Niner Times- March 15th, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

LEWIS MORGAN’S WHITEBOARD

SPORTS

NEWS

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES Get to know your Student Body President and VicePresident candidates.

Elections are March 27-28. p.3

PAGE 1

Graduating in May, the leader of ‘section 104’ recounts his time as a Niner fan.

Morgan talks about the power of the whiteboard and how it has become both a tradition and responsibility.

p.11

NINERTIMES TIMES Thursday, March 15, 2012

Published twice weekly and online at www.nineronline.com

A product of Student Niner Media • The University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Partially funded by Student Fees • Breaking News? Email us at editor@nineronline.com or call 704.687.7148

New on NinerOnline.com: Check out an online exclusive slideshow of Lewis Morgan and his whiteboard.

“Silent House” noisy theatre

SGA disagrees over regulations Ciera Choate NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM

An audience enjoys watching a movie. MCT

Campus

Haley Twist LIFESTYLE@NINERONLINE.COM

On Friday morning I woke up early, got out of bed filled with intense excitement and happily got myself ready for what I knew was going to be a good day. Why? Because “Silent House” had finally been released in theaters.

As corny as it may sound, this is the kind of excitement that I always have when a movie comes out that I can’t wait to see.

I’m a huge film lover and going to the movie theater has been my favorite thing to do since I can remember.

From the very first time I saw the trailer for “Silent House” I was hooked. From the storyline to the way the movie was filmed, in real time, I thought it would be a new, unique movie experience for me. And I was counting down the months until it would be released.

So finally on that fateful morning as I climbed out of bed in my Gastonia home, not groggily but ready to begin the countdown until I could see “Silent House,” I had already decided to drive to the theater to purchase tickets early. I figured that the movie would sell out quickly because it looked like such a hit.

So at around noon I drove to the movie theater and purchased tickets for the 9:40 p.m. showing of “Silent House.” I thought for sure this was a smart move. After all, it was a Friday night, so the theaters are normally packed. And I had an enormous amount of faith that this movie would be great before I had even watched it.

I arrived at the theater at 9:10 that evening, excited as ever, to finally watch the movie I had been so excited about. I wanted to get there early so I could get a good seat, assuming that the theater would be packed with people ready to see this movie.

But as my boyfriend and I walked into theater room number 10, as directed by my movie stub, I looked around and realized we were the only ones in the room.

GAMING p.2

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Senator Ray Atkinson recently saw his legislation called The Accountability and Transparency Act tabled after months of work on what he thinks is the biggest issue in the Student Government Association (SGA).

Currently nine of the 17 UNC System universities provide the minutes to their Executive Branch meetings online and our university is not one of them. UNC Charlotte is the fourth largest university in the system, and the three larger universities UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University and East Carolina University all provide minutes online.

All universities are required to provide minutes upon request for all Executive Branch meetings per state law. Including meeting minutes online is not a requirement.

UNC Charlotte by-laws for the Executive Branch §2-3.6 state, “The Chief of Staff shall record the Minutes of every open meeting. In his or her absence, the Secretary for Internal Affairs shall record the Minutes. The Chief of Staff shall make these Minutes publicly available to any person who requests them.”

According to Atkinson, publicity or re-

The 2011-12 class presidents take their oath at the beginning of the academic year. Photo courtesy

of Corbin Peters.

cording of the minutes has not occurred in about 14 years, but since this issue has been brought to the attention of the Executive Branch the current Chief of Staff, Jarret Burr, has been working to record minutes

of all meetings held.

“The Dean of Students told me she has been in her position for 14 years and she has never seen the minutes posted or sent to her and she’s never seen the meet

SGA p.4

Gaming for a cure Elizabeth Bartholf EBARTHO3@UNCC.EDU

The gamers’ success started when they unlocked in three weeks what scientists searched a decade for the structure of a protein that allows the HIV virus to spread and grow into AIDS. With this discovery scientists are a step closer to developing new drugs to fight HIV and AIDS. Gamers use Foldit, a free multiplayer online game, to play with three-dimensional models of proteins and find their functional structures. Foldit brings everyone the opportunity to contribute to science by advancing knowledge of proteins needed to

cure diseases.

“The idea behind Foldit is pretty awesome, pull together tons people who are not scientists to get involved in science and solve important problems. The results of such extreme coordination of many diverse human thinkers guided towards solving difficult scientific problems [are] very powerful and very exciting to take part in,” said researcher Dr. David La. La works as a senior research fellow in the Baker Laboratory at the University of Washington, which produces Foldit and La designs new protein structures to directly tackle infectious diseases in humans with protein-based vaccines.

Dr. Dennis Livesay, Associate Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte, also recognizes the importance of Foldit to connecting the general public to scientific research.

“One of my biggest complaints about science and scientists is that we’re kind of exclusive. We have to develop our own jargon to describe what we are doing and that comes across as impenetrable to someone who doesn’t have a [scientific] background.

People are given very few opportunities to contribute to science,” said Livesay.

Foldit players, who are primarily not practicing scientists, can design new protein structures and explore existing protein GAMING p.2

LIFESTYLE

A&E

Dear His Ex: A letter addressing that awkward moment when you meet his ex-girfliend.

CHAT WITH ED HELMS

Weight Loss: How to cope

with college, weight, and a healthy lifestyle.

Summer Plans: It’s only two

months until Summer and time to start looking for your summer job or register for summer classes. p.10-11

SPORTS

OPINION Hybrid Courses: With class

size increasing do hybrid courses give students their needed attention?

The Niner Times talks to Ed Helms

A Semester Off: A student’s life can be stressful, but is taking a break from college a good idea?

(“The Hangover” and “The Office”) about his role in the upcoming film, “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.”

Helms talks about the differences working in television and in film, and the different style of humor in his upcoming film. p.8

HALTON-WAGNER TENNIS COMPLEX p.14

Birth Defects: Owning up to the realities of pregnancy and taking care of your body are just a few steps to keep your baby healthy. p.11

PAGE 2

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

GAMING from p.1

A screen shot from the interactive game Fold It where gamers can work with proteins to find cures for diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Bartholf models with the game’s interactive, user-friendly tools.

“I think people play Foldit because it makes it very easy and fun to fold proteins and design new proteins. And most importantly all the time devoted to playing Foldit would eventually help in discovering new cures to diseases,” said La. Foldit players work on solving structures of proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease and cancers, as well as HIV and AIDS. Think of a protein as a charm bracelet containing many charms that repel or attract one another. Due to these interactions, the charm bracelet folds into a three dimensional shape. Likewise, each protein folds into a specific shape according to how its parts interact. The unique shape of a protein determines its function.

According to Livesay, “The number of possible shapes [of proteins] is greater than the number of atoms in the universe. This is what makes [discovering] protein structures so difficult.”

As Foldit players solve protein structures, scientists can learn more about the function of given proteins and how to combat diseases they cause.

“Combining games with something useful [like examining proteins] is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Andriy Baunketner, Assistant Professor of Physics and Optical Science at UNC Charlotte.

“This is a step in the right direction to engage more people in the game [which] increases the likelihood that new structures of proteins will be solved. [The game] also attracts more attention to the problem of protein folding.”

La expects continued success from Foldit players.

“Foldit players hold much success in finding new solutions for solving structures of proteins, which is a difficult problem for even the most advanced computer algorithms,” said La. “Foldit players may not only predict structures of proteins well but also hold great promise in coming up with new and interesting algorithms for improving the current protein structure prediction methods.”

