March 1 Edition of the Flor-Ala

March 1, 2012

Volume 80 No. 22

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

ʻI want to be MADE.ʼ

Students shed light on maintenance issues on campus 4]Ka *MZZa

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@UNAFlorAla @FlorAlaSports

A LOOK INSIDE

See page 2 SGA candidates gear up for their yearly election season.

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

Terrell Bailey interviews with Jay Lyons from MTV’s “Made” Feb. 22. Bailey is a football player for UNA who is graduating in May, and he wants to be “made” into a professional gospel singer.

Students try out to take part in MTV reality show 2W[P ;SIOO[

See page 3 The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival organizers announce participants.

See page 5 UNA tries to maximize its use of social media to reach out to students.

See page 8 Boughner looks to be the next ace on the mound.

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More than 60 students jumped at the chance to make it on the hit MTV reality show “Made” when the show’s producers hosted auditions on campus last week.

The show, which provides college and high school students the chance to be coached into something they have always dreamed of being, drew a large crowd of students to room 204 of the GUC.

Director of Student Engagement Tammy Jacques said producers at MTV contacted her four weeks ago and asked if she would be interested in having them on campus. Jacques said there was no hesitation on her part, and all that was left to do was work out the logistics of getting the producers on campus.

“This is an opportunity for students to think about a possible dream, a possible hope and maybe make it a reality to make if they get picked by MTV,” Jacques said.

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UNA student Jessie Pollard said it’s a running joke on campus that if students need something repaired in their residence halls, it will take the maintenance department at least three months to fix it.

After reporting a broken smoke detector in her residence hall last August, maintenance workers finally arrived in January to repair her smoke detector and install a new lightbulb in her room.

“The circumstances leading up to my experience with UNA maintenance were less than positive, but I commend them just the same,” she said. “They have quite a workload keeping this university running, and it says a great deal about their character if they can still manage to be civil under the pressure and demands of a growing university.”

Patrick Lindsay, a student majoring in computer science, lives in a two-bedroom building at Lion’s Den Apartments on Pine Street with fellow UNA student Jesse Faulk.

Lindsay noticed a gaping hole in his bathroom ceiling that sometimes leaks when it rains when he first moved into the apartment last July. He said he contacted the Department of Housing multiple times about the situation with no luck.

“It’s just annoying,” he said. “I’ve been over there so many times and have gotten no response. I’ve talked to (the housing coordinator) directly in person, and he said they’ve got a lot of requests and some are easy to slip by.”

Jimmy Waddell, housing coordinator in the Department of Housing, said a new online maintenance form through TMA Systems on

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UNA under microscope as SACS team evaluates campus 2IKWJ ?ITTIKM

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Officials with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools have been on campus this week to evaluate the university as it reaches its 10-year reaccreditation review.

Dr. Lisa Keys-Mathews, director of the quality enhancement plan (QEP), said development of the QEP is an integral part of the renewal process.

“It’s very important that universities receive their reaccreditation because financial aid hinges on that,” Keys-Mathews said. “Your

ability to get accepted into graduate schools, professional schools, all require that students come from an accredited university.”

Keys-Mathews said that every 10 years, schools and colleges must apply for reaccreditation from SACS. UNA faculty and staff members have worked on the proposal for 24 months to answer the questions SACS requires in the proposal.

Keys-Mathews said SACS officials only asked a small number of questions about the document for clarification— less than the average number of inquiries most schools receive.

“They came back to us with only eight questions,” KeysMathews said. “The average university gets somewhere between 18 and 20. We have done

file photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Staff Photographer

Dr. Lisa Keys-Mathews talks to students about the QEP last November on campus.

exceptionally well in our compliance for certification.”

The success of the reaccreditation process so

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News

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News Briefs

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Gearing Up

Former HealthSouth CFO to speak on campus March 12 Weston Smith, former chief financial officer for HealthSouth Corporation, will deliver a presentation March 12 at 6 p.m. in Stevens Hall auditorium.

Smith worked for more than 12 years as the CFO of HealthSouth, a Fortune 500 company, until a multi-year, $2.7 billion dollar accounting fraud became public.

Smith will speak about his experiences at HealthSouth during his presentation.

To learn more about Smith’s presentation, contact the Department of Accounting and Business Law at 256-765-4544.

Officials open Black Box Theater March 2 Officials will host the opening ceremonies for the George Lindsey Theater and Ernest Borgnine Performance Hall March 2 at 4 p.m.

The invitation-only event will initiate the use of the state-of-the-art facility on the corner of Pine Street and Irvine Avenue on UNA’s campus.

For more information, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 256-7654516 or email Department Chair Dr. David McCullough at dmmcullough@una.edu.

UNA baseball plays March 3,4 at home The UNA baseball team is set to play a weekend series March 3 and 4.

The weekend series will be against Gulf South Conference member University of West Alabama.

Both games are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

For game coverage, follow @FlorAlaSports on Twitter and visit www.florala.net.

Planetarium hosts laser light shows March 4-10 The UNA Planetarium and Observatory will host its spring laser shows March 4 to 10 on campus.

The shows will take place at 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., except for March 7. The only time the shows will run on March 7 is at 9 p.m.

The laser shows will feature music from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and U2.

For more information on the laser shows, contact Mel Blake at 256-765-4284.

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

photo by JOSH SKAGGS I News/Managing Editor

Jordan Brasher, candidate for SGA vice president for senate, hangs up one of her campaign posters in Bibb Graves Hall Feb. 27 on campus. Candidates for SGA executive positions have started to post their campaign materials on campus this week.

SGA candidates prepare for upcoming election, debate 2W[P ;SIOO[

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With SGA elections in full swing, the candidates for office are working crowds and distributing their campaign materials to the student body.

For the first time in recent years, there are two candidates running for the presidential office. Students Will Riley and William Nash will face off for the chance to be next year’s SGA president in the elections scheduled for March 12 to 14.

Both Nash and Riley—as well as many other candidates—are already meeting with student groups and getting their faces out to the UNA community.

“I have just been coordinating with a

lot of student groups on campus to have an interpersonal communication with these students,” Riley said. “I have been making numerous flyers, I’ve imposed a Twitter

”(My campaign is) making a commitment to talk to as many groups on campus as we can.”

-William Nash hashtag and a Facebook group as well as distributed T-shirts.”

Nash has done much of the same to get

his name and platform out to students.

