2008_08_27

Student Printz The

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27, 2008

Serving Southern Miss since 1927

Volume 93, Issue 3

WELCOME BACK

A how-to guide for surviving at Southern Miss ...

6 . g p s n o i t i Trad

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8 . g p e

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and getting around the Hub City.

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Make USM your home away from home printz The

Student Serving Southern Miss since 1927 Andy Hess Executive editor Sophia Benn Copy Desk Chief

Publications Manager Maggie Williams Lesley Walters News Editor Jesse Bass Opinions Editor The Student Printz is published every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Signature Offset of Hattiesburg.

The first four copies of The Student Printz are free. Each additional copy is 25 cents.

Accuracy is important to everyone on the staff of The Student Printz. Please report any factual inaccuracies to the executive editor of The Student Printz as soon as possible.

Opinions are expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, it’s publications manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

The Student Printz is located in the basement of Southern Hall Room 013. Applications for employment are available and should be returned to the office.

Reaching us Newsroom: 601-266-4266 Executive Editor: 601-266-6431 Publications Manager: 601-266-6746 Newsroom Email: printz@usm.edu Advertising Manager: 601-266-5188 Advertising E-mail: printzad@usm.edu

Welcome everyone to Southern Miss for the 2008-08 school year. With the first week of class behind us and week two halfway in the history books as well, we thought we’d offer a few tips that just might make your acclimation to Southern Miss and Hattiesburg a lot easier.

10. Take a class that interests you You have plenty of required courses as a student in your particular major, but why not take something that will stir your interest. Go ahead and plan to take the sculpture or biking class you’ve been keeping your eye on. Just remember to make sure it helps you towards obtaining your degree.

9. Leave your dorm room You can’t spend all your time in your dorm.

You’ll go insane. AND you will miss out on some of the best memories of your life and not get your money’s worth if you spend your time in Hattiesburg Hall eating Ramen noodles.

8. Go to sporting events Even if you don’t think you’re the “Rah-Rah” type, there is something special about the being amongst the fans at The Rock on a Saturday or seeing the sold out basketball game against Memphis. It gives you the opportunity to bond with your fellow students 7. Explore Hattiesburg You’re going to be here for four years, so you

might as well take the time to get to know the town. You don’t necessarily have to pay money to give yourself an entertaining afternoon. Why not go to the park or take a long bike ride on the Trace.

6. Take a day trip Hattiesburg is called the Hub City for a reason. We’re in between some pretty cool destinations. New Orleans is only 111 miles from Hattiesburg. This is great for trips down to spend the day in the French Quarter or bar crawl at night on Burbon street. The beach isn’t far either. You can go to Biloxi if you want to see the ocean or if you have a longer weekend, you can be on Pensacola Beach in Florida in roughly three hours.

5. Talk to your professors They’re here to help you succeed. It’s in their job description. Get to know your professors and they will be more likely to understand if you’re late on an assignment. That’s not to say your grades won’t suffer if you don’t turn something in on time, but if they know you’re trying, you might be able to pull a B out of a C situation.

4. Talk to your fellow students Casual conversation with your peers will make it easier on you when you need some help, whether it’s about a class assignment or something to do on a Friday night. Not only are they going through the same stuff you’re going through as a student, but they’re a great support system to have.

3. Go abroad It’s one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have. Sure it seems like a lot of money right now, but you’ll be kicking yourself later if you don’t go. Southern Miss has a wonderful study abroad program that can take you all over the globe. You can spend your semester or year

in places like Australia and Germany or take six weeks out of your summer to go to Tibet or London. It will not only broaden your horizons, but it will give you the itch to travel even more.

2. Get Involved We’ve already said get out of the dorm. There are 250-plus organizations and groups on campus: You should join a few of them. Organizations range from activist groups like Amnesty International and United Students Against Sweatshops to hobby-oriented ones like the Anime Club and the Silver Sabres. Have a look around and find one (or more) where you can shine and grow.

1. Go to class.

It’s been said time and time again, but it’s true.

