Feb 3 2015

nmsuRoundUp.com

The Independent Student Newspaper of NMSU since 1907 • Tuesday, 2.3.2015 • Volume 116 • Issue 18

#BRADYCONE TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON 66 31

68 41

66 41

67 43

70 44

70 40

69 44

DETAILS ONLINE

campus news

HOMOSEXUALITY...

So many questions

Flyer against Brady Cone signed by Aggie Solidarity, Aggies for Feminism, The Groundup & Young Americans for Liberty.

CAMPUS

SPORTS

By Anthony Albidrez Managing Editor The Flyers Cru, New Mexico State University’s Christian organization, hosted spiritual speaker Brady Cone, who lectured on his experience as a homosexual living a Christian life which became problematic amongst students and organizations.

Chalking, flyers and posters displayed around campus read “HOMOSEXUALITY… SO MANY QUESTIONS!” and was accompanied with a photograph of Cone. Viewers were either confused as to what the event was going to be about or researched Cone and became convinced he was anti-homosexual.

“It wasn’t our intention to cause any controversy, and I hope it didn’t’ widen the gap between our organization and other student organizations on campus,” Phillip Robinson, Cru missional team leader.

During their meeting last Wednesday, Aggies For Feminism and Aggie Solidarity held a joint meeting and discussed the event hosted by Cru. After consultation and research of Cone, the student organization

FILM

voted to post a counter flyer in reaction to what the event that they believed would be potentially harmful. AFF agreed to allow their name of their organization to be printed on the counter flyer that they dispersed across campus.

The counter flyer urged individuals not to seek consultation in Cone nor Cru for struggles regarding homosexuality and there is “better providers of information and support that exist.” Aggies For Feminism was one of the contacts to provide information for resources along with Aggie Solidarity and Young Americans for Liberty. Stonewall QSA, the LGBTQ organization on campus, did not approve to be a listed on the flyer.

According to Stonewall’s Facebook, the organization stated they have “already talked to Campus Activities and instigating anything on our end will cause us to lose credibility and footing in the matter. That's why we can't really do anything until the event actually happens. I don't want Stonewall to jump the gun before anything happens. I encourage you to attend our meeting though because we'll be discussing the matter further.” Stonewall held their weekly meeting 5:30, Jan. 29.

Via their Facebook page, Stonewall enCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

ONLINE

NMSU PROPOSAL

BASKETBALL

NETFLIX PICKS

FOR PUBLIC RECORDS

CONFERENCE WIN

MOVIES WORTH WATCHING

PAGE 4

PAGE 7

PAGE 12

Grad school DEAN'S DISCUSSION

| page 2 |

TITLE

LETTER

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Dean's

Discussion

Hello.

“College is an amazing time in a person’s life.” This is a statement you hear often at orientations. For me, it was. My experiences in college inspired me to go into my chosen career. I wanted to assist college students to have that amazing time in their life.

Academics and classroom learning are a vital part of the college experience. That is why students should come to college: to advance their learning. However, classes are not the only part of college. There is a whole campus outside the classroom which can provide opportunities for you to challenge yourself, explore new interests and connect with others.

When I speak to students who have graduated, they remember a spontaneous road trip one weekend, staying up late talking to other students in the hallway of their residence hall, demonstrating against a social injustice or retreats they attended. It is through these experiences that a person learns what they are capable of doing by having adventures which they never imagined and form memories which last a lifetime. By taking part in such activities, students form friendships. Some of these friends will remain connected for 30, 40, 50 years. These friends may become your significant other or support you when you say your vows. These are the friends who weep when you lose a family member and cheer for you at the birth of your child.

New Mexico State University provides a number of ways for students to get involved. I encourage you to explore a few of these. You can work on the production of a newspaper; spend time within the United States or oversees while earning college credit; go on an outdoor adventure; become a member of a society which has been in existence for over 100 years; play on a sports team; coordinate a speaker series; help other students learn a subject which is difficult; or simply sit in the student lounge of Corbett Student Union and talk with friends. If you are not sure where to get connected, the staff at Campus Activities will help you find the groups which share your interest.

Students tell me all the time, “I don’t have time.” I believe we find the time for the things we want to do. You do not have to spend 40 hours a week with an activity or organization. Take an hour of your week, month or semester and participate in at least one activity on campus. Some of the activities are family focused, and we encourage students to bring their children to experience the campus as well.

This is YOUR college experience. NMSU is YOUR community. Take advantage of your time here and explore the opportunities. Do not limit your learning to the classroom. Take part in student life and experience the other education: Student Life.

With Aggie Pride, Michael D. Jasek Dean of Students

LETTER FROM

Volume 116 | Issue 18 | Feb. 3, 2015

THE EDITOR

Comptroller

I feel much of the controversy erupted out of the vagueness of the flyers presented around campus about Brady Cones’ presence at New Mexico State University.

Cone’s website contains offensive language towards the LGBTQ community. Cone’s website states that “this is such a broken area in our culture right now and these people need hope.”

I do not believe in the tactic that Cone uses to discuss identity and homosexuality, but everyone is free to their own beliefs in this country and on this campus. My only fear is that Cone’s words could potentially dent the identity of an individual on this “homosexual friendly” campus.

NMSU’s “Freedom of Expression Policy” states “New Mexico State University recognizes and promotes an intellectually open campus. The free exchange of ideas through written, spoken and other forms of expression reflects its public land-grant heritage, support diverse points of view, and commitment to excellence in education and research.”

