RON PAUL IS INCONSISTENT | PAGE 3
MURPHY BREAKS RECORD | PAGE 4
CRITIC REVIEW: CASA MEXICANA | PAGE 5
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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505
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Volume 95 | Issue 10 | Free in single copy | February 3, 2012
Custodians future in hands of TBR, President Bell By NICK ROLLINS Asst. Managing Editor
Despite a year of petitions and rallies, Tech has taken the next step in outsourcing its custodians at the beginning of this semester. “The proposed vendor, Service Solutions, would provide the cleaning services for $1.1 million dollars less than what the University is spending now,” David Larimore, Custodial Services Ad Hoc Committee chairman, said. Even though SSC Service Solutions was selected, they must first be approved by President Bob Bell and the Tennessee Board of Regents. If they are approved, they will take over all duties that the current custodians perform now. Service Solutions, of Knoxville, falls under Compass Group North America, which is also the parent company of Chartwells, who Tech contracted for food services. According to Larimore, Tech’s budget is facing problems. In the next budget for the University, expenses exceed revenue by $2.4 million. Until now, this deficit has been covered by stimulus money, as well as money that the University receives from the state. “Now that all goes away, leaving the University to come up with a solution to the $2.4 million shortfall,” Larimore said. However, in the past, Tech attempted to save money as an effort to keep the custodians on payroll. Facilities and Business Services announced that they reassigned the
custodians to work third shift Oct. 29, 2010. This change eventually fell through because of its unpopularity. “The original thought was ‘That’s when everyone else cleans,’ such as at a bank, or doctors office,” Larimore said. “The faculty senate, the custodians and the faculty were all upset about that change.” According to Larimore, Bell asked the TBR for permission to increase student fees in order to not be forced to outsource the custodians. However, the Board of Regents denied the proposal. “The response was, the other institutions had outsourced custodial services already, and that they would not grant our request since the other institutions had already done that,” Larimore said. The Custodial Services Ad Hoc Committee, appointed by Bell, was established to see if custodial outsourcing is necessary, review budget documents for analysis and recommend the best method of providing custodial services to the campus. Suellen Alfred, curriculum and instruction professor, believes that outsourcing is not the solution to the budget problem. “The whole TTU culture in the past has put great value on the fact that we are all a family,” Alfred said. “You don’t outsource family.” Before a decision is made, the committee will continue to search for alternatives to outsourcing. “The faculty senate, in its last
Jessica Wilson
Ms. Red, a custodian in the Ellington-Warf residence hall, starts off her Monday morning by cleaning bathrooms.
meeting, proposed that the committee explore alternatives to outsourcing before recommending outsourcing to the president,” Larimore said. According to Larimore, the committee has not identified a way that custodial services can be organized or restructured to be
competitive with the Service Solutions bid, nor have they been able to identify a feasible alternative to outsourcing. “I don’t have any intentions in upsetting and rearranging people’s lives, and there are concerns about their future,” Larimore said. “The committee, I believe, is trying
to take all of those things into account. I do believe, on part of the senate, that somewhere there is something that could be sacrificed without any pain so that outsourcing custodial services would not have to be considered.”
See “Outsourcing,” page 6
Henderson Hall renovations near completion ITS to put an end to free By JESSICA SMITH Beat Reporter
printing on campus
The restricted areas in Henderson Hall have been removed and the building is safe for students and faculty use. While there is still no specified date for classes to resume in Henderson Hall, Paul Semmes, College of Arts and Sciences dean, and Kurt Eisen, Arts and Sciences interim associate dean, said that renovations are extremely close to completion. “We expect classrooms to come back online, probably one-by-one, over the next few weeks,” Eisen said. Construction is complete, but technological upgrades are still in the works. Computer labs will not be open when classes resume in the building. Technology installation will continue as classes move back into Henderson Hall, but it should not disturb classes in session. Henderson Hall underwent the most extensive renovations of any building on campus so far, according to Eisen. Renovations included a roof replacement, the replacement of heating and air conditioning fan coil units throughout the building, installation of a sprinkler system and classroom upgrades. Those who have classes in the building will notice new floors, light fixtures, new furniture, technology upgrades and
By MEGAN SEVERE Beat Reporter
Casey Woodard
Grace Claudy enters Henderson Hall to meet with her professor. minimized room capacity to comply with updated fire codes. An expansion of classroom walls to hide wiring has resulted in smaller rooms. The limited space will mean that some classes may not return to their original locations in Henderson Hall, depending on class size. “How the building gets utilized will be a little different from previous semesters because all of the classrooms have been configured differently and, in most cases, in seating and capacity,” Eisen said. David Phifer, English major,
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said he is concerned about the reconfiguration of the classes in Henderson Hall. “I spent most of my college career in there and now I’m in all of these random buildings,” Phifer said. “It sucks because I was used to Henderson, but now I’m not used to anything so it’s like starting all over again. It was convenient because all of my classes were in the same building, but now they may not be.” The department chairs will decide what classes will move back into the building.
