Niner Times: February 4, 2014

Men’s basketball

After a few disappointing games, the 49ers return to their old winning ways p. 8

Music genre survey

A survey of UNC Charlotte students determines that rock is the favorite music genre at the university p. 11

National Condom Month

Resources on campus like the Student Health Center can help students get information on how to practice safe sex p. 13

A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA • THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE • VOL. 26, ISSUE 17 FEB. 4 - 10, 2014 NINERONLINE.COM

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FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

Volume 26, Number 17 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

COMMUNITY EDITOR

EDEN CREAMER

PATRICK BOGANS

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FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

NINERTIMES

EDEN CREAMER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Introduced as a late addition to the Thursday, Jan. 23 meeting of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) student senate was a new piece of legislation titled the Probation Act, which revoked privileges given to Student Body President Brady Nails and the entirety of his administration. Nails vetoed the act later the next week, only to have the senators overrule his veto via secret ballot during the Jan. 30 student senate meeting.

After the conclusion of the Jan. 30 meeting, Nails said, “I’m going to continue to make sure we do what’s best for the students. So, no matter what restrictions they put on us, my goal is taking care of us [students]. That’s what matters ... I cannot guarantee that my executive staff will continue to stay on without getting paid. This would include the student body vice president, student body treasurer, the class presidents and the secretaries.”

Introduced by Senator Davonte Belle, the resolution recommends the placement of Nails and the entirety of his administration on probation without pay until March 27, or until “deemed fit by the student senate,” according to the resolution.

The piece of legislation, which was not originally on the agenda for the Jan. 23 meeting, was introduced and fast tracked at the meeting, resulting in the senate voting 25 in favor, with one abstention, of the resolution after 10 minutes of discussion. Normally, the senate will hear discussion on a piece of legislation and vote the following week. The motion to fast track the resolution skipped this discussion period and allowed voting to occur during the initial meeting.

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SARA CARSON

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Left: Student Body President Brady Nails addressing the senate.

Above: Senators at the Jan. 30 student senate meeting. Photos by Eden Creamer

Production of the legislation Before he was able to bring the resolution in front of the senate, Belle took various steps to not only be sure that he was confirmed as a senator, but also to ensure the resolution encompassed everything he envisioned.

During the 2012-13 academic year, Belle served as a senator for SGA, but took a break from the senate during the Fall 2013 semester in order to serve on Nails’ executive board.

Belle, who served as the Secretary for Internal Affairs last fall, resigned from the position via email to Nails on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Two days later at the senate meeting on Jan. 16, Belle was confirmed in front of the senate. His confirmation, according to Nails, raised concerns among the executive board.

“They asked questions to confirm that he was a valid candidate, and one of the questions, they said, ‘What would you like to do? What’s

your plan?’ And he goes, ‘Well that’s confidential. You’ll find out soon.’ And then a week later this legislation was passed,” said Nails.

If it seems Belle stepped down from his position as Secretary for Internal Affairs specifically to propose this legislation, it is because, Belle says, that is exactly what he did.

“I wanted to get back in the senate because I knew I was going to have that piece of legislation to go through,” said Belle. “If I hadn’t resigned I would have had to get somebody else to [propose the Probation Act].”

Belle met with countless professional members of the university community, he says, even meeting with the university’s lawyers to ensure that what he was hoping to do was possible.

“I talked to faculty members to make sure we were doing the right thing and I found out from the lawyer

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

on campus of our university that we could actually do that,” said Belle.

The resolution itself, said Belle, was something he had been thinking about since the fall semester.

Probation Act’s scope The legislation’s scope leaves some to be desired from everyone involved, including Belle. As written, the resolution places the entirety of the executive branch of SGA on probation.

This includes Nails, James Shaw, student body vice president, the treasurer, the class presidents, the chief of staff and each of the secretaries of the board, including the position previously held by Belle.

The resolution seeks to revoke Nails’ privileges as student body president, which include his presidential parking pass and use of the SGA iPad. Nails and the other members of the executive branch will also, according to the resolution, no longer

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receive their monthly stipends until the student senate feels the cabinet is performing its duties. Nails will also be required to produce weekly reports to the student senate until Feb. 27.

Belle says the large scope of the resolution was necessary, despite some members affected by it not deserving to be placed on probation.

“To be honest I felt bad for James,

need for this legislation, says Belle, is the apparent inactivity of the executive branch, specifically inactivity on the part of Nails.

“The fact that the administration hasn’t been doing anything and hasn’t been meeting. Brady hasn’t been in his office at all since school started and nobody has heard from

Brady [Nails] hasn’t been in his office at all since school started and nobody has heard from him.

He doesn’t do anything.

- Davonte Belle

because he actually does his part, but I didn’t want to just alienate anybody.

If I’m going to do it, I’m going to encompass the whole administration,” said Belle. “With Conor Dugan and Loren Fouts [2012-13 student body president and vice president], it was a completely different student government. They were getting things done, interacting with the legislative branch. As far as this year, nothing has happened. Brady is pretty much kind of irrelevant, honestly, and he’s just been causing problems in student government, I think personally.”

