February 10, 2015

S E X Turn to page 4

We talk contraception, LGBTQ resources and abstinence

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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

M I S S O U R I

S T A T E

U N I V E R S I T Y More than 100 years in print

Volume 108, Issue 19 | the-standard.org The Standard/The Standard Sports

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Missouri State’s next country star From Rogersville to Nashville, Laura Ashley dreams of making it big

By Zachary Fletcher The Standard @ZachSFletcher

The immediate objective of most college students is to graduate. Life goals are temporarily put off to make time for tests, homework and extracurriculars. For Missouri State student Laura Ashley Heath, however, a busy school schedule is no excuse to push aside a dream.

Heath is a country music singer who performs under the moniker Laura Ashley. She writes her own music and lyrics, and she has already recorded three songs with session musicians. She is currently looking for full-time band members and plans to release a seven-song EP in the near future.

“I love going into the studio,” she says. “It’s one of my favorite places to be on this Earth.”

Growing up in Rogersville, Missouri, Heath says that she was a “young, blonde wild child that was always outside and causing a lot of trouble.” She got her first horse in third grade and spent some time working at an equestrian ranch.

Though she is a junior in college now, her early love for horses has not diminished; she still rides whenever she goes home and chose Missouri State in part because it was close enough for her to make such visits regularly.

A horse metaphor was the inspiration for her most popular single, the driven, guitar-powered, “Don’t Fence Me In.” The message, Heath says is, “Don’t let yourself be

cramped in life or let people box you in. Just (be) true to yourself.”

The song gained her some recognition in January, when it earned her the No. 1 spot on a list of upcoming new country artists published by Internet radio DJ, Robert “The Iceman” Golomboski. She has since been invited to play at the 2015 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside such artists as Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes and the Zac Brown Band.

But for now, Heath is a fairly typical MSU student, pursuing a degree in public relations. Though originally enrolled in the vocal music program, she switched majors after deciding that she preferred singing country to opera. She hopes that her PR knowledge will help her navigate the business side of the music industry.

“I just want to share my music with as many people as I can,” Heath said of her long term goals.

“Music has made a difference in my life and helped me get through hard times, and I would love to be able to help other people with the same hard times that I’ve gone through.”

For the moment she plans to stay in Missouri, but as her career progresses she may make the move to Nashville. “All the contacts that I need are there,” she says.

Heath’s singles “Don’t Fence Me In” and “‘Cause You’re a Cowgirl” can be found on iTunes, Spotify or online. The CMA Music Festival will be held June 11-14 at Nashville’s LP Field.

Laura Ashley’s music

Find “Don’t Fence Me In” and “‘Cause You’re a Cowgirl” on iTunes, Spotify and online.

Zachary Fletcher/THE STANDARD

Laura Heath is a junior public relations major who is starting to get recognition for her country music.

Freshmen and seniors: share experiences, help MSU Give your feedback with the National Survey of Student Engagement, landing in your inbox today

By Callie Dunaway The Standard @Callie_Dunaway

The National Survey of Student Engagement is a nationwide survey that Missouri State University participates in every three years. The NSSE aims to measure student engagement and how students feel about the quality of their experience.

“The survey tells us a couple things,” Angela Young, the assessment and learning outcomes consultant in the Office of Assessment at Missouri State, said. “It gives us actual feedback on how we are doing and if there is something we could be doing better.”

Young said having the feedback helps faculty look at what students really think and helps future programming.

The NSSE is taken by first-year fresh-

men and seniors who have completed 102 hours and are eligible for graduation. Students who are eligible for the survey will receive an email through their student email account from NSSE. Young said the subject line will say “Missouri State Wants Your Feedback.”

The survey opens on Feb. 10 and closes in May. Students are not required to take it, but are strongly encouraged. Students will receive a reminder email every two weeks until the survey is completed.

“We use this information to speak to other people on campus, and we are hoping to get a high response rate this year,” Young said.

The Office of Assessment will be offering numerous prizes and incentives for students who complete the survey.

Some of the prizes being offered this year are an iPad Mini, a pair of Beats headphones and a $100 gift card to the

Missouri State Bookstore. When students complete the survey, they will be entered in the drawing to win the prizes.

The survey has a wide variety of questions, including how students feel about the quality of their experience at Missouri State, involvement with extracurricular activities, interactions with the campus community and housing questions.

The survey allows Missouri State to see how colleges across the country answer similar questions.

“It allows us the ability to compare ourselves to other universities,” Young said.

“We can look at how MSU ranks compared to other colleges.”

For more information visit the Office of Assessment’s Facebook or Twitter page.

You can also find more information on Missouri State’s website.

2 | the-standard.org

The Standard

Calendar

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Applications for scholarships due in almost three weeks

Statue faux paw

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Spring 2015 Etiquette Dinner, 5:30-7:30 p.m., JQH Arena Prime Overtime Club Venezuela: The Oil Giant Enters the Post-Chavez Era, 6:30-8 p.m., Meyer Library 101

Wednesday, Feb. 11 American Indian Student Association Book and Bake Sale, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Strong Hall Atrium The Standard’s Annual Housing Expo, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., PSU Atrium

By Sofia Caito The Standard @SofiaCaito

Free money is something that every college student loves. So if you haven’t yet, go online and apply for Missouri State’s Foundation Scholarships. This is an easy opportunity to receive some financial aid.

The Missouri State Foundation Scholarships application is a quick, streamlined process. There is only one application that students must fill out, and this one application will apply you for over 1,000 donor-funded scholarships. You can save your work as you go and work at your own pace.

The application opened on Nov. 1 and the deadline for applying is March 1. Students should also fill out their FAFSA to be considered for need-based scholarships.

Kelsie Young, foundation scholarship coordinator, says that although the application may seem long, you only need to fill out the sections that are applicable to you. She added that most of the questions are either yes/no, select from a list or short answer.

