The Index Vol. 114 Issue 9

Truman working to raise faculty salaries, page 5

Baseball opens with series victory, page 12

Softball starts a promising season, page 12

KIRK BUILDING RENOVATIONS BEGIN

SETH JARVIS Staff Writer

The Kirk Building will receive major renovations, with the entire interior to be cleared out and redone. The McKinney Center will be demolished once the Kirk Building is completed.

Renovation began during early February, with workers clearing material out of the building and reviewing the building’s internal structure.

Sam Guth, Physical Plant director, said there was already a state plan to renovate the building when he arrived five

Truman faculty receives raises for 2023

GENEVIEVE TLUSTOS Editor-in-Chief

The Truman administration is currently working on raising salaries for non-tenure track faculty.

Hyun-Joo Kim, a statistics professor and the chair of the financial planning committee of Faculty Senate, said she was asked to be the chair two years ago and has worked with the committee to create a more transparent way of calculating faculty raises.

This year, the financial planning committee’s priority was to make sure starting salaries were reasonable for non-tenure track faculty, Kim said. They developed a three-year plan to ultimately raise non-tenure track assistant professors to up to 100% of the tenure track’s starting salary so that tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty with the same credentials, titles and time in service would be paid the same. Non-tenure track instructors will ultimately be raised to 90%, with the difference reflecting that most instructors do not have a terminal degree.

See RAISES page 5

years ago. Work on detailed plans began about a year ago once Truman State University received funding from state and federal sources.

Guth said a series of departments will move into the building upon its completion including the Student Health Center, Tutoring Center, Center for Academic Excellence and University Counseling Services. Guth said each department worked with an architect hired by Truman to help design their respective space within the soon to be redone Kirk Building. The goal is to centralize important student services within the Kirk Building, turning it into a “Student Success Center.”

See KIRK page 3

New e-waste recycling program available

GRACE POTTER Staff Writer

Community Opportunities Inc. is introducing a new program aiding the Kirksville area in ethically disposing of their electronic waste while employing people with disabilities, said Arthythe Curtis, executive director of Community Opportunities.

Community Opportunities takes all the familiar recyclables like paper, glass, plastic, etc., but what sets them apart is that they also dispose of electronic waste like blenders, mixers, miscellaneous wires, etc., all for free. All items are collected, sorted, and processed by COI employees.

Community Opportunities, located at 1001 S. Osteopathy, is a nonprofit organization proud to employ people with disabilities. Curtis said the business was founded during 1968 by Frederick Rollins who aimed to start a sheltered workshop in Kirksville.

They provide various services, from car detailing to custodial and contract services, but their main service is recycling and most recently recycling e-waste.

“We just knew there was a need in the area. People had things but didn’t know where to go with them,” Curtis said.

Though Community Opportunities has been around for about 54 years, the e-waste program was started a few months ago and aims to dispose of and recycle materials people would normally throw away, Curtis said.

See E-WASTE page 3

Changes shape spring theatre semester

OLIVIA MANN Staff Writer

Truman State University’s theatre department is debuting new productions and expanding its reach this semester to new audiences.

The department is producing “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie and the horror comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors” by Howard Ashman this season.

“The Mousetrap” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. March 1-3 and at 2.p.m March 4 in the Black Box Theatre, Ophelia Parrish Building. Tickets will be $8. The show, written by Agatha Christie, is a murder mystery taking place in London, England. The show will be staged in the Black Box Theatre, a venue that has been unused so far this theatre season, said Lydia Lamb.

Lamb, who plays the role of Mrs. Boyle said, “Typically we do shows in the Severns Theatre which has a bigger stage. But [in] this show, since the Black Box is condensed, we have less seating … the audience surrounds us on three sides.”

Anyone who likes mysteries or dramas or thrillers, especially anything with twists and turns, will love this show, Lamb said.

A waste container is lifted. Once the Kirk Building renovation is finished, the McKinney Center will be demolished. Photo by Rahul Chaudhari.

Elizabeth Harness, who plays the role of Mollie Ralston, said she was excited to be a part of the cast for “The Mousetrap.”

Elizabeth Harness and Parker Shinn rehearse for the upcoming play “The Mousetrap.” “The Mousetrap” and “Little Shop of Horrors” are the two shows Truman theatre will perform. this season Photo by Emily Collins See THEATRE page 3

Sue Thomas gives address followed by Mini Strategic Planning and Assessment Workshop

Staff Writer

University President Sue Thomas reviewed major challenges and successes of the University in an address to faculty and staff. She called for faculty and staff to take action to help ensure the further success of Truman State University.

Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, speaks at the workshop. Thomas said the University has faced major problems with enrollment over the past decade. Reasons for this include external factors such as the declining amount of people enrolled in college along with a social climate that is becoming less favorable toward universities.

Thomas said returning to previous levels of enrollment is not possible and the University should maximize the use of the resources it has presently. Thomas said the University should work to open itself up to more people, rather than being more selective as it was in the past.

Thomas said the University has raised the salaries of staff and faculty three times since January 2022. Salary increases ranged between $1,000 and $6,100. In addition to this, parental leave has increased to seven weeks for faculty. Extra vacation time has also been allotted to faculty who have worked at the University for over 20 years, increasing from 20 days to 24.

SETH JARVIS

Thomas gave an address Feb. 28 and said the University is in a solid position financially. The University has little debt, with most of it tied up in residence hall upgrades along with environmental improvements. External observers have reviewed the finances of the University and found them to be in good shape.

Photos by Alexander Walcott

Thomas said two major campus upgrades are underway, with the Kirk Building and the Greenwood building set to be improved. Money provided by the state and federal governments covers the cost of most of these projects.

