Niner Times - November 17, 2011

PROFESSOR STAMPING HIMSELF INTO HISTORY

A new Naughty Niner takes a swing at the Niner Times sex column with fetishes.

Professor Jamie Franki recently awarded for his work designing medals.

Sexual fetishes can be looked at in our society as dirty but having a sexual fetish can be considered normal as long as it doesn’t interfere with your life or relationship.

NEWS

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

CAN SEXUAL FETISHES BE NORMAL?

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Franki designed the 2005 American Bison Nickel and he is also the designer of the permanent coaching medal for Team USA .

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NINERTIMES

Thursday, November 17, 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: Watch for updates in the current Occupy UNC Charlotte movement at Belk Tower.

Expressing transition through art Ryan Pitkin RPITKIN@UNCC.EDU

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Each year for the past five years, financial aid at UNC Charlotte has increased.

But, with recent cuts from state appropriations, it may not stay that way.

“Since we are still early into the 20112012 year, we do not have complete statistics to see if the trend will continue this year,” said Tony Carter, director of Student Financial Aid. “My best guess, however, is that it will not [increase] because of the elimination of several federal and state aid programs.”

The federal and state aid program to which Cater refers to are The Academic Competitiveness Grant, the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (The National SMART Grant) and the North Carolina Student Incentive Grant programs. Each of these programs alone were an added relief to the evercollecting debt students face. The American Competitiveness Grant, for example, awarded students $750 the first year and $1,300 the second year.

The National SMART Grant was available for students in their third and fourth year of undergraduate study, and students were eligible for up to $4,000 was eligible for each year. The North Carolina Student Incentive Grant programs average a smaller award than the other grants at $350 a year.

“Year-Round Pell Grants [two Pells in one award year] was also eliminated,” said Carter. “The UNC Need-Based Grant Program was funded by the state legislature with $35 million less this year than last year.”

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Veterans p.

Lauren Dunn LDUNN8@UNCC.EDU

33

The UNC Charlotte Veterans Club mixed the worlds of military and artistic life together with its presentation, “From Soldier to Student,” an art gallery that has stood in the Student Union since Nov. 1, 2011.

The gallery, which includes 29 pieces of art from UNC Charlotte students with some relation to the military, includes many different mediums. There are collages, paintings, sculptures, pictures, pottery pieces and others. It ran through Veteran’s Day and will end on Nov. 18, 2011.

“We’ve done a lot of different things for Veteran’s Day, and a lot of students wanted to show off their artistic abilities,” said Logan Cason, coordinator for Veteran Students Outreach.

The idea came about during last year’s “Combat Paper Project,” when students turned old uniforms into paper and printed things on them. Members wanted to display work in the gallery, but Cason realized that this would take a reservation from about a year out.

He knew something would be in the works for 2011’s Veteran’s Day, so he made a reservation. One print from 2010’s project is hanging in the new gallery.

“A project like this is important because it’s cathartic for the students involved. Especially for non-traditional students, which is what most veterans are. It’s not always easy to connect to traditional students,” said Cason.

Financial aid cut backs

66

.40%

Not Receiving Financial Aid

Source: Tony Carter Graphic by Christain Billings

Receiving Financial Aid The cuts on financial aid have sprouted from a recent cut of state appropriations to all North Carolina system schools. The school has since had to raise tuition to attempt to make up for the lost money, but is still coming up short. For students, this means a raised tuition and less available financial aid.

UNC Charlotte student Gary Roach says

he’s never had the need to file for financial aid but expresses his concern for those that do.

“How is a person from a less financially stable family supposed to get a higher education if they raise tuition and turn around and cut some of our financial aid,” Roach said. “Where are they supposed to get that money from?”

Board approves raise in fees and tuition Working for the cure

Eden Creamer ECREAMER@UNCC.EDU

The Cone Center’s McKnight Hall saw two meetings earlier this week. The Tuition and Fees Advisory Board, hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA), held these meetings to hear tuition and fee requests made by departments at the university and approve them. These meetings took place Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 and Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011.

The first meeting allowed the university’s deparments to make proposals for fees they wished to see increased.

Many of the proposed fees were less than $10 a-piece; however, added together, the proposed fees totaled to $138. The council is only able to approve $106 worth of increases to the student fees.

The two largest proposed fees are the FEES p.4

Ryan Pitkin RPITKIN@UNCC.EDU

Dave Craven, president of the student body and co-chair of the Tuition and Fees Advisory Board, and Frank Fleming lead the roll call votes on the proposed fees. Photo courtsey of Eden Creamer

Jocie Sweeney, a doctoral student studying clinical health psychology at UNC Charlotte, launched a new two-part research study regarding human papilloma virus (HPV) risk reduction and prevention among college-age women using student interventions.

“Ultimately the goal is to reduce the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cancers such as cervical cancer, vulva cancer, anal and neck cancers,” said Rick McAnulty, clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at UNC Charlotte. “This could be huge.”

“What’s new about this is that we already have interventions out there for HIV, we have interventions for syphilis and a lot of the more well known STIs,” said Swee HPV p.3

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

NINERTIMES

NINERONLINE.COM

NEWS BRIEFS UNC Charlotte concludes International Education Week 2011 To end International Education Week 2011 UNC Charlotte will host the Iranian Music and Culture: Is It Persian or Iranian? in the Student Union multipurpose room Friday,Nov. 18, at 7 p.m.

Live Persian music, poetry and a reception to close will be accompanied by a brief description on the differences between the two cultures.

International Education Week is meant to show off the commitment to global and international understanding at the university through programs, lectures, presentations and more. Ciera Choate

UNC Charlotte faculty works to help the needy About 100 UNC Charlotte employees worked to put together packets for the Thunder Road Marathon that benefits the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Volunteers, organized by Annette Price from the Graduate School, worked in the University Cone Center Lucas room for hours. Full-time UNC Charlotte employees have 24 hours of leave that can be used to do community service throughout the community. Ciera Choate

Supporting our soldiers on the holidays UNC Charlotte’s Mail and Package Services Office will work with the Army and Air Force ROTC to collect holiday packages for soldiers serving overseas during the holidays.

