The Daily Beacon

Follow us: @DailyBeacon

‘Green Lantern’ proves to be a crowd pleaser

McIlory’s Open win foreshadows bright future

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

PAGE 6 T H E

E D I T O R I A L L Y

Isolated T-storms 30% chance of rain HIGH LOW 94 72

Issue 6 I N D E P E N D E N T

Vol. 117 S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906

PAGE 5

http://utdailybeacon.com N E W S P A P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

T E N N E S S E E

New first-year class mandatory for freshmen Class to incorporate ‘Life of the Mind,’ community involvement, online tech. tutorials Anthony Cespedes Staff Writer Although fall classes do not begin until mid-August, incoming freshmen will turn in their first homework assignment Aug. 5.

A new mandatory class, First-Year Studies 100: The Volunteer Connection, will automatically enroll incoming freshmen into the class.

As a result of the Life of the Mind program not having a major turnout in past years, First-Year Studies 100 makes the program mandatory to maintain it.

Maggie Goodwin, who will graduate after this summer with a psychology degree, was surprised to learn of the new class.

“I wish we had this class format when I was a freshman,” Goodwin said. “I’m graduating this summer, and I am still learning about everything UT has to offer. I wish I would’ve known sooner.”

Organized by the Student Success Center’s Ruth Darling and headed by the Office of the Provost’s Student Engagement Coordinator Drew Webb, the class will include activities such as Classlane, which is two interactive PowerPoints presented on the first day of classes that go over student success strategies.

“Most work will be done online through the Blackboard website,” Webb said. “Freshmen will be required to read ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ and write a small paper on it as part of a plagiarism workshop.”

Other book-related activities in the course include a creative response, attending the author’s presentation and going to a small-group discussion during Welcome Week.

A committee of 20 students and faculty chose the book, calling it a story that would relate to freshmen and symbolize UT’s Celebrating 50 Years of African-American Achievement commemoration.

These Blackboard lessons will begin in August, and through this class, students will learn how to set up their UT e-mail, run DARS reports, use the

Banner program and find out about the services offered through different departments around campus.

The online technology tutorial that will introduce students to components like MyUTK is the assignment due Aug. 5.

Students are encouraged to attend Torch Night and other Welcome Week activities. The goal of this class is to “keep students learning about UT and its activities, and most importantly, to keep them at UT,” Webb said.

The new class will also encourage students to get involved on campus.

One of the last assignments, an ongoing one due Nov. 23, is to pick one Life of the Mind program and then one activity from a pre-approved list to show involvement in the UT community.

Activities could include TeamVols, the Ready for the World Initiative or others.

Many students feel a bit apprehensive toward the class being a requirement and not getting any credit for it.

Kristian Leigh Stricklin, 17, an incoming freshman from Adamsville High School, has mixed views.

“Personally I think the class is a good idea,” Stricklin said. “An introduction to any new phase of life is definitely helpful. However, with the school making this a mandatory class, they should be willing to give credit.”

Chase Treadway, who will graduate after this summer in communication studies, thinks that every student should take it.

“I don’t necessarily like the no-credit policy,” Treadway said. “You should at least get some credit for it. I feel that if you earned a grade, you’d get more benefit out of it.”

Incoming freshman David Young from Oak Ridge High School didn’t hesitate at all when asked about FirstYear Studies 100.

“This is a great idea,” Young said.

“There is not one mold that everyone has to fit into; everyone can find something to take that fits their interests. ...

If it’s something that is going to help me, then it doesn’t matter.”

Strip landmark to undergo revival Anthony Cespedes Staff Writer UT has grown and changed with the times, and with the changes, Cumberland Avenue businesses have come and gone.

One business that has survived the changes is the McDonald’s located at 1720 W. Cumberland Ave. However, come June 29, McDonald’s will close its doors to the public for the summer for renovations.

Over the past few years, UT and the city have talked about the impending Cumberland Avenue renovations, in which the entire district will have a new look in the upcoming years.

McDonald’s owner Joe Burger decided that his store will be the first change to the Strip.

Originally scheduled to shut down May 1, the dates have been pushed back due to complications with the city and McDonald’s Corporation regarding the building plans. Once the city approves the final plans, the store will shut down.

Constructed in 1972 by the Cochran family franchise, the store was built with the now-classic design and has gone under very few renovations since then.

When the Burger family purchased the store in 2006, Joe Burger knew that things needed to be done. The store was not student-friendly, suffering from poor conditions. The Burger family had changed the appearance of customer service at the store. However, with the construction of the new store, he hopes to attract the student workforce to the store.

The new store, with a total redevelopment cost of $1.6 million, will have an modern look. Dubbed the “New-Look McDonald’s,” the outside and inside appearance will be something not seen in this part of Knoxville.

Currently, the Karns and Hardin Valley Anthony Cespedes • The Daily Beacon locations have the new format. The new The McDonald’s sign on the Strip reads oddly with missing panels on Sunday, June store’s interior will have power outlets at 19. The chain’s iconic UT location will undergo reconstruction to bring the restau- every possible place, as opposed to the rant up to date, closing June 29 with plans to reopen at the beginning of the new present format’s three outlets. Prints with academic year. views of Knoxville and UT will decorate

the interior of the new store, and an outside patio will showcase the view of the Strip.

The drive-thru will change too. With the addition of a second order-taking position, customers will be able to order and receive food more quickly.

The Western Avenue store is actually going to feel an impact by this construction. After the Cumberland Avenue store closes, its current drive-thru menu board will replace the one at the Western Avenue location.

Current employees of the Cumberland Avenue McDonald’s are faced with either taking a vacation or assuming a temporary position at another McDonald’s.

Jocelyn Campbell, senior in sociology, has worked there for three years and is glad the store is closing for renovations.

“It’s old and decrepit,” Campbell said.

“We needed this.”

She can’t wait for the store to reopen in August.

When asked about what they’d like to see in the new store, Burger and Campbell both responded, “New attitude.”

“As in pride in working there,” Campbell said. “New place, new crew, new attitude.”

Burger is looking forward to the Fall Semester.

Making deals with campusspecial.com, the Burger franchise will have three coupons each semester in the coupon books and will have special deals online.

The night before the store opens, Burger and store manager Darryl Cox will host a catered, invite-only grand opening where student government leaders and other student leaders will be able to see the new store firsthand.

