Feb 20, 2014 by The Shield

POPULAR DATING APPS

Eagles play in pink Pg. 7

Vol. 44 Issue 23

PG. 4

New VP position to improve enrollment By SHANNON HALL Staff writer

THE

Thursday, February 20, 2014

SHIELD www.usishield.com

President Linda Bennett is adding her first vice president position – vice president for enrollment management (VPEM). “It’s a brand new position for the history of our university,” Provost Ron Rochon said. “The primary objective is to have this person come in with a skill set that is innovative and bold to help us better prepare, be proactive and strategic as we think about both recruitment and retention.” Recruitment and Retention haven’t worked well together for the university. Before, students came to USI because they wanted to be a Screaming Eagle. “We’ve been a bit...the term is not passive...but we’ve been fortunate,” Rochon said. “We haven’t had to do a lot of investments as it pertains to (recruitment) to the university.” USI hired Noel Levitz, a consulting firm, to help figure out where USI needs to go from here. “We found out we had some practices that (are) not necessarily contemporary or no longer relevant in regards to the needs of students,” Rochon said. USI’s enrollment has decreased 8.4 percent since it reached its peak at 10,820 in 2011. Rochon said it’s not just USI’s enrollment that has decreased. “Historically, the enrollment trends for the state and the nation go on an upward trend,” he said. “If you look at the national trend right now, enrollment figures are definitely going down.” Noel Levitz was hired before enrollment dropped, but the consultants did think that the vice president of enrollment management was a good position to add. “Noel Levitz had endorsed the position – they indicated that we may have needed to use this position a while back,” Rochon said. An enrollment position has become common to universities in Indiana, said Stephen Spencer, English professor and VPEM coordinator. “It’s just a new way of thinking about the student experience more realistically than having an office of admission, an office of financial aid, an advising center – instead of having all those things being seen as distinct units, this is an effort to make all that student experience coherent,” Spencer said. The VPEM position brings together two major components, but it also takes into account of student’s best interest. In the fall, more than 2,600 students took a survey and answered questions about recruiting, advising and financial aid. “A lot of the initiatives come right out of that student feedback,” he said.

ENROLLMENT on Pg. 3

For every 100 students who start USI full-time

complete within

4 years

complete within

8 years

Local ventures to take off Friday

By RACHEL CHRISTIAN Staff writer Kristina Mobley, who works at Papa John’s in her hometown of Floyds Knobs, Ind., said she’s tired of cutting uneven pizza slices. So the senior public relations and marketing major came up with an idea - the Pizza Guide - a piece of plastic

complete within

6years

According to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education, the data reflects students who began their college career in 2005.

StartUp your engines

Mobley holds her “Pizza Guide.”

In this Issue

that fits over the pizza and serves as a guide so the pizza artist knows exactly where to cut. “It’s a perfect slice every time,” Mobley said. She worked on perfecting the idea with a couple of teammates in her entrepreneurship class last semester. They created a prototype and collected some data. They found there’s a real market for the Pizza Guide. “Of all the pizza places in town we talked to, two-thirds of them said they would buy it and use it in their stores,” she said. But there were still some kinks to work out. What kind of plastic would she use to make the Pizza Guides? Where would she get the financial backing she needed? Enter StartUp Weekend Evansville 3.0. The annual event gives local entrepreneurs the resources, feedback and opportunities they need to get their product off the ground. Participants are given 54 hours to pitch their ideas, team up, create a business model and work together to transform their concept into a profitable business venture. Mobley attended the event last year, which was hosted in the Romain College of Business, but only as a team member. This will be the first time she pitches her own idea.

“Last year really broadened my horizons and showed me what was possible,” she said. The schedule for StartUp Weekend will keep hundreds of participants busy. On Friday night, participants will have 60 seconds to pitch their initial idea to the crowd. The participants will introduce themselves, give a summary of the product and then state what help or what skills set they need. A vote will determine the best pitches and those ideas will progress. The people behind the remaining concepts will recruit developers, product managers, designers and marketers to help launch their startup. On Sunday night, the final pitches are presented as Powerpoints to a panel of judges. “Running a business is intense and sometimes chaotic,” said Shance Sizermore, program manager at G.A.G.E. and a judge at this year’s event. “Developing a business model under these pressures teaches valuable lessons about business startup practices.” Judges are looking for a team that can adapt and evolve over the weekend. “Fifty-four hours isn’t a lot of time, but the access to mentors and resources should produce major improvements from the original pitch,”

34 students cited at party By JAMES VAUGHN News editor Law enforcement officers cited 34 USI students for underage drinking when they busted a party on the northwest side of Evansville early Sunday morning. According to a news release, Evansville/ Vanderburgh County Central Dispatch received calls around midnight about a large underage drinking party and vehicles parked in the roadway in the 2700 block of Allens Lane. Excise police, along with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police, investigated the complaints and found 65 minors who had consumed alcohol inside the house and garage at 2727 Allens Lane. Nicholas Kempf, 23, a finance major at USI, was charged with aiding and inducing a minor to possess alcohol. Excise police cited 23 students and the sheriff’s office cited 11. All of the minors will appear in Vanderburgh Misdemeanor Court at a later date. One arrest was made. Andrew Hopf, 19, of Huntingburg, Ind., was jailed and charged with consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor and resisting law enforcement. According to the spring 2014 student directory, Hopf is not a student at the university. Todd Ringle, the public information officer for the Indiana State Police, said an ISP trooper was present but made no arrests and cited no one.

STARTUP on Pg. 3 The Shield is a designated public forum.

