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Neyland Hester, 90, a 23-year administrator who started as UALR’s first director of University Relations in 1963, died Jan. 28 at Hot Spring Medical Center near his home in Traskwood. The UALR Alumni Association is scheduled to host its 10th annual “Taste of” event from 6- 8 p.m. March 14 at the university’s Alumni and Friends Center. Taste of Little Rock will feature local cuisine and entertainment in honor of Janet Jones, who is both a university and community donor. Over the past 10 years, the series has raised more than $200,000 for Alumni Association scholarship funds. Jim Balfanz, president of education-focused nonprofit City Year, is scheduled to give a lecture at the Clinton School of Public Service’s Sturgis Hall Feb. 15 at noon titled “Closing the Implementation Gap and Building the Graduation Pipeline.” During the event, the speaker will discuss the role his company plays in national school reform. For more information, you can contact by phone at 501-683-5239 or by email at publicprograms@ clintonschool.uasys.edu. The Arkansas Association for Women Lawyers is scheduled to host a screening of “Miss Representation,” a movie that addresses the underrepresentation of women in American media, at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law’s Friday Courtroom. “Manson and its Progeny: An Empirical Analysis of American Eyewitness Law,” a paper by UALR William H. Bowen law professor Nicholas Kahn-Fogel, which has been downloaded nearly 100 times, was recently among Social Science Research Network’s Top Ten list for the Empirical Studies and the Criminal Procedure eJournals.
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Student government approves $1,000 bill in special meeting
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ticket to sing
Jennifer Ellis
Executive Editor
The Student Government Association unanimously passed its first bill of 2013 authorizing an expenditure of up to $1,000 for T-shirts for its members on Jan. 30 in a special meeting, of which the governing body failed to notify The Forum despite its many requests. The Forum found out about the special meeting when the Senate approved minutes for the meeting during its regularly scheduled assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 7. In the case of emergency or special meetings, the Freedom of Information Act Annotated 25-19-106 states the person calling the meeting must notify newspaper and other media representatives, who have requested to be notified,
of the meeting time, place and date at least two hours prior to the meeting, so that the public may be represented. “From what I understand there was miscommunication about the special meeting time and making sure The Forum was informed,” Chief of Staff Jonathan Bobo said. “I apologize personally on behalf of the Student Government Association that the correct meeting time and agenda were not conveyed to you in a clear and timely manner.” This is the second time in as many years that the SGA and The Forum have been at odds over the Freedom of Information Act’s open meetings laws. During the 2011-2012 SGA Administration, then-President
See MEETING, page 3
Spencer Lloyd, freshman business finance major, holds his callback ticket for ‘The Voice’ auditions Saturday, Feb. 9, in Houston. Photo courtesy of Tim Lloyd
Article, page 4
Green Dot program aims at violence prevention Safety initiative comes year after student disappearance, death
Sarah De Clerk Features Editor
After a year of planning, a program focusing on preventing violence through bystander awareness will officially launch on campus at the Trojan basketball game Saturday, Feb. 16 with an information table, promotional video and T-shirt giveaway. The program called Green Dot specifically targets powerbased violence within personal relationships, said Sarah Beth Estes, steering committee chair and gender studies coordinator with the Department of Anthropology and Sociology. This kind of violence includes sexual, partner, child and elder abuse as well as harassment, bullying and stalking. “What makes this program unique is that it focuses on bystanders – all of us – and what we as community members can do to prevent violence from occurring,” Estes said. While other programs concentrate on the victims and perpetrators of violence, Green Dot is concerned with the role that community members play in violence prevention. The program is based on social science research, she said, and is the most effective tool for reducing violence in a community. “The idea there is that we are all members of this community together,” Estes said. The program encourages people to become active bystanders who show that they will
Senior Mario Wallace, professional and technical writing and Spanish major, clicks in his answer to a poll question during Green Dot training in Ledbetter Hall on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Green Dot program is a violence prevention initiative that will be officially launched Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Trojan basketball game. Photo by Jennifer Ellis
not tolerate violence in their community, she said. The green dot is a symbol that counteracts red dots – violence or potential violence, she said. Proactive green dots promote the program, while reactive green dots confront violence when it occurs. Bystanders can spread green dots by following the
“three D’s,” Estes said. Direct action involves “checking in” with people who are in a potentially violent situation. Bystanders can also diffuse potentially violent situations by causing a distraction. In cases where bystanders are not comfortable interfering, they can delegate the green dot to a higher authority, like the
Statistics reflect drop in remediation rates Liz Fox
Entertainment Editor
The number of first-year students at Arkansas public colleges and universities deemed unready for coursework fell in fall 2012, according to a report released by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. These statistics, which are collectively known as remediation rates, concern first-time students who scored below 19 in one or more areas of the ACT admissions test and are required to pass remedial courses before continuing on to core and major-related programs.
Approximately 40 percent of UALR first-time students enrolled in fall 2012 were required to take non-credit courses. Mathematics, which competed with reading and English scores, saw the highest rates with 252 of 833 students adding remedial coursework to their existing degree plans. State statistics indicate a rate of 47.8 percent, a decrease from fall 2011 that reflects a steady decline during the last five years. This number also beat the state’s all-time low of 48.5 percent, which was recorded in 1994. The state’s remediation
Department of Public Safety. Green Dot trains people to recognize potentially violent situations and to spread green dots safely, without risking the bystander’s safety or making the situation any more dangerous for the people involved, Estes said. It also
See PROGRAM, page 4
Black History Month speaker inspires room full
rate, which is among the highest in the country, can be accounted for by the number of Arkansas institutions with open-admissions policies. Many small campuses admit students regardless of gradepoint averages or test scores. But Calvin Johnson, who serves as interim chancellor at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, said these policies are beneficial to firstgeneration and low-income students. “It’s a challenge for us,” Johnson said in a story published by the Arkansas Dem-
Academy award-nominated actress Taraji Henson spoke to a packed auditorium of UALR students and surrounding community at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 in the University Theatre. In celebration of Black History Month, Henson delivered a powerful speech dedicated to the youth, which she titled “Finding Faith in Yourself." Though a woman of self-pro-
See STATS, page 4
See SPEAKER, page 3
Alexis Williams Assistant Editor
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Opinions Staff Editorial
Strange girl, stranger world
SARAH DE CLERK
More to consider in abortion ban
Illustration by Sarah Melero
SGA secrecy breaks law, snubs Forum The Forum We understand that many people at UALR don’t believe that the Student Government Association means much to begin with. But they should. After all, they are our elected representatives. Unfortunately this group of student leaders doesn’t take a leading role in representing the student body, and hasn’t even come close to doing so for quite a few years. Student activity fees pay for $21,000 worth of salaries for seven SGA executives each year. That’s a yearly salary of $4,500 for the president, $4,000 for the vice president, $3,750 for the chief of staff (the media liaison), as well as a good chunk of money for the rest of the executives. Money is good, and it is an excellent way to compensate the best and brightest from the stu-
dent body for their hard work, in theory. Those amounts are the equivalent of very generous scholarships. Here’s the problem: although the SGA doesn’t harness the power given to them, they are still seen by administrators as the voice of the students. In September 2011, The Forum published an article that reported that the SGA closed a public meeting without proper cause. At that time we couldn’t even get as much as an apology from SGA representatives. This was just the beginning of SGA’s troubles obeying the Freedom of Information Act’s open meetings laws. We say that was just the beginning because they are at it again. Just last week, the SGA called a special meeting to vote on a bill allowing the purchase of up to $1,000 worth of T-shirts
for SGA members. Don’t get us wrong: T-shirts are great. We at The Forum love T-shirts, and we like to share ours with anyone who will wear one. The problem here was that no one bothered to let anyone at The Forum know about the meeting, even though the law requires it because Forum representatives have requested to be notified about these types of meetings numerous times in the past. Heck, even though our offices are 57 feet apart, on opposite sides of the same room, we have even asked to be included on the SGA’s email Listserv to save them the extra effort in letting us know. That request didn’t even garner a response. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act says, “except as otherwise provided by law, all meetings, formal and informal, special or regular, of the governing bodies of all municipalities,
counties, townships, and school districts, and all boards, bureaus, commissions or organizations of the State of Arkansas, except Grand Juries, supported wholly or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be public meetings.” To the SGA, that means you. Yes, you. Your Senate meetings are public, and you must follow the law. You are held to the same standards as municipal and county governments. Although the chief of staff was polite enough to apologize this time around, it’s hard to believe anything will change. We are not sure how to make it any clearer. When the incident occurred in 2011, then-President Simone Lewis used the excuse of that’s “how it’s always been.” Apparently if it’s how it’s always been, that’s how it’s always going to be.
