volume 4 >> issue 4

BALL BEARINGSvolume 4 // issue 4 // summer 2013

get your festival on

page 28

athletes go propage 12

the student debt crisis

page 5

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1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BALL BEARINGS // SUMMER ISSUE

2013: POVERTY AWARENESS YEAR Delaware County needs you to make a difference

FEATURES

36 FUN CLASSES 101 Gain a new perspective by taking classes outside of your major.

28 MONEY MATTERSStudents decide whether loans are their best option.

32

THE GUIDE

5 SUMMER FESTIVAL SAMPLING Annual traditions that will add more fun to your vacation

PUTTING IT ALL ON THE LINEStudent athletes find where their true focus lies

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

8 GENERIC versus BRAND NAME Products are more similar than you think. Don’t pay for the packaging.

food

10

12

DON’T STOP THE POP Four refreshing frozen treats

insights

24 ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAILFollow a student’s journey through the SGA election process

ENRICH

39 CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISMFair Trade movement fights for workers’ rights.

IN EVERY ISSUE

3

1822 27

42

describe your style

editor’s note

Q&A: MALACHI RANDOLPH

In Focus

columNS: bethany and BRANDON

16 MARCO, BIKE POLO A west coast sport comes to the heartland

20 LOVE LETTER BUZZ Campus gets steamier with BSU’s Secret Admirers’ Facebook page

technology

2 // BALL BEARINGS

ContributorsBOBBY ELLISAlexandra HolderBriee EikenberryGina PortoleseMatt McKinneyKrista SanfordTaylor PetersonMaria StraussSavannah Smith Emily TheisBrandon PopeSarah Ellis Victoria DavisKati Jamison Lauren DahlhauserEmma Kate FittesAiste ManfrediniMaris SchiessJen PrandatoSara NahrwoldLemuel YoungDan Carpenter Ben Dehr Jessie Bradway Annie Gonzalez Bethany GuyerBrandon NewmanTiffany Watt

editor-in-chieftaylor ellis

managing editorlauren hardy

assistant editormichelle johnson

assistant editorjoe ruley

assistant editorkaleigh sheahan

photo editorstephanie tarrant

assistant photo editoraaron kelly

design editorstephanie meredith

assistant design editoralex burton

advertising director chris haygood

pr directorleeann wood

advisordavid sumner

managing editor of contentcatherine greis

managing editor of presentationkarina lozano

producerhayli goode

producerlindsey riley

producerlacey bursik

design editoraubrey smith

video editorcarolyn case

advisormary spillman

BALL BEARINGSvolume 4 // issue 4 // sUMMER 2013

print staff//

online staff//

ball state university // muncie, inD. 47306 printed by ball state university printing services

3

You will never be able to fully prepare for some things in life. From what I’ve

heard it’s getting married, having kids and entering the real world after gradu-

ation. But, I’d like to add one more thing to that list — becoming editor-in-chief

of Ball Bearings.

Last April when I found out that I got this position, I had a lengthy summer

plan on how I would improve my skills so that I would be worthy of the pres-

tigious opportunity I had just been given. Sometimes, I sat in deep thought

and tried to come up with the perfect speech to give at the first editorial board

meeting so that everyone would be convinced that I was the right woman for

the job. My dramatic side often found its way into my dreams where I would

suddenly become mute during these meetings or fall on my face as I entered

the room.

Luckily, none of those dreams came true, but I did make quite a few mistakes

along the way. My biggest mistake was thinking that I was going to be able to

please 30+ people who all have different personalities and a different vision

of what Ball Bearings should be like. I quickly found out that being the leader

that everyone thought I should be was nearly impossible.

But, in these overwhelming moments, I reminded myself that I had been

chosen for this job for a reason, and that I needed to be the best leader I could

be — not the perfect version of a leader that everyone had in their mind. Some-

times in life, we are given opportunities that we aren’t prepared for and that

we can’t possibly understand until we take a leap of faith and give them our

best shot. This is why I think Vince Lombardi Jr. said, “Leaders aren’t born,

they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of

us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.” And that’s exactly how

being editor-in-chief has been for me this year.

I dove full-speed ahead into something new, and what I found was that

sometimes we don’t have to make ourselves worthy, but instead we become

worthy as we grow into our opportunities and challenges. It’s amazing what

happens when we stop trying to be the person everyone else expects us to

be, but instead offer ourselves and our unique gifts to the situation in front of

us. No, I’m not the perfect leader that always has it together, but I’m Taylor

Ellis, and that’s enough. I have unique life experiences and abilities that you

may not have and vice versa. I may fail in areas where you succeed, and that’s

perfectly OK because not all leaders are cut from the same mold.

This year, when I’ve had a problem, someone else has had a solution. When

someone was knocked down, I’ve been able to help pick them back up. This is

why we all need to stop trying to be someone that we’re not and simply bring

the best version of ourselves to the table. After all, if everyone on Ball Bearings

staff were the same type of people, then nothing would get done because we

all play an irreplaceable role in producing this publication.

As you flip through the pages of this issue, you will see people who have

confronted challenges and emerged as individuals who bring unique life expe-

riences to the table. For Brandon Pope, it was learning how to overcome failure

after the SGA elections (page 24). For Molly Flodder, it was coming up with

a plan to tackle Delaware County’s poverty issues (page 32). And for David

and Sara Ring, it was opening up the Downtown Farm Stand and joining the

fair trade movement (page 39).

These individuals didn’t let people’s expectations paralyze them, but instead

took small steps forward to become the best leaders they could be. Next time

you’re tempted to compare yourself to others or place unrealistic expectations

on yourself, just remember that you’re enough, and that you’ve lived a life that

no one else can emulate.

editor’s note //

TAYLOR ELLISEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

advertise with usfor more information, contact us at [email protected].

contact uscomments can be directed to [email protected].

4 // BALL BEARINGS

Like what you see in the print issue? Head over to our website for more great content. From learning about campus’

comedy groups to discovering alternative classes, Ball Bearings Online offers a visual and interactive way to tell stories

using multimedia. Here’s what you can find from this issue:

ballbearingsmag.com //

get more ball bearings

alternative classesLearn more about unique classes on campus.

Check out a comic book class and a scuba

diving course, which are both offered for

students. Then, take a quiz to figure out what

class is right for you.

poverty awarenessTake a look at how the Muncie Mission is

helping the impoverished locally and what

other organizations are doing to help the

community.

bike poloInterested in seeing how bike polo actually

works? Watch a game for yourself. And if

you like what you see you can check out our

clickable to learn the official rules for the

game.

pro footballAfter reading about a few students who are

chasing their dreams of becoming pro athletes,

read the story of one student who was drafted

to the NFL, but had to turn down the offer for

reasons beyond his control. See how this major

turning point changed his life for the better.

online exclusive: Watch out for “BSU Goes Viral:” a wrap-up of Ball State’s top moments of the year. THIS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES everything from David Letterman and Oprah on campus, to students camping out to see the band Fun. our online team has you covered to relive this year’s biggest moments on campus.

5

Festivals provide a way for people to come together

and celebrate, commemorate or honor something

in the community. Whether it’s great food, music,

workshops or rides, these Indiana summer and fall

festivals offer something for everyone.

story // leeann wood illustrations // stephanie Meredith

Festival Fever

Twelve events that beat bummin’ it at home this summer

South Bend Blues & Ribs Festival // June 22,South Bend This festival celebrates what

South Bend considers to be the

best blues and ribs in the area.

The proceeds of this festival

go to fund the development of

Miracle Park, a special needs

facility. So you can enjoy the

music and barbecue while

supporting a great cause.

Frankfort Hot Dog Festival // Jul. 26-27,Frankfort The Frankfort Hot Dog

Festival is all about, you

guessed it, hotdogs. Along with

a hotdog-eating contest, you

can participate in the 5K Bun

Walk/Run, watch Dachshund

racing and live entertainment

including karaoke and dancing

in the streets.

Valparaiso Popcorn Festival // Sept. 7,Valparaiso Popcorn guru, Orville

Redenbacher, was born and

raised in Valparaiso, Ind.,

giving the town the perfect

reason to celebrate this classic

snack. The festival is packed

full with popcorn-inspired

events, such as Popcorn Panic

5K Walk /5M Run and the

Orville Redenbacher Parade.

6 // BALL BEARINGS 7

music

food just for fun

art

All-American Country Hoedown // May 30-June 2,CampbellsburgIf you’re a country music lover,

this festival is for you. It will

feature performances from

several local country singers,

a horseshoe tournament and

parade. This year will mark

the 19th annual All-American

Country Hoedown.

Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival // June 8,LogansportNamed after Logansport’s

jazz legend, this festival

features blues, jazz, bebop

and big band music. To

go along with this theme,

festival-goers are encouraged

to dress in their favorite

1920s garb.

Music Fest XVI // July 12-13,FremontFor classic rock, head to

Fremont for its annual Music

Fest. This festival highlights

local talent, including the

Fremont High School choir. If

you attend this festival, you can

also look forward to a car show,

mud volleyball tournament and

fireworks to end the night.

Broad Ripple Art Fair // May 18-19,Indianapolis Art CenterFundraiser turned major

festival, the Broad Ripple Art

Fair is the Indianapolis Art

Center’s largest moneymaker,

showcasing more than 200

artists from all over the country.

While looking at the art, you

can also enjoy live music in the

festival’s beer and wine garden.

Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival // May 31-June 1,FranklinRanging from “Spinning Beaded

Yarn” and “Knitting Continental

Style,” to “Beginning Basketry,”

Hoosier Hills offers many

classes to choose from. You

can also expect shearing and

weaving demonstrations, Civil

War reenactors and jousting

demonstrations.

Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival // August 1-4,NappaneeLocated in Amish country, this

festival showcases the art of more

than 300 artists. The artwork is

for sale, so it is a great place to

find a new piece for your living

room. Chosen by The American

Bus Association as the “Top 100

Events in North America,” this

festival will celebrate its 51st year.

500 Festival // May 2-26,Indianapolis This almost month-long festival

leads up to the Indianapolis

500 on May 26, 2013. The

majority of the events are races,

which ties into the Indy Car

theme. It includes a 15K, 5K,

Mini-Marathon and Rookie

Run. The 5K has a post-race

party as an incentive to finish.

The festival ends with the

iconic IPL 500 Festival Parade.