“We are here for the students,” Burger said. “We want students to work here and feel great about doing so. We will work with their schedules.”

When students come back to UT for the start of the new academic year, they will have a new view of the Strip. The big McDonald’s sign will be a thing of the past, and a new wall-format sign will be raised at the entrance to the store.

2 • The Daily Beacon

InSHORT

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Anthony Cespedes • The Daily Beacon

Incoming freshmen eat in Rocky Top Cafe in the UC during an orientation session on Wednesday, June 8. Freshman orientation will continue through the rest of June, with the final session ending on July 7.

1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill begins British General William Howe lands his troops on the Charlestown Peninsula overlooking Boston, Massachusetts, and leads them against Breed's Hill, a fortified American position just below Bunker Hill, on this day in 1775.

As the British advanced in columns against the Americans, American General William Prescott reportedly told his men, "Don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" When the Redcoats were within 40 yards, the Americans let loose with a lethal barrage of musket fire, throwing the British into retreat. After reforming his lines, Howe attacked again, with much the same result.

Prescott's men were now low on ammunition, though, and when Howe led his men up the hill for a third time, they reached the redoubts and engaged the Americans in hand-to-hand combat.

The outnumbered Americans were forced to retreat. However, by the end of the engagement, the Patriots' gunfire had cut down nearly 1,000 enemy troops, including 92 officers. Of the 370 Patriots who fell, most were struck while in retreat.

The British had won the so-called Battle of Bunker Hill, and Breed's Hill and the Charlestown Peninsula fell firmly under British control. Despite losing their strategic positions, the battle was a morale-builder for the Americans, convincing them that patriotic dedication could overcome superior British military might.

The British entered the Battle of Bunker Hill

overconfident. Had they merely guarded Charlestown Neck, they could have isolated the Patriots with little loss of life. Instead, Howe had chosen to try to wipe out the Yankees by marching 2,400 men into a frontal assault on the Patriots' well-defended position on top of the hill. The British would never make the same mistake again.

1958 - Bridge collapses, killing workers On this day in 1958, a bridge being built to connect eastern and northern Vancouver in western Canada collapses, killing 59 workers. The bridge, known as the Second Narrows Bridge, was finally completed in 1960 and, in 1996, it was renamed Ironworkers Memorial Bridge to commemorate the people who lost their lives during its construction. The disaster was the worst involving a bridge in Canada's history.

Twenty people survived the long fall, with fishermen pulling them from the water. Colin Glendinning, a worker who survived the collapse, recalled the fall, You know what I was thinking?

'Oh God, I wish I had a parachute' -- I really did.

The fall tore off Glendinning's ear, broke his leg, and permanently damaged his lungs. He later returned to work on the bridge, only to break his other leg a year later.

A vigil honoring the victims is still held at the bridge every June 17. —This Day in History courtesy of History.com

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

NEWS

The Daily Beacon • 3

Low fares outweigh bus service’s negatives Knoxville’s Megabus service gains clients looking to save en route to pricey destinations Robby O’Daniel News and Student Life Editor UT students may find that their colleagues are taking more summer vacations than normal — or vacations to more far-away places — thanks to the cheap bus service, Megabus.

With available stops in virtually every major city east of Minneapolis and north of Knoxville, Megabus started operation in Knoxville last fall.

The real draw, of course, is the price. Fares begin at just $1, but the fees are staggered upward with each new reservation for a particular bus trip.

For example, if someone tried to sign up on Monday for a trip from Knoxville to Washington, D.C., departing Wednesday and returning Thursday, the round-trip cost would be $37 to $40. That is still not a bad price, especially compared to Greyhound or Amtrak.

However, if one signed up on Monday for a trip from Knoxville to Washington D.C., departing Aug. 10 and returning Aug. 11, the roundtrip cost would be $11 to $20.

If a customer signs up early enough, a passenger can even enjoy that marketed $1 trip cost, paying only $2 round-trip from Knoxville to D.C. Going from Knoxville to D.C. on Greyhound from Aug. 10 to Aug. 11 would cost over $100.

With that price, UT students and Knoxville residents have started using the service, but those who have not yet ridden always marvel at the price and then pause and ask, “How is it, though?”

I have taken the Megabus twice now, once from Knoxville all the way to New York back in the middle of December — when the service was only days old in Knoxville — and this past weekend from Knoxville to Philadelphia.

Back on April 18, we booked our trip from Knoxville to Philadelphia, departing June 17 and returning June 19. The trip cost roughly $28 per person and included switching buses in Washington, D.C. both ways.

Since Knoxville only goes to Christiansburg, Va., and Washington, D.C., anyone who rides on Megabus from Knoxville will most likely first go to D.C. and then either stay there or pick from the wide variety of locations that are available from D.C. The Megabus stop in the district illustrates all the options. The parking lot was just set up with cones and signs with names of different

cities, dictating which line customers should be in. New York had three different lines for different trips, but there were also lines to go to Boston, Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Raleigh/Durham, Philadelphia and other locations. A Megabus attendant was there to make sure people got in the right line and did not bring on a fake ticket.

For Knoxville customers, that Washington, D.C. pit stop on the way to Philadelphia, Boston, New York or wherever the person is going, ultimately makes the trip just that much longer.

In order to ensure that nothing with the trip goes wrong and one arrives on time everywhere, it is best to place at least an hour in between arriving at D.C. and leaving, but that only adds to the overall ride.

Here is a breakdown of the trip from Knoxville to Philadelphia. We left the Knoxville Transit Center at 10:30 p.m. on Friday and arrived in Washington, D.C. at 7:15 a.m., with a stop in Christiansburg, Va., to pick up people and a stop somewhere in Virginia for gas and food.

The trip from D.C. to Philadelphia was from 8:45 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., though we arrived in Philadelphia about 15 minutes late, due to traffic.

Overall, the time it took to get from the district to Philadelphia was about 13 hours.

Since the allure of the Megabus trip is the cost, getting a hotel can severely alter things. A hotel in Philadelphia would have cost us around $55 each, which would have at least doubled the cost of the overall trip.

We decided against getting a hotel to keep the cost of the overall trip low. So we were banking on being able to sleep on the bus, but that is just impossible. There are too many stops along the way. The bus is too noisy.

