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THURSDAY 11.03.16
Investigations behind closed doors
Walking campus with my rapist ILLUSTRATION BY BEN WADE
Survivor writes open letter to top UK Title IX official
Ms. Patty Bender, When I called this summer and you didn’t remember me, at first, I was shocked and appalled. But perhaps, I shouldn’t have been surprised at all. You see, Ms. Bender, for months, I was just a girl who came into the Title IX office a few times a month for an hour, and then I was on my way. I knew of you, but you were more of an idea than a person — a reference point; you were the decider of my rapist’s sanctions should he take responsibility for what he had done. I wasn’t granted the honor of meeting you until after I called and emailed repeatedly for a reply or explanation as to how a man who had accepted responsibility for sexually assaulting me was permitted to stay for weeks in the very residence hall where it happened. You sat across from me in your office, and I felt as if you had turned to stone. I didn’t see you so much as flinch as I fell apart in anguish and frustration from what felt like a sting of betrayal. I had been
presented with sanctions I felt comfortable with, sanctions that made sense. I had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be forced to leave campus the moment he accepted responsibility and the suspension. I was never told he would be able to finish out the semester. I wasn’t prepared to see him on campus after he admitted he raped me. I sat before you as Martha and Jeremy refused to meet my gaze because they know that I am not one to fall apart. What you didn’t see, Ms. Bender, were the dozen meetings I had been to without so much as a tear. I knew I wanted my story to be heard loud and clear; I never let myself so much as stutter in a meeting. I grimaced as you began sentence after sentence with, “If you had reported this sooner,” as if I am the guilty party. I wondered what happened to the victims who were raped later in the school year, if their rapists got away because of inconvenient timing. I barely registered what seemed like shallow offerings of how you were “following procedures”
and working toward the “best possible outcome for the victim” through my labored breathing. I fought to steady my voice as I explained why this could not happen, why this was completely unacceptable — as if I needed to spell it out. And just when I thought my panic could not reach any
“I wasn’t prepared to see him on campus after he admitted he Sexual assault survivor raped me.”
higher, you looked me dead in the eye and said you “know how painful it is for a victim to go through this process.” For a minute, I found it in my heart to empathize with you, Ms. Bender. I pitied that you had been through what I had, because that is the only way you could feel the authority to state that you “know
Survivor shines spotlight on Title IX investigations By Marjorie Kirk news@kykernel.com
The whole ordeal began only a few weeks after she was raped. She sat in a nearly empty Bowman’s Den and her rapist walked in the door, flanked by his friends. He walked past her toward the Starbucks. Then they turned around and walked past her again toward the Panda Express. Then they walked toward her again, and sat at a table behind her. She got up from the table and walked to Common Grounds across the street. Then she ran into the bathroom and threw up. Soon after she turned to the university for help. But despite what she thought were assurances, it would not be the last time she would run into her rapist on campus. A National Problem This survivor of a sexual assault in a residence hall last year wrote an open letter to UK’s Title IX Coordinator, Patty Bender, to express her
unhappiness with the sanctions placed on her perpetrator and to inform other students of her experience. She came forward to the Kernel after it published a series of stories about former associate professor James Harwood, who was investigated by the Title IX office for sexually assaulting and harassing two female students. In an interview with the Kernel, Bender said she knew what case the letter referred to but would not comment on either. UK made national news this year when it sued the Kernel to appeal the decision of the Attorney General that the university could not keep documents of the Harwood investigation from the public. Title IX investigations of sexual assault at universities have made news across the nation as well: • The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights was investigating the University of Wisconsin when dozens of women came for-
how it feels.” But imagine my rage when you then admitted that you had in fact never been through it. Imagine my disgust when you suddenly couldn’t meet my gaze when I demanded you explain how you could possibly know. Since you could not possibly understand, allow me to attempt to give
ward in the recent case of serial rape suspect Alec Cook. • Baylor University is under a similar federal investigation into its mishandling of the case of a female student who was sexually assaulted by former football player Tevin Elliott. • A federal judge in Kentucky recently ruled against NKU in another Title IX lawsuit for its inadequate response to a student’s sexual assault, and the university’s reasoning that a student privacy law supported counsel’s refusal to discuss the details of the investigation in court. Women who have gone public with their assaults and journalism organizations like the Student Press Law Center have argued that attention to the issue of sexual assault in the media has encouraged survivors to come forward. In its coverage of the Cook case in Wisconsin, The New York Times reported that “Only after one woman told investigators a harrowing sto-
See TITLE IX on page 2
you some insight on what it feels like to be raped by your boyfriend. Being raped by the person you rely on to keep you safe is a betrayal so deep I can’t find words accurate enough to describe it. It’s waking to find out your boyfriend funneled drinks into you even though you were way past your toler-
ance level. It’s finding out he stayed sober because he knew he would have to “take care” of you. It’s like waking up from a dream you can’t quite remember, but you know it happened because you have faint recollections of the night — just thoughts mostly, because you were too inebriated to walk, see, talk, or open your eyes. All your mind can remember is being dragged to a residence hall, being helped up a simple flight of stairs that felt like Mount Everest, throwing up, and passing out on the bathroom floor. It’s waking up eight hours later, still drunk, and with little recollection of what had happened — just your boyfriend yelling at the television as the Cats went down. The moment I woke up the next morning is permanently etched into my mind. The moment you start to realize you have been betrayed and taken advantage of is a distinct feeling. When you can’t decide if the reason you can’t stand up is because of the dangerous amount of alcohol you
consumed the night before or something your boyfriend did while you were unconscious. Lying there, trying to decipher conflicting thoughts running through your brain as he sleeps beside you. The feelings that overtake you are paralyzing, but you try to nullify them, because this is your boyfriend— this is the man that is supposed to keep you safe. So as I sit here a year later, writing this letter to you, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the feelings don’t go away. There isn’t a day I don’t think about it. There are days I need to be reminded that what happened was rape. That him being my boyfriend and me being drunk doesn’t excuse his decisions. There are days I pass you on campus, and I wonder if you know who I am. I wonder if you ever consider your decision or the long-term effect it’s had on me. I wonder if you know how long the sting of betrayal has lingered. Editor’s note: It is the Kernel’s policy not to identify survivors of sexual assault without their consent.
