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Northern Iowan The University

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

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Volume 107, Issue 11

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Don’t stress out GRE resources available to students Page 4

What a relief

Panthers play poised football in their 24-14 win over SDSU

Students react to Blasphemy Rights Day WHITNEY WILLIAMS Staff Writer

“Faith is not wanting to know what is true.”

This is one of many secular and sacred quotes that the University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers chalked on the sidewalk Thursday as part of International Blasphemy Rights Day, a day held in defense of free speech.

Becasue of the largely negative response to some of the inflammatory chalkings that accompanied last year’s Blasphemy Day, UNIFI focused on provoking discussion about religion by limiting the kind of messages that were chalked and by hosting discussions on Facebook, their website and outside Maucker Union.

“This year we really cracked down on our chalkers as far as what we would allow them to say. We didn’t want to go out of our way to offend people or do something just because it is offensive; we wanted

New grants database available for students

Staff Writer

that in the coming years the Reading Recovery program would train more than 200 teachers as well as a teacher leader.

Forbes noted than not all of the grant comes in form of direct money.

“Part of it is in direct funds from the Department of Education. However, part of it is composed of in-kind, so some things are like discounts on books that we are ordering for the teachers. So it won’t be like we will be receiving a full 3.1 million dollars,” said Forbes.

A premise of the grant was evidence

The University of Northern Iowa has a new database for students and organizations.

The Foundation Directory is now available online at fconline. foundationcenter.org, and it can also be accessed through Rod Library’s blog at www. library.uni.edu/blog/foundation-director y-onlinedatabase.

The FD boasts over 100,000 funding sources and is accessible 24/7 through Rod Library’s website. The grant search includes separate searches for location, company, state, recipient type, subject and type of support. All of the information on the FD is compiled from IRS information returns, grant maker websites, annual reports, printed application guidelines, the philanthropic press and various other sources. The staff on the FD monitors over 35 sources daily to keep this information fully updated.

The FD then uses this information to update the data weekly.

Users need not worry about the grants’ legitimacy, because the directory does not add grants to the profile database until a foundation files its initial IRS paperwork. This helps to make sure that the grants are registered by the government and therefore covered if something goes wrong.

These grants are not only for local interest groups.

See READING RECOVERY, page 2

See GRANT DATABASE, page 2

ALYX SANDBOTHE/Northern Iowan

Students react to the chalkings that appeared all around UNI Thursday morning after members of UNIFI and BASIC expressed their freedom of speech throughout campus by displaying several sacred and secular sayings.

UNI’s Reading Recovery program receives grant TALEE MABE

Staff Writer

The University of Northern Iowa’s Reading Recovery program received a grant of $3,096,000 from the Department of Education to propel the program’s efforts to support literacy among area first graders.

The Reading Recovery program, with sites operating across the state in schools and universities, furnishes intensive training for specialists helping children in the first grade who need assistance in developing requisite reading and writing skills, while also assisting children individually.

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Specialists receiving training at UNI’s Reading Recovery center work with students in schools and work on sites operated by the Reading Recovery program at large.

In order to qualify for funding and support from the Reading Recovery Program, a school must exhibit a need based on a minimum 3 percent population of English Language Learner students, a record of significantly low achievement or a staff position at risk because of low funding.

Salli Forbes, associate professor of curriculum and instruction at UNI and the teacher trainer at the university’s Reading Recovery program, noted

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NEWS

Corrections The article “I am purple and gold video contest� in the Sept. 29, 2010 edition of The Northern Iowan contained an error regarding the deadline of the contest.

The printed deadline was Oct. 9; the correct deadline is Oct. 11. Bethany Warren’s name was also misprinted as Brittany Warren. Her correct email address is bethany.warren@uni.edu. The Northern Iowan regrets this error.

The Northern Iowan welcomes all comments, suggestions and complaints about errors that warrant correction.

These messages can be emailed to northern-iowan@uni.edu.

GRANTS DATABASE

READING RECOVERY

continued from page 1

continued from page 1

They also have special international and national grants that can be used to award grants outside of the state of Iowa and outside the United States.

To learn more about the Foundation Directory, call (800) 424-9836 or e-mail fdonline@foundationcenter. org.

that the university could garner donations from private donors to match at least twenty percent of the grant.

