April 19 - Mayoral debate, Janoris Jenkins, and ADA compliance

April 19, 2012

Volume 80 No. 28

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

Mayoral candidates face off @UNAFlorAla @FlorAlaSports

A LOOK INSIDE

See page 2A Officials work to become more compliant with ADA standards.

photos by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

Billy Ray Simpson, Rick Singleton and Mickey Haddock discuss their visions if elected as Florence mayor April 16 in the GUC performance center. The Student Government Association-sponsored event allowed each candidate to answer questions in a debate style format.

See page 4B Some international students have trouble adjusting to American diets.

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A packed GUC performance center was the home of the SGA Florence mayoral debate April 16 where candidates Billy Ray Simpson, Mickey Haddock and Rick Singleton took to the stage to inform citizens of why they should be the next city mayor.

Haddock concentrated on his future vision of the city, Simpson on his compassion toward citizens and Singleton on his experience as Florence police chief.

Haddock, Simpson and Singleton focused heavily on the importance of building a stronger relationship between the university and city of Florence.

“We don’t understand really

what a jewel we have in the University of North Alabama, and as mayor I plan to build on that … it’s a great resource and we need to tap into it,” Haddock said.

Singleton echoed Haddock’s comments when he was asked how the city and university could improve their relationship. He said the mayor should sit down with the university administration and

SGA to brainstorm.

“We need that kind of working relationship,” Singleton said. “We are joined at the hip; what’s good for one is good for the other.”

Haddock, if elected, said he plans to create advisory committees to the city government and fill them with UNA students, faculty and staff to create a more transpar

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Former UNA player, NFL prospect denies drug use See page 1B Get to know lead-off batter and second baseman Michael Schmidt away from the diamond.

See page 2B See a recap of last week’s games and the matchups for UNA teams this weekend.

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Senior cornerback and National Football League prospect Janoris Jenkins has allegedly admitted to continued drug use at UNA, according to multiple NFL reports.

The NFL reports that Jenkins admitted to officials in pre-draft interviews that he continued to use drugs while attending UNA last fall.

Jenkins, who has been projected to be a possible first-round draft pick, said the claims are false.

“I did not say that (I smoked while at UNA); I don’t know where that came from,” he said.

Rob McBurnett, public relations official for the NFL, could not be reached for comment about

Jenkins’ alleged drug use by deadline.

Jenkins transferred to UNA in the fall of 2011 from the University of Florida following two drug related arrests in 2011. Jenkins was also arrested in May 2009 arrest during a fight.

Jenkins said getting away from the drug problems he faced while studying in Florida is precisely the reason he transferred to UNA. He said he didn’t party while at UNA. “The main reason I went (to UNA) was to regroup myself and get my mind back right,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said he feels like he matured while at UNA. Upon arrival at UNA, Jenkins was required to sign a “no-tolerance” contract, according to Sports

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photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

Janoris Jenkins, who transferred to UNA from the University of Florida last year, cools off after a game in Cleveland, Miss. last fall. Jenkins, an NFL prospect, has been under recent scrutiny in the national media for alleged drug use at UNA, but he claims the reports are false.

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News Briefs UNA police ask students to not park behind lion habitat

News WORKING TOWARD FULL COMPLIANCE

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

UNA police are asking students, faculty and staff to not park in the parking lot behind the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat near campus.

UNA police Chief Bob Pastula said today that students, faculty and staff are parking in the lot that is not owned by the university. The owner of the lot is threatening to put up a fence that would block access to the lion habitat, hindering the ability of the lion handlers to properly transport the lions around the community, Pastula said.

The lot’s owner will tow anyone who parks there without permission, Pastula said.

For more information on parking on campus, contact the UNA Police Department at 256-765-HELP.

SGA tables rec fee resolution for April 19 SGA Senate tabled a resolution April 12 brought forth after a presidential veto by SGA President Ralph Akalonu.

Akalonu vetoed the resolution that would have potentially taken away $1 per credit hour of the student recreation fee that has been set aside for the potential purchase of the Florence Golf and Country Club.

Senator Mary-Francis Wilson, the original author of the resolution, brought the resolution back up to senators to get a vote for an override.

Akalonu said he would not sign the resolution if the wording was not changed.

“I am just against keeping the $1 fee because the original purpose of the fee was for the purchase of land,” Wilson said.

“SGA is not being very transparent as a student government if it allocates those funds toward something else without telling students.”

Many senators wanted to table the issue to the April 19 meeting because they did not have enough information to make a decision.

“We really need more student input, and I’m not just talking just a handful of people,” said Senate Pro-Tem Tyree Fletcher. “Senate as a whole needs to go out and listen to students and hear what they have to say.”

Akalonu has asked Recreational Sports and Fitness Director Jim Eubanks to come to the next meeting to present what his department could do with the fee if senate left it in place.

Stay with The Flor-Ala April 19 after the SGA meeting as this story develops.

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WANT US TO COVER? News Briefs are compiled by News Editor Josh Skaggs. Email jskaggs@una.edu to have your event featured in this section.

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

UNA student Brooke Weckwarth navigates the sidewalks in front of her apartment on campus. Weckwarth, who has cerebal palsy, worked with university officials in order to get the railing (above) put in for her to get in and out of her apartment more easily.

Students, officials discuss disability standards on campus 2WZLIV *ZILTMa

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Officials at UNA are working toward keeping the university compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990/2010 because parts of the campus are falling below standards.

The ADA is a civil rights law intended to prevent discrimination toward people with disabilities and provide accessibility.

