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Volume 95 | Issue 16 | Free in single copy | March 30, 2012
Tech Village renovations enter second phase
By JESSICA SMITH Beat Reporter
The overhaul of Tech Village is about to enter its second phase, which will require residents to be out of their apartments by the end of May. Phase two of the renovations is set to begin June 1. Buildings H, J, K, L and M on the Eastern side of Tech Village and L West will undergo full renovations as the next step in the four-phase project. Buildings O, W and X are considered alternates. “What happens in an alternate is, if the base bid comes in under what our projected target is for the project, we can pick up alternates and add buildings to it,” Jack Butler, Facilities and Business Services associate vice president, said. This is the first set of renovations that the phase two buildings, built in 1967, have undergone. In 2008, the Tennessee legislature passed a law requiring all university-owned apartments to install sprinkler systems by August 2014. Interior renovations include new flooring, wiring, added insulation, new windows and doors, up-
dated Frigidaire appliances, added central heating and cooling and the installation of a sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Exterior changes include new hand rails on the outside stairs, added porch roofs over the stairs, new brick underneath the windows and new light fixtures in front of doors. Some one-bedroom apartments will be conjoined, and some will be wheelchair accessible. “This needed to happen,” Macke said. “We looked at ‘do you want to just tear them down and build a new apartment complex?’ Then we looked at just gutting them and coming back with all new stuff, and we decided that was a little more cost-effective.” Macke said that rent prices for the one-and-a-half-bedroom apartments will remain the same, but the prices of the one-bedroom and twobedroom are yet to be determined. “We haven’t figured out the price for the one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms,” Macke said.”The one-bedroom in phase two is a bigger apartment than a one-bedroom in phase one, so my guess is they’ll have to be a little bit more expen-
sive.” The cost for rent will be affected by the bond that Tech is taking out to pay for the renovations. “We figure our cost based on: we have to take a loan out—a bond—and that bond has to then pay for those apartments,” Macke said. “TBR, Tennessee Board of Regents, requires that they pay for themselves when they’re set up. So then the bond kind of dictates what your costs are, of what your charges are. “Now, I hope that they are pretty much in line, but they’ll be a little bit more just because they’re more square-footage.” Residential Life has notified residents in the phase two buildings to vacate the apartments by May 30, but Tech is accommodating displaced students by offering apartments in Tech Village. “Anybody who has to move out, they are going to get first dibs on wherever they want to go, whatever space we have available,” Macke said. Phase two is expected to be complete by June 30, 2013 and open by August.
Casey Woodard
Jim Cobb, the director of Campus Safety and Environmental Services, discusses the ongoing renovation plans for Tech Village.
Keep in touch: Admissions Office works to maintain contact with prospective students, seeks to increase enrollment By MICA BILBREY Beat Reporter
The Admissions Office is sending acceptance letters to prospective students to further encourage them to study at Tech. The office is trying to get students interested in Tech by keeping in contact with each prospective student through email and letters. These forms of communication tell students about the upcoming events and detail on how to get into Tech. Recruitment “We start with some students in middle school and with some students in high school,” Alexis Pope, assistant director of admissions, said. “It just depends on when that student will interact with us.” Pope said one way to recruit students in middle schools is when they come to visit Tech’s campus. “We have been recruiting students— some one year, some five or six years,” Pope said. “It just depends on the student.” Admissions has been accepting applications for Fall 2012 classes since August 15, 2011. Upon receiving acceptance letters, students will start receiving letters to Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration events. They will also be contacted, through email, about different events on campus and to see if they need any additional information. “We will follow up with emails on holidays and their birthday,” Pope said. “Current students will call the prospective student to see if they have any questions about Tech.” Pope said they also rely on the SOAR orientation and campus tours to bring in prospective students. “The campus visit program is a huge factor,” Pope said. “We encourage all of
Rosemary Apple
Student Admissions Representative Jacob LeQuire gives prospective students a tour around Tech’s campus.
our admitted students, if they haven’t been to the campus, to come visit the campus. If the student shows up on campus, then it’s a big indicator that the student is still interested and wants to enroll to Tennessee Tech.” Statistics Pope said the Admissions Office has sent more than 5,000 admission letters to prospective students. Once the student receives their acceptance letter, they are sent a package with information on how to set up their school email, important dates for orientation and financial aid and other information about what facilities Tech offers. Pope said if a first time student is younger than 21, he or she are required go
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to the SOAR orientation. “As of now we have 3,780 domestic students that are going to the orientation, which is about 150 more students than last year,” Pope said. “After the end of summer, we are expecting about 4,100 to 4,200 students to get an invitation to the orientation.” Sending letters Pope said the office will send the acceptance notices via mail instead of email. “It’s a decision that orientation has made to send the physical letter,” Pope said. “They know that the parent is a big factor in the student motivation to sign up for orientation, so the physical letter has a better chance of getting viewed by all parties of the student’s household.”
