The Shield Sept. 19, 2013 by The Shield

In this Issue

9392 9055

Basketball Changes pg. 7

Applied Engineering pg. 3

Minority student population at 11.1%

Thursday, September 19, 2013

THE

SHIELD

-22%

650

637

Students by race/ethnicity

600

Vol. 44 Issue 5

Phil Lawrence pg. 5

www.usishield.com

550 500

496

Increased Asian Multiple Race

450

2012 data shows increase in minority students

Decreased African American Hispanic American Indian/ Alaskan Pacific Islander White Not Specified

400

By JAMES VAUGHN News editor

350

-11%

313

300

279

+19% 250

259

241

+740% % 210

200

-19% 159

150

128

100

The percent of minority students at USI is on the rise, climbing 0.5 percent in 2012. A multiple race option was added in 2011. In 2012, 210 students identified as multiracial, up from 25 the previous year. While the number of students in all race/ethnicity categories, except “Asian,” dropped in 2012, according to the USI Fact Book, the “multiple race” number pushed the percent minority up. Last year, 2.7 percent of the student population did not specify a race/ethnicity. When the Office of Planning, Research and Assessment calculate the percent minority, they do not include the “not specified” category in that percent or in total enrollment. Race/ethnicity numbers are not available for 2013.

-30% 50

Numbers for 2011

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*White student numbers exceed the scale. In 2011, there were 9,392 white students, and in 2012, there were 9,055.

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Gender-variant students lack housing options By SHANNON HALL Staff writer

Photo courtesy of SIGMA TAU GAMMA

USI fraternity ranks No. 1 nationally

By JAMES VAUGHN News editor

Sigma Tau Gamma was awarded the McCune Distinguished Chapter of the year award Aug. 3 - seven months after the fraternity regained its charter. “The fact that they went from a colony to being chartered to receiving that award shows that they are a dedicated group,” said David Stetter, student development program adviser. The chapter competed with more than 70 other Sigma Tau Gamma chapters from all over the nation and received the award at the fraternity’s Strategic Leadership Conference in St. Louis. “We knew that we had put in a lot of hard work and that we had a chance to win, but there was a lot of doubt,” said Christian Ely, Sigma Tau Gamma vice president. “We thought maybe we’d get runner-up, but we never thought we’d walk away winners.” Ely said “proud” is the best way to describe the moment the chapter’s name was called. “We were proud of all the brothers that were there and proud of all the brothers that

couldn’t make it,” he said. “It was an effort by everybody.” Ely said Sigma Tau Gamma wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of the university, other clubs and organizations and their alumni. “We couldn’t have made it this far if it was just us,” he said. Ely said most chapters focus on chartering with a long-term goal of winning the McCune. “That’s one of the things that made it more exciting for us – seven months after chartering, we won chapter of the year,” he said. “The national headquarters’ staff said that’s just something that’s not common at all.” Ely was responsible for compiling the McCune packet, which had to include a year’s worth of data and proof that each piece of data was correct. “It was a very tedious process,” he said. The award is based on the McCune Metric System, which the staff at the national headquarters takes seriously when granting the award. They look at a variety of factors, such as a chapter’s budget, overall grade point average, retention rate, philanthropic endeavors, fundraising events and community service.

“If you can think of something an organization might have to show, we had to show it,” Ely said. Sigma Tau Gamma received its charter Jan. 4, two years after returning to USI as a provisional chapter and 12 years after the chapter’s alumni decided to close its doors. A hazing incident in the spring of 1996 led to the chapter being placed on probation for four years. Sigma Tau Gamma fundraising chairman Zack Mathis said when expansion counselors came to USI in 2010, they had heard a little bit about the chapter’s history and looked for people who would start the chapter and keep it going in the right direction. “They made sure we wouldn’t fall back into old habits,” Mathis said. Despite more than a decade of rumors and modern myths surrounding Sigma Tau Gamma, Ely said it all comes down to values-based recruitment. “When we look for guys to join our fraternity, it’s ones that embody leadership and integrity and excellence,” he said. “We’re not the same Sig Tau that was here 14 years ago.”

