Spectator Issue 7

THE SPECTATOR

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1923 Thursday, Oct. 17

VOL. 92, NO. 7

FALL 2013

PRIDE OF THE BLUGOLDS Homecoming week on the UW-Eau Claire campus was highlighted by numerous events, games and social gatherings

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>> UNLEASHED page 16 ELIZABETH JACKSON/ The Spectator

AND THEY’RE OFF: Members of the Blugold Marching Band lead the football team onto the field prior to kickoff of the Homecoming game 1 p.m. Saturday at Carson Park. The Blugolds lost the contest 23-17 in overtime, but culminated most of the Homecoming events, shows and other festivities that occurred throughout campus all week long.

NEWS PAGES 1-5

LOSING MONEY? UW-Eau Claire’s default student loan rate increases one percent during one year span

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SPORTS PAGES 8-9

YEAR ROUND COMMITMENT Blugold athletes use the offseason to prepare for competitions that lie ahead

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CURRENTS PAGES 10-11

OP / ED PAGES 13-15

STUDENT LIFE PAGE 16

DRACULA THRILLER

NO MORE COLUMBUS?

ALL THE SIGHTS

The UW-Eau Claire theatre program starts their production of “Dracula” Oct. 17

Multimedia Editor Haley Zblewski explains why Columbus Day should not be celebrated

Photo Editor Elizabeth Jackson captures Saturday’s Homecoming celebrations through a lens

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NEWS

NEWS EDITOR: Steve Fruehauf

THE SPECTATOR

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - EAU CLAIRE STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1923

Organic food movement represented locally Facebook movement has spread to 400 cities and six countries in five months

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Sports Editor Currents Editor Op/Ed Editor Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Photo Editor Multimedia Editor Staff Writer/Graphic Design

Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

David Heiling Martha Landry Steve Fruehauf Nick Erickson Emily Albrent Katie Bast Zack Katz Nate Beck Brittni Straseske Elizabeth Jackson Haley Zblewski Karl Enghofer Katy Macek Cori Picard Ellis Williams Rachel Streich Becky Olson Ryan Spaight Nicole Miller Courtney Kueppers

Nate Beck COPY EDITOR

Tami Canal was angry driving home after an expensive trip to the grocery store.

Canal, of Salt Lake City, Utah, buys only organic, but was shocked at how much it costs to feed her two young kids. So she channeled her anger into Facebook, creating a page against the seed company Monsanto.

In the last five months, her page March Against Monsanto has racked up over 200,000 likes and has sparked organized protests in cities across the globe.

Last Saturday, protesters gathered in 400 cities and six countries for March Against Monsanto. Eau Claire joined too. Marchers set up at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire to protest and promote local food.

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager Assist. Advertising Manager Classifieds Representative Sales Representative Graphic Designer

John Enders Abigail Vidmar Rachel Simonet Alison Burdick-Evenson Scott Suring

BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager John Pesavent Asst. Business Manager Conor Rafferty The Spectator is a 100 percent student-run university publication published under the authority granted to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

CORRECTION POLICY:

While The Spectator continually strives for excellence and accuracy, we resign the fact that we will occasionally make errors. When these errors are made, The Spectator will take responsibility for correcting the error and will maintain a high level of transparency to be sure all parties are confident that the incorrect information does not spread.

CORRECTIONS: In the October 10th issue, the news

article “Experiencing the Stepping Stone,” the picture of Erica Ramaker was taken by senior Kayla Menzie.

In last week’s issue of The Spectator in the article titled “Trouble in Paradise,” it was incorrectly stated that Amelia Kimball was sexually harassed by staff at her school in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Kimball was actually sexually harassed by another student at the school.

CONTACT THE SPECTATOR STAFF:

ADDRESS: Hibbard Hall 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701 EDITORIAL PHONE: (715) 836-4416 ADVERTISING PHONE: (715) 836-4366 BUSINESS PHONE: (715) 836-5618 FAX: (715) 836-3829 EMAIL: spectator@uwec.edu FACULTY ADVISOR: Mike Dorsher - (715) 836-5729 Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter (@spectatornews) for exclusive, up-to-date content!

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Thursday, Oct. 17

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“Eating organic isn’t easy, cheap or convenient,” Canal said. “We encourage people to grow their own food. It’s basically a campaign of awareness since our government won’t allow labeling on food.”

Marchers chiefly protest Genetically Modified Organisms and other methods of making hybrid food, along with the seed manufacturer Monsanto, Canal said.

Scientists combine the DNA of a fish, for example, with a seed to make the seed more resistant to pests, diseases or other ailments that might affect crop production. The seed is then sold as a GMO seed.

But Canal said laws don’t require companies to label GMO food, which is dangerous because GMOs have been linked to cancer and other diseases.

Debbie Koteras owns Mother Nature’s Foods, an organic grocery store in Eau Claire.

She was out of town during the March Against Monsanto Saturday, but said she would have been at the rally if she wasn’t away.

Mother Nature’s has been in business for 40 years, with Koteras at the helm since 2000. She said part of the store’s goal is to educate people about dangers of mass produced food.

Koteras said she requires companies to tell her if their product contain GMOs. If they do, she won’t carry it or she’ll label products herself.

“I want us to remain healthy,” Koteras said. “I want the stalk of corn that I ate when I was growing up to be the same for my kids.”

Koteras said her store’s role isn’t just to provide an organic option, it’s to educate people about the risks of hybrid food. She hung posters for March Against Monsanto in her shop and distributes flyers promoting healthy eating.

Casey Malan, a senior UW-Eau Claire English major, said he would like to be able to eat organic food, but he doesn’t.

“Usually I just eat TV dinners, frozen pizza, stuff that’s cheap and easy,” Malan said. “I’m in a nutrition class now, and they always make me feel bad about eating unhealthy.”

Malan said he’s sometimes able to buy beef directly from his friends who live on farms. After writing a research paper on chemicals found in beef, he’s more wary of store-bought meat.

“The chemicals they put in food does concern me, but not enough to pay more for groceries,” Malan said. “If organic food was cheaper and easier to get, I would definitely eat it.”

Koteras said although price and convenience are obstacles for many people, it’s important for people to protect themselves from diseases caused by eating hybrid food.

“Part of our goal is to try and get people to take one step at a time,” Koteras said. “Talk with your neighbor and buy half a cow directly from a farmer. Make smart choices. Eating junk leads to so many issues.”

Beck can be reached at becknc@uwec.edu.

Homecoming party violations down from previous years Ordinance complaints, criminal arrest numbers decrease because of preemptive approach David Heiling EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Eau Claire Police Department issued 72 ordinance citations and arrested three people during this year’s Homecoming celebrations.

According to an Oct. 15 press release by the Eau Claire Police Department, those numbers are down compared to previous years.

In 2009, there were 185 ordinance citations and 17 criminal arrests, showing a dramatic drop in citations for the celebrations.

Lt. Tim Golden of the Eau Claire Police Department said a possible reason behind the low numbers regarding this year’s Homecoming citations was the preemptive contact with large parties.

He said he, along with UWEau Claire Dean of Students Joe Abhold and other party patrols, contacted parties that

looked like they could get out of hand. When the patrol stopped by, they made it clear what could happen.

“We made the preemptive contact to press on party holders the ramifications of their actions if the party got out of hand,” Golden said.

“When we did that, they usually were more aware throughout the day.”

Golden said he stressed to partiers that those who bring the most attention to themselves ultimately are the ones who get in trouble.

“Once you have people start urinating in neighbors’ yards, we’re going to get a call and that’s when citations may be handed out,” Golden said.

Education on alcohol awareness is not hard to find on campus. Chancellor Jim Schmidt sent out an email before the weekend’s festivities urging the student body to behave responsibly, as well.

Golden said he thinks the education on the campus and throughout the community is definitely a contributing

factor to the reduction in citations and arrests.

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DAVID HEILING / The Spectator

PARTY ALL NIGHT: While ordinance citations during homecoming in the past have gone into the hundreds, this year UW-Eau Claire only had 72.

NEWS EDITOR: Steve Fruehauf

NEWS 3

Thursday, Oct. 17

Senate spears booze bill State can’t drive 65 Wisconsin bill could allow alcohol vendors to sue underage drinkers Nate Beck COPY EDITOR

Student Senate voted to protest a Wisconsin Senate Bill that could spell harsher punishments for underage drinkers at its meeting Monday.

