Enrollment through the years p. 3 Lawsuit update p. 2 Alabama obesity rank p. 7 Athlete breaks record p. 10 October 6, 2016 Vol. 85, Issue 4
2 NEWS
Police look to improve campus safety CIERA GOLLIVER Student Writer cgolliver1@una.edu
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JASMINE FLEMING MANAGING EDITOR MIKE EZEKIEL NEWS EDITOR KAITLYN DAVIS LIFE EDITOR MONDAY SANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR ANDREW FULMER ONLINE EDITOR MADI WINKLER BUSINESS MANAGER JUSTIN BLANCHARD CIRCULATION MANAGER ALLEN CHILDERS GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MICHAEL MEIGS DAVID SAN MIGUEL JACQUELINE WILLIS CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER MELANIE HODGES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS SIERRA HILL HILLARY TAYLOR VIDEOGRAPHER DAVID MONTGOMERY ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF UNA ARCHIVES
The Flor-Ala is published biweekly on Thursdays at 111 locations on campus and off.
Corrections The staff strives to maintain the integrity of The Flor-Ala through accurate and honest reporting. To report an error, call 256-765-4364 or email editor@florala.net.
UNA Police Department is looking to improve emergency communications on campus. The plans for future improvements come after a robbery took place near campus Sept. 21. When the police received a tip that a possible suspect was on campus, UNA went under lockdown. “Lockdown is a very literal term,” said UNA Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan. “Basically what that means is that you remain in place, (and) you secure the area around you until you receive an all clear.” When police tried to alert campus of the potential danger, some students were not notified because they were not signed up to receive Lion Alerts. So, they did not know the campus was on lockdown. Lion Alert is an emergency communications system that sends students, faculty and staff notifications in the form of email, voicemail or texts when there is an emergency situation on campus.
Students can sign up to receive Lion Alerts at myschoolcast.com/go/ una. “Last week there was just a lot of craziness and a lot of confusion,” said Student Government Association President Sarah Green. “We tried to do our best to send people to the right places and get them the right information.” Gillilan said the lockdown revealed problems on campus with students receiving safety information, such as doors not locking and students not having access to electronics. “We are trying to do some things on campus to provide better information to people,” Gillilan said. “One way is (creating) some new technology with our computer systems. We are also going to set up an emergency tone with a voice announcement so that students know what to do.” Further computer improvements include more features on the “Send Police” button that is located on each computer. The button will have the capability to send a scrolling message across the computer screen alerting the user of potential danger, Gillilan said.
The “emergency tone” will be an alarm that sounds across campus with an accompanying voice recording to alert campus members of a lockdown, Gillilan said. Green said she felt a lot of the confusion came from students not signing up to receive Lion Alerts in the event of emergencies. “I didn’t find out (about the lockdown) until I was on my way to campus because I was never signed up for Lion Alert,” said sophomore Kyle Williams. “(After these recent events), I will definitely sign up.” SGA tries to be proactive when it comes to campus safety, Green said. “We also listen for concerns with students,” she said. “When students come to us with concerns of campus safety, we definitely try our best to react to that.” Gillilan said he encourages students to be careful on campus. “I would just remind students to be alert and be aware even though the campus is a very safe community,” Gillilan said. “Travel in groups if possible and just be aware of your surroundings.” To read about active shooter training, go to florala.net.
University allegedly hires mediator for employee dispute JASMINE FLEMING Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net Audrey Mitchell, director of Environmental Services and Housing Facilities Management, updated her lawsuit in Audrey Mitchell v. University of North Alabama to say the university hired a mediator for her and Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques. The university has since responded to the federal suit. At a Sept. 14 meeting, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Catherine White informed Mitchell that UNA decided to hire AttorneyMediator Michael Quinn to work with Jacques and Mitchell, according to the update. “With regard to the university’s arrangement with Mike Quinn, UNA does not possess or maintain a written agreement regarding Mike Quinn or other document establishing an engagement of him by the university,” White said in a letter. Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields, who Jacques reports to, and Acting Chief Financial Officer Evan Thornton, who Mitchell reports to, were also present at the meeting, according to the update. White read a statement at the meeting that said, “It (is) no secret that there is an ongoing conflict between Kevin Jacques and Audrey Mitchell. This conflict has caused the university to suffer and reached a
dysfunctional level, and the students deserve better,” according to the lawsuit. The statement also said, “Mike Quinn is here to help resolve the conflict so it does not continue to affect the students. He will not be looking at past years but moving forward,” according to the lawsuit. A concern White discussed were issues that occurred during UNA Move In Day 2016. However, Mitchell was not notified of any issues occurring on Move In Day, according to the document. White told those present that not working with Quinn would be considered insubordination, according to the lawsuit. White informed Mitchell, Jacques, Thornton and Shields of the meeting with a Sept. 9 email, according to the update. Before the meeting, White stated she could not give any details about the meeting, according to the document. Mitchell responded that she did not feel comfortable attending the meeting because of her active lawsuit against the university, which names everyone at the intended meeting except Thornton. Thornton replaces Clinton Carter, who is mentioned in the lawsuit. White told Mitchell attendance was not optional, according to the lawsuit. The document also claims
university officials are angry over Mitchell’s lawsuit, as well as The Flor-Ala’s coverage of the case. According to the update, Mitchell feels targeted by the university, and she feels Quinn’s employment is to collect data to justify terminating her. Mitchell would not comment on the alleged hiring of Quinn, saying, “I was instructed that this is a confidential employee matter and could not (be discussed) with anyone.” Quinn has not responded to requests for comment. UNA responded to Mitchell’s update with a motion to strike, or remove her claim, Sept. 22. Magistrate Judge Harwell Davis denied the motion Sept. 23. The motion asked for an order striking the Sept. 8 lawsuit filing and the Sept. 19, claiming neither document complied with the court’s Aug. 30 request for a more definite statement. The order referred to Mitchell’s lawsuit as a “shotgun pleading,” indicating an excessive number of claims. The basis for striking the complaint was Civil Procedure 12(e) which says, “If the court orders a more definite statement and the order is not obeyed within 14 days after notice of the order or within the time that the court sets, the court may strike the pleading or issue any other appropriate order.” Stick with The Flor-Ala as the story develops.