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Fee increases come one step closer to approval By JONATHAN KAULAY Beat Reporter
The Tennessee Board of Regents’ Business and Finance Committee passed several of Tech’s fee increase requests. During the telephone meeting, held on Monday, the business and finance committee passed Tech fee increase requests, including a raise in mandatory fees and non-mandatory fees. The committee unanimously passed the mandatory fee requests from all universities, in one package. The Tech mandatory fee requests that passed the committee are a $25 athletics fee and a $10 student recreation fee increase. The specialized academic fee requests, based on student majors, also passed. Among some of the specialized academic fee increases Tech requested are a $10 per-credit-hour increase for engineering majors, a $5 per-credit-hour increase for nursing majors and a $25 per-credithour increase for education majors. “I don’t like the idea of paying more and more every year,” Josh Roberts, Tech engineering graduate student, said. “Since entering grad school, I’ve started to accumulate some debt. You got to do what you got to do, though.” The requests was presented to the full board, which discussed the fees March 29. If all of the fee requests are approved by the TBR, all Tech students will see increased fall mandatory and non-mandatory fees. For more information about tuition and fees, visit tntech.edu/bursar.
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NEWS Page 2 | March 30, 2012
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Information Technology Services’ new printing system moves forward By MEGAN SEVERE Beat Reporter
Tech’s Information Technology Services has implemented phase two of the Pharos Uniprint system and changed the billing process to eliminate future printing problems. Charges will not incur during the second testing phase. The new change, printing in arrears, will allow students to pay after they print if they exceed quota. “We didn’t want to create an environment where students couldn’t print when they needed to,” Annette Littrell, ITS manager, said. In the first phase, students would have to put money on their Eagle cards before printing more than quota. “Now students can print and don’t have to worry about delays in communications between Pharos and the Eagle card systems,” Littrell said.
Littrell said Pharos keeps up with the billing statements now, not the Eagle Card Office. The Eagle cards are needed to confirm identity. Littrell said this is to ensure students get their correct print jobs released. Each student will see an amount of $25 on his or her account at the beginning of each new term. Negative charges will be sent to the Bursar’s office monthly. The next month’s balance will be reset to zero. Students who don’t exceed their allowed amount won’t reach into the negative. “This is a major shift in what everyone is used to,” Littrell said. “We’re getting the system up and running and trying to help students understand what our purpose is.” Littrell said some students were concerned they would not be able to print enough. Fewer than 200 students
Omega Psi Phi to host annual egg hunt, give back to community By ASHLEY AYUB Beat Reporter Omega Psi Phi fraternity is hosting its third annual Easter egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 7 at Sherlock Park. Children between the ages of 3 and 11 can participate and should bring their own baskets to collect part of the 1,000 eggs the fraternity is supplying. “Past Easter egg hunts have been great,” Lamar Moore, Omega Psi Phi president, said. “This hunt gets the whole city of Cookeville involved, because Tech is the center of everything that happens in Cookeville. This hunt is a great way for kids involved in our city, since there are not a lot of Easter egg hunts held around this area.” The hunt, free and open to the public, is a part of
various events Omega Psi Phi is hosting for students and the community. April 2 there will be a movie night at the Black Cultural Center. A step show performance is scheduled for the following night on South Patio. April 4 there is a forum to raise awareness about Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old black Florida resident who was shot and killed by neighborhood watch member George Zimmerman. “Tech football players will be helping out at the event on Saturday, as well as a few campus organizations,” Moore said. “This is an opportunity for our chapter to give back to the community and for the kids participating to meet new people. “We want every to come out this week and have fun with the Q’s.”
have gone exceeded quota so far, and 12 students have printed more than 2,000 sheets each. “For majority of the students, this quota is sufficient,” she said. Littrell said if students go over their quota, the money goes toward Technology Access Fee funds. “This is so we can do other projects for students,” Littrell said. Jerry Boyd, ITS assistant director, said more fees collected allow for funding more technology projects. “We’re managing these projects for the departments to implement needed technologies,” Boyd said. Littrell said students had 500,000 sheets to be released to print, but only 350,000 sheets were printed. “Either students increased awareness of printing, or they never went and picked it up,” Littrell said. “Now that you have to stop and think about it before you release the prints, it saves
events @ tech March - April
30 Last Day to Drop a Course with a “W” Grade (Advisor’s Signature Required) 3 p.m. 58th Annual Cumberland Plateau Regional Science & Engineering Fair STEM Center
31 Kaylee Gentry
Ben Vaught uses the new printing system in the library. The Pharos system is now reporting to the Bursar’s Office in phase two of three phases.
more paper, ink and toner.” Littrell said at the end of the semester the Pharos system will be moving into phase three. New printing features will become available during the summer.
