The Oracle-February 14, 2014

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THE

Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505 | Est. 1924

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RACLE

Volume 97 | Issue 12 | Free in single copy | February 14, 2014

Student Government raises cap on S.O.L.O. event funding to $3,000

By JORDAN BLAIR Beat Reporter SGA has passed a bill that will increase the Student Organization Life Opportunity (S.O.L.O) funding cap from previous $1,000 cap to a $3,000 cap per student application.

“With this extra money, organi-

zations will have more opportunities to have events that make them more noticeable on campus,” said Tech student Summer Sanders. “The more people that attend the events, the more the organization will grow.”

The bill that SGA has passed is

called the “The S.O.L.O. Funding Allocation Capacity Increase of 2014.” Organizations can now receive up to $3,000 if they are approved for their project or event instead of only $1,000.

In 2010, Tech students voted to start the S.O.L.O fund so money

could be provided to organizations on campus that needed it. The S.O.L.O fund also helps pay for an entertainment event every semester, such as concerts and comedians.

S.O.L.O funds are given to campus organizations that apply for extra funding to support an event or

eat at mor places

Three new restaurants coming to campus

By DRAKE FENLON & CAITLIN JARED Beat Reporters

O

Original picture courtesy of Chick-fil-a.com

n campus dining options in the RUC will be expanding in the coming months with the addition of three new restaurants.

In the first SGA Town Hall meeting of the semester, Director of Dining Services for Chartwells Sam Holm made an announcement confirming the arrival of several new dining options at the University, including Chikfil-A, Which Wich and a Chartwells run Mexican style restaurant.

The first of the new restaurants that will be seen is the Which Wich. This up-andcoming sandwich shop is one in which patrons write down which sandwich they would like and what they want on the sandwich on a paper bag and then the Which Wich workers put the customer’s sandwich in that bag.

Which Wich will be located in the recently vacated space where the Mini Market was located on the ground floor of the RUC. Holm said that before Holm construction on the remodel project can begin, walls must be knocked down in order to meet the design needs for Which Wich.

Demolition is expected to begin soon so that the restaurant will be up and running by the end of the semester.

Holm said the University is working rapidly on the Which Wich project so the restaurant will be functioning by summer. Work will then begin on the Chick-fil-A that is to replace the current Golden Eagle Snack Shack and Wing It in the Swoops Food Court.

The construction standards of Chick-fil-A are much more invasive than that of the Which Wich remodel.

Holm said that certain large Chick-fil-A deep fryers and ventilation hoods will have to be installed in order for the kitchen to be built properly up to code.

The remodel process for the Chick-fil-A will be so intense that Chartwells is considering shutting down all of Swoops until the Chick-

TNTECHORACLE.COM FRIDAY 44/21 °F

SATURDAY 37/31 °F

Dillon James | The Oracle

Dillon James | The Oracle EATING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD- Students will soon be able to satisfy their Chick-fil-A and Which Wich cravings at Swoops in the RUC.

fil-A is finished and ready for customers.

Close to one year ago, the Chartwells team held a student survey to see what restaurants students would like to see on campus.

“Guidelines for the restaurants we want on campus are easy- hip and fun,” Holm said. “Chick-fil-A came back number one on the survey.”

Another restaurant highly requested from students was a Mexican restaurant. Chartwells heard the requests and, within a short time, a Mexican restaurant will take the place of Mondo Subs in Swoops.

Described as a “fresh Mex” restaurant by Holm, the Mexican restaurant will

‘‘

“I’m personally glad Mondos is going away because they are a little overpriced to compete at Tech,” junior Andrew Jeffries said, ”As far as Chick-fil-A coming, I think that will be good, but I think it will take business away from other places because of the brand recognition.”

According to Holm, Chick-fil-A will offer a smaller menu, but people will still be able to order the basics. Chartwells is still waiting to know if they will be able to serve Chick-fil-A breakfast. There is, however, some controversy concerning Backyard Burger’s ability to sell chicken. Chick-fil-A is looking to protect its brand

As far as Chick-fil-A coming, I think that will be good, but I think it will take business away from other places because of the brand recognition.”

—Andrew Jeffries,

,,

Junior, Political Science not be a nationally recognized name, but a smaller named place.

The name is currently being worked on, but Holm said that the establishment will be similar to a Chiptole or a Qdoba, with freshly made meats and salsas.

The “fresh Mex” restaurant is expected to be up and running around the same time as the Chick-fil-A this fall.

name.

“That’s not fair. Chickfil-A will get enough business without hurting them,” student Minda Richardson said. “They serve different products. Buying a sandwich from Chick-fil-A isn’t the same as buying a sandwich from Backyard Burger.

Backyard has that Hawaiian chicken sandwich and Chickfil-A doesn’t have that.”

@TNTECHORACLE SUNDAY 47/31 °F

project. In order to receive financial help from the S.O.L.O fund, the organization must show that its event will benefit a large percentage of students on campus. An SGA S.O.L.O. committee then holds a formal meeting where it decides on to accept or deny the organization’s application.

Two free years of community college may become possibility in Tennessee

By REANNA YOUNG Beat Reporter Governor Bill Haslam presented a new proposal for free community college for incoming freshmen and sophomores last Wednesday, Feb. 5.

“This would affect incoming freshmen and sophomores for the class of 201516,” said Lester McKenzie, TTU director of financial aid.

The HOPE Haslam s c h o l a r s h i p is an annual $4,000 scholarship allotted to any incoming freshman that has a minimal ACT score of 21, or a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Unlike some scholarships, this is not based on the annual income that has to be reported to FAFSA each year.

It is solely based on good grades.

Many parents are concerned for their upcoming college students, but what about the students who are already in college? Some students are worried about the amount of money they will be able to receive.

Haslam’s TN Promise proposal would reduce the current amount each freshman and sophomore would be able to receive by $1,000, totaling $3,000 per year.

