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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505

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Volume 95 | Issue 6 | Free in single copy | November 4, 2011

Tech heads into Homecoming atop OVC By ROSS HARVEY & ANDY RUTHERFORD Sports Editors The Conference-leading Golden Eagles (5-2, 4-1 OVC) are getting ready to host the Murray State Racers (4-4, 2-3 OVC) on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 at Tucker Stadium for this season’s homecoming game. This will be the 77th meeting between the two teams and Tech holds the overall record 41-34-1 over the Racers. “In this league, you have to better than your opponent that day,” head coach Watson Brown said. “If we play good we’ll have a chance to win. If we don’t, Murray will kick our fanny.” Tech is coming off one of the biggest wins in school history, a 21-14 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on the road last weekend. The win gave the Gamecocks their first conference loss of the season and moved the Golden Eagles into a three-way tie for first place in the OVC with Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky. Tech controls its own destiny now and will win the conference if they win the final three games of the season. In the game against JSU, Tech was led on offense by quarterback Tre Lamb, who was 15-for-18 for 168 yards. Running backs Adam Ur-

Ross Harvey

The Golden Eagles are 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference conference heading into the Homecoming game. bano and Dontey Gay led the ground attack, as they combined for 131 yards on 24 carries, and had all three scores. Senior defensive back Richmond Tooley said the key to the offense’s success has been confidence. “[As a defensive player,] when I see them, I see talent and it breeds confidence,”

Tooley said. “They’re so talented. We almost expect them to score every time they step on the field.” On defense, freshman defensive back Austin Tallant led Tech with 12 tackles, and senior Corey Watson had eight, including his final tackle which forced a fumble as JSU was driving for the

potential game-tying touchdown. That fumble was the only turnover of the game. Tooley had nothing but good things to say about Watson, who leads the OVC in interceptions. “He’s a big help on and off the field. You can’t replace him,” Tooley said. “On the field, he’s having his best

year. He’s been there in every clutch situation. “It’s fitting,” Tooley continued, “because he’s been here a while, and he’s been the defensive MVP this year. He’s one of the guys you want to win it for.” Murray State is coming off a heartbreaking 34-33 loss to Eastern Kentucky where

a missed extra point was the difference in the game. The Racers are led by senior running back Mike Harris who rushed for 206 yards on 21 carries against EKU, his fifth 100-yard rushing game this season. He also caught six passes for 66 yards, giving him 272 all-purpose yards in the game. “They have the most dynamic player in our league in Harris,” Brown said. “He is probably the biggest game changer in the OVC this year. When he gets loose, he’s special. He kicked us a year ago when we went up there so you better know where he is at all times.” This Saturday’s game is especially important to the team because it is Homecoming. Tooley said it means even more to him and his fellow seniors. “It’d mean a lot to win,” Tooley said. “It’s exciting to play in front of on fans, alumni and family. After playing for four years, you want to win your last Homecoming. “Last year we lost, and we felt like we let down the fans, and ourselves… we plan on giving it all we’ve got; defending home turf. We will leave it all on the field.” Tech is currently ranked 15th and 20th in the FCS Coaches Poll and the Sports Network/Fathead.com Poll, respectively. See “Homecoming” page 9

TBR investigates use of adjunct faculty Largest SOLO Fund concert By BRITTANY RITZMAN Copy Editor An investigative committee created by the Tennessee Board of Regents reported back to the TBR in October with four key areas needing review regarding the system’s use of adjunct faculty. Earlier in the year, the TBR established a committee—made up of representatives from TBR schools—to investigate the status of adjunct faculty use throughout the 19 TBR universities and community colleges in the state. The purpose of this investigation was to “identify attributes of an optimal adjunct faculty experience and develop a rich inventory of best practices, current issues and future practices,” according to a release from Paula Short, vicechancellor for academic affairs with the TBR. The committee’s report focused on four key areas that most urgently need to be reviewed. The four areas are the definition of “adjunct;”

training practices of adjunct faculty; the communication, working environments and sharing of best practices in and among institutions; and the compensation practices of adjunct faculty throughout TBR institutions. Each area will be reviewed by action teams, which are currently being formed. The first area— the definition of “adjunct”— is complicated because each institution currently has its own definition. The purpose of the action team dedicated to this area is to create a definition that will be applied across all TBR institutions. Training practices also vary among institutions and even within individual departments and programs. At Tech, adjuncts are most heavily used within the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly in areas such as math and English composition. Currently, each department takes on the responsibility for training and evaluating adjuncts within its program.

For example, adjuncts in English composition attend a mandatory one-day pre-fall training session and are offered the opportunity to attend additional training sessions throughout the year. “I think our adjuncts do very well because they go through our training programs and sessions,” Linda Null, professor of English and communications and member of the TBR faculty sub-council, said. “However, the purpose of this review is to ask, ‘How can we ensure the best experience in working with adjunct faculty among the different schools?’” The final two areas— evaluation of adjuncts’ teaching quality and the compensation these teachers receive— often clash. A positive argument for using adjunct faculty is that they are often experienced and even active members in their respective fields, bringing to students practical knowledge in the classroom that can be useful after students enter the

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workforce. “For most students, I would hope that it would be a good experience because an adjunct would be able to add to their learning by bringing real-world experience to the classroom,” Tracey Hackett, adjunct instructor of journalism, said. “I love being able to take my experiences and share them with others and hopefully make their learning easier and more applicable.” Other departments have also had positive experiences with the educational quality of their adjunct faculty. “In our department of sociology and political science, local judges and attorneys teach as valuable adjunct faculty in the pre-law program, and we are very grateful for their help,” Lori Maxwell, professor of political science, said. Though, this realworld teaching approach can have its drawbacks, as many adjuncts are actively working in their fields in addition to their teaching responsibilities. See “Adjunct” page 2

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voter turnout chooses LMFAO

By JENDA WILSON Staff Writer Nearly 4,600 students out of Tech’s 11,768 voted in last Tuesday’s Student Organization Life Opportunity Fund band vote. LMFAO Humphrey won with 1,544 student votes, or 33 percent, and Gym Class Heroes came in second with 900 votes, or about 19 percent. LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” is currently no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ashley Humphrey, SGA treasurer and SOLO Fund Committee chairperson, said that she was excited about the number of votes, but that ultimately the SGA will choose whichever band will agree to perform. “In the case that SGA is unable to schedule the top chosen band, we reserve the right to schedule another band further down the list,” Humphrey said. She said that the voting server for the SOLO Fund lists this provision allowing SGA the choice of which band will perform at Tech, and that SGA uses the SOLO vot-

ing results as more of an opinion poll. The voting for the concert took place during the voting for Tech’s 2011 Homecoming court Oct. 25. This was the first time that SGA combined the SOLO concert vote with the Homecoming vote. “I voted for Homecoming court and saw that I could also vote for which band would play for the spring SOLO concert,” Eric Hall, senior nursing major, said. “I liked the convenience of the double voting opportunity.” Kimmy Steele, a senior exercise science major and Homecoming representative of Kappa Delta sorority, said she thought that having the combined voting opportunities was an advantage for the Homecoming candidates and for the SOLO concert. “I encouraged people to vote for the SOLO concert while they were voting for me,” Steele said. “I think that more students voted for both situations because of the convenience.” Humphrey said that SGA may try pairing the spring concert vote with the SGA senate or executive elections next semester. “Even if it isn’t feasible for us to combine another set of elections, we feel like the concert series is drumming up enough interest on its own,” Humphrey said.

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Organizations underutilize SOLO Fund By JENDA WILSON Staff Writer

University Archives

The Dixie College Building during Tech’s time as Dixie College in 1913.

