ENTERTAINMENT
STUDENTPRINTZ.COM
We’ll be live blogging tomorrow’s men’s basketball game against UAB. See www.studentprintz.com at 2:30p.m.
The Student Printz is traveling to SXSW during spring break. Follow us on the web with photos and reviews.
SPORTS
The Golden Eagles destroyed the UCF Knights yesterday in the C-USA tournament. See page 8 for details from Memphis.
S P The
Serving Southern Miss since 1927
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Volume 93, Issue 46
Anonymous donation to fund scholarships, strategic plan Lesley Walters News Editor
University President Martha Saunders announced that Southern Miss has received a $6 million donation from an anonymous benefactor. While university officials cannot answer questions regarding the identity or motivations of the donor, Saunders said he or she likely “believes in what Southern Miss is all about.” The benefactor did, however, set aside $5 million of the gift for student scholarships. The remaining million will be used to advance the university’s strategic initiatives. The donation is the largest single
cash gift in USM’s history, Saunders said from the steps of the Thad Cochran Center. Kara Palmer, a freshman who was in attendance during the announcement, said she had heard it might have something to do with university finances, but was “absolutely astounded” when she heard the amount of the donation. “This is huge!” the education major from Minneapolis, Minn., said. “This is absolutely ginormous (sic) for one anonymous donor to donate $6 million to a university. I’m really excited to see the way they put the money to use.” Saunders said the Foundation Board, an independent organization that raises and manages money for USM, is meeting today to deter-
mine where the $5 million portion should be invested “so that it continues to yield scholarships” over time. Vice President for Advancement David Wolf also works on the Foundation Board, and also spoke during the announcement Tuesday. He said after he first heard about the donation about a week ago, he did a “little dance” in his office. “My entire career is based on helping to secure gifts and connecting donors to students … so to do something as big and as meaningful as this is just a tremendous opportunity,” he said. She said the remaining million is expected to go “where you can see a tangible, immediate result,” adding that some of the money will likely
go toward student retention, distance learning, and encouragement of faculty to write more grants. “A million dollars is a lot of money, but it’s not a whole lot of money when you think of all that we have to do,” she said. “So we’re going to be very, very careful that we break off each little piece and put it exactly where it needs to be...” Saunders said the extent of next year’s budget cuts is still unknown, but the money for scholarships will help students and the university as a whole. She added that scholarships USM Public Relations for incoming students are imporPresident Martha Saunders unveiled a $6 million anonymous donation Tuesday. tant, but so are those for continuing The money will be split among scholarships and university strategic intiatives. students. “We have learned a ton this past it is for as little as a thousand dol- all – but it is to that student … Stuyear about why our students don’t lars, which in the grand scheme of dents should come here confident return,” she said, “and sometimes things is just not much money at that they can finish.”
SPRING BREAK
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Traveling to Mexico safe for students despite warnings Rachel Hall Printz Writer
Christopher Bostick/Printz Gwen Mobley, of the Mobley family, hugs Lee Ann Venable, a HAHFH Board Member, after receiving keys to their new home provided by Habitat for Humanity at the dedication ceremony.
Students serve community during break Andie Szabo Printz Wtiter
All over the country, college students are foregoing the traditional spring break to help out their own communities, as well as other communities in need. “I can go to the beach anytime,” said Rob Hunt, a sophomore who plans to spend his spring break in Baltimore, Md., at a sports camp “to reach people that haven’t heard the gospel.” He said the USM Baptist Student Union provided him the opportunity. Fifteen Southern Miss students are going on an alternative
spring break trip being hosted by the USM Office of Community Service Learning. Joshua Duplantis, coordinator of the OSCL, said the students are going to learn about the area and serve the community through volunteer work. In a partnership with Delta State University, the USM students will be staying in Delta State dormitories while serving a very rural community, Duplantis said. Later in the week, students from Delta State will come to Hattiesburg to serve the local community. The Delta State students were supposed to stay on campus during their visit to Hattiesburg,
Duplantis said, but because of the budget cuts and the closing of campus during spring break, they will now be staying at Main Street United Methodist Church. The Delta State students will be volunteering with Edwards Street Fellowship Center, Habitat for Humanity, Christian Services and the Salvation Army. “When I announced the trip, it filled up in 72 hours,” Joshua Duplantis said. He said this is a great opportunity for the university to connect with other universities and serve alongside them, and students who will be in Hattiesburg for spring break should feel free to join the efforts. The OCSL is
trying to keep the cost for the trip as low as possible, he added, and students will only be paying for a few meals. The Hattiesburg Habitat for Humanity is another local organization hosting alternative spring break opportunities for volunteer-oriented college students. Habitat International’s Collegiate Challenge is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. According to its Web site, the program provides year-round opportunities for students to spend their breaks building homes, and more than 12,000 students will be divided between 200 locations to build houses this year.
