The Index Vol. 111 Issue 15

Bulldogs split road games

TRUCare connects community volunteers,

page 7

GlobeMed offers worldwide opportunities, page 8 Women’s basketball goes 1-1 on the road, page 14

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Truman State University tmn.truman.edu tmn.truman.edu

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

@TrumanIndex

@TrumanIndex

BUDGET TO DECREASE President talks BY $3 MILLION state of University RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

Janet Gooch, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said academic affairs needs to save at least $1.4 million in fiscal year 2021. Gooch said that cutting $1.6 million would allow for faculty salary raises. Photo by Mary Van Winkle

Declining enrollment, retirement plan cost University money RACHEL BECKER News Editor Because of low enrollment and an increase in the cost of retirement packages, Truman State University is looking to save about $3 million in the next fiscal year.

Terry Olson, chair of the advisory committee, finds funds to reallocate in academic affairs and makes a recommendation to the provost and Deans’ Council.

Olson said the goal of the committee is to find at least the minimum sum of expenditure reductions needed out of the fiscal year 2021 budget.

Olson said academic affairs has been dealing with this issue for some time be-

hind the scenes. From fiscal year 2017 through fiscal year 2020, academic affairs has cut $5.225 million collectively out of its budget, Olson said.

Among the reasons for these required cuts are escalating pension costs in the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System program. In 2017, Truman was required to contribute 16.97% of covered faculty members’ salaries into MOSERS. In 2021, the required contribution rate will be 22.88%.

Janet Gooch, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said academic affairs needs to save at least $1.4 million in fiscal year 2021.

“That target has increased a bit over

time due to revisions in estimated enrollment for next year,” Olson said. “The group would also like, if possible, to find more than just the minimum amount needed, so that some money could go toward faculty salary adjustments.”

Gooch said that cutting $1.6 million would allow the university to put some money toward raising faculty salaries.

The $1.4 million estimate does not include a faculty salary increase.

With an entire academic affairs budget a little over $40 million, $1.4 million is still a lot of money Gooch said.

Truman State University President Sue Thomas delivered the annual State of the University address Tuesday to talk about the University’s need to focus on reversing current trends and how to accomplish that through the strategic plan.

Thomas began the speech by stating that Truman needs to see its current position clearly — that is, getting an accurate idea of where it’s at currently and what it’s missing. She presented the expected University budget changes from last year, its legislative focuses that could impact the budget, wage changes and how the budget settled this fiscal year.

While state appropriation and student tuition and fees increased, faculty insurance costs stayed the same and the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System increased in cost.

Despite an increase in tuition, Thomas explained that there wasn’t extra money because enrollment has been steadily decreasing to its current full time enrollment number of 4,507 students.

See STATE OF UNIVERSITY page 3

See BUDGET page 5

Enrollment projected to continue decline next semester Aquatic

University President Sue Thomas spoke at the State of the University Feb. 18. She talked about the future of the University. Photo by Ryan Pivoney

VOLUME 111 ISSUE 15 © 2020

the University to get income.

The low projections will negatively impact the budget for next year. Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the University will lose roughly $1.2 million next year from enrollment numbers being down.

He said the other budget concerns and payments result in roughly $1.7 million in total being lost for next year.

Rector said a committee of faculty has been formed to look at ways to reduce costs on the academic side.

See ENROLLMENT page 3

01 0* 5,

1 23

5,

5,

27 6,

85 3

2

37 6,

8

9

Total enrollment 2015-20 20

Truman State University is projecting low enrollment numbers for the 202021 school year, continuing a downward trend for enrollment.

Enrollment has seen a near continuous drop over the past five years for both full-time and part-time students.

Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, said the University is hoping to receive 925 new full-time freshman students. The original goal for the fall semester was 1,075.

“I’m not confident we’re going to make that,” Lange said. “I’m optimistic and doing everything we can to push to that, but somewhere around that 900 number — 925 number — is what we’re looking at for incoming students.”

The amount of full-time, first-time freshman for the 2019-20 school year was 899. Lange hopes to stay steady around 900 students and hopefully surpass it.

Lange said she hopes the lower budget and enrollment numbers are not noticeable by the student body. She also said she wants the faculty to continue teaching the same classes in the same quantity as the current year.

Lange said many initiatives are being put in place to help with enrollment. Most of these are focused on the high school class of 2021. Events for accepted students are seeking to have a high yield percentage, which is the amount of admitted students who decide to attend Truman.

One of the biggest events is the Pershing scholarship process, the highest and most competitive scholarship offered at the University. The process used to consist of individual interviews

over the course of one day. Lange said this was changed to a three day event, where 76 students stayed on campus, were interviewed and met with faculty.

“The hope was that any student who wasn’t offered a Pershing would still fall so in love with Truman they would want to come here,” Lange said.

Lange said that a high yield of students can keep numbers steady, even if enrollment numbers are down.

Enrollment is one of the University’s main sources of income, with state funding being one of the other main ways for

6,

ANAKIN BUSH Staff Writer

center moves forward JOSIE WAGNER Staff Writer

After some setbacks, construction has officially begun on the new aquatic center. Within the next weeks and into summer, the community will see evidence of the construction near Rotary Park.

Rodney Sadler, Kirksville parks and recreation director said a lot of the parts of the old pools were falling apart, so a renovation was necessary. He said the outdoor slide was not operational and the mechanical rooms were unsustainable. It was estimated that the cost of repairs would be millions of dollars.

See AQUATIC CENTER page 5

Aquatic Center budget

8 million $

2015

2016

2017

*Estimated 2020 enrollment

2018

2019

2020

Funded by a half-cent sales tax

started in April

2017

The Index

2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Stuff-A-Plush runs out in minutes

SAB had a variety of animals for attendees to stuff, including cats, bears and alligators. Each animal came with a Truman shirt to dress them in.

Left: Students stuff plush animals at the Student Activities Board event titled Stuff-A-Plush. The event was hosted Wednesday, Feb. 12. Photos by Rachel Becker Right: The event had 220 stuffed animals and ran out within the first 30 minutes. SAB tweeted that it was out of supplies and thanked participants for attending.

SAB President Josh Jay said the event was an absolute sucess. He said he was surprised at the amount of excitement this event drummed up on campus and SAB plans to make it even bigger and better next time.

Crime Reports staff Serving the University community since 1909

DPS & KPD 2/11 Fourth degree assault reported at the 2100 block of North Baltimore St.

2/11 Third degree assault reported at the 500 block of East Buchanan St.

2/11 Theft reported at Devlin Pl.

2/11 Shoplifter reported at the 2200 block of North Baltimore St.

2/11 Domestic disturbance reported at the 700 block of West Link St.

Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Pivoney Managing Editor: Elisabeth Shirk News Editor: Rachel Becker Features Editor: Erica Lindsay Copy Chief: Cara Quinn Design Chief: Emmett Divendal Photographers: Caleb Bolin, Kara Mackenzie, Bidan Yang Copy Editors: Sami Harris, Natalie Wilson, Autumn Dodd-Hinds, Jessica Robinson, Maddie Lee, Mattea Buerge, Kayla Lewis Sta Writers: Siobhan Neely, Gordon McPherson, Allison Maschho, Kira Hintz, Josie Wagner, Anakin Bush Adviser: Don Krause

2/11 Theft reported at the 1400 block of East Washington St.

2/11 Animal attack reported at the 300 block of South Osteopathy St. 2/11 Second degree burglary reported at the 700 block of South Sixth St.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Index

3

ENROLLMENT| Projections show lower enrollment, University works to turn it around Continued from page 1 He said a very large portion of the school budget goes toward academics, including hiring faculty and purchasing new books for the library.

“Since about 2001, it’s been this roller coaster,” Rector said. “Ups and downs and ups and downs. We’ve been through it lots of times” Director of Admissions Tara Hart is enacting several initiatives to try to boost enrollment. Accepted student videos were piloted this year, where current students film videos to let potential freshmen know they were accepted into Truman.

Home for the Holidays lets students talk in their previous high schools about Truman from the perspective of a student. Hart said she

wants to show prospective students that Truman can be fun in addition to its education programs.

Hart said she hopes to have enrollment numbers stay the same or increase slightly. Some students enroll during the spring semester, with 37 new students doing so this year.. Hart said the main bulk of applicants are freshmen, but they always get transfer students.

“I wanna say that last year we had a little bit over 120-130 transfer students, and that’s around our goal this year,” Hart said.

