April 21 Issue

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April 21, 2016

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2 First Amendment

April 21, 2016• The Flor-Ala

Congress shall make no law

RESPECTING AN

OR PROHIBITING

OF RELIGION

EXERCISE THEREOF;

ESTABLISHMENT

THE FREE

Majority believers strive to Minority believers experience religious pressure in U.S. respect other beliefs KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

The First Amendment gives U.S. citizens the right to practice their religion without government interference and prevents the establishment of one official religion for the country.

Christians make up 70 percent of the population in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center. In Alabama, 86 percent of the population identify as Christian.

Although Christianity is the dominant religion in the country, Christians do not need to dominate the religious conversation, said assistant professor of religion Carl Gebhardt.

“For Christianity in particular, I think the big challenge of freedom of religion is discovering within ourselves a willingness to allow other people the same elbow room that we desire for ourselves,” Gebhardt said.

Freedom of religion should mean everyone is allowed to express their beliefs about God or lack thereof, Gebhardt said.

“I don’t believe there’s a deity or deities,” said assistant professor of physics and astronomy and adviser of the Secular Student Alliance Melvin Blake.

“There’s not evidence for it. I believe in concrete things that can be demonstrated and proven. That’s not to say that they shouldn’t believe. I think people should believe whatever they want.”

This right means people should be able to speak about their religion freely without being criticized, said senior Kelcey Kostelc.

“Coming from a Christian’s standpoint, I have seen so many people bash on Christianity, that are nonbelievers, because of what they have heard or seen other Christians do, causing them to think that is what it is all about,” Kostelc said. “That’s why it is our jobs, as Christians, to be bold in what we believe and help spread the word to get people closer to God.” Christians sailed across an entire ocean to become closer to God and gain religious freedom, Gebhardt said.

See MAJORITY, page 5

HILLARY TAYLOR I Student Photographer

Lead Pastor of Launch Point Church Shane Swinney preaches from the pulpit.

Launch Point is a non-denominational Christian church in Tuscumbia.

MELISSA PARKER Life Editor life@florala.net

America is becoming what some consider a multicultural mosaic.

One of the ideals that makes Americans different is religious beliefs.

The First Amendment guarantees every person the right to practice his or her religion without interference from the government.

With around 7,000 students on campus, including international students and numerous faculty and staff, finding different religious practices is no surprise.

Not everyone feels others respect their choice of religion.

Though junior Molly Ezell, who practices Taoism, has not had any experiences she considers “bad” at UNA, she said people try to preach to her. “(They) say I’m going to hell, and funny enough, say I’m an atheist since I don’t believe in their god,” she said.

People trying to convert others is an issue, said senior Jinseung Choi.

Choi said he follows the paths of Confucianism and Buddhism.

His beliefs include respect for others and himself, and when others do not respect him and his friends it makes him uncomfortable, he said.

Choi said people at UNA have tried to convert him, and he does not like it.

“Most of the time I try to calm (down) and find inner peace myself,” he said.

Others who practice eastern religions, like Islam, have also experienced ridicule in America.

Islamophobia is also a problem in the U.S., said assistant professor of communications Mohamad Elmasry, in an email.

He said he has experienced problems in the past, but has not had any issues in Alabama or at UNA. “Islamophobia manifests itself in many ways, from the overt and obvious to the subtle and insidious,” he said. “I’ve been heavily profiled, placed on security lists and visited by the FBI. At airports, Customs and Border Patrol officers used to regularly interrogate me, often taking my laptop and copying files and personal photos.”

See MINORITY, page 5

HILLARY TAYLOR I Student Photographer

Howard Zeff stands in front of several Torahs, the Jewish holy text. Rabbi Nancy Tunick uses these to teach at the Temple B’nai Israel in Florence. The temple is one of the few non-Christian places of worship in North Alabama.

FIRST AMENDMENT 3

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH,

Campus voices thoughts on censorship KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

While speech is severely restricted in some countries, the First Amendment protects free speech in the United States.

However, there are some limitations pertaining to indecency and obscenity in speech.

“Well, you just have to be aware of the laws relating to that, but generally the local (laws) determine what is obscene,” said assistant professor of Communications Beth Garfrerick. “You

can spout obscenities in various places, but you just have to be aware of what the local law is.”

Freedom of speech is a basic right, said senior Todd Erickson.

College is an excellent time to begin exercising this right, Garfrerick said.

“You’re finding your voice,” she said. “So, it’s a good time to be able to expound on the voice that you’ve found.”

But when students are learning to speak up about their ideas, they should not forget to allow others to share theirs, too, Garfrerick said.

“You need to hear different ideas,

and then you can evolve,” she said. “As you find your voice, give everyone else a chance to voice their opinions as well.”

It is troubling when students try to suppress others, Garfrerick said.

“My biggest concern about First Amendment issues is students misunderstanding,” she said. “It should be all voices are allowed to be heard. I’m very concerned about students who want to shut down the voice of those who have a different opinion than their own.”

While Americans do have freedom of speech, some try to prevent others from using certain words like “retarded” or

“gay” as insults.

A video .Mic News Media titled “Let’s Flip the Script on the R-Word” addressed the issue of using this word.

Most people are not targeting a specific group when using this word.

Instead they use it to explain something negative that happened or someone who acted foolishly, according to the video.

To read other student opinions on why freedom of speech should have limitations, go to florala.net.

OR OF THE PRESS

US receives low rank for freedom rights ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

Reporters Without Borders publishes The World Press Freedom Index annually, which gives each country a freedom score based on pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework,

Most free

transparency and infrastructure.

