Summer studies broaden horizons
Students earn college credit for study abroad program, Page 5
DRIFTWOOD The community newspaper of the University of New Orleans
Volume: 58 Issue: 5
September 17, 2014
driftwood.uno.edu
Making the Cut
Committee evaluates degree offerings Christy Lorio Editor-in-Chief
The University of New Orleans is currently in the process of reviewing its 84 degree programs with the intent of academic revitalization in the form of restructuring and combining some programs and eliminating others. Every program is being evaluated to determine if it fits into UNO’s urban research mission, set forth by UNO President Peter J. Fos. A committee of 40 faculty leaders and deans has met for months to review the programs. The committee developed a set of criteria for evaluation and is modeling their efforts on what other universities have done. According to Dr. Richard Hansen, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at UNO, “We’ve got lots of good qualitative and quantitative data that we’re working on. We’re modeling it on stuff that’s going on nationally; we’re not just inventing this stuff.” Hansen stressed that the program discontinuances will not come from a place of budgetary concerns, but which programs fall in line with UNO’s mission. Each program will be evaluated using the weighted set of criteria, with 25 percent of the decision being made based on a program’s impact, justification and importance to the university. At the outset, Fos explained that the purpose of the study is to identify those areas that we need to reinvest in, and refocus existing money. Hansen explained that the cuts
will allow for UNO to better serve current and future students. “From a general student point of view, students will see a set of academic programs that will be stronger, better resourced, with potentially more faculty or help to get senior faculty research money…if we can gain some savings with the programs that we discontinue, we can use those funds to support other programs, or other programs that need support and are clearly within our mission that we want to grow.” Since UNO is considered an urban research school, Hansen
stressed that it is important to “align the programs with our mission of what’s going on in this area. We have to grow as an institution.” This program alignment might bring more students, too. Enrollment is currently around 9,000, but Hansen would like to see that number at 12,000 “which makes the whole enterprise function better.” Current students were initially informed of the upcoming changes during the summer in an e-mail sent out on June 13, a time when many
students don’t check their e-mail. However, Hansen said there will be lots of communication with students, particularly students that are in programs that are slated to be cut. “Technically, if a student just started a program we don’t have to teach them out, but we do have to make a good faith effort to make sure that person can either transfer someplace - which we don’t want to do - [transfer] into another degree program, or we make arrangements to teach that person out,” Hansen
said. “We will deal with every individual student to make sure they have the plan highly communicated to them…..that’s the best way to do it from an education standpoint.” The committee will meet Friday to draft a plan for the entire school to view, then send the final draft to the president on October 28. On September 10, University Registrar and Director of Institutional Research, Matthew Moore reported his findings. The data from the registrar’s research determines how a course changes the various programs and the course of education in the institution, as well how many students might be impacted. Once the committee has all of the data, it must transform the mountain of information into an accessible form from which it can then make precise assertions. The committee will grade each department on criteria such as cost and and quality, and then categorize them into four groups, according to results. Committee member Pam Jenkins pointed out that although UNO is not alone in the struggle for improvement, the changes must be according to the specific needs of the university. “We are in a crisis and our situation is unique so our technique needs to reflect that.” Additional reporting by Liz Trahan, Illustration by Amy Nguyen.
What is the one program you hope the state will continue to fund? Ty Paul Freshman, Political Science “Political science - I feel like between being a political science major and trying to be a lawyer, those are two promising career paths and choices.”
Jacob Raborn Senior, Psychology
“Psychology - it’s a very popular major. Mental health is an important part of society.”
Lauren Guthrie Graduate Student
“The arts program - I feel like a lot of people come to UNO for the arts. Music and jazz are things New Orleans is known for.”
Anwar Adbel Junior, Engineering
“Engineering - without it we wouldn’t have the levee systems and the understanding of what happened in 2005 and how to improve on those systems.”
Josh Call Sophomore, English
“I hope the liberal arts (program) gets their share.”