If you at least go to class you’ll have a much better chance of passing the class. Sure, it might be at 8 a.m., but if you can drag yourself out of bed you won’t be sweating bullets in December trying to figure out whether or not you can even pass the class.

President Martha Saunders once said her advice to students at Southern Miss is to “ride all the rides.” We agree. Make sure your college experience is the best it can be by riding all the rides and getting started today.

Just remember, you either worked hard for your scholarship or somebody paid plenty of money for you to be here. It’s not worth it to waste your time here. Be serious in your studies, but also take a chance to get to know your campus and city. You’ll thank yourself in the end if you take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities this university has to offer.

This is a column of opinion written by The Student Printz editorial board. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu

Use Web to help organize your life this fall As millions of college students head back to school, stocking xup on all the supplies needed to start the year is a top priority. In addition to textbooks and an extensive supply of Ramen noodles, this year students will want to add some new supplies they won’t find at the store.

There are dozens of inexpensive and easy-touse Internet services that will help students with everything from homework and scholarships to communication and entertainment. Among some of the most popular must-visit sites this school year: -Skype: Making calls to family and friends at home is easier and more affordable than ever.

Skype (www.skype.com) is an online application that allows subscribers to use the computer to make free phone calls to other Skype accounts around the globe or to make inexpensive calls to

cell phones or landlines. Monthly subscriptions or pre-paid credits are available for easy payment.

-Mead Map: Managing the demands of coursework and figuring out the best note taking and studying systems is one of the biggest challenges of the semester. Mead Map (www.meadmap.com) allows users to instantly access their notes, research and group projects from any computer with an Internet connection – no downloads required.

Plus, it allows for real-time updates and collaborations, perfect for group projects. Mead Map subscriptions are just $15 for six months or $25 for a year. The free 30-day trial is perfect for testing the service out on your first big college assignment.

-Snapfish or Webshots: These photo-sharing services are a great way for college students to keep in touch with family and friends. With Snapfish (www.snapfish.com), users can share and

store their photos for free and create prints and personalized photo gifts online. In addition, Webshots (www.webshots.com) helps students share photos, videos and slideshows. Both services allow friends and family members to order prints.

-CollegeNET: Current or future college students can win scholarships just for voicing their opinions on this free web forum (www.collegenet. com). Just create a profile, pick a topic and voice your opinion. If you earn the most voting points, you can win one of several monthly scholarships.

-Organize.com: Need a few more things for your dorm room? At www.organize.com, you can create a dorm registry to send home to mom and dad. You’ll get 10 percent off purchases of $25 or more from the company’s extensive line of dormfriendly products if you sign up.

- Compiled from staff reports

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Convenience, price top priority for students’ supplies Bob Worth Printz Writer

When it comes to buying school supplies, students tend to shop around.

USM students say the price of pens, paper and the other necessities that go along with making the grade in college are only part of the story. Convenience is also at the top of some shopping lists.

A price comparison of recommended college school supply basics among several local retailers showed prices at the Barnes and Noble at Southern Miss store on campus were often more than twice what its competitors charged.

Barnes and Noble Manager Kathy Hayman said the store’s home office actually sets the prices for all its items.

“We’re not here to compete with WalMart on pricing,” Hayman said. “We provide a convenience of service for the students – a one stop shop.”

Students can stop by the store on their way to the dorm after class, buy their textbooks and all related supplies and never have to start the car. For students

like Rick Riddell, a coaching major from Catharge, convenience and the ability to charge his school supplies to his student account sold him on shopping what he termed “steep” school supply prices at Barnes and Noble.

Campus Book Mart manager Jimmy Renfroe also stressed the convenience of students buying supplies at the same location as textbooks.

“We try to offer supplies for students so they can get them here, instead of running around,” Renfroe said. He said Campus Book Mart will hold a personal check for textbooks until a student’s financial aid refund check arrives.

The Associated Press reported in early August that the increased cost of all back-to-school items coupled with lagging consumer confidence and falling consumer spending trends made this year’s spending on school supplies a lot tighter. But that does not mean students can or will stop spending on supplies.

