The Tennessee Board of Regents announced the three Tech presidential search fi nalists on Thurs-day.

The Search Advisory Committee narrowed the candidate pool to three, af-ter completing interviews on Wednesday and Thurs-day. The fi nalists will visit Tech next week to meet with various university constituent groups, includ-ing faculty and staff, stu-dents and the community.

The meetings will take place at the Whitson-Hes-ter School of Nursing and Health Services Building Auditorium on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Open receptions for com-munity members, alumni and friends of the Univer-sity will be scheduled at Progressive Savings Bank in Cookeville each evening. The formal times have not

been announced. The fi nalists are Susan

Elkins, vice president ofExtended Programs and Regional Development ofthe School of Interdisci-plinary Studies at Tech;Philip Oldham, provostand senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at theUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga; and Ralph V. Rogers, vice chancellor forAcademic Affairs and me-chanical engineering pro-fessor at Purdue University Calumet.

Elkins has her bache-lor’s and master’s degreesin Education from Tech and her doctorate in education-al leadership at Vanderbilt University. Prior to herwork at Tech, she worked with career development programs for high schoolstudents in the Upper Cum-berland and taught middleschool mathematics in Jack-son County.

Tech is scheduled to be-gin projects on two recently purchased buildings, Foun-dation Hall and Southwest Hall, as the semester ends.

Foundation Hall, for-merly Prescott Middle School, is to undergo main-tenance to 14 classrooms, beginning April 16.

“We’ll be going in there now, starting to clean it up, getting ready for and creat-ing what we’re calling surge space,” Jack Butler, Facili-ties and Business Services associate vice president, said. “So when we go into a building and renovate it, we’ll relocate people to that surge space.”

Butler said the surge space classrooms are being repaired on an as-needed basis and will accommodate a class of 20 to 30 students. He said that the intent is for Foundation Hall to be the only surge space on cam-pus.

“Basically, we’re go-ing in, cleaning up, making sure that the heating and air conditioning electrical sys-tems are functional, and if the building has a roof leak, fi xing the roof leak and getting it ready to actually have people in that space,” Butler said.

Classrooms are expect-ed to be ready for the sum-mer term.

Long term uses for Foundation Hall are still undetermined.

The next project, ren-ovation of the Regional Health Building—renamedSouthwest Hall—will be-gin after the maintenance toFoundation Hall begins.

Contractor bids for therenovation will be held nextmonth.

“If we bid May 1, wehope to begin June 1,” But-ler said.

Southwest Hall willundergo more extensivechanges than FoundationHall.

“It’s getting a completechange in the function be-cause the Child Develop-ment center is going inthere,” Butler said. “So thatwill be a whole different de-sign—interior walls, someexit doors will be changed,we have to change the heat-ing and air conditioning system out and the mainentry for everybody else.

“The Child Develop-ment Lab needs to have a separation of space, so wecan’t have people wander-ing into the CDL from the other part of the building.So there will be a main en-trance installed for the restof the building, coming outinto the open lot just to theeast of the building.”

The renovations expect-ed to be complete in 11 to 12 months.

Last Monday, Tech’s web-site was overloaded due to 8,000 students scheduled to register for classes on the same day.

“We were intentional in trying to allow more students to register earlier in the week,” Robert Hodum, Enrollment Management associate vice president, said. “Over time, we’ve added more appoint-ments every 15 minutes. At this point, we realized we went too far.”

Hodem said it’s not un-usual for 75 to 100 students to be scheduled every 15 minutes for registration. Enrollment Management increased that amount to 150 students.

However, it was uninten-tional that 8,000 students were eligible to register in the same day, according to Hodum. Enrollment Management has widened the registration pe-riod: instead of two days, the next should span from Mon-day to Thursday.

“While some students may register later through the week, the system will be more able to keep up with distribu-tion times,” he said.

Some students were af-fected by Monday’s registra-

Controversy surrounds President Bob Bell’s April 21 retirement banquet.

Some students are con-cerned about alcohol being served at the function, while faculty and staff are choos-ing not to attend due to the $42 attendance fee.

The banquet, which is in the RUC, is closed to stu-dents, with the exception of the Student String Quartet and the Student Govern-ment Association’s presi-dent, Lee Gatts. The quartet will play during the dinner, when wine will no longer be served.

The banquet reception, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature the Tech-themed wines from Del Monaco Winery, with proceeds go-ing to Tech’s Alumni Asso-ciation. The wine will only be served during the recep-tion, out in the lobby area of the Multipurpose Room, according to Debbie Combs, special projects coordinator.

Dinner will be in the Multipurpose Room, where the wine will not be served. Anyone holding a glass of wine will be asked to leave

THE OORACLEVolume 95 | Issue 17 | Free in single copy | April 13, 2012Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505

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Shortened registration period overloads server, causes frustration among students

By KAYLA GULLEYBeat Reporter

Alcohol, attendance fee raise concerns

See “Presidency,” page 6

By MEGAN SEVEREBeat Reporter

Kaylee Gentry

Tech students had many problems while registering for fall classes. ITS hopes that upgrades to the website and its speed will prevent the problem from happening during future registration periods.