Campus prepares for centennial celebration

By SAMANTHA KENDALL Staff Writer

On March 27, 1915, Governor Thomas Rye signed into law an act creating Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, according to the Tech website. Over the summer Facilities and Business Services started renovating Tech’s buildings and commons areas for the centennial celebration in 2015. According to Glenn Binkley, assistant director of Facilities and Business Services the main quadrangle will be the primary focus of the renovations. When Tennessee Polytechnic Institute was established the quadrangle was the main part of campus. Pre-World War II, Derryberry Hall was the Administration building and library, Henderson Hall was the engineering building, Farr Hall (T.J. Farr Building) was the science building, East Hall

and West Hall were dormitories later named Kittrell (East) Hall and Bartoo (West) Hall, according to Harvey G. Neufeldt and W. Calvin Dickinson in “A Search for Identity: A History of Tennessee Technological University, 19151985.” Later, Kittrell Hall converted into the business building and Bartoo Hall became the biology building. “A lot of folks who graduated in 1970 and before, they have fond memories of the quad basically being the hub of the campus,” Binkley said. Facilities and Business Services started this summer by painting the exteriors of Derryberry Hall, South Hall, MatthewsDaniel Hall and they finished painting Kittrell Hall this fall, according to Binkley. Now Facilities and Business Services is finding initial cost data for window replacements in Memorial Gym and is looking

at many other problems in that building. Additional work is planned for Jere Whitson and South Hall. Currently, Henderson Hall is being restored to stay within the parameters of the National Historic building standards. Next to be updated are T.J. Farr Building and Bartoo Hall. Meanwhile, work is being done between Derryberry and the RUC planting more shrubbery, trees and other plantings to beautify the campus, according to Binkley. Facilities and Business Services is also replacing landscaping that has died over the years near the WhitsonHester School of Nursing. They will also spend nearly $5,500 on landscaping across campus this fall. “We have a lot of opportunities,” Binkley said. “We just have to identify the funding before we can actually say ‘yes we are going to do this.’”

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SGA’s Student Organization Life Opportunity General Operating Fund has allocated only $2,000 this semester, down from $8,000 last semester. Ashley Humphrey, SGA senator and treasurer, also leads the SOLO Fund Allocation Committee. She said she feels that lack of knowledge about the fund has prevented student organizations from submitting applications, leading to a decrease in allocation. “I think that people want to use SOLO,” Humphrey said. “They just need to find the time to plan events and to fulfill the application process.” Humphrey said that there is about $40,000 in the fund and any money not used will stay in the fund and will be used for future organization events. Two organizations have been awarded funding, both having applied during the first allocation period. No organizations applied for the second allocation period. The Rugby Team applied for $250 per home game in order to provide concessions for the people attending. They were allocated the money, $1,000 total. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity applied for fund-

ing for a concert they held Friday, Oct. 21. They were also allocated $1,000. Humphrey and the committee held an information session to educate student organization leaders about the funding opportunities through SOLO. Twelve organizations participated in the session, but none have applied for funding. Humphrey said that the committee’s hearing is to give a recommendation to the senate on whether or not to provide funding. Robert Griffin, senior mechanical engineering major and president of Engineers Without Borders, said EWB plans to apply once they have an event eligible for funding. “We have looked into the SOLO Fund for several things, but the detail required for the initial application could be seen as fairly daunting,” Griffin said. “I know that you don’t want it to be able to be used for too broad of applications, but the way the process is set up is very limiting.” Activities eligible for SOLO funding must be intended to benefit all or a significant portion of the student body and to recruit new members to the organization hosting the event. These requirements are provided for under Article XIV of the SGA Constitution.

Humphrey said that organizations may be having a difficult time planning events that can reach the number of students the bill was intended for. “We tried to find ways that an organization can work their event into one that fits into the mold for SOLO funding,” Humphrey said. “However, it is not SGA’s responsibility to fulfill an organization’s end of the application process.” Student organizations are verified through the Office of Student Affairs by the SGA treasurer, according to the SGA Constitution. Any organizations not currently registered on campus, or not in good standing with the Office of Student Activities, will be denied funding until they are recognized organizations or in good standing. After an application is approved by SGA, it goes to the vice president of Student Affairs who then has the option of accepting or rejecting it. Student organizations must provide receipts for all SOLO Fund expenditures to the Office of Student Affairs. The SOLO Fund Allocation Committee will hold a hearing for any student organizations applying for the third allocation period Nov. 14.

Adjunct CONTINUED from page 1

“The disadvantage of being an adjunct is that most of us are doing other things, too,” Hackett said. “Our focus is not just teaching. I think that also makes it hard for students who are used to being able to approach their professors on campus on a regular basis.” The review of compensation practices present different challenges for TBR institutions. “Compensation, I think, is the most urgent of any concerns that deal with adjunct faculty,” Tony Baker, director of composition and faculty member of TBR faculty sub-committee, said. “However, I think that to sequence compensation and evaluation is a mistake.” Baker also said that he was concerned that adjunct faculty members at Tech have not received an increase in compensation in almost 15 years and they are not offered benefits such as health care or retirement. Though, changing such a long-standing compensation rate will require considerable long-term budget planning from the University. “The thing that concerns me is that there’s never any attention paid to budgeting policies regarding adjunct compensation,” Kurt Eisen, interim associate dean of Arts and Sciences, said. In this era of budget cuts and an overall tightening of purse strings, especially at colleges and universities, many institutions worry about the financial impact if the expense of adjunct faculty use increases.

“If this task force has any effect, it should result in an increase in adjunct support and pay,” Eisen said. “The problem is that most of these institutions feel they can’t afford it.” However, Eisen said that adjunct compensation is often invisible in the budget process and it’s sometimes not realized how much money the use of adjuncts actually saves universities. This is because adjuncts are paid less than tenured faculty and institutions are not required to provide benefits for the parttime employees. “It’s doable but budget planning requires setting out priorities,” Eisen said. “It’s easy to afford things that you plan for but unexpected expenses seem more difficult to cover. Because that expense has been invisible for so long, raising adjunct compensation rates would initially present a shock to the budget.” One goal that the compensation task force hopes to accomplish is to find out what the going compensation rates are for adjuncts in other states, particularly in surrounding states. Tech recently investigated market rates for other University employment areas, but the TBR looks to focus on adjunct compensation at this time. Eisen said that, as would be the case in any profession, if the TBR rates are lagging behind, prospective adjunct faculty members may seek those better opportunities elsewhere.

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School of Agriculture opens doors to showcase improvements By ASHTON CORBIN Staff Writer Tech’s School of Agriculture would like to invite everyone to come check out some new changes they have recently made to the department. The School of Agriculture is hosting an open house to give everyone the chance to see all the hard work that the faculty, staff and students have put into this renovation project. This open house started on Monday, Oct. 30, and runs through Friday, Nov. 11. The building is open for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 1:30 p.m.

to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. There will be 10 stops along the open house tour. These exhibits include an antique tool display, old photos, classrooms, renovated labs, boards and displays, and faculty offices. A special stop on the tour will be made in the basement of South hall. There, Janice Branson, associate professor of agriculture, and Patricia Coleman of the music and art department, have created a mural portraying various scenes of Tennessee agricultural and rural life. The mural was painted by some of the agriculture students in collaboration with

art students. The basement project started when Branson wanted to paint the walls. They started out white but evolved into a mural of agricultural scenes. They have been working on this mural project for about a year. “We’re really proud of the changes we’ve made this summer and we wanted an opportunity for everyone to see what we’ve accomplished,” Tawnya R. Moss, the secretary for the School of Agriculture said. After touring the building, make sure to stop by the office conference room, SH 145, for coffee, tea, apple cider and a treat.

Homecoming participation sees increase By BRANDON STEPHENSON Staff Writer

Contributed graphic

The Tech Quidditch Club’s constitution was approved on Thursday.

