Urkel’ which, naturally, u See COMEDY, page 10

Have no fear, the fountain is near

Blaine Wheeler Staff Reporter @blainewheeler21

Students across campus have come to appreciate the beauty of the Hammons Fountain just outside of Meyer Library. Over the week, if you are on Snapchat or Twitter, you have probably come across someone asking when the fountain will turn on.

So, when will you be able to feel the mist while walking to class or be able to put your feet in the holy water?

The answer is: soon.

Gary Chorn, the assistant director of facilities management and maintenance, has felt students’ anticipation. He said the West Mall Fountain — which contains the John Q. Hammons Fountains, according to MSU’s website — takes about three weeks to get primed, cleaned and ready. It is set to run by April 5.

Missouri State’s “Fountain Guy” Leonard Haymans, who has run the operation for more than a decade, said workers are working on the fountain in preparation for the return of water in April.

This year, Chorn said they are starting sooner than normal and

bumped up some of the repair work because of the high demand. Last year the fountain was up and running on April 15, more than a week later than this year’s planned date.

The process takes about three weeks to complete, Haymans said.

The first week consisted of cleaning and sealing to get the bottom of the fountain refinished.

“The workers out there basically sanded and got the epoxy down to seal some of the holes that popped up from the course of it running,” Haymans said.

The next step in the process is checking the lights, filters, strainers and valves to see if any need to be repaired or replaced. Haymans explained that he does this to make sure things are “free flowing.”

Then comes the water. The fountain––rumored to be based off of the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, according to MSU’s magazine — holds about 200,000 gallons of water, according to Haymans.

“What I have to do is I have to fill it, fill the base and all of the bottom up,” Haymans said. “I have a pump down in my pit that I can turn on that fills up the top tiers. Then (the foun-

tain) fills down from there. It usually takes two days to turn it on and to get it filled up.”

He said after the fountain is filled, he adds chemicals to the water to clean it and then turns on the pumps.

However, with the warmer weather, community members have gotten a little bit impatient for the process to start. Gary Chorn jokingly said people have been asking, “How come we are not open?”

MSU students have been asking the same question on social media.

On Twitter, Haley Swanigan, freshman elementary education major, saw the commotion near the fountain and excitedly asked if that meant Fountain Day was coming.

“I love the fountain,” Swanigan said. “It makes my walks to my 8 a.m. (classes) a little more pleasant, and it really is beautiful and a great focal point of the university.”

Haymans said a computer system runs the fountain and times it to come on around 7:45 a.m. and turn off around 10 p.m. This range depends on if they want to save money or not.

Most of the fountain is run by the computer system, and the fountain has a unique technology of its own.

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File photo by MIRANDA ROLLER/THE STANDARD

Haymans explained that due to the mist the fountain gives off, the system only has to put in about 100 gallons of makeup water a month, a small scale to the 200,000 gallons it holds.

Even the mist has a technology of its own. Haymans walked through the process of how to perfect the amount of mist that comes off of the fountain.

“If you look up at the top of Temple Hall, there is a little anemometer, a wind bird and that senses the wind speed and feeds it back to what we

call variable frequency drives,” Haymans said. “This basically controls the output of the motors that power the water.”

The mist the fountain gives off is a popular aspect of the fountain.

“I love the mist that comes off of it … I generally feel calmer when I walk past it,” Jordan Seyer, freshman art and design major, said. “It brings a sense of peace to campus.”

THE STANDARD

sports Inconsistency 6

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

costs baseball Bears MSU wins Friday but drops a pair of heartbreakers

Alec McChesney Staff Reporter @Alec_McChesney

Defense, solid pitching and timely hitting make a great baseball team great.

When the Missouri State Bears play to the best of their abilities in all three facets of the game, there are very few teams they can’t play with.

That was the case on Friday, when the Bears (13-6) opened a three-game series against the Memphis Tigers (12-7).

Senior pitcher Jordan Knutson pitched seven innings while giving up five earned runs and striking out six. Although Knutson gave up five runs, he kept the Bears in the game and allowed the defense and offense to take over.

“This is his senior year, he’s been there. He’s pitched on this mound for four years now, and he believes in what he’s doing,” head coach Keith Guttin said.

Knutson believed in himself and his defense behind him. On several occasions in game one, the Bears came up with spectacular run-erasing catches, including a Sportscenter top-ten play by freshman right fielder Jack

Duffy.