Belle declined to comment on the specifics of the problems Nails was creating in SGA. Nails believes, given the way he feels the resolution seems to be specifically geared at himself and Chief of Staff Cameron Dawson, this legislation is the senate’s way around having to impeach him. Belle, who says fellow senators and other members of the university community have asked him why he did not attempt to have Nails impeached instead of placed on probation, says the process of impeachment isn’t worth the reward.

“It requires 3,000 signatures from the student body to do that. I was just like, it’s not worth going through the trouble when he just has two months left in office,” said Belle.

Motivations for legislation A majority of the reason behind the

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him. He doesn’t do anything,” said Belle.

Some points made in the resolution Nails admits he has not done, but says precedent from previous student body presidents makes him feel as if he is doing right by the cabinet.

“They wanted us to have a retreat.

We were given $1,000 from the student funds to do so. I would have been the first student body president in three years to do a retreat. In the past people have done like an end of the year celebration,” said Nails. “I told my guys that I wasn’t going to waste the money like that, and that’s what I plan to tell the senate on Thursday.”

The confusion created by the legislation, in Nails’ opinion, could have been cleared up if senators had come forward and spoken with members of the executive branch, or if Belle specifically had said something during the fall 2013 semester when he was on Nails’ cabinet.

“There were little things where, had they been given both sides, it would have had a different outcome.

I think that’s why it passed through; people didn’t go that extra step,” said Nails. “The biggest surprise, and the biggest disappointment, was nobody came forward to discuss this. Nobody on the senate, nobody in Judicial, not even Davonte, who then was a member of the executive board.”

Belle recognizes that Nails would

tell a different story, but discredits this version of the goings-on in SGA. “I mean I’m sure Brady gave you a whole other side of it, but to be honest, all of us senators, we know how well last year went,” he said.

The vote When the agenda for the Jan. 23 senate meeting was emailed out to senators, as well as members of the UNC Charlotte community who are on the email list to regularly receive SGA documentation, the Probation Act was not on the docket.

Over the past two weeks, new policies were put in place for SGA to regulate some of the smaller details in the body. One such policy asks legislation to be discussed at the weekly meeting be submitted to Jason Hartsoe, president pro tempore for SGA, by 5 p.m., the Wednesday before the meeting. Belle did not submit his resolution to Hartsoe until later Wednesday evening, yet was admitted to the agenda regardless.

“After much discussion that afternoon, we decided it needed to be submitted. We felt we needed to do something now,” said Hartsoe.

The resolution was added to the

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

agenda and knowledge of the legislation’s existence was not made known to senators at the meeting until it was brought up. After Belle presented the legislation to the senate, a brief discussion period was held. The legislation was then fast tracked and immediately voted on at the meeting, instead of leaving a week between the initial presentation of the resolution and the vote to allow senators to look over the piece.

“After it was read the first time, I believe the senate believed that this legislation needed to be passed as soon as possible,” said Hartsoe.

Nails says the last minute inclusion of the legislation on the agenda, coupled with the motion to fast track the resolution, created a sense of confusion among the senators.

“I’ve talked to quite a few people who all said, ‘oh, we didn’t realize what this actually meant.’ Legislation is usually sent out the day before so senators can look it over,” said Nails. “They didn’t follow this new policy and just tried to blindside people and it worked. People went along with it, but they didn’t understand the extent of it.”

NINERTIMES

Nails’ veto Prior to the Jan. 30 senate meeting, Nails was confident that once he vetoed the resolution, the senate would not overturn his veto. Ultimately, the senate did choose to overrule the veto at the meeting.

“It’s a checks and balance system.

SGA is not the real government, but we have to make sure that we’re not wasting student funds. The rationale behind it was great – checking the executive branch,” said Nails. “They need to limit the scope of the bill.

They can still talk about taking away stipends and privileges and things, that’s fine. If they want to continue on that route, they need to do so correctly. Beyond that, they shouldn’t fast track this kind of legislation.

It warrants a full discussion. We’re talking about the effectiveness of the people in charge of the student body.

It warrants a full discussion, not the 10-minute discussion that it had. And that’s why we’re vetoing.”

Senate’s response The Jan. 30 student senate meeting began with Dr. Arthur Jackson, vice president for Student Affairs at UNC Charlotte, addressing the senate regarding the importance of not acting hastily on this issue.

“I wanted to talk to you a little bit about the current situation that we have at SGA. It’s not a secret to anyone on campus, and it has risen to the level of both the chancellor and myself. So I thought it was very, very necessary for me to come in and try to advise you,” said Jackson.

After noting that the association does in fact do a “good job,” Jackson was sure to point out to the members that there are definite areas within SGA that need improvement.

Jackson later noted that SGA as a whole would run much more smoothly if the different branches worked together rather than placing blame on one another.

“You’re kind of what I call the indispensible few. You’re doing a lot of work for the other 26,500 students here. They depend on you to represent their views very well, so take that into account as you start to go into deliberations,” Jackson recommended.