Renovations to begin on former Prescott Middle SchoolBy JESSICA SMITHBeat Reporter

Kayla GulleyLeft to right: Julie Wilson, Chartwells caterer, and Laura Riehl, Catering assistant manager, take down supplies following an event, where food was served, in the Multipurpose Room.

tion delays.Mary Elliott, Tech student,

said the website made her re-start the registration process over again while she was try-ing to register for classes.

“I’m going to have to get a permit for a class,” Elliott said. “Within an hour, the class was open, but I had to wait around. By the time the errors were solved, the class was full.”

Another student, Eliza-beth Khamphengphet, said the internet speed prevented her from registering for needed classes.

“I had to wait around for the internet to speed up while the classes were pending, then the classes were closed,” Kh-amphengphet said.

Tech student Joshua Clapp said he experienced technical diffi culties while trying to reg-ister for classes.

He said the classes were already fi lled up by the time he was able to register.

“I think the problem might have been where so many stu-dents were trying to access the website all at once, and it slowed down the server,” Clapp said.

Kay Hume, Information Technology Services interim manager, said, “The reason for appointment times is so that everybody gets the opportuni-

ty to get the courses they need, by total hours earned.”

Graduating seniors and fi rst-time freshman get fi rst registration times.

“We’re educating our functional departments about the impact of registration on system resources,” Hume said.

Hume said ITS is asking everyone to play a part in al-lowing registration activities to take priority during regis-tration week.

the drink outside, before entering the Multipurpose Room.

Chartwells is providing the food, but a licensed bar-tender and trained alcohol server will be dispersing the wine. The bartender will be donating his time at the re-ception.

According to Combs, wine was not served at President Volpe’s retirement banquet in 2000.

The Tennessee Board of Regent’s policy allows for alcohol service at special re-quest, and can be requested only by that university’s president.

“The University is an alcohol-free campus, but we have the right to desig-nate—the president is the only person who can do it—a particular venue that is not focused on a student event,” Bell said.

“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes to make registration work,” Hume said. “We’re continually doing things as far as making sure things work better and faster for the students.”

The web server that runs course registration will be up-graded in July. The memory is to be increased by 400 percent.

“That will be a great im-provement and will help us maintain a more powerful sys-tem,” Hume said.

TBR announces fi nal three candidates for Tech presidencyBy WILL HOUSLEYManaging Editor

See “Banquet,” page 6

Window on the World is set to kick off its 14th year at Tech, April 13.

WOW is a two-day in-ternational symposium and festival sponsored by the Globalization Committee of the College of Business.

WOW will take place at the RUC, as well as Der-ryberry Hall, which is a new addition this year. The fi rst event will be a symposium at 10:10 a.m. April 13 in the RUC Multipurpose Room, followed by the festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 14.

Hans-Herbert Jagla, ex-ecutive vice president of Human Resources of Volk-swagen Group of America, is the guest speaker for the symposium.

According to Melissa Creek, WOW coordinator, the festival will extend from the RUC, through South Pa-tio and into Derryberry.

“This is a great event; it is defi nitely family-friend-ly,” Creek said. “There will be arts and crafts on the third fl oor of the RUC. Fami-lies can come, and children can make 10 different crafts representing 10 different cultures.”

In addition to the arts and crafts, there will also be food, cultural exhibits, an Earth Day celebration, danc-ing and music.

Also new this year, WOW will host teacher workshops, designed to teach people how to incor-porate multicultural activi-ties in the classroom.

“The teacher workshops are even open to parents

who want to learn some multicultural activities to do with their kids,” Creek said. “It is a neat part of not only talking about different cul-tures, but practically show-ing people how they can make it an ongoing theme in the family.”

“We have on average four to six thousand peo-ple that come and attend WOW,” Creek said.

Each year, WOW issues the Mandala Award, award-ed to an Upper Cumberland community member who displays international activ-ism and friendship.

According to Creek, this year’s recipient is Cella Nea-politan, a local artist.

“I hope our visitors gain a better understanding of different cultures, and that it broadens their perspective of the world,” Creek said.

Page 2 | April 13, 2012 tntechoracle.com

NEWS

techtech@eventsevents

April

tntech.edu/calendar

13

1410 a.m.Window on the World International FestivalRoaden University Center

1 p.m.STEM Safari SaturdaySTEM Center

2 p.m.Tech Baseball v. SIUEAveritt Express Baseball Complex

8 a.m.Painting and Drawing Student ExhibitBryan Fine Arts, Lobby Gallery

10:10 a.m.Symposium for Window on the WorldRoaden University Center

6 p.m.Tech Baseball v. SIUEAveritt Express Baseball Complex

6 p.m.Putnam County Cattlemans AssociationHyder Burks Ag Pavilion

151 p.m.Tech Baseball v. SIUEAveritt Express Baseball Complex

By NICK ROLLINSAsst. Managing Editor

183:30 p.m.University AssemblyPresident’s Conference Room

6 p.m.Tech Baseball v. BelmontAveritt Express Baseball Complex

163:30 p.m.Faculty Senate MeetingPresident’s Conference Room

7:30 p.m.TTU Jazz Bands in ConcertWattenbarger Auditorium

Window on the World festival returns, offers expanded schedule

Tech’s Residential Life Offi ce is hosting To Write Love on Her Arms, an event pro-moting suicide prevention, from 5 to 7 p.m. April 19 on the main quad of campus.

TWLOHA is a non-profi t organization that was created to people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Students will write the word “love” on their arms to increase awareness of the cause.

