T h u r s d a y, O c t o b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 5 | U s i s h i e l d . c o m | v o l . 4 6 i s s u e 9
A RIVER CITY SNAPSHOT Alumna designs Evansville’s first geofilter
University considers tenure policy change by gabi wy news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi
Photo by alyssa smith | The Shield
USI alumna Amanda Brinkman takes a selfie using the new Evansville geofilter she designed, which is the city’s first and only Snapchat filter. The design was inspired by the city’s riverfront.
by Megan thorne features@usishield.com @ShieldsterMegan
USI alumna Amanda Brinkman wanted to shine a light on the “up-andcoming” city of Evansville by creating a Snapchat geofilter. Geofilters are special overlays for Snaps that can only be accessed in certain locations. Many major cities have filters, which show up when location settings are turned on. Brinkman graduated in May with a major in graphic design and works as a marketing specialist for Sodexo and a freelance designer for the Campus Store. Brinkman said after traveling around and using other cities’ filters, she was
inspired to create one for Evansville. “In Evansville we have nothing like that to utilize, and I always wanted that,” Brinkman said. “Then one of my friends sent me a link with the instructions to (make the filter), so that’s when I really just sat down and did it.” As for the design, Brinkman said she didn’t think Evansville had a strong single element that represents its image. “I tweeted out, ‘What would you want to see in an Evansville filter?’ and no one really had any good suggestions,” Brinkman said. “So I just googled Evansville and the only thing anyone could think of was the riverfront.” The filter represents the
sign at the riverfront that reads “City of Evansville,” which sometimes isn’t even visible, Brinkman said. “When it floods you can’t even see it,” she said. “How beautiful that I brought something to the surface that really isn’t visible.” Brinkman said there are directions to keep the filter in a set pixel size so it can fit on a phone and also how to set the margins and for its location. “I had to specify the location I wanted it to be in, but I did that kind of quickly, and I missed some parts near Newburgh that I wish would’ve had it too,” Brinkman said. After waiting five days, Brinkman said she re-
ceived an email saying that the filter would take a few hours for it to work, however, it took three days. “I even had to ask the Snapchat people on Twitter, why isn’t this working?” she said. “It was a long process just because I was so excited.” Brinkman said she saw her design pop up on snapchat during the Fall Festival. “It gives me a sense of pride because I personally made it,” Brinkman said. “But I also just think it’s great that I gave people something to commemorate a moment within Evansville and we didn’t have that before.” Brinkman said she does plan to make another geofilter for either Evansville
or the university but hasn’t decided on a design yet. However, she is taking suggestions. Gracie Craft, a two-year Snapchat user, said she is happy to finally see a filter for Evansville. “I think it is really neat that Evansville has been noticed enough to get a filter in general,” the freshman theater major said. “I think it’s really cool that all of my friends are able to put that on their Snapchat story.” Craft said with all the events happening in Evansville, it is a good thing for the city to have. “I think it will get the city more noticed,” Craft said, “which will be good.”
Provost Ronald Rochon visited Faculty Senate Oct. 2 and said the university is looking to change tenure policy to become consistent across campus. “We want to look at each of the colleges at the university,” he said, “and examine their structure in regard to … assessment, evaluation and securing promotion and tenure for the campus.” The university hopes to make policy more efficient and straightforward, Rochon said, and that could mean making the process of applying for tenure uniform across all university colleges. “We’re looking at our faculty handbook, which holds our policies and practices in writing,” he said. “We’re examining those narratives and looking for ways we need to insert changes and/or additional language to provide clarity.” While he contributed to the meeting, Rochon said faculty ultimately drove the conversation. “It was a good meeting,” he said. “It was healthy and extremely important. When I left that room, I felt very good about the progress we made with that discussion.” Rochon said only faculty truly see each other’s day-to-day work. “University colleges make recommendations to my office,” he said. “For me, the most important part in regards to assessment is to have (professors’) peers make the recommendations. (Those are) other scholars and other teachers in (their) field and in (their) discipline who understand (their) body of work.”
Tenure changes, PAGE 3
SGA denies external relations applicants by gabi wy news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi
SGA turned down two applicants for Assistant Vice President of External Relations during its meeting Oct. 8. The general assembly will review more applicants at future meetings. The meeting went into an executive session, meaning that the discussion about the two applicants remains confidential within the general assembly. At the conclusion of the executive session, SGA President Alexa Bueltel
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told applicants Lauren Downen and Aaron Gottman that neither would be appointed to the position. “The representative of external relations is the face of SGA,” Bueltel said. “We need to make sure they are voicing the opinion of SGA and not their own personal opinion.” She said this representative would also run a committee for public relations. “It’s a very time-consuming position,” Bueltel said, “but it’s also a very rewarding position.” On top of her presidential duties, Bueltel has also
been fulfilling the duties of the AVP of External Relations and hopes to appoint someone to that position as soon as possible. “I would rather keep doing it until we find someone that’s qualified for the position,” she said. Lauren Downen, a junior marketing major, is an associate justice of the university court, but she hoped to become more involved with the general assembly of SGA. “I would like to connect to marketing research and see what the best way to connect with students is,” she said.