Last August, Jonathan Vieker was the first person appointed to the new role of director of retention. Vieker said his job is about looking for ways to remove barriers to allow for student success.

Vieker said he makes a lot of

smaller tweaks to improve the overall student experience. An example he gave was pushing the date of final drops for classes back two weeks to the 12th week of the semester. This change resulted in a 44% decrease in the number of students who requested a drop after the 12th week. Vieker said he also does a lot of one-on-one work with students.

Although enrollment numbers are projected to be down again, the retention numbers for freshmen are very high according to fall enrollment trends from 2015 to 2019. Fall 2018 to spring 2019 saw a retention rate of 94.4%, with fall 2019 to spring 2020 having a 95.5% rate. These numbers are up from 83.5% in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school year.

Retention rate trends fall 2019 - spring 2020

95.5%

fall 2017 - spring 2018

83.5%

STATE OF UNIVERSITY| President Sue Thomas hosts campus wide meeting about the future of Truman Continued from page 1 This, along with another increase in MOSERS costs, creates a decrease of about $3 million in the operating budget for the fiscal year 2021.

Thomas pointed to a prediction that estimated college enrollment in Missouri would drop by 2-7%, but Truman experienced an enrollment decrease of 19.7% from where it should be in 2019. Retention, however, is steady for the first time in five years.

Thomas said that other factors in addition to demographic shifts are to blame for Truman’s decreasing enrollment. While it is disappointing that enrollment continues to decrease, Thomas said there is still opportunity to find ways to turn that trend around.

With a variety of goals and metrics laid out in the strategic plan that is currently in development, Thomas said the University community needs to prioritize those over anything else. Truman, Thomas said, needs to refocus to become an outcome based institution, cutting the activities that don’t contribute or support the University’s goals.

One of the areas the University will be concentrating on is its liberal arts mission.

“We need to start saying what we do is exactly what the world needs,” Thomas said. “Because the research is very clear it is exactly what the world needs.

So being externally focused allows us to make that case. We need to have kind of a forward and future orientation rather than the status quo or the past.”

Thomas said the University needs to determine who it is and what it means to be a liberal arts institution in 2020 and beyond. She said that will help the University community stay energized and engaged in promoting that to the rest of the world.

The strategic plan currently being developed — which should be drafted by the end of March — is expected to help Truman define the goals and areas it needs to focus on. These areas in-

clude enrollment, campus climate, operation effectiveness, graduation rates, academic performance, next destination rates, employer satisfaction and alumni satisfaction. Thomas said this strategic plan is different because it is designed to have metrics or measurements of how well the University is achieving its goals in each area built in.

“A lot of times people think, ‘Well, if you stay limited you’re letting lots of

things go away. There are lots of valuable things that you then just don’t focus on,’” Thomas said. “But for us, I think the only way we get to where we need to be is we need to concentrate. We need to focus on what we need to do. That strengthens everything that’s associated with it.”

Thomas concluded the address by talking about developments with the rebranding campaign, which is slated to be announced March 4.

Truman State University President Sue Thomas delivered the annual State of the University address Tuesday. In the meeting Thomas addressed the expected budget changes from last year, Truman’s legislative focuses that could impact the budget, wage changes and how the budget settled this fiscal year. Photo by Ryan Pivoney

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Students should take active role in Truman’s future Truman State University is yet again facing issues with funding and looking at ways to shed costs. Most of these budget concerns, however, come from the falling enrollment. With the University expecting even fewer students next year, there will likely be a $3 million difference in what is generated from tuition in addition to the growing costs of faculty retirement plans.

These looming concerns, among others, were presented at the State of the University address on Tuesday by President Sue Thomas to a room filled largely with faculty and staff. The address covered multiple topics, including budget and enrollment trends, the strategic plan and the University’s need to prioritize, all of which affect campus and student life as a whole.

We, The Index Editorial Board, find it disheartening to attend meetings of such importance and be some of just a few students in the room. It is to the benefit of the student body to be informed on the major issues facing Truman and critically think about how those issues affect this institution and the education it provides.

As students, we should be invested in the University and how its decisions are made because its effects have the most impact on us.

There are so many governing bodies at Truman that hold open meetings for students to attend, from the Board of Governors to Student Government. Students should be attending Faculty Senate and Undergraduate Council meetings, where faculty discuss the curriculum and how to improve the education provided at Truman. They ought to be attending the open forums hosted by the Student Affairs Office or the Union & Involvement Services, which help determine how to make student life on campus more enriching. Students need to be attending the State of the University address, where the president talks about the major issues of the year and their effect on the University as a whole.

Students ought to take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about Truman and the place they call home. While ignorance is bliss, it is also dangerous when so many changes are taking place. Everyone, even students, should be invested in the goodwill of the University. As the University continues to try to generate creative solutions to these growing issues, students should be concerned, too. Afterall, those solutions have the most impact on us.

There is, however, a caveat to this charge. With the exception of the State of the University address, most of these meetings and forums are poorly advertised, making it hard for students to know to attend them. Additionally, students expressing their opinions and experiences need to be heard by Truman faculty, staff and administration. If students don’t feel respected or like their voice matters then there is no point in attending.

While students should make a larger effort to be more informed, Truman administration, faculty and staff should also make a larger effort to include students and their perspective.

So whether you’re passionate about making student life more fulfilling, invested in the development of the new curriculum or are confused about the condition the University is in, go to the meetings.

StuGov Buzz| Student Government celebrates Diversity Week The Student Government Diversity Committee is thrilled to announce its programming for the 2020 Diversity Week held March 16-21. Diversity Week is an annual celebration, information and advocacy week hosted by Student Government. It was created in order to highlight our diverse campus community, advocate for underrepresented voices and create critical dialogue.

This year, we are proud to announce that our theme is “Intersectionality.” The term was coined by law professor Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989 in order to describe how race, class, gender and other individual characteristics intersect and overlap with one another. In order to make this year’s Diversity Week truly intersectional, we have created events in collaboration with a variety of organizations on Truman’s campus. We are working with the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, PRISM: Truman State University’s Pride Alliance, the Association of Black Collegians, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, the Center for International Students, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Program, National Pan-Hellenic Council Greek organizations, the Episcopal Campus Ministry and a variety of other cultural and identity based organizations.

Our events are made possible by the following co-sponsors: Greek Life, the Student Affairs Office, the classical and modern language department, the Office of Admissions, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, and the sociology, anthropology, and justice systems department.

The Unity Dinner will be provided 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 16 in the Student Union Building Activities Room. The function is a free of charge event and will feature presentations from a variety of Truman’s cultural, identity and support-based organizations in addition to guided table discussion. All Truman students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available upon request. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP. The Faith and the LGBTQ+ Community Panel will be presented at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 in Baldwin Hall 114. Join us to hear stories and perspectives from LGBTQ+ community members surrounding the navigation of faith, sexuality and identity.

Spaces of Exile, Music of Unity: The Ar-

rival of Salsa in the Heartland will be hosted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in the SUB Activities Room. Pablo Sanhueza, creative director and co-founder of the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra, will perform and present on the political and cultural significance of Afro-Latin music in the midwest while telling the story of political exiles and immigrants arriving in Kansas City in the 1970s and 1980s. This event is open to all.

The Supporting Students of Color Panel is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19 in BH 114. This panel will focus on the unique obstacles and experiences of students of color at Truman State University. Through this discussion, we hope to uncover barriers and strategize ways to expand inclusivity at Truman. The event is open to all.

The “Moonlight” showing and discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 in Violette Hall 1000. “Moonlight” is a critically acclaimed film which earned the 2016 Academy Award for Best Picture. It is a semi-autobiographical work based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.” The film follows the main character across his youth, adolescence and early adult life as he faces obstacles related to his sexuality, identity and physical and emotional violence. Following the showing of the film, the Association of Black Collegians and the Queer People of Color Collective will host a discussion around the film. Capacity is first come, first served.

The Diversity Retreat is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21 in the SUB Activities Room. This opportunity is an annual event hosted by the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Join us to examine and discuss identity, intersectionality and the impact of privilege and oppression through a series of interactive activities, experiences and critical dialogue hosted by the CDI. Lunch is provided. RSVP is available on the Truman website.

Please reach out to Shania at sm4145@ truman.edu if you have any questions.

