The Cameron University Collegian: March 3, 2014

Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, March 3, 2014

Volume 90 Issue 6

CU at work: Red River Career Expo Kaitlyn Stockton

campus seeking potential job opportunities.

Copy Editor “It’s also open to the community as well,” Merrifield Cameron University’s Career said. “We have a lot of military Services wants students to find that comes out as well.” success.

Merrifield said the career fair is Career Services held the 17th not just for graduating seniors. annual Red River Career Expo She recommends students from 12:30 - 4 p.m. on Feb. 20 attend fairs at any level to learn in the Aggie Rec Center. CU the ropes of such events and to students, alumni and community watch other students interact with members were welcomed to browse recruiters. over 80 careers to find their dream “Even if you aren’t looking jobs. for a job, you can look for an Career Services Coordinator internship,” she said. “Even if Paula Merrifield said the Red you are not in the market, you River Career Expo is a career fair can go ahead and network with that provides students with career recruiters.” and networking opportunities.

According to Merrifield, this “It’s actually the largest career Photos by Kaitlyn Stockton year’s event had a great turnout. fair in southwest Oklahoma,” “This year’s career fair was the Merrifield said. “We have most successful yet. We had a approximately 80 – 85 employers lot of students that developed coming. We attract over a internships, and many companies thousand job seekers that come said they found some really solid and look for jobs.” potential employees.”

Although this year is For the future, Merrifield said Merrifield’s first time planning Career Services will offer even the event, she said she is thankful more opportunities to prepare for the support and service from students for interviews and their other staff members in Student future careers.

Development. She believes the With resume assistance and career fair is vital for students. dress tips, staff will coach students “I have had a lot of help. This for next year’s Red River Career is my first year. Dr. [Jennifer] Expo.

Pruchnicki has given me a lot “We work with students a lot of guidance on how to take care with practicing their handshakes of everything since it is so large. and elevator speeches,” she said.

We plan it a year out and start Merrifield recommends planning it as we go,” she said. “It’s students attend next year’s event a group effort. It’s a lot of work, Getting a foot in the door: CU students meet with potential employers at the 17th annual Red for even more opportunities and but it is worth it.”

River Career Expo. The Expo was held on Feb. 20 in the Aggie Rec Center. The event is put on by Local businesses not only made Career Services; it was Career Services Coordinator Paula Merrifield’s first year to organize the Expo. chances for success.

“I think it’s a lot of fun. You the visit, but also companies out may be interviewed on the of state made the trip to CU’s “Recruiters are hiring in all actually have three coming from students find their dream jobs.” spot. You may leave with a job,” campus. Many graduate schools different areas. We have school Nebraska. We have just about any Students were not the only Merrifield said. “There’s a lot to set up booths to interact with departments coming. We have career you can think of,” she said. ones invited to the fair. Many be gained for it. prospective students. a lot of production coming. We “Hopefully, we will help some community members also visited

CU hires new housing director

Psi Chi living in denial as they hit “the beach”

Kaylee Jones

Managing Editor

Misty Neal

Cameron University has hired a new Director of Staff Writer Student Housing.

Psi Chi hosted its Winter Denial Bash at Lee Wilkerson, the Area 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 in the MCC Ballroom.

Coordinator and Facilities Balloons, beach balls and tropical Manager at Embry-Riddle decorations covered the floors and tables to Aeronautical University, will create a feeling of summer fun to help fight begin as the new director on off the winter blues.

March 17.

CU student Leanne Peralez said any Vice President of Student student can find themselves with the winter Services Jennifer Holland blues. “The seasonal effective disorder has been acting as an interim caused by winter can bring on depression, director in former director fatigue, moodiness and sleep loss,” Peralez Charlie Parker’s absence. said. “This is a real problem anyone can “It’s an suffer from.” overwhelming The doors opened to the MCC Ballroom position,” welcoming students with reggae music and Holland the sounds of summer fun through multiple shared, games, food and drinks. Many students “because it’s wore shorts and flip-flops for the “summer24 hours a time” theme. day, seven Psychology major Wilson Caldwell said days a week, the event helped students relieve their stress 365 days a from mid-terms.

Photo by Misty Neal year...”

“The games we are playing ring-toss, Holland watermelon eating contest, tug-o-war and Up: Pascal Garoute, a senior Comm major, juggles balloons during the said she bean bag toss are the games of summer,” Winter Denial Bash. The party was held to ward off winter blues. is excited to welcome Caldwell said.

Wilkerson, as he has a lot of warmer times and no worries.

Senior Pascal Garoute said the event of experience in several Senior Jessica Roy said, “Coming here to support the was a welcomed change of pace. departments, including “The Winter Denial Bash theme of summer and warmer bash has helped with missing the warmer weather even Registrar, Alumni Relations though I do like the colder weather too.” weather are great reasons to get out of the house,” Garoute Graduate student Kathleen Dutton said she attended the and working as Director of said. “The Island summer stuff is great.”

Intramurals.

The food included a variety of mixed dips, chips and fresh event to support her organization.

Wilkerson said he believed “As a member of [Psi Chi], it has been great to come out fruits of summer to include strawberries, limes, lemons and working in a variety of and support a great activity and help out others.” pineapple. The main course featured barbecue from Billy positions has helped him to Sims Barbecue. Caldwell served mixed drinks blended with develop a respect for other fresh fruit and topped with tiki umbrellas to set the mood See PARTY continued page 2 departments on campus.

Inside this issue:

Flappy Bird is a flappy flop

Page 3

Morals vs.

Morals

Page 4

MacBeth opens at CU Theatre

Page 5

“I’ve worked in housing now for nine years, and Cameron will be my fourth campus,” Wilkerson said. “My experience has allowed me to see different approaches and solutions to housing processes.

The last few years I have added more of a focus on facilities and projects within housing.

“All of the different roles I have served in should help me not only to maintain what housing already does well at Cameron, but also to add fresh eyes and new blood as we reexamine what we can do to better serve our students.”

Wilkerson said his primary goal, before making any changes, is to learn more about Cameron.

