9.15.21 by Reflector Editor

WWW.REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

Graduate School!

Bird “ﬂocks” to

page

Starkville

page

@REFLECTORONLINE

Bulldogs and

page

“bad intentions”

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

137th YEAR ISSUE 2

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

New Rula building offers advanced technology for engineering students JOSHUA STEWART STAFF WRITER

Adam Sullivan | The Reﬂector

The owner of Andaman Thai, Vien Vong, is pictured with traditional yellow curry.

Rising food prices cause some local restaurants to struggle amid the pandemic MAGGIE ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

Unemployment in the U.S. has been a growing concern since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Starkville is not immune to the issue. As a result of high unemployment rates, some fast-food restaurants, like Wendy’s and Cookout, have upped their starting hourly rates to $13. Other local businesses,

however, still struggle even after offering competitive salaries. In addition, the high levels of unemployment have affected food and supplier prices. Despite the rising unemployment rates, Starkville’s food scene is still expanding, and new restaurants seem to open every week. RESTAURANT, 2

The Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex is now open and conducting classes on Mississippi State University’s campus. Located next to the Longest Student Health Center, Rula offers state-of-the-art lecture halls, laboratories and study rooms to help prepare chemical, civil and environmental engineering students for the workforce. The $34 million building was primarily constructed for civil and environmental engineering majors, but it also offers multipurpose areas for other students to use. Approximately 40 sections of lectures and labs are being held in the building this semester, and more sections are being planned for the spring semester. Faculty members said they are excited about the educational advancements the new building offers. Sandra Ortega-Achury, a research associate who teaches in Rula, said the building was full of

Landon Scheel | The Reﬂector

The Rula Engineering and Science Complex is now officially open for students, faculty and staff on the south side of campus.

possibilities. “We do a lot of lab demonstrations that simulate actual things that happen,” Ortega-Achury said. “We recreate the techniques that are actually used so the students can get hands-on experience.” Ortega-Achury emphasized the necessity

of the new engineering building. “We need this space,” Ortega-Achury said. “We have so many students, and we were really packed in Walker Engineering, and even now, we need to open more sections in this building so we can have smaller sections to better

focus on students.” MSU faculty are not the only people excited about the new building. Holly Harrison, a freshman chemical engineering major from Hazlehurst, Mississippi, said she enjoys having her chemistry lab RULA, 2 in Rula.

Campus organizations highlight the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month MICHAEL BOURGEOIS STAFF WRITER

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and to celebrate, the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at Mississippi State University is hosting multiple events to highlight Hispanic and Latino culture. Kei Mamiya, assistant director of HCDC, said the main annual event for Hispanic Heritage Month is Salsa in the Streets. The Latino Student Association, Ballroom Dance Club and HCDC will host the fun, unique activity to showcase Latino and Hispanic cultures. Salsa in the Streets will allow participants to learn

dances from Latin American countries and enjoy food from local restaurants. To provide a more enriching experience for MSU students, Mamiya said he wanted the HCDC to collaborate with various campus organizations to create a successful month of events. In addition to hosting Salsa in the Streets, Mamiya encourages students to follow the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center on social media and look at the activities calendar on Cowbell Connect to learn about other opportunities to experience new cultures. Alongside HCDC, the International Student

Advisory Board is hosting several events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Sophomore software engineering major Aaron Williams, a representative of the ISAB, said ISAB and LSA are collaborating on an event called Coffee, Culture and Conversation. Participants will discuss how the pandemic has affected Latin America. Williams said he hopes the events this month will allow students to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin America, and that students will encounter new perspectives and interact with people from different backgrounds. HERITAGE, 2

20 YEARS LATER: FORMER REFLECTOR EDITOR DESCRIBES EXPERIENCE OF COVERING DEVASTATING ATTACKS HEATHER HARRISON NEWS EDITOR

It was early on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when Annemarie Bohn, the Reﬂector news editor, put on her “Trust me, I’m a reporter” T-shirt and walked to her 8 a.m. class at Allen Hall on Mississippi State University’s campus. She had no idea what would happen in New York City when she chose her shirt that morning. Bohn, who then went by her maiden name of Annemarie Beede, arrived early to tell her teacher she would not attend class that day because she was sick with the ﬂu. However, as Bohn walked into the classroom, the instructor canceled the class for the day. Bohn

WEDNESDAY HI: 80 LO: 68 SKY: Mostly rainy POP: 60

Annemarie Bohn, former Reflector news editor.

did not pay attention to why the teacher canceled, though, because she was concerned about her illness and needed to see a doctor at the Longest Student Health Center. MSU then canceled all classes and activities on Sept. 11. At the health center, Bohn watched the television as a second plane struck the World Trade Center’s south tower. At the time, the television news reporter

THURSDAY HI: 84 LO: 69 SKY: Mostly rainy POP: 60

Wally Gobetz | Creative Commons

A view of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center terrorist attacks from Jersey City.

called the attack a small plane crash that just happened in New York City. A nurse called Bohn into the doctor’s ofﬁce for her appointment.

FRIDAY HI: 84 LO: 70 SKY: Mostly rainy POP: 60

She then took Bohn’s temperature, and it was an alarming 104 degrees. As Bohn and the nurse sat in the examination room, Bohn asked if she knew anything about the

FORECAST: Gear up for a rainy week, Bulldogs. Chances of rain are high Wednesday through Sunday, with thunderstorms highly possible. The Mississippi humidity combined with the rain will make for a dreary week in Starkville. It will be the perfect weekend to get cozy indoors and watch MSU football on television.

