Feb. 10, 2016

Feb. 10, 2016 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 80 No. 17

Election Debate

pg. 2

Samuel Sutton and Dewey Cooper debate their favorite choice for the presidential nomination.

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Peter Fields, English associate professor, tries out the new MSU History Display in the second floor of Moffett Library, during the unveiling of the display, Feb. 9.

Steamroller Art

Rolanda Ferdinand, general business senior, looks through the old WaiKun and Wichitan editions that were scanned onto the MSU History Display, which is on the second floor of the Moffett Library, and was unveiled Feb. 9.

The future of the past Moffett debuts digital history of MSU

pg. 5

High school art students steamroll their wood carvings.

Softball Fields

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Cortny Bates, special collections librarian/associate university librarian, demonstrates how to use the MSU History Display to the 50 people in attendance for the unveiling of the display held in Moffett Library on the second floor.

pg.7

New turf on the softball field will hopefully conserve maintenance costs and water.

EMILY CARROLL REPORTER

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ssociate University Librarian for Technical Services Cortny Bates unveiled the digital display of MSU history on the second floor of Moffett Library on Tuesday Feb. 9. She presented the new touch screen display to faculty, students and alumni along with a spread of finger foods and drinks. Its features replaced the pictures that used to hang on the wall by the special collections office, as well as articles from the Wai-Kun and The Wichitan.

"We went through all of the old Wai-Kuns and Wichitans from the beginning of MSU, and the scanned articles and pictures that jumped out at us," Bates said.

Special Collections Assistant Stacy Johnson said celebrating [the display] is hugely important for the spirit of the school.

"If you understand the history of your school, you get a better sense of place and where you are," Johnson said.

There are seven presentations with 50-100 pictures each. Bates and Johnson scanned every piece of history and compiled the presentations on the online presentation tool Prezi.

"We started it last May and it took us until August or September to get everything scanned," Johnson said. "Then it took us a couple months to put the Prezis together, and Cortny did a lot of that work."

About 50 people attended the unveiling including President Suzanne Shipley. She said it is smart to approach library work this way because digitization is the future."

"This preserves the history, organizes it, and makes it accessible," Shipley said.

Along with faculty and alumni, students came to check out the display as well.

"I used the archives a lot last semester as a part of a project I was doing with the museum and I was curious to see changes they made in the last few months," history senior Alex Van Allen said.

Alumni were also able to attend the presentation. Thomas Shaw, who was a music education major, attended MSU when they started the first marching band in 1946.

"I think it's good that they're preserving things because things do fade," Shaw said.

Bates and Johnson hope people will get to look at the display and experience it even if they don't want to go through the whole presentation.

"Students don't even have to come in the library to see it," Bates said.

"But it's a nice way to come and take a study break and maybe see some funny pictures."

2 | Feb. 10, 2016 |

Time to decide

First 100 days – the measure of a president

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he first 100 days of a president’s term can make or break their place in history. These days are crucial and we need a Republican president who can make impactful change.

Samuel Sutton DONALD TRUMP

Trump is a controversial character but he may not be too bad. He would make great negotiations with allies and other foreign countries. Since he’s a businessman, he may develop a way to decrease the national debt.

TED CRUZ

Teddy could do well with health care and education. He wants to repeal Obamacare and put in a “commonsense reform” to help make it more affordable and personal. This makes me happy. Obamacare hurt my mom.

She couldn’t see a doctor until the first of the year and she was super sick.

MARCO RUBIO

Rubio isn’t going to do anything. He is too young. He always repeats himself (as seen in the last debate), which shows he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and all he does during the debates is bash Trump, Obama, and Hillary. I want a president who is strong, prepared, and experienced. Maybe he’ll get taken as a vice president, but he is not yet ready to be president.

THE OTHER GUYS

Candidates like John Kasich and Chris Christie have pretty good views and would probably be able to do something to help better the economy and fight against ISIS.

REPUBLICANS ON: GAY MARRIAGE

There are some conservatives who think gay marriage is a “bad thing.” This is not every Republican and I’m not one of those people. America is the land of the free so if

people want to marry the same gender, then just let them and don’t judge. A president should respect these freedoms.

