The Student Printz. March 23, 2015

Monday, March 23, 2015

Volume 99 Issue 45

www.studentprintz.com PAGE THREE

PAGE FIVE

NEWS

Dean of Admissions

Provost announces new dean, VP for enrollment management.

PAGE SIX

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F E AT U R E

OPINION

S P O RT S

Former student pens controversial novel.

Editor suggests a resolution of his own.

Techsters sweep Eagles in weekend series.

‘Ghosts of Beauvoir’

SGA

Softball

Lady Eagles advance to WNIT quarterfinals Jacob Kemp Sports Reporter

Susan Broadbridge/Printz

Junior Jerontay Clemons throws to the basket as the Lady Eagles play in the second round of the WNIT Sunday afternoon against TCU in the Reed Green Coliseum. Southern Miss wins in overtime 77-73.

The Southern Miss Lady Eagles defeated the TCU Horned Frogs Sunday at Reed Green Coliseum in overtime, 77-73.

The Lady Eagles were down as much as 14 in the second half but overcame the deficit to advance them to the quarterfinals of the WNIT. “All I can say is the cardiac kids continue,” head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. “Unbelievable comeback and our fans were absolutely unbelievable. The crowd was fantastic when Jerontay (Clemons) put us on her back and willed us in regulation to tie that ball game up. Unbelievable.”

The first half was a back-andforth battle that included several Lady Eagle and TCU turnovers and seven lead changes. But at the end of the half, TCU only led 23-21.

After halftime, the Lady Eagles’ turnover woes continued and allowed TCU to go on a 12-4 run to start the half. USM needed a spark.

In their first round contest, Tamara Jones was the spark that caused their comeback against Texas Southern.

However, against TCU, their spark came in the form of turnovers.

TCU ended up with 20 turnovers in the game and were ultimately its downfall. Starting

ADMIN

midway through the second half, the Lady Eagles turned up the defense and used some fast break opportunities for easy buckets.

The 14-point deficit was quickly erased and the Lady Eagles sent the game into overtime on a 20-8 run. USM’s run did not end at regulation.

They continued their dominance and held an eightpoint lead with 18 seconds remaining in the extra period. A couple of Horned Frog baskets made the score appear closer than the overtime period was.

It was a complete team win for the Lady Eagles. Four Lady Eagles scored double digits in the win and also had a key member in their lineup return after missing their first round game.

Alex Coyne’s game will not pop off the stat sheet, but her return to the lineup, despite a foot injury, was the main reason the Lady Eagles offense clicked against TCU. Coyne injured her foot in practice in the week leading up to their first round game.

Jerontay Clemons was forced into Coyne’s role for the game against Texas Southern and the Lady Eagles found a way to win without their signal caller. This time, the Lady Eagles had their point guard back and it allowed Clemons to move back to shooting guard.

The move may seem subtle, but it took pressure off of Clemons, who had rarely played point guard and allowed her to slash and penetrate and create opportunities for her teammates.

Clemons finished with one of her best games of the year with 17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and added four steals.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever had one individual put her (Clemons) team on her back and find a way to win (like that),” Lee-McNelis said. “Defensively, offensively and rebounding the basketball— I’ve never coached anybody that had that kind of performance in those three areas.”

Tamara Jones led the team with 19 points with Voche Martin and Brooke Rhodes adding 12 and 11 points, respectively. The win propels the Lady Eagles into the Sweet Sixteen of the WNIT where they will face Eastern Michigan.

Eastern Michigan will be the Lady Eagles’ toughest test to date. Eastern Michigan went on an eight-game winning streak before losing the MAC Championship game.

Eastern Michigan then beat Drake 80-70 in the first round and beat Tulsa 6959 three hours after USM defeated TCU. The Lady Eagles will host Eastern Michigan at Reed Green Coliseum Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Bennett receives 2-year contract extension Kathryn Miller Executive Editor

University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett recently had his contract extended for two more years by The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

According to a USM press release, the board did a careful review of the university under Bennett’s leadership.

“I remain grateful to the IHL Board of Trustees for granting me the opportunity to serve as president of The University of Southern Mississippi two years ago, and I am proud of the outstanding work we have been able to accomplish

during that time,” Bennett said in a USM press release.

Aubrey Patterson, president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, said Bennett’s leadership has been a tremendous advantage for Southern Miss by his leading the tornado recovery, building and beautification projects and providing students with a great environment to live and learn, according to the press release.

USM Student Government Association President Jeffrey George said students relate very well to Bennett.

“It is obvious to every student Dr. Bennett meets that he cares about

them—that can be a challenge for some university presidents. But he’s already demonstrated his genuine commitment to the success of the individuals who study and work at Southern Miss,” George said.

