Staff fears losing voice in the 100th year

STAFF FEARS LOSING VOICE IN 100TH YEAR

SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2018

WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM

Academic reorganization threatens Printz newsroom ALYSSA BASS NEWS EDITOR

romises of news-writing experience, management and access to technology and space led the current Student Printz employees to apply to work for the studentrun newspaper. However, those resources could be taken depending on the School of Communication space committee’s proposal to the faculty. Because of the academic reorganization that went into effect July 1, Southern Miss’ colleges and the departments within them have been combined. The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism combined with the Department of Communication Studies to create the School of Communication within the College of Arts and Sciences. Most communication studies faculty currently have offices in the Liberal Arts Building; however, under administration guidance, the space committee is considering moving some of those faculty to College Hall, specifically in the Student Printz newsroom located on the third floor. The space committee is comprised of seven members which includes mass communication and journalism professors as well as communication studies professors. In the newsroom, 42 Printz staff members and 20 WUSM employees share the common area. The Printz graphic designers and photographers use the design suite with six Mac desktops. The Student Printz executive editor and advisor have their own offices to sell ads and handle personnel issues and the Printz webmaster and WUSM producer share one office. Executive Editor Andrew Abadie said he fears that faculty could attempt to censor the staff if faculty offices surrounded the newsroom common area. Abadie said he discovered that the committee was considering taking the newsroom in late August and scheduled a meeting with Acting Director of the School of Communication Casey Maugh Funderburk. Abadie attempted to meet with the members of the space committee but was denied access to the closed meetings. Instead, the committee allowed him to submit a letter on behalf of the entire editorial staff. Managing editor and senior English and biology major Ashley Hobson said she was disappointed by the committee not allowing the Printz staff to speak at a committee meeting. “To exclude students from being present in some physical form to defend their use of a student centered space like the newsroom is to essentially remove them from the conversation,” Hobson said. “While it’s fair to say there are faculty and staff who keep the students best interest in mind, it’s another thing when those students are sitting across the table from you begging to keep the space they have or be given an equal space elsewhere. Words on paper are good enough, but being able to read the emotions of a conversation and answer questions as they arise is a completely different thing.” Southern Miss graduate and former editor Kathryn Miller said, “The newspaper staff, just like an other media or organization on campus, deserves a space to work together in an environment with

Margaret Matteson | Printz

Blair Ballou | Printz

respected privacy. The newspaper staff encompass the student body after all, and apart from the news adviser, the staff should have a space separate from faculty to work together collaboratively.” SGA President and senior communications major McKenna Stone said she would work with the Printz staff and the School of Communication faculty about the issue. “As SGA President, it is my duty to advocate for student needs, concerns, and academic enhancements while also serving as a liaison between the student body and university administration,” Stone said. “I believe it is within my duties to investigate concerns surrounding the Student Media Center. In order to advocate for students who utilize the Center for academic purposes, I will begin this investigation by gathering information from all parties involved. I am personally committed to investing in this situation.” Student Printz alumni have showed their support by sending various emails to Funderburk in support of the Student Printz keeping its office space. Southern Miss graduate Cam Bonelli and current Richfield Community Editor at Sun Newspapers in Minneapolis was among the editors Abadie contacted. During Bonelli’s time as executive editor during the 2016-2017 school year, Bonelli said she used the newsroom at least four to five times during the week for several hours at a time. “Being in a newsroom provides valuable experience that cannot be obtained in a classroom. The Printz gave me an opportunity to learn so many of the skills I use every day on the job,” Bonelli said. “Having hands-on experience in a newsroom, interaction with peers, the opportunity to learn from mistakes and the ability to use software that is basic knowledge for a position at a professional newspaper was the best way for me to be prepared for my current position.” Southern Miss graduate and former editor Mary Margaret Halford sent a letter to Funderburk

Members of the Student Printz and WUSM showcase lack of space in the newsroom.

highlighting the importance the executive editor have an office. “On a Wednesday night in 2012 while working on the next day’s paper, there was a knock at my office door,” Halford said. “A sophomore transfer student stood there looking incredibly uncomfortable and asked to speak with me in private, so I closed the door and sat down. The girl then proceeded to tell me about how she was sexually assaulted on campus, and she was ready to share her story.” While Halford did say that every office meeting is not related to abuse, she added that some of them are about private personnel issues and “heated debates” about publishing a story. After hearing that the newsroom might be occupied by faculty, Bonelli said prospective students could lose interest in coming to Southern Miss. “I felt that the school does not understand that taking away the newsroom is a severe detriment to its current journalism program,” Bonelli said. “If the school wants to see its newspaper continue to prosper, it should allow the Student Media Center to be occupied and used by students. Taking away this space will push the journalism program behind its competing schools.” The School of Communication faculty will vote on the space committee’s proposal, and Funderburk will approve or deny it. Mass communication and journalism professor Christopher Campbell, Ph.D., said he is unsure if the space committee will propose to use the newsroom for faculty offices or if the School of Communication would support that idea, but that if they did, the decision would seem “odd.” Campbell said he would like for the staff offices on the third floor to be refilled by new mass communication and journalism staff. “We originally had offices elsewhere on the third floor for the professional staff who oversaw the work of students in the Student Media Center,”

Campbell said. “Unfortunately, we lost most of those positions, apparently because of tight budgets. I’d like to see those positions get refilled now that the budget crisis seems to be over, so that we could increase activities in the Student Media Center and bolster the opportunities for our students.” If the proposal is approved, it is unclear where the School of Communication will relocate the staff. Abadie said he is afraid the committee will not suggest a new location. In a letter to the committee from the Student Printz editorial staff, the editors said, “Some believe that the student newspaper can simply be done on laptops. However, no reputable newspaper fails to offer employees a space to conduct work and assemble its product at the highest quality possible.” Abadie said the committee should consider renovating the College Hall basement, which is currently flooded and has mold, or pursue the opportunity of moving the newspaper’s newsroom at either a different location or off-campus location. After weeks of alumni feedback, although not directly related to this reason, Funderburk met with Abadie on Oct. 15 to explain that the newsroom is now considred to be a priority space. An effort is currently being made to keep the spaces for student use. She did note that one of the offices could be used for a faculty member and that the falculty vote could still change the spaces’ use. Originally the vote was scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19 but will take place on Nov. 2 in order to give faculty time to properly review any proposal made. The vote itself has now been rescheduled at least twice. Any decision made, will go into immediate effect in December. Before the space committee’s vote, The School of Communication will be celebrating the Student Printz’s 100-year anniversary Thursday, Oct. 18. Previous Printz editors and staff members will return to Southern Miss’ campus to view Printz memorabilia, watch a panel discussion and take tours of College Hall.

Flooded basement and black mold.

SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2018

WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM

Academic reorganization lacks transparency ASHLEY HOBSON MANAGING EDITOR

ANDREW ABADIE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ccording to university documents, a Scheduling Task Force was formed in the fall of 2016 and charged with the task of constructing a new university class schedule. This was one of the first phases of the Academic Reorganization process at Southern Miss, and those changes, along with many other, began to take effect in Fall 2018. While the most noticeable change for students is the new class schedule, there are many other changes going on behind the scenes at Southern Miss. In addition to the new class schedule, the division of colleges within the university also changed. What was once known separately as the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Sciences and Technology is now collectively the College of Arts and Sciences. The rest of the colleges are College of Business and Economic Development, the College of Education and Human Sciences, the College of Nursing and Health Professionals, the College of University Libraries, the Honors College and the Graduate School. While the new division of colleges should not directly affect students’ graduation plans, it will affect where some of their classes are held and where various professor offices will be located. A space committee was formed and charged with the task of organizing physical space to correlate with the new college organization. For example, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Chris Winstead, Ph.D, is located on the second floor of the Liberal Arts Building. The new dean, whose degree is in sciences, is now working in a space that is predominantly shared with professors and students studying English, history and philosophy. Looking past the confusion and adjustments, the reorganization has caused for current students in forms such as a new class schedule and the dissolvement of their academic department, the new structure of Southern Miss is being met with varying levels of acceptance and outrage by faculty, staff and students. The new model of Southern Miss places a heavy emphasis and cash flow on administrative roles which then shrinks down to faculty and finally to students.This corporatization of higher education equates administration to employers, professors to employees and students to customers. It is not confined to Southern Miss, but is changing the way faculty and students view the university and feel about dedicating their time and funds here. Professor of History Douglas Chambers, Ph.D., is one of the concerned faculty members who voiced his concern for students and frustrations with administration. “I’m particularly concerned about our junior faculty,” Chambers said. “I’ve had a number of people come to me and basically say this isn’t what they signed up for when they agreed to make a career at USM. When they agreed to make a career at USM, they signed up for a real university that operates like a real university. they didn’t sign up for this, and that’s a real concern. We invest as a program and what used to be a department as a college and a university we invest in our junior faculty and that investment could be up in smoke because rightfully so a lot of junior faculty said this is not what they signed up for, and I don’t blame them.” When asked if he believed Southern Miss had converted students to dollar signs, Chambers responded with the fact that he believed there is an increasingly corporate approach to higher education. “It’s not limited to USM,” Chambers said. “But it’s always balanced by a commitment to principles of faculty/staff governance and of collective decision making and that’s not the case here. So it’s not just the corporatization

of USM, it’s something else. I’d call it administrative incompetence.” University Distinguished Professor of History Andrew Wiest, Ph.D., has been at Southern Miss for 30 years and appears to have a more optimistic tone about the reorganization and its effect on students. “As far as students are concerned if the reorganization affects them that’s [professors’ and falculty’s] fault,” Weist said. “Let’s say there’s five-hundred faculty, then I’m one-five hundredth to blame for that. We should not let it impact students.” Wiest also believes the reorganization will allow faculty more time to be productive outside of the classroom with less classes on Friday. Wiest has written several books and believes it is an important factor of increasing his school’s value for students. Wiest is also hopeful for the future interdisciplinary relationships that can be fostered through the reorganization. “We’re applying for a National Endowment for the Humanities grant,” Wiest said. “We’re in a real competitive place to get it. What’s changing so far is the interaction with different faculty members. Now there’s a science team on the second floor [of the LAB],” referring to the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences having a background in science.” Wiest also believes the reorganization will eventually make students more marketable to future employers, and that just getting used to the new rhythm of the reorganization does not necessarily make it worse than the old model. However, for some professors like Lindsey Conlin Maxwell, Ph.D., the cons outweigh the pros. The reorganization process feels forced and rushed—a process that will ultimately negatively affect students. “We also had to hurriedly think of curriculum decisions that otherwise we probably would have more time to think about,” Maxwell said. “We have new leadership that we did not have the say in choosing in what we thought we would have, even though our director is only an interim director. We didn’t have any say in who would fill that position for the time being.” Maxwell also voiced frustrations with administration for their role in the reorganization and their lack of apparent sensitivity to the voices of faculty. Chambers agrees, and is hopeful that the administration will take greater care in listening to the voices of their faculty, the individuals who keep the university running and who will determine Southern Miss’s success in the future. “What the faculty would hope for and actually expect is an administration that exists to support our work,” Chambers said. “The bottom line is the faculty are the university, the students are our students, but it’s the faculty that really are the university. Ideally students leave after four years, and the faculty stay because we’re here. Administrators come and go. I’ve been here 19 years and I’ve experienced five presidents, five provosts and actually five department chairs. So the president and the provost are not the university—they come and go.” Chambers said although students come and go, faculty are the backbone of the university and should be treated with more respect. “It’s the faculty that makes it for the university, and we suspect that this current administration has it backwards,” Chambers continued. “In a couple of years, there may be a new provost, there may be a new president, we may go back to having departments, we may be a real university. But how many students, how many faculty will we lose before then? That’s the real question. It’s a sad situation.” Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Steven Moser, Ph.D., was contacted for an interview, but stated, “I will not be making further comments on the Reorganization until this 2nd phase of the implementation concludes in about 4 to 6 weeks. At that point I will update the campus community and would be happy to discuss the progress made from Phase II.”

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8 Commercial Warehouse Dr. off 4th Street Hattiesburg

601-602-2277

The Southern Miss vs.UTSA Football game will be Saturday, Oct. 20. Century Park North and Pete Taylor parking lots will close at noon. Physical Plant parking lot will closed at 4 p.m. All vehicles in these locations must be moved no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19. Students who park their vehicles at Century Park North will not be allowed back into the lot until 6 a.m. Sunday morning. All other vehicles parked in restricted areas must be moved by 8 a.m. on game day (Saturday). Any vehicle not moved will be towed at the owner’s expense.

PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

If a vehicle is towed for a football game, a towing fee must be paid to Parking and Transit Services before the vehicle is released. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Parking and Transit Services 601.266.5447 or 601.266.4943

SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2018

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A letter to the college that doesn’t seem to care LANIE LEACH

PRINTZ REPORTER

o all of the colleges and universities trying to take away what we’re paying for, this is for you. Journalism students have heard this phrase one million times at least, “Journalism is a dying profession—don’t major in it.” We have heard it from our parents, friends, grandparents, relatives and everyone else who knows our business. Print media may be becoming more obsolete with the inventions of new technology and the ways people consume news, but there will always be a need for good journalism. We always try and defend ourselves, or not let those comments bother us but right now, it does not feel like our institutions are fighting for us. When I first officially toured Southern Miss, I was shown all around College Hall. I was shown a space just for the Southern Miss’ newspaper on the third floor of College Hall. I was promised a space just for me. And now—it’s at risk of being taken from me and my fellow Printz staff members. The newsroom for the Student Printz is currently being used by both The Student Printz and WUSM. The room contains four other rooms within it as well, one for the executive editor, one for the faculty advisor, one for computers for laying out the paper and one shared between the webmaster and WUSM’s executive producer. Southern Miss may take away the rooms within the newsroom, and give

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Southern Miss reorganization modeled after ASU CALEB MCCLUSKEY PRINTZ REPORTER

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them away to faculty members, leaving the Student Printz and WUSM with a very small space that just one staff cannot fit in as is. Now, this would not be a big deal if Southern Miss would find a better solution to this debacle. If they would clean up the basement level in college hall, we could go there. If they would renovate some of the older buildings not being used very much, we could go there. If they care, we would have somewhere that made sense, but they don’t, so they’re just shoving us into a space that is much too small. It is not just Southern Miss that is getting the short end of the stick here. It’s SMU, it’s UTK, it’s LSU, it’s college newspapers that are student run. “In light of this, student-run media organizations need to start calling attention to the challenges we face, as many of us fight to maintain financial independence and an increasing number of us now face concerns of editorial independence under university administrations,” savestudentnewsrooms.com wrote. In a world of dying print media, you would think that colleges and universities would be the ones fighting for its students’ futures, but sadly, you would be wrong. “Journalism isn’t dying because it is in its nature. Journalism is dying because it is being murdered,” Huffington Post Canada writer Dave Yin said, and he could not be more right. The sad thing for me, though, is that my career has not even started, and my own college is aiding to the murder of it. I was promised an excellent education, people that cared about me and so much more, but now I wonder—should I have come to Southern Miss at all?

