Back Scho to ol Sect i on
Aug. 20, 2015
Volume 84, Issue 1
www.FlorAla.net
B
Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama
Summer changes include faculty, facilities
UPDATE
KALI DANIEL
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Summer brought both endings and beginnings on campus as UNA hired campus officials and deans and opened new buildings. Effective July 1, Kevin L. Gillilan became UNA’s chief of police. Gillilan was police chief at the University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg Campus before taking the job at UNA. “His strong background in both areas of university and municipal police work offers unique experience and skills that will serve us well,� said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields. With the retirement of Dean of the College of Nursing Birdie Bailey May 31, UNA named Vicki Pierce dean of nursing effective June 8. Pierce was previously associate dean and chair of the Department of Nursing-Traditional. “She has a strong value system and the faculty, staff and clinicians were very supportive of her,� said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Carmen Burkhalter. UNA named Gabe Poe
defensive line coach Aug. 5. Poe replaces Harold Wisdom, who recently accepted the defensive coordinator position at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. Poe is a former All-Gulf South Conference honors recipient, former UNA linebacker and former UNA defensive graduate assistant. “Gabe is considered an alum like Coach (Blake) Farris,� said defensive coordinator Chris Willis. “Both of those guys had success playing here and are now coaching here, which is good to have.� In addition to three new hires, two prominent campus members left UNA this summer. Kim Mauldin, former director of admissions, retired effective June 30. “After living through 20 fall registrations in this position, I felt it was time to pass the torch and let someone else bear that responsibility,� she said. Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Vince Brewton said the admissions office will greatly miss Mauldin. “We probably won’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone,� Brewton said.
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SUMMER RECAP • • • •
• •
photo courtesy of Shannon Wells
Freshman Anna Long moves into Mattielou Hall Aug. 14. Along with the freshman-only residence hall, the Science and Technology building opened for faculty and staff to move in this summer.
INSIDE
this week’s paper
NEWS . . . . . . . . 2A VIEWPOINTS . . . . 4A LIFE . . . . . . . . . 5A
SPORTS . . . . . . . 7A SPECIAL . . . . . . . 1B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B
• • •
KEVIN GILLILAN NAMED CHIEF OF POLICE VICKI PIERCE NAMED DEAN OF COLLEGE OF NURSING GABE POE NAMED DEFENSIVE LINE COACH RETIREMENT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS KIM MAULDIN GREG PITTS RESIGNS AS CHAIR OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING OPENED FOR MOVE IN APRIL 30 MATTIELOU HALL OPENED AUG. 14 LAGRANGE HALL OPENED FOR OVERFLOW JUNIOR JESSICA ANN SMITH AND UNA PD ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT LAURA REESE DIED
LION NIGHT PREVIEW ...5A
Please recycle your paper.
2A NEWS
Aug. 20, 2015• The Flor-Ala
FACILITIES
Bibb Graves elevator will create more floor accessibility SPENCER BROOKS
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After a reasonable bid and student complaints, a “much-needed” elevator is under construction in Bibb Graves Hall, allowing better accessibility for students with disabilities, officials said. Bibb Graves Hall, built in 1929, has served as the central administration building and the location of several classrooms at UNA. “Anytime you have a campus that is our size, with buildings that are as old as ours are, you’re going to have issues with handicapped accessibility,” said Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Clinton Carter. Due to its age, the building does not provide elevator access to all three floors in accordance with the federal mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the resolution provided at the March 2015 board of trustees meeting. Until the elevator is built, the only aid students or visitors with disabilities have for traveling to or attending classes in second and third floors of the building is the automated chair used for carrying individuals up the stairs. Disability Services also has the power to move classes to more accessible floors
for students with disabilities. “Somebody could break a leg throughout the semester, and then have to climb three flights of stairs,” Carter said. “Technically, the building is accessible because of the automated chair, but it is horribly slow. This is why we’re putting in the elevator.” The chair lift was described as “inadequate” and “undependable,” according to the resolution summary for the elevator installation. The summary also said the lift did not meet the federal mandates of the ADA for providing access to the entire building. The automated chair has received complaints and has caused strife for most students tracing back to 2007 with some incidents involving disabled students being stuck on the mechanism, according to a Feb. 5 article. “They already have a machine to carry people who are using crutches, but that machine has been broken ever since I’ve been at UNA (2012),” said senior Jake Rodgers. “They’ve needed to do something since it is a three-story building.” Bids for the elevator project opened July 2014, and the base bid exceeded the $350,000 budget, so the board of trustees placed the project on hold. The board of trustees raised the budget for this project to $500,000 during their March meeting.
“People should just get over it and get more in shape,” said senior Dan Nhu Dong. “But an elevator should be installed for disadvantaged people.” Carter said this is a “student-driven” issue. “Clearly handicapped accessibility
is top priority,” Carter said. “One of our goals is to bring the other buildings on campus up to that speed.” Construction on the elevator began in May. Carter said he expects the elevator to be fully-functional by spring 2016.
photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer
Elevator construction continues across from the Registrar’s Office in Bibb Graves Hall. Officials say elevators should be completed by spring 2016.
SECURITY
Phase one of security camera initiative complete ANNA BROWN
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University officials say phase one of the parking deck camera initiative is complete, with cameras now installed at the entrances and exits of the parking deck and analog cameras used in the residence halls replaced with digital cameras. This spring, the board of trustees agreed to spend $225,000 on new surveillance equipment in hopes to improve campus security. “We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to monitor the activities on campus and also respect people’s right to privacy,” said Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan. “We want to create an atmosphere in those decks that’s safe for students.” He said having cameras at the entrances and exits of the parking deck will help police solve crimes when they occur. He also said the new digital cameras in the residence halls will provide a clearer picture and allow for zoom and facial recognition. “We want to do more frequent patrols of those areas that are problem areas for crime like parking lots and the deck,” Gillilan said. The police are currently monitoring the cameras and recording the footage
24/7 through an interim surveillance policy, Shields said. He said this policy is not solidified and must be vetted by the board of trustees this fall.
”W
E WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WEʼRE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS AND ALSO RESPECT PEOPLEʼS RIGHT TO PRIVACY.