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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
NEWS
ROAD RAGE
Potholes plague St.Bernard Avenue Veronica Mansell Driftwood Staff
With millions of dollars spent annually for road rehabilitation in New Orleans, some commuters and residents are wondering why certain streets remain neglected. Frustrated residents plant signs in their yards expressing the need for re-pavement throughout the Lakeview area. The signs read “FIX MY STREETS, I PAY MY TAXES”, an apparent cry for help that has not been heard by the city. Lakeview resident Robert Lupo is the man behind the red signs spreading throughout Orleans Parish neighborhoods. The “Fix My Streets” campaign began in May 2014, when Lupo printed 100 signs to distribute at the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association meeting. The popularity of the signs continues to increase among residents, who are fed up with condition of their streets and the lack of progress on the city’s part. New Orleans has adapted multiple programs, along with millions of dollars in funding, to address the road damage caused by floodwaters resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The South Louisiana Submerged Roads Program began in July 2007, as a comprehensive effort to repair and resurface roads in three parishes: Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard. The $100 million project was funded by the Emergency Relief Program of the Federal Highway Administration. The program planned over 50 projects covering sections of main roads with the most severe damage. Higher volume of traffic also played a role in the decision-making process. Due to budget and demand, many of the internal neighborhood streets did not make the cut for the program. Nine years later, residents and commuters still do not have much information or official dates on construction for their streets. Last month, Mayor Mitch Landrieu addressed the Fix My Streets campaign during a city budget meeting. The crowd was silent asMayor Landrieu said, “everyone thinks they have the worst streets in the city, so maybe like that ice bucket challenge, y’all can go do one for who has the worst streets.” The joke was not met with laughs, but Landrieu went on to discuss statistics of city planning and revenue in serious tone. “The city has 1, 547 miles of city owned streets, about a third of the city’s streets were coming in at fair or worse condition before Katrina. Since 2010, we’ve completed 147 projects, 100 miles of streets have been repaired, and 143,000 potholes have been filled,” Landrieu said. With most of the FEMA funds going towards drainage/pipe systems throughout the city, residents were asked to hold tight on road
The map depicts street reconstruction projects for the City of New Orleans.
photo by Christiani Nix
New Orleans residents are fed up with pot hole plagued streets.
construction in their neighborhoods. Drainage is the root of the problem with the city’s streets, as over-saturation below the surface causes cracks and potholes in the pavement. The city plans to negotiate road construction funds with FEMA upon completion of the drainage system. The question on most residents’ minds is how long will that be? Driving down Jefferson Ave or Napoleon Ave with traffic re-routed, massive holes, pipes and equipment covering the neutral ground due to drainage construction, the project does not look close to completion.
Learn More Sign up to join the Fix My Streets Campaign at www.fixmystreetsnola.com, or follow on social media. Check out photos submitted by residents and post your own of street conditions in your neighborhood on the Fix My Streets Facebook page, or with #fixmystreets on Twitter and Instagram
Courtesy Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
EDITORIAL
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 3
PERSPECTIVE
Traditionally, non-traditional Kristi Martin
Managing Editor
“Age ain’t nothing but a number,” or so I thought. Then last week, I realized that most of my classmates weren’t even alive when Aliyah made that cliché a hit album. And as I typed that sentence, I realized that I just eliminated more than half of the student body as my audience. Let me rewind a bit. I have never been one to take the traditional, beaten path. I love to live in the
moment and never really concern myself with the future. And I can still honestly say I have no regrets. But had I thought a little more about my future back in 1998 when I foolishly tossed a full scholarship to Southern Arkansas University out the window, I wouldn’t be 33 and attempting a career change, which starts with the degree I never achieved back then. It was June 1, 2000, when I first walked into a newsroom. I somehow managed to land a job as a reporter at my hometown newspaper – my dad calls it the “gift of gab.” I was completely terrified. I didn’t know what to expect. In the 14 years since, I’ve had a
successful career. There was never a day where I got out of bed and thought, “I do not want to go to work today.” There’s no other profession that allows one to do all of the things a reporter is privy to. I’ve interviewed presidential candidates, a country music superstar, watched Miss America be crowned, kicked in doors with a narcotics task force, flew a stunt plane, drove a Humvee, rode in a tank, sat in the cockpit of a B-52 bomber… I truly loved what I did. But I’ve also seen more dead bodies than I can count, watched firefighters pull bleeding people from mangled pieces of metal that
used to be cars, photographed a charred piece of ground where a husband burned the body of the wife he had just slain, stood beside families as they watched flames shoot from the windows of their homes… It’s time to do something different. So that’s what brings me to the University of New Orleans. To sit in algebra. Among the 18-yearolds. As I struggled to factor the polynomial, I looked at the girl beside me. “I haven’t looked at this since 1995,” I said. “I was born in 1996,” she replied.
