Feb. 14 Issue

HAPPY

VALENTINES DAY! Feb. 14, 2013

Volume 81, Issue 20

ENTERTAINMENT

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

www.FlorAla.net

ʻANTICIPATIONʼ This feeling of

Phillip Phillips, Mat Kearney to headline Spring concert ALEX LINDLEY

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Performers Phillip Phillips and Mat Kearney have accepted bids for this year’s spring concert, to take place May 1 at 7 p.m. in Norton Auditorium, said Tyler Thompson, UNA assistant director for programming.

According to the meeting minutes of the University Program Council’s Jan. 28 meeting, UPC Live Acts Chair Aaron Lovelady said Phillips and Kearney will tentatively perform a double-headliner show for this year’s spring concert.

Lovelady said he could absolutely not confirm that Phillips and Kearney would perform. “(What was said in the meeting) was a tentative announcement,” he said. “There are contracts, but nothing is completed yet.”

Phillips, the 11th season winner of “American Idol,” and Kearney, a Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner, have accepted UPC’s bids but have not signed contracts yet, Thompson said.

“They’re still in the process of getting the contracts signed,” he said. “Hopefully, it will all work out.”

The 2012-2013 UPC budget has $75,000 allotted for live acts. The concert will be under budget, according to the Jan. 28 UPC meeting minutes.

UPC plans to officially announce the performers in mid-March, Lovelady said.

“It takes a little time to get all the stuff finished, but there will be a small announcement party in the GUC the afternoon of March 13,” he said.

UPC officials have been reluctant to announce that the artists would perform at the spring concert, Thompson said.

“They have been a little timid

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INSIDE

this week’s paper

photo by JOSH SKAGGS I Executive Editor

Florist Diane Rowell prepares a rose boquet for potential customers at her downtown floral shop. Employees at Something Ele’Gant, Rowell’s floral shop, have been preparing for Feb. 14 for a few weeks, Rowell said.

Students, faculty prepare for Valentine’s Day KALI DANIEL

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Attitudes about Valentine’s Day vary among students from sincere, embracing enjoyment to cynical disapproval.

Many guys tend to soften up towards the idea of wooing females on Valentine’s Day. “It’s an amazing feeling,” said Dongoh Kim, an international student.

“It’s just this great feeling of anticipation — everyone likes someone and it’s a really good feeling to get something from your boyfriend or girlfriend.”

Some couples choose not to play up the hype of the holiday by celebrating it casually together.

NEWS................2A IMAGES..............4A VIEWPOINTS.........7A

SPORTS...........1B LIFE...............5B EXTRA.............8B

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ITʼS AN AMAZING FEELING. ITʼS JUST THIS GREAT FEELING OF ANTICIPATION — EVERYONE LIKES SOMEONE AND ITʼS A REALLY GOOD FEELING TO GET SOMETHING FROM YOUR BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND.

DONGOH KIM “I think it depends on where you are in a relationship,” said Cory Moss, UNA student. “It’s a designated time to be romantic and go on a date with your partner, not that you shouldn’t be going on dates anyway. For instance, I gave my girlfriend a card already and I might surprise her with a rose or prob-

ably her favorite flower.”

Girls seem to be exponentially more jaded about the Valentine’s holiday than guys.

“It’s a scam,” said Amber Lyons, a fashion merchandising major. “Retailers are trying to get people to buy candy, flowers and jewelry. The sentiments are fake. I hate it and it’s depressing.”

“To me, it’s great and sweet, but it’s primarily a time for businesses to boost sales,” said Shelby Fink, UNA students. “It’s good for the economy and it’s affectionate, but it seems to me that the older you get, the less you care.”

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STUDENT/TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS...5B

2A NEWS SGA

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

MONEY

Senate Dining Dollars fee to increase next fall discusses future Lion Nights BLYTHE STEELMAN 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ J[\MMTUIV(]VI ML]

Senate discussed plans for the upcoming Lion Night the organization will help sponsor in April at their meeting Feb. 7.

The event will cost approximately $1,000 to host, said John Thigpen, senator.

The money will fund a number of things, including setup and cleanup, he said.

Thigpen reported to Senate members that he had met with Teryl Shields, executive director of Florence Main Street, in preparation for the next Lion Night.

“The main goal of this event is to offer a way for downtown businesses to showcase themselves to students and show what they have to offer,” Thigpen said.

This event is something that will hopefully be long-term, said Will Riley, SGA president. He said he hopes this event will photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer take place eight times during the year.

Funds needed each year would total $8,000. UNA student Jacob Keisler uses his Mane Card to make a purchase in the GUC. Each semester, students are required “The money for this needs to be allocat- to pay a fee, which they can use to buy Sodexo products on campus.

”

PACE HOLDBROOKS

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THE MAIN GOAL OF THIS EVENT IS TO OFFER

A WAY FOR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES TO SHOWCASE THEMSELVES TO STUDENTS AND SHOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

JOHN THIGPEN

Starting next fall, the Dining Dollar fee will rise from $105 to $135 per semester to provide incentive for companies to bring branches of their stores to UNA’s campus.

This is the last in a series of planned fee increases in order to bring ChickFil-A and Starbucks to the Academic Commons and Student Center.

“All national brands need some form of guarantee that there is enough income for them to survive (as an on-campus business),” said Alan Kinkead, general manager of Sodexo Dining Services at UNA. “(These businesses) need to know more than just the fact that there are 7,000 students at UNA. We wanted to make sure that we could show ChickFil-A and Starbucks that there are funds available to students that will drive revenues.”

Kinkead said Sodexo and UNA officials have worked closely in establishing a plan to get popular franchises on campus and that many campuses have Dining Dollar programs to meet this end. Unlike other brands on campus currently, Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks are going to be full-service operations.

“Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A have

ed in the budget if we’re going to continue doing this in the future,” Riley said. “It’s definitely doable, and if we contact the right people, coming into the funds shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Attendees expressed different concerns with the last Lion Night that could be improved for the next event, Thigpen said.

“Students said we should find more routes for buses to run during the event,” he said. “We could also use better PR for future Lion Nights.”

Local businesses reported being pleased with the overall turnout and outcome of the first Lion Night, Thigpen said.

“If we continue, this could potentially be pretty big for every party involved,” Riley said. “I do think this needs to be a big SGA-collaborative effort with UPC, though.”