Livesay admits he was among the initial skeptics of Foldit until players’ discoveries were published in several scientific journals, including Nature, one of the most distinguished science sources.

“I’ve misjudged [Foldit] several times.

When it first came out I thought it was kind of clever and cute and would be fun to play.

I totally underappreciated what [Foldit players] were going to be able to do in the future and now they are solving really important scientific problems and energizing a huge base of participants,” said Livesay.

“I don’t think there is any limitation on what Foldit [players] can do.”

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

PAGE 3

Elections off to a running start

To kick off elections the Student Body Presidential Candidates answer a few questions about themselves and their feelings on the university

Reason for running: “I have been planning to run for Student Body President of my college since my junior year of high school because I’m tired of people who make promises and then simply use titles for their resume.”

Why your VP? “Her success as a leader and support of her fellow senators and constituents, as well as her genuine concerns for the welfare of our university visible through her thoughtful and effective pieces of legislation were what made Loren the clear choice.”

Most important issue: “Lack of communication among students, their representatives and administration.”

Plans after graduation: “I plan to work for up to five years before attending graduate school.”

Major/Minor:

Latin American Studies and International Studies/Spanish

Other organizations:

BELLE ISLE BEST Photo courtesy of Stephen Belle Isle

Major/Minor:

Systems Engineering

Other organizations:

Senator- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Chairman of the Organizational Ways and Means Committee University Honors Program Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Graduate of Emerging Leaders Program

DUGAN FOUTS

VP of Young Entreprenuers Association Distinguished Speakers Forum Judicial Board Chartwells Food Committee Campus Crusade for Christ

Most important issue: “Apathy because 25,000 students can do more than we have done.”

Plans after graduation: “I plan to take a job at Coca-Cola in Systems Engineering.”

Why your VP? “I picked a friend [Matthew Best] who I knew would support me and could support this campaign. I chose a fellow Niner with similar values and a passion to grow this campus.”

Photo courtesy of Conor Dugan

Reason for running: “Having served as a student senator for three semesters, one of which as the committee chair of the Organizational Ways & Means Committee, I have gained a strong understanding of the policymaking branch of [SGA], and can effectively use that understanding to advance student ideas and accomplish student goals.”

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NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

NEWS BRIEFS Professor included in news article

Spring fashion show on campus

Spring fashion show on campus

Valery Grdzelishvili, a professor of biology at UNC Charlotte, was interviews for a story published in the Charlotte Observer, “UNCC researchers study viruses that can fight cancer.” Eden Creamer

The University Honors Program will be hosting the second annual Fashion Forward fashion show Friday, March 16, 2012.

The show will be in the Lucas Room of the Cone Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.

Clothing in the show come from three designers. These are Gone Ape, J.T. Posh and Alta~Cation.

Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door the day of the event. All proceeds will be given to the American Cancer Society. Eden Creamer

Chancellor Philip Dubois approved revisions to the policy regarding student withdrawal. The statement is policy statement 122, titled “Student Involuntary Protective Withdrawal Policy.”

This policy refers to students who “is suffering from a medical or psychological disorder and, as a result of the disorder, presents a direct threat to the health and safety of others,” according to the introduction of the policy.

Revisions were made due to amendments made to the Americans with Disability Act. Eden Creamer

OSA Fellow named on campus Research professor in the Department of Physics and Optical Science at UNC Charlotte, Ishwar Aggarwal, has been naemed one of the Optical Society of America (OSA) Fellows for 2012. Only 66 individuals were chosen internationally for their contributions in the past year in the optics field.

He was recognized for his work with fiber optic technologies, as well as a variety of other scientific advancements.

Aggarwal began teaching at UNC Charlotte in 2011 and before that worked with fiber-optics for 40 years. Eden Creamer

Professor visits Washington UNC Charlotte professor of special education and child development Vivian Correa was selected to meet with members of the Obama administration. She, along with other leaders in the education field, discussed issues involving the future of national special education. Eden Creamer

Magazine features university Inside Higher Ed included an article which described UNC Charlotte’s work to bring the university and the community together. The article, “Stewards of Place: Ramping up community engagement at UNCC,” includes quotes from numerous UNC Charlotte faculty members. Eden Creamer

SGA from p.1 ing time and location posted. She said she didn’t see any issue with it,” said Atkinson.

The Internal Affairs Committee of the Student Senate tabled The Accountability and Transparency Act because they felt it was a personal issue that had already been resolved.

“We’ve started trying [to take minutes] when he started talking about it, but it’s a habit that we have to break. No one has been doing it for 14 years, and we’re focused on wrapping up our work and the semester,” said Student Body Vice President Amanda Markham.

Although the Student Senate, as a majority, feels this issue remains personal there are other students who feel it is pressing and needs to be resolved.

“It’s interesting why they have overlooked them for so long. Basically it seems like UNC Charlotte has been enabling corrupt politicians,” said Stephan Hoche, a geography major.

“What they are doing is undermining the fabric of society. They have sworn to uphold the rule of law. If you don’t uphold it you should be held accountable and at the very least the SGA Executive Cabinet should give a public apology for their error.

They should be made an example of.”

Another issue Atkinson included in the legislation was the failure to publicize the location and time of the meetings. According to Atkinson, the location and time of the meetings are not known to the public and are difficult to track down.

The Executive Branch of SGA hopes to resolve this issue without any further legislation, but if the failure to provide minutes does become an issue at a later date SGA plans to revisit Atkinson’s legislation.

“If we had students coming to us and asking for things all of the time then we would think there was an issue to fix,” said Markham.

Student organization hosts spring celebration

Manners with Mrs. Dubois

Friday, March 16, 2012, in Cone Center’s McKnight Hall the Iranian Student Organization will host “Nowruz: Celebration of Spring.” The event will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to attend.

Included in the event will be the history of the nowruz, a video created exclusively for the event, an Iranian dance performance and refreshments. Eden Creamer

Lisa Dubois, Chancellor Philip Dubois’ wife, is hosting an etiquette dinner exclusively for graduate students Thursday, March 15, 2012. The dinner will be in the Lucas Room of the Cone Center from 6:30 through 9:30 p.m.

The event will include lessons for the attendees in manners and etiquette. Eden Creamer

Asian Student Association annual event

Speaker series discusses death

UNC Charlotte’s Asian Student Association will host an event titled “Hello Asia: Empower” Saturday, March 24, 2012. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in salon 334 of the Student Activity Center. The event will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about different Asian cultures. Pieces of the event will include clothing, music and dance numbers. Five different groups will be featured at the event. Prizes will also be raffled off at the event.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door of the event. Student tickets will be $5, non-student tickets will be $7 and children under the age of five receive free tickets. Eden Creamer

UNC Charlotte associate professor of communication studies Christine Davie will speak as part of the Personally Speaking series Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

Her discussion will be based on the book “Death: The Beginning of a Relationship” and Davis will focus on how to communicate with those who are dying and the families of the dying individuals.

The event will be in the J. Murray Atkins Library at 6:30 p.m. It is free for all to attend, but registration is required. Those interested can register online or over the phone at 704-687-0085. Parking tokens will be provided for those who need them.

Eden Creamer

THIS WEEK IN SGA Dave Craven updates Senate on previously approved legislation The Student Union and Auxiliary Services are looking at adding printers in the Student Union as well as wireless printing, as per previous legislation passed.