When he came to USI as a freshman, like most USI students, he had three roommates. The difference – all of his roommates were female because USI does not have gender-neutral housing, and he’s transgender. The junior asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. On his records, his gender shows up as female, so he had to room with three other females. “All three of them knew and were fine with it,” he said. “Which was lucky.” He had two options his sophomore year – attempt to change his gender marker or room in a super single. “To get your gender marker changed is … a b***h, like no one knows how to do it,” he said. “And when you call the courthouse, they’re like ‘I don’t even think that can be done.’” His sophomore year he roomed by himself in a super single, which Housing and Residence Life allowed him to pay for at the normal price, as if he had three other roommates. He said he appreciated how USI accommodated his need, but there was a down-side. “It got so boring and lonely. You’re completely by yourself for that long,” he said. “Part of the college experience is having roommates.” Some of his transgender friends refused to come to USI because of the lack of genderneutral housing, he said. Housing and Residence Life Associate Director Amy Price said students do have an option

in the housing booklet. “If the housing application or roommate options do not support your gender identity, please contact our office at living@usi. edu to discuss a placement that is right for you.” Price said while USI offers an option, it’s not comparable to other universities who have established gender-neutral housing. “I was excited that we could offer this option to students,” she said. “I think it helps with student transitions and for students to feel comfortable and safe.” Earlier this year, Indiana University established genderneutral housing in a residence hall and a set of apartments, which allows the students to live with whoever they want. “That is a trend nation wide, and it’s based on student interest,” Price said. Price said there have been discussions about gender-neutral housing on campus. “But housing doesn’t always dictate housing policies,” she said. All housing policies have to go through the board of trustees. No one has formally pushed for a gender-neutral policy yet, she said. “It really needs to come from the students,” Price said. “If that’s something that our students want, they need to indicate it through SHA (Student Housing Association) and student government.” Senior psychology major Alex Kessler came out as transgender two years ago, and he was a resident assistant, which allowed him to have his own HOUSING on Pg. 3

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The Shield - September 19, 2013

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Page 3 - The Shield - September 19, 2013

News Briefs Blood donation Monday Delta Zeta Sorority and Sigma Ta Gamma Fraternity are sponsoring the American Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday in Carter Hall rooms A, B, and C to donate blood to those who need it. Go to www. redcrossblood.org and enter the code 024299 to make an appointment to give blood. If giving blood, remember to eat a light meal before giving blood and drink plenty of water. In order to donate, a donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification must be shown.

HOUSING continued from Pg. 1 room. But last year, it became an issue when he moved into the apartments. “It became an issue because I was told that I could live with three females, as long as they were my friends,” Kessler said. “I didn’t have the three female friends, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable

because it’s all about perception. If people see me living with three females – that’s not fair that a guy gets to live with three other females.” So he opted to have a super-single apartment, and said he felt isolated. With only certain buildings having super singles, Kessler couldn’t pick any buildings that included his

News

friends. “Most of those students (who live in super singles) are upperclassmen or nontraditional students and they don’t want to be bothered. I only knew one of my neighbors,” Kessler said. “I’m used to knowing all my neighbors or all my residents. It was just not for me. I had my space, but I missed that

interaction with people.” He said it’s important for the policy to be redone completely. “I don’t think they should target people. I don’t think it should be like, ‘I’m trans so I get this special accommodation,’” he said. “Everyone can live with whoever they want to.”

New art in McCutchan Center The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center and Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries will be hosting artwork from artists Elizabeth Mumford and Katie Hudnall, from Sept. 22 – Nov. 1. Mumford grew up in Posey County, Ind., and her exhibit “Painting My Own Back Yard” shows her memories of growing up and of her current home in Massachusetts. Hudnall is a teacher at the Herron School of Art at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. A free reception will be from 1:30 – 4 p.m. on Sunday Mumford will have a gallery talk from 1:30 – 2 p.m.

Involvement Center Open House The Student Involvement Center will host an openhouse at 11 a.m. today in the lower level of University Center East. Free refreshments will be available, as well as tours of the SIC offices.

Photo by BLAKE STAYROOK/ The Shield

Members of the USI community and Evansville engineering community cut the ribbon for the Applied Engineering Center Friday on USI's campus.