Courtesy of National Weather Service

are under attack! We are in war!” Bohn’s sorority sister Kim George noticed Bohn as she was driving through campus, so she pulled over, pounded at the car door and yelled through her sunroof. “Beede, did you hear? Oh, my God,” George said as tears streamed down her face. “This is crazy! We’re under attack.” Bohn noticed people taking off their hats and dropping to their knees to pray. The thought “Is this real?” kept running through Bohn’s mind. Her ﬁve-minute walk to McComas Hall seemed eternal as doom spread over the nation. At last, she made it to McDavid’s ofﬁce.

plane crash. The nurse said she did not know all the details, but some reporters thought the plane crash was a terrorist attack. Bohn was in shock. Apologizing to the nurse for abrupt departure, Bohn rushed from the health center to McComas Hall to ﬁnd her Reﬂector coworkers and Frances McDavid, the newspaper’s faculty advisor at the time. It was around 8:15 a.m. central time, just 10 minutes after the Boeing 757 aircraft struck the south tower, when Bohn left the health center. As she walked to McComas, chaos ensued across campus. Drivers honked their horns, and everyone was yelling, “Oh my God! We

EDITOR, 2

Readerʼs Guide: Bad Dawgs

Contact Info

Bulletin Board Opinion

3 3

Life&Entertainment 5 Sports 6

Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

@REFLECTORONLINE

RULA “The lab is very easily navigable,” Harrison said. “If you’re looking for something, like a beaker, it’s right there. You don’t have to hunt through drawers and cabinets; it’s all very open.” Harrison mentioned the added technological developments Rula offers in comparison to older buildings on campus. Like Ortega-Achury, Harrison also spoke of the need for a new building. “The old buildings don’t have the technology needed for advanced studies, and it gives people a fresh, new place to go and feel like everything is up-to-date,” Harrison said. Harrison continued, saying that Rula is one of the nicest buildings on campus. “I think the building’s interior is very nice,” Harrison said. “I really like the layout, it has nice study areas and it feels like a very open space. It feels modern.” Building manager and lab coordinator Joe Ivy does not instruct inside the Rula building, but he said is thrilled to be working there. Ivy explained that students, faculty and staff are still adjusting to Rula and learning where everything is located. Additionally, Ivy spoke about the impressive

CONTINUED FROM 1

BAD DAWGS Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021

Monday, Sept. 13, 2021

Student reported harassing phone calls from an unknown person.

Student complained of dehyrdration while walking on Barr and George Perry St. Student refused to be transported to OCH.

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 Employee reported injuring her ankle during a bicycle training class in the Junction. Student reported receiving messages from an unknown male subject. Landon Scheel | The Reflector

The inside of Rula boasts comfortable and sleek study lounges for students and staff.

number of labs that are housed in Rula. The building boasts eight laboratories, each offering a different subspecialty for engineering students. Echoing Harrison’s thoughts, Ivy also spoke

about the differences Rula has compared to other buildings on campus. “Everything is better laid out, and there’s more room. It’s just a better environment. Things look great here,” Ivy said.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 Officer responded to a call from Oak Hall for a call of disturbing the peace by a student. Student was having difficulty breathing and was transported to OCH from Creelman St.

Two students reported they were followed by a person driving a blue truck while they were walking to Zacharias Village. A student reported she was sexually assaulted in Magnolia Hall. Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 A student reported that her exboyfriend stole her cellphone from Sessums Hall. Later, the cellphone was returned to the student.

EDITOR McDavid said she had not planned to be on campus until later that morning because she did not teach early classes. However, while she was getting ready for work and watching the news at home, she saw the second plane hit the south tower and jumped into action. After the second attack, McDavid called to get approval from the board to print a special edition of the Reflector. At McComas Hall, McDavid, Bohn and other Reflector staff gathered around a television and watched in horror as the first tower collapsed. “We saw it live,” Bohn said as tears filled her eyes. McDavid told Bohn she believed passenger planes crashed into the towers, not small planes like most people thought. “Passenger planes,” Bohn said in a panicked tone. “What do you mean?” At that moment, Bohn, McDavid and the Reflector staff realized civilians on the planes had

CONTINUED FROM 1

died. They now knew that people in the Twin Towers were dying too. Everyone froze in shock. No one could cry yet because they were too stunned to believe it was real. Still fighting the flu, Bohn took over-thecounter medicine that made her feel slightly disoriented, furthering the disbelief she already felt. “I didn’t cry for two days because I was in so much shock,” Bohn said. Bohn immediately started taking notes. As news editor, her responsibility was to write accurate news stories about the tragedy and how it affected the MSU community. Rumors of attacks in Washington, D.C., swirled around the country. When the terrorists targeted the Pentagon, Reflector staff member Betsy Allison cried and panicked because her father was supposed to work at the Pentagon that day. She did not know if he was alive

after the attacks. “I can’t get him on the phone,” Allison said to her coworkers. Everyone’s jaws dropped. Allison’s story personalized the far-away attacks for the Reflector staff.

“

We knew it was most likely going to be the biggest story of our lives.” Annemarie Bohn Former Reflector News Editor

“We were thousands of miles away, but we were in mass confusion, too,” Bohn said, “and we felt very connected to it.” Allison tried calling her father all day. Hours later, she received a call from him, and he said he was late on his way to work that day, so he never made it into the Pentagon.

Meanwhile, the Reflector staff watched the television in McComas with rapt attention as they tried to organize the order of the attacks that morning. After seeing the World Trade Center towers fall, McDavid called an official Reflector meeting, and the staff began working on a special edition of the Reflector. The Reflector Extra on Sept. 12, 2001, was the first special edition of the Reflector since the 1970s. Bohn immediately started calling local news stations to clarify the news. In 2001, the news was not as organized as it is today. Additionally, the public did not know the order of events that day yet. Bohn spent hours on the phone that day with news stations, newspapers, reporters and several sources. As Bohn wrote her articles, she focused on each detail. The news editor included the order of the terrorist attacks in her article, which was

especially important at the time. Bohn knew she had a huge responsibility, and she was determined to get the facts correct. “We knew it was most likely going to be the biggest story of our lives,” Bohn said. Sick as a dog and running on little sleep, Bohn had a long, tiring day as she frantically wrote and edited articles and perfected the page layouts for the newspaper. She was sweating through her clothes and surviving on over-the-counter medication and the Chinese food she had for lunch. The editors stayed in the Reflector’s windowless office until 2 a.m. Sept. 12, when, at last, they completed the Reflector Extra, put the newspaper on a hard disk and handed it to a local courier who printed the paper in a nearby town. At the end of the long day, Reflector photography editor Will Smith pulled out the office’s shared guitar

HERITAGE

Clayton Lott, a junior electrical engineering student, said he appreciates the welcoming atmosphere MSU provides by hosting multi-cultural events. “Mississippi State helps welcome Hispanic people by being a culturally diverse place open to those of all backgrounds,” Lott said.

