THE
S TUDENT PRINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Volume 99 Issue 19
Non-profit, couples file lawsuit against Mississippi Mary Sergeant
Printz Reporter & Photographer On Oct. 20, a lawsuit was filed against Mississippi due to its provisions and statutes that deny gay couples the right of marriage and deny formal recognition of samesex marriages performed in other states. The plaintiffs of the case are petitioning Section 263A of Article 14 of the Mississippi Constitution and Section 931-1(2) of the Mississippi Code. They believe that these violate the 14th Amendment, which guarantees due process and equal protection for citizens of the United States. Of the five plaintiffs in the case, the first is the Campaign for Southern Equality. This group is a non-profit corporation based in North Carolina. According to the official case file, the corporation’s mission is to promote the full humanity and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in America. The second and third plaintiffs are Rebecca “Becky”
Infographic by Cody Bass Source: Human Rights Campaign, ProCon.org In the U.S., 32 states have legal same-sex marriage and 18 states prohibit it. Mississippi constitutionally bans same-sex marriage.
Bickett and Andrea Sanders. Coast campus and have celebrated their The couple has resided in recently Mississippi for roughly 15 10th anniversary. Together, years. Both graduated Bickett and Sanders have from The University of 15-month-old twins, Owen Southern Mississippi Gulf and Adrian.
“By standing up for our rights and the right of our family, we are showing that we are just like any other family,” Sanders said. “We have kids, have debts, go
to school, pay taxes, get sick and love each other through everything.” In March 2014, Bickett and Sanders sought to obtain and
See EQUALITY, 3
NATIONAL
Non-citizens could affect election vote Jonathan Parr Printz Reporter
According to the Washington Post, a recent study suggested that people who are not citizens could affect the senatorial elections in November by saving Democrats in close elections. As of Oct. 28, the Republicans are expected to have a net gain of six seats, Independents are
4
FEATURE Electric Vehicles Grad student stresses transition from petrol.
expected to gain one seat and the Democrats expect to have a net loss of seven seats in the Senate in the upcoming election cycle, according to ElectionProjection. com, a website that compiles polls and shows the current election landscape. Republicans expect to gain seats in Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota and West
5
Virginia, with Independents currently having a marginal lead in Kansas. According to this study in the Washington Post, however, if enough non-citizens vote, the expected Republican win could be null, and Democrats could keep their Senate majority. While most non-citizens do not register to vote, enough do that their numbers could
FEATURE J.K. Rowling Harry Potter author releases additional story on Halloween.
6
swing the results in a close race, according to the study. Using data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES), the study concluded that 6.4 percent of non-citizens voted in 2008 and 2.2 percent voted in 2010. These votes highly favor Democrats, with Obama receiving more than 80 percent of non-citizen votes
OPINION Budget Fixes An undergrad student’s solutions to financial woes.
in 2008. “With the president’s approval rating plummeting, the non-citizen favor for Democrats may lessen, thus minimizing their own impact on the election’s results,” said Nathan Barron, a freshman political science major in the Honors College. The study asserts that non-
See NON-CITIZEN, 3
8
SPORTS Football Weeks likely to start against Miners.
THE S TUDENT PRINTZ
Page 2 | Thursday, October 30, 2014
Editorial Staff Executive Editor Kathryn Miller kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu 850.565.0812 Managing Editor Alan Rawls gregory.rawls@eagles.usm.edu Multimedia/Web Editor Crystal Garner crystal.garner@eagles.usm.edu News Editor Nikki Smith ashly.smith@eagles.usm.edu Sports Editor Joshua Campbell joshua.m.campbell@eagles.usm.edu Design Editor Parker Brewer parker.brewer@eagles.usm.edu
Source:
www.alberichcrosswords.com
Photo Editor Susan Broadbridge susan.broadbridge@eagles.usm.edu
Editorial Policy
Assistant Photo Editor Kara Davidson kara.davidson@eagles.usm.edu
editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty,
Graphic Designers Cody Bass cody.bass@eagles.usm.edu
similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligilible for
Julie Gore julia.gore@eagles.usm.edu Social Media/Copy Editor Yolanda Cruz yolanda.cruz@eagles.usm.edu News Content Adviser Chuck Cook 601.266.4288 chuck.cook@usm.edu Ad Graphic Designer Katherine Frye katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu Advertising Manager Lesley Sanders-Wood 601.266.5188 lesley.sanders@usm.edu Advertising e-mail printzad@usm.edu
Find us online at: www.studentprintz.com
Instagram: Thestudentprintz
The Student Printz is published every Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Signature Offset of Hattiesburg provides printing services.