etary aid in the study of stem cells. During his terms in office, former President George W. Bush prohibited federal funding of stem cell research, and many hope that Obama’s approval will now bring about many advances in medicine, especially regarding diseases such as Parkinson’s and diabetes. The issue, however, remains a divisive one, alongside hot-button controversies such as abortion and cloning. Stem cells are essentially the
building blocks of the human body, since they have the unique ability to grow into other cells. Specifically, scientists value embryonic stem cells, which are found in human embryos. These particular stem cells are able to change into a much wider selection of muscles and tissues, including bone cells, blood cells and brain cells, among many others. The implications of this appear to be endless. Starting in 1998, when the first human embryonic stem cell line
was derived, many scientists and doctors have discussed the possibility of using stem cells to regenerate brain cells for patients beleaguered with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and to transplant mutant cells with healthy ones for cancer victims. Since the study of embryonic stem cells requires the collection and disassembly of human embryos, many groups and individuals have raised ethical con-
Obama lifts ban on stem cell research Meryl Dakin Patrick Laughlin Printz Writers
President Barack Obama signed an executive order earlier this week lifting restrictions on government-funded stem cell research, removing a ban that has been in place for more than 10 years. Obama’s recent move is expected to allow scientists more freedom and government mon-
INDEX
CALENDAR............................2 DIRTY BIRDS.........................2 OPINIONS...............................4 CONTACT INFO.....................5
ENTERTAINMENT.................6 ENT. CALENDAR...................7 SPORTS....................................8 SPORTS CALENDAR.............8
See STEM CELLS on page 3
When students hear the words “Mexico” and “spring break” together, many of them envision an idyllic vacation, but the uncertainty about the Mexican state is leaving many travelers hesitant to travel south of the border. In recent weeks, media networks and the U.S. government have issued travel warnings for the state of Mexico. According to the State Department, travelers find themselves at the greatest risk of violence in areas near the border, such as the cities of Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Laredo, where there have been more than 200 Americans killed since 2004. This is the highest number of “unnatural” deaths in any foreign country outside military combat zones. According to the Los Angeles Times, the escalating deaths, especially in Tijuana and other border towns, have strong connections to drug cartels and their relentless struggle for power in Mexico. The competition among cartels for stomping grounds and smuggling routes is a fierce and bloody battle, with 6,000 deaths in 2008 alone, reported the Washington Post. How have government warnings affected USM? The “Spanish in Mexico” international program in Puebla, Mexico, offers Southern Miss students the opportunity to immerse themselves not only in the Spanish language, but also in the Mexican culture. Auxiliadora Arana-Sánchez, director of the program, said that Puebla is more secure and safer for students because of its geographical location in the central part of Mexico. Puebla, she stated, is one
Some things to remember when traveling in Mexico: • Always be aware of your surroundings and take the same precautions you would if you were traveling to any unfamiliar location. •If you are traveling by taxi, use only the licensed and regulated “sitio” taxis. Some illegitimate taxi drivers are criminals looking for easy targets.
POLICY
THE STUDENT PRINTZ IS PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY DURING THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS. THE FIRST FOUR COPIES ARE FREE. EACH ADDITIONAL COPY IS 25 CENTS.
of the safest towns in Mexico, and the host university itself provides 24-hour security. “There is no major risk for students coming into Mexico in general terms,” Mexican Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora said in a recent interview with the Associated Press, “It is always important to advise the youngsters to behave.” Eduardo Villarreal, a native of Monterrey, Mexico and a graduate student at USM, agreed that Americans do not face any immediate danger when traveling to Mexico. “It is not in the interest of the [Mexican] government or the drug cartels to get involved with civilians,” stated Villarreal. “The president [Felipe Calderón] has put a lot of emphasis into the military, the police…Mexico now comes with SWAT teams, FBI agents who work for the Mexican government to provide intelligence, preparation, weapons…things like that. But the situation is not involving civilians right now.” For Southern Miss students who are especially concerned with spending spring break in a country with an unstable political environment, the U.S. State Department offers a way to ease the uncertainty. International travelers can register their trip with the U.S. Department of State. Registering an international trip with the State Department informs the American government that you are a U.S. citizen traveling abroad. “Like any big city in the world, it’s going to be dangerous,” Villarreal confirmed. “You go to New York; it’s a dangerous city, and it’s in the United States. But you have to know where to hang out and take your own precautions.”
For the latest Southern Miss news, see studentprintz.com
•Acapulco: Drug-related violence has increased. U.S. citizens in this area should be vigilant in their personal safety. •Cancun: Cancun is a fairly large city with increasing reports of crime, commonly occurring at night or in the early morning hours, and often involve alcohol and the nightclub environment.
TODAY
TOMORROW
72/52
68/56
Page 3|News
www.studentprintz.com | Thursday, March 12, 2009
news in brief Psychology Clinic expands services
The Southern Miss Psychology Clinic expanded services to children and young adults. They are accepting referrals for children and adolescents in need of assessment or treatment for common mental health concerns such as ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, general behavior problems, depression, and anxiety. Call the Clinic at (601) 266-4588.
Blood drive today in the School of Nursing
The Southern Miss School of Nursing will be hosting a blood drive today from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The sign-up sheet is located in the School of Nursing LRC; you may also sign up through the United Blood Services website until the day before the blood drive. Donors receive a UBS t-shirt.
Residence halls close at 5 p.m. tomorrow
The residence halls will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13 for spring break, and will re-open at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 22. Those interested in break housing should contact the Western Motel at 601.264.0010. For more information, call residence life at 601.266.4783 or reslife@usm. edu.
FAFSA applications due March 15
The Office of Financial Aid reminds students that it is time to renew the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2009-2010 school year. Applications due March 15. Contact the Financial Aid Office at http://www.usm.edu/financialaid for more information.
“Weather and Our Nature” opens today
Susan Fitzsimmons, associate professor in the Department of Art and Design at Southern Miss, will present an exhibition, “Weather and Our Nature,” through June 2, at Café Boheme.
New dean named in College of Health
Dr. Michael Forster has been selected as dean for the College of Health at The University of Southern Mississippi. Since April 2008, Forster has served as the college’s interim dean. Southern Miss Provost Dr. Robert Lyman said, “I am sure that he will lead the College of Health to even greater success in the coming years.”
Charles Childress III
Brad Herrera, Ross Dupriest, John Barr, Dan Mulroe, and Steven Quaintance complete the online application for Fraternity Housing.
Fraternity housing registration now online Special to the Printz The Fraternity Housing system at Southern Miss is seeing some changes this year. Aside from adding housekeeping services twice a week in October, fraternity-housing residents are now able to register for housing online through www.usm.edu/ fraternityhousing. Members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter tested the new online registration system Sunday night. Student workers Chelsea Lewis, Keese Quist, Alex Robertson, Lucas Davis and Rachel Williams assisted new users in the registration process. They will be introducing the new system to members of Alpha Tau Omega when classes resume after spring break. Now that the process has been moved online, students can more easily apply for fraternity housing. Members of the chapter
found the process to be quite easy and were happy with the new initiative. “This new system allows us to pick our rooms earlier and makes it easier for everyone to sign up to live in the house,” said Sig Ep President Adam Alfonso. Residence Life Technology Manager Toni Stringer spearheaded this initiative with Gary Kimble and Charles Childress, who supervise Fraternity Housing Operations. Childress, assistant director of the Office of Conference and Fraternity Housing Operations, said he and Kimble found that the registration process was “quite time consuming” before the switch. “The hope is that this new process streamlines a critical part of our operation,” he added. Since the new system tested well with the Sig Ep members, Childress said it will be open to the other 10 fraternity houses well before the application deadline, April 8.