And I immediately aged mentally about 10 years. I am closer to the age of these kids’ parents than to them. Had I made different decisions in high school, I could be their mother. If you are 18 to 20 and still reading this thanks, and remember to be nice to us “adult” students. After all, we are the ones you’ll be asking to go to the liquor store for you. Kristi Martin is managing editor of the Driftwood, freelance reporter and professional blogger. Follow her on Twitter @writtennred.
THE DRIFTWOOD UNODriftwood UNODriftwood UNODriftwood
The Driftwood is the student run official publication for the University of New Orleans. It is published weekly and distributed at 24 newsstands on and off campus on Wednesdays. The newspaper does not publish editions the week of midterms, finals, Thanksgiving and fall break. All submissions are subject to editing by Driftwood Staff. The driftwood office is located in room 252 of the University Center, 2500 Lakeshore Drive University Center 252 New Orleans, LA 70148 Staff may be reached by phone at 504-280-6377 or email driftwoodeditor@uno.edu or online at www.driftwood.uno.edu. Ad sales inquiries should be directed to driftwoodads@uno.edu
#UNOProud @NolaHistorical @risingtide @eviretuad & @ KevMcQueeney share their innovative research on hidden New Orleans history @ Rising Tide #RT9 #UNOproud @UNOFYE So many StrengthsQuest programs, so little time. #yearuno #strengthsquest #unoproud #fye #getbig #success @_OPTIMUS_FINE_ Where are the parties? #uno18 #unoproud @shalomchristie Soooo...does ANYBODY’S wifi work in the dorms? At all? EVER?! Ridiculous. #UNOproud #fixthisshit
@TreySchultz @YikYakApp #uno #unoproud everyone download this app! Let’s make it bigger
@RonnMiller7 UNO NEEDS A CANES ON CAMPUS I REPEAT UNO YOU NEED A CANES ON CAMPUS!!! #unoproud @RamonasPearls I wish my Journalism class was longer and my British Literature class was shorter. #UNOProud #wishfulthinking @Brett_Hornsby Best of luck to the men of @ LambdaChiUNO as they begin the first night of Formal Recruitment tonight. #GoGreek #UNOproud
Staff Christy Lorio Editor in chief Kristi Martin Managing Editor Abraham Thacker Business Manager Pawan Aryal Layout Editor Ashley deBaroncelli Visuals Editor Aviayna Thomas Copy Editor Kerry Leigh Pittenger Office Manager Willie Marsalis Photographer Vickie Kennedy Faculty Adviser
Shout out to the guy wearing swim trunks under a trench coat today. People keep asking me why I didn’t join a sorority. Maybe I’d just rather eat pizza and drink beer and watch Lord of the Rings. I can barely stand my own mood swings, forget a room full of it. Adderall puts the A in GPA. Everything I Iike is either expensive, illegal, or not texting me back. Shoutout to UNO for no one stealing my car even though I left my keys in the ignition with doors unlocked for 5 hours. When the person in the next stall quiet for u to finish so they can poo in peace… Gotcha bitch I’m playin candy crush & it’s gonna take a while. To the two guys smoking in front of library yall real.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
CAMPUS LIFE
STUDENT SERVICES
Campus attorney offers free legal aid Charles Nicholson Driftwood Staff
For the first time since 2008, the University of New Orleans is offering free legal counseling services to all students. Attorney Michael Tusa is available to assist students in a variety of matters such as disputes with individuals or companies. Tusa also answers questions about legal actions and procedures, and general law inquiries. According to Tusa, domestic issues are among the most common problems, including issues like custody and child support. He said, “I’ve been able to walk multiple students through divorces.” Tusa’s services don’t just address domestic issues. “Another thing students come in for are problems with landlords and lease agreements, so I give legal advice on that as well. “ Tusa also reviews and prepares legal documents, including wills and power of attorney and notary services.