For the trip from Knoxville to D.C., the bus was too packed. After we left Christiansburg, Va., literally every seat on the bus was filled. Try sleeping in a normal sitting position, with people all around you and a bus jerking forward every so often.

In addition, the places where the Megabus picks up are not akin to airports where a person can sleep while waiting. Washington, D.C.’s is a lonely parking lot, several blocks away from Congress. New York’s is just a city street.

Even though our tickets to Philadelphia said we would wind up at 30th Street Station, a gigantic train station with multiple restaurants and a gift shop inside, the Megabus actually picks up across the street from the train station. At 3 a.m., while dozing at the 30th Street Station and waiting for the 5:50 a.m. ride back on Sunday morning, a security

• Photo courtesy of Adam E. Moreira

A Megabus coach waits outside Madison Square Garden before a trip on Saturday, March 7, 2009. Megabus currently offers low-cost fares from Knoxville to Christiansburg, Va., and Washington, D.C.

guard at the train station informed us that the waiting area was only for Amtrak customers. We ended up taking refuge at the train station’s McDonald’s until the bus arrived, but no more sleeping was possible.

Even if a customer is willing to pay for a hotel, it would probably have to be at least two nights of a hotel, considering it takes about 13 hours to get to Philadelphia and 16 hours to get to New York. It would amount to riding from morning to night, immediately sleeping at the hotel once arrived, enjoying a day in the city, sleeping in the hotel again and then leaving the next morning.

Two days of a hotel in a big city can quickly balloon an originally cheap trip. Lack of sleep can wreck your psyche and mess with your sleep schedule, but it will help out your wallet.

The buses are excellent for the price. Leg room could be improved, but the bus also boasts televisions — though none were turned on from Knoxville to Philadelphia — and sometimes working wi-fi and AC outlets. We never heard the bathroom at the back of the bus flush, so we never attempted using it.

Sitting in the front of the second deck of the double-decker bus from D.C. to Philadelphia was like riding in a roller coaster, always uncertain whether the bus would fit underneath a bridge or whether the bus would make a turn. Of course, it always fit and always made turns correctly, but the perspective from the bus was odd. All the cars looked tiny and unrealistic in comparison to the gigantic bus.

Through my two trips from Knoxville all the way to New York and then to Philadelphia, the buses were always timely, and outside of a reckless customer in New York trying to not miss his bus by swerving his car in front of the bus to prevent it from leaving, nothing unexpected has happened.

As a cheap college student, if it were not for Megabus, I would not have gone to New York or Philadelphia. But, due to this service, I have seen both cities, enjoying a Ring of Honor show and an Architecture in Helsinki concert along the way. I would not have even considered the trips otherwise.

4 • The Daily Beacon

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

OPINIONS

Guest Column Humor found in fashion TV excesses When my roommate Amanda and I are both really stressed — stressed past simply listening to music or working out — we sit down, grab the remote and cross our fingers, hoping that “Say Yes to the Dress” is on. It may seem like a strange stress reliever, especially considering all the other options out there, but we are both very practical people. Neither one of us spends much money even on the things we need, so a show where people spend thousands of dollars on a dress they will wear only once for a few hours is something we find absolutely hilarious.

If you haven’t watched the show, let me enlighten you. It takes place in a designer bridal salon where a budget of $1,500 is cheap. That, in and of itself, is laughable. The general stupidity of those people is a great stress reliever.

Wedding dresses sell for up to $50,000! Honestly, tell me that’s not funny ... and stupid. Also, dumb brides bring half the planet to help them pick their dress, and those people rarely agree with each other or the bride. Those disagreements start friendly but often end in complete confusion and frustration, sometimes even tears.

Then, there are the brides who “need” two dresses: one for the ceremony and one for the reception. I admit, some beautiful wedding dresses may not be particularly easy to dance in. Still, there are plenty of cheap, pretty, white dresses that fit the bill perfectly.

Something else people come in with are financial problems. Well, those dress prices aren’t going to be help any. How short-sighted can you be!

The average budget people generally go in with is probably $4,000 (I’m guessing). So, if you’re wondering what a practical girl like me would buy with $4,000, I’d probably just save it, but if I had to spend it, I would go on an awesome honeymoon, put it towards a car or a down payment on a house, new appliances or furniture.

Two of my cousins got married in 2006. One was on a shoestring budget. She had a friend do the flowers, she had Buddy’s Bar-BQ cater, her wedding dress was $350 and it was BEAUTIFUL. The other one went a little nuts

... O.K., a lot nuts. She spent more than $20,000 on her wedding. Her dress was $5,000 and, quite frankly, wasn’t that pretty. It certainly wasn’t ugly, but it didn’t have much to it, either. Well, not that you could see anyway. Apparently it was covered with Swarovski crystals, but I couldn’t see them from where I sat. I can honestly say that the first was much prettier, and though it was less than 1/4 the cost of the other, it looked like it cost more.

I’d like to know what the people on “Say Yes to the Dress” would think of me. “How much do you want to spend on your wedding dress?”

“Less than five ... $500, not $5,000.”

“Oh, you’re not going to find a beautiful dress for less than $500.”

“Well, not here ... see ya!”

That’s a completely inconsequential situation, considering I’d never take one step past the first price tag in a place like that.

That is one extreme example of the stupidity of “brand name merchandise” pricing. I couldn’t care less about anything on a tag: name, lettering, etc., other than the price and size.

You’ll never convince me that a navy blue, 100 percent cotton, button-up dress shirt with some brand name on the tag is any better than a navy blue, 100 percent cotton, button-up dress shirt two racks over and $50 cheaper.

I know somebody like that. For crying out loud, he won’t even consider getting the same navy blue, 100 percent cotton, button-up dress shirt if it’s not at a department store but is at some place like Ross or T. J. Maxx! I just don’t get it. Frankly, I think it is a selfish, stupid, sheer waste of money that could be put towards another worthy cause because the cotton in a designer shirt is no different than the cotton in some other shirt.

Of course, all those people didn’t ask me. If they had taken my advice, though, there would be no stress relieving TV show. I guess all that money is good for something.

— Chelsea Tolliver is a sophomore in the College Scholars Program. She can be reached at ctollive@utk.edu.

