VOL. 87 NO. 19THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2010

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Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorRepresentatives from Hangzhou Normal University, the Chinese institution in partnership with MTSU, tour campus with President Sidney McPhee on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, in an attempt to better understand teaching methods and facility design concepts in Tennessee.

East meets West through joint venture

Representatives of MTSU’s partner institution in China said they would like to bring teaching methods and facility design concepts back with them when they return home later this week.

The delegation came to Ten-nessee on a mission to learn more about the academic prac-tices used by educators from kindergarten to the university level, said Lin Zhengfan, the former president of Hangzhou Normal University, by means of a translator.

“I have been to many schools in China, but I have never seen one this nice,” Zhengfan said, adding that he plans to report the group’s findings to the university’s current president with suggestions for changing the teaching atmosphere and techniques overseas.

This visit marks Zhengfan’s second stay at MTSU, President

Sidney McPhee said.One of primary focuses of the

visit has been an examination of the differences between urban and rural education.

On Tuesday, Zhengfan high-lighted how varied the learn-ing conditions are at primary schools in developed areas and provincial villages during a slideshow presentation enti-tled, “The development and fu-ture perspective of the primary school teachers in the rural areas in China.” The stark con-trast of the facilities was imme-diately evident, as city schools appear modern and pristine, and rural locations are often built of timber and earth.

“The majority of the students [in China] are in the country-side and rural area,” Zheng-fan said during his speech. “If we do not understand China’s rural areas, then we do not understand China.”

Two graduate students ac-companying the delegation expressed interest in how lan-

guage and science are taught to primary school students at rural schools, Zhengfan said, as they had already ob-served teachers instructing their classes at The Discovery

School at Reeves Rogers, Sie-gel Middle School and Siegel High School in Murfreesboro on Tuesday morning.

Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorMTSU President Sidney McPhee and Lin Zhengfan, a representative for Hangzhou Normal University in China, test out workout equipment in the Heath, Wellness, and Recreation Center on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, during the delegate’s visit to MTSU.

By CHRISTOPHER MERCHANTAssistant News Editor

Environmental ethics course to be offered next semester

The philosophy department is adding a new “Environmental Ethics and Native Wisdom” class to its curriculum next semester that will offer a Native American perspective on how to live holistically.

Phil Oliver, a philosophy professor in the College of Liberal Arts, said he will teach the course, which will include curriculum from his past environmental ethics classes, such as climate change and industrial agriculture, but the new class will now include a section on in-digenous people’s philosophies.

Oliver said he was inspired to teach the class with a native twist after Scott Pratt, a philoso-phy professor at the University of Oregon, visited MTSU to lecture about how modern day Americans can learn more about envi-ronmental sustainability by examining nature through the eyes of ancient civilizations.

The class would incorporate three new texts, Oliver said. “Red Alert,” written by Daniel Wildcat, is a book Pratt considered to be essential for the class. It examines the dam-aging ways in which daily habits affect Earth and draws upon ancient Native American wis-dom and nature-centered beliefs to advocate a modern strategy to combat global warming.

“The class will be different because it will look at indigenous people’s development of ‘native wisdom’ and how we are connected to the planet,” Oliver said.

Oliver said he would also be using the book “Native Science” by Gregory Cajese, which explores native astronomy, cosmology, psy-chology, agriculture and the healing arts. Another book, “Whole Earth Discipline” by Stewart Brand, supplies a holistic approach to environmental ethics, he said.

Charles White of Students for Environmen-tal Action said he wishes classes like this would be required of all students.

“It’s exciting to see a class like this being of-fered because an integral part of SEA’s vision for MTSU involves requiring classes or parts of classes that discuss a wide variety of topics regarding sustainability in the past, present and future,” White said.

Oliver said the class would look at what lessons might be learned about living lightly and harmoniously on Earth from native and indigenous peoples. This not only includes na-tive American sources, but also imaginative and fi ctitious ones like “Avatar,” and how the lessons in that story may either complement, challenge, or contradict the dominant western scientifi c-technological worldview.

By JORDAN BRIEN Staff Writer

Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorNora Maznavi (Left) and Hamza Perez (Right) speak to students, faculty and staff on Nov. 10, 2010, in the Learning Resource Center about their roll in “The New Muslim Cool,” a documentary that attempts to break stereotypes against Muslims through hip-hop.

Muslim stereotypes challenged

Puerto Rican rapper Hama Perez, who is a Muslim, said he hopes that a documentary film “The New Mus-lim Cool” will break stereotypes against Muslims and inspire a general movement of love.

The film, which fea-tures Perez, was shown

last night in the Learn-ing Resource Center, followed by a town-hall meeting led by journal-ist, activist and political analyst Bakari Kitwana.

“I want for people to sit down with each other and watch the film as hu-man beings,” Perez said, “not as Muslims or Chris-tians or atheists, but as human beings.”

Perez said that he wants to “put down ste-

reotypes” and educatehis audience about theMuslim community.

The documentary wasoriginally intended topromote Perez as a Mus-lim hip-hop artist andone half of the hip-hopduo M-Team, Perez said.

“As [filming contin-ued], the film becameless about music andmore about my commu-nity,” Perez said.

By BECCA ANDREWSAssistant News Editor

MUSLIM, PAGE 2

Explosion unnerves employees

More than 100 people were evac-uated from RockTenn Companyyesterday when a boiler room ex-ploded, injuring none of the 15employees who were inside thetwo-story room at the time ofthe incident.

Preliminary investigations suggestthat a low-pressure tank fueled by natu-ral gas and propane malfunctioned andignited, demolishing the walls and ceil-ing of the boiler room, said Owen Rop-er, a production overseer at the plant.

All of the employees at the facilitywere accounted for, Roper said.

“It sounded like a war bomb,” saidJimmy Harris, a mobile equipmentmechanic who was the last person outof the boiler room.

Technology increases bullying

Bullying is now easier than ever withavenues like social media websites andtexting open for teenagers and youngadults to use, according to a Harris Pollreleased in September.

According to the poll, erasing some-thing from cyberspace is much morediffi cult than stopping “malicious gos-sip.” In 2010, teenagers are more oftenlooking to suicide as their way out of abullying situation.

One out of four teenagers said theyare sometimes bullied to a point thatmakes them feel angry or upset. An-other one out of four teens said theywould not tell anyone if they feltlike hurting themselves, accordingto the poll.

By CHRISTOPHER MERCHANT,

AIMEÉ SCHMITTENDORF

By TAYLOR HIXSONStaff Writer

BULLYING, PAGE 2CHINA, PAGE 3

EXPLOSION, PAGE 4

The poll called for parents and schools to take action by ensuring that bul-lies know the potential consequences for their actions and that those being bullied know they have adults they can turn to for help.

Katie Hazlehurst, a freshman majoring in biology, was bullied as a teenager. Hazle-hurst said the harassment made her feel like dying.

“Today, it makes me so mad when I see people being bullied,” Hazlehurst said.

In Waltham, Mass., Bentley Univer-sity’s “One Goal, One Community” anti-bullying campaign is one of many that have sprouted up across the na-tion in reaction to bullying and bullying related suicides.

The student-run program extends into local schools and nearby communities “to help change behaviors and put an end to bul-lying,” according to a press release from Bentley University.

“Our students are providing parents and teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to help them and their children deal with a growing epidemic,” said Greg Hall, a Bentley University psychology professor.

Debra Sells, vice president of Student Af-fairs, said she does not think numbers for ha-rassment at the high school level and below are hopeful. Sells said she thinks bullying can be a problem with the college-student age group too, especially with those living in dorms or away from home for the fi rst time.

Sells said some people are just mean and inappropriate, but others really might be ignorant to the situation they are putting other people in due to a lack of exposure to other backgrounds.

