ULM Hawkeye - 12/06/10

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

VOLUME 84 ISSUE 14

www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com

December 06, 2010

All I want for Christmas is...

SGA President escorted out of Malone Stadium during ULL vs.

ULM game p. 4

photo by Srdjan Marjanovic

Parker’s ‘Best Ten Film’ List for 2010 p. 11

Squawk Box What do you plan to do over Christmas break?

WEATHER

Emily Veuleman Freshman- Education Pineville, LA

“I am the most excited about my vacation to San Diego!”

Monday

Tuesday

53/33˚

50/30˚

Partly Cloudy

“I just plan on working and hanging out with friends over break.”

Wednesday

Showers- 60%

51/33˚

62/40˚

Evan Laughlin Freshman- Pre Radiologic Technology Gray, LA

Srdjan Marjanovic

64/42˚

Robert Brown

LaMar Gafford

Jarred Hardee

Adam Moore

co-managing editor(news) co-managing editor(art) photo editor

2010

06 monday

Final Exams

07 tuesday Fall Textbook Buyback at the Bookstore.

“Over break, I plan on sailing

and building stuff with my hands like a manly-man.”

Suggestions for questions? Email Andi Sherman at shermaam@warhawks.ulm.edu

opinion editor

multimedia editor

Zachary Parker freestyle editor reporters

Jeana Chesnik Jerry Cox Anthony Drummer Brandy Heckford Heidi Fuller Melinda Johnson

Jaclyn Jones Jessica Mitchell Nikeisha Mitchell Catherine Olson Timothy Russell DeRon Talley

Melissa Gay Jarred Hardee Feedback Kelsea McCrary 318.342.5450 newsroom Mallory Wiggins 318.342.5452 fax Andrew McDonald ulmhawkeye@gmail.com photographers

wednesday

Student Study Day Fall Textbook Buyback at the Bookstore.

boarding a lot over the break.”

John Long Freshman- Pre Pharmacy Baton Rouge, LA

sports editor

designers

Final Exams

“I plan on working some, and skate-

editor in chief

Friday

Calendar

08

Brooke Hofstetter Collette Keith

DECEMBER

“My goal is to legally try to accumulate as much money as possible.”

director 342.5454 mapp@ulm.edu

Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Fall Textbook Buyback at the Bookstore.

Ashleigh Wallace Senior- Education Alexandria, LA

Christopher Mapp

Partly Cloudy

Showers- 60%

Lynden Lyles Freshman- Risk Management and Insurance Pineville, LA

STAFF

09 thursday

Robert Brown Lane Davis Ronald Michelli Devon Raymond Reagan Robinette

Advertising

318.342.5453newsroom ulmhawkeyead@gmail.com

Editorial Policies Final Exams Fall Textbook Buyback at the Bookstore.

10 friday Final Exams Fall Textbook Buyback at the Bookstore.

Student Union Building closes at 2; Schulze Cafateria closes at 5..

For more events, visit the calendar at www.ulm.edu.

The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, advisor or the University. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the advisor or the University.

The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods

by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

It’s Christmastime at ULM

PAGE 3

Photo left: Avainna Stallings and her mother aid President Nick Bruno in flipping the on-switch for the lights.

Photo far left: Jolly Old Saint Nick (Corey Reece) and his elf stylishly make their way into the Quad in Ace’s airplane to kick off Christmas at ULM Tuesday.

All photos by: Lane Davis

Lights, camera, lots of singing at ULM’s annual tree lighting

by Catherine Olson

Students, faculty and visitors officially welcomed the Christmas spirit to campus Tuesday, at the eighth annual “Christmas at ULM” ceremony.

Every fall semester, after students return from Thanksgiving break, staff at ULM start putting the lights around campus, hanging the wreaths up and setting the Christmas tree in the middle of the Quad (Scott’s Plaza).

Corey Reece, a sophomore health and physical education major from Floyds Knobs, Ind. was this year’s Old Saint Nick.

He convinced the audience in his red-suit as the white-bearded jolly old man as he handed out candycanes to all attendees, despite having only a few days to

prepare.

“It was kind of a last second deal, but I’m glad I’m doing it,” said Reece.

The ULM Chamber Choir and the Round Table Brass Quintet kicked off the evening with carols while Santa and his elf welcomed newcomers and old favorites to the festivities.

This year Calvin Stafford, an Student Governement Assoica-

“It was kind of a last second deal, but I’m glad I’m doing it.”

-Corey Reece on being Santa Clause this year

tion senator for the Health and Sciences College, sang the solo, “Mary Did You Know,” in place of Miss ULM Jaden Leach.

Though President Nick Bruno was involved in the Christmas celebration before through

the physical plant from 20022005, he was glad to be involved in the tradition this year.

“It’s much more elaborate than when I was here, and this year we’re breaking with tradition. There is going to be a special guest,” Bruno said.

When it came time to “flip the switch” he invited Avainna (Ava) Stallings, to help him light the tree and the rest of the Quad.

ULM’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, ROTC, wrapped up the chilly evening with a candle lighting ceremony as the Round Table Brass Quintet played “Joy to the World” as a final welcome to the season.

The decorations come to life every night at 6 p.m., so be sure to catch the spectaular sight.

contact Catherine Olson at olsoncj@warhawks.ulm.edu

Photo above: The ULM Hawk Line came to the Quad dressed in Santa suits and performed a number for audience members.

Photo below left: The Christmas Tree after being turned on.

Photo below right: Calvin Stafford performs “Mary Did You Know” for the crowd.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

PAGE 4

Bruno to speak at graduation ceremony Newly appointed ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno will serve as the keynote speaker for ULM’s 2010 Fall Commencement exercises, scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, in FantEwing Coliseum.