CONTINUED FROM 1

“Since America is such a melting pot of culture, it is very important to shine a light … so we can appreciate what we have and where we came from.” Representatives from student organizations and the HCDC said they hope to be intentional in their programming and assign

value by shining a light on Hispanic Heritage Month. Like Lott, Williams highlighted the importance of ensuring each student on campus feels at home at MSU. “It is essential that we do our best to make every demographic of students feel appreciated and

comfortable in Starkville, including all of the school’s Hispanic students,” said the ISAB representative. Mamiya explained the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and why it is important to learn the holiday’s history. “History month is a mixture of a lot of things, like

providing opportunities for people to engage in different cultures and activities,” Mamiya said, “but at the same time (it is) for them to learn about the history of their communities.” Mamiya believes Hispanic Heritage Month exists not only for those within a particular

RESTAURANT

The owner of T-Yummi, Duyen Ho, explained that Starkville residents desired a Vietnamese restaurant in the town, but the ongoing pandemic has delayed the opening process. “People asked me why we haven’t expanded to Starkville, especially because there is no bubble tea place. However, everything with the COVID-19 situation has delayed everything. There is a short supply on a lot of things,” Ho said. These issues not only pushed T-Yummi’s opening date back, but the owner also decided to do a soft opening of the new restaurant as they worked through problems with food vendors.

and strummed peaceful melodies to comfort his coworkers as they left the office. When Bohn arrived at her apartment at about 3 a.m., she turned on the television and noticed information scrollers on every channel, even the Lifetime channel, updating viewers on the attacks. Wednesday, MSU resumed classes. On Bohn’s walk to class that day, she noticed people studying the newspaper, reading every detail in disbelief. The nation united after the attacks. Everyone was patriotic. People were more compassionate. “Everybody came together,” Bohn said. The Columbus Dispatch awarded Bohn with a scholarship for ‘Excellence in Writing’ for her Sept. 11 reporting. The news editor won many awards that year, but Bohn said that was the only scholarship she won, and she was proud of it.

community but for all students to immerse themselves in a new culture to appreciate and celebrate the Hispanic and Latino communities. “The whole point is for students to be exposed to a different community, a different culture,” Mamiya said.

CONTINUED FROM 1

“If a product is missing, then we don’t want to serve completely yet. We use premium products, and they (food vendors) may have another option for us. But if it doesn’t match our quality, we are going to wait until we get the product we want,” Ho said. The Sept. 9 soft opening was successful, though, and the Vietnamese restaurant had a long line of customers that trailed out of the building. For now, T-Yummi has a small staff, but Ho is hopeful to hire more employees as more people discover the new business and submit job applications. “The workers here already are happy. I think

they will talk about how they enjoy working, so more people will come,” Ho said. T-Yummi will begin their regular hours and serve their full menu on Sept. 17. Another local Starkville restaurant, Andaman Thai Cuisine, is experiencing product supply issues because of rising food prices in the U.S. Vien Vong, the owner of Andaman Thai Cuisine, explained how the supply chain issues have affected his business. “The price (from food vendors) has been up a lot. It is hard to maintain inflation here. All the small businesses are being affected price-wise with chicken and beef and

things like that,” Vong said. Vong said specialty meats, among other foods, are tough to keep in stock. “Duck meat has been out for a while, or they (the food vendors) discontinued it. They don’t have anyone in the factory, so they have to close the factory down,” Vong said. Unlike some restaurants, Andaman Thai Cuisine has not struggled with staffing issues, according to Vong. While some restaurants are experiencing negative effects from supply chain issues and understaffing, other small businesses are thriving. For example, Strange Brew Coffeehouse, a local coffee shop chain, has expanded in recent

years and continues to grow its business. One of Strange Brew’s owners, Katelyn Reed, explained how the flourishing coffee shop has handled food supply chain issues. “We have seen both (supply chain issues and rise in prices) but have been creatively working around hurdles to try to keep our products in stock for our customer,” Reed said. Due to these issues with certain food products, Strange Brew’s owners have reevaluated how and when they order products. Their strategy has allowed for only a few products to be out of stock at any given time at the coffee shop.

“We have tried to be proactive and order ahead when needed and when stock is available. We have sourced new products and new vendors when necessary,” Reed said. Like Andaman Thai Cuisine, Strange Brew has not faced any understaffing issues. “We have not experienced understaffing. I credit that to our excellent work environment, our hardworking staff and our overall culture of truly valuing our employees,” Reed said. As the pandemic begins to level out, it might be easier for local restaurants and small businesses to buy from supply vendors and keep necessities in stock.