“I thought that (the defense) was the key to the game,” Guttin said. “We feel like we have three center fielders out there in Duffy, Alex Jefferson and Hunter Steinmetz. They play very well out there, and it’s hard to get a ball in between them.”

The offense in game one was provided by Steinmetz, 2-3 with three RBIs, junior third baseman Jake Burger, 2-5 with a solo home run and sophomore shortstop Jeremy Eierman, 3-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.

Eight of the Bears’ nine runs came in the sixth inning or later, as the Bears produced timely hit after timely hit to take the first game of the series 9-5.

The timely hitting that won the Bears game one disappeared over the weekend, and it would cost the Bears in games two and three.

In Saturday’s contest, the Bears fell behind 4-0 in the first inning as the Tigers attacked sophomore pitcher Dylan Coleman early and often.

Aside from a Burger solo home run, his 9th of the season, MSU failed to capitalize u See BASEBALL, page 7

BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD

TOP: Aaron Meyer gets thrown out at home in controversial play at the plate during Sunday’s loss. LEFT: Tyler McAlister pitches the ball during Saturday’s 6-5 loss. RIGHT: Alex Jefferson had seven hits on 15 atbats over the weekend series to improve his batting average from .262 to .333.

Alcohol sales successful at basketball games

Blaine Wheeler Staff Reporter @blainewheeler42

At the end of the basketball season, Missouri State completed its first season of alcohol sales at sporting events, and it was a success.

On Dec. 15, 2016 Missouri State University announced they would sell alcohol to fans attending athletic events at JQH Arena and Plaster Stadium.

This news was big at the time, but alcohol sales at college sporting events is nothing new.

According to CBSsports.com in 2016 approximately 40 schools offered alcohol at stadiums and many more schools are considering adopting sales.

Missouri State Athletic Director Kyle

Moats explained that the athletic department watched other schools who made the move for about a year and a half to see if they should adopt the idea. The ultimate decision came down to how Missouri State could we increase the overall atmosphere and how to increase revenue.

Moats said the move brings Missouri State up to ties with other sport venues and entities around the nation. He said he thinks it also helps Bears fans because he thinks some of the fans were looking for it.

The sale of alcohol started immediately when the announcement was made in December of last year. Both Moats and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Athlethics and Entertainment, Keith Boaz described the first season of sales as a test to see if the policy change works. Bad outcomes can make the

Spring Break Scoreboard Baseball March 7 | @ Oklahoma State | L | 7-3 March 10 | @ Minnesota | L | 5-2 March 11 | @ Minnesota | W | 7-2 March 12 | @ Minnesota | W | 12-3 March 15 | @ SEMO | L | 5-4 March 17 | Memphis | W | 9-5 March 18 | Memphis | L | 6-5 March 19 | Memphis | L | 5-4 Softball March 10 | Tennessee State | W | 7-0 March 10 | Jacksonville State | L | 4-2 March 11 | Alabama State | W | 13-8 March 11 | Samford | W | 2-1 March 12 | Belmont | L | 3-2 March 14 | @ Central Arkansas | W | 6-2 March 16 | @ Oklahoma State | W | 7-3 March 18 | Northern Iowa | W | 6-0 March 18 | Northern Iowa | L | 6-2 March 19 | Northern Iowa | L | 3-2 Men’s Golf March 14-16 | @ Bob Sitton Invite | 21st/24 Women’s Golf March 13-15 | ORU/SFA Spring Invite | T7/16 Women’s Tennis March 15 | @ Memphis | L | 7-0 March 16 | @ Lipscomb | L | 4-2 March 19 | Western Illinois | W | 5-2 Former MSU head coach hired at Mizzou Former Missouri State head basketball coach Cuonzo Martin was hired to the same position at the University of Missouri Martin coached Missouri State to a Missouri Valley Conference regular season title in his last season as the Bears head coach in 2010-11.

Martin has since coached Tennessee to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance while most recently coaching California to an NIT-appearance.

Martin takes over for Kim Anderson who coached Mizzou to an 8-23 season.

Osvath, Thomas set for NCAA Championships Sophomore swimmer Artur Osvath and freshman swimmer Antonio Thomas both qualified to compete in the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships over the course of March 22-25.

Osvath will compete in the 200 IM, 100 Breast and the 200 Breast. Osvath finished 17th in the 200 breast a season ago.

Thomas becomes the 10th Bear in school history to qualify for the NCAA’s. He is also the first freshman in program history to qualify.

Thomas will compete in the 500 free and in the 1650 freestyle. He is the first long-distance swimmer in school history to qualify for the NCAA’s.

policy change, but so far, so good.