SUBMITTED BY: Shania Montufar, Campus Diversity Committee Chair

How to make college more disability friendly SIOBHAN NEELY Staff Writer

There is no doubt about it: college is not very disability friendly, despite the Title IX anti-discrimination policies and accommodation rules set in place. Although its primary purpose is academics, college is a multifaceted experience that goes way beyond the academic setting.

Let’s take one example: autism.

The enrollment rate for autistic young adults age 18-24 in college is 33%, according to The State Press. This is already lower than the average of the general population of young adults, which is 40%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This disparity, however, isn’t the most striking figure. Less than 20% of autistic young adults finish college in five years, according to The State Press. This starkly contrasts 40% of the general collegiate population who

graduates in four years, as stated by The Classroom.

Why is this? Accommodations most of the time don’t cut it, especially for students with developmental and learning disabilities. Most college activities are loud and crowded. Attendance policies are often strict and don’t take into account the mental health needs of students. I know this is not a top priority for professors and even students, but as an autistic college student, I think I deserve the same opportunity to succeed as everyone else. Here is how I propose we combat this striking difference.

First, Truman State University could implement better disability training. Staff disability training in universities is usually fairly slim. A few extra hours of training per year wouldn’t hurt, especially with consistent updates. Most disability training consists of referring students to the Student Access and Disability Services Office and what to do in a mental health crisis, leaving much unaddressed, especially in the areas of hidden disabilities. Professors should learn about disabilities and their impact on student

performance without proper accommodation. In addition, Residence Life should be trained on this so they can better understand where their residents are coming from.

Second, Truman should reform attendance policies. Many professors have strict attendance policies, which penalize absences. Students with disabilities often get more stressed and/or more sick, in addition to necessary doctors visits, etc. An adjusted attendance policy can decrease the amount of stress students face because of school, and in turn, their grades will go up.

Third, we should modify accommodation systems. Accommodations are helpful, but sometimes they don’t go far enough, and those who are undiagnosed or self-diagnosed have a hard time receiving them. Helpful resources could include a tentative full schedule by two weeks into the semester, an extended add/drop period and dual aid for students taking notes (such as an auditory lecture alongside a visual PowerPoint).

Truman should also make campus more accessible. Every building has at least one working elevator and ac-

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cessible external access, but there is no campus transportation system. For a lot of people with disabilities, treks across campus, like from Ophelia Parrish Hall to Barnett Hall, are not feasible, let alone in ten minutes.

A means of campus transportation, even just a small athletics bus, would make a world of difference and allow people to get to class on time without causing too much physical strain on their bodies.

Finally, Truman should make sure accessibility efforts extend beyond the academic setting. While academics is the main function of college, it is not the only facet. During Truman Week, all the chaos had me feeling overwhelmed. A more relaxed Truman Week would help students with disabilities, such as sensory issues, be able to take in more information.

Having a social club for those with disabilities could allow them to make and keep more friends on campus. A sensory-friendly residence hall or floor would also be helpful. Any effort to make a more inclusive environment for college students with disabilities can make a difference.

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5

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

BUDGET| Faculty, administration look for money to reallocate to balance University budget Continued from page 1 She said cutting $1.4 million from the budget will have an impact and Truman will have to make informed decisions in a short amount of time to mitigate the impact of the cuts.

Olson said the committee is trying to come up with recommendations and priorities for both the short term and the long term.

“Because of the ongoing nature of this issue, many of the easiest solutions have already been used,” Olson said. “The committee would like to use easiest remaining solutions short term, to the extent possible.”

Olson said easy solutions will possibly be exhausted for the fiscal year 2020. He also said there will need to be some significant changes in the long term about the way some things are done around Truman.

“Long term the budget cuts will almost surely require a noticeable decrease in staffing with current and projected enrollment numbers,” Olson said. “Since a 2006 email to campus from then-president [Barbara] Dixon, it has been clear that the University has had too many faculty relative to the number of students.”

Olson said the high faculty number also contributes to the low faculty salaries. He said that some people would like downsizing to be done to the maximum extent possible through voluntary separations from Truman.

Olson said faculty who are tenured or in tenure-track positions are fairly secure in terms of keeping their jobs. Elimination of those types of jobs would require more budget problems than the University can handle, and would likely require a declara-

tion of financial exigency. He said Truman is nowhere near that point.

Olson said, however, non-tenure track faculty have less job security, but the committee would like to treat them as humanely as possible.

“Some faculty who will not lose their job will likely be required to redesign how they do their jobs,” Olson said. “With fewer faculty [long term], there will need to be increased emphasis on efficiency in credit hour generation. Some people will perhaps have to broaden what they teach to things outside just their home department or even a subarea within their home department.”

Olson said the committee made a conscious choice to start looking for funds in places where they might be able to accumulate the largest amounts of funds quickly with comparatively minimal pain.

He said the first place the committee identified was cost savings from attrition, which consists of salary and benefit savings from people who have left Truman or signaled that they will before next August.

“That may have gotten us half or more of the sum of money we were looking for in the first week, depending on how the budget director scores those findings,” Olson said.

“We have subsequently moved on to look at things like historical patterns of unspent funds in academic affairs subunits and potential reductions in operating budgets for some departments or other subunits.”

Olson said the committee is trying to buy time in its short term decision making so that some of the more substantial changes that will

need to come at the level of departments and individual faculty members can be thoughtfully determined.

It is not unreasonable to request reasonable changes in how things are done, he said, but it is only fair to give people time to come up with plans on how best to do those things.

“All [committee members] acknowledge that the best interest of the University as a whole must come first while we try to treat people humanely,” Olson said.

Olson said the group is committed to the fact that departments and faculty will need to be held accountable for credit hour generation targets, but it is up to the departments as to how those targets are achieved.

Gooch said deans are working with their respective departments to determine where they can cut back to give back to the general fund. All things have to be considered on an

individual basis, she said, because every department is different.

Decisions about number of sections taught, size of sections, credit hours per course, frequency of course offerings, specificity of course offerings and others are best made at a local level, Olson said.

“How I feel about the budget cuts doesn’t matter. The cuts must come,” Olson said. “Among the reasons that the cuts must come is to deal with increases in costs beyond our control.”

Olson said it is quite possible that at the end of this ongoing process Truman will be a better university than it is now.

Administration might find increases in efficiency, might be able to improve equitable treatment of faculty and find new ways of doing things that yield better student outcomes, he said.

Estimated budget difference for next year

University needs to save

$3 million to balance the budget

AQUATIC CENTER| After budget set backs construction is underway to be something special,” Burden said.

He assured that the committee was looking to create a project that was built to last and would serve as many members of the community as pos-

sible. The addition of indoor shallow water options were among the changes that were made to the plans.

The new aquatic center is scheduled to open Memorial Day 2021.

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reation held community engagement sessions to ask community members what they wanted in the aquatic center.

An appointed sub-committee sent out surveys to the general public and garnered upwards of 600 responses. Children were also included in the opinion sessions, Sadler said.

Sadler said there will be many amenities that are tailored to children, such as family slides, shallow lanes in the lap pool for swim lessons and “splash pad” features. These will also be accessible to those in wheelchairs.

Mayor Zac Burden was involved with the People for Better Parks Committee that lobbied the community to support the tax that would go on to fund the aquatic center and other park initiatives.

“We’ve had a long tradition of a pool located right in the heart of town for folks to be able to utilize and I think our new project is really going

CO

Continued from page 1 The new aquatic center will be on the same site as the old, but there will be a new outdoor pool and the indoor pool will be heavily renovated, Sadler said.

The bath houses, concession stands and behind-the-scenes mechanics will be completely new. The facility will also include new staff offices and a meeting room so that the members of the department can work in one location.

The initial bids from contractors came in over budget, but after revisions to the plans, one of the bids from the second round was taken. The groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 2, but was postponed due to inclement weather until Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The project, which will cost around $8 million, is funded by a half-cent parks sales tax which started April 2017.

The Department of Parks and Rec-

RE

NO

VA HO TED US B E AT

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FAMILY SLIDE ZERO-DEPTH ENTRY SPRAY GROUND

The new aquatic center will be on the same site as the old. There will be a new outdoor pool and the indoor pool will be heavily renovated. Submitted photo E MILL ST

REET

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calendar WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FEB. 22 12-5 P.M. STUDENT UNION BUILDING The third annual Women’s Leadership Conference will showcase women in government, STEM and community leadership panels with an overall focus on professional development and networking. There will also be a speed networking session where attendees can practice their interview and resume crafting skills.

