***
e following month, e Flor-Ala re ported that in December of 2020, another student had told university o cials that a UNA police o cer sexually harassed her.
Photo courtesy Flor-Ala archives
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e university denied requests for de tails related to Baker’s exit and declined to answer questions or comment publicly on the allegations. Eubanks said o cials had “made a change in sta ng” but declined to comment publicly about personnel mat ters.
ough the bruises had started to fade, they bore witness to what Grace said Max* did to her just a few nights earlier in his room.“He held me down on the bed by my neck and whispered sexual, gross things into my ear,” Grace said. “At one point he laid on top of me. During the time he choked me, I physically told him no and to stop.”Yet,as the formal investigation dragged on for four months, Grace found the Title IX process frustrating and unhelpful.
e university responded by defending the Title IX O ce. In a statement pub lished April 14 by WHNT, a local TV news station, a university spokesperson said UNA “takes sexual assault seriously and follows federal Title IX regulations when allegations are reported.”
Grace’s experience echoes what other women told e Flor-Ala about their ex periences with the O ce of Title IX–the federally mandated process for investigat ing sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination on college campuses.
A er the TimesDaily reported in April that 14 cases of rape, sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment had been re ported to UNA PD in the past six months, the university suddenly changed the UNA crime logs to show that 24 cases–which had been listed as open–were suddenly closed.“Recently, media inquiries on the im portant topic of sexual assault on campus prompted our team to review and update the open/closed status of some incidents on the log,” Eubanks said. “ ose incidents had mistakenly been marked as ‘open’ even though there was no ongoing University Police Department investigation of those matters. So, our team updated the status.”
by AUDREY JOHNSON Editor-in-Chief
Criticism of the Title IX o ce only in tensi ed. Later in April, e Flor-Ala pub
lished a story about a student, identi ed as Elizabeth, who said the Title IX o ce spent over seven months investigating her allegations of sexual assault from Septem ber of 2021. ree days a er publication, Kayleigh Baker exited the university’s rst full-time Title IX coordinator position.
e o cer was Derek Baker, husband of then-Title IX Coordinator Kayleigh Baker.
Yet, university spending records show continued pay to Kayleigh Baker. As of
University continues pa ern of silence in response to claims of mishandling sexual violence on campus
Behind the Curtain
called for change in April by protesting at Memorial Amphitheater against sexual violence. Several local news outlets covered the student protests and asked the university for comment.
A student holds a sign that reads “NO MEANS NO” at a protest the April 14 protest at Memorial Amphitheater.
Grace* pointed to the bruises on her neck as she explained to Kayleigh Bak er, the Title IX coordinator, that another UNA student assaulted her a er a party in the spring of 2021.
UNA’s O ce of Title IX came under scrutiny this past spring a er e FlorAla published a series of stories detailing how the investigations sometimes persists months longer than their 90 business day directive and o en retraumatize students who come forward to report sexual vio lence.Students
When asked for an updated comment, the university’s Media and Public Rela tions Director Michelle Eubanks said the following: “ e University takes very se riously the health and safety of students, employees, and visitors. Any reported misconduct is investigated and addressed through the appropriate departments –which can include the O ce of Title IX. UNA strives to build a community free from discrimination, including sexual ha rassment and other forms of sexual mis conduct, so that each student, employee, and visitor can work, learn, and succeed in a safe, supportive, and educational en vironment. UNA provides resources and
University of North Alabama September 22, 2022 Volume 92, Issue 3 | Since 1931 NEWS CHEERS TO GOLDEN MANE! A&E BEATS AND BLOOM WITH PAUL IVY HOMECOMING HOMECOMING COURT SPORTS SHUNDERRICK POWELL BREAKS RECORDS
services to the campus community to ed ucate and support students who may wish to report an incident of concern.”
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala2 NEWS
Bre Goodwin | Graphic Designer
by EMMA TANNER News Editor
of making beer is no easy task. Grain is boiled in tanks of water. Af ter cycling through the water, the grain is si ed and mashed through a screen. e remaining water is used in the beer mak ing process. e le over, or spent, grain is picked up and used by local farmers to compost and feed to livestock. e hops (aroma, avor and bittering agents for beer) are added to the remaining water for about an Whilehour.being fermented in tanks of varying size (10, 20 or 30 gallons), yeast is added to turn the liquid alcoholic. An easy way to tell that it has turned alcoholic is the presence of bubbles from releasing CO2. e beer is canned from the tanks. Due to Singin’ River’s size, the beer making process is very manual.
Singin’ River Brewing Co. launches Golden Mane Beer
Singin’ River Brewing Company hosted an o cial release party for Golden Mane, a beer created in partnership with UNA Athletics, on Sept. 9. Fi y percent of the beer’s proceeds will be donated to the ath letics department.
Above: Singin’
“I am delighted [Michelle and Rob Jones] did this on behalf of the university,” said University Media & Public Relations Director Michelle Eubanks.
Both UNA and Singin’ River have big plans for the ale. Golden Mane will be available for purchase inde nitely. e current cost of a six-pack is $9.99. e beer is already in high demand, as Singin’ Riv er has already received calls from a bar in Tuscaloosa wishing to carry Golden Mane.
River co-owner Michelle Jones poses with a can of newly released Golden Mane. Below: Shoals community celebrates the release of Golden Mane.
Mane],” said Michelle Jones. “It also is a part of Division I. Everybody is excited that it’s nally here.”
In attendance were UNA President Dr. Kenneth Kitts and First Lady Dena Kitts, Athletics Director Dr. Josh Looney, Head Football Coach Chris Willis and Board of Trustees members William Trapp and Steven Pierce, among others. Singin’ Riv er owners Michelle and Rob Jones had planned to make a beer in collaboration with UNA for some time but only recently began putting the plan into motion.
