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H&M involved in new, racist controversy P 6
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
VOLUME 95 ISSUE 14
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
Opinion: Make your New Year’s goals more realistic
January 16, 2018
P 5
Bitcoin: Dawn of a new, digital currency P 10
ULM mourns loss of professor Patricia Roshto P 6
Ruston mayor breaks silence on Logan Paul
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
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January 16, 2018
BRIEFS d
CALENDAR Monday, January Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, University Closed
15
Annual MLK Day of Service @ Strauss Hall 9 a.m.
Tuesday, January
16
France West Monroe Kaplan Puerto Rico Local man reunited Teacher handcuffed IV bag shortage President seeks Wednesday, January 17 with beloved pet for speaking out affects flu season to save baguettes Final date for adding 1st 8-week Classes begin for Spring full-term and 1st 8-week session
courses for credit
Thursday, January
18
Women's Basketball @ Texas State 5:30 p.m. Men's Basketball @ Texas State 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January
19
Final date for adding full-term Spring courses for credit
Saturday, January
20
Women's Basketball @ UTA 2 p.m. Men's Basketball @ UTA 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, January 21 Women's Basketball at McNeese State
A West Monroe man’s dog was found after going missing just days before Christmas. Neighbors, friends and strangers on social media were on the lookout for the lost dog. Only after a few days was the dog reunited with his owner. A viewer, after watching the original news story on KNOE News, called the news station and told them that she had the dog, Scruffy, the entire time. The woman never reported or turned in the dog, because it did not have a collar. In the original reporting, the owner, Jaime Herbert, let his two dogs and Scruffy out. When he returned to let them back in, all that remained were his two other dogs and Scruffy’s collar. Herbert stated that he and the dog shared similar personality traits and backgrounds which made them close.
A Louisiana teacher was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a school board meeting after questioning why the current superintendent was getting a raise and other educators and support staff were not. On Jan. 8, the arrest of the teacher, Deyshia Hargrave, was recorded by the local media station KATC and went viral on YouTube. Funderburk, Abbeville’s city attorney and prosecutor, said in an interview Tuesday that Hargrave was allegedly arrested for staying after being forbidden and resisting an officer. Although after further review of the video by the prosecutor, he decided not to pursue charges against the school teacher. Funderburk stated he had been to several meetings and what happened in that video was not anything out of the ordinary. At this time, the arresting deputy has not been disciplined for his actions, and it is not clear if he will be.
Supplies from factories in the storm-ravaged Puerto Rico are recovering slowly. A shortage of fluids used to deliver medicine and treat dehydrated patients has hospital workers in shambles in the midst of the flu season. After devastating hurricanes hit Puerto Rico in late 2017, saline and nutrient solution supplies became harder to transport to the U.S. The flu season affected more people and came early this year, causing patients who need fluids to come into hospitals that are running low on them. The U.S Food and Drug Administration said last week it believes shortages will stop over time but stressed the production situation in Puerto Rico remains fragile. In the meantime, hospitals may find new ways to permanently reduce usage of I.V. bags. d
QUOTE
New Day, New Beginnings
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
TODAY IN HISTORY
January 16
Oprah Winfrey Media proprietor Front page photo credits: Main by: Siddharth Gaulee Top left photo courtesy: H&M Top right photo courtesy: ULL Athletics Top sidebar courtesy: Bitcoin.com Bottom sidebar courtesy: Patrica Rhosto's Facebook
French President Emmanuel Macron wants the traditional baguette to be protected as a national treasure by UNESCO or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. He believes that the baguette is envied internationally, and it needs to be preserved as a classified heritage. UNESCO has designated certain cultural foods to its cultural heritage list. The list includes the traditional Japanese cuisine “washoku,” Belgian beer culture and the Korean style of making kimchi. Earlier Friday, Dominique Anract, president of the National Confederation of French Bakers, asked Macron to support the group’s bid to the UN agency. The bid is to preserve the quality of the original French baguette, since so many stores are selling it.
photo by Prajal Prasai The sun shining on ULM's library one dawn over Christmas break.
1944: Gen. Eisenhower takes command of Allied Invasion Force in London. 1945: Adolf Hitler moves into his underground bunker in Berlin. 1956: Egyptian President Nasser pledges to reconquer Palestine. 1967: First black government installed in Bahamas. 1980: Tokyo jails Paul McCartney for 10 days on marijuana possession. 1992: Chapultepec Peace Accords end the 12-year Salvadoran Civil War. 2002: United Nations Security Council freezes assets of Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaida and members of the Taliban. 2005: Adriana Illiescu becomes the oldest birth mother in the world at 66. 2016: First ever flower grown in space - a zinnia aboard the International Space Station.
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
Monroe's Mother's Day
murderer finally found An arrest has been made in the triple homicide case from last Mother’s Day. 33-year-old Deaundrey Cole is accused of killing Darvis Jones, Deborah Collins and Florica Green on South Third Street. According to court documents, Cole accidently killed Collin and Green although he allegedly intended to shoot only Jones. It was reported that Jones allegedly stole money and drugs from Cole while Cole was standing with Qatarrious Dean. The same court document said that Cole left the scene and returned
with the murder weapon that lead to a shootout and the triple murder. It was reported that Dean has been arrested on charges including armed robbery and attempted robbery in connection with the Mother’s Day murders. Cole was arrested after driving recklessly next to acquaintances who called 911 in Portland, Ore. Cole gave officers a fake driver’s license and birth certificate in the name of Demetrius Jenkins and insisted that was his name. Officers ran his fingerprints and confirmed he was actually Deaundrey Cole.
Mathis' verdict finally decided in Winnsboro Last Wednesday afternoon, friends and family of ULM alumna Kelly Longoria breathed a sigh of relief. Kevin Mathis, the man accused of kidnapping and shooting Kelly Longoria, has officially been sentenced to life without parole. The verdict comes almost a year and a half after the day of the crime. It happened the morning of July 16, 2016. Longoria stopped at a convenience store before going to work when she was kidnapped by Kevin Mathis. Mathis abducted Longoria from the convenience store in Winnsboro and drove her to a nearby cemetery in her own car. Shortly after arriving at the cem-
etery, Mathis shot Longoria in the head and abandoned her, leaving her for dead. Mathis was arrested later that night in connection with the crime. Later that month, Mathis was indicted for attempted first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and felon in possession of a firearm. He was officially sentenced to life without parole for aggravated kidnapping and 50 years for the attempted murder charge last Wednesday. Longoria is a ULM graduate who was planning on enrolling into graduate school for fall 2016. Almost a year and a half after her kidnapping, Longoria is recovering at home with her husband and family.
BRIEFS
Cheerleaders visit happiest place on Earth for competition Over the weekend of Jan. 12 to Jan.14, ULM's cheerleaders competed in the UCA College National Championships. The competition took place in Orlando, FL at the Walt Disney World Resort. They competed Saturday morning but were unable to bring home a victory. Before leaving, the squad invited the Monroe community to see their routine on Wed., Jan. 10. Admission to the event was free to everyone. Rows of people, including ULM students, the cheerleader's parents and other Monroe citizens lined Fant-Ewing Coliseum to watch the fast-paced routine. The routine was a little less than three minutes but was filled with loud cheering and ten feet high stunts. The ULM cheerleaders' performance was showcased alongside Ouachita Parish High School. The OPHS cheerleaders performed in under three minutes as well, but the crowd cheered the entire time.
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photo by Prajal Prasai
GO, HAWKS, GO: ULM's Cheerleaders showing off their national routine to ULM students, their parents and Monroe residents at Fant–Ewing Coliseum.
Geoscience professor obtains drone flying license Flying drones as a hobby could lead to a money-making career, according to assistant professor of Geoscience, Dr. Sean Chenoweth. Over the winter break, Chenoweth became the second professor at ULM to obtain his Federal Aviation Administration pilot license for unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones. Chenoweth along with Dr. Karlowitz of the aviation program are the only professors at ULM who
have this license. This license is required for any pilots who fly drones for commercial purposes. If one flies drones for entertainment, they do not have to get the license and they are known as a “hobbyist.” But, if a pilot flies drones for grants, contracts, or any type of financial compensation, they have to obtain an official FAA pilot license for unmanned aerial systems. The test pool included 650 ques-
tions and the test administrators draw out 60 questions from that pool that testers must answer with at least 70 percent accuracy. Chenoweth made a 96. With this license, he plans to do aerial research with surveys using his drone. Specifically, vegetation surveys at Felsenthal National Park near Crossett, Arkansas. In fall 2018, Chenoweth will be teaching Aviation 4080; a class that teaches students how to fly drones.