Capilouto says media attention deters reports DR. ELI CAPILOUTO University President
Editor’s note: President Capilouto emailed this letter to all of campus Oct. 27. Last Friday, our Board of Trustees continued its conversation about our legal obligations under Title IX to protect the confidentiality and privacy of victim-survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. A panel of national and University of Kentucky experts discussed with our Board in substantial detail how we handle these cases. These experts also described the “chilling effect” created when newspapers report details of assaults that lead to the identification of victim-survivors. On Monday, we filed our legal brief outlining our unwavering commitment to protect the confidentiality and privacy of victim-survivors of
sexual assault and interpersonal violence. This brief is part of litigation with the Office of the Attorney General of Kentucky and the Kentucky Kernel over a series of stories regarding allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former professor and students. You can read our brief in its entirety here: http://uknow. uky.edu/sites/default/files/ uk--_brief_on_appeal--complete_.pdf We believe strongly in our moral and ethical obligation to protect the privacy of victim-survivors. And we believe strongly the law mandates that we do so. The U.S. Constitution, federal Title IX law, the federal Violence Against Women Act, the decisions of federal appellate courts as well as the highest courts of two states, the federal Office for Civil Rights, and (until recently) the Attorney General of Kentucky all require us to protect the privacy rights of student victim-survivors of sexual assault. The critical question is
See more content about sexual assault investigations at the University of Kentucky inside Letter from journalism alumnus | Page 2 • Kernel editorial | Page 3
whether we are able to continue protecting the confidentiality and privacy of victim-survivors who courageously come forward to report details of their victimization. The protection of victim-survivor privacy requires more than the redaction of names. It requires the redaction of any information that might reasonably lead to the identification of victim-survivors as well as the intimate details of the sexual assault. Experts from our Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center told our Board last week that clients and community members have shared their concerns about the news stories on this issue and how their confidentiality might be violated. This is true for victim-survivors who have sought assistance in previous years under the assurance of confidentiality as well as victim-survivors coming forward for the first time. Although privacy concerns are often
See CAPILOUTO on page 2
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I Kentucky Kernel I 11.3.16
SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS AT UK
Title IX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ry of hours of detainment and abuse did others contact the authorities — ‘dozens’ of them, the authorities said, all ‘wanting to speak’ about Mr. Cook, and apparently emboldened to do so after reading the initial accounts.” Universities have fought to keep mention of the assaults, and the investigations into them, private. They cite FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the fear that the public would abuse the information or reveal survivors, as their reasoning for silence. “If it were true that reporting has gone down on the University of Kentucky campus for fear of publicity, that is a direct product of the president’s own campaign of falsehoods,” Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, said. “There is no dispute that sexual assault reporting has increased markedly over the past five or six years when the news media began paying closer and closer attention to rape on college campuses.” With each case, controversy and confusion breed to paint a picture of a flawed justice system within the administration often compared to a criminal court. These are not criminal cases. They fall under a university process that is a part of Title IX, a federal gender discrimination law at universities designed to address civil rights issues. Title IX does not investigate students and employees for sex crimes. It investigates gender discrimination. “Technically sexual assault is a very serious form of sexual harassment,” Bender said. Title IX was passed in the 1970s as a law that required universities receiving federal funding to prevent discrimination against students and employees on the basis of sex. Because the law, and the university policies across the country that mirror it, classifies any form of sexual misconduct as a form of sexual harassment, the consequences of violating it reflect a punishment for discriminating against people because of their gender. Accused faculty, staff or students who are found responsible for what the Title IX office considers severe forms of harassment (rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, stalking, fondling, physical and sexual violence in relationships, or psychological and emotional abuse in relationships) receive sanctions Title IX has deemed appropriate for dealing with gender discrimination. The objective of its investigations and sanctions is to make it possible for students and employees who feel like they have been discriminated against to continue their education or work at the university in a suitable environment. Sanctions that can be placed on their perpetrators include: temporary suspension, expulsion (for students) and termination (for employees). The university cannot place any criminal charges on someone who is found responsible and takes responsibility for any form of sexual misconduct — including criminal offenses such as rape. They can encourage the survivor to go to police, but the only way survivors can pursue punishment for their accusers for a sex crime is if they go through the legal system. Many survivors don’t want to do that and instead choose only the Title IX option. The university promises students, if an investigation and sanctions are conducted successfully, a chance to continue their education in a safer, more secure environment. Title IX works with the Dean of Students to place “no contact orders” on perpetrators who remain on campus. If survivors fear retaliation from attackers, this order placed on the accused tells them that if they try to contact the survivor they will face a Code of Student Conduct violation, according to Bender. Title IX can also issue a campus ban letter, which they work with the UK Police Department to enforce. If a student fears retaliation from an attacker who is no lon-
TITLE IX CLASSIFICATIONS FOR HARASSMENT Discrimination (AR 6:1) Disparate Treatment
Disparate Impact
Harassment Hostile Environment Severe
Quid Pro Quo
Pervasive
Sexual Misconduct (AR 6:2)
Rape, dating violence, domestic violence, fondling, sexual exploitation, stalking and all other forms of sexual assault
ger on campus, university police can be called if the attacker makes contact with the survivor on campus, or steps foot on the premises. But even if a student or employee is removed from campus and survivors at UK are able to continue to pursue their education or career, the conclusions of the investigation could remain private after an attacker moves on to another school. Inside the System Eric Smart was a researcher at UK investigated for sexually harassing female employees. This only came to light after he underwent a federal investigation for scientific misconduct, and by that time he had taken a job at Bourbon County High School, according to The Lexington Herald-Leader. The superintendent of the school district was questioned about the decision to hire Smart with this investigation into him, and she said neither the investigation nor any mention of its conclusions was in his personnel file. In the case of the student who wrote a letter to Bender, the accused student moved on to another school. It is unclear whether these allegations were made known to that school. When Title IX investigations into employees conclude and charges of university violations are levied against them, investigators have an informal meeting with them to discuss the sanctions. If employees accept sanctions, the case is closed and their separation from the university goes into the hands of their supervisors — assuming that the sanctions required the employee be removed from campus. The only place where any mention of the investigation can appear on employees’ records is in their separation sheets, which their supervisors (a department head or dean in many cases) can fill out at their own discretion. While Title IX sends supervisors recommendations, employees cannot be prevented from resigning to avoid having their suspensions or terminations appear on their files. There is a box on the sheet for resignations of employees who are not eligible for rehire which says they resigned in, “Anticipation of Discharge,” but whether supervisors mark it is up to them. They do not have to send a copy of the form back to Title IX, and Bender said they often don’t. There is a box where supervisors can give an explanation for separation, but they are not allowed to include the details or specific charges of the investigations — just violations of the general university policies. Whether they decide to fill out this box is also up to their discretion. Harwood emailed the Kernel before its first story was published and said he resigned for family medical reasons. He was charged during the Title IX process with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual harassment, according to the investigative report. Cases that have arisen at UK have raised as much controversy and confusion as they have elsewhere. Universities across the country are being investigated for an inadequate observance of federal Title IX law, and many refuse to shed light on their process because they ar-
Information provided by Martha Alexander, Title IX
gue it would violate FERPA, which requires they not disclose students’ records or information without permission. “The idea that FERPA allows a university to withhold information about employee misconduct that might have a bearing on students’ safety and welfare is 180 degrees opposed to the intent and purpose of the statue,” LoMonte said. “They can’t opportunistically manipulate FERPA when it serves their secrecy agenda.” The only people who can shed light on the entire process — the only people who can hold their perpetrators and institutions that mistreat them accountable to the public — are the people who are already fighting a battle to recover from trauma. The survivors in Harwood’s case pointed out a lapse in the university policy that allows employees like him to circulate in academia without notice. The survivor in the case of Jane Doe v. Tubman, the former football player at UK she accused of rape, started the federal investigation into how UK handled its Title IX investigations under the Office of Student Affairs. Now a student has come forward to the Kernel expressing her discontent that Title IX officials did not inform her that her rapist would remain on campus until after she reached out to them. Even after that meeting, she still ran into him, and chose to avoid areas of campus to not run into him afterward. What she has revealed, and what Bender confirms, is that Title IX investigators meet with survivors after an investigation concludes, and they show the survivor sanctions but do not always mention that they have not been approved yet and will not necessarily be the sanctions placed on the perpetrator. Bender must sign off on the sanctions placed on perpetrators, and once they have been decided, the survivor cannot receive a copy of exactly what sanctions were placed. Bender said Title IX could talk with survivors about what was decided, but in the case of this survivor who has penned Bender a letter, that communication can come too late. The survivor reached out for an explanation from Title IX after she had heard her perpetrator accepted sanctions and would still be on campus until the end of the semester. The Fight Continues The investigation was concluded. He was found responsible and he accepted responsibility. Title IX placed him under sanctions and she was given a permanent “no contact order” that was supposed to protect her. On an afternoon in April, she was walking up the right side of the horseshoe pathway at W.T. Young Library, looking at her phone when she glanced up and saw him coming toward her. She had already passed the divergence in the pathway. She could either turn around and risk him catching up with her, or she could forge ahead. Terror and the desire to curl into a fetal position filled her, but she kept walking. Her head up, she passed him and his laughing friend, and didn’t decompress until she made it to her friend at the 90. But she had made it, and she still fights to make it.