Determining the sustainability of the event is important, said Jordan Brasher, Senate vice president.

Lion Night is a joint effort between IZZA SGA, UNA Athletics, the Division of Student Affairs and Florence Main Street, Riley said.

The inaugural Lion Night was held Sept. 18. The exact head count for the night is unknown, Riley said last semester.

CHRIS PENNIE ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ The previous Lion Night offered disKXMVVQM(]VI ML] counts for students at several downtown The C-Store, also known as the businesses and restaurants and featured live musical performances from local art- Smart Market, recently began selling ists such as SCM Electrix and Madeleine pizza to students Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Frankford.

Sodexo General Manager Alan

very specific rules as far as what they serve and how they market themselves, though they are flexible about some things, like how they decorate,” Kinkead said. “I’m really excited that Starbucks is planning to use some local flair in their store design.”

Kinkead said he hopes the Florence community will be drawn to the new stores to give their support. Sodexo will continue to have events and contests to encourage students to spend money on campus.

“We’ve done stuff where we’ve given away prizes to encourage students to spend all of their Dining Dollars before the end of the semester,” Kinkead said.

“We’ve given away a Kindle Fire before, as well as an iPad Mini.”

Students on campus have mixed emotions about the fee increase since some students will graduate before the new businesses arrive and others prefer to support local business. Joy Wimberly, a senior at UNA, said she feels that the Dining Dollars are a gimmick to force her to spend money on campus, especially since she will not be able to enjoy the new restaurants.

“If a Starbucks or Chick-Fil-A was on campus, people would spend their money there regardless,” said Jacob

AT A GLANCE • DINING DOLLAR FEE IS CURRENTLY $105 • IT WILL INCREASE TO $135 NEXT FALL FOR LAST TIME IN EFFORT TO BRING AND

STARBUCKS

CHICK-FIL-A TO CAMPUS

Chapman, a junior. “While a big-name corporate chain like Starbucks may seem more attractive, they don’t bring anything more to Florence than a brand label. I think local businesses like Rivertown are fantastic for their community, and we should support them.”

Other students said they were indifferent to the fee increase since they will spend money on campus regardless. RJ Stein, a junior, said he expects the $135 to fly off his Mane Card.

“I really don’t mind the Dining Dollar fee,” said Jacob Hale, a senior at UNA. “This fee ensures restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks feel comfortable setting up at UNA, which will only make UNA better. I’m willing to spend a little bit more money to make UNA better.”

P

Sodexo offers late-night pizza at C-Store Kinkead said he thinks the C-Store has been popular with students and that pizza gives them another late-night option.

“It’s a convenient way for students on campus who want to eat at night without having the need to jump in the car,” Kinkead said.

Kinkead said providing pizza at the

C-Store is part of an effort to satisfy the needs of students. As part of this effort, WoW will soon sell smoothies.

“Sodexo is here for and because of the students,” Kinkead said. “We like to provide new formats with the support of the university and the community as well.”

NEWS 3A

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

Local filmmakers launch project to highlight Shoals attractions

MADE IN THE SHOALS

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Wes and Tera Wages, the husband and wife team of Armosa Studios, are working together on a new project called “Made in the Shoals” to highlight businesses and people in the Shoals area.

“It’s about a community of creatives telling the story of our community,” Wes said. “Our attempts are to brand the Shoals area as a start-up community.”

Once a month, a local business or person will be featured in a short documentary filmed, produced and edited by the couple and their team of volunteers, all of whom live in the Shoals area. Any music featured in the films is provided by local Shoals artists as well.

Wes said the area is “an idea factory” that he wants to share with others who are unfamiliar with what the Shoals area has to offer.

The “Made in the Shoals” project team chose to feature Rivertown Coffee Co., a local favorite, as its first short film, released Jan. 24.

Wes credited John Cartwright, owner and operator of the coffee shop, for initiating the project idea more than a year ago.

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photo courtesy of TERA WAGES

4A IMAGES

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

PSYCHEDELIC LOVE

by Chief Photographer Kayla Sloan If you’re like me, you want to stay far, far away from any restaurant or movie theater this Valentine’s Day. This is mostly because I can’t stand seeing people who are on a date sit on the same side of the booth together; or when people lift up the arm rest in the theater seats. It’s just uncomfortable.

Don’t pretend it isn’t.

I prefer somewhere cozier; somewhere my beau and I can listen to vinyl and stare up at the night lights; somewhere cheap — somewhere like the planetarium.

Feb. 14 through 16 at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Mel Blake will be showing Laser Vinyl, a mix of hits from the 70s and 80s set to bright, dancing lights.

And you can’t beat the price of $2 for students!

This is my kind of date.

The planetarium offers plenty of seating, but some guests opt to take a blanket and cuddle up next to their sweetie on the floor. Not only does this get you closer to your date, but it’s a lot easier on your neck.

However, if you forget your blanket, the chairs provide you with an easy and believable excuse to give your date a back rub after the show ...

This year for Valentine’s Day, step out of the box a little. Dress up and order in, head to the laser show, and then have a bottle of wine ready for your own starry night picnic afterward.

Make it memorable.

I really hope my date gets the hint right now.

NEWS 5A

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

VALENTINES: Community prepares for holiday, festivities >)4-6<16-; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Many professors on campus still celebrate the holiday and even look forward to it.

“On Valentine’s Day, the first step is to get a babysitter,” said Vince Brewton, associate professor of English. “I’m taking my wife to Sweet Magnolia where we already have our reservations — if I can get my act together, I will get her a present but what can I say, I’m not the Emperor in ‘Star Wars.’ Things aren’t proceeding as I’ve foreseen.”

“I love Valentine’s Day!” said Emily Kelley, coordinator of the Center for Women’s Studies. “It’s one of my favorite holidays. I think it’s great to have a day on which to tell someone you love them, but only if you do so every other day as well. Telling someone he is loved is never redundant. I never get tired of hearing it, and I daresay most people would agree.”

She also stressed that Valentine’s Day’s affection should be an extension of already present sentiments.

