The Index Vol. 110 Issue 13

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dean of Health Sciences and Education chosen, page 3

See what The Index Editorial Board has planned for the special day

Truman students rescue neighbor in fire, page 8

page 7

Basketball defeats Quincy, page 14

Truman State University tmn.truman.edu THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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DOBSON HALL TO CLOSE NEXT YEAR RYAN PIVONEY Managing Editor

Dobson Hall will close for the 2019-20 school year to accomodate for falling enrollment and to save money.

University President Sue Thomas said the University could have closed Dobson this semester, but students were already assigned rooms and it was too late.

Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said he met with Residence Life interim director William Nelsen and Janna Stoskopf, vice president for student affairs, in early January to discuss options for addressing the decreasing enrollment and its effect on campus living.

“So we got to looking at the different options,” Rector said. “We had a small freshman class, and we know that the percentage that normally renew to come back on campus, and we did the math and said, ‘Well, that would seem to be the logical one to shut down.’”

Dobson Hall is located off East Patterson Street between Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall and Ryle Hall.

See DOBSON page 3

Photo by Daniel Degenhardt

University combats inclement weather October death ruled suicide RACHEL BECKER Staff Writer

Extreme weather since the start of the year has forced departments around Truman State University to alter plans and work wisely.

The University has closed two times in the past few weeks and has had multiple delayed starts as a result of unusual weather and consideration of community safety.

University President Sue Thomas said this year the University has closed more frequently because the weather this winter is more dangerous than usual.

Thomas said the process

of deciding to delay start times or close the University involves careful planning and input from the Department of Public Safety, Physical Plant, MoDOT, Kirksville city officials and others.

The times of delayed starts are decided based on faculty and staff shift changes, and Thomas said the University does not prioritize academics over safety.

“Those who have classes on Wednesday mornings have had a real challenge because that’s when the weather is coming in,” Thomas said. “It really comes down to who is impacted by, in these cases, the weather events that

we’ve had recently.”

Thomas said if students feel faculty are not willing to work with them to ensure they feel safe going to class, they should take concerns to the department chair, dean or provost.

Thomas also said Truman never fully closes because various staff, such as members of Information Technology Services, Sodexo employees, Physical Plant workers and others, are deemed essential.

“It’s really important for every member of our community to make an individual judgment about their safety,” Thomas said. “We may have things cleared on cam-

pus, but things may not be as clear off campus or if you live outside of Kirksville.”

Physical Plant director Sam Guth said his grounds crew team has been keeping up, even with the large amount of snow the campus has seen.

Guth said his team partially consists of 6-8 employees who have different parts of campus to take care of.

For light snow, they brush the snow off the sidewalks with John Deere mowers and attach a plow to the front for heavier snow.

See WEATHER page 5

JED Committee shares study results LIZ LOVESEE Staff Writer A plan to address mental health on Truman State University’s campus was announced Monday with the results of the Healthy Minds Survey.

Since officially partnering with the Jed Foundation in fall 2017, Truman’s JED committee has been working to improve the mental well-being of students, faculty and staff. The Healthy Minds Survey, which the committee administered to students last spring, revealed the leading causes of stress in students and provided an idea of how many students are affected by depression and anxiety.

“We had great student participation,” JED committee cochair Evonne Bird said. “We credit the students for helping us with this so when we look at the data, we know it is pretty reliable and pretty representative of our student community.”

The survey was sent out to the entire student body and had a 41 percent response rate.

Truman’s JED committee compared the survey results to the results of schools similar in size and cost within the JED program, and found that Truman does not have any alarming difference in mental illness. Truman did, however, have the highest percentage of students who reported thoughts of suicide, with 17 percent of respondents confirming they had

VOLUME 110 ISSUE 13 © 2019

RYAN PIVONEY Managing Editor The October death of Truman State University senior Abigail Fones was ruled a suicide.

Fones, a communication disorders major, died Oct. 21 in her home in Kirksville.

Janna Stoskopf, vice president for student affairs, informed students of Fones’ death in a campus-wide email following her death. In her email, Stoskopf said students are welcome to contact her with concerns and encouraged students to seek mental health assistance, if needed, from her office or University Counseling Services.

On Tuesday, Adair County Coroner Brian Noe confirmed to The Index the official cause of death was suicide.

Campus Resources for Counseling & Mental Health University Counseling Services McKinney Center, behind Kirk Memorial (660) 785-4014 ucs.truman.edu

JED Committee co-chairs Brenda Higgins and Evonne Bird, Janet Gooch, vice president for academic affairs and provost, and other members of the committee spoke at the town hall.

The address was Monday, Feb. 11. Photo by Caleb Bolin suicidal thoughts. However, 84 percent of students said they know where to go to receive help.

See JED page 6

After-hours crisis line: (660) 665-5621 Janna Stoskopf Vice president for Student Affairs Student Union Building 1110 First Floor in the CSI Complexx (660) 785-4111

The Index

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Vice president for enrollment retiring JESSICA VENVERTLOH Staff Writer Regina Morin, vice president for enrollment management, is retiring, so Truman State University has launched a search for a new vice president for enrollment management and marketing.

Morin said she plans to officially leave in May. She is retiring after 11 years in this position and 40 years of working in higher education.

In an email, University President Sue Thomas said the search was launched based on a recommendation from SEM Works, the University’s enrollment management consultant.

An outside consulting firm will be handling the search along with a search committee consisting of eight Truman staff members.

“The committee will be assisted in the recruitment phase of the process by RPA Inc.,” Thomas wrote in the email. “Review of applications will begin March 12 with the goal to have the new Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing in place by July 1, 2019.”

Search advisory committee chair Janna Stoskopf said the committee was chosen by Thomas, who identified areas on campus to be represented and then chose individuals from those areas.

Stoskopf said the role of the committee is to review the submitted applications, narrow the group of applicants down to the most qualified

candidates, make recommendations to the president about finalists to invite to campus to be interviewed, host and facilitate the interview process, and make final recommendations to the president regarding the candidates that are best suited and qualified for the position. The president makes the final decision regarding who is hired.

Stoskopf said the process is just beginning, but the committee is hoping to move things along as quickly as it can.

Morin said the outside firm Truman is using to help conduct the search has worked for the University before to fill positions. Morin said it has done a good job in the past and conducted successful searches. RPA Inc. has initiated the process and Morin said it is on a good track at the moment.

Morin’s position is being restructured to include marketing and to strengthen the focus on retention, and she said she thinks it is a great addition. Morin said it is exciting to have someone new step into the position who can offer a fresh perspective.

“There are many really positive things that are happening for someone new coming into my position, and they will just be able to pick up those initiatives and keep them moving,” Morin said. “So in that respect, it’s good timing.”

The Ruth W. Towne Museum & Visitors Center is home to Truman State University’s admission office. Regina Morin, vice president for enrollment management, oversees the office but is retiring, and the position is being restructured to include marketing. Photo by Mary Van Winkle

Library construction wrapping up under budget JESSICA VENVERTLOH Staff Writer Truman State University’s Pickler Memorial Library has completely reopened after undergoing construction to update its fire alarm and sprinkler system.

The library project began in summer 2018 and all major work was recently completed.

Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the construction project was a long process the University had been looking at for many years. Rector said the main focus of the project was replacing the fire sprinkler systems in all four floors of the library, but some lighting was also replaced and updated.

He said the project is 99 percent finished and on schedule. There are only a few minor details left involving controls and computer chips that run the sprinkler system, and those should be complete within the next 2-3 weeks.

Rector said Truman had budgeted $3.1 million for the project. This included architectural designing and construction. He said he anticipates the project will be completed under budget, and money had been saved

Pickler Memorial Library has undergone construction since last summer. The project is under budget and almost complete. Photo by Daniel Degenhardt

staff Serving the University community since 1909 Editor-in-Chief: Brently Snead Managing Editor: Ryan Pivoney Digital Director: Nicolas Telep Opinions Editor: Elisabeth Shirk Features Editor: Elisabeth Shirk Copy Chief: Allyson Lotz Design Chief: Emmett Divendal Photo Editor: Daniel Degenhardt Distribution Manager: Tyler Hanson Cartoonists: Annie Kintree Designers: Georgia Gregory, Jake Bertish Photographers: Kara Mackenzie, Mary Van Winkle, Caleb Bolin Copy Editors: Elise Hughes, Cara Quinn, Jenna Faulkner, Jessica Robinson, Emma Gottfried, Katie Puryear, Julie Mickael Staff Writers: Travis Maiden, Gordon McPherson, Lexi Mueller, Aura Martin, Jessica Venvertloh, Allison Maschhoff, Isabelle Cenatiempo, Brea Schorn, Rachel Becker, Curt Wichmer, Chad Myers, Tad Bast, Liz Lovesee Adviser: Don Krause

for several years in the University’s maintenance repair fund for this project.

