The Daily Mississippian | February 15, 2024

THE

Daily

MISSISSIPPIAN

Thursday, February 15, 2024

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Volume 112, No. 18

MANY STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES IN FOUR YEARS. Why? “I think BRYNN BATES

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A

s the saying goes, “College is the best four years of your life,” but it’s taking longer than that for many students to complete their undergraduate degrees. Between the pressure for students to stack their resumes with activities outside the classroom and the struggle to enroll in the basic required courses, graduating in four years has become a daunting and expensive task.

Over the past 10 years, the number of fifth-year students at the University of Mississippi has slowly decreased.

The class of 2024, however, has 150 more fifth-year graduates than the class of 2023.

According to University Marketing and Communications, first-time, full-time students graduate in 4.5 years, on average. For degrees designed to be completed in four years, students have access to a degree sheet that plots exactly which courses they need to take to complete their major in four years, from their first semester as a freshman through their senior year.

So, what are the factors working against students completing their degrees in four years?

Sophomore pre-nursing major Michaela Michaelis said that with the growing student population, registering for the classes she needs is becoming more problematic.

there are a combination of things that often interfere with those plans.

Socioeconomic status, time management and failure to set goals are among contributors that we often encounter with our students.”

- Pamela Norwood

ERIN FOLEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

academic adviser in the criminal justice and legal studies programs

SEE 4 YEAR DEGREE PAGE 2

TIPPING CULTURE Many UM students have jobs in the food service industry. What does the conversation on tipping culture sound like in a college town like Oxford?

SEE PAGE 7

OLE MISS x ‘SURVIVOR’ From the football field to the track and now to a field of 17 other contestants competing for a $1 million grand prize: Ole Miss’ very own Quintavius “Q” Burdette is set to appear on “Survivor 46.”

SEE PAGE 10 GRAPHICS: MILO GILDEA

No medical card needed: the loophole high JACK CLEMENTS

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The 1960s and 70s are over, and marijuana is here to stay — even in Mississippi.

Two years after the state rolled out its medical marijuana program, a new type of cannabis is sweeping the market in Oxford. Advertised as a legal high, tetrahydrocannabinol acid, or THC-A, is sold in several local smoke shops to

people aged 21 and over.

Not to be confused with THC, the primary appeal of THC-A is that it can be bought without a state-issued medical marijuana card.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the federally regulated compound in marijuana. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, THC is believed to be the main ingredient that produces cannabis’s psychoactive effect.

The federal Agricultural Improvement

Act of 2018, commonly known as the Farm Bill, classified cannabis flower containing 0.3% or less THC by weight as hemp, and legalized it. This opened the door for derivative products such as Delta-8 THC to be synthesized and sold.

THC-A cannabis flower also fits into this category as it contains 0.3% or less THC. Leading the charge in Oxford’s legal, non-medicinal weed game is shopkeeper James Funk.

Funk owns Slackers Supply, a smoke shop he opened 14 years ago when he was 22 years old. Slackers is known for selling high-quality incense, glassware and now THC-A cannabis flower.

Funk explained how THC-A is synthesized.

“The biggest difference is a two-month grow cycle versus a six-month grow cycle,” Funk said.

If cannabis is harvest-

SEE THC-A PAGE 3

PAGE 2 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

UM library champions textbook affordability DENTON JENKINS

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College is not cheap. In addition to tuition, housing and the cost of everyday living, students face the additional charge of purchasing textbooks and school supplies each semester.

However, the J.D. Williams Library is working toward offering free e-book copies of required textbooks, a move they hope will help ease students’ frustration and pocketbooks.

According to the University of Mississippi’s Office of Financial Aid, textbooks and supplies are estimated to cost undergraduate students approximately $1,200 per year. Many students have expressed frustration about not only high textbook prices, but how often they end up using their required texts.

“Sometimes when teachers ask for textbooks and they don’t use (them), it’s frustrating,” Reece Nighswander, a sophomore mathematics major, said. “My calculus class last year asked us to get the textbook, and then we also had to get the online version. So, it was almost $300 for the class.

But there are certain classes like Spanish where you have to use it. Sometimes it just has more value than others.”

Attempting to raise awareness about the issue of textbook affordability, the library

4 YEAR DEGREE

continued from page 1

In the past couple of years, Ole Miss has admitted record-breaking numbers of first-year students.

“Many classes that I need to take are at the same time or are completely full by the time my registration window opens,” Michaelis said.

“I have classes that are prerequisites of others, and I cannot take them because of this, making it so hard to book a full schedule of courses.”

Advisers often cannot do much about her situation, Michaelis said.

Pamela Norwood, one of two academic advisers in the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies programs, shared her perspective on the issue.

“I think there are a combination of things that often interfere with those plans,” Norwood said. “Socioeconomic status, time management and failure to set goals are among contributors that we often encounter with our students.”

Many students elect to take summer and winter intersession courses as a way to keep on track.

Norwood said she views taking intersession courses as “a means of students being intentional about their goals” and being able to accomplish them in a 4-year period.

Melissa Bass is an associate professor and undergraduate coordinator in the Department of Public Policy Leadership, where on aver-

held an event on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with faculty from across campus to discuss ways of finding alternative textbooks that would cost less for students.

“Our target audience was faculty,” Elizabeth Batte, organizer of the event and outreach and strategic initiatives librarian, said. “We wanted to see which faculty are interested in affordability, because at the end of the day they are the ones making the decisions on the textbooks required for their courses.”

Although there are some exceptions, many professors are able to follow departmental guidelines and still choose required reading at their own discretion.

“How textbooks are chosen varies depending upon who is teaching the course, the subject of the course, what accreditation requirements there may be and other factors,” Batte said. “In most cases, faculty are choosing the required textbooks, but these same factors can still impact their choices.”

Batte explained that many professors from departments like engineering, Southern studies and writing and rhetoric expressed interest in finding new textbooks for their courses.

“There were a lot of faculty members who came to that conversation who were like, ‘I am just using this book because it is the only one I

have,’” Batte said. “We were able to have good conversations on Tuesday with faculty who were looking for alternatives because they care about affordability for students.”

While finding cost-efficient textbook alternatives was a priority at the event, Batte also explained an innovative way the library is aiming to purchase e-book copies of required textbooks and to make them available to students for free.

“If the required textbooks were available through our e-book provider, we would purchase them,” Batte said.

“What we are looking for is an e-book copy that would have unlimited usages so that we make one purchase and every student needing the book in the future will have access to the e-book through the library catalog for free.”

Batte clarified that this effort would be collaborative between the library, professors and students.

“We will work with professors to share the link so they can send it to their students,” Batte said. “We want to make it as easy online as possible.”

Batte’s co-organizer for the event was Brian Young, collection strategist and scholarly communication librarian. He introduced professors to another avenue for cost-efficient textbooks. Open education resources, as he explained,

age students finish their degrees in 3.97 years — faster than the university average.

“Quite a few students take winter intersession and/ or summer classes — some because they need to, others to open up space for a semester in D.C., study abroad or to add a second major or minor,” Bass said.

While taking intersession classes or spending an extra semester in an undergraduate program may not seem like a major problem, for many students, funding a degree in higher education is not feasible without the help of scholarships — scholarships that may not cover the extra costs associated with intersession courses or extra time at school.

University Marketing and Communications explained that most university scholarships cover up to four years of college, so students having to tack on extra semesters must pay the full tuition price.

Dallas Kiner, a fifthyear psychology major, found a loophole.

“I have a choir scholarship that I will get as long as I am enrolled at the University of Mississippi and sing in the chorus,” Kiner said.

Both choice of major and arriving at UM with university credits already under your belt seem to enhance a student’s ability to complete a program in four years.

