The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Volume 95 Issue 4
USM cuts budget BUDGET
COMICS
TAKE THE MIC
How well were students represented on UPC? See page 6
REVIEW FOOTBALL P
See page 8
PINION UPC CUTS O
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Printz Staff The administration has announced the plan to cut the university’s budget by almost $15 million for the next fiscal year, meaning the University Priorities Council has temporarily finished its work. However, it seems that some students are still not sure what that work entailed. Some students wonder if their voices were heard in the decision-making process. Two student representatives served on the council. One position was the SGA president, which switched from J.R. Robinson to Kasey Mitchell midway through the process, and the other was a graduate student representative. Robinson, former SGA president, was a part of the early research that the committee undertook until he relinquished his duties to current SGA president Mitchell. “I did a lot of the legwork, like research on programs in non-academic and academic areas,” Robinson said. “I was more a part of doing the work to get to the point that the committee could make their recommendations.”
Robinson was not part of the final decision-making process for the committee, because he gave up his duties when his term ended. “I hated to transition like that, but Kasey did a good job,” he said. “It’s a hard job to do.” Robinson added that the fact that Mitchell was not present for the early research probably did not make her job any easier. Mitchell said she did not make any decisions directly but had her say by reading over the reports from the various initiatives and submitting her rating to the UPC. Mitchell said she came in at the tail end of the process, but when she attended meetings she was not simply a bystander. “I spoke up and really spoke on the student’s behalf,” she said. “I know I was very concerned in pushing for general things like scholarships and things that broadly affect all students,” Mitchell said. Students were also represented by Alice Ferguson, a doctoral student in the school of mass communications and journalism.
Printz Writer USM released its budget reduction announcement Monday morning, listing the many academic programs facing deletion or consolidation. Among 27 programs listed was the Bachelors of Arts for religion, which, pending approval, will remove the religion major and minor from the university. Daniel Capper, religion professor and founder of the religion major, is one of the 10 professors in the College of Arts and Letters that has been let go. Capper is also the
Total: $3,77,041 Administrative Support Services Amount of Savings
See UPC, 3
Religion program suffers fatal blow Chris Greene
Academic Program Deletion/Consolidation Amount of Savings
faculty advisor to USM’s chapter of Amnesty International and is the head of the study abroad program in India. When asked about the loss of the religion major, Capper said, “The influence of religion on humanity has been so pervasive that we really cannot understand human life without understanding religion. This is especially true in a post-September 11th world. “Our major in religion provides resources for students and faculty to explore and appreciate these realities in a scholarly, academic way.”
See RELIGION, 3
Total: $1,887,223 Campus-Wide Initiatives Amount of Savings
Total: $7,450,000 TOTAL SAVINGS: $14,786,523
Calendar
Page 2
The
Student Printz Serving Southern Miss since 1927 Executive Editor Samantha Schott
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Mark Your Planner 31 1 2 3 4 All day Last day to drop full semester classes and receive 100% financial refund
6:30 p.m. The Centennial Legacy Series, Part I TCC Ballroom III 7:00 p.m. Karaoke at Seymour’s
12:15 p.m. Amnesty International Weekly Meeting LAB 106
3:00 p.m. Reception for new exhibit on Taiwan Cook Library 7 p.m. MasterChef on FOX
6:00 p.m. Formal Recruitment Begins
6:30 p.m. Football @ South Carolina
3:15 p.m. Women’s Cross Country Southern Miss Invitational (Tatum Park) Hattiesburg, Miss.