KIRK | Project’s total cost to be $21 million

Continued from page 1

“This is almost what I would like to call a ‘gut rehab’ within the building,” Guth said. “It’s very extensive and it’s going to be a different wall arrangement, different heating, cooling and plumbing systems. We talked about if we get the basic remodel package done, then we’ll redo the windows.”

Guth said they hope to complete and approve the bid package by the Board of Governors before summer. Once that is complete, Truman will be able to hire a contractor to begin work on renovating the interior of the building.

He hopes to see work start by July, Guth said. Currently, there is a contractor overseeing the clearing-out process and ensuring there are no major internal structural issues.

Guth said he believes work on the building will take around a year or two. He said it is difficult to produce a timeline because of supply chain issues and uncertainty about how many people will be working on the building.

Dave Rector, vice president for administration, finance and planning, said the project’s total cost would be around $21 million. This includes the total cost of renovations and equipment, such as computers and furniture.

This money also covers the costs of demolishing the McKinney Center, Rector said. The way the building is designed makes it difficult to renovate, so

THEATRE | Two shows lined up for this season

“You get a lot of the same people working together on shows over and over again,” Harness said. “We’re a pretty tight-knit group.”

it will be demolished once the Student Health Center moves into the renovated Kirk Building. In its place, a pathway will be built connecting Violette Hall to the Quad.

Rector said all of the money spent on the building originates from the state and federal government, meaning that the project won’t use any local money.

Ashleigh Harding, director of student success, said her department is moving into the Kirk Building, where the Center for Academic Excellence was before the building was shuttered.

Harding said her department worked with the architectural firm to discuss how they wanted their future office space to look. She said they have seen several different versions of plans and provided feedback.

Harding said the new space in the Kirk Building will be more open than their present space in the Pickler Memorial Library. They will be located on the building’s second floor, facing the Quad with a row of offices on that side. There will be an open area for students to collaborate and receive academic assistance. There will also be a forum space that other offices in the building and organizations can use to host events.

“I think it will be a great space because it will be about academic advising, but it will also include the [Writing] Center and tutoring center spaces,” Harding said.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will run at 7:30 p.m. April 19-22 and April 28-29 in the James G. Severns Theatre, Ophelia Parrish Building. Tickets will be $8. The horror comedy musical takes place in a flower shop on Skid Row, which is home for an increasingly bloodthirsty plant.

A musical production requires having a musical director who is in charge of the singing and the band, said Cat Gleason, assistant professor of theatre and director of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Gleason said there is an additional layer of needed talent when producing a musical rather than a play, including a pit band of musicians, more choreography, special sound design and engineering.

“And puppets!” said Gleason. Most productions rent their puppets, Gleason said, but Truman’s production will make them from scratch.

“I think people are going to love all the jokes and the music,” Gleason said. “You’re going to walk out humming these songs. You can’t get them out of your head.”

Lamb said the Truman theatre department also puts on a one-act student showcase at the end of the semester, in which students in the directing class will direct their play.

“Student directors pick the scripts. They cast the show, they work with student designers,” Harness said. “It’s all student-designed, studentrun, student-directed and student-acted.”

Lamb said she recommends the student-led one-act shows for casual viewers who don’t want to commit to a full-length show or purchase the $8 ticket.

In addition to these upcoming productions, the department is evolving because of new staff and new ideas. A significant number of faculty changes mean the department looks different than it did last season, Harness said.

Gleason, who started fall 2022 as a full-time faculty member, said “We’re going to have a fairly new theatre department, and I think that’s so thrilling. I want to build on and embrace what Truman theatre has been. I’m not interested in

throwing things out, but I also see it as an opportunity… [to] start thinking about how we make our spaces and communities healthier and work for each other.”

The way the department chooses plays and productions will be different, Gleason said. The season selection process will now include two students on the selection committee.

“One of the other things that’s really important to us here at Truman theatre is the safety and well-being of our actors and student artists,” said Gleason.

The department introduced new policies and protocols to improve student communication, safety and well-being.

In the past, the actor’s deputy was an anonymous person the actors could go to with concerns regarding the stage manager and director. It was then the deputy’s job to take the concerns to the stage manager and director. Now, with new policies in place, the actor’s deputy is a more visible role.

“Everyone knows who they are, and they have a lot more training…[which] has helped to open communication between actors, directors and designers,” Harness said.

This new communication allows actors to build confidence in advocating for themselves and helps directors to be more receptive to the actors’ concerns, ideas and creative visions, Harness said.

To buy a ticket for any production during the spring 2023 season of Truman theatre, visit boxoffice.truman.edu. Those with questions, concerns or accommodation needs can also contact boxoffice@truman.edu or 660-785-4515.

waste into

E-WASTE | Program will recycle electronic waste

Continued from page 1

Kirksville’s Recycling Track

System company disposes of only conventional recyclable materials, but mainly disposes of garbage, said RTS manager Alex Kruger.

Unlike COI, RTS does not sort or process these materials, but they do collect paper and glass recycling and send cardboard to be processed by Community Opportunities.

Along with consciously recycling materials, Community Opportunities’ mission is to “provide meaningful and dignified employment, so

people with disabilities can reach their highest potential,” according to their website.

Community Opportunities’ hours are 8 a.m to 3 p.m, Monday through Friday. Services are only available by appointment during the weekends. To recycle e-waste, Curtis recommends calling ahead to ensure the materials can be recycled, and then they can be brought to the COI building.

During the week, non-e-waste recyclables can be disposed of in bins outside the building or in a recycling trailer in the southwest corner of the Walmart parking lot.

A worker loads

a container. The Kirk Building will become a student success building. Photo by Rahul Chaudhari

Anna Markiewicz, Hank Geers and Jack Danter rehearse “The Mousetrap.” This year the theatre department is making efforts to improve student communication, safety and well-being.

