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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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Bell Hall temporarily closed after small fire, class schedule affected

Chatting with the President

By REBECCA FINLEY Beat Reporter

Kim Biggs l The Oracle FIRESIDE CHATS - On Thursday, Feb. 11 during dead hour, President Philip Oldham answered questions and acknowledged concerns from students and faculty during the open forum. University officials from various departments attended the meeting to provide further insight for questions asked at the meeting. Questions and comments ranged from parking to the snow cancellation policy.

Bell Hall closed Wednesday, Feb. 10, after an equipment fire occurred on the first floor near Health Services. At approximately 11:18 a.m. officer Bobby Hunter responded to the scene after the fire alarm went off. The fire started after an air compressor in the mechanical room shorted on the first floor, according to Kevin Burchett, facilities associate. According to the Tech police report, “Burchett was able to put the fire out with a 10 lb. ABC fire extinguisher.” Health Services and Bell Hall both closed for the remainder of the day due to smoke and the smell of burnt plastic and electrical wiring. Because the mechanical room is near the elevator shaft, the smell

spread to both the second and third floors of Bell Hall; however, the auditorium was not affected and remained open throughout the day. The Cookeville Fire Department responded to the scene at 11:30 a.m. They used electric fans in order to clear the smoke and odor from the building, according to the Tech police report. James Cobb, director of environmental health and safety, said only minimal damage was caused by the fire. Will Walker, nursing student, said, “We were scheduled to have class until 2, and our first exam was to follow. Being in nursing school is already extremely busy with clinical, lecture and exams every week, let alone trying to reschedule an exam due to a fire.” Health services as well as classes resumed as normal the following day.

Tech to begin planning for $90 million science building By ELISSA LONGFELLOW Beat Reporter Tennessee Tech’s new science building investment is expected to reach $90 million, according to Claire Stinson, vice president for planning and finance, as plans progress after Gov. Bill Haslam’s recent budget announcement. This is close to a $5 million increase from Gov. Haslam’s budget reference at the State of the State address Feb. 1. The building, at 150,000 square feet, will be the largest building on campus once it’s completed. “ T h e Oldham Science Building design and construction offers us the opportunity to continue creating the signature experiences we envision for all students,” said President Phil Oldham. “The building will be designed to meet the

unique needs of our faculty and students, plus it will help us reshape the campus as we continue to prepare for growth.” Tech will be required to fund up to $18.75 million while the state provides the remaining $71.25 million of the $90 million price tag. The governor’s budget called for $581.6 million to build and repair higher education buildings and general state government facilities. Of that amount, Tech received the largest portion, with the next highest amount given to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for a new $39 million dentistry building. The new complex will be available to all majors and disciplines, however it will focus on preparing science and engineering students to help further state economic development initiatives. According to Karen Lykins, associate vice president for communications and marketing, Tech’s number of science, technology, engineering and math students is ex-

pected to increase; therefore, Tech wants to accommodate these growing fields. “As those numbers of STEM students grow and our expertise in that area grows, this will be our signature building that we will grow into. There should be space to expand and adapt. We are building for the future,” said Lykins. The new science complex will house one of the state’s largest undergraduate chemistry programs. “In a typical day, almost 2,000 students enter the building to take a chemistry course,” said Jeffrey Boles, Lykins chairman for the chemistry department. “A new building will provide even more momentum to help the faculty and students who are responsible for our current success.” In addition to the chemistry

program, the building will also house a portion of the biology program and other sciences. It will also provide laboratories for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in environmental science, nursing and engineering. The initial timeline of construction expects completion by January 2019; however, this timeline is currently under review, and construction should be completed by early 2020 with the building being fully occupied shortly after. The location of the building, between Peachtree and Stadium drives, was chosen in an effort to join the eastern and western portions of campus. This will increase connectivity throughout campus as westward expansion continues in the future. According to Tech’s Master Plan, “Placing the Science Building at the western end of the chosen site and aligning its center with Bartoo and Kittrell Halls will allow the new structure to both establish an edge for the academic campus while

responding to and extending the Campus’s historic organization.” The new building will take the place of what is now a commuter parking lot. Plans for a new lot are underway and slated to be completed before ground is broken on the science complex. The parking lot will be located on the west side of campus behind Tech Village. The old commuter lot has 600 parking spaces, but the planned lot will have approximately 1,100 spaces, according to Associate Vice President of Facilities Jack Butler. The addition of this new parking lot will follow the plans outlined in the Flight Plan to move all of Tech’s parking to the exterior of campus. Once the parking is moved, an expanded shuttle service will be implemented. “The goal for the shuttle service is to have a schedule that you can depend on,” said Lykins. “We want it to be absolutely predictable on times of arrival and departure, and also to have enough shuttles to make that happen.”

