Volume: 59 Issue: 20

Volume: 59 Issue: 20

MARCH 30, 2016

driftwood.uno.edu

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

Photos by Barrington Hebert

International night’s fashion show showcases diverse clothing from countries including Honduras and Saudi Arabia.

Diverse students take flight on international night

BY CHLOE GAGNON News Editor International Night, held on Saturday March 19, has become the biggest and best event on campus, according to UNO President Elect John Nicklow. “[I came to International Night because] I haven’t been here [before] and I hear nothing but great things about it and that it’s the best event of the year,” said Nicklow. “I think at one point they had it in the arena and had to move it over here because it got so big.

I haven’t confirmed that but it’s one of the best and biggest events of the year.”

Now located in the Human Performance Center, International Night brings out all the diverse cultures on campus and showcases them to the community.

The celebration has three different sections to partake in. The first is cultural exhibit tables from each country represented on campus set up and manned by native students of that country with a native dish or two and a display.

Debbie Gan, an international

student from Singapore, passed out a dessert called pulut hitam.

“It’s actually Malay words. Pulut for glutinous rice [and] hitam is black. It’s a sweet dessert and usually you have it with a little bit of coconut milk on top,” said Gan. The Taiwan table gave out bubble tea and taro bubbles.

Reem Rimawi, a Master’s student from Palestine, presented baclava and Arabica coffee with a display of pictures. “I’m trying to convey that our culture includes the resistance aspect of it so resisting occupation in Palestine is part of our culture [and] we grow up doing it. So resisting in different ways, through music, dance and nonviolent protests.”

The Palestine table also had two people giving henna hand paintings.

India’s display had beautiful decorations including golden statues, tapestries, the Indian flag and colored sand drawings on the floor.

Other countries that had cultural exhibit tables represented were Ireland, Bangladesh and Singapore among others.

The second part was the dinner. Two long banquet tables with volunteers served out a dinner of food from all around the world.

These dishes included roro wot, red lentils and yebeg tips (Ethiopian), begetable biryani (South Indian), butter chicken (South Asian), vegetable egg rolls and vegetable fried rice (Chinese), chicken lo mein (East Asian), meat rice (Mediterranean), injera bread, hummus and pita bread, French pastries, naan and many more.

The third part of the evening had a stage set up for performances. There was a Nepalese band, Irish step dancing, Indian dancing, singing from many countries and a fashion show featuring outfits from India, Nepal, Honduras, West Africa, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

Three awards were given out for first, second and third place for best cultural exhibit. India won first place, Nepal won second and Palestine won third.

International Night is organized by two student organizations according to Bijay Regmi, a sophomore from Nepal. “Pre-

viously, only [the] International Student Organization organized this event. This time, International Student Organization and Student Activities Council. Those two organizations are partnering to organize this event.”

Regmi said that over 700 people come to this annual event.

“UNO is known for the diversity that we are here and International Night actually exposes the diversity that’s in UNO. It’s a great event and it helps cultural understanding and to know the people from other cultures so it’s a good event to know people from all around the world. It’s amazing.” “[I think International night is important] because it shows the diversity and that we all come from different backgrounds and I think that is a beautiful thing.

It’s what makes you really know UNO,” said Rimawi.

Dustin Foret, a sophomore and native Louisiana resident, came to International Night with his Japanese friend visiting UNO with the Les Amis program. “The more we know of other cultures, the more we know that the world is more than just us. There shouldn’t be

an us and a them thing. It should be more of an all of us together as a planet,” Foret said.

Before performances started, Nicklow gave a speech to welcome everyone.

“This has really become, I think, one of our signature events that helps showcase UNO’s identity. For students, college should be a time of expansion,” Nicklow said. “By that I mean expanding your knowledge and expanding your circle of friends, expanding your interests and expanding your familiarity to things that are frankly new and different.”

“I’m convinced in my time here that there are no places better in the country to expand your horizon than the University of New Orleans. UNO has a long history of valuing and cultivating diversity of all kinds, whether it be geographic, cultural, ethnic, racial, or linguistic...International night, I think, celebrates the best of what our campus, our countries and so many others have to offer.”

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OPINION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

EDITORIAL

John Nicklow is the right choice to move the university forward The decision for the next UNO president was not an easy one. The man or woman selected to lead the state university will need to have the traits and knowledge necessary to lead the school through the financial nightmares it’s been tossing and turning through since Katrina turned off the lights in 2005.

Former president Peter Fos inherited a mess when he first came on in 2011, and it’s hard to expect a lot in the years following Katrina. The biggest gripe about Fos, however, was that he was not present in his final years. It was obvious the school needed a change, and Fos’ retirement came abruptly, but the news that would soon follow would make change almost a necessity.