The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing publication, all submissions must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Friday. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.
ACROSS 1 Perhaps till man receives love (3) 3 Find points south of irregularity (10) 9 Lost teens in want of a model’s platforms (7) 10 With hesitation, I enter playing tune from an organ (7) 11 Starts to enlist training cadets and the rest (3) 12 Creep visiting Switzerland (4) 13 Workers’ gatherings (4) 14 Rinse tanks in air conditioning for poisonous substance (7) 16 God-like and true, but not entirely (5) 17 Encased in metal – a mold that ought to be remembered? (5) 18 Jousting ring: tie match, say (7) 20 Eastern European goes back east to escape (5) 22 Change incorporates copyright ruling (5) 24 Most charming American opposed a grant (7) 26 Chip and Edwin dispatched (4) 27 Island retreat for one dog (4) 29 Micromanager, to some extent! (3) 31 Position shared with ribs? (7) 32 Stimulating electronic drive (7) 33 Determined one left Iran’s shelter (10) 34 Golfer trains (3)
DOWN 1 Hot, mean cirrus clouds dropping south want to spawn epic storm (9,5) 2 Ineffectual men turn in riotous bunches when leader quits (7) 3 Examine entrance to secure prison (4) 4 Marshal bosses worry excessively (6) 5 Cuckoo not a cute bird (8) 6 Require massage by ear (4) 7 Fish’s scientific name revised when Mike is overruled by Academy (7) 8 Now, when sisters run down celebrity (14) 14 Sign, not absent from witnesses (5) 15 Dolly takes drug, causing injection mark? (5) 19 Take caps off one tap connection (8) 21 Shepherd’s poetry in Old English (7) 23 Suppose I extract surrounding silver (7) 25 Levy from acting multinational group gets biological agent? (6) 28 Domino fell fast (4) 30 Ship, oddly buoyant (4)
All Hallow’s Eve Fun Facts: • The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips. • Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. • Fifty percent of kids prefer to receive chocolate candy for Halloween, compared with 24 percent who prefer non-chocolate candy and 10 percent who preferred gum. • The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin • According to tradition, if a person wears his or her clothes inside out and then walks backwards on Halloween, he or she will see a witch at midnight. • Halloween is thought to have originated around 4,000 B.C., which means Halloween has been around for over 6,000 years. • In Alabama, it is illegal to dressup as a priest. Source:
www.darkshadowghosttours.com
NEWS EQUALITY
continued from page 1 were denied a marriage license from Hinds County circuit clerk Barbara Dunn. The last two plaintiffs are Carla Webb and Jocelyn “Joce” Pritchett. They currently reside in Hinds County. The couple has been together for 11 years and was married in Maine in 2013. Like Sanders and Brickett, the pair has two children as well. Their marriage is not recognized in Mississippi, and because of this, the couple has faced difficult issues financially and parentally. Representing the state are defendants Gov. Phil Bryant, Attorney General Jim Hood and Barbara Dunn, the circuit clerk of Hinds County. Paul, Weis, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP, a law firm located in New York City, is representing the above plaintiffs. The lead counsel in this case is Roberta Kaplan. Kaplan previously argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of Edith Windsor. In United States v. Windsor, the court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violated the U.S. Constitution. According to DOMA, states could deny
NON-CITIZEN
continued from page 1 citizens could have given the Democrats the ability to push through filibusters during the first two years of the Obama administration. Al Franken (D-Minn.) won by 312 votes. Less than 1 percent of non-citizens voting could account for his win, according to the study. “It is important to note that the toss-up Senate races are in states with noncitizen populations below the national average. To me, it is inconceivable to suggest that the non-citizen vote will be a deciding factor of the Senate majority,” Barron said. Voting ID laws do not appear to curtail the non-citizens from voting, according to the study. About three out of four noncitizens who were asked to provide a photo ID were able to vote afterward. “States must combat illegal voting to ensure the integrity of republican democracy,” Barron said. “Voter IDs are effective in ensuring an election’s legitimacy as long as special precautions are taken to ensure free, equal and open access to voting rights and a governmentissued voting ID.” Some argue that voter ID laws are necessary because of