USI Security Engineering center opens its doors Incident Log 9/11 - 9/18 Fire – Faulty Alarm

Fire – Faulty Alarm

813A OʼDaniel Lane – Whitcomb

Whitcomb Building

09/11/13 8:22 p.m.

09/15/13 7:44 p.m.

Closed

Criminal Mischief

Traﬃc Accident

Parking Lot M

Eagle Express Convenience

09/12/13 9:10 a.m.

09/16/13 1:58 p.m.

Closed

Harassment

Various on-campus locations

Various on campus locations

09/13/13 10:00 a.m.

09/16/13 4:22 p.m.

Open

Closed

Property Damage – Other

Injury Report

Parking Lot K

Clarke Lane

09/13/13 3:58 p.m.

09/16/13 6:06 p.m.

Closed

Injury Report

Applied Engineering Center

Baseball Field – Bennett Lane

09/13/13 4:34 p.m.

09/16/13 7:58 p.m.

Closed

Illness Report

Injury Report

University Center West

Rec. and Fitness Center

09/13/13 9:41 p.m.

09/17/13 10:47 a.m.

Closed

Suspicious Circumstances

Criminal Mischief

Parking Lot A

938B Eckels Ln- Marshall

09/14/13 10:16 p.m.

09/17/13 12:03 p.m.

Closed

Traﬃc Accident

Theft – University Property

McDonald Lane

Science Center

09/15/13 2:00 p.m.

09/17/13 3:10 p.m.

Closed

Code of Conduct – Disruption

Injury Report

Parking Lot H

Broadway Sports Complex

09/15/13 3:45 p.m.

09/17/13 8:27 p.m.

Closed

Code of Conduct – Failure to

Drugs – Manufacture / Pos-

Comply

session of

Parking Lot H

OʼBannon Hall – 1720 Rochelle

09/15/13 3:45 p.m.

09/18/13 12:30 a.m.

Closed

Intimidation

Injury Report

Parking Lot H

Broadway Sports Complex

09/15/13 3:45 p.m.

09/17/13 8:27 p.m.

Closed

By JAMES VAUGHN News editor

The Applied Engineering Center opened its doors Friday following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility, which features equipment found no where else in the United States. The 16,226 square-foot manufacturing center is one of only two labs in the entire world equipped with German Festo technology. A Festo team traveled from Germany and Mexico for the ceremony. Engineering Department Chair Zane Mitchell said the Applied Engineering Center was first envisioned in 2007 when the Business and Engineering Center was being designed. "It was clear at that time there would need to be more lab space than would functionally fit in the Business and Engineering Center," he said. “What was originally thought of was a pole barn,” Mitchell said to a chuckling crowd. “And what you see behind me now is pretty far from a pole barn.” He said three consecutive federal grants in 2008, 2009 and 2010 transformed that vision. “When you get grants totaling over $2.5 million, you can buy a lot of hightech equipment,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got quite a bit of that, and a pole barn just would have not been appropriate.” The $3.3 million facility includes more than $3

million in high-tech manufacturing and engineering equipment. “It was really well thought out,” he said. “Even the bathrooms make sense.” The bathrooms include showers and lockers for students who might “work up a sweat” walking from campus to the Center, which is located on Bluff Lane near the Support Services Building. "Students may also need to change, shower, put on overalls to do what they need to do in the labs and then be able to get back to class," Mitchell said. “Our students are going to be able to get a lot more of what our Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education’s motto is: Learning by doing,” Mitchell said. “They’re actually going to get that hands-on learning that they crave before they hit the workforce. They can make those mistakes here in an academic setting and hopefully be able to really hit the ground running.” There are currently 410 students enrolled in the engineering, advanced manufacturing and industrial supervision undergraduate degree programs, while 32 graduate students are enrolled in the industrial management program. “The Applied Engineering Center has become a reality through the vision and leadership of many people,” President Linda Bennett said to the crowd. “This facility will also support a region where a diverse manufacturing

base, requiring a trained, highly skilled workforce is critical to the economy.”

was capable of. “See the intricate design in this,” Hochstetler said.