Vo. 80 | No. 17

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room B103 3410 Taft Blvd. Box 14 Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 - wichitan@mwsu.edu

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ut of the 11 remaining presidential candidates – both Republican and Democrat – only one is the real voice REPUBLICANS ON: THE ECONOMY of the people: Bernie SandRepublicans want the country’s trade ers, the democratic socialist and industry to be run by private business nominee from Vermont.

Dewey Cooper owners for profit. This will get better goods, Bernie has his share of products, and more money to pay off the napolitical experience.

Eight years as mayor of tional debt.

Burlington, Vermont, he also served 15 years a member of the U.S. House of RepresentaREPUBLICANS ON: EDUCATION tives, and is his eighth year serving as a U.S. Republicans Senator. believe educaBernie is the tion should be people’s candimore affordable. date who plans The national stuto rebuild the dent loan debt is quickly diminnow higher than ishing worknational credit ing (or middle) card debt. We class. The plan want the student is to have hard loan debt to go working citizens down by providreceive the pay, ing families with the benefits, and more informathe care they detion they need serve. To accomto make smarter ARTWORK BY DEWEY COOPER | THE WICHITAN plish this, he will choices for their child’s future in educatax the top one percent of the population. tion. We try to provide people with compleA citizen’s right to life can only be fully tion rates, repayment rates, and other useful protected if healthcare is affordable or paid information. We don’t want to make it free, for by tax dollars, this is one of Sanders plans but we want to help people make smart, to help the citizens of this country. If citiaffordable decisions before hurting them- zens decide they want to go to college or deselves. cide they do not want to, they should be able The candidate I’m voting for in the to make that choice, work hard, and still be March 1 primary is John Kasich. He wants able to live a comfortable life. People should to cut taxes and restrain government. He not be forced to go to college. would do a lot in his first hundred days with Along with Bernie’s extensive healthcare those two things, as well as fighting the war plan he also focuses on wealth and income against ISIS. equality. Bernie plans to tax the wealthiest one percent of the population appropriately Samuel Sutton is sophomore studying mass to their income and assets and redistribute communications. the wealth for other things including infrastructure, and healthcare.

Bernie wants to break up the big banks so that not one large portion of America’s

wichitan

the

Bernie Sanders: the people’s choice wealth is dependent on the six biggest financial institutions in the country. Bernie also plans to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour.

Although there has been incredible progress in the LGBT community, Bernie still plans to knock out the obstacles that face the community, such as job and housing discrimination.* Some candidates are focused on running the country through religion, such as Ben Carson. The First Amendment states that citizens have religious freedom, and inserting religion into federal government inherently infringes on the rights of American citizens with differing beliefs. Other candidates, such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, are trying to run the country like a business.

A problem with Donald Trump wanting to run the federal government like a business is he does not have good track record with successful businesses, Trump has had nine business ventures fail since 1989 according to a Aug. 7, 2015 Time article. Let’s not make America the latest.

On the Liberal front, Hillary Clinton claims to be against Citizens United, but has still taken more than $45 million in donations, while Bernie has collected zero, according to a Feb. 1 New York Times article.

The main problem with these super PACs is the candidate has an obligatory duty to do what their contributor tells them to do.

To have a happy and well maintained society were going to need a president we can look up to and the hard working citizens of this country to be respected like they should.

Out of the 11 candidates running only Bernie can accomplish this. Feel the Bern.

*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ABOUT BERNIE’S STANCES ON MAJOR ISSUES YOU CAN VISIT HIS WEBSITE AT BERNIESANDERS. COM Dewey Cooper is a sophomore studying political science.

PHOTO EDITOR: Rachel Johnson PHOTOGRAPHER: Francisco Martinez, Kayla White, Samuel Sutton DESIGN EDITOR: Brianna Sheen DESIGNER: Justin Marquart MANAGING EDITOR: Kara McIntyre BUSINESS MANAGER: Dewey Cooper ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

Copyright © 2016. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a telephone number and address.

