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Friday, September 27, 2019
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Volume 104 | Issue 2 | Free in single copy
Tech’s primary news source since 1924
Fraternity suspension lifted By ABBY DYKES & MIRANDA MAYNARD
Reporters
Tech officials lifted a six-day suspension against Phi Gamma Delta members last week and assigned them a remediation plan after deeming a videotaped incident a “juvenile prank” and not hazing. The “incident” at the chapter house on Sept. 11, involved Phi Gamma Delta members forcing a new member into a shower with a bag over his head, according to documents obtained by The Oracle from an open records request. “The incident was a juvenile prank played by a few members to celebrate another’s birthday,” headquarters executive Rob Caudill said in a Sept. 19 email to Oracle staff. Phi Gamma Delta, also known as FIJI, has been on campus since 1981 and currently has 80 members, including 35 new members, FIJI President Landon Al-
“The Chapter leadership must inform all members that throwing brothers or new members in the shower as a prank must cease immediately. This directive is in place in perpetuity.”
- Todd Rotgers, Phi Gamma Delta national officer lison said. The five-point remediation plan, sent to Tech officials from FIJI headquarters on Sept. 17, includes an
prevention programs and completing a workshop. “The Chapter leadership must inform all members that throwing brothers or new members in the shower as a prank must cease immediately. This directive is in place in perpetuity,” Phi Gamma Delta national official Todd Rotgers said Sept. 17. The alleged victim’s mother emailed headquarters Sept. 12 concerning the investigation. “I am aware that someone has raised concerns about last night and the allegations of hazing. However, that could not be further from the truth,” the mother wrote. “We knew it was going to happen and told the boys to send us pictures.” A 20-second Snapchat video obtained by The Oracle reveals a man with his hands tied behind his back, his head covered and his ankles tied together. He is being forced into a shower by what appears to be three
“end shower prank activity,” attending multiple hazing
See FRATERNITY, page 2
Tech’s online courses
remain cheaper than TN eCampus courses By EMMA KENNER
Reporter
Despite increased fees, taking online courses at Tech is still cheaper than taking the same courses through a similar statewide program Tech officials said. This semester, a 40% fee for online courses became the topic of discussion among many students who were unaware of the fee. “The difference is with Tennessee eCampus you pay 100% of the tuition rate plus the online fee. With Tennessee Tech’s online courses, it is counting your tuition rate as half of 12 hours so you don’t pay that additional tuition fee so they really are less expensive even though you are paying an extra online fee,” Claire Stinson, vice president for planning and finance, said. President Phil Oldham and Stinson addressed the questions brought up by students at Chat with the President on Sept. 19. Oldham sponsors the event every semester to connect with students and address questions about Tech. At the event, Oldham said Tech bases the online fees off of those provided by TN eCampus Tennessee eCampus, a secondary online educational tool offered by Tennessee Board of Regents, launched in 2016 to provide more options in obtaining a degree online. The online campus offers over 500 different degrees and are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Some students were not aware of the additional fee. “I truthfully didn’t even realize there was an extra fee until a friend mentioned it to me,” junior Emily Price said. The additional fee for online classes has risen $14 since 2015 which is almost an 11% increase according to the Tech website. Some students believe this additional fee increase diminishes the convenience of online courses. “I know students who take online classes because of the convenience but adding an extra 40% onto the cost takes that convenience away,” sophomore Lacey Lee said. Lee questioned why the fees are in place since online classes “require no extra effort from the school.” “The online classes are the exact same set up as the iLearn page for each class and there isn’t an extra fee to have iLearn,” Lee said. Will Byrum, a graduate assistant from the bursar office, said this additional fee is to cover infrastructure and resources required to deliver online courses and to fund the development of new online courses in See ONLINE, page 2
Kyle Davis | Contributor
Members of the College of Agriculture prepare for this year’s Fall Festival at the Hyder-Burks Pavillion taking place this weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tech to celebrate Fall Festival By ALEXIS AGEE
Reporter
Nearly 500 people are expected to attend this year’s Fall Festival at Tech’s Hyder-Burks Pavilion this weekend, an organizer said. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. HyderBurks Pavilion is located on Gainesboro Grade less than two miles west of Tech and belongs to the College of Agriculture. Students use the facility year-round to raise livestock, grow vegetables and conduct events such as the festival. Dr. Dennis Duncan, director of Tech’s College of Agriculture, said the festival originated about six years ago in a former agriculture concentration called agritourism. Agritourism experts focus on inviting residents of urban areas to experience rural life on the farm. “I think it’d be a great opportunity for Tech students
“It was a joy seeing kids’ faces light up because of the activities and prizes and things they were able to get at the fall fun festival.”
