In this Issue Vol. 45 Issue 3
THE
Thursday, September 4, 2014
SHIELD www.usishield.com
Lifelong friends remember active, ‘outgoing’ student
By RACHEL CHRISTIAN News editor
On a rainy afternoon, Megan Lengacher sat on the floor of her house with friends and family, looking at photos of Emily Lengacher, her second cousin and close friend. “There's some kind of comfort in it,” Megan said. “In seeing her smile and talking about her laugh. She had one of the most infectious giggles I've ever heard.” Emily, a senior exercise science major, died Friday when the right rear tire of her vehicle blew out, causing her to lose control of the wheel on I-69, the Washington Times-Herald reported. Emily was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected from the car, the Times-Herald also reported. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pike County Coroner. She was 21. Megan, a junior graphic design major, said the small, tightknit community of Davies County was shocked by the news of Emily's death. The entire area pulled together to offer support to the Lengacher family. “No matter where we were, when we heard what happened, we all came home again,” Megan said. “This community just pulled together to remember her.” Megan and Emily had been friends since the second grade
Labor day at the lake Photo courtesy of Megan Lengacher
Megan and Emily Lengacher are second cousins. and shared an apartment together their freshman year of college at USI. Emily's outgoing personality and upbeat outlook on life inspired Megan and others. “She got me out of my shell, and got me to try things I never would have done otherwise,” Megan said. “We had the same last name, so we were always associated with each other. It's like we were linked somehow.” As Megan and other friends of Emily's sat around and looked at old photos of her, the girls felt like someone was missing. “The hardest part is knowing the person you miss is the one you want here the most,” Megan said. “It just feels like she should be here, too.” Many who were close to Emily said she made friends easily and loved to be around people.
Photos by ARMON SIADAT/The Shield
Jeannie Kuebler, senior administrative assistant of Intramural Operations, passes out popsicles Monday during the university’s annual Labor Day at the Lake event. Students dove in for a swim, relaxed with friends on the shore and participated in various activities, including frisbee.
LENGACHER on Pg. 3
Enrollment drops, again Fewer students apply, more transfers enroll 9,364
9,908 7,506
1.2% 7,544
10,467
2.5% 7,942
10,820
By RACHEL CHRISTIAN News editor Enrollment dropped again at USI, falling 5.4 percent for the second year in a row. According to the university, 9,364 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in classes this fall. In the fall of 2001, 9,362 students enrolled, according to the Evansville Courier, making this year's enrollment the lowest in 13 years. For the first time, no conditionally-admitted students, "who may not be as prepared for a four-year college career," were admitted. The university continues to credit its higher standards to the dip in enrollment. Kindra Strupp, assistant vice president for marketing and communications, said there are many factors that go into the overall enrollment number. "USI saw an 18 percent in-
crease in its graduation rate," Strupp said. "More students leaving can have an impact on the overall enrollment figure." Strupp said the university will continue to strive to remain accessible to students, but will also continue to raise its academic standards. President Linda Bennett stressed the importance of strengthening recruitment in Saturday's news release. "We have to continue to look at ways to attract new students," Bennett said. "The reality is that the demand and competition for these students is higher than ever." The amount of freshman and transfer student applications has also fallen over the past three years, as well as the number of students who actually enrolled after being accepted. Strupp said the number of high school graduates in southwestern Indiana has declined since 2009, and the
rate of those who are college bound in the region has also declined. After a 12 percent increase in the number of graduate students last year, the university also saw a slight decline from 989 to 950 this year. On the other hand, the amount of transfer students rose by 10 percent this year, according to the university. For Taylor Dossey, a sophomore occupational therapy major, USI wasn't even on the list of schools she was considering when she graduated high school in 2013, and she enrolled at Manchester University. For her, learning about USI's occupational therapy program prompted her to transfer. Logan Long is a freshman English and history major from New Palestine, Indiana. When he graduated high school in 2012, USI was a possibility, but he chose to attend
ENROLLMENT on Pg. 3
2011
2012
40%
42%
44%
The Shield is a designated public forum.
2013
Total Enrollment
2014
Conditional Admits
Total Applications
Admitted and enrolled
No Conditional Admits
Data unavailable
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Page 2
The Shield - September 4, 2014
PUZZLES
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THIS WEEK’S TOP 10 MOVIES 1. Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel 2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG-13) Megan Fox, Will Arnett 3. If I Stay (PG-13) Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos 4. Let’s Be Cops (R) Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr. 5. When the Game Stands Tall (PG) Jim Caviezel, Alexander Ludwig 6. The Giver (PG-13) Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges 7. The Expendables 3 (PG-13) Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham 8. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (R) Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba 9. The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG) Helen Mirren, Om Puri 10. Into the Storm (PG-13) Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies (c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
Page 3 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
News Briefs New noncredit courses unveiled USI’s Continuing and Professional Education released a new series of noncredit courses. There are more than 100 offerings in the categories of arts and leisure, college readiness, computers, fitness and recreation, languages, professional development and youth programs. Noncredit courses are open to anyone regardless of educational background. All courses are presented in a noncompetitive and informal atmosphere. No grades are assigned and formal admission to USI is not required for course registration.
