Oct. 17 Issue

BEATING THE ODDS AGAINST BREAST CANCER NEWS 5A

Oct. 17, 2013

Volume 82, Issue 9

www.FlorAla.net

1

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

in

Eight photo illustrations by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

New research shows early detection lowers breast cancer risks...5A

INSIDE

this week’s paper

NEWS................2A PUZZLES.............5A VIEWPOINTS.........7A

SPORTS............1B LIFE...............5B EXTRA.............8B

A HOMECOMING VICTORY...1B

Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

FUNDING

Estimated 300 students affected by shutdown PACE HOLDBROOKS

6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\ Until the government shutdown conflict can be resolved in Congress, an estimated 300 students with financial ties to the military will be withheld monthly stipends and other aid.

Students affected include those enlisted in the National Guard, Army reserves, as well as veterans and students who receive veterans benefits, said Temporary Veterans Affairs Specialist Jeannie Kilpatrick.

“There are so many kids that depend on that monthly stipend, they live on that,” Kilpatrick said. “What I’ve heard is that hopefully (federal programs like Veterans Affairs) will be able to make Nov. 1 payments, but I don’t know if that’s for sure or not — it’s going to depend on whether the government is back up.”

”

I FIND IT ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT I

SIGNED UP TO SERVE MY COUNTRY AND FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE, BUT YET IʼM BEING PUT ON THE

BACK BURNER.

CHRISTIAN KIRK The amount students receive from VA benefits vary on a case by case basis, but many students could be out several thousand dollars, Kilpatrick said. The last update she received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Oct. 7 indicated there was no change.

“Phone lines are not being manned right now so I can’t get any updates,” Kilpatrick said. “This is the last update I have and nothing’s changed.”

Students who are enlisted in ROTC or as members of National Guard will not be receiving their stipends for October until the government is fully functioning again, said Lt. Col. Michael Snyder.

“As it relates to the (ROTC) cadets, it affects only those who are contracted, and not all of them are under contract,” Snyder said. “Everybody wants to pay them, but Congress has not appropriated funds for fiscal year 2014 to pay them.”

Students enlisted in the National Guard have had drills postponed, in addition to having stipends withheld until Congress can pass a budget that will advocate the necessary funds, Snyder said.

“I was shocked to find out about the government shutdown, however, I was even more shocked to hear that the National Guard wasn’t getting paid,” said Josh Smith, a junior and member of the 167 Infantry of the National Guard. “To some people $250 isn’t much, but to me missing that paycheck is very noticeable.

I’ve had to work more at my civilian job to make up for the difference.”

Christian Kirk, also a member of the 167, said he did not expect to lose

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

NATIONAL

Why should students care about...

BLYTHE STEELMAN

5IVIOQVO -LQ\WZ UIVIOQVOMLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\ The face of American healthcare is undergoing changes that could potentially affect you, your family and your access to healthcare. President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into effect March 23, 2010.

The law brings an onslaught of changes for Americans, including an age-raise for dependents, access to medications — including birth control and contraception — and coverage for individuals with preexisting conditions.

With the Health Insurance Marketplace opening Oct. 1, the healthcare reform has slowly phased in, but the new insurance plans will fully take effect Jan. 1, 2014.

OBAMACARE? ployer,” Bullard said. “On the other, you have the lower socio-economic group with Medicaid or Medicare. And then there’s the group in the middle, the handto-mouth families.”

What are these Healthcare What is the Affordable Insurance Marketplaces?

The HIMs are online sites for those Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as ObamaCare, is a law aimed at reforming the current state of healthcare and insurance in the United States. Providing Americans with more affordable and effective health insurance, while reducing the amount of spending going on in the healthcare field, are the main tenets of the law that President Obama has pushed.

The history of access to health insurance can be seen on a bimodal curve, said Jerri Bullard, professor in the sociology and family studies department. Bullard teaches a medical sociology class, where students examine and apply sociological concepts to current healthcare trends and institutions.

“On one side, you have people who get health insurance through their em-

wanting to purchase health insurance. The exchanges opened Oct. 1, and families or individuals can peruse the site to determine what health insurance plans they are eligible for and what their coverage options are. While someone can purchase insurance now, coverage and benefits will not go into effect until Jan. 1.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has employees trained to understand the new law and the different plans or coverage options working in the online marketplace to assist individuals as they determine what plan is best for them. “(As a college student) I probably won’t be able to get the great gold-package, but I can at least get basic coverage,” said student Robin King. “It will just be a little cushion. I know this helps me, though, because now I won’t have to pay

co-pays or high costs (for doctor’s visits).”

What does this mean for college students?

Under ObamaCare, young adults can remain on their parents’ health insurance plans until age 26. Before the law, 19 years old was the cut-off date for children. For those who were full-time students, the limit was early 20s.

While she admits the law poses a lot of questions for her, senior Madeleine Frankford said it does have some positives.

“I’ll stay on my mother’s insurance,” she said. “And personally, now I can focus on getting into the workplace or graduate school without worrying about how I find coverage.”

The change could significantly impact traditional students’ lives, said student Jill Oliver.

“As an older student, I think the younger students don’t realize that this will be huge later on in their family lives,” she said. “It’s hard just to survive,

;MM 7*)5)+):- XIOM )

RECORDS

Initial campus crime report contains error PACE HOLDBROOKS

6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\ The original version of the 2013 Clery Crime Report that was emailed to the campus community on Sept. 30 by UNA Chief of Police Bob Pastula contained a numerical error in the category of forcible sexual offense. The report will be corrected to contain accurate numbers before being submitted to the federal government on Oct. 16, as misreporting could cost $35,000 in fines, he said.

In the report, five forcible sexual assaults are recorded for the year of 2012, though this number is actually three, with the one on campus crime occurring in the parking deck last September, as indicated

by UNA’s crime logs.

The other two recorded acts occurred at what the report refers to as non-campus locations, which are defined as university locations not geographically connected to a campus, according to the report. These crimes cannot be found in the university police’s monthly crime logs and the police were not aware of their occurring until after the fact, Pastula said.

“The information found in the crime ;MM ;<18-6, XIOM ) logs is stuff that occurred on campus, and

also pertains to anything that campus police responded to,” Pastula said. “Those two non-campus assaults are studenton-student events that did not happen on campus and we did not respond to them because we were not aware.”

Although the police were unable to respond to the two crimes, they were investigated, appear in the annual Clery Crime Report and do not appear in the crime logs, Pastula said.

The Clery Act does not require records of off campus crimes to be displayed in the annual report, since these are often out of the campus’ jurisdiction. Campus police will investigate any crimes relevant to the campus community, Pastula said.

“That’s per the guidelines of Clery,” said Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields. “It’s not that we would hide (an off campus crime). Clery was designed to provide people with crime statistics for the campus and places that the university has had control of.”

Officials are being conservative with recording what crime happens off campus, since so many students live off campus, Shields said.

“We deal with off-campus behavior, it’s in our code of conduct,” Shields said.

“As a university we will deal with the off campus behavior of our students if it has a negative and adverse affect on the university and if it’s student on student. So again, it may not be reported here but that does not mean that we are not going to deal with it as a university.”

Katie Evans, a sophomore, said that, due to events from the previous school year, she does not feel safe on campus.