SCRAMBLED EGGS • Alex Cline

THE GREAT MASH-UP • Liz Newnam

Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.

Dorm gender segregation outdated T he Social N etwo r k by

Elliot Devore Over the last week you may or may not have noticed the stories about Catholic University President John Garvey’s most recent decision to transition all residence halls to single sex. For some this may sound archaic and almost laughable, yet what many are oblivious to is that this is common practice at universities across the nation — even here at UT. President Garvey attributed the recent increase in hooking up and alcohol consumption as a reason, saying that separating the sexes will decrease binge drinking and hooking up. I would like to clarify that currently each floor of the residence halls at Catholic University are segregated by sex. He was also upset that the young Catholic women were failing to be a “civilizing influence” on young Catholic men.

Seriously ... give me a break. I highly doubt moving people to the building next door will prevent what they’re afraid of. The whole ideology of separating the sexes is incredibly heterosexist, so much that it privileges gays and lesbians! Who would have thought that we could benefit from a heterosexist policy!

Catholic University with policies like this.

During my two years as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Morrill Hall, the visitation policy left me in a perpetual quandary. The existing policy states that no person of the opposite sex is to be in the building (single-sex buildings) or on the floor (mixed-sex buildings) after 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; however, Friday and Saturday nights were 24-hour visitation.

Notice the term was “visitation.” That means not cohabitation. Is this policy supposed to promote “proper courting” of young men and women? Is it to prevent straight students from having consensual sex?

I can’t even count how many times I had to kick people out of the study rooms because they were of the opposite sex, or had to knock on doors and escort people to the main lobby because they were an opposite sex visitor after 1 a.m. I felt bad for my straight residents that wanted to spend time with their significant others; if I had a boyfriend, he could stay the night with me because it was not a policy violation.

This visitation policy, and those at other institutions, is incredibly heterosexist; the semantics and protocol for enforcement do not even acknowledge that there are gay and lesbian students living in the residence halls. I wonder whether Garvey considered that putting a single sex in a building would statistically increase the amount of gay people and, via his ideas of “proximity as causation” for straights hooking up, increase the amount of gay hook-ups? Shiver me timbers Batman, not at Catholic University or the University of Tennessee. Some would argue that separating the sexes is keeping women safe in their residence halls. I personally find that incredibly patronizing to all women.

Taking this to a new level, I would like to point out that I’ve specifically used the word sex instead of gender to describe these policies. Gender is about how people express themselves, whereas sex is their biological anatomy. Consider this: a transgendered student is applying to almost any university and is post operational — she was born a man but is now a woman. The state of Tenn., and the majority of states, doesn’t allow her to change the sex on her birth certificate after the operation. So, as she applies for housing as a woman, by law and her birth certificate she must put male. This presents the incoming student, the other students on her floor and the university with quite the situation. Since her housing application considers her a man, is she breaking visitation policies?

Where would she live at Catholic University? Will Ashley have to move in with John in an all-male residence hall because of a university’s disregard to the realities of a student’s life?

Entering the field of higher education administration and student affairs, I think it is crucial to re-examine policies and identify things that are of no service to the student body. Why should a university mandate a visitation policy that is sex-specific? Why not let the two adults sharing a room decide for themselves what visitation is appropriate? Students should decide what would provide them with the most comfortable living situation. Rigid policies, not students, oversexualize these spaces.

It’s time we reconsider the status quo, acknowledge the inadequacies of some current practices and be intentional with policies, ensuring that they create a healthy environment for the most students possible and help promote positive student development.

— Elliott Devore is a graduate in psychology. He can be reached at edevore@utk.edu.

Students unrepresented in new policies Grie vanc es A i re d by

Blair Kuykendall

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ONLINE EDITORS

Blair Kuykendall

Jake Lane

MANAGING EDITOR

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Jake Lane

Ebony Jones

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

ADVERTISING

Jake Lane

REPRESENTATIVES

COPY EDITORS

Brent Harkins

Robbie Hargett

Lauren Wilson

Sandra Wineinger

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

To report a news item, please e-mail the stories1@utk.edu or call the managing editor at 974-2348.

To place an ad, please call retail advertising at 974-5206.

To place a classified, please call the classified manager at 974-4931.

If you think something has been reported incorrectly, please contact the managing editor at 974-2348.

DESIGN EDITORS

ARTISTS

Abbie Gordon

Krystal Oliva

Advertising: (865) 974-5206

PHOTO EDITORS

Anna Simanis

Classifieds: (865) 974-4931

George Richardson

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

NEWS EDITOR

ARTISTS

Robby O’Daniel

Alex Cline

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

Liz Newnam

Robby O’Daniel

Sarah Marie Smith

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CLASSIFIED ADVISER

EDITOR

Elizabeth Hutson

Jake Lane SPORTS EDITOR Matt Dixon ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Colin Skinner RECRUITMENT EDITOR Robby O’Daniel

To visit the Daily Beacon online, scan this code with your smartphone QR Code APP.

Editor: (865) 974-2348 Main office: (865) 974-3231 Managing Editor: (865) 974-2348 Newsroom: (865) 974-3226 Newsroom fax: (865) 974-5569 Photo: (865) 974-5212 E-mail: stories1@utk.edu letters@utdailybeacon.com

The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com.

LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Blair Kuykendall, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Any and all submissions to the above recipients are subject to publication.

Prior to the recently announced “drop limit” on courses beginning this fall, I was unaware that an Academic Efficiency and Effectiveness Task Force (AEETF) existed here at UT. Be not dismayed by the initial strains of Orwellian foreboding this moniker imparts; the student body has been assured that the AEETF is on our side. It is a “force” designed to increase “the efficiency and effectiveness of academic policies, procedures and resource allocation with the goal of increasing student success and persistence to graduation in a timely fashion.”

Sally McMillan, the vice provost of academic affairs, more cogently articulated the task force’s effort: “to increase course availability and not waste faculty time.”

We can all agree those are good aims. It has been my experience on campus that students are every bit as concerned with efficiency in their educational experience as their professors. The goals of the student body really do not run contrary to those of the AEETF. What is concerning, however, is the way that provisions are being made to bridge the budgetary gap. It seems the student voice is barely being considered in the changes that will entirely affect everyone’s academic career.