Although I do not agree with Cone and his ideas about homosexuality, silencing CRU and their decision to bring Cone to NMSU would have infringed on their freedom of expression outlined in the NMSU “Student Code of Conduct.”

Could CRU have been a little more sensitive to the diverse group on campus? Yes. I hope this incident brings campus students together so we can all work out our differences.

Administration Executive Director Dustin Chavez

Jessica Chenoweth

Administrative Assistants Tatiana Miyazaki William Peck Maylynn Padilla

Editorial Managing Editor Anthony Albidrez

Online Editor

Christopher Allan

News Editor

Dawn Franco Copy Editor Sports Editor Allison McCollister Cedric Wilson

Staff Writers Billy Huntsman Brynn Herndon Merrit Peterson Isaac Morales

Julian Martinez Jesse Moya Kelly O'Connor Efrainn Hernandez Christophe Chino

Design Design Specialist

Heather Nichole Miller

Graphic Designers Valentin Guereque Kimberly Rodriguez Heriberto Bajo

Photographers Olivia Baker

Sales Advertising Manager Jonathan Johnsen

Advertising Representatives Director of Marketing Sonia Diaz

Circulation Specialist Carlos Garcia

Anthony Albidrez Managing Editor

Submission Policy The Round Up welcomes submissions for publication. Submissions can be dropped off, faxed or emailed.

Submissions become property of The Round Up and will not be returned.

The Round Up reserves the right to edit articles and cannot guarantee publication.

Advertising Policy The Round Up welcomes paid advertisements for legal products and services. The Round Up does not accept ads deemed discriminatory by the editor. Any advertisement that might be confused with editorial content must be clearly labeled (paid advertisement.) Positions of ads cannot be guaranteed. The Round Up reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertisement.

About Us: The Round Up is published during the academic year by the students for the university community. Corrections of the print edition will be made of www.nmsuroundup.com. Editorial content of the newspaper is independent of advertising content. Opinions expressed in The Round Up are not necessarily those of the staff, New Mexico State University or the Associated Students of NMSU. Box 3004, Dept. CC New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 Phone 575-646-6397 Fax 575-646-5557

TITLE Campus

| page 3 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Who's Responsible for Vandalism in the Housing Communities?

By Kelly O'Connor Staff Writer Vandalism and theft in the housing communities has become a recurring problem over the years.

According to the annual crime report of New Mexico State University’s main campus, there have been 207 reports of criminal damage to property in the year ending December 2014. This number has increased by 14 reports from the year 2013. 115 of those reports resulted in damage that was priced under $1,000 dollars and the eight reports resulted in damage over $1,000 dollars.

For the residents living in the housing communities, finding out those responsible for the damage has become a priority. As stated in the 2015-2016 Single Student Campus Housing Application, damages that occur to common

areas that are not attributable or chargeable to a specific individual or group shall be shared equally by the residents of the living area where those damages occur (group billing process).

“The license agreement that every student in housing signs says we have the right to do common area damage billing. It is very common, in fact I don’t know any campus in the country who does not do that,” Julie Weber, Housing and Campus Life Director, said.

With card swipe entrance only accessible to those living there, it’s presumed that the damage was done by someone living there.

Housing residents also have to cover any damage done by their guests as stated in the housing application.

Some residents have a real problem with the assumption that someone living in the community is responsible because it could

very well have been someone who does not live there.

“One of the gates was broken for an extended amount of time so people who didn’t live in our apartment community had access,” Olivia Badilla, chamisa resident said.

Weber agreed with the difficulty in managing who is coming through the communities’ because residents sometimes hold the door open for the person behind them.

Students are even discouraged from leaving gate doors propped with an object to hold it open.

Some might be familiar with the sign posted on entry doors stating ‘safety is your responsibility’. Residents play a big role in figuring out who did what since they are the actual ones living in the community.

“I haven’t ever witnessed someone vandalizing, but I have seen a lot of the damage they emailed us about,” Erika Ochoa, housing resi-

dent, said.

This procedure is what residents have become familiar with.

When vandalism is reported in the housing communities, housing life sends out an email to the residents in the area. Normally, someone does come forward or knows the person that did. If no one comes forward or has any information; this can lead to a group billing charge.

“Our goal is never to bill anyone, our goal is to find out who did something and if they stole something, to get it back,” Weber said.

Many residents have asked for security cameras to aid in exposing anyone who vandalizes their communities. Most of the time, no one comes forward or no one has any information about who might have done what.

This has been brought up to Weber several times but she says

to also keep in mind that the camera has only captured the person, not prevented the crime. There are also other considerations to take into account when installing cameras on buildings that are not public ones. With all of that in mind some residents still feel that it would be beneficial.

“They should put security cameras on the exterior as well as on the halls, that way they can charge those responsible for the damage and not people who honestly had nothing to do with it,” Ochoa said.

As stated in the housing agreement, all residents have the responsibility to their individual living communities. Contacting your community assistants and your resident directors are the most important step in making sure those responsible are the ones paying for the damage.

| page 4 |

TITLE

CAMPUS NEWS

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

NMSU PROPOSES PUBLIC RECORDS SUNSHINE WEEK AT NMSU Anthony Albidrez Managing Editor Sunshine Week is an annual journalistic initiative, coinciding with national Freedom of Information Day and James Madison’s birthday (March 16), with the mission to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of information and open government.

