Student printz august 24, 2015

Volume 100 Issue 2

Monday, August 24, 2015

www.studentprintz.com

PAGE THREE

PAGE FOUR

NEWS

F E AT U R E

Donald Trump Crowd of 30,000 cheers for presidential hopeful in Alabama.

PAGE EIGHT

PAGE SIX

OPINION

S P O RT S

Scianna Hall

Initiative 42

Volleyball

Students discuss new building’s tech, other features.

USM student shares why voters should care about referendum.

Team may contend for C-USA championship.

USM prepares for possible cuts Dear Faculty, Students:

Courtland Wells/Photo Editor Gabrielle Slack danced in ‘Tread Away,’ choreographed by Taylor Krupp during the Hub Dance Collective’s “In The Groove,” which was presented Aug. 21. This was the third annual Hub Dance Collective concert.

Hub Dance gets ‘In the Groove’ Alexis Ware Printz Reporter The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Dance welcomed back students with a concert by Hub Dance Collective, a group of professional dancers from all around the Hattiesburg area, including professors from the dance department.

“In the Groove” included dances retrieved from the group’s summer collection presented at Festival South.

“Hub Dance Collective is comprised of primarily dance faculty,” said Kelly Ferris Lester, associate professor of dance.

“We created it as a way to explore our art outside of our students so that we can share our work in a professional way and keep our artistry alive.”

The audience was largely comprised of theater and dance students.

“I think when they see us up there as professionals it helps them know that this is our passion, this is our love, and it gives them something to look up to,” Lester said.

A prerecorded explanation of the routines rolled before each of the five performances, to help the audience achieve a deeper understanding of each piece.

“I really related to Kelly Ferris Lester’s ‘In Her Clothes’ because it was really about playing different roles in life,” said Whitney Nabors, a senior dance performance and choreography major. “That (is) something I can really relate to – being a student, being a dancer, being a friend, being a human and an artist. I

think that’s something that really came through clearly.”

Entitled “In the Groove,” the show’s purpose was to motivate dance students to push themselves further in the upcoming school year. Many students affirmed the show’s purpose, saying it provided a dose of inspiration.

“I think it was a great way to start off the school year (and) get us back in the groove,” Nabors said.

“I’m moving up in my dance courses, and the technique is starting to get harder,” said Zakiya Bookert, a senior dance minor. “It’s more demanding not just physically, but mentally.”

The showcase was not exclusively for dance students.

People from all over the Hattiesburg area also enjoyed

the event.

“Tonight’s performance was dynamic, unexpected,” Hattiesburg resident Kenmekia Stanton said. “It was moving in so many ways: emotionally, mentally, physically. I felt every piece.”

Whether the performance motivated students or simply entertained them, the Hub Dance Collective performed a show that brought the crowd to its feet, ending the night with a standing ovation.

Hub Dance Collective was formed in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for the purpose of celebrating modern dance and bringing dancers’ talents to south Mississippi. For more information, visit their website at www.hubdancecollective.com, or find them on Facebook.

Staff

and

As you may know, The University of Southern Mississippi receives approximately $94 million in state funding each year. A recent meeting with the heads of all agencies and institutions who receive state funding reminds us of a significant initiative that will be on Mississippi’s November General Election ballot – a referendum that would mandate funding for K-12 education at a level that will necessitate reductions in other areas of state government.

We are writing today to inform you of this potential change in public policy as well as possible associated impacts to our university’s funding levels.

Each year the Mississippi Legislature has full authority to set the budget for the State of Mississippi. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson has asked each state agency and institution that receives General Funds (except Medicaid and K-12) to evaluate and provide a written impact statement for a potential 7.8 percent funding reduction in state appropriations for the current fiscal year and going forward.

The purpose of this evaluation exercise is to provide an assessment of the impact of adoption of the K-12 referendum, Initiative 42, that would mandate funding for K-12 education in accordance with the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) formula, regardless of revenue or need for investment at other state agencies, including our public institutions of higher learning. The university has provided the IHL Board office with anticipated impact estimations to be included in a larger IHL system response.