NEWS 3 Then and now: UNA breaks enrollment record Enrollment: 198
Enrollment: 1,195
Recent graduates pose with their diplomas. UNA was known as State Normal College.
A group of students have a snowball fight on campus.
Enrollment: 281 The UNA baseball team huddles together for a photo.
Enrollment: 416 Members of the Glee Club stand in front of Wesleyan Hall. The Glee Club was a quire.
Enrollment: 778
Enrollment 2,491 The crowd cheers on the football team at the homecoming game. UNA was known as Florence State Teachers College.
Enrollment 4,826 Nominees of Who’s Who pose in front of the President’s House. UNA is the University of North Alabama now.
Enrollment 5,272
A group of seniors pose for a photo.
Students ride bikes in a residence hall.
Enrollment: 582
Enrollment 5,409
Basketball players take a seat on the court. UNA is known as State Teachers College.
Enrollment: 1,509 Students cook together in a student house.
Photos courtesy of UNA Archives and Shannon Wells
Students form a pyramid near the Memorial Amphitheater.
Enrollment 7,492 Students share a laugh at Culture Fest. This year, UNA hit an enrollment record.
Design by Graphic Designer Jackie Willis
Information compiled by News Editor Kaitlyn Davis
4 NEWS
Information compiled by Life Editor Monday Sanderson
Information from Title IX Coordinator Tammy Jacques
JACKIE WILLIS| Graphic Designer
NEWS 5
JACKIE WILLIS| Graphic Designer “These student loans are probably one of the only things that the government shouldn’t make money from, and yet it does,” said Donald Trump, according to ontheissues.org.
“I’m a believer in free markets. I suggest that if student loans did not exist — and I am not advocating that — tuition would be a lot lower,” said Gary Johnson, according to ontheissues.org.
Jill Stein supports abolishing “student debt to free a generation of Americans from debt servitude (and) guarantee tuition-free, world-class public education from pre-school through university,” according to ballotpedia.org.
“States will have to step up and invest in higher education, and colleges and universities will be held accountable for the success of their students and for controlling tuition costs,” according to Hillary Clinton’s website.
Presidential candidates talk student loans LAURA WOOD Student Writer lmcdavid@una.edu Election season is upon us. As students prepare to vote, federal student loans remain a top concern. Each candidate offers a plan to make college more affordable. Over the last 15 years, student loan debt reached over $1.2 trillion, said Political Science Professor Tim Collins. “The idea (of student loans) was that you take the money, improve your skills and get a better job, and with higher income, you can pay off loans,” Collins said. “That’s good debt. But if you don’t get the better job, and you don’t have the capacity to pay off the loans, it’s not good debt.” However, a president cannot eliminate student loan debt without legislative support, Collins said. The four candidates on the presidential ballot — Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein — recognize the need to create more jobs and help students eliminate debt. “I want someone who understands me,” said junior Rosie McClendon. “I work a minimum-wage job trying to make ends meet while attending school.” Clinton’s plan to create tuitionfree colleges and reduce student loan debt includes restructuring payment plans for student loans and creating an income-based repayment method so no one will have to pay more than 10 percent of their monthly income, according to her website. Clinton’s plan will be paid for by
reducing tax exemptions for high income tax payers. This extra revenue would go toward college education, according to her site. Clinton also believes “states will have to step up and invest in higher education,” according to her site. Although the plan sounds great, Political Science Professor Leah Graham doubts states will contribute more to higher education, she said in an email. “States have been systematically cutting their investment in higher education — one of the causes for tuition hikes across the country — and I don’t see them reversing that decision, much less going the other direction, no matter how much that investment might provide long term gains in terms of human capital, entrepreneurship and overall future economic growth,” she said. To eliminate student loan debt, Stein favors a “student-bailout” plan, in which the Federal Reserve would cancel the debt. Stein’s “studentbailout” plan also includes tuitionfree public education for college students, according to ballotpedia.org. Stein supports abolishing “student debt to free a generation of Americans from debt servitude (and) guarantee tuition-free, world-class public education from pre-school through university,” according to ballotpedia. org. Freshman Kiley Hansford said he wants a conservative candidate and believes better jobs would allow students to pay off debt. Trump plans to cut government spending on the Department of Education and eliminate interest
rates on student loans. Cutting government spending on the Department of Education would mean states hold more power over education, according to ontheissues. org. “These student loans are probably one of the only things that the government shouldn’t make money from, and yet it does,” Trump said, according to ontheissues.org. Universities need to work to reduce the cost of a higher education, according to Trump’s website. Trump plans to, “work with Congress on reforms to ensure universities are making a good faith effort to reduce the cost of college and student debt in exchange for the federal tax breaks and tax dollars,” according to the site. Like Trump, former Governor Gary Johnson also plans to cut federal aid for the Department of Education. But cutting or eliminating the Department of Education might not have as big of an impact on students as they might think, Graham said. “Most of educational policy that touches students personally is conducted at the state and local level,” Graham said. “Most of the public doesn’t understand this point, so candidates can easily point to the DOE as a boogeyman for all that ails them. “What we stand to lose in reducing funding for the Department of Education is capacity in professionalization of educators, simple regulatory mechanisms and accountability.” On his campaign website, Johnson said he would eliminate federal student loans.
“I’m a believer in free markets,” Johnson said, according to ontheissues.org. “I suggest that if student loans did not exist — and I am not advocating that — tuition would be a lot lower because colleges and universities want to deliver their product, and if there weren’t as many kids going to school because it costs too much, they would find ways to lower their price.” Students should consider seriously who they want to vote for and do plenty of research, Collins said. “Figure out what is good for you personally, and then ask yourself, ‘What is good for the country as a whole?’ If those two things do not coincide, then figure out what is best for the country. That’s asking for a lot of civic virtue, but it’s the best thing we can hope for.” Students should keep candidates’ views in perspective, Graham said. “I’d like for (students) to remember that campaigns are theater, and they run on sound byte,” she said. “Reality of governance is far more complex than the picture you get from a candidate running for any office. “So get past the talking points, look up who actually contributes to policies that do or will impact you and be realistic about what a president can influence and their much bigger unrealistic promises of campaigning.” Students can find reliable information about each candidate’s positions on several websites including ontheissues.org, ballotpedia.org and 2016election.procon.org.
