November 11, 2010 Issue

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

Winthrop Police use bait bikes to catch thieves.

See News, page 4

Volleyball in 4th place with two games to go.

See Sports, page 10

Foreign food, films and performances.

International Education Week schedule.

See Culture, page 9

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Issue 11

NEWS

Former soccer coach sues Winthrop

BY ANNA DOUGLAS douglasa@thejohnsonian. com

The former head soccer coach and founder of the women’s soccer program at Winthrop filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the college and three of its employees last week, according to a federal court filing.

Melissa Heinz’s contract was not renewed in November 2009, just af-

Melissa Heinz

Former women’s soccer coach

ter her team lost the Big South Championship to High Point University in a penalty kick shootout.

Heinz alleges her termination was a “retaliatory firing” that stemmed from her complaints about “inequitable treatment of her program,” according to her filing.

She is suing Winthrop University, President Anthony DiGiorgio, Athletic Director Tom Hickman and the men’s head soccer coach Rich Posipanko for creating an unequal work environment that she claims violates Title IX

federal mandates, according to the court document.

The decision to sue came after a process of “healing from being hurt and frustrated,” Heinz said in a phone interview this week.

Winthrop never stated a reason for firing Heinz, she said.

Among her complaints filed in the suit, Heinz alleges the men’s soccer team has its own practice and game fields, while the women’s team prac-

NEWS

WU sets aside $6M to renovate Phelps

tices inside the track oval.

She said her players were housed three to a room in hotels during away games, while only two players from the men’s team had to share a room.

The suit also claims a 27-percent salary disparity between Heinz and her male counterpart, Posipanko. Posipanko also benefited financially from summer soccer camps housed on campus, a benefit Heinz claims in

the court filing she was not privy to.

“Coach Heinz persistently documented her complaints about disparate treatment in letters and e-mails addressing inadequate budgets, lack of publicity, lack of staffing comparable to the men’s teams and the inequities in summer camps,” the official court filing states.

“Her requests for gender

See COACH page 4

NEWS

DIGGING FOR HISTORY

BY JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Leitner Construction will tackle the job of renovating Phelps Hall in the upcoming months.

After being shut down for almost six months, Phelps will be fine-tuned and updated starting late November or early December, said Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management.

Phelps was shut down to students during the summer so its ventilation and plumbing systems could be renovated.

During that lapse, 32 companies attended a pre-bid conference to determine which

one would obtain the job of renovating Phelps.

Thirteen of those companies submitted a bid.

Leitner Construction, the same company that constructed the DiGiorgio Campus Center, submitted the lowest bid and was awarded the job.

Phelps’ renovation by Leitner Construction is just phase two of the overall renovation plan for the residence hall.

Before Leitner Construction can begin reconstructing Phelps, it must undergo demo-

See PHELPS page 2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Aparecium Hogwarts!’

Roddey turns into magical school

Students in professor Christina Brooks’ fieldwork in archaeology class dug at this site in fall 2009. Next semester, students will excavate a slave cemetery at Historic Brattonsville. Photo courtesy of Christina Brooks.

Students in archaeology class will be first to dig at Historic Brattonsville’s slave cemetery

BY JESSICA PICKENS

BY JONATHAN MCFADDEN

pickensj@thejohnsonian.com

Students can now be accepted into Hogwarts.

Hogwarts in Roddey Apartments that is, and sophomore English major Catherine Davies is the headmaster of it all.

The Roddey Apartments will be decorated like Hogwarts and students will take classes and interact with different Harry Potter characters while touring Roddey.

“The reason I decided to do

this was because Harry Potter has had such a huge impact on so many people’s lives,” Davies said. “We’ve been involved in it for almost 10 years! Since it’s coming to an end, I feel like it needs a proper sending off.”

On the night of the film’s release, Nov. 19, there will be a Harry Potter quiz at 7:30 p.m. with several Harry Potter re-

See POTTER page 7

mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Students can get down and dirty in a course offered at Historic Brattonsville next semester: anthropology 345: fieldwork in archaeology.

The course is designed to give students practical hands-on experience in completing archaeological surveys and excavations, said Christina Brooks, professor of anthropology and sociology.

This is not the first time the course has been offered, but it is the first time anyone has been allowed to excavate a site at Brattonsville.

Brooks, who will teach the class, and her students will be examining a slave cemetery on

the property.

“This is exciting because no one has been allowed on the site,” Brooks said. “Winthrop students will be the first to explore this unique site.”

Historic Brattonsville is a 775-acre Revolutionary War site, which re-enacts the historical context of the the colonial day and age through the story of the Bratton family.

The class is just the

See DIG page 4

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Professor, students use chicken embryo eyes to research sight

BY AMANDA PHIPPS phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

Using cells from a chicken embryo eye, one chemistry, two biology students and a professor studied the development of the visual system. Each student worked on a different aspect of the project.

Assistant professor of biology

Eric Birgbauer worked with the students to study how the eye system works and how the signals are sent to the brain to allow sight.

Photoreceptors detect light and send it to cells in the visual system, Birgbauer said. Retinal ganglion cells (RGC) then transmit the messages from the photoreceptors to the brain. The

Questions? Contact us at editors@thejohnsonian.com Serving Winthrop since 1923

ganglion cells are neurons in the eye that send out axons during development that grow and make connections to the brain.

“These axons need to be guided up to the brain and then to the correct position in the brain,” he said.

Several specific brain regions process vital information, Birgbauer said.

I N D E X

“These processing centers need to be connected to each other and in the right order,” he said.

The centers wire themselves, so they have to know how and where to connect in the brain, Birgbauer said. In the visual system in mammals, the first step in brain processing occurs in the LGN and superior col-

liculus. This means the visual input the eye sends to the brain along the axons of the RGC must go to these areas. In order for this to happen, the areas in the brain must be wired right during development so the axons can grow and connect in them.

“If they got wired to the wrong processing center, it would not

See EYES page 6

CAMPUS NEWS

2-5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

10-11

OPINION

6-7

CULTURE

12-13

HEALTH & SCIENCE

8-9

SPORTS

14-15

2

Dinkins vs. DIGS

“”

CLAIRE BYUN News Editor THURSDAY byunc@thejohnsonian.com November 11, 2010 JONATHAN MCFADDEN Assistant News Editor mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Foundation supplies president with $20,000 housing allowance

By Claire Byun

byunc@thejohnsonian.com

Dinkins is closer to Withers. I’m in Withers all day. I don’t like walking over here (DIGS).

“”

I like DIGS. I feel like there’s more to do here and it’s a place where more students seem to come.

Kelly Reed

Senior elementary education major

As appropriated in his contract, President DiGiorgio will receive an annual $20,000 housing allowance from the Winthrop Foundation.

This past May, the Foundation had it’s thrice-yearly meeting to discuss allocating money for President DiGiorgio’s offcampus housing.

Originally, Winthrop was to pay the offcampus living fund, but due to complicated paperwork the Foundation agreed to pay, said Brien Lewis, executive director of the Foundation.

“Sometimes the Foundation is the appropriate vehicle, and sometimes the

university is the appropriate vehicle to pay,” Lewis said. “We take great care to make sure the right entity is paying the right expense.”

In return for paying the president’s expenses, the university will pay for certain Foundation mailings, according to the minutes the Foundation supplied.

“I think it really is a balance of trade off,” Lewis said. “Instead of money being put into category X, it’s put in category Y. It’s not additional money; it’s just put in a different category.”

Specifics on the mailings and reasoning why the Foundation is now paying for the expenses could not be answered by press time.

Quinten Ash

Junior exercise science major

On-campus Subway not ruled out, says WU Dining Services director

By Monica Kreber

kreberm@thejohnsonian. com

With the arrival of the new DiGiorgio Campus Center came the report of students claiming they are running out of café cash quickly in it its food court – quicker than when the campus still had Dinkins.

Director of Dining Services Pam Yorkovic said students are probably spending so much more cash this year than last year because the new food court has a larger array of food stations than Dinkins had.

“Last year, the Dinkins Food Court was away from the main campus, requiring students to cross the street to access the location,” she said. “Also, Dinkins was a small, outdated facility with limited options and limited seating.”

Sophomore mass communication major Kalene McDonnell said she definitely feels as if café cash is disappearing quicker because she lives in the Courtyard and is required to have a meal plan.

She went with the straight $800 café cash plan and said she is down to $400 now.

“It’s harder than you think to get rid of,” she said. “I have to eat unhealthy more often than I like to.”