- Kyle Davis, former Agritourism Association President
to come out and see the festival,” Duncan said, “and it’s fun to watch the kids.” The festival is family oriented, free to the public and includes events such as free pumpkins, a hay maze, face painting, rubber duck races, an observation bee See FESTIVAL, page 2
Nursing students go to Cuba Quarterly board of trustees
meeting highlights rankings By LOGAN STALEY
Co-Managing Editor
Photo provided by Dr. Melissa Geist
The students are participating in a home health visit, Chelsea Pickett, a senior nursing student, is on the right in a green shirt talking with the patient.
SEE STORY ON PAGE 2
Tech’s enrollment, retention rates and the naming of two buildings and a lecture hall are highlights from the quarterly board of trustees meeting on Tuesday. University President Phil Oldham gave his report on university statistics and rankings. Tech ranked No. 135 among 400 national universities in the U.S. News and World Report Oldham said. Tech is one of three Tennessee universities to be ranked on this list. “Among Tennessee public universities we rank second in the state in terms of student retention rate—the rate at which students come back after their first year,” Oldham said.
77 percent of first year Tech students come back for the next year. Tech students graduate on average with $16,532 of debt and an average starting salary of $55,200 which is the best for any public school in Tennessee Oldham said. The trustees approved the names of two buildings on campus and a lecture hall. They named the Learning Resources Center in honor of Horace M. Jake Jeffers who was an educator from Scott county and a life-long supporter of Tech. They also named the Alumni Center the Varsity Building. The Lab Sciences Lecture Hall was named in honor of Harry Stonecipher, a 1960 Tech graduate who went on to become the President and CEO of Boeing Co., who was also a supporter of Tech.
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Page 2
Friday, September 27, 2019
FRATERNITY: continued, from pg. 1
Photo provided by Dr. Melissa Geist
10 nursing students and few faculty went to Havana Cuba to learn about the way their health system works. This old ford van was their in-country transportation.
Nursing students travel to Cuba By JAMIE SAUVE
Reporter
A group of 10 Tech nursing students broadened their horizons this summer working with patients in Havana, Cuba. For many of the students, the trip represented the first experience in another country. For Dr. Melissa Geist, professor of nursing, it was her ninth trip to Cuba. While in Havana for 10 days in May, Geist said the group of students completed 40 hours of coursework at Cuba’s National School of Public Health, also known as ENSAP; worked in the hospitals; conducted home health visit; toured primary care clinics called consultorios; and experienced Cuban culture. “The World Health Organization actually recognizes Cuba as having one of the best systems in the world,” Geist said. Knowing how Cuba’s system works helps students consider what would work in the United States, she said. Geist said Tech’s nursing program is the only U.S. nursing program currently working with ENSAP to give the students hands-on experience. Junior Irma Ramirez said the nurses they met used a teaching
mindset that made the students excited to learn. Cuba’s system is focused on preventative health care. In the consultorios, nurses keep track of each person in the neighborhood and are constantly assessing their patients’ health and illness status, Geist said. “Just the way the citizens themselves view things differently than we do over here,” senior Chelsea Pickett said. “They are more preventative they want vaccines and over here sometimes I mean we struggle to convince parents to vaccinate their children it was just interesting to see that.” Traveling to Cuba is the most difficult thing senior Madison Dunn said she has ever accomplished. By entering a country she knew “next to nothing” about it forced her out of her comfort zone. Cary Cass, a graduate student and nursing lab coordinator, said it’s nice to see students broaden their horizons. “I think it translates later when they are working with their patients or just working with someone who isn’t quite who they have encountered before,” Cass said. “I think it is a very powerful transformative experience that is just wonderful to see.”
