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Aug. 22, 2013

Volume 82, Issue 1

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

CRIME

ACADEMICS

CAAPʼs off Campus remains weapons free ELISE COFIELD

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ELISE COFIELD

Completion of the College Assessment and Academic Proficiency (CAAP) exam is no longer a requirement for obtaining a bachelor’s degree from UNA, as decided by the UNA Board of Trustees at their June 10 meeting.

Students enrolled in CAAP 299 this fall were first to officially receive word.

The information came via email from Testing Coordinator Kenda Rusevlyan, informing them “The UNA Board of Trustees voted at their last meeting on June 10, 2013 to rescind the mandate that all UNA students take the CAAP exam as part of their graduation requirements,” and that the course would be removed from their schedules.

Andrew Luna, director of institutional research, planning and assessment, confirmed the email, adding that the board’s vote was unanimous on the grounds of increasing cost to administer the test.

The exam was costing the university $17,000 per year, and that number was rising significantly each year, Luna said.

“They thought was that we should be able to come up with our own assessment that’s better and most cost effective,” he said.

While no decision has been made about what alternate assessment to use, Luna said his department will make sure student academic performance is being properly evaluated.

One possible solution he mentioned would be “course-embedded assessments,” or assessments that would manifest themselves in assignments within classes students are already required to take. Luna said not only would this be easier for students, but it could also “more adequately reflect how that student is doing in that particular course.”

“The decision came from Institutional Research and Planning,” said Amy Crews, director of university advising services. “It was decided that it would be canceled because the data was not useful and just used in-house.”

Student Shelby Fink, upon hearing the news for the first time, was relieved she could forget about what she felt was going to be a waste of her time and money.

“Basically, the things you learn in your first two years of college are a repeat of what you learned in high school,” she said. “To test us on that again, I feel like, would be a total waste of time.”

Luna said the main advantage of using the nationwide standardized test, compar-

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INSIDE

this week’s paper

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Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields issued via email to the UNA student body the proclamation that “UNA is, and remains, a weapons free campus.”

This decision is in response to uncertainty surrounding new legislation issued by the state of Alabama granting open carry rights to legal license holders. “(The new legislation) didn’t give universities and colleges, and frankly a lot of people, a clear definition about what areas can be excluded (from the legislation),” Shields said in an interview after the email was sent.

UNA President William Cale said the same in his email to faculty and staff.

“There is a strong consensus that weapons of any kind have no place in a learning community, but it is not clear whether the new law provides the option to forbid firearms on college and university campuses,” he said.

The decision to remain loyal to the student conduct policy is a result of a series of debates at the university and state levels. Shields and Cale, along with Chief of Police Bob Pastula, have met several times to discuss options, and Shields said the meetings could likely carry over into the coming school year.

“As it stands right now, it is the policy of the university that no weapons are allowed on campus,” Pastula said. “I’m pretty sure that’s going to stand.”

The policy, which forbids firearms, is found in the police department policy

photo by SARAH HOLLIDA I Staff Photographer photo illustration by CORINNE BECKINGER I Editor-in-Chief

and procedures, which applies to faculty, staff, students and visitors. The policy was emailed last week to every enrolled student.

“We believe, under the power the legislation gave us as a university, that we have the authority to create policies that serve the best interest of the institution,” Shields said.

The new law is specific, however, to K-12 campuses, which are to remain weapons-free.

Additionally, the law provides that athletic events may be posted as weaponsfree.

“The Alabama law does not change our policy at all,” Shields said.

Shields said by the time school is in session, signs indicating the no-tolerance policy will be posted at every entrance to the campus and in every building and residence hall entrance. In addition, the poli-

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EXPANSION

Integrative Health partnership finalized PACE HOLDBROOKS 6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

A crowd gathered in the parlor of Rogers Hall Aug. 15 to watch as an agreement was signed between Shenqi Ethnic Medicine College (SEMC) and UNA that officially establishes the UNA U.S.-China International Institute.

This agreement is another development in the ongoing process to offer an integrative health concentration under the Master of Science degree in health and human performance to graduate students at UNA. Although SEMC is a medical college,

NEWS................2A PUZZLES.............5A VIEWPOINTS.........7A

LIFE...............1B SPORTS...........5B EXTRA.............8B

the Institute created by the agreement is not a medical school and the studies it provides will be available to both international and domestic students, said Tom Coates, chair of the department of health physical education and recreation.

The Institute will first focus on offering a graduate concentration in integrative health, which Coates defines as a study of multiple areas, such as fitness, exercise science, nutrition, stress management and behavior modification, while also looking at a holistic approach to health from an oriental perspective.

The agreement establishing the Institute was signed by UNA’s president

William Cale and Chairman Zhang Zhiting, owner of the Shenqi Company, and formalizes the relationship between the two groups as they move forward in this joint-venture.

“The institute would initially offer graduate training in integrative health, move toward the addition of a program in innovation management, and explore the possibility of adding educational opportunities in sustainable development,” Cale said in a resolution summary, found in the documented agreement.

Congressman Robert Aderholt, who

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REMEMBERING JIM COUCH ...5B

2A NEWS SGA

Student government aims for transparency

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

PARKING

NO PARKING

BLYTHE STEELMAN

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Officials, students fight space shortage

Armed with a high percentage of new members, the Student Government Association is ready to face the school year with a new set of goals, as well as continue working on ones set by the organization’s predecessors.

“We have a significant amount of turnover this year due to high graduation rates within SGA, so we have many new members across the board,” said SGA President Laura Giles. “We have 13 students who are moving up from Freshman Forum this year into both Senate and UPC, which is a great rate. We have 15 brand new members to SGA so far, with fall recruitment still pending.”

Walter Hartley, vice-president for the University Program Council (UPC), a branch of SGA, said he is excited for the new students joining the organization.

“It’s a lot of fresh faces,” he said.

“They’re students in other organizations on campus who have great track records.”

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The UNA Police Department distributed 2,044 tickets for on-campus parking violations during the 2012-13 school year, bringing in a total of $36,805 in paid tickets, said Chief of Police Bob Pastula.

The money received from those paid parking tickets went toward the university’s general fund.

The UNA Police Department does not receive any of the money brought in by parking tickets, Pastula said.