In the middle of the search for the new president, budget deficit reports flowed heavily and quickly. Every public university in Louisiana was now facing a problem UNO eyed down for years. While a decision needed to be made quickly on who would get the top job at the Lakefront university, the choice had to be the right one. The op-

posite could easily be the last of UNO. We ended with two candidates, recently appointed UNO Provost John Nicklow, and Deputy Mayor Andy Kopplin.

For anyone who knew about either, both seemed like great options. Kopplin helped the entire city climb its way out of financial downfall after Katrina, and Nicklow had received praises throughout the university despite only being at the university.

In the end, the UL Board handed the keys to Nicklow, and it was the right choice.

A major knock on Kopplin was his lack of experience in higher education. His answer?

It was something he could learn along the way. UNO isn’t in a learn-as-you-go situation. The university needs someone who is ready to go right now, someone who knows the ins and outs.

There is no doubt that Kopplin could have learned, but this is simply not the time or place to do so.

Nicklow had a similar situation when he was the provost at Southern Illinois University.

At SIU, the school was dealing with regular budget cuts. At a top position, he made it through that situation. That experience is valued twice, perhaps even triple, as much as any positives Kopplin brought to the table.

Another reason why Nicklow was the right choice is simple, he has been here. A year on campus gives him that much more experience. While Kopplin definitely saw what was happening at UNO, Nicklow lived it. He has sat with Fos and learned from him, his mistakes and his achievements. He has a feel for the students that you can only get from walking through campus everyday.

Before the decision, it was almost a split opinion on who should get the job. Now that we have finally arrived at a winner, it should seem obvious why he got the job. Nicklow will be able to get to work as they put his new nametag on his desk. No lessons are needed and no briefings are necessary.

His experience and knowledge to UNO should give everyone a bright light at the end of this dark, long tunnel.

PERSPECTIVE

Nigel Washington Editor-in-Chief driftwoodeditor@uno.edu Charles Nicholson Managing Editor driftwood@uno.edu

COLUMN

Learning to appreciate some curves

BY PARIS VINNETT Driftwood Contributor In today’s society, both men and women have begun to celebrate and appreciate women for their bodies that come in all shapes and sizes.

For the longest time, the media has encouraged women to pursue looks that will hide their curves and allow them to look slimmer.

However, within the last few years, the media has shifted its message and has encouraged women to accentuate their curves by wearing clothing that emphasizes curvier assets, tinier waists and fuller thighs.

This message has also been easy for the media to deliver while celebrities such as The Kardashians, Beyoncé, Jenifer Lopez, Christina Hendricks and Amy Schumer publicize the liberty in celebrating a curvy and fuller-figured frame.

Although the trend “thin is no longer in” is evident, it will still take some time for all media channels to come to an appreciation for more voluptuous figures.

Lane Bryant, a company that specializes in clothing for plussized women tweeted: “this body is made for television no matter what anyone says.” This tweet was a reply to television networks ABC and NBC after refusing to play the company’s positive body image commercial.

The ad featured plus-sized models Tara Lynn, Denise Bidot, Georgia Pratt, Precious Lee and even Ashley Graham, who have recently just become the first plus-sized model to appear on the cover of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover.

In the ad, the women share what their bodies are made for, examples being things like “turning heads,” “proving them wrong,” “getting it on” and “starting a revolution.”

According to a Lane Bryant

spokesperson, ABC rejected the ad as is, and NBC said the ad would need minor edits to meet broadcast guidelines.

American society has made huge progress in appreciating the different varieties in body types rather than celebrating the traditional thin frame. For example, Vogue has declared in their Sept. 2014 issue that large butts were in. In Jan. 2016, Barbie debuted their new dolls that featured Barbies who were petite, tall and curvy.

Currently, people are much more accepting of other ethnicities, cultures, customs, sexual preferences and orientations. Body image should be no different. The female body is a true work of art, meaning that they come in several variations, and no one figure is the same. All shapes and sizes should be celebrated and respected. There are no two people in the world who have the same fingerprint, and American society should therefore continue to appreciate the uniqueness that is offered in every single female body.

Everyone has body features that they like to accentuate and flaws they prefer to hide. The beauty is in the difference.