The student publication of the University of Southern Indiana

Additional copies of The Shield are 25 cents

Page 2

The Shield - January 9, 2014

PUZZLES

TOP TEN MOVIES

Top 10 Pop Singles This Week

Last Week 1. Katy Perry No. 1 “Dark Horse” 2. Beyonce feat. Jay Z No. 13 “Drunk in Love” 3. Pitbull feat. Ke$ha No. 2 “Timber” 4. Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz No. 6 “Talk Dirty” 5. One Republic No. 3 “Counting Stars” 6. Passenger No. 7 “Let Her Go” 7. A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera No. 4 “Say Something” 8. Pharrell Williams No. 11 “Happy” 9. Lorde No. 9 “Royals” 10. Lorde No. 8 “Team”

Top 10 Hot Country Singles 1. Luke Bryan No. 1 “Drink a Beer” 2. David Nail No. 2 “Whatever She’s Got” 3. Cole Swindell No. 3 “Chillin’ It” 4. Hunter Hayes No. 23 “Invisible” 5. Jason Aldean No. 4 “When She Says Baby” 6. Eric Paslay No. 6 “Friday Night” 7. Lady Antebellum No. 7 “Compass” 8. Florida Georgia Line No. 5 “Stay” 9. Brantley Gilbert No. 9 “Bottoms Up” 10. Kacey Musgraves No. 26 “Follow Your Arrow” Source: Billboard

Top 10 DVD, Blu-ray Rentals

Top 10 DVD, Blu-ray Sales

1. Captain Phillips (PG) Tom Hanks 2. Last Vegas (PG-13) Robert De Niro 3. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (R) Johnny Knoxville 4. Lee Daniels’ The Butler (PG-13) Forest Whitaker 5. Prisoners (R) Hugh Jackman 6. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (PG) animated 7. Despicable Me 2 (PG) animated 8. The Family (R) Robert De Niro 9. Don Jon (R) Joseph Gordon-Levitt 10. Fast & Furious 6 (PG-13) Vin Diesel

1. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (PG) Sony 2. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (R) Paramount 3. Downton Abby: Season 4 (NR) PBS 4. Last Vegas (PG-13) Sony 5. Captain Phillips (PG) Sony 6. Rush (R) Universal 7. Lee Daniels’ The Butler (PG-13) Anchor Bay 8. Riddick (R) Universal 9. Despicable Me 2 (PG) Universal 10. Instructions Not Included (PG-13) Lions Gate Source: Rentrak Corp.

1. The Lego Movie (PG) animated 2. The Monuments Men (PG-13) George Clooney, Matt Damon 3. Ride Along (PG-13) Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 4. Frozen (PG) animated 5. Lone Survivor (R) Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch 6. That Awkward Moment (R) Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan 7. Vampire Academy (PG-13) Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry 8. The Nut Job (PG) animated 9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (PG-13) Chris Pine, Kevin Costner 10. Labor Day (PG-13) Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page 3 - The Shield - February 20, 2014

New Briefs Benefits committee holds meetings USI’s Benefits Study Group, headed by Vice President for Finance and Administration Mark Rozewski, met with hundreds of faculty and staff members Feb. 13, to discuss possible changes to retiree insurance, the Defined Contribution Plan and the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF), for support staff. The amount of university retirees has grown by 52 percent since 2007. Unchanged, the university would incur an unfunded liability of $102 million by 2032. The goal of the study group is to cut that liability in half. The Board of Trustees will review the changes at its March 6, meeting. Pick up next week’s issue of The Shield for the full story.

USI Theatre presents Madea USI theatre will present Madea, a play by Robinson Jeffers, freely adapted from Euripides and directed by Elliot Wasserman. The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Mallette Studio Theatre in the Liberal Arts Building and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+), nonUSI students and USI employees and $7 for USI students. For more information, visit http://www.usi.edu/libarts/arts/theatre/usitheatre/calendar.asp or contact Angela Torres at altorres@usi.edu.

Playing it safe correction The pharmacy in the University Health Center opened in the Spring of 2013. Approximately 9,600 students visited the health center last year, not including fall and spring break.

Safe Spring Break Fair correction The Safe Spring Break fair will be March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in UC East. The RFWC will have games and prizes, the AIDS Resource Center will provide free HIV testing, which the results will be given back to students in about 15 minutes. The Vanderburgh County Health Department will have information about sun protection. Several other organizations will be there as well.

USI Security Incident Log 02/12/2014-02/19/2014 Traﬃc Accident

02/16/2014 12:15 p.m.

University Blvd

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02/12/2014 12:53 p.m. Closed

Alcohol – Underage Possession Saletta Building

Fire Alarm – Cooking

02/16/2014 12:29 a.m.

Governors Hall

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02/13/2014 11:46 p.m. Closed

Drugs – Incident Saletta Building

Incident Report

02/16/2014 12:29 a.m.

Governors Hall

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02/13/2014 8:24 p.m. Closed

Criminal Mischief Rice Library

Alcohol – Underage Con-

02/16/2014 5:54 p.m.

sumption

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ENROLLMENT continued from Pg. 1 Because Indiana gives state funding to state universities by the institution’s graduation rate, retention is key, Spencer said. “It’s to benefit the students of USI to graduate on time,” he said. “We don’t want students to come to USI, spending a year or two, and then leaving. We want to try to retain students because it’s

in the student’s best interest to finish a degree in a timely way and for us to provide the support to do that.” State provided funding impacts students and resources on campus. The VPEM will help figure out how to retain and recruit students to USI, Spencer said. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education

News

released a report Tuesday, which revealed that for every 100 students who are enrolled full time for a bachelor’s degree in Fall 2005, 22 students – 22.5 percent – graduate within four years. Only 15.3 percent of those students stayed at USI during their full four years. USI hopes to hire a VPEM who will start July

1, Spencer said. The committee for the VPEM are going through and reviewing the applications now. A few on-campus interviews will be scheduled for March, one of which will involve students. “(The position is) about the students at USI,” Spencer said.