SGA Representative, PAGE 3
A GUIDE TO USI ATHLETICS | FALL 2015 EDITION
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Photo by gabi wy | The Shield
Senior business administration major Aaron Gottman and junior marketing major Lauren Downen chat with Dean of Students Bryan Rush and assistant dean Laurie Berry during SGA’s executive session. Gottman and Downen both vied for the AVP of External Relations position.
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University creates ‘rewarding’ degree by zackary willem
sive care. “Respiratory therapy really is a broad field,” he said, “so we mandate that every student completing the four-year program really knows their stuff.” This program is the first time the university has ever had a Bachelor of Science program in respiratory therapy, and it is one of only five in the state of Indiana, Phy said. “Previous students were only able to complete their associate’s degree in respiratory therapy,” he said. “The university, however, is allowing these alumni to return and complete two additional years in online
zmwillem@eagles.usi.edu
USI recently created a new Bachelor of Science program for respiratory therapy. “Respiratory therapists work in every aspect of the medical field,” said Wes Phy, chair of the respiratory therapy program. “However, very few people understand what they actually do.” Phy worked as a respiratory therapist for more than 30 years. He worked as a medical director in major hospitals as well as in trauma centers, burn clinics and newborn inten-
classes to complete their bachelor’s.” Phy expects the program to be a huge success with upcoming students and returning alumni and is proud of the work he and his colleague, Jody Delp, have done for the university. Prospective students must apply for the program and meet a long list of prerequisites. “It’s a very selective program,” Phy said, “with a high turnout proven by a 100 percent pass rate on the national exam.” The program allows a maximum of 18 students to be enrolled at a time.
This low number yields the highest success rate, according to the Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care, which accredits the program. “We do the best we can for our candidates to make sure they get the best knowledge of respiratory therapy before they graduate the program,” Phy said. Students are also required to log 12 hours of time dedicated to shadowing a respiratory therapist at a nearby hospital or clinic. “It’s like applying to be a pilot, but you have never flown a plane before,” Phy said. “We require shadow
time so our students get a first-hand view of what respiratory therapy is all about.” Phy said this new program isn’t an easy one to get through, but it is one of the most rewarding. “Respiratory therapists don’t just work in hospitals. We are here as a resource for anyone to use, patients or staff,” said Vicki Stevens, a respiratory therapist at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Respiratory therapists interact with patients of all ages assisting them with ventilations, surgery prep and setting up patient life support.
“I enjoy teaching students about respiratory therapy and showing them how difficult but rewarding our job actually is,” Stevens said. She said a respiratory therapist works closely with doctors and nurses as a team daily to solve any complications or problems afflicting patients. “Every single day we are here caring for patients,” Stevens said, “assisting hospital staff and teaching students what is required of a respiratory therapist.”
“This is all possible,” he said. “This has not been decided or determined. We’re having (a) good discussion about it.” Rochon said the univer-
sity compares strategies with other successful universities. “USI has grown quite a bit since 50 years ago,” he said. “We’ve become
extremely complex and diverse. Universities, like everything else, evolve. You can’t be like an ostrich with your head in the sand. You have to be mind-
ful of the changes going on around you.”
Senior business administration major Aaron Gottman was a university housing member-at-large but no longer holds his position after applying for the external relations representative. “I’ve worked as a housing member-at-large for several years now,” he said. “There’s nothing more I can put into hous-
ing than I have in the past year.” Gottman said the position entails updating social media and communicating with student publications. “I decided to chase another avenue and increase my involvement in SGA rather than have a sort of driftwood position where I couldn’t do too much,” he said. “I don’t want to
be just a member-at-large anymore.” Gottman said he watched his peers climb the ranks and hoped to do the same. “I definitely want to take on an AVP position,” he said. “I’m a senior now, and I’ve seen people in my class step up and take AVP positions or executive board positions.”
Even though Gottman failed to obtain the external relations position, he said he wouldn’t give up. “I’ll still be involved in SGA,” he said. “I’ll apply for another position and continue the work that I’ve been doing.”
tenure changes continued from Page 1 Although Rochon’s office sees the recommendations, he said in terms of professors’ work ethic and teaching, faculty will know best.
“The peer aspect is significant,” he said. “It’s essential. It’s non-negotiable.” Rochon said the conversation is far from over.
sga representative continued from Page 1 time they’ll say they didn’t know about it.” Downen was told to come to the SGA meeting to be reviewed only 25 minutes before it started. “I felt a little underprepared,” she said. “I know why I wanted the position, but it’s hard to help other people understand my passion for marketing and communication.”