The upside to this would be that as a junior and senior, they would receive a total of $5,000. However, many students lose their HOPE by the time they are juniors or seniors.

“Last year, we had about 2,000 freshmen enter and, of those students, about 8090 percent of those students were eligible for the HOPE scholarship,” said McKenzie.

“Of those eligible students, 775 freshmen lost their HOPE scholarship.

“Governor Haslam’s plan has placed the burden of paying for a free community college education squarely on the shoulders of the student who chooses to attend a four-year college,” McKenzie said. “Without taking anything away from the value of a free education, students choose 4-year schools over community colleges for the services, student driven activities and a residential campus-community among other things that set a university apart from a community college,” said McKenzie.

To those students who are looking to go into the engineering department, or specialized fields here at Tech, having those connections and building relationships early in their academic career can be vital for their futures in their academic affairs as well as career fields later on. Many community colleges do not offer the same types of math or specified skills that a university could provide.

“While a community college is the right choice for many students… federal aid programs, state aid programs and institutional funds have a key role in allowing students the educational freedom to choose what type of institution to attend,” McKenzie said. “Students, who show the greatest need have consistently received the stronger aid packages because that is the basis of how financial aid works. This program shifts that focus to potentially force students into making decisions based on cost verses institutional type, losing some of their freedom to choose.”

Counseling Center, TAB spread out love with free Build-A-Bear

By SARAH DINGWALL Beat Reporter The Tech Activities Board and Counseling Center teamed up to deliver multiple ways for students to celebrate the holiday of love in the Tech Pride room located in the Roaden University Center on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Dr. Christina Mick, assistant director of clinical services at the Counseling Center, said the Center and

TAB sponsored a peanut butter drive for Second Harvest food bank called “Spread the Love” in conjunction with the Build-a-Bear TAB giveaway.

“We wanted to help others in the community who may be less fortunate than some of our students and who need some assistance with food,” said Mick.

“Peanut butter is the best

See “Build-A-Bear,” page 2

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CRIME BRIEFS: - Feb. 9- Not available Classification: Destruction/Damage/Vandalism Location: Jobe Hall 4th floor Disposition: Open case Notes: None.

- Feb. 8- 10:10 Classification: Disorderly conduct Location: Jobe Hall Disposition: Closed. Referred to the Dean of Students Notes: Incident started with a complaint of drug odor which could not be substantiated and ended with “Disorderly con duct” violation.

- Feb. 6- 11:00 Classification: Theft from building Location: Volpe Library & Media Center Disposition: Open case Notes: An unattended backpack was stolen.

- Feb. 2- Not available Classification: Destruction/Damage Vandalism Location: New Hall North Parking Lot Disposition: Open case Notes: Four vehicles were vandalized and egged.

- Jan. 28- 8:45 Classification: Intimidation Location: Tech Village Disposition: Closed. Referred to the Dean of Students Notes: A vehicle was vandalized.

For up-to-date crime information, visit tntechoracle.com BUILT WITH LOVERobbie Lindstrom and Whytnie Clemmer pose with their newly built bears Thursday morning.

TTU Photo Services

>> Build-A-Bear CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 option because that lasts and lasts.”

Students could bring in jars of peanut butter as donations. Those who brought in peanut butter during the giveaway were able to use it as a fast pass to the front of the Build-a-Bear line.

Students who stood in line had to wait a while before they could get to the bear station.

“Although I do think the wait time was way better than last years, I believe there could be more efficient ways of getting people in and out faster,” said Nick Mullins, sophomore student.

National champion mascot Awesome Eagle even made appearances at the event dressed as Cupid and

passed out valentines to the students in line.

“The Counseling Center brought back the ‘make a valentine’ table, but also expanded it for students to make and send one to a local nursing home,” said Star Crabtree, Counseling Center intern.

Not only did TAB bring in Build-A-Bear for a third year, it added a “do it yourself” photo booth for students to entertain themselves while waiting to build their bears.

A second photo booth placed at the end of the line was also provided by the Counseling Center for students to dress up and pose for the camera.

The STEMobile charges into action events

@ tech

By ADAM WEBB Beat Reporter

The Oakley STEM Center has a new method of educating in the rural areas surrounding Tech. The STEM Center uses a trailer with the latest technology to travel to rural schools and educate students and teachers.

The STEMobile, as is it called by STEM Center students and employees , is a shipping container designed to use technology to teach kids from kindergarten to middle school. Twenty-one schools from 21 counties in the Upper Cumberland area were selected to have the STEMobile travel to their schools.

“It was designed for schools to use the technology on board that can’t afford it,” said STEM internet technologies associate Rob Reab. Reab helped design the STEMobile and currently oversees the day-to-day functions. “I designed it down to the light levels and how it would use heat and air conditioning,” said Reab.

The STEMobile is a shipping container that has 30 iPads, six high definition TVs, and even water. The TVs are connected with Apple TV technology, which allows the teachers and students using the iPads to put images and videos on the monitors inside the trailer.

February

14 8 p.m.

Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz Jere Whitson Backdoor Playhouse

7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

TTU Symphony Band in Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine STEM Center STEMOBILE ON THE JOB- Robert Reab works with children in the STEMobile. The STEMobile is a shipping container designed to use technology to teach kids from kindergarten to middle school.

Director of the STEM Center Dr. Sally J. Pardue said, “It’s a faboulous connection to surrounding rural counties that gives them ways of teaching and learning that everyone needs to get behind and make donations. Hopefully, we can have four or five of these in the future.”

The container started with a $250,000 donation from Tech and a $100,000 grant from the state of Tennessee.

After working on the struc-

ture for over a year, it is estimated that the STEMobile has about $500,000 worth of equipment and technology on board.

Graduate student Nick McGehee said, “It’s extremely accessible. All students and teachers have to do is use the equipment on board.”