STARTUP continued from Pg. 1 Sizermore said. They’re also looking for people who are passionate about their ideas. “I want to see ideas that are able to generate excitement in the room,” said Joe Trendowski, assistant professor of management at the University of Evansville and a judge for the event. Prizes for this year’s winner include two scholarships to New Venture for further idea development and four free memberships to Innovation Pointe coworking space. Win or lose, Mobley said she’s looking forward to the networking and development opportunities. “Last year, I went away knowing a patent lawyer,

and I met entrepreneurs of all ages,” she said. “I gained experience and direction that I never would have gotten otherwise.” Past participants have benefited in big ways. The second place winner last year, Neil Kassinger, filed a provisional patent during Startup Weekend. The week following the event, Kassinger sold more than $200 worth of his product - the StrapHoister. Andrew Moad won the judges over with an idea called Fence Chips – flat, vinyl tiles designed to fit into a chain-link fence and replace styrofoam cups. Fence Chips is now patented and available for purchase on Moad’s website, fencechips.com. Lo-

FAST FACTS: It’s not too late to register. STUDENT TICKETS: $25 NON-STUDENT TICKETS: $50 Available at EVANSVILLE.STARTUPWEEKEND.ORG both can be purchased the day of the event DEMO TICKETS: $25 These tickets are for those who want to watch final presentations, judging and awards. It permits access to the event at 4 P.M. Sunday, and includes dinner and a special speech by Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.

cal businesses and places on campus like the Children’s Learning Center have used Fence Chips. “My business wouldn’t have happened without Startup Weekend,” Moad said. “I learned a tremendous amount about business while I was there.” Even if your idea isn’t ground breaking, there are

plenty of benefits to attending, Trendowski said. “Everyone will be able to make connections and friendships that will extend far beyond Startup Weekend,” he said. Mobley agrees. “I think more students should be a part of this,” she said.

Former professor gives $1 million By SHANNON HALL Staff writer With a $1 million donation from Lenny Dowhie and his wife Anne, the USI Ceramic Center officially becomes the “Lenny and Anne Dowhie Ceramic Studio.” “It was pretty humbling really - we joke and tease about it because when you’re the only person teaching in an area it sort of becomes your building anyway, and students always used to call it ‘Lenny Land,’” Dowhie said. “I think they are going to make a plaque for that anyway, in addition to the university sign.” Dowhie was the second ceramics professor hired and the longest serving ceramics professor at USI. He worked at the university for 33 years and was a main component for open-

ing the Ceramic Center in 2009. “(USI President) Linda Bennett pointed out that I was the longest serving art instructor in campus history, which I didn’t even realize,” he said. “It’s kind of weird in a way to drive pass a building that has your name on it - it’s kind of like, ‘Oh sh*t.’” The money will go into USI’s “Elevating Excellence” Capital Campaign. Without any children, and being founders of Expressions of Culture, Inc. in Chicago, Ill., the Dowhies found some money to give back to USI. “In a way (it was) to continue our influence and make life a little more exciting and easy for future generations. We are lucky enough to be in a position to financially be able to leave behind a significant endowment,” he said.

He hopes his contribution also makes liberal arts students more aware that they do not have to be thought of as the stereotypical broke liberal arts graduates, he said. “I want students to realize that you can still be a blood and guts artist, and you can still make money,” he said. “If I was still here, I would be one of those people on the Faculty Senate arguing for an increase (in support) because it’s much more vital. If you’re out in the real world, you find that liberal arts people are the people getting hired a lot because they’re more flexible. I want to do something for the kids who take those kinds of classes. Hopefully that money will make it possible.” Dowhie becomes the first current or former faculty member to have a building named after him.

He also wants to motivate faculty members to consider donating to USI as well. “This might work as an example to other faculty members,” he said. “All of us have different financial circumstances in life, and certainly those with children have different ones, but faculty members, as they get into their own retirement - whether it is early like I took or not I hope they help support things that they truly believe in. I strongly believe in a liberal arts education.” Dowhie said he and his wife also donated to the Evansville Museum, Central High School and Planned Parenthood.

Features editor Bobby Shipman contributed to this story.

Governors Hall 02/15/2014

Incident Report (Information

Closed

Only) University Center (East)

Property Damage

02/16/2014 6:02 a.m.

Orr Building

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02/15/2014 Closed

Book prices affect student grades By BETHANY SCHRAM Flor. Southern College via. U.Wire

Incident Report Violation of University Policy

OʼBannon Hall

Hanly Building

02/16/2014 8:05 p.m.

02/16/2014 10:52 a.m.

Closed

Closed Impersonation of a Public Code of Conduct – Temper-

Servant

ing With

University Blvd

Hanly Building

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02/16/2014 10:52 a.m.

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Closed Drugs – Possession Alcohol – Underage Posses-

OʼDaniel Ln – Whitcomb

sion

02/17/2014 11:34 a.m.

Hanly Building

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02/16/2014 10:52 a.m. Closed

Traﬃc Accident – Hit & Run Parking Lot F

Traﬃc Accident – Hit & Run

02/17/2014 6:22 p.m.

822A Moutoux Ln – Bayh

Closed

Building

Information gathered from USIʼs Public Crime Log, provided by USI Safety and Security. Crime Log Key • Case suspended: No suspects listed, no leads. No follow up investigation unless new information arises. • Case cleared: The incident is resolved, suspect was identified and will be adjudicated appropriately. • Case pending: On hold, awaiting new information. • Violation of University Policy: Violation of the Studentʼs Rights and Responsibilities. • Failure to comply with a university official: Any university official, from an area coordinator to a security officer. *Residential entry: Someone walked into the residence. This is different than burglary because burglary is entering with intent to commit a felony.

