the print edition 2-28-2012

Morgan McDowell said this year’s administration will be a tough act to follow but every president brings something different to the table and, if elected, hopes to cultivate the new programs started by the Student As-sociation.

“Hopefully, the relationships I will build will bring as much to the table as Rhett (Hobart)’s program-ming aspect. This is going to be a building year for the Student Association with all the new programs Rhett has implement-ed,” he said.

The programs he said he hopes to continue are the Cow-bell Yell, the Respect the Bell campaign and the new third party book sell back website that is currently in development.

“There’s no reason to lose all that progress we’ve already made,” he said. “Cowbell Yell is on my platform. Rhett started this last year; there’s no reason we can’t fi ll up at least the visi-tor’s side of the stadium. That was one of the greatest tradi-tions Rhett has started here.”

One of the biggest needs on campus, he said, was the stu-

dent relief fund. He said he wants to create an account in which students could donate their unused block meals. This account would be used to provide block meals to students in need. He said he has already met with Tabor Mullen, assistant dean of students, to discuss the program.

Shelby Balius said she believes many students feel disconnected from the Student Association, and, through that, students feel disconnected from Mississippi State University as a whole – that is something she wants to change. By increasing transparency and using public relations resources to communicate with students, she said she hopes to serve them by being a voice for the students to the administration.

“The Student Association is an overarching student organi-zation; every student is a mem-ber of it,” she said. “The things we try to initiate and implement are for the students.”

Having worked with aca-demic affairs for the past two years, Balius said she has built relationships with the adminis-tration that will help her initiate her platform.

This year, Balius has worked with administrators to reform the teacher evaluation process. She has tried to get the process moved online — the proposal has passed through associate dean’s council and still needs to go through dean’s council and faculty senate.

“If everything goes well, teacher evaluations will be online in the fall,” she said. “But my ultimate goal is to have at least part of those evalua-tions public for students to see. They would log in with their net ID and net password and see either the ratings or some of the comments.”

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ote on your

Athletic Dept., MMP liven up spring game

Sugarland toperform in stadium

BY EMMA CRAWFORD

Contributing Writer

Super Bulldog Weekend 2012 will feature the fi rst concert ever to take place in Davis Wade Stadium. Grammy Award-winning country duo Sugarland is scheduled to per-form after the Maroon and White spring game, April 21.

Sugarland’s visit to Mississippi State Uni-versity is going to be a showcase of the hard work of MSU’s athletic department and Music Maker Productions.

Chad Thomas, assistant athletic director of marketing, said a stadium show in Davis Wade has been in discussion for about two years.

“We got to the point of what can we do next?” he said.

Thomas said the athletic department is excited about doing something different for the spring game this year.

“We’re all about trying new things,” he said. “It will be cool to start with Sugarland this year, and then next year, get another big name.”

Thomas said this year’s Super Bulldog Weekend is really about bringing people to MSU.

“We want to encourage people to be-come MSU fans,” he said. “Those people will see this beautiful campus and get to experience MSU, and then maybe, they will come back in the summer for a guided tour.”

Although people who are already MSU fans usually attend the spring game, Rhett Hobart, Student Association president, said he believes the addition of this concert will attract Sugarland fans who are not MSU fans to Super Bulldog Weekend.

Bill 8 could redistrict SA Senate

BY MEGAN MCKEOWN

News Editor

Bill 8 will accompany Student Associa-tion executive candidates on the online bal-lot today. The bill calls for a revision of the SA Constitution, changing the composition of the senate to include students representa-tives from their respective colleges.

If passed, this bill will make the senate smaller, basing the size on a ratio of 650 stu-dents to one senator.

Halston Hales, SA vice president, said the referendum must pass by 60 percent today.

Bill 8 passed unanimously through SA Senate on Jan. 31 and was signed by Rhett Hobart, SA president, on Feb. 1, but the bill’s fate will be determined by the stu-dents.

The bill will read: “This amendment changes the content of the SA Senate. The group will become 33 seats, instead of the current 48 seat size. This would be accom-plished by representing colleges according to size instead of housing and colleges. Fresh-men will be guaranteed four seats. Graduate students will be guaranteed three seats.”

Few schools have student government senates that are represented by geographi-cal regions, like MSU’s current senate. While only a small portion of students live on campus, on campus students make up a majority of the senate. The new senate composition will better represent the stu-dent body.

Hales said students with questions can email him at [email protected].

Elections for executive positions online today

BALIUS MCDOWELL

BY HANNAH ROGERSEditor in Chief

Editor’s Note: The online voting process for Student Association ex-ecutive offi cer positions and a referendum on senate redistribution opens at 7 a.m. today and students can vote through their myState account. Ballots will be available until 7 p.m. through sa.msstate.edu/vote. Candi-dates for the other executive positions are profi led on page three.SEE SUGARLAND, 2

SEE BALIUS, 2 SEE MCDOWELL, 2

““My ultimate goal is to have at least part of those (teacher)

evaluations public for students to

see.

““

””

The Sanderson

Center is still state-of-the-art, but it needs to be expanded.

MCDOWELLMarketingJuniorIndianola, Miss.

Experience:Director of the Bulldog Interest Group (2011-2012)Director of the City of Starkville Relations Committee (2011-2012)Member of SEC Exchange Comittee (2011-2012)

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BALIUSManagement and FinanceJuniorCumming, Ga.

Experience:Executive Council: Chief Administrative Officer (2011-2012)Cabinet: Director of Academic Affairs (2010-2011)Committee Member: History and Traditions Committee (2009-2012)

SA SHOWDOWN

Jeremy Dixon

Chance Ervin

Ethan Fayard

Chris Forrest

Erin Thead

Chris Vanlangenberg

Manikanthan Bhavaraju

WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS & JUDGES WHO CONTRIBUTED AND HELPED TO MAKE THE UPPER REGION V SCIENCE FAIR SUCCESSFUL INCLUDING:

Robin Cox

K. Bandara Gajanayake

Nirathi Keerithi Govindo

Joshua Heatherly

Lisa Henderson

Bill Henry

Sam Shannon

William Harris

Drew Hammack

Cody Garrison

Josh Hall

Cecelia Bowden

Jamie Varner

Gregory Wheeler

Rocky Lemus

Andrew Londo

David Wilson

Alexander Carrubba

Shana McCormick

Cheryl McLaurinJiguo Chen

Lavanya Challagundia

Joshua Winter

Kyle Johnson

Erin Colebeck

Barry Stewart

Evita Lopez-Gourley

Maria Earle

Mark Novotny

Holly MartinMaria Cebada-Ricalde

Jennifer Carruth

Bradley Carlock

Dustin Cushman

Randy Ford

Jeff Parrish

Myrtle PrewittDavid Dampier

Nischal Dahal

Zack Lehtola

Yan Li

Matthew Clemons

Brandon Cox

J. Elton Moore

KC MorrisonCourtney Crist

Toni Copeland

Matthew Hoffman

Melinda Josey

Ryan Griffin

Stacy Jones

Donna Reese

Sam RiffellThomas Donaldson

Chris Doffit

Todd Phillips

Allison Quick

Chad Galloway

Sandra Givson

Lindon Ratliff

Chinthaka RatnaweeraDavid Deschamp

Hondamuni De Silva

Andrew McMahan

Nan Niu

Tim Jordan

William Keel

Channing McCreary

Chad McDaniel

Blair Schumacher

David Schweitzer

Ramdeo Seepaul

Totsonat Rattanakaew

Cathy Rogers

Erin Anderson Scott Rowland

Tyler Shook

Tinsley Colmer

Audrey Sheridan

Cade Smith

Mary Kate Smith

Renotta Smith

Bekah Sparks

James Stewart

Jake Straub

Angelle Tanner

Joseph St. Columbia

Shelby Tapp

Seth Wedgeworth

Cody Bell

Matthew Bratton

Chander Sharma

Jonathan Frisch

Matthew Essandoh

Edward Enstminger

Mary Hetrick

Federico Hoffmann

Lorraine Hughes

John Jones

Billy Kingery

Henk Arnoldus

Cindy Bethel

Daniel Barnes

Ajay Bandi

Brian Baldwin

Chris Ayers

Sonni Carlisle

David Brand

Hannah Brakin

Susan Bowers

Jenny Bibb

T H E R E F L E C TO R2 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 NEWS

SA ELECTIONS, REFERENDUM VOTING TODAYBALIUS continued from 1BALIUS continued from 1

She said Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Florida have the processes online.