Remember to recycle this issue when you’re done!
3-04-09
DirtyBirds
•Kennard Washington - Medical Assist - A visitor said he fell and hurt his hand, walked to USM Clinic for treatment. •Family Therapy Center - Medical Assist - AAA ambulance transported a student to FGH ER. •Golden Eagle Av - Suspicious Person - One trespass warning was issued to a non-student. MS Uniform Crash report on file.
3-05-09
•McCarty Hall - Medical Assist - A student was transported to FGH by AAA ambulance. •Pinehaven Apt - Disturbance - Donald Griffin, B/M, 23, New Augusta address, was arrested for Public Drunkenness and Providing False Identification. Marquis Bradley, B/M, 18, Hattiesburg address was arrested for Public Drunkenness. •MS Hall - Medical Assist - AAA ambulance transported a student to FGH ER.
3-06-09
•Black & Gold Blvd - Disturbance - One campus citation was issued for Noise Violation. •Payne Center Lot - Vandalism - A student reported the fender of his vehicle was scratched.
STEM CELLS continued from page one bryos, many groups and individuals have raised ethical concerns. The Catholic Church has been one of the most fervent opponents to stem cell research, claiming that it infringes on a developing child’s right to life. In an MSNBC article, Billy May, the Chairman of Catholics for the Common Good says, “We don’t think it’s ethical to fund or do the kind of research that requires killing living human beings.” Stuart Lovinggood, a junior chemistry major from Metairie, La., agreed with Mays’ position. “The way I feel about embryonic stem cells is that it is researching for cures for human disease at the cost of future human life,” he said. “The procurement of embryonic stem cells kills the embryo, which contains human DNA and is a human life simply in the early stages of growth.” Lovinggood is not opposed to adult stem cell research, however, believing it to be equally as promising in research. “Politically, I think there will be a lot of debate on this in the years to come,” said Dr. YanLin Guo, assistant professor of biological sciences at USM. In addition to furthering debate, however, President Obama’s decision to lift the funding ban on stem cell research will have
other repercussions, Guo added. “People are excited because there is the possibility that we can solve a lot of disease,” he said, though difficulties sometimes arise from stem cell research as well. He cited a Russian case in which a patient implanted with stem cells developed tumors. “This is a very promising research area...but practically, there are a lot of problems ahead of us, so scientists must perform a lot of research,” he said. There are also economic effects to be considered. A recent MSNBC report suggests that two stem cell research centers in California’s Bay Area are positioned to gain millions of dollars in federal fund money since Obama lifted the ban. But does this bode well for the current economic crisis? USM professor of economics Dr. William Gunther said that although things could shift on the microeconomic level, the policy change won’t have a major impact nationwide. “It could reallocate money, because schools that are big into stem cell research could tend to get money for here, whereas schools that do research for something else now don’t. It’s a matter of redistribution,” he said.
•115 Fraternity Dr - Alcohol - One campus citation was issued for Possession by Minor. •Scott Hall - Medical Assist - AAA ambulance transported a student to FGH.
3-07-09
•Payne Center - Medical Assist - UPD transported a student to FGH ER. •Scott Hall - Motor Vehicle Accident - Incident report on file. •MK Turk Cr - Motor Vehicle Accident - Incident report on file.
3-09-09
•Eagle Walk - Found Property - A check was found and returned to the owner by UPD. •Championship Ln - Suspicious Person - One trespass warning was issued to a non-student. The subject was picked up by Hattiesburg police for an outstanding warrant. •Theater and Dance - Motor Vehicle Accident - Incident report on file. •Fraternity Dr - Motor Vehicle Accident - Incident report on file. •Shafer Center - Disturbance - Reginald Davis, B/M, 22, Olive Branch address, was arrested and charged with Resisting arrest and Disorderly Conduct.
EventsCalendar TODAY
•11:45 a.m. - Wesley Foundation Lunch, Wesley Foundation •2 p.m. - Mystery Book Club meeting, Oak Grove Public Library •7:30 p.m. - “Noises Off,” Theater and Dance Building •8 p.m. - Visiting Writers Series presents Bobbie Ann Mason, Gonzales Auditorium
TOMORROW
•Through June 2 - Susan Fitzsimmons art exhibit, Cafe Boheme •11 a.m. - Biological Sciences Seminar, Polymer Science Auditorium •5 p.m. - St. Thomas Catholic Church sponsers Irish-Italian 5k, Southern Miss Gateway at the Longleaf Trace •8 p.m. - Tori Sparks performance, T-Bone Records
SATURDAY
•8 a.m. - Kappa Delta Shamrock 3-mile fun run, Southern Miss Gateway on Longleaf Trace •10:30 a.m. - Irish-Italian Festival Parade, from Hillcrest Hal to ReedGreen Coliseum •11 a.m. - Blues and Beignets, Brownstones •4 p.m. - Viola Ensemble concert, Marsh Auditorium •7 p.m. - Lamar County Junior Miss pageant, Saenger Theater •8 p.m. - (me)shach Jackson performance, T-Bone Records
SUNDAY
•10:30 a.m. - French crepes at JavaWerks •5 p.m. - Retro Sundays at Hub Bowling Lanes •6 p.m. - Jeffery Baughman Senior Recital, Marsh Auditorium
Bio Life Ad
Opinions
Page 4 opinions@studentprintz.com
Have fun during spring break, but be safe John Hackney
A
Printz Writer
s spring break creeps up on us faster than I ever imagined it would, I can’t help but to think of all of us cutting up on the beach, a cruise ship, some snow-capped mountain, or stuck right here in Hattiesburg with no worries whatsoever but to relax and take it easy. The most important thing that I must remind everyone who is planning to celebrate spring break, even if you are only partying for one or two days is to remember: no matter where you are there will be law enforcement in some form to make sure students from all around
the country keep things in order. Coming from someone who had a cop as a father growing up and just recently had a run-in with the law due complete ignorance, I know some of us tend to carry bad attitudes toward the long arm of the law. It put an especially bad taste in my mouth when my recent troubles went down two days before my birthday, which happened to fall on Fat Tuesday. Remember, police are doing what they get paid to do: protect everyone. If you break a law or endanger others, they will arrest you and take you to jail without hesitation. Well, news flash to everyone: it doesn’t matter how much money your family has, who you know, and
