2016 Survival Guide

SURVIVAL GUIDE

2016

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A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA

Welcome to unc Charlotte USE THIS GUIDE TO EASE YOUR TRANSITION INTO NINER NATION hunter heilman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Congratulations on being accepted to UNC Charlotte! You’ve made it. You’ve gotten past graduation and you’re enjoying your last high school summer before plunging into the abyss that is college. Your fear and anxiety of what you think college is going to be is far worse than what you’ll experience. In fact, what you’ll experience will be the best four (or more) years of your life, but you’ve heard that a million times, right? You’ve gotten pretty lucky in choosing UNC Charlotte, because despite over 27,000 students, we each have our chance to stand out as individuals. It can feel daunting and overwhelming first entering the school, but if you follow my steps, you can find your niche in UNC Charlotte faster than you know.

do not take time for granted

While I’m only approaching my junior year, it’s felt like less than two weeks have passed since beginning my freshman year here at UNC Charlotte. More than half of my college career is over and I can’t help but wonder how I’ve let it pass me by like this.

Four years of high school might have felt like forever, college is another beast altogether.

Do not waste any time in getting involved on campus. There are endless possibilities to explore while on campus, whether it be a student organization, intramural sports, performance groups or Greek Life. There’s something for everyone. Even if there isn’t something for you, UNC Charlotte offers an easy and creative way to make your own student organization just for your interests.

If you’re wondering whether you should give your time to an organization, attend a meeting just to feel it out. I joined Niner Media on an impulse decision my freshman year after picking up a newspaper and seeing an ad showcasing our Thursday meetings. Two years, 280 articles, four promotions, countless hours and many priceless friends later, I’ve found that my impulse decision has paid off in the long run.

find your perfect living arrangement

Being a freshman, there’s a good chance you’re finding yourself in a high-rise dorm, sharing a room with a stranger. I can’t see this being anyone’s definition of an “ideal living situation,” but so be the nature of the college experience to make the best of it. I’ve found that my comfort in my living situation has had a direct correlation with my success level. During my freshman year, I shared a four person/four bedroom suite with three boys from my health learning community, and while we didn’t share much in common, it was a civil living situation. Now, entering my junior, I’m embracing my love of solitude by moving into a one bedroom off-campus apartment all to myself.

Getting to know yourself and how you work with others in a living situation is imperative in finding your perfect living situation. With that, even if you find yourself in a “bad” living situation, see if you can make any light of it. You might miss the time when you lived 15 feet from everyone you knew.

do not resist change

The change in myself during high school was one of night-and-day. Yet, the change in myself during my first semester was far more than high school. Being on your own, in classes that challenge your beliefs, surrounded by people you might not agree with, is going to strengthen your sense of self to allow you to become the person you’re going to grow up to be. Change might be imminent.

Being in college, don’t resist the change about to come your way. These years are for your personal evolution and changing your beliefs and values might just happen. The less you resist these changes, the more enjoyable your life will be in college.

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The Science of buying Textbooks FINDING CHEAP TEXTBOOKS IS EASIER THAN ONE MIGHT THINK

mia shelton ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Textbooks are a college student’s worst nightmare, if not only as a sign of classes starting, but also because of the cost. The biggest questions that are asked by every freshman about textbooks are: Where do I buy them? How much will I pay? Luckily, there are multiple places to buy textbooks. Ideally, the University wants you to purchase them at the campus bookstore, which is more convenient, but the prices are through the roof, as the University always buys new editions of the same textbooks. While this means you will be getting a much better quality textbook, the changes to the editions are not as major as you would think, with just one or two pages of new research information, or an extra chapter. You have the option of renting the books new or used. It is cheapest to rent them used, but the bookstore only has a limited supply of them, which leaves you with next cheaper option of renting them new. If you buy the book either new or used, at the end of the semester you can do a “buy back,” which is the process where the University buys the book from you for up to half the price you paid for it. However, the condition of the book is a big factor in whether they accept the book and how much you will receive for it.

Most students buy their textbooks from either Amazon or Chegg, because it can be significantly cheaper. For non-textbook class materials, like novels, a good cheap place to buy them besides campus, Amazon and Chegg is a used bookstore called The Last Word. Located on North Tryon by the U-Haul/storage establishment, this bookstore carries multiple versions of various books, even some textbooks, for just a few dollars. Having had two English classes this semester, both of which had a list of 15 books to buy, “The Last Word” had more than half of them. It also helps economically when you look at your class syllabi and see exactly when you need each book to give you 6

time to plan and even save a little money.

Another popular choice among students is Gray’s Bookstore, located across the street from campus by John Kirk Rd. Many times, students may find most of their class materials there for a much cheaper price than the campus bookstore. Gray’s combines the convenience of the bookstore with the economics of Chegg, making it a student favorite.

A big thing to determine when it comes to textbooks is whether or not you need them.

Some teachers have the textbook listed as just an alternative resource besides lecture material. This means that the book has either the

same or a little more extensive information the teacher is giving you in lecture or in class notes, but it isn’t really a required or a dire need for the class. Many people have spent hundreds of dollars on textbooks they never end up using, so be mindful of that. The best suggestion would be to wait at least a week or so, attend the classes and monitor how often the teacher refers to the textbook and the material. This will determine whether or not you even need to spend the unnecessary money.

THE UNC CHARLOTTE BOOKSTORE IS LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE STUDENT UNION. NT FILE PHOTO

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student union Take a look at one of the most highly trafficked buildings on campus

NT FILE PHOTO

stephanie trefzger STAFF WRITER

According to the online site bestcollegevalues.org, UNC Charlotte has the sixth best student union in the country. Not to brag, but it is pretty great.

Because the union is the most central part of campus, it is highly trafficked by both student organizations and individual students who want to meet friends. For whatever you need, chances are that Student Union is the place you’ll find it.

Dining

Stereotypes of the “broke college student” are true, so is the “freshman 15,” and students should have no fear of going hungry on UNC Charlotte’s campus. As a requirement, every resident on campus must have some kind of meal plan that they will be able to use in restaurants on campus. Crown Commons, the Union’s dining hall, is the place for students who love variety.

The buffet-style dining hall offers everything from a pizza bar, salad bar, and a grill which offers burgers and fries, to a

soup section, international foods section, and extensive dessert options.

Bistro 49, found on the second floor of the union, offers a more gourmet take on-campus dining. For around $14 per meal, students have access to made-toorder meals made from local and fresh ingredients and prepared by experienced cooks, delivered by servers If a student is running late or is in the mood for something of the fast food variety, the first floor of the union is the place to go. In addition to full-service franchise Wendy’s, Bojangles, and Starbucks, the Union is also home to Einstein Bros. Bagels, great for breakfast and lunch.

Entertainment

The Union is a great place to go to meet up with friends.

One of the best places for this is the movie theater, which is free for students and only $2 for their guests. The theater shows recently-released movies three times a day from Thursday

through Sunday and has a concession stand for all popcorn and candy needs. It is also available to reserve for student organizations throughout the week.

For those who like to see unique art created by students, the union is also home to one of the many art galleries on campus.

Norm’s, a gaming space complete with pool tables, card tables, and televisions, is also found on the first floor of the union.

Retail

Outtakes is an on-campus convenience store great for more on-the-go type snacks. While offering a variety of healthy snacks such as fruits and granola bars, they also sell foods meant to satisfy cravings such as ice cream and ramen.

UNCC’s Barnes & Noble location is known to most students, as the place to purchase and pick up textbooks they need for class. However, it also stocks Niner merchandise, snacks,

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magazines, and books to read for fun.

In a small hallway next to Barnes & Noble are a number of other useful services including UNC Charlotte’s on-campus hair salon. Its licensed professionals are experienced in everything hair-related that anyone could need regardless of hair length, texture, or density.

Across from the hair salon is the NinerTech Computer Store, which is the place to go for computer repairs and accessories.

The store often offers special deals for students who buy their laptops from them. And no need to stand in long lines at the post office anymore, because Campus Station is an official US Passport processing station. They take those annoyingly specific passport photos and fax out all of the necessary documents for a flat rate.

They also rent out union-based mailboxes and sell balloons.

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Dining on campus THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF PLACES TO EAT AT UNC CHARLOTTE lou-ann lamb GUEST WRITER

For many new students, the large number of campus dining options appears overwhelming at first. Choosing a meal plan that best fits a new college lifestyle you’ve yet to experience is daunting as well.

But the important thing to know is actually quite simple; meal plans consist of two parts: 1. Meal swipes for the allyou-care-to-eat dining halls, and 2. Declining balance (DB) to use in the retail locations.