As one element of a collaborative effort on the part of 15 like programs at universities across the country, including Ohio State University, UNI was required to accumulate a considerable amount of funding from private donors, including members of the business community and local organizations, to be matched. Among the organizations that aided in this effort on a local scale was the R.J. McElroy Trust, a long-standing advocate of the effort to sustain educational development.

Stacey Van Gorp, executive director of the R.J. McElroy Trust, said that she saw the opportunity to donate and facilitate a larger grant as an opportunity to expound upon the broader mission of helping deserving young people across the state. “The notion that the Department of Education would match the grant was particularly compelling,� said Van Gorp.

Van Gorp believes that the grant, in conjunction with the anticipated Richard.

O Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy at UNI, will “place UNI on the

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LOVE CAN OFTEN DO THAT.

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map� in terms of its work to promote innovations in learning. “McElroy has done a wonderful job in helping us out,� notes Forbes. “Their money will go towards training teachers in the northeastern part of Iowa.�

Forbes emphasized that teachers who finished the Reading Recovery program will ideally have developed good observation skills imperative in working with children in a critical stage in their development of literacy skills. “They become very good at making decisions about what children are trying to do in reading and what they need to teach them next, which is why teachers try to teach the students one on one, as to allow them to design a specialized program for each child,� she said. “Each child is in Reading Recovery for about 12 to 20 weeks, during which time they go from one of the lowest-performing students to catching up to their peers. So teachers have to be very good at observing, thinking about what children are doing and why they are doing it and then making their teaching decisions based upon that.�

Forbes noted that the Reading Recovery grant and the grant allotted for the establishment of the

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Richard O. Jacobson Center For Comprehensive Literacy, the plans for which were announced this fall, are two distinctive grants. However, she noted that there will be some cooperation between the two institutions. “The way in which they would fit together is in the fact that what we are doing with the Richard Jacobs0n center is training literacy coaches for schools as well as training people in other interventions,� said Forbes. “While the Jacobson money is for a different purpose, the two seem to fit together very well. Where the Jacobson center will take a more comprehensive approach to schools at large, the Reading Recovery program focuses on those students who are falling behind and need an intervention.

These children need help and we want to give it to them early before they fall too far behind.�

The collective efforts of these two initiatives help to expound upon the university’s reputation as an advocate for lifelong learning.

Noting that the Jacobson center would place students minoring in literacy and like programs right alongside practicing teachers in the field, Forbes stated that these initiatives would help “the community, the children and also our students.�

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BLASPHEMY continued from page 1

our blashpemy to be valuable becasue it is blasphemy and not because it is tasteless,” said Cory Derringer, UNIFI vice president.

International Blasphemy Rights Day is held every year on Sept. 30 to commemorate the publishing of Jyllands-Posten’s cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad, which sparked

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religious protest by Islamic groups around the world, eventually resulting in more than 100 reported deaths.

According to Derringer, UNIFI focused on protecting blasphemy because it is the most controversial form of free speech.

“We live on a largely Christian campus, obviously, and it has occurred to us that maybe a lot of these people have never heard about free speech in the way of blas-

PAGE 3

phemy or speech against religion.”

Blasphemy day started at 9 p.m. on Wednesday night when members of Brothers and Sisters In Christ and UNIFI chalked together.

“We live on a largerly Christian campus, obviously, and it has occured to us that maybe a lot of these people have never heard about free speech is a way of blasphemy or speech against religion.”

Cory Derringer UNIFI Vice President

According to Derringer, it was a very peaceful and engaging night.

“I never witnessed anything that was not civil last night. I had conversations with people that were chalking with us and I had conversations with people that

were walking around and praying over our chalk or chalking other things, you know, BASIC chalkers, and I was very impressed with the civility,” said Derringer.

“I think it is good that people are getting their opinions out as long as they are respectful about people having differing opinions,” said Rachel Schebler, a senior psychology major.

While most of Blasphemy Day was focused on conversation, some people were offended by UNFI’s chalkings.

“I am a believer in God. I find it pretty insulting.

Even though I believe that people are allowed to believe in whatever they want to and have the right to say whatever they want, I just find it hard to take in. I am a person who is strong in my faith, but I am not going to try to press my beliefs on someone else and I don’t really appreciate it that oth-

ers are trying to push their beliefs on me,” said Ashleigh Peska, a junior family services major.