“I think that it’s a matter of degree, and it’s a matter of students developing some sense of understanding the difference between outright bullying and what might just be ignorance,” Sells said.

MTSU offers programming around cam-pus like “Domestic Violence Awareness Week” and “Diversity Awareness Week” be-cause it helps students become more sensitive to what is harassment, what is uncomfort-able language, and methods to help students feel supported when confronted, Sells said.

The anonymity of the Internet can provide a cover for bullies. Some people are not edu-

cated in communicating across the Internet, which leads to unintentional harassment, Sells said.

“It’s a learning experience for everybody on the cyber frontier,” Sells said.

Some cases do step too far over the line and need to be reported to a faculty member if it’s in the classroom, or to Judicial Affairs if it’s outside the classroom, Sells said.

“Some of it is developing a sense of judg-ment of what you can take on yourself and should you because you have to learn that skill,” Sells said. “Someday you’re not going to have a resident assistant.”

The offi ce does not have a direct policy against bullying, but that activity falls un-der a broad category of disciplinary of-fenses known as “conduct dangerous to self or others,” said Amanda Newman Samsel, coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services.

Conduct dangerous to self or others is de-fi ned as behavior that is dangerous to any person’s health, safety or personal well-being such as physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment of any kind and harm infl icted on self, according to the 2010-2011 MTSU Rights and Responsibilities of Students.

“We take threats of any kind seriously,” Samsel said.

In 2009, Judicial Affairs received 91 in-stances of conduct dangerous to self or oth-ers, 67 of which were for disorderly conduct. However, there is no way to tell how many of those cases were from bullying, Samsel said.

Ryan DeBooy, a senior majoring in inter-national relations, is a resident assistant for the second fl oor of Judd Hall. DeBooy said he is a strong advocate for mediation.

“Talking about problems solves prob-lems,” DeBooy said.

DeBooy said people should not be afraid to confront the bully because it all comes down to communication.

Kristen Bean, a freshman in the College of Basic and Applied Scienc-es, said she was bullied when she was a teenager.

“Bullying makes you feel as if you’re not wanted,” Bean said.

Bean said she decided to stand up to the bully by asking why she was being victim-ized. In Bean’s case, the bully told her it was the only way they knew how to deal with their own problems, she said.

Bean said talking out problems helps,

whether it is at home, at school or with friends, because it is important to fi gure out how the bully feels.

“Everyone has an issue, and everyone needs to talk about it,” Bean said.

Rachel Nutt, a senior majoring in journal-ism and Spanish, said she was a victim of cyber bullying when she started college. She said the bullying started in high school, but the same people continued to her harass her once in college.

“People bully over text messaging because they feel more disconnected,” Nutt said.

The offi ce takes preventative measures against conduct dangerous to self or oth-ers by offering outreach through a required CUSTOMS session and in University 1010 courses.

“We let them know we aren’t just an offi ce for people when they’re in trouble, but we’re

here when they need it,” Samsel said.The offi ce also offers mediation services if

students have issues with a roommate or an-other student through Judicial Affairs, Sam-sel said, but both parties must be willing toparticipate for it to work.

“We do unfortunately see the cattinesson Facebook,” Samsel said, adding me-diation is an informal process compared tothe disciplinary process.

“The fun part is creating sanctions thatare unique to that individual, because whatworks for one student might not work at allfor another,” Samsel said.

Sanctions for actions have included expel-ling the student, withholding a degree, writ-ing papers, and giving presentations to a stu-dent organization, Samsel said.

“Our offi ce tries not to be cookie-cutter innature,” Samsel said.

2 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

SIDELINESis looking for a Spring 2011 editor-in-chief.

VOL. 87 NO. 03MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

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Problems in Uganda heighten, international efforts must gain priority Page 5

Locals come together for 9/11Nine years after the devas-

tating terrorist attacks on the United States, the local com-munity gathered together at the Rutherford County Sher-iff ’s Office on Saturday to remember the tragic loss of the more than 2,900 victims of 9/11.

“We are here to remem-ber the unfortunate acci-dent of 9/11,” Deputy Greg Dotson said. “We are trying to renew the bond that [the community] had before the event and hopefully make it stronger.”

While the events that trans-pired nine years ago cause many to call to mind the horrific tragedy of the terrorist attacks, the purpose of the ceremony Saturday was to strengthen the bond between neighbors, officials said.

“The purpose for our event is to get involved in the com-munity together [and] to have fun,” said Sheriff Office Com-munity Service Coordinator

Jimmy Cassidy. “But, while we are here, we want to make sure 9/11 is something we don’t forget.”

In order to commemorate the victims of 9/11 and those who

risked their lives to save oth-ers, 21 locally elected officials rang the Murfreesboro Fire Department’s bell.

“We did a fire-bell salute rather than a 21-gun salute be-

cause more firefighters died on 9/11 than police officers,” Dot-son said. “We respect the sacri-fice of our fellow police officers, but the ringing of the fire bell is more symbolic.”

Next year, for the 10th an-niversary, the Sheriff ’s Officewants to ring the bell at thesame time as all the other po-lice and fire departments acrossTennessee, Cassidy said.

Country-music singer Lane Turner started the remem-brance ceremony by singing thenational anthem.

After the anthem was sung and the fire bell rung, mem-bers from Tennessee Chapter 1of Rolling Thunder, a nonprofit organization that honors pris-oners of war and soldiers miss-ing in action, were present toraise the POW and MIA f lag.

“This started out as a f lag cer-emony nine years ago with about20 people,” Cassidy said. “It’sgrown into a community gath-ering because everyone wants toget involved.”

The coordinators of the event predicted between 5,000and 7,000 people would at-tend the ceremony this year,Cassidy said.

By CHRISTOPHER MERCHANTAssistant News Editor

Republican candidate highlights economic agenda

Until small-business owners feel more confi dent about the economic climate, the unemployment rate will not improve, said state Sen. Diane Black while attending the Rutherford County Community Fair on Saturday.

“I believe we should cut taxes and make less mandates, so that [small-business owners] can keep their money in their pockets, grow their businesses, and hire more people,” Black said, re-ferring to the lingering high-unemploy-ment rate that has plagued the country for more than a year.

Black narrowly won the Republican Party’s nomination for the 6th Con-gressional District in August by 31 per-cent, defeating Lou Ann Zelenik and state Sen. Jim Tracy, both of whom are Rutherford County natives.

Zelenik fell short of victory by fewer

than 820 votes, and while Tracy fi n-ished third by only 15 fewer votes dis-trictwide, he won by a large margin in Rutherford County.

“I would be honored to be their rep-resentative,” Black said, speaking of the crowd outside of the Rutherford Coun-ty Sheriff’s Offi ce this past weekend. “I will represent the people of this district, [and] their values.”

Black said she believes Ruther-ford County residents are fam-ily oriented, fi scal conservatives

looking to elect politicians who will understand that members of U.S. Congress have been irresponsible with taxpayer dollars.

The Gallatin native has campaigned in Rutherford County several times since winning the GOP ticket on Aug. 5 in an effort to gain support from voters who are used to having a Murfreesboro native represent them – Democratic Congressman Bart Gordon.

By MARIE KEMPHNews Editor

Offi cer assaulted; third suspect sought

Authorities are searching for a third suspect wanted in connection with the assault of an MTSU Offi ce of Public Safety sergeant on Aug. 29.

Campus police said Sgt. Misty White was pushed down concrete stairs and thrown into some bushes, while trying to arrest MTSU student Zakiya J. Brown for disorderly conduct.

Detective Lt. Jason Wof-ford said two men intervened during the arrest about 10:43 p.m. After a physical alter-cation, he said the two men got into a white Volvo sedan and tried to hit White with their vehicle.