Photo by Emily Collins

The Community Opportunities Inc. program is on Osteopathy Ave. The company, which provides employment for people with disabilities, began a new electronic waste program.

Photo by Genevieve Tlustos

“I want to build on and embrace what Truman theatre has been. I’m not interested in throwing things out, but I also see it as an opportunity… [to] start thinking about how we make our spaces and communities healthier and work for each other.”

-Cat Gleason,

Assistant professor of theatre and director of “Little Shop of Horrors”

Connection

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During the fall of my junior year at Truman, the Trading Card Games club was struggling with membership. The president was looking at shuttering the club, since he couldn’t find anyone to be on the executive board. I was not an active member then, but I thought it would be unfortunate for such a niche club to close its doors, so I, along with several other veteran members, stepped into one of the open officer positions. Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to make the club a vibrant place, and the club has fostered a wonderful community for members to share their favorite games.

We play all kinds of trading card games, such as Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!. We’ve spent a lot of time cultivating a positive atmosphere

and a welcoming space for everyone. One of the best aspects of this is our engagement with players of all skill levels; even if you’ve never played before, our members go out of their way to teach you the game and ensure you’re having a good time!

We meet every week, Sundays at 3 p.m. in Violette Hall 1424, to play our favorite games and hang out. We also have several pay-to-enter Magic: The Gathering draft events each semester. Our next draft event will be Dominaria Remastered at 2 p.m. March 4 in Violette Hall 1424.

If you’re interested in our club, you can reach out to us via email at trumantcg@truman.edu, and we’re happy to answer any questions or send you an invite to our Discord server!

TYLER BICHSEL club president

Preserve the Kirk Building

Workers are currently clearing out the Kirk Building, as reported in Seth Jarvis’ story in this issue. We, the Index Editorial Board, urge those overseeing the construction to preserve as much of the original structure and furniture as possible in the Kirk Building.

Many of Truman State University’s buildings have been renovated throughout the last 20 years. We wish these renovations had kept more of the original design and character of the original buildings.

Many of the buildings now seem stuck in the 2000s, with out of date furniture and paint. Purple and orange chairs, purple and beige walls and outdated patterns all clearly age the buildings and keep them stuck in the past.

This is inevitable to a certain extent. Buildings’ interior designs will be a reflection of their time. However, completely removing all of the character of the building and making it more “trendy” and modern erases the story of the building.

Colleges often exist for a long time. Many businesses and companies come and go, but institutions tend to be longerlasting. At Truman, through name changes, administration changes and mission changes, the location has stayed the same, and so have many of the buildings.

These buildings provide an important connection to the institution’s past and should be honored as such. The Kirk Building served as the center of campus for a long time and was a hub of student life.

Instead of completely clearing out the inside of the building and disposing of all existing furniture, we encourage the Truman administration to consider keeping any intact furniture or structure in order to preserve this special material connection to our University’s past. Instead of completely demolishing and rebuilding the interior, we urge Truman to restore whatever possible.

We understand this is a difficult task, one that can be time consuming and expensive, and may not be entirely possible because of structural issues. Still we think it is worth it.

Instead of a completely modern building devoid of any historic character or pieces, we could instead have a building that reminds students of generations past and the importance of their presence and their place in our campus history. This is why we encourage Truman to be careful in its renovation of the Kirk Building and consider the impact they make on the building’s rich history.

Having screentime doesn’t make you lazy

the fact there are times throughout the week when phone time would be the only thing to qualify as a good time.

Consuming content on your phone is inherently parallel to the liberal arts mission because you are interacting with people and ideas that, in daily life, you would not encounter. There are cooking videos on foods unavailable for purchase in Kirksville. Videos of people across the globe dancing and making strangers laugh. Life stories of strangers. Cultures outside of our mighty but small town of Kirksville. Spending time on a phone can offer a more expansive view of the world, and it can connect you to various resources and direct you to life skills.

SYDNEY

After long days and weeks of classes, jobs and endless to-do lists, I sometimes find myself going to my phone for unlimited mind-numbing content, setting off a firing squad of echoing statements given to me by many adults.

‘You’re being lazy.’

‘Why don’t you get up and do something productive.’

‘That phone will rot your brain.’

Phrases like these permeate my brain the moment I sit down to take a break. Others in my life have said they can recall feeling the same guilt when spending time on their phone. It is ridiculous that a device containing thousands of ways to enjoy my free time is so frowned upon.

Older members of our population villainize phones the most, since they didn’t grow up with technology as an integral part of their human experience. The alternative to spending time on my phone has been unclear to me. Frequently, it is to work more, go outside or clean. All of these have their benefits, but do not negate

Spending time on a phone is not a cause for having no hobbies or interests. There is a conception that hobbies are supposed to be energy-rewarding activities, but often, that is not the case. Hobbies generally require energy, and they are rewarding in the output given. Common hobbies are crafting, gardening, sports — the list goes on. Doing these activities does not remove the need to sit down and easily access enjoyable content. Browsing content on a phone can even aid in growing hobbies. Finding new ways to garden, recipes and the best running shoes has never been more accessible. There should be no guilt about taking time to let your body and mind rest in a way that is gratifying.

Telling people they are lazy for being on their phones is not the solution to the dangers of phones. There are undoubtedly dangers online. Being safe and protected online is very important, and we should be sharing information and warnings regarding that issue. Still, the solution to a potential danger should not be ridiculing someone for using their phone. We don’t apply that with much else in our lives. There are car crashes, roller coaster malfunctions and shipwrecks, and yet we still drive, go on rollercoasters and ships. Phones will not rot our brains if used appropriately. The focus should be on teaching how to use the internet safely and appropriately. Shaming someone for using a device that, most likely, most of their peers use will not educate them on the dangers they could face.