“Everything that you see from this campaign will have my name and my face on it,” Nash said. “(My campaign) is really about serving those who served, helping those who need help and continuing to make UNA a better place to go to school.”

Both Nash and Riley have begun speaking to student groups—such as sororities and fraternities, as well as other organizations—on campus. “(My campaign is) making a commitment to talk to as many groups on campus as we can,” Nash said.

Nash and Riley said they are excited about the upcoming election. Riley said he is looking forward to getting more students involved in student government.

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Campus police adds K-9 unit to increase campus safety UNA partners with Lauderdale County to add two dogs on campus, drug task force )TM` 4QVLTMa

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UNA will soon have two four-legged additions to its police force.

The UNA police department is set to add a K-9 unit—specialized in detecting explosives and firearms—to its ranks at the end of March, with another unit working for the Lauderdale County drug taskforce, said Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields, who had to obtain permission from various UNA groups to obtain the

dogs.

Both dogs are very friendly black labs, said UNA police Chief Bob Pastula.

“We applied for this about two years ago,” Pastula said. “It was awarded to us six or seven months ago.”

Shields said the dog and officer—who was already an officer for UNA and volunteered to work with the dog—are currently attending a 10-week training course.

Though the dog will specialize in explosives and firearms, secondary training for other skills like drug detection could be added later, he said.

Shields said he is excited about the dog and thinks it will be a great addition to UNA. “I am not aware of any universities our size in the country having a K-9 unit,” he said. “Even some larger universities don’t have one.”

Police dogs are paired with officers and live with them at their homes, Pastula said,

but while the K-9 unit is on duty, it will be housed at the new UNA police substation in Rivers Hall.

“That will be its primary location,” Shields said. “But it will also travel. We got this dog on a condition. We have to support the regional needs for a dog with this training.”

Shields said the K-9 unit will serve UNA, but also will travel to where its services are needed in the region.

“The animal and the training are all provided free,” he said. “We just have to pay for the maintenance.”

Pastula said Pet Depot has volunteered to provide food and some supplies for the dogs.

The regional services the dogs will provide will be positive for UNA in several ways, Shields said.

“The vehicles go out to different parts.

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Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

News

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Lindsey Film Fest to showcase local talent 2WZLIV *ZILTMa

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A showcase of local talent and popular television stars is planned for the 15th annual George Lindsey UNA Film FestivalMarch 1 to 3. The festival is free to UNA students.

UNA alumni Tyler Martin and Clay Thomas will both have films shown at the festival, while UNA graduate and instructor Andrew Reed will have two films shown, including “I’m with Phil,” a film telling the story of people named Phil Campbell around the world who arrived at the town of Phil Campbell after last year’s April tornadoes.

“I’m very excited we’ve been chosen to be screened,” Reed said. “I remember, as a student, the film festival, especially the year Billy Bob came. I hope we get a great turnout at all the screenings.”

Along with talent from UNA, this year’s festival will feature several television and film stars, including Michael Rooker from “The Walking Dead,” Mark Boone Jr. from “Sons of Anarchy,” Bobby Jon Drinkard formerly from “Survivor,” Ernest Borgnine and festival co-founder and namesake George Lindsey, returning after an absence from last year’s festival.

“He will be here,” said Cynthia Burkhead, co-director of the Lindsey Film Fest

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

Dr. Greg Pitts applauds D.H. Martin, “Feature Screenplay” winner at last year’s George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. This year’s festival is slated to feature faculty, students and community members.

and instructor of English. “We’re excited for both George and Ernie also. It’s going to be a really special year for those two best friends to be back together.”

The festival will start March 1 with a

kick-off party at FloBama at 4 p.m. and will move at 5 p.m. to the Zodiac Theatre for movie screenings until 11 p.m., with an extended kick-off party hosted at On the Rocks.

On March 2, Lindsey and Borgnine will be present for the dedication and grand opening of the George S. Lindsey Theatre

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University in line to receive ʻStorm Readyʼ award Officials look to enhance storm safety on campus, through Lauderdale County )VV 0IZSMa

online www.florala.net These stories and more online!

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UNA is in the evaluation stage to receive the Storm Ready award after preparing the campus for storms and other states of emergencies, said UNA police Chief Bob Pastula.

The Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency is also up for a Storm Ready award, Pastula said.

“We had to meet certain criteria set photo by DARRICK DAWKINS I Staff Photographer by the National Weather Service, such as weather monitoring and providing shel- UNA students Payton Edmiston, Bert Pena and Katelyn Jarrell of Alternative Break Board help chop wood from damaged trees after the April 27 tornadoes. ters,” he said.

Vice President for Student Affairs Datem was heading for Florence. are no windows.” vid Shields said he saw the funnel cloud Shields said UNA has been planning for She said the process of evacuation durthat turned into the tornado that hit Phil a personalized siren system when funding ing drills goes smoothly.

Campbell last year go over Flowers Hall. allows it. The system would differ from UNA’s residence life members are also “We have worked very closely with the county’s siren by allowing messages trained for states of emergency. the county EMA with this,” Shields said. to be announced over the campus during “During storms, the fire alarm will go “The award means that we are storm ready, states of emergency. It would provide the off and the CA will go around to all the stumeaning we have designated shelters, students instant information on where to go dents to tell them to go to the mezzanine,” forms of communication and response cafor safety. said Nikki Messer, a UNA dorm student at pabilities.”

“The UNA police and Safety and Rivers Hall and a member of residence life.

In order to prepare the campus, UNA Emergency Preparedness Committee have “I personally think it is not an unsafe place. had to designate shelters in the buildings worked very hard for this,” Shields said. “It The building itself is built like a fortress, so that are being reviewed for safety and train makes me feel good to know we have these I feel pretty safe.” weather spotters who can be placed at certhings in place, and I hope the students and Green said she thinks the community tain locations on campus to get information staff feel that way too.” advisers are trained well for emergencies. quickly on the site of a storm, Shields said.

Dorm students at UNA feel safe during “I do think they do a good job making Shields said the best thing students can storms. people feel safe and making sure they are do to prepare for storms is to sign up for “When a storm hits, I feel pretty safe,” safe,” she said.

