Volume 100 Issue 54
STATE
Rec sports ‘climbs’ to the top Afnan Beauti Printz Reporter
Southern Miss Recreational Sports officially opened its climbing wall and fitness stations at a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon in the Payne Center atrium. The Southern Miss Payne Center houses the tallest rock climbing wall in the state. The wall and fitness stations on the trail outside the center were contracted with B.W. Sullivan, Entre Prises and Gym-Worx. Director of Recreational Sports Mark Crager opened the ribbon cutting ceremony with thanks to the contractors and staff that helped make the center’s dream of the wall a reality. The climbing wall inside the Payne Center atrium measures 30 feet tall and 40 feet wide with climbing routes that accommodate beginner to intermediate and more advanced climbers. The fitness stations are located just outside the Payne Center on the Bruce and Virginia Wilgus Fitness and Wellness Trail. The trail includes seven stations that offer a variety of exercise. A representative from Blue Cross & Blue Shield said the ROCK WALL CONT. ON PG. 3
Afnan Beauti/Student Printz Students prepare to climb on the newly opened rock wall in the Payne Center.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
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New bills en route to Bryant’s desk Garrett Minta Printz Reporter
The state legislature recently passed a multitude of bills ranging from issues related to domestic violence all the way to the Protecting Freedom of Conscience From Government Discrimination Act, or HB 1523, which has garnered national attention. The legislative process continues as the Senate gets ready to decide the fate of these pieces of legislation. The Senate has a calendar on its website that shows what legislation is currently being debated or sent to committee. One such bill that has gone through committee and on its way to the governor’s office, is Senate Bill 2169 which is focused on increasing penalties on persons selling or possessing with intent to sell synthetic cannabinoids, or “spice.” The bill proposes stiffer punishments on multiple levels for possession. If someone is caught with less than ten grams, the maximum penalty is three
years in prison, a fine of $3,000, like the Planned Parenthood or both. If caught with possession Center of Hattiesburg for care between ten and twenty grams, that is administered, even if no the penalty is no fewer than five abortions are performed there. years in prison, a $5,000 fine SB 2070 is on its way as well or both. to the governor’s office to be If caught with over twenty decided. This bill is aimed at grams, the penalty is a 10-year supporting breastfeeding mothers sentence, $15,000 fine or both. through new initiatives that would Forty grams in be adopted at possession is hospitals. The twenty years, a hospitals would The legislative $20,000 fine, be required to or both. a written process continues have The bill has not infant feeding as the Senate gets policy, in which yet been signed into law. ready to decide the staff is trained, Another bill including the that has gone to fate of these pieces production of a the governor’s training video on of legislation. office is SB 2238, the matter. which aims to Another bill block Medicaid that has survived from reimbursing any institutions committee but which did not in the state that perform abortions, make its way to the governor’s maintain a facility at which desk is HB 772, which would abortions are performed or are grant impoverished children and affiliated with an entity that does. parents legal rights to counsel in This would prevent Medicaid from cases where the child is the focus. paying reimbursements to centers This is to grant the child and
parents the right to their counsel. Other bills have been killed in committee and will no longer be eligible to become law, some of which are SB 2732 which would increase the penalties for statutory rape and those over the age of 18 and in a position of power over a minor. The penalties would have been 15 years on first offense and 20 years on second offense. Another dead bill is SB 2148, a bill for establishing domestic violence as grounds for divorce. This was part of a national initiative, that was killed in committee. As was the HB 1116, named the HOPE Act, was to reform social safety net programs, like Medicaid and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, through online identity authentication, bringing in eligibility systems to determine who is and is not eligible for benefits, and new penalties for fraud. Information on any of these bills and others that are still being considered by the Senate are available to view on their website.
LOCAL
City Council approves plans for The District Elizabeth Lee Printz Reporter
On April 19, the Hattiesburg City Council unanimously voted to approve requests to progress plans for the District at Midtown, a development set to take over the empty lot on Hardy Street where Elam Arms dormitory stood until 2013. Hattiesburg developer Rob Tatum filed the request, intending to change some of the zoning code and allow plans for building to move forward, according to the City Council. The perimeter of the District at Midtown is defined by Hardy Street, South 31st Avenue, South 30th Avenue and Chevy Chase Drive. “I think it makes major steps in helping us revitalize and regrow Hattiesburg,” said Kim Bradley, Hattiesburg City Council president. Plans for developing the 6.9-acre lot into the District at Midtown include retail stores, restaurants and a Hotel Indigo. Hotel Indigo, an international boutique hotel chain with locations across North America, China, Europe and the United Kingdom, creates each of its
hotels to reflect local culture. The Hattiesburg location will be the first in Mississippi. The hotel will have 100 rooms available and will be located on the corner of Hardy Street and South 31st Avenue. Tatum told WDAM that the mixed-use development will provide a boost for the local economy, creating nearly 300 jobs. “We use all of our local people, local architects, local developers – that was big for us,” Tatum said. The District at Midtown is part of a larger multi-phase project aiming to reinvent Midtown Hattiesburg and “create a walkable, workable, livable mixed-use community in concert with the adjacent neighborhoods,” according to the project’s web page. The Midtown Hattiesburg Master Plan is funded by a sustainable community grant from the federal government combined with matched contributions from Hattiesburg’s major employers, such as Forrest General, Hattiesburg Clinic and Southern Miss. The next steps in the
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development project are to purchase the lot from the university in May and begin construction in June. The retail space, to be located on either side of South 31st, will see completion and open by
early 2017, with the opening of Hotel Indigo to follow. For more information on the project and development plans, visit Midtown in Motion’s website at midtowninmotion.org.