McGehee is also conducting research to show the impact the STEMobile is having in the rural schools to which it goes.

Students prepare for potential careers Engineering Career Fair scheduled for Thursday Feb. 20.

Close to 100 companies have committed to being there.

By BRITTANY STOVALL Beat Reporter Students of all majors, from seniors to freshmen, will have a chance to participate in Tech’s Engineering Fair Thursday, Feb. 20, in the RUC. The annual event – cosponsored by Tech Career Services and the campus’s Engineering Joint Council – will take place from 10 a.m.3 p.m. on the RUC’s second floor in the Multipurpose Room and on the first floor in the Tech Pride Room.

“Career Services fairs are open to all majors and alumni,” said Lynn Haley, interim director of Career Services.

“In reviewing the list of majors requested for the 2014 Engineering Fair, you will see that organizations are seeking engineering, technical and science majors from all university programs as well as accounting, agriculture, business, environmental sciences and foreign languages, just to name a few.”

Haley said student participation in the career fair “has a proven track record of success.”

“That’s why we continue to host these annual events,” Haley said. “Students have the opportunity to meet employers face-to-face and gain

an edge in securing co-op, internships and full-time jobs.”

At press time, 94 companies have registered.

And while this fair may be catered toward engineering and technology majors, EJC President Ian Swagerty, mechanical engineering senior, said “there are still many companies that will be looking for candidates outside of the engineering realm.”

“I have talked to companies before looking for marketing, accounting and finance interns,” Swagerty said. “I suggest talking with the Career Center or looking online to see what companies will be there and what positions they are looking for.”

To prepare for the event, Swagerty said he encourages students to brush up on their resumes, dress business casual for the fair, make the fair a priority, and look online for career fair tips.

Swagerty said, “Have fun. Being comfortable and friendly is key.”

Tech students like Christina Bechard, graduating mechanical engineering senior and EJC secretary, have found success with landing an internship through the engineering fair.

“The engineering fair is a great time to build your networking skills and meet lots

of companies that are either looking for full time employees after graduation or coops,” Bechard said. “No matter what level of engineering you are attending, the fair is a must.

“The Engineering Joint Council, College of Engineering and Career Services do a wonderful job attracting companies that the engineering students want to work for,” Bechard said.

“I have always enjoyed how well organized everything is and that I can easily approach companies and find their booths. I also appreciate the printed name tags that we are given when we sign in.”

Swagerty said he believes the fair can open many career doors for Tech students.

“I would like to encourage all students to give the career fair a try,” Swagerty said.

“It really is a fantastic way to get your name out the door.

If nothing else, walk around and shake some hands.”

The event is part of the larger Engineers Week schedule of events taking place next week, Feb. 17-21, 2014.

For more information, including a list of registered organizations and career fair tips, visit www.tntech.edu/ career/engfair-student/

15 2 p.m.

Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz Jere Whitson Backdoor Playhouse

5 p.m.

ISHA Meeting Hyder Burks Pavilion, Main Area

5:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball v.

Moorhead State Hooper Eblen Center

7:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball v.

Moorhead State Hooper Eblen Center

16

5 p.m.

ISHA Meeting Hyder Burks Pavilion, Main Area

17

All day

Robert E. Gerhardt, Jr., photography exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

7: 00 p.m.

Women’s Basketball v.

Eastern Kentucky Hooper Eblen Center

18

All day

Robert E. Gerhardt, Jr., photography exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery 5:00 p.m. - 9: 00 p.m.

Cumberland Beef Breeders Association Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion, Multi-purpose room 7:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

The University Orchestra in Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

19

All day

Robert E. Gerhardt, Jr., photography exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Brass Arts Quintet Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

20

All day

Robert E. Gerhardt, Jr., photography exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery 10:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Engineering/Technical Majors Career Fair RUC 1st and 2nd Floors

Please recycle your copy of The Oracle once finsished.

Thank you

7:30 p.m.

Scott Mayo in Concert Center Stage, Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

TTU Jazz Ensembles in Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

LIVING tntechoracle.com

Page 3 | February 14, 2014

An Evening with Eve

TULIPS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Oracle staff member sits down with world renowned playwright and social activist, Eve Ensler

Sarah Tate | The Oracle Junior Chayla Bell, left, and senior Luke Patton, right, set out tulip bulbs for waiting students on TAB Tuesday, Feb. 11.

By LYDIE-CLAIRE BROWN Staff Writer

SMALL TALK WITH THE PRESIDENT A student asks Dr. Oldham how he plans to increase diversity on campus at the “Chat with the President” on Tuesday during dead hour.

Elissa Longfellow | The Oracle

Love runs cold at Cupid’s Chase 5K

By KIMMY MANNING Beat Reporter

had heaters,” Tech student Tracie Lamas said. “That was smart.”

Emily Hurst, Lamas’s friend and fellow student, said, “But the snow sucked.

“I’ve never ran a 5K before, and I wanted to inspire myself,” Hurst said in regard to her first place finish in her division. She said the best part about the race was finishing it.

“Just seeing the straight away finish line and being like, ‘I’m there’ and sprinting towards it,” Lamas said.

Students such as Lamas and Hurst were of the many who participated in this charity event. Among the students present, several attended to volunteer for the race. “What an awesome cause,” student Shelley Brown said about

Snow was falling as residents of Cookeville gathered at Tucker Stadium last Saturday morning to run the Cupid’s Chase 5K. The proceeds of the race benefit the local organization Community Options.

Community Options is an organization that provides employment, housing and educational opportunities to the disabled in our community, and this race is the seventh annual fundraiser for the company.

Those attending put on their Valentine’s best as they prepared to spend the next 3.1 miles traveling through the frigid temperatures.

“I really liked that they

A G u i de t o a B e t t e r S e me s t e r 1. L i s t e n t o WTT U. 2 . B e H a pp i e r.