New app allows users to assist local police By MICHAELA CRAWFORD
Reporter
Cookeville Police Department is now turning to technology to help with the reporting and awareness of crime throughout the city and the Tech’s campus. “Neighbors by Ring” is an app that allows users to report crimes in their neighborhood and to upload photo and video evidence to warn the community. In “Ring,” homeowners can look at cameras placed at their doors in case of intruders. Members in the community of Cookeville can now put their address in when they sign up and it gives crime alerts happening near or in the neighborhood. Members can also report any suspicious activity, and it’s completely anonymous. “Cookeville started using ‘Neighbors by Ring’ in February this year, and are the first department in Tennessee to sign up,” Capt. Bobby Anderson of the Cookeville Police Department said. Police haven’t solved a crime with the Ring app because it is fairly new but they posted videos of suspects who robbed vending machines and of a robbery in Kroger in March, Capt. Anderson said. “[Neighbors by Ring] allows us to connect with the community. Any way that we can reach out to the community and get feedback from the community is good for us,” Anderson said. “Effective policing is about working with the community.” “Wildfire” is a similar app to “Neighbors,” but to report crime and alert students of emergencies on college campuses. Any student on the app can post an alert and it’ll be sent straight to the phones of the students using the app, along with any multimedia such as links, pictures, videos, etc. Students can also talk about different problems they may be having in school and also talk to other students on the app and ask them questions, recreational or school related.
Arrested student admits downloading pornographic video By MAEGEN BRAZZELL
Reporter
A Tech student accused of possessing child pornography admitted to downloading a pornographic video, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Oracle. Tatsushi Shibata, a 24-year-old accounting major from Japan, was arrested on Sept. 5. The Cookeville Police Department issued a search warrant for the warrant directed the affiant to an electronic device using the IP address belonging to 1045 E. 6th St. according to the arrest warrant. It is uncertain what tipped the police of Shibata’s suspicious acts as well as the electronic device Shibata used to download the video. Capt. Anderson of the CPD declined to comment on this case because it is an ongoing investigation. “The Cookeville Police Department is dedicated to protecting children in our community. As a result, detectives work diligently on these investigation in an effort to ensure that individuals who choose to use the Internet to target children are held accountable,” according to the CPD press release.
Photo provided by Angelica Valencia
Tech’s College of Engineering students take a boat cruise through the canals in Paris, France, in May.
Study Abroad Fair draws in hundreds of students By CAROLINA HATFIELD
Co-Managing Editor
Over 350 students attended the Study Abroad Fair, an event to introduce students to the opportunities available to learn in a different part of the world on Sept. 17 in the Tech Pride Room. The fair provided information about programs, financial aid, the application process and allowed students to meet other students who have studied abroad, Amy Miller, assistant director of study abroad, said. “I believe that study abroad is important because it’s good for a person to experience other world perspectives,” Miller said. Students interests may choose from hundreds of options when deciding on programs, Miller said. Options include full academic year, one semester, summer semesters, January terms, one to six week terms, faculty-led trips and exchange programs. Senior electrical engineering major Angelica Valencia went on a faculty-led trip to France for 10 days with the College of Engineering in May. The group visited parts of France, including the hometown of Gustave Eiffel, French civil engineer who was best known for the Eiffel Tower. “We went to Dijon, France, which is where Eiffel was born and he had designed other parts there,” Valencia said. Additionally, the group learned about the construction of the canals, swinging bridges, the general architecture and the aqueducts in Paris, Valencia said. “Who wouldn’t take an opportunity
believe that study abroad is important because it’s good for a person to experience other world perspectives.” “I
- Amy Miller, Assistant director of study abroad to see another part of the world?” Valencia said. Students interested in studying abroad should first look at the website and get an idea of what country they want to go to, what length of time and what programs are available in their major, Miller said. Student can make an appointment with Miller through TechConnect to start the application process. Certain study abroad classes count toward the new international studies minor. To add this minor, students should consult with their adviser, Miller said. “We got it approved in the spring, so it’s effective right now. It’s through the foreign language department and so six of the hours have to be foreign language related and the other nine hours can be anything international related,” Miller said. For more information go to tntech. edu/studyabroad.
other men. It begins in what appears to be the bed of a truck at night. A male in a black T-shirt, blue jeans and tan cowboy boots has his hands tied behind his back with white rope. His ankles are also bound together. What appears to be a pillow case covers his head and is knotted around his neck. The video skips to a bathroom where a man in what appears to be a purple FIJI intramural jersey is shown with his hands on the subject’s head, forcing him into a small white standup shower on his back. At least two other men are in the bathroom holding the subject’s feet vertically. The Oracle editors did not post the video because of its poor quality and due to legal concerns.