“It’s just as busy as last year,” said Talley Martin, an employee of Office Depot, motioning to the line of customers in front of her register.

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@Southern Miss Open: Mon.-Fri. 7:45am-8:00pm Sat. 10am-5pm & Sun. 12pm-5pm Contact us at (601) 266-4381

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Welcome to Hattiesburg: A guide to the city Eric Nagurney Entertaiment Editor

There’s a popular misconception that many have about Hattiesburg. Somehow a rumor got started that Hattiesburg was boring, that there was nothing to do here. As it turns out, there is plenty to do as long as you know where to look.

A great place to start in the Hub City is downtown. Easily reached by going west on Hardy Street, downtown hosts a bevy of bars and eateries. By keeping straight after reaching downtown, one will find the B&E Wine Bar and Bennie’s Boom Room, respected restaurants Brownstone’s and 206 Front Street, gourmet pizzeria Bianchi’s, and, during the morning hours, Southbound Bagels. By turning right on Main Street vis-

The best of Hattiesburg: • Best Hamburger - Mugshots

• Best Barbecue - Leatha’s • Best Fine Dining -The Purple Parrot

itors will find local favorite bar The Thirsty Hippo, organic market and café New Yokel, and the high-scale dining of Walnut Circle Grill. By taking a left on Mobile Street, one can find The Bottling Company music venue. Of course, we can’t forget the Saenger Theatre, found as soon as you enter downtown.

While downtown Hattiesburg offers many choices, there are still other bars in town. Going towards downtown on Hardy, students can find the popular Keg & Barrel and poolhall The Tavern, formerly St. Elmo’s. Another popular option is Fat O’Harry’s, located behind Pizza Hut at 106 S. 37th Ave. For those who aren’t exactly the bar-hopping tupe, Hattiesburg has plenty for you, too. If you want to check out a movie, the • Best Deli - McAlister’s • Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant - Seasons • Best Décor - Seasons & 206 Front • Best Chef - Robert St. John

eighteen screen Grand Theatre at 100 Grand Drive has all the latest flicks. There are two options in town for bowling: the newer Championship Lanes, located at 1900 N. 31st Ave, and the classic Hub Lanes, found at 7022 Highway 49 South. When looking for a nice afternoon, go to Kamper Park and Zoo, located off Hardy Street at 107 S. 17th Ave. Many of us rather like our caffeine and Hattiesburg has plenty of places for our fix. While everyone surely knows about Starbucks, Javawerks directly across from campus provides an excellent alternative.

One can also find the French-themed Café Boheme on the left side of Hardy going towards downtown.

Though most are aware of the chain restaurants in Hattiesburg, locally owned res• Best Spot for Tea - Simply Teavine • Best Source for the well-dressed woman - Steven McB’s • Best Radio Station - WUSM • Best Back Path - Long Leaf Trace

taurants are where the Burg really shines.

Sushi-lovers have two good options in Sakura, found directly off of Highway 49, and Little Tokyo at 3800 Hardy Street. For Mexican, La Fiesta Brava next to Sakura is a favorite, as is Caliente Grille directly off campus. A great place for cheap Chinese food is Panda Chinese Take Out, located in the 1900 Hardy Street shopping center. For some affordable pizza, one should look towards Jaybird’s Pizza in the same shopping center as Javawerks.

As much as this guide covers, there are countless great businesses that I had to leave out due to space concerns. If you find yourself without options, there’s likely somewhere that you have yet to try. Give everything a shot and you’ll be able to find your niche here in Hub City.

--As reported by CNN, Hattiesburg ranked 2nd in the nation out of the Top 10 Most Affordable College Football Towns.

Birds and bees

don’t.

You do.

Ask questions. Re-educate

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

USM traditions cover all areas of campus life From staff reports The Rock will rock Saturday as the 2008 Golden Eagle football team takes to the gridiron and starts a new tradition for every student on the USM campus: Never missing a home game again.

Along with that commitment, however, newly minted Golden Eagle fans should brush up those traditions surrounding fall football that help make the days leading up to each home game and those home game Saturdays really special.