These items cannot be included in the packages: home-baked food, glass of any kind, aerosol cans or spray, expired or canned foods, candles, lighters, matches, lighter fluid, hotel samples, VHS or cassette tapes, contraband items, hardcover books and music CDs. Ciera Choate

Carnegie Mellon researcher to give CCI Distinguished Lecture Friday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. Takeo Kanade from Carnegie Mellon University will give a presentation in Woodward Hall room 106.

The presentation, “First Person Vision,” is one part of the College of Computing and Informatics Distinguished Lecture Series.

Kanade is a professor of computer science and robotics at Whitaker University and is in charge of the Quality of Life Technology Center. Ciera Choate

Federal committe approves DNC security funding A congressional committee recently approved the $50 million that will be provided to pay for security in Charlotte during the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC).

The full House and Senate will now have to approve the funding for it to be cleared.

N.C. expects the funding to be approved by the end of the week or at the latest, Thanksgiving.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg force during the DNC will double will help from officers in Hickory, Greensboro, Concord, Monroe and others. The force is currently around 2,400 police officers. Ciera Choate

Dr. Harish Cherukuri speaks on Fulbright Experience After spending January through June in Bengaluru India UNC Charlotte professor Dr. Harish Cherukuri will share about his experiences as a Fulbright-Nehru senior research scholar. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 until 10 a.m. in the College of Health and Human Services room 207. Ciera Choate

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 3

Minty fresh professor The UNC Charlotte professor, received an award for his dedication to numismatics Molly Mulhern MMULHER1@UNCC.EDU

Professor Jamie Franki of the Art Department, recently awarded the American Numismatic Association’s Presidential Award for his work designing medals, describes himself as “the world’s oldest intern.” Franki, designer of the permanent coaching medal of Team USA, says that project was “the proudest thing I ever did in my life.”

“If one of our team medals at the Olympic games the athlete gives their coach that medal. The medal debuted in Beijing and has been used ever since,” said Franki.

Franki says his work with the Olympic team has taught him a lot over the years, with coordination at the top of the list. After designing multiple coins for the government, making the transition to medals provided him an outlet to exercise his creativity and eye for detail.

“I’ve got round, short, uncoordinated fingers. I’m still learning how to wrangle my designs into these clay molds. But every artist wants their work to be more famous than themselves,” said Franki. “I dig that, I have a face made for radio, but my work celebrates why history matters. People care about these medals a lot and that’s important to me.”

Franki became interested in coins and medals when he was accepted into the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program. The program calls for artists nationwide to submit applications to design coins and medals for the U.S. government as the need arises. Franki applied on a whim, af-

HPV from p.1

ter a recommendation from his brother, and was chosen as one of 24 artists out of 33,000 applicants.

Franki’s design for the 2006 nickel depicting Jefferson facing forward remains in circulation today and is distinctive, as Jefferson is almost always drawn facing sideways.

“When he’s looking to the side there’s no confrontation. I invited people to think about Jefferson as a person, not a monument,” said Franki.

Working for the government wasn’t always easy for Franki, however, who was often opposed to the institution growing up. He recognized the opportunity to learn from his experience and overall, became a better citizen.

“I was pretty vocal with protest growing up, and I had a lot of issues with our country. Working for the U.S. government taught me to look beyond just what I thought and research to see both sides,” said Franki. “ I started to examine what patriotism really means.”

Franki’s contribution to the numismatic community has given him notoriety and helped him repay his parents for their undying support. As an art student, Franki recognized the gamble his parents took in paying tuition when the job market for art majors was slim. When he received the ANA Presidential Award, however, he was able to confirm to his parents that their support of his art had paid off.

“I brought my mom and dad to [Washington] D.C. on the day they released the Jefferson nickel,” said Franki. “I squeezed their hands and said ‘See, I told you I’d make money!’ It’s a leap of faith, sending me to art school and supporting my thirst for making art. But that was such a proud moment.”

ney. “HPV is the most common STI right now and there are not interventions tailored towards targeting behaviors specific to HPV.” About 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. Sweeney is out to change that. “It is so transmissible that you have to act a little differently to prevent it compared to some of the other STIs,” she said.

Once students were recruited to participate in the study, 66 women in all, the first step was the actual intervention. This included an hour long group discussion.

Sweeney provided information to the participants about HPV, including symptoms, preventative measures and how it affects the body. Participants can also share their own experiences if they have any, or clear up any misconceptions they had.

“What’s important about Jocie’s study is that she is doing evaluations before and after the interventions. She will find what type of sexual risk taking is occurring before the interventions and then we will come back later and find out if they are still taking the same kind of risks,” said McAnulty, committee chairman for this study and Sweeney’s mentor for the past six years.

Information is collected at three separate points, said Sweeney. The participants’ behavior was evaluated right before the intervention. Immediately after the intervention she collected information to find out whether the knowledge was conveyed correctly. Then the participants’ behaviors will

Other pieces by Franki: Medal for the American Numismatic Association’s 120th Anniversary Convention (2011) American Bison Nickel (2005)

be evaluated once again 28 days after the intervention.

“That’s when we find out the major questions. Did they retain the knowledge?

Did their behavior stay the same? Are they safer?” said Sweeney.

Data collection for this study began in mid-September 2011 and participants have already been through the intervention phase. Sweeney was surprised at some of the things she learned. “I was struck by how little college students know about HPV.” The experience level of students is also alarming to Sweeney. “It’s surprising the amount of women who have never had a Pap smear. People get HPV confused with HIV. Getting STI testing done in general is not common. Most women say they’ve never bought a condom. They wait until they’re in the moment and if the guy doesn’t have one it’s too late.”

This study, which is Sweeney’s dissertation, has been her brainchild for the past two years. “I had known people affected by abnormal Pap smears. I read some things and decided that this is not outside of what’s important.”

Sweeney credits her research assistant (RA), a UNC Charlotte senior named Anam Barakzia, with most of her success. “She deserves an award. She is the most amazing RA in the world and I could not have done anything I’ve done without her.”

Sweeney has completed all of her coursework and should wrap this study up

by Dec. 2, 2011. “It’s real now and it seems like there will actually be an end.”

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NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Sharing a love of learning Ciera Choate NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM

When he isn’t at UNC Charlotte teaching finance Tony Plath tends to his 16 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and six cats at his home.