“Relationships need lots of nurturing to grow and flourish, just like anything else that you want to bloom,” Kelley said. photo by JOSH SKAGGS I Executive Editor “You have to feed them and tend them and not just leave them to chance. You can’t Florist Diane Rowell prepares a rose boquet for potential customers at her downtown floral shop. just nurture or feed them once a year, say, on Valentine’s Day. You must tend them continually.”

+76+-:< KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) about releasing the names because they don’t want to make any false promises

before everything is confirmed,” he said.

Many factors go into organizing the spring concert, Thompson said.

“They start with a certain budget each year; then, they make a list of artists within that range,” he said. “If some-

one is in the area or passing through — like if they have a show in Birmingham or Atlanta the next day — then they can get them for a discounted rate, which influences their choices.

“It would be great to get certain folks,

but it multiplies the costs if they’re not already going to be in the area.”

UPC meeting minutes are available on the UPC OrgSync page. UPC meetings take place Mondays at 3:30 p.m. and are open to students.

6A NEWS

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

SAFETY

Officials review campus gun policy

photo illustration by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer

Officials are reviewing UNA’s policy on who can bring guns on campus. Students cannot carry guns on campus, but visitors can store them with university police.

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The UNA Weapons on Campus Policy is currently under review and going through the shared governance process.

The edited document, reviewed by UNA police Chief Bob Pastula, will clarify who can and who cannot bring firearms on campus.

“His policy includes two increases in provisions: it addresses more about visitors to the campus and what it means to be a law enforcement officer on campus,” said David Shields, vice president of student affairs. “He’s added some new language to it to strengthen it and to be in line with other universities and what has been going on around the country.”

Pastula personally reviewed and ed-

ited the document.

“We needed something to address the community as well,” he said.

The UNA board of trustees in addition to faculty, staff and students, will review and vote on the policy. After the policy has been voted on, it will be instated and replace the 2007 policy.

The 2007 policy allows visitors and guests to store personal weapons with campus police for 48 hours.

At the University of Alabama, for instance, students can keep their recreational firearms locked and held with the campus police department. The UNA policy, however, will not allow the students, faculty or staff to have that option.

“We don’t have the room, facilities or funding to do that,” Pastula said.

The new changes will aim to strengthen campus safety by addressing who can

bring weapons on campus, specifically reserve officers.

Based on Alabama state law, law enforcement officers are permitted to carry their weapons if they are off duty. The UNA weapons policy, however, specifies that law enforcement officers cannot carry weapons on campus if they are off duty, without proper identification.

“We don’t want people to become panicked if they see someone with a pistol, because they might be a police officer,” Shields said.

The additional provisions to the weapons policy are also meant to aid the 12 additional reserve officers who joined the police department this year to aid campus police, with Shields being one of the reserve officers.

“One part is to help the regular officers make a bigger impact on campus,

and the other part is to give the reserve officers a little job training before they graduate,” Pastula said.

Shields hopes the additional officers and new changes to the policy will help faculty, staff and students be more aware of their surroundings.

“I think the key thing is to be situationally aware and realize that even though we live in a safe community, there are people who do bad things,” Shields said. “We have to assist our police department. We have to help each other.”

Shields said the overall crime rates have dropped by 30 percent in the past few years and that UNA is much safer when compared to other universities in Alabama.

FILM FESTIVAL

ʻWalking Deadʼ star joins Lindsey Film Festival Advisory Board HALEY WRIGHT

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Actor Michael Rooker recently accepted a position on the Lindsey Film Festival Advisory Board.

Rooker’s appearance as a guest at the festival in 2012 led to joining the board.

Festival co-director Cynthia Burkhead said he kept in contact since last year.

“He was one of the first choices because he was so open and supportive of

what we were doing last year,” she said.

Rooker is a native of Jasper and lived there until he was 13. This allowed the board to continue honoring George Lindsey’s roots in Jasper.

Rooker is known for his roles in “Cliffhanger,” “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” and “The Walking Dead.” He has won the International Fantasy Film Award and the Golden Space Needle Award along with other nominations.

Rooker voiced himself in the video game

“Call of Duty: Black Ops.” As a well-known actor, Rooker has a good sense of what audiences might want from a film festival, Burkhead said.

Rooker will be replacing the late Ernest Borgnine on the board. Burkhead said this will help maintain a contact in Hollywood.

“We’ll be able to ask him for recommendations for guests of the festival,” she said.

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Rooker

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

V-Day gets too much attention STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

JOSH SKAGGS EXECUTIVE EDITOR ALEX LINDLEY NEWS/MANAGING EDITOR ANN HARKEY LIFE EDITOR MALISA MCCLURE SPORTS EDITOR JARED MCCOY COPY/OPINION EDITOR BLYTHE STEELMAN ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER CORTNEY OLIVER GRAPHIC DESIGNER ALEX GOUIN AD REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW WILSON CIRCULATION MANAGER KAYLA SLOAN CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTINA COVINGTON MICHAEL REDDING ALLI OWNBY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

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First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

ANN HARKEY

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By the sudden appearance of pink and red covering every store in Florence, Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching.

The heartwarming colors never bring a smile to my face, a song to my heart or birds to my window. They just remind me that I need to get something for my boyfriend.

The truth is, Valentine’s Day annoys me. It is like Christmas’ promiscuous little sister. It takes over everyone’s life in some small way or another.

If you’re in a relationship, you feel the need to plan a big date. If you are single, you either look for a date, feel bad for not having a date or make

up huge excuses for not caring about Valentine’s Day to the point that you bring it up a little too often, as in, so often people know it bothers you.

My boyfriend and I keep our Valentine’s tradition sweet and simple. For the past two years we have gone to a concert the weekend before V-Day, speckled with small gifts for one another. I get him cologne; he gets me flowers, chocolates or cool gifts only I would appreciate.

We don’t typically make plans on Valentine’s Day itself, because it usually falls in the middle of the workweek. It doesn’t sound romantic, but it works for us.

During our first year of dating, my best friend was dumped the day before Valentine’s Day by her then-boyfriend. She tried to hide how much it really bothered her, but we can all agree it had to sting. My wonderful boyfriend, however, made sure to bring her a Valentine’s Day surprise along with mine to make her feel better.

This is why I wish this holiday would disappear. It doesn’t

bring more love into the world.

It just brings in another “special” day for someone to forget and get in trouble about. It brings in another day for single people to feel that twang in their heart for companionship.