Panhellenic to host sorority meeting Panhellenic will host a meet and greet for sorority recruitment from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11, in the Student Life Lounge. The event is open to potential new members who are interested in going through sorority recruitment. It is an info session about all of the chapters at USI. Free food will be available. The Panhellenic Council is a resource for all of the sororities on campus. For more information, call 317412-4009.
USI Security Incident Log
LENGACHER continued from Pg. 1 She was an active participant in different clubs and organizations on campus, including Chi Alpha. Bridgette Graber was also a close friend of Emily's. They went to the same schools together, attended the same church and were raised in the same community. “She's been a part of my life since we were babies,” Graber said. “It's hard to accept the fact she's gone.” Both Graber and Megan said their faith -- something they both shared with Emily -- has played a big part in help-
ing them grieve. "It'll never be the same without her, but she'll never be forgotten," Megan said. Rebekah Pierce wait-
News
even when the two went to college – Emily to USI and Pierce to Vincennes University – they made an effort to stay in contact and meet up as often as
“
No matter where we were, when we heard what happened, we all came home again. This community just pulled together to remember her. - Megan Lengacher
ressed with Emily for five years at Met's Restaurant. The two met in high school, and Pierce said
possible. “She was literally the happiest person I know,” Pierce said. “It's hard to
describe her if you didn't know her.” Pierce said it's still difficult to accept that Emily is gone. “I guess I never realized how much I drew from her,” Pierce said. “It still seems so surreal. Like I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.” Chi Alpha has organized a memorial service for Emily today at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium. It is open to all members of the USI campus and the surrounding community.
ENROLLMENT continued from Pg. 1 ana. When he graduated high school in 2012, USI was a possibility, but he chose to attend Central Christian College of the Bible in Missouri, where
he studied for two years. When Long decided to change his major and attend school closer to home, USI was his first choice.
“I picked USI for a number of reasons,” Long said. “It was affordable and it was closer to home. I’ve always loved the Evansville area, and
I thought this would be a good fit.” Long began his first semester at USI last week.
Illegal downloads could cost students
8/24/14-9/1/14 Drugs - Possession
Theft
08/24/14 9:05 p.m.
08/28/14 11:00 p.m.
OʼDaniel North
On Campus
Drugs - Manufacturing and
Lost Property Report
Possession
08/28/14 11:00 a.m.
08/24/14 9:05 p.m.
Private Property
OʼDaniel North Fire Alarm - Cooking Illness Report
08/28/14 6:58 p.m.
08/24/14 6:54 a.m.
McDonald West
Resident Hall Injury Report Fire - Faulty Alarm
08/28/14 8:40 a.m.
08/24/14 1:37 p.m.
Residence Hall
OʼDaniel South Fire - Faulty Illness Report
08/29/14 12:51 p.m.
08/24/14 5:45 p.m.
Residence Hall
McDonald West Lost Property Report Suspicious Circumstances
08/29/14 9:10 a.m.
08/25/14 2:30 a.m.
Private Property
McDonald West Suspicious Circumstance Alcohol - Underage Posses-
08/29/14 9:46 p.m.
sion
Broadway Sports Complex
By RACHEL CHRISTIAN News editor Students who illegally download and pirate online content on campus may face more severe consequences, according to a new policy introduced by the Dean of Students Office at the Student Government Association’s (SGA) first meeting. The new policy, known as the Student Copyright Infringement Policy, will hold students financially responsible for any fines or fees USI has to pay in copyright disputes. USI purchased software last year that tracks which students on campus are downloading illegal content through the school’s WiFi, said Angela Batista, Dean of Students. If a student is flagged
through this software, their WiFi access will be terminated immediately and the student will receive a message from Information Technology instructing them report to the Dean of Students Office. According to the policy, the Dean of Students Office will discuss the copyright infringement with the student. The student must attend the initial meeting to have their internet access restored. At the meeting, the student can choose to sign a form accepting all responsibility for downloading, or they can set up a formal hearing. If the student signs the form or is found guilty of illegally downloading, “the student will be responsible for restitution of any fines or USI legal fees
associated with the violation.” The student may also be charged a $100 fee from USI if the university is contacted by the person who holds the copyright. “This kind of software and procedure is pretty typical at other schools,” said Tara Frank, assistant dean of students. “USI is just now getting around to it.” Mary Drury, a computer network administrator, said USI has been tracking piracy for “quite a while,” but didn’t start enforcing it until last year. Drury said the university had received take-down notices in the past, which are letters or emails from a company who has traced the IP address of a downloader and asks them to stop downloading.
But some companies want to take legal action and fine the university, and these notices are taken more seriously. “The university deemed it to be a smart move to make this policy to protect students and itself,” Drury said. Frank Wilson, a freshman computer science major, said he thinks the policy is a little extreme, but understands why USI implemented it. “After all, it isn’t their fault if a student torrents, so they shouldn’t have to pay the fines,” Wilson said. He said he thinks the university should make more of an effort to let students know the policy is in place.