especially how drunk you get over spring break. These people aren’t going to put up with any crap during the upcoming week. These folks’ job is to make sure everybody has good, safe fun above all. So here are a few common sense tips I can give to you spring breakers. Don’t be “that group” that gets drunk and picks fights with other schools because we beat them in a game or vice versa. Don’t get sloppy and ralph in a stranger’s lap or anywhere besides your room or behind a bush. Don’t break furniture in your hotel room or condo (Yes, that is the voice of experience -- it’s expensive as hell). Don’t try to be Shooter McGavin and drink the most of anyone in the
bar, and most importantly: don’t drink and drive! There will be taxis everywhere you turn, ready to take you and your friends wherever you need to go. Take loads of pictures on your trip. I’m sure you’re going to need to be reminded of the dumb stuff you did the night before. What better way to do it than with hard evidence? Also, bring ridiculous amounts of sunscreen so you don’t look like a lobster after the first day on the beach. If you are driving to your destination, make sure the vehicle you choose is road-ready. Once on the road, swap drivers so nobody gets sleepy at the wheel. Finally, the last piece of advice
I can give is to remember there is always safety in numbers. So ladies, don’t mosey off to a bar or club by yourself. You’re only asking for trouble. Take into consideration that USM’s spring break falls on the most popular spring break week, so wherever you go, thousands of college kids will be found for the same reasons you left Hattiesburg -- having fun, getting drunk, and making decisions to be regretted later. It is estimated that around two million students will be packing up and heading out for fun and relaxation. I promise that you and your friends will have a much better time if you have fun...legally.
I know I would be pissed if one of my friends made me use my party money to bail them out of jail, even though they knew what they were doing was wrong. I’m not telling you to hold back. Go apes**t because that’s exactly what spring break is for: no term papers, no tests, no real responsibility for a week! You are only in college for so long and only have so many opportunities to go on spring break with your friends before everyone graduates into the real world. Have fun, make memories, but at the same time...be safe.
of people from their homes, many of whom lived in FEMA trailers after the storm. Katrina was a horrifying event for many, but apparently it is still a ghastly experience for women remaining in FEMA trailers. The Hattiesburg American reports that gender-based violence in Mississippi rose from 4.6 instances per day per 100,000 women before the storm to 16.3 instances per day per 100,000 in 2006. It has been declining but is still triple the number from
before Katrina. The study was done by Dr. Lynn Lawry and is believed to be the first of its kind. This is appalling! Many suffered when they lost everything they owned to winds and storm surges – including family members. Those affected had to vacate their properties, then ultimately
got the run-around from FEMA. Let’s cap it all off with guys taking out their frustrations from the hurricane on their girls with violence. I’ve got news for all you so-called men who assaulted your ladies; they went through the exact same storm, stress and exasperations as you did. It was low enough to hit your
women in the first place, let alone after a traumatic experience such as Katrina. What selfishness! Human beings make relationships so we can make it through tough times like Katrina by depending on each other for support and love. All the abusive men out there should stop and think about what
they’re doing the next time they raise their hands in anger. We need to stop this violence now. These women have already been through enough.
John Hackney is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu
Wounds caused by Katrina still affect Mississippi Qimmah Dailey
Printz Writer
H
urricane Katrina was the worst U.S. natural disaster on record. It caused millions of dollars in property damage and displaced tens of thousands
Qimmah Daily is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu
Barnes & Noble Change in Operating Hours Through Thursday, March 12th: Normal Hours Friday, March 13th: 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14th - Sunday, March 22nd: Closed Monday, March 23rd: Start New Hours of Operation Monday - Thursday: 7:45 a.m.- 6:45 p.m., Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
your school. your bookstore.
Applications are now being accepted for: Academic Year 2009-2010
Executive Editor, The Student Printz Executive Editor, The Southerner All applicants for these positions should submit an electronic copy of a packet that includes: 1. A formal letter of application 2. A personal statement of intent which includes: A. A statement of philosophy of goals for the publication B. A plan for carrying out those goals. C. An evaluation of the 2008-2009 operation. 3. A resume. 4. Three letters of recommendation to cover some academic as well as professional credentials. 5. A complete transcript of all college-level work (Minimum 2.5 overall GPA is required) Submit to: Dr. Jeanne Gillespie, chair Board of Publications Send packet to: jeanne.gillespie@usm.edu Deadline 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 8 All materials should be submitted in PDF form. Interviews will be Friday, April 17 at 2 p.m. Dean’s Conference Room, LAB All applicants must attend
American Roots 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Featuring music inspired by traditional American sounds including blues, country, folk, jazz and zydeco. If you listen to music like Allison Krauss, Ben Harper, Johnny Cash, and Bonnie Raitt, you’ll LOVE “American Roots”. For additional information and the rest of our weekly programming, please visit us at www.usm.edu/wusm.
Page 5|Opinions
www.studentprintz.com | Thursday, March 12, 2009
Anorexia awareness a step in the right direction Brad Poore Printz Writer
A
s I was walking into Kennard-Washington Hall the other day, I was surprised to find a full-length mirror set up in the entrance to the rotunda. “Finally,” I thought, “a nod to looking decent from USM.” I began checking my hair and turning to the side to see if my recent jelly bean indulgences had caught up to my midsection. Satisfied that I was no fatter than yesterday and that my hair hadn’t frizzed out too much, I noticed a sign on the mirror that I hadn’t seen thanks to my obsessive primping.