During the Comments from the Gallery portion of the meeting, Nails stood to address the senate, beginning his address by explaining the

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reasoning behind his veto. Before sharing the reason for his veto, Nails expressed his view on the situation.

“First of all, the discussion, the conversation that you guys want to have, is perfect, it’s wonderful. Do we have a system of checks and balances, is the executive branch doing its job and is the senate doing its job to make sure that me and my staff are doing ours? And that’s a great conversation to have. In fact, it would be completely irresponsible not to do so,” said Nails.

He continued to address his veto and expressed that he thought the conversation was carried on in an inappropriate fashion. Nails noted his disappointment that neither outside sources, nor any members of the executive branch were brought in for the discussion.

“So the reason we vetoed it was to make sure we could have a better and a more well-rounded discussion on the accusations laid forth, because they were not altogether true. It was altogether one-sided. The process last week was not the way that individuals who claim to be student leaders should behave,” said Nails.

“We’re all here. We’re all adults, hopefully. We’re all claiming to be the leadership of this campus. But we don’t pick up the phone, we don’t talk with one another, we don’t have that discussion on what we can do to make ourselves better. And I fall under the same mistakes as everybody else in the room, I do. But when you do this, when we bring up legislation that makes SGA look ineffective, because we perhaps are ineffective, it doesn’t look good for anybody in the room at all.”

He shared his hopes for the senate to hold off on any further action, to write new legislation and to meet with him before the executive cabinet meeting the following week.

“Ask our opinions on the things, and stop making assumptions. A 10-minute conversation last week, I do not think anyone in the room would agree would be enough to have such allegations confirmed. So what I ask is that we take time. That we decide if there’s fault to be laid, and I’m sure there is,” said Nails.

The next senator with inquiries about Nails’s comments was Senator Amber Lowe. She asked how Nails plans to narrow the gap between the legislative and executive branches,

Dr. Arthur Jackson addressing the student senate on Thursday, Jan. 30. Photo by Eden Creamer

as he mentioned in his earlier comments.

Nails responded by offering an invitation to all of the senate members to attend the executive cabinet meetings. He in turn said that he will make a more concentrated effort to attend their senate meetings.

Lowe followed up his answer with another question. “You spoke a lot about assumptions that were made. I would like to know where you think the assumptions came from. Do you think that they were just asinine? Do you think that they were arbitrary?

Do you think that there was some basis to them? Because I’m not really understanding your grounds.”

Nails replied by stating that you must have all of the facts, of which he later admitted to not having when questioned further by Lowe.

Things escalated as the two continued to debate the subject. At one point Nails commented to Lowe, “I’m sorry, but if you continue to cut somebody off from their sentence, it’s hard to clarify the end of the sentence.”

Additional senators asked further questions on such topics as Dawson’s responsibilities as chief of staff, the delay in the appointing of cabinet members, Nails’ view towards the legislators and discrepancies between the by-laws and the constitution.

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

Later in the meeting during the new business portion, Belle motioned for the voting on whether or not to overturn Nails’ veto be conducted through a majority-secret ballot.

With this type of voting, the senate members write down their votes on pieces of paper, which are sorted out and counted.

Once this was completed, Vice President Shaw announced that the veto had been overturned and the Probation Act was in effect. This was the last order of business for the night, and the meeting was adjourned.

After the vote to overturn Nails’ veto was made, Belle said, “I knew that the senators made the right decision. I knew that they were going to stand behind what they voted on last week, so I wasn’t surprised … I think the most positive thing that comes from the veto is basically telling the student body president that we’re not going to take any excuses for why he hasn’t been doing his job or why the chief of staff hasn’t been doing his job,” he said.

“I don’t think any other action should be taken. But, if he doesn’t follow any of those sanctions that are in the legislation, then it may require further action to be taken later on down the line, but who knows.”

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POLICE BLOTTER

University announces 29 new orientation counselors for 2014 SOAR

JAN. 29 - 31

ACCIDENT JAN. 29

JARED GREEN

SOAR is part of UNC Charlotte’s Office of New Student Services.

INTERN

Photo courtesy of Rachel Saunders

This year UNC Charlotte’s freshman and transfer orientation program has 29 orientation counselors (OCs) who will work at each of the 2014 Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) sessions.

According to Emily Jensen, associate director for New Student Services, the main duty of each OC is to, “serve as mentors and leaders to incoming students and their families.”

Jensen described an OC as, “the face of the school to incoming students.”

Other than playing name games and singing the 49er alma mater, the main jobs of the OCs include talking in small groups about the new experiences incoming students will encounter and also assisting incoming students in registering for classes.

OCs are assigned to lead either a group of students or a group of parents at each orientation session.

Leadership is a big part of being an TUESDAY FEB. 4

@UNCCWeather FOLLOW FOR FORECASTS AND WARNINGS

40°F

Rain showers.

Low of 37.

OC, Jensen went on to explain. Not only are OCs expected to be leaders at UNC Charlotte, but also in the surrounding community.

The orientation counselors spent a day doing service at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which focuses on ending hunger in counties across the region.

The OCs also attended the Dinner with the Dean event in January.