“In time for homecoming, [Golden Mane] will be throughout the Shoals,” said Looney. “It will be in restaurants and the Marriott and supermarkets. Two days before we play Jacksonville State in Mad ison at Toyota Field, we will launch in the Madison-Huntsville market. It will also be available at Toyota Field. By October, we anticipate this being in Birmingham as well.”Around the country, major universities have partnered with cra beer breweries to have their own specialized beer. e idea of Golden Mane began with Associate Athletic Director Megan Dye a few years before. Dye reintroduced the idea to Loo ney in late spring of 2022. A business and brewing plan was formulated by Singin’ River, wherein they decided to give back to the university.ecoaching sta and Board of Trust ees were pivotal in deciding what the beer would be. ey served as a tasting sample. e main goal of the taste was a lighter, easily drinkable cra beer with a low alco hol
Its seasonal drinks are Invisible Swords man, a Mexican lager; Citracabra, a sour ale that won gold in the 2018 Alabama Cra Beer State Championship; Shoals Oktoberfest, a Munich malt “with a lightly toasted malt avor, malty body and a bal anced nish,” which won gold and silver in the 2017 and 2018 Alabama Cra Beer State Championships respectively; Ghost Bridge, “a black ale with a rich, fruity nose and aromas of black currant, prune, and co ee” and silver winner at the 2018 Ala bama Cra Beer State Championship; and Tiger Chainsaw Arms, a “Belgian Abbey Tripel-American IPA hybrid” that won gold in the 2016 Alabama Cra Beer State Championship.eprocess
“Whetherconcentration.people enjoy cra beer or not, [Golden Mane] is meant for a wide variety of people and their preferences,” Looney said. “I think it will be perfect for tailgates and functions.”
Singin’ River is no stranger to college events. In its eight years of existence, it has hosted many comedy shows, concerts and even theater shows. Its concert venue is next door to the taproom.
Aside from Golden Mane, Singin’ Riv er’s other agship drinks include IPAca lypse Now, an “intense IPA with a punch of citrusy hop avor” that won silver in the 2017 Alabama Cra Beer State Champi onship; Lawn Patrol, a light, clear ale; and Swamper, a dark brew with “a rich co ee tone and smoky malt nish.”
UNA is unique in the fact that it is one of the only colleges in Alabama to have its ownSingin’beer. River Brewing Co. was estab lished in 2014 by Michelle and Rob Jones. Both Michelle and Rob hold full time jobs outside of Singin’ River. Most of the brew ing is credited to Zach Brenner, Singin’ River’s head brewer. However, the Joneses are brewers in their own right. Rob’s ex perience stemmed from home-brewing in college, while Michelle pursued a license from Auburn University. She was one of the rst women in the state of Alabama to obtain a brewing license. She is also a UNA alumna and was a member of the Phi Mu sorority.“Ithink UNA was ready for [Golden
Ellis also pre sented Elizabeth with the option of ling a police report, which Elizabeth originally declined.
Elizabeth, the student who reported be ing assaulted in Mattielou Hall only to be ignored by Title IX, told e Flor-Ala in a recent interview that a er she went public with her story and threatened legal action, the university changed its posture.
Students read the article “I Didn’t Want To Call It Rape” out loud at Memorial Amphitheater on April 14. They protested against sexual violence on campus.
Complaints about the university’s mis handling of sexual misconduct have circulat ed for years. A er claiming a professor raped her on a school sponsored trip in 2015, “Jane Doe” led a lawsuit alleging UNA’s “deliber ate indi erence” in response to the professor’s actions. e 2017 lawsuit claimed UNA was “in clear violation of Title IX.”
“I said, ‘that still doesn’t do anything for all the money I lost,’” Elizabeth said. “[Ellis] said, ‘maybe I can talk to somebody.’”
Elizabeth said Ellis made some phone calls then o ered her a university scholarship of $11,240 for the money she paid Fall 2021–
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 3NEWS
Bre Goodwin | Graphic Designer
“ ey were really sweet at Title IX,” Grace said. “It’s just that they couldn’t do much. Since he didn’t touch speci c areas of my body, it wasn’t considered sexual assault by UNA.”Yet, during the months Grace worked with Title IX towards an informal resolution, Grace said she was diagnosed with PTSD and transferred to a di erent college.
Photo courtesy Flor-Ala archives
A er being sexually assaulted, Elizabeth said she su ered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her grades dropped that fall, and she struggled to cope with what had happened.Elizabeth said that Ellis o ered to retroac tively withdraw her from her Fall 2021 class es, which boosted her GPA by a point and a half on a four point scale.
UNA attempted to have the $7 million lawsuit dismissed, but a federal judge denied the university’s motion in 2019.
***
honor Greenway with the Alumni of the Year Award at the Homecoming Alumni Celebra tion.
“In accordance with the Title IX policy, if a student brings a complaint to the o ce of Title IX, supportive measures will be pro vided,” Ellis said. “Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the uni versity’s educational program or activity.”
***
“I told them I had been in contact with lawyers,” Elizabeth said. “I have dates. I have proof of me emailing Kayleigh [Baker] and her not getting back to me for three weeks. I said, ‘I will sue the school. And I will make you repay me every penny for that semester.’”
safety.Ellis
including the $200 Housing and Residence Life made Elizabeth pay to move halls for her
“Because of the incident that happened, I le UNA.”
lighted the “multiple resources” a student can engage “when they are dissatis ed with UNA policies, procedures, and practices.” Green way cited herself as one of these resources, as she previously served as a deputy Title IX coordinator.Greenway le UNA at the end of May for her long planned retirement. en, the uni versity announced on Aug. 2 that they would
Of the six women who shared their sto ries, ve, including Grace, said their assaults happened during their rst year on campus. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, women in their freshman year of college are at an in creased risk of sexual violence. One in four women will be a victim of sexual violence in her college
During the allegations this spring, Dr. Kimberly Greenway, the Vice President of Student A airs oversaw the O ce of Title IX, university Police, Housing and Residence Life and Student Engagement, which includ ed Fraternity and So rorityHousingLife. and Residence Life de clined to reveal if they had red a Res ident Advisor (RA) accused of molesting a resident, yet they posted to Instagram two weeks later hir ing male resident advisors.Aer e FlorAla published two articles, sharing a total of four women’s stories with sexual assault on campus, Greenway sent a campus wide email to students.eemail high
FromCURTAINPage#1
en, when she found out the man who assaulted her had moved into her apartment complex, she changed her mind and reported to UNA PD. at investigation is on going.