The billing system will be live and students will be able to print from their personal devices when they release a print job.
Engineers Without Borders to construct a wheelchair ramp for injured Cookeville man By EMILY HAILE Beat Reporter A group of engineers are expanding beyond Tech’s campus to help others. Members of Engineers Without Borders, a student organization that formed last semester, are building a wheelchair ramp tomorrow for someone in need. “It’s for a young man who lives north of Cookeville with his father,” Robert Griffin, Engineers Without Borders president, said. “He was in a motorcycle accident and is paralyzed now. It’s mainly so he can go outside without relying on someone else to help him.” “He currently has a removable ramp, but someone has to help him put it there,” Griffin said. “In order to get actual freedom, there needs to be a permanent system in place.” Lenly Weathers, faculty adviser for Engineers Without Borders, received a grant in order to build these ramps for community members.
Griffin said that most of the materials needed to build the ramp are being provided. The group is expecting to build a second wheelchair ramp this semester, but the plans have not been finalized. Engineers Without Borders also does other volunteer work within the Cookeville community. This year, the group has helped out with two Habitat for Humanity builds, Boy Scouts of America’s Merit Badge College and local churches’ food pantries. Engineers Without Borders also participates in FAB Fridays and Safari Saturdays at the STEM Center. “We work with children doing different science experiments to get them more interested in STEM programs,” Griffin said. Elections for next year’s Engineers Without Borders officer positions will be held in April. For more information, contact the group at ttu.ewb@gmail.com.
10 a.m. 2012 Celebration of Craft Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, Tenn. 6 p.m. International Friendship Banquet RUC Multipurpose Room
2 Summer and Fall 2012 Registration Begins 3:30 p.m. Faculty Senate Meeting President’s Conference Room, Derryberry Hall
3 10 a.m. The Clothesline Project Display RUC Tech Pride Room 11 a.m. “In Shapes of Sacred Space” presented by Dr. Christopher Powell Clement Hall, Room 212 11 a.m. TAB Giveaway: Lilies Roaden University Center
CRIME BRIEFS: - March 23- 4:30 a.m. Charges: Burglary/Breaking and Entering Location: Johnson Hall - March 25 - 10:00 p.m. Charges: Theft of vehicle parts Location: Volpe Library & Media Center parking lot
8 a.m. 58th Annual Cumberland Plateau Regional Science & Engineering Fair STEM Center
- March 26 - 1:00 a.m. Charges: Disorderly Conduct Location: Parking lot west of Henderson Hall - March 28 - 4:31 a.m. Charges: Simple Assault Location: Commuter lot North of Ellington Hall
For a daily crime report, visit www.tntech.edu/police/police-crimelogs
7 p.m. Take Back the Night Front steps of Roaden University Center
6 Good Friday Holiday: No Classes, Offices Open
9 3 p.m. Commission on the Status of Blacks Black Cultural Center, RUC Room 258 7 p.m. Simply Unique Fusion Fashion Show RUC Multipurpose Room
10 11 a.m. TAB Giveaway: Power Bands Roaden University Center
11 Noon Tech Women’s Club Luncheon RUC Tech Pride Room
tntech.edu/calendar
OPINION
Send letters to the editor to oracle@tntech.edu. Include your name, e-mail address and limit letters to 300 words. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday. We reserve the right to edit grammar, length and clarity. tntechoracle.com
Page 3 | March 30, 2012
Offending college students is unavoidable CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor
Photo courtesy of http://coxcarpentry.com/ Santorum makes a rare public appearance without his sweater vest.
