>> More content on tntechoracle.com
THE
Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505
O
RACLE
Volume 93 | Issue 8 | Free in single copy | April 16, 2010
Window on the World starts today, festival tomorrow WOW encourages students to volunteer By SAMANTHA KENDALL Staff Writer
Courtesy of the Global Education Center
These girls traveled from Nashville to perform Chinese cultural dance tomorrow in the RUC Multipurpose Room.
Festival offers international music, dancing and food By GERILYN LEMONS Staff Writer
Catch a glimpse into other cultures and celebrate international cultural diversity as Tech hosts its annual Window on the World Festival and Symposium. This years’ symposium is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. today in the RUCMultipurpose Room and will focus on the subject of development issues in West Africa. The festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow on every floor of the RUC. “Window on the World is an international festival which celebrates cultural diversity and global harmony,” said Festival Coordinator Katie Kumar. “We invite and encourage all participants to share in learning and caring about our Earth and its people.” This year’s entertainment schedule features a myriad of music, dance and cultural exhibits, most of which are completely interactive. The Multipurpose Room stage offers many acts throughout the day
including Appalachian Clogging at 10 a.m., Arabic Fusion at 10:45 a.m., Irish Step Dances at noon, The Danny Salazar Band at 3 p.m., and many more. Even more musical acts will transpire on the Tech Pride Stage including a Drum Circle at 10:30 a.m., Didgeridoo crafting and playing at 1 p.m., Celtic Music at 3:45 p.m., Greek Dances at 4:30 p.m., and many more throughout the day. Along with musical acts on the two main stages, WOW also features strolling musicians including Chinese Lions, German Accordion Music, Scottish Bagpipes, and Trio Vendeval. Activities overflow from the RUC onto South Patio where Psi Chi will host a Wii Carnival, and Phi Alpha Theta will host their bi-annual book sale. WOW does not limit the exploration of cultural diversity to just the ears, however. Like years past, WOW offers the opportunity to sample culinary delights from every corner of the world. Returning favorites include Greek gyros, Polish perogies, French strawberry crepes, Indian chicken curry, Bosnian dishes, Filipino cui-
Student printing policy under review Information Technology Services suggests that any new policy would benefit students
sine, and many more. WOW will also introduce new vendors this year including Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice, an outdoor Latino cart, Mexican food, and Columbian tamales, empanadas, and arroz con pollo. “Everyone looks forward to Window on the World each year, but many come to the festival for the food alone,” said Kumar. “It’s like a family reunion among all the vendors.” WOW encourages people of all ages to attend and offers many activities for families with children including an interactive simulated rainforest on the third floor of the RUC and crafts in the Alumni Room. Promoting cultural awareness and learning, WOW invites all attendees to participate in the Amazing Race, a contest of collecting clues throughout the festival to win prizes. WOW is funded primarily by Center Stage and sponsored by the Globalization Committee of the College of Business.
By BAILEY MORGAN Staff Writer
A new printing policy is being considered by Information Technology which would eliminate free printing services on campus. While nothing has been decided yet and students can still print materials for class in several locations on campus, a new print per page policy could be in the works. “We are stuck between a rock and a hard place--making sure students can print from as many locations as possible, making sure money collected from students by technology access fee is used to benefit students, but also making sure students are aware that this
- Page 5
Photo / Cella Neapolitan
cost is a lot,” said Annette Littrell, Information Technology services manager. Several factors have led the IT department to a crossroads in policy making. Amid rising costs and Tennessee Board of Regents guideline changes, what is the best way to provide printing services to more than 10,000 students? “Last year’s cost was $65,000 and it has continued to spiral out of control for the last five years,” said Littrell. “Unfortunately, since TBR has changed the way money comes out of the technology access fee, that money has to come from somewhere else.” According to Littrell, the annual cost of printing services has increased $40,000 in the last five years. Technology access fee money is divided
Spin Dat Record: Shame, Shame - Page 7
OPINION
12
Left: Mohera Narimetla performs Kathak dance at last year’s WOW.
IN THIS EDITION Committee wants to see Tech go green
The RUC will be transformed into a Window on the World for today and Saturday. This window will allow people to see into different cultures, traditions, foods and the chance to buy artifacts, artwork and souvenirs from different countries. The RUC will be decorated in celebration of the event. You will receive a passport to get stamped at the 39 culture-oriented tables. “It started out last year that I just needed an extracurricular activity to put on my resume and I volunteered to help. [Katie Kumar] made me a decorations coordinator and this year I asked her if I could do it again,” said Shauna Farley, decorations coordinator. WOW is a celebration of different cultures and nations of Tech students. There will be 46 different flags hanging outside the RUC to represent Tech students’ countries. Farley and her group do the general decorations while the booths Number of are student-run and dec- years Tech orated. has hosted “It starts a couple WOW of months in advance. They start the planning, trying to figure out what countries are going to be represented this year and who’s going to need a booth,” Farley said. The event is free to attend, although there will be vendors selling food and some booths selling artifacts from their country. “I like seeing the finished product because we have an empty UC—basically—and then by the time it comes day for the festival there’s always so much color and so many interesting things in there,” Farley said. “I would suggest people get involved with it next year or volunteer for it at least because it is fun…” Farley said. “I have met a lot of nice, good people through it from different countries.” The WOW staff is always looking for volunteers and it is something that can be added to a resume. For more information, go to orgs.tntech.edu/wow.