Page 2 | Thursday, April 28, 2016
INFORMATION
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EDITORIAL POLICY
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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.
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OPINIONS Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
DIRTY BIRDS Thursday, April 21 • University police responded to reports of vandalism at the Physical Plant. Someone threw a rock through the window facing 101 Chimney’s Pass. The event occurred sometime between Wednesday, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 19 at 4:20 p.m. The case remains open. Friday, April 22 • A disturbance occurred at Vann Hall’s front desk between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. It escalated from a case of disturbing the peace to a simple domestic assault. The case remains open. • Police responded to reports of damaged private property at the GP Nursing Building around 4:30 pm. Another damaged private property report came in about an hour later, this time in the parking garage. Both cases remain open. Saturday, April 23 • Police arrested a drunk driver at the corner of 4th Street and Service Drive around 3 a.m.
POLICE CONTACT INFORMATION 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
STATE
Letter to the Editor: Social workers against HB 1523 Community Submission Various Authors
The Religious Liberty Accommodations Act will not promote liberty but instead will ensure the denial of services and resources to many of Mississippi’s vulnerable citizens. The Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) asserts that HB 1523 permits employees and any service provider including state employees to refuse providing a service to qualified persons based on that particular employee’s religious beliefs. We believe that such refusals of services will negatively affect clients/patients, students and professional social workers all over Mississippi. This law violates the U.S.
ON CAMPUS
Constitution, the Mississippi Constitution, Mississippi laws and regulations pertaining to social workers and federal and state laws barring discrimination, harassment and retaliation and international law. We join many businesses, associations and groups who have opposed and called for the repeal of this law, including among others the Mississippi Economic Council, IBM, AT&T, the ACLU, Human Rights Campaign and others.” The NASW Code of Ethics guides social work practice and stipulates that “Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief,
religion, or mental or physical disability” (NASW Code of Ethics 4.02.1). Social workers at The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Social Work consider HB 1523 antithetical to the values and ethics of our profession. The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work faculty and staff stand in opposition to any violations of civil rights, including discrimination against LGBTQ citizens and any others who may be harmed by this law. We are committed to building communities in which all may thrive, achieve, learn and grow. HB 1523 erodes and undermines the essential elements of community. We, the undersigned, call upon Mississippi legislators and the governor to repeal House Bill 1523.
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Page 3
ROCK WALL CONTINUED wall will enrich students’ educational experiences and that health and wellness comes hand in hand with education. Yesterday’s events included a climbing wall ribbon cutting followed by a fitness station ribbon cutting. Ever since its opening, every wall climbing rope has been in full nonstop use. Staff equipped for the wall have been training every day for a week, three or more hours a day. “We’ve had extensive hours of training for this because it is a dangerous thing to do,” said sophomore marine biology major Ashlynd Smith. “It’s super fun and is a great workout.” After signing a waiver and getting harnessed, patrons are free to climb the wall. Bethany Vicknair, sophomore recreational therapy major, harnesses patrons on the climbing wall. “It’s an exciting job and a great workout,” she said. “We had a lot of people come to the opening ceremony. We had a line as soon as we officially
opened it. We had a few more people come back already within a few hours.” Patrons can be new to the rock climbing experience and still climb. “We are a trained staff and can help anyone,” Vicknair said. Sophomore computer engineering major Jamal Fluellen is a part of the Payne Center staff and said his rock climbing experience was challenging. “The closer you got to the top, the harder it got,” Fluellen said. “You kind of feel like an airhead when you get to the top, because you don’t know what to do in a sense.” He said the wall will create a sense of competitiveness among the students. “People will compete to see who can climb it faster,” Fluellen said. “Staff will get to embrace their youth.” Crager voiced how much the students have been wanting the wall and displayed his pride in and appreciation in the accomplishment of building the wall and fitness stations.