It was a private event hosted by UNC Charlotte’s Dean of Students Christine Davis. Student leaders from across the school are invited to this event to become more involved with the Dean of Students’ office.

“Becoming an orientation counselor is building me as a leader by learning from my fellow OCs,” said freshman orientation counselor Aubrey Killian.

“All of us have similar qualities and characteristics, but everyone is a different type of leader. Through all of them, I am learning different things that are necessary to become a better leader.”

WEDNESDAY FEB. 5

62°F Rain showers.

Low of 39.

THURSDAY FEB. 6

46°F

Mostly cloudy.

Low of 33.

Another upcoming event is the annual Southern Regional Orientation Workshop, which will be held at Clemson University.

An important internal event exclusive to OCs, the new member ceremony, is also on the itinerary.

This ceremony welcomes the new OCs as the ones from the previous year pass the torch on to their new counterparts.

Aside from all the fun, being an OC is a lot of work too. All members must register into a mandatory communications course in the spring where they receive most of their training for the program.

An intensive two week training course must also be taken preceding the first summer SOAR session.

“Being an OC is a premiere leadership opportunity on campus that gives the opportunity to grow as a leader,” said Jensen.

“These OCs really help incoming students and their families get adjusted to life at [UNC Charlotte].”

FRIDAY FEB. 7

44°F

Scattered rain showers. Low of 32.

SATURDAY FEB. 8

45°F

Rain showers, potential winter weather. Low of 35.

Corrections from the Jan. 21 through Feb. 3 issue of the Niner Times The Student Government Association weekly update published in the Jan. 21 through Feb. 3 issue of the Niner Times incorrectly referred to the new student organization “ANY-U” as “Anytown.”

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FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

• Broadrick Blvd., driver of vehicle was traveling on a one way in the opposite direction and collided into a vehicle going the right direction.

• South Deck Lane, driver of vehicle slid on ice while attempting to make a turn.

JAN. 30

• East Deck, driver struck another vehicle while attempting to park.

ASSAULT JAN. 30

• Cameron Blvd., acquaintances repeatedly used electronic communication to harass victim.

CALLS FOR SERVICE JAN. 29

• Phillips Road, officer responded to a call regarding a missing golf cart.

JAN. 30

• University Road, officer responded to a call regarding an individual that fell.

HIT AND RUN JAN. 29

• Darryl McCall Circle, subject reported the right front of his vehicle was damaged.

TRESPASSING JAN. 31

• South Library Lane, known suspect consumed alcohol under the age of 21 and trespassed on university property.

For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us

NINERTIMES

DEMYSTIFYING CRYPTOCURRENCY BANKS WANT TO SCARE ACCOUNT HOLDERS AWAY FROM CRYPTOCURRENCIES LIKE BITCOIN, BUT THE FREEDOMS THEY OFFER COULD BE THE FUTURE OF FINANCE LOUIS BERNASCONI INTERN

Four years ago, the big craze was signing up with a local credit union to stick it to the banks. It was a way to avoid frivolous fees, and credit unions do a good job of giving back profits and making the customer feel valued.

What both types of banks don’t want you to know is that cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, exist at all. It’s a relatively new type of currency, developed with the Internet in mind.

With bitcoin, there are lower fees, no authorities that can freeze your account and no arbitrary limits or prerequisites. Plus, you can use them in any country.

It is a decentralized, peer-to-peer network of users like you and me.

It’s free from banks. If you didn’t know bitcoin existed, blame the banks – they’re the ones that are fearful of this disruptive technology and are trying to silence it.

I first heard about bitcoin in the summer of 2011. A single coin back then was trading for $9. Then a New York Times article by Adrian Chen

predictable and limited rate. covering bitcoin went viral, boosting The software is also open source, it to a solid $14. and anybody can review the code.

Today, bitcoin is trading at $830.

This creates and gives everyone This should in no way disaccess to a global marcourage you from adoptket. Bitcoin will do ing; bitcoin was to finance what trading at over the Internet $1,200 at its did for pubpeak at the lishing. end of last Bitcoins year (Dec. are stored 2, 2013). in a digBitital walcoins are let. When generyou ated all transfer over the bitcoins, Interan elecnet by anybody tronic signature is running a added. After free applia few minutes, cation called the transaction a Bitcoin Miner. is verified by a miner Mining requires a MCT Campus and permanently stored in certain amount of work the network. for each block of coins. The network Bitcoin is here to stay. It’s being automatically adjusts this amount, used to purchase goods and services so bitcoins are always created at a

EDITORIAL POLICY Niner Times is written and produced by students at UNC Charlotte. All unsigned editorials are the expressed opinion of the editorial board and do not represent the views of the University. Views expressed in signed editorials are solely those of the author. Niner Times is published on Tuesdays during the regular academic year except during holidays and exam periods.

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GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK Niner Times welcomes letters. Feedback should be under 200 words, legibly written or typed and should include the author’s signature, year in school, major and telephone number. Faculty and staff should include title and department. Unsigned, anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters are subject to editing for space and style.

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

of all kinds, from breakfast in a small Seattle coffee shop to a brand new Ferrari.

