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Bomb threat shocks campus NEWS BRIEF Student found dead in off-campus apartment GRACE RAPER
graper@unca.edu Editor-in-Chief
UNC Asheville student Nick Igou, a junior from Huntsville, Alabama, died last weekend in his off-campus apartment. In an email sent out to faculty and staff Sunday, Bill Haggard, vice chancellor for student affairs, informed the UNCA community of Igou’s death. At this time no information regarding the circum-
Photo by Rachel Ingram - Copy Desk Chief
Campus Police blocked off certain sections of University Heights after recieving an anonymous bomb threat.
Authorities investigate anonymous call VALERIE McMURRAY vrmcmurr@unca.edu Asst. News Editor
UNC Asheville police responded to an anonymous bomb threat affecting Highsmith Student Union last Thursday, closing the affected section of University Heights temporarily. Law enforcement found no bomb or other threat, according to a university press release. Around 3 p.m., university police alerted students, faculty and staff about the threat via phone, email and text, with a system known as Bulldog Alerts. Just after 4 p.m. they sent a follow-up message relieving recipients of the threat. Police searched students’ cars outside of Highsmith University Union. They did not have to evacuate any buildings and classes were not affected. The threats are part of a series of threats investigators say may be coming from out of state, which be-
Photo by Austin Hanna - Contributor
Campus Police closed off access to Brown Hall during their investigation.
gan on Oct. 20. Natalie Bailey, an APD spokesperson, said the caller made disparaging comments about the issuance of same-sex marriage
licenses. All responded by evacuating and searching the premises. None of the searches yielded a bomb or other danger.
On Oct. 14, Asheville Police and bomb-sniffing dogs responded to a bomb threat at the William H. Stanley Center, but no bomb was found.
stances of his death have been made public. University officials said health and counseling services through UNCA are offered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Services remain availible for all students, resident and non-resident alike. Officials also said if students need help outside of normal business hours they should contact Campus Police.
SGA provides voting resources SHANEE SIMHONI
ssimhoni@unca.edu Political Correspondent
As early voting period begins, SGA members work on providing resources that will encourage UNC Asheville students to vote. “We are trying our very best to provide students access to their own voting location,” said James Whalen, SGA president. Whalen said shuttles provided students access to the North Asheville Library Thursday. Voter turnout totaled 551 people including UNCA students. SGA sponsored shuttles to and from voting sites for the first two days plus Election Day, Whalen said. Whalen said SGA will also hold March to the Polls on Election Day, November 4. “Right now, what SGA is looking to provide is transportation, information and motivation to go vote,” Whalen said. Keith Knox, execu-
tive of multicultural affairs, said MOSAIC week went well. He also said he continues work on the popup street store to aid the homeless. Gardner Goodall, co-executive of sustainability, said he and Harper Spires continue work on the divestment from nonrenewable energies campaign. “We’re working on getting more student involvement, so we’re having our first interest meeting on Nov. 6,” Goodall said. The meeting will be in Karpen 038 at 7 p.m. Goodall said a company working on developing sustainable investments will give a talk next week in the Sherrill Center. Krisi Freshour, the director of retail at dining services at UNCA, said staff with dining services surveyed diners in Highsmith Union at 2mato and Austin Grill. “Some of the things that came out were interesting, and I really appreciate that feedback,” Freshour said.
Improv club continues preparation for first show of season CALLIE JENNINGS cjenning@unca.edu Staff Writer
No Lifeguard on Duty, UNC Asheville’s improvisational theater group, has new members hoping to further promote comedy and community within the
student body. “I’d never thought of myself as being good, or even a fan of improv so I had no interest in going to see the shows; however, somehow, one night I ended up at a NLOD improv show with a couple of my friends. I recognized most
of the people up onstage, but believe me there was no bias in my mind while watching the show - it was funny, hilarious even, and it seemed like so much fun,” said Nathan Singer, junior and member of NLOD. Singer joined the group
last fall with his friend and current teammate, Olivia Medoff. “After the show, I remember the team members had a promotional meeting for their upcoming auditions, so I got all the information I needed and ended up going out for the team,”
Singer said. “Olivia and I went to every workshop, then callbacks and finally got in. I was so excited to make it that I couldn’t stop jumping around my room. I made sure my roommates, friends and parents all knew I was now part of the improv team.”