Declining Balance for retail locations

The Declining Balance (DB) part of a meal plan is a dollar amount for use at retail dining locations like Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A and also at campus convenience stores and sports/ theater concessions. DB can be used all semester. Block meal plans have more DB attached than Unlimited plans.

Choosing a plan

Meal swipes for dining halls

UNC Charlotte has two all-you-care-to-eat dining hall options: SoVi at South Village Crossing and Crown Commons in the Student Union. Both dining halls serve breakfast, lunch and dinner (brunch and dinner on weekends) and a meal swipe is used every time you go in.

Some meal plans offer and “unlimited” number of swipes which is nice for those who like a lot of small meals during the day. Other plans have a set number, or “block” of swipes to be used over the course of the semester.

Both dining halls are modern and designed around an “action station” model, where almost all the cooking is on open display and prepared made-to-order. SoVi is the larger and newest of the two, with meals produced in small batches and served tapasstyle on little plates. Benefits to this culinary trend are brighter flavor, eye-appeal, and portion awareness. It also makes assembling a balanced meal easier and 10

ABOVE: PANDA EXPRESS LOCATED IN CONE CENTER OPENED EARLY L AST YEAR BELOW: CHICK-FIL-A IN PROSPECTOR IS ALWAYS IN HIGH DEMAND DURING LUNCH HOURS. NT FILE PHOTO

with less waste. But it’s not restrictive; students can go back for as much as they want.

Crown Commons and SoVi offer much variety daily and there’s always something for vegetarians, vegans and those

who avoid gluten. A registered dietician will personally advise you on what to look for and how to maximize the dining hall experience around food preferences. All you have to do is ask.

A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA

Factors to consider: Look at your class schedule.

Figure out how many sit-down meals you will likely eat during an average week at Crown Commons or SoVi How many quick and graband-go meals will you need?

Where will you be living?

First year students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan as part of their housing agreement.

Freshmen who live off campus and commute are not required to purchase a meal plan but they may want one for the reasons of convenience and the assurance of being able to eat all semester.

You can find out more about all the meal plans UNC Charlotte offers at aux.uncc. edu/mealplans. Or you can get advice from a meal plans specialist at 704-687-7337.

Where’s the food?

South Village Crossing, located next to the Hunt Hall and the high rise residences, features three dining venues in addition to SoVi dining hall: The Den by Denny’s, SoVi2Go,

and SoVi Market + Bakery.

SoVi2Go offers take-out meals; both meal swipes and DB are accepted. SoVi Market + Bakery is a convenience store with a fresh pastry case and The Den fills the need for a late-night option; it’s open until midnight.

The Student Union where you’ll find Crown Commons and on the same level, is also the full-service lunch restaurant, Bistro 49, serving a seasonal menu. On the main level of the Union is a retail food court with Wendy’s, Bojangles’ and Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Nearby, off the Union rotunda are Starbucks Coffee and an Outtakes convenience store.

Wendy’s and Outtakes serve the Student Union’s late-night crowd; both stay open until 12:30 AM. The Prospector building, positioned in the center of campus, is home to UNC Charlotte’s most popular brand, Chick-fil-A. With many classes ending at 12:20, the lunchtime line get long. But don’t let that stand between you and

SOVI OFFERS SEVERAL FOOD CHOICES FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER.

a chicken sandwich! The line really does move quickly.

Also in Prospector is Feisty’s, serving breakfast sandwiches in the morning and hot dogs, fries and melts during lunch hours. In addition, there’s Salsarita’s (Mexican), Mondo Subs, Mamma Leone’s, (pizza and pasta) and Za’tar

(Mediterranean-style gyros, salad and falafel).

Nearby Main Street Market in the Cone Center is where you’ll find Subway, Panda Express and Panda Sushi.

The dining landscape at UNC Charlotte is always changing and adjusting to better serve UNC Charlotte

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students and staff. Don’t be surprised if there new venues and improvements by the time classes start!

You can find a dining map, complete list of dining venues and dining hours at aux.uncc. edu/dining. You can also find @ unccdining on Twitter.

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living with a roommate 101 Use these tips to make the most of your rooming assignment hunter heilman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Coming into UNC Charlotte, chances are that most, if not all of you, will have at least one roommate or suitemate to live with, whether you want to or not. In no world is this ever really an “ideal” living situation, but with the right mindset, plan and communication skills, it’s quite easy to make sure that your living situation isn’t miserable at all. Follow these tips and you’re sure to sail right through living with your best friend or a stranger.

doN’T BE GRoSS

You’re an adult, clean after yourself. No one wants to come back to their dorm to find that the room has been trashed because you decided you didn’t feel like washing dishes or throwing garbage where it actually should go. Your room doesn’t have to look like a Martha Stewart catalog, but a consideration for cleanliness and hygiene is imperative in sharing a space with someone. Your room might be a wreck at home, but a dorm is different world

DoN’T BE A KLEPTo

Sorry to tell you, but “borrowing” something without asking is stealing, whether you intended on returning it or not. Always ask permission from your roommate if you can use something of theirs.

Always return it in a timely and efficient fashion in the exact same condition is was given to you in. Your roommate is doing you a favor, don’t disrespect them by not respecting their personal property.

communicate

be openminded

UNC Charlotte is a very diverse community with students from every walk of life. You might room with someone from a country you’ve never heard of before, or with someone who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or a student of the Sikh religion.

When sharing a space with people different than you, mutual respect, open-mindedness and a willingness to learn is key to creating a safe and comfortable space for everyone in the living situation. Do not ever make anyone feel guilty about who they are in their own life.

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What happens when you or your roommate break one of these rules, or does something that upsets the other? You communicate. Failing to discuss the issues between you and your roommate not only doesn’t help the situation, it worsens it when the inevitable gossip train pulls into town. It might be awkward, but the discourse you will have with your roommate from the conflict resolution will make things better in the long run.

Don’t let the discussion turn into an argument, try to hear both sides of the story and be willing to compromise and things will go swimmingly.

Don’t shut yourself out

It’s rare that you’ll end up being best friends with your roommate, but don’t be afraid to socialize with them, you might find more in common with them than you think.

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five must have apps ATTENDING COLLEGE IN THE DIGITAL AGE DEFINITELY HAS IT’S PERKS, LET THESE FREE APPS GUIDE YOU TO SUCCESS

jeffrey kopp A&E EDITOR

College is a stressful, yet rewarding time that is filled with education and new experiences. Being that we live in the digital age, your smart phone offers a wide variety of apps to help you adjust to and conquer this new stage of your life. The following is a list of apps that are definitely worth downloading and utilizing.

Pocket Points: Let’s face it, paying attention in class isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially when you have your phone to distract you. Pocket Points is an app that hopes to keep you off your phone during class by rewarding you for paying attention. The app works by giving you points when your phone is locked. The more of fellow classmates that are using the app, the faster you gain points. Points can be redeemed for discounts at select restaurants and local businesses such as Chick-fil-A, Papa Johns and DefyGravity.

As a college student, you will be looking for any opportunity to save money. Pock-

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et Points allows you to save money while paying attention in class, the perfect combo. quizlet: In high school, you likely used Quizlet at some point. Quizlet allows users to create flashcards and review games for vocabulary words. You can also search for study sets created by other users.

Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter or just reviewing for a few minutes between classes, Quizlet makes the task of studying much less tedious.

Evernote: Each student has their own individual way of taking notes. For some, Evernote proves to be the best way to take and organize notes to be used later.

This app gives you the option of typing, drawing or making checklists. You can also scan your written notes and documents. Another feature of the app allows you to save articles and images from the Internet and incorporate them into your notes. If you’re not the most organized

note-taker, Evernote helps you to consolidate all of your notes and study materials into one place.

Linkedin: Stay ahead of the game by building your online resume now. LinkedIn is a professional social networking site that can connect you with jobs and employers. Create your professional profile and find jobs through people you know. It’s never too early to get started preparing for your post-college career and LinkedIn can absolutely help put you on the right path Skype: Whether you’re coming from another country or across Charlotte, your parents and family will want to hear from you. Skype is the perfect way to stay in touch with your loved ones, especially during those first few nights when homesickness strikes. Available for your computer, smartphone, tablet and even your television, Skype is changing the way we communicate.

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summer is a perfect time to go to the movies. check out these hotly anticipated blockbusters soon

silver screen must sees hunter heilman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Summer is always a great time for sun, rest and amazing movies. During the summer, studios release their biggest and best movies to the public for massive box office returns. While many blockbuster films like “Captain America: Civil War” and “X-Men: Apocalypse” have already hit theaters, the coming months still have lots of great films yet to hit theaters.

