The Oracle - 032018

THE 1000 N. Dixie Ave. | Cookeville, TN | 38505

O

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

RACLE

Volume 102 | Issue 09 | Free in single copy

Tech’s primary news source since 1924

Impeachment Papers

SGA senators disclosed document Adviser’s note: In an effort to be accountable and transparent, The Oracle is re-running a revised news article concerning the circumstances surrounding the resignation of an SGA senator late last month. Due to the managing editor’s actions, the article that appeared on the front page of the Feb. 20 issue failed to meet the code of ethics adopted by the Society of Professional Journalists and followed by The Oracle. The editor’s admissions and explanation of his actions are recounted in a separate article.

By Kelly Camera and Zach Fowler Beat Reporters Two SGA senators admit leaking a controversial four-page impeachment complaint secretly given to The Oracle last month.

Senators Aaron Sams and Michael Stooksbury initially refused to answer any questions about the document, but later confessed to leaking the document in a onesentence typed statement after

Editor’s apology: George

By Marcelo Gonzales

Lott

The Oracle adviser met with Marc Burnett, vice president of student affairs.

The two senators slipped the document underneath the door of The Oracle office around 6 p.m. on Feb. 13. Senator Preston George filed the complaint against fellow senator Alijah Lott based on Lott’s arrest record. Lott resigned before the impeachment process was completed.

Representatives from The Oracle met with SGA representatives on March 1, including senators George, Stooksbury, and Sams, to discuss the original story published in The Oracle on Feb. 20. The published story, which had been edited, raised concerns that the story was misleading and unfair. Representatives also discussed trust issues between The Oracle and SGA. During the meeting, a re-

Stooksbury

Sams

porter specifically asked each of the senators if they, or anyone they knew, leaked the document.

George suggested The Oracle view security camera footage to determine the culprits. Sams said “somehow” The Oracle received the papers, but he didn’t believe it was necessary to answer questions. Stooksbury agreed with his fellow senators.

The Oracle also wanted to know the reasons behind the complaint, but the senators declined to comment. They referred all questions to SGA spokesperson Baylie Bodiford and president Rachel Martin. Neither Martin nor Bodiford attended the meeting.

When the first story was written, Martin could not be reached for comment. However, she met with a reporter on Friday.

See SGA, Page 3

Managing Editor This will be an explainer for what happened with the SGA story.

While helping with the story about Lott’s impeachment, I decided to try to reach out and get his side of the story. Upon meeting him for the interview (the first and only time I’d be meeting with him) I realized that in order to get the full story and the circumstances surrounding the impeachment and resignation of an SGA senator I had to make a promise.

This was the start of many things that

w o u l d come after that, but first I want to apologize to Zach Gonzales Fowler, the original author of the story. I should’ve never ransformed the story in such a way without consulting him first and foremost, and to do so breaks the trust he put in me as the relationship between a reporter and their editor is supposed to be.

This was my mistake. I promised that I would not include the charges and I would rephrase “drug-related offenses” to “non-Tech related incidents.” This

See EDITOR, Page 3

Engineering students recycle plastic bottles to make 3D printing filament

This Issue: News - 3

By Maddison Potter and Sherry Chaffin +/- Tech grade system to change

Opinion - 4

The art of persuasion Entertainment - 5

Monster Hunter World Review

Sports - 6

Tech coach leaves for NFL

Reporters Saving Tech money and reducing plastic waste isn’t a grind on engineering students who are making history with Project Regrind.

Project Regrind converts plastic water bottles into the filament needed for 3D printing. This eliminates the cost to print while reducing waste.

The project began in 2016 when Charles Davies, a senior mechanical engineering student, wanted to prevent students paying to use the printer.

The process begins with an industrial grinder. Washed water bottles are inserted into the grinder and it ejects flakes of plastic. Next, the flakes go into an extruder, which heats plastic, and produces filament.

Finally, the filament which is a clear, thin cylindrical material, is put onto a spool and used for 3D printing.

The 1970’s extruder belongs to Dr. Holly Stretz, a chemical engineering professor, Davies said.

When Davies found the dusty extruder, it needed some repairs, he said.

“So, I contacted the Sustainable Campus Committee to get a grant fund to repair it. It was going to be significantly less expensive to repair it than get a new one, we’re talking upwards of $50,000 verses

See RECYCLE, Page 3

Maddison Potter | Reporter

From left to right, Charles Davies, Madison Dittner, Roya Earabarian, Ace Stanton and Cody Long perform the tasks necessary to create the 3D printing filament on the dusty extruder machinery.

Student becomes Tech’s first SGA applications are now available, elections in April national debate champion Byy Marcelo Gonzales Managing Editor Political science major Madison Davis became the first Tech student to win first place at a national debate tournament.

Davis joined the team in Spring 2018, initially participating exclusively in individual events. Last semester, she started debating in the novice division, reserved for those that are participating in tournaments for the first year.

"I couldn't have gotten here without the help of my partner, my team and

my coach," Davis said. "I owe my entire debate career to them and for that I'm thankful."

Earlier this semester, Davis and her debate partner, Derrick Sarmiento, won the Tennessee state championship.

The pair reached semifinals, where they were defeated by a team from Carson Newman, who won the national championship.

Regardless, Davis' performance during the initial rounds gave her almost perfect scores in speaking, Marcelo Gonzales | Managing Editor which led to the first place award in her division.

Davis, holding her first place trophy.

Byy Chase Hoke

Reporter Applications for SGA are available and elections are scheduled for April 19 and 26.

Interested students must attend a candidates’ meeting at 11 a.m. April 12 in the SGA office, located in Room 115 in the RUC. Candidates also must turn in their candidacy petition at the meeting. The petitions will be uploaded and shared on SGA’s website and social media.

Candidates are allowed to spend up to $750 for their campaign.

“We don’t encourage people to do that [spend money], they

just do it on their own if they want to better their chances to win,” president Rachel Martin said. Active campaigning begins April 12 after the candidates meeting.