Only one member of the student body is identified on the AEETF website as a participant in its decision-making process, and that student’s presence is, if anything, only more puzzling. I do not recall an election appointing this student to represent our collective interests.

While some students will likely be inconvenienced by the recent changes in the drop policy, that is not, at this time, the most pressing concern. Rather, the tone with which these changes are being implemented falls most harshly at present.

The various “alterations” in policy designed

to increase efficiency are all being handed down rather succinctly. This is to be expected given the pressing nature of the university’s budget problems, but it is also perhaps responsible for the heightened sting felt across the student body.

With the newly legislated cap on hours taken under the HOPE scholarship, a four-class drop limit and a tuition increase, students have more than enough to be getting on with.

We can all sympathize with the administration’s position. Times are hard, and this institution faces difficult challenges in using its finite resources as productively as possible. It unfortunately seems, though, that the negative effects of an economic standstill are being passed right down the line and dumped squarely on the backs of the student body.

Students themselves are more than willing to sacrifice some convenience in the name of streamlining the educational processes here at UT. Extemporaneous administrative changes, however, have the potential to derail a student’s entire future. After the round this summer, many students will be unable to take all of the classes they had planned for the price they had expected to pay. These changes are more than sacrifices in convenience; they are fundamental shifts in a student’s future.

Given that any changes made by the administration to the “effectiveness and efficiency” of UT’s educational system will have the most direct impact upon students, it stands to reason that student voices should be heard regarding the changes being considered.

Students should be given more of an opportunity not only to participate in the discussion of these changes, but also more power to actually decide which ones are implemented.

Who can better decide what will be effective, and what could prove inconsequential?

If this process were more inclusive of student opinion, it would be much easier to tighten the university’s belt. It is important for administration and faculty to meet students halfway in these efforts, because right now it seems we’re the ones feeling the squeeze.

— Blair Kuykendall is a junior in the College Scholars Program. She can be reached at bkuykend@utk.edu.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Daily Beacon • 5

‘Lantern’ impresses despite critics’ panning Robby O’Daniel News and Student Life Editor As a hardcore Green Lantern fan, the movie was going to prove difficult to review objectively.

When it was revealed to be a critical failure, complete with a 26-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 175 reviews, it got even more difficult.

And when the movie ended up taking in just a little over $53 million in its opening weekend, proving that the oversaturation of Marvel movies had hurt it, it just got downright depressing. It will be hard for the movie to make back its $200 million budget, and the releases of “Thor” and “X-Men: First Class” just weeks before “Green Lantern” went to theaters did not help. “Thor” made $65 million its opening weekend, and “X-Men: First Class” made $55 million.

Still, throwing all that negativity out, “Green Lantern” is legitimately a good movie and certainly better than other summer offerings like “Bridesmaids” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

The real dilemma with “Green Lantern” is its timing. Green Lantern, as a character, requires a lot of explanation, at least with the background carved by the comics written by Geoff Johns, which served as the template for the movie’s background.

It does not help that, again, thanks to Marvel’s assembly line production of comic book movies, “Green Lantern” is about the 15th superhero origin story movie created since 2000.

The story requires a lot of explanation, and, therefore, the first movie was basically sacrificed to setting the table. At least half of the brisk, 105-minute runtime is dedicated to telling the origin story. Green Lantern Hal Jordan probably does not even get the ring as fast as people would expect.

Perhaps the film’s biggest negative is the screenplay.

If Johns had just written the screenplay and been done with it, it would have been vastly improved. Instead,

TUTORING TESTPREP EXPERTS GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT For over 30 years, Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., and his teachers have helped UT students prepare for the GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT. Our programs offer individual tutoring, practice tests, and computer- adaptive strategies at a reasonable price. Programs can be designed around your schedule, weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.

Conveniently located at 308 South Peters Rd. Call (865)694-4108 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT Campus Ministries looking for a music director for Sunday evenings. 5-7 pm. $50 per Sunday. Call 604-8560. pcutk@utk.edu.

First Baptist Concord/ West Lake FT/PT positions avail.

Teacher/Teacher asst. Snack prep person. Professional Christian working environment. Call 865-288-1629 or email westlakewee@fbconcord.org.

Need person for weeding, mulching, and house cleaning chores. 5 mins. from campus. Call 637-3600.

THE TOMATO HEAD KNOXVILLE Now hiring dish and food running positions. Full and part-time available, no experience necessary. Apply in person at 12 Market Square or apply online at thetomatohead.com.

Jordan, “You have the strength to overcome fear,” are hitthe-nail-on-the-head terrible. But the screenplay also does not just cast her as a damsel in distress, like some thought from seeing the trailer.

The rest of the cast is excellently chosen. Mark Strong as Sinestro turns in an understated performance that should cause audiences to become intrigued by where that character could go in a potential sequel, plans for which have been put in jeopardy by the disappointing opening weekend take.

Geoffrey Rush as Tomar-Re, an alien Green Lantern who welcomes Hal Jordan to Oa and introduces him to the mythos, is also excellent. That is the type of casting that just feels so right for a long-time comics fan of the character. Rush’s voice fits the beaked, alien GL so well.

But the real standout from the cast is Peter Sarsgaard as villain Hector Hammond. Instead of just loving evil or even wanting to take over the world, Hammond simply has daddy issues, with father Sen. Hammond (Tim Robbins).

Sarsgaard plays this to the hilt, revealing the development of his telekinesis to the audience but not to the other principle characters until necessary. Seeing Hammond’s mind when he sees other people’s memories is spellbinding.

All in all, “Green Lantern” is not the best superhero movie ever, meaning it’s no “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” or “Watchmen.” But it’s better than the majority of the Marvel movies. It’s a strong effort in the genre, and even viewers with no knowledge of Green Lantern • Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures should walk away with a strong primer on the character.

The only problem is the movie is essentially just that: Lively, as Ferris Aircraft’s Carol Ferris, are probably miscast just to get people to watch the movie based on name a primer, a beginning. It was to set up the real meat and potatoes of a second movie with Green Lantern’s main recognition of the actors, both have their moments.

Reynolds is a brash, cocky guy in the movie, but so is villain, Sinestro.