NLOD’s faculty adviser is Laura Bond, chair of the drama department. The team currently has eight members, three of whom are new this fall. “We have not had any shows this year due to scheduling issues mostly SEE IMPROV ON PAGE 2
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WEEKLY Photo corner: CALENDAR Damaged ropes, flags restored on quad OCT. 29-NOV. 4 Oct. 29 Penland School of Crafts Resident Artists Exhibition Owen 101 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. GRE Prep class Owen 203 6 - 9 p.m. LSAT Prep class Owen 203 6 - 9 p.m. Oct. 30 Photo by Grace Raper - Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Jorja Smith - Multimedia Editor
After a two-week absence, maintenance workers at UNC Asheville restrung the flags on the quad Friday morning.
Due to high winds during a severe thunderstorm, the rope holding the flags sustained damage, requiring temporary removal.
Ashevillians gear up for Halloween events BLAKE WILLIS
bwillis2@unca.edu Contributor
October’s arrival brings shorter days and colder weather, but it also brings various haunted attractions to the area. “The terror on someone’s face when they come through, and the big smile when they leave, lets me know that we have done our job,” said Dustin Reed, who works annually at the Hallowed Grounds Mill Haunted Attraction in Burke County. “And come on, we all know scaring people is just a lot of fun.”
Patrick Foo, associate professor of psychology at UNC Asheville, said the brain has many different systems. At the core of these systems lies a brain stem that comes out of the spine. “On top of that area, as mammals, we have something called the limbic system,” Foo said. “This is a structure that we don’t see in fish or frogs, only in mammals.” The limbic system controls fear responses, Foo said. At the bottom of the limbic system lies a structure called the amygdala, which allows the brain to recognize fear or fearful
situations. “It’s like a rollercoaster. You get the experience of fear, but you know it’s safe,” Foo said. He said the body responds to these stimuli in numerous ways, such as tense muscles, sharp breathing and dilated pupils. “All of these are fight or flight responses,” Foo said. “We normally think of them as being used in terms of fear, a negative stimuli, but you can also describe all of those things as attraction, a positive stimuli.” Foo said experiencing haunted houses and roller-
coasters makes them feel a rush similar to falling in love. “You’re not going to take your date, or potential date, to some place that is going to be boring,” Foo said. Rob Berls, associate drama professor, said large he recalled going through a haunted house with a group of high school students when he was 12. A large, scary man carrying an ax approached the group and Berls ran up to the man and kicked him in the groin. “That’s the dangerous part about doing haunted houses,” Berls said.
Penland School of Crafts Resident Artists Exhibition Owen 101 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mission Healthcare Careers Panel Highsmith Student Union Noon - 2 p.m. OLTP Foundations: Risk in the Wilderness Sherrill Center 406 6 - 8 p.m. Oct. 31 Modernism Lecture Lipinsky Hall 125 11:25 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Women and Inequality Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall 11:25 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Opera Talk Reuter Center 102 3 - 5 p.m. Nov. 1 Effective Teacher Training Owen Hall 229 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. French Singer Conference Reuter Center 102A 1 - 8 p.m. Nov. 2 Autumn Players Readers Theater Reuter Center 102A 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Brevard Music Series Reuter Center 102A 5 - 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3
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and just making sure the team is ready. After quite a large roster shift from last spring we want to be the best we can be before jumping into a show,” said Jacob Williams, a senior. Singer expects the first show of the season in November. “Right now we’re still in the training phase with our newest members, as well as reviving our skills after the long summer break,” Singer said. Singer said improv team is fun and freeing. “It gives us the time and place to be outside of our-
selves and our jam-packed lives, because in those moments when we come together to play we are able to be whoever and whatever we want to be, without any struggles or worries in the world. In a way, improv is like therapy,” Singer said. Williams said he’s been on the team since the initial idea of the improv team began. “I love it because it is a very fun art form that I can participate in and it never gets old. I joined because I was at some of the initial meetings prior to the
club starting and was given the invite to help start the team from co-founders Tommy Moore and Colette Heiser,” Williams said. Last year, NLOD show filled the Grotto to capacity, which is roughly 150 people. For future shows, the team hopes to perform in bigger spaces like the Humanities Lecture Hall or Alumni Hall. “The fall semester is normally more short form – little scenes and games. The spring semester is normally more long form – long scenes, stories and interconnected scenes. This is because the long form games take more time to practice and really get in the swing of it – in other words, they’re
more advanced,” Singer said. “So, during our training of the newest members, we start out with only short form and then gradually work our way up to playing long form.” Singer and Williams agree the audience always seems to respond well to whatever they perform and are there to support them just as much as they are there to enjoy themselves. “I’ve been to a couple shows now and they get me every time. Jacob is a good friend of mine so initially I went for him, but the whole group is cool. It’s pretty funny. They do well and really get the audience involved. It’s a good time,” said Jonas LeMieux, a junior.