“This is such a good event, because once women enter college they go through so many changes and pressures,” Julia Payne, New Hall South residential assistant, said. “This event allows students to know they

aren’t alone in their struggles, fears and dreams and they can connect with their stu-dent body.”

Students attending the event can partici-pate in art activities, tie-dying T-shirts, a gui-tar circle and a chance to open up with other students.

There will also be two chalk boards where students can write their fears can choose to write their fears on one and their dreams on the other. ResLife is using these as a way of allowing students to unite in knowing others may be going through similar situations as they are.

For more information about the event or TWLOHA, contact any RA on campus or visit to www.twloha.com.

ResLife to host To Write Love on Her ArmsBy SHELBY McDONALDBeat Reporter

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity are ex-pecting a packed house for their April 20 Campus Wide Step Show in Derryberry Auditorium.

“The step show is some-thing we do every spring semester,” Osijo Rotimi, Alpha Phi Alpha secretary, said. “It is our philanthropy for the American Cancer so-ciety and it goes toward our chapter of the year award.”

The step show begins at 6:06 p.m., following an after party at CB’s Bar and Grill. The Alphas are selling tick-ets in the UC for $7 in ad-vance, $10 at the door, the day of the show.

The money from ticket sales, along with communi-ty donations, goes towards the ACS.

This year there will be

fi ve sororities competing: Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gam-ma, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu, and for the fi rst time a non-panhellenic sorority, Zeta Phi Beta.

No fraternities are per-forming in the step show this year.

“It’s unfortunate, but the step show will be more competitive since it’s all girls,” Rotimi said. “These women have worked really hard and I need everyone to come out and show support for them.”

Zach Bailey, Alpha Phi Alpha member, said, “I feel like stepping is stepping. Ei-ther a team is good, okay or bad. If you step and you are a good team, the winner will be determined by the judges regardless of experience.”

Rotimi said, “The 2012 Campus Wide Step Show will be epic.”

Alpha Phi Alpha to host step show benefi ting ACSBy ASHLEY AYUBBeat Reporter

177 p.m.TTU Garden Club Plant AuctionHyder Burks Ag Pavilion

7:30 p.m.University Orchestra in ConcertWattenbarger Auditorium

11 a.m.TAB Giveaway: UmbrellasRoaden University Center

197 p.m.President Bell’s Last LectureDerryberry Hall Auditorium

HAVE NOT USED MARIJUANA

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OF TTUSTUDENTS

OF TTUSTUDENTS

Think you know what is normal about college drug use?

This poster was produced by the Counseling Center and the Office of Communications & Marketing. Tennessee Tech

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non-discrimination policies: Director of Diversity & Legal Affairs, PO Box 5164, Cookeville, TN 38505, 931-372-3016.

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Window on the World returns for its 14th year at Tech. Due to increasing attendace, the festival has expanded its schedule to include the new Derryberry Auditorium location.

Photo Services

“There are things to celebrate in each culture.”

The event is free and open to the Tech community and Putnam County com-

munity. For more informa-tion on the festival, visit tn-tech.edu/wow.

Page 3 | April 13, 2012tntechoracle.com

OPINIONSend letters to the editor to oracle@tntech.edu. Include your Send letters to the editor to oracle@tntech.edu. Include your name, e-mail address and limit letters to 300 words. Anonymous name, e-mail address and limit letters to 300 words. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday. letters are not accepted. Deadline for letters is 4 p.m. Tuesday. We reserve the right to edit grammar, length and clarity.We reserve the right to edit grammar, length and clarity.

Weekly. Student Operated. Award winning.Weekly. Student Operated. Award winning.Tennessee Tech UniversityTennessee Tech University

TTU Box 5072TTU Box 5072Cookeville, TN 38505Cookeville, TN 38505

WILL HOUSLEYWILL HOUSLEYManaging EditorManaging EditorNICHOLAS ROLLINSNICHOLAS ROLLINSAsst. Managing EditorAsst. Managing EditorBRIDGETTE BUCHANANBRIDGETTE BUCHANANAd ManagerAd ManagerHILLARY PACKERHILLARY PACKERAsst. Ad ManagerAsst. Ad ManagerJENDA WILSONJENDA WILSONCopy EditorCopy EditorCASSIE TESAUROCASSIE TESAUROEditorial EditorEditorial EditorJONATHAN FRANKJONATHAN FRANKAsst. Editorial EditorAsst. Editorial Editor

ROSS HARVEYROSS HARVEYSports EditorSports EditorANDY RUTHERFORDANDY RUTHERFORDAsst. Sports EditorAsst. Sports EditorCHRISTINA RIDDLECHRISTINA RIDDLEEntertainment EditorEntertainment EditorWILL SHECKLERWILL SHECKLERAsst. Entertainment EditorAsst. Entertainment EditorLOGAN NICKLESONLOGAN NICKLESONWeb EditorWeb EditorGABRIEL SEALSGABRIEL SEALSCirculation ManagerCirculation ManagerHOLLY COWARTHOLLY COWARTFaculty AdviserFaculty Adviser

BEAT REPORTERS:BEAT REPORTERS: Rosemary Apple, Ashley Ayub, Mica Bilbrey, Krystal Blouin, Allison Boshears, Heather Chapelle, Morgan Collins, Cassie Conley, Jacob Cook, Ben Craven, Harley Davidson, Justin Duke, Melissa Edwards, Drew Eller, Jamal Fergueson, Shane Foley, Lindsey Gore, Kayla Gulley, Emily Haile, Callen Harrell, Tyler Jackson, Jonathan Kaulay, David Lane, Jodi Lawerence, Shelby McDonald, Samuel Omachonu, Abby Patton, Ariel Perry, Megan Severe, Jessica Smith, Shanna Thompson, Zack Traylor, Aaron Vick, Jacob Walker, and Jessica Wilson.