“I see senate bill 46 as a way to incentivize bars to let underage drinkers in and make a quick buck,” Senator Samuel Fish said.

Senate unanimously passed a resolution opposing Wisconsin Senate Bill 46 or the “Brown Jug Bill,” which could allow businesses to sue underage drinkers for up to $1,000 plus court costs.

Under current law, underage drinkers can be fined approximately $175 for first-offense drinking violations and may be required to take an alcohol education course.

Senator Jake Wrasse said he introduced the resolution after having a conversation with Peggy O’Halloran, director of Center for Alcohol Studies and Education.

Student Body President Bryan Larson said if counseling professionals don’t like the bill, Senate shouldn’t support it either.

“I think the most efficient way to address the issue of underage drinking is to put the emphasis on the business,” Larson said. “I think how it currently operates, works. I think it’s putting an inordinate burden on the underage person.”

Language in Senate’s bill doesn’t explicitly oppose underage drinking along with the Brown Jug Bill.

But Wrasse said lines in the resolution like “punitive measures disproportionately fine underage drinkers” imply Senate isn’t in favor of underage people drinking.

“This isn’t saying that we

condone underage drinking; this isn’t saying that businesses should bear the full brunt of the problem,” Wrasse said. “This is saying we think the current system does a better job than the supposed upgrade is going to do.”

Senate Bill 46 is modeled off an Alaska law by the same name. The Brown Jug, an Alaskan bar, proposed underage drinkers pay $1,000 directly to charities, not alcohol vendors.

Senate’s resolution states the law could “position alcohol-selling establishments to benefit from underage drinking.”

But Brandon Scholz, president of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, said current laws aren’t doing enough to curb underage drinking.

“The burden falls on businesses to prevent underage drinking,” Scholz said. “So if someone glues hair on their face and gets away with it, it’s our liquor license to lose. The employee who sold it could lose their job, all for the glory of buying a six pack.”

State law doesn’t just levy fines on businesses and employees caught selling booze. On first offense, business owners or employees could have liquor licences suspended for up to three days and could face 30 days in jail.

Sholz said buying booze is ultimately a selfish decision.

Underage people aren’t thinking about consequences. If there’s a harsher punishment for drinking underage, people will be less likely to try to buy alcohol under 21, he said.

To read more about Senate and their last meeting, go to spectatornews.com Beck can be reached at becknc@ uwec.edu.

CAMPUS CALENDAR

70 mph speed limit

“They said increasing the bill would cause more death carnage on the highway,” bill clears Wisconsin and Wachs said. “I was uncomfortable rushing judgement before assembly, heads to all the homework was done.”

Lt. Jeff Lorenz, of the Wisconsin State Patrol Eau state senate Claire Post, said when he was 18 in 1970, the speed Nate Beck COPY EDITOR limit on Wisconsin highways was 70 mph.

The Wisconsin State AssemBut Lorenz declined to bly approved a bill Tuesday that comment on how higher speed could increase the speed limit limits might affect state patrol from 65 to 70 mph on Wisconsin until the bill is signed into law. freeways and expressways.

Leah Pinkowsky, a UWSix democrats joined Eau Claire freshman chemismajority republicans to pass the try major, said she’s concerned bill 63-32 . It’s now headed to the people might drive closer to State Senate.

80 mph if the law passes, Assemblyman Dana which could make Wachs, D-Eau Claire, highway driving more said lawmakers didn’t dangerous. speak with law enforce“If weather condiment officials or other tions change, it’s espehighway safety experts cially hard to react if before passing the bill you are going faster,” through the transPinkowsky said. portation committee Wachs said to the floor. although the bill isn’t That’s chiefly why all negatives he’s not Wachs didn’t vote in WACHS happy with state repfavor of the bill, he resentatives passing said. He suggested an amendbills with little debate. ment doubling fines for not “It’s disturbing how quickly wearing seatbelts, but it was legislation is pushed through,” struck down.

Wachs said. “There are posi“I voted against it because tive sides to the bill, it will take once we got to the floor we less time to get to Rice Lake found out it had been hastily and Minneapolis, but it will arranged,” Wachs said. “There increase the danger of high was no testimony from the speed collisions.”

Department of Justice or the If Senate passes the bill, state patrol.” the Department of TransportaWachs said he and tion would have six months to other members of the assembly switch interstate speed limits also received a letter from the from 65 to 70 mph. trucking company Schneider National urging lawmakers to Beck can be reached at vote against the bill. becknc@uwec.edu.

NOTABLE EVENTS HAPPENING ON AND OFF CAMPUS

THURSDAY, OCT. 17 7 p.m. — Suds and Smarts, The Raw Deal 9 - 11:30 p.m. — Jazz night, The Plus

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FRIDAY, OCT. 18 •

8 p.m. — Bella Ruse, The Cabin

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8 - 10 p.m. ­— The Senic North, The Cabin 7- 10 p.m. — Liscio Jazz Group, The Acoustic Cafe

SATURDAY, OCT.19

SUNDAY, OCT. 20 8 p.m. ­—Volcano Choir and Mark Waldoch, Schofield Auditorium

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•

MONDAY, OCT. 21 5 - 6:30 p.m. — Student Recital: Kelli Gasparka and Sara Rieke, Phillips Recital Hall

TUESDAY, OCT. 22 •

8 p.m. — Artisan Evening, The Plus

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 •

12 - 1 p.m. — Cocoa Cabal, Infiniti Artisan Winery and Distillery

More students defaulting on student loans Talking to loan providers can help stall repayment if money is an issue

Haley Zblewski MULTIMEDIA EDITOR The rate of students who default on student loans at UW-Eau Claire has increased, though not by much, experts from the Eau Claire Financial Aid office said.

The three-year cohort default rate on student loans rose from 13.4 percent in 2009 to 14.7 percent in 2010. The U.S. Department of Education released the numbers in September.

A person will default on a student loan if they have not made a payment on their federal student loans for 270 days and have not

contacted their lender to defer or forebear their loan payments.

For public institutions like Eau Claire, the national default rate is about 13 percent, said Kathy Sahlhoff, director of financial aid at Eau Claire.

Eau Claire’s three-year cohort default rate is 3.2 percent, lower than the national average.

“That went up a tick for us,” Sahlhoff said. “We’re not at all panicked, but we’re not pleased with it.”

She said part of the reason student loan default rates are lower is because many Eau Claire students find jobs quickly after graduating.

“Our students are successful students,” Sahlhoff said. “They graduate and find jobs. We have a high retention rate and a high graduation rate, and those students are repaying those loans.”

Melissa Semingson is the expert on loan repayment plans in the Financial Aid Office. She said defaulting doesn’t happen right away. Students have a nine-month period of being delinquent in payments before they default.

“When you finally reach the point of default, you really hit the brick wall,” Semingson said.

Once you default on student loans, you can’t apply for more

loans, Semingson said. Providers can take your tax returns and garnish your wages in order to collect what you owe.

To avoid reaching this point, Semingson also said the best thing you can do is talk to your loan provider.

“If you don’t have a job, you certainly can qualify for deferment or forbearance,” Semingson said. “If you have a job, but aren’t making enough money to have the funds available to make those monthly payments, there are certainly other options. There are income-based repayment (plans).

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Woodland Theatre “Five Broken Cameras” 7 p.m — Fri. - Sat. 2 p.m. — Sat. - Sun. Runs from Oct. 18 - 20

Foster Gallery “Animal Skins, Visual Surfaces” 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Mon. - Fri. 1 to 4:30 p.m. — Sat. - Sun. Runs from Oct. 3 - 31 Haas Fine Arts Center

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR: Steve Fruehauf

Thursday, Oct. 17

Serving students for 75 years Student Health Service celebrates anniversary Courtney Kueppers STAFF WRITER

Student Health Service got its start in one partitioned room in Schofield Hall in 1938.

That’s when health service first came to UW-Eau Claire and Alice Matz, the original university nurse, began offering care to students. There were 470 students enrolled and the doctor was only present for two hours a day.

Today, the doctor is always in, the office is up the hill and a lot has changed at SHS as it celebrates the 75th year anniversary of providing health care to students on campus.

Dr. Joanne Mellema, who has served as a physician at SHS since 1991, said many of the changes that have occurred are due to overall differences in the health care field.

“I think in 75 years, Madison has changed incredibly, and health care has changed as a result,” Mellema said.

Funded primarily by student segregated fees, SHS prides itself on offering care at low costs to students and functions as an outpatient medical facility.

