March 15th issue - Ribbon cutters, SGA senators, and more

March 15, 2012

@UNAFlorAla

Volume 80 No. 24

www.FlorAla.net

Student-formed club stands against blocked parking lot on UNA campus

@FlorAlaSports

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A LOOK INSIDE

See page 2 SGA candidates debate and share their ideas with the student body.

See page 7 Course at University of Pennsylvania offers students active participation in the life of monasticism.

photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

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See page 10 Andrew Almon has emerged as one of the top players on the baseball team.

Frustrated with blocked parking spaces in the lot near the communications building, David McC eary and Cr n Jimmie Holden joined together with ootthe h r UN U A studden e ts to take a stand again innstt the inst issu is su ue by for ormi m ng mi n an alliancee cal alled the Ribbon Cu Cutt utter erss Cl C ub b.

Thee grou Th grrou oup which beg oup, egan establishing a reputati ta tion on for itssel e f in late Feebruary, r made a splash inn thee UN th UNA A co comm mm mun unit iitty whenn stu t dents started usingg sso ooci cial al meddiaa as a fo form rm of pr prot ottes otes est aggai est ains nsst pa park rkin inng loots beiing n blo l ck cked off on a ca cked c m mppuuss wit ithh allread readdy limi li mite mite ted pa ted parkkiinng av avaiila lability ty. ty The Ri Th Ribb bbbon bbo on Cuttte terrss Clu luub move veme menntt haass sin ment ince c gaaiinneedd a sig igni nifi ficca cant nt fol olloowi wing ngg and nd inc ncr cre reas reas ased d in p rt pa rtic icip ipat atio tion on att the he uniiveers rsiitty, Hoollde den en sa saiidd.

“A lott of peo “A peeop ople le don’t on’t on ’t wan antt to to spe peak peak ak up, p,” he said. “But evenn iiff we arre to tota tall ta all llyy wr wron ongg or on o don on’t ’tt havee a lot of in have ha info form fo orm rmat attio ion, n, just be b in i g ab able le to sp pea e k up spaarkks so s me meth thin i g inn try ryin i g to find a co comp mpro ro-mise.”

McCr Mc Crea eary ry sai aidd ma many ny students have taken the initiatiive to drive through the yellow caution tape when officials have reserved parking spaces on campus for what can sometimes be hours during high-traffic periods of the daay. y UNA stud u ent Elizabbeth Be Bell, wh whoo takes classes in the comm munications building, saidd shee has t commu to mutee fro rom Ma Madiisonn to campus five dayys a week we eekk and n thee block c ed parrking ng lots af affect her er abil-

ityy to make it to class on time. it “IIt’s just hard for me because som me of my prrof o essors have a strict policy that if youu ar ae even enn five minutes late for class, yo y u get cooun unttedd abbsseent or you get docked points on your grad ade, e,”” she said. “A And when thhat lot is blocked offf, f all thee park parkin i g ar around the communication buildingg is tak akeen and for ak orr me, it’s hard because I have to d ivve so far andd usually have to leave 30 minutes dr eeaarl rly ju rly j st to make it through morning traffic and I neeedd to be abl ne blee to fi finnd a pa park rkiing space when I get rk too scch hoo ooll an andd on tho hose se day ays, s, I can an’tt.” .

Assistant professo so or of pub ubli l c re li rela l ti la tion o s Dr on Dr. Beethh Garfrerick saidd it’ B t’ss di disssccou ourraagi agi ging ng foorr her er to seee ssttud uden deennts t struggl gglle to to mak akee iitt to cl c as a s on on tim me as a reesssul as uullt of of paarrt off thhee parrki k ng loott bei eing ng blo lock lock ked ed offf fo for or ot othe her eevveennttss.

“F Frroom a prrof ofeessso sor s st sor’ stan taanndpo dpoi dp oinntt, th oin thi his is haarrmss the th he stud stuud deennts, tss, eessppeeciiallly l thhose wit ithh prrof ofes esso es sso sors orss wh ho ha have ave ve tardi arddiiness policies,” she said. “I’m mad ar on beeehhaallf ooff thhee student nts who are being la l te for cllassees. cla s” UNA po UNA pollice Chief Bob Pastula’s department wo ork r s in i conjunction with University Events to bblloc ock of off pa p rking in that lot for both on and offcampus groups that reserve space in the GUC for events.

The pa p rking lot by the com mmuunicati tion onss bu buil ildding is sometimes blocked off for mee eeti ting ngss th that at laast up to an ho h ur and otherr tim mess for eve vent ntss that thhat a w n’tt oc wo occu cur un ntil late aft f errnoon noon or ea earl rlyy ev even e inng. en g

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SGA lacking in senator participation )TM` 4QVLTMa

See page 7 JUMP cultivates cultural awareness with “Nothing But Noodles.”

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

UNA’s Student Government Association senate currently has 17 filled senator seats, but, according to the organization’s code of laws, it could support up to 40, said SGA senator and junior geography and political science major Jordan Brasher.

Brasher is currently the unopposed candidate for next year’s vice president of senate position.

Though the senate could technically have 40 senators—based on the number of students at UNA and the rule that each senator represents 240 students—the cap has been set at 30 until the 2015 reapportionment, said Vice President of Senate and junior professional biology major Emily McCann.

With 13 seats empty, senate has run into some issues, Brasher said.

“The problem is if you have 17 senators on the roster but only 14 are there, it narrows the number of people who can voice their

opinions or pass legislation,” she said. “We need two-thirds of senate total to pass expenditures; not two-thirds of the people present.”

McCann said retention problems have made it a constant battle to fill senate seats.

“It might be because we ask a lot of them,” she said. “We have a weekly meeting, and it’s not a fun meeting. It’s serious, and we ask them to write legislation. A lot of students just aren’t up to that.”

Brasher said she has noticed retention problems too.

“We’ll have a lot of people at the (SGA) retreat, but a lot of them just don’t stick with it,” she said.

“It’s a lot of work when you first come in. We start asking people to write bills right away. With about six or seven who are constantly putting out legislation, they need a break.”

The time commitment is likely an issue to some potential applicants, McCann said.

“I think it’s tough sometimes for college students to be involved,” she said. “It can be hard to balance

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

William Nash, Michael Nelson and Jeremy Patton participate in the Student Government Association senate meeting March 8.

Greek life, school and family. They just choose other things.”

Director of Student Engagement and adviser to SGA Tammy Jacques said some students might be deterred from senate membership by the lack of instant gratification.

“I don’t think a lot of students realize how important the senate side is,” she said. “It’s very business focused, and it can be hard to see results as quickly as with (the University Program Council),

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News Briefs Career Planning plans to host meal etiquette classes

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

THE RESULTS ARE IN photos by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

The Office of Career Planning and Development will host its spring dining etiquette classes March 20 at 5 p.m. and March 21 at 11:30 a.m. in the GUC banquet halls.

The classes are set to offer learning opportunities for professional and formal dining in a practical setting.

Registration for the event is $15 and will be accepted in cash or by check in GUC 202. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 15.

For more information, contact the Office of Career Planning and Development at 256-765-4277.

UNA student to kickstart new campaign, release music video Dillon Hodges will host his kickstarter campaign and release his new music video March 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at ColdWater Books in Tuscumbia.

A kickstarter campaign is designed to help fund an artistic work, such as a musical album. For each contribution made toward Hodges’ campaign, donors will receive a gift based on how much is donated.

The event will also include musical artists Lee Taylor and the Bluebirds.

After the performances, Hodges will premiere his new music video “Bullet for a Broken Heart.”

UPC to host campus event for cancer awareness The University Program Council will host a kickoff party for Relay for Life April 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Memorial Amphitheatre.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Both luminaries and team member registration cost $1.