Parking without a valid permit and parking in a prohibited zone were the two most common parking violations for the year.

Pastula said the department is expecting a huge change in campus parking availability during the 2013-2014 school year.

“We are currently down 317 spaces: 147 in Lot O, 30 at the corner of Oakview (Circle) and Pine (Street), 50 in Lot B, and 90 in lot H,” he said via email.

Pastula said GPS locators are now installed on campus shuttle buses which will allow students to find the shuttle buses at any time using the UNA mobile app.

The GPS locators are funded by an increase of $2 to the student transportation fee, as part of a bill passed by the Student Government Association, and later the UNA Board of Trustees.

“SGA inquired students on this issue to find a relief for our parking issues, and this (fee increase) was the solution that was formed,” said SGA Presi-

”

THIS NEW GROUP OF STUDENTS CAN LEARN TO SEE AND THINK ABOUT HOW ALL OF THEIR DECISIONS AFFECT THE STUDENT BODY.

WALTER HARTLEY Members of SGA sat down to set goals and plan for the upcoming year at their annual retreat, Giles said.

The six main goals proposed for the upcoming year include building campus traditions and spirit, improving campus safety and awareness, implementing green initiatives, increasing funds for the endowed scholarship, leading and promoting civic engagement and service and improving navigation and accessibility.

“There will be many projects that come up throughout the year, but none have been discussed thus far,” she said.

“We plan to continue Lion Night and other activities we have had in the past, but we plan to make this year different in many ways throughout each committee.”

As far as UPC goes, Hartley said each committee is focused on setting simple, achievable goals, as opposed to major, elaborate ones.

“Overall, we want to be more transparent within SGA and support the SGA goal of funding the endowed scholarship,” he said. “Each committee will commit one project to this goal this year.

“I really want to push being part of the entire body of SGA and help reach the overall goals this year.”

Members of SGA will continue to work toward their goal of funding the $25,000 endowed scholarship, a goal established in 2011.

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dent Laura Giles. “We are excited for the addition and feel that it will help alleviate some of the issues students are seeing with parking on campus.

By utilizing this system, the students will feel more comfortable with riding the shuttle busses already provided for them.”

Tim Levan, a senior at UNA, said he has received parking tickets on campus before, due to needing to get to class.

“I parked in a faculty/staff parking spot,” Levan said. “It was my fault and I am not mad, because I broke the rules.

“A little parking lot by the off-campus bookstore helps a little, but the problem is a lot bigger than that. I like the idea of having the GPS on the UNA buses. Sometimes people wait forever to get a bus, but this will allow them to see where the bus is at.”

Giles said SGA is aware of student frustration with the new parking issues and is continuing to work with the UNA administration to try to find more solutions.

“SGA understands the frustration of the students due to the fact that we are just like everyone else who is struggling to get to class on time due to limited parking options,” Giles said. “With UNA being a historical campus in the middle of downtown historical Florence, it makes it difficult to find places to add parking, but know that it is a concern of not only the students, not only SGA, but the UNA administration as well.”

The numerical information for this report was provided by Laura Reese, administrative assistant to Chief Pastula.

TUITION

Board of trustees approves tuition increase BLYTHE STEELMAN

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The UNA Board of Trustees approved a proposed 5.72 percent increase in tuition and fees at their June 10 meeting.

The $11 per-credit-hour increase brought undergraduate course costs to $233 per credit hour, while graduate courses now cost $276 per credit hour.

“This is the most important decision we make each year, but it’s also the hardest, because we make this decision in June and don’t officially approve the budget until September,” said Trustee Marty Abroms.

The board voted to approve the $11 increase, as opposed to a $14 increase presented by President William Cale. The second proposal called for an approximate 6.1 percent in tuition and fees, but

would defer the increase in the athletic fee to tuition for the 2013-2014 school year.

The increased tuition in Cale’s proposal would allow for a cost-of-living raise for faculty and staff members at the university, Cale said. He said it has been several years since a cost-of-living raise was awarded and current salaries might no longer be sufficient to keep up with the rising costs of day-to-day life.

“It’s always an interesting and challenging task to find the balance between meeting the needs of the university and watching how many dollars students pay for an education,” Cale said.

The earliest the university could join the ranks as a Division-I school, pending a conference invitation, is June of 2015, Cale said.

“I don’t understand why we can’t de-

fer the athletic fee,” Cale said. “We’ve been pouring money into athletics and this move to D-I.” Board members also expressed their concerns with deferring the increase in the athletic fee for the school year.

“I don’t want to see us put in a bad position for the future of D-I by decreasing the athletic fee now,” said Trustee Libby Jordan.

Others said they were more concerned with keeping tuition costs low for students.

“I’m not saying we need to be the cheapest place on the block, but we need to be affordable,” Abroms said.

UNA student Amanda Daniel said she pays for her fees each semester.

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NEWS

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

AWARDS

COUNSELING

3A

University named top place to work Student

counseling services expanding

MATT WILSON

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UNA announced July 29 that it was named one of the “Best Colleges to Work for in 2013” by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The Chronicle is a Washington, D.C. -based academic-professional journal.

UNA joined 96 other universities in top recognition in the publication’s sixthannual survey. The ranking was based on employee responses in 12 categories.

UNA ranked in the top 10 nationally in five of the 12 categories within their school size. The five categories included Collaborative Governance, Confidence in Senior Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Professional/Career Development Programs and Work-Life Balance.

University President, William Cale, said it is the students who benefit most from the kind of university UNA is.

“With the way things are governed at UNA—what we call shared governance—everyone has a voice,” Cale said.

“Having that good environment allows for a good production, which ultimately spreads to the students.”

UNA student Meagan Blackburn said the working environment for students could still use a little bit of work.

“The Lion Jobs system is a little flawed, I guess,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn is referring to the onlinejob database where students and alumni can search for job postings.

“I’ve had trouble with the resume submission, specifically the feedback,” Blackburn said. “They denied my re-

KEANU KIRKPATIRCK

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photo by SARAH HOLLIDAY I Staff Photographer

President Cale speaks to reporters after a press conference on July 29. The Univeristy ranked highly in a national survey by “The Chronicle of Higher Education.”

sume four times so I took my flash drive up there to their office and was pretty much told they would get back to me.”