Parking and Transportation Services maintains the elevator in the Student Union Parking Deck and is working to make them look better, per Student Senate concerns that the elevator was not kept in appropriate conditions. Ciera Choate

New student organization approved The Student Government Association (SGA) approved the new student organization Removing Our Obstacles Through Sisterhood (ROOTS).

The organizations aims to assist young women throughout college and other challenges faced during life. Ciera Choate

The Board of Elections Confirmation Act passes The members of the Board of Elections for the Spring 2012 elections were approved and include Michael Modrak, Rita Rabie, Michael Higgins, Whitney Rice, Melissa Sanders, Kenneth Bailey, Sean Hickey and Matthew Sawaia.

Members are a mix of Judicial Board members, student Senators, Executive Board members and At-Large members.

Ciera Choate

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

OPINION NINERTIMES Volume 24, Number 41 A PRODUCT OF

Confusion of taking a semester off Caitlin Evanson C E VA N S O N @ U N C C . E D U

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NINERTIMES

A college degree seems to be getting more and more popular as the years go on yet it still seems that students are dropping out or taking breaks from school knowing how important it can be for their future.

There are a lot of job opportunities for people who decide against going to college.

One could decide to be a carpenter, a construction worker, making fries at McDonalds or ringing up their fellow high school graduates at the local Wal-Mart. The list for jobs goes on and on but if the “Game of Life” is correct, the better jobs are the ones where a college degree is essential.

College dropouts or people, who decide to take a break from school, have many reasons. What seems to be the number one reason when dropping out is money issues.

A lot of students decide to move, either out of their parent’s homes or off campus, and get an apartment and try to pay for things on their own. Working full-time to pay bills and going to school constantly can begin to take a toll on students and that’s where dropping out comes into play.

Another reason students drop out of school are issues that hit close to home.

Unexpected dilemmas, either with their family, friends or themselves, can interfere with students’ grades causing them to begin to fail or maybe just not be able to concentrate. “I dropped out of App State because of grades and certain life choices.

It took me a long time to get back on my feet on terms of going to school. I don’t think many people drop out and then go right back to school,” stated Nick Dorney, a junior here at UNC Charlotte. “I think it takes a while for people to rededicate themselves. That’s why I’ve been in school for eight years, off and on more or less.”

This leads to another reason, grades.

When a student’s grades begin to falter the first thing on their agenda should be to try to get them up and next, drop the class. It

gets to a point where the grades just fall out all together and all classes seem to be dropped off the students’ roster. Grades are essential in college. Passing is a C and anything below is failing so when a student is at rock bottom, what else is there to turn to?

Confusion also plays a huge role in why students take a break from college courses.

When a student doesn’t know what they want to major in, where they are going w i t h their d e gree or just in general confused about life, they tend to take a “break” to see what their options are and think more clearly about them.

These breaks often lead to not going back to school or taking too long of breaks that cause the students to be more stressed when they come back to school.

Breaks from school aren’t always the students’ fault though. When Junior Jenny Maley was asked why she took a break from school she calmly stated, “I had to because I had surgery from an accident and in my circumstance it wasn’t a choice. I hate to say that because I feel like you always have a choice so essentially I didn’t have to take a semester off but I had to think about my health. I’m definitely behind now though. I don’t think it was a mistake but if I had the choice without any doctors orders I would have gone back in August without taking a semester off.”

Age is becoming less of a defying factor when it comes to college. Many people are taking the initiative to either go back to school after already graduating to get a new degree or starting from scratch and going to school for a degree in general. Often times college freshman are accommodated with students that are the same age as their parents. No matter how long the break is, going back to school may be

highly beneficial towards anyone.

According to the Communities in School for North Carolina website, www.cisnc.org, 93 students drop out of school every school day. This includes all schools, not only college. The reasons above aren’t the only factors students face when dropping out. There are plenty of other reasons that students overcome on a daily basis. With all that put in to play, students must ask themselves how important college or school in general, really is to them and base their decisions on their answer to such an important question.

Hybrids invade the curriculum Caitlin Evanson C E VA N S O N @ U N C C . E D U

At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, hybrid or face-to-face classes are becoming more and more known around campus. Students are being introduced to these classes without any knowledge of what they actually are and what is incorporated with them.

Posters around campus read “Bigger is Better: Faculty Success in Redesigning Large Courses at UNC Charlotte.” The whole layout of the class seems to have been designed because of the large amounts of students enrolled at UNC Charlotte and the class sizes were just getting too big.

The result of these numbers, according to the posters, led to students being confused and the faculty at school being overworked.

So the school decided to try something with the new hybrid system.

The hybrid courses are designed so that students can have more face to face time with their teachers with less students in the classroom because normally its one teacher to 150 students, sometimes less. What happens is the teacher splits the class into two different classes. For example, Corrine Guidi’s Spanish 1202 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays is split into two classes. On Tuesday the first half of the class meets and on Thursdays the other half of the class meets meaning students only actually have

class once a week.

It’s always nice to have that little break but normally when a class only meets once a week its for three to four hours, not an hour and fifteen minutes. The classroom grades are based off of test and online homework offered through mhcentro.com. Is meeting only once a week really a good thing?

“I think an advantage of the hybrid class is it allows us to focus on communication in the classroom. I like getting to focus on communication and speaking and giving the students the opportunity to know that when they come to class it’s their moment to break out of their shell and use the language,” Professor Guidi stated when asked how she felt about the hybrid courses she teaches. “Because at the end of the day its about knowing the language and not knowing about the language. Perhaps a disadvantage may be for students new to Spanish who have come to college after taking a different language in high school.” Guidi, a part-time teacher at UNC Charlotte who also has another full-time job, was foreign to the thought of hybrid classes until this recent year of teaching.

Spanish, along with chemistry, psychology, physics, and LBST/CHHS classes are now being offered as hybrid courses at UNC Charlotte. Classes will only meet one of the two days it was normally scheduled for meaning students will have less one on one time with their teachers. Students

always seem to have different opinions on this subject though.

“Last semester I had my Spanish class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and this was a huge change. It’s very difficult and if you don’t take advantage over the Individualized Instruction sessions that are always available then you are only hurting yourself,” stated Haley Griffin, a sophomore here at UNC Charlotte. “Since we are a bunch of college students I think it’s more productive to teach us in a classroom setting.”

The reputation of these courses are beginning to go downhill though. Some students really enjoy having class once a week while others are starting to fall behind because of it. Junior Michele Karr said, “It’s nice if you have a busy schedule and need that extra day off. On the other hand though, you have to put in a lot of work outside of class. So if you’re not good at studying independently, it could be difficult.”

Hybrid classes are becoming more and more popular with teachers and as long as the numbers match up and students are actually passing there should be no worries on whether or not to keep up with them.

Spanish doesn’t seem like the easiest class to embark on only once a week but who knows. Maybe only having class once a week will make students work even harder to earn that A.

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Too cool for birth defects Caitlin Evanson C E VA N S O N @ U N C C . E D U

Pregnancy has never been, nor will it ever be, a joking matter. As college students a lot of us have yet to experience this matter but quite a few students already have families.

It seems to me that a lot of women don’t take their pregnancies as serious as they should. I’m not speaking from experience because I don’t actually have any children but just from people I have met or known on more than just an acquaintance level.

Recently I encountered a situation that totally and completely blew my mind. A girl I work with who is eight weeks pregnant told me she couldn’t clean the bathrooms at work anymore because of the germs and chemicals used to clean the bathroom. And then she went and smoked a cigarette.