If you invest the time into the application, it could greatly benefit your education. On average, about 7,300 students apply for the foundation scholarships, and out of those students, one in four will receive a scholarship.

Last year, nearly $1,500,000 was awarded to over 1,300 students with an average award value of $1,100.

Thursday, Feb. 12

How to Get Into Grad School Workshop, 3:30-5 p.m., PSU 314 C After Ferguson: What’s Next?, 7-10 p.m., Carrington Hall 208 All Bands Concert, 7:30- 9 p.m., Juanita K. Hammons Hall

Friday, Feb. 13

SAC Campus Events Presents: Tarot-To-Go, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., PSU Atrium Cultural Corner, 4:45-6:15 p.m., Jim D. Morris Center

Saturday, Feb. 14 Race Relations Day, all day Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sunday, Feb. 15

How to apply

Nirvana Day, all day

Monday, Feb. 16

Four easy steps between you and free money

Briefs

1. Go to my.missouristate.edu, and log in using your Bear Pass number and password.

Presidents’ Day holiday, no classes/offices closed

Maddy Cushman/THE STANDARD

University to host Boko Haram forum

Bukola Oyeniyi, a history professor at Missouri State, will lead a forum on the history and objectives of Boko Haram based on his research on the motivations of the terrorist organization.

The presentation is in response to the attack on the office of the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. It will be a callto-action to raise awareness for terrorism in Africa.

The forum is 12:30-1:45 p.m. on Feb. 19 in Strong Hall 301.

The bronze bear was donated by the 2014 senior class and lives in front of Plaster Stadium.

Bronze bear statue unveiled at homecoming actually plastic replica, real statue to come later in semester

By Nicole Roberts The Standard @NReneeRoberts

The bear guarding the football field is actually a plastic replica of the bronze statue, soon to be replaced by the real deal this spring.

Ryan Gilyard, president of the senior class of 2014 and a

graduate student working to get his master’s degree in communication, said the senior class wanted to leave its mark on campus and saw its opportunity to provide a statue for the new stadium.

“With the renovation of Plaster Stadium providing an area for a statue, (the senior class of 2014) thought we

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would complement the project with the installation of another bronze bear statue, which has become a symbol of school spirit and solidarity around campus,” Gilyard said.

Through private funding, the senior class commissioned Brian Hanlon, an internationally u See BEAR, page 8

2. Select the Profile tab and find the Financial Aid channel.

3. Select the General and Departmental Scholarship Application link.

4. You will be automatically logged into Scholarship Manager and should select the application that describes your student type at the beginning of academic year 2015-2016.

STANDARD

OPINION // 3

THE

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 | the-standard.org

If you’ll turn to our life section in this issue, you’ll see that we’ve devoted it entirely to the topic of sex.

This is a topic that directly affects the life of every college student, whether you’re having it (our articles on safe sex and contraception options) or not (our two opinion columns from students who have

chosen to remain abstinent).

Informed sex is safer sex, and you’ll likely be surprised by what you didn’t know the more you read.

Take the time to explore some of the resources mentioned in the section as well — there’s plenty of information we simply didn’t have time to include,

In the year 2014, Vladimir Putin was runner-up for Time magazine’s Person of the Year.

Now, give that a few seconds to sink in.

Allow me to reiterate — Putin was

By Spencer Martin runner-up for Person of the Year. When Columnist I read those words, I was literally @Spencer_XC speechless — for how long I’m not sure, but it blew my mind that Vladimir Putin could even be considered for such recognition.

Before I continue, I should preface that Time’s Person of the Year recognition is not always someone or some movement that has done the most good in that year. The Person of the Year is featured because he or she or even they — the 2014 Person(s) of the Year were the Ebola fighters — had the most influence or impact in that particular year. This impact doesn’t have to be a positive one.

Let me make something else absolutely clear — I don’t want to see another picture of Putin on the front of a magazine or web article unless it’s his mugshot. I usually avoid name-calling, but I also don’t find it outlandish or unreasonable to say that Putin is a criminal, a thug and propagandist.

Putin has already served as the Prime Minister of Russia twice, the President of Russia twice and is currently serving his third non-consecutive term — this term will last six years as a result of a law change a few years ago.

Put aside the fact that he received 71.9 percent of the vote to win a second presidential term and 63.6 percent of the vote to win a third term — both of these are fairly high percentages and somewhat unrealistic for unbiased election results, especially since all of Putin’s wins have occurred in the first round each time. The first round has had five or more candidates in his previous two elections, and each of Putin’s political terms has been riddled with protests, unrest and despair — yet he continues to be elected.

He was a member of the KGB from 1975 until 1991 — he left just before the KGB and the remnants of the Communist Party failed a coup attempt. The KGB — the Soviet equivalent of the CIA but with an added touch of secret police — has been notorious for espionage, counter-intelligence and even acting as a secret police of sorts to keep people buying into the ideals of the Soviet regime.

During his time as a world leader from 1999 to the present, the Russian government has also severely oppressed the rights of the LGBTQ community in Russia through anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Most recently, the Russian state has supported pro-Russian secessionist forces in east Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula by supplying weapons, supplies and troops. Yes, you read that correctly. Russian soldiers are in Ukraine fighting with the secessionist forces.

Russia has even annexed the Crimean peninsula.

Wait, what? Can they even do that? No, they can’t. Not anymore than the United States can waltz into Canada and say, “Yeah, Manitoba looks kind of nice this time of year. Let’s just say it’s now part of the new state, Super North Dakota.”

Currently the United States and the European Union have levied a number of sanctions on Russia as punishment for its actions in Ukraine and Crimea.

But will this hinder Putin enough to halt Russian actions? No. Not even close.

Something more is required. What those actions are remains to be seen — but until then, people in Russia and Ukraine will continue to suffer at the hands of the Russian government and its head, Putin.

How many people have to be oppressed? How many people have to die?