“The Conjuring 2,” June 10 No one can honestly say that “The Conjuring” didn’t scare them, it was simply that welldone of a horror film. Of course, it only seemed natural that Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema put the development on a sequel into overdrive. The film focuses again on Ed & Lorraine Warren, who are worldrenowned demonologists, called to London to investigate claims of a paranormal spirit haunting a mother and her four children.

“The Conjuring 2” must be taken with a grain of salt, as its spinoff, “Annabelle,” failed to scare audiences. Though, with the original director, James Wan, on board again and the original cast returning, it seems enough that lightning should strike twice on this terrifying series.

“Finding Dory, June 17” Seemingly regarded as the film of everyone’s childhood, “Finding Nemo” holds a grasp on everyone’s heartstrings. Yet, the undisputed star of the Pixar film was Ellen Degeneres’ character of Dory, the Blue Tang Fish with short term memory loss.

Laughing at her funny moments and crying in her emotional

ones, this film places focus on this classic character for the sequel 13 years later seems perfect for both children and nostalgic adults.

“The Neon Demon, June 24” While endlessly respected for his masterful work on “Drive,”

“The Neon Demon,” a dark and mysterious look into the world of fashion modeling through the eyes of a young recruit (Elle Fanning). Seeing how much he changed the action genre with “Drive,” I can’t possibly imagine the work Refn is about

ABOVE: DORY (ELLEN DEGENERES) GOES ON A SEARCH FOR HER REAL FAMILY IN “FINDING DORY.” (DISNEY) BELOW: THE 2ND FIGHT FOR HUMANIT Y BEGINS IN “INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE.” (20TH CENTURY FOX)

Danish auteur Nicolas Winding Refn has yet to strike a chord with audiences since. With his last piece, “Only God Forgives,” flopped hard with both fans and critics. Refn is returning in full force to the horror genre with

to do with horror in “The Neon Demon.”

“Independence Day: Resurgence,” June 24 No one really knows what possessed director Roland Emmerich to make a sequel to

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“Independence Day” 20 years after the original, or why Will Smith declined to return, but this has all happened, and it looks pretty freakin’ cool. While this film will be anything but fine art, much like the original, it will find its stride in big, destructive fun.

“Ghostbusters,” July 15 While there are many excited for this reboot, there are quite a few people already turned off to this idea. The trailer for this allnew, all-female “Ghostbusters,” has now taken the title of “Most Disliked Movie Trailer” on YouTube. While I don’t think the trailer is particularly welledited, there’s something so giddy in me still jumping up and down about the prospect of an all-female “Ghostbusters” with the cast that it has (Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones). I’ve doubted director Paul Feig before and have been blown away, and I can hope for the same here.

“Suicide Squad,” August 5 Remember “Batman v.

Superman: Dawn of Justice?” Me either. From the start, it’s been “Suicide Squad” that has kept my attention in the DC Universe ever since footage leaked at Comic-Con last summer. The action seems to be frenetic, yet composed. While the acting seems to be straight out of a dream, with Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn seemingly stealing every scene she’s in. I have no doubt in my mind that “Suicide Squad” is going to be the movie of the summer.

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be the change in student government WITH COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, SGA OFFERS UP A TASTE OF EVERY THING nick cropper NEWS EDITOR

The Student Government Association (SGA) at UNC Charlotte functions as a voice for the students. These student representatives are chosen by the students to represent them for the campus.

It is a great way for students to get involved on campus and to become more knowledgeable of issues affecting students. SGA is broken down into three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.

The Executive Branch consists of the offices of the Student Body President, the Vice President, the Executive Cabinet and the Class Presidents.

The Student Body President and Vice President for the 20162017 school year are seniors Fahn Darkor and Carrie Nowell.

The legislative branch is responsible for the passing of legislation that affects campus.

The branch is also responsible

NT FILE PHOTO

for approving new student organizations on campus and fulfilling grant requests to organizations.

Senators are also chosen by students to represent them in the different colleges on campus.

Each college has a certain number of seats depending on the enrollment numbers in that college. The different colleges are the Belk College of Business, College of Arts & Architecture, College of Computing and Informatics, College of Education, College of Human Health and Services, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, William States Lee College of Engineering and University College. There are also at-large seats for senators to fill.

Furthermore, senate is broken into different committees that focus on different areas of campus.

These include the Academic

STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT FAHN DARKOR AND VICE PREISDENT CARRIE NOWELL. Affairs Committee, Student Affairs Committee, Internal Affairs Committee, Publicity and Outreach Committee and the Organizational Ways and Means Committee (OWM). OWM is responsible for approving organizations and granting funding for organizations.

Senate meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. in Student Union Room 200. Meetings are open for students to attend and usually last about an hour. Individual committees also meet Tuesdays and discuss their meeting at the Thursday student senate meetings.

Finally, the judicial branch

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of SGA is a peer conduct review system that enforces the rules and regulations of campus. It is comprised of three offices: the Judicial Board Hearing Panel, the Student Attorney General’s Office and the Student Counsel’s Office.

Students interested in joining senate must meet certain requirements and must complete a few steps to be considered. More information can be found on the SGA’s website at https://sga.uncc. edu/home. A form to join senate can also be found under the sites Elections & Vacancies tab.

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avoid the freshman 15 Stay fit by checking out these places to exercise on campus jasmine taylor MANAGING EDITOR

We all have heard about the awful freshman 15 myth. In actuality, according to various research studies only about 10 percent of college students gain 15 pounds.

The average weight gain is from two to six pounds. The freshman 15 is more of alliterative allure than anything else, rather than being a scientific fact.

Going to college changes everything, and the first thing typically affected are students’ eating habits. From piling on all your favorite foods in the dining halls to fast food restaurants on campus that can be paid with your declining balance; and the late night study sessions fueled with caffeine and salty/sugar snacks to get you through. With all the stress of adjusting to school, class assignments, homesickness and part-time jobs, stress eating might come into play.

There are a few simple steps to make sure you are not affected by F15.

1. Don’t miss breakfast

Eating breakfast is an essential part of your day. Breakfast gets your metabolism going and provides your brain and muscles energy for the day’s activities. Try to sit and eat at one of the dining halls for a nice meal, and opt for things like turkey bacon, egg whites, waffles with light to no syrup and fruit. And if you are on the go, grab some fruit, low-fat granola bars, toast, bagel, yogurt or breakfast sandwiches.

Avoid sugary cereals as a breakfast meal option.

2. Portion control

For all of your meals throughout the day you should keep moderation in mind.

For lunch and dinner, consider foods that are baked, grilled, steamed or broiled to minimize your fried food intake. Choose a side of fries, not a plateful and eat 1-2 slices of pizza with a side of veggies or salad. You can still enjoy your favorite foods, just all in moderation.

BELK GYM’S REOPENING WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE CROWDS EXPERIENCED AT THE STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER. NT FILE PHOTO

3. Making your way through campus

UNC Charlotte is a large campus, which is great for ways to keep off those extra pounds. For example, while going through campus, try to pick up the pace with your walking to get your muscles working and a little workout. And choose to use the stairs in buildings rather than relying on the elevator. Investing in a bicycle or skateboard to get you through campus is another way to stay fit. UNC Charlotte also has two fitness centers on campus that are free for all students to enjoy free workout

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equipment, intramural sports, group fitness classes, and personal training for a fee.

4. Getting some rest

Getting enough sleep is a good way to maintain a healthy life. Sleep will strengthen memories or practice skills learned while you were awake, which is beneficial for those studying. A good night’s rest consists of at least six to eight hours of sleep. Learn how to manage your time to make sure that you get some rest.

If you keep these key steps in mind, you will be successful in your college journey.

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pursue your dreams Even when others don’t approve susie moore GREATIST.COM

“Are you nuts?” Joe gasped. I had just spilled the beans about a big decision over a glass of chardonnay at happy hour. I was slowly getting used to this reaction.

“Maybe!” I laughed, my smile concealing my disappointment. But I felt that I was making one of the sanest, calmest, most certain transitions I’d ever made.

You should’ve heard what other people told me when I said I was giving up my high-paying sales career to be a full-time confidence coach and writer. The laughs I got, the wide-eyed reactions. Did I care?