KEVIN GILLILAN CHIEF OF POLICE Sophomore Daniel Tiede said he always feels safe on campus. Senior Emily Malone said she feels safe while walking through the parking deck during daytime hours, but is more cautious about walking through the deck at night. “When I parked in the parking deck at night I would always call someone to talk on the phone with until I got inside,” Malone said. “With security cameras installed, I feel that a person would be able to be caught if something happened. However, I still wouldn’t feel like I was instantly safe.” “I think it’s great that these cameras were installed,” said freshman Noah
Bishop. “I think it’s a great idea for our campus.” This policy gives the police department the rights to the footage so that if a crime occurred on camera, police can use the footage for investigative purposes, Gillilan said. “We have the ability to monitor (the cameras) and if we see a crime occurring, we can respond to it and head things off before they become an issue,” he said. “If anything does occur, we should have that footage to review.” Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields said there are cameras along the perimeter of the new science and technology building and new residence halls. He said there are cameras located in the common areas of these buildings as well. “In residence halls, cameras are limited to common areas,” Gillilan said. “We want to make sure we’re not being intrusive in any way.” Cameras are also located on the perimeter of the Science and Technology Building, he said. Shields said he thinks adding more cameras to the inside of the parking deck and the parking lots are part of phase two of the project. He also said he would like to see camera coverage expanded to the entrances and exits of the academic buildings.
“We will be working with the police chief to weigh in on the surveillance needs,” Shields said. “His comments and thoughts will be weighed as we move into phase two.”
CAMERA LOCATIONS • ENTRANCES
AND EXITS OF
PARKING DECK
• PERIMETER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUILDING • PERIMETER OF RESIDENCE HALLS
• COMMON
AREAS OF
RESIDENCE HALLS
NEWS 3A
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
FACILITIES
Gender-neutral restrooms now available on campus ANNA BROWN
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Five once-gendered restrooms are now gender-neutral or family restrooms as of July 2015, officials said. A resolution passed by SGA Nov. 20 mandated there be at least one genderneutral or family restroom in each building on campus. “All the restrooms we initially said we would convert are completed,” said Assistant Vice President for Facilities Administration and Planning Michael Gautney. “There has also been some discussion on some other restrooms that we could convert to gender-neutral.” Facilities staff selected these restrooms because of the number of stalls, Gautney said. The changes made to convert these restrooms to gender-neutral included installing a baby changing station, deadbolt and new sign indicating the restroom is gender-neutral or unisex, he said. “It was very important for SGA and facilities to add these restrooms to ensure all students and families feel comfortable in a place such as a restroom,” said SGA President Nick Lang. “This now allows families to have a place to take their children without the uneasiness
of sharing the bathrooms with other students. Additionally, the students now know that they have a place to use the restroom without any anxiety or social pressure.”
”
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR SGA
AND FACILITIES TO ADD THESE RESTROOMS TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FEEL COMFORTABLE IN A PLACE SUCH AS A RESTROOM.
restroom offline, it could cause long lines and wait times for others.” The Science and Technology building does not contain a genderneutral restroom because the layout for the building was complete before the resolution passed. The computer center, Bennett Infirmary, Powers Hall, Covington, Hawthorne and Appleby East and West already had unisex or gender-neutral restrooms, he said.
NICK LANG SGA PRESIDENT The layout for each converted genderneutral restroom is different with some restrooms containing a urinal, toilet and sink or just a toilet and sink, Gautney said. The average cost to convert each restroom to gender-neutral was $500, said Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Clinton Carter. Gautney said overhauling the restrooms is more cost-effective than installing new restrooms. He said the cost to install a new restroom is about $8,000 compared to the approximately $2,000 spent. He said the most expensive
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part was the purchasing and installation of the baby changing stations, which cost about $200 each. He said the only buildings on campus without a gender-neutral restroom is the Communications Building and the Science and Technology Building. “We did not want to install a lock on the restrooms in the Communications building because that would leave no public restroom in the building for people to use,” Gautney said. “If we take a large
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photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer
This gender-neutral restroom on the ground floor of Collier Library is one of five converted gender-neutral restrooms on campus.
:-+)8 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “She’s created a healthy culture in the office, and that’s an important thing to preserve,” Brewton said. UNA also said goodbye to former Chair of the Department of Communications Greg Pitts, who took a position as director of journalism at Middle Tennessee State University effective Aug. 1. Pitts said he believes he is leaving the Communications department in good shape with the curriculum and technological improvements due to recent accreditation. He said these improvements include changing the journalism major to “Journalism: Multimedia” and focusing the curriculum on multimedia and mobile, web-based journalism. UNA named Associate Professor Jason Flynn interim chair of the department of Communications. With the come and go of both students and faculty, UNA opened new facilities this summer. The Science and Technology building opened at the end of the spring semester, and the first classes will be held this fall. Burkhalter said the building offers students more opportunities to learn in a lab setting, work hand-in-hand with professors and expand undergraduate research. With the freshman live-on requirement and the opening of Mattielou Hall, the first class of students moved in Aug. 14. While many freshmen now reside in Mattielou, others live in Rivers Hall until
the completion of Olive Hall, expected in December. The Department of Residence Life also saw the need to reopen LaGrange Hall, which closed at the end of the spring semester. Residence Life opened one floor due to an influx of upperclassmen women living on campus. “We have space,” said Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques. “If you want to live on campus, you can. No one will be turned away.” UNA also lost two members of campus over the summer, junior Jessica Ann Smith and UNA Police Department Administrative Assistant Laura Reese. Smith died May 19 at her Village Parc Apartment on Darby Drive. Florence City Police Officer Brad Holmes said the state has not released complete autopsy results, however a press release from Florence Police said the initial Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences autopsy indicated no foul play. “Jessica was always so social and friendly,” said sophomore Shanna Hodges, who took a speech class with Smith. “You could really tell she had a good heart and worked hard. I was sad when I heard something had happened to her.” Reese died July 30 after a short illness, according to a press release from the Department of Human Resources at UNA. “She always had a smile on her face and was always cheerful,” said officer Mark Parker. “She went out of her way to make things work well in the department.” Editor’s Note: News Editor Anna Brown and Sports Editor Mike Ezekiel contributed to this report.
4A VIEWPOINTS
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
Newspaper encourages student involvement EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KALI DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR JASMINE FLEMING NEWS EDITOR ANNA BROWN LIFE EDITOR MELISSA PARKER SPORTS EDITOR MIKE EZEKIEL ONLINE EDITOR EMILY KAZUNGU BUSINESS MANAGER JORDAN BYRD GRAPHIC DESIGNERS PEYTON LAWLER MICHAEL MEIGS KELSEY WEATHERS CIRCULATION MANAGER ALAN KIMBREL CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KAITLIN DOUGLASS
KALI DANIEL
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Although I’ve written at The Flor-Ala since my freshman year, I can tell this is going to be my favorite year yet. While one of my best friends served on staff last year, the people I work with now have great attitudes and that, along with dedication, is going to make this year superior.
ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS
The deadline for submitting letters is 10 a.m. Monday, the week of publication. Letters must not exceed 400 words. Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email. The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material. The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board. Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story. When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter. Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632. Email: florala@una.edu. Phone: 256-765-4364
share sneak peeks for the next week’s issue. Most importantly, we are adding new information to our website daily, including photo galleries, online exclusives, videos, podcasts and more. So what is your role in all of this? This is your newspaper. We write about campus activities we think you would want to hear about. If you do not see an event covered or if you hear about something you would like to be investigated, send us an email and we will work to serve you. Better yet, if you are passionate about writing, designing, photography or selling advertisements, come work with us. We accept ideas and have an open-door policy
for students who need to build skills. We are all learning. Each year The Flor-Ala’s staff is filled with students who are genuinely passionate about learning how to perfect their skills, and healthy criticism is always welcome. With a new staff there are new perspectives, new relationships and new stories. We seek to build bridges burned by past staff members and create new relationships founded on trust, integrity and honesty. We want our campus to be proud to call us their own. We want to be The Flor-Ala: Your Campus. Your News.
Student Government welcomes campus input
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS AMANDALYN DORNER KATLYN SHANNON SHAY REDD
Letters Policy
This year we are trying to focus as much attention as possible to getting you information anywhere, anytime. We have Twitter accounts for breaking news, events and sports. We place our newspapers around the city each Thursday. We have an engaging Facebook and online website (which you can make a shortcut to on your phone). We have a culture blog highlighting unique facets of campus life. And this is just the beginning. We are introducing a Periscope channel to allow our readers to see events unfold before their eyes in locations they simply cannot be. Our photography staff is working to update Instagram weekly to
NICK LANG
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On behalf of the Student Government Association here at the University of North Alabama, I would like to welcome you to what is going to be a fantastic year! This upcoming year will be a special year for the campus and its students. You are coming to UNA at a time when the campus is growing in vitality and promise. This semester, you will be part of a college campus that is welcoming a new university president. Also, you will have the opportunity to utilize
new buildings that will be opening on campus such as two new residence halls and a new science and technology building. SGA looks forward to helping you this year to make sure you have the best college experience possible. I can tell this is going to be a remarkable year because I have already seen the willpower and desire that your SGA representatives have to make this campus better. They have worked diligently to map out five significant goals for the year: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Improve Campus Beautification and Navigation Create a Premier College Town Experience in the Shoals Area Enhance and Celebrate Campus Diversity Increase Collaboration and Visibility of Student Government
5.
Operations Develop Opportunities for Educational Funding
It is very important for all students to know how SGA operates and what their SGA can do for them. SGA is divided into four branches: Executive Council, Senate, University Program Council and Freshman Forum. The Executive Council is made up of your officers for the upcoming year (President, Vice President of Senate, Vice President of UPC, Treasurer and Secretary). The Senate branch is the legislative body of SGA and will be dealing directly with your concerns as students. UPC is the programming branch of SGA and will be planning concerts, movies, tailgating and many of the other events you will hopefully be participating in throughout the year. Freshman Forum is
our branch made up of all freshmen and serves as the voice for the freshman class. Remember, it is important for us to have input from our students on issues we need to address on campus. You have members of SGA all around you in various settings in the campus community. Take time to get to know these students and allow them to be your voice throughout the rest of this year. Once again, we are thrilled to have you here with us at this wonderful university and I am excited to lead the student body at a time when the campus is bursting with positive energy and experiencing so many astounding changes. Please feel free to stop by the SGA offices on the first floor of the GUC to voice your concerns as a student. I look forward to hearing from you throughout the year!
INTERESTED IN WRITING? JOIN OUR WEEKLY WRITERSʼ MEETINGS SUNDAYS AT 4 P.M. IN THE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS OFFICE BEHIND WILLINGHAM HALL 643 N. WOOD AVE.
LIFE 5A
Aug. 20, 2015• The Flor-Ala
EVENTS
Fun, prizes await students downtown
The Flor-Ala file photo
Students gather on Mobile Street during Lion Night 2014. The event introduces students to downtown businesses. “It’s not only great that we get to become familiar with the city and all it has to offer, but we also have a chance to meet other students,” said SGA President Nick Lang.
MONDAY SANDERSON
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Students looking for something to do this Friday night, while staying close to campus, should make plans to attend Lion Night. The event, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, allows students to become familiar with Downtown Florence, support downtown businesses, enjoy local entertainment and possibly
win some great prizes. “Lion Night is a great way for UNA’s students to meet and interact with the City of Florence,” said SGA President Nick Lang. “It’s not only great that we get to become familiar with the city and all it has to offer, but we also have a chance to meet other students and get to know one another. Overall, it’s a wonderful event and students are sure to have a good time.” This event allows students to become familiar with Florence and provides an opportunity to
win a scholarship. “SGA is giving away two scholarships, one for $500 and another for $1,000,” said SGA Secretary Jensen Joiner. “To get this, the students can go to each of the 30 participating businesses and they can enter their name into the drawing.” Fifteen students will also have the chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars. This money can only be used in the stores participating in Lion Night. Students do not have to go to all 30 stores, but their chances
to win increase with every entry. All of the businesses participating offer more than the slips of paper for the drawings. “They stay open later than normal,” Joiner said. “A lot of times they offer refreshments and discounts for UNA students.” Sales Associate Channing Wynne said CoCo’s Boutique will have new arrivals coming in that day and anyone who makes a purchase will receive free lemonade and cookies. In addition to the prizes and
deals being offered, there will also be live entertainment. “There will also be live music from Rachel Wammack and Jordy Searcy on Mobile Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” Lang said. “The Laff Co. will be providing entertainment at the Shoals Theater at 9 p.m. The admission is free to all UNA students.” To read the rest of this story, and for a list of participating businesses, visit florala.net.
RSOS
Campus offers opportunities for extracurricular involvement MELISSA PARKER 4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\
With over 100 Registered Student Organizations, students looking to get involved on campus have many options to choose from including l service, Greek
image designed by MICHAEL MEIGS | Graphic Designer
UNA is home to over 100 Registered Student Organizations that provide academic and service opportunities.
and academic organizations. OrgSync, which students can find through the UNA website, is a great resource to see which student organizations are available, said Director of Student Engagement Tyler Thompson. Senior Alex Hughes, Live Acts Chairman of the University Program Council and member of Alpha Tau Omega, said being a part of student organizations has been rewarding and helped him make friends and meet people to network with later. “You also get a lot of experience,” he said. “I’ve got a job waiting for me after graduation just off the experience I’ve had from being involved in SGA and ATO.” If students want to get involved but are not sure how, Thompson suggests they step out of their comfort zones and talk to others. “You have to think, ‘everybody is in the same boat as me,’” he said. Senior Allison Lawrence said being involved in student organizations has helped her see how making connections is important. However, making the decision to join was not an easy one, she said. “I’ve never been a fan of joining school groups,” she said. “Once I got into my majors, my professors stressed the importance of PRIDE (Public
Relations Individuals Dedicated to Excellence) and MEISA (The Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association) so I decided to give them a shot.” Welcome Week is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, Thompson said.