However, some people did not seem bothered by the chalkings.

“I think it is a lot of back and forth between two people who have different opinions and do not know what to really think about it. Some of the stuff is kind of harsh toward each other; it can go both ways,” said Paige Nieuwenhuis, a junior biology major.

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Chalkings covered the UNI campus regarding both sacred and secular subjects. Unlike past Blasphemy days, Thursdays had a peacful vibe surrounding it.

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The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892

Features

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

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GRE resources available for students

By CATHERINE AU JONG Staff Writer

The University of Northern Iowa Academic Learning Center provides Graduate Record Examination test preparation for students. The center provides support and discussion about GRE preparation at the ALC every Monday at 3:30 p.m. and every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. during the GRE Coffee Chats hour. During the GRE chats, students can also get coffee, hot chocolate or tea for 50 cents by bringing their own mug.

The GRE is an entrance test for graduate schools.

Institutions use the GRE to measure a student’s potential performance in graduate school, students who would like to continue their education are encouraged to prepare for the exam.

“It measures students’ test-taking abilities in read-

ing comprehension, writing and math,” said Gina Burkart, the reading and learning coordinator for the Academic Learning Center.

According to Burkart, discussing the GRE is important, because learning is social, and by discussing, we are learning from each other.

When students learn from others that are also engaged with the same learning process, they can share each other’s strategy while improving self-efficiency, Burkart said.

Neha Yadav, a student preparing for the GRE, said the Academic Learning Center can be a great resource. She said succession on the GRE is all about the strategy that test takers learn and use, and that is what students learn in the Academic Learning Center: strategies, practice and play.

The ALC offers coffee chats on preparing for graduate school at 10 a.m. on Mondays, assistance with

ANNA SCHRECK/Northern Iowan

Olga Vasileva, a UNI educational psychology graduate student, studies in Maucker Union.

graduate school applications and other resources. Within the ALC, the Reading and Learning Center, Writing Center, and Math and Science

Services all teach GRE course for students. Resources are available to all students at no additional fee.

The ALC is located in

Innovative Teaching and Technology Center room 007. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Robinson encourages students Student Nature Society promotes conservation to identify their strengths

By SARAH KELZER Staff Writer

Vicki Robinson spoke to a leadership class about understanding and using personal strengths in the Schindler Education Center on Sept.

30. Robinson spoke for an hour in an interactive environment, telling the class to do what they love.

The class was required to complete the StrengthsFinder inventory before arriving so that everyone knew their top five strengths.

According to Gerri Perreault, the leadership class professor, the “importance of self-knowledge is crucial.” Everyone should be aware of what they do best and how they can further improve.

The class started with Robinson tossing random stuffed animals to the students. She told the students to study their animal and find what it was good at.

For example, one student expressed that her panda was great at giving hugs. Soon after, Robinson told the class to think about what their animal’s weakness was. One boy

was convinced his squirrel had a gambling problem.

Robinson was proving a point: everyone is born with strengths and weaknesses, talents and passions.

However, only focusing on the weaknesses will get you nowhere.

“Accentuate the positive – don’t focus so much on the negative,” she said.

Robinson explained it would be like trying to focus on making a rabbit swim while forgetting to pay attention to its running abilities.

When people put all of their energy into their flaws, they are forgetting about what makes them special, and in the long run, successful. Great leaders know their strengths; it is what makes them great leaders. It is vital to choose the brightest path specifically constructed for individual strengths.

Robinson made clear that the class was receiving the shortened version of the power of personal strengths.

“Across the United States, there are universities where all of the students are required to do the StrengthsFinder – it’s kind

of a theme,” she said.

The class received a quick introduction to a life-long process. After the strengths are identified, knowing them provides confidence and, eventually, happiness.

Robinson said society has taught us that it is better to be modest, even when we have earned the praise. She believes we should stop this.

“Wallow like a pig in slop when receiving those compliments,” she said.

According to Robinson, strong leaders take pride in flattery and build their confidence, making themselves an even stronger member of society. Positivity is the foundation of confidence.

She also stressed the importance of staying positive. She said that going to bed negatively “will only lead to a negative tomorrow.”

Instead, try what great leaders do and think positively.

Make a list about what went right instead of what went wrong. The subconscious can pick up on the positive and be excited to wake up in the morning.