Clinic manager Tracy TeSelle believes this facility specifically is different from all other options. TeSelle said although there is a variety of healthcare available in the community of Eau Claire, it is not the same experience for students.

Accommodating students’ schedules and being used to working with young adults makes the on-campus clinic different from other options, TeSelle said.

“Being on campus is really important,” TeSelle said.

“This is an institution of higher learning and learning to take care of yourself. We teach students to learn how to be an advocate for themselves.”

Brianna Burke, a senior chemistry major, said she has received on-campus health care various times at Eau Claire and has had nothing but positive experiences. Burke considers SHS a vital part of campus.

“They offer low-cost services for students who don’t have insurance, or are from far away and don’t have insurance coverage in Eau Claire,” Burke said. “It makes getting to the doctor

easier. It makes a lot of sense to have them on campus. I don’t think it’s something our campus can really function without.”

Deb Wright serves as a Nurse Practitioner in the clinic. Her focus is family planning. She has seen a multitude of changes develop at SHS during her time on campus.

When Wright was first hired by SHS in 1985, she was the first Nurse TESELLE Practitioner in women’s health they had staffed since the clinic started expanding their contraceptive services on campus.

Wright left after one year of a Limited Term Employment, served another LTE in 1993 and was later hired full time in 2006.

“I have sort of an unusual history at Student Health Service, but I like working with this population,” Wright said.

Over the last 75 years, SHS has focused on care of students. Mellema said staff tries to be very responsive to what students want or need.

SHS staffers are here because they enjoy working with students, TeSelle said.

“We work really hard to work around schedules to get students the care that they need knowing that that’s why we are here: to serve the students,” TeSelle said.

Burke has always felt comfortable with the staff at SHS and said they value students.

“They really do love the students, and that is why they are here,” Burke said. “I know that the clinicians and the physicians that work there could possibly get a better job somewhere else, but they choose to work here because they love the students and they want to do what is best for them.”

To celebrate their anniversary of service, the clinic will hold an open house from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25. Cupcakes, door prizes and clinic tours will be a part of the celebration.

Kueppers can be reached at kueppecm@uwec.edu.

DEFAULT from page 3 But in order to find those other options, both Sahlhoff and Semingson stressed it’s important for students not to avoid the letters their provider sends them if they stop making payments.

Stephanie Zahara is a student at Eau Claire who has about $20,000 in student loans to pay back. She hasn’t had to start repaying her loans as she is still in school, but her husband, who was going to school online, has taken time off and his student loans are due.

“Being that I was going to school full-time, he decided to not go to school for now,” Zahara said. “So right now he has some student loans out that we’re unable to pay because he’s the only person working in the household and we have two kids. So, you know, all of our money goes to bills and remodeling our house.”

Sahlhoff said there is one factor most of the Eau Claire students who default on their loans

have in common. It’s not choice in major or whether they are a lowincome student, she said.

“It’s that they didn’t successfully graduate,” Sahlhoff said.

When students take time off from college, be it temporary or permanent, after six months, students need to begin making payments on their loans or set up deferment plans with their providers.

Sahlhoff said the absolute most important thing to do to avoid falling into default is for students to keep in contact with their loan providers and discuss any problems they may have with making payments.

Zahara and her husband tried that, but they now have a past due balance of $900 they still have been unable to pay.

“We did defer them for a little while, but they only let us defer them for a little bit,” Zahara said. “And I didn’t understand why because I know people who have referred them

for quite a while, but they only let us defer them for a few months. So now we’re back to paying them, but we haven’t been paying them because we don’t have the money.”

The last thing the university is required to do to help students with their loans, Sahlhoff said, is to give them an exit interview about their loans. But some students still face troubles and it is difficult for the financial aid office to seek out people who are having trouble paying their loans, she said.

“Every individual former student who gets to the point of actually being in default, that is a devastating place for someone to be,” Sahlhoff said. “(It) hurts them, that’s so serious about changing what they can do and the choices they can make in life.

That’s the last thing we ever want to see any of our students do.”

Zblewski can be reached at zblewsha@ uwec.edu.

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Cancer study localizes

American Cancer Society is conducting final phase of Cancer Prevention Study, enrolling participants Katie Bast

Previous studies have made ground-breaking advancements in cancer research. While the average UW-Eau Claire student may not be eligible to parWhen the American Cancer Sociticipate, Bergstrom said stuety conducted the first Cancer dents should know about the Prevention Study in 1959, they study so they can connect with discovered the link between possible participants. tobacco use and lung cancer.

“It’s important to get the Now the final phase of the information out there and study is in progress and people students are a great resource in Eau Claire can get involved. for that,” Bergstrom said.

Adults ages 30-65 can par“This is a study that’s going to ticipate in CPS-3, which aims to impact them and their children find more connections between in the future.” the choices we make and cancer.

For the study to be most Kristopher Bergstrom, comMULLER effective, subjects need to be munity relations representative studied over long periods of for the Midwest division of the time and younger people may be harder American Cancer Society, said educato keep track of. Bergstrom said younger tion on the matter is important. people can still be helpful by using their “We want to better understand how connection to spread the word. lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and “They have connections not only genetic factors correlate and cause throughout the university, but throughcancer ... and hopefully eliminate canout the community and with their cer as a major health problem for this parents,” Bergstrom said. generation and future generations,” Junior athletic training major and Bergstrom said.

President of Colleges Against Cancer, The second phase of this study Simone Muller, said getting involved found links between lifestyle choices is key. like eating healthy and exercising and cancer. The third phase will review To read more about this cancer other criteria in hopes they find even more connections to cancer enrollment study, go to causing agents. spectatornews.com Subjects provide a blood sample upon enrollment. Periodic questionnaires and blood samples will be the Bast can be reached at bastkv@uwec. basis for future research. edu.

OP/ED EDITOR

COMMUNITY NEWS

NEWS EDITOR: Steve Fruehauf

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Thursday, Oct. 17

Alumna research leads to Africa Eau Claire grad takes what she learned in class out into the field

Emily Albrent CURRENTS EDITOR

A UW-Eau Claire education can take you far, maybe even as far as Africa.

Eau Claire alumna Sarah Ivory took another trip to Afri-

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CROSS-CONTINENTAL: UW-Eau Claire alumna Sarah Ivory is currently in Africa researching how vegetiation affects human evolution.

ca to research how vegetation affects human evolution. She said going to Africa was the next step after finishing up her PhD from University of Arizona.

“I worked on Africa vegetation for the last five years during my dissertation, and I haven’t had any opportunity to go into the field and look at the vegetation first hand,” Ivory said. “My adviser had this project going, and I always thought that it would be a great opportunity to be able to go to Africa.”

BARTH Ivory said the team worked by taking long drill cores from two sites in Kenya, each core being a little over two hundred meters — approximately 656 feet. She said the samples would be cut up and sectioned off to be shipped to the United States and looked at closer in the months to come.

“I look at fossil pollen,” Ivory said. “By looking at that pollen I can kind of reconstruct what the vegetation might have looked like in the past.”

Eau Claire anthropology professor Bob Barth said vegetation relates directly to how humans evolve.

“Vegetation is part of different eco niches, and organisms evolve into eco niches,” Barth said. “Also, changes in vegetation was one of the things that lead homo sapians to go out of Africa, so vegetation is very important because it’s part of the overall environment in which you adapt.”

Studying cores in Kenya taught Ivory so much more than

what her research set out to do. She said she got to know the locals, their culture and how to stay safe in Kenya.

“You are more on your guard,” Ivory said. “I was with a group of people who knew Kenya really well and the area well and could give me some advice on where to go, where not to go, and what to do to make sure that you had personal safety.”

Ivory said many times, safety wasn’t just a social construct, but an environmental one as well such as not placing a backpack on the ground because a snake might crawl in it.

The locals may have taught Ivory a lot, but her education at Eau Claire was something that also impacted her life, she said.

“It helped me a lot actually,” Ivory said. “I was really lucky because I was always involved in research projects.”

A professor at Eau Claire that changed her course of study and direction of her career was Biology professor Joe Rohrer.

Rohrer said Ivory was a great student who was smart and motivated.

“I remember her saying that being in my class reminded her of how much she liked plants,” Rohrer said. “It was some time the next year that she majored in biology, and since she had been in my class, she started to talk to me and I got her involved in a research project that had to do with Native American plumbs.”

Ivory said her work is not done researching the cores and samples that the team has taken. She said in the months to come she hopes to learn more about how the vegetation in parts of Africa influenced how early humans evolved.