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Poll of the WeekWhich southern phrase do you use the most?

He shouldn’t deserve special treatment because he is

the president, if he is making this a dry campus. It is

kind of a double standard.”

“Trista Davis, wildlife fi shery science major

in reference to President Bell’s retirement banquet, page 1

Quotable Campus

This poll is not scientifi c and only refl ects the opinions of those who chose to participate. It does not refl ect the public as a whole. Voting for this poll took place online between

March 29 and April 12, 2012 at www.tntechoracle.com.

This week: What will you do with old notes and graded papers from this semester?

Go to tntechoracle.com/overheard to enter the poll!

“I like presentations, but group presenta-tions aren’t great. There’s always that one guy who doesn’t do anything.”

Students Sound Off: What type of class assignment do you dread?

“I dread research papers because you can’t wait until the last minute. You have prepare ahead.”

“I don’t like research papers because I’m a procrastinator and I hate fi nding sources.”

“Any kind of group work in General Ed. classes. Specialty classes aren’t as bad because the students actually want to be there.”

“The kind of assign-ment I dread the most is the kind I have to prepare for outside of class.”

“I would say that I dread individual work because I enjoy work-ing with others like it would be in the real world.”

Alec YarbroughBiology major,

sophomore

Caroline HarlanSpeech Communication

major,senior

Maddie LiederbachPsychology major,

sophomore

Timothy StricklenHealth Science Biology

major,senior

Shane FoleyJournalism major,

sophomore

Kenneth CopeAgricultural Education

major,junior

For months now, we’ve listened to a narrative in the media and in the words of liberal politicians about the supposed “Republican war on women.”

While Republicans have often lagged behind Democrats in winning the female voting demographic in elections, new coals were heaped atop that fi re earlier this year when Sandra Fluke—a Georgetown Law student and “reproductive justice ac-tivist” (seriously?)—testifi ed before Congress, urging it to intercede and mandate that her university violate its prin-ciples as a Roman Catholic in-stitution and pick up the tab on her birth control.

Following that event, conservative radio personal-ity Rush Limbaugh—in what a host of Republicans have roundly condemned as an inappropriate and offensive remark—called Fluke a “slut” during his daily broadcast.

It was all downhill from there.

Consequently, the story pushed by pundits and po-litical leaders on the far left today is that Republicans are chauvinist pigs who just want

women to make them sand-wiches and knit, or something like that.

As a Republican student who has been vocal about the need to continue work-ing towards real equality for women in the workplace and in other spheres of life, and who has both worked for and maintained positive, respect-ful relationships with female bosses all of my adult life, I take exception to this sweep-ing generalization and mis-characterization of members of my political party.

On this issue, Democrats are throwing stones from a glass house.

As President Obama heads into the 2012 election cycle, he does so with 858,000 more women out of work than the day he took offi ce.

To put those numbers in smaller terms, the female un-employment rate was 7 per-cent when President Obama was inaugurated.

In March of 2012 that number rose to 8.1 percent, despite record defi cit spend-ing to stimulate the economy and a series of attacks on Republicans for their sup-posedly regressive record on

women’s issues.The numbers are even

more discouraging for African-American women. The latest statistics show that under President Obama’s reign, 13.3 percent of that community remains out of work.

Additionally, the recently released 2011 Annual Report on White House Staff indi-cates that female employees in Obama’s White House make, on average, 18 percent less than their male counterparts.

This appalling pay gap is blatant paycheck discrimina-tion, is in violation of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which President Obama signed into law.

This points to yet anoth-er issue on which President Obama’s rhetoric and record are at complete odds.

Couple that information with the fact that President Obama gleefully accepted a $1 million super PAC dona-tion from renowned misogy-nist Bill Maher, and you’ve got yourself a president with a woman problem.

It’s time for President Obama and our nation’s lead-ing Democrats to stop using issues related to women’s rights as a political pawn or a means to attack conservatives, and give these matters the honest, fair and meaningful conversation they deserve.

Democrats hypocritical on issue of Women’s Rights

JONATHAN FRANK

Asst. Editorial Editor

33% - “I’m fi xin to”45% -

“Hey y’all”

21% - An insult, followed by “bless his/her heart”

job openingsORACLEFOR

THE

copy editor(2) entertainment critics

asst. managing editorasst. sports editor

asst. advertising managerasst. editorial editorcirculation manager

web editor

To apply, visit tntechoracle.com/employment and follow the on-screen instructions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The deadline to apply is April 16 at 4:30 p.m.

The new staff will be announced in the April 20 edition of The Oracle.

All applicants for copy editor are required to take a copy editing test, which must be turned in with your resume and letter of intent.

Please see Mrs. Dingwall, RUC 376, for the test.