“If you want to see puppy pictures I’ve got great puppy pictures,” said Plath.

Plath, who received his PhD in finance at Kent State University in Ohio, has been teaching at UNC Charlotte for 25 years in the Belk College of Business since he moved here from Ohio.

“One of the things that attracted me to Charlotte in addition to the banks was the people here genuinely cared about teaching. They cared about student development. They cared about placement, where kids went when they got a degree, how well they did,” said Plath.

“All of us in the department pretty much had experience doing what we were teaching, and that wasn’t unique to the finance department that was true of the whole college of business. It was really rare to come into an environment where the bulk of the people teaching had real world experience with the things that they were teaching.”

The freedom and desire to learn is what caused him to continue his hard work throughout college. His love for college is one reason he came back to teach.

“I liked being on a college campus, and I’m still here,” he said.

One of the most influential people he came in contact with during his college career was a sociology teacher Ms. Mullens, who would smoke while teaching and project her voice so that 450 students could hear her clearly without a microphone.

“I can remember after one exam she came in and was yelling at the kids who got bad grades. She said, ‘what’s wrong with

Bentley and Beemer, two of the 16 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels owned by UNC Charlotte finance professor Tony Plath. He also owns six cats, which all live inside of his home with him. Photo courtesy of Tony Plath

you people? Don’t you want to learn?’ That was sort of a turning point for me. I was 18 and sitting in the top of the balcony saying, ‘yeah I do want to learn. I care about the material.’ I liked what I was learning,” said Plath.

He feels that all students should leave college being aware of how they have changed because if the faculty is doing their job correctly then all students should be a different person when they graduate.

“College should change you. At the end of the semester all of you should sit down and think about how you’re different now,” said Plath. “If we’re doing our job you

should be able to answer that question.”

He carried this idea of learning things that will shape you for the rest of your life through to his own teaching methods, where he makes sure to push students in his classes to learn more than facts, numbers or formulas but how to connect dots.

“There’s a general feeling in the American population that a college education has been dumbed down over time, and indeed it has. You’re not here to learn facts or to learn numbers or to learn formula. You’re here to learn how to think, how to solve problems, how to read, how to connect dots. I’m big on that in class,” he said.

FEES from p.1 football operations fee, a proposal of $50, and the education and technology fee, a proposed increase of $49.

Few students attended the second meeting, and initially no students opted to make comments about the proposed increases and fees.

The board began the meeting by asking questions of those who had presented fees the day before.

Dr. Jay Raja, who had suggested the increase to the education and technology fee on Monday was asked numerous questions about where this $49 increase would go.

“Initial increases will be used to hire faculty,” said Raja. He says that this money could provide 30 to 40 new faculty positions.

Raechel Gutierrez, secretary for student affairs of SGA, proposed an additional $25 be added to the infrastructure fee, which was approved by the board to allocate $60 to this fee.

After discussions were completed, the board voted on the varying issues.

A 6.5 percent increase in tuition was accepted, a $60 increase to the infrastructure fee was accepted, as was the $50 football operation fee.

Recreational services proposed fee of $15 was lowered to $13 and approved, the health care service’s proposed fee of $4 was bumped down to $3 before approval, athletics received a $12 increase, apposed to the $13 they requested, playing field maintenance was granted a $3 increase compared to the $7 they requested, and education and technology received $25, a 51 percent decrease from their proposed fee of $49.

All UNC Charlotte students and faculty were invited to attend, and those unable to attend in person were given the opportunity to either watch a live streamed video feed of the meetings on the SGA website or follow SGA on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates.

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

OPINION Eliminating federal student loans would be disastrous San Jose Mercury News

Rick Perry’s senior moment in Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate when he couldn’t remember the third federal agency he would abolish was cringe-inducing.

But it was two of the other candidates on stage who should be hanging their heads in shame.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both, incredibly, called for abolishing the federal student loan program, saying it was “an absurdity” that is “dramatically failing.” Perry seemed to imply he agreed.

None of them, surely, is among the tens of millions of low- and middle-income students 9 million in the last academic year alone who relied on a federally backed student loan to pay for college.

Eliminating the loans and subjecting students to the vagaries of the private market would put college out of reach for many while increasing indebtedness for others.

Either way, the nation’s ability to develop an educated workforce for the coming decades an already imperiled but crucial national priority will be further damaged.

Last year, the Obama administration

cut private lenders out of the student-loan market, saving about $80 billion over 10 years to be funneled back into education.

The private market had been wasteful and in some cases predatory, charging high rates and fees and misleading consumers, according to a 2008 study by the National Consumer Law Center.

Even worse, the private market nearly froze during the economic collapse.

Thankfully, the government was making the majority of student loans at the time.

But imagine if Paul’s and Gingrich’s ideologically pure vision were reality, and there were no federal loans. Even as demand surged for higher education, students would have no way to pay for it. Or rather, poor and middle-class students wouldn’t.

The wealthy, as ever, would be fine.

That’s why federal loan subsidies along with Pell Grants, which conservatives also attack are so important. California alone expects a shortfall of 1 million college graduates to fill jobs by 2025. There’s no way to close that gap if only the rich can afford an education.

Student loan debt approaches $1 trillion nationwide. It’s a serious problem.

But abolishing federal loans is no answer,

any more than eliminating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would end the foreclosure crisis.

Reform is needed. The main driver of student debt, according to most experts, is skyrocketing tuition.

The government should use its leverage to demand that costs be kept better in line with inflation, perhaps through changes to delivery models such as more online courses. Students who have federal loans should be required to make steady progress toward a degree, and colleges that accept the loans must have guidance programs in place to help them do so.

An educated workforce is precisely what government should be investing in for the long-term.

It’s no different from other kinds of infrastructure roads, bridges, broadband service that help everyone prosper.

Leaving this to the private market would be devastating to poor and middleclass students, to businesses and to our future prosperity.

Come to think of it, only banks would benefit from Paul’s and Gingrich’s idea.

Something to ponder.

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Phony war on Christmas distorted into an ‘Obama tax’ St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet and already America is enduring the first volleys in the annual faux war on Christmas.

Every year around this time, some conservative group or another invents a controversy to sell the concept that liberals, or government, or some evil eggnog-hating force is out to ruin Christmas.