Angola Balloons Aloft // July 12-13, Angola This free festival is for the

adventurous at heart. It is

especially known for its hot air

balloon competition, which

includes balloons with unique

shapes like Noah’s Arc, Betty

Jean Butterfly and Oggy the

Friendly Dragon. It also features

a skydiving competition as well

as hot air balloon, helicopter and

airplane rides.

Circus City Festival // July 13-20, Peru See downtown Peru transform

into an amusement park for

this midsummer, week-long

event. In addition to the circus

performances, there are rides,

games and other forms of local

entertainment. Peru is famous

for their Amateur Circus

that performs in the Festival

Parade, which also features

circus wagons, clowns, floats

and music.

THE GUIDE // entertainment

g

consume WITH CAUTION

eneric versus brand names. When two products seem

identical, it can be difficult to know the true differences

apart from the price tag. Does a cheaper price hint at a

lower-quality product?

To put it simply, here’s the main difference between

the two options: one has a commercial, while the other

does not.

“The secret’s out, store brands are just as good,” Lisa

Rider, the vice president of retail consulting solutions for

Nielsen, a marketing information company tells Tulsa

World. “Store-brand buyers are no longer seen as cheap-

skates, but as savvy shoppers.”

Many labeled products use the same national name-

brand manufacturers to produce a generic counterpart.

For example, based on the product code, Muncie’s Mei-

jer brand milk is actually bottled at the same place that

bottles Dean’s Milk, in Rochester, Ind.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

requires all manufacturers to have the same standards for

its generic and branded products. They often use similar

equipment, similar ingredients, undergo a similar testing

and quality analysis and always abide by the same set of

FDA regulations. As a result, a lot of what a consumer

pays for is the packaging.

Generic, or store brands, have come a long way from

the bottom-shelved, drab packages of decades past. Better

packaging design was the first successful step, but the im-

provement in product quality in recent years is what has

made store brands a competitor to name brand products.

According to Consumer Reports, store brands have come

to represent better selection, value and savings for many

shoppers and are the fastest growing and most popular

items for sale today.

The difference between the products lies within the

brand tax, which consists of advertising and promotional

costs incurred by national brand makers that are then

passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. A

store-brand manufacturer does not have these costs, but

still buys the same high-quality ingredients and runs the

same state of the art manufacturing line.

Retailers are catching on to the advantages of manu-

facturing their own products, and the popularity of the

loyalty among consumers to store brands. Most recently,

Walgreens launched its own brand, Nice!, which feature

items from regular drugstore products to dry food, like

macaroni.

Store brands such as Nice! help families buy essential

household items for a fraction of the cost. A recent study

from the Private Label Manufacturers Association found

that consumers save an average of 33 percent on grocery

bills by paying for store brands rather than name brands

at the check out line.

So there’s no reason to feel guilty for being cheap; generic

products still give you quality for a fraction of the cost.

Being a cheap college student has its setbacks, but when it comes to food, it’s OK to save some extra cash

story // Alexandra Holder photos // stephanie tarrant

Monosodium Glutamate What it is: Usually heard by the name MSG, this

amino acid is used as a flavor enhancer in processed foods.

It is one of the most common food additives.

Why it’s bad: It’s a neurotoxic chemical additive

shown to harm or overexcite nerve cells, sometimes to the

point of death. Regularly consuming excitotoxins destroys

brain cells and can lead to serious health problems,

including neurological disorders.

Where to find it: Campbell’s soup, frozen din-

ners, Hamburger Helper, Doritos and Pringles

Sodium Nitrites/NitratesWhat they are: Two closely-related chemicals

used to preserve meat. They inhibit botulism-causing

bacteria and allow processed meats to maintain their pink

hues, which is why the FDA allows their use.

Why they are bad: When added to meat and

ingested, the nitrates fuse with amino acids and are

converted to nitrosamines, powerful carcinogenic com-

pounds, which are associated with an increased risk of

certain types of cancers.

Where to find them: Ham, salami, bologna and

hot dogs

AspartameWhat it is: A popular artificial sweetener

Why it’s bad: Aspartame is an excitotoxin. It also

is believed to be carcinogenic, and produces neurotoxic

effects such as headaches, dizziness, blurry vision and

gastrointestinal disturbances. Aspartame is 10 percent

methanol, which is shown to be broken down by the body

into the toxic by-products formic acid and formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is considered to be a potent nerve toxin

and carcinogen, which may explain why aspartame ac-

counts for more reports to the FDA of adverse reactions

than all other foods and food additives combine.

Where to find it: Diet beverages, chewing gum

and flavored water

High-Fructose Corn SyrupWhat it is: A highly-refined sweetener in which corn

starch is separated from the corn kernel. The corn starch

is then converted into corn syrup through a process called

acid hydrolysis.

Why it’s bad: Nearly all HFCS is made from

genetically-modified corn. It has been shown to contribute

to weight gain and the development of diabetes. HFCS

is also is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease,

arthritis, insulin resistance, and elevated triglycerides and

raised LDL cholesterol.

Where to find them: Barbecue sauce, salad

dressing, bread and pastry products, and sweet and sugary

cereals

Artificial Food ColoringWhat it is: An additive that gives food a color differ-

ent from its natural state

Why it’s bad: Artificial food dyes were originally

synthesized from coal tar; now they are derived from

petroleum. The controversial dyes are one of the most

widely used additives in food products today. Many

dyes have been banned because of their adverse effects

on laboratory animals. Studies have confirmed that nine

dyes currently approved for use in the U.S. raise health

concerns. According to the Center for Science in the

Public Interest’s (CSPI) study on food dyes, “The three

most widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6,

are contaminated with known carcinogens. Another dye,

Red 3, has been acknowledged for years by the FDA to

be a carcinogen, yet it is still in the food supply.” CPSI

further reports that these nine food dyes are linked to

health issues ranging from cancer and hyperactivity to

allergy-like reactions.

Where to find it: Colored candy, Kool-Aid, Jell-O

and boxed macaroni and cheese

five harmful ingredients found in common foods

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shop and save



THE GUIDE // food

brain freezeEase the stressing effects of finals week with these warm-weather treats

story // lauren hardy PHOTOS // gina portolese

FRUITY PEBBLES FRO-YO

BARS

WATERMELONMINT POPS

TROPICAL BERRY POPS

CREAMY COCOA

POPS

ingredients instructions• 1 1/2 pounds seedless

watermelon without the

rind, dice into 1-inch

pieces (about 4 cups)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/4 cup mint leaves,

minced

• 2 teaspoons finely

grated lemon zest

In a blender, puree the

watermelon with the

sugar until smooth. Stir

in the mint, lemon zest

and salt. Pour the puree

into eight Popsicle molds

or two standard ice cube

trays (insert Popsicle

sticks halfway through

freezing) and freeze until

solid, about three hours.

watermelon mint pops

ingredients instructions• 2 packets hot chocolate

• 2 tablespoons semi-

sweet chocolate chips

• 3 cups milk

In a medium saucepan,

heat milk over medium

heat to simmer for about

three minutes. Add the

chocolate chips and hot

chocolate packets and

whisk until combined

well. Remove saucepan

from the stove and let

cool completely. Pour into

Popsicle molds and se-

cure with Popsicle sticks.

Freeze until solid.

creamy cocoa popsingredients instructions• 3 cups vanilla Greek

yogurt

• 1 1/2 cups milk

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 1/2 cups Fruity

Pebbles cereal

In a blender, combine

yogurt, milk and sugar

and blend until com-

bined. With a spoon, stir

in Fruity Pebbles. Pour

or spoon the mixture into

Popsicle molds and se-

cure with Popsicle sticks.

Freeze overnight or for a

few hours until solid.

fruity pebbles froyo bars

ingredients instructions• 16 oz can crushed

pineapple

• 1/2 cup raspberries

• 1 tablespoon sugar

In a blender, puree the

pineapple until smooth.

Pour into a bowl and set

aside. Place the raspber-

ries and sugar in the

blender and puree until

smooth. Fill Popsicle

molds with pineapple

mixture about 1/3 of the

way. Pour raspberry mix-

ture on top of it another

1/3 of the way. Fill the

remainder of the mold

with pineapple mixture

and secure with popsicle

sticks. Freeze overnight

or for a few hours until

solid.

tropical berry pops

It’s late April, which means papers are piling up, study guides are blurring together and

temperatures are rising. Cool off, and take a break with these fast popsicle recipes that’ll leave

you feeling refreshed and recharged in no time. (Serving sizes will vary based on what popsicle

molds you use.)


Three Student Athletes Prove That pursuing a professional sporting career and Finishing Their Degree is Not a Catch-22.

As children, many of us played ball outside, long past lunchtime and into the

late hours of the night. We’d grab our siblings or neighbors and play until

our parents called us in, or the streetlights came on, signaling that it was

time to call it quits.

Some of us became athletes in high school, pushing our bodies to the limit

outside of the classroom. Chances are, however — whether after high school

graduation or a shift in focus — we’ve all had to give up competing in the

sports we loved.

Then there are those, like Ball State football player Travis Freeman,

women’s soccer player Brigit Reder, and men’s volleyball player Kevin

Owens, who kept playing in college, forcing them to pit their academic

future against the possibility of becoming a professional athlete.

Though the payoff can be great, they always face a tough decision: do

they risk it all for going pro or finish their degree? Freeman, Reder and

Owens are proving that it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

From 2011-2012 the NCAA reported a record high for student-athlete

going prostory // LAUREN HARDY PHOTOS // JONATHAN MIKSANEK, ALISON MERCADO & STEPHANIE TARRANT

-Travis freeman

“YEAH, FOOTBALL IS GREAT; YOU GET RECOGNITION AND YOU BUILD A BOND

WITH YOUR TEAMMATES, BUT EDUCATION IS BEYOND FOOTBALL. IT’S LIFE.”

participation, with 453,347 players. On average, only

1 percent of those athletes make it to the professional

arena. And based on the NCAA’s most recent

Division 1 Graduation Success Rate Report, only 82

percent receive their diploma in six years. As a result,

after spending so much time in sports, many student

athletes are not as prepared or motivated to enter the

workforce as their academic peers.

Travis Freeman says he’s ready for whatever life

brings. Freeman was one semester away from graduating

when he got a call from an agent, asking him to train for

the March 20, 2013, NFL Pro Day event at Ball State.

