Teachers that drink together, reach Top 25 together NEWS >>pg. 3
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Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Gilliam “progressing” in attempt to return from torn ACL SPORTS >> pg. 6
Issue 25, Volume 127
High adventure UT climbing wall offers challenge, community Corrine Smith Contributor Clinging to a steep overhang, he reaches out to the next hold, but loses traction and falls. He hits the crash pad and jumps up. Repositioning himself, he starts again. That’s what bouldering, a form
of rock climbing, is all about. Working a route, or problem, which is marked by different colors of tape, over and over until you master it. It might sound grueling, but for many rock climbers, it’s part of what makes the sport so appealing. “You actually have to think about it, and it’s hard when you don’t get a problem,” said Merry
Armstrong, junior in nutrition who works at HPER’s climbing wall said. “You can have a goal, and just work it and work it. It’s a really big confidence builder when you get the problem.” Another climber, Taylor Blackstone, a junior in chemical engineering, agreed that finally completing a problem is the most rewarding aspect of the sport. “Seeing progress is probably my favorite,” Blackstone said. “Looking at a climb, trying it and not getting anywhere, and then working on it and finally sticking a move.” Climbing is not just physically
difficult. It also requires mental strength. “Just mentally, it psyches me out sometimes,” Armstrong said. “Not only is it physically demanding, but mentally you have to give yourself a pep talk sometimes.” Armstrong explained another type of climbing called sport climbing, which is only done outside. It involves a leader who clips the rope into bolts along the way for themselves and everyone else. Different colored tape trails challenge climbers at the UT climbing wall to reach out and find new paths.
See ROCK CLIMBING on Page 5
Joshua Burton • The Daily Beacon
March for Mother Earth
I-House photo exhibit illustrates worldwide emotion Samantha Riccardi Contributor
More than 25 UT students from the divestment group Fossil Free UT ventured to New York this past weekend to participate in the “People’s Climate March.” • Photo courtesy of Charlene Basinger
UT students visit NY for climate protection rally Tanner Hancock Copy Editor
The largest climate march in America’s history was not without its share of orange. On Sunday, more than 300,000 people congregated in New York for the “People’s Climate March,” a peaceful rally to promote environmental consciousness. Comprising environmental
activists from all over the world, the march preceded the United Nations Climate Summit that took place yesterday, bringing 120 world leaders to New York to discuss potential methods of combating world pollution. Alongside concerned Americans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore, University of Tennessee students marched proudly through New York’s city streets.
“Everyone’s yelling, chants are going around, everyone’s got signs, floats and there’s people from all different backgrounds coming together,” said Jackson Oakes, junior in environmental studies who attended the march. “It was a great atmosphere. You could really feel the solidarity amongst all the different causes.” Oakes was one of more than 25 UT students from the divestment group Fossil
Free UT who made the 12-hour drive to New York for the event. Their journey was fully funded by the Tennessee chapter of the Sierra Club. The issue of climate change is one that is fought both on a global and local level. Fossil Free UT campaigns to encourage “socially responsible divestment” in UT’s system by denouncing investment in companies that produce fossil fuels.
Hunger hits home Altaf Nanavati Contributor
Could you survive on $1.50 per meal? This year, the Food Recovery Network is hosting its first “Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program/Food Stamp Challenge.” The challenge asks participants to live off the average food stamp budget for one
week, typically an allowance of $31.50. Including members from the Food Recovery Network’s leadership team, there are currently 21 University of Tennessee students taking part in the challenge. One of the goals of the challenge is to make the issues with SNAP resonate with college students. “Many students don’t realize that the student sitting next to them in their 8 a.m. lecture might not know where his or
her next meal is coming from,” said Ryan Brown, president of Food Recovery Network. “The Volunteer Spirit is about giving back, and selflessly helping those in need. “This is just one way Volunteers can do just that.” Brown first heard of this challenge through the non-profit, hunger relief charity Feeding America that challenged several U.S. senators to live off of the food stamp budget for one week.
For Ellie Holzapfel, sophomore and member of Fossil Free UT, the march in New York served as an opportunity to fight a local battle on a national level. “Jimmy Cheek won’t even listen to the students of divestment anymore,” Holzapfel said. “This was our moment to show him that we are serious and that this problem is bigger than campus, it’s global.” See CLIMATE MARCH on Page 3
Food Stamp Challenge involves students to raise hunger awareness “We thought this initiative would be a great way to raise awareness, in conjunction with Oxfam’s Food Justice Week,” Brown said. Oxfam America, an organization directed towards food awareness and issues concerning poverty and injustice, will be working with UT to stress the national significance of this week’s challenge. The average family of four has $396 in food stamps to spend
each a year, according to Feeding America’s website. “Many families struggle under the constraints of this budget,” Brown said. Anagha Uppal, recovery coordinator for Food Recovery Network and sophomore in computer science, said students can experience food security problems, especially those who stay on campus. See FOOD STAMPS on Page 3
A wide, grassy plain beneath a perfectly blue sky. This was the winning image, submitted by Yanan Li, graduate student in geography, of the International House’s “My Home” photo exhibit. The contest provides international students with a chance to capture and display a photo that embodies their home. When the awards were presented, Li’s face showed a look of complete shock. Li grew up in northwestern China and has been living in Tennessee for the past six years, calling Knoxville her “second hometown.” However, she still wanted to show the community her roots. “It had so much affection to Mongolian culture, you don’t have to try hard,” Li said. “It’s just their life.” Li’s photo will hang in the International House for the remainder of the semester. Those who submitted photos to the contest were invited to attend the exhibit and give information behind their photographs for viewers who had questions. Ten photos of varying regions of the world lined each side of the community room. A large monitor played a slideshow of all photos, so viewers could view the images in a larger frame. Attendees were encouraged to walk around, ask questions and enjoy the photography. Sanjeev Dahal, a finalist who is originally from Nepal and holds a doctorate in genomics, submitted a photo showcasing a father walking his young child down a large ornate staircase. While explaining why his image meant so much to him, Dahal said that it was “inspirational” and could “guide people’s emotions.” “I really love this,” said Cheryl Dalid, a graduate student in plant sciences. “It has emotion and feels like home.” Students engaged with each other socially while chowing down on cookies and giving praise to the vivid images the submitters had captured. There was food, art and conversation among people from all around the globe.