ONLINE:
continued, from pg. 1 the future. “Consistent improvements and updates to iLearn and implementation and testing of new online courses available through Tennessee Tech in order to create more convenient options for students. These online courses require professors to change their course structure, which is not an easy task. There are other reasons as well but these are a couple of them,” Byrum said. However, some students still feel the fee is unfair in certain circumstances. “The class I’m taking online is one I need to graduate. When I signed up for the class, it was supposed to be in a classroom but then it got switched to online. That’s not something I could control so I don’t really think it’s fair to charge students more for something that’s required,” Price said. “Forty percent has been the rate for Tennessee eCampus for many years now and as Tennessee eCampus’ civilizations have sort of declined statewide, our offerings have considerably grown,” Oldham said.
FESTIVAL :
continued, from pg. 1
hive and live animals. Duncan said the college collaborates with members of the Middle Tennessee Antique Engine and Tractor Association to bring historical agriculture to life. “They bring to the site antique equipment that would’ve been used in agriculture 50, 75, 100 years ago and they do demonstrations on how to make flour and a lot of unique things that most people don’t get a chance to see, so it’s history,” he said. Students can attend the festival and receive a history lesson or volunteer to help families enjoy the day, Duncan said. “It was a pleasure to be able to partner with other people in the community to put on a show for people of all ages,” volunteer Kyle Davis, former Agritourism Association President and Tech graduate, said. “It was a joy seeing kids’ faces light up because of the activities and prizes and things they were able to get at the fall fun festival.” For more questions regarding the festival, contact Duncan at dduncan@tntech.edu.
OPINION
Friday, September 27, 2019
Page 3
Juvenile prank or hazing?
Student on the street: “Do you agree or disagree with the finding that the situation did not constitute hazing, and why or why not?” Members of the FIJI fraternity posted a video to snapchat showing a man with his feet and hands tied with a bag over his head being lifted into a shower which the university and fraternity headquarters concluded was not hazing, but rather a juveline prank.
Reporting and photos by Camille Collins “I do believe it is a variation of hazing, however I was not at the hearing so I cannot divulge the evidence.” -Freshmen secondary education major, Ethan Simmons
Discussion:
Photo by Miranda Maynard | Reporter
What qualifies as hazing? By an anonymous member of Greek life
A group of men bound a young member of the FIJI fraternity with rope, put a bag over his head and threw him into a shower earlier this month. A video taken of the event and published on social media clearly shows actions defined as hazing under the school’s Greek Life Policy. Hazing is defined as: “Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.” “No chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor
“I don’t think it was an actual hazing because, I think it was just a prank.”
“Any action taken or situation created, inten-
tionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.” - Tech’s Greek life policy condone hazing activities.” But officials who investigated the incident only saw a “juveline prank.” A very extreme prank, indeed. One that was posted on social media for a reason. The decision left many members of the Greek community confused, blurring the line between hazing and pranks. The video clearly shows acts of haz-
ing: tied hands and feet, a pillowcase knotted around the person’s head and drenched in water. What happened to zero-tolerance hazing policy on our campus? The official reaction leaves a negative impression not just in the Greek community, but within the extended community as well.
-Freshmen politcal science major, Masie Philips
“I think that it wasn’t hazing based on the student from the video. It can be assumed that it was, looked like hazing. The student himself, I’ve heard from several accounts, was not negatively effected by it. The only negative outcome of the event was the reputation of the frat itself.” -Freshmen chemical engineering major, Renie Marrow
“From all the evidence that I saw, in the paper and in the news media, I didn’t feel that it rose to the level of a hazing incident.” -Police officer Michael Lambert
“Yes, I do think that that was hazing because you’re literally tying a boy up and you’re waterboarding him, he could have died, like he could have lost his life.” -Sophomore biomedical engineering major, Jazmen Jaffries
oracle@tntech.edu Illustration by Miguel Ortiz
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SPORTS
Page 4
Friday, September 27, 2019
Freshman strives to break records By EMMA HOLMES
Reporter
Freshman wide receiver Metrius Fleming earned his second Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week award, and honorable mention for STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week after the Virginia-Wise game. Fleming ended the game with 161 all-purpose yards, including a 91yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Tech defeat Virginia-Wise 3114. “At the end of the day, it feels good that a true freshman can stand out,” Fleming said. The Georgia native said he came to Tech so he could make a difference in the football program. “They recruited me just to make a difference. One of my goals was to stand out and help the team in any way I can,” Fleming said. Fleming said he wants to work hard not only for himself, but also to help his teammates earn a winning record. It has been 13 years since Tech has been 3-1 to start a season. Fleming said he decided to become a leader when his team was losing during the first quarter against Virginia-Wise. “I felt like the team lost a little confidence, and I felt like I needed to
“One of my goals was to stand out and help the team in any way I can.”