Visuals Director | Grant Campbell • • • • • • driftwoodart@uno.edu News Editor | Chloe Gagnon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • cprange@uno.edu Features/Ent. Editor | Anna Gowin • • • • • driftwoodent@uno.edu Photographer | Nathan Nguyen • • nvnguye2@uno.edu@uno.edu Web Designer | Harish Kadambala • • • • • • • • hckadamb@uno.edu Web Editor | Ave Maria Bordenave • • • • • • • • abordena@uno.edu Reporter | Lones Gagnard • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • lgagnard@uno.edu Reporter | Alexandra Garcia • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • aigarcia@uno.edu Reporter | Mindy Jarrett • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mjarrett@uno.edu Reporter | Thanh Nguyen • • • • • • • • • • • • • • tnnguye7@uno.edu Illustrator | Jared Buck • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • jbuck@uno.edu Illustrator | Barrington Hebert • • • • • • • • • • • bkhebert@uno.edu Illustrator | Delvonte Smith • • • • • • • • • • • • • djsmi12@uno.edu Business Manager | Matt Stennis • • driftwoodbusiness@uno.edu Faculty Adviser | Vickie Kennedy • • • • • • • • • vkennedy@uno.edu

Driftwood is produced solely by students of the University of New Orleans. Driftwood publishes every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters with the exception of holiday breaks and midterms/finals week.

Editorials are the opinions of the Driftwood editorial staff and do not reflect the opinions of the University of New Orleans, its administration or staff.

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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Driftwood’s media outlet, The Drift, ready to take off

BY ALEXANDRA GARCIA Driftwood Staff Driftwood will introduce a new video component that focuses on broadcasting news and internet content named The Drift in early April.

Leading The Drift staff are Zachary Guntner and Chris Walker, who have been working on it since the beginning of the fall 2015 semester. Originally, The Drift was to start broadcasting last semester but ran into troubles early on. “We

had some complications with getting the equipment so it got pushed back, but we’re excited that this will be another chapter to add to Driftwood,” said Nigel Washington, editor-in-chief of Driftwood newspaper.

Walker and Guntner plan to start the broadcasts by posting one short video weekly and hope to expand as they go along.

Regarding the content of The Drift, Walker said, “My vision is to show what UNO has to offer. We plan to interview different departments... maybe a professor spot-

light, whether they are full time here or artists-in-residence. We want to examine what UNO needs to improve and what are the drawbacks?”

Guntner has already thought about possible news stories.

“We have student government elections coming up and seeing where that goes is important to show the student body, especially with something like student government where they actually have a chance to vote and make a difference there,” Guntner said. “That’s something unique that our video

content can bring this year and actually give those people running a voice.”

The Drift plans to introduce its own news stories rather than highlights of Driftwood newspaper.

There could be stories in each that follow from one another, but for the most part, The Drift will have its own unique content.

“We’re hoping The Drift can have a little more style and a little more character that we might not be able to hit with just words on a newspaper,” Washington said.

Similar to Driftwood, The Drift

staff hopes to eventually have interns. “We would love for people to come speak with us or the editor about internship opportunities.

Also, if they want to get some hours just working in production, we’re very open to that. We’re looking to build a strong, quality team,” said Guntner.

Internships would extend from not just behind camera work, but in front as well which could be a good opportunity for a variety of students. For more information contact driftwoodeditor@uno.edu.

MAN ON THE STREET What kind of festivals would you like to see on campus?

ADRIANA BENNETT Freshman, Urban Studies & Planning

CHANIE MOLLERE Freshman, Nursing

Music festivals and art festivals.

I would like to see more music festivals on campus, because New Orleans has a culture that revolves around music. If we could do something like a Jazz Festival, I would go to that.

Photos by Nathan Nguyen

ELISABETH REED Freshman, Psychology

MICHAEL AHMED Senior, I.D.S.

NIGERIA GONZALEZ Sophomore, Biology

Film festivals, if those are a thing.

I liked Holi and a music festival would be cool.

Food festival with rides.

I would love something like a carnival. It stirs things up and makes college a lot more fun.

CRIME SCENE DO NOT

CROSS CRIME SCENE

• On March 14, a Privateer Place resident entered his bedroom at approximately 5 pm and noticed jewelry missing.

• On March 15, a UNO student reported her prescription vintage eyeglasses damaged beyond repair in the common area of Pontchartrain Hall North.

• On March 17, a UNO student reported his black light lamp stolen from the Math Building.

• On March 18, residents of an apartment at Privateer Place reported their Playstation 4 stolen overnight. There was no sign of forced entry.

• On March 28, UNOPD received an anonymous call from Privateer Place about loud yelling. Upon arrival, a male was sobbing uncontrollably after breaking up with his girlfriend. He had no physical injuries and the ex-girlfriend had left prior to officers arriving.

CAMPUS CALENDAR WED., MAR. 30 JAZZ AT THE SANDBAR A series of jazz artists will be performing at UNO’s Sandbar every Wednesday from March through April. This week’s performer is feature pianist Deanna Witkowski.