In a study conducted by The Untied States Public Interest Research Group, statistics show that high textbook prices affect student grades. According to the survey, 94 percent of students who had avoided purchasing a textbook were concerned that doing so would hurt their grade in a course. More than half of the students in this survey felt a significant concern for their grade. Adrienne Argote, sophomore (at Florida Southern College), said that she has avoided buying an expensive book on numerous occasions. “Sometimes I’ll wait until I really need a book to get it,” Argote said. “I can usually get by without some or work with a friend, but if it’s really expensive I’ll do anything I can to avoid spending the extra money.” The study showed that 65 percent of students said that they had decided

against buying a textbook because it was too expensive. “I’m lucky that I’m an art major and we don’t need many books. I end up spending it on art supplies, but I’d rather do that than on a book that I won’t even need after a few weeks,” Argote said. A summary published by PIRG said that because publishers keep costs high by publishing new editions and selling books bundled with software, students are forced to forgo book some important book purchases, simply because they cannot afford it. Natalie Johnson, manager of the FSC Bookstore, says that during her time working there she has seen a rise in book prices. “I think that probably in the last five years there has been a significant increase. Normally you would see an increase of $1 to $5 per book, but recently it’s been more like $10 to $30 increase per semester, so that’s huge,” Johnson said. “That’s coming from the publishers. What we pay sometimes it’s already $70

per book and our margins are already very small. We’re already paying a large dollar amount before it even gets to the shelf.” Johnson said she really does not know why textbooks are so expensive. “I have noticed that throughout the years that they’re more, but I really can’t pinpoint why,” Johnson said. “Maybe it has something to do with the law and they’re changing and updating more than the other courses. If you’re an English major or a communications major, your books may not be going to a new edition as fast as accounting and business.” She said that accounting and biology books cost sometimes twice as much as other subjects. She also noted that they also happen to be the largest subject areas. “It’s kind of a disadvantage for them. I kind of feel like that’s why because of our cooperate America and our laws and a lot of those things are changing constantly, so their books have to be upgraded more often than other majors,”

Johnson said. The PIRG survey results found that students want alternatives, especially textbooks that are available online. The bookstore has tried to accommodate this trend. “If you walk around our textbook department, over 60 percent of our textbooks are rent-able and then on top of that, you can rent a new book and a used book so you’re going to get the savings if you get a used book and you’ll get more savings than renting a new book,” Johnson said. “We have stepped it up by renting twice or three times as many used books and renting books, so rental percentage has gone up, like 105 percent, so that gives you guys a savings upfront in advance.” In the past, (FSC) has given a stipend to freshmen who attended Scholars Weekend to help lessen the high price of books for new students. Johnson said that it really helped students, in her opinion, but she does not know if the school will continue it next semester.

Features

It’s a match Page 4 - The Shield - February 20, 2014

Dating apps prove popular on campus By ROBERTO CAMPOS Staff writer Danielle sits on a park bench on a sunny day, her dark brown hair tailored to a wavy perfection, a smile on her face. This is one of six pictures her Tinder profile displays, along with additional information – we have several mutual friends and interests. With no last name, the only things I know are her age and what little information her profile provides. So I’m left with a decision: do I swipe left and “pass” her or do I swipe right and “like” her anonymously and hope that she likes me back? Tinder is a free application for Apple and Android devices that allows its users to meet new people in their area and anonymously like or pass (not like) other Tinder users. If someone you liked is interested in you as well, a screen will be displayed with the words “it’s a match.” Only when two parties mutually like each other can a dialogue through the application commence. If there’s no attraction, likes remain anonymous – no one will ever know you liked them unless they like you back. Tinder isn’t the first incarnation of a mobile “dating” application. It’s part of a trend of applications that have come out the past few years. One of the most successful mobile dating applications services the gay community, an application called Grindr. Grindr, launched in March 2009, has been downloaded 7 million

Illustration by JESSICA STALLINGS/The Shield

times and has users in 192 countries. Tinder has found similar success since its founding 17 months ago. While Grindr is an application exclusively for the gay community, Tinder does allow its users to seek homosexual matches. Junior German major Chase Braun started using Grindr four months ago, and has used it to seek a romantic relationship rather than just for hooking up, but sometimes that is hard to find. “In terms of finding a long lasting relationship, (Grindr) wouldn’t be the first thing I would use,” Braun said. “Maybe if you were looking for something quick and right now, then it would probably be the best way to go.” Tinder and Grindr both use GPS technology to find potential matches in

a given area. GPS, along with the increase in smartphone users, is what Grindr founder and CEO Joel Simkhai attributes to the success of Grindr. But despite both applications using the same GPS technology to find potential matches, Braun thinks Grindr is a better fit for him - at least in the Evansville community. “Being openly gay in southern Indiana is something that is frowned upon,” Braun said. “So for our community to have our own thing that’s popular is why I think gay people, at least in this area, would stick to Grindr rather than Tinder.” In the past three months, Tinder has seen an increase in users by 1 million, according to an article written by the website Society and Religion.

Senior health services major Hillary Ott first downloaded Tinder six months ago and has used the application on and off. Curiosity drew her to download the application. “You always wonder if a person would think that you are attractive, like if there would ever be a possibility for you two to be something someday,” Ott said. “If you see someone on Tinder you’re like ‘Wow, he’s cute’ and then you end up matching up, then even if you don’t talk to him, meet up with him or anything, it still gives you a good feeling.” After using Tinder for several months, Ott deleted her account due to messages from “creepy” guys just looking to hook up. She has started using Tinder again and has met up in public with several

“Morning Phase”

“The Lego Movie”

