The Yellow Jacket Autumn '13
Proudly produced by WVSU students in an on-going learning lab.
Issue Two
Yellow Jacket Staff Editor-in-Chief Bianca Prince is the editor-in-chief of The Yellow Jacket. She is seeking a major in English as well as minors in Journalism and Technical Writing. Additionally, she is an editor for the Kanawha Review and president of the English Club. She is an avid animal lover and photographer.
Assistant Editor Jessica Clark is the assistant editor of The Yellow Jacket. She is seeking a degree in English with a minor in Spanish. With her degree, she hopes to teach English as a second language. Jessica is also a member of the English Club and an editor for the Kanawha Review.
Staff Writers Marta Tankersley, named WVSU Journalism Student of the Year 2013, is a junior communications major. She writes for the Charleston Gazette, WV Executive Magazine and works with PRSSA and Tower Communications. Marta is engaged to WVSU graduate CR Hays.
Michael Snead is an Art History and History major who started as a Regents student before deciding to go for a double major. He is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and president of the Pinnacle Honor Society.
Jason Robinson is a communications major entering his sophomore year. He also has an interest in pre-law and the legal profession. He won “The Best Defensive Attorney Award” at the West Virginia University School of Law Summer Institute. Jesse Jenkins is a senior communications major with a focus on business and advertising. When he is not at school, he works full-time as a manager at Books-AMillion. In his spare time he enjoys reading, making films, and watching them. Bobbie Spry is a communications major with a minor in English. She is the president of the National Broadcasting Society, member of Pinnacle, Alpha Epsilon Rho, and Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Societies. Next to her family, WVSU is the most important thing in her life.
Lena Lambert is a sophomore here at West Virginia State University majoring in Social Work. She lives in Nitro with her husband and 3 sons. She is involved with the Social Work Organization, and is looking forward to her first year with the Yellow Jacket. Rose Taylor is an English Professional Writing major and a native of West Virginia hailing from Roane County. She is a junior and this is her first semester writing for the Yellow Jacket. Cody Cummings is a communications major with an avid interest in video games. He hopes to work in video game production after graduation. Tabatha Paluso is a senior professional writing major. She is a member of the GSA and English Club. She hopes to graduate in May and go on to get her MA in Journalism at UCSB.
The Yellow Jacket is published by West Virginia State University students throughout the fall and spring semesters as part of an on-going learning lab. Approximately eight issues are published throughout each individual semester. Issues are published bi-monthly. Free copies are distributed on the West Virginia State University campus. The Yellow Jacket is dedicated to being a trusted source of news, entertainment and discussion for the students of West Virginia State University. © 2013 Yellow Jacket. Content may not be reproduced without permission. Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Barnes Pietruszynski.
English Professor Leads Discussion Group by Jessica Clark WVSU English professor Dr. Anne McConnell will be leading a reading and discussion group at the Kanawha County Public Library from September 2013- February 2014. The theme is “Identity Crisis!” The focus will be “on the way that social attitudes about gender, race, and other characteristics often influence an individual’s efforts to find his or her place in the world.”
years now and she expresses her interest in keeping it going. “I like that library book groups engage people from the community who really want to read and talk about literature, while remaining fun and casual. And you don't have the stresses of tests and grades, which is nice.”
“I was interested in exploring the theme of identity, which is central to many texts. I thought people might enjoy reading about characters who are trying to figure out who they are. I specifically tried to pick texts that involve the way that society assigns us roles and the way that those roles affect the way we define ourselves,” McConnell says. McConnell also says she has been leading the reading and discussion groups for a few
The Group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6-7:30 PM. The books in this feature will include: “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin— th September 18 , 2013 “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison— October 22nd, 2013 “The Stranger” by Albert Camus— November 20th, 2013 “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri— January 15th, 2014 “Flight” by Sherman Alexie—February 19th, 2014
SCENE ON CAMPUS
Students attend State Stride
The Yellow Jacket helps students move into their dorms.