Follow that drive to lie down and watch an entertaining YouTuber. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram or whatever social media sparks an interest. Text a friend or family member that you left on read for a few days. Don’t listen to the chorus of voices who only see the dangers and not the benefits of phone use.

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ELLISON Managing Editor

RAISES | This year’s raises focus on non-tenured faculty

Continued from page 1

“Our non-tenure track faculty carry a ton of the burden at Truman,” Kathryn Brammall, Faculty Senate president and history department chair said. “If tenured faculty can go elsewhere for a better pay, non-tenure track faculty can as well, and they have less stability. They don’t even necessarily know from year to year whether they will be retained because of budget concerns.”

Many of the non-tenure track faculty have a terminal degree similar to their tenure-track counterparts, Kim said. Differences in starting salaries often have to do with supply and demand, Dave Rector, vice president of administration, finance and planning, said. If professors are “in demand” in other professions, they will likely have a higher salary if they choose to continue being professors.

The previous year’s goal was to increase tenure track professor salaries, Brammall said.

The philosophy for this year’s raises meant that non-tenure faculty received proportionately higher salary increases than tenured faculty, Brammall said.

More than two-thirds of the faculty salary budget of about $600,000 went to rais-

ing non-tenure track faculty salaries. Kim said the budget was for salary increases after accounting for recent retirements.

General principles agreed upon during the philosophy-deciding stage included ensuring all faculty received some increase and ensuring no junior faculty members would have a higher salary than senior faculty, Kim said. This will not affect current faculty salaries negatively.

“For most of the time that I have been here, Truman has been a very supportive environment, but the salaries have been appalling, and the reality is that you can say, okay, well, Kirksville is a low-cost place to live, but that’s not accurate,” Brammall said.

More professors have retired because of retirement incentives, Brammall said. A large number of retirements have freed money to go to increasing salaries.

The main standard of comparison for faculty raises is data from the College and University Professionals Association for Human Resources. CUPA-HR conducts a nationwide survey and organizes the data by discipline, type of school, program and tenure vs non-tenure, Kim said. Raises are based on the faculty’s department and rank salary compared to the benchmark of a relevant CUPA-HR data median.

Timeline of Faculty Raise Process

Overall, faculty salaries seem to be improving, Kim said. Last year a small group of faculty made as little as 70% of the CUPA-HR median, but the committee were able to raise most salaries to 89% of that median, a significant improvement.

Kim said she knew some of the faculty was frustrated. Since efforts are being focused on the faculty with the lowest salaries, those with higher salaries might see relatively smaller raises for a while.

Brammall said during September, the financial planning committee receives their salary budget amount from Rector.

This year the faculty had $624,000 available for faculty raises out of around 20 million they spent on faculty salaries, said Rector. This includes fringe benefit costs such as retirement. Once the Faculty Senate endorses the committee’s approach, the committee will determine the actual amount salaries will increase for each department and level of faculty, Brammall said. While CUPAHR data is not the perfect comparison and many faculty worry it’s not accurate, it’s

the only readily available information that will include all the necessary criteria while being consistent, systematic and fair, Kim said.

Two years ago when Kim started as chair of the committee, comparisons of faculty data to CUPA-HR data demonstrated some faculty were making as low as 75% of the median salary for faculty at other public master’s level institutions nationwide. Others were making as high as 120% of the CUPA-HR median, Kim said.

Over the last few years, Faculty Senate has developed a plan to bring faculty salaries to 90% of relevant CUPA-HR data, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100% of the median.

The goal of 100% is difficult to reach since the median amount is constantly increasing, said Charles McAdams, interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Most institutions try to be within 10% of the CUPA-HR data median, Rector said.

The average faculty increase from the 2021-2022 academic year to the 2022-2023 academic year was 4.25%, said Rector.

The report, developed during late November or early December, is sent to McAdams, then to Rector and his administrative assistant.

Once approved by McAdams and Rector, they send the recommendation to University President Sue Thomas for approval, then the Board of Governors. This year the board approved the plan during December. The plan came into effect Jan. 1.

“The goal is to work together as a universal community to figure out what is possible for faculty raises and staff raises,” Brammall said.

Truman working to raise faculty salaries

GENEVIEVE TLUSTOS Editor-in-Chief

Faculty salary raises have become more of a priority and are determined by the Faculty Senate’s philosophy about salary priorities and the financial planning committee’s recommendations.

Truman State University’s salary raises were minimal for years because of the way hiring was conducted dating back to the late 90s, said Kathryn Brammall, president of Faculty Senate and history department chair.

Brammall said the salaries have continued to fall further behind other universities for several years.

“For many of my 25 years, there were no salary increases, or there were nominal dollar amounts, so, you know, a $500 raise or maybe a $1500 raise, which would again help … because everybody gets the same amount, but the cumulative effect was that Truman was falling further and further and further behind our competition if you think about it in terms of who can hire the best faculty,” Brammall said.

Around 1994, about 40 tenure track faculty were hired at the same time and paid using performance-funding money from the state which was added on top of Truman’s core budget. When this money ran out, however, there were no raises for many years because too many faculty had not been factored into the core budget, Brammall said.

“We hired a lot of people in kind of a bub-

ble there,” Dave Rector, vice president of administration, finance and planning, said. “It’s almost like if you ever heard about the baby boom with demographics, we had our own little faculty boom there.”

Many positions were added and those professors worked their way up to the full professor rank, staying for many years. Rector said now that group is starting to retire. The assistant professor number, a lower rank, is bigger than the associate professor number because of the retirements.