Penland School of Crafts Resident Artists Exhibition Owen 101 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Renaissance and Baroque Politics and Literature Lipinsky Hall 125 11:25 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Provost’s Cabinet Highsmith Student Union 4 - 5 p.m. Nov. 4 Kevan Frazier’s Book Talk Reuter Center 102A Noon - 1:30 p.m.
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EDITOR: CORY A. THOMPSON I CORYETC@GMAIL.COM
Turning of the Maples
Sarah Buie lays in the leaves during the historic Turning of the Maples last Wednesday.
JORJA SMITH
B
jsmith8@unca.edu Multimedia Editor
ursts of yellow, burgundy and orange permeate UNC Asheville’s quad, marking the arrival of fall. Every year, dozens of people attend the historic Turning of the Maples. This year
proved no different. Many students lined the quad before the start of the ceremony, patiently waiting for their ginger snap cookies and hot apple cider. After receiving their treats, many students sat on the sunny quad and relaxed in the cool autumn air. Some rested in the leaves, tossing them around, while others gathered with friends to share the moment together.
Photos by Jorja Smith - Multimedia Editor
Haunted sites around Asheville bring out city’s spooky side SIERRA BROdLANd mbrodland@unca.edu Contributor
There is a chill in the air at the top of Beaucatcher Road. An old stone bridge looms overhead. This is Helen’s Bridge, best described as eerie and isolated. “I feel that there are things around us that we can’t exactly explain,” said Justyn Thompson, a longtime Asheville resident. “And I’ve definitely seen some strange little things that I can really question.” Thompson said he lived below Helen’s Bridge for about five years, and every Halloween he and his friends would walk up to lure Helen out. According to the Southern Spirit Guide, the Zealandia Estate had the
bridge built in 1909. Helen, inconsolable after the fiery death of her daughter, hung herself from the bridge. Helen supposedly wanders the mountain in a long gown, asking those she meets if they have seen her daughter. Sarah Harrison established the Asheville Paranormal Society in 2005. She said it takes a fair amount of bravery to be a paranormal investigator. “People have been touched, scratched, slapped,” Harrison said. “It’s a very active place.” Harrison said there were requests for another, more accessible organization. Before she took a ghost hunting class at UNC Chapel Hill, Joshua P. Warren’s League of Energy Materialization and Unexplained Phenomena
Research was the only paranormal group in Asheville. Warren wrote “Haunted Asheville” and created the Original Haunted Asheville Tour in 1995. According to the website, Haunted Asheville now hosts five different tours around town. Tadd McDivitt, chief occult researcher for Warren, is an internationally recognized expert on paranormal research. “Anyone who works the tourist industry in Asheville has some stories,” McDivitt said. “I have met a lot of wonderful folks, many of whom have stories and paranormal encounters of their own.” McDivitt said it is more socially acceptable to be a ghost hunter now. He said people come to capture orbs or faces in the
windows in front of the Central Methodist Church while on the tour. Wandering alone down Church Street to investigate, a cold breeze cuts the air, rustling dead leaves across the rigid ground. The huge stained-glass windows of the Central Methodist Church makes one feel exposed. This is a building that grew with its history. The tour tells the story of a minister who murdered his lover, a pregnant nun, then secretly buried her between two trees at the turn of the century. “There is always more,” McDivitt said. “From the Pink Lady of the Grove Park Inn, to the ghost of Helen Clevenger in the Battery Park, from the phantom sounds of Civil War-era battles on UNCA’s Botanical Gardens,
to the apparition at Helen’s Bridge – Asheville, North Carolina, is never short on ghosts and strange phenomena.” Wiik Ingle, Asheville resident of nearly 25 years, previously worked at the Blue Spiral Gallery next door to Barley’s Taproom. “I saw a figure in my peripheral vision,” Ingle said. “They were there and it was very clear that they were there, but I was focusing on my work. I thought it was a co-worker.” Ingle said at one point he had something to say to this co-worker, but when he turned, no one was there. “There was no way they could have left that quickly,” Ingle said. “It made me feel pretty creepy. I went to go find my co-worker
and she was not even in the vicinity.” For both Ingle and his co-worker, it was obvious he had seen an apparition. He said he knew for sure when he turned and there was nothing but empty space. Rob Seven, another Asheville resident of nearly 25 years, said although he doesn’t have any paranormal experiences to share, they are commonplace. “The idea of what might be considered paranormal, as in a lot of things that are outside the range of our understanding and instruments to measure them. It’s pretty arrogant to believe that there’s not a lot more than the tiny slice we are able to sense, so it’s probably more normal than paranormal,” Seven said.