Elections for executive positions are scheduled April 19, with polls closing at 4 p.m.

Senate elections are scheduled for April 26, with polls closing at 4 p.m. In order to run for a senator position, the candidate must remain in their college for the entirety of their term and maintain a 2.75 GPA. To run for an executive position, a candidate must have been in SGA for at least one full term and must have a 2.75 GPA.

CONTACT: News - 931-372-3285 - oracle@tntech.edu | Advertising - 931-372-3031 - ttuoracleads@gmail.com facebook.com/tntechoracle

@tntechoracle

@tntechoracle

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

50/33 °F

46/28 °F

THURSDAY

50/26°F

NEWS

Page 2

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Sustainability fee increases environmental efforts

By Maddison Potter ffin and Sherryy Chaffi Beat Reporters Students may not realize $8 of their semester fees helps make Tech’s campus more environmentally friendly.

University officials implemented the fee in 2005 after the SGA approved a sustainability fee, DeLayne Miller, an alumna hired to oversee the Sustainable Campus Committee, said.

The fee funds recycling, composting and other “green” projects, Miller said.

“I think a lot of the students don’t realize that they’ve all put into this fund and paid for this,” Miller said.

Miller said the committee wants people on campus to reduce their ecological footprint by decreasing or eliminating activities that damage the environmental.

“The goal here with this office is that we show students that whatever they have chosen with their career path, in any field you can be more sustainable in what you do,” Miller said.

Miller said the committee wants to educate students about how their money is helping campus, because she believes they are unaware.

Baylee Rhea, a sophomore studying business, said she is unaware the fee she pays each semester helps fund

projects to make Tech more sustainable.

“I think it is a good program to have as long as it’s making improvements on campus,” Rhea said.

The committee created an office two years ago in the facilities building.

The fund also pays for student workers, Miller said.

Part of the fee funds the campus recycling program. The program currently employs six student workers who pick up the recycling materials such as aluminum cans and plastic soda bottles from receptacles placed in campus buildings, Miller said.

Lindsay Mills, a senior majoring in environmental and sustainability studies, works for the committee as an intern.

“We have to pay landfill cost, so we are offsetting those costs with how much we recycle,” Mills said.

The biggest problem associated with campus recycling is people placing incorrect materials in the bins, Miller said.

Mills said she is leading a joint project with the agriculture department, campus grounds, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and state officials to expand composting on campus.

Currently, only yard waste is composted on campus, but committee members are looking to use food waste from dining services and expand the use of composting on the campus farm, Miller said.

In the past five years, Tech recycled about 1.1 tons of materials and sent nearly 7.8 tons to the landfill. An average of 12.6 percent of total waste is recycled annually, according to the Sustainable Campus Committee reports.

Miller said the fund also covers proposals the committee receives for various projects.

As a member of the American Association of Sustainability in higher education, the committee also is responsible for tracking data collected on campus sustainability, Mills said.

“We try to track data for the areas that are required by the AASHE STARS program. These include air, climate, buildings, energy, grounds, transportation, waste and water,” she said.

The committee tracks data greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprints, fuel usage, and electricity usage. They also track savings relating to occupancy sensors, bike sharing, shuttle usage, recycling, compost and campus water usage, Mills said.

The sustainability fee also is being used to fund the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification of the new science building under construction at the corner of Willow Avenue and 7 th Street.

This project, which began in April, is expected to be the first certified building on campus when completed in 2019, Mills said.

The design calls for the building to be equipped with a regenerative media pool filtration system, instead of the typical sand filtration system, resulting in approximately 89 percent water and 21 percent electrical savings annually, according to information provided by the committee.

Project Regrind is another projected funded by the sustainability fee. The project washes and grinds plastic bottles to use a filament in 3D printing, Miller said.

A list of projects is located on the Office of Sustainability and Sustainable Campus Committee’s website.

The website also contains a proposal form for anyone interested and the committee’s event schedule.

Committee meetings are open to everyone. The next meeting is at 3:30 p.m. March 28 at the facilities building.

Tuesday cooking workshop introduces vegetarian recipes to students

By Ashley Jeanette Beat Reporter

The Eagle | Contributor

Veg TTU on one of their events. Their mission is to combine health and vegatarianism.

Veg TTU’s first cooking workshop is set for 7 p.m. today in Room 212 of Clement Hall.

Club president Lindsay Mills said the event is free and open to anyone in the community.

Mills said members plan to demonstrate will how to cook seitan, a meat substitute.

Mills said she started Veg TTU two years ago to create a community for vegans, vegetarians or anyone curious about eating a vegetarian diet. Mills said she will be graduating this semester and Mohera Narimetla will be taking over as president.

“This semester has been a change for the club since we have all been working together,” Narimetla said.

She said they have been doing more events off campus to raise awareness to living a vegetarian lifestyle.

Veg TTU helps students “feel a sense of

community,” Narimetla said.

“We have been working more closely with dining services to offer more plant based foods,” Mills said.

Mills said people from the Humane Society came to campus in May to teach dining services how to prepare these foods.

“We are putting together a survey to show the want for more vegan options,” Mills said.

Mills said the club meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month and there is always a pot-luck for people to try different types of foods made without animal products.

Vice president-elect Maci Arms said the club takes group trips to places like The Gentle Barn, an animal rescue sanctuary, to get a feel for other parts of the community that have the same beliefs as them.

Narimetla said Veg TTU is all about community service, education and activism. She said she plans on continuing their programs this fall.

One World event showcases and celebrates peace advocates

By Kate Trebing Beat Reporter Violinist and peace advocate Sylvia Samis encouraged open discussion on combating hate crime at the One World Multicultural Evening Feb. 15 in RUC’s Tech Pride Room Samis immigrated to the United States when she was 3 years old with her parents, Isak Rosenzweig and Sabina Warshawsky Rosenzweig, both of whom survived Nazi concentration camps. She learned to play violin in third grade and performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 19732015.