Yes. Were my feelings hurt? Certainly. But did I care enough not to do what my heart was telling me, just so other people would approve of me? No. Freakin’. Way. Put simply: What other people think about your life is not your business. Your business is to figure out what you most want in this world and then pursue it like a 6-year-old in sight of a Toys ‘R’ Us sign. After life coaching hundreds of people, I’ve learned there is one mega-watt, sprinkles-on-top reason that people turn their back on their dreams: the fear of what other people will think. We can handle change. We can deal with some financial uncertainty. We are probably game to take a risk. But to do it in front of all the people watching, observing, perhaps even waiting for us to fail? The shame would be too big to bear! Besides the fact that people take a lot less notice of you than you’d ever think, here are five very good reasons why you should follow your dreams even when others don’t approve.

1. IT’S YOUR LIFE Will the people who disapprove of your choices pay your bills? Will they be your therapist when you suffer from discontent and regret? Will they be there to hold you when you break down one random Tuesday, walking home from your unfulfilling job in five, 10, 25 years? Didn’t think so. So don’t let them make your choices today.

Why would you let two minutes of another person’s thoughts affect your entire life?

And remember this when you’re tempted to judge others’ life choices: Only you know what matters to you, and the same goes for everybody else.

2. NAYSAYERS ARE PROJECTORS People who are unsupportive are often in delusion or denial about their own decisions. They’re simply jealous of what 20

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you are doing - what they wish they had the courage to do. People will either support you, be indifferent to you, or disagree with you. Only the supportive people count. I beg you: Get around those people.

3. SOMETHING MAGICAL IS BREWING WHEN RESISTANCE IS STRONGEST In “The War of Art,” Steven Pressfield says, “Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like selfdoubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” What we want is so important to us that it makes us terrified.

Fear is a good sign! Worrying about what people think is an extension of this fear.

What we want is so important to us that it makes us terrified. Our fear seeks critics to be proven correct - that what we want is out of reach. This fear will trick you like a thief and rob you of your dreams. Don’t let it!

4. STATISTICS DON’T MEAN A THING Ever heard of the term “skillionaire?”

Neither had I until I was doing research for a course on side hustle I was teaching.

This word describes people who support the truth that success has no prerequisites.

And there is a boatload of living, breathing proof that you don’t need an Ivy League education to succeed in anything. You don’t need connected parents to propel you forward. You don’t need any of the things people tell you that you need to achieve your dreams. Case in point: Richard

Branson, Rachael Ray, Pete Cashmore, Kelly Ripa, Michael Dell, Louise Hay, Simon Cowell, Tony Robbins, Chelsea Lately, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg all lack college degrees. Did that hold them back?

Hell no! If you want to be an entrepreneur, writer, entertainer, motivational speaker whatever it is - and you keep hearing how you’ll never make a living, remind yourself of the above success stories.

5. ‘NO ONE KICKS A DEAD DOG’ Dale Carnegie famously said this in the 1930s. It means if someone is trying to put you down, it’s a disguised compliment.

Why else would they bother? Critics, haters and cynics prove you are growing. Name any public figure you love and admire, and I bet you my life savings I can find infinite, poisonous put-downs online they’ve been too busy to read. Smart move - do the same.

No one - besides you - gets the final say in your life. And no one can choose courage for you either. Following your passion already involves a lot of hard work, so don’t invite more of it into your life under the guise of “concerned,” “realistic,” “are-younuts?!” types of people. Guess who called me the other day? My old friend Joe. A mere 16 months later, he wants to build his own business too but is lacking self-belief.

He asked to meet to up for some advice. The irony was not lost on either of us, and we shared a good chuckle. In a world packed with cynics, don’t be one of them. Be too busy doing your thing. Focus on your own goals. Do the work. And the only person you need on your side? It’s you.

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three reasons to go to a 49er football game

kathleen cook SPORTS EDITOR

A new school year also means a new football season. The Charlotte football program got its start with practices in 2012 and played their first game the fall of 2013. Though the football program is still in its early stages, the team is rapidly growing. Last year was the squad’s inaugural Conference USA season and this year is the first bowl-eligible year for the Niners. While the football team is spending the summer preparing to take on its first bowl-eligible season, here are three reasons why you should come out and support your Niners

Tailgating

Around 8 a.m. on game day, students can be found pitching tents, placing cornhole boards and setting up food in anticipation of the crowd that will arrive in a few short hours. The tailgating scene is one that is quickly escalating with crowds growing with each game. Students from all different groups can be found hanging out in the ‘sand lot’ before each game – from frats to church groups all walks of life are represented. The ‘sand lot’ refers to the grassy patch behind the alumni pavilion along the walkway to the stadium. Just follow the sound of the thumping base – you can’t miss it. As long as you are 22

decked out in your best Niner apparel, you will be sure to fit right in.

Atmosphere

In addition to joining C-USA last season, the Niners added lights to Jerry Richardson stadium. The lights allowed Charlotte to have the full football experience with the first night game on Sept. 26 against Florida Atlantic. With the addition of lights fans are allowed a full day experience instead of the early mornings that noon kickoffs call for.

Another new sight for Niner fans last season was the presence of an entire marching band dubbed the “Pride of Niner Nation.” Prior to the full-fledge band, Charlotte fans were entertained by the drum line, but the full out marching band exudes college football.

The band gives the fans a great show before and after the game, as well as musical interludes during the game.

The lights and band only added to the already amazing atmosphere available at the games. The job done by the marketing and athletic departments to games have really paid off and created a stellar scene at each home game.

Bowl Eligibility

For the first time in school history the football team is eligible for a bowl game. The team has done major prepa-

rations to put themselves in position to be playing in December. This past offseason, Charlotte received their first four-star recruit in FIND OUT. They also received starting quarterback Kevin Olsen as a mid-year transfer from a California community college. Returning from last season is junior running back Kalif Phillips. Phillips was ranked fifth in C-USA rushing yards with 961 yards last season, he also made second team all-conference. Joining Phillips on the field for the last time is wide receiver Austin Duke. Duke has led the 49ers in receiving yards with over 2600 career yards. He has played in all 34 of the program’s football games. When this new talent is paired with the seasoned veterans on the Charlotte team, the outlook is bright for the Charlotte football team.

The team can always be found on the sidelines each Saturday, and you should always be found in Jerry Richardson too. In order for a team to succeed, they must have support from their peers. With such a young program, it is exciting to experience it grow. Students need to make it a priority to support the boys of fall during the first few weeks of school.

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7 things true friends do jessica rotondi GREATIST.COM

Friends come into our lives in many ways. Some were born down the street or remember when we first got our braces on.

Others we know from college dorms or the next cubicle over at work. Then there are those unexpected people who burst in over brunch and force you to take notice. If you’re like me, your friends are a mix of all of the above. What I’ve learned as I get older is that no matter how people come into my life, not all of them are there to stay.

Some people enter our lives at a particular period when we need them most, stay awhile and move on. It’s part of the natural process of adulthood. But a select few are in it for the long haul. Here are the seven most important things true friends do.

1. They’re just as happy staying in with you as going out.? In our early 20s, my friends and I would get together over cheese plates and cocktails to do our hair and makeup before a night out. My favorite part of those evenings wasn’t the “end goal” - going out, dancing and potentially meeting guys. It was the moments when my friends and I were together, talking and catching up about what was going on in our lives. Sure, the dancing was fun, and we met a few interesting people as those nights wound down, but the getting-ready part was always way more fun than swaying in the dark, sipping overpriced beers. Just this winter I rented a cabin with three of my closest friends. We packed outfits to go out ... but ended up staying in by the fire, cooking for each other and having some of the deepest, funniest conversations we’ve shared to date. We talked about what scares us, what has hurts us the most and what we want for our futures. With these friends by my side, the future

seems a lot less scary.

2. They call or text because they care, not because they want something. We all know someone who appears out of the blue when they want an intro to a common LinkedIn connection or when you happen to be invited to the same wedding. Which is fine having a big network is a good thing! But I once had a “friend” who only texted me when she wanted to know what my plans were on Saturday night. She was fun to go out with, but it quickly became clear that we didn’t have much in common outside of our location on any given weekend.

A true friend will remember that you have a big presentation at work or will check in if your grandmother is sick because they care about you, not because they want something from you.

Remembering the details of your friends’ lives shows that they are a part of yours, even when you can’t be together.

3. They are at your side for the tougher parts of life. Sure, we all expect our friends to be singing karaoke with us on our birthday, standing beside us in whatever bridesmaid dress or suit we ask them to on our wedding day and cheering us on at graduation.