“Sgt. White could have been seriously hurt due to this subject’s reckless disre-gard for her, as well as the public’s safety,” Wofford said. “Turns out the driver had a

warrant out for his arrest forviolating his probation.”

The driver, Micah J. Mc-Clure, was arrested for aggra-vated assault with a deadlyweapon and resisting arrest,Wofford said. The other malesuspect escaped.

Brown was arrested twodays later for disorderlyconduct and evading ar-rest. Other details weren’timmediately available.

“We are working very hardto identify the third, and fi -nal, suspect and would verymuch like the public’s help inthis matter,” Wofford said.

Anyone with informationcan call Crime Stoppers at615-893-7867 between thehours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.,Monday through Friday. Allcallers will remain anony-mous and could be eligiblefor a cash reward of up to$1,000 if information leads toan arrest.

STAFF REPORT

BLACK, PAGE 2

Photo by Chris Donahue, staff photographerState Sen. Diane Black attended the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Community Fair on Saturday to discuss her upcoming election and show respect to the people who lost their lives on 9/11.

FAIR, PAGE 2

Photos by Jay Bailey, photo editor

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Fair Saturday brought Murfreesboro locals together for a day of reflection and remembrance for the people lost during the 9/11 attacks on America.

Total number killed: 2,976Emergency response workers killed: 836Countries who lost citizens: 90+

Lost in Attacks on 9/11

4 SIDELINES THURSDAY, October 14, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

FEATURESDOES EDUCATION JUSTIFY BUYING A SMARTPHONE?

ARE YOU TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE MOSQUE DEBATE?

Tap. Scroll. Click. MTSU students are doing much

more than just texting and social-izing these days. They have moved past using smartphone applica-tions to simply update their Fa-cebook and Twitter accounts and have adopted applications that fi t the needs of their collegiate lives. Smartphone installations are im-proving the college experience.

Freshman Kara Sheridan is tak-ing an introductory course in mu-sic. One day in class, she had been assigned to identify a song just by listening to it. She had to give the title and artist of the song.

“I knew it was B.B. King,” Sheri-dan declared. “But, I didn’t know the name of the song.”

Sheridan was eventually able to identify the song as “Stormy Monday” by using an application on her phone called Shazam. This application has the ability to rec-ognize a song and then give the name and artist. It was free for her to download, and it is available ev-erywhere Sheridan goes.

So, even when she is in the car listening to the radio and can’t identify the name of the song she’s listening to, she can tap on Shazam to record and recognize it instant-ly. This application enables her to connect with a passion: music.

“I use it every day,” Sheridan said.

John Brodie, a junior majoring in nursing, also appreciates the value of smartphone applications.

Brodie missed a few weeks of

school for personal issues and need-ed to catch up on his academia.

When he was able to regain stability, Brodie realized he had a critical analysis of a short story due in English that very same day, and he didn’t have time to sit down at a computer and do it.

Brodie pulled out his smart-phone and used the Google Search application and the Microsoft Word application to do some quick research and type his paper.

“I wrote the entire paper, e-mailed it to myself and printed it when I got to school,” Brodie said.

Now, when Brodie isn’t rush-ing to meet a deadline, he still uses these applications on his phone to aid in the demands of his studies. He is currently taking astronomy, and as a part of his night lab requirements, he has to identify the stars that are out on certain nights.

Using the free downloadable ap-plication Google Sky Maps, Brodie is able to go outside and imme-diately locate the position of the stars. Google Sky Maps provides a GPS and can pinpoint exactly where stars are in relation to the person holding the phone, so that he will know where to look.

“It’s especially helpful to have on a cloudy night when it’s hard to see the stars,” Brodie says. “I can just look [beyond] the clouds, because I know exactly what I’m

looking for.”Students like Brodie and Sheri-

dan are using smartphone appli-cations to enhance their education experience and better their grades. While researchers and educators are constantly being forced to dis-cover innovative ways to encour-age students, these applications seem to be doing that for them.

Currently, MTSU is work-ing on adopting a technology called Tegrity.

Carlos Coronel, director of the College of Business Computer Lab, is spearheading the initiation of the technology on campus. The way it works is students will be able to download the Tegrity application to their phone and use it to access D2L. From there, D2L will already have students’ courses listed, like it does now, but students will be able to listen to lectures in case they are absent from class or just need to re-listen to previous lectures if some concepts may have been confus-ing. A media convergence is on the horizon.

However, Coronel empha-sizes that “it is only a portal for information, not where you will actually learn it.”

Even though smartphone appli-cations cannot completely replace a classroom experience, students and educators can probably agree that having access to these appli-cations will encourage students to engage in more than just tapping, scrolling and clicking in the realm of social networking.

By JANANI WEBBContributing Writer

Smartphones enhance education

Everyone hates going into a record store – whether it’s a chain like Best Buy or an indepen-dent store – and being belittled by an em-ployee over what we choose to buy. We want lots of music to choose from, and a great staff to talk to about the latest and greatest releases.

But how many music fans go to actual record stores anymore? Not many.

Still, thousands and thousands of mu-sic lovers go in and out of Nashville all the time and most seem to stop at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music in West Nash-ville. Robert Plant, Elvis Costello and Son-ic Youth are just some of the famous faces to grace Grimey’s during an average day, along with many of my MTSU peers.

Grimey’s has come a long way from its beginning in 1999.

Founder Mike Grimes had an offi ce job at Sony Music and was a part-time tour-ing musician for Bobby Bare Jr., but after growing tired of working for a big corpora-tion, he wanted to be his own boss. Grimes opened his business as primarily a used CD store, and it wasn’t until the summer of 2002 that Grimey’s carried new CDs.

At this point, he needed help. He asked Doyle Davis, then manager of The Great Escape in Nashville, to leave his job and buy into Grimey’s. After the partnership was forged, Grimey’s truly took off; it was able to stock plenty of new CDs and vinyl LPs.

“BecauseNashvillehadnoviablerecord

store that dealt in new music and had not for years, many folks in the industry embraced Grimey’s and really supported Mike and Doyle’s efforts to bring new music retail to Music City,” says Anna Lundy, the manager of Grimey’s.

Grimey’s was earning a name for itself. It prided itself on offering a vast selec-

tion of music, a fun atmosphere and its very friendly staff, noting that it had no “Jack Blacks” on staff, a reference to Black’s music elitist character in “High Fidel-ity,” a movie about a record store similar to Grimey’s.

The store’s growth was getting to the point of overfl ow, so Grimes and Davis decided to fi nd a new home for Grimey’s in June of 2004. The new location would

provide more space for records and for big-ger and better bands to come in and play.

The new store is an old, brick apart-ment building that looks like anything but a record store. It appears to be kind of dilapidated and rundown. In the base-ment of the store, there is a bar and venue appropriately named “the basement.” The outside of the venue and the store itself is decorated with stickers and fl y-ers of bands that have passed by through the years.

The inside of the store is jam-packed. There’s just enough room for a row of people to get through each aisle. Its cramped space is often overlooked due to the massiveness

of the s t o r e ’s

selection.“There’s no limit to

what you can fi nd [in the store] genre-wise,” says Clay Gill, an MTSU alumnus who earned a degree in record-ing industry management. “They also function as a box offi ce – selling tickets to some of Nashville’s best live shows.”

Most people would think a store like Grimey’s would suffer greatly un-der the wrath of the Internet and illegal downloading. Lundy, however, claims true music fans haven’t lost interest in physical music.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of young people buying vinyl, and I personally think this is largely be-cause in the end, many music fans re-ally love the physicality of the format,”

Lundy says.The store’s greatest suc-

cess, though, is its involvementwith Record Store Day. Record

Store Day is like Christmas for the re-cord junkie. Customers pour into recordstores around the country and get their fi x,snatching up rare Record Store Day exclu-sives, picking up Record Store Day swag,and watching bands like the Avett Broth-ers and MUTEMATH play in the store.