27 FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

22 FEBRUARY

Truman State University students can get their professional photos taken by University photographer Tim Barcus.

Recruiters from non-profit, for-profit and governmental agencies are visiting Truman to speak with Truman State University students about job and internship opportunities.

29

news in brief

PROFESSIONAL PHOTO BOOTH FEB. 27 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. STUDENT UNION BUILDING 3204

CAREER AND INTERNSHIP EXPO FEB. 27 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M. STUDENT UNION BUILDING

27 FEBRUARY

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT FEB. 29 11:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. PERSHING BUILDING 130 Truman State University’s Alpha Sigma Gamma sorority is hosting a dodgeball tournament with teams of six to 10 players each. Sign ups are $3 per person and will close at 11:59 p.m. Feb. 20.

GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS 7 P.M. BALDWIN HALL AUDITORIUM The Golden Dragon Acrobats will demonstrate their award winning talents courtesy of Truman State University’s Kohlenberg Lyceum Series.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or in person at the McClain Hall cashier window or at the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce building. Remaining tickets can also be purchased at the Baldwin Hall Auditorium ticket window 30 minutes before the performance starts.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

02 MARCH

MoLSAMP scholars attend conference Truman State University Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation students and two faculty members attended the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 6-9. The MoLSAMP Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of students who receive degrees in the STEM fields. Students presented research and participated in professional development activities. Underrepresented students in STEM majors at Truman are invited to join the program.

Student Research Conference seeking submissions Submissions for the Student Research Conference are being accepted now through 11:59 p.m. March 4. All students are invited to submit abstracts, which will be approved by faculty mentors. The conference is set to take place April 16. Complete guidelines can be found at the SRC website. For any questions email osr@truman.edu.

Career and Grad School Week coming soon Career and Grad School Week provides students with opportunities to network with graduate school recruiters and employers for after their time at Truman State University.

There are activities, including an etiquette dinner, leading up to the Grad School Expo and Career & Internship Expo.

Truman forensics team brings home gold in debate The Truman State University Forensic Union participated in the Missouri Association of Forensics and Activities State Championship Tournament this past weekend. The team placed third overall and won the state championship in debate for the fourth consecutive year.

life

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

7

TRUCare engages Bulldog community and beyond

Worldwide service initiative connects students, alumni, communities ERICA LINDSAY Features, Opinions Editor While the joys of spring break and shamrocks are quickly approaching, TRUCare’s service initiatives are also exciting opportunities next month for the Truman State University community. Nationwide volunteer efforts are bridging the gap between current, future and former students through the sentiment of giving back.

The program began in 2017, when local service objectives were expanded across the midwest and eventually throughout the country. TRUCare then began its pursuit of strengthened volunteer integration by planning charity events with alumni chapters, monitoring Truman volunteer hours and bringing it all together with a longstanding community service event.

Luke Callaghan, alumni relations coordinator, said the project was constructed as a way of linking those affiliated with Truman across both generations and locations.

“TRUCare was set up as a way to kind of engage alumni, faculty, staff and friends to give back and continue the Bulldog journey — that journey of service and commitment to the community once graduation has happened and post graduation,” Callaghan said. “Typically, we have around 1,200 volunteers during the month of March that give back to their communities.”

With an objective of such broad scope, finding where to begin can often be a cumbersome process. Because the events are listed on TRUCare’s website, however, Callaghan explained that embarking on a personal service journey is greatly simplified.

Projects range across the U.S. to accommodate students and alumni from multiple locales, including those in Missouri, such as Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as out of state and even abroad.

To get involved, Callaghan suggested that students and alumni reach out to organizations or affiliations they have across the country.

“We’re basically relying on our alumni and our friends to have connections or make connections in their community,” Callaghan said. “There are a lot here in northeastern Missouri that I

know of and work with personally, but there’s also that same need for volunteerism in every community across the nation.”

Students at Truman tend to be driven toward charitable efforts, Callaghan pointed out, whether that be via the SERVE Center, service fraternities or club fundraising. That strive for public welfare, however, frequently diminishes upon leaving college volunteer affiliations — which is exactly what TRUCare looks to prevent.

Callaghan described the need for community assistance as larger than simply local outreach or service group events. While those mediums can provide occasions to help those in the immediate vicinity of the University, Callaghan emphasizes the importance of considering a deeper perspective.

“You know, sometimes when we think Truman, we think [of] very small Kirksville, Missouri,” Callaghan said.

“That’s one of the things that makes us great, is this very tight-knit community here in town — but the Bulldog community is so much bigger. We want them to feel connected not only to their communities, but to Truman once they graduate, and I think to their respective communities it’s huge to see organizations coming together — regardless of who it is.”

Part of what allows the service offering to build widespread interaction is its inclusion endeavors. Though the goal is to specifically join Truman’s diverse publics, the events are made open to all.

Callaghan said this provision facilitates connections among not only the University’s affiliates, but also Truman and its greater surroundings.

“We have nine free, organized, readyto-go projects that people can sign up for in their communities, but we also want absolutely anyone to get involved,” Callaghan explained. “You don’t have to be an alumni. You don’t have to be a friend of the University. You can be absolutely anybody who wants to give back, and you can be part of this TRUCare community.”

Those same ideas were reflected by Director of Engagement Stacy TuckerPotter. Tucker-Potter, who has been working at the University for 12 years, has watched the program unfold from its

What is TRUCare?

TRUCare is a month long series of services events uniting members of the Truman community through nationwide alumni chapters and global efforts, encouraging charitable endeavors to be logged and culminating with northeastern Missouri’s annual Big Event. truman.edu/alumni-donors/events/trucare/

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tmn.truman.edu

first stages into a fully developed objec- however, one day each year is dedicated tive aimed at reaching out to the Kirks- to aiding a local populace. ville community and afar.

Truman will be hosting its 19th anTucker-Potter said the plan was ini- nual Big Event on March 28 to cap off tially to engage alumni across state the month’s efforts through a service lines, but has since shifted toward an project held in Kirksville and devoted expansive campaign involving a range toward those living in northeastern Misof participants. souri. TRUCare emerged from the occa“We’ve always known that Truman sion in 2017 and has since incorporated students are serving the community meaningful connections into Truman’s here in Kirksville, and we know that drive to serve. service doesn’t end at graduation,” “We wanted to do it in conjunction, Tucker-Potter said. because our younger “So they thought that alumni would have a service endeavor remembered having would be a great done the Big Event,” way to reach out to Tucker-Potter said. people regardless of “They can be thinkwhether they lived in ing about the fact a chapter area. That that just because was exactly what it you graduate doesn’t was designed to do, mean your service and that’s our biggest ends, right? That you hope this year.” can still be a part of The Alumni Board this really cool Truof Directors devised man community that TRUCare in attempts values service, and to extend assistance you can be thinking while also accountabout how that is going for it. Through ing to impact what volunteer tracking, you do moving forthe program looks ward.” to inspire people to TRUCare not only do good deeds and gives way to greater Alumni Relations Coordinator monitor progress via service power, but online forms found also provides eson the TRUCare tab sential networking at the alumni site. potential. Working in close proximity These records of service can be ful- to Truman associates as well as those filled in multiple ways. Tucker-Potter outside that niche lets the University explained that any charitable achieve- extend its purpose far past the campus. ment, big or small, contributes to TRUAlthough much of TRUCare’s goal Care’s month-long tally. revolves around bringing these stake“Many of us are doing service in our holders together, Tucker-Potter emphacommunities on a regular basis, so we sized that its main intention is for these really want to encourage people who groups to become a part of something live anywhere to log their hours,” Tuck- larger. er-Potter said. “You could be working “The thing that I think is the most at the library, or you could be tutoring impressive about Truman alumni is it kids after school. Anything through doesn’t matter when you graduate — the month of March counts toward that people have this really cool connection TRUCare total.” back to their alma mater,” Tucker-Potter Beyond general service, pre-orga- said. “You’ll see people who graduated nized events across the country give in the ’70s serving side by side with those who wish to serve a chance to do people who graduated in the 2000s. so with more specialized methods.