As lifelong educators, we certainly support full funding for all educational systems, including K-12, community colleges and our college and university system. However, it is critical for us to understand the long-term consequences of an amendment to the constitution directing funding to one See BUDGET, 2

Page 2 | Monday, August 24, 2015

INFORMATION MEET THE STAFF OF FALL 2015

EDITORS & STAFF

BUDGET

continued from page 1 particular branch of education from this point forward.

The challenge we now face is balancing an initiative we support against the potential impact for all other state activities within education and beyond.

For USM, a 7.8 percent reduction in state appropriations would result in a loss of approximately $7.4 million. As you know, the university completed a process last year to balance current revenue with expenditures, and there are not sufficient reserves to absorb a reduction of this level without impact to services. It is also unlikely that a tuition increase would offset the total revenue loss because of the anticipated negative impact a significant price increase would have on enrollment of current and future students.

As a result, it is estimated that the university could be forced to eliminate up to 109 positions (including faculty and staff) in order to implement a reduction at this level.

It is important to understand that if this reduction in state support becomes a reality, the university’s senior administrators, faculty, staff and students would be engaged in dialogue about how to determine specific reductions and/or fee increases.

Though the possibility of the passage of Initiative 42 is real, this impact exercise is not a legislative mandate to immediately cut our FY 2016 appropriations. However, it is a clear signal that all non-K-12 state-supported institutions (including universities) will be significantly adversely impacted if the November referendum passes.

We encourage each of you, as citizens of the state of Mississippi, to follow discussions about this topic over the coming months. Although we will not know the depth or breadth of possible associated impacts until after this fall’s election, updates will be provided to the university community if additional pertinent information becomes available.

Jules Peralta Web Editor

jules.peralta@eagles.usm.edu

Sincerely, Rodney D. Bennett President Chad Driskell Vice President for External Affairs This is a press release from July 17.

Contact Us Editorial Policy The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff, or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number, and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space, or journalistic ethics.

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NEWS

Monday, August 24, 2015 | Page 3

NATIONAL

Trump speaks at rally in Mobile, promises to ‘Make America Great Again’ Hunt Mercier Assistant Photo Editor Thousands of supporters gathered Friday night at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, to see and hear Donald Trump.

The 40,000-seat stadium was half-filled, and everyone there anxiously waited for the billionaire businessman to walk down the stage to take the podium.

The stage was surrounded with supporters waving American flags and signs that read “Mobile for Trump,” “Make America Great Again,” and “Make My Future Great.”

Over the stadium speakers the announcer said, “Ladies and gentlemen, if you look up in the sky right now you can see Mr. Trump flying over us.”

The crowd erupted with cheers and waved at the massive jet with large letters that read “TRUMP” as it flew over and circled the stadium.

The moment Trump stepped onto the stage, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” rang throughout the stadium, and the crowd was elated to see him.

Supporters screamed his name and chanted, “Make America great again!” He smiled and ambled toward the podium, waving at the crowd.

“Wow, wow, this is amazing,” Trump said, talking about the amount of people at the stadium.

“You know, if it rains tonight, I’ll take off my hat and finally prove to everyone that once and for all it’s mine,” he jokingly said about his hair.

Donald Trump at the Ladd-Peebles Stadium promoted his campaign for presidency in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday.

His speech included lauding his own success in business, attacking Republican Jeb Bush on illegal immigration and bashing the Obama administration’s deal with Iran to restrict that country’s nuclear program.

“I brought up the subject of illegal immigration, and I took a lot of heat that I can tell you, and, two weeks later, everybody was apologizing to me because they saw that I was right,” Trump

said. “We’re going to stop it. We’re going to build a wall.”

Trump was welcomed by a batch of Alabama politicians, including Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions.

In the middle of his speech, one member of the audience held up Trump’s best-selling book entitled “Art of the Deal.” Trump said, “Give me that book. This is the second best book in the world, and President Obama should

LOCAL

read it. You know what the best book in the world is? The Bible.”

He then signed the book for the audience member.

People were at the gate hours before it was opened to the public in high hopes to get as close as possible to the candidate.