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Tech’s Information Technology Services is implementing a new printing system designed to reduce paper and toner waste. The Pharos Uniprint system has been installed and is expected to continue to expand this spring, around spring break. Students are already being required to swipe their Eagle cards in order to release their printing jobs, though no charges are incurring. “We are trying to get people used to using this process and how it works,” Annette Littrell, ITS manager, said. ITS will be watching and monitoring the process. Students, faculty and staff will be given a 250-300 page quota each semester, with charges accumulating once the quota is exceeded. Students printing more paper than the allowed quota will be charged via their Eagle card. The first labs to use the system will be in Clement Hall, Johnson Hall and the Learning Commons. Henderson Hall will be using the system once classes resume there. The quota cannot be rolled forward to the following semes-
ter and renews at the start of each new term. At the end of each semester, the quota is erased. Once the initial quota is used, printing will cost 10 cents per single-sided page or 15 cents per double-sided page. Students printing double-sided will receive a discount and be allowed 330 sheets. Sarah Williams, a Tech student, said she has had professors who require paper copies rather than e-mail or iLearn dropbox submissions and recommend students to print off PowerPoints because information is covered too quickly in class for students to write it down. “I’ve started bringing my iPad to class to download PowerPoints and take notes from that, but there are professors who don’t allow iPads or laptops,” Williams said. “I understand Tech wanting to go green, but not at the cost of making the lives of broke college kids more difficult.” Littrell said a lot of different universities are already using this system. Danny Reese, ITS vice president, said the system is something the University has thought about for several years.
See “Printing,” page 6
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NEWS Page 2 | February 3, 2012
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Awesome places third in national competition By EMILY HAILE Beat Reporter
Awesome Eagle placed third in the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s annual mascot competition in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 13. Awesome placed third out of 12 in the qualification round in November. The top five mascots were given the opportunity to compete. “We may not have gotten first place, but it was our first year,” Drake Fenlon, freshman Spirit Squad member, said. “We had no idea what to expect. This year we were just testing the waters, and now we know what to do to bring home the gold for Tech next year.” First place went to the University of Delaware’s YouDee. This is YouDee’s fourth win. Second place went to newcomer Villanova University’s Will D. Cat. The University of South Alabama’s SouthPaw, who placed second last year, came in fourth this year. Arkansas State University’s Howl placed fifth in his first year to compete. Each mascot performed a skit to try to win over the judges. The skit was judged based on crowd appeal and interaction, creativity, animation and enthusiasm, prop usage and the overall impression, according to UCA’s rulebook. Each mascot had music playing in the background while interacting with props.
“We incorporated some themes to our skit like Old Spice,” Ben White, sophomore Spirit Squad member, said. “We even threw in some Justin Bieber and LMFAO.” Other themes included “Jersey Shore”, Apple’s Siri and songs containing the word “awesome.” Awesome’s main prop was a giant iPhone with his silhouette in place of the Apple logo. The iPhone was placed in a purple and gold iHome. “We physically made the props from the beginning of Christmas break until five minutes before we went on to get everything exactly working how we wanted it,” Fenlon said. “Making a 6-foot-tall iPhone with multiple screens wasn’t exactly easy.” Jordan Allen, senior Spirit Squad member said, “We saw how props can be made in different ways, and we talked to other mascots about their programs and how they differ. We went to nationals not knowing what to expect, but next year we will definitely be ready to bring it even harder.” White said, “We looked to going to nationals as, as long as we get higher than our score from last year, which we definitely did, then we’ve won in our minds.” All of the mascot routines are on UCA’s website. Go to uca.varsity.com and click on 2012 College Cheerleading & Dance National Championship Coverage & Results, then click on the mascot tab.
events @ tech February
3 6:00 p.m. STEM FAB Friday for 4th-12th Graders STEM Center 7:30 p.m. Lisa Garner Santa, flute, Guest Artist Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium
4 6:00 p.m. AXTOUR Arena Cross Racing Hyder Burks Pavilion
7
12:00 p.m. Healthcare Professionals Career Fair RUC Emily Haile
Awesome Eagle presents his third place trophy at the men’s basketball game Jan. 30.
SGA bill calls for nutritional information postings By JODI LAWERENCE Beat Reporter SGA passed a bill requiring all on-campus eateries to provide nutritional informa-
tion to students upon request starting Jan. 24. The bill, entitled the Nutrition Act of 2011, will require at least one sign to be posted in the Perch and
Swoops Food Court stating that nutritional information is available. While there will be no drastic physical change in these locations due to this bill, there will be a reminder
to students that facts about food are available. “We are college students now,” SGA President Lee Gatts said. “We aren’t little kids anymore who rely on our parents to let us know what we are eating. It’s important that if students really care about themselves they should be able to know what they are eating if they want to. I think it’s a great idea.” While the bill still has to be approved by Food Services, and may be revised, Gatts
said he feels that it has good motives. “I think that everyone thinks it’s a great idea,” Gatts said. “Now it’s just, will Food Services comply to do more for the students, and I think they should.” Seth Bradley, junior civil engineering major, said, “I think that it would be truly beneficial to the students here at Tech to know the nutritional value of the food that we are eating. I want to know what’s in my food.”