How long will it take for world leaders to recognize that Putin is nothing more than a shadowy dictator that needs to be stopped?

Too long. Far too long.

By Caleb Hearon Columnist @calebsaysthings I love being on campus. Specifically, I think we have the best college campus in the country because it’s ours and I love it.

Really, though, any college campus is special because the energy and camaraderie are unparalleled. There’s almost a constant buzz and feeling on a college campus that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

Unfortunately, there are also people who impede traffic and those people are the worst.

I’m asking for every single person reading this to join me in a movement. A movement to reform campus transportation between, and inside of, buildings. There are a few main issues I think we can focus on: the sidewalk hoggers, the longboarders and everybody in Strong Hall.

First things first: people who walk in groups on the sidewalks must be stopped. I can appreciate that you and seven of your best friends have a lot to catch up on because we can’t check GroupMe in class. This does not give you the right to walk fivewide like an offensive line and impede my progress. That is class interference.

Also, why is that anytime more than two people walk together they always have nowhere to be? Like, you’ve never gotten stuck behind a group of people with a sense of urgency.

They’re always walking at a pace resembling that of Forrest Gump before those kids threw bean bags at him and put a little pep in his step.

Moving on. Longboarders. May God have mercy on your souls. I will never understand why you think a solid plan of action is to ride your longboard through a crowd of people during the busiest parts of the day. The same goes for Razor scooters.

Certainly, you are entitled to any off-putting form of transportation that you feel so inclined to use. My only request is that you stop playing chicken with me on the sidewalk when I’m trying to get to class with hundreds of other people surrounding me.

Finally, Strong Hall. While it is a beautiful building and probably my favorite place on campus to have class – its visitors also must be stopped. If you take the elevator to the second floor (barring an actual physical disability), I need you to quit.

As a very proud fat person who takes personal offense to staircases, I understand the urge. Take one for the team here and power through that one flight of stairs so the rest of us can get to our fourth floor classes.

Additionally, we seem to have some students confused about the staircases in Strong. If you stop on the stairs to check your phone during a passing period rush, you are also the worst. People have places to be and your texts can wait until you get off the stairs and I’m not behind you waiting for you to do the right thing.

If we unite on this issue, I truly believe the collective number of eyes rolled and loud, suggestive exhaling can be reduced on our campus. By 2016, Missouri State could be a passive-aggressive “excuse me” free campus.

By Keenan Andrea Columnist @iKeenandrea Recently, while I was playing the piano in the Plaster Student Union, a friend came up to me and suggested I watch a YouTube video entitled “Rhythm X.” So, later that evening I did.

The video was of a live performance given by Rhythm X Inc., in which an indoor marching percussion ensemble of some 50-odd musicians executes a visual and musical program in-sync with popular contemporary music. It was the cat’s pajamas. I recommend it. Although, after watching I couldn’t help but ask myself: Would I have had the

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Letters and Guest Columns

all of which is enlightening, fascinating and sometimes concerning.

So learn something new, talk to your partner(s) and feel secure knowing that you’re that much more prepared.

Oh — and happy Valentine’s Day.

same positive attitude toward this seven years ago?

See, in my younger and more ignorantly pinheaded years, I was the kind of guy who ran along in the average wavelength: I played sports, got mediocre grades, listened to popular music, dressed in vogue and rejected with utmost snobbery anything which would cause me to remotely digress from keeping within that comfort zone of conformed popularity. It was a boring, meaningless existence. And back then, something like “Rhythm X” would’ve only been a target for gay jokes simply because it wasn’t what I did, and what I did I thought was statistically proven cool.

I’m better now. I promise. But looking back, I wonder what it was that caused me to disapprove of so many talented and strangely wonderful styles of living. Was it a subconscious jealousy? Why did

I have such a narrow-minded definition of normal?

What constitutes normality? Quality?

Nothing.

It’s impossible to define quality because quality is always a perceptual experience, far too fluid to ever be academically or descriptively defined.

The loser, the freak, the weirdo; these concepts cannot exist because quality cannot be clarified.

So all the rules and guidelines to fitting in hold as much substance as a pile full of fairy dust.

What is better or what is cooler than something else is purely based on subjectivity and objectivity, which are both tremendously fabricated by society.

The standards of character outside of a moral basis are nonexistent.

Given to that frame of mind, everything starts to look so pretty.

Editor-in-Chief Trevor Mitchell Trevor613@Live.MissouriState.edu

Photo Editor Nic Deckard Deckard993@Live.MissouriState.edu

News Editor Rose Marthis Roselyn156@Live.MissouriState.edu

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Life Editor Peyson Shields Shields072@Live.MissouriState.edu

Advertising Manager Sandy King SandyKing@MissouriState.edu

Sports Editor Mike Ursery Ursery727@Live.MissouriState.edu

Faculty Adviser Jack Dimond JackDimond@MissouriState.edu

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4 // SEX LIFE

Let’s talk about Tuesday, February 10, 2015 | the-standard.org

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sexually active people have 2015 an STI www.brown.edu

sexual partners

2014 www.huffingtonpost.com

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percent of college students identify times each year 2012 2011 as virgins www.womensday.com www.collegenews.com1

SEX

calories during 30 minutes of sexual 2012 intercouse www.womensday.com

It’s baby time You have options when it comes to birth control

well as unplanned pregnancies.

Around half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, according to Planned Parenthood.

Taking steps — such as practicing abstinence, using condoms or takWhen it comes to having sex, it ing a contraceptive — can help preis important to protect yourself from vent an unplanned pregnancy. sexually transmitted infections, as When it comes to birth control,

By Peyson Shields The Standard @peysonrose

Type of contraceptive Birth control implant Intrauterine device Birth control patch Birth control pill Birth control shot

What is it?

however, there are several types, and it can be tricky to decide which form is best for you.

For more information on birth control, talk to your medical provider or visit a health clinic such as Taylor Health and Wellness or Planned Parenthood.