That ethic we have to make the world Alumni clubs typically coordinate a better place cuts across all those genday-long functions that accommodate erations and gives us an opportunity to their respective cities. For instance, the be a part of something that’s bigger than St. Louis branch held a pet parade last ourselves.” year in support of pet adoption awareTRUCare’s ultimate intention is to ness within that community. Other com- instill unity beyond age, region and purmunity-specific missions include the pose so that all can come together to Kansas City chapter’s help with its his- support worthy causes. torical Harvesters — The Community Callaghan also stressed the signifiFood Network and Ronald McDonald cance of transcending differences to House donations in Arizona. consolidate Truman’s service base, cit“The cool thing about it is [volun- ing heightened needs for awareness and teers] get to serve side by side with other respecting the world around us as a funalumni, which is where you form some damental tenet of TRUCare’s merits. of those connections and those bonds,” “It’s about giving back,” Callaghan Tucker-Potter said. “They’re also meet- said. “We only spend a small time here ing real needs in their communities. It’s at university, although it can feel like a been really popular in those chapters long time. It’s important to look at the and we can kind of see that taking root.” bigger picture — that we have the rest Tucker-Potter explained that she of our lives ahead of us, and it’s imporhopes these alumni events can coincide tant to make the best of what we’ve got more with shorter breaks in the future so while we’re here. It’s about making a that students can have further opportu- better world for the next generation to nities to support their individual neigh- come, the next generation of students borhoods. If these hometown events and the next generation of Bulldogs are inconvenient for student schedules, moving forward.”

“It’s about making a better world for the next generation to come, the next generation of students and the next generation of Bulldogs moving forward.”

Luke Callaghan,

@TrumanIndex

@TrumanIndex

© 2020

The Index

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

“Honey Boy” is harrowing and memorable This movie gets 5/5 chickens

GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer An emotional roller coaster from start to finish, director Alma Har’el’s “Honey Boy” is a testament to the power of empathy through storytelling.

The film is based on the life of controversial actor Shia Labeouf and his toxic relationship with his father.

After his third drunken altercation in 2017, Labeouf went to court-ordered rehab and began writing the film’s script.

“Honey Boy” is an achingly personal film for Labeouf, and that passion bleeds off the screen to create an uncompromising, bleak, yet ultimately life-affirming experience.

In its hectic opening moments, “Honey Boy” sees Otis Lort — a stand in for Labeouf, portrayed by Lucas Hedges — losing control of himself. His life spins out of control, and the sequence ends with a shocking, vividly realized car crash. The film immediately cuts to Otis in a rehab facility. A doctor identifies Otis’ post-traumatic stress and encourages him to reflect on his past.

The rest of the film unfolds in two separate yet interconnected timelines, following young Otis and present day Otis. As he undergoes exposure therapy and looks back on his childhood, Har’el turns back the clock to Otis’ upbringing as a child actor. Young Otis — portrayed by Noah Jupe — lives with his father James Lort, strikingly portrayed by

Labeouf himself. An alcoholic, convicted felon and former rodeo clown, James also becomes Otis’ personal, paid chaperone.

The film throws viewers into Otis’ life with little room to breathe. As Otis remembers the sources of his life-altering trauma, we experience those memories with him. Har’el employs a tactile, grounded style that makes viewers feel uncomfortably close to the characters.

Viewers also experience moments of joy and grace in several cerebral sequences that illustrate Otis’ recovery and optimism for the future.

Sure, this all sounds a bit too heavy for the average Truman State University student. Then again, “Honey Boy” was never intended to be an entertaining film. This is a prime example of art as therapy, of the power of art to convey intense feelings. Anybody wanting throwaway fluff can go watch “Fantasy Island” instead.

Hedges and Jupe give miraculous performances, effectively illustrating Otis’ evolution from a pure child to an aggressive young man and, finally, a calmed soul. They are completely authentic in every scene, especially Jupe, who conveys Otis’ fractured youth with heart-rending believability.

Standing tall above them, however, is Labeouf. No matter how one thinks of him offscreen, his performance in “Honey Boy” is downright incredible. Veering from sentimental-

ity to cruel outbursts in the blink of an eye, Labeouf fearlessly portrays his father. He transforms himself from a lackluster actor in Michael Bay’s “Transformers” films to a cinematic force of nature.

“Honey Boy” presents its central father-son relationship in heartbreaking detail, refusing to paint anyone with broad, moralizing strokes.

Indeed, while the film never excuses James’ cruelty and abuse, it ultimately depicts him as a wounded man. Somewhere in his heart, he wants the best for his son, but is unable to truly connect with him.

The film’s reach therefore extends beyond Labeouf’s own life to

confront the generational effects of addiction and trauma, leaving a bittersweet yet hopeful taste by the end credits.

Admittedly, “Honey Boy” omits some pertinent details about both Labeouf and his father, especially surrounding Labeouf’s life in between the two timelines. Fortunately, their omission doesn’t affect the film’s impact.

By its conclusion, viewers will likely feel both battered and rejuvenated — having had a near-unfiltered look into Labeouf’s past that doesn’t justify his later actions, but that reveals life’s baffling complexity.

Noah Jupe, playing Otis Lort, receives pie in the face to represent a recurring joke from an early Labeouf television role. Gordon McPherson rates the film a gawking 5/5 chickens. Photo from Amazon Studios

Truman’s GlobeMed chapter supports women, families abroad NATALIE WILSON Copy Editor Truman State University’s chapter of GlobeMed offers opportunities for students of all majors to make a difference in the world through service and fundraising for a charitable cause.

GlobeMed is an international organization that connects chapters on college campuses with global health non-profit organizations that are seeking to improve some aspect of their community.

Truman’s chapter of GlobeMed was established in 2006 when it began partnering with the organization Maison de Naissance in Haiti, and after 10 years of work, it was determined that Maison de Naissance could sustain itself without help from Truman’s chapter.

In spring 2016, the began work with its current partner, Mission for Community Development, in Buikwe, Uganda.

Truman’s branch voted as a chapter to partner with MCODE in spring 2016 because the chapter wanted an organization that would empower women and girls, and MCODE’s program for menstrual health education allowed them to do that, Allison Rice, co-president of Truman’s chapter, said.

Morgan Payne, community building director of Truman’s chapter of GlobeMed, said the main focus of GlobeMed at Truman is a project called “Breaking the Silence,” which promotes menstrual health education, provides supplies to the community and

reduces the stigma and lack of information about menstruation in rural communities in Uganda, Payne said.

Payne said much of the stigma stems from a lack of information on the subject, and one way Truman GlobeMed tries to combat this is through providing menstrual health education to boys and girls in schools in rural Uganda.

“It wasn’t just the fact that there wasn’t the education there,” Rice said. “It was the fact that girls started not going to school because they were on their periods or because they were getting teased. That was just something that, as a chapter, we felt really passionate about — being able to empower individuals with this.”

Rice said GlobeMed at Truman hosts many events throughout the semester to raise money for MCODE, with one big event every fall and spring semester where all the profits and proceeds go directly to MCODE. Last academic year, GlobeMed at Truman was able to meet its fundraising goal of $3,000, which helped fund the various initiatives and programs MCODE supports, Andrew Zieba, co-president of Truman’s chapter, said.

In the fall, Truman’s chapter hosts “Rave to Save,” and in the spring it typically hosts a benefit dinner or brunch where students and faculty can pay to attend the meal and hear various speakers.

The smaller fundraising campaigns often involve selling food, tabling to receive donations or selling raffle tickets to win gift cards.

A member of a Truman GlobeMed partner organization in Uganda declares her pride of womanhood while holding pink underwear. This is a common representation of women empowerment through the program. Submitted photo

This past year Truman’s chapter held its “$4 Campaign” during which it encouraged students to consider the impact just $4 could have in the life of someone in need.

The fundraising campaign was based on the fact that one menstruation kit containing reusable pads costs approximately $4, and that having access to menstruation products could keep a student in rural Uganda in school for two years, Rice said.

One newly implemented aspect of Truman’s chapter of GlobeMed is the use of online fundraising rather than strictly in-person donations which allows for fundraising outside of the immediate Kirksville area, Rice said.

Every summer Truman’s chapter sends a Grassroots Onsite Work team to the location of the partner organization to actively help it achieve its yearly goals.

The team visits schools in rural Uganda and gives out a pre-survey to students about their current knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene to get a baseline, Rice said.

Rice said a lack of information about the subject is a problem in the community, and the survey allows MCODE to gauge how much it affects the students there.

The survey asks questions about what the students there currently use to manage menstruation, how menstruation affects their daily lives and interactions with other students and about the attitudes and misconceptions students had about menstruation.