To stay compliant with the ADA, UNA Shared Governance created an Infrastructure Development Committee in the fall of 2011, and an ADA consultant was hired in November to correct parts of the university that have fallen below standards, including difficult-to-access areas of the campus, buildings that don’t meet ADA standards and a 23-year-out-of-date accessibility map of the university.

“We’re creating a list of things we have

to do,” said David Shields, vice president of student affairs. “We’re also developing a plan, so we’re consistently and appropriately addressing ADA issues.”

Shields said university officials have already taken steps this semester to increase UNA’s ADA compliance using a two-pronged approach addressing issues that are not yet problems but are below ADA standards and problems brought to the committee’s attention, like the recently fixed situation with handicap spots in the university’s parking lots.

“All handicap spots on campus are now ADA compliant,” Shields said. “It’s the first impression people get of the university, so it’s important to do.”

Altogether, five more spaces were added, the width of the spaces was widened to eight feet to fit ADA standards, and purple signs were put up with each spot to signal spots, said Dr. Lisa Moses, ADA consultant for UNA.

Now that the parking standards are fixed, another problem has come to both Shields’ and Moses’ attention—the need for the creation of a new map of handicapaccessible routes through the campus.

The latest available map of the university was created in 1989, Moses said, and because of changes to UNA’s campus, is missing several renovations and buildings, like the Student Recreation Center, the parking deck and Covington Hall.

Two members of the Department of Geography, students Stephen Yancey and Jimmy Hilley, are working on a new map of the campus, Moses said, and the map will be made available in a digital format online for ease of access.

Another problem with UNA’s campus being ADA compliant is the large number of stairs and the compact size of the cam-

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UPC: Spring concert tickets going fast )VLa <PQOXMV

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Cheryl Mathis, coordinator of programming for student engagement, described a line of students that gathered 20 minutes before 10 a.m. April 4.

The students were waiting to be some of the first to get their free J. Cole tickets from the University Program Council (UPC).

“Those first (tickets) were gone in less than an hour,” Mathis said. “That was unexpected but hopeful. We were hoping for that, but we didn’t expect it.

“We knew people were interested, but we didn’t think we’d go through 100 tickets.”

J. Cole was announced as the entertain-

er for the UPC Spring Concert March 28.

Will Riley, vice president of UPC, was also happy with the numbers.

“We’ve handed out at least 500 student tickets, which is the most UPC has ever done in the past,” he said. “This far out from the concert, we’re extremely pleased with having around 500 students so far.”

Riley also said there is no end to student tickets and his personal goal is to distribute 1,200 tickets to attendees.

“There’s no cap on student tickets because the concert is funded by the student activity fee,” Riley said. “I believe it’s unethical to charge students money for a ticket because it is their concert.”

John Shyer of Auburn Moon Agency said the number of advanced student tickets handed out is large compared to past shows.

“This has been the quickest-selling show,” Shyer said.

Shyer worked with UPC last spring to book Gloriana. Advance tickets totaled between 400 and 500, while approximately 800 attended the performance.

He also worked with ResLife last fall to book Matisyahu. Eight hundred tickets were given in advance, and more than 1,000 students attended the show, Shyer said.

Judging from past years, Mathis is hopeful about this show.

“I think this will be one of the larger crowds the spring concert has seen in quite a few years,” she said. “It seems like (J. Cole) is fresh enough to gather interest but established enough to where people won’t question the music. It’ll be a good mix.”

Thursday, April 19, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

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News

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

SMAC hosts culture night, celebrates diversity at university A]UQ <[]SIUW\W

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Students from across the world will gather to share their cultures, customs and international cuisine during the 10th annual Global Culture Night April 21 at 7 p.m. in Norton Auditorium.

The Student Multicultural Advisory Committee (SMAC) has organized the event with the help of individual UNA students and the community.

The event will feature many different international performances by UNA students, the Chinese Student Organization, Japanese University Meal Project, African Student Organization, Ascending Voices and Shoals community members.

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“It’s hard for me to get up and down them,” said Brooke Weckwarth, a UNA student with cerebral palsy. “The biggest thing is the random stairs with no rails.”

Weckwarth, a senior at UNA, has difficulty travelling across campus and has received aid from Disability Support Services in the past.

“Anytime I ever need anything, I know I can go to them,” Weckwarth said. “They have always helped me. If we didn’t have them, I don’t think I would have been as good as I am.”

Weckwarth said that while she has received aid from Disability Support Services, certain places like Rice Hall and the

“Global Culture Night is an opportunity for international students to show different talents and introduce UNA students to the cultures,” said UNA senior Allison Ray, SMAC leader and organizer of the event.

“Global Culture Night is not just for the American students and domestic students who try to learn it; it’s also for the international students who learn American culture and share their own cultures.”

People can see and experience many different kinds of cultures without traveling the world or learning other languages to communicate with people and exchange cultures, Ray said.

This year, SMAC has the goal “Aim to Change” for the entire year of activities, and it is also the theme of Global Culture Night. The purpose is to advocate, inte-

grate, and motivate students to raise awareness for different issues, different cultures and diversity. Through this event, SMAC desires for more students to be interested in other cultures.

Ray said the event is a great time for not only international students who will perform and share their own cultures, but also for Americans who will get to know new customs and talents.

“I am little nervous but excited because I’ve been to Global Culture Night, and everyone you see has so many different talents and so many different kind of dresses,” said UNA senior Rachel Bond, who will act as emcee for this event.

This event is free, and, following the event, there will be international foods, music and dancing in the GUC Atrium.

“It is the entire world, not just a specific country, so it’s great way for Americans, UNA and (other) communities, too, to be exposed to different cultures,” Bond said.