The linebacker and organizational communications

major has always taken pride in his education, but when

the chance came to pursue his childhood dream, he

knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

For three months, Freeman trained around

four hours a day with Speed Strength Systems in

Cleveland, Ohio, putting his body to the test so he

could perform his best for NFL scouts on pro day.

Today, he waits for a call, hoping that someone will

contact him for a tryout.

Despite the outcome, Freeman says he will have

no regrets. Even though he took a major risk leaving

school, he unquestionably plans to complete his degree

someday. As the first from his family to go to college, he

wants to show others that obtaining a degree is possible,

regardless of life’s situations.

“Yeah, football is great; you get recognition and you

build a bond with your teammates, but education is

beyond football — it’s life,” he says. “College is for

education. Period. It sets you up for a career, and

you have to take advantage of that … it should be an

expectation, not an option.”

Freeman compliments the Ball State football

coaching staff because they’ve always encouraged

players to have a plan B for when their playing days

are over.

“They instilled in us that football is not going to

last forever,” he says. “You have to plan for a career.

That’s why you come to school; that’s why you got a

scholarship.”

According to the Department of Education, only 3

percent of Ball State’s student body is a varsity athlete.

Being in this minority has taught Freeman much more

than how to be a good football player and student.

The discipline, time management and self-motivation

needed to compete at an NCAA level has given him

a realistic perspective of life after college. Freeman

admits this experience has been no easy task, but for

him, going the extra mile is necessary for success.

“Whether it’s class, or the fact you got an F on a

test, or that you have to get up in the morning when

everyone else is asleep, or that you’re down in a football

game, you have to overcome the adversity in the end,”

he says. “I think that’s the biggest thing about being a

college athlete is that you’re not just a regular student;

you’re obligated to do something extra, even when

you’re tired and hurting.”

According to the Cardinal Varsity Club, Ball State

ranks first in the Mid-American Conference, fourth in

the country among public universities and ties ninth in

the nation overall for its student-athlete graduation rate

of 75 percent.

travis freeman has been playing football since age six. although he dropped out of college to pursue his childhood dream of playing in the nfl, getting his degree is still on the forefront of his mind.

THE GUIDE // sports

14 // BALL BEARINGS

Fellow student athlete Brigit Reder has a 3.94 GPA

and a school record for 6,725 total minutes played in a

career, which also reflects what a strong work ethic and

dose of self-motivation can do for a student athlete. But

she has also had to put her academic accomplishments

on hold.

Until her junior year Reder, who is a special education

major, had her doubts about pursuing a professional

career.

“I kind of thought, ‘No disrespect to the MAC, but

we’re [in] the Mid-American Conference,” she says.

“I’m not in an ACC school, or Big Ten or SEC school …

Not that I was playing myself down, but I was trying to

have a realistic view of it all.”

Despite her initial thoughts, Reder was invited to

attend the combine for women’s soccer players in

Sunrise, Fla., to show off her skills in February 2013.

After countless vertical jumps, 40-yard dashes and

mock games, Reder impressed the assistant coaches

for the Western New York Flash, a National Women’s

Soccer League team. For the first time, Reder realized

that she had a shot at going pro.

A few days later, Reder went back to student

teaching at Carmel Middle School in Carmel, Ind., —

a requirement she must meet before she obtains her

degree. During lunch one afternoon, she received a

phone call from a Flash representative, offering Reder a

tryout at their Buffalo, N.Y., facility. Though she felt

Although popular sports like men’s football and

basketball have increased their student-athlete

graduation rates, the overall rate for NCAA athletes

fell one percent between 2011 and 2012, according to

the NCAA’s latest report.

Men’s volleyball saw one of the biggest

decreases: from 87 to 79 percent. You could say

that Ball State middle blocker Kevin Owens is

an exception. He doesn’t just plan to finish his

actuarial science degree in four years; he plans to

play professionally, too.

“Playing volleyball professionally is pretty rare for

guys,” Owens says. “So when I realized there were

opportunities, I thought, ‘Why sit behind a desk when

I could do something I love and get paid for it?’”

Though most days start at 5 a.m. and end late for

this junior, Owens is committed to staying on top of

grades, maintaining a 3.5 GPA thus far. He hopes

his determination will testify to his performance on

an international volleyball team. After graduation

he plans to start out in a lower league and work his

way up toward the big leagues, which are in Italy and

Russia.

Regardless of what happens, Owens, Reder and

Freeman know their professional careers will not last

forever. They have a realistic outlook on the path that

lies ahead and know that even when their bodies tell

them to stop, their passion for the sport will live on.

Until then, they will keep moving forward.

“There isn’t a deadline to when I’ll stop trying,”

Freeman says. “It’s more of a mental state you get

to, when you realize, ‘OK this is not working for

me anymore, and I need to move on with my life.’

Whenever that is. I’ll be completely fine, whatever

happens, because football has taken me more places

than I could have ever imagined … it has paved the

way for my education, and I’m blessed because of the

game.”

excited about the call, Reder was also hesitant.

In order to receive her special education degree,

Reder must student teach two, 8-week sessions. She’s

finished the first, but was one week into the second

program when the Flash called her. If she accepted

the invite, she would have to temporarily drop out of

college while she tried out.

Fortunately, the schools’ officials were supportive,

actually telling her to go.

“Don’t even question it. You go and keep trying,”

they said.

According to Reder, Ball State has helped her figure

out the logistics of the situation, making it easier for her

to pursue this new opportunity. Others close to Reder

questioned her decision, accusing her of “giving up on

her degree.” But Reder doesn’t see it that way.

“To put [school] on hold is definitely a hard

decision,” she says. “[But] that’s the reality. I can

come back to it and finish. I’ll have the rest of my life,

essentially, to stay in a classroom and to work.”

So Reder packed her bags and headed east.

For about four weeks, she trained with the Flash,

including Olympic greats like Abby Wambach. Reder

performed well in the training sessions, even winning

team scrimmages with fellow rookies. However at the

same time, she began questioning the path she chose.

She was unsure whether she could stay focused on

soccer while working another job to support herself

in Buffalo, miles away from friends and family. And a

part of her still really wanted to finish her degree.

When The Flash cut its roster down to 20 salary

spots for the regular season, and Reder was given one

of the five, unsalaried practice player spots, she got

the answer she’d been looking for. Instead of signing

a contract, she returned to Ball State to reevaluate her

priorities.

Over the next few months, Reder’s life was a roller

coaster of emotions as she battled between staying

focused on soccer and returning to school. Then, on

April 8, 2013, Reder signed a contract with the Seattle

Sounders, postponing getting her degree for another

semester.

“It’s nerve-wracking, and it’s a big decision to make,

but you have to have confidence in yourself,” Reder

says.

Reder will finish student teaching and get her degree,

but not until the Sounders’ off- season for the 2013 fall

semester.

kevin owens hopes to travel the world playing professional volleyball after obtaining his degree.

IN APRIL, BRIGIT REDER SIGNED A Contract with the seattle sounders. she will have to complete her degree in the off season.

15

The deindustrialized city of Munice, Ind., may not look like

your typical trending hotspot. However, once you make it past

Savage’s Ale House, around the potholes and over the Muncie

trench that stretches the entire length of the abandoned lot, you’ll

find a three-on-three crew of bike dudes swinging homemade

mallets, while balancing on two wheels.

The game they’re playing is called bike polo and it’s just

another example of how Muncie is catching onto metropolitian

trends of Midwestern cities from Bloomington to Chicago.

And you won’t find these custom-built bikes riding down the

streets. Their front wheels are covered with custom, neon paint

jobs or political advertisement signs, the riders took from some-

body’s yard to keep an oil-filled orange ball out of their spokes.

Chad Copeland, a well-versed bike polo player, was riding in

downtown Muncie a couple of years ago when he stumbled upon

two guys attempting to play the sport haphazardly. The 26-year-

old Valparaiso, Ind., native offered to join the two, bringing his

know-how to the town and teaching others how to play.

The skill required to play bike polo is more complicated than

the game itself. With a shout of, “3.. 2.. 1.. polo,” players from

each team joust to gain control of an oil-filled, street hockey ball

in the center of the playing field, which can be any abandoned lot

or court. Offensive objectives mimic those of street hockey: get

the ball in the opponent’s net.

Players cannot touch the ground with their feet and contact

between players is limited to bike-to-bike, mallet-to-mallet and

body-to-body.

“The No. 1 rule of bike polo is ‘don’t be a dick,’” Copeland says.

Bike polo dates back to 1891, but a group of cyclists in Seattle

allegedly coined the hard court pastime in 2008, and it is now

into its fifth year of holding a worldwide championship. Unfortu-

nately for those playing in suburban cities, the sport hasn’t gained

much popularity outside of the biking community.

Members follow an anti-consumerist approach, which requires

them to build everything themselves. You won’t find these guys

sporting store-bought mallets, bikes or court equipment.


THE GUIDE // sports

Wheel cover

Bike Breakdown

Right handle: Straight, one-sided handlebars

Low gear ratio

Nice tight geometry

for the frame

One of the things about bike polo is creating your own

bike. Here are some of the ways that bike polo bikes are

different from regular bikes.

Players use anything from ski sticks for mallets, to recycled parts

for bike construction.

A crucial part of the design is keeping the gear ratio low, around

1.2 to 1.7, so that the bike’s pick-up speed is quick. Although it won’t

ever go faster than 15 mph playing the sport, riders must be able to

accelerate quickly to the ball.

“You can build a bike from anything. It’s a builder’s sport, and I

love the fabrication,” Copeland says.

Though it’s a non-traditional activity, cities like Indianapolis, Bloom-

ington and West Lafayette, Ind., have a growing bike polo following.

The Indianapolis parks department recently designated two courts at

Arsenal Park for bike polo, and Lafayette held a tournament at the end

of March where players from all over the state played.

Last summer, a group of 10 guys hosted barbecue Friday in the

empty lot on the southeast corner of Washington and High Street.

And those interested in playing this summer should swing by the

empty lot behind Savages around 5:30 p.m. to catch a glimpse of

Muncie’s newest sport in the biking community.

“I wouldn’t say it’s specific to Muncie. I’m interested in the

community as a whole, going to different cities and playing against

different teams and making friends. It’s the way that I’ve made

some of my best friends,” Copeland says. “When it’s right, it’s a nice

camaraderie.”