See STRENGTHS, page 6

By MARKITA CURRIE Staff Writer

The UNI Student Nature Society is becoming more active by the minute.

They have reinstated their annual events and are adding new ones, all while sticking to their mission statement as a student group dedicated to promoting conservation and understanding natural resources.

“Society should be more conscious of the natural world and our influence on it. It’s a resource that’s accessible to everyone.”

Katie Berge

Student Nature Society treasurer

“Society should be more conscious of the natural world and our influence on it,” said Katie Berge, Student Nature Society treasurer. “It’s a resource that’s accessible to everyone.”

On Oct. 9 the Student Nature Society will be hosting their annual Fall Camping Trip. The trip is being held at Chimney Rock and recreational activities such as canoeing will take place.

On Oct. 16, the society will be hosting their first annual UNI

Botanical 5K. This spring, they will host their annual Botanical Center Plant Sale. The society spends much time preparing these plants. The sale is open to both campus and the community, and profits from this sale go into their scholarship fund. The Student Nature Society releases two $250 scholarships per year, one to a member of the group and another to a student at large.

In addition to their events and the sale, the Student Nature Society also conducts research.

This year they are keeping a close watch on the Hartman Reserve to make sure it is safe to release a batch of Blue-Spotted Salamanders. They would like to watch them grow and repopulate in a safe environment.

“By taking care of the world around us, it not only benefits the world but the community as well,” said Janelle Woodin, vice president of the Student Nature Society.

The Student Nature Society is open to any and all majors, and there are no dues. They have biweekly meetings at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays in the UNI Botanical Center.

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Panther Portraits

Family Weekend

MICHAEL BROWN/Northern Iowan

UNI students and their families enjoy Family Weekend activities such as tailgating, cook outs and classroom tours.

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English major Megan Schafer’s strengths, for examcontinued from page 4 ple, were empathy, belief, harmony, development After establishand connectedness. ing a positive atmoShe intends to pursphere, the next activsue a career in book ity involved interacting publishing. Schafer with others. Each persaid she will list her son needed to find five strengths on her others and share a perfuture resume, which sonal strength that was will show employers different from their own. how she already has Leaders lead others, an idea about who so it is imperative to and what she is. be aware of other’s Identifying strengths. What strengths can is even more give people important is an idea about being able what they are to use those capable of strengths to bringing to your advantage. the table. It is Pe r r e a u l t impressive when expressed that someone can con“more appreciation fidently communiis needed for others, cate their strengths because when you think with a smile on their your way is the only MCT CAMPUS face. Keep in mind what way, you’re actually Robinson says: “Embrace hurting the group.”

Knowing your strengths what you do well and you will can help in school and career be a happier person.” development.

Sophomore

STRENGTHS

Poked: Teachers, students not a good equation on Facebook

By BRIDGET CAREY

Miami Herald MCT Campus

Walking the fine line between our work persona and personal life is something many of us do daily on Facebook.

But teachers can’t do that as easily with students on Facebook. Friending a student has the potential to create sticky situations, and teachers need to be extremely strict with privacy settings.

It’s an uncomfortable situation that teachers increasingly face. If a student wants to “friend” a teacher on Facebook, should they accept? On one hand, it’s another way to communicate, but it has the potential to get some professionals into inappropriate situations.

The easy solution for teachers: Just say no.

John Ristow, spokesman for Broward (Fla.) Teachers Union, said social networking dos and don’ts have become an increasingly larger part of the new teacher orientation workshop over the years.

Because teachers are government employees, the union stresses for teachers to keep everything on Facebook tasteful, keep it viewable to friendsonly and don’t friend students.

“How is a 13-year-old a friend? It’s your personal site, and you’re letting them into your world,” Ristow said. “It would be like inviting your students over to your house as friends, and that’s not appropriate.”

Young teachers, who have

grown up using Facebook, might not see an issue. After all, are you really “friends” with all those users you connected with? No, because we treat Facebook as a new-age communication tool.

But I’ve spoken to teachers who witnessed situations in which friending as a mentor took a wrong turn.

Hormonal teens can post inappropriate personal content online. How does a teacher deal with that? And what if that inappropriate behavior is targeted at the teacher because that teen has a crush?

Students don’t call up their teachers in the middle of the night, but “poking” a teacher, sending late-night messages and liking personal posts makes the relationship less professional.