Junior exercise science major Kyrsten Fandrich said she does not miss

the old food court because of how convenient the campus center is.

She also said she is not one of the students complaining about the sudden decrease in café cash in their student accounts.

“I feel like my cafe cash is never ending,” she said. “I get $825 per semester on the plan I have now, but there weren’t any better deals.”

Fandrich said she thinks students are quickly running out of money because the prices of food on campus are expensive.

“DIGS and the food court in Courtyard are the only places I really go, and I use my café cash there,” she said. “Everything is pretty expensive.

I buy half a gallon of milk for close to $4.”

Yorkovic said the new food stations in the campus center offer a variety of menu items meant to appeal to students; Zoca Mexican features six varieties of fresh salsa.

Topio’s Pizzeria uses fresh-pressed dough and pizza sauce made fresh daily.

Burger Studio bakes homemade buns each morning and has 30 assorted toppings to top burgers, along with the signature hand-cut fries.

Fandrich said although the food court offers more food selections than Dinkins did, she misses having Subway and Java City on campus.

“I think there’s more variety in food selection,

though I do miss places such as Subway and that Java City,” she said. “But Einstein and Starbucks are doing a pretty good job so I’m not too upset by it.”

Yorkovic also pointed out that another big difference between the two locations is the hours of operation.

The campus center has extended hours; last year, Dinkins closed at 7 p.m. during the week and was closed on Saturdays.

In the campus center, Markley’s is open Sunday through Thursday nights until 9 p.m. and Starbucks and Einstein Bros. are open until 11 p.m.

“Locations are also open longer hours on the weekends,” Yorkovic said. “As a result, participation in the retail dining locations has increased over last year.”

McDonnell said the only thing she misses about Dinkins is Subway.

Otherwise, she found Dinkins to be uninviting.

“It was just another building I didn’t go in if I didn’t have to,” she said. “The DIGS is open and inviting, and is a cool hang-out spot.”

A new Subway addition at Winthrop is still in question.

“Currently, we are looking at new locations on campus for Subway, but have nothing to confirm,” Yorkovic said.

PHELPS • from front lition and asbestos removal by EHG Corporation.

“They [EHG Corporation] have done work on campus before and they do a really good job,” Hardin said.

Leitner Construction will start the renovation process 90 days after EHG Corporation’s start date for demolition.

Actual renovation for Phelps will probably begin sometime early in the spring semester, said Cynthia Cassens, director for Residence Life.

Once Phelps is reopened, the 67-year-old residence hall will feature more handicap accessibility and sinks in the actual bedrooms instead of the bathrooms.

Cassens said decisions regarding the gender mix of Phelps once it reopens can’t be determined until almost a year from now.

Winthrop submitted a

proposal to bidders drafted almost a year ago. In the proposal, adding a ramp in the lobby and the new sink arrangement were discussed.

Winthrop is currently in the state process of awarding a bid, which includes a protest period.

During this period, other bidders have the chance to protest the award.

“To do this, they must show cause,” Hardin said.

Causes can range from having improperly licensed subcontractors to adding or deleting something from the specifications, Hardin said.

“In my 24 years, we have had only a few bid protests,” Hardin said. “They are not the norm, but the protest period is mandatory.”

Jack Leitner, vice president of Leitner Construction, said there is no reason to believe that companies will find any

causes to protest Leitner Construction’s bid.

Winthrop and Leitner Construction have maintained a good relationship since the 1970s, when Leitner’s father, Max Leitner, began doing projects at Winthrop.

Leitner said Winthrop is a good place to work, and it’s fortunate they were able to get the renovation job.

The bid’s cost is within Winthrop’s budget, Hardin said.

Hardin did not reveal the budget amount for renovations, but on Nov. 5, Winthrop’s Board of Trustees passed a $6-million allowance to finance Phelps’ renovation.

The board is hoping renovations won’t cost more than $5.2 million.

Renovation is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012, and Phelps is anticipated to reopen in fall 2012.

3

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

New GPS tracking system helps hook bike thefts

By Norie Young

Special to The Johnsonian

Campus Police have the hook, and some criminals are taking the bait.

Bike theft on Winthrop’s campus has become a serious issue, so much so that now the campus is being watched.

Campus Police are currently positioning bike lures on racks around campus to catch thieves.

The bait bikes come equipped with a tracking device so authorities know when they have been moved.

The device works similar to a GPS system and uses satellite positioning. Using this method, the bikes can be followed and hopefully lead to the people taking them. These trackers are the same type of gadget used to track cars; the department currently uses three of them.

In 2009, 20 bikes were stolen while 11 were stolen this year.

Four of those 11 were baits.

Those baits led to four arrests.

Campus Police have decided to take a more proactive approach to this problem.

“The bikes were put out in the middle of September, and we have already arrested four persons stealing bikes,” chief of police Frank Zebedis said. “It appears right now we will reduce bike theft by more than 50 percent on campus during the 2010 year.”

Ashley Frances, junior English literature and language major,

In order to reduce the amount of bicycle theft on campus, police installed GPS systems into four unmarked bikes. This year, the tracked bikes have led to four arrests. Photo illustration by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com. went through an inconvenient situation after leaving her bike in front of Bancroft, where it was stolen last year.

“I made the mistake of leaving it there for a week. I really regret doing that,” Frances said. “I had

the advantage of being able to walk places because I lived on campus, and so I planned on just getting my bike later.”

Frances said she never imagined her bike would be one of the 20 stolen last year.

She had no car, so losing her only means of transportation made traveling to places off campus a hassle.

It was not revealed whether other Winthrop students or members of the community are

committing the robberies, but Zebedis is hopeful that with this new approach bike theft can be stopped on campus.

Students serve community through marketing project

By Claire Byun byunc@thejohnsonian.com

Combining classroom learning with real-world experience, one student group is taking a school project to a whole new level.

A group of six students, all healthcare majors and minors, were paired together to organize an event for Agape Hospice.

The project was meant to entail a proposed marketing plan for the healthcare business, but this group took it one step further.

“For the class itself you’re just supposed to develop a marketing plan for the event, but we’re fortunate enough to actually get involved,” said Logan Graves, group member.

The event, called Life Blooms Eternally, is a memorial for those touched by hospice.

“The event will consist of 500 floral umbrellas gracing the land surrounding the Winthrop Lake in honor of November being National Hospice Month,” said Lindsay Roddey, group member.

The idea was inpsired by a New York artist who hand-painted umbrellas and placed them in a park to honor the lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2o01 attacks.

“It’s going to be like a field of wild flowers,” said Ellie O’Brien, group member.

“Each umbrella is in memory of someone who died in hopsice.”

All the group members, including Briana Deal, Jillian Ussery and Casha Brimer, have spent two months planning the event, working alongside Agape Hospice.

Beckie Cunningham, vice president of sales and advertising of Agape Senior, has helped the students organize the memorial. A budget of $10,000 was provided by Agape, and the students are aiming to fundraise half that amount.

“This is a really good fundraiser and we’re working really hard on it,” O’Brien said. “We just want to educate people about hospice.”

The group members, who meet twice weekly, are excited about shining a different light on the concept of hospice care.

“A lot of people think hospice and they

think ‘bad,’ because people are dying,” Brimer said. “But it really instills hope because most hospices do a memorial of the deceased.”

Along with caring for the loved one in life, Roddey said Agape checks on the families of deceased relatives for 15 months after the loved one’s death.

“They really care about the family and friends,” Graves said.

The memorial will take place at Win-

throp Lake Nov. 12-14, and a memorial service will be held that Sunday at 4p.m.

Students are encouraged to attend the memorial, and, if wanting to volunteer, students should contact Roddey at roddeyl2@winthrop.edu.

“It’s not all about death, it’s about life and how life blooms eternally,” Graves said.

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Preparing for the weekend-long memorial at Winthrop Lake, the group members ordered 500 floral umbrellas. There are 5 different designs, and all will be placed along the lake. Photos by Claire Byun • byunc@ thejohnsonian.com.

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4

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

WU students dig partnership with historic site DIG • from front first phase of a potential partnership between Winthrop and Historic Brattonsville.

“While the partnership has not officially been formed, the course next semester is the beginning of what I hope to be a long relationship with Historic Brattonsville,” Brooks said.

The course will be held on Saturdays at the historic site which is on Cherry Road.

“This Saturday schedule will hopefully allow this course to fit in nicely with students’ schedules,” Brooks said.