Capilouto
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 raised by survivors, the frequency and intensity of concern expressed has drastically increased. Our University has been cited as a national leader in providing training and support for victim-survivors. We were the first institution of our size nationally to create and implement a mandatory campus climate survey to more deeply examine these issues and we are acting on the data we have gathered. Our research shows that one in seven women on our campus will be the victim of sexual assault or violence this year. We know the vast majority of these students do not report and they often cite fear of losing privacy for hesitancy in coming forward or seeking assistance. We know from the first two years of results from our campus-wide survey that, unfortunately, there has not yet been an appreciable decrease in the number of cases of victimization. But our VIP advocates shared with our Board that far fewer victim-survivors are coming forward this year compared to last. In Fall 2015, the VIP Center had 59 clients between July and October. In the same period this year, the number dropped to 38. The de-
cline in the number of clients at the VIP Center underscores the chilling impact that news reports are having on the willingness of victim-survivors to come forward. Against that backdrop, we are asking the courts in Kentucky to re-affirm what courts across the country and the federal Office for Civil Rights have said is necessary for the protection of victim-survivors. It also has been the position of the Office of the Attorney General for the last 13 years, until this case, when there was a reversal of opinion. I hope you will understand my strong desire to continue to communicate with you directly. A number of media outlets have had in their possession for several weeks the letters from two victim-survivors and a letter from a group of advocates for victim-survivors. But the media have chosen, in most cases, to not print them. The media also gave scant attention to the in-depth conversation at the Board meeting about the importance of confidentiality and the very real threat of a “chilling effect” from media publication of details of assault. We have heard much about the importance of open records laws. But the voices of victim-survivors and advocates who have spoken about their concerns that confidentiality and privacy are threatened through the
media’s actions have not been highlighted by the media. We respect the views of the Kentucky Kernel and the Attorney General. We simply believe they are wrong on this very important issue. We believe strongly that only the victim-survivor should have the ability to tell her or his story – and do so at a time and in a way they determine to be healthy and beneficial for their recovery and healing. No one else has that right – not the media and certainly not anyone who simply has the time to file an Open Records request. It is our responsibility to respect those who have the courage to come forward by protecting their rights and supporting their healing processes. That privacy is fundamental to victim-survivors reaching out for help in a period of significant need. And it puts us in a position to provide them with all the resources we have to protect them and help them heal. One of those resources available is the VIP Center, located in the lower level of Frazee Hall and available by phone at 859-257-2884. We encourage you to call or walkin the Center if you have been impacted by violence. Thank you for your interest in this issue and your commitment to being a community in which everyone can feel a sense of safety and belonging.
Alumnus chides President
Dear Dr. Capilouto, We have not formally met. I have heard from many people who I respect and who know you that you are a decent, good person, and I write out of goodwill. I also write as a former K entucky Kernel editor, president of the Kernel Press Inc. and President of the UK School of Journalism and Media Alumni Board to ask that you drop the university’s lawsuit against the Kernel and publicly apologize forattacking Kernel staff members for doing their jobs. I have been associated with the Kentucky Kernel since August 1986. I have never been more proud of it as I am right now, because of its latest Pacemaker award as well as its effort to force the university to be more open, transparent and honest. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about my alma mater. The Kernel’s fight for open records has made it a shining example of why transparency and openness should be at the cornerstone of a sta te university. The Kernel staff members who have led this fight are a credit to not only a great newspaper but also to the work of a great faculty in the School of Journalism and Media. This First Amendment episode has also brought UK unwanted national and state attention. The more this issue lingers, the worse the publicity is going to become for the university and risk portraying it as a place that is not open with the taxpayers who fund it and the donors who support it. Sadly, the university has reacted to this dispute in a demeaning, tacky and unprofes-
sional way. The Oct. 27 Herald-Leader story (“UK blames newspaper for drop in sex-assault reports. Expert calls that claim ‘shameful.’”) was the latest example of the university taking the low road to justify flouting the state’s open-records law. What is even more shocking in that story was that the university offered only anecdotal evidence to back up its claim that the Kernel’s stories and editorials have caused a decline in reports of sexual assaults on campus. Whatever the reasons, if the university had not mishandled such matters in the past, there would be no stories for the Kernel to write. When the K ernel published its groundbreaking story about now-former professor James Harwood, you then stooped to an incredibly low level by claiming – without speaking to Editor-in-Chief Marjorie Kirk or her staff – that the paper printed “salacious details to attract readers.” I have known every K ernel editor in chief since 1986-87, and Marjorie has made a very strong impression on me and fellow Kernel alumni because of her outstanding work and high principles. Rather than ridiculing and condemning her, you should commend her for her outstanding work. (I understand that you like to listen to students. May I suggest you take a short walk over to the Kernel offices and have a conversation with Marjorie?) The Sept. 15 letter to you from the faculty of the School of Journalism and Media rightly upbraided you and your administration for disrespecting Kentucky’s open-records law, ignoring the Kentucky attorney
general, and unfairly criticizing a student journalist and her staff. Although it was depressing to read that letter, I was extremely proud of the 15 faculty members who signed it, several of whom have been mentors of mine. Understand that the people who have taken the time to express their displeasure and disappointment with you over this issue have done so because they passionately believe in Kentucky’s Open Records Act, which is a model law for other states. They also believe that the Kentucky Kernel serves a vital role on campus, both as an outlet that encourages open dialogue about serious issues and as a watchdog of the university administration. And, like me, they are proud to be associated with the University of Kentucky. You have helped guide the university through a tenuous time, when the state has slashed its support. You have also overseen an impressive expansion of the campus. But as the journalism faculty noted in its letter, you are wasting the treasure you have laid up. That is why I hope you will take the advice of the faculty and apologize to the K ernel staff, as well as to the faculty, the Kentucky attorney general and Kentucky taxpayers, and also have the university drop its lawsuit against the Kernel. Let’s move on from this and focus on issues that will help make the Commonwealth of Kentucky a better place for its citizens. Cordially, Duane Bonifer Kentucky Kernel staff member, 1986-91