For more information, contact Jori Chatman at jechatman@una.edu.

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

NASH

RILEY

Log on to www.florala.net for the results of the recent SGA elections.

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SGA presidential candidates Will Riley and William Nash went head-to-head in a presidential debate hosted by The Flor-Ala newspaper March 8 in Stevens Hall auditorium.

There were more than 100 students and faculty members in attendance, and the crowd was engaged during the debate.

The candidates were asked what their stance is on the D-I decision and how they plan to work with the student population during this time of transition.

Riley responded first, speaking in favor of the decision. He said the student voice was heard during the decision-making process, but there are other factors that have to be considered. Riley also encouraged students to look at the decision from a longterm perspective.

“It can be a rocky road if we don’t comply and work with the board of trustees during this move,” Riley said. “But we’re going to receive several thousand dollars for the university and athletics if we move to D-I.” Nash said the decision was made solely based on athletics. Fees might have been easier for students to handle and the com-

munity would have had more preparation for the move if the university had waited to make the decision, he said.

Both candidates also agreed that the current parking situation is less than satisfactory, and their efforts would both largely include longer shuttle bus routes to pick up more students from off-campus locations.

”A lot of students complain

about Sodexo, but they donʼt ever say exactly whatʼs wrong.”

-Will Riley Riley and Nash were asked how they would improve the campus food service program Sodexo.

“A lot of students complain about Sodexo, but they don’t ever say exactly what’s wrong,” Riley said. “We should not complain about Sodexo, but we should complain to Sodexo.”

Nash said Sodexo has shown an effort to improve its services since it has been operating at UNA. “They’ve shown a real commitment to bettering themselves and the community,”

Nash said.

Both candidates shared their ideas for making SGA more accessible to students.

Nash wants to follow in the footsteps of what SGA is currently doing, as well as improve the Ideas to Actions program. He wants SGA members to spend more time talking to students and finding out what their concerns are.

Riley said he will make sure there are consistent biweekly updates for students.

He also believes that, instead of continuing to recruit people for SGA, the people in SGA need to start recruiting fans of SGA. Disability services awareness—part of Nash’s platform—was the next topic of discussion at the debate. Riley said the university needs to seek out more students with or close to disabilities for input and guidance, as well as add more handicapped-accessible parking spots on campus.

Nash highlighted specific areas on campus that need improvement for those with disabilities, including a lack of railing on campus, the chairlift in Bibb Graves Hall and the paperwork process students with disabilities have to go through at the start of each semester.

“We need less bureaucracy and more

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Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

MAKING

News AN IMPACT

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Certifications give students more training

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photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Student Photgrapher

Actor Mark Boone Jr. accepts the jury award for best actor at the 2012 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. The festival brings filmmakers from all over the world to UNA and the Shoals.

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The Florence area felt a community impact as it welcomed visitors to the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at the beginning of March.

The festival, running in its 15th year, featured approximately 40 filmmakers and screenwriters as well as 10 special guests, such as actors Michael Rooker and Ernest Borgnine.

“This event brings recognition to UNA from across the country; (it) brings filmmakers and others to the area who might never have come to Florence otherwise, and events such as these certainly contribute to the quality of life in the area,” said Libby Jordan, director of cultural tourism for Florence/Lauderdale Tourism.

Despite bearing the school’s name, the festival is more than just a UNA event.

“At least half of the stuff takes place off campus,” said Jason Flynn, co-director of the festival and assistant professor of film and digital media production. “It’s as much a community event as a campus one.”

Flynn said an economic impact made by the festival would probably be difficult to calculate, but the impact on Florence’s reputation was clear.

“Word of mouth is a huge thing,” he said. “I heard people referencing local stores to their friends and saying, ‘This is great. Have you seen this?’”

This year’s festival was one of the best in recent years for attendance from both the filmmakers and the audience, Flynn said.

“We give out 11 major awards,” he said.

“Of those 11, we had eight of the winning filmmakers or screenwriters in attendance.

And two of the three others had planned to attend but couldn’t.”

Co-director and instructor of English Dr. Cynthia Burkhead said the film brings in people regionally as well.

“A lot of people who have friends in this state came in to see the films,” she said. “We have large numbers of people from middle Alabama and lower Tennessee every year.”

Flynn also emphasized the appealing difference between going to the movies and going to a film festival: having the filmmakers present.

“One of the benefits of our festival is that we’re smaller,” he said. “There’s no curtain between the guests and the filmmakers.”

As for the festival in years to come, growth and recognition are the goals, Flynn said.

“There’s always room to grow our audience,” he said.

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Every semester, UNA offers the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) to determine the skills learned in the general education classes taught during the first two years of college.

This information helps the university in areas such as accreditation, along with individual degree programs. It is a requirement for all UNA students to take it before they can graduate.

The CAAP will cover one of five subjects each semester, which may be science, reading, writing skills, math or critical thinking. Many students taking the CAAP are uncertain as to how it measures them, including senior Jessica Randall.

“I don’t think that it measures each student accurately since we are given only one section to take,” she said.

Students should register to take the CAAP when they have between 44 and 70 hours, usually somewhere around their second semester as a sophomore or as a rising junior. It is only required for first-degree candidates, as students returning for a second degree are not required to take it.

“The test is geared to test people on core courses; it is a basic skills test and not an exit exam,” said Kenda Rusevlyan, the testing coordinator in the Center for Academic Advising and Retention Services.

“This is why it’s best to take the CAAP before you are a senior. At that point you are two years away from those courses.”

Students can register for the CAAP the same as they would any course. It is listed

under CAP 299 in the schedule of classes and is offered on four different dates in February and September. When registering, students can choose the test day that will best work with their schedule.

“If you sign up for the CAAP and something comes up, we will gladly offer another testing time,” Rusevlyan said. “We are very flexible.”

While the CAAP is not a test that has to be studied for, taking it between sophomore and junior years is also less stressful than waiting, Rusevlyan said.

“If you put this off, it’s just one more thing that will be added to an already packed senior year,” she said.

The test consists of 32 to 36 questions and start to finish takes about 40 min-

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Students seeking additional certifications after graduation may wish to wait.

Additional training could make students in certain fields more marketable, but it may be unnecessary for others until they actually find a job.

Paulette Alexander, department chair and professor of the computer science and information systems department, said she believes that additional training for her students can help them find jobs.

Additional certifications can set someone apart when applying for a job, Alexander said. Certification programs, like project management, are faster than earning a full master’s of business administration and usually offer some overlap. Students can also become certified in focused programs like Java or Oracle.

Specific programs within a given field can make a student more marketable as a potential employee, but most degree programs try to teach students all of the skills they need without seeking additional certification.

Laketa Johnson, a senior in the social work program at UNA, believes her classes are adequately preparing her for a job in her field.

“We are qualified as general practitioners and can work everywhere,” Johnson said. “The training that you get in the social work program at UNA prepares you for what you will encounter in the field.

We get enough specialized training in our classes already.”

Johnson said she may consider adding to her credentials later, but it will be after she finds a job and knows where she will be working.

UNA’s Continuing Studies and Outreach Program focuses on professional development as well as certifications in several areas.

Some programs are for personal enrichment, said Shelia Sisson, a program coordinator with continuing studies.

Classes offered include song writing, dance, yoga and art. Other programs, like the pharmacy technician and paralegal certificates, involve multiple classes and prepare students to pursue a new career or look for a better job.

“We cater to nontraditional students,” said Wanda Dixon, a program coordinator with continuing studies. “They’re looking for the means to better their marketing skills for a better job.”

Another benefit of the program is that it is less time-intensive than a full degree, said Meghan Fike, a program coordinator with continuing studies. Some students work part time while trying to complete certificates.