How effective is it?

A flexible, plastic implant — 99 percent effective at about the size of a matchstick preventing pregnancy for — that is inserted in the arm up to three years The t-shaped IUD is a small 99 percent effective at plastic device inserted into a preventing pregnancy for woman’s uterus up to 12 years

Cost?

Up to $800 Up to $1,000

A small, plastic patch that sticks to the skin and is replaced every week

99 percent effective if always used as directed; 90 percent effective if not always used as directed

Up to $80 per month

An injection of a hormone given every three months

99 percent effective if always used as directed; 60 percent effective if not always used as directed

Up to $100 per injection

An oral contraceptive, taken 99 percent effective if each day always used as directed; 90 percent effective if not always used as directed

Up to $50 per month

LGBTQ resources

By Nicole Roberts The Standard @NReneeRoberts

You or someone you know could be a part of the LGBTQ community and wonder what type of resources MSU has to offer.

While MSU has several programs, there are three main resources on campus for students.

LGBT Resource Center The LGBT Resource Center was added to MSU’s campus in October 2014 and provides resources such as a library, a study area, a computer for research and volunteering services. Pamphlets describing LGBTQ organizations, counseling services and LGBTQfriendly businesses around Springfield can also be found.

Dominiece Hoelyfield, the Assistant Director — coordinator LGBT student services, Multicultural Programs and Student Diversity, said a mentoring program and internship opportunities might be available to students in the future too.

“I want the Resource Center to achieve a strong visibility and presence on campus; one where LGBT students know the center is here and where students can feel comfortable coming in,” Hoelyfield said. “I want to connect the LGBT students and faculty community to campus and bridge a gap between the campus community and the Springfield community.”

Several students like having a resource center on campus.

“I love having the resource center because it gives me a place to socialize with other people like me and to learn more about how diverse each person is,” Keiven McGinnis, co-president of Spectrum and a freshman theater and speech education major, said.

“I often use the center for a study place, but I like the fact that I have a place to visit with friends

in a safe, judgment-free environment,” Garrett Hartley, a freshman majoring in psychology and religious studies, said. “I feel it’s a great place for people who feel isolated going into this strange college environment, and I’m glad there is a place for up-and-coming freshmen to meet new people and have fun with these new friends.

I’m excited to know that new students will not have to feel alone when coming to MSU.” The LGBT Resource Center is located in University Hall 006.

Events that will be held there can be found on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LGBTResourceCenter.

Spectrum Spectrum is a student organization that hosts several social events such as meet-and-greets, talent shows and ice-skating nights.

“We want to make sure students have someone to talk to if they need to,” Brianna Wampler, co-president of Spectrum and a freshman religious studies major, said. “A lot of students may not always have that outlet that all students should have in order to live a happy life. We just want to provide something like that for all students, because all students deserve that.”

Spectrum holds meetings on the third floor of the Plaster Student Union every Wednesday at 7 p.m. They also post upcoming events on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/msuspectrum.

Advocates Advocates is similar to Spectrum, except it focuses less on social aspects and more on activism.

“Advocates is working to make changes on campus and make the campus more inclusive for

u See LGBTQ page 8

Protect yo’ self Information retrieved from www.plannedparenthood.org

Educate yourself on different contraceptive options

By Rebecca Biundo The Standard @rebeccabiundo Sex: it’s one of the hottest topics on college campuses and when it comes to safe sex, the Taylor Health and Wellness Center at Missouri State University has students covered.

Jerilyn Reed, a wellness educator at Taylor Health, believes that practicing safe sex is on a case-by-case basis.

“I think it all depends on the student and what they want to do,” Reed said. “The best way is abstinence, but if that’s not an option consent is really important because we all have to be on the same page. If one person says stop, we stop. Protection is key when engaging in sexual activity."

It is also a good idea for students to stay away from alcohol and drug use when engaging in sexual activity, according to Reed.

“Consent is mandatory,” Reed said. “If students are going to engage in sexual activity, they should be free from any drug problems. When you are drinking, you might do something you don’t do normally and it can be so easy to do when you are not in your right mind.”

Students can obtain all sorts of birth control at Taylor Health including condoms, the pill, NuvaRing and even Plan B. Plan B does not require a prescription and is readily available at the pharmacy for students.

“We can cater to the needs of anyone; we have all forms of birth control ready for our students to use,” Reed said.

Reed said that Taylor Health also provides sexually transmitted disease testing, but if students feel more comfortable getting tested somewhere else, they can help them as well.

“Testing is done at Taylor. It’s completely confidential, and we even sometimes offer it at no charge or much cheaper than other places. If students don’t want to stay with us, we are a great place to start, and we can help them navigate,” she said.

Reed said that sexually transmitted diseases don’t have to present themselves to cause problems.

“When people don’t have symptoms, they think they’re clean of STDs. That doesn’t mean they are,” Reed said. “Most STDs don’t have symptoms. It’s a good idea to get tested once a year or six months, depending on how often (students) engage in sex.”

Reed said there is a lot about condoms that people perceive to be true which aren’t necessarily true, like condom size and pro-

tection.

“Condom size doesn’t matter. You see XL and different sizes, but no matter what, they get pretty big. You can blow them up to the size of balloons,” Reed said. “The big myth about condoms is that condoms don’t protect you from everything, which in turn means they don’t protect you. It’s scary.”

Taylor Health promotes safe sex by sponsoring events and giving away free condoms to Fraternity and Sorority Life and Residence Hall events. On Feb. 12, they will be handing out “condom roses” for free for Valentine’s Day. “February seems to be a popular month for students to come in and grab condoms and brochures,” Reed said.

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Fasten your chastity belt Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The Standard

the-standard.org | 5

Not everyone chooses to have sex, thoughts on why you should wait

Callie Dunaway Columnist

@Callie_Dunaway

Sex is a simple word that can bring about a multitude of definitions and opinions. For me, it was something that was openly discussed growing up. Sex was something that was expected to happen, and it was okay. To clarify, sex isn’t bad.