Rick Santorum’s bitter fight to the end JONATHAN FRANK Asst. Editorial Editor
Look, I’m just going to put it out there: I’ve never been a Rick Santorum fan. My reasons are multifaceted. First of all, I desire to see a Republican victory this November, and Rick Santorum lost his last Senate race by double-digits. If he were the nominee, Santorum risks pulling an Al Gore and losing his home state in the general election, and that’s just embarrassing. Additionally, despite unemployment rates consistently above 8% and a $15 trillion debt, Rick Santorum is seemingly fixated on the social issues. In campaign interviews, he offers quick talking points on jobs and the economy and devotes great lengths of time to explaining, in sometimes unnecessarily graphic detail, his position on topics such as mothers in the workplace, access to contraception and gay marriage, which he has previously equated to “manon-dog” sex. I’m a social conservative too, but tacky analogies such as that won’t earn Santorum much support among independent and moderate voters—and really, who wants to hear that while they’re watching the “Today Show” and eating their breakfast? Then there are the sweater vests. This isn’t prep school,
“
Rick. And you’re running for President, not hall monitor. Our Democratic opponent, while terribly incompetent, croons Al Green songs at his rallies and is friends with George Clooney. Meanwhile, you show up to campaign events and television interviews looking like a cross between Dwight Schrute and a 1970’s-era televangelist. We’re going to have to up the “cool” factor a bit. And we won’t even talk about his “Google problem.” But perhaps my greatest frustration with Rick Santorum stems from his remarks last Thursday, when he said that if Mitt Romney is the Republican Presidential nominee, which simple math dictates to be an almost inevitable outcome, “we may as well stay with what we have.” Every other GOP candidate for President, including both the candidates who remain on the ballot and those who have already dropped out, has expressed the importance of uniting behind our party’s eventual nominee to work together and end the failed Presidency of Barack Obama. Rick Santorum’s shameful remarks now make him the exception, and reveal a candidate who is much
more concerned with raising his own profile and advancing his personal agenda, than working towards the good of the party and, ultimately, the country. Moreover, Santorum’s remarks are just not true. In contrast to President Obama, Mitt Romney offers the private sector experience needed to rebuild our economy. He has owned a business, created jobs, balanced a budget every year as Governor of Massachusetts without raising taxes, set aside $2 billion in the state’s rainy-day fund, and is the only candidate running for President who didn’t take part in running up the $15 trillion tab in Washington that we’re saddled with today. Santorum would have to win 69% of all remaining delegates to win the GOP nomination, which the New York Times calls “something that is close to impossible.” Additionally, odds betters at Intrade.com rate Santorum’s chances of clinching the nomination at 1.2%. Despite this, he charges on, recklessly mischaracterizing Governor Romney’s record and increasing President Obama’s hopes of reelection every step of the way. At this time in 2008, Mitt Romney had dropped out of the Republican Presidential race to help the nominee-tobe better prepare for his fight against President Obama. It’s time for Rick Santorum to conjure up the class and common sense to do the same thing.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time at Tech, it’s that everything you do or say is going to offend someone. It doesn’t matter if you help a blind man cross the road, kick someone’s pet dog or simply wear highwaisted jeans. You’re going to make someone furious. It all boils down to the fact that college students are insane. We get about four hours of sleep each night, survive on a diet of cheese puffs and coffee and spend five days a week memorizing and regurgitating facts about symbolism in poems about tigers. Is it any wonder that we’re all giant buckets of crazy? At the same time, every college student has at least one subject that they feel very passionately about. It could be politics, fashion, celebrities, a television show, etc. You can never tell what that area of importance will be. Say that you can’t drive a car with a stick shift, and the person sitting in front of you may end your life. Like I said, everything will be offensive to someone. Maybe it’s because they’re experts on the subject. Maybe it’s because they’re passionate people who were fed misinformation.
Or maybe it’s because they just stood in line at Mondo’s for thirty minutes and the toaster broke as soon as they placed their orders. Whenever I think about students at Tech getting offended over nothing, there are always two situations that come to mind. Guys, if you hold doors open for girls, nine will thank you and one will assume you’re calling her weak. It doesn’t matter if she holds doors open for other people all the time and she doesn’t think twice about it. You held that door open specifically because you believe she’s incapable of doing it herself. You might as well have turned around and told her she should be barefoot and pregnant. How dare you insult all of womankind? Holding that door open was clearly to send her the message that you don’t respect women. You probably think that they should never have been given the right to vote. It’s written all over your face, you sexist. Girls, if you turn down ten guys who ask you on dates, then nine will graciously accept your decision and one will whine to his boys about the friend zone and say you led him on.
It’s not a possibility that you simply don’t want to date that person. You had the audacity to be nice to him on a daily basis and trick him into liking you. Then you stomped his heart into the ground like the tease you are. You friend zoned him. After all, no girl has ever dated someone she was friends with. It’s against the oath we take at the annual secret girl meeting we don’t tell the men about. These are just two examples that most of us have encountered. There are a million others. Maybe you bought a shirt from Kohl’s because it was on sale and you needed it for a job interview. There’s going to be at least one person on campus who accuses you of supporting child labor. Maybe you’re eating an apple. Someone’s going to be angry that it’s a gala apple and not a golden delicious. See what I mean? It doesn’t matter what you’re doing. You’re following the crowd. You’re pretending to be something you’re not. You know what? How dare you read my article. I bet you’re just reading it ironically. Look at you sitting there judging my writing. You think you’re better than me, grammar Nazi? What, you think you’re cool because you read The Oracle? What a poser.