Armed robbery near campus prompts first TTU Alert of semester By JACOB WALKER Beat Reporter Cookeville Police are currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred less than a mile from Tech. The robbery happened the night of Jan. 20, at the Dollar General Store located on West Broad Street. “The suspect was described as a male of stocky build, between 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet in height, and wearing some type of hooded garment that was blue,” Lt. Carl Sells, Criminal Investigation Division, said. “Unfortunately, he did a good job of keeping his identity hidden with a face mask.” According to Sells, the armed robber arrived and left on foot and forced entry into the store as employees
were preparing to close for the evening. The police report was not available to the public, as the investigation is still pending. Due to the close proximity of the crime and the suspect’s unknown direction of travel, TTU Alert sent out the first warning message of the semester to students’ e-mail accounts and mobile phones. “It’s free to sign up and get the messages but you have to have unlimited text in order to receive the updates,” Gay Shepherd, Tech police chief, said. “That way if you’re off campus, it will keep you off of campus if need be.” For safety tips regarding suspicious individuals on campus, or more information about Tech Police, visit www. tntech.edu/police.
7:30 p.m. Cumberland Quintet in Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium
8 Last Day for 25% Refund 12:00 p.m. Black History Month: Midday Matinee Black Cultural Center (RUC 258) 12:00 p.m. Tech Women’s Club Luncheon Tech Pride Room
9 9:00 a.m. Yearbook Portraits Photo Services - RUC 11:00 a.m. American Interview Idol Workshop Multipurpose Room 7:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball v. Eastern Illinois Hooper Eblen Center 7:30 p.m. Brass Arts Quintet Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium
tntech.edu/calendar
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OPINION
Send letters to the editor to oracle@tntech.edu. Include your name, e-mail address and limit letters to 300 words. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday. We reserve the right to edit grammar, length and clarity. tntechoracle.com
Page 3 | February 3, 2012
Freewheeling freshmen and stressed seniors CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor
Photo courtesy of http://www.politickerny.com
Ron Paul speaks at yet another Republican debate.
Ron’s record raises red flags JONATHAN FRANK Asst. Editorial Editor
Ron Paul is a fascinating figure in American politics. At 76 years old, the (supposedly) Republican congressman and Presidential candidate has amassed a large base of support on college campuses across the country and has an intensely loyal group of followers who knock on doors for him, come out en masse for his rallies, write his name in chalk on random sidewalks everywhere, and given the chance, would enthusiastically offer him one of their kidneys. While I can appreciate the way that Ron Paul offers an alternative to the politics-as-usual style of many politicians and have chuckled at a few of his quips during the course of the 478,623 Republican debates this year, a closer look the congressman’s positions and statements over the years reveal a candidate who is out of step with the worldview of most Americans and who, ultimately, would be unelectable in a general election against President Obama. In his 12 terms in Congress, Paul’s pro-
“
posed legislation has had a success rate of about .2%. This year Paul has sponsored 47 bills including legislation that would allow private groups to coin their own money and a bill to repeal the federal law banning guns in school zones. Interestingly, Paul has been a vocal supporter of term limits as well—apparently just not for himself. Paul has also espoused disturbing positions on the events of September 11, 2001. In a 2007 radio interview, Paul called the government’s investigation into 9-11 a “coverup” and in December of last year, the conservative blog Redstate.com posted raw video of Paul stating that he did not trust the government’s account of 9-11, or the Kennedy assassination for that matter. In this same video, Paul went on to call for an investigation into 9-11 lead by Dennis Kucinich, the Democratic congressman from Ohio who is perhaps best known for stating during a televised debate that he once saw a UFO. What is even more dis-
concerting is Ron Paul’s record on the issue of civil rights. Paul has gone on the record more than once to say that he would not have voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and in 2004 when congress voted on a resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of this historic legislation, Paul cast the only “no” vote in all of congress. In a recent appearance on CNN, Paul said that this legislation, which repealed the Jim Crowe laws and banned discrimination in places of public accommodation “undermine[d] the concept of liberty.” As someone who proudly claims to be the one true constitutionalist running for President, one would think that Paul would support legislation that finally extended the provisions of the equal protections clause of the 14th amendment to African-Americans, women, and other minorities who previously had not been given those same rights under the law. As bitter a fight as this primary season has been, the general election promises to be that much worse, and there is nothing President Obama’s reelection campaign would love more than a Ron Paul nomination or third party candidacy. Let’s not give them that satisfaction.
