The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
January 29, 2013
LOCAL
Volume 97 Issue 33
ON CAMPUS
Hub City preps for second Parking garage annual Mardi Gras parade changes: Helpful April Garon Printz Writer
A taste of the Mardi Gras season will be close to home Thursday for Pine Belt residents when the Caerus Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the streets of Hattiesburg. The first Mardi Gras parade in Hattiesburg, held last year, attracted about 10,000 spectators, according to the parade’s website. Attendance was higher than originally expected. The idea for the parade came from Ronnie Chadwell of Keith’s Superstores, the parade sponsor. “Chadwell decided Hattiesburg was too big not to have its own Mardi Gras parade,” parade director Melissa Davis said. This year’s parade will feature 100 floats, double the amount of last year. Organizers are expecting at least 15,000 parade goers. “The Caerus Parade Group has
made many improvements to this, come to life — seriously to life, as the second annual [parade],” Davis in six feet tall columns and Carysaid. “This year’s parade will have a atid statues.” theme: ‘Music of Mississippi.’ This Kennedy believes having a Mardi gives participants the opportunity Gras parade in Hattiesburg makes to feature music legends that origi- the season better. nated in our state.” “It reminds me of prepping for Davis said floats will be judged Mardi Gras when I lived in New by a panel, including local celebri- Orleans,” Kennedy said. “The fact ties Randy Swan and Sheri Falk of that we’re celebrating here in the ‘Burg just makes it better.” WDAM. According to Davis, there are University of Southern Mississippi student Dawne Kennedy, who many unique floats in the parade, is workincluding last ing with year’s winning To see the parade route, go onfloat “Krewe Hi stor i a Froth,” Films on a line to www.studentprintz.com. of which features float, said a gigantic beer the process of preparing for the parade is mug, and Sidelines Sports Grill’s double-decker float featuring The exciting. “We are going to have some Glitter Boys’ live performance. The Glitter Boys will also peramazing throws and have the float decorated in a Hollywood motion form at an after party at Sidelines, picture theme,” Kennedy said. “It one of many restaurants involved in has taken a lot of planning, and I the festivities. can’t wait for people to see our logo See PARADE, 7
April Garon/Printz
Patrick Taylor, a junior marine biology major, pratices slack-lining outside Southern Hall on Monday afternoon.
NURSING
BASKETBALL
ART
or hurtful?
Arielle Edwards Printz Writer After the University of Southern Mississippi finished construction on the campus parking garage in spring of 2011, the five-story open zone parking area was seen as a lifesaver to many students who were able to park closer to their classes. As more students started using the parking garage, USM Police Chief Bob Hopkins said several complaints came flooding in on a weekly basis regarding near-accidents, speeders and delays exiting the structure. University Police Department decided to partner with Student Government Association and develop solutions to some of those common complaints. “In our review and looking for solutions, it was apparent that the current two-way traffic in the garage was the main reason for increased number of complaints and accidents being reported,” Hopkins said. “Through our work with SGA and the university’s administration, we were able to turn these resolutions into a reality.” Changes in the parking garage include newly placed signs indicating the direction each vehicle needs to go. Some students, however, do not feel like the changes have been effective. Sara Anderson, a psychology major, liked the parking garage more when vehicles could enter and exit as they chose. “Now that it is just one way, I notice people getting caught
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going in a circle,” Anderson said. “They miss the down or up ramp and end up reversing, which causes either more traffic or more danger.” Anderson believes that the intentions of UPD and SGA were to prevent collisions. “I think it made it worse because people are more likely to speed around the garage because they don’t have to pay as close attention to traffic coming towards them,” Anderson said. Anderson also believes some enter and exit the wrong way regardless of the signs. “Some people don’t feel like driving around in the circle, which is dangerous,” Anderson said. Natalie Oalmann, a Spanish major, has different views. “I have been wanting the signs since last semester,” Oalmann said. “There have been too many times where I have almost been hit because of people driving in the middle or turning from what I thought was the wrong way.” Oalmann said the signs are a much needed improvement. “I feel safer and less likely to be hit,” Oalmann said. “I also like the stop signs before every turn and the speed limit reminders because it definitely controls the speed in the garage.” Hopkins said the signs aim to correct these problems, but they cannot be fixed if drivers do not obey the rules of the road. “Pay attention to signage and road markings,” Hopkins said.
See PARKING, 7
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 Sudoku............................ 2 News .............................. 4 Arts & Entertainment......5 Opinion ............................6 Feature ...........................7 Sports...............................8