The assistant concertmaster e merita is an advocate for Holocaust education and remembrance and has staged concerts to raise funds for the Holocaust Education Memorial Museum. In her keynote speech she shared her parents’ Holocaust survival stories and performed music written in concentration camps and ghettos.

“We must tell their stories so it can’t happen to anyone anymore – we hope,” Samis said.

Samis shared stories of human ashes used as fertilizer for fruits and vegetables and human skin fashioned into lampshades and wallets. An estimated 15,000 prisoners were murdered daily in Auschwitz alone, she said.

Samis’ mother drew from her experiences in Auschwitz and other concentration camps to write stories and poems.

“To many this is history. To me this is a tragedy which I will live with my entire life,” Warshawsky Rosenzweig said in her memoir.

Samis invited the audience to discuss peaceful action to prevent the reoccurrence of genocide and hate crime. Members of the campus and community shared theo-

ries on current events such as the shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“It’s not about guns,” associate professor and George Chityo said.

“It’s about what’s in the heart.”

Danielle Kahane-Kaminsky, executive director of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, warned against complacency in the face of genocide.

“Genocide doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “It sleeps and it wakes.” She encouraged students to use social media and technology to combat hate. She also encouraged students to take initiative in genocide awareness.

“We need young people,” she said. “We need fresh ideas.”

One World also honored peace activist Hector Black on Thursday night with the first ever Hector and Suzy Black Peace and Reconciliation Award. Black served overseas in World War II and said his experiences led him to renounce war and become a lifelong advocate for peace.

He expanded upon a quote by Mark Twain, “mankind is the only creature with the ability to blush.”

“Mankind is the only creature with the ability to bring love into the world,” he said. “Hatred we can also bring into the world.”

He said the most difficult experience he and his wife ever faced was the murder of their African American daughter and explained that the only way to move on was to forgive. He decided to visit men in prison and on death row.

“There is a huge need for forgiveness,” he said about today’s social climate. He counseled the audience to look beyond the exterior and see the heart of the person within. “Be of good heart,” he said.

This event was the latest in a series of lectures sponsored by One World Multicultural Orga-

nization. The club began after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as an effort to encourage cross-cultural understanding and harmony.

“This was an attack on everybody in the whole world,” cofounder Ada Haynes said. “The people that were killed were not just from the United States.”

She said certain groups of students on campus became targets of harassment following the terror attack. In response, a group of sociology professors decided to form an organization to unite cultures and educate the public.

One World sponsors events such as camping and hiking trips, as well as visits to ethnic restaurants and international sports events. The organization’s annual multicultural evening is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Center Stage series.

Kate Trebing | The Oracle

Hector Black served in WW2 and now pushes for forgiveness, regardless of the person's background or actions.

Kate Trebing | The Oracle

Sylvia Samis playing the violin. Her performances and activism have taken her around the world, always advocating for cooperation and for progress. "To move forward we need to come to terms with our past", she said.

NEWS Two senators leak Lott's impeachment documents

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

SGA: From Page 1,

Martin said when she learned about the complaint, she met with Lott and advised him to resign.

“Even though it’s kind of against what we [SGA] say in our constitution, it’s still his personal life there’s no point in it being everyone’s business,” she said.

She explained George filed the impeachment complaint because he believed Lott’s actions could affect the credibility and reputation of SGA. She said George gave the document to a more experienced senator for advice about whether George was following the proper procedure.

“He was very upset that The Oracle had gotten ahold of it because he never wanted Alijah’s business to be out there,” Martin said.

Martin said she did not believe a feud caused George to file the impeachment complaint.

“I know that he’s [the senator who turned in the papers] very vocal in the senate and Alijah was very vocal in the senate as well and I know that sometimes people will be on the same side sometimes and sometimes they’re gonna oppose each other, so maybe it was conflicting sides,” she said.

Martin said it is not policy for members of SGA not to answer questions from The Oracle, but members are often afraid to speak to The Oracle.

“I think you should talk to them, but if you feel uncomfortable, but if you feel like you don’t understand what’s going on, or if you want someone else to be with you,

Page 3

RECYCLE: From Page 1,

I said you can refer them to Baylie, or you can have BayEven though it ’s lie be with you,” kind of against she said. what we [SGA] In the impeachment comsay in our constiplaint, George tution, it ’s still claimed Lott violated the code of his personal life conduct clause of there’s no point the SGA constituin it being ever ytion, because of his two arrests on one’s business. drug and alcohol-Rachel Martin related charges.

Lott, who was appointed to the senate in the fall, re- authored the impeachsigned which voided any ment complaint and reimpeachment proceed- ferred further questions ings. to Bodiford.

Any SGA member Bodiford refused to can be removed from discuss the document, office if they are found which contains the origguilty of a crime or any inal signature “Preston crime that would reflect George.” dishonor upon the SGA, She also refused according to Article X, to comment on Lott’s Sec. 3 of the SGA Con- claims of bullying. The stitution. person who turned in Lott has not been the paperwork has also convicted of any of the remained anonymous. charges against him.

Also Alijah Lott isn’t On Oct. 20 the Ten- a senator, he resigned, so nessee Highway Patrol there is no impeachment arrested Lott for driv- and no “senator” Lott,” ing under the influence, Bodiford said. underage possession of The Oracle arranged intoxicating beverage, a personal interview driving on a suspended with Lott on March 15, or revoked license, pos- but Lott did not show session of an open con- at the agreed upon time tainer, possession of and later gave The Oradrug paraphernalia and cle a prepared statement failure to prove finan- via a text message. cial responsibility, Sgt. “In spite of discourGregory Tranel of the agement and adversity, Tennessee Highway Pa- those who are the happitrol told The Oracle. est have a way of seeing Before Lott enrolled the light through diffiat Tennessee Tech, he cult times,” Lott said. “I was charged for posses- am stronger, wiser and sion of drug parapher- living my best life as a nalia and simple pos- result. All that is being session of marijuana on done, is the attempt at April 2, 2016, according destroying my characto a police report from ter. Those who know me the Shelbyville Police personally know I am Department. above anything this arGeorge initially re- ticle has to say.” fused to verify he had

“

”

apology EDITOR: Editor's concerning article From Page 1,

promise should not have been made.