Trump was forced to move his rally from the Mobile Civic Center, which holds about 2,000 people, to Ladd-Peebles Stadium, a 40,000seat stadium.

Hunt Mercier/Assistant Photo Editor

The expected attendance for the rally was more than 30,000.

Trump stressed his desire to end “birthright citizenship” for children of illegal immigrant parents.

Children born within the U.S. are automatically considered U.S. citizens, even if the parents are illegal immigrants living within the states since the adoption of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment in 1868.

Federal judge rules in favor of City of Hattiesburg Andrew Dutton Printz Reporter The City of Hattiesburg recently won a lawsuit over new redistricting plans.

According to WDAM, Hattiesburg resident the Rev. Kenneth Fairley, Sr., and others claimed the new redistricting plan violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Hattiesburg’s African-American citizens.

Proponents of the lawsuit claimed the redistricting plan would mean the African-American community in Hattiesburg would have fewer opportunities than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice.

According to The Hattiesburg American, U.S. District Court Judge Keith Starrett upheld the recent ward lines, issuing a 46page memorandum opinion Aug. 11, citing that a 2012 redistricting plan retained three majority white wards and two majority black wards, despite the city’s slight African-American majority.

A 2010 census revealed of the

population of Hattiesburg, 53 percent are single-race, AfricanAmerican while 42 percent are white and five percent are Hispanic or another ethnic minority. These census numbers are why Fairley and supporting plaintiffs believe the population is large and geographically compact enough to have majority of the wards rather than just two.

Hattiesburg City Council member for Ward 3 Carter Carroll spoke about redistricting and what it implies.

“Every 10 years the cities and states are required to redistrict after the census comes out,” Carroll said. “According to the oneman, one-vote rule, we have to have proportionate wards.” Carroll explained that redistricting revolves around population and how the idea of redrawing voting wards is not simple.

“You need to keep neighborhoods as close together as possible,” Carroll said. “We divide wards by major thoroughfares like a major highway, street, creek or something distinguishable so you can say ‘this is my neighborhood.’ You don’t want

to divide wards in the middle of a voting precinct. You (have to) move very gingerly in the way we do things.”

On the charges of diluting the African-American voting population, Carroll denied those claims. “We still have to go by the regulations of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. We can’t dilute wards,” Carroll said. “We had done everything exactly like we did the last time. We had two days of testimony where we testified what we did and the judge ruled that we did everything correctly.”

Carroll explained how the ward populations’ growth was completely natural; it was a case of individuals choosing to live where they wanted to live. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 says as the redrawing takes place, the city council was to disrupt as little as possible.

“The evidence demonstrates that African Americans in Hattiesburg enjoy political power in rough proportion to their share of the voting-age population and that they actively exercise such power through the political process,” Starrett wrote in his memorandum.

Page 4 | Monday, August 24, 2015

FEATURE

ON CAMPUS

Campus community excited about Scianna Hall Nan Buti Printz Reporter As students arrived back to campus this semester, many felt excited to see Scianna Hall, the latest addition of the College of Business. According to the majority of reactions around campus, Scianna Hall lived up to its expectations.

From Joseph Greene Hall to Scianna Hall, The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Business on the Hattiesburg campus underwent a transformation that extended from expansion to renovation.

The 93,000-square-foot facility is located next to the Trent Lott Center. The name honors Charles “Chuck” Scianna, the Southern Miss alumnus who donated $6 million to the project.

The building has more than 11,000 square feet of study space for students, who are taking advantage of its amenities. Scianna Hall will become a large part of every USM business student’s daily schedule, from using a sleek “study treadmill” to making way to managerial statistics class.

“I really enjoy the comfortability of the classrooms, and the modern technology that makes it easier for the students and teachers,” junior entrepreneurship major Shawn Hollywood said. “For instance, the TVs are on the walls and facing the instructors, so they don’t have to turn their backs to students while going over the material projected on the screens. I also like the health initiative through the addition of the treadmills that also serve as study areas.”

Sophomore business finance major Jordan Malley was seen studying on the first floor of Scianna Hall, in the hub of study space where new chairs, tables and couches are distributed.