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kernelopinions 11.3.16
I Kentucky Kernel I 3
SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS AT UK Editorial
Flawed justice in UK’s Title IX system If UK wants to help survivors of sexual assault, why does it fight to protect the people who hurt them? Earlier this year, UK trustee David Hawpe compared the way the university deals with sexual assault to the way the Catholic Church protected priests who molested children. Hawpe wasn’t far off. At UK, people accused of sexual assault can simply leave without a trace, moving to other universities without worry that their offenses could come to light. It is this flawed system that UK is out to defend in its lawsuit against the Kentucky Kernel. UK says it wants to protect survivors, but further analysis raises doubts about that argument. So here’s how it works: When UK’s Title IX office finds that someone likely committed sexual assault, it recommends sanctions that could include suspension, expulsion, or
for employees, termination. Employees have the ability to resign instead of being fired, and, as in the case of former associate professor James Harwood, the university sometimes continues to pay those employees after they have accepted sanctions. In either case — whether they resign or are fired — UK files a “separation sheet” that is supposed to explain why the employee left. But here’s the thing: the supervisors who fill out separation sheets are not required to include findings of Title IX investigations, even violations of sexual misconduct policy. So a faculty member could sexually assault a student, resign, continue to receive a paycheck, and get a job at another university without that university ever knowing he or she resigned because of a Title IX investigation into sexual assault. The system can fail survivors too. As one sexual assault survi-
vor who reached out to the Kernel explained, UK can neglect to inform survivors of an important part of an investigation’s conclusion — what will happen to their perpetrator. The survivor who spoke with the Kernel ran into her rapist multiple times on campus, even though Title IX officials led her to believe he would no longer be able to make contact with her. As the Kernel continues to report on sexual assault, other survivors similar to the one mentioned above have come forward wanting to tell their stories. Many are dissatisfied with how UK handled their cases. Yet UK claims the Kernel is to blame for fewer reports of sexual assault on campus. UK’s system of dealing with sexual crimes is riddled with flaws that have serious consequences, like survivors running into their rapists on campus, or faculty members who assaulted students leaving for another university where they can commit
further crimes. These flaws are the more likely cause of too-few reports of sexual assault. Rather than pointing the blame at its own student newspaper, UK must look inward and deal with the problems inherent in the system. Here are a few suggestions: • The Dean of Students should be required to inform other universities about students who leave UK because they committed sexual offenses. • Supervisors who fill out separation forms should be forced to list the actual reason an employee left the university if the employee committed a sexual offense. • UK should keep survivors updated on the sanctions levied after investigations, and should warn survivors if the alleged sexual offenders will be able to remain on
campus. Lastly, UK should be more transparent about what this system actually entails. Many students believe Title IX investigations are criminal courts with anonymity — a place where students can get justice for crimes without their names being made public. But that’s not the truth. Sexual assault or harassment survivors can get proper recourse for gender discrimination complaints through UK’s system, but they should know that, unless they go to police, offenders will never see jail time and may be allowed to go to other universities where they could commit similar crimes. Rather than ramping up its dishonest propaganda campaign against the Kernel, UK would be wise to use those resources to correct these problems. If UK cares about survivors of sexual assault, it will stop protecting the people who hurt them.
Editorial
Pipeline poses threat to many
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MORTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Police from six states have been marshalled by the state of North Dakota to attempt to shut down protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline by tribal members from across the country and their supporters.
While our country has grown exponentially over the last half century in regards to racial equality, recent events have rung through the American heartland and illustrated that racial bias is alive and well if you open your eyes to it. While the Walking Sioux and countless other Native American tribes were being shot off horses with rubber bullets, beaten by police and attacked by vicious dogs while protesting the construction of an oil pipeline that would desecrate their sacred burial lands, Ammon Bundy and six other right-wing extremists were being acquitted on federal conspiracy charges after an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon for 41 days earlier in the year.
Native Americans, already forcibly removed from their land during the Trail of Tears in the late 1830s, are once again being demonized and treated as less than human for wanting to protect their history before every trace of it is wiped from the land they’ve always worshipped and nourished. Aside from protesting to keep their sacred burial sites intact, groups are also protesting the pipeline for the danger it poses to water contamination in the Missouri River, a basin that provides water to millions in the area. Concerns over a pipeline burst or other mishaps have been elevated into the realm of possibility after the Colonial pipeline burst on Monday in Shelby County, Alabama, injuring five and killing one along with excreting thousands of gal-
lons of oil into watersheds and burning over 31 acres from ensuing forest fires. Tribes are hoping that the future of the Dakota Access pipeline will follow suit with one of its predecessors, the much-maligned Keystone XL pipeline which President Obama nixed last November. The stark contrast between these two scenarios prove that white privilege is alive and well in the USA. While the public perception of the Bundy takeover was met with a mixed bag of criticism and support, one can only imagine how the situation would’ve transpired if the men and women conducting the takeover weren’t white, but rather belonged to a minority group. Could we say with confidence that local law enforcement would’ve handled the situation the
same? Given the recent attacks on unarmed black men by police, it’s easy to understand why many would be hesitant to say ‘yes’ to the question. The same question has been brought up in the Walking Sioux case as well, where Native American leaders have pointed out the project’s double standard. The pipeline was initially planned to route across the Missouri River north of Bismarck, but was re-routed due to powerful opposition. Our government and society’s war on minorities and indigenous people must stop. We may look different on the surface but we’re all human, stuck on this Earth for a short time. Why not make the most of it by preserving our nature’s beauty for future generations to live out healthy and prosperous lives?