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
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January 16, 2018
OPINION
HAWKEYE P.O.V. Americans are culturally indifferent, insensitive America is often referred to as the “melting pot.” How can that be if we are unwilling to accept those who differ from us? Whether it be through religion, race or even gender, Americans can shut themselves off from those who don’t “fit the mold.” People are chastised for not speaking English when they come here, which makes absolutely no sense if we are going to define ourselves as an inclusive country. We offend easily and apologize in haste. The examples of cultural insensitivity in America span far and wide. We have a YouTube influencer being highly disrespectful in another country and a president who doesn’t care who he offends. These examples are the most recent in a long line of disappointing behavior by Americans. In the past, people could seemingly escape fallout when insensitive and ignorant. Not to say it was right, but we live in a different, more modern world now. People are striving to be more aware of others and ignorance will no longer be tolerated. Of course, not every American is like this, but this kind of cultural indifference has been the unfortunate standard. The traditions and values of different cultures should not be mocked or ridiculed by people who won’t even take the time to understand the history behind them. We all immigrated here at some point. Only the Native Americans were here before and yet, we are woefully ignorant to their strife as well. If we want to be a respected country, we must first be respectful of others.
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The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the university. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the university. The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.
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Don’t agree? Let us know! Contact the writers or the editor at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu
Climate change in America: A cycle of misconception
Arohan Rimal While ice caps melt, sea levels rise and polar bears face extinction, we are busy debating whether all of this is real and if it is a natural occurrence. Climate change has not been an easy topic to discuss in America. However, united by the Paris Agreement, the rest of the world is taking major steps to reduce the effects of this disaster. In the first six months of my time in the U.S., I have tried wrapping my head around why America is the black sheep of climate change. In America, climate change is seen as a partisan issue. Most Republicans question the existence of such a problem and believe that it is simply a “natural process.” This faulty mindset works in favor of the people who benefit from the use of non-green sources of energy. Those people then create more “evidence” against climate change, causing the public to revolt against the phenomenon. Generally, these people are influential politicians or speakers. They aren’t people who can be trusted to analyze climate change as opposed to actual climate change scientists. However, they use arguments that seem superficially logical but are usually factually baseless. This creates a cycle that increases the circle of distrust. Here is an example of how it works. This winter, the temperature in America faced an unexpected drop. It was also the first winter under the Trump administration. President Trump figured that a colder winter must support his argument that climate change is a hoax. Hence, Trump tweeted on Dec 28, “In the East, it could
be the COLDEST New Year’s Eve on record. Perhaps we could use a little bit of that good old Global Warming that our Country, but not other countries, was going to pay TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS to protect against. Bundle up!” An analysis from the University of Maine Climate Change Institute was conducted on the same day that Trump tweeted. It shows that some parts of North America are facing unusually low temperatures compared to the past years. The analysis, unfortunately (for Trump), supports the idea of climate change. Across the U.S., people are experiencing a colder winter and can see the unusual change in climate. This is exactly how climate change is defined. People envision climate change to be a dramatic increase in the global temperature throughout the year. Because of this notion, the term “climate change” is replaced by the term “global warming” in most discussions about this topic. Initially, the term global warming was brought to use because scientists speculated that the overall temperature of the globe would increase in the coming years. But this does not mean that we will face a perpetual summer. Research shows that the use of the term global warming often causes people to disregard the concept of climate change and think radically against it. This misinformation pushes people to revisit the discussion. The majority of time, whenever someone is arguing against climate change, they use the term global warming. This is exactly what Trump was doing in his tweet. More people have access to the president’s Twitter account than statistics from the University of Maine. Climate change is a phenomenon as complex as nature itself. People need to find their own information because a Facebook post, some conspiracy theorist and President Trump are not enough for an analysis on climate change. Credible information from scientists and institutions carry more weight in this argument. We must understand that the argument of “it is not real’”will not be enough to solve a disaster that could possibly wipe out the entire human population. contact Arohan Rimal at rimala@warhawks.ulm.edu
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
Makeup’s mass production may cause quality loss
Madison Smith Makeup has come a long way since our parents were teenagers. Especially “drugstore” makeup, which is what you’d pick up at a Walgreens or CVS. You no longer have to go to your local department store to find good quality products, and let’s face it, they were way out of an average college student’s budget anyway. Students at the University of Louisiana Monroe don’t have to save up their pocket change to get a foundation that doesn’t melt off after two hours anymore. This is largely due to the rise of beauty bloggers and influencers on YouTube creating a movement that makeup is for everyone- from every income to every skin color. Brands are paying attention too. 2017 was jam packed with new releases from big time companies like Two Faced and Urban Decay. Even celebrities took a stab at cosmetic lines. Rihanna came out with an astounding 40 shades of foundation in the first launch of her Fenty Beauty line. Kim Kardashian took a swing at the makeup game succeeding with KKW beauty contour kits selling out in hours. However, this rapid release of new products may be affecting the quality and performance of the makeup being produced. One of the most controversial palettes of 2017, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ subculture palette, was met with polarizing reactions. Beauty influencers rushed to be the first to review the product. It was highly anticipated, as Anastasia had not come out with a new eyeshadow palette in over a year. Surprisingly, the quality was not up to the brand’s reputation. Beauty youtuber, Alissa Ashley, got so frustrated during her review/tutorial that she gave up on her makeup look. Others left scathing reviews on Sephora’s website calling it “chalky,” “powdery” and “patchy.” Norvina, the owner of ABH, eventually addressed the outrage on her twitter page. Many were calling for a reformulation or at least, a repressing of the shadows, but she insisted the palette was perfect and all one needed to do to make the palette work was use a light hand. The problem is this statement is wrong. Having personally owned this palette, I have to respectfully disagree. The shadows are difficult to work with and require specific brushes to keep them from blending into a muddy mess. Another flop of the year was Maybelline’s collab with Gigi Hadid. Not only was it outrageously overpriced for drugstore makeup, most of the shades are incompatible with medium to deep skin tones. It looks like makeup a tween would get from Claire’s, only with a steeper price tag ($30) just because Gigi Hadid’s signature is on it. They did release new shades of their ever famous matte and poreless foundation, which I picked up after a summer tan made their old shades too light for me. Last year was full of success stories for makeup, but just like all other forms of products when the market gets flooded the quality suffers. Makeup seems to be moving away from some of the well-known brands because they simply have not been able to keep their quality up as demand has risen, especially as darker, more inclusive shades have been called for. The jury is out on if they can keep up, but if these brands have a repeat of 2017 in 2018, they will not last long. contact Madison Smith at smithmm@warhawks.ulm.edu
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OPINION
New year, new you?