”
IʼVE GOT A JOB WAITING FOR
ME AFTER GRADUATION JUST OFF THE EXPERIENCE IʼVE HAD FROM BEING INVOLVED IN SGA AND ATO.
ALEX HUGHES SENIOR There are a lot of opportunities to talk to other students, whether it is standing in line waiting for an event to start or just going to an event and hanging out, he said. Thompson said weekend events are another good way to meet people. There are weekend movie nights throughout the year and tailgating on Spirit Quad before every home football game, he said. “It’s those little things where people make connections,” he said. “That’s where friendships start.” Anyone unsure of how to
get involved should set up an appointment with a Student Leadership Consultant, a new role in the Office of Student Engagement, Thompson said. Talk with an SLC and fill out a questionnaire, he said. The SLC provides resources and helps the student connect with groups with common interests. Thompson said he also encourages students to attend SGA and UPC meetings, which are open to everyone. SGA meets every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and UPC meets every Monday at 3:30 p.m. Both meet in GUC room 200. Those students looking for something a little different should visit the Outdoor Adventure Center located across from the George Lindsey Theater. Besides providing outdoor gear including camping supplies, hammocks, bikes and kayaks free to all UNA students, the OAC also holds events throughout the year, said Coordinator of Outdoor Programs and Special Events Patrick Shremshock. Sophomore Jessica Coffey said being part of the OAC is good for college students because they can be active and make new friends. To read the rest of this story, visit florala.net.
6A LIFE
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
ART
Student adds to game room revamp with themed artwork MELISSA PARKER 4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\
photo by KATLYN SHANNON I Staff Photographer
Senior art student Naomi Mongosa decorates the walls outside the Lion’s Den Game Room with artwork. Mongosa began painting the walls June 8.
MUSIC
Math major expands family business to downtown Florence CHLOE ALLEN
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Music drifts up a stone staircase leading beneath court street. Its source is a doorway leading to the best-kept secret in Florence: The Underground Art & Sound. Sophomore Carter Cothren is a 19-year-old mathematics major from Memphis, Tennessee, who also runs the record store Underground Art & Sound located on the corner of Court and Tennessee Streets. The Underground officially opened the last week of May and employs several people, most of whom are also UNA students. Cothren said he enjoys running the business and is considering changing his major to business. He said he got into the music store business through his father who is a long-time collector of CDs and records. Cothren’s father owns a similar store in Bartlett, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis. Much of Underground’s inventory thus far has come from his father’s store, but they are always looking for other suppliers. “No one really knows we’re a buy, sell and trade store,� Cothren said. “We’re trying to advertise that a little more.� In addition to records, Underground sells CDs, posters, shadow boxes,
photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer
Carter Cothren organizes items at Underground Art & Sound, located on the corner of Court and Tennessee Streets.
t-shirts and vintage video games. They are currently working on expanding their video game collection to include consoles, as well. The Underground’s Facebook page has also been popular with over 400 likes and eight reviews, all giving 5 out of 5 stars. Michelle Wilkinson, a UNA alum, reviewed it saying, “Great store! Go check it out in downtown Florence.� To read the rest of this story, visit florala.net.
Students returning to class may notice something different about The Lion’s Den Game Room. During the summer, the game room underwent a makeover in the hopes of drawing in more students. Senior Administrative Assistant of University Events Gigi Broadway proposed the idea of redoing the game room to Brett Jennings, Director of University Events, to make it a more relaxing, fun environment for students to pass the time in. Broadway said she approached the Chair of the Art Department ChiongYiao Chen in search of an art student to paint murals on the walls outside of the game room. Broadway said she felt having students involved in the redecorating process would make the game room more inviting for the campus community and give students a sense of ownership. “We want to increase the attendance in the game room,� she said. “We want to make it something that’s theirs.� Junior Ed Sparks said he is impressed with the artwork and happy with the changes so far. “They’re doing really good
incorporating the students and making it more fun for us,� he said. Chen recommended senior Naomi Mongosa as the student for the job. Chen said seniors understand the need for involvement in the community and she encourages them to seek any opportunities to share their art with the public. She knew Naomi was reliable because of her level of skill and maturity, she said. “She can do anything well,� she said. “She’s a mature painter and she can apply her creativity into any kind of theme or subject demand.� Mongosa said Broadway told her the project would involve the mascots and a video game theme, which was perfect for her. “I have my own website where I’m pretty well-known on the Internet for doing video game art,� she said. Mongosa drew the renderings for the murals and everyone loved them, Broadway said. Mongosa said she started the painting process June 8 and often spent six to eight hours a day in the GUC working on the project. To read the rest of this story, visit florala.net.
SPORTS 7A
Aug. 20, 2015• The Flor-Ala
FOOTBALL
Lions attempt third consecutive conference title
photo by SHAY REDD I Staff Photographer
Football head coach Bobby Wallace addresses various reporters during UNA’s 2015 Media Day. Wallace said he looks to lead his team to a third straight conference championship.
MIKE EZEKIEL
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With 15 starters returning and a top-five ranking in Lindy’s Sports preseason poll, the North Alabama football team should have no problem having success this season, right? Think again. According to UNA head coach Bobby Wallace, this year’s Gulf South Conference group will be the toughest group in history to play. “I’ve seen some great teams (in the Gulf South Conference),” Wallace said. “Have I ever seen this many in one year? No. We
know there will not be any let up this season, so we have to have the mindset to win a big game and get refocused fast.” The GSC coaches picked the Lions to finish third in the conference, despite winning a share of the GSC championship the past two seasons. The coaches picked West Georgia as the preseason favorite to win the GSC, followed by last year’s shareholder, Delta State. With 56 lettermen returning, Wallace said the experience of his team would be an advantage for the Lions playing through a hard 2015 schedule. “They have played a lot of ball and have a lot of
experience,” Wallace said. “Experience goes a long way. Our offense can make adjustments on the run, even if we didn’t practice something that week because they have so much experience.” Wallace said depth would be important for any team to survive in the GSC this season. “The biggest thing when playing the type of schedule we have is depth,” Wallace said. “We can only travel 60 players and we have 56 lettermen coming back who have played.” With eight offensive starters returning and the same offensive coaching system in place for four seasons, senior quarterback Luke Wingo said he is confident heading into 2015. “We have a ton of experience,” Wingo said. “We’ve played in a bunch of big games and that helps. It’s important knowing that we can go into camp and just pick up where we finished last year.” Senior running back Lamonte Thompson said he likes the idea of “proving everyone wrong” as opposed to being the favorite. “I feel like it’s going to make us play with a chip on our shoulder,” Thompson said. “Being picked third in the conference feels like disrespect with the talent we have coming back.” On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions return six starters and 22 lettermen. Wallace said the team will be especially strong at secondary,
where he believes he can rotate five players at the cornerback position. Senior safety Floyd Jones said he has high expectations for the UNA secondary heading into this season. “I feel like we are the best in the country talent-wise (at secondary),” Jones said. “We have a lot of potential and could hopefully break some records. We are all pretty good and will all have to compete for our starting jobs.” Jones said he believes every conference game will be tough this season, especially with the amount of experienced offenses his team will face in the league.