Page 4 | April 13, 2012 tntechoracle.com

SPORTS

Jamal Ferguson

Sophomore Vasily Eremeev returns a serve during his doubles match with partner Artem Tarasov (not pictured) against Austin Peay. Eremeev, whose late singles vic-tory gave Tech the win over Austin Peay Tuesday, has helped Tech reach a perfect 6-0 conference mark with two matches remaining.

Weekly Roundup This week’s sports stories at a glance

Weinzetl leads multiple Golden Eagles to personal records

The Golden Eagle track team fi n-ished with 14 personal best records at the April 7 Austin Peay State Univer-sity Invitational.

Six of the nine Tech runners in the 800-meter race posted personal best records. Senior Emily Weinzetl led the Golden Eagles by crossing the fi n-ish line in second place, and securing a career best time of 2 minutes, 23.86 seconds.

Weinzetl was followed by Leah Bradley (2:24.61) and Jenna Philpott (2:25.73). Other personal records came from Kara Webb, Kendale Caldwell and Dalis Connell.

“Everyone keeps stepping up and getting better,” Weinzetl said. “We’re well prepared for each meet. It’s just having trust in your training and the hard work you put in.”

At larger races, the events are split up into multiple heats. While having nine runners from the same school in a single heat race is rare, some of the athletes enjoyed the format.

“It’s always easier when running with the rest of your team,” Weinzetl said. “We run with each other ev-ery day so we know how we match up against each other. And it’s more fun.”

Junior Justine Phillips placed sec-ond in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.79 seconds, and set a personal best in the 200-meter race. Phillips and Bradley accounted for four of the new personal records, each with two at the end of the day.

In the fi eld events, Lacy Yslas had

the only fi rst place fi nish of the day for Tech by throwing the javelin 92 feet, seven inches. This was a career best for the Sparta native.

Along with Yslas, Kelli Keck placed second in both the long jump and triple jump, as well as beating her previous personal record in the 200-meter dash. Madison Borden placed second in the shot put and third in the discus event.

The team will return to action next weekend, competing across the state in two different events. Some of the members will compete in the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, while others will be in Nashville for the Boston-Moon Classic at Tennessee State University.

Tech baseball improving record by executing solid pitching performances

After beginning the season 1-6 and not living up to team expectations on the mound, the Golden Eagles have started turning things around by win-ning four of the last six games.

With an increase in runs pro-duced and a decrease in runs allowed through improved pitching, Tech has reaped the benefi ts.

The team swept the Murray State University Racers in a three-game se-ries last week, including a complete-game performance by junior Tristan Archer.

“(Archer) did a great job,” Matt Bragga, head coach, said. “Whenever you have a good pitching staff, you will have a chance to win no matter who you play.”

Archer received the Ohio ValleyConference Pitcher of the Week awardfor his complete game against Murray State University, giving up only onerun on four hits with seven strikeouts. Archer improved to a 3-1 record forthe season and has amassed a teamhigh of 37 strikeouts this year.

Junior Matthew Shepherd has alsobeen a major factor in the Tech pitch-ing rotation, winning three games in a row, including a victory over rivalJacksonville State University.

“We are defi nitely going in the right direction, but we are not wherewe need to be—yet,” Bragga said. “I believe with all my heart we will bethere. We are getting better game bygame.”

In addition to an improved pitch-ing staff, the offensive side of Techbaseball has lit up over the past few games. Zach Stephens is the lead-er in this area, batting .468 with 14homeruns and 37 RBIs for the season.

Stephens is also averaging more than .500 in on-base percentage. Aus-tin Wulf has also been a major contrib-utor, batting .344 with 17 RBIs.

Over the last 10 games, Tech has averaged more than eight runs pergame, compared to six-per-game av-erage from the previous 20 games.

Tech plays its next OVC three-game series at home against SouthernIllinois University at Edwardsville, April 13-15. The Golden Eagles alsohost Belmont University on April 18.

Tech sophomore fi rst baseman Zach Stephens has been tearing the ball up. He has a NCAA-leading 14 home runs this season, including a fi ve-game home run streak. He ranks fi rst in the nation in slugging percentage (.917), total bases (100.0) and on base percentage (.566).

HOT CORNER

Tech softball has won seven of its last 11 OVC con-tests to push its OVC record to 10-9 on the season. The softball team currently sits in fi fth place in the OVC, with ten conference games remaining.

The smell of fresh cut grass, the sun beat-ing down, and the sudden desire for a hot-dog and a bag of peanuts can only mean one thing: baseball season is fi nally upon us, so let the summer long roller coaster begin.

The season opener of the “Great Ameri-can Pastime” is a time of extreme optimism for most teams around the league. Everyone starts out with the same record and, even if it only lasts a few weeks, everyone is in conten-tion.

Opening weekend outcomes left some surprised. The New York Yankees and Bos-ton Red Sox, two of the most prestigious franchises in the game, started their seasons 0-3.

The Atlanta Braves, the team with the most local support, stumbled out of the gate with a disappointing 0-4 start.

On the other end of the spectrum, two teams projected to fi nish as bottom dwell-ers of the league, the New York Mets and the Houston Astros, started 4-0 and 3-1, respec-tively.

Is there a reason to be concerned if you cheer for the Yankees, Red Sox, or Braves? Should you be optimistic if you are a Mets or Astros fan?