Stone Lodge can be difficult to reach.

A detailed ramp is planned for the area around Rice Hall to allow better access to the front of the hall, Shields said, and the construction of a ramp to the Stone Lodge has been completed, though in a way that costs more money than other options.

“We know we have to do this, so we’ll go ahead and do them right,” Shields said.

“We try to handle each and every case that comes to us and handle them well.

“Make it right, make it nice, do things the right way. If you do things right, you only have to do it once.”

Another major issue with allowing access to people who are wheelchair bound or otherwise limited in their mobility is older buildings like Bibb Graves, which only has a stair lift to bring students who cannot use stairs up to the higher floors.

“It could be very awkward,” said Jon

McGee, a SGA senator and senior at UNA. “If you have five handicapped students trying to go up, think how long it could take.

And it could be hazardous to other students.”

McGee, who is also involved in the effort to bring a veteran’s center to UNA, said some veterans can return home with various disabilities, and buildings and areas that are not ADA compliant can lead to those students not attending the university.

“I think it’s going to be an important issue as we go to Division I,” McGee said.

“With the move, more disabled students will be coming to campus and may decide not to come here if they see the accommodations.”

Moses said Bibb Graves is currently compliant with ADA standards, though if students have difficulty reaching the top floor, there are lower-level floors available

for classes with disabled students.

“It’s not just a building code,” Moses said. “People think of parking spaces and ramps, but that’s not all. It’s really more of a civil rights issue.”

Along with making sure buildings are up to standards, Moses said one of the major concerns right now is to make sure all programs, including Internet classes, are accessible to disabled students.

While other improvements to UNA’s campus are planned for the future, Weckwarth doesn’t think much can be done for UNA’s campus simply because of what it is.

“I’m not sure they can improve,” Weckwarth said. “They have tried, but with how the buildings are, I think it could be out of their control.”

WANT TO GO? Who: Students at UNA What: Global Culture Night When: April 21 at 7 p.m.

Where: Norton Auditorium, GUC

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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Students hurry to spend remaining dining dollars 4]Ka *MZZa

12-pack cases of soda and earbuds have appeared in different locations at UNA. “We want to give students the opportunity to use their money,” he said. “The idea is that they spend it all.”

The new academic and student commons center to break ground within the year will feature food service providers such as Chick-Fil-A and Starbucks. Kinkead said UNA needs to generate more on-campus dining sales before those restaurants appear at the university.

“They are demanding brands and require certain sales to come to college campuses, and we have to prove we can provide those sales,” he said.

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Officials are urging students to spend their remaining dining dollars by May 10 or risk losing those unspent funds, which will be split between the university and Sodexo Dining Services at the end of the semester.

Alan Kinkead, general manager of Sodexo at UNA, said the mandatory $75 dining charge, which was unanimously approved at last year’s June board of trustees meeting, affects students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours who are not signed up for a meal plan.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION ON-CAMPUS FOOD LOCATIONS:

”This charge is to help support

new brands. Everyone wants retail brands, and this provides a base for those brands to come to campus.”

-Alan Kinkead The $75 declining balance was implemented to help the university push for new campus developments and food service providers, Kinkead said.

“The (remaining dining dollars) will be split between the university and Sodexo, and there won’t be a whole lot left to split,”

• Subconnection photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

UNA senior Jordan Jaggers spends his dining dollars in the GUC food court on campus. Jaggers, like many students, is taking advantage of the deals Sodexo is offering for students to spend the remainder of their dining dollars.

he said. “This charge is to help support new brands. Everyone wants retail brands, and this provides a base for those brands to come to campus.”

Dining dollars may be used at any Sodexo location, including Pizza Hut, A&W, Simply to Go, Smart Market,

SubConnection, Einstein Bros. Bagels, World of Wings, Towers Cafeteria and the Roar Store.

Kinkead said they have added new items to the different on-campus Sodexo locations to entice more students into spending their remaining funds. For example,

• Pizza Hut • A&W hamburgers • Towers Dining Hall • The C Store

WANT MORE INFORMATION 24/7?

Check out our website at www.florala.net.

START PUSHING YOURSELF.

START CHALLENGING YOURSELF. START DEVELOPING SKILLS. START BUILDING CONFIDENCE.

START RAISING THE BAR. START TAKING ON CHALLENGES. S.

START MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

START EARNING RESPECT.

START STRONG. SM

There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. Make Army ROTC part of your University of North Alabama experience and be eligible for a full-tuition scholarship, fees for books and a monthly stipend. When you’re finished, you’ll earn the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Register for an ROTC elective today.

ASK ABOUT OUR SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND SIMULTANEOUS MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM! Visit our office at Wesleyan Hall Annex Room 142. Contact Major Leslie Nelson at (256) 765-4458 or lnelson@una.edu or visit our web site at www.una.edu/rotc ©2008. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

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Looking forward to next year 2W[P ;SIOO[

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As this year’s news/managing editor, I have spent a lot of time with many different people around UNA’s campus and the Shoals and enjoyed every bit of it.

I can’t wait for another great year at The FlorAla, especially working as executive editor.

Next year, I plan to continue the journalistic integrity the current executive editor has worked so hard to instill in the staff. I loved working as this year’s news editor and can’t wait to build on the current editors’ work to improve the paper.

I plan to continue coverage of the important stories at UNA. Watch for continued coverage of the transition to Division I, SGA, local government and, of course, the almighty parking spot.

Don’t worry; for those of you who love the Tweets of the Week—they’re here to stay.

The people the UNA Student Media Board chose to work on the editorial staff next year is a group of awesome budding journalists who have the same drive and determination I have to get the stories that matter the most.