UNA student Johanna Letson echoed those sentiments.

“The whole Lion Jobs system seemed like a hassle,” Letson said. “I sent in all my information and then made the changes they asked me to and I never heard back from them.”

UNA participated in The Chronicle

survey once before in 2010. At that time the school also ranked high in Shared Governance and Job Satisfaction – a trend Cale pointed out.

Colleges that took place in the survey were divided into 4-year or 2-year institutions and then further so by the enrollment size. UNA was recognized along with other major institutions, including

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Student Counseling Services is expanding this semester and has three new positions with open applications from Aug. 9 until Aug. 23.

With the counseling center’s move to Oakview Circle last year, as well as a student health fee increase, the opportunity to expand and add new positions became possible.

The student health fee increased $15 from last year. Dr. Lynne Martin, director of student counseling, said the majority of the health fee is for the new positions and will be used to expand the services offered.

“This will enable us to expand programming on campus and do a lot more educational activities,” Martin said.

The new positions, which Martin said she hopes to fill this fall, were introduced at a SGA Senate meeting last year where Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields advocated for what the fee increase could mean for students.

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4A NEWS

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

GREEK

Student engagement hires new Greek life director PACE HOLDBROOKS 6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

Julie Fletcher has been hired as the new assistant director for Greek life, a decision that was announced in late July through the UNA Greeks Twitter account.

“Our new Assistant Director of Student Engagement for Greek Life, Julie Fletcher, will start August 5th!” read the tweet, written by Savannah Smith, graduate assistant for Greek affairs.

The Office of Student Engagement has been looking to fill the position since April, after former Greek Life Director DeAnte’ Smith resigned. Fletcher was considered for the position after she applied during the summer, Smith said.

“In her interview she came with a lot of vision for Greek life, and we think she is going to integrate well with our staff team here,” Smith said.

Fletcher said she has experience consulting for the national chapter of her sorority, and she recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Southern Mississippi. During her time as a graduate assistant at USM, Fletcher worked with Greek organizations under the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Interfraternity Council (IFC), all of which are present at UNA. “I traveled to 41 different universities, so I was able to see really large schools and really small schools, and the difference in Greek life all across the

country (while working as a national consultant),” Fletcher said. “My experience came from my love of being involved on campus and knowing how important that is. I think what you’re involved in and what you do in college really makes up who you are.”

This experience is one of the reasons the hiring committee chose Fletcher.

“She’s creative, she’s got a lot of energy, she has lot of experience in working with a Greek organizations,” said Tammy Jacques, director of student engagement. “One of the big things I liked about her presentation (to the search committee) were membership recruitment and retention. She’s very strategic in her thinking and her process of thinking for the future.”

Fletcher said she would also like to help Greek students focus strongly on academics.

“I’m a big proponent of the idea that you’re a Greek student, but a student first,” she said. “I hope to establish good working relationships with the students.

It doesn’t matter what my goals are – it matters what their goals are and I’m here for them.”

Although she has only been on staff at UNA for a few weeks, Fletcher said she is enjoying her new position and the atmosphere of campus.

“UNA has a personal feel to it,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed regional schools because you can be involved in everything and still juggle it all on top of schoolwork, compared to just being a number on a college campus. It seems like the staff and the students enjoy being

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Assistant Director for Greek Life Julie Fletcher consults with Savannah Smith, the graduate assistant for Greek life. Fletcher began her new position at UNA at the beginning of August.

here. I’ve had a fantastic experience so far.”

Mackenzie Brown, president of UNA’s chapter of NPC, said she believes Fletch-

er has the students’ interests in mind.

“We want somebody to care, who can help us and has new ideas and I think that she brings that to the table,” Brown said.

NEWS

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

5A

+016) KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) represents Alabama’s fourth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, expressed his excitement for the new program at the press conference, calling it one of the first of its kind.

“This new innovative program will have an expansive reach, not only for the patients, but those interested in bringing a holistic approach to medicine,” said Aderholt. “Even more than that, it’s a great opportunity to grow lasting partnerships and friendships between our two countries.”

Chairman Zhang also presented a check of $150,000 in seed money on behalf of SEMC to UNA to fund the hiring of a faculty member to teach integrative health.

“It is obvious to us all that health is an increasingly important topic,” Cale said. “Our shared dream is that graduates from this program will become global agents for health reform, going out into schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, senior center, social organizations and elsewhere to serve others.”

Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock was also present to sign papers com-

pleting the sale of the Florence Country Club property to the SEMC, which will in turn begin developing the land and constructing facilities to house the Institute.

“The city of Florence has been and remains a full partner in this extraordinary endeavor,” Cale said. “While my history in this community is somewhat short, I cannot imagine that relationships between the city and the university have ever been stronger.”

These agreements will affect all students at UNA – not just those wishing to pursue graduate studies in integrative health, Coates said.

“I think there are going to be some great opportunities,” said John Thornell, vice-president of academic affairs.

“We are going to build a residence hall and put some facilities out at the Florence Country Club (property) that will (benefit) all students. We should see construction start within the next two or three months.”

Coates said the facilities will also feature office space, classrooms and other needs the university will require as the student body expands.

photo by SARAH HOLLIDAY I Stafff Photographer

Chairman Zhang Zhiting and Vice Provost for International Affairs Chunsheng Zhang speak during a press conference held in Rogers Hall Aug. 15. UNA and Shenqi Ethnic Medicine College (SEMC) formally signed an agreement to establish the UNA U.S.-China International Institute. The agreement officially launched the incoming integrative health Master’s of Science program. Zhiting also presented a $150,000 check to help fund the hiring of a new faculty member for the program.

+))8 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) ing UNA’s results with the national average, was being negated as more and more schools are discontinuing use of the CAAP exam.

For those students who have already taken the CAAP exam, their scores will still appear on their academic transcripts, and will, just as before, not count for credit or towards student GPA, Luna said.

“We never shared the results outside,” Luna said. “This was primarily created by the board of trustees to measure wheth-

er or not our students were effectively achieving the key core competencies.”

The news brings with it frustration for some, namely Dean Arnold, a student who took the CAAP exam while it was still a requirement for graduation.

“I found it to be a waste of time just as much then as I do now,” he said.