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | Page 3 recognition of marriages granted under the laws of another state. The decision of this case has been a leading example in cases across the country concerning the issue of same-sex marriage. Kaplan was brought to this case when she attended a convention in Asheville, North Carolina earlier this fall. There she met many women who were members of the Campaign for Southern Equality. Kaplan was later contacted by the corporation’s executive director Reverend Jasmine BeachFerrara. Beach-Ferrara knew of the issues the two couples had faced and wished to bring the case of same-sex marriage to Mississippi. “This case is about treating your neighbor the best that you can,” Kaplan said. From there, they filed for a preliminary injunction, which allows this case to hold the decision of same-sex marriage for the entire state. The preliminary injunction was granted by the court. On Nov. 12, Judge Carlton Reeves will hold an oral argument over the motion at the U.S. district court in Jackson. Many students and members of the Hattiesburg LGBTQ community await the decision. rampant voter fraud. “I do not see the big deal with opposition to voter ID laws,” said Heather Burg, a senior interdisciplinary studies major. Burg said they do not take away anyone’s rights and there are many times when photo IDs are necessary to daily living. The researchers concede that there are limitations to their study. First, the sample size of the non-citizen population is small, and small samples are not always an accurate representation of a population. Second, some people reported as citizens may be non-citizens and vice versa. Third, verifying that non-citizens actually did vote was not always conclusive. Fourth, the extrapolated numbers they used were uncertain at best. “Non-citizens voting and non-citizens deciding elections are two completely different ideas,” Barron said. “Do some non-citizens vote? Yes. However, presidential election turnouts have little correlation with midterm congressional and senatorial turnouts.” The study emphasized that their research does not say the United States should extend voting rights to noncitizens or that more effective restrictive policies should be placed on non-citizens voting, but that the topic should be discussed further.
Former student Zack Arbogast is a gay, transgender male born and raised in Mississippi. “There is still a lot of work to be done before I know I am legally safe in Mississippi,” Arbogast said. “Marriage equality is a step in that direction.” Southern Miss is also home to the Gay-Straight Alliance, an organization that works to promote equality on campus. Taylor Vines is the executive chair of the group’s council. On the case, Vines said, “I think the governor and the attorney general will appeal any decision in our favor and send it (to) the Fifth Circuit.” Some groups such as the American Family Association are in opposition of samesex marriage. Patrick Vaughan, the legal counsel for AFA, said their group feels that marriage is an institution created to produce a family and that the “deconstruction of marriage” is a high price to pay for equality. “We are at an interesting crossroads,” Vaughan said. For more information on the case, visit the Campaign for Southern Equality website. The general public is also welcomed and encouraged to attend the hearing on Nov. 12 in Jackson.
Courtesy Photo Couple Rebecca Bickett and Andrea Sanders hold their 15-month-old twins, Owen and Adrian on a carousel ride.
FEATURE
Page 4 | Thursday, October 30, 2014
ON CAMPUS
Electric vehicles an imminent reality Brandon Allen Printz Reporter
The idea of electric vehicles is one that tends not to rest anywhere in the mind of the average consumer today, but it is a reality edging closer and closer. The merits of such vehicles are becoming more difficult to ignore, and to accommodate these vehicles, there are several recharging parking spots on the USM campus where students can charge electric vehicles. However, they are rarely occupied by vehicles which can take advantage of this feature. This raises the question to a public unaware or unaccepting of the possible advent of electric vehicles. What makes these vehicles worth the investment or time in comparison to the many gasoline-fueled vehicles which have been the standard for so long? Allan Nolan, a graduate student in earth science education at USM, advocates for the use of electric vehicles and believes the merits of such vehicles are extensive enough for society to make a progressive move toward this type of transportation. “I think that no matter the state of the country or the world, the end of fossil fuels will come,” Nolan said. “Maybe not tomorrow, or next year, or in this generation, but the end will happen. At that time, society will have no choice but to switch to some form of alternate fuels. Why not start that now instead of waiting for a panic and price gouging?” There are a number of counterpoints to the widespread public adoption of electric vehicles, including their pricing and the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. However, these are both points that can be argued with current evidence from many vehicle companies manufacturing electric models and the average distance commuters drive each day. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, federal tax credits for owning electric vehicles can reach as high as $7,500, and prices have been reduced on a number of electric car models from manufacturers such as Tesla, Ford, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Kelley Joe Brumfield/Printz Marked with green paint and a sign bearing the Mississippi Power logo, two parking spots for electric vehicles are located on the first floor of the parking garage on the Hattiesburg campus.