As many of you very well know smoking is extremely harmful for any unborn baby, or anyone in general. Knowing that this girl could be okay with that really got to me. Her words to defend herself were, “the baby doesn’t have lungs yet so it’s okay,” which makes absolutely no sense.

The first three months in the womb is the most crucial time for a baby but obviously mothers should be safe and cautious throughout the entire pregnancy. According to justthefacts.org the eighth week of pregnancy is when the baby’s formation of its organs are completed. Its heart has now been beating for more than a month and the cartilage is now forming into bones.

During the twelfth week of pregnancy the baby’s features are becoming more defined and they can wrinkle their foreheads or

turn their heads.

That’s not all though. The baby is growing and making progress as the weeks and months go by. The whole pregnancy, like I said, is so important. Expecting mothers should always be careful of their every move and take all the precautions they can.

Following doctors’ orders is a definite must.

A lot of college females don’t think about the facts though.

That if you’re having unprotected sex you should be safe to make sure you’re not pregnant because if you are, and you’re out partying like some other college students, you could be hurting your unborn child by accident.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is an extremely serious condition many children are faced with. Mothers either didn’t know they were pregnant and drank during the first three months of their pregnancy or they knew and didn’t care, which is always a terrible thing.

We all know it happens but it is something that can be totally prevented if we just take all the necessary precautions. Be safe,

make decisions that will ultimately benefit you and your significant other and just be responsible. Take credit for your actions.

Getting back in the swing of things

Jordan Mcswain

Letters to the Editor Do you want your voice to be heard?

TIME TO

STAND

OUT FROM THE CROWD Send your thoughts to editor@nineronline.com

Dear Editor, I must admit when I saw the Dear Norm column this week I was a little disappointed. I would expect an advice column to remain neutral and was a little taken aback by the political stance Norm made by advising the female student who wrote about possibly being pregnant. Norm advised the student that under no circumstances should she consider abortion-effectively telling her she wasn’t capable of making her own decisions. The decision about whether or not to bring a child into this world is one of the most personal decisions a woman can make. Norm should advise the student to seek medical confirmation and counseling.

Period. This woman needs to make her own decisions about whether or not to have a child-if she is even pregnant. I hope in the future Norm remains neutral and allows people to make their own decisions, not ones based on Norm’s personal leaning.

Thanks.

Tami Stout Sophomore Political Science Major Dear Editor, I would like to thank you for publishing the “Dear Norm” column in the February 28 issue of The Niner Times. The advice offered to the girl who was afraid she was pregnant was well thought-out and helpful. I was impressed that, after first offering words of comfort, Norm emphasized foremost the importance of a baby’s life, and the value of that life, for both the baby and the mother. The options presented to the girl were realistic and admirable. Thank you for writing about a tricky topic with equanimity, and for esteeming human life.

Sydney Nabb Junior - Exercise Science

Freshman Fireside:

J M C S WA 1 7 @ U N C C . E D U

Letters to the editor

Gratefully,

PAGE 7

We are back from our first college spring break. From the stories shared on campus it was filled with various things like a lot of sleeping, eating, sunshine and mainly a lot of fun.

Now we have to assimilate ourselves back into the routine of the daily grind and that is not going to be easy. Lots of speculation has been made to the fact that school after spring break just sucks.

I would disagree with that and there are reasons why, here they are.

After a break, most students return well rested with an almost absent mind.

If you take a complete break for a week from academia it could either be harder or easier to return to classes.

Go into your classes this week reminding yourself that you are in a better mental state of mind and it makes it easier to not only focus but to motivate yourself.

Also, don’t abandon that spring break mentality. On nice days, make some time to get together with friends in the courtyard of your building to throw football or Frisbee and just socialize.

Basketball may be over but baseball is just starting and with an abundance of games each week, allow yourself time off to attend. 49ers baseball is a great atmosphere and something every UNC Charlotte student should experience. Remember, you or someone pays for you to go here so get out there and support your school’s team for all sports.

Not only is there baseball but UNC Charlotte has a softball team and they deserve the support too. It is more important than most people think to support all the sports here at the university.

The warm weather is here 49ers and as our first collegiate spring and summer, we should make the most of it. There are grills outside of almost every residence hall on campus so get some burgers and a bag of charcoal and go grill.

Friends are of the essence this season, don’t cook out alone. Picnic supplies are not that expensive so get yourself a nice cooler that will last and enjoy the sunshine.

It’s not good for anyone to stay inside all day. Enjoy this campus 49ers, it’s a good one.

PAGE 8

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

A&E

LIVE MUSIC:

3/16 - Tremont’s 17th Anniversary Bash (Multiple Bands) Tremont Music Hall, 7 p.m., Free 3/17 - Sequoyah Prep School Amos’ Southend, 7 p.m., $10-12

NEW IN THEATERS: 21 Jump Street Seeking Justice Jeff, Who Lives at Home Detachment Reuniting the Rubins

Ed Helms talks drama, improv and facial hair Ryan Pitkin

AE@NINERONLINE.COM

Ed Helms, known for his comedic roles in NBC’s “The Office” and “The Hangover” movies, will soon be stepping out of his niche on Friday, March 16th, 2012 when “Jeff, Who Lives At Home” is released in theatres.

The movie follows Jeff (Jason Segel) as he leaves his home in his mother’s basement to run a simple chore.

Jeff unexpectedly runs into his brother Pat (Helms), and the day soon turns into a trial of tribulations and revelations as the two track Pat’s possible adulterous wife.

The mood of the film is far from what fans of both Segel and Helms are used to.

This movie kept with the tone of others directed by the Duplass brothers (Baghead) in that it mixes drama with the comedy, Helms said when Niner Times was able to speak with him over the phone about the upcoming release.

During the interview, Helms spoke about the on-set chemistry between him, Segel and Susan Sarandon (who plays their mother), his first experience with dramatic acting and the psychological dynamic of the goatee.

On the comedic chemistry between Helms, Segel and Sarandon “It’s kind of a funny – or curious movie, I should say in that it’s not – it might not be what you expect from Jason Segel and me. Obviously, we both come from a background of doing a lot of comedy and Susan Sarandon, obviously has done some great comedy work as well.

But, this movie kind of in keeping with the Duplass brothers’ tone, it sort of rides the line of – into drama a little bit.

So, we actually had a really good time improvising and (inaudible) together, but not necessarily fine the funniest jokes as much as sort of just find the most authentic way to do a scene.

So, I would say the chemistry was fantastic, like, we just had an amazing time working together. But, it wasn’t always about finding the laughs, it was just kind of a new challenge for me because it was about finding realism and authenticity.”

On similarities to his character in “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” “I think that [he] kind of wants to do the right thing, he wants to be a good guy and I certainly share that.

This guy gets in his [own] way a lot and I certainly get in my way a lot as well.

I don’t think I’m quite as dysfunctional as this guy, at least I hope not, but I do share that kind of struggle to be a better person.

And then of course, we also look a lot alike and we have the same voice, but we have a very different fashion sense, to be clear.”

On how he thinks audiences will respond to his dramatic role “I can only hope that this movie is well received. I’m insanely proud of it, I’d still call it a comedy. I think it very much lives in that world but it’s more… it’s kind of a more dysfunctional, honest look at dysfunctional people than most work I’ve done.

This movie doesn’t shy away from the kind of painful aspect of a dysfunctional life, whereas my character on The Office is arguably very dysfunctional, but you don’t really see the pain very often. It’s

played for comedy.

This is a little bit more played for reality and I hope that it resonates. I think that Jason Segel just is a genius and we had so much fun working on this thing and I hope that it resonates for people.