3 39-BB 1BULLETIN 4 6 BOARD An In-Class Distraction SUDOKU 1 2

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 @REFLECTORONLINE

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

eflector 9/15/21 Crossword

Across

PuzzleJunction.com

16 15 14 1 Trans World Dome team, once 18 19 17 5 Leave out 9 Christmas wish 23 22 20 21 14 Spew 26 27 24 25 15 Make yawn 16 Carpenter’s tool 30 31 32 33 28 29 17 Storyteller 18 They deal in 40 38 39 34 35 36 37 screwdrivers 43 42 41 20 Unmoved 22 Brightly colored 46 45 44 23 Bishop’s jurisdiction 49 50 47 48 24 Gardener’s supply 26 Picture of health? 53 54 55 56 57 51 52 28 Zest 63 61 62 30 Military personnel 58 59 60 34 Choice 67 64 65 66 38 Flexible mineral 40 Didn’t stand pat 70 69 68 41 Elders’ teachings 73 72 71 42 Hound’s trail 43 Poet Pound Copyright ©2021 PuzzleJunction.com 44 China setting 45 Mount SW of 71 Connery and Bean, 10 Cry of mock horror 42 Spangle Messina e.g. 11 Ancient greetings 46 Jockey’s whip 46 Influence 72 Relaxing spots 12 Beak part 48 Thespians 47 OTC group 73 “Let it stand” 13 Besides that 50 Hands out 49 Cookbook 19 High-angle gun 52 Liabilities direction 21 Hit the bottle Down 54 Long cars 51 Gulf war missile 25 Beguile 55 Embrace 53 Set apart 1 Piece of history 27 Alpine call 56 Crow’s home 58 Harem room 2 Kind of acid 29 Big cats 57 Construct 61 Neckwear 31 Ricelike pasta 3 Unwholesome 58 Wood sorrels 63 Classic sports car atmosphere 32 Llama land 59 Medicinal amount 64 Chef famous for 33 Kind of team 4 Bacon bit 60 Ionian gulf his great skill 5 Dense 34 Design 62 Certain hockey 67 Gloomy Gus 6 Bossy remark? 35 Soprano Ponselle shot 68 Up and about 7 Like some wills 36 Camera diaphragm 65 Racket 69 Container weight 8 Send, in a way 37 Honey brews 66 Geologic time 70 Oil cartel 9 Two-dimensional 39 Ring-tailed animal period

5 7 4 3

1 8 6 3 8 1

4 9 6

3 4

6 5 1

1 52

8 1

Publicize your club! Email managing@reflector.msstate.edu

Animal Fact of the Week

The hippo’s closest living relatives are aquatic mammals: whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Stay in the know! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @ reflector-online

(via lonelyplanet.com)

Sudoku Solution

Want to learn more 1 8 Catholicism? 2 5 6 9 7 4 3 about 7 3 5 2 4 8 9 6 1 6 4 9 7 3 1 8 5 2 9 1 6 3 8 4 2 7 5 2 7 8 6 9 5 1 3 4 4 5 3 1 7 2 6 8 9 4 Joseph 8 1 7 3 9 6 5 2St. 3 9 7 4 2 6 5 1 8 Catholic Church 8 6 1 9 5 3 4 2 7

Sudoku Solution 5 8 4 3 2 9 1 6 7

1 2 3 6 4 7 9 8 5

7 9 6 5 1 8 3 2 4

2 1 7 9 5 4 8 3 6

6 5 9 8 7 3 4 1 2

3 4 8 1 6 2 5 7 9

4 6 5 7 8 1 2 9 3

9 7 1 2 3 5 6 4 8

8 3 2 4 9 6 7 5 1

invites you to our RCIA inquiry sessions on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Registration requested (but not required) using Web page at stjosephstarkville.org/RCIA

607 University Drive, Starkville (662) 263-6946

www.stjosephstarkville.org

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 @REFLECTORONLINE

OPINION

Out-of-state graduate school tuition costs contribute to Mississippi’s brain drain crisis Collegexpress’s website states the reasoning behind this difference is because non-resident students do not pay taxes to the state in which the university is located. Resident students are natives and have been paying taxes to the state over the course of their lives which then funds public universities. While this argument does make sense for undergraduate school, it should not apply for graduate school. Graduate school programs are smaller specialized programs and because of this size do not bring in the same bulk of revenue as the thousands of undergraduate students do with housing and meal plans. Graduate students also tend to act as teachers through graduate assistantships, educating students for a fraction of professor’s salaries. Thus, the reasoning behind this difference in costs can only be boiled down to greed. According to Mississippi State University’s graduate program website, MSU has a $4,610 price tag for resident graduate students per semester and charges $12,450 for non-resident students per semester. Unaided by any scholarships or graduate assistant work, there is a $7,840.00 additional charge for non-resident graduate students. Undergraduate out-of-state tuition can be

justified with the reasoning of trying to keep students in the state to prevent the brain drain effect. Still, the same financial programs are not kept in place for those wishing to pursue even higher education. The difference in cost also contributes to a more significant crisis known as the “brain drain effect,” affecting states all over the U.S. The “brain drain,” as the United States Congress Joint Economic Committee (USCJEC) defines it, is the loss of homegrown talent and the failure to attract out-of-staters who are highly educated. USCJEC then discusses the specific states who struggle the most with this issue, including Mississippi and many other neighboring states. Publications in the state, such as Mississippi Today, are facing this issue head-on with recent surveys, research and articles to attempt to highlight the issue which politicians have done little to nothing to resolve. The phenomenon was mentioned during the Mississippi governor race back in 2019 but has not gained any traction by getting legislature passed to fix the problem. In an article written by Geoff Pender of The Clarion Ledger, former lieutenant governor, now current governor, Tate Reeves, downplays the brain drain crisis. It states, “he

(Reeves) does not believe the issue of graduates leaving Mississippi is as bad as some lawmakers and media reports make it out to be.” Southern states, like Mississippi, claim they want to keep their younger, higher-educated residents and attract nonresidents but do not give any incentive for people to want to be here for their education. Sure, Mississippi has the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) for undergraduate school, which is given to resident students as an incentive to study at a college in-state, but it does not work as well as it looks on paper. The MTAG is conditional on the basis that students must be enrolled in at least 15 hours, which I found out

this semester when my aid was revoked from me. It also does not provide much help, with the grant only being $500. As for graduate school, the Mississippi financial aid website states students are eligible for forgivable loan programs but no federally funded grants. The only actual incentive given to Mississippi residents is the lower price tag for graduate school tuition opposed to going out of state. As far as decreases in tuition, non-residents’ tuition exemption of any sort does not come without wanting something in return. According to the MSU graduate website, the stipulations for reduced tuition for non-resident students are graduate assistantships, military

veteran waivers, senior citizen waivers, academic alumni scholarships or outside-theuniversity opportunities. I will not delve into the theory claiming education should be free or close to it, even though that would be greatly beneficial for the U.S. and its citizens. Still, some sort of programs are direly needed to propel our country into being as great as we are all conditioned into thinking it to be. Reducing out-of-state tuition for graduate school will not fix the brain drain crisis in Mississippi, but it is a start in the right direction of putting others on the same level playing field. Hopefully, one day we will be able to keep all the bright minds in one place and change things here once and for all.