Volpe Library assesses damage from ceiling vent leak By ANNA MCFARLAND Beat Reporter

Tech’s custodial staff reported a leak in the Angelo and Jennette Volpe Library around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. According to Coordinator of Public Services Sharon Holderman, library administration is unaware of how long the leak had been going on. “Everything was fine at 2 a.m. the previous night when the library closed because we do walk the floors at closing,” said Holderman. “Based on the damage, we don’t believe it had been leaking very long.” An HVAC vent leading to the outside of the building did not properly close, which allowed cold air to come Read More Online

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inside the building. One of the HVAC pipes froze and broke causing leaks in the A-wing stairwell and the third floor ceiling near the stairwell. According to Library Administration Dean Douglas Bates, custodial staff and facilities were prompt in correcting the problem. “It has been fixed, and they responded very quickly,” Bates said. “There was not very much time at all between the time they found it to the time they got there.” Custodial staff put plastic sheeting over the bookshelves to route the water into trashcans. All books were removed from the affected area. “All in all there was not much damage,” said Holderman. “A ceiling leak in the library over books could end up much worse, so we were pretty lucky.” The HVAC damage will be paid by

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facilities and the book damage will be paid by the library’s regular collection budget, according to Holderman. Bates estimated the damage could cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000. “We probably lost 100, maybe 150 books,” said Bates. The library will order new books to replace those that were too wet to salvage. The replacements will be newer, updated books on the same topics. The librarians began purchasing and searching for replacement books the day the leak was discovered. Library administration claimed facilities and custodial staff were well equipped to handle the problem in a timely manner. “You just have to be prepared because you never know what’s going to happen,” said Bates.

Kim Biggs l The Oracle SEA OF BOOKS - Over 100 books suffered water damage from the HVAC ceiling leak in Volpe Library Wednesday, Feb. 10. The cost of damages ranges from $7,000 to $10,000.

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NEWS

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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>> Campus

Student starts GoFundMe account after facing tuition hardship By MARANDA TANKERSLEY Beat Reporter Tech student Justin Seals has been making local headlines after revealing that he had been living in his car during the previous school year. Interviewed recently by both Cookeville’s HeraldCitizen and Nashville’s News 2, Seals shared the story that many students nationwide face daily. Seals, a sophomore computer science major, had spent several months sleeping in his car after not receiving enough financial aid to afford housing, tuition and a meal plan during his freshman year. He further states that he was also planning to move in with friends at the time, but because of a lack of communication between him and friends, he ended up staying in his car.

“I stayed in my car for a week until they were ready for me to move in so that I wouldn’t be in the way, but they never actually let me know that they were ready,” said Seals. “And since they didn’t get back to me, they made me feel like they didn’t want me there. So a week turned into a semester.” While living in his car that he affectionately named “Wanda the Honda,” he stayed at the library until closing and snuck into dorms to shower and brush his teeth. Seals posted a GoFundMe profile asking for assistance after totaling “Wanda” while heading home during January’s snowstorm. “I had heard of people using GoFundMe,” said Seals, “so I made one the day after my ER visit after the accident and explained my story, just to see how I would do. I shared it eight days later. It was hard; it was

embarrassing.” So far, Seals’ GoFundMe profile has raised $1,619 of his projected $25 thousand goal. He has used some of the funds raised to buy a new laptop to replace the one damaged in his car accident. “People kept asking me why I haven’t used the funds to buy a new car, and why I bought a laptop instead. I’m a computer science major, I need it for my education,” said Seals. Presently, Seals has been staying with friends off campus. “I met with (Student Affairs) Vice President Marc Burnett recently and he gave me options, but me and my fiancée are now living with a few friends that pay reasonable rent that I can afford,” said Seals. “And when I’m not getting a ride to campus, it’s about a 20 minute walk from their place.” He also states that he receives help from Tech’s Food

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Photo provided by Justin Seals WANDA THE HONDA - A GoFundMe account has been set up to help sophomore Justin Seals replace his car after an accident that totaled “Wanda the Honda” in late January. Pantry for food and other supplies. “They gave me a backpack, and told me that I can go and get food from them once a week,” said Seals. For the future, Seals plans to work during spring break and throughout the summer to save up for a new car.

As for the GoFundMe page, the funds that are donated will go toward paying for a vehicle and helping with rent and school supplies. “If I do manage to get a vehicle this summer, I plan to only use it for transportation and not for housing anymore,” said Seals.

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grown to where you can almost ‘come in and shop’ for the things you need for the week.” Kaitlin Salyer, assistant coordinator for the Service Learning Center, expresses how the Tech Food Pantry also assists with items other than food. “We offer basic household items such as toiletry items. We have shampoos and even backpacks for students who need them,” said Salyer. “We even refer them to other places that may be of assistance like the Cookeville Pregnancy Center, the Cookeville Rescue Mission and more.” “If we’re not able to meet the needs of someone, we always have a place to refer them to,” said Huddleston. “And the numbers to those I refer them with, are my personal friends. They are great people to talk to.” One of those contacts was Tamika Parker, coordinator of inviting and sending at First United Methodist Church. Parker is in charge of the church’s food pantry which runs every Tuesday from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. “We also have a clothing distribution every three months from the congrega-

tion and the community. Our parking garage is usually full of clothes and small home goods,” said Parker. “Sometimes we’re able to offer financial assistance for those who need help with their utilities or rent. We ask basic information about the recipient and that information goes to a team who decides if and how much help can be offered. Even if we don’t have the funds to help, we’ll always refer to someone who can. We’ll never turn you away.” “It’s important for a student to feel comfortable about receiving help. We encourage students to talk with student affairs or come see us,” said Salyer, “There is no need to hide or feel ashamed. We’re here to help.” The TTU Food Pantry is open Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Donations are encouraged and welcomed at any time within those hours or can be taken to Room 108 of the Roaden University Center. The food pantry is located in the same building as the laundry room in Tech Village at 910 N. Willow Avenue. Entrance to the food pantry is through the side door.