At the start of any new year, it is natural to sit back and reflect on all of the good and bad things that happened the year before. Upon reflecting on their previous actions, people will decide on what they would like to change about themselves and their lives. Even though the idea of change is exciting, creating resolutions is easier said than done. According to Forbes.com, only 40% of people in the world actually stay true to their resolutions. While many prefer the “new year, new me” cliché, sometimes the best way to a new you is through subtle and slight changes throughout the year. By doing this, the person you have envisioned will slowly and surely become a reality in your life. The new year brings thoughts like, “I want to lose weight and go to the gym.” Maybe the goal is to manage your money better by limiting the amount spent on things wanted and not needed. You may even want to change your priorities. Who and what is most important in my life and how can I do better in that area? The tricky part about new year resolutions is that people begin to think they can only change at the start of a new
year. That is not the case. Every day is an opportunity to change yourself for the better. It doesn’t matter if it is written on a list of dos’ and do not’s. Even with the best intentions, 60 percent of people will fail to stay true to hand-picked resolutions. Self-improvement is overdone in new year celebrations. The last days of December bring the ever hip and trendy “goodbye bad habit lists.” People are so compelled to make huge lists of everything they want to change in the new year. It ends up resembling a bucket list of sorts and not a person willing to better themselves. There are so many unhealthy habits to break and it can easily become overwhelming. Those bad habits are pushed back for next year because surely you will be more prepared then. This cycle continues with the same result each year unless you can stay consistent and motivated throughout. For 2018, you probably want to change or resolve some of the same issues you have had every year before. Instead of bringing a bucket list to the new year’s table, try keeping it simple. Use baby steps to get to the right “new year, new me” shown in your mind. Change can be a good thing at any given time, but change can be even better throughout a long-term period. It can be sensible and in your favor to create small, practical changes in life rather than diving in head first. It doesn’t matter how quickly the change comes but that you eventually meet your goals. Within one week, almost 75 percent wof people begin to abandon their resolutions. Those who fail at completing the goals do blame themselves for lacking the willpower to continue until successful. To avoid this from happening, I encourage you to keep it simple when deciding on a resolution this new year. contact Hope Stapleton at staplehr@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
NEWS
H&M under fire: Racism pokes its
head into fashion industry again by Akeyah Boyd
In recent events, a picture of a young African-American male wearing a hoodie, displaying the words “the coolest monkey in the jungle” was found on the website of popular clothing store, H&M. The surfacing of this picture sent most social media platforms, especially Twitter, into a frenzy. Thousands were outraged at the company’s choice and wondered where the boy’s mother was during this photo shoot. The mother, Terry Mango, made a Facebook post assuring everyone that she is present at every photo shoot her son is in and that everyone should “stop crying wolf all the time and get over it.” She further explained that she does not understand the outrage “not because she chooses not to, but because it is not her way of thinking”, but also feels “everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” Many people commented that she may not be as upset as others, because the family is from Stockholm, Sweden and not the United States, therefore the phrase may not have the same connotation as it does in America. H&M was introduced to Monroe in July of 2017 and has been a somewhat popular addition to Pecanland Mall. After facing backlash, H&M’s corporate office posted on their website, “We got this wrong and we are deeply sorry that the picture was taken.” The company also says they “have a responsibility to be aware of and attuned to all racial and cultural sensitivities
January 16, 2018
ULM professor dies over winter break by Jimmon Felton
that we have not lived up to.” This ad forced celebrities like singer The Weeknd and rapper G-Eazy to end their partnerships with the brand because of how offended they were by the company’s actions. The Weeknd stated he was “embarrassed and deeply offended.” G-Eazy said, “It is truly sad and disturbing that in 2018 something so racially and culturally insensitive could pass by the eyes of so many and be deemed acceptable.” Cleveland Cavaliers small forward, LeBron James, was angered by the image and said it proves “African Americans will always have to break barriers, prove people wrong and work harder to prove we belong.” His followers agreed, one even saying that many African-Americans feel that they must work “twice as hard to get half” in society today. Twitter and Facebook users have stated that they think this was a publicity stunt planned by H&M to increase sales. Junior toxicology major, EJ Anadi, said “I think
H&M knew what they were doing and this is the exact reaction they wanted.” Twitter users also pointed out that many items have been placed on sale. Tina Pham, a senior computer information systems major, said “they should have made another kid wear it, instead of the black kid to prevent controversy.” Others online have also expressed that this would not have been as big of an issue had the child been white or Asian. Only time will tell if this controversy will negatively affect the brand. Though H&M believes they have played a part in promoting diversity and inclusion, they admit this was “casual or passive racism and it needs to be eradicated wherever it exists.” The corporate team will thoroughly investigate why this happened to prevent future incidents. The actual hoodie has since been removed from their product line and will be recycled as well.
The ULM community mourns the death of an accounting professor. On Friday, December 29, 2018, ULM lost Professor Patricia "Patti" Roshto. Professor Roshto died quietly in her sleep beside her husband Gary in their home of 33 years in Monroe. The couple was celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. The death of Professor Roshto was an unexpected occurrence for everyone she knew. Roshto was 64 years old at the time of her death and an employee of the university for the last 35 years of her life. Roshto was known as a loving person from those she came in contact with. Patti Roshto was born January 31, 1953 in Alexandria, Louisiana where she attended and graduated with honors from Pineville High school. Afterwards Roshto enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) where she graduated with a degree in accounting. Roshto went on to receive her Master’s at NLU as well. After graduating from NLU, Roshto took up a job at the university as a professor where she remained for 35 years. Before her death, Roshto was given a new office and scheduled to teach in the spring semester starting in mid-January. Roshto is survived by her husband Gary Roshto, their three kids Aleecia, Andrew, Angela and the couple’s eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Edith. Memorials left in Professor Roshto’s honor can be made at the ULM foundation to the Patricia G. Roshto Memorial Fund.
contact Akeyah Boyd at boydak@warhawks.ulm.edu
contact Jimmon Felton at feltonjj@warhawks.ulm.edu
Logan Paul’s trip to Japan causes controversy Youtuber’s vlog regarding suicide could end career by Raven Adcox YouTuber, Logan Paul, has come under fire recently for posting a video containing the body of an alleged suicide victim. In the video, Paul and his friends travel to the Aokigahara Forest, better known as the “Suicide Forest,” in Japan. The video was uploaded to YouTube where it reached Paul’s more than 15 million subscribers. Many of them are kids. Last May, Louisiana came to realize how large Paul’s sphere of influence was when the city of Ruston agreed to let him become “Mayor for a Day.” The ULM Hawkeye reached out to
the mayor’s office in Ruston in the hopes to understand the decisionmaking process of the influencer. Mayor’s assistant and city communications director, Kourtney Keim, said that when Paul’s producer and team first contacted them last spring, it was to film an episode for his show, “Logan Paul Vs.” Initially, not much was known about the Youtuber. Mayor Ronny Walker tasked his employees with researching and vetting Paul. “Let’s face it, I’m 66 and had no idea who Logan Paul was,” Mayor Walker said. An important factor in the decision to let Paul’s team film in Ruston was respect. The producers and film crew assured everyone involved that Ruston would be portrayed in a positive light and with that, the project was a go. The opportunity to reach a wider audience through Paul’s platform was one the city didn’t want to pass up. “There was no way for us to have foreseen his future in social media and the actions he would take,” Keim said.
As for Ruston, the “Mayor for a Day” event was successful in the eyes of the public. There was a parade, which Paul rode with all over the city greeting fans along the way. He talked and took photos with many people and even passed out pizza downtown. Mayor Walker said the first thing he told Logan Paul was not to embarrass Ruston and felt he and his team upheld that promise. Keim said that when the show was being filmed early last year, Paul had an entirely different production and film crew. After the show was finished filming, he moved on to other projects. “We do not regret having him come here to Ruston, but we certainly do not condone his current actions,” Keim said. “It is a disappointment to see his name in the spotlight for these reasons.” In response to the video, YouTube has limited its current deals with Paul. YouTube removed Paul from its Google Preferred Program, which lets
brand advertisers sell ads amongst the top 5 percent of creators. The money he can now make from ads has been drastically reduced.
“We do not regret having him come here to Ruston, but we do not condone his current actions.” Kourtney Kiem Ruston mayor’s assistant, city communications director YouTube also dropped Paul from their web series, “Foursome.” Paul issued a written apology on Twitter about the decision to post the
video, saying that he had never faced criticism like this before and should have stopped recording in that moment. The once daily vlogger disappeared from social media saying he was “taking time to reflect.” While some students at ULM accepted the disclaimers before the video as enough warning, others were shocked and disgusted by what they saw. Senior psychology major, Rachel Holmes, said that she wasn’t a fan of Paul’s humor but knew of him from his start on Vine. “He’s grown and dealt with internet content for long enough that he should have known he was making a risky move,” Holmes said. She also brought up the question that if he didn’t post the video for views, which he claimed not to have done in his written apology, then what were his reasons. There is currently no word on whether Logan Paul will return to social media, including YouTube. contact Raven Adcox at adcoxrv@warhawks.ulm.edu
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 7
NEWS
MEASUREMENTS: Dr. Anthony Walker prepares to give a flu shot in the Quad last semester.
