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The
Serving Southern Miss since 1927
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Volume 93, Issue 18
Black and Gold Team returns for homecoming Ben Sutton Printz Writer
After beating out traditional homecoming teams in its debut last year, the Black and Gold Team is back, and invites USM students to join in the campus-wide competitions next week before the Homecoming Game Nov. 1. The Black and Gold Team is the brainchild of the Student Government Association. The team provides a way for stu-
dents who would otherwise be left out of the homecoming festivities to get in on the fun. Before 2007, only teams associated with student groups could take part in homecoming events, leaving out students unaffiliated with Greek life or other organizations. Since the majority of USM students are not members of the organizations that participate annually, the SGA created the Black and Gold Team to fill the gap and make participation possible for a large section of the stu-
dent body. SGA President Melissa Cirino said joining the Black and Gold Team is a great way for students to connect with others they may have never met otherwise. “I guarantee you’ll make great new friendships,” Cirino said. “It’s all fun and geared toward enriching the student experience.” Heather Murray, an English and anthropology double major from Flowood, was a member of the Black and Gold Team
last October and plans to join the team again for this year’s competitions. The sophomore echoed Cirino’s opinion of the Black and Gold Team, saying that the best part of her experience last year was “getting to know all the other students who were a part of the team.” “To be honest, sometimes it’s easy to feel ‘left out’ if you aren’t participating in a Greek organization or another big campus organization,” Murray continued. “Every student at USM should have
the opportunity to participate in our university’s traditions, and the Black & Gold Team makes this possible.” Andrew Brown, a sophomore biological science major from Madison, said that as a member of a fraternity, he can appreciate the competition the Black and Gold Team brings to homecoming festivities. “I think it’s good that people who aren’t in Greek life or other organizations have a way to participate in homecoming events,” the Pi Kappa
Phi member said. Last October’s events included a Miss Varsity pageant as well as float-building and judging. Those who want to experience the friendly competition of homecoming week but are not a member of one of the participating organizations are welcome to join. To find out more about the Black and Gold Team, call the SGA office at 601-266-4407, or contact Melissa Cirino at melissa. cirino@usm.edu.
Candidates face off Musgrove to beat incumbent Meryl Dakin Printz Writer
Challenging incumbent Senator Roger Wicker in the Mississippi special election is former Governor Ronnie Musgrove, native of Tocawa. He was born July 29, 1965 (which, incidentally, he proclaimed “Ronnie Musgrove Day” in 2002 when he was governor). A graduate of the University of Mississippi Law School, he was appointed governor in 1999 by the Mississippi House of Representatives when neither he nor his Republican opponent succeeded in gaining a majority of the popular vote. Formerly, he had also served as state senator and Lieutenant Governor. He has served on the executive board of several committees, including the Democratic Gov-
ernor’s Association and the National G o v e r n o r ’s Association. He’s served as chair of the Ronnie Musgrove Southern Regional Board, the Southern States Energy Board, and the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors in 1998. A concern of many voters is the allegations made that Musgrove has accepted bribes. Wicker’s ads have brought even more public attention to the connection between Musgrove and trial lawyers Dickie Scruggs and Paul Minor, both of whom have been incarcerated for bribing judges. See MUSGROVE on page 3
Wicker looks to keep seat Meryl Dakin Printz Writer
In the special election for Mississippi Senate on November 4th, incumbent Roger Wicker will face former Governor Ronnie Musgrove in a race that the Rasmussen Reports showed were neck-andneck in the beginning of October, with Wicker leading 49% to 47%. In November of 2007, Senator Trent Lott resigned, leaving open his senate seat mid-term. Governor Haley Barbour appointed Roger Wicker to this seat to finish the term until a special election could be held to contest for it. Wicker hails from Ponotac, born July 5th 1951. Like his adversary, Wicker graduated from the University of Mississippi’s Law School and became an attorney. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force from 1976 to 1980, and then remained in the re-
serve until 2004 when he retired from duty. He entered the world of politics in 1980, servRoger Wicker ing as Trent Lott’s Counsel on the House Rules Committee. In 1987, he was elected to two terms on Mississippi’s State Senate. In 1994 he was elected first district representative after Jamie Whitten declined to seek reelection. He served on the leadership team as deputy whip in the House of Representatives, and belonged to the House Appropriations Committee. He was also a member of the Defense Subcommittee and in 2007 was named ranking minority member of the Military Construction/VA Subcommittee. Campaign ads between the
Sebe Dale IV/Printz
Members of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity build their annual haunted house at the ATO chapter house Tuesday. The project is a fundraiser that will benefit the Hattiesburg chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The haunted house is open today until Saturday and cost is $5 at the door.
See WICKER on page 3
Campus organization encourages voters to make a stand Lesley Walters News Editor
Now that the presidential election is a dozen days away, and registration deadlines have come and gone, one campus organization is focused on stressing the importance of exercising the right to vote. Collective Hip-hop: an Artistically Original Society will host Vote Out Loud this evening to encourage USM students to vote Nov. 4. Starting at 5:15 p.m. in the Union Plaza, the area between R.C. Cook Union and M.M. Roberts Stadium, members of CHAOS will use their many talents to entertain and encourage young voters. CHAOS began as a freestyle
organization, but changed election, and I look forward to vote, especially now with our its name last year. Now their being able to speak about John country in such bad shape as members perform poetry and McCain and his platform.” it is.” spoken-word prose along with Roy Logan, president of the Pope, a native of Birmingdifferent styles of music. College Democrats, said he is ham, Ala., said their street Chelsie Pope, the public looking forward to the event. team, “our pep squad,” would relations manager for CHA“I don’t know all the full lo- be mingling in the crowd this OS, said evening to lead the College chants and hype Democrats It’s great that the language arts community up the audience. and College is taking such an interest in this election, and Michael Jones, Republicans I look forward to being able to speak about the music direcwould be John McCain and his platform tor for CHAOS, -Simon Smith, College Republicans there to help said his organithem emphazation will not size the imbe taking sides, portance of voting, and con- gistics of what they’re going since their aim is “just to let tribute information about each to perform, but I’m anxious to [students] know that they of the major parties. see what they’ve come up with should go out and vote, no Simon Smith, a representa- and what they’re going to do,” matter who it’s for.” tive for the College Republi- said the administration of jus“Now that everyone is supcans says, “It’s great that the tice major from Petal. “Maybe posed to have registered,” Jones language arts community is it will help convince young said, “we want them to go out taking such an interest in this people about the necessity to and practice their right.”
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VOTE OUT LOUD
CHAOS Tonight 5:15 in the Student Union
The Jackson native said the CHAOS music committee will perform a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” that includes a mixture of hip-hop and choral styles. He added that the poetry committee has prepared several pieces focused on the upcoming election as well. The junior forensic science major said the eclectic collection of work prepared for the rally would speak to a di-
verse group of people, while expressing the purpose behind CHAOS in the first place. “There’s nothing wrong with being different and changing things, as long as it’s for the better or for good,” Jones said. He said students should remember that their vote can make a difference, but that is not the only option available to spark change. He said students should get involved in their communities and educate themselves on the issues. “Instead of just looking for the president to do something, we need to look at ourselves and try to do something as well,” Jones said. “We as people have to try to make a difference … Make a stand.”