By July, Minnette Ellis, the Dean of Stu dents, agreed to expedite Elizabeth’s in vestigation, which had dragged on for ten months. e rst chapter in the Title IX Sex ual Misconduct Procedures is “Promptness” and states that a case should take no more than 90 business days to investigate.
Additionally,career.all of the women’s whose stories the Flor-Ala shared, knew the men who assaulted or harassed them. According to NSVRC, the National Sexual Violence Re source Center, 51.1% of female rape victims were raped by an intimate partner. 40.8% were raped by an acquaintance.
declined to comment on this speci c situation citing student privacy.
e man who Grace claimed assaulted her had been her Resident Advisor in a pre vious semester. On the night he assaulted her, she said she agreed to give him a ride home because he was too drunk to drive home from a Graceparty.said that people in the O ce of Ti tle IX treated her kindly but did not do any thing to help her.
this month, UNA has paid her more than $36,000 a er she le ***campus.
One of these updates included allowing newly elected o cers to assume o ce two weeks before nal exams, as opposed to the Monday before exams. is is to avoid the necessity of emergency meetings as en countered last semester. e constitution passed the Senate. Revisions, if rati ed, will go into e ect one full academic year a er rati cation.
is means students would have to pay with debit, credit, or cash only at the cam pus Starbucks.eFoodServices Committee agreed that if Starbucks does not accept dining dollars, then UNA will not renew their contract. en, Starbucks will be replaced
STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES
Srivastava also pointed out the qual ity of the apartments themselves. She re ported the rooms reek of marijuana and smoke, and that cleaning e orts have not been able to resolve the issue.
STARBUCKS REPLACEMENT?
Martin announced that she sent out a survey to members of the SGA, and en couraged them to spread it around in or der to gain feedback from the UNA stu dent body on the matter.
Oyewale learned from the Noala Heights RA, Averi Smith, that there is a pending decision about UNA providing a police presence from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. dai ly. Senators debarred concerns about this idea since some students may not have the best experiences with police, and that it may be intimidating for some students to be surrounded by a police presence.
President Sandvig agreed with the sen timent, saying that if the rst trial at the end of the semester is successful, other or ganizations may be willing to take it on as a consistent project.
Vice President Kennedy Edwards in troduced a discussion around previous plans to support international students by sponsoring a bus to Huntsville. is e ort would allow international students access to diverse grocery stores to buy the food items that may not be available in the Shoals.e trip was originally proposed to be for the end of the semester.
E-BIKES
HUNTSVILLE GROCERY BUS
“[For international students] it’s not about their dress or their shoes, it’s about their food that they eat back home.”
e survey also included questions about classi cation and domestic/inter national student status in order to gain in sight into the breakdown of who is in favor and who may be opposed. e decision is still tabled until the Senate can gain more student feedback.
Srivastava also expressed ideas from a discussion in her marketing class about UNA’s branding, and how money has been spent towards new t-shirts for Resident Advisors, and new iPhones for duty call, yet no security for Noala Heights.
since students need groceries almost every month. Oyewale elaborated on the impor tance of culture and food.
on campus would limit the usability of the scooters.Others, such as Budget Oversight Chairwoman Madison Reese, have brought up the point that scooters may be a better alternative to e-bikes for those who cannot ride bikes due to physical limitations.
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala4 NEWS
Senator Treasure Franklin attended the most recent Food Services Shared Gover nance Committee meeting. In her report, she revealed that Starbucks has not signed an agreement with Chartwells to provide meal swipes and Dining Dollars.
A question was raised about the metric and expertise by which Huntsville was de cided on, and Oyewale assured the Senate that Huntsville had a variety of interna tionally-focused shops and businesses, in cluding some centered around Indian and AfricanOyewale,cuisines.however, did raise a con cern over the one-time nature of the plan
During open discussion, Senator Alyssa Ledlow brought forth concerns about Student Counseling Services. Ledlow spoke to a group of students who alleged that everyone they know who has gone into SCS has come out feeling worse than before.
“I believe, if I’m correct, that Student Counseling Services are included in tui tion,” Ledlow said.
Who was eligible to receive a bike? Richey said that distance from campus played a large role. It was determined that bikes should be distributed to those who lived o campus, but within rational biking distance of the University–no one who lives across the bridge, for example–and to those who did not have another form of reliable transportation.
“So I feel like if they’re having to pay for it, it might as well be beneficial for them.”Ledlow asked the Senate for ideas on how to improve the issue.
ATTEMPTED BREAK INS AT NOALA HEIGHTS
“We have our laptops, we have our phones,” said Srivastava. “We have some, you know, o cial documents.”
Glenda Richey, Director of the Student Recreation Center, came to speak about UNA’s e-bike program on Sept. 15. e Anderson Bike Program started approxi mately a year and a half ago when Mr. An derson, a donor, contacted the university with the idea to donate 25 e-bikes.
Richey accepted, then reached out to the Kinesiology Department. She be lieved this would be a good metabolic re search opportunity for the department in relation to use of the bikes.
Pro-tempore Mackenzie Martin up dated the Senate on the status of the Bird scooter debate. Bird is a company that works with cities and other entities such as universities to set up eets of electric scooters that can be used for small-scale publicStudentstransportation.andSGAhave debated wheth er these scooters would be bene cial for UNA’sSomecampus.suggest the campus is too small to justify the purchase of these scooters, or that the numerous hills and staircases
Pro-Tempore Martin suggested gathering a group of senators to reach out to the director of SCS to review con cerns and compare the feedback they’ve gotten from students versus what has been heard around campus.
SGA CONSTITUTION
Pro-tempore Martin suggested per forming a survey on students living at Noala to ask them about their feelings concerning their safety for the purpose of having documentation of these com plaints.Chairwoman of Academic A airs Emma Melton inquired about the pos sibility of setting up a fund for an alarm system.However, President Amber Sandvig pointed out that since the University is under contract with Noala Heights, UNA may not be able to set up solutions that are part of the physical building itself since they do not own the complex.