Copeland has participated in several tournaments, but he hopes a

solid Muncie team can compete together someday, after attracting

more players.

SCRAP METAL SPORTstory & photos // stephanie tarrant illustration // krista sanford

As straight a fork as you can get

A Group of Ball State Cyclists help develop a local Bike Polo League.

Tom Mastreaches for control of the orange, street hockey ball behind chad copeland.

THE GUIDE // fashion


MEET: Kayla Wiles

your style iconEveryday women (and men). I take notice

of what it is that I like about their style and

then find a way to rework that idea to fit

my own.

how would you describe your style?I would describe my style as boy meets

girl. I have a very feminine body shape,

and I love contrasting that with menswear

inspired pieces.

favorite place to shopH&M has a lot of trendy styles and is the

first place I go if I am looking for a wallet

friendly version of a designer dress. If I am

looking for something a little more unique,

I get my thrift on at Goodwill or Rag-O-

Rama.

go-to closet itemMy pair of BDG boyfriend style jeans

from Urban Outfitters

Dream clothing item Dooney & Bourke python print bucket

satchel

What makes your style uniqueI embrace my inner grandma. My idea of a

sexy outfit usually involves a collared shirt,

cardigan or a pair of mom jeans.

what fashion means to you

Fashion gives you the opportunity to

continually reinvent yourself. You can

change the way you and others perceive

you, simply by the way you dress.

story // TAYLOR PETERSON photos // MARIA STRAUSS

MEET: sun min lim

your style iconI don’t have a specific style icon I look up

to for what I wear, but I’m inspired by

people that dress to extend who they are.

How would you describe your style?

I’ve built up my wardrobe to consist of

classic pieces with modern interpretations.

My hair is also a big part of my image.

Favorite place to shopI love the thrift stores in Wicker Park

in Chicago. They have durable, stylish,

designer pieces for much cheaper prices.

go-to closet itemA denim jacket from Topman that I

bought at Crossroads Trading Co. in

Wicker Park. Whenever I wear it, it pulls

my outfit together so well.

Dream clothing item/accessory

A Prada suit

What makes your style unique

I stick to staples and usually don’t follow

trends. I mostly wear neutrals, but I’ll have

a pop of color somewhere.

what fashion means to you

I loathe dressing down, because it is not

who I am. Fashion doesn’t define anyone,

but we should use clothing as a tool to help

define ourselves.

year: juniormajor: public relations

year: seniorMajor: Apparel Design

Jacket: H&MJeans:

Urban OutfittersTop: H&M

Necklace: UrbanOutfitters

Shoes: TJ MAXXBag: Target

Jacket: H&MJeans:

Urban OutfittersTop: H&M

Necklace: UrbanOutfitters

Shoes: TJ MAXXBag: Target

“I’ve built up my wardrobe to consist of classic pieces with modern

interpretations.”

“I would describe my style as boy

meets girl. I have a very feminine body

shape and I love contrasting that

with menswear inspired pieces.”

THE GUIDE // technology


Dear Rachel Buck,Not only are you extremely beautiful

but you are unimaginably smart. I

would love to get to know you and

listen to your views of the world over a

cup of coffee sometime.

From,A guy that sits across the room from you in your philosophy class

Dear Facebook civilians,Not to sound slutty or anything

But feel free to use me whenever

you’d like

Love, grammar

Dear admirers,We know you procrastinate by

constantly refreshing this page, and we

don’t blame you! It’s good stuff! But if

you think you procrastinate by reading

it, imagine how much time we spend

procrastinating by running it! With

that said, we have homework we must

do, and will be leaving for the night!

For future reference, we will usually

stop posting around midnight every

night. Once again, we post when we

have free time, but we do have social

lives as well, so keep that in mind! We

thank you for your offers to help, but

so far we are happy with the way this

is working! Keep on spreading the love,

and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!

Sincerely, The Admins

To everyone,Well after looking at this page I guess

I realized that people actually pay a

lot of attention to the people around

them. Oh boy

never wearing sweatpants again

OUR FAVORITE ADMIRERS

Evan Brown did not hesitate to click the

webpage’s “submit” button after typing a

paragraph that confessed his true feelings

for a girl who was sitting across the room.

The freshman psychology major was in

his PHIL 100 class, listening to the sound

of his professor’s voice, which was sound-

ing more and more like Charlie Brown’s

teacher. That’s when he made eye contact

with a girl across the room.

“She was really pretty and just all

around good looking,” Brown says. I knew

I wanted to talk to her, but didn’t really

plan on it because I couldn’t just go up

and approach her. I think this was my way

of taking initiative.”

Brown saw the Ball State Secret Admir-

ers’ Facebook page as an opportunity to

get his true feelings out and hoped the girl

across the room would see the post.

Her name was Rachel Buck and she was

a freshman, zoology major with black and

purple hair and red lipstick to match.

“Honestly, in the class he posted the

note, I was probably looking at the

Facebook page,” Buck says. “When I

first of heard of it, I thought it was really

interesting and I quickly became ad-

dicted to it.”

Buck continued to check the page, hop-

ing to see her name in the address line.

When she finally did, she was flattered

by the sweet statement and excited about

what it could bring. So she wrote her

admirer back, inviting him to message her

so they could meet.

Buck and Brown are just two of the

many students who have already connect-

ed through the Ball State Secret Admirers’

page, which was anonymously created by

story // HAYLI GOODE ILLUSTRATION // EMILY THEIS

SeCrets, Secrets Can Be FunBall State’s Secret Admirers’ Facebook page not only sparked curiosity ON CAMPUS, it also sparked love.

two students on March 27, 2013. After

seeing Indiana University’s secret admir-

ers’ page, the students decided their own

school needed one. The first day, the stu-

dents were disappointed by the turnout.

The next day, “the admins,” as they are

referred to, were amazed by the amount

of submissions they received. Overnight,

the page had exploded.

“At first we thought it would just be a

fun thing, and it would provide some en-

tertainment,” the admins say. “But now,

we try to brighten people’s days and show

just how much love exists on campus.”

The anonymous students used to post

everything that was submitted to the

Google document, which is how the ad-

mirations are collected. However, since

the page exploded to 6,115 “likes” within

a week of its creation, the admins now

censor what is published.

“Originally, we posted everything we

received, but we got some complaints

about harassment, and we were threat-

ened with expulsion if we did not take

the page down,” the admins say.

Ultimately, the page was taken down

for about four hours and fans began to

complain through social media.

“We saw on Twitter and Facebook that

people were upset it got taken down, so

we decided to change a few things and

bring it back,” the admins say. “[Now]

we try to post the same general type of

[uplifting] thing, and sometimes, funny

ones as well. It’s been a lot of work, but

it’s all been worth it!”

Anyone interested in expressing

love towards Ball State or its students

can submit his or her love notes to be

published on the site. There is a link to

the Google document near the top of

the Facebook page where students can

type their feelings, then hit submit. It is

up to the admirer to decide exactly how

anonymous he or she chooses to be, and

how anonymous they choose to keep

their admired. Because it goes into a

Google document, the admins say even

they don’t know who posts the notes.

“We created the Google form using

Google Drive, and once you create a

form you can see the responses on a

spreadsheet. The spreadsheet only shows

a timestamp and the submission, so we

only know when something was sent in,

and not who sent it in,” the admins say.

While Buck and Brown admit they

are excited to meet, Brown says he will

see where it goes after their first date. It

could lead to one of the first relationships

made possible by the page.

The admins admit they had no inten-

tion of starting relationships or dates out

of the site, but they’re grateful.

“We really had no expectations for it

at all, we weren’t thinking it would turn

into something this big. So we are just so

grateful every time we get a new submis-

sion or like, it truly is amazing to us!”

22 // BALL BEARINGS

insights

growing up is hard to do

you can handle the truth

By the end of our time in college, we’ve become

accustomed to lower fashion standards. We stroll

into class with messy hair, sweatpants, and a

face that says we’ve not yet left the REM cycle.

We jot down notes as the smell of alcohol leaks

from the pores of the person sitting next to us.

Some straggle into class late, others never show.

While this is a typical day in the life of a college

student, soon we must arrive on time and in

working order to a professional job with much

higher standards.

Perhaps the most important part of arriving

to work is doing so on time, which becomes

complicated when the workday begins at

approximately 8 a.m. Semester after semester,

that specific time of day is avoided by legions of

college students. Personally, I’ve always made a

conscious decision to steer clear of classes that

begin before 11 a.m. Some call it laziness, but I

like to think of it as smart planning. Why would

anyone want to spend his or her college years

waking up in the single digit hours when we

have to report to work at an early hour for

the rest of our lives?

In addition to most professions

requiring an early start time, a great

deal of them also require us to make

regular appearances. There’s the

occasional sick day, maybe a few

vacation days, and of course fleeting

weekends. For the most part, though,

we have to show up. This transition

can be rough for college students since

we’ve become seasoned in the art of skipping

class. We know which teachers don’t take

attendance, when nothing is due, and when a

quiz is unlikely. When any of these apply to a

class we don’t want to attend, it seems obvious

that the real lesson in that day’s class was

realizing we should stay home.

Few topics can strike fear into the hearts of

college students like the mention of adulthood.

Sure, we all want to graduate. But starting again

from scratch? Building a career? Paying bills?

That doesn’t sound like the fun and freedom of

adulthood we imagined as children. Developing

from a student to a full-fledged adult requires

many adjustments, some more difficult than

others to accept after years of

the college way of life.

bethany guyerMajor: TelecommunicationsYEAR: Senior FUN FACT:all i want in life is to read stevie nicks’ diaryFollow bethany @bethanyfarts

illustration // JENNIFER PRANDATO

find the fontthat fits you

confessions of a font snob

When I was younger, I was forced to make a transi-

tion. For some reason it stopped being acceptable

to save Word documents on floppy discs, thanks to

the newest software on the market, Microsoft Word

2001. During this troubling time, I found refuge in

the font Comic Sans. Being an overtly masculine

male, I often compare possessions of mine to women.

Things I care for, like my car, often take on feminine

pseudonyms. My favorite font is no exception. With

that being said, Comic Sans MS is ‘Wifey’ as the

cool kids say. She wasn’t my first, but when you’re

young you’re supposed to make mistakes right? For

example, the girl you swear you loved in 9th grade,

but the only thing you two had in common was third

period lunch. I tried seeing other fonts, but we never

really connected.

