An Ole Miss Professor Evades a School for Research

Elizabeth Boeger, P.H.D. take time to
explain her research project.

An Ole Miss Professor Evades a School for Research

Mary Catherine Ford

February 16,2012

Elizabeth Boeger, Ph.D. a psychology professor at the University of Mississippi evades a local elementary school to question kids to see how their moral development is forming.

The age range of the study is third to seventh-grade kids. Boeger and her team of eight graduate students question the kids on how they feel about their self-concept, perceptions of each other as peers, and how they understand other peoples’ emotions.

“Through these kinds of experimental testing’s it is easy to see psychology’s influence on human nature,” Boeger said. “Sometimes the kids will say the funniest things and wont take the questions seriously.”

This can cause inaccuracy in the study. This is why the team questions a large group of kids with different backgrounds to get the best possible answer.

 “As psychologist we worry that people try to make themselves look better than they really are during testing,” said Michael T. Allen, Ph.D. psychology department chair of University of Mississippi. “We can only hope they answer honestly.”

Before the test is given out to people they have to pass through the Institutional Review Board. This board makes sure the questions wont cause any emotional harm to the test takers. So everyone is protected under the board.

 “The board is extremely strict. Almost too much so that we are unable to tap into peoples real behavior,” said Allen.

Despite this, the clinical department of psychology has been able to make some leeway within their experiments, by using college students as subjects. Graduate students in the department are required to conduct research through the PSPM computer system. Which is in a survey format for the students to answer. Students in Psychology 201 are required to participate in five experimental research surveys.

“The research surveys aren’t bad at all. They end up being really interesting. You are forced to be honest with yourself when answering the questions. You walk out learning something knew about yourself,” said August Malouf, psychology 201 student.

PSPM computer system has questionnaires for the students to answer about body image, self esteem, and study habits. Just to name a few. After the experiment is complete the graduate student collects the data to analyze.

The psychology department could always use more participants; contact them at psych@olemiss.edu.

The Greeks and Romans Are Back

The Lyceum is just one of the many buildings on the campus of Ole Miss that has a Greek style to it.

The Greeks and Romans Are Back

By: Cameron Cook

February 16, 2012

Some may say that the Greeks and Romans are only still alive in history books. However, these two groups are quite popular today.

Classics is the study of ancient Greek and Roman way of life. 

On campus, students can see things such as buildings, monuments and different works of art that refer back to the classical time period. One of the most recognizable pieces is the Lyceum.

John A. Lobur, an Associate Professor of Classics, mentioned how many buildings on campus have a Greek style to them.

“Look at Fulton Chapel, or even the front of this (Bryant Hall) building.” Said Lobur. “Many of them present classical styles.”

Not only did the Greek and Romans create such like buildings, but they also invented law, art, military discipline and religion.

The statue of the Confederate soldier on the circle also has Roman ties. There is a quote on the side in Latin that refers back to the Roman Empire.

“Stranger, announce to the Spartans here we lie having fulfilled their orders.”

The engraving makes a reference to the Roman soldiers and describes each soldier’s bravery during battle. In this case, the soldier is being remembered for his bravery during the Civil War.

Eta Sigma Phi helps get the word out on the study of Classics. This group is an honor society that meets regularly and has events that deal with Classics.

Dr. Prasco Pranger, the faculty advisor for Eta Sigma Phi, organizes movie nights, trips to middle schools and group dinners.

“We are the largest chapter in the country.” Said Pranger. “We make visits to middle school kids and help them with Latin.”

Today, many movies and commercials have a Classic theme.

“They do it for our fascination.” Says Lobur. “Some of the most interesting stories come from antiquity.”

Freshman Zach Boynton, a biochemistry major, gave his take on how the Greeks shaped the campus.

“I’m not too familiar with Classics.” Said Boynton. “However, the Lyceum stands out the most to me because of its columns.”

The story I am following is about the 'Poster Couple' for Gay Marriage getting a divorce. In June 2008, Diane Olsen and Robin Tyler were the first women to legally marry in Southern California. They tried to get married for seven years and are now parting. "We're human and we went through difficult times. We're just like anybody else and that's all they can expect of us," says Tyler.

http://www.newser.com/story/139286/poster-couple-for-gay-marriage-divorcing.html

1. Do you feel like your divorce is a sign that same sex marriage doesn't work?
2. Do you still feel as if it was worth the wait of seven years to get married?
3. What advice could you give to other same sex couples planning to get married?
4. Will you marry again?
5. Do you feel like it is more difficult or less difficult to have a same sex marriage?

A True Rebels Fan

Mary Catherine Ford
Interviewer: Amber Hurtado

 

For most people, the University of Mississippi is just a place of study, but for Mary Catherine Ford, it is a place of tradition. Her whole family has gone to school at Ole Miss, making it a home away from her original home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. “My dad played baseball here and we grew up coming to all the games, so I felt comfortable starting a new life in Oxford,” says Ford.