Albrent can be reached at albrenec@uwec.edu.

Light up the night Charity run combines good cause with bar atmosphere fun Karl Enghofer

STAFF WRITER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER What has 600 legs, likes to dance and glows in the dark?

About 300 runners who participated in Saturday night’s E-Glow Twilight Rave, a 5K charity run, fit the description. The race began at Lake Altoona County Park and finished at Whiskey’s Grill and Bar in Eau Claire with a dance party.

Whiskey’s owner Brad Windeshausen, along with friend James Riemer and Brian Sandy, The Leader-Telegram’s marketing and promotion manager, all collaborated on the idea of a night run.

“Safety is the most important thing, but then have fun with it too,” Riemer said. “This was a fun run ... dance before hand, do some crazy stuff, paint each other.”

All participants gathered at Lake Altoona County Park for music and events prior to the beginning of the race. Then, once they finished, a black light dance party was waiting for them with food and drinks at Whiskey’s after.

Eau Claire resident Heidi Klime, 30, said she was impressed with the turnout and enjoyed the nighttime aspect because the trails were illuminated from glow sticks.

Registration was $40, which included a gift bag containing a t-shirt, drink vouchers, coupons from local businesses, a Monster energy drink and glow-in-the-dark paint.

Runners received a $5 discount if they

brought a food item to donate. Whiskey’s is donating all of the food and a portion of the proceeds to The Community Table, a charitable organization in Eau Claire.

“That’s the purpose of these races,” Riemer said. “It’s fun for people to get out and do it when they know it’s something that’s important.”

Windeshausen said a committee is still counting the items of food and figuring out the expenses, but he’s confident they’ll be able to “cut them a sizeable check.”

He said he plans on organizing another E-Glow next year but won’t have it fall on Homecoming day again. It did, however, provide fun for some UW-Eau Claire students who opted out of Blugold festivities.

“There were quite a few college kids that did participate that wanted something different from the normal house party type thing,” Windeshausen said.

Amy Seeger, a Whiskey’s employee, said they tried to attract students in advance who were looking for a change of scenery.

“We still had an awesome turnout despite (Homecoming),” she said. “We kind of advertised it that way too, like ‘If you’re sick of going to house parties, here’s something else cool to do.’”

Being that it was a first-time event, Riemer said he didn’t have any specific goals or expectations going in other than doing as much as possible for charity and the Eau Claire Community.

Enghofer can be reached at enghofka@uwec.edu.

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GLOW IN THE DARK: Participants in Saturday’s E-Glow 5K received glow in the dark paint as one of the gifts they received prior to the race. Runners were invited to a dance party at Whisky’s after finishing.

PARTY from page 2 “I think the university, in a collaborative effort with the community and the police department, really has done a great job getting those needed messages across to the students,” he said.

Senior Emily Huber said she thinks, overall, students are getting smarter about dealing with their alcohol, but it doesn’t take away from her responsible celebrations.

“Homecoming is always a blast,” Huber said. “My favorite part about the whole thing was definitely having all the alumni back.”

Parties were scattered throughout the neighborhood directly around Water Street for the majority of Saturday and Mack Jenz said the camaraderie he saw throughout the day made him want to come to UW-Eau Claire.

He said everybody was super welcoming to him and a few friends who were visiting one of the residents of the party.

“This is so much fun, it seems like everybody is in the best mood,” Jenz said.

“The weather is nice, I really just wish I went to school here for days like these.”

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The Spectator

SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR: Nick Erickson

8

Thursday, Oct. 17

Can’t stop, won’t stop

Bugold athletes use time in the offseason and preseason to prepare for the season ahead Rachel Streich STAFF WRITER

When the season ends for Blugold athletes, the hard work they put in toward their sport is not finished — it’s just beginning.

The offseason and preseason are times many athletes use strategically to improve performance months away from competition. Although they are not currently competing, Blugold athletes prepare themselves for the prime time by training and practicing consistently.

Junior Courtney Lewis of the women’s basketball team said the time before the season is vital for the season.

“The offseason is definitely one of the most important times because coming into the season you already have to be conditioned and ready to get right into learning plays,” Lewis said.

Workouts focusing on conditioning help athletes stay in shape for the upcoming season. They often place emphasis on weight lifting as well as strength, endurance and agility training.

Mental toughness is also important to work on in preparation for the season, wrestling captain Mat Rieckhoff said. The wrestling team runs up the hill to improve their mindsets in exhausting and challenging circumstances.

In addition to these workouts, practicing the sport on a regular basis when there are not official practice times pays off in the long run, Lewis said.

However, several athletes said this work is voluntary because athletes cannot make contact with coaches for extended periods of time during the offseason. It is the athlete’s choice to be accountable to the team by coming to workouts on a regular basis.

Head softball coach Leslie Huntington said she hopes the players on her softball team are staying dedicated to improving their athletic performance.

“It shows a really strong commitment because it’s challenging to motivate yourself at this time of year to work out,” she said.

Sophomore softball player Gracia Larson said with the help of teammates, especially upperclassmen, pushing each other to succeed in organized workout times, athletes are able to remain motivated and driven. Even when the payoff for their effort is not immediate. They can bond and come together as a team in helping each other out. Larson said the softball team does a good job of this and does not let each other slack off or miss workouts, Success in the coming season is the main motivator for Blugold athletes. Larson said players on the softball team “truly think (they) are championship potential,” so they strive to reach that potential in the offseason and preseason. The women’s basketball team is also determined to do better this season than the last,

Larsen’s speed still not enough for Blugolds The sophomore wide receiver wound up finding the endzone for two scores in the overtime loss Nick Erickson SPORTS EDITOR

The UW-Stevens Point Pointers had a perfect game plan for the UWEau Claire football team: crowd the box and stop All-American running back Joel Sweeney.

While they successfully did this, holding big No. 24 to just 90 yards on 26 carries, they opened the door for a new offensive weapon to emerge in sophomore speedster Clint Larsen, a wide receiver.

Larsen took a few sweep plays to the outside and ran the ball for 77 yards on just eight carries, including Eau Claire’s two touchdowns — one of which sent the game into overtime.

But the now 4-1 Pointers got the best of the Blugolds in overtime, dishing out a 23-17 loss to Eau Claire in front of a raucous crowd of 4,117 people at Carson Park for Homecoming Saturday.

“A lot of people are crashing to stop Sweeney,” head coach Todd Glaser said. “It was a way to get them to stop doing that. Clint’s got great speed and

SUBMITTED

BREAKING FREE: Sophomore Clint Larsen gave the Blugolds a new offensive threat by taking two jet sweeps to the house for touchdowns Saturday against UW-Stevens Point.

he hit it a couple of times to the corner.”

Larsen, who was coming off a week where he was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff a school-record 98 yards for a touchdown at UW-Platteville, said he feels comfortable right now with the football in his hands.

“You get confidence from your teammates; you get confidence from within yourself to keep having great games,” Larsen said.

Larsen and Glaser also both said it was encouraging to find new ways to create plays on the offense.

Larsen’s two touchdowns came on sweep plays to the outside that saw him break loose, one for a 26-yard run with 14:54 left to play in the second quarter and the other being the lategame heroics, a 16-yarder with 1:11 left in the game to tie it at 17.

“Offensively, we played a great game,” Larsen said. “We made big plays, the kind of big plays you need throughout the game. It’s the big plays that really decide the game, I guess.”

But the game’s biggest play came courtesy of Stevens Point in the overtime session that led straight to a Pointer victory.

In college football overtimes, both teams get a chance to play offense. So it is like baseball where you want to have the last opportunity to score. Stevens Point won the toss and sent Larsen, junior quarterback Mark Munger and the rest of the Blugold offense out onto the field first.

On a third-down and four play with the Blugolds 19 yards away from the endzone, Munger rolled out and fooled the Stevens Point defense as they rolled out with him. Sweeney slipped to other side for a half-back screen pass, and as Munger turned to throw it to him for what would have been a touchdown, Pointer defensive lineman Jake Bedor jumped to grab Munger’s screen pass to

Lewis said. This gives them ambition in the difficult days of the offseason.

Huntington said another goal of offseason workouts and practices is gaining an advantage over the competition, which may not be investing as much time and effort out of season.

“Doing the things that we want them to do at this time of year should give them a competitive edge,” Huntington said.

On a personal level, getting strong and healthy in the offseason is essential, senior Jacob Dennis-Oehling of the men’s track team said.