“For the ongoing semester, my goal is to immerse myself in Cameron...” he said.

“Naturally I want to ensure that everything continues to run smoothly, but for the most part, I am hoping to make as few changes as possible, if any, since there isn’t a lot of time left in the semester.”

Coach Helvey joins the 700 club

Page 6

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News

March 3, 2014

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“The Science Guy” Jacob Jardel Staff Editor

Bill Nye blinded Stillwater with science during his talk on Feb. 20 in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

In the midst of rounds of applause and cheers hearkening back to the theme of his eponymous television show, Nye’s address to the crowd at Oklahoma State University centered on the phrase “Change the world.”

After a brief introduction from the OSU student responsible for bringing Nye to Stillwater, Nye took the stage and started off his lecture with stories of space and sundials.

Upon mentioning different aspects of discoveries on Mars since the initial launch of rovers in the late 1990s, he flashed back to his father’s days as a scientist and member of the North American Sundial Society.

Nye elaborated on his father’s fascination with the concept of telling time using a stationary and upright object, crediting this scientific fascination as well as his mother’s encouragement for his entry into science.

Nye concluded the segment on sundials with a mention of the one on Mars, still standing today.

He used the example of getting a sundial

on Mars to encourage budding scientists to continue their endeavors in hopes that they can have their own groundbreaking moment.

However, Nye also emphasized the importance of everybody chipping in to help make a difference in the world, whether that difference comes from self-discovery or from being a part of the bigger picture.

He addressed the concepts of pitching in to help the human race better adjust to and make up for the environmental changes that have occurred in recent history.

Countering the views of many Oklahoma senators and representatives, Nye used statistics to show the trajectory of environmental health and to push for better care of the planet, even if the effort seems relatively miniscule on the individual scale.

“If millions of people make small changes,” Nye said, “it has a big effect.”

Nye followed up this point with statistics as to how rapidly the world has grown.

According to the U.S. Census statistics in his presentation, the population of the world has more than doubled in his lifetime, and he said he would not be surprised if college students see a similar trend in their lifetimes.

Because of this growth projection, in conjunction with the change in the amount

MCT Campus

of environmental resources, he pushed those in attendance to find the new invention or concept to help usher humans into a more efficient society.

Nye provided examples of small conservation efforts already in place. From electric cars to solar panels to various ways to save water, he provided numerous instances of what humans already have at their fingertips to preserve energy and resources.

However, his urge to the inventors and scientists in attendance was to come up with the next groundbreaking discovery to make humans even more efficient beings. As was common throughout the talk, he also encouraged the consumers to change their ways of thinking to save time and preserve

resources.

“The key of the future,” Nye said, “is not to do less, but to do more with less.”

Before he concluded his lecture en route to a question-answer portion of the program, Nye made a call to action to advocate for science education in schools and urged those in attendance to vote for representatives and senators who do the same.

“We can’t raise a generation of people that doesn’t accept the process of science,” Nye said.

Nye concluded the lecture to a standing ovation from the audience before going on into a 45-minute question and answer segment, during which he was asked about various topics from his views on the future of science to the origins of his enthusiasm for bowties.

PARTY continued from page 1 The evening concluded with games challenging guests to work out their blues with physical activity. Tug-o-war set the standard high with teams, causing everyone to cheer for his or her teammates. The beanbag toss was a little more challenging. The limbo dance brought smiles to guests’ faces through song and dance.

The limbo encouraged attendees to see how low they could go.

Lines of people brought the pole lower and lower until a new limbo champion was crowned: senior Psychology major Lauren Mounts.

The evening ended with more dancing, music and a glimpse of warmer weather activities. It may have been cold outside, but it was warm inside the Psi Chi’s Winter Denial Bash.

Photos by Misty Neal

It’s limbo time: Lauren Mounts, senior (far left), participates in the limbo contest held at the event. Wilson Caldwell, senior (left), poses with a palm tree, dressed up for the Hawaiin-themed party. Pascal Garoute (above) shows off his juggling skills in front of the group. Attendees enjoyed food, fun and music during the Psi Chi party.

Acclaimed author celebrates Black History Month Shaniqua Brown

hear what I had to say.”

Standing behind the podium, Hooks Newswriting Student spoke on her life experiences with becoming a children’s author. She did not decide to On Feb. 20, in the Center for Emerging become a writer until she witnessed a play that Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies her brother-in-law had produced.

Conference Center, an acclaimed writer’s “I never thought seriously about being a presentation helped set the stage for future writer,” Hooks said. “Every now and again I authors. would read and think ‘Oh, I could have written With no glitz or glams, just pure that,’ but that’s as far as it went until I actually connection with the audience, African saw someone do it. In 1995 is probably when I American author Gwendolyn Hooks, shared made the decision to write.” the value of literature of all cultures.

She endured many hardships and downfalls Hooks visited Cameron as part of the Black when trying to get her work published.

History Month celebration.

“I worked hard on many stories and articles Hooks was excited about speaking at that I thought were perfect,” she said, “but it Cameron University. Usually her audience is wasn’t perfect in their eyes.” full of chatterbox children, whereas at CU it Bebop publishers replied. was a different atmosphere.

“They promptly rejected it,” she said. “It “This was my first time speaking at wasn’t very good. That didn’t stop me from a University,” Hooks said. “I’m used to elementary schools, speaking to anxious kids. continuing on; it only motivated me to work harder. Once I read that a writer could succeed My experience here at Cameron was very if they learned their craft and were persistent. positive. Everyone seemed generally happy to

I studied other early readers and wrote five more. The editor finally accepted one, we worked on a few revisions, and I got my first book published.”

From there, Hooks published 17 more books, both fiction and non-fiction. Her writing was not poetry on paper, spoken-word or therapy over pro-tools. Her words were painted out for children to explore their world.

“I enjoy writing children’s book because I have a very young heart,” she said. “I like being around elementary students. I love being with them, they are so enthusiastic and they don’t mind showing it.”

As of right now, Hooks is focusing on writing mysteries and biographies. She is currently working on a picture book biography and a chapter book, which will hit the stores spring 2015.