Let me repeat myself, I should’ve never promised that.

Although I kept a promise to a source, I should’ve never made that promise in the first place.

I know many feel like this compromised my journalistic integrity, I will sustain that breaking the promise would’ve been more harmful than not.

I will never contend that this promise was necessary, but keeping the promise was necessary.

Besides the promise, the biggest error I committed was not consulting this with my adviser.

I did not uphold what was expected of me as the editor by not consulting with my adviser. This was an unprecedented event that should’ve been talked about with the faculty member overseeing this school newspaper. For this, I’m sorry. I know I make the decisions, but an uninformed and uneducated decision might as well be a flawed one.

Project Regrind reduces waste

Additionally, I failed to seek the support of my staff. Everyone I work with trusts me to make the right decision, and by not seeking their support or opinion on the matter I did not reciprocate with the same trust.

The phrasing of “non tech-related incidents” is incorrect, since he is a public figure and his actions directly affect how Tech’s students and their government are seen in and out of the campus sphere.

That said, I completely support the rewriting of the story. To maintain the “integrity of the story,” I will abstain from it. That way, it can be written in a completely objective way and finally free of the promise I made.

For the short time that I will remain the editor of the Oracle, I will try to improve and guide my fellow staff members in the areas I think the newspaper needs to improve. That was, is, and will always be my mission.

Thank you for reading the Oracle.

Engineering students pose by the dusty extruder machinery.

$20,000,” Davies said.

“I wanted to see, is it possible for me to make a sustainable filament to use on campus. There was a big talk of charging students to print, and I didn’t want that,” Davies said.

Davies said he took the Sustainable Campus Committee a proposal they loved, and the project received grant funding.

The project can save Tech money and prevent students having to pay to print, because a kilogram spool of filament is $25 on average and can last about a week, Davies said.

Davies said, about 200 bottles produces one kilogram of filament.

“Were just using the plastic, which is really thin. So, when you grind this down to flakes, you’re getting rid of all that air that’s inside the bottle and just using the flakes,” Davies said.

Davies said, they hope to print a spool of filament daily once everything is completed, which usually last a couple weeks.

“We are printing a piece for 43 hours straight right now and it won’t even take up a whole spool,” Madison Dittner, a mechanical engineering student involved in the design project said.

Roya Eatebarian, a senior mechanical engineering student, said the project can help students stay creative.

“So initially, what was so cool about the maker space was it was like an Eden of creativity, it was really exciting for engineer students. Then there was talk of it costing money, and that’s not really sustainable to have people constantly using the resource with-

Maddison Potter | Reporter

out having any way of getting the resource. So that’s what prompted them to do it,” Eatebarian said.

Davies said the project is now a senior design project, for which the students receive class credit.

“We wanted to make it more efficient.

Because we thought about you know, we want work study students to work on this. It’s kind of very complex right now. There’s no user manual, so I entered senior design, got a team, and now we have a lot more people working on it,” Davies said.

The team is still working on getting everything running more efficiently, so others can use the extruder, Eatebarian said.

“Eventually the goal is to have work study students, it’ll be their job to make stuff. Because they’re employed through the school. So, it’ll be their job to come in here and grind out some filament for the makers space,” Eatebarian said.

Davies said he hopes to share this knowledge to help surrounding high schools.

“A lot of this project was just to promote STEM learning. Another thing is we want to give the filament to surrounding high schools that have 3D printing for free so they can learn about this stuff,” Davies said.

This project is the first of its kind on a collegiant level, Davies said.

Dr. Dale Wilson is the professor of the senior design project.

“From what they’re telling me is this will be the first students who are doing this kind of thing on campus anywhere in the country, Wilson said.

Tennessee Conference American Association of University Professors

A lot has been going on your TTU Campus, and your TTU AAUP Chapter has been busy trying to protect Academic Freedom, the integrity of research, and the good name of TTU. Please support this effort by joining your TTU chapter of the AAUP for less than $20 per month by contacting Dr. Julia Gruber at jgruber@ tntech.edu or Kim Godwin at kgodwin@tntech. edu. Statewide meeting April 7, University of Memphis Senate Room, UC 9:30 a.m.

Advertising paid for by AAUP.

Tech considering plus, minus grading system

Byy Emilyy Lamont Beat Reporter Tech’s grading scale is subject to change to the plus and minus system after considerations from faculty and staff.

A mass email sent Feb. 2 contained a survey asking faculty members and students their opinion on Tech’s grading scale.

A subcommittee of the University’s Curriculum Committee is considering revising the grading scale to allow plus and minus grades, or some variation.

The SGA is not involved in the survey, Ilyssa Crouch, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

The current grading system is a 4.0 quality point scale. President Phil Oldham touched on the subject during his chat with students and faculty Feb. 22.

“I don’t have a strong position on that, [regarding the change to plus/minus] that’s a discussion that’s debated on campus from time to time. I didn’t feel the benefit warranted going to that,” Oldham said.

Plus and minus grading scales can vary among each university and professors. A common example of a plus/minus scale is:

Truman University in Missouri found there to be greater fairness when using the plus and minus scale, students who do B+ quality work will get a better grade than those who do B- quality work.

This system of grading, there is a greater range for error when recording grades.

“I found it a little unrealistic that most of us as faculty members have that much precision in our grade distribution to make that fine of a distinction,” Oldham said.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville uses the plus and minus system. UTK changed the weight of their letter grades in the fall of 2008.

“Its helped in some classes, the extra little points does count. The difference in gpa points from a Cto a C can make a difference. The only downside is that straight A students don’t get that 4.0 gpa,” John Hendricks a junior at UTK said, “I think the pros outweigh the cons.”