Apparently, a few days in February were dedicated to anorexia awareness. At first I was embarrassed, and looked around to see if anyone had caught my shameless divulgence in vanity in front of an obvious warning against the mother of all self-destructive vanity disorders. Assured that I was alone and my faux pas had been a private shame, I began to feel angry and a little shortchanged that only a few days had been allotted to this disorder. Such an absurd display was the only evidence of this fact. My own struggle with anorexia had lasted years and still affects every aspect of my life. All the time it gets is equivalent to the length of a movie rental from
Blockbuster? It’s more than a battle fought in the mirror, it’s a debilitating, life-threatening mental disorder that, even when “fixed”, threatens to take back the reigns at every meal and exercise session. It sometimes even rears its ugly head as a brand new fixation that can once again take control of your life. I took care of my ever-present financial aid woes and started my walk home -- now carrying my own struggles with food, weight and image in step with me. I still inwardly cringe when I see people chomping down happily on a burger with cheese; the bun itself is a caloric celebration, not to mention the regular Coke most wash it down with … a syrupy river that winds
its way towards a new pant size. Many think anorexia is just abstaining completely from food, but they’re gravely mistaken. The friend who goes out with you to restaurants and only orders chips and salsa or a salad -- no cheese, no dressing -- and a Diet Coke isn’t necessarily anorexic. But just because he or she eats does not put them in the clear. Yes, he or she. Anorexia is not gender specific to women, and because a gentleman has the disorder does not mean he’s any less of a man or homosexual. It’s not a woman’s disease, but most men are less likely to seek help for it because of the attached stigmas. It took years of utter denial and brittle bones that snapped like a feeble octo-
genarian’s because of a lack of nutrition before I could admit my problem. No, I was not bulimic and purging; they do not always go hand in hand. I over-exercised and starved myself. Power dieting is what I called it. To me, everyone else had the problem because they had no self-control when it came to food. I was the master of my own weight, yet it was my mastery that kept me from enjoying a meal with friends and made me so ashamed of eating. I only ate in public places when it would be blatantly awkward not to. Food made me wince and seeing people eating without abandon made me feel repulsed but also superior for being so controlled. Anorexia, at
least for me, masked itself in pride. It wasn’t, “I’m so skinny,” it was “I’m so happy I’m not like them. I actually have self-control.” For someone affected by anorexia, clinical definitions are easily ignored. But testimonials from those struggling with the disorder can show people, ignorant to their own problems, that too much self-control can lead to irreversible self-harm. A mirror with a sign is a good-faith effort, but more than likely it will go unnoticed by someone who is fixated on the image that’s reflected back. Brad Poore is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu
Ugg boots might be comfortable, but they’re not fashionable Meryl Dakin Printz Writer
I
do not apologize for any offense or hard feelings I cause in the course of this article. This is for your own
good. What follows is a brief history of the Ugg boots, their original function, and why you look like a tool when you wear them. To those who cringe at the sight of these fashion atrocities, you can blame
these great moguls of style for starting the trend in the 30’s: Australian farmers. Those farmers even coined the precursor to the brand name we use today: “ugh,” slang for - can you guess? Ugly. Pilots in World War I were the first to catch on to the craze. Except they changed the word to “fug” for “flying ugg.” At this point the adjective “fugly” appeared in American lexicon, now attributed to the f-word + ugly to avoid bad press for this singularly hideous footwear. In the 60s, Australian competitive surf-
ers discovered the boots and used them for the reasonable purpose of insulation after catching a wave. Brian Smith was one such surfer. He took a few of his Uggs to show off to his Californian counterparts in the late 70s and hit an enterprising minefield. Within his first season of business, he sold 48 pairs of Uggs. And thus the infection spread. Now, Uggs are perfectly acceptable in truly cold and very dry conditions. Their use in northern states, while unattractive, is excusable. Contrary to apparent popu-
lar belief, however, simple meteorology tells us that Mississippi’s weather patterns differ slightly from those of Chicago. So, Mississippi Ugg Wearer, when you slip on your $180 Uggs in “winter” (as we like to call it when the temperature drops below 50), you look geographically challenged. When you sport them in “spring” (above 50, below 90) with shorts or a mini-skirt, you look like you have an identity crisis. Beyond their impracticalities in our climate, Uggs are utterly rep-ugg-nant in the aesthetical sense. I imagine all sorts
of deformities under the mound-shaped shoes: elephantitis, clubfoot, hobbitfoot? What are you hiding? Do I want to know? Just understand that you aren’t emulating some high-minded runway guru who has the training and experience to explain his radical creations. No. Your feet bear the badge of an Australian farmer, a WWI pilot and a freezing surfer on a beach 2,000 miles away. Did Brian understand the implications of his sales to the Californian surfers? I like to hope that no one would so deftly
cripple good taste just to turn a profit. In any case, he’s left us with our generation’s greatest fashion faux pas. We’ll look back on our Uggs as our parents look back on their platform clogs. We’ll share an uncomfortable laugh as we try to excuse our style transgressions to our children, who will no doubt be swindled into an equally heinous fashion statement -- heaven help us if one should ever exist. Meryl Dakin is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu
Entertainment
Page 6 entertainment@studentprintz.com
Watchmen: Not just for nerds Patrick Fisackerly Printz Writer
L
ast Thursday, I made a prediction. After buying my midnight ticket to “Watchmen” hours in advance and skimming over the graphic novel to remind myself of its brilliance, I thought to myself, “There’s no way in hell this movie is going to make any money.” At the time, the thought passed, and I continued on my road to utter geekdom. However, it began to gnaw on me – what if “Watchmen” is a failure? What if it is a success? What will that mean for the movie business, one way or the other? “Watchmen” is certainly an anomaly of a movie – a multilayered, thoughtful mood piece that cares more about the fallacy of the American Dream and the human condition than about superhero action sequences (well, at least for the most part). “The Dark Knight” certainly had its similarities, but compared to “Watchmen,” it is damned near conventional. Fans of the graphic novel (nerds, for those unaware) knew exactly what they were getting into when they bought their tickets to “Watchmen.” They knew all of the plot strands by heart, and any inconsistencies, however minor, would be noticed immediately and blogged about for years to come. But here’s the rub. Nerds do not make up the majority of the movie-going population. Sure, they will show up in droves for the midnight screenings and opening weekend, but they are not powerful enough to make any movie a success. For mass-market success, you need a great marketing campaign and mass appeal,
Jesse Bass/Printz
Alicia Fry and Casey Lloyd, both of Madisonville, Louis., walk to Hattiesburg’s Grand Theater Sunday afternoon to check showtimes. Watchmen made more than $50 million during their opening weekend at the boxoffice.