Experts discuss high incarceration rates within state Andrew Dutton Printz Reporter
On April 26, a group of experts on criminal justice met together in a panel to discuss mass incarceration in Mississippi at 6 p.m. in Scianna Hall. The panel was presented by the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies’ Southern Studies program and co-hosted by the Honors College, Department of Political Science, School of Social Work and the School of Criminal Justice. Tuesday night’s panel consisted of senior supervising advocate at the Southern Poverty Law Center Alisha Judkins, McDuff & Byrd attorney Jacob Howard, criminal justice professor Wes Johnson and associate professor of social work Tamara Hurst. Rebecca Tuuri, assistant professor of history and coordinator of a new Southern Studies concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies program, introduced the topic to the audience. “This nation is now the definitive leader in the world in incarceration,” Tuuri said. According to Tuuri, the rate of incarceration in the U.S. in the past 30 years has grown over 430 percent. Mississippi has one of the highest rates of incarceration – not only of adults but also children. According to World Atlas, a travel website that compiled a list of states with the highest incarceration rates, Mississippi is ranked third. Alissa Johnson, moderator of the panel and an attorney in Jackson, added to the discussion
Austin Sylvest/Student Printz Attendees listen to the presentation of “Perspectives on Mass Incarceration and Criminal Justice” in Scianna Hall on April 26.
of statistics. Alissa Johnson added that between the decade of 2003 to 2013, Mississippi’s prison population increased by 17 percent and by July of 2013 had 23,000 prisoners in custody. She said two-thirds of those prisoners were sentenced for nonviolent offenses by violating the terms of their probation. “When we talk about mass incarceration and the wonderful work the panel is doing, we have to look at it as we are at a point of crisis,” Johnson said. After a brief introduction of statistics, the discussion began with the panelists on the effect mass incarceration has on the community. Jacob Howard has litigated civil rights and criminal cases in
post-conviction stages of state and federal court. At Tuesday night’s panel, he said there was a growing number of evidence that more incarceration makes the community less safe. “Sending low-risk, nonviolent offenders to prison increases the chance that they will commit crimes when they’re released from prison,” Howard said. Alisha Judkins has worked with clients in the reentry process. During the panel discussion, Judkins said that prisons do not equip prisoners with the skills necessary to keep them out of prison again. “If prisoners don’t have family or community support, then it becomes a revolving
door,” Judkins said. Wes Johnson has written over 50 scholarly articles and made numerous presentations dealing in criminal justice. Johnson discussed how important treatment is to resolving the increasing incarceration problem. Johnson believed the focus on funding jails and prisons, while very important, is short-sighted. “If you want to go upstream, you got to look at how to go about restoring communities and treatment of inmates is an important part of that,” Johnson said. Tamara Hurst is also the current director of Mississippi’s Wraparound Initiative. According to the National
Wraparound Initiative website, is dedicated to helping children connect with caring adults in order to live and thrive in positive communities. During the panel, Hurst was worried about prison’s level of treatment towards inmates, both minors and adults. “I know that jails and prisons do not invest in the best medications or therapies that are out there,” Hurst said. Mental health of inmates was an important discussion amongst the panel. Judkins mentioned the problems she experienced while working at East Mississippi Correctional Facility. The facility, which is the only one in the state which allows the housing of mentally ill inmates, never had a full time psychiatrist until last fall, according to Judkins. “I have been working in Mississippi for over five years and this is the first time I have ever been in a psychiatric facility without seeing a psychiatrist on a regular basis,” Judkins said. The panel discussed solutions to the problem of mass incarceration in the state. In terms of solutions and changing the system, Howard said that the best way to enact change is at the ballot box. “I think if you’re genuinely interested in changing the system, the way to do it is to vote,” Howard said. The problem of mass incarceration brought people from all sorts of backgrounds together for an open panel discussion on a solution. “Working in criminal justice is a collaborative system,” Hurst said. “No one group can do it by themselves.”