Members of the USI community, Evansville community, state legislators and Festo representatives made their way inside the Center following the ceremony where students and faculty were available to explain how each piece of equipment worked. Chelsea Hochstetler had taken her place next to the Wire EDM, which uses an electrical charge to cut metal. She pointed to the necklace she was wearing to describe what the machine

“It already has a finish on it. A lot of machines before they had this one could cut metal, but then they’d have to polish it afterward. With this, it’s already polished and everything once you get done.” The sophomore industrial engineering major said it is a great facility. She had the opportunity check out all of the equipment, she said. “I’m just excited to get to start using this stuff,” she said.

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.

@usishield @usinews @usishieldsports

Features

Page 4 - The Shield -September 19, 2013

#USIbannedbooks Student, faculty see By ARIANA BEEDIE Features editor

banned book, except for the bathroom, she said.

Ashley Clark’s favorite banned book is “Farenheight 451” by Ray Bradbury. “I think it’s hilarious that people tried to ban a book about reading,” she said. “It’s a very antibanned books book.” Clark, the university’s new instructional librarian, is bringing new fresh events to the table for Banned Books Week, a national event celebrating the legacy of banned books, Sept. 22 through the 28. A series of different events are taking place during that week such as a Virtual Read Out, and photo opportunities with a favorite banned book. “We’re going to have a virtual read out, where people read from their favorite book,” she said. “To celebrate the books, the reasons why they’re banned and the fact that the library owns them.” The videos will be posted to Rice Library’s YouTube and Facebook pages. “If anyone takes a picture of themselves reading a banned book somewhere silly, they can put a hash tag and post it to Instagram,” Clark said. Just about any place works for a photo with a

This is the first year the library has done an event this interactive. In previous years, Rice Library had displays and bulletin boards dedicated to the event. Last year there was a traveling display of a dramatic scene showing book burning in the World War II. Jennifer Greene, Reference and Archives Librarian, said banning books goes back to the Middle Ages. “I think every generation is surprised at the books that previous generations didn’t want them to read,” she said. “The freedom they have to see the things they see today has not always been the case.” The library staff is prepared for students and faculty to participate in these events, they are also excited, she said. This is the first year the library has done an event this interactive. In previous years, Rice Library had displays and bulletin boards dedicated to the event. Last year there was a traveling display of a dramatic scene showing book burning in the World War II. “It’ s just in the last couple years that we tried to be really interactive with

the students,” Greene said. “This year we really want to reach out to the student body.” Not many students are aware that there’s a national banned books event, but some have strong opinions on the subject. Ariel Hairston, senior history major, said banning books isn’t a good idea. “You’re taking world perspectives away from children,” she said. “If you can’t be exposed to everything, they’re not going to get a real education.”

Top 10 Banned Books of 2012 1.) “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey 2.) “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part – Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie 3.) “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher 4.) “Fifty Shades of Grey” E.L. James 5.) “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson 6.) “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini 7.) “Looking for Alaska” by John Green 8.) “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Alvin Schwartz 9.) “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls 10.) “Beloved” by Toni Morrison Information from The Huffington Post

growth in diversity By BOBBY SHIPMAN Staff writer Kirat Baath, contract assistant professor of biology, said every growing community shapes the people within it. She received her Master’s degree in India before traveling to the United States to earn her doctorate. “ I have seen USI’s diversity significantly increase since she began teaching 13 years ago,” she said. My inspiration for heading oversees was a desire to see the world, she said. “It’s all part of growing up,” Baath said, ”I think we all grow biologically but that cultural is the other part of growing upwhen we meet people with other cultures or practices.” She grew up in the Northwestern part of India where the majority of the small population either farmed or joined the service. “Education was a priority in my home,” said Baath, “the best way you can travel, sometimes, is by education.” The university is doing what it can to make the

university more marketable to international and diverse students. “The numbers of international students have grown dramatically over the last few years,” Provost Ronald Rochon said.