Without sport commitments, athletes said they have more time to focus on schoolwork. They can take more credits when their sport is not in its season and they can concentrate more on classes.

The offseason may also help to give athletes better time management skills. Lewis said the women’s basketball preseason has helped her to learn how to effectively balance school and athletics.

Athletes said the offseason and preseason are beneficial times for Blugold athletes if they chose to use them well. As the winter and spring seasons approach, the evidence of choices will show.

Streich can be reached at streichrn@uwec.edu.

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

BACK TO PASS: Quarterback Mark Munger looks downfield for a receiver in front of a near-capacity crowd watching the Blugolds take on UW-Stevens Point on Homecoming.

give Stevens Point the ball back. They would score several plays later to seal the victory.

Glaser said giveaways were costly throughout the ballgame.

“We can’t turnover the football, and that’s all throughout the game,” Glaser said.

On the defensive side of the ball, Glaser saw his secondary bounceback a week removed from giving up seven touchdown passes to Platteville’s John Kelly.

The defensive backs held Stevens Point quarterback Mitch Beau in check, making him throw for only 202 yards and one touchdown. Senior cornerback Colton Ellis said the defense did a good job bouncing back on Saturday.

“You’ve got to able to clear your mind and have a short memory,” Ellis said. “We had a good week of preparation. Everybody stuck to their

jobs, and it was a battle the entire game. We just unfortunately came out on the wrong end of it.”

With the loss, the Blugolds fell to 0-5 on the year. However, three of those five losses have been by a combined 11 points. Larsen said strong camaraderie has helped Eau Claire deal with tough losses, and it will to continue to make them better as the year winds down.

“Everyday, we’re out there encouraging each other, we’re keeping the confidence up, we’re keeping the hype up, we’re picking each other up when we’re all down,” Larsen said. “Family does that.”

The “Family” will head to UW-Whitewater for a rare, under-thelights matchup, 7 p.m., Friday, at Perkins Field in Whitewater.

Erickson can be reached at ericksna@uwec.edu.

SPORTS EDITOR: Nick Erickson

Out to make a big splash

Men’s and women’s swimming and diving seasons underway Katy Macek STAFF WRITER

After the alumni intrasquad meet last Saturday at the McPhee Physical Education Center, the UW-Eau Claire swimming and diving team has officially started its season.

Head coach Art Brandt, who is in his 11th year of coaching both teams, said while the intrasquad meet isn’t a good indicator of the team itself because it is a laid back event, there are still many things the team members get out of it.

“The most important part for me for the alumni weekend is bringing parents together for the first time, the alumni mingling with the present team, and just making sure everything works,” Brandt said.

While it isn’t very competitive, Brandt said, it does give new freshmen the chance to talk to alumni and see what it’s like to swim with the team.

As for the overall outlook team, Brandt said there is definite room for improvement, but that is to be expected at the beginning of the year, and he sees it as a good thing.

“Typically, by the end of the season, we’re right there,” Brandt said. “As a coach, I’ve learned to be patient with what we can do.”

Still, Brandt has begun to push the athletes a little bit harder at the beginning of the season than usual.

Jake McDade, a junior distance swimmer on the men’s team, said even though the practices are tough, it’s worth it, because he said there is

SPORTS 9

Thursday, Oct. 17 potential for a good year.

“This year they’ve been really working us hard in the pool, more so than we ever have, and everyone’s exhausted, but it’s definitely showing it,” McDade said. “It’s looking better already.”

They practice every weekday afternoon for two hours, and have just begun to do morning practices three days a week, McDade said.

One thing McDade said he is looking forward to this year is having a backstroke component of the men’s team again. He said in the previous years they haven’t had any men who compete in backstroke, but it will be back this year, which will add numbers in relays.

Senior Emily Behrens, who swims mostly 100 and 200 meter breaststroke, also said the practices are demanding but necessary.

“We’ve got to start off somewhere, and you can’t take it too easy in the beginning, otherwise you’re going to get nowhere,” Behrens said.

After just a few weeks of practice, Behrens said she is feeling confident in the team and has a lot of expectations for the upcoming year.

“I personally think that both our men’s and women’s team are really strong this year,” Behrens said. “I also think that the women’s team has a shot at winning conference, as long as everyone does what they’re expected.”

These expectations aren’t just for the swimmers. Behrens also said the diving team looks especially good this year, and is excited to see how far they can go.

This year the diving team consists of 12 members, nine women and three men, which Brandt said isn’t typical, but feels confident about it because divers do a lot for their meets and the program in general.

The women’s team will kick off their first official meet against Mankato (Minn.) this Friday at McPhee. The first meet for both the men and women will be Oct. 26 against UW-Stevens Point.

Macek can be reached at macekkn@uwec.edu.

GRAPHIC BY KARL ENGHOFER

#11 Keagan Kinsella Women’s volleyball

Getting to know Kinsella: Favorite food: Endless breadsticks at Olive Garden Sport to watch: Basketball TV show/guilty pleasure: “The Bachelorette” Dream job: Own her own business

Freshman Chanhassen, Minn.

Blugolds split tourney once again Schuh records 1,000th career kill as team splits 2-2 at home tournament Tyler Henderson FREELANCER

The UW-Eau Claire women’s volleyball team went 2-2 this weekend as they hosted the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament.

After splitting their games Friday by beating the St. Scholastica (Minn.) Saints 3-1 and losing to the St. Thomas (Minn.) Tommies 0-3, the Blugolds won their first game on Saturday against Gustavus-Adolphus (Minn.) 3-2 and lost a close battle with the Northwestern (Minn.) Eagles, falling 3-2.

“I’m disappointed,” head coach Kim Wudi said. “I know a lot of people would be fine with two and two, but I’m really not.”

Senior Lauren Sutherland, who over the weekend moved up to third in school history for digs, said she agreed with her coach.

“It gives us things to work on,” Sutherland said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do in the gym.”

To read more about the women’s volleyball team, go to spectatornews.com

While hosting the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament in the McPhee Physical Education Center this weekend, Kinsella led the Blugolds in blocking and hitting percentage. The freshman led or tied for a team high in blocking in three out of four matches, finishing with a total of 18 blocks (one solo, 17 assists). She also hit .301 with 46 kills and 15 errors in 103 attempts.

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

BOOM BOOM POW: Sophomore Kelly Riegsgraf gets up high and slams home a spike Saturday.

Favorite on court memory: Playing at Zorn Arena instead of McPhee

Sports exclusively online this week: Women’s soccer and women’s tennis

CURRENTS CURRENTS EDITOR: Emily Albrent

An array of acceptance National Coming Out Day annually brings LGBTQ awareness to students

ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

SPEAKING OUT: Alex King, a sophomore, shared her coming out story at National Coming Out Day on Friday. During her short speech, she pointed out a friend in the crowd who had been a big supporter of her.

Martha Landry MANAGING EDITOR

On Friday, Katie Jepsen, a senior, stood on stage on the UWEau Claire campus mall, with a rainbow flag waving as her backdrop, and told her coming out story.

Jepsen came out as pansexual in June, which is an attraction to people instead of gender, but the event was her first time publicly coming out.

“Part of it was just liberating for me because it had been so long that I was struggling with this,” Jepsen said. “It was kind of just this big moment of my life because I have wanted to publicly come out ever since I did come out. It was kind of a big

step for me.”

National Coming Out Day is an annual event that celebrates coming out and raises awareness of the LGBT community and civil rights movement.

The event was founded in 1988 and is celebrated on Oct. 11, the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

The campus celebrations included musical performances

by Fifth Element, Impromptu, Audacious and Innocent Men along with personal coming out stories. There were also speeches from Dean of Students Joseph Abhold, Chancellor James Schmidt and Assistant Director for Leadership and Education Quincy Chapman.

Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center Coordinator Chris

The Field, “Cupid’s Head” 9/10 GRAPHIC BY KARL ENGHOFER/ The Spectator

Every week, Chief Copy Editor Zack Katz will be listening to albums over a variety of genres and voicing his opinion on them Out of nowhere, Swedish electronic producer Alex Willner, better known as The Field, dropped his unanticipated masterpiece “Cupid’s Head” on Sept. 30 like a ton of bricks.

This is the first release I’ve picked up on from The Field, and even before hearing earlier works, Willner made a statement of his accomplished sound loud and clear.

It’s been two years since he’s released anything except a miscellany of remixes and singles, but The Field has made efficient use of his down time by tossing together influences from past works in a way that feels so, so right.