‘Namaste’ contains deeper meaning OLIVIA JONES Kernel Columnist
Namasté is becoming a part of everyday language, the highlight of puns, and tossed around like baseballs at a little league pitching practice. People combine the word with the iconic peace sign hand gesture to say hello, goodbye or even attach expletives on the end to make people laugh. Society has either never realized or has become desensitized to the actual depth and significance of the word. It’s overuse used to really bother me. I would hear people who had only done yoga once and never
even heard of pranayama belt it out trying to fill a certain “image” they must have had in their heads. Sure, namasté can be used as an opener or a closer to a conversation or practice, but it means so much more than that. It’s difficult to say what namasté is not because it has such a unifying message that can be stretched and touches all things. Namasté is not something you say to just fit into a yoga class. It’s not interchangeable with “what’s up.” Namasté is recognition. Namasté is understanding. The mantra meaning that goes along with the word is, “My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united, we are the same, we are one.” Namaste is acknowledging that
we are all on this journey called life, and while collaboration and cooperation are treasured, ultimately we all have our own realities. We have different levels of understanding and different values, morals and mindsets that make us unique. In addition to that, we all have the resources to total unity. So when I say namasté, I mean that I see you—the individual you. I’m looking past the appearance of you and I see your energy, your light, your pain, your frustration, but also your passion and bliss. I’m saying
that I am with you, rooting for you. I am on the same wavelength because ultimately, we are all connected anyway. One way to start understanding the meaning of namasté is to turn inward and love all the things that make you, you. A Rupi Kaur quote explains this perfectly, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” First, direct the namasté recognition to yourself. Honor your own soul, the place where all things reside. See your own light, your own love, your own truth, beauty and peace. Feel the connection. In a round about way of thinking, selflove is total love. How can we love others if we don’t know how to love ourselves first? If the light within you is also the light within me, shouldn’t we offer ourselves the same respect that we would give to others? And
shouldn’t we respect others as we respect ourselves? There are times I may not even close my yoga classes with a “Namasté.” If I honestly don’t cultivate the connection, or am caught in a shallow wave of distraction and pulled away from mindfulness, I will not just throw the word out there to satisfy expectations. Namasté carries a message that can penetrate the barriers of depression and accelerate the collection of peace. I have to admit that yes, some of the namasté puns are funny. They’re clever. However, I can’t help but feel guilty every time I laugh. Let’s not disgrace the denotation of the word, and let’s please not forget to pause and turn inward. Every time namasté is used, it should be a call to mindfulness, a reminder that none of us are on this journey alone. With that being said, “Namasté.”
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kernelfeatures
I Kentucky Kernel I 11.3.16
‘Murder by Death’ helps heal wounds Giving refugees a voice By Matt Wickstrom
features@kykernel.com
Dark, gritty songwriting will clash with classical undertones when Murder by Death makes the short trip down I-64 from Louisville this weekend for a Sunday night show at The Burl. Murder by Death got their start in 2000 with guitarist Adam Turla, cellist Sarah Balliet, percussionist Alexander Schrodt, keyboardist Vincent Edwards, and bassist Matt Armstrong. In the time since the group has undergone lineup changes, losing Schrodt and Edwards and picking up Dagan Thogerson on percussion and David Fountain on piano, mandolin, banjo and percussion. Murder by Death has also released eight records in that time, the most recent being 2015’s “Big Dark Love.” According to Turla, the group began playing just for fun, which quickly blossomed into playing in basements, rec centers and anywhere else that would book them. Turla recalled his first trip to Lexington in 2003 when the band performed in a YMCA center, adding that he never envisioned building a career off of music. “I think part of it comes from us coming from a very indie world where we never assumed there’d be any finan-
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MURDER BY DEATH| GREG WHITAKER Murder by Death returns to Lexington for a show at The Burl on Sunday, Nov. 6 with support from Louisville’s Twin Limb.
cial success or even liability,” Turla said. “Even the most popular bands performing when we started out only had a hundred people in the audience charging $8 a ticket.” The record and music industry has evolved exponentially during the evolution of Murder by Death. In the current age of internet and social media, the band has adapted, joining independent label Bloodshot Records in 2012 and curating many Kickstarter campaigns for their own respective projects. According to Turla, the band actually sold more records early in it’s life than it does now despite their following growing considerably over the last decade and a half.
“We could be charting on the Billboard Top 100 for a couple weeks but the sales numbers are still low,” Turla said. In terms of songwriting, Turla sees himself as a functional songwriter, preferring to write music that feels true to who he is while also having a positive, healing effect on people. According to Turla, he recently woke up one morning to two emotional emails from fans that left a lasting impact on him. “One was of a father dying and the other was of a friend committing suicide,” Turla said. “They were talking about how specific songs of ours had helped them through their process of grief, and that’s actually something I’m looking for
when I’m writing. Does this song do more than just entertain?” Living a life engulfed in music has taught Turla many things, one of those traits being well-roundedness. Early in the band’s life, Turla acted as the group’s accountant and manager, and to this day he continues to work behind the scenes to keep fans happy and aware of how much the band appreciates their support. “There are people whose names I recognize because they’ve been buying merch from our mail room for the last 12 years,” Turla said. “Being able to acknowledge those fans and say ‘Hey I know you – you’ve been supporting us a long time’ means a lot to us and makes you realize the value of customer service.” Murder by Death are set to perform this Sunday, Nov. 6 at Cosmic Charlie’s with support from Louisville’s Twin Limb, who have been touring with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James as of late acting as his backing band. Tickets range from $15-17 and you must be 21 or older to enter. Sunday’s show was initially slated to take place at Cosmic Charlie’s’ but was moved to The Burl after Cosmic was deemed not ready to open after recently moving to a new location on National Avenue.
Warm coats for one, warm coats for all By Sara Walker features@kykernel.com
UK Athletics has teamed up with the “One Warm Coat” foundation and the Lexington Rescue Mission in hopes to make a difference in the Lexington community for people in need. Lindsey Oettle, a graduate assistant for UK Athletics event management explained that Coats for a Cause is made up of five athletic department graduate assistants who are enrolled in a Sports Leadership class together. “We ultimately needed to complete a service project for the semester and decided that teaming up with athletic department would allow us to reach students, faculty, fans, and the Lexington community,” Oetlle said. What truly geared UK’s athletic department to team up with Coats for a Cause was their dedication to UK graduate assistants and their surrounding community. The Coats for a Cause community is encouraging all people to donate any gently used coats. Simply drop off a coat
PHOTO BY ADDISON COFFEY I STAFF UK Athletics is teaming up with Coats For a Cause to collect coats for the Lexington community. Dates and times for drop off can be found on the UK Athletics website.
one of many collection bins on campus and at select upcoming sporting events. Matches where you can donate include men’s soccer’s bout with Marshall on Oct. 30 and UK women’s hoop’s
matchup with Union College on Nov. 3. The full list of participating events and drop-off points can be found on UKnow. “So far we have received about 20 coats in the one week of operation that we’ve been
running,” said Cameron Langfels, one of the students who organized the project. According to Langfels, this is the first year “One Warm Coat” has participated on UK’s campus, adding that the organization was founded in 1992 and has supported over 3,000 coat drives each year with more than 20,000 drives since it’s inception. “One Warm Coat” has expanded to 10 countries, collecting over four million coats. Coats for a Cause is also accepting money donations, which can be dropped off outside Rupp Arena during the upcoming men’s basketball games versus Duquense on Nov. 20 and UCLA on Nov. 3. “Coats for a Cause has set a practical and obtainable goal of 200 coats and monetary donations of $200 by Dec. 3,” Oettle said. “However, we are hopeful to surpass these goals with the support of the UK Athletic Department.” UK Athletics are eager to make a difference in the Lexington Community and hopes you will join them in support for these cold months ahead for people in need.