Downen said she hoped she could make students more aware of campus activities with the position. “It seems like there’s a bit of a disconnect between what’s going on and what students know to be going on,” she said. “If we have a speaker or any event and there’s not a good turnout, if you ask students why they didn’t go, most of the
USI Security Incident Log
briefs
10/5/15 - 10/12/15 Traffic Accident Parking Lot A 10/05/15 1:01 p.m.
Fire - Alarm - Cooking 7951B OʼDaniel Ln - Schricker 10/07/15 3:57 p.m.
Fire - Faulty Alarm Ralston Bldg. 10/09/15 7:30 a.m.
Code of Conduct - Animal Violation 911 University Ct - Matthews 10/05/15 2:50 a.m.
Fire - False Alarm Support Services Building 10/07/15 4:45 p.m.
Incident Report (Information Only) 913A Eckels Ln. - Hanly Bldg. 10/09/15 7:30 a.m.
Suspicious Circumstances Clarke Lane 10/07/15 5:50 p.m.
Fire - Alarm - Cooking 905B Eckels Ln. - Durbin Bldg. 10/11/15 12:39 p.m.
Traffic Accident Parking Lot J 10/07/15 9:49 a.m.
Injury Report Liberal Arts Ctr. 10/11/15 3:49 p.m.
Traffic Accident Parking Lot G 10/08/15 10:37 a.m.
Fire - False Alarm Teaching Theatre 10/12/15 9:29 p.m.
Illness Report University Ctr. (West) 10/08/15 11:30 a.m.
Illness Report Teaching Theatre 10/12/15 9:45 p.m.
Illness Report Rec. and Fitness Center 10/05/15 5:59 p.m. Harassment 819A Buschkill Ln - Bayh BLDG 10/05/15 9:21 p.m Intimidation 819A Buschkill Ln - Bayh BLDG 10/05/15 9:21 p.m Residential Entry 819A Buschkill Ln - Bayh BLDG 10/05/15 9:21 p.m Property Damage - Other Parking Lot 1 10/06/15 12:55 p.m. Lost Property Report Orr Ctr 10/06/15 6:41 p.m.
Theft 8135B OʼDaniel Ln. - Whitcomb 10/08/15 3:56 p.m. Injury Report Burdette - USI Bicycle Trail 10/08/15 8:40 p.m.
Health Profes- Last day to sions Career drop classes Expo Monday Oct. 23 The Health Professions Career Expo, which works to help freshmen explore health related career options, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday in Carter Hall. The expo assists students wishing to seek experience via clinical or an internship. It also provides opportunities to students graduating seeking full time employment as well as a means for students to connect with health care recruiters.
The last day to withdraw or drop a class without evaluation is Oct. 23. Students wishing to do so may visit the Registrar’s Office by 4:30 p.m., however, students must follow the Schedule Revision procedures in order to do so. Classes that meet less than a full term have separate drop dates. For the drop date for those classes, check the refund schedule or contact the Registrar’s Office.
Wabash Battalion ROTC hosts Foot March The Norwegian Foot March, hosted by the Wabash Battalion Army ROTC program, will take place from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 4 at the PAC. The Foot March will traverse a total of 18.6 miles. Participants will becarrying a 25 pound rucksack while trying to complete the march before its time limit of four hours and 30 minutes. Registration closes on Saturday with a fee of $45.
Information gathered from USIʼs Public Crime Log, provided by USI Safety and Security.
(618) 663-5389 Mon-Sat 9-8 Closed Sunday
4837 University Drive Evansville, IN zimride.com/usi
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Features
The shield | October 15, 2015 | Usishield.com
Parading the decades by Nick Leighty ndleighty@eagles.usi.edu It was silent along Franklin Street Saturday as people huddled together to get the best view. Everyone waited patiently for the event to start. The intercom blared, signaling the start of the annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival parade. The Fall Festival parade on Saturday was a special one for the university, including its 50th anniversary float designed by USI’s own Maintenance Supervisor, Jerry Bulger. This is the 26th year Bulger and his crew of three other maintenance staff have created a float for the parade. Bulger started designing the float a month ago to signify five decades of alumni. The float won the Community Spirit Award from the West Side Nut Club. It featured the different decades on platforms of various heights while Archie led the vehicle and waved to the crowd. There were a total of ten people on the float, including seven alumni and three undergraduate students. The university was also represented by a 1967 Pontiac Firebird, which held Provost Ron Rochon and his wife, Lynn. Rochon was asked to serve as grand marshal of the parade. “Being the grand marshal was really a USI honor,” Rochon said The chairman of the West Side Nut Club contacted the university a year ago and asked for a public figure to lead the event. The university responded
Photo by Nick leighty | The Shield
Jennifer Laval (left) and Steve Craven (right), both USI alumni, wave to the crowd as they are taken down Franklin Street on the university’s float Saturday. Laval and Craven were two of the ten university alumni and students meant to represent the five decades of the university’s existence.