“I am especially looking forward to participating in my first commencement exercise as ULM’s new president,” said Bruno.

“It has been a busy time these last several weeks, but the students, faculty and staff with whom I’ve had the pleasure of interacting on campus are a truly impressive group.

It will be a tremendous honor to not only confer the students their degrees, but deliver the fall commencement keynote for them.”

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December 06, 2010

SGA President’s incident is ‘Much ado about nothing’ Sebren escorted out of ULL game after altercation with event staff

by Zachary Keith Parker

Although Nick Bruno said it was “much ado about nothing,” SGA President Brook Sebren was escorted out of Malone Stadium on Nov. 27 and handcuffed.

During the ULM vs. ULL football game, Sebren got mad at and approached an event staff member in charge of the bleachers. After the altercation escalated, university police escorted Sebren out of the student section, handcuffing Sebren as a means of “temporary restraint” after he acted angrily during his escort out.

“When I heard, the first question I asked was, ‘Was he arrested?’” said Nick Bruno, President of the ULM, “and the answer was ‘no.’”

The university police’s daily incident log for Nov. 27 read thus, “Officers responded to a disorderly student at the ULM football game. Report to be sent to the Student Life Department for disciplinary action.”

Sebren said he was not drinking and that he made “no threats whatsoever.” Bruno did not comment on students claiming Sebren was drinking, but said that it was a learning lesson.

Bruno then followed by saying that Sebren was standing up for what he felt was the correct way people should be treated.

When asked to speak about Saturday’s incident, Wendell

Brumfield, Vice President for Student Affairs, said, “Under the FERPA law, I am not allowed to discuss this matter.”

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 provides standards designed to protect the privacy of students, that most information related to a student’s educational records are not released without a legitimate request.

“I talked with Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brumfield about some of the rumors I had heard,” said Sebren.

“And they both thought they were hilarious.”

Sebren Sebren gave the following account of Saturday night’s events. Sitting with friends in the student section, Sebren was approached by students about a particular event staff member.

According to Sebren, the event staff member had threatened to kick some rowdy students out of the game as ULM students were responding to the profanity-laced screams from ULL football players.

According to Sebren, event staff has the right to dismiss any student from the game if they are engaging in “too much profanity” or anything racially offensive.

Sebren told the students, “Give me his name, I’ll call Bobby [Staubb] on Monday.”

Sebren said SGA had a lot of problems with event staff since last year before they had installed the new rail.

Walking down to the student section, Sebren leaned on the rail beside the event staff member, turned and said, “Hey you. . . what’s your name?”

The event staff member declined to answer Sebren’s question, at which point Sebren began to instruct the event staff member how to do his job.

“You’re a sorry son of a gun for what you’ve done,” Sebren said to the event staff member.

The event staff member contacted university police, who came and escorted Sebren out of the game. Sebren said he got really angry while leaving, at which point the police were forced to handcuff him.

“I apologize for my actions in leaving the stadium. I made a slight mistake,” said Sebren. “I got out of hand at the moment.

It got so bad that I was so upset, so mad, I had tears.”

“I talked with Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brumfield about some of the rumors... They both thought they were hilarious. ” -Sebren

Sebren said he called Brumfield that night while at Olive Garden with his friends and explained the situation to him.

Bruno called Sebren on Sunday morning and spoke with him about the situation.

To prevent future problems, Bruno said he would want to get assurances from event staff that they are following protocols and that people are treated in the correct manner. contact Zachary Keith Parker at parkerzk@warhawks.ulm.edu

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Top five gifts to give this Christmas

by Jaclyn Jones

Christmas is right around the corner, so here are the top five gifts to give to those special someones this year.

1. Cash- There’s no going wrong with cash, especially for college students. Not only can cash help with bills and tuition, but it can also buy everything

else on this list.

2. Gift Cards- Gift cards are the quickest and easiest route to take. It relieves the buyer of picking a certain gift while allowing the recipient to select whatever they desire most.

And with gas prices high, a gift card for gas would gladly be accepted.

3. Winter Clothes- As the winter season approaches, so

does the need for winter-wear.

4. Jewelry- Whether it’s a necklace for that special girl or a watch for that special guy, jewelry is a timeless gift for everyone.

5. i-phone Cover- With iPhones all the rage this year, it’s no surprise that I-Phone covers are also in demand, even if this gift is only of value for I Phone users.

PAGE 5

Monroe sponsors toy drive, asks citizens to donate gifts

Photo by Devon Raymond

Residents of Monroe donate gifts to 101.9’s Stuff-A-Bus on Thursday.

101.9 radio station hosts annual “Stuff a Bus” event

by Catherine Olson

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The holiday season is about giving, and various organizations around Monroe are giving students, along with residents, opportunities to help.

Both Star 101.9, a hit radio station in Monroe, and Toys for Tots, are hosting annual toy drives.

Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Bill Hendricks, a major for the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and a group of Marine reservists in Los Angeles handed out 5,000 toys to children in need.

Clayton Trisler, a freshman biology major from Rayville, said that his family donated to another organization this year.

“I have never heard of either of those campaigns. They aren’t doing enough [to get the word out]. They should announce it on the radio or something,” said Trisler.

Star 101.9 has been doing just that, building up to their third

annual Stuff a Bus Toy Drive.

Staff members and volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) waited outside for a week collecting money and toys in front of the Pecanland Mall Food Court.

Cisco Fluitt from Star 101.9 was happy with last year’s result.

“Last year, over 6,300 donations of gifts were given with over $1,000 in monetary donations,” Fluitt said.