3. D re am s C o me Tr u e

supporting Community Options. “That definitely enlightens my volunteering.

“My favorite part about volunteering was cheering the racers on as they crossed the finish line,” Brown said.

It seemed as though the finish line was a common favorite throughout the morning.

Was love in the air as the Cupid-themed event took place? Student Logan Hartman said he “hadn’t planned on meeting [a Valentine] there” but would have been “open to the circumstance.”

All things considered, it seemed the chilly temperatures didn’t prevent the race from being enjoyable and unforgettable for those who participated.

Photo by: Megan Severe | The Oracle On February 10th, Tennessee Tech University hosted a luncheon and presentation with Eve Ensler, the playwright and activist, best known for her play, The Vagina Monologues and the organization arising from the play. In between a luncheon with members of previous productions of The Vagina Monologues, Eve sat down with members of the press, including myself and Becky Magura of WCTE. In our interview, Ms. Ensler commented that she had never expected the play to be a grand hit or spark a large movement. It was, rather, a fluke inspired by a menopausal friend. Curious as to what women actually thought about their genitals, she conducted a series of more than 200 interviews.

Expecting tales of great joy or sexual pleasure, she was instead greeted with confessions of victimhood.

More than two-thirds of the stories she collected were about sexual violence. After its debut in 1996, the play became a smash hit.

“After every show, there were lines of women who wanted to talk to me, to tell me their stories. Most of them had never gotten to tell their stories before,” Ensler said.

In 1998, Ensler proposed that The Vagina Monologues be used as an activist piece of theater, and the profits from its production be used to fight violence against

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women in local communities.

The V-Day movement was born. Now, communities all over the world perform The Vagina Monologues without paying royalties, and all money raised is donated to local charities dedicated to ending violence against women.

“Our goal in V-Day was always to go out of business. To end violence against women,” Ensler said. “So when our 15-year anniversary came around, and it hadn’t been stopped, we thought, ‘what’s next?’”

While wondering about their new direction, Ensler was diagnosed with stage three uterine cancer. After a surgery that resembled a medical pillage, suddenly missing seven organs and seventy nodes, she says she felt finally and utterly aware of her body.

“All of these tubes and catheters coming in and out of me? I was nothing but body.”

It is the body, Ensler says, that pushed in the new direction of the V-Day movement and its offshoot, One Billion Rising.

“I was obsessed with the statistic that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped in her lifetime. And that’s a UN and World Health statistic.

But what could we do about that?” Her body supplied the answer. Once recovered from cancer and chemotherapy,

Ensler made a trip to the City of Joy, a rescue city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sponsored by V-Day. “I just looked awful, I had no hair, no eyebrows – I looked dead,” she said. “And when they saw me, the women in the City of Joy started to dance.” She got a fond, faraway look on her face as she talked about the act of dancing.

“Dancing is firmly in your body. Dancing celebrates everything that your body does for you. Its translates thought into action and takes you and your body above ego, above all the thoughts.” She gave a small laugh. “Everybody thinks that theorizing is better or more effective than dancing.

What has theorizing gotten us but statistics and no action?”

After her visit and our chats together, I keep returning to the idea of dancing as an act that reunites us with our bodies, that encourages us to better understand what we can do to change what’s wrong with the world.

I don’t know if dancing will save the world. I don’t know if the world can be saved. But, I do know that in the moment Eve Ensler wrapped her arms around me, I felt that I could. So, on Valentine’s Day, I’m dancing on South Patio, and I hope you’ll dance with me.

OPINION

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Page 4 | February 14, 2014

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Valentine’s is more than chocolates and candy SARAH DINGWALL Opinion Editor Valentine’s Day is a day of love, chocolate, roses, rings, and basically everyone telling you how useless you are because you are single and don’t have someone in your life to “buy” you things.

I have never had a Valentine or someone ask me to be his, but this has never bothered me.

So, why would it matter what people have said?

It only bothers me because so many people around me think they are only worthwhile if they have a special someone and they would give anything to have he or she ride in on a white horse.

Not going to happen.

Admit it - if they were going to come they would have been here already, horses are much faster than people,

anyway.

If you are like me, this time of year is hard because you see an excess of people holding hands or kissing. It can be hard because you keep hearing this voice in your head saying you will never have that. Scratch that. It is practically yelling it at you.

Do yourself a favor and tell that little voice in your head to shut up. It is wrong.

Valentine’s Day also reminds me of one thing that voice tries so hard to make me forget; I already have all the love I could ever want or need.

Now, do not get me wrong, I would love to have my special someone and a family some day, but I have learned that I am still too messed up to be thinking about love and marriage. I want to finish college first.

This unforgettable love came in the form of a perfect sacrifice. That sacrifice was

made freely and purchased my freedom. Because of that love I don’t have to have the physical presence of a man in my life to make me feel loved. I already have it. That love is never ending and forgives me easier than any man could.

This is why I don’t need anyone else but I right now.

Take the normal everyday stress a student has with just a 12 hour class schedule, then add seven more to it, have three well paying part-time jobs and one that is ok, and finally, add to all of this the fact that you want to spend as much time at church worshipping God and learning all you can about Him. Yep, there really isn’t any time for a guy to come in a distract me.

I have learned one thing over the years with this little voice; it is always the same thing over and over again. I have done one thing differ-

http://photography-on-the.net

ent and the voice now comes from the farthest distance and it sounds muffled.

What have I done? Well, I took my own advice and told it to shut up and I learned to be content. Not satisfied, but content.

I am content with where I am, looking forward to where I will be. Face it - no one knows whom we will meet

tomorrow, but if “the one” happens to be there, then I hope he is still as messed up as me and can wait to get down on one knee.

