Sharp-shooter Spehr
page 3B Feb. 26, 2015
WEATHER
Volume 83, Issue 23
www.FlorAla.net
Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama
SNOW DAYS photo by WILL COREY I Student Photographer
Snow and ice cover the area in front of the Laura M. Harrison Fountain Feb. 18. Classes were delayed and cancelled several days during the week, and students said they utilized the free time to enjoy themselves.
Students celebrate extended weekend ASHLEY REMKUS
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While local grocery stores were likely on a shortage of bread and milk during the recent blast of winter weather, UNA’s campus was running short on students. Canceled classes and the upcoming winter break weekend offered an incentive to head out of town a day or two early, students said. “I left on Wednesday because I wanted a long weekend,” said freshman Stephanie Waybright, from Pelham. Waybright said she missed
INSIDE
this week’s paper
five classes during the week of winter break because of the weather, but was thankful to spend time with her friends from home. Other students said they decided to stay in Florence for the extended weekend. Some said they noticed a large number of vacant desks the “classskippers” left behind. Junior Yui Tahara said the attendance in her Thursday classes fell substantially last week. Junior Jared Wood said his Thursday class was canceled in expectation of the low attendance. “The teacher actually
NEWS . . . . . . . . 2A IMAGES . . . . . . . 4A VIEWPOINTS . . . . 7A
canceled because they knew no one would show up anyway,” Wood said. With winter break being Friday, there wouldn’t be anybody there.”
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THE TEACHER ACTUALLY CANCELED
BECAUSE THEY KNEW NO ONE WOULD SHOW UP ANY WAY.
WITH WINTER BREAK BEING FRIDAY, THERE WOULDNʼT BE ANYBODY THERE. ”
JARED WOOD
SPORTS . . . . . . . 1B LIFE. . . . . . . . . . 5B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B
JUNIOR
Students who stayed in Florence said the long vacation offered opportunities for catching up on activities that are normally cut from their busy schedules. Junior Caroline Bobo said she cleaned her apartment and still made time to enjoy playing in the snow. Tahara said she spent most of the vacation partying and watching movies. Senior Yadira Patino said watching Netflix was better in the residence halls thanks to so many students deciding to skip town. “There was nobody in the dorms, so the WiFi was way
better,” Patino said. “A lot of people that stayed did their homework or watched Netflix because it would actually load.” Freshman Sawyer Holland said he enjoyed watching “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and playing video games. “I hung out with my friends, and we watched it for like a whole day,” Holland said. Bobo said she also watched “a ton of Netflix.” Other students said they tried to be responsible and carve out time for doing homework during the break.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH.....5B
Please recycle your paper.
2A NEWS
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
ADMINISTRATION
EQUAL REPRESENTATION? KITTS
THORNELL
CARTER
SHIELDS
HENDRICKS
LINDER
CALHOUN
Research raises questions about campus diversity
Three students walk across campus Feb. 23 outside Keller Hall. University research shows the student population is more diverse than the faculty and administration. photo by KATLYN SHANNON I Chief Photographer
MELISSA PARKER
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Many administrators and students agree on one aspect at UNA — equal representation is a must. Because Alabama’s diverse population funds public universities like UNA, the entire campus — faculty, staff and students — should be diverse as well, said Chief Diversity Officer Thomas Calhoun, interim vice president for Academic Affairs. “Diversity is so inclusive of so many different groups that I believe any of those should be represented at the university and
LUNA
certainly all of those who would like to be part of the university should be at the table,” Calhoun said. The senior leadership of the university includes the executive council — the president, five vice presidents and the athletic director — which is six white males and one AfricanAmerican male. The Council of Academic Deans, also part of the UNA administration, includes three white males, two white females, one AfricanAmerican female and one Asian male. Of those administrators, 21 percent are female, and 21 percent are minorities. While the administration has
BAILEY
BURKHALTER
more members that are white, male or both, the student body at UNA is more diverse with about 58 percent females and 29 percent reported as nonwhite, nonresident aliens or unknown, according to research conducted by the Office of Institutional Research during fall 2014. “The numbers just speak for themselves,” said Lisa Minor, professor of English. “When decisions are being made about curriculum, policies, and all that, those who are making those decisions should reflect the student body.” A profile provided by the Office of Human Resources shows 15 percent of faculty members reported as minorities.
ZHANG
Freshman Cornia Anderson and sophomore Kyungmin Park from South Korea said there is a need for more minority faculty members, especially for international students. “There are barriers between nonwhite and white,” Park said. “I think it would be better if we have nonwhite faculty members who can lead us to break those barriers.” Minor, who has been teaching at UNA for 26 years, said strides have been made toward more diversity but there have always been people who are resistant to it. “I wish I were starting my career at UNA now, at this point, rather than when I started
LEFORT
26 years ago,” she said. “I think we’re ready for that next step in terms of gender equality and also racial diversity.” Seeing the number of women now on the dean level makes her hopeful, she said, but she would like to see progress in racial diversity too. “I have felt over the course of time that there has been a resistance toward more AfricanAmerican faculty,” she said. “I’d like to believe that’s changing.” Senior Joey Wright said he does not think gender should be questioned when it comes to hiring, but that traditional ways of thinking have negatively affected the issue.
CARNES
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DAVIS
3A NEWS
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
RESIDENCE
WHERE WILL THEY LIVE?
photos by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Staff Photographer
Rice Hall residents Emmanuel Nared (left) and Matthew Donovan watch TV in the residence hall mezzanine Feb. 18. Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques said only the bottom three floors of the hall will open next year but if more rooms are needed for upperclassmen, that number could increase.