Grimey’s was a part of the Alliance ofIndependent Media Stores, an organiza-tion that spearheaded the inception of thisnationwide event. During the past threeyears, Record Store Day has become moreand more popular, creating a crazier atmo-sphere annually.

“Giving away free stuff to our cus-tomers is great,” Lundy says, “and, it’s re-ally fun that all the record labels get excitedand make products specifi cally for inde-pendent stores.”

While Record Store Day is Grimey’sshining day, it doesn’t matter what daycustomers visit the store. Grimey’s is theplace to go while visiting Nashville. Its richhistory, fun atmosphere, knowledgeablestaff and endless selection make it a perfecthome for a music fanatic.

Upon arrival at Grimey’s, music loversmight stumble upon fun moments likeDavid Byrne from Talking Heads ridinghis bike into the store or hearing a crazedfan asking Robert Plant if he rememberswhen he was in Led Zeppelin.

It might seem crazy, but it’s a normalday at Grimey’s.

There’s anThere’s an

for thatPercent of Apps Smartphone Users Have:

iPhone OSiPhone OS

Blackberry OSBlackberry OS

Other SmartphonesOther Smartphones

Android OSAndroid OS

Facebook

58%Pandora

27%Weather Ch.

46%Google Maps

47%iPod / iTunes

48%

Google Maps

67%Google Search

26%Pandora

26%Weather Ch.

38%Facebook

50%

Facebook

39%YouTube

19%Pandora

20%Weather Ch.

21%Google Maps

33%

Facebook

51%Pandora

18%ESPN

19%Weather Ch.

28%Google Maps

34%

By GARRETH SPINNStaff Writer

Photos by Chris Donahue, staff photographer

(Top) Ryan Musante looks at Grimey’s wall of novelties. (Left) Anna Lundy sells Jesse Jarnow a copy of “More Fun in the New World” by X on vinyl. (Right) Customers flip through Grimey’s extensive collection.

On the record

On the record

Grim

ey’s continues it’s notable su

cces

s

Information courtesy of The Nielsen Company, www.nielsen.comPage design by Andy Harper, production manager

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MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

Harassment continues after high school

Photo illustration by Jay Bailey, photo editor

According to a Harris Poll, which was released in September 2010, one out of every fourteenagers said they are sometimes bullied to a point that makes them feel angry or upset.

Hip-hop unites Islamic community

“The New Muslim Cool” depicts Perez not only as a hip-hop artist and a man of faith, but as a father and a husband. His courtship and eventual marriage to his wife was shown, along with the birth of their first child together. Family is a central theme of the documentary, par-ticularly in regards to Perez’s predomi-nantly Catholic family accepting his Islamic faith.

A main conf lict within the film is the raid of Perez’s mosque, which he said forced him to come to grips with the re-alities of being a Muslim in a post-9/11 America. He said he faced discrimina-tion at his job, when he was fired without legitimate explanation by authorities in the jail where he taught spiritual classes.

After the screening of the documen-tary, Perez described his conversion from Catholicism to Islam. Perez was a drug dealer as a young man and lived with three other men in housing projects in Massachusetts when one of his room-

mates left because he was uncomfortablewith a situation going on in the house atthe time.

Perez said he went looking for hisroommate and discovered that he hadbeen taken in by the Muslim community,and his friend had converted to Islam.

“He just looked like he had tasted hap-piness,” Perez said. “I embraced Islamupon seeing him, right there in the mid-dle of the street.”

Perez said he has since witnessed manypeople convert to Islam. The residents ofthe housing projects in Massachusettsunderwent a mass conversion soon afterhe converted, Perez said.

Perez’s family has also undergone atransformation since he embraced Islam.He said his father had converted Sunday,and his grandmother converted in Aprilafter seeing the documentary.

Perez’s passion also affected studentswho were in attendance for the filmand lecture.

“This was a good experience,” saidAmber Hansen, a junior majoring inviolin performance. “I wish more peoplehad known about it.”

Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorStudents watch “The New Muslim Cool,” a documentary that attempts to break stereotypes againstMuslims through religion and hip-hop, on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in the Learning ResourceCenter. Afterward students were given the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with HamzaPerez and Nora Maznavi, the couple who were covered in the documentary.

BULLYINGFROM PAGE 1

MUSLIMFROM PAGE 1

3 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

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Chinese delegates examine Tennessee’s education system

The delegation plans to visit rural schools later this week, including Jones Cove Elementary School, Pittman Center Elementary School and Gatlinburg-Pitt-man High School, which are all part of the Sevier County School System in East Tennessee, Zhengfan said.

“I think [the delegation] will find that our rural schools are much better equipped,” said Nadine Harris, an as-sistant professor in the College of Edu-cation, who has visited rural schools in China. “I’m encouraged that China is going to address rural schools.”

The Chinese government consists of a single-party socialist republic that is controlled through a dual leadership system theoretically shared by the Com-munist Party of China and the Central People’s Government.

Government officials are looking to equalize the level of training provided to teachers in rural areas and improve on the quality of equipment and materials that educators use during class by 2020, Zhengfan said.

“Even in tough economic times, oth-er governments are putting money into education,” McPhee said. “In the West, when we have tough times, education is the first thing to get the axe.”

However, federal funding is not the only solution to the struggles of any academic institution, McPhee said.

Zhengfan said incentives should be offered so that teachers will be more in-terested in teaching in rural areas, such as paying them a special bonus, giving them more opportunities for promotion, and special training at urban schools.

Chinese institutions should also con-sider sending trained teachers who are currently working at schools in metro-politan areas to smaller villages, Zheng-fan said, and the amount of money provided by the government to rural schools should be increased.

Hangzhou Normal offi cials have begun constructing a new campus, Zhengfan said, and the institution has received gov-ernment funding to support the project.

“The provincial government has put billions of dollars into the new campus,” McPhee said.

The delegation took note of environ-mentally friendly programs and equip-

ment on MTSU’s campus, Zhengfan said, adding that Hangzhou Normal officials are determined to limit the university’s use of electricity on the new campus by utilizing natural light.

“What we take for granted, they view as a bare necessity,” McPhee said.

Of particular interest to the delegation was the recycling program at MTSU and exercise equipment with digital displays powered by the motion of the operator at the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center, McPhee said.

MTSU has been in a partnership with Hangzhou Normal for five years, McPhee said, and the collaboration has involved cooperative academic curriculum, and student and faculty exchange programs.

In addition, the cooperative partner-ship was one standard that qualified MTSU to host a Confucius Institute, McPhee said. MTSU is one of about 80 such locations in the country, said Thomas Tozer, director of the Office of News and Public Affairs.

“There is no doubt that there is im-portance in working with China,” McPhee said, adding that China had surpassed Japan to become the second-

largest economy in the world behind the United States.

Zhengfan plans to meet with Gov. Phil Bredesen to tour the Tennessee State Mu-seum and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and the delegation will conclude its

trip Saturday by attending the footballgame between MTSU and the Universityof North Texas.

Todd Barnes, staff writer, contributed tothis report.

Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorPresident Sidney McPhee (Left), Lin Zhengfan (Middle), a representative from MTSU’s partner school, Hangzhou Normal University in China, and other representativesdiscuss teaching methods and design concepts Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at the cafe in the James E. Walker Library.

CHINAFROM PAGE 1

Photo by Jay Bailey, photo editorAndrew Johnson (Left), a freshman majoring in aerospace, President Sidney McPhee (Middle) andLin Zhengfan (Right), a representative for MTSU’s partner school, Hangzhou Normal University in China, discussa model glider Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, Johnson was working on in the James E. Walker Library.