This year the monetary donations surpassed last years.

Though the drive ended on Dec. 3, people are welcome to call Star 101.9.

Students may have also missed the Marine Corps Band concert at Ouachita High in December to promote Toys for Tots, where guests were expected to bring a new, unwrapped toy.

“I do plan on trying to donate at least one toy this year. I know Wal-Mart usually does Toys for Tots, but I haven’t heard about any events,” said Kimberly Olney, a freshman biology major from Denham Springs.

Luckily the drop centers for Toys for Tots are still open in Family Dollar Stores and Pier 1 in Monroe. contact Catherine Olson at olsoncj@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 6

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

December 06, 2010

The friendly skies—not so friendly anymore…?

Dear Editor, Few may remember the time when travel by airplane was considered an activity that promised fun, excitement, and a certain amount of glamour. Air travel promised participation in the desirable and chic jet-set culture.

Today, flying is a necessity— for both pleasure and for business, no other form of transportation can “get you there” in a reasonable amount of time if “there” is the other coast of the country or the other side of the world.

After the attacks of 9/11 and faced with various new, inevitable threats to commercial aviation, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), via its agency responsible for all matters related to transportation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), implemented ever-increasing levels of security In December 2009, the socalled Underwear Bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, alerted the world to the possibility of terrorists putting bombs in their underpants. As a result, the TSA quickly installed about 350 full-body scanners in close to 70 U.S. airports (that num-

ber is expected to increase to 1,000 scanners by the end of 2011). Dubbed “naked” scanners (or porno-scanner) because they give a very graphic image of a person’s body, including genitalia and other personal effects like sanitary napkins, the devices raise privacy and health concerns among frequent traveler and pilot groups alike.

Currently, two types of technologies exist for airport security screenings. The DHS has been rolling out new backscatter advanced imaging technology (AIT) units (each one costing between $130,000 to $170,000) to airports nationwide over the last year.

It should be noted that Michael Chertoff is the primary promoter of full-body scanners and is a paid consultant for the companies that sell them. In 2010, it emerged that Rapiscan Systems, a manufacturer of this technology, was a client of Chertoff’s security consulting firm, the Chertoff Group. Chertoff, of course, is the former homeland security chief and coauthor of the PATRIOT act.

The other technology, active millimeter wave systems, can penetrate clothing to reveal hidden threats, but are not thought

to emit harmful radiation.

However, there is good reason to believe that neither of the machines are effective in detecting the weapons they are designed to identify, nor can they detect items that are hidden inside a person’s body.

Backscatter technology requires a passenger to stand between two box panels while low-dose radiation is emitted to the body, mainly to the scalp, during the scan. The image is then sent to an agent in another

room, ostensibly to protect passenger privacy by ensuring the anonymity of the image. If the screening agent sees any type of abnormality during the image scan (anything ranging from an obvious weapon to a pacemaker to an artificial knee,) she/he calls another agent over to further inspect the image. If the abnormality cannot be resolved in this manner, the passenger must undergo a physical “resolution” inspection: they will receive the so-called enhanced physical pat-

down. Even if it is clear from the visual image scan, for example, that the “abnormality” is an artificial knee, the passenger’s entire body will be subject to a physical pat-down.

-continued online Dr. Claudia Grinnell Assistant Professor of English

The complete editorial can be found online at ulmhawkeyeonline .com

Hawkeye P.O.V. The Hawkeye would like to wish the students of ULM a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too.

We are thinking of all of you during finals week and pray for your survival.

As you leave for the holiday, be grateful for this luxurious five-week break after a long, hard semester.

We hope that you get as much

out of it as you can, enjoying your family and your friends, or anyone else you come across during this giving season.

This time of year is not just a time to rejoice, but to be grateful for all of the blessings we have received. Christmas is an opportunity to openly show gratitude for the life you have been given and to share that gratitude with others.

Whether Santa brings you a new car, some cash, or even a lump of coal on Christmas morning, it is a day to rejoice in simply because you will be here to receive it.

So Merry Christmas from the Hawkeye. We hope you do as much nothing as we do over the break.

Happy Holidays from the

Student Publications Staff

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Letter to the Editor

PAGE 7

In response to “A helicopter ride full of budget cuts”

Dear Editor, In her letter to the editor, “A helicopter ride full of budget cuts,” in last week’s Hawkeye, ULM student April Kelley lamented the severe higher education budget in Louisiana.

Understandably, her list of concerns is long. She’s worried cuts could force faculty and staff to lose their jobs; she’s worried universities will offer fewer course; she’s worried students will lack resources; and she’s worried the best and brightest in this state will continue to flee elsewhere to find opportunities, leading to “brain-drain.” These are all valid concerns that we should all continue to monitor.

However, it is her chief concern --the accreditation status of the ULM Mass Communication -- that I wish to address.

Why? Because in the laundry list of very real problems for students on the fiscal landscape right now, the mass communication department’s lack of official sanctioning by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) should be the least of Ms. Kelley’s worries.

A Mass Communication major, Ms. Kelley wrote that she must transfer to LSU because her “particular degree at ULM…is not an accredited degree.”

As head of the Department of Communication, I was interviewed in the Oct. 13 edition of the Hawkeye about this very issue. I will summarize my remarks.

True, professions and academic disciplines value accredited departments. However,

accreditation does not solely determine a department’s credibility. More importantly, it doesn’t guarantee students will get a job in their profession.

Students, their parents and future employers should be more concerned with whether the institution granting the degree is accredited than the department itself. ULM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Yes, it is true that some communication departments are accredited by ACEJMC, but more communication departments opt out of accreditation rather than pursue it. This is because of the high costs required to maintain the standards established by the accrediting agency.