So, this article goes out to the young ladies out there who are similar to me, but you haven’t found that hope yet. I promise you, once you do, that voice will yell even louder that you aren’t worth

it, but you are. The love of Jesus Christ says you are and don’t you ever forget that.

If anything, tomorrow make a pact with yourself and the Lord, you will have a date with Him, worshipping Him and thanking Him for everything He has done for you. That actually sounds like fun. Do not go and wallow in self-pity, go and rejoice in what the Lord has done for you.

My only prayer in writing this article is that maybe someone will see that there is hope. That guy or girl will come along, but first you need a never-ending love.

That love will fill you up to overflowing and will teach you about a perfect love that is worth every minute living in it and shuts up the voices of the world and your head.

That kind of peace and quiet is so wonderful.

Adjunctivitis Crisis: Higher-Ed’s Indentured Servitude I wear your granddad’s clothes, LYDIE-CLAIRE BROWN

Trends in Faculty Employment Status, 1975Ͳ2011

Assistant Opinion Editor

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30 FullͲTime NonͲTenureͲTrack Faculty 21

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Compiled by: AAUP Research Office, Washington, DC; John W. Curtis, Director of Research and Public Policy (3/20/13)

well as Dr. Troy Smith, the president of Tech’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). The situation, as they describe it, is dire.

One adjunct formerly taught as a visiting professor at a private university in another state. While there, she taught three classes, a total of nine credit hours, and was compensated with a salary of $50,000 per year, plus benefits.

Then, she showed me her TTU paycheck for the year. In accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents policy, she receives $802 per credit hour: $700 in salary, $102 for a travel stipend.

If you’re good at math or have your calculator handy, that means she earns $14,400 annually from Tech for the same three classes. She holds a terminal degree in her field, but subsists below the poverty line and must live with

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As percent of faculty appointments.

We’ve all been there – the 1000-level classes seating at least 30 people, if not closer to a hundred, studying the basic introduction to some subject we may not even need for our major. For some, it’s classes like Algebra, or Writing 1010.

For me, it’s zoology. Two hundred underclassmen in one room? The noise of everyone turning a page sounds like Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

Terrifying!

But, what’s really terrifying are the people teaching our introductory level courses, and how they get to live their lives. The teachers of these classes are representing a special breed of academia -the adjunct faculty.

Adjunct faculty are professors who have completed master’s and doctorate level coursework in their field and are typically teaching introductory classes while working on a dissertation for their doctorate. That’s what you would think, and, according to many full and tenured professors, “that’s the way it should be.” Not so anymore.

Most adjuncts are people who have obtained a terminal degree in their field and simply cannot find better work. Some are hired, Ph.D. in hand, with the promise of advancement to full-time instructorship, eventually full professorship. Some, like Dusquene instructor Margaret Mary Vojtko, taught at their institutions for decades on semester-tosemester contracts before being “let go.” Vojtko died in September 2013, with no pension, no health insurance, and no home.

Over the winter break, I sat down with two adjunct faculty members from Tech (who asked to remain nameless in fear of reprisals), as

60

JACOB THREET Entertainment Editor KIMMY MANNING Entertainment Critic HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic DAVE MCMINN Web Editor WILLIAM SHECKLER Circulation Manager JON EZELL Faculty Adviser

her parents.

The second adjunct taught 12 hours last semester between two school systems.

She made a total of $7,500.

The bulk of her income and attention has shifted from teaching to being a paralegal.

Being part-time instructors, neither of them qualifies for health insurance at their primary employers.

This isn’t just a problem at Tennessee Tech. According to NPR, adjuncts and other temporary faculty make up 75 percent of college instructors NATIONWIDE. The national average for their annual compensation flexes between $20,000 and $25,000.

For comparison, the average full-time, tenured professor teaching undergraduates makes $93,000 a year, according to AAUP. The average university administrator’s salary registers upwards of $150,000. Our own president, Phil Oldham earns more than

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$275,000 a year, according to the TBR database.

As a consumer society, we have created a caste of highly educated indentured servants. Their pittance of a salary traps them in academia’s dirty work, unable to seek other worthwhile employment. Adjunct #1 commented to me that she could only afford the gas to and from Cookeville twice a week.

That severely limits her ability to work with and guide her students. According to the Chronicle of Higher Ed, distance from professors and lack of attention is a leading cause of dropouts.

If we really want to improve retention rates at Tennessee Tech, in the state of Tennessee, and nationwide, we should move our attention, and our money, from frivolous attractions like fancy new fitness centers and classes to “discover the successful you.”

Put it into the teachers who teach freshmen, who make them understand firsthand the methods to academic success, and who first challenge them in a university setting. Restructure the money to reflect what’s really important here – a good education.

Recently, Tom Ashbrook’s radio program “On Point” discussed the fact that universities have enough money to pay the exorbitant salaries of university presidents and invisible administrators with degrees in “academic management” or some similarly vague subject. They make more money and are typically less educated than the professors who taught you about 19th century German philosophy or the laws of thermodynamics.

What has a faceless administrator taught you lately? I hope it was more than cynicism.

I look incredible: Going thrifty

ing here for three years,” McKelvey said. “They always seem surprised by our Guest Contributor discount system and love the The popular song “Thrift savings they can get.”

The Bargain Hunt disShop” includes phrases such as “popping tags” and count system is based on the “wearing your grandpa’s ve- date the product is placed on lour suit.” Although students sale. After one month, the at Tech do not usually wear price decreases by 10 percent velour suits, they are shop- and, after every 10 days, the ping to get the most bang for price drops by another 10 their buck. It is a way of life percent.

“You can purchase somefor the typical Tech student to thing priced at $9.99 at 90 be thrifty. percent off for The New cents. It’s a York Times “I can’t afford .99 great system,” recently pubto spend that McKelvey said. lished an armuch on someMcKelvey, ticle claiming said the store that young thing so frivoadults are no lous. I have better has a serious discount to oflonger shopthings to spend fer to the Upper ping at fashion chains like my paycheck on.” C u m b e r l a n d .