08/25/14 5:00 p.m. Fire Alarm - Cooking
McDonald East
08/31/14 10:18 p.m. Residence Hall
Drug Possession 08/25/14 5:09 p.m.
Illness Report
McDonald East
New project puts LGBT community on map
08/31/14 10:16 p.m. Residence Hall
08/25/14 6:48 p.m. Injury Report
On Campus
By DAMIEN BURGE Staff writer
08/31/14 5:07 p.m. On Campus
Traffic Accident 08/25/14 9:51 a.m.
Code of Conduct - Co-Hab-
On Campus
itation Suspicious Person
08/31/14 5:30 p.m.
08/26/14 2:25 p.m.
OʼDaniel North
On Campus Fire Alarm - Cooking Theft
09/01/14 11:11 a.m.
08/27/14 11:00 a.m.
Residence Hall
On Campus Theft Suspicious Person
09/01/14 5:13 p.m.
08/27/14 1:09 p.m.
Off Campus
On Campus Alcohol - Incident Disorderly Conduct
09/01/14 5:45 p.m.
08/27/14 1:08 p.m.
OʼDaniel South
On Campus Illness Report Illness Report
09/01/14 6:37 p.m.
08/27/14 9:22 p.m.
McDonald East
Residence Hall
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.
A new initiative has been created to help members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community find businesses and resources in the Evansville area that provide equal opportunities. The community asset map seeks to provide existing resources, areas of inclusivity and possible opportunities for social development. “I joined the project because I want the people that are important to me to have the same resources and opportunities that I do,” said Crystal Steltenpohl, a USI alumni. Steltenpohl has returned to the area to help develop the map. The map will help people find health care providers and businesses that have been allies of the LGBT community. It will also provide information on equal opportunity employers for job placement. The map isn’t for businesses that offer exclusive service to the LGBT community, but for all
businesses that show fairness and equal treatment. The goal is to increase the overall health, well-being and quality of life for the LGBT community. Assistant Professor of Psychology Amie McKibban has been doing LGBT outreach projects for the past five years. McKibban said she’s wanted to create the map for a few years, but wasn’t sure if Evansville was ready. Over the years she found groups that supported the idea, and now she believes it’s the right time. “The LGBT community is absolutely growing. It’s surprising to see how invisible it still is, but it’s a large community,” McKibban said. “There is currently no good avenue for people to reach out to in the LGBT community as a whole until this map gets launched.” The project has gained a number of supporters, including Youth Resources of Evansville, Lampion Center, the USI Center for Social Justice Education, the Vanderburgh Community Foundation, the TriState Safe Zone Initiative, Echo Community Health
Care, Gender Warriors and the TRI-State Alliance, among others. “We wanted to find good organizations that would stand behind the project,” McKibban said. One of the biggest problems was making the LGBT community aware of these resources, she said. Businesses and locations that want to be added to the list must first take an assessment to see how they are helping or provide service to the LGBT community. During the project, about 500 businesses were contacted. Currently, 20 businesses have completed the assessment and are awaiting approval. Anyone can take the assessment and shouldn’t be discouraged if some of the questions don’t apply to their business, McKibban said. The assessment can be taken online at mapofevansville.com and information about the partners and the project can also be found there. The project receives grant support from the College of Liberal Arts
OUT OF
Traffic Accident - Hit and Run
through the Liberal Arts Faculty Development Awards, and from the Office of Outreach and Engagement through their Applied Research Summer Fellowship. The grant the group received was non-renewable. The group hopes that they can find other grants outside the university to help fund the project and keep it going. The map is set to launch online at the beginning of next month. There will be a PDF version available as well. USI students who want to connect with the LGBT community can reach out to the Students Advocating for Equality group on campus. The Counseling Center also provides assistance for USI students who are part of the LGBT community.