Students taking classes with Continuing Studies cannot draw financial aid for the classes, making it difficult for current students and recent graduates to pay. Some programs, like the UNA Leadership Certificate, are designed to be as cost-efficient as possible. Other programs are approved under the Alabama Workforce Investment Act for partial financial aid.

“I think that students who graduate—not just in computing fields but in all walks of life—need to recognize the importance of continuing to learn in their chosen fields,” Alexander said.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Viewpoints

Old lawmakers bad for young voters 2W[P ;SIOO[

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With election season in full swing, I have seen it all: ads for candidates that really should have just saved their money on the advertising and bought something worthwhile, and a host of other things.

The candidates for many races, including United States president all the way down to local races, have sparked my attention.

To begin with, I think the younger voting generation (which most college students belong to) needs to wake up and vote for the younger, fresher candidates.

Not only do the young candidates have fresher and more innovative ideas, they are in the know about what is going on in this day and age.

Here locally, we are losing an older mayor (who has done a pretty good job), and currently the candidates seem to be older.

This is a college town, and personally I think it should be led by a younger person.

Obviously, the older politician types have a monopoly on the government because a few weeks ago when I was at Higher Education Day in Montgomery, the bulk of

the politicians were old, and I mean really old.

In Alabama, we have had a tough few years with budget cuts to higher education, a racist immigration law, and many lawmakers who have sat around and done nothing to fix the current condition of our state.

We desperately need a younger generation of lawmakers and leaders to lead this country, state and city into the future.

I am tired of seeing old-grandpa types lead this country into the ground. It is time that lawmakers stop taking kickbacks and worry about being reelected and lead this country; it’s what they were elected for to begin with.

Watching these old, tired men and women complain about each other reminds me of sitting on my grandparents’ porch as they yell at the Fox News pundits. The lawmakers that constantly complain and are unable to get work done have got to stop.

Old, washed-up lawmakers who are constantly abusing the system and breaking the system that our forefathers built need to shape up or ship out.

Although Alabama has one of the most educated state legislatures in the nation— with about 81 percent of its legislators pursuing college degrees—the state still obviously is lacking legislators with common sense and responsibility.

The United States, State of Alabama

Help for eating disorders exists )VV 0IZSMa

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IPIZSMa(]VI ML] This column is not to seek out pity. The reason I write this article is to provide an insight to what it is like to have an eating disorder. With the upstart of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week earlier this month, memories of my period of fullblown bulimia flood my mind.

I graduated high school six months early and had a whole year of nothing to do before I started UNA. I spent a lot of my time sitting around the house in stretch pants, watching cartoons and eating the worst foods you could imagine. If it was deep fried, it was demolished with a shot of ranch. I was in a long-term relationship and gave little thought to my appearance.

The moment I realized I had actually gained weight was when I walked into American Eagle and did not walk out with new jeans because I had outgrown the largest

size they carried in the store. It tore me apart and disgusted me. I cried and looked at myself naked in the mirror for hours, trying to figure out what happened.

I started to diet. I gave up all meat but fish Actually, I gave up the majority of everything.

I went straight hardcore, giving no thought to “all things in moderation.” I dropped weight like crazy—five pounds here and there—and I continued to dwindle my diet down to nothing but Slimfast and cottage cheese. I was proud of my resolve and willpower.

The first time I made myself throw up was about a month into my diet. My weight loss had slowed, and I was craving macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cream cheese icing and McDonald’s. I convinced myself a little slip in my diet wouldn’t hurt, so I consumed everything in my line of view. As I finished my last bite of food, the guilt flooded me. I don’t know what gave me the idea, or why it happened, but I was making my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower so my father wouldn’t hear me gagging my brains out.

When I was finished, the guilt was gone. My stomach was empty, and so were my thoughts.

Cartoon of the Week

Have your own cartoons? Want to be published? Send us your stuff at florala@una.edu!

and City of Florence need younger leadership badly. For the love of all that is good and holy, please band together and get some younger leadership in our government.

One day, the general public’s inability to get some positive young thinkers into office will come back to haunt everyone.

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

SHOUTOUT! Congrats to staff writer Brandon Thigpen for being named Writer of the Week for The Flor-Ala. Also, great job to staff photographer Kayla Sloan for having Photo of the Week in the last edition of The Flor-Ala.

Want to be a columnist for The Flor-Ala? Email alindley@una.edu with your ideas and a writing sample to be considered for publication.

I continued to stay strict on my diet, but the weight would not come off anymore. I started throwing up after every meal—up to six times a day—even if all I had eaten was some fish and a serving of uncooked broccoli. This continued for four months.

Everyone noticed the skinnier me. I had dropped around 70 pounds in those short months, and I felt amazing. I had developed a habit of looking up the calorie count for every bit of food I ate, and I documented it ritually.

I only allowed myself 500 calories on some days. I was able to hide this from my friends by isolating myself, but they obviously noticed my drastic weight change. I would always eat in front of them, and then excuse myself to make my way to the bathroom afterwards.

My best friend finally noticed. I would always change the subject when she brought it up.

I cracked when I googled an image of a cheeseburger. It dawned on me when I was staring at that screen how awfully I had been treating my body. I wasn’t concentrating on writing, reading or even playing a fun game …

I was looking at pictures of food. The power it had over my mind was like a religion. When I purged, I felt like I was giving up the sin of gluttony and becoming stronger. In actuality, I was destroying my vocal cords, causing dangerous crashes in my blood sugar and giving my hormones hell.

The next day I bought the biggest burger I could find and enjoyed every bite. It was a struggle to not make myself vomit, but I did it.

I eventually cured myself, both physically and emotionally.

Because I never looked unhealthy (the smallest I had gotten was 125 pounds), no one thought it was damaging or even noticed. To this day, my family never knew. I want to let people know that even though you aren’t wafer thin, it doesn’t mean it isn’t killing you. It is killing your mind, causing unthinkable damage to your body and controlling every aspect of your life. It was the loneliest period of my life because I was keeping such a big secret and felt like I was the only one who could ever understand what I was going through. I advise all that are suffering from any kind of disordered eating to seek out help—it exists. People may judge you, but your health matters more than someone’s arbitrary opinion of what they don’t understand.

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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 DARRICK DAWKINS 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, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Feature

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Disaster relief fund, aid ready for students • Caring for the Pride program, funding still available for students 2W[P ;SIOO[

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In August of 2011, UNA secured a $15,000 grant through the Disaster Relief Fund for Postsecondary Education Students. The funding was dispersed to approximately 20 UNA students who were affected by the April 27 tornado outbreak across north Alabama last year.

The funding was obtained through a grant from USA Funds, a student loan company that wanted to give to students who were greatly impacted by the storms, said Student Financial Services Director Ben Baker.

“Insurance is not going to cover everything,” Baker said. “So we did give away the entire $15,000 to the 20 students.”

The money was a one-time gift from USA Funds and the entire sum was given to students in the fall, Baker said.

“We hope that (the Caring for the Pride fund) will be an ongoing thing,” said University Spokesman Josh Woods. “There are still some funds (in the account).”

The money that was given to students last fall was from USA Funds, and donors donated separate money, said Vice President for Advancement Alan Medders.

It will become an emergency fund and will never go away, he said.

There has been $6,935 donated to the fund from outside donors, according to the UNA website, and Medders said there have been no changes in that number in some time.

“We have not seen any new money come in since this last round of tornadoes came through,” Medders said.

”As an educational institution, we donʼt want to have a good student have their education taken away from them because of a situation like that.”

-Josh Woods Medders said to his knowledge no students were affected by the recent storms that hit north Alabama in recent weeks.

The university hopes to never see storms that impacted the UNA community like last year’s storms did, Woods said.