Good riddance to bad Ratzinger Frankly, my dear GEOFFREY BARA Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he’d be retiring effective the 28th of February to the shock and dismay of Catholics everywhere. This is shocking not least because the last time something other than death interrupted the tenure of a pope was in 1415, when Pope Gregory XII was deposed to put an end to the period known as the Western Schism. There were actually three popes at one time during this period, which in my opinion calls into some question the legitimacy of the papacy from that point forward. Or indeed at all. But I digress. From the moment I heard Joseph Ratzinger was to accede to the office of pope, I was skeptical. Of course the issue that most bothered me at the time was his Nazi past: it’s well documented that he served in the Hitler Youth, although he and
his supporters insist that joining had become compulsory by that time. The rest of my worry came from his famously conservative nature, and his beliefs and writings in defense of traditional Catholic doctrines and values. Personally I found his predecessor, John Paul II, much more palatable. And quite a looker in his youth, if truth be told. Pope Benedict XVI’s record is less than sterling, as I predicted it would be. I am particularly concerned by his comments regarding gay marriage and homosexuality: “In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.” As a liberal, his opinions bother me. As an American, his instruction to citizens of this country to fol-
Illustration by Sarah De Clerk
low his convictions rather than those of the President of this nation bothers me more. I am also bothered by what to my mind is a total lack of progress regarding the issue of abuse in the Catholic church. In 2002, he was quoted as saying, “In the United States, there is constant news on this topic, but less than 1 percent of priests are guilty of acts of this type. The constant presence of these news items does not correspond to the objectivity of the information nor to the statistical objectivity of the facts.” (“Cardinal Ratzinger Sees a Media Campaign Against Church,” Zenit.org, December 3, 2002.)
I think this quote is indicative of his, and the church’s desire to minimize, rather than solve, the problem of rampant child abuse at the hands of clerics of the Catholic church. I’m an atheist, but of all the religions I have come into contact with, I find Catholicism to be one of the most fascinating. I love the tradition and the history, the art and the literature. There will be a grand legacy up for grabs in the days to come. It is my hope that the Throne of St. Peter will find a worthy occupant, and that the Catholic community will begin to make some of the progress it so desperately needs to.
It is safe to say the abortion debate did not end in 1973 with Roe v. Wade, which gave women the right to abortions. A seemingly endless push and pull over abortion restrictions has followed. The “Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act” placed tremendous restrictions on abortion. In order for the ban to be successful, certain social changes must take place. The first step to reducing the demand for abortions is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. One way to do this is through cheap, available birth control. This should include hormonal birth control as well as condoms. Hormonal birth control is more effective at preventing pregnancy. It also gives women full control over their protection, unlike condoms. Birth control is useless without education, however. Sexual education should inform young people about their reproductive health and family planning so that they are more likely to make smart sexual decisions. Education should be improved across the board as well, and college should be made more accessible. This helps lower the birthrate overall and it lengthens the amount of time before a woman has her first child. Free or discount parenting classes would also help new parents. In addition to reducing unwanted pregnancies, the social services surrounding children and parenthood should be expanded. Limiting abortion will place adoption and foster services under greater strain. It will be urgent to strengthen these systems so that they do not become overloaded. Carrying a baby to term can be a financial challenge for the mother. If she is forced to absorb that cost, then the price of postnatal care and delivery should be lowered. To help out parents who keep their children, childhood medical care and day care should be less expensive as well. In those cases where abortion would be allowed after a fetal heartbeat is detected, there should be mechanism for allowing the woman to have her abortion quickly and discretely. Pregnancy from rape or incest, or in which the mother’s life is in danger, would be exempt. In these cases, the mother would already be under stress, and forcing her to jump through legal hoops to get her abortion would compound her troubles. If all of this seems unnecessary, consider the outcome of banning most forms of abortion without implementing any social change. Some women may seek illegal abortions or try to force a miscarriage. This dangerous option can result in infection, permanent scarring or death. New mothers who do not have social support will not have a safety net if they run out of money, run into problems with the father or do not have their family’s support. This puts the woman under incredible stress, which will also affect the child. Therefore, if the government would nearly ban abortion, it should also be prepared to take a more hands-on approach to pregnancy and child rearing. Arkansas citizens should be prepared for this as well. It is foolish to restrict abortion without considering the social ramifications.
Letters to the Editor The Forum welcomes letters to the editor on any subject as well as comments on our news coverage and editorial position. Letters must include the author’s name, classification, major or position and a contact telephone number for confirmation. Letters are subject to editing to meet space limitations. Please limit letter to 500 words or less. The staff will not alter the meaning of the letter, but will correct spelling and punctuation and edit to conform to Associated Press and news style. All letters are subject to publication. The editor has the right to reject any letter especially those letters that are libelous,
News Editor Cameron Moix
Executive Editor Jennifer Ellis
Features Editor Sarah De Clerk
Managing Editor Ricky Harris
Sports Editor Jacob Ellerbee
Business Manager Holden Raines
Adviser Sonny Rhodes
Advertising Manager Steven Wells
Entertainment Editor Liz Fox
obscene or incoherent.
Letters should be sent to editor@ualr.edu or
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The Forum is the official student newspaper at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Forum is funded in part by the student activity fee; members of the UALR community are allowed one copy per edition. When available, additional copies may be purchased for $1.25 by contacting The Forum’s business manager. Newspaper theft is a crime. Anyone who violates the single copy rule may be subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution and/or university discipline. The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of UALR. Students enrolled in MCOM 3320 and other reporting classes sometimes serve as contributing writers for The Forum. Advertising inquiries should be referred to The Forum’s advertising office at 501-569-3319. The Forum is published 7 times in each of the fall and spring semesters, and once in the summer. The Forum’s executive editor can be reached at 501-569-3265. All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted.
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News
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
NASA physicist discusses Nanotechnology in Space
Purple, gold and green mean ... party
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KenDrell Collins Staff Writer
A senior physicist at one of the world’s leading space agencies gave a seminar about space photovoltaics on Feb. 1, in the UALR Student Service Center auditorium Sheila Bailey of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, discussed the agency’s goal of making solar cells cheaper and more efficient. She claimed that solar cells will be around for years to come. In fact, she said that communication satellites, used to stream this year’s Super Bowl, are powered by solar cells. “Solar cells are used for communication purposes as well as surveillance for the military,” Bailey said. She introduced the topic by giving a brief history and explaining the origin of solar cells. Russian satellite Sputnik was the beginning of the space activity, according to Bailey. But she described the lifespan of solar cells back in 1957 as being relatively short, with batteries lasting only 20 days. She also revealed some of NASA’s current endeavors. “We are developing the crew vehicle for the international space station; it will be the emergency vehicle,” she explained. “This vehicle is powered by solar cells.” Bailey recalled that on her first day of work, her boss gave her simple instructions: “Make a better solar cell.” “So I went off to make a better solar cell and I’ve been trying to do that for the last 28 years,” she said. Solar cells have come a long way in terms of efficiency, according to Bailey. “When we started back in the ‘80s, solar cells were about 6 percent efficient,” which means only that amount of the
sunlight is turned into electric power. “We are now up to 36 percent for space cells,” she said. For audience examination, Bailey brought an actual solar panel, which was small and lightweight. She said that size is a major limitation for solar cells, and that it currently costs around $10,000 per pound to put anything into space. There are several ways to lower costs, but Bailey does so by working with nanostructure material. She said that solar cells with up to 40-percent efficiency are not out of reach. Two new innovations include making thin-film cells on a flexible structure and cells that peel off. She noted that solar cells used outside of our solar system have lower efficiency than their terrestrial counterparts. Bailey also discussed the triple-junction cell: “This is the best commercial space cell — you can go buy one right today.” It has 29.9 percent efficiency and is currently on the market at prices as high as $750 per cell, which according to Bailey is quite expensive. The seminar drew students from variety of disciplines. Kelly Singer, English and French double major, was among audience members. “I love learning about NASA itself, there are so many more aspects to it than just putting astronauts in space and improving the international space station,” Singer said. Bailey invited students seeking employment to visit NASA’s website (nasa. gov). The agency offers jobs to those seeking employment as administrators, engineers, scientists and skilled craftsmen. She said that employment at the agency has been stable in recent years and will continue to be so in the future.
MEETING, continued from page 1 Simone Lewis, who currently serves as Senator for the College of Professional Studies, cut short an Aug. 31, 2011 meeting, so the group could meet privately to discuss an SGA sponsored event, despite The Forum’s protest that it should remain open under the Freedom of Information Act. No new business was brought up in the regular Feb. 7 meeting, but Vice President Ed Hernandez announced the SGA, along with participating student organizations, will take out their brushes Saturday, Feb. 23 to Paint the
Town Maroon, an effort to promote Trojan pride by painting UALR and Trojan-spirited designs on the windows of businesses surrounding the university. The Paint the Town Maroon campaign received the Senate’s approval in September allocating up to $1,000 of its annual budget to purchase painting supplies, brushes and promotional items. The Senate has $2,890.10 remaining in its budget, Hernandez said in the meeting.