The system of plus and minus has been a positive impact to some students, while others think it has hurt their grade rather than help.

“I do not like the system. It’s easier to get a lower grade than a higher one with the plus and minus

grading. Your gpa can fall a lot quicker and its harder to bring it back up,” Ramsey Parker, a freshman at UTK, said.

Research shows that the most common reason universities switch to a plus and minus grading scale is to motivate students to learn and work harder.

Using the plus and minus system makes it easier for faculty to calculate student improvement among semesters.

Some TTU students do not agree with the grading change.

“The grading system seems like a bad idea because students will have to work harder but still not get the grade they think they deserve,” Zach Ring, a senior majoring in marketing, said.

If the new grading scale were to be implemented, current students would not be affected according to the email containing the survey.

Example of +/- grading system -

Letter GPA

4.0

3.7

-

+

3.3

3.0

2.7

-

+

2.3

2.0

1.7

1.0

0.0

OPINION

Page 4

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The art of persuasion

Marcelo Gonzales | The Oracle

Byy Marcelo Gonzales

Opinion Editor

I remember the first time I debated. I had absolutely no idea of what to do, my points were incomplete, my organization was all over the place.

And I loved it.

It's been four years of competing with my team, of waking up at 5 a.m., of missing weekends (where college students are morally obligated to rest) to travel across the state to dress up and talk in front of two or three people to see who can talk louder.

And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

After going to over 35 tournaments, last weekend I competed at a debate tournament for the last time. It was a long and great journey that in many ways I don't want to leave, but good things have to end one way or another.

Besides, Pi Kappa Delta wouldn't allow me to do it more than four years. Bastards.

One of the great reasons why I enjoy debate so much is because of how eye opening it is to multiple problems in our society.

Through speech and debate, I spend countless hours researching and reading about local, state, national and international news. Without this, I would have no idea of the multiple humanitarian crisis in the world. Of Rohingyan refugees dying in the streets of Myanmar. Of the injustices committed in federal and state courts regarding housing discrimination. Of the current state of the Trump administration.

Critical thinking and researching are key areas of this art that will stay with me forever.

I know that when I argue about increasing the amount of security resource officers in schools I won't go to Congress and present this plan to the entire nation. It's not real. But

this playground of ideas and propositions is incredibly helpful for students with big ideas about the world.

Being the president of the speech and debate team has been the greatest honor I have ever held in my life. The only thing I ever wanted was to teach people how beautiful and gratifying this sport is, and I'm happy to say that I got what I wanted and so much more.

The team has changed a lot in four years.

People come and go, but in many ways I still feel at home. After all, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

To those who were part of the team but no longer are, thank you. Your impacted my life greatly, and I'll never forget it.

To Tyler, Josh, Derrick, Mikki, Alex, Morgan, Gavin, Augusta and Amanda, all of you have contributed more than you'll ever realize to this team.

To Dr. Kash, your patience and time were invaluable and I'll treasure them forever.

To Jacob, all I am in debate is because of you. Don't let them get too lazy next semester, will you?

Finally, to those who are not on the team (yet). It is not easy. It will eat up your time, demand everything from you and then some. But it'll be the most gratifying thing you'll ever do in college. If this sounds appealing, then you might be the right fit for PKD. Or, you know, come to practice Monday or Wednesday at 6:30 in Henderson 004. There's still two more months left, and I'll make sure to use every single day I have.

Forensics is the great equalizer. And speech and debate is its greatest ally. Like Pi Kappa Delta says, "the art of persuasion, beautiful and just."

And I'll miss it.

Ryan Goke | Contributor

Ryan Goke | Contributor

Josh Hardin | Contributor

Should faculty be allowed to carry guns on campus?

By Taylor Hill According to CNN, there has been 14 school shootings in America this year, averaging one shooting per week. Students around the nation have participated in protests and walkouts, urging politicians to reform gun laws.

The topic of teachers being armed on campus has been a controversial subject since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The shooting killed 17 people and injured 17 more.

“I think that professors and faculty should be allowed to carry guns just because of all of the shootings that have been going on, and I think everybody deserves to do what they want to do."

-Sara Bryant, senior, sociology

“I disagree that professors should carry guns because what happens if a professor might snap on a student or the student snaps on the professor and grabs the gun and shoots the professor?”

- Norman Hand, sophomore, sports administration

“I disagree because I feel like that just involves more problems as far as like students being able to get a hold of guns in the classroom. If a teacher leaves the classroom, you know, kids are going to be kids.

They’re going to go search for it and stuff like that so I just feel like it’s not a good idea.”

- Chris McElderry, senior, business

THE Tennessee Tech University TTU Box 5072 Cookeville, TN 38505 Managing Editor- Marcelo Gonzales Asst. Editor of Layout/Design- Carolina Hatfield A sst. Editor of Social Media- Cameron Fowler Asst. Editor of Social Media- Miranda Maynard Business Manager- Lauren Herrera Distribution Manager- Abbey Markus Copy Editor- Emmerson Meurett Sports Editor- Nick Rogers Entertainment Editor Editor-- Beth Biles Faculty Adviser- Vanessa Curry Thanks for reading The Oracle Read more @ tntechoracle.com

O

“I actually agree with the teachers being able to have guns on campus because, one, it’s safer. If you think about it, somebody can come in with a gun and you would not have any protection whatsoever, but if a teacher did have it, then it could be beneficial to you. So, it’s more beneficial because we have our own defense and the teachers can help protect us, not just hide in a room."