Features
Page 4 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
Award-winning filmmaker returns to USI Documentary to be shown at Kleymeyer Hall depicts artist with ALS By BRENNA CAMERON Staff writer
John Imber's life as an artist took a sharp turn after his right hand began to deteriorate. In the fall of 2012, Imber was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a fatal degenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. "John Imber's Left Hand," documents Imber's journey as he struggles to adapt his skills in order to continue doing what he truly loves. Producer Richard Kane said the title is as much a metaphor for how one creates life out of a very difficult circumstance as it is literal. "Jon Imber chose to continue painting in a very unorthodox way because, to him," Kane said. "Painting was his life, and if he couldn’t paint, he couldn’t live.” Kane will host a screening of the film at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Kleymeyer Hall in the Liberal Arts Center. While the film does focus on Imber's life with ALS, it also shows how Imber’s wife began to assist his painting as the disease progresses, Kane
and important for the film’s dramatic arc to see the contrast between his healthy state and his deteriorated state.” Kane got his start in film at Temple University in Philadelphia. After grad school, he worked at WNIN in Evansville. In addition, Kane produced, directed and wrote a short narrated by President Bill Clinton, acted as Chairman of the Board of the Maine Film & Video Association and much more. The inspiration for Kane's projects comes from his wife, Melody Lewis-Kane, who works alongside him at their production company KaneLewis Productions, he Photo courtesy of Richard Kane said. Visit www.kanelewis.com for more info. Kane will host a screening of his documentary at 3:30 p.m. Friday in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the Liberal Arts Center. Although he and his said. ers. ings and I said, at that More about the Main Mas- wife now live in Maine, “It becomes clear that The film uses dark hu- time, ‘Someday I have ters series can be found at Kane said Evansville still affects his art. the film is really a love sto- mor and insight into the to make a film about this www.mainemasters.com. “Melody was the one ry between Imber and his artist’s life to show view- man,'" Kane said. "Thirty "Jon Imber’s Left wife, Jill Hoy," Kane said. ers how to live while on years later, I found out he Hand" is the 15th film in who inspired me to be more interested in art and Kane said that Imber death's path. was living just 30 minutes the Maine Masters series. underwent a transformaIn previous USI visits, from my home in Stoning“Jon was one of the artists and to make films tion internally throughout Kane presented his Emmy ton, Maine, and the timing great painters who lived about them,” Kane said. production. Before the di- nominated film, "Stephen was perfect." in Maine," Kane said. “We “All throughout my career, agnosis, Imber was a more Pace: Maine Master.” The film features Pace just decided it was impor- I was influenced by artists reserved individual unac“When I met Stephen and his art, and was an tant to document his life from the Evansville area, customed to letting people Pace in 1977 at the New installment in his award and art while he was still and that continues." in, but after, he develops a Harmony Gallery of Con- winning series, Maine well and painting -- imsense of community and temporary Art, I was Masters, which highlights portant for his legacy to begins to open up to oth- bowled over by his paint- artists found in Maine. see him apparently healthy
President puts teaching shoes back on By BRADIE GRAY Staff writer
Photo by BRADIE GRAY/The Shield
President Linda Bennett is teaching a First Year Experience course this semester. The class met for the first time Friday morning.
President Linda Bennett stepped into the classroom for the first time since the fall of 2007 Friday morning. She entered the First Year Experience class, located in the Health Professions Center, at 9 a.m. toting a fishbowl full of questions. First Year Experience 101, which is a new required course for all USI freshmen, is an introduction to the university with a special focus on academic success, campus involvement and community engagement. After introducing herself and the students' advisor, Liz Webster, she had each student introduce themselves and answer the question they drew out of the fish bowl. Only one student knew Bennett was the president of the university before introductions began and only a few had an idea of what to expect from the class. "I think it may be for getting to know the university and getting to know other people that are going into health professions," said Rachel Goldstein, a freshman nursing major. With each question the students answered, Bennett had a funny story or piece of advice to give the class. "In many ways, these classes are about me learning as much as the students are learning," Bennett said. Bennett's teaching background became apparent as
she encouraged the class to become more aware of what is happening in the world around them. "I have a political science background and you'll see me kind of nudging it," Bennett said. "They've got to pay attention to these other fields because it's not just about the career they're going into, it's about all the things happening in our society and political world that are affecting how they can practice their profession." The class meets once a week for 50 minutes. Students are placed into classes with those who have similar majors. "Even though it's not exactly a class going toward my major, I think it's nice to meet other people who are doing similar things as me," Goldstein said. Bennett ended the class by going over the syllabus and explaining the requirements, which include campus involvement, creating a four-year plan and setting longterm goals. "It felt good to be back in the classroom," Bennett said. "There's something energizing about getting to know the students." Bennett's class, made up of all female health professions students, took kindly to their new professor. "I think it went really well," Pre-Dental Hygiene Major Katlyn Moody said. "She is really nice, and I like how she uses her humor to teach."