outhern Miss is not the first school to do a reorganization. During the height of the Great Recession, many schools consolidated and reorganized for budgetary reasons or otherwise. With cutbacks in government funding, many schools have to find interesting and creative ways to adapt, according to Arizona State University professor of historical, philosophical and religious studies and historian Calvin Schermerhorn, Ph.D. In 2008, Schermerhorn had just gotten on board with ASU and in late 2008 the school reorganized, consolidating and ramping up its online catalog. Southern Miss, with 14,554 total student population in the 2016-2017 school year, and ASU, with 103,410 total student population in the 2016-2017, school year differ in size and profits by extreme margins, but the comparison is invaluable to understanding the effects reorganization has on the student, faculty and the school as a whole. Like ASU, Southern Miss faced a lack of government assistance and a growing population of students. Though it is on a smaller scale, Schermerhorn said the key to a successful reorganization is being well thought out. He believed it could work on a smaller scale as long as the ones implementing the reorganization have a clear overall vision. According to “The plan for Academic Reorganization” document that can be found on the Office of the Provost’s page in the University of Southern Miss website, Southern Miss’ vision is to make the school more coherent, deploy

resources strategically, increase the ability to respond to changes (i.e. a rescission or government cutback) and to make the school’s organization more flexible. “The need for organizational change is urgent. If we fail to evaluate and update our academic management practices, structure, and culture, an institutional decline is likely, and we may well face renewed calls for program elimination,” the plan states. With the consolidation of departments, Southern Miss has implemented a new schedule that changed most classes from one hour long to an hour and a half long and worked to remove Friday classes. Schermerhorn said ASU went in a different direction by increasing the number of Friday classes and the number of classes offered in a specific course to combat ASU’s rising enrollment numbers. Though more classes were added, they also increased the number of students to a class from the mid-twenties to the forties or sixties. “In the process of reorganization, [ASU] would be more entrepreneurial and that is to say, instead of waiting for students to come to us, we other new programs and new ways of learning,” Schermerhorn said. Schermerhorn said his department started to heavily focus on developing online courses to help both students and faculty be more accommodated in the learning process. “Given the Context in which [Southern Miss] operates, we must move as quickly as we can and as slowly as needed to ensure the outcomes we seek,” the plan states. Though Southern Miss’ changes feel sudden to many students, the changes were slated to start as early as 2017 to 2020. The changes are to be overseen by the Office of the Provost.

SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2018

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Students struggle to adjust to new schedule JAMES MASSENGALE PRINTZ REPORTER

FALL OR SPRING SCHEDULING GRID - EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2018 Monday (90 minutes)

lans for academic reorganization went into effect on July 1. These plans included decreasing the number of Friday classes, having a shorter semester and extending class times. Many students and faculty members have been heard speaking negatively of the changes since the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. One of those students is sophomore medical lab science major Jered Cade, who feels like he has no time to relax. “I really don’t have any time to do anything social,” Cade said. “I’m always in my room studying. I know at the beginning of each week I have a quiz for each lab, but I feel like I’m not learning as much, because we’re having to do so much in a shorter amount of time.” Each semester has been shortened to 15 weeks. Classes were lengthened to abide by Institution of Higher Learning rules regarding the minimum amount of time students are in class of 750 minutes per credit hour. The university achieved a 15-week schedule by adding 10 minutes to 50-minute classes, 15 to 75-minute classes and 30 minutes to 165-minute block classes. Cade said that the longer classes have been a detriment to his learning process. “I feel like since classes are longer, I feel like I’m wanting to get out. Fifty minutes was perfect, but the extra 10 minutes does make a difference for me. And the other classes are like an hour and 30 minutes, and that’s just too long because I’ll literally start hurting because you’re in there so long. I get uncomfortable, and you don’t learn.”

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Sophomore biology major Olivia Parker agreed and said she constantly feels overwhelmed. “I have ADD, and it’s hard for me to focus for an hour and thirty minutes. I’m not paying attention at the end of class. I have a hard time keeping up,” Parker said. “I am doing school work every weekend, and I feel like I don’t have any time off. It’s all happening so fast, it’s such a short period of time, I feel overwhelmed all the time.” Students involved in one of Southern Miss’ many organizations like Anna Gail Welch, a junior special education major, feel they have

been forced to decrease time spent on clubs and activities. “I have something due every day,” Welch said. “There is no break. There is no gap for functionality. I am involved in organizations on campus, and I’ve had to cut back on what I want to get involved in because I have more assignments due each week.” Director for the School of Marketing Jayme Foster, Ph.D., said the new schedule has “several advantages.” “The semester is a bit shorter and we have more options for Monday-Wednesday classes, which makes it easier to schedule labs

and group meetings on Fridays. This can be beneficial, especially for students who work.” Foster said that some of the challenges of the schedule were not realized until the semester began. “Just over the last couple of weeks, we’ve struggled to find a time to schedule student organization meetings. Professors and students are adjusting to the quicker pace of the semester,” Foster said. “Thankfully, the university has already been making changes that will allow students more flexibility over the entire year. We are offering many more intersession, 8-week and online courses.”

Student Media Center critical for student success KARIGAN TEER PRINTZ REPORTER

he 2018-2019 academic school year marks 100 years of Southern Miss’ student run newspaper, the Student Printz. The Student Media Center, located on the third floor of College Hall, houses The Student Printz newsroom, radio station WUSM-FM, The Agency at Southern Miss and South City Records. Before College Hall’s $6.3 million renovation in 2011, all of mass communication and journalism operations were scattered throughout Southern Hall, the Department of Mathematics, McCain Library and McLemore Hall. With the academic reorganization currently underway at Southern Miss, the offices that were created specifically for students to use are at risk of being given to faculty. If the offices dedicated to students are given to faculty, more than 45 people will be forced to share the workspace designed for no more than 10 to 15 people. During the College Hall renovation, mass communication and journalism professor Christopher Campbell, Ph.D., was the director of the department. Campbell said the faculty realizes that graduates of the program built their portfolios from working in the Student Media Center. “We expect the third floor will be a 24-7 operation, with students working at the Printz, radio station and in the TV and recording studios. Learning to work collaboratively in a setting like this is going to make them very marketable when they

Hannah Beaver | Printz

graduate,” Campbell said. Campbell went on to say at the time that putting the various media operations on the same floor was intentional. “Media technology and the business of media are changing, and students need to gain experience across platforms,” Campbell said. “We wanted to encourage students to work across those platforms, so we have a radio station, newspaper, TV studio, recording studio and our other media operations all in the same space. This is

Student Media Center in College Hall.

what good programs do. We looked at places like Arizona State and Syracuse as models. It’s one of the reasons those programs are experiencing enrollment growth.” When Campbell was the director of the department, the consolidation of all media operations into one building was a plan with a high amount of promise. According to Campbell, “The mass communication and journalism faculty recognizes the importance of the work that students do outside of the classroom. In some ways, it’s more important

than the work that goes on in the classroom,” Campbell said. However, the consolidation took away a significant amount of workspace. Further condensing the newsroom would cause stressed interactions between the newspaper and radio station. The Student Media Center was established for the sole purpose of being used by students. If the newsroom is condensed or moved all together, the original purpose of the space in the first place will be lost.

SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 17, 2018

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Students suffer under business model of education MARISSA HAAS PRINTZ REPORTER

ollowing a cut in state and federal funding cut to the education budget, Southern Miss has been forced to find ways to cut costs while trying to maintain a high academic standard. However, even though students have always equaled a certain dollar amount to the university, Southern Miss is now using students as a way to justify the means. When the goal of a university is to make a profit, students remain on the losing end. The goal of higher education should be to facilitate education, student development, and enhance leadership potential. The goal of a business is to generate a profit, which is what Southern Miss has turned to as a possible solution for financial insecurity. Higher education is not a business. Businesses can fail, and students are not customers. The business model of education is not sustainable, especially for a place like Mississippi. The state already struggles significantly with funding higher education. In fact, Southern Miss even cites “a steady decline of state support” in as a reason for the academic reorganization plan in The Plan For Academic Reorganization: Vision 2020 document. “We have to sell the message that our universities are an investment, not an expense,” Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr., President of the Institution of Higher Learning, said when asked about how to gather more state funding. From a student perspective, college can be an expense. There are many underlying costs associated with getting a college education – textbooks, housing fees, meal plans, and so on. Getting a degree can create a financial burden. However, for some students, college