STREAMING NOW: ONE MISSISSIPPI

reboot and the 2007 hyperrealistic animation rendition of “Beowulf ” (which, by the way, features both Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie, which is weird). I would, however, like to bring to the attention of our readers an undervalued Prime Video gem: “One Mississippi.” Tig Notaro, a stand-up comedian from Jackson, Mississippi, wrote and starred in the semiautobiographical story following both the death of her mother and a double mastectomy Tig got in

2013. It is a story about Mississippi, which is already somewhat uncommon, but beyond that, it is a story about Mississippi that is not about race, which I had not seen on television before. Episode one begins with Tig picking up her partner from the airport for the funeral, and cuts in flashbacks to before her mother’s death. The show finds subversive ways to talk about death such as: wellmeaning neighbors coming over to share uninteresting stories or Tig’s alien-like

simultaneously standoffish and obsessively polite stepfather who desperately tries to convince Tig and her brother that they really can take all of the furniture in the house. The show does a wonderful job making jokes about death, but avoiding making death a joke, a thin line often missed by other dramatic comedies. Beyond that, the show also takes a lot of time constructing subtle comedy about the everyday lives of Mississippians: Tig’s high school football coach

brother courting a player’s mom, or band of wellmeaning hicks who pitch in as best they can to find a lost cat. The characters are funny, but are not themselves the punch line, something I find genuinely refreshing. It takes Mississippians seriously and treats them like actual people rather than easy caricatures. “One Mississippi” ran for two seasons back in 2016 and 2017, and both are available for streaming now on Amazon. Thanks Mr. Bezos. Overall rating 8/10

EMMA DOTSON

is a senior majoring in communication. Contact her at opinion@reflector.msstate. edu.

As I approach the midpoint of my senior year, the question of “What am I going to do with my life?” runs through my head almost daily. Many students get jobs right out of their undergraduate years, but if you are like me and do not feel entirely certain of your calling, you may be contemplating graduate school. Of course, after this decision comes the choice of where to go. However, out-of-state tuition tags become daunting once one realizes they are not aided with funds in the same way they were in undergraduate. Many colleges push for diversity of backgrounds and education in their graduate programs but do not provide the resources for this to be feasible. If colleges really wanted diverse graduate programs, they would give all their students both instate and out-of-state the same opportunities instead of elevating one tuition cost over the other.

SERVICE: PRIME VIDEO

WHAT: ONE MISSISSIPPI

LUKE COPLEY | STAFF WRITER

Tune in every week for a new review for what is trending on your streaming services! No one gives Amazon Prime Video enough credit. Sure, its user interface looks industrial. Sure, the wild variation in possible membership packages is needlessly confusing. This aside, it is a nice left-field amenity for Jeff Bezos to throw our way. I got my

Amazon Prime account so I could get two-day shipping on my numerous and frequent online purchases, but then, as an almost random bonus, I got the odds and ends of the streaming world. No thank you, Mr. Bezos. I will pass on Camilla Cabello’s “Cinderella”

PAYTON BROWN

Adam Sullivan | The Reflector

Sorority and Fraternity Row house the Greek life organizations on MSU’s campus. Pictured is the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house.

someone knew an executive member of a campus organization from their own Greek organization, the chances of that individual being accepted are significantly higher than a non-Greek affiliated individual. Involvement was based on a set requirement and did not always align with a person’s interest, but rather with the fear of being penalized. For minority and lowerincome students, joining Greek life is not as attainable due to a lack of diversity

CONTACT INFORMATION Editor-in-Chief/Hannah Blankenship 325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Daniel Dye managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Heather Harrison

present and because of the overwhelmingly large pricetag attached to the system. According to MSU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the average sorority costs between $2,000 to $3,000 a semester while fraternity prices range between $500 to $2,500 a semester. This does not include the monthly payments which are required to attend social functions. These aspects block certain groups of individuals from receiving certain connections needed to excel in MSU society and restrains

them from achieving personal goals towards their own interests. Emma Lane and Emily Elkas of the University of North Carolina’s Ethics and Policy explain Greek life provides an exclusive social setting and special alumni connections to help them succeed. They go further to say, “Such exclusive access contributes to social stratification on college campuses and beyond.” Having a Greekdominated culture eliminates the possibility of different individuals being given the opportunity to make new connections within the community. Any nonGreek individual running for positions such as Student Association President or Homecoming King/ Queen are at an automatic disadvantage to those in sororities or fraternities as they lack the substantial number of votes that a Greek student could easily round up in their 300+ member organization. This backtracks MSU from ever seeing a non-Greek affiliated minority or lower-income student hold a leadership position. Ezra Marcus of the New York Times states that the promise of social and networking connections is

a part of the draw towards joining a Greek organization. The automatic assumption that Greek life will help you climb to the top of the pyramid is a part of the problem. With this assumption, minorities or lower-income students may feel the need to find a way to join these organizations and empty their pockets to achieve their campus goals. As students, we should strive to transform our organizations into ones that prioritize interest and personality over social status and inside connections. Greek life is deeply intertwined within our university, making it unlikely to see any type of abolishment, but we should strive to push these organizations out of the political limelight, so others are awarded the opportunity. Students at MSU should feel secure in becoming involved on campus without being intimidated by the power the Greek system holds among organizations. We, as students, are the only ones who can make a difference by using our right to vote, voicing disagreement upon disadvantages and pushing towards a campus culture which embraces equality among race, class, sexuality and religion.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Life Editor/Sarah Morgan Johnson life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Adam Sullivan Online Editor/Joshua Britt multimedia_editor@reflector.msstate.edu