“We need to be sure that we are prepared as a university at any time,” Woods said.

Woods said the university has positioned itself in a way that, if there was a need, students could and would be provided with resources and assistance from the university.

“As an educational institution, we don’t want to have a good student have their education taken away from them because of a situation like that,” Woods said.

photo courtesy of SHANNON WELLS I University Photographer

President Bill Cale, UNA student Sarah Holmes and Provost John Thornell celebrate last summer when Holmes was awarded a Caring for the Pride scholarship after last year’s April 27 tornadoes destroyed her family’s home.

In the future, the university is looking at expanding and continuing to offer disaster relief to students, Woods said.

“While the April events were tragic, the Caring for the Pride program got a lot of attention, which was a good thing in enabling us to help more students,” Woods said. “We just need for people to be aware that this is one good place to give (their contributions).”

Woods said college students’ education is invaluable.

“The loss of a college education is a

very serious, tragic loss, and we just want to be able to help out,” he said.

In addition to the funding the university provided to the 20 students last fall, Woods said UNA also waived certain fees for students who were impacted by the storms. He said the university arranged things to make it easier for students who were greatly affected by the tragic events.

“The idea behind Caring for the Pride (was that) it was not as much an overall fund as much as an overall effort,” Woods said.

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News

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

SGA candidates speak to students, community

photos by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

From left to right, SGA candidates Laura Giles, Robby Thompson, Mary-Frances Wilson and Jordan Brasher speak to students in attendance at the Battle of the Wills debate.

,-*)<- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM power to the students,” Nash said.

The final question from the moderators dealt with the integration of international students on campus. Nash wants more international students involved in SGA in the upcoming year, while Riley talked about the long-term goal of having a multicultural center built on campus.

After a short break, the candidates were asked four questions from the audience, as

well as a surprise question from the moderators. The first student question focused on the D-I debate, to which the candidates briefly restated their thoughts and opinions.

Both candidates said they have strong plans for the continuation of becoming a greener campus in the upcoming year, which was focused on heavily in the debate.

“I want more recycling bins around campus,” Nash said. “We have to provide the means for recycling, and then educate about recycling.”

Part of Riley’s platform is conservation, and one of his biggest plans includes going

paperless in different areas of the university.

“I want to move towards having almost all applications online,” Riley said. “I also want to explore the option of having refund checks direct deposited instead of printed for students.”

The moderators asked each candidate to speak about what makes them different from his opponent.

Nash said his military experience and work in dealing with real student issues is the leading factor that sets him apart. Riley feels his experience on the executive board

of SGA for UPC as the current vice president and past experience with voting and legislation make him different.

Current SGA President Ralph Akalonu said both candidates are good, but there is room for improvement with the presentation of their platforms.

“The debate has been good, and the candidates are both good,” Akalonu said.

“I would really like to hear more specifics about their plans, though. They

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Thursday, March 15, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

Life

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I want to walk like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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photos courtesy of morgueFile

A course titled Monasticism and Asceticism offered at the University of Pennsylvania enlightens students on the life of a monk. The course includes vows of silence, dietary changes and abstaining from all technology, except electricity.

University of Pennsylvania offers class in monasticism, asceticism

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Students at the University of Pennsylvania can take a class guiding them in the principles of living as a monk. Throughout the course, students must follow many of the same guidelines as Catholic or Buddhist monks with restrictions specific to the categories of food, communication, meditation and prayer.

Dr. Justin McDaniels is an associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the university. The inspiration for the class came from his background in Southeast Asian languages and religion.

Having spent time in a monastery in Thailand shortly after his college graduation, he was familiar with the monastic lifestyle.

Students who enroll in the course â&#x20AC;&#x153;Monasticism and Asceticismâ&#x20AC;? must first apply for acceptance into the elective-only course and then be interviewed by McDaniels.

This is necessary since the course has very strict guidelines for the participants and they must understand what will be expected of them. The inspiration for the course came from previous students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thinking of lots of my students over timeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;late 90s, early 2000sâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they were interested in things like meditation, monastic life in Asia; they wanted to know what a Buddhist actually does and not just the history,â&#x20AC;? McDaniels said.

Food is an important part of the monastic lifestyle, and students have to follow different diets throughout the course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one week where students are not allowed to eat anything that grows underground, and this proves to be a challenge when you realize how many foods are grown this way,â&#x20AC;? McDaniels said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This includes garlic, turmeric, tubers and more.â&#x20AC;?

For another week, students may only eat food that is in raw form.

Within communication, students are not allowed to use technology other than

electricity and may not read the news unless it is required by another course. They must take a vow of silence for one month and may only speak with an assigned partner in the class.

Senior Jason Hewer thinks a similar class might be a success for UNA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a class similar to this would be a big hit,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People would try it just because they were curious, but it would be a difficult endeavor.â&#x20AC;?

Other students, like senior Jon Mucci, are hesitant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think I would take the class,â&#x20AC;?

Mucci said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be interested in knowing more about it and finding out the results experienced by others. But at the moment I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be willing to be led through even a temporary monastic existence unless I knew more about the class and, most importantly, the instructor.â&#x20AC;?

The course is not focused on the spiritual or religious tenets of monasticism as much as the lifestyle that is focused around

awareness and contemplation, McDaniels said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throughout recorded human history, in every religious tradition, a certain class of people have had the urge to take on restrictions for a better understanding of heaven or spiritual benefit,â&#x20AC;? McDaniels said.

McDaniels said he believes the course is valuable to students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Students in the course) ask great questions, are incredibly focused, think much more clearly in other courses, memorize better, and value time for thinking and reflection,â&#x20AC;? McDaniels said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The contemplative life is part of the human experience, and giving yourself time to think about how great artists, poets, writers have had this tradition of a quiet contemplative life (suggests) that there must be some value to it. We take a few months to step into that world just a bit, and I think there is value in it.â&#x20AC;?

JUMP promotes cultural diversity, awareness with food Sleep texting caused by stress, dishes from Japan to domestic students. also encourages new members to enroll.

JUMP held a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing but Noodlesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very open to UNA students event March 7 that featured udon, somen here, and if you are interested in Japanese overstimulation

photo by BARRY MINOR I Staff Photographer

Students line up for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing by Noodlesâ&#x20AC;? event sponsored by the Japanese University Meal Project (JUMP).

JUMP tries to increase cultural awareness at UNA by providing Japanese cuisine to students.

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The Japanese University Meal Project (JUMP) is an on-campus organization that provides Japanese cuisine to the students of UNA. They hold tasting events and bake sales regularly to help introduce popular

and soba noodles. Some other foods available throughout the semester include green tea cookies and dango (rice cakes).

The members of the organization also want to introduce Japanese culture in other ways, such as Japanese movie screenings, origami, calligraphy demonstrations and traditional performances such as martial arts.

JUMP is not only for international students. All who share a love for Japanese culture are welcome to join.

Club members are excited about the opportunity to share cultures. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only about our culture,â&#x20AC;? said Takayuki Kashiwazaki, vice president of JUMP and marketing major at UNA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get to share other cultures because we have more American students than other members.â&#x20AC;?

Kashiwazaki said the organization helped him think more about his culture and allowed him to see the differences that exist between his culture and others. He said he

culture, then you should join,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Darrell Coble, the president of JUMP, has been to Japan four times. His wife is Japanese and works there. One of the main goals of JUMP is to educate the community on the history of Japan and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular in Japan, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are trying to share everything Japanese,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Some students said JUMP has helped them get more involved on campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I joined JUMP about a year ago,â&#x20AC;? said Mack Cornwell, member and UNA student. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really was the catalyst for me to get involved in all things international.â&#x20AC;?