In stores Feb. 21 Beck’s career as a musician has been much like that of a roller coaster. In terms of energy and concept, it has certainly had its highs (think “Mellow Gold” and “Odelay”) and lows (“Sea Change” and now “Morning Phase”). Through it all, the prolific songwriter certainly hasn’t been afraid to defy all labels, moving from genre to genre – spanning lo-fi, anti-folk, experimental, alternative rock, soul, funk, folk, country and even hip-hop with the 2007 release “The Information.” In his newest release, “Morning Phase,” we see a return to a much slower and solemn side of Beck. Moving between rhythmic and atmospheric (at times psychedelic) folk numbers, the album has some highs and lows in and of itself. Rating 4/5

The lead single, “Blue Moon,” is certainly a sonic high point with its infectious melodies and juxtaposition of aggressive percussion against calming string arrangements. “Blackbird Chain,” which beckons strongly to the grassroots movement of the 60s and 70s, produces a similar effect with its bouncy (for lack of a better word) structure that lends itself heavily to foot tapping. Conversely, the song “Unforgiven” acts as a slow jam with layers of instrumentation and effects blending together to

guys she’s had matches with after getting to know them over text for a period of time and using the application Snapchat. Tinder uses a person’s Facebook information, such as Facebook likes, mutual friends and profile pictures. This helps the application navigate the sea of Tinder users and find people who have similar interests and mutual friends in an attempt to increase the chance of matches. While Tinder does access a person’s Facebook information, it doesn’t post information to Facebook about actions preformed on Tinder. Associate Professor of Sociology Andrew Buck said he finds two ideas researched in sociology help explain why people are attracted to Tinder and ap-

plications like it: people’s attraction to people who are similar and people’s desire to date outside of their groups of friends. “There’s a long standing principle in sociology that people tend to choose mates who are socially similar. So when you go online, you choose potential mates who have the same characteristics,” Buck said. “People also tend to like to date people outside of their immediate social network because you may be stuck in a world and you’re thinking ‘I’ve got to get out of this, I need a few degrees of separation between my partner and where I am right now.’ Or, if you just want to hook up, you may not want to see that person again.” Ott said she thinks Tinder is a fad. “It’s a place that people wouldn’t probably go for a lasting relationship,” she said. Fad or not, Tinder and Grindr have made headlines not only in Forbes and the New York Times, but also at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games due to both applications’ usage by Olympians. “It doesn’t surprise me that Tinder has gotten so popular,” Ott said. “I feel like Match.com, eHarmony and those kinds of things are more for people who are getting older that aren’t able to find someone outside of work or meet in person, but I think Tinder is geared toward people our age because it’s a quick easy way for people to get to know each other in a relatively close area.”

In theatres now create a sprawling, almost dreamlike soundscape. Its billowy echoes don’t leave you when the song does. “Morning Phase” ends on a high note with “Waking Light.” This hopeful song substitutes a fullness of sound for the more rhythmic approach that Beck has been known for. Its lyrics conclude the album thematically for the listener, and it feels as though Beck has found closure and can now move on to future pursuits. “Waking light, it grew from the shadow/Brace yourself to the morning low/Night is gone, long way turning/You’ve waited long enough to know.” This being his first release in six years, it seems the world of music has been waiting, as well. And it’s at least reassuring to know that it was well worth the wait.

By JAKE TAPLEY, Staff writer

Time to gather up your perfected or mismatched Lego creations and snap into the action packed box office hit “The Lego Movie.” It’s fun for master builders of all ages. Set in the eye-popping universe of Legos, Emett Brickowoski (Chris Pratt) is an ordinary guy mistaken for the “extraordinary man” prophesized to save the universe from President Business (Will Ferrell) and his evil plan to micromanage everything to perfection. With the help of Batman (Will Arnett), Wildstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Unikitty (Alison Brie), and the rest of the cast of heroes, Emmet discovers “The Special” in everyone. I was excited to see this movie because I am a Rating 5/5

huge fan of stop-animation movies like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and when I was a young lad mismatching Lego faces was a hobby of mine. This imaginative hybrid computer generated -stop animation showcases each individual Lego piece, giving off the illusion that the viewer has encountered their young self and

stepped into the Lego world. Using nothing but Legos for their wildly creative scenes set in natural environments keeps the eyes busy and the nostalgia on notch 11. “The Lego Movie” is the 2014 animated movie you don’t want to miss. It has all the laughs, nostalgia, life hacks and talent to make for a classic children’s film that everyone should enjoy. Yes, if you were an unfortunate soul that didn’t play with Lego’s yellowfaced miniatures, there is place for you in the Lego world full of Emmets and Metal Beards because “Everything is awesome when you work as a team.”

By BILL BURKE, Staff writer

NEW ISSUES EVERY

Page 5 - The Shield - February 20, 2014

Features

Expo provides diversity for pallet

File photo/The Shield

Students dig in to different cuisines at the International Food Expo last year.

By MAGGIE LAMASTER Staff writer Students will get the chance to sample diverse cuisine at the International Food Expo on Feb. 21 in Carter Hall “At the International Food Expo, 25 countries will be represented and each country will have its own dish,” International Club President Phillis Brown said. The International Club puts on the expo, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday. Tickets are on sale in advance at the Internation-

Countries featured at food expo France Serbia Panama Japan Kenya England Gabon Zimbabwe Taiwan

Egypt Haiti Iraq Zambia India Nigeria Saudi Arabia Netherlands

al Office for $10 or $12 at the door. The expo is worth attending because not only will there be food, but entertainment as well, Brown said.