According to the press release, Bennett has done many things during his tenure, such as forming a Strategic Planning Council and updating the university’s current vision, mission and values. He also plans to establish a comprehensive student success initiative. Bennett is USM’s 10th president and began serving the university in April 2013.

Before Southern Miss, Bennett served as vice president for student affairs at the University of Georgia.

Rodney Bennett, president of The University of Southern Mississippi.

Susan Broadbridge/Printz

INFORMATION

Page 2 | Monday, March 23, 2015

MEET THE STAFF OF SPRING 2015

EDITORS & STAFF Kathryn Miller

Alan Rawls

Mary Sergeant

kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu

gregory.rawls@eagles.usm.edu

mary.sergeant@eagles.usm.edu

Parker Brewer

Cody Bass

Executive Editor

Design Editor

parker.brewer@eagles.usm.edu

Yolanda Cruz Copy Editor

yolanda.cruz@eagles.usm.edu

Managing Editor

Social Media Editor

Julie Gore

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Chuck Cook

Katherine Frye

chuck.cook@usm.edu

katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu

cody.bass@eagles.usm.edu

Printz Adviser

julia.gore@eagles.usm.edu

Ad Designer

Hayley Howard

Nikki Smith

Joshua Campbell

hayley.howard@eagles.usm.edu

ashly.smith@eagles.usm.edu

joshua.campbell@eagles.usm.edu

Web Editor

News Editor

Sports Editor

Susan Broadbridge

Kara Davidson

susan.braodbridge@eagles.usm.edu

kara.davidson@eagles.usm.edu

Photo Editor

Lesley Sanders-Wood Advertising Manager lesley.sanders@usm.edu

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Opinions Expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

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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.

On March 18, cyber harassment was reported from Wilber Hall at 4:08 p.m.

The incident occurred sometime between March 8 and 18. The case remains open.

On March 18, vandalism was reported in the parking garage at 5:10 p.m. The case remains open.

On March 19, grand larceny was reported 12:27 p.m. The theft occurred March 18 between 8:50 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The case remains open.

Police Contact Information

When reporting, the following information should be provided:

• Nature of the crime or emergency • Name, address and phone number of the caller • Location of incident • Description of the scene and suspects • Description of any vehicles involved, especially license plate numbers University Police 911 (emergency) 601.266.4986 (non-emergency) Bond Hall, First Floor West

NEWS

ON CAMPUS

Monday, March 23, 2015 | Page 3

‘Admissions geek’ talks USM enrollment Alan Rawls

Managing Editor Denis Wiesenburg, provost and vice president of academic affairs, announced Friday that Richard Mullin has been selected as The University of Southern Mississippi’s associate vice president of enrollment management and dean of admissions.

One of two finalists for the position, Mullin was selected due to his vision for the university and also for his substantial experience, having worked 27 years in enrollment-related functions at several institutions.

Mullin has been working in an interim capacity since November 2014. A self-proclaimed “admissions geek,” Mullin discussed both the admissions strategy he intends to implement at USM, as well as his passion for admissions and college in general.

While still considering candidates for the position, the university held an open forum Feb. 25 in which Mullin outlined his plans for admissions at USM: formulation of departmental goals, greater out-ofstate recruitment and the creation of an enrollment indicator.

As of now, Mullin and his department are working on what they call “the funnel,” a term for the multitude of statistics with which to gauge USM’s enrollment. But

NATIONAL

he seeks to implement his earlier strategy, primarily focusing on outof-state recruitment.

Since 2011, USM’s enrollment has dropped 10 percent, a drop of 1,759 students.

The primary reason for declining enrollment — a problem that has resulted in budget cuts for the university — is the shrinking number of graduating high school seniors in Mississippi. Mullin said this is no secret, but simultaneously, he is not worried.

Mullin said that of all Mississippi’s graduating high school students, USM garners about 28 percent, which some may argue is more than USM’s share considering there are about eight institutions vying for these students.

“However,” Mulllin said, “28 percent of a shrinking pool still means we’re getting (fewer) students.”

The key to success, according to an optimistic Mullin, is to recruit students in Texas and Florida, whose student populations, unlike those of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, are growing.

“In essence, we’re going to have a sort of symbiotic relationship with Texas and Florida in particular,” Mullin said. “Texas and Florida are the flip side of our coin. Texas and Florida are growing by 24 and 22 percent, respectively, over the next eight to 10 years in the number of

high school graduates.”

And these states’ education systems, Mullin said, are not in shape to catch up to this vast number of students. Mullin wants USM to tap into this out-of-state market and bring in Texas and Florida students.