Never have I thought to describe a

minimalist electronic album as dance-y or heart-pumping, but without a doubt this album breaks the “chill” stereotypes of its genre and should be played at high volumes.

I think Willner’s success on “Cupid’s Head” comes from what an engaging sound he’s created on something considered largely ambient — he grabs your attention immediately with his ability to squeeze so much substance into such minimal-sounding beats.

To read more visit spectatornews.com

10

Thursday, Oct. 17

Jorgenson said he was really happy with the amount of students who shared their stories and the proud display of LGBTQ support the university displayed.

“To have (the flag) presented in such an unapologetic and visible way, it can be very powerful and in fact is very powerful to many students,” Jorgenson said.

There were four students scheduled to share and to encourage other people to share their stories throughout the day, but 20 to 30 students took the stage.

Jepsen, an intern for the Women’s & LGBTQ Resource Center, said she put herself on the schedule right away because she wanted to share.

“Right before I went on I was really nervous just because public speaking can be nerve wracking and telling a public story is really nerve wracking,” Jepsen said, “But I’m really, really happy that I did it.”

Each year the event has had more and more student organizations set up booths during the event.

“We had like 26 student organizations show up,” Jepsen said. “I think everyone had really positive attitudes about it and everyone JEPSEN was really great and supportive.”

Jorgenson said it was particularly exciting to have the administration make speeches in support of the campus LGBTQ community.

Dean of Students Joseph Abhold said he wanted to speak to be clear that the dean of students office is in place to support all students on campus.

“We are here to help create a safe and positive nurturing campus environment where they can do their best and be embraced by the campus community,” Abhold said.

Jepsen’s friends and family stood by and watched her tell her story, and everyone got a bit emotional, Jepsen said. She also said it was a very accepting environment on the campus mall, and she is very happy with her decision to stand on stage publicly coming out.

“It felt amazing.”

Landry can be reached at landrymm@uwec.edu

CURRENTS EDITOR: Emily Albrent

Revamping "Dracula"

Thursday, Oct. 17

CURRENTS 11

Theater program brings cult thriller "Dracula" to Kjer Theatre Ryan Spaight STAFF WRITER

Just in time for Halloween, the cast of the UW-Eau Claire theater department’s "Dracula" is donning their vampire fangs and writhing around in fake blood. The "Dracula" production is a theatrical adaptation of the classic, same-named novel written by Bram Stoker.

"Dracula" will debut on campus at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 in the Kjer Theatre. The show is directed by Richard Nimke.

“I’ve always been curious about horror in theatre,” Nimke said.

“I’ve wondered whether fear can be created in the same way that film and television can do it.”

The show downplayed the type of fear usually portrayed in productions of "Dracula." When Dracula appears on stage, Nimke said he wanted the other characters to be frozen in fear rather than screaming in terror, because that can be more chilling for the audience.

Koryna Flores, a senior theater major is the stage manager.

Flores said stage managing involves taking care of the administrative work of productions, along with ensuring everything happening on stage is what the director envisioned, Flores said.

Professors normally send emails to theater majors seeking stage managers a few months before the start of a production, Flores said.

“I love this play," Flores said. "It was one of my favorite books when I was little. So, I was really excited about it being done at Eau Claire, so I walked down to (Nimke’s) office right away and asked him about the position and got the job.”

RYAN SPAIGHT / The Spectator

THRILLER: In the play "Dracula," which will be performed starting on Oct. 17, Dracula (Seth Hale) stalks Mina (Laura Schlichting) in the dead of night.

Nimke said the Eau Claire production of "Dracula" has a custom soundtrack composed by Landon Profaizer.

Each character in the show has an instrument that is specific to them in the soundtrack. Dracula’s instrument is the only one of its kind. Jared Beebe, a senior Spanish and theatre major is playing Dr. John Seward, the asylum doctor.

Beebe said Dr. Seward heads the mental asylum, and at the time of the play, in Victorian England, mental sciences are just beginning to be practiced. He has aspirations of starting up this new science.

Molly Wilson is a junior theater major playing Lucy.

Wilson said Lucy is very well off and hasn’t known a lot of hardship in her life. She is Mina’s best friend since childhood, and she starts having nightmares at the beginning of the show. “(Lucy) wakes up from these nightmares with strange marks

48-hour film frenzy

on her neck and is left totally in the dark about what’s happening to her.”

Seth Hale, a junior theatre major, is playing Dracula in the show.

He said, “Dracula starts out in Transylvania, and his goal is to get to England, because he’s starving in Transylvania and growing old from not feeding.” “(The Dracula show) utilizes professional designers,” Hale said.

“The design is really well done, and the costuming is time-appropriate and amazing.”

“Dracula sucks," Hale said. "Come see it."

Spaight can be reached at spaighrj@uwec.edu

Students and community members will write, film and produce a video throughout weekend Brittni Straseske COPY EDITOR

This weekend will be a flurry of activity for those participating in the 48-hour film festival.

Students and community members participating in the festival will have two full days to write, film, edit and produce a video.

The project hosted by the University Activities Commission films committee. Groups will begin their films at 9 p.m. sharp Friday night, and the finished product must be submitted by 9 p.m.

Sunday evening.

This year marks the nine year anniversary of the event, but is the second year it is being hosted by the university. Chippewa Valley Community Television organized the event for the first seven years, said Rob Mattison, the first coordinator of the event.

Mattison now works on campus for Learning and Technology Services, but remembers his early days of participating in the event. His entire family would participate, he said. His kids would write the story and Mattison would film and edit it.

Mattison said because of this project, he was able to watch his children grow up.

Participation is open to any student or community member, said Shannon McInnis, the UAC films committee chair. In the past, even children have participated.

“We get a wide range of people, and that’s one of the things that makes it really interesting,” McInnis said. “We have adults and community members who have done it before or that have a lot of experience in film making and then just film buffs who saw the poster.”

Every year, participants are assigned a theme to work with, said McInnis. This year’s theme is monsters and magic. Groups also have to follow a few guidelines and requirements, she said.

There is a ten minute time limit on films, and each group is given a prop and line of dialogue to include in their movie, McInnis said. She said there are no limits on group size, however. In the past, there have been groups as small as five and as large as 20.

“If someone wanted to make a claymation by themselves with a camera, that would be fine with us,” McInnis said.

Brodie Haenke is a member of the films com-

mittee, but also participates in creating a video. As a high school student, he participated in 48-hour film projects in Minneapolis.

In Minneapolis, many of the contestants were professional film makers and did the festival for publicity. The Eau Claire festival is much less competitive, he said.

“I like the Eau Claire 48-hour film festival because it’s a little smaller, it’s not so serious,” Haenke said. “People do it because they love doing it."

Finished films will be shown Oct. 30 at Woodland Theater, Haenke said. The showing will be free and open to the public. It is a great opportunity for community members and students, in particular, to see their work on the big screen, he said.

“You can put anything you want on YouTube and no one will ever see it,” Haenke said.

“But to have an actual movie theater … and to have people sit down and watch your work makes it worth it.”

Staseske can be reached at strasebn@uwec.edu

SUBMITTED

OP/ED EDITOR: Katie Bast

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Two is better than one As people enter the workforce, they should control their social media before it’s too late Nick Erickson SPORTS EDITOR

As Bob Saget’s voiceover of a 40-year-old Ted Mosby in the television comedy “How I Met Your Mother” once said in an episode where young Ted sends a message he immediately regretted, “The worst thing is, once you send a text, you can never get it back.”

While as humorous as the episode may have been, Saget’s voice-over message actually has a ERICKSON startling bit of truth behind it.

In this case, I believe ‘text’ is interchangeable with social media, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and, if anybody still uses it out there, MySpace.

As college students, it is forced down our throats to attempt to get an internship and eventually a full-time, professional job.

With thousands upon thousands of applicants, it is your job to make yourself better than all of those other resumes out there. And perhaps you’ve got the grades, the extracurriculars and even the charisma a business might like.

Then, they go to your social media, where all sorts of problems can take place. You’ve got pictures of yourself at parties, perhaps a drunk Tweet or two (okay, come one, we’ve all been there; we go to a public university in Wisconsin). Even something that indicates support for a particular political party or social movement that might not coincide with the employers views.

Suddenly, your name is removed from the application process, and your dream job or internship is down the drain just like that.

Please, I am encouraging you right now so you don’t have to attempt to

“Think of your social media site as a drug. Would you, for lack of a better term, abuse it right before an interview?