Luna said he is seeking to do what is in the best interest of students’ education.

“Any assessment we do is purely to improve the university,” he said.

/=6; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) cy will be explained to students moving into residence halls during their mandatory floor meetings.

“It will be very hard for a person coming to UNA not to know that we are a weapons-free campus,” Shields said.

In the event that a student is found to be carrying a gun or other weapon, he or she will answer to the student conduct office. Though not punishable by state law, Shields said it is a violation of the university guns-free policy set in place since 1992. The individual would be subject to penalty up to suspension from the university, he said.

“This is not a law enforcement issue; it’s a code of conduct issue,” Pastula said. “Unless they use (the gun) for a crime, they will not be arrested, but deferred to code of conduct.”

From that point, the procedure would

be the same as in the past: the weapon confiscated by university police, the case referred to student code of conduct and the offender subject to punishment up to suspension from the university.

Shields said since the passing of the new legislation there have been no challenges.

One particular area of uncertainty is whether faculty and staff will be allowed to keep firearms in their vehicles. The legislation provides that faculty and staff, as employees of the university, could reserve the right to store firearms in their vehicles while parked on campus.

“The law says that employers cannot or may not be able to prevent (storing firearms in vehicles),” Shields said. “We are still trying to decide if that is applicable to us.”

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6A NEWS )?):,; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Stanford University, University of Notre Dame and Duke University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;UNA has an extremely effective governance structure that fosters open communication and gives all employees the opportunity to be fully informed, to voice concerns and to seek change,â&#x20AC;? Cale said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When individuals know that their voice is heard and respected, a university is on its way to being a great place to work.â&#x20AC;?

Dan Hendricks, vice-president for advancement, said UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly-regarded work environment is a collective production. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A great university doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just happen,â&#x20AC;? Hendricks said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes wisdom and hard work.â&#x20AC;?

Natalie Wilson, a history major, said she feels like the university hires great

+7=6;-416/ NZWU XIOM ) â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought it would be more helpful if we offered more services,â&#x20AC;? said SGA President Laura Giles.

Martin said the expansion will allow more bodies, and with more bodies you offer more services. Most of the money this semester is going to counseling services for the expansion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a necessary fee,â&#x20AC;? said VicePresident of Senate Nikki Messer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;VP Shields came into our meeting about this -- half went to health and half went to counseling.â&#x20AC;?

Each position is full-time. Two are 10-month positions, both for licensed mental-health counselors. One of these positions will include the responsibil-

Aug. 22, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala faculty members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the professors in the history and political science departments are amazing,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also seems to me that UNA genuinely takes its time to hire very capable and kind people to fulfill jobs like those in the GUC.â&#x20AC;?

Letson said a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject material can make all the difference in the classroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have had some professors that were truly passionate about what they were teaching and very few that just flat out didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to care,â&#x20AC;? Letson said.

In its summary of UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Outstanding Features,â&#x20AC;? The Chronicle emphasized UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to the development of writing skills for both students and faculty members.

The Chronicle released the results of the survey July 26 in a special â&#x20AC;&#x153;Academic Workplaceâ&#x20AC;? edition. Results and rankings can be found online. ity of managing the Care Team, which is UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behavioral intervention team.

According to UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Division of Student Affairs website, the Care Teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose is to enable the university to provide early intervention, support and behavioral responses to students displaying distressed or disruptive behavior.

The third full-time position is a 12-month position as a senior-level, mental-health counselor. The job includes being a skilled and experienced mentalhealth generalist, as well as providing individual and group counseling to UNA students.

Counseling service hopes to offer more group counseling and do more activities on campus. With these new positions they have the opportunity to offer more with their services, Martin said.

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

CORINNE BECKINGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BLYTHE STEELMAN MANAGING EDITOR PACE HOLDBROOKS NEWS EDITOR KALI DANIEL LIFE EDITOR JAMES DUBUISSON SPORTS EDITOR ANNA GRACE USERY ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER KEVEN RIVERA-ORTIZ GRAPHIC DESIGNER LELA AARON-VICENTE CIRCULATION MANAGER WILEY BELEW WALTER HARTLEY KAYLA STINNETT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ALLI OWNBY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH HOLLIDAY DALLAS MOORE ROGER WANG STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

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Student opinions hold value, importance PACE HOLDBROOKS 6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

To the new kids: welcome.

To the old kids: welcome back.

What did you do this summer? Don’t say it out loud, because then you would look like you were talking to a newspaper, and that would just be silly.

I guess we’ll have to catch up later.

Anyway, what you are currently reading is The Flor-Ala’s opinion section and, consequently, my first editorial piece of the school year. I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing, but they tell me editorials are where we students are able to

share our opinions in the form of written words.

That’s kind of cool – the idea that students have a venue to share opinions where it is guaranteed someone will listen.

Some of you may say, “Dude, you’re writing in a student newspaper, no one listens,” which is a valid opinion that I held for quite some time at UNA until I started writing for this and other publications in our community.

The truth is people do read things like student newspapers, because they want to read things about themselves. Think about it: If I wrote this editorial piece about you, wouldn’t you be curious to see what I had written?

If you said yes, your honesty will get you far, kid. If you said no, stop lying.

See, I’m right, aren’t I? You want to read about yourself.

What a conceited bunch of creatures we humans are.

Well, I say, conceited, but is it really wrong to want to feel

acknowledged? Is it wrong to think that the voice and perspective of an individual matters?

Honestly, I don’t think so. I think history, religion, politics, economics and whatever other category you use to measure ideas has proven time and time again that the individual is incredibly valuable and should be valued like completely unique pieces in a giant puzzle.

Similarly, I believe individuals are most valuable and valued within the context of a community.

Think of those psychological studies where baby monkeys that don’t have contact with another physical being get very sick and sometimes die, while the monkeys that have regular physical contact with a nurturing figure often grow up healthy and happy. Creatures need care – they need support – and they only get those things by being around other creatures.

So, what does this have to

do with UNA? Everything.

Maybe it’s the size of the student body, maybe it’s the city of Florence or maybe even the lions, but this is a unique place – a place where people can be acknowledged and accepted and free to grow into whomever they are going to be.

