50% chance of Scattered Thunderstorms HIGH LOW 83 74
Student football ticket distribution changes for fall semester.
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Film Committee brings viewers back to the 90’s.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Issue 01
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Vol. 112
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Fair allows students to connect over interests Katie Freeman News Editor Students looking for outlets to engage in campus organizations can find inspiration during the Student InVOLvement Fair Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Pedestrian Mall. “UT has 279 registered student organizations,” Ashleigh Moyer, assistant director of the Office of Student Activities, said. About 50 organizations will have tables set up during the fair to provide informa-
tion on a sample of student academic and social organizations. “There are organizations everywhere, from the Cardboard Club for students that enjoy board games, to the Lambda Student Union (a forum for gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual issues) to the National Society of Black Engineers,” Moyer said. Although many Welcome Week activities are a way to acclimate incoming freshmen to student life, Moyer saidthe InVOLvement Fair is a good way for all students, new and old, to find a social group, share
common interests or try something different. “It’s a great way to get a ton of information at once from a bunch of organizations that you might not feel comfortable e-mailing or pursuing outside of a passing interest,” Zac Johnson, graduate assistant and co-director with TeamVOLS, said. Johnson encouraged students to walk by the fair, even if they only have a minute. He said they may find something unique. “Even just meeting people from different backgrounds, like the Asian American Association, for
Jenna Cross • The Daily Beacon
example,” Johnson said. “You might not be Asian. You might not think you’d join the student organization, but you might stop and talk to them. It sounds cheesy to say ‘celebrate diversity,’ but that’s what it is.” Organizations typically hand out pamphlets and sometimes free water bottles or small prizes, Moyer said. The Central Program Council is planning on serving snow cones to abate the mid-day heat, Johnson said. “I’m sure there will be some other organizations giving out posters,” Johnson said. “The UT athletic
groups usually hand out football and sports schedules and there’s information on organizations’ upcoming events,” Johnson said. Johnson said many student organizations get in gear during the first weeks of the fall semester if not before, so now is the time to get involved. The Dean’s Office also has an application process for students with their own innovative student organization idea. In the event of rain, Friday’s fair will move to the UC Ballroom and continue as planned.
‘Glass Castle’ author visits UT
Jeannette Walls, author of “The Glass Castle”, speaks to a packed audience during the Life of the Mind Convocation on Monday.
Brandon Pouncy Staff Writer Freshmen and faculty gathered Monday morning for a presentation by author Jeannette Walls on her book, “The Glass Castle.” Walls’ book was selected as the class of 2013’s Life of the Mind book for its characters’ struggles with this year’s Life of the Mind theme — poverty. The Life of the Mind book review and discussion is a freshman’s first assignment on campus. The books are purchased at orientation and read throughout the summer. Reading about diverse topics is an initiative of the Life of the Mind program, and many freshmen this year will utilize the book’s themes in their classes. The book is required and tested in English classes. “I believe that reading this book enlightens your capability about issues that we know are there but never really think about,”
Monica Vesselles, freshman in special education, said. Walls emphasized that when you are in a discouraging situation, it is your responsibility to make the best of things. “If you have an opportunity, be the first to take it,” Walls said. Freshman Tiphani Pinheiro said that writing the essay and attending Walls’ speech has started his academic year on the right track. “As far as preparing for college-level work, I think that this is fulfilling and gives me a reason to do exceptionally well in school,” Pinheiro said. “I could be in a poverty-stricken situation. However, I am not, so I must make the best of my opportunity given.” Anyone can view and enjoy the Life of the Mind festivities. For more information on the author, issues and the book, visit the University Libraries’ page. For any questions regarding the program, contact Light the Torch at http://torch.utk.edu/lifeofthemind.