I fooled around with IMPACT for a while, but she

was too intense. Then, I started messing around

with Script MT Bold, but she was too fancy. I tried

to get a serious commitment out of Jokerman, but

she could never be taken seriously. There I was …

an eleven-year-old excited for my first conversation

on AOL IM with the cute girl from math class.

XxxAshley_Nicole13xxX finally gave me her

screen name during the monthly pizza party and I

didn’t even have a font to set up my away message!

I thought I’d never find a font, but then I saw her.

Comic Sans MS is her full name but I call her

Sandy. She sat there under Colonna MT looking

relaxed yet ready for a challenge, whimsical but not

obnoxious, strong without even clicking on the bold

icon. She was perfect.

Font preferences can reveal a lot about a person.

I always knew about my font fondness, but didn’t real-

ize other people thought about it too. That is until I

got to college and experienced those god-awful email

threads with classmates debating when and where to

meet up for the group presentation due next week.

Each preferred font said something unique about the

person using it. Like the girl using Garamond who

was a perfectionist and only listened to Beyonce’s

“Single Ladies.” Or the girl in the drama club whose

email signature was in Broadway, as if the

Helen Keller quote at the bottom of every email was

meant to be sung aloud. Don’t forget the guy using

Stencil whose backpack still has wheels because

he swears it’s so much easier on his back. You’re in

college, not Terminal C asking strangers if they think

your duffle will fit in the overhead.

For some reason, Comic Sans takes criticism in the

world of academia. Sorry my thoughts just don’t look

like MY thoughts when they’re in Times New Ro-man. If you don’t have a preferred font, find one and

cherish it. Maybe one day you will be as happy with

your font as I am with mine.

brandon newmanpursuing master’s in: digital storytellingYEAR: graduate student FUN FACT:If i could have dinner with five people, dead or alive, they would be ellen degeneres, malcolm x, william shakespeare, kanye west and lena dunham. in that order.

Follow brandon @irjerrell99

illustration // emma kate fittes

23

sans

comic

mrs.

W24 // BALL BEARINGS 25

insights

BEYOND

A STUDent’s journey through the student government elections

story // Brandon pope PHOTOS // Briee Eikenberry & provided

the ballot

hen I joined Cardinal United, an execu-

tive slate running for student government,

I could have never imagined what would

follow. In my head I envisioned talking

to people, kissing a few babies, getting

elected and then enacting changes on the

Ball State campus. What I got was quite

the opposite; a constant battle of time, my

first true test of character and an experi-

ence that goes far beyond platform points.

The Student Government Association

at Ball State is the key agent for change at

the student level. It’s completely stu-

dent run. The president, vice president,

secretary, treasurer and senators all work

together with faculty and administration

to advocate student concerns.

My philosophy was simple: why lobby

to SGA about issues when I could be a

member of SGA and do something about

it? So I looked into being a senator for the

off-campus caucus. One of the initiatives

I really wanted to push was the divide

between off-campus and on-campus

students. I also wanted to bridge divides

between the Muncie community and Ball

State students. With these goals in mind,

I began rallying signatures, 50 to be exact,

for a senator position.

Every year brings a new SGA election

and a new executive board of the organiza-

tion. This includes the positions of presi-

dent, the vice president who runs senate,

the secretary and the treasurer. I was more

in on this process than I usually would

have been. People knew I was eyeing a sen-

ate seat, making them more willing to involve

me in their conversations and dialogues.

I had no interest in running on an SGA

slate, nor did I have the time. Just the

thought of running for an executive position

seemed foreign to me. That was until I saw

an old friend.

Zeyne Guzeldereli approached me in

the library with no ulterior motives. What

started out as reminiscing on the horrors of

morning physical conditioning class became

a dialogue on policy, both nationally and

here at Ball State. We ended up talking

about where our university stands on issues

like safety, engagement in Muncie, and the

off-campus student divide. His eyes lit up.

He asked me if I was joining SGA, and I told

him yes, hopefully as a senator.

A few months later, I found myself

verbally committing to run for treasurer as

a member of Cardinal United. The four of

us were each assigned to come up with 20

well-researched points for the university to

develop our platform. That process domi-

nated my Christmas break.

The week after winter break, we had

our first meeting as a group. In the weeks

to come, we met every Tuesday, Thursday

and Saturday night for about three hours.

Debates ensued over which initiatives

were most important; and individual pas-

sions collided, making some conversations

heated. However, as a team, with all of our

strengths coming together plus an excep-

tional staff of SGA veterans, we were fully

equipped for an executive slate run.

The first half of the campaign was the

most fun. I had a blast talking with differ-

ent organizations and students about their

needs, concerns and what motivates them.

But once the second half of campaigning

kicked in, I discovered how dirty politics

can get.

There were a lot of emotions from sup-

porters of all three slates. Those emotions

were vocalized over Twitter and Facebook.

It got nasty at times. Vitriol was especially

eminent during debates. What would start

out as a forum on university policy turned

into personal attacks. Everything from a

candidate’s appearance to the way they

spoke became fodder for criticism. The

emergence of “SGA Fact Check” Twitter

accounts was the breaking point. These

accounts claimed to fact check each slate,

but in reality made unwarranted personal

insults.

Then, when an SGA Fact Check ac-

count called a senator in SGA a “whore,”

the elections board immediately handed

down blame to Cardinal United. The

reason why we were accused was never

disclosed. I woke up to the news around 9

a.m. on a Wednesday. We were fined $519

and had to issue a public apology that day

at senate or face elimination.

The news hit me like a rock. I had never

been a victim of corruption until then. I

rolled back in my bed and cut off contact

from the world. I have never felt lower.

There was no question if we were in-

nocent or not, I knew that we were. But

in an instant, our reputations had been

dragged through the mud. To be charged

with these allegations without any proof

or evidence, and to not have a chance to

defend ourselves was an injustice. Seeing

my friends take the heat for it was even

worse.

Suddenly, the future of Cardinal United’s

campaign was the center of discussion. Was

it worth staying in the race or not? After tears

were shed and hugs were shared, we decided

that it would be a disservice to our support-

ers to not keep pushing on. Somebody obvi-

ously wanted us out of this race. Dropping

contention would give them their wish. We

had started a transformative movement, and

SGA is completely student run and

operated. Much like our national

government, the organization is

comprised of three branches:

SGABASICS

It consists of the president, vice

president, secretary, treasurer, and

their appointed cabinet. This body

serves as the face of the organization

and a direct representation of

its brand. In short, the president

manages the organization. The

vice president runs the senate. The

secretary tracks attendance and takes

minutes for the organization. The

treasurer manages the organization’s

extensive budget and decides where

the money goes. The treasurer

also handles the SGA event co-

sponsorship fund.

It is comprised of senators who work

together to draft legislation. The

student senate has four caucases: On-

campus, Off-campus, At-Large, and

Organizational. Each caucus has the

task of voicing the concerns of their

respective constituents. Each senator

also serves on one of the six standing

committees: Governmental Affairs

and Student Awareness, Community

and Environmental Affairs,

Academic Affairs, Student Safety,

Student Services and Diversity and

Multicultural Affairs.

It enforces laws within the organi-

zation. It is comprised of a judicial

court of 7 to 17 judges and three

ex-officio non-voting members.

Some members of this branch are

appointed to the University Review

Board, which reviews violations

of the Code of Student Rights and

Community standards.

1

2

3

EXECUTIVE

LEGISLATIVE

JUDICIAL

Brandon pope walks away from his sga experience with a new sense of leadership.

26 // BALL BEARINGS

insights

cardinal united finished around 200 votes behind a spark forward in the 2013 sga election.

there was nothing that was going to bring it

down as long as we had a say in it.

After giving our statements to the senate,

the originator of the Twitter account came

forward, and our names were cleared. Going

forward, we used our momentum to rally

the vote. But many more challenges were

presented to us. We grinded out long hours

at night, hanging up posters and chalking

streets off campus. One night we had to

chase down people who were ripping down

our campaign material and pouring water

over our chalk promotion. Another night, we

saw people placing their posters over ours.

War had been waged. But we continued to

keep it clean, honest and ethical.

As the time to vote dwindled, I slowly felt

that we were losing the fight. Our opposition

had more people on their side, including the

head of the elections board. On [February

26] … The call came in and confirmed that

Cardinal United finished second, losing by

a little more than 200 votes. Silence fell over

the room. In that instant our hopes of being

the next executive slate for SGA were over.

The pain was immense, but the positives far

outweighed the negatives of the loss. I can

raise my glass to the fact that we had done

everything we could. We even did things I

never could have imagined, inspiring almost

2,000 people to vote.

I could call the large majority of my

opponents friends before the election.

I can proudly say that is still the case –

for the most part. Some ties have been

severed because I was falsely brought up

on charges of violating student code by

two individuals. One is a current SGA

member. The other is no longer a part of

the organization, allegedly “retiring.” I was

proven innocent and cleared of all charges.

However, these people that dealt in the

shadows have yet to be held accountable

and apologize for their actions. Until they

can step forward into the light, they will

remain no friend of mine. Rather, they

will stand as mas-

cots for corruption in

one of the university’s most

storied student programs.

Going forward, I will continue to advo-

cate for Ball State students. I don’t need

a fancy executive title to make a differ-

ence on my campus. Now is no time for

gridlock, rather it is a time for compromise

and a time to be united. I am open to

collaborating with SPARK, the winners

of the 2013 SGA elections and their

administration.

This year’s election was historic, and

I’m glad that I had the opportunity to be a

part of it. Because of SGA, I received the

chance to work and grow closer with truly

remarkable people. We inspired a move-

ment for tangible change and it is some-

thing I will never forget. Fortunately, I am

at peace with everything that happened.

There’s a silver lining in every situation,

and mine is gleaming bright.

27

TOP Fivefavorites

5

I would like to be a CEO of a

fashion company. I basically

want to be like Angela Ahrendts,

the CEO of Burberry.

I can’t live without my toothbrush because

teeth are my obsession. I can’t live without

my phone because it’s my connection to all

my favorite people around the world. And

I can’t live without pizza because it’s my

best friend when times are rough.

2. things i can’t live without

3. pump up song for sga

4. guilty pleasureTic Tacs because they go with

me wherever I go.