“We have had virtually no alcohol incidents or issues to speak of at those events,” Boaz said “So we have experience at this, and it’s not like we are doing something we have never done before.”

The transition to selling alcohol wasn’t difficult. Since JQH Arena’s opening in 2008, they have held concerts and events where alcohol has been sold. In those events, Boaz said alcohol hasn’t been a problem, which made the move easy.

“The patrons who wanted that offering were able to get it and those who do not want to have that obviously didn’t have to. It wasn’t bold or right there in your face,” Boaz said.

“I think it was a very nice compromise.”

DWI Attorney and Bears season ticket holder Larry Catt explained he, as a part of

the Prime Club, has been able to buy alcohol at games since JQH’s opening.

“If you have a suite, you are allowed to have alcohol; if you are a part of the Prime Club, you can have alcohol there,” Catt said.

However, he now hasn’t seen anything bad come from sales.

“I haven’t noticed anybody getting stupid at the games,” Catt said. “I can tell you I’ve never had anybody call me from a DWI case after leaving the game, and I defend a lot of those — so I do think it is a good idea.”

Revenue-wise, the athletic department said they are still compiling numbers and will get a better understanding of how much potential revenue after the football season as the policy is looked at on more annually.

Missouri State’s first home football game is Sept. 16 against Murray State.

Hughes has career game in Lady Bears WNIT loss Cortlynn Stark Staff Reporter @Cortlynn_Stark Senior guard Lexi Hughes went out with a bang in her final game for the Lady Bears, scoring a career-high 26 points in their 95-74 loss to Iowa in the opener of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament on Thursday.

Junior forward Aubrey Buckley was right behind Hughes with 14 points, shooting over 60 percent individually. Hughes shot about 58 percent from the field, nearly 20 percent better than the team average.

Iowa shot 62.3 percent overall and had 50 points in the paint, compared to MSU’s 28. The Lady Bears forced 14 Iowa turnovers that led to 17 points.

MSU capitalized on rebounding, scoring 13 second-chance points while trailing just 37-36 rebounding. The Lady Bears had 18 offensive rebounds.

The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 17-6 lead with 3:04 left in the

first quarter. A 3-pointer from junior guard Liza Fruendt kicked off an MSU comeback finished by a 5-0 run from Hughes to make it 20-14 at the end of the quarter.

Hughes scored 10 of MSU’s 16 points in the second quarter.

Sophomore guard Danielle Gitzen hit a jumper and Buckley brought in four more points but they ended the half down 43-30.

With 4:39 left in the third quarter, Iowa led 63-39. Buckets from Fruendt and Buckley kept the Lady Bear alive and a series of layups from Hughes made it 65-47. They ended the quarter down 70-51 after four made free throws from Gitzen and senior forward Rachel Swartz.

The Lady Bears scored eight points in the first six minutes of the fourth, but couldn’t keep up with the 19 points scored by the Hawkeyes that gave Iowa a 30-point lead.

After a series of baskets from Hughes and Fruendt, freshman forward Shameka Ealy scored

File photo by COLLIN O’CONNELL/THE STANDARD

Lexi Hughes drives to the basket in regular season game.

the last seven points for the Lady Bears, ending it down 95-74.

Hughes grabbed four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Gitzen added another four assists. Swartz and Ealy each had five rebounds. Fruendt, junior forward Audrey Holt and junior guard Lee Ann Polowy added three rebounds apiece.

Hughes ended her Lady Bears career playing in 129 games,

third in Lady Bears history. She is twenty-ninth in scoring with 894 points and eighth in 3-pointers made with 168. Swartz ended her career tied twelfth with 124 games played. Senior forward Onye Osemenam is ranked in eleventh place with 63 career blocked shots.

Fruendt scored 518 points this season, nearly half of her 1,151 points overall.

D3 Ice Bears positive after national tournament losses Alec McChesney Staff Reporter @Alec_McChesney While most students loaded up their laundry to head home or packed their bags to bolt to the beaches over Spring Break, the Missouri State University D3 Ice Bears traveled to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.

The Ice Bears’ appearance in the tournament was the first in D3 history, and although it didn’t last long, players enjoyed every moment of it.

“Although the tournament didn’t go our way, anytime spent with the boys is a great time,”

sophomore forward Connor Breneman said. “Best Spring Break I’ve ever been on.”

In pool play, the Bears faced off against Bryn Anthyn College, Oakland University and the University of Georgia.