MCODE then uses that information to form an educational plan for how they aim to provide the students with accurate information about menstruation while also working to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation and menstrual health.

Lubanga Kayondo, MCODE founder and director, usually leads the lectures on menstrual health and then the team distributes the kits to young girls, Payne said.

Payne said that based on the data they gathered from post-surveys, upwards of 70% of the girls they visited the previous year were still using their kits and still benefiting from their experience with the program.

This past summer a GROW team also worked to educate students about menstrual health and hygiene, but added a new mission of helping a menstrual and maternal support group that already existed in the community.

Payne said one new initiative that MCODE has taken on is nutritional support for pregnant women, toddlers and infants.

MCODE and GROW team members would planted seeds in front of the homes of mothers and expectant mothers so they had easy access to a vegetable garden that would ensure better nutrition for them and their children, Payne said.

Payne also discussed a program which plants different forms of produce in people’s yards so they can harvest the crops and sell them as exports for a profit in order to pro-

vide them with both food and money to be more self-sufficient.

Payne said she liked GlobeMed when she joined, but since going on the GROW trip and becoming more involved in the organization, she has formed a greater connection with and appreciation for Truman’s chapter.

“I love GlobeMed a lot,” Payne said. “I love what it stands for. The national organization, I love what it’s founded on, and there’s a lot of philosophies that I want to take into being a doctor and [into] public health.”

Each semester, Truman’s chapter opens applications to join GlobeMed and hosts informational nights where students can learn about the organization.

GlobeMed is open to students of all majors and disciplines and has recently worked to attract students with different skill sets and ways of thinking.

“You don’t have to be a health science major or a bio major. We want people that are diverse,” Zieba said. “Advocating for social justice requires people with all kinds of different skills, so this year we’re looking to diversify our general body.”

The application has students explain their areas of interest and why they want to be a part of the organization. Applicants are then interviewed to determine their fit within the organization.

The primary goal of GlobeMed is to assess the specific needs of the communities its chapters serve and to work as partners with the community leaders to allow the local organization to sustain itself, Rice said.

“It really shouldn’t be about what we think they need,” Rice said. “It should be about communicating with them what they need and us being able to help them. There needs to be a factor of sustainability where we can help them to the point where they don’t need our help anymore, but also to where we’re actively listening to their needs.”

Each chapter of GlobeMed works with one other organization across the world, and organizations submit applications describing their goals to chapters that then decide who they would like to partner with.

“It’s a really good way to be doing something positive for the planet,” Payne said.

“It’s not a huge time commitment. It’s just an hour a week.”

Zieba said that since getting more involved in GlobeMed, he has become more social justice minded and passionate about advocating for others.

The program is about having the ability and resources to talk about issues that do not often get talked about, which the organization can help to teach people, Zieba said.

For more information on Truman’s chapter of GlobeMed and how to donate online, check out their Facebook page, GlobeMed at Truman State University.

The Index

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS RYAN PIVONEY, Really Kind Guy

1.

Donate to local charities

2.

Pay it forward

The winter months are when charities see some of the most activity, so this season, think about those in need and pick up some extra food and toiletries to donate. Whether you’re passionate about helping animals, fighting food insecurity, promoting education or something else, Kirksville has an organization for your mission. If you don’t have the extra money, you can also set some time aside to volunteer.

Have you ever had your Starbucks order paid for by the person in front of you? Keep the kindness moving and do the same! Most fast food and drink chains allow you to do this, and although it’s thankless, you will probably make someone’s day.

9

3.

Clear your neighbor’s windshield

4.

Give a compliment

5.

Smile and wave

Few things are more appreciated than a surprisingly clear path and a clean, snowless car in the morning.

If you aren’t rushing to class in the morning, spend a few extra minutes clearing off your roommates’ or neighbors’ cars. Nobody wants to spend time in the morning clearing snow, so eliminate that part of their morning if you can.

An unexpected compliment, even if you don’t know the person giving it, can make someone’s day. You never know how others are feeling or what they’re going through and your compliment could be the only one they get that day. Why not try to spread positivity wherever you can?

Say “hi” to those people you see all the time or have a lot of classes with, even if you don’t know them that well.

Not only is it a good way to begin a possible new friendship, but it can also make people feel acknowledged and appreciated.

KV-POP goes nuts for World Spay Day CARA QUINN Copy Chief Kirksville-Protect Our Pets is making a big impact on Kirkville’s pet community, and hopes to continue its efforts in its upcoming spay and neuter events.

KV-POP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer-based public charity which provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford the cost of spaying or neutering their pets. Since its start, the organization has helped spay and neuter over 1,000 pets.

KV-POP is holding its annual World Spay Day events from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at the Adair County Public Library and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 29 at the Schuyler County Public Library.

During these events, KV-POP gives away up to two coupons per household for $25 off the cost of spaying or neutering. Individuals who require further financial assistance are able to fill out applications online, and if financial need is evident, the organization can provide more aid. When considering the everpresent homeless cat population here in Kirksville, it might seem like organizations like KV-POP have limited impact, but Bridget Thomas, president of KV-POP and a professor at Truman State University, said its efforts have seen great success.

“In 2013 we started, and we’ve helped over 1,299 pets,” Thomas said. “This will be our seventh spring event.”

Nearly 98 pets alone were fixed during KV-POP’s spring campaign last year, and the organization hopes to give away over 100 spay/neuter coupons this year, Thomas said.

For Thomas, the mission of KVPOP is a personal one.

“One spring [when I was volunteering at the shelter] there were 15 pregnant animals,” Thomas said.

“What do you do when there are 15 cages filled with vulnerable newborns? And you know that they’re going to have to hang out in that cage for eight weeks? And then you’re go-

ing to have to find homes for all those adults and all those babies. I thought, ‘We have to prevent this.’ The solution was obvious. Spay and neuter.”

Wanting to take action, Thomas joined the Board of Directors for the Adair County Humane Society in 2007, where an active spay/neuter program was already in place.

The Humane Society would give out $50 coupons to those in need, but eventually the cost of the operation became too much. Wanting to focus their funds solely on shelter costs, the Humane Society decided to stop offering the coupons. The same day those efforts ceased, Thomas quit the Board and started KV-POP, which she described as similar to the Humane Society’s previous efforts but more cost effective.

With the help of Sherri Palmer, the current founder of Field of Dreams Rescue and retired Truman professor, KV-POP was formed. Today, Thomas said the organization has 20 members who pay membership fees, roughly 10 volunteers and a Board of Directors consisting of five people.

Since its start in July 2013, KVPOP has issued 758 vouchers covering the entire cost of spaying/neutering, Thomas said. Additionally, 364 $25 off coupons — not including the coupons distributed during the organization’s spring campaigns — have also been given out.

The event normally sees lines extending out of the building, so those interested in receiving coupons are advised to arrive early. Upon arrival, individuals consult with either Thomas or another member of the Board, where information is collected regarding the owner’s name and the pet’s name and gender.

While the organization mainly focuses its efforts on annual World Spay Day events held every spring, its assistance doesn’t stop there. KVPOP also attends the annual NEMO Community Connect event, which is held the first Friday of each October.

The NEMO Community Connect is another 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 2013 with the

“ We know we’re living in a low

income area. We know that it’s not because people don’t know any better, it’s really that they just need a little help financially.”

-Bridget Thomas, president of KV- POP goal of connecting families at risk of homelessness to community resources. While spaying and neutering make up a large portion of KV-POP’s efforts, the group also utilizes these additional events to support its second major focus, which is providing tags for pets free of charge.

“They have all kinds of different nonprofits and other services in one room so that people who are struggling with home insecurity can come and visit and get help,” Thomas said.

“We can help by giving them a collar with a tag with the dog’s name on it. It’s something that can make their family feel more secure.”

Thomas said some people have the misconception that pet owners don’t spay or neuter their animals because they don’t know any better given the rural community of Kirksville.

The main issue, Thomas said, is really cost, which is reflected in the presence of events such as NEMO Community Connect.

“We know we’re living in a low income area,” Thomas said. “We know that it’s not because people don’t know any better, it’s really that they just need a little help financially.”

Despite their name, which was chosen as to prevent any confusion with the Northeast Missouri Humane Society in Hannibal, Missouri, the efforts of KV-POP are not limited to only Kirksville. Thomas said the organization has a 30 mile reach in all directions.

