Volume 100 Issue 43
Monday, March 21, 2016
www.studentprintz.com
Miss. public universities face budget reductions Emerald Ware
Printz Reporter/Hub City TV
The University of Southern Mississippi faces budget cuts following statewide university budget reductions. According to WJTV, Gov. Phil Bryant’s deduction in the allocations of funds to institutions of higher education has forced many universities to readjust their spending and figure out ways to maintain the operation of their institution. USM Provost Steven Moser said the decreased state funding combined with a decline in enrollment will result in a $3.5 million dollar decrease from the university’s budget, meaning $2.5 million dollars will be funneled directly from the Office of Academic Affairs. “We must acknowledge the reality that our fiscal situation reflects the current landscape and changes in higher education in this country,” Moser said. Vice President of Finance and Administration Douglas Vinzant said the deduction in state allocations comes from the governor’s need to reduce state spending because of lack of anticipated revenue. The reduction in budget changes the planned budget for the current fiscal year. “Rather than adopting an ‘OK, we’re going to cut out an activity’ [attitude,] what we’re doing instead is slowing down [and] refilling vacant positions,” Vinzant said. “So, positions that turn over naturally — a person leaves to take another job or a person retires between now and the end of June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year — we’re just going to have people leave those vacant until July 1.” This change comes four years
after a similar mass budget reduction. Reports from 2010 state that the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees requested all state universities develop plans based on impending budget losses. In 2012, the university altered its budget within various departments. The anticipated budget loss was $15 million dollars. With the new budget cut, Southern Miss has lost about $18.5 million in state funding within the last four years. The 2012 budget cut caused some faculty and staff members to lose their jobs. However, the institution made budget reductions during the 20142015 and 2015-2016 fiscal years that helped cushion the blow of the loss of state appropriation. “We just went through a budget reduction last year that was not from state appropriations it was having
to reduce spending because our enrollment had declined, so the tuition revenue that we were receiving was down,” Vinzant said. “We had to reduce spending but because we went through that education planning a year ago, we had set aside money in a university reserve, and that’s frankly why we can elect to use [this] process.” Moser said if the university’s departments continue to remain 10 percent under budget, the university will not have to cut down on employee spending. “As of December, institutionwide spending of current year budgets stood at 45 percent,” Moser said. “If that specific pattern of spending continues through the close of the fiscal year in June, we will recapture about 10 percent of our [education and general] budgets. By doing so, we should be able
to meet the budget shortfall without having to reduce the institution’s workforce.” Moser said he and Vinzant continue to work to overcome the new changes in the budget and are interested in working to strategize for new innovation and reinvestment. The Jackson Free Press reported Gov. Bryant and the House of Representatives sent the proposal for budget cuts to universities across the state. These reductions will draw from state universities as well as state student financial aid and state subsidiary programs. State of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Commissioner Glenn Boyce addressed the IHL’s concerns in a letter to the HOR, which includes the hardships the universities may face as a result of these budget cuts. “The primary way for universities to achieve the
reduction is to freeze vacant positions and to furlough and/ or reduce current personnel including faculty,” Boyce wrote in a letter addressing the issue. The letter said at least 700 current positions may be affected by furloughs, layoffs or unfilled positions. “It should be noted that several universities have already eliminated all vacant positions and have already laid off employees because of other financial conditions existing prior to the proposed reductions,” Boyce wrote. The university officials assert that a permanent 7.8 percent reduction in state funds will make way for the loss of access, quality and potentially accreditation for some universities. According to Boyce, a decreased budget will result in increased rates for tuition and fees for the 2017 academic year. Many people fear that the increase in tuition and decrease in state financial aid will result in many Mississippi students not being able to afford a higher education. This potential struggle remains particularly true for universities that rely on state funding instead of large donations. Online financial reports from the University of Mississippi show the school’s wide budget increased between the previous school year and the current 2015-2016 school year. In the last few years, The University of Southern Mississippi has undergone changes to adjust to repeated state budget cuts. The university plans to meet financial quotas without having to lose more programs and employees.
ON CAMPUS
USM professors join research effort, fight against Zika virus Garrett Minta Printz Reporter
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Zika virus was first discovered in 1947. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, an infection causing redness of the eye. Zika is linked to birth defects, and in rare cases the Zika infections can be fatal. USM biological science professors Donald Yee and
Fengwei Bai are working with other universities on a project to study the Zika virus and the vectors through which it spreads. The World Health Organization named Zika a global health emergency in February, mirroring growing public concern. The dangerous health issues associated with the virus includes possible neurological and autoimmune damage. Zika may cause miscarriages, and the virus may cause microcephaly
in babies of infected mothers. Microcephaly is a condition in which a child is born with a smaller head than average, which can lead to neurological problems in the child. Another condition linked to this virus is Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes temporary paralysis due to reactions to a virus in the immune system. The Zika virus may also cause an individual to miscarry. VIRUS CONT. ON PG. 3
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INFORMATION
Page 2 | Monday, March 21, 2016
MEET THE STAFF SPRING 2016 Ardan Thornhill
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ardan.thornhill@eagles.usm.edu
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Photo Editor
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News Editor
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EDITORIAL POLICY The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not necessarily represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for 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. on the Friday before publication. 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.