So, it might be a little bit different than what people expect, but I hope in a good way, like, kind of a nice little – a nice treat, if you will, a little twist on the expectation.”

On the differences between television and movie productions “The differences are when you work on a movie, it’s like this kind of summer camp feeling because everyone just comes together for this one event and you’re there for six weeks, eight weeks, whatever it is and it’s all kind of run and gun and there’s this sort of exciting energy to just get this one thing done.

On a television set, it’s sort of like going to school, but to a school that you enjoy because it’s regular, it’s all familiar people, it’s a regular schedule.

It’s something that has been an ongoing process, year after year. So, it has a very comfortable feeling that way.

I really do love them both. I love the comfort and the fun and the just sort of familial vibe on The Office and I love the excitement of a movie.”

On improvising in “Jeff” “[The Duplass brothers] wrote a fabulous script. Like, down to the word, it is a wonderful, compelling, hilarious and moving script. That said, they were the first ones to say, don’t say a word of this.

So, we improvised almost every line of that movie and it was really exciting because they just really love that collaboration and that’s kind of a rare thing in writers and directors.

And it was really exhilarating, I know for Jason and myself, to just sort of be handed a scene, we’d read through it and sort of understand what needs to happen in the scene; what it’s about, where it takes us and where it goes and then to just do it over and over and over again and keep finding new and different versions of it and new ways to express the same things.

And you just find these really kind of authentic moments and it feels real when you’re doing it; I can’t explain it, it was just really exciting.

I’m sort of stunned by the result. I think Mark and Jay got something out of me that I didn’t necessarily know was in there as a performer.”

On Pat’s goatee “Pat is someone who is very desperate to portray himself as someone who really has his sh*t together, but who doesn’t really have his sh*t together at all. And it’s that sort of chasm between what he wants to be and how he wants to present himself and what he really is that kind of defines this guy.

And I think we all know this guy and sometimes we are this person at various times in our lives. I really related to Pat because he wants so desperately to be the better version of himself. And I think also something that characterizes Pat, it’s not just being a better person, being like a really cool dude. That is important to Pat. Walking around New Orlenas with a goatee actually you fit in a lot better. So, I felt like kind of – like, on set I felt like the needy character of Pat, but walking around New Orleans, I felt like this sort of cool jazz cat.”

Photos coutesy of Paramount Vantage.

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

PAGE 9

Disappointing third installments Patrick Bogans

PBOGANS@UNCC.EDU

It is always tough to wrap up any series with universal praise and appeasement, whether it is on television, in movies, or in video games.

The recent disappointment of the conclusion to “Mass Effect 3” has sparked sadness throughout the video game community, and the entertainment community in general.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Though not as horrible of a decline in substance as the transition between the final Spider-man films, “X-Men 3” was still a dissatisfying last installment for the main series.

The main problem critics and moviegoers had with this third installment was that it lacked the emotion and heart so very present in the first two films.

The film seemed to exchange this emotion with explosions to just please the mindless moviegoer at the movies.

“X-Men 3” was the most expensive film to be made in 2005, with a budget of $210 million, so it was expected to have big budgeted effects.

It was unfortunate that director Brett Ratner couldn’t balance the action and the emotion like Bryan Singer did before.

The Matrix Revolutions

Spider-man 3 Despite the critical and box office success of the first two films, the third installment of the Spidey trilogy was an odd and frustrating disappointment.

With the incorporation of the Sandman, Venom and New Goblin as the main villains, along with Spiderman facing off against himself due to Venom-like symbiote attaching to him, there was too much depression during the film, along with way too many storylines.

Each of the villains, as in previous installments, could have easily been spread to different films for more of a focus on each.

So much packed into one film completely ruined it. And the depression of all the storylines killed any slight comedy that was so fun in the first films.

‘SILENT HOUSE’ from pg. 1 Okay, so we were 30 minutes early. But I have been to movies in the past where even 30 minutes early the theaters were half-full.

I took my seat, anxiously awaiting the movie to start, and it took about another 15 minutes for other people to start entering the theater room.

Finally, more people. But as they started to take their seats, my happiness that people were showing up to see a good movie was overshadowed by the behavior the crowd was displaying. They were loud, boisterous, text-happy and overall rude.

By the time the movie started there were about 20-30 people in what should have been a packed room to see this movie.

While I was hoping the noise would calm down as soon as the lights were dimmed, I was disappointed when it surely did not.

People going in and out to get more snacks, people talking as loudly as they would in a normal situation, people texting and people laughing; this is what my “Silent House” experience was within the first 20 minutes of the 88-minute-long movie.

As I mentioned before, the movie was shot in real time, meaning it appears to be one single shot instead of being composed of countless different scenes edited together.

The camera stays focused on Elizabeth Olson’s character Sarah and does not leave her side throughout the entire movie.

This creates an intimate viewing experience and allows the audience to become just as frightened as Sarah throughout some of the most gripping parts of the movie.

While watching it feels as if one is in the same situation, and even in the same house, as Sarah through the duration of the movie.

So because of this intimacy with the on-screen action that viewers are supposed to feel while watching this movie, it was hard to be in a room filled with loud people while I was trying to lose myself in the film.

Believe me, this is the kind of movie that draws you in and carries you along with the experiences of the characters. And while I was trying to concentrate on the movie’s events the people around me would simply not shut up.

The noises from the crowd faded in and out as the movie grew more and more intense.

As the plot developed I was drawn further into the movie, my mind constantly trying to figure out a reason for what was happening to Sarah. But there were times when the audience’s behavior pulled me back out.

Even with the noise around me I did enjoy the movie. I liked it even more than I thought I would, which was a pleasant surprise.

The acting from Olsen, which was more like reacting to the craziness around her, was stunning and definitely believable.

Little Fockers

This final installment just scraped the bottom of the barrel.

It was anti-climatic with nothing really happening, and it was a frustrating thing to watch such an unique concept swirl down the drain.

Following the same formula as the first two, “Little Fockers” follows Ben Stiller as he embarrasses himself in front of his in-laws.

“Little Fockers” is chock-full of stars. But even the talent of Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Barbara Streisand and Dustin Hoffman could save this mind-numbingly boring conclusion to the ‘Parents’ trilogy.

This is a film that not even die-hard fans of the first two installments would enjoy.

The movie had me feeling tense from beginning to end, which is my favorite quality in a movie.

And if it was not for the disrespectful crowd of moviegoers that I was in the presence of, the viewing experience would have been perfect and I would have walked out of the theater raving about how I thought “Silent House” was brilliantly made.

But that is not what occurred, because as the screen blackened and the credits rolled at the end of “Silent House” and I found myself wanting to applaud, about five members of the audience simultaneously insulted the movie I had just grown to love.

“That was horrible!”

“Refund!”

“Wow, that was not a good movie.”

These were some of the things that audience members started to say.

I had just been blown away by a gripping film, and other people were insulting it this much?

That was not the reaction I was expecting, and it led me to widen my eyes, extend my hands and follow up with a dramatic “What!?”

Walking out of the theater I felt that I had been insulted. It was so hard for me to concentrate on how much I enjoyed the movie because I could not get over why people would pay to see a movie, yet spend the majority of the time texting, talking or outwardly bashing the film while other people in the theater were trying to enjoy it.

I really do respect the opinions of people after they see a movie and either like it or dislike it, and most times the audience’s reception of the film is pretty clear by the way they act during the duration of the movie.

