WIZARDING CLUB ANTICIPATES POTTERMORE
CONCRETE POURED FOR NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM
Four Charlotte students were able to participate in beta testing for the Pottermore website.
It is a pleasant site for fans to finally see that football is a reality and the concrete pouring proves it.
SPORTS
FEATURES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
The students stood by their computers watching for clues and hints that would allow them to become some of the few fans who would be allowed to test the website. p.10
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The old recfields are gone, but something better is growing in their place. p.15
NINERTIMES Thursday, October 6, 2011
Published twice weekly and online at www.nineronline.com
A product of Student Niner Media • The University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Partially funded by Student Fees • Breaking News? Email us at editor@nineronline.com or call 704.687.7148
New on NinerOnline.com: Go online to see more photos from the ‘Occupy Campus’ protest on campus.
Students protest as part of ‘Occupy Campus’ UNC Charlotte students joined over 75 other campuses around the country to protest in solidarity with the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ protests
Ciera Choate NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM
Corey Conner EDITOR@NINERONLINE.COM
On Wed. Oct. 5 students gathered around the Belk Tower following a walkout at noon as part of the Occupy Campusmovement. Despite a small turnout, the group drew media attention from several local news organizations. There was not a central theme or one reason the students were protesting. Each came with their own purpose. Psychology major Louis Bernasconi decided to join the protesters for a while after he saw them on the way to class. Shayna Gordon, one of the protesters who was at the Belk Tower before noon explained why she was participating in Occupy Campus. She said, “We’re out here in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. It’s about corporate greed, and political and economic injustice. People should come up with ideas for change.” Gordon exEVENT plained that OccuWhat: Occupy py Campus at UNC Charlotte is on offCharlotte Meeting shoot of the Occupy When: 3pm on Charlotte initiative. Sat. Oct. 8 The “Occupy” proWhere: Old City tests began with Hall Lawn the Occupy Wall Street initiative in New York City. Her sign said “The People United Will Never Be Defeated.” Gordon believes that community is the answer to the problems being protested. However, The group did not have a specific political purpose or agenda. Instead, said senior Ryan Erwin, “I’m out here to raise awareness and make sure people are knowledgable.” Erwin explained that the people protesting were part of the 99 percent of people that aren’t in control; they aren’t the corporations. Read more at nineronline.com.
Sophomore Shayna Gordon (center) chose to participate in the protest to combat corporate greed and political and economic injustice. Photos by Corbin Peters
Panel discusses Charlotte, the New South and the DNC Ashley Dorrell ADORRELL1@UNCC.EDU
OPINION
COURAGE: Ophelia De Laine
OUT WITH THE OLD?
Professor Honored: The
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) will be awarding UNC Charlotte’s Dr. Dean Kruckeberg with the Infinity Award Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 at their Annual Awards Dinner.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) appointed UNC Charlotte student Tori Taylor as the female representative for the South region of the DNC’s Youth Council at a conference in Chicago Sept. 9 through Sept. 11, 2011. The focus of the youth council is to bring more young people into the party to be more directly involved with the DNC, and Taylor is one member in the group over the South region, which covers 18 states, making it the most competitive region for those who applied. “One of the biggest issues that the democratic party has had is including young people in state meetings and party organization. We work to create an infrastructure for young people in the organization,” said Taylor, a political science major and senior at UNC Charlotte. There are 18 seats, out of the 134 reserved for delegates, allotted at the DNC for young people, which was increased from four. The eight people appointed for At-Large positions will hold their appointments for two years. YOUTH COUNCIL p.5
NEWS will speak about her new book which discusses her family’s role in the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
Student appointed to DNC Council
A&E
FEATURES
TEXTING & DRIVING
Not a lot of students s knew about
Regardless of the differing opinions
the observatory. It housed a Celstron
about texting while driving, it is illegal
C14 Schmidt-Cassigrain telescope
to do so in North Carolina.
that was used for classroom observation but last fall the observatory
Though texting and driving may be a
was torn down in order to build the practice football fields. p.6
GOSLING SHOWCASES CHARACTER-DRIVEN ACTION
p.9
growing problem on the main roads, campus police believe there’s little concern for this matter on campus. p.11
A panel composed of four contributors to “Charlotte, N.C.: The Global Evolution of a New South City,” met on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at 3 p.m. to discuss the development of Charlotte as a upcoming New Southern city in preparation for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The panel was open to the public and community members who were interested in learning more about the development Charlotte is going through and to ask panel members questions about their concerns. The panel moderated by Heather Smith and was composed of Own Furuseth, William Graves, Stephen Smith and David Walters. Heather Smith and Graves were the editors of “Charlotte, N.C.: The Global Evolution of a New South City.” Heather Smith, an associate professor in geography and earth sciences, was also a co-author of two essays within the book. She opened the panel, stating her goal was to be the moderator and keep the speakers on the panel aware of the time and on schedule. “In her statement explaining Charlotte’s PANEL p.4
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
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COURAGE at Levine Museum
Defense classes in session Eden Creamer
Ciera Choate
ECREAMER@UNCC.EDU
NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM
UNC Charlotte’s Police Department will host a series of Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes throughout the semester. The classes are open for all ages, and are free to attend. The remaining dates this semester are: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011; Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011; Friday, Oct. 14, 2011; Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011; Friday, Oct. 21, 2011; Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011; Friday, Oct. 28, 2011; Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011; Monday, Nov. 7, 2011; Monday, Nov. 14, 2011; Monday, Nov. 21, 2011; Monday Nov. 28, 2011 and Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes run from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday classes are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with breakfast provided at Saturday classes. “We try to do nine to 11 classes a semester,” said Jerry Lecomte, community policing coordinator at UNC Charlotte. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the class on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, will be geared specifically towards defense against domestic violence, according to Lecomte. The class is taught in a “realistic, easy to learn setting,” said Lecomte. “Typically what we teach is getting the participant in a mindset to recognize an attack before it comes.” Among the maneuvers taught will be kicks, blocks and escape maneuvers. Five individuals assist in the lessons. “I’m our lead instructor. I’ve been teaching the program since 1997,” said Lecomte. “We have a total of five instructors, three female and two male.” “Typically, we run for women only, but it can benefit anyone, especially folks that want to do some traveling,” said Lecomte. Students are asked to register for the RAD session they wish to attend 24 hours before the class. “Just send me an email, or contact me via phone,” said Lecomte. Students are welcome to just show up to the class, but it cannot be guaranteed the class will be running that day. At least five students must register for the class ahead of time in order for the program to happen. “Anybody that registers gets a confirmation email back. And if we have to cancel it, they get an email notification of that,” said Lecomte. Lecomte recommends UNC Charlotte students attend these lessons. “I would think that no matter what background the person has in self defense, they could benefit from the course,” said Lecomte. “To have the confidence to defend yourself is a powerful thing.” To learn more, contact Jerry Lecomte at glecomte@uncc.edu or 704-687-5649.
Ophelia De Laine will speak at the Levine Museum of the New South Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at 3 p.m. about her new book “Dawn of Desegregation,” which discusses her family’s role in the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case. “The Levine Museum has an exhibit up right now called COURAGE: The Carolina Story that Changed America and it is about the De Laine family and their community who filed the first of the five cases that became Brown versus Board of Education, which is the landmark Supreme Court decision that began desegregating schools,” said Tom Hanchett, a staff historian at the Levine Museum of the New South. Her family was one of the five families to file a civil lawsuit that led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case that eventually led to the desegregation of schools in the U.S. De Laine was a teenager at the time of the lawsuit, and now has written her family’s experiences in her new book. There will be a reading, discussion and book signing during the event. UNC Charlotte Center City’s Uptown Fall Author Series is a partner for this event. This event is just one part of the COURAGE exhibit in the Levine Museum, which also has traveled nationally, this being its second appearance in Charlotte. “We originated [COURAGE] several years ago, and it’s been on national tour. We brought it back to Charlotte, and coincidentally Ophelia De Laine has written her families story. She was a teenager when all of this went on,” said Hanchett. “We are so excited to have someone who was around when history was being made to come here and talk in conjunction with the COURAGE exhibit.” The Levine Museum of the New South began April 25, 1991, with the collaboration of Sally Dalton Robinson and Anne Batten. It first opened its doors to the public in 1996 after doing some events around Charlotte, like their “The Most Democratic Sport: Basketball and Culture in the Central Piedmont, 1893-1994” exhibit that was held under a tent in uptown Charlotte. The Levine Museum moved into their permanent location Oct. 13, 2001 located at 200 E. Seventh St. in uptown Charlotte. They hold many exhibits and event throughout the year both in their facility and around Charlotte “The Levine Museum is getting something of a national reputation for using history to build community. We finally figured out that was what we have been doing all along,” said Hanchett.