Poll of the Week What do you do when you go to big parties?
56% - Catch up with friends.
33% - Drink until everyone looks attractive.
11% Dance!
Quotable Campus I don’t like the idea of paying more and more every year. Since entering grad school, I’ve started to accumulate some debt. You got to do what you got to do, though. Josh Roberts, engineering graduate student in reference to the proposed increased student fees
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Weekly. Student Operated. Award winning. Tennessee Tech University TTU Box 5072 Cookeville, TN 38505 WILL HOUSLEY Managing Editor NICHOLAS ROLLINS Asst. Managing Editor BRIDGETTE BUCHANAN Ad Manager HILLARY PACKER Asst. Ad Manager JENDA WILSON Copy Editor CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor JONATHAN FRANK Asst. Editorial Editor
ROSS HARVEY Sports Editor ANDY RUTHERFORD Asst. Sports Editor CHRISTINA RIDDLE Entertainment Editor WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor LOGAN NICKLESON Web Editor GABRIEL SEALS Circulation Manager HOLLY COWART Faculty Adviser
This poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of those who chose to participate. It does not reflect the public as a whole. Voting for this poll took place online between March 23 and March 29, 2012 at www.tntechoracle.com.
This week: Which southern phrase do you use the most?
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BEAT REPORTERS: Rosemary Apple, Ashley Ayub, Mica Bilbrey, Krystal Blouin, Allison Boshears, Heather
Chapelle, Morgan Collins, Cassie Conley, Jacob Cook, Ben Craven, Harley Davidson, Justin Duke, Melissa Edwards,
Drew Eller, Jamal Fergueson, Shane Foley, Lindsey Gore, Kayla Gulley, Emily Haile, Callen Harrell, Tyler Jackson,
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DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper DO NOT necessarily reflect those of Tennessee Tech University’s employees or of its administration.
SPORTS Page 4 | March 30, 2012
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Both photos courtesy of Jamal Ferguson
(Left) Junior Syrym Abduhkhalikov serves during his second doubles match of the day against Morehead State as spectators look on. (Above) Senior Alex Chen waits for a return as his partner, Abduhkhalikov, serves in the background.
Tennis team posts strong weekend; beats OVC powerhouse EKU By JUSTIN DUKE Beat Reporter
Tech’s tennis team began conference play last weekend with wins over Eastern Kentucky University’s Colonels and Morehead State University’s Eagles. EKU had won 25 consecutive conference matches before going up against Tech Friday. They also won the past three OVC regular seasons in 2009, 2010 and 2011, with conference tournament championship wins in 2010 and 2011. Tech defeated the Colonels 4-3 last Saturday. Senior Justin Kirstein, freshman Alejandro Augusto Bueno and sophomore Vasily Eremeev all won their singles matches. In doubles play, the pairs of Vasily Eremeev and Artem Tarasov, and Justin Kirstein and Alejandro Augusto Bueno won their doubles match. “The win against Eastern Kentucky was a huge,” Yianni Doropoulos, junior tennis player, said. “They’ve won
Weekly Roundup This week’s sports stories at a glance
Multiple personal records set at last weekend’s Vanderbilt meet
The Tech track and field team set eight new personal records March 24 at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold, the 2012 outdoor season opener. Six of the eight records came from the mid-distance and distance events, split evenly between the 800-meter and 3000-meter runs. Senior Leah Bradley set two new personal bests in the 800 and 1500. Her performance in the 1500 beat her previous outdoor record by more than 10 seconds. “This was huge meet to open our season,” Bradley said. “Even with the terrible rain we still had some great performances. I think the stiff competition definitely pushed us to compete at a higher level and set new personal records.” Senior Emily Weinzetl led the Golden Eagles in the 800, posting a time of 2 minutes, 25.94 seconds. Kara Webb and Kendale Caldwell both set new personal records in the 800, with times of 2:28.30 and 2:34.76. Jenna Philpott also improved her previous personal record in the 400-meter dash, making it the only Tech personal best in a sprint event. Rebecca Cline led a pack of Tech runners to three new records in the 3000. Cline crossed the line with a time of 10:49.98, followed closely by Meghan O’Donoghue (11:26.24) and Brittney Brown (11:33.79).