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The Washington Center Information Session RUC 370

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

TTU Cycling Club Volpe Library Main Floor

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Syntel Information Session Bruner Hall 207

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Film Screening: It was Rape Derryberry Hall

17 All Day

Order The Centennial Eagle Yearbook RUC 372

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

U.S. Marine Corps Officer Program RUC Lobby

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

TTU Women’s Basketball vs. Morehead State Hooper Eblen Center

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

TTU Food Pantry moves to Tech Village

The Tech Food Pantry has partnered with Residential Life and has moved from its small space in the cafeteria of Foundation Hall into a threebedroom apartment located in Tech Village. “We’ve been really fortunate to receive this space from Res Life. Charlie Macke, the president of Residential Life, offered us this space to see a positive growth in the food pantry,” said Michelle Huddleston, coordinator of the Service Learning Center in charge of Tech’s food pantry. The TTU Food Pantry has grown from serving an average of 5 students per week in 2013 to an average of 20 to 25 students per week this semester. “There’s a hidden hunger within campus. You just don’t expect students to come to college and be hungry,” said Huddleston. “Many students are paying for their classes but choosing to ‘rough it out’ when it comes to figuring out their food and shelter situations. The Food Pantry has

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Faculty/Guest Recital: Esther Park, Piano and Wonkak Kim, Clarinet RUC 369

Sean Henriques | The Oracle

By KATELYN MOSER Beat Reporter

Professional Development Series with Karen Malmquist Clement Hall 212

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

FROZEN ROSES - The American Chemical Society sold live roses in the Roaden University Center Thursday, Feb. 11 for $3 each. The roses were available to give as a gift for special someone or to dip in liquid nitrogen and shatter into hundreds of pieces. After dipping the roses in liquid nitrogen, the roses become hard and brittle, similar to porcelain. Then, buyers can voluntarily destroy their frozen roses by hitting them on a hard surface.

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Spring Trumpet Festival Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium

18 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

U.S. Marine Corps Officer Program RUC Lobby

11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Career Readiness Workshop Tech Pride Room

11 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.

Professional Development Series with Nick Fox Clement Hall 212

5:15 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Additively Innovative Virtual Lecture Series with Tim Caffrey iMakerSpace, Volpe Library

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

University Orchestra in Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium

8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Theta Tau Dodgeball TTU Fitness Center

19 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Guest Artist Presentation: Westell-Carpeyev Duo Wattenbarger Auditorium

20 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Creative Inquiry Workshop Bell Hall

21 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Mastersingers Mid-Winter Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium

www.tntech.edu/calendar

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

COOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 3

Features <<

NEWS

Students concerned with Tech’s communication on class cancellation policy By ANNA MCFARLAND Beat Reporter The recent snow and icy weather in Cookeville has inconvenienced many Tech students’ and faculty members’ transportation to campus, class schedules and safe navigation on icy sidewalks. Many students are upset about the delay of class cancellations in unpredictable weather conditions. Journalism student Taylor Harling commutes to Tech every day at 6 a.m. from Gallatin in Sumner County, and she experiences consistent difficulty in traveling to campus in dicey weather. “My biggest struggle with the weather complications is the difference between the weather in Gallatin and Cookeville,� said Harling.

According to Harling, the snow is often worse in Cookeville than surrounding cities, which makes it more difficult to make it to campus in the event classes are not canceled. “I think Tech handles it all right, but it would be nice to know about closings sooner,� said Harling. “I drove an hour and a half to get here Tuesday just to sit in class for an hour and have the rest of my classes canceled due to snow.� According to University Police Director Tony Nelson, the University Police Department did not respond to any weather-related accidents during the inclement weather due to the lack of people driving on campus. “The best way to minimize accidents during inclement weather is to remember to slow down, as most accidents happen due to an

individual having limited driving experience on snow and ice and attempting to drive at speeds in which the vehicle cannot be stopped if you have to stop suddenly,� said Nelson. Not every student was upset with how the University handled the weather conditions. EXPW major Andrew Fortner thought Tech has been doing its best to appropriately deal with inclement weather. “I think overall the University handled the situation well,� Fortner said. “I do wish they would let us know sooner when school is canceled.� Professors and Tech administration continue to work on communication with students about assignments and inclement weather plans of action through iLearn and Tech’s social media pages.

Tech Players begin Spring season with production of Royal’s ‘Dog Sees God’ By KYLE GOSSETT Beat Reporter The Tech Players kicked off their spring season Feb. 11 with the opening of “Dog Sees God.� The story takes the beloved characters of Charlie Brown, matures them to teenagers, and throws them into high school. Charlie, Linus, Peppermint Patty, and Pig Pen all are there, trying to find their identity and a place in the world around them. Former Tech student Joe Clark is directing the show, while Mark Creter, artistic director of the Backdoor Playhouse, oversees the production as producer. Due to ongoing renovations of the Jere Whitson Building and the Backdoor Playhouse, the Tech Players are currently performing at the Cookeville Performance Arts Center, located on the corner of Broadway and Walnut Avenue. “Since CPAC was already doing a production the week before, we had four days to rehearse inside the auditorium we would be performing in,� said Creter. Rehearsals started in December in the newly renovated Talon Theatre inside Foundation Hall. “CPAC has been very welcoming and was ready for our Sunday move-in. They are also taking care of all ticket sales and concessions, which

‘‘

Kate Trebing | The Oracle

CAMPUS SAFETY - Members of facilities work diligently to clear the entrances to buildings across campus. Some students are concerned with the University’s means of communication in regard to class cancellation and severe winter weather.