by volunteering Rochon, wanting a top leadership position to represent the institute. Logan’s Promise, a group made in honor of Logan Brown’s death at the hands of a drunk driver, really resonated with Rochon. “For a family to do that, it really shows strength, love and care for the community,” he said. When talking about his favorite part of the event, Rochon pointed to a group of children running around and laughing. “That’s my life. My life is dedicated to children,” he said. “This should al-
ways be focused on community, raising safety and happiness for children. That’s why I love this kind of stuff.” Rochon went on to explain why he loves his work at the university, saying that he enjoys being with students who lead the community. “I love being with students who are young,” Rochon said, “who are going to be leading this institution, leading this community, working towards making positive changes to the community, for the nation, for the globe.”
Photo by Nick leighty | The Shield
Provost Ron Rochon and wife Lynn Rochon rode down Franklin Street in a 1967 Pontiac Firebird during the Fall Festival parade Saturday. The West Side Nut Club invited USI to lead the parade and Rochon was chosen as grand marshal.
Rooftop Batcop Officer looks out for festi-villains
Photo by Nick leighty | The Shield
Officer Taylor dressed as Batman looks down upon the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival attendees from the roof of the Gerst Haus Saturday.
by Megan Thorne features@usishield.com @ShieldsterMegan Beyond the lights of the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival a man dressed as Batman stood atop Gerst Haus on Franklin Street to
observe festival goers and protect them from harm. That man is S.W.A.T. Officer Taylor from the Evansville Police Department (EPD) who has taken his security role to new heights. The Batman impersonator said his love for the
superhero inspired him to throw a mask on and wave at the children and their parents attending the festival. “I would actually much rather work up there than on the ground,” Taylor said. “There are a lot of reasons for that. Most of
it has to do with (the fact that) you can see more.” Taylor said standing on buildings sometimes makes him feel like he is in a Batman movie. “Occasionally in the movie they show (Batman) watching over the city,” he said. “Standing
up there is kind of what that feels like.” Taylor said he enjoys the seclusion of being up on the building alone. “I’m not a crowd fan. I don’t like being around large groups of people,” Taylor said. “So, that’s probably why I’m more comfortable up there.” The officer has been a part of EPD for 13 years and on the S.W.A.T (Special Weapons And Tactics) team for eight. Taylor said the department has been doing the watch from the buildings for about five to six years. Batman has only appeared at the festival for two. The impersonator said at first he didn’t see being Batman as that big of a deal, however, he knew it would have an impact on the kids. Taylor said a lot of the police officers’ children came to see Batman, and they would bring their children at a specific times when he was there in order to see him. “Even the teenagers that normally look at us and say, ‘Oh, there is the po-
lice’ were waving and hollering,” Taylor said. “It is all in good fun.” Ray Smith, patrolman for the EPD said he liked how “Batman” was off in the dark, like the dark knight. Smith and his brother participated at the Fall Festival by giving out free hugs. He said the Chief of Police got the idea after talking with another department and thought the brothers were good candidates for it. “We wanted to reach out to the community and show our appreciation for the community,” Smith said. “There has been a lot of negative outlooks toward police officers here in the media lately, and we want to give them something more positive.” Smith said that Monday where he gave out free hugs was his favorite day of the Fall Festival. “I still get approached about the hugs,” Smith said laughing. “I am still freely giving them.”
The shield | October 15, 2015 | Usishield.com
5
Broadway vet sets stage
Photo by Hannah Spurgeon | The Shield
Senior theatre arts major Christy Thompson sets up a “trap” for a pretend fire with Paul Weimer on the set of “The Grapes of Wrath” at the Performance Center.
by Abigail suddarth acsuddarth@eagles.usi.edu
After 30 years of designing sets for shows such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Matilda the Musical,” “Spamalot” and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime,” Paul Weimer left Broadway to teach at USI. Weimer graduated from Ohio Northern University with an undergraduate in art and theatre and then from University of Wis-
consin-Madison with his MFA degree. He moved to New York in 1985 to pursue a career in theatrical set design. For one of his first jobs in New York Weimer worked as an assistant set designer for the original Broadway production of “The Phantom of the Opera.” He later worked on designing sets for two of its national tours and its Los Angeles production. Several plays and musi-
cals Weimer helped design won Tony Awards for set design. “The designer of ‘Matilda’ was nice enough to mention me in his Tony Award speech and I was able to attend that ceremony with him,” the assistant professor of theatre said. Weimer has met celebrities such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, Patti LuPone and Kristin Chenoweth. Yet he said
Oct. 11, 1989
The Shield is the first record of history at USI. As the university celebrates its 50th anniversary, The Shield looks back at events and issues we covered throughout the past five decades.