Officials explain future of housing for upperclassmen ANNA BROWN
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A recent campus email indicated LaGrange Hall will close when a new residence hall is opened for freshmen later this year. Because LaGrange houses upperclassmen, some students have expressed concerns about where they will live next school year. Officials said other residence halls will remain available, and supply will meet demand when it comes to on-campus living space. “Typically the upperclassmen are not going to be in the new residence halls, although that could change,” said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields. “It’s been a suggestion, but it has not been approved.” Shields said room assignments have not been finalized for the new residence halls, but there is a chance a few rooms will be made available for upperclassmen. Rice Hall will remain open to upperclassmen next year, said Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques. “We’re going to open three floors of Rice Hall and if we need to add more, we
will,” he said. Sophomore Lynn Hartman said because living in the dorms helps students connect with others on campus, she hopes there will always be space for any upperclassmen to live in the residence halls if they wish to do so. “Living in Rivers was good,” Hartman said. “It was nice having all of the freshmen in one building. It was so much easier to meet people and make friends by living together.” The cluster buildings, Hawthorne, Covington and LaGrange halls, and Appleby East and West, will also remain open to upperclassmen, Jacques said. Currently 456 freshmen and 605 nonfreshmen students live in the oncampus residences. Jacques said he expects those numbers to flip next school year due to the high volume of residence hall applicants. The board of trustees passed a resolution last year to implement a freshman live-on requirement beginning fall 2015. The construction of the two new residence halls is intended to coincide with the new requirement, officials said.
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Upperclassmen will no longer be able to live in LaGrange Hall next school year, as officials announced the building will close with the opening of two new dorms.
4A IMAGES
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
▶
Pin It “Feel Good Naked” buttons promoting body positivity were found on students’ shirts all over campus Feb. 23. The Women’s Center set up a booth in the GUC and passed out the buttons as part of their “Feel Good Naked” week.
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As a woman, a body positive movement means a lot to me. Women (and men) are so often judged solely on the way they look and not as much the content of their character. I think we often forget men also have standards set by society that they feel pressured to live up to. So what is a body positive movement? It is the chance to be proud of the fact we are all simply human with — not flaws in our appearance, but — distinctions that make us each unique. It is the opportunity to spread positivity about our bodies and show others they are beautiful the way they are.
UNA’s Women’s Center worked to spread these positive notions by hosting “Feel Good Naked Week”, a part of National Eating Disorders Week. Volunteers from the Women’s Center set up a booth in the GUC Feb. 23 and handed out buttons to students with the words “Feel Good Naked” printed on them. Although it was hosted by the Women’s Center, it did not discourage both women and men from approaching the table and grabbing a button and some positive encouragement about loving their bodies. The table was set up from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for students to stop by at their leisure. They also provided information about eating disorders and how to get help. The movement to spread body positivity at UNA did not
stop there. The week of Feb. 23 was packed with positive connections and activities to promote a happy body and self-love, such as a henna party and a scale-smashing event. With the help of the Women’s Center and the student body, we as a campus can help to promote body positivity with happy attitudes toward others and a good image of ourselves for both women and men. Just remember: True beauty begins with the way we think. You are not flawed or imperfect. You are beautiful with every stretch mark, every freckle, and every stray hair. Do not let the impossible standards of Hollywood determine your self-love. Together we can be body positive.
▶
All Bodies Kevin Hoang talks to Ally Judd about being body positive at the Women’s Center booth in the GUC. Both men and women are encouraged to be body positive.
▶
Awareness Latrayvia Garner (left) pins her “Feel Good Naked” button on her shirt while Ally Judd explains the basis of “Feel Good Naked” week. Judd has been involved in helping the Women’s Center connect to girls all over campus.
Positivity Anna Luttrell wears her “Feel Good Naked” pin while helping spread information about what it means for students to be proud of their bodies. ▶
AMANDALYN DORNER
NEWS 5A
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
FACULTY
Officials praise quality of instruction on campus CHLOE ALLEN
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photo courtesy of Shannon Wells
Professor and Department Chair of Geography Francis Koti teaches a class in his department. About 80 percent of all courses at UNA are taught by full-time professors, according to university research.
Although UNA prides itself on many aspects, the quality of its professors is of the university’s biggest bragging rights, officials said. A faculty profile compiled by the Office of Institutional Research showed 77 percent of faculty members had obtained a terminal degree in their respective fields as of fall 2013. Terminal degrees are considered the highest available. “In some (creative) fields, degrees that are not doctorates are considered terminal degrees,” said Director of Institutional Research Andrew Luna. Full-time faculty members teach about 80 percent of all courses at UNA, Luna said. “(Students) are getting a high quality instructor in all of their classes,” said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Calhoun. “We do not employ graduate students or teaching assistants to teach the classes.” Student Milton D’az agreed the faculty members provide students the best possible education. “I am very happy with the faculty here at UNA,” D’az, a transfer student from Orange County, California said. “I feel they go above and beyond in helping students succeed and in
giving instruction.” A 2014 study conducted by the Office of Institutional Research showed many students accepted to UNA chose to attend other schools because they perceived the value of a degree from UNA as lower than those awarded at other institutions. “We want people to know that when they come to this university, they are coming to a university where they are going to get a highly qualified faculty member in every class,” Calhoun said. “That is something that we need known because that is not the case at every university.” Officials are working to develop a marketing strategy for the university as enrollment numbers have fallen during the past five years. Calhoun said professor quality will play a major role in that strategy The university provides a “quality education” and will continue to go above and beyond in the future, he said. Junior Blake Hollimon, a transfer student from Auburn University, said smaller universities allow students to connect with faculty better than large universities where class sizes prevent personal interaction. “I feel like the faculty at UNA is a lot more personable and approachable,” Hollimon said. To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.