Editor’s Note: News Editor Kaitlyn Davis contributed to this piece.
6 HEALTH Organization offers Kognito Challenge Athletics, RSO encourage togetherness CIERA GOLLIVER Student Writer cgolliver1@una.edu Active Minds is challenging students to help others. The group aims to educate students on preventing and responding to peers who may be considering suicide. The Active Minds national chapter holds an online training course every year to promote awareness of mental health. The Kognito Challenge is a virtual reality course where participants are introduced to a variety of characters coping with life problems, said Active Minds President and junior Chloe Allen. “It shows you different scenarios, and you have to identify red flags and negative coping skills,” Allen said. “It helps you decide who is at risk and who is not.” Not all negative behaviors are red flags, but it is important to realize which situations require attention, Allen said. A lot of students may have been in a situation where a friend needed help, but they did not know how to handle the situation. The Kognito Challenge could help them figure out a way to respond to a friend in need, Allen said. “(Once you click your response), it leads you into the conversation of how you suggest someone seek counseling in a caring and respectful way,” Allen said. “Even if you choose the wrong response, it plays the scenario out so you can see how someone might react.” The challenge will help familiarize students with mental illness, said senior Evan Lott. “(The Kognito Challenge) allows people who are blind to these kinds of illnesses to understand how to deal with others who deal with them on a daily basis,” Lott said. “Also, it puts these people in a situation where they can learn how to communicate more effectively with others that cope with mental illness.” The Kognito Challenge will help prevent suicide and suicidal thoughts amongst students because it will give them the tools they need to communicate with one another about suicide, said Director of Student Counseling Services Lynne Martin. It will “help normalize getting help,” she said. Sophomore Colt Mason
said the challenge is beneficial, and he will try to take it. “It’s a great idea,” Mason said. “I’ve known a lot of people that on paper had nothing wrong with them, but in real life scenarios they had trouble. I think it’s important for people to be able to realize those qualities in people.” Those who complete the Kognito Challenge receive a national certificate stating that they have completed the course. Last year, 63 students at UNA completed the challenge. The course is not required for students to retake every year to remain certified, Allen said. The window for taking the course closed Oct. 5. This training course is free of charge and available to anyone. To complete this course, go to the Active Minds website. For more information on Active Minds, contact Chloe Allen at callen3@una. edu.
CIERA GOLLIVER Student Writer cgolliver1@una.edu The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and UNA Athletics are trying to lower the rate of students who contemplate suicide through their Connect 1 campaign. When a student goes to counseling services, they have to fill out a questionnaire. One of the questions asks students if they have ever contemplated suicide. The number of students who reported experiencing s u i c i d a l thoughts at any point in their life has been steadily increasing since 2012, said Game O p e r a t i o n s and Facilities Manager Matt Daniels.
In 2013, 27 percent of students admitted to suicidal thoughts and 39 percent in 2014, Daniels said. Student Counseling Services noticed an increase in students within the past few years reporting they experienced suicidal thoughts presently or at any point in the past but would not confirm these statistics, said Director of Student Counseling Services Lynne Martin. “That is people we walk around with on campus, that we sit next to,” said senior and SAAC President Jacob Tucker. “It might even be your best friend because you don’t know what people are going through every day when they wake up and get out of bed.” SAAC and UNA Athletics decided to do their part in fixing the problem, Tucker said. “We say this is our home campus because these are the people we go to class with,” Tucker said. “This is our UNA family. When there is a problem with your family, you want to be proactive about fixing it.” SAAC and UNA Athletics plan to reduce the amount of students who contemplate or contemplated suicide in the past by increasing the number of face-to-face interactions between students. They also want to encourage them to not put too much value in social media, Tucker said. “Our slogan is, ‘You are more than just a like,’” Tucker said. “So many people nowadays put so much stock into social media. It is sad that is what it has come to. We really want to reverse that and get back to the old days of making friends face to face.” Tucker said SAAC plans to start weekly challenges encouraging students to do small things such as eating with someone they don’t know at lunch. As a part of the Connect 1 initiative, SAAC and UNA Athletics plan to hand out cards, wristbands and make videos to encourage students to reach out to unfamiliar people said UNA Athletics graduate assistant Kyle Conkle. “We’re not trying to say don’t use social media, or that social media is awful,” Daniels said. “We’re just trying to say your value is much deeper than social media. You belong here and have a place here.” Connect 1 hopes to help encourage students to have better interpersonal relationship skills, Conkle said. “This is about more than just staying glued to our phones to find our identity and see what other people think of us,” Conkle said. “That’s (students) go-to right now. You walk into an auditorium, and if they didn’t have their cell phones right now, what would they do? They would sit in silence.” For more information on Connect 1, go to florala.net.
HEALTH 7
Alabama maintains obesity rank JASMINE FLEMING Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net Many Southerners are continuing to struggle with maintaining a healthy weight, and Alabama residents are no exception. Alabama ties with Mississippi and West Virginia for the second highest obesity rates in the country with a 35.6 percentage as of Sept. 1, according to the State of Obesity organization. They follow Louisiana’s 36.2. percent.
People are officially obese when they have a body mass index of over 30. This condition can lead to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, some cancers, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol and asthma, said Assistant Director of Recreational Sports Glenda Richey in an email. People in Southern states tend to have lower incomes and education, and those factors often correlate with higher obesity rates, Richey said. “Calorie dense food is cheaper
“
Once you start thinking to quit, remember why you started. (Staying healthy) is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. Kenny Chang | Graduate Student
being active, there’s less public transportation, so people drive their vehicles more. Also, since the South is hot and humid May - September, many people don’t like being outside, she said. Since the 1980s, teenage obesity rates have quadrupled from 5 percent to 20.4 percent, according to the data. Children who are obese are likely to become obese adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Richey, who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, said she was an a c t i v e child.