The United States places 49th on the list, the lowest its ranked in the history of the index.

American journalists face “government pressure to reveal sources,” according to the site.

To finish reading this story go to florala.net.

Free press rankings

1. Finland 2. Norway 3. Denmark

178. Turkmenistan 179. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 180. Eritrea

▶ Least free

Information and statistics provided by the 2015 World Press Freedom Index design by MICHAEL MEIGS I Graphic Designer information compiled by KALI DANIEL I Editor-in-Chief

4 First Amendment

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE

Students can assemble within limitations JASMINE FLEMING

Managing Editor managing@florala.net

The right to freely assemble covers protesting, and the university has guidelines on the ability of people to do so on campus.

The university’s policy on assembled groups or individuals speaking in protest is outlined on page 49 of the UNA Guide to the Pride Student Handbook and Planner, which is based on the Supreme Court’s free speech policy, said Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields.

Lawful and peaceful demonstration as an expression is permitted at UNA, but occasionally, there may be time, manner or place restrictions on when people can peacefully assemble.

One such restriction would be if speakers or protesters interrupted educational activities or university operations.

“Let’s say some non-members of a class barricaded the door or (were) doing something outside the door preventing students and faculty members to get into their classroom or being so loud (and) disruptive that it interrupted the class,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Tammy Jacques. “That’s not the right time, place or manner.”

However, if students were not disruptive, they could still protest in a classroom, Jacques said.

“If somebody was wearing certain shirts and they sat in the back of the class and were silent, it’s not disruptive because they’re still a part of the class,” she said.

Classroom protest could be an effective way to make a statement if it follows the university’s rules, said sophomore Jerico Garrett.

“As long as (protesters are) not being disruptive in the class, it could work toward (bringing about change),” he said.

Protesters also cannot block anyone from reaching any areas on campus, according to the handbook, and they cannot interfere with the use of any university facilities.

Another restriction is protesters cannot threaten or endanger anyone, and they cannot say things that result in damage or destruction of property.

“If I went (on campus) and I said, ‘I think we should go and burn the Stone Lodge down in protest of parking on campus,’ that would not be protected because you’re inciting people to conduct

KALI DANIEL I Editor-in-Chief

Students, faculty and staff march down Pine Street Dec. 5, 2014, in a Black Lives Matter protest. Speakers or protesters cannot interrupt university operations during their assembly.

violence,” Shields said.

Speakers are also restricted from “hate violence” which is any physical intimidation, harassment, force or threat of a person or group for reasons such as ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Speakers or protesters have not always had the right to gather freely on campus, Shields said.

“Years ago, universities created what they called (speech) zones, or free (speech) zones,” he said. “It was designated as the place where people could go, sort of like a soapbox. You can get up and just talk and do your thing.

“Well, what a lot of universities did is, they said, ‘OK, our free speech area is way over here in that back parking

”

As long as (protesters are) not being disruptive in the class, it could work toward (bringing about change).

Jerico Garrett Sophomore

lot. That’s where you’re allowed to talk.

And, the Supreme Court ruled that you can’t do that.’”

Before UNA was a walking campus there was a free speech zone in front of the Guillot University Center, Shields said.

Shields said he has never known anyone to break the free speech policy, but students have come close when interacting with the open-air preacher who visits the university. Regardless of the message, students who threaten a speaker will be in violation of the policy, he said.

Freshman Alex Harris said she saw students yelling at the preacher this year, and she did not agree with them gathering to engage him.

“But, I understood what they were protesting about because people have different views on religion,” she said.

Shields said the best way for students to handle a protester or speaker they do not agree with is to “change the channel.

Walk away.”

First Amendment 5

April 21, 2016• The Flor-Ala

AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES. Campus organizations exercise right to petition JONATHAN SLATTON Student Writer jslatton@una.edu

U.S. citizens have the freedom to petition, and the campus community put this right into action.

Campus organizations such as the Black Student Alliance and the Center for Women’s Studies voice their concerns over inequalities by petitioning issues.

“The right to petition is the right to ask for what you need and the right to ask for your rights, and ensure that you get them,” said Coordinator of the Center for Women’s Studies Emily Kelley.

The right to petition allows people to speak out against the government, said junior Anna Luttrell.

”

The right to petition is the right to

ask for what you need and the right to ask for your rights, and ensure

that you get them.

Emily Kelley

Coordinator, Center for Women’s Studies

“(The right to petition) is a protection where we see if there is something wrong with the government,” Luttrell said. “We can say, ‘Hey, I don’t like that’ and hold the government accountable. It is just a good system for everyone involved because our officials also know what the people want.”

The Center for Women’s Studies regularly holds demonstrations against many issues, Luttrell said.

“The women’s center has protested things in the past such as violence which we protest with our Take Back the Night event, and we are currently protesting the gender wage gap,” Luttrell said.

In the U.S., a woman earns 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, Kelley said.

“The wage gap is larger in Alabama than the national average,” Kelley said.

“In the North, the wage gap is more narrow than the South or Midwest.”

The Black Student Alliance rallies around poverty, race and socioeconomic issues, said Director of Diversity and Institutional Equality and Black Student Alliance Joan Williams. “(The Black Student Alliance) feel that students should and people should have a voice, lend their voice and unite to bring about positive change,” Williams said.

A unified voice is more powerful,

MAJORITY, continued from page 2 But Christians did not seek this religious freedom for others in the Americas, Gebhardt said.

While Blake does not practice a religion, he said he believes others should have the right to practice theirs uninterrupted.

“People have a right to have their church, go to church, enjoy the communal aspect of that without anyone stopping them,” Blake said. “We shouldn’t be shutting down churches either. No one should be allowed to take their beliefs away from them either.”