Construction of Fleming Hall continues
WVSU Celebrates State Stride 2013 by Tabatha A. Paluso It was just a couple weeks ago, on August 22, that West Virginia State University celebrated the second annual State Stride. State Stride is a convocation event that began last year to honor the incoming freshman and transfer students into the WVSU family. More than four hundred new students gathered in Ferrell Hall and were led by the band down the “red road” to the plaza outside of Wilson Student Union to be
convocation for just new and returning students, to bring students into the State family. However, he wanted to have it jazzed up in comparison to what other schools do. He wanted to make sure that students understood that we were all here in this thing together and that we wanted to see students graduated and moved towards commencement from their very first day. We wanted students to feel honored,” said Joe Oden, the Assistant
met by the cheering of professors, staff and peers. Along with the good music and food provided at the Stride many student organizations had set up tables to get the word out about the various clubs and activities that new students might want to become a part of. Ashton Goff, president of the Gay Straight Alliance, said that the Stride helps get “a lot of students interested and signed up for many different organizations all at once.” Stride is about more than just good food, music, socializing and advertising. It is about coming together as a family. “When President Hemphill came, this was something he had thought about,
Vice President of Student Affairs, and planner of Stride. Freshman student Chaz Greenleaf says that he felt much honored at Stride. “When you get the president to talk to you, you definitely feel honored, and he was speaking to all of us. It was really inspiring that he spoke out to all us and that he actually took the time out of his day to reach out to us like that.” Overall the 2013 State Stride was deemed as a success. As for next year, Oden has stated that he has hopes for a “bigger and better” Stride. Oden has stated he has a “committee of good people” working with him and that he’s positive that next year will be, in his words, as good if not better. Photographs provided by West Virginia State University.
State Stride 2013
Photograph by Marta Tankersley
Photograph by Bianca Prince
Photograph provided by West Virginia State University
Photographs by Bianca Prince
Tips for Being a Successful University Student by Karla Neal Graduation ceremonies are so exciting. Unfortunately, not all students make it to graduation. Many do not use the available resources that can help them develop the skills they need to be successful students. Counseling and Academic Support Services helps all students further develop their academic and personal skills so they can be successful and graduate. We have put together a few tips that have helped students in the past: Do not miss class. The number one predictor of academic success is regular attendance. It is important to keep in mind that going to class will make it possible for you to achieve your goal of graduating. Missing class often leads to failing a course, which is a waste of a significant amount of money, and which in some cases jeopardizes financial aid or scholarships. Even if professors do not take attendance it is in your best interest to attend every single class so you can learn and stay up to date with the material. Keep in mind that life Courtesy of Rollingball Creative Productions will keep going on while you are attending WVSU. This means that there may be relationship issues with parents, a significant other, friends, or others while you are trying to study or go to class. Our office can help you with time management, tutoring, or counseling when needed. Reach out to your professors. Many times students come to our office and share problems they are facing (“I do not have money to buy the book,” “I don’t understand what the professor is asking for,” “I missed an assignment because…,” “I am worried about my grade because….”). Usually our first question is, “Have you talked to your professor about this?” While students are often intimidated by speaking with a professor, you are encouraged to reach out to them to share any issues that are keeping you from being the best possible student. All professors have office hours that are listed in the class syllabus. Ask your professor what is the best way to communicate with them. Meet with your advisor regularly. Each student is assigned a faculty member who serves as an advisor at the university. Your advisor can help you explore interests, map out your schedule, monitor your academic progress, clarify your educational and life goals and identify activities and opportunities that can enhance your academic experience. You will need to see your academic advisor once each semester to receive a pin to register for classes. However, you are encouraged to see your advisor at any point. They are great resources available for you.
Utilize MyState, WVSU Online, and your WVSU email. It is your responsibility as a student to periodically log into these 3 important sources of communication.
MyState is where you can register for classes, change your schedule through the second day of classes (add or drop courses or change sections), see your financial aid and cashiers account, and find out about important deadlines. It is important to check your class schedule on MyState regularly.
WVSU Online is the University’s wen-based learning management system. When you register for an online class WVSU online acts as your virtual learning environment. Accessing WVSU online frequently is very important.
Webmail. You may receive important correspondence from the University through both snail mail and your WVSU e-mail account. We recommend that you log in to your WVSU e-mail account often so that you know if there is anything you need to do to maintain your student status.