RETENTION
Program encourages freshmen campus involvement SHAUN SWINEHART
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While the university’s attention is drawn to increasing enrollment, retaining first-year students is just as important, officials said. Director of the First-Year Experience Program Matthew Little and Enrollment Marketing Coordinator Nikki Yarber said they developed First Year Frenzy, a project aimed at involving students academically and socially on campus during their freshman year. An incentive for participating in the program is the chance to receive a $1,000 scholarship, Little said. “We wanted to come up with a way to help encourage students to help them be successful and also create new traditions on campus that celebrate the success as people work their way through that first year,” he said. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must attend a learning support or writing workshop, a student panel discussion, Research Day, the Career Carnival, the End-of-the-Year Party and must preregister for the proceeding fall semester. It is important for students to feel involved and comfortable on campus
because it makes them more likely to choose to stay, Yarber said. “I think it’s really, really important for freshmen to be involved on campus because getting involved helps you meet and connect with people who will help you be successful later on,” said freshman
Chandon Hines. “I’m part of the Honors Program, and being part of that has really helped me plug in with volunteering and meeting other professors who can help me in my future.” Freshman Allison Tucker said the First-Year Frenzy program will benefit
freshmen who may not have previously been involved on campus. “Last semester I sat in my room all of the time,” Tucker said. “Then I got involved with a sorority.”
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The Flor-Ala file photo
Potential freshmen pick up registration information and course catalogs for the upcoming school year during Preview Day Nov. 8, 2014. Officials said the purpose of events like Preview Day is to get students acclimated with campus. Director of the First-Year Experience Program Matthew Little and Enrollment Marketing Coordinator Nikki Yarber developed First Year Frenzy, a project aimed at involving students on campus during their freshman year.
6A NEWS
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
RESEARCH
Prioritizing precious time Students rank sleep over sex, alcohol ANNA BROWN
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College students have to choose wisely how they spend their spare time outside of class. A recent study conducted by Student Monitor found U.S. students prefer their smartphones over sex and alcohol. A 100 percent nonscientific survey conducted among UNA students found sleep is their top priority. Students were asked to rate smartphones, alcohol, sex and relationships, sleep, and Netflix on a one to five scale with one being the least important and five being the most important. The results gathered from 50 students found the majority, 64 percent, said sleep was the most important. Junior Katy Zurmuehlen ranked sleep as most important to her.
is sometimes a waste of my time.” Sex and relationships came in second place with 16 percent of students giving it first place. Thirty-four percent of students polled marked it the second most important on the survey. “Me and my girlfriend have been together for over four years now,” said YOU CANʼT LIVE WITHOUT SLEEP. I CANʼT DO senior Clint Frederick. “Our relationship ANY OF THE OTHER THINGS IF IʼM NOT ALIVE. has to be priority.” Smartphones came in third place with 12 percent of students giving it first place. Forty-seven percent of students UNIOR polled said smartphones were the third most important item on the survey. Junior Kahri Bolden said his smartphone was the most important thing Sophomore John Veal was among on the list. “That’s how I get in contact with those five percent who gave sleep the everyone, check my email, talk to my lowest score. “I like sleep and then again, I don’t family and check my social media,” he like sleep,” he said. “I just feel like sleep said. “When you first wake up, what do “You can’t live without sleep,” she said. “I can’t do any of the other things if I’m not alive.” Only five percent of students polled said sleep was the least important.
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KATY ZURMUEHLEN J
you do? You check your phone.” Netflix landed behind smartphones, but still ahead of alcohol. Six percent of students said Netflix was the most important to them. Sophomore Shaq Shoulders said Netflix was one of his top priorities as a student. “I love watching movies and TV shows,” he said. “It really helps me relax.” Only 2 percent of the students polled said alcohol was most important to them and 69 percent said alcohol was the least important of those five items. Sex and relationships was the clear winner in the battle between sex, alcohol and smartphones at UNA, but smartphones were still preferred over alcohol. “I don’t drink but, I can call my friends up for alcohol with my smartphone,” Bolden said. “How else could I get in touch with them?”
SURVEY SHOWS STUDENTSʼ TOP PRIORITIES SLEEP 64% SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS 16% PHONE 12% INTERNET 6% ALCOHOL 2% 0
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VIEWPOINTS 7A
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
Local business benefits Shoals community EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANNA GRACE USERY MANAGING EDITOR KALI DANIEL NEWS EDITOR ASHLEY REMKUS LIFE EDITOR MARI WILLIAMS SPORTS EDITOR DUSTIN POLLARD ONLINE EDITOR JASMINE FLEMING BUSINESS MANAGER UNDREA RANDOLPH II GRAPHIC DESIGNERS JOHN BAVIS SHILO CUPPLES JORDAN FERRELL CIRCULATION MANAGER LORI BLANKENSOPP
KALI DANIEL
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As a junior in high school, I looked forward to my journey at UNA. Director of Admissions Kim Mauldin met with my parents and I, and afterward we were given a tour by The LaGrange Society. Upon returning to Coby Hall, we asked numerous people what was nearby in terms of restaurants. “I would definitely try Ricatoni’s or City Hardware on
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KATLYN SHANNON
Court Street — they’re right next door to each other,” we were told. My family and I ventured to City Hardware and collectively ordered the baconwrapped meatloaf, handbattered chicken tenders and a succulent rib-eye. Needless to say, it was a perfect first day in Florence. Over the years, the first places I have suggested to family and friends in town has been Ricatoni’s or City Hardware. I have eaten my weight in pasta, pizza, salads, steaks and guacamole — and I never recall being disappointed. The ingredients are fresh and local from Jack-O-Lantern Farms and many employees live down the road, attending UNA. If I knew nothing else about the food or environment,
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Letters must not exceed 400 words. Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email. The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material. The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board. Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story. When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter. Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632. Email: florala@una.edu. Phone: 256-765-4364
percent over the average weight, based on their heightweight comparison, face the most discrimination in the workforce. While many responses to our article claimed Elliot would never consider the height and weight of an applicant, the applicants themselves may feel prior discrimination. We have covered Elliot’s restaurants at this paper before, and as long as I have attended, there has never been a poor review. His pride and belief in what he is doing is evident in his food, his staff and his interactions with the community. All we asked is for that encouragement to be extended to the application process, legally assigned by the federal government.