Senior art history major Sar-

ah Earle said if she has room in her schedule, she may consider taking the class.

Earle, who is currently enrolled in Brooks’ introduction to archaeology class, said she has an interest in the subject and has considered making anthropology her minor.

Giving up her Saturdays won’t be a problem, either. The only thing she thinks it would hurt is work on the weekends.

There’s also a more aesthetic appeal.

“I think it’ll be fun to dig around in the dirt,” Earle said.

Students put their knowledge to the test as they bore into the ground, practice for next semester’s anthropology course. The class will be held Saturdays in historic Brattonsville.

Photo courtesy of Christina Brooks.

Model UN preps to celebrate 35 years

COACH • from front

By Jonathan McFadden

Winthrop athletics hired former Radford University coach Spencer Smith to replace Heinz in February 2010.

Heinz claims in the suit that her successor has an inferior record to hers, has never coached women’s soccer and is getting paid more than she did while at Winthrop.

Smith spent 16 years at Radford as head coach of the men’s soccer team. During that time, he was named Big South Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1998.

His program earned one Big South Championship win and appeared in the NCAA College Cup twice.

While at Winthrop, Heinz received Big South Coach of the Year in 2006 and NCAA National Division One Coach of the Year for new soccer programs in 2003. Winthrop also won a Big South Regular Season Championship under Heinz in 2006 and appeared in the championship game in 2009.

The coach was not aware of the unequal environment in the athletics department before she came to Winthrop, she said.

Because she was starting a new program, she said she knew the team would have to prove itself in order to gain more scholarships and more attention.

“Maybe I was naive (then),” she said. “But I didn’t start paying attention to it until time went on.”

Student-athletes in the pro-

mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Model United Nations (UN) will celebrate its 35th year anniversary with a 1976 Security Council and 27 high schools in attendance at its annual conference in March.

Model UN, cross-listed as political science 260, teaches students about current events and assigns them a country to represent as a diplomat.

Each student takes on the role of that country and must act and react as that country’s government would in response to certain situations, such as nuclear war or genocide.

Students are also required to give speeches.

But the class, which fulfills an oral communication degree requirement, is not as intimidating as other speech courses, said Kayla Barber, junior political science major.

Barber, who took the course her freshman year and represented the U.S., now acts as one of the student coordinators who organize the conference that more than 300 high school students usually attend.

This year’s conference features 27 registered schools with students representing 65 different countries and will bring in the highest number of high school students who have ever attended a Model UN

equity were ignored or rejected

by Winthrop, Dr. DiGiorgio, and A.D. Hickman.”

Smith replaces Heinz

conference, Barber said.

Not only that, but a high school from France is considering attending Winthrop’s Model UN Conference, which takes place March 30 - April 1, Barber said.

With such a large number of high school delegates, Model UN is going to need some manpower.

“I myself can’t help 65 countries,” Barber said.

Barber said college students are the real backbone of the conference and are needed to mentor the high school students.

Students interested in taking Model UN have two sections to choose from. One section meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, while another meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The class capacity is 65 students.

Some new features to commemorate 35 years for Model UN include a revamped website that gives online speech lessons, rewritten rules of the conference and the 1976 Security Council, which will feature countries no longer in existence, such as the Soviet Union and East Germany.

“It’s going to be big,” Barber said.

The course fulfills the global perspectives and social science degree requirements and finishes in April with no written final exam.

gram were largely unaware of the disparities, Heinz said, because as a coach she didn’t want to put that stress on her team.

Heinz said her termination from coaching at Winthrop has resulted in her inability to land another Division One coaching job.

She is currently head coach at Valdosta State University in Georgia. She was hired by the Division II Gulf South Conference school to begin a women’s soccer team in January 2010.

Proud of 2010 season The women’s soccer team earned six All-Conference awards this year and the new coach Smith was named Big South Coach of the Year.

Heinz said she is proud of the team.

“Nothing to take from (Smith), but he didn’t bring in any players of his own,” she said.

She said that while at Winthrop, she prepared for the successful season Winthrop is now enjoying by bringing in good recruits and only graduating one starting senior.

Officials from the Big South Conference did not comment directly on Heinz’s suit, but said, “The Big South Conference does discuss Title IX and Gender Equity issues with its membership, however, specific plans for compliance vary from campus to campus and is an institutional issue.”

Winthrop released a statement on the lawsuit, saying, “As of Monday afternoon, Winthrop officials have not yet received a copy of the lawsuit, so it would not be appropriate to comment based on third-party descrip-

tions. In general, athletic program decisions at Winthrop are always made in the best interest of our student-athletes and the individual sports program involved, and any allegation to the contrary will be demonstrated to be without merit in the appropriate venue.”

Of the 10 colleges in the Big South Conference, the majority of schools have less than five female head coaches in their athletic departments. Every school in the conference except for UNC-Asheville has a male athletic director.

• Winthrop employs two female athletic head coaches currently for volleyball and golf, and one female coach for the spirit squad.

•High Point has a female golf and lacrosse coach.

•Charleston Southern employs four female athletic head coaches for basketball, cross country/ track, golf and volleyball.

•Presbyterian College’s lacrosse team is led by a female head coach.

•Gardner-Webb has a female volleyball head coach.

•Coastal Carolina employs five female head coaches for golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

•Liberty has a female lacrosse and soccer head coach.

•Radford employs one female head coach for volleyball.

•UNC-Asheville employs five female head coaches in basketball, soccer, cheer squad, volleyball and tennis.

• Virginia Military Institute has a female water polo head coach.

Information obtained from each respective university’s website.

POLICE BLOTTER PETTY LARCENY (HEADPHONES) (10/28/10) At 7 p.m., a student went to the Winthrop Police Department to report his $300 blackMonster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones were stolen from his book bag.

He said the last time he had the headphones was around 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. He went on to say he noticed they were missing around 7 p.m. on Oct. 27.

He said he usually keeps the headphones in his book bag. He said one time the bag was out of his sight was around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 26.

He placed the bag in one of the cubbies at the Winthrop Bookstore in the DiGiorgio Campus Center for about 15 minutes.

The bag was also out of his sight during study hall at the Winthrop Coliseum when he left the room to use the restroom.

A reporting officer contacted the manager of the bookstore and asked if there was a camera covering that area, but she said no.

The officer also asked if anyone turned in any headphones. Again, she said no.

This case has been administratively closed due to a lack of leads.

PUBLIC DISORDERLY CONDUCT; POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION OF BEER UNDER 21 (10/30/10) At 10:30 p.m., a reporting officer was on assignment at an event in the Student Activity Center when he observed three males getting in and out of a parked blue SUV in the parking lot.

The officer also noticed the males were drinking beer from glass bottles in plain view.

When the officer approached the three, one of the males placed his Budweiser beer bottle

back in the vehicle on the driver side floorboard. Another male began pouring his beer out on the pavement just outside of the driver door. The other male walked behind the vehicle and tried to hide his Budweiser beer bottle under it.

The officer gathered up all the beer bottles, poured out the rest of the beer and threw the bottles in a nearby trash can.

The officer then had the males show their I.D.’s and learned all three of them were under 21.

The officer told them they would be issued a citation for possession of beer by persons under 21 and trespassed from Winthrop. The officer also told them they were prohibited from entering the event.

At this time, one of the males, who is also an employee at Popeye’s, became loud and belligerent toward the officer. The male told the officer he could talk to him any way he wanted and could not be prevented from attending the event.

At this point, the male was arrested and transported to Rock Hill City Jail.

The other two males were cited and released. In addition, they were trespassed from Winthrop’s campus.

Unlike Weezy, these culprits got off easy. www.mytjnow.com/police-blotter

The arrested male was not trespassed from Winthrop due to his employment at Popeye’s, but was referred to his supervisor.

INTIMIDATION OF WITNESS (10/30/10) At 9:38 p.m., a reporting officer was sent to Walgreen’s to meet with a student in regard to an unknown male, believed to be a student, who communicated a threat to her.

When the officer arrived, he met with the student in the pharmacy section. The student said she was walking to meet her friend in front of Richardson when she saw two males with another male, presumed to be a student.

The male who was thought to be a student said to the female student’s friend, “I’m going to punch your friend in the face because she set my friends up.”

The student said she encouraged her friend to leave and not talk to the students, but that is when she said the angry male said, “I’ll punch you in the face too.”

The student said she and her friend thought the comment was directed toward another friend of theirs who had filed an earlier report with Campus Police.