Get involved. Learning is not limited to the classroom. Employers look for people who have well developed time management and leadership skills, who are team oriented and who have project management experience. Joining a student organization can help in developing these skills, in finding like-minded individuals and in growing your network. WVSU has over 30 active student organizations. You can find more information about getting involved by contacting Mr. Jerry Miller, Director of the University Union and Student Activities at 304-7663288. You may also stop by the Student Activities office which is located in 103 University Union. Be wise about money. If you are using loans to fund your education, try to borrow only what you really need. Sometimes students don’t realize that failing a course and having to repeat it can hurt their wallet in the future. Once they have to start paying back their student loans they realize the impact that those decisions have made. Try to keep your loan debt to the minimum because you will be paying back interest for everything you borrow. Keep in mind why you are pursuing a higher education degree. Throughout the journey there will be obstacles and difficulties that arise. During these times it is important that you keep your goal in mind. Many students put school on a side when they face relationship difficulties, when classes are difficult, or when health affects them or someone they love. Even when you graduate and have a job you will be faced with similar issues. Life just gets busier as you mature, so start looking for a balance and further develop your emotional intelligence so you can be successful academically while you are gaining life experience. If you feel that you could benefit from additional help contact Karla Neal, Student Success Coordinator at (304) 766-5125 / kneal4@wvstateu.edu or stop by Counseling and Academic Support Services in 125 Sullivan East, which is open Monday - Friday, 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Who’s Who at WVSU by Bobbie Spry Name: DeCarlos Lewis Major: Communications Minor: English Technical Writing Hometown: Washington, D.C Graduation Year: 2013 Email: DLewis12@wvstateu.edu
For those of you who don’t know, West Virginia State University is an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), and that is exactly the reason why De’Carlos Lewis chose to attend WVSU. “It’s rich in culture and diversity and I wanted the hands on experience that the Arts & Humanities College provided within the Communications field,” Lewis said. From the outside looking in, a college education here may appear to be limited and constricted by its size; however, that is never the case. “What surprised me about my State experience is actually how much it has changed me in the sense of how I view life now in seeing all the many possibilities and opportunities afforded to me through just basic networking and friendships,” Lewis said. “I had no idea during my initial enrollment that I would become as involved as I am now.” Some of the student programs/organizations that Lewis is currently involved in are: Student Support Services (SSS), Student Activities, S.T.R.I.D.E Nation, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated and most recently the National Pan-Hellenic Council – President. Lewis’s advice for students looking to grow within the University is to get involved. “Take your time & shop around but surely become involved. Don’t wait too long because there’s so many learning experiences and friendships that come out of just being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Lewis said. “It especially doesn’t hurt to add to your resume all the great things you’ve done while in college.” After Graduation, Lewis is headed to Marshall University to continue his education in Grad School, studying Fashion Merchandising and focusing on his happiness.
West Virginia State University Welcomes Dr. David Bejou as the New Dean of Business and Social Sciences by Jason Robinson Dr. David Bejou began his tenure as new dean of West Virginia State University's Business and Social Sciences Department on August 12, 2013. Dr. Bejou’s last assignment was as the dean of the Walter R. Davis School of Business and Economics at Elizabeth City University in Elizabeth City, NC. His career in higher education spans over three decades and includes posts at Virginia State University and Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana. One of Dr. Bejou’s goals for the business and social sciences department is to prepare future students for graduate school and today’s competitive business world. Preparation includes greater accessibility to internships and an emphasis on the value of community service. The desire to build at WVSU a friendly and family cultured atmosphere is another goal of Dr. Bejou and the business and social sciences department. “I have an open door policy with any student of the university” says Dr. Bejou. He
believes that a university should be extension of home since the university is home for a number of students for four years or longer. The business department boosts a new membership with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which provides business and social science majors with a challenging and intense curriculum resulting in a better prepared graduate and professional. “The new accreditation speaks volumes on how much the business social sciences department has to offer current and prospective students.” MBA accreditation is in the near future for the business and social sciences department also. Dr. Bejou has earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and linguistics and a MBA in aviation management from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. He also attended the University of Memphis where he attained a Ph.D. in marketing.
Dorm Construction OK’d Despite Opposition; Student-Centered Policy Promotes Growth by Marta Tankersley Despite the objections of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the Kanawha Valley Historical & Preservation Society, all of whom have opposed the project according to the Charleston Gazette, plans to demolish Prillerman and Gore Halls to make way for the construction of the new state-of-theart campus dormitory will proceed as scheduled, WVSU Vice President for Business and Finance Melvin Jones said. Legal counsel has advised that the historical preservation advocates opposed to the demolition cannot bring the
project to a halt because no federal or state funds are being utilized, he said.
spectively) have “fulfilled their usefulness as dorms and served us well.”
The Kanawha County Commission approved a $30 million bond sale in late July to fund the construction and WVSU plans to use monies collected from leases of the units to pay back the bond, according to published reports.
Currently, no students are housed in Prillerman, but it was occupied in the spring of 2013. Gore has not been utilized for two years.