Rejecting a friend request can cause awkward or hurt feelings, so teachers should make their friending policy clear to all students and parents -- and teachers should offer a preferred way to connect online. It’s a tactic other professionals use when they don’t want to allow business acquaintances into their Facebook lives.

Some teachers avoid possible drama by sticking to e-mail or using a Google group to engage with students. But a few teachers have found that Facebook can work as long as they connect with students in a Facebook group, and never as personal friends. That, to me, sounds like the right solution.

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The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892

Opinion

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

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Volume 107, Issue 11

From the editorial staff

Use your resources As a student at the University of Northern Iowa you have multiple resources available to you on campus.

However, many students never take full advantage of using these resources.

Just being a student means that you have free access to the Rod Library, the Information Technology Service, UNI Career Services, the Wellness and Recreation Center, every UNI athletic event held on campus and much more. Not to mention the discounted student tickets we can buy to see various performances at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

The Rod Library is obviously a great place to go to check out books, journal articles and other assigned readings for your classes, but it’s also a great place to study and have group meetings. Feel free to check out a personal study room for even more quiet study time.

The ITS is a great resource that not enough students on campus take advantage of. If you’re having problems with your computer or Internet connection, the people at ITS can help. No matter how big or small the problem is, they can fix it or recommend you to someone who can.

Career Services is another helpful resource on campus. Students are able to meet with recruiters in a oneon-one setting, get helpful hints and tips to use during a job interview, get help making their résumés and find out what they can do with their majors.

The WRC is a great place to work out, but it’s also a great place to interact and meet new friends. You don’t want to fall into the trap that some new college students do and pack on the dreaded “freshman 15.” Health Beat, located in the tunnel connecting Mauker Union and Lang Hall, is also a great place to work out if you find the WRC to be too busy.

UNI athletic events are another great way to spend some free time and relax throughout the week and on the weekends, and they’re the perfect place to show off your Panther pride.

While football and men’s basketball are WHITNEY WILLIAMS/Northern Iowan the two most comVolleyball games are one of many eventss mon athletic events UNI students can attend for free. to attend, you can still have a great time and meet new friends at other athletic events like volleyball or tennis. Just be sure to cheer loud and wear your purple and gold.

The GBPAC has “something for everyone,” as their slogan says. This year you have a chance to see “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” “The Laramie Project,” Bob Dylan, “Drumline Live,” the Blue Man Group and many more. While these performances aren’t always free to students, you can still witness a great show at a discounted price.

These are just some of the many resources on campus here at UNI. Feel free explore campus and get the true college experience. You’re already paying for it, so you might as well take advantage of it.

This editorial reflects the position of the Northern Iowan’s editorial staff: John Anderson, Leah Jeffries, Brad Eilers, Cassie Tegeler, Anna Schreck and Kari Braumann. All other articles and illustrations represent the views of their authors.

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Blasphemy Rights Day is a defense of free speech MICHAEL DIPPOLD Michael.S.Dippold @gmail.com

Last Thursday, the University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers held its second annual Blasphemy Rights Day event. The goal was to raise awareness about free speech and the right to criticize ideas without fear of retaliation. We wanted people to recognize that ideas don’t have rights, but people do, and dissent and criticism of ideas should not be met with threats of violence.

Additionally, we wanted the day to be a jumping-off point for conversations about blasphemy and free expression.

Unfortunately though, I think that a lot of our message was totally lost on some students. We went to great lengths this year to publicize our intentions for the event in advance so that people would know exactly what we were doing and why we were doing it. More than a few Christians on campus took the day as an attack on reli-

ALYX SANDBOTHE/Northern Iowan

UNI students stop to read chalk writings for Blasphemy Rights Day on Thursday.

gion, and their response was to chalk back friendly, happy messages about God’s love for everyone.

They never saw the larger discussion that

we were trying to spark.

Imagine if you asked someone, “Should free speech be protected, even if you

tration inherited.

There is one small problem with this: Congress actually passes the budgets. And I found some very interesting voting statistics.

According to the Washington Post, President Obama participated in four budget votes that passed. In 2005, he voted no to the budget along with every single Democrat in the Senate. He again voted in 2006, as did 43 other Democrats; this time, one voted yes in the Senate. In 2007, President Obama voted yes with 48 other Democrats; one Democrat didn’t vote. This was the year of change, as 47 Republicans voted against and two voted for the budget. The final budget vote President Obama participated in was 2008, for which again he and 47 Democrats voted yes, with one voting no. For the Republicans, 43 voted no while two voted yes.