Mass Communications, a highly technological field, knows this well. In most cases, employers simply want communication professionals who can tell clear, accurate stories across a variety of platforms, like print, TV, radio and Web. Students must be able to write effectively, exercise sound news judgment and apply ethical standards to their field.

Employers are not as concerned about whether the student’s degree comes from an accredited department. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. For example, if one highly skilled student with a great portfolio who comes from an unaccredited department and another student with poor skills and a lackluster portfolio who comes from an accredited program go up for the same job, who do think will get it? I think the answer is obvious.

Students in the ULM Mass Communication program are currently getting the kind of instruction that will get them those highly competitive jobs.

Faculty who teach in ULM’s Mass Communications program bring years of experience in journalism, public relations and advertising to the department. They also maintain an active professional and researcher agenda while striving to develop an advanced curriculum with these student needs in mind.

By regularly evaluating itself and measuring student-learning outcomes, the Mass Communication department continues to provide the kind of practical and theoretical education that students need in these uncertain times.

I sympathize with Ms. Kelley’s concern over the negative impact the budget cuts might have on education and careers options in Louisiana. But her decision to transfer to LSU because of our lack of ACEJMC accreditation is difficult to fathom. Unfortunately, it is based on a complete misunderstanding of accreditation. Perhaps a session with her ULM Mass Communications advisor or an appointment with me, the Department Head, to discuss accreditation would convince her to remain at ULM instead of planning to transfer elsewhere.

Sincerely, Dr. Carl Thameling, Head, Communication

To see articles referenced in this letter please visit ulmhawkeyeonline.com

Vanity in the Media

by Heidi Fuller

though, the stigma still exists.

The hardest thing to do is to Children grow up watchlove yourself. The media has ing their mothers diet hop and endured decades of criticism their brothers break their bodfor its constant portrayal of ies with weight lifting to reach the ideal body image as stick- Schwarzenegger–status. thin. This stigma affects both But instead of pushing our genders, influencing many to bodies to the limits, we should resort to extremes in order to be pushing our minds to acachieve the cept all bodperfect body. ies. If we teach Though I do “Instead of pushing children to love agree the methemselves and our bodies to the others for who dia is responsible for plant- limits, we should be they are, like ing the seed the goals of in our minds, pushing our minds Dove’s CamI disagree it’s to accept all bodies.” paign for Real to blame for Beauty and To the continual Write Love On growth of the idea.

Her Arms, then they will grow In the last decade, media up appreciating all forms of of all kinds have tried to em- people. brace differences. It is not unWith a rise in confidence, common now to see someone the stigma will decrease. With with crooked teeth or a distinct the decrease of the stigma will birthmark modeling couture- be a decrease in the amount of clothing lines. bullying, substance abuse, obeIn 2009, Glamour magazine sity, self-mutilation and suipublished a photo of a plus- cide, which all are linked with sized model named Lizzi Miller low self-esteem. sitting with a small belly flap We hang our heads at clichés, plopped over her underwear. but cliché is key: true beauty is Women praised the magazine measured by what’s on the infor finally showing an average side, not the outside. sized woman bearing all her contact Heidi Fuller at flaws. Despite media reform fullerhe@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 8

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

December 06, 2010

Repertory Ensemble dances night away

Photo (above left:) Heather Tuerschmann, center, and others dance to musical number from “Caberet.”

Photo (above right:) Tina Malone dances a solo at Fusion on Friday.

All photos by: Lane Davis

Photo (above:) Kyle Bullit, along with other Repertory Dance members dance to “Lion King.”

Poetry, dancing takes over Brown Auditorium

by Jessica Mitchell

Photo (above:) Cody Jackson pulls a gun out at the end of a dance number at Friday nights Fall Fusion concert.

Photo (right:) Caleb Wilkinson dances to a poem written by Zach Parker and Jesse Wells.

Photo (above:) Repertory members in choreography by senior Loretta Collins.

After almost an entire semester of preparation, the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Repertory Dance Ensemble opened the curtains of Brown Auditorium to host the annual Fall Dance Fusion Friday night.

Students packed the house to see the dancers explore many styles of dance.

“I always look forward to Dance Fusion,” Megan Jack, 20, from Shreveport said.

“The dancers are so talented and I can tell they work hard.”

This year’s Fall Fusion Concert contained new works by ULM dance faculty, including Robin Stephens, Tina Malone

and Gretchen Jones.

At the beginning of the show, Stephens mentioned that this was her eighth fusion concert, which she began in 2006.

The first act included the orginal dances from the dance instructors while also incorporating a little twist in the some of the performances.

“We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and have a new appreciation for dance.”

Heather Tuerschmann Senior pre-physical therapy major

This year, the esemble teamed up with ULM’s English Department poet-in-residence Jack Heflin.

He and the dancers combined smooth poetry and precise dance moves making for an interesting show.

Heather Tuerschmann, a se-

nior pre-physical therapy major from Prairieville, is a repertory dance member and is proud of this years show.

“We [repertory group] worked very hard in preparing this show. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and has a new appreciation for dance,” said Tuerschmann .

The first act also included dance excerpts from the musical “Chicago” and “The Lion King.”

After a 15-minute intermission, the show picked right back up from where it ended the first act, but added dance excerpts from “Cabaret,” incorporating performances from Jeff Cass, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, along with Repertory Dance Ensemble members. contact Jessica Mitchell at mitcheje@warhawks.ulm.edu

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Decoration’s hidden meaning

Photo courtsey of MCT Campus

Christmas decor means more than meets the eye

by Eddie Ray Fountain

It is now that time of year when one goes into the attic, basement or storage room and pulls out Christmas decorations, from an array of colorful lights, to wreaths and Christmas trees.

