CELEBRATING 38 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
KENTUCKY KERNEL
Employee wages should increase, Top 20 still priority
WWW.KYKERNEL.COM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
Tattoo expo in Lex for weekend | POP! Page 3
By Laura Clark lclark@kykernel.com
Members of the Lexington Fire Department monitor the burning of the first dorm room replica between Blanding Tower and the Phi Sigma Kappa house on Wednesday afternoon.
Making room for safety Students learn about dorm fires from demonstration
The UK president said unfreezing faculty salaries and the Top 20 Business Plan are the school’s shortterm and long-term top priorities. In an interview with the Kernel on Wednesday, UK President Lee Todd said despite the faculty and staff salary freezes, UK employees have been able to work through it. “People kept really focused and keep pushing forward despite no raises for the last two years, but three years in a row is just intolerable,” Todd said. Todd said he was unsure of what steps were going to be taken to unfreeze faculty pay, but that something must be done. “You can brag on people, but that doesn’t pay their bills and that doesn’t send their kids to college,” he said. Mark Summers, a history professor who has taught at UK for 25 years, said the pay freeze has led to more “tired blood” in the departments. “It’s not much of an in-
kperkowski@kykernel.com
awolffbrandt@kykernel.com
In the event of a fire, students living in residence halls have less than three minutes to escape before it is too late. For Campus Fire Safety Month, the UK Fire Marshal’s Office, with the help of the Lexington Fire Department, built two model dorm rooms to demonstrate to students how quickly flames can engulf a room. Both rooms contained typical dorm items, including snack food boxes, clothes and posters. The first room demonstration did not include a sprinkler system. The time of ignition to the time of flashover was clocked at two minutes and thirty seconds. A flashover is when the flames engulf everything in the room, UK Fire Marshal Greg Williamson said. In the room with the sprinkler system, the sprinkler activated in about 40 seconds. Both rooms had
smoke detectors, which triggered in about 15 seconds. Carrie Bowling, a member of the Lexington Fire Department and Fire Prevention Community Services, said that most students have no
idea how dangerous fires really are. “In our position, we get to see how quickly a fire can spread and how devastating it can be, where you would never see that. That’s See Fire safety on page 4
After the model dorm rooms were burnt, students were able to get close and observe the aftermath on Wednesday afternoon between Blanding Tower and the Phi Sigma Kappa house. Firefighter Carrie Bowling shows the students the difference between the room with the sprinkler system and the room without.
“
With fire, you never know. It does what it wants to, when it wants to. It’s a living, breathing animal.” — Greg Williamson, UK fire marshal
time to be raising tuition. But it is a source of revenue for us.” LEE TODD UK president
centive to be excellent,” Summers said. “I teach overloads, and I won’t be rewarded. If I publish books, I won’t be rewarded.” It doesn’t offer an incentive ... makes other younger people look for jobs somewhere else,” Summers said. Finding how to fund these salary increases will be a “paramount” issue for next year, Todd said. Cutting costs is one way Todd said he is trying for additional See Todd on page 4
Police chief job vacant, no immediate plans By Katie Perkowski
Story and photos by Adam Wolffbrandt
“It’s not a good
A timeline has yet to be set in choosing a permanent police chief for UK, the UK president said Wednesday. In February 2006, McDonald Vick was named the police chief, but resigned a few months later after it was discovered that he paid a former female officer $25,000 to drop a sexual harassment lawsuit in North Carolina, according to a March 11 Kernel article. Maj. Joe Monroe was named interim police chief after the incident and has remained in that position for more than three years. In an interview with the Kernel on Wednesday, President Lee Todd said UK does not currently have a search to fill the position. “I know that we have had a couple of missteps
and we’ve been overly cautious, but it’s time to make a move on that,” Todd said. Anthany Beatty, assistant vice president for public safety, said when the vacancy of the position was originally announced, there were about 70 or 80 people who applied, but that the university would have to see how many of them were still interested. Beatty said the process for finding a police chief was slowed down when he got to UK more than a year ago so that he could understand the history of leadership with UK Police and get used to working in a campus environment. Beatty said he has learned everything that he needs to, but that there is still no set timeline for interviewing candidates for the vacant position. Kyle Ostrander, an unSee Police chief on page 4
Todd, Smith to address campus issues at speech By Brandon Farmer news@kykernel.com
Thursday’s State of the University Address will outline key topics that President Lee Todd and Student Government President Ryan Smith feel are important to the student body and to the state in general. In an interview with the Kernel on Wednesday, President Todd expressed his concern on UK’s involvement with the community. “I remember when I first came, that (community involvement) was something I thought was pretty fundamental,” Todd said. “We have to get out around the state and do things that are representative of the Ken-
tucky person.” Todd said he wants to recognize individuals who have assisted UK in its effort to improve the state and assist the university with achieving top-20 status. “It’ll be a bit of a recognition ceremony,” Todd said. “Trying to recognize some of the people on campus who are helping us really show that we are a university of the state.” Smith said the address would include an evaluation of SG’s performance in the past year and an idea of what to expect in the future. “I’m going to look at some of the initiatives and the programs we’ve put into place this year,” Smith said,
Gillispie offered plea deal Former UK men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie has been offered a plea bargain, Gillispie’s attorney said. William Patrick could not talk about the intricacies of the plea deal offered to his client by Anderson County attorney Bobbi Jo Lewis. Patrick said the Kentucky Rules of Professional Attorneys don’t allow him to. Patrick said plea bargains made by
the prosecution are routine in such cases and ultimately, it will be Gillispie’s choice in what path he chooses to take. “I can offer him my advice,” Patrick said. “But ultimately it is his decision.” Gillispie was arrested and charged with drunken driving in Anderson County on Aug. 27. It was the third time Gillispie had been arrested on alcohol-related driving charges, though he has never been
online
www.kykernel.com
First issue free. Subsequent issues 25 cents.
See Campus on page 4
Former UK men’s basketball head coach Billy Gillispie was offered a plea bargain for his drunken driving charge in August.
convicted of DUI. Gillispie has since checked into an alcohol rehab clinic in Houston. He is scheduled to appear in court in Anderson County on Oct. 5.