Hannah Beaver | Printz

can be seen as an investment – get a degree, pay back loans on time, and be well-off in the future. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for every student. The business model of higher education is failing, and it’s causing students to fail. To compensate for a lack of state funding, Southern Miss increased tuition, which leads

to students taking out more loans to cover costs. Although Southern Miss remains on of the cheapest public university in Mississippi and tuition increases has been minimal, students who are unable to take out more loans have to take a semester off or drop out of college. The new academic reorganization model can prolong degree plans, making

students stay in school longer. It also cuts down on the amount of classes students can take on while also working a job to pay for college. Students previously taking 16/17 hours are having to cut down to 12/15 hours, which means they stay in school longer and therefore pay the university more money. Southern Miss pushes the “finish in four years” narrative, but students are unable to do that if they can’t cover the financial costs. Tuition increases also leads to students taking fewer hours, which makes them to stay in school longer, costing them more money. Students also decide to change their major, work to pay for the cost of attending college, face burn out and need a break from school, or don’t want to commit to a major just yet. The “finish in four” plan isn’t a reality for a lot of college students. Running a university as a business is contradictory to the goal of higher education, which is to create well-rounded leaders who are prepared to enter the professional world. The goal shouldn’t be to turn a profit. College should be a place where students are able to explore their passions and gain experience in their field. It shouldn’t be a hunting ground for profit generation. The university hopes that increased enrollment will offset tuition costs, but in this way, students are only being seen as a way to justify the means. This isn’t a sustainable model. Students aren’t the only ones who suffer by the use of the business model, either; it also undervalues professors. Professors are not being adequately paid, and staff are being fired. In 2017, Dr. Bennett laid off 20 staff members following budget cuts. This begs the question - If this model is so clearly not working, why is it still being used? Something has to give. Education is not only valuable when a profit can be made, and students deserve more than being seen as purely a way to generate profit, especially when it puts them at the losing end.

New proposal disappoints transfer students BRIAN WINTERS PRINTZ REPORTER

he newsroom is a fantastic place to relax and get work done. However, with more than five people in the room, we all feel claustrophobic. I transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi this school year. I was so happy to get an email about an opening for the school newspaper and for a chance to be hired. When I walked into the newsroom, I was impressed with what I saw. It looked like a great place to do work. I was especially happy to have a place to be able to get direct help from the students involved. During my first few weeks of working for the Student Printz, I was happy to have a room where I could rest between classes. Having a room just for the Student Printz has led me to meeting some great new people. When people are stressed about classes and upcoming tests, there was always someone there to help calm them. When everyone is sitting around, we can all make jokes and have a great time while working. I truly do not think this would still be possible after the newsroom is changed into shared offices. I have been in the newsroom when there were more than five people before, and that seemed like too many people. Imagine having to share a space with 60 people, some not even involved with the Student Printz. I cannot begin to imagine how confusing it will be to have Student Printz members, WUSM members and faculty all in the

same room. What if one group needs to hold a meeting? I think that leads to the need for two offices. When the executive editor needs to have a private talk with a staff member, he has a place to discuss what is going on. It would be awful to be yelled at or told you are not doing a good job in front of everyone. It could lead to embarrassment. It also matters if there is a private issue needed to be discussed. If a new person wants to join the staff, having to be interviewed in the open can cause anxiety and lead to a bad interview. Going out to the hall is no better as anyone can pass by and cause a distraction. When I was interviewed, I liked the fact I was in a private space having a one-on-one interview. I felt like I could ask any question no matter how stupid it was and get all the clarification I needed. At my last school, there was not a newsroom for the staff to use. There was an editor’s office and that was it. If the editor was not in the room, it was locked, and no one could use it. If someone needed help with an idea for a story or had any concern about what they were doing, the only way to get help was to email the editor or ask another member of the newspaper staff. Having said that, the Student Printz newsroom has been a big and welcomed surprise to me. I have enjoyed using it and having a place to talk and meet the other members of the Student Printz. I think if it was changed into faculty offices and a shared space, no one would utilize it the same way as before. Because the newsroom would be surrounded by faculty offices, I would no longer feel like I would have a place to go between classes to study, joke around and get help on stories.

MAKAYLA PUCKETT PRINTZ REPORTER

hoosing a college is a daunting one. As someone who has had to do so not just once but twice I understand the pressure of making the right choice. When I visited Southern Miss as a potential student in high school and junior college student, I was impressed at how the school seemed to care for its students. At other schools I was flirting with the idea of attending, I felt like a number. At Southern Miss I felt like a person. I felt as if the faculty would provide myself and my peers with the best resources to be successful. I was drawn specifically to the Student Media Center located on the third floor of College Hall. The Student Media Center houses student run organizations such as the Student Printz and WUSM that give students real world experience throughout their education. It was fascinating to see the amount of hands on activity available to mass communication and journalism students. I immediately pictured myself thriving in such an environment. The Student Media Center was my selling point; it is what pushed me to choose Southern Miss. On the third floor of College Hall, creativity and hard work are not only encouraged but flow freely from each student involved. It is not just a workspace. It is a haven for creators and communicators, it is a space for innovation and learning, it is a home. With the academic

reorganization the resources and space that are currently available will be taken away. If this area is taken away it will be to accommodate faculty over the students who are paying to be there. The encroachment of faculty will sensor the creative community on the third floor. It will also cause an uncomfortable work environment for everyone due to overcrowding. Fitting 60 students into a 300 square foot room is less than ideal. It is discouraging that more space for less people was available at my junior college than at the four-year school of my choice. In junior college the newspaper staff had access to a large workspace that allowed us to spread out. We were able to fit the whole staff in the room at one time, which is not possible in Southern Miss’ Student Media Center—as it is much less once space is taken away. The ability to have office space in the Student Media Center is something students are able to work towards and encourages involvement. Hindering the students’ workspace would hinder creativity and decrease morale. The Student Printz, WUSM and other organizations have become institutions around the Hattiesburg area. These outlets serve not only students but also the community. The University of Southern Mississippi has always had a strong presence in the journalism community. In order to continue that reputation Southern Miss needs to save the resources that are available to students. If these are taken away it will not only discourage current students but also discourage potential students from pursuing their education at Southern Miss in favor of other schools with more to offer.

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The Spectrum Center hosts Pride in the Park KARIGAN TEER PRINTZ REPORTER

he Spectrum Center, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ community in Hattiesburg, hosted Pine Belt Pride in the Park at Town Square Park with performances by drag queens and live bands Saturday, Oct. 13. The Pride in the Park event was one of the last a week Pride events of the week Before Pride in the Park, The Spectrum Center hosted ‘Paint with Pride’ at Painting with a Twist, ‘SoPro Meet and Greet’ at Southern Prohibition Taproom and ‘It’s a Queer Comedy Show’ at the Thirsty Hippo Oct. 10-12. According to The Spectrum Center’s Facebook page, the organization fosters a supportive, educated and active community that is open, safe and inclusive to people of all sexualities and gender identities. They defend human and civil rights secured by law for members of the LGBTQ+ community and work towards an open, accepting and diverse Mississippi. Keenon Walker, vice president of The Spectrum Center, was involved with Hattiesburg’s first Pride three years ago, which took place right after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality. “When we did our first Pride, it was right when marriage equality was passed, so now we’re trying to keep the movement going. Right now, we’re really focusing on trans advocacy within our center,” Walker said. Despite the openness of Hattiesburg’s community, Walker believes there is still room for work. “I still feel like there needs to be some kind of representation, and as a gay black person, I feel like I need to be front and center doing things for the community. When I was asked to help with Pride, I felt like it was perfect. It’s the best way I can give visibility and try to work towards the cause of equality,” he said.

Karigan Teer | Printz

Many local businesses, such as Bianchi’s Pizzeria, The Porter and Boudreaux to Geaux set up booths at Pride in the Park. For Walker, having support from businesses reinforces the fact that Hattiesburg is the place to be in Mississippi. “You have all these local businesses that are willing to say, ‘I support you, I’m going to put my dollars into it, and I don’t care what people say because I want you to feel like you have a place [in Hattiesburg],’” Walker said. Many parents who attended the event brought their young children. Face painting

Alanna Hayes performs at Pride in the Park.

and hula hooping competitions were available to entertain the children. Biz Harris, a Hattiesburg local and member of University Baptist Church, explained why he attended the event., “We believe that God loves everybody just as they are, and we wanted our kids to know that whoever they are, whoever they love as they grow up is equally important. We wanted to show our support for equality and equity in our world,” Harris said. Several students from Southern Miss came to show their support of the LGBTQ+

community. “I’m here because there’s not really anything here for us besides each other, so we definitely have to stick together,” junior English major Holly Wright said. The annual Pride Parade through Downtown Hattiesburg followed the Pride in the Park event. Like Wright, Micah Graves, sophomore English major, came to support the community. “I’m here to show support,” Graves said. “It’s nice weather to go for a walk and support a cause.”