Unfortunately, a rough screenplay and questionable the character of Jordan. Lively maintains the stubborn strength of Ferris, and her only missteps are when she main casting might have squandered that opportunity. rarely lets herself just become the love interest. Lively as Ferris probably suffers the most from an inadequate screenplay. Some of the lines she has to say, like telling some brief instances of Ryan Reynolds humor are peppered throughout, most teeth-grindingly awful when Reynolds, as Jordan, attempts to come up with the Green Lantern oath out of nowhere. “I pledge allegiance to a lantern,” he says, leaving the audience groaning.

Despite the fact that Reynolds and co-star Blake

EMPLOYMENT

UNFURN APTS

FOR RENT

PT personal assistant to dog agility equipment manufacturer and kennel owner.

Flexible hours, remote work possible. Variety of duties include processing online orders, tracking inventory, providing customer support, some local driving, packing & shipping. Must be well-organized independent worker with good people skills.

Facebook savvy. References required. Start immediately.

(865)705-8146. ace@waytoweave.com.

16th PLACE APARTMENTS 3 blocks from UT Law School (1543- 1539 Highland Ave.) 1BR and 2BR apts. only.

Brick exterior, carpet, laundry facility on first floor.

Guaranteed and secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. 31st year in Fort Sanders. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700.

Five room basement apartment, South Knoxville.

Fenced yard, CH/A, cable, frig, stove, W/D hookup.

Pets okay with approval. $575/mo. plus deposit.

(865)384-5183.

Seeking Veterinary Receptionist. FT or PT for a small animal practice in West Knoxville. Must be friendly, courteous, able to think independently,good work ethic, and multi-tasker.

Good computer skills a plus.

Must have one year experience in a veterinary setting and salary commensurate with experience Email info@lovellvet.com or fax (865)671-2337, Veterinary Assistant- Animal Caretaker. PT and weekends.

Experience helpful but not necessary. $9.00/hr. Apply at Norwood Veterinary Hospital, 2828 Merchants Rd. between 3-5:30PM only.

UNFURN APTS

KEYSTONE CREEK 2BR apartment. Approx 4 miles west of UT on Middlebrook Pike. $497.50. Call (865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

VICTORIAN HOUSE APTS Established 1980 3 blocks behind UT Law School. 1, 2 and 3BR apartments. VERY LARGE AND NEWLY RENOVATED TOP TO BOTTOM. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, porches, 3BR’s have W/D connections. 2 full baths, dishwashers. Guaranteed secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700.

FOR RENT

Rent now for June! 1 and 2BR Apts.

UT area.

(865)522-5815. Ask about our special.

1BR $575 2BR $700. 4408 Kingston Pike, across from Fresh Market on bus line.

Call 219-9000.

CAMPUS 2 BLOCKS 2BR apt. with washer/dryer $845. 1BR $495- $625. Studio $445. Restored Hardwood Floors Historic Fort Sanders No pets. UTK-APTS.com (865)933-5204.

3BR, 3BA, Luxury condo in The Woodlands. Below market at $475/BR. Spacious ground level flat. Lots of amenities. (865)382-7367.

South Knoxville/UT downtown area 2BR apts. $475.

Call about our special (865)573-1000.

CAMBRIDGE ARMS Just 4 miles west of campus.

Small pets allowed. Pool and laundry rooms. 2BR at great price! Call (865)588-1087.

FREE JULY RENT Franklin Station 3BR/2BA at 22nd & Highland. Balcony, 2 assigned parking spaces, W/D, DW, MW, Cable & Hi-Speed Internet incl. $1425=$475/BR/mo, $450 Security Deposit, No pets. Avail July 9. Call 865-209-8684.

HUNTINGTON PLACE UT students! Only 3 miles west of campus. We have eff. to 3BR. Hardwood floors. Central H/A. Pets allowed. Call (865)588-1087.

Ask about our special.

LUXURY 1 BR CONDOS Pool/ elevator/ security.

3 min. walk to Law School. $480R. $300SD. No app. fee.

865 (4408-0006, 250-8136).

Monday Plaza 1BR and studios available on The Strip.

Starting at $365/mo. Call (865)219-9000 for information.

REMODELED 1BR CONDO. Pool, elevator, near Law School, ceramic tile, new carpet. Call (423)968-2981, 366-0385.

WALK TO CAMPUS Great Specials! 1BR Apartments. Available. No security deposits. Prime Campus Housing (865)637-3444. primecampushousingtn.com.

This could be YOUR classified ad.

Call 974-4931 NOW!

FOR RENT

HOUSE FOR RENT

RIVER TOWNE CONDOS Lavish Living on the TN River across from UT campus. Spacious 2 & 3 bedrooms starting at $475 per bedroom. Gated community includes all stainless steel appliances, internet, digital cable, water/sewer, security systems, W/D, garage parking, private balconies overlooking river and a salt water pool. University Real Estate & Property Mgmt, LLC (865)673-6600 www.urehousing.com.

HOUSE FOR RENT 3BR 2BA townhouse in Fort Sanders. Central H/A, W/D, DW and parking. For more info contact 865-567-4604.

Read the Beacon Classifieds!

ROOMMATES

CONDOS FOR SALE

Female to share 2BR 1BA condo. 5 min. walk to campus. Private parking. Pool.

One year lease. $550/mo. plus utilites. (831)241-1189, peoney702@yahoo.com

Great Forest Ave. location near 17th. 3 large BR/1BA, CH/A, old style hardwood flooring, dishwasher, newly rebuilt back porch, off-street parking,. 1625 Forest. No pets. (865)389-6732 or (615)-300-7434.

FOR SALE Popular condos in the UT area within walking distance to campus. Why pay rent when you can own? Lake Plaza, Franklin Station, St. Christopher, Renaissance, & Game Day. Michele Garren, University Real Estate and Property Management, LLC (865)673-6600.www.urehousing.com. Ask about investor units.

Lake Plaza 1735 Lake Ave. New, safe, 6th floor. Assigned parking spaces in high rise gated garage. Walk to class. Need two female students. Available August 1, for 10 months. W/D, cable, internet, balcony. $625/m plus shared electricity. No pets. (615)972-8703. or bhmiller67@aol.com.

CONDOS FOR RENT 4BR, 4BA condo in Woodlands. Incredible amenities.

Negotiable, willing to accept less than 4 students.

(865)310-1505.