the conference the past three years, and we haven’t beaten them for quite a long time.” Tech took down Morehead State 5-2 Sunday. Junior Syrym Abdukhalikov, senior Alex Chen, Augusto Bueno and Kirstein all won their individual match. In doubles play, the pairs of Eremeev and Tarasov and Kirstein and Augusto Bueno won their doubles match. “The win against Morehead State was solid,” Doropoulos said. “They’re always tough, but we always manage to pull out a win.” Augusto Bueno was recognized as the OVC Tennis coPlayer of the Week after his efforts against the Colonels and the Eagles. He finished with a perfect 4-0 record winning both singles and both doubles matchups. He shared the honor with Jacksonville State’s Nenad Marcec. Tech is now 5-7 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The 7-0 win marked Tech’s fourth consecutive victory and the
“Despite the day’s terrible rainy weather, I feel that our girls did really well,” Cline said. “I’m happy for all of my teammates who set personal records and I know those who didn’t will do well at Austin Peay in two weeks.” The Austin Peay State University Invitational, April 7, is the next stop on the Golden Eagle’s schedule.
Baseball returns home this weekend after road stint After a five-game road trip, the Tech baseball team returns home this weekend for a three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State University. Game one of the series is set for 6 p.m. Friday, with game two following at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and game three following at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Golden Eagles currently sit at 9-15 on the season, including a mark of 1-2 in OVC play. Tech finished 1-2 in its last OVC series, against the University of Tennessee at Martin. The lone victory, however, was an 11-1 win behind eight solid innings from Tech starter Matthew Shepherd. In their last five games, four Golden Eagles have posted at least a .375 batting average, including Dylan Bosheers, who led the team in runs batted in during that stretch. Ben Burgess and Zach Stephens also drove in three runs apiece. Murray State enters the weekend with a 14-12 record and a 1-2 OVC record. This week’s Weekly Roundup features stories from Beat Reporter David Lane and TTU Sports Information.
11th straight win over the Racers and kept Tech’s conference record perfect for the season. “Now that we’ve started OVC, I think everyone is a bit more focused, and mentally tough, and ready to do what it takes to win,” Doropoulos said. Tech poured it on Murray State by prevailing in all three doubles matches, and taking all but one of the singles matches in straight sets. The only exception was Kirstein, who dropped the first set 7-6 in a 7-3 tiebreaker. He bounced back, however, and took the second set 6-2 and the third set 10-6 to complete the clean sweep for the Golden Eagles. Tech continues conference play this weekend against Tennessee State University’s Tigers (0-4) at 11 a.m. Saturday and against Jacksonville State Gamecocks (7-9) at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Tech Football | 2012 Schedule Aug. 30 Sep. 6 Sep. 15 Sep. 22 Sep. 29 Oct. 6
Hampton North Greenville at Oregon at SE Mo. St. * at Murray St. * Jacksonville St. *
Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17
Eastern Ky. * at Tennessee St. * Eastern Ill. * Tenn.-Martin * at Austin Peay *
* denotes Ohio Valley Conference game
2012 Tech football schedule released Tech visits Oregon, SEMO back-to-back; hosts four OVC contests at Tucker TTU SPORTS INFORMATION
Still riding the crest of winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship and making its first appearance in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, the Tech football team has turned its attention to the 2012 season. And, what a season it will be. Tech faces three tough, non-conference opponents who combined for a 30-9 record last year—including Rose Bowl champion, the University of Oregon—six home games in Tucker Stadium, plus an OVC schedule destined to present challenges every week. The 11-game Golden Eagle football schedule was announced this week by head coach Watson Brown and Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. “We need to use that in the right way as a positive, and not with any arrogance, and I’ve seen no signs of that,” Brown said. “It’s been fun with people patting us on the back, but all that is over and we need to put it behind us now.”
Tech opens with back-to-back Thursday home games against Hampton University and North Greenville University, then faces three consecutive road games at the University Oregon, Southeast Missouri State University and Murray State University. Other teams scheduled to visit Tucker Stadium are OVC foes Jacksonville State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Tech’s OVC road schedule includes games at Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University, in addition to the early games at SEMO and Murray State. “The league will be better than last year,” Brown said. “I don’t see a weak link anywhere. All of the quarterbacks are back this year except one, so all of our defenses had better get better.” For more information on Tech athletics, visit TTUSports.com.