The student was asked if she could identify the angry male by a photo, but she said she would prefer not.

She only filed the report because that is what she had been instructed to do.

The officer said a report would be made in regard to the incident and a follow-up call would be made to the student.

The student said she did not want to press charges.

Compiled by Jonathan McFadden

5

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

CONNOR DE BRULER Opinion Editor debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com

Our Say

WU reveals ceremony cost after TJ request The spirit of openness and transparency is alive and well at Winthrop this week.

In October, The Johnsonian sent a Freedom of Information Act Request to the president’s office inquiring about the cost of the DiGiorgio Campus Center dedication ceremony.

This week, Winthrop responded by providing us with invoices and other financial documents related to the ceremony.

Winthrop spent a total of $13,325.12 for the two-day celebration, according to documents provided by the president’s office.

As stated in an earlier editorial, “The Johnsonian’s aim in requesting this particular financial information is not to uncover or expose any wrongdoing by the university.

We requested this information because the ceremony took place in a public university’s building to honor the current

leader of a state agency.”

In an effort to give credit where credit is due, The Johnsonian thanks Winthrop and those staff members involved in preparing the response to our request.

Next week, we will run a full news story with more details about the expenditures and funding sources.

We will also include a comparison of the expenditures to the cost of a similar dedication ceremony for the West Center in 2007, based on information volun-

Society loves failure

Friend’s domestic violence experience impacts student

“I can’t go on. I’ll go on.”-Samuel Beckett

soundtrack perpetuated the same idea: “You got one shot/ do not miss your chance or blow/ cuz opWe live in a pass or portunity comes once in a lifetime.” fail society.

The idea has permeated our From an early age modern slang. When someone we are taught by our trips or makes a mistake, a harsh parents and in school to “FAIL!” or “EPIC FAIL!” will folConnor de Bruler low. do our best to achieve Opinion editor success. Well success Grading systems in school are no takes on many forms for better. For the purpose of ranking different people. Success is never deschool effectiveness, we have created fined to us when we are children, and a system that breaks children’s spirits we commonly mistake it for material and creates an aversion to learning. wealth or fame. The media propagates I was often penalized for not underthis misconception. The problem, how- standing or asking too many questions ever, is not our obssession with success in grade school. I will never forgive but our beliefs on how it is achieved. my elementary teachers for how I was We believe in the one chance, the ditreated. I was a broken man at 10 years vine moment: all of our success will be old. won in a singular instance of glory.

Intelligence cannot be ranked. This In our society, one is a success or a goes back to Alfred Binet’s first IQ test: failure. a miserable system primarily used to This notion is excrement. exclude ethnic minorities from jobs in Television shows like “American the early 20th century.

Idol” and “The X Factor” are good In order to succeed we must fail a examples. Besides the fact that these few times. We need to think beyond contest programs are genuine drivel, success and failure. they are teaching viewers several negaLife is a constant struggle. It is tive and dangerous messages. 1) Your unending pain. We will all suffer consuccess will be determined by one mostantly until our deaths. There is no ment in your life. 2) Your fate is in the divine moment of grace. Persistence is hands of someone else’s judgment. the only maxim worth learning in this In every episode, people line up in life. front of three high-profile individuals Our society should be teaching and sing. It’s not always good, but it’s people to keep trying. There will be not always bad. The contestants typimany opportunities in life. Everything cally cry when the all-too-inevitable keeps moving forward. It is a stream, rejections are given, and young viewers not a mountain. There can be no peak, are taught that, if they are not amazing no climax of success or achievement. It at singing, there is no hope for a career is a constant flow of events. Sometimes in music. they’ll be good and other times quite Every singer I regularly listen to negative. probably couldn’t get past the first The only true way to be a failure in round on any talent show. life is to give up.

Eminem’s hit single for the “8-Mile”

Letter to the editor Where is the respect?

As a student who is finishing out his 11th semester at Winthrop (don’t worry folks, graduated in 4 years, another semester and I will have a masters) I find myself becoming frustrated with those who don’t respect our community. I proudly view Winthrop as my home. Yes, home.

If that’ s not school spirit, I’m not sure what is!

But, my issue comes with the respect that is given on this campus.

Walking home from class this evening I watched a car drive the wrong direction down a one-way street. I gave the driver a strange look, then walked up to the window and politely asked if she knew she was going the wrong

way.

She abruptly told me she “ knew that,” and she was just picking someone up. Then, she rolled her window back up. I walked away stunned. Besides the $237.50 ticket she could have earned (Likely SC Code of Laws 56-5-950), she disrespected our community. Why would someone blatantly disregard simple rules(and state laws)? This can be applied back to illegal parking, throwing cigarette butts on the ground, and talking back to people.

How would you feel if I went to your house and parked on the lawn? Or, maybe I decided to park in your driveway while I visited another friend.

You would likely be upset that I was disrespecting your house.

Or, maybe I was done with my fast food meal

Editor ANNA DOUGLAS

Arts & entertainment editor JESSICA PICKENS

Managing editor TIFFANY BARKLEY

Assistant arts & entertainment editor ALISON ANGEL

News editor CLAIRE BYUN Assistant news editor JONATHAN MCFADDEN Opinion editor CONNOR DE BRULER Culture editor ALEXIS AUSTIN Health & science editor AMANDA PHIPPS

Sports editor CHRIS McFADDEN Graphic Designer COURTNEY NISKALA Copy editors BRITTANY GUILFOYLE BRANTLEY MCCANTS Ad designer SAMANTHA FURTICK

tarily provided by the university.

We’re appreciative of Winthrop administrators for allowing conversation to take place on this matter.

The finest educational institutions pride themselves on empowering a community of students and faculty to speak their minds and make decisions for themselves while consistently providing forums and information for those things to take place.

Kudos to you, Winthrop.

My youth minister out to church alone, organizing was murdered the day mission trips and charity events before Valentine’s Day. with my youth group, while her I found out the next husband stayed home. day that my great He felt threatened in the refriend, Missy Wylie, lationship, like many men with was killed by her abusuccessful female partners do. sive husband, while her Honestly, I think he probably David Thackham 8-year-old son, Pearson didn’t want to kill her. He just Guest columnist witnessed it all. wanted to put her back in her I was distraught. place. The thought of his wife Missy was simply a wonderful being better known, better respected, woman, in every way. As my mentor and more loved, scared him. and friend, she created an insepaThe balance of power in a relationrable link between my family, my ship is a precarious one, teetering on church, my thoughts and myself. the edge a knife-edge. What he saw Whenever I needed to sit down and was the balance being tipped out of get some things off of my chest, I had his control. In the end, he couldn’t Missy. She made herself available to even control his own fate. Missy’s anyone who needed a kind word or a husband was found guilty of firsthelping hand. The memories I have degree murder and sentenced to life of her will last a lifetime. Melissa without parole.

Wylie was the youth minister at Holy There is a deep-seated sense of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Clempower over women still lingering son, S.C. among modern males. As a man, I I also thought a lot about the husfeel no one should feel a sense of suband, who was arrested and taken to periority over his or her partner, no jail shortly after the shooting. What matter the situation. On Valentine’s could cause a man to kill a woman he Day, we are supposed to recognize had once called his love? Where does the love felt within ourselves, but I domestic violence come from? found no trace of love from Missy’s To me, it seems like the abuser has husband to her. a of lack of control in the relationGuys, you have to respect women ship. as equally as you would anyone else.

When that man pulled the trigger, It seems like a no brainer, but some he convinced himself that by shootmen still aren’t doing it. ing his wife in the right shoulder, What we all need is a chance to he was gaining his manhood back, realize the importance of love in getting what he rightfully deserved: relationships we cherish, because power. Missy had always done things you never know when they might be on her own in their marriage, going gone.

and just dropped the wrapper on your lawn.

You wouldn’t care right?

Think about it when you are on Winthrop’ s campus. This is our home.

What impressions are you leaving on others and what positive mark are you making with the campus community? Help be that positive change, and have pride in your campus.

Evan Russo Graduate student seeking Masters business administation Letters to the editor are accepted at any time from students, faculty and staff and community members. Please send your thoughts or comments to editors@ thejohnsonian.com.

Illustration by Courtney Niskala •niskalac@thehohnsonian.com Photographers KATHLEEN BROWN STEPHANIE EATON PAUL RICCIARDI Multimedia editors SHATESHA SCALES KAYLEE NICHOLS Webmaster DEVANG JOSHI Advertising manager KERRY SHERIN Ad sales team SARAH MACDONALD Faculty adviser LARRY TIMBS

About The Johnsonian The Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University. It is published during fall and spring semesters with the exception of university holidays and exam periods.