Here we have a unique opportunity to make a name for ourselves in a community where individuals matter.

So, this year, I’m going to focus my journalism efforts on people – people like you. What do you guys like? What grinds your gears? Let’s get a dialogue going.

You’ve got a lot of people here at UNA who are in your corner and want to see you do well, so feel free to swing for the fences.

Whatever happens this year, rest assured that people are going to care, and that your story matters. Now, let’s make something of it.

SGA aims to better the student experience

On behalf of UNA’s Student Government Association, I would like to welcome you to our campus! This year will be filled with stressful nights, social events, exams and life lessons. Do not let these things deter you from your goals for the year but strive to excel in all that you are involved in. Academics are your top priority and your parents will appreciate the fact that you are striving for a 4.0 this semester!

SGA has many ideas for the coming year that we hope to work toward to improve our university for the students

and our UNA community. We would also love to have input from our students on issues that we need to address on campus.

You have members of SGA all around you in the classroom, organizations and social settings. Take time to get to know these students and allow them to be your voice throughout the year. Our purpose as your representatives is to advocate for the betterment of the college experience for our students, and we must have the opinion of the majority to make this happen.

SGA is made up of four main branches. Senate, which is our legislative branch, works with the administration to improve our campus on the institutional level. University Program Council (UPC) plans events for our students to partake in throughout the year so that UNA feels like home to

students.

Freshman Forum is a combination of these two groups, made up of freshmen advocating for improvements for freshmen and creating social events for freshmen to attend. The judicial branch works with student conduct and other groups to ensure our code of conduct is upheld to the fullest and that SGA is representing our students efficiently.

We are always looking for students to join our organization, in order to have maximum representation of the students.

Please engage yourself in our efforts to better this campus by joining our RSO or by discussing issues with your SGA representatives around campus.

Find more information on what we do at www.una.edu/sga.

We are thrilled to have you here with us at this wonderful university and I am excited to

lead the student body as this campus sees many improvements and excelling programs.

Please stay tuned into what SGA is advocating for and working on throughout the year, and please feel free to contact any of us throughout the year. As we fill our branches with new students, we would love to see your face as one of our applicants!

Please feel free to stop by the SGA offices located on the first floor of the GUC. Our executive officers have office hours throughout the day and we love to hear from our student body as much as possible.

Be a leader on this campus and be a voice for yourself and fellow students.

Roar Lions, Laura Giles SGA President

8A NEWS

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala ;/) KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) It is the first student-led endowed scholarship initiative, and Giles said she hopes to finish funding the scholarship this year.

“It is up to the individual senators to continue with goals and ideas that they were passionate about last year,” she said. “Some goals take longer than a year to complete and are added back if they are still relevant to the student body.

The Endowed Scholarship is still being pursued, and we would love to finish it this year.”

Some students said last year they felt a sense of disconnect with SGA, and Giles said she hopes to fix that in the upcoming year.

“I feel that the students could get this impression if they are not highly engaged on campus,” she said. “We reach out to

<]Q\QWV KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM )

photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Senior Photographer

SGA senators listen as former SGA president Will Riley addresses the senate in a meeting last fall. The 2013 SGA is looking to complete several previously set goals.

“The whole reason for state schools was to be an alternative to private education, and I feel like the board of trustees doesn’t have any connection to the student body,” she said.

Trustee Joel Anderson said university officials need to re-examine their current budget to find places to pull money for a cost-of-living raise.

“The board has to do something to limit these increases,” Anderson said.

“I’m all for paying our staff fairly, but we have to level these tuition increases.”

Instead of being critical of the key players involved in deciding on the tuition increase, Anderson said he is critical of the process by which tuition is raised.

students, but our outreach can and will be improved this year. We do need the help from the students to be caring and passionate students and want to know what is happening within our school and organization.”

Hartley said he wants SGA to be more transparent with students this year, and that having new members could be a big part of reaching that goal.

“This new group of students can learn to see and think about how all of their decisions affect the student body,” he said.

Giles said student outreach is definitely an internal goal for SGA. “An internal goal of ours is to be transparent with our fellow students, so we hope to utilize every source we can to let the students know what we are discussing,” she said. “This issue must be resolved in order for our students to feel comfortable with us serving them.”

“Is there some way we can adopt a new program of drafting an initial budget in June and voting on the increases in September or October?” Anderson said.

“There’s too much guessing going on here.”

The approved 5.72 percent increase also brings a $2 increase for the transportation fee, a $1 increase in the facilities fee, a $15 increase in the student health fee and a $25 increase per semester in the university’s Dining Dollars program.

During the board meeting, members also elected to approve a $100 course fee for each course taken by students in the university’s Early College Program. The fee will go into effect during the summer 2014 term.

The UNA Board of Trustees will approve the university budget at their September meeting.

SPECIAL

SECTION B

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

VOLUNTEERING

BACK TO SCHOOL

photo by KEANU KIRKPATRICK I Student Photographer

Freshman Christina Garrick carries her belongings into LaGrange Hall with the help of ‘Unpack the Pride’ volunteers. Volunteers included students, parents and campus faculty and staff.

ʻUnpack the Prideʼ provides entertainment, friendships JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

A new group of freshmen converged in Florence and moved into their residence halls on Friday Aug. 16, while upperclassmen moved in on Aug. 17.

Jordy Searcy, a sophomore from Fairhope, Ala., moved into Rice Hall and said that he loves it.

“Move-in day was great,” he said.

“The room looked small at first, but once I moved my bed up high and made a desk

area underneath, the room started looking a lot bigger.”

Searcy said his favorite thing about the residence hall since move-in day is most of the students he has met have been able to play music with him.

Sophomore Stephanie Mullins of Decatur, Ala. moved into Appleby Hall on Aug. 1, but helped other students move in during Unpack the Pride.

Mullins said she enjoyed being part of Unpack the Pride.

“Unpack the Pride was crazy as usual and super tiring but I loved getting to meet and talk to lots of new people and

meet the girls that lived in my old room,” she said.

Hunter Girder of Hazelgreen, Ala. moved into Rivers Hall. He said he has not been homesick yet because living away from home has not set in.

He said he has met several dozen people and believes making new friends is important to freshmen.

“I think it is probably one of the most important things -- it kind of gives you a friend base of people,” he said.