Between shelling out 80 bucks on a tree to searching for that one screwy bulb that has an entire set of lights on the fritz, the reasons for those traditions may be easily forgotten.

The holiday decoration that finds itself in most homes during the wintery season is the Christmas tree. It was a pagan symbol at first but was later Christianized.

It grew to become a symbol to

represent Jesus. The green of the tree represents the everlasting life that he presents; the star is a reminder of the star of Bethlehem, while the tree itself points to the heavens.

Another one of the decorations most seen is the wreath surrounded with lights, or sometimes candles. Studies have shown that wreaths of evergreens were gathered back in pre-Christian Germanic times.

They lit them on fire as a sign of hope and renewed light.

The candy cane is another decoration, often placed on trees and placed outside in rows or some other intricate way.

It was made by a candy maker years ago according to research, and he shaped it into a “J” to represent Jesus.

He also felt it could represent his staff as he was the good shepherd. The red and white colors it’s donned with represent Jesus’ sinless life and the blood he shed.

Decorations have a deeper meaning than most of society realizes. They are more than just holiday fluff; they represent the rich traditions that have survived in so many cultures for centuries. contact Eddie Ray Fountain at fountaer@warhawks.ulm.edu

PAGE 9

Election results in for Mardi Gras Court, CAB

Photo by Robert Brown

2009 Mardi Gras Queen Reina Anderson and King Chinedu Akunne

by Nikeisha Mitchell

Last week, elections were held on campus to name the students ULM wanted to see on Mardi Gras Court. Also, there was an election to determine who would be the Campus Activity Board’s new board members.

“We are excited to see new faces and we are enthused about what the new year has to bring,” said Nathan Hall, Assistant Dean of Student life and leadership.

CAB is not only in charge of hosting activities for students including Christmas at ULM and Spring Fever, but they are also the students voice to the administration.

The Mardi Gras King and

Queen will represent ULM at the Mardi Gras ball. A beau and maid were also chosen for each college.

The results of the election have resulted in a few runoff elections scheduled to be held Wednesday.

The winners for CAB are: Treasurer- (Run-off) Ahmaad Solmone and JB Bennett Secretary- (Run-off) Johntavious Hampton and Joel Barfield Public Relations- (winner) Kaylie Stracener Vice President- (winner) Dawson Beene President- (winner) Ben Young The winners for Mardi Gras Court are:

College of Pharmacy Beau(Run-off)- Robert Esponge and Kyle Gray Pharmacy Bell- (winner) Mandi Simmons College of Arts & Science Beau- (Run-off) -Tra’ Hall and Drew Register Arts & Science Bell- (Runoff)- Kemper Block and Ciera Paul College of Education Beau(winner) Tyler Brown Education Bell- (winner) Rachel Hornsby College of Heath Science Beau- (winner) Nicholas Alford Health Science Bell- (Runoff)- Jaime Wallace and Sidney Bruscato College of Business Beau(winner) Joel Barfield King- (Run-off) -Heath Hines and TJ Scarborough Queen- (Run- off) - Eboni Parker and Jordan Rawson “It is important to be aware of who is being chosen to hold these offices,” Hall said.

“Students should pick someone who is hard working and truly cares about seeing progression at this university.” contact Nikeisha Mitchell at mitchena@warhawks.ulm.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

PAGE 10

by Collette Keith

December 06, 2010

Top 5 albums of 2010

1. Contra: Vampire Weekend’s lates. Each listen pulls back a new layer of fun, depth, ingenius musical arrangements.

2. The Cave: Mumford and Son bring folk back. Vocal control takes charge of emotional lyrics. Every track is a soul search-

ing one.

3. Flamingo: Like Mumford and Son, Brandon Flowers’ (Killers frontman) honest voice quivers between tears and outburst.Pair with musings on religion to get a heart wrenching album.

4. Come Around Sundown: Kings of Leon’s

fascination with the southern man displayed beautifully with every woeful track.

5. Go: Sigur Ros’ Jonsi’s solo album rouses an animal like adrenaline in the listener with tribal drums and his bird like voice. contact Collette Keith at keithcs@warhawks.ulm.edu

all photos courtsey of MCT Campus

Cee Lo Green out-pops Lady Gaga with funk

by Collette Keith

While Cee Lo Green’s “The Lady Killer” may not be the greatest pop album this year has seen, it is definitely one of the most important.

I am a fan of pointless pop. I feel the same way about it as I do a Will Ferrell movie: there’s no depth and little thought involved, and that’s exactly why it’s great. No thinking, just sit back and enjoy. Every now and then, a comedy needs conflict, and even more often the pop industry needs someone who has a musical ear instead of just lean legs and a six-pack.

Cee Lo Green takes us back to the music that founded a lot of today’s pop. He digs into music’s archives and pulls out what made the 70’s and 80’s iconic.

But instead of creating recycled material in disguise (a la Lady Gaga, pop’s poster child), Cee Lo Green takes the strengths of our previous generations and enhances them into his own creation. He mixes “Billy Jean”

base lines with pitchy synthesizers, strings, a funkadelic guitar, and police sirens.

The first time I heard “Forget You” on the radio (the censored title of the original song), I was sure my fingers had accidentally stumbled on the wrong preset channel. I thought I must have hit the oldies station, because there was no way that the top 20 channel was playing something that awesome.

For now “The Lady Killer’s” “Forget You” is marked at 17 on the top 20. It sits behind songs like Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” and Ushers’s “DJ Got us Fallin’ in Love Again,” both which sound as if they were recorded to a demo setting on an old keyboard.

