Je Suis Charlie: Between Freedom of Expression and Respect for Others

Ryan Lake

Reporter

On the morning of Jan. 7, in Paris, two militant Islamists opened fire on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people and injuring 11 others.

Charlie Hebdo was well-known for its irreverent and anti-religious cartoons and articles and had been attacked before in the past. However, such a brazen attack on freedom of speech did not go unnoticed. Four days later on Jan. 11, more than 2 million people including 40 world leaders met in Paris for a rallying day of unity with the rallying cry “Je Suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”).

Several students at MUW expressed their thoughts on the attacks and its implications.

MUW working toward a tobacco-free campus

Daysha Humphrey

Campus Editor

At this spring’s faculty convocation, Dr. Jim Borsig had an announcement that he saved for last, and the repercussions from it are still rippling through campus.

He announced that he wanted the MUW campus to be tobacco free by July 1, 2016.

While it may not have come as a total surprise, given that other universities have been making this type of change, it was the first official word that the university is moving in this direction.  

Faculty, staff and students who smoke already have some limitations on campus. The MUW Student Handbook 2014-2015 states in section 7.11 that “smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas, which must be at least 20 feet from all building entranceways. Discarded cigarettes should be placed in appropriate containers.”

Some people who have heard discussions about the upcoming change in the tobacco policy on campus have strong opinions about this strategy — especially students.

“American Sniper”: What Does Campus Think?

Charlie Benton

Features Editor           

“American Sniper” follows the story of Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. The film has been controversial throughout its run, with some critics lauding the film for its realistic, gritty view of the wars in the Middle East and some believing the opposite, going as far as saying that the entire film is based on lies. Even with the controversy, or perhaps because of it, the film has grossed more than $316 million worldwide so far during its run, according to Boxofficemojo.com.

Here is what six W students had to say about “American Sniper.”

Question: Did you like “American Sniper,” and do you feel like it is an accurate depiction of the war in the Middle East?

Faculty spotlight: Wesley Garrett

Asia Duren

Reporter

Wesley Garrett, the director of legal studies at the W, is a practicing lawyer and a professor. She is from Dyersburg, Tenn., and graduated from the W with a degree in Legal Studies. She went on to pursue law at the University of Alabama’s School of Law.  Garrett is the MUW Alumni Association Parliamentarian, a member of the Lowndes County Bar Association, and a member of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers program. She completes more than 20 hours of pro bono legal services a year and says finds helping people rewarding in many different ways.

Students for Life Aims to Influence MUW

Velvet Case

Religion Editor

The Students for Life organization at MUW is stepping out to support new mothers and educate students about pro-life options.

This new campus organization has teamed up with the local Life Choices Pregnancy Center. Charitable events throughout the year have been planned by Students for Life to show its support for the center.

The group will kick off its first group function in February by holding a Baby Shower for Life Choices. This “shower” will provide the campus with an opportunity to give traditional baby shower items to new mothers and their babies. Students will be able to drop off baby shower gift items at specified collection box stations around campus on Feb. 9-11. Items such as pacifiers, baby socks, baby bottles, diapers, baby clothes and maternity clothes are welcome.

Blue Line Shakespeare’s production “Twelfth Night” delayed

Daysha Humphrey

Campus Editor

MUW’s theater department has moved the date of its “Twelfth Night” production to April 23-25.

“Twelfth Night” is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare that Blue Line Shakespeare is presenting. It was originally due to be presented Jan. 23-25. Blue Line Shakespeare is MUW’s first Shakespeare festival and is a result of alumni working with the theatre department to share their love of Shakespeare.

David Carter, chair of the theatre department, said that it had to be pushed back because of an unexpected circumstance with the director of the play.

“We had to postpone it because the director had a sudden family tragedy, which is all I can really say,” Carter said. “It was unavoidable.”

Looking to the Future: Seniors on how to deal with anxiety before graduation

Evan Fox

Editor

As the spring semester begins, most seniors are faced with the reality that their college years are coming to an end. That realization, and uncertainty for the future, often creates large amounts of anxiety for them.

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of fear, unease and worry. Most people would describe it as an upset stomach, or “butterflies” in the stomach. Other symptoms include sweating, tingling hands or feet and an inability to be still or calm. For seniors, this anxiety can become overwhelming if a student doesn’t develop a way to deal with it.

Why Forging Your Own Path Is Necessary

Evan Fox

Editor

Looking back at the past few years of my life here at the W, I see how much I have changed as a person. The biggest change I notice is my worldview. I went from a nervous teen who—for some reason—thought he knew it all to a young man who is apprehensive about the future.

The things we learn and do in college stay with us for the rest of our lives, either in direct ways or as memories. We develop relationships, make choices and gain knowledge that prepare us to face the world after we graduate.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had my confidence in myself shaken through different circumstances and had to slowly rebuild it as my final full semester began. As I mended the break, I began to realize that while I always focused on large things like what job I’ll have and other life decisions, I let the little things in life slip through the cracks.

Stark Recreation Center to offer a variety of activities this spring

Joanna Frye

Reporter

This spring semester the intramural sports program will be an exciting time to get involved on campus. Intramural sports are open to students, faculty and staff.  A new sport this semester is powerplay eclipse, which involves a combination of volleyball and tennis.

“We organize a variety of sports for the student body. Students can come out and have fun by playing a sport,” said Coach Rita, Director for Intramural Sports.

Intramurals has planned to host multiple sports, including 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 basketball tournaments and a billiards tournament. Other sports include a 5-on-5 indoor soccer tournament and an ultimate Frisbee tournament.