Peyton Sheffield, a freshman from Florence, moved into LaGrange Hall.

She said she decided to live-on

campus to save on gas and that move-in day was not that big of deal for her.

“My parents weren’t even that emotional, my Dad was out of town and my Mom was just like, ‘ok let me just rearrange your room,’” she said.

Sheffield said she was surprised about the set up of visitiation rules for the resident halls.

“It is pretty cool, my Dad thought that it would be locked up like Fort Knox,” she said. “They were just like ‘oh well you can bring who you want, but you figure all that visitation stuff out with your rommate.’

SUPPLIES

Textbook purchases available off-campus, online ANNA GRACE USERY 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\

Move into the dorms? Check. Register for classes? Check. Stay up all night with new friends? Check.

Wait -- forgetting something? Upon arriving to your first class, these dreaded words will be uttered by each professor: Buy this textbook.

IN THIS SECTION

Fortunately, there are different options available to students.

Two places are available for students to buy textbooks on UNA’s campus: the university bookstore on the first floor of the Guillot University Center and the Off-Campus Bookstore, located on N. Court Street.

The UNA bookstore’s Course Material Manager Micah Todd said the com-

Bobby Wallace Profile See page 3B

London Study Abroad See page 5B

petition of varied textbook locations is healthy both for students and the bookstore itself.

“It keeps us extra sharp in the goods and services we provide,” he said. “Despite the presence of the competitors, UNA students continue to choose the oncampus bookstore for a great value and unique service.”

Across the street from Keller Hall,

the Off-Campus Bookstore resides in a small cottage and houses UNA fan gear and textbooks.

Off-Campus Bookstore Store Manager Brad Nichols said buying books in person saves a lot of trouble someone could have if they were to buy online.

“Buying at the Off-Campus Book-

ʻYummyʼ Review See page 6B

;MM *773; XIOM *

Back to School Issue Continued See page 7B

2B SPORTS

Aug. 22, 2013 â&#x20AC;¢ The Flor-Ala

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SPORTS 3B

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

PROFILE

Wallace: ʻFlorence is the place I loveʼ JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

With cool, crisp air and classes starWith cool, crisp air and classes starting, it can only mean one thing: football is finally here.

Bobby Wallace returns to UNA for his twelfth season at the helm of the Lions football program and his second since returning to Florence last January.

Wallace has spent most of his life coaching college football.

He lived in Jackson, Miss. and said he played many sports in high school.

“I had a great high school career,” he said.

He signed with Mississippi State University in 1972 and started for the Bulldogs for three seasons, he said.

“It was fun and we went to the Sun Bowl my junior year,” he said. “I stayed (as a graduate assistant) and that is when I was hired by Pat Dye.” In 1997, he left the Bulldogs staff to join Dye at East Carolina University to coach the defensive backs.

Wallace followed Dye to Wyoming in 1980 and to Auburn in 1981. He spent five years at Auburn before he left to become the defensive coordinator for Mississippi State in 1986. In 1987, he became the defensive backs coach for Illinois University.

Photo courtesy of Mississippi State University Athletics

photo courtesy of Sports Information

Bobby Wallace poses for his individual photo during his career at Mississippi State (Left). Wallace is returning for his twelfth season as head coach of the football team (Right).

In 1988, the University of North Alabama named Wallace as their new head football coach. UNA was up and down for the first five seasons that he was in Florence -- the Lions had three winning seasons and two losing seasons.

“I just got into a situation where I just wanted to get back to coaching in the

South,” he said. “Eventually I wanted to be a head coach, but it wasn’t like I was dying to be one...”

The

For more photos and the rest of the story, scan this QR code into your codereading app on your smart phone. You can also visit our website at florala.net

4B SPORTS

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

RENOVATIONS

Flowers Hall gets facelift, showcases new logo JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

For the first time in seven years, Flowers Hall will have a new court design that was finished on Aug. 14. said Athletic Director Mark Linder.

Assistant Athletic Director for Operations Tyler Unsicker said having the new logo on the floor is a big step in the rebranding of athletics and the university.

“We just really wanted to incorporate the new logo as much as we can, which has been my goal,” he said. “I think especially for our fans, when they come in they are going to have the shock and awe factor, which is what you always want.”

Those fans in Flowers Hall will be cheering on the volleyball team along with the men’s and women’s basketball team.

The floor features a new logo, new baseline font and a fresh coat of paint.

“It is shiny and it is clean,” said Men’s Head Basketball Coach Bobby Champagne. “It looks good right now.”

Linder and the coaches that have their teams play on the floor agree it will have some kind of impact on recruiting.

“I think whenever you have a nice facility with the logo on the floor, as big as it is, it will have a tremendous impact on not only our recruits but also are community,” Linder said. “It is a great facility already, but we think the facelift we got

photo by James Dubuisson I Sports Editor

The volleyball team practices on the new floor on Aug. 14 in Flowers Hall. The volleyball team was the first team to practice on the new floor.

this summer is really going to be a touch of class.”

Head Volleyball Coach Stephanie Radecki said the floor, along with future improvements, is important for recruiting.

“Anytime you upgrade facilities, it is impressive for recruits to see that,” she said. “We just need to continue to move our facilities forward.”

Champagne said he is happy with the new floor and is looking forward to future improvements.

“Hopefully we can continue improvement in Flowers Hall,” he said.

“We have done things in the 10 years I

For the full story and an exclusive FlorAla video segment, scan this QR code into your code-reading app on your smart phone.

You can also visit our website at florala.net

Looking for: Copy Editor and Account Executives

Copy Editor position? send your resume and a cover letter to Rebecca Walker at rlwalker@una.edu Account Executive position? send a resume and cover letter to Laura Ivie at businessteam@florala.net

Got Issues?

Writers Meetings Sundays at 4 p.m. all interested are encouraged to attend.

We can help!

555 Oakview Circle (In the white house behind Kilby School)

STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES All services for actively enrolled UNA Students are covered by payment of the Student Wellness Fee: x Assessment/Intake Evaluations x Personalized treatment planning x Individualized Counseling/Support x Referral as needed Regular Office Hours: Monday—Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Later appointments by request) For appointments call: 256-7 765-5 5215

Building New Beginnings

LIFE 5B London trip offers worldly perspectives Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

STUDY ABROAD

The English and history departments studied abroad in London for the July inter-session. While there, students were able to participate in cultural and historical exploration and satisfy academic credits.