“I’m currently working on the Vivien Thomas book,” she said, “and my chapter book that I hope to be a series. It is based on the museum of osteology in Oklahoma City.

I thought ‘what if there was a mystery there, what if one of the rare skeletons disappear?’

So, it’s about a little girl finding the missing skeleton to save her mother’s job.”

Sitting in the audience, students sat with their pens and pads, learning everything they could from Hooks.

Senior Communication major Ekanem Ekpenyong, said she learned to stay determined no matter the outcome.

“I learned through her stories to not give up on my dreams,” Ekenyoung said. “Her life and struggles have taught me that perseverance goes a very long way. I felt privileged to be there.”

For writers looking for answers on how to become better, Hooks explains how to gain access to that goal in life.

“Read!” She said. “Reading is the main thing. You learn so much by reading from other authors. Not because you want to copy but so you can learn different styles and techniques.”

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Trending

March 3, 2014

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The minimum wage debate MCT Campus

Livable wages and less income disparity are noble objectives that resonate with many people. President Obama has proposed that Congress raise the minimum wage as a way to meet those objectives. But there’s a better way to improve wages, assist lowincome workers and flatten the income distribution.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. is 6.6 percent. For the young, the old and many minority groups, it’s much higher.

With so many unemployed workers, the sensible economic policy would be to subsidize labor rather than raise the minimum wage. That’s because raising the minimum wage is the equivalent of taxing employers for the work done by their employees and giving the proceeds to the workers. And that works against employment, not in favor of it.

Common sense supports this. The strongest principle of economics _ demand theory _ maintains that people buy less when an item is costly and more when it is cheap. That means employers will buy less labor when wages are high and they’ll offer more employment when labor is less costly to them. The Congressional Budget Office report released Tuesday supports this view. Its nonpartisan analysts predict that the proposed increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would cost the economy 500,000 jobs.

It’s true that while some studies show the negative effect of raising the minimum wage, others show that has little or no downward impact on employment. Such contradictory results are due to the complexity of factors regarding employment.

For example, employers rarely cut jobs immediately after a minimum-wage increase. They often wait for natural attrition to lower their head counts, or they may refrain from replacing employees when they know an increase is coming.

But the absence of definitive evidence does not indicate that demand theory doesn’t apply to increasing the minimum wage.

It merely indicates that the effect is hard to measure.

Loss of jobs _ overall and over time _ isn’t the only negative effect of mandating an increase in the minimum wage. When employers must pay above-market wages, the ratio of job seekers to available jobs rises, and that allows employers to pick and choose. With more workers to pick from, employers can more easily get away with basing their hiring decisions on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disabilities or age. They also are more likely to practice legal forms of discrimination: When faced with

many job candidates, employers tend to hire the most experienced workers. That means those just starting out remain unemployed.

Worse, they lose the opportunity to build the work experience needed to obtain better jobs.

Proponents of mandating higher minimum wages believe that higher wages can help level the lopsided income distribution in America. Obviously, it would raise the incomes of minimum-wage employees. But to some extent this benefit would be offset as other workers lose their jobs or work fewer hours. The increased labor costs that companies would pass on to consumers in the form of high product prices also would offset raised incomes. And some minimum-wage employers, whose customers can’t afford to pay higher prices, would fail, again offsetting gains with lost jobs.

What’s a better way? Do away with minimum wages altogether and institute wage subsidies. The government should give vouchers to unemployed workers seeking low-income jobs. Those vouchers would provide wage subsidies to employers who hire them. The subsidies would be based on the wages that the employers offer, with the greatest subsidies going to the lowest-wage jobs.

The subsidies would lower labor costs, thereby increasing the number of jobs employers offer to low-income workers. Wages earned overall by the poor would increase, more young people would get jobs and gain valuable work experience, fewer people would be on the streets, fragile businesses could thrive and new companies would start up. More jobs also would reduce welfare grants and increase payroll taxes, which could help fund the subsidies. Everyone would be better off as the subsidies lowered product prices and increased production.

To some extent, the government already has a wage subsidy plan; it’s called the earned income tax credit. It lowers the income taxes of low-income workers. For those who make so little that they don’t owe income tax, the credit provides income subsidies. An increase in this credit also would flatten the income distribution.

But the earned income tax credit does not help those who are unemployed. Wage vouchers are a better policy than the earned income tax credit because they immediately and obviously lower the cost of employing workers, so the number of jobs increases and the unemployment rate drops.

Legislating an increase in the minimum wage is the quintessential example of an unfunded government mandate. It’s identical to a simultaneous tax and income transfer program. It unwisely taxes employers who create jobs, and it unfairly subsidizes only lowincome workers who have jobs. Subsidizing wages would be much better for the economy than raising the minimum wage.

Linked In, Facebook demonstrate professional prescence online Kali Robinson

cater to businesses and marketers such as pop-up also are indirect - sometimes even direct - sources ads that appear in users’ Timelines and requests of income for many. As is the case with many Assistant Managing Editor to ‘like’ companies based on key demographics. marketing organizations, Public Relations On Feb. 4, Facebook users worldwide According to multiple peer-reviewed articles become essential. celebrated the top ten start up company’s decade and research projects, such as Social media In an interview with Savannah Guthrie of success with their personalized ‘Facebook metrics - A framework and guidelines for on Today, Zuckerberg said “I always thought movie’. As a gift to users, Facebook created a managing social media, display that “Social that was this incredibly important thing to ‘Look Back’ video including images of previous media are becoming have happen. But I just never Social media are posts including first statuses, most liked posts ubiquitous and need to be thought that we’d be the ones and important life events of each of millions managed like all other forms fundamentally different to help do it. And, you know, of users. This reminder that Facebook has of media that organizations from any traditional when I look back over the last integrated its way into our daily communication employ to meet their goals. ten years one of the questions or other online media that I ask myself is why were we is also a reflection of the paradigm shift that has “However, social media occurred in social media over the past ten years. are fundamentally different because of their social the ones to help do this? And Despite the previous prestige of the from any traditional or other I think a lot of what it comes Zuckerberg empire, Facebook is not in the same online media because of their network structure and down to is – we just cared egalitarian nature. category of social media as it was when it began social network structure and more.” in February of 2004. Throughout multiple egalitarian nature. These In March of 2008, - Social Media Metrics changes in privacy settings and advertising differences require a distinct Zuckerberg was named the policies, the global enterprise has transformed measurement approach as a prerequisite for youngest self-made billionaire by Forbes. In Dec. from a networking site for friends and co-workers proper analysis and subsequent management.”