-- Start things off by making plans now to attend Friday Night at the Fountain. The Southern Miss pep rally takes place evening before every home game at the Fountain in front of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.

Features vary but there’s always music, food and lots of ways to get fired up for a full day of football and related events Saturday. Festivities typically include The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, the Dixie Darlings, the Southern Miss cheerleaders, Seymour, the Southern Misses, coaches, and players. And it’s all free!

-- First thing Saturday, head to The District, the area of campus known as a gathering place for Southern Miss students and alumni.

There will be tents, music, food and fun and you’re sure to meet some old friends and make some new ones as the revelry continues right up until game time at 6 p.m. Saturday. During football season, The District serves as the starting point for the Eagle Walk and the heart of tailgating activities as students, alumni and friends of Southern Miss gather before each home game.

-- Don’t miss the Eagle Walk, the game day parade two-and-a-half hours before every kickoff where fans line Eagle Walk Drive. A cannon is fired, and The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band strikes up “Southern Miss to the Top!” as the Golden Eagles march into M. M. Roberts Stadium while the faithful cheer them on.

-- So you’ll need to know the Fight Song, “Southern Miss to the Top!” penned in 1955

by Robert Hays, assistant director of The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band. So you can practice before Saturday, the words are: Southern Mississippi to the top! To the top,So lift your voices high, show them the reason why,That Southern spirit never will stop.Fight! Fight! Fight! Southern Mississippi all the way, banners high And we will Fight!

Fight! Fight! to victory, Hear our battle cry!

--While you’ve got your singing voice in tune, get to your seat for a pre-game singing of

the Alma Mater, often paired with the national anthem. Yvonne Hamilton and Clara Davenport wrote the lyrics for the school’s alma mater, with arrangements by Mary Leila Gardner.

In 1963, Luigi Zaninelli arranged the score into the version still used today.

-- Then get ready to roar and be part of those well-known Cheers, heard Whenever USM students, alumni, or fans congregate.

-- Get back to the stands at the end of halftime in time to see the Junior Eagle Spirit Line, where future Golden Eagles form a human tunnel to welcome the Golden Eagles back to the field at the beginning of the second half.

-- And hang around at the end of the game for the Fifth Quarter Concert. Here’s a chance to hear the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band perform a short concert on the field for the fans who have congregated to visit with players and each other.

Sebe Dale/Multimedia Editor and Photo courtesy of Southern Miss Public Relations

The Alma Mater We sing to thee, our Alma Mater, USM thy praises be.Southern mem’ries we shall cherish Loyalty we pledge to thee. Spacious skies and land of sunshine, Verdant trees and shelt’ring walls.Now our hearts lift ev-er to thee. As we praise thy hallowed halls.

USM Shout Out S-OU-THERN Southern Mississippi U-S-M B-I-G-G-O-L-D Let’s go big gold!

Southern Miss To the top!

Above: Southern Miss cheerleaders rush through the tunnel of spectators before the game last season against the University of Central Florida. Below: Fans gather in The District to tailgate before a football game.

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Campus services at a glance Southern Miss Recreational Sports -Payne Center • Intramural sports program with more than 40 activities, including team and individual/dual competitions.

• Sports clubs on campus include: Men’s and Women’s Rugby, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Fencing, Tabletennis, Martial Arts, Cycling and Badminton.

The University Police Department -Bond Hall • 24-hour escort service seven days a week for those who have safety concerns.

This service can be accessed by using of the red phones around campus.

• Code Blue emergency phones are free and provide a direct line to UPD for anyone who needs assistance.

• Eagle Alert sends emergency messages to faculty, staff and students through their school e-mail addresses. Eagle Alert is also available via text and voice message for those who join the network.

• Contact UPD by calling 601-266-4986.

The Writing Center -- Cook Library, Room 112 • Free service provided by the English department for students with writing projects.

• Tutors provide assistance in every phase of the writing process, from brainstorming to the final draft.

• Walk-ins are accepted, but students are encouraged to set an appointment by calling 601-266-4821.