This “bubble” of full professors had to be worked through, Rector said. Full professors felt like they were getting behind other ranks at Truman because everyone’s salaries were going up the same amount. It became more difficult to give raises to an already relatively-high salary of full professors who had been working at Truman a long time.

As professors retire, new professors are being hired, but not on the same scale as the late 90s. Many of the retirees’ positions will not be replaced. There will also be a larger number of non-tenure track hires, Brammall said. The University is hiring fewer professors, but their starting salaries are more, and current faculty’s salaries are being increased as well.

Truman salaries have contributed to making hiring difficult the past few years, Brammall said. There would be candidates who would get through the interview stage and have an offer only to then decline when they saw the starting salary.

It also became difficult to retain faculty. The difficulty hiring and starting salaries being below the national median gained the attention of the administration, who then made faculty salaries a priority, Brammall said.

“I don’t think it means that lesser quality faculty came,” Brammall said. “I think it means we had lines unfilled.”

Relatively few qualified candidates apply for positions at Truman, and those that do apply have many other, potentially better options available to them, said Alan Garvey, computer science department chair.

“I mean, we have definitely had candidates who have told us that they’re not taking the job because the salary is too low,” Garvey said.

“That’s true across a lot of disciplines that … Truman salaries are just kind of inherently a little bit lower than some other places.”

Brammall said the administration has been empathetic to hiring issues for a long time.

Lower faculty numbers have meant existing faculty have to figure out different ways to offer curriculum, Brammall said.

Faculty have tried to adjust by creating new and interesting programs that won’t require many new hires, Brammall said. Departments have had to offer fewer sections for classes and fewer electives.

“We’re a liberal arts place, and the faculty and the administrators’ problem-solving is one of our things. So the solutions are not always perfect, and we have to be nimble, and we have to change,” Brammall said. “But the people here are committed to making the Truman experience an excellent experience for students. It is unfortunate that as more and more cuts happen, students are impacted. We would prefer that not be the case, but the reality is that our students have to understand that too.”

Timeline to adjust non-tenure track assistant faculty salary up to 100% and instructors to 90% of the corresponding tenure track faculty starting salary. Information from the Financial Planning Committee recommendation. Graphics by Maddie Morris

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s d e i g t A c t i o n !

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DJ and Drag Queens perform in SAB sponsored event

MEGAN NESBITT Staff Writer

around the stage. At one point, Rhea even brought a student up from the crowd to dance on stage.

Em Smith, member of the Student Activities Board, organized the show.

“Sh!tty Princess actually reached out and said she was interested in our campus,” Smith said. “She also knew the queens, and we were able to get a group of people that meshed together really well.”

Smith said even before the show, student response was very positive about the performers coming to campus.

Sh!tty Princess is a Los Angeles-based DJ and music producer who has been a field professional since 2015.

“I actually performed in Columbia, Missouri with Steve Aoki, Zeds Dead and Two Friends and had the time of my life, so I had to

forming for nearly 10 years, she said she still gets nervous while on stage.

Sh!tty Princess’s signature look features a lampshade over her face, representing many different things for her.

“First off, if I’m the craziest person in the room then everyone has full authority to have the most fun possible,” Sh!tty Princess said. “I’m also not a 16 year-old just starting out, so it’s a way to create longevity with the brand. It brings a lot of people happiness.”

Senior DJ McInturff said he enjoys when SAB puts on different events. He said he’s a big fan of drag and enjoyed the show since there’s not a lot of opportunities to see drag in Kirksville.

McInturff attended the show and loved the high-energy performance.

Sh!tty Princess, DJ

“Sh!tty and the queens put on a great show, the crowd was very lively, and that makes it so much more fun,” said McInturff.

With a great student response, Smith said Truman could expect more shows like this. Around 300 students were at the show.

DJ Sh!tty Princess performs for the crowd. Sh!tty Princess has been performing for nearly 10 years. Photos by Megan Nesbitt

The Truman State University Georgian Rooms were transformed into a dance floor Feb. 10 as Drag queens Rhea Litré and Nyx Litré, accompanied by DJ Sh!tty

“I was so honored to perform here. I was hyping Truman up to the queens, and they had no idea what they were in store for. The crowd was excellent. Our minds were blown and so were the students.”

-

Rhea Litré performs Attendees were given fake cash to throw on stage.

‘Cocaine Bear’ is a roaring good time

JOSEPH DOUGHERTY Staff Writer

“Cocaine Bear” was released to theaters Feb. 24. Directed by Elizabeth Banks, it is one of the year’s most anticipated films ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, a celebration of the best in film and filmmaking. “Cocaine Bear” certainly is not the best of anything, but it is no doubt a good time and does not try to be anything more than its title promises.

Loosely based on a true story, “Cocaine Bear” follows a group of criminals endeavoring to recover thousands of pounds of cocaine from the Georgia wilderness when one of their middlemen loses the cargo en route to a dead drop.

Caught up in the drug deal are two children playing hooky and a concerned mother searching for them when they go missing in the woods. Stalking them is a black bear that, upon ingesting several bricks of the lost cocaine, goes on the hunt to satiate its appetite for the white powder.

Where “Cocaine Bear” shines brightest is in its varied cast of characters, who all cross paths in their concerted effort to either claim the stash of cocaine for themselves or stop the would-be drug smugglers, all the while fleeing from the coked-up bear in hot pursuit. When these characters are caught off guard, the kills are violent and satisfying in all the ways expected of the genre. Permeating the plot is a surprisingly heart-warming narrative of parenthood, which nicely juxtaposes the frequent moments of comedy and the charming horror of this creature feature.