Quotable Campus The whole TTU culture in the past has put great value on the fact that we are all a family. You don’t outsource family. Suellen Alfred, Professor of curriculum and instruction in reference to possible outsourcing of Tech custodians, page 1
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Weekly. Student Operated. Tennessee Tech University TTU Box 5072 Cookeville, TN 38505 WILL HOUSLEY Managing Editor NICHOLAS ROLLINS Asst. Managing Editor BRIDGETTE BUCHANAN Ad Manager JESSICA WILSON Ad Assistant JENDA WILSON Copy Editor CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor JONATHAN FRANK Asst. Editorial Editor
ROSS HARVEY Sports Editor ANDY RUTHERFORD Asst. Sports Editor CHRISTINA RIDDLE Entertainment Editor WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor LOGAN NICKLESON Web Editor HOLLY COWART Faculty Adviser
It’s amazing how much every college student changes in four short years. If you talk to college seniors and freshmen, it’s easy to see which is which. They’re at two different ends of the college spectrum. We all go through the same basic changes that take us from the freshmen personality to the senior personality. So if you’re a freshman, get ready to see what your future holds. First on the list is how much effort and money you spend on where you live. When you first come to college, you have a plan for your dorm room. You pack your car full of decorations. By junior year, decorations will be more of an after-thought. Usually this is around the time that you realize you’d rather have money for takeout and bar tabs than make your apartment really scream “you”. Instead of cool, trendy shelves and dishes from target, you have the old furniture that’s been in your uncle’s basement for years. And chances are you have at least one item you found on the side of the road with a cardboard sign that read “Free!” If you think you’re too proud for that, just wait until that first utilities bill comes in. You’ll join the dark side eventually. You’ll do the same thing with your personal appearance. No, I don’t mean
dumpster diving. I mean that your standards will drop. You’ll become a lot more open to wearing sweatpants in class. You ladies will wear less makeup on campus. You guys won’t see anything wrong with wearing the same hoody over and over again. On the first day of classes it’s pretty easy to spot the freshmen and the seniors. The freshmen look fantastic, almost like they walked out of a magazine. The seniors are proud of themselves for wearing clean jeans. It makes sense. When you’re a freshman, you’re making a first impression wherever you go. If you’re a senior, you’ve established your social circle. Plus, that circle has already seen you being carried home at five in the morning after a Halloween party, so they know just how awful you can look. Your attitude towards classes changes, too. Freshmen tend to show up at Tech with enough supplies to stock half of an Office Max. By the time you’re a senior, you have three pens, one no. 2 pencil for scantrons, and a few old spiral notebooks. After years of instructors who think you can write lecture notes as fast as they speak, you learn to use minimalist studying and note-taking skills. For those of you who
use different color ink pens to organize lecture notes, get ready to kiss that goodbye. In a lot of ways, being a freshman or senior in college is a lot like being a freshman or senior in high school. As freshman it’s all new and exciting. You can’t understand why seniors are so cynical. As a senior, you can’t understand why the freshmen are so easygoing. Every senior on campus has wished they could go back in time and talk themselves out of something. We were all freshmen at one point and we know the pitfalls like deciding you don’t need an internship, or filling your schedule with fun classes that will later cause you to take multiple difficult classes at the same time. Sometimes we feel like freshmen are acting spoiled because it’s hard for us to remember what it felt like to still have so much time left to do everything we wanted to do in college. On the flip side, what many freshmen don’t understand is that getting ready to graduate from college is like standing on a cliff with everyone you know congratulating you because you get to jump over the edge. So if you’re a freshman, try not to take it personally if a panicked, sleep-deprived senior rolls his or her eyes when you mention your yoga class. And if you’re a senior, remember that an important part of being a college freshman is taking time to enjoy the experience while there’s still time to spare.
Poll of the Week: Another Groundhog Day has come and gone. Did you wish for an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Go to tntechoracle.com to vote!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Too much parking I would like to address a problem on Tech’s campus that seems to grow each year. I think there is too much parking on campus and the University should make efforts to remove the unsightly parking lots as soon as possible. Instead of continuing to have concrete eye-sores in the heart of the campus, I would like the University move the bulk of the parking to the edges of the campus. As I read in The Oracle, plans are in motion to do so with the area surrounding the recently purchased Prescott Middle School building. That is not
enough. The University needs to demolish the commuter lot post haste and get those spaces moved somewhere on the edge of campus. I do not think we should outright eliminate parking spaces; they just need to be moved away from the heart of the grounds. With the parking lots as they are, Tech looks like nothing more than a glorified technical school. I for one would like to see more green areas on campus with more parks and recreational areas. Our grounds crew does an excellent job with the space they have and I would love to see what they could do with a nice large park
space, which promotes learning and pride in Tech. Even if the financial means to move the parking lot are not available, the University could promote responsible and legal street parking on the roads surrounding Tech. In conclusion, Tech administration, please make all possible efforts to get this ugly parking lot out of the heart of Tech. Let’s make Tech a beautiful campus that can give the other universities in the state a run for their money.
Chuck Acheson
cpacheson21@students. tntech.edu
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BEAT REPORTERS: Rosemary Apple, Ashley Ayub, Mica Bilbrey, Krystal Blouin, Allison Boshears, Heather
Chapelle, Morgan Collins, Cassie Conley, Jacob Cook, Ben Craven, Harley Davidson, Justin Duke, Melissa Edwards,
Drew Eller, Jamal Fergueson, Shane Foley, Lindsey Gore, Kayla Gulley, Emily Haile, Callen Harrell, Tyler Jackson,
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Ariel Perry, Megan Severe, Jessica Smith, Shanna Thompson, Zack Traylor, Aaron Vick, and Jacob Walker.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper DO NOT necessarily reflect those of Tennessee Tech University’s employees or of its administration.
SPORTS Page 4 | February 3, 2012
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Senior Murphy’s NCAA season-high 50 points garners national attention Head coach Steve Payne acknowledges team effort, better consistency as reasons for scoring outburst By ROSS HARVEY Sports Editor
Both photos courtesy of Photo Services
(Top) Kevin Murphy drives past a defender. Murphy had a career-high 50 points Monday night. (Bottom) Head coach Steve Payne (left) and Athletic Director Mark Wilson (right) present Murphy with the game ball.