Associate dean of libraries Amanda Langendoerfer said preparing for the construction was an extensive and strategic process. She said the staff mentally prepared for significant disruption, but the project went very smoothly.

“The contractors were great,” Langendoerfer said.

“They were very conscientious of the fact that this was a public building, and they really worked with the staff to make sure that the timing was appropriate when they would begin working and really made an effort to complete their work but try to stay behind the scenes.”

She said staff are happy to have the library reopened and the facilities fully operational again. She said she is encouraging people to come back and start using the study spaces again, especially the third-floor reading room, which was updated during the project with funds from several donors.

Crime Reports DPS & KPD 2/4 Second degree property damage reported at the 2000 2/7 Unlawful possession of drug block of North Florence Pl. paraphernalia reported at Missouri Hall 2/4 Shots fired reported at the 900 block of East Jefferson St. 2/8 Fourth degree assault and second degree property damage 2/4 Ambulance emergency re- reported at the 1400 block of East Washington St. ported at Missouri Hall 2/5 Sex offense reported at the 100 block of East McPherson St.

2/8 Urinating in public reported at the 800 block of East Patterson St.

2/5 Third degree assault reported at the 2100 block of South 2/9 Theft reported at the 400 block of North Elson St. Marion St. 2/5 Narcotics offense reported 2/9 Theft reported at the 2100 at the 1300 block of South Cot- block of South Franklin St. tage Grove Ave. 2/9 Minor in possession of intox2/6 Homicide reported at the icants and minor visibly intoxicated reported at Missouri Hall 600 block of North Franklin St. 2/6 Theft reported at the 700 block of West Elizabeth St.

2/10 Burglary reported at the 700 block of East Washington St.

2/7 Third degree assault report- 2/11 Third degree assault reed at the 10 block of Eastgate Dr. ported at the 1300 block of South Baltimore St. 2/7 Theft reported at the 500 block of North Baltimore St. 2/7 Burglary reported at Bobwhite Dr.

2/11 Burglary reported at the 400 block of West Hickory St.

The Index

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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Dean of Health Sciences and Education chosen RYAN PIVONEY Managing Editor After an extended search, the School of Health Sciences and Education will have a permanent dean starting June 17.

Janet Gooch, vice president for academic affairs and provost, sent an email to faculty at the beginning of the year announcing Lance Ratcliff will serve as the next dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education.

The School of Health Sciences and Education oversees four departments: communication disorders, education, nursing, and health and exercise sciences.

Gooch previously served in the position before becoming the provost. Since then, the school has had an interim dean. Truman State University conducted a year-long search for the dean position last year, but that failed. This time, Gooch said, the University worked with a search firm and had approximately 50 applicants. She said three candidates visited campus and the community felt Ratcliff was the best suited for Truman.

Ratcliff currently serves as the dean of general education and student services at Southeast Missouri Hospital

College of Nursing and Health Sciences and has 10 years of experience in academic and administrative positions.

Gooch said Ratcliff has a solid background in the field and with program development and accreditation.

“I think he is going to be a terrific fit for Truman and look forward to helping with the transition,” interim dean Jeanne Harding wrote in an email statement.

Gooch said Ratcliff will start a couple weeks earlier than new administrative officials typically do in an effort to familiarize himself with the school.

“As a dean, you’re expected to help define the vision and goals of the school and to help departments succeed to the best of their abilities to provide really high quality curriculum and make sure what’s happening in the school is in direct line with the mission of the school and the mission of the University,” Gooch said.

Gooch said she expects to see Ratcliff bring in new ideas and work with department chairs and faculty to create exciting initiatives to build on the school’s existing strengths.

Ratcliff said he is looking forward to joining the Truman and Kirksville communities and hopes to hit the

Lance Ratcliff will begin serving as the dean of health sciences and education June 17. Communication disorders, education, nursing, and health and exercise sciences are in this school. Photo by Daniel Degenhardt ground running come June. interdisciplinary approach.

Ratcliff said before applying for the Ratcliff said his goals for the School position, he had already heard about of Health Sciences and Education are Truman’s reputation as an academically starting small because he wants to first rigorous university with a strong liberal see what works well. arts background. He was familiar with “If I had to summarize my vision into Truman’s rural location, liked Truman’s two words, it would be ‘facilitate excelsize and thought the entire University lence,’ because I would want to continwas welcoming when he visited campus. ue to empower success,” Ratcliff said.

He said he is familiar with the area “It’s an opportunity to do whatever I of study with his doctorate in nutrition can do to help everyone and be a leader and food science, and has experience in the school and the University.” with the programs in the school and its

DOBSON| Dobson Hall will close next year as a result of decreasing enrollment Continued from page 1 The residence hall can house about 300 students, but this semester there are only 191, which led to closing the fourth floor this year. The building was last renovated in the 2008-09 school year.

Rector said Dobson is usually the last residence hall to fill when students are looking for housing, and it is one of the smallest residence halls on campus.

Stoskopf and Thomas said this year’s early enrollment numbers seem to be lower than last year’s.

“Anticipating the number of students we might have next year, we’re not go-

ing to get over 200 additional freshmen on top,” Thomas said. “We just don’t anticipate that happening. So the discussion was about to maintain community in all of our residence halls.”

Nelsen said the top priority of his office is making sure students who live in Dobson have a community to live in moving forward. Res Life expects the number of on-campus residents to remain the same next year.

Res Life has had discussions with Dobson student advisers who want to return next year and identified places for those staff members to work, Nelsen

Dobson Hall is currently home to 191 students. The residence hall, which houses around 300 students, will close next year because of the University’s falling enrollment. Photo by Daniel Degenhardt

said. Because there will be 13 fewer SA positions next year, Res Life did not hire as many new SAs as usual.

Nelsen said there will be enough housing on campus to accommodate next year’s projected residents. As of now, there is no definite plan for the future of Dobson Hall, but Nelsen said Res Life would be open to re-opening the building if enrollment calls for it in the future.

Rector said he talked to Sodexo General Manager Justin Dreslinski and Lori Shook from the Campus Planning Office to determine a way for the convenience store on the first floor to remain open while the rest of the building is closed off.

Rector said Truman State University will save an estimated $250,000 annually because the costs of staffing and building operations will be cut. Because the building won’t be completely shut down, Rector said he expects the building to still cost the University about $100,000 to run.

The closing of Dobson Hall has provided fewer opportunities for students to become student advisers, Stoskopf said, but the decision was made prior to hiring SA staff for next year, so Res Life hired only what was needed. The fulltime staff associated with Dobson, such as the hall director for the building,

could not be reassigned, so their contracts were not renewed for next year.

Rector said someone from the facilities group will walk through the building regularly to ensure the building is maintained.

Thomas said the building will be maintained at a level that it can be opened easily and quickly.

Truman has closed residence halls before, such as Grim Hall and the Fair Apartments, but they were shut down permanently, while Dobson will be closed temporarily.

“It’s not uncommon for campuses to close residence facilities if they anticipate their number of residents is not going to be as high as it was,” Stoskopf said. “So I really don’t think it’s going to have much of an impact on our incoming students in terms of how they perceive Truman.”

Thomas said she thinks closing the residence hall could reflect negatively on the University, but the focus for the institution was more on maintaining community and saving money in the process.

“For us, I think, the concern is there is always concern about the external reputation of the University, but I think that we can very easily explain all of it,” Thomas said.

news in brief TRUMAN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF TOP FULBRIGHT PRODUCERS

HOMECOMING COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

Truman State University was named in a list of 19 master’s institutions that produced the most 2018-19 Fulbright students. The Fulbright Program is a leading international educational exchange program and focuses on academic merit and leadership potential. Truman had four of its 12 applicants chosen and was the only Missouri school on the list.

Students applying for Homecoming Committee can now submit their applications online to the Center for Student Involvement. Applications for directors are due Feb. 15 and interviews are on a rolling basis, while general committee applications are due Feb. 22. The Homecoming Committee decides the Homecoming theme, apparel and other logistics of the event.

TRUMAN KEEPS ITS TREE CAMPUS USA DISTINCTION Since 2014, Truman State University has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA college for promoting healthy trees and conservation on campus. The University met five standards to keep this distinction: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning projects.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Weather efforts greatly appreciated Over the past few years, Truman State University officials have received a lot of backlash regarding decisions to keep the University open during inclement weather. Several students were injured last year while they attempted to get to class on the treacherously icy walkways. Since the start of this semester, however, Truman has shut down non-residential operations for two days and has had several late starts for dangerous weather conditions.