Sunshine Week is celebrated nationwide usually partaking midMarch. At NMSU Sunshine Week will be celebrated on campus on April 2. A committee has been developed and is organizing the event. Panelists will discuss the importance of the obtainability of information pertaining to police shootings. Each panelist has expertise in different areas of society: law, journalism, the police force, etc.

Tim Parker is the sponsor of Sunshine Week at NMSU and is a past editor of The Round Up in the 70s.

“I think we should err on the side of government openness and freedom of information and be wary of restrictions and secrecy,” Parker said.

Sunshine Week is funded through an inaugural grant by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. In March 2005, the American Society

of News Editors launched Sunshine Week. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press co-coordinates Sunshine Week.

Sunshine Week, created by journalists, is about the public’s right to know what its government is doing, and why.

“This seems to be an unfortunate knee-jerk reaction to criticism caused by revealing the names of the athletic director applicants to the public,” Parker said. “It’s also unfortunate that a taxpayer supported university would choose the side of secrecy rather than the side of the public’s right to know.”

TITLE Campus news

| page 5 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

AMENDMENT TO LAW Billy Huntsman Staff Writer New Mexico State University is seeking to limit access to its public records by proposing amendments to a statewide law that has stood since 1977.

The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act is legislation that allows easier access by the public and the press to government records.

“The law requires open access to almost all public records in state and local government with few exceptions,” says the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office’s website.

Such exceptions include: physical and mental records of people confined to institutions; matters of opinion in student and personnel files; and trade secrets, such as doctor-patient confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.

NMSU has prepared a list of additional exceptions it would like added to IPRA. The majority of the amendments pertain to three points: exemption from IPRA “in order to protect privacy of (public sector job) applicants and reviewers who provide information and to encourage forthright comments, letters of reference or other written opinions or evaluations concerning employment, licensing or permits,” to expand IRPA’s definition of “protected personal identifier information,” in order to protect the privacy rights of individuals; and exemption

from IRPA of records of job applicants “only to the extent that such records would reveal the identity of applicants for the position.”

NMSU further provides an example of how it believes its search for a new athletic director was harmed by IRPA's current regulations.

“Lists of applicants and finalists were requested and provided to the media under the NM IRPA law,” the document says. “A number of highly qualified applicants withdrew from consideration when they learned of this disclosure, and the search committee members were subjected to outside influence from members of the public who learned of the identity of the applicants from the media.”

Frank Thayer, professor and former department head of NMSU’s department of journalism & mass communication, believes NMSU’s search for a new athletic director is what prompted the amendments.

“I think the intent is to protect potential employees from having their names publicized,” he said. “NMSU feels that would discourage good applicants from applying to NMSU.” He went on to say that, in a transparent society, or one that allows itself to be closely examined, people tend to know more about each other than they need to.

“The idea is applicants don’t want their current employment

jeopardized in case they’re not selected,” Thayer said.

An editorial in “The Albuquerque Journal” noted that, “…the proposal extends far beyond athletics job candidates to all government job candidates and into police records, civil rights complaints and publicly funded research.”

Thayer expressed concern over what less transparency in an area such as police records could entail for the university.

“Many crime problems on campus are covered up by universities,” he said. “I’m not saying we have a problem with that, but we’ve seen some recent cases in other universities where sexual assault was underplayed in crime reports, and that’s because they were able to keep it secret, I think.”

Thayer also believes NMSU is concerned with keeping the names of victimized or arrested students from the public. “(NMSU’s) idea may be, ‘Well, we shouldn’t reveal their names,’ which is opposed to what we have in general society,” he said.

Further, Thayer said he sees no benefit for students if the amendments to IRPA are approved.

“I suppose there might be some benefit if you’re caught with marijuana in your dorm room and you don’t want your name in the paper, that’s a possibility,” he said. “But generally I think students benefit from transparency.”

The biggest problem, as Thayer sees it, is NMSU’s pro-

posal “allows public officials to claim confidentiality or secrecy as they wish.”

“Human nature being what it is, everything would be secret if it could be,” he said.

Which is why the Sunshine Laws, which specify, “Every portion of every meeting of an agency shall be open to public observation,” are so important, he says.

“You can’t hold a meeting in a public place in secret,” Thayer said, adding, “Public records are public records.”

Thayer thinks it will be “a slippery slope,” with more public information being hidden, if the proposal is passed, which he thinks is unlikely.

“The climate of the Legislature this session, with the Republicans in charge and Susana Martinez as governor, are very much Sunshine-oriented,” he said. “And Susana Martinez, even before she was governor, was very much in favor of transparency, so she would probably not support (NMSU’s proposal).”

Thayer thinks “the appearance or the optics” of NMSU’s proposal “is not good for the university.”

“I think the public should be very skeptical of any attempt to limit freedom of information,” he said. “Overall, I think the public should insist upon more transparency, rather than less. It may make some people uncomfortable at times, but in the long run it’s better for everybody.”

| page 6 |

TITLE

SPORTS

Aggies

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Just Keep Swimming

By Julian Martinez Staff Writer Over the last weekend the Aggies Swim team got the opportunity to take on their old rivals from the north: the University of New Mexico Lobos.