ORPHEUS DESCENDING Tennessee Williams’ re-imagining of the Orpheus myth will be presented by Southern Rep Theatre.The show takes place at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

FRI., APR. 1

SAT., APR. 2

TUES., APR. 5

MEN’S TENNIS The men’s Privateers will be going head-to-head with Lamar University Cardinals from 2-5 p.m. in the University Tennis Center.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Lady Privateers will be facing the Arkansas State Red Wolves from 12-3 p.m. in the University Tennis Center.

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES WORKSHOP Students will be better prepared to find their sought after jobs as this workshop will teach various fruitful job search strategies. The workshop will be in UC 208 at 7:30 a.m.

LASER TAG WITH THE ALPHAS Alpha Phi Alpha will be hosting laser tag in the quad for Alpha Week. The game begins at 7 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

NEWS

Entergy donates $100,000 to new energy lab

BY MINDY JARRETT Driftwood Staff The relationship between Entergy and the University of New Orleans is quid pro quo, one that Dr. Emir José Macari, professor and dean of engineering and interim director for research at UNO, describes as “golden.”

“Entergy has been a really, really good partner for us,” said Macari.

“Virtually every student that graduates from electrical engineering in the power area, we’re talking about big voltage, goes immediately to work for Entergy. They all get internships along the way too. Also, folks that are working at Entergy who want to get their master’s degree or Ph.D.’s are coming over here and getting their degrees too.

So, it is a really good relationship that we have with them.”

Last month, Entergy donated $100,000 to fund the complete remodel of what will be known as UNO’s Entergy Energy Conversion Lab. “It is a lab that had old equipment, so we’re moving the old equipment, replacing it with some of the new equipment and adding new stuff that was not available back then,” explained Macari.

The remodel was one of many items on the Engineering Advisory Council’s (EAC) “wish list.”

Macari credits Paul Olivier, the outgoing chair of the council, for

making that dream a reality.

“The essence of an advisory board is a couple of things: first, to help us ensure that our curriculum is up-to-date on what the industry needs. Second, to offer internships to our students. Third, to offer jobs to our students and fourth, to bring money to our college.”

The newly remodeled lab, which will be fully functional for the upcoming fall 2016 semester, plays a major component in the education of engineering students. “They’re using the laboratory as part of their class. Students hate the labs because it is a lot of work for only one credit, but that’s where they really learn, where they implement everything that they’ve been learning in the classroom. So it benefits students because it gives them hands on opportunities,” Macari explained.

This benefit continues as students make the transition from lab room to work field. “When we get equipment from Entergy and from their vendors, when the students graduate, they’re already used to using that equipment.“ Keeping up with the ever-changing technology of the twenty-first century is both crucial and expensive. “The technologies keep changing, and you need to advance it. You need new equipment all the time…all sorts of stuff is being done to be more energy efficient and that’s what this lab is about.”

Dr. Emir Macari accepts the $100,000 to fund UNO’s Entergy Energy Conversion Lab.

The booming solar industry is the latest trend in energy efficiency and conservation and will soon find a home in New Orleans. “Entergy is right now building a huge solar farm in east New Orleans… we’d love to have something like that here on our campus because then it would be a living laboratory for our students. So, I’m having conversations with Entergy about

that and they seem to be interested…so we’ll see in the near future what we can do there.”

Macari sees this relationship continuing well into the future.

“We hope to continue this great relationship, increase it [and] have our living laboratory here become a reality. We’re starting a new company, called UNOCITY (younah-city) and it’s also going to be

Photo courtesy of Emir Macari

helping Entergy by getting our students ready to start working,” said Macari. “So this company will hire our students and prepare them and then send them over to work with Entergy. The agreement just got signed. It is the first startup company coming out of the University of New Orleans.”

Provost John Nicklow named new UNO President

BY CHARLES NICHOLSON Managing Editor Dr. John Nicklow has been announced has the next president of the University of New Orleans.

The University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors

made a vote on March 16 to decide between the two finalist: Provost John Nicklow and Deputy Mayor Andy Kopplin.

The decision came after a long search process by the Witt/Kieffer Executive Search Firm and the Presidential Search Committee,

who narrowed the finalists to five, then two.

Nicklow has served UNO as provost and vice president of academic affairs since July 2015. He came to the university after being provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois

University.

The search for a new president began after former President Peter J. Fos retired on January 31. Fos, a UNO alum, had been president since 2012 and was leading the university through back to back damaging budget cuts. Former UL

System President, Dr. Randy Moffett, is the currently acting as interim president.

Nicklow will officially take his position as president on Friday, April 1. Dr. Norm Whitley will be acting provost while the search for a new provost is in progress.

FEATURES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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Student spotlight: Disc golfer David Wiggins

David Wiggins treats disc golf as professional sport and leisure fun.