Police Beat Student reports being hit with rock on walk A 23-year-old male student alleged that he was attacked with rocks by four black men in their mid-20s Feb. 5 as he walked from Fair Park Grocery, according to Department of Public Safety reports. The complainant says he ran to the other side of the street and into East Hall around 7:30 p.m. where he asked the woman working the front desk to call DPS. UALR officers responded, but the suspects were not found.
T-number thief busted in fitness center scam, report says Klyantel Summons, 22, was taken into custody and transported to the Pulaski County jail Feb. 5 after a routine background check revealed a warrant for is arrest from Wynne Police Department, according to a police report. An employee at the DSC fitness center reported a black male that routinely enters the facility to play basketball without paying an entry fee. After completing an examination of the fitness center less than an hour earlier, an officer was again dispatched to the facility and learned Summons was providing a T-number belonging to a white female student, according to the report. After running a check through the Arkansas Crime Information Center, DPS discovered the warrant and placed Summons into custody. He was then transferred to the jail to await transport to Warren.
ACIC check, according to DPS report. Officers observed Hart’s vehicle as having an expired temporary tag, as of Jan. 6, and pulled her over. After a check through ACIC, officers arrested Hart and transported her to DPS, where she received a verbal warning for her vehicle tags, according to the report. DPS officers then transferred Hart into LRPD custody.
Locked out of lot, student loses cool Festus Hategekimana, 24, was cited with having no driver’s license, expired vehicle tags, no proof of insurance, no vehicle registration and no seat belt Jan. 30 after he rammed a gate on the east side of Lot 12 with a dark blue 2000 Ford Explorer, according to police. Hategekimana was attempting to get into Lot 12 at approximately 6:13 p.m. and upon doing so, damaged the vehicle’s front passenger side, according to the report. Hategekimana is scheduled to appear in Pulaski County District Court March 5.
Solitary sweet leaf stumbled upon A resident assistant found a bag of suspected marijuana on the ground at the University Village Apartments between #2 and #4 Coleman Court Feb. 3 at approximately 10:35 a.m., according to police. The resident assistant reported it to DPS and the suspected substance was logged into evidence, according to the police report. The officer on the scene described the green, leafy substance as being in one clear plastic baggie.
Expired tags help land Need assistance from woman in jail law enforcement? Yasheika Hart, 26, was arrested Feb. 5 after a Little Rock Police Department warrant was revealed during a routine
Call DPS at
501.569.3400
Qamar Abbas, Sana Khan and Jessica Ayliffe, freshman biology majors, listen to Zydeco and puruse traditional New Orleans party supplies Tuesday afternoon at the University Program Council’s Mardi Gras Party in the Donaghey Student Center’s Ledbetter Assembly Hall. Photo by Cameron Moix
SPEAKER, continued from page 1 fessed Christian faith, Henson dispelled from the start of her speech any claims of preaching. “The fact that people wanna hear what I have to say means that I’m on the right path. I’m not here to push religion on you. I’m just here to tell you how I got through it,” she said. Best known for her roles as Shug in “Hustle & Flow," Queenie in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and Lauren in “Think Like A Man," Henson addressed her audience about the prudence behind positive thinking, perseverance and maintaining faith. “Faith is not sitting on the sofa waiting for a miracle," she said. "Faith is knowing that if you do the work, if you give your thousand-million-gazillion percent, the outcome is so much better than what your mind can grasp.” The actress spoke of a strong love for her father, who surprised her with many riddles and ambiguity as she struggled through life. “The man spoke in metaphors! But one thing he always told me is, ‘Faith simply states that what you profess is
what you possess.’ If you continue to say, ‘I am a winner’, then the universe will act accordingly. I will. I am.” Henson continued to assert what she thinks to be the necessity for having faith. “Nothing is unattainable when you believe in God, which allows you to believe in yourself," she said. "Faith and fear cannot co-exist. You have to choose sides. Having faith means that there is a chance you’re gonna fall. When you fall, you might [immediately] get back up. But it’s HOW you get back up that makes the difference. And you know what happens? A light turns on. When you take those 1 or 2 steps, God’ll take 10 more for you.” After her hour-long inspirational oration, Henson allowed for a brief question-and-answer session from the audience. Those with questions approached microphones located on either side of the stage. The next scheduled event for Black History Month is a Jabali Afrikan dance at 6 p.m. on Feb. 13. in DSC Ledbetter Hall.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
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DREAM Act to again see floors of Arkansas legislature Cameron Moix News Editor
Arkansas Sen. Joyce Elliott, who represents the district that houses UALR, has said that she will again introduce state legislation that is aimed at granting children of illegal aliens resident tuition to public colleges and universities in the state. Elliott, 61, who recently began Anderson Elliott her second term as a Democratic senator for the 33rd District, has “said she plans to introduce anoth- introduced the legislation. “Elliott’s planned proposal er bill that would grant the in-state rates to anyone who has attended would come months after Presian Arkansas high school for at dent Barack Obama announced least three years and has an Arkan- last year that some young illegal sas high school diploma or general immigrants would be allowed temeducation diploma in the state,” ac- porary status and work permits,” according to The Associated Press. cording to The Associated Press. Elliott introduced such legisla- “Voters in Maryland also recently tion in both 2005 and 2009, both approved in-state tuition for illegal of which bore similarities to fed- immigrants who meet certain coneral proposals, but was twice voted ditions. The legislation, which has in the down despite 2005 support from then-Gov. Mike Huckabee. Also an past been labeled the DREAM Act avid proponent of the bill and of — Development, Relief and EducaElliott is Chancellor Joel Anderson. tion for Alien Minors Act — “would Anderson has been an active pro- provide conditional permanent ponent each time that Elliott has residency to certain illegal aliens
of good moral character who graduate from U.S. high schools, arrived in the U.S. as minors, and lived in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill’s enactment,” according to a UALR news release. “It would offer them paths to citizenship by serving in the military or obtaining a degree. It also would allow states to consider them in-state students for tuition rate purpose.” Anderson said that he sees matters related to immigration as being contentious and emotional issues, but believes that the ideals presented in the language of the act should be of bipartisan agreement. “It really is focused on youngsters,” Anderson said. “And one of the things that I have said through the years is that that ought to be pulled out and dealt with separately from all of the other immigration issues, because that’s one that people — Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, everybody — ought to be able to reach common ground on what’s good for these children.”
The state of legislation in Arkansas currently classifies students who are from undocumented immigrant families as non-resident students when they enter college, and Anderson likened the rates that apply to such students to those that international students are charged. “Here we are talking about people who have gone to school, and have graduated from high school, and who want to go to college in the state, and we’re turning them away,” he said. “That’s a classic example of people cutting off their nose despite their face. It would be to the advantage of the people of Arkansas … for these students to go to college — it’s just good for everyone.” Anderson said that the legislation should not only benefit those potential students affected, but the state as well. The state legislation isn’t original to Arkansas, but mirrors the federal DREAM Act, which was first introduced to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in 2001. Although no
STATS, continued from page 1
Sailing the Trojan seas
Participants in the second annual Cardboard Boat Regatta experienced a mass sinking last year in the Donaghey Student Center pool. The annual homecoming tradition will take place March 1. Students may submit an application to participate in the event by Friday, Feb. 22 in the office of Campus Recreation or online at ualr.edu/campuslife/recreation. Photo by The Forum
Freshman hears callback from ‘The Voice’ Jennifer Ellis
Executive Editor
A student in UALR’s Chancellor’s Leadership Corps may be headed to the blind auditions on NBC’s “The Voice,” after having received a callback at the show’s Houston open call auditions Saturday, Feb. 9. After nine and half hours of waiting in line, 18-yearold Spencer Lloyd, freshman business finance major, said he was shocked to be picked for a callback from the thousands of people who auditioned at the open call. “I was kind of in disbelief, because there were so many people there,” Lloyd said. “The caliber of all the singers that were there, and the few amount of callbacks that were given out — I was very surprised that I received a callback.” Performing a cappella at the open call, Lloyd sang Adele’s “One and Only,” Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” and Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” a song he had previously performed in a talent show. “It was a totally different feeling,” Lloyd said, comparing the audition with leading the youth worship band at his church in Bryant. “Everyone’s sitting there staring at you,” he said. “It’s very nerve wracking. You get in there and you realize that you’re the center of attention and there’s nothing, no music or anything to get in between that. It’s just raw voice.” A fellow CLC scholar, Korey Fells, joined Lloyd in Houston to play piano during his callback audition at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12. In an interview Monday morning, Lloyd said if he does make it onto the show,
Freshman Chancellor’s Leadership Corps student Spencer Lloyd practices before his open call audition for NBC’s “The Voice” on Saturday, Feb. 9 in Houston. Lloyd was one of fewer than 200 people who received a callback for a second audition out of the thousands who auditioned. Photo courtesy of Tim Lloyd he expects his biggest challenge to be focusing and making sure that distractions don’t get in the way. As far as which coaches’ team he prefer to be on, he said he’d just like to be picked. “Whoever is going to help me the most,” he said. “They are all great and they all have
national precedent exists on the matter, there are currently more than a dozen states whose legislatures have adopted such measures, Anderson said. “In a sense, what has been happening is these youngsters have been punished for the acts of their parents,” he said, “and that does not make sense. That is just not fair to them. That’s historically not the way we thought we did justice in this country.” A 15-hour tuition rate for nonresident undergraduate students at UALR currently costs around $8,500, which is more than twice the rate — around $3,500 — that non-residents pay for the same course load. “Out-of-state tuition rates in Arkansas are about twice the instate rates,” according to a Jan. 14 story by the Associated Press. “In fall 2012, about 12.5 percent of the 156,252 students who were enrolled in public colleges and universities paid out-of-state tuition, according to Arkansas Department of Higher Education spokeswoman Brandi Hinkle.”