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Faculty Spotlight
Faculty member discusses university honors program RACHEL INGRAM ringram@unca.edu Copy Desk Chief
During his college years at University of Denver, Patrick Bahls, associate professor of mathematics and director of the honors program, always did his homework and never missed a class. “I was the guy who went to class on his deathbed,” he said. According to him, not much has changed. In the spring semester of his second year at UNC Asheville, he was extremely ill for about a month, but stubbornly continued to teach classes. At the end of the year, one of his students wrote on his evaluation that he needed to take time off and stay in bed because he was so sick. Fast forward eight years, and he is running the university honors program. Of his 10 years spent as a faculty member, he said, “I’m just getting used to the fact that I’m not the new guy anymore.” He said his favorite part of working in the honors program is the opportunity to expand his work beyond math, although he loves teaching calculus II. “Being in the honors program is fantastic because I get to work with faculty from across the
university, students from across the university,” Bahls said. “There are no interdisciplinary boundaries.” He said he has overseen undergraduate research projects in social psychology, neuro-psychology, rhetoric, linguistics and semiotics. His own current research projects include visual rhetoric, writing pedagogy and honors program administration. He said he wants his students to learn how to learn. “I take lifelong learning seriously, so all of my classes, whether they’re math classes, honors capstone courses, honors special topic seminars, whatever the topic -they’re student-centered, problem-based, inquiry-based,” Bahls said. He said he tries to let students control the pace, content and structure of each of his courses. “I am there as a guide, a facilitator because students need to become their own engines of discovery,” he said. The flipped classroom style of teaching is unfamiliar to many students, according to Bahls. “In today’s standardized test-driven primary and secondary school environment, the students are not often used to this kind of
Photo by Rachel Ingram - Copy desk Chief
Patrick Bahls, an associate professor of mathematics, directs the honors program at UNCA. pedagogy,” he said. He expects his students to solve the problems in the classroom, but is understanding of the adjustment students never exposed to that style of teaching will have to make. “That juncture is sometimes a rough one,” Bahls said. When he isn’t teaching, he keeps busy with numer-
ous hobbies. “I’ve rounded myself out a good bit since college,” Bahls said. In college, he focused on math, science and languages. Since arriving at UNCA, he has developed more interests. On Mondays, he participates in a bowling league. “We call ourselves a drinking league with a
bowling problem,” he said. He said he also enjoys writing poetry. “I’ve gotten about a dozen, maybe two dozen poems published in various literary journals now,” Bahls said. According to him, he is compiling a collection of his works for publication. Bahls’ wide range of in-
terests which include running, canoeing and reading are a reflection of the diversity he appreciates in his role with the honors program and his ability to interact with students from a multitude of academic programs. “There’s so much more out there that’s interesting to look at, interesting to study,” he said.
Beat from the Street By Larisa Karr - lakarr@unca.edu - Contributor
Many stories lurk throughout Asheville, whether they be behind the Vaudevillian jazz-folk played by buskers around Pritchard Park, the colorful businesses decorated with funky, hand-made crafts or the laughter echoing from a patio as locals and tourists alike enjoy delicious beer.
Sebastian Marquis Cincinnati native
Noelle Collision Maryland native
Tell me about this outfit: “This is my original Homestuck cosplay outfit. I am pretty bad at cosplaying right now, but this is my favorite skirt and favorite top and also my favorite scarf. “Homestuck is a web comic. “I’m waiting for some people and we’re going to be a big group hopefully. I’m going to be Rose Leland. “In the beginning, she’s a little more introverted and she doesn’t really have any friends outside of the Internet world. Then she meets her friends from the Internet world in real life and a bunch of chaos ensues and it’s crazy.” How would you describe your style? “Really different, at least to other people. But inside my friend group, it’s chill. We all dress similar.” Describe your style in three words: “Odd, inspired and creative.” What inspires you? “Music and fall. I listen to a lot of rock and indie music.”