CONTACT INFORMATION Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.

Phone: (803) 323-3419 E-mail: editors@thejohnsonian. com Online: mytjnow.com LETTER POLICY Letters and feedback can be sent to editors@thejohnsonian.com or

by mail at The Johnsonian, 104 Campus Center, Rock Hill, S.C., 29733.

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Please include your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are a professor; or your name and

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Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian staff.

CORRECTIONS Contact us if you find an error in an issue of the newspaper. We will correct it in the next issue.

6

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

AMANDA PHIPPS Health & Science Editor phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

Professor, students study visual system EYES• from front work,” he said. “I am interested in learning how these correct connections are formed.”

Axons have “growth cones,” which are motile structures at the tip of the axon that sense the brain environment they are growing through and lead the axon to the right place, Birgbauer said. The growth cones read the molecules in the brain environment and determine if the axon should connect there, grow further or avoid that region and grow somewhere else.

“They act as the leaders of the axon,” he said.

Specifically, Birgbauer and the students are looking at what molecular signals are involved in guiding the axons to the brain.

They are looking at the LPA (lysophospholipid acid) and S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate) molecules to see if they are involved in this process.

“We suspect LPA and S1P might be involved as molecules in the brain that may guide axons away from the wrong places,” Birgbauer said. “They may also be involved in an injury response to prevent axons from growing if there is an injury.”

Birgbauer and the students are currently working with four receptor types of the axon used to detect LPA in the brain environment to see which one may be important to the development of the visual system.

“In experiments in the culture dish, when we add LPA, the growth cones of the retinal ganglion cell axons collapse and stop growing, at least temporarily,” he said.

This process may be able to guide the axons because if the axons grew to an area they didn’t normally grow that secreted LPA, they would collapse and avoid that region, going instead to the region they should grow, Birgbauer said. He compared this to the LPA molecule “smelling bad” to the axons, which they would then avoid.

The brain guides the axons using inhibitory molecules, which it places in regions the axon should not grow and uses molecules that attract the axons in regions they should grow, he said.

“What each axon detects and what it “smells like” depends on the receptors on the growth cone

and how the cell interprets the signals from these receptors,” he said.

Different students are currently involved with the project and have been involved in the past.

Pathways Involved Students previously established that LPA and S1P are involved in axon guidance. One of these students was senior chemistry and biology double-major Canaan Whiteneck, who worked with Birgbauer from the summer of 2008 to fall 2010.

Whiteneck worked with the LPA and S1P receptors to understand the signaling that occurs inside the cell that mediates the LPA/S1P induced growth cone collapse.

He used inhibitors to block the receptors and saw if blocking them caused growth cone collapse. Through his work, he discovered that both LPA and S1P were involved in this process.

S1P was originally going to be used as the control because it does not cause growth cone collapse in mice, Whiteneck said. However, when tested with chicken embryo RGC, it did cause growth cone collapse.

“It was not expected,” he said.

After he saw S1P had an effect, Whiteneck began to work on understanding if it had a similar effect that LPA does. He confirmed S1P did cause growth cone collapse, which is the effect LPA has in the chicken embryo retina.

Junior chemistry major Jarod Fincher confirmed Whiteneck’s data this year and is currently working on discovering the pathways LPA and S1P activate.

The axon guidance molecules guide the RGC to grow from the retina of the eye to form the optic nerve, according to chemistry major Jarod Fincher’s lab report.

Fincher worked on understanding which molecules are involved in axon guidance.

The molecules LAP and S1P have been determined to cause growth cone collapse in the chicken embryo, according to the report.

Fincher’s report states: “These molecules LPA and S1P bind to G-protein coupled receptors which activate one of four pos-

sible intracellular pathways that, when activated, can lead to growth cone collapse.” He is currently working with the molecules to determine which of the four pathways they use.

Fincher does this by inhibiting one of the Gprotein coupled receptor pathways that LPA and S1P activate.

He used the Gi pathway inhibitor Pertussis Toxin (PTX) and the G12/13 pathway inhibitor “Rock” to block two of the possible GPCR pathways that LPA and S1P use, he said.

Eric Birgbauer looks at the retinas of chicken embryos to study axon “The results indicated guidance. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com that the Rock inhibitor major Josh Owens worked on their part before the project can prevented growth cone collapse in LPA, but remains incon- constructing a virus that will continue.

“Right now it looks as if we clusive with S1P,” Fincher said. knock out the LPA. There are “There is also data that suggest five types of LPA receptors the will all be finished at the same LPA uses the Gi pathway from LPA chemical binds to, he said. time,” he said. “That is when the the PTX studies. More studies These are involved in the visual cool stuff will happen.” are being done with the PTX in- system. Owens is working with hibitor to gain more conclusive the LPA4 receptor.

The Purpose The virus siRNA infects emresults.”

These results can help explain bryonic chicken retinas, but is Once each aspect of the projwhich pathways are important harmless to humans, he said. ect is completed, it will be tested in the guidance of axons, Finch- Viruses work by modifying the in the chicken embryo, Birgbaugenetic sequence of what it is er said. er said.

“If the pathway is inhibited attacking. His goal is to modify “(The research) is more comand there is no growth cone col- the virus so it will knock out the plicated in the embryo, but it is lapse, we know the molecules LPA4, a process known as “gene more real,” he said. knockout.” use that pathway,” he said.

LPA occurs in high concentra“We are making (the virus) do tion around injuries, Birgbauer The future may consist of more possible inhibitor studies, what we want it to do,” Owens said. The hope is that undersaid.

Fincher said. standing axon guidance can help He has not modified the vi- scientists use this knowledge for “After we have enough data on those, we can look at other in- rus yet, but once it is complet- therapeutic processes. hibitors and get more inclusive ed, Owens will place it into the If the inhibitors were removed, chicken embryo retina and study injured retinal cells may be able results,” he said.

Fincher heard about Birgbau- the affects, he said. This will help to regenerate nerves. er’s biomedical research experi- them determine the role LPA4 “If the optic nerve is damaged, ence through the biomedical di- plays in axon guidance. it is permanent,” he said, “but if “If LPA4 is knocked out and we could induce regeneration of rector Kim Wilson, who helped something goes wrong (in the this nerve and reconnection to him get into the lab.

“I was amazed at how aca- retina), we know the LPA was the right place in the brain, we demically successful he was, and important for axon guidance,” could restore sight for people I just couldn’t think of a greater he said. “A number of things with this injury.” opportunity ” he said. “To have could happen when it is knocked Other scientists have been rethe opportunity to work with out.” searching this.

Owens said he will keep worksomeone who has achieved what “There are many things going ing with it until the virus is mod- on that show some promise,” Dr. Birgbauer has is an honor.”

Whiteneck said he enjoyed his ified.

Birgbauer said.

“There is a reason it is called experience when he worked in The hope is that the receptor research instead of just search,” for LPA may become a druggaBirgbauer’s lab.

“Undergraduate research is he said. “We will know some- ble target, he said. amazing,” he said. “It gives you thing when we do the experi“We would have to validate ment, which makes it worth do- that it is worth making a drug an edge (for graduate school.)” ing.” against,” Birgbauer said. “There Each student worked on dif- is a way to go before it can be Virus construction ferent aspects of the same proj- therapeutic for patients.”

To test the role LPA receptors ect, Owens said. Eventually they play in axon guidance, biology will need to be finished with

Winthrop organization Joining the community: members adopt highway

By Amanda Phipps phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

Winthrop SEAC and SOAR adopted two miles of Mt. Gallant through the “Adopt-a-Highway” program last fall. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com

Wearing coats and gloves, Winthrop students filled trash bags with bits of waste along a portion of Mt. Gallant.

SOAR, Serving Others and Reflecting, and SEAC, Student Environmental Action Coalition, adopted two miles of Mt. Gallant through the “Adopt-A-Highway” center in York County, environmental division leader for SOAR and SEAC member Sydney Smith said. Smith is a junior international business and finance major with a minor in environmental studies.

Two SEAC members and three SOAR members joined together to clean the highway on Saturday Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, student director for SOAR Amber Jackson said.

Smith said the group got involved to have a project nearby.

“We wanted a local project that would make a visible impact,” she said.

Smith called the Adopt-A-Highway center and signed up SEAC and SOAR to adopt a portion of a highway.