“We would be catching up with the SEC, but I think that’s something that’s necessary,” she said.

Another academic affairs policy Balius said she wants to implement would be dead week. Dead week would consist of the fi ve calendar days leading up to exam week and instructors would be kept from administering tests or graded class assignments worth more than 15 percent of the course’s overall grade. However, some exceptions would include classes that only meet once a week or a project assigned through the syllabus within the fi rst two weeks of class.

“It would allow us to have enough time to force instructors to divvy out their time wisely; it would give us a bit more time to study for our fi nals,” she said.

As an orientation leader this sum-mer, Balius said she had the oppor-tunity to meet transfer students and hear their concerns.

“It’s amazing to see the differ-ence of experience they’ll have ver-sus someone who comes in as a freshman,” she said. “I think it’s important to make sure we have a really great communication line with them.”

By adding a cabinet position for a transfer student representative, it would open a clear way for transfer students’ voices to be heard, she said.

Noble Calls, a baseball spirit event that would be similar to Cowbell Yell in that it would celebrate the beginning of the season, is something Balius said she would be excited about beginning.

“Noble Calls is a fresh, new idea that we have. (When we began Cowbell Yell), starting from scratch, getting to throw all this energy into a new project was really encouraging … it wasn’t something we had to fi x or revamp,” she said. “It was something we got to make our own thing. I’m really excited to do that with Noble Calls.”

Balius said many past SA presidents have been very programming heavy, and she saw a need to work with the policy side of the job.

“I’m most excited about putting out programs that students are going to enjoy and get a lot of benefi t out of but more so serving as a voice to the students to ensure that I represent them at a

university level,” she said.As the current administration,

which Balius said she sees as one of the most productive in a long time, comes to an end, it is important to build on the past before moving on to new programs or events.

“As small as our budget is, it’s very important we use it effec-tively and use it in the best inter-est of the students,” she said.

She said from a personal side, although the position of pres-ident is important and a big responsibility, she fi nds so much enjoyment and passion in being able to help others, it’s almost second nature to do it.

“It’s amazing for me to see the impact MSU has had on my life, I just want to do everything I can do to give back,” she said. “I’ve found a home here. More than anything, why I’m running is to give back to Mississippi State because I love the university so much.”

MCDOWELL continued from 1

“(The Dean of Students Offi ce) can allocate (stu-dents in need of) block meals, but it’s coming out of money they’re using for other things,” he said. “So they’re pulling funds away from something else that needs that money. I think it would not be easy (to create the account), but it’s very feasible.”

He also said the Sanderson Center needs to be expanded. He said the facility is supposed to have so many square feet per student and since 2010, when enrollment began to jump, it has lacked. In order to begin plans for the expansion, he said he would meet with the offi cials in charge of the Sanderson and look at the expansion plan.

“The Sanderson Center is still state-of-the-art, but it needs to be expanded,” he said. “I’m pretty sure they’ve drawn up the expan-sion plan, we’re just waiting on the funding. (The funding) would have to come from the state or from the president’s offi ce. It’s what they see as important, and, if stu-dents stress that, they will put it on their priority list.”

McDowell also said he wants to continue to improve the relationship between MSU and the city of Starkville.

“I’m a big believer in that Mississippi State would not be here without Starkville, and Starkville would not be the town it is without Mississippi State,” he said. “It’s extremely important to keep that rela-tionship with Mayor Wiseman and the Board of Alderman because we collaborate with the city on so many events, especially Bulldog Bash.”

A way McDowell said he believes could help

increase relationships between students and busi-nesses is a program he has been working on for the past year called the Bulldog Business Bureau. He said if the students participating wear maroon

apparel on Maroon Friday and go into a business in the program, they will receive 15 percent off. He said some businesses already participate in a similar program that gives 10 percent off maroon and white apparel, but he wants to make it more formal.

“(The businesses) are seeing rewards from students coming into their stores, and we’re see-ing rewards by getting a discount when we go in,” he said. “It makes it so much easier for the business owner and student to interact.”

He said another relationship he hopes to continue to build is that between MSU and the legislators in Jackson.

“That’s our funding. That’s where grants and scholarship money is coming from,” he said. “We need to keep Mississippi State students on their minds.”

He said MSU was looking to take a 15 percent budget cut, but it has been cut down to either 5 or 8 percent because of students lobbying to keep that money at the university.

He said it is important for all students to vote and encourages students to learn about the plat-forms of all the candidates.

“Everything is going to make the university bet-ter,” he said. “This is an exciting job. It’s for no other purpose but to serve the students. No one should get into it unless they are there to strictly serve the students. It’s not a resume builder.”

“Iʼve found a home here. More than anything, why Iʼm running is to give back to Mississippi State because I love the university so much.”SHELBY BALIUS, SA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

“Iʼm a big believer in that Mississippi State would not be here without Starkville, and Starkville would not be the town it is without Mississippi State.”MORGAN MCDOWELL, SA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

SUGARLAND continued from

He said he thinks the concert will help expand MSU as a university, bringing in potential students who may have otherwise never visited MSU. It will also open doors for big events like this in the fu-ture.

“An event like this will help us be on the cutting edge of making those things a reality,” Hobart said. “We have a chance here to set a precedent.”

Brice Lambert, senior and student director of MMP, said he thinks all of the SEC will be watch-ing MSU because no other school has put on a sta-dium show before.

“Other schools are defi nitely paying attention,” he said.

Lambert said the scale of this show is enormous. The stage will be in the end zone and is as wide as the fi eld. Setting up the stage will begin mid-week before the day of the show, and the spring game will be played on only 60 yards of the football fi eld.

He said this event will be three times the size of Bulldog Bash. The total budget for concerts dur-ing Super Bulldog Weekend in the past has been around $60,000. This year, that amount covers only operating costs.

“This show costs 10 times as much as shows in the past,” he said.

One of the main reasons athletics was open to having a concert in the stadium is because the fi eld is being re-done afterwards, making it hard to be repeated.

“This may be the fi rst and last Davis Wade show ever,” Lambert said.

This concert has been the cause of some com-plaint. In order to attend the spring game, people will have to buy a ticket. A ticket includes both the concert and the spring game.

For several years now, the spring game has been free. However, Hobart said he wants to make it clear that the spring game did require a ticket in the past. He said he hopes people will understand that buying a ticket this year that includes both the game and the concert is necessary.

“The spring game has not always been free, only in recent years,” he said. “In order to make this a

one-of-a-kind event, we have to charge.”Members of MMP and the athletic department

are encouraging students to take advantage of this opportunity to see one of the top touring acts in the country for such a low price.

Until March 2, tickets to see Sugarland are $15 each for students. Students can buy two tickets with their student ID.

“(Student seating is) literally going to be right next to the stage for this event,” Thomas said. “The cheapest seats in the nosebleed sections of (Sugar-land’s) last tour were $59.50; our most expensive is $50 on the fi eld.”

After March 2, the ticket price will rise to $25 for students.

So far, around 10,000 tickets have been sold. Tickets will be on sale in the Colvard Student Union Feb. 28 through March 1 from 10 a.m. un-til 2 p.m. They can also be purchased at any time in the Bryan Building.

Two NPHC girls selected as Gamma Chis for recruitment

BY LAUREN CLARK

Staff Writer

Two members of National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities at Mis-sissippi State University will serve as members of National Panhel-lenic Council’s Gamma Chi pro-gram during 2012 fall rush.

Palara Grant and Jeffl yn Wal-lace, both members of Delta Sig-ma Theta Sorority, Inc., an NPHC sorority, were chosen to work with NPC sorority members as Gamma Chis, a group of women that as-sists with recruitment for the NPC sororities. This is the fi rst time NPHC members have been a part of the Gamma Chis at MSU.