Lion Alert, UNA’s alert system, for text said Keke Green, a UNA marketing student Shields said UNA has a good system for messages and email. Lion Alerts would and Rivers Hall resident. “We head down emergencies, but the university is still tryprovide every student and staff member a to the bottom of the building where there ing to find ways to enhance it. warning to head for shelter if a storm sys-

Coverage of the Lindsey Film Fest

by Jordan Bradley Men’s baseball games March 3, 4

by Matt Wilson Women’s basketball in GSC tournament

Follow us on Twitter at @UNAFlorAla and on Facebook to get breaking news from The Flor-Ala.

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Viewpoints

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Together we must end dating violence ;]JUQ\\ML Ja >QKM 8ZM[QLMV\ 2WM *QLMV More than 20 years ago, I read a study of junior high school students in Rhode Island that included one finding I’ve never been able to get out of my head. Students were asked if a man who spent money on a woman during a date was entitled to force her into sexual activity. An astounding 25 percent of the young boys said yes—and even more astounding, 17 percent of the junior high school girls agreed.

You may think that sounds like a long time ago—and it was. But, sadly, dating violence remains a very real problem in our country—especially on college campuses.

Today, while in college, nearly one in five women will be a victim of sexual assault and one in 10 teens will be hurt on purpose by someone they are dating. These aren’t just statistics, these are people you know: your roommates, your friends, your sisters, your classmates. This is a problem we all have to face.

My dad used to say that there’s no worse sin than the abuse of power. Whether it was raising a hand to someone weaker, or using any advantage to push people around. He taught me that if you saw abuse, you had an obligation to attempt to stop it. It’s a lesson to remember every day, but especially this February, during Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Awareness is the first step to pushing back against a problem this big. When I held senate hearings on violence against women more than two decades ago, domestic abuse in American society was rarely spoken about in public. I’ll never forget the stories of abuse I heard in over 1,000 hours of hearings. The

brutality of family members, acquaintances, and strangers against the women in their lives was absolutely devastating.

It was those hearings that led to the Violence Against Women Act, and since then annual incidents of domestic violence have dropped by more than 50 percent. But for women in college and younger today, the risk is still much too high.

That’s why I joined with Education Secretary Arne Duncan last April to announce historic new guidelines for colleges and universities about their responsibilities under Title IX to prevent sexual assault. Under the federal civil rights law, schools have an obligation not only to respond appropriately when an assault occurs, but also to create a climate on campus that makes such violence unacceptable.

I also started an initiative called 1is2many to help reduce dating violence and sexual assault among teens and young adults. We harnessed the power of technology to get our message out, launching a national contest to develop “Apps Against Abuse.” The two winning apps—which will be available later this spring—will let you get in touch with your friends quickly and safely so you can call for help if you need it and stop violence in its tracks. We’ve also made sure the National Dating Abuse Helpline can be reached by text, online or phone 24/7.

Last month, the FBI changed the way the federal government defines rape. The narrow, outdated definition—unchanged since 1929—said the assault had to be forcible and against a woman’s will to be classified as rape. It’s just not true, and it’s a point that I make on college campuses all across the country. Rape is rape and no means no. No means no whether drunk or sober. No means no whether in the dorm room or on the street.

There is never an excuse. Young women and men alike need to understand this. Under the new definition, rape occurs when there is no

consent, and it also includes sexual assault against boys and young men in national law enforcement reporting.

These are important changes, but ending dating violence and sexual assault isn’t just a matter of laws and legislation. It’s about education. It’s about attitudes. It’s about your participation. I need your help to address this issue in your dorms and on your campuses.

Studies show that men’s ideas about what other men think is one of the strongest determinants of how they act. So guys, you need to speak out.

The ultimate measure of a civilized society is how its laws and culture treat the abuse of women. Attitudes can change. Violence can end. But it can’t happen without universal understanding that dating violence and sexual assault will never be tolerated anywhere, at any time, for any reason. Period. That’s all of our responsibility.

SHOUTOUT! Congrats to staff writer Malisa McClure for being named Writer of the Week for The Flor-Ala. Also, great job to staff photographer Darrick Dawkins 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.

Job Market Column

Take advantage of extracurriculars

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+WT]UVQ[\ UIKS KWZV_MTT(OUIQT KWU I have used my column in The Flor Ala as an opportunity to try to bring to light some funny things I see on campus—poorly. Instead of writing a rant of failing jokes, I want to talk about something of greater importance: getting a job out of college.

I like to think my peers

came to UNA to be the most prepared and marketable candidates they can. Does that mean having a 4.0 GPA? I like to think not (or that’s what I try to convince my parents of every semester after finals). I like to think a 4.0 could potentially hurt you—let me finish before you put the paper in the one recycle bin on campus.

The Friday of winter break, I went to Montgomery to tour the Hyundai production plant and participate in a forum with two of the company’s vice presidents.

This trip was phenomenal. As a student

Cartoon of the Week

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

studying public relations and marketing, I took a lot from this day. I snagged some impressive business cards and gained valuable experience. Ashley Frye, Hyundai vice president for production, told me the most important advice I can give you for the changing job market is always go above and beyond. When given a task by your employer, ask “what else can I do to help?”

Consequently, I realized if robots decided to take over the world they could easily do so after looking at the technology at the plant.

On my four-hour drive back to Florence, I asked some of the international and domestic students who participated in the the free trip— organized by Dr. Santanu Borah, professor of management and marketing—why they spent their holiday this way. Their response was like mine; they knew how important it would be in a competitive job market to take advantage of every learning opportunity outside the classroom and shake as many hands as possible.

A question I often ask of employers is “what do you look for in an applicant?” The response is continually a resume that shows the candidate took the initiative to gain as much experiential learning from various opportunities. I usually follow up my original question with, “Does a 4.0 GPA equate to a profitable employee?”

Continually, the response is a resounding “no.”

I think education is fundamental and wish I had a better GPA, but I would never exchange it for the extracurricular actives I have been a part of. Some are capable of having both a perfect GPA and being active. Those people suck. You know who you are, and—if you’re available—I could use some tutoring in my math class.

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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 © 2011 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

Life

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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How loud is the roar?

18,774+ Fans

4,523+ Followers 4,303+ Followers

University uses social media outlets to reach UNA, local communities *Ta\PM ;\MMTUIV

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UNA, like the vast majority of other universities across the country, is using social media to reach current and prospective students, as well as alumni and members of the community.

The university has a active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.

UNA went through a strategic rebranding process in 2008 and began using social media websites.

“When we began to really look into using social media, one of our alumni in Atlanta had already begun a fan page for the university on Facebook,” said Josh Woods, director of university communications.