NEWS
Page 4 | Thursday, April 28, 2016
ON CAMPUS
College of Arts & Letters announces award recipients The University of Southern Mississippi College of Arts & Letters held its annual Awards Day on April 25, 2016 in the Thad Cochran Center. Students were welcomed and recognized by Dean Maureen Ryan. Stay with the Printz as more names are submitted. If you would like to submit a recipient’s name, please email printzeditors@gmail.com
ART & DESIGN Outstanding Student Award in Graphic Design Cody Bass, Kasey Holifield Outstanding Student Award in Drawing and Painting Magen Pierce, Alex Townsend Outstanding Student Award in Sculpture Tirza Legg Outstanding Student Award in Art BA Michael Lynch
DANCE MUSIC COMMUNICATION STUDIES Department Service Award Austin Allen Don George Award for Academic Excellence Andrew Wade Johnson, Marissa C. McGillis Siltanen-Hoseman Scholarship Endowment Ashley McDonald Elliot and Bonnie Pood Communication Studies Scholarship Endowment Jonathan Bridenbaker, Madison Clark, Lakelyn Taylor The Susan Mallon Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution to The University of Southern Mississippi Speaking Center Aleke Vehos, Carley Young
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The Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award John Eze Uzodinma, II
ENGLISH
Outstanding Freshman in Dance Jennifer Alafat Outstanding Sophomore in Dance Cassidy Simmons Outstanding Junior in Dance Destiny Ponville Outstanding Senior in Dance Alexandra Robinson
PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION Outstanding Philosophy Undergraduate Dyllan Kittrell Outstanding Religion Undergraduate Karen Schaffer Forrest Wood Scholarship David Holladay, Maya Rex Clayton Sullivan Scholarship Kimberly Boisseau
Mary Maude T. Jordan Scholarship William Clark Wilbur & Polly Stout English Scholarship Hannah Baker, Heather Miller, POLITICAL Lindsay Patrono, Emma Reeves, SCIENCE Ashley Yount Linwood E. Orange Scholarship The William H. Hatcher Award in political Theory James Baker, Charles Hunter Joplin Lauren Taylor Provencher Howard Wilson & Helen Bahr The James H. Wolfe Comparative Politics Award Scholarship John D. Rimann Mary Ryan Karnes, Corley Longmire The Joseph B. Parker American Politics Award Howard W. Bahr Achievement Nathan Barron Scholarship Award for the Outstanding Student in Public Law Stacie Covington, Paige Gray Julia Sieben Garth Avant Memorial Award for the Outstanding Student in Political Science Methods Endowment Quentin Welborn Monic Ductan, Joe Holt The Atley Graham Memorial Scholarship for Economics Florence Burrow Pope Endowed Brandon Nettles Scholarship Katherine Abel, Katelyn The Mark Klinedinst Distinguished Graduates Award for Ladner Economics Ambre Martocchio Shannon O’Hara & Henry The Ronald G. Marquardt Memorial Award in Paralegal Studies Mackaman English Scholarship for Academics-Hattiesburg Madison Etheridge, Mary Ryan Taylor Morgan Karnes, AmyJoy Sedberry, Mary The Ronald G. Marquardt Memorial Award in Paralegal Studies Spooner for Academics-Gulf Coast Janey Sims English Scholarship Shelley Zabatani Jana Ishee Political Science Graduate Student of the Year AmyJoy Sedberry Vivian Ike Joan Johnson Writing Award Political science Undergraduate of the Year-Gulf Coast Michael Goodwin, Joseph Todd Kaouthar Mejdoubi Gray, Ben Mitchell, Anastasia Stelse ANTHROPOLOGY Ben Mounger Rawls Award Jennifer Brewington, Hannah Dow & SOCIOLOGY Nelma and Marlin Ivey Shann MM Winn Outstanding Scholarship ANTHROPOLOGY Anthropology Student of the Year Leah Barnes Rebecca Aucoin & SOCIOLOGY Irmgard H. Wolfe Award for Best Graduate Paper in Anthropology Shann MM Winn Outstanding Anthropology Student of the Shalonda Collins Year Lambda Alpha Award for Rebecca Aucoin Best Undergraduate Paper in Irmgard H. Wolfe Award for Best Graduate Paper in Anthropology Anthropology Joshua Caves Shalonda Collins Anthropology and Sociology Award Lambda Alpha Award for Best Undergraduate Paper in for Outstanding Service Award: Anthropology Sara Jordan Banks Joshua Caves Sociology Student of the Year Anthropology and Sociology Outstanding Service Award: Sara Amber Bynum Jordan Banks Alpha Kappa Delta Award for Best Sociology Student of the Year Amber Bynum Undergraduate Paper in Sociology Alpha Kappa Delta Award for Best Undergraduate Paper in Emily Kate Ratliff Sociology Sociological Imagination Paper Emily Kate Ratliff Award Sociological Imagination Paper Award Latoysha Brown Latoysha Brown
MASS COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM Best Broadcast Package Allysa Cole Best Creative Advertising Shelby York Best Graphic Design Emily Gruzineskas Best Multimedia and Digital Journalism Anna Tauchar Best Non-News/TV Video Production Corey Robinette Best Photo Hunt Mercier Best Print Story Joshua Starr Best Producer Will Foley
Best Public Relations Writing and Design Anna Tauchar and Kathryn Duke Best Website Madeline Bordelon Best Academic Advisor Mandy Nace Best Teacher INTERDISCIPLINARY Lindsey Conlin
STUDIES
Outstanding Underclassman Lindsey Hargrave Outstanding Senior Nicole Boisdore Outstanding Leadership Haley Martin
FEATURE
ON CAMPUS
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Page 5
Students begin preparation for finals week Afnan Beauti Printz Reporter
Finals week is quickly approaching at The University of Southern Mississippi. As stress levels climb and test anxiety hits, students cram to ready themselves for multiple, oftentimes cumulative, exams during finals week. Not only must students prepare for dreaded exams but also lengthy research papers, final projects and presentations. While success is the ultimate end goal for most students, some are anticipating the light at the end of the tunnel: summertime. Cook Library at Southern Miss is open 24 hours every day during finals week to accommodate hourslong memorization of notes, reading of entire books, practicing speeches, writing 15-page papers and even the occasional 3 a.m. nap. Coffee sales skyrocket, and empty energy drink cans can be found in almost every garbage can. Conveniently, Starbucks is located in Cook Library and foresees a busy phase in the next two weeks. Starbucks in the library is open 24 hours Sunday through Thursday. “We staff more people is about all we can do,” said lead supervisor Victoria Bolls. “We try to get people in and out as quickly as possible