Hopefully, the public will get keen on hearing something besides the same three base lines from a drum machine on the radio, and give Cee Lo Green the chance to take us even farther into what is good pop. contact Collette Keith at keithcs@warhawks.ulm.edu

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

‘Love and Other Drugs’ needs more than a fix

by Zachary Keith Parker

“Love and Other Drugs,” directed by Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, Defiance), only works when its two leads, Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Maggie (Anne Hathaway), relax in the quiet, intimate moments of sharing.

And more than its poster promises, the two become intimate in a plethora of sex scenes that won’t hurt selling movie tickets.

Zwick achieves emotional vulnerability not through the development of interactions between two characters, but uses nudity as a type of shorthand

for making the audience sympathize with these characters.

It wouldn’t be so bad except that this is all we get, a mediocre rip-off of “Love Story” without the character development. The rest of the movie tries hard to be this year’s “Up in the Air” with its “honest” portrayal of big pharmaceutical companies.

But it only exploits the medical field for entertainment and laughs (some as gut-turning as the jokes induced by Jamie’s brother, gag).

The silliness undercuts the movie’s serious side, such as that portrayed in only one scene by Oliver Platt in a restaurant out-

‘Inception’ is a mind game, not a film

by Zachary Keith Parker

On paper, “Inception” looks nice. Nolan further manipulates narrative structure (“Following,” “Memento,” “The Prestige”) and plenty of actiony sequences

like “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.” It’s a mix of both Nolan modes from a technical standpoint.

On a thematic level, “Inception” adds to an awareness of guilt and its effect on charac-

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Best Films of 2010

by Zachary Keith Parker

burst.

Zwick’s movies have always had the feel of Oscar ambition.

“Love and Other Drugs” is no different and until Zwick can make us believe that his characters are real human beings, he will never deserve any kind of award recognition.

This is a shame for great actors and actresses like Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway who have proved their acting chops and chemistry in Oscar winners like Brokeback Mountain.

ters, principally represented by Cobb’s feelings towards his wife, Mal. In case you miss Cobb’s feelings, Ariadne, a character useless for anything more than exposition, confronts Cobb about his guilt at least twice (complemented by the line: “you have to let her go.”)

While we’re speaking of repetition, there’s at least three different exchanges between Cobb and Saito (a greedy, corporate businessman who inexplicably becomes a mouth-piece for Nolan instead of a well-developed character) where we hear echoes of this guilt/regret theme: “growing old, a man with many regrets, waiting to die alone.”

While we appreciate the consistency of the theme in Nolan’s work, it’s dumbed down for the audience by overuse in dialogue (a large portion of the film’s dialogue is needlessly expository and banal anyway) and scene construction.

In case the audience didn’t catch on to any of this, Nolan

played Edith Piaf ’s “Non, je ne Regrette Rien” repetitively throughout the film.

The film, as a whole, is not a mystery where we must decide what’s real or what’s a dream.

Mind games and mindnumbing action (snow battles? seriously?) replace original storytelling. The forced-awe of Nolan’s narrative inventiveness and complexity covers up a lack of believable human character and feeling.

The film’s logic and mechanics are so extensively discussed by the film’s characters that it corners the emotional core and allows for too many contradictions and plotholes.

Please, Mr. Nolan, continue to share your imagination accordingly - and obtain the services of a more aestheticallydisciplined editor so that the audience can enjoy such scenes before cutting between five different layers of nonsense.

contact Zachary Keith Parker at parkerzk@warhawks.ulm.edu

contact Zachary Keith Parker at parkerzk@warhawks.ulm.edu

As movie awards season begins and the 2010 year winds down, I’ve compiled a list of some of 2010’s “best” films, most all easily found in your Netflix catalogue or Amazon’s store.

1. Valhalla Rising - “Valhalla Rising” excels in mood and image with very little dialogue.

2. Winter’s Bone - it’s a lovely, slower picture concerned with the bonds of southern family and what threatens to break them.

3. Red Riding Trilogy - all three films depict evil and its scary fingers reaching throughout time.

4. Never Let Me Go - Romanek’s picture doesn’t just look heavenly, but it directly addresses our fear of death.

5. The American - Clooney in a European espionage movie.

‘Nuff said.

6. The Social Network Fincher’s film feels best when we’re watching Fincher’s handiwork, not screenwriter Sorkin’s.

7. I Am Love - Tilda Swinton is wonderful in a film recalling the work of Michelangelo Antonioni.

8. Baader Meinhof Complex- like Assayas’ brilliant Carlos, BMC is a long, extensive look at terrorism that should accompany viewing of Spielberg’s “Munich.”

9. Sita Sings the Blues watch it on YouTube, a lovely animated film, crossing cultural boundaries by mixing them.

10. Secret of Kells - an Oscarnominated animated film from last year. Worth every penny. contact Zachary Keith Parker at parkerzk@warhawks.ulm.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

PAGE 12

December 06, 2010

Bruno and family meets and greets with faculty and students

by Ciera Paul

President Bruno socializes with student Monica Zeno at Meet and Greet on Nov. 23.

President Nick Bruno has definitely stole the hearts of the staff and faculty at ULM as he greeted many of them personally by name.

President Bruno and his family met with students, faculty and staff from the University on Tuesday, Nov. 23, as they were officially welcomed to the university.

The meet-and-greet was held

on the first floor of the SUB in the commuter’s lounge.

Several students as well as faculty members came out to support the Bruno family.

Dr. Bruno, his wife, Linda, and their two daughters eagerly participated in any conversation that came up.