Photos by Larisa Karr - Contributor
If you were to pick any two colors to wear, which ones would you choose and why?
“Pastel pink and gray. I just love the softness of the colors and they tie in really well with spring and any season.”
How do you feel about Asheville?
“I’ve lived here for 14 years and I love it. It’s just a really beautiful place and I’m lucky to have friends and family here.”
Tell me about your style: “Oh dear, that’s kind of a hard question. “I just like to wear whatever I feel like is going to best express
my creativity. “I’m also comfortable but I also like to be authentic to me. “I like feeling tribal, witchy and circus-y.”
sports
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EDITOR: ASHIKA RAVAL I ARAVAL@UNCA.EDU
Katie Davis, a junior, jumps for the ball during the Dig Pink game at the Justice Center.
Photo by Max Carter - Staff Writer
Volleyball team suffers loss during Dig Pink game MAX CARTER
jcarter1@unca.edu Staff Writer
With the UNC Asheville Justice Center adorned in pink streamers and balloons, players revealed an alternative pink jersey -- but the annual Dig Pink volleyball game ended in a hurry as a 0-3 loss to conference rival Coastal Carolina swept UNCA “We didn’t play well. Individually we had some good performances but overall as a team we just didn’t play very well,” said Frederico Santos, head coach. “I thought we were disconnected a lot of the match, and playing individually in a collective sport is very difficult.” The first set ended with a wide 15-25 margin and a Coastal win. For most of the second set, UNCA trailed by only a few points and looked as though they would respond, but an attack error ended the set 25-23, once again giving the win to Coastal. Coastal finished off the match in the third set outscoring UNCA 25-17. According to Santos, the team’s struggle to concen-
trate and finish plays contributed to the loss, along with lack of communication. “Execution was a big problem and also probably lack of focus,” Santos said, regarding the issues on the court. Cat Fischer, sophomore, stood out with 14.5 points, which were the most recorded by either team, along with Katie Davis, junior setter who led the game in assists. Junior libero, Bryn Pfeiffer played well. On multiple occasions she stretched across the hardwood to keep the ball in play for the Bulldogs. This effort was not enough to keep them in the game though as the team collected a total 23 errors compared to the mere nine put up by Coastal Carolina. “We fight, and we do want it, but it is our errors that cost us the entire game,” said Christine Lakatos, sophomore outside hitter. “They didn’t do anything super special, it was just us giving them errors and you can’t win a match with those.” Throughout the game the team lacked consistency, Lakatos added.
Photo by Max Carter - Staff Writer
The ball signed by players for the Dig Pink game.
“That’s not going to get you a win against a good team,” Lakatos said. “I think we had a couple good performances from a couple people but that was about it.” Even with their struggles, Lakatos said they never gave up. “We always fight really hard and that’s something that you can’t teach,” Lakatos said. Although UNCA did
not capture the win, Erin Spence, director of corporate partnerships and marketing, said the fundraising during the Dig Pink game was successful. Ladies Night Out received donations at the swim meets and volleyball games that took place Friday and Saturday. During the volleyball games, fans offered a monetary donation for each block, dig, kill and ace the
Photo by Max Carter - Staff Writer
Christine Lakatos, a junior, spikes the ball. Bulldogs recorded during the two games. UNCA also auctioned off a pink breast can-
cer awareness volleyball signed by all the players. This year the ball went for a bid of $100.
UNC scandal hurts students’ futures outside athletics HARRISON SLAUGHTER
jslaught@unca.edu Staff Writer
UNC Chapel Hill recently fell under the microscope of the NCAA last week when UNC released the findings of their own investigation into the most recent accusations of academic fraud. They probably wish they hadn’t. UNC is the nation’s oldest public university. They are often highly regarded in their academics and athletics programs. The fan
base is one of the largest – not just in the state of North Carolina, but in the country. All people involved are in for a tough road ahead. The findings of the report show an on-going academic scandal involving teachers, advisers, coaches and others during the last 18 years, making it the largest academic fraud scandal in the history of the NCAA. What started as lecture classes seen to be a little easier than some, turned
Commentary
into something else altogether. They call them “paper” classes. All students have to do is write a paper at the end of the semester to get an easy A or B. We aren’t talking about an in-depth research paper, either. We are talking about a couple of paragraphs written at a third or fourth-grade level. Carolina always took
pride in getting things done the right way – the Carolina way. If it was just a couple years and not so large of a scandal, one might be inclined to think they should have a lesser penalty. With these new findings, it’s time to use them as an example. They should lose 25 to 50 percent of their athletic scholarships, undergo a postseason ban for several years and both vacate wins and championships for programs involved in the scandal.