great accomplishments, so I would really love to be on anyone’s team.” Season four of “The Voice” premieres at 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, with coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and new additions Usher and Shakira, who replace CeeLo Green and Christina Agu-
ilera. “I’m thankful for all the support that I’ve received from all the people around me,” Lloyd said. “All the support on Facebook and Instagram and the texting — everyone’s been giving me major support for this. I hope that it continues.”
ocrat-Gazette. “But that’s our mission, and we feel good when we are able to get those students on track.” But other schools -- notably UALR and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro -- have made a point to increase admissions standards for prospective students with lower-than-average composite scores, class rank and high school grade-point averages. As a result, several students the school may have admitted in previous years have been rejected and referred to two-year institutions smaller in size and more basic in curriculum. Changes have also been made to the method with which the statistics are calculated. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education formerly included any and all first-year students attending public universities. But Act 970, a piece of educational legislation passed in 2009, now requires remediation rates to report students who graduated high school two years prior to entering college. These statistics do not include transfer or nontraditional students.
PROGRAM, continued from page 1 teaches people to overcome the fear of being an active bystander, she said. The group’s mission is to cover the campus in green dots, she added. In the fall of 2011, faculty members with the Gender Studies program became interested in the Green Dot program at the University of Kentucky and in starting a similar program at UALR, Estes said. The murder of UALR student Patricia Guardado precipitated the decision to create the program, Estes said. Guardado had been reported missing Oct. 12, 2011 and was found dead four days later in a pond near Sweet Home. Her car was found parked in the lot behind Burger King on University Avenue. Still, no arrests have been made in the case. “We were already talking about it, and then that happened and really lit a fire under our butts,” Estes said. Last spring, 50 faculty, staff and members of the local community underwent Green Dot training. The team put together various aspects of the program, including training programs, curriculum and the group’s website, ualr.edu/ greendot, which will go online Feb. 13, Estes said. So far, it has been an entirely voluntary effort, she said. Feb. 17 will begin Green Dot week, during which students and faculty can attend talks and other events and find out more information about Green Dot. The program will hold training and information sessions later in the semester. “We are all very excited to see the fruits of this,” Estes said. “We are ready to launch and we are ready to bring this to the community and make it an active program.”
ualr.edu/forum
That damned Ellis kid David Ellis
The beating of Toady Tim The old neighborhood had its own hierarchy, its own ebb and flow. It usually happened right under the noses of the adults, but the kids knew how it all worked. There were separate factions and we usually stuck to our own little groups. As with any neighborhood, ours had a bully and the bully had his toadies. Our bully was named Scott and his toadies were twin brothers named Phillip and Tim. The twin toadies were, of course, younger than Scott. They looked up to him and he relied on them for numbers when he couldn’t enforce his will on some poor kid in the neighborhood whose only mistake was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was an unspoken rule: if you took on the toadies, you could pretty much bet, even if it didn’t happen immediately, that you were going to have to deal with Scott. Any body that knew me in those days would tell you I was always, always looking for a fight. Even if I knew I couldn’t win, I craved conflict, and the one surefire way to piss me off was to mess with or hurt one of my family members. I didn’t care; once you hurt one of my family members, you were going to get it one way or another. The toadies enjoyed their little immunity in the neighborhood and thought that they could do whatever they wanted with no consequences. They could say and do whatever they wanted and get a free pass because of Scott. One day Toady Tim pushed his luck a little too far. I’m sure of one thing and that is that he learned a lesson in pain and humiliation that day that I believe he will never forget. A group of us, including my brother, Adam, were sitting on the very edge of the front yard where it met the street. Adam was leaning back on his hands, slightly on the edge of the pavement. The Toady Twins were riding down the street on their bikes. Seeing my brother’s hand in the road, Toady Tim decided he would run over it. That was his first mistake. His second was to push down with all his weight when he did it, his third mistake was not apologizing to my brother, and his fourth and, quite possibly, most costly mistake was allowing me to witness his blatant act of cruelty. My brother began to cry and ran into the house to tell my dad what had happened. In an attempt to contain the situation, Dad decided we should play in the backyard. As he and a family friend conversed in the backyard, I yelled to Toady Tim to approach the fence. “Hey Kid!” I yelled, “Come Here!” Toady Tim obliged me, thinking that he had nothing to fear. I told him, as my father and his friend looked on, that he was going to apologize to my brother and warned him if he did not I would climb over the fence and beat it out of him. After my dad went in the house, I climbed the fence, walked out to the street, seized Toady Tim’s bike by the handle bars and forced him into the ditch. I snatched his shirt collar in my right hand and I pummeled his face with my left. I beat Toady Tim like he owed me money. I jacked his face until my arm got tired then simply switched hands and pummeled him with the right. Toady Phillip wasn’t having any of what I was passing out so he ran to get Scott, who wasn’t home. Scott’s dad was home and ran to Toady Tim’s rescue, but he was too late. As he reached the scene he saw me drop Toady Tim back in the ditch, his face a mass of bruises and blood. I turned to meet my new opponent - a fully grown man. My dad, hearing the yelling match happening on the street from the house, came out to rescue this grown man from his berserker son, who was determined to kick the ass of whoever got in the way of justice being done. After a brief, heated discussion of the facts, it was determined by the adults that Toady Tim got what he deserved and Scott’s dad threatened to beat both his and Toady Phillip’s butts for creating the situation. I never had to deal with Scott for what I called “the beating of Toady Tim.” I don’t know if Scott even heard about the incident. There was nothing else said or done about it. Toady Tim avoided me like the plague after that, and I can’t say I minded much. I drew a powerful lesson from those events. It is embodied in a quote from English philosopher Edmond Burke. “The Triumph of Evil is that good men do nothing.” I will fight to keep evil from triumphing no matter how big my opponent may be.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Features
This is your brain in love ... Paula Higginbotham Contributing Writer
“Hey baby, we have chemistry” may not attract all the ladies on a wild Friday night, but there is some truth behind the saucy line. Ke$ha’s new hit “Your Love is my Drug” has a point. While many scientists have studied how love affects the brain, Helen Fisher, PhD, a biological anthropologist, has produced some of the most expansive studies. She conducted several studies to determine how the brain reacts to love. Her studies indicated that the same area of the brain that is activated when an addict does a line of cocaine is also activated when someone in love simply thinks of their significant other. “Romantic love is an addiction: a perfectly wonderful addiction when it’s going well, and a perfectly horrible addiction when it’s going poorly,” Fisher said. The primary symptom of love is an intense craving - craving for approval, for attention and for requited love from the person that you find desperately appealing. These cravings are stimulated by chemical reactions within the brain. There is a biological drive to focus on that one person. Love is not a feeling, but rather an evolutionary drive that encourages procreation and mixing the gene pool to produce more diversity. Love activates the ventral tegmen-
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Just as a drug addict eventually adjusts to the amount they take and needs a larger dose to maintain a high, the body builds a tolerance to the stimulants that love produces and releases endorphins in their place. Endorphins, known for their calming effects, have been compared to opiates. Endorphins are related to the feelings of comfort and attachment. Love causes serotonin levels to drop considerably, which is also a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Romantic love and the mental disorder appear to be quite similar in behavior as well. It is also theorized that chemistry may also be Illustration by Paige Mason partially responsible for infidelity. In voles, small rodents found predomital area and the caudate nucleus, which are the parts of the brain linked to plea- nately in North America, studies have sure. Phenylethylamine, a stimulant very shown that males that have low levels similar to amphetamine, and dopamine, of vasopressin are far more likely to a neurotransmitter responsible for re- leave their monogamous relationships wards and pleasure, are responsible for and find a new partner. Adding an exthe rush of butterflies in your stomach tra V1a receptor in the ventral pallithat characterizes the feeling of falling dum region of their brains inhibits the in love. Norepinephrine is the chemi- suppression of vasopressin to these cal that causes sweaty palms and racing males and results in a return to monogamous relationships. Such studies heart. Once the initial rush of falling in love have yet to be conducted on humans. People who browse Chemistry.com is over, the body releases plenty of chemicals to keep the love flowing. The release looking for a significant other this of oxytocin, nicknamed “the cuddle hor- Valentine’s Day should be aware that mone,” is triggered after dopamine is Fisher, who created the dating site, inreleased. Oxytocin is released when be- tends to use the data users put in and ing touched. This may be the reason we the potential mates that are selected enjoy holding hands or hugging the ones to further her research on romantic love. we love.