“Full-time students without pre-college credits complete a degree in Public Policy Leadership in 3.97 years and a degree in General University Studies in 6.85

years,” Jacob Batte, director of news and media relations for UMC said. “Students with pre-college credits complete a degree in French in 3.5 years and General University Studies in 6.33 years.”

According to the Office of General Studies website, the Bachelor of University Studies program is an alternative degree track for people unable to complete the typical four-year degree program.

Experts on the subject offer various explanations as to why students nationwide may not graduate within four years. ​​ Many cite a lack of student assistance.

“The ability to accommodate student needs is one reason that graduation rates are significantly higher at elite schools,” Abigail Hess said in a CNBC Definitive Guide to College Article. ​​H owever, ​​Bob Neuman, former associate dean of academic advising at Marquette University, told USA Today that students are not taking advantage of their advisers.

“Whether your grades are high, medium or low, talking with an adviser is helpful,” Neuman said. ​​Although there are numerous obstacles, only about 4.5% of undergraduate students are in their fifth year or more.

So, to those still wanting “the best four years of their life,” it may still be possible, as the university is actively trying to improve support and resources for students.

“The university offers degree sheets for each program to help students plot their

are already in use in some universities as they are a free source for all students to use.

“In the realm of getting students free access, there’s usually two avenues,” Young said. “There’s (what) we’re calling curriculum-driven acquisitions, where we’ll work with faculty to buy a book.

There’s also what’s called open education resources. These are textbooks or course materials that have been kind of cobbled together to be a textbook that is free to access.”

Dylan Troutman, a junior biology major, has long sought the best deals on textbooks.

He expressed interest in the library’s mission to have more affordable options for textbooks.

“Usually, I try to find textbooks wherever they are cheapest, like off Amazon or on third-party websites,” Troutman said. “I would definitely use the library if they had an e-book that saved me a considerable amount of money. If I have to pay for a book, I’d rather have a physical copy, but if the library was providing free copies, I’d save my money and use those.”

Despite the promise shown in the UM library’s efforts, Batte clarified that some textbooks may not be eligible for purchase by the library.

“Sometimes it is courseware or accreditation,” Batte said. “There are certain bound-

aries that we have to work within to say, ‘This is what we can do even though there is not a perfect solution.’ There’s not a perfect solution to every textbook situation, but if the campus can work together to try to find the solutions for the ones we can, then that’s taking prices off of the students.”

In these instances where the university would not be able to purchase a textbook, Young had other suggestions for students looking to not break the bank on required texts.

“I would usually recommend that (students) build connections amongst the student population,” Young said.

“Just selling books among yourselves can save money. That said, the used markets are always a good place.”

Batte encouraged students to voice their opinions on textbook affordability while acknowledging the role faculty and administrators play in reducing overall costs of education.

“I want (students) to know they also have a role in this conversation because they have the power to advocate for textbook affordability as well,” Batte said. “It’s important so we can have more faculty and even administrators at the table to talk about ways that we can approach textbook affordability in an even bigger, broader view.”

GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

course to graduation and has invested in more advisers to help students navigate their course load,” UM Provost Noel Wilkin said. “Thanks to the hard work of our faculty and staff, our retention and graduation rates are the highest in the state and higher than the national average.”

According to the U.S Department of Education, 66% of UM students graduate

within eight years of entering the school for the first time.

UM provides resources to students who are struggling with time management and goal setting. There are also a number of academic support options, including weekly workshops that are also available online, academic consultations and resources like the math lab and the writing center.

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 3

Run, Cupid, run! 5K raises funds for Big Event

k ISABELLE FROST e thedmnews@gmail.com s In honor of Valentine’s Day, s y The Ole Miss Big Event hosted e the annual Cupid Run, a 5K o fundraiser, on Sunday, Feb. 11.

“The Ole Miss Big Event e - Cupid Run is a 5K on campus ” designed by students to raise e money for the Big Event,” Cono nor Gee, a Big Event board g member and sophomore bi- ological sciences and general k business major, said. “This . fundraiser allows students - to not only support a great d cause, but also ro get active - and have a fun experience.”

Scheduled this year for . g April 6, The Ole Miss Big - Event has become a beloved - tradition for University of ” Mississippi students in which - all who are interested in giv- ing back to their communi- ty come together for one gig ant day of service projects.

Executive committee g member and sophomore bi. ology major Braeden Watw ters explained that events s such as the Cupid Run are y another outlet for students e to serve their community.

“What compelled me to get s e t h ncontinued from page 1 ”

THC-A

ed before full maturation, it remains within federal guidelines regulating THC percentages.

According to experts, heat makes all the difference.

“THC acid will not produce euphoria or get you high,” Robert Welch, the director of the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education, said. “You have to decarboxylate it by applying heat to convert it to THC.” According to Funk, this is why it is so popular and what protects customers on the legal front.

“Say the cops come and test it,” Funk said. “It tests like hemp sandals, but when I light it on fire and smoke it, my lungs say, ‘This is weed.’”

Funks claims that Slackers sources all of its THC-A marijuana straight from Oregon, and they keep it as fresh as possible.

Cannabis cultivation in Mississippi is regulated by the state and allowed only for medical use.

“Every store in town that sells

N

involved in the executive team for this event is the chance to connect with all the people who perform the incredibly difficult logistical work to put this event together and who are fully committed to service,” Watters said. “My passion and desire for service has burned in me since I graduated high school, and I feel like I am in a community who shares this through the Big Event team.”

More than 250 participants both from the UM community and afar participated in the race. Sophomore integrated marketing communications major Braxton Dagg decided to join the race in an effort to support campus organizations.

“It was a running joke between my friends for a while that we were all going to run the race,” Dagg said. “I work with the Associated Student Body, so I do my best to support other big organizations on campus.”

Landon Wong, a senior biomedical engineering major and Big Event co-director, said the Cupid Run and participating in the Big Event is a one-of-a-kind experience.

“My favorite part is right when the race starts when ev-

eryone is cheering and smiling,” Wong said. “It is truly a heartwarming experience to watch the impact our Big Event team has on the runners when we come together to support and cheer them on. The bigger picture is seeing a group of people that just want to help any way they can to make our community a better place.”

The female winner of the race was Julia Stradinger, a sophomore accounting major, with a time of 22:13. The male winner was Grayson Redden, a junior at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas, with a time of 18:50.

“I would definitely recommend this event to others,” Stradinger said. “The environment was so great. Even though it was pouring down rain, all the volunteers were smiling and happy to be helping, and the participants were all happy to be there to run or walk in support of the Big Event cause.”

Redden said he heard about the Cupid Run when visiting Oxford over winter break.

“I thought, ‘Why not go run it?’” Redden said. “Little did I know I would end up winning it and setting

Delta-8 is going to start selling this,” Funk said. “So we have to make sure we have the freshest, cheapest and best quality.”

Although Funk was the first to bring THC-A to town, he never sold Delta-8 products in his store.

“When we found out about this, I did a ton of research on it to make sure it was legit,” Funk said. “Because we never sold any of the Delta-8 or whatever that may have been poisoning people.”

Welch, too, is skeptical of Delta-8 and other Farm Bill-legal products.

“These products have been synthesized by these folks,” Welch said. “It’s a way for them to create highly intoxicating products, and it is fairly cheap.”

Welch explained that many companies were selling products with very little idea of what was in them. According to Welch, sourcing is everything. If companies could source the flower from a reputable source that was not adulterating it with other substances, then it would be fine.

The problem is that not

all smoke shops are transparent about their sourcing.

Sunmed CBD on University Avenue, also known as Your CBD Store, has recently started selling THC-A flower in addition to their hemp-based health and wellness products.