I have full faith in my successor, Alex Lindley, to continue to cover the news of the campus and surrounding area to the caliber the staff has worked

so hard for in the past.

As far as the outgoing staff goes, I cannot put into words the gratitude I have for each and every one of you. I will miss the laughing, the stress, the craziness and the awesome friendships.

You guys have taught me so much about journalism, myself, and how to have fun and still get a lot of work done.

To my editor, Lucy, thank you for the support throughout the year. You have been the support that I have been able to go to and ask questions (all the time) and have taught me just about everything I know. I have enjoyed having you as a great friend, and I look forward to seeing your name on the front page of The New York Times.

To our readers, I encourage feedback. Let us know what we are doing well, what we are doing wrong and what we could improve on for next year. We cannot get better as a staff and as YOUR student newspaper if you don’t let us know. I strongly encourage readers to call our offices or email usw directly to give your feedback.

Thanks to all of the readers who continually pick up our papers, to the writers who have worked so hard for me and the faculty members who have been there for me throughout the year.

For now, I will say, “See you next year.”

To contact Josh, call 256-765-4296, or you can follow him on Twitter at @ joshskaggs.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

PAWS UP, PAWS DOWN

Calling it like we see it at UNA, in the Shoals, across the state and around the world Area law enforcement officers waited tables April 12 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse in Florence to raise money for Shoals Special Olympics. All tips were donated to the organization, which uses the money to provide equipment, transportation and fees for athletes to attend competitions—local, state and national.

This year marks the second consecutive year for Texas Roadhouse to host the annual event. Muscle Shoals High School will host this year’s Special Olympics April 20.

A large number of UNA student fans showed up to support the Lions April 14 at Super Saturday 2012 in Braly Stadium.

SHOUTOUT! Congrats to Staff Writer Matt Wilson for being named Writer of the Week for The Flor-Ala. Also, great job to Chief Photographer Malisa McClure for having Photo of the Week in the last edition of The Flor-Ala. Want to be a columnist for The FlorAla? Email alindley@una.edu with your ideas and a writing sample to be considered for publication.

Relationship Column

Date humans, not races, ethnicities 5ITQ[I 5K+T]ZM

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I was recently talking to a guy I’d been hanging out with for a while, when he asked me a strange question.

“How did you know you were attracted to black guys?” he asked.

My friend, by the way, is black.

His question surprised me; it seemed to imply that I rolled out of bed one fateful morning and thought, “You know what—from now on, I like black guys!”

My answer to his question, however, was much simpler. I know when I’m attracted to a black guy the same way I know when I’m attracted to any other guy. Skin color has nothing to do with it.

Black, white, red or even purple, there are things I find attractive in any man. I like rough, strong hands and arms that easily lift me up. Like any girl, I love a pretty smile and a good laugh, and I highly value intelligence.

I’m drawn to men who are confident and have a presence when they enter a room—and a good sense of humor doesn’t hurt.

Color just shouldn’t matter—right?

According to a Framingham State University study, about half of Americans

Cartoon of the Week

have dated someone outside their racial group.

Also, the mixed race population in America has grown by 2.4 percent since 2000.

Though interracial dating is on the rise, according to the study, interracial daters are less likely to engage in public displays of affection or meet each other’s parents.

Additionally, mixed-race relationships are less likely to end in marriage than same-sex relationships.

Why the discrepancy? Interracial dating is obviously common in America, yet it seems to be hidden—as though there’s something wrong with it.

Looking over these facts prompted me to review my own dating history. Admittedly, I have dated more white guys than guys of other races. Not intentionally; that’s just how it happened. Still, I have dated my fair share of different races.

One of my first boyfriends was Asian; I dated two or three black guys in high school, and I lost my virginity to a half-black, halfMexican guy. I continue to date and flirt with men of other races or ethnicities today, and I’ve been attracted to men of races and ethnicities ranging from German to white to Macedonian.

It seems strange to me that race should be an important factor to consider in dating. Even today, in 2012, with an interracial marriage rate of over 14 percent, there are people who consider it taboo.

As someone who has dated within and outside my race, I urge those people to let go of their prejudices. By only dating within their races, they could be missing out on meeting some great people.

After all, we’re all human—even if we do have different skin colors.

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama LUCY BERRY EXECUTIVE EDITOR JOSH SKAGGS NEWS/MANAGING EDITOR ANDY THIGPEN LIFE EDITOR TOMMY BOLTON SPORTS EDITOR ALEX LINDLEY COPY/OPINIONS EDITOR JORDAN BRADLEY ONLINE EDITOR CAMERON KELLY-JOHNSON BUSINESS MANAGER SAVANNAH COMER GRAPHIC ARTIST JULIANN LOSEY CIRCULATION MANAGER MALISA McCLURE CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KAYLA SLOAN BARRY MINOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

EDITORIAL BOARD: LUCY BERRY ALEX LINDLEY

Letters Policy The Flor-Ala welcomes and encourages Letters to the Editor.

• 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 writer’s 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 Editor’s Note may accompany a letter.

• Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300, Florence, AL 35632.

Email: florala@una.edu.

Letters may also be submitted through our website at florala.net.

• Phone: 256-765-4364

Copyright © 2012 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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Police to implement new dispatch center by August 2W[P ;SIOO[

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A constant ringing phone when calling the campus police department after hours is what UNA police Chief Bob Pastula is working to put a stop to.

With the recent university-wide switchover to AT&T, the system the university police department uses for calls is proving ineffective, Pastula said.

“Right now every officer has a radio, but the 911 calls are coming in on the cell phone, and that’s the weak link,” he said in a recent strategic meeting on campus.