“There were no computers, cellphones or electronic games,” she said. “We’d get bored indoors — TV had less channels, especially with kid programming. So we explored, roamed, met up with MICHAEL MEIGS | Graphic Designer friends from blocks away, rode bikes, walked, skateboarded, jumped on and more available trampolines and swam in in rural areas than fresh, lower our neighborhood pool or friend’s calorie-dense food,” Richey said. Most people stereotype the backyard pool.” Now, safety concerns prohibit South as an area for fried, unhealthy foods, she said. As for this type of outdoor lifestyle, she
said. “Obviously, now parents don’t let their kids have that kind of freedom, and children have more to do indoors,” she said. The data also shows 25.1 percent of people age 18-25 in Alabama are obese. Becoming healthier requires an overall change, said graduate student Kenny Chang. “It doesn’t mean only eat right and exercise but also sleep early and wake up early,” he said. “It is about everything with your body. You have to have a healthy lifestyle.” Students trying to reach or maintain a healthy weight can also use the Recreational Sports and Fitness Program as a resource, Richey said. They have group exercise classes, a three-court gymnasium, intramural sports and outdoor adventure programs. They also have a weight room, personal training and nutritional advice. Many of the programs are free, Richey said. For more information, students can reach her at gkrichey@una.edu. For students who do not have access to the Student Recreational Center on a daily basis, Florence offers other options. “I prefer going to the YMCA,” said junior Julie Heflin. “It’s more open, has more equipment and activities and it is closer to home. I don’t feel safe traveling at night to come to the SRC.” Other nearby locations include Anytime Fitness and Downtown Fitness. When it comes to working out and eating right, Chang said to remember the end goal. “Once you decide to do it, do not quit,” he said. “Once you start thinking to quit, remember why you started. It is not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it. Life is hard, but you only have one lifetime, so you should do anything you want even it is really hard.”
8 HEALTH
T PFIVE P Ways to avoid becoming sick BREANNA LITTRELL Student Writer alittrell1@una.edu As students are entering cold and flu season, it is important for them to know how to avoid getting sick, especially when living in the residence halls. Teresa Dawson, Director of University Health Services, provided advice on how to stay healthy for both faculty and students. Dawson said while there have not been any cases of the flu at UNA this semester, one in four students will get the flu. Her tips for staying well include the following:
1.
Get the flu shot.
Dawson said the most important thing students should do is get a flu shot. It is important to get the vaccine as soon as possible because the flu season peaks around the holidays.
In October, the University Health Services and the Student Health Center will hold flu clinics at the Guillot University Center and Collier Library. The flu shot is free to students, faculty and staff through University Health Services. She said that one common myth about getting a flu shot is that it will give you the flu. Scientists use dead viral cells to create the vaccine, so it is not possible to become sick from the vaccine. The vaccine takes around two weeks to become active. There is an incubation period of two to three days when exposed to the flu. This means that once a person comes into contact with the virus, they will not actually become sick until two to three days later.
2.
Practice good hygiene.
It is extremely important for sick individuals to cover their cough with a tissue and promptly dispose of it, she said. If a tissue is not available,
one should cough into the crook of the elbow instead of into their hands.
3.
Wash hands with soap and water often.
Viral particles can live on surfaces for many hours, she said. Communal surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, appliances in the dorm kitchens or any public surface that numerous people touch has the potential to have living viral particles on them. This is why it is important for people to wash their hands with soap and water often, Dawson said. If someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their nose, eyes or mouth, they are very likely to get sick because some viruses spread through contact. If a person with these types of infections goes to the bathroom and does not wash their hands, they will touch communal surfaces and infect others. People can use hand sanitizer if
soap and water are not available.
4.
Have healthy eating and sleeping patterns.
Eating healthy foods, such as vegetables and fruits, and getting enough rest is imperative. Dawson said getting a minimum of six to eight hours a night is a way to stay healthy.
5.
Form habits that support a healthy immune system.
If an individual has a weakened immune system due to a disease such as diabetes, or is going through chemotherapy, they are more susceptible to getting a viral infection, Dawson said. These people may wear a mask if they are around someone who is ill or if they will be around a large number of people. Forming healthy habits will also help to build up the immune system to fight off viruses.
Healthy, easy breakfast recipes HANNAH ZIMMER Student Writer hzimmer@una.edu
For college students, making breakfast and finding the time to eat it is not always a simple task. I compiled and created three easy breakfast foods for a student in constant motion. For the reader who does not want fast food, read on for delicious treats.
1 FRUIT SMOOTHIE (330 Calories): INGREDIENTS: - Yoplait original yogurt - Milk - Frozen strawberries - Bananas
2 Cereal: INGREDIENTS:
- Any kind of cereal - Milk - Mason jar - Recycled fruit container
DIRECTIONS: Pour a cup of yogurt into the blender. Pour a Âź of a cup of milk into the blender. Place the frozen strawberries into the blender. Blend all the ingredients together. DIRECTIONS: Pour the cereal into the mason jar. Pour milk into the emptied fruit cup. Place the plastic container into the mason jar. The edges of the plastic container sit atop the rim of the mason. Place the
1
Slice a banana. Place 3 banana pieces onto the top of the smoothie.
lid on the jar. With this efficient hack, one can take cereal to-go without it getting soggy from the milk.
2
3 NUTELLA BREAD (520 Calories): INGREDIENTS: -Loaf of bread -Nutella hazelnut spread -Pecans
DIRECTIONS: Use a knife to spread the Nutella across a piece of bread. Dice (or crush in a Ziploc bag) the pecans to desired size. Warm the bread in a microwave for 25 seconds.
I opted to leave the pecans whole on my bread for a more distinct taste, but students could leave the nuts off of the bread completely and still have a tasty breakfast. MICHAEL MEIGS | Graphic Designer
3
HANNAH ZIMMER | Student Writer
HEALTH 9
MONDAY SANDERSON | Life Editor
Bright lights coming from either cellphones or computers can cause people to become less tired. “Have a period of about 20-30 minutes (without the light) before going to sleep,” said George Robinson, professor emeritus of psychology.