The early Grinch candidate this year is President Barack Obama.

No, the secret Muslim from Kenya didn’t cancel Christmas and replace it with Eid al-Fitr, though out on the farthest right wing of the Republican Party, that meme might sound plausible.

The president’s U.S. Department of Agriculture did, however, institute a tax on Christmas trees or so the conservative Heritage Foundation would have you believe.

The reality is quite a bit different than the headlines that appeared all over the Internet this week after Heritage blogger (and former enabler to Vice President Dick Cheney) David Addington wrote a piece titled: “Obama Couldn’t Wait: His New Christmas Tree Tax.” In fact, the so-called “tax” is a self-im-

posed fee of 15 cents per tree proposed by the very industry that would pay it.

After watching the share of natural Christmas tree sales fall to artificial ones over the past decade, a group of tree farmers petitioned the USDA in 2009 to start the process of approving a promotional board to help the industry sell its goods.

The National Christmas Tree Association supported the petition.

Such boards are authorized by a law Congress passed in 1996. The law specifically directed the USDA to create new promotion boards for popcorn, kiwi and canola oil. This is the same program that brought us the beef checkoff promotion (“Beef, it’s what’s for dinner”) and the “Got Milk” promotion.

According to National Hog Farmer magazine (we keep our copy next to The Economist), similar programs are authorized for watermelon, sweet corn, olive oil and blueberries.

These programs exist not because of government intervention, but because specific industries wanted to pool their resources to work hand-in-hand with the government to wait for it create jobs.

That’s not quite the story reverberat-

ing in the right-wing echo chamber more fixated on fabricating conspiracy theories to discredit Mr. Obama than seeking the truth.

That’s why Rich Dungey, who does public relations for the tree association, is inundated with calls and emails this week wondering why he’s the Grinch who taxed Christmas.

The whole “War on Christmas” is an apparition, a ghost if you will. The fact is shopping malls are decorated for the season.

A St. Louis radio station already is playing seven different versions of “Deck the Halls.” Activists will soon be pressuring school boards to change “holiday break” to “Christmas break” on official calendars.

Mr. Dungey’s group merely is trying to sell more Christmas trees, using a law Republicans passed to benefit industry.

Following recent patterns, unfortunately, the Obama administration collapsed like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree weighed down by too many ornaments. It’s putting a hold on the fee the industry hoped would invigorate the slumping real Christmas tree market.

Bah, humbug.

Amanda Guidi, Ryan Jenkins

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NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

A&E

LIVE MUSIC:

No Go Commando Fest, Nov. 18 The Milestone Junior Astronomers, Nov. 21 Snug Harbor

ON CAMPUS:

UNFILTERED: Designing a Voice for Charlotte Nov. 21/ 5:00 p.m.

Upper & Lower Rowe Arts

NEW IN THEATERS:

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 Happy Feet 2

LIMITED RELEASE: The Descendants

Director Drake Doremus paints a portrait of romantic frailty On eliciting the right performances You know [there was] a lot of manipulation to be honest. A lot of whispering things into Anton’s ear that Felicity can’t hear that will change her performance or undoubtedly guide the scene in a different direction and then vice-versa.

‘Just a lot of trying ways to get them to think outside the box so they’re not thinking about performing.

About the film’s themes I’d say the overall theme is that love is worth it and love is important. And going for it is special. I would say that the tone of the film is very authentic and realistic. And, hopefully, it feels like it’s almost a documented relationship that we stole and presented to you.

Anton Yelchin, left, plays Jacob and Felicity Jones plays Anna in “Like Crazy”. Photo courtesy of Paramount Vantage

Barry Falls

B FA L L S 4 @ U N C C . E D U

A love story is both a physical and emotional tale, one that can be deeply personal and heartbreaking for an audience to experience.

Director Drake Doremus’ film “Like Crazy” beautifully illustrates how your first real love is as thrilling and blissful as it is devastating.

When a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin) they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa.

The film explores how a couple faces the real challenges of being together and being apart.

“Like Crazy” is out in select theaters. Director Drake Doremus was kind enough to talk to us about his new movie and what went into filming it.

On the writing process The writing process mostly entails trying to come up with scene objectives, emotional plot points, subtext, things like that and then the dialogue kind of comes later.

What’s more important during the writing process is to sort of outline the characters and define them and sort of figure out what the story is.

And then, we organically approach trying to find the actual moments through the rehearsal process.

On being signed on to Paramount and being featured at Sundance It was wonderful. It was very unexpected. We made the film for $250,000. They’ve been so behind them and they pushed it and they’re so passionate about it. It’s been amazing ride.

And to be at Sundance, it’s such a special place where the audiences are so hungry and so excited to see good work. And it’s just inspiring to be around other filmmakers and feel that vibe and wanting to keep growing and creating.

And so, it’s been a hell of a year and a hell of a ride. So, anything that happens at this point is gravy.

And the chance we have to share movie right now, it’s just remarkable. It’s a dream come true.

On balancing emotional honesty and humor There are not a lot of movies that really do explore that in a very sort of hopefully honest and raw way. And I really want to make a movie that really expressed where I am at. I am 28 years old. And in the past 10 years sort of going through my life what I was feeling and thinking and that’s what I put into the 90 minutes of the film.

On having actors improvise on screen Well, I think we find moments that are surprising and that feel really organic. And what’s exciting is when the actors listen to each other and they let things happen organically, amazing real true moments will sort of happen. And that’s what I really wanted to do. I was really inspired to try to do something that didn’t feel staged or homogenized, that just really resonated with audiences.

So, the whole goal of the movie was to try to strike a chord with anybody that’s ever really been in love and that’s been infatuated with somebody and hasn’t been able to let anybody go. And that’s what we tried to get.

On his roles as a director My philosophy is direct at your own risk. I’ve seen and done in my past over-directing or give actors way too much to do.

And I feel like if you’re prepared enough through the rehearsal process and the actors are prepared enough, your role on the set is merely to guide and sort of corral as opposed to break something down.

For the most part, it’s guiding and making actors feel like they’re safe and like they can create. And on top of that, I believe in subtext.

About the pressures involved with directing Any time you set out to make a movie, you know your name’s going to be on it and you’re really nervous.