“They usually Abercrombie and Fitch and American have a lot of overstock or reEagle, causing a profit loss of turns from other retail stores six percent or higher. The ar- and we price them competiticle cites that technology, on- tively, up to 20 to 30 percent line shopping and “fast fash- off the typical market price. ion” are reasons for the sales We don’t have a student disslump, but some disagree. count, though.”

McKelvey said that the Elias Marrero, Jr., of Trendy Trades, said that the price is lines “spending fifty dollars just too high for those with for a tee shirt”, from the song “Thrift Shop”, struck a chord limited funds.

“Fashion that is easy with him. “I can’t afford to on the eyes and the wallet spend that much on someis difficult to come by here thing so frivolous. I have betin town,” Marrero, Jr. said. ter things to spend my pay“Most of our clientele are check on.” young adults and teens and they are regulars here.”

Some students like to be thrifty about their fashion choices, while some like to save on technology. Jared McKelvey, of Bargain Hunt, knows all the best places in town to save, including his place of employment.

“We have a wide range of customers, a majority being Tech students. I recognize the college students, after workhttp://www.sxc.hu JACQUELINE ATKIELSKI

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Commentaries should be around 500 words and include a picture.

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Plagiarized works will not be considered.

3. For verification, letters and commentaries MUST include your name, e-mail address, home town and classification or title.

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Page 5 | February 14, 2014

‘Lego Movie’ a smash hit for all ages

By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic

T h i s weekend, ‘The Lego M o v i e ” dominated the box office and knocked unexpecting fans off their feet. Most prepared to see a lame kids’ movie with heavy product placement.

‘The Lego Movie’ centers around Emmett, an average workman Lego who is mistaken as the most extraordinary person in the universe and the key to saving all Legos from evil. The film is packed with nonstop laughs and pop culture references for everyone. To say the cast is star studded is an understatement, with talents like Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, and Will Ferrell as lead Legos. Brief voice stints include Will Arnett, Liam Neeson, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill (to name a few).

The film opened in first place at the weekend box office, raking in over $69 million. By opening with that amount, the film surpassed its budget of $60 million. It extended its gross with foreign totals coming in at $18.1 million.

The film’s worldwide total massed over $77.8 million for opening weekend. This is the biggest opening from Warner Bros. since ‘The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug opened this previous December.

The animation is completely CGI, but is so effective at recreating the limited mobility of Lego figures that some scenes look like stop-motion.

The extent to which the animating team strives

Courtesy of In Live For Films

‘The Lego Movie’ had the biggest opening in February’s history, only behind ‘The Passion of the Christ’.

to create the universe is awe-inspiring, but the action and hilarity of the film don’t leave the audience much time to linger on details. From the beginning, the story is captivating with bright colors and jokes and voices older members of the audience will recognize immediately. Cool music pumps throughout the whole film. The especially catchy hit ‘Everything is Awesome!’ (Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island) will stay with movie-goers for literal days. ‘The Lego Movie’ takes a blatant stab at materialism and has a deeper storyline about the child in all of us that reveals itself in a subtle, yet effective way. It emphasizes how cool it is to be an individual and do your own thing, because sticking with the status

quo isn’t always the right thing to do.

Honestly, the most negative thing about the movie was that it seemed to drag on closer to the end of the movie. Some plot points were stretched out and might have been considered unnecessary if the target demographic were not young children and the animation was less captivating. Fortunately, that is not the case.

‘The Lego Movie’ has fantastic animation, a cool story, good actors, and just as many laughs for grown ups as there are for children. This movie deserves all praise it has received so far and I recommend it to everyone in the mood for a bright and upbeat comedy.

‘The Lego Movie’ is rated PG for mild action and rude humor.

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‘Dance Moms’ continues to stick around

By JAKE THREET Entertainment Editor I have often pondered why I continue to watch ‘Dance Moms.’ Is it for the dancing?

No. Is it the madness and craziness of competition?

No. Is it for the messy, overthe-top mama drama and a wicked dance teacher?

That would be the accurate answer. The show is clearly staged in particular moments, but, then again, what reality show does not have those elements? The drama is still going strong into the beginning of its fourth season. Yes, that is right, its fourth season.

It does not feel like Abby Lee Miller and these moms have been screaming at one another for four years, but they have.

A lot has transpired over these last 90 plus episodes, but one thing that has stayed the same is the core group of moms.

Christy, Melissa, Kelly, Holly, and Jill are the dance mom rat pack that has been around since the beginning, minus Jill who joined during the second season.

At times each of them have been kicked off, quit, or at least have been on verge of both of those. If it were me, I would have been gone the first chance the exit door opened, but, my guess is the fame, money, and a strict contract by Lifetime are the things that keep the moms around.

Throughout the first three seasons, and even still in the fourth, Abby has made the threat of getting rid of some of the team members. One of her famous lines is “everyone’s replaceable,” and yet she has replaced none of them.

But, I go back to Lifetime’s contract for that. Any new moms that have tried to join the team have never really worked out. They have all been, for lack of a better term, simple. None have really fit well into the group and each one came into the

Courtesy of International Business Times

This week’s episode of ‘Dance Moms’ garnered its highest rating of the season, with 2.5 million viewers tuning in.

show already knowing what she was getting into and the acting they try to pass off as “being themselves” is horrible.

Going back to the core group of moms, as staged and plain stupid as they are sometimes, they just work well together. They have good chemistry together that shines through in lighter moments on the show and, honestly, their daughters dance better together. They know when and how to bring the drama and just what buttons to push that make Abby lose her mind. Dr. Holly has long been the lone standout that still holds a semblance of classiness about her, while not letting anyone walk all over her. She’s the smartest, prettiest, and most refined of all the moms.