“We get our THC-A from a friend, err, like a trusted resource,” Cyrus Reynolds, an employee at Sunmed CBD, said of the store’s sourcing.

Reynolds did not say that their THC-A was harvested in two months rather than six months, but that it was possibly derived from a chemical process.

Welch explained that companies are not yet legally required to inform customers about where these products come from.

“That’s the problem with a lack of regulation,” Welch said. “These companies can tell you anything.”

There is also conflicting information depending on whom you ask. A budtender at Magnolia Cannabis Dispensary, located two doors down from Slackers Supply, explained the effects of THC-A differently. They chose to stay anony-

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ISABELLE FROST / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Race participants prepare for the Cupid Run on Feb. 11. a record for my best time.”

Although the executive team strives to increase participation in events such as the Cupid Run, the main goal is to maximize student involvement in the main service day.

“I am trying to spread what the Big Event is so peo-

ple all over campus will have a chance to partake in such a selfless opportunity to help the Oxford-Lafayette community,” Wong said. “We would love to increase the number of participants in the 5K, but more importantly, our actual service day every single year.”

JACK CLEMENTS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

THC-A cannabis flower jars sit on display at Slackers Supply. mous for fear of repercussions.

“THC-A is just premature weed that college kids and people who can’t get med cards smoke to say they smoke it,” they said.

“It will not get you high or produce any of the desired medicinal effects as dispensary weed.”

Despite the lack of regulation, purchasing THC-A

S. Gale denley student media center

from a trusted establishment may be better and safer than other unregulated options.

“If you’ve got to get high but don’t have a med card, then buying THC-A from reputable stores with reputable sources may be safer than buying it from the guy on the corner, but it is not risk-free,” Welch said.

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PAGE 4 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

NATE DONOHUE

Art expo showcases Black artists

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The Lambda Sigma chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, sorority welcomed five Black artists and many attendees to an art exposition on campus in the basement of Residence Hall 2 on Feb. 12. The event was open to all University of Mississippi students and Oxonians.

This was the first Color Crimson Black Art Expo. Junior allied health studies major and Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, Vice President Jamiya Mason saw the event as an opportunity for Black artists to engage with each other and the community.

“The Color Crimson Black Art Expo is an event for Black artists within the Oxford community to show their artistic traits and personalities,” Mason said.

As the sorority’s chair of programming, planning and development, Mason coordinated this event.

“We’re big on emphasizing treasures that are within the Black community,” Mason said.

“We feel it’s important that everyone gains the representation and attention they need.”

Senior psychology major Marissa Ingram, president of the Lambda Sigma chap-

ter, echoed these sentiments.

“As a president, you want to make sure that you’re showcasing the talents of your chapter members,” Ingram said. “A lot of the talent we have around here is just an extension of my chapter members, extensions of their friend groups or even their families. So it’s important that we connect.”

Connection was a prominent theme of the night.

“It’s important that you’re shown different facets of what Black culture and Black excellence are, but it’s also important that you emphasize connections and fellowship,” Ingram said. “You want to make sure you uplift your brothers and sisters and put them in spaces to succeed like this. So it’s not really just showcasing the culture, it’s showcasing the individuals.”

The artists exhibited paintings and portfolios of their work; one artist, UM alumni Jeffery Patton, painted a piece on-site and invited attendees to paint a piece with him. Shania Martin, a sophomore allied health major from Columbia, Miss., appreciated the exhibition because of the platform it provided student artists at UM. “I feel like (the art exposition) was a great opportunity to shed some light on the Black artists we have here at the uni-

t w c D c

a s v b H h t t

l

UM Students share their work at the Black Art Expo on Feb. 12. versity, especially during Black History Month,” Martin said.

Ashley Charles displayed her work. A sophomore art major from Brookhaven, Miss., Charles began seriously focusing on her artwork about nine years ago. She characterizes her style as ever-evolving.

“I would say that (my style) is forever growing, forever changing,” Charles said. “It can range from realistic to car-

toon-ish. I don’t really want to put a label on my work.”

Feedback to the event was resoundingly positive.

“I really think this is the first of many (expositions) that I’ll be doing,” Charles said.

Mason confirmed that other expositions would be held by the sorority.

“We’re looking forward to having this event every year, if not every se-

LYN MOORE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

mester,” Mason said.

Charles views the ex-i position as an opportuni-C ty to be artistically expres-a sive to the UM community.l “I think this is a great oppor-1 tunity for me to branch out andb really allow people to see who Ia am,” Charles said. “It’s actually very helpful for me because Ie don’t really like to talk a lot, sof this is a way for me to expressl what I’m really capable of.”“ B p

Black History Month Keynote explores racism through environmental history

TANISSA RINGO

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The University of Mississippi Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement welcomed keynote speaker B. Brian Foster on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in honor of Black History Month.

A former UM professor, Foster is now an associate professor of sociology at the University of Virginia. He is also an ethnographer, multimedia storyteller and author. Foster delivered the keynote address on his new book, “Ghosts of Segregation: American Racism, Hidden in Plain Sight.”

“If we imagine the land as an archive, it places a little bit of responsibility on us to imagine ourselves as archivists who are curious about our history and are willing to do the work to preserve and try to interpret our history,” Foster said. “What happens when the histories that the land is keeping tell us things about ourselves that maybe don’t put us in the best light?”

Published on Feb. 6, the book is a collaborative project between Foster and award-winning photojournalist Richard “Rich” Frishman. Through a collection of photo essays, they showcase the landscapes and memories that speak to America’s history of racial oppression.

His history with UM is not the reason Foster agreed to deliver the address. To Foster, the opportunity brought the chance to reconnect

with Mississippi as a whole.

“I do care about (the keynote address) being in my home state of Mississippi. It means a lot for me to be able to have these conversations with people who are from where I’m from,” Foster said. “I’m a Black boy from Northeast Mississippi, so I said yes because I wanted to be able to come to Mississippi and talk to Mississippi people.”

Surrounded by memories of family, Foster began to conceptualize the interconnectedness of his familial history and that of the Black community.

“I was at a point at the end of 2020, coming into 2021, where I was thinking a lot about family and my own personal biography,” Foster said.

“I was thinking of the connecting points between my family’s history and the history of Black people in the country, my own history and the experiences of Black people in the country.”

Foster emphasized that the main focus of the book project was Black American history.

“In particular, it’s important to say that this is a project about American racism. So it’s not just, you know, a cute little history of who we are,” Foster said. “It’s a specific history about hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years of oppression and violence in segregation and displacement and dispossession.”

In order to demonstrate this history, Foster looked toward the world around him. The roads he

a t m

o t w i e n

entered became archival pieces that told the story of America’s past and possible future.

Junior multidisciplinary s studies major Janelle Minor ats tended the keynote address and e said she liked the perspective of t talking about family and viewj ing her environment as history.

“I really enjoy thinking about i the way that (how) someone is m raised can impact the work that - Janelle Minor C they do and the way that they injunior multidisciplinary studies major B teract with the history that may not even be their family’s hiss “I’m asking more than to just “Seek out the truth, be willing to tory,” Minor said. “I really took h away just being more observant think about our history and our tell that truth and be willing to i of my surroundings because I land around us,” Foster said. be uncomfortable in the telling.” s think Oxford itself has a lot of history and just keeping my eyes open for subtle cues of history that might still be here.”

Daneel Konnar, a senior public policy leadership major, agreed that stories are important to our understanding of the people and the world around us.

“The event was truly eye-opening, allowing me a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective of the importance of storytelling and how it plays a pivotal role during Black History Month,” Konnar said. “I wanted to gain a new perspective and understanding of what shapes the world we live in. Foster’s work is the epitome of this, and I knew I could gain this by attending the event.”