Students should note that Tusa cannot offer legal help against another student or the university. “One of the first things we have to ask is if their (a potential client) problem is with another student” said Tusa. “I also can’t represent them in court. But I can refer them to another agency for low-income students.” Tusa graduated from UNO in 1996 with an accounting degree and continued his education at Louisiana State University where he earned his law degree in 1999. He worked for a firm in downtown New Orleans until 2005 when he started his own private practice. “I worked for UNO’s student legal services from August 2007 through September 2008. At that point LSU didn’t approve it so I left. I came back in January 2013 when UNO moved to the UL system” said Tusa. Since then, Tusa has been available to all students in need of legal services. “While I do offer walk-ins, it’s safer to schedule
an appointment as I am only contracted to work 10 hours a week” said Tusa. “Everyone is assured a halfhour session, though I have had sessions that went up to an hour.”
GET HELP UNO Legal Services
When: Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Thursdays 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Where: University Center 236, inside the Student Government office Contact: Call attorney Michael Tusa at (504) 2806229 to schedule an appointment.
Fashion Forward When you look good, you feel good. Our roving photographers are documenting students with a unique sense of style. Dominique Vancourt Sophomore, Marketing Where do you shop? “Thrift stores.” Describe your style. “It changes daily; an ever changing explosion.” Photo by Christy Lorio
FEATURE
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 5
A SEMESTER ABROAD
Overseas travel offers learning opportunity Rachel Friedman Driftwood Staff
While many University of New Orleans students spent their summer working or playing, English major Maurissa Robert was still in class but in Ireland as part of a study abroad program. “It is something I always wanted to do and thought it would be a great experience,” Robert said. The program is only two-years strong, but offers students the opportunity to study in Cork, Ireland at University College Cork. Irish pubs call out to aspiring writers as they take creative writing courses that can count towards their curriculum. Students also get a chance to step outside of the classroom and explore historic places such as Dublin and Castle Blarney. Robert first found out about the study abroad program before transferring to UNO while looking on the university website. There were also flyers advertising the program in classrooms and around campus. “The most beneficial things that came out of the study abroad program I was involved in this summer was the chance to work with teachers from different parts of the country, getting the chance to attend a school in another coun-
Courtesy Maurissa Robert
Each summer students are provided with variety of travel options. try, and making great friendships,” Robert said. While UNO students seek to continue studies overseas, students from overseas are seeking to study at UNO. The International Summer School program in Innsbruck, Austria, with the University of Innsbruck has also received much recognition on campus as well as in Austria. There are several students walking UNO’s campus who are exchange students from Austria. “I chose to do an exchange program in the United States because I am studying English,” Anna Danzer, a third-year student from the University of Innsbruck said. “I knew about this program with
the University of New Orleans and thought why not? New Orleans seems like it would be a cool place to study English in the United States.” It is possible for any UNO student to study outside of the United States. The vast array of opportunities the university offers to study abroad allows students to experience the excitement of having the world at their fingertips. Financial assistance is available for students who are concerned about costs. Anyone interested in participating in the UNO study abroad or exchange student program should apply online through the university. website at http://inst.uno.edu.
Maurissa Robert enjoyed her summer in Ireland.
Courtesy Maurissa Robert
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SPORTS
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Getting to know cross country runner Callie Willcox Q&A with cross country sophmore Emmanuel Pepis Contributing Reporter Q: What is the funniest thing that ever happened during a game/event? A: During a meet in Wisconsin, it was pouring rain and most of the course was dirt… which quickly became mud. During the race everyone was slipping and sliding, some people even lost their shoes. It ended up being one of my favorite meets because it was something different to race in, gave a new challenge to get ahead of other racers and everyone looked hardcore after the race with mud all over them.
Q: What is your best non-athletic talent? A: I can play the violin and piano…not very well but good enough.
Q: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why? A: I really want to go to Australia. They have kangaroos everywhere (so I’ve heard), super cool accents, and I want to visit P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. Q: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? A: Pay off school loans. Q: Do you have a favorite T.V. show and why do you like that show? A: Family Feud! This show is so fun to try and guess what the answers are and Steve Harvey is HILARIOUS!