Juggling
parenthood with collegiate demands Alton Young Staff Writer
College will probably always be seen as a rite of passage for young high school graduates, but the acceptance of the nontraditional students has grown. Even before the country’s recent economic troubles, many adults were going back to school. Among the many forms of the nontraditional students are students who are also parents. The younger the child, the more responsibilities are split between studies, class and taking care of the child. “There’s no way to tell how many students have kids because we never ask that question,” said Cynda Alexander, non-traditional student programs coordinator, who estimated that between 80-90 percent of the UALR student population would be considered nontraditional. Many of these students have families and children. How do these students balance college with family life? The challenge is finding time to spend on studies while keeping parental obligations. Making sure that grades do not suffer while attention is directed elsewhere is a problem that all students have, but there is a different type of pressure when the distraction is a child. “As a wife and mother, the crucial part of obtaining my degree was that of time organization and management,” said Kimberly Haywood, who earned her master’s degree while caring for her young twin boys. Students with older kids might be more likely to return to school because their kids can take care of themselves and do not require the constant supervision younger children do, but even those students may feel guilty for spending so much time at school. Having a support system in place, whether it is from a spouse at home, a grandparent or daycare services, is important. UALR does not provide day care services. There is little time for students with children to take part in some of the more traditional college activities. Student organizations, Greek fraternities and parties younger students might deem important have very little impact on most parents in school. Some may feel overwhelmed by the classroom responsibilities added to their already hectic lives and question the decision to return to school. For those who begin to feel that the grind just is not worth it, there is campus support available. Non-Traditional Student Programs offer services to encourage students
The key to any student’s success is finding the right balance in the juggling act that college can be. to remain committed to the pursuit of higher education. Students help other students in tutoring programs that NTSP Student Assistant Lizzie Eberoe said “get busy about a few weeks into each semester” when students finally admit they need help. “There are many students willing to tutor,” she said. There are a number of reasons why students return to school after having kids. Some have been victims of layoffs or reductions in the workforce at long-time jobs. For them, returning to school was not a planned opportunity. Others find themselves in jobs that are either unfulfilling, low-paying or both and decide to seek a degree, which
will lead to better job opportunities. Many students have returned to school precisely because of their children, for whom they want to set an example. It might be difficult to tell a child that they should continue their education when the parent has not done so. Many college students have at least part-time jobs, so there are always commitments that can make it challenging to excel in the classroom. The key to any student’s success is finding the right balance in the juggling act that college can be. Students who have kids have a few more balls in the air that they cannot afford to drop, but the end result can be that much more rewarding. “The best part of obtaining my degree is not only did it boost my selfesteem and make me more marketable in my career,” Haywood said, ‘but it taught me life lessons to succeed in all my endeavors more efficiently and effectively.”
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Personal ads
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
ualr.edu/forum
E V H E T O L E R S A D A L Y P A E A R H D N S O S ’ E S NTIN E L VA
To: Liz Happy Valentine’s Day! - Cameron and KitKat
To: My love bug
I want to give a shout out to my baby, better half, lover and sweetheart. I just want you to know that you mean everything to me and I love you very much! -hunnibunches of oaks
To: Xi Theta Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
To: The Commission Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for all your support ... We official!! #D’Quan #Dereck #Lesley #Kari #Taylor #Goodman #Mihir #James #Heng! We running this!!!!!!!!!
I love you ladies to death. I am so glad to call you all my Sorors. Keep up the good work. Sooooooo Sweeet :) - Z_Vir2ousBlu
Forum Staff, Thank you for all your hard work. We couldn’t do it without you. - Jenn
Happy Birthday to
Tiffany Williams - The Forum Staff
Alexis Williams, We love our favorite short assistant editor! - The Forum Staff
To: University You all are amazing to work with. I wouldn’t have chosen any Village Staff other staff than you all. #Harold #Regina #Shante #Allison #K’Andra #Stephen #Tracy #Aaron - Shanice
Justin Rowland, Water sucks, it really really sucks! Thanks for all of your hard work!
Tag, I was looking at pictures of animals and I saw a mama kangaroo and a daddy kangaroo and a baby kangaroo, so I thought I’d call you. I love you. Pooplife. - Sarah To that damned Ellis kid, Four years and counting. I love you. - Jenn Happy Valentine’s Day UALR -Kamran
To: Sarah Melero
To: UALR RUSH PIKE! - Blake Wilson
Thanks for putting up with me :) I love you. - Ricky
ualr.edu/forum
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
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Entertainment
Top 10 Love Songs By Liz Fox, Entertainment Editor
The Replacements - “Can’t Hardly Wait” “Pleased to Meet Me,” 1987
Though not romantic in the traditional sense, “Can’t Hardly Wait” has its sentimental merits. Its fuzzy, dirty guitar work and rough vocals (provided graciously by vocalist/guitarist Paul Westerberg)
1 Chapterhouse - “Pearl” “Whirlpool,” 1993
Considering its instrumental focus, the shoegaze genre can be ambiguous when it comes to concise songwriting. But Chapterhouse composed a wholly romantic ode to longing. It’s a lush anthem hard to ignore, one that serves as the perfect insertion into any love-driven playlist.
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The Magnetic Fields - “All My Little Words” “69 Love Songs” 1999
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This track is only a fraction of the Magnetic Fields’ magnum opus, “69 Love Songs,” which has been a sardonic Valentine’s Day tradition for many. But while the collection spans everything from distance to crossdressing, “All My Little Words” stands out because of its sentimentality.
Portishead - “It Could Be Sweet” “Dummy,” 1994
If you’ve had the gall to construct a sex mix, it’s likely trip-hop pioneers Portishead have slid between “Let’s Get it On” and other lustful standards. With its unf-unf breakbeats and Beth Gibbons’ sultry vocals, “It Could Be Sweet” sets a guarantee for late-night passion without being forward or tasteless.
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Big Star - “When My Baby’s Beside Me” “#1 Record,” 1972
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Memphis-based power-pop quartet Big Star produced many reputable love songs, most of which were included on their debut album, “#1 Record.” But it is “My Baby’s Beside Me” that stands out as a power-pop treasure.
Jason Momoa and Sylvester Stallone team up to serve justice to their enemies in “Bullet to the Head.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
‘Bullet to the Head’ pulls trigger on action David Ellis
MOVIE REVIEW
Staff Writer
“Bullet to the Head,” the latest buddyaction flick starring Sylvester Stallone, is aptly named. Moviegoers looking for an original storyline will probably wish they’d received a bullet to the head after watching it, but action lovers will thrive on the gut-punching, thrilling delivery . The story is based on a graphic novel by French Writer Alexis Nolent, whose other writing accolades include storylines for video games and television. The story, which is based on a graphic novel written by French author Alexis Nolent, is one of two heroes. One is Taylor Kwon, a Washington, D.C. detective played by Sung Kang, and the other, played by Sylvester Stallone, is New Orleans hitman James “Bobo” Bonomo. These two opposites team up to take down men who were responsible for the deaths of their respective partners. Though Stallone fans will love this flick because of the action, the dialogue and many of the story situations are cliché. If one looks back on films already made in 2013, there’s an obvious pattern of 1980s action heroes starring in solo projects or ensemble casts. It’s understandable that the large conglomerate, who plop down the amazing amounts of cash it takes to make these movie, are looking for a guaranteed return on their investments, and action veterans like Stallone are proven winners. One thing that has to be taken into account about the film is the origins of the story. The graphic novel-based movies appeal to only one demographic, and
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this film is no exception to that. The only thing this guy-geared film has that might draw the ladies is what I like to call “man meat,” which is the stud factor of male actors like Sylvester Stallone and Jason Momoa, who incidentally played Conan the Barbarian. The gamble is that Stallone, being nearly 70 years old, can still get the ladies hot and bothered and reach that viewer demographic. But on a financial level, the gamble hasn’t paid off. According to IMDB, the total budget for “Bullet to the Head” was estimated at just over $55 million, but the box office returns for its opening week of the film were estimated at a little over 4 million. As a result, it looks as though the movie is going to be known as a flop. Since entertainment is usually the goal of a movie, most viewers don’t care about who gets their money when they see a film. If that is the only thing taken into account, this movie delivered. Everybody who died in this movie did so with, as I love to say, “One to the dome.” If action is what you crave, this film will not disappoint with hand-to-hand combat, gun play and even a good, old-fashioned axe brawl.