he doesn’t often get starstruck. “What the public knows about them is just their public persona and that most of them have gotten to where they are because they work hard and they have talent-–obviously natural talent, a lot of it,” Weimer said. Broadway isn’t much different from any other theatrical production, he said. “There’s maybe more
people involved, there’s more money involved I suppose, but no matter what happens, there’s never enough time and there’s never enough money,” Weimer said. Weimer said the feeling of being on Broadway only sank in a few times. While helping load the set for the original production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Weimer saw the orchestra’s soundcheck. “They came in early and they played the overture from the pit for the first time, and that was when I thought, ‘Oh, this is Broadway’,” Weimer said. He considers his work on “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime” to be one of his proudest moments. “To be a part of that and see the director at work and the choreographer at work and the actors at work, I found very exciting and it reaffirmed why I got into the theatre in the first place,” Weimer said. Weimer said he doesn’t have a particular style of design and instead allows the theater’s space, the budget of the show, the amount of time he’s given and most importantly the script to design the set. “I try to look for the most essential things needed for a show and to strip
away any excess or unneeded elements and so I guess I have a fairly clean style,” Weimer said. “But like I said, I don’t feel that I have a style that I impose on the work.” Weimer started at the university in August. Theatre arts major Arden Tiede contributed in Weimer’s student-centered interview. “Instead of my lighting design class, it was him (Weimer) giving a pseudoscenic design class,” the junior said. “He gave a pretty well-grounded lecture about a scenic design using a very short text that we were all able to read and understand within the time slot allotted.” Weimer will design all the upcoming shows performed in the Performance Center including “The Grapes of Wrath” and “Tartuffe.” Weimer built most of “The Grapes of Wrath” set using only wood to give the set a natural look and to show how little the characters would have had. “They’re building a truck that will stay onstage and it has to be moved around by some of the cast members,” Dulick said, “but it’s going to be a really nice focal point for the whole thing.”
TripAdvisor’s worst nightmare Available online “Oscar’s Hotel for Fantastical Creatures” is a bit of an enigma. If one were to take the cardboard miniatures and intentionally old-school charm of Wes Anderson and combine them with the rapid-fire jump cut pace of popular YouTube comedians, you’re approaching the aesthetic of “Oscar’s Hotel.” This six part web series, created by YouTube personality KickthePJ (PJ Liguori), documents several days in the life of Oliver (Chris Kendall), cousin to the titular Oscar (Andrew Ableson), who is put in charge of aforementioned hotel for a week with no formal training. As one would expect, wacky hijinks ensue. Take the newest episode “The Fountain of Forgiveness” for example: Oliver awakens with amnesia in a cave next to a scatterbrained hermit crab named Hermit (Grace Helbig). He has cryptic messages written on his arm and gradually decodes their meaning
while Hermit attempts to be a gracious host. Both “Fountain” and last week’s “Box Death” have far fewer guest stars and cut-away gags. These calmer character-driven episodes are easily the shining point of the series so far, both because of their star power (Helbig and Olan Rogers respectively) and they have a sense of closure with wellwritten endings. A lot of people worked on this series, and I feel there’s a bit of a downside to that. In one episode the viewer can only take so many YouTube and Hollywood celebrities using,wearing, or voicing beautiful creatures produced by the Jim Henson Workshop before they are
overloaded. I would not be surprised if each guest star was able to shoot their scenes in a single day. At a run-time averaging just over 11 minutes per episode and six episodes in this season (available only on Vimeo for $9.99), “Oscar’s Hotel” has an uphill battle to get in my good graces, especially when each episode dedicates a good 20 percent of its length to end credits. “Oscar’s Hotel for Fantastical Creatures” is a sign of the crowd-funded times. It’s beautiful, flawed and does not care if I watch it or not. The fans who prepurchased it are satisfied, that’s all that matters. There is much potential inside that hotel, it could easily carry a full 12 episode half-hour season if proper funding channels had been used. As it stands, I suggest buying the show if only for the gimmick of seeing your favorite YouTube stars in something with actual production value.
Rating 3.5/5 by gavin gaddis
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Opinion
The shield | october 15, 2015 | Usishield.com
Screagles Call
Why I lift, bro
Question: “What are your post midterm plans?”