5. Dream job

Follow malachi on twitter@MalachiRandolph

“Coming Home” by Diddy

How do you want students to view you as SGA president?Not on a pedestal. I want them to interact with me.

I don’t want to be the type of president that just

goes and sits in his office all day. I want to be at their

events and doing activities with them.

If you could have lunch with one world leader, who would it be and why?I would have lunch with Mark Zuckerberg, the

CEO of Facebook, because his influence on the

world is bigger than most people recognize.

What is a quote that you live by?Jeremiah 9:23-24

Malachi Randolph is a sophomore international

business and Spanish major and fashion economics

minor. He has recently been voted the Student

Government Association president for the 2013-

2014 school year.

STORY // victoria davis

1. PoliticianCondoleezza Rice is my favorite politi-

cian because of her history of standing

up for herself. Although not recognized,

she was the first female and/or minority

in several prominent roles, including

that of Secretary of State, Stanford Pro-

vost and National Security Advisor.

TEN MINUTES WITHmalachirandolph

What’s the worst red head joke you’ve ever heard?People throw me all types of jokes about my hair

being on fire … Also, people think that you are a dif-

ferent race because you’re a red head.

What is your overall goal for you and your SGA cabinet?I want to see SGA brought to the middle of student

organizations. Right now, I picture it as a circle and

SGA is just one of those organizations in the circle.

I want us to not be in full power, but for us to know

what is going on. I want SGA to be something that

everyone is aware of.

What qualities do you feel that all people in leadership roles should have?You have to be approachable and personable. You

can have all of the greatest leadership qualities, the

beautiful look and everything, but if people can’t

talk to you, you can’t lead because you can’t listen.


FEATURES

avoiding

at all costs

As college tuition rises to an all-time high, students prove that being debt free isn’t as impossible as it seems.

story // Michelle Johnson PHOTOS // Lauren Dahlhauser INFOGRAPHICS // EMMA KATE FITTES

Last year’s buzz about national student loan debt hitting the $1

trillion mark left a lot of college students cringing and media moguls

playing “whodunit.”

“Everybody wants to point fingers at the other side,” says John

McPherson, director of Scholarships and Financial Aid at Ball State.

“The people on the financial aid side are saying, ‘Well, colleges are

jacking up prices,’ and colleges are saying, ‘Well the aid hasn’t kept

pace with the price.’ So everybody wants to point fingers, and I’m not

sure who’s right and who’s wrong.”

PINPOINTING THE PROBLEMBall State has lost more than $77 million in state support in the

past six years as lawmakers have shifted resources to faster-growing

regional schools such as Ivy Tech and those emphasizing degrees in

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas.

“But state financial aid funding has actually increased,” McPherson

says. However, that increase has been outpaced by a growing number

of students who qualify for aid.

McPherson attributes a large part of the student debt situation not

to a decrease in state funding, but to an influx of people applying to

universities.

The state issues what McPherson calls a “fixed pot of money” to be

spread out among Indiana’s universities. The more students applying

for funding, the less available for each student. McPherson says that in

bad economic times, universities see an influx in applicants looking for

retraining in technology fields after being laid off.

“When you have a big explosion of people applying for financial aid

like that, and most of them are eligible because they’re coming back to

school because they’re unemployed, that huge explosion in the num-

bers is what drove down the amounts,” McPherson says. “It wasn’t a

matter that the state cut funding, it was a matter that the demand was

so high that they sort of had to level it out to spread across the broad

numbers of people. “

McPherson also thinks students need to be more careful with their

money. Many tend to dig a hole of debt for themselves by treating

refund checks like paychecks.

“A lot of students come in and they’ve been living with mom and

dad and they have all the luxuries of home,” McPherson says. “And

when they come to college, they think they have to have all of those

things now. So you know at home I had my own room, I had a big

screen TV, I had my cellphone, I had a car … And now I come to col-

lege and so I think I have to have all those things again.”


FEATURES

Peter Dunn, a financial planner, radio host and author of “Avoid

Student Debt” from Indianapolis, agreed that students aren’t putting

proper planning into their college years. “Pete the Planner,” as he’s

called on his WIBC FM radio show, strongly advises students to avoid

loans at all costs, even if it means forgoing the traditional away-from-

home college experience.

“I think the whole, ‘I want to go to college to find myself and figure

out what I want to do,’ I think the luxury of that is kind of over,” Dunn

says. “Yes, college is a four-year social experience, but at the same

time, you truly, objectively cannot afford to go to hang out for a couple

years until you know what you want to do.”

STUDENTS DITCH DEBTDunn suggests two alternatives to digging a financial grave: A. be a

commuter student or B. go to a less expensive school initially and then

transfer to a school that would best support your future career.

Ethan Hughes, a former Ball State student, went with option “B.”

After attending Ball State for a year and borrowing about $3,000 from

his parents for living expenses, Hughes was tired of not being able to

support himself. He decided to leave Ball State and work until he had

enough money to live on his own again. Now he works at Rascal’s Fun

Zone, lives with his parents for free and hopes to continue his educa-

tion at IUPUI or Franklin College in the fall.

Although he misses college’s social environment, Hughes says he’s

happy with his decision to take a hiatus from school and move back in

with his parents.

“It’s not as exciting of a life as my friends that are off at school are

having, but it’s worth it,” Hughes says. “… Even though it’s going to

take longer to get through school now, when I do finally finish, I’ll

have a lot less money to pay back … I’ve heard stories from a lot of

people that you can spend your whole life paying [loans] off. It would

be one less thing to not have to worry about when life has struggles.”

It took Liberty Margrett one semester at Ball State before she knew

that enough was enough. After completing the Fall 2012 semester,

19-year-old Margrett sat down with her parents to total the cost of her

future monthly loan repayments if she were to continue her education

at a university away from home.

“It was enough for a mortgage,” Margrett says. “That’s when a light

bulb came on.”

Margrett decided to discontinue her college career and work until

she had enough money to start paying back the $10,751 she owes in

loans. Most of her time is consumed by 70-hour workweeks at two

part-time jobs.

Although leaving school put her anxiety at ease, Margrett says that

sacrificing a social life at college for a more sound financial future isn’t

for everyone.

“I think it’s best to find a balance you’re comfortable with,” says

Margrett. “Some people are more comfortable taking risks than others.

If you feel you can spend a substantial amount of money on school,

then you shouldn’t feel guilty for the investment. But, if you feel that

it’s too much of a gamble, you shouldn’t feel that you’re missing out.”

According to the Project on Student Debt, two-thirds of college

seniors who graduated in 2011 had student loan debt, with an average

of $26,600 per borrower. The average Indiana graduate with college

loan debt is just above this amount at $27,500 and Ball State gradu-

ates are just below the national average at $25,667.

However, some find a way to do it for less.

Erica Stevens graduated in three and a half years with no debt. The

public relations major combined a Presidential Scholarship, grants,

sacrificing a minor and working through school while getting minimal

support from her parents.

For Stevens, loans were never an option. Her parents warned of

the dangers of debt, telling her that if she needed to take loans out for

school, she should put a college education on hold. Stevens spent her

summers working as a hostess and her semesters at Ball State at the

Art and Journalism Building’s iLab, as a multicultural assistant for

Housing and Residence Life and as a bartender at The Silo.

Stevens says she struggled with money during college and her social

life took a hit especially during the semester she was bartending, but

that struggle is now paying off in her post-graduate years. As a full-

time paid intern for Fleishman-Hillard, a PR agency in St. Louis, Ste-

vens isn’t experiencing the same financial stress that her friends are.

“Being debt-free opens a lot of doors because I love my major but

I need time to figure out exactly what I want to do,” Stevens says. “I

don’t have this huge pressure to get a full-time job out of school. It

allows me to move wherever I want and I’m not really worried about

that financial burden.”

THE BIGGER PICTUREAlthough $1 trillion sounds like a lot, McPherson and Dunn agree

that the student debt crisis is just a small chunk of a larger national

debt deficit.

“A trillion dollars in loan debt is one thing, but really we have a

whole lot of national issues that I think our federal congressman

should be focusing on,” McPherson says.

Dunn thinks that taking control of finances early is the best way to

avoid the slippery slope of student debt. But he says the real way to

avoid student debt is to change how we look at it.

“At some point in our American history, we stopped saying,

‘Can we afford it?’ and instead we just afford anything and then

figure it out later,” Dunn says. “We do that with our consumer

habits, with our mortgages, with our credit, but it starts when

you’re 18, as a student.”

For many students, the daunting nature of debt may leave them

contemplating whether or not four years in higher education is worth

the price tag, especially when their colleagues’ degrees are collecting

dust while they work at minimum-wage barista jobs to survive after

graduation.

McPherson thinks it’s best to look at the long-term benefits of having

a college degree, rather than the short-term financial struggles.

“If people are borrowing at Ball State, you know what are they

borrowing? $25,600 — that’s about the cost of a car,” McPher-

son says. “So, you can go out and buy a car, which is going to be

dead in 10 years, or you can go out and spend that same money

on an education, which is going to benefit you for a lifetime.

I think that’s the perspective that people have to focus on,

because yeah, it’s a lot of money to get an education, but look at

the end result.”

AvG. debt for different schools

— Peter dunn

Top Five tips from a

financial planner

“I would tell people that any time they’re

about to take out a student loan, take a breath and see if there’s an alternative way of doing it … The most adult decision you’re going to

make in about a 10 year period, from the

time you graduate high school... is the actual

decision you make on college funding. Yet,

we’re so excited about leaving home and

doing those sorts of things, we’re not in the

best position to make that great decision.”

“Get angry at your debt,

you’ll get rid of it faster. The longer the

debt drags on, the more interest you’re

paying.”

“When you go to college, you’re actually supposed to be broke. Don’t try to extend

the lifestyle that you had here, in many

instances, your parents are in the prime

earning level of their career, so their

habits of spending have nothing to do

with the student’s lifestyle when they

get to college.”

“No one wants to commute, let’s be honest, but you

can decrease that cost of college by up to

50 percent by commuting from home.”

“Dropping out isn’t the solution, because then you’ve got debt

that isn’t supported by a degree. I think it’s

the most dangerous debt to have because

you’ve got half a college degree and a bunch

of loans. A better solution is to finish your

education at a more affordable institution.”