But I felt like these people did not even give “Silent House” a chance because they barely watched it.

Because “Silent House” was well-received at both Sundance and Cannes film festivals, and simply because the movie looked so odd and unique, I expected the theater to be sold-out, packed or even simply just crowded with people who wanted to support it.

But it wasn’t any of those things, which really disappointed me.

I left the Gastonia theater feeling incredibly let down, not by the movie but by the experience. My favorite activity had just been ruined as far as I was concerned as I drove home sadly.

But then I wondered if it was just the town I was in, or if I had just had bad luck with the audience members that night.

I don’t know what it was, but it made me feel sad for the future of movies like this.

For those who have not yet seen “Silent House” but plan to see it, my advice is to go during an off-time for the movie theaters, such as in the middle of the day. This is the kind of movie that you want to immerse yourself in, with everything silent around you but the movie itself.

Seeing it that way will make the experience much better than the one that I had.

PAGE 10

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Where a Niner’s spare moments go

girlfriend

Dear ex

IS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER’S EX A 49ER TOO? TELL US ABOUT IT AT LIFESTYLE@NINERONLINE.COM

w

Have you ever had one of those awkward moments when you see your current boyfriend or girlfriend’s ex on campus? This 49er has, and is expressing her distaste.

You’re not my ex, but my fiancé’s ex from high school. And there’s obviously nothing wrong with that. You dated, had an ugly breakup, moved on, attended different colleges and met new people. Then a strange twist of fate brought the three of us to the same college.

I knew it was a matter of time before I’d meet you. Call it intuition. And don’t get me wrong, when we first met you were nice and continued to be more or less amicable during our subsequent run-ins at the library and various other places throughout the campus. You said you wanted to grab lunch with us sometime and I suppose that was a really polite gesture that you didn’t have to make. So please don’t take it personally that I took you off of my Facebook friends.

It seemed like the appropriate thing to do since my significant other decided to unfriend you for his own reasons. I’m not going to lie, part of the reason I added you as a friend was to keep tabs on what you guys would talk about. I’m an understanding girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean

The

I’m immune to the pangs of jealousy that come from my fiancé talking to a former girlfriend.

While I’m being honest, I know probably a little too much about you including some of the intimate details of your former relationship. It took a lot of effort to not imagine you guys together whenever I’d see you guys chatting on campus.

And then there was the fact that the two of you would talk online more than I was comfortable with. I didn’t exactly know how to feel about you occasionally going to him for relationship advice. I don’t know, is it normal to go to your ex for such guidance?

And then you were the first person to wish him Happy Birthday on Facebook. I know I’m nitpicking at details, but dealing with the residual aftereffects of another overly friendly ex girlfriend was already enough for me to handle.

I’ll admit, at first I foolishly thought that I could be your friend if he decided he had moved on enough to the point that he could be friends with you. I was willing to do that

since we all share some of the same friends.

But life isn’t that black and white and I was pretty relieved when he told me that he doesn’t really forgive you for being an awful girlfriend. I no longer feel an obligation to go out of my way to be nice to you.

For me, a simple “hi” would have sufficed. Having full-on conversations with you always seemed pointless to me considering that you are, after all, an ex. Then again, it doesn’t help that you are a particularly chatty person.

A few weeks ago, I saw you walking in front of me by Cone and I held my breath hoping you wouldn’t notice me. I don’t think you did, and I was relieved because I didn’t feel like saying hi. But why am I worried about an ex? No offense, but I don’t owe you anything, including friendship.

And neither does he. I don’t want to be your enemy, but that doesn’t mean I want to be your friend either.

Not-so-sincerly,

ups & downs of weight loss in college Michele Karr

MKARR1@UNCC.EDU

The “freshmen fifteen” is something that nearly all college students worry about at one time or another.

Still, many others tend to lose weight when they get to college. This trend can be caused by factors such as social pressure and changes in lifestyle. The situations vary between boys and girls and also between the healthy and unhealthy.

Society and the media pressure girls about what they should look like every day.

Being extremely thin is an unrealistic image that is constantly in our faces.

Advertising and television also affects guys. Students are shown and told that guys should be fit and muscular.

Although it affects both genders, women tend to develop more negative behaviors.

Strong desire for weight loss can lead to diseases such as bulimia and anorexia: illnesses that are very serious and extremely dangerous to anyone’s health.

But losing weight does not always have to be a negative thing. If a person decides to start living a healthier lifestyle, it can be very positive.

Jenny Maley, a junior at UNC Charlotte, decided to make a change in her life back in November of 2010.

She had carried most of her weight from high school but put on about 60 pounds after a car accident disabled her from be-

ing active and starting school. After she recovered she knew it was time to make a change.

“I didn’t know you could mold your body, but I did,” said Maley. “I didn’t see results for about six months, but when I did all my hard work paid off. It’s not just about working out though.

People think that they can work out and eat whatever you want. It’s 60 percent food and 40 percent working out.”

Jenny avoided fast food and ate a lot of salads and fruit.

“I haven’t had pizza from Crown Commons since the semester started. The dining halls offer a lot of vegetables and healthy alternatives,” said Maley.

Even with a meal plan on campus she has managed to make the best out of what is offered and keep up healthy eating habits.

It is clear that she is dedicated to keeping the weight off. Being proactive about weight gain is extremely important. If students develop habits such as these, the freshman fifteen shouldn’t be a problem.

New and healthy habits may be hard to form when coming into college, and old ones become easy to break. These kinds of lifestyle changes can also lead to weight loss.

Males are not excluded from weight problems either. Females usually gain weight after they stop playing sports or becoming less active after high school.

Men on the other hand can often drop in weight. This may be because they aren’t doing things such as lifting weights as much as they did when on an organized team or in class.

“In high school I was really dedicated to weight lifting and keeping a steady weight gain going. Now between classes and work though, it is hard to put in as much effort,” said 49er junior Mike Teston.

Sports such as football and wrestling require weight lifting. Stopping this type of activity can quickly change someone’s weight because muscle weighs more than fat. Like Teston the lack of time to exercise is an issue for many students.

Several 49ers also admit to skipping meals because they are rushed between classes, work or one of the other things that keeps students busy.

Quick and easy meals that students often eat usually don’t contain many nutrients or real sustenance that are needed.

The change from eating meals cooked at home to a college diet can also cause people to lose weight. Living at home with parents usually means that there are snacks and food readily available, which is unlikely found in most college dorms or apartments.

This kind of dieting can be unhealthy though, and it is important to be sure that you get adequate amounts of what is needed for a balanced and healthy diet.

College is an experience that changes many students’ lives in many different as-

pects.

The dreaded freshmen fifteen is highly known and feared, although losing weight in college is becoming more and more prevalent.

It can be caused by negative factors but can also be a very positive thing in a person’s life if done appropriately.

Nonetheless the most important thing is being healthy and eating nutritiously.

If students can stick to this and maintain an active lifestyle, gaining or losing weight hopefully won’t be an issue.

Photos/ MCT Campus

NINERONLINE.COM

Stay healthy from

post-midterms to

pre-finals

Tricia Bangit

TBANGIT@UNCC.EDU

Aside from assigned readings and papers, you’ve probably had some time to unwind during spring break. Just because you’re back in school mode doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of yourself, especially since this is the second semester of the year. To prevent your body and brain from burning out, here are a few tips.

1. Eat breakfast every day

Since it’s the most important meal of the day, eating a decently sized breakfast will give you the energy you need to start your day off right.