But maybe Christians should allow others to claim their religious space, too, Gebhardt said.

“I think the first big problem Christians have in the United States is that Christians have always had first place for so long that any time we have to share the stage we feel like we’re being deprived,” he said.

However, the same is probably true for other countries where the dominant religious has to share the stage with other religions, Gebhardt said. “(Freedom of religion) means that

I am free to pray in public without question from authorities,” said senior Cole Richards. “It means I can openly carry around my Bible on campus. It means that those of other faiths can openly and freely express their beliefs and rituals without oppression.”

There are times when Richards said he does not feel comfortable showing others he is a Christian.

“I don’t understand why Christianity always seems to take the worst heat from the media,” he said. “You almost never see any other religions being bashed and mocked in the media today.”

Since moving to Alabama, Blake said he experienced ridicule from others based on his lack of belief.

One person even said his study of astronomy was “doing the work of the devil,” he said.

The campus is accepting of the alliance, said president and junior Christopher Jackson.

To read the rest of this story go to florala.net.

Williams said.

The Student Government Association also frequently exercises the freedom to petition.

SGA President-elect Sarah Green said she believes the First Amendment rights are important to the nation as a whole.

“As the elect, (freedom to petition) is important because I know that I can speak freely on behalf of the student body so that they can be best represented,” Green said. “As an American, it’s kind of humbling to realize that we are granted these rights, but not everyone in the world is.”

Students on campus have the right to petition at UNA, said SGA Vice President-elect of Senate Tyler Delano.

“The United States is built on democracy, and the people ultimately hold the power to vote for whomever to represent them,” Delano said. “The same goes from a student government standpoint. If students are unhappy with something, they reserve the right to petition for change.”

To read the rest of this story go to florala.net.

The Flor-Ala File Photo

Students decorated shirts in honor of Take Back the Night October 2015. The Center for Women’s Studies and University Residences sponsor this event to protest domestic and sexual violence.

MINORITY, continued from page 2 “I had to spend years and thousands of dollars to get myself removed from whatever lists I was on,” Elmasry said.

Though professor of Management Santanu Borah practices more of a way of life than a standard religion, he did grow up in a family that somewhat practiced Hinduism, while he attended a Catholic school, he said.

“We grew up in a multitude of beliefs that you cannot associate with a particular religion,” Borah said.

Every morning, students in the Catholic school would recite the Lord’s Prayer without putting emphasis on one deity, he said.

“We looked at our Father who art in heaven as being like someone who is at the top,” he said. “It didn’t matter whether you called him Jesus Christ or a Hindu god. So that is the kind of belief we had from day one. There is no one path for salvation.”

Borah said he has not experienced any problems while living here.

He said he has lived here for more than 24 years and has only been asked a few times what religion he is and if he

attends church.

“I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve,” he said. “I have not seen anything that I would say is overly hurting my religious sentiments, or anything like that.”

Borah said he does not remember a time when UNA’s administration was not accepting of students’ various religions.

“At one point in time, we had about 350 students from India,” he said. “Many of them were born into a Hindu family, so they were raised as Hindus. We celebrated different festivals on campus.

Whatever requests we have put in have been honored.”

It is important for people to understand everyone comes from varied backgrounds, and one person’s beliefs are not superior to another’s, he said.

“We have come through life in very different ways,” Borah said. “Our values and belief systems that we hold are shaped by our experiences, and that may not necessarily be entirely in the garb of religion.”

6 First Amendment

April 21, 2016• The Flor-Ala

Viewpoints 7

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Everyone plays part in protecting planet FLOR - ALA The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kali Daniel

MANAGING EDITOR Jasmine Fleming NEWS EDITOR Anna Beahm ASSOCIATE news EDITOR Kaitlyn Davis LIFE EDITOR Melissa Parker ASSOCIATE LIFE EDITOR Monday Sanderson SPORTS EDITOR Mike Ezekiel ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Justin Jefferies ONLINE EDITOR Emily Kazungu ASSOCIATE ONLINE EDITOR Madi Winkler BUSINESS MANAGER Jordan Byrd GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Peyton Lawler Michael Meigs Kelsey Weathers JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS David San Miguel Jacqueline Willis CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Kaitlin Douglass

JASMINE FLEMING

Managing Editor managing@florala.net

A few weeks ago, Life Editor Melissa Parker asked my opinion on running an “Earth Day” special section in this issue of The FlorAla, and at the time, I was a little apprehensive about the concept.

My first thought was, is there enough information about Earth Day to fill the Life section? As someone who doesn’t put much energy into protecting the environment, I did not know how much other students did, either.

ADVISER Scott Morris

Content is determined by the student editorial staff of The Flor-Ala and has not been approved by the university.

Corrections The staff strives to maintain the integrity of The Flor-Ala through accurate and honest reporting. To report an error, call 256-765-4364 or email editor@florala. net.

Letters Policy Letters to the editor should be emailed to editor@florala.net or mailed to: The Flor-Ala UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 Letters must include name and telephone number for verification. Please limit letters to 400 words. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

I also learned Earth Day Network encourages people to discontinue use of fossil fuels, which include coal, oil and natural gas, according to Environmental and Energy Study Institute.

Fossil fuels are currently the world’s primary energy source, according to the institute, but using them raises greenhouse gas emissions, which negatively affects the planet’s climate.