In a word, no.For those who may not know, the Major

League Baseball regular season consists of 162 games. Four games are merely 2.5% of what is yet to come. History shows us that nothing can be learned from opening week-end.

Last season, the Red Sox started 0-6 and was in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot un-til a colossal collapse in September kept them out of the postseason. It was the losses in September, not April, that cost them.

In 2003, the Braves won their division for the 12th consecutive season and fi nished the season with a league best 101 wins. They started that season 0-3.

The team that should be the least con-cerned with a shaky start is the Yankees.

The last two times the Bronx Bomb-ers have started 0-3 were 2009 and 1998. They fi nished both seasons with the best record in baseball, 103 wins and 114 wins, respectively, and went on to win the World Series.

Add that to the fact that the Yankees have won the World Series all previous seven times that the Kentucky Wildcats have won the men’s NCAA National Championship in basketball, it’s safe to say that Yankee fans have the odds in their favor.

As for the Mets and Astros, both teams have lost two straight and are playing more like the teams they were predicted to be.

In three of the last fi ve seasons, the team that has fi nished the regular season with the worst record in the league won their open-ing series. The Tampa Bay Rays started 2-1 in 2007, the Washington Nationals started 3-0 in 2008, and the Pittsburgh Pirates started 2-0 in 2010.

It is understandable that fans are frus-trated with a slow start, especially the Braves and Red Sox after their hopes were crushed at the end of last season.

It’s also hard not to be optimistic if you are a Mets or Astros fan since all that has been said during the offseason is how bad your season is about to be.

With all that being said, don’t get worked up over nothing. It’s only April. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the six-month ride to Octo-ber.

BASES LOADED

with ANDY RUTHERFORD

Asst. Sports Editor

Baseball panic button? Relax, It’s April, not September

This week’s Weekly Roundup features sto-ries from Beat Reporters David Lane and Aaron Vick.

MEET YOUR MATCH

“American Reunion” continues the “American Pie” tradition by using dirty, juvenile humor for laughs in an attempt to tie together loose ends from the previous fi lms.

The characters from the previous “American Pie” fi lms come back to East Great Falls for the class of 1999’s 13-year reunion. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) come into town a few days before the reunion to catch up with their fami-lies and spend quality time together, but Jim’s friends are quick to take up his time.

The familiar characters appear grown up. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) now has a beard, Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) shows up scarf-clad on a motorcycle and Oz (Chris Klein) is now a popular sports personality. Stifl er (Seann William Scott) is the only one missing from the group, and none of the members seem too keen on inviting him to join in.

While everyone is work-ing on reconnecting, each character seems to encoun-ter problems along the way. Whether it be an old fl ing, or fi ghting off advances from the barely legal girl Jim used to babysit, each character fi nds a way to make what is supposed to be a relax-ing weekend dramatic and tiresome.

“American Reunion” feels recycled and predict-able with all the same jokes from the previous

“American Pie” fi lms be-ing regurgitated in the same old ways. Every joke was a dirty joke. Clever and witty humor is found nowhere in the fi lm that ends the “American Pie” franchise.

The actors’ performanc-es, or lack thereof, are ter-rible. Every line comes across as too rehearsed and forced, especially with Vicky (Tara Reid). Reid’s performance is her worst yet, with me-chanical lines and exagger-ated expressions, and Scott’s performance is certainly not any better. Hearing the lewd jokes come out of the adult Stifl er’s mouth is just as awk-ward as the “orgasm donor” shirt his character dons at his party before the reunion.

The movie’s one and only shining moment comes from a scene that is not ac-tually in the movie. A scene during the credits involv-

ing Jim’s dad (Eugene Levy)and Stifl er’s mom (Jennifer Coolidge) is just as crude andcheap as the rest of the mov-ie, but the scene still managesto be tastefully done.

“American Reunion” is a useless, immature sequel toa franchise that should havebeen stopped two movies ago.

“American Reunion” israted R for crude and sexualcontent, nudity, language,brief drug use and drinking.

By LINDSEY GOREBeat Reporter

Looking for something new in your wardrobe this spring? Follow these fi ve style lessons, and you’ll get it right every time.

Everyone knows what it’s like to look in your closet and fi nd nothing to wear. The same pullover sweater, paired with bright colored skin-nies, just doesn’t do it for you anymore.

When this slump occurs, step back, breathe and know that you don’t have to empty your closet to dress cute. There are fi ve simple tips that, if fol-lowed, will polish and trans-form your look instantly.

1. Find a sense of balance

Finding a balance between loose and fi tted clothing is im-portant. If you have two loose items, you could look frumpy, but if you have two fi tted items, you might just look like a streetwalker—it’s hard to say.

Another important re-

minder for balance is to never let too much skin show. If you’re showing off up top, cover-up on the bottom, and vice versa.

2. Try new, daring trends one at a time

Do you love the jellies that popular brands like Steve Maden are bringing back, but you also love the head-to-toe fl oral romper from Rag & Bone? That’s great, but don’t wear them together.

Take the time to give each trend its heyday and don’t run them all into each other—it could be a train wreck.

3. Know that Simple is Safer

You’re always better off

going for something simple, like a little dress paired with cute heels. This doesn’t mean you have to be stuck in your old wardrobe. This simply means to know the power of taking something off.