The characters are entertaining to watch because of the experienced actors bringing their all to a film that, in lesser hands than Banks’s, would fall flat otherwise. Standouts include Alden Ehrenreich and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as buddy duo Eddie and Daveed, respectively, who want to claim as much of the missing cocaine as possible. Veteran Ray Liotta brings his all as Syd, a drug trafficker whose son, Eddie, wants out of the business. The film is dedicated to

Liotta following his untimely death during 2022.

Overall, “Cocaine Bear” is exactly what you would want it to be: a cocaine-fueled adventure with plenty of blood, gore and chaos, imbued with a storyline containing a surprising yet welcome message. Here is a film made for the original goal of cinema — entertainment in its purest form.

‘Cocaine Bear’ gets 3.5/5 bear tracks

50 years of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’

MARK FISHER

Contributing Writer

What has not been said about Pink Floyd’s seminal album “The Dark Side of the Moon?” Innovative. Gamechanging. “Far out, man.”

When it was released during March of 1973, the album met immediate critical and commercial success. Fifty years later, the album remains one of the cornerstones of not just progressive and psychedelic music, but classic rock as a whole.

Popular music was changing rapidly during the early 70s. Gone were the days of hippie optimism, replaced by soulful funk, bluesy hard rock and artsy singer-songwriters. And at the center of it all were four British musicians: guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, bassist Roger Waters and keyboardist Richard Wright.

Pink Floyd had been making music for several years with moderate success in Britain and North America. This all changed during 1972 when they developed a new project inspired by prior material and performances, their newfound fame and the deteriorating mental health of their former bandleader, guitarist Syd Barrett.

The project attempted to encapsulate the modern human condition into one concise piece of work. While Pink Floyd’s previous albums saw shared songwriting responsi-

Dark Side of the

bility amongst the band members, “Dark Side” marked the first time de-facto bandleader Waters wrote most of the lyrics — though everyone would share musical contributions. This shared vision resulted in Pink Floyd’s most consistent and tonally coherent album.

The first half of the album represents a sort of musical journey from birth to death in five songs. The opening interlude, “Speak to Me,” introduces the album’s auditory motifs — such as cash registers, interview snippets and the iconic heartbeat, before giving way to “Breathe (In the Air).” The next track, “On The Run,” features pulsating synths, hypnotizing hi-hats and sounds of someone running through an airport, creating a hopeless urgency. This urgency carries to the next song, “Time,” a song about the inescapability of aging. This song might be my favorite, as it sees every band member in top form. This is followed up by “The Great Gig in the Sky,” a meditation on death and the afterlife, featur-

ing peaceful piano, which lures you into a cacophony, and singer Clare Torry’s impressive vocal work.

If side one reflects the modern life cycle, side two represents common issues found within modern life. Fittingly at the center of it all is “Money” — perhaps the most notable track of the album — the sinister bassline underscores satirical lyrics about greed and materialism. The ethereal “Us and Them,” a reflection on the pointlessness of conflict and war, shifts into the purely psychedelic “Any Colour You Like.” Finally, “Brain Damage,” a statement on mental health and the band itself gives way to “Eclipse,” an explosive culmination tying together all of the album’s themes.

One cannot talk about the album without mentioning the striking album art designed by Storm Thorgerson. The simple and bold imagery of a beam of light refracting within a prism to create a rainbow has been the envy of album and t-shirt designs and remains an enduring symbol of Pink Floyd’s creative height.

Listeners can still take plenty away from “Dark Side of the Moon” today – lyrics reflecting growing older amidst conflict, greed and poor mental health are timeless issues that can apply to nearly anyone, anywhere. It’s also a perfectly sequenced album, with each song thematically flowing from one to the next. Musically dense and layered instrumentation keeps this album fresh and unique even after listening to it dozens — or hundreds — of times.

Photo illustration by UniversalPictures©.

‘The

Moon’ gets 5/5 full moons

Graphics by Maddie Morris

“‘On The Run,’ features pulsating synths, hypnotizing hi-hats and sounds of someone running through an airport creating a hopeless urgency”

Top 5 places to stargaze

ALYSSA RZANY Staff Writer

The spring semester has been quite the ride so far, and it is important to take some study breaks and enjoy the nature around you. One of the most relaxing ways to do this is to drive around and find peaceful stargazing spots around Kirksville. To save you some time — and gas — I give you the top five spots to watch the stars.

5. The Observatory

It is a common thought that to fully appreciate the beauty of nature, you need to drive far from campus, but thankfully that is not the case. The Truman State University Observatory will have hours starting March 7 where students and community members can be guided through the starry sky, seeing different planets and stars each time. The Observatory also offers a Stargazers Astronomy Club for any students who want to make this a weekly hobby.

4. Near the Kirksville Regional Airport

Another great place to stargaze is near the Kirksville Regional Airport. There are several places to park, and while there is a bit more light pollution, I think it is fun to see planes go by while tracking the stars and sitting in the parking lot. Stargazing there gives peaceful “Top Gun” vibes that offers a great break from reality.

3. Behind Colton’s Steak House & Grill

This next spot is a hidden treasure. Behind Colton’s Steak House & Grill, there are some beautiful quiet and peaceful neighborhoods. While it is not advised to sit in someone’s driveway and stargaze, you can park on the side of the main street near these neighborhoods and watch the sky. The road is long, so there are many different spots to pull over and relax.

2. Train Bridge

Off Highway 63 on County Road

332 D, there is a train bridge that, while interesting by itself, is all the better when taking a study break and laying out to watch the stars. It is fairly isolated with minimal light pollution, so it feels like you are in a different world. Every now and then a train might go by which potentially could kill the peaceful and serene mood, but trains are cool so they could be fun to watch if you are in the right mindset.