Around 50 percent of bike users right now are international students, many of whom live in Noala Heights. Richey ex plained that the donor intended for the bikes to help mitigate parking di culties on campus and to improve the physical and mental health of those using them.
Gavin Van Devender | Graphic Designer
Sandvig did support Pro-Tempore Martin’s idea of SGA creating a survey, gathering results, then setting up a meet ing to discuss the matter with Housing and Residence Life.
Several senators have reviewed and edited the SGA constitution, xing gram matical errors, clarifying language and phrasing and making updates.
Senator Yashi Srivastava pointed out that not only are students’ safety at risk, but their property is as well.
Chairwoman Madison Reese en couraged senators to direct feedback and questions towards Senator Led low so that she can bring them to the head of counseling services, and Com munications Director Caroline Conkle offered to create a student survey in order to gather feedback for the same purpose.TheSenate has also started live streaming meetings on their Instagram to encourage student involvement.
by WHITNEY VEAZEY Sta Photographer
with another, voted-upon establishment by next fall. However, the next food ser vices meeting is not until November, so none of these decisions have been made o cial.
“ e questions that we had reviewed were like ‘Would you like them on cam pus?’,” Martin said. “‘If there was a cost would you still be willing to pay?’, ‘What concerns do you have?’”
Richey accepted, however requested help in hiring a GA to help run the pro gram. e donor agreed to split the cost of a Graduate Assistant (GA) with UNA Recreation by paying for the rst year of wages. All 50 bikes will be redistributed in the spring.
Richey sent a report of the research done by the Kinesiology Department to the donor, and he responded by o ering to donate 25 more bikes, as well as 6 racks.
SGA RECAP : attempted break ins at Noala Heights, Starbucks replacement?, Bird scooters
BIRD SCOOTERS
Chairman of Student Welfare Kabir Oyewale brought up security concerns surrounding Noala Heights, an apartment complex on Tennessee Street for interna tional students. Students living at Noala Heights have expressed concern for their safety in light of attempted break-ins at the o -campus housing complex.
e survey is in the linktree on the SGA’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
accident from Sept. 28, 2021. The news outlet reported “University of North Al abama student hit, airlifted from nearby intersection.”WHNT’s reporter Bobby Stilwell wrote that Florence Police documented that the accident happened “just after 1:15Accordingp.m.” to the article, the victim was airlifted from the scene, but the student’s injuries were reportedly not life-threatening. Police stopped traffic at the intersection for investigation of the accident.
UNA Student hit by car on Pine Street
This is the second time in a year a student has been struck by a vehicle on Pine Street.
during the school day. Eubanks is quoted in the article, saying that “first respond ers reacted quickly.”
Whitney Veazey | Sta Photographer
Florence closed down the fishing pier at McFarland Campground on Sept. 2, 2022.“Until further notice, the fishing pier at McFarland Campground is closed,” read a statement from Florence Parks and Recreation Director Bill Jordan. “As disappointing as it may be, this deci sion was made out of genuine care and concern for the safety and well-being of those who utilize the pier. We appreciate your patience as we work to determine a best course of action moving forward.”
Reports from the TimesDaily say that the pier may be replaced. The city will consult with the Tennessee Valley Au thority (TVA) to develop a plan, as Flor ence leases the property from TVA.
A University of North Alabama stu dent was hit by a vehicle on Pine Street on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
The Flor-Ala filed an open records request seeking documents related to
Follow theflorala.com for more updates to this story.
A year ago, a UNA student was also hit by a vehicle on Pine Street on Sept. 28, 2021. WAFF 48 reported the incident in their story “UNA student hit by vehi cle, airlifted from scene.”
In the past year, two students have been struck by vehicles on Pine Street on separate occasions. Both students were treated at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Ala.
WAFF’s DeAndria Turner report ed that the student was hit at the inter section of Pine Street and West Irvine Street–a busy intersection especially
“Well obviously it’s a crucial issue and we want to ensure that all students are safe and that we respond as best as we are able to do so,” Eubanks told WAFF in Sept. 2021. “We are very fortunate at UNA that we have a police force in Flor ence that responded very quickly. They work very closely with university police. Both entities were on the scene investi gatingWHNTthis.”
“I know how important this pier is to so many, but I am confident we are tak ing the right steps to ensure the safety of each individual who utilized it,” Mayor Betterton said in a statement. “Until fur ther notice, it will remain closed for in spection and repair.”
this accident, but no information has been released at the time of publication.
pier is believed to have been a part of McFarland park since the 1970s and has been recently examined by engineers.
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 5NEWS
by EMMA TANNER News Editor
by KELLEY PETERS Sta Writer
Florence parks & rec department closes McFarland Pier
Treasure Franklin | Sta Photographer
Michelle Eubanks, the Director of University Media and Public Relations for the university, said that the student was hit at approximately 2:30 p.m. The individual received treatment at Hunts ville Hospital and was later released.
Aside from the mention of safety, no real explanation has been given in re gards to the nature of the closing. The
News 19 also covered the
The McFarland Pier at McFarland Campground in Florence, Ala.
by TRENEDY PARKS Sta Writer
e Presidential Mentors Academy nominated Amari Bothwell. Bothwell is an elementary education major who is also the captain of UNA’s cheer team.
Josh Corbin Bobo
ConnerDeanFigueroaMooreTevinPauleyPos
Shana Melton
UNA’s 2022 Homecoming Court has been selected and are all in the running for Homecoming King and Queen. is year’s court is full of juniors and seniors elected by their peers. e Elections and Recruitment Committee of Student Government Associ ation hosts the elections.
Something Sealy wouldn’t mind revisit ing from her UNA experience?
e 2022 King and Queen will be crowned at the pregame presentation on Saturday, Sept. 24, versus Tarleton State.
Alpha Gamma Delta nominated Jayden Bobo. Bobo is a senior majoring in nurs ing. She has been involved with the SOAR program, Alpha Gamma Delta, and the La Grange Society.