I would say Rick Elliot has done Florence a tremendous favor. In the Feb. 19 issue, The Flor-Ala ran a story regarding the application to these two businesses and its inclusion of height and weight questions. The feedback was astounding. This story was brought to the publication’s attention by numerous UNA students, and was not a personal attack on Elliot. This story was not meant to deter those in the community from dining at his restaurants. In fact, we hoped for the opposite. We hoped that by knowing what a tremendous impact these restaurants have had on the Shoals, citizens would encourage the removal of height and weight from the application. In a study by the University of Vermont, people 19-50
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8A NEWS
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
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SGA in Review
“Because of the live-on requirement for freshmen, we’re getting a lot of people from the local area,� Jacques said. “The (first) new building is actually almost full.� Shields said the first residence hall is scheduled to open in August, and the second is expected to follow in January 2016. Senior David Augustus said living on campus gives students an opportunity to grow and learn how to be responsible in a semi-controlled environment. “I think both freshmen and upperclassmen need to have that chance to learn responsibility,� he said. “I think its part of the university’s job to prepare students for the real world.�
• SGA - Reviewed election requirements and stipulations in all branches with Senator Drake Vaccaro, interim chair of Senateʟs Elections and Recruitment Committee. • Senate - Issued a campus smoking survey to all students via Portal.
�
WEʟRE GOING TO OPEN THREE FLOORS OF RICE HALL AND IF WE NEED TO ADD MORE, WE WILL.�
KEVIN JACQUES DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES Living on campus allows students to have a rich campus experience and learning environment they cannot find off campus, Shields said. He said he wants students to live on campus for as long as they can. “I think it’s always important for us to keep that opportunity open to any student who wants to live on campus,� he said. “If a senior desires to live on campus, as long as we have spaces available for them, I would encourage them to live in our facilities.�
-9=)4 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “Because this is a university and because we’re located in the South, I think it’s more political than anything else,� Wright said. “Who gets all the support around here? Guys do.� Calhoun said historically males have “dominated� the workforce. There are many factors that figure into the hiring process, but qualifications always take priority over everything else, Calhoun said. “We want the best candidates,� he said. “The best candidate needs to be the best candidate irrespective of what racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, etc. group that they come from.� Efforts are made to keep the hiring committees diverse, he said. There is gender balance, but there may not be a person of color on every committee because there are so few at the university. First-year graduate student Shelby Heathcoat said things seem to be getting better, but a balance between men and women should still be a priority. “I still think because the larger part of the population here at UNA is females there definitely is more change that needs to happen to get a better representation of that,� she said.
photo by ASHLEY REMKUS I News Editor
Freshman Ahmad El Samad studies in a common area in Rice Hall Feb. 23. Although upperclassmen have expressed concerns about having a place to live on campus next year when LaGrange Hall closes, officials said Rice will remain open.
.:-6BA KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) She said joining Alpha Delta Chi helped her meet other students and become an active student on campus. “If we have students who are engaged and getting the skills they need to be successful, that means they will come back the year after that, and the year after that until graduation,� Little said. Little said he hopes in addition to having students return to UNA after their first year, students have a positive experience and are able to share positive opinions about their first year with their peers. He also said he hopes the End-ofthe-Year Party creates a tradition of students enjoying themselves. Yarber and Little encourage participants to download the UNA Pride Fans Rewards app. The app allows students to check into events more conveniently as opposed to recording attendance manually, they said. The app is not mandatory to qualify for the $1,000 scholarship drawing.
;67? KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “Really, I slept through the snow,� Wood said. “But I also did some homework. I thought it was nice because there was no class Wednesday, and my class got canceled Thursday. So really I had three days plus the weekend.�
photo courtesy of Kelsey Graham
Snow and ice covered sidewalks, streets and yards during a winter storm Feb. 18. Students said they used the time out of classes for activities that are normally cut from their schedules.
• UPC - Approved spending $2,360 to purchase T-shirts and tank tops for a Title IX fair that will be hosted with UNA Police Department and Rape Response of the Shoals. • UPC - Gave approval to the Live Acts Committee to promote Spring Concert during the April First Fridays event in downtown. • UPC - Approved to a rafe fundraiser to beneďŹ t the SGA Endowed Scholarship fund. The drawing will be held at the April First Fridays event.
SPORTS
SECTION B
Feb. 26, 2015• The Flor-Ala
WEATHER
Arctic Blast
photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer
Senior shortstop Brett Guzay waits for the pitch against Stillman University Feb. 7. Several UNA sports have canceled and postponed games due to the recent inclement weather. Coaches and players have expressed the problems the weather conditions have created.