Vietnam China Thailand Germany Mexico Indonesia U.S. Brazil

“For entertainment, there will be group and individual dancing, and students will be playing instruments,” Brown said. Meschac Gervais, who is working on a master’s

Kentucky film fest features ‘Robocop’ By BOBBY SHIPMAN Features editor Film addicts get the chance to satisfy their cinematic sweet tooth in Owensboro, Ky., on March 1 at “The River City Festival of Films.” The festival will run local and regional films at the Owensboro Convention Center all day starting at 10:30 a.m. Owensboro native PJ Starks started his career as a local filmmaker with the satirical horror flick, “Hallow’s Eve: Slaughter on Second Street.” Starks went on to make the award-winning psychological short film, “A Mind Beside Itself,” which played at Times Square in New York City and across the country. “I don’t have any desire to run out to Hollywood or New York and try to be the next Speilberg or anything,” Starks said. “I want to do what I am doing but just do it here (Owensboro).” While submitting his own creations to various film festivals, Starks said he noticed many towns smaller than Owensboro were hosting festivals. “I kept thinking to myself ‘Why doesn’t Owensboro have a film festival because there is so much local and regional talent out here,” he said. Now in its third year, “The River City Festival of Films” has proven successful. “A lot of Indiana talent is going to be there. Local directors, writers, producers and actors - quite a few of their films are going to be shown at the festival as well,” he said. “I am facilitating the whole entire thing, but it’s literally done on the backs of

people who are passionate about the arts and local filmmaking.” The festival will have two rooms showing films, one with feature length and one with short films. “The films literally run the gamut,” he said. “We have dramas, comedies, Christian films, we have a documentary, we have some zombie stuff and we have horror. From A to Z we pretty much have every genre incorporated in the festival.” In addition to movies, the festival will have an events floor hosting over 30 vendors ranging from local authors to productions companies, to actors, producers and artists of all kinds. The event’s “tour de force” will be the attendance of the original “Robocop” Peter Weller, who also stars in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy.” Weller will be available to sign autographs and take photos from 12:30-2:45 p.m. as well as host a seminar. The day will top off with a screening of Weller’s 1984 cult-hit, “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension,” at 4 p.m. Weller’s will not be the only a seminar. WWE tag-team wrestler Sir Mo and local celebrity Dave Shuffett, the host of “Kentucky Life” on KET, will also speak and sign autographs. “It’s absolutely free,” Starks said. “‘New Beginnings,’ (a local charity in Owensboro) (is) going to be there on-sight to collect donations for anyone who wants to give them.” The charity helps men, women and children who are victims of abuse and sexual assault. For more information, visit www. rivercityfestivaloffilms.com

degree in public administration at USI, said he is excited to represent his home country at the expo. “I am representing Haiti,” he said. “We will be cooking toasted fried plantains, and I will also be playing bongo drums.” A plantain is a bananalike fruit meant to be cooked before eating. The food is prepared in the Loft kitchen starting Feb. 17 through Feb. 20 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gervais also represented Haiti at last year’s International Food Expo.

“Last year, I enjoyed the expo because the countries were represented well, and I like that the countries shared their meals,” he said. In addition to the food, Gervais enjoys the diverse cultures the event exhibits, he said. “People dress from their culture in a fashion show,” Gervais said. “I love seeing all the cultural aspects in the program.” Nicole Vernon, International Program and Services program coordinator, said the event allows stu-

EVENT ALERT Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Date: Friday Location: Carter Hall Cost: $10 before event or $12 at the door

dents to travel the world in food. “The expo is a good program for USI because it showcases the diversity of many different cultures,” Vernon said.

RTV graduate finds success in Vegas By SHANNON HALL Staff writer USI alumnae Claire Ballard worked at Hot96 throughout her college career. She did a few internships and eventually got to work part-time, all before she graduated. Ballard said her internships helped her expand. “As far as really growing a lot and really getting into radio, it was stepping my feet into that radio station at Hot96,” she said. Ballard had some difficulties finding what she wanted to do for her career. She bounced around with different majors at different universities - Indiana University, USI, then Phoenix, Ariz., and back to USI. “While looking at USI’s website and all the majors, I was completely clueless, and for some reason one day the RTV major just really stood out, I just kind of went for it,” she said. She tried out TV a few times – in middle school and SETV12 at USI, but she found she wasn’t as passionate about the news aspect. “What I love about radio is kind of what I thought I wanted to in TV is have my own show, I get to be on the radio and wear sweat pants to work,” Ballard said. Not only does she work different hours in Vegas than in Evansville, but also she’s in an entirely different market.

Ballard now works in Las Vegas as an on-air personality. She hosts a country radio show called KWNR 95.5 The Bull. She works 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. instead of 6-10 p.m. as she did at Hot96. “Since I started in radio, I knew that Evansville was a great stepping stone place for me. I definitely learned and grew a lot and the goal was always to move on,” Ballard said. “(The Bull) was a great opportunity to move to a different market. With that came a lot of new opportunities. I get to do some artist interviews, go to big events and shows, things that I wouldn’t get to do in Evansville because it’s a smaller market.” She hopes to one day host her own morning show. “There aren’t a lot of female morning show hosts,” she said. “I don’t have plans to leave (The Bull), but I wouldn’t ever say anything is forever. I think that for me, now, I am always looking to grow and learn, and new opportunities could come

up at any time. …Things are exciting to me but I’m still pretty hungry.” Her move to a bigger market doesn’t shock her USI professors. “Claire (Ballard) moving into a top market like this comes as no surprise, she is just an incredible, talented individual,” said John Morris, radio and television instructor. While being in Evansville and her days of attending USI, Ballard found she learned the basics from professors such as Morris “The biggest strategy, that I had anything to play a part with, was just allow her to listen to herself and hear what she does, and when she started to look at what was good, it gave her the confidence to really work on those other areas well,” Morris said. Ballard said she hopes students get out and gain experience knowledge as well as academic knowledge. “You have to have experience. … So if you’re sitting around freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year, whatever, and you aren’t meeting people in your field and you aren’t figuring out exactly what you want to do the day that you graduate, you’re behind,” she said. “Figure out and narrow down what it is that you want to do in RTV.”

Staff writer Ashley Phillips contributed to this story.