Todd, Barnhart depositions postponed Depositions with UK President Lee Todd and UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart were postponed due
PHOTO BY BRITNEY MCINTOSH STAFF
See Gillispie on page 4
Women’s soccer goes on the road to start SEC schedule Newsroom: 257-1915; Advertising: 257-2872
PAGE 2 | Thursday, September 24, 2009
THINKING OUTSIDE THE FRAME
4puz.com
p
I was doing an assignment for my JOU 497 class the other day when I came across this photograph. Our job was to go outside and take pictures so I decided to work with framing. Here we have a delivery guy behind the journalism building framed by the railing on the side of the building. Interesting pictures can be found everywhere. — ZACH BRAKE
online
George and Elisabetta’s glitzy debut After the excitement of her first red carpet walk as George Clooney's girlfriend, at Italy's Venice Film Festival, no less. Italian MTV host Elisabetta Canalis, 31, took a moment with her beau, 48, to soak it all in. The duo, who have been dating since July, ended their September 8 night in a garden at their luxe Hotel Cipriani digs. "They looked pooped, but at peace," a fellow guest says of Canalis and Clooney, who broke his hand after shutting it in a car door last month. "She was leaning in to George on the chair and looked very cozy and happy. It was their little moment away from the mayhem of the festival."
Matt & Luciana's Italian getaway Matt Damon tells Us filming The Informant!, for which he gained 30 pounds, was "probably the funnest time I had working." Possibly more entertaining? Stealing away for amore with his wife of nearly four years, Luciana, 33, while promoting the new comedy in Venice, Italy. The pair, who have three daughters, enjoyed an alfresco dinner at Fortuny Restaurant September 5 and took a boat ride the following evening. "When they stepped off the boat, he held his hand out and lifted her up," says an onlooker. "He almost dropped his phone, but I don't think he would have cared - it's clear he puts Luciana first."
Emma Watson's move-in buddy
So long, Hogwarts! When Harry Potter's Emma Watson arrived for her Brown University freshman orientation (via helicopter!), the English actress, 19, brought something to remind her of home: her boyfriend of more than a year, British financier Jay Barrymore, 25. "She introduced him to all her new college friends," says a fellow student. "They strolled around campus hand in hand, kissing and hugging."
Jay's joke tester In planning his new NBC prime-time show, Jay Leno tells Us, his best critic is wife of 29 years Mavis. One vetoed joke? "A quick breast-implant place in Beverly Hills called Jiffy Boob," says the comic, 59. "I'm like, 'Mavis, is this anything?' Then I get that stare. It's good to bounce things off the wife."
Karina & Maksim's broken engagement Though Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 29, and Karina Smirnoff were planning June 2010 nuptials, a rep for Smirnoff, 31, confirms the couple of about a year have called it quits. "Maks has loved her since he was 13 years old and really wanted to marry her," a source close to both Dancing With the Stars pros says.
COPYRIGHT 2008 US WEEKLY
www.kykernel.com
Buy photos online. All photos that appear in the Kernel are available at ukcampusphotos.com.
Horoscope To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Hide out until the dust settles. There’s a big mess at work, but someone figures out the problem. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Not a good day to gamble. Don’t even shop. Odds are too great you’ll get the wrong color or size or something. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 7 — You’re in the midst of the confusion. It’s easy to see why you’d want to get out, but it won’t happen for a few days. Cancer (June 22-July 22) — Today is a 7 — There will be mis-
takes. You’re in the learning phase. If you knew how to do this, you wouldn’t be learning, would you? Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — The better educated you are, the more interesting people you attract. This is a true win-win situation. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — You’re stirring things up to get them just right. Take responsibility for the mess you’re making. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Spiritual matters may take a giant step forward now. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — This is a good day for you, so make the most of it. Your one-track mind takes you in many di-
rections. Enjoy!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Today is your day! Make the most of every opportunity. Eat imported chocolate, if possible. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5 — Stick to the game plan, even if others are on vacation emotionally. Compassion is your best tool. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Use the ideas that have been rolling around in the back of your mind. Pull them out of a hat like a magician. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — When you’re on, you’re on. Take advantage of today’s opportunities. They will serve you into the future. (C) 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Kernel Pop Thursday, September 24, 2009 | Page 3
By Matt Murray mmurray@kykernel.com
Want to see some art that gets under your skin? This weekend, the Greater Kentucky Tattoo and Piercing Expo looks to showcase just that. he fifth annual Tattoo Expo is bringing over 50 talented and award-winning tattoo and piercing artists from across the globe to the Lexington Convention Center this weekend. When Greg Huser, owner of Castle of Color and the prime coordinator of the event, says artists from across the globe, he’s not exaggerating. “We have the best in the business coming in this weekend, including artists from places like Nevada and New York, but also from places like China and Germany,” Huser said. The event started in 2005 after
Huser had been attending conventions on his own and noticed there were shows in nearby areas like Knoxville, Tenn., and Columbus, Ohio, but none in the Lexington area. He then teamed up with friends and peers in the business to organize the event. Huser estimated that roughly 850 people attended the event its first year, and that number swelled to 2,000 in 2008. He expects attendance to be around 2,000 this year, but is unsure how the economy will affect the turnout. “I don’t know how many people will be there, or if the economy will
If you go What: Tattoo and Piercing Expo Where: Lexington Convention Center When: Friday: 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday: 11a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: $15 a day or $30 for the weekend. Under 18 free
have an impact on the numbers, but our industry really hasn’t been affected by the economy. At least not yet,” Huser said. “I’m a news junkie; I like to keep up on that kind of stuff, so I told my employees to save their money. We expected a downturn and it never came. So hopefully the same goes for this weekend.” The event is more interactive than a simple display of tattoos and piercings. Huser said there will be contests, such as the best piercing and tattoo. Sixty-eight trophies will be given away in multiple categories. Along with the tattoos and piercings, there will be magicians and multiple sideshows, Huser said. In the past, the event has had some of its artists perform suspensions, in which a person is lifted from See Tattoo on page 6 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRITNEY MCINTOSH AND JUSTIN LINNE | STAFF
Search for the ‘Holy Grail’ leads to W.T. Young Library By Colin Walsh features@kykernel.com
Students and the public can expect to sit back and enjoy some popular movies this semester, as French graduate students prepare to study the mythology of the Holy Grail. The Division of French and Italian, in the department of modern and classical languages, literatures and cultures, kicked off its “Search for the Holy Grail” film series last Thursday in the W. T. Young Library Auditorium with a screening of “Perceval le Gallois.” The film series will serve as a complement to a graduate seminar in French, “Du grail au grail saint au Saint Graal.” The course traces the mythology of the Holy Grail from its origins in medieval French literature, toward its prevalence in 20th and 21st century works such as, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” both of which will be featured in the series. Films will be introduced by students who will relate them to their readings for the semester. Attendees can expect to enjoy the films as well as learn the history of the grail from its beginning as an unsophisti-