2010, he was named Time Magazine’s person of to a marketing breeding ground. Along with This means that not only are Internet and the year. product placement based on recently visited sites, mobile platforms of speech specifically targeted According to Molly Cain in an article on Facebook has added more features that directly by marketers and corporate organizations, but Forbes called “The 8 things you do wrong on

LinkedIn,” “If this hasn’t happened to you in an interview, don’t think it hasn’t happened in one shape or form. Because even if you don’t witness them doing it, I can almost guarantee they do indeed Google you.

“What are they looking for? Not your Facebook page (although if you do not have that blocked, they will definitely enjoy the read). Not your dating profile (if they did, that‘s actually über creepy).

“Instead, what they’re looking for is your online professional presence ... For many (and I dare say, most) professions, an online professional profile will only help you. And until someone rolls in with something better, the best place to go to build one is LinkedIn.” This means cleaning up reputations by deleting, altering or somehow removing any possibly harmful information. Although this may differ from career to career, it exists and has become a reality for many social media users.

As technology has evolved, social constructs have been created and may not be ‘social’ for Generation Y.

The real angry birds are the ones no longer flapping Jacob Jardel Staff Editor

With the touch of a screen and a scream of frustration, the mobile game “Flappy Bird” has tapped its way into the public consciousness.

However, creator Dong Nguyen pulled the game from app stores on Feb. 9, creating a crash to get the game before it made its way off the pipeline.

The game, which features a bird that users have to tap to keep afloat as it meanders through pipes, blew up to fad status when users took to the internet to proclaim its fun and its difficulty.

It trended for weeks on Twitter, garnering praise from fans. When Nguyen tweeted his intentions on Feb. 8 to take the game down within a day fans reacted even more.

“I am sorry ‘Flappy Bird’ users,” Nguyen said, “22 hours from now, I will take ‘Flappy Bird’ down. I cannot take this anymore.”

Many speculations arose upon this announcement as to why Nguyen came to this decision. For example, one potential answer was found in the numerous threats of violence and death for making a game difficult enough to evoke

Photos courtesy of MCT Campus

vitriol from those playing the game.

There are speculations that legal issues could have made this decision, since the environment of the game hearkens to Nintendo’s famous “Super Mario Bros.” franchise, with green pipes at the forefront of the screen. Nguyen denied this accusation on Twitter.

“It is not anything related to legal issues,” his tweet read. “I just cannot keep it anymore.”

Though the game was

making Nguyen upwards of $50,000 per day, he still felt the compulsion to pull the game in the swift and unexpected manner it entered public vernacular.

Nevertheless, his tweets clarified his intentions to rid himself of the game and continue with other mobile game endeavors.

“I also don’t sell ‘Flappy Bird,’” Nguyen said, following up with “And I still make games.”

putting it down for an extended period of time.

Further, the concept of a high score gives a player a sort of incentive to keep playing. The phrase “If I could just get one more pipe” gives motivation to the player to strive further into frustration and eventual glory.

However, while I see its addiction factor, I do not find the appeal of it outside of the fun sound effects and interesting ways the bird can crash. Others, however, tend to disagree if the public uproar is indicative of anything.

Personally, though, I think part of the disappointment on the fun factor came from how much the Internet built it up.

As a frequent user of the social network Tumblr, I saw numerous memetic mutations While Nguyen will not sell Economics could explain the of the game and the rancor the game himself, many mobile reasons for price jumps. Using it caused over its difficulty throughout numerous text gamers who have kept the game the principles of supply and on their phones took to the demand, the lack of the game posts and photo blocks. I guess internet to do just that. Phones on the market could have lead my expectations were too high with “Flappy Bird” installed on to the exorbitant demand and going into playing the game them have reached bids near prices paid to get too the game. itself.

All being said, I can see why $100,000 on sites like eBay. Author’s Opinion the game can be as addicting Everything about “Flappy As for the game itself, from as it is and why people cannot Bird,” from its popularity to my brief time playing it, I can seem to quit it. However, the price people are willing see how it can be addicting. to pay to play it, shared one The simple concept and design when it comes to the game’s characteristic: a sudden rise paired with the ease of jumping popularity, I think the fad just from out of nowhere. in and out could leave someone flew over my head.

But why? coming back to it, even after

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Voices

March 3, 2014

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Only you can prevent retail chaos Kaitlyn Stockton Copy Editor

A few weeks ago, I arrived at work to find our glass door shattered.

While robbery immediately crossed my mind, I was surprised to hear the actual cause of the damage. A customer threw a glass candleholder at the door because we refused to give him a cash refund for $1.09.

After spending almost three years in this job and in retail, I wish I could say this was a rare occasion. But, it isn’t. It is every day.

Welcome to the world of retail.

If you have never ventured to this magical land before, it is one full of empty cases of makeup, half-eaten candy bars and other wonderful surprises.

Each day, I come home from work with the newest scent of whatever can of soup spilt on me, the latest being beef stew. I find myself getting softer skin from finding used bottles of lotion in the food section. I exercise by recovering the store and retrieving frozen food from the toys section.

Each day, I wake up at 5 a.m. to do it all over again.

From the counterfeit bills to people keying display Valentine’s Day balloons, I have come to hate my job.

Customers have yelled at, reprimanded and hit on me. I have had a customer complain about me for not selling her favorite brand of sugar-free cookies or selling her non-American items. Whether it be a woman cursing at me because I made her pay taxes, a woman arguing with me over coupons or a woman carrying a baseball bat, I have experienced it all and have tried to smile through each of them.