In game one, MSU gave Bryn Anthyn a run for their money as the game was tied after the first period. But in the second period, the Lions separated themselves from the Ice Bears scoring three goals in just seven minutes.

The Ice Bears continued to fight in the third period, and senior Mike Humme scored to bring MSU within two. Late in the third period, Bryn Anthyn added a fourth goal to seal the victory.

The Lions advanced out of

MSU’s pool and lost to the eventual national champions, Aquinas College.

“The results weren’t exactly the outcome we wanted, but we have some younger guys that gained experience now and can lead the team back next year,” senior captain Troy Korte said.

Against Oakland in game two, the Ice Bears fell behind 3-0 in the first period. From that point on, it was all Grizzlies. Oakland defeated MSU 11-3, but MSU hung tough throughout the game and proved they were worthy of playing on such a big stage.

“It was good to get out there and show people that teams from Missouri are good hockey teams,” senior defenseman Tyler Overman

said. “Hands down, this has been the best team that I have been on, not just skill wise, but the character of everyone on the team was really special to be a part of.”

In the third game, the Ice Bears jumped on the Georgia Bulldogs right out of the gate, and MSU held a 1-0 lead after the first period. Georgia bounced back with three straight goals to start the second period.

Trailing 3-1, the Ice Bears came back to tie the game after Nolan Wuesthoff and Tyler Reineri scored within a minute of each other. With the game tied at three, the Bulldogs went on a tear in the third period, scoring four unanswered

u See ICE BEARS, page 8

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

THE STANDARD

THE-STANDARD.ORG 7

Softball drops opening Valley series to UNI

the plate,” Frost said. “We were down 2-1 and needed a run. I just put a swing on it and ran; it was awesome. We want it so bad every game. It was nice to put us back in it. We didn’t get it done today, but we will.”

Griesbauer pitched nearly three full innings of her own before a wild pitch sent the ball past Frost. That pitch gave UNI enough time to bring

Continued from page 6

on any opportunities early in the game. Then, as this Bears team loves to do, the comeback began.

Trailing 6-1 through seven innings, the Bears scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to just two. In the ninth inning, MSU would score one more run and load the bases with no outs against Memphis closer Colton Hathcock.

Remarkably, Hathcock successfully escaped the bases-loaded jam without giving up the tying run to secure a 6-5 victory for the Tigers.

“I thought we fought hard in the late innings, but you don’t want to continue to fall behind,” Guttin said. “We were just a big hit away.”

MSU jumped ahead in the first inning of the rubber match taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The start, which was much better than the game before, could’ve been even better, but the Bears stranded two runners in scoring position.

Junior Doug Still pitched 5.1 innings for the Bears, striking out seven batters and giving up just three runs (two earned). Junior Jake Fromson relieved Still in the sixth inning with BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD the Bears leading 4-2.

Fromson would give up runs in the sixth LEFT: Jeremy Eierman celebrates after a home run. TOP: Aaron Meyer and the seventh, and the Tigers took another watches the ball all the way to the bat. BOTTOM: Jake Lochner pitches. lead late into the game. Once again trailing by

one, the Bears would began to mount their comeback.

Two walks and an error gave the Bears bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth for the second straight game. Yet again, Hathcock performed a Houdini move to escape the trouble to clinch the series victory for the Tigers.

Over the weekend, Burger hit his eighth and ninth home runs while collecting five hits.

Though, the hottest batter in the lineup for the Bears this weekend was senior left fielder Alex Jefferson.

In the series, Jefferson collected seven hits on 15 at-bats, improving his batting average from .262 to .333. He added in two RBIs as well as some impressive at-bats in big moments.

“I’m just trying to stay locked in, and I am starting see the ball pretty well, and I am just doing whatever I can to help the team,” Jefferson said. “It stinks coming out back-to-back days where we were right there but just couldn’t pull through.

“We are going to use this weekend to rally and keep moving forward.”

The Bears will host New Orleans on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. before heading north to play a three-game series against Central Michigan University.

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BASEBALL

a runner home, bringing the score to 3-2. Junior Holly Kelley came into pitch to get them out of the inning.

The Bears failed to get any runners home in the eighth, ending the weekend series.

The weekend brought the Bears to a 13-11 record for the season.

They will be back at Killian Field Tuesday evening to play University of Arkansas at 5 p.m.