Canty House and East Hall, both placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1988, are examples of the administration’s dedication to preserving the WVSU’s heritage, Jones said. But Gore and Prillerman (built in 1926 and 1936 re-
Student Government Association Vice President Asia-Bryanne Greenleaf has resided in Dawson, Sullivan and Prillerman Halls. She reported that the older buildings can have issues with heating and cooling, elevator operations and other maintenance issues. “Although I fully understand why demolition
The dormitory is expected to resemble this image once completed.
will be taking place and am excited for the new dorm, I wish they weren't demolishing Prillerman because that provided a more independent living arrangement for older students and students with families,” she said. According to a focus group, however, the most common complaints from residents in Prillerman were the lack of private bathroom facilities and sleeping areas. “To overcome this in the existing dorms, we would need to put plumbing in each dorm room and reduce the occupancy to one per room; thereby increasing the cost of construction and reducing the occupancy,” Jones said.
facilities on each floor and a multipurpose community area, study lounge and gaming room, according to the published project summary. “I believe that this project is a very important part of our overall goal to create a very positive student life experience here at WVSU, one that will attract and retain the best and the brightest,” Jones said. SGA President Vas Ilios Dianellos credits WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill with making the university student-centered and increasing the level of pride and excitement on campus through this and other building projects.
Instead, the new 291 bed dorm which is scheduled for occupancy in August 2014, will feature suites and apartments with laundry Above: This rendering shows where the future location of the dormitory on campus. Top of Page: A rendering of the multipurpose community area.
“This new dormitory will stand as brick and mortar monument both to our proud and illustrious past and our exciting future,” Dianellos said.
Famed Gospel Choir Performs at First Friday Mass by Lena Lambert The St. Paul & Augustine’s Gospel Choir from Washington, D.C. gave a concert in the P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium in Ferrell Hall on September 6. The choir at St. Paul & Augustine’s Church has performed around the world, including many occasions at the White House. According to the church website, one of the missions that the choir has is to “bear musical witness to communities of faith throughout the world in any setting that God provides.” They carried out their mission here at West Virginia State University with their performance at the First Friday Mass. This Mass service was the first this semester for West Virginia State University’s Catholic Campus Ministry. This service and concert helped to mark the one-year anniversary for CCM here at
WVSU. CCM Representative Meghann Ferguson said that the organization used to be very prominent in the past, and they are hoping to revitalize the Catholic Ministry on campus with more student involvement. For those students who aren’t familiar with a Catholic service, CCM’s President Anna King tells us that Mass is simply a Catholic worship service. It is no different from any other church service other than communion is offered to confirmed practicing Catholics at every Mass. This is not the first Mass service that CCM has held at WVSU. They held Masses last year once a month. This
First Friday Mass is just the first Mass service for this semester. If you missed the First Friday Mass, but are interested in Catholic Campus Ministry, they hold their meetings every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM until about 2 PM in room 128 in the Student Union. They have free lunch, and say it is just a time for fellowship and relaxation. They have Mass on the first Tuesdays of every month at noon. The service is open to all students and faculty. King also stated that in their meetings there are no lectures and no pressure to convert. They do not ask about your beliefs and it is not about being Catholic. Both Ferguson and King stressed the point that everyone is welcome, regardless of their faith.
An Update on the St. Albans-Nitro Bridge
by Rose
Taylor Good news for students! Mike Koelbl, the vice president of Kokosing Construction Company, Inc. says that the work on the Dick Henderson Bridge (also known as the St. Albans/Nitro Bridge) over the Kanawha River is “going pretty much as planned so far,” and that “[they] anticipate pouring the new concrete bridge deck in the next few weeks.” Koelbl also states that they are hoping to have the new bridge open to traffic by November 8, 2013 which will significantly cut down on the commute time for students and staff traveling from the St. Albans side of the river.
A recent discovery of an old gas station threatened to set back construction on the new St. Albans/Nitro Bridge, according to local reports. The remnants of the gas station discovered in late July on the Nitro side of the bridge had caused environmental concern. The Department of Transportation says that the setback was “pretty minor.” In mid-July the first five beams were lowered into place on the new bridge. This took place only four months after the old bridge was demolished in March.