Opinion

Page 6 - The Shield - February 20, 2014

THE

SHIELD Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Shannon Hall editor@usishield.com News Editor James Vaughn news@usishield.com Features Editor Bobby Shipman features@usishield.com Opinion Editor Jessie Hellmann opinion@usishield.com Sports Editor APPLY NOW!!! sports@usishield.com Chief Copy Editor Rachel Marquart copy@usishield.com Visual Editor Amanda Brinkman visual@usishield.com

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PAC desperately needs upgrade By JESSIE HELLMANN Opinion editor The Physical Activities Center needs a sponsor, badly. One step into the arena (if it can be called that), and you’ll see a high school gym remnant of the 1990s. A yellow lighting coats the room, which doesn’t do it any favors and the student section is composed of the collapsible bleachers one would find in an elementary school gym. I’ve actually been in high school gyms more impressive than the Physical Activities Center (PAC) , including my alma mater’s, Kokomo High School. The USI Ceramics Center just received a generous donation of $1 million through USI’s campaign: Elevating Excellence, from Lenny Dowhie, a long-time USI ceramics professor, and his wife,

that will provide ongoing support to the ceramics program. The arts are often neglected and the donation will do wonders for the program. But it does beg the question: where are the donations to improve the PAC? Our programs are strong contenders in NCAA Division II athletics. Last season, our men’s basketball team made its third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, and Coach Rodney Watson just scored his 100th win. This season, our men have fortified a promising 19-4 record and have a good chance at playing in the GLVC tournament in this very city at the Ford Center. However, one wouldn’t guess any of this by stepping foot into the PAC. It’s time for the PAC to look like our teams do: strong and collegiate.

While the capital campaign vaguely promises to improve athletic facilities, that’s all it says. I can’t believe much of the $50 million goal will be poured into the PAC because let’s face it: there are more important things worth funding like academic programs and scholarships. Also, while the university has requested money from the state to renovate different areas of the PAC, none of it can be used to improve the actual athletic facility itself because state funds can’t be used for athletic budgets of spectators areas. One could argue enough student interest hasn’t been show in USI basketball to make renovations worth it, but my counterargument would be maybe students would attend more games if the PAC was something they could be proud of.

So here’s a call to the elderly people I see packing the seats at the PAC every Saturday. Look. We know you have money. Be a proud alumni. Donate! Or maybe businesses in town could sponsor renovations, and we’ll slap your name on the building. Old National: I see you sponsoring everything in this town (cough -Old National Events Plaza - cough.) How does the Old National Center sound to you? Pretty nice, yeah? Let’s make this happen. But, if we can’t find the money anywhere to renovate the dusty arena known as the PAC, let’s at least change the name, because nothing is less intimidating than “The Physical Activities Center”. Honestly, it makes me think of a bunch of toddlers rolling around on the ground.

Let’s talk TNR

Sales 812/464-1870 usishield.com facebook.com/theshieldatusi

Cats deserve chance

TNR is a bad idea

@usishield

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By JAKE TAPLEY Staff writer

By BRENNA WU Staff writer

When I first heard of the “Trap-Neuter-Release” policy as a proposed solution to helping control the stray cat population on USI’s campus, I will admit that I thought it sounded a bit sadistic. I mean, why put forth the effort to capture the cats, if we’re just going to release them back into the same environment, right? But then I took the time to think about it—really labor over it. I thought of my aunt and uncle and how they have stray cats that live in their barn. I thought of the amount of stray cats that I see around town every day. In neighborhoods. In alleys. In streets. I even thought of the cat room at the Vanderburgh County Humane Society and how it always seems to be full of felines. It occurred to me that in an ideal world, that room wouldn’t have any cats in it. In an ideal world, we would be able to give every stray cat a home. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. So we just have to do the best we can. And I, for one, think putting this policy into action would be a step in the right direction. If we can control the stray cat population now, we can help control the amount of cats that are in animal shelters or in ads on Craigslist in the future. Now, that could be weeks from now, months from now, or even years from now. No one can truly approximate how long it would take to really see the results we want. But maybe eventually, it won’t be a problem anymore. And if the need for cat adoption dies down, we can start to consider putting these campus cats in shelters. For now, though, we must take action in the most humane way possible. Every cat deserve a chance at life.

A few weeks ago, The Shield published an article about a USI student who was proposing Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for the USI Feral Cat Population. TNR is only an idea at this point in time, but now I that have fully read the article, as well as received some feedback from my friends concerning the idea, I have a definite opinion. I come from a home with two cats. We call one Salty and the other Pepper. It’s sort of an inside joke in my family. We had them neutered within the first couple of weeks we adopted them. We gave them a warm home with great love. This plan of neutering cats, to me, is inhumane. These stray cats are out there alone. When cats are neutered they become defenseless and attached to the environment. Especially in this terribly cold weather, what happens to them? Are they to just defend against the cold, other animals, and whatever on their own? And, after neutering these cats, we are to let them back into the woods or wherever they are going to be released. What about looking into organizations that house animals without the nearest idea of hurting them? For example, we adopted my fat blub of a dog, Gracie, at It Takes A Village. I contacted them to see if they adopted cats. Unfortunately, they do not. But, they did give me a few organizations that would house cats. One was called P.A.W.W.S. Why don’t students look into giving these strays to this organization? This whole idea of TNR really scares me to the core that these animals will be left defenseless in the world. They need comfort and warm homes. Let’s look into P.A.W.W.S. or another place where they can find sanctuary.

Page 7 - The Shield - February 20, 2014

Sports

THINK PINK Photos by SHANNON HALL/The Shield

The women’s basketball trades in their jerseys for pink ones to raise awareness for breast cancer during the game on Feb. 15 at the PAC.