But there are other, less-happy moments in life when friends are all the more necessary. When I lost a parent at 23, friends flew to Boston from D.C., New York and even California to be with me. At one point, my friends from home and college were all gathered in my childhood bedroom, leaning in to give me a group hug, and I can honestly say that every single person in that room is still a part of my life today.

4. When they date someone, they don’t disappear ... for too long. It’s normal to get excited about a budding romance, but a true friend won’t ditch the important people in his or her

life for a new partner. One year, I invited five close friends - some partnered, some not - for an intimate birthday dinner before a bigger party later that night.

A friend I hadn’t seen in months asked to bring her new boyfriend to the dinner, and when I told her I was keeping it small, but he was welcome at the party itself, that friend skipped dinner rather than spend two hours without the person she was seeing daily.

We all missed her and had been missing her for months.

If a partner is great, they can become part of the crew, but true friends will also make themselves available one-on-one.

5. They know exactly how to cheer you up. I once went through a heartrending breakup while on a girls’ vacation at the beach.

The trip promised to be full of frozen drinks, glowing sunsets ... and ugly cries. My friend Lauren knew exactly what to do. She got me out of bed, dragged me to the beach and presented me with an entire plate of chocolate chip pancakes and a pitcher of margaritas for us to share while gazing at the ocean. I didn’t have to say a word; she just let me have space while letting me know she was there. With chocolate.

And tequila.

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6. They really listen. You’re at the bar, and Bradley Cooper walks into the room. Only you don’t even know it, because your friend who is facing the door is too wrapped up in your conversation. But you know what I mean. We’ve all had instances where we’re in the middle of a story and the person in front of us is completely checked out, nodding their head at what we’re saying but a million miles away.

7. They love you for who you are, not where you are. Some of my dearest friends came into my life when we were all entry-level assistants. Now, nine years later, we’re in a smattering of highpowered, badass jobs. Some of us are married. Some of us have three roommates and Tinder on our phones. We can afford to go out and buy wine by the bottle instead of the glass and take ourselves out to restaurants instead of waiting for our parents to take us out for birthday dinners. But our support for one another hasn’t wavered. The people in your life who are here to stay have loved you regardless of your job title or relationship status. They stick around through the low points and celebrate your successes right alongside you.

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plan ahead for parking PARKING ON CAMPUS IS MESSY IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE RULES

NAVIGATING ON-CAMPUS PARKING OPTIONS

stephanie trefzger STAFF WRITER

One of the biggest concerns for students and their parents upon move-in is parking. There is a lot of information to learn surrounding parking such as which passes to get and where to park. With a student population of 28,000 that is only growing, it may seem that finding parking is impossible, but thanks to tips from the dedicated people at the Parking and Transportation Services (PATS), the inevitable pain of parking is short-lived.

Parking permits are required to park on campus and are best ordered online at pats. uncc.edu to avoid long lines.

There are seven different types of permits, but the two most common are the resident pass for those who live on campus and the commuter pass for those who commute to campus every day. Prices are available on the PATS website.

There is no sugarcoating it, the ideal parking space is hard to find, so it is advised that students plan out their schedule to find parking closest to the building where their classes are. The “good” parking lots, the East Decks, Union Deck, West Deck and the lots closest to them tend to fill up quickly and early, usually by 8:45am. Don’t fret if those lots do happen to be full, though. Students can park in areas toward the edges of campus and take the shuttle in. According to their website, “lesser used” areas include the lower level of Lot 6 (on Cameron Boulevard near Campus Edge Apartments) which is on the 24

PARKING IN A LOT WITHOUT THE CORRECT PARKING PERMIT CAN RESULT IN AN EXPENSIVE TICKET.

Rt. 50 Red Line, or the back end of Lot 5 or 5A near Martin Village, where a path through the gardens takes you straight to McEniry.

A school this size gets a good number of visitors. There are five visitor decks on campus: Cone Visitor Deck, Union Visitor Deck, Visitor parking at East Deck 1, Visitor parking at South Village Deck (Level 1 Only), and Visitor parking at CRI Deck 1.

Currently, visitor lots are $1 per half hour and a maximum amount of $10 per visit per day, but prices are subject to change.

For shorter visits, there is metered parking in many areas

all around campus. Metered parking is limited and fills quickly. Meters cost 50 cents per 15 minutes and accept nickels, dimes, and quarters only. Payby-space parking is available in Lot 4, Lot 30 (time limited), and Lot 28 (ADA only). Payby-space stations accept coins (nickels, dimes, quarters, and $1 coins) and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).

While PATS are nice enough to provide students with parking tips, they are also the ones who enforce the rules, patrolling the parking decks and lots. Anyone found not obeying the stated rules will

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find themselves with a citation and a fine and maybe even a boot. Failure to pay the fines will have further consequences.

While appeals are granted, it is rare and under only special circumstances. Lack of knowledge of the parking rules is not grounds for an appeal, so keep in mind that parking may be limited and change during game days and special events or even around construction work.

Plan ahead and arrive early to save the trouble of being late.

More information about PATS, parking permits and parking in general can be found at pats.uncc.edu

Managing money KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF BUDGETING MONEY FOR A PROSPEROUS YEAR mia shelton ASST. OPINION EDITOR

You’re finally free. You are a new college student ready to take on new challenge amd experience new people, places and things.

But, in order to have all that experience, you need to know how to manage your money properly. Be smart with how you spend your money. First and foremost, you need to buy necessities: food, books, school supplies, etc. Get your own priorities striaght before jumping in.

Books are the first things you are going to have to buy. Buy your books cheaply wherever you can at the cheapest price or the best convenience. Find out whether you even need to buy the book because nothing is worse than spending hundreds of dollars on a book and you don’t even need it.

Food is the second most expensive thing you will spend your money on.

There are tons of on-campus dining locations and there are even more off campus restaurants close to campus, like Toppers Pizza, Chipotle, Papa John’s, Jersey Mike’s. However, try not to dine out frequently because you will run out of options very quickly. I suggest cooking your own food if possible and utilizing your residence hall’s kitchens if you can. It is much cheaper to make big ‘one-pot wonders’ that you

can eat and have lots of left overs than to buy Chickfil-A and Chipotle every day of the week.

School supplies are yet another expenditure, but they are not a huge portion of your budget if you know where and how to buy them. It is better to buy things in bulk for a number of reasons, as it’s cheaper and you get more quantity. There are plenty dollar stores in the area, so you can buy smaller quantities and at a lower price than the ‘Back to School’ sales at Walmart and Target.

After you get your necessities out of the way, you can have your luxuries like additional clothing, shoes, jewelry and other miscellaneous things. I know how easy it is to go hang out with your friends at the mall and blow all your money, but that is a recipe for disaster. Something unexpected always happens to mess up that “perfect” plan. If you drive, you need gas to get to and from your destination, adding more to your expenses. It’s okay to splurge every now and then on luxuries, but do your best to keep it to a minimum. Don’t go crazy with the frivolities.

Set aside money for a rainy day or an emergency, you never know when you’re going to need this money and having it ready comes.

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& n o i n u t n e d u t s student union When you open the door to the Student Union, you enter much more than a building. A world of opportunity awaits.

This is YOUR place to get involved, meet new people, make life-long friendships, and create campus memories.

What are you waiting for?

Food

Crown Commons Union Square (includes Wendy’s, Einstein Bros. Bagels, & Bojangles!)

Bistro 49 Starbucks Outtakes Convenience Store

Building

Art Gallery Information Center Community Police Norm’s & Norm’s Loft Movie Theater Meeting Rooms Lounges & Outdoor Seating Student Government and Organizations Complex (SGOC)

Services & Retail ID Card Office Reservations Office Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte NinerTech Computer Store The Campus Salon Union Station

UNCCUNION studentunion.uncc.edu

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s e i t i v i t Ac

Ge t Involved !

student activities Student Center for Organizations Leadership Explore new interests and find Development your niche through the 350+ student-led and student-run organizations.

Campus Activities Board

Get involved with the largest programming board on campus to help plan events like concerts, comedians, Union Takeovers, and more for the campus community!

Discover your leadership potential through a variety of programs, workshops, conferences, classes and extended group experiences.

Student Niner Media

Be part of the Niner Nation story in print and online through The Niner Times, Radio Free Charlotte & Sanskrit.

Multicultural Resource Center

Explore the diversity of our world with programs and resources dedicated to learning about and celebrating heritage and identity.

Student Government

Represent the voice of the student body to impact campus decisions and shape student life.

HOMECOMING

Catch the Niner Nation spirit on campus with Homecoming Week activities!