Weekly Roundup Track and field competes in first indoor event of season The Golden Eagle track team scored multiple personal best finishes at the 34th annual Niswonger Foundation Invitational. The competition was held inside the East Tennessee State University Athletic Center Jan. 27-28. The two-day event was the first indoor race of the season for Tech. Tech’s Emily Weinzetl placed 14th in the 800-meter race with a time of 2 minutes, 30.22 seconds, followed closely by Golden Eagle Leah Bradley at 2:30.38. Bradley’s performance was enough to secure her 16th place and a career best record for that event. “I was very satisfied with my performance,” Bradley said. “Although there was some miscommunication between the officials and our athletes, I believe our Distance Medley Relay has great potential. Overall it was a good first meet and a definite learning experience.” Along with a personal best record in the 800-meter, Bradley beat her previous record in the indoor mile by running a time of 5:38.19. This was an improvement of four seconds from her old personal record. Tech sophomore Meghan O’Donoghue completed the 5,000-meter run in 20:22.06, a personal best over her previous time of 20:25.80. In the field events, Golden Eagle junior Lacy Yslas threw for an indoor career best in the shot put with a distance of 36 feet, 4 3/4 inches. This was her first time competing since the Niswonger Invitational in 2010. The team’s next race will be the Tiger Invitational at Sewanee on Feb. 3-4.
Women’s basketball goes on the road after overtime loss The Golden Eagle women’s basketball team (10-14, 6-4) will hit the road this weekend for a conference battle with Jacksonville State (4-19, 1-9) Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be the first of a three game road trip. Tech is coming off a heartbreaking 6462 loss in overtime to SIU-Edwardsville on Wednesday night in the Hooper Eblen Center. “I thought our players competed hard for 30 minutes but, unfortunately, the game is 40 minutes long,” head coach Sytia Messer said.
Tech men’s basketball player Kevin Murphy scored a career-high and school-record 50 points Monday in a 98-80 win against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Murphy’s total was also a Hooper Eblen Center record. That total was also the highest single-game output for any NCAA player in Division I this year. Head coach Steve Payne said after the game that he didn’t know how many points his senior guard had until close to the end of the game, (Murphy came out after scoring his 50th point at the free-throw line with 1:38 left) but Payne said this kind of scoring output from Murphy didn’t surprise him. “[Murphy] can score the basketball. We’ve seen him score the basketball,” Payne said. “There’s no lack of ability there. He’s talented.” Murphy’s night was recognized by the national media when he was referenced on ESPN’s “Sportscenter” and “Pardon the Interruption,” and also on CBSSports.com. “It’s a great visibility tool for our team, our school, potential recruits and Mid-major conferences,” Payne said. “I hope everyone gets behind him and the entire team. “The key to having [that type of game] is shot selection, which the whole team is getting better at.” Murphy, who was 16-21 from the field and 12-14 from the free-throw line, agreed with his coach’s words. “They kept getting me the ball. It was just an in-game thing,” Murphy said, adding that he felt no indication pregame that he was in for a big night. “[Guard Zac] Swansey and the rest of my team fed me. “We were all moving without the ball and getting good shots.” Swansey added a career-high 14 assists in the game. He also had only one turnover, which coach Payne said was as impressive as having 50 points. “He’s the engine for our team, and he’s got such a good feel for the game,” Payne said of Swansey. The Golden Eagles are 14-9 (6-4, OVC) this season and
This week’s sports stories at a glance
“Sadly, the outcome was not in our favor.” The Golden Eagles were led by sophomore guard Jala Harris who scored 14 points along with five rebounds and five assists. Senior guard Tacarra Hayes added 12 points along with three boards and senior Brittany Darling contributed eight points and eight rebounds. Other scorers included sophomore Molly Heady with nine, Kellie Cook and Brianna Jordan each with six, Rachel Glidden with five and Krystal Stirrup with two. “We’re going to bounce back well by having good practices,” Messer said. “We are going to take it one game at a time and play our best basketball when it comes OVC tournament time.” Jacksonville State is also coming off a loss to SIU-Edwardsville, their fourth in a row. Saturday will mark the second meeting between the conference foes this season. The Golden Eagles topped the Gamecocks 65-59 in a Jan. 23 game at the Eblen Center. Tech will return home on Feb. 13 to host the OVC leading Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Tennis looks for quick start to the season A new season for Tech sports has begun and Tech’s tennis team has their goals set high for this season and is ready to set out and make it happen. Justin Kirstein, Tech tennis player and senior, has a good outlook for the tennis team’s season. “I think we have a great team with a mixture of experience and young talent,” Kirstein said. “We prepare each match as it comes. Our team is much stronger than last year with an addition of three new players.” Every season a team will set specific goals to accomplish. Kirstein said, “Winning the OVC is our main goal.” As a senior this means there is one last shot to accomplish such championship goals. Kirstein said, “It’s my last semester, so hopefully I can graduate with a degree in one hand and a championship ring in the other.” Tech plays at Elon University today, Feb. 3, and their next home match will be against Gardner Webb, Saturday, Feb. 11. This week’s Weekly Roundup features stories from Beat Writers David Lane and Justin Duke and Assistant Sports Editor Andy Rutherford.