Photograph provided by the West Virginia Department of Transportation
Looking Forward in Sports by Justin Rogers West Virginia State University begins a new chapter in its rich history and tradition this year in the new Mountain East Conference. Last year was an up and down year for WVSU athletics. The Football Program came off another unsuccessful year of play, but on the upside the Women's Tennis team came off a successful year along with the Softball team. Now that the 2012-2013
seasons are behind us there is optimism when looking toward this coming year in WVSU athletics. The Football team has hired a new head coach; Jon Anderson who has a very impressive record of coming from Sioux Falls; one of the best NCAA Division II programs in the nation. The Men's Football team opens their season traveling to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
The Nation Celebrates Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” 50th Anniversary by Jason Robinson The nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 2013. His speech was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 3:05 PM August 28, 1963. During the era of the Civil Rights Movement, much of the population of United States was engaged in a violent, racially charged civil conflict between African-American and Caucasian citizens. President Barrack Obama gave his remarks in Washington, praising Dr. King for his accomplishments while emphasizing the importance of “The March” to future generations. President Obama was joined by Dr. King’s daughter, The Reverend Dr. Bernice King, former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and other notable guests. Dr. King’s synopsis of the state of equal civil rights in America stated that much had not changed since the delivery of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. He perceived that African-American people were still enslaved even though their freedom had been granted more than a century ago. Now, slavery was not in the form of forced manual labor, but intangible, being made manifest through the denial of equal civil rights and opportunities by separation of race.
“One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still badly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Tragically, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of thirty-nine years old. Many skeptics believe that King’s speech was merely an unimaginable utopia that would crumble under the oppressive fist of racism. Today, America as nation has made vast improvements in the support and enforcement of civil rights for citizens of all colors, creeds and nationalities. Regarded by
some to be the greatest speech given in the 20th century, “I Have a Dream” has and will continue to inspire citizens to bond together in the name of freedom and equality.
West Virginia State University teamed up with the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs to sponsor the “Let Freedom Ring” event at the State Capitol on August 28. The ceremony began with “talks on “Freedom to Participate in Government,” “Freedom to Peacefully Co-Exist” and “Freedom to Prosper in Life,” according to a press release sent out by the university. The WVSU Jazz Ensemble provided music for the event, which concluded with a ceremonial bell ringing and a reception.
Pro-Choice Rally Held at Capitol by Bianca Prince Pro-choice advocates rallied at the Capitol building August 20, protesting recent calls for stricter regulation of abortion clinics in the state. Organizations such as WV FREE, West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Planned Parenthood Health Systems participated in the Stand with West Virginia Women Rally, protesting what they call an attack on women’s health providers “as part of a systematic, nationwide assault.” The rally was held in response to Attorney General Patrick Morrisey sending out questionnaires to local abortion clinics, asking about their procedures and practices.
supports Morrisey in his efforts to more closely regulate abortion facilities in the area. "What are the regulatory standards in West Virginia for governing abortions, which are legal in the state until birth? Our review is analyzing this question and many others that have been raised by people across the political spectrum. After our review concludes, we will be in a position to identify the exact nature of abortion laws and regulations in West Virginia," said Morrisey in a statement released on the day of the rally.
In another response to Morrisey, Delegate Stephen Skinner “Mr. Attorney sent letters to a General, drop your number of stand on this. Focus pregnancy crisis your energies on centers in the state. issues that truly In his letters, have serious health Skinner asked about consequences for the centers’ Photograph provided by WV FREE. women and their practices and families,” demanded Nancy Tolliver during questioned if these centers, who generally her speech at the event. Tolliver is the oppose abortion, are being honest with former director of the West Virginia women about their purpose and practices. Perinatal Partnership. Skinner wrote in his letter, “"I am deeply The rally was also a response to the concerned that women may be deceived by Family Policy Council of West Virginia’s name, advertising and location into “Illuminate Campaign,” which believes that believing that it offers comprehensive “the time to end abortion is now.” The reproductive care, including contraception FPCWV recently filed a suit against the and abortion.” Women’s Health Center of West Virginia, Inc., and Dr. Rodney Stephens, alleging According to estimates by WV FREE, medical malpractice. The organization over 300 men and women attended the rally.
West Virginia Legislation Passes Law to Limit the Use of Cell Phones by Jessica Clark On July 1, 2013, West Virginia’s law banning the use of handheld electronic devices, including cellphones, while driving went into full effect. It is now considered a primary offence. The secondary enforcement was in effect for the previous year but now police officers do not need another reason to pull someone over. West Virginia is one of only 12 states that have passed laws against the use of handheld devices while driving. However, it is amongst 41 other states that specifically prohibit texting while driving. States have the right to completely prohibit the use of electronic devices, including blue tooth and hands free options but they have yet to do so. If pulled over in West Virginia for using a handheld device while driving, the following consequence will
Picture provided by blog.gasbuddy.com
occur: A first time offence is $100 fine; the second is a $200 fine; and the third is a $300 fine plus three points on the person’s driving record. West Virginia State University student Carter Maynard believes that there is a double standard with this law that is being ignored by the government. “Even after the law passed, I still see people, especially police officers, driving around talking or texting on their cell phones. I don't know why we keep making laws that the government can't enforce,” Maynard says.