During the March 21 Strategic Planning and Budget Study Committee meeting, Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields said there have been significant suicide attempts by students in the residence halls where they could not get through to the university police department because of the phone system issue the department is experiencing.

,-*)<- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) ent government.

Simpson said there are development opportunities in the city’s west side that could be worked on to improve UNA and Florence relations.

“There’s many ideas that I have as far as integrating our city and community with UNA,” Simpson said. “There are many plans to open up the west side of town here because there is a lot of UNA students that

With the current system, when members of the community call either 911 or 765-HELP after police office hours, they are forwarded to the Lauderdale County Emergency Management office and then to the Florence Police Department’s dispatch center.

Once being transferred to the FPD dispatch center, the call is sent out to the university police department for response.

After the call is sent to the university police department, the call is then forwarded to an on-duty officer who answers the call via cell phone.

During the budget committee meeting, Pastula said the female university student tried to call 911 and got the answering machine seven times.

The new dispatch center will be right next door to the university police department’s communication center, which will allow the department to communicate with the public better in a time of emergency. “(The new dispatch center) gives us the

opportunity to serve the community better by calls for assistance coming right in here and officers being able to send out Lion Alerts (to alert the community of an emergency),” Pastula said.

The committee approved the money

are walking, and they don’t need to go to the other side of town, and they don’t need to go all the way out to Cox Creek (Parkway) in order to have a place to shop and in order to enjoy a bite to eat.”

Candidates were asked their personal opinions on the UNA board of trustees’ decision to move their athletics programs to NCAA Division I athletics last year.

“Personally, I am going to support the decisions of the board of trustees,” Haddock said. “That decision has been made, and as mayor I am going to work to support that decision.”

Simpson disagreed, citing that the university is an educational institution and should not put athletics before academics.

Singleton said he needed to look more into the issue and he is excited the university will be competing more with its rivals in the future if the D-I transition is successful.

Haddock centered his statements on creating jobs, improving the city’s “outstanding schools,” working with local hospitals, creating more government transparency and building a civic center to host musical events.

Simpson’s closing remarks focused on

”This is all about keeping the community safe, keeping the officers safe and keeping the campus safe.”

-Bob Pastula needed to hire dispatchers who will man a proposed dispatch center in its March 21 meeting. Pastula said he hopes to have the dispatch center up and running by August of this year.

The new center will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week by mostly part-time student workers, he said.

“This is all about keeping the community safe, keeping the officers safe and keeping the campus safe,” Shields said.

Shields said the new process will help the community by improving response time and the safety of the UNA officers when they are on duty.

Currently, when officers who work in the evening have to answer the phone, they are distracted and cannot give their full attention to what is going on around them, Shields said. With the new system, the officers will be able to pay close attention when performing traffic stops or are put in difficult situations, he said.

When the new dispatch center becomes fully operational, it can serve as a back-up location for the Lauderdale County EMA. “If their center was to go down, they could come here and use our center to dispatch folks too,” Pastula said.

the current plans city leaders have to improve the city.

“It takes a team in Florence,” Simpson said. “It takes people working together for a common goal.

“It takes people that have a heart to come together for the common goal.”

Singleton, who closed the debate, focused on his experience.

“I am not going to stand here and make a bunch of promises to you about a civic center and bridges, because those things cost a lot of money, and this city does not have the money right now,” Singleton said.

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Thursday, April 19, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

S PORTS

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Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Contact Sports Editor Tommy Bolton at 256.765.4364

Leading the way

OAC offers equipment to UNA students *ZIVLWV <PQOXMV

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photo by BARRY MINOR I Staff Photographer

Leadoff hitter and second baseman Michael Schmidt has been huge with the bat, ranking second in the Gulf South Conference with a batting average at .404.

Lions leadoff hitter Schmidt tells all *Ta\PM ;\MMTUIV

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Second-baseman Michael Schmidt is in his second season with UNA. A senior from Atlanta, Schmidt was recruited his junior year after playing two years for Calhoun Community College.

During the 2011 season, Schmidt earned first-team All-Gulf South Conference honors at second base and was named to the All-South Region Tournament team.

Schmidt said he has high hopes for his future in baseball, aspiring to play professionally someday, and he also wants to win a World Series title.

Q: When and why did you start playing baseball?

A: I started playing at four years old, and it sort of started out as my dad forcing me into it. But I ended up loving it.

Q: Have you always played second

base?

A: I actually played shortstop in junior college. I was moved to second base here because they thought it would be a better combination with the shortstop they have.

Q: Favorite baseball team?

A: You won’t find a bigger Braves fan than me.

Q: What is the biggest moment of your baseball career, to date?

A: I would have to say last year’s regionals. Getting the chance to play there was cool.

Q: Who are some athletes you admire/ look up to?

A: Chipper Jones, definitely. I’m a big fan of Ted Williams and Dustin Pedroia, the second-baseman for the Red Sox. Q: What’s your major?

A: Business.

Q: What are your plans after college?

A: I’ll hopefully play profession-

ally and hopefully coach somewhere. If not, I’ll probably try to find an office job somewhere—I haven’t thought about it too much.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: ‘The Sandlot.’

Q: What’s your family like?

A: My dad’s from New York and my mom’s from Tennessee. My older sister is a second grade teacher. I’m the youngest.

I don’t get to see them much.

Q: Most prized possession?

A: I have a picture of me and my best friend in my room back at home. He died in a car accident in high school, so I keep that picture as my most prized possession.

Q: Do you have any sort of life motto?

A: Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.