Casey Arbuckle, NPC president, said women chosen for Gamma Chi should be able to be a mentor for students participating in NPC recruitment.

“We are looking for women

who can help these girls have a good time and enjoy the week but also help these girls if they are ex-periencing different pressures or emotions,” she said. “We also look for girls who have a sense of Greek unity, who are excited for the Greek community as a whole.”

Heidie Lindsey, associate di-rector of Colvard Student Union and head of the Offi ce of Greek Life, said Grant and Wallace went through the same process as other applicants for Gamma Chi and no rules or policy changes were made for the NPHC women.

“Any woman who is a member of a sorority can try out for Gam-ma Chi. We were very excited to see interest from NPHC this year,” she said. “They went through the same selection process as every other sorority woman, and they excelled and were selected.”

Arbuckle said after completing training with other Gamma Chi members, Grant and Wallace will each lead a group of potential new members through the process of NPC rush during the fall recruit-ment week.

Grant said she thinks she and Wallace will bring the same traits and values as the other women to Gamma Chi.

“We are caring, dependable, outgoing and personable,” she said. “Both councils share a com-mon bond: our love for being Greek and the realization of the value and importance of new members.”

She said she hopes this experi-ence will help NPHC members and NPC members to respect each other and interact more as a Greek community.

“The more we identify the simi-larities and understand the dif-ferences, the more we will learn

to appreciate and respect what each council does for MSU and the Starkville community,” Grant said.

Arbuckle said she, along with Interfraternity Council President Taylor Reed and NPHC President Tabora Cook, have been working toward a goal of Greek unity at MSU.

“We are extremely excited this year to have interest from NPHC women,” she said. “Tabora, Taylor and I have had this interest as pres-idents to bridge the gap between all three councils.”

Grant said she hopes her in-volvement in Gamma Chi will act as a stepping stone for more integration between the Greek councils.

“We hope to serve as a liai-son between the councils, and perhaps more collaboration will come from this experience,” she said.

Arbuckle said she is hopeful the involvement of NPHC women in Gamma Chi will help the two councils learn more about each other and work together in the future.

“We think this is an awesome step forward to bridging the gap by bringing NPHC and NPC women together and working to-gether for one goal and purpose,” she said.

Lindsey said while there are other ways the councils have worked together, they have gener-ally been on a smaller scale, such as buying tickets for one another’s events.

“The fact that the collaboration can happen when it comes to re-cruitment, it just feels like we’ve taken it to a new level,” she said.

The University of Southern Mississippi has also had NPHC members participate in Gamma Chi in the past, and Arbuckle said she is excited MSU will also have this experience.

“I think it’s huge for MSU, and I am very proud to be of this group who is making history here and to be one of the fi rst few schools to do something like this,” she said.

First time for NPHC members to help with NPC rush

To Advertise with

The Reflector, call

325-7907

MCDOWELL continued from 1MCDOWELL dents in need of) block meals, but it’s coming out of money they’re using for other things,” he said. “So they’re pulling funds away from something else that needs that money. I think it would not be easy (to create the account), but it’s very feasible.”

Center needs to be expanded. He said the facility is supposed to have so many square feet per student and since 2010, when enrollment began to jump, it has lacked. In order to begin plans for the expansion, he said he would meet with the offi cials in charge of the Sanderson and look at the expansion plan.

state-of-the-art, but it needs to be expanded,” he said. “I’m pretty sure they’ve drawn up the expan-sion plan, we’re just waiting on the funding. (The funding) would have to come from the state or from the president’s offi ce. It’s what they see as important, and, if stu-dents stress that, they will put it on their priority list.”

improve the relationship between MSU and the city of Starkville.

not be here without Starkville, and Starkville would not be the town it is without Mississippi State,” he said. “It’s extremely important to keep that rela-tionship with Mayor Wiseman and the Board of Alderman because we collaborate with the city on so many events, especially Bulldog Bash.”

MCDOWELL

said she would be excited about beginning. I love the university so much.” A way McDowell said he believes could help

MEN’S MARCH TO END SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE

MONDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2012 4:00– 6:00 P.M. AT THE JUNCTION

“This project was supported by grant No. 2010-WA-AX-0002 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in the publication are those of Relationship Violence & Outreach and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Depart-ment of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women.”

The Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach Henry Meyer Media Center, Mississippi State, MS 662-325-2090

Please contact the Department of Relationship Violence and Outreach @ (662)325-2090 for registration and shoe size information!

Cancer Care

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The other two will know someone who is.

Cancer affects everyone.

We want to be a free resource of information and support to students, staff or faculty that have been touch by cancer as a survivor, care giver or a friend.

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NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 3

DAWGSBAD

R E F L E C TO R - O N L I N E . C O M

Park WynnPark WynnRunning for: Vice presidentMajor: Philosophy and political scienceClassifi cation: SophomoreHometown: Hoover, Ala.Platform: - Work with the Department of Transportation to buy more shuttles and shuttle stops on and off campus, as MSU gains a possible transit grant to connect campus with the city.- Improve and expand the Difference

of One Campaign to encourage student involvement by hosting a forum with campus organization presidents with the goal of improv-ing outreach and inclusion techniques for incoming freshmen.- Improve communication between SA and Faculty Senate by work-ing to incorporate joint briefi ngs between the two bodies and del-egate senator interaction with specifi c Faculty Senate members- Provide more appealing academic forgiveness options for students by looking to pass a resolution detailing the improvements that stu-dents desire, increasing from eight to nine hours.- Work to improve the football student ticket sales process by explor-ing with the athletic offi ce the best long-term system forticket sales, while revising the current structure of our ticket saleslocations and time availability.- Improve Maroon Madness and model the program after premier basketball programs, such as “Midnight Madness,” and incorporate what works for those programs into our event.- Promote senate and student body interaction by establishing a “Meet Your Senator Day” in which senators will be available to meet with their constituents and discuss potential needs.- Work for a comprehensive election reform with senators to evalu-ate concerns on campus with our election system using experience as former elections commissioner.

Gavin BarnettGavin BarnettRunning for: Vice presidentMajor: Chemical engineeringClassifi cation: JuniorHometown: Hoover, Ala.Platform: - Have an openly publicized senate meeting once a month, so the student body can see what their senators are doing for them. Invite The Refl ector to come to any senate meeting that has important issues, so it can run an

article detailing the changes that are being made for the benefi t of the students.- Create a system of representatives within each college who meet regularly with a senator. This will help alleviate the disconnec-tion senators have with their constituents. Create requirements for freshmen who want to run for senate in the fall in order for a standard to be set in place for them as it is for upperclassmen.- Improve communication between Student Association and the student body as a whole by using social media to alert the student body when legislation is passed in the SA Senate that directly affects them. - Improve The Drill in the fall semester into an event more people want to attend. It is a tradition that we as students should commit to not just freshman year but every year. - Improve the Bully Bike system. I want to create a bike rental program similar to that at the University of Kentucky. - Improve football student ticket sales by taking segments of other programs throughout the SEC and working with athletics and the Division of Student Affairs to determine the quickest and most benefi cial system for students.

Running for: Attorney generalMajor: FinanceClassifi cation: JuniorHometown: Starkville, Miss.Platform: - Promote availability of legal counsel to MSU students with our new student attorney: On Jan. 30, Whit Waide was appointed as the student attor-ney. This position benefi ts all of students at MSU. Current students and upcoming freshmen need to be informed on what legal advice can be given. - Student government is for everyone and I will pro-

mote inclusion and participation from students. All students need to be encour-aged to join organizations to get involved around campus. The entire student body makes up the student government, and the executives just represent them. Organizations need to recruit and reach out to all students.- Promote athletics. MSU basketball has been my passion since I was born. Forming the ideal “Dawg Pound” is a work in progress. The student body should come together to emphasize our current cheers and to create new ones.- Raise students’ awareness of services offered on campus and in the Starkville community. Many restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses offer discounts on certain days to students who show a student identifi cation. It is ideal to work on an effective advertisement to stimulate businesses in Starkville and help stu-dents save money.- Encourage students to prepare for their future through Career Center advising or through study abroad experience- Advocate the MSU Constitution by practicing the constitution and interpreting it with high honor and integrity. I would revise sections and make changes that would be in the best interest for the student body.