But in today’s hook-up culture, where do you draw the line?

Abstinence never crossed my mind until I reached college. Like most of you, I’ve had sex before. However, I made the decision to no longer be someone who continues to do so. Having sex too early in a relationship creates implications, whether you realize it or not. There are so many things outside of the physical aspect of a relationship that need to grow before sex becomes an option. Sex inevitably ends the chase. It prevents the other person from truly getting to know who you are mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Sex was made to be an all-encompassing act that adds to a relationship, not one that distracts from it. Sex is so much more than a purely physical act. It was meant to connect two people together and make

them one. It creates a desire and a connection that was intended to be for two people who belong to each other; it’s an intimate act that you and your future spouse share together on your wedding night.

Another thing to consider before having sex with someone is that once you start having sex, it will become a priority in your relationship. Whether you want to admit it or not, when that relationship crumbles (because let’s be real, we are in college and it probably will) you will be leaving a piece of yourself with that person. You will undoubtedly be adding another item to that wonderful thing you carry around for the rest of your life called “baggage.” It will be something that you have to unpack and deal with when you finally meet “the one.” Trust issues, inadequate self-worth and pain of a broken heart are all byproducts of having sex before marriage.

I know what you’re thinking, what does someone who chose abstinence know about sex? I know because I’ve been in a relationship where sex was a main factor. I realized that the benefits of not having sex in my future relationships were far greater than sex could bring. I decided that my future spouse was worth the wait. It is worth waiting to give myself to someone who I know loves me for who I am mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and has made a commitment to stick with me for life. I hope it’s worth it to you too.

Pregnancy and STI resources

Planned Parenthood 626 E. Battlefield Road 417-883-3800

Springfield-Greene County Health Department 227 E. Chestnut Expressway 417-864-1658

Guest Columnist

@Niislapper

Before we begin, I think it’s important to clarify two things: One, you’re absolutely right; it’s your body and you can do what you want with it. However, this column isn’t to argue that. Two, statistically I’m one of the 14.3 percent of young adults ages 20-24 who haven’t had sex. It’s a combination of my personal values and free will — because let’s face it, we all know going to church means squat when it comes to not having sex.

But the mythical “V-card” securely fastened in my wallet doesn’t make me this asexual being or some overly self-actualized monk incapable of sexual feelings, thoughts or desires but rather, a very normal, testosterone-filled dude who happens to see the value and beauty in waiting until marriage to be physically intimate.

Notice how I didn’t say sex? When we discuss sex, we are discussing the sole physical act of two warm-blooded mammals engaging in sexual intercourse. As a communication nerd, I learned very early on that words are packed with power. The word sex itself strips away all the emotional, spiritual — referencing the soul — and mental characteristics of the act. Sex was clearly

February is national condom month Nic Deckard/THE STANDARD

Screenshot/THE STANDARD

Taylor Health and Wellness Center Missouri State University 901 S. National Ave. 417-836-4000

Nii Kpakpo Abrahams

designed to be more than a physical transaction. If that weren’t the case, hooking-up wouldn’t be filled with hurt feelings, awkward texts and walks of shame. It would just be like shaking a business partner’s hand after closing a deal — there’s no afterthought.

With sex, there’s a connection that forever links you and your partner. I’m not saying your soul gets split with each sexual encounter — you’re not Voldemort and you don’t have to worry about horcruxes — but there’s something to be said about this incredible link that, in some way, affects you. Sex as a transaction is especially evident when people ask me, and this is no exaggeration, “Don’t you want to test drive the car before you buy?” We’ve now reduced our partners to inanimate objects to be tested out and returned. Seems pretty warped doesn’t it?

Even in committed relationships where sex is most prevalent and widely accepted, it oftentimes becomes a crutch. Spending time developing emotional and spiritual intimacy is put on the backburner. Waiting until marriage gives the opportunity to focus on things other than physical intimacy. So when that time finally comes, sex becomes so much more than just sex. I’m not worried about being Michael Jordan my first time, because let’s be honest, that’s not going to happen.

Our “sexual compatibility” can be explored together without shame or guilt.

The road to waiting hasn’t been easy. It’s had its bumps and bruises along the way, but every time I’ve had to stop myself in the moment or take control of my troublesome testosterone, I know it’s all been worth it.

6 // SPORTS

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 the-standard.org

Scorebox

Men’s basketball (9-15, 3-9) Wednesday, Feb. 5 Missouri State 19 31 - 50 Loyola 31 22 - 53 Saturday, Feb. 8 Missouri State Loyola

13 22 - 35 37 41 - 78

Softball (4-1) Friday, Feb. 7 Missouri State 002 020 0 Abilene Christian 000 003 0

- 4 - 3

Missouri State UL Monroe

110 230 0 100 003 0

- 7 - 4

Saturday, Feb. 8 Missouri State 010 400 0 UAPB 000 002 0

- 5 - 2

Missouri State 000 000 1 SIU-Edwardsville 100 101 0

- 1 - 3

Sunday, Feb. 9 Missouri State Louisana Tech

- 9 - 2

006 000 3 000 002 0

‘Bear Blitz’ brings 13 recruits home to MSU

Women’s basketball (8-13, 5-5) Sunday, Feb. 8 Missouri State 28 22 - 50 Wichita State 29 40 - 69

Check out The Standard Sports on Facebook for the latest updates on MSU athletics.

www.facebook.com/ TheStandardSports

@Standard _Sports

Calendar

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Men’s basketball: 7:05 p.m. vs.