1. Thousand Hills State Park

Last but not least, my favorite spot in Kirksville to stargaze is Thousand Hills State Park. It sounds basic, but there are so many beautiful spots to pull over, and there is a restaurant you can go to after. My favorite spot is right up against the lake, but you can go near the grills and have a cookout, go by the playgrounds and let your inner child shine through or go for a hike and watch the stars appear. The possibilities are endless here and it is one of the most relaxing places to be.

Questions on the Quad

What is your best study tip?

“I’d say the biggest study tip I have is to set aside a certain amount of time dedicated to studying, like a specific amount, whether that be an hour, two hours, even just 15 minutes, just make sure you are consistent with it.”

“Study little by little, and then you’ll understand everything, and then you don’t have to study right before the exam.”

“My best study tip would be time management, and a really helpful tool is the Flora app which allows you to grow a virtual garden based off of every timed goal that you complete with the app.”

Graphics by Heather Beard

Megan Ruwe freshman

Kelly Tobin

Lany Borella senior

SOFTBALL | Head coach Ron Ferrill opens first season

Continued from page 12

Freshman infielder Cassie Smith has already shown signs she can majorly contribute to the Bulldogs this season. Across their first four games, Smith posted five hits and four stolen bases, leading the entire team in both categories and earning herself a regular starting spot.

On the pitching mound, Annabel Zimmer and Brieanna Klein will lead the Bulldogs. Last season, Zimmer started 15 games posting a 7.21 ERA, and Klein appeared in 11 games posting a 4.49 ERA. This year, both have posted solid numbers across their first two starts.

Zimmer, a Kirksville native, said she wants to have a memorable senior season. “I grew up watching Truman softball,” Zimmer said. “The energy of getting to pitch at home has been my favorite part of being here, where I wanted to be.”

Ferrill said the team would need Klein and Patterson to be the main contributors pitching and hitting, respectively, if they are to improve this season.

Zimmer added that she expects sophomore transfer outfielder Emily Wood to be a breakout contributor for the team this season in addition to Smith.

Through four games, Wood has posted three hits and two stolen bases.

Ferrill said his main goal for his team this season is to show improvement over last year and start building a team culture of success that can propel them in the future.

“We want our players to get better daily,” Ferrill said. “We want to double our wins this season, and I would like to win more than that. In the long term, we want to reach a point where we consistently make deep postseason runs.”

Truman pitcher winds up. The Bulldogs look to have an improved season with new coaching staff and standout players.

Photo from TMN archives

Truman sports standings: Week of March 2

Track, field compete at historical GLVC Championship

LILLIE MORISAKI Sports Editor

The Truman State University track schedule looks different than many other sports. The teams have winter and spring seasons back-to-back leaving them without an offseason in between.

The NCAA Div. II Indoor Championships take place March 11 and 12, and the first outdoor meet starts only two weeks later.

The seasons themselves look much different as well. An outdoor GLVC Championship feels the same as any other spring meet, sophomore thrower Elaina Gorton said.

“It’s out in the middle of nowhere —they put us in a random field,” Gorton said. “We are nowhere near anyone else, so it’s the same environment whether it’s your home meet, some random middle of the season or conference, just kind of feels the same.”

Gorton said the indoor GLVC Championship is much more daunting. The meet is held at the University of Indianapolis in an indoor dome, Gorton said.

“Everyone’s in one space, and the air is so dry you have to stay hydrated, but it’s an entirely different environment,” Gorton said. “I know last year, I was not prepared for that at all, there was nothing I could have done to prepare for that environment, so I at least think I have that on my side this year, that I know what I’m walking into.”

Athletes have to change their events depending on the season. For instance, a thrower could not throw a javelin or a hammer in an indoor dome, so they throw weights instead, Gorton said.

It is strange to switch events between seasons, but the extra meets are beneficial to get in more practice, junior jumper Kelly Hoskins said. Hoskins pole vaults for the team, but without an indoor facility with a vault, he is limited to the triple jump.

For the GLVC Championships, the top 18 athletes in each event go on to compete, Gorton said.

The Bulldogs had a successful showing at the GLVC Championships with two conference champions and a new school record.

Senior runner Sophie Oxandale won the first individual GLVC Championship since 2015 and the first running championship since 2011 with her 2:14.56 800-meter run.

The run broke the school record, which Candle Hoskins has held since 2004. Oxandale also became the first Truman woman to win an indoor conference championship in the 800-meter since Mary Gray during 1983.

Oxandale, junior sprinter Kendall Dascher, freshman runner Raina Baker and senior runner Alayna Pipkin’s 4:00.75 4x400 meter relay earned the Bulldogs their second conference championship. The last time the Bulldogs won the 4x400 championship was during 2003.

The women’s team placed fifth with 48 points.

The team has not placed this high since 2014, when they placed fifth as well. Junior thrower Jacob Morris finished fourth in shot put with a 16.65 meter throw, earning him a PR. The men’s team placed 10th with 22.5 points.

Following the GLVC Championships is the NCAA Div. II Indoor Track & Field Championships, March 10 and 11.