The argument for distance is also called into question when most commuters in the United States drive an average of 33 miles per day, as revealed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration in 2012. “Most EVs can go usually 85-100 miles per charge,” Nolan said. For the average commuter, an electric vehicle would reduce their fuel emissions, thereby protecting the environment. It would service their needs as well. Of course, this also raises the question of how or when electric cars will be able to drive over longer distances. Nolan said that hybrid cars were a potential temporary solution. “Consumers have options for plug-in hybrid electric cars such as the Plug-In Prius, the Ford C-Max Energi, Ford Focus Energi, Fisker Karma and the
Chevrolet Volt. These have backup gasoline engines to go any distance the battery cannot.” Electric vehicles also have the added benefit of less required maintenance and fewer parts. This means that there is no need for oil changes or replacement engine parts, a boon for any non-gearhead interested in
these types of vehicles. Regardless of the fact that these vehicles are not a widespread staple of American transportation in any sense of the word, it is clear that each passing year builds a more compelling argument for their adoption. The lack of awareness of these types
of vehicles in Mississippi and the lack of usage of USM’s accommodations for electric cars is a problem which will likely be fixed in time. However, only time will tell if these changes will occur soon, or only when the supply of fossil fuels and gasoline has been fully exhausted.
FEATURE
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | Page 5
LIFE
Rowling promises Potter-themed story Lindsey Kelley Printz Reporter
This Halloween, J.K. Rowling, the author of the famed Harry Potter series, is releasing a never-before seen short story from the Harry Potter universe about a certain professor everyone loves to hate: Dolores Umbridge. According to the Nerdist website, Rowling announced the upcoming story on Pottermore on Friday, bringing forth another trickle of new information into the world of the boy wizard. This is not the first time she has released new information despite her insistence that she would not be writing another book. In July, she released a fictitious news story from Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter, detailing Harry and his friends’ attendance at the 2014 World Cup. Rowling also released a small story on the famed wizarding entertainer and Molly Weasley’s favorite artist, Celestina Warbeck. According to Variety magazine, the story will bring
an intimate, first-person view to the life of Dolores Umbridge, whose name sends shivers up the spines of fans everywhere. For those unaware of the wizarding world, Umbridge first appeared in the fifth book of the series, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” where her sickeningly sweet simper hid a mean and bitter heart. Umbridge is best known for foul deeds such as a scarcreating quill that uses blood as ink from the hand of the user, for using Mad-eye Moody’s eye on her doorway and for the many, many decorative ceramic plates of frilly kittens that she keeps in her office. Many students and Potterheads are excited about the story’s release and are eager for another scrap of the magical world since the release of the last book and film of the series. Doug Gatewood, a freshman kinesiotherapy major and member of USM’s quidditch team, said he looks forward
Julia Meyers/Printz Alexis Barcia dives in author J.K. Rowling’s book, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” She is getting into the spirit for the upcoming story to be released on Halloween night.
to the story’s release. “I’m very excited about the new story,” he said, “even though it is about Umbridge.” Caitlin Nash, a freshman music major, agreed with Gatewood that while she was hesitant about a story about “that pig of a woman,” she remained excited for new material. “I’ve loved Rowling’s series since I was little and I’m glad I can still experience the hype of waiting for a new story from the (Harry Potter) world even as an adult,” she said. “I’m extremely curious to see what new information (Rowling will) bring to the (Harry Potter) world.” Rowling is also working on a script for an adaptation to the spinoff novel “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” with the first installment to the film trilogy due to be released Nov. 2016. For more exciting developments in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, keep an eye on Pottermore as well as Rowling’s personal Twitter.