Bleak economy leads to budget concerns, smaller freshmen class Ellen Larson Staff Writer UT is taking on 275 fewer freshmen this year than last, as a result of a down economy and a leaner budget. “With budget matters a concern for the next few years, our intent was to have a smaller freshmen class, so that we could better prepare for serving this class two years from now, when they are juniors and require the upperlevel, major courses,” Provost and Vice Chancellor Susan Martin said in a UT press release. Some students believe a smaller class size is a benefit rather than a drawback. “I like having classes with a fewer number of students, but I also think the freshmen class size is good how it is this year,” Chiaki Otsuka, a freshman student from Nashville, said. As a junior or a senior, Chiaki will experience those smaller class sizes and said she thinks it will work to her advantage. Although there are fewer freshmen, they are starting out as a brighter bunch of students, according to a UT press release. The grade-point average from high school for the entire freshmen class is 3.79. Also 40 percent of this year’s freshmen class have a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher, compared to 22.9 percent from the 2008 freshman class. Furthermore, the press release stated that 99 percent of in-state students will receive the Tennessee
HOPE Scholarship, which gives in-state students $4,000 per year. Many students in the entering freshmen class, like Otsuka, picked UT over other schools. She said that she also applied to Penn State University and Vanderbilt University but decided on UT. Students that might normally have chosen to attend universities with higher tuition rates are choosing UT because of its affordability. Dylan Potter, a freshmen from Joelton, Tenn., said he also considered attending Vanderbilt University. “I was looking at other schools, but I chose UT,” Potter said. “That’s why I went here — it’s cheaper.” National publications are also recognizing the university. UT was recognized in The Princeton Review’s 2010 list of the top 371 colleges in the country for its affordability, citing “a vibrant academic and social atmosphere” and environmental friendliness. Another initiative of UT is to be known for its diverse student body. “Quality, access and diversity are our key goals,” Martin said. “This year’s class confirms that our progress is on the right track.” This year 17 percent of the student body is a minority, as compared to 13 percent from last year. The largest minority group is African-American at nine percent of the total student body. See Freshmen on Page 3
Scott Martineau • The Daily Beacon
Alison Doane, a sophomore in history, records a testimonial to the WUOT radio station as part of their 60th anniversary Tuesday.
Researchers predict justice’s career Will Brewer Staff Writer Two UT researchers are predicting that, continuing the Democratic control of two of the three branches of federal government, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will tip the Supreme Court’s scales of justice toward the liberal side. Hemant Sharma, political science lecturer, has done thorough research on the conditions surrounding Sotomayor’s appointment and confirmation. The research was directed by John Scheb, interim head of the Department of Political Science. Sharma and Scheb found that Sotomayor could be what they term the “most liberal justice.” The title is based on a prediction that Sotomayor will vote liberally in 67 percent of cases that appear before the United States Supreme Court. Sharma began studying this topic as part of his doctoral dissertation. He has researched the voting patterns of every justice that has served in the
Supreme Court since 1946. The prediction on Sotomayor is based on key factors surrounding her presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. These factors include the party beliefs of the current president and the president’s approval rating at the time of confirmation. Sharma also considered the party majority in the Senate and the majority of party votes that the Supreme Court candidate receives during his or her confirmation hearing. Sharma said that Sotomayor should be a comparatively liberal candidate considering President Barack Obama’s approval rating was relatively high at the time of her confirmation and also considering that Democrats have a nearly filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. “It should be proof to voters that their votes matter in more ways than just electing senators and presidents,” Sharma said. “... That is why all elections are so important, including midterm elections.” Sharma also wanted to caution that the confirmation process largely
took place before Obama’s present drop in approval ratings. Although Sotomayor has the potential to be radically liberal, Sharma believes that she will be less radical in her first few years on the bench. “It is my observation that justices tend to be more moderate for the first one or two years before they gradually gravitate to their party lines,” Sharma said. According to Sharma’s analysis, Sotomayor should be voting in the 60-62 percent range during her first few years. However, Sotomayor’s voting records in her previous stint as a federal court judge should not be taken into consideration of her liberalism. “Supreme Court justices tend to take more liberties because they have more freedom at that level,” Sharma said. He also observed that Obama’s next Supreme Court appointment could be more liberal than Sotomayor. See Sotomayor on Page 3