ENTERTAINMENT
into two pools. Pool two, the larger of the two, was once spent in part on consumables such as paper, toner and ink but is now allocated to other services or equipment deemed beneficial to students. Ways the money in pool two can be spent include computer software, new faculty computers, smart classrooms, and infrastructure. There are no written guidelines for how money in pool one can be spent. Such a provision includes increasing the efficiency of the printing services offered at Tech. Students would be able to print from almost anywhere on campus. “So if you’re in your dorm and on your way to class and you need to print something you have to turn in to your English class, See “Printing”, page 4
Athletes respond to suspension of rifle, women’s tennis teams - Page 6
SPORTS FRIDAY FORECAST MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH 83, LOW 54
NEWS
More stories at www.tntechoracle.com Civic Engagement Fair to be held next week Biology department to host free Nature Fest Women’s Center’s Equal Pay Day to take place Tuesday
Page 2 | April 16, 2010
www.tntechoracle.com
Tech’s crime rate remains relatively low as state’s rate rises By WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor
Tech’s number of reported crimes has remained relatively unchanged as the rest of the state’s rate rose more than nine percent. Tech, which traditional has a low reported crime rate, didn’t see much of a change in the number of crimes on campus in a recently released Tennessee Board of Investigation Crime Statistics report— only about an increase of one percent. According to the re-
O
port, larceny/theft offenses continued to be the largest number of reported crimes at all universities, with an increase of 38.5 percent. That held true at Tech, where about 45 percent of the reported crimes were larceny/theft. “We face what other campuses are facing with growing enrollment and tougher economic times,” said Gay Shepherd, chief of police. “The types of crimes that are increasing reflect the challenge of serving more people with the same resources and personnel.” The only significant increase was burglary, up
to 24 from 16 in 2008. One incident of robbery was reported and was cleared. Seven liquor law violations were reported. TBI reports that sex offenses, specifically rape, were on the rise on campuses across the state. Five more reports were filed in 2009, but that figure didn’t hold true at Tech. No sex offenses were reported. The same is true of homicide offenses. As reported at the beginning of the semester, vandalism has been a growing problem on campus. TBI reports 27 incidents of destruction/damage/vandalism. A small
portion of those offenses, five, were cleared. Over the past year, Tech police have been strategically placing security camera all over campus, which has helped identify those committing the crimes. Shepherd said the clearance rate of crimes has increased from about three percent to nearly 19 percent, a number she believes is result of continued crime prevention education efforts on campus. Campus is patrolled 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officers also join students, faculty, administrators and staff in an-
nual safety walks outlining safe areas around campus. Emergency phones are strategically placed all over campus for anyone to use and have a direct connection to the police station. Annual crime statistics, comparative crime rates and daily crime logs are maintained on the police station’s website at http://www.tntech.edu/ police/. TBI’s full report, including statistics from each individual institution in Tennessee can be found at http://www.tbi. tn.gov/tn_crime_stats/ stats_analys.shtml.
Vice President
Sean Ochsenbien
Julian Lyons
Junior
Junior
Hometown: Cookeville, TN
Hometown: Gray, TN
Major: Biology-Health Science
Major: Chemical Engineering Activities: Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity (FIJI), Mortar Board, Omega Chi Epsilon Honorary Fraternity
Activities: TBR Student Regent, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Mortar Board, Rotaract Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Kristin Holder
Lee Gatts
Junior
April: 4/13 - 11:15 a.m. Henderon Hall Missing Purse No arrest made 4/13 - 1:30 p.m. Vehicle Vandalism Nursing Building No arrest made 4/10 - 5:15 p.m. Verbal Domestic Jobe Hall Students reprimanded 4/9 - 2:20 p.m. Verbal Domestic Tech Village West Students reprimanded
2010-2011 SGA Executive Officers President
CRIME LOG:
Freshman
Hometown: LaFollette, TN
Hometown: Livingston, TN
Major: Criminal Justice
Major: Political Science
Activities: Kappa Delta Sorority, Collegiate 4-H, Associated Scholars Guild, Psi Chi Honor Society
Activities: President of Residential Hall Assocation Executive Council
4/8 - 8:17 a.m. Vandalism RUC Student reprimanded 4/6 - 4:35 p.m. Aggravated Assault Cooper Hall Andrew B. Ownsby arrested 4/6 - 9:06 a.m. Vandalism Johnson Hall No arrest made 4/6 - 2 a.m. Pinkerton Hall Criminal Trespass Dylan M. Rollins arrested 4/5 - 12:55 a.m. Browing Hall - West Parking Lot Underage Consumption Burrell H. Allen arrested For a daily crime log, visit www.tntech.edu/ police-crimelogs
CASH PAID I buy used cell phones UP to $150.00 Call Doug 931-210-8919
DVD Sale! Buy 2 - Get 1 Free! with this Ad
Unity Unity...It’s like blue jeans for the soul Church We love everyone and everyone is welcome of the Services at 11 am Cumberlands
823 E. 10th Street Cookeville, TN 38501
931/520-1017
Sunday mornings cookevilleunity@yahoo.com
Read more content
online
O
www.tntechoracle.com
NEWS Page 3 | April 16, 2010
www.tntechoracle.com
Wal-Mart continues to refuse city buses, student to take action By BRANDON JELSON Staff Writer Wal-Mart of Cookeville is still not allowing the Cookeville Area Transit System buses onto their property. The closest CATS bus stop is across East Veterans Drive, directly adjacent to the shopping center’s property. Passengers of the bus are dropped off and have to cross the busy three-lane street in order to go shopping in the center. This can be hazardous for anybody, regardless of physical condition. John Quest, basic business major, has a tremendous ordeal
with this because he’s blind. “I take it personally,” Quest said. “It’s as if they[Wal-Mart] don’t care if someone lives or dies on the way to their store. “I’m working with lawyers to help support the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s ongoing case against the property owners. “Trying to cross the street there is a huge challenge and extremely dangerous,” Quest continued. “Finding a reference point is almost impossible,” in regards to the use of his cane for walking assistance. “Neither Knoxville nor Clarksville bus systems have this problem,” Quest said. “They can
pull up five feet from the door.” Employees from both Knoxville and Clarksville public transportation divisions commented on bus access to Wal-Mart stores in the two cities. Don Laws, nighttime dispatcher for the Clarksville Transit Center, said, “There’s a shelter station on the left hand side of the store. It is on the property.” Knoxville Transit employee, Kay Molden said, “Not up to the door, but just before it. We don’t pull up that close because of the fire lanes.” An employee of Wal-Mart also commented. Eva Harrison, floor manager of a Knoxville Wal-Mart, said,
“They [the buses] pull up right to the sidewalk,” outside of the store. John Quest is left confused concerning Wal-Mart of Cookeville’s approach to the issue. “It’s like they are setting up smokescreens,” Quest said. “I just don’t understand why.” According to Quest, “WalMart of Cookeville is in direct violation of the American Disabilities Act of 1990.” Title III of the ADA states, “Public accommodations must: Provide goods and services in an integrated setting, unless separate or different measures are necessary to ensure equal opportunity.
