Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

In a crowded library at this time of year, all around you may see the faces of panicked and flustered college students. Exhausted, stressed and procrastinating students will swarm the library every year at the end of each semester. You can almost feel their anxiety just by looking into their half-open, baggy eyes. Look at the desk each one of them have in front of them and you can be guaranteed to see a heavily caffeinated beverage such as coffee or Red Bull. Welcome to finals week at the University of Mississippi.

When desperate times call for desperate measures, students will go above and beyond anything you would expect. It’s not uncommon for students to go days without sleeping, consume incredible amounts of caffeine and even take controlled substances not prescribed to them. Most people, especially students, are familiar with these things. Kamilla Alves, a senior chemistry major here at the University, says it’s no surprise to witness students do outlandish things to get by during finals. “I’ve seen students not sleep for days at a time, and live off of caffeine and Adderoll” said Kamilla while drinking a Red Bull while studying Quantitative Chemistry. “My personal favorite was this one girl who brought a pillow, blanket and entire case of Monster energy drinks to the library.” But the anxiety is not joke, University of Mississippi counselor, Dr. Marc Showalter said he’s even seen students attempt to harm themselves due to stress and anxiety around finals time.

Students constantly will keep themselves awake into late hours just to study a chapter or two. Even our campus J.D. Williams library extends its coffee shop hours and stays open 24 hours during finals week. Students believe that extending the normal hours of the day will help them have more time to learn material for finals; however, students aren’t aware that that isn’t the case at all. In fact college students that get more sleep ultimately have a higher grade point average according to neurological [studies].

What seems to be a growing trend nowadays is the non-medical use of controlled substances. According to a Brown University [study], non-medical stimulant use among college students is second only to marijuana as the most common illicit drug used.

Dr. Marc Showalter said students should be aware of the dangers of taking someone else’s prescribed medication. “Students will take drugs that are prescribed for ADD…the facts are that that can alter your brain chemistry in a way that would help you if you actually had it, but most people don’t, and so it can be very harmful and dangerous.”

Substance abuse can even cause medical emergencies for students that don’t know how to use it. Director of Student Health, Barbara Collier said she’s witnessed it occur many times. “That’s the one we’ve actually seen in the building that we’ve actually had to send to the emergency room because of tachycardia.”

To put it simply, students should learn to prioritize and try not to overwhelm themselves. As it appears, it can have some detrimental consequences.

Grad School

Katy Dale

Jackson

Jour 102

7 December 2010

Grad School-Final Project

As the job recession is still in effect, a master’s degree is becoming more and more advised to get a good paying job.

The Graduate School at the University of Mississippi has seen a boost in the number of applicants over the years.

Jose Rodriguez, a Spanish grad student said, “I really would like to teach in Spain or be a professor somewhere after school.”

Rodriguez has traveled to Spain with the Spanish program at Ole Miss this past summer.

The number of students has gone up 12.5% since 2008 in the Grad school at Ole Miss.

Dr. Maurice R. Eftink, The Dean of the Graduate School said, “The numbers seem to be continuously growing.”

“Students are wanting to continue their education and hopefully land a huge job right after college,” Rodriguez said.

The University of Mississippi has seen a boost in the number of student undergrads and grad students since the movie “The Blind Side” was released.

Ole Miss had to cut off registration early last spring since the number of applications exceeded expectation.

The Graduate School number of students went up 2.5% this past fall.

Erin Elliott graduated from the Ole Miss Graduate School with a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Taxation.

She was offered an internship this past summer with IFAC in New York City for the summer.

Her internship soon turned into a full time job.

“My boss asked me if I’d like to work here full time and I said yes of course,” Elliott said.

Most students who graduate from grad school are offered multiple job offers and internships.

“It takes hard work and perseverance to get through the classes, but it is definitely worth it,” Elliott said.

Monique Mouton, a sophomore at Ole Miss said, “I look forward graduating from Ole Miss and continuing my education here, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Mouton is studying criminal justice and hopes to go to Law school/ Grad school

Ole Miss has become increasingly popular which in turn is better for the school.

More money is being generated by the number of students coming from out of state, which means more money can be spent of programs offered by the school.

An extra two years of school can really pay off in the long run; grad school should be something everyone thinks about.