I remember the time a man broke his Even after being held at gunpoint, I windshield in the parking lot, leaving me to continued my job. clean it up.

But now, with the possibility of leaving my I remember the time a little boy handed home of the last three years, I feel sad, even me a flower and jumped up and down after I almost nostalgic.

I will miss the regulars, the people who know my name and ask me how school is going. I even will miss the odd customers, the ones who pay with dimes and nickels or bring in baby foxes that I get to hold.

I will miss the cakes and donuts that my boss buys for our birthdays and our early morning hot chocolate trips. I will miss signing memos where I promise not to partake in the Harlem Shake while working. I will miss listening to the old lady managers getting into arguments about the smallest details.

While this job has showed me the worst in people – customers cutting elderly women in line or thieves having their children steal for them – I have also seen the best in people.

I have seen people pay for each other’s tabs or pray for each other in line. I have seen customers run to give another a forgotten bag of groceries.

I have had some of the best customers, those that ask for a copy of every “OKIE” or anything else that I write. One gentleman even gave me $20 as an early graduation present.

Although I will be thrilled the day I can finally say I have left retail, I will miss the wonderful MCT Campus family of co-workers and customers that I have made through a dollar accepted the gift. store. Even though I will continue I remember the time I cried and hugged my to complain and post rants on Facebook about boss after the robber ran away. the retail world, I have come to love my home I cannot imagine leaving my work family away from home, even the wooden door in or the customers who greet me at every shift. place of our shattered entrance.

Discussing LGBTQ: A matter of morality and rights Casey Brown Copy Editor

We are told change is slow and that it comes in increments.

We are also told to be patient and to wait. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer equal rights movement is no exception to these clichés.

The movement sees one step forward in the form of a favorable legal judgment, and then takes two steps back with the proposal of such bills as the anti-gay segregation bill that was proposed in Kansas and the bill that would allow for discrimination in Arizona that has passed its legislature.

There are fundamental and philosophical differences between the two camps, but why has there been such an increase in backlash against the equality movement lately?

These two bills are unnecessarily harsh. Thankfully, the Kansas bill did not pass, but we are still waiting to hear whether or not the bill in Arizona will be vetoed or not.

They would both hurt more people than they would help.

More to the point, they would be hurtful to the American way of life. Many people on the anti-equality side argue homosexuality is against good old American values. However, laws that open the door for segregation and discrimination are a threat to freedom, which would hurt the entire country. They would punish more than the LGBTQ community.

Overall, the question is whether or not every human being deserves to be treated as a human being and have all of the rights and freedoms that come with being an American citizen or not. I’m arguing equality is more important than the belief that homosexuality is a sin.

Whether or not it is a sin, which it isn’t (but explaining why About Us The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution The first issue is provided free of charge. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Our Views The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board.

The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.

Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.

people have misread and misinterpreted the Bible to come to that conclusion is a topic for a different editorial), doesn’t explain why it isn’t, on the other hand, a sin to treat people like second-class citizens.

As a country, we have been through this time and time again, but have not yet learned the lesson that it isn’t morally right to discriminate, hate, or otherwise mistreat an entire group of people. The anti-equality side argues that this is a moral argument.

I’m making the same argument by saying that it is morally reprehensible to do anything other than fully support equality for the LGBTQ community.

This is a moral issue because it involves human beings.

People who argued blacks shouldn’t have the vote or that women didn’t deserve equal rights across the board used some of the same arguments that are today being used against the LGBTQ community.

The problem is that while philosophies and ideologies are intangible and fluid, they affect actual people and their lives in the tangible world.

Without a shift in the paradigm of this type of thinking that

it is acceptable to argue that any group of people are less than others, this same type of situation will keep cropping up in this country.

Like I said, we’ve been through it before, and after we get through this, it will happen again, if something bigger doesn’t happen. Some shift in the paradigm of American cultural thinking is necessary.

This isn’t a “values” argument because each American has his or her own values; thus, there isn’t really such a thing as “American values” in the sense that we share the same opinions on value issues like same-sex marriage.

We might find common ground in areas like the American Dream. Isn’t it a part of the American Dream to have a happy family? Without the option to marry, same-sex couples across this great land do not get the same amount of the American Dream as other Americans.

So, instead of taking one step forward and two steps back, I hope that bigger changes can occur like how we talk about this issue. It isn’t a values issue; it is a moral one. Remember, it is morally wrong to ask people to wait for equality and basic human rights, which are inherent to the human existence.

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

Letters Policy

COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Kaylee Jones Asst. Managing Editor - Kali Robinson A&E Editor - Sadie Jones Sports Editor - Charlene Belew Copy Editors - Kaitlyn Stockton, Casey Brown Aggie Central Editor- Jack McGuire Archivist - Jack McGuire

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Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length.

Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks.

All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification.

Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.

5

A&E

March 3, 2014

www.aggiecentral.com

A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come

Photo by Eric Abbott

Action: Theatre students perform Macbeth at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 and at 2 p.m.

Feb. 23 in the University Theatre.

Kali Robinson

is fair: / Hover through Assistant Managing Editor the fog and filthy air,” they chanted.

“A desert place.”

On the weekend of Lights dimmed on Feb. 20-23, Cameron an eerie stage as smoke University’s Department billowed from opening of Theatre Arts performed doors. Three witches, William Shakespeare’s painted in black ritualistic “Macbeth” at the University symbols and mud, crawled Theatre. and slithered from the dark.

Leah Mazur, cast as Lady “Fair is foul, and foul Macbeth, said it was fun

A look back:

making the production.

“Dr. Onishi is a fantastic director,” Mazur said. “She definitely did a great job with the cast. You should thank her.”

Onishi, who has directed six plays this season including this rendition of one of Shakespeare’s four greatest tragedies, gave her praises to the hard work of

the cast and crew.

“Everyone worked very hard on it from props to scenery to the actors to the musician,” Onishi said. “We had a trumpet player play, so that was very nice.”

Onishi explained a lot of the special effects, including a moving cauldron – on one of the witches’ entrances and table with chairs – for Macbeth’s dinner - were all in the original Shakespeare.