She said any group can be involved as long as it does four cleanups a year.

SOAR has been adopting high-

ways as part of the group’s environment division since the group’s inception, Jackson said.

SOAR and SEAC adopted the portion of Mt. Gallant last fall, Smith said.

After they accomplished four clean-ups, the green Adopt-AHighway signs were put up on the road.

“They read: Winthrop SEAC and Winthrop SOAR, Smith said.

To meet the four clean-ups necessary a year, SEAC and SOAR do two clean-ups a semester, she said.

Smith said this is a rewarding experience.

“You can instantly see a difference,” she said. “The roadways look so much better, plus we collect tons of recycled materials.”

Jackson said it is a growing experience.

“It makes you get outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “It allows you to appreciate your environment.”

Smith also said it is a learning experience.

“Despite the fact you are picking up nasty beer bottles and candy wrappers, it is always a fun event to participate in,” she said. “It really opens your eyes to how disgusting our planet gets when people don’t clean up after themselves.”

7

JESSICA PICKENS Arts & Entertainment Editor THURSDAY pickensj@thejohnsonian.com November 11, 2010 ALISON ANGEL Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor angela@thejohnsonian.com

Roddey transforms into Hogwarts for movie release Harry Potter fans can dress up as their favorites, win Snuggie, prizes with trivia POTTER • from front lated prizes.

“The grand prize is a Harry Potter Snuggie,” Davies said.

So far, 70 students have requested an “acceptance letter” for the event, and almost all of the Harry Potter character roles have been filled.

Students requested acceptance letters by e-mailing Davies. Letters were mailed to students on Nov. 10.

Davies’ roommate Amy Moore said they have sent the most acceptance letters to

WANT TO GO? What: Harry Potter trivia Where: Roddey Apartments When: Nov. 19 Time: 7:30 p.m.

Other: Winner wins a Harry Potter Snuggie

commuter students.

“One of our commuters 12 year old son is having his birthday on the same day,” said Moore, sophomore biology major. “She wanted to know if he could come to the event to celebrate his birthday.”

Currently, Davies is in the process of looking for “Prefects” or tour guides.

Davies has never celebrated a Harry Potter release as large-scale as this time.

“The regular agenda for Harry Potter premieres is to stay up until midnight, see the movies decked out in Harry Potter merchandize, and then repeat four or five more times,” Davies said.

Davies became a Potter fan Sophomore English major Catherine Davies and her roommate Amy Moore, sophomore biolwhen she was 10 years old ogy major, decorate posters in Roddey Apartments to celebrate the release of Harry Potter. when she read the first book. Photo by Paul Ricciardi •ricciardip@thejohnsonian.com “Being British, I’ve been imfrom 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, The seventh Harry Potter film, “Harry mersed in it since it started,” Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” she said. “I’ve been to the Wizarding in Roddey Apartments.

During the celebration classes, on Po- premieres on Friday, Nov. 19.

World of Harry Potter in Florida. I’ve tions, Divination, Transfiguration and “It’s an event many will enjoy, and that loved it for basically half my life.”

The Harry Potter event will take place Charms will be taught, and students will I’m enjoying bringing to life,” Davies said. meet the book characters.

Greek muse guides dance lovers, club

By Jessica Pickens pickensj@thejohnsonian.com

Terpsichore is the Greek goddess of dance. It is also a club on campus.

The Terpsichore club originated in 2003 but has been inactive for a couple of years, said junior dance major Megan Friend.

“The last time it (the club) was registered on campus was in 2003. The group met sporadically during Fall 2008 during my freshman year, but it fizzled out and went completely inactive,” Friend said.

“One of the dance department professors approached me the end of last spring and asked me to try to lead the organization and bring it back to campus.”

The club is for students who are dance majors or simply like to dance.

“The Greek origin of the word Terpsichore, joy of dancing, guides the organization’s purpose,” she said. “Terpsichore is a channel for students delight in the art of dance, providing them with the opportunity to seek fellowship with like-minded peers and giving them a creative outlet for expression through dance.”

Terpsichore is open to all majors, not just dance majors, Friend said.

“It is not exclusive to dance majors or to people who know how to dance; they

just need to appreciate it,” she said.

Throughout this semester, Friend has been rebuilding the Terpsichore club and planing events.

Some upcoming Terpsichore events include: · Nov. 9 and 11: “Flashmob” style of improvisational performance in different locations across campus during Common Time. These performances will have 3-5 dancers moving in stretchy lyrica body bags. · Nov. 20: Dance convention for kids from the Blackmon Road community to come and enjoy. Terpsichore members and dance majors of every classification will work on warm-ups and combinations with the kids in the dance genres of jazz, modern, and hip hop. ·December: Possibly go to see the upcoming ballet-centered movie “Black Swan.”

Currently the club has 17 members and meets on Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Johnson lobby.

“We are students who love dance, who are excited about promoting dance to the world around us and who use our love of dance to help other people.”

Get in on the act Write for Arts and Entertainment E-mail us at pickensj@thejohnsonian.com or alisona@thejohnsonian.com.

8

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

Barbie shapes youth Band rocks homecoming She was a fashion icon; everyone wanted to be her and all the guys loved her.

No, I’m not talking about Heidi Klum, Lady Gaga or Marilyn Monroe.

Barbie is the young lady I’m referring to.

From 1959 until the late 1990s, Barbie ruled the realm of girl’s toys. The commercials were fun, colorful and had catchy little ditties to describe the doll and her abilities.

From Rappin’ Rockin’ Barbie to Talking Barbie, Mattel covered the bases of talents and careers.

Between my two older sisters and I, my family easily owns over 200 Barbies.

Pink heaven My reminiscing of childhood toys began last week when, on a whim, I started to watch 1980s and 1990s Barbie commercials.

I had a good chuckle over most and smiled as I remembered the ones I owned.

Every birthday or Christmas, my family would travel to that toy castle known as Toys ‘R Us and walk down the magical pink aisle.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Toys ‘R Us had two or three aisles dedicated to Barbies, with a special glass case for the collectors Barbies like “Titanic” Barbie or Eliza Doolittle Barbie from “My Fair Lady.”

Now you are lucky if you can find half an aisle at Wal-Mart or Toys ‘R Us with whatever they are passing off as Barbies.

From the time I was three years old until fifth grade, I played Barbies.

When I was younger, my sisters Erin and Andrea and I made up elaborate story lines such as a flood or tornado that ravaged our Barbie town.

Once our Barbies even had a costume contest and

Jessica Pickens Arts and Entertainment editor

mine won, wrapped in toilet paper to be a mummy.

Sun Sensation fun All three of us had Sun Sensation Barbie (introduced in 1992) and we pretended they were triplets. Our names were Penny, Jenny and Minnie; I of course got stuck with the dumb name Minnie since I was the youngest.

I remember those magical days of playing Barbies with my sisters in Dothan, AL like they were yesterday.

Being jealous of Erin’s Peaches and Cream Barbie and Andrea’s California Dreams Barbie and making up silly romance stories.

Now I look at the Barbies in the stores and on TV and wonder what happened.

I remember in the late 1990s , Mattel wanted to change Barbie’s look to be more realistic and more like a real woman. But the Barbies I see today aren’t realistic or attractive.

as gifts. I know part of my disinterest was that I was getting older but part of it was that Barbie was becoming ugly and unimaginative.

The Barbies of the 1980s and 1990s had cool features, such as Hollywood Hair Barbie where you sprayed a clear substance on her hair and it turned pink. Or Bath Time Fun Barbie where you sprayed brightly colored foams on her bathing suit in the shape of different outfits.

Now the Barbies I see all wear little black dresses or other trendy fashions of today and are just supposed to be Paris models.

Maybe little girls of today have changed, but the ones I babysit still enjoy watching mermaid fins change color in water and cutting and styling hair.

I hope one day the little girls of today can experience the same joy I had growing up with my beloved dolls.

I only wish I could go back to being six years old when my biggest problem was what Barbie should wear on her dream date.

Bad makeover They look anorexic, flat-chested and have big heads. Kate Moss isn’t what I call a real woman and she seems to be the guide for today’s Barbie doll.

I remember the last few Barbies I asked for

CROSSWURD PUZZLE

A Winthrop favorite will Even the more serious songs be returning Nov. 12 with a the Lloyd Dobler Effect offers free concert to rock Homeare filled with smooth beats coming. that are almost reminiscent The Lloyd Dobler Efof jazz in the way they flow fect hails from the streets steadily. of Washington D.C., and “Fingertips” is one of the brings a fusion of rock and slower songs on the new alAlison Angel latin beats unlike any other. bum, but even it is filled with Assistant Arts and solid guitar riffs.