Quidditch Club launches at Tech By EMILY HAILE Staff Writer

A new sport based on a popular book series is being established at colleges across the nation, including at Tech. The Tech Quidditch Club is a new organization based on the popular sport in the Harry Potter series. “It’s definitely a contact sport,” Kellie Davis, sophomore and co-president of the Quidditch Club, said. “We will be playing a modified version known as Muggle Quidditch.” In the Harry Potter series, a muggle is a nonmagical person. “In the books the players fly above the quidditch pitch on brooms,” Davis said. “In Muggle Quidditch, the players run while holding a broom between their legs to simulate flying.” There are four balls used in gameplay: a quaffle, two bludgers and a snitch. “Three players from each team, known as Chasers, score by throwing the quaffle through three hoops at each end of the pitch,” Davis said. “While doing this, two other players from each team, called Beaters, try to hit the Chasers with

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other balls called bludgers. We use a volleyball for the quaffle and dodgeballs for the bludgers. Each team also has a Keeper who defends his team’s hoops from the opposing Chasers.” The snitch is more complicated, according to Davis. In the book series, the snitch is sought after by one member of the team called the Seeker. The snitch is a small golden ball with wings. “We have a human snitch,” Davis said. “The snitch has a tennis ball inside a sock tucked into the waistband of his shorts or pants. The snitch is free to avoid capture by any means necessary.” The game is over when one team’s Seeker captures the snitch. According to the International Quidditch Association rulebook, the snitch can avoid capture by doing anything from riding a bicycle, climbing a tree or even by hiding in the audience. Many colleges have teams that compete in the Quidditch World Cup. This year, it is being held Nov. 12 and 13 in New York City. Roughly 100 teams from across the world are entered in this year’s World Cup. Louisiana State

University’s team is ranked in the top 10, along with Boston University, Texas A and M, and Arizona State University. Other colleges competing in this year’s World Cup include Harvard University, Virginia Tech, RIT and Yale University. UT Knoxville and Vanderbilt University also have teams but are not competing this year. A total of 387 college and high school teams are registered in the United States. There are 34 schools in Canada that have teams. Australia has 13, the United Kingdom has 10, and Mexico, Russia, China, Portugal, France and Germany, among others, all have schools with quidditch teams. “It would be great to put our own team together and enter the tournament someday,” Davis said. “Tech would benefit from the connections with other universities around the globe. And quidditch is a fun way to promote both literature and physical activity.” Anyone interested in the Quidditch Club can receive updates and other information at facebook. com/TennesseeTechQuidditch.

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Participation in Homecoming week events has increased in every category this year, according to the Tech Activities Board. Overall there are 18 different organizations participating this year, which include the learning villages and residential halls, Greek Life, and religious groups. Each organization had the choice of which events to participate in, some opting for banners and floats while others have been involved in everything from Tuesday’s skit night to the pep rally taking place Friday. “The goal is eventually see all of our student organizations participate in homecoming events,” TAB Adviser Shelby Reagan said. Homecoming week, predominantly affiliated with Greek Life, has always been open to all student organizations but for some reason, participation has lacked in past years.

“We are thrilled all the dorms and villages are participating this year,” Reagan said. “You can really tell that some of these groups came and showed out. You can tell by the banner contest.” Other groups, such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, have been involved with all of the homecoming activities so far. The growth in participation in the Homecoming parade is another indicator of increased involvement in Homecoming activities. The parade has increased from 40 entries last year to 61 this year, according to TAB. The parade, which takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, is going to be a big deal this year Reagan said, with its multiple entries it should be a good judge of student involvement. The floats will be available for viewing directly after the parade on Stadium Drive in front of Tailgate Park. The game starts at 1:30 p.m.

NEWS Page 4 | November 4, 2011

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Meet the Homecoming candidates By Lindsey Wallace / Photos courtesy of SGA Angeline Ross & Taylor Stilgenbauer Ross is a junior marketing major from Franklin, Tenn. Stilgenbauer is a senior accounting major from Goodlettsville, Tenn. Ross

Stilgenbauer

Caroline Harlan & Patrick Wehby Harlan is a senior speech communications major from Columbia, Tenn. Wehby is a senior finance major from Nashville, Tenn. Harlan

Wehby

Kimberly Steele & Shabir Bhegani

Contributed graphic

Campus competitions boost student spirit

Steele is a senior exercise science, physical education and wellness major from Lyles, Tenn.

By KARLA HAMMAC Staff Writer

Bhegani is a junior civil engineering major from Nashville, Tenn.

Twenty-five organizations are participating in the 2011 annual student competition that coincides with Tennessee Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homecoming football game and celebration this Saturday. Of those participating, 13 greek organizations are competing in the student Homecoming contest taking place the week prior to the football game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Greeks are very involved in Homecoming because they are well organized and there is a healthy competitive spirit among the chapters,â&#x20AC;? Katie Williams, Director of Greek Life, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Greek organizations also have a lot of alumni who

return to TTU for Homecoming so they want to impress their alumni and show them how well the chapter is doing.â&#x20AC;? Two residential halls/ learning villages are competing in all student homecoming challenges, as well as all greek organizations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Across the board, all residential halls/learning villages are competing in our own competition [â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tech Wars],â&#x20AC;? Andrew Moneymaker, Capital Quad Coordinator, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more points they achieve in the homecoming activites, the more points they get for Tech Wars.â&#x20AC;? Although only two percent of the 200 registered student organizations are participating in the student homecoming week challeng-

es, 100 percent of greek organizations are engaging in the week-long competition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is great for Tech and the community when all organizations come together,â&#x20AC;? Delaney McCann, Phi Mu member, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It builds morale for Tech and the Tech community.â&#x20AC;? However, for those four registered student organizations, its about networking with students and Tech alumni. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We [BCM] value campus involvement and meeting new people,â&#x20AC;? Chester Goad, Baptist Colligiate Ministry Advisor, said. Winners are picked by the total number of points in events and will be announced at the football gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s halftime.

Bhegani

Steele

Christen Tolley & Will Hutchinson Tolley is a senior secondary education major with a focus on English from Bon Aqua, Tenn. Hutchinson is a senior agricultural engineering technology major from Murfreesboro, Tenn. Tolley

Hutchinson

Stephanie Sellers & Tyler Seals Sellers is a senior elementary education major from Tullahoma, Tenn. Seals is a junior business administration major from Church Hill, Tenn. Seals

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Students find illness not always a valid excuse for absence By CAMILLE WOODS Staff Writer

Students heading to Student Health Services to obtain an excuse from class will more than likely leave empty-handed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our office does not give sick excuses,â&#x20AC;? Ray said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We inform Student Affairs if a student has the flu, a communicable disease like chicken pox or if we send them to the hospital and they have to be hospitalized.â&#x20AC;? Even after being diagnosed with an â&#x20AC;&#x153;excusableâ&#x20AC;? illness, Health Services does not have the power to excuse a student from class. They, in turn, send studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; information to the Office of Student Affairs that will then notify studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tech is the only TBR school that gives notices to

professors about students missing class due to surgery, accidents or other emergencies,â&#x20AC;? Marc Burnett, director of Student Affairs, said. Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attendance policy explicitly states that students should notify Student Affairs if they will miss class due to circumstances beyond their control. Other TBR schools place the responsibility to inform their instructors solely on the students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students who miss an examination because of extenuating circumstances must request approval of the instructor,â&#x20AC;? Austin Peayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on class attendance, said. Even after a notice has been sent by Student Affairs, professors still have the final say in whether or not a student is excused from class.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we send is not an excuse from class,â&#x20AC;? Burnett said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though we send a notification, you still need to talk to your professors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always better if you talk to them to help aid in building a relationship with them.â&#x20AC;? Burnett encourages students who have less serious illnesses to inform their professors if they feel they are unable to attend class. Health Services also encourages students who feel ill to stop by their office for a quick examination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come in, let us check you out so that we can get you back to class faster,â&#x20AC;? Ray said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to you to notify your professors, but up to the professor whether they excuse you or not since most professors have their own policy.â&#x20AC;?

Haunted house benefits canned food drive By LOGAN NICKLESON Staff Writer

The haunted basement of New Hall North attracted an audience of approximately 250 Tech students and residents of Cookeville last Thursday, Oct. 27. The New Hall North resident assistant staff, residence hall association and Treehouse village council sought to make this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s haunted house event scarier and more successful than last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which was the residence hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first and drew about 180 individuals according to Caitlin McCowan, assistant coordinator of the Treehouse. McCowan said that volunteers for the event spent about 75 hours on the project. The event started at

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7 p.m. and by 8:30 p.m., a line extended from the basement stairwell into the lobby of New Hall North. Outside the hall, a headless horseman beckoned more students to try their luck at surviving the haunted maze. Visitors earned choice of candy and entry to the haunted house by paying one dollar or bringing one canned food item. Food collected will be contributed to the Homecoming canned food drive. The haunted house featured a dark, winding maze, flickering lights and a host of startling characters, including a mad doctor who laughed hysterically while operating on her unfortunate, moaning victim. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a little short,

but it was really dark so that kind of made the creepiness like beyond creepy,â&#x20AC;? Morgan Banker, freshman web design major, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope they do it next year.â&#x20AC;? Several masks identical to that worn by the infamous murderer in the movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friday the 13thâ&#x20AC;? covered the black walls of one room visitors entered. They had to exit the house through a tunnel on hands and knees. According to many visitors, this was the scariest room in the haunted house, as it seemed to come to life when a few of the masks unexpectedly left the walls to follow and surround passersby. Additional video interviews of haunted house visitors are available online at http://www.tntechoracle.com.

