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 31 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2017
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SGA: A year of resolutions and political discourse Cortlynn Stark Staff Reporter @Cortlynn_Stark Walk in the Parliamentary Room in the Plaster Student Union on any Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., and you’ll be greeted with a lively, energetic group of students. Before the meeting, everyone socializes, walking around the room talking to their friends. But at 5:30 p.m., Vice President of the Student Body Brianna Duda beats a gavel and calls the meeting of the Student Government Association to order, and the laughter quiets. “I’m going to miss the people the most,” Duda said. “The relationships you form in both senate and cabinet when you see those people every single week, when things are funny
in senate or I mess up their last name, those are good times we have.” Since August 30, SGA has passed countless resolutions, updated their own governing documents and sparked political debate. “I think the use of the (Student Initiative Fund) was one of my favorites,” Duda said. “It’s the first year and we were able to get three proposals through … My favorite of those is the international flag display. It’s something that I wanted to see for a long time, and I think it’s going to be amazing.” The SIF also funded the Darr signage resolution, putting a Bear head in the Darr Agricultural Center and updating lockers in the Foster Recreation Center. SGA made an effort to be more sustainable internally and passed
several sustainability proposals. Duda said they put senator applications and their governing documents online instead of printing everything. The Sustainability Commission passed resolutions for hydration stations, new LED lighting in a parking lot and a bike-share program that will allow students to check out bikes across campus and Springfield. “It was also our first full year of having a Title IX Commission,” senator Alex Durbin, a sophomore psychology major, said. “I believe the education events put on by those commissioners had a deep and meaningful impact on our campus.” SGA had a series of controversial discussions in March and April about handling the current political climate while making a stand for MSU’s international students.
Senate passed a resolution that affirmed their commitment to international students. Then, senator Chandler Classen, a junior socio-political communication major, brought a resolution to the table that would have asked administration to make MSU a “sanctuary campus.” Student Body President Adam Coffman, a senior socio-political communications major, vetoed the resolution. The next week, the senate did not overturn the veto. “SGA doesn’t get political often –– but in an attempt to protect our international students after our President's travel ban executive order –– we had several weeks of debate where everyone felt comfortable expressing their views and ideals,” Durbin said. “We went through almost all of
this year in senate without personally attacking people –– only debating ideas. And in a time when people will just absolutely refuse to talk to someone that doesn't align with their beliefs, I think the impact of having positive, ethical debate cannot be overstated,” Durbin said. Brandon McCoy and Caitlin Schaefer, the new student body president and vice president, will be confirmed on May 9, along with their new cabinet picks. “There’s a disconnect between SGA and a lot of student groups, and their emphasis is to rebrand and make sure that we’re reaching out,” Duda said. “I’m excited to hear about their progress because I think that SGA can be more representative of the student body because I realize that it’s not always like that.”
Seven students chosen for creative writing invitational Noah Standish Staff Reporter @NoahjStandish Creative writing students had the spotlight Friday night, as the Department of English sponsored Missouri State’s Spring Student Invitational Reading in the Plaster Student Union Theater. The creative writing faculty chose seven students to present their own fiction, poetry and graphic narrative works in a free public reading. The invitational, also sponsored by the creative writing program and the College of Arts and Letters, served as the final installment of the spring semester’s reading series. Assistant Professor of English and event coordinator Michael Czyzniejewski called the event an opportunity for students to present their works in a professional venue, linking its formality to its location in the PSU Theater. Throughout every fall and spring semester, published writers are featured in the English Department’s reading series to recite literary works. This semester’s series included Alexander Weinstein, Mary Troy and MSU alum, D. Gilson. “People clap and listen attentively for published writers in that same spot (on the PSU Theater stage),” Czyzniejewski said. “What the Student Invitational does is say to students, ‘Here’s your chance. You can do this, too.’” Czyzniejewski also cited motivation and encouragement as the underlying goal, while noting that the event is often more popular than other public readings during the semester. “(The Invitational’s) goal is inspire students to keep going forward and keep writing,” Czyzniejewski said. “It’s always the most populated reading of the semester, and I wish we
could do more.” Many MSU students were in attendance, eager to motivate their peers by filling the PSU Theater with applause. Annie Wampler, senior creative writing major called the event’s formal setting and spotlight on students a way to draw in people who don’t usually attend readings. “The theater is a great setting for students to get their work out into the public and to have their voices heard,” Wampler said, “and (the Invitational) gives students a chance to show some of their work to professors they may not see often.” Associate Professor of English Lanya Lamouria’s enjoyment of the Student Invitational, similar to many other professors, also comes from hearing students’ creative writing works. “It’s an honor for students to be chosen,” Lamouria said, “and it’s great for faculty who are not with creative writing because they don’t usually have exposure to students’ creative writing works.” Lamouria also cited interpersonal connections and more interest in writing within the department as key effects of the event. “Students get to hear their own peers’ exceptional work, but it also leads to people asking them questions about that work, and that leads to conversations,” Lamouria said. Before presenting her short story, Jupiter Kieschnick, junior creative writing major, said the reading’s formality contributed to her anticipation. “(The Invitational) is more formal than any reading I’ve attended because there’s more of an entertainment factor to it,” Kieschnick said. “People are there solely to hear your reading. It’s a little more stressful, but it’s exciting.” u See INVITATIONAL, page 9
MIRANDA ROLLER/THE STANDARD Top: Jupiter Kieschnick, junior creative writing major. Left: Anthony Isaac Bradley, graduate English student. Right: Chandler Wilhelmi, senior design and illustration major.
Study Away panel discusses international student wellness Bailey Vassalli Staff Reporter @baileyvassalli
BAILEY VASSALLI/THE STANDARD MSU vice president Dr. James P. Baker addresses the crowd at the Study Away panel.
Dr. James P. Baker greeted attendees of the Study Away panel on May 1, where the main focus of the event was the wellness of international students and how the university could get more students to study away. As vice president for Research and Economic Development and International Programs, Baker spends much of his time traveling to speak with others who may want to travel to the university or may want to send their children to Missouri State. At the panel, individuals had the opportu-
nity to weigh in and discuss ideas to improve the Study Away program, as well as the life of international students at Missouri State University. “What we want to do is improve the situation for international students while (learning how to) recruit international students, and better serve international students,” Baker said. “Also, probably most important for us, is how to get more students to study away. How do we get them to travel? How do we get faculty engaged?” Many guests were present who held an interest in the Study Away program and the betterment of it as a whole. Among the guests were University President Clif Smart
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and Provost Dr. Frank A. Einhellig. Each of them stood up to give their own stance on the issues being discussed. “This is a timely meeting, and your input is important,” Smart said. “As we look around our state, other universities are having a significant fall off of international students.” Smart urged the attendees to give presenters their undivided attention before turning the floor to Einhellig. “We’re finishing the first year of the long range plan,” Einhellig said. “I would like to note how it has been a good year despite the budget cuts. I’m very proud of the way
u See PANEL, page 11