Q: Finish the sentence: ‘If I’m not playing baseball, I’m usually …’

A: Playing golf.

The UNA Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) offers free outdoor equipment checkouts for UNA students, including the tightrope trampoline hybrid “Slacklines,” kayaks and camping gear.

The OAC is located at 739 Willingham Road, at the bottom of the hill near the Student Recreation Center (SRC) and Covington Hall. It is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Jim Eubanks, director of the SRC and recreational sports and fitness, encourages students to take advantage of the services offered.

“Ninety-five percent of the equipment was purchased with the student allocation money,” Eubanks said. “And, as a result of that, we don’t charge anything to rent it.”

The OAC recently purchased 12 kayaks for students to rent. Students are required to have a flatbed truck or a car rack in order to rent the kayaks.

Brandon Pennington, a freshman student worker at the OAC, has many ideas on how to utilize the new kayaks.

“I would like to, next semester, have a day of the week where it’s open to students and we float the Cypress in our kayaks,” he said.

The OAC also has a program component and an Outdoor Adventure Club, though both are relatively dormant at the moment. The program had regularly-scheduled trips and weekly visits to the rappelling tower, though no one is currently in charge of the program. The Outdoor Adventure Club allows students to plan trips they are interested in, though the club is currently not planning anything.

“If we get more involvement with members of the club, I think our club will keep growing,” Eubanks said.

Many students who use the OAC find the experience to be pleasant. Ashley Wills, a senior, found the center helpful when planning a camping trip.

“Well, my friends and I decided that it would be fun to go camping—only we had never been camping before,” Wills said. “So we went to the (OAC), and we asked them if they had things we could use to go camping, where to go camping and what you have to know about camping before you go camping. They were very nice, and it was really easy to rent stuff from them.”

However, some students do not know where the OAC is located.

“We had to go and find someone in some office in the GUC who could give us a map and show us where it was,” Wills said.

While the OAC has hosted concerts in the past to bring awareness to the center, Pennington said the center could promote itself better.

“They’re supposed to be bringing SOAR groups through here in the future, and that will help out a lot,” he said.

OAC officials plan to expand the services offered. Eubanks said he would like to offer bike, canoe and fishing pole rentals in the future, though storage space would become a problem with the larger items.

“We’re here for the students, and we want to make sure that they take advantage of things that we offer, because everybody pays the fee,” Eubanks said. “We thrive on being around college students and helping them find things that they like to do and developing a better lifestyle.”

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Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Lions weekly review Recap of last week’s games, look ahead to key matchups Josh Cyr, junior first baseman 7ZZMa *WT\WV

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Baseball The UNA baseball team continued its dominance over the weekend at home with a sweep of Christian Brothers behind Michael Schmidt and an offensive explosion to get to 30 wins.

UNA (31-11, 11-7) won its fifth-straight game with the help of the bats in this weekend series, as the Lions outscored the Buccaneers 30-9 in three games. Schmidt continued his hitting season with eight hits for the weekend to move his batting average to .404 and second in the conference. Also contributing to the series was Jack Sloan with seven total RBIs. Game one starter Johnny Hornbuckle got on track for his sixth win of the year ,allowing just two runs and striking out five.

Chad Boughner also continued his great season, picking up his eighth win to move to 8-2 on the season while striking out 10 and allowing one earned run.

David Janney, freshman golfer The Lions will hope to continue the hitting outburst for the weekend series against New Orleans starting April 21 at 2 p.m for a doubleheader and April 22 at 1 p.m to round out the weekend series.

Softball The UNA softball team lost both games to Delta State over the weekend to move to (18-21, 7-17) for the year.

UNA had the opportunity to pull away with a win, but the Lady Statesmen broke up a 2-2 game in the seventh inning in game one to score 5 runs with two outs to defeat UNA 7-2. Dani Colwill sparked the Lions with a two run bomb to center to complete a 3-3 day at the plate.

In game two, the result was nearly the same, but this time the Lions went into the seventh inning with a 3-2 lead and to lose with Delta State bringing in two runs to complete with the sweep of the series.

The Lions brought the bats in the second game with nine hits but left 10 batters stranded on base. Evalena Behr had a solid

pitching performance—only allowing two hits—but the seven walks did the damage, as she got the loss.

The Lions will attempt to bounce back in their final, regular-season weekend double headers against West Alabama April 21 at 1 p.m and April 22 against West Florida at noon.

Football UNA fans were able to get a glimpse of new coach Bobby Wallace’s squad April 14 in the Purple-White game that held 40 live plays and 60 7-7 drills.

The defense came to play, forcing its power on the UNA offense, committing five turnovers for the day and only allowing one offensive touchdown. Quarterback Chris Alexander replaces two-year starter Lee Chappel this season and went 2-5 passing on 11 yards during live drills and 11-14 with 87 yards in the 7-7 drills.

The spark for the Lion offense was from Lamonte Thompson, who capped off the only scoring drive of the day with a one-

yard run. Thompson finished with 89 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Michael Shuster and William Pontius each drilled a 60-yard field goal to end the spring game on a high note.

Tennis The UNA women’s tennis team improved to 10-7 on the season and 5-2 in Gulf South Conference play with a 9-0 home victory over West Georgia April 13.

The Lions surrendered only three points the entire day, sweeping doubles play with three 8-0 victories and winning five of the six singles matches by 6-0, 6-0 scores.

North Alabama’s doubles of Mackenzie Bishop and Ashley Alfonso helped the Lions improve to 13-4 on the year at No. 2 doubles with their 8-0 win over West Georgia’s Molly Olson and Kelsey Bowman.