DIRTY BIRDS • On Sunday, March 13, at 6:09 p.m., petit theft was reported at the Power House courtyard. The case remains open. • On Sunday, March 13, at 8:06 p.m., a motor vehicle felony was reported at the Physical Plant parking lot. The case remains open. • On Tuesday, March 15, at 3:09 p.m., possession of a controlled substance was reported at the gravel lot on Ross Boulevard North. The case remains open.
POLICE CONTACT INFORMATION
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When reporting, the following information should be provided: Nature of the crime or emergency Name, address and phone number of the caller Location of incident Description of the scene and suspects Description of any vehicles involved, especially license plate numbers
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NEWS
LOCAL
Monday, March 21, 2016 | Page 3
The Bottling Company to reopen Downtown Nicolas Kubicki Printz Reporter
Residents both familiar with and new to Downtown Hattiesburg have likely seen the enormous structure known most commonly as The Bottling Company. While the business itself may not be what many people remember, local businessmen Ron Savell and Brian McLelland plan to reopen the building as one of Hattiesburg’s premiere event locations. The Coca-Cola Co. opened the building as a bottling plant in 1915 and closed it in 1960. From then it held various businesses, including The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint and the nightclub and restaurant known as The Bottling Company. “Some of my craziest college memories were at The Bottling Company,” USM alumnus Carter Lusk said. “I loved seeing the 80s cover bands. There was always a huge turn-out for those.” When it was operated as a restaurant and music venue
in 2012, WDAM reported that Broadcast Music, Inc. and 11 other production companies filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against then-owner Mitchell Brown. The suit alleged that the bar had played music they did not own the rights to, therefore violating copyright law. The restaurant closed its doors permanently later that year. “I say all the time that Hattiesburg needs another place like The Bottling Company,” Lusk said. In 2014, the Hattiesburg American reported that local business partners Savell and McLelland had reopened the building as a multipurpose venue, with the first events to be hosted in May of that year. “We really love the building itself and the history of downtown Hattiesburg,” McLelland told the Hattiesburg American. “We just kind of felt there was a need for a venue like this.” The Bottling Company announced via their Facebook
page this March that they officially own the building, and that beginning on May 1, the building would be available as an event venue. “The Bottling Company is a favorite choice for gatherings both large and small,” the company said on its Facebook page. “This extraordinary banquet facility and wedding hall has the perfect mix of dramatic views of the downtown area and a modern elegant feel.” While patrons may be excited for the possibility of upcoming musical events, The Bottling Company’s business will not only focus on local music. The business’ Facebook page said it would host “the occasional band” in addition to its regular business and personal events. Savell and McLelland hired Kelly Wagner, formerly of Canebrake Country Club and the Lake Terrace Convention center, as the director of sales and event marketing for the company. According to the business’ Facebook page, she has over 15 years of local experience in
LOCAL
Irish-Italian festival celebrates heritage Nan Beauti Copy Editor
Pine Belt community members gathered in green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the 14th annual Irish-Italian parade and festival, hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on March 19. Hundreds lined up at 10:30 a.m. on 4th Street to watch the parade as floats filled with crews flinging beads to the crowds sailed by. High school bands, animal shelter staffers and St. Fabian churchgoers were among those represented in the parade. Prior to the festival, a 5K Run/Walk took place March 18 at the Southern Miss Gateway of the Longleaf Trace. On March 19, a Celtic mass at St. Thomas began at 4 p.m., and the festival ran from 5-10 p.m. Following the 2015 festival, the church began planning the parade and festival in the summer of 2015. “It’s tradition,” said festival attendee Charles Jackson. “It brings the community together. [It is] nice to see the same faces over and over again and new faces.” Festival chairman Kim Busche announced the king and queen of the Irish-Italian Festival at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church’s Parish Center Monday. Petal letter carrier Hal Odom and USM women’s basketball head coach Joye Lee-McNelis were crowned king and queen, respectively. Popular Irish and Italian foods, such as pigs in a blanket and meatball in an ice cream cone were sold at the festival,
and children’s games were offered for free. Jackie Melancon, coordinator for the Irish and Italian coffees stand, has volunteered for the event for 12 years and said she has seen the festival grow and change. “One purpose to have the festival is for the entire community at large,” Melancon said. “People come from all over, knowing that the children can have fun and the family can have something to eat.” Beginning in March 2000, the small family-oriented festival is meant to celebrate the Irish and Italian cultures in the city. St. Thomas’ priest at the time was
Irish and attracted many Irish members of the community. Several Italians had attended and volunteered for the church. With this group, the church held its first festival. Volunteers claim the festival is “funoriented,” not “fund-oriented.” “I’m from Louisiana, and it’s all about festivals,” Melancon said. “People like to come out and enjoy being with other people in the celebration. They’re not stuck in the house as much.” The money raised this year will Catholic student programs. In the past, the church used profits from the festival to support Southern Pines Animal Shelter and Extra Table.