Phi Mu nominated Shana Melton. Melton is majoring in elementary education and serves as a Director of Recruitment for the College Panhellenic Council. She is very involved in organizations like the LaGrange Society, SOAR, and SGA. She has been in volved in SGA since her freshman year as a Freshman Forum member.
e Queen candidates are Jayden Bobo, Amari Bothwell, Molly Kathryn Cooper, Shana Melton, and Keelyn Sealy.
Photos courtesy of Student Government Association
Hello Homecoming: Meet the 2022 Homecoming Court
“Either social work or nursing I de nite ly feel that you have to have a certain type of care to do those majors.” Bothwell said.
Keelyn Sealy
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala6 HOCO
“I would honestly like to press restart and get to experience it all over again be cause there are so many good things [about
Zeta Tau Alpha nominated Keelyn Sealy. Sealy is a senior majoring in mass commu nications with a minor in political science. She is an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha and a Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor this year. She has been active in SGA since her freshman year as the Public Relations Chairwoman in Freshman Forum.
e National Pan-Hellenic Council nominated Tevin Pauley. As a h year se nior majoring in professional biology, Pau ley wants to attend medical school a er his time here at UNA. He is involved in organi zations like the LaGrange Society, being a resident advisor, the SGA, and SOAR as the head counselor. Pauley has received the un dergraduate service award and the honor of being on the dean’s list. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi as the treasurer.
Lambda Sigma Phi nominated Molly Kathryn Cooper. She is majoring in sociol ogy and is the captain of UNA’s Lionette dance line. As well as being a leader in the Baptist Campus Ministries and an active member in Alpha Gamma Delta.
my UNA experience].” Sealy said “If I could restart LaGrange and enjoy every tour I gave one more time, or restart the Univer sity Program Council and get to experience those events again.”
Phi Mu nominated Connor Potts. Potts is a senior who is majoring in biology and a member of the Cole Honors College. Potts plans to use his degree to pursue a career in medical sales. He is also the president of Sigma Chi here on campus.
Queen
“Homecoming is when you're around everybody and everyone comes out,” Both well said. “ e tailgates and the parades are fun for me every year.”
Jayden
Molly Kathryn Cooper
Corbin’s favorite part of homecoming court so far?
e Diversity Student Ambassadors nominated Omar Figueroa. He is a junior majoring in criminal justice and minoring in spanish. He's also a member of Diversi ty Student Ambassadors. His favorite part of UNA’s homecoming is networking with new and more people.
Dean Moore was nominated for home coming court by Zeta Tau Alpha and is a part of Phi Gamma Delta as Rush Chair. He is majoring in marketing with a focus in sales, along with being involved with the American Marketing Association as the Fundraising and Community Impact Chair.
e King candidates for this year are Josh Corbin, Omar Figueroa, Dean Moore, Tevin Pauley, and Connor Potts Alpha Gamma Delta nominated Josh Corbin. Corbin is a senior who’s double majoring in nance and accounting and has been involved in SOAR, the LaGrange Society, the Baptist Campus Ministries, and SGA. Corbin is also the active president of Lambda Sigma Phi and an Activity Assis tant for the University Programming Coun cil.
If Bothwell had to choose a di erent major than elementary education what would she choose?
Rewind: Bryce Austin (left) and Shanise Allen (right) were crowned 2021 Homecoming King and Queen on Oct. 16, 2021 before UNA kicked o against Robert Morris.
Omar
Photo courtesy Flor-Ala archives
Amari Bothwell
“Just the fact that I’m on it with a bunch of my friends.” Corbin said, “I’ve known Shana [Melton], Jayden [Bobo], and [Mol ly] Kathryn [Cooper], and some of these other people since I was a freshman.”
King Candidates Candidates
However, this sensitivity on stage pro vides a sense of authenticity that can be traced back to Ivy’s lyricism. When asked about how he became so adept with his lyrics, Ivy said that it wasn’t something he was born with or always had a knack for.
DwayneBaba,” Ivy said.
“I guess you could say the ‘founding fathers’ of Bold Bloom are me, JRNL, and
“I wasn’t big into poetry. A lot of artists are like ‘Oh yeah I was a poet when I was a kid,’” Ivy said. “ e rst time I started writing was in the seventh grade, it wasn’t anything serious. De nitely no real subject matter.”In2019, writing became a big part of what he did. ough, he had no plans to re cord the songs he worked on. His thought was to be a songwriter, and it took him a year to release his debut song “Terms and Conditions.”Ivysaid that the two tracks he has released–“Terms and Conditions” and “Envy”–are one story. His debut song, “Terms and Conditions”, is about Ivy and a past partner’s split due to a di erence in goals.Ivy chose to focus on his passion in life, while his partner focused on having fun. e lyrics Ivy wrote portray the fact that he is an upcoming artist who is determined, and he should not be underestimated.
by TRENEDY PARK Sta Writer WHITNEY VEAZEY Sta Photographer
A native of Birmingham, Ala., Ivy grew up listening to rap. Artists like Kanye West, whose music was heavily in uenced around beats, interested Ivy. His fascina tion grew until his family began attending church and his parents forbade the genre. Around the age of 15, Ivy began to make his way back to rap music through beat making on a hand-me-down laptop, one that he still used later on in his career by bringing to shows.
Bold Bloom formed amid physical dis tance during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ivy lived in Birmingham, Peterson lived here in Florence and Nalls lived just under an hour north of Ivy. But since normal cam pus operations have resumed, the group has collaborated and supported each other at a number of shows and performances.
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 7A&E
Ivy’s creative process in music also lends itself to visual mediums. O en, Ivy takes inspiration from cinematography to help him with the production side of things. Aside from lyrics, Ivy uses his pro
“It wasn’t like a stage cry, where I was like ‘Alright on three’.” Ivy said. e topic that makes him the most emotional, he said, is his family. e bit tersweetness of pursuing his dreams while also being away from his loved ones makes its way into the themes of multiple songs. Ivy described the situation as a “dou ble-edged sword,” and expressed melan choly towards his work-life balance.
When asked about support from his friends and family, Ivy explained that while his parents support his career now, it didn’t come without sacri ce.