11:00 a.m. Volleyball @ Middle Tennessee State Tournament
4:00 p.m. Volleyball @ Middle Tennessee State Tournament 7:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer @ Samford
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Writers Jonathan Andrews Earvin Hopkins Stormy Speaks Ashlyn Ervin Ashton Pittman Cade Morrow Hannah Jones Mary Margaret Halford Michelle Holowach Deonica Davis Sarah Rogers Photographers Jordan Moore Adam Rittenhouse Myesha Arrington Dusty Mercier Designers Lisa Gurley Taylor Fesenmeier
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STUDENT POLL Tell us how you feel about the budget cuts. Sad but necessary They could have made better decisions I’m leaving USM What budget cuts Visit studentprintz.com to tell us what you think
News
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Proposed cuts for 2012 BUDGET
Faculty cuts:
29 faculty members have been notified that the current academic year will be the terminal year on their contracts, 6 faculty from the gulf coast campus 3 tenured professors 11 tenured associate professors 11 untenured assistant professors 4 instructors
Programs Cut:
10 in the College of Arts and Letters 3 in the College of Business 8 in the College of Education and Psychology 4 in the College of Health 3 in the College of Science and Technology 1 in the University Libraries
20 programs cut on Hattiesburg campus: Allied Health, B.A. Art, B.A. Art Education, B.A. Engineering Technology (Computer Science), M.S. Early Oral Intervention, M.S. Education of the Deaf, B.S. Engineering Technology, M.S. Geology, M.S. German Higher Education Administration Education Specialist Interscholastic Athletic Administration, M.S. Latin Management Information System in Business Administration, B.S. Philosophy, M.A. Physical Education Liscensure, M.S. Psychiatric Nursing, M.S. Recreation Leisure Management, B.S. Religion, B.A. Sports and High Performance Materials, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Technology Education B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Page 3 UPC, from 1 Tim Rehner, the co-chair of the academic priorities committee, said Ferguson was a “strong voice for students” in the UPC’s recommendation process. Ferguson said, “(The students involved) had as much say as anyone else.” Ferguson, who attended most of the UPC’s meetings since they began late last year, said she was adamant about asking questions anytime she did not understand something that came up in discussion. One thing Ferguson said she would like to be clearer for the university community is the way that money is allotted. As a former university professor, Ferguson thought she was well informed about how universities worked but learned that budgeting is much more complex than she had imagined. “That made the job difficult because we had certain things we could turn to and certain things we couldn’t,” said Ferguson. Rehner added that because of
the work of these students he had “no doubt about student presence” in the UPC’s recommendations. Some students, however, are not quite as sure about how their input was heard, or even what the UPC was. Jessie Stringer, an elementary education major from Mandeville, La., only heard rumors about the cuts and said she is unsure of why the UPC was created. Though there is some confusion about its purpose, Ferguson still praised the work of everyone involved in the UPC. “Everyone was serious about doing the best possible job,” Ferguson said, “I had absolute respect for that.” Despite their efforts, many students are still disappointed. “I think for a situation like this, when we’re talking about a budget cut of this size, no matter what the final list would have looked like, it would still be heartbreaking like it is right now,” Ferguson said. “It is an absolute heartbreak.”
RELIGION, from 1 Junior physics major Floyd Maseda from Meridian, Miss., said he was infuriated to hear of the major’s cut. “Maybe if they knew how to turn off building lights at night and knew better than to blow millions of dollars on a pointless wall at the front of campus – maybe if they stopped turning the stadium lights and jumbotron on and leaving them on all night – maybe if they didn’t own a jet, maybe then I would have an inkling of respect for the administrative bullshit that we call the leadership of USM,” Maseda said. “Grad school here? I think not.” Biology major from Poplarville, Miss., Kaylee Gentry said this loss will make the university a little less unique. “It’s a terrible shame that we are losing religion as a major, but the removal of all religion classes is nearly a tragedy,” Gentry said. “Understanding other cultures and what they base their lives on is key to being a well-rounded person. “With all the issues sur-
2 programs cut on Gulf Coast campus: Allied Health, B.S. Marine Science, B.S.
3 programs slated for consolidation:
Criminal Justice, consolidation to Hattiesburg. Masters of Business Administration, consolidation to the Gulf Coast Paralegal, consolidation to Hattiesburg Political Science, M.S., consolidation to Hattiesburg
rounding the Middle East and the misunderstanding of their practices, one would think that now would be the time to embrace religious courses, not eliminate them. With the loss of several of the language courses earlier in the year and now the removal of German and the religious studies, I feel like Southern is losing its uniqueness. I liked the variety I saw in this school and eventually chose to go here after some pushing from the alumni in my family, but now it seems I could have just gone anywhere.” Capper stated he will appeal his termination and that of his program. “The education in world religions that we provide is a vital component of our university’s appreciation of individual and group diversity,” he said. “For this reason research universities typically treasure their programs in religion. Without the study of religion, a university can no longer claim to be comprehensive.”
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Amnesty International
Jordan Moore/Printz
USM students browse the booths at the Big Sucess Event on Thursday. At the event organizations showcased their programs and recruited new members.
See STUDENTPRINTZ.COM for the story.