Individually, we can reduce the use of these fossil fuels by turning off electrical equipment when we aren’t using it, buying equipment that uses less electricity and driving less by carpooling or biking, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

From researching Earth Day on my own, I realized that I may not have known much to begin with, but I also learned I don’t have to

make monumental changes on my own. If everyone makes small changes to be more environmentally conscience, we can have a huge effect on our planet.

Luckily, not everyone is as clueless as I was. In the Man on the Street (p. 11) I learned small ways many students protect the environment, and many of them I can do as well.

Hopefully, this special section helps everyone realize the roles we play in keeping the planet healthy. Also, I encourage others to attend the UNA Earth Day Fair 2016 (p.

9) to learn more about even bigger steps and outreach we can implement in our own lives or share with others.

Even small changes now will have a large impact on those who inhabit the planet long after we are gone.

Ignoring comfort zone important for growth

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Amandalyn Dorner Shay Redd Jackson Townsend

Editorial Policy

Although I do not go out of my way to poorly impact the environment, the extent of my care is recycling in The Flor-Ala’s office and using a reusable water bottle. But, the Earth Day section made me contemplate what I could do to have more of a positive impact on our environment.

In researching Earth Day, I discovered that the movement has been around since 1970, according to earthday.org. I also saw that the Earth Day Network encourages people to help the environment by outlining specific goals people can help them achieve.

Their website encourages people to plant trees as part of their Earth Day celebration.

Planting trees has many positive benefits, including combating climate change, cleaning the air, providing oxygen and preventing soil erosion, according to the organization Tree People.

JUSTIN JEFFERIES

Associate Sports Editor sports@florala.net

As my time as an undergraduate at UNA winds down, I reflect back on my insecurities and reservations I had as a freshman. Not only was I the worst public speaker in the entire Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, but I also ranked near the bottom in writing.

As I became more comfortable with my professors, I opened up to new ideas and ways of learning.

Being young and overly exuberant, I had previously rejected any method of learning I deemed “unhelpful.”

As I developed as a student and matured as a professional, I began to understand the underlying issue of what college is about. The History of Western Civilization and Pre-Calculus Algebra classes are not part of the curriculum in order to waste our time and money.

They were put into place in order for us to open our minds to new ideas and adaptations of how we should approach our future career.

Fast forward to early March of this year. My former youth league basketball standout player and protégé “Magic” Mike Ezekiel casually mentioned to me the idea of becoming the new sports editor for The Flor-Ala. Having stressed over even the simplest of writing assignments previously, I did not give the idea much thought.

In 2007 when I coached Mike, I was sure that coaching basketball would be my career, and writing or journalism was

the last thing on my mind.

However, I quickly reminded myself not to dismiss opportunities over the fear of being uncomfortable. I have changed, and I want to be an example for future students with self-doubt. Trying new things and falling short is not the same thing as failure.

As a huge comic book fan and collector, I referred back to my youngest days of watching my favorite super heroes take down the bad guys.

Even at 27 years old, I catch myself thinking about the strategies and characteristics these heroes possessed that caught my attention.

After many years of not taking risks and closing my mind to new and unique ideas, I turned to the wisdom and perseverance of these heroes for guidance on my collegiate experience.

One of my favorite movie quotes of all time is Mr. Wayne reminding a young Bruce the importance of falling.

“Why do we fall down,

Bruce?”

Bruce reluctantly replies, “So we can get back up.”

The power behind those words inspired me to dig deeper and explore the idea of writing without fear of failure.

I don’t focus on how many times I mess up, but rather turn my attention to how I can make a difference.

I encourage all those who have reservations and those who question new concepts to open their minds and be willing to try new things. Just because you have a set plan does not mean you should close off different ideas.

Christian Bale’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne in “Batman Begins” became a motto for me to live by.

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me,” he said.

Try a new drink, join a new club and do things the 40-yearold version of you will not be able to do. Do not accept your destiny. Alter it.

Congratulations to our Writer and Photographer of the Week!

Jonathan Slatton

&

Amandalyn Dorner

8 Images

▶

n E

e c n a Fr

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Art and culture

Visitors surround the Louvre Museum in Paris May 2015. Students from UNA were able to see art, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, while studying abroad in France.

HILLARY TAYLOR

Staff Photographer htaylor1@una.edu

As someone who has lived in Alabama all of my life, I had always wanted to venture out to see what the world was like outside of Florence. Last spring, I had the opportunity to study abroad in France, and the days I spent roaming Paris were some of the best of my life. If you are a student who is interested in visiting France but is on the fence about taking the trip, there are a few reasons why you should go for it.

First, UNA offers scholarships to help you pay for the trip. The cost of

traveling to another country holds many students back while they are in college.

The plane ticket alone can cost almost $1,000. Luckily for UNA students, there are scholarships available that can cover many of those expenses. That leaves you with more money to spend on souvenirs.

Next, you can earn college credit during your travels. UNA often offers several classes through study abroad programs. While visiting France, you can take IE 499, which is an intercultural experience class intended to teach you about the differences between American and French culture. There is also a class that teaches you about the art and history of France before you experience it. It is a

fun way to boost your GPA. Also, it is an easy way to visit a foreign country. Visiting a country with a different primary language can be intimidating. Associate professor of Foreign Languages Keith Lindley is the instructor that accompanies the students, and he might as well be French. It’s comforting to have a guide through the country who knows the city, culture and language. You do not have to worry about getting lost, and you do not have to know a word of French to enjoy your trip. The more populated areas of Paris speak English.

Lastly, it’s an enlightening way to expand your world view. We share a

planet with millions of other people — people who come from different walks of life, with their own language, culture and history. It is important as citizens of this world that we appreciate these cultures, despite how vastly different they are from our own. There is no better way to appreciate these differences than to experience them for yourself. Things change once you leave Florence.