Southern Pines throws kitten costume party CALEB MCCLUSKEY PRINTZ REPORTER

he third Costumes and Kittens hosted by Southern Pines Animal Shelter had cat-lovers of all shapes and sizes visit the Town Square Café in Downtown Hattiesburg to enjoy coffee, breakfast foods and furry creatures. Starting at 9 a.m. and running until 11 p.m., those in attendance were allowed free coffee while crafting small toys filled with catnip for shelter cats that were selected by the adoptions coordinator of Southern Pines Animal Shelter Hayley Ridpath. Ridpath said the shelter has just finished kitten season, and it is no longer overrun by cats, making her job of choosing kittens for the event easier. “I picked the ones that were the sweetest and the squiggliest that we had [for the event],” Ridpath said. “The two older kittens we had are both boys, and I picked them because as soon as you pick them up they start purring. The other two smaller ones we had were actually bottle-fed babies, so they love people and being held.” Ridpath said the event is called a friend raising event, meaning the shelter takes animals to go out into the community to try to get people involved with the shelter rather than focusing on adoption. She also said the event has not caused many adoptions in the past. “The people who sign up [for the event] are people love cats and want to interact with them, but can’t necessarily adopt right now,” Ridpath said. “We haven’t done a lot of adoptions at the costumes and kittens event, but it really raises awareness for

Caleb McCluskey | Printz

what our mission is and what we do.” Ridpath said events like this also help community members connect with the shelter. Julie Gore, a first-year graduate student getting a master in librarian information science, has been volunteering with Southern Pines since December 2017.

Gore said there are two versions of volunteering for the shelter, on-site and off-site. Events like Costumes and Kittens are off-site and focus on bringing animals to places like Town Square Café, pet stores and other venues, including Southern Miss, while on-site focusing more on caring for and cleaning animals and their habitats.

“A lot of [events] aren’t dress up events. Most times it is loading up a bunch of animals, taking them to Petsmart or Petco and trying to get them to adopt,” Gore said. “This is a bit of a special case where I get to dress up like a princess.” Gore, dressed as the Disney princess Elsa from Frozen, helped children interact with and care for the kittens in the cafe. Town Square Café sectioned off one outdoor patio for the event to take place. Children and adults were seen dressed as cats, anime characters and princesses. Among the kitten-lovers was Adrian McDonald, who would like to adopt a cat but does not have space for another kitten. “I know that a lot of people hate cats, but little do they know [cats] have little personalities. They are cute. They are cuddly and they warm my heart,” McDonald said. Costumes and Kittens is reminiscent of Cat cafes that have become popular in larger cities in states like California or places like Tokyo Japan. McDonald said this model is very successful because the type of people that love cats also love coffee. “Half of my coffee mugs have cats on them,” McDonald said. “When [cats and coffee] are linked together, it easier for people to want to come to the event.” The next event held by Southern Pines Animal Shelter is Barktoberfest, which will take place on Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Barktoberfest is a trunk-or-treat event that is both family and petfriendly. Ridpath said they are still looking for volunteers to set up their cars for the event. For more information, contact the shelter by calling (601) 544-6632.

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Students serve in New Orleans for Fall Break CONRAD ACOSTA PRINTZ REPORTER

ixteen Southern Miss students from the Hattiesburg campus traveled with three Gulf Park students to New Orleans on Thursday, Oct. 11, for the Alternative Service Break program. The students teamed up with national disaster recovery organizations to repair houses that are still in a state of disrepair from Hurricane Katrina. The problem of abandoned and broken-down houses has been persistent ever since the storm in 2005, and although many neighborhoods have recovered north of 90 percent of their houses, the Lower Ninth Ward had recovered only 37 percent as of 2015, according to an NPR article published in August 2015. This issue was the result of many residents not being able to afford to rebuild. Many opted to turn their property over to the state, which has led to many of the houses and businesses remaining abandoned to this day. This is the problem that the ASB students planned to help alleviate. Program manager for the Center of Community Engagement Nneka Ayozie said that the program is mostly organized by faculty at the moment, but the long-term goal is to get more students involved, so that it can be organized more by the students. “It’s about creating culturally and globally aware student leaders,” Ayozie said. This program is creating student leaders who are motivated to help others, like Andrea McDaniel, a senior business major who played a large role in organizing the New Orleans trip. McDaniel describes the program in an Oct. 25, 2017 blog post on the ASB website as “one of the best experiences” she has had during her time at Southern Miss. The trips provide community service opportunities for students as well as opportunities to explore the cultural aspects of certain areas. “With the trip being so diverse with people and personalities, you are bound to know about them and their cultures all mixed with laughs,”

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McDaniel said. Past trips have included students traveling to the Delta to visit the students of Shaw, Mississippi, during spring break 2017. During this trip, ASB participants organized a mini library, facilitated self-esteem and team building activities, assisted with reading comprehension programming and discussed college life to high schoolers in the area. They also partnered with Delta Hands for Hope, a program

that aims to empower youth through education and leadership training. Southern Miss senior nursing major Tylicia Grove elaborated on this experience on another blog post found on the ASB website. She described the experience of visiting a local family medical clinic that was once segregated, but is now run by three African American women and is the only source for local healthcare in the area. “This inspired me, and I ultimately hope to

help close the gaps of disparities in rural areas of Mississippi just as these practitioners and great people like Lane Riley and Jason Coker are doing with Delta Hands for Hope,” Grove said. “As I move forward in USM’s nursing program, I will carry this experience with me and this goal in mind.” For more information about future trips in the ASB program, visit the Center for Community Engagement in The Hub room 104.

Gulf Coast Comic Convention brings in large crowd WILLIAM LOWERY PRINTZ REPORTER

or two days, the Gulf Coast Convention Center played host to the Gulf Coast Fan Fest, an annual event that drew in thousands to the proceedings. This year’s convention featured a bevy of merchandise, guests and panels catered to fans of comics, movies, video games and more. Additionally, the Gulf Coast Fan Fest gave people the chance to dress up as their favorite characters from the likes of “Star Wars,” “Batman” and “Doctor Who,” to name a few. The roster of guests was no slouch, featuring individuals like Seth Gilliam and Joshua Mikel from “The Walking Dead,” Denise Crosby from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Jason Mewes, who is best known for his role of Jay in “Clerks.” One of the guests, William Katt from “The Greatest American Hero,” was not able to make it, while actor Ray Park didn’t arrive until the second day of the event due to a flight delay. Over the course of the two days, Q&A panels scheduled throughout the day gave fans the opportunity to ask the guests questions about their careers. Other events, such as lightsaber training and a costume contest, allowed people the opportunity to express their love for a particular franchise. Although the guests were all human, one exception to this was Christine, a 1958 Plymouth Fury used in the movie of the same name. Its owner, Bill Gibson, has had a long history with the car. Gibson explained the car was put together from various pieces of the Plymouth Furies used during the production. After switching hands with three different individuals, he eventually got the car in 2005 and has been touring the country with it since, appearing in between six and eight cons a year. “It’s been an interesting experience all around.