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the event industry. In a meeting with the HHDA about creating a conservation district, Savell announced the transformation and the intention to turn the building into a fullfledged event venue. Other local business owners announced their plans for the area as well, including Tom White of Bianchi’s
Pizza, Roy Windham and Heath Kleinke. While the return of business in the space does not mean a return to the shows and events of the past, this move will certainly open up the future to those interested. Only time will tell if “the occasional band” will bring new life to the old building.
VIRUS CONTINUED
the University of WisconsinMadison, works with David O’Connor. “The questions are really to help understand the pathogenesis of the Zika virus,” Friedrich said. “How does it make an individual sick? How is it spread and where does it go in the body. These are things we don’t know enough about right now and we hope that by doing experiments in an animal model, we can get answers quickly and decisively so that we can inform the public health response to the Zika outbreak.” Friedrich and his team are researching where the virus resides in its host’s body. The virus can be found in the blood, saliva, urine and semen, and there is some evidence it can be transmitted sexually. Friedrich said there is also evidence that after the virus has left the vascular system, the virus may still linger in the body. In other states, such as Florida, the mosquito control departments are using new forms of pesticides minimize the presence of yellow fever mosquitoes. The city of Hattiesburg is also taking steps to curb the spread of diseases through mosquitoes. According to the City of Hattiesburg’s website, “The City of Hattiesburg Public Works Department is partnering with the Mississippi Health Department to prevent the spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases such as West Nile, Chikungunya and Zika virus.” The city will begin spraying pesticides from April 4 through November 4 to get rid of mosquitoes in the local area. The city urges residents to remove containers with standing water from around their homes to reduce the number of breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The USM researchers are focusing on a significant transmission vector of the Zika virus: Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito. “We’re actually involved in a couple of different projects that would focus specifically on the main vector for Zika, which is aedes aegypti,” Yee said. “This is the animal that [is] in the places right now where the major Zika outbreaks are occurring like in South and Central America and the Caribbean.” The yellow fever mosquito was thought to be extinct since the 1980s. Now with all of the buzz, some scientists are questioning if the mosquito is really gone. “For the last 20-plus years, the yellow fever mosquito has been extinct from Mississippi,” Yee said. “The health department — because of concerns with Zika and also some of the other diseases — is interested in understanding if this animal is coming back at all.” Yee said as part of the research project, he will go to the lower 23 counties in the Magnolia state to survey the land and search for these mosquitoes over the summer. With the possible reemergence of the mosquito in the state, local counties are stepping up their efforts to assure their communities’ safety. University of WisconsinMadison professor David O’Connor, a leading pathologist researching the Zika virus, is studying the effects of the virus on pregnant hosts by observing its effects on a pregnant macaque. Thomas Friedrich, an associate professor of pathobiological sciences at
NEWS
Page 4 | Monday, March 21, 2016
LOCAL
Community votes on best of ‘Burg, ‘Belt Joshua D Starr News Editor
When customers call Computer Karma during business hours, an automated message includes the shop’s record as the Pine Belt’s best computer shop for two years straight. “It’s actually four years — we need to update that message,” said Ben Townsend, Computer Karma’s general manager. As of March 1, Computer Karma was listed as a finalist for its category in the 2016 Best of the Pine Belt competition and hopes to continue its streak. “It’s an honor for us,” Townsend said. “It shows that we’re trending in the right direction, doing the things that we’re suppose to do and shows the level of respect that the community has for us.”