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Page 5 | March 30, 2012
‘The Hunger Games’: a brutally delicious, theatrical feast
By LINDSEY GORE Beat Reporter
“The Hunger Games” is the perfect combination of action and emotion, with a tasteful amount of brutality. Panem, the ruins of North America, is divided into 12 districts. A boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18, called tributes, are picked from each of the districts, in a ceremony called the reaping, to compete in the yearly hunger games. The hunger games force the tributes to fight to the death until only one participant remains. The hunger games are used as punishment for a rebellion and a reminder to the districts that the government is in control. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) lives in poor, outlying District 12. Katniss has to protect and provide for her sister Primrose (Willow Shields) after the death of their father left their mother in a deep depression. Primrose has nightmares of being chosen as one of the district’s tributes, and her nightmares turn into a reality at the Reaping for the 74th annual hunger games. Overwhelmed with the urge to protect her sister, Katniss courageously volunteers as tribute. Paired with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss is
thrust into a fight for her life. Based on the first novel of Suzanne Collins’ sci-fi series, “The Hunger Games” moves slowly in the beginning. Getting around to the actual games takes an almost uncomfortably long time. Scenes building up to the reaping and preparing for the hunger games creep by, but the intensity and action of the latter part of the film outweigh the boredom of the beginning scenes. The performances of Lawrence and Hutcherson are admirable. Hutcherson’s role in “The Hunger Games” majorly outshines his role in “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” Lawrence’s performance in the more intense and action packed scenes shines, but she lacks emotion in the romantic scenes. Supporting roles were cast well and added what was needed from the characters and more. Woody Harrelson plays the District 12 tributes’ mentor, Haymitch, and his role of the drunken celebrity is basically flawless. Lenny Kravitz portrays Cinna, the stylist for the Tributes. Kravitz, with his already glamorous rock ‘n’ roll reputation, adds the perfect amount of glam to the screen. The camera movements are jerky a majority of the time, which has the po-
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Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute for district 12 in place of her sister, Primrose.
tential to add intensity to scenes, but it comes across as annoying most of the film. Awkward close ups on some of the actor’s faces seem like a poor attempt at capturing artist shots. With the actor’s face being off center and slightly out of focus, the close ups only manage to look terribly cliché. The movie is insanely
intense and filled with emotion, and it gives high hopes for the future installments. “The Hunger Games” is rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images.
Lindsey’s Rating
Goodbeershow
Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s release album, “Rot Gut, Domestic.”
driven “Christ.” The album’s mostlyacoustic fifth track, “A Journalist Falls in Love
Busty Ladies For women who are heavier up top, spaghetti straps and halter tops are just not an option. With that being said, there are so many alternative options that will let women with this shape enjoy spring dresses. Here are tips to consider when dress shopping: • Choose a thinner, smaller stripe for dresses Alternatively, choose thicker, wider straps for dresses to provide support • Try a pretty neckline such as sweetheart or a V-neck • Pick a curve-skimming, not clinging dress
Petite and Curvy For women who are vertically challenged but have curves, waist accentuation is your best friend. Luckily, prints and necklines work to your advantage. Here are tips to consider when dress shopping: • Always, Always, ALWAYS accentuate your waist • Embrace spandex, but in moderation • Try a dress with a fitted waist and a full skirt • Choosing a delicate print won’t overwhelm your figure Small on Top For women who are small on top, sweetheart necklines and spaghetti straps can bring attention to your chest. Not to worry, prints are your redeeming factor. Here are tips for you to consider when dress shopping: • Choose dresses with fun prints like a zigzag pattern that gives the illusion of curves • Try a lower neckline or halter-top dress to accentuate the bustline • Flutter sleeves and ruffles add volume up top • Dresses with draw strings help fake curves
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Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s ‘Rot Gut, Domestic’
backing vocals and electric piano. Other strong tracks are “Shannon” and the piano-
By CHRISTINA RIDDLE Entertainment Editor With temperatures soaring to seasonably record heights, knowing how to wear spring clothes during this summer weather is important. Spring has officially sprung and so have the lovely dresses of the season. Knowing which patterns, sleeve lengths and necklines accentuate your personal body shape can make shopping for dresses easy and fun, instead of stressful and frustrating.
By LOGAN NICKLESON Web Editor
“Rot Gut, Domestic,” released March 20, is the latest and most disappointing effort by indie band Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s. While not completely terrible, the new album pales in comparison to former releases like “Animal!” and “Not Animal” in 2008. With the release of “Buzzard” in 2010, Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s abandoned the intricate orchestral compositions it had so perfectly produced before and, instead, pursued a future in guitardriven grunge. “Rot Gut, Domestic” is a continuation of that lazy psych-rock trend, complete with Richard Edwards’ strung-out vocals draped carelessly over distorted guitars. Among the new record’s best songs is “Frank Left,” which actually does bring back some seemingly forgotten elements like light-brushed percussion, acoustic guitar, female
Spring fever: dresses for your body shape
with Deathrow Inmate #16,” is one of the few lyrically coherent songs and details a situation similar to that which Truman Capote experienced during the “In Cold Blood” era. The remaining eight songs on “Rot Gut, Domestic” fluctuate in intensity and energy, but generally remain unimpressive and forgettable.