The editor retains the right to edit letters.

| Feb. 10, 2016 | 3

Campus Parking Trouble: Fact or Fiction?

CHRIS MARTEN REPORTER

W PHOTOS BY SAM SUTTON | THE WICHITAN

Steve Hilton, associate professor of visual arts, explains the ceramics department and what they offer and the resources that they have to about 20 potential new MSU students with their families and friends.

Potential Fain students Discover MSU

SAMUEL SUTTON REPORTER

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bout 40 prospective students gathered at Fain Fine Arts Center on Feb. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for the first Discover MSU, hosted by Admissions of the year.

Dustin Webb, assistant director of admissions, said, “I think this is incredibly beneficial for students because it shows them all that we offer, as well showing them that they have access to the deans, teachers, and other faculty.”

The prospects got to see the art, theater, facilities, and the mass communication facilities. They also got to meet the teachers and faculty.

One of the things they saw was the ceramics room. While seeing this, Steve Hilton, ceramics professor, made a pot out of clay. The students seemed interested and focused on this project, and that made Hilton feel confident in his department.

Hilton said, “I loved seeing their focused faces. Their smiles really boosted my confi-

dence in my work, and in the program. It made me feel like a rockstar.”

Siany Closs, a possible future art student, expressed her interest in the ceramics department.

“I really enjoyed it. It’s not something I’ll probably focus on when I’m here, but it was still really cool to see that we’ll be taught by somebody who knows what they’re doing and that feels as confident as he did while making it,” Closs said.

Close said the tour made her consider MSU further.

Closs said, “I loved seeing the 3D designing process, and seeing how they are able to use everything they have. No tool or prop is ever ‘useless’ to them. Seeing that really made me start to consider this school more than I have been.”

Richard Closs, father of Siany Closs, said he also liked the school, and felt comfortable sending her here.

“Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing, and they were very per-

suasive. If Siany chooses this school, I would have no problem with it,” he said.

While mass communication department was scarce on students, it did receive some attention. Michaella O’Brien, one of the higher recruited mass communication prospects, attended the event, and liked what she heard and saw.

“I like that it’s a smaller school, and I like that they have so much resources for journalism. I already wanted to come here, but now there is definitely no question. I will be attending next fall,” O’Brien said.

Admissions has hosted Discover MSU for two years, according to Webb, and will continue for years to come.

“We feel very confident about this event. It represents all of our departments in a positive way, and it’s a good way to recruit the students. We will continue to attend high schools everywhere so we can recruit students to come here and attend these events,” Webb said.

FUTURE DISCOVER MSU DATES: FEB. 12 - DILLARD COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION | FEB. 19 - BOLIN COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS | FEB. 26 - PROTHRO-YEAGAR COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | MARCH 4 - GORDON T. & ELLEN WEST COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | MARCH 11 - ROBERT D. & CAROL GUNN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICES

ith generally negative attitudes toward student parking and the Health Sciences and Human Services facility preparing to take 72 more spaces on campus, the issue is a topic of controversy between both residents and commuters alike.

“Parking anywhere on campus is pretty terrible,” said Alec Riding-In, geosciences junior. “As far as the commuter spots go, I don’t necessarily mind walking, which I always have to do in order to get to my classes because the parking lot near Bolin Hall is always full. I don’t really like the fact that I paid $50 for this.”

Though most students would dislike a walk across campus to a morning class, the truthfulness of there being too few parking spots is complicated.

The total number of campus parking spots is 3,224. As of Fall 2015 the number of commuters and residents was approximately 3,700 and 1,319 respectively, making the student parking situation appear terrible at face value.

“This is an exciting time for MSU, but we’re also dealing with the growing pains of becoming more of a resident university,” said Keith Lamb, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “Bigger schools have gone through it before us and have had similar obstacles. I can see us perhaps needing a parking garage somewhere down the line, although that may not solve the convenience issue.”

The question of what the university needs becomes skewed when considering a few other factors.

