THE
Daily
MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Volume 112, No. 24
Navigating safety in off-campus freshman housing MARY EVANS
A
thedmnews@gmail.com
s the student population at the University of Mississippi continues to surge, so do safety concerns — especially in the first off-campus freshman housing site, The Quarters. Recent reports from the Clery Daily Crime Log indicate a higher rate of incidents being reported by students in The Quarters versus those in on-campus dormitories. From August 18, 2023 to March 30, 2024, there have been roughly 89 incidents reported to the University Police Department at The Quarters, with offenses ranging from minor violations like noise disturbances to more serious crimes like assault and possession of drugs. In the
ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
The Quarters
same period of time, roughly 58 incidents have been reported at Stockard Hall. Chief Daniel Sanford, who has been with the University Police Department for more than two years, explained the challenges with incident reports in freshman dorms. “Any time you have freshman dorms, you will have some challenges since many of the occupants are on their own for the first time,” Sanford said. “There is also a bit of a learning curve the first time a person lives with roommates, so personality clashes and differences of opinion will happen from time to time.” Initially, the main issue with The Quarters was jurisdiction. With both Oxford Police Department and UPD involved, the two departments have made
SEE CAMPUS SAFETY PAGE 2
ASB elections rulings released
The highs and lows of being a residential assistant As students are considering job opportunities for next year, on- and off-campus residential assistants offer insight into what their experiences have been like. JORJA CARTER
ASHLYNN PAYNE KHARLEY REDMON DENTON JENKINS
thedmnews@gmail.com
thedmnews@gmail.com
After the conclusion of the Associated Student Body spring elections, the University Judicial Council released judicial rationales on three Elections Review Board hearings that were appealed. One rationale, Jack Jones v. ASB Department of Justice, revealed that ASB Vice Presidential Elect Jack Jones, a sophomore economics major, faced disqualification from the race by the Elections Review Board — a decision that was later overturned by the judicial council. The facts presented in Jack Jones v. ASB Department of Justice correspond to facts presented in ERB Hearing H. This hearing, held on Tues-
SEE ASB PAGE 4
If you live on campus at the University of Mississippi, it is likely that you have a residential assistant, but how much do you really know about their day-to-day life? All RAs seem to have a routine that helps them juggle the early mornings and late nights that the job requires as well as their school schedules and personal time. Yersaiyn Yerkin, a junior mechanical engineering major born in Kazakhstan, is an RA at Luckyday Residential College. According to him, an RA’s schedule can vary depending on the day. “Every year, the housing executive staff will change or modify certain things the RAs need to do, but
right now we have two-hour desk shifts for six hours a week,” Yerkin said. “We do rounds every time we’re on duty, which means walking around the building with a duty partner to ensure the safety of our residents and inspect the condition of our halls. Sometimes, you’ll need to deal with many incidents while other times, you might not even get a call for the whole night.” Skyla Walters, a junior art major, serves as an RA at Residential College South. Walters has made an effort to maintain a healthy relationship with her job, primarily through structure and balance. “Make sure you set boundaries not only with your residents but also with yourself and prioritize your sleep and your well being,” Walters said. “Having to be over
several students can be difficult, and it’s easy to say they can reach you at any time no matter what, but when you get endless 2 a.m. phone calls because of lock-outs and you’re not on duty, it can get taxing.” For all of the difficulties, Walter thinks interacting with students makes the job rewarding. “My favorite part is getting to meet so many different types of people. New students are an interesting bunch, and seeing them go in and out of the dorm is always fun,” Walters said. Yerkin concurred, adding that being an RA at UM has given him much support in both his education and personal life. “I have a wonderful supervisor
SEE RA PAGE 4
MISSISSIPPI DAY
‘COWBOY CARTER’ REVIEW
Ole Miss is bringing the celebrations of Mississippi Day to life for the third year.
Beyoncé’s new album “COWBOY CARTER” is a skillfully crafted work overflowing with insane levels of energy, beloved American icons and a kiss to any person who doubted her talent.
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