fourth in the conference going into Thursday night’s game against the Austin Peay Governors (9-15, 6-5 OVC). Coach Payne talked about what his team needs to do to become better as a unit. “Fourth place isn’t a bad spot,” Payne said. “A free-throw or two here or a more consistent effort in the second half and we are [in an even better spot]. It’s all out there. “We are getting better at getting a good shot every time.” Payne added that it is more important to work on getting better now so the team can be playing its’ best basketball heading into the OVC tournament. The top-eight teams in the conference make the OVC tournament. “Basketball is a tournament sport,” Payne said. “You want to be playing your best late in the year.” Tech’s last regular season game of this year will be at home against OVC-leading and undefeated Murray State (210, 9-0 OVC). As of this week, Murray St. is the ninth ranked team in the country, according to the ESPN/USAToday poll. “There is big time basketball happening on our campus,” Payne said. “This will be the first time a top-10 team comes to the Hoop. There were over 9,000 fans when we went down there, and we hope to have that many when they visit us.” Payne said the recognition Murray St. is generating for the conference is excellent. “Honestly, I wish it was us,” Payne said. “But it’s good to see our name, our brand out there.” Murphy said he was looking forward to the rest of the season, but he wouldn’t look to “get hot.” Instead, he will continue to go through his regular routine just as he does before every game. “I’m focused on winning an OVC Championship,” Murphy said, adding he wouldn’t mind being on the team that hands Murray St. their first loss. “I hope they come in here undefeated. “But, then again,” Murphy said, laughing, “if they lost a few games, I wouldn’t mind that either.” For more information on Tech basketball and all of Tech athletics, visit TTUSports.com
Men’s Basketball | OVC Standings 1. No. 9 Murray St. 2. SE Miss. State 3. Tennessee State 4. Tennessee Tech 5. Morehead State 6. Austin Peay
9-0 (21-0) 7-2 (12-9) 7-4 (14-10) 6-4 (14-9) 5-4 (12-11) 6-5 (9-15)
7. E. Kentucky 8. Jacksonville St. 9. SIUE 10. Eastern Illinois 11. UT Martin
5-5 (12-11) 4-6 (9-15) 3-7 (5-14) 2-7 (9-12) 0-10 (3-20)
- Overall record in parentheses
Allie Sampson
Tech’s baseball players field ground balls during practice last week. Tech baseball begins its’ season against tough non-conference opponents this season.
Tech baseball prepares for tough schedule By AARON VICK Beat Reporter Tech baseball has a lot to look forward in preparation for the upcoming season with 30 home games, nine nationally-ranked opponents and two new assistant coaches. The 2012 season will be the eighth year for head coach Matt Bragga at Tech and he said he expects this season to be the most exciting yet. “I think this is the best schedule that we have had since I’ve been here,” Bragga said in a news release on the Tech Sports website. “Not only do we have 30 games at home, but we are facing several of the best teams in the country like Missouri State, Texas Tech, Kentucky and Clemson, among others.” Even though Tech is in the Ohio Valley Conference, one of the smaller conferences in the country, they will still go up against teams from the bigger conferences in the nation, like the SEC, ACC and Big 12. “There is no doubt we will be challenged,” said Assistant Coach Matt Mihoci via e-mail. “But we have enough talent on the mound to beat anybody we step on the field with so we feel very confident about our team.”
Mihoci, along with Brandon Turner, was hired as a new assistant coach this year. Both coaches are former Golden Eagles, knowing the program inside and out. “I know how coach [Bragga] likes to do things, so we are definitely on the same page,” said Mihoci via e-mail. “I also know exactly what our players our going through since I was in their shoes a few years ago, so it is easy for me to relate to the challenges they face as student athletes.” In order to mentally prepare the baseball team for the season, Bragga said he is transforming his players by the renewing of their minds. Bragga said he wants relationships within the team based off encouragement, not discouragement. He also said that bickering and strife are going to tear a team down, but encouragement and support builds it up, and he wants other baseball teams to see something special in Tech baseball. The Tech baseball team will begin the 2012 season in Lubbock, Texas at the Red Raider Classic on Feb. 17. The Golden Eagles will begin their home stand on Feb. 24, starting a three-game series with Illinois State. Admission to home games is free.
ENTERTAINMENT tntechoracle.com
Page 5 | February 3, 2012
A case of the good, the bad and “The Grey” By LINDSEY GORE Staff Writer
Jillian Boreing
The spinach enchilladas, along with other dishes, offer vegetarian alternatives at Casa Mexicana.
Casa Mexicana offers good food, friendly service
By WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor I checked out Casa Mexicana this week and I’m happy to say I have a new favorite to add to my list of Cookeville restaurants. The atmosphere of the place is vibrant with yellowish-gold walls and paintings of Mexican life. Each of the tables and chairs throughout the restaurant look handpainted, with different designs on each. The place isn’t too big, but just about average in size; so it’s nice if you’re a place not too crowded. Another plus, besides the catchy Latin background music, is the restaurant’s excellent service. Unlike other places I’ve been, the servers here are not overbearing or trying to hassle you about food choice. The servers give you all the time needed, but they are also very helpful so you
can make the best choice. One nice part of the menu is the Mexican descriptions section, which acts as a make-shift glossary for customers making their choice. I ordered the carne azada my first time at the restaurant. The carne azada is served hot with sides of lettuce, rice, guacamole and beans that go in tortillas, along with many slices of juicy steak cooked to perfection. I sampled other dishes like the pollo loco, consisting of grilled chicken with seasoning, and the mixed chicken and steak fajita quesadilla. I recommend the fajita quesadilla if you want a bit of everything, but if you want only one meat chose the loco. If you’re interested in healthier alternatives, try the mushroom/spinach quesadilla. Food photographer, Jillian Boreing said the spinach quesadilla was “legit, and a very tasty vegetarian option.”