Nighttime habits can affect sleep patterns JASMINE FLEMING Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net Wrapping up in a favorite blanket and cozy bed can be the perfect end to a long day. For some, this is not as easy as it sounds. The common recommendation for the average college age student is seven to nine hours of sleep nightly, said George Robinson, professor emeritus of psychology. However, if a person is able to function on less sleep without Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, that amount of sleep is fine for them, he said. EDS is when a person receives enough sleep but still feels sleepy during the day, he said. “You should be able to sit through a boring lecture wide awake,” Robinson said. “The boringness of the lecture can facilitate you going to sleep if you need sleep, but if you’re getting enough sleep, you should be able to stay awake during a lecture without any trouble.” Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, can cause EDS. It can also be a side effect of narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep or wakefulness. For those who suspect they have
EDS, they should visit a doctor for diagnosis. Adopting healthier sleep habits, as well as medication, can be part of the treatment, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Junior Maverick Dickinson said he usually gets six hours of sleep on weekdays and four on the weekends. “I work all day Saturday,” he said. “Sometimes I just stay up all night Friday, and then I go to work at 5 a.m. on Saturday and end up staying up until around 2 or 3 a.m. that Saturday night as well.” Another issue college students might experience is the effect of the all-nighter, Robinson said. Those who stay up all night will likely need 8-10 hours the next night, he said. Sophomore Caroline Hagan said she usually pulls all-nighters during finals week. “Usually I drink more caffeine,” she said. “If not, I just tough it out.” Staying up the next night will be more difficult because they body attempts to continue the circadian rhythm, or 24-hour cycle, and is unable to do so, he said. However, even when students think they stay up all night, they probably do not, Robinson said. They could experience a microsleep. “A micro-sleep episode is a brief period during which the person
goes to sleep briefly and then wakes up,” he said. “It is something that, unfortunately, happens a good bit on the road, particularly with professional drivers.” A micro-sleep is typically a few seconds, during which the person does not lose muscle tone and still seems to function. They are amnesiac during the sleep. Freshman Johnathan Harris said he would like to find the perfect balance between getting enough sleep and not sleeping too much. “Lately, I’ve been staying up on purpose to balance out my sleeping habit,” he said. “It’s terrible because now I’m used to sleeping (a lot).” Students who regularly have trouble falling asleep have a few options to remedy the problem. Bright lights, as with cellphones and laptops, stimulate receptors in the body that can stimulate melatonin, Robinson said. “Melatonin, when it’s increased, is what tends to decrease your sleepiness,” he said. “Have a period of about 20-30 minutes (without the light) before going to sleep.” Doing school work in bed can also make falling asleep difficult because working becomes conditioned to work in bed, Robinson said.
He also said to avoid coffee. Because of its long half-life, caffeine stays in the system for hours after someone drinks it. Lastly, Robin suggests avoiding exercise right before sleep.
HEALTHY SLEEPING
College students should get seven to nine hours of sleep in order to stay alert during class. However, sleep disorders, electronics and late-night studying can prevent this. MICHAEL MEIGS | Graphic Designer
10 SPORTS Scoreboard Sept. 21-Oct. 2
Football
Sept. 25 at West Ala. Win, 45-17 Oct. 1 vs. West Georgia Win, 24-23
Volleyball Sept. 23 vs. Union Win, 3-0 Sept. 24 vs. Christian Br. Win, 3-0 Sept. 27 at West Georgia Win, 3-0 Sept. 29 vs. UAH Win, 3-0 Oct. 1 vs. Miss. College Win, 3-0
Soccer Sept. 21 vs. UAH Win, 2-1 Sept. 25 vs. West Ala Loss, 3-1 Sept. 28 at Spring Hill Win, 10-1 Oct. 2 at West Florida Loss, 4-0
Cross Country Oct. 1 UAH Invitational Men: 3rd Place Women: 5th Place Games continued at roarlions.com
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
Sophomore forward Kylie Huey dribbles the ball against West Alabama Sept. 25 in Florence. Huey broke the school record for most goals scored in a single game at Spring Hill College in Mobile.
Soccer player breaks scoring record MIKE EZEKIEL Managing Editor managing@florala.net UNA soccer’s Kylie Huey led her team to a 10-1 victory over Spring Hill Sept. 28 and broke a school record in the process. Huey scored six goals in the blowout, surpassing the previous record of five that former players Tassia Augusto and Chloe Richards set in 2008 and 2015, respectively. “Coming into collegiate soccer, I wanted to set goals for myself,” Huey said. “One of my goals I set for myself was to break records.” Huey opened the scoring with a goal in the 4th minute before senior forward Ele Costello scored a pair before the half. Huey then nailed four consecutive goals in the 42nd, 55th, 63rd and 68th minutes, pushing the lead to 7-0. Huey said Walker thought about taking her out after the fifth goal to let her rest, but realized she could possibly break the record. “After I got my fifth, Chris was like, ‘Just get one more,’” Huey said. “I was so worn out and was ready to come out. He kept saying, ‘Get one more,’ and I had no idea why. After I scored that last goal he told me I broke the record.”
Huey said the record never crossed her mind until she broke it. “I’m glad he didn’t tell me before because I probably would’ve freaked out and never have gotten that sixth goal,” she said. Along with the sophomore’s six goals and one assist, Costello and freshman forward Shelby Wall each added two goals to propel the Lions to its most lopsided score under UNA head coach Chris Walker. Wall and Morgan Brown had two assists each. Margarida Sousa, Alyssa Bova, Kristen Sinden and Abby Cavitt all combined for the other assists. Freshman goalkeeper Savannah Stewart earned her first career start for UNA, making three saves before surrendering the only goal of the game with 26 seconds left to play. The Lions improved to 4-5 on the season and are 3-2 in the Gulf South Conference. “We anticipated it would be a tough game, especially going to their place,” Walker said. “We scored two early goals in the first 10 minutes, and that shook their confidence a bit. After that, everything we hit was going in.” Walker said he was pleased with the performance of the entire team, including the backups. “Normally when you sub, you
never know what’s going to happen,” Walker said. “Some people that haven’t played this season came in and did a great job. It was nice to see what they can do in a game and not just practice.” Walker used a 4-4-2 formation against Spring Hill instead of the usual 4-3-3 set. The move paid off, he said. “We put Kylie and Ele in a position where they would see more of the ball, and they definitely did,” Walker said. “Shelby (Wall) came straight in to the front line and had a couple of assists and got herself a couple of goals. It’s a nice rotation we can work with now.” In the new formation, the Lions had 33 total shots, 17 of which were shots on goal. Costello, Huey and Wall each combined for 23 shots and had 14 shots on target. Costello said the forwards should continue to benefit from the 4-4-2. “We spent about two hours in practice trying out the new formation,” Costello said. “We had a lot of possessions in it (against Spring Hill), and it also allowed us to get a lot of players on the field.” The Lions are in the midst of a 10day break and will return to action in a conference match against Delta State (4-6, 0-5 GSC) Oct. 12 at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.