For more information about studying abroad in France, or if you’re interested in visiting another country via the UNA study abroad program, you can visit una.edu/foreign-languages/.

▶

History

Citizens and visitors alike walk beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The arch was built in the 19th century to commemorate fallen soldiers.

▶

Bones

Skulls of Parisians lay beneath the streets of Paris in the ancient catacombs.

These bones, which the city was built on, have been there for centuries.

Life 9

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Photo courtesy of the Outdoor Adventure Center Facebook Page

A group of kayakers from the Outdoor Adventure Center paddle down Cypress Creek. The OAC and the Department of Communications will host the UNA Earth Day event April 22. “(This event is) a coordinated effort to help save the planet,” said Coordinator of the OAC Patrick Shremshock. “If we can help change a behavior for the positive, then one person at a time we can make a difference.”

Support for Earth Day event increases MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

April 22 marks the 46th international Earth Day and the second Earth Day at UNA. The Outdoor Adventure Center and the Department of Communications are working together to provide an opportunity for students and community members to learn more about environmental issues.

The Department of Communications wants to show why Earth Day is important to everybody, said Interim Department Chair of Communications Jason Flynn. “(Some might ask), ‘Why does (the) Communications Department care?’” he said.

“We understand why the (science departments) cares about the Earth, but we want to show that we do, too. It’s

important to show that we’re coming together for this cause.”

It is a one-day event with the main attraction happening at night, said Administrative Assistant Jeanne Baughman.

The fair, which is free and open to the public, starts at 6 p.m. Rachel Wammack and David Walton will perform. The “Southern Exposure” film will start at 7 p.m.

The event started as a platform for a documentary series on environmental issues, said Coordinator of the OAC Patrick Shremshock.

“Our feature for the event is the Environmental Law Center’s program called ‘Southern Exposure,’ which is a film documentary series,” he said.

“The program is for students from all over the country. They can apply for this grant award (and), if they are awarded the grant, they come to Alabama for a summer, and they write

(a) script. They develop a whole movie from ground up.”

Baughman said Student Engagement will host a service project from 3-5 p.m. at Wildwood Park where students will clean up litter. Local musician David Walton will also perform children environmental songs at Kilby Laboratory School in the afternoon.

It is exciting that they are offering a volunteering opportunity, said junior Mai Currott.

“I support Earth Day, and I enjoy volunteering when I can,” she said. “I think this will be a lot of fun.”

Shremshock said he estimated that 60 people showed up for the event last year.

“We wanted to make it bigger and better than it was, and this time, try to invite more departments around the university to join (in) if they wished,” he said.

”

This event is not going to fix the planet or change everybody’s behavior, but the importance is that we are showing, as a community, that we care, and it’s something worth paying

attention to.

Jason Flynn

Interim Department Chair of Communications Baughman said their event has grown since last year. They now have 11 sponsors and 16 supporters.

“Most supporters don’t have money to give, but they want to be here, and they want to be involved,” she said. “Their

members are invited to attend if they like, and so that will help us get the word out to people in the community.”

Currott said she discovered the event through UNA emails and Facebook.

Shremshock said people should come to meet others interested in environmental issues. “(This event is) a coordinated effort to help save the planet,” he said. “If we can help change a behavior for the positive, then one person at a time we can make a difference.”

Flynn said this change will not happen in a day.

“This event is not going to fix the planet or change everybody’s behavior, but the importance is that we are showing, as a community, that we care, and it’s something worth paying attention to,” he said.

10 Life

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

MELISSA PARKER I Life Editor

An empty beer can litters the ground at Wildwood Park. “Wildwood is an underdeveloped resource that many don’t know about,” said Outdoor Adventure Center Coordinator Patrick Shremshock. “If we don’t take care of it, it will be pushed to the side, and that’s not what we want.”

Students, staff work together to clean park ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

The Office of Student Engagement is providing students and staff the chance to be active in protecting the earth through the cleaning of Wildwood Park April 22.

The cleanup is part of the Make Your Mark campaign. Senior Kayla Land created the campaign, which focuses on community service and volunteering events every month, said Assistant Director of Student Engagement Bethany Green, who focuses on leadership and volunteerism.

“Make Your Mark is a program I created with the Contribution to Campus Life for Service Scholarship,” she said in an email. “In the year before I had received the scholarship, I noticed Service Saturday’s had very low participation and they were done away with. I decided

to create a new program that would provide new and fun opportunities for the students to serve their community, and the Make Your Mark program was born.”

The campaign worked with Heart of Alabama. Save. Rescue. Adopt. in February and with Kiwanis Club in March, she said.

“In celebration of Earth Day and kind of keeping with the theme, we’re going to walk (to the parking area at Wildwood Park),” Green said.

If anyone wants to bike, skateboard, roller skate or drive, they can meet the group at the park by 3 p.m.

The group will clean the area around Wildwood Park and Cypress Creek from 3 to 5 p.m.

Green said the cleanup will also help the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation with their annual trail run, the Bad Kitty Trail City 10k run, April 23.

“They’ll be with us, and we’ll have some of our volunteers help them mark trails, clean stuff up and that kind of thing,” she said. “So, it actually worked out really well this year.”

MELISSA PARKER

Department Brenda Webb. “The nutrients will enhance whatever you’re growing.”

English professor Leslie Peterson has composted most of her life.

“There’s a saying, ‘Compost happens,’” she said.

Growing up in Canada, she and her family lived near a plant that processed cocoa beans into chocolate, she said.