Let it be known however, the real star of the show is Abby Lee Miller. Albeit, she is mean, cruel, and probably a menace behind the scenes the woman knows how to command a show. She is the Queen Bee, so to speak, and there is no getting around it. Her mean comments, although wrong at times, are funny.

I mean that’s probably bad

for me to say, but I live for her to tell one of those little kids to “save her tears for the pillow“ when they are crying. It has become my favorite phrase of hers and I often find myself using it to console friends. Her battles with arch nemesis Cathy are beginning to get old and that storyline is quickly losing steam. Abby just needs to drop her house on her and get rid of the Wicked Witch of Canton.

Dance Moms continues to bring white trash to the forefront of reality television. Averaging more than 2 million viewers an episode, it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. This fourth season appears to be more intense than ever. Dance Mom Kelly just got arrested last episode for assaulting Abby. What’s next, a match at WrestleMania? After the blowout fight, things look like they are going to explode. This show is one of those that is so bad, it’s good.

I want to stop watching, but the tiny bit of white trash in me keeps pulling me back for more.

Dance Moms airs Tuesday nights at 7/8 central on Lifetime.

New ‘Tonight Show’ host ‘Yankee Tavern’ Review

By KIMMY MANNING Entertainment Critic Get ready, all you night owls.

Jimmy Fallon will be hosting “The Tonight Show” for the first time this Monday, Feb. 17.

Fallon has quite a lineup for his premiere next week as he gathers all A-listers in his direction. On his first night, guest Will Smith and musical guest U2 will be in the house to start off the season. Throughout the week his other guests include: Jerry Seinfeld, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake and the First Lady herself, Michelle Obama. Also, as a nod to his former SNL co-stars, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell will make appearances.

For his musical guests, Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw, Arcade Fire and Justin Timberlake will perform in the first week of airing.

As this new era of late night television unfolds, other celebrities and his large audience of viewers have been praising Fallon for his accomplishments.

“You really going to do

this?” Jerry Seinfeld asked Jimmy Fallon at a recent charity event.

“What do you mean?”

Fallon replied.

“You realize there’s no end to this job,” Seinfeld explained. “You’ll just do this ‘til you die. It’s the pope job.”

Jay Leno passed the torch to Jimmy Fallon, making him the sixth “Tonight” host in 60 years.

The Boston Globe said, “Leno has graciously compared [Fallon] to (Johnny) Carson, the longest-tenured host of the show.” After stars such as Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Carson, Conan O’Brien and Leno, Fallon has big shoes to fill.

“Someone was saying that more people have walked on the moon than hosted ‘The Tonight Show,’” Fallon told the Seattle Times. “Me, I’ve done both, so that’s really good.”

“The Tonight Show” with host Jimmy Fallon will air after the Olympics at midnight Feb. 17-20, with the Feb. 21 broadcast to air in its regular time slot of 11:35 p.m.

By ADAM WEBB Guest Critic The latest production at the Backdoor Playhouse is full of everything f r o m conspiracies to laughs to splendid dramatic acting. “Yankee Tavern” is the story of two young lovers in a New York City bar five years after 9/11. The tavern is patroned by only a loud, boisterous conspiracy nutjob and a silent, mysterious man.

The entire cast gives an impressive performance throughout the two acts of the Steven Dietz’s original work.

Theater professor and artistic director of the Backdoor Playhouse, Mark H. Creter is electric as the confident theorist Ray. Creter’s turn is reminiscent of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman as he’s spouting off lines like “some guy heard my theory about Yoko Ono and The Bay of Pigs and he wants me to start a blob!” Creter’s Ray can also add to the drama himself, getting right in the face of Adam, played by Joshua W.

Rapp, who also directed the play.

While the first act may belong to Creter, the second act really allows his costars talent to shine. Andrew N. Davis plays the mysterious Palmer who has more secrets than anyone has a right to, and in the second half you get a full view of the all-seeing, allknowing bar fly.

“The only way to get rid of a ghost… is to become one,” Palmer says, sending shivers down your spine. Not to be out done, Caroline Brown delivers a terrified performance as she fears what is happening to her world around her, trembling and shedding tears of fear in one scene then confidently telling fiancé Adam what she has learned in the next.

Rapp’s Adam holds his own, as well. In the beginning, Adam is a young man that just wants to marry the girl of his dreams. But, by the end, Adam appears to know more than he let on originally.

The production has humor and wit to last, but what makes it stand out is the way it makes you think.

By the end of the play you’ll be asking yourself “was it a conspiracy? Or merely a coincidence?”

SPORTS

tntechoracle.com

Page 6 | February 14, 2014

MEN’S BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

FINAL HOME DOUBLEHEADER

VS MOREHEAD STATE EAGLES

Saturday, Feb. 15 5:30 & 7:30

TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES

Miltary and Public Safety Appreciation Night

By Alyssa Adkisson

Beat Reporter

Jamal Ferguson

Freshman guard Shirmane Thomas puts up a shot after being fouled in Thursday night’s contest against the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky. Thomas would contribute 10 to the 72-66 win for the Golden Eagles. They now sit at 13-13 for the season and 6-5 in conference play.

Golden Eagles take third straight

By JAMAL FERGUSON Sports Editor

The Golden Eagles men’s basketball team picked up its third in a row Thursday with a 72-66 win over Eastern Kentucky.

Dennis Ogbe led the the team in scoring with 18.

Javon McKay had 12, Dwan Caldwell, Shirmane Thomas and Ladon Carter finished with 10 each bringing the number of Golden Eagles in double figures to five.

Jeremiah finished with seven assists and McKay had three blocks.

The men will return to action in the Hooper Eblen Center Saturday night at 7:30 against Morehead State.