Although his book and the philosophy behind it were the driving points of the keynote, Foster ultimately

“I really took away just being more observant of my surroundings because I think Oxford itself has a lot of history and just keeping my eyes open for subtle cues of history that might still be here.”

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 5

Unsung heroes: Black women who have shaped UM BRYNN BATES

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“I know a lot more about the African American men who have influenced this campus than the women,” Delaney Bland, a sophomore computer science major, said.

Influential Black men such as James Meredith, the first student to integrate the University of Mississippi, have become household names.

However, several Black women have made outstanding strides to change the university during their time at UM and years after.

The beginning of this legacy is Verna Bailey, the first Black woman to attend the university in 1964.

“When Verna Bailey walked into her first-year biology .class, she sat front and center -in the auditorium,” Lewis & -Clark Magazine explained in -a 2007 feature issue on Bai.ley. “Her peers — more than -100 of them — gave her a wide dberth, leaving her entirely Ialone in the first three rows.”

- While others who attendIed UM at the time, such as oformer Mississippi Gov. Hasley Barbour, described it as ”“a very pleasant experience,” Bailey painted the opposite picture to The Seattle Times.

“I just saw this mass of anger; anger and hostility,” Bailey said. “I thought my life was going to end.”

Bailey’s strength was not overlooked by the university. A $100,000 scholarship was established in her name in 2001, and she was inducted into the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005.

“Her enrollment inspired more Black students, specifically Black women, to enroll at this institution,” Samantha Case, a junior history major, said.

Another African American woman who made her mark at UM is Dottie “Quaye” Chapman Reed, the first Black admissions counselor.

As an admissions counselor from 1974 to 1977, Reed helped raise African American enrollment and helped students by explaining the

admissions process and steps to receive financial aid.

“Ms. Chapman Reed has worked tirelessly to transform the University of Mississippi through different phases of her affiliation here: first as a student, later as the first African American admissions counselor on this campus and continuing as an alumna,” Gregory Johnson, head of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, said.

Chapman Reed’s full story is laid out in an Ole Miss News release, in which she explained how the Black students at the university were a close group.

“We wanted everyone to succeed and got excited with the breakdown of each racial barrier,” Chapman Reed said.

Chapman Reed, however, is just one of the Black women who made a lasting impact on UM. “The first person that comes to mind is Rose Jackson Flenorl,” Jim Urbanek, associate director of alumni affairs, said when asked about influential Black women in UM’s history.

Flenorl, a student from 1975 to 1979, is a past president of the Ole Miss Alumni Association and is currently the manager for global citizenship and diversity, equity and inclusion at FedEx. Among the first Black women to be inducted into the Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame, she was also the first African American to be named a campus favorite, the first Black woman to run for Miss Ole Miss and was named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women in the United States.

Will Norton Jr., previous dean of UM’s School of Journalism and New Media, explained to Meek Magazine in 2015 how Flenorl impacted UM. “I know James Meredith legally integrated Ole Miss,” Norton said, “but I watched (Flenorl) integrate it de facto.”

She is the recipient of many awards, including the Ole Miss Athletics Nathaniel Northington Trailblazer Award, the Black Student Union Legacy Award, the Black Alumni Achievement Award, the

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Rose Jackson Flenorl School of Education Hall of Fame and the Pillars of Fraternity and Sorority Life Award.

“Her longstanding commitment to Ole Miss and the generous giving of her time and talents have made the university a better place for decades,” Urbanek said.

In 2023, Flenorl won the Alumni Service Award for her accomplishments.

“Ole Miss made a tremendous investment in me,” Flenorl told the alumni association. “It is an investment that I have always been committed to paying forward.”

While these previous women helped pave the path at UM, this next Black woman is still on campus and continues to inspire change and progress.

Valeria Ross, a native of New Albany, Miss., is the project manager for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Liberal Arts. Valeria Ross “I have often said that if you see a program focused on expanding access to high- PASS for students seeking safeer education or expanding 3.792 x4 ty and support, particularly educational opportunities African American students that foster a better undermaneuvering through a prestanding of the conditions dominantly white university. necessary for full inclusion “That work opened the door and equitable treatment of for me to work in several capacstudents, faculty and staff, ities during which I developed they have usually started in several opportunities (and) inisome way with an idea from tiatives and supported student Val Ross,” Kirsten Dellinger, leadership and development associate dean for Diversity, for all students,” Ross said.

Equity and Inclusion in the Ross continues to work College of Liberal Arts, said. toward a world that proDuring her tenure as asvides opportunities for sistant dean of the Division higher education to anyone of Student Affairs, her ofwho wishes to pursue it, no fice served as a sanctuary

PHOTO COURTESY: JIM URBANEK

PHOTO COURTESY: VALERIA ROSS

matter their background.

“My work with students has most certainly been the most rewarding,” Ross said. “I have been graced with the opportunity to support students from all backgrounds and races through their undergraduate journey, see them face and overcome curricular and extracurricular challenges, achieve leadership awards and successfully complete degrees and move on to become productive and successful individuals in all areas of society.”

PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

Strength and struggle: perspectives on Black history JORDAN ISBELL

thedmnews@gmail.com

Each February, people are encouraged to shift their attention to Black history and honor the contributions that Black people have made to society. While there is a large focus on times of struggle, such as the eras of American slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, Black History Month is meant to honor Black excellence, not just pain.

Becky Marshall, an associate professor of history at the University of Mississippi, believes Black history is necessary to understand America.

“You cannot understand American history without understanding Black history,” Marshall said.

“It is a core narrative that explains a lot of the things that we want to understand about our country.”

Because of how expansive Black history is, many people have different first-hand im-

pressions of its representation.

Regional differences also influence the idea of Black history among some students.

Graduate sociology student Savannah Avery attributed her perspective on Black history to having lived in the South. “(Living in the South) made me keenly aware that prejudice and racism are real and pervasive issues,” Avery said. “It’s a narrative unlike any other, filled with stories of resilience, courage and perseverance. Witnessing the lengths to which Black leaders were willing to go to fight against oppressive forces has underscored for me the importance of Black history, particularly in the South.”

Sophomore Allura McGee, a communications sciences and disorders major, also believes living in the South shaped her view.

“I can literally talk to my great grandma, who was here in the South during the different eras, and she can tell me what

she went through,” McGee said.

Marshall, a Michigan native, expressed how her childhood school’s Black history curriculum was lackluster compared to what her children currently have in Memphis.

“I grew up in an all-white Catholic school in the suburbs of Detroit, and I literally don’t remember (the school curriculum) doing a single thing for Black History Month,” Marshall said. “To see music programs and biographical projects that my kids get to do, it’s neat to see that kind of change over time in my lifetime. It’s actually a priority in my kids’ school curriculum, where it definitely was not in mine.”

David Henen, an applied linguistics graduate student, was born and raised in Egypt and believes there is not a holistic representation of Black culture in the South.

“The traumatic history of Black people catches more attention by nature than other elements in it,” Henen said. “I’ve seen sever-

al civil rights museums that do not provide a section for Black people’s artistic production of music, dance or even academia.”

Sophomore Ashton Ringo, a biological science major, echoed Henen’s sentiment, expressing that the achievements of African Americans deserve to be highlighted.

“What I love about it the most is the fact that most of those tragedies brought something beautiful,” Ringo said. “I feel like that helped make blues into what it is, which then helped develop a lot of other African American music styles that express us as a whole community.”

Marshall, too, believes traumatic stories can also be viewed through the hope that is born from them.