Weather conditions cause game, practice schedule issues DUSTIN POLLARD
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Mother Nature is not being kind to the spring sports teams. Numerous games and practices have been canceled or postponed due to inclement weather experienced. The coaches and players said they are doing their best to combat the weather issues. “These past weeks have been so bad, especially at this time of the year,” said baseball head coach Mike Keehn. “Because of the canceled games and practices, it’s like we’re starting all over again. This is just not
IN THIS SECTION
baseball weather at all.” The baseball team canceled its weekend series with Delta State University Feb. 20-21. The games will not be made up. The team also had to move its home game against Trevecca Nazarene University from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25 and to Trevecca Nazarene’s home field in Nashville. “Last year we added Friday to Monday to get a weekend series in but we still weren’t able to get the games in,” Keehn said. “We thought we could, but the weather really changed dramatically. This year has been more than unusual.” The baseball team practiced
indoors while they were at Delta State. Due to the inability to play a game or have a regular outdoor practice, the team focused more on fundamentals and conditioning, Keehn said. “It’s hard to get stuff done inside. There is only so much you can do,” said junior pitcher Austin Carpenter. “I like to long toss before I throw bullpen and indoors I’m not able to do that. I’ve never experienced something like this before during the season.” Keehn said the weather situation hits at a difficult time, especially since he is still trying to figure out the right lineup. The softball team also
SPORTS Baseball, softball off to fast start See page 2B
canceled its weekend series against Delta State University Feb. 20-21. The team scheduled a game against NAIA Bresica University Feb. 24 before it gets back into conference play against University of West Alabama Feb. 28. “It’s nice to be able to schedule a nonconference opponent before we play West Alabama,” said softball head coach Ashley Cozart. “It seems like forever since we last played, so this game was important to get.” The softball team started the season strong with a (10-1, 3-0) record with two wins over ranked opponents. Cozart said
the successful start makes the bad weather frustrating. “We’ve been on a roll, and everything was really coming together for us,” she said. “Every week we try to keep the same routine and the girls really wanted to play.” The men’s and women’s tennis teams rescheduled the games against Jacksonville Sate University to March 31 and against LeMoyne-Owen College to March 4. The LeMoyne-Owen match was scheduled for Feb. 24. Editor’s note: To read the rest of the story, visit www. florala.net.
LIFE Meet the Australian sharp-shooter See page 3B
Minority students discuss campus change See page 5B
Study app review See page 7B
2B SPORTS
Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
BASEBALL
Lion bats lead to wins with hot start to season KADIN POUNDERS
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photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer
Junior outfielder Brandon Pugh sprints down the first base line against Stillman University Feb. 7. Pugh is one of six Lions batting .308 or better on the season, as of Feb. 24.
Going into the season, one of the main goals for the UNA baseball team was maintaining a consistent, successful approach at the plate. For the most part, the Lions have accomplished that goal this season. Last season, Kyle Conkle was the only Lion with a .300-plus batting average. After the first 10 games this season, six Lions with at least 20 at-bats had a .308 batting average or better: Brett Guzay, Kyle Crabtree, Dylan Calhoun, Dylan Boston, Kevin Hall and Brandon Pugh. The team as a whole is batting .313 with a .407 on-base percentage. The numbers are promising, but UNA refuses to buy in to the early success. Instead, the Lions look to be even better at the plate. “I think that it’s still too early to say that it’s success because we’ve only played 10 games so far,” said third baseman Dylan Boston. “I think there’s a lot of guys on the team that just haven’t got hot yet and I know they will.” Some guys are seeing the ball well, but the weaker competition the Lions faced so far this season may be a factor in the team’s inflated numbers, said head coach Mike Keehn. “I still don’t feel we are hitting the ball like we are capable of doing and I hope we will start putting it together,”
Keehn said. While the Lions have yet to see many of their hits leave the park – only one in the first 10 games – home runs are not the only evidence of power. UNA loves the double-bagger. “Power is not necessarily in home runs, but in extra base hits,” Keehn said. “If you look at our doubles we are getting more balls in the gap or by the outfielders, just not over the fence.” Chicks may dig the long ball, but the Lions are more focused on scoring runs any way they can. “As far as home runs go, they’re really not that big of a deal if you’ve got guys hitting doubles in the gap. If we stay with the approach of gap-to-gaplike drives, home runs will eventually happen,” Boston said. “As hitters we just try to hit the ball hard and score runs and if it goes out, it’s icing on the cake.” As the season goes on and UNA gets deeper into conference play, the competition will get stiffer. In order to maintain the impressive numbers the Lions have manufactured so far, they will have to keep the same approach they have had, Keehn said. “The biggest thing about (the GSC) is (the opponents) have scouting reports on every hitter and they know your weaknesses,” Boston said. “I think the best thing to do is stay with your same approach and work on your weaknesses. Look for them to try to go after your weakness.”
SOFTBALL
Team starts season fast, looks to continue momentum KADIN POUNDERS
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Right now, the softball team is hot, and it does not look like they are slowing down soon. It is relatively early in the season, but the team that was picked to finish fourth in the Gulf South Conference is 10-1 (3-0) and sitting in second place with the best winning percentage in the conference. The Lions started off the season on a seven-game winning streak. UNA is not only playing up to the competition but dominating it, too. “We have played a pretty tough schedule,” said head coach Ashley Cozart. “We beat the No. 21-ranked team (University of Indianapolis) 16-3, we beat the No. 5-ranked team Wayne State 9-1 and we beat Bellarmine who was receiving votes 9-1, We played West Florida at their place and (swept them), and they were picked to finish fifth in the conference. So overall, we have played good competition.” The Lions have been clicking on all cylinders, both offensively and defensively. UNA has six players batting over .320 and the overall team batting
average is .310. “I think we are seeing the ball really well right now, and we all have a lot of confidence stepping into the batter’s box,” said junior first baseman Brooklynn Clark. “We get the big hits when we need them. This team is really talented, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store for us.” Clark is one of six batting over .320 but also leads the team with two home runs. Senior catcher Brittany Gillison leads the team in RBIs with 14, followed by senior right fielder Libby Olinger with 11. “Libby Olinger and Brittany Gillison have really gotten some big hits for us and lead the team in many offensive categories,” Cozart said. “Brooklynn Clark is a mid-year transfer who I knew was good, and she has stepped in right away and made our team better. She brings so much offensively but also defensively. She is one of the best first basemen I’ve ever coached.” Sophomore pitcher Hillary Carpenter and senior pitcher Bree Blevins are dominating on the mound as well, Cozart said. “Bree and Hillary just have the experience right now and are throwing well for us,” she said. “(Carpenter) and
(Blevins) are two pitchers that give us a shot to win any game.” Carpenter is 5-0 in five games started, and has a 0.72 ERA. Carpenter has also thrown two shutouts. Blevins has a 5-1 record in six games started with a 1.36 ERA. Blevins also has two shutouts to her credit. The Lions have given up 15 runs this season, the lowest in the GSC.