Who wouldn’t want to be in Oxford for an extra two years?

http://www.olemiss.edu/gradschool/

http://www.mississippi.edu/research/downloads/profile2009.pdf

Wikileaks: Safer Not Knowing

Wikileaks is an independent website which aims to expose secret information about governments and corporations was founded in 2007 by Julian Assange. Assange was born in Australia and is an activist and journalist. Wikileaks has put out many secret documents and has become quite controversial. The website can be accessed worldwide and so some of the documents released are leaked to our enemies.

The military has called out Wikileaks for posing a serious threat to our defense. The New York Times has an article that has a quote from the military. The military “…called it [Wikileaks] a threat to its operations in a report in March 2010.” They have a very good reason to call Wikileaks a threat. The website has released information that in the wrong hands could be devastating. There are those who believe that it is more important to know what our government is doing.

If we knew more about what really goes on in our government it would change the way we vote. We would be able to see what our politicians were doing and know the information was accurate. In the article, “Don’t Mention the Cables, Future Diplomats”, author Robert Mackey quotes a man who sees positive in Wikileaks. Mr. Brick, who served on the National Security Council said, “One of the best results of the Wikileaks release of thousands of State Department cables is that it moves up in time the moment when it is possible to have a reasonably informed discussion of policy making.” Mr. Brick is saying that if we know everything about the politicians, then the discussion will not have any hidden areas. The politicians will not be able to hide any prior mistakes.

Wikileaks could be a very useful resource. The only downside of the website to the common person is that it threatens their safety. The documents released by Wikileaks can be seen by almost anyone. However, many do not see as much risk in releasing these documents and are more driven to find out the secrets of our big corporations and government officials. Ultimately, people are safer not knowing all these secrets. Nothing is worth the price of compromising our national security.

Click Here to watch a debate about Wikileaks being a threat.

An Academic Oasis

A door shuts softly on the second floor of the Residential College. Lounge areas, which once welcomed laughter and conversation, are eerily silent. Two students break the silence as they walk the hallways discussing biology before disappearing into one of the many study rooms. As soon as the door shuts behind them silence returns to the empty floor.

This silence means only one thing on a frigid Monday night in December–final exams.

Exam time is one filled with much procrastination, cramming and stress for Ole Miss scholars. Libraries and computer labs across campus overflow with “off-campus” students seeking academic refuge from the outside world and its distractions. Combined with stress, the overcrowding of university facilities has become one of the worst nightmares for college pupils.

However, students of the Residential College seem to have the issue under control.

The Residential College at Ole Miss serves as a scholastic oasis for its residents. The Lucky Day Program sponsored dormitories convenient on campus locations are a great benefit for their students.

“Being on campus is an easy way to access the library, as well as study materials because everything is right here in front of you here,” said George Jackson, a sophomore living in the Residential College.

Residing in the same location as fellow Lucky Day scholars is beneficial for helping students stay on task during exam week.

“Being around people with a common goal really makes studying a whole lot easier in the fact that people here encourage you rather than distract,” Jackson said.

The Lucky Day program also provides the Residential College with tutors to help any resident with their studies.

Students such as Mason Money, a sophomore resident, have noticed the effort put forth by the Lucky Day and Residential College programs to advocate the importance of education to the scholar inhabitants.

“The staff have been really active in trying to help all of us prepare for this week. We have plenty of study rooms on each floor, personal space, and if extra help is needed to study, the extra help is available here for us,” said Money.

“It’s not only the newest dorm, but it also creates a great atmosphere for learning.”

The Residential College project at the University of Mississippi has been an important step in the education of college students. Some studies show that living on campus increases a scholar’s GPA between .2 and .9 on a scale of 4.0.

A Creative Outlet

The importance of fine arts education in high school and middle school students has become very well known throughout the nation thanks to programs like Save The Music and through lots of thorough research.

According to edutopia.org, there are many benefits from fine arts education. Some of those benefits are increases in reading, critical thinking, math, and verbal skills. It also increases personality traits like self-confidence and teamwork. These are all great things that every person could use improvement in.

Fine arts education has the potential to produce very well rounded students that become dependent on a certain creative outlet to deal with everyday stresses and to better express their self.

Emmalee Rainey, a sophomore at Ole Miss and psychology major, has been singing and performing her whole life. “It’s crucial for me to sing as my creative outlet. If I didn’t have a way to express myself then I might go crazy.”

When getting to college many students that were involved in high school arts programs lose their creative outlet because many arts programs are restricted to fine art majors.

However, in the Ole Miss Choral department there is a very unique opportunity for non-music majors. The Ole Miss Choral department has opened all of their chorus and ensemble groups to non-music majors. “I had no idea that this was even an option for me,” said Rainey. “It’s a great thing…it is perfect for students who have their heats in music but their head in business.”