“If you look at the Civil Rights Movement, for example, you can tell that story in a way that focuses on the specific traumas and injustice, as you should,” Marshall said. “But at the same time, if you have questions about how people involved in a

long-term struggle sustain their energy and their commitment, that’s a story about the way that people could find joy in building g relationships with each other.” e Many organizations on the UM U campus aim to host events that i help share the story of Black hist tory. Although the past is irreverst ible, reshaping it is a power that students have the ability to use. i Avery explained that this a focus on the past is beginn ning to shift in the South. n “In my community, we tend to focus more on the achievements t and scholarly contributions that e have emerged from the creativC ity and resilience of the Black n community, particularly during t oppressive periods,” Avery said. t “Instead of solely dwelling on m the hardships endured, there’s a p growing emphasis on celebratt ing the victories, both big and i small, that the Black commuu nity has consistently achieved i throughout the centuries.” a

UM’s trailblazer for Black athletes CAMERON LARKIN

thedmsports@gmail.com

Black athletes drive the success of sports at Ole Miss, but this was not always the case. It was not until Coolidge Ball signed his national letter of intent in 1970 to play for the men’s basketball team that the athletic color barrier was finally broken at UM, eight years after the university desegregated. “(Ball’s legacy) is monumental,” Zach Graham, who played basketball for Ole Miss from 2007 to 2011, said. “He paved the first footsteps of opportunity for us; that deserves the utmost respect.”

Ball, born on Nov. 6, 1951, in Indianola, Miss., signed on to play forward for Head Coach Cob Jarvis at Ole Miss. It was not his only offer: Ball was also sought after by New Mexico State University Assistant Coaches Rob Evans and Ed Murphy, as well as by Jackson State University Head Coach Paul Covington.

By signing to play at Ole Miss, however, Ball paved the way for countless Black athletes to follow in his footsteps.

“The amount of inner strength, mentally and physically, he (possessed) and the daily challenges

and adversity he faced –– we athletes today could never imagine,” Graham said. “So, it’s a responsibility not just for ourselves, but out of respect for him, our heritage and the game itself that we take character and integrity onto the court at Ole Miss and put our everything into the game.”

After a successful career in Oxford, averaging 16.8 points and 10.3 rebounds over three years –– all while securing a selection to the 1971 All-SEC Freshman Team and the ALL-SEC Second Team in 1972, not to mention his statue in front of the Pavillion that was unveiled in May 2021 –– Ball passed away last year on Aug. 9 at the age of 71.

“Emily (Boyce) and I are saddened by the news of Coolidge Ball’s passing,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. “He was a pioneer and a trailblazer whose immense courage opened the door for countless student-athletes at our university and in our state. Coolidge was widely respected for his strength, humility and kindness and will always be remembered as an extraordinary source of inspiration.”

Black athletes make up the majority of student-athletes on campus, and much of that can be attributed to Ball’s unwav-

ering confidence: His prowess at basketball further proved to those wanting to rollback desegregation exactly why Black athletes belong in college sports.

“Attending Ole Miss as a Black student is something I’ve learned to be proud of. This university is home to a welcoming community and endless opportunities that embraces diversity and people from different backgrounds,” Ryan Augustine, a sophomore allied health studies major said.

“Along with (James) Meredith, Ball helped cultivate this environment at Ole Miss that allows Black students to feel valued and accepted, and that is still evident today.”

Because of Ball’s legacy, athletes come to Ole Miss looking to carry on the mission he so bravely started and to continue blazing new trails for the future of Black athletes who may decide to call Oxford home in the years to come.

“Being Black in general comes with its own challenges. Having the ability to play the sport I love is a blessing and comes with its own challenges that all athletes face,” Graham said. “But there were people known and unknown who weren’t athletes that marched, ran, fought and endured much more

LYN MOORE / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

than I ever will as an athlete. I’m super grateful and try to never forget that I have the ability to choose what I do because of the people who created opportunities to change.”

The future of Ole Miss Basketball, athletics in general and

the overall student population lies in the willingness of Black athletes and students to continue making an impact on Ole Miss.

“As a Black athlete, I stand as one, but represent an entire community,” Graham said.

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 7

Time for change: Students discuss tipping culture

r MARY EVANS , thedmfeatures@gmail.com t Tipping has become integ gral to the American dining ” experience. Roughly 72% of M U.S. adults claim that tipping t is expected more frequently than five years ago according to the Pew Research Center. t “Tipping is taking over Amer. ica,” M.K. Berger, a barista s at Heartbreak Coffee and junior dietetics and childhood . nutrition major at UM, said. o Tipping has been a part of s the American dining experit ence since the early 1900s. U.S. Congress later solidified this k norm as a “tipping credit” in g the 1960s, allowing employers . to pay employees below minin mum wage if they receive tips, a particularly affecting those in the food industry. While tipping d is crucial for some professions, understanding tipping etiquette d is important for deciding on ” appropriate gratuity amounts.

Dylan Kerr, a Kosciusko,

CLAIRE REYNOLDS

Miss., native who has been serving at Boure for more than three years, shed light on his experience in the food service industry.

“I think social norms play a lot because here in America, it’s kind of baked into your dining experience,” Kerr said.

Kerr shared that he has experienced various stances on tipping culture throughout his food service experience.

“I have had people from other countries come in and have a conversation with me about tipping culture here, and they’re kind of shocked as to the reality of it. I think if you’re fairly personable and as long as you’re not an a–hole, then people kind of treat you right,” Kerr said.

Tips contribute significantly to Kerr’s earnings as a server. Much of his income relies on the generosity of patrons.

“I would guess that per year I probably make more than some teachers, which is crappy in my opinion,” Kerr said. “I should not be making more than teachers.”

In Oxford, where a significant portion of the population consists of college students and young professionals, the dynamics of tipping can vary drastically by age and class.

“It sucks to be guilt tripped into tipping, and it’s not something I want to put a set price on, but at the same time, it’s how I pay my rent,” Berger said.

Employers in Mississippi are bound to federal tip guidelines, meaning they can pay employees as little as $2.13 per hour if their total earnings from tips and wages reaches the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Brandon Baxter, a former UM student and customer at Heartbreak Coffee, stresses the importance of tipping for workers.

“Well, it’s mostly young folks like us who are making a living from these jobs. So, tipping really helps out. Personally, whenever I’m out and about, I’ll tip because I know what it’s like to be in that position.

It feels like it’s just how things

are set up here,” Baxter said.

In the U.S. the standard tip for dine-in service is roughly 1520%, and for other service-based industries, it can be even less.

“I’ve never had a student leave me nothing, but college kids aren’t great tippers,” Seth Parenteau, a senior journalism major from Ocean Springs, Miss., said.

Parenteau, a food service worker at McCormick’s Bar and Grill at the Ole Miss Inn, believes college students’ financial straits may dictate the amount they tip.

“If you’re going out to eat, already that’s a little bit of a luxury,” Parenteau said. “When you’re a broke college student, you don’t have that extra cash to be like, ‘Oh this is great service let me pay them more.’ You just leave them what you can.”

Like many service workers, Parenteau says that working in the industry has changed his perspective on tipping workers.

“It’s kind of like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ — that illusion has been broken. Now having worked

the server life, I do always try to tip the minimum 20%. But in a place like YaYa’s where I’m not necessarily getting the full sit-down service, I may think twice,” Parenteau said.

YaYa’s is a popular frozen yogurt spot on the Square.

Meanwhile, UM sophomore finance major Katie Garner questioned the necessity of tipping in certain situations.

“If they’re outside taking my order, then yes. But if they’re just behind the register or making wages at a fast food restaurant, then no, they don’t deserve it,” Garner said, “I think if we raised the minimum wage, we wouldn’t have to tip.”

Having experienced life as a food industry employee, Paenteau does his best to tip what he can.