The UNA men’s and women’s tennis teams will play at Western Kentucky April 22.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

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LIFE

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Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Contact Life Editor Andy Thigpen at 256.765.5233

Staff Profile: Emily Kelley

• International students often struggle with adjusting to American diets photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

Ash Karki stirs a sauce into his dinner at home. To international students, cooking at home is becoming a better alternative to going out or eating in GUC or Towers.

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For Nigerian student Kehinde Ogebule, America was a land of promise, new experiences and fast food.

“The first thing I rushed for was hamburgers, pizza and things like that,” she said. “But that’s not healthy.”

She said one of the hardest parts of coming to America was adjusting to the change in diet.

“The challenge we face as international students when we come to America (is that) there’s a variety of foods we have to choose in order to stay healthy,” she said.

Many times, international students feel overwhelmed by the variety of foods offered here, and that can cause them to opt for the easy option of relying on fast food and Towers Cafeteria, Ogebule said.

Her situation is not an uncommon one.

Cem Demir, resident dining manager, faced similar troubles when he first came to UNA from Turkey in 1997. He said the students are ill informed about diet changes prior to their arrival in America.

“I used to be in the same boat,” Demir said. “Nobody told me, and I don’t think anybody tells them. When I first came to the U.S. in ’97, I used to be 160 pounds. I went up to 245 (pounds).

“The first two weeks are, I think, the most challenging time.”

Tren Chao, a graduate student from China, agrees.

“In the first days, it was good to try those foods (fast food and pizza),” Chao said. “It would be expensive to eat that (in China). After one week or two, we were kind of tired of the food.”

After gaining 20 pounds, Chao decided to shape up.

“I can’t do this,” he said. “I need to control (my diet).”

Peggy Bergeron, senior nurse for University Health Services, gets visits from international students and believes the problem is both social and physical.

“I think students start out eating at Taco Bell,” Bergeron said. “It’s that freedom thing. It usually takes a semester to realize. That’s across the board—international or not.”

Whereas Demir and Chao said it’s about a two-week adjustment period, Bergeron suggests a wider window.

“Among the international students, they have problems in the first two to three months,” she said.

Coordinator of International Studies Joy Mallard has noticed the trends shortly after students’ arrivals.

“Diet concerns in the first few weeks are a big issue,” she said. “It’s a huge adjustment. It’s a big form of culture shock.”

Overcoming that culture shock, however, is one of the processes necessary for truly embracing a culture, she said.

The biggest gateway to cultural experience: food.

“One of the best ways to experience a culture is through their food,” Mallard said.

“There’s a great opportunity for a lot of cuisine and cultures to emerge.”

Chao uses food as an opportunity to communicate with other students.

“For international students, we should seize the chance for more opportunities for food and experience,” he said. “(Eating) is a very good way to get to know people—to talk to people. It is a great topic to start conversation.”

photo courtesy of Tren Chao

Tren Chao (left) and Zhizheng Zhehg eat sandwiches outside. International students often view hamburgers and pizza as stereotypical American foods.

Demir also agrees a culture is manifested in its food and said students need to be ready for the differences.

“It’s not going to be like mama’s cooking,” he said. “You’re going to learn the language and culture. You need to learn the food too.”

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photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief photographer

Emily Kelley, coordinator of the UNA women’s center, has experience in everything from political science to culinary arts and administration.

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For those who come in contact with her, Emily Kelley is more than just the coordinator of the UNA women’s center. She is a mentor and friend to the women of all kinds who walk through her door.

“She is, like, numero uno,” said Jean Ann Willis, a volunteer and frequenter of the women’s center. “She’s great.”

Not only is Kelley a friend and mentor, she also has an impressive resume. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vassar College, a culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America and a year at the University of London under her belt. Kelley has also owned her own French restaurants and a catering business.

Willis, who got out of an abusive relationship in 2007, said Kelley has been a stable source of support in her life throughout her time at UNA. “For me, she has been almost like a mom to me,” Willis said. “This has been a really trying semester for me, and I’ve struggled, and she never hesitates to say ‘it’s OK, it’s OK.’”

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Accounting department offers free tax return service

photo by BARRY MINOR I Staff Photographer

T’Keyah Alford prepares her taxes at H&R Block with the help of employee Carylon Ivy.

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Every year, the working citizens of the United States must collect W-2s, receipts and paperwork in order to file their taxes by

the deadline in April.

In order to ease the stress for first-time filers, or taxpayers who are looking for an easier, cheaper alternative to file taxes, UNA offers a free program provided by trained UNA accounting students.

“Through the accounting department, we work with a group called Impact Alabama,” said Dr. Gregory Carnes, an accounting professor at UNA. “Our students do tax returns for free. The focus is to determine the earned income credit for families that qualify.”

Impact Alabama is a program based in Birmingham that sets up sessions all over Alabama that are open to everyone, Carnes said. The programs are open to everyone for six weeks prior to April.

Carnes helped train people for AARP’s tax-aide program. There are five locations in the Shoals area alone, including the Flor-

ence Lauderdale Public Library. These sessions also offer free tax preparations for students.

“My advice would be to go to one of these free programs because the preparers are trained and have to pass a test from the IRS,” Carnes said.

If a student has a simple tax return, such as a single filer with income only from wages and few deductions, free online tax services such as Turbo Tax and TaxACT are sufficient, Carnes said. The online alternatives offer free federal filing with step-bystep instructions.

Carnes said one of the biggest problems that appears while filing student taxes is the dependency issue. Because many students work and receive money from their parents, figuring out who can claim what can be confusing.

Carnes said it is valuable to find educa-

tion credits for students who are filing and determine if they are applicable.