Evansville at Evansville, Indiana

Wednesday, Feb. 11 Tennis: 1 p.m. vs. Kansas State at Manhattan, Kansas

Maddy Cushman/THE STANDARD

Friday, Feb. 13

Softball: 10 a.m. vs. Eastern Michigan at College Station, Texas Tennis: noon vs. Arkansas State at Jonesboro, Arkansas Softball: 12:15 p.m. vs. Penn State at College Station, Texas Baseball: 3 p.m. vs. UT-Arlington at Nacogdoches, Texas Women’s basketball: 7:05 p.m. vs.

Bradley at Peoria, Illinois

Saturday, Feb. 14

Softball: 10 a.m. vs. Penn State at College Station, Texas Softball: 12:15 p.m. vs. Eastern Michigan at College Station, Texas Baseball: 6 p.m. vs. Stephen F. Austin at Nacogdoches, Texas

Sunday, Feb. 15

Baseball: noon vs. Washington State at Nacogdoches, Texas Softball: 12:15 p.m. vs. Texas A&M at College Station, Texas Men’s basketball: 3 p.m. vs.

Northern Iowa at home Women’s basketball: 7:05 p.m. vs.

Loyola at home

Briefs

Tennis splits at Columbia

The Missouri State tennis Bears split a pair of games at Columbia, Missouri, on Feb. 7-8.

MSU lost 7-0 to Missouri on Feb. 7, and then followed it with a 6-1 victory over SIUEdwardsville on Feb. 8.

The next match for MSU is Feb. 11 against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas.

Softball freshman wins MVC Newcomer of the Week

Freshman third baseman Chelsea Thomas was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week by the conference on Feb. 9.

Thomas batted in five runs during the team’s first five games, which is an MSU record for runs batted in during opening weekend.

Thomas also hit two hom runs on the weekend, including a home run for her first career hit against UAPB on Feb. 8.

Head football coach Dave Steckel addresses the crowd on National Signing Day. MSU signed 13 recruits earlier in the day.

Steckel reveals his first recruiting class as MSU head coach on National Signing Day; says he’s ‘fired up’

By John Robinson The Standard @SaxmanJohn

Hired with a little over a month until National Signing Day, new Missouri State football head coach Dave Steckel didn’t have much time to sit and get used to his new surroundings. He and his coaching staff used every minute of their “Bear Blitz.”

“Things are happening fast and furious, and I’m probably going on about three hours of sleep, but I feel great,” Steckel said at a Signing Day Party at JQH Arena’s Prime Overtime Club. “My coaching staff did a great job at getting this class together.”

It’s a 13-member class with members from five states: one from Florida, one from Kansas, two from Oklahoma, two from Texas and seven from Missouri.

“As the coaches pieced this class together, we didn’t just go out and get guys; we had to fill needs,” Steckel said. “They were diligent in building bridges with high school coaches around the state and establishing relationships that will propel us into the future.”

The recruiting class includes four offensive linemen, one quarterback, three defensive linemen, one linebacker, two cornerbacks and two safeties.

“We hit every number,” Steckel said. “That’s rare. The good Lord blessed us, it was awesome.

We had three and a half weeks to put this class together and I am so excited with how we put this class together.”

Steckel declined to comment on any individual players in the draft, saying he did not want to take away from any of the players they signed.

But Robert Thomas out of Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the highest-rated recruit of their class — a three-star prospect on Rivals.com.

It may not be the end of the recruits for the Bears, though. There are still preferred walk-ons and players who will not be given scholarships, but are guaranteed a spot on the team if they signed to play for the Bears, according to their respective Twitter accounts.

They are Zach Drake from Kansas City, Missouri; Will Buford of Aurora, Illinois; and local Glendale prospect Chandler Collins.

“We’ll see what happens,” is all Steckel said when asked about these and other potential additions.

Now the discussion for Steckel and his coaching staff turns to the upcoming season.

“I heard a couple of guys (on the coaching staff) discussing football and it got me fired up,” Steckel said.

Spring football for the Bears begins on March 16 before concluding with the annual Maroon and White game on April 11 at noon.

Missouri State 2015 football recruits • Colin Bess • DE • 6-5 • 235 • Fr. • Park Hills, Missouri (Central High)

• Michael Briggs • QB • 6-2 • 205 • Fr. • Kansas City, Missouri (O'Hara High) • Kameron Carter • S • 6-0 • 185 • Fr. • Arlington, Texas (Arlington High)

• Coleman Clanton • OL • 6-5 • 255 • Fr. • Olathe, Kansas (Olathe South High) • A.J. David • OL • 6-7 • 255 • Fr. • Moberly, Missouri (Moberly High)

• McNeece Egbim • LB • 6-0 • 200 • Fr. • Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett High)

• Darius Joseph • CB • 6-0 • 170 • Fr. • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Southmoore High) • Anthony Lippillo • OL • 6-4 • 290 • Fr. • Springfield, Missouri (Parkview High) • Forrest Merrill • DT • 6-1 • 330 • Fr. • Willard, Missouri (Willard High)

• Taiwo Oluwafunmila • DE • 6-4 • 225 • Fr. • Lagos, Nigeria (Montverde (Florida) Academy)

• Cameron Price • S • 6-2 • 200 • Fr. • Florissant, Missouri (Hazelwood Central High) • Marquis Prophete • OL • 6-5 • 270 • Fr. • Florissant, Missouri (McCluer North High) • Robert Thomas • CB • 6-0 • 185 • Fr. • Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tulsa Union High)

Source: Missouri State Athletics Communications

The Standard

Tuesday, February 10, 2014

the-standard.org | 7

Attention MSU: Steckel needs our help

The new football coach is on a mission to change the culture at MSU regarding athletic support, but it will take an all-in attitude from the students right now in order to make his vision a reality

By Mike Ursery Sports Editor @MikeUrsery

Have you seen the new “Bear Up” T-shirts in the Missouri State Bookstore? You know, the ones that are on the table that can be seen your right when you first walk in? Do you know what “Bear Up” even means?