Rob FranklinRunning for: Attorney general

Rob FranklinRunning for: Attorney generalMajor: BiochemistryClassifi cation: SophomoreHometown: Ridgeland, Miss.Platform: - Advocate a new academic forgiveness policy by working with students and faculty. The current policy allows a maximum of eight hours, and I would like to see it increased to nine. This would allow students to retake up to three, three-hour courses or two, four-hour courses and a one-hour lab.

- Improve communication with class councils. They are responsible for raising money for their respective class’s senior gift. I would ensure they follow the new statutes passed in senate which would have them commu-nicate better with the Student Association and student body as a whole. I would like to make the councils more accessible to the students and allow them to give their feedback on what their class gift should be.- Encourage continued collaboration between senate and cabinet. During my time on SA cabinet, both cabinet and senate benefi tted from joint meetings. Transparency between these two organizations will help with implementing effective legislature and programs. - Promote the campus master plan: The master plan outlines the future development of MSU. This includes new academic buildings, new resi-dence halls and new parking options. I would like to publicize the pro-ceedings of the committee because it is relevant to each student’s college experience.- Uphold the integrity of the SA constitution. It is the backbone of the Student Association and should be revised and updated in order to accommodate the current needs of students.

Donny BanerjeeDonny Banerjee

Running for: TreasurerMajor: AccountingClassifi cation: JuniorHometown: Decatur, Ala.Platform: The largest goal in my platform is to con-tinue improving transparency between the Student Association and the student body at MSU. The most visible step I will take to ensure this is carried out is moving the SA budget onto the SA web-site so that everyone can see where their

money goes. This system will allow all students to stay informed and hold the entire SA accountable for the decisions it makes. It is impor-tant to keep the senate fully involved with the SA fi nancial situation to make sure the best decisions for the entire population of MSU are made in a fair and effective manner. I will see to it that the senate has the constitutionally-required fi nancial oversight of all SA appropria-tions for that reason. To further the goal of transparency, I will present the budget to the senate on a monthly basis to ensure I am in line with the constitution. These reports will allow the senators to make the best and most informed decisions possible as they introduce leg-islation to improve the quality of life at MSU. My platform hinges on my experiences at MSU, which have allowed me to gain valuable experience in not only creating budgets but also how the treasurer interacts with the SA senate.

Running for: TreasurerMajor: AccountingClassifi cation: JuniorHometown: Tchula, Miss.Platform: -Money Matters: The MSU student body deserves to have their funds directly appropriated into activities that are going to benefi t them. As a representation of the student body as a whole, SA should use its budget in ways more benefi cial to students.-Academics: The current policy of holding students from registering for classes if they have holds on their accounts is in dire need of change. Alternative methods, such as a small additional fee, would serve the same

purpose without restricting student access to desired courses and professors. -Responsibility: This position requires maturity and fl exibility. In my experiences in Day One, Montgomery Leadership, Orientation Leaders and Alpha Phi Alpha, I have learned to manage budgets and act responsibly. -Communication: There should not be a communication gap between the student body and the Student Association. I want to be as transparent as possible in communicating SA expenditures to the campus and wish to implement an income statement listing revenue, expenses and any income to give the student body a sense of ownership.

Larry MarchLarry March

Blake Shepherd

Running for: SecretaryMajor: Political scienceClassifi cation: SophomoreHometown: Hattiesburg, Miss.Platform: - My goals for the stu-dent association can be summed up in three words: communication, transparency and organi-zation. As secretary, it is

my job to inform cabinet, senate and class council representatives of all activities happening within SA. Also, I will work to improve the overall transpar-ency of SA to increase participation among students. Lastly, I am organized, creative and logical. I want to use these skills to help the SA executive council in any way that I can. I will motivate all members of SA and keep them active throughout the year.

Shelby SimsShelby Sims

Sunday, February 26• 1:50 a.m. A student was arrested for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license on Miss. Highway 12 in Starkville.• 8:21 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Rice Hall for suspicion of the sale of marijuana.• 9:25 a.m. A student was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana in Rice Hall. Justice Court citation and student referral was issued.• 12:40 p.m. An officer reported a fire near the brick bathroom building at Dudy Noble Field. Starkville Fire Department was called.• 11:46 p.m. A student reported she has been receiving harassing phone calls at South Hall from an unknown subject.

Citations:• 3 citations were issued for disregard for a traffic device.• 16 citations were issued for speeding.• 1 citation was issued for expired tag.• 1 citation was issued for driving the wrong way on a one way street.

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Student Association elections bring out a lot of discussion on campus about voting, the fair representation of the student body and the question of what SA actually does. There is a lot of debate on campus about whether voting

in SA elections is even important; some people pass out stickers and wear T-shirts on the Drill Field pro-moting candidates while others mutter that the elec-tions are merely a Greek-fueled popularity contest. So which group of students is correct?

The truth of the matter is, SA officers do matter. SA serves as a liaison between the faculty and students and have successfully executed accomplishments such as BullyMail, Tents for Tickets and Cowbell Yell. Since SA has the power to implement important programs that directly affect the student body, it is important to elect officers based on their platforms, not the stickers passed out and shoved into your hand in between classes.

But how much does the average voter really know about the candidates’ platforms? One of the criti-cisms of SA elections is that voters don’t really know what each candidate wants to achieve while in office. Not only that, but many students on campus don’t even know what SA does. Regardless of this, every year, candidates vow to increase the “transparency” of SA; they want the students to know what SA works so hard on every year. But, every year, confusion returns because the students are still ignorant of what SA does. Every single student is technically a member of SA, and SA wants to represent fairly the student body.

The elections undoubtedly have the unfair aspect of being a popularity contest. Many voters are unin-formed and vote for whichever candidate is affiliated with the same club, fraternity or sorority. Perhaps the central platforms of the candidates could be displayed on the voting screen as students vote, and it would serve well for students to remember that we need diligent, creative and bright individuals heading our SA. Additionally, SA cannot force non-Greeks to run. Some complain the candidates are all Greek, which does not accurately reflect the demographics of the student body, but SA does not have control over who runs. If the non-Greeks want to be heard, someone who is not Greek should run, and not everyone who runs is Greek. All students should vote based off a person’s platform, not out of loyalty to a particular organization.

Although there are inevitable flaws in the voting system, Mississippi State University students should remember we are voting for the voice of our school. Each vote holds the same amount of potency, so use your vote wisely and remember we are choosing those who will mold MSU into a better and safer institu-tion.

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sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to [email protected].

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

EDITORIAL POLICYThe Reflector is the official stu-

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The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONSThe Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through

accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

Editor in ChiefHannah Rogers

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Before we leap into March and prance towards spring-time, let’s take stock of

the rare 29-day month that is February 2012.

Whitney, a Madonna Superbowl, Mardi Gras, the return of “American Idol” and “The Voice.” Don’t forget the addition of another musical TV show, “Smash.” The Oscars, Grammys and about 2,304 other award shows made it to the air-waves.

Throw in any Adele song (What did radio ever play before we had her?) and that Kelly Clarkson car commercial that plays non-stop.

Is it safe to say February 2012 may have been the gayest month ever for the U.S.?

Probably so but not for any of the reasons already mentioned.

In just one month, two states (Maryland, Washington) have paved the way for gay marriage to become legal. One (New Jersey) is placing it on the ballot alongside the presidential elec-tion in November and another (California) recently had its ban on gay marriage overturned.

If each of these territories jazz run towards the same-sex fi nish line, that will make 20 percent of the nation’s states where your uncle and his “roommate” can tie the knot.

This doesn’t even take into account Washington D.C. or the handful of states where civil unions occur.

It doesn’t take a fashion major

to show that marriage equality is about to strut its stuff down the runway and work it like the rent is due tomorrow.

Is traditional marriage becom-ing queer?

Yes. And it’s about damn time, Mississippi.

More people from both sides of the political spectrum are begin-ning to see marriage between two consenting adults has little effect on anyone but those involved in the nuptials.