“International students’ returns can get complicated,” Carnes said.

Carnes said international students should go to a free center to get their taxes prepared instead of attempting filing themselves.

Some UNA students use local accountants for their taxes.

“I just go to Robert Witt in downtown,” said Vance Parrish, a film and digital media major at UNA. “I give them my W-2 and they do the rest.”

Parrish said Witt’s preparers asked for his school expenses, such as book costs, supplies and technology costs, such as his new laptop. They charged him $20, but because of an error with how his employers withheld taxes, he won’t be getting money back this year.

Life

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

,1-< KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * To help introduce international students to new foods, Sodexo takes advantage of its Innovation Station, as well as collaborating with international services to host monthly international nights, which feature food from various countries.

“Sodexo’s been really good about adjusting their menus to reach students on campus,” Mallard said.

Replicating “mama’s cooking,” however, might hit the spot for homesick international students.

“Most (international students) prefer to cook at home,” Ogebule said. “Some international students tend to isolate themselves. You find that they are homesick and they just want food from home.”

The problem then becomes finding familiar, African foods such as cassava, yam

3-44-A KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * Kelly has experience with abuse herself.

She had a verbally and emotionally abusive husband, and said she got out just as her husband began to get physical.

“I did not suffer any physical abuse— our house did; there were several doors that had fists through them and things like that, and I got out just before the fists landed on me,” Kelley said.

Her experience has a lot to do with her choice to work helping other women, she said.

Anna Lott, co-director of the women’s center, has known Kelley for more than 12 years. She said she spoke to Kelley about coming to work at the women’s center at an American Association of University Women meeting a few years ago.

“It was just doing some networking;

and melon seeds, Ogebule said.

“If we’re missing food, we have to go to Huntsville to get it and cook at home,” she said.

Chao agrees that cooking at home is the best alternative.

“We decided to buy cookers and cook our own food,” he said. “I believe that’s the best (way) for international students to eat.”

Bergeron said that might be the healthiest option—physically and mentally.

“Find other international students with kitchens that can cook. That helps them meet people and stay connected to home,” she said.

Ogebule said location, as well as food choice, can contribute to dietary—as well as mood—changes.

“Sometimes it’s an environment thing,” she said. “They do not feel comfortable eating in crowded rooms when they are used to eating at home.”

Anna and I were catching up on things, and I was in between positions … and we said ‘oh, let’s sit together and catch up’ and that’s exactly how it happened,” Kelley said.

Lott and Kelley have become close friends over the years. Lott, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said she called Kelley the last time she was in the hospital.

Talking to Kelley made her feel confident that she would be OK, she said.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen but I knew I was going to be OK,” Lott said.

Though women with various issues come to the women’s center, the two said all of the women come together. The women’s center is all about community and support, according to the two.

“The verses are different, you know, but the chorus is basically the same,” Kelley said.

Diorama 2012 release Tuesday APRIL 24 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday APRIL 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

GUC atrium diorama@una.edu

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Workin’ for the

Weekend Check out what’s coming up this weekend in the Shoals.

Thursday, April 19 Matt Roy On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

Hope Stamps

National Poetry Month with the Boxcar Voices Florence-Lauderdale Public Library 7:30 p.m.

Chemists Rock Earth Day UNA Memorial Amphitheatre 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Swampers Bar & Grille 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Matahari Performance

Angela Hacker and James Leblanc

The end.

9 p.m. - midnight

Swampers Bar & Grille 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday, April 20 The Lowball Express, Guano Island, and SCM Electrix The Old Fire House/ 2nd House Studio 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

The Legends Foam Party Delta Chi House 9 p.m. - midnight

Jon Blumer Swampers Bar & Grille 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

An Abstract Theory, The Cicada Screamers, and Cheap Thrill Deville the end.

9 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. $5

The Spares Swampers Bar & Grille 9 p.m. - 12 p.m.

Brian Carrion On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 21 Rob Aldridge and Rob Malone

Basement Burlesque Dance Party

On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

JD’s 8 p.m. $5

Jon Blumer Swampers Bar & Grille 9 p.m. - midnight

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Life

Thursday, April 19, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

The University of North Alabama 10th Annual

Global Culture Night

Where: Norton Auditorium When: April 21, 7:00pm FREE EVENT International food, music, and activities will follow in the GUC Atrium

Sponsored by SMAC

AIM TO CHANGE

Thursday, April 19, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Extra

2-6316; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Information Director Jeff Hodges.

Hodges said the contract required Jenkins to keep out of legal trouble and away from drugs, as well as attend classes regularly.

Additionally, Hodges said the athletics department randomly drug tests players when suspicion is warranted. Jenkins, he said, would have fallen into that category due to his history.

“At any point, if he had failed a test or not done what he was supposed to do, he would have been gone (from the team) immediately,” Hodges said.

Hodges said any violation of the contract would have resulted in immediate removal from

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the UNA football team. He said that while Jenkins was here, he did not violate the agreement.

“As far as the (athletics) department is concerned, he met all of the requirements of his behavioral contract,” Hodges said.

Jenkins does not only have drug problems in his past, but also has fathered four children out of wedlock by three different women, according to NFL reports. Jenkins said he supports all four of his children financially and sees them often.

“I see (my kids) every day,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins has continued to visit NFL teams, and hopes that the league will be able to see his maturity rather than focusing on his past. “(I hope the league will) judge me not for what I’ve done, but for what I have become,” Jenkins said.

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Tweets of the week

Thursday, April 19, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags 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.

Want to write for The Flor-Ala? Come to our meetings every Monday at 5 p.m. at 643 N. Wood Ave.