“With everything that happened last year, it doesn’t really look like officials are doing much to prevent those same things from happening again, and even if they are, they aren’t doing anything to make the students feel more safe,” Evans said. “Living in Lagrange, I feel a little safer than I would living in Rivers or Rice. I’m afraid to park in the parking deck after dark, and I’m generally afraid to leave my building at night alone, even to just take my trash to the dumpster or get food or something like that. “ She was unaware of events like Breakfast with the Chief, which Pastula hosts monthly to meet with students about campus safety. She also wishes that officials would do more events on campus to outwardly show that they are concerned

;MM :-87:< XIOM )

NEWS 3A

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

CRIME

Report reveals rise in on-campus liquor law violations TEENA PATEL

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ \XI\MT (]VI ML] The Clery Crime Report indicates on campus liquor law violations have increased.

There was an increase of 31 referrals between 2011 and 2012, going from 72 referrals to 103 referrals, according to the Clery Crime Report released by the UNA Police Department.

Violations increased by nine referrals between 2010 and 2011, going from 63 referrals to 72 referrals, according to the report.

A liquor law violation at UNA consists of the use, possession or distribution of alcohol by any student under 21, said Assistant Director of Residence Life RJ Chittams.

“I think it’s kind of the norm,” said Bob Pastula, UNA police chief. “I think we’re under (the) norm. I think (liquor law violation) happens more at other places than it does here.”

On campus liquor law violations can be violations that have taken place on campus property, such as at the intramural or the football fields, Pastula said.

“If you go to a campus and you have zero liquor law violations, I would scrutinize their entire records because I’ve never seen a campus with a zero,” said Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields. “I’d like to see (the crime numbers) all be zeros, but I guess that’s an unrealistic thing.”

Higher numbers in crime reports sometimes indicate policing efforts have

photo illustration by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Empty liquor bottles line the interior of a dorm-sized refrigerator. The university’s 2013 Clery Report indicates an increase of 31 case referrals for on campus liquor law violations from 2011 to 2012.

improved, Shields said.

While on campus liquor law violations have been increasing, violations within campus housing have not correlated with referrals for on campus violations, according to the report. There were 27 liquor law violation referrals in campus housing in 2010. The referrals

CRIME

No weapons possession arrests for three years ELISE COFIELD

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ UMKWNQMTL(]VI ML] The 2013 Clery Report, released Sept.

30, showed that no arrests have been made for weapons possession — neither carrying without a permit or for attempting to conceal an illegal weapon — since two in 2010.

The only offense involving a gun this year has been a judicial referral, said Chief of University Police Bob Pastula.

Police confiscated a gun from a student who was legally licensed to carry because of his job on March 3. The weapon was concealed, and Pastula said the individual had forgotten to take off his weapon before entering campus. “(The offender) was a security guard who had just gotten off work,” Pastula said.

The case will appear as an illegal weapons violation on next year’s report, Pastula said.

The offender was not arrested because he was carrying the gun in a non-malicious manner, Pastula said.

“We take every situation by circumstance,” he said.

The weapons policy strictly forbids gun carry on campus. Violations to the policy are handled by university police and are accounted for in the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report, also

known as the Clery Report.

“Carrying deadly weapons, concealed or openly,” or even an attempt to do so, violates university law and can justify arrest, according to the report.

The Clery Report does, however, account for four non-arrest illegal weapons violations in 2012. When the offender is not arrested, the incident is filed as an “Illegal Weapons Violation.”

”

WE NEED TO PREPARE BY ASKING PEOPLE

HOW THEY WOULD RESPOND IF THEY WITNESSED SOMEONE CARRYING A GUN.

JACOB DAWSON These cases involve forbidden weapons of any kind — not just guns — and were referred to Judicial for disciplinary action, according to the report.

Whether or not they agree with the policy in effect, students Jacob Dawson and Jesse Pope said they are aware of its stipulations.

Campus police are responsible for setting clear policies in place, while students have a responsibility to follow them

;MM ?-)876; XIOM )

increased to 29 referrals in 2011. Liquor law violations in campus housing went down by four referrals, going from 29 referrals to 25 referrals, in 2012, according to the report.

The residence life staff follows the university’s policy for alcohol use in on campus housing, Chittams said.

“The way the numbers are broken is not individual instances but students involved,” Chittams said. “So, where for 2012 you see 25 reported liquor law violations, that could — and, again, this is speculation and this is just explaining

;MM 419=7: XIOM )

4A IMAGES

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

Members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity rock and roll through Downtown Florence during the homecoming parade.

LET THE GOOD TIMES

ROAR

Homecoming showcases unique spins on theme DALLAS MOORE

;\INN 8PW\WOZIXPMZ LJUWWZM(]VI ML]

Over the past couple of weeks, students across campus — myself included — have been preparing for homecoming. The theme this year, Let The Good Times Roar, has been interpreted in many ways across campus.

This diversity could be seen at the homecoming parade the day of the big game. Floats of many shapes, sizes and colors made their way through downtown, painting the community with shades of purple and gold.

Staff Photographer Roger Wang and The Flor-Ala Editor-in-Chief Corinne Beckinger wave as the Prince and Princess of Student Media.

Grace-Leoncia Ayika and Yemi Adewolu represent the African Student Organization during the homecoming parade.

Kids threw their arms out for candy and echoed their best imitations of Leo and Una down Court Street.

In addition to the parade, the spirit competition included window painting on Tuesday and a pep cheer at the spirit rally on Friday night. Competing organizations received recognition at the big game where UNA triumphed over the University of West Georgia.

After seeing the dedication and pride that went into Spirit Week and homecoming as a whole, there is no doubt in my mind that the campus and community helped push the Lions to a victory last weekend.

Check florala.net for more Homecoming 2013 photos.

Members of Phi Mu sorority show off their pink poodle skirts during the homecoming parade.

NEWS 5A

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

HEALTH

New technology could lead to earlier breast cancer detection KAITLYN TEW

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ S\M_(]VI ML]

New breakthroughs in mammography technology could lead to lowered numbers of those affected by breast cancer in the United States.

It is estimated that one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society’s website and confirmed by a cancer information specialist.

The new 3-D mammography technology allows experts to see more than they normally would with regular 2-D technology, said Julie Armstrong, Lead Mammography Tech at Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham.

“Instead of just getting the one 2-D picture, what it does is it takes pictures at different angles while you’re still in the compression and then we’re able to use our computer and scroll through the breast,” Armstrong said. “You can kind of see slices and we can see throughout the breast instead of just that one picture.

“Sometimes people will have dense tissue and we can see if there’s anything hiding out in that which you normally wouldn’t be able to see on a regular 2-D picture.”

The new technology helps to aid in early detection, she said.

Early detection and prevention is important because so many women are affected by breast cancer in the U.S., said Alex Kelley, director of philanthrophy for Zeta Tau Alpha at UNA. “Over 250,000 women under the age of 40 have been diagnosed in the U.S. so that’s not just older women who have been affected, but women who are our age, too,” she said.

Earlier detection is imporant to freshman Devin Hale, he said.

“After prevention, it seems like early detection would be the key to curing it,” Hale said.

Hale’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo chemotheraphy and surgical treatments.

“She’s fine now, and it’s because they found it so quickly,” he said. “We have good doctors and technology and stuff, but after a certain point sometimes there’s nothing that they can do, so early detection is key.”

Hale also said he believes awareness is

important.

“Breast cancer awareness is important because if you don’t have someone in your family who has breast cancer, it’s hard to remember that it’s still a problem,” Hale said. “If it doesn’t happen to you or someone close to you, it doesn’t seem like it’s that big of a deal. Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us that it’s still a problem, and it’s still important.”

Sophomore Ashlyn Riley believes awareness and education is important, she said.