Probably not.”

explain yourself on interview day to make two separate social media pages of whatever medium you go on the most. Make one for your professional career, linking to some projects and “friending” resources, and one for your personal self, where you can post all the pictures with your tongue out and eyes closed with a big ol’ blunt in hand sporting “she looked good last night” shirts you want. Just make sure to not use your full name on that one, though.

And for good measure, really change the privacy settings. You can never be too safe.

According to a study performed by znet.com, 56 percent of employers said they were likely to check out an applicant’s Facebook or Twitter page.

The study also showed a survey question where some employers said they would indeed fire someone based on the misuse of a social media page.

Here is another way to look at it.

In a lot of jobs, you need to pass a drug test. You wouldn’t even think about doing an illegal drug that might possibly show up on a test to prevent you from your dream internship or job. At least, I’d hope not.

So think of your social media site as a drug. Would you, for lack of better a term, abuse it right before an interview? Probably not.

Plus, if you have a separate site with only your classroom work and other experiences posted, employers would have an easier time accessing the material you wish to show them, perhaps giving you the upper hand in the hiring process.

We live in a crazy world where technology can shine light on even the slightest move. If you make that move at the wrong time, you have the potential to completely screw yourself over.

With that in mind, why wouldn’t you want to create a separate page employers can get to in order to avoid that situation? It keeps you out of trouble while allowing you to still connect with an abundance of resources.

And keep, if anything else, for my own entertainment, your personal social media account for fun pictures, links and one-sided posts for yourself.

As long as you are smart and change the privacy settings a bit so employers don’t see that one instead.

It’s a win-win situation. But whatever you do, don’t accidentally post something on the wrong site, of course!

Erickson is a junior journalism major and Sports Editor of The Spectator. He can be reached at ericksna@uwec.edu.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Here’s a tip

Reasons why tipping at restaurants is imperative Karl Enghofer

STAFF WRITER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Most people have their own philosophy about tipping at restaurants and bars. Some tip 15 percent no matter what. Some double the tax of the bill. Some take into consideration the quality of the food and some consider the hospitality.

The only reality that doesn’t change is with a federal minimum wage of $2.13 an hour before gratuities, a restaurant worker struggles to get by.

Simple economics come into play when pricing a restaurant menu — preparation, transportation, storage and running costs. The same econom-

ics apply to the public, but many customers don’t realize it outside their own kitchen.

No, a steak doesn’t cost $20 when you buy it yourself at the grocery store. However, that steak needs to be cooked, then you have to buy sides to compliment it, cook those, clean all the dishes, pay for the gasoline required to get those items and pay the gas, water and electricity involved in making it at home. Now throw a few dollars in the garbage to cover the scraps you couldn’t finish. That $10 steak at the grocery store just became a $20 meal, or maybe more.

Restaurants rely on that $10 upcharge to cover their costs, services and losses the public just expects to come free with their meal, along with servers grabbing you more water, extra napkins and a bad suck-up joke here ENGHOFER and there.

I tend bar at a restaurant in Eau Claire and I split all my tips evenly with another bartender. After my tips are cut in half, Visa and Mastercard get a chunk of my tips to cover the interchange fee. This leaves a measly portion I often throw in my gas tank to get home, or grab a beer to numb the slap in the face that was my shift (then hopelessly slam a dollar on the table for a tip).

My tips vary each night depending on the day of the week and other factors going on in the community, but I get $6 an hour taken out for taxes on tips regardless. Let me tell you, there aren’t enough drinkers from 4 to 9 p.m.

Creating a private bubble Reducing stress load leads to more personal space Becky Olson STAFF WRITER

College is the place where everything seems to happen all the time.

From sporting events to concerts to going to the bars with friends, college is definitely where you can find anything you want to do.

My parents always encouraged me to try new things and meet new people every chance I had. Even in my final year here at UW-Eau Claire, I’m still joining groups and staying involved in many social activities. However, while being outgoing and involved has many benefits, it takes away my individual personal time.

At the beginning of this semester I was balancing 17 credits of classes, Blugold Marching Band performances every weekend, The Spectator responsibilities and a job at Target.

Many days consisted of rushing from class to work to starting homework at midnight. After a couple of weeks, I

realized it was just too much for me to handle.

When I decided to take a leave of absence from Target, some of the pressure on my shoulders was lifted. I got a lot more homework done along with being able to enjoy some space. As much as I can multi-task different things, there is a point where it just becomes impossible to do.

It’s important to find this point and find out how much stress you can handle. Some can balance full-time school, work and activities while others can only do one thing at a time.

Most college students today underestimate the amount of stress they place on themselves. With growing tuition debt, a very competitive job market and trying to succeed in classes, more and more students are under a lot of pressure these days. According to a 2012 study by the American College Counseling Association, 37.4 percent of college students seeking help have severe psychological problems. Depression and

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on a Wednesday in Eau Claire to shovel out $30 in tips.

A new problem arises — servers are being taxed on tips they don’t even make because restaurant owners assume they make a consistent amount each shift. This means a server in my situation making the federal minimum, during a five-hour shift, needs to earn $19.35 in tips before they make any money.

Christopher Elliott wrote an article in October for USA Today, suggesting people should tip 25 percent.

He said almost four in 10 restaurant workers earn at or below the federal minimum wage, even after factoring in tips. He also said because servers experience almost three times the poverty rate of the workforce, many rely on food stamps.

As for solutions, I can’t find many.

Effective in 2016, a cashier at Mcdonald’s will make $10 an hour in California after legislation was approved to raise the state minimum wage. Wait staff in restaurants do far more than typing orders into a computer.

Restaurant owners are forcing their servers into poverty and seem to be fine with it. Countries with a minimum wage of $2.13 or less include Mexico, Afghanistan and India to put that in perspective.

Poor tips will always be a problem due to changes in society and personal philosophies. Servers need to be making the minimum wage the rest of Americans earn ($7.25 an hour). That way a tip will actually reflect the hospitality and hard work they put forth.

Enghofer is a senior journalism major and staff writer/graphic designer at The Spectator. He can be reached at enghofka@uwec.edu. anxiety are the most recorded mental health problems.

While stress is unavoidable and appears on a daily basis, there are simple and easy steps students can take to reduce some of these problems. First, make a routine for yourself. If you do homework and go to bed at a specific time, keep it that way so you know where to fit in everything else. Time management is key in making sure stress gets lowered.

Second, be realistic and understand you can’t do everything. There are only a certain amount of hours in a day, so don’t think you can get everything done in just a couple of hours. Taking breaks between homework sessions can help give your mind a chance to rest and can be refreshing even if only for a couple of minutes.

To read more about time management and reducing stress, go to spectatornews.

Olson is a senior journalism major and staff writer at The Spectator. She can be reached at olsoreb@uwec.edu.

OPINION / EDITORIAL OP/ED EDITOR: Katie Bast

Thursday, Oct. 17

We don’t need a Columbus Day History needs to be told truthfully, not rewritten to benefit victors After reading the article about Amelia Kimball’s experience in the San Juan area of Puerto Rico in “Trouble in Paradise,” I was shocked, and I could sympathize with her as well.

I have spent the last two months in San German, Puerto Rico, and I also spent fall 2012 here as well. I have heard stories about the metro area and have even visited it a few times, and needless to say, it is not my favorite destination on the “island of enchantment” (Puerto Rico’s slogan). It can be very dangerous, particularly for non-locals, and I have had more than one brush with danger in that area that made me swear that I was never going to leave San German again.

Unlike the terrifying reality of the extremely high crime rate in San Juan, San German was more-or-less peaceful and laid-back, and it speaks much more to Puerto Rico’s “Island of enchantment” slogan than the San Juan area.

I first came to San German last fall semester after having studied in Costa Rica during spring 2011. I did very little research on Puerto Rico and expected it to be pretty similar to my experience in Costa Rica. Boy, was I taken by surprise! It seemed pretty quiet, small and friendly, and my coordinators from the Interamerican University of San German picked me up and dropped me off at the dorms without so much as a clue as to what I was supposed to do.

I’m not going to sugar-coat my initial reaction; I hated it, and I wanted to leave. I was homesick, and I didn’t know anyone. The city has a pretty small population, but the area that it covers is pretty big (at least for someone who doesn’t have a car and has to walk forty-five minutes to get to a supermarket).