A good rule of thumb many popular designers go by is: after you get completely ready to walk out the door, take one item off.

4. Learn to Polish the summer pool/beach day look

There is a way to have a look that can both go to the pool or beach, and still be pre-sentable in any of your local restaurants.

Try pairing your look with jewelry, and not-undone hair.

5. When your wardrobe just isn’t cutting it, play with makeup and hair

One of the key accesso-ries to every wardrobe is your head. From trying new hair styles to wearing daring red lipstick, any new addition to the same old look can change things up.

tntechoracle.com Page 5 | April 13, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Fashion Forward

By LOGAN NICKLESONWeb Editor

Lindsey’s Rating

With its latest full-length album released March 13, San Diego’s Delta Spirit at-tempts to shake off its repu-tation as an Americana/folk rock band and achieve rec-ognition for its new modern indie rock sound.

But the self-titled re-lease is only a mediocre fol-low-up to 2010’s “History From Below,” the majority of its songs sounding forced and unnatural.

While Delta Spirit tran-sitioned gracefully from its indie folk debut in 2008 to its more aggressive sopho-more release in 2010, the jump to its newest album is a stretch and may require several listens and an open mind from fans.

The band implements more echoing lead guitar riffs, immediately notice-able in the new album’s fi rst track, “Empty House.” This song addresses the feelings of insignifi cance one man may feel in an overwhelm-ingly massive universe, as singer Matthew Vasquez sings, “How could one little speck make a difference to the rest? When it doesn’t, no one cares except me.”

Although the album is not spectacular, it is not without its gems either. Songs “California,” “Into The Mind” and “Money Saves” are enjoyable listens and compensate, to a de-gree, for the other eight sub-standard songs.

Delta Spirit’s experi-mentation with different sounds and techniques is most obvious in songs “Tear It Up” and “Tellin’ the Mind,” which both feature strange intro percussion and sweeping guitars.

“Home,” the album’s fi fth track, is a folky throw-back to the band’s two pre-vious full-lengths.

Album Review

‘Delta Spirit’

Logan’s Rating

Trespasmag

The teen-hit comedy ‘American Pie’ continues with another sequel about the class reunion.

By CHRISTINA RIDDLEEntertainment Editor

stylebywhit

Lauren Conrad wears a well-balanced outfi t of a fi tted skirt, fl owing top and open-toed heels

InStyle

Emma Stone rocks red lips.

Revive your dull wardrobe with fi ve simple steps

‘American Reunion’: 13 yearslater and still crude as ever

tntechoracle.comPage 6 | April 13, 2012

NEWS

BanquetCONTINUED from page 1

With fi nals just around the corner, Tech Health Services has seen an increase in stu-dents suffering from stress and lack of sleep.

“At the end of semester, we always have people that have waited to the end of the semester to say they’re drowning, meaning failing their classes and stressing out,” Scott Bilbrey, Health Services men’s health coor-dinator and registered nurse, said. “By that time, you’ve waited too long and the health service refers those people to the Counseling Center.”

Health Services has no way to treat stress created by procrastination, so they ask stu-dents to come in earlier if they need help. If a student is having troubling sleeping, he or she can get a medical evaluation to determine any medical issues that could be causing the problem.

“We are connected with counseling cen-ter through Student Affairs because we are

a student service,” Bilbrey said. “What they [Counseling Center] stress is ‘don’t wait untilfi nals to get help.’ They’ll still try to help, butit’s really diffi cult at the end.”

There are now three weeks left until fi -nals and the biggest tip from the Counseling Center is to better time management.

Cynthia Bryant, Counseling Center assis-tant director, suggests listing each class and work on what is needed to fi nish the semes-ter.

“Make a plan and do what you can,” Bry-ant said. “Study now and divide up your timeand don’t wait until the night before fi nals to study. Take advantage of any study sessions, online resources. Contact professors about any questions. I have lots of materials regard-ing studying, preparing for fi nals.”

The Counseling Center can discuss ideas to help with sleep, including relaxation tech-niques, good nutrition and preparation for bed. The center recommends that students come in when they begin to have trouble dealing with schoolwork, instead of waiting.

By WILL SHECKLERAsst. Entertainment Editor

Finals, end of semester stresses prompt infl ux of students at Health Services

PresidencyCONTINUED from page 1

According to Gay Shepa-rd, Tech’s chief of police, it is uncommon for alcohol to be served at campus events. Student Opinions:

“He shouldn’t deserve special treatment because he is the president, if he is mak-ing this a dry campus. It is kind of a double standard,” Trista Travis, senior wildlife fi shery science major, said.

“It should not be al-lowed here for him, if it is not allowed for the rest of the school.”

Tori Ragan, sophomore physical therapy major, said, “I guess Bell is contradicting the rules, but then again, he can kind of do whatever he wants.”

Hillary Ross, sophomore elementary education major, said that she doubts it would be approved another Tech organization wanted to serve alcohol on campus.

Faculty and Staff Respond: The RSVP response, as

of April 10, was 407 people. Many faculty and staff said they believe that the price of attending the banquet is an issue.

The fee covers the recep-tion, wine, dinner and oper-ating costs, including print-ing and postage.

Kris Craven, assistant professor of engineering, said that the reason she is not attending the banquet is be-cause “it is too expensive.”

According to Bell, the price is expensive, but appro-priate for an event like the banquet. He said that he is paying for all of his family to come, so he understands that it is expensive.