“It just helps people become aware of it and know the signs to go into the doc-

”

OVER 250,000 WOMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 40 HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED IN THE U.S. SO THATʼS NOT JUST OLDER WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, BUT WOMEN WHO ARE OUR AGE TOO.

ALEX KELLEY tor and to raise money for finding a cure for it,” Riley said. “The more people know about it, the more they know the signs of what to do.”

There are many ways for students to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness during the final weeks of October at UNA, Kelley said.

“We’re always accepting donations and we are collecting pink yogurt lids from Yoplait,” Kelley said. “We have these pink ribbons right now that we’re giving when people give donations so that way everyone can put them on their car windows.”

Kelley also said the Oct. 19 home football game will be a Pink-Out game, during which time fans will have several ways to donate and show their support.

“Everyone come out and support,” Kelley said. “We’ll have the pink pompoms. Everyone wear their pink and we’ll have the balloon release beforehand if they want to show up and watch that.

“We’re fighting for our mothers and sisters, not just the ones who are diagnosed, but the ones who will be diagnosed in the future.”

Editor’s note: Editor-in-Chief Corinne Beckinger is a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and did not contribute to the reporting of this story.

photo illustration by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Every three minutes a person is diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States, according to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer’s website. New advancements in research, like 3-D mammography technology, could help to lower that number.

See your ad in this space!

Sponsor The Flor-Ala crossword for as little as $40 a week.

Find out how: businessteam@florala.net or 256-765-4427

6A NEWS :-87:< KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) about campus safety, she said.

“The only thing we can really see that they’re doing is SNAP, which isn’t even really a thing most of the time any more,” Evans said. “The golf cart is usually just sitting outside unattended. And like I said, I’m sure they are actually doing more than that, but they aren’t really doing much for the students to see for themselves and help them to be a little more at peace here.”

As a male, Austin Park, a sophomore, said he feels safer on campus but also believes that the university is working hard to protect students.

“I feel like UNA has a very safe community surrounding the campus,” Park said. “I also feel like the police have a very quick response time.”

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

ALUMNI

Inaugural jam session sees low turn out

7*)5)+):- KWV\QV ]ML NZWU XIOM ) and health insurance takes a bite out of your monthly finances.”

What happens if I’m uninsured and don’t sign up?

Young adults are among the most uninsured individuals, but approximately 75 percent of those ages 18 to 25 believe health insurance is critical and worth the costs, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll.

Those who do not sign up for coverage and do not qualify for exemption could face penalty fines each year. The fines start out at $95 for the first year, but increase dramatically over subsequent years and could be pulled from federal tax returns.

“I understand that this is supposed to be good, but it’s forcing you into healthcare,” said senior Ciara Gremillion.

“There are high premium rates, but the opt-out fines are high, too. And there are repercussions for opt-out fines that aren’t paid. I’m a first-generation college student, so this is just making it even harder for me and people like me.”

Pleasing everyone with prices and consequences is not possible, said student Dechelle Robinson.

“Not everyone is going to be happy, but everyone needs insurance,” she said.

“Thinking long-term, it will be beneficial.”

Isn’t the government shutdown because of this law? What’s that about?

The government shutdown began Tuesday, Oct. 1, when House Republicans and Senate Democrats could not reach an agreement on funding the new law. The House is calling for a repeal and defunding of part of the law, while Senate is refusing to do so.

“The government is responsible for passing budgets and then appropriating the money for the activities of the government,” said Tim Collins, political science professor, in an earlier interview with The Flor-Ala. “So, as a result, if they reach those deadlines and they haven’t appropriated that money, they have to shutdown the government.”

Before citizens can be enthusiastic about ObamaCare, officials should lead by example, Oliver said.

“If it’s going to be forced, it needs to be embraced by the government first.”

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Alumnus Jamie McFarlane and student Trey Hardin laugh during a break between songs at the inaugural alumni and student jam session on Friday, Oct. 11. The event was held at the Entertainment Industry Department’s Mane Room facility.

SIERRA KENNEDY

;MVQWZ ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IPIZSMa(]VI ML] The inaugural alumni and student jam session was hosted by the Entertainment Industry Department, following the homecoming pep rally on Friday, Oct. 11.

While only a dozen alumni and students attended the jam session, those who participated in the session enjoyed it, said Trey Hardin, student who acted as master of ceremonies.

“Turnouts at these events always vary, but I’m always looking to perform locally, so I appreciate the opportunity to perform,” Hardin said. “It is always fun to perform in a setting such as this jam session.”

The alumni and student jam session was a way for the Entertainment Industry Department to reach out to alumni for homecoming and show off their new facility, the Mane Room on West Tombigbee Street, said Bob Garfrerick, director of the department of entertainment indus-

try.

“The event is simply an informal get together for students and alumni to come and jam,” Garfrerick said. “The public is invited and it’s free.”

Even though Hardin lead the session, other students and alumni took turns singing and playing guitar, bass guitar and drums.

“I always enjoy being involved in the Entertainment Department’s events, so

;MM 2)5 XIOM )

ENTERTAINMENT

Department holds panel for homecoming DERRICK FLYNN

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ LNTaVV(]VI ML] The Department of Entertainment Industry hosted a special panel discussion featuring prominent figure Rick Hall, founder of FAME recording studios world and renowned producer, for homecoming week on Friday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. in the Mane Room in downtown Florence.

The panel consisted of all three head faculty members of the department. Head entertainment industry faculty members Bob Garfrerick, Janna Malone and Walt Aldridge led the panel discussion. All of them had each previously worked beside Hall during their time at his recording studio.

Rick Hall arrived in front of the audience to talk about his strong influence in the music industry and how he achieved his success as a music producer and businessman during the challenges that were displayed from 1960 to 1970 in the award-winning film, “Muscle Shoals.”

“He’s been a huge impact on the music industry,” said Garfrerick. “That’s what the film is about. He’s considered the instigator. He’s the one who really made it first.”

He relied on past experiences to become successful, Hall said.

“One of the things that pulled me on

with hope was the fact that I had grew up so hard and so tough,” said Hall. “I was always a dogmatic worker. Nothing was quite good enough for me. My dad taught me that you can’t be just number one just around home. To be more than that, you would have to work long hours without pay. But once you get a hold of that success, don’t let go.”

Hall also wanted to surround himself with people who wanted to make a name for them-selves, he said.

“All of my colleagues wanted the same thing that I felt,” said Hall. “I surrounded myself with people that had the same intentions as I did and wanted to be special. I wanted to be around people that wanted to go down in the history books somehow.”

Department of Entertainment Industry professor Aldridge praised Hall’s recording studio for having an open door to new talent.

“You just don’t see a lot of music centers that do that,” said Aldridge. “That is something that is unique to Muscle Shoals and I credit him with that.”

Hall dealt with racial adversity throughout his life aside from his personal obstacles, he said.

“We though we had a hit record from Jimmy Hughes at the time,” said Hall.

“And so, we borrowed a car from my

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Local recording producer Rick Hall takes audience questions at the “coffee talk” panel on Friday, Oct. 12.

father-in-law and went from Florence to places such as Louisiana to Arkansas to stop at every black radio station that had a tower. We had the courage to say we think we have a hit record here, and I don’t have any money to show for it, but if you’ll just play our record and if we have a hit we will never forget about you.”