Brooke Dugas, a senior from Franklinton, said despite the weather and the meeting being so early, there was still a great

turn out. “I am excited that so many people want to get to know the president,” she said President Bruno said he has enjoyed himself at ULM so far and is looking forward to the upcoming semesters. He plans on getting to know as many students and faculty as possible.

“I may not remember every name but I plan to remember as many as I can,” Bruno said.

“I truly appreciate all the

love and support that I have received,” he said as he hugged various students.

“The thought of having a new president was unsettling at first,” said Devon Washington, a junior from Shreveport.

“However, Dr. Bruno has made a great impression by building several different bonds with us so quickly,” she said. contact Ciera Paul at paulcr@warhawks.ulm.edu

There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. If you want to be a leader in life, joining Army ROTC at ULM is the strongest way to start. It provides hands­on leadership development. Plus you can earn a full­tuition, merit­based scholarship up to $18,000/year. After graduation, you’ll begin your career as an Officer. With a start like that, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

To get started, contact MSG John Payne at 318­342­1561 or jpayne@ulm.edu.

VISIT OUR DEPARTMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF BROWN STADIUM AND ALLOW US TO GIVE YOU DETAILS ABOUT THIS PHENOMENAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

December 06, 2010 This month in

PAGE 13

Games

History

Operation Santa Paws started in 2001 by Justin Rudd. This great cause has its own special week in December.

December 1st marks the kick off for this years Operation Santa Paws and will run until the 19th.

During the holiday season, we all try to do a little something for the less fortunate. How often though does our mind turn to the animals who are in rescue shelters all across the nation? If you are thinking of getting a pet for a loved one, this might be where you would think to look. Most people, however, don’t; instead they think pet store.

While both options can produce a loving pet, the shelter for me has been my best experience. These animals were rescued from the streets and need a lot of love, but once they get home and settled in they will become the most loving loyal animals you will ever own.

What you can do to help? Many shelters do not have the necessary items that they need to run them properly. They are often overfilled and understaffed. Adoption of a pet is the first choice of course and then comes volunteering your time.

Other things you can do are to set up your own Operation Santa Paws by visiting the site and getting the required materials to display at your local shelter or other venues. You can also make donations to your local shelter or give them some of the necessary items that they need to function on a daily basis.

Sudoku

ADDERALL

CLOTHES

HANUKKAH

STUDY

BREAK

DECORATE

HOLIDAY

THIN

BRUNO

DONATIONS

JEWELRY

TOYS

CARDS

DRUGS

JEWISH

TREE

CASH

FINALS

LIGHTS

VANITY

CHRISTMAS

GIFTS

MEDIA

WREATH

PAGE 14

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

Grambling sinks ULM, 66-61

by Jerry Cox

The ULM women’s basketball team fell to the Lady Tigers of Grambling State, 66-61, on Nov. 30 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Although the Warhawks forced 27 turnovers, their poor second-half shooting ultimately doomed them. The team shot 26 percent from the field and missed all 13 3-pointers in the half.

“We played hard, just not smart.”

-ULM Coach Mona Martin “We played hard, just not smart,” ULM coach Mona Martin said. “Our offense down the stretch just didn’t execute but we have to give credit to Grambling and their game plan.”

ULM (5-3) began the game playing aggressively on defense, forcing the Lady Tigers to use their first timeout within

the game’s first minute. However, unlike most teams this season against the Warhawks at home, Grambling State was not phased and stayed close throughout the first half.

Grambling State (3-4) guard Kristen Harper nailed a 3-pointer with 5:26 left in the first half to take a 24-18 lead, forcing the Warhawks to take a timeout.

The Warhawks regrouped after the timeout and tied the game, but the Lady Tigers took a 29-26 lead going into halftime with a miraculous 3-pointer from half court by Breanna Johnson, who finished the night tied for the game high with her teammate Secrett Anderson with 20 points.

ULM started the second period 1-8 shooting but only trailed by one with 13:12 to play.

Despite the terrible shooting night the Warhawks managed to keep the game within reach. ULM pulled within four with 30 seconds to play and even got

the deficit to two with 13 seconds but Grambling State hit their final three free throws of the night to walk out with the narrow victory.

ULM forward Priscilla Mbiandja finished with the team-high 19 points and center Larrie Williams finished with another double-double, snatching 11 rebounds and nailing 14 points.

Johnson and fellow teammate Secrett Anderson led the Lady Tigers with a game-high of 20 points.

The Warhawks competed in the Hackerman Invitational in Houston on Friday and Saturday, but lost in the championship game to Prarie View, 49-44.

Elizabeth Torres scored 12 points each against Rice and Prarie View to earn alltournament honors.

ULM takes on the Arkansas-Monticello Cotton Blossoms at 4 p.m. Saturday. contact Jerry Cox at coxja@warhawks.ulm.edu

December 06, 2010

photo by Srdjan Marjanovic

Priscilla Mbiandja (left) gets tangled up in Nov. 30th’s game against Grambling.

December 06, 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

PAGE 15

Players suspended from baseball Team ULM wins inaugural 2010 Pick ‘Em Challenge team following rape charges

by LaMar Gafford

by Anthony Drummer

Last month, two ULM students were accused of aggravated rape, and as a result they are suspended from the ULM baseball team until the investigation is complete.

On Nov. 19, Shelby Esters Aulds, 21, 111 Briar Cliff, and Kendall Scott Thamm, 20, 2206 Magolia Bend, Baytown, Texas, went to Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of aggravated rape. Both players each were released on $15,000 bond.

In an official statement, the university stared that “We are aware of the situation and per policy these student-athletes have been suspended from the team pending investigation.”

Other than their status on the team, there are no reports on if the students are still attending classes or if any scholastic disciplinary action has been taken because of a federal privacy law.