Venture

(*Located in Cone University Center)

Broaden your horizons with outdoor trips, climbing, and team challenge course leadership experiences.

studentactivities.uncc.edu

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family, philanthropy & more FIND OUT WHETHER GREEK LIFE IS FOR YOU carmen westra COMMUNITY EDITOR

UNC Charlotte is a large university with over 27,000 students. There are 170 undergraduate and graduate programs and over 350 student organizations offered on campus. But with all of those organizations and decision making, college can be intimidating.

One type of organization on campus that is quite popular, yet controversial, is Greek life. There are multiple forms of Greek life present on campus such as Panhellenic, Independent Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Diversified Greek Council.

If Greek life sounds appealing to you in the slightest, to have a home away from home, or the idea of having brothers or sisters connected by a bond, then I highly encourage looking into Greek life at UNC Charlotte.

It is important to consider all of your options when deciding what organization to become a part of. My personal experience was different than that of some members of the Greek community. I prefer to think that my organization chose me, rather than the other way around.

My first semester at UNC Charlotte, I was automatically in the mindset that I was not going to go Greek, I did not even plan on looking into it. All of the friends I had made so far were completely against Greek life and had no desire to join

either.

As my first semester was coming to an end and recruitment was over for the fall semester, I remembered one friend in class that was Greek and always talked about how much she loved her organization. As I talked to her more about her organization and what it had to offer, I

many people that I had just met. Learning about their philanthropy and values motivated me to be a better person and student. I wanted to do more and be involved to make the most of my time at UNC Charlotte.

After a week of hanging out with the women of the organization, I was offered

CHI OMEGA PERFORMS AT THE ANNUAL GREEK LIFE AIRBAND. NT FILE PHOTO.

realized that the people that I was surrounding myself with were not wanting the same things that I did, they were not the most motivated and did not care about making a difference at UNC Charlotte.

One day, I met my friend’s sisters that she had always talked about at a new member event. As I met them, I felt a rush of love and acceptance that was amazing. I had never felt so comfortable around so

an invitation to join their organization. I was so excited to accept.

To this day, that has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.

My experience with my organization was so amazing because I was able to meet all of the women in the organization and freely make a decision for myself on how I felt about it. After that, many of my other close friends decided to

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go Greek as well, but had many reservations on why they did not want to join.

One of the concerns that they had pertained to the funds to afford Greek life and everything that encompassed it. It is important to take into consideration everything that comes from a sisterhood or brotherhood. What are you actually paying for? Friends, social experiences, events?

Actually in most cases, the money is so that the organization can have philanthropy events, raise money, recruit new members, and so much more. Every organization has a price whether it be time, money, or commitment. You get what you put into it so going in with an open mind and positive attitude will speak volumes.

Remember that Greek life is not for everyone, but you will never know unless you try.

Go out and meet people to see which organizations will help you grow into a better person.

It’s not always about the quantity in the organization, but also about the quality of the members.

My experience is one that I will never forget and something that I would not trade for the world. I love the members of my organization so much and they have helped me through so many stressful times in my life. Without it, I would not have met my best friends today and my sisters for life.

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a visual tour of campus CATO TEACHING DISCOVERY MURAL

HECHENBLEIKNER LAKE

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JERRY RICHARDSON STADIUM

SOVI DINING HALL

SNOW DAY 49ER GOLD MINER

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a bright Future for Charlotte Basketball trevor wilt SPORTS EDITOR

The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team will be in their second season under head coach Mark Price. They hit the court in late October for their Basketball Madness to kick off the 2016-2017 season. Just two months into school, the 49ers will be high flying with dunk contests, three point contests, and more fun games at Dale F. Halton Arena, looking to show off their talents and introduce the returning and upcoming players for the next season. Charlotte will be returning eight players from last season’s team that made it to the second round of the Conference USA tournament.

After a big piece to the puzzle Joseph Uchebo has graduated, Price will look to new players and also guys from last year’s bench to play a vital role in picking up big rebounds, following in Uchebo’s record breaking rebounding season.

The 49ers are bringing in a lot of big bodies to help fill that open spot, one being a 7-foot-1 center from Sweden, Lukas Bergang, who received a redshirt for the 2015-2016 campaign. Also, Charlotte will bring in coach Price’s son, Hudson Price, who sat out last year after he transferred from Texas Christian University (TCU).

He has the ability to shoot the long ball and also help out in the rebound depart-

ment with his 6-foot-7 body frame. Austin Ajukwa, a transfer from Clemson, will be available at the start of the second semester due to NCAA transfer rules.

Ajukwa possesses the ability to shoot the long ball and also soar high above the rim for some rim-rattling dunks.

The 49ers are returning high-flying

Andrien White and also Jon Davis in the backcourt for the 49ers, two sophomores that last year in their freshman season, tore up the backcourt while showing positive signs for a bright future with Charlotte. White made 67 three-point shots last season, setting the record for the most threes in a single-season in Charlotte freshman history. Davis, coach Price’s first ever recruit, played almost every minute of every game as the point guard for the 49ers, continuing to show off fancy passes and the ability to score at the rim as good as any point guard in the conference.

Charlotte has already added two players out of high school who have officially signed their letter of intent, one being Quinton Jackson Jr. and the other one being Najee Garvin. Jackson is a 6-foot3 guard who will likely compete for the starting job in his freshman season. As coach Price snagged Jackson from over 25 other Division I basketball teams that were offered to him in high school.

Garvin is a 6-foot-7 2-star recruit from Lexington, S.C. who will compete for the starting job as well right out of the gate, being able to pull down big rebounds and score very well around the basket.

Charlotte Soccer’s High Hopes for 2016 Season trevor wilt SPORTS EDITOR

Coming off of a 11-6-3 record last season, the 49ers pre-season, nationally ranked soccer team is excited to bring back a lot of their key players from last year’s team to push for an even better record and better ending to a hard-fought season. Last season, Charlotte took down Radford in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but fell short to Wake Forest in the final minutes to get bumped in the second round.

The 49ers have made five straight NCAA tournament appearances coming into the 2016 campaign, returning a lot of key

players who look forward in keeping the winning tradition going at Transamerica Field. One player that Charlotte will miss is Kyle Parker, who was taken No. 31 overall in the 2016 Major League Soccer draft by the Columbus Crew, becoming the most recent Charlotte player to go pro.

Charlotte had multiple players receive awards for their accomplishments on the field during the 2015 season, seeing Austin Pack (GK), Matej Dekovic (D), Brandt Bronico (M), and Kyle Parker (F) earn NCCSIA All-State selections. Bronico and

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Parker also received All-Southeast Region First Team honors.

The 49ers will be bringing back a loaded lineup of upperclassmen and some highly skilled freshmen for the 2016 season with high hopes for another great season under head coach Kevin Langan.

Charlotte will host their green-white scrimmage in mid-August to showcase their new additions to the team and also their returning players before starting their journey to the NCAA tourney.

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levine hall

THE NEW STANDARD OF UNC CHARLOTTE LIVING diane gromelski COPY EDITOR

Levine Hall, a new residence hall geared toward honors students, is under construction and will open in late fall 2016.

The building is named for longtime UNC Charlotte donors Leon and Sandra Levine and is located in South Village near the entrance of campus.

While the more than 400 residents will not be required to be in an honors program, housing spaces are reserved for Levine Scholars and members of the Honors College and the building will also house the administrative offices of both the Honors College and the Levine Scholars program.

Like many of the recently constructed buildings on campus, Levine Hall is designed to promote academic and social interaction among students and professors. The building will not only contain student suites and apartments, but it will also have kitchens

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and lounges, faculty workspaces, classrooms, student study areas and seminar spaces that can be combined to host large events.

Honors housing is currently located in Witherspoon Hall in North Village, isolating the primarily freshmen students that reside there from the other freshmen who live in South Village. Junior Christopher Dong, a member of the Political Science Honors Program, said he believes the transition from Witherspoon to South Village will allow honors students more opportunities to interact with other students.

“As honors students, part of our role on campus is to be role models for others, and it is important for us to be visible and interact with other students in order to do that,” Dong said. “Also, it will be cool to have a space where all of the honors programs can host events and guest speakers because

there isn’t currently very much interaction between the different programs.”

The Honors College has assembled a committee composed of Housing and Residence Life staff as well as students and program directors from the various honors programs on campus. The committee will provide input on logistics, programming and visiting scholars and guest speakers.

The residence hall offers housing options in the form of one, two, three and four person suites, as well as four person apartments.