Maynard also goes on to explain that there was more that could have been done to help with the problem saying, “I think that it could have been handled better with campaigns like the one some of the cell phone companies have going on getting signatures from people saying they won't text and drive.” He is not the only student on campus that is skeptical about banning the use of cellphones and other handheld devices. Art student Anthony Young says, “I honestly think some people won't think about the benefits of this new law because they’re addicted to their phones.” He also thinks that it will take a few times of being reprimanded before anyone will actually learn their lesson.
New Developments in Syria Crisis by Bianca Prince A United States Senate Panel ruled 10-7 on in favor of military strikes against Syria after the country’s government used chemical weapons on its citizens in August. The attack left over 1,400 dead, including over 400 children. The resolution, which allows for military force for 60 days with an option to extend it by 30 days, states that its policy is to "change the momentum on the battlefield in Syria so as to create favorable conditions for a negotiated settlement that ends the conflict and leads to a democratic government". The bill must still go through the entirety of the Senate as well as the US House of Representatives. According to a poll by ABC News, only 23 senators have said they support the bill while 16 oppose it. Sixty-one senators remain undecided Turmoil in Syria has been ongoing since the country’s civil war began in 2011, when a series of protests triggered violence from the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The death toll from the war has topped 100,000; those who have been lost their homes are estimated to be in the millions.
President Obama speaks on the Syrian Crisis, September 2. (Photo provided by ABC News.)
“This attack is an assault on human dignity. It also presents a serious danger to our national security. It risks making a mockery of the global prohibition on the use of chemical weapons. It endangers our friends and our partners along Syria’s borders, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq. It could lead to escalating use of chemical weapons, or their proliferation to terrorist groups who would do our people harm,” President Obama said in a statement on August 31. “In a world with many dangers, this menace must be confronted.”
Your Cheat Sheet to Syria Syria is a middle-eastern country that sits on the eastern border of the Mediterranean Sea and the western border of Iraq. Currently the population of the country stands at 21 million. The capital city is Damascus, whose suburbs were hit by the most recent chemical attack in August.
Before the Syrian civil war began, the economy was decently strong with exports such as crude oil, raw cotton, fruits, grains and clothing. In the years since the war, according to the United Nations, unemployment has more than quintupled and the economy has dwindled by 35 percent. Arabic is the official language of the country. Approximately 60% of the population is of the Sunni religion while 13% are Shia, according to the US Department of State.
“City of Bones” Fails to Impress by Jesse Jenkins Directed by Harald Zwart, this two hour long film hits like a shotgun blast full of teen fanaticism. “City of Bones” hits the viewer hard, fast, and fails to entertain, even for fans of the book series. Based from Part I of Cassandra Clare's ongoing Mortal Instruments saga, this highly anticipated film bombed at the box office, grossing only $9.3 million its' opening weekend. For someone who did not read the books, it should have been a requirement to see this film adaptation. The movie begins when Clary Fray (Lily Collins) beginning to see strange symbols that start appearing everywhere. She goes to a night club and witnesses a murder, but is the only one in the entire building that sees anything happen. One of the murders, Jace Wayland (Jamie Campbell Bower), tracks her down and tells her that she is not a mundane or regular human. Her mother calls her in panic, and tells her not to come home; wouldn't you know it, her teen angst won't allow her to listen and she goes home to find her house trashed and mother missing. Clary discovers that her abducted mother was a shadowhunter, and that she is one herself. She begins her new life as
a shadowhunter in a new found world of demons, werewolves, and other creatures with a quest of saving her mother, and recovering a sacred angelic artifact known as one of the mortal instruments. The acting was really good. Jamie Campbell Bower's performance was superior to the rest of the cast. However Jared Harris, who played Hodge, seemed out of place because he is by far the best actor of the cast. He had to play down his role to fit in with everyone else. There was a lack of character development in characters such as Isabelle and Alec. They were meant to be vital to the film, but they just were not. With too much plot for one movie, and the lack of character development, this film was hard to watch. The only positives about this film are the levels of detail present throughout its' entirety. Every set was far from boring and carefully designed. Even though plot was hard to digest, the acting and set construction helped usher it along. The film was fairly decent all negatives aside, but it only earns two out of five stars.