“My mother used to get the cocoa bean hulls that were left over from the processing and spread them as compost and mulch on the garden,” she said. “My garden always smelled like cocoa. Right from a pretty early age, I understood that organic gardening was the way to go.”

There are numerous ways to compost, Peterson said. She adds her scraps to a pile in her yard.

“I don’t think it’s necessary (to use containers),” Webb said. “I think students might think that they have to, and that might be prohibitive from a cost (viewpoint). Students are always thinking cost. Piles work.”

Photo courtesy of Ashlin Gean

The trails are my happy place, and seeing trash takes away from that experience somewhat.

Eric O’Neal

Assistant Professor, Health, Physical Education and Recreation The trails in Wildwood Park are usually litter-free, but there is litter in

To learn more about the cleanup event, visit florala.net.

Composting gives new use for old waste Life Editor life@florala.net

Earthworms help the composting process. “The worms are the most important part,” said junior Ashlin Gean.

”

the ditches along the road, said HPER assistant professor Eric O’Neal in an email.

O’Neal coordinates the race, which runs through the trails, he said. He is a runner and trains on the trails in his free time.

“The park is therapeutic to me,” O’Neal said. “The trails are my happy place, and seeing trash takes away from that experience somewhat.

“We conduct two trail races every year. During those events hundreds of people, most from out of town, come and visit the park. Clean parks make local people want to use the trail more and encourages visitors to come back to run again.”

“She is so trashy.” No, it is not the latest celebrity everyone is talking about.

It is our planet, Mother Earth.

The U.S. has around 3,100 active landfills and over 10,000 inactive municipal landfills, according to the United States Environment Protection Agency.

Food scraps and yard waste are 20 to 30 percent of what humans throw away, and composting is one way to reduce that number, according to the EPA website.

Composting involves adding food scraps like eggshells, fruit and vegetable peels, coffee and similar items to a pile, special container or even just a hole in the yard. Heat and air help these items break down and eventually become soil perfect for gardens or planters.

“It’s a very rich soil,” said Department Chair of the Physics and Earth Science

Fresh food scraps like banana peels, eggshells, grains and other fruits and vegetables go into compost, said junior Ashlin Gean, who lives off campus.

Gean said she started a garden last summer and read about composting online.

“I was looking for ways to help the environment,” she said. “I found out composting was like free fertilizer.”

She puts her scraps into a hole in the ground, she said.

“I like that best because that way all the little critters get to come in and work on it for you,” she said. “The worms are the most important part.”

It is important to keep the compost far enough away from living quarters so rodents do not become a problem, Webb said. For students living on campus, this might be an issue.

To learn more about composting, visit florala.net.

Life 11

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

What do you do to protect the environment? ”

I rip (six-pack rings) apart before I

”

were to be thrown away improperly, then

I use a (bottle-filling water fountain) to refill my bottle instead of buying (nonreusable) water bottles.

Nicholas Smith

Jonathon Mason

throw them in the garbage because if they

they would float in the ocean.

Sophomore

”

I try not to take a shower too long, and I try not to run the water while I brush my teeth.

Taj Tiggs Freshman

Information compiled by Managing Editor Jasmine Fleming

”

There’s an eco-friendly button (in my car), and I usually have that on while I’m driving.

”

Dalaney Roberts

”

I plant trees at my house. (I have planted) about 10 to 20.

Kinjal Patel

Junior

Freshman

”

I’ll stop if I see trash sometimes and pick it up.

Freshman

”

I ride my bike to reduce pollution.

I used to unplug my (phone) charger (and printer), but I don’t do that anymore.

You’re supposed to keep them unplugged, supposedly.

Kenson Remy

Brittany Leach

Audrieauna Beatty

Junior

Sophomore

AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

Senior

design by MICHAEL MEIGS I Graphic Designer

Environmentally safe cleaning product better overall MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

In order to see if I could still protect the Earth while also having a clean room, I did a comparison between a harsh cleaning product and an environmentally friendly one.

To test these two cleaning supplies, I taped off an area on my desk and made a mess that I knew would not be permanent.

I used a Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red flavor pack to create the mess, which is a common item I use.

To test out the effectiveness, I sprayed the stained area six times with each product and let it sit for one minute each during the two rounds.

Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner - $2.88 When shopping for products, I always look at the price first and then the name.

I expected this to be more expensive because it is a name-brand product.

While it was more expensive than some of the products I saw, it was still a decent price.

There were two versions of this

product available, but I decided to go with the lemon fresh version. I thought the other one would smell like chemicals, so I went with the one that might cover that scent. However, once I did use the product, the lingering scent made me sneeze.

The first time I used this product, the spray immediately cut through the stain. I could see the effects even before the minute was over. When I sprayed it the second time, through, it removed a majority of the stain. While there was still a slight redness, it was mostly gone.

Evolve Multi-Clean - $2.28 I noticed the price first when it came to this product. Normally, when people talk about environmentally friendly or healthy products, they tend to be more expensive than items that are bad for the environment. This was one of the cheaper cleaning sprays, and I was pleasantly surprised.

This spray has no scent added to it, so I did not know what it would smell like.

Unlike other products, which use harsher chemicals, there was no underlying chemical scent. It did not even smell like water. This product is great for people

who have allergies or sensitive noses.

When I first used this spray, it made the stain lighter than before. While it did not cut through like the 409 did, it still lifted some of the stain. When I sprayed it for the second time, there was no difference. It still looked as if I only sprayed it for those first six times. This only worked effectively after several applications.

Winner The overall winner is Evolve MultiClean. Not only can people buy it at a cheap price, but also it is great for everyday use. While it does not get the job done as quickly as Formula 409, it is safer for pets and humans. Students should only use Formula 409 if they come across a deep stain they need to remove immediately or an old stain.