Student Health Services -- North of Kennard-Washington Hall • Qualified doctors and registered nurses provide health care to any student enrolled at Southern Miss. Students must present an ID. The co-pay is $5 per visit and can be charged to the student’s account.

• A full-service laboratory, X-ray facility and pharmacy are located in the clinic.

• Walk-ins are welcome, but students with appointments will generally be served first.

For general information about the clinic, or to set an appointment, call 601-266-5390.

• Student health insurance is available.

Student Employment -- McLemore Hall, Room 125 • Lists on- and off-campus jobs available for students of all experience levels.

•The office is open daily. For more information or to set an appointment, call 601266-4157.

- Compiled by Caitlin Masson and Lesley Walters

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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On-campus living means room to grow When I moved in to my room in McCarty Hall just before school started last week, I met several new students doing the same thing.

“Met” may not be the best term to describe our initial contact. With arms full of all of those things that make living away from home more bearable, each of us nodded and smiled and repeated our names, hometowns and majors.

I was ecstatic to be back on campus -- ready to face a tough semester I had been anticipating since May -- but genuinely glad to be back at Southern Miss.

Others were less enthusiastic. Maybe the new environment was intimidating. Maybe the work ahead was equally as intimidating.

But for many, I think the main concern had more to do with the size of their new home away from home. I mean, let’s face it: Dorm rooms are generally less spacious than expected. I had to laugh when I heard, several times, “It’s kind of small, isn’t it?” I vaguely remember saying the same thing when I came to Southern Miss as a freshmen three years ago.

The second thing newcomers to a college dorm realize is that this is communal living at it’s most intense. For most college students, it

Lesley Walters

News Editor

doesn’t take long to learn to loathe the idea of sharing a room with a stranger, sharing a bathroom with several strangers and trying to fit everything from home in a space half the size.

My first night in a dorm was spent entertaining the thought of moving into an apartment with a friend, complete with fashionable furniture, cable television and late-night parties. Afterall, the grass is always greener on the other side, right?

Well, I can tell you, checking out that grass can teach you something.

Shortly after checking into my first dorm room at Southern Miss in 2005, Hurricane Katrina changed my plans. The destruction Katrina did to both the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg made me feel really lonesome and insecure, so I moved in with my sister in Louisiana and enrolled at Southeastern Louisi-

ana University. I decided to commute that year so that I could take advantage of home-cooked meals, comfortable furniture and the support of family.

It was probably great for my grade point average, but the 30 to 45 minutes in the car the way to class was draining. I never spent any time on campus and it was difficult making friends because I lived too far away. Since I didn’t feel any real connection to that university, I decided to go back to Mississippi after a year.

I enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at the Jefferson Davis campus and leased a small house right on the beach in Gulfport. The classes had a more personal feel and I made a point of meeting more people that year, but going to school full time, maintaining a “B” average and working more than 30 hours a week to pay rent left me haggard.

I lost nearly 15 pounds that year just because I didn’t have the time or money to eat, and I looked and felt awful. I was exhausted most of the time. I learned that year that, while I can handle more responsibility than I once gave myself credit for, I don’t want to.

At the end of that year, I transferred back to

Southern Miss. Without hesitation, I secured a dorm room with a complete stranger and looked forward to the awkwardness.

Don’t get me wrong. Cinder block walls and cold floors don’t compare to the comforts of home, but not having to worry about paying rent - at least not more than once a semester - was a huge weight off of my shoulders. Another bonus was the meal plan, which left the drudgery of doing dishes to someone else. It was good to know I could study as hard as I needed to without the added stress of earning every meal.

I spent last year on campus and this year came back to do it again. Last year was the first since junior high that I was actively involved in an organization - a few, actually and I have more friends now than I have ever had in my life. I run into a handful of people whose full names I know on the way to class every day, and I haven’t charged a single thing on my debit card since classes started.

So small? Sure is. Communal? You bet!

Preferable? For me, anyway, it’s the perfect fit.

It makes being a student so much easier when homework and exams are the only thing you have to stress over.