On the ideas for Like Crazy being influenced by Blue Valentine Well, to be honest, it wasn’t. I respect the movie very much and Derek is a tremendous filmmaker.

But I was more inspired by movies like “Breaking the Wave” and “Y Tu Mama Tambien” and sort of my past; I grew up in the improv world.

My mother was the founding member of the Groundlings in Los Angeles which is an improv and sketch comedy troupe since I was very small. I was studying and learning it.

On casting I threw a bunch of actors’ faces on a dartboard and threw some darts in the faces. And, remarkably, it was Anton and Felicity. No, I’m joking.

Anton, I was very familiar with his work over the years. And I think as far as young actors in their 20s goes, he’s one of the best out there and I really wanted to meet with him. And I sat down with him and we were just totally on the same page.

We talked for three hours about our philosophies of filmmaking and performance. And he read the outline and I really I think got to him and resonated with him. And right away, we were like, “Let’s do this.” So, he was onboard first and fast.

And I’d seen Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone at Sundance in ‘10 when I had a movie there and thought she was fantastic in it. And we started chatting in spring about possibly doing something together And then, Felicity sent in a tape from London. And I sort of was taken with the tape and had brought her in without even meeting Anton and they had chemistry right away and could see that they were going to have chemistry.

We were very lucky. And all the actors are just absolutely wonderful and we’re very proud of their work in the film.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Vantage

But I like that nervous energy. And I like feeling like I am starting over every film and like I’ve got something to prove and that I’m hungry to tell the story or else I shouldn’t be making movies.

I really believed in both of them individually and they became very fast friends and there were no boundaries. They just went for it. They checked themselves at the door and they became Anna and Jacob. And for a month, they lived in the skin of those characters and it was remarkable how beautiful the chemistry really is.

On bringing personal inspiration to the film I want to make personal films. I want to put my feelings and emotions about relationships into the films. So, my co-writer, Ben York Jones and I put in a lot of feelings that we had about relationships and how difficult it is to maintain a first love and what that’s like to go through that.

And I think a lot of people can relate to that because I think a lot of people have gone through it. So, we really tried to tap into our feelings about it.

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Veterans’ art expresses transition to student life

Cont. from pg. 1

Angelo Robinson, a UNC Charlotte transfer student who served 10 years in the Navy and returned to the reserves for four years in 2006, helped put the project together. He is also hopeful that this could help veteran students make a connection.

“A lot of the times people see us in the news or even wearing our uniforms around campus and some only think, ‘soldier.’ You may think this person doesn’t think like you do,” said Robinson. “Vets are approachable. They live an everyday life with their families and friends.”

Robinson worked with Victoria Bloomberg to come up with a concept that would take a soldier’s experience and “tie it all together.” He wanted to express the feeling of coming full circle between civilian life, military life and back again.

“People see the beginning and end or they see a picture of me holding a gun.

It’s not about that,” he said. Pictures in the gallery include everything from a student’s snapshots of his hometown in Louisiana after Katrina to another student’s pictures of standing in front of the Jordan River during deployment.

Kimberly Henderson, a UNC Charlotte junior whose brother is enlisted in the Army and preparing to deploy to Egypt, contributed three pieces to the gallery that she related to her psychology major.

Two of them involve symmetrical paint splotches that lay over military related images, such as grenades and the fallen soldier display of a helmet, rifle with bayonet and boots.

“The paint is sort of like a Rorshach test. I used very strong imagery behind

PAGE 7

IN THEATERS:

J. EDGAR Ryan Pitkin RPITKIN@UNCC.EDU

“Always Remember,” by Kimberly Henderson. Photo by Ryan Pitkin it and when seen together I want the ma out there that comes mainly from viewers to take their own interpreta- the media,” he said. “They think that tion from it. I just want to get them a everyone that comes back from being glimpse of feeling like they have to ap- deployed is broken in some way. Most preciate the military in some way. I sim- of the veterans at UNC Charlotte are plified it, though, so that they can come exceptional people. For the people who up with their own core idea,” she said. are dealing with problems like PTSD, Robinson’s art includes a sculpture art like this can be cathartic. That’s made up of all sorts of everyday tools what the Veteran’s Club is about.” and material. The structure, titled “I Out of the nearly 1,000 student vetWill See Myself Differently,” incorpo- erans at UNC Charlotte, only about 100 rates mirrors and a collage of motiva- participate with the Veteran’s Club, said tional phrases. Below it sits a recycle Cason. Robinson and Cason both wish bin with the phrase, “What Will You Do? that number would increase. “The averThrow It All Away?” In the bin, hellish age student is not our age. I love configures await those who “waste” things. necting with all kinds of students at Whether that’s time, opportunity or UNC Charlotte. That’s the best part of friendship is not expressed straight- the diversity here. But sometimes guys out, but all are invoked within the art. are going through something and the Where Henderson sees an underap- club is the place where they can talk to preciated military, Cason sees one that someone about it.” is misunderstood. “There is a lot of stig-

Clint Eastwood directed a biopic of the late FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and got Leonardo DiCaprio to play the lead role, both young and old. Why do they even bother having the Oscars?

To add to the bait, the script was written

by Dustin Lance Black, who wrote Milk, the movie about the first openly gay elected official in California.

This time he tells a surprising love story about one of the most closeted gay nonelected officials in the history of America.

Eastwood does what he does best with historic storytelling, yet still takes a few Oliver Stone-esque liberties with Hoover’s personal life.

The cast shines bright throughout the very dark film. Naomi Watts continues to be one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood as Helen Gandy, Hoover’s secretary of 54 years.

She and DiCaprio almost make you feel bad for the manipulative Hoover. Although watching them both grow so realistically old, you mostly feel bad for a younger generation that won’t watch these two stars’ movies.

Armie Hammer plays the role as Hoover’s deputy and love interest, Clyde Tolson. The movie is a wrenching fight between a man’s social life and career. In both, he seems to do nothing but isolate everyone for fear of rejection.

✭✭✭✭✭ For a full review, go to nineronline.com

PAGE 8

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

LIFESTYLE College Fitness

Are sexual fetishes normal?

EXCUSES and how to overcome them Barry Falls B FA L L S 4 @ U N C C . E D U

There is no debating it, you should be exercising on a regular basis. Exercising gives you more energy, decreases your chances of getting sick, helps improve sleeping habits and makes you look better naked.