4 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

AND THE SEARCH FOR NEW CONTRIBUTING STAFF

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY presents a SIDELINES production“SIDELINES and the Search for New Contributing Staff”

starring NEWS SPORTS FEATURES OPINIONS PHOTOGRAPHYwith ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GRAPHIC DESIGN and ONLINE

to pick up an application MASS COMMUNICATION Room 269for more information SLEDITOR@MTSU.EDU

executive producers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITORvisual effects PRODUCTION MANAGER music ADVERTISING MANAGER

MAY CONTAIN AWESOME PEOPLE AND AMAZING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Concerts:StyxNov. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Ryman Auditorium

Tickets: $39 - $65

Jo Dee Messina with Nashville SymphonyNov. 11, 7 p.m.

Allen Arena

Tickets: $19-$104

Liza MinnelliNov. 13, 8 p.m.

Tennessee Perform-

ing Arts Center

Tickets: $75

AP TourNov. 13, 6 p.m.

Rocketown

Tickets: $16

Events PolicySidelines welcomes cur-

rent campus and community events submitted by all read-ers. Please e-mail events to slcampus@mtsu.edu or slnews@mtsu.edu, and in-clude the name, date, time and location of the event, as well as your name and a phone number for verifi cation. We reserve the right to refuse events at our discretion as our space is limited.

Sidelines is the editori-ally independent, nonprofi t student-produced newspaper of Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines pub-lishes Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and online dur-ing June and July. The events listed are not necessar-ily associated with Sidelines or MTSU.

Performing Arts:Jazz Ensemble Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Wright Music Building

Hinton Hall

FREE

“Le nozze di Figaro” MTSU OperaNov. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Wright Music Building

Hinton Hall

Tickets: $10

Stones River Cham-ber PlayersNov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Wright Music Building

Hinton Hall

FREE

Events:SGA Student Appre-ciation Week Snack AttackNov. 11, 2 p.m.

KUC Knoll

FREE

“Student Appreciation Week” SGA Cook-outNov. 12, 11 p.m.

KUC Knoll

FREE

Video Game NightNov. 19, 4 p.m.

Keathley University

Center

FREE

LOCAL EVENTSLOCAL EVENTSOn CampusOn Campus Off CampusOff Campus

TheftNov. 5, 1:25 p.m.Kirksey Old Main

A complainant reported

that a computer had

been stolen from

a classroom.

TheftNov. 5, 1:46 p.m.Keathley University

Center

A complainant reported

that a backpack had

been stolen outside of

the lockers at Phillips

Bookstore.

Traffi cNov. 5, 1:47 p.m.Division Street

A complainant reported

that his vehicle had been

struck while parked in

the Division Street park-

ing lot.

DrunkennessNov. 7, 1:25 a.m.The Quad

Brannen Foust, 21, was

arrested for

public intoxication.

VandalismNov. 8, 11:06 a.m.Greek Row

A complainant reported

that a window at the

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

House had been broken

at the fraternity house.

VagrancyNov. 8, 12:08 p.m.Murphy Center Tennis

Court

A person who is not a

student was issued a

trespass warning

and escorted

from campus.

TheftNov. 8, 3:06 p.m.Business and

Aerospace Building

parking lot

A complainant reported

that some parts of a

motorcycle had

been stolen.

TheftNov. 8, 10:11 p.m.Intramural Field

A complainant reported

that a wallet was stolen.

CRIME BRIEFSA cash reward of up to

$300 is being offered for

information that leads to

the arrest of the person or

persons who stole a black

Liz Claiborne wallet from

a picnic table at Walnut

Grove by Peck Hall some-

time between 5 p.m. and

10 p.m. on Oct. 5.

A cash reward of up to

$300 is being offered for

information that leads to

the arrest of the person or

persons who stole a black

Padagonia backpack in

the cafeteria area of the

Keathley University Center

sometime between 3 p.m.

and 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 11.

A cash reward of up

to $1,000 is being of-

fered for information

that leads to the arrest

of the person or persons

who unlawfully entered

a black Toyota parked

in the Bell Street park-

ing lot and stole a Vera

Bradley wallet sometime

between 6:20 a.m. and

12 p.m. on Oct. 12.

A cash reward of up to

$300 is being offered for

information that leads to

the arrest of the person or

persons who stole a black

GAP backpack that was

left next to the lockers at

Phillips Bookstore in the

Keathley University Center

sometime between 12:15

p.m. and 12:20 p.m. on

Oct. 12.

A cash reward of up to

$300 is being offered for

information that leads to

the arrest of the person or

person who stole a black

Old Navy backpack that

was left in front of the

lockers at Phillips Book-

store in the Keathley Uni-

versity Center sometime

between 1:10 p.m. and

1:20 p.m. on Oct. 13. Also

stolen was a Toshiba lap-

top computer, which was

inside of the backpack at

the time of the theft.

Anyone with information

about these incidents

should contact the MTSU

Offi ce of Public Safety at

615-898-2424. All callers

will remain anonymous.

CRIME STOPPERS

Photo by Aimeé Schmittendorf, opinions editorThe Murfreesboro Fire Department survey RockTenn property Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, after a boiler exploded, demolishing a two-story room shortly before 9 a.m.

Community rumbles due to RockTenn boiler blast

Harris said he thought that the entire building was coming down.

“I was scared,” Harris said.

The tank operates at about 400 degrees, Rop-er said, and it is used to produce paper for cor-rugated cardboard boxes at the RockTenn facil-ity at 370 South Ruther-ford Blvd. The location was previously the site of Southern Container Corp., which was ac-quired by RockTenn in 2008.

As a result of the ex-plosion, there was a large natural gas leak that filled the surrounding area that could be smelled down Rutherford Boulevard, Roper said. Immediately after the explosion, white smoke billowed out of the remains of the boiler room and could be seen from Church Street more than 1,000 feet away.

“I pulled up for a load and started to go in, and that’s when it hap-pened,” said Steve Hargis, a truck driver for Brown Trucking Co.

Firefighters with the Murfreesboro Fire De-partment cut off the natu-ral gas line and electricity to the building, said Roger Toombs, a chief with the Fire Department. Fire-fighters took natural gas readings in and around the building.

The faulty tank was designed so that it could operate on natu-ral gas or propane, so that if one fuel system failed the other could take over, Roper said.

No estimates on the cost of replacing the boiler had been report-ed, Roper said, nor was there a projection for how much the time lost as a result of the eruption cost

the company.However, plant offi-

cials said they plan to get assembly going again to-day, as the evacuated em-ployees were sent home yesterday morning.

“We will pick back up tomorrow, with limited production,” Roper said yesterday, adding that assembly will be down to about a third of the normal level.

Kappa Delta to celebrate femaleempowerment this weekend

Members of the Kappa Delta Sorority of MTSU are teaming up with fellow members from Vanderbilt University to co-host “In-ternational Girls Day,” a holiday created by the Greek organization’s national headquar-ters to celebrate female empowerment at a young age.

The event will be held Sunday at Van-derbilt and will include scavenger hunts, skits, line dancing, snacks and an award ceremony. The theme of the day will be “She Can Do Anything!” The goal is to give girls the confi dence to achieve their dreams, according to a press release from the MTSU chapter of Kappa Delta.

“International Girls Day is an amaz-ing event that helps to instill confi dence in young girls,” said Kristin Nugent, vice presi-dent of community service of Kappa Delta at

MTSU, in the press release.The sorority is holding the event in

partnership with the Girl Scouts of Mid-dle Tennessee for Brownie Girl Scouts in the second and third grades. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the closing ceremony will be at 4:45 p.m.

“Through encouraging these girls to follow their dreams, this Kappa Delta celebration will show attendees that if they can dream it, they can achieve it,” Nugent said.

“International Girls Day” is not just be-ing recognized in Tennessee. There are more than 250 celebrations taking place around the world. It was created by Kappa Delta Sorority on behalf of the Confi dence Coalition, an alliance of organizations, companies and individuals committed to promoting confi dence in girls and women, according to the press release.