BY TYLOR LENART Driftwood Contributor David Wiggins is a professional

disc golf player who has won many awards, championships and recently set a new world record for the farthest throw at 836 feet.

Wiggins has played in the Unit-

Photo coutesy of Tylor Lenart

ed States Disc Golf Championships (USDGC) for the past seven years.

His best finish at USDGC is tenth and he has won one overall amateur championship and four ju-

nior championships.Wiggins went professional at the age of 14 and went on to finish in the professional championship in 11th place, his best yet. The USDGC is held every year in many countries around the world. Last year it was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Wiggins started playing disc golf when he was four years old. When he moved to North Carolina his family moved into a house that happened to be near a disc golf course where his dad would take him out to the golf course and throw the disc around with him.

“It was a way to run around and get some energy out,” Wiggins said.

“We just stumbled upon the course and started playing as a hobby. It was just a way to get outdoors.”

Disc golf has only recently become an international sport after originating from Canada, but is most popular in the United States.

It has branched out to countries like Scandinavia, Finland, Korea, Taiwan and Sweden. Wiggins himself has played tournaments in Japan.

“It’s a fast growing sport and there were 12 countries represented at the world championship last year,” said Wiggins.

Wiggins has played for many different clubs, most of them being in North Carolina. New Orleans does

have a disc golf club called New Orleans Disc Golf Club (NODGC), located in City Park, which recently held a tournament earlier this month. Many of the competitive players from the NODGC are serious about the sport and have competed in tournaments, but others love being part of club and just playing with others.

Wiggins said that disc golf doesn’t entirely require physical fitness. “It’s kind of like golf you can play till you’re 80 or 90 if you want too.” Wiggins, however, is in the gym five days a week trying to work on his throwing power.

Disc golf is also not an expensive sport, according to Wiggins. “Literally all you need is one disc which you can pick one up at any sporting goods store for about $10. They are called discs, because they are small, a bit sharper, and have a beveled edge,” said Wiggins.

Disc golf is set up mostly similar a regular golf course with 18 holes strung throughout the course.

Unlike regular golf, some disc golf courses have one set of tees while others may have three. “City Park has two set of tees,” said Wiggins.

Wiggins said he is always willing to help anyone learn how to play if they want to. “You don’t need much to play, go out and have fun.”

Jazz Fest specialty, Cochon de Lait po-boy, is a regular for locals

BY JULIE BECKER Driftwood Contributor Jazz Fest’s celebrated Cochon de Lait Po-Boy is available year-round at Walker’s Southern Style BBQ on Hayne Boulevard, just minutes from the UNO campus.

There are people who go to Jazz Fest to hear the music, and there are people who go to Jazz Fest to eat the food. For this second group, the cochon de lait po-boy from Love at First Bite catering company is a must-eat meal. For some, the slowsmoked pork and creole coleslaw sandwich, served with or without a sweet hickory-style barbecue sauce, is a must-eat-every-day-of-the-Fest meal. The company’s website, cochondelaitpoboys.com, offers a list of national media attention from the Travel Channel, the Food Network, National Public Radio, USA Today and Esquire Magazine. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain has hunted down this sandwich and Emeril Lagasse has adapted the “always a favorite at Jazz Fest” recipe into a make-at-home recipe.

The rest of the world may have to settle for devouring this celebrated sandwich just a few days each year, but the UNO community can find the cochon de lait po-boy yearround at Walker’s Southern Style Barbecue on Hayne Boulevard, just a quick, six-mile drive east from the lakefront main campus. The restau-

rant’s published hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 in the morning, until the meat runs out in the afternoon. That schedule does vary during festival season, and this year they’re also closed on Friday’s during the weeks between Mardi Gras and Easter. “Fridays during Lent can be slow, and I can use that time to get ready for Jazz Fest,” said owner Wanda Walker .

Walker’s shares a building and dining room with Castnet Seafood on the right side of Hayne Boulevard just past Lady Gray Street. The restaurant has a separate kitchen and a separate counter for taking order.

Directly across from the counter is Walker’s “small” smoke oven. The giant oven is embedded in the wall, and fills the space from front door to dining room. Diners can orders at the counter, then eat in the sunny dining room or at the outdoor picnic tables located along the east side of the restaurant.

Cochon de lait is the French term for suckling pig. In south Louisiana, a whole cochon de lait is often roasted outdoors over low indirect heat. Preparation and cooking can take hours, even overnight to finish. Instagram and Twitter have no shortage of #cochondelait images that show the dramatic cooking process. “It’s a long process, like cooking a turkey,” said Bill Way, who first attended a cochon du lait roast in Opelousas.