PHOTO BY JOSHUA QUALLS I STAFF The Moving People project is on display around the UK campus and will be exhibited in a gallery showing from Nov. 1-11 at the School of Arts and Visual Studies art gallery.
By Samantha Robinson features@kykernel.com
The Syrian Refugees are known worldwide, but their stories and personal lives are not as known. The Moving People project was started in Amsterdam by Power of Art House and has spread country to country. They aim to tell the stories of the refugees to show them as individual people who are suffering. The project tells 10 stories of 10 refugees. These people modeled for a mini figure of themselves that are then placed around cities. Here at UK they have been placed on items such as benches and walls. The figures show the movement of the refugees while telling their stories. Each figure has a sticker on it with the Moving People website where the stories are located. This project allows the refugees to have a voice and also employs the public to share and learn the stories of the Syrian Refugees. “The small figures are meant to move, to literally travel through the city. We show the human stories behind the overwhelming news footage and so-called ‘swarms of refugees’,” according to the Moving People website. The figures are meant to be moved and shared by everyone in as many countries, cities and locations as possible. The people behind the
project encourage people who find the small figures to move them to a new location for others to find. The Moving People project is on display around the UK campus and will be exhibited in a gallery showing from Nov. 1-11 at the School of Arts and Visual Studies art gallery. The exhibition will be located in the hallway next to the main art gallery inside the School of Visual Art and Media building. There will also be a gallery reception on Nov. 1 in the main lobby of the SAV’S building on Bolivar Street at 6 P.M. The exhibition will show the small figures with text about the project and figures. The figures are all hand made and painted with environmentally friendly materials. The Moving People project encourages people to not only move the figures but to also take photos of them with the hashtag #MovingPeople to share the stories of the Syrian Refugees. This project brings an opportunity to learn about a global crisis to the UK Campus and it’s also a great opportunity for students and faculty to take part in global engagement.
IF YOU GO What: Moving People When: Nov. 1-11 Where: Bolivar Gallery
It’s not a burger, but fans are ‘McLovin’ it By Matt Wickstrom features@kykernel.com
McLovins, the musical masters of improvisation and deception will bring their always-evolving musical circus to Lexington this week for a Thursday night get-down at The Burl. The group was founded in 2008 and soon thereafter their stock was propelled by a Youtube performance of jam band icon Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself” gone viral. The group released their debut album “Conundrum” soon thereafter in 2009 and haven’t looked back, despite shifts in the band’s lineup that saw founding member and guitarist Jeff Howard depart and Atticus Kelly join the fold on keys. According the Kelly, the transition of getting on the same musical wavelength as the rest of the band was rather brief after coming aboard, in part due to his extensive time performing with drummer Jake Huffman at the performing arts high school they both attended in Hartford, Connecticut. Kelly added that the two performed together almost as
much as Huffman did with McLovins at the time prior to Kelly joining the group, saying they performed together “four days a week for three straight years.” “I used to make fun of him because we went to a jazz school but were total snobs and always got made fun of for being in a jam band,” Kelly said. “Now it’s come full circle and I’m in the band too, so it’s not as funny.” While McLovins still get down and improvise constantly during their live shows, for their most recent record, a self-titled project out in 2015, the group teamed up with Grammy and Tony award-winning composer Bill Sherman for a much more clean-cut record bursting at the seams with pop, soul and jam influences. Kelly speaks highly of Sherman, touting all of his work as being th industry standard. The group plans to work with Sherman in the future, and has even brought him into the fold as part of their management team. According to Kelly, the group has a hidden liking for pop music, saying that the band has been jamming out
to “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner, “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson, and The Chainsmokers’ “All We Know” while traversing the country packed in their tour van recently. “(The record) is very concise, there’s no wasted space,” Kelly said. “Total economy and focus on melody and songwriting. We maintain the jam aesthetic in our live shows but we thought for this record it might be better to put something out with a better sense of songwriting and flow, something more inclusive.” In terms of songwriting Kelly says one member will occasionally bring a near-completed song forward to the group, but oftentimes someone brings an idea forth and the group turns it “upside-down and inside-out” to establish a form and write to that. For example, on their latest record Huffman took on much more of a role as a vocalist and not just a drummer. The McLovins show this Thursday at The Burl will be their first in Lexington since playing at the now old Cosmic location nestled along Woodland Avenue. The gig
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE MCLOVINS | JAMIE WEISS The McLovins return to Lexington on Thursday, Nov. 3 for a show at The Burl. It’s their first trip through town since playing at Cosmic Charlie’s in January 2015.
was initially scheduled to be at the new Cosmic venue but the space isn’t up to snuff yet, according to Mark Evans, one of the venue’s owners. Supporting McLovins for their show are Albany, New York’s Mister F, who last performed in Lexington at
Cosmic Charlie’s this past February along with Broccoli Samurai and Aqueous, the later of which also joined McLovins for their aforementioned recent trip thru town. “(Music) has taught me to get out of myself, which I think is a struggle for anyone
who lives and breathes,” Kelly said. “It teaches you about accountability, because if your individual performance isn’t up to par you’re letting everyone else down. Sometimes I’ll be on stage and hear a mistake and think ‘Who was that’ and it was me.”
11.3.16
NEWS
Son, friends mourn UK employee By Kat Manouchehri news@kykernel.com
UK employee Timothy Moore was hit and killed by a car at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning on South Upper Street. Moore, 56, was standing outside of Peterson Service Building on the corner of South Upper Street and Bolivar Street, when he was hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver, according to Mike Duffy, Moore’s boss and manager of UK Heating and Cooling Department. Moore was giving directions to Tolly-Ho to another pedestrian, Louisville Metro Police Detective Jason Schweitzer, who was also killed in the accident. Lexington Police said the driver was 26-year-old Suzanne M. Whitlow. She is charged with two counts of 2nd degree manslaughter and one count of DUI. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Whitlow had completed a DUI course a couple of weeks prior to the accident. According to Duffy, another worker on shift, Charles “Bob” May, was on the street where the two men were hit, but moved out of the way fast enough to not get hit. Moore had been a UK employee at the Central Heating Plant for 14 years, Duffy
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MICHAEL MOORE UK employee Timothy Moore was hit and killed by a car at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning on South Upper Street.
said. Prior to his employment at UK, he was an engineman 3rd Class in the Navy, served two complete tours and received five combat medals for his service. “He was looking for-
ward to retiring soon and moving back to Cincinnati to be closer to his children and grandchildren,” Moore’s son Michael said. Moore moved to Lexington to be closer to his mother
and step-father. His mother has now passed away, according to Michael Moore. His step-father is in a local assisted living home. “He was a really great guy, son, father and grandfather,” Moore’s friend and colleague Shawn Altizer said. Altizer shared stories about Moore’s time in the war, how he learned how to cook and his family and his day-to-day life, in an interview on Monday. Altizer recalled the moment he heard about the accident. He had been waiting for a call from Moore to update him on his shift, but he was hesitant when it never came. Altizer said he could feel the blood rush to his face and his knees going weak when his supervisor told him what had happened. Moore was a father to his three children and a grandfather of 12 children. He loved to talk about his family and their plans, according to Altizer. “This is a terrible tragedy for his family and for his UK family. Mr. Moore was one of the people that keep the place running day in and day out. It is a tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” UK spokesman Jay Blanton said in an official statement.