Inup.”addition to his solo career, Ivy is part of a collective called Bold Bloom, consist ing of himself, and fellow artists JRNL (Ja Ray “D’Mario” Nalls), DwayneBaba (Josh ua Peterson), Zenith (Edric “EJ” Powell) and Nicholas Glazier.
“I look at it as de nitely one of the scar iest things I’ve done,” Ivy said. “But it’s also one of the more rewarding things and I guess that’s the kind of stu that keeps my head
As far as upcoming projects, while Ivy is working on an album, he makes it clear that he much prefers quality over quantity. He wants to be sure that he has taken the time to re ne each song to its full poten tial.“I’m trying not to look at the house, I’m trying to focus on putting bricks down, if that makes sense,” Ivy said. “I just feel like I owe it to myself to take my time with it, and like truly be happy with it.”
Paul Ivy, Florence-based rapper/producer
Treasure Franklin | Sta Photographer
Ivy described his music in three parts: e lyrical and musical, the production, and the performance. Lyrically, he de scribed it as honest. While not every song is an exact experience pulled from his own personal life, Ivy uses the emotions he’s experienced to build worlds of hypothet icals and stories around some of the most relatable yet raw emotions ascribed to the everyday human condition.
Ivy’s next release will drop in October.
Ivy described his performances as emotional. Because his lyrics are so rooted in his own thoughts, perceptions, and feel ings, sometimes that emotion reveals itself on stage. Ivy spoke about how he cried during his last show.
Beats and Bloom: An Interview with Paul Ivy
As a freshman at UNA, Ivy ran into nancial di culties on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led him to move back home with his parents in Bir mingham. While there, he started working in construction and kickstarted his music career on the Eventually,side.he told his parents he was moving back to Florence to pursue music. He credits this decision as the reason his parents began to recognize how serious he was about this path, since giving up a sta ble job is no easy task.
“It’s always gonna keep changing be cause you gotta think, I spent so much time beat-making,” Ivy said. “I was just exploring these di erent avenues and lis tening to these underground artists and radio hit artists, you know, so I’m pulling inspiration from everywhere.”
Ivy described his production style with the word “versatile.” So far, he’s released two songs, each of which is very distinct from the other in terms of sound. He said his third record, which will be released in October, will also be completely di erent from the other two.
and co-founder of Bold Bloom.
For many artists, music and its creation has been a part of their lives since birth. However, Florence-based rapper and pro ducer Paul Ivy’s story doesn’t quite start out the same way.
Ivy, Nalls and Peterson were originally part of a larger collective but stepped away to form Bold Bloom in 2020. Ivy says he decided to split from the larger collective when he realized the group was oversatu rated with talent, and Nalls and Peterson joined him.
duction technique to “paint a picture” us ing sound. Ivy even forgoes the second half of “Envy” when performing live because it is majorly composed of sound alone.
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Casey Kula Chief Photographer is
Meagan Connors
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala8 A&E
a Shoalscollaboration“WhoonSheinTenn.,fromsinger-songwriterMemphis,nowbasedFlorence,Ala.isworkingherdebutEP,AreYou?”inwithcreatives.
She permanently moved to Florence in June 2019. e people she met at FAME in uenced the move. She felt con nected to the sound of the Shoals, Her main goal was to make music and learn from local creatives.
She wrote her rst original song her freshman year of high school. A choir trip turned into a whirlwind romance, which eventually turned into heartbreak. She originally did not know if she had the capacity to write songs, but the situa tion moved her to write.
“I just feel like I’ve known people who think that money is God, money is everything,” Connors said. “I get that you’ve got to make money, but to sacri ce people to save a couple of dollars? I never understood that.”
Connors’ third and latest single, “Pretty Money,” was released July 22, 2022. Co-writers were Brad Kuhn, Maris sa Cazalas and Noah Shell. While intern ing in Nashville, Connors tasked herself with writing as many songs as possible. She perused song title generators until she came across “Pretty Money.”
by BROOKE FREUNDSCHUH Volunteer Writer
e furthest she originally traveled was the recording studio. A er taking up a job at e Carriage Wine & Market, she got to know the residents better.
“Pretty Money” stemmed from the idea of wanting to be something unat
Her college experience was both fruitful and monotonous. She did not take time to invest herself within the New Orleans community. Her classes were relatively easy to her and her brain was compatible with the work assigned. She had wished to attend Berklee but found the cost was too steep. Howev er, she is grateful for her experiences at Loyola and the skills she learned there.
“Honestly, this place is amazing,” Connors said. “Like anywhere else, it’s got its quirks and its issues, but the peo ple are so nice, it’s cheap as all get out, and I feel like there’s space to nd your self.”Her core team of collaborators in the Shoals includes Noah Shell, whom she met through her internship at Fame; Spencer Coats, who is the head engineer at FAME; and Brad Kuhn, pianist, pro ducer and also Connors’ roommate. She cites Shell and Cazalas as some of her fa vorite co-writers to work with. Being in Florence has given her a sense of consis
e recording she does now is slightly di erent, as most of the music is pro duced rather than performed live and recorded. High school taught her some basics, but she still nds herself learning new things as she records more tracks.
Connors wants to empower people to have con dence and ownership over their emotions. She also wishes to pro mote her music and connect with people through her songs.
Singer and songwriter Megan Connors will release her next single “Dangerous” on Oct. 21.
chooses to write songs based on real emotions, though they may not be about real situations. e ini tial assignment for “Catastrophe” was to write the song during her nal semester, but she had been writing songs for eight years. She did not want to release a song solely for an assignment–it felt disingen uous.Her second single, “Runaway,” was released May 28, 2021 and was co-writ ten with Brad Kuhn, Spencer Coats and Tommy Brown. Connors describes her self as having bad luck in relationships.
tainable. e song was eventually re written to center around a fun-loving, partying lifestyle instead. e song is overarchingly sarcastic. At its root, it is meant to be a fun song about forgetting about heartbreak. Connors sees it as her best song released yet, but her weakest song from her current project.