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ners stranded on base in multiple innings before Frost came up to bat in the sixth. Frost took a swing that sent the ball flying into right field — just past UNI’s rightfielder. The ball didn’t quite make it over the back wall, but it didn’t stop Frost from making it home. Her infield home run brought the game back to a tie.

“I’ve kind of been struggling at

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BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD

Elena Gambill

BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD

Erika Valasquez Zimmer hits a grounder during weekend game against Northern Iowa.

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The softball Bears fell short to University of Northern Iowa twice in the three-game series this weekend, even after an impressive 6-0 win in Saturday’s first game.

On Saturday, the Bears took to the field for a double header against UNI. They were able to pull a victory in the first game but fell short 6-2 in the second. On Sunday, the Bears faced UNI once again and took the game into extra innings. Despite

their efforts, the Bears lost 3-2 making it a 1-2 series.

Junior Kaitlin Beason proved to be a valuable player — both pitching and hitting. In Saturday’s first game, Beason pitched six shutout innings and hit a three-run home run in the third inning. The Bears pulled Beason out in Saturday’s second game, but brought her back out to the pitcher’s circle Sunday where she pitched five innings.

Although Beason pitched five innings on Sunday, she seemed to struggle to get strikes in the fourth inning. Sophomore catcher Darian Frost came to the circle to talk with Beason, and whatever was said seemed to help get them out of what was becoming a tough inning.

“Their coaches are good coaches,” Beason said. “The coach started calling our pitches inside, Darian came out, and we kind of mixed it up. Making that minor change really helped because they have a good coaching staff that knows what they’re doing.”

After getting out of the fourth inning, Beason pitched one more inning before the Bears brought in freshman Erin Griesbauer to take over in the pitcher’s circle.

The Bears struggled to score after Roark’s hit that sent Gambill home in the second. They left run-

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Bailey Vassalli Staff Reporter @baileyvassalli

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NAMI Southwest Missouri and Christ Church Episcopal are accepting sleeping bags, blankets, etc., to hand out to homeless veterans. Donations can be dropped off at NAMI, 1443 N. Robberson #408, M–F 9:30am–5pm; or at Christ Church, 601 E. Walnut, M–F 8am–4:30pm or Sun 8–11:30am.

Call 417-350-3519 for more information.

Submit your ad online: the-standard.org Or email it: msu.standard@gmail.com

8 THE-STANDARD.ORG

THE STANDARD

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

MSU reaffirms commitment to transgender students Cortlynn Stark Staff Reporter @Cortlynn_Stark When sophomore Aidan Robichaux, a premed psychology major, started at Missouri State, he felt that talk about the transgender and LGBTQ community was closed-off. Now, almost two years later, he said campus is more open to talking about it.

“People are starting to ask me a lot more questions, and teachers are starting to ask more about preferred names,” Robichaux said. “It’s become more open and safer to talk about it –– not less safe.”

In a March 6 blog post, Missouri State President Clif Smart reaffirmed MSU’s commitment to transgender students.

“I just feel like it makes me more comfortable,” Robichaux said. “I just really appreciate that (Smart) took the time. I know that MSU has a lot to do when it comes to trans stuff, but (Smart is) definitely making an effort.”

Smart referenced the federal repeal of additional protections for transgender students in his post, saying that because it concerned many

“MSU just feels really safe to me ... I actually feel very comfortable here” -Aidan Robichaux employees and students, he wanted to provide more information to people.

“Missouri State University is committed to creating an academic environment free of sexual discrimination and harassment, while valuing the dignity of all students, faculty and staff,” Smart said in the post.

According to a White House press briefing, spokesman Sean Spicer said President Trump did not rescind the recommendation for protection of LGBTQ people of the Obama administration but is leaving the decision up to states.

Title IX Coordinator Jill Patterson started at MSU in the fall of 2015. At the time, she was the only person in the Title IX office. Since then, a Green Dot Bystander Intervention Coordinator, Title IX Investigator and an administrative assistant have been added to the office,

according to Patterson.

“The additional staff has been essential to ensure that we are providing education about Title IX and sexual assault to our campus constituents, that we are effectively investigating all Title IX complaints reported to us, and that we are supporting those who have been involved in Title IX investigations,” Patterson said.

Smart said the growth allows them to address all sexual discrimination and harassment concerns.

“It makes me happy to see that even though our current presidential administration might not see it the same way, at least (Smart is) working to keep us safe,” Robichaux said.

In February 2016, MSU added “gender identity” and “gender expression” to their Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.

“This was a very intentional effort to confirm and expand upon the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” Patterson said.