SPORTS 11
Former equipment manager now position coach MIKE EZEKIEL Managing Editor managing@florala.net Courtland Hays, the running backs coach for the UNA Football team, has been a mainstay in the program for nearly a decade, but his journey is seemingly far from standard. Hays worked his way up the ladder under the tutelage of three former or current Division-I head coaches since 2007. The current 27-year-old graduate assistant coach started his nine-year journey as an 18-year-old equipment manager and college freshman. After Hays’ first semester, former head coach Mark Hudsbeth, who is now coaching DivisionI’s Louisiana-Lafeyette, quickly promoted him to head equipment manager. “I always wanted to go somewhere where I knew I was going to be needed, where I could be used and where I was going to mean something,” Hays said. “For Coach Hud and his staff at the time, they needed someone to come in and do a lot of work. I love being in a place where I was needed.” Hays continued his nine-year journey when the Lions hired Terry Bowden in 2009, but experienced a
SIERRA HILL | Staff Photographer
UNA running backs coach Courtland Hays runs across the field during a practice Sept 20. Hays began his football career as an equipment manager for UNA in 2007.
Soccer club finds success MADISON PARHAM Student Writer mparham1@una.edu The UNA soccer club is only in its third year as a program, but has managed to take off with a 3-1 start to the 2016 season. The Lions opened the season with a three-game win streak against Memphis, Ole Miss and Troy. The one loss came against Auburn, which was a big step forward from previous seasons, said senior center midfielder José Betancourt. “We lost 1-0,” Betancourt said. “In the past we’ve lost to them like 6-0, 7-0. We stepped it up.” UNA is the smallest school in the Gulf Coast Division, which includes clubs such as Auburn and Mississippi State. The club plays mostly Division I schools. Betancourt said it only fueled the team to play harder. “We want to prove a point that
even though we’re small, we can keep up with them,” Betancourt said. Playing against clubs from larger schools is a huge motivation tool for the team, said senior midfielder Brandon Brown. “Having us go out and beat these large, 30,000-plus schools is really awesome,” Brown said. “They do have a lot of funding, so it’s good for our guys to get together to go out and beat those guys.” Despite UNA’s winning start, the team must take things one game at a time, said UNA head coach Drake Somers. “I’m very strict with punctuality, with time getting here, whether they take the practice serious, whether they’re focused, whether they’re just lolly-gagging or not,” Somers said. “If I see that I get on their behind. They know they can’t get too far ahead of themselves either.” To continue reading, visit florala. net.
setback. Hays entered his final year of undergraduate school in 2011 when the program could no longer pay the same amount for his head equipment position. “It was tough,” Hays said. “But I just understood that everything happens for a reason. I knew that I loved football and I loved being a part of this program.” But the door of opportunity did not stay closed for long. Although Hays did not receive any scholarship money, Bowden offered him a volunteer spot in the front office to work with former Director of Football Operations Ben Murphy. Hays said he could not refuse. “I knew this was the right place for me at the time,” Hays said. “I knew I wanted to finish my school here, and Coach Bowden allowed me to be a part of the program. That’s all I needed.” After Bowden left for the University of Akron after the 2011 season, Bobby Wallace returned to the helm for his second stint. Hays said Wallace found him a spot on the staff as a quality control coach. “The first year as a volunteer coach was hard,” Hays said. “It was a learning curve because I hadn’t done as much X’s and O’s work. A lot of
the stuff I had done was behind-thescenes. Coming in and learning the X’s and O’s was a challenge for me, but it was what I wanted.” Hays transitioned to the field in 2012, coaching tight ends before moving to coach running backs the following year. As a graduate assistant, Hays is now in his fourth year coaching and signaling plays. One of the keys to Hays’ success is his work ethic, said offensive coordinator Steadman Campbell. “He’s been one of those guys that’s been willing to do whatever’s asked of him,” Campbell said. “He’s had his hand in a lot of different areas over the years.” Linebackers coach Gabe Poe, who played for the Lions in 2013, said Hays immediately took him under his wing after transferring from West Alabama. The two lived together for nearly two years. “A lot of people don’t know it, but when I first got here, I spent my first weekend with Courtland,” Poe said. “I didn’t know anybody, and was just hanging out in my room. He texted me and asked me to hang out with him. He was the first person I met that I didn’t already know, and he’s still a good friend of mine.” To read more about Courtland Hays’ story, visit florala.net.
12 SPORTS
Volleyball team utilizes multiple offensive threats MIKE EZEKIEL Managing Editor managing@florala.net
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
Junior kicker Kevin Henke attempts an extra point against West Georgia Oct. 1 at Braly Stadium. Henke scored the game winning extra point to put the Lions on top, 24-23.