photo courtesy Kaleb Hanson
Students prepare for most active flu season on record by Alfonzo Galvan Flu season is among us. ULM students and the country brace for impact as this year’s flu season is hitting the country harder than normal. The harsh flu season also brings back the debate on vaccinations and their effectiveness. The Influenza virus, or flu for short, has its yearly season during the “colder” half of the year. The season usually begins in early October and ends around mid-April. During flu season, there are two major types of viruses that are responsible for the majority of the reported cases of flu, type “A” and type “B.” There is a type “C” virus, but it is very rare. ULM students prepped early for the flu this season. Thursday Nov. 9, APhA, or the American Pharmacists AssociationAcademy of Student Pharmacists put on a “Free Flu Clinic” in collaboration with the Student Government Association. The event had a great turn out, but many ULM students missed their opportunity to get a free flu shot. Some ULM students like the rest of the world are unsure of flu shots and their effectiveness. “I could feel that the shot definitely made me immune to some strains of viruses, while I understand that it doesn’t protect us from all strains. Kudos to the ULM pharmacy for put-
ting it on us,” Pujan Dahal, a junior computer information systems major said. Many ULM students have yet to get a flu shot. When given the option, there are those who decide against the shot based on a strong immune system. Others don’t feel the shot works or it’s rate of effectiveness is too low. A nasal spray alternative to the regular flu shot gained popularity for it’s ease of use and lack of needles. Sadly, the nasal spray alternative wasn’t recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention after 2016. For some ULM students, a flu shot is required. Pharmacy and nursing students are required to get an annual flu shot before the regular season begins in October. Students in these schools claim the earlier you get your vaccination the better the results will be for you when exposed to the flu virus. Susan Egbert, a third-year pharmacy student says the pharmacy school strictly requires all of their students to have a vaccination. “I got my shot very early (in August), I’ve learned that the earlier you can get it, the better the chance that you won’t get it,” Egbert said. Egbert also pointed out how grateful she was for the added protection since three of her family members caught the flu, and although she was
around them she didn’t catch the flu. Brittany Stagg, a senior nursing student, believes in the effectiveness of the vaccine even if still struck by the virus. “I had to get it, but the flu vaccine even when for the wrong strain helps lessen symptoms and length if one were to get the flu,” Stagg said. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s tracking system, the flu is now widespread among the continental US. This is the first time this has happened since the current tracking system has been in place. The tracking system has been in place for over 13 years. Hospitals and are urging those still unaffected to take extra precautions. The main preventative measure doctors recommend is a flu shot taken early in the season. Other than that, reducing the number of germs you’re exposed to is the next best option. Washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding others with the disease are some of the best things you can do to avoid catching the flu. If you become sick, stay hydrated. When you have a fever wait for it to diminish and don’t leave the house until 24 hours have passed since you had a fever.
contact Alfonzo Galvana at galvana@warhawks.ulm.edu
WARHAWK POLL
Did you get the flu shot this year?
Yes 35% 298
NO 65%
159 graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
January 16, 2018
NEWS FREESTYLE
photo courtesy ULM Photo Services
DONATION: Nick Bruno and Eric Pani accepts $1,000,000 check from anonymous donor with other faculty members.
ULM receives a plethora of donations over winter break by Hope Stapleton Over the winter break ULM received a very generous donation of one million dollars from anonymous donor. The donor will remain unnamed due to the agreements of an anonymous donation. The donation will fund the university’s education program to supply scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. While this was intended as endowment for scholarships, it is an estate gift. The Warhawk alumna chose to give back to the future generation of their chosen careers. ULM will receive the promised amount upon
the selling of properties after the donor’s death. All of the money will go back to the students who aspire to pursue an education degree. The donation will be exclusively used for students who aspire to pursue an education degree. Morgan Patrick who was ressponsible for closing the deal for ULM says, “I am absolutely thrilled about this generous donation. I meet with CEO’s and regional managers who can give our university thousands of dollars without it even affecting their business or lifestyle, but to have a school teacher donate such a large sum of money to her alumni school is absolutely extraordinary. This shows how big of a role ULM
had played in her life throughout her career.” With this being a huge gift to ULM, the history of past donations does not go unnoticed. The Living Well Foundation recently donated $73 thousand to the university's clinics. While they consistently provide wealth to the Autism Center and ULM’s dental hygiene clinic, the new funding included the Literacy Clinic and the Occupational Therapy Clinic. The Living Well Foundation goal has always been to help maintain the life and health of Northeast Louisiana. Through the various ways they support the university, they have al-
ways been able to maintain a strong relationship with the region while helping the clinics expand in staff and maintain an ongoing growth in their respective programs. The Occupational Therapy Clinic was awarded a little over $30 thousand. The clinic hopes to provide additional services to those in need that might not receive treatment anywhere else. They hope to allow students, who study occupational therapy, a way to learn through volunteering observe services and provide direct services. The Occupational Therapy Clinic want to grow the number of patients they have in their care and expand
the quality of services they provide. The Autism Center might receive donations more frequently, but they always have innovative ideas and plans to improve in their program. After being awarded almost $32,000, the clinic is planning to use the funds to provide direct evaluation and treatments for children up to 18 years old and their families, not just to referred patients. The Literacy Clinic was awarded almost $11,000. They will continue providing services to improve communication for clients. Their mission is to improve the processes of speaking and thinking. contact Hope Stapleton at staplehr@warhawks.ulm.edu
eULM ranks 100 in top online MBA programs by KeEmma Everett Online classes prove to be just as efficient as sitting in a classroom. According to the U.S. News and World Report, ULM’s online Master of Business Administration program ranks in the nation’s top 100. Master degrees have the highest enrollment in business administration, and ULM’s program ranks as number 100. The program was evaluated by five categories: Student engagement, admissions selectivity, peer reputation, faculty credentials and training and student services and technology. ULM’s expansion of the online MBA program to the graduate program began in 2010. The master’s program joined forces with “eULM to work hand in hand to provide support to on-
line MBA students,” operating and marketing manager, Dr. Deborah Beaver said. The program expanded ULM’s visibility across the world by dismantling distance as a divider. “We had a young man who lived in Germany, but is an American, enrolled in eULM,” Dr. Donna Luse, the associate dean and professor of business communications, said. Students can move at their own pace and not feel overwhelmed. “I can set my own hours for class, so I don’t have to worry about missing class,” Fernando Grider, an online MBA student, said. A strategy used to increase enrollment in the online MBA program is the consistency of the professors and the material they teach. Many of the teachers that teach a subject online also teach the same subject on campus.
“Our faculty has such enriched experiences between their professional and educational lives, that they create assignments that are meaningful to students in that particular program,” Katie Dawson, the online program coordinator, said. The biggest positive in any online program is the convenience, but what makes ULM’s online MBA program stand out is the open line of communication professors have with their students. Professors and students rely on emails, phone and Skype. “If I ever had an issue in an online class, most of my professors responded in a timely manner,” online graduate student, Jesse Flunder said. The professors not only keep an open line of communication, but they are also “highly credentialed
faculty proudly serving at ULM,” dean of graduate school, Dr. Sushma Krishnamurthy said. ULM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The accreditation allows ULM to award degrees. Professors are required to attend training to teach online classes. ULM created two different offices to accommodate online MBA students. Online students have a specific office located in Walker Hall. Students can also call the graduate office located in Hemphill Hall. This is the second time the online MBA program has ranked in the nation’s top 100. LSU is the only other university that ranked in the nation’s top 100 in the state. contact KeEmma Everett at everetkn@warhawks.ulm.edu
33 Online Programs Online Degrees : - Associates - Bachelors - Masters - Doctorate Ranked #100 for top online MBA program by U.S. news and world reports Recognized as #1 online school in Louisiana by thebestschools.org graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 9 NEWS
Nearly complete construction continues growing on campus by Misisipi Bhandari Constructions around campus are speeding up and nearing their completion. As always ULM continues to enhance student life with its services. The BCM, Brown Stadium and Alumni center are under renovation, and the new event center is under construction. They are expected to be completed by the end of Spring semester 2018. “In my view, it is a worthy investment that will make Warhawks proud for many more years to come,” Oluwagbotemi Cosmas Omojola, a junior biology major, said about the many projects going on around campus. In some great news for other ULM students and the community, a new event center named Bayou Pointe will open on Warhawk Way in February. It will serve as an additional venue space for large events. The patio is a feature venue with an amphitheater(stage) located on the bayou. The center also features a “Spirit Hall” that will serve as the practice area for the Spirit Groups and will be available for use for other events in a less formal setting. A small theatre will be available for speakers,
lectures and movies. Camile Currier, VP of Student Affairs, is hopeful that the event center will be open for Mardi Gras on Feb. 8. Talking about the funding, he said it came from the Student Enhancement Committee with no additional fees charged to the students. He added, “Bayou Pointe is the result of students wanting to convert the old natatorium into an event center.” Renovations at Brown Stadium are at a high pace. The new track is Olympic-shaped with shorter straightways and wider turns, allowing the soccer field to be inside the track. The field will have grass planted or sod laid and will be ready for use by next fall. There will be separate locker rooms for the players in the stadium which ensures the privacy of the athletes. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry(BCM) is nearing completion of its own building. According to plans it should be ready by this March. The BCM will finally be able to host its events in its own building. Having its own building again will keep the BCM growing as a community once again. “For BCM, it is cool to have their own building as it will serve
photo by Prajal Prasai
SUNSET OVER THE NEW BCM: The newly renovated BCM is still under construction.
as an alternative place to Wesley Foundation, International Student Centre and CCM for (international) students to study and get used to American culture,” Omojola said. In addition to these buildings, The Laird Weems Centre, located at 440 Bon Aire alongside Bayou Desaird, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2018. The center will serve as the Foundation and Alumni Affairs Office.