The Lobos were in town for a two day dual that began Friday night and concluded Saturday morning. The Aggies would not leave the contest with a win, as they dropped the decision to the Lobos by a final score of 201-143.

“Some of the girls were really stiff and nervous but got better today. Others were really good yesterday and more tired today. It was a bit of a mixed bag. It’s never

fun to lose to UNM, but I thought we fought hard,” said Head Coach Rick Pratt.

Junior Dorottya Lennert had outstanding performances both days of the meet. On Friday Lennert was able to beat the next closest finisher by a full five seconds in the 100- yard butterfly clocking in with a time of 4:39.96 and also finish first in the 400-yard individual medley. She would then grab two more individual honors on day two with here wins in both the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley.

“I had an amazing time and was really excited. We are preparing for WAC and this is a good station for that so it went well,” said

Lennert in regards to her thoughts on the meet.

Lennert’s times in the 200 fly and 200 IM were 2:07.16 and 2:08.51 respectively.

One of the major stories of this past weekend was that it was the team’s final home meet. This meant for the senior that it was the last time they would have the opportunity to compete in front of the home crowd.

“Dory was very inspirational in her victories, and I thought Cassandra Rupp really led the team and it was great to see Jessica Legge finish on a high note today winning the 100-yard breaststroke,” said Pratt on individuals that really shined for the team.

Legge’s aforementioned first place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke came with a time of 1:05.78.

On the first day Legge also managed to be the runner-up in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Rupp had an individual win on Friday in the 200-yard backstroke where she finished with a strong time of 2:07.28.

The New Mexico State diving team was also in action this past weekend but their events were taking place at the Air Force Diving Invitational. The teams scored from the event however would still count toward the NMSU/UNM dual.

One of the team’s top divers is Lauren Reiffel who finished

Photos by Olivia Baker

14th overall at the event which would be good enough for first place in the NMSU/ UNM dual.

Her final score for the event was 231.51. Reiffel was also able to capture wins in the 1 and 3 meter dive.

“The ladies did a great job today.

They were able to compete well in an event with a different format and with more competitors than they are typically used to,” NM State diving Coach Kyle Bogner said.

The next challenge the team will face is the Western Athletic Conference Championship which will take place in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

TITLE SPORTS

| page 7 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Photos by Olivia Baker

Aggies Avoid Late Collapse, Win Again in Conference Julian Martinez Staff Writer Western Athletic Conference play continued for the men's basketball team as they were able to roll past the University of Texas – Pan American on Saturday night in the Pan American Center. The final score for the contest was 5348.

In the contest, the team saw several players finish with double digit points to aid them in the victory. Leading the scoring was star player Daniel Mullings who finished with 14 points in 27 minutes.

He was able to be perfect from behind the ark, hitting all three of his three-point attempts.

“ I think we did a good job creating turnovers and it helped us a lot on offense.

W e also

did a good job defending the three's and that was what we concentrated on for this game,” said Mullings.

Mullings was correct on being able to stop the Broncs from shooting the long ball as the team was 0-3 in the first half. They would shoot a little better in the second half going 3-for-9 but ultimately finsihing the contest 25 percent on their 3-point shots.

The first half of the game was mostly dominated by the Aggies as they forced seven turnovers and shot 40 percent from the field. They left the first half of the game with a 10-point lead that they captured after a 7-2 run.

The Broncs proved they would not go down quietly as it turned out. Over the course of the second half they were able to close the gap on the lead the Aggies had built up.

UT- Pan American increased their shooting percentage from 32 percent to 39 percent in this half and was able to outscore the Aggies 32-27. Senior forward Janari Joesaar and guard Shaquille Boga were the catalyst of the Broncs offense.

Joesaar was able to score 27, and Boga hit shots towards the end that made this game really close, at one point bringing it within two points.

“We didn't concentrate on him individually. We defended him as

a unit but he was still able to hit big-time shots. We thought we could control him with our zone, but he was able to get plenty of touches down-low,” said head coach Marvin Menzies in regards to defending Joesaar.

What turned out to be a lifesaver for the Aggies was the clutch free throw shooting the team had down the stretch. The Aggies were 15-out of-24 from the charity stripe and 11-of-17 in the second half.

Pascal Siakim scored 11 points for the team and helped with that clutch free throw shooting by going 5-for-5 in his attempts from the line. There were also ten point performances from Remi Berry and Ian Baker.

“We have to do a better job finishing games but tonight's game I think was a good wake-up call for us. In every conference game, you have to bring your A-game, and tonight we brought our B-game and almost lost,” said Menzies on the performance as a whole.

The Aggies increased their record to 13-10 (5-1 in the WAC).

The team will immediately go on the road for their next set of conference games against Chicago State 6:05 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5 at and then conclude the road trip with a match-up against the University of Missouri – Kansas City 5:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7.

Photos by Olivia Baker

| page 8 |

FEATURE THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Brady Cone speaks on religion and homosexuality. Photo by Anthony Albidrez

WRITTEN BY THE ROUND UP

CONTINUED FROM COVER PAGE

couraged “those who are friends to respectfully attend this event” and “to encourage you all to come with questions, asked respectfully, of course. If you feel harassed or have any ill feelings after the event, please, let Stonewall know because there will be repercussions through the proper administrative channels.”

Following the counter flyers, there were Facebook rumors of organizations that intended to protest.