LOCAL
Another four-time winner, Main Street Books again competes against both rival small bookstores and chain giant Books-A-Million. Owner-operator Diane Shepherd said the Best of the Pine Belt award has meant a lot to her because it is given by her customers. “It’s a huge honor and it’s humbling because the people vote for this, and we’re very thankful,” she said. The Best of the Pine Belt competition extends well beyond naming the best book and tech stores in town. Publisher David Gustafson of Signature Magazine, which hosts the competition, said it serves the dual purpose of recognizing those who contribute to the community and providing a list of recommendations to locals and visitors alike. “We partnered with Festival South
to create the Best of the Pine Belt competition, which is something that we use to recognize local businesses and individuals who excel in their specific craft,” Gustafson said. “We cover everything from music and fine arts to the best cheeseburger and best chips and salsa.” Now through April 30, members of the public can vote for their favorite nominees once per day in each of the nine voting sections containing more than 100 categories by visiting Signature’s website. “By the time it’s all said and done, we anticipate 7-800,000 votes,” Gustafson said. When the votes are all in, the winners will be listed in Signature’s June issue, which will be released directly following a special event during Festival South. “Last year was the first year that we did an actual award
show and it exceeded all of our expectations,” Gustafson said. “It’s sort of Hattiesburg’s version of the Grammys and Oscars all kind of rolled into one. It’s a red carpet affair at the Saenger Theater. We shut off the road and have a DJ out front. We have nine or 10 live musical acts perform during the night. Tickets for the award show and an afterparty at the Thirsty Hippo will be available on Signature Magazine’s website within the next two weeks and are expected to sell out quickly. “At the Thirsty Hippo, we’re bringing in a great brass band from New Orleans, The New Breed Brass Band, [and] it’s going to be a lot of fun so people can continue the celebration,” Gustafson said. To see the complete list of nominees and to vote for The Best of the Pine Belt, visit signaturemagms. com/bopb/.
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Hattiesburg, School of Social Work provide community with health insurance Hanna Knowles Southern Miss Now
The Educate, Empower, Enroll (E3) Health Initiative, a partnership between the city of Hattiesburg and The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Social Work, helped insure more than 3,000 Hattiesburg community members. The E3 Health Initiative provided Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollment assistance to consumers. Identified coverage barriers include confusing applications and eligibility criteria, lack of information about Medicaid and CHIP, and transportation. “Health care is a human right,” said Southern Miss staff member Kathryn Rehner. “My goal from the beginning of the program has been to advocate for children and families who are without health coverage because of a confusing and complicated system.” The E3 Health Initiative hosted more than 300 enrollment sites since July 2014, reaching more than 35,000 people through community events providing information and education about health insurance and health access. “We have to continue to address the specific barriers that are limiting access to care in our approach to
service delivery if we are serious about making Hattiesburg and Mississippi a healthier place to live,” said Rehner. Rehner noted she helped bring a complicated system directly to eligible children and families. She said each application was hand delivered to the appropriate Regional Medicaid Office to guarantee it was received. “The process can be so confusing,” said a Hattiesburg resident. “If it hadn’t been for E3’s assistance, I would have missed out on the opportunity of getting care when I needed it the most.” The city of Hattiesburg facilitated and oversaw the implementation of the project. Mayor Johnny DuPree, city council members and other city leaders assisted with campaign visibility through public service announcements, working booths at festivals and fairs in the community, and attending public meetings to promote enrollment and recertification. “Working together has provided wonderful opportunities for faculty and students to apply their scholarship in tangible ways that make a difference, and it has enabled the city to provide health insurance opportunities to uninsured residents in this
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community,” said Tim Rehner, director of the School of Social Work. “This partnership worked well and resulted in fantastic outcomes for Hattiesburg residents.” Laura Richard, assistant professor of social work and principle investigator, said the initiative had far-reaching effects. “Families and children all over the Hattiesburg area have been helped, agencies have been trained in how to assist those needing Medicaid or CHIP,
and additional programs have been started and expanded from the model of service that made E3 so successful,” Richard said. Due to the success of the E3 Health Initiative, the Southern Miss School of Social Work was awarded more than $1.2 million in Affordable Care Act funding to replicate the project with the addition of Marketplace enrollment assistance. “The groundbreaking success of the city of Hattiesburg’s E3 Health
Initiative continues to transform lives within the Hattiesburg-area and the 24 southernmost counties in Mississippi,” DuPree said. “Thanks to the dedication of the community and strong partnership with the Southern Miss School of Social Work, many children and families not only have health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, they have a better understanding of the application process.”