Susan Chappell, the executive director of Foundation and alumni center said that the construction is progressing smoothly and is on target to serve the ULM community. Students seem to be excited about new facilities on campus. Milan Jung Katuwal, a freshman biology major said, “Being a part of the college community, it makes all students really proud to see the campus growing in terms of size,
in terms of quality and infrastructure.” The new facilities on campus will extend the opportunities for Warhawks to explore campus and its many diverse services. As always, the ULM campus never fails to meet the requirements of its students and make everyone proud to be a Warhawk. contact Misisipi Bhandari at bhandam@warhawks.ulm.edu
Students attend 17th annual AMS conference Chapter spends weekend learning by Ethan Dennis Members of various American Meteorological Society student chapters gathered from all over the country in Austin, TX to attend the 17th Annual AMS Student Conference. This national conference took place Jan. 6 through Jan. 8 at Texas A&M University. Among ULM’s many participants was Greg Sova, junior AMS student chapter president. “Learning the cutting edge of the field of meteorology, building a professional network and getting to explore some of the finest cities in America” is why Sova considers attending national conferences a privilege. Sova attended this past conference, the 2016 New Orleans conference and the 2017 Seattle conference. The AMS student chapter attending national conferences enhances the ATMS program. ULM’s Atmospheric Science program has been “designated as a ‘Program of Excellence’ by the Board of Regents, ” associate professor in ULM’s School of Sciences Dr. Todd Murphy said. Highlights of the conference include learning about different topics in each session the students attended. One of these sessions discussed the difference between public jobs and private jobs while another one stressed social media and communication.
TRAVELING WEATHER CLUB: ULM's AMS Chapter visiting Austin, TX for the 17th annual AMS conference.
Weather forecasting on TV is usually the only thing associated with an ATMS degree, but the degree offers many options in public and private spheres. Public jobs include working for the National Weather Service or the military, and private jobs involve working for private companies like AccuWeather. The communication session stressed the importance of concise writing for effective communication. Overall, the purpose of the conference was to show students what new options they have
with their degree. Also, the conference informed the students of other skills that would be useful in their field like having experience in coding or a communications minor. This information helps better students still in college telling them how they should prepare for their future. “Attending the conference helped me see different aspects of my field that I hadn’t thought of, ” junior ATMS major Dakari Anderson said. Anderson had no intentions of furthering
photo courtesy Dakari Anderson
his education after he received his undergraduate degree but is now considering going to graduate school. He now considers his mind reopened to new ideas. Although ULM’s American Meteorological Society student chapter didn’t take home the “Chapter of the Year” award this year, attending the AMS Student Conference was beneficial for all involved. contact Ethan Dennis at dennisec@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
January 16, 2018
FREESTYLE
Bitcoin: The new IT coin?
An insight on the blooming currency’s future by Siddharth Gaulee
Ever wished of becoming an overnight millionaire just by sitting in the house doing nothing? Luckily, technology might have finally made it possible to turn pennies into hundreds with just a click of the mouse through Bitcoin. Monika Paneru first made her Bitcoin investment in mid 2017. In just one month Paneru was able to make a profit of $400. Like junior pre-medical laboratory science major Paneru, many college students are now starting to invest their weekly paychecks into this cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin beginning:
Bitcoin was developed in 2009 by a programmer who, till this date, remains a mystery but goes by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Unlike fiat currencies like the U.S. Dollar or the Euro, Bitcoin does not depend on any central bank for supply and validation. According to economics professor Dr. Tammy Johnston, the cryptocurrency is gaining its popularity by allowing investors to make money through trading it online without any third party involved, such as banks. The idea of decentralizing money is
what interested Paneru to invest in Bitcoin. Bitcoin does not have an inherent or set value. The price for a single Bitcoin at the beginning of 2017 was $800. The value peaked at $19,000 and then tumbled to around $13,500 by the end of the year.
Bitcoin investment:
There are two ways to acquire Bitcoins. The first way, called “mining,” requires supercomputers to solve complex mathematical problems. Users are rewarded blocks of Bitcoins for solving such problems. Most of the users/investors, though, purchase Bitcoins through various trading websites.
Bitcoin bandwagon:
“The constant supply and increasing demand are what causes the value of bitcoin to rise,” Paneru said. Increased government oversight over the past few weeks in countries like South Korea and China has slowed the expansion. However, as the mainstream population is starting to jump on the Bitcoin bandwagon, more businesses are expected to join the ride. “I think more businesses will continue to accept Bitcoin. The cost of accepting Bitcoin for payment is cheaper (0-2%) compared to the (23%) fees for credit cards,” Johnston shared.
Bitcoin risks:
Bitcoin, for many, is an investment and not just a decentralization of currency since its volatility is its exact beauty.
“I personally do not invest in Bitcoin. It is very risky as an investment and has had more volatility than gold or the S&P 500,” Johnston said. Paneru shared that checking the Bitcoin value at least a few times a day has become a part of her daily routine. “Within the same day the price changes in thousands so it is a risk when you decide to invest,” Paneru said.
ITCOIN Fun Facts
PIZZA
The first purchase made through Bitcoin was for pizza. It cost 10,000 BTC which is now worth about 7 Million.
Bitcoin suggestion:
Since investing in Bitcoin is makeit-or-break-it, Johnston suggests first covering the monthly expenses and saving towards a “rainy day fund” before going and investing in Bitcoin. “Most college students don’t have additional funds to cover unexpected expenses such as tire replacements or living expenses when you get laid off from your job unexpected,” Johnston said. “Hence the riskiness and volatility is really not what you need to be seeking.”
Bitcoin future:
Bitcoin supply is strictly controlled. The computers are set so only a certain number of Bitcoins can be mined every day. According to statistics, Bitcoins will continue to be mined until the year 2140 when the total supply of Bitcoins in circulation is expected to reach the final amount of 21 million. No one knows what the future holds for Bitcoin but one thing is for certain: the success or failure of Bitcoin will set the stage for the future of online money management.
21 MILLION
Although Bitcoin is electronic, there are only 21 million Bitcoins. Only 12.5 million of those have been mined to date. SATOSHI
It is one hundred millionth of a single Bitcoin (0.00000001 BTC). Satoshi is named after Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin.
FBI
The FBI seized 144,000 Bitcoins while shutting down the Silk Road marketplace in 2013.
WARHAWK POLL
Yes 8% What is Bitcoin? 31%
Are the Warhawks investing on Bitcoin?
No 38%
If I had money 24%
contact Siddharth Gaulee at gaulees@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
Technologies to spring into this year NUTALE This tiny handheld GPS tracker is designed to help keep tabs on kids, pets and valuable objects. It has a built in SOS button and notifies when the tracker leaves a designated safety zone. Its market price is set for $69.99.
MAGIC LEAP ONE This innovative design is set to mix augmented reality with everyday life. Primarily focused for designers and teachers, it’ll also be a great addition to the gaming world. These special glasses will allow users to set game characters in real life space.
HOMEPOD Apple is finally releasing its version of home speaker. With its seven beamforming tweeters and A8 chip, the device has features like high speed buffering and sound focusing based on its location in the room.