STAFF REPORT

EXPLOSIONFROM PAGE 1

Photo by Aimeé Schmittendorf, opinions editorJimmy Harris (Above), a mobile machine operator at RockTenn, gazes at the wreckage of the two-story boiler room that exploded on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010. Harris was the last employee to evacuate the building after the explosion and said he was happy all of the employees made it out unharmed.

Campus set to observe Veterans Day

A Tennessean who served in World War II is scheduled to re-ceive the 21st annual Joe Nun-ley Award as part of the Veter-ans Day observances at MTSU on Saturday, according to a press release.

Charles A. Jones, who served in the U.S. Army 88th Infantry Division in Africa and Europe, is a resident of McMinville and served for 23 years as the state adjutant-quartermaster for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Tennessee.

A catered lunch is planned to begin at noon in the Rose and Emmett Kennon Hall of Fame, followed by the awards ceremony at 1 p.m., before the football game between

MTSU and the University of North Texas.

Veteran and active-duty servicemen from every branch of the U.S. military have been invited to bring their families to the 29th Sa-lute to Armed Services Day, an annual Veterans Day commemoration at MTSU.

A Veteran’s Memorial Ser-vice is planned to begin out-side of the Tom H. Jackson Building at 11:30 a.m.

Sixteen alumni offi cers have been invited as guests by President Sidney McPhee and his wife, Liz, for the day’s events, according to the press release. Free tickets to the game will be provided for vet-erans, active-duty personnel and their families.

The MTSU Reserve Offi cer

Training Corps cadets plan tolead the veterans onto HoraceJones Field of the Johnny “Red”Floyd Stadium when the Bandof Blue plays each branch’soffi cial song during the half-time salute, according to thepress release.

The U.S. Marine Corpsplans to collect new toy dona-tions at the gate of the stadiumfor the annual Toys for Totscharity drive.

MT Athletics and the de-partment of military scienceare collaborating on otheractivities, including a possiblefl yover by either the U.S. ArmyNational Guard or the U.S.Air Force. Other sponsors ofArmed Services Day includeState Farm Insurance, BarrettFirearms, the Army NationalGuard and Dollar General.

STAFF REPORT

5 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

M.I.A. is back. Soaring from the success of her

last full-length album “Kala,” and having her hit song “Paper Planes” sampled in the T.I. song “Swagga Like Us,” the Sri Lank-an-British rapper reloads with the sometimes heavy but always entertaining album, “Maya.”

Born Maya Arulpragasam, the somewhat self-titled CD by the artist is branches out from the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek, “gangsta” impression she has been labeled as in the press. This album manages to keep the fun beats, but in true M.I.A. fashion, has a huge political message.

Among Time Magazine’s 100 most inf luential people, the rap-per uses her inspirations from all around the world, both posi-tive and negative, to send a mes-sage to her listeners.

The dance beats of songs, like “The Message,” make her audi-ence consider the repercussions of society today. “Headphones connected to iPhone/ iPhone connected Internet/ Internet connected to the Google con-nected to the government.”

The truth is, M.I.A. has never strayed from controversy in her songs. All of her albums have exhibited her interest in world injustices. The difference with “Maya” is the blatancy of her political message.

This album is also much more harsh on listeners’ ears. At first encounter the album seems over produced. There are lots of dis-sonant sounds layered on top of each other into beats that many other artists wouldn’t dare tack-le, like chainsaws and impact wrenches layered into a beat.

M.I.A. somehow manages to be overproduced and low-fi at the same time.

One connection that must be made when listening to this al-bum may seem odd at first but is totally fitting. The musically catchy, but heart-wrenching lyr-ics of “Maya” and the occasional Rastafarian inf luence is incred-ibly similar to “the only band that matters,” The Clash.

The heavy, f lowing bass lines of “It Takes a Muscle” take the Jamaican inf luence not only in sound, but in message, some-thing The Clash knew all about. The legendary band’s inf luence can also be seen later on in the

album with the paranoid, buzzy, Brit-i s h - p u n k l i k e “Born Free.”

S i d e n o t e : The short film music video for “Born Free” is astound-ing, but very graphic. If the violence of war is palatable for fans, it’s a must see. Watch it at miauk.com.

Fans of the band Sleigh Bells, which recently release an amazing al-bum under M.I.A.’s record lable N.E.E.T., will enjoy the sam-pling from the song, “Treats,” featured on “Meds and Feds” Track 10 of “Maya.”

Throughout her musical ca-reer, M.I.A. has done what many

rappers fail to do – evolve. Her sound, while remaining

identifiable, has changed as she has changed as a person. One can tell the more involved she has become into the music in-dustry the less jungle of Sri Lan-ka and the more concrete jungle

her sounds have become. Fans who fell in love with her

debut album “Arular” but were less impressed with “Kala” will not welcome “Maya” with open ears. But, those who enjoy the change and new excitement of an artist will find that this al-bum will fill a need in their sound collection.

When first popping this CD into the system, it can seem over produced. This is likely to be followed by pressing the skip button to see if it ‘gets better.’ Hold tight. There’s more. When the songs are fully absorbed – listened to, not just heard – it is understood that they need to be like this.

The music isn’t over produce, just complicated. There needs to be that noise to understand the urgency and grittiness of her subject. This chick knows what she’s doing, and she’s one of the only ones that does it right. She is a pioneer.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Crossword courtesy of bestcrosswords.com

The weekly Sidelines crossword puzzle

ACROSS

1- Erupts; 6- A great deal; 10- Floating platform; 14- Christmas song; 15- Ashtabula’s lake; 16- “Night” author Wiesel; 17- Responsible; 19- Verdi opera; 20- Not emp.; 21- Sisters; 22- Totter; 24- Mine entrance; 25- Distaste-ful; 26- Heed; 29- Launching of a rocket; 33- Glacial ridge; 34- Bottom of the barrel; 35- Bread spread; 36- Air-line to Tel Aviv; 37- Scoundrel; 38- Don; 39- Baptism, e.g.; 40- Dutch cheese, wrapped in red wax; 41- Animal; 42- Sample; 44- Bestows; 45- Revenuers, for short; 46- Ale, e.g.; 47- Peace salutation; 50- “Chicken of the sea”; 51- Soft food for infants; 54- Exclamation to express sorrow; 55- Treatment of obesity; 58- Hindu princess;59- Bibliography abbr.; 60- Artist Rousseau; 61- Ancient Athens’s Temple of ___; 62- Engrossed; 63- Alleviates;

DOWN

1- Sign of injury; 2- Sheet of stamps; 3- Formerly, formerly; 4- Ex-clamation of surprise; 5- Thin; 6- Inclined; 7- Globes; 8- “... ___ the cows come home”; 9- Pericarp; 10- Ready-made clothing; 11- Put ___ on it!; 12- Bona ___; 13- Drop of water expelled by the eye; 18- Undoing; 23- Approves; 24- Collapse of the lungs; 25- Lower portion of the small intestine; 26- Ogles; 27- Long Island town; 28- Glide along smoothly; 29- Started; 30- New York city; 31- Sumptuous meal; 32- Armed strongholds; 34- Water-repellent cloth; 37- Recall; 41- Respire; 43- ___ little teapot...; 44- Actress Rowlands; 46- Constructed; 47- Franklin D.’s mother; 48- Banned apple spray; 49- Alley; 50- Pitfall; 51- Fasteners; 52- Area of 4840 square yards; 53- Pitchfork-shaped letters; 56- Loss leader?; 57- Actor Stephen; November 4 SolutionNovember 4 Solution

M.I.A. evolves with unique soundNew album focuses on political injustices, violence

Photo courtesy of Google Images

By ROZALIND RUTHArts and Entertainment Editor

Photo courtesy of Google Images

nearlyhoroscopeshoroscopes

CAPRICORNDEC. 22 - JAN. DEC. 22 - JAN. 1919

The gifts of fate are being put together for you soon, but you’re used to that by now. You will re-ceive a combined birthday and Christmas gift… again. Sorry dude. CANCER

JUNE 21 - JULY JUNE 21 - JULY 2222

Chances are you’re go-ing to forget something to-tally important because the moon is in your memory month. The stars want to remind you about the third Thursday of this month. It’s called “Thanksgiving.”