“We’ve got brand new dormitories, a brand new business building, a brand new nursing building that’s being built, big-time athletics, a beautiful campus, we’re very pricevalued —compared to other schools like Alabama and LSU, we’re only asking for $24,000 and that’s before any scholarships,” Mullin said. “There’s so much opportunity for USM.” Mullin pointed out that USM provides a lot of opportunity, is a fantastic regional school, is based in a national top-10 college town and much more.

“It’s hard to think of anything that’s not opportunistic around here,” Mullin said.

Mullin was an undergraduate at the University of Maryland, where he received his degree in economics.

But after a short stint with an airfare regulatory agency in Washington, D.C., he decided to work in student life at universities. Told he would need a master’s degree to pursue this career, Mullin attended Northeastern University.

During his time at Northeastern, Mullin acquired admissions experience working as a graduate

assistant for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as nearby Wentworth.

Combining the counseling aspect of student life as well as economics, the job helped Mullin realize what kind of career he wanted.

“None of us ever dream of going into admissions,” Mullin said. “That just doesn’t happen.”

Not long after receiving his master’s degree in counseling and student services administration, Mullin went to work at the University of Miami as a Susan Broadbridge/Printz senior assistant director USM selects Richard Mullin as its associate vice president of enrollof admissions. Since ment management and dean of admissions. then, he has worked at or it was time for lunch, I’d pull off at several institutions and still has a Louisiana Tech in Ruston, or I’d pull passion for his work. off at Millsaps,” Mullin said. “The “Some guys like robots and some kids got tired of stopping between guys like to play with cars and other Florida State and UF in Gainesville guys like to follow baseball really because we’d go (on this trip) twice intently,” Mullin said. But unlike most a year.” guys, Mullin enjoys visiting other But he does not do this simply college campuses. to appreciate the grandeur of In the past, Mullin’s family would other campuses. travel from their home in Dallas to “I want to know every single Miami for summer vacations. thing about my competitor,” Mullin “Instead of stopping at said. “So if someone is recruiting a restaurants or rest stops whenever student that I’m after, then I want to someone had to go to the bathroom know what I’m up against.”

STATE

thwart tax cut bill Students share Palcohol opinions Dems Andrew Dutton Karyn Lewis

Printz Reporter

Printz Reporter

Powdered alcohol, commonly known as Palcohol, has finally been government approved after being denied in 2014 over issues regarding the product’s label.

The Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved Palcohol March 10, and it can now be legally sold in the United States, though it will not be sold in public until this summer due to the safety concerns of multiple states.

Louisiana, North Carolina and Vermont are a few of the states banning the powdered beverage.

Other states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts, have proposed obstructive legislation.

Those opposing Palcohol argue minors may easily be able to abuse the substance since it comes in small packaging.

USM students voiced their opinions on Palcohol and how it may or may not affect the safety of younger generations.

“I think it’s a bit outrageous to have,” said Kimberly Godbold, a junior nursing major. “I mean, we already have powdered drugs such as cocaine, and I think it’s just a bit much to have alcohol that’s powdered.”

Godbold said that students may abuse the drug by using it in unintended ways.

“I do think they will try to abuse it and use it the wrong way — snorting

Courtesy Photo

it,” she said.

Michael Titus, a junior media production major, said that Palcohol is perfectly safe since it is the same as liquid alcohol, and that whatever mishaps occur regarding the drug will only be fads that should not be worried about.

“If it has the same side effects as regular alcohol, I don’t think it will be any more dangerous. I just think it will start a new epidemic,” Titus said. “I do think students will abuse it because since it’s powder they will probably pack it into (plastic) bags and take it on trips. Transportation would be the only lightbulb moment when it’s like ‘OK, I can abuse this.”

Some students felt that it is alright to use Palcohol as long as individuals educate themselves first.

“I think it’s an interesting idea that students should read into before deciding to try it,” said Kristen Barkman, a senior communication major.

“It doesn’t seem to be harmful, but it’s better to educate yourself.

I hadn’t even heard of it until now,” Barkman said.

Alcohol education classes are one solution, but students feel that they would not make a big enough impression on the community.

“I think the best way to educate them would probably be to have billboards and fliers,” Godbold said. “(There are) so many students that you really can’t reach out to each and every one, so if you have something that everyone can see, you can educate everyone that way.”

House Democrats in the Mississippi Legislature struck down a $550 million tax measure last week.

The bill was sent to the House following the Mississippi Senate passing the bill in a vote 40-11 in favor. The bill would cut taxes for corporations, small businesses and individuals over the next 15 years.