“When I heard about a new business building being built, I initially envisioned nicer walls and lighting, but nothing like this,” Malley said. “I didn’t expect all the technology that’s in here.”

The state-of-the-art business building features beautiful terrazzo floors, spacious modern architecture and a replica of the “Lofty Return” sculpture. Malley’s favorite aspect of the new building is its calm atmosphere where he can study without interruptions.

“It’s not only nice and new, but there aren’t too many people around,” Malley said. “Joseph Greene had a lot of traffic in and around it, but Scianna Hall is a lot quieter, making it easy to do homework at any time.”

So far, most can agree that Scianna Hall has exceeded previous expectations and has transformed the College of Business at Southern Miss. The new building features a 50-percent increase in square footage from Joseph Greene Hall, houses the Center for Healthcare Marketing and the Center for Financial

Services, study and gathering spaces, including the new student leadership suite and group and individual study rooms, distance learning lecture hall and tiered caseoriented classrooms equipped with digital displays and comprehensive multimedia stations.

But that might not be all for Scianna Hall. Rumored is the potential for a restaurant—possibly a Dunkin Donuts or Panda Express.

“There were a lot of rumors floating around about the building, especially over the summer,” Hollywood said. “The main rumor that is circulating right now is one about a restaurant or cafeteria of some kind being installed in the building. This may be true, but everyone I’ve heard from about it is not real sure of how factual it is.”

Thomas Organ is a management trainee for Cintas Corporation, which contributed to the building of Scianna Hall. Organ was fortunate enough to see Scianna Hall at the bare-bone stage.

“The way Chuck Scianna talked about the technology sounded like it was going to be incredible and centralize business,” Organ said. “When we first started talking about the building, it was going to change the game at the College of Business at (Southern Miss).”

The College of Business has held the reputation as being one of the best business colleges in the country. With a new facility, the status of the college is only becoming more prominent, setting its students apart from other departments.

“This is incredible,” Organ said.

“A lot of university programs don’t prepare students for what it’s like outside of the education system, but this will give our students more of a realistic view once they move on to their careers.”

“When I mention that I’m a product of the College of Business at (Southern Miss), this is what will represent me,” Organ said.

“I feel as if my degree has more worth and weight. This project is phenomenal.”

With current and future projects

by Southern Miss, like the upcoming nursing facility Asbury Hall, a slow transformation of campus is expected. The Scianna Hall project is expected to lead USM into bigger things: similarly advanced buildings, prestige for the campus and the city of Hattiesburg, intended to induce a rise in the caliber of the students and an uplifting in the name of the College of Business.

“Once the new nursing building is open, Scianna Hall and the nursing building will be two huge steps forward for USM,” Hollywood said. “Great programs deserve great buildings. USM is recognizing that, and the students (present and future) are seeing that. This results in better moral, as well as the potential for a larger student body.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility will be in September.

Alexandria Rodriguez/Printz Professor Wayne Kelly and senior business management and finance major Nick Algero talk after class in Scianna Hall’s Stock Exchange on the first day of class, Aug. 19.

DONATE PLASMA.

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FEATURE

Monday, August 24, 2015 | Page 5

ON CAMPUS

Coyote lesson: students make sustainability pledges Zainul Abedin Contributor Choosing a summer study abroad program over the packed-up college education, or moving out of regular jobs that we have grown to love, to move on to other things, can be startling, but it is all in how we perceive it.

In the same way, exposing ourselves to another culture and making a change, especially in the made-easy lifestyle, is not always easy. But a group of 12 students and two trip leaders— Christopher Ferrel and Haley McMinn of The University of Southern Mississippi—in this summer unwrapped the inertia to experiencing new things, learning new skills, gaining international experience, while making friends in today’s changing life. They made it by visiting and collaborating on a community project, known as Project Serve Canada, hosted by the University of Guelph in the neighboring country of Canada during May 9-16. The group was so impressed by the activities to practice sustainability of life in the southeastern corner of Canada that they crafted their own pledges to make a change in their wasteful lifestyles at home.

