MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933
THE Vo l u m e
80
Number
2
•
September
5,
2013
•
ut.minaret@gmail.com
•
theminaretonline.com
A New Year, A New Sorority Pi Beta Phi joins UT Greek Community
By KHADIJAH KHAN News Writer
With sorority and fraternity recruitment just around the corner, some freshmen on campus have been searching for a Greek organization to become a part of. What many students don’t know is that the Panhellenic has invited a new sorority, Pi Beta Phi, to UT, making it the newest sorority since 2010 when Kappa Alpha Theta arrived. As a sorority, Pi Beta Phi focuses on developing women of intellect and integrity while also encouraging friendship. They help to foster leadership potential and also enrich lives by promoting community service. Pi Beta Phi aims to fill the charter class with women who embody their six core values and who will be a great partner to the entire University of Tampa community. Lauren Fugit, Resident Leadership Development Consultant of the Florida Zeta chapter of Pi Beta Phi, was able to answer a few questions concerning the new installment. Fugit began by addressing any future challenges that the organization might face. “Pi Beta Phi has been welcomed with open arms by the University of Tampa community. This organization has been offered unparalleled support by the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Brent Grunig, the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, and the men and women of the Greek community.” “We want to find women who will be able to establish a strong foundation and lead the chapter in the future,” Fugit also replied.
Casey Budd/The Minaret
Potential new members of sorority life attend an informational meeting.
Pi Beta Phi has six core values: integrity, lifelong commitment, honor and respect, philanthropic service to others, personal and intellectual growth and sincere friendship. “We are looking for women who embody these values and have the potential to bring them to life on campus,” Fugit said. Pi Beta Phi believes that the power of reading is essential. They work with several philanthropic organizations to help give back to the community by bringing the importance of literacy to the attention of people around the world. “We believe reading has always been, and always will be, a powerful step toward a life of enduring impact.
Through our literacy platform, ‘Read Lead Achieve,’ Pi Beta Phi works with organizations such as The Library of Congress and First Book to promote literacy throughout the United States and Canada,” Fugit continued. When students around campus were asked what being a part of a sisterhood meant to them, and why they felt they should join a sorority or fraternity, freshman Kathryn Schnepp, a marine biology major, provided her insight into why sorority life was for her. “I want a close group of friends. Being a freshman you don’t know anyone, and you miss those close friends you left behind. Being in a sorority gives you that back, plus
you get to better your community as well,” she said. “I don’t think I would be as open to joining a newly established sorority,” Schnepp continued. Being a founding member would be exciting, but since they aren’t established you don’t know what kind of impact they will make here at UT.” The opinions about joining a new sorority varied from student to student. Some said that they found it interesting to be one of the first members of a new sorority, while others like Schnepp thought it better to join one of the more known and established sororities at UT. Khadijah Khan can be reached at khadijah.khan@spartans.ut.edu
The Incident at the Penthouse Make sure to check out theminaretonline.com to get the details about the party that was broken up in the West Kennedy penthouse suite.
TO BE CONTINUED...
In Other News...
3 Implemented Smoke Zones Inconvienence, But Not Deterrent 7 Young Artists Make Big Impact on Younger Generation
9 The 1975 Turn Heads With Debut Album 11 Global Prejudice Still Commonplace, Oprah Faces Racism in Switzerland
14 Blurred Standards: Miley Cyrus Singled Out at VMAs 18 Traditions and Rivalries Resurgent in 2013
News..................................2 Diversions.........................6 A+E....................................7 Opinion............................ 11
Sports..............................17
M
SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
MINARET
2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jessica Keesee
jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com
MANAGING EDITOR Mia Glatter
mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Natalie Hicks
natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com
NEWS + FEATURES Lauren Richey, Editor
lauren.richey@theminaretonline.com
Katherine Lavacca, Asst. Editor
katherine.lavacca@theminaretonline.com
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Justine Parks, Editor
justine.parks@theminaretonline.com
Jordan Walsh, Asst. Editor
jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com
OPINION
Paola Crespo, Editor
Paola.Crespo@theminaretonline.com
Annabella Palopoli, Editor
annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com
Richard Whitaker, Asst. Editor
richard.whitaker@theminaretonline.com
SPORTS
Jordan Llanes, Editor
jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com
Griffin Guinta, Asst. Editor
griffin.guinta@theminaretonline.com
ONLINE
Vanessa Righeimer, Web and Social Media Director
vanessa.righeimer@theminaretonline.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Casey Budd, Editor
casey.budd@theminaretonline.com
ADVERTISING
Shivani Kanji, Ad & PR Director Brandon Caples, Asst. Ad & PR minaret.ads@gmail.com
ADVISER
John Capouya
Jcapouya@ut.edu
COPY EDITORS
Zoe Fowler, Head Copy Editor
zoe.fowler@theminaretonline.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Taylor Sanger
NEWS + FEATURES
Students Skipping Class to Catch Some UV Rays By KATHERINE LAVACCA Asst. News Editor
Going to school in the Sunshine State, one of the major perks is just that: sunshine. University of Tampa students are often seen out by the pool, laying by the Hillsborough River, or even in one of the courtyards on campus. However, as the semester comes to a close students are realizing that they may have spent too much time hitting the dock, and not enough time hitting the books, all to capture that “healthy glow.” In an online survey of UT students, 32 percent of students said they tan at least twice a week. Thirteen percent tan six to seven times a week. “I hate feeling like I’m pasty,” an anonymous survey taker said. “I feel Jessica Keesee/The Minaret ugly if I’m not tan.” “The altering of DNA can eventually lead to sunburn, carcinoma or even melanoma.” How far will students go to get the bronze glow? Some will even skip class. According to the survey, nearly 14 A sunburn is considered a type of your local CVS, spas and tanning salons. percent said they skip class to tan. radiation burn caused by UV-A and UVAirbrush tanning and mystic tans are “I skip class to tan because I see no B rays. The reason why people have a the newest addition to healthy tanning. relevance. Things I learn in class do not reddish tint to their bodies when they’re These are services in which a person is apply to my real life. However, tanning sunburned is because of the billions of sprayed by an airbrushing system that does give me instant results,” another cells that are dying and being reborn. applies a thin layer of tanning solution on survey taker said. The area may also feel slightly warm to the skin. Avid tanners prefer this method While many students are avid tanners, the touch because of the concentration over self-application products because it others don’t understand it. of blood in the damaged area; the blood is more thorough, thus providing a more “I don’t skip class to tan and people provides nutrients for the cells so that natural look. that do are wasting thousands of dollars they may regenerate. But when a cell does A survey was conducted at Body on education,” junior Eliza Turrill said. not complete the process of regeneration Love Beauty Studio, which offers both “And they look like Doritos.” it can lead to skin cancer. airbrush and tanning products. The results But are students really getting a When asked about tanning, Jacim displayed that 10 out of 15 women chose “healthy” glow? Many medical experts said, “Honestly there is no such thing as airbrush tanning over self-application say that exposing your skin to the harsh safe tanning. I have tanned in the past, products. With all of this information rays of the sun for prolonged periods of both in tanning beds and more often out available concerning the tanning trend, time is not the right way to get bronzed. in the sun. And I have had two basal cell there is still one UT student able to find a People know that ultraviolet (UV) rays carcinomas removed already, so I don’t happy medium. can harm your skin and potentially cause try to tan anymore.” “I don’t go outside to tan; I tan cancer, but how exactly does that happen? Jacim also stated that the myth about because I am outside,” said UT student Everyone has melanocytes in their skin; tanning beds being healthier for you is Courtney Daniels. “I enjoy the nice these cells produce melanin, the body’s just that. weather. Tanning is just the result of the natural sunscreen. The activity, or how “[Tanning] beds are not better than time I spend outside.” much melanin these cells produce, is sun [tanning] and are worse due to your Attending a college that that has what causes darker and lighter skin tones skin’s proximity to the UV bulbs,” he pool parties year round, students find in people. said. it increasingly difficult to remember When you lay out to tan you trigger There are many other ways to achieve skin protection. Skin is one of the most the melanocytes to start production, a sun-kissed look without putting delicate organs and is constantly growing but Mark Jacim, an anatomy teacher at your skin in jeopardy. Sunless tanners and changing, which makes maintenance Tampa Catholic High School, says this have grown in popularity over the past a necessity. Immediate damage isn’t isn’t a good thing. decade and expanded their products to always obvious. However, longer “The tan itself is the body’s response appeal to all ages and skin types. Beauty term exposure will eventually lead to to damage, and possible changes to DNA companies now offer a variety of lotions, permanent damage. due to UV rays,” Jacim said. The altering powders and sprays that will give an Katherine Lavacca can be reached of DNA can eventually lead to sunburn, instant tan lasting anywhere from one to at katherine.lavacca@theminaretonline. carcinoma or even melanoma. ten days. These products can be found at com
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Rebecca Barton
STAFF WRITERS Jessica Forte Khadijah Khan Doha Madini
COLUMNISTS
Samantha Bloom Jake Koniszewski Avery Twible
MORE INFORMATION THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa. Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@theminaretonline.com. To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636. Your first two copies of THE MINARET are free. Each additional copy is $1.00
Student survey results show that many will head to the pool instead of the classroom if they are feeling pale.
Jessica Keesee/The Minaret
NEWS + FEATURES
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
Implemented Smoke Zones Inconvienence, But Not Deterrent By RACHEL BARANOWSKI News Writer
Signs can now be found all over campus about the new smoke zones that were established on Aug. 1. There are four designated spots for any type of tobacco use which can be found next to Straz Hall near the baseball field, by the Hillsborough River, between the Macdonald-Kelce Library and McKay Hall, on the north side of the Thompson Building and in Delo Park in front of Austin Hall. Although no penalties are currently enforced for smoking outside of the zones,
Taylor Sanger/The Minaret
College campuses as close as USF have gone completely cigarette free.
students throughout UT have varying opinions on the new designated areas. “I consider myself to be a respectful smoker,” said Henry Warren, a freshman. “Whenever I smoke, I try to steer clear of people. The only smoke zone I had knowledge of was this one, which was convenient since I currently reside here.” Freshman Layaal Hage felt like the smoke zones were few and far between. “We should have a few more smoke zones either outside Vaughn or by each resident hall,” Hage said. Weather may prove another problem on top of the designated smoke zones, as students aren’t willing to travel in harsh conditions. Ali Alramadham said, “The problem with these zones is if it is raining I won’t use them, and will probably smoke outside the smoke zone.” Junior Sarah Escamilla voiced a similar concern. “When it’s monsooning I don’t want to walk to my smoke zone,” Escamilla said. For some smokers, the practice has introduced students to other UT smokers, creating a sense of community by just asking for a lighter. “So far I’ve met people here whether they smoke or not,” Warren said. “It’s a great way to meet others.” UT continues to express the negative effects of tobacco use on their Facebook page and through Global Messages. Several students felt as though they were being singled out, but none of the students felt that being singled out would cause them to quit using tobacco. While some students opposed the zone designation, others have embraced it.
3
Taylor Sanger/The Minaret
Ulitizing the newly desicgnated smoking zones creates a sense of community among smokers.