It brings another day for companies to profit off of.

As nonchalant as I sound about this day and how much I desperately wish it would disappear, I would probably get a little upset if my boyfriend forgot about it. The only reason it would bother me would be the fact you have to make an active effort to ignore the holiday.

Honestly, I have never met anyone who really enjoyed Valentine’s Day from beginning to end.

So let’s make an effort to make this day good for everyone. Buy cheap Barbie-themed cards and pass them out. Get a bag of Hershey Kisses and make it rain silver. Cut out heart-shaped construction paper chain and hang it over your door.

Then again, maybe the obligatory Valentine’s Day Facebook post is enough.

Enjoy Valentineʼs your way MALISA MCCLURE

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Valentine’s Day, as we all know, is a celebration of love and of the martyred priest St. Valentine, who performed weddings against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II during the third century.

Today, Valentine’s Day means a lot of different things to many people. To some, it’s a day to enjoy candy and dinner and wine with a lover. To others, it’s a night to go out with girlfriends and pick up boys.

And still, to some, it’s just a bullshit holiday that nobody cares about.

For me, Valentine’s Day is a little bit of a silly holiday.

Intellectually, I’m aware of the fact that it’s really no differ-

ent than any other day (besides the candy and teddy bears and little pink cards, of course).

And yet, there’s a part of me that can’t help but love it — the part of me that’s still 14, hung up on her first love and just can’t get enough of those little pink hearts with “Call me” written on them.

Of course, you won’t see me toting around pink balloons and writing “Malisa loves youuuuu” on anyone’s car. In the end, it’s just another day — it just so happens to be a day in which people are more inclined to make sweet gestures.

As I said, people celebrate (or ignore) Valentine’s Day in different ways. And, I think, that’s the way it should be. Because every relationship is different, and every person is different.

Chances are that you can see proof of this by looking at your friends. When I look at my friends and their relationships, or lack thereof, I can certainly see the proof.

One of my friends has recently reconciled with a boy

she’s been in love with for three years — they still drive each other crazy, but they’re happy.

Another of my friends is single, free to do as she wants, but still occasionally sees her ex.

One of my friends is dating a guy who’s just as goofy as she is, and they’re adorable together.

As for me, I’m just figuring it out one day at a time. I’m trying to work things out with a guy I’ve been off and on with since April, and it’s not the easiest thing in the world. And, honestly, I’m still not sure I know exactly what I want. Like I said, one day at a time.

What type of relationship do you have? Your friends? No matter the answer, know that whatever it is that works for you is what’s right. And, in the end, today is just another day of the year.

If you love someone, shouldn’t you want to show them that every day?

So, happy Valentine’s Day — and every other day for that matter.

Interested in writing for The Flor-Ala? Come to our writersʼ meeting every Monday at 6 p.m. Take a story and get involved.

PAWS UP, PAWS DOWN

Calling it like we see it The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival announced that it would kick off festivities with a screening of the documentary “Muscle Shoals,” which aired at Sundance Film Festival.

SGA Senate will be travelling to Higher Ed Day in Montgomery Feb. 28 to advocate funding for education.

In the past 25 years, only 21 percent of Alabama’s population has earned a four-year degree, falling under the national rate of 27 percent, according to the Higher Education Partnership.

As of press time Feb. 12, former LAPD Officer Chris Dorner has still not turned himself in after allegedly killing four people and wounding six in southern California.

WANT TO FOLLOW OUR STAFF ON TWITTER? Follow these accounts to stay up to date on what is going on around campus:

@joshskaggs @TheFlorAlex @jmccoy90 @annharkey1 @bksteelman @FlorAlaSports

8A NEWS

Feb. 14, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

PHILANTHROPY

WomenĘźs Center fundraiser raises record amount TRISTA IRVIN

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A fundraiser hosted by the UNA Center for Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studies last semester raised a record amount for Bead for Life, a program helping impoverished women in Uganda.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue hit $4,948 within the two-week time period of the event, exceeding the goals set and the revenue raised from previous years. Bead for Life is a part of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global outreach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year we raised over $3,200 and hoped this year we could raise more,â&#x20AC;? said Emily Kelley, Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center coordinator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were amazed at the out-

;07)4; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) When the time came to choose a business to premier, Rivertown was the first choice for Wages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never thought of anyone else,â&#x20AC;? Wes said.

The Wages, graduates of UNA, selected students and alumni from UNA to help with the project. First assistant cameraman Tate Hipps and digital imaging technician Jonathan Oliphant are current students at UNA, while sound technician Alex Wittscheck and editor Will Rhodes are alumni of UNA. In addition, part of the debut short

come and so pleased at how well the community supported this. We had double the volunteer participation come help out with the fundraiser and experienced a tremendous amount of publicity, both from the press and media.â&#x20AC;?

The campaign sells hand-crafted beaded jewelry and shea butter cosmetics that women of Uganda craft and make. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This campaign helps Ugandan women and their families pull themselves out of extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than a $1.25 a day,â&#x20AC;? Kelley said.

Kelley added that being the head of the household falls on many women whose husbands have die from HIV and AIDS or in war. film was filmed by the fountain at UNA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know the reason for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Made in the Shoalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is so we can all learn,â&#x20AC;? Hipps said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wes always says he will always be a student, and we are always students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always learning.â&#x20AC;?

Wes plans to rotate each of the students through the various positions of the film process as they document a new business each month. Like the students, Wes said he learned more about audio from his work with Rivertown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(The projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point is) to tell stories to the world and also to educate and collaborate with others,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made in the Shoalsâ&#x20AC;? has begun storyboarding their second film on Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala magazine and plans to release it at the end of February. In addition, viewers can

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a better return of any philanthropy that I know of,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center keeps none of the proceeds earned by the fundraiser. Over 95 percent of the proceeds go back into the hands of these Ugandan women and the campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational programs set up for them.â&#x20AC;?

The organization provides a two-year program that teaches these women trades and career skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women are encouraged to buy land through the campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Friendship Villagesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project,â&#x20AC;? Kelley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As property owners, these women can be recognized in society. The money that goes back literally changes these womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives.â&#x20AC;?

The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center has been in-

â&#x20AC;?