FEATURE
ON CAMPUS
Monday, March 21, 2016 | Page 5
SoMiSPO performance inspires USM international students Lindsay Adkisson Printz Reporter
The University of Southern Mississippi Steel Pan Orchestra, a renowned 30-piece steel pan orchestra, performs across the Southeast. Playing at home under the direction of its founder, School of Music instructor John Wooton, SoMiSPO will accompany guest artist Andy Narell in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium March 22 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will feature music by Narell including songs from his most recent album “Oui ma Chérie!” such as Visibly Absent and One More Touch. “We are very excited and honored to have Andy Narell back on the Southern Miss campus for the fifth time,” Wooton said. “All the music we will perform was written and arranged by Andy Narell.” Narell has played in hundreds of concerts and performances all over the world in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the U.S and Canada. Narell is an international artist that he connects deeply with the international student members of SoMiSPO. Daron Roberts, a junior percussion major at USM, is an international student from San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. Roberts said he is extremely exciting
to work with Narell. “[Narell is] one of the few people that has unveiled the true potential of this instrument and has become world-renowned in his craft,” Roberts said. Roberts said his first experience learning to play instruments began with the djembe, a West African Drum, at the age of 2 and later began playing the steel pan at the age of 5. “My mom took me to a steel pan orchestra named ‘Golden Hands’ in San Fernando, Trinidad, and that is where it all started for me,” Roberts said. The presence of a steel pan orchestra on campus was a contributing factor to Robert’s decision to enroll at USM. He said this was of much interest to him because not many universities have a well-established steel pan orchestra. “Because this is a part of my culture, every performance with this group is a reminder of where I come from,” Roberts said. “It makes me proud to know that this beautiful instrument was invented in my country and can be appreciated by many across the globe.” Roberts said working with Narell motivates him to pursue his goal of introducing the unfamilair to steel pan. He said he aspires to break the creative boundary of what the steel pan is capable of. Alex Ocón, a freshman
performance and percussion major at USM, is an international student from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Ocón said he has been playing percussion since he was 13 years old. “I initially didn’t like music, and I didn’t want to play the drums,” Ocón said. However, encouragement from his mother changed his outlook. He said his mother knew he needed an outlet and a career path, so he began taking music classes. “After three years of studying music theory and performance, I finally realized it was my passion,” Ocón said. Ocón came to USM on a music scholarship and was introduced to the various performance bands on campus, and soon joined SoMiSPO. “I was super excited when I heard that Andy Narell would be playing with us,” Ocón said. “Working with a percussionist such as Andy Narell shows me that if I work hard enough, I can be successful like him.” Ocón said each time he plays he tries to be better than the last. “This performance means a lot to me because percussion performance is my life, and I feel excited when I play,” Ocón said. Tickets are $5 for students, free to those with student IDs and $10 for general admission.
Because this is a part of my culture, every performance with this group is a reminder of where I come from. It makes me proud to know that this beautiful instrument was invented in my country and can be appreciated by many across the globe. Daron Roberts
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OPINION
Page 6 | Monday, March 21, 2016
POLITICS
Violence unacceptable at rallies, regardless of party Hiba Tahir Printz Reporter
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted on March 12 about his already-infamous rally cancellation, complaining that protestors he referred to as “thugs” had “shut down our first amendment rights in Chicago.” Ted Cruz, Trump’s main rival for the GOP nomination, condemned him on statements made to reporters in Illinois. “When you have a campaign that affirmatively encourages violence, you create an environment that only encourages that sort of nasty discourse,” he said. Despite the incendiary and divisive rhetoric Trump has employed this election season and despite my general discomfort regarding him and his entire campaign thus far, I found myself taking his side. Trump has indeed been denied the right to speak freely. If it came as a result of peaceful protest, I would have no qualms. Opponents of Trump have as much right to protest his speech as his supports have to listen to it. Both
the way he kicks silent protesters out of his rallies and how he subtly condones violence by offering to pay for the legal fees of a 78-year-old supporter who sucker-punched a protester during a Fayetteville rally are objectionable. But the issue of infringed rights goes well beyond these incidents. The issue arises when a rally is cancelled because of fears of violent protest. Some skirmishes still broke out despite the Chicago rally’s cancellation due to security concerns. When silenced as a result of violent protest, not only were Trump’s First Amendment rights “shut down,” but they were also in danger of being eliminated entirely. He may be disgustingly divisive, but he cannot be denied basic freedoms in this manner. Violence perpetuates violence. When used to suppress speech, it turns political fights into physical fights. The triumphant party is whichever shows greater force, and that’s no way to win an election. What’s important to note is that neither side is free from blame
in this increasingly belligerent election season. Just a few weeks ago, five Ku Klux Klan members were in the midst of a walking protest when they were violently beaten by counterprotesters. Although the group propagates hate and can hardly be called noble by any standards, they did not deserve the violence inflicted on them. “It’s a disgrace,” said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, in a statement to OC Weekly. “This is precisely what the Klan wants. Does violence elevate us better than the Klan? I loathe the Klan. But these loathsome people can use their First Amendment rights in the free markets of ideas. Let them sit where they are for 20 minutes, hand out their drivel, and leave.” If we blame Trump for cultivating violence, we must condemn others who perpetuate it as well. We cannot choose sides in the fight against political violence. Otherwise, we hold those we agree with to different standards and show that we’re not really against the violence itself at all.