WTTU wants YOU

I think it’s such a fine example of how powerful theatre can be, that it can take you from laughter to tears in the course of two hours. —Mark Creter Artistic Director, Backdoor Playhouse

has allowed to focus solely on the show,� said Creter. “Dog Sees God� features returning Tech Players Matthew Hooper, Rachel Mayes, Trenton Nash, Braden Wahl, and Samia Anderson. New to the Tech Players this season is Sy Matlock, who is playing the part of Charlie Brown’s sister. “I have always loved the stage,� said Matlock. “I did performances throughout my high school career and loved every second of it. I found out about the auditions from a great friend of mine and cast mate Trenton Nash, and I was thrilled to even get the chance to audition.� Despite being new to the ensemble, Matlock says she has felt right at home since rehearsals began. “I have never been around such uplifting and encouraging people. These people have worked with each other for years and they took me in like I was a part of their theater family,� said Matlock. Creter said he is very satisfied with the mix of repeat actors and new faces that have joined Tech Players.

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“Everyone brought the same amount of talent. I thought it was very wellbalanced and I love that it truly is an ensemble effort. Everybody gets their time to shine in this production,� said Creter. “This is a very professional group and I was blown away at opening night.� The show does contain some sensitive material that may not be suitable for all ages such as: onstage drinking and drug use, foul language, and sexual content. It also explores themes of homosexuality, school shootings, and the treatment of women. “Some of the students beside me were uncomfortable by the show,� said Creter. “And that’s fine, I like that. There’s a lot of laughter in this play but there’s also some real gut punching moments in it as well. I think it’s such a fine example of how powerful theatre can be, that it can take you from laughter to tears in the course of two hours.� The show runs at CPAC through Feb. 20. Admission is free to Tech students with their Eagle Card.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

>> Reviews

‘The Life of Pablo’ is both moving and provocative ‘Deadpool’ ushers in new age of R-rated action By MASON BUTLER Guest Critic

By CAMERON FOWLER Entertainment Editor

Rapper Kanye West released a new album early this morning following his time on Saturday Night Live. In this highly anticipated album, Kanye raps about everything from having sex with Kim Kardashian, in “30 Hours”, to bashing Taylor Swift in 2009 with “Famous”. He created a well-balanced album, using religious audio clips and gospel background singing. This creates a good sense of flow between each of the well-executed tracks on the album. The 17 tracks go back and forth from Christian texts to talking about sex with his wife and making cracks at Bill Cosby. Even though this sounds like a horrible combination, Kanye makes it work in what is arguably his best album since his 2010, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. One of the more moving tracks in this album is split into two parts, Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. The two parts are about Kanye’s upbringing and a tribute to his father. Kanye said that while writing the song he cried and we can see why with lines like, “Up in the morning/miss you bad/sorry that i ain’t call you back/ the same problems my father had.” He then goes on to talk about how becoming famous drove a wedge in between his family and him with these lines, “Momma pass in Hollywood/If you ask, lost my soul/Driving fast,

Years ago, comedies wouldn’t even get a pass if they were R-rated; they did horribly at the box-office due to the large amount of younger audiences who simply couldn’t get into them due to the MPAA rating attached. These movies were funny, though, and years later films like The 40-Year Old Virgin, Wedding Crashers and Superbad broke that mold by casting genuinely funny new stars in the lead roles. Nowadays, action movies face that same pandemic that comedies did back in the late 90s/early 2000s. There are more and more Rrated action movies that are worth everyone’s time, but the response has been slowly tepid. It all started out with films like The Matrix, which had an R-rating that wasn’t wholly warranted. The impact of The Matrix led studios to start creating action movies that were also rated R, but couldn’t produce the same “wow” factor that The Matrix did, and that includes its disappointing sequels. As actions films took mediocre premises to mediocre places, directors started looking back on what made the action boom of the 80s work: outlandish violence and crazy ideas. As directors began to realize what made films like Robocop and Die Hard work, they began introducing this style to the 21stcentury moviegoer, initially to mixed results.

Photo Courtesy: radio.com TOUCH THE SKY - West debuted the album at a sold-out listening party at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 11. lost control/Off the road, jaw was broke/'Member we all was broke/'Member I'm coming back/I'll be taking all the stacks”. I believe that this song is also a reference to the church hymn, “Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”, due to the hymn-like nature of some of his tracks. The album flows into a much different message in the next track, “Famous”. Kanye collaborated with Rihanna to take a shot at Taylor Swift by rapping, “I feel like me and Taylor Swift might still have sex, I made that b-tch famous.” This caused Swift to already call out Kanye. Kayne spoke about the controversy behind the lyric to reports saying that he spoke on the phone with Swift about the lyric and she said she was fine with it. Swift has also stated that she didn’t know that the line was going to be as much of an attack as it felt. Track five, “Feedback” is a play on the name. The song is about how much Kayne loves