Quick Response (QR) codes can be used to scan and send money to someone electronically, instantly and without fees. Artists can embed their public keys into their work so people can send them tips.

There are no chargebacks; it’s become ideal for online gambling and the Internet black market. On Feb. 1, Johns Hopkins University researchers announced “Zerocoin,” an extension to the bitcoin protocol, which effectively makes sending and receiving payments anonymous.

This creates even more options and potential uses for the currency.

The media and bloggers alike have claimed that bitcoin is for cyber criminals and Internet thugs. Some say the phenomenon is fueled by greed and mania, even going as far as calling it a Ponzi scheme.

But the price will continue to soar, and these same people will be forever regretful that they turned their backs on this innovative technology.

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BACK TO BASICS By committing fewer turnovers, sinking free throws and shooting more consistent from the perimeter, the Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team has returned to their winning ways.

LIBBY WEIHSMANN SPORTS EDITOR

Mike Thorne makes his way to the rim with a dunk in the FIU game. Photo by Chris Crews

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When the Charlotte 49ers returned from winning the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Championship title after defeating No. 14 Michigan by a final score of 63-61, Head Coach Alan Major had a talk with his squad before they were even allowed to step foot off the bus upon returning back to campus.

“Mentally, we have to turn the page and I think our guys know that. We talked about that before we got off the bus last night when we got back to campus,” said Major.

“The time of enjoying this is past.

Put your feet back on solid ground here and turn the page from this.”

Just 10 days after the championship win that had 49ers fans dreaming of an NCAA Tournament run come March Madness time, Charlotte fell at home to crosstown rival Davidson 87-78 in an overtime battle. The Wildcats were 0-7 coming into the game in contests held inside Halton Arena.

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

The Charlotte 49ers are now 14-7 overall, 5-3 in Conference USA and know success in the Conference USA Tournament in El Paso, Texas is not out of reach if they can stick to the basics.

In the 80-60 loss to Louisiana Tech, the 49ers committed 24 turnovers and only shot 50 percent from the free throw line.

Charlotte was also just 4-13 (30.8 percent) from outside the perimeter against the Bulldogs.

In the frustrating 71-69 loss to Rice (a team that was 0-5 in conference play when they hosted Charlotte in Houston, Texas), Charlotte committed 18 turnovers, but only missed four free throws throughout the night.

Despite shooting 19-23 (82.6 percent) from the line in the game against the Owls, quite an improvement from the previous game, Charlotte was just 4-16 (25 percent) from the three.

Charlotte point guard Ben Cherry

NINERTIMES

did not put up a single three-point attempt the entire night against the Owls.

After the back-to-back losses on the road, Charlotte bounced back in a 62-53 win over Florida Atlantic at home. During the first half of the match, Charlotte committed just three turnovers.

The 49ers drastically reduced turnovers as they only committed 11 throughout the night and were 16-20 (80 percent) from the free throw line.

“When we came back off of the road, the coaches emphasized that our defense wasn’t there. The reason why we lost to Rice and Louisiana Tech was because of our defense,” said forward Willie Clayton.

In the most recent showing of the 49ers, Charlotte picked up a 73-61 win over Florida International at home in front of a crowd of 5,399 fans.

In all aspects of shooting the ball, the 49ers were balanced and consistent.

Charlotte went 27-53 (50.9 percent) from the field, 8-15 (53.3 percent) from outside the perimeter and 11-17 (64.7 percent) from the free throw line in the win over the Panthers.

With the improved shooting and minimal turnovers, the 49ers were

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able to focus on their defensive mistakes that they’ve made as of late.

The pressure the 49ers applied to the Panthers in their most recent win was one of their best showings this season as they held FIU to shooting 25-65 (38.5 percent) from the field and just 1-12 (8.3 percent) from the three-point line.

If the 49ers can continue to cut down on costly turnovers, remain

consistent from outside of the perimeter and capitalize on made free throws, the flaws in the defense, though not ignored, will be less detrimental to the team.

By performing well on defense, the 49ers can only hope to create separation between the other teams.

In games decided by five points or less, Charlotte is 6-3.

“If you’re not having a good offensive night, play even better on

defense. If you are having a good offensive night, play even better on defense,” said Cherry.

“If we can start shutting people down in those close games, these five-point games aren’t going to be five-point games. They’re going to be 20-point games.”

The 49ers hit the road to play Tulane on Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.

Some of the Charlotte 49ers huddle up during a timeout. Photo by Chris Crews

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

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49ers light up Florida International in a 73-61 win in Halton Arena SCOTT GORDON STAFF WRITER

The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team played host to the Panthers from Florida International University Saturday, Feb. 1 at Halton Arena and found a way to pick up a 73-61 win.

The 49ers entered the game coming off a win against Florida Atlantic at home and were looking to stay perfect inside Halton in conference play.

The 49ers (14-7, 5-3) got off to a shaky start as they allowed the Panthers (11-11, 3-4) to grab three quick offensive rebounds on the first possession and get off to a 3-0 lead.

After a dunk by Mike Thorne and a three by Ben Cherry, the 49ers were able to take the lead at 5-3.