LABOR DAY continued from Pg. 1
Photos by ARMON SIADAT/The Shield
Page 5 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
Entertainment “A to Z” In theatres now
KEEPING YOU IN TUNE WITH EVANSVILLE
NEXT SHOW: 9/5 - 9/6 AT MUSIC ON THE HILL Located at Wesselman Woods
Photo courtesy of Vieux Farka Touré
Malian musician comes to Wesselman Woods
Concert features international, local artists By BOBBY SHIPMAN Features editor Vieux Farka Touré, who performed at the opening concert for the FIFA World Cup in Africa in 2010 will bust out his guitar at the 2014 Music on the Hill concert Saturday at Wesselman Woods Nature Center in Evansville. The critically acclaimed, Malian musician grew up with music all around him. “Just walking around Niafunke, there are always people hanging out playing music,” Touré said. “In Mali, it is a very central part of life. I’ve always loved music since I was a very small child.” Born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981, Touré is the son of Grammy-winning Malian musician Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. “Of course, my father, Ali Farka Touré, is my biggest influence,” he said. My second father, Toumani Diabate, the great kora player, is also a very big influence on me.” Touré released his album, Mon Pays, which lends homage to his Malian homeland, in 2013 to rave reviews from critics. In Niafunke, inspirational sounds seemed to surround Touré. “You hear all the time the Islamic prayers. You hear guitar and calabash and the traditional violin,” he said. “You hear people working on the river. You hear donkeys and chickens moving around. It is that kind of place; very peaceful.” Touré’s “cousin” Afel Bocoum and “aunt” Khaira Arby are other inspirations to his music, he said, as well as many other great musicians from Mali and West Africa. Toure also found inspiration in Western pop-culture. “I love Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, even Phil Collins,” he said. “I love reggae and hip-hop and funk and jazz.” Beside his father, Touré is the only musician in his family. “I think it's just in my blood,” he said. Touré’s career has taken him all over the world to countries like Australia, Canada, India and South Africa. Music on the Hill will also feature local artists and Christylez Bacon, a Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist and multiinstrumentalist from Washington, DC. Bacon plays the West African djembe
drum, acoustic guitar and the human beatbox--oral percussion. His music focuses on cultural acceptance and unification through music and has collaborated with artists from various cultural backgrounds, such as the Hindustani & Carnatic music of India, the contemporary Arabic music of Egypt and the music of Brazil. “It is our goal, in bringing both of these amazing performers to Evansville, that we will help grow MOTH as one of the premier music festivals in the region,” said John Foster, executive director of Wesselman Nature Society, “but also enrich the lives of school children in Evansville.” Touré and Bacon will perform at local schools Friday. “I have heard that this show will be unique for me, a new experience,” Touré said. “For me, that is the best, to do different kinds of shows for different kinds of audiences all the time. It keeps me inspired in my music.” The musicians will play from noon to 9 p.m. by the pond at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. “The hill next to the pond creates a natural amphitheater-like atmosphere,” Foster said. Wristbands, which cost $7.50 per person, children under 12 can enter free, allow guests to come and go as they please throughout the day. “If there is a band playing that (attendees) don’t like, they can walk some of the trails that surround the pond,” Foster said. Vendors such as Pizza Revolution and Granola Jar and will provide food, but guests are free to bring their own picnic. Turonis will host a beer garden. There will also be crafters and children’s activities. Last year, the event attracted 900 and Foster anticipates more than 1,500 guests in 2014. Local performers include Humming House, the Honeyvines, Traveling Broke and Out of Gas, Calabash and Logan Dryer Touré said he hopes people can dance and have a great time together. “I want people to feel happy and also to see that African music and American music are the same,” he said. “We are brothers from the same family.”
The new NBC comedy “A to Z” has an un-aired TV pilot available online. The show depicts the lives of Andrew (Ben Feldman) and Zelda (Cristin Milioti). NBC described it as a “comprehensive account of their relationship from A to Z,” which might make a good plot for a show, but seems quite similar to “How I Met Your Mother” - the show Milioti made her TV debut on. The pilot episode starts with “A” for acquaintance, which illustrates how Andrew and Zelda met for the first time with nearencounter flashbacks and great narration from Katey Sagal (the mother in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Smart House”). Rating 4/5
Feldman and Milioti have an awkward chemistry - in a good way - which gets better throughout the episode; something viewers of “How I Met Your Mother” didn’t get. I thought the name Zelda was a dumb character name until I realized “A” stands for Andrew and “Z” stands for Zelda - a nice touch. It starts great and has potential to be a fairly long-running show, as long as they don’t pigeon hole themselves by mak-
ing only 26 episodes for each letter of the alphabet. It will be hard for me to detach myself from Milioti in a mothering role since I kept associating the flashbacks with her role on “How I Met Your Mother.” I’ll admit that I only started watching for Milioti because I think she’s adorable. However, aside from some of the Andrew’s best friend/co-worker useless dialog, the pilot is actually pretty great. NBC must have felt the same about Milioti as I did, because now she is starring in a show of her own. So, if you’re a fan of “How I Met Your Mother,” then you’ll most likely enjoy “A to Z.” To watch the pilot, visit www.nbc.com
By JIMMY PYLES, Staff writer
“Listen” Available on iTunes In the world of British indie rock, The Kooks are one of the biggest names out there. Along with bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs, they have continued to push their sound while holding their own in their respective music scene. With the release of "Listen," The Kooks's fourth studio album, we hear the band moving away from their original style, in a lot of ways, and discovering it in others. Much like the Arctic Monkeys's "AM" or Kaiser Chiefs's "Education, Education, Education & War," "Listen" sees the band trading a raw, edgy sound for a poppy, produced one. I think this certainly does The Kooks some favors, particularly on songs like the atmospheric and endlessly catchy, "Forgive & Forget" - easily my favorite track sonically - and hook-heavy single "Bad
Rating 3.5/5
Habit." The song "Around Town," which comes off sounding like Franz Ferdinand over a near hip-hop beat, even benefits from it. However, due to this same type of stylized production, lead single "Down" suffers from being unmemorable, not particularly catchy and even a little bit annoying. After listening to these songs, I began to wonder if there was going to be a return to the band that did the songs "Ooh La" or "Naive" - a band whose stripped-down Brit-pop made me think of a contemporary Beatles - or if we were going to be stuck with this new, and not en-
tirely good or bad, version of The Kooks. Then I listened further. Songs like Phoenixesque "Westside" and Radiohead-esque "Dreams" are certainly reminiscent of their older sound, though skewed in some distinct way. End track "Sweet Emotion" also feels like it could belong on a former record, though it suffers structurally and lyrically. This is ultimately where I feel the biggest disappointment comes on "Listen." Many of the songs lack the substance and authenticity that initially blasted them onto the music scene. The amount of vague repetition in the last two tracks is enough to make fans, and probably even some casual listeners, roll their eyes. It's nice that The Kooks have chosen to expand their sound. Unfortunately, I feel they have made a bit of a trade-off.
