MARIJUANA CURE FOR AUTISM? | PAGE 4
WOMEN DOMINATE AUSTIN PEAY | PAGE 5
‘MOVIE 43’ A THEATRICAL DISASTER | PAGE 6
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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505 | Est. 1924
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Volume 96 | Issue 10 | Free in single copy | February 1, 2013
Semester starts with multiple marijuana busts By APRIL GILBERT Beat Reporter
Archives
Max Alderson, the first Golden Eagle mascot, sports a hand-made costume during a University event.
Tech’s original Golden Eagle mascot dies By WILL HOUSLEY Editor-in-Chief
Tech’s first Golden Eagle mascot, Max Alderson, 70, died Thursday afternoon following health complications and cancer. Alderson served as Tech’s first Golden Eagle mascot during the 1961, 1962 and 1963 athletic seasons. Alderson returned to Tech as Golden Eagle during this year’s Homecoming festivities.
“To me, once I had dressed in the costume, I was the Golden Eagle mascot,” Alderson said in an October interview with Quenna Jones, Tech News Director. “It was not Max Alderson dressed for Halloween or for a costume party, I became a majestic creature that represented a tradition that began in 1925 with the selection of the Golden Eagle as a mascot.” According to a press release, Alderson made his first appear-
ance as Golden Eagle when he and Tech cheerleaders John Peters and Leslie “Sam” Stuart had a spur-ofthe-moment idea to have a mascot for the annual Turkey Day game on Thanksgiving against Middle Tennessee State College, now Middle Tennessee State University. The trio borrowed a paper-mache eagle’s head from a Homecoming float constructed by the industrial technology department, made of chicken wire, the release said.
Three students, including one associated with the Tech men’s basketball team, were reported to Tech police for alleged narcotics violations in New Hall South residence hall during the first week of classes. According to the police report, a student in the dorm called Tech police Jan. 17 at 7:05 p.m. to complain of a strong odor believed to be marijuana coming from a nearby room. The student was ultimately referred to the dean of students and men’s basketball coach. According to the report, Christopher Russell, tech police officer, arrived at the room where he too noticed the strong scent of marijuana. Russell knocked twice on the door, but there was no answer. When he asked if anyone was in the room, a voice inside the room replied that there was, the report said. After opening the door, Russell questioned him. The student said that he lived in the room, had been smoking marijuana alone, and he had smoked it all, according to the report. Russell was granted a search of the room and was unable to find any
more marijuana. He also noted in the report that the student was very cooperative and respectful throughout the investigation. The first incident was called in by the Residential Life Staff on Jan. 15 at 7:15 p.m. who claimed there was an odor of marijuana coming from a nearby room. Upon arriving at the room, Tony Nelson, tech police officer, knocked and asked the room’s resident if he could enter the room. The student agreed to let Nelson inside, and Nelson immediately noticed the smell of marijuana. The student told Nelson that he had been smoking marijuana with his roommate, to whom the narcotics belonged. The roommate was in the shower when Nelson arrived. After the roommate came out of the shower, he told Nelson the marijuana was his and there was none left. Nelson’s search confirmed that there was no more marijuana in the room. Nelson informed the two that a report of the incident would have to be filed and forwarded to Edwin Boucher, dean of students. None of the students’ names were released by police, and Boucher refused to comment on the pending punishment of the three students.
Oldham announces strategic plan ‘on steroids’ By SARAH REESE Beat Reporter President Philip Oldham’s dream for Tech is taking flight this semester with the release of Flight Plan: Focused on the Future. The strategic plan involves four focus areas and key goals aimed to better several aspects of Tech’s campus. “It’s a strategic plan on steroids” said Oldham. “What Flight Plan really did was look at the competitive marketplace for higher education. It’s a very data driven process to see how we stack up against other institutions and how can we go about addressing those differences.” Oldham developed Flight Plan in October of last year. The president and his development team met with a company of consultants before branching out to faculty, staff, students and alumni to obtain feedback and suggestions. The combination of these ideas resulted in the four focuses of Flight Plan. The plan aims to improve the undergraduate experience and transform the campus’ technology. It also plans to create distinctive programs while invigorating the faculty and expand financial resources while modernizing the campus’ infrastructure.
Sarah Carlson
Ike Nwofia, a computer engineering major, talks to Joni Gilmore in the registration office.
New students must prove citizenship By CASEY WOODARD Beat Reporter
Blake Pierce
Finance students use cutting-edge technology to learn about investing through managing three funds in the Heidtke Trading Room in Johnson Hall.
Flight Plan is not an experiment for the president. Oldham said he has seen success with this kind of planning in previous years. “There was a program like this in place at UTC when I accepted this position. It was very successful,” said Oldham. Flight Plan is still in the preparation phase. A projected date for completion has not been set. Oldham, however, is confident that ideas will become projects within the next two months.
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“It’s critical that we move into implementation as rapidly as possible,” said Oldham. “My goal would be by the end of February, first of March to be out of the planning phase and into implementing the strategies that move us forward.” A plan with such high ambitions will require significant funding. Oldham is adamant that Flight Plan’s goals fit well within the University’s budget. See “Flight Plan,” page 3
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The Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act, passed by the Tennessee legislature last October, is in effect for all incoming Spring 2013 students. The new law requires all incoming students to verify their United States citizenship or lawful presence in the country in order to receive state benefits. This law does not pertain to private tuition assistance or donations, only state benefits like the HOPE Scholarship. “The intention of the law is to make sure state tax dollars do not go to non-United States citizens,” Alexis Pope, director of admissions, said. Students can meet the requirements for the Eligibility
for Entitlements Act by providing ID such as a driver’s license or birth certificate or by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid every year. “The most popular way is to fill out a FAFSA,” Pope said. “Most students who attend meet the requirement by filling out a FAFSA.” If a student prefers not to fill out a FAFSA, he or she can provide a scan of his or her driver’s license or other form of identification, to the Admissions department. “There are no other forms to fill out, just pop your driver’s license into a scanner and email it to us,” Pope said. “The email address is admissions@tntech. edu.”
See “Verification,” page 3
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