The House’s 72 out of 121 representatives needed to vote yes for the bill to pass. After three hours of debate, the House voted down the measure 67-52. It was an unprecedented show of solidarity for the Democrats.

The Clarion-Ledger reported Republican House Speaker Phillip Gunn said, “We brought forward a measure to give real tax relief to the citizens of Mississippi. Democrats killed it.”

The Clarion-Ledger also reported Republican leaders promised tax cuts this election year.

Even though the bill was shot down, there is a chance for the bill to technically be revived, which would require both procedural and realpolitik problems.

The Charlotte Observer reported House Minority Leader Bobby Moak said, “Now the arm-twisting begins.

We will fight this again.”

In the debate lasting over three hours on Wednesday, Democrats

argue the bill would cut taxes on corporations who already pay too little while starving the state of funding.

According to the Charlotte Observer, opponents have offered another solution.

Rep. Robert Johnson III, D-Natchez, said investing in schools, roads and other items is a better way to improve Mississippi.

USM associate professor of political science Bob Press explained why tax cuts were being passed now.

“The idea is that you lessen the burden on families in terms of taxes and you lessen the burden on small businesses in enlargements and that would encourage them to do more in terms of business,” Press said.

Press also explains opponents’ reasons for opposing the bill.

“We are the poorest state in the union,” he said. “We already have a low tax system here. So if you cut it even more, you begin to cut into what the state revenues are in terms of providing infrastructure and programs that people need.”

One aspect the tax cuts would affect is faculty pay. Press said that the presidents of all state universities and faculty senate presidents with faculty are pushing for five percent paid increase for staff and faculty.

Staff and faculty at USM have not had a pay raise for five years. Their pay has been slowly slipping for three years due to inflation as well.

Page 4 | Monday, March 23, 2015

ON CAMPUS

FEATURE

Eagle Strong emphasizes interval training Mary Sergeant Social Media Editor

When most people schedule a trip to the gym, they expect to be there for one to two hours, sweating tirelessly on the elliptical or treadmill. Many also choose to hit the gym late in the afternoon or early evening after they have endured stressful days at work, school or both.

But what most are unaware of is that both of these habits will not create for them the lifestyle they are sweating to achieve.

High-intensity interval training, more commonly known as HIIT, is a system that incorporates small bursts of activity along with small periods of less intense workouts or a period of rest.

The University of Southern Mississippi Payne Center offers several group exercise classes; but, one in particular focuses on teaching participants the benefits of HIIT. Eagle Strong takes place every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. The class lasts roughly 45 minutes and is taught by certified personal trainers.

“Eagle Strong is just a group exercise class that’s different every time you show up, which is what the participants love,” said Abigail Elias, the coordinator for fitness and wellness for Southern Miss Recreational Sports, who teaches the Wednesday morning class for the spring semester.

“The trainers strive to put a lot of cardio, abdominal work and strength training for large muscle groups into a 45-minute block of time,” Elias said.

Olivia Oswalt is another Payne Center group exercise

Aaron J. Stewart/Printz Archives

Junior Ryan Vo pumps out his last few reps at the Payne Center.

instructor.

This semester, Oswalt teaches the Monday morning Eagle Strong class.

She is also certified to teach both Zumba and U-Jam. Oswalt incorporates different formats of HIIT for each of her Eagle Strong classes. Oswalt said HIIT uses small amounts of anaerobic work.

“The anaerobic effect happens in the body when we exert ourselves at 84 percent of our max heart rate and above,” she said. “When we train in this level of intensity for short bursts of energy, we create what is called Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC).

EPOC is an after-burn effect of calories burning at rest for

up to 38 hours post-exercise.

This type of exercise burns fat and does it quickly, without losing muscle.”

A unique aspect of this form of training is that it requires no form of equipment, according to Shape Magazine. The Internet is filled with HIIT workouts for all fitness levels, many of which can be found on the websites for publications such as Fitness Magazine and Shape Magazine.

Similar workouts can also be found on Pinterest.

However, a great start for Southern Miss students could be to attend Eagle Strong twice a week.

Not only does Eagle Strong benefit students in that it

incorporates a training system that burns fat quickly, but it is held early in the morning before the university hosts its first class of the day. According to U.S. News and World Report, morning exercise boosts metabolism, creates better long-term results and helps with sleeping and eating habits. It has also been proven to improve productivity.

But Elias encourages students to find a workout regimen that works best for them.

“All group exercise classes are excellent,” she said. “But patrons also need to utilize the rest of the Payne Center to program their own workout regimens in order to see lasting results.”

A group of senior public relations students have formed a public relations agency whose main goal is to inform students of the Payne Center and all the facility has to offer. The five students have titled their agency Fit Public Relations.