Charlotte would never look back as they prevented the Panthers from retaking the lead for the rest of the game.

Florida International tied the game at 19 apiece with 6:32 to go in the first half right before Shawn Lester hit a big three for the 49ers to take back the lead.

Cody Mann cut the lead to one for the Panthers at 22-21 with 5:38 remaining, but that would be the last points for FIU in the half as Charlotte finished the opening 20 minutes on an 11-2 run.

Charlotte held a 30-21 halftime lead despite being out-rebounded in the first half.

The 49ers maintained this lead by shooting 46.2 percent from the field and an impressive 62.5 percent from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.

The 49ers came out of the locker room just as hot from three as Cherry hit back-to-back triples in the first minutes of the half to

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extend the lead to 36-21.

With 16:29 to play, Willie Clayton received a beautiful full court pass from Terrence Williams for a layup.

Clayton was fouled on the play and would hit his free throw to give Charlotte a 45-25 advantage.

About a minute later, Pierria Henry lobbed one up for Thorne who threw it down with authority for the highlight alley-oop.

Charlotte then put the game on cruise control and went on to down the Panthers by a final score of 7361.

The game was highlighted by the Charlotte defense which held FIU to only 38.5 percent shooting for the game.

The 49ers themselves shot over 50 percent from both the field and from three behind Cherry, the senior sharp-shooter who finished 5-6 from beyond the arc for the game.

Cherry led the 49ers in scoring with 17 points.

After the game, Charlotte Head Coach Alan Major had some words of praise for the senior transfer from Tulane.

“When you have one guy on your roster that can be a knockdown guy like that at any given point in the game, he’s one or two shots away from cracking the game open,” said Major.

“He’s been a tremendous addition for us.”

For Cherry, continuing to move forward and not being held back by frustrating losses has helped the 49ers bounce back.

Continue reading at NinerOnline.com

CONFERENCE USA STANDINGS Conference record only

MEN’S Southern Miss (6-1) UTEP (6-1) Louisiana Tech (6-2) Middle Tennessee (5-2) Tulsa (5-2) Charlotte (5-3) Old Dominion (4-3) UAB (3-4) FIU (3-4) Tulane (3-4) Florida Atlantic (3-4) UTSA (3-4) North Texas (2-5) Marshall (2-6) East Carolina (1-6) Rice (1-7)

WOMEN’S Middle Tennessee (7-0) East Carolina (6-2) UTEP (6-2) Tulane (6-2) Tulsa (4-3) FIU (4-3) Southern Miss (4-3) Charlotte (4-3) UAB (3-4) Rice (3-5) Old Dominion (3-5) North Texas (3-5) Louisiana Tech (2-5) Florida Atlantic (2-5) UTSA (2-5) Marshall (0-7)

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

NINERTIMES

IN A POLL OF 252 STUDENTS, ROCK IS THE MOST POPULAR GENRE FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY HIP HOP/RAP EDWARD AVERETTE STAFF WRITER

Two weeks ago, music legend Bruce Springsteen topped the Billboard 200, with his 11th number one album of his career. The top ten albums of the country included music from Beyoncé, Lorde, Imagine

Dragons, Eminem and Katy Perry.

This not only shows that there is great range in the music that people are buying, but also how music is very subjective.

It’s like your choice of headphones.

Whether you get the super expensive, stylish Beats by Dr. Dre or any old pair of simple ear buds, it’s your prerogative. What may appeal to one person, can be a cringe-fest for someone else.

IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE?

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FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

Even in a musical landscape in which eclectic sounds and genreblurring rule the day, people can be either be very accommodating to listening to any type of music or just one particular genre.

With a recent survey conducted by members of the Niner Times staff, 252 UNC Charlotte students were polled to find the most popular music genre on campus.

There were many choices to select from a wide field of genres such as pop, classical, electronica and inspirational music.

The most popular genre at UNC Charlotte proved to be alternative, rock and metal, which garnered roughly 20 percent of the responses from the survey.

The “other” category was a close second with 19.05 percent. This subset of music consisted of varied selections such as house, Christian rock, everything but country, ambient and other distinctive music choices.

Hip-hop and rap followed at third place with 15.48 percent. These statistics compare favorably with the Nielsen & Billboard 2013 U.S. Music Report, which shows rock music alone making up 34.8 percent of album sales.

Combined, rock and alternative genres made up roughly 52.2 percent of total album sales in 2013, which is

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more than the nine other genres combined, including rap, R&B and country.

Among some of UNC Charlotte’s most popular musicians were artists Drake, Beyoncé, J. Cole, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons and Lil Wayne.

Considering how popular rock was as a genre and how it produced a variety of music, hip hop and R&B artists proved to be more popular on a more individual basis with those surveyed.

This is also seen on the music charts as only one alternative rock group, Imagine Dragons, made the list of top ten selling artists of 2013.

R&B and hip-hop acts dominated

this list, with four artists in the top 10 including Justin Timberlake, last year’s highest selling act.

Although a slight majority of UNC Charlotte students prefer alternative and rock music, their favorite artists tend to be R&B, rap and hip-hop artists.