By JAKE TAPLEY, Staff writer
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Guest Commentaries Signed opinions represent the views of the author and not the views of this newspaper. Opinions expressed in unsigned editorials represent a consensus opinion of the editorial board
Page 6 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
Don't give up on underperforming students By JAMES VAUGHN Editor-in-chief The university released enrollment numbers Saturday and prided itself on only accepting those “most likely to succeed at a four-year university.” “The university intentionally continues to raise its academic standards,” the news release states. “For the first time, no conditionally admitted students, who may not be as prepared for a four-year college career, were admitted.” Whoa. Until recently, USI prided itself on being accessible to the average Indiana family and the average student. Now, the university prides itself on high GPAs and smart, “well-prepared” students, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But what about the students who may not be as “well-prepared?” In 2007, 8.8 percent of students were conditional admits. When I entered the university in the fall
of 2011, the same year the university’s enrollment peaked, 2.5 percent of students were conditional admits. This year, the average high school GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.27. I didn’t do so hot in high school. In fact, I failed math so many times I had to complete three different math courses my senior year in order to graduate. D’s and F’s didn’t scare me. And I was more concerned about getting my license, having fun and spending time with my girlfriend than getting good grades. I turned things around toward the end and I moved the tassel from one side of my cap to the other, becoming the second person in my family to graduate high school. I had my diploma in hand. Next up: a degree. I remember opening my acceptance letter to USI and reading, “Congratulations, James!” I was ecstatic. Mostly because my dream schools – IU and
Campus Store textbooks cost arm and leg
Ball State – rejected me, my hometown schools – IUPUI and the University of Indianapolis – expected me to enter college on “probation”, and Indiana State was a joke. I didn’t want to live at home, so I wouldn’t have gone to Ivy Tech. USI boasted a beautiful campus, affordable housing and a three-hour drive from home, which was the furthest I could get instate. But it didn’t take me long to realize that the university also offered me something more – a chance to start over. So while the rest of my class headed off to places like Purdue and Butler, I headed south in search of acceptance, which is exactly what I got. My former negligence toward education no longer tied me down. My high school performance seemed irrelevant. But when I settled into O’Bannon Hall my freshman year, I was a different person. I was young,
immature and the idea of attending college seemed more fun than it did important. After a rough first year, I did start over. I declared journalism my major and stepped into a demanding role as news reporter at The Shield. Fast-forward two years. I am writing this from my own office at The Shield, where I am editorin-chief, I have a 4.0 GPA in my major, I’ve held two internships, including one only 10 students in the state received, I am president of the Indiana Collegiate Press Association and served as president of USI’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists last year. I plan to walk across the stage next December and attend graduate school. That’s not to say my college career has been flawless, because it certainly hasn’t been. There’s a reason I only mentioned my major GPA. But I have accomplished some amazing
All races should care about Ferguson case By JAKE TAPLEY Staff writer
By BRENNA WU Staff writer Last Monday and Tuesday, the Campus Store was packed from front to back with eager students waiting to get their textbooks and the last minute school supplies they needed. While waiting in line, most students realized just how much of their money was being spent on their textbooks. One of the girls on the tennis team told me that she spent over $200 on just one textbook. She told me the textbook, for a sports management class, was brand new, and her professor had not sent out an email or anything to inform the students. Anatomy 121 students are going through something of a similar nature as well. The course requires a brand new textbook with a new lab guide and a new connection code for online homework. Several students were extremely frustrated about the money being spent on these new textbooks because they weren’t available in other stores or on other websites. So why are students spending so much money at the campus store? Each student has a $1,000 to place purchases on, but this account is only if students have no school bill and financial aid is in order. It allows students to buy things at the Campus Store and put the receipt on the account. The Campus Store would like the majority to be spent on textbooks, but other items like clothing and school supplies can be put onto the account as well. Unfortunately, though, this money is not just free money. Eventually, the money will need to be paid off either through financial aid or through personal money. For the past week and a half, I have heard nothing but students constantly complaining about the ridiculous prices at the Campus Store. I hate that I feel as if I am “spending an arm and a leg” on these textbooks. Plus, when looking at textbooks on the Campus Store’s website, there is a small note for the used book prices which states that there are only so many in the campus store - so “first come, first serve.” There are only so many used textbooks whereas there is an overflow of new textbooks, when it should be vice versa. Students should be warned in advance about the Campus Store. The Campus Store takes money away from these students, especially the new freshmen and transfer students. I learned from my mistakes my freshmen year. I hope other individuals see the extremity of the Campus Store and find cheaper books in the near future. But, if you want to get the best new, shiny books with no tears, rips, or small notes written in the pages, then the Campus Store is the right place for you.