Meagan Connors never saw herself becoming an artist. e rst creative en deavor she undertook was piano, which she quickly realized she hated, despite playing for six years. When imagining what she would look like as a profession al musician, she always pictured herself behind a piano. For that reason alone, she decided against pursuing music as a career.Connors (stage name CONNR) is a New York native, but moved to Memphis, Tenn., around age seven. In elementary school, she joined choir and discovered the vocal side of music. She began cov ering popular songs in middle school, but opted not to post them online. Her in uences are Julia Michaels, Katy Perry, Paramore and John Mayer.
“Who Are You?” has been a work in progress for years. COVID-19 created a few issues within its production, as ac cess to the studio was di cult and mixes would take time to create. To Connors, the project has taken the perfect amount of time as it’s given her space to grow as an artist and
recording music for some years, she had never had an o cial release. “Catastro phe” was co-written with Ben Lau and was created while Connors was intern ing in Nashville. Despite her love for the song, she usually opts not to play it at live shows.Connors
“I came [to Florence] with the inten tion of creating,” Connors said. “I did want to make a project, but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. It became a whole lot more than I expected but it’s cool because I’ve been very grateful to have people around me to help ll the vision and the whole picture rather than just writing songs.”
tency with her collaborators.
with unpredictability following heart break. Each song will be released as a single, but the project will eventually be released as an EP.
“Honestly, at the end of the day, I can choose if you say something that pisses me o ,” Connors said. “I can choose how I react to it. I can choose to let it bother me or let it roll o . Just that kind of, ‘who are you to love me and break me?’”
“Dangerous”creator.isnow available for presave and will be released on Oct. 21.
by EMMA TANNER News Editor
now, but still views them fondly. She also attended Berklee College of Music’s sum mer program for two years.
Her work is currently focused on a ve-song EP, titled “Who Are You?”. e main theme centers how people a ect one another. She plans to release “Deep End” soon, which embodies the feeling of naivete in love. “Knives” takes a more cynical approach and discusses feeling backstabbed, which was the rst song written for the project. e next song is “Pretty Money”. e fourth song is “Hurt Me,” which centers on relationship regret and longing for a toxic situation. “Dan gerous” is the h and last song. It deals
In order to nish her degree, Con nors was required to record and release a song. While she had been writing and
She wanted this speci c track to describe the naivete of early love. “Runaway,” while a love song, describes what Con nors sees as a toxic situation. e singer is reliant on the subject to feel better.
“I think songs hit di erent places,” said Connors. “Di erent songs ll di er ent Connorsmoments.”obtained a degree in Pop ular & Commercial Music from Loyola University New Orleans in May 2019. A er her freshman year, she interned at Muscle Shoals’ FAME Recording Studios. Her parents met a UNA sta member at an airport in Atlanta, who connected her to FAME. While interning, she interact ed with many local creatives and began collaborating with them. e following year her friend interned at the studio, which gave Connors an excuse to return to the Shoals.
“How wack, to be waiting on some body else to x you,” Connors said. “I don’t know if that’s what comes across, but there’s a little bit of toxicity.”
Casey Kula | Chief Photographer
Her desire to studio record music began in high school. Her school’s mu sic program was strong and she was a member of a group that would perform on weekends. e group recorded at the University of Memphis her junior year and during her senior year, the school implemented its own recording studio.
Connor’s high school teacher helped mentor her in her early days. e stu dents were given free reign of the re cording studio and her teacher would aid them whenever they asked for it. She nds embarrassment in her earlier songs
A er graduation, life in a college town is signi cantly di erent. Compared to New Orleans, Florence is a more rig id environment. e community is open and welcoming, but Connors still nds the lack of nightlife in Florence shock ing. She wishes to see more events in Florence that encourage fun and living in the moment.
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 9A&E
Accounting Scholars Panel an Movie Night 4 Raburnp.m.109 Thursday,
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1 ShoalsFest 2022 2:00 McFarlandp.m.Park Thursday, Oct. 6 Sunday,
6 Student Org. Browse Fair 5 p.m. Rivers Hall patio Saturday,
Tuesday, Oct. 4 Oct. Sept. 24 Homecoming! Sept.
29 SGA Senate Meeting 3:30 p.m. SGA Chambers, GUC Wednesday,
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala10 CALENDAR
27 Capture the Flag 6 Outsidep.m.GUC
2 ShoalsFest 2022 2:00 McFarlandp.m.Park Photo courtesy the Flor-Ala archives
Thursday, Sept.Sept. Oct. Oct.Oct. Oct. Oct.
28 Late Night Pancake Dinner 8 Mattieloup.m.Lobby Saturday,
Football Tailgate *Free Ricatonis while supplies last!* 3 Spiritp.m.Hill SGA Past O cers Breakfast 8 GUCa.m.Loft 1 Pregame Presentation 5:45 p.m. Braly Stadium Kicko : Tarlton State at UNA 6 p.m. Braly StadiumParade Float Competition 11:30 a.m. Pine Street Don’t miss your ehomecomingfavoritevents! Tuesday,
7 The Folklore Project 7:30 p.m. George S. Lindsay Theatre First Fridays 5:30 p.m. Court Street Saturday.
8 The Folklore Project 7:30 p.m. George S. Lindsay Theatre Monday,
10 Huddle: Athletics Small Group 7 Flowersp.m.Hall SGA Senate Meeting 3:30 p.m. SGA Chambers, GUC The Folklore Project 7:30 p.m. George S. Lindsay Theatre Kicko : UNA at Kennesaw State 5 p.m. Fifth Third Bank Stadium Friday.
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala12 PHOTO ESSAY
by Colby Green, Leon Ono and Whitney Veazey Graphic Designer, Volunteer Photographer and Sta Photographer
NorthVirginiaVersusAlabamaWise
and Connor Jackson in 11th.
Missouri vs Auburn JSU vs Nicholls State Florida vs Tennessee Arkansas vs Tex. A&M TennesseeAuburnUNAKSUJSUArkansasTexasAuburnUNAKSUJSUFloridaA&M TennesseeMissouriUNAKSUJSUArkansas Tarleton State Woff TexasAuburnJSUordFloridaA&M TexasTennesseeAuburnUNAKSUJSUA&M
irty-seven collegiate teams compet ed in this competition for the men’s 8k event, with 44 women’s collegiate teams running a 5K.