An ASA event Spring 2011. Photo courtsey of ASA.
REACHing out
The Asian Student Association creates a REACH chapter for students at Charlotte Ciera Choate NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM
UNC Charlotte’s Asian Student Association (ASA) recently returned from the Relaying Empowerment. Anything Can Happen (REACH) conference at UNC Chapel Hill where they received permission to begin a chapter of REACH at UNC Charlotte. The REACH organization has built two schools in Vietnam and one in China, and plans to build many more. They are a nonprofit organization that focuses on educating young students in America and East Asia by giving them opportunity to learn and grow as leaders. REACH, founded by Andrew Poon, is currently a part of UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University and N.C. State University. UNC Charlotte’s REACH chapter will be established as a part of ASA, whose main goal right now to is recruit new members. “We’re trying to think of a charity event, but right now our main focus is promoting the organization to get new members,” said Jovy Kim, the president of ASA. Any student that is interested in Asian culture can join ASA and attend their events. “We want to promote cultural awareness,” said Kim, who has been a member of ASA for four years. Another organization that was involved in the REACH conference was the Jubilee
Project that works to raise awareness about changing the world for the better. “They make videos on YouTube about awareness we face around the world such as cancer, deafness, sex trafficking and many more. They gave us more of an understanding that we as students have the power to change the world through video,” said Kim. ASA also does work throughout the community with different charity-driven events. Oct. 22, they will be working with Light the Night to help set up for the walk and cheer on those involved. Their main focus is charity for the Charlotte community, as well as the rest of the world. During their meeting Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, they will have speakers from the organization Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) show a documentary and talk about their work. The documentary focuses on the work they do with refugees from North Korea, which is currently a communist country that does not let their citizens leave the country. Although they do not help people escape from North Korea, LiNK gives the refugees a place to stay after making it across the North Korean border. They help about 50 refugees a year, according to Kim. The meeting will be held in the College of Health and Human Services room 376 at 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
UNC Charlotte professor to receive prestigious award Olivia Stott OASTOTT@UNCC.EDU
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) will be awarding UNC Charlotte’s Dr. Dean Kruckeberg with the Infinity Award Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 at their Annual Awards Dinner. The Infinity Award is granted by the PRSA to a public relations professional who was nominated by the members of the chapter for outstanding work and accomplishments and contributions to PRSA or other community organizations. It is awarded to someone whose character, career and service represent the highest standards in public relations. The recipient of the award, Kruckeberg, is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies and the executive director of the Center for Global Public Relations at UNC Charlotte. Before coming to UNC Charlotte, Kruckeberg was a public relations professor in the Department of
Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. After being in Charlotte for several years now, Kruckeberg said, “Charlotte is a fine professional community. They have welcomed me, and I feel part of it. I have been very impressed by the welcoming environment and welcoming attitudes in the Charlotte community.” Kruckeberg has been involved with international public relations and public relations ethics. He is the co-author of the book “Public Relations and Community: A Reconstructed Theory,” which won the PRIDE Award from the Speech Communication Association Commission on Public Relations. He also was a co-author of the sixth through eleventh editions of “This is PR: The Realities of Public Relations,” a major public relations textbook. Kruckeberg also was a co-researcher of a two year-study in 2003 which looked into how common bribery was among reporters. He is currently a Fellow of the PRSA.
Kruckeberg was 2010 chair of the PRSA International Section. He is a member of PRSA’s Global Affairs Committee of the PRSA Advocacy Advisory Board. During 2000-02, he served a two-year term as director-at-large on the national board the PRSA. Kruckeberg is past Chair of the Public Relations Division of the International Communication Association and was the prior Head of the Public Relations Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Kruckeberg’s repertoire of awards also include the national “Outstanding Educator” in 2005, the Jackson Jackson & Wagner Behavioral Research Prize, the Pathfinder Award, the 1997 State of Iowa Regents Faculty Excellence Award and the Wartburg College Alumni Citation. “UNC Charlotte is a pleasant, ideal place to be with a strong professional community. Charlotte is a world class city, and the university has allowed me to do what I like to do and it has allowed me to focus on
my interest,” said Kruckeberg. “My department here at UNC Charlotte is a pleasant environment full of excellent scholars making their mark on a national and an international level.”
Dean Kruckeberg. Photo courtsey of Dean
Kruckeberg.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
Terrorism sparks need for increased cyber security Malcolm Carter MCARTE72@UNCC.EDU
Plant sale to bloom Eden Creamer ECREAMER@UNCC.EDU
UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens are holding their annual fall plant sale Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8, 2011, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day. UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and Botanical Garden members are also invited to attend a preview of the plant sale Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, from 3 to 6 p.m. The fall plant sale has been at UNC Charlotte since 2003, however the Botanical Gardens have been hosting a spring plant sale since the 1980s, according to Paula Gross, the assistant director of the Botanical Gardens. There are many different plants available for purchase. “The Fall sale focuses on outdoor landscape/garden plants – trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, woodland plants. Plants that are winter-hardy and that actually benefit from being planted this time of year,” said Gross. Plants that would flourish in the spring are important to purchase and plant in the fall. “It gives them time to grow some new roots in the fall and early spring, so that they are in better shape to take up plenty of water in the spring as they start to grow new leaves,” she said. Plants range in price. Perennials cost anywhere between $6 and $10, annuals are $3 a pack and shrubs and trees cost between $10 and $40, depending on the plant. Each year, there have been a few varieties of plants that have proven to be crowd favorites. “The native azaleas are always big favorites – also oak leaf hydrangeas, windmill palms, blueberries, wildflowers,” said Gross. The plants at the sale come from gardens on campus while others are grown off campus. “Some of the plants are purchased at wholesale nurseries in the region,” said Gross. “Especially the annuals and some of the shrubs.” The plants that are grown on campus are grown by “a variety of folks,” according to Gross. Some plants are even purchased at “start shops” when they are in the beginning stages of growth, and then grown and cultivated at UNC Charlotte in preparation of the sale. Students interested in getting involved with the Botanical Gardens on campus have the option to do so at the beginning of the semester. “We are also able to take a limited number of student volunteers,” said Gross. “We usually coordinate this at the beginning of each semester.” Whether a student is going to purchase something at the plant sale or is involved with the growth of the plants, Gross urges students to visit the gardens. “Students are always welcome and encouraged to come visit the greenhouse and outdoor gardens, to relax, enjoy, and learn,” said Gross. “We are a campus resource and would love for more classes to visit the gardens – so students can suggest this to their professors.” The Botanical Gardens have been at UNC Charlotte since 1966, and were founded by Dr. Herbert Hechenbleikner and Bonnie Cone.
in academia focus on foundational skills. This program gives students an opportunity to see real world applications for their knowledge. It serves as continuing education for the professional community as well,” said Chu. The symposium has been used as an efficient tool for teaching people from undergraduates to Ph. D graduates. “The secondary purpose is to give students a chance to interact with IT professionals. It is a great networking event in which students can find jobs and internships,” said Chu. The symposium will be held during Fall Break so that the program will have the space it needs to be a success. Although the event has always been during Fall Break, Chu worries that students will not attend because they have gone home for break.
PANEL continued from p.1
selection as the site of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, First Lady Michelle Obama empathized the city’s ‘southern charm, warm hospitality and … up-by-the-bootstraps mentality. And of course its great barbeque,’” said Heather Smith. Furuseth, who works with Graves in UNC Charlotte’s Geography and Earth Sciences Department, was the first speaker to speak on the panel. His presentation detailed the population make-up of Charlotte during its last three decades as well as the growth Charlotte has experienced. “As you think about Charlotte as it was in 1980, we see a very different place from today. Charlotte in 1980 looked different, felt different, and certainly over time it represents the past that we come from in terms of when we look forward, ” said Furuseth. He noted how the White population maintained a good size of the population scale, but in recent years with population growth the amount of Asian and Hispanic presence in the Charlotte area has increased and how once we reached 2010 Charlotte began to reach a “majority of minorities.” “From the time between 1980 and 2010, then I would say that Charlotte has transformed itself from that traditional southern place, to a place today that really is a very broadly representative of the United States in the twenty-first century,” said Furuseth. Furuseth commented on the growth of the Charlotte population calling the growth in the last 30 years as “rapid and significant growth.” Graves followed up Furuseth bringing up the topic of “where we are going” as a city and how “the tone of Charlotte’s economic narrative has changed.” “What you have seen in the last four years was the end and disappearance of Charlotte’s traditional growth machine,”
Chu also worries about having enough room for people, and he is working to schedule 2012’s symposium at a time when enough space will be available even with students on campus. In its early stages, the Cyber Security Symposium featured only speakers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. As it grew it attracted information technology professionals nationwide. CEOs from Google, Bank of America and other such companies began to attend and speak at the Cyber Security Symposium. This year’s symposium will feature speakers such as Patrick Gorman, Chief Information Security Officer of Bank of America, and Jessica Staddon, research scientist for Google.