“
Who watches the Watchmen? ...A hell of a lot of people.
meaning you’ve got to make people who have never heard of “Watchmen” stand in line next to people who have read the graphic novel 15 times. The first teaser trailer for “Watchmen” was appropriately attached to another brooding comic book adaptation, “The Dark Knight.” I had not read
”
“Watchmen” at this point, so I had no idea what it was about, nor did I particularly care to see it. It looked visually compelling, but that’s about it. However, I did my research, read the book, and am now a proud uber-fan of the source material. The big difference between myself and most people is
that I am a geek and I actually enjoy doing research about the movies I watch. Most people have simpler ways to make decisions. They see a trailer or a TV spot, and if it looks cool, they’ll go see it, probably on a date or with a social group. “Watchmen” is not a date movie, nor is it mindless action cinema, so who – other than nerds who have read the graphic novel – would want to see this thing? I honestly expected it to be an enormous failure. So, was I right? Well, “Watchmen” grossed $55.6 million in its opening weekend, far surpassing my expectations but falling short of box office expectations. Because “Watchmen” was directed by Zack Snyder, the man behind the mind-blowingly overrated “300,” the industry thought it would have numbers greater than that of “300,” which made over $70 million in its opening weekend. In fact, The Business Insider ran a headline this past weekend saying, “’Watchmen’ Flops.” Ladies and gentlemen, I may not be the most adept man at understanding the movie industry, but when a nearly three-hour-long R-rated superhero drama with no name actors or familiar characters makes more than $50 million dollars on its opening weekend, then it is an enormous success. The fact that studios managed to get this movie made is an accomplishment, and I’m just downright shocked that anyone who wasn’t a total nerd went to see it at all. To address a question posed frequently by both the graphic novel and the movie, “Who watches the Watchmen?”. The answer: A hell of a lot of people. Patrick Fisackerly is a staff writer for The Student Printz. Comments can be sent to printz@usm.edu
Page 7|Entertainment
www.studentprintz.com | Thursday, March 12, 2009
Students have plenty of options for spring break Eric Nagurney
Need to know travel times for Spring Break? Check out the distance from a few prominent destinations, courtesy of Mapquest.com:
Entertainment Editor
After suffering through midterms, Southern Miss students have finally made it to Spring Break. Now that we’re here, the age-old question is sure to pop up: what to do? For most, the first inclination is to skip town as soon as possible. This is not unreasonable. As fun as Hattiesburg can be, the majority of us spend every weekend here and don’t really get the chance to take trips to far off destinations. While you could drop some serious cash on plane tickets, there are plenty of major cities that can be reached in a day’s drive. Popular destinations like Atlanta, Memphis, and Destin can all be reached in less than ten hours. Don’t know how far it is to your destination of choice? Check the sidebar for Hattiesburg’s distance from a few major cities. As alluring as going out of town for Spring Break can be, there’s nothing wrong with sticking around Hattiesburg for the break. For one thing, it is much less expensive and stressful. Though gas prices are still relatively low, filling up a few times in ten hours of driving can still take a blow to your wallet. Factor in the potentially expensive and stressful process of finding somewhere to stay and you may be lacking both money and sanity by the time the break ends. Though undeniably more relaxing and less expensive than leaving town, that still leaves the matter of what there is to do in town. Until the weekend, there might not be a whole lot of interesting nightlife to choose from. Perhaps use this opportunity to take advantage of some of the city’s outdoor attractions, such as the Long Leaf Trace bike trail or Kamper Park. If you’ve never really explored downtown at daytime, simply getting lunch and wandering around the area can be a nice afternoon. Once the weekend hits, the nightlife is a little more spirited. Looking for options there? Check out the corresponding events calendar for concert listings throughout the week. St. Patrick’s Day has intersected
•New Orleans, La. Miles: 111 Estimated Time: 1 hour 56 min •Destin, Fla. Miles: 208 Estimated Time: 3 hours 57 min •Memphis, Tenn. Miles: 298 Estimated Time: 4 hours 46 min
with this year’s Spring Break, as the holiday takes place next Tuesday. The Irish holiday offers a few more options for both those traveling and staying in town. Local tavern Keg and Barrel, which counts the holiday among its busiest days, will be celebrating all day with traditional Irish music, as well as a performance from The King Fridays lasting from 9 p.m. to midnight. Hattiesburg may celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in a fairly low-key fashion, but the same cannot be said for Jackson. However, the city’s biggest festivities do not actually take place on the holiday, instead occurring the following weekend. Most prominent is the 27th Annual Mal’s St. Paddy’s Day parade on Friday, March 21. Beginning at noon, the parade begins and ends at the intersection of South State Street and Court Street. If you’re more into Celtic music than parades, the Celtic Heritage Society’s party on Saturday, March 22, might be more your speed. The party, which costs $5 for entry and begins at noon, features music by Captain Mackey’s Goatskin and String Band, Jim Flanagan, and Legacy, among others. If you’re really ambitious and Jackson’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations just won’t cut it, consider making the nine-and-ahalf hour drive to Savannah, Ga. It is quite the trek, but the city does have the country’s second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade (only behind Boston, of course).