news@reflector.msstate.edu

Advertising Sales/Brennan Weaver

Opinion Editor/Emma Dotson

325-2374 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

opinion@reflector.msstate.edu

Graphics Editor/Will Pearson

Sports Editor/Tanner Marlar

Circulation/Amiyah Brown

sports@reflector.msstate.edu

circulation@reflector.msstate.edu

G r s c A 1 s c g n A i l l s c

is a senior majoring in philosophy and French. Contact her at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

elected on campus. For instance, according to the Student Association web page, three out of the four elected Student Association Executive Council members are Greek affiliated. Coming from someone who used to be Greek-affiliated and specifically handled campus involvement within my sorority, these experiences of inside connections were consistently presented before me because of requirements to be involved in other organizations on campus. If

Greek life connections add a barrier to non-affiliated students when applying for leadership positions

Organizational involvement is an important aspect of Mississippi State University’s student culture as it connects individuals from different backgrounds and provides opportunities for students to become further involved in their own interests. However, it can become difficult for a student to gain acceptance into certain organizations due to selective application processes and a lack of innerorganizational connections. Becoming involved within the fraternity and sorority life on campus heightens your chances of organizational acceptance. This is because affiliates are automatically connected to older members already involved on campus who can provide a lending hand throughout the application and selection process. This concept clearly reflects through the leadership roles

Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector. msstate.edu. Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error, we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

b d a m i o

r d e r a t e a r S T a

e h b

r t s s e b v s h t t s

w w t b u w t p a R M c w

“

A U e p t a s C

p o i “ A d o s M e b t

t a a S a r a f o fi

u b s y y p “ d g e

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, @REFLECTORONLINE

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

Restaurant Review: Starkville’s “Taste”-iest new restaurant

EMILY BUTLER

STAFF WRITER

Located at 208 Lincoln Green, Starkville’s new restaurant Taste has been sparking conversation on campus and around town. After opening on June 17, 2021, the restaurant serves Starkville as a casual, contemporary place to gather for celebrations, date nights or to watch the game. According to their website, it is a place to “celebrate life’s victories.” Taste is locally owned and proudly supports Mississippi and the community of Starkville. At first glance, it becomes obvious how diverse the menu options are. From flat breads to filet mignon, it is safe to say there is something for everyone on this menu. As a seasoned food reviewer, I consider many different parts of the dining experience when rating a restaurant. Aspects such as the quality and taste of the food, the service, the experience and the price are all factored into the final rating. That being said, for Starkville’s new restaurant Taste, the pros far outweigh any cons. A feature from eatdrinkmississippi.com highlights some of the bright minds behind the

creation of the restaurant, Chef Jeff Thornbury and Master Mixologist Corey Jernigan. The creativity the menu and drink menu hold showcase their work much more than words can. Taste serves lunch, dinner and brunch. When I went for dinner, the first thing I noticed was the interior of the restaurant. It had a sleek, comfortable feel to it, with an industrial style lighting system that gave the restaurant a dim lighting. Once I was seated, I noticed how incredibly attentive the staff was. We had several servers assigned to just our one table. They were extremely helpful in explaining the dishes, as well as making sure I had a full glass of water and all of my needs met. Beyond the attention we received from our waiter, the manager also stopped by each and every table in the restaurant to make sure all the customers were enjoying their experiences. Michael McIntosh, the director of operations for Taste, highlighted the importance of the training and staff. “I have a different approach to the way we train. We knew that we would have some challenges coming in. We incorporated them as our family and we

Adam Sullivan | The Reflector

Taste has garnered attention as a fusion of high-end and casual dining since its grand opening on June 17.

do not think of them as hourly employees, but we strive to understand what family needs are, and that is one of the keys to our success,” McIntosh said. He also stated the importance of community growth and support. “We are locally owned; we are long time supporters of the community. We open

restaurants to give back to the city of Starkville. It is important to us to grow as a community.” McIntosh said. David Greer, a senior business major at Mississippi State University, went to Taste pretty soon after it opened. Greer also noticed the exceptional customer service at Taste. “The waiter was a bit

nervous. We had a second waiter as well; they seemed like they were trained very well. It was a big impression to see the knowledge of the staff,” Greer said. Though he did not remember exactly what the dish was that he ordered, he ultimately decided on a rating of 4/5. Excellent service is only the beginning of what makes dining at Taste a fabulous experience. The dishes themselves are unique, diverse and thoughtfully prepared. To begin with, I started with an appetizer, specifically the tomato toast. This dish consists of country bread, burrata cheese, arugula, lemon oil and herbs. It was incredibly refreshing, especially after braving the Mississippi heat to walk into the restaurant. As an avid truffle guru, I was thrilled to see several dishes which included truffles on the menu. As soon as I saw the truffle mac and cheese, I knew I had to get it. The menu describes this dish as a “cavatappi pasta, truffled cheese sauce, herb crumb and parmesan cheese.” Not only was the portion massive, but it was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had in my entire life. It was creamy and flavorful with the perfect amount of

saltiness. It totally satisfied all my hunger, and I was left with a pretty large box of leftovers to take home as well. The other entree I tried was the pork tenderloin with “sweet potato, fuji apple, roasted pepper, fried walnut and chipotle bourbon glaze.” This entree was also five-star quality. The meat was perfectly tender and the sweet potatoes on the side complimented the meat so perfectly. To tie the whole meal up, I tried the Devils Food Cake, which had a delicious peanut butter buttercream and ganache. The portion was so large that myself and another were not able to finish it. It reminded me of the peanut butter pie my mom used to make for my dad for his birthday. It was a rich, sweet, dessert that was fluffy but not light. In my humble opinion, Taste was a 10/10. The service was excellent, and the dishes were creative and well-planned with sizable portions. The wait time was almost nothing for a Friday night, and the food arrived quickly. Though Taste is a little pricey for the typical college student budget, it is definitely worth the splurge for a special date night or a celebration of any one of “life’s victories.”