Former baseball player transitions to football ANDREW FULMER Sports Editor sports@florala.net Junior kicker Kevin Henke played an integral part in No. 11 UNA’s dramatic win over No. 12 West Georgia Oct. 1 at Braly Stadium, kicking the game deciding extra point to put the Lions on top, 24-23. But Henke’s journey to Florence and winning the starting kicker job for the Lions is not the usual path athletes take. Henke hails from St. Charles, Missouri, a city a few miles northwest of St. Louis. Henke said he grew up admiring everything the St. Louis area had to offer. “Growing up in St. Louis was awesome,” Henke said. “Probably my favorite things to do as a kid was to go to Cardinals, Blues and Rams games.” Henke also enjoyed playing sports in middle school and high school such as basketball, baseball and soccer. However, his small size in high school deterred him away from playing football, he said. “My freshman year in high school, I think I was maybe 5-foot-2 and probably 100 pounds,” Henke said. Henke’s baseball skills earned him the opportunity to play baseball at the
college level at St. Charles Community College. He played baseball for one year at St. Charles before realizing his talent that led him to Florence: kicking field goals. “I played soccer my whole life,” Henke said. “I was always the kid who was small, but I had a strong leg. So, after baseball season, I went up to the (football) field and hit a 60-yard field goal and thought, ‘Maybe I should give this a try.’” Henke then looked for any opportunities to kick at the college level. His search led him to a kicking showcase in Arizona where he met former UNA kicker Kenny Spencer, Henke said. UNA special teams coach Mike King said that Spencer liked what he saw in Henke and recommended him to the 25year veteran coach. “I got a call from (Spencer), and he said, ‘Coach, you have to get this guy,’” King said. “I told (Henke) that we didn’t have any scholarships available. But we got him to come to UNA, and he liked the town and campus so much that he decided to walk on.” When Henke arrived at UNA in 2014, the starting kicker position belonged to then senior and former Indianapolis Colts signee Taylor Pontius. “Being behind Pontius was one of
the best things for me,” Henke said. “I probably wouldn’t be as good of a kicker as I am now without him because he was such a good kicker to watch and learn from.” Henke not only had to transition to a sport he had never played before, but he also had to transition to a new area over 300 miles away from home. “Being a kid from St. Louis and coming down south, there was a little bit of a difference,” Henke said. “But I embraced it. I like the culture down here. Everyone is nice, and I love it.” Henke said he had no problems finding new friends and that he immediately felt like he belonged at UNA. One of those friends is senior quarterback Jacob Tucker. “I first met Kevin when he got here in 2014,” Tucker said. “I am real good friends with Taylor (Pontius), and so through that, Kevin and I became really close.” Henke took over as the starting kicker after Pontius graduated following the 2014 season and became an instant impact during the 2015 season. He hit 18 field goals and 51 extra points during that season. To read more about Kevin Henke’s journey, visit florala.net.
The UNA volleyball team continued its winning ways the last two weeks, sweeping five straight opponents en route to a 15-1 overall record. The team has won 18 straight sets, including three straight in a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Lee Sept. 17. Since, the Lions have beaten Union, Christian Brothers, West Georgia, UAH and Mississippi College. Tied for first place in the Gulf South Conference standings with a 7-1 record, the No. 21 Lions are on a six-game winning streak and lead the GSC in multiple statistical categories, including kills with 13.70 per set. But not all of the kills are coming from one source, as four UNA hitters have over 100 kills so far. “We really have a lot of depth offensively,” said UNA head coach Stephanie Radecki. “I think the great part about our hitters right now is that their hitting percentages seem to be really high. That’s really nice to see as a coach.” Many teams in college volleyball have one or two bonafide hitters, but UNA has five at its disposal, Radecki said. Senior hitter Natasha Fomina is second in the conference with 221 kills this season. Following her are junior hitters Lexie Bradley and Jessica Austin, who have 137 and 130 kills, respectively. “It’s really hard for the other team to know who to block,” Fomina said. “The setter can give the ball to anyone, and anyone can put the ball away and get a kill. That depth has been what’s made us so successful.” Senior Peyton Lang, who plays both the backline and frontline, has 134 kills thus far to go with 144 digs. Lang is third on the team in both categories. “To be able to do both is really good for a college player,” Lang said. “(The other team) doesn’t expect it, and it’s good to be on the court the whole time helping.” Newcomer Ana Gabriela Pacheco, a junior from Uberlandia, Brazil, has seen extensive time in the rotation, adding 86 kills on the season. UNA’s depth comes in handy against some of the top teams in the conference, Radecki said. “It’s really important to have (depth) when you go up against a lot of strong blocking teams, like we did (against Alabama-Huntsville),” Radecki said. “Their blockers couldn’t focus in on just one or two hitters, and that’s really helpful to us.” To continue reading, visit florala. net.
OPINION 13 National anthem protest sparks true patriotism
ANDREW FULMER Sports Editor sports@florala.net When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest to raise awareness of wrongdoings against
minorities during the 2016 NFL preseason gained widespread media coverage, many heated opinions formed. On one hand, some people felt doing anything other than standing at attention or placing ones hand on their chest during the national anthem is disrespectful, especially to those who have served or are currently serving this country in the armed forces. On the flipside, others believed he had every right to protest and use his position as a high profile athlete to bring awareness to an issue that has plagued this nation for a long time. No matter which side of the argument you agree with, Kaepernick’s protest is one of the most American events in recent history. I will start my defense of this argument with a short story. Two hundred and forty years ago, a group of rebellious ruffians, who felt oppressed by an unjust government, had tolerated the oppression long enough. The troublemakers decided
to voice their opinion in a way that everybody in power would know their intentions. Which government? That would be the British government under King George III. Who where these ruffians? They were our founding fathers. There have been many instances in American history where defiance led to great change. Obvious ones like Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat, or Susan B. Anthony illegally voting in the House of Representatives elections in 1872 stand out. Some not so obvious ones like Dee Snider of Twisted Sister testifying against the Parents Music Resource Center’s music censorship program in 1985 still had an impact from one’s protest. I am not trying to compare these acts, nor say any are more important than the other. The fact is that America is great partly because of people who dare to go against the majority for change. One of the biggest arguments
against Kaepernick is his actions are disrespectful to those who are willing to pay the ultimate price, and those who have, to protect this country. But that is a moot point because they are not fighting for a song or a flag. They are fighting for our identity as Americans. They fight to ensure that our freedoms, including those that allow us to protest and demonstrate, carry on to future generations. I mean no disrespect for those in the military. I am thankful for the brave men and women who risk their lives in strange and foreign lands. But, insisting someone has no right to protest is an un-American notion. Yes, Kaepernick could have simply donated money or time to charities and organizations for his cause. But there is a limit to how much money and time one person can spend. Kaepernick started a nation-wide conversation about his idea, and there is virtually no limit to the merits it could reap. That is about as American as you can be.