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

CORINNE BECKINGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BLYTHE STEELMAN MANAGING EDITOR PACE HOLDBROOKS NEWS EDITOR KALI DANIEL LIFE EDITOR JAMES DUBUISSON SPORTS EDITOR ANNA GRACE USERY ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER KEVEN RIVERA-ORTIZ GRAPHIC DESIGNER LELA AARON-VICENTE CIRCULATION MANAGER WILEY BELEW WALTER HARTLEY KAYLA STINNETT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ALLI OWNBY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH HOLLIDAY DALLAS MOORE ROGER WANG STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

Letters Policy

1 person, purchase could fund cure CORINNE BECKINGER -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

Cancer. It’s a word that our society has seemed to become immune to lately. We know it can cause harm. We know it’s affected far too many people across the globe. But, being humans, the “out of sight, out of mind” rule seems to take precedent, and the word doesn’t truly strike a nerve with someone until a person close to him or her has been affected by the awful disease.

In April 2010, shortly before my high school graduation, cancer became a part of my family. After a fun spring break in New York City with my parents, my sister and I were told my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I

felt numb. Our mother, the one who could wipe away tears, come up with a solution to any problem at a moment’s notice and hold our family together through multiple deployments, had been diagnosed with a disease she had no control over.

Overnight, a word that we had only vaguely understood before had situated itself comfortably in our living room while we watched TV, at the dinner table with us while we ate dinner and it snuggled up in bed with us at night. Cancer was not just a problem for other families to solve; it was our problem, too. Overnight, it had invaded our home and made itself a member of our family.

But we acted out our parts like we were characters in some sort of 90s family sitcom — we treated my mother’s cancer like it was a common cold and tried to keep it out of sight and out of mind. We laughed with my mom as she made her way through treatments over the following weeks. We were upbeat and positive. We pretended we didn’t notice the way she gri-

maced when her shirt touched her tender skin from her radiation treatments.

We all breathed a sigh of relief when my mom got the news she was cancer-free.

We were the lucky ones.

My mom’s diagnosis could have been so much worse, and the outcome entirely different, but thanks to early detection and a group of supportive doctors, her treatments were minimal.

One in eight women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. It could be your sister, friend, girlfriend, grandmother or even your own mother. Some of these women — and men — are not as lucky as my mom was.

A few months after my mom’s treatments, I pledged into a sorority whose philanthropy work focused on breast cancer education and awareness. I knew I had made the right choice when each and every girl smiled and welcomed not only my mom at the Race for the Cure that October in

Congratulations to our Writer and Photographer of the Week!

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Birmingham but each survivor or fighter of breast cancer. To those girls, cancer wasn’t just a word. It was a problem, but it was a problem we could fix together. To those girls, and to all those who wore pink that day, there was hope.

Every pink ribbon sold, every pink sock worn by a National Football League player and every pink yogurt lid collected helps to fund research so the number of men and women affected by breast cancer can decrease.

But pink shouldn’t be mentioned only in October. Awareness and education should continue year-round.

With the new breakthroughs in treatments and heightened awareness of this disease, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer could drastically decrease. One person and one purchase could make all the difference in finding a cure.

With any luck, in a few years cancer — at least breast cancer — could become just another meaningless, harmless word.

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Interested in writing for The Flor-Ala? Come to our writersʼ meeting every Sunday at 4 p.m.

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8A NEWS

Oct. 17, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

;<18-6, KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) the money he receives from the stipend, though it has not seriously affect his finances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more of an inconvenience (and) annoyance that some of our money is being delayed, but with that being said we will be back-paid as soon as things are straightened out,â&#x20AC;? Kirk said.

Kirk and Smith both said they hope the shutdown will be resolved soon, since it affects anyone with financial ties to the military. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find it absolutely ridiculous that I signed up to serve my country and fight for the people, but yet Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m being put on the backburner,â&#x20AC;? Smith said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It seems as though my devotion to this nation isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough. I pray that this governmental hiatus ends soon so I can resume the job I love: serving the people of the United States.â&#x20AC;?

419=7: KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) how the numbers work â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but there could be one situation where there are 10 people present. So for Clery numbers, that equals 10.â&#x20AC;?

Chittams said he has been employed at three other universities before being employed at UNA. UNA has had the lowest number of liquor law violations in campus housing of any university he has ever been employed by, he said.

Student Katie Lindsay said alcohol rules at UNA are reasonable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel that the alcohol rules are reasonable because (residence life officials) follow the federal laws,â&#x20AC;? Lindsay said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re under 21, you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in possession of alcohol according to federal law, so it makes sense that you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allowed to have it in your dorm room at that age.â&#x20AC;?

UNA student Adrienne Mechaw said she feels neutral about liquor laws. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink personally, so it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect me,â&#x20AC;? Mechaw said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other people can do what they want. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m kind of neutral about the alcohol rules on campus.â&#x20AC;?

UNA does a good job of being proactive and educating students about alcohol, Chittams said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of how UNA educates students in response to those issues, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also proud in our student body and how students at UNA approach alcohol,â&#x20AC;?

Chittams said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is something that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve honestly never seen before.â&#x20AC;?

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: News Editor Pace Holdbrooks contributed to the reporting of this story.

?-)876; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) and prepare for the worst-case scenario, Dawson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to prepare by asking people how they would respond if they witnessed someone carrying a gun,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on the police to do everything for us.

Pope has held a gun license since he turned 18 several months ago, and his father is a gun dealer. He knows and follows the weapons policy but said he wishes concealed carry was an option. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you go to the effort of going through all the steps of getting licensed to legally carry, I absolutely think the person should have that right on campus, too,â&#x20AC;? he said.

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Alumnus Chad Burdine plays drums during the inaugural alumni and student jam session. The event was hosted by the Department of Entertainment Industry in an effort to reach out to alumni for homecoming, said Bob Garfrerick.

2)5 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) I definitely wanted to help out with this one,â&#x20AC;? Hardin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These events take the pressure off of anyone who might be nervous to perform because everyone is encouraged to get on stage and sing or play.â&#x20AC;?

Those performing in the jam session played more than a dozen songs that con-

sisted of mainly classic rock and country genre covers, Hardin said. Alumni and students were provided with refreshments including, including coffee and cake, while they listened to the performances.

Katie Swann, a senior, said she enjoyed the jam and hopes it will become an annual homecoming event, although she is unsure of how the department wishes to participate in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The alumni and student jam session is a way for the (Entertainment Industry)

Department to be involved in the homecoming festivities,â&#x20AC;? Swann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a lot of fun because the community was invited to watch and it was a free event.â&#x20AC;?

She was encouraged to see young and older generations of performers that have studied at the university share the stage together, Swann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have so many students at UNA who are performers, it was great to see all the talent that took the stage,â&#x20AC;? Swann said.

SGA

Senate talks retention, hirings, smoking SIERRA KENNEDY

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ [SMVVMLa (]VI ML] Members of SGA Senate met to discuss the abolishment of leadership scholarships, the hiring of new officers for the university police force and the potential smoke-free campus policy on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Leadership scholarships will be abolished next school year in an effort to increase the retention rate at UNA. The Scholarship Committee made the decision, said SGA Senate Budget Oversight Chairman Tyrie Fletcher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Scholarship Committee voted to do away with leadership scholarships next year and the scholarship money will go towards incoming freshmen who make between a 21 and a 24 on the ACT,â&#x20AC;?

Fletcher said.

He attended the Scholarship Committee meeting in place of SGA President, Laura Giles, Fletcher said.

The Scholarship Committee voted to do away with the leadership scholarships as a way to increase the retention rate.

The more people that are offered a scholarship are more likely to stay at UNA, Fletcher said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (Scholarship Committee) will

do away with the leadership scholarship in the fall of 2015,â&#x20AC;? Fletcher said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They then will start to award freshmen who made between a 23 and a 24 on their ACT to see how the change goes.â&#x20AC;?

Once the numbers are released after the Scholarship Committee awards freshmen who made a 23 and 24 on their ACT, they will then open it up to those who made a between a 21 and 24, Fletcher said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the Scholarship Committee voted to do away with leadership scholarships, they then went to the Budget Committee and asked for an increase of money,â&#x20AC;? Fletcher said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Committee approved the Scholarship Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request.â&#x20AC;?

Senate also discussed the hiring of four potential UNA policemen.

SGA Senate members were able to meet four UNA Police Department candidates who applied for a position with the department. The candidates talked about themselves and their law force experience to the Senators.

Senators then asked the candidates questions regarding their experience as a police officer in a university setting and how they would get along and interact with students. The Senators also ranked the four candidate based on who they

liked best and least.

The progress of smoking and tobacco free petitions that members were instructed to talk about to students on campus was also discussed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;UNA and four other major campuses in Alabama are the only ones who are not smoke free,â&#x20AC;? said Sarah Emerson, SGA Senate Pro-tempore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and UAH (University of Alabama Huntsville) have just gone smoke free on their campuses.â&#x20AC;?

SGA Senate members are encourage to get inform students about the benefits of a smoke and tobacco free campus.

Senators will be getting feedback from the student body before they decided to vote on a bill that would allow a smoke and tobacco free campus.

SGA Senate voted to continue using the online voting system that is used for students to vote for SGA officer elections and homecoming elections.

RSO Orgsync training will be at the GUC Performance Center at 5 p.m. on Oct. 21. Purpose of the training is for new RSOs or those who missed the original training.

SGA will be hosting a fall carnival at the amphitheatre from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 7.

SPORTS SCORES

SECTION B

Oct. 17, 2013• The Flor-Ala • Sports Editor: James Dubuisson 256-765-5098

FOOTBALL

Week of Oct. 9- 14 Friday, Oct. 11 VOLLEYBALL

HOMECOMING VICTORY

UNA @ Shorter University 25-17, 25-22, 25-10 Loss

Saturday, Oct. 12

VOLLEYBALL

UNA @ Lee University 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 Loss

FOOTBALL UNA vs. University of West Georgia 38-21 Win

WOMENʼS CROSS COUNTRY Montevallo Falcon Classic Team: 1st Place Individual: Olivia Brady Time: 25:09 5th Overall Individually (Best UNA Individual Finisher) photo by DALLAS MOORE I Staff Photographer

MENʼS CROSS COUNTRY

Tavarius Wilson dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Lions 38-21 win over UWG. The touchdown occurred after Wilson intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards.

Montevallo Falcon Classic Team: 5th Place Individual: Clay Oden MATT SULESKI ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ Time: 29:57 UU[]TM[SQ(]VI ML] 18th Overall Individually (Best UNA Individual The Lions forced five turnFinisher) overs en route to a 38-21 victory

Focus shifts to Texas A&M-Kingsville

RUGBY UNA @ Covenant College 41-38 Win

over the University West Georgia Saturday, Oct. 12 at Braly Municipal Stadium.

The Lions now turn their attention to a non-conference opponent as they play host to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 19.

“Well it’s an advantage (to not have to travel,) but we won last year so you can’t say it is an advantage that is going to win you the game,” said head coach Bobby Wallace.

The Javelinas are coming to Florence looking to get back on track after dropping their last three games.

After a 3-0 start, Kingsville has struggled to get a win, with

all of their losses coming by double digits, including one loss by 62 points.

“Last year the game came down to the wire,” said defensive coordinator Chris Willis.

“And just like we wanted revenge on West Georgia, I’m sure their going to want some revenge on us.”

Last year the Lions defeated Kingsville 21-16.

The Javelinas like to keep the ball on the ground, and they feature a running game that has averaged 146.5 per game.

A loss to Kingsville does not hurt UNA’s playoff chances, but Wallace said he understands the importance of winning every game.

“We lost to Jacksonville and

;MM .77<*)44 XIOM *

Basketball, baseball teams host alumni games See page 2B

photo by JAMES DUBUISSON I Sports Editor

IN THIS SECTION

Russell Athletics Sponsor UNA teams See page 3B

Previews for the week of Oct. 17-24 See page 3B

AAlumni Concert ʻamazingʼ See page 5B

The purpose of marriage See page 6B

2B SPORTS

Oct. 17, 2013 • The The Flor-Ala

ALUMNI

Former student athletes return for alumni games JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

The men’s basketball and baseball teams held scrimmages on homecoming weekend.

The UNA men’s basketball team hosted an alumni game that featured 14 former Lion basketball players on Friday, Oct. 11.

“I enjoyed seeing the 20-25 alums that came and played,” said head basketball coach Bobby Champagne. “Just listening to them tell some stories and have a good time was a lot of fun.”

Champagne was surprised to see some the players who were there, he said. photo by JAMES DUBUISSON I Sports Editor The former players who were at the game played in the 80s, 90s, 2000s and The alumni basketball players take a team photo following their Oct. 11 game. The men’s basketball and baseball teams the 2010s, which caught Champagne off hosted alumni games and scrimmages during homecoming weekend. importance out of the game, he said. guard, he said.

“We got some talent, we got depth,” have been here since 1988, so all (of us) “They were out here running up and Champagne said. “How hard we play and are a part of the UNA way of playing.”

“Obviously, there were guys who The team was allowed to host the played here in the past 10 or 12 years, down the court having a little fun. It gets committing to getting rebounds will be game due to an NCAA rule that allows but there were also guys who played in serious next week,” he said. key for us. “ The team will begin practicing this the early 80s and were the reason for a Freshman guard Jeff Hodge was baseball teams to practice 25 times over couple of the banners hanging in here,” week and will play their first game on named to the GSC Top Newcomers team. a 45-day period, Athletic Director Mark Champagne said.

Nov. 9 against Stillman College in HuntsThe baseball team also hosted an Linder said.

The alumni game counted as one of Champagne has high hopes for the ville. alumni game on Saturday, Oct. 12. “(The scrimmage) was the last time future of the alumni game, he said.

The 2014 baseball team faced off the 25 practices the team could have. The game gave the Lions a chance to see the “Next homecoming, it will hopefully for them to try and relax and play before against former UNA baseball players. be a little bigger and a couple more guys we strap it on for real next week,” ChamHead baseball coach Mike Keehn team in live-game action.

“I coach our team and we use it to show up,” he said. pagne said. thinks it is important to keep the alumni work on our system,” Keehn said. “I am The 2013-2014 men’s basketball The Lions were picked as preseason involved in the program, he said. team played an intersquad scrimmage favorites to win the GSC title. Bruce Ad“I think that UNA baseball is unique more serious than the alumni, but it is after the alumni game. ams was named to the preseason All-GSC because of how long the coaches have ;MM )4=561 XIOM * Champagne did not get anything of team. been a part of the program,” he said. “I

SPORTS 3B Russell Brands sponsors uniforms, gear Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

APPAREL

AUSTIN PEACOCK

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ IXMIKWKS(]VI ML]

The university signed a contract on May 22, 2012, that made Russell Brands the athletic apparel sponsor of all university sports, with the exception of women’s soccer.

“We had sent out a request for proposal to three apparel providers — Nike, Adidas and Russell,” said Athletic Director Mark Linder. “Russell was the first to respond and we quickly worked out a deal.”

The university was sponsored by Nike from 2009 to 2012 but decided to go with Russell for branding reasons, Linder said.

“We really felt like Russell saw the true value of the UNA brand and that helped ease our decision,” Linder said.