The pledges ranged from water conscious dish-washing to biking cycles that they observed, experienced and even learned from the practices of preparing their own food, learning how to make own personal products and the “coyote-lesson” from the outdoor school in the Guelph woods. In the coyote style, learning is initiated among the children, especially those with disabilities, as they address

each other as “elder brother” and “younger brother” and sit down or walk and talk together.

The coyote-method is one of the most popular western Native American cultures (mythos), especially among indigenous peoples of Canada and Great Basin in the U.S. The coyote mythos can be categorized in many ways.

In this case, the learning as “functional equals” in a natural way starts by developing attributes of human qualities— from awesome perception through inquisitiveness and caring/tending to service to the community. Coyotes know their environment by smelling, guessing and surveying their territory as in nature. It starts by oral stories that transfer from generation to generation.

Members of the team thus avowed to make varying changes in their lifestyles. For example, one student who just wanted to see Canada as a break to her mind-boggling study of psychology made a commitment to the extent that she would no longer use plastic bottled water, especially from the Nestle company, which has been exhausting the underground water resources of the neighboring area of Guelph despite protests of the local people of the First Nations known as aboriginal.

Someone promised she will no longer throw away even a candy wrapper on the street but will rather pick up those strayed around to put into a trash bin, because a piece of trash not only makes our neighborhood nasty, it also deteriorates our soil fertility and quality of water.

Huge garbage patches caused by litter in the Pacific, one even

Courtesy Photo

larger than the state of Texas, have long been making fish and wildlife intoxicated.

A student who decided to come to Canada just to celebrate his graduation vowed to uphold the rights of the underprivileged people’s access to proper food by helping to build food banks in his neighborhood. He worked along with others in the West Willow Village, where a neighborhood community helps the poorer people with food collected from the local markets as well as farmers of Guelph. In this case, local organic farms are the main source of supplies. Many affluent neighbors extended their support to make the food

bank efforts viable. Affluent customers also buy items or split their shares and put some into the donation-cartons placed in the local stores. Also, a Hope House collects and distributes clothes and other items to people who cannot afford them, especially in the time of deep-freezing weather.

One student committed to encourage his roommates and neighbors to avoid motor vehicles, instead use bicycles or walk to the grocery stores and shopping centers, which are not far away. This student regularly rides a bicycle eight miles minimum to and from school, excluding other times of biking and walking. The University of

Guelph is connected by 12 bus and rail services, which facilitate the journeys of students, faculty members, officials and employees to and from Guelph City and other parts of the province of Ontario from dawn to dusk, in some routes up to midnight and around the week.

Another student said she will start conserving water by using less in the shower and cleaning and cooking. She can make it by slowing down the flow of tap water and stopping the flow in intervals when even in use. She was joined by another student who said we can utilize greywater and compost to grow organic vegetables at home.

Another student said she would now get three bins at home—one for recycles, one for compost and one for trash only, as the student dorms, campus and city in Guelph follow the rules. Organic farming and planting trees have been striking efforts made by the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph, the County of Wellington, where the university and the city are situated, and the local farmers.

University students volunteer with them from time to time.

A student contended why we do not follow the examples of the dorms of the UG, where there is no use of paper towels in the kitchen or toilets (there are only toilet-tissues). Kitchen towels are used to clean and dry the utensils. Most importantly, no bottled water is in use. Tap water is very clean and pure to drink. Another student made the commitment For the rest of this story, go to www.studentprintz.com

OPINION

Page 6 | Monday, August 24, 2015

OP-ED

Mississippi’s future depends on funding MAEP Koedy Harper Contributor Few times in history do we get the opportunity to change our state for the better. We have that chance Nov. 3 when we vote for Initiative 42.

Initiative 42 is a citizen-led constitutional amendment to do something so simple and so important: to require the Mississippi Legislature to keep the law it passed 18 years ago and fully fund the state’s part of K-12 education, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP).

Simply, it says to lawmakers, just keep the law you enacted but have fully funded only twice.

In the past eight years, that refusal to obey the law has cost our state’s schools nearly $1.7 billion – enough money to pay for 4,871 first-year teachers for 10 years, or 16.7 million textbooks, or 4,555 school counselors for 10 years, or 5.6 million classroom computer or 17,634 school buses.