”
OUR OFFENSE CAN MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE RUN, EVEN IF WE DIDNʼT PRACTICE SOMETHING THAT WEEK BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH EXPERIENCE.
BOBBY WALLACE HEAD COACH “The GSC is basically the SEC of Division II football,” Jones said. “We will have to step up every week against a lot of tough offenses. We have to take it one game at a time and not look forward to the next week.” The Lions will play their season opener against Miles College at Legion Field in Birmingham Sept. 6.
LION SPORTS FALL 2015 Football Sept. 6 at Miles College (Sunday) Sept. 12 vs. Mississippi College Sept. 26 vs. Florida Tech Oct. 3 at Valdosta State Oct. 10 at Western Oregon Oct. 17 vs. North Carolina-Pembroke (Homecoming) Oct. 24 at West Georgia Oct. 31 vs. Delta State Nov. 7 at Shorter Nov. 14 vs. West Alabama
Volleyball TONY BANNER INVITATIONAL CLARION, PENNSYLVANIA Sept. 4 vs. Indianapolis (9 a.m.) Sept. 4 vs. Ashland (3 p.m.) Sept. 5 at Clarion (11 a.m.) Sept. 5 vs. Hillsdale College (3 p.m.)
Soccer Sept. 3 at McKendree Sept. 5 vs. Belmont Academy Sept. 11 at Nova Southeastern Sept. 13 at Palm Beach Atlantic Sept. 17 vs. Alabama-Huntsville Games continued at roarlions.com
CROSS COUNTRY
Discipline becomes cross country teamʼs catchphrase MIKE M IKE EEZEKIEL ZEKIEL
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Almost any coach would say academics are just as important as athletic performance. For UNA’s cross-country team, the two are in one accord. Last season, the men’s and women’s teams were each named the All-Academic Teams for 2014 by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The women’s team has a cumulative GPA of 3.47, while the men combined for an average of 3.19. Those numbers
were were no no surprise surp su rpri rise se to to UNA UNA crosscros cr osss country coach Scott Trimble. “If they can go out and put in as many miles as they do, going to class is easy,” Trimble said. “They are a special bunch of young people that do what they are supposed to do.” The men’s cross-country team will return all eight of their lettermen from last season, while the women return nine after losing six seniors to graduation. “We have really good runners on both the men’s side and women’s side,” Trimble said. “With what we have coming back and what we have
coming new, comi ming i iin n ne new w tthe he ssky he ky is is the the limit.” Trimble said the discipline it takes to run carries over into every aspect of life. “You’ll look at these guys and these ladies in 10 years and they will be successful,” Trimble said. “They find the inner-discipline to go out and put miles in when nobody else will. They have the inner-drive to be successful.” Junior Adam Benefield said discipline has become the team’s motto heading into the 2015 season. “Motivation only lasts for a couple of days, but discipline
everyday,” gets yyou gets ou oout ut tthe he ddoor he oorr ev oo eve eryday d ” Benefield said. “Discipline gets you to run twice a day, gets you to class and gets you to study.” Benefield said the offseason is not time away from running, as the team continues to run even when they are not competing. “There really is no offseason for us,” Benefield said. “We put in a huge base of miles that lasts throughout the summer. Then we run at faster intervals in late August to get at our peak fitness level for the championship races.” Sophomore Justin “The Rookie” Watson said discipline is an everyday lifestyle for the
cross-country runners. cr cros osss co coun untr tryy ru runn nner ers “When you’re disciplined, it’s an every single day thing,” Watson said. “You literally live it and it controls everything about you.” Watson said while having his teammates run with him helps him stay motivated, he and his teammates also find the discipline it takes to run alone. Sophomore Braxton Linder said running helps him achieve his ultimate goals in the classroom. “Academics are why we are here (in college),” Linder said. “We are here to get the grades and running really helps us.”
8A SPORTS
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
VOLLEYBALL
Lions look to exceed conference expectations KADIN POUNDERS
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The UNA volleyball team was voted third in the 2015 Preseason GSC Coaches’ Poll. This is coming off a 2014 season where the Lions finished 20-12 overall and were runners-up in the GSC tournament. On paper the Lions look young, but the experience level is there. UNA has two starters coming back, but between the other returnees many of them have logged significant playing time. This gives head coach Stephanie Radecki plenty of options when she starts filling out a lineup in September. “I think everything’s up in the air right now,” Radecki said. “I don’t have a set lineup in my head. We have 16 players on our roster and I think they’re all going to be fighting for a position to play. I think that’s exciting and it’s always good to have depth.” There are a few core players that Radecki will have to rely on for the Lions to be successful. One of those players is sophomore libero Ashtyn Kapovich, who was 2014 GSC Freshman of the Year and was named to the 2015 Preseason AllGSC Team. “I do think we’ll have to depend on Ashtyn to play well,” Radecki said. “She did a lot of good things for us last year as a freshman and hopefully we’ll see that again from her.” Another player the Lions will be
looking to this season is junior outside hitter Natasha Fomina. Fomina was second on the team in kills and kills per set last season and will be one of the key offensive threats for the Lions.
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I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS TEAM AND MY EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH AND WEʼRE
NOT GOING TO ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP.