However, students living near any of the designated zones still have to put up with the smoke. Freshman Alanna Leider said that despite the zone, she felt like she was still walking out of Austin Hall and breathing in the secondhand smoke. “It’s in an inconvenient spot near my residence hall,” she said. However, another freshman Alex Brown, said, “The smoke zone by McKay is very convenient for a non-smoker because it’s a good distance from the building.” Similarly, Junior Danny Santamaria said, “I like that everyone is not blowing
smoke in my face.” Although smokers and nonsmokers had many different views about the smoke zones, both groups felt that the zones would not decrease smoking and instead do the opposite. In an article on ut.edu, senior Laura Manke, student coordinator of Breatheasy UT, said that many universities who initially started with zones have moved to 100 percent smoke-free campuses. However, UT students, both smokers and nonsmokers remain skeptical. Rachel Baranowski can be reached at Rachel.Baranowski@spartans.ut.edu
From the August 26 to September 2 reports
On Tuesday, September 3, Student Government met in Reeves Theater for the first time this school year. Drunk, High, and Dangerous? On August 26, alcoholic beverage containers, marijuana, drug paraphenalia, AND a large knife were found during a room search. Joy Ride On August 28, two unidentified male suspects stole a university golf cart. No Peeing in the Library On August 28, an intoxicated student urinated in front McDonald-Kelce Library and gave a false name to Campus Safety. Rub Some Dirt on It On August 28, a student injured her knee during a volleyball game.
Mail or Male? On August 30, a student reported a suspicious male in the post office. Call Me, Maybe? On August 26, three students walked into the safety office to report their cell phones were stolen at the outside basketball courts. Close to the Edge On August 30, a student reported that he was pushed by another student. Reports compiled by Katherine Lavacca
There is a 6-week trial period for campus restaurants to stay open longer than usual. The more you go the likelier these times will stay the same! The New York Times is now free to all UT Students! Go to nytimes.com/passes to get your 24-hour access to the New York Times. Senate Elections are coming up soon. Here are the dates you need know for both voters and potential candidates: 9/17 – Senate applications due by 7pm 9/24 – Campaigning begins 10/1 – Voting begins 10/6 – Voting ends at 12am 10/8 – Election winners are announced
4 SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
NEWS + FEATURES
Hojo Overflow Continues Despite West Kennedy By DOHA MADINI News Writer
When construction on the newest residence hall at the University of Tampa began in March of the 2012 spring semester, students may have expected an end to the overflow housing placement at the Howard Johnson Downtown Tampa Plaza. Though West Kennedy Hall has increased the amount of on-campus housing, there does not seem to be a timeline in place to stop Howard Johnson placement, to both the pleasure and pain of the students. “The University has had a great relationship with the Howard Johnson for more than 10 years,” said Christopher Futch, Area Coordinator with Residence Life. “They have been a solid partner for us when we have needed additional housing for our
students.” Rooms at the Howard Johnson Plaza are provided with similar amenities that students might find at on-campus dorms, such as maid service, while also including additional perks, like a full sized bed and a in-room television set. “It was pretty much what I expected living in a hotel would be like from when I first found out,” said freshman Marcus Foley. “Though, I think I was expecting a little more from the hotel.” Foley was slightly disappointed in the accommodations, noting that unlike some hotels, the Howard Johnson does not provide refrigerators or microwaves in the rooms. The television, though provided by the hotel, are less than stellar models that lack the necessary audio-visual cables to connect to other devices. Although, with the exception of Straz, none of
these appliances are provided in many campus dorms. With a new dorm, some students question why the overflow-housing problem persists. Ariel Andrew, sophomore, spent one semester at the Howard Johnson and vows to never revisit that living situation. Her next semester at the university, she moved into a dorm in CarolMorsani Hall. From her perspective, the administration should focus on eliminating the Howard Johnson from housing options. “Living at the HoJo takes away from the college experience,” Andrew said. “You’re in a hotel, you’re away from campus life, and honestly I’m sad I missed out on it for a semester. I enjoy living on campus and I wish I did not live there. They should get rid of it, because it is not helping anyone.”
WELCOME TO WEST KENNEDY HALL
The Howard Johnson staff has declined to comment on the current relationship with UT Residence Life, as well as the possible effects upon the hotel guests. One thing is clear: after over a decade of using the hotel as an overflow solution, an end is not anywhere in sight. As Christopher Futch said: “We will continue to use them as long as the need for overflow housing exists.” A new residence hall is not a permanent solution, as the University of Tampa has added seven new dormitories in the past fifteen years, with no large impact on housing issues. Love it or hate it, it seems the University of Tampa students will have to make the most of living the suite life. Doha Madini can be reached at Doha.Madini@spartans.ut.edu
West Kennedy is anything but a regular college dorm. This brand new residence hall is a close second to a luxury hotel.
Casey Budd/The Minaret
NEWS + FEATURES
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
5
Why is there graffiti on the walls of the Cass Street drawbridge and along the Hillsborough River? What does it mean? Mia Glatter/The Minaret
Members of the crew team row past the graffiti that teams from other colleges have contributed to when they come down to practice.
The graffiti comes, not from courageous groups of hooligans, but from members of crew teams that row on the Hillsborough River. In 1941, the University of Tampa started its rowing team, and since then rowing teams throughout the U.S. visit for regattas and want to leave their marks. When it got too cold for the teams from up north to practice, they traveled down to Tampa. Many still do today. The graffiti mostly consists of school names, colors, years and the occasional Greek letters from fraternities who have took it upon themselves to participate in the spray
painting. Some of the school names include Princeton, the University of Michigan, Duke and Bucknell. There is a little controversy as to who the first person was to graffiti and when the graffiti started appearing, but it was sometime around the 60s or 70s. Teams also dared to hang off the edge of the Cass Street Railroad Bridge to paint their names on the “prime spot” under the bridge. However, teams are no longer allowed to paint on this bridge to preserve the older art and to avoid danger. The Tampa History Center in Channelside has a whole exhibit
dedicated to the rowing graffiti. When they started expanding the Riverwalk in 2007, the developers discussed getting rid of all the graffiti because some citizens of Tampa thought that it was an eyesore. But a year later they decided not to remove it after all. Logan Cummings, a rower for UT, says that the tradition is a big deal for UT rowers and visiting rowers. “If a team does choose to paint the wall they will do it under the cloak of darkness so they don’t get caught in the act,” Cummings said. “I would love to see some more UT representation on
this wall, but seeing as though we’re not leaving the state after a week, we have more accountability than visiting teams, and the threat of getting caught and punished is more of a deterrence.” Want a question answered by UT FYI? Send your question about anything UT or Tampa related to ut.minaret@gmail.com
6 APRIL 18 2013 | THE MINARET
Diversions
Sudoku
The Weekend Update Jason Aldean September 6
Midflorida Credit Union Ampitheater at the Florida State Fairgrounds 7:30 p.m.
$25.50 - $55.25
Hog Wild Mud Run September 7
Rocking V Ranch 8:30 a.m. $100
John Mayer September 7
Midflorida Credit Union Ampitheater at the Florida State Fairgrounds 7:30 p.m. $36-$75
Student Productions Trivia Night PrintableSudokuPuzzles.net
Picture
WEEK of the
Photo by Casey Budd/The Minaret The women’s soccer team goes through pre-season practices to prepare for their opening game tonight against Warner.
September 7
Vaughn Center Lobby 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free
Spanish Dance Team Auditons September 8
Edison Dance Center, Room 100 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free
Qigong Chinese Yoga September 9
Sykes Chapel, Main Hall 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Free
Musical Duo Carlie and Doni September 11
Reeves Theatre 8 p.m. Free
Craft Beer Tasting September 12
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits 6 p.m. $10
Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros September 12 Jannus Live 8 p.m.
$27.50
Arts + Entertainment
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
7
Neon Rebranding Brings Student Arts Journal Into The Spotlight
By JAKE VAN LOON
Arts + Entertainment Writer
The biannual student literary and arts journal Quilt has been completely revamped and renamed to Neon. Junior Katelyn Edwards, the new Editor-inChief, stands behind the changes in an effort to modernize the journal. The office itself is also in the midst of a chaotic transition. The old decorations have been torn off the walls and stacked into piles of unopened boxes of undistributed journals. Art and design materials are in varying stages of unpacking. Older editions of the art journal are freshly sorted in the back shelves. Edwards has hung a few posters and photos of her family above the lone Apple desktop to personalize the space. Neon is one of the few undergraduate arts journals still being published in the United States. The journal has won multiple national awards and, along with The Minaret, is one of the University of Tampa’s selling points to creative students. Edwards pointed out that the journal’s constitution actually named the publication Quill but because of a few decades of miscommunication, it became known as Quilt. If the publication has been unconstitutional since the 1980s, what’s wrong with a few more overhauls? Edwards, an English major from Winter Springs, Fla., was elected to be Editor-in-Chief in the spring of 2013 by a panel of writing and English professors at UT. To be elected is a great honor for an undergraduate
student. When Edwards took the job, she found a very talented group of students who seemed somewhat distant from the rest of the campus community. “I asked students about Quilt, and only a few knew what it was,” Edwards said. The journal is funded by Student Government, but it needs to broaden its artistic community in order to continue to be funded by them. And this is exactly what Edwards plans on doing. She wants to turn Neon’s creative community into something more open-minded and interesting to create buzz on campus. The new journal is now “Neon: UT’s Creative Community.” Edwards envisions a place where all art forms can be submitted and shared. This includes the literary journal itself, an active Facebook page for videos and more campus events for performing artists. “I want them to express themselves and share that,” Edward said. The changes can already be seen on the group’s Facebook page. It is headlined with bright colors and bold letters as well as modern graphics created by Neon’s Creative Director, junior Keir Magoulas. Neon has already announced a photo contest. The winner will receive a $50 cash prize for posting their amazing summer photos to Neon’s blog. Edwards will have a long semester of work ahead of her. As she describes it, the program that she is trying to create is similar to an athletics department. It is a large umbrella program devoted to the continued development of the different teams, giving them a place to grow by showing their hard
Photo Courtesy of Katelyn Edwards
Katelyn Edwards hopes to reinvent University of Tampa’s literary art journal, formerly known as Quilt, with the new name Neon.
work for the community at large. If you would like to submit your photos, poems, short stories, photos of artwork or would like to perform for Neon’s open mic nights, pleae
send them to brightasneon@gmail. com and “like” Neon’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UTampaNeon. Jake Van Loon can be reached at jacob.vanloon@spartans.ut.edu
Young Artists Make Big Impact On Younger Generation By JACKIE BRAJE
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Artists like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, One Direction and Miley Cyrus all have one thing that us mortals do not: a voice. More specifically, a voice that can reach and influence young people across the entire globe. What should frighten us, however, is how strong of an influence these artists could potentially make. If you’ve been anywhere near the Internet, television or tabloids lately, then you’ve probably heard of the Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke fiasco at the 2013 VMAs. Between Miley’s
disturbing dance moves and dry humping a foam finger and Robin’s offensive and, frankly, downright nauseating song lyrics, it’s safe to say that the VMAs took an immediate step off the wrong foot. However, I think what most of these tabloids are forgetting is that many young people watch the VMAs––very young people who look up to young artists as role models. For children, it’s often difficult to see the line drawn between what’s considered right and wrong. Just a few weeks ago, my four-year-old brother cried, “Oh sh*t!” after dropping his food on the floor, completely oblivious that
LEFT: smilescene/Photobucket. RIGHT: MzBlondiee/Photobucket
Musicians like Miley Cyrus and Macklemore have both positive and negative influences on youths.
what came out of his mouth is deemed inappropriate. And where did he pick up this new slang? My guess would be from one of the older, “cooler” kids at daycare. When asked how children are affected by the language and content used in modern pop and hip-hop music, senior writing major Angela Sughrue gave an account of her own experience. “I remember when that ‘Promiscuous’ song [by Nelly Furtado] came out and my eight-year-old cousin started singing along to it,” Sughrue said. “It’s like these kids are being brainwashed into not even knowing what they’re saying.” While most of our modern day pop music is often subliminally centered on partying, sex and drugs, kids are introduced to such concepts at alarmingly young ages. “I think they’re introduced to concepts like sex and drugs a lot earlier on,” said sophomore English and writing major Nicholas Finch. “So in a strange way, it’s like their innocence is being corrupted.” And whether it’s the mainstream music that’s constantly played on the radio or tabloids of “Disney Stars Gone Bad,” avoiding these young stars is next to impossible. A bit of controversy has been stirred up over Taylor Swift at the VMAs. She supposedly dropped the “F-bomb” after her ex-fling Harry Styles made an appearance on stage. Should Swift have behaved in such a way on national television? Probably not. Should we crucify her for it? Absolutely not. However, what most people find disappointing is the fact that many young girls idolize the young and talented Swift.
