Marlana Dolan
Reporter
A condensed version of this article was featured in the March 2016 print edition of The Spectator. Continue reading for the full statements of each faculty member.
Find that political fire and let it burn
Jessica Barnett
Editor
I voted in my first presidential election in 1996. I was 8 years old. Some of my classmates decorated signs to hang on the back of their chairs or wore stickers on their shirts and backpacks. I didn’t know who any of the candidates were, except that one had the same name as a banana. The girl in front of me had a Clinton sign, so when it was time to vote, I picked him.
It was the most attention I paid to an election or politics until I turned 20.
New vending machines on campus
Marlana Dolan
Reporter
The W is replacing soda and snack machines across campus, but the process has been going slower than planned.
The school is changing vending companies. Officials planned to have them replaced before the students returned on Feb. 8, but not all of them were in place by that deadline.
W hosts clinic to quit smoking
Trisha Boone
Reporter
The American Lung Association has paired with Passport to Wellness to provide weekly group therapy sessions on campus for smokers throughout the month of March.
The sessions are led by Santee Ezell, a representative from Passport to Wellness. Ezell, along with Janie Guyton Shields and Ashley Matthews, has been trained by the American Lung Association to hold these group therapy meetings.
Officials optimistic about budget cuts despite student concern
Trisha Boone
Reporter
The state of Mississippi is cutting budgets across the because of a $200 million deficit, and The W is no exception.
“The later in the fiscal year you make cuts, you have fewer choices. The good news is – or the bad news is – over the last decade, with the recession, we’ve become pretty good at figuring out how to manage through these kinds of dilemmas. The last thing we want to do is impact academics or student services,” said Dr. Jim Borsig, president of the W.
Board of Trustees amends policy on weapons on campus
Jessica Barnett
Editor
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning voted to amend its policy on weapons on campus at its Feb. 18 meeting in Jackson, Miss.
The amendments allow visitors with enhanced carry permits to bring registered weapons to public spaces on campus. This amendment does not allow students or faculty to bring weapons to campus.
Peanuts gang appears on Cromwell stage
Mallory Johnston
Features Editor
The W’s theatre department is bringing back something that has not been done in the department in many years.
This month, the department will be presenting the musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” bringing the characters of the famous “Peanuts” comic strip to life.
W students to tour National Civil Rights Museum
Monica Kizer
Reporter
The Student Success Center and the Kossen Center for Teaching and Learning are sponsoring a field trip to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, Feb. 20.
General admission for MUW students is $10 and covers transportation and admittance to the museum. The cost for faculty and staff members to participate is $15.
This particular trip was originally planned with the Common Reading Initiative course, which required this year’s students to read Anne Moody’s autobiography, “Coming of Age in Mississippi.”
Honors forum topics offer a worldview
Liz Bosarge
Senior Reporter
The 2016 spring forum for the Ina E. Gordy Honors College is hosting a group of speakers whose topics will center on the theme of how to ethically deal with global issues. At each session, the presenter will offer his or her perspective on how to think more clearly and rationally regarding some of the socially significant issues affecting our world today.
Dr. Kim Whitehead, honors college interim director for The W, is responsible for setting up the year-long series. The topics for this semester are designed to raise questions about ethics and environmental responsibilities. Each session is open to students, faculty, staff and the public.
“Honors forum is for everyone. It is a great place to learn, to discuss, to debate and to ask questions,” said Whitehead.
Students learn important skills at inaugural Ody Classic
Jessica Barnett
Online Editor
Five mock trial teams gathered in Reneau Hall on Jan. 30 for the inaugural Ody Classic.
The mock trial competition provided team members with the chance to exercise their legal skills. There were two rounds. Before each round, teams were told who they would be arguing against and whether they would be defense or prosecution. Select members were asked to act as witnesses.