when we’re busy.” Bolls said the job gets exhausting during finals week. “At our busiest times, it’s like running a marathon back here,” she said. Every student becomes a mathematician around this time, trying to calculate the minimum score to make the desired grade in each class. Senior liberal studies major Deidre Tubby prefers to start studying two to three months in advance for finals week. “Study early so that you won’t have to feel like you’re on the edge and pressured coming toward finals,” she said. “You’ll feel less stressed.” Several USM students are remaining focused and are striving to finish strong at the end of the semester. Some are graduating, and some are aiming to earn a high GPAs as they will return in the summer or the fall. “I’ve done it on some occasions, but I’ve also been encouraged to talk with my instructors to get the actual calculation,” Tubby said. “Most of the time, I don’t worry about a calculation.” Students are advised by faculty, staff, friends and family to put in their best efforts to succeed, and to do that, they must use the most
effective study tips and strategies to make the best grades on their finals. Tubby said she is preparing very well this semester. “Even when I’m done [studying], I go back and check on all my work and make sure I haven’t missed any of my assignments,” she said. “There would be some chill time in between. Even on the weekends, I study for six hours a day.” Tubby stressed to the people who are taking finals to start early so they can sleep early. Alternating study spots to spice up a finals routine will improve retention while studying, according to the New York Times. Spending 10 hours in one seat in the library drains a person, but switching rooms or seats can surprisingly revitalize the mind. The infamous all-nighter is a move almost every college senior has pulled by now. A tip to every student is to avoid all-nighters. According to a 2008 study by Pamela Thacher, associate professor of psychology at St. Lawrence University, all-nighters weaken cognitive performance and memory for up to four days. Students worldwide prefer listening to music while they study. Not only do students jam out during study sessions, but they also text, watch television or allow
ON CAMPUS
Project helps disabled graduates Lora Lavigne Printz Reporter
The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, an organization focused on supporting Mississippians with disabilities, will host its first Project Search Graduation on May 9. The institute brought this new program to Southern Miss to increase the number of young adults with intellectual, cognitive or other developmental disabilities to obtain competitive, community-based employment. According to their website, Mississippians with disabilities are the largest minority in the state and tend to be an untapped population for employment. The IDS has partnered with the National Project SEARCH Transition Program to develop Project SEARCH at Southern Miss. Jerry Alliston, director of the program, wrote the initial grant to get the funding for the program. “The first year is underway and beneficial for numerous reasons such as getting employment opportunities for young leaders,” Alliston said. “It’s not just about getting that first job. It’s to get skills for a career. That’s what the program is all about.” The university has collaborated with Hattiesburg High School to provide full-time teachers for
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the project as well as Mississippi Department of Rehab Services, which provided two job coaches for the participants. This program is for students in special education classes between the ages of 18-21. Members of the project come to the institute everyday instead of high school, learning the skills to work and receive a certificate of completion. The program is an eight-month training program that consists of daily employment preparatory skills training, community development, mentoring services and work internships. Throughout the program, participants focus on numerous areas that assist them with functional skills such as team
building, getting around the workplace, safety, technology, social skills and more. Out of the seven students graduating, four have already secured employment after graduation. Some have even began working in the field. “Just to see the process from when they first started the program with limited skills, to see how far they’ve come now is incredible,” Alliston said. “They are independent walking around the campus, doing a lot of different work and internship opportunities and constantly building up their resumes.” Taylor Carley, the selfadvocate coordinator for IDS, is the keynote speaker of the graduation. Carley suffers from disabilities and will share his story with the other students at the graduation. “To me it’s very important to see these people with intellectual disabilities be able to have a career,” Carley said. “To go out in the community and have internships and jobs just like everyone else. Anything is possible. Even with a disability. It’s an ability. I want them to know that they can do anything they set their mind to and accomplish their goals.” Project Search Graduation will be held on May 9 in the Thad Cochran Center. For more information, contact the Institute for Disabilities Studies.
Jack Hammett/Student Printz Students Rikeetha Bereira and Tjasa Jerse study at the Cook Library.
social media to entertain them. Distractions prevent the retention of information. Instrumental music is recommended instead of music with lyrics. Freshman banking finance major Sequerstin Blue said students should a head start on studying for finals.
“It’s less stress on you, and you can get your best results and relax for the next two and a half months,” she said. Students should remember, however, that the stress of finals will be over soon, and this promise brings with it the reward of summer. The rigorous work will be worth it.