Desegregation in Schools 80
Percenatage of Segregation
Photo courtsey of MCT Campus
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics will host the twelfth annual Cyber Security Symposium, held in the Cone University Center. Dr. Bill Chu, the chairman of the Department of Software and Information Systems, heads the program. Chu was born in Shanghai, China. He moved to America at a very early age and has been with UNC Charlotte for 24 years. With the support of Bank of America, he started the Cyber Security Symposium in hopes of raising awareness for the necessity of cyber defense. In the 90s, cyber crime was not as prevalent as it is today. There were no organized criminals or phishing scams.
With the turn of the century and evolving technology, cyber crime became a business. Money motivated cyber criminals and the number of threats grew as technology evolved. Chu comprehended the threat in its early stages and hosted the first symposium, which was held in the October of 2000. Fifty people attended. The next year, terrorists redefined cyber security. “9/11 gave extreme importance to cyber security,” said Chu, “Efforts in the field of security significantly increased after the event.” After the attacks, the symposium gained momentum. “The program was designed for two purposes. The primary objective is to bring leading industry experts in security and privacy field to present for the whole day. Students and faculty
70 60 50 40 30 20 10
1970
1980
1990
Year of census said Graves. “So clearly the challenge then is that we need to create a new system a post-corporate machine, that would replace the traditional growth process that we experienced in the past.” He went further to explain that postcorporate process would be more creative and more “off-the-route” and more diversified. He also said that in order for Charlotte to become a more global destination, there would be a need for a global spectacular such as the World Cup or Olympics. The arrival of the DNC can be treated as a “semi-global spectacular” in that it will
2000
2010
Source: Stephen Smith
generate a degree of visibility for Charlotte on the national level, he also noted, while the population of Charlotte has increased, the unemployment has as well. “Something has to give eventually, we have the DNC coming we are going to create this visibility and my hope is we are going to attract the skilled professionals and the creative entrepreneurs, especially the ones who are going to come and create their own opportunities,” said Graves. Stephen Smith, a Professor from the Political Science Department at Winthrop University then spoke about the racial segregation of Charlotte as a city and in the See more at NinerOnline.com
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
PRIDE brings rugby star to campus Corey Conner
EDITOR@NINERONLINE.COM
On Oct. 5 PRIDE hosted world cup winning rugby player, Ben Cohen, an anti-bullying advocate, in the rotunda of the Student Union. Cohen, from England near Wales, promoted his anti-bullying organization, The Ben Cohen Stand Up Foundation. Married to his wife for over 16 years, with 2 children, Cohen serves as an LGBT ally, advocating against discrimination. He cited his father’s death, the result of an act of violence, as the inspiration for his anti-bullying work. Cohen said he wanted Stand Up to become a brand for athletes, similar to the Livestong band. He said “homophobia and bullying in sports is a big issue.” He hopes his campaign will challenge athletes to be role models against bullying.
Before he spoke, members of PRIDE approached the podium and told their coming out story, in celebration of Coming Out Month in October. The president of the campus Feminist Union spoke frankly about her coming out story. “My mom asked point blank, ‘Are you a lesbian?’ I said, ‘Yes, I’m a lesbian mom.’” PRIDE member Bonnie Green read a proclamation from Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx regarding bullying, highlighting issues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). In a recent survey, 39 percent of middle school students indicated that they had been bullied in the last 12 months. 43 percent of high school students believed that bullying is an issue. Green also asked that students sign a petition asking UNC Charlotte to introduce gener-neutral housing on campus.
PAGE 5
YOUTH COUNCIL continued from p.1
“The number for young people was low so we are working to increase it,” said Taylor. Taylor began her involvement with the Democratic Party at the College Democrats organization on campus. During the 200910 school year she was the president of the campus organization and while in the position was responsible for bringing the College Democrats of America Convention to Charlotte, which drew over 300 students and party leaders. Party leaders like Mayor Anthony Foxx, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, Representative Tricia Cotham and others attended the event. In 2010 Taylor was appointed president of the College Democrats at the state level. In that position she was over the 30 chapters throughout North Carolina. Over this past summer she was appointed to the national council chair for the College Democrats of America, where she holds the third highest position.
Taylor credits her experience with the College Democrats for putting her above the rest in the application process for the DNC Youth Council, and stays involved because of her love for getting people involved. “I had done a lot of organizing at UNC Charlotte with College Democrats, and it’s something I really enjoyed,” said Taylor. “I love getting young people involved in the process. There are so many issues that we discuss today that directly affect young people.” Taylor attributes the apathy of young voters to the Republican takeover of the North Carolina state government, which has contributed to many changes that she thinks are negatively affecting students, like the budget cuts to public universities and the anti-gay marriage amendment. “I feel like if [young people] knew everything that was going on they wouldn’t need motivation, they would just get out there and vote,” said Taylor.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
OPINION Not-so-Naughty Niner
This week, a new Niner takes on the topic of sex. A fresh perspective, from a virgin. Call me old fashioned, traditional, what have you, but I think of things a little differently than most. I am a college student, and I am a virgin. Must anything else be said? If “college student” and “virgin” seem to be two completely contradicting words, they’re not. Not for me anyways. Many college students, dare I say most, live for sex. Notice I did not say an intimate relationship with a person of the opposite gender, but they live for sex. Intimate relationships and sex are two completely different things if you ask me. Sex is not necessarily a characteristic of an intimate relationship, and likewise an intimate relationship is not defined by sex. Many students want sex without the relationship with someone, and that is exactly what they get. No feeling of fulfillment and joy given by the actual relationship, just the temporary thrill of a one night stand or a friend with benefits. Is it right? Moral? Respectable? I sure don’t think so. Not trying to insult anyone, but I have respect for myself, enough respect to not have to resort to sex in order to impress or please someone who I am attracted to. I am all for having a strong relationship with someone of the opposite gender, but you should definitely not have to give up your body sexually to have the guy or girl of your dreams be pleased with you. Being yourself should be enough, and your girlfriend or boyfriend should love you for who you are, minus any expectations of a sexual relationship. Happiness in a relationship and sex in a relationship are not synonymous. Having a relationship based on natural attraction, friendship, caring for one another, and enjoying each other’s companionship is a successful relationship, not one based on the shallowness of sex. My opinion? Save the sexual relationship for when you have that ring on your finger and are married. Will that hurt anyone? Not at all, it will actually ensure a strong relationship based on real true affection for each other.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
NINERTIMES Volume 24, Number 12 A PRODUCT OF
In response to last week’s article, “Red Light Means Stop,” I would like to add the pedestrian perspective. Yes, stop means stop, but that goes for cars too! Pedestrians on campus are constantly getting cut off by cars as they wait patiently on the side of the road at the crosswalk, where, yes, pedestrians have the right of way! Drivers may be aggravated with pedestrians, as the afore mentioned article implies, but pedestrians are equally aggravated with drivers! The fact is that this is a university campus which means that there will be both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. If drivers are truly bothered by the pedestrians, then there are other options. Satellite parking, the Gold Rush buses, and... walking and biking are available! The fact remains the same however, drivers, just because you are bigger, does not mean you are better. Stop bullying the pedestrians out of their right to cross. Nicole Veneziaw
- Naughty Niner V.