things – things I had no idea I was capable of – because this university gave me a chance. I can’t help but think that given the university’s new standards, my 2.5 GPA in high school wouldn’t have gotten me acceptance today. What happens to the James’s out there who now face rejection from not only most other schools in the state, but this one, too? What happens to opportunity? When people ask me why I chose USI, I say, “Because they believed in me.” I pride myself on attending a school that didn’t shun a naïve 18-year-old. I urge the university to not lose faith in the students who may not be as “well prepared.” Don’t lose faith in the faculty’s ability to change lives or the students’ ability to change their own. Because without opportunity – without that “Congratulations, James!” – I wouldn’t be the 22-year-old I am today.
The events in Ferguson, Missouri, may be old news now, but their repercussions are still in full swing. Just the other day, a Facebook friend of mine – as in, I don’t really know this person at all – shared a status that someone else had posted to their page. I found it to be ignorant and a little offensive. This person’s status was comparing the Ferguson situation to an instance that happened in a town closer to them where two young black males killed a young white girl and stole her bike. The status went on about how these young men were horrible people and how this act was not getting the same amount of attention as the Michael Brown case, though certainly still a racial hate crime. I agree with the first part, but here’s the thing: there is no way to tell that this was a racial hate crime. The only motive we can make out of the situation, if any, is that they were being young, reckless and possibly wanting her bike. It seems too commonplace in our society for white people to get offended when black people are seen in the media talking
about acts of racism or hate crimes against them and then to try to flip the situation around. But I don’t think it really works the other way. White privilege is still a real thing, and the sooner you can acknowledge that, the better. Now, this obviously doesn’t mean that black people don’t stand a chance or that white people don’t have to try. Human equality (or as near as we can get) is finally starting to become a practice gradually. It simply means that maybe Ferguson is a bigger deal because of the deeper implications of a white law enforcement officer gunning down a young black man. Regardless of the details or specifics, and regardless of where you stand on the matter, just think about it. On average, young white men and women on our campus probably feel more at ease around security or law enforcement personnel than their black counterparts. This is white privilege in its most basic form. So why shouldn’t Ferguson, Missouri, deserve our attention? Why shouldn’t we care?
USI needs more parking spaces. It’s that simple. Reading speeches from old philosophers feels like watching the presidential debate. Quit filling my head up with this nonsense. Get involved and do all you can while you have the chance. There is so much to offer at USI! Why are some graduate programs at USI based soley on GPA whereas others are not? I might actually go to Sub Co. this year now that it looks a lot less sketchy.
Have something you want to say? Send it to opinion@usishield.com Submission does not guarantee publication.
Page 7 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
Sports
Photo by BLAKE STAYROOK/The Shield
The Men’s Soccer team preps August 28, for its first game Thursday.
Men’s soccer kicks it into high gear By BRADIE GRAY Sports editor The Men’s Soccer team does one week of daily training camp before classes begin, which consists of weights, speed and agility training. Now that classes are back in session, the team practices once a day and is limited to a total of 20 hours of training per week. “I feel really great about our talent and leadership and our incoming fresh-
men,” said Head Coach Mat Santoro. “We are playing in a tough conference, but we should be able to compete at every game.” Santoro isn’t the only one confident in this year’s team. The seniors are also excited for what they plan to accomplish. “In the past, we relied on one or two scorers, but it’s different this year,” said Caleb Mathers, senior business administration major and forward.
“You’ll see a lot of goals from all around.” Mathers credited USI’s talented men’s team to the recruiting style the coaches use. “In our conference, a lot of recruiters are looking for strong guys. Our recruiting style is different. We recruit technically skilled players versus power,” Mathers said. “We pride ourselves on the way we’re supposed to play soccer. We focus a lot on our ground game.”
John Rohling, a fifth year senior finance major and defender/midfielder is confident in the team based on how they play compared to other Division II teams. “We play intellectually with a fast paced ground game,” Rohling said. “We have the most talented incoming freshmen than we’ve had in a while.” The team placed ninth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2013 and is projected to place ninth
again this year. “I believe we are better than that and it’s up to us to prove we are and do the job,” Santoro said. USI has won 10 GLVC titles. The last win was in 1991. “I hope to bridge that gap and bring some of that history into the present,” Santoro said. The University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team was projected to win the 2014 Great Lakes Valley Conference Champion-
ship. They received eight first-place votes and 213 points in the preseason poll. Quincy University, Rockhurst University, Lewis University, and Drury University grabbed the top five spots based on votes and points earned in the preseason poll.