Cornwell said it is interesting to compare how the international students do things, such as run the events. He said they have a high level of professionalism and are very organized.

JUMP provides social events to

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A study released out of the Melbourne Sleep Disorder Centre in Australia indicates a new phenomenon occurring among teens and college studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sleep texting.

Completely unaware of the occurrence, people send incoherent text messages to friends and family while theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sleeping.

The study showsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;like sleepwalkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sleep texting generally takes place during the third or fourth stage of sleep.

Research and study on the condition is limited, and until it is more extensive most professionals agree that the occurrence is just anecdotal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The phenomenon is unstudied in a rigorous way, and it is largely, if not completely, anecdotal in its manifestations,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. George Robinson, professor

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Feature

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Staff Photographer Kayla Sloan and Volunteer Photographer Carrie Cook share photos at the potluck.

A sense of community Staff Writer Ann Harkey faces off with Link, the official Flor-Ala mascot, during the potluck dinner March 12.

By Malisa McClure - Staff Photographer - msmcclure@una.edu There are a lot of perks to being on staff at The Flor-Ala. I get to stand on the sidelines at sporting events, I get fancy press passes for some events and I can’t remember the last time I had to pay to get into a UNA-related event.

I love my job. I love being involved on campus and always knowing what events are going on. The rewards of this job are practically endless.

One of my favorite parts of being on staff at The Flor-Ala, however, doesn’t involve a sideline, concert or other campus event. It’s a little known occasional gathering of Flor-Ala staffers and volunteers we call the office potluck.

On March 12, we had one of these potlucks in our office located on Wood Avenue. As usual, this potluck was all about food, friends and fun. There was more food than we knew what to do with, including an endless array of deserts. All of the editors and most of the writers and photographers were present. Link, our adviser’s dog, was running around in a Diorama T-shirt trying to get scraps.

We all brought our favorite dish to share, and we sat around while we ate, chatting and exchanging recipes. Our office was packed enough that some people had to sit on the floor (including myself). Despite the lack of space, we all had a great time talking and catching up.

As I type, the potluck is winding down. There is friendly conversation and giggling going Malisa McClure on, and we are probably all on a little bit of a sugar high. Link is still running around looking for attention and scraps, and our adviser even got him to do some tricks.

I love these potlucks because they’re so simple, but such a good time. And while the food is great, the real treat is getting to spend some quality time with all of The Flor-Ala crew.

To see more work from Malisaʼs series, visit her photo gallery at florala.net.

Online Editor Jordan Bradley prepares food for the potluck after the weekly writers meeting in the Student Media Office.

Executive Editor Lucy Berry and News/Managing Editor Josh Skaggs do what they do best during the potluck dinner.

Staff Writer Ashley Vickers pets Link, the dog of Student Media adviser Rebecca Walker, March 12.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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Officials look for more senators in SGA ;-6)<7: KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM which plans events for a specific time.

“Some students on SGA may not see their ideas come to fruition before they graduate, but the work is still important.”

SGA can take longer to implement new ideas because it looks at the big picture, Jacques said.

“It takes individuals sometimes to plant seeds for things to get done,” she said. “They can feel like they’re not getting far, but they are.”

Brasher said SGA does not currently have the manpower to actively recruit, but McCann said SGA has still been trying.

“This past summer, I sent a letter to every RSO on campus and Greek organizations asking them to send someone (to senate) to represent them,” she said. “I got 10 people from the about 140 letters photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer I sent out.”

McCann said SGA engages in many Susan Okereke participates in the March 8 Student Government Association Senate recruiting activities throughout the year. meeting. Senate application season is currently underway.

“We’re constantly doing stuff to recruit,” she said. “We’ve been having a DJ party by our offices every year where we give out free food and (senate) applications.”

But, with senate application season in full swing, Brasher said things might be looking up.

“We have eight applications already submitted and approved and seven that are still pending,” she said. “Applications don’t close until (March 21).”

And Jacques said the applications are coming from new places on campus.

“Students who weren’t necessarily involved before are getting involved now,” she said.

McCann said she would really like to see students get more involved on campus.

“There seems to be so little involvement on all ends of the spectrum,” she said. “The sad part is that it’s the same people involved in everything. We have a say in so much. I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to be involved.

University explains process behind blocked parking lots 8):316/ 47<; KWV\QV ]ML NZWU XIOM Pastula said if police don’t block those parking spaces early enough in the day, people will park there all day and leave no open spots for visitors.

Bret Jennings, director of University Events, said he and his staff worked with the former police chief in the early 2000s prior to Pastula’s arrival to establish guidelines for reserving events at UNA. Currently, there are approximately 46 parking spaces in that lot that can be reserved for on or off-campus groups that rent facilities on campus.

Jennings said a better parking lot monitoring system would help to relieve some of the problems.

“Our original plan was to find the least amount of spaces that can be used with the highest amount of effectiveness to us with the least burden to the students,” Jennings

said.

Many off-campus groups won’t come to campus for events if they can’t have a reserved number of parking spaces or are

”Itʼs got to be a cooperative

effort between the students and everybody else.”

-Bob Pastula forced to use the shuttle bus, Pastula said.

Although officials try to encourage groups to use the shuttle service instead of blocking off spaces, Pastula said UNA must accommodate guests on campus, build a cohesive bond and maintain positive relationships between the university and community.

“It’s got to be a cooperative effort between the students and everybody else,”

Pastula said.

Pastula said his department has toyed with the idea of sending out a mass email to the UNA community periodically to inform them when the parking lot will be blocked off due to an event, but he’s concerned that it might be ineffective because students, faculty and staff complain they already receive too many emails.

While officials work to find solutions for the issue, Pastula encourages students to use the shuttle bus system from the Darby Drive parking lot on Florence Boulevard or the downtown parking garage if they are concerned about not finding a parking space on campus.

“It just makes sense to me,” he said.

“Why hunt for a space here when you can go park out there and not have to worry about it?”

Jayne Jackson, event coordinator for University Events, said most events that happen on campus, which require reserved parking spaces, are there to serve the stu-

dents in some way and provide opportunities for them.

Jason Flynn, assistant professor of film and digital media, said it’s not going to be easy to find a solution to the parking issue because he understands the university’s perspective in wanting to accommodate other people and groups who host events on campus.

However, he supports the Ribbon Cutters Club in trying to raise awareness of and find a solution to the problem.

“I always support people who are trying to stand up and make a difference,” he said. “Parking spots are not as enriching to society as other causes, but I think that anytime people identify a problem, organize, stand up and be verbal, it is a positive thing.”

Pastula and Jennings both encourage students to contact them directly about concerns they might have about the parking lots or to offer solutions to the problem.

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Shoutout of the Week

UNA Baseball The UNA baseball team had a tough week with Harding on March 6 and then faced defending champ and No. 1 West Florida over the weekend and finished the week 4-1.

Week At A Glance Baseball When: Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH) Sunday, 1 p.m

Who: West Georgia Ge

Getting to know breakout player Almon 5I\\ ?QT[WV

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Third-baseman for UNA, Andrew Almon, has started off the 2012 baseball season for the Lions with a roar. He is a source of reliability both at the plate and defensively at the hot corner. Almon and his twin brother Daniel are both biology majors. Together, they constantly confuse professors as well as teammates from both the baseball and football teams. After redshirting his first year at UNA in 2009, Almon has come into his own both as a baseball player and as a student.

M:

What is it like being at UNA with your twin brother?

A:

Well, we have the same major and, besides about three or four classes, we’ve had all the same classes together. Teachers have a hard time telling us apart.

We’re at midterms and we still have some teachers that can’t tell us apart. We get along pretty well, but when we were yyounger g we used to figght a lot. Once we ggot ot big big

Softball S ftb ll When: Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH) Sunday, 1 p.m.