Women’s team wears pink for breast cancer By SHANNON HALL Staff writer The Physical Activities Center was packed with pink, and both the men and women’s coaches wore either a pink shirt or sported a pink accessory. The women’s basketball team sported its pink jerseys in an effort to bring awareness to breast cancer. “It’s a really good cause, and everyone knows someone who has been affected by it,” said junior center Anna Hackert. “I like our pink jerseys. I think they look cool.” The women’s basketball team has taken a leadership in trying to promote awareness for the scenario. “The number I think is one in every eight or so will be affected by breast cancer – when you’re coaching 14 young ladies, and you have two female assistant coaches, the odds are that two people we really care about is going to be affected by it, and that

number is way too high,” Head Coach Rick Stein said. The Eagles won their game against University of Missouri-St. Louis Satur-

up,” Stein said. The seniors keep stepping up, and he’s proud how well they are doing, he said.

SENIOR NIGHT Time: 5:30 p.m. Date: Feb. 28 -Stephanie Carpenter -Nicole Hazemi -Ariel Barnes -Jessica Parker -Aubrey Minix

day, 57-69. Stein said they stuck through defensively. The Eagles out-rebounded the Tritons 38-44. But what the team did before the game helped them get the win, Stein said. “They pulled together the past 24-36 hours and the group really stepped

Senior guard Stephanie Carpenter tied the record for all-time record for 3-pointers with 184 3-pointers. “I honestly didn’t know those three would make it,” she said. She just played the game, and that was her focus. Saturday’s game also allowed her to gain 20 or

more points in the past three games. “The ball’s just going in right, now,” Carpenter said. “I’m not doing anything different.” Senior forward/center Nicole Hazemi lead the Eagles with 13 points and got up for six rebounds. “We really relied on just communication,” she said. The team knew who USML’s primary shooter was and stuck to her, Hazemi said. “We just stayed with the shooter and worked on the inside,” she said. They are taking in the win, but focusing on the next game. USI heads to the University of Indianapolis and St. Joseph Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The Eagles defeated both teams earlier this season. At the St. Joseph’s game, the Eagles shot 100 percent for their 22 free throws.

Senior Stephanie Carpenter made three 3-pointers, which ties the all-time record for number of 3-pointers.

Packed PAC motivates men’s team to win By CHRIS PROCACINA Staff writer The pressure of performing in front of a packed crowd did little to distract the Eagles (19-4, 11-4 GLVC), who cruised to a 58-75 victory Saturday afternoon against the University of Missouri-St. Louis (13-10, 7-8 GLVC). On a night that featured the homecoming ceremony and benefitted the Play4Kay initiative to raise breast cancer awareness, USI stepped up to the occasion. USI head coach Rodney Watson kept things in perspective. “You know, cancer touches everyone and I don’t know of a single person on planet earth that disease doesn’t touch. I think it’s important for us all to be aware of anything we can do to end this crazy disease one day. This is way bigger than basketball,” Watson said. The Eagles held a 41-32 lead at half time, fueled in great part by a perfect 9-9 record from the free throw line. USI finished the game shooting 49 percent from the floor in an effort that saw Taylor

Photo by SHANNON HALL/The Shield

Gavin Schumann figures out which play they should run at Saturday’s game against University of Missouri- St. Louis.

Wischmeier, Orlando Rutledge, Chuck Jones and Lawrence Thomas all post double digit scores. Senior forward Wischmeier poured in a game high 17 points and added 13 rebounds to lead the way for the Eagles. “We knew it was a big game for us. We got to win as many games as we can

going the rest of the way,” Wischmeier said. USI now faces the task of preparing for No. 4 ranked University of Indianapolis, who has won 9 straight games since their trip to Evansville on Jan. 18, losing to the Eagles 64-73. The team will travel to Nicoson Hall in Indianapolis on Feb. 22 for the

rematch. “Every time we go there it’s a tough game. I know they want to get us back. It’s an important game for conference and it’s an important game for us,” said senior guard Lawrence Thomas who played more minutes - 34 - than any other player in the game. Coach Watson said he

has the “upmost respect” for UIndy. “They are one of the best teams in the country,” he said. “They are playing with incredible confidence right now, so we know it will be a tough game.” With three games left in their season, the USI men’s basketball team will close out their year with

two games on the road. On Thursday, the Eagles will travel to the University of Indianapolis (21-2, 13-2 GLVC) to play the Greyhounds and continue their road trip Saturday taking on St. Joseph’s College (4-21, 1-14 GLVC). The University of Indianapolis is now ranked fourth in the nation and has been riding a 9-game win streak since losing 6374 to USI on Jan. 18. The Greyhounds currently sit atop the GLVC as the No. 1 ranked team. The Eagles will close out their season against Bellarmine University (18-5, 10-5 GLVC) Feb. 27 at the Physical Activities Center. Saturday’s game will take USI to the opposite end of the GLVC rankings where St. Joseph’s College resides in last place. Bellarmine, once the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, will be looking for payback in after losing to USI in overtime by a last second tip-in by USI Gavin Schumann. Since their loss to USI, the Knights have gone 5-3 and fallen out of the national top 25 rankings.

The Shield - February 20, 2014

Page 8

Homecoming

5. 4.

6. Photos by SHANNON HALL/The Shield

1. Former SGA President Sarah Krampe and current SGA President Zack Mathis win Homecoming King and Queen Saturday. 2. Saturday was Play4Kay for the women’s basketball game, and the PAC was filled with pink. 3. Devan Brady cheers before the men’s game starts. 4. Sarah Krampe reacts to being named Homecoming Queen. 5. Sigma Tau Gamma gets in the spirit. 6. President Linda Bennett meets the “Banana Man” Saturday.

February and June LSAT scores accepted

When I came to Indiana Tech for a visit, I was excited and intrigued about Dean Alexander’s vision about how Indiana Tech Law is different and how they are changing the way that law is being taught. - David Felts Charter Class member

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