All of this adds up to a more productive student with better self-esteem. Regardless of your reason, finding the time to work out and get in shape begins with cutting out excuses. Here are five excuses I hear from students on campus about why they do not exercise.

“I don’t have enough time.”

Many students are under the impression that students need to dedicate a full hour to a work-out session. However, some of the more proven exercise routines such as the Insanity Workout and P90X involve doing more intense work-outs for a shorter period of time.

Next time you decide to put off working out because you only have 20 minutes to spare, try condensing a 40 minute work out into a faster, more intense 20-minute work-out.

There are also always ways to work different miniature exercises into your day.

Take the stairs every day. Spend thirty minutes cleaning your messy apartment, and park in a far-away lot and jog to your building.

“I don’t have anyone to work out with.”

Get up and find someone. Working out more is an almost ubiquitous goal for college students, so finding someone to go with you will not be a difficult task. Chances are that you already know somebody who consistently works out who would be more than happy to help you reach your fitness goals.

Going to work out with your significant other is always a viable option. Not only is it convenient, but it can also be a great bonding experience. Overcoming obstacles is a big part of relationship-building and working out is ideal. By pushing each other to finish a work-out you both share the accomplishment.

“It’s boring.”

You’re in luck, because you happen to go to a university that prides itself in offering the most up-to-date work out routines to its students.

Just thinking about doing basic, at home exercises is almost enough to put many college students to sleep. If you are looking for more out of your workout experience, UNC Charlotte Recreational Services offers tai-chi, yoga, salsa dancing, pilates and zumba classes on a weekly schedule.

In addition to guided exercises, Recreational Services also offers an “Ask A Trainer” program every Wednesday, where their nationally-certified fitness trainers will answer your physical health questions.

This Wednesday, Nov. 16 2011 the trainers will feature a Holiday Eating & Exercise program, which will help students control their portions during the holiday season and learn exercises to do at home.

“I hate going to the gym.”

In relation to most other University of North Carolina gyms, ours is not exactly the biggest. So things can get a little overcrowded. Still, that is not a valid excuse to put off exercising. Many exercises can help you achieve the same results without having to go to the gym at all.

Jogging is a particularly beneficial activity, because not only do you get a great work-out, but you are also able to enjoy the scenery on campus. While it is beginning to become a little too cold for heavy running, many prefer running outside to running on a treadmill. Due to the increase in resistance, jogging outside is a slightly better work out than a treadmill.

Working out in your own dorm room has its benefits as well. While you will not

MCT Campus

be able to utilize the campus gym’s resources, it is far more accessible. Simple exercises such as push-ups and crunches do not require equipment at all, although cheaper equipment to keep in your room is another option.

“I’m too busy.”

Fifteen credit hours and a part-time job or internship can make it difficult to find the time to take care of yourself properly.

But if you really take a closer look at what qualifies as a priority to you with your free time, it is easy to find scattered parts of your day that would be ideal for working out.

Next time you are watching a movie or television show from Netflix, try doing light exercises while you watch or invest in a resistance band. Better yet, try adding a fitness video or two to your queue.

Just be sure to start out small. Doing too much too soon makes it easier to burn out, which has led many to simply giving up on exercising.

But once you begin pushing yourself to do more than you did before, it can become addictive.

We’ve all heard about sexual fetishes, and these days a person can have a fetish about practically anything, whether that be body parts, clothing or even bodily functions (golden showers, anyone?).

In our society it’s considered a social stigma to have a sexual fetish, and many people with them are viewed as “freaky” or “dirty” people. However, having a sexual fetish is considered normal as long as it doesn’t interfere with your life or relationship.

According to a study by psychologist Barry McCarthy, the author of Men’s Sexual Health, about “2 to 4 percent of males have a fetish arousal pattern.”

But men aren’t the only people with fetishes. Studies show that more women have been getting treatment for their sexual fetishes over the years as well.

Rick McAnulty, associate professor in the psychology department at UNC Charlotte, said that almost anything can be considered a sexual fetish.

If anything can be a fetish, why is there so much secrecy around the subject? What makes a sexual fetish shameful and shunned by all?

I think we look down on sexual fetishes because there is not enough information about them for us to understand how someone could be turned on by an inanimate object. For example, endytophilia is a fetish in which a person prefers to have sex fully clothed.

When I first heard about it, I was so intrigued by the fetish that I tried to do research only to find no available credible source of information.

Professor McAnulty stated that there is probably no true sexual fetish and if it does exist, it is exceedingly rare. Without a source of information about the topic, it’s practically impossible to make an educated, fair judgment about people with sexual fetishes.

Another thing to consider is that most of the fetishes revealed to the public are extremely bizarre, such as “furry fandom”, where people dress up as animals with human characteristics and participate in sexual acts with each other. Of course I’m going to think things are weird when people are dry humping one another dressed as stuffed animals.

Even in the media, sexual fetishes have been portrayed as strange.

For example in the recent movie “Horrible Bosses,” the main characters decide to hire an assassin through the internet but end up hiring a guy who likes to practice “golden showers,” a fetish which involves urinating on yourself or on someone else. The guy is then implied by the characters as “weird” and is not accepted.

When I explained the fetishes to several students at UNC Charlotte, I was met with faces of shock and disgust.

I’m not saying I agree with or know of all the fetishes out there in the world, but I don’t think singling people out and calling them “freaks” is going to solve anything.

What is so wrong with knowing what sexually pleases you and acting upon it?

Isn’t everyone allowed personal satisfaction, even if we don’t understand why?

-Naughty Niner A.L.

NINERONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

How to be a

frugal fashionista Scarlett Newman SNEWMAN6@UNCC.EDU

As every college student knows, managing a budget is one of the most difficult and frustrating things to have to keep up with, especially when you want to constantly look good.

We have access to thousands of stores along with online shopping, so it’s hard to convince yourself to buy something out of impulse that is probably out of your price range.

Luckily there are stores like Goodwill, Plato’s Closet and other charity/thrift stores that often have stylish vintage clothing, catering to chic college students on a budget.

I recently took a trip to Goodwill and purchased two very versatile blazers for $8 total. One is shown in the featured photo, the navy blue tuxedo-style blazer.