Going forward, Cozart is going with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” strategy, she said. “We have a great routine going right now, and we’re not going to change that,” she said. “The biggest thing right now is we can’t settle and be content with what we’ve done.” Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.
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SPORTS 3B
Feb. 26, 2014 • The Flor-Ala
SCOREBOARD Feb. 19-25
Feb. 19 Womenʼs Basketball @ Union 97-84 Loss Menʼs Basketball @ Union 93-70 Win
BASKETBALL
Sharp-shooter
Feb. 21 Menʼs Tennis @ Tennessee-Chattanooga 5-2 Loss Womenʼs Basketball @ Christian Brothers 72-61 Win Menʼs Basketball @ Christian Brothers 98-82 Loss Feb. 24 Softball vs. Brescia results @florala.net Feb. 25 Baseball @ Trevecca Nazarene results @florala.net
Upcoming Feb. 28 Baseball Vs West Alabama @ 1 p.m. (DH) Softball Vs West Alabama @ 1 p.m. (DH) Womenʼs Basketball Vs UAH @ 1 p.m. Menʼs Basketball Vs UAH @ 3 p.m. March 1 Baseball Vs West Alabama @ 1 p.m. Softball @ West Alabama @ 1 p.m. March 4 Womenʼs/Menʼs Tennis @ LeMoyne-Ownen College @ 3 p.m.
photo courtesy of Sports Information
Senior guard Nathan Spehr pulls up for a jump shot against the Valdosta State University Dec. 4. The Australian native leads the Lions in scoring with 16.2 points per game, assists (112), three-pointers (69) and 93.4 free throw percentage.
Senior guard shooting through defenses MIKE EZEKIEL
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Anyone who follows the men’s basketball team has likely seen the number of international players on the floor. One of those players is Australian native Nathan Spehr. Spehr, a senior guard in his fourth season at UNA, is from Adelaide, Australia and discovered basketball early in his life. “My parents both played, so that exposed me to the game,” Spehr said. “(Australian basketball) isn’t really set up around high school basketball. It’s more set up in a club.” Spehr played club ball as early as 7 years old and from there, he solidified himself as one of the better players in the country, he said. “You play for a club and from the club team you could represent your state,” Spehr said. “I represented my state, then from there they select the junior Australian team. I was lucky enough to be selected for it.” Former UNA player Phil Collins discovered Nathan Spehr. Collins, not to be mistaken with the artist who sings “In the Air Tonight,” is also Australian. He had basketball contacts in Australia who noticed Spehr’s ability.
Since coming to UNA, Spehr has left his mark in the record book. Spehr broke the school record for single-season free throw percentage in 2014 at 91.2 percent, most consecutive free throws made this season, leads the Gulf South Conference in free throw percentage at 93.4 percent and is second in the NCAA. Head coach Bobby Champagne said Spehr contributes significantly to the team and most notable is his ability to score from the charity stripe. “He’s pretty close to automatic when it comes to free throws,” Champagne said. “It makes a big difference having him out there knowing about 100 percent of the time he’s going to knock down a free throw.” Spehr not only leads the team in free throw numbers, but also leads in threepoint shooting, assists, steals and points. Aside from those abilities, Spehr is one of the leaders on the team, said freshman guard Jeff Hodge. “(Spehr) is very positive and always has a good attitude,” he said. “When things aren’t going good, he’s trying to encourage others. The team needs someone like that. I’m picking up on the things he did, and I’m learning as I go along. So it’s great to have somebody like Nate.” Spehr broke nose in practice in early
February, but that did not keep him from playing. Instead, he chose to play with a mask, resembling the one worn by NBA player Rip Hamilton. “Feb. 19 was the first night I didn’t wear it in two weeks,” Spehr said. “It was a relief to get it off. I was getting really frustrated, especially last week. It felt really uncomfortable, but I still wear it in practice – just in case.”
”
HEʼS PRETTY CLOSE TO AUTOMATIC WHEN IT COMES TO FREE THROWS.
BOBBY CHAMPAGNE HEAD COACH
The Lions have one game remaining before the Gulf South Conference tournament, as they take on in-state rival UAH Feb. 28. Spehr started on the team that won the GSC championship last season and said he would love to do it again. “That’s one of the goals we set at the start of the year,” Spehr said. “We didn’t get off to the best start and the eight seed isn’t ideal, but now all we need to do is win three games. We’ve had that mindset since we’ve been winning lately.”
4B SPORTS
Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
SPOTLIGHT
Sophomore tennis player leading womenʼs team once again RABUN WRIGHT
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photo courtesy Sports Information
Sophomore Olivera Ngouabeu gets ready to hit the ball during a practice in February. Ngouabeu was named All-GSC as a freshman and is the No. 1 singles player for the Lions.