Q: If your team/you wins the Southland Conference, what’s the first thing you will do? A: We’re going to DISNEY WORLD! Q: Which was your best game/event? A: In track, I absolutely love doing the Steeple Chase. When you focus on getting over the next steeple it makes the race go by super-fast. Also, the water pit cools you off every lap and reenergizes me.
Q: If you could be a suTennesse native Callie Willcox competes at the perhero who UNO cross country invitational. Courtesy of Privateer Athletic Department
would you be? A: I’m going to change it to super power! I have thought about this a lot and I would pick to be able to talk to animals. That would be super awesome and we could all be best friends.
Get dirty for scholarship fund
Q: What is your favorite junk food? A: Plain M&M’s. I have a special way of eating them. I put some on a plate, put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds and eat them. That makes them all melty and delicious inside. Q: What is your favorite song to listen to over and over again? A: 22 by Taylor Swift. Actually pretty much anything by Taylor Swift puts me in a happier mood…we are on a friend’s basis so I call her T-Swifty and she calls me C-Willie. Q: If you could meet one person who has died, who would you choose? A: My papaw Gene, he died when I was little and I don’t remember him very much but everyone says he was such a wonderful guy. I’d like him to give me some baseball pointers.
Swampball, a volleyball tournament in the mud, is the University of New Orleans Ambassadors biggest event on campus. Campus organizations are encouraged to sign up to make a team of six to eight people, but anyone can play. Swampball takes place on Saturday, September 27 at 10 a.m. All money raised will be going towards UNO student scholarships. Go to http://orgs.uno.edu/ amba/Swampball/ for more information on how to register.
LAGNIAPPE
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 7
ACROSS
DOWN
5 Film Screenings and plays are often found here. 11 Your fabulous newspaper. 13 Campus bands perform here. 16 Where smokers sneak. 17 Where the smokers have been banished. 18 By the lake, for graduates. 19 Free STD testing, on occasion. 20 Get muddy while playing volleyball. 21 Not for married students or those who need an apartment.
1 Where a ship’s food is cooked. 2 Next to the amphitheater; the big ones come out at night. 3 You met us during this for Meet the Press. 4 Boat shoes and pastel polos. 6 No ATM fees! 7 Get your parking decal here. 8 Liquid cardboard to wake you up. 9 If you have no life and enjoy overpriced beer, go here. 10 Where the Catholics hang. 12 The only building on campus in which money is invested. 14 Few of the computers work here. 15 Nine stories of white.
Answers revealed in next week’s issue. Answer to last week’s puzzle ACROSS: 2Apothecary 5Antiochus 7Denmark 8Brute 9Gremio 14Duncan 15Imogen 17Brabantio 17Romeo 20Portia 22thinking 23Jessica 24Hermione 25courage 26Shylock DOWN: 1discrection 3countrymen 4Juliet 6Helena10 Beatrice 11Antony 12KingLear 13Horatio 16Ophelia 18Banquo 21Othello
App of the Week: The Grading Game Grammar nerds will have fun playing the Grading Game, where knowing the difference between they’re and their earns the player, or teacher, points. Catch enough typos and grammatical errors to give each paper a C or worse. Teachers are encouraged to flunk as many students as possible in order for them to pay off their own student loan debt. Good thing it isn’t like that in real life.
Shameless Plug Restaurant of the Week: Casa Borrega serves up authentic Mexican cuisine alongside creative décor, beautiful artwork and a live band on weekend nights. Located at 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Lunch: Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner:Tues- Sat 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Closed Sun & Mon. TEN Gallery +Collective: Check out local artist Ryan Lindburg’s exhibition at TEN Gallery this weekend. Doppelganger, doppelganger: Lindurg’s drawings will be featured in the main gallery until September 28. The gallery is located at 4432 Magazine St., open on Saturday and Sundays from noon- 5 p.m.
WhoDat Nation Parade: In honor of our boys’ first home game, Krewe of O.A.K. is hosting a WhoDat Nation Saint’s Parade on Sunday, September 21. Check out UNO’s Mary Goldie, an Urban Studies PhD student and member of the Organ Grinders dance troop, as she and her fellow Grinders dance from Fulton Alley to the Superdome. The festivities start at 10 a.m. Would you like to shamelessly promote yourself in the next issue? Send your Shameless Plugs to Veronica Mansell at vmansell@ uno.edu