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Movember benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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IFC Movember returns for third year, brings back mustache trend By LINDSEY WALLACE Staff Writer Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inter-Fraternity Council is hosting Movember, a philanthropy that benefits the Prostate Cancer Foundation, throughout the month of November. Each organization that participates in this philanthropy volunteers a representative who will attempt to grow a mustache on his clean shaven face through the rest of November while raising money. Each mustache will be judged on its creativity, length and quality. The judges will also consider the amount of money raised by each contestant for his particular mustache. This is not the first mus-

tache competition hosted on Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus. Fall 2009, Ben Hobbs, alumnus of Phi Gamma Delta, and David Horton, alumnus of Kappa Sigma, began the campaign at Tech. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prostate cancer is often overshadowed and over looked,â&#x20AC;? Jake Perry, IFC vice president of philanthropies, said. He also said he felt that awareness was important since one in six males is diagnosed with prostate cancer. In its first year, Movember raised approximately $130 with 26 participants. With more participants and greater campus wide awareness, the 2010 campaign raised approximately $1000. Matt Nisbet, Greek Life Grad-

uate Assistant, said he hopes for even better numbers this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to have an IFC-sponsored philanthropy, so we founded Movember,â&#x20AC;? Nisbet said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re expecting more participants, more money raised and more exposure.â&#x20AC;? This year, IFC has also partnered with Vineyard Vines, a clothing company, which is providing shirts and other merchandise for participant winners. Perry said that the IFC is encouraging non-greeks to participate in Movember, as well. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to participate go to mobro.co/ifc. For more information about Movember go to movember. 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 clarity. tntechoracle.com

Page 6 | November 4, 2011

The benefits of procrastination CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor

If procrastination is so heinous, why do so many of us still do it? The honest answer is that in spite of the rushing and the stress, procrastination is awesome. I would guess that more procrastination happens in November than in any other month of the academic year. For the past four years, I’ve spent every October frantically studying for midterms. Although I’m usually a procrastinator, I always try to plan ahead and get plenty of study hours in before the tests. Of course, that means that by Nov. 1, I’m completely drained. The worst part about midterms is that you don’t get a break after them. After midterms you go straight back to classes. For most of us that means extreme burnout. And for those of us that are procrastinators that means that we’re back to our usual selves. Without time to recharge, it seems like the only way to stay sane is to pretend that an impending project doesn’t exist until the last minute. Procrastination has a bad reputation. It’s no secret that it can lead to all-nighters and anxiety. On a college campus it’s considered one level above copying and pasting an entire paper. But when you really think about it, procrastination is an important part of student life. If my checkbook is balanced and my laundry is done that generally means I’m avoiding homework. As a matter of fact, any time you see me doing something I’d normally find tedious or unpleasant it’s because anything is better than another hour of outlining. That’s because procrastination is the opposite of the whole “carrot at the end of the stick” theory. Reel in that fishing pole, unhook the carrot and replace it with that moldy slice of bread from the

back of your fridge. You don’t run towards something you hate. You stay away from it as long as you can. Compared to that green, fuzzy Bunny bread, just about anything looks good. If your choices are between writing a 10-page paper and cleaning your bathroom, then you’ll probably clean your bathroom. The paper will get done. The only difference is that you’ll write it at 3 in the morning instead of 3 in the afternoon. When you think about it that way, procrastination makes us more productive. If you spend all day carefully highlighting a chapter, making flashcards and quizzing yourself, then you’ll be bored out of your mind. If you’ve ever been studying and suddenly realized that you’ve been reading the same sentence for five minutes then you know what I’m talking about. In theory, taking your time to go over all of the information is great. But the reality for a lot of us is that we won’t pay attention to what we’re doing. It’s so easy to skim a chapter if it’s the early afternoon. What’s the rush? You have all day and all night to study. The problem is that by 10 at night you’ll realize that you have nothing committed to memory. If you only have a small amount of time to prepare for a quiz, then you will completely devote that time to studying. Chances are you’ll remember more facts than if you leisurely flip through the chapter all day. With procrastination, you never get bored. There’s a certain excitement to racing the clock on an assignment. It’s such a great feeling when you win that race. When I turn in a paper on time after just having completed it minutes before, I feel like Rocky Balboa after he runs up the steps of the

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Speaking of famous movie clips, think of all the great YouTube clips and websites you’ve found because you were procrastinating. If it weren’t for avoiding homework, I would never have seen Paul Vasquez get way too excited about a double rainbow. I would never have seen cats ask for cheeseburgers using awful grammar. I wouldn’t understand half of the jokes I hear on campus. Clever pop-culture puns on graphic t-shirts would go completely over my head. It’s not just about the internet. Procrastination brings friends and families together. Think about it. If we all managed our time responsibly then when would we ever see each other? Procrastination means putting off work to go to Rodeo Bob’s with friends you haven’t seen all semester. It means driving home on Saturday to eat dinner with your parents instead of getting a head start on your millionth powerpoint presentation. I’ll admit that there are times when procrastination is not the best way to go. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get to work. Another important note: procrastination means that you wait until the last minute but you still finish your homework. If you answer two out of eight review questions, go to sleep and then turn in an incomplete assignment, then you aren’t procrastinating. You’re failing. There’s a big difference. Procrastination isn’t the big bad wolf some motivational posters would have us believe it to be. So to all of you out there trying to decide between tailgating and heading to the library this homecoming, I’d like to remind you that you only live once. And it’s amazing how much living you can do when you’re putting off homework until tomorrow.

Richmond Tooley, Senior defensive back

ORACLE

Weekly. Student operated. Tennessee Tech University TTU Box 5072 Cookeville, TN 38505 WILL HOUSLEY Managing Editor NICHOLAS ROLLINS Asst. Managing Editor BRIDGETTE BUCHANAN Ad Manager DAKOTA WEATHERFORD SARAH DEROSSETT Ad Assistants BRITTANY RITZMAN Copy Editor CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor

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HOLLY COWART Faculty Adviser

Occupy wall street’s downward spiral JONATHAN FRANK Asst. Editorial Editor

When I first heard of the “Occupy Wall Street” protests in mid-September, I was intrigued. It’s always encouraging to see people becoming engaged in the political process and challenging the apathy that typifies younger American voters. The movement raises issues that we can all likely agree upon. Wall Street has not behaved as a free market should. When business leaders run to the White House after their bets go bad and are awarded a bailout paid for by the American taxpayer, as we’ve seen happen now both under President Bush and President Obama, that’s not a free market. The millions of unemployed and financially strapped Americans who were not able to secure such an arrangement have a right to be angry. But at the same time, for better or for worse, the economic inequality in our country that these protestors rail against—without offering any clear solutions to—is an inevitable part of capitalism, a core value in our nation’s economic system. Implicit in the very concept of the American dream is the reality that there will be those who are very

wealthy, and that there will also be those who struggle. As a college student working two jobs and receiving student loans to help defray the cost of my tuition, I’m sympathetic to those who fall into the latter category. We can provide a safety net to ensure that the most basic needs of all citizens are met, and encourage a strong civil society to help bear some of this burden. But when we view wealth as a problem and take steps to excessively regulate that, as some within the Occupy movement would have us do, we are trouncing upon a cornerstone of our democracy and risk hampering the entrepreneurial spirit that has made the United States the powerful force that it is today. The Occupy movement also prides itself on being a peaceful campaign but a Washington Post article recounting the efforts of activists in the DC area to “occupy” the Hart Senate Office Building, tells a very different story. Protest organizer David Swanson told the publication, “[My band of followers and I will be] blocking down the elevators, blocking down the bathrooms . . . We’re going after the building precisely to inconvenience everybody who works there.”