She also has one sister currently living in Oxford, as well as many other non-blood related sisters in her sorority, Chi Omega. Mary Catherine loves her sorority and plans to stay in it all four years. “I can’t wait to live in the house my Senior year,” says Ford, who is currently a Sophomore.

After college, Mary wants to travel and maybe live in Africa for a year. She wants to reside in Dallas or New Orleans, or just see where life can take her. She will be back to Oxford though. “My kids will be Rebels,” she says, “carrying on the long line of Rebels to come.” This statement is what some people would call a true Rebels fan.

The Southern "Experience"

    Some students who come to Ole Miss, expect to experience certain things.The Grove, the Square, and Greek life are some of these things. For others there is the "Southern Experience" which is the dream of going to college, falling in love with the man of your dreams and getting married. Broadcast journalism major, Nicole Miller, has that dream.

    The youngest of 4 girls, Miller felt the need to follow in her sister's footsteps. "My sisters all went to out of state colleges, so I felt pressured to go out of state. Plus, I want to get away from home."

    Miller's college experience in broadcast started off rocky.  She found that broadcast journalism was more work than she anticipated and her personality didn't quite fit with that of a journalist. "I was kind of shy and I wasn't sure if journalism was for me."

    Miller then switched her major to education. "I really like kids and I thought teaching would be a better match for me."


    With her interests still in broadcast, Miller decided to try out for news watch. Miller says she almost chickened out and didn't have much confidence that she would make it "I showed up in a maxi dress. Now that I look back, I looked like a fool!"

    Miller got a call and she made newswatch and gained confidence in herself. "I really didn't think I would make it." She then switched her major back to journalism.

    "I love broadcast now. Newswatch was just what I needed."

    With a bright future ahead, all Miller is missing is that perfect guy. "I don't have a boyfriend right now but I am still looking."

Home Sweet Home

          After pulling your car off of the highway and into the city of Oxford, most Ole Miss students say “home sweet home.”  For sophomore, Cheasea Brock, that saying means just a little bit more.

          Ocean Springs, “the Coast”, is where Chelsea used to call home.  It is where she is from and lived with her family until she graduated and traveled to Ole Miss.  Since coming to Oxford so much has changed for her.

            Coming to Ole Miss was a no brainer for Chelsea.  She has many friends here and is very actively involved on campus. “I prefer to sit in the front of the class because I like to be actively involved in class and I’m that person everyone gets mad at for asking a lot of questions.”  

            Not long after her college career started her parents dropped the bombshell on her that they would be divorcing and would eventually be moving away from the place that she had called home for so long.  When asked where she calls home these days Chelsea said, “I really don’t have a place to call home anymore.”  She went on to say, “Since I don’t have a car I spent most of my break here in Oxford.  It just seemed more pratical.”  She was quick to assure that some of her family lives close by, so she was not alone over that vast amount of time.

She is enrolled in 18 hours of classes and is also employed in the work-study program on campus.  In the beginning she was not very interested in the Greek life that Ole Miss has to offer but after some time and thought, decided to give it a try.  For a short while she was a part of the Christian sorority Sigma Phi Lambda.  Ultimately she decided that it was too much to handle with school and a job and respectfully dropped the sorority.

Though she had obstacles to hurdle and a handful of adjustments to make, she overcame it all and pushed herself forward to continue on in her new found life in Oxford.  Chelsea is a remarkable example of today’s thriving generation.  She is fast-learning, open-minded, smart, and all around a happy person despite the cards the world has dealt her.

From Southern Belle to Music Buff

Amber Hurtado

Interviewed by: Mary Catherine ford

Ole Miss is full of girls dying to be in a sorority. Well all but one very unique girl, Amber Hurtado, Sophomore. Hurtado went through rush and said, “It was the worst week of my life.” Needless to say she didn’t join one. It’s not that she didn’t enjoy meeting new people or was shy for she is a far cry from either of these things. The whole concept wasn’t for her. Hurtado is a free spirit and all the rules weren’t going to fit into her life. 

Her love for music is what most girls would relate to their sorority. Hurtado said, “All the great bands that Oxford gets is what attracted me to come here.” Plus it is close to her hometown, which is in Madison, Ms. “Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have been my favorite band to see thus far,” said Hurtado. She also has enjoyed seeing Pretty Lights and Space Capone.

Hurtado is so passionate when she discusses her favorite bands it makes you want to dance around with her.  With her passion established one can only guess she will try to work in the music industry one day. She is on a good route with her marketing communications major. Great things are in store for Hurtado if she just keeps her passion alive.