THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022
137TH YEAR | ISSUE 18
Reports of sexploitation cases see significant rise on campus HEaTHER HaRRISON NEWS EDITOR
Sexploitation cases are on the rise at Mississippi State University. Sexploitation is when someone on a dating or social media app asks a person to send a nude photo. After receiving the picture, the perpetrator then tells the photo sender to give them money to keep the image private. This is also a form of extortion, which is when someone acquires money by using threats, violence or blackmail. Even if the person sends the exploiter
money to keep the picture private, the exploiter may ask the person to keep sending additional payments, Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Hyatt said. She said the exploiter might not even keep their promise and share the picture with the victims’ family and friends anyway. MSU Police Chief Vance Rice said the police department has seen at least one or more cases a week of extortion. These cases mainly involve Snapchat, but some involve dating apps. He confirmed that the station has seen an
increase in these reports within the last year, especially since the start of 2022. “It’s been happening all along, we’re just seeing it happen more often, and we’re getting more reports now,” Rice said. He said he does not know if sexploitation is truly more prevalent now or if people are now more comfortable making reports than in the past. “If you’re seeing an uptick in something, either one can be true,” Rice said. Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois noted that sexploitation
on dating apps and social media is not just happening on campus; it is happening everywhere. He said COVID-19 and the pandemic might have played a part in the uptick of sexploitation on MSU’s campus—and worldwide. The dean said college students are more at risk of sexploitation because they are more likely to engage in risky behavior. Criminals are aware of this, so they prey on 18 to 24-yearolds. “Where there’s a market, ugly people fill in,” Bourgeois said. REPORTS, 2
Ivy Rose Ball | The Reflector
Snapchat and dating apps are commonly used for sexploitation, MSU Police Chief Vance Rice says.
Bulldog Way construction is near completion JORDaN BROCK STaff WRITER
Bulldog Way is a new road in progress on Mississippi State University’s campus that connects East Lee Boulevard to Blackjack Road. Construction has been underway for months for this multiple-phase project. Phase one of the project was to create a road from East Lee Boulevard to lead behind the Commuter East parking lots to The Social Campus and Campus Trails apartments. MSU Associate Vice President for Administration Les Potts said an east connector road, like Bulldog Way, has been a part of MSU’s master plans since the 1960s. The concept has been floating around the departments for decades, but due to the previous issues with pedestrian safety, there was a push now more than ever to complete this road.
Courtesy Photo | MSU
Associate VP for Administration Les Potts.
“When you do a road like this, taking traffic out of the core of campus and improving the signalization and making it well lit, it makes it pedestrian, transit and bicycle friendly,” Potts said. Phase two of the project is currently underway. The plan for this phase is to renovate the entrance to The Social Campus and Campus Trails. This entrance is currently under construction, so traffic uses Bulldog Way to enter the apartment complexes. Some residents find this to be an inconvenience. Parker
Hailey Storey| The Reflector
Bulldog Way connects East Lee Boulevard to Blackjack Road, offering easier access to campus for students who live on Blackjack. Phase one of construction is complete, and phase two is underway.
Manley is a senior marketing major who lives at The Social Campus and is new to driving on campus. “Instead of taking Blackjack, I am having to drive on campus constantly when I am not really used to driving
on campus,” Manley said. “Like today, I had to use my GPS to get into town. I’ve never driven on campus; I have walked every single day. It is really difficult for me to have to learn the streets of campus.”
Taylor Conn works for Burns Dirt Construction, the contractor for the Bulldog Way project. Conn says the completion of Blackjack was vital. “When we first got the plans, we were called just to put in a
concrete driveway right there. Well then the other project Bulldog Way started, so until it could be finished, we put in a temporary access drive right there until it could be redone,” Conn said. ROAD, 2
Through Camp Kesem, MSU students ‘Russia is just committing crimes against humanity’ help families affected by cancer MSU faculty, students discuss Ukrainian-Russian conflict LIZZIE TOMLIN STaff WRITER
Camp Kesem outlines its purpose in ensuring that children affected by parents with cancer are never alone. Kesem provides an environment where these children in need can meet others going through the same experiences and counselors who offer comfort and support. Mississippi State University students have a Camp Kesem chapter, and students volunteer at the camp and fundraising events. “Kesem is all about creating a community for children who are experiencing similar hardships," Make Magic Coordinator and
MSU student Sydney Desiderio said. "Our free summer camp allows children of any race, religion and background to let loose and set their worries aside for just a moment.” Camp Kesem is a national, non-profit organization that supports these families in need at no cost to the family. The organization hires college students as counselors to provide a fun, exciting way to tailor experiences specifically for the needs of families impacted by a parent with cancer. Each student volunteer has a unique experience of what Kesem means and has done for them. Desiderio said that once she heard about Kesem, she was im-
PaYTON BROWN STaff WRITER
Courtesy Photo | Camp Kesem
Camp Kesem has over 130 U.S. chapters.
mediately interested in working at the camp due to her background and future career in social work. Madelyn Slaten, founder of the Camp Kesem chapter at MSU, shared how Camp Kesem has impacted her life.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
HI: 56 LO: 36 SKY: Cloudy POP: 10
HI: 63 LO: 39 SKY: Sunny POP: 7
HI: 68 LO: 25 SKY: Partly sunny POP: 24
KESEM, 2
Feb. 24 marked the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and war between the two nations. News outlets like Al Jazeera and BBC have reported that the U.S., the European Union, Great Britain and others have imposed sanctions against Russia to condemn its actions and negatively impact its economy. Regarding the involvement of the U.S., Brian Shoup, head of Mississippi State University’s political science department, said he does not believe a direct confrontation with Russia will CONFLICT, 2 occur.
FORECAST: The sun will come out tomorrow, Bulldogs! While the start of the week was rainy, gray and cloudy, the end of the week is looking to be mostly sunny. A cold front has moved in, so we see highs in the 50s or 60s and lows in the 20s or 30s. Temperatures will warm up a little next week, but spring break is looking to be chilly in Starkville.
Courtesy of The Weather Channel
Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army
The U.S. recently gave Stinger missiles to the Ukrainian military to fight Russian forces.
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