MONDAY SANDERSON I Associate Life Editor

The results of two rounds of cleaning on a desk in Rice Hall. Evolve Multi-Clean is the better option for everyday cleaning. However, it takes longer than Formula 409.

12 Sports

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Scoreboard April 13-17 April 13 Baseball vs. Montevallo 8-2 Loss

April 14 Men’s Tennis vs. Lee 5-0 Win Women’s Tennis vs. UAH 5-3 Loss

April 15 Men’s Tennis vs. Valdosta State 5-0 Loss

April 16 Baseball vs. Union (DH) 8-0 Loss, 7-1 Win Softball vs Union (DH) 11-0 Win, 9-0 Win

April 17 Baseball vs. Union 9-6 Loss Softball vs. Union 10-0 Win

Upcoming Baseball

April 23-24 at Christian Bros.

April 26 vs. Trevecca Nazarene April 30-May 1 vs Valdosta State

Softball April 23-24 at Christian Bros.

April 28-30 GSC Tournament

Track April 21-23 GSC Tournament Clinton, Mississippi Games continued at roarlions.com

SHAY REDD I Staff Photographer

Sophomore guard KeKe Gunter takes notes before a class in Flowers Hall April 14. Gunter, a member of the women’s basketball team, maintained a 4.0 GPA as a student-athlete this year.

Athletes work to maintain high grades XAVIER WHERRY Student Writer xwherry@una.edu

The pressure for athletes to excel in a certain sport, along with achieving success in the classroom, can pose a challenge for some.

With the UNA Athletics motto being “Graduating Champions,” the department desires seeing their studentathletes successful not only in their field of play, but also in the classroom, said Compliance Director Todd Vardaman.

“I feel like we make a conscious effort to help (athletes) in any way they need,” Vardaman said. “Along with the coaching staff and administration, it’s great to see support from the institution as well with the programs the university has in place, such as the (academic) success center.”

Vardaman released the combined GPAs of each team on campus and posted it on

his office door for each sport to track its success. The GPAs ranged from 2.58 to 3.44.

The women’s tennis team earned the highest GPA, followed by the women’s crosscountry team, which totaled a 3.43. The football team, who has over 100 members to account for, rounded out the bottom with the 2.58 GPA. For some teams, attending a weekly study hall is mandatory, Vardaman said.

As of this year, freshmen student-athletes on the Division II level must maintain a 1.8 GPA, sophomores a 1.9 and juniors and seniors must have a 2.0 to participate, according to the NCAA website. In 2018, the NCAA will require all studentathletes to have a 2.0 GPA, and transfers will need at least a 2.2.

Many athletes utilize their resources, which include study hall and help from more experienced teammates, said sophomore KeKe Gunter, a member of the women’s

basketball team who has a 4.0 GPA. “If any of my teammates need help, they know they can come to me,” Gunter said.

Vardaman said he notices some students do not mind receiving leadership from teammates who have “walked the walk” before.

“While talking to students, I realize they respond better to another teammate who has been through the trenches and knows what success is like on and off the field,” he said.

Gunter, who majors in criminal justice and is a member of the honors program, has had success in the classroom dating back to her pre-college days.

“In high school, I had a 4.3 (GPA),” she said. “I have an athletic scholarship here and an outside academic scholarship.”

Gunter said her advice for struggling students it to avoid procrastination.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

Combined GPAs of each sport: Women’s Tennis: 3.44 Women’s XC: 3.43 Volleyball: 3.41 Softball: 3.40 Women’s BB: 3.34 Soccer: 3.29 Men’s Tennis: 3.27 Baseball: 3.11 Men’s XC: 2.99 Men’s BB: 2.94 Golf: 2.91 Football: 2.58

Cheerleading team places fourth in Nationals MIKE EZEKIEL

Sports Editor sports@florala.net

For the first time since 2009, the UNA cheerleading team competed in a national competition, finishing in the top five.

UNA competed with 11 schools in the National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Championship Finals in Daytona Beach, Florida, April 8. After knocking off eight other teams on the first day, the Lions brought home a fourth place

finish with an 85.50 score.

“A lot of our team has never been on a competition mat before,” said junior Halie Carpenter. “Just the experience going down there was a big experience. It was very overwhelming, and we handled it very well.”

The team competed in the Intermediate All-Girl Division II category, where the University of Central Oklahoma earned first place with 87.30. Alma College finished second with 86.80, and California University of Pennsylvania edged out the

Lions in third place with 85.83.

The Lions were happy with a fourth place finish, considering it was the first competition in six years, said sophomore Eria Jackson.

“A lot of those teams have competed year after year,” Jackson said. “So us going in for that first year and placing up there with the top teams was really like an accomplishment for us.”

While preparing for the competition, the team cheered for the football and basketball teams during home games.

Balancing the sports with learning the competition routine was tough, said junior Alex Annett.

“We focused mainly on the sports teams during August through December,” Annett said.

“Then, in January, we learned our routine while we were still focused on basketball. From January to now, it was nonstop.”

For the team’s lone senior, Natalie Flanagan, a lot has changed for the cheer team in the last few years.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

SPORTS 13

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

High school rivals become teammates JUSTIN JEFFERIES

Associate Sports Editor sports@florala.net

The UNA softball team is in the midst of their most successful season in program history. With one more weekend series remaining before the conference tournament, team chemistry is necessary.

For two UNA players, that chemistry has not always been easy.

Senior third baseman Harlie Barkley and sophomore outfielder Bailey Nelson were previously high school rivals.