“We contacted her, she made us administrators of the page and the rest is history.”

Jeremy Britten, UNA’s web communications manager, conducted various workshops for faculty and departments on campus in 2009. These workshops were constructed so the various departments would be introduced to and learn the most effective ways to employ social media.

Almost all of the Facebook fan pages and Twitter accounts connected to UNA were set up by Britten, but each department or student group is responsible for maintaining the accounts.

“It could reflect negatively on the university if groups or departments don’t update often,” Britten said. “However, that is something we’re going to try to address in the upcoming year. We want to stay current

with what media students are using at the moment.”

Thinking of different ways to communicate with students and alumni is one of the goals the university has for the upcoming year.

“Email doesn’t work anymore,” said David Shields, vice president for student affairs. “We have to use what’s most effective and then be flexible with that medium.

Right now, social media is what works.”

Staying current with the audience is something Woods also agrees with.

“You have to think about what your audience is doing,” he said. “If my primary audience is using graffiti walls, then I’m going to grab a can of spray paint.”

One area of social media that UNA is looking to grow in is Foursquare, a so-

cial networking game that allows its users to check in at different locations and play against other individuals. Foursquare recently mentioned the university’s SGA recycling initiative on its blog, which was an outstanding honor, Britten said.

Britten and Woods update the Facebook and Twitter accounts a few times each day, but try not to bombard students and members of the community with information.

“I think the update frequency is appropriate,” Shields said. “It’s a passive gathering of information, as opposed to pushing out updates on people. We try to stick with just the relevant things and respect the person’s time coming into the sites.”

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Students pick their favorite study spots around town ;PMTJa *WUIV

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As the semester continues, many students are finding that school work keeps piling up. According to some UNA students, studying plays a crucial role when it comes down to achieving their academic goals. However, the locations where they choose to study vary. While some prefer a quiet atmosphere, others prefer a livelier one.

All photos by Barry Minor. Clockwise from bottom left: Wildwood Park, Bryan Otis sits on the second floor of Collier Library, Rivertown Coffee Co., Tyler Jackson studies in the mez in LaGrange Hall.

“The second floor in Collier library is my favorite place to study. It’s always quiet and everyone else on that floor is doing their work, so there’s really not anything to distract me.”

-- Elizabeth Henderson, junior

“When studying, I prefer to sit at Wildwood park. It is very peaceful and serene. I can always count on getting a lot of work done there. I like being able to go outside and listen to the birds and the creek. It‘s very calming, and it takes the stress out of studying.”

-- Jennifer Cravens, senior

“I’m not big into studying, but when I do, I like to study in the mez. It’s convenient and many of my friends study there as well.”

-- Nathan Marsili, freshman

“I usually like to study at Rivertown because it’s so laid back. Their Italian cream sodas make studying less of a chore. Plus, coffeehouse music relaxes me.”

-- Erin Skipper, junior

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Images

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Looking back

By Kayla Sloan - Staff Photographer - kbsloan@una.edu If you’re an artist in any form—be it fine arts, written words, or music—you will understand the feeling I’m about to describe. This essay is a collection of photos I drug out from the depths of my old, bulky Dell laptop. They are the hidden archives of cameras and rolls of film past—they are my embarrassing beginnings as a photographer.

Sure, if I’m ever a famous photojournalist, this stuff might be cool to look at. But right now, it makes my stomach churn with uncomfortable embarrassment.

It’s not so terrible, but the cliché black and whites of old stuff and fuzzy photos of my friends remind me of a time when I thought I was soooo cool.

Hi. I’m Kayla Sloan. Photographer.

Barf.

But it’s still kind of fun to see. It’s like when you open that notebook you found under your bed full of old poems you wrote as an angsty teen. You can’t help

but laugh at how typical it was. Or how no one understood you.

We all have to start somewhere, though. I will never delete these photos.

They serve as a reminder of how far I’ve come, or how I’ve changed, even.

They also remind me of when I was first falling in love with what I plan on doing forever. It’s my sweet little scrapbook to my love, photography. Sure, it had a pimply face and braces back in middle school, and maybe was a little chubby, but now it’s grown up into something much different.

But I bet in 20 years I’ll look back at what I just wrote and the pictures I’ve taken recently and be even more embarrassed than I am now.

I can’t wait to feel my stomach churn in embarrassment again.

View more photos from this series at florala.net

Feature

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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9-8 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM far is all due to the leadership of Celia Reynolds, the SACS staff liaison and Collier Librarian, and the leadership of the QEP leadership team, Keys-Mathews said.

Dr. Phil Bridgmon, chair of the QEP selection and development committees, agrees that UNA officials have gone the extra mile.

“Faculty, staff, and administrators have been engaged significantly since 2009 in anticipation of our 2012 site visit,” he said.

“The process has involved many nights, weekends, and extra duties for many fac-

ulty and staff.”

Bridgmon said renewal is essential for the university to continue its operation in good standing with our accrediting body,and the United States Department of Education.”

Bridgmon gives credit to the QEP team for his hopeful outlook in the reaccreditation.

“Our QEP Director Lisa KeysMathews, has worked more than overtime on finalizing our plan, including many more meetings with faculty, students, staff

5)16<-6)6+- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM the UNA website is available to students sible for it, and if I messed up doing it, I living in residence halls. He said the goal is would be responsible for any mistakes.” to have each maintenance request respondGautney said the best method of coned to within 24 hours. tact for students with maintenance issues in The form campus apartments is to through TMA Syscall the Department of tems is not availMaintenance directly.