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So many people relate to that high-school love with their first car, even if the vehicle was a broken-down mess. It’s just something that lives on, and I think that’s why people connect with the movie,” Gibson explained. Many of the vendors selling merchandise came from out of state, including Mario Russo, owner of Mario’s Comics in Atlanta, Georgia. Russo has been selling comics since 1984, both in-store and at

cons around the south. “It’s a lot of fun,” Russo said. “When I had other jobs, I would talk about comic books and get in trouble for it, now my job is to hang out and talk about comic books.” When asked about why people come to cons like the Gulf Coast Fan Fest, he explained, “Dollar for dollar, it’s the best entertainment you’re going to get and it’s family friendly,” Russo said. “Rarely do you

get a group of artists and writers under the same roof locally, so being able to spend 20 or 25 dollars and meet all these people is a nice deal.” Actor Herbert Jefferson Jr., star of “Battlestar Galactica,” said during a Q&A panel that the fans keep the legacy of shows and films going long after they have ended their run, and without these dedicated people, the entertainment industry as it is would not be the same without them.

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Hidden gem of Hattiesburg hosts Leaf River Fall Fest BENJAMIN ROARK PRINTZ REPORTER

s the pastel sunset retired and gave way to the night sky, the sun went down, the stage lights came up, and music poured out of the stage speakers at the Chain Park at Twin Forks venue. A crescent moon hung high overhead as ‘Paul Johnson and the About Last Nights’ band took the stage at Future Fest. They were the final act of the fourth installment at the Leaf River Fall Fests on Oct. 13. The nearby hidden gem venue is off the beaten path for most students and Hattiesburgers, and even Siri has difficulty finding its way there. Once the entrance is found, just around the bend is a sound amplifying bowl-shaped location with a backdrop of manicured grass, paved walkways lined with small trees in a photogenic display that hugs alongside the Leaf River with plenty of parking, a ‘bouncy-house’ and playground for the kids, refreshment vendors, a large performance stage front and center donned with booming speakers, an arsenal of musical weaponry, act after act of local and upand-coming musicians. The only thing missing? A crowd. “Last year we had a good turnout. This year there have been some challenges. We are on Saturdays as opposed to Fridays,” Event Coordinator Jonathan Pluskota said. Pluskota then highlighted the difficulties of overlapping events, namely the mainstay Fall Saturday ritual of NCAA College Football. “We really like the venue. It’s a great sounding park with plenty of space if you want to spread out,” Pluskota said. He also mentioned ideas of more signage and promotion from the city to garner more support from the area. Future Fest was presented by Southern Miss

Caleb McCluskey | Printz

Gulf Park SGA and was comprised of all local acts. It began with local school of music, Groove House, who brought a small army of talent. The school showcased three different groups who were able to get experience appearing on stage and in front of a crowd. “They have started their very own school of rock,” Max Dyar, a Hattiesburg native and Groove House performer said. “Groove House has all ages from 8 to 60 and all levels of talent,” Dyar said when asked who all participates in the school.

Drummer performs at Leaf River Fall Fest.

“You can bring the kids, listen to free music, put up a lawn chair and let them run around,” attendee Tina Thames, of Hattiesburg, said. Thames, who wants to see more community involvement, plans on bringing more friends and family along to the next event later in the month. The second act, Floridamen, came on stage and played a mixed-bag of original music. Lead guitar and vocals of the band. “[We are] rock influenced with a singer and songwriter twang to it with just a touch of

country,” Michael Howell said of their styling. Floridamen have a six track EP releasing later this year. Brennan White, a Nashville native and Southern Miss entertainment industry major was present at the event for class working the sound board, will be producing the Floridamen’s EP. “Nobody wants to be there for the process of someone making it,” White said. “I think a big thing is people want to be blown away by local artist but have less of a standard for artists that have already made it.” This notion is a shared frustration of many local artists and entertainers. “I like the fact that it’s an open setup for the kids to run and play and I can keep an eye on them and an ear on the music,” Petal native Katrina Nelson said. She has three children ages 6, 13, and 18. She said that the event may would make a great date night. Nelson also appreciated the safety and security she felt with the presence of multiple Hattiesburg Police officers. Tyler Tisdale, of Midnight Revel, aptly described the band’s style as “Southern-Rock Soul fusion.” Tisdale said that more involvement from the community could draw in a bigger crowd. The five-man ensemble has an album coming out in January and will be opening for Flowtribe Oct. 25 at The Dollar Box. Paul Johnson, Laurel native and front man of Paul Johnson and the About Last Nights described his love for the event. “I have such a passion for it. I want to see this place boom in the arts and with music,” Johnson said. Johnson grew up in the area and moved to Nashville because he wanted to get out to where music and arts flourished but now is devoted to seeing the Pinebelt grow. “I started loving where I was from. It’s less about leaving, and it’s about making an impact where you’re from.” The final episode of the Leaf River Fall Fest series will be Harvest Fest, featuring Americana, bluegrass and folk music on Oct. 27.

C.H.A.O.S. encourages students’ creativity DARRELL REESE JR. PRINTZ REPORTER

ollective Hip-Hop AN: Artistic Original Society, better known as “C.H.A.O.S.,” is a group of students who showcase their poetry, music, comedy and visual arts talents. The group is centered around hip hop and what it means to the AfricanAmerican culture. Members describe it as their voice, a movement and overall the best feeling one could have. Senior sociology major and current president of the group LaToysha Brown is also over the poetry committee, guiding young poets to get a better understanding of their work and make them better writers. Brown has been with C.H.A.O.S. for four years. “C.H.A.O.S. is family and it is also art. This is the place where I have been able to craft my art and be cocky about it, and I know that my pen is nice,” Brown said. C.H.A.O.S. is predominately AfricanAmerican and has been since its founding in 2006. “I have been around these people that have helped to craft my work and have helped me to be the best,” Brown said. “This is a place for black students to come and be unapologetically. We don’t believe in politics and we have so many conversations outside of the art form that

Brian Winters | Printz

people don’t realize. C.H.A.O.S. is a forwardthinking origination that also consists of art.” Junior English major Cherish Triplett is the vice president and has been in the group since age 16 and is the head of the art committee. “C.H.A.O.S. means family, and I have been here longer than anyone else,” Triplett said.

Students perform at open mic night.

“In 2009 they came to my hometown, and they discovered me, a young uninspired poet which they later took under their wing. Hip hop for me is lifestyle and a movement. I always tell myself if it wasn’t for hip hop, the way we move and speak would not exists. Hip hop is for everyone, and we all have a place in hip hop.”

Everything that is hip hop is a part of C.H.A.O.S., and it gives them a way to express themselves not only to Southern Miss but to the world. Originally started in South Bronx, New York, in the 1980s and 90s, hip hop has changed people’s lives dramatically. Junior kinesiology major Marcus Beecham oversees the music committee in C.H.A.O.S. “I been in C.H.A.O.S. for about three years now,” Beecham said. “When I come around these guys, I feel as if they have my best interest in heart. Hip hop is my culture, and I grew up around a lot of R&B old music such has Erykah Badu, Al Green and The Temptations. When I make music, I go for those guys for inspiration.” On Oct. 10, C.H.A.O.S. hosted an open mic night. Brown said more than 20 people signed up to perform. “We had 24 people to sign up for the show which is great because when you have that many people sign up for a show, you may not actually get that many people to come out,” Brown said. “It goes to show how people respect the organization and what we do. I felt that the performers were great despite some technical difficulties but people pushed through and there were a lot of great moments.” C.H.A.O.S. will have events throughout the year, and anyone is welcome to attend. C.H.A.O.S. meetings start at 7:30 p.m on Mondays in College Hall.

ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 17, 2018

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‘Bad Times’ presents new style of action film OLIVIA SALDANA PRINTZ REPORTER

rom director Drew Goddard, producer of the hit movie “The Martian,” comes “Bad Times at the El Royale,” an edge-of-yourseat thriller that is sure to be the most-talked-about movie of fall. Twentieth Century Fox weaves a riveting tale set in the late 1970s of seven strangers who find themselves at the same neglected motel and who each have their own scandalous secrets to hide. The film resolves the viewer’s desires for each character, and whether or not that means a happy ending does not matter. Before seeing the movie, there is a general assumption that this film is going to be like all the other action films already out there. While “Bad Times at the El Royale” does contain many of the stereotypical elements required to be called an action film, the thematic elements that make the movie worth seeing go beyond those. Intense, bloody fight scenes and a motel full of ulterior motives lend themselves to an almost-film noir atmosphere. The opening scene of the film, in which a frazzled man hides a bulging briefcase under his motel room floor, sets the audience up for a strange, exciting thrill ride. When the rest of the guests arrive, the concierge proceeds to tell Father Flynn (Jeff Bridges) that the El Royale is “no place for a priest.” The film does an excellent job in grabbing viewers’ attention within the first few minutes. The startling end of the very first scene guarantees that the viewer will continue to watch with devotion, and it promises a twisty, high-staked cinema adventure. The strengths of “Bad Times at El

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Royale” lie in its distinction from standard action films. This film contains physical conflict in a kidnapping, murders and other crimes; however, the edgy thriller side of the film brings it up a notch and leaves the viewer hiding behind her shirtsleeve for protection from the surprising twists lying around corners. Along with the variety it adds to its genre, this film overflows with supreme characterization. Through flashbacks and a segmented storyline, the film provides insight into the lives and motives of each character. Thus, the viewer is able to empathize with

each character as he or she slips up or references his or her past. There are but a few flaws that must be mentioned, each concerning Chris Hemsworth and his role as Billy Lee. While completely lovable as Thor in the Marvel films, Hemsworth took on a dramatically opposite role in the film as a cult leader and murderer. This role reversal is much praised, for he did a great job as cynic. This film has an R rating because it contains partial nudity, all of which can be attributed to Hemsworth and his tendency to lose his shirt halfway through his films.

When questioning hostages, is a bare chest necessary? This partial nudity takes away from the essence of the plot, which is unfortunate because Hemsworth does a great job in his role. Combining elements of traditional action flicks, engaging thrillers and classic film noirs, “Bad Times at the El Royale” reveals that what it takes to make a movie worth watching is to give viewers what they want in new, unexpected ways. The film ends not quite as the viewers would expect or maybe even hope, but it definitely leaves the audience pleasantly fulfilled in the outcome.

Warner Bros. hires James Gunn to write ‘Suicide Squad 2’ WILLIAM LOWERY PRINTZ REPORTER

arner Bros. announced on Tuesday that James Gunn, writer and director of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, would be writing the script to the upcoming “Suicide Squad 2.” The news comes three months after Gunn was fired from Disney after a right-wing conspiracy theorist named Mike Cernovich discovered tweets made by Gunn between 2009 to 2012. Said tweets were bad jokes involving pedophilia and rape, jokes which the man had long since apologized for. Gunn is a man who came from bad taste, having got his start working for Troma Films, a schlocky studio responsible for cult classics like “The Toxic Avenger,” “Class of Nuke ‘Em High,” and “Tromeo and Juliet.” Ironically, the last film mentioned is one of Gunn’s first writing credits. From there, he went on to work on numerous projects, such as 2004’s “Dawn of the Dead” remake and “Slither,” a sendup to 1980’s genre films. He also penned the script to the video game “Lollipop Chainsaw” before Disney hired him to write and direct “Guardians of the Galaxy,” released in 2014. When Disney fired him, the future seemed uncertain, but the announcement by Warner Bros. is a smart move on their behalf since Gunn’s unique, off-the-wall vision will help bring life into the Suicide Squad, especially after the team’s feature debut train-wreck. Like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the film has an unconventional group of not-so-

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good guys going up against a bad guy a bit big for their britches. While featuring crazy characters and a soundtrack filled with licensed songs, what “Suicide Squad” lacked that its Marvel counterpart had was personality and character. Sure, the cast of villains was wild and spouted quips left and right, but that’s all they did, nothing else about the picture stood out. Although “Suicide Squad” did well at the box office, grossing $746 million worldwide, it was trashed by critics, in which it currently holds

an average of 26 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. By contrast, both “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” proved to be a success with both audiences and critics alike. In hiring Gunn to pen the script, Warner Bros. has the chance to breathe life into their struggling franchise and to give their lunatic team its own identity, rather than just trying to imitate someone else’s style. What Gunn will attempt to do with these characters is unknown. Hopefully, the dark,

bleak look of the original will be ejected in favor of a tone more lighthearted and playful, and the cast of rogues might be actual characters instead of people posing for a poster seen at Hot Topic. One thing is for certain, the executives at Disney are kicking themselves for firing Gunn, rather than keeping him after the controversy the writer and director went through. Now, Warner Bros. has the chance to one-up Disney by letting Gunn breathe life into their gang of villains.

SPORTS OCTOBER 17, 2018

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Golden Eagles tie for first time of the season GRANT CHIGHIZOLA SPORTS EDITOR

he Southern Miss women’s soccer team (10-3-1, 4-2-1 C-USA) played its first tie matchup against the UTEP Miners (6-8-2, 1-51 C-USA) in their final home contest of the season. “I thought we played well, we created chances and sometimes luck is not on your side,” Southern Miss Head Coach Mohammed El-Zare said. “We did everything that we needed to do, it’s just that final ball [goal] was missing.” The game was a defensive battle for the first half, with both teams entering halftime with a 0-0 score. Southern Miss attempted nine total shots in the first half, compared to just one for UTEP. There were also 11 total fouls between the two teams in the first period, with Southern Miss committing seven total fouls and UTEP committing four. In the second half, sophomore Miah Zuazua put the Golden Eagles ahead of the Miners at the 43rd minute mark on a penalty kick, giving the team a 1-0 lead. However, the Miners tied the game up on a penalty kick in the 41st minute, tying the game at 1-1. That score held for the rest of regulation, and the two teams headed to overtime. In overtime, the Golden Eagles and Miners were unable to score in the two 10 minute periods, and the team played its first tie result of the season to date. Overall, Southern Miss had 20 shots on the day to UTEP’s 11. Sophomore goalie Kendell Mindnich also recorded six saves on the goal

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for the Golden Eagles. Following the game, the team’s six seniors were recognized. El-Zare talked about the ways that seniors Elishah Santiago, Ola Akinniyi, Ashton Stennis, Aisa Ribbens, Hannah Abrams and Stephanie Garcia have

Kendell Mindnich makes save.

contributed to the team during their time with the program. “They have helped us change the culture, in terms of how we train, the work ethic and helping us be accountable for our performance,” El-Zare said. “So certainly,

what they [have] brought in is immense in terms of their contribution.” Despite the tie, this season is the most successful season for the program in terms of win total since the 1999 team finished 10-9-1. This year’s team will have a chance to tie and possibly surpass the inaugural 1997 team’s program record of 11 wins. The Golden Eagles are also primed to make an appearance in the C-USA Women’s Soccer Tournament with three regular season games to go, but they still have to face three teams with winning records to end the regular season on a high note. Middle Tennessee State has an 9-4 1 record, while UAB has a 7-6-1 record and Louisiana Tech sits with an 11-5-1 record. El-Zare talked about the changes made for this season that have helped to make an impact on the team. “This has been huge. It’s taken a while, [but] with the leadership of [Athletic Director] Jon Gilbert and what he has brought into the program [and] in all the programs you can see that,” El-Zare said following the team’s 1-0 win over UTSA on Oct. 11. “We have been working for years to be in this situation. We have the addition of our second full time assistant. Our strength and conditioning [coach] is full time for the first time. We had for the first time in the last two years the same strength and conditioning coach so there continuing with that.” Southern Miss will conclude its 2018 regular season with a three-game road trip against Middle Tennessee State, UAB and Louisiana Tech. The team’s game against Middle Tennessee State is set to start at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Bell closer to assist record in sweep over LA Tech ANDREW ABADIE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

outhern Miss volleyball took care of business in the 3-0 win over Louisiana Tech on Sunday. The Golden Eagles made quick work of the Lady Techsters, defeating them by scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 25-17. In addition to the win, senior Sarah Bell inched closer to becoming the school’s all-time career record holder in assists. “It always good to get a conference win, especially in three,” Head Coach Stephanie Radecki said. “I was really proud of our offense, they did a really nice job and were really efficient.” In the opening set, the two teams were tied at 12, but Southern Miss broke away on a 7-0 run to seal the win in the set. In the second set, Southern Miss had its way again and opened the set with a 10-9 lead. The Golden Eagles had another 7-0 run to go up 17-9 and close the set out with an 8-3 run. Much like the first two sets, Southern Miss made quick work of LA Tech, jumping out to a 20-9 lead. LA Tech managed to battle back with a 7-3 run to cut the deficit 22-16, but Southern Miss held on for the 25-17 set victory. Southern Miss’ offense dominated against LA Tech, out hitting the Lady Techsters .362 percent to .114 percent, but the focus of the day belonged to Bell.