2. Drink plenty of water You can never drink enough water. If you’re healthy drink plenty of water, and if you’re sick drink even more. Doing so will help flush out the toxins in your body.

3. Exercise

Yoga, going on walks and taking scheduled trips to the gym are just a few ways to exercise.

4. Visit nature

Even though we live in a city, there is a lot of greenery to look at. Being surrounded by nature can help a person unwind. The campus Botanical Gardens are just a short walk, while Freedom Park is a 30-minute drive. If you feel like venturing further out into the wilderness, going on amazing trails or spotting some deer, Lake Norman State Park is the place to go.

5. Meditate or pray before you go to bed This will help take a few things off your mind, help calm you down and will make it less likely that you’ll stay up all night.

6. Take your vitamins

If you hate the taste of vitamin pills, buy adult gummy vitamins instead. It’s a free pass to eat some candy every day.

7. Keep track of your medication

If you take antidepressants or antianxiety medication, make sure you have enough pills so that you don’t end up going a weekend without them. When you’re down to five pills and you have no more refills left, it’s time to call your doctor to renew your prescription.

8. Take advantage of counseling services There’s no shame in seeing a therapist.

Going to one can help you find solutions to dealing with your issues and offer outside perspective. And if you are a UNC Charlotte student, services are free. Counseling services also offers group sessions that teach you how to deal with stress.

9. Write down symptoms When you notice strange symptoms, such as unusual fatigue, a series of migraines or stomachaches or even persistent mood swings, it’s a good idea to write it down. Taking notes for your doctor will help you get more out of your once-a-year check-ups and can increase the chances of you getting the help you need before it’s too late.

10. Grow a plant from seed

There is something cathartic about growing your own plants. And there’s something even more rewarding about growing a plant that also happens to be edible. Basil is one of many types of plants that flourish in North Carolina weather. It doesn’t need a whole lot of space to grow and tastes great on a multitude of dishes from pizza to Chinese stir fry noodles to iced tea.

11. Give yourself a break

Sometime each week, perhaps every Saturday night or Sunday afternoon, you should reserve time for yourself to just relax, whether it’s for one hour or three hours. Go watch a free movie on campus, learn how to cook something, play video games or read a book for fun.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

PAGE 11

Planning a productive summer Scarlett Newman

SNEWMAN6@UNCC.EDU

Unfortunately Spring Break has come to a close, but on the bright side we are halfway through the spring semester!

Most of us are already thinking about what we’re going to do when this semester is over, which is great because lots of great summer opportunities have approaching deadlines in the next three weeks to a month.

The ideal summer involves a lot of traveling. We have this glorified vision in our heads that consists of plentiful sun, music, food, shopping, a body of water, sunglasses, bathing suits, concerts and summer clothes.

College students we probably don’t have the money to be traveling for three months straight, but luckily we’ve got a few alternatives available to us. Some of these alternatives may even be beneficial after graduation.

If you’re a junior then you’ve probably already started searching and applying for internships. Most internships are unpaid, though some paid opportunities are available. Ultimately it’s the work experience that you’re trying to gain.

Summer internship applications aren’t difficult if you’re prepared. Most companies require: Cover letter - provides additional in formation about your skills Resume - provides your background and skill sets Your availability - lets the employ er know if you have time constraints Make sure if and when you’re applying for an internship that you can get college credit. It’s also important to apply to a firm that you will actually enjoy on a day to day basis. It’s your summer and you should be making the most of it.

If you’re a bit behind with hours and credits then you can opt to register for summer classes. You don’t necessarily have to attend UNC Charlotte for your summer

courses (you can attend another university or community college), but be sure that credit that you are receiving will transfer.

It’s not uncommon to do summer courses, lot’s of people have catching up to that will allow them to graduate on time. There are two summer session at UNC Charlotte: May 21 - June 27 July 5 - Aug. 10 Each session is five weeks long, which means the courses tend to be a lot more rigorous and you cover material at a faster pace than you would cover it in a standard semester. It seems a bit intimidating but it’s not impossible.

If spending your summer taking classes isn’t for you, the next most productive option is working. Students are always on a quest to earn an extra buck, so many are very keen on looking for a standard summer job.

In a lot of cases students will use the money that they make over the summer to put it towards their study abroad saving so they won’t be dirt poor in a glamourous country, especially because the value of the U.S. dollar isn’t going as far as it used to in some countries. When you aren’t in a familiar place it’s less of a hassle if you actually have the funds provided to be comfortable rather than being lost in translation with barely any money.

Even if you aren’t studying abroad it’s just good to have money in your pocket.

With a summer job you’ll have that along with having something to do if you aren’t interested in being at home 24/7. Once the summer is up you may even have the option to transfer job locations if the company has a location in your college town, so you’re set with a job for the semester.

No matter what you decide to do with your summer, make the most of it. That’s three months of your time that you can’t get back. Make sure you’re doing something you actually like so it can be less of a “have to” and more of a “want to.”

PAGE 12

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

DOWNTIME 15

Thursday

Rally Towels with CAB Student Union Norm’s 11:00am

Student Niner Media Pizza & a Paper

Student Union Front Patio 2:00pm

16

Friday

Job Talks and Academic Interviews

Center for Graduate Life - Cone Bldg. Rm 268 11:30am

Night of Magic

Student Union Multipurpose Room ABC

17

Saturday

18

Sunday

Bouldering Trip

Game Day

All Day - $20

1:00pm - 11:00pm - Free

Rumbling Bald Boulders (meet @ Cone Center)

Charlotte Bobcats Trip Time Warner Cable Arena 7:00pm

7:00pm - Free

Cone University Center AfterHours

C4 Charlotte

Crosspoint Worship Center 9116 University City Blvd 7:00pm - 8:30pm

19

Monday

Employee Performance Management

UNC Charlotte Center City 8:30am - 4:45pm

Flash Mob Interest Meeting Fretwell-Rm 100

5:45pm - 6:45pm

Dear Norm,

Got something to ask Norm or need some advise?

Send it to editor@nineronline.com

20

Tuesday

Let’s Talk About It: Body Image Student Union Rm 266

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Talk by Christine Salkin Davis

J. Murrey Atkins Library Halton Reading Room 6:15pm - 8:30pm

NINERONLINE.COM

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Lewis Morgan: the brains behind the whiteboard Travis Durkee

Morgan enjoys a home basketball game. Photo

by Chris Crews

SPORTS SCHEDULE

Thursday Women’s Basketball vs. Wake Forest 7 p.m.

Friday

@ T R AV I S D U R K E E

The student section at Halton Arena may have been lacking in numbers at times this past season, but one thing was always constant, the whiteboard guy in the middle of row one of section 104 next to the really tall guy.

That whiteboard guy is Lewis Morgan, a senior Art major. Morgan has manned the whiteboard, dry-erase marker and eraser for the past two seasons of Niner basketball, he made fellow fans laugh and crawled into the heads of referees and opposing players.

Being the man with the whiteboard is more than just being witty, it’s about being the leader of student section.

When you’re the one holding the whiteboard you are the focal part of the section.

“It’s become the de facto face for section 104, for better or for worse,” Morgan said.

“I was the one that other students looked to as a leader. The white board doesn’t make you a leader though, you still have to play the part and have to be accepted as a true fan.”

The whiteboard had humble beginnings. Two years before Morgan was given the reigns to the board the board was instated to become a running commentary of the game that was constantly changing.

“The whole idea came from that you can bring a sign to the game but a sign is static and the white board is dynamic,” Lewis said.