I HOPE TO SEE THAT BUSINESSES WILL

FLOURISH EVEN MORE AND FOR MORE AWARENESS OF THE SHOALS TO HAPPEN WITH THIS WORK.

TATE HIPPS expect a second film and photographs documenting behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope to see that businesses will flourish even more and for more awareness of the Shoals to happen with this work,â&#x20AC;? Hipps said.

For more information, visit the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.madeintheshoals. com or find them on Facebook.

volved with Bead for Life for several years and will continue to do the fundraiser, she added. The centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in global, as well as local, outreach reinforces their mission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is incumbent upon women everywhere to lend a helping hand to other women attempting to better themselves,â&#x20AC;?

Kelley said.

Jean Ann Willis, a senior criminal justice major, said Beads for Life is a wonderful way to raise money for less fortunate women. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If someone happened to miss the event and is interested in learning more about the cause, they can visit the campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.beadforlife.org,â&#x20AC;?

Kelley said.

:773-: KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Many are excited about Rooker joining the board. Jason Flynn, assistant professor of film and digital media production, had a positive view towards Rookerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s addition to the board. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pleased to have an Alabamian on the board, and until he escapes his Advisory Board duties by hacksawing his hand off, we look forward to all of the input, connections and enthusiasm he provides,â&#x20AC;? Flynn said.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walking Deadâ&#x20AC;? star does not have plans to return to UNA at this point, but Burkhead said she hopes for his return.

SPORTS S

ECTION B

Feb. 14, 2013• The Flor-Ala • Sports Editor: Malisa McClure 256-765-5098

BASKETBALL

Women back on track after win over DSU JAMES DUBUISSON

”

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RL]J]Q[[WV(]VI ML]

IN THIS LEAGUE, YOU HAVE TO WIN AT

The Lions women’s basketball team defeated Christian Brothers 61-41 in Flowers Hall Feb. 7 and secured a lead in the Gulf South Conference when they defeated Delta State 52-42 Feb. 9 in their second win in three days.

Coach Terry Fowler believes win-

HOME. IT IS IMPORTANT AND IMPERATIVE TO WIN

FINAL SCORES

able to get free throws and that explains the difference in the shots.”

Jennifer Towne had a big game for the Lions as she scored 13 points, nine of which came in the second half and also added eight rebounds.

“We really needed (Towne) rebounding from the guard position against them because their post players did a great job boxing out our post players,” Fowler said. “She just came in from the guard position and grabbed the rebounds.”

Fowler was also excited about the recent play of Nichelle Fillmore.

“She is just playing with a great deal of confidence right now, and it is great to see her at the level she is playing at,” Fowler said.

The Lions will have a week of rest before they play Union Feb. 18. Fowler said the team will rest Sunday and Monday, then get back to work on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to stay focused on the task at hand and getting better each and every day,” Fowler said. “Then we will see what happens on game day.

The day-by-day approach appears to be working for the Lions, who are 9-4 in the GSC and 16-7 total. Only time will tell whether or not it will lead UNA to a GSC championship and beyond in 2013.

UNA - 61 CBU - 41 UNA- 52 DSU- 42

ning at home is the key to success in the GSC. “In this league, you have to win at home,” Fowler said. “We gave two away earlier in the year against Union and Shorter. It is important and imperative to win at home in this league because wins are tough to come by.”

The Lions led for the majority of the first half but lost it with less than six minutes left. Delta State led 22-21 heading into the half.

“We have been a second-half team all year,” Fowler said. “Our biggest problem has been our start.”

The Lions fared better in the second half as they outscored the Lady Statesmen 31-20 to pull out the victory. Delta State shot 17 more field goals than UNA, but Fowler contributes that to the ability of his team to make it to the freethrow line.

“We just lived at the free-throw line with our physicality,” he said. “We were

AT HOME IN THIS LEAGUE BECAUSE WINS ARE TOUGH TO COME BY.

TERRY FOWLER

photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer

UNA guard Jennifer Towne goes up for a shot against Christian Brothers’ Breanna Ridgell Feb. 7 at Flowers Hall.

TRACK

Womenʼs track team gets set for first season CORINNE BECKINGER ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ KJMKSQVOMZ(]VI ML]

UNA’s first women’s indoor/outdoor track team is making its debut with a total of eight track meets this season.

The team was recently added to help UNA gain status as a Division I school.

With the addition of the women’s indoor/outdoor track team, UNA has 14 varsity sports, which settles part of the

IN THIS SECTION

3B

NCAA requirements for Division I. The team has already had two indoor meets this year with the Sewanee Tiger Indoor Track & Field Invitational in Sewanee, Tenn., Feb. 2 and the Emory Crossplex Invitational in Birmingham Jan. 28.

“We were apprehensive about running in Birmingham, but we’re getting better,” said Scott Trimble, head coach.

The girls finished 12th out of 15

DAY

IN THE LIFE

Golf team prepares for upcoming season

teams in Birmingham, but each girl ran hard to finish in the top of each of their events in Sewanee. Most notably, Kenley Crouch finished second in the 800 meter, freshman Lori-Anna Lovelace finished third in the one-mile run and the distance medley team finished second overall.

“Since we are new Coach Trimble and Coach (Hannah) Simmons are experimenting with the line-up and allow-

4B

NEW

ing us to run different events,” Lovelace said. “We train each week to get better so we can peak at the right time.”

The team will split up their season into a combination of indoor and outdoor meets, most of which are against D-I schools. The girls have six outdoor meets left this spring.

;MM <:)+3 XIOM *

CHEER

COACHES

Change brings new energy

@FlorAlaSports

2B SPORTS

Feb. 14, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

BASKETBALL

MenĘźs basketball team defeats DSU in home game JAMES DUBUISSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RL]J]Q[[WV(]VI ML]

The UNA Lions menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team defeated Delta State 73-54 Feb. 9 in Flowers Hall.

The game was nothing special in the first half as UNA held a small 26-22 lead heading into the second half. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I though Delta State did a great job

in the first half,â&#x20AC;? said Bobby Champagne, head coach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought, conversely, they were really good at their offense and giv-

FINAL SCORE UNA - 73 DSU - 54

photo by CHRISTINA COVINGTON I Staff Photographer

Marquel Darrington shoots a three-pointer during the Feb. 7 home game against Christian Brothers. In the Feb. 9 game against Delta State, Darrington made a three-pointer in the second half, giving the Lions the surge they needed to go on and defeat the Statesmen.