cated serving dish to its associations with the Arthurian kingdom in 12th and 13th century French literature, and how the story of the Holy Grail has inspired filmmakers for decades. The “Search for the Holy Grail” film series will continue this Thursday with a screening of the critically acclaimed, and Academy Award-Winning film “The Fisher King,” staring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. “The Fisher King” is a comedy-drama that follows the story of two men as they search for the Holy Grail in Manhattan, N.Y. Movies in the series include “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” on Oct. 14, “Parsifal” on Oct. 20 and 21, “Excalibur” on Nov. 3, “Stalker” on Nov. 12 and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on Nov. 19. All movies begin at 7 p.m. at the Young Library Auditorium. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
If you go What: “Search for the Holy Grail” film series When: Oct. 14, 20, 21, Nov. 3, 12, 19 at 7 p.m. Where: W.T. Young Library Auditorium Admission: Free
Too much information When to shut up about the ex Being open and honest — two traits all would agree are important to a relationship. But is there ever a time you should maybe hold back a little? Omit KATIE some SALTZ facts? Kernel columnist You might say “No,” but there is one definite topic where you can easily go overboard with the info — and that is the ex factor. Oh, the dreaded exes. Something that inevitably comes up but no one really wants to hear about. But there are some common faux pas that people make when talking about the exes. Let’s clear those up. Trash-talking the ex: Many people who have been burned have a tendency to remember their ex in a lessthan-favorable light. But this shouldn’t bleed through to your next relationship. Referring to your ex girlfriend as that “blood-sucking whore,” or ex-boyfriend as the “no good, self absorbed
cheater,” may be cathartic to you, it’s unattractive to any new mate. No one really knows the exact circumstances of the break up but you and your ex, so all we see is a bitter exterior. Even if you were hurt badly, refrain from trash talk, because hearing your vicious words about the ex makes some wonder, “What will you say about me if we break up?” Holding on to memorabilia: This is a major red flag to any potential new partner. Old presents, birthday cards, pictures (material and online) or mixed tapes — all things that scream, “So not over it!” It’s difficult to pretend you are focused on this new person, when the ghost of the old one is all around your room, car or even in a shoebox under your bed. You have to let go of the physical reminders to make room for your new flame. Warn the friends: Nothing is more awkward than taking Joe to a party and hearing your friends say, “Where’s Steve? You broke up? But you guys were so good together!” It makes things incredibly uncomfortable for the new person, and might deter them from keeping things going. No one
wants to hear how much your friends loved the ex. Tell your friends to keep their mouths shut in the new love’s presence and to give them a chance. Comparisons: It’s almost as bad as comparing your new girlfriend to your mother. Never compare your new flame to your ex (at least out loud). Whether it’s a compliment or in a fight, it’s relationship suicide. “Mary always used to do that,” is not what Sarah wants to hear. Wipe the slate clean and don’t assume that a few similar traits or quirks will equate to a relationship repeat. Bedroom details: Just don’t share these about the ex. Ever. Ever, ever, ever. These are just a few common slips people make, but the bottom line is simple — let go of the ex completely before moving on to a new relationship. Anger, memories, that teddy bear you got for Valentine’s Day — let it all go. It will give your new relationship a better chance at survival. Katie Saltz is a journalism senior. E-mail theheartbeat@kykernel.com.
the
beat
PAGE 4 | Thursday, September 24, 2009
FIRE SAFETY Continued from page 1 why we wanted to do this (demonstration) for the students,” Bowling said. “My RA told me that everybody from (floor) eight and above is dead,” Evan Barnett, a pre-pharmacy freshman and resident of Blanding Tower, said of fire safety plans. “We are on 12, so (my RA) said that we don’t have much of a chance.” Unattended cooking equipment, candles and extension chords cause the most fires, Williamson said. Williamson said the UK fire safety policy includes items that are prohibited because fires have started at some point due to every item. Many college fire fatalities are related to alcohol intoxication, Bowling said. “If you are not alert enough to pay attention to
Lexington Fire Department and Fire Prevention Community Services member Carrie Bowling speaks to the audience of the dorm room burning demonstration about fire safety next to the Phi Sigma Kappa house on Wednesday afternoon. the fire detector, that’s a huge problem,” she said. Williamson said fires are unpredictable. “With fire, you never
know. It does what it wants to, when it wants to do it,” he said. “It’s a living, breathing animal.” For more fire prevention
policies, schedules and safety guides, go to the UK fire marshal’s Web site, (http://ehs.uky.edu/fire).
Phonathon program prospers in tough times By Jenny Boylan news@kykernel.com
Despite 2008 being one of the worst economic years in recent history, it was the most prosperous year for the UK Phonathon program since it began in the mid-1990s. A philanthropic program, the Phonathon brought in $1.4 million in annual gift commitments from alumni, parents, and friends of the university between fall 2008 and summer 2009, said Anne
Vanderhorst, Phonathon coordinator. Since the beginning of this school year, the Phonathon program has brought in $130,000, call leader Ashley Martinez said. The Phonathon aims to achieve three goals: raise support for scholarships and other improvements across campus, foster positive feelings and connections with alumni, and make sure alumni, parents, and friends of the university are always up to date
TODD Continued from page 1 funds, which he said raised the question about the rising student tuition. “It’s not a good time to be raising tuition,” Todd said. “But it is a source of revenue for us.” Summers said the rising tuition was more of a problem than the faculty pay freezes. “Tuition going up means people won’t get the opportunity to get an education … and UK education is a bargain,” Summers said. “We’re farther from the top-20 status than we ever were.” Todd said three vehicles of attempting to raise funds to offset the money that comes from the general fund were outside development, tuition and cost cutting. He said money would be tight next year, even with additional state money. However, Todd also said it was too early to speak about budget since he did not know the numbers the university would be dealing with. The actual salary and benefit costs for all UK employees for the 2007 to 2008 fiscal year was $1,146,228,200 and the university has budgeted $1,095,736,600 for salary and benefit
on important information, Vanderhorst said. Students make up the entire staff of the program and aim to provide a firsthand perspective on the university and explain why annual giving is important to UK’s excellence, according to the program’s Web site. Martinez said she loves being a part of the program because she feels like she is doing something good for the school while getting paid for it.
costs for all UK employees for the 2008 to 2009 fiscal year, UK spokesman Jimmy Stanton said in an e-mail to the Kernel. The decrease between the actual 2007 to 2008 fiscal year and budgeted 2008 to 2009 fiscal year reflects the budget cuts the university absorbed during the 2007 to 2008 fiscal year, Stanton said. The Top 20 Business Plan is still the highest long-term priority because the plan has allowed the university to stay focused and move forward, Todd said. “We have to keep our sights on that top-20 plan because it’s helping us move,” Todd said. “Research is up substantially, student quality is going to go up even though we have a larger number of students, and the quality of the faculty is continuing to improve.” Todd said being a top-20 university would benefit Kentucky, a reason he decided to pursue the business plan. “We can change the economy, we can change education, we can change health care by having top universities,” Todd said. “One of the reasons I took the job was because I thought it was an ambitious goal. If you don’t have ambitious goals and choose mediocre goals, then you’ll be mediocre.”