And while she’s famous for her clean-cut songs and sweet, cookie-cutter persona, something as small as a vulgar slur can still strongly affect these young girls. But perhaps we can’t blame these celebrities. After all, they’re only keeping with the times. Looking back on the childhood music of our generation, it’s hard to recall any songs as vulgar as “We Can’t Stop” or the unspeakable lyrics of “Blurred Lines.” And this should really make all of us wonder whether or not children are now forced to grow up more quickly than ever. “It introduces them to things they shouldn’t be introduced to at such a young age,” Sughrue said. And who knows? At the rate we’re headed, parents might have to start giving the “birds and the bees” talk before their kid’s first day of kindergarten. To be fair, there are still strong, positive role models out there. While our attention is often drawn to the sex objects and emotional wrecks of Hollywood, it’s easy to overlook people like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lawrence, Tina Fey and others like them. While I don’t believe these dwindling child stars deserve to be chastised so brutally, I feel we should instead ask the question: “Where are their parents? Where are their positive role models?” “It’s our party, we can do what we want,” Miley sings. And that’s perfectly okay, but perhaps there’s a way to avoid inviting our younger generation. Jackie Braje can be reached at jacquelyn.braje@spartans.ut.edu
8
SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Androgynous Style Shatters Gender Barriers
TOP: chris_bryne_photographer/Flickr BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: Suicine/Flickr, deviousandrogyny/Photobucket, PornGun/Flickr, Jason Hargrove/Flickr
A new wave of masculine fashion trends including blazers and trousers sweep the runways and the classrooms this Fall. Models and students both can be seen wearing androgynous clothing. By MADISON IRWIN
Arts + Entertainment Writer
The fashion industry and pop culture have accepted and popularised the androgynous look, which gained prominence in the 20th century. Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion world with her menswearinspired pieces with vests, trousers and suits in the 1920s and 1930s. Decades later, musical icons began injecting androgyny into their style. David Bowie, Prince and Annie Lennox challenged the norms in the 1970s and had extravagant cross-gender wardrobes by the ‘80s. Elvis Presley was one of the earliest celebrities to challenge gender stereotypes, particularly by using eye makeup. He inspired many other musician ike Jimi Hendrix who wore women’s shirts, scarves and high-heeled boots. The fashion industry developed an attraction for unisex clothes in the 1990s. Many designers embraced the edgy look, including Giorgio Armani and Pierre Cardin. By the 2000s, the trend hit the public mainstream, with men sporting longer hairstyles, sometimes dyed and highlighted, and wearing jewelry and makeup.
Male models were shown wearing jewelry and makeup along with their manly facial hair stubble. In recent years, androgyny has become particularly trendy in women’s fashion, recounting Chanel’s original idea. This trend allows women to combine the best of both worlds: the comfort of men’s clothing with a woman’s feminine touch. The
[
daring look. If you’re going for a more casual outfit, try pairing some blue boyfriend jeans with a soft white tee and minimal accessories like a chunky, gold Michael Kors watch. An easy way to try out this look without spending a penny would be to borrow something from your boyfriend’s closet. Nothing is hotter than slipping on a cozy men’s flannel button-up shirt with
Any woman can pull off the androgynous look as long as it’s done correctly.
perfect example of this trend is best exemplified in the style of Ellen Degeneres. Her outfits consist of slacks, jeans and button-down tops along with fashionable sneakers and simple hair and makeup. Some other celebrities that were seen sporting this trend recently include Rachel Bilson, Leighton Meester and Rihanna. To try this androgynous look yourself, checkout clothings labels like Original Tomboy, Androgyny and Wildfang. Although they are more on the pricier side, you don’t need to break the bank in order to rock this
]
some black leggings to go underneath. If you’re looking for a more dressy outfit, aim for a two piece suit. Black and navy will be your best friends. Pick a black tailored blazer with your choice of trouser in a floor-skimming length. Finish this look off with a pair of patent, pointed stilettos in a bright or pastel color to give just enough of a girly kick. You’ll surely stand out amongst the usual crowd of women sporting flowy or bodycon dresses. Shoes can also provide a dash of androgyny to your wardrobe. Try oxfords, brogues or spectator shoes
that lace up in either leather or suede. Whether as flats or low heels, these shoes offer a menswear vibe to any outfit. Loafers or smoking flats can also add a nice boyish edge. For a final touch, style your hair in a slickedback pony. Otherwise, if you can pull off a super short cut, go for it. Many celebrities like Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus and Rihanna are currently rocking the pixie cut. As far as makeup goes, it’s all about simplicity. Try a dark brow and a matte, nude lip. There are some things to keep in mind when trying out this style. If you want to include some aspects associated with your gender, do so with accessories and shoes. Any woman can pull off the androgynous look as long as it’s done correctly. It’s relatively effortless and affordable, and there are many cheap and chic finds at thrift stores. If you’re looking for something local, try out Sunshine Thrift Store or Life’s Treasures, both located on South Dale Mabry Highway. Once you’ve got the essentials, it’ll be easy to try out this mysterious look. You’ll be sure to turn some heads. Madison Irwin can be reached at madison.irwin@spartans.ut.edu
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
9
The 1975 Turn Heads With Debut Album By JORDAN WALSH
little I knew about them before this past month. However, my ignorance Some music has a way of completely has made the impact of The 1975 all surrounding a listener. Headphones the more powerful. Headphones on, on, lights out, eyes closed, volume up. lights out, eyes closed, volume up. Somehow, the music provides all of The record opens with the aptly the color in the world. It may sound titled “The 1975,” a slow-burn romanticized, but the most important intro track that displays The 1975’s music is not the most technically remarkable attention to detail and advanced or lyrically clever—it’s the atmosphere when creating music. music that defines a point in time in The song invokes images of dark a listener’s life. I can hear a song I highways, with city skylines growing loved six years ago and remember brighter and brighter the closer they how I felt the first time I heard it. This get. “Go down/Soft sound/Midnight/ is what makes music more than just Car lights,” mumbles Matt Healy sound released from a speaker—it’s melodically. The song builds and an experience all in itself. Sometimes, builds until the highway ends and it’s expected— if an artist I’ve “The 1975” collides with “The City,” a loved for years releases an album, steady, driving track which shows the I will obviously expect to love said band’s ability to write an incredible album. Other times, it comes without but simple hook (“you want to find warning and knocks me off my feet. love, you know where the city is”). Enter Manchester, UK’s The This ability is essential here, as The 1975, with a self-titled debut album. 1975 is undoubtedly a pop album, one After 10 years, five band names, that justifiably thrives on the strength hundreds of shows and a few of its hooks. However, The 1975 shows awesome EPs, it seems silly how that it has the upper hand over other pop acts by putting just as much weight on groove and overall sound as it does on catchiness. Take for example “M.O.N.E.Y.,” a sporadic track with a more understated hook (“has he got enough money to spend?”) that blends in with the verses. “ M . O . N . E . Y. ” focuses more on making the listener move with its myriad of sounds than it does on making them remember the chorus. This is not to say that The 1975 is devoid of radio hits, as “Sex” is a soaring, all-out, pop-rock track, so rich in youth and impulse that it’s sure to be a fan favorite for the entirety of The 1975’s career. As difficult as this is over a 16-track The 1975/Facebook run time, The 1975 United Kingdom natives The 1975 release debut after 10 years together. never falters from its Asst. Arts + Entertainment Editor
The 1975/Facebook
The 1975 hit the ground running with their debut album, an emotional and entertaining set.
impeccable flow. The interludes help out, reminding the listener that this is indeed a complete album and not just a collection of songs. Lyrically, the record focuses on the recklessness and insecurity that comes with early adulthood—dealing with infidelity and lust (“there’s only minutes before I drop you off/ all we seem to do is talk about sex/ she’s got a boyfriend anyway”), as well as feelings of responsibility and regret (“When I’m home you know I’ve got you/Is there somebody who can watch you?”). The 1975 reaches a climax of sorts with “Robbers,” an impeccable love song that puts emotion at the forefront as it builds into an imaginative vignette of fragile young love (“Well now that you’ve got your gun/It’s much harder now the police have come/And I’ll shoot him if it’s what you ask/But if you just take off your mask/You’d find out that everything’s gone wrong”), making for one of the best songs of the year. As new and exciting as The 1975 feels, it is the influence it takes from the past that really takes the album over the edge. “Girls” and “Heart Out” could have been ripped from an ‘80s John Hughes film, while the former and “Pressure” are bleeding with sounds of Michael Jackson worship. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this album is how singular everything feels. Nearly every sound
produced, every lyric and every trackto-track transition feels natural. No one element takes precedent—The 1975 itself is the star of this album. Not every decision lands perfectly (the spelling part in “M.O.N.E.Y.” is grating, and the back half of the album is much stronger), but over 16 tracks, there are an amazingly few number of missteps. With their debut album, The 1975 have crafted something memorable and important. It is as futuristic as it is nostalgic and as pondering as it is upbeat. While The 1975 are sure to make a huge cultural impact in the next few years or even months, the band has already proven their venture to be successful. They have created an album that will resonate with their fans and define a point in time in their lives. Because of this, The 1975 has already hit it big—anything more is just well deserved money in the bank. Jordan Walsh can be reached at jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com
4.5 out of 5 stars
Love it or Leave it
The things that made you smile this week and the things that made you cry all summed up in this week’s Love it or Leave it.