We, The Index Editorial Board, commend Truman officials for being proactive in the face of bad weather this semester. The safety of students, faculty and staff should be the top priority of this institution, and these recent decisions to cancel classes and implement late starts are a step in the right direction of acknowledging that priority.

These precautions protect students and take the pressure to “use their best judgment” off of them, given that their

judgment to stay inside could have them penalized in their classes.

In a recent survey, 96 percent of Truman students listed academics as a major stressor. Not being penalized academically for putting their own safety first and staying inside during bad weather could help students overcome some of the stress they feel about their academics.

The benefits of canceling classes and having late starts when needed heavily outweigh the inconveniences of those decisions, such as rearranging the schedules for classes missed.

We, The Index Editorial Board, would like to extend our gratitude to Truman officials for the considerate decisions they have made recently in regards to inclement weather. We would also like to thank campus groundskeepers for working around campus, often early in the morning, to make sure that walkways are clear and safe to use. These services to the entire Truman community do not go unnoticed.

Stu Gov

Buzz

Learning from Lincoln SUBMITTED BY DR. THOMAS TRIMBORN

Historians and the general public rank Presidents Lincoln, Washington, and FDR consistently as the top three, with Lincoln always, number one.

Carl Sandburg called Abraham Lincoln both “steel and velvet, as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog.” This rather poetic statement may be true, but only the historical record can confirm it.

Lincoln was a struggler all his life This week marks Student Government’s second annual Mental Wellness Week. and that provided the best preparaThe Health Wellness & Safety committee has collaborated with several groups on tion for the challenges he faced as campus to host a variety of events designed to educate about and raise awareness president. His personality was marked of mental health on campus. It’s been an honor serving with so many other enthuwith melancholy yet was devoid of siastic students. pessimism and enlivened by wit. He Mental health is not an issue contained to a single week, obviously. While a wasn’t called “honest Abe” for nothpacked week of educational and publicity events is useful for furthering and maining. He possessed a deep sense of taining campus consciousness for what has become a top-priority issue on Truintegrity and humility. Tempered by man’s campus in the minds of students, faculty, and administration alike. It should failure, he possessed a natural intelligo without saying that it pervades the year, and moreover, requires investment by gence. Some call him a genius. When the whole campus community, including the student body. a policy failed, Lincoln admitted it This issue has sparked passion in the minds of many. If you fit this category, you and changed direction. should know that there are a number of ways to get involved in betterment for Given unrelenting pressure, Lincoln mental health on campus. found time and space to think. RidIf you simply have ideas or concerns you want to share with Truman higher-ups, ing his horse, he commuted daily to a email Brenda Higgins, Associate Vice President for Student Health & Wellness, and cottage located in the hills just three ask to chat with her. I’ve worked with Brenda for two years now, and have always miles from the White House. It profound her eager to respond and help students. If you want to get involved on the vided a sanctuary. Here living with his JED Committee’s strategic plan involving administrative and cultural change, email family amongst 150 disabled veterans, Professor Evonne Bird, co-chair of JED. And of course, always reach out to StuGov! Lincoln wrote the landmark EmanciThe Health Wellness & Safety committee deals heavily in mental health, and we’d pation Proclamation, but only after love to hear from you. considering all contending viewpoints.

On the non-administrative side of things, if you want to tackle mental health Once that was accomplished, he asin a boots-on-the-ground type of manner, consider working with Positive Peers, an sumed full responsibility for his action. organization that trains and arranges student-led mental health support groups. If Mr. Lincoln surrounded himself you’re in Greek Life, consider contacting the Greek Mental Wellness Committee. with extraordinarily ambitious, quarImproving mental health requires effort by the whole campus. This includes not relsome, jealous, yet gifted advisors. only our 6,000 students, but our educators as well. Student Government is also He never allowed his own ego to get sponsoring this year for the first time a Faculty Mental Health Honoree of the Year in the way of seeking their advice to award, to be presented at the same ceremony as the time-honored Educator and make the best decisions possible — Research Mentor of the Year awards. Our hope is that this will honor the amazing and then freely gave credit to them efforts on the part of so many teachers to address this issue with their students and when it was due. He treated everyone in their classrooms, and model methods other professors may adopt. with respect and dignity controlling Mental health is an all-hands-on-deck affair. Ways of having your hands on deck his emotions even when he was angry are varied, and naturally, some individuals will be more involved than others. And with colleagues. He would famously as cliché as it may be, the most important efforts to better mental health come in pen a hot letter, then put it aside and the everyday. Living a well-managed and balanced life to reduce stress and anxiety not send it. When members of his is more valuable than being on dozens of committees. Regularly urging your peers administration were criticized, Lincoln to take responsibility for their mental well-being is better than any poster camtook the blame. His leadership was paign. Our campus has been specifically diagnosed as needing culture change, and founded in sensitivity, patience, emour actions everyday are the fastest highway to that change. pathy — just plain goodness. He said he would be “greatly pained” if his Submitted by cabinet members were found attacking Joe Slama each other in public.

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Mental wellness week

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An unrelenting blizzard of condemnation caused Lincoln to be an insomniac. He found ways to cope by reading, attending concerts and the theater, and telling comic stories — his laugh, a life preserver. He visited hospitals and the troops, had an open-door office policy. He called interactions with people his “public opinion baths.”

President Reagan was called the “Great Communicator” but the title more aptly belongs to Lincoln. He was direct, sincere, empathetic, and clear, understood by all. He is the central figure in our American history because of his writings. Lincoln didn’t have a speechwriter. With less than one year of formal schooling, he developed a stunning and unmatched style with phases that echo down the halls of time; a secular gospel — “the better angels of our nature” — “we cannot escape history” — “government of, by, and for the people” — “a house divided against itself cannot stand” — “with malice toward none; with charity for all” — “though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.”

Looking to Lincoln can surely provide guidance for today’s leaders. They need to do so. Our nation would be the better for it.

Submitted illustration

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The Index

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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Career Center hires new assistant director TAD BAST Staff Writer

Jenni Nuhn, former Truman career ready coach, has assumed the new role as assistant director of the University Career Center.

Nuhn, a Truman State University alumna, began working in the new position Jan. 2. After working as a project manager in human resources, Nuhn and her husband decided to return to Truman, where she began working in the career center in Aug. 2017 as a career ready coach.

The assistant director position opened when the former career technology and operations manager left in August. The position was then retitled to the assistant director position soon thereafter. Nuhn had to apply with a standard online application process.

She then had to interview with a committee and then the career center, have lunch with students, and give a presentation on the values of a liberal arts and sciences education and help-

ing students with their next destinations. Nuhn also underwent a skills test, where she was given a resume and cover letter to review and edit.

Out of less than 10 applicants, Nuhn was selected for the job.

Dave Lusk, associate vice president for career development, said on top of her experience in office management, coaching and career assessment, Nuhn stood out because of her experience as a recruiter.

“She has seen both sides of the career center, from being a coach for our students to being a recruiter of our students for positions,” Lusk said.

In her new role, Nuhn is responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the career center, completing budget reviews, ordering supplies, hiring and training student staff and interns, and career coaching. The assistant director will also take charge of the career center when Lusk is not there. Nuhn also serves as the event manager for the Career and Grad School Week and manages the tech-

nology in the career center as well as the career center’s website.

In her time at Truman, Nuhn has worked to expand TruSTAR, a program that works to prepare Truman students for a successful transition into the workforce by focusing on the eight competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. She looks forward to continuing to build relationships with partners both on and off campus to build roads for students after they graduate. Nuhn also seeks to provide students with more opportunities outside of Missouri and Iowa.

“One of the particular things that Dave and I have been working on is developing more digital resources, things like virtual interviewing and career fairs,” Nuhn said. “I know not all students want to stay in this region, so how can we connect with resources in places like the West and East Coast, where organizations aren’t going to fly into Kirksville for our expo? As a former recruiter, I’ve utilized virtual re-

Jenni Nuhn is now the assistant director of the University Career Center.

She began working in the position at the beginning of the year. Photo by Mary Van Winkle cruitment platforms, and I think there are avenues where we can create similar resources for our students.”

Online master’s in counseling set for 2020 NICOLAS TELEP Digital Director

A new online master’s program in counseling is under development at Truman State University.

The University is in the process of hiring a director for the program, and the program could accept its first students as soon as fall 2020. The program will be fully online in partnership with A.T. Still University with degrees granted by Truman. Students will have a choice between two tracks in their studies toward a master’s degree in counseling: school counseling or mental health counseling.