Since President Obama

voted for the two budgets in 2007 and 2008, shouldn’t he have known about the debt?

At the same time, when so many Republicans voted no and yet are held responsible, is that really fair? Or, as I suspect, are both sides to blame? Its politics; the same things Democrats are crying foul about now, namely Republicans not voting for anything, are the same things they are guilty of.

In 2005 and 2006, it was Republicans who voted yes and Democrats who voted no, and the reverse was true in 2007 and 2008, with very few votes crossing party lines.

The president talks about how the Republicans have no new ideas (he has a certain point) and that he was disappointed that the Republicans wouldn’t work with him and the other Democrats. It’s a common theme among those who want to get some-

Some things never change ROBERT TURNER bobt@uni.edu

The Oct. 14 issue of Rolling Stone featured an interesting interview with President Barack Obama in which some things struck me, and I felt I just had to research a few things, to dig a little bit and try to figure out the truth as opposed to the spin by either side of the political aisle. Let’s face it: both sides just put out the spin they want; it’s up to each of us to figure out to the best of our ability what the truth is.

One thing the president said was, “In an ideal world, I wouldn’t have inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit…”

This has been a theme for President Obama, and every time he says it, it sounds like he was surprised by the amount of debt his adminis-

See BLASPHEMY, page 9

See POLITICAL CHANGE, page 9

OPINION

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

BLASPHEMY continued from page 8

disagree with it? Even if it offends you?” and they replied with “Jesus loves you.” It’s a conversational dead end.

Not everyone fell into that trap though. One vocal Christian on campus, Mikayla Thompson, commented on our blog at unifreethought.com in order to express her frustrations at the religious response to the event. She lamented that many Christians “seem to prefer to chalk a nice Bible verse, and complain to their other Christian friends about how mean the UNIFI people are for speaking against their God. They could openly profess their faith and share their opinion at a faith forum and meet people that have a different belief, and heaven forbid, maybe even make a friend that happens to be an atheist. But rather than doing these things, they call people names behind their back and whine about others simply exercising their free speech.”

This is exactly how I felt, and I heard something similar from many others throughout the day, both religious and secular.

Of course, it’s not entirely the fault of the Christian groups on campus that our intentions were lost on them.

Many people assumed that this year would be a freefor-all attack on religion, despite our huge publicity blitz prior to the event itself.

What I would love to see in the future though, in an ideal world, is an end to the

POLITICAL CHANGE continued from page 9

thing done in Washington: it doesn’t matter what political party, and both sides accuse the other of not coming to a compromise. Of course, that is code, on both sides, that the party not in power isn’t willing to roll over and go along with the “program.”

When the Democrats were voting no for the budgets and other items it was because they were taking a stand; when it’s the Republicans now, it’s because they won’t compromise at all. It’s all the game that’s played; there is no change.

There was an article

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knee-jerk reactions to criticism of religious ideas (and secular ideas) on campus, and for those criticisms to be the starting points for discussion between people of differing views. I don’t want people to only care about these issues on days when they feel like they are under attack. To quote Mikayla once again, “I’m all about getting your opinion and beliefs out there, especially when there is opportunity to engage and befriend people that have an opposing opinion, but it seems so silly that many Christians only care about sharing their opinion on blasphemy (rights) day.”

It’s my sincere hope that our event will lead to further discussions in the future, and that people will not be afraid to expose their beliefs to criticism and discussion, and will not be afraid to criticize and discuss the beliefs of others. The progress of mankind can be measured by people challenging the beliefs of those with whom they disagree, and the outcome of those discussions almost always leads to a better world for everyone.

UNIFI stood proudly on Blasphemy Rights Day in support of the right to free expression, and it would be a shame if people didn’t exercise that right, but instead tried to stifle discussion, or tried to avoid it with really nice-sounding platitudes.

You have heard how UNIFI feels about blasphemy; we would absolutely love to know what you think.

on the Tea Party by Matt Taibbi in the same issue of Rolling Stone; it had the most incredible quote that struck me and I couldn’t believe it. “But what they (Tea Party supporters) don’t realize is, there’s a catch: This is America, and we have an entrenched oligarchical system in place that insulates us all from any meaningful political change.” Such an ironic quote in a magazine whose cover is graced by the man who ran on “hope and change” during the 2008 election. I guess Mr. Taibbi is right: there is no meaningful political change, no matter who is in office.