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What does the tearing down of the campus observatory mean for students
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Before the fall of 2010, a small observatory was located behind the Wachovia Field House, serving the Department of Physics and Optical Science. Not a lot of students outside of the physics department and introductory astronomy classes knew about the observatory. It housed a Celstron C14 Schmidt-Cassigrain telescope that was used for classroom observation or Star Parties hosted by the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Charlotte Amateur Astronomers, but last fall the observatory was torn down in order to build the practice football fields. Some students, especially those belonging to the SPS, were concerned about the demolition of the observatory. Stephanie Cudo, secretary of SPS said, “A few students were extremely upset that we might lose such a great academic resource to football, since the original observatory was torn down in order to build practice football fields.” The observatory served as a valuable asset to the SPS and Physics department. Star Parties, co-hosted by Charlotte Amateur Astronomers, were events that students and members of the community look forward to every year. Cudo says, “These are public events held on campus when we opened the observatory to the public and allowed people to look at distant objects, like Jupiter and its four moons.” Another problem that has come with the demolition of the original observatory is for introductory astronomy students who used the observatory as a learning tool. Now these students use the roof of the
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
The old observatory was located behind the Wachovia Field House Photo courtest of Richard Dudley Burson building, but light pollution, which is defined as, “Any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste,” from all of the other buildings on campus makes it hard to see. Light pollution will continue to be a problem for these students and for the afore mentioned Star Parties until a new observatory is built. Cudo says, “Star Parties were better off out behind the field house, especially with the field light off, because it was more isolated from the rest of campus and the light pollution wasn’t as bad.” Until recently, the plans for a new observatory were up in the air. Discussions of rebuilding have started and as of now, plans for breaking ground are set for sometime in October. “Since the area is being rebuilt, this is a
chance to change some of the original design and essentially build a slightly better and more functional observatory, which a good amount of our faculty and students are excited about,” said Cudo. For now, SPS is having difficulties finding a good location for observations, and are relying on the assistance of Charlotte Amateurs Astronomers for telescopes powerful enough to view far away items for their next Star Party. While this situation has started to find a happy result, it makes students wonder just how many other changes to campus life and resources are going to take place due to the coming football team. Although athletics are important and a big draw to our school, they shouldn’t be placed over academic resources.
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NINERONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
PAGE 7
More on the Facebook changes
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Patrick Bogans PBOGANS@UNCC.EDU
I like Facebook. I like to know what’s going with my friends that I don’t see very often, read the occasional funny status update and give it a like, and then just mindlessly scroll and troll through my feed like everyone else to kill time when it seems like there’s nothing better to do. Now, most everyone has heard or had to deal with the recent facelifts of Facebook this past week, and it seems to be a thoroughly unnecessary addition to the interface. It was like if Brangelina had another kid or something: it was just adding another part to something that seemed to already be rich and content. The simplification of the feed based off of stories the site thinks you would like to see first just made things more complicated for me. I liked the two options at the top to sort my feed chronologically. The subscription feature just seems like Facebook’s integration of Twitter tactics to follow someone, usually a celebrity, and their updates, which for some I guess is a plus but for me just seems like a rip-off. And for the nice cherry on top, Facebook just polished the look a little. However, Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team announced last Thursday
at the F8 keynote conference in San Diego all the next new features that will be coming to Facebook as well, and these facelifts seemed to have more of a purpose. Zuck isn’t just making these needless and unnecessary changes to try and primarily one-up the newcomer Google+ and keep Facebook users on the site like I had once thought. It is just one part of the huge revamping of the social network that has been in production for a long time now. After seeing these new features, I have a feeling the best thing to happen to Google+ or even Twitter may be this new Facebook. Facebook’s soon new changes are threefold: the timeline, application integration, and open graph. The timeline is the main part of the entire new profile layout (which now is a two-column story teller of your updates and also includes a supplemental huge picture that complements your profile picture). The timeline deal is exactly what it says it is, “the chronological story of you.” Like if anybody really cares, the site is allowing people to tell their life story through pictures by letting users put in and order their old pictures from before their Facebook was started to fill in the gap and create a timeline. I really don’t know if I’ll partake in this, because I have some embarrassing old photos. The second feature is the one part
of Facebook I’m really having the most trouble with. Facebook is combining with various applications to be in boxes on your page, like Netflix, Spotify, and Foodily, to allow your Facebook friends to see some information. For example, with Spotify, every song you may listen to will come up on your page and on others’ Ticker Feed (the new stalker feed above your chat box). With Foodily, the app will share what you are cooking and with Netflix, what movies you are watching, stuff like that. It a broad sense, I understand why Facebook is doing with this. It’s allowing people to see what someone is doing, without then making some stupid status update about it, and it won’t even show up in your primary news feed, just the Twitter-like one on the side. I feel like this is just one step forward into creepiness and an even bigger step forward into over-sharing. This is exactly what happened to MySpace: there was so much information, and so many little ways that made it possible to share that information. Facebook was the logical solution that simplified everything. Now Facebook is becoming the place for oversharing, and Google+ or Twitter seems to be the solution. Many of my friends and I just want a casual place to keep track of our friends
and family, share some cool content, and just have a conversation. All of these new features are severely inhibiting the simplicity of Facebook that was so intriguing before. I digress and go on to the final feature: the open graph. I’ve heard it referred to as the “stickiness” of Facebook, because no matter where you go on the internet, you stay on Facebook. There are going to be these apps on Facebook for other websites in case you want to share what you’re looking at from these other sites on Facebook. The social network is now connected to many other websites, and instead of having to log in to Facebook to leave a comment on an article on CNN, just go from Facebook to CNN and start commenting that way. I think I should say Facebook a couple more times: Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. Because you’re going to have to start seeing it and hearing it even more often now with these changes that are soon coming. In preview, the timeline, the apps and the open graph just seems like it’s going to connect all of us too much for comfort, and that’s my main problem with it all. But who knows, I’ve gotten used all the changes Facebook has thrown at me so far, maybe this’ll just be another time when I’ll get annoyed and then get used to it.
PAGE 8
NINERTIMES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
A&E
LIVE MUSIC:
Side By Side & Madi Diaz Monday, Oct. 10 7:00 p.m. Tremont Music Hall Admission: $10 with $3 surcharge
ON CAMPUS:
Jazz Ensembles Thursday, Oct. 6 8:00 p.m. Robinson Hall Anne R. Belk Theater
NEW IN THEATERS: Real Steel The Ides of March In limited release: Dirty Girl The Human Centipede 2
Jon Lindsay stretches musical craft Barry Falls
B FA L L S 4 @ U N C C . E D U
“Things are honestly the best they’ve ever been for me in my life and I couldn’t be happier. Sure there are new breakthroughs everyday and things get bigger and better, but that’s the best part: just watching it take off and enjoying the ride,” said singer songwriter Jon Lindsay on his upcoming musical releases. Lindsay’s career has spanned from performing solo as well as in different bands, directing and composing scores for musicals and even producing records and writing songs commercially. Jon Lindsay was kind enough to talk to me about the forthcoming projects with both his solo act and with The Catch Fire. Released in mid-2010, “Escape From Plaza Midwood” is Jon Lindsay’s first solo full-length album. With pulsing keyboard and surfy percussions, “Escape From Plaza Midwood” has proven that Lindsay is well-rooted in classic pop groups. Many of Lindsay’s songs are about romantic relationships, but they deviate greatly from the over-formulated, made-for-radio tracks that revolve around either serenading or whining. Songs like “Frequent Flyer,” despite being a little sexist, recounts a story that is sure to feel very familiar to listeners. Mixing humor and eeriness, “These Are The End Times” pokes fun at radical fundamentalists who warn of the approaching apocalypse, despite Lindsay’s father being an Episcopalian minister. In “My Blue Angels,” Lindsay sings “no, the family business wasn’t for me/ could you see me saving souls?” casually explaining Lindsay’s choice to become a rock musician rather than follow in his father’s footsteps. “Sheesh. If I had a nickel for every time I got this one,” Lindsay said when I asked him how growing up in a religious environment affected him as a musician. “I’ll just say in many ways. I don’t want to push too hard on this button when it comes to my stuff. But it played and still continues to play a role. Obviously I am interested in ontological concerns. But I will say that this new record has a blue streak a mile wide that is all about obsessive love and people. Not really much room for any deities on this album. But you know, there’s always time for that again later.” “Baby Ray” takes a more reverent undertone. The studio recording of “Baby Ray” recounts a story with edge and a haunting sense of surrealism, making Lindsay’s live, more acoustic performance of the song a rare treat. “Thinly Veiled References” also contains a blend of solemn and cheeky themes together, creating another song that is quite beautiful live. With lyrics like “can you bring the old you back, because this one here really sucks” taken from “Bring The Old You Back,” each track on “Escape From Plaza
The finalized cover of The Catch Fire’s newest CD, “Rumormill.” Midwood” is delivered with charmingly sincere nonchalance. With subtle pop culture winks and eccentric lyrics, Lindsay’s solo tracks are pleasantly retro without sounding like something you have heard before. “Summer Wilderness Program,” the follow up to “Escape From Plaza Midwood,” is set to be released in the very near future. I asked Lindsay what he did differently with the upcoming full-length “Summer Wil-
Jon Lindsay live at the Echo in Los Angeles on August 3rd, 2011. Photos courtesy of Jon Lindsay derness Program” than with his debut solo LP “Escape From Plaza Midwood.” “It’s so hard to compare and contrast what’s new from album to album,” Lindsay admitted. “But overall I’d say this one just sounds bigger, thicker and fuller than anything I’ve ever made, yet it is overall a tad more sparse as far as the arrangements go. “’Summer Wilderness Program’ really rocks hard, but it’s because we have fewer parts and sounds. And we’re able to concentrate on committed, limited choices, and turn that up in the mix. So there are still the textures and layers that people respond so much to in my work, but with a little more dreamy open space. I like to shift gears a bit with each record. With that being said, it still has all the John Lindsay vibes listeners are expecting as well as some surprising new directions.” According to Lindsay, the new album is composed by him and Chris Walldorf, just as with his previous album. Lindsay records all of the vocal and instrumental components consisting of guitars, bass, and keys among others, and Walldorf plays the drum parts. They both co-produce the tracks at Sioux Sioux Studios. It is a formula that Lindsay says he is very content with. While Lindsay avoided going into detail about the tracks from the new album, he admitted that he will be changing record labels for the release. The release date has not yet been announced, though it will be released before the end of this year. According to Lindsay, the release of “Summer Wilderness Program” entails a lot of touring in and out of the states in 2012. “This record has a few ‘acts,’ if you will. You’d never know it unless I told you, but once you go back and listen with these things in mind, they add layers of meaning. Which is, you know, kind of my thing. There is a wedding, a funeral, a divorce, many parties, an exile, a reunion and several central betrayals,” Lindsay said. Lindsay’s work with The Catch Fire has continued to stir growing interest in the Charlotte music community despite being relatively new. The Charlotte-based quartet features singers/song-writers Mike Mitschele and Lindsay, bassist/vocalist Adam Roth and drummer John Cates. Lindsay and Mitschele had previously performed together in The Young Songs.