12

34

5

63%of students attending a public or private

4-year institution have student debt.$27,500 rank: 11average student debt in Indiana in the United States for debt

Bal

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ian

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tate

Un

iver

sity

I nd

ian

a U

ni v

ers i

ty

Pu

r du

e U

niv

e rs i

t y

Indiana debt

source:

projectonstudentdebt.org

30,000

25,000$25,667

ba

ll s

tate

un

ive

rsi

ty

ind

ian

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niv

er

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pur

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$18,445

$28,434$27,286

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

L32 // BALL BEARINGS 33

FEATURES

ori Wright waits in line Thursday morning at the Har-

vest Soup Kitchen for a hot meal, never imagining she

would be in this situation. She has been coming about

twice a week since she lost her job in December.

As a certified mental health technician, Wright

is a rare sight at the soup kitchen. After working in

Florida, she came back to Indiana, where she lived and

worked for more than 20 years. But her career took

an unforeseen turn. Suddenly, Wright found herself

without a job, money or a home.

Wright uses public transportation to get to the

kitchen, but a one-day pass on the MITS bus costs $1

and being unemployed makes paying that fee all the

more difficult.

According to Wright, this loss of income even made

groceries a questionable expense.

“I’m at the mercy of soup kitchens and food pan-

tries,” she says.

She constantly worries if she was going to have

enough to make it.

“I felt myself cutting back on a meal so I had enough

for my next meal,” she says. “It can happen to any-

body. It doesn’t matter your education level, how old

you are … things happen.”

Relying on soup kitchens to stretch that extra dollar

for meals is a reality for the growing number of those

living in poverty in Delaware County. Loretta Parson,

director of Harvest Soup Kitchen, sees this reality

firsthand nearly every day of the week.

With employment scarce in the area, about 100

people a day, 400 to 500 people per week, walk

through the doors of the kitchen on E. Charles St. in

downtown Muncie, Ind. At the end of the month, dur-

ing breaks and on holidays those numbers increase.

“They feed themselves for a day or two, and it helps

them maybe pay another bill,” Parson says.

In 2000, 14.3 percent of Muncie families lived below

the poverty line, according to an American Commu-

nity Survey, which is done through the Census Bureau.

In 2011, that number rose to 19.7 percent, with the

official poverty rate at 15 percent for the United States.

There were 46.2 million people in poverty in 2011.

Those in poverty are reminded every day of their need

for basic necessities, but it’s the people who aren’t in pov-

erty who are being targeted to participate in Delaware

County’s 2013 nonprofit initiative, “Poverty Awareness

Year,” to help those who are less fortunate.

In March 2012, TEAMwork for Quality Living, a local

organization aimed at empowering people in poverty toward

self-sufficiency, created a poverty awareness week. Around

766 people participated in the 30 different events and activi-

ties offered during the week. Although these events were

successful, Molly Flodder, TEAMwork’s executive director,

wanted to expand the week into a year so they could include

more events and get more people involved. These educa-

tional events are designed to help community members learn

how to care for their impoverished neighbors.

Though Muncie resident Mary Mordue does not live in

poverty, she participates in the Poverty Awareness Year

events. Mordue, a Delaware County resident of 13 years,

-MOLLY FLODDER

“AS THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY CONTINUES

TO GROW IN COMMUNITIES, WE CAN’T PUT OFF THE

NEED TO LOOK AT IT.”

lori wright has a bachelor’s degree, but she’s also one of the 500 people who rely on the muncie harvest soup kitchen for food.

story // sara nahrwold PHOTOS // Maris Schiess

Poverty awareness year is tackling economic issues by educating the community on how they can help the impoverished around them.

not just a

poor person’s problem


FEATURES

has always seen poverty as a persistent problem in

this community. And the numbers show that it has

only grown in the last 5-10 years.

“I think as the problem of poverty continues to grow in

communities, we can’t put off the need to look at it,” Flod-

der says. “The sooner people who are in traditional com-

munity leadership roles wake up and realize the impact of

poverty on the well-being of the community, the better.”

Throughout 2013, poverty awareness events and

workshops will continue, with each month having a

specific theme. For example, March was “Poverty and

Nutrition” month. Working off this theme, TEAM-

work and other organizations teamed up to host

Cook for a Cause, an event that focused on teaching

others how to cook with just a few simple grocery

store items, such as soup and beans. Participants also

learned nutritional and food safety techniques.

“To actually look out and see how unhealthy people

are eating and to try and change that is something I’m

interested in doing but didn’t really know how to get

started,” says Mordue, who participated in the cook-

ing workshop. “The best thing this program is going

to do for me is give me a framework.”

After attending Cook for a Cause, participants

were encouraged to host their own cooking sessions,

to teach those in poverty them how to make healthy,

budget-friendly meals.

Ball State freshman dietetics major, Kiya Dues, vol-

unteered at the Cook for a Cause event to get plugged

into the real issues behind poverty.

She helped lead a handful of community cooking

enthusiasts by making a simple meal, explaining food

label percentages on a can of soup and suggesting dif-

ferent spices to add to the skillet meal. She hopes to

take what she learned and apply it to her own cooking

session out in the community this year.

“I think it’s a really good opportunity to tell people

in the poor community how to eat and what to eat

and cheap ways to get your food,” Dues says.

While she has only been a Ball State student less than a

year, Dues recognizes the poverty in the surrounding area.

“I’ve heard about it, but Ball State is kind of a

bubble,” she says. “This year I have been volunteer-

ing, and my eyes are getting opened up.”

Flodder says that events like this are important

because they help the community understand poverty

and learn different ways to fight it.

“They are a way to mobilize people who are typical-

ly not involved in these situations,” she says. “Poverty

is something that will never end unless it becomes a

priority for all of us.”

Organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank are

also aiding in the fight against poverty. Currently

serving a poverty population of about 16,000, the

food bank advocates for those in need and educates

the local poverty issues. Tim Kean, president and

CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, says that a short-

age of food in Delaware County is not the reason a

growing number of people are hungry.

Wright also encourages community members to

take action against the problem growing in their

backyards.

“We thought of poverty as a third world nation

problem but it’s not, it’s right here,” Wright says.

“People need to pay attention, open their eyes and

reach out a hand. Don’t be so greedy.”

Despite living in poverty, she proudly says she has

set goals for herself and won’t give up on them be-

cause of her situation. Eventually, she hopes to return

to school and get a master’s degree.

Dressed casually in blue jeans and a pullover

sweatshirt, Wright finishes her coffee and is ready to

be busy for the day to stay motivated.

“I’m a survivor, I’m a fighter,” she says. “Things

happen and I can get through this. It may take me

awhile, but I’ll come out of it.”

Poverty andMedian Houshold Income

bsu student KIYA DUES uses her passion for nutrition to teach those in poverty how to cook on a budget.

2007Poverty Level 20.3%, MHI 29,952




2011Poverty Level19.7%, MHI 30,200

In this fast-paced, go-getter society, completing the core

curriculum is no longer enough for college students to

make it in the real world. Employers look for college gradu-

ates who have not only succeeded academically, but have

also contributed to activities outside the classroom. When

we’re told to participate in extracurricular activities, we

automatically think: student organizations or intramural

sports. But there are also ways to enhance your college

experience by taking classes outside your major.

“The truest education is the kind you do on your own,”

says Kathlyn Kenninson, Director of the E.B. and Bertha

C. Ball Center.

Taking a step outside of the traditional classroom setting

and allowing yourself to enroll in a provoking, indepen-

dent learning course at the Ball Center.

It all started with Mr. Edmund Burke Ball – one of the

five cordial brothers who founded what is now the Ball

Corporation. Once E.B. Ball married Miss Bertha Crosley

of Indianapolis, the couple built their home overlooking

the White River between 1905 and 1907. That home is

not the site of the Ball Center.

In 1977, the Ball Center opened as an academic building

at Ball State. The center’s mission is to provide stimulat-

ing, intellectual opportunities at Ball State and in East

Central Indiana communities through programs, lectures,

classes, seminars, workshops, etc., that are presented in an

informal learning environment.

Each non-credit course offered by the Ball Center is

unique in its own way and provides knowledge that stu-

dents will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

You may think, “I don’t have time for courses that won’t

count as credit,” but you have to go beyond that and see

it as a rare educational opportunity that could make you

stand out amongst your peers to potential employers.

The Ball Center helps students get a more conceptual

understanding of the content that they are learning in

these non-traditional classes, as opposed to memorizing

material for a test, when it could easily be forgotten in the

years to come.

“The highlight of a higher education is that you’re

supposed to get a curious interest in the world,” Dr.

Bohanon says.

These classes will not only teach you a unique combina-

tion of skills, but most importantly, will build your analyti-

cal and communication abilities – which is exactly what

employers are looking for in job seekers today.


FEATURES

HIGHEREDUCATION

story // Aiste Manfredini PHOTOS // Maris Schiess

Learn how to spice up your degree and graduate with an unforgettable experience

-DR. CeCIL BOHANON, BALL STATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS

“THE HIGHLIGHT OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS THAT YOU’RE

SUPPOSED TO GET A CURIOUS INTEREST IN THE WORLD.”

VISIT THE BALL CENTER: 3401 West UniversityMuncie, IN 47304

with a

TWISTcreative

SUMMER SONGSInstructor: Dale BashamThursdays, May Starting Date to be Announced, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $125 Ever wanted to have a moment in the

spotlight? Basham will be joined by his singing

partner of 25 years, Rebecca Bly. Together

they will prepare their students for a premier

performance at Vera Mae’s Bistro on July 4.

A Taste of CalligraphyInstructor: Paula Sullivan Friday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Cost: $50 (includes lunch) With a few tools and a bit of patient practice, you’ll

be on your way to learning the basics of calligraphy

lettering. This sophisticated art will teach you the

foundation and knowledge using several letter

styles such as Celtic and Old English.

Writing Your MemoirsInstructor: Paula Sullivan Friday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Cost: $50 (includes lunch) “What did I used to be, and how did I get

there?” These are some questions to ask when

leaving a permanent record of your life. Even if

it’s heartfelt or just plain embarrassing, you will

write a memoir in your own words creating a

written heirloom for others to enjoy.

Painting Plein-ly and Loving the Experience Instructor: Ann JohnsonFriday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cost: $50 (includes lunch) There is something about painting outside

while looking at a spectacular landscape.