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Hannah Zimmer & Sam Thigpen Letters Policy Letters to the editor should be emailed to editor@florala.net or mailed to: The Flor-Ala, UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 Letters must include name and telephone number for verification. Please limit letters to 400 words. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter. JACKIE WILLIS | Graphic Designer
14 PHOTOS
Changing of the Seasons Time for fall Leaves scatter each side of a road in Oxford, Alabama. Autumn officially arrived Sept. 22, providing students all across UNA’s campus fun adventures in the Shoals. SIERRA HILL Staff Photographer shill4@una.edu Fall is the time of the year when the world changes colors and food and drinks of all kinds become pumpkin flavored. Here in Alabama, this also means students are not drenched in a puddle of sweat by the time they get to class. It’s time to pull out those football jerseys and plaid shirts, face that fear of heights, ride the Ferris Wheel and carve a pumpkin or two. To begin fall, towns all over have fun fair festivities or an Oktoberfest to celebrate the new season. With the fair comes funnel cake and fried Oreos. Bonfires become more popular with the cooler weather and call for making s’mores and roasting weenies. Coffee lovers will be excited the infamous pumpkin spice latte is back. Then who could forget the fact that the next two holidays call for loads of free food? For the fashionistas, flannels and booties are a passion. It’s also sweater weather for those who like to get cozy.
Enjoy some fall festivals and trickor-treating and get creative with costumes and decorations. There is nothing like riding on a hayride on a cool fall evening through a huge field. Go with friends or family to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin to carve. For those who enjoy the spookier side of fall, haunted houses are a must. Whether it is Arx Mortis in Killen or Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a good scare. There are many things to love about fall, but the part everyone should enjoy is time spent sharing memories with friends and family. Cherish that selfie with your best friend at the fair. Laugh at your dad or mom accidentally busting a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and getting it all over them. It is also about trying new things with the beginning of a new season. Hold your friend’s hand while you go through the haunted house because you are scared. It is okay, you are not the only one afraid. Enjoy all that fall has to offer.
Stack ‘em up A stack of logs await to be used in a bonfire. One of the many perks of fall is sitting around a campfire and making s’mores or roasting weenies.
All aboard The ferris wheel at the North Alabama fair in Florence lights up the night sky in the fall of 2015. The fair is one of many fall festivals that roll around during this part of the year.
Leaf summer behind A dead leaf falls on a trampoline. The leaf’s crisp texture and brown color symbolizes that the fall season has officially arrived.
CALENDAR 15 Thurs., Oct. 6 What: SGA Senate Meeting When: 3:30 p.m. Where: GUC Room 200 What: UPC Movie Night: The Conjuring 2 When: 7- 10 p.m. Where: Memorial Amphitheater
Fri., Oct. 7 What: University Closed for Fall Break
Sat., Oct. 8 What: University closed for Fall Break
Sun., Oct. 9 What: The Flor-Ala’s writers’ meeting When: 4 p.m. Where: Student Publications
MELANIE HODGES | Chief Photographer
UNA Football players celebrate during a game against Valdosta State. The football team plays Shorter Saturday, Oct. 15, for their homecoming game at Braly Stadium.
Tues., Oct. 18
What: Shoals Symphony at UNA: Our Town- Modern Ballet
What: The Kirkman Combo Performance
Building
When: 7:30 p.m.
When: 3- 5:30 p.m.
What: Chartwells/Lion’s Den Karaoke
What: University closed for Fall
Where: Norton Auditorium
Where: Spirit Quad
When: 6:30- 9:30 p.m.
Break
Fri., Oct. 14
Mon., Oct. 10
What: Homecoming shirts on sale
What: UPC Meeting
When: 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
What: Lion Walk When: 4 p.m.
Where: GUC Food Court What: UNA Volleyball vs. West Georgia When: 7 p.m. Where: Flowers Hall
Where: GUC Atrium
Where: Royal Avenue, Braly Stadium
What: Athlete Meet and Greet
What: Pre-Game Show
When: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
When: 5:20 p.m.
Where: Applebee’s
Where: Braly Stadium
What: Alumni Basketball Game When: Women’s- 6 p.m., Men’s7 p.m.
What: UNA Football v. Shorter Where: Braly Stadium
Wed., Oct. 19
Where: Flowers Hall
Sun., Oct. 16
What: UNA Soccer v. West
Where: Meet at the OAC
What: Pep Rally, Bonfire and
Wed., Oct. 12
Rave
What: Homecoming shirts go on sale When: 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Where: GUC Atrium
Where: Cross Point Field, 1350 Cox Creek Pkwy
What: UNA Soccer v. Mississippi College When: 1 p.m. Where: Bill Jones Athletic Complex
When: 3:30- 5 p.m. Where: GUC Room 208 What: Zimbabwe Interest Meeting When: 4- 5 p.m. Where: GUC Room 208
Tues., Oct. 11 What: Outdoor Adventure Center Forks of Cypress Tour When: 7- 8 p.m.
What: UNA Soccer vs. Delta State When: 7 p.m.
When: 9 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 15 What: Homecoming Parade When: 11 a.m.
When: 6 p.m.
What: The Flor-Ala’s writers’ meeting When: 4 p.m. Where: Student Publications
Where: Bill Jones Athletic Complex
Where: Court Street
Thur., Oct. 13
What: Alumni Purple and White Flag Football Game
Mon., Oct. 17
What: SGA Senate Meeting
When: Noon- 2 p.m. Where: Bill Jones Athletic Complex
When: 3:30- 5 p.m.
When: 3:30 p.m. Where: GUC Room 200
Building
What: UPC Meeting
What: Faculty Recital: Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown and Dr. Terrance Brown When: 7:30 Where: Music Building Recital Hall
Georgia When: 7 p.m. Where: Bill Jones Athletic Complex What: Presidential Debate Viewing Party When: 7:30- 10 p.m. Where: GUC Room 208
Check una.edu for more events and activities.
Where: GUC Room 208
In addition to allowing students to submit topics for the calendar, the 2016-17 paper will allow students to purchase classified ads for a small fee — no more getting lost in the pages by the mailroom! Contact editor@florala.net for questions.
16 EXTRA
SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK