The Daily Beacon

Page 1

Issue 21, Volume 121

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Cheek, SGA collaborate toward Top 25 goal David Cobb Assistant News Editor Chancellor Jimmy Cheek met with Student Government Association representatives for a luncheon Wednesday, fielding questions about a variety of topics, including UT’s progress in the Top 25 initiative. Despite UT remaining at No. 46 in the most recent rankings, Cheek said that progress is being made. He cited overall reputation and graduation rates as the factors needing the most improvement. “It’s hard to move,” Cheek said. “There are some schools that stay up (in the rankings) 40 years after they’re really down. It just takes a long time. It’s not like an event where you can see a winner or a loser.” Cheek said that his administration has been surprised by the progress that UT’s student body has made. He had originally projected for graduation rates to be at 62 or 63 percent for this year. “When we started the initiative, we were at 60 percent,” Cheek said. “This year it’ll be at 66 percent. Until it gets to about 70 percent we’re not going to be able to move up. That’s our most limiting factor of everything. All those above us are at 68 percent, 70 percent, 72 percent.” He said that UT’s incoming freshman class ranks better than several schools in the Top 25, but keeping those students is a concern. “Retention rate has moved from 84 percent to 85 percent,” Cheek said. “That’s one we need to move higher. We need to get it at about 90 percent.” Cheek joked with SGA president Adam Roddy,

turning to him and telling him to grab hold of any freshmen he sees and tell them to “stay here!” “I feel extremely good about the Top 25 goal,” Cheek said. “And if you look at the Top 25 goal, we announced (it) in the worst economic times since the Great Depression. Others in my position around the country said ‘are you crazy, do you really think you can make progress in this kind of economic environment?’ The answer is yes.” Ryan Ray serves as the parliamentarian for the SGA senate. He posed questions to Cheek regarding the initiative. “I would encourage anyone that has qualms about the Top 25 initiative to at least attend somewhere where (Cheek) is speaking,” Ray said. “It’s good to know more about where we’re going as a school. I think that given the situation, Tennessee is doing their best and that the student body is in a really good place.” Ray said that the luncheon was a good indicator of the respect the administration has for UT students. Provost Susan Martin, Vice Chancellor for Student Life Timothy Rogers, Vice Chancellor for Communications Margie Nichols and Athletic Director Dave Hart were among the administration in attendance. “I think one of the huge criticisms of SGA is that we don’t meet with higher administration and that we’re just kind of their puppets, who make those that get elected feel better about themselves,” Ray said. “It’s really frustrating because there are meetings and things like this. The administration is very open to students presenting concerns and hitting them with hard questions. Those questions weren’t easy for the Chancellor but he answered them well.”

Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon

Jimmy Cheek discusses the Top 25 initiative during an interview on July 27.

‘Today’ show visits campus Featured artist RJ Vogt News Editor Even after a devasting loss to Florida on Saturday, UT students have spirit to spare. So much spirit, in fact, that Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, the fourth hour hosts of NBC’s “Today” show, may be taking their show to RockyTop. As one of six finalists in a nationwide search, UT is competing to host a special “Kathie Lee and Hoda College Challenge” live broadcast during the first week of October. The show came to campus yesterday morning to film some live look-ins on UT in front of Ayres Hall. Although Kathie Lee and Hoda were not on campus in person, a crowd of orange-clad students and faculty showed up to greet the cameras. In short two to three minute segments, the cameras rolled, capturing footage of countless choruses of “Rocky Top”. After ESPN’s “College GameDay” taped in Circle Park last Saturday, yesterday was the second chance in four days for students to appear on national television, if only for a second. Chancellor Jimmy Cheek made an appearance, sporting his big orange spirit with a bright orange tie. As he surveyed the

scene of cheerleaders and band members, he commented on the importance the national coverage can offer to UT. “Anytime you get national publicity for your university it’s always good,” Cheek said. “To recognize our students and our faculty and what we’re accomplishing at UT would certainly be great for us.” Although the student body was not informed of show’s visit until Monday, the marching band and cheerleading squad managed to coordinate their mornings and send some of their members to perform for the camera. Directors told the band at 8 p.m. Monday night to be at the shoot by 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. For Ryan Demeniuk, freshman in music and tenor drummer, the short notice was no problem. He enjoyed the experience of playing on live TV. “I’ve never really had this opportunity,” Demeniuk said. The band and cheerleaders took the spotlight, but most of the crowd were students. Tucker Hunley, sophomore in biochemical and molecular biology, heard about the competition through Facebook and a campus-wide email from SGA. Even amidst a busy week, including two exams and a paper, Hunley made sure to stop by for a few minutes and cheer for UT. “I really wish that I could stay,” Hunley said, adding that it was hard to pull himself away to head for class. See TODAY SHOW on Page 3

Annie Freeland • The Daily Beacon

Students line up with “Today” show reporter Sarah Haines in front of Ayers Hall on Wednesday with hopes to show America why Kathie Lee and Hoda need to visit UT in October.

INSIDE THE DAILY BEACON Page Page Page Page Page

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Partly Cloudy 20% chance of rain

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Get to know a Vol with A.J. Johnson page 6

visits campus Justin Joo Staff Writer Throughout September, students could see the photography of Paul Hassell. Tonight, students can meet the man himself. Hassell will be lecturing today at 7:30 p.m. in the Art and Architecture Building Room 109. Some of his artwork has been on display in the UC Concourse Gallery, and he will discuss both his craft and its business tonight. Hassell is a former UT student and Knoxville native. Now living in Kodak, Tenn., his work focuses primarily on the outdoors, and oftentimes on familiar Tennessee areas such as the Great Smoky Mountains. UT’s Visual Arts Committee is the organization responsible for setting up both Hassell’s exhibit and lecture. Morgan Hardy, junior in theatre and committee chairperson for VAC, said that the VAC wanted to display Hassell’s work because it would fit well with the surroundings of the area. “I think he’s a really good artist to exhibit because he’s accessible,” said Hardy. “It’s art that a lot of people like to look at, a lot of outdoorsy people. We live near the mountains, so I think that kind of hits home with people.” VAC also invited Hassell because of his reputation as a good lecturer. Hardy said that having the art displayed as well as having the artist him-

self appear is a great bonus for the audience. “I think it’s a really cool thing for people to see the work and then get to hear from the actual artist,” Hardy said. “(As well as) his thought process behind some of them, the way he does his work, where he likes to shoot.” In an email correspondence, Marta Lee, junior in studio art and the VAC chair for visiting artists, said that students attending Hassell’s lecture will learn more than just how he approaches the artistic side of his photogenic craft. “We chose him because he not only does photography work but (he) also incorporates business aspects,” Lee said. “We are hoping that students will learn about his artistic practice and his perspective on the business of art.” The process of inviting Hassell and his work to UT began last spring. The VAC holds a proposal meeting where its members submit ideas on what programming, exhibits, live acts and lectures could be brought to the university. Displaying Hassell’s work was submitted as an idea first, and Hardy said that inviting him as a guest lecturer followed soon after. “Paul was one of those proposed,” said Hardy, “and after a little bit of research was done, we learned that he was a really good lecturer, too.” See HASSELL on Page 3

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