Stellina This smart telescope was awarded CES 2018 Innovation Honoree for digital imagery. Its features include a 6.4 megapixel sensor, constellation identification and image transferring to smart phones and tablets.
PSVR After their huge success over the course of last year, SONY is set to release more than 100 new games to go with their Play Station Virtual Reality. The PSVR gives players a 360 degree game experience.
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 11
FREESTYLE
Zero Waste resolution for an entire Local
events coming this week
by Sisam Shrestha Imagine making less than a jar’s worth of trash each year. The idea seems impossible but there are actual people who are living while making only a jar’s worth of trash in five years. Each year in America alone, 30 million tons of plastic are discarded. More than 90 perecent of it end up in landfills and the oceans. The minimal waste or “Zero Waste” lifestyle has been emerging on various social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram for the past two years to combat this issue. What was previously looked at as a “hippie thing” has now managed to claim dominance in many high end shops in major cities. Here are seven resolutions to help start towards a “Zero Waste” 2018 that benefits not just one but many.
Bamboo utensils: According to Plastic Pollution Coalition, Americans use more than 100 million plastic utensils every day which can take thousands of years to properly decompose. Instead, an eco-friendly alternative would be to carry bamboo spoons and forks while eating at outside. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant. Using utensils made out of bamboo are not only durable and organic but are also environmentally sustainable.
January Fun Run 2k18
Felt dryer balls: Instead of using dryer sheets that are lined with plastics, try using felt dryer balls. Dryer balls tumble around in the wash load and allow proper air circulation. This reduces the drying time and minimizes friction. A pack of dryer balls costs less than $10 and can be used for years until they fall apart. Unlike scented dryer sheets, felt dryer balls do not contain any artificial chemicals that can damage towels’ absorbency or cause allergic reactions.
Tote bags: Living on-campus means unavoidable trips to the neighborhood Walmart for weekly groceries and midnight runs to fastfood driveways. A single trip to Walmart adds an average of four plastic bags to the plastic pile below the sink. Carrying a tote bag reduces the number of plastic bags brought into homes. Totes can go as cheap as just a dollar and can last for a year’s worth of shopping. They are also compact enough to be stashed inside everyday bags. Etsy has a great selection of handmade customizable totes that are easy and fun to carry around.
Stainless steel bottle: Health authorities recommend drinking about two liters water daily. It’s difficult to carry around a bunch of disposable bottles to class every day. Also, buying water from the SUB each day is a waste of precious Flex dollars and unnecessary
photo courtesy Ocean Conservancy
plastic. Try investing in a stainless-steel bottle that costs as less as $15 and lasts for at least five years. Some bottles also come double insulated and work great with both hot and cold drinks. These can be refilled at the on-campus Starbucks, Schulze or the water fountains. Additionally, carrying a bottle around acts as a reminder to keep drinking water.
Reusable straw: Ever seen those online videos of sea turtles with a plastic straw stuck up their noses? According to Ocean Conservancy’s International Conservation Cleanup data, plastics have been on the top 10 found items’ list for the past three years. Obviously, the main contributors are the millions of plastic straws used in to-go cups and restaurants. Start by avoiding straws while dining outside. Some drinks, however, like milkshakes and frappucinos do require a straw. Carry a glass or a stainless straw. These can be washed and reused for several years with proper care. Unlike plastic straws, stainless steel straws do not contain BPA, making it safer to use.
Shampoo bars: Shampoo bar is a new sensation in the Zero
Get out the running shoes and the steps tracker as the first Fun Run of 2018 takes place on Jan. 16, Tuesday. The evening run starts at 6 p.m. making it a perfect after school activity.
Waste movement. They look like soap bars and usually come unpackaged or packed in cardboard boxes. An average shampoo bar lasts around 100 washes, outlasting two shampoo bottles. More importantly, shampoo bars are organic, chemical free and do not strip necessary oils from the scalp. Their compact size makes them perfect for travels. LUSH is known for their variety of shampoo bars for different hair types. They even have scented and oil infused shampoo bars for hair treatment and conditioning. Regular use of chemical conditioner can prove harmful to hair. Instead, try applying a bit of organic coconut oil before washing your hair.
Buy quality: College budget often compels students to buy cheap, disposable items. These purchases don’t only add garbage in the landfill but also add up to a large amount at the end of four years. Instead of buying a cheap nonstick pan that will probably break before graduation, invest in a cast iron pan that can last for years, even after college, and is a safer health choice. contact Sisam Shrestha at shrests8@warhawks.ulm.edu
Twin Cities’ Krew of Janus Grand Ball Mardi Gras might not be here till another month, but the celebration is already set for Jan. 20. The annual ball features dance, food and music from Flashback 5. Admission is $100 per person or $180 per couple.
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
JANUARY 16, 2018
FREESTYLE
Oprah does not deserve her Golden Globe award
Ethan Dennis Oprah Winfrey holds the world in her hands...well, at least a miniature golden one. Last weekend, Winfrey became the first black woman to receive the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 75th Annual Golden Globes, and America was elated. The Cecil B. DeMille award is bestowed upon an individual with “outstanding contributions to entertainment.” But what does this even mean? Looking at recent winners of the award, such as Morgan Freeman, Steven Spielberg and Denzel Washington, I can’t help but misunderstand the thought process behind awarding Winfrey this year. The last recipient, Meryl Streep, had 31 Golden Globe nominations and eight wins, whereas Winfrey has one nomination and no wins, so why is she being rewarded? Having built her own cable network, I understand she is the epitomic example of the Horatio Alger tale for a black, American woman, but the timing seems off. Why not give her this award when her show’s ratings were booming
over the last 20 years, if she truly deserved it all this time? Or during a time when she was actually involved in the film and tv industry and not just resting on the laurels of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” which actually ended in 2011. It just seems like it’s too to late to give her this award, and the chance to award her when she really deserved to be awarded has passed. Since Oprah has not significantly contributed to the world of entertainment in about four years, this decision must have been a political one. Oprah Winfrey was handed a golden platform to speak about the “Time’s Up” movement through her receiving of the Cecil B. DeMille award. In case you missed it, the Golden Globes unofficial dress code was all black, and nearly everyone referenced the latest movement to sweep through the scandal-laden streets of Hollywood. The “Time’s Up” movement was started to raise awareness of the rampant sexual harassment and assault incidents in the entertainment industry. The black attire worn by most at the awards was to be worn in remembrance of victims of these incidents. Winfrey’s acceptance speech coupled with the presence of leading social change activists heightened the political mood of the night. The power of Winfrey’s speech spurred many to recommend she run for president in 2020. While Winfrey has not comment-
graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
ed herself, President Donald Trump has declared that he would beat her should they run against one another. I don’t believe either should be
running the country but what better way to raise awareness for an issue than using a black woman who has garnered fame and favor in America
to issue the message? Coincidence? I think not. contact Ethan Dennis at dennisec@warhawks.ulm.edu
Locals enjoy literature, drinks at local Irish pub by Hope Stapleton
photo courtesy Beer and Bards
Enoch’s Irish Café in West Monroe hosted the monthly Beer and Bards last week. Even the rain couldn’t stop eager listeners from coming out and supporting their favorite readers. English professor Jack Heflin hosts the event every month. According to Helfin, the event allows readers to share their creations and support their favorite writings. “They have used writing as a form of therapy on how to deal with personal issues they have dealt with from harassment, depression or anxiety,” Heflin said. Beer and Bards has been a ritual in
West Monroe since 1983. The event takes place on the second Thursday of every month. In medieval Gaelic and British culture, a bard was a professional storyteller or a music composer. The event is open for students, professors or any type of writers published or not. The works that are read range from fiction poems to nonfiction short stories. Readers can either read their own creation or their favorite part from a published piece. The event also accepts donations that is split between the readers at the end of the evening. contact Hope Stapleton at staplehr@warhawks.ulm.edu
JANUARY 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 13
FREESTYLE Crossword
Horoscope Aries You’ll probably experience some personal melodrama as Venus creates some weird moments. Maybe you’ll have a fight with your sweetheart for no good reason. Or perhaps you’ll encounter some gossip at work and get pulled into a stressful situation.