On Wednesday, Fit Public Relations will host their “Rise to Shine” event. This event’s sole purpose is to show Southern Miss students the benefits of Eagle Strong as well as the benefits of working out in the morning.

Refreshments will be provided following the 45-minute workout.

All students are encouraged to attend.

For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/ fitpublicrelations.

MUSIC

Thirsty Hippo to host USM jazz ensemble, local bands Nan Buti

Printz Reporter The Thirsty Hippo hosts a variety of events for the young and the old, such as Open Mic Night, Free Live Trivia and an Amnesty Benefit, all of which will occur throughout the week.

The Southern Miss jazz band will showcase its talent at the Thirsty Hippo Tuesday.

“The Hippo performances are a great way to connect with the people of Hattiesburg and show them what is going on each week on campus,” Director of jazz studies Lawrence Panella said.

This concert is one of the band’s spring semester performances and is intended to share what Panella and his group have been working on

this year in terms of music and performance skills.

As the director of Jazz Studios, Panella and his group have coordinated the event with the Thirsty Hippo because they have opted to perform here typically. Since the beginning of this year, the 20-member Jazz Band has often performed in larger venues on campus to a quarter of a full house.

“We want to play in a more intimate setting with good acoustics,” Panella said. “The Hippo is just the place for it and we connect with our audience there very well. It is the place to go hear live music in Hattiesburg and so much good music comes through there that we are honored to be part of their scene.”

The band will perform a

variety of big band styles from swing to Latin styles, a variety of tempos. It will include some historically significant pieces as well because, as the band’s director believes, the students do not usually get to experience the older material.

The band performs several times a semester, which includes at least once per semester at the Hippo. The group also performs at various festivals including the Alcorn State University Jazz Fest where the band was awarded the Outstanding College/ University Jazz Ensemble on two occasions. The group was also invited to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference in 2013 just a few weeks before the tornado destroyed its facility.

“I meet people frequently who have no idea that we even exist on campus and we want them to know we are here and come and enjoy this great music,” Panella said.

Amnesty International at USM will host its biannual benefit concert at the Thirsty Hippo Friday at 10 p.m. to raise money for Mississippi Children’s Home Services. The concert will feature three local bands: The Squid and the Whale – band, The 86 Olympics and Nossiens.

The chapter will be selling Amnesty T-shirts and spreading the message of the organization.

Each year, the chapter collectively chooses a local and global non-profit organization to support. This year, the members chose Doctors Without Borders and Mississippi Children’s

Home Services.

Senior geography and Spanish doublemajor and co-chair of Amnesty International Katherine Perry said the benefit concert, which Amnesty hosts twice a year, is its greatest opportunity to raise money to send to the chosen organizations.

The money raised at the benefit this week will go to Mississippi Children’s Home Services.

“We have recruited three incredibly talented local bands, and a representative from MCHS will be present to speak,” Perry said. “It should be a really lovely night.”

The concert will begin with Jazz Lab Band 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Jazz Lab Band 1 will follow.

Cover for the event is $5 and Southern Miss students enter free with ID.

FEATURE

Monday, March 23, 2015 | Page 5

BOOKS

USM alumnus to publish series of novels Jesse Hammett Printz Reporter

Many of us have dreams of releasing the next great American novel as soon as we leave college, or perhaps even before then. Our lived experiences are too valuable not to do so, right? The trouble of this, unfortunately, is that writing a book is perhaps one of the biggest artistic undertakings to which someone could commit. We hardly have enough hours in a day—except for those of us with the gusto to tolerate pizza-fueled late nights and solitary weekends of pounding out that book one sentence at a time.

The odds never stopped Jason Beverly, a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, who penned a self-published novel titled “The Ghosts of Beauvoir: A Supernatural Journey of Self-Discovery.”

The novel’s background covers a subject of considerable controversy: the 2001 Mississippi Flag Referendum, an election that determined whether Mississippi would keep its original (and current) 1894 flag that depicts a symbol representing the Confederate States of America. In the novel, Jacob Lattimore, an African-American reporter, finds himself face-toface with the ghosts of two slaves in Biloxi’s own Beauvoir estate, the ancient home of Jefferson Davis. This incites a reflective spiritual journey that obfuscates how Jacob views Mississippi and the Confederacy.

MUSIC

Concerning the novel, Beverly said that, among other things, people will see the flag debate differently after reading it.

“So many people will enjoy this book,” Beverly said. “It has supernatural undertones with a hint of the Southern, black experience.

It will also appeal to history lovers.

There are a number of significant messages in this book. One of the most significant is the fact that we are all more similar than we think, regardless of our races.”