FEATURE
Page 6 | Thursday, April 28, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
2016 continues to claim influential icons Hiba Tahir Printz Reporter
Since 2016 began, film and music enthusiasts everywhere have suffered through death after death of majorly influential icons. First to pass was rock music legend David Bowie, who inspired several generations of “misfits and weirdos,” as longtime music journalist and author Alan Light reported in The Hollywood Reporter. “Bowie’s work consistently returned to common themes: the sense of alienation, of being an outsider,” Light wrote. “Bowie’s vision was so prescient that, at times, it really did seem like he beamed down from the future.” Although Bowie was best known for his space-alien persona Ziggy Stardust, his music and personas fluctuated constantly and kept a legion of inspired fans enraptured by his many various identities. Furthermore, Bowie was an activist who publicly declared his bisexuality long before such an announcement was widely tolerated and was an advocate for African-American artists. “This was the David Bowie who set a course for musicians, designers, actors, politicians and fans around the world,” Light wrote. “He was the original
ON CAMPUS
performer in a state of constant reinvention, paving the way for Prince, Madonna and Lady Gaga.” Cancer claimed another life just a few days later when English actor and director Alan Rickman passed at the age of 69. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Rickman was a gifted actor best remembered for his role as the villainous Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” films. “There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death,” tweeted J.K. Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” series. “He was a magnificent actor and a wonderful man.” Fans were especially touched by “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe’s response to Rickman’s death. “People create perceptions of actors based on the parts they played so it might surprise some people to learn that contrary to some of the sterner (or downright scary) characters he played, Alan was extremely kind, generous, selfdeprecating and funny,” Radcliffe wrote on his Google Plus page. “As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child. Working with him at such a formative age
was incredibly important and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.” When American music legend Prince was found dead last week at his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the world reeled from the loss of yet another influential artist. Frequently compared to Michael Jackson and known for his electric stage presence, Prince won several notable awards throughout his life and left his mark as an innovative musician, record producer, actor and film director. In a National Public Radio interview following his death, Prince’s first manager Owen Husney remembered the eccentric icon as “very focused, very directed and highly intelligent.” “He never wanted to be pigeonholed into one specific genre of music, because he always felt that he was capable [of more],” Husney said. “And he just wasn’t mimicking his influences — he was combining their sounds. He was making a whole new sound. He had the rare ability to not just mimic the sound of an artist that influenced him but to take it another level.” Prince was often praised for
Networking opportunities help to advance future career D’Andre Smith Community Submission
Year after year, students begin their undergraduate careers thinking that obtaining a college degree will be enough to land a solid job. However, securing a job is just as much about who you know as it is what you know. With the competitive job market, college students need to use every resource available to them to reach success in a career. A big part of that is building relationships with professionals in their desired field of work. A good way to gain networking opportunities is through internships, professional conferences and professional organizations. According to Southern Miss Career Services, students involved in professional internships, student groups, volunteer work, oncampus jobs and memberships in professional organizations not only show potential employers that they are motivated and capable of successfully juggling various responsibilities, but also offer a wealth of opportunities for networking. “I am a perfect example of how networking can get you a job,” said Tonya McGee, marketing specialists of Southern Miss Career Services. “Each job I have received has been a direct result of building relationships and networking. I got a part-time
job, internship and full-time jobs directly because of networking. As a matter of fact, I have never gotten a job that didn’t involve some sort of connection.” According to a recent article from the About Careers website, colleges around the country offer students more opportunities to network through interacting and building relationships with professionals for career development assistance. Networking offers students an advantage, because a personal connection can be made prior to seeking a position. One recent example of a networking event at The University of Southern Mississippi is PRSSA & PRAM on the Patio, in which the Public Relations Student Society Association (PRSSA) invited professionals from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s Pine Belt chapter to network on the patio of College Hall. This event allowed students to get to know professionals and ask them about current best practices in public relations as well as general issues with the job search. “Networking with local professionals is a great way for students to launch their careers,” said Jasmine Tate, graduate student and president of the USM PRSSA chapter. “My involvement with PRSSA has significantly enhanced my confidence in speaking with
professionals from entry level to top management. I will always be grateful for the experiences, knowledge and relationships I have gained through PRSSA.” The About Careers website offers several ways for students to make the most of networking events including being prepared to offer some information about yourself through a practiced “elevator pitch” and by asking relevant questions you have prepared in advance. In addition, bring business cards if you have them and follow up after the event with everyone you met. These practices will help you make the most of any networking event even after you graduate, because networking does not just benefit students. For professionals, networking with the upcoming generation of professionals is also beneficial. “As a professional, I attend networking events with students because I enjoy mentoring and the opportunity to learn from the younger generation,” said Catherine Lott, communications coordinator for the DuBard School for Language Disorders and PRAM member. “I get fresh perspectives on issues and can look to see who the up and comers are in my career field.” For more information regarding networking, visit USM Career Services in McLemore Hall 125 on the Hattiesburg campus or at https:// www.usm.edu/career-services.