News
Page 4
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
BUDGET
UPC methodology questioned ten letters to the president and provost in support of their programs. Although they will be As students and faculty learn able to graduate in their major, about the cuts that have been some feel it would be an illegitimade for Fiscal Year 2012, many mate degree without the instrucquestion the effectiveness of the tion of the current professors. University Priorities Council, “I’m still hopeful our voices which was designed to evaluate will make a difference,” said university programs for areas Molly Richard, junior religion that can be cut. major from Lafayette, La. If Amy Young, an anthropology the religion and socioldepartment ogy professor I really don’t understand the criteria used cuts sustain, at USM, disRichard said agreed with by the UPC for ranking programs, especially she would the cuts listed, considering that we have no clear mission or reluctantly especially the switch to an vision for USM. termination anthropology of tenuredAmy Young, anthropology and sociology professor major. “It’s an track faculty. entire change She said she the process and decisions made of plans in the middle of my colfound the operations of the UPC for the university. lege career,” she said. vague. Students and faculty, however, President Saunders released “I really don’t understand are speaking out against the cuts a statement Monday outlining the criteria used by the UPC made to the philosophy and re- the decisions and consequencfor ranking programs, espeligion department. es of the cuts. On the topic of cially considering that we have “I have difficulty understand- teaching out students she said, no clear mission or vision for ing how USM can be a real uni- “Students enrolled in programs USM,” she said. versity without religion, reduced targeted for elimination will be Kasey Mitchell, Student Govphilosophy, and no foreign lan- allowed a reasonable time to ernment Association president, guages other than French and complete their degree programs. began work with the committee Spanish,” Young said. Also, an appeal process is bethis summer. Several students from the re- ing developed for programs re“The UPC didn’t just sit down ligion department have writ- questing reconsideration.”
Printz Staff
and say we’re going to cut this and this and this—that’s not how it works...We just have to stay positive and realize that they are doing the best they can do in the circumstances,” she said. Mitchell praised the diligence and commitment of the committee members, and she proposed holding an open forum to answer lingering questions about
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Opinions
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
BUDGET
Page 5
Religion, philosophy programs worth preserving Mark Harris Guest Writer
On Thursday morning I walked into a philosophy class only to encounter a professor agitated that the whole religion and philosophy department was being called into a meeting with the dean. Word soon got out about the results of that meeting: one discipline had been wiped out and the other had barely survived. What disappoints me about this decision is it cuts out thought-intensive programs, much like last year’s trimming down of the economics department. While it is beneficial for colleges to prepare students for specific jobs, the main goal of a university is to broaden the minds of its students. Cutting philosophy and religion jeopardizes this mission. Religious studies will be gone from Southern in less than 12 months, and with it will go classes that help students understand religious diversity. Awareness of other religions and knowledge about how to cooperate with them is crucial for the modern world. Without these classes, we risk breeding misconceptions and failing to properly prepare our students for encountering unfamiliar cultures. Philosophy, too, offers great value
to students. It teaches them how to think logically and come to decisions on their own. Compromising rational inquiry by crippling the oldest academic discipline does not benefit the university. It does not prepare students to think and innovate beyond college. The philosophy major will struggle to remain viable due to the reduction in faculty with no foreseeable reduction in classes. The master’s program has been cut, but most of the graduate-level classes were combined sections with classes necessary for the undergraduate major. The department will have to offer nearly the same number of classes, but will have fewer teachers available to do it. Smaller majors like philosophy, religion and economics have so far experienced the brunt of cuts. The loss of a professor in such a small department has a much greater effect on class offerings than the loss of someone in a larger program. While I hate to see anyone let go, I feel large and small departments should share the burden of costsaving measures. If small departments are decimated one-by-one, the vibrancy and variety of Southern Miss’ offerings will quickly suffer. As a result, it may become much more difficult to attract students who want greater choices.
I understand that the university must make difficult decisions in tough economic times. Core classes like comparative religion, however, make substantial money for the university due to high enrollment. In fact, every introductory philoso-
phy and comparative religion class offered this semester is full. With economic, student enrichment and program diversity reasons against it, I see much cause to lament this decision, and I intensely hope that it is not the last
word on religion and philosophy at Southern Miss. This was an article of opinion by Mark Harris, a writer for the Student Printz. Email questions or comments to mark.e.harris@ eagles.usm.edu.