And-Make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures that deny equal access to individuals with disabilities, unless a fundamental alteration would result in the nature of the goods and services provided.” Quest added, “I’ve been riding the Knoxville buses since 1989, and Cookeville’s new system still has a long way to go.” The discrepancy is ongoing. For more information concerning the ADA, visit www. ada.gov. For more information about the CATS bus, visit www. uchra.com/cats.
events @tech April
16 10:10 a.m. Window on the World symposium
17 All day Exercise Science 5K/10K Fun Run Community event, $10 10 a.m. Window on the World 1 p.m. Baseball vs Eastern Illinois
18
1 p.m. Baseball vs Eastern Illinois
19 Until April 24 Greek Week
20 11 a.m. TAB event Tie-Dye a Tech T-shirt RUC, 1st floor 5 p.m. Softball vs Tennessee
22 3 p.m. Softball vs Cumberland 7 p.m. Alpha Phi Alpha Stepshow Derryberry Auditorium $7 in advance/ $10 at door 7:45 p.m. Life in the Peruvian Amazon Pennebaker Hall, Rm. 128
tntech.edu/calendar
online edition
tntechoracle.com
NEWS www.tntechoracle.com
Page 4 | April 16, 2010
Printing CONTINUED from page 1
you can actually send your print job to Henderson Hall and pick it up when you get there,� Littrell said. The IT department has stated that any new policy would be revenue neutral, meaning that IT would not be making money off printing fees. The money accumulated by printing fees would go to
cover paper costs in the labs. No decision has been made about possible print quotas or how much the cost would be exactly per page, but Littrell points out that the price would be minimal compared to other universities. “What we have found out from other universities is that is that it just makes students aware of what they are printing, so they stop and think, ‘Do I really need to print this?’� Littrell said. “The vast majority of students print what they have to print, but they are paying for the people who print 300 to 400 pages
they don’t need or print a 50 to 60 page document and just stick it in the recycling bin.� And while wasting supplies by unnecessary printing is a concern, the opportunity costs associated with $65,000 is truly the bigger picture. “We are thankful and appreciative that a majority of our students aren’t abusing the service. And we want them to keep the $65,000. [The money] can go to something else beneficial to students instead of just going in the recycle bin, and that is the end goal,� Littrell said.
TTU’s International Festival 2010 A Center Stage Event Sponsored by the College of Business
Courtesy of Photo Services
Brad Sells shows Gloria Bell a model of the eagle he is crafting for the STEM Center.
STEM Center to receive sculpture By ASHLEE POLK Staff Writer
A new edition to Tech’s STEM Center is big news. Brad Sells, a local artist, is sculpting a giant wooden eagle with a 15-foot wingspan to be hung in the entrance of Tech’s new STEM Center. Sells and Tech’s first lady, Gloria Bell, have been collaborating for years about a wooden sculpture to be placed somewhere on Tech’s campus. As a Tech Alumni, Sells is thrilled about this project. “This is a fun project, my whole family went to Tech; my parents, brother and I,� Sells said. “Tech is a tremendous asset to the community, and I’m completely honored
to be able to do a project for the school. It means a lot to me.� The eagle, a symbol of art and science, will host several symbolic scientific formulas and methods under its belly and along its wings. “As a student I studied that eagle in the UC, so the eagle made sense. And to tie it in with the theme of the building, which is science, it just seemed logical,� Sells said. “As a sculptor, I feel I am a scientist of form. When it comes to art, it is mostly inspired by nature, as is science. That’s sort of how the two parallel.� The tree, from which the eagle’s body is carved, was originally a five-foot diameter red oak with an interesting past.