Sophomore women’s tennis player Olivera Ngouaben is 4,458.34 miles from her home in Paris. Although she misses her family, she said she is enjoying her time at UNA. “The Lions on campus are my favorite part,” Ngouaben said. The adjustment to college tennis is hard, but Ngouaben said her teammates have really helped ease the transition. “They are like a family. They help me with school, tennis and everything,” she said. “The first time I got here, I didn’t really speak good English, so that was kind of hard. And we have guys on the team from France also, so that really helped.” Last year as a freshman Ngouaben was named first-team All Gulf South Conference. Head coach Brice Bishop said he is excited to have Ngouaben back for another season. “Olivera brings a lot of energy to the
team,” he said. “She is a talented player who seems to get better everyday. The sky is the limit for Olivera. She can be as good as she wants to be.” Coming off a personally successful 2014 season, Ngouaben is excited for another chance to dominate the court, she said. She said she is optimistic about the team this year. “This season, I have a good feeling. I feel like this team plays really good, and we can do much better than last year,” Ngouaben said. She said the women’s tennis team is working hard, and aiming to win regionals. The women’s tennis team started the season (2-3, 1-1) and face Mississippi College next March 6 at 2 p.m. in Clinton, Mississippi. “She has started the 2015 season playing great,” Bishop said. “She’s 4-1, with the lone loss coming against Monika Kochanova of West Florida, who is ranked No. 4 nationally, and it was a very competitive match.”
PROFILE
Senior pitcher goes from walk-on to No. 1 starter for Lions KADIN POUNDERS
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An ace, a stopper, a workhorse — every team needs one. And the Lions said they have found their man in pitcher Brantley Claunch. It is early in the season, but the southpaw is 2-0 in three games he started with a 2.89 ERA. Last season, his first as a full-time starter, Claunch was 5-5 with a 3.18 ERA and led the team with 93.1 innings pitched. Although Claunch is the Lions No. 1 guy this season, he had to work his way up from a reliever as a freshman and sophomore, head coach Mike Keehn said. “My goal freshman year was to be a starter because coming from high school that is all I had known,” he said. “However, when I was told I was going to come out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist I took full advantage of it and was thankful to have an opportunity of any kind. Being named the No. 1 guy was an honor and one I do not take lightly.” Claunch, a Florence native, was a walk-on but said choosing UNA was easy for him. “Choosing UNA was a no-brainer once I got offered a spot to walk on for the baseball team,” he said. “Baseball is a
passion of mine, and I just wanted to play. The fact that UNA was close to home and offered the type of school I wanted only further confirmed my decision. I love it here and have grown to love it more and more each year.” Keehn said he is glad Claunch decided to stay close to home. “Brantley was a good pitcher on a team that did not perform well and did not get a lot of exposure,” he said. “He was an invited walk-on that ended up winning seven games his freshman year. He earned his scholarship, and this will be the second season as our No. 1 pitcher on the staff.” Keehn said Claunch is one of the hardest workers and competitors on the team. “The biggest thing he brings to the team is his accountability and responsibility,” Keehn said. “Brantley goes over and beyond what is asked of him and looks around to see how he can help in other areas that are not part of his responsibility.” The players and coaching staff selected Claunch as the recipient of the UNA Baseball Program Bob Stephenson Award last year. Winning the award is a testament to not only the kind of player Claunch is but also him as a person, Keehn said. Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www.florala.net.
photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer
Senior pitcher Brantley Claunch throws a pitch against Stillman University Feb. 7. Claunch is the Lions No. 1 pitcher for the second year in a row.
LIFE 5B
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
BHM
Ending
Black History Month? Campus discusses celebration of African-American history JASMINE FLEMING 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\
Black History Month focuses on important people and events in African-American history, but whether it is still necessary in 2015 is often questioned. Since Black History Month continues to serve its original purpose, the U.S. still needs to observe it, said Joan Williams, director of Diversity and Institutional Equity. “It started as an effort to say, ‘If we can highlight the significant contributions of African-Americans then people will see AfricanAmericans in a different way, and that will promote racial equality,’” she said. “I think it’s still relevant, for all countries, that people understand the rich contributions that a population of people have
made to the bigger and broader story of a country.” Studying black history lets Americans remember how far the United States has grown, said sophomore Michael Aders. “At one point in time we weren’t all seen as equal, and I think everyone needs to be reminded of that just so we know where we came from and where we are now,” he said. “Black History Month reminds us of the importance of black history in this country.” Some Black History Month observers say it should be discussed throughout the year instead of only during February, but Williams said the month-long observance allows individuals to devote time to studying the history. Without a designated time to celebrate black history, it would not receive the attention it deserves, she said. “If we didn’t have an
awareness month, would we really take time to focus and celebrate?” she said. “I don’t think that if we didn’t take time to highlight that we would learn about it in the same way. People are so indulged with other things that, with any other anniversary or celebration that is personal to you, you need one time to truly focus on it.” Senior Rachel Madrigal said cultural histories should be celebrated often. “Black History Month is important,” she said. “I believe it should be an allyear-round event for all cultures and all races.” Observing Black History Month also puts black history in context, Williams said. “Black History Month is there to really talk about the important contributions of African-Americans to the United States,” she said. “It’s important for us to have a complete picture of United
States history.” Black History Month also allows for more focus on African-American history than is usually given in U.S. schools, Williams said. “You’re not going to learn everything you need to know about any subject from a history book,” she said. “You’re not going to learn about the history of Black History Month and how it developed, and you’re really not going to learn all about the various heroes — black and white — involved in black history.” Although Black History Month focuses on black culture, it should not be interpreted as the country ignoring other cultures, Williams said. “A majority culture will always be celebrated and highlighted in a more robust way than any minority populations will be,” she said.
6B LIFE
Feb. 26, 2015• The Flor-Ala
CULTURE
M
INORITIES FOR
AJORITY photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Staff Photographer
UNA NAACP President Destiny Battles explains why she is passionate about her organization. The chapter organizes several events throughout the year including “The Color Barrier,” an event where students worked together while blindfolded.