The University chose these two emphases to respond to local and state needs.

Associate Provost Kevin Minch said Truman will prepare to seek professional accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, a national accrediting body. Minch said CACREP is often considered the most rigorous accreditation agency for mental health programs in the country, and the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors requires online programs to be certified through CACREP. The University hopes to have the program up and running by August 2020, but that date could be pushed back if more time is needed to meet quality standards or prepare the application for CACREP accreditation, which Truman will do the semester before the first

group of students is ready to graduate.

Minch said the University is also actively looking to hire the first program director.

“We have to make sure all of our ducks are in a row precisely before it launches,” Minch said. “Once that director is in place, then we’ll have to have conversations with that person about the things that they think need to be in place before we can proceed.”

Minch said he expects the program to have about 12 students when it first starts and expand to around 60 or 70 students within its first few years. He said ATSU is helping with the design of courses, marketing and recruitment.

Truman chose to partner with ATSU because its staff has experience with online health education and academic advisers specifically for online programs.

CACREP requires three core faculty members — including the program director — who meet high degree and experience requirements to teach in the program, and some other faculty could be brought on in support or adjunct roles. Minch said because the program is fully online, faculty would not have to live in Kirksville full-time, which could be attractive to candidates who have community connections or spouses working in other cities. However, since the program is year-round, some faculty members would be required to sign 11or 12-month contracts.

Minch said the master’s of counsel-

ing program is a strategic investment the University can make to fill a need in the community as well as bring students to Truman. He said Truman has already received inquiries about enrollment even though the program has yet to be formally advertised.

“We are being told on a daily basis how high the need for this is,” Minch said. “We are seeing indications that people will be jumping all over this program just from our own region.”

Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the program has no classroom costs because it is all online, but there are additional costs in running a distance learning program. However, he said the program is projected to pay for itself within 2-3 years of operating.

Rector said he does not expect the program to be a big profit generator for the school, but it will likely run a surplus.

ATSU, as a partner, will receive a portion of that surplus, but the exact percentage has not yet been determined.

Truman plans to use targeted marketing to recruit students instead of more general advertising used to appeal to potential freshmen. Rector said the University has not determined a tuition price for students yet, but it will likely be a flat rate with no difference for in-state or out-ofstate students. The current estimate sits at $30,000 for the entire 60-credit-hour program, which would take students 2-3

years to complete.

Janet Gooch, executive vice president of academic affairs and provost, said students who graduate from the program would be qualified to work, for example, as counselors in the public school system or at Truman’s University Counseling Services.

“You could go and work in any facility where mental health counseling would be a need,” Gooch said.

Gooch said there is a shortage of mental health counselors nationwide and a shortage of school counselors in Northeast Missouri, so graduates of this program would fill a workforce need. She said some individuals have already supported the program through donations.

While there are no other fully online master’s programs in the works at Truman, Gooch said she sees this as a model for future program development. She said the new online data science certificate was successful in its first session with 12 students enrolling, and external consultants have told the University it would be good to develop more programs in high-need areas. She also said there are only two other institutions nationwide offering master’s of counseling programs fully online.

“I think it’s a really exciting opportunity for Truman to do this,” Gooch said. “For Truman to be amongst such a few and special group, I think that’s pretty amazing.”

WEATHER| Dangerous weather conditions have forced the University to adapt Continued from page 1 He then sends out other men on foot with ice scrapers and shovels to clean where the machines could not reach.

“The main challenge this year has been the cold temperatures,” Guth said. “Snow and ice removal all depends on the temperatures. The freeze and refreeze are our biggest problems. Every morning we go out and see what sidewalks have refrozen.”

The team tries to clear sidewalks around the dorms first, then popular areas like Pickler Memorial Library and the Student Union Building, and finally pathways to classes, Guth said.

Guth said the brick can be a unique challenge to deal with, as it is less porous than cement, stays colder longer and doesn’t benefit as much from salt use.

As for parking lots, Guth said they work to clear commuter and staff parking lots first, then they do what they can to clear residence lots. Guth said clearing residence lots is a challenge because they are never completely empty.

“The challenge this year was the constant barrage,” Guth said. “We really have not

had a break till this past weekend when the snow finally melted. We are not out of practice, but we are stretched to our limits right now.”

Guth said his team has been working overtime to clear the snow, even getting to work at 4 a.m. to clear it before 7 a.m. classes begin.

Guth recommended students be careful and patient with the grounds crew.

“Safety is our number one priority — the students’ safety, our campus safety, the staff and then our employees’ safety,” Guth said.

Residence Life interim director William Nelsen said the residence halls have not been abnormally affected by the snow or low temperatures. However, Res Life stepped in when the University canceled Wednesday classes. Nelsen said the Res Life team was prepared to do what it needed to support residents, such as hosting community-building events.

“The University closure turned into an opportunity to engage in self-care,” Nelsen said. “It was a fun way to put academics to the side for a short period of time and engage with the community.”

calendar MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE FAIR FEB. 15 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. SUB ALUMNI ROOM

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE PLANETARIUM FEB. 15-16 6 P.M. DEL AND NORMA ROBISON PLANETARIUM

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FEB. 16 NOON TO 4 P.M. BALDWIN HALL 101

Multiple organizations will be in the Student Union Building to promote mental health and provide resources to students looking for support or those wanting to get involved in promoting mental health on campus.

The Student Activities Board is showing “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” in the planetarium. Both movies will be shown each night, admission is free and refreshments will be provided.

Student Government is hosting the second annual Women’s Leadership Conference with the Women’s and Gender Studies Research Conference. The conference will consist of presentations, panels, discussions and workshops centered around the theme of “Enough.” Admission is free.

STUDY ABROAD FAIR FEB. 21 11 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. SUB GEORGIAN ROOMS A AND B

WHAT’S UP WITH VENEZUELA? FEB. 20 6 TO 8 P.M. BALDWIN HALL LITTLE THEATER

#METOO: DISCUSSION ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT FEB. 20 7 TO 8:30 P.M. SUB 3202

The Study Abroad Fair is an opportunity for students to explore various study abroad programs offered at Truman State University. Program representatives will be available to answer questions.

History professor Marc Becker, who specializes in Latin American history, will host a discussion on the current state of affairs and contemporary politics of Venezuela. There will be a question and answer session.

The Women’s Resource Center is hosting V Week, which will include a discussion about the #MeToo campaign and its historical effects on society.

The Index

6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

JED| The JED Committee hosted a town hall to reveal study results and discuss initiatives Continued from page 1 One of the biggest changes already taking place is the approval to move back the add/drop deadline by two weeks beginning fall 2019. The University Counseling Center has also hired a part-time psychiatric health nurse practitioner as well as a parttime psychologist. Future potential changes include introducing University-sponsored health insurance, simplifying the medical leave policy, hiring a full-time psychologist and communicating with faculty to evenly distribute workloads throughout the semester to avoid elevated stress levels around finals.

Other efforts such as redefining “Typical Truman Student,” pushing the acronym “SWEET” standing for sleep, water, exercise, eating habits and time management, and encouraging peer support are all ways in which the committee hopes to improve the quality of student life at Truman.

“The work of the JED program involves the work of the entire campus community,” said Janet Gooch, vice president for academic affairs and provost. “This first town meeting is our first step to make you all aware of what we’ve been doing as a JED campus.”

For more information or to see the full strategic plan, go to wellness.truman.edu.

Top: JED Committee co-chair Evonne Bird addresses the crowd at the town hall meeting. Bird shared results and statistics from a number of sources, including the Healthy Minds Survey.

Bottom Left: Truman State University partnered with JED in 2017. The partnership was funded by Homecoming philanthropy and a donor.

Bottom Right: In addition to presenting results, the JED Committee offered ways in which students can get involved. Students currently serve on the JED Committee and smaller subcommittees. Photos by Caleb Bolin

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Valentine’s in the newsroom

7

I’m not big on the entire Valentine’s Day thing, and when you have a child, holidays suddenly change. We won’t be having a “romantic” night out or anything elaborate, but rather we’ll be having a night in with our favorite little dude. I’m all about getting some cheesy gift for Warren, even if it’s just a stuffed animal and chocolate, neither of which he actually needs. We will do some special dinner centered around him because my husband Dustin and I aren’t huge into celebrating it — it’ll more than likely include chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. Otherwise, Valentine’s Day will be just another day in the Snead household.

ead tly Sn ef Bren -in-nCehaid itotlry S BErden -in-Chief r Edito

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My first and only “valentine” was my best friend in elementary school. His parents would drive him to my house, and he would walk up to my front door every morning, every year, with a stuffed animal and chocolates. I won’t go into the nitty-gritty details of why we’re not best friends anymore — it’s a cringy fifth-grade version of an unrequited love story — but I have not had a valentine since then, and I have always been single.