- Metrius Fleming,
Freshman wide receiver
step up and lead,” Fleming said. During that same quarter, Fleming returned a kickoff 91 yards for the 13th longest scoring play in the history of Tech football. Former wide receiver John Deathridge also had a 91-yard interception return against East Tennessee State in 1975. In 2016, Dontez Byrd scored a 100-yard touchdown, so did Dickie Fulton in 1973. Fleming said he plans to play in the NFL, but first he wants to break records at Tech. “I plan on making it to the league, but the goals that I have here at Tech is to break Dontez Byrd receiving records,” Fleming said. Records show Byrd finished his Tech football career in 2018 with 1,936 yards. Fleming has accumulated 528 yards total so far this semester. Harrison Taylor | Photographer Golden Eagles travel to Eastern IlFreshman Wide Receiver #7 Merius Fleming running in for a touchlinois University on Saturday to take down against Virgina-Wise at Tucker Stadium. on the 0-3 Panthers.
Volleyball team rallies at home invitational By MARISSA VAZQUEZ
Reporter
Tech’s volleyball team ended the Golden Eagle Invitational champion last weekend at the Hooper Eblen Center. Tech tied with Middle Tennessee State University, Southern Illinois University for the invitational champion title. Western Illinois University also competed. Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Dorsey crushed her previous career high of 14 kills by 6 during the last game of the invitational against MTSU. “Numbers really don’t matter to me. I just try to give my all and 110% each game. I try to help my team as best I can,” Dorsey said. Tech struggled to win at the beginning of the season with a current record of 5-9. They played ranked teams such as No. 15 Michigan and No. 24 Louisville at the beginning of the season and lost.
What’s up next?
Tech grabbed their first wins after a sevengame losing streak against University of North Alabama and Manhattan College in the Chattanooga Classic On Sept. 14. Tech won 3-0 in both matches. “It feels good to know we are at a home tournament and we stuck with our game plan in order to prepare to play these teams. Last week, we did pretty good at the Chattanooga invitational, but this one feels sweeter knowing that we’re going to be ready for conference play next week,” Dorsey said. Tech took on Jacksonville State University on Wednesday in Alabama to begin conference play. SCORE? “This weekend was huge for us to close out non-conference play and head into our conference schedule with momentum,” said Head Coach Jeannette Waldo. Dorsey said she anticipates building more chemistry with her team and getting more kills and blocks along the way.
At a glance Football: 3-1 -Sept. 14 vs. Virginia Wise: W, 31-14 -Sept. 21 vs. Western Illinois: W, 38-24
Soccer: 3-4-3 -Sept. 13 vs. Evansville: L, 2-0 -Sept. 15 vs. Lipscomb: L, 2-0 -Sept. 20 vs. Morehead State: T, 1-1 -Sept. 22 vs. Eastern Kentucky: W, 3-1
Volleyball: 4-9 -Sept. 13 vs. Chattanooga: L, 3-1 -Sept. 14 vs. North Alabama: W, 3-0 -Sept. 14 vs. Manhatan: W, 3-0 -Sept. 17 vs. Evansville: L, 3-2 -Sept. 20 vs. Western Illinois: W, 3-2 -Sept. 21 vs. Southern Illinois: L, 3-2 -Sept. 21 vs. Middle Tennessee: W, 3-1 -Sept. 25 vs. Jacksonville State: L, 3-0 Information compiled by Rebecca Franey
Harrison Taylor | Photographer
Jr. #6 Ali Verzani serving in the first set in fridays win over Western Illinois at the Hoop during the Golden Eagle Invitational.
Sept. 28
2 p.m. Volleyball vs. Southeast Missouri 4 p.m. Football vs. Eastern Illinois
Sept. 30
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Oct. 1
Women’s Golf at F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate
Oct. 4
6:30 p.m. Soccer vs. Belmont 7 p.m. Volleyball vs. Eastern Kentucky
Oct. 5
Women’s Cross-Country at Upstate Invitational Men’s Cross-Country at Upsate Invitational 2 p.m. Volleyball vs. Morehead State 6 p.m. Football vs. Southeast Missouri Tennis vs. ITA AllAmerican
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Men’s Golf at The Grove Tennis vs. ITA AllAmerican 6 p.m. Soccer vs. Austin Peay
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