“It’s unbelievable for a player to accomplish that. We would have loved for her to do her on our home court, but the way it’ll fall now it’ll be on the road, but we will recognize her at the next home game,” Radecki said. “It’s just a cool accomplishment and not a lot of players have the opportunity to have such a career like that.” Bell finished the day with 35 assists and is now second all-time in assists, sitting at 4,744. Bell is now 13 assists short of breaking the record set by Crystal Zane in 2002. “She’s been my setter for the past four years,” senior Kylie Grandy said. “We’ve played side by side since freshman year, so that’s going to be really cool to see her get that milestone. I’m excited for her because I’ve seen how hard she’s worked for the past four years.” For Bell, her main priority and focus is to win a conference championship. “I’m just really excited because coming here I never imagined that I could be the assist record holder for the school, so I’m pretty pumped about it,” Bell said. “I could have no individual awards and as long as we win at the end, that’s going to be sweeter than any individual award I could get.” Southern Miss will play Alabama A&M on Tuesday and at the time of this paper’s release, Bell will be the all-time career record holder in assists for the Southern Miss volleyball program.

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Sarah Bell sets up a kill.

New Tees Are In Stock

SPORTS OCTOBER 17, 2018

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Not all is lost for Southern Miss in 2018 BRAD CROWE

PRINTZ REPORTER ometimes numbers do lie, especially when it comes to final scores of football games. Southern Miss’ road contest against North Texas will go down in the books as a 30-7 defeat, a number that might have seemed cringe-worthy to those who scrolled by it on their score apps while enjoying the state fair or attending the obligatory family wedding of a cousin they only talk to on Thanksgiving and Christmas. But I contend that—when taken into proper context—the game was much closer than what meets the eye, and the Golden Eagles were a handful of properly executed plays away from stealing a win over one of the best teams in Conference USA. Some of you may think I sound deranged, so I’ll begin by pointing out a few key statistics. Jack Abraham continued to impress with another very efficient outing, completing 69 percent of his throws for 318 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He showed the willingness and ability to make plays down field, completing three passes for more than 30 yards. Sophomore Quez Watkins caught seven passes for 109 yards and a score, and junior Jordan Mitchell posted career highs with 12 catches for 135 yards. Even the Golden Eagles’ heavily-scrutinized running game showed signs of life with a greater emphasis on feeding freshman Trivenskey Mosley, who carried the rock 11 times for 73 yards. Southern Miss totaled 367 yards of offense, the second best offensive performance the Mean Green has faced all season. “Those are fair points, Brad, but how does a team rack up nearly 400 yards of offense and only score seven points?” To answer that, we’ll need to break down the aforementioned handful of gamechanging plays. The first of these plays occurred midway through the first quarter. Abraham was firing on

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all cylinders early on, having completed eight of his first 10 passes for 95 yards and hitting Quez Watkins for a 45-yard gain to the North Texas 36yard line. A breakdown in protection on two of the three ensuing plays resulted in a loss of yardage and a sack for Abraham. Redshirt sophomore punter Zac Everett reluctantly punted away not only the ball, but all the Golden Eagles’ momentum along with it. North Texas’ offense channeled that energy

Team huddles in fourth quarter.

to string together an eight-play, 99-yard touchdown drive to take the lead early in the second quarter. The second largest blow of the day came on the first drive of the second half. Mosley raced for 33 yards on the second play, bringing the Golden Eagles deep into enemy territory with an opportunity to tie the game with a field goal or even take the lead with a touchdown. Unfortunately, this drive ended with a missed 45-yard field goal attempt by Parker

Shaunfield, the shortest missed kick of the season for the redshirt senior, who has routinely succeeded from that distance. Southern Miss again found itself on the wrong end of a game-defining momentum swing, yet still remained within striking distance of the lead with plenty of time left on the clock. Then there was the big one: the most devastating blow to Head Coach Jay Hopson’s chances of returning to Hattiesburg with a victory. After a defensive stand and forced punt by the Southern Miss defense, Abraham connected with Mitchell for a 40-yard reception that speared the unit’s deepest drive into North Texas territory to the eight-yard line, roughly spitting distance from claiming their first lead of the day. Abraham checked down to Mosley for a short gain, but as he started to turn upfield, North Texas safety Khairi Muhammad stripped the ball right out of Mosley’s hands. This was Southern Miss’ second turnover of the game and its third trip inside the 40 without a single point to show for it. The mishap created a tidal wave of momentum that fueled three late touchdown drives for North Texas against a tiring Southern Miss defense. Consequently, Southern Miss’ trip to Denton, Texas regressed from an opportunity for a statement win to a lopsided loss to a 6-1 conference opponent. In the aftermath, many will inevitably view the final score, along with the team’s 2-3 overall record, and assume the Golden Eagles are en route to a disappointing season. However, the “glass half full” fans who take the time to look beyond the surface will realize that things are nowhere near as bad as they seem. Abraham has shown potential to become the program’s next great quarterback, and the young playmakers on offense are getting better each week as they gain valuable playing experience. With the toughest stretch of the schedule behind them, Southern Miss will now return home for a game looking to reassert themselves among the top contenders in the C-USA West. So don’t give up on the Golden Eagles. Pieces are coming together for a team that is still very capable of winning a lot of football games.

Abadie: Brees’ record is a moment to savor ANDREW ABADIE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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62-yard touchdown pass by Drew Brees to rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith late in the second quarter of the Saints’ 43-19 win over the Washington Redskins on Oct. 8. The touchdown not only put the Saints up 26-6 over the Redskins at the time, but gave Brees the alltime record in passing yards in a career, passing Peyton Manning for the top spot. Manning amassed 71,940 yards during his career. Following the win over the Redskins, Brees now has 72,103 passing yards for his career. As Smith made his catch, it seemed that time began to slow and everything froze—so badly I may add that it looked like the Redskins players somewhat gave up midway through the play to watch history. I was one of the many normal people who gazed in admiration while watching greatness unfold. Like so many times before, Brees’ on the field accomplishments united sports fans. Just watching it, a state away in a sports bar filled with a bunch of people felt exciting. Like the Redskins players, it was a moment where you just had to sit back and enjoy. But Brees’ record was rivaled by an unscripted event. When Brees ran to his kids and said, “You can accomplish anything in life if you are willing to work for it,” he said it is what he tells his kids every night when he puts them into bed.

As a native of New Orleans, the only thing that could be felt is pride for the man who helped a city heal its wounds in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was six years old when Katrina hit Louisiana and I remember the entire experience. However, as bad as the storm turned out to be, the bigger impact was growing up in a city that was, for a lack of a better term, depressed. New Orleans is a city that takes so much pride in its culture, and seeing so many places that helped to define the city’s culture disappear truly was a blow. For so many years, Brees helped one of the city’s proudest possessions, the Saints, become the much-needed escape from reality. As he has done so many times before, Brees managed to do it again during the Monday night victory. However, the moment was not only about the Brees’ history with the city. Instead, it was about city that was proud of its hero. For a guy who put his career on the line and turned not only a franchise around but a city’s mentality, it was just a gracious thank you. Watching fans break into tears as Brees broke the record is the impact and footprint that he left on the city. What I think resonated most for me is found in Brees’ postgame interview. As he was trying to hold back tears, Brees never once used the word ‘I’ or in anyway said ‘I achieved,’ which is a testament to his humble character. He thanked everyone and genuinely made everyone feel that it was their record when rightfully, it is his. He gave everyone credit, coaches, teammates, his family and, us, the fans. So Drew, we thank you for just letting us be a part of the ride.