Similar in distance is Austin, Texas, a destination hoards of music nerds will be making a pilgrimage to next week. While the “live music capital of the world” is always a great place for music fanatics, the city’s annual South By Southwest (more frequently known as SXSW) festival makes the city an even more desirable destination during Spring Break. With literally hundreds of bands playing around town from Wednesday to Sunday, it would be nearly impossible for any modern music fan to not find something that sparks their interest. Whether they can get into their show of choice is another question. Gaining access to everything the festival offers requires either press credentials or an almost $700 badge. Thankfully for those not so financially blessed, there are plenty of free day shows throughout the event, along with night shows that allow for buying tickets at the door. Having been unable to acquire press credentials for the event, the Printz will be scoping out the free shows at SXSW. Check back with us the Thursday after the break for the full report and follow our entertainment Twitter (www. twitter.com/printzentertain) for live updates. Whatever you find yourself doing for the break, have fun, be safe, and decompress a little from the stress bomb that is midterms. We’ll see you again after break, hopefully just as rejuvenated as yourself.
•Atlanta, Ga. Miles: 379 Estimated Time: 5 hours 53 min •St. Louis, Mo. Miles: 580 Estimated Time: 9 hours 2 min •Austin, Tex. Miles: 599 Estimated Time: 9 hours 33 min •Tampa, Fla. Miles: 616 Estimated Time: 9 hours 35 min
Staying in the Burg for Spring Break? Check out what’s going on around town: Entertainment Calendar
•Mon, Mar 16: Black Diamond Heavies - Thirsty Hippo
• Thursday Alcus Hudson Trio (free) - The Bottling Company Matches For The Fuse w/ The Bind and Lost Apparitions - The Tavern
•Tues, Mar 17: The King Fridays - Keg & Barrel
• Friday Before I Hang w/ Parabellum and Face on Mars - The Tavern Eighties Dance Party Thirsty Hippo Seisiun - The Bottling Company
•Fri, Mar 20: Lowdown Throwdown Bennie’s Boom Boom Room Truckstop Honeymoon - Thirsty Hippo
• Saturday Fueling the Fire - The Tavern
•Thurs, Mar 19: Alcus Hudson Trio - The Bottling Company Floating Action - Thirsty Hippo
•Sat., March 21: Mississippi Joxhn Doude w/ Mark Mann Bennie’s Boom Boom Room The Remnants - The Bottling Company Shannon McNally w/ Cary Hudson The Thirsty Hippo
Sports
Page 8 sports@studentprintz.com
USM spring football off and running Tyler Cleveland
2009 Southern Miss Football Schedule
Sports Editor
The Southern Miss football team held its first two practices of the spring this week at Joe P. Park Practice Facility, and according to an upbeat Southern Miss head coach Larry Fedora, everything has gone smoothly. “We’ve had two great practices so far,” Fedora said Wednesday afternoon. “The guys have great attitudes and they are really getting after it out there. The only ones that are struggling are the new guys, and that’s a good sign.” The Eagles worked in shoulder pads and shorts Wednesday, trying to get back in to the swing of things while the younger players learn the offense. Fedora said that the first few practices are mostly to get everyone on the same page, and that he’s glad to see his upperclassmen working to incorporate the newest batch of Eagles. “They are helping them along, but at the same time they want to be working on improving themselves,” Fedora said. One of those players, junior offensive tackle Ryan Hebert, is in his fourth spring at Southern Miss. Hebert explained that things move quickly in the spring, but that the youngest of his teammates are picking up the schemes well. “We’re going over a lot of fundamentals,” Hebert said. “We’re moving fast, but you have to try to pick it up on the run – especially the new guys. We’re trying to get them incorporated into what we’re doing and pick up where we left off last season.”
Familiar Faces
There were some familiar faces around the football field this week, as departed seniors Tokumbo Abanikanda and Eric Phillips ran drills with the team in preparation for the 2009 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-26 in New York. “Tumbo has been going through the linebacker drills with the team, and Eric Phillips did that the other day with the d-line,” Fedora said.
‘‘
Sept. 5 Alcorn State Sept. 12 Central Florida* Sept. 19 Virginia Sept. 26 at Kansas Oct. 3 at UAB* Oct. 10 at Louisville Oct. 17 Memphis* Oct. 24 Tulane* (homecoming) Oct. 31 at Houston* Nov. 7 Open Nov. 14 at Marshall* Nov. 21 Tulsa* Nov. 28 at East Carolina* *Conference USA game
David N. Jackson/Printz
Coach Fedora watches as special teams practice kicking extra points Wednesday.
“Just a couple of guys in town trying to stay in shape with the NFL Pro-day coming up.” Gone from the Larry playing field, Fedora however, was the head coach familiar face of Southern Miss running back Damion Fletcher, who is serving a suspension for all of spring practice. Fletcher was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm inside Hattiesburg city limits, stemming from an incident at the players’ 28th Avenue apartment complex on Feb. 15. Fedora confirmed that USM cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson has since moved into the complex in an attempt to curb the unruly behavior. “It’s just a little bit more security,” Fedora said. “Things that have happened dictated more supervision, so he moved in over there and now we have a different coach that goes over every night and check on things and
We’re moving fast, but you have to try to pick up on the run--especially the new guys.
make sure things are going according to plan.” Southern Miss president Martha Saunders announced the move in a Southern Miss Faculty Senate meeting last Friday. “Let me put it this way – there is now an enhanced security presence,” Saunders said. The players seem to be in favor of the move for added security, but at least one Golden Eagle was sorry the problem had even become an issue. “It shouldn’t have gotten to that point,” Hebert said. “But that’s what happens, and we just have to learn from our mistakes and don’t let it happen again.”
2009 Schedule revealed
On a brighter note, the Southern Miss football team announced its 2009 football schedule on Wednesday. The schedule features six Satur-
’’
-Ryan Hebert, offensive tackle
day home games, including three to start the season. The Eagles play home games against Alcorn State, Central Florida, Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia, Memphis, Tulane and Tulsa, and will go on the road to face Big 12 opponent Kansas, UAB, Houston, Marshall, East Carolina and Louisville from the Big East Conference. “It’s a good schedule,” Fedora said. “Obviously we have some tough opponents, and our first open date is not until the first week in November, so we have nine games in a row and we’ll have to hit the ground running.” Spring practice continues until April 18, when the Eagles will take the field for the annual Black and Gold spring game at M.M. Roberts Stadium at 6 p.m.