Going to second-hand stores like Goodwill enhances your ability to find a wellpriced vintage piece if you take the time to look.

People who have lived through prominent fashion decades like the 60s and 70s donate things all the time that are now considered treasures.

Even in a regular store it is possible to be a thrifty shopper. If you look hard enough you will be able to discover many fabulous finds.

If you plan to go shopping, always search for printable coupons and promotional codes online for a specific store before going out, because this can sometimes get up to 40 percent discounts if you’re lucky.

Finding cheap clothes: Friends & family You never know what kinds of hand-me-down items you could find in a family member’s closet.

Closeout sales Keep your eye out for stores that are closing and need to get rid of their products, because their closeout sales normally have the best deals you can find.

Black Friday The day after Thanksgiving sales can give huge discounts to normally high-priced items, so save your splurges for this very important day in retail.

Yard Sales If you are willing to get up early on a Saturday and scour your area for the best yard sales you may be able to find some really cheap, even vintage clothing.

Craigslist & Ebay These sites can offer brand-name items for much less than a department store will charge.

Scarlett’s steals & finds: • Navy Blazer - Goodwill $4.75 • Floral jumper - Urban Outfitters $29.95 orginally $60 • Snakeskin satchel - Urban Outfitters $7 originally $69 • Oxford heels - ALDO $30 orginally $60

PAGE 9

Thrift Stores

BY THE NUMBERS

10 4.5 2 11 50 3

The number of Goodwill stores in the Charlotte area

The number of stars Bargain Hunters Thrift Store in Charlotte was rewarded on Yahoo local reviews

The number of minutes it takes to get to the closest Plato’s Closet from campus

The time of day when Hong Kong Vintage & Recycled thrift store opens on most days in Charlotte

The percent advertised to be taken off original prices at Consign by Design in Charlotte

The number of Value Villiage Thrift Department Stores in Charlotte

PAGE 10

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

DOWNTIME 17

Thursday

Travel the Islands with “Caribbean Airlines” Enjoy Carribbean cusine and cultural information on this virtural tour of the Carribean hosted by the Office of International Programs

Student Union Rm 266 6:30pm - 8:30pm

18

Friday

Iranian Culture and Music Come experience the Iranian Culture. Then listen to Persian music by local artists.

Student Union Multipurpose Room 7:00pm

19

Saturday

20

Sunday

“Help a Homeowner, Save a Life” Benefit Concert

Opera Workshop: The Pirates of Penzance

Habitat for Humanity and the University Honors Program’s Relay for Life team are coming together to raise money with a benefit concert.

Students perform a semistaged version of the classic operetta, with music from the UNC Charlotte Chamber Orchestra.

Cone University Center McKnight Hall 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Robinson Hall Anne R. Belk Theate 8:00pm

21Monday

22

Tuesday

Study Smarter, Not Harder: 12 Tips for Effective Studying

Mallard Creek Chorale & The Charlotteans

Come and get some helpful tips for effective studying to make your academic lives easier before exams!

Part of Student Ensemble Concert Series presented by the UNC Charlotte Department of Music.

Fretwell Rm 310 12:30pm - 1:00pm

Robinson Hall Anne R. Belk Theater 8:00pm

FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 28, 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 Baby bovine 5 At the drop of __ 9 Ice cream brand that’s “Grand” 13 Ice cream-andcookies brand 14 “The Thinker” sculptor 16 Fat unit 17 Tailless cat 18 Steak option 19 Hereditary code carrier 20 Ted Williams had a .344 lifetime one 23 Stat start 24 Fishing pole 25 Agreeable to doing 28 Site of many a shady transaction 34 More or less 36 Cacophony 37 __ Linda, California 38 Chef’s recipe words 39 Boo-boo protector 42 “Bad Moon Rising” pop gp.

43 Go ape 45 Go bad 46 Attached to the bulletin board 48 Bullet-proof vest, e.g.

51 Pries (into) 52 P&L column 53 Visibility impairer 55 Common college degree, whose abbreviation is a hint to 20-, 28-, 39- and 48Across 62 Japanese golfer Aoki 63 With 67-Across, innovative or experimental artists’ group 64 Birthday serving 66 Envelope abbr.

67 See 63-Across 68 Way out 69 Give guff to 70 Shakespearean king 71 Chip enhancers

11/28/11

By Jeff Chen

DOWN 1 Dot-__ 2 Man from Oman, often 3 Actress Olin 4 Dance that precedes “golf” in the NATO phonetic alphabet 5 Wheelchair guy on “Glee” 6 Schmooze, as with the A-list 7 Work like __ 8 Fey of “30 Rock” 9 Asian menu appetizer 10 Rasta’s hairdo 11 Yin’s counterpart 12 Hook’s sidekick 15 St. for gamblers 21 Go pitapat 22 Disco __ 25 Vandenberg or Edwards: Abbr.

26 Chico’s chicken 27 Chickens, to kids 29 Build up, as a collection 30 Hush-hush fed. org.

31 Make booties, e.g.

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

32 Game show host 33 36-inch units 35 Jamie of “M*A*S*H” 40 __ de plume 41 Tony of 60-Down 44 Constricting snakes 47 Compelled via force 49 Suffix with lemon 50 “Help Me, __”: Beach Boys hit

11/28/11

54 “... happily ever __” 55 Skewed view 56 “The Thin Man” canine 57 Fall behind 58 Roundish shape 59 Steak order 60 Sitcom set in a garage 61 Not attend 65 “Men in Black” baddies, briefly

NINERONLINE.COM

SPORTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Charlotte secures NCAA bid and home-match

PAGE 11

SPORTS SCHEDULE

Today Men’s Soccer vs. Furman 7 p.m.

Saturday Women’s Basketball vs. Elon 7p.m.

Men’s Basketball @ Lamar TBA

SPORTS RESULTS Women’s Basketball

WIN vs.

Presbyterian

58-42 Men’s Basketball The 49ers extend their season, as they play host to the Furman Paladins tonight at 7 p.m. in NCAA opening round action. Photo by Chris Crews

Charlotte owns a 7-0-0 record at TransAmerica field, Thursday marks Charlotte’s second NCAA appearance in three years

the A-10 Tournament and going on to beat George Washington in the final game.