Bird flocks to Starkville: is the return of the scooters a blessing or a menace?

BRONWEN MADDOX

STAFF WRITER

Motorized scooters have returned to Starkville, this time in the form of Bird scooters. The reactions of students and locals to these electric scooters is anything but unanimous. Some are very excited to see the scooters around town and have taken advantage of the ride, but some only see the potential dangers of the scooters. There were concerns with the Lime scooters which caused the company to take all their scooters and bikes out of Starkville. The use of scooters on campus was considered dangerous to both riders and drivers. To prevent this from happening again, Bird placed a “No Ride or Park” zone around Mississippi State University’s campus, and the scooters will not work there.

Despite their efforts, Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill says she does not think this will fix the problem. “I don’t think it’s going to be any different. I had a full disclosure discussion with them about the fact that the university was not going to allow scooters on campus. If they came to Starkville, they came at their own business risk,” Spruill said. It was for these reasons and others that the aldermen of Starkville voted to ban the scooters. However, Bird was able to work out enough safety measures to convince them to lift the ban. Bird has provided a convenient app to make it easier to find, pay for and ride their scooters. In addition to campus, the scooters are not allowed on Highway 12. The cost to ride a Bird scooter is $1 to start and 39 cents per minute.

Not all MSU students are enamored with electric scooters. Junior industrial engineering major Cameron Fowler had an especially bad experience with the scooters. “I don’t like them because I got hit by one … Needless to say I was pretty mad about it but there wasn’t really anything I could do about it because he was already gone ... I hold a grudge against all motorized scooters,” Fowler said. Fowler admitted he had not been hit by the Bird scooters specifically; it was a different kind of motorized scooter, but he hated them nonetheless. He also said he had never ridden one. Samuel Graham, a junior civil engineering major at MSU, also disapproved of the motorized scooters. “I think scooters are stupid. There’s a guy that

passes me every day and almost hits me and almost hits other people; they’re dangerous. The people don’t use their bells and they’re unnecessary,” Graham said. Bird claims their scooters are helpful for the earth. According to their website, Bird aims to reduce CO2 emissions and create a healthier environment overall. “Bird’s mission is to create a more livable future by reducing car trips, traffic and carbon emissions. Globally, our shared e-scooter services were climate neutral in 2020 and we take our entire lifecycle into consideration to make our mission come to life responsibly.” While the public may not be able to decide how they feel about the arrival of Bird Scooters, everyone is interested to see how long they stick around.

Hannah Blankenship | The Reflector

Bird scooters, Starkville’s newest electric scooters, are controversial among MSU students and Starkville locals.

“Sophomore Strong” serves second-year students

MAGGIE PHILLIPS

STAFF WRITER

The Center for Student Activities at Mississippi State University is hosting the first ever Sophomore Strong program in recognition of the unexpected challenges and canceled events for second-year students due to COVID-19. The Sophomore Strong program began with an organization fair and an ice cream social called “Sophomore Scoop” on Aug. 24. This event was designed to provide an opportunity for sophomore students to learn about MSU organizations and events they may not have been exposed to during their first year. Carrie Anne Bounds, the coordinator for student activities at MSU, designed and proposed Sophomore Strong as an event to educate and include sophomores regarding events on campus, as well as to compensate for some of the missed opportunities during their first year. “Collectively, as a university, I feel like there’s been this need to do something, but how do you make up for an entire year that’s been lost to a pandemic?” Bounds said. “Our department and division have done a really good job of recognizing the experiences our second-year

students missed out on last year.” Some of the most notable elements and events that were missed by freshman during the 20202021 school year, according to Bounds, were New Maroon Camp, interactions with professors and oncampus organizations and general opportunities for students to interact. Therefore, Bounds came up with a series of events to accommodate some of these needs. “We knew we wanted it to be multiple events, such as one that would help sophomores get plugged in and involved, which was Sophomore Scoop,” Bounds said. Bounds is also organizing a picnic for faculty and staff interactions with students, aimed at teaching students where to seek help and guidance in their classes and future academic and professional goals. The final event will be a late-night breakfast and trivia event to offer some fun facts and background information about MSU, as well as provide another opportunity for sophomores to meet and socialize. “We hope that the interactions students have with faculty members and each other at the Sophomore Strong events will encourage them to reach out and advocate for

themselves when they are struggling,” Bounds said. “If I could walk away from this with any outcome I can imagine, it would be for sophomore students to feel seen and to feel valued and to feel confident that they have the resources and knowledge they need to be successful throughout their years here at Mississippi State.” Julia Pratt, a graduate assistant for student activities, worked closely with Bounds to plan and execute the Sophomore Strong program. Pratt led

the first event, Sophomore Scoop, in an introduction on how to find clubs and events to get involved on campus. “For Sophomore Scoop, we wanted to give students an opportunity to learn about how to get involved and what involvement means, as well as learning about different resources and tools that they have through our office and other offices to get involved, specifically Cowbell Connect,” Pratt said. Pratt emphasized the importance of shining a light on opportunities that

all students have, even after their freshman year, to get involved on campus and to find clubs and organizations they will love. “It is especially important to make sure our sophomores and second-year students are understanding that their time to get involved is not over,” Pratt said. “We know that when students get involved, they have higher satisfaction here at college, they have higher academic outcomes, they have better relationships with their friends and their roommates and when they leave college, they are more prepared for life.” Over 200 students attended the Sophomore Scoop involvement and organizational fair, and over 40 organizations tabled in the Union ballroom for the fair. On top of meeting with various MSU clubs, secondyear students were able to enjoy an ice cream bar and mingle. Andrew Bonner, a sophomore electrical engineering major at MSU, attended the Sophomore Scoop event to learn about campus clubs and meet with other sophomores and students in involvement. “It was interesting to learn about the different organizations, jobs and events going on,” Bonner said. “I got to see the orientation leader table,