The band has been toEntertainment gether for over eight years The smoothness of singer editor and has toured mainly Phil Kominski’s voice the college circuit for as he tells you he’s lost the majority of that feeling is enough to make WANT TO GO? time. you forget the song’s true The four-piece message.

What: Lloyd Dobler group has released If you liked the steady Effect a recent CD called pop-rock of the 1990s, “A Mute Reminder” you’ll love the Lloyd Where: DiGiorgio which showcases its Dobler Effect.

Banquet Hall unique sound in 12 The band sounds like tracks.

Matchbox Twenty at When: Friday, Nov. 12 The first single from times on the new album Time: 9 p.m. the CD, called “Meet and can play an amazing Me in London,” is arlive show guaranteed to guably one of the best get you moving, thanks to of the new tracks. their trademark catchy melodies.

With a great guitar riff and a solid “A Mute Reminder” is a great CD beat, the song’s catchiness cannot be that will translate to a great live show denied by even the least enthusiastic of you can dance to. music lovers.

You can check out the band at this “Might be Love” is a favorite off their year’s homecoming party as they perself-titled album. form tracks off their new album.

The band manages to take even the The homecoming party is at 9 p.m. most complicated subject matter and on Friday, Nov.12 in the DiGiorgio transform it into three minutes of the Banquet Hall. catchiest tunes you’ll ever want to blast It’s free, so be sure to come check out in your car with the windows down. a band that will surprise you!

Sad music soothes soul I have one really terrible consequences of unrealized love. habit: I love depressing Billie Holiday does a wonderful music. cover of the Hungarian hit single, Don’t get me wrong, I “Gloomy Sunday.” can’t get enough of those The song “9-crimes” by happy upbeat tunes like Damien Rice takes the cake as far MGMT and Shakira that as dark music goes. keep us all going.

There’s nothing to say that the But sometimes it’s time song can’t say for itself. Just reConnor de Bruler to tear the wallpaper down member to bring an understandOpinion editor light a few candles and bask ing friend and a box of tissues if in the sadness and self-pity you choose to listen. in which so many artists live.

There is only one song, however, that There are a select group of artists I’d could ever break man: the anti-Iraq war like to point out whose work I find to be ballad “All Systems Red” by Calexico. the saddest-without getting cheesy.

I haven’t met anyone who didn’t The first band I’d like to write about burst into tears listening to it. One line will make you feel so low they actually says, “And the words forming barely call themselves “Low.” have a voice. It’s just your heart that’s The group is comprised of a husband breaking without choice.” and wife duo from the gray skys and People have burst into hysterical cryfrostbitten nights of Duluth, Minn. ing fits at concerts because of this song.

Both of them are devout Mormons Remember not to wallow too much in and home school their children to make the negativity. Listening to this music their touring easier. too often can change your outlook on They sound like a wholesome group the world around you. of people until you actually listen to Happy music, however, can feel their music. With songs like “Whore,” unreal and pointless. Sometimes sad “In the Drugs” and “You May Need a music can be more intellectually stimuMurderer,” “Low” is one of the most lating. It’s more pensive, cerebral and negative, downbeat groups I have ever self-aware. listened to.

Keeping a balance is the key.

Another downer to listen to is the ever-elusive solo artist Smog.

His subject matter ranges from tapping his girlfriend’s phone to drowning butterflies in a bottle of wine.

The music itself creates the illusion of a soothing mellow mood with angelic acoustic guitar and ethereal background voices.

But nothing can soften the severity of his bitter tormented lyrics: “I hope you don’t mind if I touch your private life, slap it on the table and split it with a knife.”

Johnny Cash produced some tremendously dark songs at the end of his career, none of which are as intense as his version of “I See a Darkness” by Bonnie Prince Billy.

The song melodically ruminates on the pressing issue of homosexual marriage in the United States and the

“”

His subject matter ranges from tapping his girlfriend’s phone to drowning butterflies in a bottle of wine.

Across

4. Last name of assistant arts and entertainment editor.

5. School ranked number four in Volleyball.

7. Last name of Winthrop’s police chief.

10. Location where Winthrop’s new spring course Fieldwork in Archeology will be held.

Down

1. Name of Winthrop residence hall currently closed for construction.

2. Name of building on campus where the Winthrop International Center has been moved.

3. Name of Winthrop club that is named after the Greek goddess of dance.

6. Name of the residence hall that is turning into Hogwarts for the movie release.

8. Campus organization helping with adopt a highway program. (acronym) 9. Technology used on Winthrop’s campus to make reading easier for visually impaired. (acronym)

Upcoming on-campus films: Saturday, Nov. 13: “The Other Guys”- Disgraced New York City police detectives take on a highprofile case.

Wednesday, Nov. 17: “The Tilman Story”- Documentary about football player and soldier Pat Tilman.

9

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

ALEXIS AUSTIN Culture Editor austina@thejohnsonian.com

International Center moves to Dinkins

The clocks with different times around the world remain in International Center’s main reception area. The office was moved to Dinkins so that all University College programs would be in one place.

Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@ thejohnsonian. com

New location more ‘inviting’ for WU students

By Alexis Austin austina@thejohnsonian.com

The ghost of Tillman will no longer haunt the International Center.

During the first week of October, the International Center, along with the other programs of University College, moved to Dinkins. Previously, Dinkins served as the student center, and University College programs were spread throughout various buildings on campus.

“There are some benefits to moving to Dinkins,” the director of the International Center Angie Edwards said. “It’s nice to have a building as University College. I get to see the dean more often,

we can refer students to Dr. Disney in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, there is classroom space and more student traffic than in Tillman.”

Administrative specialist for the International Center Virginia Tawse said the new location is also beneficial to students.

“It’s great for students.

We have a close proximity to classes. It’s not as intimidating as Tillman and it’s more inviting to students,” she said.

The International Center, once in Tillman 206, is now in Dinkins 218.

Those who work in the office are responsible for recruiting international students, helping them get acclimated at the university and providing

resources for students interested in studying abroad.

While the space may seem smaller to those who are used to the Tillman office, it’s actually the opposite.

“The total square footage is not smaller,” Edwards said. “It’s just laid out differently.”

The International Center spans across eight offices. These include the main reception area, resource room, conference room and five offices. Each professional has his or her own office. The reception area also has computer kiosks and a flatscreen TV. “It’s different,” assistant director of the International Center Lindsey Hill said. “It’s not bad to re-learn space. The

parking is amazing, but I do miss the flow of office space.”

The professional offices are no longer next to each other, and the workspace graduate assistants used is now divided.

Since being at Winthrop, the International Center was also in the Cerra House and temporarily in various offices in Tillman. Hopefully, this is the last move for the International Center Edwards said.

“It would be nice to be on the other side of Oakland Avenue, but I don’t like moving, and we’re fortunate to have a dedicated space,” she said.

“”

It’s not bad to re-learn space.

The parking is amazing, but I do miss the flow of office space.

Lindsey Hill

International Center assistant director

International Education Week Nov. 15-19 Next week is International Education Week. The International Center will be hosting events throughout the week. Most of the events are free, so if you have time, check them out.

Event: Taste of the World International Showcase Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Place: Plowden Auditorium Cost: $2

Monday Nov. 15 Event: “Friends Beyond Borders: The Cultures of Close Friendships” Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Place: Kinard Auditorium Cost: Free

Thursday Nov. 18 Event: International Food Festival Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Place: Thomson Cafeteria Cost: Free for students with a meal plan

Tuesday Nov. 16 Event: Global Learning Initative Games Time: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Place: Campus Green (rain location: West Center) Cost: Free Event: “The Linguists” Time: 8-9:30 pm.

Place: Kinard Auditorium Cost: Free Wednesday Nov. 17 Event: Study Abroad session and brown bag lunch Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Place: Dinkins Auditorium Cost: Free

Event: “Chinese Culture and Education” Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Place: Carroll Hall Whitton Auditorium Cost: Free Friday Nov. 19 Event: “Library Resources Without Borders” and brown bag lunch Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Place: DIGS Room 114 Cost: Free

For more information, contact the International Center at (803)3232133 or international@winthrop.edu

10 SPORTS BRIEFS Women’s soccer season comes to an abrupt end The Winthrop women’s soccer team lost in the semi-final round of the Big South Conference Soccer Tournament on Saturday to High Point University 1-0.