Tobacco ban about cultural change, not enforcement, Todd says In regards to the Nov. 19 campuswide tobacco ban, Todd said the ban is primarily a cultural campus change for health reasons rather than enforcement reasons. “It’s much more of a culture change issue than trying to catch people smoking,” Todd said.“If you’re a smoker, we’ll offer you a way to get off smoking. It’s the right thing that a flagship university should do,” Todd said. “It’s an addiction that we need to help people remedy.” Todd will make a State of the University Address at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Patterson Office Tower plaza, addressing issues such as diversity, the Top 20 Business Plan and the university’s outreach across the state.
POLICE CHIEF Continued from page 1
declared sophomore, said he does not see the vacant position affecting campus safety, but that he thinks it affects agenda. “I just don’t think he’d be able to get everything accomplished that he’d want to,” Ostrander said. Tim Brackett, a management freshman, said he is not worried about not having a permanent police
chief because he still sees campus police everywhere. “It’s not on the top of my list to worry about,” Brackett said. The title of interim chief comes with the same leadership and responsibilities as the permanent police chief, Beatty said. “The reasons for the position not being filled has nothing to do with him or his leadership ability,” Beatty said. “Joe would certainly be one of the candidates for the position, as he was for the previous application process.”
“The reasons for the position not being filled has nothing to do with him or his leadership ability.” ANTHANY BEATTY assistant vice president for public safety, on UK Interim Police Chief Maj. Joe Monroe
CAMPUS Continued from page 1 “We’ve been working with TallyCats on the scholarship drive and we’ve continued to offer services like childcare grants and free legal services for students.” Smith said he wishes to push the university closer to the top-20 mark. “We’re helping with the top-20 goal in the area of retention with this TallyCats program and with the scholarship drive,” Smith said. “It’s really going to help keep the best and the brightest students around, especially in these economic times.” Smith said he was concerned about SG’s relationship with the administration. “One of the things I want to do is continue to build a strong relationship with the administration,” Smith said. “I represent students, that’s
“I love the people. I love the place," Martinez said. "It’s just a great time.” Alumni want to do what they can to give back to the university and students because they were once in their position, call supervisor Joanna Kohorst said. “It’s times like these when people realize money, especially to students, is extremely important,” Kohorst said. “I’m here on scholarship and alumni support enables this.”
GILLISPIE Continued from page 1 to scheduling conflicts with the lawyers of former UK men’s basketball head coach Billy Gillispie, said Kevin Henry, one of the outside trial council members for UK. The depositions with Todd and Barnhart were scheduled for Monday before the postponement. It is still uncertain as to when the depositions will take place, Henry said. Gillispie is currently in a legal battle with the university over an unsigned contract from when he was the head coach. Gillispie filed a lawsuit in Dallas that targeted the UK Athletics Association. Gillispie’s suit said that under his Memorandum of Understanding, he should be paid $1.5 million each year for four of the five years left on the deal. UK says Gillispie filed the lawsuit against the wrong entity. UK attorneys argue that UK, and not the UK Athletics Association, was Gillispie’s employer. — METZ CAMFIELD
my first priority, but it’s really important that I realize my responsibility is to advocate for students. We’ve got to work with the administration and we’re doing that this year.” Smith said he encourages students to attend the address. “I don’t think that many people get a chance to hear first hand from President Todd on some of the goals of his administration and the goals of the university,” Smith said. “I think that it offers a really unique perspective and a good opportunity to listen to what he has to say.”
If you go What: State of the University Address When: Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Where: Patterson Office Tower plaza Admission: Free
kernel. we do it daily.
OPINIONS Thursday, September 24, 2009
Page 5
KERNEL EDITORIAL BOARD Kenny Colston, editor in chief Austin Schmitt, asst. opinions editor Melissa Vessels, managing editor Ben Jones, sports editor Allie Garza, managing editor Megan Hurt, features editor Wesley Robinson, opinions editor The opinions page provides a forum for the exchange of ideas. Unlike news stories, the Kernel’s unsigned editorials represent the views of a majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, cartoons and other features on the opinions page reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of the Kernel.
Faculty, staff raises must be top priority ■ KERNEL EDITORIAL In his annual sit-down interview with the Kernel Editorial Board, UK President Lee Todd showed that he cares about the individuals that make the university run. Todd said that the number one short-term goal would be to have salary increases next year, an extremely commendable move considering the circumstances of the university’s budget. Kentucky is in the midst of its own budget crisis, and has only increased the funding for the university by $7 million in the eight years Todd has been at the university. Additionally, there isn’t a concrete university budget in place for next year as a result of the possible shortfalls, and the money has to come from somewhere. In order to increase faculty and staff’s pay 1 percent, $3 million must be allocated. To date, faculty and staff have done a more-than-outstanding job persevering through the effects these rough times have had on the university, state and nation. That said, it’s time for faculty and staff to receive their due. Faculty and staff have been taking pay cuts over the past couple of years. The economy has hit a downturn, the cost of living, benefits and services have gone up and salary has remained the same. It now costs more for employees to park, pay for gas to get to work and eat a meal while at work, but pay is still the same. Something is wrong with this picture and hopefully it will be fixed soon. Looking ahead, the funds from the stimulus program will run out in 2011, and the state and university have to find ways to make up for the absence of the temporary fix of the stimulus package. One thing Todd touched on in the interview was that UK must keep competitive wages for the position of president in mind. Todd said that when UK will look for its next president, it must reassess the current language of the contract of the UK president, so that they are making a salary competitive with other comparable peers. The other caveat to that statement that needs to be mentioned is that UK must do its best to keep competitive wages for the regular faculty and staff that run the university day to day. It is vital that UK adequately compensate its employees from the bottom, up. The people who are most affected by such financial issues are the people who have not received raises or have not been recently hired in by the university. The administration must take on a mentality to do whatever is necessary to ensure the well being of its employees. So many individuals pour everything they have into this university. At the very least, they deserve competitive wages.
