Thursday, October 6, 2016 Volume 101 Issue 12
student printz SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
www.studentprintz.com
UPD investigates game incident CAM BONELLI
executive editor
On Oct. 5, President of The University of Southern Mississippi Rodney Bennett addressed the student body via mass email about the incident that allegedly occurred at the Golden Eagles football game Oct. 1. “By now you may be aware of an incident that was reported this past Saturday at our home football game,” Bennett wrote. “I want to assure each of you that The University of Southern Mississippi works to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of each member of our community. As president, I was deeply concerned when I learned of this incident, and I have since spent nearly two hours meeting with the students who filed the complaint and one of the students’ family members to reassure them of our institutional commitment to inclusion.” Allegedly, game attendees threw drinks at and used derogatory language against two AfricanAmerican students who remained
seated during the national anthem, according to one of the two students’ twitter page. The Monday following the game, students organized a peaceful protest in Shoemaker Square to support the victims. “[The protest] was an expression of concern and unity on the behalf of their fellow students,” said Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Students Eddie Holloway. “It has always been official to give time for the results of investigation, vetting of facts and conclusion of matters that are so prone to be guided by emotion.” The University Police Department is currently investigating the situation by reviewing footage of the incident and identifying and interviewing the persons involved, according to Holloway. “The case has been investigated by UPD, particularly Capt. Rusty Keyes,” Holloway said. “He has reviewed the footage of the alleged incident and has met with the majority of the persons that have been identified.The claims on behalf
of the impacted students have been investigated, and the corresponding persons have been interviewed.” Holloway said Keyes will complete the review on Oct. 6 and forward his findings to The Dean of Students. “Once the [findings] are received by the Dean of Students office, all parties that have been identified and the students impacted will be interviewed by the Dean of Students,” Holloway said. “The students will have the Student Code of Conduct and the Creed at Southern Miss explained to them. The creed at USM outlines the model of behavior expected of our students and our community of scholars. The code also outlines prohibited behavior by students and the judicial process of the Student Code of Conduct.” The investigation into this incident is nearing completion, and any student alleged to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to our Dean of Students for possible disciplinary action, according to Bennett’s email. “I appreciate the swift work of our University Police Department,
Division of Student Affairs and Department of Athletics in responding immediately to this complaint,” Bennett said. “I have been updated several times regarding the investigation and have full confidence in the thoroughness and transparency with which it is being conducted.” Holloway said the case will go on to the Student Judicial Process. This process will determine the consequences for the students in question. “I want to thank UPD for its rapid response and efforts to resolve this case,” Holloway said. “It is unfortunate that we are at this point in time with this case, but our system affords us the opportunity to resolve within the interest of both parties.” Due to the demands of investigating this case, Keyes was unavailable at the time of publication. The university is serious not only about our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and culture, but also about protecting the safety and well-being of individuals who study, work and attend events on our campuses, according to Bennett’s
email. “Regardless of the findings of this investigation, any form of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation is not acceptable and will not be tolerated at The University of Southern Mississippi,” Bennett said. “Institutions of higher education are rich with debate, discourse and the free expression of ideas. It is our collective responsibility to respect each individual’s right to express their opinions and beliefs without fear or intimidation. I challenge all members of our university community to demonstrate collegial, respectful behavior that supports all of the different perspectives that make up our Southern Miss story.” Bennett said the university encourages students who believe they or others have experienced harassment, intimidation or retaliation to contact one or more of the following offices: UPD at 601-266-4986, Office of the Dean of Students at 601-266-6028, Title IX Office at 601-266-6804 or 601266-4466 or Human Resources at 601-266-4050.
Jill Stein visits University of Miss., preaches politics SAM JOHNSON
printz reporter
GARRETT MINTA
news editor
Physician and Green Party nominee for president of the United States Jill Stein visited the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., regarding the defining issues of this election and how she would handle them as the president. Stein runs on the Green party ticket for a second election cycle with her vice presidential pick, human rights activist Ajamu Baraka. Stein currently polls at four percent nationally, according to Real Clear Politics. Stein said as president she would acknowledge education as a human right, would work to make public universities tuition free and would abolish student debt through “quantitative easing” and a “sales tax” on all Wall Street transactions. “We found a way to bail out Wall Street – the guys that crashed the economy with their waste, fraud and abuse,” Stein said. “So my point is, as responsible adults, we
need to bail out a younger generation that is held hostage in this unpayable student debt.” According to the Bank of England’s website, quantitative easing is “an unconventional form of monetary policy where a Central Bank creates new money electronically to buy financial assets, like government bonds.” The goal of the process is to “directly increase private sector spending in the economy and return inflation to target.” Stein recently received a warrant of arrest in North Dakota while participating in protests and civil disobedience alongside the Standing Rock Sioux, whose sacred burial grounds were demolished. She said the Dakota Access pipeline will contaminate the water supply of 17 million people throughout the Midwest. Free healthcare is the next human right, according to Stein. A Stein healthcare plan will legalize hemp and marijuana and increase healthcare benefits for veterans. Stein said she would provide jobs through her plan for an FDRinspired government stimulus
program she calls the “Green New Deal.” The Green New Deal would halt all further fossil fuel emissions and seek to shift the United States to green and renewable energy sources by the year 2030. Like her domestic policy, Stein focuses on climate change and human rights. If she were to win the presidency, Stein would call for an end on all foreign wars and call for an international weapons embargo. Stein said she would obtain international cooperation on these issues because it was time for the United States to step up and be an example by “de-escalating conflict,” citing the eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its military exercises near the border of Russia. Stein’s largest base is a large collection of former Bernie supporters, who cheered as she said her campaign is “Bernie on steroids.” While running with a thirdparty candidacy in 2012 against Obama and Mitt Romney, she won nearly half a million votes. “Vote like your lives depend on it, because they do,” Stein said to supporters.
Sam Johnson | Printz Jill Stein speaks in Oxford, Mississippi on October 3, 2016.