<:)+3 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * The girls said they feel prepared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all self-motivated to improve every day,â&#x20AC;? Lovelace said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being the first year as an indoor/ outdoor track team, we want to set a high standard for this program,â&#x20AC;? said Hope Rayburn, a junior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also want to be positive representatives of UNA track and UNA athletics.â&#x20AC;?

Most of the girls who were recruited for the track team ran on the UNA cross country team in the fall, but two of the girls came from the UNA cheerleading team, and Rayburn was recruited from the UNA volleyball team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know this is the first track team the

university has ever had compete, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just excited to be part of it,â&#x20AC;? Lovelace said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach Trimble said we were going to be part of history.â&#x20AC;?

The runners are also training hard to make history in academics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only do they do what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to on the field, but they do what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to in the classroom as well,â&#x20AC;? Trimble said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had the highest GPA of all sports on campus last semester.â&#x20AC;?

The womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indoor/outdoor track and field team will be competing next at the Rhodes College Open in Memphis, Tenn., March 16.

ing our defense trouble. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem like a very intense game in the first half, but it was very physical.â&#x20AC;?

The mood of the game and the arena completely changed with 13:11 left in the second half. DeAndre Hershey made a rebound off a missed Delta State shot.

Hershey then passed the ball to Marquel Darrington, who dribbled the ball down the sideline. Darrington lobbed a whiffed alley-oop that banked in for a three pointer. The UNA bench and fans erupted with shock and awe as the referees discussed what had just happened. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was about time Marquel hit a three,â&#x20AC;? Champagne said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It did give us a little bit of a cushion.â&#x20AC;?

The three-pointer put the Lions up 41-30.

With 11:53 left in the game, Hershey went up for a shot. Delta State player Jack Madgen appeared to accidently undercut Hershey on the shot attempt. Hersey awkwardly landed on top of Madgen and Hershey began to roll around on the floor in pain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His back has been hurting him all year,â&#x20AC;? Champagne said.

Hershey was unable to take the free throws. Then controversy ensued.

The NCAA rule for selecting a freethrow shooter to replace an injured player states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The coach from the opposing team shall select, without undue delay, one of the four players remaining on the court to attempt the free throw(s). Once selected by the coach, the shooter may not be changed.â&#x20AC;?

The Delta State coaches insisted

that UNA player Kenyan Jackson, who shoots 53 percent from the free throw stripe, was on the court when the injury occurred. The referees, with no substantial evidence to prove otherwise, agreed with the Delta State coach and sent Jackson to the line. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their coach can pick any of the four players who are on the court to shoot the free throw, and KJ wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on the floor,â&#x20AC;?

Champagne said.

The official box score would later show that Nathan Spehr subbed in for

â&#x20AC;?

WE GOT US A BIG WIN AT HOME AND

NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO ON THE ROAD AGAINST

UNION WITH A COUPLE OF EXTRA DAYS TO PREPARE.

BOBBY CHAMPAGNE Jackson with 13:47 left in the game. The four players on the court at the time of the injury were Wes Long (80 percent), Tyler Pritchard (76 percent), Spehr (92 percent), and Rashaun Claiborne (78 percent). â&#x20AC;&#x153;They wanted KJ to shoot because, statistically, he is not a good free throw shooter and â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the senior leader he is â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

;MM 5-6; *);3-<*)44 XIOM *

SPORTS 3B

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

GOLF

Getting ready for a ʻspecialʼ 2013 season Flor-Ala Sports Editor spends a day with the UNA golf team MALISA MCCLURE

;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ U[UKKT]ZM(]VI ML]

The UNA golf team is currently preparing for the upcoming season, which starts Feb. 25 at the Men’s Pirate Invitational at Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Ga. The team starts its four-day-a-week workouts at 8 a.m. in the Flowers Hall weight room.

The workout includes a series of exercises aimed at working on rotational strength, stabilizing muscle and making the body long and lean.

“Everybody thinks we just go to the golf course, and that’s not the case,” said Stuart Clark, head golf coach.

Clark runs the workout, which incorporates yoga, weight training and exercises that involve rotation of the body and strengthening the core.

“We’ve got one of the top programs in the country — we’re currently ranked No. 4, so they work hard,” he said.

UNA senior golf player Blaise Wilson, who now does the workout without breaking much of a sweat, said the workout routine wasn’t easy at first.

“The first two or three weeks, there were guys that threw up from the workout,” he said.

Clark said that when the team competes, the days are 12 to 14 hours long, with miles worth of walking from one hole to the next, so the players need to be

in good condition by the time the season starts.

“Condition-wise, we’re probably ready,” said Ricky Stimets, UNA senior.

“But we haven’t been able to play much (due to the weather).”

Clark said that because of recent rain the team hasn’t been able to get out on the golf course as much as he would like.

A typical day for a UNA golf player starts with working out, showering, going to class, then ends with being at the golf course until sundown and squeezing in some homework after that, Wilson said.

Though the team hasn’t been able to see much of the golf course yet, Clark said he has a good feeling about this season.

“I think this semester’s going to be something special; I can just feel it,” he said.

Clark attributed that feeling in part to having great senior leadership in Wilson, Stiment, Nick Sparks and Graham Byrom.

The team’s goals this season are simple. First, they said they would like to win conference. Second, they hope to win regionals. And lastly, they aim to win at the national level.

The team’s motto echoes the overall mentality of Clark and his players. It is seen on the back of their t-shirts and reads “Sacrifice Regrets – ‘You Choose.’”

photos by MALISA MCCLURE I Sports Editor

(left) Ricky Stiments and Trent Alexander do yoga stretches before starting weight workouts Feb. 10. (above) Trent Alexander lifts weights during the workout.

Stiment said the golf players owe much to Clark, who does a good job of pushing them to succeed on and off the course.

“If (Clark) wasn’t here pushing us, I

don’t think anyone would show up, because you need someone to push you,” Stiment said.

5-6; *);3-<*)44 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * he stepped up and knocked both of them down,” Champagne said.

He said that the fact that Jackson was not in the game and he still made the free throws made him feel good.

“It made me feel better that they manipulated the rule and he was able to knock down both of them,” Champagne said. “He was not in the game; he was on the bench.”