That’s why this year I have several valentines. I’m adopting all of my KTRM 88.7 listeners as my valentines.

I host a Thursday night radio show called “Make Her Laugh” in which I play music featuring women and share offbeat news stories from the week, like that one time Mexican police arrested a restaurateur for selling endangered tarantula tacos. It so happens “Make Her Laugh” lands on Valentine’s Day this year, so while my valentines will get the same hilarious news stories I always give them, they will also get a specially crafted setlist showcasing women’s songs of love and positivity.

I know that sounds like I’m playing 60 minutes of romance tunes, but that’s not what I have in mind. Romance might not be what all my valentines want, for whatever their reasons might be, so there will also be songs of friendship, forgiveness and self-love. After all, who says you can’t be your own valentine, too?

If you don’t have a valentine this year, then I will be your valentine. Tune in to “Make Her Laugh” at 6 p.m. Thursday on KTRM 88.7.

Emma and I have been together for about two and a half years, but we are celebrating our third Valentine’s Day together this year. Oddly, though, we have never spent the actual holiday with each other. The first year we were both sick, but for a second year in a row we are long-distance. She is still in St. Louis, while I am here going to school. So, instead of spending the day together, I am traveling back this weekend to see her. We typically don’t go all out for Valentine’s Day, but a nice dinner and a cute date will make it special. I will be getting her flowers as I usually do, and we also might get each other small gifts. I know we will definitely be buying some of that chocolate that will be on sale. Those are the best!

ivoney Ryan P g Editor in Manag

I have always been a hopeless romantic, so before I started dating my boyfriend Ryan, I would always take being single a little harder when Valentine’s Day rolled around. Ryan was my first and has been my only valentine to date. This will be our second Valentine’s Day together, and so far our plan is to plant Elis ourselves on the tiny couch in his apartment and eat ChiFeat abeth ures Shir nese food while watching movies and playing video games. and k I suggested making each other cards this year, but he was hesiOpi nion tant because he thought I might laugh at his art. I suspect, though, s Ed itor that I would laugh even if he bought me a card. I still have the sympathy card he bought me for our anniversary. I am not at all disappointed with the low-key plans Ryan and I have for Valentine’s Day. In fact, I am quite excited to not have any obligations other than kicking his butt at “Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.”

I hate Valentine’s Day. I don’t hate Valentine’s Day for the normal reasons. I think it could be a wonderful expression of love and a great day for couples to celebrate their affection and single people to seek out said affection. I also think it could be a great time for people to say to their friends “I appreciate you” and give goofy gifts.

I hate Valentine’s Day because some people treat it this way, but not everybody. It seems to be, in most circles I have run in, an extremely unpopular holiday. Holidays are fun when everyone’s in the spirit and everyone participates. That’s not how Valentine’s Day is.

I loved Valentine’s Day when I was younger because I loved handing out and receiving silly little notes and candies in school with my friends. Sure, it was a little weird, but it was fun. And everyone needed to participate because if you didn’t, the teacher would call your mom.

Nobody is calling anyone’s mom for not celebrating Valentine’s Day as adults, but I think people would enjoy the holiday a lot more if they at least put themselves out there and tried to participate.

Through my dislike for Valentine’s Day curmudgeons, I became one. I’m not necessarily proud of that, but if we all decided to give this silly little holiday a shot in our own special way, there wouldn’t be as many of us curmudgeons on Feb. 14.

Nicola s Digital Telep Directo r

I’ve never done anything super traditional for Valentine’s Day. This year, I’m hav- ing roses delivered to my partner since he’s three hours away. Even though the relationship isn’t romantic anymore, he’s one of the most important people in my life and I love him. However, my actual valentine this year is my best baby boy, Snart. He’s the best roommate: sleeps all day, quiet, rarely makes a mess. He might be too small to properly cuddle, but my love for my tiny lizard is unconditional. I’ll be treating him to some extra roaches and worms for dinner, and I will probably decorate his vivarium a little bit. For myself, I’m going to let myself sleep in, spend the day working on art and cook a special dinner to enjoy with my small scaly friend.

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My special lady and I plan to enjoy a quiet night in: candles, dinner and a movie. Most of my average Thursdays are spent in class, so when I get off, it’s time to kick back and relax.

I’ll cook us a nice meal, pasta with pink sauce and meatballs. She can’t cook, but I’ll let her smell every ingredient before it goes in. She prefers tuna to just about anything I make, so I’ll serve her some tuna, and we’ll eat together while listening to her favorite singer, Cat Stevens. Then we’ll pick out a romantic movie, something like “Garfield” or “The Cat in the Hat,” and settle in on the couch together. We’ll snuggle for 10-15 minutes before she gets bored and decides to nap in another room. She’ll reappear later in the evening, hungry, eat a small snack and fall asleep on my feet. That’s all we have planned — nothing too special!

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The Index

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

“Happy as Lazzaro” is a thought-provoking gem

This movie gets 5/5 hearts.

GORDON MCPHERSON Staff Writer The deeply moving Netflix-exclusive “Happy as Lazzaro” is a breathtakingly complex cinematic experience that anyone with a soul would appreciate.

Lazzaro, a gentle, naive young man, brilliantly played by newcomer Adriano Tardiolo, lives and works on a sharecropping tobacco farm in the picturesque Italian countryside. The other workers, ranging from small children to senior citizens, work tirelessly day after day under their “marquis,” the malevolent Alfonsina De Luna, to whom they are constantly indebted. They nevertheless form a loving community amid their harsh circumstances.

The titular Lazzaro is exploited both by the Lunas and his fellow workers and is constantly bossed around for tasks others refuse to do. Lazzaro, how-

ever, never questions the extra work he’s assigned and maintains a kind, selfless and innocent demeanor. Soon after Lazzaro meets the Lunas’ wealthy and privileged son Tancredi, played by Luca Chikovani, the film takes a wholly unpredictable turn and becomes a trenchant commentary on the inequalities that have scarred societies, both past and present, and the kindness required to mend them.

“Happy as Lazzaro” is a film best left for viewers to discover for themselves, containing twists and turns that completely subverted my expectations.

Indeed, I felt like a changed individual after the credits rolled, sobered by its bleak depiction of modern society and self-reflective of how I can act more selflessly in my daily life.

The film’s Italian director, Alice Rohrwacher, mixes gritty neorealism with elements of fairy tales to incredible effect. Rohrwacher

presents suffering and contentment, sadness and happiness, joy and tragedy — all while following a highly sympathetic protagonist.

The film practically overflows with symbolism and themes, making it apt for enthusiastic discussion once it concludes. Overall, though, “Happy as Lazzaro” takes a definite anti-capitalist stance that’s entirely relevant in today’s inequality-stricken world.

“Happy as Lazzaro” also rewards careful viewing and distributes tidbits of information throughout that disoriented me and left me wholly intrigued to see what would happen next. The film’s measured, deliberate approach belies some of the most fascinating plot twists in recent cinema, leaving me immediately wanting to rewatch the film after it ended.

Of course, much of the film’s power comes from Tardiolo’s masterful performance as Lazzaro. Tardiolo imbues

TOP(5) [

]

Valentine’s day candies

Lazzaro with a sense of purity that’s both endearing and heartbreaking.

Lazzaro’s a character whose thematic significance transcends the film itself — he represents a mirror for other characters, as well as viewers, to reflect on themselves.

It doesn’t hurt that “Happy as Lazzaro” is also one the best-shot films I’ve ever seen. Rohrwacher uses film grain and a constrained aspect ratio to tactile effect, preserving the griminess of the characters’ environments while often composing shots of staggering beauty.

There’s so much more I want to discuss, especially the outstanding ending, but to give anything away would be a crime. Suffice to say, though the film’s style and thematic weight might bore casual viewers looking for another apolitical superhero punching session, anyone looking for a film with real substance shouldn’t pass it up.

3 Peanut butter cup hearts

What could possibly be better than chocolate and peanut butter in a heart shape? Nothing, unless you’re allergic to peanut butter, and in that case, I’m sorry.

As told by Brently Snead, Candy Connoisseur

1 Chocolate-covered

4 Chocolate truf les

strawberries

You might not consider strawberries “candy,” but I’m a sucker for essentially anything covered in chocolate. Yes, please!

If you’re anything like me, maybe you want to make a sweet treat, and truf les are right along those lines. Nothing says “I love you” like homemade chocolaty goodness.