For the fi rst time in histo-ry, polls are starting to show a majority of Americans show favor toward our fellow Homo sapiens, with those under the age of 40 signifi cantly supporting same-sex recognition.

Now you may want to blame this on the “Will and Grace” or “Glee” effect and say the media is glamorizing homosexuals as witty, chic and “born this way,” and you may be right.

Us writers like to generalize and use broad strokes, but per-haps Americans are starting to

embrace another ideal: equality for all.

We have always been slow in deciding just who deserves equal protection, but we seem to always get to the right result. After women and African Americans, you cannot help but think homo-sexuals are the next to break through that color-coordinated, very fashionable ceiling.

Democrats and even some Republicans are realizing they do not want to be seen as the gen-eration that stood idly by while a minority group was ostracized.

As Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said to his state legisla-ture as he presented the bill for same-sex marriage, “We are going to be success-ful in this legislative session by recogniz-ing the dignity in one another, by rec-ognizing the com-mon humanity that all of us share... we choose to be bound together by a com-mon thread. That common thread is human dignity.”

It’s human dig-nity that always wins out in the end.

My uncle and his partner have been together for almost 40 years and currently reside in Maryland. A real marriage was a pipe dream just 10 years ago, but now they are contem-

plating taking the plunge. They have remained with

each other for decades and even though there is plenty of love, they could never legally declare it. In a world of Kardashians, and Elizabeth Taylors, it is hard to imagine why anyone would be against two people in love want-ing to make it offi cial.

If you are fortunate enough to have that ring on your fi nger, then you know how important marriage is to your relationship. Let’s make sure that everyone can share that feeling.

It is free to join the cause, and think of all the weddings you can

attend that will actu-ally be done in good taste. Oh — it’s also the right thing to do.

While the rain-bow may be grow-ing, marriage equal-ity has a long way to go. Twenty-nine states have bans on same-sex marriage with only interfer-ence from the courts or ballot initiatives capable of overturn-ing such regulations.

Even though Mississippi will most likely bring up the rear in recognizing same-sex unions, that does not mean you have to go along with it.

Speak out. After all, it’s what Adele

would want.

Gay marriage on rise across U.S., Miss. nextTHE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM | PATRICK YOUNG

When you think of a typical doctor’s visit, what do you imagine?

I bet it’s long waits, impersonal men and women sporting long white coats, and confusing med-ical jargon.

Yet the majority of patients, especially in the deep South, consider a conventional Western medicinal doctor’s visit their only option. Now, envision what a naturopathic doctor’s visit would be like. Only a year ago I would have said I see a hippie in a head-wrap and long skirt telling me the solution to my symptoms was “freeing my spirit;” however, I now realize it’s ignorant social stigmas like this that are prevent-ing naturopathic medicine from being considered a viable option for the common man.

Before I continue any further, I should specify exactly what I am referring to as naturopathic medicine and Western medicine. Naturopathy literally means, “natural cure.” Western medicine is referred to as “allopathy” which means, “the treatment of a disease by conventional means.”

From my understanding, it all comes back to the ethnocen-tric ideals of many Americans. Ethnocentric views thrive on the idea that what we normally do is the correct way, and anything deviating in the slightest from our own practices obviously can’t be right.

This, in turn, applies to our societal views on modern medi-cine. Most Americans have seen a traditional Western medicine

doctor all their lives and probably will continue to do so until they breathe their last breath. Any alternative is only sought in dire circumstances, and even then some patients are initial-ly skeptical of the results. The fact that

Western medicine, is deemed “all-opathy,” which refers to its nor-mality, only further confi rms our society’s idea that natural medi-cine is anything but natural.

However, if a patient would actually take the time to learn the the differences between natur-opathy and allopathy, I’d dare to say there would be a dramatic increase in naturopathic patients.

Although it’s clear that natur-

opaths generally prescribe natu-ral supplements and treatments compared to allopathy’s pre-scription drugs, there’s a fun-damental difference in thought between the two practices. Dr. Brett Smith explained it simply when he stated, “The biggest difference between naturopa-thy and allopathy is that the allopathy physicians tend to view good health as a physical state in which there is no obvi-ous disease present. In contrast, naturopathic doctors recognize true health as an optimal state of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The key differences between natur-opathic and an allopathic phy-sician are apparent if we look at how each doctor view both health and disease.”

Though all naturopathic treatments are side-effect free, many patients still fear or don’t believe that a naturopath’s treatments will promote their own health.

Really? What’s there to be cautious of? If anything, I’d be cautious of man-made, syn-thetic drugs with numerous known and unknown side-effects rather than completely natural, God-made, complica-tion-free treatments that work just as well if not better than typical prescription drugs.

I’m not saying that there aren’t some wonderful drugs that treat many different ill-nesses and save people’s lives; however, if the natural options were available to you, why not at least give them a chance?

The only drawbacks of try-ing naturopathic methods of treatment are the lack of natur-opathic doctors and sometimes spotty insurance coverage of naturopathic services. For a few more dollars and a little inconvenience of finding a naturopath in your area, why not be adventurous and try it out?

The worst that could happen are the side-effects.

Oh, wait, there are none.

Western medicine not only optionTHE GINGER SNAP | REBECCA KELLUM

T.J. VAUGHT

“It all comes back to the ethnocentric ideals of many Americans.”

Yes, I haven’t seen “The Artist.” No, the awards were on-point. I don’t know.

T H E R E F L E C TO R4 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

“It is free to join the cause, and think of all the weddings you can attend that will actually be done in good taste.”

Rebecca Kellum is a freshman majoring in elementary education. She can be contacted at [email protected].

EDITORIAL

Votes for platforms,not affiliations vital

Patrick Young is a graduate student in public policy and administration. He can be contacted at [email protected].

The Reflector editorial board is made up of opinion editor Wendy Morell, news editor Micah Green, news editor Megan McKeown, sports editor James Carskadon, life editor Kaitlin Mullins, photo editor Jay Johnson, copy editors Kaitlyn Byrne and Mollie C. Reeves, multimedia editor Eric Evans, chief designer Zack Orsborn, managing

editor Julia Pendley and Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers.

***






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Unhappy with your living situation? Start fresh with us for Fall!Greentree Apartments on Lynn Lane

University Towers on University Dr.

Colony Apartments on North Montgomery

Come Try Us Out!662-323-2430

Free, Confidential Online Screening for Alcohol Abuse

Visit http://www.health.msstate.edu/scs/ 325-2091

Student Counseling Services

Across1 Professional org.6 Like bachelor parties10 Slightly open14 Gift from an oyster15 Old El Paso product16 General principle17 Motto of 50-Across19 Whodunit hint20 Org. for mature

audiences only?21 “Small” allegations23 Climbs27 Common takeout

cuisine28 Seats at the bar29 Hot-platter stand30 State flower of

Indiana31 Argentina neighbor32 Sunbather’s goal35 Invisible or

indelible fluids36 Practiced, as a trade37 Video game giant38 Show with regional

spinoffs39 Epic40 Pastrami peddlers41 Donkey of kiddie lit43 Giant among

Giants44 Actor Armand46 Clean up, as one’s

toys47 Pure as the driven

snow48 Capitol topper49 Easter bloom50 Organization that

held its first troop meeting 3/12/1912

56 Vicinity57 Airline that serves

only kosher meals58 Patty Hearst’s nom

de guerre59 Pigsty, so to speak60 Hardwood trees61 Enjoyed Aspen

Down1 Police dept.’s “Be on

the lookout!” alert2 Observe3 Sticky trunk stuff4 Bobby of hockey5 With no mistakes6 Red carpet

interviewees

7 Rain delay roll-out8 Expert9 Baby sponsored at a

baptism10 Mysterious11 Founder of

50-Across12 Reunion attendees,

for short13 Witherspoon of

“Walk the Line”18 Walks on little cat

feet22 In real time23 Fancy-shmancy jelly24 British submachine

guns25 Popular funding

source for 50-Across26 Eternities,

seemingly27 Shed some tears29 Yours of yore31 Saint of Assisi33 High anxiety34 Objectionable, as a

habit36 Eliza Doolittle, to

Henry Higgins

37 “The Fugitive” actress Ward

39 Ibsen’s “Peer __”40 Picks up on42 Courses taken to

boost one’s GPA43 Many-petaled

flowers, familiarly

44 Happy as __45 British county46 Surveys48 Wee bit o’ Scotch,

say51 Under the weather52 Tree on the

Connecticut quarter

BULLETIN BOARD

2-28-12 Solutions for 2-24-12

tuesday, february 28, 2012 | 5REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