AQUARIUSJAN. 20 - FEB. JAN. 20 - FEB. 1818

Life is happening all around you, but don’t let that get you in a hurry. Go slow on the streets around campus. There is a po-lice offi cer in the house of traffi cs. LEO

JULY 23 - AUG. 22JULY 23 - AUG. 22

The sun is your guiding star. Unfortunately for you, we just wound back our clocks. Less sun equals less success in your life - celestial failure.

PISCESFEB. 19 - MAR. FEB. 19 - MAR. 2020

Classes are nearing an end. Too bad you forgot to go to your 8 a.m. lecture. Sorry, but the stars aren’t interested in helping you learn geology.

ARIESMAR. 21 - APR. MAR. 21 - APR. 1919

This month, luck and money are in the forecast, meaning that you’re most likely going to rob a bank. However, next month fore-casts that you will be caught.

LIBRASEPT. 23 - OCT. SEPT. 23 - OCT. 2323

The stars want you to mix it up this month. Do some thing special. You should change your Fa-cebook picture. You’ll get more “likes.”

VIRGOAUG. 23 - SEPT. AUG. 23 - SEPT. 2222

It’s never going to be perfect. Get used to disap-pointment this month as Saturn enters into the coun-try music house. Your dog may run away. Your car may break down. Life sucks.

TAURUSAPR. 20 - MAY APR. 20 - MAY 2020

There’s a large gas cloud around Uranus this month. Stay away from broccoli and green peppers.

SCORPIOOCT. 24 - NOV. OCT. 24 - NOV. 2121

This month is marked by opposite celestial for-mations. You have a tough shell, so stay away from soft-shell crab.

GEMINIMAY 21 - JUNE MAY 21 - JUNE 2020

“No Shave November” will treat you well. That beard you’re working on is coming in nicely. This month is your destiny.

SAGITTARIUSNOV. 22 - DEC. NOV. 22 - DEC. 2121

The planets are asking you to think long and hard before making any long-term decisions. Maybe that tattoo of a wolf holding a man by its ears is not the best idea.

Foretold by Cosmic RozSidelines Residental Psychic and Arts and Entertainment Editor

I still don’t like taking the “scary way,” known to the rest of America as U.S. High-way 64. When you’re driving up the side of the Southern Appalachian Mountains to reach the highest town east of the Mississippi River, the idea of a parachute suddenly seems appropri-ate. Just like my grandmother, I prefer to reach Highlands, N.C., by way of Buck Creek Road.

This beautiful getaway is perched 4,118 feet above sea level atop the highest crest of western North Carolina. Samuel Kelsey and C.C. Hutchinson founded Highlands in 1875. Since then, this magnifi cent haven has evolved into a marvelous hideaway of summertime bliss for those brave enough to venture up the elevated path.

In 1973, my father’s par-ents, Kemph and Grandma K., traveled from Auburn, Ala., to visit Mr. and Mrs. Hollis, the former a business partner of my grandfather. While they were enjoying a Saturday afternoon drive, my grandmother noticed an area of undeveloped land, and the owner just happened to be on the property, preparing to put it on the market.

“Mother wasn’t one to make those kinds of decisions so quick-ly, but when she made her mind up that was that,” my father, Jack Kemph, explains as he chuckles with delight. “They bought that land for $5,000. Your grandmother wrote the check right there on the spot.”

Apparently, she didn’t mind the drive too much.

I don’t remember my fi rst trip to Highlands. At the time, I was only 3 months old. It was Christmas 1982, and construction was almost complete on the two-story, gray and white house my grandmother had designed. For my grandparents, North Carolina provided an es-cape from the sweltering Alabama summers.

Situated on Maplewood Lane just outside of downtown, its proximity to the arts, culture and magnifi cent waterfalls makes this home

an unapologetic treasure. Its chest fi lled to the brim with golden nuggets of laughter and Parisian lace kisses, gifted from the heart of a feisty, yet gracious Texan, my beloved Grandma K.

More than 35 years later, prospective homebuyers won’t fi nd a piece of prime real estate like that anymore – much less for that

amount of money. Nowadays, the average home costs more than $650,000, and Forbes magazine recently listed it as the 499th most expensive zip code.

Clearly, the best-kept Southern secret is out. The year-round population of Highlands

swells from 3,200 to more than 18,000 visitors every summer, and the number of places visi-tors can rent for a few nights has ballooned as well. Nevertheless, the Old Edwards Inn is still the best place for weary travelers to lay their head in style, while still receiving small town friendly service.

Those of you not interested in purchas-ing a mountain lodge, you still have the chance of making priceless memories to last

a lifetime. For you grandparents reading this,

take note.It’s not the toys or clothes grandchil-

dren remember, it’s the time we spent eat-ing strawberries sprinkled with powdered sugar, while we watched the fi reworks dis-play during the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

It’s moments captured by an old Kodak camera, featuring my brother and I curled up next to Kemph while we took a nap after an eventful day of exploring the Nantahala National Forest, which means “land of the noon day sun” in Cherokee. Often times, we’d come home with a knee scrape or two after chasing down

slithery salamanders. Not only is Highlands the salamander

capitol of the world, it boasts the same title for lichen, a colorful algae that can be found peeking out of almost every crevice and rock, especially near the waterfalls.

In this land of granite and waterfalls, glit-tering jewels cascade down from tall boulders, splashing to thunderous applause. Each stone has been smoothed over by wet diamonds century after century, and you can even walk under Dry Falls to watch the never-ending show without being drenched.

Avid hikers who enjoy a strenuous climb should try Whiteside Mountain, a landmark that straddles the eastern continental divide between Highlands and Cashiers. There are various ways of reaching the top, depending on your comfort level. If you’re not an experienced mountain climber or wayward traveler, it’s still worth taking one of the alternate paths.

You’ll know you’ve made it to the top whenyou see “Alt. 4,930 ft.” carved into rock.

While you wander along the trails, be sure tokeep an eye out for peregrine falcons, which willbe flying above or nesting alongside granite sheetsthat poke out from the mountain sporadically.

In 1985, falcons were reintroduced to Whi-teside through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-vice’s Endangered Species Program, accordingto the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Havingan opportunity to see these amazing creaturesis worth the effort.

If the outdoor adventures and summer-time extravaganzas weren’t enough to piqueyour interest, the numerous antique shops, artfestivals and renowned restaurants, like Wolf-gang’s, are sure to tickle your fancy.

Highlands is more than just a mountain re-treat. Transforming into a relaxing getaway orfun-fi lled vacation, this Southern pleasure is sureto delight even the most discriminating traveler.

As far as I’m concerned, Highlands is price-less. It’s been almost two years since Kemphpassed away and 15 since my grandmothersaved a spot for him in Heaven. Even thoughthe “scary way” isn’t quite as frightening asit used to be, I still turn left onto Buck CreekRoad for one reason: That’s the path Grandma

K. followed.

6 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

FEATURESDO YOU THINK MUSICCAN UNITE CULTURES?

HAVE YOU EVEREXPERIENCEDPROBLEMS WITH BULLYING?

Follow Buck Creek RoadPhoto courtesy of Jack KemphJack and Connie Kemph (Not pictured) enjoy Nantahala National Forest scenery on July 2, 2008, while parked on the side of U.S. Highway 64 in Highlands, N.C.