Last fall, MSU added gender-neutral bathrooms across campus, including one on the top floor of Plaster Student Union. Patterson said they are also currently working on a policy to let students choose their first name in the university systems.

“The biggest challenge we are facing is with respect to implementing a chosen first name policy, and that challenge is a matter of technology, not philosophy,” Patterson said. “There are a lot of systems that we need to integrate and that is being worked on now.”

Robichaux, whose pronouns are he and him, said that would be nice.

“MSU just feels really safe to me,” Robichaux said, “which is nice because –– coming from Rhode Island –– I actually felt like coming somewhere to the south, I thought I would have a harder time with my transition, but I actually don’t; I actually feel very comfortable here.”

ICE BEARS

Korte is one of the nine seniors who will graduate and no longer play for the D3 Ice Bears. Heading into next season, MSU will Continued from page 6 return 18 with players who gained valuable experience with the postseason run. goals to defeat the Ice Bears 7-3.

“We had one goal at the beginning of the “This was such a great experience, and it season, and it was to go to nationals at the end was great way to spend spring break with all of the season,” Overman said, “and we the guys at something we worked so hard to achieved it.” get too,” Korte said.

St. Patrick’s Day: Springfield style

NINA TODEA/THE STANDARD

Top left: Springfield Shriners parade through Springfield on March 18. Bottom left: Parade members showcase classic cars. Middle: A parade participant rides a horse through downtown Springfield. Far right: A citizen smiles towards parade watchers.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

THE STANDARD

Former student allegedly makes racist posts Nicole Roberts Editor-in-Chief @NReneeRoberts Missouri State University responded to alleged racist social media posts by a woman, who the university said is a former student, on March 9.

Several screenshots of racist social media comments were posted on MSU’s Facebook page, and many believed the woman to be a current MSU student.

Others tweeted the screenshots at MSU President Clif Smart, who made the Dean of Students Office aware of the posts.

The screenshots display comments in which the woman seemed to be replying to other people, describing African-Americans as “the coloreds” and how Caucasians were “superior.” It is unclear who the comments were made to, when the comments were posted and the context of why the comments were made.

The Standard reached out to the woman but did not receive a response by publication. The Standard could not verify the comments shown in the screenshots or the identity of the woman who allegedly made the comments.

The university said the woman is a former student who is not enrolled in the university currently. However, the university said it does not tolerate posts such as the ones shown in the screenshots.

“The university disavows the social media postings as completely in opposition to Missouri State’s values of diver-

sity and inclusion and its public affairs mission,” the press release states. “Racism has no place on our campus.”

MSU President Clif Smart said while the comments were “horrifying,” he warned that social media can cause issues when trying to verify information.

“Everything on social media isn’t always as it seems,” Smart said, emphasizing that this is one of the reasons why the Bias Response Team was created.

Thomas Lane, associate vice president for Student Life and dean of students, said the Bias Response Team is a group organized through the Dean of Students Office. Its purpose “is to be a resource to university community members who have concerns about perceived bias-related situations, and it's the team’s purpose to organize an appropriate response,” Lane said. The team responds to different incidents, such as racism, graffiti and vandalism.

Lane said the team helps the university in two ways.

“It lets us know where those types of incidents are occurring, and it provides a venue for students, faculty and staff to share concerns,” Lane said. “It also helps us track, so we are seeing any types of trends with regards to bias-related behavior and then crafting an educational response towards that behavior.”

Lane urged students who have concerns about the postings to contact the Dean of Students Office or visit www. missouristate.edu/dos.

Since the screenshots were published on Facebook, about a dozen one-star ratings have been posted on MSU’s Facebook page, each person citing the screenshots as the main reason for the low rating.

Jedidiah Nichols, senior digital film production major, said he found the comments hurtful and foolish.

“It’s unfortunate we live several decades beyond what Dr. Martin Luther King Junior said and did for the country, seeing as how so little has changed in regard to equality,” he said. “It’s hurtful to read, and I wish race relations were better in America. Sure, we are far beyond the days of segregated water fountains and bathrooms, but has everything really changed?”

He also said he thought the university could have done more than just condone the woman’s alleged behavior.

Caitlin West, a 2012 MSU graduate, said while she does not know the full context of why the comments were made, she thought they were “extremely disparaging” to minority students at MSU. She also said she thought MSU’s response was appropriate for the situation.

“I do not think they represent what the university stands for,” West said. “I think the response MSU gave was exactly what our students need to hear—that this behavior is not tolerated or endorsed by our institution and that such behavior will be reprimanded.”