Love it
Justin Timberlake’s awesome performance at the VMAs The new to-go boxes in the cafeteria Tampa breaking the world record for the world’s largest food truck rally with 99 food trucks Starbucks bringing back their pumpkin spice latte
Leave it Miley Cyrus’ twerking The construction around the pool still undergoing The train that runs across Cass St. at midnight N*YSNC performing for only 110 seconds at VMAs
10 SETEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
Actor on the Rise: Robert Sheehan
By SAMMI BRENNAN
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Tech Corner
Zombies and Plants Battle to the Death
In Robert’s words, there is “nothing like good theatre.” Eventually he turned to on-screen roles and starred in Climbing to recognition is the the Red Riding trilogy, which inspired scruffy-haired Irish actor Robert him to pursue a career in acting. He is Sheehan, whose venture into U.S. known for his role as the obnoxious territory has only begun. Robert was Nathan Young in Misfits, a British born in County Laois, Ireland. He is the television series about young offenders youngest of two siblings. His stage-life who gain superpowers after a bizarre includes: Oliver with a Twist, Song for a storm. He was nominated for three Raggy Boy and Cripple of Innishmaan. distinguishing Irish and British awards for his role as Nathan, as well as the character Darren Tracey in the Irish drama Love/Hate. He starred in the comedy film Killing Bono and Cherrybomb with Harry Potter star Rupert Grint. After two seasons of Misfits, Robert left the show to pursue his acting career in America. Most recently, Robert has starred in Screenshot/Plants vs. Zombies 2 the book-based film The Mortal PopCap finally releases a new and improved round for their addicting series Plants vs. Zombies. Instruments: City of Bones where he plays Simon, the romantic in love with fellow actress Lily By THERESA STANTON Creators have added new features, Collins. He has already agreed Arts + Entertainment Writer including the lightning reed plant, which to star as Simon once more in the After four years, PopCap has sends a jolt down adjacent lanes killing sequel The Mortal Instruments: completely developed the highly addictive entire groups of zombies. Another useful City of Ashes coming out in 2014. game Plants vs. Zombies 2 with a ton of tactic is to use plant food to give plants Next year will be a busy one for new surprises. Players are once again a super boost, allowing peashooters Sheehan as the actor is cast for four challenged to protect their brains from and melon-pults to release rapid fire on different movies, one of which he the hungry zombies. Crazy Dave and the zombies. When a level is completed, a is set to play a young man with time-traveling RV takes participants back zombie releases a key which unlocks new Tourette’s Syndrome embarking in time to Ancient Egypt, the Wild West plants, levels and upgrades. With over three on a road trip with the ashes of and a ship filled with pirates. Instead of places to travel, the number of zombies his recently deceased mother in the ordinary zombies which appeared in fans have to defeat is unfathomable. the film The Road Within. With the last game, players challenge mummies, Do you have what it takes to survive this in mind, the twenty-five- pirate zombies and cowboy zombies to the zombie apocalypse? Gear up and year old is only getting started.. protect their lawn throughout its existence. get your defense strategies ready, Sammi Brennan can be PopCap has improved the games because the zombies are invading. Attila Sá/Flickr reached at samantha.brennan@ capabilities by adding more plants and Theresa Stanton can be reached at Irish actor Robert Sheehan gains stardom in U.S. spartans.ut.edu giving players more defense options. theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu Arts + Entertainment Writer
WWW.THEMINARETONLINE.COM
{
Come to our general interest meetings on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in Vaughn 212.
INTERESTED IN JOINING? E-mail us at: ut.minaret@gmail.com
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
Opinion
11
Global Prejudice Still Commonplace, Oprah Faces Racism in Switzerland By PAOLA CRESPO Opinion Co-Editor
Some people would like to believe that we have progressed over the years when it comes to racism. But the sad truth is we have not progressed enough. Perhaps, it is now more subtle and in smaller numbers, but racism is still prevalent across the globe. Even those, like Oprah Winfrey, who have succeeded in an age where everyone is supposedly given equal rights, continue to face racism. Oprah was in Zurich, Switzerland in late July shopping at a boutique when she asked an employee to see a purse. The saleswoman told her that “it was too expensive” and that she should look at some lower-priced purses instead. When Oprah asked a second time, the saleswoman said, “You don’t want to see that one, you want to see this one, because that one will cost too much and you will not be able to afford that,” according to CNN. The saleswoman clearly did not realize that she was speaking to one of the richest, most well-known women in the world. Oprah declined the salesperson’s offer and left the store, but not without tweeting about the incident, causing a social media anti-racism storm. An argument in favor of the employee could be that she did not know about “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and did not recognize her. Maybe Oprah was not dressed in a way to suggest that she was rich and so the saleswoman had no notion to believe that Oprah could afford the purse. Such misjudgments can happen. Physical appearances, including what you wear and how you carry yourself, are the first things that people can judge you by. However, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Oprah said, “I didn’t have my eyelashes on, but I was in full Oprah Winfrey gear. I had my little Donna Karan skirt and sandals.” Therefore, the only other obvious ground upon which the salesperson could have based her judgement was the color of Oprah’s skin. Having lived in Switzerland myself for the past three years, I must say that this news did not shock me. Unfortunately, my family and I have experienced situations similar to Oprah’s while living in Geneva. By no means do I want to stereotype or say that every Swiss person is alike, but I must confess that during my time in Geneva I have observed a great deal of contempt for foreigners and people of color by the locals. Geneva is an international city with many expats from North and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Despite this, most locals are not fond of foreigners, and politicians have
even been suggesting a legislature to close the Swiss borders in order to tighten the acceptance of immigrants. As of 2012, Switzerland has over 10,000 refugees, most of them from the Middle East and Africa, according to CIA World Factbook. It is true that the poverty and crime rates in Switzerland have increased as more and more refugees and immigrants have arrived. This correlation between increased crime and number of foreigners is what the Swiss people object to and that is why some treat foreigners with disdain. I am Puerto Rican, I have brown-pigmented skin, and, as some have told me, an air of Indian or Middle Eastern features. Many times, when I am in a restaurant, store, or supermarket and I try to speak with people in French, the city’s main language, they ignore me, pretend they do not understand, or treat me with contempt. They usually assume I am Middle Eastern. It is not until they find out I am from Puerto Rico that some, and only some, instantly brighten and treat me courteously. One time I was with my mother at the mall and she asked an employee if she spoke English, as my mother does not speak French. The employee gruffly said no. Not five minutes later, a white woman came in with her son and asked the same thing. The employee was all smiles and said, “Yes, of course!” and proceeded to attend to the woman in her sale. I wish I could say that these are isolated incidents, but the truth is, roughly 80 percent of my interactions with Genevans result in some sort of brush with racism. I had this same conversation with family friends from Uruguay, where black people are the minority and have lower standards of living than white people. The majority of black people have low-paying occupations like gardeners, garbage collectors, and housekeepers. My friends have nothing against black people, whether it be upper class or lower class, and believe they have every right to live however they want. And yet, whenever they see a black person driving a Bentley they are shocked. They’re just simply not used to it. It’s a matter of culture and the environment you were raised in. This applies to people in Switzerland, too. Although Geneva may have a large population of foreigners, Switzerland as a whole is very much Swiss, and is not necessarily a “melting pot” like the U.S. This, coupled with the fact that most of the colored immigrants who enter Switzerland are from poorer countries come to better their lives, are perhaps less educated, and some even a factor in the increased crime rate, it is no wonder that the Swiss carry this kind of racist mentality.
I have to admit that some things in Switzerland that I find rude or racist could just be a misunderstanding of their culture. In Puerto Rico, people are more open, loud, and friendly, and there is a great sense of community. If a person is lost, chances are someone will give them directions. If someone falls down, someone will more than likely help them up or at least ask if they are okay. In Switzerland, I have noticed that people are more reserved and keep to themselves. On buses, in doctor’s offices, and in airports, people would not strike up conversation with a stranger like they would in Puerto Rico or the U.S. And that is okay. It is just their culture. But there are moments when I question whether it’s just custom or there is something more behind their actions. For example, my mom injured her knee the first year we arrived in Geneva. She fell one day on the bus with her crutch and absolutely no one helped her. They barely even looked at her. To me, this would count as rude, maybe even racist if her color had something to do with their indifference, but to them it may be normal. Everyone is very independent and I don’t feel the sense of community I am used to. Let me make this clear: I have nothing against Genevans or Swiss people. I even have several Swiss friends from the three parts of Switzerland: the French, German and Italian side. It is not right to make assumptions and to collectively label a whole country as being rude, racist, or insensitive to foreigners. But the number of experiences I have gone through is so overwhelming that I unfortunately have to say it is true for the many Swiss people I have encountered in my time in Geneva. However, it is not only in Geneva where I have experienced such racism. Growing up in the Bahamas, a predominantly black country with many European, American, and Latin expats, my family and I have been insulted because of our nationality, even by the principal of my middle school. We had an International Day where we celebrated all of the students’ nationalities with a parade, games, and “embassies” where families could “visit” different countries and learn about their history and culture. My mother joined some friends in the Mexican Embassy because there weren’t enough Puerto Ricans at the school to form our own embassy. Everyone was dancing and singing and having a good time when the principal, who is coincidentally from Switzerland, walks in and says, “So I guess after this, you’re all going to go to a bar and get drunk?” In the silence that fell, my mother didn’t know what to say, because she couldn’t believe what she
had just heard. Everyone stood dumbfounded, but one of the women had the courage to say, “No, sir. We don’t need alcohol to have fun,” to which the principal merely nodded and left. Such outright rude and racist comments were not uncommon, but then there were the subtler ones that I think shocked me the most because it showed how easily people assume things about you just because of your features. One day I was pulling up to a gated community in The Bahamas to visit a friend when the security guard asked me if I was the maid. I was barely 17 years old. Nevertheless, it was not until I moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Tampa that I really understood the extent of what racism was. One time, when I was in Walmart buying a greeting card, an elderly white couple sparked a conversation with me over some cards written in Spanish, asking me to translate them. When I told them I attended UT, the old lady said, “Oh, good for you. It’s nice that people like you can go to college.” I stared at her blankly, not understanding what she meant, until they smiled and said, “Adios!” and started walking off. “Did she really just say that?” I thought. I got angry, and I would have said something, but I couldn’t tell off an old lady in the middle of the greeting card aisle, so I let it pass. But it was then that it dawned on me: I will have to put up with such comments for the rest of my life. It came so naturally for that old woman to say it. She wasn’t trying to be mean. On the contrary, she was smiling and seemed genuinely happy for me, but it amazed me how she had no idea that she had just insulted me. It’s the common mindset of many people. I cannot count how many times someone has said, “But you can’t be Puerto Rican or Hispanic. You don’t have an accent!” as if having an accent is a terrible thing or that this statement is supposed to be a compliment. I’ve also had people jokingly or insultingly call me “Mexican,” because apparently, no other Latin country exists except Mexico and being Mexican is the worst possible insult one can give to a Latino person. This animosity and racism towards people of color that I find so abundant in countries like Switzerland, Bahamas, and the U.S. really has me in shock and sorrow. Even now, I hate the fact that I have to specify whether I’m white, black, or Hispanic. It shouldn’t matter. Why can’t we just be “people?” Race should not be a factor. The next time Oprah, I, or even you go to a store to purchase something, we should not be treated differently because of the color of our skin. Paola Crespo can be reached at paola. crespo@theminaretonline.com
Joe Crimmings Photography/Flickr
When Oprah asked to see an expensive hand bag at a store in Switzerland, the saleswoman told her that she probably couldn’t afford it. After Oprah tweeted about the incident, it sparked a racism debate.