What do you think? Share your opinion by visiting www.northern-iowan.org

PAGE 9

Editorial Cartoon

MCT Campus

The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892

Sports

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

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Volume 107, Issue 11

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Cedar Falls, Iowa

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northern-iowan.org

What a relief Panthers play poised football in their 24-14 win over South Dakota State

10

No. 15-ranked Panthers sweep Southern Illinois

NI NEWS SERVICE

SCOTT KINTZEL/Northern Iowan

The Panthers were able to limit themselves to one turnover on Saturday, earning themselves a 24-14 win over South Dakota State. The win keeps the Panthers in a first place tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings.

By TIM GETTING

Sports Writer

The University of Northern Iowa’s 24-14 victory over South Dakota State University may just be one tally in the win column.

However, head coach Mark

Farley saw his team win two games Saturday.

“One, we were battling ourselves ... And two, we were battling a good football team,” he said.

“The biggest thing for this team was to fight through some of the things

that have happened.”

The Panthers have more or less been beating themselves prior to Saturday’s contest. Their turnover margin and red zone efficiency was the Football Championship Subdivision’s worst, and penalties were

negating an average of 85 yards per game.

Those woes failed to haunt UNI against SDSU as the Panthers recorded season-best performances in terms of turnovers, red zone See FOOTBALL, page 11

Ryan’s Rants You get the best of both worlds

By RYAN FRIEDERICH

Sports Columnist

If you have ever watched Hannah Montana, you probably know why I came up with the title of this article. The only reason I know this is the show’s theme song is because my roommates Matt Swingen and Corby Friederich like to watch the show, and if you come across them on campus you should really think about talking to them about it. (It is probably a good thing I am graduating this year because they might not want to live with me after this.)

In all seriousness, our apartment’s projector screen-for-a-television

revolves around two types of television programming: reality shows and sports.

We often run into problems, however, when there is a college football game on Thursday night, but there is also a new episode of “Jersey Shore” on MTV. This article, on the other hand, is about the reality shows that cover sports, and this is by far the best programming on television today.

One of my favorites is “Dancing With The Stars.”

Let me be clear, this would NOT be one of my favorites if there weren’t sports figures awkwardly dancing around the stage on any given night. Some of my favorite contestants thus far have been Chad Ochocinco,

Courtesy Photo/MCT CAMPUS

UNI alumnus Kurt Warner is currently a participant on “Dancing With The Stars.”

Erin Andrews, Kurt Warner, Shawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith. Everyone should be cheering for Kurt Warner this season, since he’s an

alumnus of this university.

One of my other favorites is “Ochocinco: The Ultimate See RANT, page 11

The No. 15-ranked University of Northern Iowa volleyball team picked up their ninth-straight win Saturday evening, sweeping Southern Illinois University.

Set scores were 25-23, 25-18 and 25-13.

UNI has now won 24-straight regular season Missouri Valley Conference matches.

Beth Discher led the Panther offensive attack, knocking down 11 kills.

Amy Braun followed with nine while Michelle Burow and Krista DeGeest each finished with eight.

Defensively, Braun picked up 13 digs while Ellie Blankenship finished with nine.

Set one was a back-andforth battle early, with the set featuring 12 tie scores and three lead changes. With the score tied 22-22, UNI rattled off two points to take a 24-22 lead. A Panther attack error pulled the score to 24-23, but Braun hammered down a kill to give the Panthers the 25-23 set win.

With the score tied at 6-6 in set two, UNI took the lead off a Discher kill and never looked back. UNI built their lead to as many as seven points before taking the set 25-18.

With the score tied at 3-3 in the third set, UNI rattled off four straight points to take the lead at 7-3. SIU pulled within two at 7-5, but that would be as close as the Salukis would get the rest of the way as UNI built as much as an 11-point lead before taking the set 25-13.

UNI (14-2, 6-0 MVC) returns to action Wednesday evening, hosting South Dakota State University. The Panthers will host a 1980s throwback night, playing the match in the West Gym. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

Students are encouraged to wear 1980s costumes to Wednesday night’s volleyball match against SDSU. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

FOOTBALL continued from page 10

efficiency and penalties.