- Abby Sunshine, freshman, pre-med

“I agree with it because I think one good person with a gun, meaning the teacher, would help if a bad person comes in with a gun,” - Emma Smith, sophomore, pre-med

RACLE

CONTACT US

VOICE YOUR OPINION mgonzalez42@students.tntech.edu

Advertising (931) 372-3031 ttuoracleads@ gmail.com

Newsroom (931) 372-3285 oracle@tntech. edu

FIND AN ERROR? Contact the Managing Editor

Marcelo Gonzales mgonzales42@students.tntech.edu

931-252-7459

Opinion: 931-252-7459 Marcelo Gonzales

The Oracle encourages readers to write letters and commentaries on topics of interest. A few guidelines: Letters should not exceed 300 words. Commentaries

should be around 500 words and include a picture of the writer.

Originality is required, no plaigarism. For verification, letters and commentaries MUST include your name, e-mail address, home town and classification

or title.

Letters may not run in every edition due to space. The Oracle reserves the right to edit for style, grammar, length and clarity.

Submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday.

News content and photographs for The Oracle are provided by the Journalism 2220, Journalism 3370, Journalism 4820 and Journalism 4930 classes.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of Tennessee Tech University’s employees or of its administration.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Page 5

‘Sabrina’ is still magical Byy Beth Biles

Entertainment Editor Magic, mischief and a talking cat.

What more could you want in a 90s teen sitcom?

“Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” based on the Archie comic of the same name, began its seven season run in 1996. The series took the typical tropes and formula of similar sitcoms like “Boy Meets World” and “Saved by the Bell” and spun them into a supernatural coming-of-age story.

The titular character of the show is Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart), a teenage girl who is sent to live with her aunts after learning she’s half-witch on her 16th birthday. The show focuses in Sabrina’s life with her aunts Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick) as she learns how to navigate the magical world all while keeping her powers hidden from her classmates, teachers and rivals.

But behind the comedy and shenanigans Sabrina and her family get into, the show has a good message behind it. Sabrina reminds the watcher that magic, while helpful, isn’t a quick fix. A person needs to know how to face the consequences of a decision and that not every problem can be fixed in a matter of minutes.

One thing that sets the show apart is that it features strong female characters who were not written into the usual sitcom archetypes.

Unlike many similar series from the mid-1990s, the females weren’t only presented as girl next door or a love interest but as independent, witty,

melissajoanhart.net

Left to right: Jenna Leigh Green (Libby), Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina), Nate Richert (Harvey) and Michelle Beaudoin (Jenny).

educated and funny individuals.

However, the element that brings me back for a rewatch is the comedy. The show is just genuinely funny.

There are slapstick elements but the true charm comes from the one-liners.

Whether it is anecdotes from the millennia long lives of Aunt Hilda and

Zelda or sarcastic biting quips from her talking cat, Salem. I still find myself laughing out loud.

In January, Netflix announced that Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) would be leading a mature reboot of the iconic 90s series. Undoubtedly inspired by the success of “Riverdale,” a dark adaptation of the original Archie comics, the yet-to-be-titled series promises to be a complete 180 from the campy and quirky Sabrina that most people know and love.

Maybe I’m just old or maybe I just don’t like change, but stripping the show of any sense of fun it had in attempt to be edgy seems wrong. The absurd silliness of “Sabrina” is part of what made the series so great.

She had a portal to another dimension in her linen closet and her talking sidekick (who was actually also a witch sentenced to serve 100 years as a cat after attempting to take over the world). Things didn’t always make sense but it only added a sense of surrealism to the show. It’s something that will most definitely be missed from the upcoming series.

Today, Sabrina is just as entertaining as it was 22 years ago. The humor, magic and charm hold up. It’s the perfect show to mindlessly binge while procrastinating homework or lounging around on a free day. Even if it’s just one episode, I would give it a shot before the Netflix series drops in 2019.

“The original Sabrina the Teenage Witch” is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and Hulu.

David Byrne’s ‘American Utopia’ is uncertain

By Cameron Fowler Social Media Manager David Byrne always attempts to look at the bigger picture when approaching an album, a song or any of the myriad artistic waters he charts. “American Utopia” is no different, with Byrne himself saying, “the title refers not to a specific utopia, but rather to our longing, frustration, aspirations, fears, and hopes regarding what could be possible, what else is possible.”

Conceptually, that is a big ask, but not one big enough for Byrne, whose startling vocal delivery cemented the timeless nervous energy of Talking Heads.

This album, featuring production from Brian Eno, moves all over the place sonically and tonally, often with satisfactory results, but occasionally dipping into esoteric nonsense.

There is a strong sense of playfulness with instrumentation throughout the record,

album is at it’s “ The strongest when it

doesn’t try to show off too much. with Byrne using drum machines and hip-hop-style production to add a saucy edge to his ramblings. “I Dance Like This” begins as a piano-laden lullaby which quickly turns into an industrial nightmare.

These ideas are often at battle within the album, akin to a late-era Nick Cave album with all its crooning sadness.

Byrne replaces the sadness with his trademark optimistic, yet sometimes robotic voice. The song kicks off the album quite strongly, the ebbs and flows of tenderness fighting with aggression. It’s a great preface for the rest of the album’s tone.

The album is at its stron-

”

gest when it doesn’t try to show off too much. Tracks like “Dog’s Mind,” which is deliberately weird, with Byrne pondering the machinations of a dog’s mind and how it might relate to that of a human’s, don’t work with the earnestness of the album’s thesis.

It doesn’t help that it follows “Every Day Is A Miracle,” a series of profane non-sequiturs about existence. “Miracle” is perhaps the album’s only marriage of marriage and indietronica, a match so muddled itself that the lyrics only make it seem aimless.

These two tracks are easily the low points of the album, but the second half is much

more consistent.

“This Is That” is a delicate, blossoming mix of electric harp and dark drums backing Byrne’s only real lyrics about love on the album.

Its arrangement is the strongest on “American Utopia,” and best represents the possibility of the production.

“It’s Not Dark Up Here” employs Talking Heads-era muscular rhythms with electronic beats building the bass line.

Here, Byrne’s musings on God and death are better said than “Every Day Is A Miracle.”