Similarly, the local FOX affiliate in New York City reported on a hostile situation at a protest in Zuccotti Park last week, when a protestor threatened to stab one of their newscasters. And on the other side of the country in Portland, Ore.’s Pearl District, hundreds of protestors defied a midnight curfew, while down the coast in San Francisco, the local health department has deemed the Occupy protests a public health hazard after observing excessive amounts of excrement and vomit at the site of their local Occupy protests. Even in Nashville, protestors have been linked to instances of public urination, assault, and drug use outside Legislative Plaza. This is not how we effectively solve our problems in the United States. As the Occupy Wall Street movement goes on seven weeks of operations, with many of the participants from the first days of the campaign still camped out in tents and partaking in protests, perhaps the best thing that many of the protestors could do would be to take a long shower, trade in their crepe-paper signs for a résumé and go back to their communities, assuming responsibility for their own personal success or failure. Or at the very least, obtain a permit for their protests, respect the rule of law, and consider investing in a Porta-Potty.

Does it bother you that Christmas items are in stores so early?

It’s exciting to play in front of our fans, alumni and family. After playing for four years, you want to win your last Homecoming.

THE

Participants face dropping temperatures as protests continue

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OPINION

tntechoracle.com

Page 7 | November 4, 2011

Students Sound Off: What do you think of Homecoming at Tech?

“The past three years I was a cheerleader and very involved. This year I’ve been able to relax and enjoy the atmosphere without having to work behind the scenes.”

“I’m looking forward to the parade on Saturday morning. I’m going to be on the New Hall North Float.”

Jillian Boreing

Education major, sophomore

“It definitely brings all Tech students together for a common cause.” Katie Perry Excercise Science major, senior

Nathan Williams

Public Relations major, senior

“It’s one of the busiest and most stressful times for fraternity members, but it’s also fun because of the pep rally competition.”

“I was in a sorority as an undergrad and did a lot for Homecoming, but this year I didn’t know it was Homecoming until I saw banners in the RUC.”

Noa Stroop

Nicki Kozub

Mechanical Engineering major, sophomore

Counseling and Psychology graduate student

“I plan on tailgating and going to the game.” Rolander Mann Interdisciplinary Studies major, senior

That’s what she said A letter to the Homecoming donut crew

DEAR SHE SAID: I really want to stay at Tech during the weekends and hang out with people, but my parents are complaining that I never come home. How do I tell them that I’d rather stay here without upsetting them? –Conflicted DEAR CONFLICTED: Just be honest with your parents, they were young once, too. Tell them that you want to stay here on the weekends but will try to call them more. Even just a phone call will make them happy. They’re sad that their baby is growing up but at the same time they’re happy for the person you are becoming. If they keep making a big deal out of it then ask them what they did when they were your age. You can’t stay at home and do everything they want you to do all your life. You’re only young once, so live it up.

DEAR SHE SAID: I want to go to greek life parties but I’m not in a sorority or fraternity. Would it be awkward if I tried to go? And how do I find out when and where the parties are? -Bored on campus DEAR BORED: Sadly, it would be hard for you to go to these parties unless you know someone who is greek. Today in the greek system, most parties have to be registered and have a list at the door. If you’re not on the list then you most likely can’t get in. This isn’t that particular organization’s rules. It’s part of Greek Life at Tech’s rules. I would suggest that if you really want to go to these parties you become friends with some members. Otherwise, have your own party or hit the bars.

DEAR SHE SAID: I’m getting ready to register for spring semester classes but I’m a little confused about how the process works. I know that I register on Eagle Online, but that’s about it. Is there anything else important I need to know, or is it self-explanatory? -Confused about classes DEAR CONFUSED: Before you register for spring classes you have to make an appointment with your adviser. They’ll be able to make sure you’re on the right path and will give you a code you’ll need in order to register. If you don’t know what professors to take, then talk to people who have had those classes before or share your major. They’ll be able to give you insight about if they think it’s hard or easy and which professor to take. I think one of the most important things to remember is if you are not a morning person, then don’t sign up for 8 a.m. classes because you’ll never make it.

concern and be understanding. They’ll be impressed that you’re taking the time to care about your grade and talk to them. Unfortunately, you might not like what they have to say. I wish you the best and I hope you find the truth about the bad grade. DEAR SHE SAID: How big of a deal is Homecoming on campus? Are there any traditions I should know about? -Just curious DEAR CURIOUS: Homecoming on campus is a big deal to some but not a big deal at all to others. If you’re in a greek organization, then you probably have been planning for this for months. If not, then you probably don’t know too much about it. If this is your first Homecoming, then I would say to attend the pep rally on Friday night. It starts at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gym. The cheerleaders and dance team perform. You meet the senior football players as well as the Homecoming court. Also, sororities and fraternities are paired up do routines. It’s really cool to watch. There is also a step show at Derryberry Hall. Saturday, make sure to go to the parade on Dixie Avenue. It starts at 10 a.m. And last but not least, the game will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Make sure to wear purple and gold to support your Golden Eagles.

DEAR SHE SAID: What’s the best way to talk to an instructor about a grade that you think is unfair? I don’t want the professor to think that I’m whining or get angry. -Barely passing DEAR BARELY: First and foremost, be polite and honest. Go to your professor during his or her office hours. Face to face talk is the best but make sure there is no one around to listen in or The Oracle’s new “That’s What She be a disSaid” advice column is here to help. traction. Be honest Questions can cover any topic. with your Send your submissions to: professor. State your oracleshesaid@gmail.com

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CASSIE TESAURO Editorial Editor

This is a shoutout to the group of people on Dixie Avenue who toss donuts to students in the Homecoming parade every year. I have no idea what your names are why you all do it. All I know is that you are wonderful. You make all of the parade preparations worth it. Nothing puts a smile on a worn out college student’s face like free sugar-glazed food. I still remember how surprised I was to see you the first time I was in the parade. My freshman year I got up way early and drove out to the parking lot behind Hobby Lobby where all of the floats are put in order and last minute touch-ups are done. You would be amazed how long it took. More than an hour later I was still standing there in the freezing cold. As we all know, Cookeville weather isn’t fond of comfortable temperatures. If you get stuck waiting for something outside, one of three things will happen. You’ll freeze, sweat or get soaked from rain.

On this particular occasion, much like every Homecoming at Tech, the weather decided that there weren’t enough cases of frostbite in Cookeville. So I got to stand there at the crack of dawn on Saturday in the freezing cold. Finally we started to move. I was in an environmental group and that had decided to ride bikes in the parade. The bikes were decorated and it was hard to reach the brakes through all of the ribbons and paper-mache, so every time the float in front of us stopped we would crash into it. So there I was, cold, tired, bruised and seriously questioning why I ever wanted to be in the parade. And then I saw a donut fly through the air. I

looked to my left and saw a group of people standing on the sidewalk surrounded by empty donut boxes. One of them asked me if I wanted a donut and I smiled wondering who on earth would ever say no to that question. The person grabbed a donut out of a box and threw it my direction. I was amazed that I caught it. Apparently my handeye coordination is better when people throw donuts at me instead of footballs. I thought the donuts were a one-time deal. But sure enough next year they proved me wrong. There I was for the second time in the freezing cold feeling tired and asking myself why I decided to be in the parade. And once again I saw donuts flying through the air. Your group made being in the parade worthwhile So here’s to you, Dixie Avenue donut crew. I think I speak for everyone in the parade when I say that on Homecoming morning you all are our favorite people.

Homecoming for dummies Students Sound Tech Off: What do you think of Homecoming at Tech? Sports Editor Ross Harvey answers some basic questions for students new to college football.

Why is it called “Homecoming”

What does OVC stand for?

Then what’s a conference?

What does FCS stand for?

Students Sound Off: What do you think of Homecoming at Tech? in the first place?

OVC stands for Ohio Valley Homecoming is the time every year where alumni are invited back Conference. It’s the conference that to the school they graduated from. It the varsity sports at tech belong to. usually includes a sporting event, parade and other activities. The event is almost always annual and can involve the selection of a Homecoming king and queen.

A conference is a group of schools, The FCS is the Football Collegiate as in, “Tech varsity sports are part of Subdivision. The FCS is the level dithe Ohio Valley group of schools”. rectly below FBS, or Football Bowl Subdivision.