Not so fast Eagles pummel UCF, 77-53 Special to the Printz MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Courtney Beasley and Jeremy Wise scored 19 points apiece as Southern Mississippi defeated UCF 77-53 in the opening round of the Conference USA tournament on Wednesday. R.L. Horton and Craig Craft also added 16 points apiece for the 11th-seeded Golden Eagles (15-16), who will face No. 3 seed UAB on Thursday. Craft had 11 rebounds and Beasley grabbed nine boards, leading Southern Mississippi to a 38-25 rebounding advantage. A.J. Tyler scored 16 points to lead the Knights (17-14), who were 5 of 28 from 3-point range. On the day he was named C-USA Player of the Year, Jermaine Taylor
managed only 15 points, going 5-for16 from the field for the Knights. The nation’s third leading scorer at 26.6 points per game also went 1-for-8 from 3-point range. Taylor’s 29.1 scoring average in CUSA games this season set a league record.
Next Game: Golden Eagles vs. UAB 2:30 p.m. Memphis, TN
Eagle netters finish unbeaten at home Special to the Printz
Christopher Bostick/Printz
Strate Krstevski, a junior from Skopje, Macedonia, returns a shot.
HATTIESBURG – The Southern Miss men’s tennis team defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 6-1, on Tuesday at Hattiesburg Country Club to conclude its home games. The match marked the Eagles’ seventh home win, leaving them undefeated at home for the season. The match was also the last home match for seniors Domagoj Anic and Andrew Poole. The Eagles continued their doubles winning streak, winning all three doubles matches. Seniors Andrew Poole and Domagoj Anic both tallied wins on senior day. The doubles pair of Poole and Jan Burmeister defeated Benjamin Enke and Stepan Siska, 8-6, while Anic and Diego Machuca knocked off Jan Bezdecka and Alexis Biarneix, 8-1. Patricio Alvarado and Markus Wessinghage came away with a win, defeating Guillaume Capovin and Julien Roussel, 8-2. The singles competition brought more wins for Southern Miss. No.
123 Patricio Alvarado defeated Stepan Siska, 6-1, 6-1. Domagoj Anic brought down Damien Cordoba, 6-2, 6-4. Diego Machuca and Strate Krstevski also added two more points to the score after 10 point tie-breakers. Machuca defeated Benjamin Enke, 6-7, 6-2, 11-9, while Krstevski knocked off Guillaume Capovin, 3-6, 7-6, 10-4. Oscar Machuca also tallied a win, outscoring Jan Bezdecka, 6-7, 6-2, 7-0. Andrew Poole dropped a 6-3, 6-0 decision to Julien Roussel. “We won 7 of our last 8 matches, and are still undefeated in doubles. We played well throughout the lineup,” said assistant coach Marc Lux. “We have a lot of confidence going into the upcoming matches, great chemistry within the team and know in our mind that we have a shot at the NCAA tournament.” No. 74 Southern Miss returns to the court on Saturday, March 14, when they travel to Beaumont, Texas to take on Lamar. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Christopher Bostick/Printz
Freshman Patricio Alvarado from Manta, Ecuador prepares to return a shot.
Lady Eagles defeat No. 24 Baylor, 4-3 Special to the Printz
Christopher Bostick/Printz
Kristin Pilgrim, a senior from Metairie, La., scores on a Megan Hill double, allowing the Lady Eagles to take the lead.
HATTIESBURG - Megan Hill tallied a bases-clearing double to cap a four-run, third inning to lead Southern Miss to a 4-3 non-conference softball victory over Baylor Tuesday night at the USM Softball Complex. The Golden Eagles improved to 11-13-1 on the season as they played their first home game since Feb. 22. “We finally played a game from start to finish,” said Southern Miss coach Howard Dobson. “It was nice to see our kids come out and play together. They could have gone south at the beginning of the game, but they stayed with the game plan.” Down 3-0 heading into the bottom of the third, the Golden Eagles got a one-out walk from Chanell Thurman and then Stephanie Shiflet
delivered a bunt single. After a popout, Leslie LeJune reached base on a strikeout in which the third strike was dropped by the Baylor catcher. Kristin Pilgrim then added a bases loaded walk to plate Southern Miss’ first run before Hill, who had two of the Golden Eagles’ five hits, laced a pitch just inside the leftfield line at the fence that cleared the bases to
give the home team the lead. USM starter Samantha Davis (3-5) threw a complete game as she allowed three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and fanned five while walking just one. “I can’t say enough about the way threw tonight,” Dobson added. “She had command of all of her pitches, hit her spots and kept the hitters off
Spring break sports calendar Monday
Men’s golf in Pinehurst Intercollegiate, All day, Pinehurst, N.C.
Tuesday
Baseball vs. Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., Pearl, Miss (Trustmark Park) Men’s golf in Pinehurst Intercollegiate, All day, Pinehurst, N.C.
Wednesday
Baseball vs. Northern Colorado, 6:30 p.m., Pete Taylor Park
balance. She showed a lot of guts tonight.” Baylor collected three hits and took advantage of a pair of Southern Miss errors in its three-run third. The Golden Eagles continue their five-game homestand, Wednesday, when they entertain Nicholls State for a 6 p.m., single game at the USM Softball Complex.
Friday
Women’s tennis vs. Lamar, 2 p.m., Tatum Park Baseball vs. Rice, 6:30 p.m., Pete Taylor Park Men’s tennis vs. BYU, TBA, Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday
Softball vs. Marshall, Noon Doubleheader, Huntington W. Va. Women’s tennis vs. West Virginia, 2 p.m., Tatum Park Baseball vs. Rice, 3 p.m., Pete Taylor Park
Sunday
Softball vs. Marshall, 11 a.m., Huntington, W. Va. Women’s tennis vs. Troy, 2 p.m., Tatum Park Men’s golf in Mobile Bay Invitational, All day, Mobile, Ala. Men’s tennis vs. Nebraska, TBA, Lincoln, Neb.