Damien Burge contributed to this story.
Runner's club looks to expand By BOBBY SHIPMAN Staff writer Running makes people happier. In 2006, a research study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise showed that even a single bout of exercise, such as 30 minutes of walking on a treadmill, could instantly lift the mood of someone suffering from a major depressive order. Following the encouragement of her fellow AMIGOS, Sara Schamber reassembled the USI Runner’s Club in July of 2013. The senior dietetics major ran track at McCutchen High School in Lafayette. “Once you start running you can never stop,” said Schamber, the club’s president. The group now has around 20 members and meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the concrete circle near the RFWC. Sophomore Brynne Doherty played soccer in high school, but wanted to focus on getting accepted into the occupational therapy assistant program at
USI. So, she started running with the club as an alternative way to stay in shape after she found the club on Facebook. “At first, it was really difficult to keep up with the runners, but as I kept going I really enjoyed it,” Doherty said. Doherty said the other members inspired her to push through, which she normally struggles to do solo. “I would run my fivemile or three-mile run and then by the end of the semester I was able to keep up with them and run the full six (miles),” Doherty said. “Sometimes people would turn and run with me back. And so I always had someone running with me and so that was nice.” The group also conducts periodic meetings to discuss running times, hosts chili nights and meets for brunch on the weekends after a run. Although the group frequents USI’s Burdette Trail, which makes for a convenient place to run after classes, they sometimes “mix-it-up” on weekends. “We’ll run the river sometimes, and do differ-
Photo by BOBBY SHIPMAN/The Shield
Brynne Doherty, Sara Schamber, Erica Hart and Quade Harvey run on USI's Burdette Trail Monday morning before Labor day activities. ent places off campus to get the different scenery sometimes,” Doherty said, “because it can get kind of boring running the same path all of the time.” Schamber said she, and the rest of the runners, feel happy about their present status as an organization since they do not enter
races, which is a requirement of club sports. “You are only competing against yourself,” Schamber said. Her favorite part about running is what she learns about herself, Schamber said. “You learn about mental toughness and ways to keep yourself going,” she
said. “You learn that nothing can stop you.” Schamber and Doherty said USI’s Runner’s Club looks forward to gaining new members. “It might be hard at first and you might not think you’re that good of a runner, but you don’t have to be,” Doherty said. “It’s
just your personal best for your own fitness goals. It really does help to become a more active and fit person and you get to meet a lot of new, nice, great people.”
Page 8 - The Shield - September 4, 2014
Page 8
Be a good fan By BRADIE GRAY Sports editor
Fellow students: Our athletes deserve more attention. USI has numerous athletic teams - men and women who work their entire high school career to be recruited, then work their entire college career to perform in the sport they were recruited to play while also studying to get their degrees. USI is not a Big Ten school, the students know they don’t go to a Big Ten school and the athletes know they don’t play for a Big Ten school. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a hefty student section at every sporting event. I understand that schedules are busy and classes, homework and exams make it difficult to get in a cheerful mood, but it isn’t difficult to throw on some “screagle” attire and scream for the athletes that make our school look good. Think back to high school. Those Friday night lights and basketball games were what got the students to show how much pride they had in their school. Those games were something that most of us who didn’t play looked forward to. Being in the student section screaming chants with the mascot was a stress reliever before we even realized what real stress was. Think about how much stress you could relieve now that you know the horrors of classes like anatomy and math 111. It doesn’t take too much effort to gather a group of your friends to join you at a soccer game for one hour. It doesn’t take too much effort to watch the volleyball team dominate on the brand new PAC floor. It doesn’t take too much effort to dress like USI’s biggest fan and stand in the student section at a basketball game. Not only is being a good fan easy, it’s fun. These are the last 4 years we get to act like miniature adults. We are responsible and working toward a degree, but we cam also act a fool while cheering on our school. The next time you see an opportunity to cheer on USI Athletics, do it. We’re only in college for 4 years, so make the most of it.
Women's cross country team opens 2014 season USI will host the Stegemoller Classic at 6 p.m. Friday at Angel Mounds. USI, Bellarmine University, Cedarville University, Frontier Community College, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Maryville University, McKendree University, Oakland City University and Rend Lake College will all compete in the classic.
2014 Dunn Hospitality Invitational The USI Volleyball team will open its season at home for the first time in ten years. The Screaming Eagles are hosting the 2014 Dunn Hospitality Invitational Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Physical Activities Center. Nine other teams will be playing in the tournament.
Women’s soccer starts season The Women’s Soccer team will start their regular season campaign at the Ohio Dominican Classic in Columbus, Ohio. The first game is scheduled for Friday in a neutral site match against Ashland University. They will finish the classic by playing the host at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Men’s cross country to begin season Friday The Men’s Cross Country team, like the women’s, will be hosting the Stegemoller Classic at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Angel Mounds. The team holds nine Great Lakes Valley Conference Titles and placed 12th at the NCAA Divison II Championships. The men’s team is returning their top ten runners from last year.
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