CLASSIFIEDS POLICYThe deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

for saleZiggy’s Buy & Sell. Don’t throw it away! Get cash for your used furniture and other items. We sell everything from furniture to antiques to music. 434 Miss. Highway 12 West, look for the orange sign with Ziggy’s picture, or call 312-8895.Faculty investment opportunity. Enjoy benefits of retirement now, as you teach. Live in your five-plex on Oktibbeha County Lake, and let rentals pay your mortgage. 340’ waterfront, five-plex, dock, ski-boat. $342,000 firm. 418-2790.

for rentCanterbury Townhouses. 990 Old Mayhew Road. 2012 lease special (12th month free with 12-month lease). One, two and three bedroom newly-remodeled townhouses. Call 323-9216 for details.“Lodge at the Lake.” Great one bedroom, waterfront, dock, appliances, washer/dryer, free cable and fast-access Internet. See now. Available May 1 for 15 months. $525/month. Pet friendly. 418-2790.Two bedroom, one bath cottage. Kitchen, dining area, living room. Completely furnished, in the country. Four miles from campus. Perfect for graduate students. $450 per month. 769-2542

HelP WanteDBartending. Up to $300 / day. No experience necessary. Training available. Call 800-965-6520 ext. 213.Attention students: $15 starting pay. Flexible hours around class. Customer sales and service. No experience required. Call 268-5097. Collegeincome.com.Please respond ASAP. Resumes are currently being evaluated. PHP Web application development and Python programmer needed ASAP to work independently with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. Thorough knowledge of PHP, Python, Drupal, MYSQL and experience in Unix command line helpful. Great position for student needing practical business experience. Send resumes & inquiries to The Reflector, Classified Ads, Programmer, P.O. Box 5407, MS State, MS 39762.Please respond ASAP. Resumes are currently being evaluated. Graphic artist needed & ministry-minded programmer needed to

write the ending for a women’s ministry video blog and website. Excellent opportunity for class project &/or practical experience. Send resumes & inquiries to The Reflector, Classified Ads, Ministry Opportunity, P.O. Box 5407 MS State, MS 39762.

miscellaneousDo you have textbooks that you need to sell? Get the most money for your textbooks. Leave a message at 546-1067 or send an email with ISBN numbers to [email protected]

CLUB INFOThe deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to [email protected] with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.

BaPtist stuDent unionThe BSU at Mississippi State invites all students to our weekly worship service, PRIORITY, on Tuesday nights at 6:15 p.m. You are also invited to a $5 home-cooked meal, called NOONDAY, on Wednesdays at noon. The BSU Center is located directly across the street from Campus Book Mart. All students are welcome. Visit msubsu.com for more information.

camPus BiBle stuDentsIntensive Bible study Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. in room 324 of the Union. All are welcome. Email [email protected] for more information.

catHolic stuDent association

The CSA invites you to join us each week at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Student mass is on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Good food and fun fellowship can be had at $2 dinners on Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by weekly/Bible study at 7 p.m. Come to one of these events and learn more ways to get involved! For more information, simply “like” our Facebook page: “Mississippi State Catholic Student Association.”

faamsuCome join us for lively discussions. Believers welcome! Every Thursday, starting Sept. 8, in the Union room 226 from 6 to 9 p.m. Twitter: @SAUCEFORALL. We are the Freethinkers, Agnostics and Atheists of MSU.

female GraDuate stuDents

New group for female graduate students in science, engineering and mathematics: Please email [email protected]

liGHt Bearers Yeah! We Bear The Light! Come join us for fellowship, dynamic worship and inspirational devotions every Thursday at 7 p.m. Union 3rd floor, room 329.

msu canterBurY ePiscoPal felloWsHiP

“Spiritual but not religious?” Spirituality and home-cooking at the Episcopal Church (“Canterbury”). Free dinner, activities each Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Canterbury Lodge, 105 N. Montgomery St., Starkville. For more information, contact Chaplain Carol Mead at 694-1178. Sponsored by Canterbury Episcopal Fellowship.msu sHootinG sPorts cluBLooking for all kinds of competitive shooters. Rifle, shotgun, pistol and multigun competitors needed. Contact Tyler Tharp at 601-618-5137 or Mike Brown at [email protected].

PHilosoPHY cluBTuesdays at 5 p.m. in Union 226.

rufReformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a campus ministry that has been on State’s campus since 1976. Our large group Bible study meets Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in Dorman Auditorium. For further information and for upcoming events, visit msstate.ruf.org. All are welcome to come.

silver WinGsThere will be a silver wings interest meeting on March 8 at 6 p.m. in Middleton Hall (by Burger King) on the second floor in the cadet louge. We will discuss Silver Wings’s purpose and its community service activities.

stuDents for a sustainaBle camPus

Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. Union room 227.

triatHlon cluBLearn more about MSU’s new Triathlon Club by visiting MSUTC.com or on Facebook @Mississippi State Triathlon!

terPsicHore & starliGHt Dancers

Please support Terpsichore and Starlight Dancers in their spring production entidtled “Deadly” held in McComas Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and a portion goes to the American Heart Association.

OCTOPUzzLEDirections: Place the numbers 1 to 8 in each of the octagons such that the numbers are not repeated in any octagon, row, column, or diagonal. The sums of the minor diagonals (diagonals that contain either four or six numbers) are provided at the beginning and end of each minor diagonal. The sum of the four numbers that border a diamond are provided in that diamond. The numbers that border diamonds do not have to be unique.

2-28-12

AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...

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BY JESSE ROBINSON

Staff Writer

Finding a job while being a student in Starkville may seem overwhelming at first glance, especially considering the num-ber of students to compete with, but there are many places to look and plenty of people willing to help.

One of the many things the Career Center on campus does is to aid students seeking part-time jobs. Scott Maynard, the director of the Career Center, described the center as one of the means for students to find jobs on and off campus.

One of the ways the Career Center can help is through its “Connections” page, where stu-

dents are able to filter through job postings.

“The jobs can be anything from shipping clerks at the UPS to sales staff at Newks,” Maynard said. “Departments can range from student jobs to research assistants or even din-ing services.”

The Career Center also offers help by offering tips on find-ing jobs, helping put together resumes and even conducting mock interviews to help prepare students better for trying to get the job they want.

“Any student can be success-ful in finding a part-time posi-tion,” Maynard said. “But they have to be persistent in con-tinuing to look where opportu-nities are.”

For students who are just now seeking jobs for this semes-ter, Maynard said, the best thing to do for finding a job would be to talk to friends that are work-ing to find out if there are any available positions where they are employed. Another option is for students to check with their affiliated department for any open positions.

“A lot of the individual departments just advertise on their own, or just fill their needs on their own from word of mouth,” he said.

Maynard also suggest-ed checking with the largest employers on campus, which includes dining services, the Sanderson Center, the library and athletics department for

any available positions. He said off campus, students

should keep an eye for new businesses opening throughout town.

“The city is still growing and adding new businesses constantly,” Maynard said. “As they open, there’s always a flur-ry of job openings.”

Once a student has found a position they would like to apply for, one of the most important things they need to remember is to wear proper attire and to have their resumes prepared.

“While they may not nec-essarily need to be in a coat and tie, they certainly need to be dressed nicely and well-groomed,” Maynard said.

“They need to be prepared, with their resume ready, and know what their class schedule is, along with having their avail-able work times printed on the resume.”

For students planning on get-ting a job next semester, do not wait until the semester starts to go job hunting. Now is the time to start looking.

“If you think you want a part-time job next fall, begin talking to graduating seniors that you know that are working on cam-pus for a recommendation to their current employer so that you can go ahead and interview now for a position that will start next fall,” Maynard said.

Alhough the thought of get-ting any job is important, one

thing students need to consider is trying to find one that fits with their major.

“It’s important for students to gain experience in their field of study prior to graduation,” Maynard said. “It not only helps supplement your income while you’re in school, but it’s also giving you practical experience that’s going on your resume for when you graduate and start seeking a full-time position somewhere.”

BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN

Staff Writer

The brothers are back. The Avett Brothers are returning to North Mississippi to play at Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena for “An Evening with The Avett Brothers” on April 14 at 8 p.m.

Todd Hunt, director of the BancorpSouth Arena, said this is the first time the band will play at this venue.

“We have been pursuing the band for nearly a year due to their increasing popularity,” he said.

According to the event’s press release, tickets ranging from $29.50 to $39.50 are available to the public.

The chameleon folk-rock and country-alternative music group headlined last fall’s Bulldog Bash in Starkville, and in Oxford, The Avett Brothers have been show-cased at The Lyric and played at the Double Decker Arts Festival in 2008.

Kevan Kirkpatrick, director of marketing for the BancorpSouth Arena, said The Avett Brothers

have a little bit of everything and appeal to different age groups from high school students to peo-ple in their 30s and 40s.

“What’s not to want and like?” he said. “The show is on a Saturday night, so there’s nothing stopping people from coming.”

Because of Tupelo’s almost mid-point location between Starkville and Oxford, the folks at the BancorpSouth Arena are taking advantage of the opportunity.

“We anticipate a strong turn-out based upon the success the band has had in both Starkville and Oxford,” Hunt said.

After playing at Bulldog Bash on The Avett Brothers’ fan base has grown significantly and previ-ous fans’ loves have strengthened.

Landry McMillan, a junior marketing major, said The Avett Brothers brought a huge crowd to Bulldog Bash.

“There’s obviously a huge fan base in Starkville and Oxford,” McMillan said. “It’s going to be great for them to come to Tupelo and attract students from both schools, especially since they can-

celed a show in Oxford scheduled for mid-March.”

Formed in 2000, The Avett Brothers consists of Scott and Seth Avett, Joe Kwon, Bob Crawford and Jacob Edwards. Utilizing the banjo, guitar, stand-up bass, cello and other instruments, the ensemble’s sound, according to the event’s press release, “defies pigeonhol-ing but might be described as a rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop – even a jab of punk-style dynamics here and there.”

“Their music appeals not just to Mississippi but regionally, and soon nationally,” Kirkpatrick said. “This performance is a big opportunity for Tupelo and North Mississippi because there’s not a lot of options for a big event and a band like this.”

The BancorpSouth Arena show is the first musical show-case for The Avett Brothers in Mississippi in a big, traditional venue setting.

“For this particular concert our capacity will be around

5,000 people,” Hunt said. “We can set the capacity anywhere from 3,000 to 9,500 depending on the artist’s needs.”

Even though this event will

not take place until April, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets ahead of time. Tickets are also available online.

“This is not going to be

like Bulldog Bash and Double Decker; there’s a limited num-ber of tickets,” Kirkpatrick said. “This event has taken off and has taken a life of its own.”

LIFE THE REFLECTOR6 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

VISITTHE REFLECTOR

(ONLINE)

@reflector-online.com

JOB HUNTMore information on the Career Center can be found at career.msstate.edu or can be contacted at 325-3344.

The Avett Brothers to perform in Tupelo

FOR THE '90s KIDS CAMERON MCMASTER

Resources exist for students on the job hunt

COURTESY PHOTO | THE REFLECTOR

Folk-rock band The Avett Brothers are returning to the area on April 14 at the BancorpSouth Arena.

SPORTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 | 7REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

Baseball: Kansas 0, MSU 1

MVSU 5, MSU 13

Kansas 1, MSU 3

MVSU 1, MSU 5

Basketball: Alabama 67, MSU 50

Softball: Louisiana 6, MSU 3

So South Florida 1, MSU 0

Georgia Tech 3, MSU 5

DePaul 3, MSU 2

Michigan 3, MSU 1

Men's Tennis: Cornell 0, MSU 4

Boise State 0, MSU 4

Texas Tech 0, MSU 4

WWomen's Tennis: Tulsa 6, MSU 1

Southern Miss 0, MSU 7

- Head basketball coach Rick Stansbury said Monday freshman guard Rodney Hood is "very doubtul" to play in Wednesday night's matchup with South Carolina.

- Senior track and field athlete Favian Cowards won the SEC Champtionship in the 20-pound weight throw on Sunday, breaking an MSU record with her throw.

- MSU is still projected to make the NCAA Tournament field, accoaccording to ESPN bracket expert Joe Lunardi. He has the Bulldogs playing as a 12 seed against UNLV in Portland, Ore.

- MSU women's basketball will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Thursday when the Bulldogs take on Vanderbilt at 1:30 p.m. in Nashville.

WEEKENDSCORES

NEWS & NOTES

Left Field Lounge represents the best of MSUTHE AGITATOR | MATT TYLER

W illiam Faulkner once said, “To understand the world, you must

fi rst understand a place like Mississippi.” Well, in order to understand Starkville and Mis-sissippi State University, you must fi rst understand the Left Field Lounge at Dudy Noble Field.

Starkville is a quaint town in the deep South. Mississippi State is “The People’s University.” It is the Left Field Lounge that best personifi es this.

Take a stroll through the Lounge, a motley collection of remodeled cotton trailers, rust-ed Chevrolet pickup trucks and a host of other homemade plat-forms and contraptions which have to be seen to be believed, on a warm, spring day, and you will see families and students engaged in the most American of activities: grilling, drinking cold beverages and watching baseball.

It is in the Lounge where you can fi nd prominent business-men, inebriated students, col-orful Starkville residents and perhaps even your favorite pro-fessor. All are there for the same reason: to watch their Bulldogs play baseball in one of the most hallowed venues the college base-ball world has to offer. In a sport often lacking fan support and tradition, the “Dude” and the Left Field Lounge are a bright spot; a place where the romanti-cism of the major leagues can be found at the college level. Dudy Noble is to college baseball as Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are to Major League Baseball.

The Lounge has not always been the way it currently is. Like most good things in life, it came about rather organi-cally, Starkville resident and “Lounge Lizard” Dennis Everett explained.

“They were out here in the mid-60s or so,” he said. “It was just a pasture, and when they opened the fi eld here in ’65, I think kids started coming out here. At one time it was called the Beer Gardens, up until ’73 or ’74. We started out with a truck. We would back the truck up to the fence with a piece of plywood on the back of it and put chairs on across it. Then we had to buy a car and park it at the fence to leave it there for the weekend. Actually, we bought a junk car and left it there for the whole season. More and more people wanted to get on the car

and there was not any room, so we got this trailer in ’84. It has been rebuilt several times since ’84, but this basic cotton trailer has been here since then.”

Stories such as this are the norm in the Lounge, where many regulars have been at-tending MSU baseball games for decades, like Tchula resident Brock Marett.

“I’ve been coming out here since ’91; just hooked,” he said. “In the early ’80s you could get a $25 pass and drive in whatever vehicle you wanted. That is kind of how it started. The deck was

not out here, so you were actu-ally looking through the fence. They built the deck after Will Clark had built a fence for us, and we could not see through it. By the next ballgame they had built us a deck. They started get-ting lots out here in ’86,” Marett said. “The buggy has been out here since ’87. We rebuild it every year, but it has been here since ’87.”

Lounge regulars such as Ev-erett and Marett are not the only ones who appreciate the uniqueness of the Lounge. Ca-leb Carlson from Minneapolis, Minn. sat in the Lounge during Friday’s baseball game against Kansas and said he enjoyed it.

“I think it is pretty freaking brilliant,” Carlson said. “You have a whole section out here,

but it is all a collage of different styles of trailers, but the purpose is the same: everyone is coming to grill, have a few beers and watch baseball. I enjoy it. I love the smell of grilling. It is one of the most nostalgic smells out there: grill smoke and baseball.”