LIFE
Specialist offers professional tips for LinkedIn Nikki Smith News Editor
As college students and recent graduates venture out into the world and work toward careers in their desired fields, the one thing most are wondering is how to land that dream job. Forbes reported recruiters and employers search for applicants on LinkedIn and judge whether to contact them based on their profiles. The article referred to LinkedIn as ground zero for people beginning the job search. LinkedIn is a tool students can use to interact with potential
employers and view job openings. The problem with this professional social media site is that many may not know how to use it correctly. According to the LinkedIn website, over 39 million college
students and recent graduates have a LinkedIn profile. The key is making one’s profile stand out in a sea of prospective employees. Olivia Ann Hurst, social media specialist for the Office
DO: •
•
•
Always double-check spelling and grammar, and thoroughly review your profile. Nothing will make an employer click away from a profile faster than seeing misspelled words or bad grammar. One should review and look over everything carefully before posting. Business Insider said it is also smart to use the top line of the profile to market oneself by creating something attention grabbing. Regularly share industry content, and follow companies and professionals in your desired field. Business Insider reported following professionals is a good way to make a LinkedIn profile irresistible to employers. A new feature on the site allows users to follow executive trailblazers to read columns written by people like Bill Gates. A professional headshot is a must. Business insider said a professional shot does not have to be a plain headshot. It can be interesting; just no photos in something one would not wear to work or group shots.
of University Communications, said acting appropriately online is critical for job opportunities, as one’s social media presence is part of his or her resume. She encourages students to present
DON’T: •
•
•
•
a well-rounded, realistic view of themselves, as that is what employers are searching for. “(Employers) want to see good references and solid communication skills,” Hurst said. “When employers review your social accounts, they want to make sure that your accounts support your professional qualifications, and they’re looking for a positive impression of your profiles - they want someone who will be a good organizational fit.” Hurst compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for putting together a professional, attention-grabbing LinkedIn profile.
Do not leave your profile incomplete. “LinkedIn is great because it allows an employer to instantly see who you are and what you’ve done,” Hurst said. “It lets you show off your skills and accomplishments. It’s highly recommended to fill out your profile to the fullest.” Do not be lazy in sharing. Hurst said always add an insightful thought or question to the post when sharing the content of others. She also warns against sending invitations with default text. Do not ask people you don’t know to write recommendations. Recommendations should come from those who are familiar with your work and can offer a legitimate reference. Your profile will not benefit from a reference written by someone who has never spoken to you before. Do not lie about your achievements. Eventually the truth comes out. Employers will work with you day after day and will be able to tell if you do not actually have the experience and accolades that your LinkedIn profile boasts.
OPINION
Page 6 | Thursday, October 30, 2014
REVIEW
‘Top Girls’ addresses feminism issue Yolanda Cruz
Social Media/Copy Editor Women gained the right to vote in the U.S. in 1920. Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom in 1979. And yet, in 2014, feminism is still a topic being discussed. While many people have their own personal definitions of feminism, the dictionary definition states it is the doctrine advocating social, political and all other rights of women equal to those of men. That means the idea that women can have the same jobs as men, get paid the same as men and have the same life goals as men, a prevalent theme in Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls.” The play focuses on Marlene, played by second-year MFA acting student Hillary Lewis. Marlene strived to be a career woman and she had to make sacrifices early in her life to get away from the simple life her parents led so that she could move
to a big city and have a career for herself. However, during the play she wondered what her life would have been like if she had tried to start a family. “She wonders if she could have been that person who could have had it all with a career and a family,” Lewis said. “There are times she has to fight for her career because she feels she earned it.” The play opens with a dream Marlene has where she eats dinner with women from all throughout history and from different parts of the world, some real and some fictional. All of these women represent parts of Marlene’s life and what she thinks about where she has been and where she is going. One of the women at the dinner, Isabella Bird, most closely relates to Marlene because she chose not to marry young in life and focused more on bettering herself as an individual. Bird’s character is played by MFA acting student Debra Brown. “Marlene really relates (to)
Isabella because she traveled all over the world in the 1800s while being sick and all of that took a lot of strength,” Brown said. “Isabella also lost her mother and sister early on, so most of her journeys were spent alone.” The play was written in 1982, just a few years after Thatcher took office, which is a heavy influence on the play. Some women were inspired by Thatcher and thought they could rise to have a successful career in a male-dominated world. Some saw Thatcher as a perversion, thinking she broke traditional values by not being a doting wife and mother. This message is very clear in the play as Marlene is often criticized for sacrificing family for her success. She is even at one point called “unnatural” for it. “I feel this is an important piece because we are still dealing with a lot of these issues today even though the play was written in 1982,” said third year MFA directing student Michelle Taylor. “It’s all about female
Noe Cugny/Printz Abbie Cathcart and Moriah Whiteman rehearse scenes for Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls.” The play, written in 1982, has a prominent theme of feminism that remains relevant in today’s society. Opening night is Thursday.