“MacBeth was a big one,” Onishi said. “This was done at court. At court, they had a lot of money to spend on special effects.

So, they obviously did not have computers. But they had something like that … something resembling a projection.”

The director said the cast overcame many obstacles to perfect their roles.

“I think what took the most time was to get the language to a point where people could understand it. Shakespeare’s phrasing is a lot different than modern day language. So, getting them to learn all the intonation and the

rhythm of the scenes took a lot of time,” Onishi said.

“And then the other thing that took a lot of time was for them to discover their characters, to figure out ‘who am I as a person?’ not just as someone saying lines. Once it starts happening, especially for the experienced actors, then it becomes natural to add in those things.

“I think that one of the most ingenious moments is when Macduff laughed,” Onishi said. “That laugh before he revealed that he was untimely ripped from his mother. Just genius. It was a good move.”

Dillon Bittner, the costume designer for “Macbeth,” explained the process of designing the style of garments for the production.

“If you’re very familiar, you will know where it’s from. If you’re not, you’ll at least know it’s early Middle Ages due to the fact that it’s not very fancy,” Bittner said.

None of it’s very fancy. It’s tunics, leggings and boots.”

Just because some of the

garments were simpler does not mean it was a quicker process. Bittner said simply the fact that there were around 20 people in the cast made the process at least a month long.

“The witches took enough time in themselves … making them look distressed and torn apart,” Bittner said. “[Onishi] wanted to go with a more classic witch living in the bogs type of thing and I said ‘Okay, I will take that.

“They have lived in these bogs, these woods, these caves forever. So, their garments would be torn, distressed and tattered.

Since they’re into magic and stuff, I decided they would put alchemical symbols across their bodies for rituals or something and then just leave their hair wild because they are living in the wild. I think one woman had a rat in hers. It was just stuff to make them look like they were out there in the wild instead of living in civilization for thousands of years or something.”

The life and career of Hollywood sweetheart Carson Stringham

At the age world of foreign politics. She became a United MCT Campus of 17, Black States representative in the United Nations, Staff Writer married and acted as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic Americans recently lost a member of Hollywood royalty. started a of Ghana and Czechoslovakia and was the While many of today’s youth may not even know who she family. She first woman to be the U.S. Chief of Protocol. was, Shirley Temple Black’s life spanned almost a century, continued In 1972, Black was once again in the public taking her from the silver screen to a life of public service as to make eye; she had decided to publicly announce a United States Ambassador. movies for a diagnosis with breast cancer and share that Black, better known as Shirley Temple, was born on couple more she was to have a mastectomy.

April 23, 1928, and was the youngest of three children. years, but From that point on, she became a crusader She lived with her father, mother and two siblings in Santa eventually for breast cancer awareness, encouraging Monica, Calif. left her women to talk frankly with their doctors and At age three, Black started taking dance lessons; it was acting career preaching about early detection and treatment this love of dance that would help jumpstart her career in behind in of the disease. the movies. favor of Black encouraged: “Don’t sit at home At age four, Black began appearing in Hollywood being a fulland be afraid. Go to the doctor and get it pictures, slowly earning a name for herself and quickly time wife checked.” becoming America’s favorite little darling. She was a true and mother. of people like Black. triple threat: her acting was adorable, she could carry a She In a world where the public gives more tune and her feet could tap with the best in the business, divorced her attention to young celebrities who act including Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. first husband inappropriately, one tends to forget that in After signing with Fox Studios, Black became a after four each one of those stars lies the potential for household name. years of greatness and a chance to mentor and inspire Throughout her career, she became famous for playing marriage. She then married Charles Black in 1950. The the next generation of dreamers. spunky characters who always did the right thing, even if couple had two more children. Black would return to Black’s message for the youth of today is this: “Be brave it meant getting into trouble with adult authority figures. the bright lights of the entertainment industry in 1958, and clear. Follow your heart and don’t be overly influenced She played the title character of such classics as “Heidi,” but with her own television series, “Shirley Temple’s by outside factors. Be true to yourself.”

‘Little Miss January,” “The Littlest Rebel” and “The Little Storybook.” The show ran until 1961.

All information and quotes come directly from the Princess.”

Once she moved out of the spotlight, Black entered the Official Shirley Temple Website, www.shirleytemple.com.

Writing students excel in their craft Sadie Jones A&E Editor

Cameron University’s English Department of Foreign Languages offers several degree opportunities for students.

One of the options available for English majors is a focus in Creative Writing.

Within the department, young writers are educated, challenged and encouraged by their professors. As a result, CU students within the Creative Writing program have been recognized and rewarded not only at CU but also from job recruiters and other universities across the state.

Assistant Professor of English and Foreign Languages Bayard Godsave said students who participate every spring in The Scissor Tail Creative Writing Festival always do very well.

“Faculty members from other universities are starting to recognize that we have really good students,” Godsave said.

“The Graduate programs in Oklahoma City are also really interested in our Creative Writing students. It’s really a testament to our students — they’re all very dedicated.”

According to CU’s Creative Writing Track Mission Statement, “the program is designed for students who want to focus on writing fiction, poetry, and/or creative nonfiction. Students within CU’s Creative Writing program have had great success in being admitted to graduate school and have had their work published in a variety of regional and national venues.”

Godsave said CU has an excellent Creative Writing program where students are educated in different forms and styles of writing.

“We offer several different options for students,” Godsave said. “They don’t have to take only fiction classes or only poetry classes — they can take some from each. One of the degree requirements is that students must take professionally geared writing classes, so when they graduate, there may be more opportunities for them.”

In addition to the Scissor Tail Writing Festival, competitions are also held at CU for students to enter their work, including the Leigh Holmes Creative Nonfiction Prose Award, John G. Morris

Poetry Prize and Matt P. Haag Scholarship.

“Sometimes CU professors judge the contests, but sometimes outside writers do,” Godsave said. “But everyone is always really impressed with the work that we get. We’ve also had students be published in magazines, both Oklahoma based and national magazines.”