SPORTS tntechoracle.com

Page 8 | November 4, 2011

Weekly Roundup

Former Tech cheerleaders return as alumni for Homecoming By JILLIAN BOREING Staff Writer

Tech cheerleaders will host alumni from as far back as the ‘50s for Homecoming weekend. Robin Burroughs, cheerleading coach, said the alumni cheerleaders will attend a social from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday where they will stunt and learn cheers. On Saturday they can participate with the cheerleaders on the sideline for the first half of the game. There are usually 15- 20 alumni who return to cheer for Homecoming. “This year we’re really excited because we have several alumni coming from the ‘50s and ‘60s cheerleading era,” Burroughs said. Gail Parks was a cheerleader from 1956 to 1957. Parks attended her first Homecoming since leaving Tech when her granddaughter, Jordan Parks, started cheering in 2009. Jordan Parks, junior elementary education major, said that she loves that her grandmother comes back to cheer with her. “When I started cheering it made her feel special to be able to come back and it’s something cool that we can relate to cause we don’t really have many things in common,“ Jordan Parks said. “But this brings us closer and gives us a chance to hang out at least once a year.” Gail Parks said,“I decided at age 71 that if there was ever a time to go, it would be then to join her to help cheer our team on to victory.” Gail Parks said that in 1956, they had a Homecoming parade to the town square where the cheerleaders would lead

cheers and the pep band would play. “We also had a night pep rally with bon fires to invigorate the team to the task ahead,” Gail Parks said. “We had the Eagle Spirit even though we didn’t have all of the frills.” Another alumni cheerleader is Micaela Sadler Bedsole who cheered from 1957 to 1959. She said Homecoming was always exciting with the big game, floats, parades and pep rallies. “I loved everything about being a Tech cheerleader,” Bedsole said. “It was so much fun cheering for the football and basketball teams as I knew most of the players as friends, and the student body was so receptive toward the cheerleaders.” Susie Sadler Grosvenor is Bedsole’s younger sister. The two cheered together for the 1958-59 season. Grosvenor was then captain of the cheerleading team from 1959 to 1961. “The excitement of game day and wearing my cheerleading uniform were two of my favorite things about cheering,” Grosvenor said. “Also, our football team was very good the years I cheered so that made it even more fun.” Grosvenor attended her 25th Homecoming game and this will be her 50th. “At the 25th, my favorite activity was the T Club, or Letterman’s, Breakfast,” Grosvenor said. “I got to see the players from the teams for which I cheered. They were still very nice and great to see.” Grosvenor said the best part of Homecoming as a cheerleader was get-

This week’s sports stories at a glance Cross Country competes in OVC Championships

Junior John Greene and sophomore Rebecca Cline led their squads at the Cross Country OVC Championships at Eastern Kentucky’s Arlington Club Oct. 29. The Golden Eagle men finished with a seventh place overall, while the women’s team placed ninth. Eastern Kentucky’s men placed first overall, while Eastern Illinois won the women’s title. Greene posted a time of 26 minutes, 44.85 seconds to put him in the 20th individual spot and was followed closely by sophomore Matt Bishop with a time of 27:24. Mike Mahan rounded out the top three Tech finishers with a time of 27:43. This continues the trend in which Greene, Bishop and Mahan have been the top three for Tech in every race this year. “The whole team is still improving and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team this year,” Greene said. “The regional race is going to be a longer one than we are used to and the level of competition is a lot better. It will be a good experience and a lot of fun.” In the women’s 5K race, Cline was the top Tech runner for the third meet in a row placing a time of 20:02.39. Golden Eagles Leah Bradley and Peri Winborne placed behind Cline finishing out Tech’s top three for the race. “The course was pretty tough and the conditions were not ideal but I felt like I did my best,” Cline said. “I’m looking forward to regionals and improving my 6K time.” Both the men’s and women’s teams will run for extended distances at the upcoming NCAA South Regional race on Nov. 12. The men will run a 10K instead of the normal 8K, while the women will run a 6K instead of a 5K.

The Eagle

The 1961 Tech Cheerleaders make a pyramid. At the top is Susie Sadler (now Grosvernor) who was the captain in ‘61. Grosvernor will cheer at this year’s Homecoming games, her 50th year since graduating. ting to ride in the Homecoming Parade. They rode on a fire engine just as the cheerleaders still do today. “It was great to see all of the Tech fans along the parade route.” Grosevnor said. “It made us feel very special.” Lori Judd is a more recent alumni, she cheered from 1989 to 1991 and said she loved cheering at a college level on a co-ed squad. Judd has been back several times to cheer at Homecoming and said that one year they had a coed line of alumni and current cheerleaders that

stretched from one side of the stands to the other. “Once the game begins and the band starts to play, it is like no time has passed at all,” Judd said. “I always stand in the same spot that I did my first year of cheering 22 years ago. The faces have changed, but the spirit is still the same.” The alumni social that is held the Friday before the Homecoming game was started in 1991 by Judd and her fellow 1990 alumni cheerleaders. “The alumni cheerleaders secretly had a practice the night before the game to out-cheer

and out-stunt the current cheerleaders,” Judd said. “We practiced all our old routines and pyramids for the homecoming game, and it worked, the current cheerleaders could not keep up with us. We out-did them and embarrassed them, we were really mean. Anyway, the practice the night before the game continues today, but with a better purpose.” Coach Burroughs said that she expects 1520 alumni cheerleaders to attend Homecoming.

Five to be inducted into Tech Sports Hall of Fame Friday

Tech will add five more members to the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame on Friday night. The class of 2011 consists of Chad Evitts, Ralph Broyles, and James “Redbone” Miller of the football team, Angie Duncan Hyche of the volleyball team, and Esra Bayburt Roan of the tennis team.

This week’s Weekly Roundup contains stories by Staff Writer David Lane and TTU Sports Information.

Tech basketball teams prepare for preseason openers

By ANDY RUTHERFORD Asst. Sports Editor

The men’s and women’s Golden Eagle basketball teams are preparing to tip off the 2011-2012 season next week. The men will begin their season Nov. 11 on the road. They will head to Coral Gables, Fla. to the BankUnited Center to take on the Miami

Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. In preparation for the season opener, the men will be holding an open practice on Saturday as part of the Homecoming activities available to fans. The practice will be open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. inside the Eblen Center. The men’s team has two seniors have been selected

this preseason for the conference player of the year. Kevin Murphy received the honor from coaches and sports information directors of the OVC and Zac Swansey was named by USA Today. The women’s team opens its season at home on Nov. 7 when they host Bryan College in an exhibition game set for 7 p.m. They have high expectations for the season as they are ranked No. 16 in the NCAA Mid-Major Top 25 Poll and are projected to win back-to-back conference championships, according to several outlets. Following the game against Bryan College, the women will travel to ETSU for the first round of the Preseason WNIT tournament.

Scan this QR Code to go to

Golden Eagle Player Profile

Amelia McCoy

A sophomore runner from Crossville, Tenn., McCoy was a standout runner at Cumberland County High School and placed second on the team at the NCAA South Regionals last year. Any pets?: “I have a fat cat named Izzy and a chameleon named Moe.” What do you do when you’re bored?: “I like to sleep and eat and if I have energy, I like to hike, swim, and be outdoors. I also like to sing in the car.” Favorite food?: “Steak and chocolate. Not together, though. They’re separate, but equal.” Why do you like running?: “I like beating people and the competition.” When cross country is over, what track & field events do you run? “5K and 10K.” What’re your pet peeves? “People that chew really loudly and slow people that drive in the fast lane. It drives me nuts.” Favorite sports to watch?: “I like to watch gymnastics and sometimes basketball if it’s a good game. I don’t really have a favorite team, though.” Running shoes?: “Asics DS Trainers. Asics are the best.” Shout outs?: “The baseball team.”

TTUSports.com

Favorite music?: “Gangster rap and whatever is on the radio. Sometimes I like Dubstep, but that’s usually when I’m cleaning.”