2 Any box of chocolate

5 Conversation hearts

Maybe I’m alone, but I essentially love all chocolate (except those illed with orange cream…) and so whether the box is heart-shaped, square or nonexistent, I’ll gladly receive some chocolates.

XOXO

To be honest, I’m not a fan, but it would be remiss of me not to mention these traditional Valentine’s Day candies made of pure sugar with sweet little sayings.

Truman students rescue neighbor in fire TRAVIS MAIDEN Staff Writer As Michael Grasing was entering his home Jan. 13 to retrieve a shovel and remove the snow from his car, he glanced at his neighbor’s window and discovered a fire had started to engulf their curtains. Grasing immediately alerted his flatmates, Benjamin Wingo and Keegan Walsh, who quickly came to help.

“It was lucky to be in the right place at the right time,” Grasing said. “If I hadn’t of been, I don’t know if anyone would have seen it.”

The accident occurred at 1 p.m. while 86-year-old Dixie Lou Aldridge was preparing to cook some fries on the stove. While her back was turned, the pan suddenly burst into flames. Her first thought was to throw it outside, but Aldridge realized the flames could have easily blown back into her face, so she attempted to toss it into the sink. The flames caught ahold of her paper towels, which then caught onto the curtains.

As Aldridge made her way to the porch calling for help, the young men were already on their way outside to assist. Wingo offered her his coat while they brought her away from the smoking home to a warm car, and called the police. Walsh found himself rushing into his home for a fire extinguisher. He then came back, made his way through the smoke-filled interior of Aldridge’s home and battled the ever-growing inferno around the window with a small can of extinguishing spray.

“I probably had a lot of adrenaline pumping,” Walsh said. “I don’t really remember the smoke above me, and I don’t really remember anything. I just remember spraying the windows. We were out there in jeans and T-shirts even though it was the day after the big snowstorm.”

Walsh said he had no experience dealing with house fires and only knew how to fight the fire from watching “MythBusters.” He said the

flame was contained to the window, but it would have spread if not for Walsh’s quick thinking. Before the fire department could arrive, the fire was extinguished.

Aldridge said it was a miracle that Grasing had spotted the fire at the right moment, and she was happy to have such amazing neighbors.

Without their help, she couldn’t imagine what could have happened.

“Oh, I said if they were my own, I couldn’t be any more proud of them,” Aldridge said. “They are wonderful. They were good even before the fire happened. I don’t care what you have or how much it cost. It can be gone in an instant.”

The young men have been Aldridge’s neighbors for the past three years as students at Truman State University. All three began as cross country runners and formed a strong enough friendship to decide to share a home together. The group had developed a relationship with Aldridge over time, helping her with small things or just visiting to say hello.

After the event, Grasing said the Kirksville Police and Fire departments honored the three boys by presenting them with a certificate for their exceptional performance in a traumatic event and shook their hands. He said it was cool to have the honor; however, Grasing thinks no one would have acted differently in the situation.

Aldridge has lived in Kirksville for 33 years and has seen several people come and go from the home the trio live in, and she is thankful to have such wonderful neighbors.

“If I had $1 million, I think I’d split it with them,” Aldridge said.

“They’re just that wonderful, but I’ve always had good boys over there.”

Aldridge said she was given housing at Quality Inn until Feb. 15, but she couldn’t stay there comfortably. Instead of waiting around in a tiny, noisy hotel room, Aldridge left and went back to the home that could have been nothing but faint ashes in the snow if there hadn’t been a young man at the right place at the right time.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

The Index

Truman grad to discuss trigger warnings AURA MARTIN Staff Writer The first thing Angela Carter did when she arrived on campus was go to the bookstore. She looked at the shelf that contained the books she assigned for her class and took a picture of it.

“I was really excited because I was the professor assigning the books,” Carter said. “I assigned books plenty of times, but this is my school. I used to buy books for my classes at the bookstore, so this was coming full circle.”

Carter, a 2009 Truman State University graduate and visiting scholar, has returned to Truman to teach an eightweek literary theory class on sex, love and disability. In the class, she also discusses trigger warnings and how disabled people are viewed in American culture, such as the misconception that disabled people don’t have sexual lives.

One of the topics her class at Truman keeps coming back to is the medical and industrial complex that affects disabled people. She said there is a constant push for disabled people to find a cure for their disabilities. There is also a lot of discussion about the intersection of different systems of oppression, such as racism, classism, sexism and homophobia, and about how systems that oppress disabled people also affect queer people. Carter said those categories are not mutually exclusive.

Carter’s class stems from her interest on the subject of disabilities and queer theory. As a Ph.D. candidate in feminist studies at the University of Minnesota, she is completing her dissertation this year. Her research focuses on trauma and PTSD in contemporary U.S. discourse, particularly after 9/11. For her project, she analyzed over 200 articles from “Time” magazine to see how trauma and PTSD were covered from 1980-2016. Carter noted that before 9/11, most of the conversation centered around trauma related to family, divorce and stranger danger. After 9/11, Carter said the only trauma talked about was trauma relating to 9/11, the war thereafter or anything involving connections to the U.S. government. There was

a drastic shift regarding whose trauma got recognized and whose trauma was considered worthy of conversation on a national scale. She thought it was interesting and important to pay attention to these changes because there are many people who experience trauma, but individuals are more likely to experience trauma if they come from an already disenfranchised group, such as being poor, disabled, queer or a person of color.

“If you have less access to resources or less access to a livable life, chances are you are going to have higher rates of having a traumatic incident occur in your life,” Carter said. “Those aren’t the traumas that our country talks about.”

Outside the classroom, Carter will be hosting a talk about the trigger warning debate in higher education.

Carter said her talk is going to be on the debate itself between students, professors and administrators. One side argues that giving trigger warnings coddles over-sensitive students and takes away academic freedom from teachers. The other side argues that trigger warnings serve as a form of consideration for students and prevent people from getting re-traumatized in the classroom, thus preventing them from participating. Carter said there are misunderstandings about what trauma and trigger warnings actually mean and how they make students feel.

“I’m not really interested in the pros and cons of the trigger warning debate,” Carter said. “I’m interested in [how] the debate itself shows how we think about trauma in the classroom. I’m wanting to help us to think more thoroughly about what trauma and mental health look like in a classroom.”

Carter said people need to learn and talk about the disenfranchised even if they are not themselves. People with privilege need to be involved in movements and the work to make change, otherwise nothing will get done.

People with social privileges have to use their advantages for the better of society, thus everybody needs to be part of social change. Carter said it all comes down to involvement, and letting people who have those experiences be leaders of the movement.

9

Truman graduate Angela Carter will be returning to campus, but this time as a teacher. Carter will be teaching an eight-week long literary theory class about sex, love and disability. Submitted photo “So, if you are a straight person, a white person, ablebodied person or you have various privileges, then maybe you shouldn’t speak first, but listen more,” Carter said.

“Everyone should be involved in the movement for social change.”

Carter’s talk on trigger warnings in academia will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 in Baldwin Hall Little Theater, as part of the Clayton B. Ofstad Readings Series.

Sodexo stays open despite class cancellations Some workers like John Dahlman, Missouri Hall food service director, thought this ice was nothing and had no problem getting through those doors.

Dahlman said it was sad if anyone got hurt, but perIt seems Kirksville can’t decide whether to haps Truman has grown a bit soft with how quick caress us with a gentle spring breeze or bomthe University is to close or delay. bard us with sleet and freezing rain. With Tru“Everyone is so scared of getting hurt at a time man State University closing twice in a single like this, you know,” Dahlman said. “If you slip and semester thanks to inclement weather, stufall, it’s because gravity took over, not because Trudents were advised Feb. 7 to stay indoors and man was open.” keep away from the ice-covered sidewalks Dahlman compared Thursday’s close brush with and roads — which is what I probably should frosty danger to the freezing ice storm of 1993 in have done as I walked around campus, slipwhich tree branches were so thickly covered in ice ping and flopping around like a newborn that they fell on the roads and sidewalks. Drivers deer, to interview Sodexo employees who would have to look far ahead on the roads to make came into work despite the rest of the Universure their vehicles wouldn’t be damaged from the sity shutting down. debris, let alone the nearly three-inch-thick ice.

West Campus Suites convenience store Dahlman said Truman didn’t close in those condiworker Lea Glass came to work despite the icy tions. It’s strange for a campus that rarely closes to conditions. What was supposed to be a 40-minsuddenly shut down for experiencing something ute commute from Glass’s house to work became an hour-and-a-half drive through traffic Truman State University shut down Feb. 7 for the day because of like this in comparison to the blizzard of 1993.