It isn’t fair to the athletes for UNC to get away with this. Most athletes in college will never play at a higher level and to rob them of a proper education so they can go on after college and not make something of themselves is the worst part of all this. The only thing UNC has going for them at this point is if the NCAA conducted the investigation they probably still wouldn’t know much about it. Someone at UNC saw
what was happening and knew something had to be done about it, so the university essentially turned themselves over to the mercy of the court. It will be hard for a lot of people to swallow, but no matter how prestigious the history of a university, this decision can’t be decided upon past accomplishments. When all the smoke clears, the NCAA will make the hard, but right decision and ensure the punishments fit the crime.
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Soccer player balances school, sports JOHN ARMSTRONG jarmstr1@unca.edu Staff Writer
Whether waking up at 6 a.m. to eat breakfast before an early morning practice or just finding time to relax and catch up on some TV, Heather Muller uses her structured days to be a champion not only on the field, but also in her studies. Muller, senior keeper on the women’s soccer team, is a biology and psychology student as well as a record-breaking goalkeeper for the Bulldogs with over 300 career saves and 88 saves so far this season. In addition to soccer, Heather is also a member of the honors program as well as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. “SAAC is an organization of athletes to represent other athletes. We put together events like Boo Fest for the community,” Muller said. Student athletes have many requirements outside of those set by the NCAA and the players’ individual coaches. They also have midterm reports sent to Rebecca Keil, the director of student-athlete services and affairs. Muller said Keil plays an important role in helping her plan out her courses, acting almost as a second adviser. “Rebecca Keil is wellknown by every athlete here at UNC Asheville. She has been able to help me stay on track with registration and picking classes that have allowed me to be on track to graduate in
four years,” Muller said. Keil is not the only resource that Muller has when planning her semesters and assessing her performance throughout the year. “My coaches have also been extremely helpful with helping me through semesters by checking in with me during busy weeks to make sure everything is getting done, but also making sure that I am taking time to myself to avoid too much stress,” Muller said. Keil takes notices of Muller’s organization skills and her time commitments that extend beyond competition. “She’s always been organized, and when I meet with recruits or new student athletes, that’s one of the things I think is critical -- that their time management is paramount,” Keil said. Time management is a skill many athletes rely on. “The calendar on my phone has every class, practice, seminar and meeting I have to go to as well as every assignment that I know needs to be done,” Muller said. She also has a calendar on a white board in her room next to a list of every task she needs to get done for the week. “Being able to see everything that needs to be done helps me plan out which items will take longer and what days I will have more time to complete them on,” Muller said. In addition to keeping up with classes, student athletes need to keep up with
their games, especially the ones that are away. Muller said traveling is one of the most challenging parts of being a student athlete, especially overnight trips. “These trips require at least eight hours round trip on a bus, a stay in a hotel and more likely than not, returning until well after midnight to campus, knowing we have to wake up the next morning for class,” Muller said. Muller said most of the team tries to utilize their time on the bus to do school work, but it is sometimes difficult when there is no promise of having reliable Internet access. The NCAA also holds requirements for all student athletes when it comes to academics. NCAA regulations do not allow more than 20 hours of competition. “That’s 20 hours of competition. That’s not rehabbing from injury, not going to the training room to get taped ahead of time, but there is a lot of time commitments that extend beyond the 20 hours on the field,” Keil said. “If the student falls behind, they cannot play matches, they risk losing their scholarship and may no longer be eligible to be an athlete.” Caroline Kennedy, a lecturer in the biology department, also acts as Muller’s adviser. “She is one of those students that is really well prepared, well focused, has a plan in terms of being organized and works really hard and is knowledgeable about advising,” Kennedy
said. Kennedy said that Muller, like other student athletes, is diligent with her work and doesn’t hesitate to ask when she needs help or clarification. “The majority of our student athletes are highly motivated and well organized, have a lot of support in their academics and, overall, tend to do well,” Kennedy said. Muller said after graduation she plans to take a year off before applying to graduate school for occupational therapy. “My main goal for my last semesters is to finish everything I need to graduate. I will also be looking to observe in an occupational therapy clinic this spring,” Muller said. “I want to do pediatric therapy, specifically pediatric occupational therapy because I like working with kids.” Kennedy said she and the other professors in the department enjoy working with Muller because of her work ethic and positive personality. “Aside from her being an excellent student and committed athlete, she’s pleasant to be around, polite and confident without being arrogant, and a delightful person,” Kennedy said. Keil also said that Muller is well liked by the staff in athletics. “She’s been a wonderful addition to the university and athletics department skills-wise and in academics, but also personality-wise,” Keil said.