Logan’s Rating
Grandma’s Pancake House By WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor Grandma’s Pancake House not only has great pancakes, but specializes in many more breakfast delicacies that are sure to satisfy. Located on Willow Avenue, near Jackson Plaza, you’ll find this local eatery open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day of the week. The service is always friendly, and the chef and customer favorites are
marked on the menu by suns. My forever favorite has been the French toast with hash browns. Making great toast it is an art and Grandma’s Pancake House does it right every time. The only problem with the place is that the prices are a little high, but appropriate for the quality of the food. It’s not a place I can afford every day, but it’s a nice indulgence to have every once in a while.
NEWS Page 6 | March 30, 2012
tntechoracle.com
Speak Up rally to raise disability, discrimination awareness
ONE-STOP THRIFT SHOP
By NICK ROLLINS Asst. Managing Editor
Melissa Edwards
Students browse through donated clothing at the “Red Bus Project,� held March 27 on campus. The double-decker bus is a mobile thrift store that travels from campus to campus, collecting funds and raising awareness for orphan care through clothing donations and purchases made inside.
The Student Council for Exceptional Children will host Speak Up, a rally that promotes disability awareness, March 31. The rally is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tech’s campus at Memorial Gym. According to Katherine Cox, president of SCEC, the purpose of this rally is to raise money for disability awareness, as well as raising awareness about how discriminating words affect people. “I just hope people listen to what our speakers have to say and how their words can affect people,�
Cox said. “Sometimes you don’t know about people around you, so you never know who can be offended.� At the event there will be many guest speakers, including Darius Weems, star of the documentary “Darius Goes West.� The documentary is about Weems, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In 2005, he traveled throughout the U.S. to promote awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and to raise money for finding a cure. “We wanted a speaker that could relate to what our event is all about,� Cox said. “We couldn’t think of a better person to come
speak on behalf of people with disabilities than Darius Weems.� According to Cox, in addition to the guest speakers, there will be children’s activities, food, door prizes and a silent auction. “It will be a fun, laidback atmosphere, but it will be for a great cause,� Cox said. All of the proceeds go towards Pacesetters, a not for profit organization that provides services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, and the Independence Program at Tech. For more information, contact Cox at speakuprally@gmail.com.
ResLife, Habitat for Humanity host EXPW proposes youth sports center Cardboard City on Main Quad By DREW ELLER Beat Reporter
Tech’s Department of Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Wellness is wanting to open a center for kids of all ages in youth sports to learn and thrive in life as a person and a player. The department has proposed to create a Center for Positive Youth Sports. This center will be a platform of academic research and instruction, where solutions for positive youth development will be researched, presented and implemented. “We want to incorporate knowledge and leadership in both the practitioners and participators in youth sports,� Michael Phillips, assistant EXPW professor, said. “Winning is not what we want to teach,
we want to teach our youth skills and how to incorporate those skills in life and as a person.� The proposition for the CPYS has passed through the College of Education and has been approved by President Bob Bell. The proposal was submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents for review and is awaiting approval. The center will be on campus and operated in conjunction with the EXPW department, and is being developed to bring a new aspect for youth sports in the Putnam County community. For more information, visit Tech’s Department of Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Wellness’ website at tntech. edu/expw/.
By SHELBY MCDONALD Beat Reporter Tech’s Residential Life is hosting Cardboard City from 7 p.m. March 30 to 7 the following morning March 31 at the main quad. Cardboard City, co-hosted by Habitat for Humanity, is an event raising awareness about homelessness and hunger. Proceeds and donations for the event will be split between the Cookeville Rescue Mission and Habitat for Humanity. Participants in the event will build houses out of cardboard boxes and then sleep in the boxes for one night. The event’s slogan is “Sleep in a box for one night for those who sleep in one every night.� “It’s good that we’re doing this because not every one knows how bad it is,� Kimberly
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Manning, Habitat for Humanity president, said. “Even though we’re in Cookeville, there is still poverty, homelessness and hunger. “It would just be refreshing for people to know that college students care about those people and are making an effort to spend at least one night knowing what it feels like.� There will be cardboard box decorating and building competitions, music, dancing and giveaways throughout the night. Admission for the event includes either a canned good, cash donation or tools. Participants must bring tools to assemble the houses, while some cardboard boxes will be provided. The first 50 participants will receive a free T-shirt. Soup and drinks will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
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