Student housing committee missing point with new plan Big government has come to the city of Lexington and it doesn’t end with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. The recently publicized new student housing plan presented by LFUCG, and a group within, titled the Student Housing Task Force has come under scrutiny. The plan AUSTIN would prevent offSCHMITT campus neighborhoods Kernel to house students livcolumnist ing right next to each other, effectively pushing students farther and farther away from campus. A student gathering on Sept. 22 that started at UK and marched to City Hall to argue the plan is a beginning, but UK students may want to retrace their steps. LFUCG is not the only ones stirring the pot, but members of UK’s community are in on the deal as well. Five members of UK’s community, Lisa Higgins-Hord, UK assistant vice president for university engagement, Tony Blanton, UK assistant dean of students, Joe Monroe, UK interim chief of police, Tyler Montell, former UK Student Government president and Nick Stamatiadis, a UK engineering professor, are part of this task force, according to the Student Housing Task Force report. Think the city of Lexington could get away with a ludicrous plan like this and not include UK? Take another look, students. It’s not just Lexington that wants to take away your rights to live in an off-campus residence, it is the very people within your campus community.
If you can make a list of families that want to raise their children between two houses of students, I would love to see it. This is a hard sell for me. According to the report, 76 percent of UK students live off campus. With some simple math, that leaves 24 percent of UK students living on campus, which is approximately one quarter of the total undergraduate population. One quarter of 18,000 undergraduate students is about 4,500 students. UK Housing can only house around 5,100 students on campus, according to its Web site. So where do the rest of these students live? The obvious answer is close to campus in an off-campus residence. When students are progressively pushed off campus, they look to find a residence relatively close to campus, maybe even within walking distance of their classes. Get ready for this mind-blowing revelation; students may live in groups of homes called neighborhoods “neighboring” UK so they can get to class in an efficient manner. Well, this seemingly obvious concept is getting blown to bits by the pro-
posed new student housing regulations. Not only is this plan inconceivable, it is not fair. This plan asks students to move farther away from campus, effectively eliminating the easy walk to class and giving UK more problems. Oh wait, alternative ways to get to campus are available, right? One could easily begin to ride their bike to campus. No, that wouldn’t work because there’s this new procedure about registering bikes and being able to park and chain the bikes only in certain places. Throw that idea out the window. Drive your car to campus? That’s the biggest joke of them all. Every student knows driving on and around campus gives the driver more of a headache than cramming the night before a final exam. Also, students surely wouldn’t want to contribute to Lexington’s carbon footprint — already the highest in the nation — by adding more vehicles on the road during high-traffic periods. How about LexTran or the UK bus system? It’s a possibility, but LexTran’s schedules are not flexible for students on the move. They are also part of LFUCG. Does anyone detect the scent of a conspiracy? So now that there are no efficient ways to get to class, what are students to do? This is only one of the problems with this plan. It’s hard to believe that members of the UK community on this task force would stand for a plan like this. Did they have the best intentions of the students in mind when they contributed to these meetings? Under the plan, any student that wants to move into an off-campus home must apply for a permit and pay a “small annual fee” to LFUCG that would pay the cost of periodic inspections every two to three years. More money for students to pay, leaving them deeper in debt when they leave school. With tuition rising every year and more fees added every year, isn’t this a little over the top? The problem will only get worse under these new guidelines. With UK calling to increase undergraduate enrollment to 25,000 by the year 2020 under the glorious top-20 plan, student housing will only become harder to come by and UK isn’t doing much to help. Also included in the report, it stated that UK only plans to increase the on-campus housing by 1,500 beds in this same period of time. Another quick calculation will show that if this enrollment increase occurs (which I wouldn’t bet on), then 4,500 more students will have to find an off-campus residence. The numbers don’t add up and neither does the sense. If you can make a list of families that want to raise their kids between two houses of students, I would love to see it. Vacant homes will surround this campus and landlords will have to force higher rent to students because they won’t be able to fill their properties. In tough economic times, this is unreasonable. When will the city of Lexington and UK recognize the reason this community thrives — UK students — and do something that actually benefits them? Austin Schmitt is a finance sophomore. E-mail aschmitt@kykernel.com.
STAFF FILE PHOTO
UK President Lee Todd at the introductory conference for UK men’s basketball head coach John Calipari in April 2009.
Q&A with Lee Todd Part one: UK president discusses university issues with the Kernel Q : Is the top-20 plan still the main goal of your administration even with budget cuts?
A : We have gone through a recalibration of it, which I think you have to do. Business plans are live documents that you have to see where you are at any given point in time and make adjustments. The challenge we have right now is that the whole national financial picture is so fluid and the state’s situation is hard to predict what it will or will not be able to do. So we’re not going to reforecast the dollar amounts we need right now, just because we’re going to fight for every dollar we can get. We’re still hanging on to that plan type … It differentiates us from different universities in the state, it gives us a reason to be, in order to push ourselves toward higher quality faculty and higher quality students and higher quality programs. I can’t say we can’t make it, but I know we’ll be a lot better off (if we) continue to push for it. If you were to talk to deans we recruited … they came because they felt there’s something going on here. We’ve got some momentum despite the financial times. [Provost Kumble Subba]swammy and I made the decision not to freeze hiring. If we could just keep ourselves moving, it’s a great time to take advantage of it. We’ve been able to make progress in tough times. People kept really focused and keep pushing forward despite no raises for the last two years, but three years in a row is just intolerable. I’m not sure what all we’re going to do there, but we’re going to have to do something because you can brag on people, but that doesn’t pay their bills and that doesn’t send their kids to college. You’ve got to look at how to fund salary increases. That’s a paramount issue for next year. We haven’t made a decision on the budget yet, but our highest priority is trying to find a way to have salary increases for faculty and staff, and looking at any source of funds we can have. We’re looking at any cost-cutting we can do. That does raise the question about tuition, because it’s not a good time to be raising tuition, but it is a source of revenue for us. We’re doing all we can to raise funds to try to offset some of the money that comes out of the general fund money (money that the state gives UK). I’ve been here since 2001 and, in that time, there has
only been a $7 million increase over eight years (from $303 million to $310 million). There are three vehicles: outside development, tuition and cost-cutting. If there is state money, that’s an upside. It’s going to be tight next year even with additional state money.