Page 6
community
Arts & Entertainment
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thrift stores offer more to shoppers Hannah Jones Printz Writer With every college student on a budget, trendy local stores Milkspiller and T-Bone’s Records & Cafe offer vintage merchandise at a walletfriendly price. Just down the street from USM is a retro goldmine. Diverse clothing, quirky jewelry, note-worthy books and toe-tapping music can all be found at the offbeat store Milkspiller.
Owner Jason Kimes described Milkspiller as “an alternative clothing store that specializes in vintage and used high-end clothing, vinyl records, as well as books.” The vintage t-shirt collection continues to be a top seller along with pearl snap-button shirts and designer jean brands like True Religion, 7 for All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity. “The styles are trendy and fashionable, funky, and fun,” Kimes said. “We cater to a younger crowd—mu-
sicians, college students and general cool folks in town.” One of Milkspiller’s goals is to offer a more intimate shopping experience with merchandise catering to customers’ wants and needs. “People shop here because they know they’ll find something unique,” Kimes said. “Our slogan is ‘We love you more than the mall’ because we try to connect with our customers and want to provide a more custom level of service than standardized mall chain stores.” With the availability and affordability of secondhand clothing, many students are migrating toward a more alternative wardrobe. Demi Pritchard, a sophomore music production major, knows all about vintage style. “My personality influences the clothes I wear, not caring what people think,” she said. “I feel my clothes show that.” Her flowing, fiery-red hair, gold metallic boots and fists full of cocktail rings, display her eclectic mix of the old and new used to customize her wardrobe. “Most of my clothes come from thrift stores,” she said. “I enjoy the Calico Mall in downtown Hattiesburg. They sell anything from dinosaur fossils to vintage clothing.”
Dusty Mercier/Printz
Clothes sit for sale at Milkspiller Vintage Clothing Store.
A little farther down Hardy Street is T-Bone’s Records & Cafe, a music mega store with a surplus of CDs, DVDs, vinyl records and even an in-house coffee and sandwich shop. USM grad student and loyal T-Bone’s customer Justin Howard frequents T-Bone’s in search of used vinyl albums to add to his growing collection, most of which came from T-Bone’s. “T-Bone’s a vital part of the Hattiesburg musical scene,” Howard said. “The people who own the store are as passionate about music as anyone you’ll ever meet. Their music selection has all of the usual
mainstream pop music but also dedicates just as much attention to more underground and independent music.” Sophomore Fred Spence’s love of Blues music draws him to T-Bone’s. “The people that work there are so willing to help you find whatever music you’re looking for and have introduced me to quite a few artists. All music is timeless, and if I have access to it then I will listen to it. ” With the accessibility of Milkspiller and T-Bones’s Records & Cafe to USM’s campus, students can put on an old record, try on some retro clothes and take a step back into the past.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
community
Arts & Entertainment
Page 7
Thirsty Hippo holds Open Mic Night Ashlyn Ervin Printz Writer The Thirsty Hippo in downtown Hattiesburg brings fun to an overlooked weekday: Wednesday. Generally, this day is nothing more than a reminder that you are not yet through the week. However, the Hippo’s Wednesday Open Mic Night is changing that. “It’s the middle of the week, but you can come to the Hippo,” said junior biology major Michael Farmer. Farmer said he has been coming to the Hippo since high school and really enjoys seeing his friends on stage. “It’s a good opportunity for them to get exposure and to practice in front of an audience,” he said. The intimate nature of the Hippo allows for personal and involving shows. “Sometimes [when friends are onstage], I’ll heckle them, and they’ll incorporate that into their material,” Farmer said. Comics constantly ask for feedback from the crowd, and it is evident they depend a lot on how the crowd is feeling. Open Mic Night has been
around for years, but only recently it became largely comedic. Regardless of the type of performance, it is an opportunity for locals to try their hand at being on stage, as long as it’s original. Songs must be written by the performer, and jokes must be written by the comic. Open Mic Night participant Robbie Gowdy, a senior from Ridgeland, Miss., said he had a strong sense of audience during his parts. “The stuff I did tonight was all new, and I felt moments where it could have been better.” The Hippo offers more than Wednesday night excitement; it is an opportunity for anyone who has ever had the itch to perform. “I’ve always lived my life under the illusion that I was funny,” Gowdy said. “This was an opportunity to see if I was right.” “I love the rush and the respect,” said Corbin McDavitt, a Jones County Junior College freshman. “I’m the youngest comic, and I originally thought it would put me at odds. I can’t even buy a beer!” But McDavitt captured the crowd with original jokes taken from his daily life, and he said he can see the humor in everyday situations. “I think of the audience, where
Bryant Hawkins/Printz
USM senior Robbie Gowdy performs stand up comedy at the Thirsty Hippo’s Open Mic Night on Wednesday.
I am, and don’t care about offending people,” McDavitt said. “I mostly sit around and laugh at funny things from my life, then write it down,” said Zach Lamplugh, a recent USM graduate. “I have a journal of funny things. It’s really pushed me creatively to focus on something related to my career.” An
aspiring filmmaker, Lamplugh said he was one of the first comics to join in at the Hippo beginning two weeks after Open Mic Night started. The environment of the Hippo lends itself to a friendly atmosphere. After a set, comics are rushed by fans, friends and newcomers—people genuinely
excited by their effort. “It’s fun because they’re funny, but it’s funnier because they’re my friends,” said Farmer. For returning performers, the exposure is definitely evident. “People will see me around and be like, ‘Hey, you’re that funny guy,’” said Lamplugh. He said that is his biggest compliment.
Sports
Page 8
FOOTBALL
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Eagles open on ESPN in South Carolina Cade Morrow Printz Writer USM will kick off ESPN college football on Thursday. This year’s team will showcase many new faces in the starting lineup of Thursday’s game versus South Carolina. The offensive line will have four new starters, with Cameron Zipp being the only player returner from that unit. “The offensive line may be short on experience this year, but there is no shortage of talent,” said offensive line coach, Chris Kapilovic. “We do have to spoon-feed a lot of these younger players, but from a talent standpoint we have a lot of talent, and we believe that these guys can be really good football players,” said Kapilovic.
The newcomers will look to center Cameron Zipp for leadership this season. Zipp said it has been a transition, but the players are finally coming together as a unit. “I think that we are getting better each and every day, and that’s what we have to do,” said Zipp. “It’s definitely a transition, but it is good to get to work with new guys and learn how they play.” One player that has really stood out to Cameron has been senior guard Alex Michael. “Alex Michael has been busting his tail here for four years and now it is his senior year and he has been doing real well,” said Zipp. Another new player is Jason Weaver. Weaver is a highly touted junior college (JUCO) prospect that is likely to be handling most of the load at tackle. Weaver said he
Southern Miss vs. South Carolina Day: Thursday Date: Sept. 2, 2010 Location: Columbia, S.C. Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
is looking forward to the upcoming season. “Fall Camp has been really good,” said Weaver. “I feel like I have been progressing every day, and that is all that I can do.” Most of his fall camp has been spent making the transition from the JUCO ranks to the speed that he will see at the Division 1 level.
VOLLEYBALL
“I went against some really good competition in JUCO too, but the speed of the game is the main thing that has changed for me,” Weaver said. Coach Fedora said he is happy with the talent he has in this unit, but he is still concerned about the lack of experience going into the first game.
“There is a lot of inexperience, and that is going to be a concern for me until we kick it off,” Fedora said. “There is no way that I can go to bed and feel good about it until we get into the flow of the game and see what happens.” Southern Miss will take on the Gamecocks of South Carolina on Thursday.
Southern Miss Sports: Upcoming Games Friday Jordan Moore/Printz
Members of the volleyball team celebrate a point against South Alabama Friday. The Golden Eagles won 3-0. They also won the invitational tournament with three victories.
4:00 PM Women’s Volleyball vs Georgia Southern 7:00 PM Women’s Soccer at Samford
Saturday
11:00 AM Women’s Volleyball at Middle Tennessee State 3:00 PM Women’s Volleyball vs. Miami
Sunday
12:00 PM Women’s Soccer at Vanderbilt 1:00 PM Women’s Volleyball vs Auburn
Southern Miss Weekend Box Score Volleyball:
8/27 vs. South Alabama W. 3-0 8/27 vs. Nicholl’s State W, 3-0 8/28 vs. Kennesaw State W, 3-0
Soccer:
8/27 vs. Mississippi Valley State W, 4-0 8/29 at Mississippi State L, 3-0
SOCCER
Myesha ArringtonPrintz
USM’s Kelsea Seymour set Sarah Bowden up for a kill point against Kennesaw State. The Golden Eagles won 3-0.
Bryant Hawkins/Printz
USM’s Jordan Wagner attempts to keep the ball from Mississippi Valley State’s Bianca Vigliante during their match on Friday. USM won the match 4-0.