A perfect example of that kind of student is junior geological engineering student, Elizabeth Stewart. She was a crucial part of the Ole Miss concert choir and women’s glee ensemble during her freshman and sophomore years. She said it was very hard to balance all of her engineering classes with all of the practices and concerts, but the hard work was worth the payoff for her. She says the program challenged her as a singer and made her a better-rounded person. “And the scholarships didn’t hurt either,” Stewart added. “I would definitely recommend the program to other students. It is a phenomenal program and if students enjoy music and want to continue to sing it is a good way to do that.”

Auditioning is very easy to do. An appointment time can be set up at any time by contacting the Ole Miss Choral department.

Haleigh Sanders

This is a video of Emmalee Rainey singing a song she is considering for an audition and talking about her true love of singing.

Giving Back Moves Everyone Foward

When a visitor steps on campus at the University of Mississippi and look up to see the red and blue banners that line the streets of the campus that read, “Experience Amazing” few would be able to quickly recall just how the university community is given the opportunity to experience all that it does. The University of Mississippi gives opportunities to students every year through the university endowment also referred to as the University Foundation.

The Foundation was formed decades ago in order to ensure that the future generations of the Ole Miss family would have more opportunities and always maintain high excellence in and out of the classroom. Although very few students are aware of the Foundation and everything that it supports most students are positively affected by its influence during their tenure at the university.

From funding major scholarships, to student trips and organizations the foundation is kept alive my major donors, alumni and grants from around the country; all with different motives for keeping the Ole Miss community alive. Foundations exist across the country and vary in size and purpose, easily accessible online at The Foundation Center, which explains the purposes, goals, and concepts of foundations from around the country.

One of the primary ways students are affected by funding from the endowment is through funding for student organization; Bill Rosenblatt, the Associated Student Body treasurer who is responsible for distributing these funds. Below is an interview with Bill where he explains the benefit of the Foundation facilitating student involvement.

See E-Mail

Although not every student is involved during their tenure at the university it is important for them to stay active post graduation. The Foundation encourages all alumni to give back to the university and to work to ensure that other students have the same opportunities as they did during their collegiate career.

The Economy and its Affect on Student Housing

According to Ann L. Morgenstern, Assistant Director for Marketing Services for the Department of Student Housing of almost 3 years, the current economy is not affecting student housing in a negative way. Students will be able to stay in the residence halls with little or no change due to any differences in University funds.
In a recent report by Boston.com, Larry Sparks, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance said, “This year part of operations are funded with $9.5 million in stimulus funds and those don’t come back next year.” When Ann was asked about this report she said, “Well, we are considered an auxiliary; we bring in our own money.”
Sparks did add that it was “unclear” how the situation would be handled and that they had to “be aware of all possible scenarios”. Boston.com interviewed Tomes, a sophomore here at the university. Tomes’ opinion on how the university would regain some of the funds was, “They’ve raised the prices of food at the student union.”
Ann said that what does affect housing is when there is a big class of freshmen. She said “It was really high last year, and that the occupancy is very high because of it.”
Christopher Brownlee, a Resident Assistant of over a year, described his job as someone that “builds communities by creating programs”. He also said that due to the economy his job is harder. Not because of the lack of money, but because there are just more students.
However, Christopher did say “it was harder to place students in dorms”. His reasons were the incline of tuition and also the rise in students. He said that the tuition has gone up every year since he was enrolled at the university in 2006, adding to the difficulties.
The report in Boston.com also chronicled several other Mississippi schools as it related to the economy. Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, Delta State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi were the other schools discussed in the article.
Other areas that could be affected by the economy are non-faculty workers. The custodians and the workers in the restaurants in the student union could possibly be affected after the stimulus funding is gone.

A Little Less Stress on the Bursar...