KV-POP is often present at

many of the large community gatherings held in Kirksville throughout the year in an attempt to always be available to those who need help locally.

These events also allow KV-POP to push its efforts in providing pet tags alongside its spay/neuter coupons and vouchers.

“We’ll often be at the [Kirksville Kiwanis] Farmers’ Market with all of our stuff,” Thomas said. “We have this tool kit where we can write the animal’s name and get the phone number on a tag and hand that to somebody for free. That tag makes a pretty important part of our outreach.”

When considering other ways to support the homeless pet community outside of donating to or volunteering at local animal organizations, Thomas said that feeding strays is always nice, but not necessarily the only thing that can be done. While cat kibble alone can be costly, KV-POP is always willing to assist in the cost of spaying and neutering any potential strays.

“It is kind to feed cats if you see them struggling on the streets,” Thomas said. “But if you feed them, you should fix them.”

During its Feb. 24 and Feb. 29 events, KV-POP has 250 available $25 off coupons for those with pets in need. For more information on this event, be sure to check out the group’s Facebook page, KV-POP Protect Our Pets.

The Index

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

In Perspective Narratives from the campus community

What brought you to Truman?

Kara Jo Levery, former student, career ready coach “I learned about Truman during my junior year in high school. I was very much into having academic challenge, but also really committed to music and the arts. Two of my close friends who were seniors that year had decided to come to Truman, and around that time I had also got a mailer from Truman. Then we circle back around to my senior year, and I was procrastinating and needing to apply. I was a first generation student, so my dad was very hands off, and my mom was like, ‘Let’s think about colleges,’ but also, ‘I’m gonna put a lot of this work on you.

This is gonna be your decision.’ So, as I’m feeling pressured to figure out what I’m gonna do, I remembered [my friends] at Truman and the information that really connected with me and what I read in the mailer about how they do liberal arts here, so I decided to go and visit.

They invited me to go and hang out with them and spend a weekend on campus. So we stayed overnight in Centennial Hall and I got to meet all of their friends. It felt already like a home away from home. I loved the campus. I loved how beautiful it was. I wanted to have some nature around. I loved the brick buildings, ivy, that kind of feel. Honestly, it was the people that made me feel connected.”

Joseph Recupero III, admission counselor “I came here for a job, first and foremost. I worked in admissions during my [undergraduate degree] at Gettysburg College, and when you’re a junior and senior at Gettysburg you essentially do the job of an admissions counselor. So I had that experience and I had a background in diversity and inclusion training, which was originally the job I had applied here for, was the diversity and inclusion counselor. I had completed my master’s [degree] at Columbia University, my significant other was moving here to complete his master’s at [Washington University] and so I looked for jobs in the St. Louis area. Turns out, I didn’t realize this was not the St. Louis area — just three hours away — but I cover that territory now and I saw the opportunity to work in admissions again, because I think education is something that everyone should have access to. So yeah, I’ve been to 60 countries around the world and landed in rural Missouri, but I’m really enjoying it. I’ll probably be here the rest of this year and next year before going on for Ph. D.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Index

UPCOMING EVENTS

Baseball • Vs Upper Iowa University in Pittsburg, Kansas, at noon Friday, Feb. 21 • Vs Upper Iowa University in Pittsburg, Kansas, at noon Saturday, Feb. 22 • At Pittsburg State University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 • At Pittsburg State University at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 • At Lindenwood University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 • At Lindenwood University at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 • At Lindenwood University at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 1 • At Lindenwood University at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 1

11

Women’s basketball • At Drury University at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 • Vs Southwest Baptist University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 • At Maryville University at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 • At Missouri University of Science and Technology at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29

Softball • At the Midwest Region Crossover vs Ohio Dominican University at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 • At the Midwest Region Crossover vs Ferris State University at TBD Saturday, Feb. 22 • At the Midwest Region Crossover vs Northwood UniverMen’s basketball sity at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 • At Drury University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 • At the Midwest Region Crossover vs Kentucky Wesleyan • Vs Southwest Baptist University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 College at noon Sunday, Feb. 23 • At Maryville University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 • At Missouri University of Science and Technology at 3 p.m.

Tennis Saturday, Feb. 29 • At Coe College at TBD Sunday, Feb. 23 Men’s, women’s track and field • At Missouri Collegiate Challenge TBD Saturday, Feb. 22

Bulldogs drop to 2-5 before conference play

Above: Right-handed pitcher and first baseman Holden Missey prepares to catch the ball in the field. Missey hit a double to the left in game two of the double header against Rogers State University. Photo by Truman Athletics Left: Catcher Jake Schneider awaits the ball behind home plate. Schneider batted at single to the left in the sixth inning of game one. Photo by Kara Mackenzie

Outfielder Adam Stolley looks to take another base. The Bulldogs are on a four game losing streak and looking for a win in their matchup against the Upper Iowa University Peacocks on Friday. Photo by Truman Athletics

The Index

12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

SEASON STANDINGS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Overall

Conference

Home

Away

17-7

13-3

10-0

6-5

Neutral 1-2

Overall

Conference

Home

Away

17-6

13-3

8-3

6-2

BASEBALL Overall 2-5

Neutral 3-1

TENNIS

Conference

Home

Away

0-0

0-0

1-4

Neutral 1-1

Overall

Conference

Home

Away

0-0

0-0

0-1

0-3

Neutral 0-2

WBB| Women’s basketball team to face former head coach SWIM| Bulldogs break Continued from page 14 Dean said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure facing off against the team’s former head coach. He said he just wants to do his job and prepare the team the best he can.

“If you’re not on my side of the bench, you’re my opponent,” Dean said. “It doesn’t really matter to me how long I’ve known you or who you are. You’re my opponent for those 40 minutes, then after that we’re back to how we were.”

Dean said the team is looking forward to playing against a tough team. He said he and many players have already begun looking at film to prepare for the game.

Guard Katey Klucking said besting Eagan and the No. 1 Drury Panthers is not the team’s only goal. She said the team also wants to put itself in a good position for the GLVC tournament.

“We only have four more games so we really got to buckle down, because they’re probably the four toughest teams in the conference,” Klucking said.

multiple school records

Guard Sloane Totta reaches for a basket. The Bulldogs are 13-3 in conference play. Photos by Kara Mackenzie

Guard Hannah Belanger dribbles the ball. Belanger is one of the many freshmen on this year’s young team.

Continued from page 14 The women also had five scorers in the 100 fly — Olson, Brabham, senior Maggie Hickey, freshman Sarah Nelson and sophomore Alexis Krogman. In the 400 individual medley, senior Lauren Massot, junior Annika Hofer, Schranck, sophomore Christina Jurotich and sophomore Madison Nguyen all scored points. Finally, Galluzzo and sophomore Alexis Poe each got B cuts in the 200 freestyle.

For the men, the 400 medley relay team made up of senior Brenden Harris, junior Mark Franz, sophomore Mike Franz and senior Lliot Gieseke almost beat the school record with a time of 3:19:85, but were just a few seconds shy.

The women’s team held on to its fourth place position while the men moved up to eighth place by the end of the first half.

The swim teams set multiple Truman records and received multiple B cuts on the third day of competition.

For the men, sophomore Connor Neils set a new record for the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:29:87, which was good enough for 13th overall and a B cut. Mark Franz established a new record for the 100 breaststroke with a time of 54:57, which tied him for fifth and earned a B cut.

For the women, Galluzzo set the new record for 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:01:16, which was good enough for second place and a B cut. Schranck also received a B cut in the 100 breaststroke coming in ninth place. Senior Megan Mensinger also earned a B cut after coming in 13th place in the 500 freestyle.

After the eventful day, the women’s team stayed in fourth place and the men’s team remained in eighth place.

On the final day of the championships, the swim teams were able to squeeze in a few more school records. Neils finished eighth in the men’s 200 backstroke, but broke Truman’s record with a time of 1:54:16. For the women, Galluzzo finished third in the 200 breaststroke and broke Truman’s record with a time of 2:14:48.

Some Bulldogs will go on to compete in the NCAA national championships in Geneva, Ohio, March 11-14.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

The Index

13

MEN’S BALL| Bulldogs split tough couple of games

Above: Guard Luke Terhark takes the ball down the court, despite pressure from the opposing team. The team recently lost first place in the GLVC. Left: Guard Hunter Strait dribbles the ball. Strait played a large role in the game against the University of Indianapolis going four for five from 3-point range.