The Cochon de Lait Festival in

Walker’s Southern Style BBQ, located on Haynes Blvd, serves Cochon de lait all-year long.

Mansura, Louisiana takes place in May each year. St. Edward the

Confessor in Jefferson Parish includes an open pit whole cochon de

Photo courtesy of Julie Becker

lait roast as part of their annual fall fair each October.

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FEATU

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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URES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

7

lor at 2016 Holi Festival

ents celebrated Holi by throwing various powdered colors at each other in front of the Auditorium on Sunday, March 20. Holi is a o festival and is commonly referred as “the festival of colors.�

Photos by Barrington Hebert

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ENTERTAINMENT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

“Batman v. Superman”: Big swing, bigger miss

BY CHARLES NICHOLSON Managing Editor Warner Bros. and DC’s first big step into creating their cinematic universe has finally dawned upon the masses. But did “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” steal the spotlight from the Marvel cinematic universe?

Short answer: no. This isn’t for a lack of trying, however. Clearly, this film had a lot of material to work with and piece together that had potential to be a show stopper.

The issue that plagues the film is that it contains so much and nothing comes together the way it should.

There isn’t a clear, singular plot to this movie, but instead multiple smaller storylines. Different characters each have their individual plans and issues which they’re overcoming, but they never interact enough to make it feel like a single cohesive story (at least until the third act).

Now, on to the characters. Following the events of “Man of Steel,” Clark Kent (Henry Cavill), now dubbed by society as “Superman,” struggles with public opinion of his alternate identity. Is he a hero, or a danger to mankind? It’s an issue that unsurprisingly came up following the destruction of Metropolis during his showdown with General Zod. Yet not only is this issue disconnected from the rest of the film, it’s not resolved by the end.

As Clark deals with his own problems he becomes concerned with the return of Batman. Yes, after 20 years of retirement, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) dons the cape and

cowl, and this time his enemy is Superman. After watching first hand the destruction of Metropolis and subsequently Wayne Tower, Bruce goes into serious investigation to figure how to defeat an alien god. In the process, lots of people get beat and bat-branded, and Clark doesn’t quite agree with his methods.

While all of this is going on, the snarky, maniacal Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) has his own plans involving kryptonite, the destroyed Kryptonian spaceship and the deceased body of Zod. Towards the second act, he finds himself egging on the Superman/Batman, but his reasons for doing either of these things aren’t exactly clear.

Add all of that with Diana Prince’s (Gal Gadot) mini-plot within Bruce and Lois Lane’s (Amy Adams) investigation into the framing of Superman (which also doesn’t lead to anything) and you have what is essentially five different and interesting movies all crammed into one, with none of them ever become as fully realised as they should’ve.

However, there are some gems within the film that help its watchability at points. Affleck is great as Batman, without a doubt. There has arguably never been a better onscreen Batman. His action sequences in which he’s fighting criminals are probably the best in the movie.

Hardcore Bat-fans will be divided, however, on Batman’s decision to kill his enemies.

The next great performance here is Gadot’s Wonder Woman. Though she’s a lite part in the movie, she steals the spotlight whenever on

Photo by Clay Enos/DC Comics

screen. Her best scene is during the climax when she’s fighting, roaring a war cry as she charges into her enemy. It was such an applaudable moment in the movie that you could swear Gadot was born for the role.

One performance that may not be to everyone’s taste is Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor. Really, he plays Lex Luthor’s son Alexander Luthor, so technically the character is meant to be different. This Luthor is more of a deranged loony who fears powers which he doesn’t fully understand than a businessman that abhors those with unearthly capabilities (which the original Lex is known for). Eisenberg plays the part well,

but it won’t jive with those who are accustomed to the original Lex Luthor.

Visually, the film’s a spectacle.

If nothing else, director Zack Snyder knows how to make an action sequence engaging. The final battle could be described as a lightshow brawl among the gods. Superman and Wonder Woman give it their all against Doomsday (a bland enemy with no character or dialogue), and it’s a very adrenaline-pumping 10 minutes.

Sadly, the one place where the action wasn’t so exciting where it should’ve been was Batman and Superman’s fight. It ends up being a

one-sided contest in Batman’s favor (thank you kryptonite), at least for most of it, and the battle is at such a slower pace than the others in the movie. Then, the feud ends on such an unbelievable note that you’ll feel let down by the end.

“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” isn’t necessarily a bad movie, but it’s definitely not great, and that’s what is most upsetting. It could’ve been great, and it had everything it needed to be so. If you were still interested in the film it’s worth at least a first viewing. Bring friends or family (parental discretion advised) and try to have a little more fun with it.