“This was a huge red oak tree taken from the Bank of Putnam County on 10th and Fisk. This tree has seen a lot of Cookeville,� Sells said. “I would guess it’s around 200 years old.� This 200-300 pound eagle is designed to be a visual aid to inspire young students to pursue a career in science. “Here’s this great animal, this powerful animal that’s such a symbol of power, grace, beauty and strength. I’m making a parallel to science. Think about all the physics and mathematics this bird takes to track down an animal,� Sells said. “Hopefully this will create a curiosity, maybe a broader understanding of the connection between science and nature.�
Symposium from 10:10 to 11:00, Friday, April 16, in the RUC Multipurpose Room Festival from 10:00 to 5:00, Saturday, April 17, in the Roaden University Center SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE Multipurpose Room Stage
Tech Pride Room Stage
10:00 Appalachian Clogging
10:00 Renaissance Recorders
10:30 Mandala Award
10:30 Drum Circle
10:45 Arabic Fusion/Flamenco/Tango
11:15 Filipino Wedding Dance
11:15 Uzbek and Eastern Mix
12:00 German Music on Accordion
12:00 Irish Step Dances
12:30 Eastern Dances
12:30 Dor L’Dor Klezmer Band
1:00 Didgeridoo crafting & playing
1:30 Chinese Lion Dance
2:00 Trio Vendaval
1:45 Chinese Cultural Dances
2:30 Scottish Pipes, Drum & Dance
2:15 Indian Dance and Song
3:00 Instrumental Music from Java WCU Gamelan Ensemble
3:00 Danny Salazar Band 4:00 Saudi Arabian Dance 4:15 La Voix du Djembe Polynesian Dance West African Dance
3:45 Celtic Music with Heather Hayes and Shannon Duncan 4:30 Greek Dances
International University of Nursing ST. KIT TS
Read more content
online
WHY IUON UĂŠ/Ă€>`ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ - ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ VViÂ?iĂ€>ĂŒi`ĂŠ-iVœ˜`ĂŠ i}Ă€iiĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>“Ê - ÂŽ UĂŠfxĂ¤ĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœVi>˜vĂ€ÂœÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂƒĂŒ>ĂŒi‡œvÂ‡ĂŒÂ…i‡>Ă€ĂŒĂŠV>Â“ÂŤĂ•Ăƒ UĂŠ ˆ}Â…Â?ÞÊVĂ€i`iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆ>Â?i`ĂŠv>VĂ•Â?ĂŒĂžĂŠĂ€iVĂ€Ă•ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂ“>Ă€ÂˆÂ?ÞÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ1°-° UĂŠ-“>Â?Â?ĂŠVÂ?>ĂƒĂƒĂŠĂƒÂˆĂ˘iĂƒĂŠĂ‰ĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ÂˆĂ˘i`ĂŠi`Ă•V>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ UĂŠ >Â“ÂŤĂ•ĂƒĂŠv>VˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`iĂŠ>ĂŠĂ“{ĂŠLi`ĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂ€ĂŒĂ•>Â?ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂƒÂŤÂˆĂŒ>Â?ĂŠiÂľĂ•ÂˆÂŤÂŤi`ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â?>ĂŒiĂƒĂŒĂŠĂƒÂˆÂ“Ă•Â?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒiV…˜œÂ?Âœ}ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`ˆ˜}ĂŠ ‡-ĂŒ>˜° UĂŠ ˆ˜>Â?ĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂŒi`ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ1°-°Ê>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠĂƒV…œœÂ?ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`ˆ˜}ĂŠ*Ă•Ă€`Ă•iĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂ›iÀ‡ ĂƒÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠ ÂœÂ?ÂœĂ€>`ÂœĂŠ-ĂŒ>ĂŒiĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ĂƒÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€iÂ…i>`ĂŠ-ĂŒ>ĂŒiĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ĂƒÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂˆĂƒÂˆ>˜>ĂŠ
ÂœÂ?Â?i}i° UĂŠ Ă€>`Ă•>ĂŒiĂƒĂŠĂ€iViÂˆĂ›iĂŠ>ĂŠ`i}Ă€iiĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠLÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠ 1" ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ>ĂŠ1°-ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂŠĂƒV…œœÂ?° UĂŠ7ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ>ĂŠ1°-°Ê`i}Ă€ii]ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ•`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠiÂ?ˆ}ˆLÂ?iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ 8ĂŠiĂ?>“ˆ˜>‡ ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Â° UĂŠ 8ĂŠÂŤ>ĂƒĂƒĂŠĂ€>ĂŒiĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂœĂ›iÀʙä¯]ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂˆVÂ…ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ…Âˆ}Â…iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ>Ă›iĂ€>}i° UĂŠ ˆ˜>˜Vˆ>Â?ĂŠ ˆ`ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂœĂƒiĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂľĂ•>Â?ˆvÞ°Ê UĂŠ/Â…Ă€iiĂŠiÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ĂžĂŠ`>ĂŒiĂƒĂŠÂŤiÀÊÞi>ÀÊ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞ]ĂŠ >Ăž]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ-iÂŤĂŒi“LiÀŽ°Ê
Â˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ĂƒÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠ Ă•Ă€ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠ-ĂŒÂ°ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂŒĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ `Â“ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ"vwVi {ĂˆĂ¤ĂŠ7°ÊÎ{ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ iĂœĂŠ9ÂœĂ€ÂŽ]ĂŠ 9Ê£äää£ nĂˆĂˆÂ°nĂˆn°{ÇÓä >`Â“ÂˆĂƒĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒJÂˆĂ•ÂœÂ˜Â°ÂœĂ€}
6ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂœÂ˜Â?ˆ˜iĂŠ>ĂŒ\ĂŠĂœĂœĂœÂ°ÂˆĂ•ÂœÂ˜Â°ÂœĂ€}É£
O News!
Sports! Polls!
www.tntechoracle.com
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 content.