“I love it and am very proud of it,” Lindsay said of their soon-to-be- released debut album from the band. “It’s slick, but still rough around the edges. A great pop record. 11 tracks, tons of hooks and cool vocal stuff happening and a lot of fresh sounds. It’s also just a ballsy guitar record through and through, which is fun because I don’t use guitar as much on my records as I do in The Catch Fire. “I brought a few tracks of my own, but most of the stuff was worked up together just me and Mike at our home studio. I get to play sort of a Jay Bennet/Mike Mills kind of role on ‘Rumormill’ in that I really got into the guitar work and complimentary parts of the arrangements.” In 2009, Lindsay formed Phillips/Mitschele LLC with former Young Sons bassist and fellow member in The Catch Fire, Mike Mitschele. Through Phillips/ Mitschele LLC, Lindsay channels his song-writing for film and television. Lindsay’s songs have appeared in commercials and movies as a result. Lindsay continues to be involved in this production company. In February of this year Jon Lindsay’s “Escape From Plaza Midwood” was included in Goldmine Magazine’s “Top 20 CD’s of 2010.” A few months later, Lindsay was also nominated for a Creative Loafing Charlotte Theatre Award for Best Musical Director and Best Composer (original score) for his work on ThomThom. “This is the journey I’m on and there’s no going back,” Lindsay said when I asked him about his goals as a musician. “It’s a great feeling. Kind of like taking a deep breath and diving under water and hoping you can make it the length of the pool. I plan to release a John Lindsay album once a year if not even more aggressively than that for the open-ended future.” Lindsay’s story-telling abilities and experienced musical craft make Lindsay’s solo and accompanied acts irresistibly alluring. With an abundance of charming stage presence and pop appeal, the Oregonborn artist is not only one of the most talented acts to come out of Charlotte but the southeast in general. The Catch Fire’s debut album “Rumormill” will be released Dec. 6. You can catch The Catch Fire performing at Tremont Music Hall Oct. 12 alongside Jason Herring & the Mystery Plan and Bear Hands.
NINERONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
Gosling showcases character-driven action
PAGE 9
A Niner Times Recipe A new food fad: Deep Fried Kool Aid
Jaleel Boone ABOONE20@UNCC.EDU
“Drive” is perhaps the most misleading title they could have given this one. Were you expecting high octane car chases with Ryan Gosling doing his best Vin Diesel impression? Racing and explosions, maybe? “Drive” has its fair share of its namesake indeed, but it’s more like “Lost in Translation” than “Fast & the Furious.” Consider this a good thing, however. Here we have the baby of many different inspirations that together make a film uniquely different from the pack. The way “Drive” merges indie sensibilities with car action is what sets the movie apart from both genres. Gosling plays a no-name stunt driver of few words, who serves as getaway chauffeur for heists on the side. Without giving away too much of the plot, his friendship with his next door neighbor and her daughter gets him into a job bigger than he bargains for. The overlying story utilizes the typical mob politics complete with tailing and “whacking,” but the progression of the story is marked by its human appeal. The plot is mostly low-key character drama. Low-key in that it’s extended character development, which could be a turn off for the “Fast Five” set going in. It’s well done though, and it makes the action sequences dramatic enough to keep you on edge. Nicholas Winding Refn sticks to tightly technical direction. The movie could even be shown to film students to teach the rule of thirds. The camera work is the first giveaway that this isn’t your average car movie. You won’t really find shakey cam or many cuts. It’s a very calculated approach that works out in the film’s favor by giving it it’s own charm Gosling’s plays the driver with an interesting “Eastwood-esque” subtly. The character is awkwardly reserved, and has a wardrobe consisting of a tiger jacket and a dozen overtly trendy henley shirts. Any other actor and this all comes off as trying too hard, but Gosling actually manages to match the level of cool he’s trying to convey to the point where you’re rooting for the guy. Even better, the lack of dialogue on his end makes him like a blank canvas for the audience to imprint themselves onto. When we’re watching the events through his perspective, it makes it all
ur tesy Photo co
Ryan Gosling, star of “Drive.” Photo courtesy
of MCT Campus
resonate that much more. The supporting characters give meaningful performances despite their limited time onscreen. The only exception to this being Christina Hendricks, who’s stardom dwarfs her minor role to the point where it feels like just a cameo to get her name on the poster. The soundtrack is getting rave reviews for its off-the-wall 80s synth inspiration. While I like the actual tracks, at times they overpower the scenes they’re in and seem overindulgent. The music-free chase sequences create an excellent sense of immersion. It’s disappointing then that the film draws from the bad indie cliches as well as the good, namely with overindulging on the music for character drama sequences. The orchestral score is top notch however, and produces high adrenaline tension for the brief moments it’s used. “Drive” gets a lot of credit for being a hybrid of two very different types of movies, and doing so without either one feeling slighted. Here they support one another. The action serves as a punctuation for the characters who in turn amplify the action. The title is two-fold in that it means the physical action and the “drive” of the lead character as he perseveres through increasingly dangerous mob territory. It’s an unexpectedly good and original film at the perfect time when the market is being flooded by remakes, sequels and prequels. And talk about a date movie: can’t decide between “Speed” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” for the night? Why not a bit of both?