A large number of students who graduate with a degree in creative writing go on to graduate school, professional writing jobs and some even teach at CU while pursing higher education.

“We currently have graduates who are writing professionally for publications,” he said.

Godsave said many students are drawn to the program from their love for reading and desire to simulate their favorite authors and styles.

Courses offered within the department and employment opportunities for undergraduates give students ways to do just that.

Senior English Creative Writing major Sara Rios is currently at CU doing what she loves — writing. Her passion, drive and coursework have

allowed her to broaden her style.

“I write stories and poems mainly,” Rios said, “but I work for the Cameron based online magazine, ‘The Oklahoma Review,’ as an editor.”

Rios finds interest in the underground world of creative writing. She said she likes to make the bizarre seem normal.

Throughout Rios’s experience at Cameron, her writing ability has grown.

“In the writing community, there are people who discourage new writers because they don’t know the how to write well, but I’ve definitely learned a lot being here,” she said. “I’ve seen myself grow from my first class and my first story.”

The writer said her most challenging class was a novel class where she wrote a 60 page story.

“I had no idea what I was doing, and it was completely different than anything else I’ve ever had to write,” Rios said.

Rios plans to continue as an editor and write on the side.

She said the English Department has instilled in her a love for writing and she has excelled in several writing forms.

6

Sports

March 3, 2014

www.aggiecentral.com

Aggie tennis takes two from Metro Jacob Jardel

Photos by Krista Pylant

Staff Editor

Cameron University’s tennis teams helped head coach James Helvey reach a milestone.

With two wins against Metro State on Feb. 22 in Lawton, head Coach James Helvey reached his 700th career win as a coach. The women’s match against the Roadrunners was officially win number 700, but the men added 701 with their win against Metro.

Head coach James Helvey commented that, no matter the circumstance, the main point of playing is getting the victory.

“I could win them all, or I could win 5-4,” Helvey said.

“But the end result is that it still gets the ‘W.’ I constantly tell my team that everybody wants to play perfect, and I was just pleased to get the win.”

The Lady Aggies, ranked 35th in the nation and 4th in the region, improved to 4-0 on the season with the 7-2 victory, winning all but one singles match and one doubles match.

Despite sophomore Angie Torres’ loss in straight sets (6-2, 6-1), Cameron accumulated five wins in singles competition. Freshman Samantha Wood came back after losing the first set 3-6 to win the next two sets 6-2 and 6-0.

The other singles wins came in straight sets. Freshman Paula Gutierrez-Casas (7-6, 6-2), senior Florencia Tornero (6-3, 6-1) and freshman Laura Roberts (6-3, 6-1) all swept their matches. Senior Amanda Moberg shut out her opponent, winning both sets 6-0.

Helvey made note of Gutierrez-Casas and Wood’s performances on the day, praising their ability to come back to win their matches.

“Paula Gutierrez and Samantha Wood came up big for me on Saturday,” he said.

“They turned their matches around and got them. They could have easily let the match go and gotten beat. But they stayed with their matches.”

In doubles competition, Wood and Torres lost a

close 8-6 match against their opponents from Metro State. However, Cameron sealed Helvey’s 700th win with doubles victories from Gutierrez-Casas/Tornero (8-1)

and Kovinic/Moberg (8-0).

After the women’s team sealed the coach’s milestone, the men’s team went to work against a Roadrunner team ranked fifth in the region. The

Aggies, ranked 15th in the nation and 1st in the region, came out of a close duel with a 5-4 victory, improving to 5-3 this season.

Helvey reiterated his point

on winning being winning, but also mentioned that his team was short-handed for its match against the Roadrunners.

“We went 5-4, but we didn’t have one of our top players in

Coach Helvey celebrates 700 wins Jacob Jardel

accomplishment were important, he did acknowledge one match in 2008 as his favorite.

Staff Editor “The number one match that will stand out to me was when When men’s and women’s tennis coach James Helvey started we were ranked sixth in the nation and we were going against coaching, he set many goals for himself.

Abilene Christian, who was ranked number ten or eleven in the However, on Feb. 22, he reached one milestone he did not nation,” Helvey said. “They had a really good team. We played plan on when he started coaching over 20 years ago. When them in the conference final, and we beat them 5-0 on their court the Lady Aggies tennis team defeated Metro State 7-2, Helvey in their facility in front of their fans.” earned his 700th career win.

“That is a very tough place to play,” he said. “Of all the places According to Helvey, the credit for this milestone goes to his I’ve played in my 24 years, the ACU Tennis Facility is the players, past and present. toughest to play. We took them down and took them out. That “They’re the ones that did it,” he said. “Yes, I did pick them was a great day.” and recruit them; but they’re the ones that did all the work, and I Despite looking back on fond memories, Helvey said his focus give them all the credit for that.” for the future is still on the match ahead of him.

He also credited the team for the celebration that occurred “I’ve had somebody joke with me about getting to 800,” he upon earning number 700. said. “Then someone said to me that they want to see me get to “My team this past week had a great time with that. They 1000. That’s another decade away probably, and I’m not even sure wanted to celebrate. They dumped a big jug of ice water on me,” what I may even be doing then. I just want to keep winning.”

Helvey said.

For the long run, Helvey mentioned that he has met almost all He had no qualms about the team’s choice of celebration, a of his goals that he set. However, there are two that he wants to jovial pay back for grueling practices. meet before he retires.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” he said. “As many laps and “I’ve met almost every one of my goals that I’ve set over 20 miles I’ve let them run and as many sprints they’ve run, that gives years ago,” he said, “but I’ve always wanted to be able to take them a little fun back at me. I’m a good sport, and I enjoy it.” two teams to nationals at Helvey, who started his career at Texas Wesleyan University, the same time. I’d Graphic by reached this milestone behind consistent teams throughout the love to be able to CU Sports years. accomplish that this Information and Charlene “I’ve always wanted to be consistent,” he said. “I don’t year. Also, [I want] Belew necessarily have to be number one at the top all of the time, to have both teams but I want my team to consistently be at the top or near the top ranked number one in without falling. That was always very important to me, and I’ve the region at the same always applied that to myself every year for 24 years.” time.”