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HILL

Continued from page 1 to work with the design firm and Planning, Design and Construction throughout the planning process.

Updating the quality of the Hill Hall classrooms and labs is also being considered.

“When we conduct course evaluations, one question is, ‘The classroom and/or laboratory facilities need improvement,’” Deal said. “Students enrolled in classes in Hill Hall almost universally ‘Strongly Agree’ or ‘Agree’ with this statement.”

Deal also said that when students were asked about the negatives associated with a classroom, the physical conditions of the classroom were frequently mentioned.

“There are problems with leaks, mold, mildew, asbestos, broken tile and flooring, the ventilation and wiring systems, and with access,” he said.

Lab space will be designed

MOXIE

to be specifically used as a lab as opposed to space being used simply because it was available, Deal said.

A part of the renovations will also include more student-centric areas as well as improving the look of the interior of Hill Hall.

“There should be increased natural light, which, itself, will be a major upgrade,” Deal said. “The most recently presented color and texture schemes are modern, while also maintaining the historical look and feel of Hill Hall.”

Kim Lillard, senior psychology major, said she’s happy Hill Hall is finally getting a makeover, although she graduates in May. “I think it’s desperately needed,” Lillard said. “(I’m) kind of sad that I won’t be around to see the finished product, but kind of glad I don’t have to deal with the Glen Isle nonsense.”

According to meeting notes, the final design development for the renovations will be finished by March 22.

Continued from page 4

viewer you slowly start to realize that the movie is based on repetition, yet that in itself has an odd charm to it.

“Paterson” has been reviewed by some as the biggest Oscar-snub of 2016, and

I could not agree more. This movie was a nice reflection on a part of everyday life that often goes unnoticed. I would recommend this to any person that claims to be a fan of cinema.

Green Dot holds bystander intervention training Trinh Nguyen Staff Reporter

“Violence is not tolerated at Missouri State University any longer,” said Jenay Lamy, coordinator of Green Dot, a bystander-intervention program that prevents violence on campus and in the community.

The training was held March 9, and students coming to the training were able to learn about how to prevent violence, as well as how to intervene safely as bystanders. The training let students participate in role-play and reflection.

The training taught students how to intervene when they saw violent behaviors or potentially violent behaviors. Lamy said that students did not usually intervene because they did not know what to do or what they were looking at.

“A lot of time, they may see something that does not feel right to them, and they freeze,” she said.

Role-playing and reflection might have helped students have more confidence if they intervene in violent situations. They learned about the three D’s—direct, delegate and distract—the three tactics for helping others who are dealing with violence. The tactics meant that students could actively intervene, find somebody else to help intervene or use distractions to get somebody out of an uncomfortable or unsafe situation.

When students saw something wrong, they were taught to intervene early, because they were the ones who could do something to prevent violent acts. The training instructor could not be there with them forever. If the students wait to intervene, it might be too late.

“Mobilizing students to do something now is much better than the after-effects of trying to help that out,” Lamy said. “Students can intervene before high-risk behaviors arise.”

One of the training program’s objectives was to motivate students to intervene to reduce harm after violence has started and reduce the likelihood that the violence would happen again, if at all.

Participant Rachel Frisch, junior gerontology major, said the training was helpful because students found themselves in uncomfortable situations, and they did not know what to do.

The training offered multiple options for what to do in different situations.

Some people might find it hard to intervene because of pressures or not being physically or mentally able to intervene. They needed to rely on others to help them.

“Every single college student, at some point, is going to find themselves in the situation like that,” Frisch said. “It’s very valuable for everyone, no matter what you’re involved in or what you do on campus, to have those resources.”

Olayemi Ponnle, junior public relations major, said accountability and constant reminders can help keep MSU safe.

“We need to make sure that we’re holding each other accountable or keeping each other safe,” Ponnle said, “but we also (need to) make sure that even if there is no situation going on, keep up the idea that we don’t accept power-based violence on this campus.”

Green Dot will have another training section on April 7. Students can sign up for the training at http://www.missouristate.edu/greendot/.

10 THE-STANDARD.ORG

OLDHAM -ans were often discouraged from using the old veteran student lounge because of the cramped space. She said that the new location is more open and welcoming, and she thinks that it helps student veterans build relationships.

The facility was named after the Oldham family. Mike Oldham, a Navy veteran and an MSU alumnus, spoke at the grand opening and said that the new facilities are more than just offices.