Work Requests in 2010-2011 year able on Internet When students submit connections out- 837 - Rivers, LaGrange, Lafayette, Rice an online form through side UNA’s, so the TMA Systems, the 639 - Appleby West and East, students living in housing department campus apartments must first approve the Hawthorne, Covington with their own Inwork request before it 368 - Apartments ternet cannot acis submitted to mainte(Source: Department of Housing) cess the software nance, he said. at this time. MiGautney said his dechael Gautney, director of facilities, said partment must prioritize certain repairs on officials are looking to install a Web-based campus if safety is an issue and that being form soon. short staffed has an impact on how quickly Waddell said their system for dealing maintenance issues can be resolved. with maintenance issues is not perfect, but Maintenance receives approximately the housing department believes students 6,000 work requests from the university come first and will do what they can to each year, Gautney said. make the college experience enjoyable for “It all comes back to communication them. between attendants in the apartments, “We just got the TMA Systems form dorms, housing department and us, and out, and we’re pleased with the way it’s how good it is handled,” he said. “Someworking,” Waddell said. “There are gaps times we’re good at it; sometimes we’re we still need to try to close, but, for the bad at it. With the number and size of the most part, we’re happy with the way it’s buildings on campus, there’s a lot of work working. We still need to get students on that goes into the buildings, and we have to board with it because they are still sending prioritize because of that.” emails when the TMA System is already on Faulk, a Lagrange Society member and board for them. We need to increase aware- professional biology major, said it took ness of the system to UNA students.” maintenance workers more than a month to Last fall, UNA student Luke Hunter replace a fluorescent light bulb in his resinoticed his kitchen sink leaking and water dence hall last year. spilling into the cabinet below at Lion’s Despite his experience, Faulk said he Den Apartments. He realized the sink was is an advocate for living on campus and detached from the drain and quickly con- always encourages new students to live at tacted housing.

UNA. After several weeks of no response “I know (maintenance is) busy and from officials about the maintenance issue, they’ve got a million things to do on camHunter said workers finally arrived to fix pus,” he said. “With something as small as the sink with no explanation about why the a light bulb or hole in a ceiling, anything work request was delayed. like that can be magnified when you’re “It’s stressful to know something is stressed out at school. If they could get to wrong in your living space and you can’t it sooner, it would make things a lot easier do anything about it,” he said. “I know how and smoother for students and make them to fix a lot of this stuff, but I’m not respon- stay on campus more.”

By the numbers

and administration,” he said. “I have been fortunate to be part of this process due to the cooperation and talent everyone brought to what I believe will be a very successful outcome for UNA and our students.”

Caleb Banks, student representative on the QEP committee, said the QEP is a part of the reaccreditation that is required and will start affecting students next fall.

Banks said it is crucial to know the importance of the SACS accreditation.

“We just need to know how impor-

tant the accreditation is to our university and everyone enrolled there,” Banks said.

“The QEP is just one of many aspects assessed by the SACS team and a requirement, but only a part.”

The UNA website provides more information about the QEP, which “focuses on academic research literacy.” The QEP is entitled “Building Success through Discovery: Imagine, Investigate, Communicate” and can be read in full on the UNA website.

5),- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM Students like UNA student Rance Czermak signed up to be made into their dream careers. Czermak has always wanted to be a professional dancer and hoped the show’s producers would give him the opportunity to develop his skills and get a job dancing one day.

Czermak said he recently went through a struggle with his weight and his confidence had not been where he wanted it to be. Now that Czermak is at the weight he wants to be, he said now is better than ever to try to achieve his goal of being a professional dancer.

“My dream would be to perform with a world-class winterguard,” Czermak said.

Czermak said, in this area, being a male dancer is not looked at as a profession, and he hopes to change that.

Fashion merchandising major Lauren Bishop branched out from the usual request seen by producers of the self-help show.

“I want to be made into a Disney character because I have been in love with Disney my entire life,” Bishop said.

Specifically, Bishop wants to be made into Rapunzel, her favorite character, be-

cause of her spunk and outgoing personality.

Bishop knew she wanted to be a Disney character after a trip to the Florida theme park when she was younger. The park and the characters that fill it eased the pain of her parents going through a divorce, she said.

Bishop plans to work for Disney after graduation.

“I didn’t realize they had a Disney internship, and that’s who I want to work for,” Bishop said.

Shae Greene, a UNA fashion merchandising major, wants help getting an internship in the fashion industry.

“I’ve always been interested in (the fashion industry),” Greene said.

Greene said many students don’t often have the tools or the networking capabilities needed to get their feet in the door.

“It’s hard (to get internships and jobs) when you don’t necessarily have those connections or don’t know the next step or what to do (to get those jobs),” Greene said.

Greene and Bishop said they are avid fans of the MTV show.

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Player of the Boughner Week 4I]ZMV -[\M[

Sports

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

set to be next ace on mound

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ TM[\M[(]VI ML]

Chad Boughner Hometown: Florence Major: Business and Geography Position: Pitcher Stats: Boughner set a school record with 16 strikeouts against Quincy

Week At A Glance Women’s Basketball When: Thursday, y 7:30 p.m.

Chad Boughner has been involved with the UNA baseball program for three years as a weekend pitcher. Head coach Mike Keehn said Boughner adds responsibility to the program through his leadership on and off the field.

“You might have a guy that’s been flirting with it two years, but having a three-year weekend starting pitcher, that doesn’t happen very often,” Keehn said.

“He’s always going to quality minutes, not just the way he competes on the mound, but he does the right thing.”

Boughner set the UNA record Feb. 25 with 16 strikeouts in the 8-3 win over Quincy.

Q: Chad, have you always played the pitching position?

A: “I played pitcher in high school at Florence, graduated in 2007, but I also played first baseman.”

Q: Tell the readers about your family.

A: “My mom is from Lexington, and my dad is from Florence. They actualWhere: Nic Niceville, Fla. ly met here at UNA while in college. I have one brother Who: GSC T Tournament who’s in college at Auburn.”

Men’s Basketball W en: Friday Wh When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: W Wh ere: Nice Niceville, Fla.

A: “Probably both my parents. Both of them have always been there for me and helped to guide me throughout my life.”

Q: What has been your best UNA memory while playing baseball? photos by CARRIE COOK I Student Photographer A: “Probably making the regional tournament Chad Boughner delivers a pitch during a game earlier this season. last year because we got to Boughner recently threw a school-record 16 strikeouts against Pensacola, and also I got Quincy. to spend a lot of time with your team to achieve this A: “A steak and baked my teammates who are my year as a whole? potato from our house on friends as well.” the grill.”

A: “Our goal is to have Q: If I turned on your an 8-2 record over every 10 Q: What do you like car radio, what would I hear games, so that’s 40-10 over about being a pitcher? playing? the whole season. That’s A: “I like to have the A: “Country music; Colt usually the team goal.” pressure me, and I like to Ford.”

Q: The classic question: do good on when the pressure King or McDon- is on me. That’s what I like Q: What are your indi- Burger ald’s? most about it.” vidual goals this year as a pitcher for UNA? A: “Burger King. I just Q: Last one, Chad: if a like their burgers better.” producer decided to make A: “I want to go out and a movie about you, who pitch to the best of my abilQ: What about a post- would they cast to play you ity every single game and game victory meal with your in the movie? hopefully help us win.” family or friends? What A: “(Laughs) … I don’t Q: What about as a would you choose to eat? know.