The free throws fired up the crowd and the Lions as they cruised to the victory down the stretch. The Lions were up 71-54 with less than 10 seconds left

in the game when the Delta State coach called a timeout. Champagne was not pleased about the timeout as he grabbed his clipboard off of the scores table and drew up a play.

“I had two freshmen and a sophomore in the game, and we ran an inbound play we had been working on in practice,” Champagne said.

Nathan Spehr took the ball from the referee on the baseline out-of-bounds. He was on the side of the backboard closest to the score table. Jere Vucica cut to the basket and caught a lob from Spehr.

As Vucica dunked the ball over an unwilling Delta State player, every person not wearing green and black in Flowers jumped out of their seats and erupted in a loud cheer.

After Delta State dribbled out the rest of the clock, the Statesmen walked off the floor without shaking the Lions’ hands.

The Lions will have a week off until they play Union Feb. 16.

“We got us a big win at home and now we are going to go on the road against Union with a couple of extra days to prepare,” Champagne said.

Show her she’s your Valentine all year long.

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4B SPORTS

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

CHEERLEADING

Coaching change brings cheerleaders to next level JAMES DUBUISSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RL]J]Q[[WV(]VI ML]

The UNA cheerleading squads recently went through a coaching change.

The new coaches are David “Red” Bullard and Lyndsie McClure. Bullard is the head coach, while former UNA cheerleader McClure is the assistant coach.

“This is my first year as a coach,” McClure said. “I love it, I love the school and I love being a part of the program.”

The transition has had good and bad parts because of the new personalities the coaches bring to the squad.

“The rules have stayed the same, really, but it has been adjusting to new personalities,” said Mollie Hannah, junior cheerleader. “We kind of went from not really good personalities to two coaches who care a lot.”

McClure contributes some of the tough transition to the different styles of coaching.

“It’s been difficult just because of the material they do and because our coaching style is very different from the person who was here before,” she said. “They may know some things that we don’t think necessarily work.”

Sophomore Ben Bailey said Bullard has brought the squad to another level.

“He is pushing us to our limits — good limits,” he said. “We need to be pushed like any other sport, and I have seen vast improvement on the squad. We have gotten a whole lot closer.”

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Sports Editor

UNA cheerleaders welcome the UNA men’s basketball team as they come onto the floor Jan. 19 at UA-Huntsville.

McClure and Hannah look forward to the future as the transition is completed.

“We want to compete next year, and that will be a big change,” she said.

“We will be cheering in football games against these big teams, and it will put us on a bigger stage.”

SPORTS BRIEF The UNA football team signed 27 athletes to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day (Feb. 6).

The signing class includes 20 high school seniors and seven transfers from two-year schools.

Head Coach Bobby Wallace said the Lions made significant gains on the defensive line at cornerback and at receiver with the recruiting class.

“We definitely helped ourselves on the defensive line and at cornerback,” he said. “The players we have added will be

NAME/POS/SCHOOL Tyler Boyd Laurence Carmichael Bud Coleman Tevin Cook Jess Cooper Logan Ezzell Levi Fell Jordan Gist Shaquan Glass Dre Hall Adam Harvey Rodney Held Trae Kyles Philbert Martial

ATH OL LB WR OL LB CB DB DT WR P LB ATH DB

a big boost for us in those areas, and we added some help at outside receiver with three signees at 6-foot-1 or taller.”

The recruiting class includes a lot of local signees, with 17 of the 27 athletes coming from within a 100-mile radius from UNA. “It’s an exciting time of year,” Wallace said. “It’s just like the start of a new season. Everyone is excited and has a lot of anticipation and we feel really good about our signing class.”

2013 Signees

Russellville Florence Russellville Handley Tuscaloosa County Russellville Muscle Shoalss Russellville Handley Columbia Central Athens Hazel Green Handley McGill-Toolen

NAME/POS/SCHOOL

Tobias Payne Brian Puckett Freddie Reed Fred Rich Tyler Smith Kai Thomas Justin Booth Marino Daggan Quad Freeman Korey Jones Jonathan Robertson Shaquille Smith J.R. White

TE TE/ DE DL LB DL OL CB LB WR DL DL LB

Austin Lauderdale County West Point Tanner Lauderdale County Dora Jones (Miss.) CC Pearl River (Miss.) CC Itawamba (Miss.) CC Southwest (Miss.) CC Troy University Jones (Miss.) CC Northeast Miss. CC

Information courtesy of Sports Information

A key to the UNA cheerleading squad getting to the next level is the combination of talent and coaching ability.

“I think (the coaching change) will be really good for the future; it will take us to the next level and to where we need to be,” Hannah said.

McClure cites the squad’s hard work and respect for the coaches as the main keys to getting the squad to that next level.

“Everybody has been really respectful of us,” McClure said. “They have a lot of talent and they want to get better.”

LIFE 5B

Feb. 14, 2013• The Flor-Ala • Life Editor: Ann Harkey 256-765-5233

Hot for teacher

Leaders discourage student/professor relationships STEPHANIE FITZGERALD ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ [NQ\bOMZITL(]VI ML]

Many professors and students are eager to weigh in on the appropriateness of staff-student relationships.

According to the UNA staff policy manual, staff-student relationships are not forbidden but heavily discouraged.

David Shields, vice president of student affairs, expressed the meaning of the handbook in his own words to clarify to students what UNA expects.

“Essentially, the policy is very clear,” he said. “The handbook discourages relationships in general, especially in cases where there is a supervisory position, because one could exert unfairness. When this type of relationship does happen, the staff member needs to inform his direct supervisor immediately.”

John Wakefield, a UNA professor of education, met his wife of 27 years while he was a professor and she was a UNA student.

“My wife and I went on our first date the night of her graduation,” Wakefield said.

He said they did not break handbook policies, and Wakefield maintains that good things come to those who wait.

Being a professor of human growth and development, Wakefield said he sees potential behavioral issues between students and professors, so he agrees with the UNA policies.

“Our handbook rules are entirely appropriate,” he said.

“Among students, you have all forms of identity issues and different levels of maturity. When younger people are sorting out

;MM <-)+0-: XIOM *

6B LIFE

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

TRANSPORTATION

International students voice problems with shuttle service

photo by CHRISTINA COVINGTON I Staff Photographer

A shuttle bus waits in the Woodmont parking lot to pick up students to take them back to the main campus.