Alex Roberts, a junior physics major, said that he favored the book because of its openness to discuss such a grave issue. “I think it is quite necessary for literature to present the perspective of someone who may see the flag in a different light,” Roberts said. “Ultimately, asking these big questions is what books are for.”

Beverly is far from finished asking those questions. He has already written his second novel, “The Flying Church of Orleans Parish,” which is currently being edited and will be published in the fall. According to Beverly, the book will tell a spiritual journey that takes place in Hattiesburg and New Orleans.

He also said that his third novel is halfway complete, noting that he looks forward to future success as a writer and an educator.

Beverly said that his experience as a student journalist impacted his writing. “When I was a (student journalist), I really gained an

appreciation for the craft of writing and putting a story together that folks would enjoy,” he said.

He also disclosed some friendly advice for younger writers.

“The best advice I would give

to aspiring writers is to just go for it,” he said. “With so much technology, you can always find time to write. The majority of my second novel was written on smartphone.”

Courtesy Photo

Jason Beverly is a Hattiesburg native and educator and lives with his wife and two children.

His novel can be bought through Amazon and his personal website, jasonbeverly.com.

Living Together to release first full-length album Lindsey Kelley Printz Reporter

On Thursday at Benny’s Boom Boom Room, local Hattiesburg band Living Together will host a release party for its new album “Tides.”

According to the Facebook page, Living Together is a selfdescribed pop-punk-influenced indie rock band, which lead vocalist Jake Burchfield jokingly described as “jangly indie rock for bipolar baristas.”

The band was formed in 2013 when Burchfield and current keyboardist Joel Gallaspy met and bonded over their love for music.

“We just started playing around and writing songs, and (we) thought that some of it actually was turning out really well,” Burchfield said. “So we added bassist Trey (Boettcher) and drummer Wes (Sanderford) and just kind of got started.”

“Tides” is the band’s second album to be released and its first full album. Since the release of the EP “There, There” in

July 2014, the band has been working on new material.

Connor Holland, a senior entertainment industry major, was the engineer hired from Golden Eagle Sound Production for the product, and he recorded, mixed and mastered both “There, There” and “Tides.”

“Working with these guys has been a blast,” Holland said. “I feel that this album is something that I can really be proud of.”

“Connor’s like a fifth band member,” Burchfield said.

“We’ve been working together since October on this album, for hours at a time.”

Burchfield related a story during recording in which Holland played a prank on him.

“During recording, I sometimes got impatient or just flew off the handle,” he said.

“Connor actually took all those recordings of me cursing and made one long track of all the times I’d cursed and sent it to me. It was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard.”

After the many late nights of recording and mixing, the

album was produced and is now available for sale.

“My favorite song would have to be ‘Hell or High Water,’” Burchfield said. “It originally almost didn’t make it on the album because it was so upbeat.

But now, I actually really like it.

I’m glad it’s there.”

The album will first release March 27 with a special album premiere party at local venue Benny’s Boom Boom Room, where Living Together has played often before. The album will officially be released April 1.

They will be joined by alternative band The Social Lights and rock band Nossiens, formerly known as The Dinner Guests.

“This will be the first time that we play the album from top to bottom,” Burchfield said. “We’ll also be selling merchandise like screen-printed T-shirts and, of course, the album.”

Tickets are $5 at the door.

Living Together will also be playing several shows in the upcoming month, with Hattiesburg appearances at

Stinkfest on April 24 and 25, as well as May 1 at Marlin’s Grill.

For more about Living Together, check out the band’s Facebook or Twitter

at @livingtogband, or the site livingtogetherband.com.

To sample or purchase their music, they can be found on both Bandcamp and Sundbutt.

Courtesy Photo/Art by Julie Gore

OPINION

Page 6 | Monday, March 23, 2015

LOCAL

2-percent tax harms more than helps Hub City Yolanda Cruz Copy Editor

On March 12, WDAM of Hattiesburg broke a story revealing that tax money collected for tourism purposes was being misused.

The 2-percent tax is charged on any food, beverage or hotel stay in Hattiesburg, and is handled by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. The purpose of this organization is to generate tourism for Hattiesburg, but instead the tax money collected was spent on trips to large cities, liquor and jewelry.

Hundreds of dollars were spent on jewelry for gifts to Miss Hospitality, and many commission members had expensive dinners that included lots of alcohol. The tax money

paid for all of this.

I’m no expert on city politics, but I think if the commission was organized to make Hattiesburg more tourist-friendly, shouldn’t that tax money stay in Hattiesburg? If I were Miss Hospitality and I were given a trip to New York, complete with fancy dinners and jewelry, that would give me even less of a reason to want to stay in Mississippi.