The quality of the brand had a big impact on the choice to go with Russell, he said.

“We are really excited about this new deal,” he said. “We think Russell is a fantastic brand with a number of quality products.”

Russell will provide game apparel, practice apparel, travel apparel, workout apparel, sideline apparel and active wear for UNA athletics, according to the contract provided by the athletic department.

The value, discount and free gear that Russell offers were the biggest reasons UNA went with them over Nike, Linder said.

“Like I said before, we felt like Russell saw the true value of UNA,” he said.

“Russell also offered us a significantly file photo by DALLAS MOORE I Staff Photographer larger discount on apparel and more acCaleb Massey unstraps his helmet in the Lions Sept. 21 game against Delta State. Massey is wearing the Lions new Russell cess to free gear.”

The money the university does get uniforms. UNA athletic teams must wear official Russell gear until the 2016-2017 academic year, because of a contract will be disbursed amongst each individual signed in 2012. sport, Linder said.

Teams with fewer student athletes will receive less money than sports with more student athletes, he said.

The contract with Russell is a five-year deal that began during the 2012-2013 academic year and will expire after the completion of the 2016-2017 academic year.

Russell holds the right to negotiate a new contract with the university at the end of the 2015-2016 academic year, according to the contract.

Editor’s note: Page two of the contract reads, “Russell shall also provide, as a credit valued at retail prices, the performance incentives set forth in Exhibit C.” The athletic department did not provide The Flor-Ala with Exhibit C of the contract.

APPAREL CONTRACTS

BY THE NUMBERS • NIKE, INC. PROVIDED $12,000 PER YEAR IN EQUIPMENT FROM 2009 TO 2012.

• NIKE PROVIDED 40 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON APPAREL AND 35 PERCENT OFF FOOTWEAR FROM 2009 TO 2012.

• RUSSELL PROVIDES $25,000 A YEAR IN APPAREL. • RUSSELL OFFERS 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON ALL OTHER GEAR. • RUSSELL SAYS $25,000 WOULD HAVE DOUBLED HAD THE UNIVERSITY STAYED ON TRACK FOR DIVISION I PLANS. • RUSSELL CONTRACT EFFECTIVE FROM 2012 TO 2017.

photo courtesy of UNA Sports Information

Former UNA receiver Daniel Almon celebrates after a touchdown against Harding University in 2011. Lion athletics were sponsored by Nike from 2009 to 2012.

4B SPORTS

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

PREVIEWS

Lions focus on future, look to improve records day Oct. 16 and will not play again until they travel to Rome, Ga. to play Shorter University on Oct. 24.

Under first year head coach Chris Walker, UNA has had a losing season so far.

The Lions have had to travel to many of their matches, having only six home matches in the regular season.

Cross Country The Cross Country teams will have a week off before they travel to Birmingham to run in the Gulf South Conference Champhionship on Oct. 26.

The women’s team struggled in their first three meets but were able to win their first meet since 2007 as a program in the Falcon Classic in Montevallo on Oct. 12.

The men’s team finished fifth in the Falcon Classic.

Golf The golf team’s tournament will be held in Killen. UNA will host the TVA Credit Union Classic on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.

The team won its first tournament but finished tenth out of 18 in their last tournament.

Football The Lions will host Texas A&MKingsville on Sat. Oct. 19.

UNA is 3-2 halfway through the season and look to improve over a 1-4 second half they had last season.

The game against Texas A&MKingsville will be a good start to that second half. photo by DALLAS MOORE I Staff Photographer

Tim Smith looks into the Braly Stadium stands while preparing to run through the Lion’s mouth and smoke onto the field. The UNA football team will host Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 19.

JAMES DUBUISSON ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

UNA’s fall sports seasons are heading into the end of their respective regular seasons.

A few teams have off weeks while others compete in multiple games.

Volleyball The Lions will travel to Pensacola, Fla. to play in four matches in the West Florida South Region Crossover.

The young UNA team has struggled this season. They have been swept in eight out of their 12 losses and have lost

)4=561 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *

.77<*)44 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *

always good to see how many still can play.”

The enjoyment and lessons learned are the most important part of the game, Keehn said, “The alumni enjoy (the game) a lot and I always think it is good to see some former All-Americans up close,” Keehn said.

Keehn, much like Champagne, said he did not get too much out of the game.

“It is hard in the fall to judge your team for the spring,” he said. “We need to continue to work hard, know the signals and be perfect on our execution.”

The baseball team will also be focusing on the leadership of the team both on and off the field, he said.

“We need to find a leader who will take charge and trust each other to be at their best every day,” he said.

that carried over to Delta,” Wallace said.

“After beating Shorter after the bye, that momentum carried into the West Georgia Game, and I’m hoping this momentum carries over to (Texas A&M) Kingsville.”

UNA is heading into the second half of the season 3-2. The Lions started last season with a 4-1 record but finished the season by losing four out of the five remaining regular season games.

“I hope experience helps us, we got tough games,” Wallace said. “We have to play well to win.”

Experience is going to be important for the Lions in the second half of the season, Wallace said.

The game against UWG was important for UNA, he said.

“I thought it was a big game for us, it was a big win,” Wallace said. “I know how good West Georgia can be and espe-

all of their true away games.

Hope Rayburn, the sole senior, has 502 assists and 53 kills this season. She is one of two Lion players who has played all 55 sets this season.

Rugby The UNA club rugby team will play their third match of the season against Middle Tennessee State University in Veterans Park on Oct. 19.

The rugby team is 2-1 this season.

The one loss came from their D-1 opponent, the University of Memphis.

Soccer The Lions had senior night Wednescially if you let them do the things they do best. I am proud of our players.

The Lions were four for nine passing on the evening for 19 yards.

“They did a good job in the secondary reading pass and run,” said offensive coordinator Cody Gross. “There were a few things that we could have done, but I did not see the need in doing it.”

The Lions gained 294 yards on the ground on 55 attempts. Senior Chris Coffey led the way with 109 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Luke Wingo chipped in with 100 yards on 18 carries.

LaMonte Thompson, UNA’s leading rusher, came into the game dressed but did not play in the game against UWG, Gross said.

“He was ready. He was ready to go and we were going to see what the situation was,” Wallace said. “And not to see we did not need him, but we were able to get by without him. And that was the best for him and the football team.”

With Thomspon out of the game, Coffey was given the majority of the

carries.

“We knew heading into the game and we talked about it in our staff meeting, that (Coffey) would have to carry it as many time as his number, which is 26,” Wallace said.

Coffey did the easy part in the running game, he said.

“I have to give all thanks to the Oline and receivers for blocking for me,” Coffey said. “(My) 100 yards is their 100 yards, I just do the easy part.”

Defensively, UNA put up six points of their own and caused five turnovers.

“The difference between us and them was turnovers and our ability to throw the ball when we needed to,” said Wallace.

The Lions held West Georgia to eight completions on 20 attempts with 62 yards passing and picked off the two West Georgia quarterbacks on three occasions.

UNA improved their overall record to 3-2 and their conference record to 2-2.

LIFE 5B

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

ALUMNI

Secret Sisters, firekid play homecoming as alumni MARI WILLIAMS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ U_QTTQIU[ (]VI ML]

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

The Secret Sisters and firekid (Dillon and Elise Hodges) performed Oct. 10 in Norton Auditorium.

The Secret Sisters’ Lydia (pictured) and Laura Rogers performed to benefit the new Science and Technology Building.