Q : Is it too soon to start talking about the budget? A : It’s too early to talk about the budget because we don’t know what numbers we’re going to be dealing with.
Q : Is it safe to say that your number one goal is still the top-20 plan, and if it’s not, what is your number one goal?
A : Top-20 plan is still the goal, but the number one shortterm goal is how to get salary increases for next year. Long term, we have to keep our sights on that top-20 plan because it’s helping us move. Research is up substantially, student quality is going to go up even though we have larger number of students and the quality of the faculty is continuing to improve. A lot of it is attributed to the top-20 plan — it gives us a reason to be and someway to focus. We can change the economy, we can change education, we can change health care by having top universities. The top-20 plan will be part of my legacy. One of the reasons I took the job is because I thought it was an ambitious goal. If you don’t have ambitious goals, and choose mediocre goals, you’ll be mediocre.
Q
: Can you clarify the status of whether or not you accepted your bonus? What is different between this year and last year, as to why you didn’t accept the bonus?
A : When I came in and the committee asked me what salary they should target, I told them just to pick the average salary for the Southeastern Conference, because that’s who we’re associated with. So they did that and came out with a number, but it was higher than what the CPE (Council on Postsecondary Education) president was being paid, and there was a thing in House Bill 1 that said no university president should be paid more than the CPE president. The interpretation that committee took at that time was, ‘Well, we can pay him more than that, but we know that’s not a competitive salary,’ because they have all the na-
tional surveys and they knew what the other presidents in the state were making. What some of them do is they have foundations, so they get a salary from the university, which is what you normally hear about, but then what you don’t know is what they get from the foundation because those aren’t public entities. We don’t have a foundation. My contract is what it is. We’re very transparent … the content (of the agreement that made the salary competitive) was: we’ll put a $100,000 in here that will get you to the average, but then it kind of took on this bonus connotation. The last time they re-did my contract, they didn’t put any upside into the bonus for the base salary. I’ve never had a raise from the base salary. This year, it’s the same thing. I’m probably the fourthhighest paid president in the state, if you really look at the total compensation people get. I don’t know where I’m at in the SEC now, but some of that gets you up to the average of the SEC and with the total it might have exceeded that. I don’t know, I haven’t looked at the data. The difference this year, than the other years, is that we have not been able to give a salary increase and I just didn’t feel comfortable taking anything this year. Last year, I took all of it except $50,000, which I left in there, but nobody paid attention to that part of it. It was as if I took the whole thing, so I figured I might as well give it all up. It’s not good for the university to pay a salary which is not really not a competitive salary. When they start looking for another president, they’re going to have to pay a national market price, whatever that is, they’re going to have to change it. The other thing that’s happened in the meantime is companies like AIG and all these other places which have disappeared because their people have all taken these ungodly bonuses, which are just hard to explain. This one is at least based on a numerical (performance) basis, on which I’m very pleased to receive a 96 rating. When you think about it, when you have an anonymous request to fill out a performance form in an academic institution, to be able to get a 96 is pretty good. I always feel good about that, and then the bonus question comes up. It gets disconnected from the performance. My point, I guess, is, look at some of these corporations where these people get these multimillion dollar bonuses and they lost money. I know I don’t understand that, so I think most people think of bonuses they think of non-performance.
Respond Online Go to www.kykernel.com to comment on opinions pieces. All online comments may be used in the paper as letters to the editor.
Comment at www.kykernel.com
PAGE 6 | Thursday, September 24, 2009
TATTOO Continued from page 3 the ground by the peircings in their back or shoulders. This is just one of multiple unusual shows the event has hosted. “Last year we had two beautiful, nude ladies lay on top of one another, the one on top with rings inserted in peircings down her back, the one on the bottom with the rings in her side, and the two were laced together by ribbons while photographers shot them. It’s living abstract art,” Huser said. “Of course, we do some weird genitalia piercings that can get pretty strange sometimes. Use your imagination on that one.”
Despite the risqué content, Huser ensures the Expo is a family event. Any controversial tattoos, piercings and events are done in isolation in order to guarantee as comfortable an atmosphere as possible for attendees of all ages. One of the things Huser most looks forward to about the event is breaking some of the stereotypes people have. “These people are drug free. Many of them don’t even drink. It’s professional and sanitary. We monitor ourselves above and beyond what is required by law,” Huser said. “The people doing it these days are, frankly, quite intelligent people. They see this as a true art form rather than a drunken sailor or prostitute wandering in and getting a tattoo on a whim.”
House nears OK on dramatic expansion of college student aid By David Lightman McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives is expected last week to back overhauling —and simplifying — how college students receive financial aid. The rules for awarding and repaying loans would remain unchanged, but the government would make all loans itself, ending the practice of subsidizing loans made by private lenders. The Obama administration, which has made revamping the student loan system a major domestic priority, has hailed the bill as historic. "This is a big, big deal," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Tuesday at a news conference. He called the measure "the largest investment in higher education since the GI Bill" first passed in 1944 to help World War II veterans. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., vowed that the legislation would help students at "no cost to taxpayers." That depends on how one interprets budget data, however. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that the loan program changes should save the government $86.8 billion over the next 10 years. It also noted in its official
July report on the bill, however, that it would include spending all but $7.8 billion of that on aid to students and higher education. In an update last week, the CBO said economic changes could boost spending overall by $10.5 billion, meaning that the bill could add to the deficit. "The truth is, no one really knows how much this plan will cost," said Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the senior Education and Labor Committee Republican. Independent analysts agreed. Changes in the loan program will "save a big chunk of money," said Marc Goldwein, the policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a watchdog group. "Will it be the right amount to offset the new spending? The obvious answer is we don't know." Goldwein warned that the new system's fiscal outlook would be "particularly uncertain" because it would depend on economy-related factors such as default rates, needbased aid and other factors. The bill would scrap much of the current student loan system, which critics say is too costly and too complicated. The new program would create big savings, the CBO figures. It would save money because of changes in subsidy rates, the CBO said. Some
savings could be achieved with lower interest rates; the bill would set a new rate based on the price of 91-day Treasury bills plus 2.5 percentage points. The rate would be adjusted annually. At the same time, though, the measure would expand the cost of the Pell Grant program, which helps lower-income students. Currently, the maximum annual award is $5,350. Under the bill, that would grow to $6,900 by 2019. The CBO estimated in July that the changes would cost the government at least $39.4 billion over that period. Members of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators are divided on the bill's merits. Justin Draeger, the organization's vice president of public policy, likes the Pell Grant provisions. "Any investment we can make in Pell Grants is money well spent. There's been irrefutable evidence that providing low-income families with these dollars year after year increases access to education," he said. Most activists and lawmakers agree on at least one point: The application process needs to be streamlined. The bill promises to "dramatically cut down the number of questions on the form," partly by allowing students and families to apply for aid using data from their tax returns.