SPORTS tntechoracle.com

Page 9 | November 4, 2011

Tech Gameday Preview Murray State Racers (4-4, 2-3 OVC) at Golden Eagles (5-2, 4-1 OVC) WHEN: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Tucker Stadium LAST WEEK: MSU lost to Eastern Kentucky 44-43, Tech defeated Jacksonville State 21-14

last Homecoming win Looking Back: Tech’s came in dramatic fashion By ASHLEY SMITH Staff Writer

In preparation for the 2011 homecoming football game set for Nov. 5, the Golden Eagles looked back on their last homecoming victory. Oct. 31, 2009,Tech was matched up against the Tennessee State Tigers. During the very first possession of the game, Golden Eagle Caleb Mitchell made a sack on the quarterback and caused a fumble at TSU’s 24- yard line. “At that moment, I felt on top of the world and unstoppable,” Mitchell said. “I knew we had what it took to pull out that victory.” Only moments later, Dontey Gay scored the first touchdown of the night. “I knew that we were off to a great start,” said Gay. “Everyone came ready to play.” After gaining some yards from an interception, Mitchell helped set up yet another chance for a touchdown. With 5:49 remaining in the first period, Collin Allen snatched a pass from quarterback Lee Sweeney to put Tech in the lead at 13-0. Late in the first quarter, TSU’s Sidney Tarver picked off a pass from Sweeney and ran 89 yards for a touchdown. “I felt as if I had let my team down,” said Sweeney, “but I knew I just needed to keep my head in the game and focus.” The clock ran down without either team scoring until about midway through the fourth quarter. After a touchdown by Calvin McNairl of TSU, the

game was tied at 13. The Golden Eagles and the Tigers continued to battle. About four minutes later, Tim Benford caught a 28-yard pass from Sweeney. Breaking double coverage in the corner of the end zone, Benford scored to put Tech ahead. Tech’s defense proved to be too strong for the Tigers as it held them from scoring anymore. Tech clinched the victory as well as the Sergeant York Trophy. Of the 11 games that these two teams have played against each other during Tech’s homecoming, the Golden Eagles have won seven. This year, the Golden Eagles are ranked no. 15 in the FCS Coaches Poll and first in the Ohio Valley Conference. Because it is homecoming and the Golden Eagles have had recent success and recognition for their talent, Saturday’s game is expected to have one of the largest crowds that Tucker stadium has seen in years. “Having a large crowd gives the team extra motivation,” said Sweeney. “We always play to win, but for homecoming we want to give [our fans] a show by putting points on the board and keeping [the Racers] from scoring. “We want to give our alumni and current students a reason to keep coming back.”

Tech’s Tim Benford (left) had 8 catches for 98 yards last year against Murray State. Benford, Tech’s all-time leader in receptions, is a key player in Saturday’s game vs. MSU.

Sports Information

THE BREAKDOWN

Tech

MSU

QUARTERBACK Tech’s Lamb leads the OVC in completion percentage among starters and is third in efficiency. MSU’s Brockman leads the OVC in yards, completions and TD’s.

PUSH

RUSHING Seniors Dontey Gay and Mike Harris lead the way for Tech and Murray respectively, and are close statistically in almost every category.

PUSH

RECEIVING Both team’s receivers’ are liable to explode at any time. However, Tech has Tim Benford, who leads multiple OVC receiving categories, including YPG.

KICKING Freshman Kicker Zach Sharp has been solid and leads the OVC with a perfect PAT percentage. Punter Nick Campbell has led Tech to tops in net punting.

HISTORY The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series 41-34-1 but have lost their last two Homecoming games. Tech also was blown out at Murray last year.

INTANGIBLES The Golden Eagles looked good last week and should get up for this game. It’s the first time Tech has been ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll during Homecoming week.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTIONS Tech may concede a few early scores, but the defense should settle down and contain Murray’s offense. Look for Lamb and Benford to get going early, and Gay to finish the Racers off late.

Homecoming CONTINUED from page 1

“I could care less,” Brown said about the rankings. “All that matters is where you’re ranked at the end of the year. It means nothing. It’s nice for the program but it means nothing for this year’s team. That’s gone in one day if you go out and play poorly. We just have to forget about it and play ball which is easy to do when you look at your next opponent. Tooley’s remarks about the polls were similar to those of his coach. “Being ranked is an honor, and it’s cool to

be recognized, but it means nothing if we don’t keep winning,” Tooley said. “We are focused and we’re taking it one game at a time, starting with [Saturday]. “When we put it all together, the only thing that can stop us is ourselves.” Everyone is invited to attend the pre-game homecoming activities in the Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park. Tickets for the Tech Homecoming game can be purchased in the Athletic Office in the Hooper Eblen Center.

Sports Editor Ross Harvey Staff Writer David Lane Staff Writer Jillian Boreing Staff Writer Ashley Smith Staff Writer Drew Haston Asst. Sports Editor Andy Rutherford

Tech

MSU

37 31 28 30 34 33

34 14 10 27 17 27

FCS Coaches Poll - Week 10 1. North Dakota State 2. Montana State 3. Appalachian State 4. Georgia Southern 5. Sam Houston State 6. Northern Iowa 7. Lehigh 8. Montana 9. Wofford 10. Maine 11. New Hampshire 12. Old Dominion 13. James Madison

14. Jackson State

15. Tennessee Tech 16. Indiana State 17. Towson 18. Jacksonville State 19. Delaware 20. Harvard 21. William and Mary 22. Liberty 23. South Dakota 24. Illinois State 25. North Dakota

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ENTERTAINMENT Page 10 | November 4, 2011

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Media Center continues food-based film series By WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor

Sarah DeRossett

The performers take on the roles of several quirky students and family members in this funny and charming musical.

Backdoor Playhouse opens fall production ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ By SARAH DeROSSETT Asst. Ad Manager “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” opened last night at Tech’s Backdoor Playhouse and will run through Nov. 12. Artistic Director and Theatre Professor Mark Creter said he chose the “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” because this is an opportunity to see actors in their early twenties portray middle school misfits. “This is a musical that is catchy, simple and fun for the actors as well as the audience,” Creter said. “You will

walk out thinking the songs through your head.” “The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee” takes place in the Putnam Valley Middle School where six competitive spellers find themselves by competing in the rigorous yet humorous spelling bee. These competitors find what they are passionate about at a young age, which is spelling. “Even if you are in an uncomfortable situation, just go out and do it,” junior Josh Rapp who plays (William Barfee) said about the underlining message of the musical. “Even though you might not get what you are trying to gain, you still walk away with

something.” The script is witty and keeps the audience laughing throughout. The songs were catchy and the “Magic Foot” song almost brought on a tear. The thing that really made “Spelling Bee” perfect was the plot. It’s not all about laughing and silly adolescent spellers, but it has soul. The lives of the children touched me and made me proud to have my own enthusiasm. The children portrayed in the story all have a story of their own to tell, the seemingly perfect child, the one with the parental problems, and the over-worked child. Each of these stories touched the audience which

had them applauding. This musical is not to be missed. Eight more performances remain in the run of Tech’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”. Tech students get in free with Tech I.D. Auditions for two upcoming shows are, “Oedipus Rex” and “Love’s Labor’s Lost”. “Oedipus Rex” auditions will be Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. “Love’s Labor’s Lost” will be Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Both auditions will take place at the TTU Backdoor Playhouse For more ticket and show time information visit http:// www.tntech.edu/bdph/.

Check it out: Volpe Library Media Center has been showing the fall semester four-part film series every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 110 until Nov. 15. The series is called “The Business of Food: The International Trade in What the World Eats.” Each film is an eye opening experience that allows the public to know what goes into your food, how it’s distributed, how it’s made, and more about on how we take it for granted. Media center coordinator, Pat McGee, chose all the films. “I hope folks realize the food industry is more than what we see in the super markets,” said McGee. “It’s an international business effecting worldwide economics and social development.” Last Tuesday the media center showed the film, “Chicken for Africa: the Dirty Business of Leftover” that covered the production of chicken and how corporations get rid of all the pieces of the bird that other countries like England, France, and Germany will not eat. These counties, United States included,

All shows presented in Room 110 of the Volpe Library

sell off the remaining chicken parts of poorer third world countries for profit. This sale severely harms the agricultures of these countries put many local farms out of business. People buy germ infested meats that have been taken in an out of freezers all day without the proper standards of health involved which harms the people that have no other choice but to starve. “I think this movie points out some of the darker sides of globalization,” said McGee. “We think it’s nice that we can buy goods produced from all over the world, but we need to understand that there are very negative consequences involved in the trade of global products.” On Nov. 8, the series will present “Food War,” which deals with food production and distribution around the world. The following week, “The Future of Food” will air. It looks into the genetic engineering of food crops. Films are available for individual viewing in the library media center. The films show every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Volpe Library Media Center in Room 110. Come early to get good seats.

“Food War” Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

“The Future of Food” Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

20th Century Fox Will Salas and Sylvia Weis go on a spree to distribute time, the world’s most valuable commodity.

Movies on my Mind: AMC

In Time

The second season marks the first televised appearance of an iconic character, Hershel Greene.