The Dead Milkmen - “Punk Rock Girl” “Beezlebubba,” 1988
In the late ‘80s, Philadelphia native The Dead Milkmen defined the term “satire” with tracks like “Stuart,” “Methodist Coloring Book” and “If You Love Someone, Set Them on Fire.” But in a decade that brought us some of the most overblown, cliche schlock in pop culture history, you had to revere them for “Punk Rock Girl,” a tongue-in-cheek love song that made it onto MTV amidst Madonna and Duran Duran’s fall from grace.
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The Smithereens - “Behind the Wall of Sleep” “Especially for You,” 1982
Despite its literal arrangements, the Smithereens’ “Behind the Wall of Sleep” is an ethereal, dreamy track.
'Vine' is fresh but struggles to remain tangle-free
7 Matthew Sweet - “We’re the Same” “10% Fun,” 1995
As a major player in the power-pop revival scene, Matthew Sweet has penned sweet, catchy love songs similar to his predecessors. “We’re the Same,” part of 1995’s “100% Fun” is no exception, chronicling both better and lesser qualities of both voices. The song’s simple qualities -- its garage hooks and R.E.M.-like innocence -- are what makes it stand out as a true-to-life, sincere document concerned with couple compatibility.
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Los Campesinos! - “...And We Exhale and Roll Our Eyes in Unison” “Hold on Now, Youngster,” 2007
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Lead vocalist/guitarist Gareth Campesinos! is a poet for the modern era. Most Los Campesinos! tracks, especially those on 2007’s “Hold On Now, Youngster...,” sound like rejected punk b-sides or stream-of-consciousness Livejournal entries, but it’s this unique quality that makes them fun and sincere.
The Smiths - “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” “The Queen is Dead,” 1986
Let’s face it: there’s a plethora of Smiths songs that could go on this list. “Ask,” “Cemetry Gates,” “Hand in Glove,” ... there’s quite a bit of love in Morrissey’s wistful whine. But “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” is the perfect signature to any love letter. True, some of its lyrics can seem a little juvenile, but there’s something inanely brilliant about lines like, “If a doubledecker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die.”
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View detailed descriptions and YouTube videos at ualr.edu/forum
Jacob Ellerbee Sports Editor
Have you ever been in a situation in which a photo just doesn’t give your social media following a good enough understanding of what is happening in that moment? Twitter has taken that concept and turned it into something they are hoping is a fun, interactive experience to create something that is worth a mere six seconds of your time. This application, which is known as “Vine,” is a video app that limits recording time to six seconds or less. According to Twitter, the reason behind the short recording time is to stimulate creativity among its users. Using the application is simple. Once the video camera icon is tapped to activate the camera on your phone, you press and hold your finger on your screen when you’re ready to record. Whenever you want to stop recording, simply lift your finger off the screen. There are also little recording restrictions. While you can use all six seconds recording one moment, another popular option is to record a second or two of one moment, go to something else, record a few more seconds and repeat again for the remaining recording time. Since the app automatically stitches the video together, there is no work on the user’s end, and it’s seamless, crisp nature allows users to utilize this app for
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comedy, art, nature and instructional videos. In addition to posting your creation to Vine, you can post it on Twitter, where your followers can view the video since it will be embedded in your tweet. As with any app, there are a few knots present. Days after Vine was released, a host of mainstream news organizations reported that pornography was infiltrating the new app, which was easy to find because the app incorporates the use of hashtags. After this discovery, Twitter released a statement that read, “Uploaded videos that are reported and determined to violate our guidelines will be removed from the site, and the user that posted the video may be terminated.” But within the next few updates and patches, it’s possible that Vine’s development team can find a way to fix these problems. Vine is currently free and available for download on iPhone and iPod. They also have plans to expand to other platforms.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013 Entertainment Can you Horoscopes By Sarah Melero
FIND the DIFFERENCES?
ualr.edu/forum
By Taylor Hoffard
Aquarius
You have entered a new situation that you aren’t quite used to yet. If this is your first year of college, try joining a new club or two to get acquainted. Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Pisces
You are a star, Pisces. You demand people’s attention when you walk into a room. But, your diva-like attitude may be keeping classmates from socializing with you. Feb. 19 - March 20
Aries
You ask for favors a lot, and even though you pay people back, it can still get under their skin. Try showing your gratitude and appreciation to the people around you. March 21 - April 20
Taurus April 21 - May 21
Do your best to maintain joy and happiness, because when you fall into negative pitfalls, you fall hard. Take advantage of an opportunity you’ve been hiding from.
Gemini
Don’t make any outrageous plans just yet, Gemini. You may be excited about graduation, but take your next steps into serious consideration. May 22 - June 21
Cancer
You should judge people by their actions, not their words. Actions speak louder than words; remember that the next time someone promises to change for you.
June 22 - July 22
Leo Virgo Libra
You are avoiding a project, and while it eats you up inside to procrastinate, you still do it. Try making a schedule for yourself with study and down time.
July 23 - Aug. 22
Some of your pursuits are going well, whether they are educationally or personally. Keep up the good work, Virgo.
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
You need to make a big decision that involves an important relationship. So, keep in mind you need to feel confident with yourself and your choices. Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
Scorpio
You have difficulties dealing with immature students. Try working on your patience this semester and classes will flow by smoothly.
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
Sagittarius
You are entering a new phase of a relationship, and it scares you. Be open with the other person. Get your feelings out instead of hiding them.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
Capricorn
You accomplish many things due to your determination, which causes high amounts of jealousy from your peers. Don’t hide your talents, one day someone will find them valuable. Dec. 22 - Jan 19
Find the answers at ualr.edu/forum under the Puzzle Solutions link
By Paige Mason
Trojan Man Goes to College By Jessica Kelly
Crossword Across
1- Appear 5- Mil. school 9- Japanese beer brand 14- Dr. Zhivago’s love 15- Yarn 16- Actor Burton 17- Pack ___ (quit) 18- Predictive sign 19- The end of ___ 20- Apparatus 22- Muslim opponent of the Crusaders 24- Sam, e.g. 26- Except 27- Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace 30- Assisting the memory 35- Menu 36- Busy as ___ 37- Bank takeback 38- Explosive stuff 39- Lease holders 42- Pallid 43- Served perfectly 45- Traditional knowledge 46- Give it ___! 48- Craving
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50- Riding 51- Harden 52- Fertile area in a desert 54- Grapple 58- Open-minded 62- Refute by evidence 63- According to the Bible, he was the first man 65- Ethereal: Prefix 66- Let up 67- Western pact 68- Cheerio! 69- Outmoded 70- Hgt. 71- K-6
DOWN
1- Meager 2- I could ___ horse! 3- Slang expert Partridge 4- Organized search for a criminal 5- Immediately 6- Humped ruminant 7- Beer 8- Bears’ lairs 9- Old call to arms 10- Elected legislator 11- Opposite of sans 12- Fabled loser
13- Oil-rich Islamic theocracy neighboring Iraq 21- Atlas feature 23- Red as ___ 25- Restriction on commerce 27- Santa’s reindeer, e.g. 28- Move rhythmically 29- Some Art Deco works 31- Hawaiian goose 32- More recent 33- Bridge declaration 34- Fable 36- Soon 40- A-list 41- Indian term of respect 44- Quarrel 47- A type of spoonbill 49- Leased 50- “I, Robot” author 53- Having wings 54- Alum 55- Country singer McEntire 56- Blind as ___ 57- Narrow path for walkers, cars or ships 59- Actual 60- Commedia dell’___ 61- Neeson of “Rob Roy” 64- Lentil and spice dish
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Puzzle courtesy of bestcrosswords.com
View solution at ualr.edu/forum
9 Baseball team looks to lean on experience in 2013
ualr.edu/forum
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sports
Jacob Ellerbee Sports Editor
Buy your peanuts, your popcorn and bring your baseball glove because the UALR baseball team is about to embark on their 56-game regular season. Scott Norwood, head coach for the UALR baseball team, said he is glad he will have 20 junior and senior players on his roster on opening day. “We have the preseason conference pitcher of the year back and most of our arms are all back,” Norwood said. “We have a lot of returning experience.” The UALR baseball team would like to repeat the success they enjoyed early last year when they went 12-3 in the first 15 games of the season. The odds of the Trojans getting off to a good start are favorable because they will begin the season by playing 13 of their first 14 games at home at Gary Hogan Field; however, Norwood said playing at home has proven to be distracting for his players. “Playing at home is always fun, you know? Sometimes it’s a little easier to go on the road so you can avoid distractions - you have a lot more control of what goes on,” Norwood said, “We need to take care of our business here and play the best we can.” Norwood said some of the teams the Trojans will face at the beginning of the season are from northern sections of the United States, which means they may not practice outside as much as the Trojans. This could give UALR an advantage when the action begins Feb. 15 against the University of Evansville. This will be the first time the Trojans hit the field without Sean Bignall, the former All-American standout who finished last season rewriting the record books at UALR. Besides breaking the UALR record for home runs (18) and total bases (149), Bignall finished fourth in the nation in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage (.696), fifth in total bases and sixth in RBI’s (64). The Trojans will need new players to step up and find a way to fill the void left by Bignall. “Sean did a fantastic job for us and it will always be a great legacy that he left,” Norwood said. “The guys are going to step in and they’re going to do a good job be-