Tates Creek student arrested By News Staff
news@kykernel.com
A Tates Creek High School student was arrested for bringing a loaded firearm to his school Wednesday. WKYT reported Lamaar Dequan Sanford, 18, allegedly got the firearm Wednesday morning because of issues in his neighborhood. Sanford was noticeably ag-
itated in class on Wednesday and got up and left, the TV station said. A police officer who was familiar with Sanford went to talk to him. He noticed the handle of the gun sticking out of his pocket. He was arrested immediately, according to WKYT. Tates Creek principal Sam Meaux said Sanford was cooperative with all of the school officials’ questions. School of-
ficials believe that Sanford had no intentions of using the gun on school property, according to WKYT. Meaux sent an email to all student’s parents stating that Sanford will be charged and will receive serious consequences from the school district. “As you know, students are our top priority at Tates Creek High School and we work dil-
igently to keep them safe and create a positive learning environment on campus,” Meaux said in the email to parents, according to the Lexington-Herald Leader. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Sanford is charged with resisting arrest, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon on school property.
I Kentucky Kernel I 5
Agriculture’s unsung heroes By News Staff news@kykernel.com
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment honored 25 students, faculty, staff and alumni Monday for empowering women. The college held its second annual Multicultural Awareness Day and gave awards to the honorees at the Hillary J. Boone center, UKNow said. “With the college’s first female dean, we felt it was imperative that we took time to recognize all the women and the work they’ve been doing in our college, and most importantly, unsung heroes — those who may not always get the spotlight,” said Natasha Saunders, extension associate
for diversity recruitment and retention and a member of the event’s planning committee to UKNow. “And we wanted to include those we partner with, who work really hard to make sure we’re providing opportunities for UK employees and students.” All of the nominees are “going beyond the call of duty” to empower women, Saunders said according to UKNow. UKNow said more than 57 percent of College of Agriculture students are women. Just more than 25 percent of the college’s faculty are women and women hold 38 percent of the college’s leadership roles.
UK hospitals receive ‘B’ rank By News Staff
news@kykernel.com
A nonprofit organization released the rankings of several hospitals in the state of Kentucky. The two UK hospitals ranked higher than last spring. The Leapfrog Group released ratings regarding patient-safety in 52 of the hospitals in Kentucky, with most of them receiving a “B” or “C” ranking. The two hospitals at UK received a ranking of a “B,” a grade higher than last spring, where they received a “C,”according to the rankings. The grades are made after the organization looked at errors, injuries, accidents and infections of patients at each
hospital. Twelve of Kentucky’s hospitals were given an A grade, at a 21.3 percentage rate. A rate that is lower than the national average of 31.3 percent, according to KyForward. One of those that received an A is Pikeville Medical center. Pikeville is the only hospital in Kentucky that has been awarded an A grade since Leapfrog began their rankings in 2013, according to KyForward. Three of the four hospitals that were given a D grade are the KentuckyOne hospitals based in Louisville. Visit the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade website to see the grades that were given to each hospital.
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Want to write for Kernel news? Contact McKenna Horsley at mckenna.horsley@uky.edu
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kernelsports
I Kentucky Kernel I 11.3.16
Bulldogs stand between UK and fifth SEC win By Chris Angolia sports@kykernel.com
As winners of three straight SEC games and five of six games overall, UK football is finally starting to build some positive momentum and can make it four in a row in conference play Saturday night against the Georgia Bulldogs. While it may have seemed unlikely that the Cats would be only one win away from a bowl game in week 10 after a horrid 0-2 start, it is now a distinct possibility that UK can solidify its bowl eligibility against the Bulldogs. Losers of four of their last five, and two straight, Georgia (4-4, 2-4 SEC) enter the matchup with UK with a two-game losing streak and have disappointed in the first year under head coach Kirby Smart, the former Alabama defensive coordinator. Nonetheless, Georgia will still be bringing a talented group to Lexington and UK head coach Mark Stoops is well aware of the Bulldogs’ abilities. “We need to find a way to move the football. They are very good defensively. This is a very talented football team. I say it every year, when we play them, they are an absolutely good-looking bunch,” Stoops said. “I know by Georgia standards, they are maybe not play-
ing to the level that they expect and will under Kirby as he builds it and gets it going.” When talking about talent for the Bulldogs, you must immediately mention the duo of running backs that Georgia has. Junior Nick Chubb is back and healthy this year and has played in all eight games rushing for 634 yards and five touchdowns, and teammate Sony Michel has complimented Chubb with 380 yards and a touchdown so far this season. It is no secret that Georgia is going to try to impose its will in the run game Saturday. However, they have not had much success on the ground as of late, rushing for only 21 yards in last week’s loss against Florida. The UK defense will have its hands full on Saturday regardless of how the Bulldogs have been playing recently, and it will be up to the front seven to dictate how things play out Saturday. “We just make plays to work what they run,” linebacker Josh Allen said. “They have two good running backs, Chubb and Michel, and it’s going to be hard to stop them, but we’re going to get the job done.” As for the Cats’ offense, they are coming off of their most complete showing of the year, rushing for 377 yards and throwing for another 205 in the win over Mizzou, but things
PHOTO BY HUNTER MITCHELL I STAFF UK football is looking to grab its fourth-straight win in conference play Saturday night against the Georgia Bulldogs.
will not nearly be as easy this week. Smart, from his days at Alabama, always has his defense primed and ready to play, and things will be no different come Saturday. One thing to keep an eye on will be how
UK takes on Asbury in second exhibition game Cats have an opportunity to make any last adjustments before regular season tips off
By Katie Summe sports@kykernel.com
Last Sunday UK men’s basketball tipped off its preseason in impressive fashion defeating head coach John Calipari’s alma mater, Clarion, 108-51. The exhibition portion of the Cats’ schedule ends this Sunday with a matchup against the Asbury Eagles. The 57-point victory for UK to open the season has the team on track to start the regular season against Stephen F. Austin on the Nov. 11. John Calipari’s first starting lineup included freshmen Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox — who played the most minutes of any UK player on Sunday night — and Wenyen Gabriel and were joined by senior Derek Willis and sophomore Isaiah Briscoe. Fans were surprised when heralded freshman Malik Monk was not in the starting lineup, but Calipari cited minutes distribution for the frontcourt as the reason for Monk coming off the bench. It remains to be seen if he will be named a starter in this game. Monk did, however, show that he was a starting-caliber player, tallying 14 points, four assists and four steals in his 19 minutes of action. Both Briscoe and Monk showed promise in the first pre-season game. Monk with his scoring as he led the team in that category and Briscoe
PHOTO BY HUNTER MITCHELL I STAFF Freshman guard Malik Monk lays the ball up during the game against Clarion on Sunday in Lexington.