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choosing to “march to the beat of his own drum,” as Adam Young, a Minnesota-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and creator of Owl City, wrote in an opinion piece for CNN. “Where many embraced conformity, Prince embraced individuality,” Young said. “Though it’s strange to suddenly realize the world has lost yet another creative icon, a virtuoso instrumentalist and an electrifying
performer, the thing I take with me is the realization that we are all human beings with numbered days and none of us can decide when our time is up. “While the universe of art and music is a place without boundaries — where man is limited only by his own imagination – each of us has a finite amount of time on this planet. The ways in which we decide to play out that time are decisions only we can make.”
OPINION
POLITICS
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Page 7
Why Sanders missed the mark with Southern voters Nicolas Kubicki Printz Reporter
In the debate before the New York primary, Bernie Sanders said the reason he did so poorly in the southern U.S. was due to the overwhelming number of conservative voters and conservative attitudes in the region. “Secretary Clinton cleaned our clock in the Deep South, no question about it,” he said. “That is the most conservative part of this great country.” While some see this as some kind of affront, the senator is not entirely wrong. The Deep South is traditionally extremely conservative on top of having a tight-knit relationship with the Clinton family. However, the area being conservative is not the culprit
in the losses. The actual fly in the proverbial ointment? The generation gap combined with the digital divide is, in my opinion, solidly to blame for Sanders’ lack of traction in the south. While Sanders is extremely popular with young voters who traditionally lean to the left, Clinton is extremely popular with older voters, who unsurprisingly have a tendency to lean to the right. They also happen to have over 20 years of Clinton history ingrained in their minds, while Sanders was relatively unknown to anyone outside of Vermont and Washington D.C. before the start of his campaign. While they might not know that Sanders was fighting for civil rights with Martin Luther King, Jr., they know about Clinton’s legacy. Sanders’ campaign has been mainly
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a digital and grassroots effort, which notoriously fails to reach those in the more technologically-challenged
areas. Thus while people may have heard his name, it is possible they didn’t know enough to make some kind of informed decision. Of course, this is all speculation from raw data. One of the most important factors in voting without having equal knowledge of each candidate is name recognition. The Clinton brand is one of the most recognizable names in politics in the last 30 years. Whether you happen to be referring to one or the other, the pair have essentially made history in their own way. Since Sanders lacks reputation and recognition in the Southern states, people tend to vote for the person they know. To put it in a bit of perspective, let us say that you are an average voter from the year 2004. You are
suddenly transported to the future and asked to vote for one of three men. One named Cruz, one named Trump and another named Kasich. Chances are you would pick the one you know over the ones you do not. Additionally, if you came from 2004, you might be confused as to why Trump had switched parties, but that is neither here nor there. But we happen to be getting off track. Since 2000, almost all of the Deep South states were carried by the Republicans, but so were many of the states that Sanders won such as Kansas and Wyoming. While it is historically true that many of the states in the south vote red, lack of recognition and a lack of information seem to be the main contributors to Sanders’ loss in the Deep South.
POLITICS
On Paul Ryan’s philosophy, primary’s final outlook J.D. Rimann Printz Columnist
Last week, this column examined the office of the Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress and the latest occupant of that office, Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. This week, the column will examine Speaker Ryan and his political philosophy more in-depth. Indeed, Ryan is known for being a little bit more of a political and economic philosopher than most members of Congress. After proceeding along the route of our little two-part series on Ryan, the column will end with a look at the events of this week in the presidential primary campaigns. The Northeast was brutal for Bernie Sanders fans as well as for anyone who does not like Trump, which apparently does not describe people living in New England. The Pilgrims who fled to America to escape authoritarian persecution in England would not be too impressed with their modern-day descendants. Commentator and professor Jonathan Chait claimed that Ryan is the most important figure in today’s Republican Party because “no other figure within the party combines Ryan’s philosophical radicalism and tactical pragmatism.”