12 SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET OPINION Snowden’s Leak of NSA Information: Justified or Unethical? By JAKE KONISZEWSKI Opinion Columnist
There seems to be new details emerging everyday on the case of Edward Snowden, a former government contractor currently on the run after stealing information about the National Security Agency. The most recent development according to NBC News, is that Snowden obtained files by electronically impersonating other NSA officials. Snowden downloaded 20,000 documents before fleeing from Hawaii to Hong Kong on May 20. According to NBC News, “Snowden’s documents became the basis for a series of articles in The Guardian and The Washington Post detailing the extent of the U.S. government’s collection of data and metadata on emails and phone calls.” While Snowden currently has asylum in Russia, he has been charged with theft and has violated the Espionage Act. The U.S. has tried to negotiate with Russia and China to relinquish Snowden into U.S. custody for prosecution. One of the first questions that come to mind in such a case is whether Snowden was right to do what he did. Before I am willing to give an answer, I want to look at both sides of the argument. One of the first articles published after Snowden fled the U.S. was about the NSA collecting phone records from Verizon. According to The Guardian, the order made by the NSA “requires Verizon on a ‘daily, ongoing basis’ to give the NSA information on all telephone calls in its systems, both between the U.S. and between the U.S. and other countries.” As a Verizon customer and as a person who does not care for others probing into my business, the NSA made a disgusting choice. The Guardian also notes, “the communication records of millions of U.S. citizens are being collected indiscriminately and in bulk – regardless of whether they are suspected of wrongdoing.” Using this method, I would not be surprised if the NSA found suspicious activity or even captured some criminals, but I do not like the idea of being treated like an enemy. The NSA also had the Prism program, which enabled them access to the systems of Internet powerhouses like Google, Apple and Facebook. This Prism program, according to The Guardian, “allows officials
to collect material including search history, the content of emails, file transfers and live chats.” There is somebody working for the NSA who is probably watching me look up articles to gather information to write this article. Somebody at the NSA has seen the music you listen to, the favorite websites you frequent and the emails you sent to your boss. While I doubt anyone at the NSA will care if you are looking up Game of Thrones gifs on Tumblr, millions of people send intimate details – love letters, awkward medical information, deep secrets – to people they trust. The idea of some random person knowing such details is unnerving. On the other hand, think about the Boston Marathon bombing and the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and in Aurora. What if the NSA found out about these attacks before they happened because of
the information they acquired? Maybe there are attacks that were prevented because of this and we do not even know it. Also, think of all the information the NSA must deal with on a daily basis. They are accessing the information of millions of people. Even if someone at the NSA did find out some embarrassing information about you, whether you have lice or you are into bondage porn, there are probably thousands of other people with similar embarrassing health problems or sexual cravings. So many people are being searched that you become anonymous, unless they find criminal activity of course. In terms of both the NSA and Snowden, it becomes a case of whether the ends justify the means. Is it okay for the NSA to go through our private information as long as they capture potential criminals? Is it okay that Snowden broke the law in
order to expose the NSA’s surveillance? I do not think I can give my full support for either side. I can understand why both sides did what they did. The NSA wants to stop criminals before they can commit a crime, but they end up invading the privacy of others in the process. Snowden called out the NSA for their invasion of privacy, but Snowden had to break the law in order to do it. I do not think a better solution to the problem existed for either side at this point. As such, the NSA felt as if they had no choice but to be invasive parasites in order to ensure our safety. In turn, Snowden felt he had no other option but to break the law in order to expose the NSA’s surveillance. Government and national security are not the cleanest and most morally correct jobs. I only wish that we did not have to live in a world where such conflicts exist. Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu
Agência Senado/Flickr
There are mixed opinions about Snowden’s actions. Some people, as depicted above, show their public support for Snowden in an open court.
Ben Affleck to Star as New Batman, Hit with Critcism
Erin Lassahn Photography
Affleck is recieving backlash, but he should be given a chance to prove himself in this new role. By SAMANTHA BLOOM Opinion Columnist
Hollywood has gotten really into superhero movies in the past few years; so much so that movie production companies have taken to rebooting franchises that have hardly had time to collect any dust. Spiderman and Superman have both received new life in the last year, and now a new Batman film will join the ranks, separate from Christopher Nolan’s trilogy
that concluded just about a year ago. Since Christian Bale has reportedly refused the role, insisting that his run as Bruce Wayne will be contained to Nolan’s vision of the character, the “new” Batman is to be played by none other than Ben Affleck. This decision has a lot of people up in arms. A petition started via change.org has begun making rounds. It currently has upwards of 89,000 signatures. The maker of the petition claims that “[Ben Affleck’s] acting skill is not even close to being
believable as Bruce Wayne and he won’t do the role justice.” It appears, judging by the comment section of the petition site, that many of those opposed to Affleck’s choice as the new Caped Crusader point towards his performance as Marvel’s Daredevil in the 2003 flop as reason enough to doubt his superhero acting abilities. But is this a good enough reason to be hating on Ben Affleck? Comedian Patton Oswalt defended Affleck’s casting via his Facebook page, stating, “...Yeah, the dude’s made some bad films. Every actor has. Every actor does. Every actor will. It’s a huge, arcing career and NO ONE has control over where it goes. Movie to movie, year to year, you’re collaborating and trying and risking and, sometimes, yes--failing.” Oswalt has a point. Affleck’s not just some Joe Schmo off the street they’re throwing into an iconic role. He does have some serious cred in the movie industry as a twotime Academy-Award winning writer and producer. Argo, which Affleck produced and starred in, took home the Oscar for Best Picture just last year. People had very similar complaints in 2006 about Heath Ledger’s role as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Businessinsider.com reminds us that many reacted poorly to the decision to cast Ledger as the iconic character, and quotes one blogger who believed Ledger was “not exactly
comic-book material, and he has to fill the impossible-to-fill shoes of Jack Nicholson, who will always be the guy most associated with The Joker.” Turns out, Heath Ledger’s Joker was so phenomenally played that he received an Oscar for the performance, making The Dark Knight the first superhero movie ever to win an award for its acting. Replace “the Joker” with “Batman” and Jack Nicholson with Christian Bale, and I think we’re starting to see history repeat itself. Ben Affleck might not be worthy of an Oscar, but we won’t know unless we give him a shot. Batman is a beloved character, and it becomes difficult to trust new faces to portray characters we’ve come to love played by a particular actor. I can understand the fans concerns about Affleck taking on one of the most popular superheroes of all time, but Christian Bale was not the first Batman nor will he be the last. Plenty of Hollywood icons such as: Avengers director Joss Whedon, actor Matt Damon and even three previous batmen (Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and Adam West) have mentioned in interviews that Affleck is the right man for the job. Why shouldn’t we believe he’s the best choice to play Gotham’s most famous hero? I say we give him a chance to show us what he’s made of. Samantha Bloom can be reached at samantha.bloom@spartans.ut.edu
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
OPINION
13
Stem Cell Research Leads to Creation of ‘Mini Human Brains’ By AVERY TWIBLE Opinion Columnist
“Big things have small beginnings,” says Michael Fassbender in Prometheus as he stares in awe at an organism nearly too small for the human eye to see. Similar astonishment is now occurring in Austria where scientists have created what are being called “minihuman brains” from stem cells in a lab. Picturing a human brain shrunken down 10 or 14 times? Don’t be; it’s not quite like that. According to CBS News, Jeurgen Knoblich is the coordinator of the study and he describes it as “…A car where you have an engine, you have the wheels -- but the engine is on the roof... that car would never drive, but you could still take that car and analyze how an engine works.” This accomplishment could open up a wide range of potential discoveries of the brain, as well as stem cell advancements for mankind. During early life, stem cells are the basis from which most other cells come from and both animals and humans have stem cells. Scientists typically work with either embryonic stem cells, which are from in-vitro fertilization produced embryos, or somatic stem cells, which are from adult tissues. Scientists have been able to successfully activate a stem cell into becoming a specialized cell, such as a liver cell. The National Institute of Health states that in 2006 they discovered how to “reprogram” a specialized cell into a stem cell. In doing so, they have been able to grow some sections of body parts in a lab such as a liver and trachea, according to Forbes, but never before fully functional, three dimensional sections of a “mini-brain.” A discovery like this is bound to create controversy. Since stem cell research began, there have been disputers waiting on the sidelines to halt any and all advancements on the subject. There is opposition about where embryonic stem cells come from: the embryo. Taking stem cells from the embryo leaves it unusable for reproduction and thus results in the uproar of ethics, according to TIME. Now scientists are able to take adult skin cells and revert back to an embryonic state, so the need of taking the stem cells from actual embryos is less needed. According to UCLA
Today, embryonic stem cells can transform into any type of cell in the human body and are more useful, unlike adult stem cells which are limited. Embryonic stem cells come from a woman’s egg that she has willingly donated to a laboratory to undergo in-vitro fertilization and knew it would be used for the purposes of extracting stem cells from, according to the National Institute of Health. With this fact comes opponents to the research because the embryos are destroyed in this process and thus “puts an end to a potential life,” says The Christian Post. I can understand where these critics are coming from, but I do not agree with the belief that it is immoral. The ending of this embryo’s “potential life” if it “potentially” was implanted into a woman’s uterus and “potentially” was successful at attaching to the uterine lining, and “potentially” went through the full term, and “potentially” came out a living baby is too many potential situations for me. Instead, this embryo will be used in scientific endeavors that will most likely one day result in cures for debilitating, life threatening diseases. Some people also worry what could possibly be done with these stem cells. We know they can transform into specialized cells for the brain or liver, and, in fact, there have been several successful attempts at growing three-dimensional, functioning human liver and brain sections, according to The New York Times. Although only sections of the liver and brain have been created, I have a feeling people picture a fully grown organ ready to be put into someone’s body. What has actually been created, with the liver at least, is more or less a patch that could one day be placed in the body of someone to aid in repairing a damaged liver, according to The New York Times. Although creating fully fledged organs in a lab is not where we are at today in science, it is absolutely possible to get there one day. Our intellect as a species is ever evolving, and one section of science cannot be left behind. The brilliance of the human mind is astonishing and intimidating, and even I am afraid. As a scientist myself, I am not afraid of science but of what mankind could one day do with it.
Despite the unknown, some good might come out of the research. Instead of trying to fight it, try to help it become what you want it to. Stop picturing a Frankenstein coming out of a lab, and instead picture cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and other cruel diseases that could cripple your loved ones. In the successful study of the “mini human brains,” the stem cells were put into a special concoction of nutrients to nudge it in the right direction “to capitalize on the cells’ innate ability to organize into complex organ structures,” according to Reuters. What is the most complex organ structure in the human body? The brain. They then grew what’s called the neuroectoderm (this is the layer of cells in an embryo that is responsible for brain and nervous system development), then they placed the cocktail in a bioreactor which has the perfect amount of available oxygen and nutrients to grow cerebral organoids, a.k.a. mini-human brains. Astonishingly enough, it worked. We now have the first successful cerebral organoids with visible function. The brains have neurons firing and sectionalized tissues denoting separate sections of the brain responsible for separate things. The mini masterpieces are four millimeters in size and are paving the way for future discoveries and lives. The cerebral organoids took just 20 to 30 days to develop and soon after, the cause of microcephaly, a disorder in which the brain develops incorrectly and thus results in an abnormally small brain, was determined which will help to find a path of prevention for this mutation, according to The Scientist. Such a short period of time and scientists are already hot on the trail of finding out how to prevent it so normal brain development and function can ensue. Next, the Austrian biologists, and probably hoards of other scientists, will try to better study other neurological diseases such as autism and schizophrenia, or Alzheimer’s and depression, says CBS News. This type of research can’t be done on animals because stem cells and the nervous system development are too different, according
to The Scientist, and “the organoids could help to bypass the limitations of these animal models, providing a more accurate representation of human brains.” Rather than poking and prodding around a human brain that is still inside the living individual’s skull, which I’m sure people are not lining up to volunteer for, the cerebral organoids grown in a lab offer an opportunity to bypass hurdles that medical science has never been able to overcome. This is monumental history in the making and the close-minded critics are not going to be able to deny it forever, although they probably hope they can. When a judge granted federal funding for stem cell research in 2011, Dr. David Prentice, Family Research Council’s senior fellow for Life Sciences, said to The Christian Post, “This is unfortunate, as this allows the flow of taxpayer funds to continue for this unethical, scientifically unworthy embryonic stem cell research.” I don’t understand how stem cell research can be called scientifically unworthy. The mini-human brain creation has already been used to model the development of microcephaly, according to the original publication of the study in Nature on August 28, 2013. If one of these opponents of stem cell research were watching a loved one deteriorate from cancer and a cure was available because of stem cell research, do you think they would turn it down because of ethical reasons? According to UCLA Today, it could cure Parkinson’s disease, blindness, heart disease or any number of disorders that will decrease quality of life and eventually life itself. These are things we all will most likely have to face one day. The research team acknowledged that it will be a long time before anyone is able to grow a fully-functioning brain in a lab. I’ll admit it is intimidating to think one day it could be possible to grow body parts in a lab that are fully functional. The brilliance of scientists is both amazing and terrifying. For the critics that are against research that delves into how to create an ideal brain or heart or anything else, I say, “Science is never bad. Humans can be bad.” Avery Twible can be reached at avery.twible@spartans.ut.edu
jepoirrier/Flickr
Although many activists oppose the use of stem cells, these cells have been extremely beneficial for research of certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s, autism and schizophrenia.