STAFF PICKS: ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2016

BY NIGEL WASHINGTON

BY CHARLES NICHOLSON

BY CHLOE GAGNON

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

News Editor

THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR

Superhero movies are starting to oversaturate theaters nowadays. Real men or women doing almost realistic things with guns need to make a comeback. “The Purge: Election Year” comes just in the nick of time (since we’re all getting sick of all this political stuff now) and gives us a nice break from Marvel fanboys ruling the box office. Also, “The Purge” has always been a creepy yet cool spectacle of mask-wearing lunatics destroying the average family’s life in awe-inspiring fashion. And all the while we can only imagine what we would do if we were faced in the same situation. Happy Purging.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

I’m a superhero movie junkie. Good or bad, I can’t get enough of the things. Marvel Studios’ next installment “Captain America: Civil War” (or equally relevant title “The Avengers 2.5”) is the third entry in the “Captain America” franchise. In this entry, the Captain Steve Rogers will be butting heads with his own friend and fellow Avenger, Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man), as he tries to defend an even older friend, Bucky, the Winter Soldier.

“Civil War” will be smashing into theatres little over a month after the DC superhero feud “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” But which good guy brawl will reign supreme among fans and general audiences? Only time will tell, but with the controversy currently in place, I’m willing to bet “Civil War” has this in the bag.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

The ninth installment and first spin off of the popular and ever adored series, “Harry Potter,” approaches quickly with a whole new plot and all new characters. Magizoololgist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), author of Hogwart’s textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” loses magical creatures in the early 1900s of New York City and has to track them down.

Written by J.K. Rowling, author of all seven original Harry Potter books, and directed by David Yates, director of Harry Potter films 5, 6, 7A and 7B, this anticipated film is sure to be magical and warm the hearts of lifelong fans. It is set to release on Nov. 18, 2016.

ENTERTAINMENT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

9

Streaming sites dominate music industry, vinyl growing

BY LONES GAGNARD Driftwood Staff As the years go by, the way we listen to music will constantly change. The 2015 Nielsen Music Year-End Report was released and it held some interesting results.

2015 was truly the year of the streaming site. Whether listeners are tuned into Spotify, Rhapsody, Tidal or Apple Music, the flat fee of a monthly subscription is the route most music fans are taking.

Streaming services reached 312 billion streamed songs in 2015, a 92 percent increase from the 164 billion mark last year.

Streaming sites are so ear-catching because they take aspects of different sites that have come before them and improve on the idea.

While Youtube does have a large selection, there isn’t a download feature where you can make playlists to share with friends. Even Spotify gets an added boost from Facebook, allowing users to follow friend’s playlists and send music back and forth.

Based on a survey held by Nielsen, the top three reasons for choosing streaming services are the low cost, ease of use and massive library. Napster, one of the first music streaming services, did come close to this musical utopia, but they did not do so completely legally. In July 2001, a court judge shut down Napster for copyright infringement, drawing the line be-

tween sharing and duplicating.

Sites like Spotify have purchased rights to all of their music through the record companies. With one flat fee to an unlimited supply of music, the cash just doesn’t flow in the way it would with the sale of physical copies. “When it comes time to pay the artist, they are left fighting over fractions of pennies,” said UNO music professor Edward Petersen. While Spotify’s subscription accounts do add up after a while, the number can never be grand when you’re adding with less than a cent at a time.

With the new reign of the streaming site physical copies of music continue to plummet, except for the steady rise of one old friend.

Vinyl sales continued its steady climb in music listening popularity for the 10th straight year with nearly 12 million units sold in 2015.

“I think one reason vinyl sales are climbing is because they are simply harder to steal than CD’s,” said Petersen. As CD’s, which saw a six percent decline in sales and a 11 percent decline in 2014, are being forgotten and passed, vinyl sales continue to rise in its retro resurgence.

Reasons for vinyl’s rise in pop culture today are that consumers want to feel like they’re really buying something. When purchasing a record you’re not getting a plastic jewel case, shrink-wrapped in plastic; you’re buying a sleeve that could often pass as works of

Streaming sites saw 92 percent increase in plays, while vinyl sales continue to rise.

art themselves, not to mention the posters and liner notes you receive along with it. Along with all of these added bonuses is the classic vinyl sound that has stayed so sharp and pristine throughout the decades.

The problem with records is the start up cost is so grand. Vinyls average around $20 a record and if you do not own a record player

you’ll be needing to purchase one of those too, along with a pair of nice speakers for certain models that do not have one already built inside. After looking at the growing shopping list of the pipe dream that is a legendary record collection, most casual listeners choose the ease and large library of a streaming site.