By MARIE KEMPHManaging Editor

Highlands is a pricelessparadise worth every penny.

Photos courtesy of Jack Kemph1982: (Left) The Kemphs celebrate Christmas Day in the unfinished Highlands house. (Right) Connie smiles at 3-month-old Marie shortly after opening presents on Christmas Day. 1984: Grandma K. gazes lovingly toward Marie, sitting on Kemph’s lap, in Auburn, Ala. 1986: Kemph poses with Marie and her brother, David, at the highest point east of the Mississippi River. 1993: Twenty years after purchasing the land, Kemph (Not pictured) snaps a photo of the house. 2007: Visitors walk down Main Street on a warm June day. 2008: Marie, the Kemphs and Ryan Burton (Right) celebrate Connie’s birthday on July 5 at Wolfgang’s.

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7 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com

OPINIONSSidelines is the editorially independent, nonprofi t, student-produced newspaper of Middle Tennes-see State University. Sidelines publishes Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and online during June and July. The opinions ex-pressed herein are those of individual writers and not necessarily Sidelines or MTSU.

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ROVER needs community supportMurfreesboro needs to in-

vest in public transportation. ROVER-CITY Bus Service is Murfreesboro’s current public transportation system, and it op-erates from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for certain holidays.

ROVER has been in service for three years and has many regu-lar riders, yet the city’s transpor-tation system has pretty much stayed the same despite the in-creasing population, and rider requests for more service.

The buses are not getting the necessary maintenance, there are not enough backup buses, and drivers are not provided with enough benefi ts. The main rea-son for this is that Murfreesboro depends too much on federal grant money to fund ROVER,

and city offi cials have not been willing to spend the necessary amount of money to compensate for where the grant money ends.

A recent survey asked ROVER riders how they felt about the service and what they would like to see added. The survey found that the majority of riders want extended weekday service and

weekend service, followed by bus shelters and service in the Cason Lane area. Many riders who took the survey were hopeful that the city would fi nally listen to their requests and expand service but were disappointed to learn that the ROVER schedule would stay the same.

One rider said, “What was the point of that survey if they’re not going to listen to what we have to say?”

The survey got many riders’ hopes up only to make them feel neglected and confused.

ROVER is important to the res-idents of Murfreesboro because it provides transportation to those who cannot afford vehicles or cannot operate a vehicle because of a disability. Public transporta-tion is important in helping to

reduce poverty, unemployment, and homelessness because it provides reliable transportation to those who need to fi nd and retain jobs.

Right now, the limited sched-ule of the buses makes it dif-ficult for many to find jobs because most do not start and end within the 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. time frame. Most jobs also require employees to work on weekends and ROVER currently offers no service on weekends. The buses also provide trans-portation for seniors, in addi-tion to the disabled, thus giv-ing them the means to live and travel independently.

Public transportation should also be important to the stu-dents of MTSU because it is an-other option to driving a car to

school. Instead of spending an hour looking for a parking spot on campus, students could take ROVER to school and then use MTSU’s Raider Express to get around campus.

An online petition has been started requesting the City of Murfreesboro expand ROVER services. I encourage everyone to sign it and contact the City Council to let its members know that Murfreesboro residents want and need public transportation to be expanded.

For more information, visit change.org.

J. Johnson is a sophomore majoring in graphic de-sign in the College of Lib-eral Arts. She can be reached at jjohnson_00@hotmail.com.

Before my fi rst class, several students congregated in the hall-way of Peck Hall, and the subject of the name change came up. As a resident of Murfreesboro, who has lived here for more than 21 years, I am supportive of the name change. The name change is long overdue.

One of the students in the group said his issue with the SGA propos-al is that there are other things that should be of higher priority. He was especially concerned with parking.

I would really like every individ-ual on this campus who has com-plained about parking this semester to visit the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University or Lipscomb University. Almost every college in the state, and even across the coun-try, has parking issues. This is not a problem solely on this campus. Before the complaints start f lying, do your homework.

Our school is currently in the process of building a parking garage to help curb the perceived parking

shortage on campus. Although the student body did not support this idea initially, it is a step in the right direction to help with the park-ing problem. One of the people complaining about parking was not aware the garage was being built.

I would also like to point out that there is a parking lot on Ruther-ford Boulevard that is never full. I lived at Campus Crossings North, rode the bus to class every day for a year, and never had an issue get-ting to class on time. The buses are much more dependable now than they used to be, and this is a via-ble option for parking. People who complain about having to get to school early to wait for a bus are getting to school early to find park-ing, so what is the difference?

As for the name change itself, it is proven that schools that do not have the word “state” in the name receive more funding than schools that do. There are exceptions to this, like Louisiana State Univer-

sity and Ohio State University. However, both of these schools re-ceive funding for athletic teams. It is also worth noting that most merchandise now simply says “MT,” leaving off the “SU,” thereby making current merchandise sell-able after a name change is imple-mented.

Overall, I believe the name change should definitely be a priority. It is a change that is long overdue and one this school and community de-serves. I highly suggest anyone who would like to learn more about the pros of the name change to check out the Facebook group “I Support the Name Change to University of Middle Tennessee.” They have a note entitled “MYTHBUSTERS -- JUST THE FACTS ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME” that will shed light on the issue.

Michele Royer is a senior major-ing in psychology. She can be reached at mcr2t@mtsu.edu.

Randal Munroexkcd.com“xkcd”

Parking is a Problem

Due to the construction of a new Education Building and Student Union Building the park-ing lot beside the University Honors College has been reallocated to faculty and staff parking only. Sidelines has noticed that regardless of the time of day, the lot is almost always empty. So, we have decided to continue to run a photo of the parking lot that is timestamped until the problem is addressed.

Nov. 10 at 11:22:15 a.m.Nov. 10 at 11:22:15 a.m.

In the interest of jour-nalistic equality, publish a time-stamped photo of the almost always empty park-ing lot open to students on the east side of Ruther-ford Boulevard along with your weekly photo of the University Honors College faculty parking lot.

Driving and parking are privileges, not rights, and

demand for parking spaces is not constant. Oversim-plifi cation of the issue by posting photos will not solve any “problem.”

Tony Johnston is an as-sociate professor in the department of food sci-ence and agribusiness.He can be reached at johnston@mtsu.edu.

Professor responds to parking lot photo

University name change long overdue

Our TakeJ. Johnson

SSIDEIDEFFACTSACTSFACT: Honeybees FACT: Honeybees can be used to detect can be used to detect explosives.explosives.

Everyone has heard of dogs on Everyone has heard of dogs on a bomb squad. But unknown to a bomb squad. But unknown to most people, honeybees have an most people, honeybees have an equally keen sense of smell. After equally keen sense of smell. After all, bees are able to track the all, bees are able to track the faint scent of pollen on the wind faint scent of pollen on the wind all the way to a flower.all the way to a flower.

These tiny sniffers are trained These tiny sniffers are trained in bomb detection by being in bomb detection by being exposed to the odors of common exposed to the odors of common explosive ingredients. Whenever explosive ingredients. Whenever they flick their they flick their proboscisesproboscises (mouth parts) correctly, they are (mouth parts) correctly, they are rewarded with sugar water.rewarded with sugar water.

For the real deal, the bees are For the real deal, the bees are strapped to small tubes inside strapped to small tubes inside a box. They are then placed inside the area in question, and a video a box. They are then placed inside the area in question, and a video camera equipped with pattern recognition software detects any camera equipped with pattern recognition software detects any proboscisproboscis motion. motion.

Fact courtesy of omg-facts.com

CHECK OUT OUR FEATURED BLOG:Queer Lives: The Politics in Between

by Brandon Thomas, blogger

8 SIDELINES THURSDAY, November 11, 2010 www.mtsusidelines.com