The Secret Sisters kicked off homecoming weekend with a blast of traditional country music on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Secret Sisters headlined the annual alumni concert. The melodic duo, whose songs have charted billboards around the globe, grew up just outside Muscle Shoals. Lydia, an alumna, and Laura Rodgers have made appearances on David Letterman and Jay Leno’s Late Night show and were nominated as a New/Emerging Artist by the Americana Music Association in 2011.

Dillon Hodges, also an alumnus of UNA, opened for the sisters.

“It was the homecoming concert, and it really felt like one to me,” Hodges said. “It was great to come home both to my hometown and where I went to school.”

Hodges opened with his band firekid, which included his wife Elise Hodges. firekid debuted their new music for the audience.

“I came in a bit nervous before the show, because it was my first show performing in this format (auditorium),” Hodges said.

“Honestly, it felt like the performance went off without a hitch.”

Following his first song Hodges spoke about performing at his alma mater.

“You’d like to think you’ve come so far since (elementary school),” Hodges said. “But here I am standing 100 yards from my elementary school.”

Student Kayla Slusher said

she enjoyed the concert. Her only regret was that more students did not attend the concert.

“I loved the concert — it was not what I was expecting at all,” she said.

The best expectation from firekid is the unexpected, Hodges said.

“I haven’t been able to predict the last few months at all,” Hodges said. “Hopefully we’ll have some music out for people to listen to early next year.”

After a brief intermission, Kerry Gilbert, vocalist for The Kerry Gilbert Band, introduced The Secret Sisters.

“I just feel like I need to say something about how proud we are of Alabama, especially Muscle Shoals,” Laura Rodgers said after concluding their opening song.

Shoals resident Faye Torstrick said she had never heard of either of the bands that performed.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Torstrick said. “I had seen a (concert advertisement) in the paper and that’s all.”

Torstrick attended the concert believing the music would be from the 40s or 50s by the hairstyles and attire of The Secret Sisters. She said she was delighted by the concert and would absolutely go again.

“The variety was amazing,” Torstrick said. “I made notes to tell my friends.”

Proceeds from the alumni concert will fund the dining area of the new Science and Technology Building.

DRUGS

Cheap, flesh-eating drug enters US, has Russian origin ANNA KATE TIPPETT ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ S\QXXM\\(]VI ML]

photo illustration by DALLAS MOORE | Staff Photographer

Two cases have been discovered in Arizona involving the use of a flesh-eating drug known as Krokodil. Krokodil is not a new drug — it has been causing problems in Russia since it was created in 2002.

However, until September Krokodil had not spread into the United States.

Krokodil is three times cheaper than heroin and provides a much shorter high, but the consequences of using the drug are much worse, according to drugfree.org. Krokodil is highly flammable and eats the user’s flesh from the inside out, leaving them with reptilianlike skin that

resem-

bles a crocodile’s skin, giving Krokodil its name. Some may fear an epidemic and question why anyone would use this drug.

“First of all, I want to know how this got in my country,” said student Chad Miller. “Why, if you know the side effects, would you take it? You’re walking around looking like a zombie just to get high.”

Student Olivia Melvin said she could understand why someone would take the drug.

“If someone’s looking for a more extreme high, I can see why they’d take it,” Melvin said. “You get an effect where the body gets accustomed to a higher and higher tolerance.”

People oftentimes do not care about the consequences of drug abuse, said Alex

Takeuchi, university ombudsman and Sociology professor.

“Those people who go for drugs, whether it’s Krokodil or just regular heroine or any other narcotics, are going after relief, psychological or physical,” Takeuchi said. “I think the main reason why some people are willing to take chances trying this horrible drug out is probably because it’s cheap — that’s the main thing.”

Krokodil was developed in Russia where most people were unable to afford real drugs, Takeuchi said.

“You can cook [Krokodil] at home, getting the right ingredients, which are cheaper and easier to get access to,” Takeuchi said. “We’re talking about a cheap, quick drug that you can

easily get.”

When it comes to drug abuse, there are several different reasons and factors involved.

Because drug abuse is different from other crimes in that it does not involve harming other people, people who would not otherwise commit more serious crimes find substance abuse easier to commit, Takeuchi said.

Finances plays a big role in a person’s decision to abuse drugs, Takeuchi said.

“The economy is getting a little bit better, but overall it’s still pretty bad out there compared to years ago,” Takeuchi said. “I think the hardship is very, very strongly copulated with many other personal level problems

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6B LIFE

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

MARRIAGE

Dating about societal skills, not just marriage partners ANNA KATE TIPPETT ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ I\QXXM\\(]VI ML]

At her Los Angeles Love Seminar in July, Hellen Chen, often known as the Matchmaker of the Century, disclosed that many singles will spend enormous amounts of time and money on their partner in order to continue the romantic actions involved in dating a person. Without committing to marriage, the relationships have a great chance of ending and all of the time and money spent on the partner will have been wasted, Chen said.

“Dating with no marriage-goal in mind іѕ simply taking care of the future spouse of someone еlѕе,” Chen said.

“Over 90 percent of dating ends up in breakups.”

The idea of dating has changed and that the length of time two people date has a lot to do with the outcome, said student Caroline Thomas.

“I think dating should be more casual, like courting,” Thomas said. “I think you should date to get to know and like people, then from there it should not get more serious unless marriage is a possible end result.”

Dating should not have to do with marriage at all, said student Meshaal AlGafis.

“The point of dating is just having

fun,” Al-Gafis said. “People think that dating before getting married is going to help them know each other better, but that’s wrong. We can get to know each other without dating.”

Dating is not just about finding a marriage partner. Dating can actually serve more than one function, said Gabriela Carrasco, UNA assistant professor of psychology.

“By suggesting that dating’s ultimate outcome should be marriage, (Chen) is suggesting that people who date are ready to get married,” Carrasco said. “However, this is not necessarily the case. In order for a marriage to be successful in our society, individuals must possess or acquire certain crucial skills such as patience, clear communication and an understanding of their own relationship expectations. Dating can help an individual acquire these skills through experience, which may require an individual to fail at some dating attempts.”

It will likely take an individual more than one dating partner to learn and practice these necessary skills, Carrasco said.

“Since dating norms in our society frown upon dating more than one individual at a given time, an individual will likely gather this experience by dating more than one person, one person at

;MM 5)::1)/- XIOM *

REVIEW

Greek restaurant has great food, questionable service KALI DANIEL

4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\

The recent closing of The Gyro Shop on Tuscaloosa Street has left some students craving more and wondering where they could get a delicious Greek meal.

Look no further than Olive’s Torch. The restaurant is located on Cloverdale Road, definitely further than walking distance at four miles away.

Walking into the restaurant at 5 p.m., it was surprisingly quiet. A kind server greeted us and led us to a table in the spacious dining room. She handed us menus and let us look around. There was a tiny window to the back kitchen and a couple in the back corner was the only company to our party of eight.

After discussion, we ordered the Pikita for four. Hummus, Tzatziki, Dolmades, olives, boiled eggs and Keftedakia (meatballs) were served with Spanakopita (spinach pie) and pitas for dipping. The food was delicious and there was definitely enough for all eight of us to have

a decent appetizer. At a price of $20, it’s not something I would recommend for the average date — try sampling just one of the appetizers. I would recommend their Spanakopita; it is light, yet thick with a strong spinach flavor.

Next was the main course. It can be confusing ordering for eight people, however, my meal didn’t come to me until after everyone at the table was finished eating. Perhaps a mix-up, one of the owners brought out some food to-go and asked us if we ordered it, to which the server promptly yelled across the restaurant that it was her to-go order, not for a table. I was a little shocked to see the behavior between server and boss, considering it was almost condescending, but saw no other signs of condescension the rest of my time there.