That is to say that Ryan is extremely fiscally conservative but takes more toward the moderate center when it comes to social issues. In this way he has been able to avoid the more radical charges which have been levelled at other Republican leaders such as Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio. This would potentially allow Ryan to grow the party in ways that the more socially conservative members of the party would be unable to allow. What are the primary influences that have shaped Ryan’s political philosophy, and what exactly is his philosophy? The second part of that question will be addressed first. Ryan should likely be characterized as a small-government, freemarket capitalist when it comes to economic issues and as more of a libertarian individualist when it comes to social issues. Both of these stances can be traced back to political and intellectual influences from earlier on in the Speaker’s career. Ryan points to the late Jack Kemp — the former NFL quarterback and Republican presidential candidate — as a primary influence on him. Kemp founded the group FreedomWorks and favored things like no-tax, minimal-regulation zones in poverty-stricken areas
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and large tax cuts to stimulate the economy from the supply-side, both issues championed by Ryan in recent years. At a 2012 dinner in honor of Kemp, Ryan outlined Kemp’s influence on himself thusly, “Jack just hated the idea that any part of America could be written off. In the 1970s, when people spoke of malaise and scarcity, Jack was talking of an ‘American Renaissance.’ It was not in his nature to accept limits to growth and opportunity for anyone. And nothing could be more foreign to Jack’s way of thinking than to accept poverty as a permanent way of life. When he saw people striving, he was on their side.” The more controversial influence on the speaker, however, is the philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand. Rand, the author of “Atlas Shrugged” and the founder of Objectivism, a militantly atheist philosophy which glorifies the pursuit of self-interest, was a stout defender of capitalism. Ryan admits to enjoying her work, saying
in an interview that he “adored her novels when I was young, and in many ways they gave me an interest in economics.” Many commentators have attempted to seize on this statement and others like it (as well as a commonly passed around Beltway anecdote that for years Ryan required all of his interns to read “Atlas Shrugged”) to portray Ryan as an adherent of Objectivism. However, several leading Objectivists have disputed this claim, as has Ryan himself. That being said it is no surprise that the Speaker would be drawn to some of Rand’s work, and particular her defense of capitalism as a moral force. Regardless of your personal feelings on Ryan, it is intriguing to examine the philosophy of one of the major statesmen of the day and view how it has shaped his policy decisions. Now, onto the elections. Hillary won all but one of the five states available on Tuesday, while Trump won every state.
While both candidates were basking in their success, it was a little more meaningful for Hillary than for Trump. Nate Silver had Trump at 99 percent of winning all five states, and it is almost universally acknowledged that, barring a massive upset, the Republican campaign will come down to California on the last day of primary voting. If Trump does not win Indiana before then, it may be impossible for him to clinch the nomination without a contested convention. Hillary, on the other hand, effectively turned the Democratic Convention into a coronation with her wins Tuesday night. According to the Associated Press, Hillary’s wins put her at 90 percent of the delegates she needs to clinch the Democratic nomination. Considering that she has won over 60 percent of delegates so far, it would appear that it is all but over for Sanders and his insurgent campaign.
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Page 8 | Thursday, April 28, 2016
BASEBALL
SPORTS
No. 14 USM cruises past No. 23 UL-Lafayette Julius Kizzee Sports Editor
the plate and delivered another single to bring in Burdeaux for the score. That score would cut the Cajuns lead to 2-1 headed into the fourth inning. At the top of the fifth inning, Jake Winston, who has a 4.83 ERA in 41 innings before his appearance against the Ragin’ Cajuns, came in relief
No. 14 Southern Miss hosted No. 23 University of Louisiana at Lafayette at The Pete this Tuesday, beating the Ragin’ Cajuns, 7-2. The win gave the Golden Eagles its fifth win in a row, and secured 30 wins in a season for the 15th straight season. Stevie Powers got the start for Southern Miss on the mound. He pitched four innings and gave up two runs on three hits. Also for Powers, he struck out three batters. The early deficit Powers gave up to the Cajuns also gave them all of the early momentum. Southern Miss’ bats were cold in Scott Berry, USM baseball coach the first two innings that the Ragin’ Cajuns held their lead. The Golden Eagles only recorded one hit in eight at-bats. for Powers. Winston gave up “We’ve been putting good one hit in his first inning’s swings on the ball early,” said appearance, which led to the Chase Scott, who batted 1-of- Golden Eagles taking the 3 on the night. “It was just a momentum back in the game in matter of time before we got the same inning. things rolling.” “My main concern was just In the third inning, the going in and hanging two Golden Eagles’ fortunes turned [scoreless innings],” Winston for the better. After Dylan said. “Keep that momentum in Burdeaux and Jake Sandlin our dugout and try to continue reached base on singles, that throughout the game.” Hunter Slater stepped up to In the bottom of the fifth,
Southern Miss knocked off two home runs by the way of Tim Lynch and Chase Scott. Burdeaux and Slater also had hits in the inning. All in all, USM put five runs on the board on four hits, putting them ahead 6-2. The Golden Eagles would hold off the Cajuns from crossing home plate the rest of the game, while putting scoring a run of their own in the eight inning. “When we gave up the two runs I was just glad it was early in the game, and we had a lot of game to recover,” coach Scott Berry said. “We got there in the fifth and obviously that was a big inning for us. With Southern MIss’ highest ranking since 2011, the Golden Eagles will only play two more teams outside of the top 100 teams nationally in RPI. Although it will not be easy for USM, Berry thinks this team has garnered momentum down the stretch. “We’re playing good baseball right now in confidence,” Berry said. “We need to keep going and moving forward to the next opportunity.” Southern Miss will play New Orleans on Wednesday in New Orleans. First pitch is for 6:30 p.m.
We’re playing good baseball right now in confidence. We need to keep going and moving forward to the next opportunity.
Julius Kizzee/Student Printz Jake Sandlin and Dylan Burdeaux await the first pitch against ULLafayette.
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EagleFlatts.com Julius Kizzee/Student Printz Chase Scott prepares for the pitch against UL-Lafayette in the third inning.