“Students are protected by a privacy act (FERPA),” said Pamela Jackson, Director of Stu-

dent Services at ULM. “We will be unable to discuss or share information in regard to any of our students.”

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 provides standards that are designed to protect the privacy of students.

Aulds was a former standout at West Monroe High School, and Thamm went 4-4 as a freshman at Angelina College. contact Anthony Drummer at drummeac@warhawks.ulm.edu

College athletes should be paid

by Joe Lewis III

Another season and another college athlete is suspected of receiving improper benefits.

This season, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is the latest high-profile player to be accused after his father allegedly received improper benefits from former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers.

I am sick of watching ESPN and seeing these stories dominate the press. No serious legal rules are being broken, just petty NCAA rules. I do not know if the NCAA is taking notice, but it has a serious problem on its hands.

My solution to this problem is very obvious.

Pay the athletes!

Coaches are making millions, universities are making millions, and athletes make nothing.

Something about that does not make sense to me.

The NCAA needs to make a rule allowing universities to pay their athletes at least a few hundred dollars a month.

photo courtesy by MCT Campus

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton runs for yardage.

Some people like to bring up scholarships, but that just includes tuition, a place to stay, and a meal plan.

What about clothes? What about gas for the car? What about just a little spending money?

Scholarships cannot provide these things. Players cannot

even get part-time jobs because their sport takes too much time to do so.

This leaves a lot of college athletes broke because they come from low-income families.

Agents pounce on talented athletes that are broke, offering money in hopes of landing them as clients.

If nniversities paid athletes, I guarantee that fewer players would accept money from agents. I would also give each university a maximum $10,000 signing bonus to offer their top recruit.

How many violations must be handed out before the NCAA realizes the flaws in its rules?

Cam Newton is a Heisman trophy candidate and I hope that unfounded accusations do not stop him from winning it.

Whether the accusations are true or not, the NCAA has a big problem on its hands. Opening up the bank and paying the players is the best solution. contact Joe Lewis III at lewisj1@warhawks.ulm.edu

Looks as if the old school still Second-year pharmacy major has some tricks up its sleeves to Anthony Drummer took first teach the new school. place in the group with an 85After a slow start, Team ULM 45 record. dominated the inaugural HawkFeedback of the competition eye-ULM Pick ‘Em Challenge, was positive, including mass winning by 26 games. communications senior Brooke “For me, it was just a lot of Hofstetter, who won 81 games fun being involved in a compet- for Team ULM despite joining itive matter,” the competition sociology pro- “For me, it was just a in the second fessor Dr. Neil lot of fun being in- week.

White said. “I “I think it was think all of us volved in a competi- fun,” Hofstettive matter.” had a bit of a ter said. “I was c o m p e t i t i v e -Sociology professor bummed to be side to us.” on the teachers’ Dr. Neil White White finside at first but ished with the glad that we are best overall individual record at the champions, my friends.”

91-39 and attributes most of his Team Hawkeye and Team prognostication knowledge to ULM hope to continue competihis sociology of sport class. tions like this in the future, with “I just had a strategy and the NCAA Basketball Tournastuck to it,” White said. ment and the 2011 NCAA and Although Team Hawkeye NFL football seasons being the finished behind in the team main focal points. competition, there was still a competition for individual team contact LaMar Gafford at bragging rights. gafforlc@warhawks.ulm.edu

THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE

PAGE 16

December 06, 2010

Rivalry renewed: ULM loses to Tech, 67-58

2nd-half surge not enough to defeat Bulldogs

by LaMar Gafford

Whenever ULM and Louisiana Tech match up in any athletic event, the teams always leave much more on the surface.

The ULM men’s basketball team could not overcome a hot 11, 2010 start October to the Bulldogs and lost, 6758, in Ruston Saturday.

“I thought both teams played really hard,” ULM coach Keith Richard said. “Obviously they played better offensively than we did. The threes in the first half put us in a hole and gave them tremendous momentum.”

ULM (2-7) had a tough time containing the Louisiana Tech offense in the first half, with the Bulldogs shooting 54.5 percent from the floor.

Sophomore forward Brandon team continued to improve under Gibson sparked Louisiana Tech’s Richard’s watch. offense early with 11 of the Bull“I was really proud of our efdogs’ first 21 points. He added fort, and I hadn’t been for the last three 3-pointers during that couple of games,” Richard said. “I stretch, giving Louisiana Tech a believe that if we play that hard 21-11 lead with 13:05 left in the “I was really proud first half.

“We wanted to get off to a great of our effort, and start and we did,” Louisiana Tech I hadn’t been for head coach Kerry Rupp said. “But those guys had no quit in them. the last couple of I really admired how hard they THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA PAGE 3 games” AT MONROE played.”

-ULM coach Facing a 37-25 deficit at halftime, ULM controlled the BullKeith Richard dogs’ hot shooting and attacked more aggressively, cutting the lead every night then we will get our down to six points. offensive figured out sooner or However, Louisiana Tech (7-2) later and we will do a better job.” prevailed due to a big game by juThe Warhawks hope to return nior guard Olu Ashaolu. Ashaolu to the win column when they rescored 16 of his game-high 24 turn to Fant-Ewing Coliseum at 6 points in the second half. p.m. Saturday to take on the CenDespite the loss, Hugh Mingo tenary Gents. photo by Srdjan Marjanovic and Fred Brown each led the War- contact LaMar Gafford at Warhawk guard Fred Brown drives down the lane for a hawks with 18 points, and the gafforlc@warhawks.ulm.edu basket in Saturday’s loss to Louisiana Tech in Ruston.

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