Thursday, September 24, 2009 | PAGE 7
2BR, 1BA. 185 SIOUX. Central air, all appliances. 1 garage space. Avail. Now. 859-576-3551
& efficiencies. Util. paid, no pets, close to campus. 266-6401. 361-5197 EFFICIENCIES, 1, 2, 3 & 4BR. 2-3 blocks to UK! Pets, a/c. Contact Kelley before they run out at 859-2253680, visit www.touchstonerentals.com or email at kmeenach@crmco.com
06 PONTIAC G6 V6: Silver, automatic, alloy wheels, spoiler. Great condition. 63K miles. $8800. 502-7776820
NEAR COMMONWEALTH STADIUM: 1BR, w/d, central air. Garage. UK bus line. Large yard. $450/mo. 859-748-9677
BOOK SALE: 20-90% OFF entire store through Sept. 25. Morgan Adams Books. 1439 Leestown Rd.
NEW 4BR, 2.5BA townhome with deck, parking, eatin kitchen, w/d included. Off Tates Creek Rd. Clean, painted, new carpet. $1000/mo. 278-0970
CENTER COURT CONDOS OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, September 27th 12-5pm. Info at sales office, all available units open. Cookout on patio-beer & food provided. The South Hill Group 859-246-3086
NEW 4BR HOMES – Only 2 left, very nice. Close to campus. View at lexingtonhomeconsultants.com. Showing daily. Call James McKee 221-7082
FREE COMICS AT COLLECTIBLES, ETC. W/STUDENT ID!!! For every $5 spent, get 2 FREE BOOKS from our discount bins AND get 15% off any purchase w/your ID. Offer valid thru Sept. 30th. 859-2696633/115 N. Locust Hill Dr (at Rich Rd and Man-OWar)
Chicago on Oct 3 for weekend training. Internship position dates are Oct 5-Dec 4. To apply and learn more about this exciting opportunity visit www.ootorecruiters.com and select the Verizon Wireless Blackberry Brand Ambassador position at your school. ATTENTION ALL FEMALE STUDENTS! Make lots of money per night! Flexible Schedule for School. Sell Jell-O & Tooter Shots in Fun Nightclub. Call - 859226-9516 BUD AMBASSADORS NEEDED! Responsibilities include supporting Anheuser-Busch brand and KY Eagle marketing plans in local markets and providing our customers with on-premise promotional marketing and merchandising. This position will interact with consumers and bartenders to elevate the image of beer. Promotions are scheduled for 3 times a week but can be up to 30 promotions a month. This position is ideal for people who have outgoing personalities and like to have fun! Call 2523434 or visit our new facility at 2440 Innovation Drive, Lexington, KY 40511 to apply. Must be 21.
TOWNHOMES NOW AVAILABLE. Close to downtown & UK Campus. Starting at $139,000. 859-8064807. www.MyHomeKY.com
Preferred Master’s Prepared, must be proficient on MS Word/Excel, 15-20 hrs/wk. If interested please contact Lee Weber at: Email: lee@leewebergroup.com, Phone: 859-803-3645. NATIONAL ACADEMY Development Center needs PT Teacher Assistant. 859-273-3292. Apply in person at 3500 Arbor Dr. NEED CHILDCARE HELP Mon. & Thurs. pm. Near UK. Must have experience/references. Please email mkwande76@yahoo.com
FRESH BAKED: TWITTER@MAGEE’S BAKERY
CONFIDENTIAL PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE
Birthright 2134 Nicholasville Rd. 277-2635 suite 6 24-HOUR HOTLINE 1-800-550-4900
NEED CHILDCARE HELP Mon. +Thurs. pm. Near UK. Must have exp/refs. Please email mkwande76@yahoo.com for details. RUSSIAN INTERPRETER NEEDED: Email resume to donna.bay@insightbb.com or call Mrs. Calvert 859312-9619 SECURITY, BARTENDERS & SERVERS WANTED for The Moon Night Club. Call 335-MOON between 14pm. Wed. & Thurs.
I PAY CASH for gift cards! Call Jim Mischner 8061932
SEEKING INDIVIDUAL to work with people with disabilities. Lifting required. $10/hr. + mileage. Call Jessi at Homeplace Support Services at 859-9362010 STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in Lexington. 100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.
3 & 4BR TOWNHOMES for rent. Close to UK. $8751000/mo. Call Sarah 859-621-3578
! 3BR, 2BA. WALK TO campus. $850/mo. Large master, walk-in closets & BAs, a/c, w/d, d/w. Low util. No smoking/pets. 510-608-7676
4BR, 2.5BA NEW CONSTRUCTION: Half month off first month’s rent. Luxury townhouse, Red Mile Rd. Large BRs. Custom kitchen, security system, hardwood flooring, all elec., appliance package with w/d. $375/BR. 859-489-0908. www.mprentals.com
1 BLOCK FROM CAMPUS: 1 & 2BR, a/c, parking. $395-up. 269-4129, 608-2751 call after 1pm.
4BR, 2BA. C/AIR, W/D. $1000/mo. 260 Kentucky Ave. 859-351-3370.
1129 TURKEYFOOT #6. 2BR, 2.5BA. 1586 sq. ft. Deck, fireplace, w/d, 2-car attached garage. No pets. $1100/mo. 859-351-3412
4BR. W/D CONNECTIONS, c/air, covered porch, basement, off-st. parking, $1000/mo. + util. 859-3387005
STUDENTS! FALL EXPANSION! Great pay, flexible FT/PT, sales/service, all ages 18+, conditions apply, 266-0170 THE CHOP HOUSE is currently accepting applications for servers, greeters and chefs. Great pay, flex. hrs. Please apply in person M-Th. b/w 2-4 at 2640 Richmond Rd. 859-268-9555
RENOVATED DOWNTOWN STUDIO and 1BR Apts. Monthly lease, partial util. paid. Starting at $335/mo. 859-245-0572 STUDIO, UK/DOWNTOWN. A/C, w/d, parking. $425/mo. including utilities. 859-361-8467 EARN CASH! Rent-A-Driver LLC is seeking safe and reliable employees with clean background. 859-2334723 HOUSEBOY NEEDED AT Delta Delta Delta. 859-3388354 ! BARTENDING! UP TO $250 a day. No exp. Necessary. Training provided. 800-965-6520 x-132
1BR (TWO KEYS APTS.) Laundry room, hardwood, security. $450/mo. 859-230-3072
16 TAX PREPARERS NEEDED for local tax offices. FREE online tax class available. Call Susie at Jackson Hewitt 866-554-1040 for info or to inquire about positions for experienced tax professionals.