sh of Cuttlefi
Ingredients: • 2 cups of all-purpose flour •1/2 a cup of white sugar
•2 Tablespoons of melted, unsalted butter
•1 teaspoon of salt
•1/2 a cup of milk
•4 Tablespoons Kool-Aid
•1 beaten egg
•1 Tablespoon of baking powder
• Vegetable oil
• • • • •
Mix dry ingredients together then add melted butter and mix Stir in the milk and egg and mix until smooth Roll dough into quarter-size balls and drop them into hot oil Hot vegetable oil should be 375° Cook dough in oil for about 3 minutes each and remove when crispy
• Helpful tip: for an extra touch try rolling the fried dough in powdered suger or powdered cherry Kool Aid
Recipe from Friedkoolaid.com
Photo courtesy of Playingwithbrushes
PAGE 10
NINERTIMES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
FEATURES
Wizarding club anticipates Pottermore Rosemary Kahihu
RKAHIHU@UNCC.EDU
These days it’s difficult to find anyone who has never heard of Harry Potter, whether or not they are a die hard fan. Within the first 24 hours of its release, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” sold an astonishing 15 million copies. With such an amazing and dedicated fan base it was nearly impossible for Rowling not to give back even when the series and the movies ended. What exactly does Rowling have in store for the future? Well, Potter fans all around the world are anxiously anticipating the release of Rowling’s latest project, her soon-tobe-released website, “Pottermore.” Currently in beta testing, the site, which will be free to users, is set to be released at some point this coming October, although the specific date is yet to be revealed. Four members of the Potter Watch club at UNC Charlotte, Brandon Bentley, Whitney Silver, Hayley Loy and Michael Burson, helped give insight as to what Pottermore is all about. All four students were able to participate in beta testing for the Pottermore website. Dedicated and loyal fans, they stood by their computers at odd hours watching for clues and hints in order to complete the challenges that would allow them to become among the one million fans who would be allowed to test the website. Anyone that attempted the challenges knows that it was not easy to get in. Each day for one week for a short period of time and at random hours, users had wait for clues that would grant them beta access. Once that process was complete, there was yet another list that granted a few thousand users at a time access to Pottermore. Some users had to wait weeks to finally receive acceptance to the site. It is shocking that all four of these Potter Watch members, along with many other members of the club, were able to get in; they give credit for this feat to their vice-president for keeping them in the loop. Loy calls Pottermore “revolutionary in a sense,” and Burson describes it as being an “online, interactive, reading experience.” The site is set up in a way that allows readers to experience the entire series like no other book has ever been presented before. Chapter by chapter, readers are able to “see” what they are reading. Each user is assigned an individual wand and sorted into one of the four houses of Hogwarts much like in the books. However, Loy, who was placed in a house that she felt she did not belong in, jokingly warned, “If there’s anyone out there who thinks that they will get the house that they
Members enjoyed Butterbeer at Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The Potter Watch Club visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter last year. Photos courtesy of Potter Watch think they will, think again.” Readers are able to read the background stories of characters, such as Professor McGonagall, which allow readers to better understand why some of the characters are the way they are. Pottermore displays everything “all in the tone of the book which we love,” said Burson. “It’s like you can just copy and paste that [the back story] into the book, and it’s in the same tone and same style.” Rowling has created a different kind of experience full of exclusive content and new revelations that allows readers to learn more about the world of Harry Potter. Pottermore users can have “friends” much like other social networks, but readers cannot interact with each other and the only way to really see another person is by both people being on the same chapter. All four students expressed that they do wish they were able to interact more with their friends and fans from other parts of the world and as beta testers, they are allowed to voice these opinions. At the current moment there are many issues with the website which may explain why an exact release date has not been stated. Potter Watch is excited about Pottermore because it will help their organization continue now that there is more to
talk about and look forward to as each book comes out on the site. Burson who is the president, or “Headmaster” as he also likes to call himself, founded the organization during his freshman year at UNC Charlotte. Having started off with barely eight members he is proud to have seen the organization grow to 30 members by his senior year. The Potter Watch club urges any and all Harry Potter fans to join their organization. Silver commented that the club has been really fun and has been a great way to meet people. Silver said, “It’s how I made all my friends when I moved here.” The club meets weekly on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., but the location varies. Anyone interested in joining Potter Watch should send an email to potterwatch@uncc.edu. A variety of events keep these Potter fans busy throughout the year; Potter Watch is hosting a Deathday Party coming up at the end of October, which is a Halloween party with costumes, candy and games. Then the club sponsors the Yule Ball, which is a Christmas formal party with food and dancing in December. There’s also the End of Year Feast, where the club celebrates the winners of the House Cup and reflects upon the accomplishment of the year.
The university combats greenhouse gases Paula Andrade EMAIL
“I think it’s a good plan to help stop this pollution” said biology major Ebone’ Ellison. UNC Charlotte has been developing a Climate Action Plan intending to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions on campus which will be due in January 2012. The Climate Action Plan originates back to 2009 when one of the student leaders of UNC Charlotte decided to contact the chancellor of the university to see if he would be interested in signing a commitment from the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The commitment related to making the university greenhouse gas neutral. Having this commitment signed, UNC Charlotte started developing a greenhouse
gas inventory which identifies all the emission sources and the quantity of those emissions on campus. “After that, you have to develop a Climate Action Plan to look at and identify how you would reduce the sources of emissions on campus,” said David Jones, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Facilities Management. Moreover, he said that the Climate Action Plan is also important in terms of enabling a long term strategic plan. Five task sources collaborated in order to create the Climate Action Plan: transportation, education, communication, energy and purchasing, having representation of faculty, staff and also of students. “When we were establishing the task forces we had 60 people across campus come to be part of that process,” said Jones. The forces met for some months bringing
strategies and ideas which would be scored in terms of what to apply. “We are trying to get more input from students,” said Jones, as they can get involved with projects and feedback on the strategies. As the awareness about environmental preservation is increasing, the necessity of such a program becomes reality. It is also a matter of being prepared for future governmental and non-governmental organizations requests on the subject. “The benefit for us is that we assigned it ahead of the game when we started in that process, so if any of these policies do come down we are going to be ready to act as we are doing already,” said Jones. Furthermore, it also brings positive public relations to the university with people around campus interested in what is happening.
According to Jones, the Climate Action Plan is a strategic goal of UNC Charlotte. The program has 676 colleges and universities around the country signed up, and 20 institutions in North Carolina are also participating. According to Jones, the Princeton Review conducted research which found 64 percent of students would value information about colleges’ environmental efforts. UNC Charlotte students also like the idea of the creation of the Climate Action Plan. Liz Roberts approves of the initiative. Roberts said, “Every little thing you can do really helps the environment.” Another student from UNC Charlotte, Kelly Harrold, also believes in the program. Harold said “If we want to continue to have a prosperous community, we have to take a step to reduce greenhouse gases.”
NINERONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
DNT TXT ‘N Drive: it kilz
Cheyenne Owens and Lauren Dunn F E AT U R E S @ N I N E R O N L I N E . C O M & LDUNN8@UNCC.EDU
American society is obsessed with technological advancements and constant communication. When the average person isn’t actually talking on the phone, he or she is probably texting or surfing the internet via his or her cell phone. Surveys conclude that young adults, ages 18 – 24, sent or received a whopping average of 1,630 texts each month in 2010; young adults came in second when compared to teenagers, ages 13 – 17, who swapped an outrageous average of 3,339 texts each month. This fascination with immediate correspondence is also apparent at UNC Charlotte. Anyone strolling around campus can observe students chatting away on their cell phones and anyone visiting campus is guaranteed to see students with heads bent forward while their eyes are glued to the cell phone screen as their fingers race across the keypad on their travels between classes. Or if nothing else, students seem to always keep their cellular devices close while walking from class to class: their phones are either clasped in their clutches or peeking from their pockets. Yet, this may be where the somewhat cliché saying that “too much of a good thing is a bad thing” is applicable. For instance, when does the American obsession with technological communication become unhealthy or potentially dangerous? This communication, especially in the form of text messaging, becomes life threatening when behind the wheel. Statistics indicate that a driver is four times more likely to get into a car accident when drinking while driving; however, texting while driving is even more dangerous. A person who texts while driving is eight times more
“Life is more precious than taking a call or answering an e-mail message. Because even though we think we can handle using our cell phones in the car, the loss of thousands of lives has shown we can’t .” -Winfrey
likely to be involved in a vehicular accident. UNC Charlotte students have varying opinions on the act of texting while driving. Junior Carrie Dail said, “I know it’s not safe, but people are going to do it, because it’s so hard to enforce it. Since people are going to do it anyways, hopefully they can pick safe times to do it while driving – like when you’re stopped.” This approach would approve of texting while driving only when stopped at appropriate signs, red stoplights or even while sitting in a parking space with the car cranked. Even though the student is still texting while being in the driver seat, he or she is not endangering others. However, other students passionately oppose texting from behind the steering wheel. Student Caroline Hammond said, “I don’t agree with it [texting while driving]. I think it’s very dangerous, and I have known people from my hometown who have been killed by it.” 1.6 million car accidents each year are caused specifically by texting and cell phone usage when driving, according to the National Safety Council. Regardless of the differing opinions about texting while driving, it is illegal to do so in North Carolina. Therefore, students should refrain from sending texts while putting the pedal to the metal, because it’s against the law, danger-
ous, and causes countless and unnecessary fatal car accidents. Yet, while texting and driving may be a growing problem on the main roads, campus police believe there’s little concern for this matter on campus. “There have been no major issues that I’m aware of,” said Lieutenant Josh Huffman. “Since the law changed that made it illegal [to text and drive], to my knowledge there haven’t been any citations given out. We know it happens, we know it goes on, but it’s not like people are wrecking left and right so it hasn’t been a major issue.” Though Lieutenant Huffman added that with the stop-and-go traffic around campus, texting could distract students enough to cause a fender bender. Now with the law change, students could be facing the damages done and citations as well. “Most people are pretty smart about it around here,” said Lieutenant Huffman. “But, if somebody had been texting and caused an accident, without doubt they would be charged with that.” North Carolina law has prohibited minors from using a “mobile communication” devices and “other technology” while driving since 2007. The recent N. C.Text Messaging ban, active as of June 2009, bans drivers of all ages from communicating with others via text messaging when driving. North Carolina drivers caught texting while driving will be fined $100 in addition to court fees. Countless public figures have spoken out against texting while driving as the dangers have become an undeniable reality. For instance, “Glee” star Jane Lynch became active in a campaign to illuminate the negative effects of texting while driving last year; this endeavor speaks specifically to parents. Lynch said, “Since becoming involved with LG on this campaign, I have realized the quick pace of parenthood. So, LG brought me on board to shed some light on the issue of mobile misuse among teens. Together, we’ve created a series of videos that are entertaining yet speak seriously to parents about this growing issue,” in a press statement. Oprah Winfrey is also passionate about raising awareness about distracted driving caused by cell phone usage. Winfrey launched the “No Phone Zone” campaign in 2009 in hopes of persuading others to commit to becoming responsible drivers by ending cell phone use in vehicles. Today, over 42 million people have pledged to make their cars no phone zones. In the episode, “America’s New Deadly Obsession,” Winfrey highlights the dangers of texting while driving, which often proves fatal. Several people negatively impacted by someone texting while driving shared their stories about losing loved ones to this act during the episode. This particular episode of Oprah sparked the “No Phone Zone” movement. A graduate student at the university was also motivated to raise awareness about the N.C. Text Messaging Ban and potential consequences of texting while driving. Ryan Brumfield, a civil engineering graduate, organized the Distracted Drivers Task Force at UNC Charlotte in 2010. This force aspires to educate students, staff, faculty and other members of the 49er population about the issue. While texting while driving may not be a monumental issue on campus, students do it – on and off campus - and the fact of the matter is: texting while driving kills. If a driver can’t appreciate or respect him or herself enough to restrain from sending texts while driving, perhaps he or she can respect the lives of everyone else driving around them. As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Life is more precious than taking a call or answering an e-mail message. Because even though think we can handle using our cell phone in the car, the loss of thousands of lives has shown we can’t.”