“We put ourselves in that hole, and now we’re climbing out of it,” said quarterback Tirrell Rennie.

“This is just such a relief right now,” said Farley.

Perhaps the Panthers’ biggest step out of that hole occurred on a play that amounted to less than one yard.

UNI faced a fourth and goal from inside the Jackrabbits’ one-yard line during the second quarter.

Farley elected to try for the six points instead of attempting a field goal, and the decision paid off as Rennie sneaked the ball over the goal line.

“Go back and look at that (play) down the road, because if you don’t get that (touchdown), then it’s ‘there we go again.’ If you get that one, then you start breaking barriers,” Farley said.

With that score, the Panthers ended a two-game drought of not scoring a touchdown from within the red zone.

“Right now, week four, we’re that much determined to put the ball in the end zone and prove that we can score and prove that we can be error free,” said Rennie.

Rennie took most of the snaps Saturday, but, for the first time in a game, was often substituted out for fellow quarterback Zach Davis during passing downs.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of me ... (Davis) comes in and he does his job,” Rennie said.

Rennie rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, contributing to a Panther offensive attack that gained a season-high 276 rushing yards. Running back Carlos Anderson, who was also sharing play time

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with Matt Strathman, led the UNI running game with 136 yards on 24 carries.

A 56-yard touchdown pass with 2:30 remaining highlighted the Panther passing game. Rennie found senior Schuylar Oordt in the end zone on a second down and nine situation, which became the game’s final score.

“I thought the (offensive) rhythm was actually good. I mean, we practice (rotating personnel) all of the time,” said Farley.

Cornerback Andre Martin represented a big chunk of the defense’s production.

The sophomore accounted for three of the Panthers’ four forced turnovers, grabbing two interceptions and forcing one fumble.

“I didn’t make the plays; I just pretty much finished them,” Martin said.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play. UNI will travel to Southern Illinois University next Saturday to face the Salukis. SIU enters the game at 1-1 in MVC play and 2-3 overall.

PAGE 11

RANT continued from page 10

SCOTT KINTZEL/Northern Iowan

UNI receiver Jarred Herring tries to make an over-the-shoulder catch against the Jackrabbits on Saturday afternoon.

SCOTT KINTZEL/Northern Iowan

UNI quarterback Tirrell Rennie rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers 24-14 victory over SDSU.

SCOTT KINTZEL/Northern Iowan

UNI was able to put their red zone woes behind them, scoring two touchdowns inside the 20-yard line.

Catch.” Ochocinco is by far one of my favorite football players, and he inspires some of my touchdown celebrations that get penalized during intramural flag football. This show is all about the man trying to find love, and it probably doesn’t take much once the ladies realize he is making multimillions in the NFL. His teammate Terrell Owens also has a great reality show called “The T.O. Show,” which basically is just a camera that follows him around while he stops to randomly do sit-ups and talk about his maid.

I can’t talk about reality shows and sports without mentioning “Shaq VS.” This show is all about Shaq showing other athletes how he can attempt to play their sport while looking like an idiot and making our nation laugh… however I am starting to think that I am the only person that watches it, or laughs at it.

Sports are awesome, and reality shows are even more awesome. If I don’t make it as a teacher I will probably keep auditioning for “The Real World” until they finally accept or arrest me. Even if I were single I couldn’t make it onto “The Bachelor,” being as I don’t have 12 abs or work as an aerospace engineer. I have also already turned 21, so unfortunately I gave up the idea of getting someone pregnant just to get on “Teen Mom”… oh well. Go Panthers!

Feel free to comment on this article or any other article at: http://www. northern-iowan.org/

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NEWS

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UNI Volleyball vs.

Evansville

Whitney Williams/Northern Iowan

The No. 15-ranked Panthers extended their MVC winning streak to 23 games after defeating the Purple Aces on Friday night.

Whitney Williams/Northern Iowan

The Panthers defeated the Purple Aces in four sets. The set scores were 26-28, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-20.

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40 Batman before George 43 Consumes 46 Treaty subject 48 Reliever’s spot, for short 49 Needing a 1Across 50 Hoo-ha 51 Really 16-Down 52 Ben player on “Bonanza” 56 Payroll figs.

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