Because students will not be able to move into the residence hall until late in the fall semester, new students will be temporarily housed in Sanford Hall while students returning to housing can either choose to stay in their current assignment or in another available room on campus.

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tips for getting more exercise james o. hill & holly r. wyatt RODALE WELLNESS

Even if your schedule is jam-packed, you may be able to slot in your activity simply by making inactive time active.How? Anytime you’re sitting down, ask yourself: “Is there any way I could be moving while doing this same activity?” It’s not difficult to work extra movement into your typical day. Here are just a few ideas:

rule to stand or pace while speaking.

6. If you’re headed for the mall, don’t look for the closest parking spot. Look for the one farthest from your destination.

7. Get off the bus one stop early.

8. Use a bathroom on a different floor.

1. If you’re watching TV, walk on a treadmill or use an exercise bike.

2. If you’re watching your sibling’s soccer practice, walk laps around the field.

3. If you’re getting together with a friend, go for a walk instead of going out to eat (or save the meal for after the walk) 4. If you’re having a meeting with a colleague, hold a walking meeting and go for a stroll outside.

5. If you’re talking on the phone, make it a

9. Go the long way when walking to a meeting.

10. Walk around the block when picking up the mail.

11. Do an extra lap around the grocery store.

12. Take the stairs for one floor up or two floors down.

14. Print documents at a distant printer at the office.

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Hire-A-Niner helps students find work kathleen cook SPORTS EDITOR

The Career Center is a valuable resource that the University offers students to aid in the strenuous search for a job during school and post-grad.

One of the best features of the career center is the program dubbed Hire-ANiner.

Hire-A-Niner offers students and alumni a portal to access jobs, internships and co-ops. The site also offers a resume creator, employer directory and the ability to report that you have been hired.

To get access to the Hire-A-Niner site, start off on the University Career Center website, then plug in your NinerNet credentials.

The most nifty feature on the Hire-ANiner site is the resume creator.

A resume is the first thing a student should create if they are pursuing a job so they have a document to send to potential employers with all of their qualifications and experiences listed.

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Once logged into the Hire-A-Niner site, click the options on the bottom of the left side menu and then select “Create Resume using Resume Creator.”

The program gives students 12 templates to choose from for their resume. Once a template is chosen, a screen pops up where the student can fill out all of the requested information. After all of the text is typed in, Hire-A-Niner will generate the resume for the student that is ready for them to send out to different future employers.

Another feature on the website that is useful is the job search bar.

This useful resource can be located across the bar on the top portion of the main page called “Job & Internship Search.” If clicked on, this will pull up a directory containing hundreds of jobs, internships and co-ops offered by UNC Charlotte and various companies around the U.S.

With this broad of a search range, students have the ability to refine their search using keyword text box at the top of the page.

If a student wishes to see what companies outside the school are offering, all they need to do is click on the “Employer Directory” and view a list of over 13,000 companies and their job listings. The most likely and convenient form of communication between students and potential employers is through their UNC Charlotte e-mail.

Workshops are also put on by the Career Center that give interview tips and the Center provides opportunities for students to job shadow professionals.

The Career Center is a vital resource that all students need to take advantage of during their time on campus.

The Career Center is located at Atkins 150, next to the Atkins Library.

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healing hearts, healing minds GET TO KNOW THE SERVICES AND DETAILS OF THE UNC CHARLOTTE COUNSELING CENTER stephanie trefzger STAFF WRITER

One inconvenient truth of life is that sometimes it gets hard for everyone, and for college students, it’s no exception. According to a study by the American College Health Association, 54 percent of students felt overwhelming anxiety over the past year and 32.6 percent of students felt so depressed that it was difficult to function. UNC Charlotte is battling this statistic partially through its Counseling Center, located on Belk Plaza.

Psychologists and social workers help students better their relationships with both themselves and the people around them by encouraging them to “explore and express feelings, examine beliefs and ways of thinking about the world, reflect on patterns of behavior, and work toward making healthy changes.” There are a few options for students who wish to partake in counseling. Students can have up to 12 free sessions, lasting for 45-50 minutes of individual counseling per year, or they can join one of the many weekly group counseling sessions in which they can meet for about an hour and a half with a counselor and other students to discuss topics such as

stress, academic success, and dealing with family issues. The UNC Charlotte counseling center also offers relationship counseling, where couples can meet to improve their intimate relationships.

Many people fear that the things they talk about with their counselor will be shared with others, but the counseling center follows the ethical codes set forth by the American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers, the laws of the State of North Carolina and federal privacy regulations.

This means that everything a student shares with their counselor or their group stays confidential unless the student gives written consent. Though, there are three exceptions to the confidentiality rule: 1. If the student clearly likely to do physical harm to themselves or another person in the near future, it is the counselor’s duty to take steps to protect their safety and the safety of others.

2. If they share information about currently-occurring abuse or neglect of any juvenile(s) or disabled adult(s),

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the counselor may be required by state law to report that information to the Department of Social Services.

3. If ordered to do so by a judge as part of judicial proceedings.

The counselors are also dedicated to creating safe spaces for students of all backgrounds including individuals identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Diversity is very important to the staff, and according to their website, “[they] understand diversity to include, but not be limited to: race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic status. [They] are committed to serving students and the campus community at UNC Charlotte by striving for social justice through increasing awareness of the effects of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination.

Students can make an appointment by calling 704-687-0311. Stop by their office in the Atkins 158 building. Get more information by visiting counselingcenter.uncc.edu for more information.

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perfecting time management KEEPING ON TOP OF YOUR WORK IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK WITH THESE SIMPLE TIPS

mia shelton ASST. OPINION EDITOR

As a new college student, you will have to endure a lot of new challenges, with increased workloads, multiple due dates, weekly quizzes, papers, and for some, work hours. With all that work and so little time to get it all done you might ask yourself, “how will I get it done?” Well friend, there are certain keys to college success through time management. As a person who works four jobs and goes to school full-time, this really helps out.

Time management is not hard, but it requires great determination. A key component to time management is scheduling.

You have to schedule your time accordingly and wisely, which means there will be very little time for parties and play dates. Depending on the number of cours-

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es you’re taking in the semester depends on how much free time you will have. The first step is to review you course syllabi for the semester. Each instructor will give out a syllabus on the first day of class, which often includes, but isn’t limited to grading, course overviews and more importantly a semester schedule that lays out the weekly topics, weekly required readings course assignments and due dates. These schedules will help you tremendously. However, they can also cause some issues. For example, the instructor could unfortunately add additional course work to the syllabus or omit course material. From personal experience, be ready for it.

Once you have your class schedules, for those of us that work, you get your work schedule. Now, this varies because different people have different scheduling situations. Some people get their schedules on a different basis. As with classes, work schedules can also cause some issue with your time management. For example, you could have work hour changes, shift changes or even shift extensions.

Once you have gotten your class and work schedules, you can now make your semester work schedule. First thing you want to do when making your schedule is not missing big assignments and their dues dates. For example: mid-terms, final exams, quizzes, papers and group assignments. Mid-terms and finals are self-explanatory, however, quizzes vary.

Some instructors schedule quizzes once a week, once every two or three weeks or even the dreaded pop quizzes. Papers also vary in terms of due dates, depending on how many you have scheduled throughout the semester, which the syllabus should tell you. Group projects usually have a timetable of a month or month-and-a-half, depending on how many projects you will have during the semester.

AKRON BEACON JOURNAL 2005 PHOTO ILLUSTRATED BY DENNIS BALOGH Once you have noted your major assignments, you then need to take note of the required reading. Majority of required reading is weekly chapter readings, unless you are taking an English class, then you will have one novel or collected work reading a week. Once you have noted your required readings, you need to combine your major assignments, work schedule and required readings together in your planner or organizer. Now, you need to factor in studying. You should leave at least one weekday and up to 4 weekend hours free for studying. If you don’t work, increase the weekday study hours. Once you have factored in your study time to your schedule, any hours you have left is your free time.

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entertainment hot spots THERE ARE NUMEROUS VENUES FOR COMEDY, ART, MUSIC AND MORE

hunter heilman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In a campus this big, it’s nearly impossible to ever say that you’re bored. Coming in as a new student though, you might not know the ins and outs of all the fabulous and fun entertainment hot spots scattered throughout campus.

Norm’s

Offering a pub-style atmosphere, with pool tables, telelvisions and live music. Norm’s offers food, friends and fun in a conveniently close location. It is right next to Outtakes on the first floor of the Student Union. Head to the Mezzanine level of the Union and you can find a quieter balcony area of Norm’s for studying, or even a better view of the musical acts when things get packed on the weekends.