Kanye. This is the funny song of the album and the outro of the track sums the rest of the song up well. “Hold on, hold on, hold on/Wait a second, everybody here, I'm the ghetto Oprah/You know what that mean? You get a fur! You get a fur!/You get a jet! You get a jet!” Track 15 is a great summery to pop culture of America in 2015. Opening to an excerpt from a track by “Father’s Children” the song flows straight into taking shots at Nike by saying, “If Nike ain't have Drizzy, man they wouldn't have nothin', woo!/… Nike, Nike treat employees just like slaves/Gave LeBron a billi' not to run away (Yo!)” Kayne raps (no pun intended) up the song by rapping about Bill Cosby and Steve Harvey, “Do anybody feel bad for Bill Cosby?/Did he forget the names just like Steve Harvey? (Yo!)” The album is exclusively on Tidal to stream for now and will be hopefully in stores next week.

Photo Courtesy: foxmovies.com ALIVE ON ARRIVAL - Ryan Reynolds has been involved with ‘Deadpool’ ever since development began in 2004. Dredd, an adaptation of the comic book series character Judge Dredd, released in 2012 to high praise but little box-office impact. The movie was a brutal, sharply stylized R-rated action trip, but it couldn’t find an audience until it was released on DVD and Blu-Ray. It was a callback to the bold, brash action films of the 80s that worked extremely well. Now, the film has fans rallying for a sequel, even though it’s looking pretty cloudy on that front. The seeds were laid by Dredd with its reverence for hearty action for an awakening of sorts three years later in 2015. Last year saw the release of two successful R-rated action films, both worthy additions to the recent slope: Kingsman: The Secret Service and Mad Max: Fury Road. Though not shattering any records, both films did admirably well at the box-office and garnered praise from just about everyone. Mad Max: Fury Road in particular ended up being critically lauded,

even achieving 10 nominations including Best Picture and Best Director at the 88th Academy Awards. The success of those three films was usurped further by the unexpectedly uproarious response to the comic book film Deadpool, released last Friday. The film has already grossed $135.1 million in North America alone, making it the biggest ever debut of an R-rated film. With admiration from fans, the film will most certainly have legs for many weeks to come. It serves as a wake-up call for studios to give audiences the adult action movies they deserve, as they will most definitely show up. Deadpool may be a sign of how comic book movies are made in the coming years as writers and directors begin to understand that those who buy a ticket are eager for something more in the landscape of fun, respectfullymade action films.

Louis C.K.’s surprise ‘Horace and Pete’ is a daring, involved diversion from comedy By CAMERON FOWLER Entertainment Editor It happened a couple Saturdays ago: I checked my email and noticed a new one from none other than Louis C.K. I did a double take, hoping he announced a comedy tour or album. However, all that was in the email was a link to his website with a prompt to download something called ‘Horace and Pete.’ Nothing else was said in the email, so I clicked the link and continued to his website. ‘Horace and Pete’ Episode 1 was available for $5. Through both the continuing way content is accessed on the Internet and the almost instant gratification of how soon audiences need to see the newest shows, the element of surprise is essentially lost. Shows are relying more and more on the spectacle that the viewing experience brings, and the feeling of discovery never really comes anymore unless the show is found through rotely scrolling down the rows of Netflix recommendations. Whenever there is a show few people watch, the element of secrecy is there as the fans discuss the show in a vacuum with little exaggerated fanfare. While fanfare is not intrinsically a bad thing, it makes television that much more of a communal journey. Some of the most intriguing and mysterious shows have attracted large audiences, but the end result has been less than well received (see: Lost). It’s exciting to find a show and realize that very few people have come across it. Whether it’s high quality or not, that thrill can still be had in small doses. Weirdness turns people off immediately

while at the same time drawing in the more adventurous viewers. Appreciating the delicacy of how eccentric expressive art can be creates a connection to the artist himself - a mutual understanding of what they’ve created. Once you’ve connected to art and really start to love it, it becomes hard to stop thinking about it and how the creator works, and thus a bond is formed between the loyal viewer and the committed architect. In the world of comedy, there are various visionaries who stretch beyond the simple task of writing stand-up material. Most have carried their talents to films, which is an excellent venue for the comedian’s voice. However, the medium that has consistently resonated with the comedian is television. Bob Newhart starred in two essential sitcoms, Jerry Seinfeld found his voice and success through Seinfeld, and Will Ferrell rejuvenated Saturday Night Live in the late 90s. As comedic instincts have grown, so has the comedian’s place in TV. Comedy has always been about meditation and contemplation of life, prompting it to get as strange as the world does. Currently, the master of comedy is Louis C.K., a comedian whose FX show Louie serves as a collection medallion of kooky, surreal vignettes and genuinely funny musings on life. His latest expedition captures the excitement of rare discovery in the overloaded television age. C.K. released ‘Horace and Pete’ Jan. 30 through his website without any prior announcement or actual evidence that it was being made. It was a fully formed surprise; googling ‘Horace and Pete’ on that Saturday morning only yielded confused reddit posts and a link to C.K.’s website. For a brief period of time, C.K. made