BASEBALL

Season opener against South Alabama TTU SPORTS INFORMATION There have only been two meetings between the Golden Eagles and South Alabama before this weekend, as the two squads split a two-game set back in 2010 in Mobile. Tech won a barnburner in the second contest, edging the Jaguars in a 14-13 thriller on Mar. 10, 2010.

Both teams have been mighty busy since then. In fact, last year marked great seasons for both squads.

South Alabama won 40+ games for the 19th time in team history, making the Starkville Regional and taking on eventual College World Series runnerup Mississippi State. The Jaguars finished the year 43-20 while winning a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular season championship.

The Golden Eagles set a program record with 40 wins while also breaking the Ohio Valley Conference record for league wins with 24. Tech

won the OVC regular season championship and boasted two All-Americans and eight all-conference players when the season ended.

During the last game with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning Ryan Hopkins came in to pitch for the Golden Eagles and try to preserve a slim two-run lead. And he did just that, forcing back-to-back ground balls to earn the save and give the Tennessee Tech baseball team a 14-13 win over South Alabama Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles tallied 14 runs on 20 hits and it proved to be just enough, as Tech escaped with the road win over the Jaguars to earn a split in the two-game series.

Seth Edwards went 4-for6 at the plate, Chad Hayes and Chad Oberacker each went 3-for-5, and A.J. KirbyJones, Casanova Donaldson, Zephan Guyear and Evan Frazier each had two hits, as Tech reached the 20 hit mark

for the second time in the young season. The Golden Eagles improved to 5-7 on the season, and snap a five-game losing streak. USA fell to 9-6 on the year.

Starting on the mound for the Golden Eagles on Friday will be JUCO transfer Chris Chism. The right-hander brings a competitive edge from St. Petersburg College and will look to give the Tech squad a great start to the 2014 season.

Pitching on Saturday is junior returnee David Hess.

The righty dazzled Tech fans out of the bullpen last season, capping a 3.84 ERA and 77 strikeout season with the performance of a lifetime. Hess struck out 11 of the 14 batters he faced in 4.1 innings of relief work in the OVC championship clinching win over Belmont. He also finished the year with a 7-2 record.

Wrapping things up on Sunday will be another JUCO transfer in John Gora.

SOFTBALL

Still searching for season’s first win

By ALLISON BOSHEARS Beat Reporter

The Tennessee Tech softball team is up for a challenging run as it tries to bounce back from a mediocre season in 2013. The Golden Eagles ended their season going 11-11 in the conference for an overall 7th place finish. Tech lost early in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament against SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Kentucky to end last season.

Head Coach Bonnie Bynum said she thinks the Golden Eagles are well prepared for the season.

“We have worked hard this pre season, and despite few opportunities to get on the field because of weather,” said Bynum. “We have worked hard in every element and situation that has been presented.”

The 2014 season looks

challenging for the Golden Eagles as they go toe to toe against six schools that played in last year’s NCAA tournament, including the College World Series runner-up from last year, the University of Tennessee.

Senior Catcher Chelsea Burgess said she sees the Vols just like any other team.

“Playing Tennessee is just like playing any other team,” said Burgess. “Yes they may have been the runner up in the Women’s College World Series last year, but they put on their cleats and uniforms just the same as we do here at Tech.”

The Golden Eagles opened their season with national tournaments, including the Plainsman Invite hosted by Auburn University.

The Golden Eagles are still looking for their first win after returning to Cookeville 0-5.

This weekend, they travel to the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament hosted by Kennesaw State.

Then finally the Frost Classic hosted by UT Chattanooga.

The Golden Eagles then begin their season playing on the road at East Carolina.

The Golden Eagles will play a total of 17 games before coming back to Cookeville for their home opener on March 5 against Holy Cross.

Senior Catcher Kendall Hooper believes her team is ready for the upcoming season.

“Preseason training changed a little bit with the new strength coaches that were brought on staff at Christmas, but they have done nothing but better prepared us for the season,” said Hooper.

OVC play will begin on March 15 against Jacksonville State.

It is Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night as the Golden Eagles host Morehead State on Saturday, Feb. 15 in doubleheader action.

All military and public safety members in the Upper Cumberland and their immediate family members will receive free admission into the game. There will be three families recognized throughout the games as a part of the Hoops for Heroes program.

Hoops for Heroes is an initiative set forth by the Ohio Valley Conference in honor of an officer who was killed on the job. Hoops for Heroes is designed to allow the community to interact and build relationships with community heroes such as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services, and military members in a fun and positive way.

“It’s a small way for us to show our sincere appreciation for everything our

military and public safety members do for us on a daily basis,” said Leveda Birdwell, director of corporate sales and marketing for Tech athletics.

Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night is an event hosted twice a year; once during a football game in the fall and again in the spring during a basketball game.

Tech’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be in the stands during each game to collect donations to fund the trips for all three families to the tournament. Fans will have an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ by giving.

It is the first matchup of the season against Morehead State for the Golden Eagles.

They will face Morehead State again on March 1. Last year, the women swept the two game series, and the men split their two regular season games The women enter the matchup 9-15 overall with a record of 6-5 in OVC play.

Overall, the men are 13-13

with a 6-5 record in the OVC. Saturday is also Senior Night for the women’s team.

“We encourage all members of the military and public safety to join the Golden Eagles for a fun night of basketball,” said Athletic Director Mark Wilson.

This will be the final home doubleheader event of the season. The women tipoff at 5:30 p.m. and the men follow at 7:30 p.m. in OVC play.

Another upcoming event is on Monday, Feb 17.

The Golden Eagles women’s basketball team will host Eastern Kentucky on Think Pink Night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Fans who wear pink get into the game for a dollar, and the first 1000 fans will receive a pink t-shirt when they come through the door.

This will be the final home doubleheader event of the season. The women tipoff at 5:30 p.m. and the men play at 7:30 p.m. in OVC play.

For more information on Tech basketball games, visit TTUSports.com.