Other veggie friendly options are offered on the menu or you can ask your server for something more specific. The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner, with different food specials each day and drink specials that stay the same all week. I was sold the generous 2 for 1 margarita special. Each of the meals at the restaurant left me full and content when I finished and I paid around $12 for my meal, drink included. Most meals generally cost less than $10, but make sure you remember to show your Tech ID for the student discount. Definitely try Casa Mexicana for a food experience that’s different than some of the others around Cookeville. The restaurant is on North Willow Avenue next to Dominos, just a short walk or drive from campus.
Fashion Forward Spring 2012 trends to know and love By CHRISTINA RIDDLE Entertainment Editor With spring just around the corner, nautical motifs and ‘40s inspired trends are invading department stores and runways. The fashion scene is an ever-changing, multi-faceted market that evolves through the seasons. With spring’s introduction, cable-knit sweaters and riding boots will be things of the past, making room for silhouette-conscious pieces, bold prints and patterns. The curve-enhancing peplum tunic is reminiscent of a time when exaggerated, feminine features were desired. While this trend has fluctuated in and out of style
over time, the most recent adaptation leans more toward Marilyn Monroe-like icons and less toward the taffeta on Saved by the Bell. Paired with a military-styled belt and a nautical jersey, the peplum is transformed into a casual, urbanized accessory. Bold print and patterned dresses of the ‘60s make a comeback, but instead of pill-box hats and white gloves, casual accessories make this trend fresh. Head-to-toe floral combinations paired with masculine accessories are ideal for the season’s arrival. With such a heavy emphasis on the feminine, lace-up ankle booties or a bomber jacket can prevent the Easter Sunday vibe.
A trend that has yet to fade away and presses through this season is the technique of colorblocking. The key to this style is to pick two very bold colored pieces, like cobalt blue slacks and a fuchsia pink button-up blouse, giving the illusion that the colors block each other off. The most recent incarnation of this trend is to add print into the combination. Be warned, however, that an outfit can look like a splatter painting if this is executed improperly. The idea is to experiment with colors and prints that complement one another and do not distract. When in doubt, pick either colorblocking or print.
Christina’s Top 10 fashion faux pas 1.
Salmon colored skinny jeans
6.
Leggings under shorts/skirts
2.
Ugg boots and short shorts
7.
Brand labeled clothing
3.
Tank tops (it’s winter!)
8.
Pig Tails (are you 8?)
4.
Female Khaki Pants
9.
Brown Female Dress Shoes
5.
Wearing Purple and Gold
10.
Turtleneck Sweaters
“The Grey” is an intense and nail-biting film that portrays the struggle between man and wild and the internal struggles of being human. Directed by Joe Carnahan, “The Grey” starts off with a bang when seven members of an oil- drilling team survive a horrendous plane crash that leaves them stranded in the harsh environment of the Alaskan wilderness. While facing the cold, barren landscape, the team learns the hard way that they are being hunted by a pack of wolves. The men are slowly picked off as the team struggles to survive and deal with their own internal conflicts. Ottoway, played by Liam Neeson, becomes the self-proclaimed leader of the group and begins to lead the group in what they hope is the direction out of the wolf pack’s territory. As the dwindling number of survivors struggles to navigate the snowy terrain and defend themselves from the wolves, flashbacks involving Ottoway’s wife introduce yet another struggle he must overcome to survive. The overall visual effects are mediocre at times. The wolves come across as completely realistic at times but often appear to be the product of lackluster CGI. The camera angles do not work to portray the action adequately during some scenes, but the harsh conditions of the terrain are captured effectively and beautifully more often than not. A talented supporting cast aids the film and comple-
The Young Folks
“The Grey” has non-stop action and an ending that is resolved after the credits. ments Neeson’s performance. Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Ben Bray, James Badge Dale and Nonso Anozie nearly perfect the rough characters they are meant to portray. The ending, including a scene after the credits, was slightly disappointing. The powerful action sequences and depth given through philosophi-
cal moments prevail over the unsatisfactory ending. “The Grey” is certainly one of the must-see films of the month that is guaranteed to put viewers on the edge of the seat and leave patrons thinking about their own internal struggles. “The Grey” is rated ‘R’ for violence/disturbing content including bloody images and pervasive language.