Helvey took pride in his consistency both on the tennis courts “Other and in recruiting. than that, “I’ve been able to play about a thousand matches, and I’ve got [I want to] 700 of them in my back pocket. It means I’m consistent. And I’m keep bringing proud of myself for being able to find good people,” he said.” in good After reaching this milestone, Helvey is close to reaching a people and goal he wanted for himself at the start of his career. just enjoying “I always told myself, when I do retire some day from coaching coaching, I want to be able to say I’ve got twice as many wins as I tennis and have losses. I’m right about that ratio.” having fun,” Though he mentioned that all of his wins en route to this Helvey said.

the lineup. We probably would have won the match 7-2 if he would have been in the lineup.

But it doesn’t matter,” Helvey said.

The Black and Gold took four of the six matches of the day in spite of bookending losses from sophomore Dennis Merdan (6-0, 6-3) and freshman Joakim Persson (6-0, 6-3). Freshman Felipe Oyarzun (7-6, 6-2), sophomore Joao Fazendeiro (6-3, 6-2), junior Angelo Lencioni (6-0, 6-3) and junior Dean Weigelt (6-3, 6-3) all pulled Cameron ahead with straight-set victories.

The Roadrunners brought the match to a draw. The team of Merdan and Fazendeiro lost their match 8-6 while Weigelt and sophomore Andres Velasco lost 8-4.

Lencioni and Oyarzun were able to clinch the win for the Aggies after defeating their opponents 8-4.

Helvey was able to celebrate a good win from both of his teams, but he also made sure the teams kept their focus for the road ahead.

“When we finished on Saturday, I pulled my team together and said we’ve got to get back to business. We just go match by match,” he said.

According to Helvey, this match-by-match process has been his mindset all year to reach his main goal for the season: nationals.

“Our number one goal is to make it to the national tournament,” he said. “That means winning regionals and making regional play. That’s constantly my focus every single day. It takes a steady, consistent work ethic to do that.”

Lady Aggies win three of four in Canyon, Texas Charlene Belew

Right fielder Kolbee Gray scored on an error in the fourth. Cameron Sports Editor continued into the fifth with another The Lady Aggies went head to head with Newman University score when Zukerman doubled to and Texas A&M International University on Feb. 21 – 22. right center and brought in Martini On Feb. 21, CU competed in a double header against the with an unearned score. Cameron saw Newman Jets, winning the first match with a score of 7-2 and the last two scores of the game in the falling in the second match with a score of 8-6. On Feb. 22, top of the sixth when McKay singled Cameron went against the Dustdevils, winning the double header to shortstop, allowing Burk and with scores of 5-4 and 10-1.

Allerheiligen to score.

In the first game against the Jets, Cameron led off the bottom This brought the score to 6-6. of the first with one run. Center fielder Misty Dooley scored when However, Newman came back in the second baseman Macy McKay singled up the middle. Newman bottom of the sixth with two more came back in the top of the second with one run. scores, taking the win from Cameron In the third, the Aggies brought in five runs, raising the score by two runs. to 6-1. Dooley hit a ground-rule double down the left field line, At 1 p.m. on Feb. 22, CU went allowing catcher Makenzie Burk a score. Junior left fielder Tara against A&M International. The Martini then doubled to left center, bringing Dooley into home Dustdevils led the first and second plate. Head softball coach Rodney DeLong said he was proud of innings, bringing in two runs in the his team’s strong rally. first and one in the second.

“It was a good rally,” DeLong said. “We did it against a good In the top of the third, A&M pitcher. I was happy that we figured her out and started hitting International brought in one more the ball really well late in that game [and] figured out how to get a run. However, in the bottom of the win.” third, Burk scored off of McKay’s single. To finish off the third, First baseman Sonora Zukerman continued the lead in the McKay scored. bottom of the third when she tripled to right field, allowing In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Aggies brought in one Martini to score. Freshman pinch hitter Paige Daino hit a single, more run when Burk singled, allowing McComas to advance to for Zukerman to score. Finally, to finish the third inning, Daino third. Daino scored, unearned. scored when right fielder Breezy McComas tripled into right In the the sixth, Cameron brought in two more runs. center.

McComas scored off of Burk’s sacrifice hit into right field. Dooley Newman scored in the top of the fourth. A sixth inning single brought in the last run of the game when McKay singled, bringing from shortstop Carly Allerheiligen allowed McComas to make it the win in with a score of 5-4. home. This secured the win for CU in the first game with a score In the second game against the Dustdevils, the Aggies brought of 7-2. in a strong win with a score of 10-1. CU led the top of the third In the second game against the Jets, Cameron led the top of the inning with three runs. Dooley scored off of Martini’s double into first inning with two runs. Martini hit a homerun into right field, center field. To finish the first inning, McComas hit a homerun bringing McKay into home plate with her. In the bottom of the into right field, bringing Martini into home plate with her. second inning, Newman came back with two runs, tying the score.

The Aggies continued the lead into the top of the third They continued strong into the bottom of the third with four more inning. McComas hit her second homerun of the game into left runs against Cameron. center field, bringing Zukerman in to score with her. DeLong

Photo courtesy of CU Sports Information

commented that McComas executed her homeruns well.

“She stayed inside the ball really well and hit two pitches that were high in the zone and the wind was blowing out. She had a good approach and a good result because of it,” DeLong said.

In the fourth, Cameron scored three more runs while A&M International brought in their first and only score of the game.

Freshman Carley Rains scored two runs off of Burk’s single to the pitcher in the fifth. To finish the game, Gray ran home when Dooley doubled into left field, bringing the score to 10-1.

DeLong said that the Lady Aggies are a dedicated team with high motivation and determination.

“These girls want to win. They enjoy winning and their tough and their scrappy and they put up a fight,” DeLong said. “It’s like a roller coaster, there are ups and there are downs. So far we’ve had more ups than downs, but it’s a marathon not a race so we’ve got to continue to get better and stay healthy. We can’t waste any games.

We’ve got tough games ahead and every win is a positive.”