Nelson was a member of the

Central High School softball team until 2014, and Barkley was a standout at rival Wilson High School until 2012.

A short 10.5-mile drive separates the two county high schools in Florence.

Many softball followers know both teams for having exceptional softball programs.

“I didn’t like Wilson,” Nelson said. “I hated Wilson. It wasn’t the girls. It was just the place.”

Barkley said her hatred came from watching

Central defeat her school since her elementary school years.

“It seemed like Central just beat us all the time, so that’s why growing up I never liked them,” Barkley said.

Based on a conversation between the two, Barkley is quick to point out her reasoning for the rivalry.

“Y’all were cocky,” Barkley said to Nelson about Central High School.

Nelson, baffled by Barkley’s remarks, said there was a difference in “cockiness and confidence.”

“Yeah, you were cocky,” Barkley said.

It didn’t take long for the two to learn to coexist, as each decided to sign with the Lions after their senior

”

HARLIE IS THE DEFINITION OF A STUDENTATHLETE. I CANʼT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HER

BOTH OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY AND HOW

IMPORTANT SHE IS TO THIS TEAM.

(NELSON) HAS COMPLETELY JUST BEEN A TABLE-SETTER FOR US.

ASHLEY COZART

UNA SOFTBALL COACH

seasons.

After graduating high school, Barkley said she chose UNA over Columbia State because she wanted to stay close to home.

Two years later, Nelson faced the same decision and chose to stay in Florence as well. She credits Barkley for helping her make that decision.

“Since she was a local girl, and I am a local girl, it kind of made me think it was possible to come here,” Nelson said.

In their second year as teammates, the two have helped the UNA softball program (43-5, 27-3 Gulf South Conference) break the single season record for wins. Nelson is hitting .388, which is the third highest average among the starters for the team. Barkley is hitting .356 on the season and is second on the team in doubles with 16.

UNA head softball coach Ashley Cozart says regardless of their past, she is thrilled to have them both on her team.

“Harlie is the definition of a student athlete,” Cozart said. “I can’t say enough about her both offensively and defensively and how important she is to this team.”

Cozart said the transition Nelson has made from her freshman to sophomore year is impressive. “(Nelson) has completely just been a table-setter for us,” Cozart said. “She’s really matured and become a huge part of our team.”

Both players said they have developed a great friendship in their time at UNA, but there is still a good bit of joking between the two players about their former rivalry.

“We hang out every day,” Barkley said. “But we still joke about (the rivalry).”

Nelson said she no longer views Barkley as a rival, but rather someone she admires.

“Harlie is such a hard worker,” she said. “She is very good about staying positive, and I really look up to her in that way.”

Nelson, Barkley and the Lions hope to knock off a conference rival, Christian Brothers, to close the regular season April 23-24. UNA will then host the GSC tournament April 28-30 at the UNA softball complex.

MELANIE HODGES I Student Photographer

Senior Harlie Barkley (left) and sophomore Bailey Nelson reflect on their former high school rivalry at the UNA softball complex. Nelson, from Central High School, and Barkley, from Wilson High School, became teammates in 2014 after an intense cross-town rivalry dating back to 2010.

14 Sports

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

EXTRA 15

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Thurs., April 21 1:30 p.m.

UNA Opera/Musical Theatre: Into the Woods Norton Auditorium 3:30 — 5:15 p.m.

SGA Sentate Meeting GUC 200 4 — 5:30 p.m.

Circle K Meetings Stone Lodge (Lower) 6:30 — 8:30 p.m.

CJSA Meeting Stone Lodge (Lower) 7 — 11 p.m.

Wesley - Sundown Coffee 2 UNA Wesley Foundation

Fri., April 22 EARTH DAY

photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

Leo III and Una gaze from their 12,764-square foot state-of-the-art home. The campus and community will celebrate the lions’ 13th birthday April 22.

1 — 9 p.m.

UNA Earth Day Fair Department of Communications Building 3 p.m.

Leadership & Volunteerism - Make You Mark: Earth Day Service Project Wildwood Park 7:30 p.m.

UNA Opera/Musical Theatre: Into the Woods Norton Auditorium

Sat., April 23 10 a.m.

Leo III and Una’s 13th Birthday Party Lion Habitat 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.

Passport to the World Memorial Amphitheater

8 — 9:30 p.m.

ENCOUNTER Stone Lodge (Upper)

Mon., April 25 5 — 6 p.m.

College Democrats Meeting Commons 307

6 — 8 p.m.

Big Man on Campus GUC Performance Center

Wed., April 27

9:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.

6:30 — 8:30 p.m.

University Awards Gala Secular Student Alliance GUC Banquet Halls GUC Atrium 8 — 10 p.m.

Fellowship of Christian 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.

Athletes These Hands Don’t Commons 307 Hurt GUC Atrium

Tues., April 26

10 — 11:45 a.m.

10 a.m. — 1 p.m.

5k Camo Run Harrison These Hands Don’t Plaza Entrance Hurt Sun., April 24 GUC Atrium 2 p.m.

UNA Opera/Musical Theatre: Into the Woods Norton Auditorium

5 p.m.

Baseball vs. Trevecca Nazarene Mike D. Lane Field

4:30 — 5:30 HSO Stone Lodge (Upper)

4:30 — 6 p.m.

SAFE meeting Stone Lodge (Upper) 6 — 7 p.m.

JUMP! Stone Lodge (Upper) 8 — 9:30 p.m.

ENCOUNTER Stone Lodge (Upper)

16 EXTRA

SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

April 21, 2016 • The Flor-Ala