The Next-Gen Split by Cody Cummings Hello fellow gamers and readers! This issue’s subject is about the biggest war going on between gamers this year. What next generation console will win the “Console War of 2013”, the Xbox One or the Playstation 4? This has been a subject of great interest between gamers ever since the consoles were first idealized. Many people are still reluctant to buy one of the new systems because of a a lack of information and hopefully this review will help change their minds. The Xbox One had less than favorable views from everyone at its reveal. There are countless videos about the Xbox One Press Conference edited to show the main points of the console. Those points: TV, Call of Duty, and sports. Also, the policies that Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft at the time, presented were less than favorable. Because of all the hate, the Xbox One was soon referred to “The Xbone.” Xbox One polices, at the time, were different and many gamers and developers were afraid of the new changes. One of the policies Microsoft announced was 24-hour online requirement and every day check in. Also used-games were now gone and instead DRM, Digital Rights Management, took place. Many gamers found this policy ridiculous, feeling more like they were privileged to rent rather than own their games and system. However, these policies have been revoked and now the Xbox One is more like the Xbox 360 but with far better hardware, software, and capabilities. Sadly, the Xbox One still comes with a Kinect, which is a
very unpopular feature and it bumps the price of the console to $499.99, which is a steep investment into a new console. Now let’s turn towards the Playstation 4 from Sony Entertainment. The PS4’s press conference this year gained it a large positive response from gamers and developers alike. The PS4 marketing campaign was smart and well played, unlike the Xbox marketing. In fact, Sony claimed that their console was faster, better, and didn’t restrict used games, has DRM restrictions, and didn’t require you to always be online. Also, the PS4 comes optional with the PSEYE, the Kinect of the PS4 and is $399.99, which is $100 cheaper than the Xbox One. The PS4 has a new policy, a monthly payment plan for online gameplay. The price to play on PSN is the same as the Xbox Live today and on the new Xbox One so the payment is a major factor. Many people claim one system is stronger than the other but looking closer at the specs, the consoles are so similar, there is no difference. The E3 games presented for each console had highly positive reviews. Gamers have an impressive library of new, next generation games to choose from to enjoy their new systems. Both systems are to be released this year and are both expecting high sales. The Xbox One is going now with the campaign “The only entertainment system you’ll ever need.” There is no set release date but the PS4 release date is November 15th. The console war this generation will be a war to remember, just like the old system wars.
Uncle Charles and E-mail A Short Story by Pappy Lachia Last year I traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area to attend a funeral of my beloved 94-years old Aunt Molly. I decided to stay a couple of extra days after the funeral to spend quality time with my family, as it seems we only get together for weddings and funerals. My cousin Rob offered his services as my chauffeur, I happily accepted his proposition since he knew the area and was better company that the Garmin. The first afternoon we decided to visit our Uncle Charles who lived on a small farm northwest of Dallas. At 87-years old, the active farmer could still work with the best of them. When we arrived he was in front of the barn working on his tractor replacing spark plugs and a wiring harness. Before we could get our of the truck Uncle Charles had wiped his hands and greeted us with his patented bear hug and a huge smile. He then invited us to the house for a glass of his ice tea. We filled our glasses with tea and Uncle Charles took us to the front porch where a swing and several rocking chairs seemed to beacon us to sit and relax. Uncle Charles told us several unbelievable stories that afternoon that had us laughing uncontrollably. During one of Uncle Charles’ stories Rob’s phone alerted him, letting him know he had received an E-mail. So Rob looked at the phone and said, “It’s an E-mail from Gary.” Gary was another cousin who lived in Alabama and was not able to make the trip because his wife was due. “Is the E-mail about our new family member?” I asked. “Sort of, they are at the hospital and Gary said within the hour,” Rob replied. “Molly’s replacement,” Uncle Charles piped in as he chuckled and we joined in. “If they have a girl maybe Gary and Christy will name her Molly,” Rob added. “As long as she isn’t as cantankerous as Molly,” Uncle Charles said and without taking a breath continued with, “Rob, how did Gary know you were here at the farm?” “Uncle Charles, he did not know I was here.” Rod replied with a puzzled look. “If Gary didn’t know you were here,” he paused momentarily, while processing his thoughts, “then how did he know to send the e-mail here?” Uncle Charles inquisitively asked.