by Osman Bien-Aime
orbienaime@eagles.usi.edu
There is a definite feeling of apprehension that sets in when you’re about to try something new, something unfamiliar. However, more often than not, there is also a great reward in challenging your misgivings and giving a new experience a chance. A particular hurdle I recently overcame was going to a gym. A summer spent eating pizza and watching cartoons left me looking a little fluffy, so a friend recommended going with him to lift weights at USI’s RFWC. Frankly, I dreaded it. As for a 5’8” socially awkward person whose idea of exercise involves tearing the shrink wrap off of video games, gyms are far outside of my comfort zone. I had a strong fear of being judged by others. All of the stereotypes I’d gathered throughout the years from children’s shows and the echo chamber that is the Internet made gyms seem like they were full of dudebros curling 70-pound dumbbells and grunting at each other about “gains” and “betas” between gulps of thick creatine shakes and impromptu flex-offs—a place where someone is wasting their time trying to get in shape if they aren’t already jacked. Thankfully, I was wrong. These last few months lifting weights on campus have been great for me. I’m improving myself while surrounded by people with the same goal in mind. The kind of environment that—big surprise— is naturally cultivated on college campuses. Between the exclamations of “nice job,” or “that’s a new personal best,” that intimidating, self-esteem-crushing experience I’d envisioned doesn’t seem to exist. It’s been enough to encourage me to do more on campus and meet new people. We all worry about the unknown and sometimes all we have to go on are the things we already know, or think we know. But an integral part of the college experience is doing new things and working toward achieving your potential best. One doesn’t progress as an individual by simply not moving, and sometimes—as has been my case—that first step forward can literally be the first in a series leading up to a better person.
Name: Mohammad Al Khalifa Major: English Grade: Sophomore Answer: “I will be traveling to New York.”
Unfair | morgan falconer | The Shield
The late debate by Morgan Falconer mefalconer@eagles.usi.edu
Every syllabus I have ever read has a section describing the consequences for students who are absent or tardy, but I have yet to hear a clear rule when it comes to the punctuality of university professors. Obviously they have a cleaner record than most of their students when it comes to showing up on time (or at all). Legend has it, if they’re a professor you wait 15 minutes and if they don’t show you can
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.
low three sick days before losing a letter grade. Even then students have to jump through hoops to get the absence excused. Students need a doctor’s note, they have to let the professor know beforehand and they have to get notes from a classmate. It’s a hassle. But because the professor has absolute power, they can blow us off without issue. I don’t want to camp outside of a classroom all day waiting for a teacher who isn’t coming. An email only takes a few seconds to send but goes a long way. It lets me
know that I can pack up my tent and head over to Starbucks for some coffee and mindless internet usage, or if it’s the last class of the day, head home for a well-deserved nap. Consider that professors are people too. They have things in their lives going on that students don’t know about. They are allowed to have problems. Sometimes they just need a little slack. If showing up late becomes a weekly occurrence then we have a problem.
Major: Biology Grade: Freshman Answer: “Now that midterms are finally over, I plan to go get my lotus tatoo.”
Name: Julie Reising Major: Art Grade: Sophomore Answer: “Turn up!”
THE
SHIELD Editorial Board
Help me to help you by sarah loesch sports@usishield.com @ShieldsterSarah
In a perfect world I would cover every sportrelated story on campus. I would have a bench of eager reporters ready for their chance to jump on a story and I would receive tips from all throughout campus. This is not a perfect world. In intramurals alone there are 3,000 students. I am incredibly lucky to have one reliable writer and to receive the occasional story tip. One way The Shield tries to cover athletics is through a sports guide. This year I undertook the responsibility of editor-in-
chief for The Talon and it has now been out for public consumption for two weeks. I hadn’t heard any feedback, but I decided to take that as a “no news is good news” kind of thing. Then I finally got some news. The goal of The Talon was to move past the Basketball Guide and become more inclusive, but I received some feedback that said otherwise. A representative for a team felt they were not portrayed as well, or as much, as they should have been. At the risk of sounding like a delicate flower, I have to admit, initially that feedback crushed me. I felt like I failed at what
Letter TO THE
Editor
Regarding Students for Life
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY
leave. If they’re a doctor, 20 minutes. It’s actually neither. Professors can show up with three minutes left in class and count one absent if they so choose. I’m not saying any professors would do that, but they have the power to. They’re the ones with the doctorate, they run the show. Teachers have bailed on me too many times in the past year. I’m not the only one this has happened to, and I know I’m not the only one who’s getting tired of it. Some classes only al-
Name: Sarah Patterson
Dear Ms. Schwindel and Students, While I can respect a student organization’s right to protest and their attempt to be a cause for their belief in social change, I can’t respect a student organization’s intent to disrupt the lives of their fellow students by pestering them with false information. I also cannot respect an organization or people who choose not to
acknowledge simple truth, common sense and facts. In regards to Ms. Schwindel’s attempt to combat Planned Parenthood’s work, I feel at least obliged to inform her of the truth. On October the 9th, Utah Reresentative Jason Chaffetz, who investigated Planned Parenthood on the accusation that they were selling baby fetuses, admitted that he uncovered no wrongdoing. Furthermore, the video in question was not only selectively
the publication staff set out to do. Then I started to honestly think about what the staff did accomplish. Three people planned and developed all of the content and ideas for a 44page publication, that was eventually narrowed to 24 pages because of advertising limitations and time constraints. Four people wrote stories, three of whom I grabbed from other sections of the newsroom because my staff of writers at the time was nonexistent. The fourth was me. Two people designed the entire publication and the sales staff made it possible by selling ad space. What we accomplished was a publication the staff
should be proud of with the capability to expand content for the spring edition. The point, as melodramatic as it may seem, is that I can’t cover everything on my own. I need help from athletes, coaches, athletics staff and anyone on campus who thinks they know a story worth telling. This is not a “don’t call us, we’ll call you situation.” Please, call me, email me, text me. Let me know when things are happening. I love sports and I love journalism. When I can connect the two successfully it is thrilling. All I am asking for is a little help matchmaking.