Thus proving once and for all that just because you have a favorite genre or type of music you listen to the most, it doesn’t mean your favorite musician is going to be in that genre.

Assistant copy editor Jon Gregory and staff writer Chester Griffin assisted with the research for this article.

MAKEUP OF STUDENTS POLLED COLLEGE Arts and Architecture

3.6%

Belk College of Business

13.5%

College of Engineering

12.7%

Computing and Informatics

4.8%

Education Health and Human Services Liberal Arts and Sciences

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CLASS LEVEL Freshman

25.8%

Sophomore

25.8%

Junior

25%

Senior

19%

GENDER

6% 12.7%

39.2%

Male

53.2%

Female

44.8%

Other Skipped

University College

6.3%

Dual college/ graduate school

1.2%

4.4%

Graduate

0.4% 1.6%

252 UNC Charlotte students were polled during the time of the survey, from mid-November 2013 through mid-January 2014. Data was collected through an online-based survey, and students were randomly selected based on their availability at the time of data collection. All participants agreed to have personal information collected by surveyers.

4 Rat on the gang 5 Hit the slopes 6 Belg.-based peacekeeping gp.

7 Black stone 8 Jack who played Sgt. Joe Friday 9 Breed, as salmon 10 Keats’ Grecian vase 11 Disturbs the status quo 12 Port in Yemen 13 Litter box users 18 Like some high-tech machines 19 Search (for) 24 Bed with a mate 26 GI show gp.

27 TV show about a consultant thought to have ESP 28 “As if __!”

29 Having similar opinions 30 Canines and molars 31 “But only God can 42 Wine, on le menu ACROSS make __”: Kilmer 43 Increasing in vol., mu1 NetZero and AOL 32 “The Maltese Falcon” sically 5 Winter precipitation actor Peter 45 __ firma 9 “Poison” plant 34 Suspect’s story 46 Decline 14 NBAer O’Neal 35 “Hardball” airer 47 Rope material 15 Classic film character 38 Case of false incrimi48 Song publisher’s output whose last word was “Rosenation 50 Othello’s confidant bud” 41 Surg. branch 52 Barnyard clucker 16 “The Devil Wears __” 44 Restful retreat 53 Former Texas governor 17 Linus’ trademark in 48 Achy Richards “Peanuts” comics 49 False 55 Church keyboard 20 Bone: Pref.

51 Olympians’ dreams 59 Say 21 U-shaped river bend 53 “Famous” cookie guy 63 Waistline concern 22 USN rank 54 Chile boy 66 Without a break 23 NYC dance troupe 56 Surprised sound 67 “Not a problem” 25 Daunting duty 57 Fluish feeling 68 Sky bear 27 1959 Hudson/Day film 58 Wolfe of detective 69 Fizzy fountain drinks 33 Emulated Michael fiction 70 Lowly laborer Phelps 60 Time in office 71 CPR pros 36 School subj. with a lab 61 Sunrise direction DOWN 37 Link with 62 Nutritional stds.

1 “That __ last week!”

38 Stable newborns 64 Forensic ID 2 Females 39 Chatter 65 D.C. bigwig 3 War-ending agreement 40 Mistaken

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

NINERTIMES

MICHELLE LIRINGIS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

As college students, the importance of condom use and safe sex has been stressed time and time again. February is National Condom Month.

The awareness movement was originally started on the campus of the University of California, at Berkeley and has grown into a national movement now sponsored by the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA).

The goal of ASHA is, “to promote the sexual health of individuals, families and communities by advocating sound policies and practices and educating the public, professionals and policy makers, in order to foster healthy sexual behaviors and relationships and prevent adverse health outcomes.”

While people may think of condoms as agents to protect against pregnancy, they should be taken as a measure to prevent against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

According to the ASHA website, there are approximately 19 million new cases of STIs annually.

College students should take extra care when engaging in sexual activity because about half of those new cases occur among people ages 15 to 24.

Many people do not take STIs seriously because they do not always have noticeable symptoms that let them know they have an infection.

However, untreated STIs can sometimes lead to further health complications, even as serious as infertility.

While some people say using condoms makes sex “not feel the

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same,” it is in the best interest of each participant’s health to do so.

Use either a male or a female condom - both work equally well to prevent the spreading of STIs. However, male condoms are more common and are easier to use.

Male condoms simply unroll down the erect penis; whereas female condoms must be inserted into the vagina.

The ASHA website gives a guide for how to talk to your partner about using condoms.

They show people how to respond politely and safely to every excuse a sexual partner may come up with to pressure you into having sex without a condom.

Things like not having condoms, not knowing how to use them or use of birth control do not render condoms obsolete.

Educate yourself on how to properly use condoms in case your partner hasn’t.

Many STIs and unplanned pregnancies occur despite use of condoms because the condom is not being used properly or the correct size is not being purchased.

Read the instructions on the package if you are unsure how to use the condom.

Some common mistakes are using the same condom more than once, putting the condom on inside out, or trying to adjust a condom that was put on improperly.

It can be hard to think clearly in the moment, but be sure the condom is on correctly and there are no rips or tears.