HOMES FOR SALE

CONDOS FOR SALE

CONDOS FOR LEASE ON CAMPUS Don’t wait! Only a few remaining! 2&3 bedroom units starting at $325 per bedroom. Inclues internet, cable, and parking.

Most units have W/D’s.

University Real Estate and Property Mgmt, LLC (865)673-6600 www.urehousing.com.

Bearden/Forest Brook area, $159,000, private fenced yard, many updates, 3BR/2BA, available immed., Catherine Traver, Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace (865)256-3779.

Beautiful 2BR condo with open floorplan, fireplace, garage. Minutes from campus. $117,900. More info at www.knoxvillehomemarket. com or call Jan Cole Realty Executives (865)-455-5050.

This could be YOUR ad.

974-4931

This space could be yours. Call 974-4931

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Norman of the Clinton and Bush cabinets 7 “Uh, excuse me …”

11 Figs. well above 100 in Mensa 14 Los ___ (Manhattan Project lab site) 15 Travel far and wide 16 Payable immediately 17 ABC late-night host 19 The Reds, on scoreboards 20 Items sometimes locked in a car (oops!)

21 Air safety agcy.

22 Reads, as bar codes 24 Drugstore stock, for short 25 Rock’s ___ Boingo 27 Western U.S. gasoline giant 28 Scottish seaport 29 Lead singer of Pearl Jam 31 Sticky stuff

32 33 34 36 40 42 43 44 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 61 62

Fuss Manuscript encl.

Exceptionally good Woman’s shoe style Antiaircraft artillery “Sprechen ___ Deutsch?” “___ got your number” “Walking on Broken Glass” singer It’s frequently punched on a keypad Colorado ski resort Rest atop Tom of “The Grapes of Wrath” Sleep problem Carpenter’s tool Gusto ___ Mahal “The Greatest Show on Earth” co-star, 1952 In the style of One of the housewives on “Desperate Housewives”

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE S T A R A C A B

P U T S

C R E W

R I G A

U T E N S N T I O O L I G R A I C S E E U M P S A I H I C I L K

M E A D O W R N A I R K S

L E O A R M N S E A A C H P T A A R A F T A T R A D E A D D A E N E R O N H O R O L E W A X

O M N A I Z T A E R C E C O G S

R A I N G O D

A R T S Y

L A R A M

S T O W

A L C A E H I U I R A F E P L K E A A T B

R U N G

K I T H

T A T A

S Y S T

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14

11

29

31

32

34

26

36 41

46

37

42

43

47

48

50 53

51 54

57

61

62

63

64

65

66

DOWN 1 Capt.’s superior 2 A few words between friends 3 Imply ties with V.I.P.’s 4 Small-screen statuettes 5 Plays (with) 6 Question 7 Giorgio of fashion 8 Respectful tributes 9 “All About ___” 10 Diner on “Alice” 11 Airport security requirement, briefly

58

55

56

___ Queen Apt. units Kitten’s plaything Pouilly-___ (wine)

39

27 30

40 45

38

23

33

35

49

13

19 22

25

28

12

16

21

24

63 64 65 66

10

18 20

52

9

15

17

44

8

59

12 Marmalade fruit 13 Motion detector, e.g.

18 “Damned ___, damned …”

23 Officer-in-training 24 S.I. and O, e.g.

25 Kook 26 It may be standing at the end of a concert 29 Baseball Hall-ofFamer Combs 30 One of Greater London’s “home counties” 35 Paperless I.R.S. submission 37 Snappy comebacks 38 Amelia Earhart and others 39 Hang

60

41 Tush 42 Like many winter landscapes 44 Online user’s selfimage 45 Incendiary fuel in “Apocalypse Now” 46 Masked fighters 47 Tidy (up) 51 Star of the martial arts epic “Hero” 53 John Prine’s “Dear ___” 55 End of an alphabet that begins Alpha, Bravo, Charlie 58 Pitcher’s stat 59 Playboy founder, for short 60 “Bill ___, the Science Guy”

6 • The Daily Beacon

THESPORTSPAGE

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Grieve, Gibson chosen for USA team Staff Reports The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced on Friday that Tennessee Lady Vols Kelly Grieve and Lauren Gibson have been chosen to the 18-member roster (plus one alternate) for the 2011 USA Softball Senior Women’s National Team.

By virtue of their selections, Gibson and Grieve now join former Lady Vol standout and 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Monica Abbott as all-time Big Orange participants with the most prestigious national team in USA Softball.

Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and Oklahoma were the only collegiate programs that boasted two selections on the 2011 national team roster.

“Both Karen (Co-Head Coach Weekly) and I are extremely excited for both Lauren and Kelly” Lady Vol Co-Head Coach Ralph Weekly said. “Each of them had a tremendous tryout

this past week at the USA National Team Selection Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. They will represent both the Tennessee softball program and the USA Softball Senior Women’s National Team in a truly outstanding manner.”

The high-profile squad wastes little time by venturing out on the road in less than a week, facing its first competitions in exhibition series’ in Plant City, Fla. (June 25), Salem, Va., (June 29) and Bowie, Md. (July 1). Each of the doubleheaders will be contested against the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team that currently boasts rising Tennessee sophomore Madison Shipman and incoming 2012 Big Orange freshman Cheyanne Tarango.

Over July 9-17, 12 of the 18 players on the USA Softball Senior Women’s National Team roster will play in their first international event at the Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, before returning home for the World Cup of Softball VI over July 21-25

in Oklahoma City, Okla. The squad will also seek its ninth overall Pan American Games crown and seventh in a row in Guadalajara, Mexico, from Oct. 17-23 at the XVI Pan American Games.

The Southeastern Conference batting champion (counting league games only) after registering a blistering .451 mark, Gibson truly took her offensive production to another level in 2011 while serving as UT’s everyday second baseman. The Pasadena, Md., native registered a .420 overall batting average with a team-best 13 doubles, to go along with three triples, eight HR’s and 63 RBIs while also going a perfect 12-for-12 on stolen bases. On two separate occasions she blasted two HR’s in a single contest during her sophomore campaign. Back on April 16 at No. 21 LSU, the first team All-SEC and first team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Southeast Region selection went 3-for-4 at the dish with two HR’s, including her first grand slam, and a career-high seven RBIs as Tennessee blasted the Bayou Bengals, 11-0. During the NCAA

Knoxville Regional on May 21, Gibson was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two HR’s and six RBI as UT staved off elimination with a 70 throttling of No. 19 Georgia Tech.