edited, but the person who filmed the video testified in Congress that it was not filmed at a Planned Parenthood location, nor were Planned Parenthood employees actually the people in the video and the video is fake. I would also like to inform Ms. Schwindel—as well as students—about the numerous and undeniably good things that Planned Parenthood does. Planned Parenthood provides top quality health screenings to women for free, proper and realistic sexual education and most notably provides no lie, shame, guilt, free of religious baggage and moralistic agenda about options concerning pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood has— and more than likely will continue—to offer top quality health, and family planning options for millions of women. It is my final opinion that Planned Parenthood empowers women to make their own choices regarding health and life. No one has any right to tell anybody what they can and cannot do with their bodies, we as a country should be making efforts to empower women, because let’s face it, there is a gender gap. wWhen we place rampant radicalism over intellectual thought, we as a people lose. Luke Williams, Involved Student
Bobby Shipman Editor-in-Chief Gabi Wy News Editor Megan Thorne Features Editor Gavin Gaddis Opinion Editor Sarah Loesch Sports Editor Ellen Cooper Chief Copy Editor Jessica Stallings Visual Editor
S ta f f Amanda Morrison Special Publications Manager Brian Tenbarge Page Designer Alyssa Smith Chief Photographer James Vaughn Community Engagement Manager Emily Hollingsworth Copy editor
Sales & Marketing S ta f f Jonathan Stilley Sales & Marketing Director Melia Rowland Business Manager John Lestingi Marketing Manager Ashleigh Carroll Layout & Design Manager Ugurkan (Oguz) Akkaya Circulation Manager Robert Buhmann Sales Consultant McKenzie McCormick Sales Consultant Opinions expressed in unsigned editorials represent a consensus opinion of the editorial board
Sports
The shield | October 15, 2015 | Usishield.com
SCHOLASTIC
Success
SOFTBALLERS
Athletes recieve honor for academic excellence by sarah loesch sports@usishield.com @ShieldsterSarah
Six USI softball players were recognized as NFCA All-America ScholarAthletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association for their academic success in 2014-15. To be recognized the players had to earn a 3.5 GPA or higher. Shelby Tate said in her experience academics are always stressed before athletics in college. “Our coaches say academics come first,” the junior pre-radiologic imaging sciences major said. “Softball is just a perk we get to have.” Each team member starts out the year by writing down all of the classes they have taken already. Then during the yearwhen they attend team study sessions they know who can help whom. “Our team is always willing to help each other out,” the outfielder said. Tate said sometimes it is tough to balance athletics, especially when she is currently taking 18 credit hours. “Once I’m in the program it will be tougher,” Tate said. “I know what it entails, but then again I don’t really.” She enters the radiological imaging sciences program in the spring when
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We’re given the tools, it just matters what you do with them. -Janna Green Senior health services major
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softball’s season begins. “I guess (the toughest part) is just remembering the fact that I have games,” Tate said. “I need to have all this done by game day.” Olivia Clark-Kittleson said she will begin some of her most strenuous courses in the spring. The physical education major also must focus on her position as an outfielder on the softball team. “Our number one thing is academics,” she said. “(Our coaches) want us to get a well rounded GPA.” The team is required to spend time studying each week based on their GPA and their course load. Clark-Kittleson said last year she completed six hours of required team -study time per week. “In high school it wasn’t so strenuous travel-wise,” she said. “I have to make sure to talk to my professors and plan to take tests. I had a lot of people help me prepare.” The sophomore said every college student is guilty of procrastination, but they must strive to stay on top of everything. The team has study hours during which they all meet, put their phones away, work on homework or study for tests. This helps because all of the girls on the team have the same practice schedules. They help remind each other they have work to do, she said. “We are here to get an education,” Clark-Kittleson said, “and to brighten our future.” Janna Green said graduating with honors is a big deal. “I’ve always taken school really serious,” said the senior health services major. “Academic success was instilled in me by my parents.” To maintain academic success in college she said students have to stay focused and communicate. “My worst GPA came from my freshman year,” she said. “You have to start early.” The softball players try not to schedule classes on Friday afternoons to
Shelby Tate GPA 3.8
Olivia Clark-Kittleson GPA 3.66
Lexi Reese GPA 3.8
Haley Hodges GPA 3.52
Janna Green GPA 3.8
MacKenzi Dorsam GPA 3.66 Photos courtesy of Photo services