and there was a table for environmental awareness and all sorts of different things, some of which I had heard of and some of which I hadn’t.” Bonner and other sophomores met with many of the clubs and organization representatives to discuss what it would look like to be involved and join a club. Many sophomores found Sophomore Scoop to be a crucial part to their integration into campus. “Because we didn’t get much in terms of hearing about organizations last year, due to COVID-19, I was interested in hearing about some of the involvement opportunities,” Bonner said. “What I mostly enjoyed was walking around and going to almost every table. Many of the things I had heard of, but did not know what they were, so it was interesting to find out more about those.” The Sophomore Strong events are scheduled to continue throughout September. Other events in this program included a New Maroon Camp 2020 tailgate on Sept. 11, which was followed by a picnic with faculty members on the Drill Field on Sept. 14. The final event, late night breakfast and trivia, will take place on Sept. 17, providing one more opportunity for students to learn about and become integrated with the MSU culture and campus.

66-Sports SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 @SPORTSREFLECTOR

Bulldogs whip the Wolfpack with “bad intentions” TANNER MARLAR SPORTS EDITOR

This past Saturday was one filled with nerves for the Mississippi State University fan base. After barely evading a loss in their home opener, things looked rocky for the Bulldogs, but head coach Mike Leach and his crew seemed to use that as a rallying call in their latest victory against the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. Before the game, tensions were high, with even members of the staff here at the Reflector predicting a loss to the Wolfpack, who had just throttled the University of

South Florida in their week one matchup via a score of 45-0. Those tensions were relieved about as quickly as possible, though, as sophomore wide receiver and Philadelphia High School alum Tulu Griffin returned the opening kickoff the length of the field to open up the action for MSU, something that hasn’t been done since 2015 against the University of Southern Mississippi. Tulu set the tone, and the rest of the bulldogs followed suit after a slow start on the offensive side of the ball. Other than an NC State field goal, the two teams were at a stalemate for

most of the first half, with both defenses “tackling well,” as coach Leach would later claim. The breakthrough for the Bulldogs, though, would come in the form of a 21-yard touchdown pass to Malik Heath on an extremely well executed fade route to set the score at 14-3, MSU’s lead, after a successful extra point attempt. This was Heath’s first game back with the team this season, after missing the week one game against Louisiana Tech University. Going forward, Heath looks to provide a downfield target this offense desperately needs. MSU then went into the locker room for halftime

with a 2-score lead and let the Famous Maroon Band take the field for a 9/11 tribute that mere words cannot justify. This just added to the nostalgia of the first big out-ofconference game of the season for MSU. Mississippi State University continued their offensive performance midway through the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to none other than sophomore standout Jaden Walley followed by another made extra point to put the score at a commanding 21-3. After a garbage time touchdown from NC State and a last minute field goal from MSU, the final score

Courtesy Photo | MSU Athletics

Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin takes the opening kickoff the length of the field for a touchdown in this past weekend’s game against NC State.

rested at 24-10, which sealed a much needed second win for MSU. One of the true unsung heroes of the game, however, was sophomore running back Dillon Johnson. He finished the game with 18 rushing yards and 70 receiving yards out of the backfield, combining for a grand total of 88 all-purpose yards, most of which came in some very key positions for the Bulldogs. He attested this to his “one play at a time” mentality after the game. Jett Johnson was another key player on the defensive side of the ball in some relief effort at the linebacker spot after

totaling one pass breakup, a forced fumble and nine total tackles. He had our quote of the game afterwards when asked about his approach to this big game. “... We knew it was going to be a challenge for us … we just had to come in and, as coach Leach says, give fanatical effort on every play, come in with high intent and bad intentions.” Johnson and his defensive unit will have another test next week, as they bring those “bad intentions” to Memphis to face the Tigers for a chance at a 3-0 record before heading into SEC play.

1) Alabama....................................................................................(-) 2) Georgia.....................................................................................(-) 3) Oklahoma...............................................................................+1 4) Oregon....................................................................................+7 T-5) Cincinnati............................................................................+2 T-5) Iowa.....................................................................................+5 7) Clemson....................................................................................-1 8) Texas A&M..............................................................................-3 9) Ohio State.................................................................................-6 10) Penn. State.............................................................................+2 11) Notre Dame............................................................................-3 12) Florida....................................................................................+1 13) UCLA.....................................................................................+3 14) Coastal Carolina....................................................................+4 15) Iowa State................................................................................-6 16) Ole Miss.................................................................................+3 17) Virginia Tech.........................................................................+6 18)Wisconsin.................................................................................-1 19) Arizona State.........................................................................+5 20) North Carolina......................................................................+1 21) Auburn...................................................................................NR 22) Miami (FL)..............................................................................(-) 23) Arkansas.................................................................................NR 24) Michigan................................................................................NR 25) USC........................................................................................-11

HEY, LET’S GET

VACCINATED Get vaccinated at any of the following Pop-Up Clinics. No Appointment Required!

Thursday, September 16

Library

12 – 2PM

Wednesday, September 22

Union Dawg House

12 – 2PM

Thursday, September 23

Union Dawg House

12 – 2PM

Wednesday, September 29

Union Dawg House

12 – 2PM

Thursday, September 30

Union Dawg House

12 – 2PM

OR schedule an appointment at any time at the Longest Student Health Center by calling (662) 325-7535 *These Pop-Up Clinics are subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit covidvaccine.msstate.edu. !

MSU COVID-19 Hotline — (662) 325-2055

Submit your vaccination card at

covidvaccine.msstate.edu

to be entered to win on of the weekly drawings!

While supplies last, students who attend a clinic will receive a t-shirt and other fun giveaways!

For more information, visit covidvaccine.msstate.edu or getyourshotms.org!

This ad is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award to Delta Health Alliance totaling $9,436,363 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

D ATE

CCIN T VA I GO

FOR