Colby Green | Graphic Designer
by NOAH CATCHINGS Sports Editor
825 runners took part in this showcase and awards were given out following the race at 9:15 at the park entrance. Univer sities like Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Troy competed. Allen placed 23rd with a time of 24:11.73 minutes in the men’s 8K. Victor Kiprop of Alabama placed rst with a time of 23:18.30 minutes.
Emma Tanner News Editor
Gavin Van Devender Graphic Designer Parks Staff Writer
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 13SPORTS TarletonPredictionsFootballCollegeStatevsUNA from the Flor-Ala Staff Wofford vs KSU Noah Catchings Sports Editor Audrey Johnson Editor-in-Chief
Trenedy
From setting records already to win ning events, UNA Cross Country is poised for a historic season. e Lions kicked o their season with a season opener held at McFarland Park in Flor ence, Ala., competing against the Univer sity of EvanAlabama.Allenhas been ASUN runner of the week multiple times so far, set the time record for running–which was last broken in 1984–and led the team to their win this past Saturday. He placed rst individually at the UNA Invitational at McFarland Park. Allen is expected to be an asset to the Lions when it comes to winning races.
e Lions ran at the North Alabama Showcase in Huntsville, Ala., at John Hunt Park Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 am.
Men and Women’s Cross Country Kickoff Season
(4-2)(2-4)(5-1)(4-2)(4-2)
Allen has a history of leading the Li ons to victory. Last year, he ran an 8k with a time of 24:15 at UNA’s 2021 Invi tational.According to roarlions.com, Allen ran with a time of 24:19.55, followed up by Fredrick Kipyego in fourth place, Bran don Lee in h, James Hibbard in sixth,
Following this, the Lions have a com petition at Louisville Classic in Louis ville, Ky., then the Blazer Classic in Bir mingham, Ala.
ese two follow-up games lead to the ASUN conference championships in Huntsville, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 29, and the NCAA South Region Champion ship on Friday, Nov. 11 in Huntsville, Ala.
Soccer Sept. 22 vs Lipscomb 7 Sept.Sept.Florence,p.m.Ala.25vsAustinPeayState1p.m.Florence,Ala.29atQueensUniversityofCharloe6p.m.Charloe,N.C.
Cross Country Louisville Birmingham,BlazerLouisville,Oct.Classic1Ky.ClassicOct.14Ala.
Football Sept. 24 vs Oct.Braly6StateTarletonp.m.Stadium8atKennesawSate5p.m.Kennesaw,Ga.
Men’s Golf GraemeGeorgiaGadsden,InvitationalMcDowellSept.26-27Ala.StateInvitationalOct.3-4Duluth,Ga.
Leon Ono | Volunteer Photographer
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala14 SPORTS
Powell broke the UNA record for most rushing yards scored in a game: he rushed for 251 yards. In doing so, he scored four touchdowns as well.
Lions win against Virginia-Wise
When players made mistakes, things didn’t look promising for the Lions. Leading to the second quarter, sopho more running back ShunDerrick Powell ran two touchdown plays, and fresh man quarterback Noah Walters landed a 9-yard pass to redshirt junior receiver Andre Little. Redshirt sophomore kick er Sam Contorno added the extra point to each of these touchdowns. Before Walter’s pass to Little, Virginia-Wise kicked a field goal for 3 points which still left the Lions trailing 14-17 at half time.
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By the fourth quarter, Virginia-Wise had not scored a touchdown since the second quarter and the Lions planned on keeping it that way. Right off the bat, Powell rushed for a 41-yard touchdown with redshirt freshman kicker Scott Robinson following up the touchdown with an extra point. After great defense on the Lion’s part, freshman running back T.J. Finney ran a 3-yard touch down followed up by Scott Robinson to make the final score 17-49.
by NOAH CATCHINGS Sports Editor
Leon Ono | Volunteer Photographer
ShunDerrick Powell rushes 251 yards–breaks school record
VolleyballSchedule
APSU LadyClarksville,Sept.Intercollegiate26-27Tenn.RedWolvesClassicOct.10-11Jonesboro,Ark.
Sophomore running back ShunDerrick Powell scores a touchdown for the Lions, and breaks UNA record for most yards rushed in a game. Below, left: Freshman quarterback Noah Walters helps lead the Lions to a victory against UVA Wise. Below, right: UNA defeats UVA Wise with a score of 49-17.
The first home football game for the University of North Alabama Lions left fans on the edge of their seats. The game started a little rocky. In the first quarter, the Lions trailed Virginia-Wise 0-14.
At the half, the Lions made adjust ments. Just a few minutes into the third quarter, Powell ran 31 yards for another touchdown with Contorno tacking on the extra point. After Virginia-Wise’s possession, freshman wide receiver Demarcus Lacey rushed for a 1-yard touchdown followed by another extra point from Contorno which put the Li ons at a lead of 35-17.
Fans are itching to see the Lions face their rival Jacksonville State University at the Trash Pandas Stadium on Oct. 15. Both teams will have offensive drives facing the first base dugout. Since Trash Pandas stadium is a baseball stadium, to make it even odder, all offensive plays go in the same direction. This is due to required safety protocols that the NCAA has put into play that the teams mustTicketsfollow.are on sale for $32.70 for Box Seats, $54.50 for Four Tops Box Seats, $81.75 for HP Box Seats, and $130.80 for Stadium Club Seats. The Standing room-only tickets are $21.80. As of right now, all the box seats have been sold.
Leon Ono | Volunteer Photographer
Sept. 23 vs Sept.Kennesaw,6StateKennesawp.m.Ga.24vsJacksonvilleState4p.m.Jacksonville,Ala.
Women’s Golf
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala 15CROSSWORD
GOODWINBREBy DesignerGraphic
September 22, 2022 • The Flor-Ala16 COMIC
Gavin Van Devender | Graphic Designer