“One of the important things that the students have to do before we even leave is come up with a formal proposal for a research project,” said English professor Lesley Peterson. “We are very much in guidance and support roles rather than instructors.”

Peterson and Jeffrey Bibbee, associate professor of history, said the experience is not solely about the work, but rather the personal ideas the work incites.

“On any given day [in the British Library] there are about 2,500 researchers in the building,” Bibbee said. “That includes our 11 students, Nobel prize winners, people who have been recognized as absolute leaders in literature and art, music, history – every discipline under the Sun. “Literally some of the best minds in the world are there in that summer. And when our students can realize ‘Yes, I am allowed to be here, too, and to work alongside these people as peers,’ it’s a really exciting moment.”

Bibbee and Peterson emphasized that students were allowed to wander freely through the campus they stayed on, with a flexible schedule of events and sightseeing pre-determined by the professors.

In their free time, students were able to take initiative to build their own experiences and walk away with a strong sense of self-satisfaction.

“The moments that captured my heart were the moments in which I walked the city streets alone and talked to other people living in or visiting London for various reasons,” said student Whitney Berryman. “Meeting people from Milan, Madrid, San Francisco and many other places was such a joy for me. Navigating my way through the city gave me a

feeling of independence and capability that I did not expect. I truly thought that I would stay lost the whole time, but by the end of the month, it seemed as if I had lived there for years.”

Students who traveled to London gained knowledge of research and writing, but also gained appreciation for students on their own campus.

“I think that sensitivity comes with the knowledge of the world being a big place,” Bibbee said. “The diversity that [the students] experience there lets them see multiple perspectives, multiple cultures, religious traditions and political philosophies that, when you have a student that comes into a certain place, [proves] how new everything can be.

They go through that and I think it makes them far more understanding of our international students’ experience here.”

According to Associated Colleges of the Midwest’s Project Proposal, studying abroad, in general, increases the ability to reason, increases the capacity for effective action and increases self-reflective insights.

“The important thing to realize is that it’s not just an expense, it’s an investment,” Peterson said. “I believe that this is, and will continue to prove, useful to students in getting jobs, getting scholarships, getting into good graduate schools. It’s an experience that not a lot of people have and it sets you apart.”

Though the expenses can seem lofty for a college student at $6,300, the cost is actually relatively low, Peterson said.

Group rates, past experiences and university residence allows for the cheapest trip without compromising experience.

“You can come up with the money,” Bibbee said. “Don’t let that prevent you.

Figure out what you want to do, set a goal, make it happen. Often what you find is that any time you explain to a family member the exciting opportunity you’re getting, if they have the means to help, they will.”

photo courtesy of UNA Centre for British Studies

From left to right: Hannah Garmon, Weley Garmon, Michael Self, Pat Tatchell and Leslie Crafton at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent.

Bibbee and Peterson encourage majors outside of either history or English to accompany the trip. Similarly, they encourage a mix of graduate students with undergraduates.

“I thought I had missed the chance to study abroad after passing it up as an undergrad,” said graduate student Leila

Turbeville. “But luckily UNA offers the experience to graduate students as well.

Not only do you get the chance to see places you would otherwise only see in movies, but you also have the opportunity to grow as an academic. I wouldn’t change anything about my experience except for wishing for more time.”

MEMORIAL

Economics professor leaves legacy for students, faculty CORINNE BECKINGER -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

With the passing of economics professor Jim Couch on June 26, faculty, staff and students of the College of Business who knew him are entering the school year with heavy hearts.

“The passing of Jim has left a true void in the College of Business,” said Greg Carnes, dean of the College of Business. “Jim was not just a great teacher and researcher, but he was a true scholar in every sense of the word.”

Couch passed away after losing an 18-month battle with kidney cancer that later spread to his lungs. He taught at UNA for 22 years, according to a June 28 obituary in The Times Daily.

Several students said Couch’s passion for the subject inspired them to commit to an economics degree at UNA. “He is the reason I am majoring in economics,” said Maghan Youngblood, a senior. “He was such a great teacher and

the fact that he could make economics interesting and fun to those who are not majoring in it says a lot about him.”

Michael Hoehn, also a senior, committed to an economics major after having a class with Couch as well.

“He was a very genuine individual,” Hoehn said. “No matter how sick he got he was always upbeat and he always had a smile on his face and was always willing to crack a joke.”

Hoehn later went on to work on several projects with Couch, he said.

Faculty members said it was more than just Couch’s passion for the subject that inspired students, but also his passion for teaching and daily interaction with students.

“Jim had more interaction with students than almost any other professor I know,” said Bruce Gordon, professor of finance and economics. “The students that were drawn to him were those that really cared about learning more about Economics. He was a great mentor for them and loved to share his passion for

Economics.”

John Barrett, associate professor of economics, agreed.

“I would virtually guarantee that Jim was responsible for more students majoring in economics than any other faculty member,” he said. “Jim was a ‘people person’ in every sense. Whether they be UNA students, faculty, staff, fellow members of his church, members of his district as a City Council member or any he ever met, Jim always put people above everything else.”

While Couch encouraged facultystudent collaboration with hands-on projects, he also promoted faculty friendships through project collaborations.

Barrett and Keith Malone, associate professor of economics and finance, are in the process of completing a book the three were working on together.

Barrett said a special edition of the Journal of Business, Industry and Economics will be dedicated in his memory, since Couch was an editor of the magazine.

“His curiosity and passion for research was contagious, and he inspired many faculty members to initiate research projects, and then mentored them through the research process,” Carnes said.

As applications for a professor of economics and finance are submitted this fall, professors like Barrett and Carnes believe his presence will never be fully replaced.

“Jim’s legacy is fourfold: teacher, scholar, colleague and friend,” Barrett said. “Jim helped many faculty members work on research and scholarly pursuits.

He mentored numerous students as they made a metamorphosis from reticent underclassmen to confident graduates. He truly wanted the best for every student and colleague.

He leaves a legacy not only of the kind of faculty member we should strive to be, but of the kind of person we should strive to be.”