Minority students work to create better campus MELISSA PARKER
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Although minority students at UNA are sometimes forgotten, this has not stopped them from working year-round to give back and improve campus. Senior Deondrick Orr, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. said when students limit themselves to a small circle of friends, they do not realize they are a minority. “Until you look at the numbers, it doesn’t really affect you,” he said. “You have to commit to diversity at this school.” Orr said he considers himself an “agent of change” and tries to include what he was taught at home in everything he does. “I was always told you have to think different, be different and evolve,” he said. “You really have to provoke change and thought in the people.” UNA National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Destiny Battles said though she was passionate about starting a chapter on campus, she would not have continued without the support from the Student Engagement Office. “I think Student Engagement felt NAACP was absolutely necessary,” she said. Battles said fighting for acceptance at UNA has been challenging for her but thinking about her ancestors helps
her carry on. One of the biggest obstacles in attracting new members to NAACP is competition with organizations students feel look better on a resume, Battles said, rather than ones that will help have their voices heard.
”
UNTIL YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, IT DOESNʼT REALLY AFFECT YOU. YOU HAVE TO COMMIT TO DIVERSITY AT THIS SCHOOL.
DEONDRICK ORR
MEMBER OF PHI BETA SIGMA FATERNITY, INC.
“If I did have an organization that was not necessarily supportive in all the right ways, I would probably say SGA,” she said. “We’ve lost a lot of people to SGA and graduation, but mostly to SGA.” Battles said students have come to her saying SGA is not as accepting of African-American members as it used to be, she said. As a new organization, chartered in 2012, limited funding has made it difficult to host events, she said.
At one event this past year, everyone wore blindfolds and could not speak, she said. People had to trust what they could not hear or see. “You have to work with people and be accepting of all people and be blind about it,” she said. “You will defeat the stereotypes by ignoring them.” The founders of NAACP were mostly white, she said: People seeking a change, no matter the race, are accepted. Phi Beta Sigma, whose biggest principles are brotherhood, scholarship and service, host many events intended for all students on campus, he said. “In five years we’ve gone from no one knowing about us to kind of being a common name around UNA,” he said. “We don’t have only black events. We have student events.” On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Orr along with SGA vice president of Senate Nick Lang and Leadership and Volunteerism of Student Engagement, organized a march encouraging students to spend their day off giving back and spreading King’s message of helping others. Although the Phi Beta Sigma is historically black they accept all races, nationalities and religions, he said. “We try to give as much back to the campus as possible,” he said. Orr said he would like to see a more diverse ratio of students at UNA. “I like the school, and I wish people could see the same things that I see about UNA,” he said.
Sophomore Dalia Gerardo, treasurer for the Hispanic Culture Organization, said she does not feel like a minority and thinks the majority works for everyone. “I would like there to be more opportunities for Hispanic students,” she said. “We are a minority on campus, but we are an important component of the university. I think we need greater awareness of our culture and that is what HCO is working towards. ” “It’s very exciting because there are people who are interested in our culture that probably wouldn’t learn about, if it weren’t for us,” she said. The organization’s members actively host events each semester, she said. “People are just interested in being involved on campus and we bring that to them,” she said. There are future events planned including a bingo night called Loteria, and an event in April called Dia Del Nino (Day of the Child), she said. “It’s a holiday in most Hispanic countries, and they celebrate children,” she said. “We wanted to bring that to UNA.” Battles said she is hopeful for the future, but believes change will only come when this generation pays attention to its past and the world around them. “Know what you are,” she said. “Know who you are. Know where your ancestors have been so you know where to take your legacy and your history.”
LIFE 7B
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
REVIEW
Study app brings new features, does not surpass predecessors
MONDAY SANDERSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ
Most students are familiar with the tragedy of pulling all-nighters or staying up to make last-minute notecards in their college career. Although there have been different apps that allow users to make quizzes and notecards from their phone, one app rises above the rest. StudyBlue is similar to Quizlet, but not only allows users to create their own flashcards, it allows them to connect with students at their school and find flashcards other students have made. It is easy to create an account. Once the app downloads, users have to click the “sign up” button. Users can n then sign up by using their Facebook k account, Google account or just an n email address. Once the account iss
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created and the user indicates he or she option is for one semester and costs $8 not have to make an account to use other is a student, the user can search for a per month. The last option is for one people flashcards. While an account has to be created to create cards, it is not school. After users have located their month and costs $18. StudyBlue is not only available as an needed to use some of the features. school and chosen the subject, they can Despite the fact I would not use it, search for the teacher they are looking app, but also online. It is set up exactly for. The main problem here is if no one like the app. The major difference is StudyBlue does have interesting features. has come on before and already created when users search for a subject, they can The notecards are easy to make and it cards, then the user would have to start tell what school the notes or cards come allows users to upload their notes. This is great for people who might have missed from. from scratch. While this app may be good for some, a class or two. It also makes it easy to The free version of the app allows users to create and study their own I would not use it. I prefer to use Quizlet find material for the user’s school and flashcards and notes. It also allows the for many reasons. The first is that Quizlet class. Overall, it is decent, depending on user to customize personal cards with is more popular. Since it is more popular, the student’s need. more people have used the app or different images and audio. The Pro version includes everything website and there are more cards ds the free version has. It also gives the user readily available. StudyBlue doess access to unlimited study guides. Along not have this kind of traffic. Nott with unlimited study guides, the app only is it more popular, I do abrir allows access to more than 250 million open to o study materials, but this is only ly available with an annual membership. p. There are three choices the user can n choose. The first choice is for a yearr ayudar and costs $7 per month. The second d
to help
Is StudyBlue beber to drink
for you?
8B EXTRA
Feb. 26, 2015 • The Flor-Ala
SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK
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