‘Walking Dead’ stays fresh in second season By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor

The second season of AMC’s version of “The Walking Dead” started three weeks ago and, so far, the show continues the same quality as the first season. Following the destruction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the group finds themselves stuck on the road due to a plethora of aban-

doned cars. Shortly after arriving at the scene, a ‘herd’ of zombies pass through the area, forcing the group to hide in order to survive. After three episodes of the 13 episode second season, I am really impressed with how the show has developed. Robert Kirkman and Frank Darabont did not miss a step with keeping the same overwhelming sense of unbearable nerves. Shane continues in season two as a focal point for

the plot and I love it. He’s the one character from the books I wanted to learn more about and in the show; he exemplifies the main theme of the series: who are really the walking dead? With new episodes debuting at 8 p.m. local time on AMC, “The Walking Dead” continues the same high marks from the first season. It’s a bit bloody and scary at times, but it’s one of the best shows on television right now.

By WILL SHECKLER Asst. Entertainment Editor Time is a precious commodity. Especially here in the United States, where every second of our day is scheduled around something and the movie “In Time” balances the line between sci-fi and the image of the Western world perfectly. Are you looking forward to the future? Think again, according to the film we may have solved the economy issue and fell into a new hole with theoretically the most abundant man made invention TIME, but the results may cost your life. In the world of “In Time,” humanity is divided up into different sectors based on income of the rich, middle class, and the poor. We begin our journey with Justin Timberlake’s character, Will Salas, and his mother looking like a 25-year-old; this makes for one trippy beginning in my book. On with show, Will notices a man at the bar with way too much time on him and he’s drunkenly making a scene about it. Will saves his life from ghetto thugs and in return, the man gives him all of his time. Doing the time math, Will went from 18 hours to more than a century. Time cops that were in pursuit of the man from the bar, but now with the bar man dead and time missing they set their sights on Will. We get to see at this time some of the middle class district as Will rides his way in style into the upper class sector. In the rich sector, Will enjoys life a little frivolously but still sticks out like a sore thumb when it comes to trying to blend in. He meets Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried), the daughter of the richest time lender in the world, Philippe Weis. Sylvia has no freedom living from her father’s eye and his constant

bodyguards until she meets Will Salas with his live-in-the-moment attitude. After Will evades the time cops, the two start robbing rich banks and giving the time to those that need it in other to disrupt the system. The film’s plot reminds me of a modern Robin Hood tale. The crime: stolen time. In this world besides the cost of living being time, another factor is people can stay age 25 forever. Time is the ultimate currency here. Now for me, I thought when time ran out people would age quickly before my eyes kind of like “Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade,” but no people just die exactly on zero. Maybe it was just me, but having a huge clock on your arm with the hours of minutes for more than a century rather confused me. Even though the film shown varieties from people living a few hours, days, century, and eons; it still all looked like the numbers were just slapped on. They should hand out time key with the DVD release, but it’s very interesting film. The plot of the film was very interesting. I liked the spinoff to this world where currency is time and the attitude of living in the moment. The best quote summed up by the main character, Will Salas, is, “There’s a lot you can do in a day.” So don’t waste your time... Except you should see this movie, then enjoy your life in hopes science doesn’t bio-engineer our bodies to live like reporters on the clock 24/7. I at least want to be able to work in this world with a little bit of time to take a nap. The movie is definitely worth the ‘Time’ for any time of day. Pros: “It’s a good time”; cool plot; cool jackets, many interesting quotes Cons: Acting wasn’t the best in the world; wouldn’t mind it was a little more futuristic Hmm: Impressed the lead girl could run in high heels and a dress the whole time.

ENTERTAINMENT Page 11 | November 4, 2011

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Paramount Pictures Left: The hero of the story, Puss, emerges from a supporting role in the “Shrek” franchise into his own film. Right: Kitty Softpaws, Puss’ foil, provides plenty laughs and touching moments in the movie.

Let ’s talk about movies With CHUCK ACHESON, Entertainment Editor

Photo Credit: The Protomen Live performances by The Protomen are something to behold. Mashing together numerous musical genres, The Protomen offer a truly unique experience rather than a run-of-the-mill concert.

Protomen, Peelander-Z rocks Nashville Halloween night Although “Puss in Boots” is not going to set the cinematic world on fire, the movie presents an enjoyable story with likable characters in a family-friendly atmosphere. Previously a supporting character in the “Shrek” series, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) steps into a leading role with a stand-alone tale that goes into his backstory. Mysteriously abandoned at an orphanage in San Ricardo, Imeda (Constance Marie) takes our hero into the orphanage where he meets Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis). After becoming fast friends, the two begin searching for the legendary magic beans, which allow access to the Giant’s castle in the sky. Should they reach the castle; the two intend to steal some golden eggs laid by the golden goose held by the Giant. As the characters grow older, their focus on finding the beans wanes. Puss becomes a town hero while Humpty engages in increasing nefarious acts. Eventually, one night Humpty tricks Puss into robbing the San Ricardo Bank, an event that leaves Puss as an outcast of San Ricardo.

Fast forward to the present, Puss learns that Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) possess the beans. Concocting a plan to steal the beans, Puss thinks that if he can bring back some of the eggs to San Ricardo, he will exonerate himself. However, while attempting to lift the beans, a fellow thief, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), interrupts the heist, which sets Puss down the path of adventure and betrayal. “Puss in Boots” contains a charming storyline with a good mix of entertainment for children and adults. Providing a nice alternative to the kiddie-joke heavy plot, certain moments solicit chuckles from older audience members without disrupting the overall children-first vibe of the movie. Contributing the vibe of the movie, slick animation throughout “Puss in Boots” brings the various scenic Spanish locales to life. I was really impressed by the settings in this movie. Careful design and thoughtful layout of the environments really appealed to me throughout “Puss in Boots.” I found most of the characters enjoyable with the exception of a few minor char-

Final Grade: B+

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acters. The voice acting was superb, especially Banderas, who seems to have found a renewed vigor from the previous films in which the character appeared. Paramount to the fairy tale genre, the storytelling was sublime and elegant. The story flowed logically from point to point, pacing the film excellently. “Puss in Boots” breaks away from the rut in which the later “Shrek” films found themselves while presenting a refreshing return to that fairy tale universe. Providing enough uniqueness, while keeping enough familiarity, “Puss in Boots” is an enjoyable romp for every moviegoer. At the end of the day, “Puss in Boots” is what it is: an expendable familyfun film that excels in many aspects. I fully expect this movie will remain in theaters through Thanksgiving, so I recommend seeing “Puss in Boots” with the family. I don’t think “Puss in Boots” is going to win any Oscars. But, with Pixar laying its first egg in “Cars 2,” I do think the field is more wide open than in recent years. Regardless, if you like to laugh, check out this film.

MPAA Rating: PG

By CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor I was lucky enough to be one of a couple hundred who attended the MC Frontalot, Peelander-Z and Protomen concert this past Monday at Exit/In. The opening act of the evening, MC Frontalot, got the show going with a unique blend of hip-hop and geek culture. Songs like “TongueClucking Grammarian” and “First World Problem” started crowd jumping on a light note. I enjoyed Frontalot’s set and I recommend checking out his stuff online, but the real pull for me was the second act of the night: The Protomen. Having listened to both

their albums, “The Protomen” (2005) and “Act II: The Father of Death” (2009), I had high expectations for my first live Protomen experience. I was not disappointed. Performing selections from both albums, which together constitute one of the greatest rock operas conceived, they had the crowd from band member K.I.L.R.O.Y.’s opening speech. The preceding set was something I can’t really describe as a concert as it was much more of a religious experience. They played two covers during the show, Queen’s “Princes of the Universe” and Kenny Loggin’s “Danger Zone.” Both covers only whipped the crowd into a greater frenzy of pure musical bliss.

After The Protomen finished their set, the final act of the night, Peelander-Z took the stage with one of the most colorful and oddly entertaining performances I have ever witnessed. Labeled as a Japanesecomic-punk band, they fit all the preceding descriptors. Engaging the crowd in firstclass showmanship, Peelander-Z absolutely rocked the evening with tunes such as “Mad Tiger” and “Taco Taco Tacos.” Do yourself a favor, find some videos of them performing. I never heard of them previously and I have to say, I am hooked. Make sure to check the tour listings for all the acts and make sure you see them live as soon as possible. You won’t regret it.