Photo Courtesy: newyorker.com THE COST OF WATCHING - C.K. stated through email that most episodes will cost $3. a television show that just existed without any marketing, promotion, or ads. To be honest, it was something of a revelation. ‘Horace and Pete’ stars Louis C.K. as Horace and Steve Buscemi as Pete, owners of a bar that has always been owned by Horaces and Petes. They run this bar and entertain the patrons with drinks of their choice, unless of course that choice includes a margarita or cocktail. This bar is strictly whiskey, beer, and similar spirits. There is something to the stoic premise of two bar owners defined by tradition that makes it easy to slip into ‘Horace and Pete,’ yet the show delves into some dark themes and intense, personal moments. The show is not a comedy, but a drama with some funny moments. C.K. has always danced between these elements in his comedy, but ‘Horace and Pete’ is his first foray into strictly dramatic territory. The first episode begins as Horace and Pete open up the bar for the day, welcome the early (and regular) patrons, and deal with their own problems as the customers discuss shockingly recent news events, such as the 2016 presidential election or Super Bowl. The element of surprise extends here, where it becomes apparent

that the show is filmed every week, instead of months in advance. It builds a very real atmosphere as the patrons delve into taboo conversations about politics and race. C.K. uses these moments to invite discussion, not create angry arguments. Whenever these topics are brought up, they are given respect and

thought. ‘Horace and Pete’ begins to operate as both social commentary and a harsh exploration of its characters’ lives. Divulging too much about the actors involved with ‘Horace and Pete’ would ruin the excitement, but it includes a fascinating and powerfully acted turn by veteran actor

Alan Alda as the elder Pete who infects the mood of the bar with his blatant lack of care about racial stereotypes and hatred of goofy foodie hipsters who enter his bar to order a fancy drink. His performance is subtly tragic, as Alda portrays Pete as a man who really only loves this bar and very little else. Although the show should be seen and not simply read about, it’s a fascinating subject all in all. The boldness of C.K.’s third series subverts the very idea of week-to-week TV and makes it all look less charming by comparison. The show will no doubt polish its voice and follow its characters to some dark places, and it should be intriguing to see just how many episodes C.K. chooses to make to explain things within the show’s universe.

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OPINIONS

Beyonce takes a stand at Super Bowl halftime show KATE TREBING Opinions Editor

L a s t Sunday’s Super Bowl had the nation talking. Sure, Peyton Manning’s possible retirement was a hot topic, and certainly there were a few commercials that went viral. But the hottest topic of all seemed to be Beyonce’s political statement made to an audience of millions at halftime. “Queen Bey” proved her command of stage and fan alike when she practically stole the spotlight from Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin. This hit a sore spot with me because I am a devoted fan of Coldplay, but I must admit: Beyonce knows how to perform. She exudes a certain aura of regal yet powerful confidence that throws open the door to opportunities. She takes center stage regardless of where she is, and the world is captivated. She is also fully aware of this spotlight. And Sunday, she chose to train her spotlight on the current events that seem to be closest to her heart. Dressed in a leotard reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s own 1993 Super Bowl costume, Beyonce

JAE C. HONG: Associated Press IN FORMATION - Beyonce performed her controversial new single before a stage of millions during the Super Bowl half-time show. performed the song she had just released the day before. This song, “Formation,” is bold, explicit, and completely unapologetic – much like Queen Bey herself. The lyrics only serve half the message. To get the full impact of the song’s intent, you need to watch the video. The singer may just have exposed the giant pink elephant in the room. She swears, flips her middle fingers, and poses a child as Trevon Martin before a squad of police. She returns to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and she proudly proclaims her heritage as a strong and successful AfricanAmerican woman. From the beginning, her video is crystal

clear. She knows what she is doing, she realizes the uproar she will stir among the public, and she is more than ready for it. Beyonce took a stand for her personal beliefs regarding the state of the black community in today’s America. Judging by her video’s unedited content, she refuses to waste time tiptoeing around feelings. I can respect that choice. In her own fashion, Beyonce is an artist. She is using her passion and talent to demonstrate her views on a subject that is highly relevant to our world. In my mind, that merits respect. But should she have thrusted this view on the

world at large when she performed the song for an audience of families and football fans? No, she did not include the explicit content (although there was a lot of booty shaking). She did not flip off her fans or roll out the dirty language. But she did raise her fist in solidarity with the Black Panthers, a group first formed in the 60s in response to the rising racial tension of the time. Her backup dancers wore black berets, and they literally stood in an X “Formation,” possibly to pay homage to Malcolm X. I must be completely honest; when I saw the performance Sunday, I had no clue what kind of statement

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Beyonce had just made. I was hurting for Coldplay, watching them steadily lose the throne to a character as strong as this pop icon. I was angry with Beyonce only because she had stolen the cameras from the featured band. And for days later, I figured people were reliving her performance according to Hollywood who’s who protocol. Thank goodness for National Public Radio. It is for this exact reason that I do not agree with the enraged backlash surrounding Beyonce’s performance. The message here was clear, but only to those who knew enough about the Black Panthers to catch the signs. Furthermore, many (hopefully most) of those viewers who know that much already should also keep in mind the original intention of the Black Panthers to support equal and peaceful communities. Cofounder Bobby Seale explained, “We don’t hate anyone because of their color. We hate oppression.” The Black Panthers began programs in 19 cities to feed 20,000 schoolchildren. They began health clinics in 13 cities. They exercised their right to the Second Amendment, an amendment which many of us Southerners hold close to our own hearts. The true crisis