TV. When it comes to actually getting around in Florence, however, international students have a limited number of options. They must either bring their own cars, borrow or rent cars if they have their international driver’s license, depend on the kindness of friends, call for a taxi or plan their shopping around the UNA shuttle bus schedule. “(There are) no buses and taxis around

EMILY KAZUNGU & ANN HARKEY ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ 4QNM -LQ\WZ IPIZSMa(]VI ML]

It is easy for international students to be under the impression that Florence is similar to cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Streets full of public transportation such as buses, taxis, and shuttles come to mind when picturing those iconic and busy cities depicted in many popular films, photography and

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here and that sucks,” said Binta Balajo, an international student from Gambia. “I have to rely on my friends and the shuttle bus, which is only available on Saturdays (for shopping).”

Balajo has had some unpleasant experiences with UNA’s shuttle service.

“There was one time where the UNA bus dropped me and my friends off at the mall at night and never came back,” she said. “We waited two hours for it to

come back. We had to eventually call our friends from school to come pick us up.”

The students she called did not have vehicles, so they called campus police.

The campus police informed them that the shuttle service was already closed for the night. The police gave the students a local cab service’s phone number.

Some students were under the impression that Florence would have more public transportation and shopping centers near UNA. “It would have been great if we had many shops, restaurants and malls around us because I’d just walk,” said Charline Ganso, an international student from France. “Now, I don’t have a car and the mall is far, so I have to depend on my friend’s car.”

Some international students obtained their international driver’s license to get around.

“Being an international student is hard because you must have a personal car,” said Sumit Kapoor, an international student from India.

Kapoor received his international driver’s license before coming to the United States and gets around Florence by borrowing his friends’ cars.

“The government of Alabama should provide public transportation for international students,” he said.

UNA’s shuttle service runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It also runs on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. The shuttle is free for UNA students. For more information about shuttle services, call 256-765-4357.

LIFE 7B

Feb. 14, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

STUDENT PROFILE

Graduate student plans to teach English internationally

photo courtesy of BRIAN MULACK

Brian Mulack stands on the Great Wall of China during one of his trips.

BRANDON ANDERSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ [IVLMZ[WV (]VI ML]

Brian Mulack, a UNA employee in the Office of International Affairs who teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, is an individual who can relate to many students at UNA. He has a passion for what he does and loves to find adventure.

Originally from Athens, Mulack

<-)+0-: KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * life, they may not develop their individual beliefs if they are involved with an older professor.”

Wakefield expressed his concern with the problem of secrecy and its effects on other students in the classroom.

“Many times the two people try to keep the relationship a secret, but people will always find out,” he said. “When they do, they will wonder what other secrets are being kept. Is there an exchange being made for a higher grade? This undermines the learning environment.”

Shields said he agrees with Wakefield’s theory that these relationships have a negative social effect.

“Even if the student in the relationship is the best student in the class, other students will not see it like that,” he said.

“Other students will resent the student and the professor in the relationship.”

Gabriella Carrasco, a UNA psychology professor, agrees with Wakefield for the most part.

“Typically, I don’t like to put rules on people,” she said. “Professors are adults, and they are capable of making their own decisions, but I think that the way that the handbook handles the topic is appropriate.”

Carrasco said most students are not ready for relationships with professors, based on her experience.

“Relationships always have an ele-

came to UNA because of its proximity to his home and because he liked the smalltown atmosphere of Florence.

As an undergraduate he was active in the Baptist Campus Ministries and worked three different jobs. He worked in philanthropy in Mexico in 2006 and did construction work in New Orleans and also worked in Florence at Cracker Barrel on Cox Creek Parkway.

Mulack graduated from UNA in 2008 ment of intrinsic power, especially in relationships where the professor has direct authority over the student,” Carrasco said. “However, if there are students who can handle it appropriately, the handbook allows room for that. I would never consider dating a student — at least none that I’ve met so far.”

Many students agree with the professors’ opinions of student-professor relationships.

Michael Thaxton, a junior at UNA, said he sees these relationships as inappropriate. He agrees with Wakefield and Shields that they could have a negative effect in the classroom.

“I think that student-professor relationships are definitely not a good idea,” he said. “It would be extremely difficult to maintain a professional relationship alongside whatever their romantic relationship entailed; the professor would no longer be an impartial judge of work quality, which would, in the end, be detrimental to the education of the student and their peers.”

In contrast to Thaxton, UNA student Amanda Cainsaid she doesn’t see it as a huge issue. She thinks the relationship can be managed if there is not a conflict of interest.

“As long as the professor the student is dating isn’t their current professor, it isn’t inappropriate,” she said. “But if the student is dating a current professor they are taking, I see it as very inappropriate.”

with a bachelor’s degree in English. He chose this degree when he found that it could open a door to traveling to other countries.

“It’s more for the adventure of it,” Mulack said. “So many places to see and not enough time.”

He worked at an after-school English program for kids in the K-12 system.

During this time, he discovered his love for travelling and teaching English.

Mulack said he was particularly impacted by a trip he took to Korea.

“Originally I just wanted to travel,” Mulack said. “Then, I decided to do it long-term.”

He found his passion for students and commented how impressed he was by the motivation and value that Korean students have for education. “(Korean) students are motivated to study more than American students,” he said. “They are usually very brilliant.”

Mulack has a great love for experiencing different cultures. During his stay in South Korea, he spent his spare time visiting neighboring countries such as Vietnam and China, as it was not too far or expensive to do so there.

“To pick up from one place to another is fascinating,” he said.

Mulack has now returned to Florence to earn his master’s degree in education to teach English to international students at UNA along with his wife Annalice, who he met in South Korea and married last August. Here, he works hard to give students at UNA an opportunity to interact with other cultures. It might be a new environment for him, but it is one that he feels comfortable in, he said.

“I enjoy meeting other cultures and, at the same time, staying in one place,” he said.

One thing Mulack tells students is not to allow bad decisions of the past to dictate the future.

“Don’t limit yourself by the mistakes you make now,” he said.

As much as he enjoys working at UNA, Mulack said it is his “goal to teach internationally again” in the future.

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Tweets of the week

Feb. 14, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.