“Now, having worked within the industry, even if the service is absolutely awful, leave something because you never know what that person is dealing with,” Parenteau said.

What’s inside Oxford’s not-so-secret grilled cheese bar?

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

The not-so-secret Secret Grilled Cheese is one of Oxford’s most fabled attractions. When you walk into the unassuming Faulkner Alley off the Oxford Square, no signage or bouncer guides you toward the rear of Venice Kitchen. Rather, a seemingly out-of-place antique wooden door lets you know that whatever is inside will be an experience like no other.

To gain admittance to get some late-night grilled cheese, you must meet two conditions: saying the password of the weekend and following the bar’s somewhat strict dress code. Initially, learning the password seems like a daunting task. However, all you must do is request to follow the bar’s Instagram account, @secretgrilledcheese.

On Thursdays, the password for the weekend is posted.

The bar’s dress code is not so much complicated to follow as it is difficult to understand: It is not made public anywhere associated with the bar.

Third-year University of Mississippi law student Zach Pugh gave insight into the ambiance

of the grilled cheese palace.

“It’s a completely different vibe than the other bars in town since they’re very intentional about the kind of clientele they let in and the music they play isn’t deafening,” Pugh said. “They turned a few people away while we were there for not being in dress code. They don’t want rowdy or poorly dressed customers in there.”

Guests are not allowed to wear jeans or T-shirts to the bar.

More specifically, it is expected of men to wear collared shirts.

The bartender said people frequently are turned away for not following the dress code. He mentioned that one group he turned away showed up dressed in ski attire after an event they had downtown. That said, it would seem that the dress code is no jeans, no T-shirts and no Aspen-friendly clothing.

Many find the exclusivity of the establishment to be its most alluring feature.

“If they opened it up as a normal restaurant, then it wouldn’t really be what it is,” Pugh said.

“It would end up as just another bar or restaurant on the square with a limited food menu, and I think that yes, they’d get more people

in the long run, but it would lose its identity and appeal.”

I went to the late-night spot at 10:15 p.m. on a Saturday, not long after they opened for the evening. The establishment is open from 10 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday. Without clear instructions, I let intuition kick in and went for the skull-shaped knocker cryptically resting on the door.

After giving it a couple of raps, a bouncer inside the establishment opened the small trap door at the top and asked for the password, to which I confidently uttered “Twerk Champion.”

After I was asked to show my ID, the menacing door opened.

As soon as I walked in, I noticed that the bar is illuminated by only an exit sign, a small light near the bathrooms and some beams streaming in from Venice Kitchen, which is separated from the bar only by a black curtain.

“I think they could make improvements with the lighting since it is quite dark. I feel like some very low-key lighting like candles or lanterns of some sort would really fit the clandestine atmosphere of the place and also allow customers to be able to see each other and

PROUD PARTNER with OLE MISS DINING Carryout Only

39561

CLAIRE REYNOLDS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

This peculiar wooden door leads to the grilled cheese speakeasy at the back of Venice Kitchen. the menu,” Amy Nyary, junior psychology and Spanish major from Hattiesburg, Miss. said.

I also took note of the limited seating. I counted nine barstools, three tables with booth seating and three high top seats. No one was fighting for a space, a stark contrast to many of the other bar scenes downtown, because for the hour I was there, the only other patrons were the six who were admitted right after me.

The bartender shared that their busiest weekends were always fraternity and sorority parents’ weekends. Upon looking at the menu prices, I understood. All craft drinks ranged from $11-$12. All six of the menu items, exclusively variations of gourmet grilled

cheeses, had a price tag of $16.

There was once exception, “Le Voyage du Sauvage,” which entails flying Morgan Freeman in on a private jet to prepare grilled cheeses for a group of four for the modest price of $800,000.

Ultimately, the most confusing aspect of the restaurant is its name. Though everyone refers to it as “Secret Grilled Cheese,” its actual name is Shadow of the Valley of Death Bar. The bartender told me the name and menu change every semester and the new moniker and selection should be available sometime within the next week.

Secret Grilled Cheese is an essential item for everyone’s Oxford bucket list.

And if you feel so inclined as to order Le Voyage du Sau-

PAGE 8 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

The Luv Shak spreads the love one meal at a time JANE DUNN

thedmfeatures@gmail.com

“The Love Shack is a little old place where we can get together,” the B-52’s, a pop-rock band, sang in 1989 on their hit track “Love Shack. “Love Shack, that’s where it’s at!”

Using this song as his inspiration, Dennis Van Oostendor opened The Luv Shak in Oxford in 2015. Its precursor was the 6’n Tubbs Food Truck that floated around University of Mississippi student housing complexes during the early hours of the day.

Oostendor said a group of ROTC women would track him down each morning in pursuit of a New York Style bagel. During his time on campus, he saw the need within the community and decided to open his own shop, which has been nurtured by the constant flow of college kids for the past nine years.

The Luv Shak is literally a small, wooden shack. Upon entering, patrons are greeted with a psychedelic atmosphere of tapestries, posters, bright neon lights, a pinball machine and names of past and present customers scribbled everywhere from the walls to the ceiling. Oostendor usually hangs

out behind the window, eager to joke with whoever walks in.

2021 UM graduate Jaren Givhan has been coming to Luv Shak since his junior year of college.

“I came and tried it and have been hooked ever since,” he said. “You know coming and waiting for food is a time well spent.”

Girvhan described it as a “hearsay” restaurant because it is not mainstream or a chain. He believes this word of mouth aspect is why it has such a loyal following and will continue to thrive. The lack of advertising makes it unique.

A native of northern New Jersey, Oostendor has spent the past 45 years working in the food industry, 14 of them in Oxford.

“It’s not about the money. It’s about providing something that is really cool and that everyone will like,” Oostendor said.

The Mom-and-Pop style restaurant serves an assortment of bagels on Sunday mornings and different Italian dishes throughout the week, ranging from Meatball Monday to Tortellini Tuesday and Chicken Parm Thursday.

Oostendor believes that The Luv Shak “is not the building, but the people,” valuing

Dennis Van Oostendorp, owner of The Luv Shak, on Feb. 12. and prioritizing his student customers and continuously trying to help them in any way he can. This is why he began the “Pay It Forward Jug.” This tie dye bucket is an opportunity for others to help people within their community. If you have an extra dollar or two, you can throw it in the

ANTONELLA RESCIGNO / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

bucket to help someone that might be a little short that week.

The Luv Shak is always trying to incorporate new things into the menu. Last Sunday, Oostendor launched the housebrewed Kombucha. Their current flavors are strawberry lemonade and mango passion fruit. Among its many health

benefits, it is also a great cure for the Sunday scaries.

This funky little shack is not only a restaurant, but also a place where people can come in dressed in pajamas or in their Sunday best and be served regardless. The Luv Shak is located at 2625 West Oxford Loop and is open 4-8

8

THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 9

Ole Miss Men’s Basketball struggles in a tough test LUKE DUNAVANT

thedmsports@gmail.com

The Rebels looked to go into Rupp Arena and take advantage of the Kentucky Wildcats’ threegame losing streak at home. This did not happen. The final score Tuesday night was 75-63, with the Wildcats pulling out the win. After the initial minutes of the first half, Kentucky dominated and showed Ole Miss exactly what top-tier SEC basketball looks like.

Here is how it happened: First half The Rebels started the first half extremely hot, jumping out to a 15-9 lead in the first seven minutes. But by the end of the first half, Kentucky was up 43-29, with the Rebels’ leading scorer guard Matthew Murrell putting up 12 points.