They will be small grants that students can apply for to generate new ideas to address diversity, he said. Michael Ndemanu, associate professor of education, said worldview depends on how future issues This year there are 21 are interpreted. Ndemanu new students from Brazil, started teaching diversity he said. and multicultural/multilingual issues in education A new grant opportu- in June 2012, but he also nity the provost is fund- taught English and French ing resources to will allow in his hometown of Camstudents to come up with eroon for eight years. different initiatives that “At first, before coming will focus on diversity and here for a campus interview, I thought there was no diversity at all,” he said. USI is taking steps to increase diversity, he said. Some students have noticed more -David Tran diversity on Senior chemistry major campus. “I have noticed an ininclusion campus wide. crease in the Asian community since I started at “Through my office I USI,” said David Tran, send faculty and staff to senior chemistry major. different parts of the world Tran grew up in Calito do fairs to teach folks fornia but his parents emiabout USI,” Rochon said. grated from Vietnam in “To inform them about our search of a better life. majors, graduation rates, “Diversity, no diversity faculty, scholarships and we are all just people,” more.” Tran said.

Diversity, no diversity we are all just people.

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Page 5 - The Shield - September 19, 2013

Features

Grammy nominated songwriter comes home Photo courtesy of PHILIP LAWRENCE

By ARIANA BEEDIE Features editor Evansville native Philip Lawrence began writing songs at 16 when he went to Memorial High School. Since then, Lawrence has hit fame at full speed. The 39-year-old songwriter makes up one-third of the production team, Smeezingtons, along with Bruno Mars and Ari Levine. “I’ve been writing for a long time,” Lawrence said. “I’ve always been a fan of English.” The Smeezingtons have produced chart-topping hits like “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B and Bruno Mars, and the most recent single “Treasure” by Bruno Mars. The team was nominated for Grammy awards in 2011 and 2012. Lawrence also produced Bruno Mars’s last two albums “Doo-Wops and Hooligans” and “Unorthodox Jukebox.” He also just released his debut album, “Letters

I Never Sent,” about his own personal experiences, which he performed on Saturday at the Victory Theatre. Much of the foundation in Lawrence’s career came after years of determination, persistence and meeting the right people. “The ground work was built with the relationships I’ve made,” Lawrence said. “I met key people from record labels that showed me what it took to have a song on the radio.” From then, he shaped his style for the radio. “If you want to write for the radio, there are certain rules, ones I had to learn,” he said. “I had to shake up my writing style to what the masses might be interested in.” The connections Lawrence made while living in Los Angeles led him to meet the future Smeezingtons, and that’s when the magic began to happen. One of the steps was coming up with a name for their collective. “When I started work-

ing with Bruno and Ari collectively, we would always go in the studio and say we need to write a smash, which evolved into smeez,” Lawrence said. “We thought it’d be wild if we got executives to call us Smeezingtons.” It actually happened, he said. In 2008, the first single that gained Smeezingtons credit was “Right Round” by Flo Rida. But after all credit was given to others on that song, Lawrence owned 2.5 percent of the song. He maintained persistence in his career and is still producing chart-topping hits. The moment when Lawrence felt like he had finally made it was when Smeezingtons performed a sold-out concert in Manila. At this time, the group was touring and performing in clubs that held 500 to 600 people, so a sold out show was a big deal, he said. “We sold out an arena of 1,600 people,” Lawrence said. “When we got

on stage, we all looked at each other and we’re like OK, this just got real.” The concert in Manila was a turning point in the Smeezingtons career. “This is the impact that our music is having on people,” he said. “That’s when I first started to see that this could be something special.” The glue that holds Philip Lawrence together is his family. The Lawrence family is a close one. In fact, they moved to California to be near each other, he said. “I’ve always cherished those moments with my family so when the success came the first thing I wanted to do was have them closer to me,” he said. “We all live within a five minute distance from each other, and that’s important to me.” The Lawrence family is also musically talented. His father was a DJ, a comedian and has theatre background, and his mother is a classically trained singer and was

choir director at Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Evansville. “Mom always had us singing. It gave us the opportunity to be heard and sort of know what it’s like to have that pressure of being on stage,” Lawrence said. “They helped train us and helped us know what it takes to shine on stage.” His siblings have a gospel group, which Philip signed to his own record label. Philip said he attributes a lot of his inspiration to his family, and also by Billy Joel and the sound from the 80s. “Sometimes I go on Pandora and find 80s bands and let that play,” he said. “I love great singers that have interesting voices like Toto.” In all of the thrills of fame, the Smeezingtons are scheduled as the halftime performance at the 2014 Super Bowl. “I remember last year we watched Beyonce, and we were like one day in like 20 years, maybe,”

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he said. “But it was us, just the next year. It’s an amazing honor, and we’re humbled that they thought of us.”