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Health and Wellness Commentary
Know your pharmacist, know your medicines Stephen Canady scanady@unca.edu Contibutor
October marks the beginning of the fall season with beautiful foliage spreading across the Blue Ridge Mountains, celebrations, such as fall harvest for local farmers and Halloween festivities for all ages. Yet, there is another annual celebration that occurs in October – American Pharmacists Month. Created in 2004 by the American Pharmacists Association to educate the public about important roles pharmacists play in today’s health care, American Pharmacists Month replaces National Pharmaceutical Week, first proposed by Robert J. Ruth, a pharmacist from Asheville and was celebrated from October 1925 to October 2003. Historically, society defined the profession to be either hospital or retail-based. The current role of a pharmacist on the healthcare team constantly evolves and expands, especially within the state of North Carolina. According to research conducted by APhA, getting to know your pharmacist can help you become more familiar with the medicines you use. Consumers who know their pharmacist’s name are twice as likely to ask them questions. They are also twice as likely to have made an appointment with the pharmacist to discuss their medications, more likely to read product labels and more likely to know the main (active) ingredient in their prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals. Correctly taking medications improves health and lowers the risk for any adverse medication related events and lowers the costs to the health care system. In the United States, we spend close to $300 billion annually on medication problems. Chronic disease accounts for $2.6 trillion in health care expenditures and 91 percent of all prescriptions filled. Almost 50 percent of people prescribed medications for chronic disease do not take their medications correctly. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and over 50 percent are on at least two. On average, adults 65 to 69 years old take almost 14 prescriptions per year, and those 80 to 84 years old take 18 prescriptions per year. The state of North Carolina is one of the most progressive states for
pharmacy practices in the country. In 1996, pharmacists in Asheville started the Asheville Project as an effort to provide personal patient education and health coaching to City of Asheville employees with certain chronic diseases. Asheville Project patients were assigned to community pharmacists for disease management through regularly scheduled appointments. As a result, the City of Asheville employees had lower health care costs, fewer sick days and increased quality of activities of daily living. However, with all of the progress in the state, pharmacists still face issues in providing patient care. In North Carolina, 92 out of the 100 counties within the state are designated as “medically underserved.” Currently, most North Carolina residents on Medicare do not have access to important services provided by pharmacists such as chronic disease management, drug therapy management and screenings such as blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. An attempt to correct this problem with Medicare was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March through introducing H.R. 4190 to amend Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to officially recognize pharmacists as a health care provider. This bill will increase access to care in underserved areas, and will provide a payment mechanism for clinical services. Healthcare reform places an emphasis on team-based care that seeks to lower healthcare costs, improve the quality of care, and improve the patient experience. Several practices in our region are recognized as Patient Centered Medical Homes that include a team based approach where physicians and pharmacists work together to improve the health of their patients. For instance, pharmacists at MAHEC Family Health Center provide anticoagulation management, diabetes management, employee wellness and pain management services and also see older adults in Medicare wellness visits. Currently, 116 members of Congress support the bill, but more support is necessary for the bill to pass. If you feel your pharmacist has a positive impact on your health, you can contact your U.S. senator or house representative today.