Page 5 | April 16, 2010
www.tntechoracle.com
Your job is teaching, not showing off EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor
Usually, I want my editorials to encourage awareness and involvement from people, because I feel there is far too much misinformation, ignorance and apathy in our society. I don’t want to be just another person complaining. But I’m going to be this time anyway. I’m tired of getting talked down to. Yes, teachers, I understand you have your doctorate in whatever you’re teaching, and explaining the same undergrad information over and over can get tiring. You’d probably heard the same dumb question a thousand times. But I haven’t heard the answer once. I’m showing initiative by asking the question at all. (I’m talking about questions actually about subject content, not just asking whether the test is multiple choice or essay for the sixtieth time.) Lots of teachers complain about students who never participate, but maybe students don’t do or say anything in class because the slightest display of confusion is met with a rambling response about how the student obviously has not read every book on the subject at hand and how incorrect our dumb, little, undergrad impressions of this field of study are. Why of course [insert subject here] is the most important subject ever! Everything else on campus is a waste of our tuition money com-
pared to this! How dare we have other classes and jobs that take away from devoting four or five hours a night of extra reading on this important subject! To the annoyance of both students and teachers, a lot of students are taking classes just to cover requirements, not because the subject captivates them. That doesn’t mean the class can’t be interesting. For example, I had no interest in taking Criminology, but it was a requirement for my major. I wound up enjoying it. Partly because my professor taught the content at an upper-level undergraduate level, with no undertone of criminal justice being the most amazing, most necessary subject ever or that every student should want to go to grad school to study it. I still got a whole new respect for those who work in criminal justice and those who research it. And I learned quite a bit about our criminal system, and I’m glad I had to take that class. For that reason, required classes aren’t a bad thing. We graduate with useful information not particularly in our field of study that can be useful to being an educated citizen. Unfortunately, there are a handful of classes I’ve hated so much because of a teacher looking down on the students that I want to never discuss the subjects again. Teachers have the advantage.
Poll of the Week Do you think Tech students drink as much as students at other schools?
They are teaching something they are clearly knowledgeable in, and they have control over the content of the class. Treating students as inferior makes students not bother to put in the effort. What’s the point in trying if the teacher has already decided we’re stupid? It’s not my job to be an expert. But treating students as actual people who are capable, even if not experts, makes the learning experience a thousand times better. I’m so grateful to the teachers who have made their classes worthwhile and made time for me as a person. I just wish they could convince their peers that helping students learn is more important than showing off what you wrote your doctorate on. Isn’t helping the student learn what teaching is supposed to be about? I’m not saying never mention something a little higher level if it is constructive to the class, but just retelling stories of everything your graduate advisor ever said or every theory you ever studied isn’t teaching at all; it is simply showing off. A classroom is a space for learning, not your personal stage. I’m here to get an education, to learn things from people who are more informed than I, and to become a well-rounded, educated person. I am not here to hear every single possible theory discussed in the graduate version of a 1500 level class and to listen to complaints about how my efforts are lazy and my questions unimportant. I was recently told by a teacher that if he wanted to hear an opinion, he’d read an editorial. So here one is if it doesn’t pain him too much to read the opinion of an undergraduate student.
I think Tech students drink more than other college students. 0% I think Tech students drink just as much as other college students. 38% I think Tech students drink less than other college students. 62%
This week: Should Tech aim to use new green energy and be more environmetally friendly?
Go to tntechoracle.com to vote! The Oracle poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of Internet users who chose to participate and does not reflect the public as a whole. Online voting for this poll closed April 14, 2010.
Green initiative worth encouragement at Tech SARAH TOWNSEND Asst. Editorial Editor
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to speak to one of Tech’s green activists, Josh Donegan. He is the student chairperson for the TTU Green Committee, and we had a really interesting conversation about Tech and the possibility of green energy solutions on our campus. Despite more than 100 members on Facebook, the Green Committee only has about six active members who attend the meetings. I know that recently words like “eco-friendly” and “green” have become synonyms for “trendy,” but regardless of why people are getting behind green
energy, it is a good cause and more people should know about it. The organization is trying to launch a recycling campaign on campus by providing recycling bins in every building which, by the way, many other campuses already practice. I think we are pretty behind the green curve. That’s probably because the Green Committee has such sparse membership to support the cause. We do at least have recycle bins in most residential halls. Since 2006 Tech has included a small green fee of about $8 with tuition, which is the monetary
support for environmental efficiency projects like recycling. Even though we are a little behind on recycling, Tech would be one of the first schools in Tennessee to adopt a sustainable campus-wide power source should it adopt the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Power Switch program. According to Donegan, TVA’s Green Power Switch program is Tech’s best option for eco-friendly energy. “The reason we support TVA is because it’s local,” Donegan said. “If we buy green energy it creates jobs for people in Tennessee.” It sounds like a win-win situation to me. Jobs for people in Tennessee and a more efficient energy source would benefit everyone. The problem with green energy is that it is expensive initially. However, over time it actually would save Tech some money, not to mention the fact
that Tech could boast on campus tours and brochures about how we’re ahead of the eco-friendly energy curve. It’s our money that goes to these projects, and we should have a say in what projects it goes toward. I think that pushing for green energy is a great way to get involved on campus. In the long run, using sustainable resources like solar panels or wind energy would save money and help protect our environment, yet many schools are reluctant to invest the amount of time and money involved upfront. I’d like to
be able to say that I am a student at one of the first schools to adopt green energy. Donegan encourages anyone who is interested in getting involved with the committee to come to meetings at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays in TJ Farr’s Honors Lounge. For more information, email Donegan at joshdonegan@gmail.com.