14 SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
OPINION
Blurred Standards: Miley Cyrus Singled Out at VMAs By VANESSA RIGHEIMER Opinion Columnist
Last Sunday night, I sat in my common room and tentatively watched the VMAs. I prepared myself to throw my shoe at the TV when Taylor Swift won her gazillionth award. I also waited to see if my prediction of an N’Sync reunion performance rang true when JT got on stage. But first, I watched as Miley Cyrus came on stage to perform “We Can’t Stop.” I’ll admit, the performance was like a car wreck that I couldn’t keep my eyes off of. The facial expressions mixed with her poor twerking skills gave me second hand embarrassment. However, as I scrolled through the many facets of social media that night and the next morning, I couldn’t believe what I was
reading. Words such as“whore,” “slut” and “gross” were all over my newsfeed. Big time news stations such as NBC asked viewers their opinions on the performance via Facebook and I found it appalling that the majority of the people slut shaming Cyrus were women. One user posted, “Quit giving this trash heap of a slut more time.” Another user, Ursula Berger, actually suggested that Robin Thicke should have controlled Cyrus’s behavior when they were on stage together stating, “Mr. Thicke you should of stopped the performance.” What a great suggestion, Ursula! Instead of suggestively dancing on stage in front of millions of viewers, Miley should have stayed at home and made a sandwich for Mr. Thicke! Please. This whole argument against Cyrus is making me sick. Today’s pop music is
rwoan/Flickr
Cyrus’s performance was definitely far off from her days of being Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel.
full of artists who use hyper sexual dance routines. Rihanna is known for giving a fan a lap dance every time she performs her song “Skin” during her concert tours. What is it about Miley Cyrus’s performance that makes it any different than other pop artists? A lot of her fans watched her grow up from being a Disney Channel star, and, though it may come as a shock to see Hannah Montana twerking on stage in a nude crop top and booty shorts, it’s time for the rest of the world to just move on and accept that Miley Cyrus isn’t 13 years old anymore. It’s ignorant to completely disregard people’s beliefs on what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. However, if you find a young woman twerking on stage to be an abomination, then you can’t also ignore her onstage partner, Robin Thicke. There’s an obvious double standard here and society needs to wake up and accept the fact that a woman’s sexual behavior is her own business and choice. Robin Thicke’s own mother was first to attack Miley Cyrus when reacting to the performance. In an interview with Yahoo! she stated, “I just keep thinking of her mother and father watching this. Oh, Lord, have mercy. … I was not expecting her to be putting her butt that close to my son.” So nothing was wrong with your precious 36-year-old son grinding up on a 20-year-old young woman and singing a song about consensual rape? On the flip side, Thicke did receive some heat after he released the music video for “Blurred Lines.” It was banned on many sites in different countries for its derogatory representation of the women in the video. The music video shows topless girls in thongs parading around Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell who are all fully clothed. When Thicke sings the hook, “I hate these blurred lines,” there’s a shot of one of the girls lying down with a small stop sign on her bare naked bottom. The timing of the lyrics with this shot represents the blurred lines Thicke is talking about, when, according to Thicke, “stop” really means “go.” In an
interview with GQ, Thicke attempted to defend his controversial video by stating, “We tried to do everything that was taboo. Bestiality, drug injections and everything that is completely derogatory towards women. Because all three of us are happily married with children, we were like, ‘We’re the perfect guys to make fun of this.’ People say, ‘Hey, do you think this is degrading to women?’ I’m like, ‘Of course it is. What a pleasure it is to degrade a woman. I’ve never gotten to do that before. I’ve always respected women.’” Thicke’s pathetic attempt at defending his music, even if it was in jest, ended up making him sound more offensive than his song already was. Many things in society are taboo, but poking fun at these things will certainly not open up a beneficial conversation that will help eliminate the problem at hand. If it did, then more artists would be creating videos shining a positive light on children molestation, domestic violence and sexual abuse. Fortunately, most artists don’t find these reenactments to be such a “pleasure,” as Robin Thicke would say. “Blurred Lines” conveys the idea that when a woman says no, she really means yes. This faulty concept reinforces a rape culture. While Miley Cyrus brought forth her right of sexual expression, Robin Thicke used his chart topping song, music video and performance to reveal and champion the misogyny that underlays a good amount of male pop and R&B music today. Cyrus’s performance was definitely far off from her days of being Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, but I doubt any college woman or man can say they have the same image or uphold the same values they did when they were 13. Almost 100 years has passed since women’s rights activists have helped women gain the right to vote on equal grounds with men. I can only hope that in this new millennium we can acknowledge that men and women are also equal in regards to their sexual rights. Vanessa Righeimer can be reached at vanessa.righeimer@spartans.ut.edu
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
OPINION
15
New School Traditions Could Boost Spartan Spirit By RICHARD J. WHITAKER Asst. Opinion Editor
Every year, high school students around the nation choose their respective colleges based on a number of factors and one of these factors is tradition. This variable doesn’t seem to be a make or break reason for students to attend the University of Tampa, but the fact is that UT seriously lacks in this category. This is not to say that things have to stay this way. In fact, traditions can begin any day we choose. It is high time for the governing powers of our great institution to take a break from the expansion of the University and focus their energy on making the students we already have feel united as one proud student body. This can most easily be accomplished through the creation of traditions. The University has a wide array of sports teams, none of which ever draw a respectable crowd. It is primarily due to the lack of student body interest and cohesion, which is caused by a myriad of factors. However, it is undeniable that school spirit and pride directly correlates to tradition; it is hard to have
[
such as Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, the Prince of Wales and the Queen of England. Unfortunately for today’s student body, a vibrant history does not always coincide with having meaningful traditions, but it can serve as a strong base where traditions can be formed. Junior and sports management major Russell Wagner urges the governing body of the school to “pool more money and resources into making my time at UT something I can be proud of for years to come. Traditions are something we just don’t have; it’s also something we need desperately.” Wagner, also a member of the Spartan ROTC program, went on to state that within the ROTC program, traditions fuel motivation and pride amongst its members, and he believes this is something that can easily be implemented on a campus wide level with minimal funding. The general idea behind a solid college tradition is simplicity; we don’t need overcomplicated gimmicky expensive activities that were designed by someone who doesn’t understand the dynamic of the student body. For example, Rollins College, a school
It’s never too late to implement a tradition that will last until the end of time here at UT.
]
one without the other. Founded in 1933, UT does indeed have a vibrant history most notably revolving around the former Tampa Bay Hotel, now known as Plant Hall. This beautiful structure is known for its extensive list of celebrity occupants
within our division has a wonderful tradition known as Fox Day. It was established during the spring of 1956. Fox Day occurs each spring when the President of the college randomly cancels class for the day, giving the student body a day of relaxation so that
By JESSICA FORTE
least for the moment, fans don’t have to worry about see-through pants. The NFL and its clubs decided to adopt Be Clear after conducting their yearly review of stadium safety. While it may be perceived that the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon are one of the main contributing factors, the website claims that the Boston bombings had little to do with the push for clear bags. “We had been discussing a new approach to bag restrictions before the Boston Marathon incident,” it is stated under the FAQ section. “We think the fans will embrace and appreciate it.” The idea of clear bags has also taken effect at some college stadiums like the University of Michigan and Penn State. “I think [Be Clear] is a good idea,” said Kara Weiss, a junior sociology major and avid New York Jets fan. “It’ll save on security time, and the lines won’t be as long.” What happens if you forget to transfer all your belongings from your purse to your clear bag before leaving the house? Simply put, those with forbidden bags will not be allowed to enter. According to the NFL website, “fans carrying bags that do not meet the criteria will be turned away from the stadium well before they reach the gates.” However, you have the opportunity to perform the daunting task of item-transferring once you get to the stadium. They will have a supply of freezer bags and clear totes on hand. “It doesn’t really hinder people. They still get to bring a bag,” Weiss said. “I would probably buy a clear bag so I could still get into games.” I figured that all NFL security officers would be thoroughly trained
Casey Budd/The Minaret
The University has a wide array of sports teams, none of which ever draws a respectable crowd.
they are able to go to the local beaches and towns to explore. It was given the name Fox Day because a statue of a fox is placed in the school’s main courtyard alerting the students about the day off. It is extremely popular in prompting students to set up video cameras on the field in order to know exactly when the fox is placed on the field. In 2012, they went one step further with an IPhone app released for Fox Day alerts. Not only is this a beloved tradition, it is also practically free to maintain for the college. It’s never too late to implement a tradition that will last until the end of time here at UT. We just need the support of those who hold the power, coupled with the support of the student body. The latter shouldn’t be too difficult since the students here are hungry for tradition. The rebuttal to all of this is, “ we have the
annual concert,” but this is not a unique tradition. Nearly every school across the nation has a similar spring concert. The student body is desperate for something more, something we can call our own. There are a plethora of incredible historic items on campus that can be used in order to create a great tradition: the gravity rock by the science wing of Plant Hall (one of only a few in the world) and the oak tree where Hernando de Soto is rumored to have met the chief of the local native tribes in Plant Park, are among the many historically unique fixtures. Any one of these could be used to make an awesome, simple and cost effective tradition that is capable of creating a fun and lasting tradition for present and future UT students. Jack J. Whitaker can be reached at richard.whitaker@theminaretonline. com
in the Be Clear policy. However, after making numerous phone calls, I was finally able to speak with two different security officers at Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers. When asked about Be Clear or if they’d heard any complaints about the new rules, both officers, who declined to give their names, were unsure of how to respond and forwarded me to the security office manager who was unavailable. “Other than [the manager], no one can really help you in regards to that,” one of the officers explained. This policy should have been adopted long ago. With such an increase in global terrorism, stadiums and arenas everywhere need to have top-notch security. Having clear bags
not only increases safety but will speed up the security process so fans won’t have to endure such a long, agonizing wait before they can get to their seats. It’s surprising that it took the NFL this long to find such a simple method of increasing both safety and the speed of going through security. As Weiss stated, at least fans are still allowed to bring their belongings into stadiums. Yet, while it is great to prevent a disaster, clear bags seem highly inconvenient. As a devoted New York Giants fan, I’d prefer to just watch the game from the comfort of my own couch where I don’t have to stuff my belongings into a plastic bag. Jessica Forte can be reached at jessica.forte@spartans.ut.edu
NFL Requires Fans to Carry Clear Bags in Stadiums Opinion Writer
With football season quickly approaching, the NFL is hoping to clear things up for its fans. For the start of their 2013 season, the NFL has launched Be Clear, a new policy that will be conducted at all football stadiums nationwide. NFL.com stated that Be Clear will “provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into stadiums.” The new system encourages fans to bring only see-through items into games. Bags can be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC but must not exceed the dimensions of 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Fans can purchase clear bags with official team logos online at nflshop. com/allclear. One-gallon plastic freezer bags, such as a Ziploc, can also be brought into games. In addition to clear bags, all spectators are also allowed to have a non-see-through clutch bag, with or without a strap, that is approximately the size of a human hand. Of course, there are exceptions for medical items. However, they must go through a “proper inspection” before entering the stadium. Since clear bags are mainly allowed, nfl. com has a hefty list of prohibited items: “purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags, or any bag larger than the permissible size.” On the bright side, the NFL isn’t being too fussy about the little things. The video on the Be Clear page stated that “what fits in your pocket can stay in your pocket.” At
Although clear bags are permissible, the NFL encourages fans to not bring any type of bags.
