THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2022
137TH YEAR | ISSUE 23
Starkville updates rental housing code: What does this mean for owners and renters? HEATHER HARRISON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Starkville updated its rental housing code in March. Rental owners now must register with the city and pay a $15 fee per rental housing unit. Mayor Lynn Spruill said the amendments to the rental housing code were needed because several apartment units in town became inhabitable, and the city wanted to avoid that from happening again. The updates allow code enforcement officers to inspect the residence even without permission of the owner. “I think it help it keeps them (the prop-
erty owners) accountable,” Spruill said, “and allows us to have a better handle on making sure that … project or complex stays in a condition that people can be proud of, and they can be safe living in.” The city has a complaint form on its website where apartment tenants can voice concerns about their rental properties. This is how code enforcement officers know to inspect certain units. Spruill said the complaint form is not new, but it allows city officials to hear concerns. The property maintenance code defines what conditions are ac-
ceptable for housing. The CDC also provides guidelines for standing water and tall grass. If an officer drives by and notices appearance flaws on the outside of a complex, the officer may contact the owner of the property to see inside. If the owner denies the request, the officer may visit the municipal judge and get a warrant for a property inspection of the inside of the apartments. “Usually if it’s not kept up on the outside, it’s not kept up on the inside,” said Starkville building official Stein McMullen. Spruill said the rental housing code is needed
File Photo | The Reflector
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill
to ensure rental housing units are up to standard and are in good living conditions. McMullen said the updated code allows code enforcers to know
Heather Harrison | The Reflector
The rental property inspection complaint form is available on Starkville’s website.
what properties are in the city and who owns them. “It gives us that database of who owns it so we can find them a lot sooner and have a little
more enforcement power to get it done quicker without having to go through a whole, long process,” McMullen said. RENTAL, 2
SKY Campus Happiness offers meditative techniques JORDAN BROCK STAFF WRITER
Ivy Rose Ball | The Reflector
The Speaking Center is located on the third floor of the Old Main Academic Center and helps students with their speech skills.
New center assists with communication skills HANNAH RAE KENNEDy STAFF WRITER
The Speaking Center at Mississippi State University is a new resource that aims to improve the public speaking skills of students and faculty. Within a 30-minute consultation session, trained consultants at the Speaking Center can help with specific assignments and general speaking improvement. Cheryl Chambers, an
instructor of communications at MSU, said the center is currently geared towards students and faculty, but the goal is to spread beyond campus and allow availability to members of the community. “We saw other similar entities on campus like the Writing Center and the Career Center, and we wanted to be able to offer something to help in this particular area since it is something that a lot
of students struggle with,” Chambers said. According to Chambers, students do not have to come in with a speech for class in order to meet with a consultant. Chambers said anyone can attend an appointment public speaking tips. Chambers reinforced the center's goal to be another layer of assistance for improving communication skills. CENTER, 2
SKY Campus Happiness provides stress management tools and techniques for success through the use of breathwork and meditation, yoga and personal awareness seminars. Mississippi State University recently established a chapter of the organization. With over 100 chapters across the U.S., SKY Campus Happiness is a nationally recognized club. However, MSU is the only university in Mississippi with an available chapter. This program is a branch of the International Association for Human Values and Art of Living Foundation and was designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. SKY Campus Happiness has five key goals: emotional intelligence, breathwork and meditation, inclusion and belonging, service and leadership. The club also aims to provide opportunities for community service projects and trainings, both on and off campus. Chandra Sarap, a research
Hailey Storey | The Reflector
Students participate in a Sunday afternoon yoga class at the Sanderson Center.
associate of chemistry and advisor of SKY Campus Happiness, founded the new campus organization. While his doctoral is focused on chemistry, Sarap said he also has a passion for the mental health of students. Sarap discovered this program while he was working on his doctorate degree and said he felt the program changed his life for the better. "When I was working on my Ph.D, I was working 10 to 12 hours a day. I was working so much I wanted to quit my Ph.D. My adviser suggested me to meet with the university’s doctor, so I met with
him," Sharap said. "Instead of prescribing me a pill he suggested I do the SKY program, so I did, and it completely changed the trajectory of my life." Sarap said he brought this club to MSU to help students develop their breathing skills and meditative states. "After COVID started, many people went into a depression, and a lot of things happened," Sarap said. "It is a high time for having some tools and techniques that they can incorporate in their life to get out of the anxiety and depression." HAPPINESS, 2
Ear th Week promotes sustainability with week-long events MSU's Office of Sustainability offered fashion show, learning opportunities and fair to celebrate
"I think the Starkville Strong movement is a beautiful way of presenting ways to help, ways to plug in to the community," Jones said. "When this awareness is not brought to the table, the community can often fall short on what is productive in the long run." Clay Roberts, a sophomore majoring in business, said he thinks hosting Earth Week events is beneficial. "I think Earth Week is important on campus because it's important to acknowledge the risk our planet is in," Roberts said. "Often, we overlook the imminent danger our climate is facing for the sake of convenience."
LIzzIE TOmLIN STAFF WRITER
Mississippi State University's Office of Sustainability hosted Earth Week from April 19 to April 22. During the week, students had the opportunity to learn about Earth Day and participate in related activities. Students were invited to join other environmental activists to celebrate the earth and advocate for sustainability. The week presented activities such as a sustainable fashion show and a campus clean up. The fashion show entitled "Flower Power" featured Mary Jones, who is a local designer
Landon Scheel | The Reflector
Landon Scheel | The Reflector
A colorful banner hangs on a tent at the Earth Week event on the Drill Field. Earth Week was held during April 19 to April 22.
Emma Van Epps holds an Earth-friendly sign.
and creator of Pink Plaid Vintage. Within two months of planning, Jones and the MSU Climate Reality Project created a sustainable collection for 20 individuals to feature in the show. "Events such as 'Flower Power' are important to shed aware-
of entirely secondhand textiles and materials," Jones said. “Although the waste ethics on clothing production are poor, Pink Plaid aids in bringing light and creation to the matter.” Jones reiterated her statement that the community could improve by coming together often.
ness on trivial problems that we have a hand in," Jones said. "Power is held in the multitudes." Jones said she believed it was important for the community to gather and thought the fashion show accomplished this goal. Raised in the Starkville community, Jones
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HI: 74 LO: 45 SKY: Sunny POP: 3
HI: 80 LO: 55 SKY: Mostly sunny POP: 5
HI: 84 LO: 61 SKY: Partly cloudy POP: 4
has been a sustainable clothing activist in town for years. Jones shared how her business, Pink Plaid Vintage, assisted in reducing the waste of clothing production. "I am intentional of the purchases I decided to make, eventually leading into the cultivation
FORECAST: We have made it past the April showers, and we are making our way into summer weather. As the week continues, expect to see the temperatures continue to rise. With highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s, it would be a nice time to lay out by the pool and soak up the sunshine.
Courtesy of The Weather Channel
EARTH, 2
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