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“Click It or Ticket” infringing on freedoms
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132nd YEAR ISSUE 17
FRIDAY OCTOBER 27, 2017
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Laura Dunn gives back to MSU SEAN MCCARTHY
earning her masters in student affairs. As part of the student affairs masters, students are required to complete a 300-hour internship. Dunn chose to intern with Rodney Pearson, director of the newly-established Center for Student Success. As part of her internship, Dunn created an inventory of all the resources available to students on campus. She said her internship was a “beefing-up” of her institutional knowledge. At the end of her semester, Pearson requested Dunn stay on as assistant director of the center. The center was established as a support service for MSU students as they transition into campus and college life. One large component of the center is the freshman navigators, a group of students dedicated to mentoring and guiding freshman as they settle into MSU’s campus life. Dunn supervises the freshman navigators and conducts her own communication with freshman, frequently checking in to make sure they are adjusting well both inside and outside the classroom. Dunn firmly believes in the value the navigator
STAFF WRITER
DYLAN BUFKIN STAFF WRITER
On Tuesday night, the Mississippi State University Student Association Senate passed two resolutions and tabled another discussion for the next assembly. The first resolution on the docket was Resolution 26, which shows student support for upcoming city legislation over the renewal of the 2 percent tax on prepared food and beverages. The 2 percent tax, 20 percent of which goes to MSU, was originally legislated to stay in place from 2004 until June 28, 2016. On March 16, 2016, the Board of Aldermen renewed the food and beverage tax until June 28 of 2018. The percentage of the tax given to MSU helps fund the SA. They use the funds for events like Bulldog Bash and the Old Main Music Festival. SA, 2
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Dunn was highly involved as a student at MSU. She was a member of a sorority, Roadrunners and the Montgomery Leadership Program and worked each summer as an orientation leader. Her first job out of college was as a sales and catering representative for
the Royal Sonesta hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, she and her husband were drawn back to Starkville after they realized how much they missed the atmosphere of the campus and the town. “I saw that I could be successful while at Mississippi State,” Dunn
said. “This university had given me so many great opportunities. People invested their time and energy in me, and I knew I could give back.” In 2011, Dunn and her husband returned to live and work in Starkville. Dunn first worked as an admissions counselor while
New vaping amendment clouds 2008 smoking ban Two public hearings will be held in November to debate the proposed amendment to allow a loophole in the 2008 no smoking ordinance. TORI BOATNER AND JOSH BECK STAFF WRITER AND NEWS EDITOR
A unanimous vote from the Starkville Board of Aldermen earlier this month amended the ban on smoking to include the use of electronic cigarettes. This decision worries business owners. To placate the owners of various tobacco and vape shops throughout Starkville, a secondary amendment is being reviewed. This amendment to the 2008 smoking ban would allow patrons in free-standing tobacco and vape stores to smoke inside of their establishment. However, this amendment does not account for tobacco and vape stores located within shopping centers. Wael Salem, manager of Tobacco 101 on Highway 12, said he does not understand why this ban excludes multiunit buildings. “It doesn’t make sense to me because my store is a closed-in area,” Salem said. Salem believes many of his customers will start to purchase e-liquid online, which will subsequently decrease his sales. Under normal circumstances, Salem allows his customers
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to smell and taste products before making purchases. He also allows them to smoke indoors if they want to try out a product immediately after a purchase. “If the exemption excludes my store, consumers will go elsewhere to smoke,” Salem said. Tobacco 101 sells both tobacco and vaping products. Salem said there is a distinct difference between the two and they should not be treated the same. “It is unfair that they are putting vapes in the same category as cigarettes,” Salem said. The new ban also raises uncertainty for some on the Mississippi State University campus. One skeptic is Taylor Garner, an instructor in the Department of English. He said he applauds the city’s effort to consider allowing vaping in stand-alone locations but is concerned for stores that may not get the exemption. Garner believes this ban could be economically harmful to certain businesses. As a vaper, Garner understands there is an difference between cigarettes and vaping
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SA Senate supports city legislation, instate advising program
Linsay Pace | The Reflector
Laura Dunn, a Mississippi State University alumna, is the assistant director of the MSU Center for Student Success. Dunn said MSU invested a lot into her and it is time for her to give back to the school she loves. Dunn supervises the freshman navigators at MSU.
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Every morning Laura Dunn walks briskly into her office, preparing for another day to impact the Mississippi State University community. Dunn, the assistant director of the MSU Center for Student Success, has befriended numerous students and faculty, who are familiar with her energetic spirit and optimistic attitude. She has had a long and impactful history with MSU, having established herself as a campus leader and mentor. Dunn was born in Central Pennsylvania, and moved to Hattiesburg when she was in junior high. Dunn credits Hattiesburg High School for helping her develop an understanding of various student backgrounds. Dunn said she attributes her personal growth to surrounding herself with a diverse set of friends and mentors. Dunn graduated MSU in 2008, with a degree in public relations. She said she majored in public relations because she enjoys talking to people and writing. She said her role in student affairs certainly benefits from her public relations background.
program brings to MSU. “Students need navigators because so many students feel like nobody has their back,” Dunn said. “We had a lot of students that were falling through the gaps and every freshman should know that they have someone that is there for them.” Darby Rich, a first-year graduate student assigned to the center, said she sees Dunn as a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. She also said Dunn is incredibly adaptable to all types of situations she might experience professionally. Dunn said her favorite part of working at MSU is the people. As someone who works extensively with the campus community, Dunn cannot cross the Drill Field without running into someone she recognizes. “I feel like we have a very genuine university filled with amazing faculty and staff,” Dunn said. “I love the community.” Cat Balsam, a senior business administration major from Memphis, Tennessee, is in her second year of “navigating.” Balsam worked closely with Dunn in selecting new navigators for this academic year and came to realize a lot about Dunn’s commitment to the university. DUNN, 2
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products because there is no combustion or tobacco involved with vaping. “Treating vaping the same as smoking is to treat it as guilty by association since cigarettes are a source
Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector
buildings may cause consumers to vape less and smoke more, because they may not be comfortable enough with the products to purchase them online. “I wish law[makers]
“Treating vaping the same as smoking is to treat it as guilty by association since cigarettes are a source of nicotine.” -Taylor Garner, MSU Department of English instructor of nicotine,” Garner said. Garner said the change to the law could inadvertently encourage people to remain smokers or use less effective smokingcessation methods. He said a ban on vaping in stores in multiunit
FORECAST: A cold front moves through Starkville tonight into Saturday morning, bringing an increase in cloud cover as well as showers and a few thunderstorms overnight. Some spots may accumulate up to an inch of rain. Clouds clear Saturday, bringing cooler temperatures and sunny skies for the rest of the weekend. -~Christana Landress, Campus Connect Meteorologist
and policymakers would be more knowledgeable about the things they produce policy and law about,” Garner said. As one of the strongest voices against the amendment, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins said it is in
the city’s best interest not to allow an amendment of any kind to water down the 2008 smoking ban. “I do not see any positives in the amendment. It needs to be defeated,” Perkins said. “Starkville does not need to allow any form of smoking in any public place within the city limits.” In his third term as vice mayor, Perkins said he values consistency over the popular opinion. Perkins said he is probusiness and pro-growth, but said an amendment added to the non-smoking ordinance would lessen the city’s ability to enforce the original law. In addition, Perkins said this amendment could create a slippery slope. VAPING, 2
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