Be honest about your endowment.

If the condom falls off because it is

the wrong size, you have not done a great job protecting yourself or your partner.

In addition, keeping condoms with you at all times is a great way to avoid those moments when it gets hot and heavy and having sex without a condom sounds too easy.

If you feel pressured to have sex without a condom, do not have sex.

You should sleep with someone who values your sexual health as much as you do.

The UNC Charlotte Student Health Center (SHC) is a great resource for students who are seeking more information on their sexual health.

The SHC offers free STI testing for all students.

Simply call the appointment line and make an appointment for testing.

Experts recommend that you get tested for STIs annually if you are sexually active and show no risk factors or symptoms.

If you are sexually active with multiple partners or show symptoms, it is recommended that you get tested more often.

These tests are important to help contain the spreading of diseases.

The SHC also does HIV and syphilis testing clinics twice a year, and appointments are required.

If you need condoms, the SHC gives them out for free. Keep you and your partner safe.

If you have any questions regarding your sexual health or feel you need a consultation, call the SHC at 704-687-7400 to make an appointment.

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

SYMPTOMS OF THE TOP FOUR MOST COMMON STIS Chlamydia • Burning when peeing • Painful sex • Discharge from the penis or vagina • Curable Genital Herpes • • • • •

Decreased appetite Fever Swollen lymph nodes Small, painful blisters Cannot be cured

HPV • Sometimes has no symptoms • Warts on places such as genitals, hands or throat • Cannot be cured Gonorrhea • Tender or swollen testicles • Sore throat • Fever • Rash • Can be cured if it has not spread If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for a consultation and STI testing.

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Niner Cookbook: potato cheddar soup MICHELLE LIRINGIS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The cold weather puts everyone in the mood for a good soup. This recipe will bring comfort and warm up your insides on chilly days. The best part is that because it is a crockpot recipe, you do not have to come home and cook after a long day of classes.

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INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

• 2 pounds potatoes, diced • 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped • 3/4 cup carrots, coarsely chopped • 3 cups chicken broth • 1 cup half and half • 2 cups cheddar cheese • Salt and pepper • Cooked bacon or ham (optional)

• Combine potatoes, onion, carrots and chicken broth in crockpot. Cook on low six to seven hours, or until vegetables are tender.

• Stir in half and half, salt and pepper.

• Cook on high for 15 minutes.

• Remove from heat and let stand for five minutes.

• Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Add meat if you wish.

• Serve.

FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

BYOB February’s book is Inferno

by Dan Brown Tweet us @niner_times or email lifestyle@nineronline.com to tell us your thoughts about the book

Check back at the end of the month for a review

NINERTIMES

Having boy troubles?

Ask Abby has all the answers on how to deal with friends with benefits Q: I’ve recently become friends with benefits with a very good friend.

Lately, it doesn’t seem to be working for us. I’d like to go back to being just friends.

Do you think that a friend with benefits can go back to being a best friend without benefits?

Can we get back to normal?

-Friends Without Benefits A: It’s great that you value the friendship enough to want to salvage it.

Once that line is crossed, however, I’m sorry to say there’s no going back.

Depending on how long you two were, erm, enjoying those extra benefits, the friendship may be salvageable, but unless you have a time machine laying around, things won’t go back to “normal.”

Assuming this was a brief experiment the two of you tried, and the friendship was strong before, it may be possible to move past this hiccup and create a new friendship, but only if you talk about it openly.

My suggestion would be to talk with your friend and explain what you’ve been thinking.

It sounds like this person is very important to you and that you value the friendship, so say that.

Once both of you have been able to share your thoughts, whether this is fixable will become obvious.

Q: Why do guys have to be so stupid?

Why can’t guys just say what they want instead of playing all these stupid games?

My problem is that I really like this guy, and he sends me signals that he likes me too. But he hasn’t made a move to tell me if we are together or if he just wants to get into my pants.

His friend tells me not to worry, but how can I not worry if he won’t tell me what he wants?

And then he talks about how all these other girls are hot and stuff, right in front of me.

When I talk to him about it, he gets mad. I just want him to let me know what’s going on.

-Frustrated A: You sound like a very thoughtful person, so I’m confused why you’re letting this guy play these games with you, and more importantly, why you’re wasting your valuable time on someone who’s not giving you what you want.

If your nail salon repeatedly gave you a bad manicure, or if a restaurant provided bad service, would you go back again and again?

Either he’s really into you and a terrible communicator (bad) or not into you at all and playing this game for his own amusement (really bad).

Either way, you don’t deserve it and letting him jerk you around will only encourage him to be a, well, jerk.

Abby Hardin is a UNC Charlotte Ph.D student in Clinical Health Psychology and an instructor. She also works as a mental health counselor at a local CMC clinic. If you’d like your question answered in a future edition of Ask Abby, email askabby@nineronline. com. Remember, no question is too big or too small.

HAVE A QUESTION FOR ABBY? EMAIL IT TO ASKABBY@NINERONLINE.COM

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FEB. 4 - 10, 2014

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NINERTIMES