My chicken gyro arrived with fries, pita bread, tzatziki and a Greek salad of feta, olives and an oil dressing. It was delicious, and I have to say better than what I’d tasted at The Gyro Shop. The meal was, however, significantly more expensive for significantly more food. One gyro plate is $10.25, but I had leftovers.

Following the meal we had to sample the Baklava, which is delectably sweet with a heavy layer of nuts. I have tasted several baklavas, from a tiny store in Virginia to a local restaurant in

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FREE Egg McMuffin Breakfast Sandwich ®

With purchase of same at regular menu price.

FREE Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich With purchase of same at regular menu price.

Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

FREE

FREE

®

®

with Cheese Sandwich

Small McCafé Real Fruit Smoothie

With purchase of same at regular menu price.

With purchase of same at regular menu price.

Quarter Pounder *

*weight before cooking 4 oz. (113.4 gms) Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

FREE Big Mac Sandwich

FREE

With purchase of same at regular menu price.

With purchase of same at regular menu price.

Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

Expires 11/3/2013. Valid for product of equal or lesser value. Valid only at participating McDonald’s locations in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Prices may vary. Not valid with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Tax may apply. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, auctioned, sold or duplicated in any way or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. Void where prohibited. ©2013 McDonald’s

®

Southern Style Chicken Sandwich

LIFE 7B

Oct. 17, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

INTERNATIONAL

European Union plans to eliminate roaming charges ANNA KATE TIPPETT ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ I\QXXM\\(]VI ML]

With Europe’s broadband infrastructure failing, the European Union has started to consider eliminating all roaming charges in Europe. As early as next July, roaming charges for incoming calls could be banned, with the rest gone by 2016.

Europe has 50 countries on a continent slightly bigger than the United States, which makes traveling from country to country similar to state to state travel in the U.S. Whereas each of the 50 U.S. states are a part of one country and federal laws and regulations are shared, each European country is different from the rest. For commuters and travelers, using mobile phones while in another country can be both difficult and expensive.

The European Union is trying to make everything more predictable from country to country, said Bruce Gordon, professor of finance and economics.

“The whole point of the European Union was to make it fairly transparent as you go from one country to another and to make doing business in every country basically the same,” Gordon said. “However the phone plans are one place where there is still a tremendous amount of variation.”

While eliminating roaming charges is definitely realistic and doable, there are some complications, Gordon said.

“You can get rid of the roaming charges but the phone companies have got a certain expense structure that they’ve got to cover and then they’ve got to make a profit, if you still want to have phone companies,” Gordon said. “They’ve got to make money to exist so if you cut the

3:737,14 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * — family relationships, interpersonal relationships, self-view and all sorts of other mental health issues. Cheaper means easier to try, easier to have access to and more appealing to those people who are basically suffering a lot of distress in so-

5)::1)/- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * a time,” Carrasco said. “That ultimately will require people to dissolve some dating relationships in their lifetime.”

Because dating does not necessarily equal marriage, it is the likely cause for the high break-up rate, Carrasco said.

“Again, people date for various reasons,” Carrasco said. “Finding a marriage partner is not the only reason to date. So, yes, dissolution of a dating relationship will occur, and even occur frequently, while a person acquires the relationship

/:--3 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * Huntsville, and this baklava is the best I’ve had.

Despite the shaky behavior noted be-

charges here, they’re going to pop up somewhere else. It might be more efficient to cut down on the roaming charges or at least have them all the same, but I don’t think that’s necessarily going to lower the total cost of using your phone there. The more government intervention you have, the more inefficient it’s going to get. If they can do it in such a way that encourages those companies to make those investments then their aging infrastructure will get better very quickly.

Companies will spend the money as long as they can make a good return.”

Doing away with roaming charges could have a positive impact on the cell phone technology available in Europe,

said John Crabtree, professor of computer information systems and computer science and information systems.

“It’d be easier for the phone companies to develop new technologies for these phones in Europe if they eliminate those roaming charges,” said Crabtree.

“People will be more apt to leave their phones on and travel more freely and the carriers won’t have to worry about more complexity. That’s where it really comes into play — where phone companies have to manage the services in different ways because of the different laws (in each country); it’s very complex.”

It is highly similar in the United States, Crabtree said.

“We started out with the Bell companies,” Crabtree said. “Those were broken up and now it’s fairly complex with a lot of different phone vendors and it’s highly regulated still.”

Scrapping the roaming charges in Europe could possibly affect America as well, but not because of government intervention, Gordon said.

“I think the same thing will eventually happen in the United States,” Gordon said. “But here it will probably happen because of competition as opposed to somebody enforcing it. They’ve done it in China, they’re trying in Europe, so I just feel like eventually that sort of model will come here as well.”

photo illustration by COURTNEY WATKINS I Student Photographer

The prospects of removing roaming charges in the United States are likely to happen eventually due to world changes in the same regard, said professor of finance and economics Bruce Gordon.

ciety. If you’re happy, you don’t have to abuse any substance.”

Krokodil will could potentially become a problem in the U.S., Takeuchi said.

“I don’t know how popular it will be, but I still suspect those people who have a lot of financial strain and who may want to abuse substances may try it just because it’s cheaper to get, easier to get,”

Takeuchi said. “And young people, too, especially young males, who have tendencies toward delinquency, they are typically risk takers in their personalities and behaviors. What I’m hoping, though, is that the negative effect and the detrimental consequences will travel fast amongst people so that it will not create a big epidemic in our country.”

At some point, the drug will reach

Alabama, Takeuchi said.

“We are not one of the richest states in the nation,” he said. “We have always been one of the poorer states, if not poorest. We’ve always had some drug problems and I’m sure we will see some people willing to try it. I don’t think it is going to take over this society or young people or anything like that.”

skills discussed above. Even if dating’s primary purpose is to seek a marriage partner, marriage is an important enough institution that individuals should seek out someone they are compatible and comfortable with. This may take some time and may require some trial-and-error in dating.”

Because people have differing values, expectations and experiences, there is not one ideal time frame for relationships, Carrasco said.

“Each person and each couple will navigate through a relationship differently and at different times,” she said. “I would suggest, however, that individuals

remain unmarried until they have a clear idea of what they want out of a relationship and their partner and what qualities, both positive and negative, they bring to the relationship.”

It is best to not spend too much time or money while dating someone, Carrasco said.

“I think it’s always a good idea to be smart about spending too much time or money — regardless of the situation,” Carrasco said. “However, if the two individuals enjoy each other’s company, the relationship is stable, and resources are available then I would suggest that the time and money spent are actually help-

ing solidify the relationship even if marriage is not in the foreseeable future.”

There are many things college students need to know concerning dating and marriage, Carrasco said.

“Students should remember that a relationship requires two people and these two people may have different beliefs, values and expectations,” Carrasco said.

“So long as these beliefs, values and expectations are not detrimental (i.e., abuse), we should respect our partner’s beliefs, values and expectations as much as we want them to respect ours.”

tween server and owner, Olive’s Torch serves high-quality food at a high-quality price. The owners are very friendly and can explain anything to you if you don’t know what it is. While it may not be ideal for the everyday lunch break, it’s definitely date-night material that won’t leave

you disappointed.

Olive’s Torch is located at 3370 Cloverdale Rd. and is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Descriptions of their meals are available online at their website, www.olivestorch.com.

Looking for somewhere to eat?

Check out reviews of local restaurants at florala.net

8B EXTRA

Tweets of the week

Oct. 17, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords 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.