Before the Brady Cone event, Zachary Lefever, Cru student president, said in a phone interview: “Our objective as a Christian organization is to really just bring the gospel to people, to preach Christ and that is what Brady does in his talk is he preaches the gospel to people considering his certain subject he’s had experience with.”

“We as Cru, we don’t proclaim to have the cure to anything, we don’t proclaim to have the answers to anything. Our purpose with all this isn’t to hate people. We just want to proclaim and preach what we do have and that is Christ,” Lefever said.

Stonewall Meeting: Jan. 29

By Merrit Peterson Stonewall President Gary Diaz, who also works at Sexual Diversity Resource Center, had met with campus officials, all of whom said it was out of their power to stop the speaker from coming.

The personnel Diaz contacted included Bernadette Montoya, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management; Director of Campus Activities, Bruce Vandevender; Jerry Nevarez from office of institutional equity; and the Dean of Students, Michael Jasek.

Diaz said: “I consulted with a lot of people about this, and the consensus is that Stonewall should not attend this event. There are about five other organizations on campus that are planning a protest, and the president of Cru has already been harassed on social media, which is not something Stonewall is part of. I believe that the other organizations on campus are going about protesting in the wrong way.”

Diaz read the New Mexico State University nondiscrimination policy.

According to Diaz, every chartered organization has a standard to uphold by keeping up with student handbook policies. Bruce Vandevender Director of Campus Activities recommended filing an administrative review process to campus activities if students felt that Cru did not uphold this policy.

This would include filing internal discrimination form.

“This has the potential to make students feel unsafe on campus. I know a student who grew up in a super religious household where he was told to ‘pray the gay away’. Having an event like this here on campus is very stressful for students with backgrounds like this,” Diaz said.

“If you choose to

| page 9 |

FEATURE

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

"I know a student who grew up in a super religious household where he was told to ‘pray the gay away’."

attend the event, don’t make any association with Stonewall and please be safe,” Diaz said.

“In previous years, Cru and Stonewall had a good relationship. We attended each other events and supported each other, but every turn up of members is different,” NMSU Alumni Zane Schuler, Stonewall President in 2007.

Brady Cone Event

By Anthony Albidrez Last Thursday, Cone gave his testimony in the Corbett Auditorium.

Protest did not erupt during the event. Students, including Aggies for Feminism, respectfully attended.

Cru apologized for the unintended controversy. Cone discussed his continuous life struggle with same-sex attraction.

Phillip Robinson, missional team leader of NMSU Cru, emailed an apology letter to students who may have been affected negatively by the speaker’s topic.

The letter reads: “I wanted to write to reach out to you because the advertisements for the speaker at our meeting tonight (and maybe the speaker himself) created some unintended controversy. In seeing the responses of the

different communities to our speaker we realized that we may have created a less than hospitable environment for LGBTQ students on campus and for those in our group as well (through the language that we used on our flyer). We did not mean to do this. Our hope was to have our speaker tell his story. We know that he doesn't represent everyone. We also hoped to create a needed conversation between Christians (and Evangelical Christianity especially) and the LGBTQ community on campus. We want to help meet the spiritual needs of students on campus, including LGBTQ students.”

Although Diaz is quoted during the Stonewall meeting last Thursday, he didn’t want to comment during an attempted phone interview.

According to the Stonewall QSA at NMSU’s Facebook page, a post states “the director of Campus Activities has said that he would take letters from any student who wishes to file for Administrative Review of the organization that put on the event tonight (Brady Cone Event). He can be reached at bvandeve@nmsu.edu.”

Courtesy of Stonewall's Facebook Page

| page 10 |

TITLE

STUDENT LIFE

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015 Young Americans for Liberty celebrate SCW. Photo courtesy of YAL

Young Americans for liberty Discuss education options

By Christophe Chino Staff Writer The Young Americans for Liberty organization recognized National School Choice Week by holding an open discussion about the United States’ public school system, which the group sees as rapidly failing, and spoke of different ways in which to better the system.

YAL, along with visitors to the discussion, expressed their concerns with the public school system, which they feel fails to represent the students that are being taught, along with the expectations and concerns of the parents of those students. The group discussed various topics surrounding the public school system, such as standardized testing, homeschooling, the reasons surrounding the common core curriculum that is expected nationwide, and what effects these issues have on both the students and parents.

“Each year, the government spends more and more money towards standardized testing, but

each year the nation yields roughly the same results on these tests,” said YAL’s faculty advisor Randy Mcferrin during the group discussion.

The group has expressed their discontent with the standardized testing system that is currently in place, laying claims that it not only underrepresents the students being tested, does not push for the forward thinking of the students, but also is also a huge waste of money being spent by the government with minimal results.

The discussion also spent a good amount of time on the issue of homeschooling, along with the acute ability for parents who feel discontent with the school system, to actually do something about it.

One of the big discussions that night was centered on the inability for parents who are working full time to have the choice to homeschool their children if they feel that the public school system is not meeting their requirements, and really how there is hardly any options for the parent to remove their child from the system. On

the same issue, the group also discussed the difficulties that parents can encounter when trying to move their children from one school in their district, to another school outside of their district in attempts to have their children receive a better education.

Mcferrin spoke of big business’ play in the public education system. With the textbook brand Pearson producing a majority of the public school’s textbooks in the U.S., as well as Microsoft producing a majority of the computer technology for the public schools.

Mcferrin, along with other members involved in the discussion, also spoke of political agendas that push for a common core curriculum for public schools nationwide, which may not be the best curriculum for all students.