Dahlman had some people go home to make and glistening frost. Glass said she was thank- inclement weather, and University officials advised students to stay indoors as much as possible. Sodexo employees, however, still sure they didn’t hurt themselves on ice so they ful the store didn’t have to open early. could work tomorrow. He said it was better for After making the long drive, Glass said the showed up for work to feed students. Photo by Travis Maiden people to be home and unharmed than have an acworst part of getting into the building was the walk from the parking lot to the sidewalk because of how thick the ice was. She said it cident because tomorrow is far more important than today.

Jackie Stewart, Dobson convenience store supervisor, said the roads didn’t affect took a long time to make it to work carefully but was thankful to not have an accident on the way in. What was really surprising to Glass was how many times Truman has her personally because she drove with her husband who has been living in Kirksville for years, so he knew how the weather could affect the roads. The entire night staff closed down.

“I’ve been here 19 years, and this last couple of years is the most I’ve seen Truman was called and not a single person could come in for fear of ice, even those living on delayed,” Glass said. “Usually if you can get there, you will go, but this is the most in campus.

“There’s really not a lot you can do,” Stewart said. “I mean, this is what Mother the last couple years they’ve had delay or closed — like today we’re closing at 8 p.m.

Nature has given us at this time, and we’re doing the best we can, and so is the City just to get everybody home, and tomorrow we’re back to normal.”

Not many workers called off because they lived on campus, so the convenience of Kirksville with the roads.”

Stewart said some members of Sodexo went out of their way to bring in coworkstores were staffed; however, some workers living off campus had to walk through the numbing wind, like Kathy Gray, who walked for 10 blocks, which could seem like ers, but sometimes it was best to stay at home — even if this wasn’t quite the blizan eternity. Gray said she nearly slipped three times just getting to the Dobson Hall zard of 1993. back door.

TRAVIS MAIDEN Staff Writer

Storytime with

Allison

The Testimony of the Living, Part Nine ALLISON MASCHHOFF

Staff Writer

We drove for a long time. After three days, we came across a town called Pioneer Oaks in Oregon; Autumn said the name suited us, so we stayed. Now, after living here for almost a decade, you could never tell by looking at us that we’d been raised amongst shadows. You’d never guess that the sole goal of the first eighteen years of our lives had been to make it here.

We still gather at each other’s houses like we did when we were kids. At least once a week, we find ourselves together at someone’s kitchen table, talking about the past, present and future. Every once in a while we reflect on the night we left. None of my friends were gifted a final conversation with their parents the way I was. Jonah and Easton didn’t even leave a note. Asher left a painting he had spent all of senior year creating. It was a painting of Finder’s Point; everything in black and white except our blue van and a road leading out of town. Autumn said she had left a note, but she had never told anyone what she had written.

Then one night she showed me a copy. She said I deserved to read it, claiming I had helped her find the right words. She handed me a notebook and I found myself having a strange moment of deja vu when I looked down to see an extended version of the poem she had shown me on the school bus years ago.

Bullets fall from the sky killing shadows with no need for sunlight who are unaware of the battlefield they are tethered to, who are unaware that they are casualties of a war that is not over.

But though they try, these soldiers from the sky, they cannot find a way to kill the second sun that lives inside me. Their clouds cannot take away the light that’s always kept me alive.

You have known all along that I had something to share with anyone whose eyes or ears I could capture. The words are calling and I must go.

She told me that underneath the poem she had signed her name. And she had left the note atop a pile of every other poem and essay and story that she had ever written during our time in Finder’s Point.

“They didn’t like the first essay I showed them,” she said. “But I thought that maybe, without me there, they’d want to look at my other stuff. I thought maybe my absence could breed an appreciation that my pres-

ence never managed.”

Her comment made me wonder if any of our parents’ lives had changed for the better after we left.

Our life in Pioneer Oaks is good. Each of my friends is able to live out the great potentials that have always existed within them. And I am finally able to step into the light of the real world without fear of becoming the shadows I grew up watching. I have learned what my mom meant when she told me to not be afraid.

And a couple years after we moved here, through watching people who had grown up — not with the lack of emotion I had, but with a confidence in a limitless and passionate future — I learned what look had been on my mom’s face that last night. It had been the look that other mothers give their sons and daughters when they are going to college, or getting married, or achieving other lifelong dreams. It was a look that says, “I know I am losing you, but this is what I have been working toward your whole life.” It was a look that sees this new phase as a good thing.

It was a look infused with pride.

We created lives in Pioneer Oaks that could not have happened in Finder’s Point. We found careers, we found love, we found a sense of belonging. And each April we renewed our old vow to stay alive, as well as promising to never take for granted what we had found in this new place.

And we kept repeating those vows, in every beat of our hearts, for the rest of our lives.

The Index

10

Ouestions ?

on

Tori Smith, freshman

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

the

Ouad ?

Ryan Simington, freshman

Danny White, freshman

Question 1: What would you rate a 10/10? “‘Doctor Who.’ It’s just everything you could want in a TV show.

There’s action, there’s romance, it’s just unbelievably brilliant. It’s just so easy to get wrapped up in the world of ‘Doctor Who.’”

“Coca-Cola. They’ve been working on that for a long time. I think they’ve got it down. My dogs, great animals, I’d give them a 10/10.”

“I’ll go with ‘The Martian.’ Matt Damon gave a great performance in it. When you have to act just to a camera, it seems so impressive to me. Good story, and scientifically accurate, too.”

Question 2: What skill would you like to master someday?

“I would love to master all dancing, particularly tap dancing. I’ve always wanted to learn how to tap dance or learn the skill of tumbling, being able to do backflips and frontflips and roundoffs and those fancy cheerleading things.”

“I’ve picked up the guitar recently.

I’ve been trying and practicing a lot on that. I also play trumpet, and I really want to master the trumpet because I think it would be cool to play in a professional jazz band one day.”

“When I was in the eighth grade, I started to learn magic tricks, like card tricks. I’ve been growing in learning magic as I’ve gotten older.

I’d really like to master close-up magic, like being able to pull a quarter out of your ear and stuff.”

Question 3: What is your dream vacation?

“Somewhere sunny, with a lot of great nature views. Lots of greenery, lot of trees — I love nature.

Probably in a cabin, but near a nice-sized town I could do stuff in during the day, and go back and relax whenever I wanted to.”

“I really want to go to France and see Normandy and go through the museum, and go to Germany and see the museums there.”

“I would want to see the Rugby World Cup when it’s in a European country, and travel around and see some of the surrounding countries for a few matches.”

30

The Index

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

11

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Thursday, Feb. 14 Women’s Basketball

Saturday, Feb. 16

at William Jewell 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball at William Jewell 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16 Men’s Basketball

Track and Field

at Rockhurst 3 p.m.

at Missouri Collegiate Challenge TBA

Softball

Baseball

vs. Tiffin at Music City Invitational 4:15 p.m.

at Newman University TBA

Women’s Basketball at Rockhurst 1 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15 Softball

vs. Ursuline at Music City Invitational 1:30 p.m.

Softball

vs. Kentucky Wesleyan at Music City Invitational 2 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 17 Baseball

Sunday, Feb. 17 Softball

vs. Lindenwood at Music City Invitational 10:30 a.m.

Softball

vs. Urbana at Music City Invitational 12:30 p.m.

Wrestling

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 12:30 p.m.

at Newman University TBA

ATHLETE o f

t h e

w e e k

Thrower Bobby Campbell broke new ground for the Bulldogs over the weekend at Northwest Missouri State University’s Mel Tjeerdsma Classic. During the weight throw event, Campbell surpassed Truman State University’s longest-distance record, pushing the record from 16.69 meters to 16.94 meters. Campbell was the highest-ranked Bulldog in the weight throw, claiming the fifth spot overall.

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The Index

12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

BASKETBALL| After weeks of being on the road, basketball returns home to defeat Quincy University Continued from page 14 While Totta was the top scorer for the team Saturday, she said she values how the entire team is capable of putting forth a strong performance on the court.

“I think everyone has their games,” Totta said. “One person goes off one day, another person goes off the other day, and so we just kind of all trade turns on when we excel really well. That’s what’s good about our team — anyone on any day can be the top scorer, and we’re so deep and so equally talented in our own areas.”

Head coach Amy Eagan said she felt good about the game and was especially proud of the team’s defense and rebound work. Despite some concerns about the team’s offensive flow during the game, Eagan said the team was still taking care of business.

Eagan also said the atmosphere was great with how many people were in the crowd, including Truman’s Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter. She said seeing the

arena packed from top to bottom was exciting, but players and coaches don’t always notice that when they’re focused on the game.