Not only can the whiteboard change its message at any given moment, but it allows one voice to be heard no matter how loud the arena gets.

You may not hear what others are yelling but you can see the large black words on the white background.

The beauty of it all is that even if a visiting player makes a point not to look over at the board, a teammate is bound to suggest that he takes a look.

“It’s hard to heckle in an arena that’s full of people. So the white board does that for you. Somebody on the team is going to see it and call him out on it,” Morgan said.

The whiteboard gives Morgan the power to send a message to any one player or referee on the floor.

Every heckler lives to have an impact on the game by what he says. For Morgan however, the pen is mightier than the sword.

“Last year this kid from Winston Salem State was listed as in a relationship with himself on facebook,” Lewis recalled.

“With the white board I pretty much told him the entire story of Narcissus. It took me about ten minutes during warm-

PAGE 13

Baseball vs. Dallas Baptist 6 p.m.

Saturday Men’s Tennis vs. Gardner-Webb 11 a.m.

Women’s Tennis vs. Western Michigan 1 p.m.

Baseball vs. Dallas Baptist 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer vs. Charlotte Eagles 6 p.m.

SPORTS RESULTS Lewis Morgan, and his infamous whiteboard, are a UNC Charlotte staple. Photo by Chris Crews ups, but after the game he told another fan he knew from high school that I was the most obnoxious and annoying fan that he had ever played in front of and that I really got in his head,” Lewis said while patting himself on the back.

Morgan understands that the job of the students is to make Halton Arena a miserable place for teams to visit and he does everything he can with one marker to make it that way.

“Part of the thing that keeps a student section going is that feeling that they have an effect on the outcome of the game,” Lewis said.

But with great power comes great responsibility.

“If there was a night that the student section was off I would get texts and tweets from alumni, students, and everyone except the people in section 104,” Lewis said.

“I was the outlet that everyone went to if something was amiss.”

Many of these messages directed to Morgan were from people he didn’t even know. Morgan was simply the most identifiable member of the student section.

“I had some that were downright mean.

One dude said if I study like I lead the student section, no wonder I’ve been here seven years,” Lewis recalled.

Morgan attended his final 49ers basketball game as the man with the whiteboard and as a student on Feb. 29 in an 88-77 loss to Duquesne.

Needless to say, it was an emotional night for Morgan.

“When it makes up such a large part of your life for that long the last time you’re going to be in [section] 104 is hard,” Morgan said.

“The game distracts you from it but with about five minutes left you start realizing you only have five minutes left in that seat. I’m watching the clock realizing that my time is running down. After the game I

could have stayed there all night.”

Many of Morgan’s memories are not made with his marker, but with the time spent with other die-hard 49ers fans in section 104 during games, waiting in line and camp-outs in the now famous Halton Heights area outside of Halton Arena.

“It’s like a family, it really is. It’s a huge part of our lives. We all make sacrifices and set things aside to allow it to be that big in our lives,” Morgan said.

“This family dynamic grows. We are literally spending the entire day before a game plus the night before a game together.

There were weeks during the season that I spent more time with [section 104] then I did with my fiancé Shannon, and I live with Shannon,” Morgan said through a chuckle.

Despite the fact that Morgan is graduating it doesn’t mean the end of the whiteboard or section 104. Morgan hopes the number of loud and crazy fans continues to grow as he passes down the whiteboard to the always loud and obnoxious Ryan Benson.

“We want to capitalize on growing that family so it’s not just the 20 or 30 of us but the 200 of us,” Morgan said.

Morgan leaves the whiteboard behind but takes with him hundreds of memories of visiting players giving him dirty looks, drawing tattoos on himself to mock the other team and the referees taking the whiteboard away from him.

The impact Morgan had on so many basketball games won’t be forgotten any time soon.

“Doing what I do is as close to being an athlete as I’ll ever be. That’s as close to having any type of effect on the outcome on a game as I’ll ever have,” Morgan joked. “If I have a kid that eventually grows up and comes here and does the whiteboard I’ll definitely pass on some of the stuff I came up with.”

Men’s Soccer

WIN

vs. England’s Pass 4

11-2

Men’s Tennis

LOSS

@ College of Charleston

1-6

Men’s Tennis

WIN

@ The Citadel

4-3

Baseball

LOSS

@ Missouri

2-3

Softball

WIN

vs. UNC Greensboro

14-2

PAGE 14

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex set to open in April

A view of the Halton-Wager Tennis Complex several weeks before athletes, coaches and fans can take advantage of the new facility.

Tadd Haislop

THAISLOP@UNCC.EDU

There are many establishments on the campus of UNC Charlotte that represent the growth and development of the university. The most recent, and one of the best examples, is nestled in the heart of campus.

Home to the men’s and women’s tennis programs, the five million dollar HaltonWagner Tennis Complex will stand among the best in the Southeast as it is on the verge of being completed.

The gem of a complex features 12 brand new medium-fast surfaced courts. Michaela Gorman, now in her ninth year coaching women’s tennis at Charlotte, weighed in on the value of the new playing surface.

“It’s the same kind of court they have at the Australian Open. It’s a great playing surface with state of the art draining, so that now if we have any delay due to weather the courts can dry within a couple hours,” said Gorman. “Before, it used to take six to nine hours and even then we could only hope

they were dry.”

Gorman explained that the functionality of the surface is an improvement as well. “The courts play great. There’s no bad bounces, there’s no dips in the court or cracks or anything like that.”

To compliment the new courts complete with fresh benches and scoreboards, the complex also features a gorgeous brick structure that overlooks the playing surface. The building, located on Cameron Blvd. across from Woodward Hall, will serve multiple roles.

The coaches offices, a stringing room for players, men’s and women’s locker rooms complete with showers and restrooms, a team room for meetings and a training room will all be included inside.

“I think it will help a lot” Gorman said, speaking to the significance of the complex in regards to the program. “It’s a place that seniors in high school want to come play.

They love the feel of it.”

In the past, the team has used an adjacent campground-like bath house as a

locker room.

“I would always hope people on recruiting trips didn’t go in there” Gorman added with a smile.

Recruiting is not the only expected improvement within the women’s tennis program. The success of this year’s squad may represent things to come in the future. The women’s team, consisting of one senior, four juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen and a transfer student has successfully handled most of their competition at their new home.

“It’s all kind of starting to come together. I feel like our team this year has such a great bond and such a great chemistry with each other,” Gorman explained.

The team’s goal each year is to win the Atlantic 10 tournament. Gorman spends the entire season preparing her team and getting them where they need to be athletically by mid-April.

“We’re playing great tennis and if everything can come together the rest of the season and into that weekend, then I think this

Photo by Michael Stennett

year’s as good a time as any,” Gorman said.

The coach is extremely appreciative of the new facility that her team calls home.

“It shows that the University and the athletic department are invested in men’s and women’s tennis. They’re putting a lot of time, effort and money into the facility, which makes us want to do well for them,” said Gorman The players are anxious to feast their eyes on their new locker rooms as well as to wreak the other benefits of the multimillion dollar complex.

UNC Charlotte students and faculty members are permitted and encouraged to use the world-class courts. Although they will not be facing Nadal, Federer, Sharapova or a Williams sister, members of the university community can feel as if they are competing at the Australian Open while playing on an authentic surface.

For spectators, the facility includes a 250-person seating area that oversees all of the action. The dedication of HaltonWagner Tennis Complex is scheduled for

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012

NINERTIMES