What’s also simple to understand is that the nearly 200,000 Mississippians who signed petitions to put Initiative

42 on the ballot support a funding phase-in over several years so that agency and university budgets are not hurt.

When lawmakers tell you budget cuts or tax increases will be necessary, they are just wrong and trying to scare voters.

While Initiative 42’s goal is simple, its impact is crucial.

Frankly, I’m fed up with our state leaders’ unwillingness to do what it will take to get Mississippi off the bottom. I’m fed up with loving a state and wanting to make my future here, but knowing we’re on the bottom to stay unless things change.

As a USM senior, I think about our future. It’s just around the corner for me, and I realize those great jobs are not coming to Mississippi when business leaders know our state doesn’t support its public education system. They know we do not produce enough well educated students to be the skilled employees they need to succeed.

I also worry about the future of others, like my ninth-grader brother in Jones County Schools. What can his future be like if our state doesn’t create

an economic environment for success?

The Forrest-Lamar County area is blessed with excellent public schools with strong local financial support. We see the results of a thriving economy in an island of prosperity.

But what happens to those other communities in our state where local economies are not so successful? The answer: they struggle to survive, and their schools struggle to meet even the basic requirements for their children. It’s not fair that the opportunity for a good K-12 education depends upon a child’s zip code.

You also may hear talk radio chatter about this “one judge in Hinds County,” who’s going to become a K-12 funding czar to tell our state how to spend your tax money. Ridiculous.

The truth is simple: no judge will be involved with K-12 funding if the legislature abides by its own law. But, if it doesn’t, our democratic system of checks and balances provides that some authority— our judicial system—will step in and tell lawmakers they are not abiding by the constitution. “Do

your job,” is what they will be told. But the Legislature always retains the authority to decide how that job will be done.

And so I urge you to vote for Initiative 42 on Nov. 3 and to better inform yourself about it and the Legislature’s trick, Initiative 42-A, which its supporters admit is nothing more than a way to confuse voters and kill the real one.

If you’d like more information, go to 42’s website at 42ForBetterSchools.org.

Koedy Harper is a University of Southern Mississippi senior political science major. He grew up in Jones County and is a graduate of Northeast Jones High School.

OPINION

Monday, August 24, 2015 | Page 7

STATE

Mississippians should embrace change Joshua Campbell Sports Editor In 1894, the Mississippi state flag was adopted to represent the state’s heritage and highlight its patriotism.

During the past week, several celebrities have voiced their disgust with the state flag. Jimmy Buffett, Morgan Freeman, Archie Manning and John Grisham collaborated to run an ad in the Clarion-Ledger to share their displeasure.

The ad reads, “It is simply not fair, or honorable, to ask black Mississippians to attend schools, compete in athletic events, work in the public sector, serve in the National Guard and go about their normal lives with a state flag that glorifies a war fought to keep their ancestors enslaved.”

In the original description, the canton of the flag, the upper left hand corner, is referred to as the “union square” and depicts the original number of States of the Union. The issue is not what

it is meant to depict; the issue is what the canton resembles— the Confederate flag.

The Confederate flag is viewed in today’s society as a symbol of racism and reminds many of a dark period in our nation’s history. As a result, many are clamoring for the state to raise a new flag—one that does not relate itself to a period of racism and slavery.

Curiously enough, the state government tried to change the state flag over a decade ago, but the proposed flag was voted against.

In 2001, Gov. David Musgrove signed a bill to replace the current state flag of Mississippi, but the bill was voted against at a nearly 2-1 clip, proving that residents of Mississippi truly did

value the historical significance of the current flag.

However, would simply changing the state flag really make that big of a difference?

Realistically, if the flag were to change, the public would rejoice for a week or two, but who knows what kind of impact it would truly have.

While Mississippi residents were not ready for change in 2001, the time has arrived to act on raising a new state flag.

There have been some seriously heinous acts of violence that have crippled the nation over the past few years due to an unofficial, yet prevalent, war against racial minorities.