Opinion

Page 6 - The Shield - September 19, 2013

Don’t limit us with core

THE

SHIELD Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Shannon Hall editor@usishield.com News Editor James Vaughn news@usishield.com Features Editor Ariana Beedie features@usishield.com

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Everyone’s help needed for diverse campus By STAFF EDITORIAL The university needs to work harder to achieve more diversity on campus. The numbers speak for themselves: for the past 10 years, USI’s minority percentage has hovered around 10 percent, leaving Caucasian student’s to dominate the campus. How do you suppose this makes us look to prospective students who tour our campus? Walking around noticing that no one looks like them? USI has been scorned for its low diversity levels in accreditation reports. “USI is becoming recognized as much more than a city college; it needs to aspire to a campus society more representative of a broad region of mid-America,” reads the report issued by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities in 2006.

This has not happened, and there appears to be no real effort to make a change. We see the university sprouting groups and clubs to try to draw attention to the issue, but sitting around talking about the problem and not doing anything to fix it won’t solve it. USI’s white population is actually higher than the city we reside in: 87 percent of our students are white and 82 percent of Evansville’s population is white. The bottom line is that diversity is important to the education of USI’s students. Being around students who are from different cultures and backgrounds helps us grow as adults facing the real world where there are a myriad of people different than us. We aren’t given much breathing room if we spend four years of our lives living in the comfy state of ignorance. We, the students, also need to

do what we can to expand our knowledge about diversity. It’s not all about race - it’s about cultural backgrounds and differences. Do you go out of your way to learn about people who are different than you? Try learning about other’s culture and see how it differs from yours. Branch out and ask questions. But don’t be offended if someone asks you a question. We’re at an institution where learning is important. If you get out and talk to one another, you may learn something new. We need the university’s help to go forth and make the campus more diverse, but the students need to make themselves vulnerable and talk to someone they normally wouldn’t because he or she may be different. Otherwise, what’s the point of being a diverse campus if we don’t make everyone feel welcome?

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SpringFest has new potential By JESSIE HELLMANN Opinion editor

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Letters to The Editor The Shield accepts original, unpublished letters for all of its readers. Letters should be no more than 250 words, signed and have a telephone number for verification. The editor reserves the right to edit for length, style, and grammar. Pieces will appear in The Shield online. Letters can be submitted online or via e-mail.

After a year-long hiatus, SpringFest is back. For the younger students who don’t know and didn’t grow up in the Evansville area, SpringFest is an annual celebration USI organizes that usually involves the hiring of ‘big’ acts such as Fun. and Jason Derulo. However, after SpringFest’s ‘father’ retired last year, Provost Ron Rochon canceled it. Toward the end of it, we were getting some pretty lame, one-hit acts like Mike Posner, Jason Derulo and Karmin, artists that nobody actually says, “Oh yeah, that’s my favorite artist!” This can be traced back to the fact

that SpringFest’s lameness actually lost the university money. Every year’s profits are dedicated to the next year’s festival, but the problem began when they stopped making a profit. Big artists didn’t want to come to the PAC, and in turn, students didn’t want to spend their time or money (even if tickets were heavily discounted) to see an artist that has one good catchy song. I understand that many students and faculty have worked very hard on SpringFest in the past, and I’m not trying to diminish that. There is only so much you can do with limited funds and a crippling venue such as the PAC. Which is why I think the univer-

sity made the best decision possible of partnering with our crosstown ‘rivals’ the University of Evansville and moving SpringFest to the Ford Center. Let’s face it, we all know UE got that money, so to speak, being a private school that students fork out thousands of dollars to attend every year. Also, the Ford Center, if you haven’t seen it, is glorious in every way. Since it’s construction, it has attracted acts such as Elton John, Rascal Flatts, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Lady Antebellum and a few others. However, my main concern now is that USI won’t find an artist that everyone likes, or at least that the majority likes. Obviously,