Marisa Salazar, NMSU’s YAL president, also provided the meeting with a PowerPoint presentation that outlined YAL’s concerns with the flaws in the public school system, and some ways in which to fix these flaws along with taking other routes other than the public school

system for providing a child with a good education. Some of the other schooling options presented

by Salazar were public charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling and online schooling. But the major priority of the group’s meeting was to discuss the betterment of the current public school system.

YAL has been on NMSU’s campus for roughly three and a half years, and has 20 core members, with various additional numbers that show up to the organization’s meetings and discussions. YAL is a nationwide organization, with over 600 chapters and 200,000 student members.

When asked what her view on the biggest issues affecting the country today, Salazar stated, “One of the biggest issues in American society today is the ever-growing size and scope of government control and involvement in our daily lives. It's no longer conservative vs. liberal, it's authoritarian vs. libertarian, and people are starting to realize that.”

Salazar believes that YAL has

something to offer every student on campus, along with a different view than just Republican and Democrat, as many students see as the only two options.

“You don't have to fit into the right versus left paradigm. At the end of the day, the two major political parties are two sides of the same coin.

YAL and libertarianism advocate for true liberty and autonomy,” said Salazar.

YAL meets weekly in the Corbett Center on campus, Room 204. The group has various outings planned for this semester including a trip to a gun range, with weapons and ammo being provided, along with a trip to Austin, TX for YAL’s Texas State Convention later in the semester.

Anyone interested in learning more about NMSU’s YAL can visit their Facebook page, Facebook.com/YALatNMSU, as well as show up for one of the organization’s weekly meetings. YAL also has a nationwide website, www.yaliberty.org, which as much more information about the organization’s goals and views as a whole.

TITLE Culture

| page 11 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015 Photos by Dawn Franco

CLASSIFIEDS Includes: Approximately 85 words, 10 pt.

BOLD headline, additional BOLD options and 9 pt. body copy. Charge per space: $1.00. Student rate: $0.50 cents/ per word. Deadlines for the Tuesday edition are Friday at noon.

By Jesse Moya Staff Writer February will see something new in Las Cruces: the opening of a locally owned culture shop, providing everything from skateboards to aerosol paint to a community devoid of such accommodations.

Barricade Culture Shop will soon be providing the community of Las Cruces with fairly priced skateboards as well as serve as an art gallery for many talented artists in the area.

Owner Logan Howard has projected the shop to open Feb. 1 and said their inventory will consist of jewelry, paintings from local artists and a variety of skateboards made in New Mexico. In the future, Howard is looking to fill his shelves with many different major brand names in skateboarding, providing the community with brands like Black Label, Creature, Independent as well as many others.

In addition, Barricade will also carry specialty aerosol paint at affordable prices, something that is not seen in some of art communities.

Howard is looking to create a shop that the community can enjoy and frequent, one that builds on the comradery of skateboarding as well as the culture of aerosol art.

“Our goal

with the community is to create a hub for expression in all mediums” said Howard.

The main focus of Barricade is to provide a positive space for skateboarders and artists to come together and

express themselves in a friendly environment provided by the shop. At Barricade, there is a backyard that will eventually serve as a practice yard for those who purchase paint at the shop and wish to hone in their skills with aerosol art.

“We don’t promote graffiti or vandalism.

We promote art, aero-soul art” said aerosol artist and co-owner of Barricade, SABA. Together the two are optimistic about the future of the shop and are looking to go far beyond just a skateboard and paint shop. They are looking to collaborate with the West End Art Depot in getting artists the exposure they need, as well as to provide them with a bigger scene to display their art.

Currently, the shop is filling in their inventory and gathering materials needed to open.

A large grand opening festival will take place once their operations are smoothed out. The opening festival will have music, live skateboarding demos as well as live aerosol painting in the yard.

Currently, there are no other skateboard or aerosol-art shops in Las Cruces and to get specialty items, one has to order online and face shipping charges.

Barricade will be providing a unique service of being able to order specific items for customers online and having them come into the shop to pick them up. This is especially important to skateboarders who are looking for a particular shape or size of board or a specific part that a mall shop may not have in stock.

Barricade serves to offer the community a fairly priced service of giving good of a certain subculture to those that really need it and don’t wish to travel outside of their city to obtain their supplies. Opening with full shelves soon: Barricade can be reached at barricadecultureshop@gmail.com

Light wood entertainment center: 2 glass doors, 2 drawers, cubbyholes excellent shape $50 Contact Info: Martha Loustaunau (575) 524-6715 or at mloustau@nmsu.edu

Visit: www.strikesonebattingcages.com

To place a classified ad, call

575-646-6397

| page 12 |

TITLE

FILM

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

PICKS

By Billy Huntsman Staff Writer The new pickings currently offered on Netflix are some films I’ve been meaning to cross off my bucket list. None of them are terrible, but some are better than others. Hopefully these mini-reviews will help you in deciding how best to spend your viewing time.

“Get Low” Set somewhere rural in the 1930s, Robert Duvall’s Felix Bush is a hermit intent on dying. There’s just one pesky detail he wants to see to before committing himself: his funeral.

He knows, as a hermit, his long life has stirred the imaginations of all the locals, and he wants to arrange a funeral party so that everyone can come and tell their stories about him, and he wants to hear them all.