Ask Aunt Bee
KoolMochaDrummer: What do you do if a professor seems like they are playing favoritism and you’re afraid it may reflect on your grade? Oh man, that’s a good question! Most students feel as if teachers play favoritism or have a secret hatred for them. In all honesty, it may be in your head or it may be real! Teachers are human too and have flaws. The first step would be to schedule an appointment with the professor and talk to him/her about how you are feeling. If you talk to your professor, maybe it is unintentional or a misunderstanding! Hopefully that is the case! If it continues or appointment goes wrong, your next step is to contact an administrator. No one deserves to be mistreated or be failed in a class for the professor’s attitude rather than for your wellness in the class. Do not hesitate to speak to your professor though! Professors tend to work with you and understand where you are coming from! Don’t let this incident get you down. Can’tDecideOnAFuture: I have been going to school off and on for a while. I really would like to be a music education major but I don’t want to be in school for three more years. How do I know this is really something I’d like to do? That is a very good question that many, many people go through this train of thought throughout their academic careers. There are many ways to figure out the perfect career path. One is taking a career quiz or college major quiz online. That will tell you what subjects you identify well with or not. Another way is to try taking general education classes first. Those classes are varied and help you find out what you like the most in college. Most people are thrown into college from high school and are not yet prepared to find out what major they want. (Don’t worry; Aunt Bee has changed her major three times before figuring out what she wanted to do!). If neither of those options help, don’t hesitate to talk to your advisor or even talk to various departments about their programs. Hopefully, you’ll find one you love and can see yourself doing in the future! If not, don’t be ashamed, plenty of people change their major at least once!
www.wvsuauntbee.tumblr.com/ask Go there and ask a question. Hopefully you’ll be featured in the next issue!
Did You Turn Off the VMAs? by Matt Chesebrough I need to take responsibility for the events you witnessed at the VMAs and the resulting time/brain cells lost from the conversations you had with friends over the events. I am the reason that the VMAs have to desperately try and go over the top every year. My consumerism fetish and I have dictated that my little retinas must be bombarded with the most shocking and most sexual imagery possible because I’ve become so jaded on my glass diet of Madison Ave. I am the one who blasts the synthetic pop out of my speakers and always buys the ticket to the latest summer blockbusters. I am the one who spends double digit hours flipping through channels sending ratings through the roof and I am the one who doesn’t allow the chaos to die. I make stars out whores, turn gossip into worldwide news and I will crush your aspirations. I’m blessed to have a disposable memory big enough to incorporate the shiny shiny box branding and I hope it never goes away. The other side of the coin dictates that I am not allowed to “female dog” if I see something that offends my delicate sensibility because my
WE VALUE YOUR OPINION Send your own opinion piece or letter to the editor to yellowjacket@wvstateu.edu. Submissions must be 300-500 words. Include your name, major, year and a phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published.
dollar creates the very moments that strike me as obscene. Here is the kicker my dear readers, I didn’t change the channel. I sat there riveted, disgusted and strangely fulfilled, the whole time. It was a delicious train wreck involving so many gorgeous people and I was a swine in filth. Should I feel sadness for any of the individuals I witnessed playing their parts in the mechanism? I say absolutely not. I allow them to exist. If anything they should be grateful that I give them my precious time and I should be awarded for having such a long attention span. I demand cookies, processed fats in cute shapes and car wrecks involving nuns. I am the consumer and everything THEY do should have only one goal and that is to please me. Someone is reading this that disagrees with my stances and is lamenting the direction our culture is heading. They are still shocked by the events that assaulted their eyes and continue to tell people how truly upset they are by the dirt on the moral fabric. To them I say I don’t really care. Then I ask a simple question: did you turn off the TV?
The opinions, values and beliefs expressed in opinion editorials and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions, values and beliefs of the Yellow Jacket or West Virginia State University. Pieces will be published at the editor's discretion.
The West Virginia State University Board of Governors cordially invites you to attend the Investiture Ceremony of Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. as the 10th President of West Virginia State University. Saturday, September 21, 2013 9:00 a.m. P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium of Ferrell Hall Advance ticket required and seating is limited. Followed by: Football Game 1:00 p.m. Lakin Field Post-Game Gathering 4:00 p.m. Student Plaza
The Judge Damon J. Keith Scholars Hall Groundbreaking Ceremony Friday, September 20, 2013 12:30 p.m. Across from the Student Plaza Following the ceremony, join President Hemphill, Judge Keith and the campus community in the James C. Wilson University Union to celebrate construction of the first new residence hall since 1969 and the upcoming release of "Crusader for Justice:� Federal Judge Damon J. Keith" by Trevor Coleman. From the Desk of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee
Like The Yellow Jacket on Facebook www.facebook.com/WvsuYellowJacket