demonstrated here is not that a pop singer used a flashing stage to declare her political views to the world. It is that we are not informed enough to understand what we are seeing. There are multiple levels to Beyonce’s message. The grand finale of “Formation” features the singer rubbing her fingers together and telling us “best revenge is your paper.” In other words, you are only as powerful as your money. Is this the truth? Perhaps, or perhaps not. The point is that this artist put all her cards on the table. She challenged the audience and took a stage known primarily for wardrobe malfunctions and bigwig performers and turned it into a platform for discussion. Are we too protective of our censored television? We hate to be confronted with real-life issues when we are deeply immersed in our fanfare and junk food feasting. But these issues don’t disappear just because we choose to look away. I think it’s time we were shocked awake. If a pop singer can make time to find the heart of the issues in her world, shouldn’t we do the same? Kate Trebing is a junior in communication with a concentration in public relations. She can be reached at kdtrebing42@students.tntech.edu.

Are fast food chains banking on the poor college student? CAMERON FOWLER Guest Critic It’s a rare sight to see me eating fast food; I’ve limited my trips to about once per month since last year, but sometimes you are in a bind and you need something in your stomach that’s also light on your wallet. While traditionally fast food has been a cheap option, some chains are making their food even cheaper and bundling them into nifty $4 and under deals. This trend started with Wendy’s and their ‘4 for $4’ promotion in which you receive a bacon cheeseburger, 4 pc. chicken nuggets, small fries, and a drink for just $4. Burger King then joined in on the commotion with their ‘5 for $4’ meal, which includes items exactly like those in the Wendy’s meal but with a cookie added. These meals are indubitably the best options for college students, if you don’t care about the quality, that is. Being a college student has many defining features, but one of the most pronounced is that of the

struggle meal. We’ve all been there when our bank accounts shrink and our stomachs growl out into the night for something, anything to suffice. However, while the concept of a struggle meal is fairly new, we college students can make smarter choices both nutritionally and financially without resorting to chicken nuggets. Keeping fruit or just smarter snacks like nuts around in your backpack or lunchbox can make a world of difference. It also removes the need to fool around with the lunchtime drive-thru lines. Salads at fast food restaurants do not sound exciting in any form, but they are surprisingly (mostly) decent. These cost about the same as the $4 meals but are filled with fewer carbs, salt, and fat. Making smart choices at a fast food joint seems pointless, as it is all subpar food, but it’s possible to find choices that still leave you and your wallet full. Cameron Fowler is a sophomore in communication. He can be reached at cmfowler42@students.tntech.edu.

2. Originality is required. 5. The Oracle reserves Plagiarized works will not the right to edit for style, The Oracle encourages be considered. grammar, length and readers to write letters and clarity. commentaries on topics of 3. For verification, letters interest. A few guidelines: and commentaries MUST 6. Submissions must be include your name, e-mail received by 4 p.m. on 1. Letters should not address, home town and Friday. exceed 300 words. classification or title. Commentaries should be 7. Your thoughts are free. around 500 words and 4. Letters may not run Think often, think free. include a picture of the in every edition due to writer. space. kdtrebing42@students.tntech.edu

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SPORTS

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

>>Inside the Game

Basketball sweeps “Think Pink” double header in dramatic fashion By BRANDON BURKE Asst. Sports Editor Saturday, Feb. 13, Tennessee Tech’s men’s and women’s basketball teams clashed with conference foe Jacksonville State. Both teams achieved victories against the Gamecocks, and the women’s program reached a milestone. It took overtime for the women to secure its win over the Gamecocks, 51-49, but only regulation to break the school record for blocks in a game with 13. It was a slow start for both teams offensively. At the end of the first half, Tech was shooting a mere 16 percent from the field. However, the Gamecocks could not get a clear advantage. They went 5-30 shooting from the field at the halfway marker as well. “We did a good job coming off of the screens and breaking them down [in the second half]…when you’re shooting layups it helps your field goal percentage generally,” said women’s head coach Jim Davis. Increasing their field goal percentage in the second half to 41.7 percent going 10-24 from the field, each of those layups turned out to be crucial for the Golden Eagles to secure the win in overtime. Mariah Dean, senior center, posted a doubledouble in the game, pulling

16 rebounds and posting 10 points. “My coach is always getting on me saying the starting center should average at least 6-8 rebounds a game, so I’m trying to get my numbers up. And I mean they can’t stop me, only I stop me,” said Dean. “Mariah had a big, big game for us; came out and played well. Sixteen rebounds, that’s huge,” said Davis. Dean also blocked five shots against the Gamecocks helping her team reach a school record high of 13 blocks in a single game. The men’s contest with the Gamecocks got off to a quicker start; however, the ending was just as dramatic. The Golden Eagles held an early 12-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Anthony Morse, senior forward, pounded the ball in the paint while Hakeem Rogers, junior guard, hit two shots from beyond the arc to combine for the early 12 points. Despite Tech jumping out to an early lead, they only had a two-point advantage going into the locker room at halftime. “We let them come back into the game, which we shouldn’t have done, but it happens and we just pulled out the win,” said Rogers. Tech led for the majority of the game, but they could never seem to gain a clear