1BR AVAILABLE 10-01-09 near UK. All utilities paid. Parking. $395/mo. Call 489-3371
ALL SPORTS BAR & GRILL: Bartenders & servers needed nightly and weekends. 576-5882
1BR FURNISHED APT. w/ off-st. parking. $425/mo. + utilities. 277-5125
ARE YOU LOOKING for a fun and unique paid marketing internship on campus? OOTO Recruiters is seeking two outgoing, organized and motivated Junior or Senior Student Brand Ambassadors. You will be responsible for attending local campus events to talk about Verizon Wireless products and services. Brand Ambassadors will be flown to
2BR AVAIL. NOW. Close to campus and downtown with w/d. Dennis 983-0726 www.sillsbrothers.com 2BR. NEWLY DECORATED, c/air, covered porch, offst. parking. $650/mo. + util. 859-338-7005
5BR, 2BA HOUSE AVAIL. NOW. Near Med Center. w/d furnished. $1500/mo. + util. Call 489-3371 9 – MONTH LEASES, Starting in Aug. Furnished 1BR
ROOMMATE NEEDED for nice apt. close to UK. Available Now Call 983-0726 www.sillsbrothers.com
LEASING CONSULTANT – PT, WEEKENDS: Are you a star performer? Are you results oriented? Would you like to determine your own income potential? We are seeking a driven Leasing Consultant to join our team of professionals. We offer a respectful, friendly and team-oriented environment with a competitive base pay of $8-10/hour, plus excellent commission opportunities. Hours are Saturdays 9am4pm and Sundays Noon-4pm. Previous sales experience, reliability and an outgoing personality are most successful in this position. Locations on and near campus. Please send resume to Sharon@AndersonCommunities.com LEE WEBER GROUP, INC. Executive Healthcare Recruiting Firm. www.leewebergroup.com. Now hiring PT position: Sales Administrative Assistant:
VALUE CITY FURNITURE is now hiring a PT Decorator for our Nicholasville Rd. store. Decorator will be responsible for floor presentation and upkeep, maintain our Floor-set Calendar program and help to prepare and display all daily samples for the show room. We offer 20-25 hours/wk. and weekly pay. Please apply within our store at: 3220 Nicholasville Rd. at the South Park Shopping Center VOLUNTEERS PAID TO participate in studies concerning the effects of alcohol on behavioral and mental performance. Looking for male & female social drinkers 21-35 years of age. Please call 2575794 WEEKEND FOOD DEMONSTRATOR - Cucina39, an Italian food company, seeks demonstrator to work 4 hours two weekends per month. Location: Whole Foods Market in Lexington, KY. Ideal candidate has enthusiasm to engage retail shoppers. $9/hour. Contact Chef Keaton at keaton@cucina39.com or 703-448-1877.
STUDY ABROAD at the universities in Spain, Costa Rica, Italy. $1985 includes 4-9 credits grad/undergrad +room and board. Contact MLSA www.mlsa.com info@mlsa.com Tel. 815-4641800.See us at the Study Abroad Fair October 14.
PAGE 8 | Thursday, September 24, 2009
Senior libero Brianne Sauer makes a dig in the Cats’ Sept. 8 game against Cincinnati. PHOTO BY BRITNEY MCINTOSH STAFF
UK starts conference play By T.J. Walker sports@kykernel.com
UK (11-1, 1-0) started off Southeastern Conference play last Sunday with a sweep of Louisiana State. If that game was a sign of things to come, then these Cats will accomplish big things this year. UK dropped a spot to No. 17 in the polls after receiving its first loss at Louisville last week, but UK helped its case by sweeping the Tigers. Coming away with a win at LSU is a rarity for teams, let alone sweeping them. UK head coach Craig Skinner said the loss to the Cards might have done the team some good down the road. “Well I’m sure it got our attention, it definitely got our players’ attention to refocus,” Skinner said, “I think the biggest thing it did was force our players to be a little more serious and more focused during match time so they’re prepared for each point.” Winning the SEC is always a goal for the Cats, especially in a year with expectations like the ones the Cats set this season. “It would be huge for us as a team, for our fans, and for our state to be proud of what we’ve done and accomplished,” senior libero BriAnne Sauer said. To do that, the Cats will have to knock off Florida. The Gators have won or shared the SEC title every year since 1991. It will take a special UK team to finally be able to win the SEC. “They have been a dominant program for a long time, and until someone is able to take them out of the conference championship they will continue to do that,” Skinner said. “They have set the bar high and all of us are trying to get a piece of what they have had for a long period of time. Us, along with other teams in the conference, are trying to do that, and again focusing on one match at a time is one of the most important things we can do.”
UK came close to winning the SEC last year. The team feels confident that if it can stay focused all year, keep momentum rolling, and finish strong, it could reach its goal. “You have to go in every game playing your best or a team will sneak up and beat you and every game counts.” Sauer said, “Last year we would lose a game in the middle and that came down in the end, we were one game behind Florida so every game counts.” Although the SEC currently only has two teams ranked in the top 25 – UK and Florida – Skinner thinks the league deserves more credit. “I don’t think the rankings necessarily are indicative of how competitive it is,” Skinner said. “All of the SEC teams have beaten some of the teams that are ranked or getting votes, so it’s competitive. Ole Miss almost beat Florida, who’s ranked No. 5 in the country at the time on the road.” UK plays host this weekend to two SEC teams, Ole Miss on Friday and Arkansas on Sunday. “They’re both going to be really tough. Ole Miss just took Florida to five (sets) and Arkansas just beat South Carolina, swept them,” freshman defensive specialist Stephanie Klefot said. “So they’re going to be competitive matches so we have to be ready to go.” The Cats will need to win almost every game if they want to seize the SEC title. UK hasn’t won the SEC since 1988; most of the players on the roster weren’t even born then. However, if the Cats can duplicate their nonconference play in the SEC, they will be right in the thick of things come late November. “That’s our ultimate goal, it’s to win each and every game to allow us to win the SEC,” Sauer said. “That would be awesome.”