“Bullet” again mixes organic acoustic guitars with aloof, dissonant tones, but the lyrics, which describe a man being shot in detail, feel empty.

That same emptiness is felt on “Here,” where Byrne describes the brain, our thoughts, and perhaps human connection. The lyrics are simple but effective: “Here is an area that needs attention/ Here is a connection with the opposite side.” The echoing

Byrne

Creative Commons

drums and ethereal keys laid out beneath the words are at odds with the precise nature of the lyrics.

The uppity single “Everybody Is Coming To My House” best takes these themes from Byrne – uncertainty, existentialism, surrealism – and turns them into a similarly uncertain song. The tracks on “American Utopia” that stick out are the dire, desperate ones. The production undermines too much of the message. With Byrne trying to juggle too many things at once, “American Utopia” is just as uncertain as its narrator.

It’s a monster’s world The newest installment of the “Monster Hunter” series is a much needed redemption.

Shea JJames

Guest Contributor

Judah & the Lion performing live in February 2017.

Creative Commons

SOLO concert brings ‘folk hop n’ roll’ band, Judah & the Lion Christyy McCarroll Reporter Judah & the Lion, a Nashville “folk hop n’ roll” band is scheduled to perform at this year’s spring SOLO concert at 8 p.m. April 3 at The Hoop.

Students are able to enter at 7 p.m. and the first 150 people receive floor access wristbands.

Students voted among Kaleo, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ben Rector, Moon Taxi and Judah & the Lion.

Madison Cole, SGA chief of staff, said, Judah and the Lion placed first in the votes and NEEDTOBREATHE came in second.

The tickets are available for students to pick up in the SGA office Room 115 at the Roaden University

Center this week.

Students must provide a valid form of Tech identification to obtain their two free concert tickets.

Ticket pick up ends on April 2.

Judah Akers, who is originally from Cookeville, is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band.

Tech student Rita Ramsey, said she is excited to see Akers, who is her cousin, return to his hometown to perform.

“The last time I can remember his band playing in Cookeville was at the Fall Fun Fest about three years ago,” Ramsey said. “I’m so proud of Judah and all that he’s accomplished, and I can’t wait for everyone to see how awesome he is.”

A few years ago, I bought “Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate” for the Wii U. I absolutely hated it.

The movement was stiff and unresponsive, the menus were bizarrely laid out, areas were divided into sections with tons of loading screens and I had no idea how much damage I was doing to the monsters. All of that is trivial compared to one problem the game had, which was that I had no idea what I was doing.

I am absolutely thrilled to say that not only did I jump back in to “Monster Hunter World,” but this game is probably one of the best I’ve ever played in my life.

The movement is free-flowing and natural, the menus are simple, the five areas of the

game are now just huge spaces with minimal loading time and when you hit monsters you know exactly how much damage you’re doing and there are in depth tutorials for everything.

With all of my previous problems dealt with, I was able to see just what I was missing. The game allows for a team of players to work together seamlessly to make many different parts of an effective hunting squad.

The whole game revolves around hunting and trapping monsters to use their materials to fashion weapons and armor. The game utilizes a Random Number Generator to distribute the monster’s materials, which means a lot of grinding to get what you want, but it’s very rewarding in the end.

As you play the game, it enables “High Rank”

mode which means the explorable areas of the game become populated with stronger versions of monsters you’ve already hunted. As well as completely new ones. One of these new monsters is Bazelgeuse; a dragon that drops scales that explode when struck. He is attracted to battle and will join in at a moment’s notice, making the game play even more difficult and dynamic.

All in all, Monster Hunter World is a game that I can’t recommend enough.

Despite what seems like a lot of extra work, the game’s combat is worth it. Be aware though. The game can and probably will take up every single nanosecond of your free time.

With a lot of downloadbale content and free updates on the way, it may just cause a divorce or two.

SPORTS

Page 6

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Tech coach leaves for NFL ByyNick NickRogers Rogers g By

SportsEditor Editor Sports Casey Kramer, Tech’s director of athletic performance, traded the phrase “Wings Up” for “Bear Down” as he left Tech to further his career.

“I was hired by the Chicago Bears to be the assistant strength coach on their staff and be a part of the new coaching staff that’s coming in,” Kramer said. “It’ll be a great career move for me.”

The opportunity marks a new beginning for Kramer’s career.

“It’s my first time working for a professional sports team any level, I’m kind of nervous, but it’s a wonderful

opportunity,” Kramer said.

Tech hired Kramer in 2014, while Kramer was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Washington State University football team.

Kramer’s new position at Tech served as a promotion from his thencurrent job with the Cougars.

Kramer’s experience isn’t just limited to sports, however.

Prior to his stint with Washington State, Kramer served in a civilian role as a tactical strength and conditioning specialist for the U.S. Army Special Forces.

Kramer, a graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2005, served as Tech’s director of

“ It’ll be a

great career move for me.

-Casey Kramer

”

athletic performance from 2014 to 2018, where he oversaw the training and workout regimen of each Tech athlete in every sport.

Part of that aspect of the job included training athletes during midseason and offseason workouts.

Kramer’s other duties included overseeing Tech’s Athletic Performance Center, where weight rooms, sports medicine, and sports nutri-

tion facilities for Tech athletes are housed.

“I appreciate Tennessee Tech, and it’s been great working here, thank you to Mark Wilson, Frank Harrell and Tammie McMillan, the administration here has been awesome,” Kramer said. “Also thank you to the coaches and my staff who have made my time here awesome, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Tech’s new director of athletic performance is Matt Hewett, promoted after Kramer’s departure. Hewett came to Tennessee Tech in 2011 and previously served as an assistant under Kramer before his promotion.

Casey Kramer

TTU Sports Information

;LJO IHZRL[IHSS [LHTZ ÄUPZO ZLHZVU [VW [LU PU 6=* By ByyNick NickRogers Rogers g

Sports Sports Editor Editor

Men’s basketball Tech’s men’s basketball team finished their season 19-14 overall, 10-8 in Ohio Valley Conference play, finishing fifth in regular season play.