That might just be me. But how could funds be abused in such a way? Do these people not feel bad that they are spending the money people work hard for on frivolous gifts, some of which have not even been given yet?

Hattiesburg Convention Commission Executive Director Rick Taylor was in charge of organizing all of the trips and did a good bit of spending the

money. Not only does he reap the rewards by staying in nice hotels and getting liquored up on the dime of Hattiesburg residents, but he gets a pretty hefty salary to have fun of his own when he isn’t out of town.

Taylor makes over $200,000 a year. According to WDAM, not only is this higher than the $122,160 that the governor of Mississippi makes annually, but more than the $140,000 the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Executive Director Bill Holmes makes.

When asked why no one ever noticed this before, Hattiesburg City Council President Kim Bradley said itemized receipts were never received. That means the commission was never shy about how much it was spending, saying it was

all necessary, but were never explicit about what exactly they were spending it on.

How was this overlooked for so many years? Maybe it’s the frugal spender in me, but if I saw a dinner receipt for hundreds of dollars and I knew only five people ate, I’m going to wonder what was bought.

Now I’m not so mad at the commission, but the powers that be in Hattiesburg overall.

With how long this had been going on, it seems like an audit should have been necessary before now. Someone should have asked for a list of items the money was being spent on to make sure the funds were being put to good use. How much can a trip to New York really increase the tourism of Hattiesburg?

The worst part of it all is that

many people do not even realize this tax is going toward the city. Before reading this article, I always thought the extra 2 percent was an extra food or liquor tax. So after this news has broken, I’m wary of going out to eat any place in Hattiesburg now that I know where my money is going.

However, this attitude only hurts local businesses, a great draw of the Hub City. Hopefully now that the misdeeds are out in the open, the commission is more open about how they spend their money in order to gain back the trust of the local citizens. If Taylor and his cohorts don’t learn from his lesson, then I propose an elimination of the 2-percent tax. After all, I don’t want to pay for jewelry that I don’t even get to wear.

ON CAMPUS

A modest proposal for SGA Senate

A resolution to change the name of the Student Government Association of The University of Southern Mississippi Whereas, the Student Government Association, commonly known as SGA, is thought of by a majority of the student body as a largely ineffective organization in terms of governance,

Saturday, March 28th 1 p.m. until 11 p.m.

City Hall Lawn / Meridian, Mississippi

Whereas, the SGA serves no tangible function aside from planning five events throughout the course of each academic year, Whereas, the administration of The University of Southern Mississippi does not seem to trust students enough to have a legitimately student-run association that behaves as a governing body with real influence, Whereas, the SGA’s only major accomplishment, which it touts around each year as a matter of pride, is the establishment of the Payne Center, despite the evidence that the SGA’s role in the acquisition of funds for the facility was minimal at best, Whereas, additionally, the SGA Judicial Board’s primary function is to hear parking ticket appeals and, occasionally, decrease the amount due by students who have violated the Parking and Traffic Regulations of the university, Whereas, also, the SGA Treasurer has no real authority regarding the SGA’s finances, nor the resources to perform his or her duties as outlined within the SGA Constitution, Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate that the Constitution of the Student Government Association is amended as follows: Section I, Article I of the SGA Constitution is amended by striking the entirety of the section and inserting, “The name of this organization shall be the Glorified Event Planning Association of The University of Southern Mississippi, otherwise referred to as the GEPA,” and each subsequent section as well as the very title of the this document shall refer to the SGA as GEPA. Section II, Article I of the SGA Constitution is amended by striking “Judicial Board,” and the Constitution is further amended by striking any mention of “Judicial Board,” and by inserting, in the term’s stead, the name “Ticket Appeals Branch.”

Section III, Article I of the SGA Constitution is amended by striking “three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial” and “three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial,” and inserting “two distinct branches: executive and judicial” and “two branches (executive and judicial),” since the Senate appears to be a relatively useless branch of the association, and the Constitution is further amended by eliminating Article III in its entirety.

Section V, Article I of the SGA Constitution is amended by striking “and Treasurer,” and the Constitution is further amended by striking any subsequent mention of the Treasurer within the Constitution, including Section X, Article I, since the position of Treasurer is utterly pointless.

Respectfully submitted the 23rd of March 2015 This was a satirical opinion written by managing editor Alan Rawls. For comments or questions, contact him at Gregory.Rawls@eagles.usm.edu.

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Monday, March 23, 2015 | Page 7

SOFTBALL

Lady Eagles come up short, swept by La. Tech Ashley Hickman Sports Reporter

Courtesy Photo

Katie Cleary began USM’s offensive attack in the bottom of the second at the game against Louisiana Tech on Sunday. USM’s offense was not enough to beat La. Tech. Lady Eagles lost 3-0.