Why does he want to die?

What went so horribly wrong in his life that he should one day just desire to be dead?

Watch the movie and find out.

The acting, especially on Duvall’s part, is top-notch. Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek costar.

“Mystic River” I’ve always felt that, with Clint Eastwood, it’s either hit or miss. He can make a great movie, like “Million Dollar Baby,” or he can make “Jersey Boys.” “Mystic River” falls closer on the side of the former.

Jimmy, Sean and Dave have been friends since they were kids. One day during the summer, Dave is lured into a stranger’s limo and is driven away.

He isn’t found for four days, after which he is never the same.

Cut to present-day Boston.

Jimmy has been in and out of prison and holds some weight with local crooks. Sean is a detective with the Massachusetts State Police, and Dave falls somewhere in the middle.

When Jimmy’s eldest daughter vanishes, and is later found dead, Jimmy’s world is shattered and he reverts to his old criminal ways as a means to finding

who is responsible. Meanwhile, tensions between himself and Dave and especially Sean rise.

As whodunits go, this one is really good. Further, I like it because it was one of the movies (along with 2008’s “Milk”) that really got me to start liking Sean Penn, who stars as Jimmy. Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon costar.

“The Contender” A good actor is one who not only plays sympathetic roles well, but who also plays morally repugnant characters with equal eminence, which is what makes Gary Oldman a terrific actor.

I started this movie because I enjoy his work, but he certainly wasn’t the reason I finished it.

Laine Hanson is an Ohio Democratic senator who, after the untimely heart attack of the vice president, is tapped by the president (The Dude! Jeff Bridges) to fill the position.

Much to Oldman’s chagrin, a Republican who finds Democrats immoral and women unqualified for positions outside of the home, he determines

to annihilate Hanson’s reputation during her confirmation hearing, for which Oldman serves as the chairman.

Oldman has some underlings do a little digging, and they find paydirt in a sex scandal involving Hanson in her college days.

How will this affect her nomination for vice president? Press that play button and see for yourself.

I don’t particularly care for political movies, and frankly if Bridges hadn’t been so entertaining in his role, I probably would’ve stopped watching, but devotees to Lebowski and anyone interested in feminist values would probably enjoy this film.

“Moonstruck” This film was written by the writer/director of 2008’s “Doubt,” which is a terrific film. “Moonstruck” is less so.

Loretta Castorini is a widow living with her parents in the thick of a Sicilian-American community in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Yes, it’s largely an ethnic comedy.

She’s as superstitious as people get. When her boyfriend proposes, he does it all wrong, and she’s not getting married the wrong way again.

She instructs him on the proper way to do it before accepting.

Her boyfriend is then yanked away to Sicily to care for his dying mother, his departing request of his new fiancée being that she approach his estranged brother (Nicolas Cage, joy) and implore him to come to the wedding, never imagining that Loretta and his brother might fall for each other.

Cher won 1987’s Best Actress Oscar for this role, and the film was nominated for Best Picture.

I don’t see it. I don’t mind Cher, I rather like her music, and the film, despite having Cage in it, is charming but nothing special.

Still, I have no doubt it’ll appeal to some. Underneath its attempts at humor via Italian/Sicilian clichés and stereotypes, there is some truly romantic atmosphere.

TITLE OPINION

| page 13 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

The Decemberists Album Review

By Merrit Peterson Staff Writer

Soar the Stars with the Astronomy Department

By Merrit Peterson Staff Writer The New Mexico State University Astronomy Department held an open house observatory event to give the public the resources for learning about astronomy as a science.

Astronomy Professor Rene Walterobs conducted a brief presentation for the participants, ranging from small children to grandparents.

“The program is to get people interested in astronomy, but it’s also just good information for the public.” said Walterobs. “Many people here aren’t students, but they are interested in astronomy and they would just like to see something in the telescope to learn a little bit.”

General information on the solar system was given during the opening presentation, including the sun, the upcoming full solar eclipses in 2017 and the planetary objects that would be viewed in the telescopes that night The objects included Venus, Jupiter, the moon, the star cluster Pleiades and Comet Lovejoy.

According to the astronomy department, Comet Lovejoy was discovered

Portland-native singer/songwriter Colin Meloy proves to be talented and wise beyond his years once again in the new Decemberists’ Album, “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.”

Less heavy than most of The Decemberists’ previous work, the album proves a stark contrast with their past album in 2009: the dense, progressive folkrock opera, “The Hazards of Love.”

The album begins with, “The Singer Addressing his Audience,” which includes Meloy acknowledging the inevitable musical changes in the band. Without addressing exactly how they had changed, he sings, “to the benefit of Axe shampoo / you know we did it all for you,” showing his loyalty and appreciation to his fans.

However, this disclaimer proves to be unneeded in the upcoming movements.

The Decemberists’ folk roots come out in songs “Carolina Low” and “Better Not Wake the Baby,” sharing musical themes with the band’s 2011 album, “The King is Dead.”

“Better Not Wake the Baby” introduces banjos and accordions into the album Inspired by the Sandy Hook shooting, song “12/17/12” begins with the harmonica heard on previously upbeat songs, teasing seasoned listeners with the association of the harmonica with happier music. With this contrast, the song proves to be one of the slowest and most painful songs The Decemberists have ever written.

“What a dear, what a sweet little baby / this cannonball in the bosom of your belly / it’s just a kick in your body.”