Please recycle The Oracle after reading.
ORACLE
job openings
THE
FOR THE
Weekly. Student operated. | P.O. Box 5072 Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505
ORACLE copy editor entertainment editor asst. managing editor asst. sports editor asst. advertising manager
A resume and letter of intent are due April 20 at 4 p.m. to The Oracle office. Please include journalism courses you have taken. Journalism experience is required. The new staff will be announced in the April 23 edition of The Oracle. Applicants for copy editor are required to take a copy editing test, which must be turned in with your resume and letter of intent. You may pick up a test in The Oracle office.
CHRISTINE SEIBER Managing Editor
SARAH TOWNSEND Asst. Editorial Editor
WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor
BRANDON GOODWIN Sports Editor
SARA BOHANNON Ad Manager
JAMES SCHIERMEYER Asst. Sports Editor
ALLISON WHEELER DIANA CARSON Ad Assistants
CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor
EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor
TALLULAH GILLIAM BAILEY DARROW Copy Editors
Tennessee Technological University--nondiscriminatory on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities including employment and admission of students to the University as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and regulations based therein and published in CFR, part 86. Tennessee Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
BRENDA WILSON, Faculty Adviser BEAT REPORTERS: Erica Betschart, Ellie Boles, Courtney Clifford, Matt Davis,
Justin Duke, Casey Elrod, Jordan Farrell, Darrel Ferris, Christina Gillim, Kayla Gulley, Karla Hammac, Hannah Harris, Ross Harvey, Lauren Huxford, Brandon Jelson, Christopher Jones, Dhir Joshi, Jonathan Kaulay, Samantha Kendall, David Lane, Gerilyn Lemons, Leasa McCall, Amber McCarty, Amanda Miller, Bailey Morgan, Aleksandr Peterson, Jonathan Pierce, Ashlee Polk, Brittney Robinson, Nicholas Rollins, Jessica Smith, Brandon Stephenson, Evan Taylor, Laura Vaught, Dakota Weatherford, Geri Anna Wilson, Jenda Wilson
SPORTS www.tntechoracle.com
Page 6 | April 16, 2010
Athletes react after programs are victims of budget cuts Rifle and women’s tennis teams were suspended last week in order to help maintain 14 other athletic programs at Tech By BRANDON GOODWIN Sports Editor
Above, front row, left to right: Katie Barnhill, Leydi Zora , Joanna Corkern, Diana Woodcock. Back row: Laura Porras, Frederike Kahl, Head Coach Kenny Doyle, G.A. Coaches Beto Bloise and Margot Carter, Victoria Cran Below, Front row, left to right: Krystle Harris, Jessica McCauley. Back row: Chase Cortner, Curtis Gagne, Patrick Stidham, Austin Litherland
Photos courtesy of Sports Information
The recent restructuring of Tech Athletics has severely affected both the academic and athletic lives of nearly every athlete involved. Both the rifle and women’s tennis teams have been suspended due to budget cuts, but there is no timetable for their return. “I was shocked,” said Katie Barnhill, a junior member of the women’s tennis team. “I have one year left, but the thought of being done with tennis is really sad.” The athletes will be awarded their 2010-2011 scholarships if they decide not to transfer to another school. “I would like to play tennis for another year and if I find another opportunity to do that somewhere else then I will,” said Barnhill. “Everyone’s just trying to figure out what to do now.” One freshman, four sophomores and six juniors will have to make decisions on whether to try to transfer. Victoria Cran, a freshman tennis player from England, says she has no choice but to transfer. “I’m the only one who’s got another three years ahead of me,” she said, weighing her options. “If I can’t find somewhere, I’ll have to go back to England. “All of us on the women’s tennis team are international, so it’s not like we know what to do when we’re trying to transfer schools,” she said. “We don’t want to have to go back to our countries and start all over again. It’s hard enough coming out to another country to one school never mind trying to find a new school.” According to Cran, the Athletics department has notified other schools of its actions. “They sent an email out saying they dropped the program if [those schools] want any of our players,” she said. While the athletes do have the option of staying at Tech another year before transferring, it may end up hurting their chances of finding another school. “People don’t really want to recruit you when you’ve sat out a year if you’ve not trained or practiced and they’ve got no results for you,”
said Cran. “We need to transfer straightaway.” The restructuring was announced with just two matches left on the tennis schedule. “I think they had been considering it for a while,” said Barnhill. “But I don’t know why they decided to do it now.” Tech played one of those matches, sweeping Tennessee State 7-0 just one day after the announcement of the suspension. “At first we didn’t want to play at all,” said Barnhill. “Then once we got there we just kind of realized that this is our last match decided to have fun with it and take it for all it’s worth. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve had three coaches and two of them have quit on me,” she said. “There has been so much crap going on I guess.” Cran thinks the situation could have been handled differently. “The school is in an economic crisis,” she said. “I think there are probably other ways to go around it than cutting two of the athletic teams.” She reflected back on her reasons for coming to Tech in the first place. “I got recruited by [former coach] Dan Silverstein and I came to visit and I liked him and the place and people,” she said. “It was friendly here. It seemed like a nice place to be around. I looked at a few other places, but I liked Tech and liked the team. “I’ve made some good friends here,” she continued. “It’s weird only being here for a year then having to leave Cookeville.” The Tech rifle team has the distinction of being the only Tech team to win a national championship. The Golden Eagles won the first three NCAA championships from 19801982. In 2008, the Tech rifle range was renovated to include state-ofthe-art electronic targets. The last time the Athletics department was restructured in 1984, men’s soccer was discontinued. It has yet to be reestablished. Barnhill has had a roller coaster of a career at Tech. “It’s not been too smooth since I’ve been here,” she said. “I would have liked to finish out [my career] strong next year, but it sucks that I won’t get to.”