The J.D. Williams Library located on the campus of The University of Mississippi has recently addressed some issues concerning its cost of operation. The J.D. Williams Library has recently attempted to down size the hours that it allow student into the vicinity. “It is a shame that we have had to reopen the library at the 2a.m. marker for students that do everything but study,” said a senior librarian.
When asked the question what can students do to decrease the stress felt on the library’s budget and overnight library staff the senior librarian had these words, “Pay your book and overdue materials fines”
The J.D. Williams Library is one of the buildings on the campus of The University of Mississippi besides The Barnes and Noble Book Store that cannot charge fees to student’s bursar accounts. Because of the library’s inability to do automatic charges the J.D. Williams Library has been losing funding.
The J.D. Williams Library cannot automatically charge to student’s bursar accounts due to the lack of 250 thousand dollars to set and install the program. The 250 thousand dollar program would allow the library to charge book and overdue materials fees directly to each student’s bursar account. Charging to the Bursar account is just one of the many issues that the J.D. Williams Library faces. The Library cannot accept credit card, debit, check, nor do money order payments from library patrons that intend to repay their fines. All material fines for the J.D. Williams Library must be paid in cash and in person.
Students at The University of Mississippi like Jannea Vance, explains why she likes the fact that the library cannot directly charge to the Bursar account. Like Ms. Vance many students’ feel that too many expenses are piled upon their Bursar accounts causing heavy overloads in payments and academic holds upon their registration. With the continuing of Library fines having to be paid in person with cash the chances of the Library actually gathering income is very slime to not getting it at all. When asked about feelings toward the payment for the J.D. Williams Library Librarian Ashley Glover said, “I think students take advantage of not having to pay mandatory fine therefore they think they can get away without payment.


Kaylah K. JOhnson

Crime Rate On Ole Miss Campus Decreases

Crime rate on the Ole Miss Campus has decreased significantly this year compared to last year.

The crime report released on the University Police Department’s website shows a 64% decrease in crime in November of 2010 compared to November of 2009. The number of drug- and alcohol-related arrests and citations, thefts, and vandalisms all show a considerable decrease from the previous year. In November of 2009, eleven vandalisms and thirty-five thefts were reported, compared to only seven vandalisms and fourteen thefts.

Despite the increase in the number of students on campus this year, including the largest freshman class in school history, University police say that the increase in enrollment has not been a problem.

UPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Thelma Curry said, “The number one problem is traffic. Even though enrollment has increased the number of students on campus, not much has changed. Two additional Campus Safety officers were hired to help provide more security coverage.”

Curry does not believe there is any one particular reason for the decrease in activity, and they often find crime rate varies from time to time.

“Larcenies and thefts are crimes of opportunity. If property is not secure then there is a chance of a theft occurring, while most vandalism acts happen out of spite, revenge, or someone just out being malicious or intoxicated.”

Knowing that crime has decreased provides comfort and assurance for some students.

Senior Kelsey Craig said, “It makes me feel safer living here because I feel like officers are doing their best to keep us safe and to prevent crime. It also makes me feel good knowing that not as many students on campus are committing crimes.”

Campus Safety Supervisor Vernon Rogers says he believes with student cooperation, the decrease in crime could be even greater.

“Students can help prevent crime on campus by taking care of their valuables and properly securing them. I know they hear it all the time, but if items are left unattended they are going to be stolen,” he said. “Also, be responsible. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive. Use Rebel Ride, a taxi, or a designated driver.”

The Jean Jones Walk/Run

Jean Jones was a former director of the University of Mississippi, and also the first female director in the division of student affairs. She was a very dedicated member to the university and also to the community of Oxford. Dr. Jones served more than twenty five years here at the University of Mississippi. Jean Jones was involved in many aspects of student life while she served her time here at Ole Miss. Jones battled a war with breast cancer and eventually died in 1997.
The Jean Jones Walk is a memorial walk for Dr. Jones, and also an event to honor others who have been touched by cancer and to bring awareness to the community. On April 10th of 2010 the 12th annual Jean Jones Walk was a huge success. The University of Mississippi created a website dedicated to Jean Jones, http://jeanjoneswalkrun.racesonline.com/, which is a great source for more information on the importance of this walk. According to Lelia Burkhalter, the counselors assistant, “The walk includes a 5k run and a two mile walk. The race starts and ends at the Union Plaza here on the Ole Miss campus. To enter the walk it cost twenty five dollars for individuals, fifteen for groups of five or more. This cost provides a t-shirt and admittance into the race”. All of the proceeds go to the Dr. Jean Jones Memorial Scholarship fund and also the Baptist Hospital Cancer Institute. The Jean Jones Walk takes place in the spring, and is known as a celebration of her life, spirit and her.
This walk takes place every year in what anyone would consider a great cause. Jean Jones did a lot for the University of Mississippi and will always be remembered all over campus and throughout the Oxford community. “The Jean Jones walk has taken place every year for the past twelve years and will be carried on for many more years”, according to Shelia Goolsby, the assistant director of the Counseling Center here at Ole Miss.