The first half consisted of a lot of ball screens on both sides of the floor, which Ole Miss operated to perfection on offense and defended

flawlessly on defense. The Rebels also benefited from a very sloppy Kentucky team, leading to eight turnovers. The Rebels kept trying to go to the paint, but Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso, who put on his best Jamarion Sharp impersonation, blocked almost every shot the Rebels took in the paint.

The Rebels were lackluster on defense in the first half, running both man and zone defenses –– the latter allowing for easy baskets for Kentucky. The Wildcats stepped up their defense late in the first half and the Rebels had no answer. If the Rebels were going to win this game, they had to find the holes in Kentucky’s defense.

Second half The Rebels came out of the half on fire, quickly closing the lead to single digits. This was led by turnovers into a good transition offense. Kentucky started to pull away about midway through the

second half. The Wildcats were unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball just like in the first half, and the Rebels continued to hinder themselves with turnovers.

The Rebels struggled from three and the Wildcats took advantage of that, scoring off of transition with ease. The Rebels kept trying to go to the paint to no avail –– again, Onyenso stopped seemingly every drive attempt. Kentucky then pulled away even more, aided by the fact that Ole Miss could not buy a shot.

Shooting Ole Miss shot 5-22 from the three HAILEY AUSTIN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN point line. The Rebels need to beBrandon Murray waits for the ball to be inbounded during a game come more consistent from range in against Mississippi State on Jan. 30. order to get back on track as a team The post Onyenso was a monster for the Wildcats. He finished the game with 10 blocks and was dominant in the post. Both Moussa Cisse and Sharp struggled mightily when he was on

the court. Going into this game, What’s next many thought that the duo of bigs The Rebels will look to bounce could struggle against Kentucky’s back at home against Missouri Satsize, but no one could have pre- urday at 7:30 p.m. The game will also dicted just how true that would be. be available on the SEC Network.

Baseball is in the air: Ole Miss opens season in the Rainbow State TEDDY KING

thedmsports@gmail.com

For many, the start of spring means sunshine, good weather and pretty flowers, but for Ole Miss fans, it signifies the start of a season-long quest for glory. After an unsuccessful season following their Cinderella championship run in 2022, Head Coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels are looking forward to finding sustained success among a talented pool of SEC teams like Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

The Ole Miss Baseball coaching staff has given their all to finding the right fits to fill in for former players who have taken their talents to the next level, or elsewhere at the collegiate level.

The Rebels lost standouts like Kemp Alderman, Calvin Harris and Jacob Gonzalez to the MLB Draft, and players like Payton Chatagnier, TJ McCants and Anthony Calarco took their talents to other programs. These are massive shoes to fill from a leadership and production standpoint, and it will be interesting to see how the new additions decide to fill the empty voids.

Ole Miss Football Head Coach Lane Kiffin is not the only Ole Miss coach who knows how to utilize the transfer portal. Bianco is bringing in the No. 7 transfer portal class in the country and the No. 5 in the SEC, following just LSU, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Arkansas.

The Ole Miss transfer class includes players that will strengthen the infield like Arizona State shortstop Luke Hill, Florida Atlantic University third baseman Andrew Fischer and Duke University third baseman Jackson Ross.

FILE PHOTO: HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

University of Mississippi pitcher Hunter Elliot warms up during a game against Charleston Southern on Feb. 20, 2022 Coming straight out of Oxford is catcher Campbell Smithwick –– a player that Bianco can not seem to stop talking about.

Oxford High School’s very own helped lead the chargers to a run in the North-Half championship, as well as helping Team USA Under-18 team to a gold medal at the U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in the fall of 2022. Smithwick is someone Bianco is very excited to watch on the pitch as well as adding him to the roster.

“He’s as talented as any freshman catcher we’ve ever had,” Bianco shared during Ole Miss Baseball’s media days this past week. “Tremendous athletic player, but he’s a really athletic player behind the plate.”

Another successful recruit is Smithwick’s Teammate from Oxford High School, Cooper Pratt. The Infielder is a fivestar recruit that will most likely see the pitching mound in his debut season for the Rebels.

The missing puzzle piece for Ole Miss is the pitching.

After departures from stand-

out Dylan DeLucia, who was a key part in the 2022 national championship win, and Hunter Elliott missing this season after undergoing elbow surgery, it has been a whirlwind figuring out who is going to step up and fill these shoes for the Rebels.

As of right now, Bianco and the coaching staff have all eyes pointed toward returners JT Quinn, Grayson Saunier and Riley Maddox for the pitching jobs, with Pratt on the backburner for now.

The Rebels went on their first losing season last year, ending the season 25-29, with no trip to the SEC tournament or the postseason. Losing key players like Gonzalez and Chatagnier will be a tough pill to swallow, but Bianco is optimistic about this team with all the young as well as experienced talent coming to wear red and blue this season.

The Rebels are set to open their season in Honolulu, Hawaii as they take on Hawaii in a four game series starting Friday, Feb. 16 and going until Sunday, Feb. 18.

PAGE 10 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

Former Ole Miss athlete prepares to compete on ‘Survivor’ TANNER SHAPIRO

Where you can watch our livestre

thedmsports@gmail.com

Former Ole Miss hybrid athlete Quintavius “Q” Burdette is set to premiere on the show Survivor on Feb. 28. on Mamanuca Island, Fiji. The show has been one of CBS’s longest standing reality TV show entries, trumping even Big Brother –– another one of the network’s most popular shows.

As season 46 of the show approaches, all Oxonian eyes are fixated on a familiar face among the field of competitors.

Burdette grew up in a family with 16 siblings and was a star in high school where was ranked the No. 90 overall running back in the country in the class of 2012. In the first two years of high school he played defensive back, but his junior year he made the switch to the RB position.

While playing in high school, he ran for 2,146 yards and averaged around eight yards per carry. He attended Senatobia High School and participated in the AllStar Game his senior year when he played quarterback.

In his first two seasons at Ole Miss, the versatile player played cornerback and in his last two seasons he played wide receiver with the Rebels.

In two years at Ole Miss playing cornerback he racked in 18 tackles. In his two years playing wide receiver he amassed eight receptions as well.

Burdette was also a dual sport athlete at Ole Miss. He competed in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. Burdette was the ultimate speedster in high school, and he did even more damage at the collegiate level. He ran for the University of Mississippi and competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

The former Rebels is also a

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first generation college graduate, something that he is very proud of. In Survivor’s pre-season interview with Burdette, he described being the first in his family to graduate from college as his biggest accomplishment.

Since retiring from athletics, Burdette has been one of the top real estate agents in the country. He achieved his masters in Accounting from the university, and described his pivot to real estate as a risk.

“I started taking risks early in life,” Burdette said in the pre-season interview. “Being 1 of 17 kids, you have to take risks. Biggest risk that changed my life for the better would have to be quitting my job to start my career in real estate.”

For those who may not keep up with Survivor or know what a typical Survivor player looks like, look no further than Burdette. His athletic prowess coupled with his smarts could carry him very far in a hard game that rewards both physical strength and intelligence.

It is safe to say that the Rebel fans are excited for this survivor series –– it gives an already active fanbase a reason to tune into such a storied, highly publicized show such as Survivor . Burdette’s appear-

ance on the show could mark a day when Ole Miss fans become Survivor fans –– a real example of worlds colliding.

Sophomore art major Luke Terranova said, “ I have never really watched Survivor, but I will be tuned in and hoping Burdette wins.”

The beauty of something like this is that it could, in fact, link two fanbases for like. Other contestants who went on survivor as former college athletes had mounds of former college fans rooting them on during their time on the show, and the hope is that will be the case for Burdette.

UM sophomore accounting major David Gildart, a fan of Survivor, said, “I have been watching survivor since season 10, and I have loved it.

It makes me even more excited that an Ole Miss Rebel is going to be a contestant.”