Fitness Center to hold classes, swim lessons in summer By HANNAH HARRIS Staff Writer With summer near, whether you are staying at Tech or going home, staying fit is possible. “Everyone thinks that the Fitness Center shuts down because school is out, but we have a lot of things going on during the summer, “ said Ramona Mahood-Pennington, health promotions director. For those who are staying at Tech, the Fitness Center is open during the summer. The hours of operations are Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. These hours are in effect from May 10 until the fall semester starts. There will also be fitness classes offered. The classes will not be as frequent, but there will be at least one class offered everyday. The pool will remain open, and private swim lessons are available along with group swim lessons for children from ages 3 to 8. It is $36 for the summer for those not in summer school or who are taking less than six hours. For those who are headed home for the summer, staying fit is still achievable, even if there is not a gym around. Fitness DVDs, FitTV and local PBS stations are available and can keep you in shape while following an instructor in you own home. Being outside is a great way to keep in shape. Walking, riding a bike, running, swimming, and interval training are just a few ways. Challenging your body while exercising outside is key. “I’m saying to run for two mail boxes then walk for one, that’s interval training, “Mahood-Pennington said.
But how long should you exercise if they are not use to it? At the beginners level, doing cardio for a minimum of 20 minutes a day, three to five times a week is best. A least two of those days should involve weight training. In weight training, the time is based on the routine itself. For those who are advanced in working out, they should increase their time based on how comfortable and challenging they want to make a workout. “Keep your eyes on you own paper in fitness. Everyone’s level is different. You want to physically challenge yourself, Mahood-Pennington said. Students and members who work out at Tech get to use the machines, but when you go home for the summer and get involved in another gym, it may not always have the same machines. In that case, always talk to a trainer at the gym and ask what machines compare to the machine you use at Tech. They can help you meet fitness goals and get the same kind of workout. “Do not just jump on a machine you don’t know about. Ask, “Mahood-Pennington said. If the gym does not offer fitness classes, then look into fitness DVDs and get involved in FitTV’s workouts. There are DVDs out there that compare to the classes at Tech. For instance, if you like Turbo Kick, try Turbo Jam by BeachBody. If you enjoy pilates, try Winsor’s pilates. And for great looking abs, 10 Minute Solutions Blast Off Belly Fat will help melt the fat. If boot camp or kickboxing sounds exciting, check into Billy Blanks TaeBo or TaeBo Boot camp. Barry’s Boot camp is a great interval training DVD that blasts away fat. When trying to decide which DVD is best, there are websites that can help you find the right one. One website is
http://www.collagevideo.com. They have fitness DVD reviews and suggestions. The hardest part about getting in shape is a lack of motivation. At Tech, students get together and go work out, but when summer comes around, they may not have that other person to motivate them to go work out. What do you do then? How do you continue to motivate yourself? “It has to come from inside of you, “Mahood-Pennington said. “ There are always ways to get fit and stay fit. No more excuses.” For any information about summer hours and activities including swim lessons or classes at the Fitness Center call 931-372-6511 or go to http://www.tntech.edu/recreation/home.
Fitness Center summer hours starting May 10 Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, visit tntech.edu
136 S. WALNUT AVE. 931-526-HIKE
ENTERTAINMENT www.tntechoracle.com
Spin Dat Record With KYLE BUCKNER I’ve been waiting patiently for Dr. Dog’s new album since their last album, Fate, came out in 2008. Dr. Dog blends catchy Beatles-esque melodies, folk-rock, and psychedelia to create a virtual wall of sound that is complex and distinct. Layered harmonies and fuzz guitar are often featured in the band’s songs, along with ragtime piano, synthesizer, pulsating bass, and the ole tambourine. Dr. Dog sounds like they came straight out of the 1960s, which is what they’re going for, I think. It’s great when a band can channel their influences but not sound like a ripoff. It’s pretty evident that Dr. Dog has taken notes from bands like the Kinks, the 13th Floor Elevators, The Beach Boys, and the like, but they have morphed the throwback sounds into their own. Band members Toby Leaman, bassist, and Scott McMicken, rhythm guitarist, usually switch off songs, each writing and singing their own songs. Both have their own songwriting styles and musical arrangements,
Page 7 | April 16, 2010
Dr. Dog’s Shame, Shame which I think adds to the well-rounded sound. Leaman’s voice is deep, soulful, and demanding. McMicken’s voice, while soft and whiny at some points, is high and seemingly pitch-perfect. Hearing the juxtaposition of the high and low voices of the two vocalists and the drifting harmonies of the other band members is pretty overwhelming. The new album seems to employ the layered harmony aspect more than any previous one. Shame, Shame seems to pick up where Fate left off. If you’ve listened to earlier Dr. Dog recordings such as Easy Beat or Toothbrush, you’ll hear that the band was going for a more raw, crude sound. Shame, Shame is much more polished, refined and “produced” sounding. This isn’t bad, necessarily. Bands generally don’t Photo Courtesy of Dr. Dog sound as good on recordings from their earlier albums, but after be- The members of Dr. Dog are Scott McMicken, Toby Leaman, Zach Miller, Eric Slick, and coming successful it’s way easier Frank McElroy. to book time in a nice recording studio complete with all the bells and more upbeat ones, too. That doesn’t releases. If you like the music you mean that I’m getting down on the should also go see them at the Canwhistles. My two favorite songs, “Shadow other songs, however. They’re all re- nery Ballroom in Nashville on May 6. I’ve heard they put on a pretty gnarly People” and “Where’d All the Time ally good. I think Dr. Dog is one of the more show. If you can’t make it to that Go?” are both sung by Scott McMickunique, likeable, and consistently show, you can always catch them at en, whose songs I tend to like more. good bands that are on the scene toBonnaroo this summer, too. I’ll be at He uses imagery that I find really enday. I highly recommend purchasing both so maybe I’ll see you there! chanting. His songs are usually the Shame, Shame and all of their other