The Internet in any given place was iffy or non-existent. My coordinators seemed distant, constantly busy, and I didn’t want to bother them. My Spanish skills, which were excellent in Eau Claire, were mediocre in San German. Sure the English-speakers quickly found me, excited to practice, but I was not going to give up. I got made fun of for my Spanish a bit, and I was often singled out for being a gringa (a girl from the mainland United States) by the boricuas (Puerto Ricans).

Every day was an exhausting struggle, especially with almost no one to talk to. I was ready to give up, looking up flights and asking my mom if she could, if it came down to it, spare the money to get me a last-minute flight home.

However, after about a month, I found a group of students that lived in the city, who mostly only spoke Span-

ish, and continued to hang out with them up to the present. I was able to make friends, even though I was miserable and lacking self-confidence, because I felt safe to go out at night and walk around the main parts of town (with another person at least).

I have never felt as empowered as I did when I came home in December of 2012. I did it. I made it.

Four and a half months in Puerto Rico with great grades, new friends, and some unforgettable experiences. I felt like I could do anything, but all I really wanted was to come back, to extract even more knowledge, life lessons and experience out of this city.

So I applied for another National Student Exchange in San German, and after two months of old and new challenges, like explaining to new friends that I was here before or climbing the never-ending inclines of the “City of the hills,” I am so glad that last August I decided to stay and give Puerto Rico another chance.

I have learned so much about this city, this island and myself, and it has changed me in ways that I could not possibly describe. My experience in San German has left me awestruck and speechless, not only because of the area’s cultural, linguistic and natural beauty, but also the strength and pride it has given me to pursue my aspirations.

This has truly been an experience of a lifetime, and any student who is looking into studying in Puerto Rico, I strongly recommend San German. It may not be perfect, but it is a fantastic place to develop Spanish-speaking skills and a greater cultural understanding while also growing personally to be more responsible, grateful, and understanding of your needs and aspirations.

— Lacey F. Struensee Senior Spanish for business major, global studies and Latin American studies minor

Haley Zblewski MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

History is written by the victors.

This is why we don’t read history textbooks written by Nazis about how the Aryan race succeeded.

And while I’m certain all of us would say it’s a good thing Nazis didn’t write the history of World War II (I mean, I’d hope you’d all agree with me on that), not all historical victories have helped to end genocide, but have created genocide.

I’m talking about you, Christopher Columbus.

But we didn’t learn about the atrocities Columbus committed when we were in second grade. We were too busy singing “Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean blue in fourteen hundred and ninety-two” at the top of our lungs.

When I was seven, Columbus seemed like a pretty cool guy. He discovered America and if it weren’t for him, I’d live in some weird country like Germany or something, 7-year-old me thought.

And man, Germany is where the Nazis are from.

We didn’t learn Columbus committed genocide against at least three million people and likely kickstarted the North Atlantic slave trade because of his obsession with gold.

Instead we have Columbus Day, which we celebrate with no mail and furniture blowout sales.

Columbus was looking for India, but when he accidentally found the Americas instead and saw all the gold the Lucayan Natives had, he really forgot about all of that. He wanted the gold, and convinced his queen to allow him more men so he

14 could conquer the Lucayan.

Columbus would cut the noses and ears off of some of the Lucayan to serve as an example for the others, and slaughtered many of them when they would not give him their gold.

When the Lucayan gave in and started bringing him gold, those who didn’t would have a hand cut off and they would be forced to wear it around their neck.

Over the course of 50 years, it’s estimated that 3-5 million people died because of disease and genocide brought to them by Columbus and his crew.

The amount of gold he was shipping out of the Americas halted the gold trade out of Africa. This led to slaves becoming the greatest export out of Africa.

To read more about why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated go to spectatornews.com Zblewski is a senior journalism and political science major and Multimedia Editor of The Spectator. She can be reached at zblewsha@uwec.edu.

OP / ED EDITOR: Katie Bast

OPINION / EDITORIAL

Small problem, big hazard

CORI PICARD / The Spectator

Panic when buses make wide turns could cause accidents Cori Picard STAFF WRITER

To a lot of UW-Eau Claire students, the free bus system is a Godsend. Both students living off campus and students who have to trudge up and down that freaking hill rely on the Stein Boulevard and Water Street buses to get them where they need to be quickly. Personally, I don’t know what I’d do without the bus. I’m

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Thursday, Oct. 17

habitually lazy and would probably kill myself trying to walk to campus between November and … I would normally say March but after last year’s spring snowfall, I’m going to go with May. But one thing I’ve noticed while enjoying leisurely rides on the bus is that more and more drivers forget that buses make wide turns. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching the terrified reactions of drivers as the

buses barely skirt by them while they make their turns. Please calm down, the buses will not hit you. But in order for them not to hit you, they have to jump the curb because you pulled up way too far.

I’ve been on the bus several times when the bus is forced to jump the curb. I don’t know if it’s just me, but a tense silence falls over everyone on the bus. I sometimes have to brace myself. Is it a huge nuisance for bus-riders? No, probably not. And bus drivers probably do it several times a day, so they’re used to it. But car drivers would make the bus routes a lot smoother for everyone if they just stayed back so the buses can make their turns. Especially when people panic and endanger those around them.

A friend of mine, senior management major Samantha Noltner, had a bit of a scare last week while driving to campus to attend class. She was waiting at the intersection of Park and Summit Avenues behind one other car.

Noltner and the other driver were trying to turn left onto Summit Avenue. A Stein Boulevard bus approached the

intersection on Summit and began to turn left onto Park Avenue. The driver in front of Noltner thought the bus was going to hit her and panicked.

The other driver put her car in reverse and backed up into Noltner’s Buick.

“I saw her coming and I put on my horn to warn her but she bumped PICARD into me,” Noltner said. “There was no damage, luckily.”

Noltner said she maybe would have freaked out if a bus was so close to her car but with better awareness, drivers can avoid similar experiences all together.

“I think it’s a good idea to try to make people more aware of this problem,” she said. “Signs are one thing, but even changing the bus route so they can drive on wider streets or something like that, I think that would work, too.”

When I ride the Water Street bus, the locations where these instances most often occur are on the corners of Park

“Simply putting up signs along the bus routes may help to stop cars from approaching the intersections. The signs would signal cars to stay back when buses are approaching.”

and Summit Avenues and State and Barstow Streets. Cars already waiting at the intersection can’t really do anything about the situation, unless there are no cars behind them. Backing up a few feet allows enough room for buses to get by. But cars that approach the intersection when the bus is already waiting to turn need to stay back. In my experience, most cars ignore the bus.

Simply putting up signs along the bus routes may help to stop cars from approaching the intersections.

The signs would signal cars to stay back when buses are approaching or already turning.

There’s no guarantee people would see and adhere to those signs, but it’s a start. At least there would be some kind of warning, and if a bus ever did knick a car in the process of making a wide turn, the bus driver could argue the car should have followed the sign.

Is this the most pressing issue in Eau Claire? No, and I know that. But what happened to Noltner could have been substantially worse. It’s instances like this that make this small problem a big hazard.

“I was lucky nothing worse happened to my car or to me,” Noltner said. “I know it’s an uncomfortable situation when the buses have to make those wide turns, so that’s exactly why drivers need to know to stay back. I certainly know now.”

Picard is a senior journalism major and staff writer at The Spectator. She can be reached at picardcf@uwec.edu.

STUDENT LIFE STUDENT LIFE EDITOR: Elizabeth Jackson

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Thursday, Oct. 17

GRAPHICS BY KARL ENGHOFER / The Spectator

Regal kings and queens, screaming Blugolds and “The Darker Side of Pop” all rounded out the sights and sounds of Homecoming 2013.

YELLING LIKE HELL: Senior Blugold Marching Band drum major Sean C o n w a y cheers on the Blugold football team during the first quarter of the Homecoming football game.

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH JACKSON / The Spectator

RALLYING CRY: Senior mellophone player Megan Schuknecht blasts out pop tunes, like Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” at the Homecoming halftime show.

RIGHT ROUND: Alaina Hanson and Becca Roycraft, both members of the Blugold Marching Band color guard, rile up the crowd at Saturday’s Homecoming parade with flips and twirls of their flags.

CELEBRATION: Following the first Blugold touchdown of the game, offensive lineman Lars Nelson and wide receiver Clint Larsen, both sophomores, celebrate in the endzone.

THEIR MAJESTIES: 2013 homecoming king Dane Jaskowiak, senior, and queen Alyse Weber, junior, waved to their Blugold subjects at Saturday’s Homecoming parade.