PAGE 11
A person texting while driving is 23 times more likely to have an accident. Photo by Oleg Zigalenko
TWO STUDENT SPEAKERS AND TWO BELL RINGERS SOUGHT FOR DECEMBER 17, 2011 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
All interested students graduating December 2011 with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and in good disciplinar y standing may apply of Students Of fice, in the Dean o 217 King Bldg. One Speaker and one Bell Ringer will be selected for each ceremony.
Application Deadline:
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 Speaker applicants must submit a copy of their 2-3 minute speech. spee Finalists will present their speech to a selection committee on Friday, October 28. Additional information is available from the Dean of Students Office 704-687-0343
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NINERTIMES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
Student organization positively influences 49er community Niners Chippin’ In is a service group at UNC Charlotte that endeavors to better the university community by participating in and sponsoring programs that benefit others Iris Hunter
idhunter@uncc.edu Here at UNC Charlotte, there are numerous student organizations that students can join to become more active in the 49er community. For students interested in getting involved, there are plenty of categories to choose from, including service, performance, multicultural, political, international, honor society, graduate, religious and interest organizations. In the fall of 2010, an organization called Niners Chippin’ In was established. Sarah Peterson, the current president, stated that the organization was created so that students would have the opportunity to volunteer with others who also enjoy giving back to the community and because other volunteer groups seemed exclusive to specific individuals. Members are passionate about this service organization. “This organization is important to me because I have always enjoyed doing community service. Having a sister with a neuromuscular disease has taught me that life is precious, and that not everyone has the same opportunities, so if there is any way that I can contribute to the quality of life for any individual—with an illness or other unfortunate circumstances, I would love to help,” said Peterson. Peterson also said, “I feel there is a need for this organization at UNC Charlotte because volunteers are always needed, but mostly, it’s an organization where any student can join. A lot of clubs on campus, though great, are exclusive to specific individuals to join, where Niners Chippin’ In is just a place for any student to interact with other students while giving back to the community.” Peterson wants students to know that Niners Chippin’ In is an organization that allows students to give back to
the community. She mentioned that she knows that students face difficulty with time management, but the time commitment that is involved after joining this organization is not overwhelming. Peterson explained, “We want volunteering to be fun, not something you have to do, therefore as a member of this club, you can volunteer as much as you can.”
Organization members decorate cards for adopted soldiers during a meeting last week. Photo courtesy of Niners Chippin’ In Last year Niners Chippin’ In volunteered to participate in Relay For Life. Sarah believes that it was a lot of fun because it involved several different organizations from UNC Charlotte, which
allowed the members of the organization to interact with other students while they raised money to help fight cancer. This organization also volunteered at Urban Ministry where the members were given the opportunity to see how homeless individuals are forced to live. Sarah stated, “It was a humbling experience and showed how a lot of times, people who are homeless, though it is so easy to judge them -- have just not been given the opportunity we have, and sometimes just have had bad luck in life.” The vice president of Niners Chippin’ In, Richard Brook, said that his goal as a vice president is to promote the organization and the good that can be accomplished with the support of the university and the students. Brook said, “We do many different activities for example, adopting a solider, hosting canned food drives and aid with Urban Ministries. Niners Chippin’ In has a general sense of community service and I feel it gives its members a wider range of how they can better their community.” He continued, “This organization is important because it enables me to help others in need. Being a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity has opened the door of community service for me, for example collecting 1,300 pounds of canned goods to donate to Second Harvest National Food Bank. By getting involved in the service aspect of my fraternity it has led me to want to better the community through multiple organizations. Niners Chippin’ In gives me the ability to help others outside of the fraternity and help the community as a whole in addition to being an inspirational organization.” So far, the members of Niners Chippin’ In have proven that they choose to help others who are in need, which is why they are giving back to the community. Now, are students ready to do the same? If so, then joining this organization may be a step worth considering.
NINERONLINE.COM
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
DOWNTIME 6
Thursday
Jazz Ensembles Robinson Hall 8pm
Part of Student Ensemble Concert Series presented by the UNC Charlotte Department of Music
Arts as Activism McKnight Hall 5pm
7
Friday
Fall Plant Sale
McMillan Greenhouse 9am - 3pm Come pick up some great plants to take home or just come by to tour the greenhouse.
8
Saturday
R.A.D. Class 9am - 5pm
The Rape Agression Defense Program consists of a hands-on, 12-hour, physical defense course. Students can register with glecomte@uncc.edu. More information is available at studenthealth.uncc. edu/rvam
9
10
Sunday
Charlotte 49ers Volleyball vs. Dayton Halton Arena 1pm
Wear green and head out to Halton Arena to cheer on your Charlotte 49ers volleyball team when they battle conference foe Dayton!
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Monday
FALL BREAK
Tuesday
FALL BREAK
Organization Development Certificate
12th Annual Cyber Security Symposium
8:30 am - 4:30pm Center City
8:00am - 6:30pm Cone Center
The certificate program covers the 7 Phases of Organizational Development consulting.
The symposium will include expert guest discussing cyber crime and how it is being combated.
FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 17, 2011
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
See the answer to the sudoku puzzle by scanning the code with your smartphone.