16 SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
Sports
Spartan Swimming Looks to Dazzle This Fall
Taylor Sanger/The Minaret
ABOVE:The swim team has begun practices at the newly rennovated swim center. BELOW: The men practice routine diving skills for the upcoming meet on Oct. 18 against Florida Southern. By GRANT PAWLAK Sports Writer
The Spartan swim team is in for a busy season this year as they set things into motion. Head coach Ed Brennan, along with his three assistant coaches Jimi Kiner, Phil Murray, and Ryan Gober, will have a lot to live up to from after last season’s victories. For thirteen straight seasons both the men and women’s division of the Spartan swim teams have placed at the NCAA National Championships, which is no small feat of its own. The Women’s team even went on to win the 800 meter freestyle relay in at the NCAA National Championships with a time of 7:24.70. The first meet of the season will be away against the Florida Southern Moccasins on
October 18. This will be followed by back to back home meets on November 1st, and 2nd against Lynn University’s Fighting Knights and Indian River State College. Nov. 15 will be another home meet against Saint Leo. November 22nd and 23rd will be away meets against Florida Tech and Nova Southeastern. These two back to back meets will be followed by a four day invitational hosted by Nova Southeastern from Dec. 14-17. The last home meet of the season will be a relay invitational against Tampa the Tampa Relay Invitational on Jan. 4 after the holidays. The last meet of the season will be away at Rollins vs. Kentucky on Jan. 11. But all this is just a warmup for the SSC and NCAA Championships that
spotlight the best of the best from around the nation in February and March. The entire season builds up to those two four day events that determine the best state and national swimmers. The SSC or Sunshine State Conference will be the meet that determines who gets to proceed to the NCAA Championships, and will be held in Orlando, Florida. The National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships or NCAA Championships will be held in Geneva, Ohio this year. With ten senior swimmers gone, one of which being Elias Dammann, the UT Spartans will have to step up their game with the incoming freshmen if they want to make up for the lost talent. However, with a roster of talent from around the world, making up for the lost swimmers
should hopefully prove to be only a small challenge. Between 6 AM practices and grueling workouts, the UT Spartans should be more than ready to handle whatever upcoming challenges come up in the next few months. With the new freshman talent the Spartans may even be able to place higher in the NCAA championships this year than they did last year, with the men coming in 15th and the women 13th. The Spartans are looking at some major competition this year, but with hard work and determination they should be able to pull off enough victories to carry them to the NCAA championships and beyond. Grant Pawlak can be reached at tshome2009@live.com
Taylor Sanger/The Minaret
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
17
Lookin’ Flashy: NCAA Teams Revamp Their Attire for New Season
By MICHELLE SPEAKER Sports Writer
Athletic fashion is always changing in college football. Each year, several teams choose to spice up their looks while others prefer to keep their traditional uniforms. College football uniforms can be simple and straightforward or exotic and intriguing from one season to the next. One team that switches up their look every season is the Oregon Ducks. Oregon is almost always near the top of the list when it comes to uniform rankings, and they show no signs of stopping this year. The Ducks’ bright jerseys feature an all yellow base with green slits around the shoulder pads, a style that automatically makes the team stand out. The “liquid metal” versions of their helmets are traditionally worn on game day, but a fan favorite among Oregon faithful is the stunning lime green. The lime green helmets are imprinted with chrome wings that represent their glorious mascot, the Duck. Other college football teams are also finding ways to enhance their overall appearance. For instance, the California Bears have their bear logo embedded in the letters on their jerseys. This tactic is very clever as it makes the eye focus directly on that spot to see the bear within the numbers. Cal has a vibrant color scheme and features three stripes that look like slashes on the pants to give the appearance of a swipe from a bear’s claw. While Oregon and Cal show quite a bit of complexity on their uniforms, several other teams prefer simplicity. Historically, NCAA teams have only had two uniforms (one for playing at
home and one for away games), and a good amount of teams plan to keep it that way. Penn State, for example, has hardly altered their uniforms in the past few decades. The design features a blue shirt, white pants and a number. There are no bells or whistles and certainly no distractions. In terms of technology, several uniforms displayed this year in college football are incredibly innovative. UCLA jerseys, for instance, have vents meant to help the jersey “breathe,” allowing for less sweat resistance and more aerodynamic freedom. This unique approach may not seem all that important, but uniform manufacturers claim that the athlete is less likely to overheat or feel constricted in a lighter, more open uniform. Finally, safety plays a huge role in how uniforms and equipment are designed in football. Helmets are certainly the top priority, as concussions and other head injuries have been the biggest problem for athletes, especially in the past few years. The “Revolution” helmet made by Riddell is a popular choice among players as it not only protects but also feels comfortable throughout the duration of a game. Inflatable pads and shock absorbent panels are just a few of the abundance of safety measures employed by the “Revolution.” With improvements in technology and fashion, athletes now have the luxury of looking good and being protected from harm. It may sound silly, but uniform aesthetics are a huge part of the game neontommy/Flickr; komunews/Flickr; techsports/Flickr and reflect the culture of the school in TOP: De’Anthony Thomas shows off Oregon’s flashy uniform. MIDDLE: The Missouri helmet each and every stitch. is one of the newest, most safe helmets on the market. BOTTOM: Virginia Tech dons their latest Michelle Speaker can be reached at “Nike Pro Combat” uniform. michelle.speaker@spartans.ut.edu
18 SEPTEMBER 5 2013 | THE MINARET
SPORTS
Football Preview
NFL 2013: Expect the Unexpected
NFC North Winner: Green Bay Cheeseheads, rest easy.After a disappointing loss to San Francisco in the playoffs last year, I see Green Bay doing big things this season. Ryan Braun may have mired your state in pro sports shame, but fear not! A man called Aaron Rodgers still holds the role of quarterback on your beloved Packers and will restore the great name of Wisconsin once again. Yes, the road will be tough. These teams are loaded with offensive talent. It will be no chore trying to stop the likes of Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and Megatron, aka Calvin Johnson.
By GRIFFIN GUINTA grBy GRIFFIN GUINTA Asst. Sports Editor
Summer has come to a close and we all know what that means: The NFL is back baby. Basketball and baseball are fun to watch, but let’s face it, there’s nothing like football on Sunday. There is just something about inviting your whole dorm over to watch grown men destroy each other that is oddly refreshing. Before you wear your team colors, grab your popcorn and plop down in front of your plasma screen, read this guide for the upcoming season. Let’s start things off by talking about the burning question on everybody’s mind: Which team will be crowned Super Bowl Champion by season end? I’m placing my bets on the Kansas City Chiefs. All joking aside, this year is going to be a tough race. Baltimore, the defending champions, will seek to repeat without their fearless leader Ray Lewis who retired this past summer. Meanwhile, New England will look to win with Tom Brady and his highly experienced receiving core (sarcasm) and the Denver Broncos will aim to avoid choking in the playoffs–again. Just like every other season, this year will be filled with excitement, drama and plenty of juicy matchups. Here is Minaret Sports’ division by division breakdown for this year.
craigindenver/Flickr
Peyton Manning will be heavily relied on to lead his potent Denver Broncos team in 2013.
offenses. Cincinnati and Baltimore both made the playoffs last year, but the Ravens are still the clear favorite. Assuming they stay healthy, Baltimore should have no problem making another run at the Super Bowl.
AFC East Winner: New England What a mess. The New York Jets have yet another quarterback controversy, the Patriots lost half their offense, the Bills finally have a glimpse of hope at the quarterback position and the Dolphins are, well, the Dolphins. While it won’t be as lopsided as it has been in previous years, the Patriots should still be able to take this division with ease.
AFC South Winner: Indianapolis Yes, I’m picking the Colts over the Texans. Why? Andrew Luck. Luck dazzled last year and brought the Colts back to life after a dismal season the year prior to his arrival. Head Coach Chuck Pagano’s inspiring recovery from cancer last year truly propelled the Colts to rally as a team. Now that Pagano is back on the sidelines, I expect the Colts to nab this close divisional race.
AFC North Winner: Baltimore I’m sorry Cleveland, but the Browns aren’t quite playoff caliber yet–hey, at least the Indians are playing well this year. It’s not too often that the Steelers miss the playoffs, so I expect them to bounce back and make a splash this year. Ben Roethlisberger will be more comfortable with Todd Haley’s offensive game plan, and the Steeler defense will go back to doing what it does best: shutting down high-powered
AFC West Winner: Denver This division has been the Broncos to lose for a while. Oakland, San Diego and Kansas City are all mired in mediocrity and don’t pose as major threats to Peyton and the boys. The road might not be so simple for the Mile High crew, though. Defensive beast Elvis Dumervil bolted for Baltimore and young superstar Von Miller will be lost for the season’s first six games after a performance enhancing
drug suspension. Not to mention that KC and Oakland significantly upgraded their quarterbacks. The Chiefs quarterback is Alex Smith and the Raiders is Matt Flynn. NFC East Winner: Washington This is by far one of the most interesting divisions this season. I hesitate to pick Washington because much of their success depends on the health of Robert Griffin III and his productivity. Nonetheless, I believe Washington will snatch this repeatedly interesting divisional race through a potent running game and smart coaching. As far as the other teams go, here are my predictions: The Giants will do their usual routine of inching their way to the playoffs and miraculously playing well once the postseason starts. The Cowboys really haven’t changed much, and until they do change, I don’t foresee any imminent greatness. The Eagles are certainly still rebuilding, but perhaps Chip Kelly will find a way to resurrect the old Mike Vick and bring success in his first year.