The UALR Trojan baseball team prepares to start the season against Evansville by taking batting practice Feb. 1 at Gary Hogan Field. Photo by Jacob
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cause they don’t want to let down what he’s kind of helped to create.” The Trojans will be counting on senior players like catcher Blake Johnson and utility man Myles Parma to pick up the slack. Johnson finished last season learning the American Baseball Coaches Association named him to the first team of the 2012 All-South Central Region team and that he was also named a 2012 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection. Johnson finished the season with a .315 batting average, a .533 slugging percentage, 33 RBI’s and 30 runs scored. At the end of last season, Parma was
named a 2012 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection for his .292 batting average, 41 runs and 31 RBI’s. The Trojans will count on pitchers like senior Chance Cleveland (RHP), red shirt senior Blake Huffman (RHP), freshman Chad Bradford (RHP) and freshman Corbin Carter (LHP) to throw strike outs and retain a low ERA. At the end of last season, in addition to being named a 2012 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, Cleveland finished with a 9-4 record in 14 starts and had a Sun-Belt best 98 strikeouts over the span of 91.2 innings. Huffman finished the 2012 season with
a 5-4 record and 70 strike outs over the span of 70.1 innings. In addition to the usual Sun Belt Conference opponents, the Trojans will play in several non-conference games that will help ready them for postseason play. For the 2013 season, UALR will hit the road to face schools such as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Creighton. The Trojans will play nine games in 12 days to begin the new season, facing Evansville (Feb. 15-17), Louisiana Tech (Feb. 19), SIU Edwardsville (Feb. 22-24) and Oklahoma State (Feb. 26). The series against SIU Edwardsville will feature a double-header Feb. 23.
Inexperience could be the biggest opponent Sun Belt tournament for Trojans in Sun Belt Conference tourney headed to the Big Easy Jacob Ellerbee Sports Editor
Alton Young Staff Writer
The UALR Trojan Men’s Basketball team will travel to Hot Springs for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament March 8-11, the final time the tournament will be played in Hot Springs, as the SBC has signed a new deal that will move the tournament to New Orleans beginning next season. The Trojans look to avenge last season’s opening round loss to Western Kentucky. The team has had an up and down season so far, with great comebacks and disappointing losses, but they have been dominant at times in the confines of the Jack Stephens Center. They will attempt to take that level of play on the road and end the season with a strong showing, as they did in the 2011 with the team winning its first SBC Tournament title and earning an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 1990. Gus Leeper is the only player left from that team of only two seasons ago and Ted Crass is the only senior on the roster that the team can draw experience from. Instead, the Trojans will rely of a group of first and second-year players like Michael Javes and Will Neighbour, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. The Trojans are currently tied for first place in the West with Arkansas State with both teams sporting an 8-5 conference record. The East has been dominated by Middle Tennessee, which has only lost only one conference game so far (12-1) and are led by guard Marcos Knight and strong overall team play. South Alabama has an impressive conference record (9-4) and are bolstered by
Junior Will Neighbour will attempt to help the Trojans advance in the Sun Belt Conference tournament March 8-11 in Hot Springs. Photo by EMJ Fotografi forward Augustine Rubit’s team-leading 19 ppg. Even North Texas, despite having a disappointing record (3-10), boasts a prospective future NBA player in forward Tony Mitchell along with talented guard Jordan Williams. Competition will be stiff this year and several teams have players fans will want to keep an eye on.
The Trojans hope to leverage the fact that this is the last season they will play close to home before heading down to New Orleans to compete in the tournament next season. The title game for the Sun Belt Conference will air live on ESPN2, Monday, March 11 at 6 p.m.
Women hope to continue winning streak into tourney CJ Waters
Assistant Editor
The Lady Trojans are down to its final games of the season as the Sun Belt Conference tournament is just a couple of weeks away and the team is hoping to ride one of the longest winning streaks of the season into the tournament. The Lady Trojans defeated Louisiana-Monroe in a 69-62 win Feb. 7 , which puts them in a second-place tie in the West Division with North Texas. The Lady Trojans are now on a fivegame winning streak and will play at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 13, at Arkansas State. The Lady Trojans are hoping that momentum will carry into the SBC tournament in just a couple of weeks. With an 8-6 record in the Sun Belt Conference, UALR has to win its remaining six games to win the West Division, including a season sweep against ASU and Louisiana-
Lafayette. Throughout the season, Coach Joe Foley has been mixing up his lineup to have a rotation of players contributing for each game. With freshman Shanity James and sophomore Ka’Nesheia Cobbins in the starting lineup at the guard and forward positions, the team has seen an improvement on defense, the offense has been more efficient and the bench has been more consistent and reliable. Before going into the Feb. 13 contest against the Lady Red Wolves, the Lady Trojans must make note of key players Jane Morrill (14.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds), Hanna Qedan (8.7 points per game, 4.5 rebounds) and Ashley Olvera (8.6 points per game, 4.0 assists). They also should keep an eye on other players such as Jalen O’Bannon (7.4 points per game, 3.0 rebounds), Quinishia McDowell (5.3 points per game, 3.0 rebounds) and
Carlisha Wyatt (6.7 points per game, 6.0 rebounds). When ASU lost to Middle Tennessee Feb. 6, Morrill was held to eights points in the game. Other players scored no more than five points in the game. Last season, the Lady Trojans swept Arkansas State in a 59-43 win at the Jack Stephens Center. The Lady Trojans will also host conference-rival Middle Tennessee at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. For that game, the Lady Blue Raiders brings in their including forward Ebony Rowe, who is averaging over 21 points per game. Rowe scored 35 points this season against UALR in a 65-56 win. UALR also have to look out for MTSU’s Kourtni Jones and Icelyn Elie, who are over 14 points a game. MTSU is currently sitting comfortably in first place with a 13-2 conference record. This will be one of the biggest match-ups of the season for UALR.
For the past four years Summit Arena has played host to the men’s and women’s Sun Belt Conference basketball tournament, but starting next season, the conference will play its annual post-season tournament in New Orleans at Lakefront Arena. The deal was announced, despite there being one year remaining on the six-year deal that gave Hot Springs the rights to host the SBC tournament. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the conference completed a buy-out of the final year of the contract in order to move the tournament to New Orleans next season. New Orleans is scheduled to host the annual post-season tournament through 2016. In a news release, Hot Spring Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Steve Arrison said, “We originally had only a three year deal with the Sun Belt and are fortunate that next month we will have had five outstanding Sun Belt tournaments here in Hot Springs.” Karl Benson, commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, praised Hot Springs and Arrison for playing host to the tournament since 2009, according to a press release. “The city of Hot Springs and the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau have been terrific for the Sun Belt Conference,” Benson said. “When Hot Springs began hosting the tournament in 2009 it was the first neutral site that the Sun Belt had used in over twenty years. The leadership of Steve Arrison and his staff made the existence of a neutral site basketball tournament for the Sun Belt possible.” Chris Peterson, the director of athletics at UALR, is focused on creating a smooth transition to The Big Easy. “Obviously, we’re sad to see the Sun Belt Tournament leave Hot Springs,” Peterson said. “It’s been especially good to UALR and our fans, but now we need to make sure New Orleans will be a great location as well.” SBC players will be playing in the recently-renovated Lakefront Arena next season. The arena has undergone more than $8 million in renovations including a new exterior metal facade, improvements to the roof, new seating, new flooring, a new sound system and the construction of two lounges. Lakefront Arena can hold as many as 10,000 people, where as Summit Arena can hold little more than 6,000. “New Orleans is a great destination for our basketball championships and the recent renovations to Lakefront Arena make it an excellent venue to showcase our league,” Benson said. “The city’s great restaurants, shopping, entertainment and accommodations, provide Sun Belt fans numerous things to do when away from the arena.”