ANDREA DE LEON SENIOR SETTER “My main goal is to lead by example for everyone and just do everything I can to help us win conference,” she said. “I want to be the best player I can personally be and just do my best every day in practice.” The only senior on the team is setter Andrea De Leon. She led t h e
GSC in assists per set last season and a similar performance is expected of her. “Last year I think Andrea led the conference in assists per set and was the best setter in the conference last year,” said Radecki. “We expect her to be the best setter in the conference again this year or at least compete for that role.” Two sophomores Radecki mentioned as important to the overall success of the team were outside hitter Lexie Bradley and middle hitter Jessica Austin, but Radecki said one player stood out to her as someone that could make an impact. “I think Peyton Lang is one that we expect could be a breakout player,” she said. “Seeing what she’s done physically — how she looks, how she’s been training — I could see her breakout into that role where we imagined her last year and she’ll do that for us.” This offseason UNA added five new players to the team including four freshmen and a transfer. The transfer, Kristina Headrick, will redshirt this season but the four
GSC PRESEASON POLL 1. WEST FLORIDA 2. VALDOSTA STATE 3. NORTH ALABAMA 4. SHORTER UNIVERSITY 5. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 6. ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE 7. LEE UNIVERSITY 8. WEST ALABAMA 9. UNION UNIVERSITY 10. WEST GEORGIA freshmen could see playing time right away. “Madison Ruble is a middle (hitter) so we definitely need someone to fill that role,” Radecki said. “Also I think Ava Carnley will step in for us in a defensive role so we’re really excited about her.” The GSC is a tough conference for volleyball — seven of the 11 teams were .500 or better in conference last season — but the Lions are on a mission. “I have high expectations for the team this year,” said De Leon. “I feel really good about this team and my expectations are high and we’re not going to accept anything less than a conference championship.” UNA will start the season off at the Tony Banner Invitational in Pennsylvania before debuting at home Sept. 11 against Kentucky Wesleyan.
SOCCER
Sport popularity increases, team builds on former success KADIN POUNDERS
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Coming off a summer that included a Women’s World Cup championship for the United States, the hunger for more soccer is growing in America. The appetite for great soccer is not hard to satisfy at North Alabama. The UNA soccer team is hoping to build the upcoming 2015 season off a very successful 2014 season in which the Lions made an appearance in the Gulf South Conference championship game and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. Last season, the Lions finished with a 14-4-2 regular season record (10-2 GSC). The Lions have a good deal of experience coming back. UNA has 14 returning lettermen, with six of those being returning starters.
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IʼM GOING TO HAVE TO EXPECT TO BE MANMARKED AND DOUBLE-TEAMED AND THATʼS FINE. IʼM NOT WORRIED.
CHLOE RICHARDS SENIOR FORWARD
One of the six starters is senior Chloe Richards, who racked up numerous honors last season, including GSC Player of the Year and Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year. “Obviously Chloe had a fantastic year last year,” said head coach Chris Walker. “I just want her to go out there and compete. She’s still going to score a handful of goals but if she gets doubleteamed we’ve got other players that can take over that role now hopefully.” Richards understands the doubleteam strategy teams may use against her but she does not think it will slow her down this season. “I’m going to have to expect to be man-marked and double-teamed and that’s fine,” Richards said. “I’m not worried. I think I’ve worked as hard as I can and I don’t think it’s going to slow me down. I’ve trained enough to combat it.” Other returning starters include first team All-GSC defender Alyssa Bova, second team All-GSC players Susan
Lang, Ele Costello and Beatriz Fernandes, along with sophomore midfielder Kristen Sinden. The Lions have a lot of talent and experience returning but also lost a lot of experience and leadership. With key players moving on last season, UNA will be relying on others to take leadership roles. “Chloe (Richards) leads by example,” Walker said. “She’s not the vocal leader. Susan (Lang) takes a lot of that responsibility. Susan, Mel (Leonida) and Alyssa (Bova) are the three captains and they’ll do a fantastic job leadershipwise.” Along with the 14 returners, the Lions have also added seven new players to the roster including six freshmen and a transfer. “It’s exciting to have a freshman class to come in and compete to play straight away,” said Walker. “We’re not dependent on them, but it’s nice to have the competition and it’s pushed the returners because they see that.” After a brilliant 2014 campaign and
with so many starters returning, naturally the expectations are high for UNA. The Lions were recently ranked third in the GSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, a respectable position in a conference that is very deep. “I think third is a nice place to be,” said Lang. “West Florida is obviously up there and Lee is able now to come in and compete for the conference. Obviously they’re a very strong team. I think it’ll be a hard year but a good year. We have a good team coming up.” The Lions start the season on the road at McKendree on Sept. 3. UNA’s home debut is Sept. 11 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan.
NEW SOCCER PLAYERS INCOMING FRESHMEN • • • • • •
ANNA KATHRINE GREEN KYLIE HUEY KATE WEBSTER PAIGE PORTER MARGARIDA SOUSA AUDREY TANNER*
INCOMING TRANSFER • SAM PARRISH * LIKELY TO RECEIVE INJURY REDSHIRT
BACK TO SCHOOL
SECTION B
Aug. 20, 2015• The Flor-Ala
Welc0me back to school! o t k Bac ituals R l o o h c S 2B
Su r v ival Gui de
5B
Dirty Laundr y
6B
2B BACK TO SCHOOL
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
here and there
TRADITIONS
TRAVEL
Campus begins semester Students reflect on time with back to school rituals away from America JOHN ED DEARMAN ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ RLMIZUIV(]VI ML]
There are many well-known traditions students do at the beginning of the year, such as dipping a pencil in the fountain on the first day of school. Some students have their own personal traditions they do every year. “To prepare for school, I always buy a pair of running shoes,” said sophomore Chandon Hines. She said her new shoes act as a reminder to stay motivated to commit to the most important things in her life. “Even with barely any free time, I continue to make time for me and stick to my goals,” she said. Another tradition she has is volunteering for at least one event the
week before classes start. “Being at UNA has made this really easy to accomplish,” she said. “I have worked with the Give a Kid a Chance organization in the community, which donates backpacks for children in need, most every year for the past 10 years.” She said being involved with that has led her to participate in other volunteer organizations as well, such as Unpack the Pride and Lions Lend a Hand. Junior Chelsey Flurry said she has her own back-to-school tradition as well. “I usually try to find at least one person on the first day to make friends with,” she said. “That way, I’ll be less intimidated by not knowing anyone.”