Below: The men’s basketball team huddles in a game against Quincy University. The Bulldogs have an overall record of 17-7 and a 13-3 conference record. Photos

by Kara Mackenzie

Continued from page 14 The Greyhounds used their 57% shooting percentage to jump out to the early lead, getting some Bulldogs in foul trouble in the process. McKnight picked up some quick fouls and ended up playing 12 minutes as a result. Truman was able to survive the hot shooting by UIndy and cut the lead down to eight at halftime.

The Bulldogs used some great shooting of their own in order to fight back in the hostile environment. They hit seven of their 11 attempted 3-pointers in the half, led by guard Hunter Strait who went four of five from 3-point range. Thomas also had three 3-pointers of his own.

Both teams were consistently hitting their shots, and it became a back and forth affair. The score was tied seven times, while the lead changed hands 13 times. For the second game in a row it came down to the last possession. Scott had just given Truman a one point lead after hitting two late free throws. After a timeout, UIndy was able to inbound the ball to guard Jimmy King who raced down the court and made a tough, contested layup to down Truman at the buzzer, 83-82. King was one of five Greyhounds to score in double figures on the night. The Bulldogs had four players with double figure points and were led by Thomas and Strait with 22 and 21 points, respectively. One of the key factors was rebounding. Truman won the rebounding battle each game of its six game win streak, except for its game on Saturday.

“They were bigger than us at most positions, which is not usually the case,” McKnight said. “They shot the ball so well that there really weren’t a lot of rebounds to get. If we can just stick to what we’re doing and crash the offensive glass and play good defense, we’re going to be able to compete with anybody.”

The Bulldogs season record is currently 17-7, while their conference record is 13-3, which is still good enough to be the best in the GLVC. Unfortunately, due to the points system, UIndy overtook Truman for first place in conference with its win. Next up for the ’Dogs is a trip to Drury University on Thursday, where they can potentially right the ship. Drury has the same season record as Truman and is riding a six game win streak. The Bulldogs will then return home on Saturday for their senior day game against Southwest Baptist University.

“We would love to send them out with a win,” McKnight said about this year’s seniors. “Last year we couldn’t do it, but it would be great for this year’s class to get that win.”

Truman will look to secure an undefeated home record this year of 11-0. The Bearcats are currently 18-6 on the year with a solid road record of 7-3.

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14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

BULLDOGS SPLIT ROAD GAMES JACK WILLIE Staff Writer Two buzzer beating field goals decided the men’s basketball road games this past week. The Bulldogs had two of their toughest matchups this year, playing at Bellarmine University and the University of Indianapolis.

Truman State University went into the week with the first place spot in the GLVC, trying to hold on against some tough conference opponents.

Thursday’s contest had the Bulldogs facing off against the reigning conference champion Knights from Bellarmine. Truman was drawing fouls early and often to start the game. This didn’t necessarily mean foul trouble for Bellarmine as each of its players finished the game with three fouls or less. With the help of the referees, the Bulldogs went to the free throw line 13 times and were able to convert 10 of those opportunities. Bellarmine didn’t attempt a single free throw. Truman shot 40% from the field and 29% from beyond the 3-point line. Despite this, the ’Dogs were able to take a 12-point lead into the half.

The second half had a stark contrast in the foul game than the first half did for the Bulldogs. It was Bellarmine that became the receiver of much of the foul calls, getting forward Alex McQuinn and guard Brodric Thomas into some foul trouble. The Knights were also able to have a hot shooting performance in the half, contributing to their comeback. They made seven 3-pointers while having a field goal percentage of 57% in the half. Offensively, the Bulldogs

were slowed from their first half pace. The offense seemed to stagnate a little bit when Thomas, the leading scorer of the year, sat on the bench for several minutes because of foul trouble. The game would come down to the final possession, with the Bulldogs trailing 60-58. Bellarmine decided to leave the inbounder uncovered while double teaming Thomas up the court. Forward Cade McKnight was able to inbound the ball to guard Turner Scott, who dribbled up the court, pump faked to let the defender go by and subsequently swished a leaning 3-pointer as time expired. For the second game in a row, Scott was able to make the game winning basket for the Bulldogs. He finished the game with 18 points, tying with Thomas for the team high. This marked Truman’s first win against Bellarmine since the 2016-17 season.

“Bellarmine was a huge win for us,” McKnight said. “I had never won there in my few years here, and it was the last time playing them at their place, so it was nice to steal one.”

The Bulldogs travelled to UIndy next to hopefully strengthen their hold on the top spot in conference. With a season record of 18-5, the Greyhounds looked to be a very even matchup for the 17-6 Bulldogs. UIndy came into Saturday’s game with five different players averaging more than 10 points per game, showing their willingness to spread the ball around and not letting the defense focus on one player in particular.

See MEN’S BALL page 13

Women’s basketball goes 1-1 on the road ELISABETH SHIRK Managing Editor The Truman State University women’s basketball team went 1-1 on the road last week against Bellarmine University and the University of Indianapolis.

The team lost its game at Bellarmine 72-62 last Thursday, but hit the road again on Saturday to best UIndy 69-53 and bring the Bulldog’s overall record to 17-6.

Head coach Theo Dean said a poor defensive start put the team in a hole against the Bellarmine Knights. The Bulldogs trailed by 18 points at the end of the first half, a position, Dean said, this group of women hasn’t experienced often this season.

The team regrouped at the half to go on a run in the third quarter and closed the gap to a five point margin, but ultimately ran out of time and momentum in the fourth quarter and conceded the game, Dean explained. He said this game was a learning opportunity for the team to show how important it is to start games with the same momentum as the team had in the third quarter.

“Overall, of course you never want to lose, especially in conference, but I thought we learned a lot that we transferred over to the game on Saturday,” Dean said.

Guard Sloane Totta said the Bellarmine game made the team realize its energy and intensity needed to be higher for the game against UIndy.

The Bulldogs held the UIndy Grey-

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tmn.truman.edu

“I want every time that we step on the court for us to have maximum energy, maximum effort, maximum focus.”

Sloane Totta, guard hounds to just six points in the first quarter while also scoring 14 points for themselves. They kept the offensive aggression going, also outscoring UIndy in the second and third quarters. Although the Greyhounds outscored the Bulldogs in the last quarter 18-16, the ’Dog’s energetic start carried them to the win.

“We shared the ball really well,” Totta said. “Everyone played very unselfishly. We also played with much more focus and intensity on defense.”

The team had a total of 22 assists, an effort led by Totta, who had nine assists for the game. Forward Maddie Re led the team in points with 15.

Totta said at this point in the season, the team’s goal is to get better with each practice.

“I don’t want anymore first halves of Bellarmine,” Totta said. “I want every time that we step on the court for us to have maximum energy, maximum effort, maximum focus. Then the scores will take care of themselves.”

The Bulldogs have four more games between them and the GLVC tournament, but Dean said the most important game is always the next one. The team will face Drury University and former head coach Amy Eagan on the road tonight at 5:45 p.m.

See WBB page 12

@TrumanIndex

Swim teams send Bulldogs to nationals RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

Over the course of the four day GLVC Swimming & Diving Championship, the men’s and women’s swim teams broke multiple Truman State University records, qualified a few swimmers for nationals and finished seventh and fourth, respectively.

The men’s team got 468.5 points, which was good enough for seventh place. The women’s team finished with a score of 914 points, which put it in fourth place by the end of the event.

The women’s team is sending its 400 medley relay team — comprised of junior Natalie Galluzzo, sophomore Emma Brabham, freshman Holly Olson and senior Kaylee Sisson — to nationals. With more national contenders being released later in the month, junior Ginny Schranck and junior Mark Franz are among those that have a good chance of being added to the list.

On day one of the GLVC championships the women finished fourth out of eight teams, while the men were ninth out of 11 teams. Galluzzo was a force to be reckoned with the first day as she finished sixth in the 200 individual medley and assisted the 200 medley relay team in securing fifth place.

The second day was an eventful one for the women’s team as it sealed its first NCAA finals bid with a B cut time in the 400 medley relay — a new school record time of 3:46:44. Brabham, Galluzzo, Olson and Sisson finished fifth in the race.

See SWIM page 12

The men’s and women’s swim teams competed in the GLVC Swimming & Diving Championship last weekend. The Bulldogs could be sending multiple swimmers to the NCAA championships in March. Photo by Kara Mackenzie @TrumanIndex

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