Ricky Cartwright, mail carrier, said, “I thought about it, but not for $42.”

Phillip Talley, dining services employee, said he believes the banquet should be free.

Bell said, “We are having a picnic on the campus for faculty and staff, and that is typically the celebration that

the campus does.” The picnic is May 1 on

the Main Quad and is free for students, faculty, staff and the community.

Bell went on to say the banquet is for state leaders.

“I am excited,” Bell said. “There are folks coming to that banquet I have not seen in fi ve, 10 years maybe. There are a lot of leaders from all over the state coming in. It will be fun for me and Gloria, and I am honored that they are doing it.”

The banquet will have speakers from the following organizations: Tech Emeriti faculty and administration; Tech administration, faculty, clerical and support staff, friends and alumni; the TBR; the Tennessee Higher Educa-tion Commission; SGA; City of Cookeville; U.S. Congress and the Tennessee General Assembly.

After the speakers talk at the banquet, there will be time for the President and First Lady to speak as well.

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WE GOT THE BEAT

All of Us, a jazz band, performs outside of the RUC April 10, during Dead Hour. Pictured from left to right are Adam Coy, Sarah Bransom, Jesse Nance, Nathan Kapoor and Joey Blackwell.

Casey Woodard

Tech’s annual Relay for Life kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. with a theme honoring the unlucky day.

“Superstitions is the overall theme,” Jes-sica Hyder, Tech’s Relay for Life chairman, said. “Then everybody chose a theme that was underneath that, such as walking under a ladder, black cats or broken mirrors.”

The Relay for Life event is made up of teams that walk around a track from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

“At least one person from each of the teams walks at all times,” Caitlin Harrison, Tech’s Relay for Life co-chair, said. “Basical-ly, it’s to raise awareness of cancer. Cancer never sleeps.”

There are 58 teams registered to partici-pate in the event.

As of Tuesday, the three teams that have raised the most money are Tech’s Service Learning, Chem Med’s fi rst team and Fiji’s second team.

“We’re only having 13 people per team,” Harrison said. “So it goes with the supersti-tions theme as well.”

Harrison said the organization usually plans for the event to be held on Main Quad, but the event often has to be moved to the Fitness Center because of bad weather.

“Every year we’ve gotten rained out,”

Harrison said. “We’re hoping if we plan tohave it inside, we’ll be able to have it out-side.”

The Luminaria ceremony begins at 9p.m. Harrison said the ceremony is a silentwalk where attendees can pay their respects.The fi rst lap is the survivors’ lap.

Hyder said Luminaria is one of her fa-vorite ceremonies.

“We break glow sticks, and put them allin bags and walk around,” Hyder said. “It’s just a really cool thing we do in honor of allthe people that have had cancer or lost peo-ple to cancer.”

Teams, as well as the Relay for Life Com-mittee, will have different games set up forparticipants to play throughout the event.

“All of the teams will be set up, andthey’ll all be doing their own games,” Hyder said. “Most of them will have food of some sort to sell—this is kind of a side thing. If they get bored in there, they can go play thegames, and they’re actually really entertain-ing to watch.”

Some of the games the Committee ishosting are potato golf, a frozen T-shirt con-test, minute to win it, corn hole, a scavenger hunt and relay olympics.

“It’s open to everybody all night long,” Hyder said. “They can come and play games and have a good time.”

Last year’s Relay for Life event raised$26,000 for the American Cancer Society.

By EMILY HAILEBeat Reporter

Annual Relay for Life to sport unlucky theme in light of Friday the 13th

Elkins has also previ-ously served on the boards of WCTE-TV, the Rotary Club of Cookeville and numerous other community organiza-tions.

Oldham received his bachelor’s degree in Chem-istry from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson. He completed his doctorate in analytical chemistry at Tex-as A&M University. Before working at UT-C, Oldham served in various leadership roles at Mississippi State Uni-versity and worked as a vis-iting scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

He is on the Board of Trustees at Freed-Hardeman University and serves on the External Advisory Board for Louisiana STEM Research Scholars Program.

Rogers received his bach-

elor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University and his doctorate at the University of Virginia. Prior to his tenure at Purdue University, Oldham served as the program coor-dinator for the University of Central Florida’s Modeling and Simulation Academic Initiative and was an associ-ate professor in the industrial engineering and manage-ment systems department in the College of Engineering at UCF.

Oldham has also worked with NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration on modeling autonomous objects in air traffi c control simulation and was a senior project engineer for the Unit-ed States Navy’s Naval Elec-tronics Engineering Center in Maryland.

The fi nalists were chosen from among eight fi rst-round candidates who interviewed

with the Search Advisory Committee. Nine candidates were selected from the origi-nal poll of 37, but one with-drew before the interviews were completed.

The successful candidate will replace President Bob Bell, who announced his re-tirement effective July 1 after leading the university for 12 years.

Members of the Search Advisory Committee will participate in the campus meetings and gather feedback from constituents. TBR Chan-cellor John Morgan will then take input from the commit-tee members and make the fi nal recommendation for the next president to the Board for approval within the next few weeks.

A detailed schedule will be posted at tbr.edu and tn-tech.edu/president/search once visit arrangements have been made. All campus fo-rums will be streamed live through a link available at tbr.edu.