“I don’t notice who’s in the stands at all until after, and then I sit in the men’s game and I’m like, ‘Dang, we got a lot of people in here today,’” Eagan said.

The Bulldogs’ next match will be their second against William Jewell College this season. Back in December, the Bulldogs beat the Cardinals 60-59 on a last-second shot. Eagan said she expects this game to be a defensive battle.

The men also kept the lead over the Quincy Hawks the entire game, but they got to business right away.

After 16 seconds of gameplay, guard Turner Scott converted a Quincy foul into two free throws, and the rest was history as they cruised to an 87-57 victory.

Guard Taurin Hughes was the master of the rainbow in Saturday’s match, going for eight three-pointers

Top: Guard Taurin Hughes goes up for a shot against Quincy University. The men’s basketball team currently sits at 12-11 overall and 7-6 in the GLVC. Right: Guard Rachel Steinhoff plays defense in the women’s game against Quincy. The win over the Hawks put the Bulldogs 19-4 overall and 10-3 in conference.

Bottom Left: Guard Nathan Messer controls the ball in Saturday’s game. The men’s basketball team will be on the road for the next three games before returning home Feb. 28.

Bottom Right: Center Katie Jaseckas goes up for the ball to tip off the women’s game. Jaseckas was the GLVC Freshman of the Year last season and is one of the Bulldogs’ lead scorers. Photos by Kara Mackenzie

throughout the game and landing 50 percent of them.

In a statement, Hughes described the victory as a team win, and one they had to get.

“It’s a rivalry and it was a must win game at home so we had to come out strong and push the pace from the start,” Hughes wrote. “It felt like we were clicking as a team and locked in to what we needed to do to win.”

In anticipation of the William Jewell match, Hughes said everyone, individually and collectively, needs to lock down defensively if they want to win. The men beat the Cardinals 73-72 in their first faceoff this season, with Hughes sinking a three-pointer at the three-second mark to win the match, so Hughes said he expects the Cardinals will want redemption.

Truman will face William Jewell on their court tonight in Kansas City, Missouri. After a three-game road trip, the Bulldogs’ next home game will be Thursday, Feb. 28 against the University of Indianapolis.

The Index

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Track and field has another successful meet

BRENTLY SNEAD Editor-in-Chief

Truman State University’s track and field team brought home a number of accomplishments after competing at the Northwest Missouri Bearcat Open.

The men’s and women’s teams are coming off a successful meet, which included five men bringing home a first-place finish.

Gemma Saathoff had a first-place finish in the women’s 3,000-meter run, and Elijah Farrales led the guys with

a fourth-place finish in the men’s 400-meter dash. In addition to top finishes, 16 men and women hit new personal records over the weekend.

Saathoff said she thought the meet was successful overall, especially for longdistance runners. She explained how this was the first time running on an indoor 300-meter track for a lot of them, and she said she felt it made those longer distances seem more bearable.

As well as having a first-place finish, Saathoff had a personal best in the

13

Truman State University

Track & Field Personal Records

MEN’S

3,000-meter run at 10:09.11.

“I had been trying to match faster splits throughout most of the race, and I was excited to find out that I was able to maintain them in the end for a [personal record],” Saathoff said. “It was a close finish for first, though. There were some fast girls in the heat who really pushed me, which I'm grateful for.”

The men’s and women’s track and field teams will perform again this weekend in Columbia at the Missouri Collegiate Challenge.

Carson Lackey (200m) Nathan Bufka (400m) Branden Schaff (3000m) Nathan Stinson (Mile) Jackson Foster (Mile) Brendan Baker (Shot/Weight) Caleb Stull (Shot/Weight)

WOMEN’S

Brianna Barton (60m/200m) Katie Alexander (800m) Taylor Burlis (800m) Emily Harl (800m) Shannon Jones (800m) Christy Boschert (5000m) Kim Kaster (5000m) Grace Feeney (60m Hurdles) Erica Lindsay (Mile).

SPORTS AT A GLANCE • Truman State University’s men’s and women’s swim teams competed in the GLVC Swimming and Diving Championship Feb. 6-9. The women’s team finished third out of nine teams and the men placed sixth out of 10. The teams will return to the pool Saturday at Drury University’s Last Chance Meet.

• Wrestling not only competed in the GLVC Dual Tournament last weekend but also met with Missouri Baptist University Tuesday night. While at the tournament, wrestling was able to place three out of the four men who competed, however, the team fell at Missouri Baptist, 40-15.

• Men’s tennis competed in Evansville, Indiana, at the beginning of the month but ultimately came up short. Men’s tennis will have some time to prepare for their next match, which will be at Grinnell College come March 9.

Top: Sam Heveroh prepares for his start at a recent meet. Truman State University competed in the GLVC Swimming and Diving Championship Feb. 6-9. Photo by Truman Athletics Middle: Truman wrestling competes in a meet in November 2017. Despite having been cut in spring 2018, wrestling has continued to compete and recently participated in the GLVC Championship Duals. Photo by Truman Athletics Bottom: Alec Jarvis practices during the fall 2018 season. Men’s tennis was cut alongside wrestling but raised enough funds to continue to compete throughout the 2018-19 school year. Photo by Kara Mackenzie

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BASKETBALL DEFEATS QUINCY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Women’s basketball celebrates on the sidelines during Saturday’s “black out” game. The women’s basketball team held the lead throughout the game and defeated Quincy University 65-46. Photo by Kara Mackenzie

Women stay at No. 3, men break past .500 at “black out” game ALLYSON LOTZ Copy Chief

Truman State University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams beat Quincy University in a pair of heated conference rivalry games Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s match was the Bulldogs’ first since both teams lost to Drury University a week earlier. Drury’s women’s basketball team is the No. 1

Div. II team in the nation, but Truman held them to a close lead throughout the game despite losing 72-66.

Truman’s men had the upper hand on the Panthers for most of the first half, but the Panthers took the lead for the entire second half and beat the Bulldogs 65-59. Then, after both teams had byes the following Thursday, the Bulldogs returned Saturday to Pershing Arena to play their confer-

ence rivals in front of over 700 spectators, the most at Pershing this season since the men’s Dec. 4 match against Missouri Southern State University.

The women had a slow start to their game, as the ’Dogs and Hawks went 0-13 collectively for almost four minutes. Once guard Brooke Bailey sunk a three-pointer to get on the board, however, the Bulldogs stayed ahead for the rest of the game

to secure the W, 65-46.

Guard Sloane Totta went for the net more often than any other Bulldog, and it showed on the scoreboard. Totta scored a three-pointer in every quarter but the second, in which she scored twice from the paint instead. She attempted 12 total shots with 50 percent accuracy.

See BASKETBALL page 12

Softball starts preseason tomorrow Baseball

goes 0-4 in first series

BRENTLY SNEAD Editor-in-Chief Truman State University softball will be starting its season this weekend with a trip to Tennessee.

Tomorrow, the softball team will be facing Ursuline College at the Music City Invitational before playing doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday.

This tournament, as well as the next three weekends, will be in preparation for GLVC play, which starts March 16.

Truman ended the 2018 season at 26-20 after a tough loss to the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

During fall training, head coach Erin Brown said the team was using the time to get comfortable with each other. The team said goodbye to five seniors at the end of the 2018 season, so the Bulldogs had to use the fall preseason to get fresh faces acclimated to the college setting.

“I have a lot of expectations,” Brown said during an interview in September. “We’re so far out of next year that my expectations are that we learn the fundamentals and that we hold ourselves to a high standard in doing things — that we work hard, that we are going to work together and welcome all the new players and become one team working towards one goal.”

VOLUME 110

ISSUE 13

BRENTLY SNEAD Editor-in-Chief

Truman State University’s softball team huddles together after a game last season. At the end of the 2018 season, five seniors graduated, leaving the team room to grow going into the fall preseason. Photo by Kara Mackenzie tmn.truman.edu

www.facebook.com/TrumanMediaNetwork

Truman State University’s baseball team went 0-4 this past weekend.

The Bulldogs had their season opener last week in Searcy, Arkansas, where they were defeated by Harding University.

The near-freezing temperatures forced the play schedule to be revised, leading to doubleheaders Friday and Saturday.

Truman fared well during Friday’s games as they were able to make some contact with the bat and put points on the board, leaving them to lose 8-2 followed by a 7-1 loss.

Saturday did not see as much success with the Bulldogs being shut down by Harding and losing 10-0 followed by 7-0.

The team will travel to Wichita, Kansas, this weekend to face off against Newman University in another four-game series.

@TrumanMediaNet

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