Due to this cheaper, quicker

Photo by Grant Campbell

and less painful option the music industry finds itself in a hard spot financially. The CD was their cash cow, easily mass-produced and during its heyday, the CD was flying off the shelves. The painstakingly produced vinyl will not be able to replace the CD’s booming revenue in the foreseeable future and that leaves the big bad bosses of music fighting over scraps.

LAGNIAPPE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

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SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016

11

Privateers drop first weekend series against Lamar

BY NIGEL WASHINGTON Editor-in-Chief The University of New Orleans baseball team was swept in a weekend series for the first time this season against Lamar State in Beaumont, Texas.

UNO starting pitchers struggled in the first innings of game one and two against Lamar.

On Friday, the Privateers (16-8, 4-5 SLC) gave up six runs in the second inning alone, falling to a early to a 6-0 deficit until fifth inning.

The bright spot for UNO this year has been the hitters, and they showed up again in the sixth inning.

A seven run inning gave UNO a late 7-6 lead to end the sixth inning. Lamar (16-7, 7-2) gave the Privateers

as much help as they could, as four errors helped runners make it on base and score.

That would be the last bit of help for the game. In the next inning, the Cardinals regained the lead after a two-run homerun to left field.

Lamar extended their lead with another two-run homer in the eighth inning that sealed the game one victory.

Game two saw the Cardinals take the series in similar fashion as they raced to a four run lead in the first inning.

This time around, UNO struggled at the plate, scoring their first and only run in the seventh inning. By the time the last pitch had zoomed over the plate, Lamar extended their lead to 5-1 and secured the weekend series.

Despite recording the same num-

ber of hits (6) as the Cardinals, the Privateers couldn’t create the same offensive productivity they’ve seen all season.

The final game between these two Southland rivals was even sided than the previous contests.

UNO was able to put the first run on the board at the top of the fourth inning, but Lamar answered back with a three runs in the bottom of the same inning to take the lead.

Later in the game, UNO tied the game with four runs in the top of the seventh inning. Again, Lamar responded with two runs to give a cushion just big enough to seal the victory.

After a quick home stand at Maestri Field against Jackson State, the Privateers will go on a four game road trip exclusively in Alabama.

First is a three-game weekend se-

Junior Riley Hodge serves a pitch in the second game against Lamar State on Saturday, March 19.

Photo coutesy of Ron O’Rourke | UNO Athletics

ries against Troy before ending the trip in Mobile with a matchup versus South Alabama.

First pitch against Troy is at 6 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Women’s Tennis sweeps Grambling State

Privateers set multiple season-high marks at Louisiana Classics

Sophomore Anja Luethi prepares a backhand stroke during play at the UniverPhoto coutesy of Ron O’Rourke | UNO Athletics sity Tennis Center.

Freshman Michael Nicholls leaps over a hurdle at the Alabama Relays last.

BY NIGEL WASHINGTON Editor-in-Chief After three straight losses, the UNO women’s tennis team (9-4, 4-3 SLC) swept Grambling State (0-13) on Monday at the University Tennis Center.

In doubles play, junior Hafsa Laraibi and senior Yasmine Rashad swept their competition 6-0. Afterward, sophomore Anja Luethi and freshman Trang Dao won their re-

spective doubles match 6-4, giving the team a small boost before the rest of the team took over.

UNO controlled the singles matches throughout the day as no matches went to three sets en route to a 7-0 sweep.

The squad will host Missouri on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and Arkansas State on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Afterwards, UNO will go on the road to for their next three games against Southeastern, Louisiana Tech and Nichols.

BY NIGEL WASHINGTON Editor-in-Chief The UNO Track and Field team set multiple season-high marks at the two-day Louisiana Classics in Lafayette on Friday and Saturday.

In total, ten Privateers recorded season best results in the second day of the outdoor meet. Freshman Michael Nicholls, who tied the school record in the 110-meter hurdles last week at the Alabama Relays, won the 100-meter hurdles

and set a new school record with a time of 14.16 seconds.

Junior Michael Batson also set a new season best in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:50.08, while the two men’s relay teams set season-best times in the 4x100 relay and 4x800 relay with a 41.08 and 3:21.55 time respectively.

For the women’s side, junior Alexia Fortenberry won the 100-meter hurdles.

Junior Farydah Inoussa set a new season best in the high jump with 1.60-meters, while freshman

Photo coutesy of Parker Waters

Jordan Courtois did the same in the pole vault with a 3.50-meter finish.

Junior Fadeke Adeola wound up coming in third in the high jump with a 1.70-meter jump.

With Inoussa, Fortenberry, junior Chelsie Brown and freshman JaNai Cameron, the women’s 4x100 relay team also set a new season best with a 46.54 time as they finished in fourth place.

The Track and Field team will travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the Texas Relays today. The event will continue until Saturday.