empowerment and still applies today considering there still isn’t equal pay for the sexes.” The play opens Oct. 30 and runs again on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 4 and 5, each show beginning at 7:30 p.m. A matinee show will also be performed on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., and all shows are in the
Hartwig Theatre. The play opens Oct. 30 and runs again on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 4 and 5, each show beginning at 7:30 p.m. A matinee show will also be performed on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., and all shows are in the Hartwig Theatre.
UNIVERSITY BUDGET
Crisis averted: simple solutions, big rewards Johnathan Parr Printz Reporter
You have heard about the budget cuts for a while now, and people are exploring solutions. But, I think they’re overcomplicating and overthinking things. To fix the budget, creativity is key. Without researching any credible information or running any figures by anyone who might have a clue as to what he or she’s doing, I created five common-sense and fool-proof solutions that our school administration could use to fix this pesky budget problem. 1| Auction off parking spots in front of certain buildings. Who wouldn’t want to drive right on up to the LAB? Especially since the weather is starting to cool down, people would be willing to pay a pretty penny for some prime parking. After all, who wants to walk 15 minutes uphill in the snow to get to and from class? No one, that’s who. Not only does the administration fix the budget issue by selling these spots for $10 per 10 minutes of class but they
also resolve the “sufficient parking or nah” problem that apparently exists according to every parking post ever on the Confessions of a Southern Miss Student Facebook Page. 2| Go digital and get personal. When I was still deciding whether I wanted to attend USM or not, I was guaranteed something in the mail: a postcard. Every. Other. Day. Now, don’t misunderstand me; mail is nice. But is it necessary to send out impersonal post cards that often? Imagine the printing and postal costs these rack up. Instead, the people should designate weekly or bimonthly personalized e-mails to be sent to prospective students. Postcards are nice in moderation, but one every other day (which may be an exaggeration) is a bit excessive and busting the budget. 3| Seymour Scouts. Alright administration, it’s time for y’all to tie your business shoes and go door-to-door in the dorms and buildings. Time to do a favorite pastime of the Girl Scouts: selling cookies. These are not your ordinary cookies, however.
These are cookies shaped like Seymour’s Aquila chrysaetos noggin. Instead of Thin Mints, sell MintsTTT, and forget Caramel deLites. CaramelTalons are the way to go. After all, USM loves eagle paraphernalia.
state legislature couldn’t hurt. Therefore, I propose that the English Department put their creative writing skills to the test and write Shakespearean-reminiscent appeals to Mississippi’s legislature. Here are a few
An illustration of the Seymour Thin Mint
4| Pander to the Mississippi Legislature—Shakespeare style. While the budget is hardly completed by state funding, pandering to the
title suggestions: Romeo and Bullet—a play about a boy and his first shotgun—Much Ado About Living-Within-OurMeans—an ode to the fiscally
responsible members within the legislature—and House and Senate Appropriations Give us Ole Miss and MSU’s Money Please—a comedy. 5| Sell the chemistry equipment. Who wouldn’t pay to mix chemicals without the watchful eye of a TA? Therefore, the school should start auctioning off its chemistry equipment. Nothing could possibly go wrong with people mixing random chemicals outside the laboratory setting, so it’s time for the science department to depart with some of their beloved chemicals. This departure from safety would surely help in lessening the impact of less enrollment. What could go wrong? Sometimes simplicity is the best answer to fixing issues. I implore the administration to consider these completely unscientific options when it comes to fixing this budget crisis in which we exist. These are tough times, but we the students warrant the best the school can provide, and if that means they have to pull themselves up by up by their bootstraps and work, then so be it. We deserve it.