It is the Lounge’s lack of pretension and easy, carefree atmosphere that have made it endearing to Bulldog fans of all ages and make it the perfect rep-resentation of Mississippi State as whole. For all its complexi-ties, Marett sums the Left Field Lounge up best with a simple statement.

“It is the best place to watch college baseball in America. I think Sports Illustrated and ESPN said it best. It is that sim-ple,” Marett said.

Matt Tyler is a senior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at [email protected]

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

The Left Field Lounge Lizards have been enjoying MSU baseball games the 1980s on a refurbished cotton trailer.






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SPORTS STAT OF THE DAY :1.29 – THE COMBINED ERA OF THE MSU

BASEBALL PITCHING STAFF OVER THE WEEKEND

8 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 THE REFLECTOR

ON THE TUBE:MISSISSIPPI STATE

VS. USC

7 P.M. WED. SEC NET.

Bulldogs sweep weekend games over Kansas, MVSUBY JOHN GALATAS

Staff Writer

The Mississippi State baseball team swept its weekend tourna-ment to improve to 6-1 on the season.

In the weekend fi nale MSU completed the sweep as they de-feated MVSU 5-1. Daryl Norris began the scoring with a two-RBI single in the fi rst inning to take an early lead. The Delta Devils plated a run in the third before the Dogs extended their lead in the sixth on Adam Frazier’s RBI double.

C.T. Bradford and Wes Rea each collected an RBI single in the eighth to seal the victory for MSU. Fresh-man Will Cox earned his fi rst win in his fi rst collegiate appearance as he threw seven innings giving up one unearned run on three hits and fanned eight batters.

Head coach John Cohen said he was pleased with his team’s per-formance this weekend, especially from his pitching staff.

“We like our freshmen, and they have really developed,” Cohen said. “They also have some older guys that really help them get better. We have older guys on our pitching staff who are tremendous leaders and help the young guys get ready to pitch at this level.”

On Saturday, the Bulldogs re-turned to the diamond and swept a twin bill over Mississippi Val-ley State and Kansas. MSU began the doubleheader on an offensive surge as they collected 13 runs and 13 hits in a win over Mississippi Valley. The Delta Devils jumped out to an early 3-1 lead through three innings before the Diamond Dogs responded with a rally. Brent Brownlee and Mitch Slauter each collected RBI hits to highlight a fi ve-run fourth inning to give MSU

its fi rst lead of the game.Bradford and Rea also ripped

two RBI hits each to cap a seven-run fi fth inning to extend the MSU lead to 13-3. Two runs in MVSU’s eighth inning set the 13-5 fi nal.

Freshman Trevor Fitts earned his fi rst win in his fi rst appearance in maroon and white as he threw four innings, giving up two runs on fi ve hits while striking out fi ve in relief.

In the nightcap, the Dogs found themselves in a similar position after trailing 1-0 going into the seventh inning. With two runners on base Frazier began the rally with an RBI single, scoring Taylor Stark to tie the game. Two batters later Bradford reached on an error al-lowing Matthew Britton to score and give MSU the lead.

The Bulldogs added one more run in the eighth as Daryl Nor-ris drove in Sam Frost on an RBI single to give MSU the 3-1 win. Cohen said he was pleased with the win and his team’s endurance.

“We’re playing against quality competition, and they know what it’s like to play in an environment like this,” Cohen said. “This is like Southeastern Conference baseball, and that’s what we want. That’s why we scheduled these guys.”

Freshman Jonathan Holder earned his fi rst save of the season as he retired all six batters he faced in the fi nal two innings while striking out two.

The Dogs began the weekend with a thrilling 1-0 victory against the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night. In a game that saw just eight hits combined, it came down to the fi nal at-bat for the Bulldogs to clinch the win.

Bradford drew a full count walk to open the bottom of the ninth inning before freshman Wes Rea ripped the fi rst pitch in his at-bat to the left -fi eld wall scoring Bradford from fi rst base. Rea’s RBI hit was the fi rst walk-off win for the Dogs this season.

“They thought I was bunting, so I expected a fast ball,” Rea said. “I just shortened my stroke and made an adjustment. Even though I walked it off, they gave me grief for it not going over the fence.”

Ben Bracewell started on the mound for MSU allowing just two hits in three innings. Out of the bullpen, Chris Stratton earned the win as he threw six innings al-lowing just one hit and struck out eight batters.

The Dogs seek to carry their momentum into Wednesday as they play Memphis at 4 p.m. at Dudy Noble Field before hosting Lipscomb and Connecticut this weekend.






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BY KRISTEN SPINK

Staff Writer

Sunday afternoon marked the fi nal regular season game and home game for Mississippi State women’s basketball head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis. After 17 years running the program at State, Fanning-Otis will retire at the end of the season. While the Bulldogs fell 76-40 to the No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats, the meaning of the game went beyond just the play on the court for Fanning-Otis.

The loss gave Fanning-Otis a re-cord of 281-231 as a Bulldog, the most wins of any coach in MSU women’s basketball history. After the game she was honored and re-ceived roses from her players while watching a video highlighting her career at MSU. An emotional Fan-ning-Otis could only describe her time here as a blessing.

“I have been blessed to be able to enjoy the process and be around great people like the staff and play-ers,” Fanning-Otis said. “I don’t want to get emotional, but it’s been a blessing.”

It was an emotional game not only for Fanning-Otis but also for the six Bulldog seniors who made their fi nal appearance at the Hump. Fourth-year Bulldog Danielle Rec-tor and transfer Judith Tabala saw action in their fi nal games, while Ashley Brown, Catina Bett, Diam-ber Johnson and Porsha Porter all remained in the starting role and played signifi cant minutes as they have done all season.

But on a day that honored the seniors, the Wildcats’ defense did not return the favor. Bulldog se-niors were a combined 1-14 in the fi rst half, with the lone made shot coming from Bett on the fi rst pos-session of the half. Combine this with a Kentucky team that shot 40.3 percent from the fi eld, and it quickly became a long afternoon for the Dogs.

State committed 33 turnovers and shot just 26.4 percent from the fi eld. Leading scorer Johnson did not crack the scoreboard until the second half and fi nished with only eight points. Johnson, who averages 14.9 points per game, has not reached double digits in her last fi ve games.

Johnson said although she

has been in a slump recently, she knows the kind of player she is and is not trying to press anything too much.

“I’m not forcing anything and still trying to let the game come to me and at the same time get my teammates involved,” John-son said. “Even if I was hitting, it would be the same way — just trying to feed off them and knock down shots, and, hopefully, it comes back for the SEC Tourna-ment.”

The Dogs hardly get a chance to catch their breath before tour-nament time hits. MSU will open up the tournament as the 10 seed taking on Vanderbilt, who is seed-ed seventh.

Kentucky clinched the SEC Championship with Sunday’s win, fi nishing 14-3 in league play. Ju-nior guard A’dia Mathies is an SEC Player-of-the-Year candidate as she has led her team and been second in the conference with an average of 15.4 points per game.

Although Kentucky’s defense is one of the toughest in the nation, head coach Matthew Mitchell was impressed with the Bulldogs’ guard play. He said that will be the key for them making a run in the Tournament.

“The thing that makes them tough is they have some very ex-plosive guards, and, if you don’t do a great job defending them, they can get on a roll,” Mitchell said. “You better be ready to defend them because any time you have strong guard play and your guards get hot in the Tournament, I think you have a chance.”

Fanning-Otis said it will be important for her team to take it one game at a time. It takes four wins to come out fi rst in the Tour-nament, but it cannot happen all at once. Johnson said the team is not ready to go home after the fi rst game.

“We’re not doubting ourselves; we’ve been playing a lot of games and had a lot of energy coming down the stretch, and in these last games, we’ve been struggling,” she said. “But at the same time, we look at what’s going on, and I don’t think there’s any team here that we can’t be in ball games with. We still feel that we can go in there and shake some things up.”

Dogs fall in home finale BETH NEWMAN | UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

MSU freshman Wes Rea, weighing in at a healthy 296 pounds, has been among the Bulldogsʼ leading hitters so far in 2012. Rea hit a walk-off double on Friday night to lift the Bulldogs over Kansas.

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