Louisiana Tech (19-8, 4-2) sealed a series sweep over Southern Miss with a 3-0 win Sunday at the Softball Complex.

The Lady Eagles dropped to 1514 overall and 1-8 in conference play during their Breast Cancer Awareness weekend series. USM was looking to snap their four-game losing streak, but could not get the job done.

La. Tech quickly heated up on offense in the first inning of game one. Anna Cross knocked a tworun homerun over the left field fence, giving the Techsters an early 2-0 lead.

Katie Cleary began USM’s offensive attack in the bottom of the second with a single through the right side. Mallory Hayden followed with a walk, receiving four straight balls.

Kaelyn Christofferson then singled between third base and shortstop, loading up the bases for the Lady Eagles.

Freshman Samantha Reynolds singled to third base, sending Cleary across home plate and cutting the La. Tech lead in half, 2-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, USM turned an exciting double play but La. Tech was able to notch another run with two outs. Janine Godwin was hit by a pitch, then Katie Smith walked on a full count.

Karlee Jensen singled up the middle for an RBI, increasing La. Tech’s lead to 3-1.

The Lady Eagles needed to answer in the bottom of the fourth, but were held scoreless as Cleary and Hayden both flied out and Christofferson struck out swinging.

A throwing error in the top of the fifth inning by Southern Miss set up Bianca Duran’s RBI double to center field, scoring another run for the Techsters.

USM responded when Morgan McKeever doubled to center field with two outs. Selena Estrada followed with a single to right center on a full count pitch, scoring McKeever from second base.

Southern Miss had cut the La. Tech lead to 4-2 with two innings left to play, but the Lady Eagles could not generate enough offense to tie the game, losing game one.

The Lady Eagles had eight total hits while La. Tech had nine, keeping pace with them but not stringing enough hits together at the right time.

Danielle Block (4-4) took the loss for the USM pitching staff, giving up seven hits and four runs while striking out three.

In game two, La. Tech’s Krysta Tutsch put the first run on the board with a solo home run to right field in the second inning. The Techsters strung two more hits together that inning, but Lady Eagle pitcher Jillian Johnson got her team out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts.

In the top of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded for La. Tech, USM went to the bullpen. Block

relieved Johnson and forced Cross to line out to the third baseman, Michelle Stringer, on a full count and got Southern Miss out of the jam unharmed.

Estrada led off the fourth inning with a single, knocking the first pitch to center field. Cleary followed with a single to left field. Hayden then hit an RBI single in the gap of right center field, scoring Estrada from second base and tying the game 1-1.

The game remained scoreless for three more innings, forcing an extra inning game. Both teams played tough defensively for the eighth and ninth innings, allowing only one hit and no runs scored.

The Techsters heated up in the tenth inning offensively. Tutsch reached first base on a bunt down the third base line. Duran singled to left field, advancing Tutsch to second base.

USM called senior Shelbee Rodgers out of the bullpen to relieve Block on the mound. Rodgers walked the first batter she faced, loading up the bases for the Techsters.

Jensen lined a single up the middle, sending two runs home. La. Tech led 3-1, while the Lady Eagles had to score two in the bottom of the tenth to keep the game going.

Southern Miss could not swing La. Tech’s momentum, going three up, three down on offense to end the exciting extra inning game with a 3-1 loss.

Block (4-5) suffered the loss for USM’s pitching staff, allowing three hits and two runs with four strikeouts.

In game three, La. Tech began their offensive attack in the second inning when Godwin reached first base on a fielding error by McKeever.

Katie Smith singled down the left field line, advancing Godwin to second base.

Natalie Moran reached first on a fielder’s choice while USM’s shortstop, Hayden, fielded the ground ball and tossed it to second base to get Smith out. The runners were at first and third for La. Tech when Moran was thrown out stealing second base, but Godwin was able to score on the throw.

The Techsters took an early 1-0 lead over USM. La. Tech scored two more runs in the fifth inning, expanding their lead as the Lady Eagle bats were silent.

Kristen Miles reached first on another fielding error by USM, which set up Cross’ two-run home run over the left center field fence. Cross increased La Tech’s lead to 3-0.

USM but could not generate enough offense to catch up with La. Tech, and lost the final game by a score of 3-0.

Both teams had four hits but the two errors made by the USM defense resulted in runs for the Techsters.

Cleary had three hits for Southern Miss. Shelbee Rodgers’ pitching record dropped to 4-5, giving up four hits and three runs with two strikeouts.

The Lady Eagles will look to bounce back Wednesday as they host Mississippi State at 4 p.m.

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