Although the number of commuters and residents does not match the number of campus parking spots, Fall 2015 only saw 3,127 commuter and 643 residential parking permits issued.

The police department periodically conducts a census on student parking which indicates parking was never at 100 percent capacity last fall. It’s also worth noting that approximately 900 students are online only, as well as the 300 parking spots offered by the churches on Taft

see PARKING pg. 8

4 | Feb. 10, 2016 |

PHOTOS BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Jasmine Barron, Old High student and contestant, looks at art work with her mother, Graciela Barron, during The Juanita Harvey Art Gallery: Opening Reception for High School Art Competition held on Feb. 6 in Fain Fine Arts. | High school students, professors, teachers, parents, and gather around the High School student’s art displays for the The Juanita Harvey Art Gallery: Opening Reception for High School Art Competition

120 students from 12 high schools compete in Fain art competition LANE RIGGS REPORTER

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he art on the walls invited spectators to understand not only art, but the artists behind the art, all competitors in this year’s high school art competition.

The talents of middle school and high school students on display at the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery illustrated talents and came to a close on Feb. 6 after the awards show for first, second, and third place winners in all areas.

The Gallery was up since Jan. 25, allowing students and prospective students to look through the exhibit.

The art faculty, working with area scholastic art instructors, have put on this presentation annually for the past 25 years with faculty members judging the pieces.

This year 120 students submitted 180 pieces of work to the competition, including some from out of the area and others from out of the state.

“The Gallery encourages artistic expression, and it promotes the making of art,” Ann Marie Leimer, chair and professor of art history, said. “The number of entrees that we had this year show that the reputation of the competition is growing.”

The gallery is open to students throughout Texas, but the big winners were Rider and Wichita Falls high schools.

“We had 20 kids enter the competition and about 15 wins,” Rider High School teacher Nancy Kizis said. “We encourage kids to enter every year because even if this school is small, it has the best art department.”

The department, in addition to praising the students for their art, hoped to also award them with scholarships.

“We award 15 scholarships on average,” Siguru Hiraide, associate professor of art, said. “The scholarships

PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Larry Hamilton, retired art teacher, talks with his old students Jenna Ward, Rider student and first place winner in two categories, and Carli Ward, Rider student, and their mother, Paulette Baltrunas at The Juanita Harvey Art Gallery: Opening Reception for High School Art Competition. are only for students coming here, and only art majors, but the highest amount we have awarded is $3,000.”

For students who need extra financial help, this scholarship is the perfect solution. However, though the school saw a lot of young students, the majority was not planning to attend the university, and even more students were not interested in majoring in art.

“I want to major in chemistry,” Therese Silknetter, a junior at Hirschi High School, said. “For me, art is just a hobby. It’s a nice break from everything else and a good stress reliever.”

A common theme between all of the students: a pas-

sion for art.

“I’ve loved making art ever since I could remember.

It’s a personal thing,” senior at Wichita Falls Noe Alcantar said.

Of the three pieces Alcantar entered, only one was named an honorable mention. Most notable was his piece of a woman gazing at a mask she is holding in her hands.

“It’s called ‘Revelation’,” Alcantar said. “I went all out, because I was going through some stuff, and I just had a moment of ‘Revelation’. My pieces are more dark and meaningful.”

Jenohn Euland, a junior at Hirschi High School, and Silknetter, presented a wide array of themes, including time and religious persecution.

The competition also gave students the opportunity to enter different categories, something that established that the student’s creativity had no specific dimension.

One of Silknetter’s second place winners was a dragon made of paper leaping off the pages of a book. The dragon embodied her vision.

“It was originally a dragon off Harry Potter, and I thought of it during lunch,” Silknetter said. “I like to think it resembles the creativity of the author popping out of the pages at you.”

College faculty gave out some 30 awards and Martin Camancho, dean of the Fain College of Fine Arts, praised the students.

“Your art will be preserved for a very long time,” Camancho said. “You are all winners today.”

The scholarship winners will be announced within the next few weeks.

| Feb. 10, 2016 | 5

PHOTOS BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

Lizca Bass, painting senior, and Auria Sanchez, teaching certification senior, unpeel the paper from the wood block to reveal the image for the Steamroller Print Event on Nocona Trial set up as a collaboration between the School of Visual Arts and Wichita Falls Independent School District high schools, Feb 9, 2016. | Catherine Prose, associate professor, demonstrates to students how to properly roll ink onto the wood block for the Steamroller Print Event

Steamroller gives local high schoolers a new perspective

RACHEL JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHER EDITOR

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he art department hosted a Steamrolling Print Event off Nocona Trail Feb. 9 for the local art high school students, producing art that will be displayed throughout the week.

“We went with [the steamrolling project for the students] because of the exhibit in the main gallery, so we thought that it could coincide with that,” Catherine Prose, visual art associate professor, said.

The event took inspiration from Irving Herrera’s printmaking display exhibition in the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery. Prose said they did the steamrolling project once before as a part of an art camp for MSU students, but this was the first time for high school students. She said they are unsure if they will put on this event again because it depends on future funding. Prose said the university paid for the supplies which included the paper, ink, and plates.

Gary Goldberg, associate professor of visual arts, said that the event cost the university and WFISD about $3,500.

“The grant I applied for didn’t go through, so WFISD and the univer-

sity, specifically the art the Wind. It goes along department, chipped with my international in money for the event. baccalaureate theme of The school department patters that evoke emohelped out with [covertion. I incorporates the ing the bill for] transtheme into this piece portation and substiwith all of the intritute,” Goldberg said. cate swirls and stripes, Evans said that more and I also added in the than 30 students went southern belle silhouthrough a selective proette because I love the cess to be at this event. old south look,” Nunez He said the students said. who were chosen were Evi Economo, senior based on who showed at Rider High School, a real seriousness about described the process of art or being in the class. Armann Pompey, graphic design senior, helps sets up an steamrolling and everyHe said there were about exhibition of the students prints in the Fain FIne Arts lobby for the thing she had to do to six of his students, Steamroller Print Event. prep for it. She said she about 11 from Old high, carved out her art-work senior at Wichita Falls High School, and about 15 kids from Rider High said. “[I started the process by] into wood, then sprayed it with a at the event. sketching out a rough draft in red shellac to seal it. After spraying it, Prose said, “We thought below pencil and then I drew the final in she took her wood to the ceramics 30 students would be here today, blue so I knew what to carve out. room and had pieces rolled with and close to 35 ended up coming, so Then I mixed Indian ink with al- graphic ink. Finally, she took it outthe turnout was a bigger one than cohol to make a transparent to see side and laid it down perfectly flat, we thought.” then paper was placed on top and what I’m carving.”

Evans said each one of those For Gabriela Nunez, junior at the steam roller goes over it twice. prints is equal to [on average] about Hirschi High School, said for her it Economo, “My concentration 15 hours of carving time, done over took her over the course of a month for AP Studio is the human anatomy the course of two weeks. to finish her piece titled Patterns of in nature so my piece is a lotus flow“I spent about eight hours on the Wind. er with a woman and she represents carving my block,” Noe Alcantar, “I named this print Patterns of the life of that flower. She is gestur-

ing to the sun and moon, which is valuable to both human life and nature.”

Nevin Diaz, freshman at Wichita Falls High School, said while hanging his newly made print in the foyer that this was his first time printing and carving and really enjoyed the experience.

“I really had fun using the steamroller to print; it was something you don’t get to do very often. I would rather print by hand for quality reasons, but the steamroller was cool,” Diaz said.

Alcantar said he got the inspiration for his piece from a poem, so he started with the words and then later added to the picture. The words say in Spanish, “My life becomes cloudy and your absence rains over me.” He said he would definitely do it again because he enjoyed the carving of all of the swirly lines, even though carving the letters were hard to him.

Evans said, “This is an individual triumph for the students, but also a collaborative triumph because it brings attention to the arts.”