MGMT’s “Congratulations” offers new sound in band’s sophomore album By KASSI THOMAS Special to The Oracle
Last summer at Bonnaroo, I was at my campsite taking a break from the heat, humidity, clamorous crowds, and mediocre midday bands when the guy settled next to me unzipped his tent and shouted out a question to no one in particular, “Who sings that song that goes ‘Ooh, girl’?” To many people, this half-witted interrogation seems entirely too vague to merit an answer. “Ooh, girl.” Surely, that’s been in hundreds of songs over the years. Elvis Presley, maybe? No, he must be referring to one of those late nineties boy bands. “Ooh, girl?” It could be anyone! However, a chorus of sweaty hipsters, myself included, responded without missing a
beat, “MGMT.” No doubt, we had all spent more than our fair share of time in 2008 booty shakin’ to the psychedelic electro-pop singles of MGMT’s first major release, Oracular Spectacular. In fact, we’d probably all danced our happy little hearts out together to “Electric Feel” (the song in question) during the Brooklyn based duo’s Bonnaroo set the year before, and it was entirely possible that we’d all be heading out for their late night set again in a few hours. MGMT enjoyed great commercial success with tracks from Oracular Spectacular. “Kids” earned them a Grammy nomination, and “Time to Pretend” quickly became looped lobby music for Mexican movie theatres. What more could a couple of twentysomethings want for their career? Apparently, they wanted to be taken a little more seriously.
I don’t want to allude that all of the fun has been sucked out of MGMT’s latest release, Congratulations, which dropped Tuesday. “It’s Working,” “Song for Dan Treacy,” and the poppy ode to legendary music guru “Brian Eno” provide the danceable beats on this album, but they’re still not as carefree what we experienced with “Kids.” The twelve-minute composition “Siberean Breaks,” which eats up about one-fourth of the album’s duration, and ambient space rock melody “Lady Dada’s Nightmare” illuminate the new direction that sets this album apart from those of yore. And, for an album that the boys promoted as single-less, “Flash Delirium” is already distinguishing itself as the most accessible track.
The album cover of Congratulations
Now for the judgment we’ve all been waiting for. Is it good? Is it worth it? Of course it is. However, if you’re only in the mood for fleeting beats, don’t bother. Go crank up “Electric Feel” and call it a day. But, if you find that you’re interested in checking out the more introspective side of MGMT, “Congratulations” may need to be your next musical investment.
Events on the Horizon April 16th Hands Around (Reigen): 8 p.m. @ Backdoor Playhouse Lambda Formal: 7 p.m. @ First and Cedar $10 April 17th Hands Around (Reigen): 2 & 8 p.m. @ Backdoor Playhouse
Movie Talk By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor
Date Night Date Night is a charming comedy, starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, and tells the story of an ordinary, suburban couple trying to bring excitement to their lives. After one little lie, the couple goes on a wild journey through the seedy parts of New York that makes them think ordinary isn’t such a bad thing. Date Night offers several hilarious moments and quite a few laughs with numerous familiar cast members. Although the movie, on the whole, is funny and entertaining, at several points, jokes are forced and the movie tries too hard to be a mash-up of 30 Rock and The Office. The most stand out part of this movie is the cast. With a wide array of big names from the headliners to Common, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, and Ray Liotta, each plays a character that had unique quirks and contributes to the overall humor of the film. Each character was essential to the movie and each actor delivered his or her part extremely well. Another strong point of the film was the humor. Although the movie lacked constant big-laugh moments, many of the jokes were sublime and timed perfectly. For example, when District Attorney Frank Crenshaw (William Fitchner) appeared late in the movie with his broom from the opening. Or, the reoccurring theme of stealing someone’s reservation was another example of the witty humor. One of the reoccurring big-laugh moments happened when Claire Foster (Fey) continuously ran into open drawers. However, there were several points during the story that the jokes either fell flat or felt like an outof-place episode of 30 Rock. Awkward stares between the two main characters felt awkward for everyone in attendance. The writers tried to recreate the winning formula of The Office and 30 Rock but some of the humor didn’t translate to the big screen. Another problem was the questionable framing and odd camera angles which occurred throughout the movie. And, the pacing of the movie at times seemed obscenely slow. Still, the movie is a solid watch. I’d recommend it for anyone wanting to beat this unseasonable heat, just don’t expect the movie to blow you away. MPAA: PG-13
Final Grade: B Frequency 54 w/ Otherwize: 8 p.m. @ First and Cedar $5
next Issue: Kick-Ass
By Matt Knieling, who was voted “Best In Show” in the art contest at Omni-Con 2010 / Voyage of the Clementide is exclusive to The Oracle. For previous parts of the story, visit www.inanimateshorts.com
Advertisement