Taurus A bunch of planets are boosting your energy. You’ll find it easy to work long hours and still have plenty of stamina left to go out on multiple dates. You’ll also have strong physical power if you are competing in a sport or working out a lot at the gym.
Gemini Venus is turning you into a romantic fool. As an Air sign, sometimes you can be a little cool about relationships. You can take them or leave them. But over the next few weeks, you’ll explore strong feelings for a special someone.
Across 1 Asian noodles 6 Quick looks 11 “The __” 14 Poke __ in 15 Game console button 16 __ polloi 17 “Sommersby” actress 19 1992 figure skating silver medalist 20 What “will be” will be? 21 Actress Dolores __ Rio 22 Post-blizzard creation 24 “The Federalist Papers” co-writer 27 Part of UNLV 28 Shortcut, perhaps 33 Kobe’s home 36 Energy 37 Environmental sci. 38 Hosp. areas 39 Freaked out
43 Org. for analysts 44 Dickens clerk 46 __ Aviv 47 Plant circulatory tissue 49 Measure used by navigators 53 Some govt. lawyers 54 Kind of memory 58 Golfer and his buddy, say 62 Barbecue item 63 Never, in Nuremberg 64 Trash holder 65 Packaged produce buy, and a literal description of the ends of 17-, 28-, 39- and 49-Across 68 Word before or after blue 69 Paris pupil 70 Picture 71 “Mr. __ Passes By”: Milne play 72 A.J. Foyt, e.g.
73 Flies alone Down 1 Hindi for “king” 2 Now, in Nicaragua 3 Surfing equipment 4 Ransom __ Olds 5 Locker room exchange 6 Opening words 7 Some RPI grads 8 Body shop figs. 9 Sharp 10 Easy pace 11 Playfully kooky 12 Minute amount 13 Utah national park 18 Crumbly cheese 23 Corduroy ridge 25 Biographer Tarbell 26 Extended short story 29 Singer/actress Peeples 30 Energize, with “up” 31 “Not a chance” 32 Character actor Jack
33 Doe in many films 34 Specialty 35 Lewis Carroll, for one 40 Non-Rx 41 Museum funding org. 42 Bookplate words 45 Educ. collaborators 48 As of now 50 Glucose, to fructose 51 Geese : gaggle : crows : __ 52 Beatnik’s “Gotcha” 55 “Barry Lyndon” actor 56 Musical nickname related to jewelry 57 Survey answers 58 Cook’s meas. 59 Collaborative Web project 60 Kunis of “Black Swan” 61 Corporate VIP 66 Holiday starter 67 Rock genre
Cancer A huge group of planets is still opposite your sign, and this could create some feelings of discomfort. Don’t make any huge decisions about life, work or love for a little while. Instead, lighten your mood by watching comedies or enjoying music.
Leo Venus is helping you examine a romantic situation. You’re talking with a therapist about a former flame, trying to figure out what went wrong in that relationship or you are considering whether you want to remain with your current honey.
Virgo A helpful new moon is bringing you luck. If you’ve been going on interviews lately, you might receive a juicy job offer. Or if you were trying to arrange a nice date with somebody, things will finally come together. Enjoy a period of good fortune.
Courtesy of MCT Campus
Libra Remain focused. A bunch of planets in grounded Earth signs are urging you to get your act together and stick to just one thing. Don’t start 10 new hobbies at the same time. Avoid starting new relationships with multiple partners.
Scorpio Ever since Jupiter moved into your sign, you’re starting to feel more cheerful. The next 11 months will create many positive changes for you. Expect to experience healing, where you can finally let go of a lot of past emotional and spiritual wounds.
Sagittarius You’ll need to make up your mind as the moon provokes some strong reactions. Maybe you’ll finally realize that a romantic partner or friend isn’t good for you because he or she is toxic. Or perhaps you’ll decide what you really want to be when you grow up.
Capricorn A new moon plus four other planets are in your sign now. You are sitting within a very unusual cosmic window, and you should really concentrate on making your dreams come true. Be bold. Focus on doing something fabulous with your life.
Aquarius A flirty moon is increasing your desire to socialize. You’ll talk to friends on the phone, visit neighbors for a chat, and hang out at the water cooler with lots of different co-workers. Air signs like you need to regularly mix and mingle or you will go nuts.
Pisces Neptune is giving you a spacey, out-of-body feeling. You’ll want to sit and daydream. Or you’ll play video games and watch lots of TV. You’re taking a little break from reality, which is fine. Just don’t neglect your relationship, your family or your pets too much.
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
January 16, 2018
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
Photo courtesy MC T Campus
LOST SEASON: Atlanta Hawks players lock arms during National Anthem.
NBA Playoffs: Atlanta Hawks losing its wings by Dallon Lewis
A single successful NBA season possesses the potential to push a professional basketball franchise to success with just one positive motion. May it be a star rookie in the previous draft aligning within a team’s scheme (Celtics, Jayson Tatum) or a series of off-season trades focused on surrounding an already star-level player with more star power (Thunder, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony), championships remain the ultimate goal for an NBA team. Playoff contention is a term utilized to illustrate teams that are going to clinch a playoff spot. A few teams that fit this description: The Golden State
Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. The teams mentioned, on paper, posses enough skill to reach the playoffs with ease while maintaining a high win percentage. Taking a downward look on the teams located at the bottom of the eastern conference, it is easy to spot the Atlanta Hawks (East record10-30). A team who has earned a losing percentage below .350 meaning that in most instances, its struggles during the game ends in a loss. From 1999-2007, the Atlanta Hawks were an enigma when it came to appearing in the playoffs. Often losing by double digits in the
playoff run, this can be attributed to not having a star player and a lack of team chemistry. Ushering in the 2008 season, against a younger LeBron James who demolished the entire conference, the lineup consisting of Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Josh Smith and a younger Al Horford clinched the 4 seed in the playoffs for that season. This momentous marker began a trend of appearing in every sequential NBA playoff season. In the NBA conference finals, they faced off against James and the Cavaliers, which resulted in an unwatchable sweep. This 2018 season, the deterrent factor that seems to be ignored by analysts is the youthful roster. Not
youthful in the sense of age (even though 60 percent of the roster have yet to graze more than 5 years in the league), but youthful in the quality of chemistry and teamwork necessary to win. Dennis Schroder is the face of the franchise and has held that role for the last couple of years. He has been a large contributor to the Hawks success. Since the trade of Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets in the offseason, he has had to bare the burden of trying to lead his team to playoff contention alongside Kent Bazemore, Ersan Ilyasova, Miles Plumlee, and Taurean Prince. The starters named are nothing to scoff at, but when it comes to playing
together it is similar to watching kids color outside the lines on purpose, with none of them averaging more than 12 points. The season is halfway finished, and the way sport analysts portray the Hawks, it seems they will miss the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade. The Atlanta Hawks will look to build off of the talent they have at the guard position, but their focus will be on signing some big name front court players to solitify their team. The team is about two players away from qualifying as consistent playoff contedners in the NBA. contact Dallon Lewis lewisdt@warhawks.ulm.edu
Unexpected NFL teams
making playoff apperance by Khris Albert
It doesn’t get much more intense, emotional or entertaining than the NFL. Some of the best plays and moments in sports occur during the playoffs. The NFL is looking to rebound from a controversy-riddled regular season with an outstanding postseason. Wildcard weekend kicked that campaign off in great fashion. The Tennessee Titans overcame an 18-point halftime deficit by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21. Quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back Derrick Henry led the Titans to the improbable comeback, eliminating the up-and-down Chiefs. In one of the plays of the year, Mariota threw a touchdown pass to himself after the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage. The game was Mariota’s first playoff appearance and the first for the Titans since 2008. The Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars both snapped lengthy playoff droughts as
well (2007 for the Jags and 1999 for the Bills) in what turned out to be a defensive showdown. Led by Jalen Ramsey and the defense, the Jags were able to pull out a 10-3 win. Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons started their revenge tour outpacing Todd Gurley and the LA Rams. Atlanta controlled the game from start to finish and held the top-notch offense in check. Lastly, the New Orleans Saints defeated divisional rivals the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans’ first playoff appearance in five years. This was also the first time a team was beaten three times at the same time since 2009. Cam Newton tried to lead a comeback but was stopped after being sacked on fourth down with seconds left. With the Chiefs, Bills, Rams and Panthers all eliminated from contention the playoffs will now roll on to the divisional round. Rematches and some intriguing matchups highlight the divisional round. The Jags will once again travel to Pitts-
burgh to face Antonio Brown and the Steelers. Jacksonville forced Ben Roethlisberger to throw five interceptions in week five and look for a repeat performance. New Orleans will square off with the Minnesota Vikings again after losing convincingly in week one. The Saints look like a different team since then with the emergence of rookie sensations running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots start their quest to win back-to-back Super Bowls facing off against the Titans. Mariota looks to dethrone Tom Brady and prove that the future begins now. The number one seeded Philadelphia Eagles ended the Atlanta revenge tour by defeating the Flacons 15-10 in a nail-biting affair. Falcons receiver Julio Jones failed to bring down a lob pass thrown by Matt Ryan on a goal line fourth down attempt. The Eagles took over and ended the game. contact Khris Albert albertkx@warhawks.ulm.edu
Photo courtesy MC T Campus
LEAP OF FAITH: Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette tries to jump over Steelers players.