If you answered “no” to even just one of these questions, then it would be a good idea for you to get up to speed on what new football head coach Dave Steckel and his coaching staff are trying to accomplish here.

Steckel was hired to be the head coach of the Missouri State football team because of the success he had while serving as the defensive coordinator at Mizzou. He is expected to lead the Bears to winning seasons –– something they haven’t seen since 2007 –– and take them into the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.

Steckel has already expressed his commitment to changing the nature of the program, but he doesn’t want to stop there.

He also wants to change another element at MSU — the

sports culture.

When Steckel spoke at a meet and greet at Hammons Student Center on Jan. 14, he saw a person walking by with a Mizzou hat. He threw an MSU hat to the person and told him he never wanted to see a Mizzou hat on this campus. As much as I think that stunt was staged, I can certainly understand the message he conveyed.

The sports culture here has been practically non-existent for the most part. Venues are mostly empty during games.

Excitement leading up to games is rarely seen. Do most students here even know when games are being played? I feel as if they don’t, given the lack of advertisement, which I believe is one reason for the lack of attendance.

So, the announcement has been made. Steckel presented his vision for this football team and this campus. He wants to turn the team into a winner — obviously, or else he wouldn’t be here. He wants the campus to eat, sleep and breathe Missouri State Bears.

This is something that I believe can happen, but it won’t be solely because Steckel made it that way. He can recruit, mentor and coach these players into a winning football team, but that isn’t going to change the culture here. All of us, as students, have to change it. We have to want to support the Bears, regardless of what their game results might be week in and week out, season in and season out.

I’m not saying that we have to be like Mizzou or even Ala-

bama, where the words “Roll Tide” reside in every student’s vocabulary for the rest of their lives and Bryant-Denny Stadium is filled to capacity every Saturday. Nor do we have to be like any other school. But we do need to let opposing fans know that we are Missouri State.

I remember Senior Day for the football team. The weather was terrible, so I understand why a lot of people probably didn’t want to go. However, I also remember seeing North Dakota State fans donning green and yellow in our student section.

The seats that our university spent a fortune to remodel to give students a better game experience was utilized by the enemy, so to speak. That’s our student section. We can’t have things like that.

I also remember the Southern Illinois game. Saluki fans cheered loudly when their team scored the go-ahead touchdown. What happened when MSU started its final offensive drive to get the game-winning score? Crickets.

Opposing teams should be intimidated to come here. The volume from opposing fans should be drowned out by the roar of the home crowd. But for that to happen, there has to be a home crowd. It’s time for the students to buy in to what Steckel is saying. Without our support, it isn’t going to happen.

All hail maroon and white? It needs to be something that we truly believe, and not just something we say when Wichita State comes to town.

Bears dominate down south at Louisiana Tech Invitational Softball Bears win four of their first five games for their best start since 2008

By Bart Anders The Standard @bartanders42

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The softball Bears headed south to Ruston, Louisiana, to start off their 2015 season. A surprise appearance in the stands by Allie Alvstad lifted the Bears to a 4-1 record for the weekend, as the team got off to their best fivegame start since 2008.

The Bears began play Friday morning as they took on the Abilene Christian Wildcats. By the fifth inning, the Bears had a 4-0 lead behind the arm of senior pitcher Chelsea Jones, who tied a career high with six strikeouts. The Wildcats clawed back by collecting three runs late in the game, but the effort was too little for a Bears squad that started the season with some positive momentum.

Later the same day, the Bears completed a doubleheader, this time facing the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

The Bears won the game 7-4 behind some big-time bat swinging. Not only

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did they set a new team record with four home runs, but freshman pitcher and first baseman Kaitlin Beason had a field day.

After senior outfielder Rebecca McPherson hit a solo home run to tie the game at one-a-piece, Beason came to the plate and smashed a ball directly over the center field scoreboard for her first career hit. Then, on her next at bat, Beason sent another bomb up and over the fence to put the Bears even further ahead. If ULM didn’t know who Beason was, I’m sure they do now.

On Saturday, the Bears had another doubleheader as they faced Arkansas Pine-Bluff first and then SIUEdwardsville later that afternoon. Beason was once again instrumental in a win but this time with her arm.

In her first career start on the mound, Beason recorded three strikeouts and only six hits over six innings pitched.

Freshman third baseman Chelsea Thomas cranked a two-run home run for her first career hit; the second Bear to do that this week. Fellow teammate McPherson had three hits against the Golden Lions, as the Bears won handily

Announcing

5-2.

The Bears saw little success in their second game on Saturday. The SIUE Cougars got off to a 3-0 start and the Bears never recovered. A solo home run

by McPherson got the Bears on the board, but that would be it as they lost their first game of the season 3-1.

On Sunday, the Bears faced host Louisiana Tech, and the game never got close. In the third inning, the Bears sent 10 hitters to the plate as they poured in six runs.

Jones kept the Bulldogs off the board until the seventh inning when they punched in two runs, but it was all for naught once the Bears’ Thomas stepped up to the plate, sent a ball over the outfield wall and drove in three more runs.

By the time it was all said and done, the Bears won 9-2.

After coming home from Ruston, Louisiana, the Bears will have a short week before taking their 4-1 record to College Station, Texas, for the start of the Texas A&M Aggie Classic. Their next home game is Feb. 28.

Administrative help needed to set up fire engine loaner program across southern Missouri.

For more information, email somoes@ rocketmail.com

Center City Counseling Clinic offers individual, couples and family counseling at a cost of $5 - $20 depending on income.

Call 417-836-3215 for further information.

NAMI Southwest Missouri and Christ Church Episcopal are accepting sleeping bags, blankets, etc., to hand out to homeless veterans during the 2015 Veterans Day event this summer.

Donations can be dropped off at NAMI, 1443 N. Robberson #408, M-F 9:30am-5pm; or at Christ Church, 601 E. Walnut, M-F 8am-4:30pm or Sun 8-11:30am.