Rowe Galleries

There’s nothing quite as pride-inducing than looking at the insane talent of your fellow UNC Charlotte students. This can be found in the Rowe Galleries, located in the Rowe Building, shaped like a camera, on Belk Plaza. Inside, you will find many different collections from various students from the Department of Art and Art History. Be on the lookout in the Rowe Galleries near the end of each semester with all of the many fabulous student showcases.

AT AFTER HOURS, EXPERIENCE SOME LIVE MUSIC IN A NIGHT CLUB STYLE SETTING. NT FILE PHOTO

After Hours

When something doesn’t technically fit the criteria of a standard performance, it’s usually done in After Hours in the Cone Building.

Talent shows, comedy shows, singles nights and more have gone down in Cone’s intimate Nightclub-like area. With tables around for dining during the day, After Hours is the perfect place to kick back with friends on a Friday night, or to laugh your head off at one of the many different comedians that come through campus.

Student union Art Gallery

Art has been said to change the world, and the Student Union Art Gallery shows this in its many different, poignant exhibits.

Offering contemporary and socially relevant art pieces on a monthly basis. From LGBTQ+ history exhibits, to shows focused on comic book art. The gallery’s mission is “to create visual dialogue for student life using exhibitions as a means of expression and a learning environment.” Besides art exhibits, it also hosts Simulacra and Sanskrit exhibits annually, showcasing the many talents of student artists and writers.

The Sanskrit Exhibit is accompanied by a printed publication distributed throughout campus.

Student union Movie Theater

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Being someone obsessed with movies, it’s hard to go to the movies often due to elevated ticket prices and crowded theaters. If you have some patience, you can wait for your favorite movies to arrive at the Student Union Movie Theater shortly after leaving theaters. With free admission for students and located conveniently on the first floor of the Union, Hollywood has never been so close.

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passing that impossible class ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES TO MASTER EVEN THE HARDEST OF CLASSES stephanie trefzger STAFF WRITER

By now, everyone has figured out which subjects they are good at and which ones aren’t really their forte. And while it’s not fun to hear, some of those subjects will be required depending on the major the student chooses. Doing poorly in those classes is a huge source of stress for students, but there are a number of ways to alleviate that stress and do well in the class. Here are six tips to help students succeed:

questions. Although these hours are often appointment-only, if a student cannot make any of the times listed, they should email their professor who is more often than not willing to find a time that works for you.

terial. That is when they can meet with their classmates and study together.

Chances are that at least one person in the group can answer a question another group member has, and if no one has an answer, they can figure it out together.

Two (or more) heads are better than one, after all. Pro tip: don’t study with best friends.

While it may be fun, it’s also probably really distracting.

Take a Break and Let it out

on-Campus Resources

It may be annoying, but brains don’t work well without taking a break every once in a while.

Especially during finals, students may feel the need to forgo eating and sleeping for studying, but it doesn’t work. Students who cram actually tend to remember less than students who study a little bit each night. Don’t let anyone say that it isn’t okay to cry because the stress gets to everyone, and as Shrek says, “better out than in.”

UNC Charlotte cares about their students’ successes. They therefore have set up a number of on-campus resources that students can utilize should they come across a difficult subject or class. The University Center for Academic Excellence, as its name suggests, is dedicated to helping students excel. In addition to offering tutoring services for a wide selection of classes, the UCAE also “provides academic support services and resources that increase learning effectiveness.”

Additionally, the University Writing Resource Center can help those struggling with an essay edit it as well as help students improve their writing skills.

Planning and Time Management

office Hours

At the beginning of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL 2005 semester, students will PHOTO ILLUSTRATED BY DENNIS BALOGH receive a syllabus from their professors with the times and locations for office hours. These are essential to any struggling student or Group Studying even those who are doing well. Office Sometimes a student is unable to study hours are the times a professor has set by themselves because they get bored or aside to meet with students and answer because they don’t understand the ma-

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People like to say that they don’t need to write things down and that they can remember everything.

However, this is usually not true. Especially once students start participating in clubs or sports, assignments are sometimes forgotten. What really helps with this is a planner and planning out the day in the morning. This ensures that nothing is forgotten and there is plenty of time to do everything while eliminating procrastination.

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on-campus treatment available at the Health Center kathleen cook SPORTS EDITOR

College is filled with new experiences, new friends and new germs.

It is very common for college students to become sick very easily during their stay on-campus. The Student Health Center is the place to go whenever you are feeling under the weather.

The center’s current location was completed in 2007 and it takes up almost 32,000 square feet. Inside the center sits 21 medical exam rooms, two of which are negative pressure rooms that are used to prevent the spread of viral bacteria.

The Student Health Center has services for medical care, disease prevention, wellness promotion and a wide variety of other educational resources that prove valuable for students. The staff is a knowledgable source in many different avenues of life. On hand at the center are experienced medical doctors, pharmacists, physician assistants, family nurse practitioners, a squad of nurses and a psychiatrist.

There are a lot of services that are offered at the Center that are unknown to students.

If a student is injured while playing a sport or has a surgical procedure that requires physical therapy, that therapy can be done on-campus at the Student Health Center, all students need is a referral from their doctor. Also located in the center is an on-site pharmacy to which students can have their prescriptions sent and their medical records will be kept.

Other services offered in the center are physicals, gynecological services, birth control, STD and HIV screenings and the treatment of pain, asthma, pneumonia and injuries. X-ray machines are found on-site for practitioners to use. There are also professionals available that specialized in areas such as nutrition, women’s

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NT FILE PHOTO health, wellness, sports, and allergies among other fields.

The major plus to visiting the Student Health Center is the cost, or the absence of cost. It is free for students to see a physician, physician assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, health education consultant or physical therapist. Not everything is costless however, there are some services that have costs coupled with them. Students can make non-emergency appointments online through their Starfish accounts and prescription refills can also be made online or in person.

The Student Health Center operates Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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49er football preview WITH NEW BOWL GAME ELIGIBILITY, 49ER FOOTBALL KEEPS OUTLOOK OPTIMISTIC

kathleen cook SPORTS EDITOR

As the practices ramp up and the autumn air brings football back to campus, here are a few things to expect from the Niners on the football field this upcoming season.

The first is a new man calling the shots for the offense.

Last season, Charlotte was notorious for the constant rotation they had in the quarterback position. The position was one that was up in the air during the entire off season until Kevin Olsen transferred to the Queen City for the Spring semester.

Olsen was declared the official starting quarterback just days before the team would showcase their talents in the annual Green vs. White game. He got off to a bumpy start, throwing an interception for his first pass as a 49er. But after that mishap, Olsen showcased his arm finishing the night with 14 completions for 163 yards.

Matt Johnson was one of the quarterbacks constantly rotating into the starter slot, but he was moved to the running back position after Olsen came into the picture. The former quarterback had a lot of adjustments to make, however he has become a natural in the position.

Another player to look out for this season is Kalif Phillips. Phillips is the holder of the 49ers top eight single-game rushing yard totals and has a career total of 3,113 rushing yards, averaging 94.3 yards per game. Adding to his impressive resume, Phillips also holds the record for rushing touchdowns with 38 under his

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belt.

Stepping onto the field for his final time this season is Austin Duke. Duke signed with Charlotte in 2012 as part of the inaugural recruiting class. Duke is responsible for the only two games that a Niner has recorded 200 receiving yards. He lead the program for the first three years in receiving yards and his name is beside all of the single-game, single-season, and career records for receptions receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

One to watch on the defensive side of the ball is redshirt senior Terrance Winchester.

Winchester is the all-time leader in program history in career takeaways with nine and interceptions with seven. He was tied for first place in Conference USA with four interceptions in one game during the 2015 season.

The 2016 season marks the second season the Niners will be members of Conference USA and the first season they are eligible for bowl games. A lot has changed

since the conception of the program in 2012 and this season 21 players who were part of the inaugural team will be graduating.

“We want to give this class every opportunity to go out on top because they took a risk on us. This class will always be real special to us because they took that risk,” Lambert said.

According to senior linebacker Justin Bridges-Thompson, the bond that the team has developed is what gives them the edge over their competitors.

“I think our team is grow-

ing and our team chemistry is strong.

That keeps us together. We all influence each other and take it day by day,” Bridges-Thompson.

Charlotte has a few months before they make the journey to Kentucky and take on Louisville in their season-opener against Louisville Sept. 1. They return to Jerry Richardson the following weekend, Sept. 10, for their home-opener against Elon.

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