The Eagles entered the tournament on a hot streak after they won five of their last six games. The hot streak help Winthrop earn the number-one seed in the tournament, where they beat their first-round opponent, VMI, 3-1.

Under first-year head coach Spencer Smith the Eagles improved from a 2-5-2 2009 conference record to a 6-2-1 2010 conference record

Men’s soccer team ends season with a loss A disappointing regular season came to an end on Wednesday for the men’s soccer team with a 1-0 loss to UNC-Asheville.

The Eagles were picked in the preseason to finish in second place by the conference coaches, but instead finished in sixth place.

Winthrop will start the Big South Conference Tournament with a game against Gardner-Webb on Thursday. The Eagles defeated Gardener-Webb 2-1 this season.

Winthrop won the 2009 Big South Conference Championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Soccer Tournament, where they played Duke University.

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

CHRIS McFADDEN Sports Editor mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Volleyball team looks to spike rivals in run to conference title

By David Thackman thackmand@thejohnsonian. com

There is no doubt that off the court the Winthrop women’s volleyball team would make an excellent host.

Their infectious smiles and gracious hospitality come through as welcoming and not intimidating.

On November 18-20, that welcoming persona will become down right frosty for their visitors as the Eagles host the 2010 Big South Conference Tournament.

“We want to defend our home court,” senior setter Kellie Sellers said. “We don’t want teams coming in here and walking all over us.”

Winthrop succeeded in building an imposing home court advantage during the season.

At press time, the Eagles, 4th place in the conference, secured a 5-1 record at home.

As important to their season as home court has been, equally important is the strategy head coach Sally Polhamus developed to get the team battle ready for conference play.

“I wanted to get [the team] mentally and physically ready,” Polhamus said.

Polhamus led the team through a daunting nonconference schedule hoping the Eagles would gain experience for conference

The Winthrop volleyball team will host the Big South Tournament this year.

Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com play.

Home, Sweet Home key to Winthrop’s success.

The scheduled included Considering how the EaPassing and serving, matches against nationally gles have played at home which Coach Polhamus ranked competition, such this year, having the con- describes as the “bread as Clemson University of ference tournament in the and butter of volleyball”, South Carolina, William & home confines of Win- will need to be a focal Mary and the University of throp Coliseum should be point of the Eagles’ play.

Wisconsin.

“If we’re consistent on a distinct advantage.

Although the team’s re“We are really comfort- that, I don’t feel that there cord against their non con- able here” Sellers said. will be any lapse in comference foes (3-9) wasn’t The team hopes fans will posure and execution,” awe-inspiring, Polhamus add to that advantage. she said. was more concerned with The team has been por“We really love everyone the positives her squad coming out to support us,” ing over video and statisgained. tics, and using unorthodox Palmer said.

“We took advantage of Polhamus believes that practice techniques, such a strong schedule,” Pol- although they “can’t over- as practicing with small hamus, in her third year look their opponents,” the Nerf balls. as Winthrop’s head coach, advantage of “sleeping Using Nerf balls helps said.“It was a good start in our own beds” will be the team be more efficient because it taught us to beneficial to their perfor- and strike the ball with trust in our systems, made mance on game day. better precision. a lot of players come up in their roles and really “Bread and Butter” Keep poised gelled us as a team.”

At an away game against Playing fundamentally Gardner-Webb, the Eagles sound volleyball has been

quickly jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the second set.

Winthrop got complacent with the big lead and watched as the Bulldogs went on an 11-2 run, which gave them the lead. The Eagles went on to lose the set 25-22.

Sellers lamented the Eagles’ tendency for contentment.

“If we jump out on other teams, we tend to get a little comfortable with ourselves, so if teams make adjustments we can lose focus, and start dropping points in streaks of 3 or 4,” Sellers said.

Palmer felt mental preparation was key in overcoming complacency.

“The game is all about momentum, so if we are down a few points some people might get frustrated,” she said. “We have to make sure we’re prepared for the match and keep positive throughout the game, because if one person gets down we all get down.”

My Bad Last week’s page 10 did not give credit to the photographers who took the pictures on that page.

Stephanie Eaton took the top photo and Kathleen Brown took the bottom photo.

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

11

SPORTS

‘CAMPUS OF CHAMPIONS’ Teams deserve better support from fans

By Chris McFadden

mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Did you know, at press time, Winthrop’s volleyball team had a 5-1 home record versus conference opponents?

Did you attend any of those winning games?

Looking at the attendance figures for those games, probably not.

During the home winning streak, Winthrop’s game against High Point University had the highest attendance, with a grand total of 560 people.

The Winthrop Coliseum has a capacity of 6,000.

While, admittedly, volleyball is not a mainstream sport, the

lack of fan participation was also evident in basketball, which is a mainstream sport, and arguably Winthrop’s most popular sport.

The total attendance at a home game versus Liberty University last year: 2,204. Not even a half-full coliseum.

Winthrop has a winning tradition many schools across the country would envy.

After all, the school’s nickname is the “Campus of Champions.”

If an outsider attended just about any of Winthrop’s sporting events, they would probably think the school had one of the worst athletic programs in America.

This could not be further from the truth.

Winthrop has Big

The basketball team is one of the many WU teams with championships under their belt. Johnsonian file photo

Winthrop fans winners at sporting events also Fans given gifts when they come cheer on WU teams

By Hannah Schwartz Special to The Johnsonian

Not only is attending a Winthrop athletic event a fun time, but going can also win you prizes.

By being part of the Eagle Empire, you can get rewarded for just showing up to games.

Eagle Empire is an incentive program that rewards students for attending Winthrop games.

Each time a student’s ID card gets swiped at a game, that student receives one point.

Some games are worth two points, such as games that occur during a break, or games with traditionally low attendance, such as tennis and track and field.

For every five points earned, a new prize level is reached.

After five points, the prize is a free drink at the concession stand. After 10 points, the prize is a free t-shirt.

Other prizes include a restaurant gift certificate after 15 points, a visor or a hat

after 20 points and shorts or a pair of flip-flops after 30 points.

According to Aimee Kline, Director of Event Management and Promotions, around 1,500 students attend a game of some sort during the year, and between 200 and 250 students reach at least the 15-point level.

At the end of each athletic season, the over all point winner also receives a prize.

Every student is automatically entered into the Eagle Empire program just by going to a game.

Points can be tracked either by visiting winthropeagles.com or by visiting the Eagle Empire table set up at every home sporting event.

The Eagle Empire was implemented eight years ago in order to help encourage students to come to games.

The program hopes, that by giving out prizes to those who attend games, more students will show up to root for the Eagles.

Got Skills?

Show them off as a sports reporter for The Johnsonian!

Contact Chris McFadden at mcfaddenc@ thejohnsonian.com Or, come to a weekly meeting at 8 p.m. in the DiGiorgio Campus Center Room 104.

South Conference Championships in men and women’s tennis, men’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, men’s cross country and men’s soccer.

Still year after year the attendance at games is consistently low.

The athletic department tries several ways to get students involved in campus sports.

There are incentive programs where prizes are given to students for simply attending home games.

Coaches are fairly accessible, and even spend some of their time meeting students to in order to encourage fan participation.

As any sports follower knows, home court advantage is a crucial part of a team’s success.

Opponents should be intimidated as soon as they get off their team busses because they know the Winthrop fans are going to be loud, rowdy and full of enthusiasm.

The players on Winthrop’s teams also give fans a reason to want to attend sport-

ing events.

For the most part, the athletes stay out of trouble and are approachable. They do not act as if they are above the rules and regulations regular students have to follow.

They act, which is not the case on other campuses, like they are one of us. Like fellow classmates who are here to get an education like the rest of us, but just-so-happen to play sports.

These are athletes represent Winthrop and the student population well.

Walking around campus or sitting in classrooms, a common complaint among students is a lack of things for students to do.

One thing that can alleviate some of the boredom is attending a sporting event. The atmosphere is fun, teams give it their all and the players are one of you.

Do yourself a favor and take a chance, attend a game and see what you have been missing.

Visit The Johnsonian’s Facebook page for live updates from the Homecoming game this Saturday!

We’ll keep you updated on the big plays, the score and the MVP’s of the game!

The men’s basketball team plays at home Nov. 13 against Queens College at 4 p.m. in the Coliseum.

FACEBOOK.COM/THEJOHNSONIAN

THURSDAY November 11, 2010

THE JOHNSONIAN

12

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