Call 417-350-3519 for more information.

8 | the-standard.org

The Standard

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Bears still undermanned, still falling in the Valley

By Eli Wohlenhaus The Standard @eliwohlenhaus

In a battle that featured two teams desperate for a win, it was the visitors who triumphed. Missouri State (9-15, 3-9) fell to Loyola University Chicago (14-10, 4-8) 5350 on Wednesday night.

This loss for the Bears sets them back in the Missouri Valley Conference, putting them at eighth as the Drake Bulldogs (7-17, 4-8) moved ahead of them in the standings with a 63-61 win over Southern Illinois (10-15, 3-9).

Loyola lept to a 5-0 lead, capitalizing on early MSU turnovers. The Ramblers pushed the lead to 27-15 with just two minutes to go in the first half, all thanks to the Bears’ 10 turnovers and 33 percent shooting in the first half.

While MSU was able to pack it in the paint (32 points) and win the rebound battle (3422), the Bears went 2 for 14 from behind the

3-point line and 12 turnovers gave Loyola the chance it needed to squeak out the win.

“You can’t turn the ball over,” said Bears head coach Paul Lusk. “When you struggle to score, you can’t turnover… We turned it over 10 times in the first half, and I thought that was the game right there.”

Turnovers did not get any better when the Bears traveled to the No. 16 Wichita State Shockers on Saturday night. In a game featured on ESPN2, the host absolutely throttled the visitors 78-35, forcing 16 Bears’ turnovers.

Junior forward Gavin Thurman led MSU in both games, scoring 12 against Loyola and nine against Wichita State.

Eli’s Extras

•The 3-pointers just won’t fall for the Bears lately. Lusk says it is partially players’ confidence and partially the opposing teams’ defense. Either way, for guys like sophomore guard Austin Ruder, the fact that he isn’t scor-

ing very nearly depletes his value.

•MSU scored 32 points in the paint against Loyola, but only scored 10 points down-low against WSU. The Bears have really struggled down there this season, but even scoring 32 wasn’t enough. What is the answer?

•Turnovers are the worst statistic to accrue, and MSU seems to be gift-wrapping the ball for its opponents. It may not get any better as long as junior point guard Dorrian Williams is out with a concussion.

•Injuries, illnesses and more just continue to affect this understaffed team. Besides Williams, senior forward Christian Kirk is also out with a medical issue that is not being discussed. Blaming injuries should never be done for losing teams, but with how often it happens to MSU, it is hard to not point a finger at that.

•Winning will not be enough for this team to get rolling. Something else magical will have to happen and soon — the season is winding down.

Maddy Cushman/THE STANDARD

Senior Christian Kirk and junior Camyn Boone both go up for a rebound.

Lady Bears come close, but run out of steam in the end

Snow scores 15 for upset-minded MSU at Wichita State, but Lady Bears score just nine points in final 12 minutes to take the loss

By John Robinson The Standard @SaxmanJohn

The Lady Bears came close, but in the end they just ran out of steam, scoring only seven points in the final 10 minutes as they fell to the Wichita State Shockers 69-50.

It was a 41-38 lead for the Lady Bears (8-13, 5-5 MVC) with 12 minutes to go, but they committed seven turnovers

LGBTQ

Continued from page 4

LGBTQ students,” Advocates President Brianna Duda, a junior sociopolitical communication major, said.

Advocates helped set up the LGBTQ Resource Center. The organization is also working on getting gender neutral housing and restrooms, setting up

safe zone training for faculty and staff and adding gender identity to the MSU anti-discrimination policy.

For dates, times and locations of meetings for Advocates, students can look at their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/msuadvocates?ref=br_tf.

Duda says to not be afraid to reach out to any of the LGBTQ organizations on campus.

and eight fouls, allowing WSU to go on a 15-0 run.

On offense in those last 12 minutes, the Lady Bears went 4-14 from the field. Throughout the game, they were only 3-11 from the free-throw line; by contrast, WSU was 18-20 from the line.

Junior guard Tyonna Snow lead the Lady Bears in scoring with 15 points, followed by senior forward NiJay Gaines with eight and junior center Hillary Chvatal with seven.

On the defensive end, the Lady Bears did a much bet-

“I know it is intimidating to be living in a heteronormative world where most people are male and female couples, but this is a place where you can take pride in your relationships, be strong and know there are people to support you,” Duda said.

More information about local and national LGBTQ resources can be found on MSU’s Multicultural Programs page.

Bear

Continued from page 2

known artist, to sculpt a bronze bear statue for Plaster Stadium.

Hanlon is the official sculptor for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and has done sculptures for the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and National Football League.

Gilyard said casting a bronze

ter job at keeping WSU star Alex Harden in check, limiting the guard to 16 points, down from the 31 points she scored in her last meeting with the Lady Bears. Jamillah Bonner lead the Shockers in scoring with 18 points. She was followed by Harden’s 16 and Alie Decker with 15. In total, four Shockers finished in double-digits points wise.

Next up for the Lady Bears as they return to JQH Arena is a Friday the 13th showdown against Bradley at 7 p.m. before taking on Loyola on Sunday, Feb. 15, also at 7 p.m.

statue is a long process though, and with Hanlon Studios being commissioned by several other people, the bronze bear statue would not have been finished by homecoming. Since the senior class wanted a statue to be in place by homecoming, Hanlon Studios provided a replica bear statue for the ceremony.

Using a replica statue for important ceremonies is common, according to Gilyard.

The replica bronze bear statue was given to the senior class for free. MSU will be able to

keep the resin replica and place it somewhere else on campus once the real bronze bear is in place.

Director of Annual Funds Melanie Earl said the replica will be placed in an interior space on campus, but it is still not known exactly where yet.

The unveiling of the real bronze bear statue is currently scheduled for March 10, but Gilyard said the date could change depending on Hanlon Studios’ availability.