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MUSIC
“Sweetheart” sings to soul Jack Hammett/Cam Bonelli Printz Staff
On Feb. 4, Jonathan Hope of Hattiesburg lo-fi duo Jizz Kitten released a solo album titled “Sweetheart” under the moniker If I Die In Mississippi. The tape received acclaim from every which direction upon release, and its pull doesn’t seem to have a stopping point after getting much attention from DIY and, by extension, lo-fi communities and outlets. The project’s name, If I Die In Mississippi, reaches the would-be listener deeply and immediately. The title seems to have been distilled from the music itself as it reflects the low guitar picking and warm tape noise that are present from the album’s onset. The name is a foreword of sorts, the beginning of a sentence the album finishes with “Detox,” an instrumental ellipsis that works its way into the listener’s darker head spaces. In short, listening to this album is like living a dream underwater. To press play is to fall straight from one’s bed into the slow whirlpool of Hope’s lyrics and soon lose hope for resurfacing. It takes multiple listens to catch the album’s every nuance, but one of the first things the listener will notice is Hope’s frankness and honesty. The words don’t dance circles around the subject matter and remain vague such that the songs can be interpreted in any way one chooses. Hope sends us reeling headfirst into his imagination without trying to shield us from the music’s core: song? “Please don’t get weirded out by my overuse of exclamation marks in each text I send frantically / I swear I’m just genuinely excited to know you’re out there somewhere. / Maybe I’m a tad over enthusiastic about saying good morning / But I get the feeling that you don’t really hear it that often.” Hope’s singing rests neatly inside the music, as his vocals are stylized in such a way that they almost warm your ears. The guitars peel their way through subtle tape noise and rain sounds to come out equally warm. That warmth quickly becomes the album’s trademark sound from the first few notes, like coffee on a cold morning, which is apt. The second song’s first lyrics are, “I want to drink coffee with you in the morning
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/ Take you out for lunch when things get boring.” Each element in Hope’s work serves specific purpose; nothing is accidental or filler. He meticulously constructs each song with genuine regard to how each sound fits — the lyrics, guitar, tonality and most notably, his voice. Hope’s lyrics reach the listener in the most vulnerable places, such as “The Castle Takes Time.” “I’ve been talking to you by myself / in the driveway sometimes when I’m alone / and I’ve been wasting my life in my bed / hoping you would pick up the phone and it’s too bad.” When watching Hope perform, the listener establishes an immediate connection the moment Hope opens his mouth. The intimacy in Hope’s performance creates a bell jar around the listener and himself, as if you and he are the only ones in the room. Hope shuts everything out around him and looks to be swallowed by his own music. By disengaging, he in turn engages the audience, inviting them to watch as he constructs a beautiful microcosm of sound. No sound is too small to be forgotten as Hope employs the use of several instruments. He’s not just a musician playing music on stage. He creates an atmosphere that completely envelopes anyone who is watching and listening. Hope darts back and forth on stage to employ keyboard and guitar loops ultimately crafting the songs as opposed to merely playing them. “Sweetheart” as a name perfectly defines the album’s tone as Hope’s music swells with nostalgia and sentimentality. This is not a typical low fidelity album. “Sweetheart” is a thing made, much in the spirit of William Carlos Williams’ artistic philosophy. To listen to “Sweetheart” by If I Die In Mississippi, visit the If I Die In Mississippi Bandcamp page.