;MM :1<=)4; XIOM *
MIKE EZEKIEL
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Summer break is an opportunity for many UNA students to travel overseas for various reasons, whether for military purposes, to study abroad or to visit family. Senior nursing student Lauren Craig spent 10 days in Guatemala studying abroad this summer. “I would go back in a heartbeat,” Craig said. “I would have went without the college credit and I would have stayed a lot longer. It was awesome.” Craig said there were many differences between American and Guatemalan health care. “We went to public and private hospitals,” Craig said. “(Guatemala)
05
Welcome Week 2 1 A UN Thursday, August 20th
8am-11am 10am-2pm 11am-12pm 11am-1pm 12pm-2pm 6pm-8pm 8:30pm
Coffee and Donuts @ Ampitheatre Phi Mu Lemonade Stand @ Ampitheatre CPD Pizza Party @ the Fountain Volunteer Fair @ GUC Atrium UMCM Lunch @ Wesley Foundation THE BIG DEAL @ Ampitheatre Ice Cream Fellowship @ BCM
Friday, August 21st 8:30am-2:30pm 10am-2pm 3pm-5pm 5pm-9pm 9:00pm
Snacks @ the Library Phi Mu Lemonade Stand @ the Ampitheatre Outdoor Adventure Open House Lion’s Night @ Downtown Florence LAFF w/ us Downtown @ the Shoals Theatre
Saturday, August 22nd 8:30am-2:30pm RSO Kick-Off @ GUC 6pm Operation: Compassion Haiti @ Powers 9pm Movie Night Pitch Perfect II @ Ampitheatre (Rain Site GUC)
;MM )*:7), XIOM *
Information subject to change For updated info, follow www.una.edu/student-engagement The Office of Student Engagement: 256-765-4248
Sunday, August 23rd 6pm
Flag Football @ Practice Field
Monday, August 24th 4pm-5:30pm 5pm
Sweets with the Sororities @ GUC Loft Culture Fest 2015 @ Ampitheatre (Rain Site: GUC Atrium) “After the Fire” @ Norton Auditorium Death by Chocolate @ Highland Baptist
7pm-9pm 8:30pm
Tuesday, August 25th 4pm-6pm
CSIS Welcome to Campus @ Keller Courtyard Sorority Recruitment Orientation @ GUC Performance Center The Well Worship Service/Coffee Shop
6pm 7:30pm
Wednesday, August 26th 5pm-8am
Freshman Convocation
August 26th, 9:00 am @ Norton Auditorium Reception to follow in the GUC Banquet Hall
technically has public health care, but the government doesn’t give them enough money. If you can’t pay for it yourself, you don’t get the medicine.” Craig said when someone dies in a Guatemalan public hospital, a casket must be purchased in order for the family to see their deceased loved one. “We watched three kids die and we paid for their caskets,” Craig said. “The moment I watched that first little boy die, I just wanted to call my mom.” Craig said the trip showed her how privileged she was to live in America. “The amount of resources we have here is unbelievable compared to what they have,” Craig said. “It was worth every smile I got, every baby I got to hold and every heartbeat I got to hear. It was worth every minute of it.”
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Aug.20, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala
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4B BACK TO SCHOOL
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
photos by SHAY REDD I Staff Photographer
Volunteers from Unpack the Pride help incoming freshmen move belongings into Mattielou Hall. Freshman move-in day was Aug. 14. Volunteers moved other freshmen into Rivers Hall until the construction of Olive Hall is complete in December.
SHAY REDD
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▶
John Whited and his mom unpack his belongings in Mattielou Hall and prepare for the upcoming semester.
The fall semester has quickly come upon us, and everyone is trying to get back into the flow of school being in session. No more staying up late with friends or going on vacation with family, even though most of us were working during the summer. Freshmen are finally settling into Rivers Hall and the new residence hall, Mattielou, which just opened for the 2015-2016 school year. Every year the freshmen get more and more creative in turning their rooms into homes. For the months between August and May, this will be their new place to grow and be happy. Some freshmen are the only children in their families or the first to go to
college, which are both situations that can cause them to feel overwhelmed leaving home for campus life. Students were coming from near and far just to be a part of this wonderful university. Move-in day can be bittersweet. Students make new friends, but they also have to adjust to college life and the responsibilities it brings. Move-in day is officially the day freshmen become adults. Mommy and daddy are not going to be there to wake them up or hold their hands. My advice to the incoming freshmen is this: Enjoy the ride because before you know it you will be out in the “real” world. Once they adapt to these changes, these four years of their lives will be crazy and possibly tearful, but most of all amazing.
Movin’ In
Freshman Marcus Hammond begins to walk into his new room for the first time.
▶
Unpacking
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Jessica Robinson unloads her boxes into her new room. Robinson said she was excited to start unpacking and decorating her room.
Teamwork
Unpack the Pride volunteers work together to move furniture into Mattielou Hall Aug. 14 for students and families.
BACK TO SCHOOL 5B
Aug. 20, 2015• The Flor-Ala
ADVICE
Senior offers freshman survival guide you, but it helps them to know who you are and how you learn. They are not to be feared as they want to see you succeed — it does not benefit them to see you fail, but they want you to take the first step to successful adulthood.
KALI DANIEL
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Here I am, starting my final year at UNA. As I sit back and think of my first three years, I try to remember what I would have liked to know as a freshman starting in a new place very different from high school. I did not want to be lectured to, rather I wanted advice. So here is my advice to the class of 2019:
2. Pace the Dining Dollars Too many semesters I’ve run out of dining dollars halfway through. While you will come to see Towers as a blessing in disguise, taking a break from buffetstyle food to enjoy a pizza or bagel can be immensely satisfying — but not if you’re doing it three times a day.
1. Talk to your professors
3. When in doubt, ask a librarian
The first few weeks are prime time to get to know your professor. As the semester begins and classes become more challenging, they will always help
This is probably the most important advice I can give. I went two years without going to a librarian and my junior year I discovered the raw power of
knowledge in a meeting with Librarian Leigh Thompson. The librarians can help you find information for your paper from the three floors of books and can guide you through the ominous and overbearing amount of online sources provided through the electronic database.
4. Balance, balance, balance You are embracing being on your own, and I get it. But understand being on your own includes feeding yourself, clothing yourself — for God’s sake cleaning yourself — among other responsibilities. There is time for playing pingpong in the Lion’s Den Game Room. There is time for playing a game of basketball in the Student Recreation Center. There is time for work. There is time for study. If I had used a planner my first semester, I would have been much less stressed trying to balance everything in my life.
5. Utilize your resources UNA is truly a unique school in that the faculty and staff want to see you succeed. Use all they offer, whether you go to the Center for Writing Excellence for tips on writing a paper, meet for tutoring at the University Success Center or learn more about the Freshman Frenzy, or attend a FOCUS Mathematics Learning Center session with other freshmen. Engaging these resources early can help you make an A and if you could make an A, why settle for less?
6. Talk to your roommate I have had five roommates during my time at UNA. My first year, I was very stuck in my ways and closed-minded. I felt my roommates had nothing in common with me and I was not interested in seeing if they did. Roommates can be helpful, insightful and provide assistance with classwork, social life and just general conversation.