The winner of Survivor takes home a glorious prize of $1 million, but for Burdette, it means much more.

On his Instagram, Burdette said, “I’m making my way to the island for Survivor 46! Getting the opportunity to compete in the greatest game there is (is) a big deal.”

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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024 | PAGE 11

Online betting: the gambler’s e-cigarette DAVID RAMSEY

thedmopinion@gmail.com

Online gambling is a fairly new method of betting that allows users to place bets on eam: things like sporting event outcomes anywhere that their lemiss.com phone has internet access. With Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey starting the wave of allowing legal online gambling to take place, Mississippi is now taking strides to follow suit.

Last week, the Mississippi House passed a bill bringing online gambling one step closer to becoming fully legalized in Mississippi. The bill will link sports betting apps to various Mississippi casinos to allow them to profit off of the betting habits of Mississippians.

In Mississippi, the most prevalent form of online gambling is to bet on the projected stats of athletes rather than the overall outcome of the game, or prop bets. For example, online gambling platforms in Mississippi will allow you to bet that Patrick Mahomes will throw for higher/lower than 265.5 passing yards, but you can’t bet on whether or not the Chiefs will win the game.

Two weeks ago, during NFL playoff games I placed a variety of bets in an attempt to understand the hype around gambling. One thing I learned from the various bets I made is that you win some but lose a lot.

I also learned that these apps are designed to make you want to keep gambling—they make it easy to stake your mon-

JUSTICE ROSE

ey. Online betting is effectively the e-cigarette of gambling.

In the past 10 years, vapes and nicotine pouches have been highly popularized because of their convenience and subtlety in a society that has demonized traditional forms of tobacco, like cigarettes. Online gambling is making way as another convenient addiction for younger and older Americans.

Online gambling has spread like wildfire because of its addictive properties. According to an article from Harvard Medical school, gambling is dangerous because it targets the same centers of the brain

that every addiction does.

These apps profit off of individuals that believe they have done the research to place a realistic bet, but when that bet goes out of the window, they often spend more money to try to hedge their losses and come out even.

This process creates a deadly cycle that causes people to spend more and more money with the hopes that they won’t lose what they initially spent.

This cycle is true of all gambling — but being able to do this anytime and anywhere is what’s dangerous. An individual could place bets in their car,

at work, on their couch or in the shower. By giving individuals 24/7 access to gambling, cases of addiction could easily go from bad to destructive.

Gambling addiction to some may seem abstract, but it starts by making small bets and steadily increases to where some people are draining their 401(k) in an attempt to win big.

The question; however, is not whether or not gambling can be bad for you. The question is: should Mississippi’s government do something David Ramsey is a juto prevent it? Currently, on- nior public policy leadership line gambling in Mississippi major from Madison, Miss. is water down, limited to only

What does t​ he ​N PHC need?

thedmopinion@gmail.com

Ole Miss is nationally renowned for its vibrant Greek life, consistently placing in the top five on many websites that rank ​ colleges by sorority and fraternity culture​ . Graduates say the best years of their lives happen at Ole Miss, and they create lasting relationships with those they cross paths with during matriculation. Those feelings of pride and excitement are not exclusive to students involved with Greek life, but they are certainly amplified.

Ole Miss has a thriving National Pan-Hellenic Council community on campus, which is often overlooked by ranking sites and individuals on campus alike. ​ For those unfamiliar, the NPHC is a collection of historically Black sororities and fraternities, as opposed to the predominantly white Greek conglomerates of the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic council. ​Outside of oc-

Opinion Policies:

LIBBY FLANAGAN / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

prop bets, for the most part.

The benefit of this bill is that Mississippi casinos and the government could benefit from the money that would be poured into local communities. The bill would implement a taxation directing 12% of the money generated to state infrastructure. Better infrastructure and more business for the state’s casinos would positively affect many Mississippians and could positively impact the economy. By these metrics, this bill is fantastic, but should the state legalize it?

I say no.

Online sports betting is not the same as traditional gambling. By being able to do it anywhere, you engage in the act more frequently—as is the case with vaping. Making online sports betting more accessible increases the likelihood that people will become addicted to extents that lead to financial ruin. There are plenty of ways the state of Mississippi can improve the state’s economy without passing legislation that can lead to addiction.

Addiction is already a prevalent disease in Mississippi and most parts of the U.S. — the availability of online sports betting only encourages unhealthy habits. It is time to understand that no economic growth is worth the endangerment of Mississippi citizens.

casional recognition here and Fraternity, Incorporated, about Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, I Sedric Scott, ​a​ssistant ​d​ there, the endeavors th​at NPHC​ 10 months ago. As a brother on feel that the campus views us as irector ​of​ the Office of Fraterorganizations involve them- campus, long days and nights leaders among our peers. I be- nity and Sorority Life, primarselves in often go unnoticed. have been devoted to service lieve the women of the Theta Psi ily serves as the adviser for the Typically, the most you and advocacy. Not in the cli- chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha NPHC on campus. Additionally, would hear about these organi- che way, either. Nearly every demonstrate our commitment Scott is a member of Phi Beta zations​involves t​he stepping, Greek organization claims to to service to our campus and lo- Sigma Fraternity, Inc​orporated​. strolling, hopping and other care and do the most commu- cal community often throughout Those who have engaged creative, passionate displays nity service work​ ,​whether its the calendar year​ ,​ ” Hite said. in discourse regarding NPHC of membership. This miscon- NPHC, IFC, CPH, NMGC, etc​.​ ​​​Hite also called upon NPHC with Scott can say that his ception grossly undersells the The difference is that this and Greek organizations to ed- main​goal as an adviser is to purpose of the NPHC, though. organization, the one near ucate themselves on the other, help attract new members and Still, any member of these and dear to my heart, is de- and she noted the need for sol- increase its presence on camhonorable organizations would liberate and strategic about idarity amongst NPHC sorori- pus. He does this by holding tell you what they do is not for the philanthropy we involve ties, also known as the Divine 9.​​ organizations accountable in credit​ ,​but rather for the de- ourselves with. Service is not “The NPHC needs support all ways. By being better indivelopment and uplifting of the hitting a quota set out by a na- and encouragement from oth- vidually, Scott knows this will communities they interact with.​ tional body. Service is about er campus and Greek organi- make​for a strong, impressive T​hese organizations pride them- helping others, always, regard- zations. I think, as a whole, group of organizations any stuselves on serving as a pillar of B ​ ​ less of what is to gain from it. Panhellenic and NPHC could dent could be interested in. lack unity and upward mobility.

Lauren Hite, a senior jour- do more to learn more about Ultimately, Scott works to ​​ As a member of the NPHC nalism major from Jackson, is each ​other’s culture​and histo- improve the image and percepmyself, I am aware of the state a ​s​pring ​20​22 initiate of Alpha ry. Members of NPHC need to tion of the NPHC​ . The NPHC of ​B​lack Greeks here on cam- Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorpo- remember the principles and has struggled with frequent lepus. Please, consider this a rare rated, the first intercollegiate values of their organizations gal troubles and eyebrow-raisopportunity to hear from select historically African American and be determined to represent ing hazing allegations for deNPHC campus representatives sorority. She spoke on the state those principles daily​,​and (​we cades. All nine members of regarding ​ our circumstances.​of the NPHC and her time as need to) ​work together as Divine the council have outlawed unIn my case, I earned mem- a sister of Alpha Kappa Al- 9 organizations and help one sanctioned pledging activities. bership into the distinguished pha Sorority, Incorporated. another uplift ​our m ​ embers and REST THE REST AT brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha “As a woman of Alpha Kappa community​,​” Hite continued.

THEDMONLINE.COM

Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.

PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 FEBRUARY 2024

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