Album Review Anthony Green “Beautiful Things” By LOGAN NICKLESON Web Editor “I’ll always be unhappy if I don’t sing,” confesses singer, songwriter Anthony Green before leading listeners into a catchy vocal melody in the first track of “Beautiful Things.” The second solo installment for Green, better known as the front-man and vocalist for the experimental rock band Circa Survive, was released Jan. 17, and is a surprising listen for fans who expected a follow-up similar to Green’s mellow, guitarcentric debut, “Avalon.” Folk trio Good Old War, who performed as the instudio band on “Avalon,” joined Green for a second time and has a noticeable presence and influence on Green’s record, especially in “How It Goes,” “Just to Feel Alive” and “Blood Song.” Together, the four explored an assortment of genres, creating an entertaining and diverse collection of 13 songs. However, such diversity becomes hard to follow at times, like in case of the out-of-place reggae tune “When I’m on Pills.” Green begins the album with the powerful “If I don’t Sing” before subtly transitioning into the repetitive, locomotivelike “Do It Right.” An unusual choice for
AltPress
Anthony Green released his second solo installment, “Beautiful Things” on Jan. 17. the album’s second track, “Do It Right” seems almost unrehearsed, making it more appropriate as a hidden track. According to Green, the raw a cappella tune was recorded using only one microphone and sounds as such. By building aggressive guitars riffs and driving drum patterns around his signature high, gritty voice in songs like “Can’t Have It All At Once,” Green appears to be narrowing the gap of distinction between the contrasting sounds of his solo work and Circa Survive on “Beautiful Things.” Several of Green’s new songs, such as “James’ Song” and “Lullaby,” reflect his experiences as a new father. “Love You No Matter What” opens with delicate female vocals and acts as a testament to Green’s devotion to his unborn child.
With lines like “Even if spikes grow from out of your head, and you’re shooting vomit fire all on the bed,” it is arguably the record’s most lyrically-peculiar song. “Beautiful Things” is well-balanced, with darker, yet catchy compositions like “Get Yours While You Can” and “Blood Song,” offset by light-hearted, “Avalon”-reminiscent songs like “Just to Feel Alive” and “How It Goes.” Although it is a disappointing followup to “Avalon” in some respects, most notably the overall less-polished production and sporadic choice of genre, “Beautiful Things” is undeniably more creative and an interesting experimentation of sound and writing, proof that Green is anything but stuck in a rut.
NEWS Page 6 | February 3, 2012
tntechoracle.com
Tech to host TARH this weekend
SWING INTO SPRING
By SHELBY MCDONALD Beat Reporter Tech will host the Tennessee Association of Residence Halls conference Feb. 3-5. The yearly conference is for resident assistants, Residence Hall Association members, hall council members and other students involved in Residential Life. “At the conference, schools compete for things like spirit points as well as place bids for the next year’s executive board members and the privilege to host the
next year’s conference,” Allie Sampson, conference cochair, said. Last year, Tech placed a bid to host the 2012 conference and won. This will be the University’s third time hosting TARH. Eleven different Tennessee colleges will attend this upcoming conference. TARH is made up of an executive board of four students from different schools around the state and two advisors from various state schools. “We have 10 delegates that we are sending to represent Tech, and what they’re
going to learn from the other schools to bring back to our halls is just limitless,” Andrew Moneymaker, Tech area coordinator for Capital Quad and Crawford Hall, said. “A lot of the stuff we do now we have learned from other schools at these types of conferences, programming-wise, and getting students to interact is going to be tremendous.” Attendees will stay in hotels and Tech will provide shuttles to campus, where programming sessions will be available throughout the day.
Melissa Edwards
Andrew Denny and Sami Burchfield perform the basic Swing Out move during a Swing Dance Club meeting.
Printing CONTINUED from page 1
“It is time to be able to control the issue and let students print what they need to print,” he said. “We’re one of the last TBR schools to implement a solution to the problem.” Faculty will be asked to be more aware of the issue and try to find alternatives to printing methods. Reese said turning in notes electronically could be one suggestion. “Faculty could choose to have their notes printed by Printing Services and it come out by the bookstore,” Reese said. “Printing in the Learning Commons is a lot more costly than through Printing Services.”
Some departments may choose not to use the system. Littrell said if the department chooses to opt out they will provide their own toner and paper. The money for the Pharos system installation came from other campus funds received, not the students’ fees. Littrell said the Pharos system will help save money to use for students. “It will help us save paper and free up technology dollars to use for students,” she said. In 2008, the price for toner and paper started doubling each semester. Littrell said students started noticing recycling bins were overflowing with paper. SGA passed a resolution in 2006 regarding printing services, calling for greener printing and less waste. Lee Gatts, President of
Outsourcing CONTINUED from page 1
If Service Solutions is approved, the custodians will be allowed to hire on with them and take a severance package from Tech. By doing this, they will lose their Tech benefits, which Alfred believes are greater than what Service Solutions will offer. “What we’ve done is shifted the cost burden from Tech onto the city of Cookeville and Putnam County,” Alfred said. “That means people are going to
wind up in the emergency room, and who pays for that? Our taxes do. And we could see them in public housing, and we could see them on food stamps. Who pays for that? We do.” In the past, the United Campus Workers have protested and picketed as an effort to bring awareness to, as well as end the outsourcing effort. Cassie Watters, organizer for UCW, said the organization plans to host a
SGA, said it will take a semester to see how it will go. “Specific majors require more printing for studying than others,” Gatts said. Reese said most of the feedback from students about the system has been positive. While being off campus, students may send their print jobs to the printer and building of their choice on campus. The print job will be held until the student swipes his or her Eagle card. “Students who are in a hurry can already have their print jobs waiting for them on campus,” Littrell said. “We hope students will appreciate that.” These features are coming soon. For more information, visit www.tntech.edu/ its. prayer vigil Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. at Main Quad in response to the letter of intent. According to Watters, their main focus is to pray for the custodians, and to pray that the right decision is made. “With the way our economy is now, it’s going to be tough for these people to get a job,” Alfred said. “They are going to be receiving benefits, not from Tech, but from tax payers.”
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