NFC South Winner: Atlanta I want to pick the Bucs. I really do. In fact, I don’t think you realize how much I want my hometown team to crawl out of the hole they’ve dug themselves in the past few years. However, I can’t turn my back on the Atlanta Falcons, a team that hasn’t been in a hole in the past couple of seasons. The “Dirty Birds” have been dominant under the guise of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White. They fell one possession short of wrapping up a ticket to the Super Bowl last year. Also, the New Orleans Saints are expected to make a splash in this division. While I don’t see them winning the division, I expect Drew Brees and Co. to bounce back from a forgettable season last year and at least grab a Wild Card spot. Sean Payton is back, so anything can happen. NFC West Winner: Seattle I know, I know. San Francisco is normally a shoe-in for this pick, but I have to go with my gut on this one. Seattle is such a loveable team and dazzled in the postseason last year. They have an amazing home stadium and fans, an underrated QB and the league’s top defense. Regardless of who wins, this division is exceptionally fun to watch. Colin Kaepernick (49ers) and Russell Wilson (Seahawks) are two of the game’s most prolific optionread quarterbacks and are only entering their second year as starters. The Rams & Cards will certainly show improvement, but at the moment the ‘Niners and Seahawks are the teams to watch. Griffin Guinta can be reached at griffin. guinta@theminaretonline.com
HReeee Champ ‘Madden 25’ Shows Improvement From Last Year’s Installment By JOSIAH KACHELMEYER Sports Writer
It’s the Fall and classes have started up yet again. With the onset of Autumn comes the return of the NFL season but more importantly to some, the release of the new Madden NFL video game. Madden 25, which EA Sports is dubbing this year’s release in honor of the franchise’s 25th anniversary, came out this past week and thousands of football fans across the country scrambled to pick up a copy. Thousands more, however, were not so quick to pick the game up and asked themselves whether it was really worth it to pay $60 for a glorified roster update. After sitting down with the game and seeing what it has to offer this time around, it is safe to say that for the first time in several years, EA Sports has indeed put out a polished product that warrants the price tag, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still
some things left to be desired. Unlike previous Madden installments that boasted new flashy features such as Superstar mode, Ultimate Team, or Connected Franchise, the main focus of this year’s release is the actual gameplay. Building upon the debut of last year’s new Infinity Engine (which promised better physics and an incredibly realistic feel), this year’s Infinity Engine 2 really does take the fluidity of the game to a whole new level. Whether it be Adrian Peterson breaking free from a tackle, or Calvin Johnson going up for a deep ball, this year’s Madden simply feels more natural than in any previous year. Animations of tackles, ball carries, passing and catching always feel fresh, which is exactly what the folks over at EA were going for with the IE2. Aside from a few puzzling glitches that hold the gameplay back from being perfect (players can still run through the walls of the stadium...) Madden 25, in terms of gameplay, plays as well as any
sports video game title ever released. Many avid Madden players will be thrilled to hear that “25” marks the much awaited return of a traditional franchise mode – well, sort of. A brand new Owner’s Mode is a major feature that’s being applied to the Connected Franchise online mode that was debuted last year. Owners Mode allows the player to take over all of the operations tasks of running their own team including staffing, finances and being in charge of the stadium. Those that have faithfully bought Madden for years will quickly realize this new feature is nothing more than a re-hash of features that were part of the old and gone-away-with franchise mode. And is it really that fun to set your teams hotdog prices? Something else that has plagued the Madden series for years is a rather stale presentation. This is an area that has really held this series back from being held in the same elite corner of sports video games such as the MLB: The
Show series and the NBA 2K series. Unless you just can’t get enough of the stale commentary of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, then once again, the presentation aspect of the game will be a disappointment. The announcing team does have a few new lines, but for the most part, their supposed ‘life like’ commentary is the same as last years and about as exciting as a Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game. When you cut to the thick of it, Madden players pick up a copy of the game each year to simply enjoy a simulated game of football. Although still lacking in certain areas, ones that will surely leave many fans a tad disappointed, there is no doubt that Madden 25 succeeds as a pure football game that will provide endless amounts of competition and entertainment amongst football fans. So, who’s ready for some football? Josiah Kachelmeyer can be reached at josiah.kachelmeyer@spartans.ut.edu
SPORTS
THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 5 2013
19
Matt Tosh/Flickr
Bryant-Denney Stadium, home of the defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide, hardly ever has a vacant seat. Alabama is expected to make another run at the title this year.
Traditions and Rivalries Resurgent in 2013 By JORDAN LLANES Sports Editor
It’s Saturday morning and the campus has gone officially insane. Students pour onto the streets to cheer on their beloved teams and begin a weekend of festivities. It’s time for college football. Primetime matchups such as Clemson vs. Georgia, Alabama vs. Virginia Tech and Louisiana State vs. Texas Christian headline the season’s first week, and every college football fan is excited to see their team start off on the right foot with an opening week victory. With that being said, here are five major storylines we will be following as the season goes on. Can Alabama capture its third title in the past four seasons? It seems like the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”, but let’s not jump too far ahead. The Tide lost a number of key players, such as cornerback Dee Milliner and running back Eddie Lacy, and face another tough year in the nation’s best conference, the SEC. Alabama will have several challenges this year such as: facing Texas A&M and its Heisman winning quarterback Johnny Manziel on the road, facing a reloaded LSU team that’s out for vengeance and living up to championship expectations. Fortunately, the Tide return starting quarterback AJ McCarron,
most of their starting defense and electric tailback TJ Yeldon, plus they play most of their tough SEC games at home in Tuscaloosa. If they can get past the Aggies, look for the Tide to roll into the SEC Championship and probably the National Title Game.
Will Johnny Manziel win the Heisman once again? Probably not. His field of challengers is strong, with McCarron and Yeldon looking to take the Crimson Tide back to the Title Game; South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney aiming to become
Minaret Staff Heisman Predictions Jordan: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina DE • 13 sacks, 54 tackles in 2012. • Predicted to be #1 Draft Pick in 2014 if he declares for the NFL.
• Known for his monster hit on Michigan’s Vincent Smith in last year’s Outback Bowl.
Griff: Braxton Miller, Ohio St. QB •58% Completion Rate in 2012 • Lead OSU to a perfect season last year.
• Threw for over 2,000 yards last season as a sophomore. •15 TD’s, 6 Interceptions in 2012.
Greg: Tajh Boyd, Clemson QB • Lead Clemson to 2012 Orange Bowl
• Threw for almost 4,000 yards last season.
• Has an experienced offensive line.
• 36 Passing TD’s, 13 Interceptions in 2012.
Top and Middle: Mike Pattigano/Flickr. Bottom: pdaphoto/Flickr
pdaphoto/Flickr
Tajh Boyd from Clemson is an early Heisman favorite. Boyd threw for almost 4,000 yards last year as a junior.
the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997; Oregon’s dynamic duo of quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back De’Anthony Thomas seeking to return the Ducks back into the national title picture, and Ohio State dual threat quarterback Braxton Miller, who hopes to lead to Buckeyes to another undefeated record and BCS bowl game birth in Urban Meyer’s second year at the helm. Nevertheless, Johnny Football could become the first player since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin in the mid 1970s to win back to back Heismans, so look for him to try and top last year’s record breaking performance.
Who can beat Alabama? Not a lot of teams have a shot at doing that, but five could do it. Stanford’s smash mouth style of football and great defense likely have the best shot, but in order to get a chance at dethroning Bama, they have to get past Oregon. The Ducks’ speed and athleticism have made them the fastest team in America who can score a point a minute. Texas A&M beat the Crimson Tide last year in Tuscaloosa, and they could easily do it in College Station this year. South Carolina’s dominant offense is a great match for Alabama’s defense, and Ohio State is looking to be even better than last year’s undefeated record in an even weaker Big Ten. What team can make an under the radar run towards the Title Game? Clemson’s team speed, elite offense and manageable schedule allow for a dash to Pasadena. If the Tigers can get past Georgia in the season opener and Florida State later in the season, they will be undefeated in time for the ACC Championship Game and possibly a January date in Southern California. Quarterback Tajh Boyd will want to end his college career on a high note. What team is overrated heading into the season? Despite a national title run last season, Notre Dame will be lucky to get to double digit wins this season. The loss of team leader Manti Te’o, as well as star tight end Tyler Eifert leaving for the NFL and the season long suspension of quarterback Everett Golson spell big time trouble for the Irish. Coach Brian Kelly returns most of a defense that was thoroughly beaten by the Crimson Tide this past January in Miami, and senior Tommy Rees is back at quarterback. However, a difficult schedule highlighted by matchups against Stanford, Michigan and Oklahoma make another BCS bowl game berth unlikely. Seven months have passed since Alabama captured its second straight title, and now college football is back for its final BCS season before heading into the College Football Playoff that will begin in 2014. So sit back and relax or go and tailgate with your friends and family: it’s going to be another great season filled with tradition, rivalries and upsets abound. Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan. llanes@theminaretonline.com
MINARET
Swimming [16]
UT’S SOURCE SINCE 1933
SPORTS
Spartan Baseball Brings Home the Glory
NFL Preview [18]
NCAA Division II National Champions 2013
Photo courtesy of Keith Pritchard
The Tampa Spartans hoist the prized Division II National Championship trophy after the team’s thrilling 8-2 victory over Minnesota State-Mankato. Coach Joe Urso (#7) is pictured on the left.
By CONNOR ANTHONY Sports Writer
A “powerhouse” is usually described as a college program that has a tradition of excelling in one sport. For example, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide is a college football powerhouse, with their 15 national championships. The University of Kentucky is another example, this time with eight national titles in basketball. Both of these are Division I schools, whereas our school is Division II, and the only other difference is the tradition both of these programs have. Over the last twenty years, our baseball team has captured the National Championship six times while missing the NCAA tournament once. Yes, you read that right: 19 tournaments in the last 20 years and two back-to-back championships (1992-1993 and 2006-2007). The team this year, under Coach Joe Urso, went 47-12 this season, good enough to win the SSC by five games over rival St. Leo. This is the 3rd national championship for the team under Urso, but arguably the weakest of his teams to win the national championship. The last two years, the Spartans have finished 36-17 and 38-10 respectively. Though both seasons boasted impressive records, unfortunately, both times the Spartans weren’t
SCORE CHECK Trending and Sliding Teams in the Sports World
able to get past the South Region group of the tournament. However, the Spartans managed to get everything clicking this year, as they finished the season with a 47-12 season, finishing with an incredible .796 winning percentage. All three of the teams that have won the championship under Urso have also had the three best records of the six total teams to win the tournament. The best season under Urso, and for the University of Tampa in general came in 2006, when the team posted a ridiculous final record of 54-6. That’s a 90 percent winning percentage, something that looks more like a video game stat than an end of season record. The 2007 team, who repeated as champions, finished with the second best record in the history of UT at 53-10. But let’s get back to talking about our most recent champions. The 2013 team was able to end a six-year drought when they easily defeated number two-ranked Minnesota State 8-2, thanks in part to a five run second inning. Third Baseman Jake Schrader was named the Most Outstanding Player of the National Finals, as he finished the tournament with a batting average of .444 (8-for-18), two home runs, seven RBI’s and a .944 slugging percentage in five games. The Spartans also finished the tournament with four players being named on the All-Tournament Team (Schrader at the hot corner, Jacob Tillotson
USF began the season off getting walloped 53-21 by McNeese State. Things don’t get any easier from here. -Griff
at Shortstop, Zach Gawrych in the outfield and Pitcher Mike Adams). As if winning your third national title in the past eight years wasn’t enough, the Spartans had five players get drafted into the MLB. The Boston Red Sox selected Pitcher Mike Adams in the 7th round, and both Caleb Kellogg and John Keller got drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. As impressive as having five players being selected into the MLB is, there have been two other years that five players were drafted (2006 and 2011) and still a couple players behind the 2007 national champs, who had seven players drafted. So what now for the University of Tampa baseball program? After having cemented themselves as one of the best Division II programs of the last 20 years, the only way they can go is up. Coach Urso, who is the winningest coach in school history, has showed that he not only has the tools to win, but the ability to help these young men fulfill their dream of getting to the big leagues. Though our school has seen a few better teams, this team nonetheless was able to stay consistent all year. Now that they’re sitting on their sixth national championship, only one question remains: can they win it all next year? Connor Anthony can be reached at connor. anthony@spartans.ut.edu
The Dodgers have won five in a row and are basically a lock to win the NL West Division this year after starting off the season terribly. -Connor
The Tampa Bay Rays followed up a stellar July with a horrendous August. Once favored to win the AL East, the Rays are simply fighting for a shot at the Wild Card. Shaking my head. -Griff