Everything is alive and your painting will be

also. Come learn how to paint not all of what

you see, but also what it means to you.

High Noon Critical Readers

instructor: Nacy lindleycost: $12

Love to read but can’t make up your mind

on what book to choose next? Join a book club!

The Critical Readers meet monthly on the

third Wednesday at 12 p.m.

Books for discussion are:

April 17 – Vessel of Sadness by William

Woodruff

May 15 – Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck

These classes require no extra cost for students:

AHS 290 - Asian Art (3 Credits)

Explore the eye-opening and diverse world

of art and architecture in Asia. From the

prehistoric era to the advent of the industrial

era, this class emphasizes characteristic forms,

techniques, and art theory in the context of

developments in society and religion.

SUST 250 - Intro to Sustainable Development (3 Credits)

Keep calm and think GREEN. Discover the

values that frame decision making for maintain-

ing systems elements for setting natural, hu-

man/social and economic sustainable develop-

ment goals.

Contact Professor Vann for more information

at [email protected]

CANADIAN STUDIES (CANS)150 Canada: Cultural Crossroads (3 Credits)

Ever wonder what Canada’s all about?

Discover the geography, history, government,

economy, literature, art and music defining

Canada’s individuality and international

heritage.

WGS 220 - International Wom-en’s Issues (3 Credits)

Are you an advocate for women’s rights? This

course will focus on investigating women’s ex-

periences in non-Western culture and help you

better understand the importance of empower-

ing women around the world.

ANTH 451 - Witchcraft, Magic, and Religion (3 Credits)

This may not be equivalent to your typi-

cal acceptance letter to Hogwarts, but it will

certainly teach you about the human attempts

to control life through supernatural beings,

prayer, sacrifice, and techniques of magic and

witchcraft.

Beginning Genealogy Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 23; 10-11 a.m. Presenter: Jack Carmichaelfree for students – Reservations Required

Ever wonder where your family came from?

Find your ancestry by taking this three-day

course that will cover valuable resources and

aid you in researching your family history.

Muncie Action Plan (MAP): Moving Beyond the Rust Belt Mentality Tuesday, May 7, 10-11:30 a.m. Presenter: Ginny Nilles free, Reservations Required

Listen to Ginny Nilles, director of the Mun-

cie Public Library and co-chair of the MAP

Board of Directors, discuss the effects of the

Muncie Action Plan on the community.

Magna Cum Murder Crime Writing Festival October 25-27, 2013 Cost: $250 (for the full weekend); daily registration or single-event registrations available.

If you’re a lover of crime writing or reading,

come enjoy this year’s festival at the historic

Columbia Club on Monument Circle, India-

napolis. Writers and readers from all over the

U.S., and some abroad, will come together for a

weekend of exciting panels and discussions.

DANC 121 - Introduction to Modern Dance 2 (1 Credit)

Freedom of expression is a powerful thing

– especially while traveling the dance floor.

Learn how to emphasize alignment, phrasing,

body awareness through space, vocabulary,

musicality and performance skills.

Contact Sara Yanney-Chantanasombut at

[email protected] for more information.

PSYS 277 - Psychology of Sexu-al Behavior (3 Credits)

If you have a curiosity for human sexual behav-

ior, then this might be the class for you. Not only

will it focus on the development of sexual identity

and attitudes but it might help you better under-

stand your significant other’s complex behavior.

FCFA 101 - Dimensions of Cloth-ing (3 Credits)

Creative? Have an eye for detail? Learn how

to analyze style and adornment while empha-

sizing dimensions that affect the design and end

uses of textiles and clothing.

CJC 312 - Victimology (3 Credits)

Ever wonder what happened to the many

forgotten victims of crime? Discover the

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39

Story // Dan Carpenter photos // fair trade usa & Ben Dehr

Consumers play a large role in the global economy, but do they play a role in the modern slave trade?

UNEQUAL EXCHANGE

rom coffee to sweatpants, bananas to shoes, chocolate to cos-

metics, or jewelry to soccer balls, there is a person behind ev-

ery price tag, and everything can be traced back to the hands

that made it. Dollar signs aside, there is a growing disparity

between global companies and their employees — an injustice

otherwise known as the modern slave trade.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNO-

DC), more than 80 percent of the world’s countries identify

as being affected by the modern slave trade. And the United

Nations estimates that the slave trade brings in $31.6 billion

of profit every year, with industrialized economies responsible

for generating 49 percent of that income. From spending

long hours on a farm to being trapped within claustrophobic

textile mills, the men, women and children who are forced

to work for little compensation make up the backbone of this

mistreated labor force.

The global economy is built upon misplaced value. Instead

of placing value on the producer of a certain good and their

well being, value is placed upon the result and the profit. If

prices are low and demand is high, then the producer and the

consumer is happy. But this need for fast, efficient and cheap

products has only increased demand and continues to fuel the

slave trade.

Local companies like the Downtown Farm Stand are

aligned with the international fair trade campaign and are

fighting for a fairer wage, worldwide.

Between lobbying, raising awareness and helping businesses

adapt an alternative business model, fair trade “contributes to

sustainable development by offering better trading conditions

to, and securing the rights of, disadvantaged producers and

workers,” as defined by four European Fair Trade Organiza-

tions (FTOs).

the fair trade business model aims to give every worker a fair wage for their labor.

by the numbers //


ENRICH

Dave Ring and his wife, Sara Ring are local, organic farmers

and owners of the Downtown Farm Stand in downtown

Muncie, use a fair trade model to run their business where

they actually interact with each of their producers face-to-

face. However, if there are any fair trade products that they

cannot get within the U.S. like coffee, tea, tropical fruit, and

cocoa, Dave ensures that he purchases it from another fair

trade certified producer.

“We like fair trade products because it ensures there is a

monitoring system in place. I can’t go down to Guatemala, but

I know the producers are getting a fair wage,” Dave says.

Although this kind of loyalty and personal commitment

involves a great deal of work and communication, Dave says it

is worth the extra effort to know that everyone involved in the

process receives a wage they can live off of.

“It puts more money in the producer’s pocket and ensures

that they’re getting a fair wage, and in the end, builds the food

system,” Dave says.

A relationship built on the well-being of both the producer

and consumer results in various forms of growth. With more

money in their pockets, producers can sustain their business,

provide for their family and develop the quality and efficiency

of their operations. Fair trade is unique because it acts as an

advocate for the producer, while also functioning as a tool for

local and international community development.

According to Parker Townley, the National Organizer for

Fair Trade Colleges and Universities, Fair Trade USA and

similar organizations have enabled fair trade certified farmers

to earn $77 million in community development premiums

since 1998. Over the years, that money has been used for

community-elected development projects in areas such as

healthcare, education, environment, business management

and the improvement of quality and productivity.

Despite the strides made by the fair trade movement in the

last several years, the World Bank estimates that more than 2

billion people live on less than $2 a day. The fair trade effort

to shrink that number is merely a drop in the bucket; there is

still a significant amount of work ahead.

Ultimately, collaboration among governments

and corporations play a large role in ensuring that

producers around the globe are treated fairly and the slave

trade is abolished.

But according to Grace Sharritt, a member of Free the

Slaves and the Social Justice League on Ball State’s campus,

change starts with the consumer. And for Sharritt, her pas-

sion for fair trade started when she was 17 years old. After

listening to a speaker from the human rights organization,

Stop the Traffic, she decided, “I am going to learn as much as

I can about this.” After doing extensive research she quickly

learned that buying fair trade chocolate was an impactful first

step in ending slavery. Now she and fiancé Chris Kozak, along

with Free the Slaves and IJM, are petitioning to get Ball State

Dining to start selling fair trade chocolate on campus in order

to raise awareness of conscious consumerism.

They believe that with a global market that is dependent

upon supply and demand, consumers are in a critical position

to greatly alter supply chains and production. This is what fair

trade also focuses on: developing a conscious consumer.

“How I choose to spend my money as a consumer is a pretty

powerful thing,” Sharritt says. Kozak, agrees.

“It may not matter right now, but I’m going to start right

now,” Kozak says. “Maybe twenty years down the road there’s

going to be one million people, or five million people, or 100

million people who think the same way I do because a friend

of mine saw me not shopping at Walmart and asked why.”

Kozak, Sharritt and the Rings believe that taking small

steps to enact change is effective. Simple steps may include

consumers reevaluating their purchasing patterns, shopping at

stores like the Farm Stand, getting involved with anti-traffick-

ing groups on campus, learning to live with less and seeking to

get informed about how they can make an impact.

This year, World Fair Trade Day falls on May 11. For a

full list of fair trade certified places and products, visit http://

www.fairtradeusa.org/products-partners.

comparing companies & their fair trade grades

Apparel h&M (b+) // express (D)

ChocolateDivine Chocolate (A) // Godiva (D-)

Electronics Kindle (D) // Leap Frog (D-)

JewelryAmerican Eagle (B) // Jared (D-)

ShoesADIDAS (b+) // Forever 21 (D-)

ToysLego (B) // My Pillow Pets (F)

The following grades measure the use of slave labor in the supply chains of major brand name companies. More specifically, each grade is based upon the evaluation of four categories within any given brand: Policies, Transparency and Traceability, Monitoring and Training and Workers’ Rights. For more detailed information on brand evaluation, visit www.free2work.org.

visit the downtown farm stand: 125 E. Main St.muncie, in 47305

approximate number of people in modern-day slavery

people who are victims of forced labor exploitation in areas like agriculture, construction and manufacturing

total annual profits generated by the slave trade

people trafficked across international borders every year

amount generated on average by each forced laborer annually

countries affected by human trafficking and the slave trade

price of a slave on average

source: polaris project

27,000,000

14.2 million

$32 billion

800,000

$13,000

61 $30

IN FOCUS

43

PHOTOS // ball bearings staff

URBAN DECAY

42 // BALL BEARINGS

clockwise from top: A “Keep Out” sign is seen hanging haphazardly on the stoop of an abandoned house off of East Main Street. // BENJAMIN DEHR

Broken glass and smashed paneling spontaneously spread throughout the depths of an old Elementary school on County Rd. 500 N. // briee eikenberry

an abandoned automotive factory in michigan has been vandalized by locals. // gina portolese

This vacant hospital is located in the heart of blackford county. it has been sitting empty for 10 years, since a new one was constructed.. // c. mead jackson

illustration // annie gonzalez

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