not every can be pleased. I’m worried that the SpringFest committee will pick an artist that represents what they like, and not someone the majority of the student population likes. Or worse- the committee will put too much focus on what the community wants, as both schools are only purchasing floor tickets and opening up all the other seats for the public. This is a celebration for students who have worked hard all year and deserve to have a safe, fun, low expense event. No offense, people of Evansville, we know we invade your town for eight months every year, but let us have our fun.

On a daily basis, I run through the list of things I have to do. Monday: Wake up, straighten my pigsty apartment, get dressed, eat something, read something, write something – the list goes on. This is done to the point where most of the conscious thoughts I have are triggered externally, by a writing prompt or a discussion board post or a text from my boss telling me where I’m delivering food today. Now, this is going to sound like it is coming out of left field but stay with me. I would like to place part of the blame for my typical zombie-like state of consciousness on the structure of the educational system. Particularly, I am targeting the notion of a core curriculum. In lieu of needing to be cohesive, the design of the core curriculum was a no-brainer: create wellrounded human beings. But that’s not what I have a problem with. In fact, I think I would have probably decided to be pretty well-rounded on my own accord. And I wouldn’t have needed a checklist to do it, which is the point that I’m getting at. When you look at one of those sheets, you’re supposed to believe that you have it all at your disposal. And maybe you do, but then the constraints of time and availability and course load add up, and if you’re like me, you end up treating every day like an obstacle course. I have to remind myself that I am here to learn, to broaden my horizons, to realize who I am and the extents of where life can and may possibly take me. I have to remind myself that passion does not have a substitute and that true ambition cannot be forged. And I’m so tired of reminding myself. I don’t think it’s asking too much to want a reform, not just of the curriculum, but of the attitude this curriculum inspires and instills in us. We should be able to encourage students to diversify their studies without limiting them. I would like to see the words “Liberal Arts College” redefined.

Guest Commentaries

Don’t put too much on one plate

Signed opinions represent the views of the author and not the views of this newspaper.

By BRENNA WU Staff writer

Opinions expressed in unsigned editorials represent a consensus opinion of the editorial board

Many students on campus are starting to feel the weight of their heavy course loads. With tests, quizzes and homework, what else does one have time for? Some students even have part-time jobs. How? What? When? A recent study shows four out of five students on college campuses have a part-time job. So, this

question wraps the heads of many students here at USI: How do I manage everything before I pull my hair out? Here are just a couple tips on how to keep everything balanced and organized. Try to get a schedule from everything you are involved in, whether it be school, work, athletics, whatever and see what overlaps into what so you can figure out the next

move. Identify the main priority and see if you can work your other schedules around it. Many jobs as well as organizations understand the importance of school and receiving an education, so will likely work with your class schedule. Look at your work schedule, if you have one, and if not your activities schedule. Great employers want to see people who are

organized and have priorities managed. Make sure to let the employer know what times are readily available to you by giving them a school schedule as well as an athletic schedule, if you have one. This schedule gives them advance notice of when you can and cannot work. Stay organized by putting schedules in a binder or folder. These tips are just some

of many to keep students from having a panic attack on their first couple months of school. Let your friends know as well, if they are struggling. Staying organized as well as being prepared has helped me to maintain my school work, job, athletic practices, and organizations. Keep those schedules handy and you will do just fine.

Page 7 - The Shield - September 19, 2013

Sports

Men’s basketball schedule finalized By ZANE CLODEFELTER Sports editor

File photo/The Shield

Men’s basketball head coach Rodney Watson watches the team against McKendree University in the 2012-2013 season.