Grieve, an Asheville, N.C., native and 2011 second team All-SEC selection, posted a .376 batting average with 48 runs scored, nine doubles, four triples, five HR’s, 21 stolen bases and 37 RBIs during her final campaign clad in the Orange & White. The 5-4 center fielder completed her stint in Knoxville as one of only two Lady Vols (former All-American Lindsay Schutzler is the other) to record 200 hits, 100 runs and 100 stolen bases during her playing career. She is also listed throughout the UT record book, rating second all-time in stolen bases (104) and triples (12), fifth in runs scored (183), seventh in hits (265), ninth in total bases (341) and 11th in batting average (.370) while tallying 65 multi-hit games. Grieve was often at her best in the biggest contests, completing her time at Tennessee with a .431 career batting mark in NCAA Tournament match-ups.

McIlroy takes step towards Woods Thomas named permanent director Matt Dixon Sports Editor Rory McIlrory provided little drama Sunday afternoon en route to his record-setting U.S. Open win.

Unlike at the Masters in April, the 22year-old from Northern Ireland didn’t squander away a 54-hole lead.

McIlrory cruised to an eight-shot victory, posting a four-round score of 16-under-par.

At the Masters, McIlroy took a four-shot lead into the final round — and was still leading when he began play on the back nine — only to finish with the day with an 8-overpar 80, dropping him down to a tie for 15th.

Sunday, he became the second-youngest golfer ever to win a major championship.

Only Tiger Woods was younger.

Despite not being able to play in the U.S. Open due to an injury, Woods’ name was mentioned throughout the weekend, usually linked with McIlroy’s.

The comparisons between McIlroy and Woods will certainly continue.

McIlroy’s performance at the U.S. Open was vintage Tiger.

For the better part of a decade, Woods was seemingly untouchable atop golf leaderboards.

He had no true rival.

Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and countless others tried to match Woods shot-for-shot, but always missed the hole.

He may never return to being the golfer who won 14 majors, second-most behind Jack Nicklaus’ 18.

Yet, it’s good for golf when Woods is not

only competing, but near or at the top of leaderboards. Just look at the TV ratings for this past weekend.

That doesn’t mean I want Woods to win tournaments. I don’t. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if he never won another tournament.

But it would be stupid not to recognize his importance to golf.

He’s the Michael Jordan of the sport, arguably the greatest of all time.

Is McIlroy next in the long line of great golfers?

He certainly looks the part. He might even become one of the all-time greats.

Currently, he’s the best golfer in the world. He’s also only 22.

However, he’s still 13 majors away from Woods. By comparison, Mickelson, Singh and Els have only 10 major victories combined.

Yet, McIlroy’s dominating performance at the U.S. Open has shot him to the top of the golfing world.

Even if Woods returns to his former self, he may now have a rival. Even if it’s a decade too late.

Luckily, golf isn’t as dependent on Woods as it was, say, five years ago. While the TV ratings were down without Woods in the field, there are many young golfers from around the world who should create for exciting tournaments in the future.

If you haven’t seen the “Golf Boys” music video on YouTube, please do so now.

Golf needs personalities like those four to make the game more enjoyable for the casual golf fan who hopes to break 90 when he plays.

It also needs more future performances like the one McIlroy put on this past weekend.

But until EA Sports makes a Rory McIlroy video game, he’s not in Woods’ company just yet.

• Photo courtesy of David Cannon

Rory McIlroy poses with the trophy after his eight-stroke victory on the 18th green to win the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on Sunday, June 19.

Staff Reports Donna Thomas, who has worked with University of Tennessee Athletics for twenty-one years and has served as interim director of UT Knoxville’s Thornton Athletics Student Life Center for six months, has been named as the center’s permanent director.

The Thornton Center provides academic support, educational programs and a learning environment in which student-athletes have the opportunity to achieve their academic and personal goals.

“Donna has worked hard during the past six months to make some important changes at the Thornton Center and to strengthen the bridge between academics and athletics,” said Susan Martin, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“I’m pleased that she’ll be permanently taking the reins to ensure the Thornton Center continues to be a positive influence on the lives of our student-athletes.”

In the past six months as interim director, Thomas restructured and reorganized the Thornton Center staff, added new programming and services for the student-athletes, and began updating the facility. She spent a great deal of time speaking to groups across campus to learn more about academic programs while sharing insight on the requirements for students who represent Tennessee in twenty sports.

In addition to her new duties of overseeing the center, Thomas will continue to maintain her role as chief operating officer for the Lady Vols while Joan Cronan assumes the duties of interim vice-chancellor/director of athletics.

While at UT, Thomas has been responsible for numerous aspects of the women’s athletics department, some of which include oversight of facility construction and renovation, managing the Lady Vols’

portion of the adidas contract, development and implementation of department policies and proceduresm, and oversight of the scheduling of competition for all sports.

She is the department liaison to the campus, serving as a member of multiple campus committees.

In July 2011, Thomas will complete a two-year term as co-chair of UT Knoxville’s Council on Diversity and Interculturalism.

She recently served as a member of the search committee for the assistant dean and director of undergraduate admissions, and she was the department liaison to the Thornton Center for Academics and Student Life.

At the request of UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek, Thomas served as a member of the campus’s Task Force on Civility and Community and was an integral member of the committee for the Celebration of African American Achievement.

• Donna Thomas Off campus, Thomas has served as the chair of the NCAA Division I Track and Field Committee, directed multiple championship events for the SEC and the NCAA, and serves as the university’s senior woman administrator with the SEC. Thomas first joined the UT staff as the undergraduate head manager of the Lady Volunteer basketball team from 1978 to 1982 while working toward her bachelor’s degree in secondary physical education.

She then returned to Tennessee in 1990 as a graduate assistant in athletic administration and earned her master’s degree in recreation and athletic administration.

During her time away from UT, Thomas served as the director of recreation ministries for Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis from 1982 to 1990. At CUMC, she managed the athletic and activity program of the 5,000-member church; her responsibilities included program development and planning for ages 2 through senior adult.