The answers:
Get the answers at www.nineronline.com/downtime
ACROSS 1 Prepare, as apples for pie 5 Dirt bike relatives, briefly 9 Dressed like a judge 14 “Jeopardy!” first name 15 Actress Perlman 16 Get the lead out? 17 Bossa __ 18 Blurted out 19 Full of attitude 20 “The sky is falling!” critter 23 Get the lead out 24 Visits, as a doctor 25 Cock and drake 28 Suffix with dextr29 Snapshot, for short 31 One who doesn’t have much laundry to do? 33 Seven-time winner of the Daytona 500 36 Modest skirt length 39 Have a life 40 Tennis great Arthur 41 Like Chopin’s “Funeral March,” keywise 46 Enjoyed the rink 47 Letters before xis 48 Neg.’s opposite 51 Air France flier until 2003 52 Election Day: Abbr. 55 Stymie, as plans 57 New Orleans daily, with “The” 60 Kitchen strainer 62 “Love Songs” poet Teasdale 63 Alda or Arkin 64 Like flawed mdse. 65 Slices of history 66 Jackson 5 brother 67 Boss’s privilege 68 Hawaii’s state bird 69 Most affordable golf purchases DOWN 1 Mexican Villa 2 Hawaiian hello and goodbye
10/17/11
By Kelly Clark
3 Edit 4 Not off by even a hair 5 “__ and Old Lace” 6 Comparative word 7 Bridal coverings 8 __ Hawkins Day 9 Gathers strength for a big day 10 Taken with a spoon 11 Singles, on a diamond 12 Tricky road bend 13 Susan of “L.A. Law” 21 Foreign Legion cap 22 Be inclined (to) 26 O.T. book named for a woman 27 Eyelid problem 30 Casual talk 32 Sugarpie 33 Break in friendship 34 Business end of a slot machine 35 Bridle strap 36 Be nostalgic for
Saturday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
37 Tattooist’s supplies 38 Common flashlight power source 42 “Hands off!” 43 For two voices together, in scores 44 One with a screw loose 45 Fed. workplace monitor
10/17/11
48 Talking parrot voiced by Jay Mohr 49 Showily decorated 50 Shorthand pros 53 Krupp Works city 54 Flat replacement 56 Lawman Earp 58 Folk singer Burl 59 Persian Gulf nation 60 Bro’s sib 61 Tax shelter initials
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NINERTIMES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
SPORTS
SPORTS SCHEDULE
Men’s Soccer @ UMass
Women’s Soccer vs UMass
Fri. 3:30 p.m., Amherst, MA
Fri. 7 p.m., Charlotte, NC
Men’s Soccer vs Rhode Island Women’s Soccer vs Rhode Island Sun. 1 p.m., Providence, RI
Sun. 7 p.m., Charlotte, NC
Women’s Volleyball vs Dayton
Women’s Volleyball vs Xavier
Sun. 1 p.m., Charlotte, NC
Fri. 7 p.m., Charlotte, NC
Charlotte finishes third at Duke Rod Myers Invite The 49ers led by 36 strokes going into day two and downed Top 25 opponents along the way Russell Lindberg
RWLINDEB@UNCC.EDU
The Charlotte 49ers golf team faced stiff competition over the weekend at Duke University’s Rod Myers Invitational, and managed to finish in third place overall. The 49ers finished at 8-over par, just behind #19 Baylor who finished at 6-over par. Host #21 Duke took the overall team win with a total score of 3-under par. “We definitely can use this as a positive as we keep going here in the fall. We’re getting closer. We’re doing a bunch of good things to compete and try to win golf tournaments,” said first year head coach Ryan Cabbage. Charlotte, ranked at #43 going into the 11-team tournament, faced tough competition all weekend. Eight out of the 11 teams were ranked in the top 100, and the 49ers finished better than #5 Tennessee (+37), #22 Iowa (+19), and #25 Tulsa (+22). They also beat Southeastern rivals
North Carolina and Coastal Carolina, who both finished in ninth (+45). Going into play on Sunday, the 49ers had a two stroke lead over the Blue Devils. However they ran into a rough stretch on the back nine that ended up costing them the lead. Still, they ended up posting the fourth-best round on Sunday. “All in all it was a good week,” said Cabbage. “You always want to put yourself in position and we were there today. We didn’t quite do what we need to do on the back nine and (Duke) did. But we did a lot of good things.” Freshman Raoul Menard led the Niners over the weekend finishing at even-par, good for a tie of 4th overall. Seniors Olafur Loftsson (6th), Paul Ferrier (14th), and Tyler Mitchell (17th) joined Menard in the overall top 20 individual performances of the tournament. The golf team has won a league-record six straight Atlantic 10 titles and earned bids to seven straight NCAA
Tournaments. They have reached the NCAA finals three times in the past five years. They are currently the highest ranked team in the Atlantic 10. Charlotte boasts an impressive and experienced roster. Junior Andy Sajevic is the reigning Atlantic 10 Golf Student-Athlete of the Year. Senior Loftsson is a two time All-Atlantic-10 selection, and competed in the PGA Wyndham Championship this past summer. Freshman Menard, is the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, and looks to be a bright spot for the future of the team. So far this fall, the 49ers have placed 5th at the Gopher Invitational, 7th at the VCU shootout, and now 3rd at the Rod Myers Invitational. Next up, the Niners will look to build off their solid finish, as they travel to Illinois for The Windon Memorial on Oct. 16 and 17.
Graphic by Christian Billings
Gibson making an impact on the pitch Joel Hanel
JHANEL1@UNCC.EDU
Gibson has scored twice this season Photo courtesy of Charlotte Sports Information
Tyler Gibson, the redshirt sophomore from Knoxville, TN is in his second year playing for the Charlotte 49ers, and despite the fact that he is one of the younger members of the Niner squad, his two seasons have overwhelmingly boosted the team’s success. During the 2010-2011 season, as a redshirt freshman, Gibson was a regular starter, and earned several awards for his play, including a spot in the All A-10 first team. Playing as a young center midfielder, Gibson had four goals and four assists that season, attaining a reputation against Niner opponents. “As opposed to last year, no one really knew who I was out there, but after I had the chance to play last year, teams have started to scout me out, said Gib-
son. “Teams realize that we often play through the middle, and we have spent a lot of time trying to work on the pressure they give us. As a midfielder, our biggest issue this year has been responding to that pressure.” Gibson has made himself known this season, as the man to shoot penalty shots. He capitalized first at Elon, to seal the Niner win. Similarly, Gibson tied the game up in the Niners’ upset win against UVA, placing a shot into the back of the goal, and propelling the Niners into overtime. Said Gibson after that win, “I practiced taking penalty kicks all summer, and I was not nervous out there. I just took a deep breath and then put the ball into the back of the net.” After the impressive win against Virginia, Gibson was the first Niner of the season to earn the honorable Soccer
America’s Team of the Week. “I’ve worked hard over the summer, and am looking pretty fit, and the season has gone pretty well so far.” In his third year at UNC Charlotte, Gibson pointed out that he loves the atmosphere at the University, and that he is proud to be a Niner. “I love it here, I love the team, we get along really well, and they are a great group of guys.” Pointing out that he likes sub places on campus, especially Mondo Subs, Gibson juggles a busy schedule filled with soccer and class, he is a business administration major, but enjoys as much of his time outdoors. “Whenever we have time, I like to get outdoors, and go on vacation to the mountains or the beach. I hate being cooped up in a room, and would rather be doing those ‘outdoorsy’ things.”
NINERONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
PAGE 15
49ers’
Big Pour Ed Niser
SPORTS@NINERONLINE.COM
The sounds of heavy machinery have been echoing throughout campus since classes ended last May. Charlotte’s football stadium is beginning to take shape, as the first concrete footer was poured Monday. Students may have lost what used to be their beloved recreational fields on the far side of campus, but are gaining a stadium that will last for decades to come. Students coming to and from Duke and Grigg Hall are forced to detour behind the baseball stadium, due to a constuction reroute. Construction workers while pouring the concrete appeared to understand the importance of the moment for the university. Charlotte football coach Brad Lambert was on scene for the momentous occasion, as he has been throughout the entire building process. Lambert donned a construction helmet and reflective vest while taking in the entire process. At the start of the groundbreaking, Lambert helped bulldoze the first patch of dirt on the future stadium site. While the concrete pouring may not sound very exciting, it marks the beginning of a permanent structure that will bring life to the far side of campus. The stadium is designed to seat just over 15,000 people with half of the stadium designated for students. The fieldhouse will be situated in the North endzone featuring a number of film review rooms,restrooms and an exercise facility for the football team. Charlotte’s football stadium has yet to receive any offers for naming rights, but have been entertaining offers. The foundation will be poured in phases, but none will be as special as the first. It is a pleasant site for fans to finally see that football is a reality and the concrete pouring proves it. Charlotte’s playing surface will feature an artificial playing surface, which will help cut down on maintanence costs.
While the 49ers have yet to sign their first recruiting class, they have been hitting the trail hard. Having a tangible stadium will help aid in the football recruiting process and also for other Charlotte 49ers sports as well. The pricetag for the future home of 49ers’ football is a costly one, which has an estimated pricetag of around $45 million. $5 million has come from Football Seat Licenses alone. In addition to the gameday stadium, there will be practice fields constructed adjacent to the Saturday shrine. Charlotte will bring in it’s first recruiting class this coming February, which will add yet another milestone in the birth of 49er football. Football is a sport that will bring the Charlotte community closer together and offer networking opportunities for alumni and current students. It won’t get any quieter when the sounds of construction equipment subside, the only noise you will be hearing are the sounds of the pads popping and fans cheering on the Charlotte 49ers. Listed below are Charlotte’s first four games of the 2013 season.
VS
Photos courtesy of Wade Bruton
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NINERTIMES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
CICI’S