Maybe Jim Carrey.” team? What do you want

Students share opinions on ʻLinsanityʼ 7ZZMa *WT\WV

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ WJWT\WV(]VI ML]

The “Linsanity” buzz has hit

Who: GSC- all across the United States as the W feel-good story of the NBA, but

Tournament the rising star has UNA students T

questioning the hype.

New York Knicks guard and Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin has risen from sleeping on his teammate’s couch each night to being the architect of the most recent success of an underperforming NBA team.

During the 12-game stretch, When: Saturday, 1 p.m. (DH) the Knicks are 9-3 since taking over the point guard duties that Sunday, 1 p.m. have also included game winners and failure.

The media has grabbed this story, and it has become the story everyone wants to see when watching “Sports Center” highlights.

“It’s a great story and good for basketball,” said UNA guard Beaumont Beasley, who is also hoping to pursue a professional career. “It just shows how much hard work can pay off no matter where you come from.”

Lin has now replaced Carmelo Anthony as the face of the Knicks and is also a fan favorite for America. In his most recent

Baseball

Q: Who is a role model that you have looked up to over the years?

games, Lin has struggled against Eastern Conference power Miami Heat, scoring just eight points and also losing two out of the last four games.

Turnovers have really plagued the rising star. In eight out of 12 games, Lin has turned the ball over six or more times a game and has showed signs of coming to life.

“He is a good player and all, but he turns the ball over too much,” said UNA student Daniel Swope. “I feel like photos by DARRICK DAWKINS I Staff Photographer his success will start Senior guard Beaumont Beasley looks to make a move on an to die off as the season opponent during a game earlier this season. goes on.”

With the way the “It is a great story for the son.

Knicks have been playing lately, NBA, and he has created a lot Whether the publicity is dethose signs have been showing of buzz for New York, but I’m served or not, Lin has given life for Lin after the beat down he ready for some of the publicity to the Knicks, the city and has received from the Heat, shutting to cool down,” said UNA student captured the hearts for sports him down for a 1-11 shooting.

Wesley Hughes. “I just don’t see fans after winning nine out of the He is now averaging 14 him playing at this high of a level last 12 games. points a game, nine assists, and for the rest of the season.”

“You can’t help but be a fan four turnovers a game, which is With the second half of the of him, and I’m not sure if he can a huge decline in the points colseason under way, the huge play at this high of level,” Beaumn from the first six games, question for Lin and the Knicks sley said. “I do see him playing where he averaged 26 points a is whether or not he can continue well enough for (the Knicks) to game. his success for the rest of the sea- make the playoffs.”

Thursday, March 01, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

Sports

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9

Recruiting rules important to collegiate athletics programs 4I]ZMV -[\M[

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NCAA rules state specific times for recruiting to occur with college coaches evaluating and talking to potential athletes; however, for many coaches and teams, it’s a constant job.

Every athletic team is different with recruiting rules, availability for contact and evaluation, as well as quiet and dead periods.

The UNA football team signed 41 athletes on signing day—37 high school athletes and four transfers. This came at the time of hiring new head coach Bobby Wallace.

As stated by the NCAA, Division II football is to follow this NCAA calendar: June 1, 2011, to the beginning of the prospect’s high school or two-year college football season (as determined by the first regularly scheduled practice immediately preceding the start of the regular season) is considered a quiet period.

During the prospect’s high school or two-year college football season (as determined by the first regularly scheduled practice immediately preceding the start of the regular season) is considered an evaluation period. Nov. 1-30, 2011 is considered an evaluation period.

For two-year college prospects, the conclusion of the prospect’s two-year college football season, or the conclusion of the institution’s regularly scheduled contest rather than the conclusion of the institution’s final postseason contest) through Nov. 30, is considered a contact period.

Dec. 1, 2011 through March 5, 2012 is also considered a contact period.

Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 2012 is a Dead Period. March 6 through May 31, 2012, is a Quiet Period. April 15 through May 31, 2012 is an evaluation eeriod. Four weeks

selected at the discretion of the member institution and designated in writing in the office of the director of athletics.

Authorized coaching staff members may evaluate a high school football all-star game any time of the year, provided the game occurs within the state in which the member institution is located, according to NCAA rules.

Running back coach Stedman Campbell said recruiters were able to find several players in the first week they managed to sign. They wanted to have a local presence for the UNA team this year.

”My philosophy is to allow coaches to set their own recruiting philosophy.”

-Mark Linder

photo by MALISA MCCLURE I Chief Photographer

“Every year can be a little different; we’ve obviously switched philosophies with Coach Wallace coming in compared to the last three years,” Campbell said.

“This year, the main thing we wanted to do—as far as recruiting goes—is too sure up some local, high school relationships.

We basically drew up a ratio of so many miles and said we wanted to get through every high school within this radius.”

He said this year, it was a quick recruiting process.

“With the change of staff and the late start they had, they did not have a lot of leg work done until the first of January,” he said. “It’s just like any other sales job; you have to go door to door, school to school.

We had to hit the ground running, build relationships and evaluate players all at the same time.”

Assistant men’s basketball coach Kyle Morris said his goals in finding athletes to

Junior wide receiver Mo Milliam races downfield during a game earlier this season.

UNA football has completely changed its philosophy of recruiting with new Head Coach Bobby Wallace.

play for UNA are those students who first and foremost take care of business off the floor.

“Not only do they need to be talented and very skilled athletically, but we try to bring in kids who are really good for our program,” Morris said. “We want those that will benefit from the community, but will also help the community and the campus off the floor as well as on the floor.”

Morris said he believes high school athletes bring in a foundation for a successful program, but the upcoming class for the UNA basketball team will lose five seniors—four being starters—so recruiting transfers will be key for this UNA team next year in order to put experience on the floor.

“We try to bring in one to two high

Women prepare for tournament 4I]ZMV -[\M[

The North Alabama Lions basketball team traveled to the campus of the University of Alabama-Huntsville to take on the Lady Chargers Feb. 25, winning 81-77.

The Lions gave UAH its first home loss of the season, pushing their home record to 12-1, 21-5 on the year. The Lions moved to 14-12, and 5-9 in conference play. Head Coach Terry Fowler said the execution of the offense and winning the rebounding edge played key roles in securing the win.