SPORTS
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | Page 7
COLUMN
The good, the bad and the ugly of the NFL the bad Joshua Campbell Sports Editor
While the concussion lawsuit, along with the suicides of former NFL players suffering from CTE and those still suffering from long-term effects from head injuries, is easily the ugliest aspect of the state of the NFL, the public image affected by legal troubles off the field is disturbing in its own right. The worst case came in June 2013 when then New England Patriots’ tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested for the murder of 27year old Odin Lloyd. After his initial arrest, Hernandez was indicted in May 2014 for the murder of both Daniel Abreu and Safiro Furtado in a separate case. Hernandez is currently awaiting his sentencing for the murder of Lloyd; it is believed he will receive life in prison. While Hernandez is far from the first NFL player to be arrested, his cases are by far the most heinous the league has ever endured. Since Hernandez’s arrest, the legal issues faced by players and owners have spiraled out of control, especially leading up to the current season. It began in February when former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was arrested for simple assault charges spurning from a dispute with his then-fiancee Janay Palmer. Four days later, a video surfaced of Rice dragging Palmer’s unconscious body out of an Atlantic City casino elevator, via TMZ. Following an investigation by the NFL, Rice was suspended just two games for the incident, which sparked public outrage due to the severity of domestic abuse. However, everything changed Sept. 8 when TMZ received and published footage of the altercation that took place inside the elevator. After watching the video, the Ravens terminated his contract and the NFL swiftly suspended Rice indefinitely. Things only got worse for the league in March when Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay was arrested for DUI. Irsay was pulled over for driving erratically; when officers searched his car, they found numerous prescription bottles containing pills along with nearly $30,000 in
cash. He admitted to having hydrocodone, oxycodone and Xanax in his system. Irsay was sentenced to one year of probation and was suspended by the league for six games and fined $500,000. Following his arrest, he was admitted into rehab. Then there is the case of one of the league’s biggest stars, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson was arrested for reckless or negligent injury to a child in September after pictures surfaced of his son’s numerous injuries, which stemmed from Peterson disciplining his son with a switch. His case is still working its way through the legal system, but Peterson did not help himself when he admitted to smoking marijuana earlier this month prior to urinalysis test. Peterson’s bail was revoked for the admission. Peterson is currently on the Vikings’ exempt/ commissioner’s permission list, receiving the entirety of his current $11.75 million salary, but has yet to be disciplined by the league. He is still attempting to play this season, but it is highly unlikely said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. These incidents are only a few of the more high-profile cases currently affecting the NFL, but it is clear that Goodell and the NFLPA (NFL Players’ Association) have their work cut out for them moving forward. The public image of the league has undoubtedly taken a huge hit regarding the incidents, but there are many more pressing matters than the public image. Deep down, Goodell and the owners have to be concerned with the possibility of losing millions of sponsorship dollars, but the real concern needs to be finding a way to educate players and owners to not make these mistakes and ultimately become better role models. Professional athletes are adored by America’s youth and adults alike. While their main focus should be doing their job to the best of their ability, being a professional goes far beyond the game itself. It is imperative that Goodell and the NFLPA create a system that ensures these incidents do not continue to occur in the future. The current regime has
disciplined players and owners unlike ever before, lengthening suspensions and increasing fines, but unfortunately, the system still is not working. It may seem preposterous that professional athletes and owners need a system that strikes fear into them to make them think twice because of the possible repercussions, but it has come to that. It may just take Goodell to hand out some lifetime bans or something close to that magnitude for players and owners to finally realize that they are held to a higher standard than the general public. Whatever it is going to take, Goodell and the NFLPA seriously need to convene this offseason to come up with a plan to strike fear into their players and owners so that these incidents do not continue in the future.
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium Aug. 16.
Killingsworth Barbershop
Ridgeland, Mississippi
SPORTS
Page 8 | Thursday, October 30, 2014
FOOTBALL
Backup QB likely to face a stingy UTEP defense James Johnson Printz Reporter
Coming off a 31-20 loss to La. Tech, Southern Miss (3-5) looks to bounce back when they travel to El Paso, Texas to face the UTEP Miners (4-3) Saturday at 7 p.m. Last week, the Golden Eagles lost their starting quarterback, Nick Mullens, to a foot injury and are preparing to play without him. “There are a number of things they are going to do to check,” said head coach Todd Monken. “The X-rays were negative Saturday. He couldn’t push off of it. He has some swelling there.