Despite the tournament loss, Charlotte beat Xavier 1-0 in the rain earlier this

Joel Hanel JHANEL1@UNCC.EDU

Monday evening, sitting in anticipation, the Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer team was given a birth in this year’s NCAA tournament.

season at Transamerica field.

Furman notably went on an eight game streak (winning or tying) during their conference play, but fell to Elon in the Southern Conference Semifinals last Friday.

From the Atlantic-10, the 49ers join Xavier, (12-4-4) who captured the A-10 Conference title for the second year in a row, beating the 49ers in the first round of

“We are excited that we get to entertain Furma, and equally excited to play a great soccer team. Most of all the players are thrilled to continue playing,” said Coach Gunn.

Furman began their season with a

73-57 Cross Country

#10 vs.

NCAA East Regional

The 49ers defeated UNC Greensboro 1-0 at home, propelling the team to another victory at Virginia the following week.

Volleyball

The duo of Zimmerman and Ontiveros are young threats that compose the Paladin lineup.

Both Charlotte and Furman match up evenly in shots per game, as the Niners average 17.7 and the Paladins average 15.8.

“Our players have played the toughest schedule we’ve had here, and we’ve got the best record since I’ve been here, said Gunn.

“We’ve got the confidence to say we can beat anybody in college soccer.”

If the Niners beat Furman in the first round, they will take on eleventh seed UAB (13-3-4), who despite falling in the final game of the Conference USA finals, is ranked seventeenth in the nation.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK Amanda Goetschius

NC Central

UNC Greensboro (10-8-2) was left out of the tournament after losing to Elon in the Southern Conference, a team that beat Furman earlier in the season.

Sophomore Martin Ontiveros, contributed five goals and six assists.

Editorial cartoon courtesy of Niner Times archives.

After hearing the news, head coach Jeremy Gunn said, “We are so proud and so excited. We had a senior day a couple of weeks ago and we talked to the players and we said, you know what guys, its too early in the year for you great players who put so much effort into the program to quit now.”

Furman joins Elon (9-10-2), the Southern Conference champions, as one of the two teams representing the Southern Conference in the NCAA tournament.

The 49ers will face a young Furman team led by several underclassmen.

Freshman Coleton Henning leads Furman in scoring with seven goals and four assists.

Apart from having a record breaking season, with several big wins over Virginia and UNC Greensboro, the Niners will have the opportunity to host the first round of the NCAA action.

In the first-round game hosted at Transamerica field, the Niners take on Furman (14-3-4), who were ranked as high as No. 16 in the nation during the season.

rocky start, losing to Wake Forest 2-1, tying Campbell 0-0, and losing to Duke 1-0, before beating Rutgers 3-1 in the Nike Aaron Olitskey Memorial Classic.

WIN vs.

WIN vs.

Rhode Island

3-2

Women’s Basketball

WIN vs.

Arkansas State

78-48

Men’s Basketball

WIN vs.

Central Michigan

77-75

Senior Amanda Goetschius led the Cross Country Team in the NCAA South East Regional by placing 12th overall. Her finish helped propel the Niners to a 10th place finish.

PAGE 12

NINERTIMES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Season SNAPSHOT

Volleyball Brian Chan BCHAN@UNCC.EDU

Season Recap The Charlotte 49ers women’s volleyball team didn’t have the luxury of an 8-3 start or a 9-6 record in non-conference play last season, but similar to the play from last year, the Niners made a late-season surge.

Last year, the Niners opened conference play with four losses before posting a 7-4 conference record in the latter half of the season.

This year, the Niners had an 0-6 start in the conference and ended the year with seven wins in their final nine contests.

Charlotte, projected to finish fifth in the

Atlantic-10 this year, fell just short of qualifying for postseason for the third consecutive year.

The Niners started to see the results go their way as they won seven of the nine matches, following the Dig Pink match.

The team started to climb in the standings, vying to make its third consecutive playoff appearance. The Niners peaked at sixth place in the A-10, but were just outside the playoff window as they were at a tiebreak disadvantage to Rhode Island.

The Niners picked up a crucial win against the Dukes in yet another five-game war.

Charlotte finished the season with its

last three matches coming off five-setters, putting together a 7-2 record in marathon matches, but despite a 3-2 win over Rhode Island on Sunday, Charlotte barely missed out on its chance of prolonging its season.

“We are bummed to be knocked out of the tournament on a tiebreaker, but we finished strong and held together with these last seven wins and I am very proud of that.”

- Coach Redding

Amanda Videmsek Videmsek was another key player in the early going as she was named to the All-Tournament team in the Lipscomb Invitational.

Videmsek, however, missed six matches after posting an 18-kill performance in the win over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Videmsek re-emerged late into the season, recording double-digit kills in three of the final four matches.

The Niners were not able to grab a spot in the A-10 Tournament despite a win over Rhode Island.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Athletics

Videmsek matched her season-high of 18 kills in the regular season finale.

After being named to the A-10 All-Rookie team last year, Videmsek followed with a stronger sophomore campaign this year, registering 2.53 kills and 1.03 blocks per set, both of which are improvements from last season. Videmsek led the Niners with a .303 attack percentage.

Bianca Rouse As the primary attacker, Rouse punched in back-to-back 300-kill seasons, achieving a new personal high with 364 kills this season.

Rouse raised her kill average from 3.16 to 3.47 per set. Rouse’s strong play was also shown on the defensive end as she totaled 272 digs, averaging a teamhigh 2.59 per set, to go along with her 14 double-doubles.

Sheri Davis Charlotte’s 2011 season traces back to its focal point, the team captain Sheri Davis. Davis had a phenomenal junior season last year with a .351 attack percentage and a 5.55 kills-to-attack error ratio.

Davis, who is well-known to contribute on the offensive end, thrived as a setter, surpassing the 1,000-assist mark as she averaged 9.55 assists per set.

Davis adjusted her role this season, increasing her contributions on offense.

Davis, who had 2.69 attacks per set last year, posted 4.17 attacks per set this year.

Davis greatly surpassed her previous high of 362 attacks in her sophomore year with 429 attacks in her final year.

Despite not being able to play another game in a Charlotte 49ers uniform, Davis concluded her collegiate career on a high note.