The Golden Eagles picked up a win and a loss in their final two regular season home games, a 69-64 win over in-state rival Tennessee State, and a 66-57 defeat to Jacksonville State.

The Golden Eagles advanced to

the OVC tournament in Evansville, Indiana, and advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Jacksonville State 73-70.

Five Tech players averaged more than 10 points per game, with senior Curtis Phillips Jr. leading the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game.

Tech loses five players to graduation this offseason. Shaq Calhoun, Kajon Mack, Mason Ramsey, Curtis Phillips Jr., and Aleksa Jugovic are all

scheduled to graduate at the end of the semester.

Women’s basketball Tech’s women’s basketball team finished their season 7-22 overall, with a 4-14 record in Ohio Valley Conference play, finishing 10 th in the OVC. The Golden Eagles picked up a 6865 victory at home against conference foe Tennessee State, then losing their final game 73-59 against Jacksonville State at home on senior night.

Four scorers averaged over 10 points per game for Tech- Kesha Brady, Mackenzie Coleman, Jordan Brock and Yaktavia “Shug” Hickson.

Brock and Hickson each averaged over 11 points per game, Hickson led the team in scoring, averaging 11.9 points.

The Golden Eagles have an offseason break before the new season.

Tech is scheduled to return everyone on their roster except for Asia Harper and Yaktavia “Shug” Hickson, who are scheduled to graduate.

;LJO IHZLIHSS L_[LUKZ Z[YLHR [V Ä]L ZVM[IHSS WYLWHYLZ MVY 6=* WSH` By ByyNick NickRogers Rogers g

Sports Sports Editor Editor

Baseball Tech’s baseball team is 14-5 overall, 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play, and currently on a five-game winning streak.

During their winning streak, the Golden Eagles outscored their opponents by a combined 33-7 run differential.

The Golden Eagles swept a home-and-home series with in-state rival Lipscomb. Tech also swept a midweek series with West Virginia on March 13 and 14, only giving up one run in two games. Tech also swept conference foe SIU-Edwardsville this past weekend, their first sweep of a conference opponent this year.

12 of Tech’s 15 batters average above .300, eight of whom are regular starters, juniors John Ham and Kevin Strohschein lead the team with .409 and .402 averages respectively.

The Golden Eagles are scheduled to play non-conference foe Alabama A&M at home on March 20 before heading to Smokies Stadium, home of the Tennessee Smokies to play Western Carolina on March 21.

Softball

Tech’s softball team is 9-17 overall, 0-0 record in Ohio Valley Conference play, the Golden Eagles have not played an OVC team so far this year.

The Golden Eagles dropped their first five games of the season before picking up two straight wins against Western Kentucky at the Chattanooga Challenge.

Tech also defeated Troy, Samford at home, Presbyterian, and Rhode Island twice at home before traveling to the Memphis Tiger Classic, where they picked up losses against Southeast Missouri and Memphis before picking up a win against Eastern Michigan.

Tech’s Bayli Cruse, Hallie Davis, Aminah Wood, Ashley McGowan and Raegan Sparks bat over a .300 average.

Tech’s Taylor Waldrop is the team’s best pitcher with a 507 record and a 5.69 earned run average.

Tech is scheduled to start conference play with a doubleheader against Southeast Missouri on Saturday followed by two more series on the road against UT-Martin and Austin Peay.

Tech’s Chase Chambers stands at the plate during Tech’s 9-1 win over West Virginia on March 14.

Morgan Schaetz | Contributor

( SVVR HYV\UK [OL ULZ[! ;YHJR ^PUZ ÄYZ[ 6=* 0UKVVY [P[SL By ByyGarin GarinDelon Delon

Beat BeatReporter Reporter

Track Tennessee Tech’s track and field team made history in February, winning their first OVC Indoor Championship in 2018.

Head coach Wayne Angel received the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Coach of the Year award for the second consecutive year, winning both indoor and outdoor seasons for the Golden Eagles.

“They came together today and gave

some extraordinary efforts as a team,” Angel said. “Na’Asha (Robinson) and Micayla (Rennick) were spectacular today. They had a heavy workload and met the challenge. Everyone did their part, from top to bottom, to earn the title of OVC champion.”

Senior Micayla Rennick earned Athlete of the Championship after winning both 800 and 3,000 meter competitions, along with the mile. Entering the competition, Rennick previously claimed OVC

Female Indoor Track Athlete of the Year honors.

Men’s golf Tennessee Tech’s men’s golf team finished third at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tenn.

The Golden Eagles finished nine strokes behind tournament winner Delta State, and one stroke behins tournament host and OVC rival UT Martin.

Tech’s lowest score was 216 strokes for the tournament, shot by junior Matthew Giles.

Giles placed third over-

all in the tournament, carding a 69-74-73 each day for a 216 total.

Tech men’s golf are scheduled to play their final tournament of the regular season at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate at Sevierville Golf Club beginning March 18.

Women’s golf Tech’s women’s team recently placed 34 th out of the 43-team roster at Edwin Watts / Kiawah Island Spring Classic in South Carolina.

Senior Allyson Dunn led the Golden

Eagles in the tournament, tying for 70 th among the 218 participants after carding a 77-69-82— 228.

The women’s golf team resumes play on March 18, at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate tournament at Sevierville Golf Club alongside the men’s team.

Tennis Tennessee Tech tennis sits at a record of 3-10 overall, 1-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Golden Eagles have yet to play a match at home this season.

The team traveled to Eastern Illinois University, defeating the Panthers and picking up their first conference victory by a score of 7-0. Captains Eduardo Mena and Wenceslao Albin both claimed victories in their respective singles matches, and picked up a doubles win in their respective pairings. Mena paired with Gonzalo Garcia and Albin paired Riku Kubota.

Tech is scheduled to play their first home match against OVC rival Austin Peay on Friday.