SPORTS
SOFTBALL
Monday, March 21, 2016 | Page 7
USM feels Blazers’ burn at home in weekend series Kyle Williams Printz Reporter
The Golden Eagles softball team hosted conference opponent UAB in a three games series with a doubleheader on Saturday and the final match on Sunday. The Golden Eagles won the first match-up 6-3, and would drop the next two contests 7-1 and 3-2. Saturday’s games proved to show both strengths and weaknesses of the Golden Eagles’ batting and fielding as both USM and UAB managed to take home a win each. In the first match-up, USM racked in seven hits and produced all of their points in the third inning. Samantha Reynolds started the rally for the Golden Eagles as she singled to left center field. Morgan Mckeever then singled to the right side to advance Reynolds to third base. Tori Dew stepped to the plate and delivered a double to right center field that
BASEBALL
brought Reynolds and McKeever home to score. The dominate ending would not stop there. After Dew’s double, Katie Cleary homered and brought both her and Dew home to put Southern Miss on top, 4-0. After two fielding errors by UAB, Bailey Stokes singled up the middle and brought home two unearned runs giving Southern Miss another comfortable lead, 6-0. UAB scored two more points in the top of the fifth inning, but their efforts would not be enough as Southern Miss took the contest 6-3. The tides would turn for the Golden Eagles in the second contest of the day. Just like their dominate hitting in one inning in the first game, UAB took that advantage in this game. In the fifth inning, the Blazers produced five runs on five hits. Each batter who contributed a hit for UAB contributed an RBI as well. The hot inning for UAB
proved to be enough as they took this contest, 7-1. After splitting the series on Saturday, both teams came into Sunday’s matchup looking to take the overall series. UAB came into the contest able to score a run in the first three innings. The productive swinging of the Blazers allowed an early lead, 3-0. The hot start would not impede the Golden Eagles’ efforts as Tori Dew and Lauren Holifield both produced home runs in the bottom of the third inning to cut the lead, 3-2 Dew and Holifield’s efforts would not be enough as UAB took the game, and the series 2-1. “We need to improve on the little things,” said coach Wendy Hogue. “Getting bunts down [and] stop leaving runners on base are things we need to do, but we did not.” Southern Miss looks to bounce back as they travel to Boca Raton, FL Thursday to take on Florida Atlantic University.
Courtesy Photo
USM opens C-USA play in series against Marshall Deantae Smith Printz Reporter
This past weekend, Southern Miss (16-5, 2-1) opened up Conference USA play by traveling to Marshall for a three-game series, taking two out of three games. Southern Miss opened the series with a 14-4 win but fell in the second leg of the doubleheader 108. The Golden Eagles rallied to win the final game of the series 3-2. In the first game, the Golden Eagles wasted no time scoring. With two outs at the top of the first, Tim Lynch smacked a ball over the right field wall to give Southern Miss a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles would score two more runs in the inning to take a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, the Thundering Herd would score to narrow the gap, 3-1. Following a pair of errors in the top of the fourth, Chuckie Robinson singled to get on base and a pair of Marshall errors allowed Robinson to score and push the lead back to three. In the bottom of the fourth, Marshall fought back and scored again, making the score 4-2. Dylan Burdeaux opened the fifth inning with a solo home run, giving the Golden Eagles a 5-2 lead. USM would add two more runs in the sixth to make the score 7-2. The Golden Eagles scored seven runs in the final two innings as Marshall was only able to score two runs, once in the seventh and once in the eighth. The Golden Eagles 14-4 win marked the 11th consecutive win versus a conference opponent dating back to last season. Luke Lowery received the win pitching 2.1 innings, striking out three and only allowing one hit. Cord Cockrell handled the bulk of the work pitching 4.1 innings,
Joe Harper/ Courtesy Photo
Jake Sandlin (12) slids into home base against Alabama on March 20, 2016.
giving up six hits and two runs. Cockrell also struck out three batters as well. In the second leg of the doubleheader, Southern Miss opened the game with a 1-0 lead off the bat of Burdeaux, with his second home run in as many games. Marshall wasted no time responding. In the bottom of the first inning they answered with three hits and three runs, one of which off of a home run. Both teams held steady until the bottom of the fourth when Marshall was able to get on the board once in the fourth and again in the fifth, giving the Herd a 5-1 lead over the Golden Eagles. The bat of Lynch kept Southern
Miss alive in the sixth inning with a two-run home run to right field, making the score 5-3. The eighth inning produced the most fireworks for the game. Southern Miss scored five times on four hits and two walks, climaxing on an RBI grounder by Robinson who gave the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game. The Golden Eagles ended the inning with a 8-5 lead. At the bottom of the eighth for the Thundering Herd, Marshall gave the Golden Eagles a dose of their own medicine as they scored five runs on three hits. The Golden Eagles were not able to recover and fell by a final score 10-8, snapping Southern Miss’ 11-game
conference winning streak. In the final game of the series, it looked as if both teams had expended all their scoring in the first two games through the first four innings. Southern Miss lit up the board first with a Hunter Slater solo home run in the fifth. The Golden Eagles lit it up again with a Storme Cooper RBI double in the seventh. Marshall showed signs of life in the bottom of the seventh as Reynaldo Pastrana drove in two runs with a homer to left center field. The two-run shot tied the game at 2-2. Jake Sandlin and Lynch each singled to start the eighth inning, and a Robinson RBI double turned