“I thought the kids really executed the game plan; we had time to prepare, and we came in ready to play,” Fowler said.

“We knew something had to give, and we played from start to finish.”

UNA men and women basketball teams will travel to Niceville, Fla. for the GSC tournament this week.

The women will be playing March 1, while the men will play March 2 in the arena on the campus of the Northwest Florida State college.

UNA women will play Valdosta State at 7:30 p.m, with the men tipping off on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Look for game coverage online at www.florala.net.

GSC Tournament #8 CBU Game 1: 12:30 p.m. #1 DSU

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kids every year,” Morris said. “At our level right now, it will be hard for high school kids that we will need to play right away, so, obviously losing four starters, we’ll have to bring some transfers in. We do like bringing high school and local kids from the area. Looking at our players, Warrick Mastin is from Muscle Shoals and Nick Luttrell and Wes Long are both from Tennessee.”

Athletic Director Mark Linder said he allows coaches to make their own decisions in how they recruit athletes.

“My philosophy is to allow coaches to set their own recruiting philosophy,” Linder said. “The reason I do that is so they can put in place the systems that they want to put in place. Secondly, it’s also a way that we can hold them accountable.”

Women Game 5: 12:30 p.m.

#5 UWF Game 3: 5:30 p.m. #4 UWA

Game 7: 11:00 a.m.

#7 UWG Game 2: 2:45 p.m. #2 UAH

Champion Game 6: 2:45 p.m.

#6 UNA Game 4: 7:30 p.m. #3 VSU Friday

Saturday

#7 VSU Game A: 12:30 p.m. #2 CBU

Sunday

Men

Game E: 5:30 p.m.

#6 UWA Game B: 2:45 p.m. #3 UWG #5 UNA Game C: 5:30 p.m. #4 UWF photo by CARRIE COOK

Senior guard Dana Jackson shoots a layup during a game earlier this season. Her and the Lions go into the tourney after a huge win against rival UAH.

#8 DSU Game D: 7:30 p.m. #1 UAH

Game G: 1:30 p.m.

Champion Game F: 7:30 p.m.

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News

Thursday, March 1, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

Transfer students find their place, get involved )[PTMa >QKSMZ[

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ I^QKSMZ[(]VI ML]

While some students go directly to a four-year college like UNA after graduating high school, others decide to take a different route and go to two-year universities before transferring to four-year schools.

These transfer students have to learn to navigate a new campus, become familiar with new faculty andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sometimesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; change the way they live. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get involved in a student organization, whether it be academic or social,â&#x20AC;? said Director of Student Engagement Tammy Jacques. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s importantâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from my perspective. Getting involved will help (students) build communication skills, critical thinking skills and time management skills.â&#x20AC;?

Getting involved will also help transfer students get to know other people, especially if the student does not know anyone at the new university, and will improve skills that could help students academically, Jacques said.

-4-+<176 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM â&#x20AC;&#x153;(I am excited to be a part of) the future of the election,â&#x20AC;? Riley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In years past, there has only been 800 students (vote), and I hope to get around 1,000.â&#x20AC;?

Nash and Riley, as well as the other executive candidates, will participate in a debate next week hosted by The Flor-Ala

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Transfer students should) take advantage of the career planning and development office as they try to explore their career paths and as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re preparing for their job search,â&#x20AC;? Jacques said.

â&#x20AC;?Getting involved will help

(students) build communication skills, critical thinking skills and time management skills.â&#x20AC;?

-Tammy Jacques

Jacques said students should go to the Office of Career Planning and Development as soon as possible because it is there to help students become successful.

Other services that can be used at UNA specifically are tutoring in the Center for Academic Advising and Retention Services and the Center for Writing Excellence.

These tools can help supplement what students get in the classroom as well as out of

staff in the Stevens Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m.

In addition to Nash and Riley, the candidate for SGA Vice President for Senate Jordan Brasher and candidate for SGA Vice President for UPC, Jori Chatman, will be at the debate, as well as secretary candidates Mary Francis Wilson and Robby Thompson and candidate for treasurer Laura Giles.

the classroom.

Jacques said to get involved on campus and with faculty because it will build skills and help students in many ways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until the last minute to talk to your faculty,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there to help and support students.â&#x20AC;?

Some UNA transfer students also have advice for other students who have recently transferred to the university. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would get involved in some kind of organization,â&#x20AC;? said Brianna Clark, a UNA geographic information systems major. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be involved where you can get to know people.â&#x20AC;?

Some transfer students have experienced problems with academic credits transferring properly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get involved; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t single yourself out, because if you transfer, you most likely arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t from here, and check and make sure the credits match up,â&#x20AC;? said UNA accounting major Angel Sandler.

Some transfer students have even lost credits.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I lost quite a bit of transfer credits; look into it before (transferring),â&#x20AC;? said Sam Buxton, a UNA business major.

For your information The Office of Student Engagement 256-765-4248 Career Planning and Development 256-765-4276 Greek Life 256-765-4248 Student Government Association 256-765-4248

Film festival to feature faculty, students, community membersĘź films 416,;-A KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM and Ernest Borgnine Performance Hall, located on the UNA campus at the corner of Irvine and Pine Street.

The day will start with a table reading of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning screenplay submission, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gossamer Foldsâ&#x20AC;? by Bridget FlaneryFownes, performed by UNA theater students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll actually have a live reading of the feature length screenplay,â&#x20AC;? said Jason Flynn, co-director of the festival and assistant professor of film and digital media production. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for the writer to hear it aloud and talk about it, but also good for an audience to come and hear a screenplay instead of just watching it in production.â&#x20AC;?

That same day, UNA will host both a traveling Entertainment Media Production and Crew Training (EMPACT) trailer carrying displays of production equipment at 5 p.m. and â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Evening with Michael Rookerâ&#x20AC;? at 7 p.m.

3 ! KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM of the region, providing a service,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also positive advertising for UNA. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a rolling billboard.â&#x20AC;?

Shields said he thinks having a police dog will contribute to campus safety. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A person looking at our department will see a very well-trained, capable law enforcement department,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crime is more likely to happen if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceived that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the capabilities to react.â&#x20AC;?

Shields said officials are working to properly welcome the new K-9 officer to campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working to secure a vehicle to transport the dog safely,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whoever provides that will have an ad on the vehicle.â&#x20AC;?