“Veterans are the last people to complain and ask for help,” Oldham said. “They just rally the team, put their shoulders to the wheel and get on with the mission. But when these dedicated, focused men and women arrive back in the civilian academic world, the team is dispersed and hard to identify.”

Oldham said that he hopes the new veteran student center will not only help students, but also help to catch the attention of alumni.

“We hope that this beauti-

THE STANDARD

Continued from page 2 ful and functional Veteran Student Center will also motivate alumni and supporters to get more involved and invest more in the university,” Oldham said.

Raeleen Ziegler, interim director of Veteran Student Services, said that she was also excited for the new and bigger facility.

“It’s overwhelming,” Ziegler said. “To come in here after being in a 13 by 17-foot room, and our offices were very small, it’s like coming into a new house.”

The new location puts the veteran student lounge together with offices to help increase efficiency between the student veterans and staff.

“I think it’s going to be a great start to recruitment for Missouri State and what Missouri State is doing for their veteran students,” Ziegler said. “I see us growing by getting the word out that we have moved to a bigger and quieter location then what we were initially in.”

FEMINISM It says all women are important and deserving of equal rights.

There is no room in Intersectional Feminism for divisiveness, and I think this is a great model for all movements going forward.”

Facilitators encouraged and instructed students to break down their own identities beneath eye-level and identify how to use these skills to relate

Continued from page 2

to others in their small groups.

Students were also taught the divisive ways society categorizes identities and methods of utilizing these categories to relate to and strengthen fellow students.

“I’m not sure the student body is encouraged enough to talk about and engage with diversity,” Blankinship said.

“I’m an English education ma-

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017

COMEDY Continued from page 5 killed it with the audience. Ejnes nailed his by explaining Crohn’s disease, cocaine, and why fifth-grade girls are mean, especially if you have hickies.”

Sigler also said that LaFond’s set had a vulnerable and empathic feel that connected audience members to his sense of humor better. Sigler said he felt appreciative of LaFond encouraging listeners to laugh about things they generally do not feel good about.

“I was either struggling to breathe or cry-

ing from laughing so hard and for so long,” Sigler said. “The entire night was $5 well spent and an experience I’m very glad I could have.”

Hearon said students who were not able to attend have abundant opportunities to see comedy elsewhere in town.

He said Missouri State Improv has free shows every ThursCOLLIN O’CONNEL/THE STANDARD day at 9:30 in the Sarah Jenkins, local writer, performer and creative mind at both Carrington Auditorium and The Blue “The Mystery Hour” and “The Alchemedia Project,” performs at Room at Billiard’s Outdoorsy: A Comedy Show on March 7. hosts weekend shows.

ALLEN

Continued from page 4

Hammons Hall in Springfield, there is much more opportunity to connect with the performers, during and after the concert. Allen’s excitement for the show and the chance to meet fans following was evident. jor, and diversity comes up a lot in both English and education classes, but I don’t often see people engaging in any productive or respectful dialogue around diversity outside of the classroom. That’s why discussions like this one are so helpful and important.”

The Student Activities Council hosted the discussion in recognition of March being Women’s History Month; the theme across campus is “HERstory Month.” A collaboration of MSU’s Multicultural Programs, Panhellenic Council,

When he was told that P-Bar is infamous for Wednesday-night shenanigans, he acknowledged that it sounds like a wonderful time, shaking off a laugh.

“We are about to bring the best two hours of music Springfield, Missouri, has

Residence Hall Association, SAC, Spectrum and Untamed Tongues brought awareness of the month’s significance to students by hosting 10 events spanning the month of March.

Each organization paired its efforts to inspire students to bring what they had learned at the discussion to those who did not attend—an inspiration to be an inclusive force across campus and throughout the community.

“We can always improve, and discussions like Intersectional Feminism help with

seen in a long while,” Allen said. “Come to the show and then we will all go to P-Bar afterwards to talk about how awesome the show was.”

giving voice to minority groups,” Vance said. “As a person with privilege, I use my voice and presence to support others when their voices aren’t listened to.”

Blankinship also acknowledged the unifying theme of Intersectional Feminism and the importance of increasing outlets of support on campus.

She said that spreading acceptance and inclusion on a college campus is just as important to students’ educations as the curriculum taught in the classroom.

“We’re all attending MSU, at least I hope, to learn something, and part of that learning includes learning about the world around us and different people around us,” Blankinship said. “We have to support each other regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and ability, and we cannot reach a point where we’re supporting each other if we’re not willing to listen to each other.”