into the winning run for the Golden Eagles. The Golden Eagles took the final game of the series 3-2. Over the three-game series, the Golden Eagles recorded 33 hits and 25 runs. Southern Miss put the “power” in Appalachian Power Park, as they were able to register five homers. Burdeaux and Lynch led the way with two homers a piece in the series. Following the weekend, Lynch leads the team in home runs with six, and Burdeaux and Taylor Braley are tied for second with five. As a team, the Golden Eagles have 26 homers. The Golden Eagles return to the diamond to face Tulane at MGM Park in Biloxi on Tuesday. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
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Page 8 | Monday, March 21, 2016
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USM captures 5-2 record over spring break Julius Kizzee Sports Editor
The Golden Eagles not only amassed a winning record over the spring break but also commanded respect from college baseball. “You just got to come out here and play hard, pitch well, play good defense and string together some hits,” said Dylan Burdeaux after game two against Samford. “It’s pretty much the same game plan, and then we have in-game adjustments as well.” The Golden Eagles did that over Southern Miss’ spring break, by capturing five wins against quality competition. From the hitting and outfielding, to the home runs and bullpen, USM hit a certain groove on a well-rounded team effort through the break. One of the brighter moments came from pitcher Cord Cockrell on Mar. 12 in game two against Samford. He allowed two runs on three hits in his seven innings of work. The hits came in plentiful, too, as the Golden Eagles hit nine against the Bulldogs, but they were clearly led by Cockrell’s arm. Cockrell does not credit his pitching prowess to only his arm, but also to his locks of hair, which he expects to keep for a while. “It gets in the way a lot, and it’s getting kind of annoying now,” Cockrell said.
When asked if he has any plans of cutting off his mane, Cockrell said, “not now.” Southern Miss started off the break in a series against the Samford Bulldogs. The Golden Eagles captured a 2-1 record against Samford, including dropping game two of the series on Mar. 13 in the first game of a double-header. After that loss, the Golden Eagles were able to bounce back and take the series after winning the last game 6-3. “You just got to grind it out,” said outfielder Jake Sandlin after USM’s split with Samford on Mar. 13. “Long day, we were getting beat early and I’m not just talking about on the scoreboard, we’re getting punched in the face a little bit. Tough teams come up in tough situations.” The Golden Eagles had one of the more true tests of the season with Alabama coming into Pete Taylor Park on Mar. 15. Alabama is most knowingly known for their football prowess, but an 11-4 record was nothing that USM wanted to scoff at. “I’ve never really got into the whole SEC bias beforehand being on the outside looking in,” Sandlin said. “Now that I play those guys, yeah I want to beat them.” The game started slow for both teams, as both teams failed to score in the first three innings. Then,
the Golden Eagles exploded to score for the next four subsequent innings to dispatch the Crimson Tide 9-2 in one of its biggest wins to date. “Everybody that played did something,” Sandlin said. “It was a real team win.” Sandlin led all batters going a perfect 4-of-4 from the plate, including 3 RBIs. Chuckie Robinson followed closely going 2-of-3 from the plate, bringing in four batters to score himself. The Golden Eagles went threedeep in their bullpen as Nick Johsnon, Hunter Stevens and Taylor Braley combined to give up only seven hits and struck out eight batters. Alabama was the last opponent before the Golden Eagles headed into conference play against Marshall. The Thundering Herd did not have a record comparable to the Golden Eagles, but USM was not ready to rest on their laurels against their conference opponents. “You’re obviously going into conference play this year in a much better place than you have in the years past,” Sandlin said. “You’re kind of hot and got a lot of success under your belt. You’ve just got to stay hot, and it’s a brand new season, and anything can happen.” In the first inning of the series, USM tallied three runs with a
Lynch home run, his fifth of the year, and Braley brought in two runs with a single. The first inning set up an offensive onslaught that the Golden Eagles would not let up, cruising to a 14-4 win in their first conference game of the season. In the second game of the series, Jake Winston struggled to keep Marshall off the board. He gave up five hits, five runs and only struck out two batters. The Thundering Herd combatted a Burdeaux home run at the top of the Golden Eagle order with a three-shot home run in the bottom of the first inning themselves.
Both teams traded runs in the eighth inning going five apiece. Unfortunately for Southern Miss, they were already down 5-3 to start that inning. Marshall would go on to win 10-8 and split the series with USM. The last game of the series belonged to Kirk McCarty, who only giving up two runs on five hits. He also struck out nine batters in his 6.2 innings of work. Led by McCarty, the Golden Eagles were able to capture the last game of the series 3-2 to have a 2-1 conference record on the year. Southern Miss will continue its season on Tuesday when they play Tulane at MGM Park in Biloxi.
Joe Harper/ Courtesy Photo
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