If the state government sits on its hands and does not try to change the current state flag, it

is putting the public at risk of a similar act of violence occurring here in Mississippi. That is a risk that should not be taken.

While a new state flag may or may not have a large impact, having an impact is not what raising a new flag is about. It is about taking a step forward and facing the war on minorities head on. Mississippi, as a whole, has ignored the fact that its flag is offensive and has held onto it for far too long.

It is understandable that residents want to keep the current flag because of its historical significance and rich heritage, but we live in a new day and age.

The time is now for change in Mississippi.

IF YOU COULD REDESIGN THE STATE FLAG...

HOW WOULD

YOU DO IT?

The Student Printz is holding a contest for the best redesign of our state’s flag. Send in your designs to printzeditors@gmail.com to participate. Include you name, classification and major with your submission. Designs will be posted to the website, and students and faculty can vote for their favorites, starting Aug. 31. The winner and first and second runners-up will be posted in The Student Printz the following Monday, Sept. 7.

SPORTS

Page 8 | Monday, August 24, 2015

VOLLEYBALL

Hayward and Purdue back to lead Golden Eagles Jacob Kemp Printz Reporter The Southern Miss volleyball team begins their season this weekend against several teams.

Mercer, Southern and Nicholls State come to Hattiesburg for matches after a long volleyball hiatus.

Last season, the Golden Eagles went 20-14 last season and struggled mightily on the road, going just 5-7 on the road while posting a 9-3 record at home.

The Golden Eagles ended their 2014 season on a threematch losing streak, culminating in a loss in the Conference USA Championship Quarterfinals to North Texas, 3-1.

However, the Golden Eagles still return several key players from last year’s squad and will look to make the tournament again this year.

One of the those key players returns in the form of one of the most dangerous players in Conference USA, Quinci Hayward. Hayward had quite a season last year as she was named to the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic alltournament team. Later in the season, she became the 16th player in Southern Miss history to record over 1,000 kills.

Hayward will be a force up front as she was near the top on the team in total blocks last season with 43, while also tallying 368 kills.

However, despite Hayward’s blocking ability, head coach Amanda Berkley said as a whole, the team needs to improve on their blocking from what she saw in their scrimmage.

“I think we can build on defense still and control the ball just a little bit better,” Berkley said. “Blocking (could) definitely

be an improvement, but overall we did some nice things and I’m excited about this weekend.”

Despite their blocking and defensive woes, Berkley said there were several things she was excited about.

“I think we learned that we have some energy,” Berkley said. “We had a lot of high energy plays.”

Also returning is the team leader in kills last season, Stephany Purdue. With 407 kills and 35 aces, Purdue was one of the most dangerous servers in the conference and is only a junior.

Hayward and Purdue make a dynamic duo in the back and front that will be hard to match by other teams and the offense they provide is second to none in C-USA. However, the defense must improve in order for the Lady Eagles to make some noise in the conference.

With their top two players returning, the Golden Eagles will be a major force in conference play and could compete for the championship if their defense improves.

They will likely be facing both North Texas and Western Kentucky again as well, who had a showdown in the semifinals last year and return many key members on their respective teams.

The Golden Eagles will get some much needed practice in before hitting conference play.

USM will participate in three invitationals: the Bama Bash, the Rebel Classic and the Tiger Invitational.

The Golden Eagles start their season on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. as they take on Mercer. Then they take on Southern and Nicholls State in a doubleheader on Saturday.

AT A G L A N C E Southern Miss Invitational

VS.

W H O : Mercer Bears W H E N : Friday, August 28, 2015 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Reed Green Coliseum Hattiesburg, MS

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Julius Kizzee/Printz Senior middle blocker Rachel Johnson signed a poster for Southern Miss fans at the volleyball team’s annual Fan Day on Saturday. The team also had a clinic as well as a scrimmage at Reed Green Coliseum. While the clinic consisted of fans doing one-on-one drills with the players, the Black and Gold scrimmage was strictly for players. The Black team outdid the Gold, winning the first, third and fourth sets to cruise to a 3-1 match victory.

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Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Black

26

21

25

25

Gold

24

25

23

17