January 16, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
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SPORTS
Warhawks in trouble barring scheme change
NEW SYSTEM: A look at the future of the College Football Playoffs.
graphic by Siddharth Gaulee
CFB Playoffs: Expansion adds excitment to games by Tristan McGowen
The College Football Playoffs came to an end in a thrilling overtime victory for The Alabama Crimson Tide. All four teams in this year’s playoffs represented their conferences and outstanding programs well. On the other hand, there were only three conferences represented amongst the four teams, the SEC, Big 12, and ACC. With only four teams in the College Football Playoff there is a lack of variety and some predictability. Changes need to be made to the format of the playoff system to include a wider range of teams from multiple conferences. For example, The NCAA Men’s Division 1 basketball tournament, better known as march madness, host 68 teams from over 30 conferences in the association. The drive and determination showed in the tournament for a single prize, mixed with the countless number of match-ups creates an energy that is unmatched in the sporting world. This doesn’t mean the College Football Playoffs can’t switch up the format to pro-
duce better matchups. Now, this doesn’t mean the CFB Playoffs need to include 68 teams. Simply increasing the number of teams from four to six would create a whole new dynamic for the playoff system. An efficient way to do this would be to have one team represent each of the top five major conferences in the NCAA. The SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac-12. The champion of each conference would stand in as playoff contenders, leaving one spot open for a wild card member. The wild card team would be decided by the committee based on record and strength of schedule. Not only would two extra teams add variety and competition, they would also add the chance for a “Cinderella” team to be chosen for the playoffs. All four teams that represented this year’s playoff bracket came in with at least one loss during the regular season. One team with a perfect regular season record, The University of Central Florida, was unfortunately left out of playoff contention due to rankings. With the converted playoff system, teams like UCF would have a chance
to earn a spot in the championship game. Another problem that comes with such a small playoff bracket is the areas represented by each school. With this new system the regions each team would represent would all be different. There would be a team to represent the Midwest, South, Northeast and West Coast creating a nationwide interest and adds value to winning games outside their conference. Some might say that the College Football Playoff system is just fine how it is and that the small four team bracket adds competitiveness to regular season play. This may be true to some extent, but merely adding two teams wouldn’t take from the excitement of the game in the slightest. The champion of each of the top five conferences deserve to be awarded along with a team with the best record in the regular season. The championship game was one for the ages, but imagine what could be for the CFB Playoffs. contact Tristan McGowen at mcgowetk@warhawks.ulm.edu
If you were at ULM during the Tyler Ongwae, Majok Deng and Justin Roberson era then you probably feel as if those days are long behind you now. The season is now at its halfway mark and conference play is getting underway. The Warhawks need to find a new scheme if they want to turn this season around, so it can be deemed a successful one. The Warhawks are on pace to win around 13 games this year and finish under .500 for the second consecutive season (the Warhawks finished with a 10-24 record last season). The senior led 2015/2016 season went on to a 20 win and 14 loss record with postseason play in the CBI Tourney. The 2014/2015 team amassed a record of 24 wins and 14 losses and made the finals of the CIT Tournament. Those two seasons marked the first time the Warhawks had consecutive seasons of postseason play since the early 90s where the team went to the NCAA tournament from 1990-1994. The coaches and players need to come together and figure out the teams’ weaknesses so they can find a way to hide them and focus on the team’s strengths so that they can exploit them more. The teams’ strength is shooting, but any good shooting team needs a strong post presence and that’s what we are lacking. It’s three phases to any basketball game, offense, defense and adjustments. If the team wants to have any type of postseason play, they have to adjust to what defense is thrown at them and they have to learn to utilize their strengths. If you have asked me, ULM has 3 of the biggest miss matches in the whole Sunbelt conference being forward Sam McDaniel, toward Travis Munnings and guard Jordon Harris. Sam McDaniel is a 6’6 guard who is shooting a stellar 44% from beyond the arc. If you have somebody that tall that can shoot it that well he should have the ball more, he can shoot over and post up most guards and he can blow past most centers and power forwards. The speed and ball handling ability of Jordon Harris is something most can only dream of having. T he game against Grambling Harris showed just how much of a flash he is when he took the inbound the length of the court and kissed it off the glass in under 4 seconds to win the game. Travis Munnings is just a big baller, he’s tied for first on the team in points scored, first in rebounds and is shooting 53% from the floor and almost 45% from deep, he just has to keep doing what he’s doing. Those three can cause trouble for any defense that you put in front of them. ULM still has some time to turn this ship around before it hits an iceberg and sink, but they don’t have a lot of time before it crashes. contact Jimmon Felton feltonjj@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
January 16, 2018
SPORTS
Photo Courtesy ULL Athletics
KEEP PUSHING: Warhawks showing grit and fight against bitter rival ULL. (Top left) Senior forward Sam McDaniel, (Bottom left) Freshmen gaurd Whitney Goins (Top right) senior forward Gabriella Cortez.
Warhawk men and womens basketball teams lose at ULL by Jerimee Washington Rivalry games bring out the best in players. Playing your rival every year gives teams a chance to earn bragging rights for the rest of the season. The Warhawks trip to Lafayette wasn’t pretty in any aspect. The ULL women’s and men’s basketball teams coasted to victories over their bitter rival ULM. The Warhawk women’s basketball team had a tough time stopping the Ragin Cajuns on offense. Although, senior forward Gabriella Cortez posted her third consecutive game scoring over 25 points, ULL won the matchup 63-55. ULM couldn’t find a groove on offense as there was only one lead change throughout the game. ULL’s constant pressure on defense troubled the Warhawks, they couldn’t put a run together on defense to make it difficult for ULL to score. Freshman guard Arsula Clark was
the only other player in double figures with 10 points. The Warhawks shot 38.6 percent from the field, while ULL shot 40.6 percent. With this loss the Warhawks are now on a 2 game losing streak with a record of 4-12 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Warhawks next home game will be against Troy on Thursday January 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 5p.m. at Fant Ewing Coliseum. On the men’s side the Warhawks were overmatched and their shots weren’t falling. The Ragin Cajuns routed the Warhawks 82-48 in one of the worst losses of the season. Senior forward Sam McDaniel led the Warhawks with 19 points, while shooting 60 percent from the field. Junior forward Travis Munnings also scored in double figures with 12 points, but he only shot 29 percent from the field. ULL raced to an early ten point lead in the first half, and it got ugly
from there. The Ragin Cajuns closed out the first half with a pesky defensive effort as they led 33-15. The Warhawks went into halftime looking for easy baskets to get themselves back into the game. ULL’s defense stayed consistent from the tip off until the final buzzer as they forced 16 ULM turnovers and converted them to 24 points. ULL attacked ULM like a wounded animal and the Warhawks couldn’t stop the bleeding. The next three games for the Warhawks will test their ability to bounce back after a bad loss, as they face conference foes Texas State (5-1) in conference, UT Arlington (3-3) and Troy (2-3). ULM is now 7-9 on the season and 1-4 in conference play. The next home game is schedule for Thursday, January 25 against Troy. Tip-off is scheduled for 7p.m. contact Jerimee Washington at washinjd@warhawks.ulm.edu
Photo Courtesy ULL Athletics
PULL UP: Junior guard Jessica Harris takes jump shot.