Homecoming Queen 2013 CANDIDATES
Shanice Hood
Kelsey Reed
Kanesha Barnes
Dariane Mull
Cheyenne Wilson
Junior business management major Nominated by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority & Phi Beta Sigma
Junior biology major
Senior criminal justice major
Senior biology major
Nominated by Chancellor’s Leadership Corp
Nominated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha
Junior theater arts and English/creative writing major Nominated by Support Our Sistahs
Nominated by Chi Omega Sorority
President of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corp Kelsey Reed of Bryant also serves as vice president of the religious academics society Alpha Xi Rho and is a member of the Trojan Racquetball Club, Young Life and Little Rock Cheer. An outdoors lover, Reed said her classmates might not realize she “would spend a day on the water or in the woods over roaming around a shopping mall any day of the week.” “Among the countless super powers to choose from,” Reed said, “avoiding traffic, not paying for gas, circumventing the airport, and an absence of car payments and insurance deductibles make flying by far the most appealing choice.” When she graduates in spring 2015, Reed said she plans to attend the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to earn a doctorate in anesthesiology.
In addition to being active in her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kenesha Barnes of Pine Bluff is an EAST and McNair scholar, and member of the Friday Fellows leadership program and Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood project. A brand loyalist, Barnes said her classmates might be surprised to find out she has had five Volkswagen Beetles since she began driving. If she could travel anywhere in the world, Barnes said “I would go to New York during Fashion Week to buy shoes, because with the right pair of shoes -- a girl can change the world.” After graduating this spring, Barnes plans to continue on her path to changing the world by first furthering her education at the Clinton School of Public Service in a joint degree program with the William H. Bowen School of Law.
A Little Rock native, Dariane Mull is involved in a variety of campus organizations including Support Our Sistahs, Housing Activities Council, Theatre and Dance Guild and others. Mull said public service is a big part of who she is. “I volunteer through each of my very different organizations, planning community outreach programs, internships through the Central Arkansas Library Systems and Pulaski County Youth Services, as well as at my church,” Mull said. “The roles I play on campus as a leader are all to enrich our campus community and be a mentor to other students and I hope to have done that successfully.” One day, Mull said, she hopes to become a college professor teaching theater arts and creative writing, but she doesn’t want to stop there. “I also hope to be a published writer of plays and poetry,” she said. “And start my own theatre and company here in Little Rock.”
A fan of English royal history and Jane Austen, Cheyenne Wilson of Cabot was nominated for UALR Homecoming royalty by her sorority Chi Omega. “I think I’m a perfect example of the opportunities UALR creates for its students,” the Donaghey Scholar said. “If I had gone to a bigger school, I would have been swallowed up and ended up the same introverted, naive person leaving college as when I started. Because of UALR, I have been able to study abroad and travel throughout Europe and England, I have been able to live an exciting life in a great capital city, and I have been able to join and even lead the greatest sorority on earth.” Wilson said after she graduates in May, she hopes to attend nursing school to pursue a career as a nurse anesthesiologist.
President of UALR’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Shanice Hood of “Your Dream Hometown” Beebe makes her home away from home in on-campus housing, where she is a resident assistant. She is also member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, National PanHellenic Council and Health Promotions, Programs and Education department. If she could go anywhere in the world this spring break, Hood said she would go visit her brother, sister-in-law, twoyear-old nephew and recently born niece in Aurora, Colo. “I love my family and they mean the world to me,” she said. After graduating next year, Hood said she plans to go to graduate school to get a master’s in business administration and hopes to one day own her own business.
Senior American Sign Language interpreting major Nominated by Metro Baptist Collegiate Ministry
Kendra Roy
Kaylia Houff
Kaylia Houff of Texarkana, Texas is secretary of the Housing Activities Council and serves as a parliamentarian of Support Our Sistahs. “I love being involved in community work and helping out with the nursery at my church,” Houff said. “I am a great student and always believe in striving for the best. Keeping a positive attitude and making a difference is what I am about.” Houff said she expects to graduate with a bachelor’s of social work in May 2015.
Kendra Roy of Brinkley is a member of several religious student organizations including Metro Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, and she has served as a resident assistant in campus housing. The Homecoming experience is special to Roy who was homeschooled by her mother. “Without my mother’s wisdom in seeking out the best education possible for me, I would not be able to have achieved so much academically during my time at UALR,” Roy said. “However, being homeschooled prevented me from participating during the homecoming events at my hometown’s high school. I have always wanted to be able to be a part of something like that, and now I finally am.”
Senior biology major Nominated by Biology Club Vice President of the Biology Club Stacy Hicks of Pine Bluff said she hasn’t always been the best student, but those struggles have helped her grow as a person. As a volunteer at the Little Rock Zoo, Hicks said “I work for the education department doing educational programs for children with animals (like snakes, birds, lizards, and small mammals) to teach them not only about the animals, but about conservation and why it is important. I also help out with a variety of special events at the zoo. It is so much fun!” Hicks recently applied to UALR’s nursing program in the hopes of becoming a registered nurse. “I love children and would love to work for Children’s Hospital some day,” she said.
Junior social work major Nominated by Housing Activities Council
Stacy Hicks
Kari Payton
Sophomore systems engineering major Nominated by Society of Women Engineers Kari Payton of Bastrop, La. is a Donaghey Scholar and a member of the International Council on System Engineering and Student Philanthropy Council. She also plays intramural flag football and basketball with Campus Recreation. Her classmates might be surprised to learn that in 2009 she was on the Little League Softball World Series Championship team. She said if she had the opportunity to travel anywhere for spring break she would visit Africa, the home of one of her best friends who she met at UALR. “I would love to go visit their family and be immersed in their culture,” she said. “It would be a new experience for me and something I think that is outside of my comfort zone.”
Meredith Rideout
Jordan Benedict
Eboni Franklin
Bre’Anna Green
Britney Taylor
Junior dance performance major Nominated by Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Junior health sciences major
Senior journalism major
Nominated by Student Athlete Committee
Junior media production and design major Nominated by University Program Council
Nominated by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Senior political science and criminal justice major Nominated by Kappa Delta Sorority
Fort Smith native Meredith Rideout serves as vice president of her sorority Chi Omega and is a member of the Theatre and Dance Guild. She said “I love being a student here at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock” and the fact that she devotes so much time and energy into her involvement on campus are what make her a good choice for Homecoming queen. If she could have one superpower, Rideout said “I would love to fly! Ever since seeing Peter Pan, I think the sensation of flying would be so thrilling.” After she graduates, Rideout said she wants to continue her education to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy.
A representative of the Student Athletic Committee, Jordan Benedict of Benton is also a member of the UALR Trojan Dance Team and the Chi Omega sorority. “All of the organizations that I’m involved in on campus embrace a diverse culture within themselves and it’s made my collegiate journey a wonderful learning experience so far, Benedict said. “It’s a huge honor to be able to represent a group of my peers in this manner, and I can imagine that being voted as the queen would be even more of a humbling experience.” Benedict has a couple things in mind when it comes to a career: either continue in her current line of work as a bank teller, where she said she would like to move up into management, or go on to get a master’s degree in education.
Eboni Franklin of Dallas is a member of the University Program Council’s executive committee, an orientation leader for the Office of Campus Life and a student worker in the Department of Information Science. “I feel that I can relate to and represent every student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock,” Franklin said. “As an out-of-state transfer student, I have dealt with and overcome many obstacles that the average college student has had to deal with.” But something her classmates may not know about her is “I love to sing and I’m pretty good at it,” she said. “At least I think so!”
Little Rock native Bre’Anna Green is the recording secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a certified peer educator in the Health Promotions, Programs and Education department and a member of Trojan Talk. “At a young age,” Green said, “doctors labeled me as having the potential to be permanently disabled, physically and mentally, but look at me now.” “I have enjoyed the many programs and academic opportunities that our university has to offer and I welcome the opportunity to share these experiences as Homecoming queen,” Green said. “I feel certain in my ability to be a positive representative both on and off campus.”
Britney Taylor of Vilonia is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha. “In the past 3 years, I have gotten to know many students and professors at UALR,” Taylor said. “I am proud to be a Trojan and am happy to consider UALR my undergraduate institution.” If she could have one superpower, Taylor said “I would love to have the power to teleport! I am always on the go and if I could cut out drive time, my life would be a lot easier. It would also be super cool.” After graduating she hopes to attend law school and become an attorney, although her dream is to one day open her own bakery.