6 | Feb. 10, 2016 | THEATER

UGROW

2015 FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Sarah Chong Harmer, theater junior and this year’s one-act play director, performs in last year’s Student-Directed and Produced One-Act Play Festival. There will be eight one-act plays this year. The theater department will also put on “A memory, a monologue, a rant and a prayer” on Feb. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bea Wood Studio Theatre. General admission is $5 and all proceeds will be donated to First Step, Inc.

96% of employers name “Intercvltwral Skills” as being one of the two most imporuant considerations when making hires (tied with “Ethics”) 82% of alvmni receixed a competitixe edge from their foreign langwage abilities One-third of American companies do bvsiness oxerseas 80% of the world’s pvrchasing power lies ovtside the U.S.

2015 FILE PHOTO BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Robyn Sanders, Arlington ISD high school teacher, explains her research project to four students during the Celebration of Scholarships held in the Atrium of the Clark Student Center on April 28, 2015. UGROW will host faculty discussion session in CSC Comanche Suites on Feb. 17 from noon to 1 p.m., Feb. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Feb. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Students must attend one session to be considered for participation in UGROW.

A lot of bvsiness gets done on the golf covrse and in other social settings … yov can’t rely on an interqreter there.

Your employer wants to market a product in another country in a way that appeals to local tastes, values and attitudes of non-English speakers …

Would you be able to assist, or would that job go to someone else?

Why not…

Add a double major in Spanish, a “Spanish for the Professions” or French minor, or German classes

Foreign Languages, Midwestern State University Bea Wood 116 jeffrey.oxford@mwsu.edu

1/3 of all corqorations in the U.S. are either owned or based oxerseas More than 63 million Americans work for mvltinational companies

Credit is available, through proficiency exams, for language ability that you may already have.

| Feb. 10, 2016 | 7

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

The softball field received a new turf field at the cost of $430,000. The turf will hopefully save the university money and conserve water.

Softball field update saves water, money SAM SUTTON REPORTER

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lthough Wichita Falls was removed from all drought categories by the United States Drought Monitor last May, the lack of rainfall had already taken a toll on campus athletic and recreational fields, leaving the grass parched.

For the softball field, reprieve came in the form of new turf to replace the wilting grass.

"The primary reason for the turf is to spend less money on maintenance, and to preserve water since that's also a big issue in Wichita Falls," said Kyle Owen, associate vice president for facility services.

The new turf couldn't come at a better time – according to Charlie Carr, athletic director, the fields were sometimes so bad that the softball team had to play at other facilities in the city.

Joey Greenwood, director of recreational sports and wellness center, said the uncertainty of Wichita Falls' rainfall levels is of concern to the recreational sports department as well.

"We went through a drought for the past several years and didn't know when we would get water again," Greenwood said. "We have a little bit now, but we don't know when a drought that bad will come again."

The new turf field will reduce strain on water use and free up maintenance funds.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO MARTINEZ | THE WICHITAN

The softball field received a new turf field at the cost of $430,000. The turf will hopefully save the university money and conserve water.

"This will give us more money to use elsewhere, while also being able to preserve water," Owen said.

The water shortage caused fields to be near useless at times, prompting complaints from other teams and players, according to Carr.

"We had complaints from a lot of other teams since they either had turf or better grass so that kind of screamed change," Carr said.

Before the new turf was installed, the softball field wanted to preserve the grass for games so students couldn't use the field for intramural sports.

Owen said the turf cost about $430,000 taken from

the $6 sports and recreational fee.

Greenwood said, "We couldn't let students use the softball field because we had to keep it playable for the softball team, and since students already pay a rec fee, they should be able to use the good fields."

The new field has received positive feedback from softball players like Katelyn Vinson, a nursing and psychology senior. She even agrees with the staff members about the turf's low maintenance.

"It's very low maintenance and will be easy to manage with weather conditions," Vinson said.

Vinson said she also believes the new turf will benefit the players' performance.

"There are a lot of advantages of a turf field, more consistent hops for example," Vinson said.

While the field change has been positive, there are also some disadvantages, according to Vinson.