MAN ON THE STREET
What advice do you have for new, returning students?
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PUT IN THE WORK, SHOW UP FOR CLASS, TAKE NOTES AND DO THE ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME. GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS. WE GET PAID TO HELP YOU.
”
”
”
KEEP A SCHEDULE. LOOK AT IT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY.
WITH IN COLLEGE.
CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS, JUSTICE AND LAW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, PUBLIC HISTORY
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE
OPPORTUNITIES YOU WILL BE PRESENTED
TIM COLLINS
MATTHEW BARLOW
”
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CHALLENGE YOURSELVES. THIS IS THE TIME YOU CAN TAKE CHANCES AND MAKE MISTAKES.
”
CYNTHIA BURKHEAD
IAN LOEPPKY
CHAIR, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR, CHORAL ACTIVITIES
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF GETTING BEHIND, ASK FOR HELP.
”
COME TO CLASS. YOUʼLL BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH YOU DONʼT PICK UP ON IF YOU DONʼT COME TO CLASS.
STAY AHEAD. DONʼT GET BEHIND IN YOUR READING. IF YOU WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, YOU ARENʼT GOING TO COMPREHEND IT.
GET A LOT OF SLEEP. MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL ENOUGH TO GET A GOOD NIGHTʼS SLEEP.
JIM MARTIN
STEPHANIE MOHR
SANDRA LOEW
LINDA ARMSTRONG
PROFESSOR, JOURNALISM
INSTRUCTOR, NURSING
PROFESSOR, COUNSELOR EDUCATION
PROFESSOR, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
6B BACK TO SCHOOL
Aug. 20, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala
ADVICE
Students give tips to soothe laundry woes ANNA BROWN
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Canadian educator Laurence J. Peter once said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better to have loved and lost than to have to do 40 pounds of laundry a week.â&#x20AC;? Laundry is the last thing on most college studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mind when they step on campus in the fall. Here are some tips on how to get your laundry done without losing all your cash or free time. 1. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t procrastinate With classes and work and friends to keep up with, it is easy to forget being down to the last pair of clean socks. Do not wait until the last pair to wash clothes. Time should be set aside each week for laundry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know it seems obvious but if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make time, there wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be time,â&#x20AC;? said junior Zebulun Worlund. Senior Meridith Ginn said she had
to get up early in the mornings so she could have time to do her laundry at the dorms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I only washed my clothes in the dorms on rare occasions because the washers and dryers were always full,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You had to be careful because if you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t down there, someone would take out all your clothes and let them sit there and mildew before you could dry them.â&#x20AC;? Worlund said clean clothes should be a high priority for college students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clean clothes are an absolute must,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you want to make a good impression upon your professors, employers or even your classmates, please wash your clothes.â&#x20AC;? 2. Be detergent smart Ginn said she buys her detergent at Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club. She said a large container
of washing detergent costs about $15 and lasts for about 150 loads of laundry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The last time I bought it was in March and I still have some left,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It usually lasts me about seven months.â&#x20AC;? Worlund said he and his roommates use a homemade laundry detergent. He said a post he saw on Facebook about how making your own laundry detergent could save hundreds of dollars inspired them to make their own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made our first batch back in December and havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run out yet,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it yielded about 5 gallons or so of dry mix. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concentrated enough so that we only use one tablespoon each load.â&#x20AC;? He said he encourages students who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a washing machine at their house or apartment to make their own
detergent so they can save money on the cost of washing clothes at a laundromat. 3. Work while you wait College is all about time management. Why not apply that principle to laundry? Sophomore Bailey Thomas, who is the head student equipment manager for the football team said he and the other four managers wash about 25 industrial loads of sweaty football gear a week. They spend about 20 to 22 hours a week doing laundry, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We usually do our homework or work on other class paper assignments while we wait on the laundry every day,â&#x20AC;? he said. Whether you are in a residence hall, a laundromat or at a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, maximizing your time leads to more productivity.
Opportunities for College Students - Bible Study
- Small Groups - Mission Opportunities - Connection with a Church Family
256-764-5072
BACK TO SCHOOL 7B
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
)*:7), KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * “The amount of resources we have here is unbelievable compared to what they have,” Craig said. “It was worth every smile I got, every baby I got to hold and every heartbeat I got to hear. It was worth every minute of it.” Junior Tyler Putt, a member of ROTC, said traveling around the world is nothing new to him. “I’m a military dependent so I’ve lived out of the country for a long time,” Putt said. “I lived in Germany for three years and Japan for eight years. I lived the other half of my life in the United States for about 11 years.” Putt said something he misses about America when he travels for military purposes is not being able to attend funerals. “It’s difficult being in a military family when you have a death,” Putt said. “It has to be your immediate family or your grandparents. That’s the only way The Flor-Ala File Photo
Abby Winkler and Megan Wadsworth dip their pencils in the Harrison Plaza fountain for good luck on the first day of fall 2014 classes.
:1<=)4; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *
Flurry said if she can get to know a little about one person on the first day, she can get to know everyone in all her classes much quicker. Junior Hunter Grider has a unique kind of tradition
“The week before school starts, I always get a haircut,” he said. Grider said getting a haircut before each school year reminds him to stay fresh so he can do his best throughout the rest of the year. Sophomore Daniel Love said he enjoys hanging out with family and friends. “My back to school tradition is going
they will fund you to send you back for a funeral, so I’ve missed a lot of funerals.” While some students went away from America and left their families behind, others went to their home country to reunite with family. Freshman Ahmad Sherbeeny said coming to UNA from Egypt was his first experience being away from his family. “It was my first time living alone and being abroad alone,” Sherbeeny said. “It felt like I was at home again. You know your parent’s worth once you have been abroad for a while.” Sherbeeny said while it was good to visit his family in Egypt, he missed aspects of the American life. “I missed the simplicity and ease of life here in general,” Sherbeeny said. “And (I missed) the food of course, especially in Alabama. I like Southern food lot.” Sherbeeny said even though he missed being in America, he also enjoyed his time back home. “I had fun in Egypt,” Sherbeeny said. “I just try to have fun wherever I’m at.” to band camp, and after band camp we have a cookout and bonfire, and we usually stay up the entire night listening to music and having a good time,” he said. He also said it is like a celebration for the end of the summer, and it’s a good way to relax and spend time with one another.
In the last six years, the end. has... Produced plays and original works Hosted poets and private parties Organized an exorcism, sort of, Presented bands and artists Created a burlesque troupe Offered film screenings Allegedly threw a rave Imported a circus sideshow And held a wedding
Anything is possible here.
8B EXTRA
Aug. 20, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
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