Source information:

http://jeanjoneswalkrun.racesonline.com/

Shelia Goolsby - counslg@olemiss.edu

Lelia Burkhalter- counslg@olemiss.edu

Final project in Jour 102 (Alumni) Tiffany Boyte

Alumni Participation After the news of a Mascot Change for the University of Mississippi.

By Tiffany Boyte

Alumni Today, Gone Tomorrow?

The University of Mississippi prides it self in many things including being more then just a place of learning but a life long family. It is no surprise with a motto like that; that this University has one of the top Alumni Associations in the country as well as a major support system from its current and graduate students.

Brandon Hudspeth, marketing coordinator for the University of Mississippi Athletics programs said, “You spend four years of your life in this town, with these people. Whenever I see red and blue together I think of Ole Miss. It’s something that you can quickly identify with and relate with even if you don’t know the person wearing those colors, you find a common ground.”

But with change comes some concern . The University built on tradition was recently rocked by the announcement of a new on field mascot. Rumors began to circulate that many alumni would soon drop their donations and support if this mascot took the place of long time iconic symbol “Colonel Reb.”

Missy Roberts, an alumna from ’92 said, “My father was a long time sponcer for the football team and after all that has gone on with this school he refused to donate his time and money to the program out of rage. I think that this is something that could tear our unity apart and many alumni are torn to keep donating money to a school that didn’t listen to their wants and needs when it came to this issue.”

The financial statements for the 2010 year show there might very well be an issue with funding through alumni participation. The budget for Alumni activities were cut nearly in half by the University. These financial records also show an increase in payments alumni must make to contribute to the association.

Hudspeth said that though the Grove was booming on game days ticket sales have been lower this year then previous years possibly due to the poor home game schedule or lack of entertainment on the field this season.

Some “perks” that have kept the sponsors interest include season passes to sports events and membership to certain clubs such as the diamond club for the baseball season. The Alumni association has recently expanded it’s building on campus spending millions in renovations. http://www.alumni.olemiss.edu/

So in these economic times, could change prompt a financial pull out for sponsors the university relies on? As of now many say it is too early to tell. But this University if this university is a family, change will not tear it apart.

Psychological Damage Due to Stress During Finals Week

“Everybody has stress,” is a common phrase used among millions of people everyday, however when does just the stress of everyday life turn into something more damaging and dangerous not only to one’s physical health, but also to their psychological health?

College students are a prime example of people who are constantly stressed over every single thing in their lives. They stress about grades, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and maybe even family. College students are also pros at not sleeping, therefore weakening many aspects of the body, and the mind. These weaknesses open a door for stress related complications to walk right in and create severe damages to one’s psyche and physical health. When asked on a scale between one and ten, what is your stress level during exam week, Miriam Taylor, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, describes her level of stress “around a six” because she tries her best not to stress herself out. However Taylor admits that she can tell a difference in her emotional state during times of stress because she has “a tendency to get a little bit snappy” and even goes on “caffeine crazes” where she consumes too much coffee and soda later causing her to have “headaches and stomach aches”. Taylor also continued to say that she tends to psych herself out because right before a final, she gets “really bad test anxiety” and it causes her to have to seclude herself in order to calm down and prepare for her examination. So how do we gain control of our stress, and regain control of our lives?

Dr. Jill RachBeisel, a psychiatrist at the University of Maryland Medical Center describes stress as, “a pressure or a strain that an individual feels that pushes them beyond their comfort level, and pushes them into an area of unfamiliarity.” Dr. RachBeisel continues to say that if one has continued stress, “your body experiences a chronic state of stress which can have long term effects,” some that many people personally know to be true. She also goes on to say that there are different kinds of stress, there is good stress and there is bad stress. Good stress is a kind of stress that helps us to achieve our best, and makes us step up to the plate and get the job done. Many could argue that stress caused by finals could be characterized as good stress because it could help one work harder and achieve a better grade on their final, however when does good stress turn into bad stress. Well Dr. RachBeisel describes bad stress as being at the point where you don’t feel in control of your situations anymore, which can later lead to anxiety. Dr. RachBeisel does give tips on coping and managing your stress, by exercising, developing plans for yourself, and taking action in your life, thus regaining control of your life and its situations. Many college students can relate to the reactions of stress which Dr. RachBeisel includes as constant worrying, restlessness, being on edge all the time, feeling tired and irritable a lot, difficulty concentrating, and also difficulty sleeping.