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opinion
The Blue Banner’s View #Tinder raises questions about modern dating habits JORJA SMITH
jsmith8@unca.edu Multimeda Editor
“I wanna buy a tub of green paint, smear it all over you and spank you like a disobedient avocado.” Oh, Tinder. The multitude of pick-up lines never cease. How have we arrived here? Within the last 10 years, the demographics of the dating world changed from
personal to online meetings. Since 2005, one in 10 Americans tried online dating at least once in their lives, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project. The surge of online dating brought various outlets to find people on, including sites for Christians, African-Americans and the LGBTQ+ community. Tinder, a relatively new online dating application, combines ideas of blind and speed dating in one place with a comparatively quick rejection and attraction turnover. The application selects
people within your area and age range and shows those people your photo and you are shown theirs. If each person finds a mutual attraction then they become “matched” and can talk to each other. If there isn’t a mutual “like,” the other will never know. You could go through at least 100 different suitors in 10 minutes without finding a match. But once you get matched, you could send a range of messages from “hey” to any number of lewd or obscene suggestions. The confidence portrayed by users of the application, more often than
not, exceeds how they would act in person. Hiding behind a computer or phone screen becomes the problem with online dating, and even other situations within the millennial generation. Personal, face-to-face contact becomes obsolete and we forget how to approach people without the security of a screen to hide behind. The lack of face-to-face contact makes approaching people online so easy. Anyone can be whoever they want to be with the anonymity of the screen. Out of all the people who meet online, 66 percent of those people went on dates
Cartoon by Erich Reinhart - Contributor
Between the Signs
and 23 percent said they met their significant other, according to the Pew Research Center. The other day, a friend confided in me. She said online dating helps her meet people she would not otherwise meet because people don’t approach her at bars or out in public unless it’s her co-workers or acquaintances. That’s the story for many people in our generation. The writers in the Disney movie Wall-E may be on to something with the critical commentary on where our culture will be in a thousand years — stuck behind blue projector screens un-
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The Blue Banner
A.V. SHERK
asherk@unca.edu News Editor
Aries March 21 - April 20 Taking up a mentor’s mantle and becoming the leader you need to be are major themes for you this week, but don’t forget to take your own action-oriented advice. Taurus April 21 - May 21 It may be time to re-evaluate whether your goals are lofty or just plain unreachable. Don’t put yourself through unnecessary stress when you could be enjoying your time with someone special. Gemini May 22 - June 21 Don’t let manipulative guilt-trippers bring you down this week! Managing your busy life is work enough. Focus on building some breathing room between activities. Cancer June 22 - July 22 This week starts a trend of romantic opportunities, and there couldn’t be a better time to take a chance on love. Be careful of brushing aside red flags, though, as it may lead to big blowups.
Leo July 23 - Aug. 22 Snuggle into your sanctuary this week and take some time to make it superb. Choose quality over quantity in your social life and balance the give-and-take of your inner circle. Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Trust your instincts this week in each interaction. Frienemies may wear a plastic smile and hold a darker agenda under the surface. Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Brighten your routine with a better outlook. You work hard, so take time to break free of the daily grind this week and enjoy guilt-free fun with those you love most. Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 22 Now is a time for equilibrium, so listen carefully to the voices around you when you call them together. Calm heart-to-hearts and letting bygones be bygones isn’t a sign of weakness - being the bigger person makes you stronger.
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Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 Independent as you may be, you can get further with the help of your friends this week. Relax, go with the flow and figure out who in your friend group are the positive influences. Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 Seek close friends who offer more than superficial fun. Companions with depth inspire much needed reflection and positive growth within you in the weeks to come. Aquarius Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 Spend time on your image this week. Are your essential issues and thoughts understood, or lost in translation? Reflect on how people see you and how you want to be seen. Pisces Feb. 20 - March 20 Moderate your growth by letting the little things go. Step back, re-examine and decide whether you’re truly helping or enabling those closest to you this week.
aware of what people actually look like. Once the characters saw past the screens and interacted with each other, they actually found a mutual attraction and found there is more to life than screens and electronic distractions. Will screens soon be the only thing we see? Will we look up and see the leaves falling or the beautiful person across the bar smiling at us? If our generation wants to change how we interact then we need to step back from our social media and computer screens, get out into the world and try some real social interaction.
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The Blue Banner is UNC Asheville’s student newspaper. We publish each Wednesday except during summer sessions, finals week and holiday breaks. Our office is located in Karpen Hall 019. The Blue Banner is a designated forum for free speech and welcomes letters to the editor, considering them on basis of interest, space and timeliness. Letters and articles should be emailed to the editor-in-chief or the appropriate section editor. Letters should include the writer’s name, year in school and major or other relationshiop to UNCA. Include a telephone number to aid in verification. All articles are subject to editing.