Southern Indiana released its 20132014 men’s basketball schedule last week, featuring 26 regular-season games including two match-ups with Kentucky Wesleyan in the non-conference slate, along with a neutral-site contest against Virginia Union and highly regarded NAIA opponent Indiana University-Southeast coming to campus. The Eagles exhibition schedule features two games, with USI traveling to Indiana (Oct. 26) and Tennessee (Nov. 7) before opening the regular-season at Kentucky Wesleyan on Nov. 19. KWC returns to USI Dec. 21, for the first time since leaving the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) over the summer. “We are against the fire right away,” senior guard Lawrence Thomas said. “It’s good for us.” The Eagles will open its home schedule on Nov. 23, against Lake Erie. “Win or lose these games—even though we want to win—we are going to learn something from these games,” he said. Eagles Head Coach Rodney Watson echoed those thoughts. “The exhibition games serve a lot of purpose,” Watson said. “It helps us stay focused on our preparation in September.” Watson said preparing for quality teams like Indiana and Tennessee during the exhibition season will help in the development of his team before GLVC play begins Jan. 3, at Rockhurst. “If you are preparing to play IU and Tennessee, it only helps in getting ready

to play,” Watson said. Indiana won the Big Ten regular-season title a year ago under Head Coach Tom Crean, who enters his sixth season in Bloomington. The Hoosiers went 29-7 in 2013 and reached the NCAA Division I Regional Semifinals before being ousted by Syracuse. USI senior forward Taylor Wischmeier grew up in Brownstown, Ind., forty-five minutes away from the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. He relishes the opportunity to play against a team he rooted for as a kid. “The IU game is a big one for me personally,” Wischmeier said. “I’ve been an IU fan my entire life—it’s going to be an honor and a privilege to play against them.” Tennessee went 20-13 last season in Knoxville, and qualified for the National Invitational Tournament under Head Coach Cuonzo Martin in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Eagles will play Indiana for the first time, while making a second trip to play Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated USI 86-78 in 2005, when Tennessee was led by former USI coach Bruce Pearl. Despite the added difficulty, Wischmeier said he and he teammates have to remain focused throughout practice, leading up to the beginning of the season. “We can’t be in shock,” Wischmeier said. “We have to come out and still play our game.” USI last played Big Ten and SEC members in the same season during 2010-2011 campaign, with the Eagles dropping exhibition contests against Illinois (67-76) and Vanderbilt (40-77).

5 players, 5 countries Men’s tennis team comes from various cultures

By JESSIE HELLMANN Staff writer The USI men’s tennis team knows a thing or two about different cultures. That’s because of the seven team members - five are from different countries. The members represent countries from New Zealand, Cyprus, England and Columbia. “I recruit internationally because it’s the norm for college tennis,” said men’s tennis coach Chris Crawford. “I had seven differ-

ent countries on my team last season, and I have five kids (from different countries) this season.” Crawford said it’s easy to recruit from different countries because the students want the opportunity to go to different schools. “I believe it’s unique because of all the different ways these kids grew up,” he said. “It’s good to experience, and it’s good to learn different cultures and societies these kids grew up in.” Joel Stern, a sophomore

from Mjoelby, Sweden, said one of the biggest differences between playing tennis in his home country and playing tennis in America is the fact that schools don’t play sports in Sweden. “Many people who play tennis on a high level go to the U.S. to play college tennis,” Stern said. “I just decided it was something I wanted to do. I chose USI because it seemed like a good school and a good tennis program, ranked in Division II.”

Last year, the men’s tennis team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Aside from playing tennis in a different country, simply living in a new one is a challenge in some ways. “Stuff like public transportation is a huge difference,” Stern said. “When I’m back home, I always walk everywhere or take the bus. But here you have to have a car to get anywhere.” Other difference is the

friendliness of people. “At least compared to Sweden, people are easier to talk to,” he said. “Back home, you never talk to strangers. That’s a big difference I had to get used to when I got here.” Joe Bray, a freshman from Christchurch, New Zealand, said tennis is different in his home country as well because schools don’t have sports teams. “You just there and drink and party,” Bray said. He decided to come to

USI because he received a good scholarship offer, he said. One of the things he’s noticed is the difference of competition levels in the U.S. “It’s more competitive here than back home, it seems,” Bray said. “The coaches are more in your face here. The coaches back home leave it up to you. There’s also a greater sense of teamwork here.”

The Shield - September 19, 2013

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