avoid conflict between classes and travel games. At the beginning of each semester they are given slips for their professors explaining when games are so they have plenty of notice, Green said. “It’s a basic communication thing,” the centerfielder said. “The teachers understand.” The team has mandated study hours, but if a player’s GPA falls below a 3.0 they have to complete an extra six hours of study time. “We’re given the tools,” Green said. “It just matters what you do with them.” Lexi Reese said time management is an important part succeeding academically. The public relations major is entering into classes for her major and said some are a lot to take on. “I’m just really lucky I’m not having to do it in softball season,” she said. Reese said the university provides a lot of resources, like academic skills, and it is important for students to use them. Reese said she found earning her degree in pub-
lic relations would provide her more opportunities for the future. “I wanted to broaden what I am able to do in life,” the junior infielder said. “This is the rest of your life and you are paying for it. You might as well do well.” Haley Hodges said building a relationship with her professors is important to success as a student-athlete. “I like to introduce myself on the first day of class,” the computer science major said. “(The professors) appreciate that.” During this time she lets professors know of any conflicts that will come up during the year because of softball. The catcher said it can be hard to balance athletics and academics because softball takes up a lot of time, but studying as a team helps her find that balance. “The difficult thing about my major is no one else on the team is a computer science major,” she said. Hodges said despite this the whole team is great at motivating each other to
be better academically. “Sports are something good in college,” she said, “but academics are what is going to take you farther.” Mackenzi Dorsam is now able to see the importance of academics from the other side after becoming a graduate assistant for the softball team. She understands that study hours help the team keep a balance. “You have to study two, four or six hours depending on your GPA,” she said. “It’s one way the team keeps each other accountable.” Dorsam said she would always utilize a calendar to keep her assignments and classes straight. “Actually playing a sport kept me more balanced,” she said. “I wrote it all out.” Dorsam said she knew the importance of using academics to appeal to college coaches. “(Academics) have always been important,” Dorsam said. “As a coach you don’t want to recruit someone who will hurt you academically.”
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The shield | October 15, 2015 | Usishield.com
Fulton takes on new role
scoreboard Men’s soccer Oct. 9 0-1 Oct. 11 1-1
woMen’s soccer Oct. 9 1-0 Oct. 11 4-1
volleyball Oct. 6 3-1 Oct. 9 3-1 Oct. 10 3-2
women’s golf Photo by amber pretsch | The Shield
Mandi Fulton reads the criteria for an upcoming assignment to students in her CMST 101 class Oct. 6. Fulton was a student at USI before becoming a professor. She graduated with her master’s degree in 2010.
by Mackenzie Drew mldrew@eagles.usi.edu
USI named Mandi Fulton the new assistant director of athletics. Fulton serves as the administrator for baseball, volleyball, cross-country, track & field, tennis and golf. “I didn’t follow a normal path,” Fulton said. Unlike many people in her field of work, Fulton did not go to school for anything sports related.
She graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2006 and returned to finish her master’s degree in public administration in 2010. Fulton did not enter into college until she was 26, but she never let that stop her from achieving her goals. Before Fulton started college she worked at the Campus Bookstore in 1998. This gave her the opportunity to attend col-
lege for free while working on campus. Despite her non-traditional path, her love of sports led to her choice in a career today. Fulton said one of her favorite parts of working in her new role is watching the games. “(It’s a) great day at work when I’m getting to watch teams win,” Fulton said. Fulton said Jon Mark Hall, the athletic director for the university, is amaz-
ing. She said you have to put in the effort to show that a female is just as capable of doing the job as well as a man. Fulton said she looks up to Hall’s work ethic and hopes to model her own after him for the future. Hall has never had the attitude that men are better, but Fulton said as a female in a male-dominated field of work “you have to suck it up and prove your worth.”
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Oct. 10-11 Oak Terrace Invitational 2nd of 10 teams
Upcoming Games Men’s & women’s soccer
volleyball
7:30 p.m. / 5:00 p.m. Oct. 16 Strassweg Field Truman State University
2:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Aurora, IL Northwood University
2:30 p.m. / Noon Oct. 18 Strassweg Field Quincy University
10:00 a.m. Oct. 17 Aurora, IL Wayne State University
woMen’s golf All Day Oct. 17-18 Waterloo, IL Maryville Fall Invitational
men’s Cross Country 11:00 a.m. Oct. 17 Angel Mounds UE Invitational
4:00 p.m. Oct. 17 Aurora, IL Lake Superior State University
women’s Cross Country 11:00 a.m. Oct. 17 Angel Mounds UE Invitational
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