6B LIFE

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

FOOD REVIEW

Yummies Bakery lives up to name, employs students

ANNA GRACE USERY 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s a new sheriff in town.

Yummies Bakery and Deli specializes in an extensive amount of sugary sweets including cakes, brownies, cupcakes, pies and other morsels your inner child can feast upon.

The bakery has been up and running since 2010 under the management of owner Dawn Fry. Yummies’ original location was in Tuscumbia, but they have since moved into a strip mall on Florence Boulevard down from Lowe’s, where they are celebrating their one-month anniversary.

Upon my entrance into the Candyland-type euphoria, I noticed one thing screamingly jutting out -- the walls were plastered a shade of pink, a combination of Winnie the Pooh’s friend Piglet and a bold dose of Pepto Bismol.

My eyes were then drawn to the transparent-glass cases that revealed the King’s bounty. Rows and columns filled with a delicious assortment of cupcakes,

cookies, brownies and other succulent treats literally turned me into a kid in a candy shop.

With over 77 different flavors, each homemade cupcake packs a creative punch. Among the new flavors Fry is adapting in the kitchen are peanut butter and jelly and chocolate-caramel peanut butter.

As I peeked into the busy-bee kitchen, I noticed state of the art pans, ovens and utensils that created a very professional façade.

The presentation of the desserts was overwhelming. Each treat looked as if it were not rushed, but given an extra “oomf” of love and affection.

I was lucky enough to score a wide neapolitan-colored assortment of treats, which made me eager to delve into each.

With a presentation I almost thought too beautiful to eat, the struggle was real. I bit satisfactorily into each morsel and masticated them almost to a sinful extent. The taste extended that of a glorified cake mix, but it did have a novice twang.

Overall: tasty.

Yummies is also a regular go-to catering service. Out of the four employees, two are UNA culinary students. Under photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer the direction of Fry and with the crafti- Yummies Bakery and Deli offers 77 different flavors of cupcakes, including peaness of the culinary majors, Yummies nut butter and jelly and chocolate-caramel peanut butter. produces decadent cakes and pies perfect Way Wednesday, Sept. 3 and will give 10 If you are in the neighborhood, stop for every occasion. percent of its profit to the organization. by Yummies and try the cake balls and Fry said being involved in the com- Fry said she is willing to discuss other brownies -- delish! Also, ‘like’ Yummies munity is a very important goal for Yum- fundraising opportunities with organizaBakery and Deli on Facebook to get daily mies. tions within UNA and the surrounding flavor updates.

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SPECIAL 7B

Aug. 22, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

RECREATION

Students explore the Shoals for entertainment MICHAEL THAXTON

;\]LMV\ _ZQ\MZ U\PI`\WV(]VI ML]

It would be difficult to complain of having nothing to do in Florence during the school year. Many students say that, with willingness to get up and look around, there are plenty of great (and often free) things to do in the area.

Many of the activities that students, like Heather Simmers, find are outdoorrelated.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) trails in the Shoals, for example, offer scenic views, exercise and picnic spots.

“I usually go to the TVA trails or the parks around town,” Simmers, a senior, said. “Hiking, walking...and McFarland has camping and swimming as well.”

Some students like to take advantage of UNA’s proximity to the Tennessee River, which runs directly through Florence, just minutes from campus.

The Outdoor Adventure Center, located behind Rice and Rivers Halls, rents an assortment of outdoor and camping gear to students for free, from from tents to unicycles. Leaders at the OAC occasionally organize chances to experience in the natural world around Florence.

“I’m all about running,” said junior

Morgan Massey. “Florence is a beautiful place to run. I also go to the movies or out to dinner, usually with my boyfriend or my Tau Beta Sigma sisters.”

There are also several businesses to visit, from restaurants downtown, like Rosie’s Mexican Cantina or City Hardware, to the Salvation Army and the public library.

First Fridays, which occurs on the first Friday of every month, is an event that offers some interesting experiences, from live music to assorted vendors, and even some special deals from the businesses downtown.

Bars like FloBama also have live mu-

*773; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * “-store ensures the student will get the correct textbook the professor wants,” he said. “Sometimes with buying online, students receive the wrong book or even the wrong edition required for the class.”

Nichols also said buying and renting textbooks at the Off-Campus location is easy.

“Basically, you leave your credit card number as collateral, pay the rental fee and get a date for return,” he said. “It’s that simple.”

Off-Campus Bookstore customer and UNA student Evan Sandy said he never uses his textbooks.

“Professors require we buy these expensive textbooks, and then we never

end up using them,” he said. “If I do buy the books, I try to spend less than $200 a semester.”

A new way of buying textbooks has arisen through the use of social media.

The “UNA Student Book Exchange” group on Facebook was created by UNA transfer student Nathan Flippo and has approximately 950 members.

Flippo received the idea from Mississippi State University in 2009, where he was attending college at the time.

“I hoped to help out the local students by bringing the idea here and giving them the same opportunities I had enjoyed previously,” Flippo said of implementing the idea at UNA. UNA student Amber Denson said she

is not convinced the UNA Student Book Exchange group is very effective.

“I am a nursing student, so not many of the textbooks I need are available on the page,” she said. “I usually buy my books at the UNA bookstore, where I pay at least $100 for each book among the five I have to have during the semester. I hate doing it, but it’s for the nursing program.”

So, even though buying textbooks may not be appealing to your wallet, bookstores around campus and community involvement through social media have made options for buying books readily available to students.

sic on the weekends, and often feature samplings of the talented array of local artists.

There are various events scheduled throughout the year which can be found on the University’s website.

If students are not drawn to any of the events already planned on campus, they can always organize their own, as long as they are willing to be creative (within the limits of the law, of course).

When it comes to entertainment in Florence, finding a suitable pastime is often a case of getting up and doing a little bit of exploring for yourself.

OFF-CAMPUS BOOKSTORE • LOCATED AT 472 N COURT STREET, ACROSS FROM KELLER HALL

HOURS

AFTER

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MONDAY - THURSDAY 8:30 - 5:00 FRIDAY 8:30 - 4:00 SATURDAY OPEN ON GAME DAYS

8B EXTRA

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Aug. 22, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.