Women’s track & field

Sophie Oxandale: 1st, 800m, 2:14.56

Oxandale, Kendall Dascher, Raina Baker and Alayna Pipkin: 1st, 4x400m, 4:00.75

Baker: 5th, 400m, 1:00.37

Pipkin: 6th, 400m, 1:00.67

Addie Mathis: 4th, 800m, 2:19.36

Lexy Henrikson: 5th, 1 mile, 5:08.34

Natalie Telep: PR, shot put, 12.06m

Overall: 4th

Men’s track & field

Jacob Morris: 4th, PR, shot put, 16.65m

Tyler Davis: PR, shot put, 14.87m

Leithym Messer: PR, shot put, 13.15m

Nathan Key: 5th, 3000m, 8:36.75

Hayden Long: PR, Heptathlon, 3,844pts

Jake Higgs: PR, Heptathlon, 3,812pts

Overall: 10th

Baseball | Bulldogs hope to ‘prove them wrong’

Continued from page 12

Missey and Schneider also mentioned sophomore pitcher and outfielder Simon Murrary, sophomore pitcher Cole Eggerding and senior outfielder Kevin Donohue as players stepping into bigger roles to watch for breakout seasons. Davis said that he believes the entire team will take a step forward this season, not just one or several players.

Missey, Davis and Schnieder made it clear that the team has one main goal this season.

“We want to play in the conference tournament this year,” Missey said. “A lot of teams are underestimating us, and we want to prove them wron g this year.”

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Truman first baseman tries to tag the runner. The Bulldogs have big goals for the season. Photo from TMN Archives

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL BRING HOME FIRST WINS

Baseball opens with series victory Softball starts a promising season

MICHAEL LAKEY Staff Writer

The Truman State University baseball team opened their season with a series victory over Kentucky Wesleyan College, winning three of the four games. The series’ final game featured a final-inning comeback for the Bulldogs, scoring three runs and only allowing one in the ninth to clinch the victory.

Missey, senior first baseman and pitcher

The series marks a promising start to the season for a Bulldog team that has yet to see much success throughout the past few years. The team has not had a winning season or an appearance in the GLVC postseason tournament since 2015, though they did win 11 more games during 2022 than during 2021.

In the preseason GLVC coaches’ poll, the Bulldogs were ranked 12 out of 13 teams.

“Why didn’t they pick us last?” head coach Dan Davis said. “I guess we were better than one team last year, so it’s the right spot, but that stuff doesn’t really

matter to us other than as something to put on the dugout wall as motivation.”

Senior starting pitcher Zach Schneider said he thinks the rest of the conference underestimates the Bulldogs heading into this season. He said this year’s squad is poised to surprise the conference with their abilities.

Schneider said the biggest reason for this newfound optimism is the experience this year’s team boasts. They lost four players from a season ago, only two of which were major contributors.

“We have gone through the ups and downs before,” Holden Missey, senior first baseman and pitcher said. “We have a core group of guys that have now played together for four years and can use that experience this season.”

The Bulldogs will be led this season by Missey and Schneider, who led the team in hitting and pitching last season, respectively.

Missey was named to the first-team all-GLVC last season as a two-way player, meaning he excelled offensively, defensively and on the pitching mound. He led the team with 13 home runs, 119 total bases and a .361 batting average and a 4.66 ERA in 14 appearances as a pitcher.

This performance also earned him first-team all-Midwest region from the Div. II College Coaches Association.

Schneider posted a 2.90 ERA in 12 starts last season, earning him an allGLVC first-team nod.

According to Davis, this season, Missey will take on a different role, stepping into the starting rotation and spending less time at first base.

This gives senior Jack Darwin, a first baseman that has not found a consistent starting role on the team in four years because of Missey’s success, an opportunity to step up. Last season, Darwin started in just two games and only made 25 plate appearances.

Missey and Schneider both said they expect Darwin to be a major contributor and have a breakout season this year.

“He knows baseball better than anyone I know,” Schneider said. “He’s smart, and he brings a lot to the table. With [Missey] pitching one game per series now, [Darwin] will be a very important piece of the team this year.”

See BASEBALL page 11

The Truman State University softball team opened their season with a 2-2 record in four games at the Alvy Early Memorial Tournament in Bentonville, Arkansas, Feb. 11-12.

The tournament marked a solid start to the coaching tenure of Ron Ferrill, hired during the offseason from NAIA St. Ambrose University. Ferrill won a conference championship at St. Ambrose during 2013 and only recorded one losing season during his 11 years as head coach. He also coached at Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa during this time, winning four state championships.

Ferrill said he was not looking to move on from his previous coaching job, but a friend convinced him to interview for the position, and he loved the atmosphere he found when he visited.

“Everybody here was just so welcoming,” Ferrill said. “Everyone from the people in the athletic department to the players I got to meet to even just people I saw on campus was so welcoming, so it felt like the right fit.”

Ferrill was able to take St. Ambrose from the bottom of their con-

ference to a championship in a few short years. He will look to oversee a similar turnaround at Truman he said, as the softball team has yet to post a winning season since 2019.

In the GLVC preseason coaches’ poll, the Bulldogs were ranked 12 of 13 teams.

“The competitive side of me doesn’t like seeing that at all,” Ferrill said. “But, with the lack of success for the last few years, it was probably pretty accurate. If we don’t want to be ranked there in the future, we must do something about it.”

Junior infielder Cameryn Patterson said the team can only go up from their performance last season. She also said she feels the team as a collective has held themselves to a higher standard this year, which will translate to more success on the field.

Patterson earned back-to-back all GLVC honors in her freshman and sophomore seasons. In both seasons, she was second on the team in batting average and RBIs and is poised for another great campaign this year, Ferrill said.

See SOFTBALL page 10

ATHLETE of the week

Junior thrower Jacob Morris earned an invite to the NCAA Championship meet, Feb. 25. Morris earned all-conference honors and a silver medal for his 19.88-meter throw. The throw beat his previous best of 19.77 meters and it currently ranks 12th in Div. II.

“We have gone through the ups and downs before. We have a core group of guys that have now played together for four years and can use that experience this season.”

-Holden

Truman catcher frames the ball. The Bulldogs look to have a successful season with new head coach Ron Ferrill. Photo from TMN archives

MICHAEL LAKEY Staff Writer