Christian McCall | The Oracle PROTECT THIS COURT - Torrance Rowe handles the ball during Tech’s 72-70 victory over the Gamecocks Feb. 13. Rowe scored 10 points in the game and hit the game winning free throw with .7 seconds remaining. Tech is now 13-0 at home this season. advantage. The game was tied as Tech’s Torrance Rowe, senior guard, pushed the ball up the court with only seconds remaining. As Rowe rose up for what seemed to be the final shot of regulation, he was fouled by the Gamecocks to send him to the free-throw line for three shots with 0.7 seconds remaining in the game. Rowe made 2 of the 3

free-throws. All Jacksonville State could do at this point was throw up a desperation shot as time expired. Tech secured the win. “We were fortunate to win, but we did win, we did find a way to win. If you’re going to win a conference championship, that’s what you have to do,” said men’s head coach Steve Payne. As Tech battles for first

place in the OVC east with Belmont, pulling out narrow victories is vital for the men’s program. Saturday was also Tech’s annual “Think Pink” game in support of breast cancer awareness. “I love our fans. They are coming out every night and just keep bringing the momentum for us. We’re just playing and running off

of they’re momentum,” said Rogers. The victory also gave the men’s program a perfect 13-0 in the Eblen Center this season. The men’s next game will be Saturday, Feb. 20, when they travel to conference rival Belmont, and the women’s next outing will be Wednesday, Feb. 17, when they host Morehead State.

Baseball begins 2016 campaign with home series Martin reveals why he came to Tech, his plans for the future By SARAH JACOBS Beat Reporter

The Golden Eagle baseball team kicks its season off this weekend with a home series against Western Illinois beginning Friday, Feb. 19. Junior outfielder Tyler Brazelton said he is excited for the regular season to begin. “We put in a lot time and hard work this offseason with practice and playing against each other,” said Brazelton. “Now, we are all excited to start playing together and going out there to play the game we all love.” Senior third baseman Josh Pankratz said the team is ready to play games that count. “We have done everything possible to get as ready in the offseason as we can,”

Pankratz said. “We are extremely eager to move forward and start playing real games and put the effort and hard work this fall into fruition.” Fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the Golden Eagles in action. They have 29 home matchups on the 55 game schedule. The two standout games are on the road against SEC powerhouse and the 2015 College World Series runnerup Vanderbilt Commodores March 1 and the Tennessee Volunteers March 22. Tech will host in-state foe Middle Tennessee April 27. The regular season wraps up with a home series against Eastern Kentucky May 19-21. Brazelton said there weren’t any games more important than the other. “Every game is equally important as the next no mat-

By DANIEL FORTE Beat Reporter Shea Haile | The Oracle A NEW DAY - Josh Pankratz advances to first base during Tech’s game against SIUE on March 21, 2015. The Golden Eagles start their 2016 season Feb. 19. ter who the opposing team is, so right now our games against Western Illinois are the games we are focused on,” said Brazelton. Pankratz said this season would be one to remember. “I think that this coming year will be a historic year for the baseball team here at TTU,” said Pankratz. “We are equipped with all of the major components required to

have an extremely successful team.” Brazelton said they have the right group of guys to win championships. “This is a very special team,” Brazelton said. “We have a lot of talented guys in our locker room that are going to have a big impact on the field to help us win and accomplish our goals, which is to win championships.”

Why would Ryan Martin travel from England, to Tennessee, to play basketball? “When I came here for my visit, what I liked most about it, the coaches were like family,” said Ryan. “A lot of people say that, but it was what I’m used to. …They were cracking jokes with each other and how they interacted with each other felt like home.” Martin is a senior basketball player at Tech and also studies sociology. Martin is originally from London, England. He is 6-foot-9 forward and weighs 225 pounds. He’s the second youngest of six siblings. Through 26 games this year, Martin has averaged almost 15 points with eight rebounds. He leads the team in boards and second in scoring. “Ryan has a great motor, plays hard, tough and an elite rebounder,” said Steve Payne, Tech’s men’s basketball head coach. “He’s a goto option on offense and a big impact on the program with the leadership role he’s taken on.” Although he is listed as a forward, he doesn’t consider himself a “Big Man.” “I’m a player, I wouldn’t label myself anything because I’m very versatile,” said Martin. “I can dribble the ball, I can shoot and I can also make plays in the low-post.” Martin’s philosophy, on and off the court, is to have fun. “Once you stop having fun, you might as well stop,” said Martin. “There’s not a time out on the court when I’m not having fun.” Martin, like many

Martin

Division I athletes, would like to advance his basketball career by playing in the NBA. “Miami would be my dream team, I would love to live in Florida,” said Martin. “It would be a blessing to land anywhere.” Playing college basketball and being from London isn’t a normal occurrence in the states. Martin also played soccer but chose to pick basketball for his profession. “My dad always wanted me to represent my country,” explained Martin. “I was playing at the highest level in my country in basketball, and my dad encouraged me to go for it.” Martin’s parents Octavia Martin and Lloyd Martin, along with his youngest brother Aaron Martin, are his biggest inspirations. “They sacrifice so much for me and have always put my dreams before anything else,” said Martin. “Every time I go on the court I lace it up for them.” Men’s basketball is still undefeated at home this year with a 13-0 record. Tech’s next home game is Thursday, Feb. 25, against Morehead State.

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