The lyrics contemplate the selfishness of bringing innocent children into a world so riddled with danger and evil.

The time spent with his family separated from the music scene since his last album in 2011 appears to show in Meloy’s work. Though taking a new approach to music, Meloy recently said in an interview he believes one should never “take ones music too seriously.”

This approach seems to work for Meloy. Although The Decemberists have changed, the album will soon be held with other previous Decemberists’ albums on a pedestal by folk rock fans everywhere.

last year by amateur astronomy Terry Lovejoy. Made of ice and dirt, the comet has a 5,000 year elliptical orbit and the comet tail can be glowing green millions of miles long.

“Naturally, scientists are very interested in comets that carry carbon because life on earth is based on carbon,” said Walterobs. “The comets with carbon may have played a large role in starting life or bringing some life bearing elements to earth.”

The NMSU Astronomy Department holds monthly open house events at the Tombaugh Observatory on campus.

They are held on Friday nights during the time of the first-quarter moon from September through May and during specific times during the summer.

Entrance is free for all people and includes a brief presentation on astronomy followed by guided observations through the telescopes.

Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m.

Friday, March 27, 9 p.m.

Friday, April 24, 9 p.m.

Friday, May 8, 9 p.m.

Photo contribution from http://www.decemberists.com

| page 14 |

TITLE

EVENTS

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

SCHEDULE OF

EVENTS

1

Career Connections - Feb. 3-4, 2015 February 3, 2015 9:00am to 3:00pm Corbett Center Student Union 1st Floor Contact: rbensley@nmsu.edu or (575) 646.1631

2

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Brie Ruais February 3, 2015 6:00pm to 7:00pm HSS 101 College of Health and Social Services Contact: artdepartment@nmsu.edu

3

FREE Dance Lessons with NMSU DanceSport February 3, 2015 7:00pm Rentfrow Gymnasuim (corner if Stewart & Williams) Contact: dancesport@nmsu.edu or (575) 646.5704

4

Mockingjay Part I February 4, 2015 7:00pm to 9:00pm Corbett Auditorium FREE admission Contact: monedero@nmsu.edu (575) 487.6146

5

Pianist/Comedian Julian Garguilo Performs at the Atikinskon Recital Hall February 4, 2015 7:30pm to 9:00pm Atikinskon Recital Hall in the Music Center at NMSU Tickets: $10 for students and $15 for general admission Contact: Cngalban@nmsu.edu

6

African-Americans in Higher Education & Leadership February 5, 2015 6:30pm to 8:30pm Corbett Center Ballroom East Contact: (575) 571.6893

NMSU

TITLE GENERAL NEWS

| page 15 | THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

From Bad Choices to Good Deeds Brynn Herndon Staff Writer Inmates at the Dona Ana County Detention Center are working towards giving back to the community, and there’s a way for the Aggies to help them out.

Inmates at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility (SNMCF), a medium-security facility located in Las Cruces, are being trained to repair bicycles that will be donated to needy children in Las Cruces. In 2014, Robin M. Bruck, Administrative Assistant to Warden Ortiz at the Southern New Mexico Corrections Department, distributed a flyer announcing that the SNMCF is refurbishing unused and unwanted bikes for donation to disadvantaged children in Dona Ana County.

“This past Christmas saw 26 bikes go out to needy children,” said Bicycle Coordinator Sargent Christopher Barela. “This successful ongoing program is still matching bikes with loving homes, but we

could use donations from the community.”

Because the campus is crawling with bicycles, student riders must go through a lot of materials. Donating unneeded bicycle parts to the prison is much better than throwing them away.

Items needed for the program include used or unwanted bicycles, bicycle chains, spray paints, inner tubes, tires and miscellaneous bicycle parts. All donations will be accepted at the Adult Probation and Parole Office, 2635 West Picacho, Las Cruces, NM. Students and faculty in need of more information or answers to questions are advised to contact Barela at (575) 523-3200 or Sheree Lively at (575) 523-3228.

Bicycles are not the only thing New Mexico inmates are fixing to help the less fortunate. In fact, many of New Mexico’s prisons have been establishing programs to refurbish important equipment for the needy within the last two years.

In 2013, Governor Susana Martinez and Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel announced that New Mexico inmates would participate in the Joni and Friends’ “Wheels for the World” program

by establishing an inmate-training program to renovate used wheelchairs. The skills inmates learn while refurbishing the wheelchairs will help them find employment once they are released from their incarceration.

The Joni and Friends International Disability Center was established in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic as a teenager when she dove into Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water.

The non-profit is dedicated to helping meet the needs of disabled individuals in practical ways like supplying wheelchairs and crutches to those who need them. Joni and Friends’ “Wheels for the World” program distributes wheelchairs in more than 100 countries.

As of September 25, 2014, inmates at had repaired 100 wheelchairs that have now been donated to churches across New Mexico.

Aggies should consider doing their part to help both children and the disabled, as well as giving inmates a chance to improve their own lives, because giving back to Las Cruces is never a bad idea.

THE ROUND UP

Tuesday, 2.3.2015

Ready for Romance valentine ’ s day special now through the end of february, take

25% off all face & body waxing valid with kristy & amanda only

Pick up a copy. RELAX!

The Spa Downtown 440 N Main Street Las Cruces NM 88001 575 647 4987 thespadowntownlc.com

www.nmsuroundu p.com