"I miss the dirt too. That's the whole part of the sport. The dirtier you are, the harder you played," Vinson said.

She said she'll get over it though, and that the benefits far outweigh the downfalls. She, as well as Carr, believe the new turf will benefit the team and the fans.

THE FIRST SOFTBALL GAME AT THE FIELD WILL BE ON MARCH 4, AND THE FIRST INTRAMURAL SOFTBALL GAME WILL BE ON APRIL 9.

“The primary reason for the turf is to spend less money on maintenance, and to preserve water since that’s also a big issue in Wichita Falls.”

KYLE OWEN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FACILITY SERVICES

8 | Feb. 10, 2016 |

UP C OM I NG E V E N T S

from PARKING pg. 3 Boulevard.

“We are very grateful for the church parking lots across the street, and have made some improvements by reallocating commuter spots to residential,” Lamb said. “Recently though, there has been an excess of spaces.”

Corbin Whan, engineering senior, decided not to purchase a parking permit due to his apartment complex, French Quarter, being extremely close to campus.

“Most of my classes are split between Bolin and McCullough Hall,” Whan said. “If it’s a day I need to go to Bolin, I can easily walk. McCullough is a different story though…and a much greater distance from French Quarter.”

The solution Whan is looking for may come in the form of a proposed new parking lot between Sundance Court and Sunwatcher Village, which, if approved, will generate 244 new student parking spots.

Students will be affected by this through increased campus parking along with a $20 increase to their parking permits.

“I don’t know if the new parking lot would convince me to go ahead and buy a permit, although I would seriously consider it,” Whan said.

“I do think it’s a step in the right direction though.”

The price of a parking permit has always been a sensitive topic for students, but the numbers show the price of an MSU permit is relatively average for our region. It ends up being the exact same price as a permit from Texas Women’s University and nowhere near as expensive as the $250 that the University of North Texas charges.

Women’s Basketball v.

West Texas A&M

Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. | D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Free for students, staff and faculty.

Men’s Basketball v.

West Texas A&M Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. | D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Free for students, staff and faculty.

Board of Regents Meeting 2014 FILE PHOTO BY ETHAN METCALF | THE WICHITAN

Officers Mark Gilbow and Chris Aten move traffic cones that blocked parking spaces in the location of current residence hall construction.

“The new lot will be approximately $600,000 over several years,” Lamb said. “A 25 percent increase is necessary for that to be approved.”

With the implementation of new parking spaces, students’ parking issues have the potential to be obsolete. By fall of this year, administration and students alike will have a better idea if these new changes can be integrated smoothly.

Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. | J.S.. Bridwell Board Room | View the meeting’s agenda at mwsu.edu/welcome/ president/regents-minutes. The meeting will continue Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.

Discover MSU: Dillard College Feb. 12 | Dillard | Free | High school and transfer students will learn about the Dillard College. Contact Admissions at (940) 397-4334.

Juanita Harvey Art Gallery: Irving Herrera Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. | Juanita Harvey Art Gallery | Free | In addition to works by artist Irving Herrera, the gallery opening will feature student work in the “British Studies Exhibition” and “From the Ceramics Studio”.

Theatre production: “A memory, a monologue, a rant, and a prayer”

Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. | Bea Wood Studio Theatre | $5 admission | Proceeds will go to First Step Inc., a nonprofit organization in Wichita Falls.

Continuing Education class: Stained Glass Workshop Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Sikes Lake Center | Admission fee of $100 covers cost of all supplies.

Students must be at least 15 years old and students under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult taking the class. To register, go to mwsu.edu/conted

Theatre production: “A memory, a monologue, a rant, and a prayer”

Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. | Bea Wood Studio Theatre | $5 admission | Proceeds will go to First Step Inc., a nonprofit organization in Wichita Falls.

Graduation filing deadline Feb. 15 | Deadline for May graduates not enrolled in the fall semester to file for graduation. Visit mwsu. edu/registrar/applygraduation/index

C R I M E L OG Feb. 4

Theft | 1:40 p.m. | Wellness center | A employee reported her cell phone stolen from the wellness center.