Who: W Wh o Delta State

Tennis When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Student Photographer

got big enough where we started hurting each other, we kind of cut that out.

M:

When did you start thinking that you could play at the college level?

A:

When I was younger, I just enjoyed playing the game, but when I got to high school, I just really started working on my game. I started taking it serious and putting a lot of hours into it. By my junior and senior years of high school, I thought I could probably play at the next level.

M: A: My high school coach, Jason Anderson,

What was the recruiting process like for you? pitched here at UNA. So when I started the whole process, he asked me where all I was considering. I told him I wanted to ggo to a four fouryyear school and that I wasn’t interested in jjunior college. g UNA U NA and West Alabama and JJacksonville acksonville State were all ttalking alking g to me,, but UNA offfered ered me ((a scholarship) p) early, y, so I took it in case I ggot hurt my y senior season or something, g, I would still be able to come here.

M:istry What is the chemy of the team this season?

A:

Our sstrengths trengths g tthis his year y are defense and pitching. g We’ve ggot the hitting; g it just

takes a bit more time over the season for it to come around.

We have some returning AllConference batters; it just takes time. As a team, we all get along and we all hang out on the weekends. Everybody’s attitude is good and we all respect Coach Keehn and understand that he knows the game well.

M: A: I played shortstop in high school, and UNA

Did UNA recruit you to play third base?

recruited me as a shortstop.

After my redshirt season, they moved me to third base and told me they thought I would develop more over there. I like it more than shortstop now. I always thought I would be a short-stop, but I enjoy it at third base now.

M: A: We all take batting practice, and I get my arm What are some of your pre-game rituals?

loose, and then I like to say a short prayer. After batting practice, we all have time to go eat somewhere, so I try and go eat at Quizno’s or Subway and get a little energy going.

M:

What is a motto that you try and live by, and who is someone that you consider a role model?

A:

Personally, I just try and do everything to the best of my ability and give God the glory. If I’ve been given the ability to do something, then I’m going to go out and try and do my best.

My high school coach, Jason Anderson, is a good man and a man of integrity. He really preached that to us in high school. Character, integrity and hard work will eventually pay off.

M:

Do you have any favorite television shows that you watch regularly?

A:

I like to watch “Criminal Minds.” I try and keep up with that. I also enjoy watching “Swamp People” and a few other shows on the History Channel.

M: A: Definitely the National League. I’ve been a

American League or National League?

Braves fan forever.

Sports

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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Coaches face pressure to succeed on, off field 7ZZMa *WT\WV

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photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

Head baseball coach Mike Keehn gives his signal during a game this season.

Winning is part of every college sports team, but dealing with the pressure of a tradition of success can take a toll on anyone.

At UNA, the standard is high with the amount of success the sports programs for the UNA baseball team have and now a thriving power in the UNA women’s soccer team. The pressure to succeed has been put on both of these programs the last couple of seasons, and winning may not be the thing that concerns most coaches.

“The pressure is what you put on yourself,” said UNA baseball coach Mike Keehn. “Obviously, here at UNA, expectations are always high for all sports to win championships, but I think what’s also important is making sure the players are doing the right thing on and off the field. That’s probably the more stressing thing than any.”

The UNA soccer team came into this past season with huge expectations after

the amount of success from the previous seasons. The Lions were able to rise to the occasion and win the Gulf South Conference and advance to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. For UNA soccer coach Graham Winkworth, the pressure is off the field.

“The biggest pressure for me is the pressure I put myself under,” Winkworth said. “ I’m a terrible loser, and I put high expectations on the soccer program and on myself more than anyone else could possibly put on me. It’s not just about wins and losses, it’s about bringing in quality student athletes and people for the program.”

The UNA baseball team has risen to expectations so far this season after clinching the weekend series over No.1 West Florida to move to (18-6, 4-2) on the season. The Lions were projected to finish second in the conference, but Keehn said he worries about the little things more than anything else at times.

“There are a lot of things baseball coaches have to endure,” he said. “You’re responsible for so many other things like fundraisers, practice and field preparations.

The weather for me is stressful because you

have to make a decision on to bring the opposing team and call the umpires.”

Pressure can take control for anyone, but both Winkworth and Keehn have been able to put it aside and be successful on the

”The pressure is what you put

on yourself. Obviously, here at UNA, expections are always high for all sports to win championships but I think whatʼs also important is making sure the players are doing the right thing on and off the field.”

-Mike Keehn field.

“It’s not so much pressure from the outside as it is from within, but the hardest thing for me is balancing my home life with my professional life,” Winkworth said. “It takes its toll sometimes, but I love what I do.”

Teams refine skills in off-season training 5ITQ[I 5K+T]ZM

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UNA athletic teams currently in between seasons are spending their time during the off season training and preparing for their upcoming seasons.

UNA teams in the off season now include football, soccer, men and women’s basketball, and volleyball.

“I think the off season is the most important part of training,” said head volleyball coach Stephanie Radecki. “That’s when you have actual time to focus on a lot of individual stuff instead of always having to worry about getting your team ready for a match.”

Radecki said the volleyball team spends a lot of time working on jump training, skill training and speed training during the off season. The team, which started training in January, also spends time getting stronger in the weight room.

UNA’s football team started spring training March 12. The team will play a spring game in which the team will be split into two and play against each other April 14.

Head football coach Bobby Wallace

said creating team unity is his biggest goal at this time.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve tried to do this off season is build a little team unity,” he said. “Obviously in football, getting bigger, stronger, and faster and being in shape for spring training is all important, but, at the same time, I think that creating team unity and building a team is very important in the off season.”

Wallace also said the off season is a time of teaching fundamentals and focusing on individual players.

Head men’s basketball coach Bobby Champagne said he finds focusing on individual players to be an important part of off-season training. The men’s basketball team will start its training next week.

“With most of the underclassmen, strength is a big thing—just getting overall strength development—and for some guys it’s more about getting better at dribbling, passing and shooting,” he said. “It all depends on the individual.”

All three coaches said during the off season they focus on teaching fundamentals and improving the players’ skills. Offseason training allows for more focus on individuals because the coaches don’t have

photo by CARRIE COOK I Student Photographer

Head coach Bobby Champagne talks strategy to his players during a timeout in a game earlier this season.

upcoming games to prepare for.

“There’s three things you have to learn: you gotta learn what to do, then you gotta learn how to do it and then you gotta learn to do it full speed,” Wallace said. “But you can’t do it full speed until you know what to

do and how to do it.”

Though off-season training is important, the coaches said that year-round training is essential at the college level.

“It takes year-round training to be in the best condition you can be in,” Wallace said.

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Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

March Madness has begun: Staff picks the tourney Orrey Bolton

Matt Wilson

Lauren Estes

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

On Sunday afternoon, I was glued in with millions of other sports fans as the Division I basketball brackets were announced. There were some surprises and snubs just like every year, but I believe the committee did a very good job because there was really not much controversy afterwards. Enough with my thoughts of the analysis; now it’s my turn to unveil my bracket.

In terms of picking upsets, there were a couple games that struck my attention. The upsets in the first round: I have the 12-seed Long Beach St. beating 5-seed New Mexico, 11-seed North Carolina St. beating 6-seed San Diego St., and, lastly, 13-seed New Mexico St. taking down four-seed Indiana.

I’m looking forward to see if Kentucky coach John Calipari can put it together with such a young team and also for the upsets to occur in the opening weekend. The best part of the tournament is seeing who will survive in my eyes and to see if I picked the right Cinderella teams.

For the Elite Eight, I’m a fan of the Baylor Bears defeating the Dukies to set up a Baylor-Kentucky matchup in the South. Marquette for me goes on to upset Missouri to face off against Michigan St. in the West Region. No upsets in the East bracket with Ohio St. and Syracuse matching up. Finally, I have Kansas versus their old coach Roy Williams and North Carolina to represent the Midwest.