with his all-around play as he registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists to go along with three steals. Calipari also went deep into his bench against Clarion, playing all 12 players on the roster, with 10 players getting a majority of the time on the court. This weekend, Asbury led by sophomore Trenton Thompson will try to give the Cats a run for their money, as he is a leading scorer for the Eagles and is expected to continue that trend throughout the season. The 6’7” forward from Cynthiana, Kentucky will surely try to take advantage of the opportunity to play at Rupp Arena. These exhibitions are also a great way to show the progress of some players, and it showed with the game Briscoe turned
in last time out. Against Clarion, Briscoe had zero points in the first half, showing his ability to run the team tallying only assists, rebounds, and steals. He then followed it up with a second half that saw him show off his explosive first step and even his improved shooting stroke as he went 1-for-2 from three. Adebayo was also a player that impressed in his first collegiate game. He looked particularly impressive crashing the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds to go along with 13 points for the double-double. Running out in transition and forcing turnovers were the narrative in the first exhibition, and this weekend’s matchup with Asbury gives UK another opportunity to show off new wrinkles in its game before the regular season tips off.
well the Buldogs can defend UK’s potent rushing attack. “Those guys do a great job. They are big, they’re fast, they’re talented, they are hard to move and they understand schemes,” offensive coordinator Eddie Gran said about
UGA’s run defense. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us and really excited about it for Saturday.” With a run game that has gone wild over the past few weeks, and an improved passing game thanks to the progres-
sion of QB Stephen Johnson, the UK offense should not be a problem come game day. If the Cats’ defense is as physical as it has been, it may be able to cause problems for the Georgia offense.
UK Hoops set to start season By Chris Leach sports@kykernel.com
The No. 19 UK women’s basketball team will begin their season with an exhibition game against the Union University Bulldogs Thursday Nov. 3 at Memorial Coliseum. Similar to this season, last year the Cats started their season with an exhibition game against the Bulldogs, and won that contest 95-63. Six of the eight UK players that played in last years game scored double-digit points, including Evelyn Akhator, who also had the second most rebounds for the Cats in last years exhibition game. Akhator will be one of the six returners from last years team, three of which, including Akhator, were starters. Makayla Epps is one of those returning starters hoping to end her college career with a memorable year. Going into her senior season, Epps has had lots of hype surrounding her. Epps was recently added to the 2017 Nancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list, an award that honors the top point guard in women’s college basketball. Before being added to that watch list, Epps was also named to the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference team, and also earned preseason honorable mention All-American honors by both the Associated Press and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Epps led last year’s team in points per game and is expected to do so again this year. Fans who watch Thursday’s exhibition game will also get a chance to see the six newcomers that joined the
PHOTO BY HUNTER MITCHELL I STAFF Senior guard Makayla Epps is a returning starter hoping to end her collegiate career on a high note.
team this offseason. Makenzie Cann is one of those newcomers, and she is expected to contribute immediately to the team. Last season Cann was on UK’s roster, but sat out the entire year due to NCAA transfer rules. This season Cann is ready to put on a UK jersey and help lead the Cats to an eighth straight NCAA tournament appearance. Jaida Roper is one of two freshmen on the team. Roper was a three-star prospect according to ESPN, and averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 assists per game her senior year. On Nov. 1, the Associated Press released their Preseason Top 25 poll, and the Cats were ranked inside the Top 20 for the seventh year in a row.
The Cats wound up taking the 19th spot in the poll. The USA Today/Coaches Preseason Top 25 also had the Cats at No. 19. The Cats were just one of six SEC Conference teams to be ranked in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25. The Cats will have their chance to face tough competition early, as they will open the regular season against No. 14 Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 11. Before that game against Miami, head coach Matthew Mitchell will have the opportunity to figure out rotations and roles for his new players against Union. The game against Union will be played at Memorial Coliseum and tipoff is scheduled at 7 p.m.
FEATURES
Find the right music for your ears at The Album
By Emmanuel Flemister features@kykernel.com
Whether you’re looking for a classic or something new, The Album, a local Lexington record store, can guarantee that for you. Entering, you walk down an elaborate set of stairs covered with lights and the unmatched ancient art of the hip-hop culture, graffiti. Music, posters, stickers, and signatures in chalk cover the walls, creating an intimate environment. Inside you will meet “the gatekeeper,” Sami Ibrahim. The Album has been around
about to 11 years. Born in Chicago and living in Kuwait for a period of his life, Ibrahim moved to Lexington with his older brother and graduated from UK in 1995. While enrolled he spent time exploring his love for music by becoming a DJ at WRFL-FM, even DJing for local parties on the side. “As long as there was music involved, I didn’t care, I just wanted to be around it” Ibrahim said. With dedication and true love for music, Ibrahim worked his way up from DJ to Music Director at the station. After college, he worked for several
record stores around Lexington $10,000 to find a place, which until one day, being a man of was an apartment the landlord bigger dreams, he decided he let him zone into a business. wanted to open his own. Just like that Sami’s Music “I was 27 with dead end jobs and wanted more for myself,” Ibrahim said. With years of experience working with music, he knew what direction he needed go in, he just needed the push. There’s a saying that behind every strong man is a strong woman, and for Ibrahim that was his mother. Upon a visit to his then apartment, his mother Sami Ibrahim saw more records than anything Owner of The Album else and helped turn his dream into a reality. She loaned him
“I was 27 with dead end jobs and wanted more for myself.”
was born, but Ibrahim quickly discovered how much of a commitment his business would be. Hanging with friends and going on dates were almost non-existent. Ibrahim would barely even have $10 to live off for an entire day at times. At one point he even sold his apartment and began sleeping in the storage room of the store to save money. “I never once lost faith in the store, and I never thought I would have to close it either,” Ibrahim said. After his first year keeping the business afloat, he paid his mother back the $10,000 she loaned him plus $2,000 as a
generous thank you. Despite the business’s growth he still finished his first year in the negative, however the following year he ended up with $5,000 in profit. Sami’s Music remained open for six years before Ibrahim relocated across the street to open The Album. The store showcases art and clothes made by local artists along with performances from local musicians free of charge. Ibrahim also offers open mic nights on Thursdays for local talent to test out their skills in front of an intimate audience. “I couldn’t do this without the locals,” Ibrahim said.