UNA junior Dillon Green, a Rivers Hall

The last day of the Lindsey Film Fest, March 3, will start off at 10 a.m. with an idea pitching session and workshop held with Mark Scholnick, vice president of program planning and acquisitions for E! Entertainment Television, with four ideas being pitched to Scholnick.

After more screenings and displays at the EMPACT trailer, the festival will end with an awards show at UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East Campus at 7 p.m.. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also trying to grow in healthy ways,â&#x20AC;? Burkhead said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to say that this year we made it possible to see everything free. All other film festivals, you have to buy a pass or pay to get into each screening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have always felt very strongly that we really, really want our community to embrace independent film making. We need to make that as accessible to them as possible.â&#x20AC;?

All screenings will be free to students, Burkhead said, and though the event with Mike Rooker and the awards show will cost money for admission, students can get tickets for free at the Office of Student Engagement while they last.

resident and residence life student worker, said he has a unique perspective on why a dog could be effective for UNA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was on staff during a bomb threat, so I think a dog would be a useful resource,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a ton of situations for it, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably be worth it.â&#x20AC;?

UNA junior English and professional writing major Caitlin Scully said having a police dog at UNA could send a message. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With all the recent safety issues on campus, I can see how the dog would be important for the intimidation factor,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It shows that UNA is serious about taking care of its students.â&#x20AC;?

But Scully also said having a dog wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily make her feel safer on campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure that having a dog will fix anything,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to wait and see, but it probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do as much as (UNA police) are hoping for.â&#x20AC;?

Life

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Flor-Ala

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Study Abroad Profile: Peru

which was the capital of the Incan empire.

Lima has a population of 9 million people, which is about one-third of the entire country’s population. If you think New York City never sleeps, then you’ve never been to Lima. This city is crazy! While in Lima, we had plenty of free time to explore different parts of the city but also went to different areas, such as Huaca Pucllana (an pyramid), Lima photos courtesy of Amanda McGough adobe Colonial, and multiple Amanda McGough stands in front of Machu Picchu during museums and cathedrals a trip to Peru last summer. as a group. Every Latin American city has a Plaza de Armas, which serves as a hub of activity. It is centered with a fountain and is surrounded on all four sides by main streets.

I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about one of our favorite parts of the trip: food.

Honestly, all the food in Peru is delicious!

There are so many different types of food to try and everything is wonderful. Lima is )UIVLI 5K/W]OP known as the “gastronomic capital of the ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ Americas,” and it is a well deserved title.

IUKOW]OP(]VI ML] After our visit in Lima, our next stop Before last summer, I had never trav- was in Nazca, which is in the desert region elled out of the country, though I had great- of the country. The main event of this stop ly wanted to do so. When the opportunity was, of course, the Nazca lines. We were came around for me to go on a study abroad able to fly over the lines, which is truly the trip to Peru with the foreign language de- only way to see them. So cool! It’s really partment, I jumped at the chance. I’m so amazing to see lines in a desert that haven’t glad I did! It was an incredible experience changed in hundreds of years. I wouldn’t that will be one of my favorite memories of recommend the flight for those with a light my time at UNA. stomach. It’s definitely an aerial roller For this trip, we travelled similarly to coaster. Further on, we stopped in Areqthe show “The Amazing Race” by stay- uipa, which is such a beautiful city. It’s ing in different hostels for a few days at a nicknamed “La Ciudad Blanca” because so time. We started out in the capital of Lima, many buildings are made out of white volfollowed by Nazca, Arequipa and Cusco, canic stone. The city is situated near several

• Student shares her experiences while studying in Peru last summer

Workin’ for the

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

Thursday, Mar. 1st Gabe Allen and Friends

The Decoys

On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

DP’s 8 p.m. - midnight

Dylan LeBlanc JD’s 8 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 2nd Bitch Please The Smokehouse 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Aaron Blades and The Aaron Blades Band DP’s 8 p.m.

Monkee and the Spank Daddies On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 3rd Shane and Wendell On the Rocks 9:30 p.m.

PB&J, Stephen Nichols, and Religious Husband JD’s 9 p.m.

Flannel DP’s 9 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

volcanoes with the most famous one named “El Misti,” which is topped with snow on its nearly-symmetrical peak.

One of my absolute favorite parts of the trip was our trek out to Colca Canyon near Arequipa. At 4,160 meters deep, it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and said to be the deepest canyon in the world. A must see in the canyon is the Cruz del Condor, an area where condors pass through in the early morning and late afternoon. Condors are extremely important in Andean culture and are similar to eagles in size. When we were there, we saw no less than a dozen condors flying over a gulch thousands of feet deep—a truly breathtaking view.

Now, my favorite city! Cuzco! Wow. There’s so much to say about this area that I could never write it all down. Cuzco was the capital of the Incan empire during the 13th century. The original city was laid out in the shape of a puma, with the head located at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The city maintains its original plan, making the streets narrow and the buildings short. The surrounding areas are full of Incan ruins of incredible architecture.

However, nothing compares to the holy grail of Latin America: Machu Pic-

;7+1)4 5-,1) KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM Shane Lashley, a UNA senior, said he feels the same.

“I think the university sends out just enough,” Lashley said. “It’s useful how the information travels quickly, and it’s just the right amount.”

Most students see the updates on social media sites before they see emails or the UNA homepage.

From left: Claire Stewart, Jessica Randall and Amanda McGough observe Cuzco.

The city served as a capital for the ancient Incan empire.

chu. It’s been at the top of my bucket list for a long time, so I was ecstatic to be there!

Tucked away at the top of a mountain, it is the greatest remaining Incan structure that was not leveled by the invading Spaniards.

Words cannot describe how beautiful the Andes mountains are nor how impressive Machu Picchu is, sprawled across the top of a mountain. We were on a two-hour guided tour and had about four hours of free time to explore and still didn’t walk through every area. It’s a lot bigger in person than in pictures.

“The social media has been effective for me,” said senior Allison Ray. “I’m connected to social media. And during emergencies—like the recent tornado warnings a few weeks ago—it was good to see the updates on social media every few minutes.”

UNA Junior Haley Carter, said the university has room for improvement.

“I think they do pretty well with getting information out,” Carter said. “But I think they could really do more.”

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Tweets of the week

Thursday, March 1, 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.

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