We have to do some further evaluations to see where we are going to be with him.” Mullens landed awkwardly on his right foot on the first series when he was rolling out of the pocket and a defensive lineman brought him down on the sideline. Redshirt senior Cole Weeks stepped in and played well, finishing the game completing 28 of his 45 passes for 338 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Weeks is the first backup quarterback to come into a game and throw for over 300 yards in Southern Miss history. “He is very competitive. That is probably his biggest strength. He is like another coach on the field,” Monken
said. “I think he understands the concepts. For him, I am sure the preparation will be different like it is with every player that finds out they are going to start, especially quarterbacks. Our team has a lot of faith in Cole (Weeks). It is the expectations of the position. Hopefully, we will have Nick (Mullens) back, but if not, Cole is going to go.” If Weeks gets the start, he and the Golden Eagle offense will be facing a UTEP defense that has only yielded 113 first downs for the season. That total is ranked seventh nationally and first in Conference USA. The UTEP defense produced one of the best performances
#BrightFutures Inspire the future. This is your time to shine. If you thrive on challenge, collaboration and being the best, take a closer look at what C Spire has to offer.
cspire.com/careers
receiving yards since 2011. So if given time, this defense is vulnerable to the big play through the air. Offensively, the Miners use a running back by committee. El Paso native Aaron Jones ranks 15th amongst all FBS players with 121.1 rushing yards per game through the first seven games. UTEP running backs have also been used as an instrumental element to the passing game. More than half of quarterback Jameill Showers’ completions, 49 out of 95, have gone to running backs. Jones leads the Miners in receptions with 19, while Autrey Golden ranks second with 18. Showers has proven he will check the ball down to one of his running backs before throwing a risky pass so the Golden Eagle defense will need to play with discipline and key on the backs out the back field. Clearly the Golden Eagles showed a capacity to win in the La. Tech game. What is key for the Golden Eagles this Saturday will be Weeks’ performance at quarterback and the offensive line’s ability to last all four quarters.
in program history during the 34-0 shellacking of UTSA last Saturday. The Miners kept the chain gang still, yielding only two first downs. The stingy effort set a program record for fewest first downs given up in a single game. The Roadrunners never made it past midfield in the first half and finished the game with just 70 total yards. The only weakness of the defense is getting to the quarterback. The defense ranks in the lower half of C-USA in sacks with eight. With protection, Weeks and Michael Thomas will have a chance for some big plays. Last week Thomas, along with senior Markese Triplett, had 100-yard receiving games. Triplett finished with six catches for a team-high 114 yards. It was Triplett’s first 100-yard receiving game of the year and third of his career. Triplett went over 1,000-receiving yards for his career in the contest, having now notched 1,064 yards on 75 career catches. The game marked the first time Southern Miss had two receivers collect 100
Mississippi Voter Photo
What College & University Students need to know To vote on November 4th, you MUST present an acceptable Voter ID at the polls.
Or you can use your: MS Driver’s License or State ID Card Unexpired US Passport Military ID Card An employee identification card
You can use your Student ID Card ! it If t was issued by an accredited Mississippi university, college or junior college
Paid Summer Internships 2015 Majors: Business, Engineering, IT, MIS, Computer Science, Accounting, Marketing Corporate headquarters in Ridgeland, MS
June 1 - July 24 | Submit to cspire.com/careers Application Deadline: January 23, 2015
TO FIND OUT Information about Who is running for office When you can vote Voting absentee Go to
www.866ourvote.org/state/ms or see the Student Voting Guide at www.brennancenter.org or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Resume Required | EOE | Smoke-free environment Driving, criminal and credit checks required
Tribal photo ID Card A firearms license Any other state or US government ID
If your Student ID isn’t acceptable, ask your school for an ID that complies – or use one of the IDs above.
Voting is a Right You Can’t Afford To Lose If you arrive at the polling place on Nov. 4 without an acceptable ID, you can vote by affidavit. However, your vote will not count unless you present an acceptable ID at the Circuit Clerk’s Contact Common Cause Mississippi at www.commoncause.org/states/mississippi or email levans@netdoor.com