My Final Four is set with Kentucky, Marquette, Ohio St. and Kansas, with the championship game set for Kentucky against Ohio St. where Calipari brings back the glory to a very successful program 71-66.

It should be a very exciting tournament, and I can’t wait to see what happens.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s always full of excitement. For three solid weeks, teams battle it out to get that most coveted national championship trophy in what people call “March Madness.”

This year’s tournament should be no disappointment, with upsets sitting across the bracket in the early rounds.

Every year there are always teams who are expected to go far in the tournament and can’t even make it out of the opening weekend.

That is what I am excited about seeing in this tournament is who is going to be that David to slay the Goliaths of basketball and shock the whole country. Also, I would like to see that moment that I will talk about for days, like a buzzer-beater to win the game or an unknown player who makes a name for himself, like Stephen Curry of Davidson did a few years ago.

In the end, I think these teams will survive the madness and avoid the upset bug to make it to the Final Four (Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio State and North Carolina). Kentucky and North Carolina have the most talent and will be playing in the championship game, and John Calipari will be

Leave it to the NCAA to fix something that is not broken, but we now have 68 teams to choose from in our March Madness brackets. Even if you haven’t followed any college basketball this year, there are a few things you can keep in mind that will have your Final Four still intact while your friends trash their brackets after the first weekend.

Every year there is a 12 seed that knocks off a five seed, and this year is bound to follow suit, but the 11 versus six games look like the place where a Cinderella team could emerge.

Very rarely does a Final Four contain all four of the No. 1 seeds, and this year does not look like that will happen either. Stick with the chalk picks early on, but eventually there are going to be some upsets.

The last thing you need to keep in mind is which teams are hot and which teams are not. Some teams have been fighting for a tournament spot for the past month and are likely to keep that momentum at least for the opening game. Some of the higher seeds have been coasting, which is evidenced by their lack of success in their conference tournaments.

I see Kentucky and Duke in an epic rematch in the Elite Eight. Missouri and Michigan State are the other two top seeds that I think will meet in the last eight. On the other side, I think Florida State will take its momentum into a match up with the No. 1 seed Syracuse. And in another great potential elite eight match up, I’m picking North Carolina to meet up with North Carolina State.

The Final Four will see Kentucky facing Missouri and Florida State facing North Carolina State. Unfortunately for N.C. State, its dream run through the tournament will end badly in a blowout at the hands of the fifth youngest team in Division I: the Kentucky Wildcats.

Tommy Bolton Sports Editor

As an athlete, knowledgeable sports fan or sports follower, when one thinks of fall, football most often comes to mind. Like most seasons, different sports tie into specific months. March, of course, means college basketball, the NCAA playoffs or March Madness.

This season, the usual several teams stick out to me, not just because I follow them, but because they represent conferences I support or have had recent big wins or winning streaks in the last few years or even lately, which has sparked an interest in me to make sure I watch each game when their teams take the hardwood.

I have filled out my bracket and, after going through the 64 teams, I’ve come up with my Final Four predictions and my overall team winner. Keep in mind, I do possess a slight bias for my favorites, but I did my best to stick to the stats and pick the best teams who beat pressure, show up in playoffs, step up when time calls for a big time player and show out for their university.

My final four teams: Kentucky, Ohio State, Louisville and North Carolina.

The Champion: North Carolina, the Tar Heels winning it all.

Join the fun of March Madness. Pick your teams, and watch these tough athletes fight for the National Championship.

Follow @FlorAlaSports for live updates on UNA sporting news for games and interviews with players and coaches.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Life

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Pretty lights • Planetarium and Observatory entertain with music of Pink Floyd and U2 photos by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

From left to right, The laser light show features brightly lit patterns and shapes accompanied by music. Bottom left: This show featured music from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and selections from U2.

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Students, professors and guests gathered last week at the UNA Planetarium and Observatory to watch the spring laser show, featuring music from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and the band U2.

The laser shows have been hosted by the planetarium for two years and have since become one of its most popular at-

tractions.

“The people who come really like them,” said Dr. Mel Blake, director of the Planetarium and Observatory. “The response we get is almost universally positive.”

The 75-minute laser show, full of psychedelic patterns, distorted guitars, ominous sounds and images perfect for fueling nightmares, did receive an overwhelmingly positive response from those attending. The lobby of the planetarium was full of excited

conversation, glazed over gazes and people eager to experience the show again.

“I thought it was really good,” said Taylor Holman, a freshman. “I thought the lasers went really well with the music.”

Others said the environment wasn’t perfect.

“It was good,” said Dale Cronkhite, a freshman. “Just neck-breaking.”

The chairs in the planetarium have been a big complaint among people attending the laser shows.

“People are not fond of our chairs because they’re not really designed for looking straight up for an entire hour,” Blake said. “But we’re working on that aspect of things.”

People who have attended the laser shows before prefer lying on blankets more than sitting in chairs. Even those without blankets were lying on the floor within a few minutes.

Since the laser projector is a rental and all the shows are stock, it limits the choice on what music can be shown. However, Blake makes several considerations when deciding on a show.

“I try to pick stuff that will have a general appeal,” he said. “Somebody asked me how do I pick the music, and I said ‘well, I have to hear it every night for a week, so it’s going to be something I like.’”

Students suggested a variety of bands for future laser shows. Among the bands suggested were Black Sabbath, Daft Punk,

Aerosmith, Muse and Snow Patrol.

While most students enjoyed both of the bands at the laser show, many said they preferred one band to the other.

“I liked ‘The Wall’ a little better because I’m a little more familiar with Pink Floyd,” said Chase Alexander, a planetarium visitor.

Others preferred U2.

”The people who come really

like them. The response we get is almost universally positive.”

-Mel Blake “I guess because I’m a little bit younger than (Alexander), I liked U2 better,” said Vivian Lesende, a junior at UNA. Blake said he hopes in the future that UNA will invest in a laser projector. He said he sees how investing in one could have many positive benefits to the planetarium, as well as the community.

“I am very interested in getting a laser system on campus that we could make our own shows, but it’s a very expensive piece of equipment,” Blake said. “But, potentially, it could be a big program from us because we could do partnerships with a lot of different people.”

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Thursday, March 15, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

University seeks more involvement on social site UNA works to add presence on Foursquare network -TQ[M +WNQMTL

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photo by BARRY MINOR I Student Photographer

UNA student Daniel Swope checks in at the Gulliot University Center on campus.

The UNA campus is littered with Foursquare venues.

+))8 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM utes. It is shorter than other standardized tests, such as the LSAT, SAT or ACT. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imagine if you were to go to the ACT and they told you that you could leave after the first section, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about how the CAAP is; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a whole afternoon,â&#x20AC;? Ru-

UNA is currently seeking a more active, student-led Foursquare presence on campus.

Foursquare is an online network that allows users to check in at certain locations, follow locations of a circle of friends, and learn more about their community and environment in the process.

The network can be used to enhance the college experience in particular, said Jeremy Britten, UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s web communications manager.

Foursquare is currently promoting a new Foursquare for Universities program, which emphasizes exploration around campus and communication between students, alumni and staff.

Ray Lin, a marketing associate for Foursquare, is working to use this program in a way that will cater to the community around universities. He said it is catching on extremely well. sevlyan said.

The data collected is also used to make sure that students at UNA are getting the education they should be as compared to universities of similar size and cost. Once the test results are returned to UNA, the information is turned over to the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment.

Want to know the outcome of the SGA election?