In order for one to control their stress, they must gain control of their life, or else their stress can build up and turn into anxiety, which can then escalate into depression if they don’t seize control at the right time. One of the most important things that a college student will learn is to manage their time, and with that, they must learn to manage and control their stress so that they do spiral down into a hole, which they are unable to get out of. Stress is a very serious matter that affects millions of college students everyday, however it is a matter that they must learn to live with because through out life, there will always be stress over something, but it is nice to know that there are things you can do to maintain control and keep yourself functioning. So take a break, go for a walk or chat with friends, but stay focused on what is important and don't let your stress get the best of you.

The Career Center and Their Impact on Unemployment

The economy has taken a downfall, and although the recession has impacted people all over the country with unemployment being one of the biggest issues, the Career Center at the University of Mississippi has made significant strides in making a difference with the student’s unemployment issues at the University. The goal of the Career Center is to empower students to make informed career decisions by helping them better understand themselves and the world of work. “The Career Center has still found jobs with the economy being in the condition that it is in. Employers have still been posting jobs for students to apply,” said Susan Barclay, a career planning specialist at the Career Center. The services offered by the career center are only available to students and alumni of the university. In general, many alumni return to the career center for their services up to a year after graduation. The unemployment rate of Oxford, MS is 6.5%. http://www.simplyhired.com/ shows unemployment rates. The career center is run off of a budget. Income is generated through career fairs, through employers that want to set up tables at the career fairs, and through some government funding. The government funding is strictly for the JLD Program (Job Location and Development). This service helps students locate jobs in their specified fields or major areas of study. The jobs include full-time and part-time. Unemployment issues also stem from resumes not properly formatted for employers. The Career Center allows a resume drop off service in which students can drop off resumes and have them critiqued. The unemployment rate in Mississippi is 9.7% according to http://www.bls.gov/ . “We offer career and life planning classes. There are three sections. They cover everything to transition into the world,” said Susan Barclay. Job postings are not only locally, but also regionally and nationally. Research is made readily available to students pursuing employment or direction into career choices. “The Career Center helped me find a major that fit my personality,” said Kam Pride, a senior at Ole Miss. Assessments are offered that can help make decisions of employment and career choices. Unemployment across the United States may have taken a turn for the worst, but The Career Center is doing its’ part and making a difference in the unemployment rate in Oxford, especially at the University of Mississippi.

Croft Institute Searches for New Assistant Professor in History and Political Science

Videos For Final Project(Eagle Watch)

Video 1- Eagle Nest at Sardis Lake

Video 2- Is a video of Sunset on Sardis Lake

Video 3- Ducks in Wetland area at Sardis Lake ( used for Migratory Bird Act section)

Video 4- Geese on the Lower Lake at Sardis ( Used for Migratory Bird Act section)

Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey at Sardis Lake

The US Army Corps of Engineers at Sardis Lake plan to host their annual Mid-Winter Bald eagle Survey on January 8th 2011. This is this 29th consecutive year that this event has taken place at Sardis Lake.
“The purpose of the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey is to monitor the status of Bald Eagle wintering populations in the contiguous United States, by estimating national and regional count trends, overall and by age class of each eagle counted,” said Houston Hartley Park Ranger.
“Each year we encourage volunteers to come out to the lake a help in the eagle watch by visually observing eagles around Sardis Lake. Some of the instructors at the University of Mississippi give students CEU points for attending the event. We try to boost our number of volunteers by giving away t-shirts and offering a free breakfast the morning of the event,” said Kyle DonLevy Park Ranger.
“At the 2010 event, forty-eight volunteers came out and counted five Bald Eagles. Four of which were mature adults (5 years of age or older) and one was an immature or juvenile,” said Chris Gurner Interpretive Services Park Ranger.
It was through efforts like the Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, that on June 28, 2007 the Interior Department took the American Bald Eagle off the Endangered Species list. The Bald Eagle is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. These acts prohibit the take, transport, sale, barter, trade, import and export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone to collect eagles and eagle parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. There are now an estimated 80 to 110 thousand Eagles that exist in the wild. That averages out to approximately 4500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states.
Bird watchers that are unable to attend this years’ event are still encouraged to come out and view these majestic birds. The eagles can be seen early in the mornings around the lake as they hunt for their morning meals. Occasionally the eagles can be seen around mid-day perched high in trees basking in the warm sun. This helps regulate the eagle’s body temperature which should ideally stay around 102°. If you would be interested in any more information, please contact the Sardis Lake Field Office at (662) 563-4531.