Daily Helmsman The
Friday, February 3, 2012
2012: Year of the Dragon
Vol. 79 No. 67
Independent Student Newspaper of The University of Memphis
UM Confucius Institute to host Chinese New Year festival Saturday. see page 3
www.dailyhelmsman.com
UM football player charged with assault BY CHRISTOPHER WHITTEN News Reporter
Derek Howard
Devin Clark
A University of Memphis football player was arrested on simple assault charges in connection with the on-campus attack of a student at the recreation center. Shelby County officers arrested Derek Howard, a defensive back, on Jan. 17 for the incident that occurred in November. He posted a $1,000 bond and has a court date set for March 23. Devin Clark, a former Memphis football player who is no longer a student at The U of M, has an outstanding warrant for his arrest on simple assault charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the attack. Clark was on the team in 2010. In compliance with University policy, Howard, who is still
enrolled at The U of M, has been suspended from team practices and competitions until the “matter is brought to closure,” said head football coach Justin Fuente. The policy states that if a student-athlete is arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor crime of violence, he or she shall be suspended immediately from all playing and practicing privileges. Pending a separate investigation by judicial affairs, Howard could face academic suspension or dismissal from The University if found to have violated a student code, according to Ben Morton, associate dean of students for judicial and ethical programs. Howard and Clark face misdemeanor charges, but according to U of M director of public safety Bruce Harber, the charges could be upgraded to a felony. He said the report was initially classified
as an aggravated assault based on the injuries obtained by the student victim, who was attacked after an argument over a basketball game. “The charges can be changed to aggravated assault at a later time if the courts/prosecution deem it appropriate,” Harber said in an email Thursday. Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft said assault is “when you cause someone bodily injury” and an assault becomes aggravated assault “when there is serious bodily injury.” Aggravated assault is a felony and carries three to 15 years in prison. Assault is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 11 months and 29 days and a $2,500 fine. Freshman Brandon Transou, 18, identified Howard in a photo lineup as one of his attackers, according to a police affidavit.
The affidavit said Clark waived his Miranda rights and told police he hit someone who was “coming towards him.” In an interview Thursday, Transou said he was playing basketball at the recreation center with his friends on Nov. 8 when another group of students challenged him for the court. After the altercation, when he and his group of friends were outside the building, a group of 25 to 30 people jumped him and his friends, he said. The fight ended when Transou was knocked unconscious. He was transported to the Regional Medical Center with a broken nose and jaw and later had to have surgery, according to a police affidavit. “Yeah, I had to get a metal plate and a screw,” he said Thursday. Attempts to contact Clark and Howard were unsuccessful.
On an Impulse BY Timberly Moore News Reporter At the age of 20, Caitlin Cunningham received an unorthodox present from her parents — her own shop in Collierville. The former business management sophomore decided to take time away from school when she realized running the clothing store, Impulse Boutique, was more work than she anticipated. “When they told me, I cried. I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t expecting it before I graduated and I was nervous,” Caitlin said. She said she still gets nervous and a bit overwhelmed with her duties as owner and manager, but is extremely thankful for what she calls “a learning experience.” “I didn’t know that so many things went into running a business,” she said. “I had to get permits, licenses, and there was so much paper work.” She spends about 10 hours a day in the boutique, located in Suite 103 of 2130 West Poplar Ave.
After almost 25 business names, she decided on the “perfect” one for the shop. “I’ve always been an impulse buyer, so I thought it was a perfect name for my store. I still have clothes in my closet with tags on them because I just buy things on an impulse. I also think the name draws people in and promotes them to shop impulsively, so the name in itself is beneficial.” Joanie Cunningham, Caitlin’s mother, said she and her husband decided to give Caitlin the store on Mother’s Day. She said she doesn’t make a habit of giving her children gifts on Mother’s Day, but it was “so special” that she made an exception. “When I walk in the store every day I feel proud, and it is breathtaking to see her run this store the way she has,” Joanie said. “She has done a wonderful job, sacrificed so much and never complained.” By giving Caitlin the store, something that’s always been a dream of hers, Joanie was able to spend more time with her daughter, she said.
Caitlin got started in retail four years ago when she said she needed a job to occupy her time and earn extra money until she graduated from college, but it sparked her interest in building a brand. “The more hours I put in, I realized that this is something I have a knack for and this was my dream,” she said. Besides herself and her mother, Caitlyn employs two U of M students. She said she chose two of her friends because of their sense of style and will ability to bring in clients due to one’s involvement in a sorority and because the other being a former U of M cheerleader. Kara Young, junior education major and Impulse employee, said Caitlin inspires her. “I met her when I first came to college, I knew this was always her dream,” Young said. “I am really glad to come and work for her.” Caitlin sometimes uses the store for philanthropy projects that raise funds for various causes. “Impulse is all about giving
by Timberly Moore
UM business management major takes break from school to open fashion boutique in Collierville
Peyton Couch, Impulse employee and freshman journalism major helps model dresses for the boutique’s prom night event. back,” she said. “In one day we raised $10,000 for my little threeyear-old cousin to be able to go and have pins put in her legs so she can hopefully walk one day.” Impulse offers complimentary gift wrapping for their items that range from casual to formal clothing, accessories, and gifts specialty items. “People can come in here and see stuff that they won’t see across the street or at the mall,”
she said. “I don’t do a lot of reordering, so it is very much a specialty store.” Caitlin plans on opening another boutique in Nashville, but said she won’t do that until she has finished earning her degree. She said she will resume classes at The U of M in the fall. “I think there is a lot I don’t know that I could learn to better in my business, and my business will change as I learn,” she said.