Go to www.florala.net to get the latest results and election information.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Schools are) realizing its potential to help students, alumni and staff connect with each other, find new and interesting things to do, and earn rewards for exploring their campus and nearby areas,â&#x20AC;? he said.

While UNA is not yet among the universities who use the program, Britten is working to improve the Foursquare presence which already exists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a Foursquare presence for about a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it has been a learning year to see what other schools are doing, what we can do and how many students are using it,â&#x20AC;? Britten said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re starting to see more people using it now, which leads me to believe that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s starting to be more desirable to students.â&#x20AC;?

He and other university officials are making an effort to take online ownership of UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check-in locations. In doing so, the university is able to manage these locations and add various promotions and discounts for checking in there.

Most students who are familiar with the network agree that their main concern is security.

UNA sophomore Jonathan Oliphant said he used Foursquare for approximately a month last semester, but lost interest.

;/) KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM need to focus on more specifics, instead of rushing through them.â&#x20AC;?

Overall, the debate was well-received by students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed it,â&#x20AC;? said Daniel McGuire, a computer science major. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The debate format was good, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed the candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dedication to the presentation of

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got uncomfortable being that much on the grid,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for businesses to use it for promotions, but I never used it like that, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the point.â&#x20AC;?

UNA sophomore Mack Cornwell agrees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I got benefits from using it, or if there were solid promotions, I would probably use it,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care that people know where I am.â&#x20AC;?

Britten said security can be controlled if users limit the friends who can see their information.

Others, like UNA sophomore Abril Agnew, are actively using the network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great way to advertise special events on campus and get connected with others,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Britten said Foursquare is active on campus. In a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time, UNA has created 75 venues and has almost 24,000 all-time check ins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the growing phase as far as knowing what students want to see,â&#x20AC;? Britten said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we get further along, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know what we can and should do. Our overarching goal is to get students to use this campus as their backyard. This is a beautiful campus and great place to hang out.â&#x20AC;? their information. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I came tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to get information.â&#x20AC;?

Getting to know the candidates through the debate was a highlight of the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was good to see their faces and body language,â&#x20AC;? said Harrison Knowlton, a junior criminal justice major. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You could also see their confidence levels and the way they handled themselves. They both portrayed good stuff and knew what they were talking about.â&#x20AC;?

Thursday, March 15, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Life

ʻProject Xʼ Review: wait for DVD

photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

‘Project X’ opened March 2 and brought in $21,051,363 during its first weekend.

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I will admit I was not excited about seeing “Project X.” I assumed it was like “Superbad,” as stated by the previews, only turned into a home video version.

The film follows the events of Thomas, Costa and J.B., seniors in high school wanting to gain popularity by throwing Thomas a huge 17th birthday party. Costa hires Dax, a “gothic AV nerd” to follow them around and shoot a video for them to remember the evening.

The main goal for the three guys is to hook up with hot girls (obviously) and make the party “big.” After Thomas’s parents leave for the weekend, Costa begins sending mass texts to the students inviting

2=58 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM students on campus.

“It is a great way to meet different kinds of people,” said A.J. Mashburn, a secondary education major at UNA. “I’ve been into Japanese culture for around 10 years, and this is a logical club to be in.”

His favorite food from JUMP is tonkatsu, a pork tenderloin that has been breaded

<-@<16/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM emeritus of psychology at UNA. However, despite the lack of research, the belief that sleep texting occurs in select individuals is strong.

“I certainly don’t doubt that it could happen, but I would like to see more data before I believe the scientific and psychological roots,” said Dr. Ryan Zayac, UNA assistant professor of psychology.

Sleep texting has occurred among some students at UNA. Public relations major Danielle Howard has experienced the phenomenon in the past.

“From firsthand experience, I know sleep texting happens,” Howard said. “I haven’t done it in a while, but when I did I might have been texting someone and fell asleep, and they would keep texting me and at some point I would send some jumbled together letters that sometimes made words.”

Some of the major factors affecting sleep texting are stress and busy schedules

them for a night of debauchery.

The film itself has a pretty simple formula. The events progress slowly in the beginning, where the most trouble to be had was making a drug dealer angry, causing him to dead sprint into the car, cracking the windshield. However, once the partygoers arrive in hordes, the film picks up.

Because Thomas was given absurdly strict rules by his parents (I felt bad for the guy, seriously. His parents were more concerned about him not ruining their house than him actually having a decent birthday), he orders that the party stay only in the backyard where the pool and DJ are located. This doesn’t last long, as people start getting drunker and begin migrating for bathrooms and bedrooms.

While the events of insanity (such as tying a dog to a bunch of balloons, a “surprise” garden gnome situation and a neighbor punching a kid) progress at a steady pace, the dialogue is what kept me intrigued throughout the movie. Some of the best moments in the film are just the spoken lines themselves, out-ranking the mass hysteria that finally turns the party into a riot.

The riot eventually attracts the attention of the police. The party no longer becomes fun, as people run from riot police, helicopters and a crazy man with a flamethrower. The attention attracts reporters and news professionals, which blows any attempt for hiding the chaos from Thomas’ parents.

Thomas’ parents return to a destroyed home and neighborhood, but the party was successful in making him and his friends popular.

This movie does its job well; it entertains. It is a legitimately funny movie that has no lulls in action. It doesn’t have a high re-watch value because the plot is simple with no real twists. This movie is worth seeing, but I would personally wait for it to show up in a Redbox or Netflix. in panko breadcrumbs and deep fried.

Dr. Bob Hendren, who is the adviser for the group, said this is the best group he has ever worked with.

“What I see happening is (international students) establishing such a cultural prescience; they want Americans to appreciate what they appreciate,” he said.

JUMP has an active Facebook to post upcoming events. Students who are interested to join may also visit the site.

during the daytime. Stress is interrupting sleep patterns, thus causing individuals— particularly teens and college students—to get less sleep at night.

“Compared to 80 years ago, the average teen is now sleeping two hours less,” Zayac said. “Their schedules are just so packed with lots of activities that it’s cutting into sleep time.”

Heavy usage and reliance on technology is also a key factor. A study conducted at the JFK Medical Center sleep laboratory in Edison, N.J., has reaffirmed suspicions that electronic media and technology have a significant impact on both the quality and quantity of sleep in students ages eight to 22. Students are so dependent on texting and technology that is difficult to not feel compelled to stay connected, even in the middle of the night.

“What students need to know is that it is OK to disconnect sometimes,” said Peggy Bergeron, a clinical nurse for UNA’s University Health Services. “Sleep needs to be just as much of a priority as technology is.”

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Workin’ for the

Weekend

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

Thursday, March 15th Matt Roy On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

Dylan LeBlanc JD’s 8 p.m.

Barry Billings Swamper’s Bar & Grille 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Hope Stamps Swamper’s Bar & Grille 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Decoy’s DP’s 8 p.m. - midnight

Becky’s New Car Norton Auditorium 7:30 p.m. $5 students/ $10 general

Friday, March 16th 28 Between Swamper’s Bar & Grille 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Spencer Murphy Swamper’s Bar & Grille 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Gabe Allen and Friends On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

The Crosstown Rivals DP’s 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.

The Lovelution Presents: Indie Movie Night JD’s 9 p.m. - midnight $5 cover

Becky’s New Car Norton Auditorium 7:30 p.m. $5 students/ $10 general

Saturday, March 17th St. Patrick’s Day Party On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

LaughRock 2012 JD’s 9 p.m. - midnight

Jon Blumer Swamper’s Bar & Grille 9 p.m. - midnight

Becky’s New Car Norton Auditorium 7:30 p.m. $5 students/ $10 general

Max Russel and The Shakedown Kings DP’s 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.

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Tweets of the week

Thursday, March 15, 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.

Visit our website at florala.net to get up to date info about UNA!