The Lumberjack -- April 23, 2015 Edition

LUMBERJACK The

NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT

JackCentral.org

INSIDE Life: Take Back the Night — pg. 19 Sports: Tennis — pg. 24 A&E: Vance Joy — pg. 33

VOICE SINCE 1914 • VOL 101 • ISSUE 28 • APR. 23 - APR. 29, 2015

Public tuition hearing

O

NAU Relay for Life participants attempt to walk under a limbo stick Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Walkup Skydome. See more photos from NAU’s Relay for Life at JackCentral.org. (Photo by Nick Humphries)

RELAY FOR LIFE / HIP-HOP WEEK

Ethnic studies professor Ricardo Guthrie participates in live graffiti at the University Union Monday, April 20, 2015 as part of Hip-Hop Appreciation week. (Photo by Jasmine Coro)

BY AMY OWINGS

n April 20, NAU students and administrators met in the Extended Campuses building to participate in a public tuition hearing facilitated by the Arizona Board of Regents.

The participants at the hearing were able to interact with students and administrators from ASU and the UA through a large-screen broadcast that utilized a group webchat format to include live stream from each of the three main campuses, as well as several satellite campuses.

During the hearing, the president of each university first set forth his or her 2016 fiscal year tuition proposal.

NAU set forth a proposed tuition amount of $10,358 for entering in-state students and $23,000 for entering non-resident students, a 3.7 percent increase for both. The information technology fee will also increase by one dollar per credit hour, and the physician’s assistant graduate program fee will increase by $2,000.

“Because of the additional [state budget] cuts we’ve had to increase modestly; that amount is still within the range and our students will pick up a portion, but a small portion, of the overall $17.3 million cut,” said NAU President Rita Cheng.

ASU has proposed no tuition increase for in-state students but rather a one-year surcharge of $320, as well as a four-percent increase for out-of-state students and an 11.6 percent increase for undergraduate international students.

UA will raise tuition for incoming in-state freshmen by 4.07 percent and 10.91 percent for incoming out-ofstate freshmen. The rest of the undergraduate class will see their tuition remain the same, thanks to a locked-tuition rate similar to NAU’s Pledge Program.

The second part of the hearing allowed time for students from each campus to express their opinions on the tuition proposals. The majority of the students who spoke expressed discontent about the state budget cuts but supported the moderate increases to the universities’ tuition.

“Every year since 2008, 48.3 percent has been divested from higher education,” said Cesar Aguilar, a sophomore history and political science major and ASNAU member.

“Education in Arizona has become a joke. I don’t think it’s the Board of Regents’ fault, and I know it’s the state legislature’s fault, and it’s definitely something we have to fix.”

Many students who spoke at the hearing also expressed their support for the “DREAMers,” undocumented students who were brought across the border at a very young age, to receive in-state tuition rates and financial benefits at the state universities, which they are currently denied.

Go to Jackcentral.org for daily updates, multimedia packages, extra content and stories before the issue hits the stands.

News FromTheEditor

W

I WANT YOU FOR T HE

LUMBERJACK

The Lumberjack is searching for students interested in helping produce the weekly student newspaper next semester.

Writers

Designers Section Editors Copy Editors Photographers And more

2 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

ith only three weeks left in the semester, I think it is safe to say that a lot of our student body is feeling the same way — stressed. I don’t know if this is just in my classes, but it seems as if the workload has picked up after spring break and has unfortunately been nonstop since then.

Syllabus schedules are quickly being highlighted down to the very last section — class books are being finished, study guides are being handed out and end of the year projects/assignments are being finalized.

Students seem to stress out more than usual during finals week because of the anxiety that already surrounds taking tests. In my years here at NAU, I have dealt with some stress and anxiety when it comes to final exams and projects because final exam week can be the most stressful time of the year for college students. With summer vacation right around the corner, the mere mention of the world “finals” can send students into a tailspin.

There are a lot of ways to deal with stress and anxiety when it ANDREA GARCIA comes to finals, but first, it is important to take a deep breath, relax A&E EDITOR yourself and plan out a schedule that will allow you to tackle each one of your classes.

Steps that have helped me in the past when preparing for finals are: organizing myself, getting a good amount of sleep, ignoring social media for a while, eating a well-balanced meal and most importantly, avoiding cramming.

After finals are over, a good thing to do is to reflect back on your semester. What could you have done better and how will you fix it for next time? I wish everyone luck in preparation for finals and of course, good luck on exams.

Thanks for reading.

LUMBERJACK The

Editor-in-Chief Vincent Peña

Managing Editor RobinLi Uber

Creative Directors Phillip Nogueras Mitchell Forbes Faculty Advisor Peter Friederici

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 lumberjack@nau.edu

P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Sales Manager Marsha Simon

Student Media Center Editorial Board Photo Editor Evan Jon Paniagua Assoc. Photo Editor Alyssa Jeske Senior Photographers J. Daniel Hud Zac Velarde

News Editor Alexis Montaño Assoc. News Editor Amy Owings

Copy Chief Aubrey Magee

Comics Editor Jules Everson

Sports Editor Jasmyn Wimbish

A&E Editor Grace Fenlason Assoc. A&E Editor Andrea Garcia Life Editor Jacob Hall Assoc. Life Editor Gabriella Weiss

Opinion Editor Kevin Morrow Assoc. Opinion Editor Cheyanne Mumphrey Lead Designer Tim Guthrie Section Designers Ashley Karzin Emily Baker-Slama Megan Troutman

News

Police Beat April 13 At 5:27 p.m., staff at Allen Hall reported smelling marijuana. Two officers were dispatched and two students were referred to Student Life for the use of marijuana.

April 14 At 11:32 p.m., staff at Mountain View Hall called to report that an individual who was not a student had been seen wandering through the dorm. The subject had entered one room and taken money from another. When the two officers arrived, they were unable to find the subject and the case was closed.

April 15 At 6 a.m., Flagstaff Police Department called to report that the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) had two subjects reporting to have been sexually assaulted at Sechrist Hall between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

April 14. Two officers were dispatched and the case is still open.

At 1:23 p.m., an individual called to report that another individual was threatening damage to their vehicle at Hilltop Townhomes. This occurred between 12 a.m. and 12:30 am. An officer was dispatched and the matter was resolved.

At 4:12 p.m., an individual reported that a construction worker had fallen from scaffolding and injured his leg at the San Francisco Parking Garage.

An officer, as well as Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Guardian Medical Transport (GMT),

BY BRIANNA FIELDS

were dispatched.

The subject was transported to the FMC for further care.

April 16 At 9:32 a.m., an employee from the Ponderosa Building called to report that there was an individual inside the building who was banging on the doors and yelling obscenities. Two officers were dispatched and the subject was booked into the Coconino County Jail.

At 2:55 p.m., a subject reported that his car had been stolen from Hilltop Townhomes parking garage.

An officer was dispatched and the vehicle was located in lot 7A. The vehicle was not stolen; the subject had forgotten where the vehicle was parked.

At 11:08 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop in lot 66. The subject was cited for speeding and driving with a suspended license. The vehicle was towed for a mandatory 30day impound.

April 17 At 1:18 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in lot 31. The driver had an outstanding warrant with Coconino County Sheriff ’s Office (CCSO) and the subject was arrested and booked into Coconino County jail for the warrant.

The subject had been drinking and DUI charges awaited lab results. The car was towed for a mandatory 30-day impound.

At 10:08 a.m., an individual called to report a dog without an owner loose outside Mountain View Hall. An officer was

dispatched and the dog was returned to its owner.

April 18 At 3:12 a.m., an unconscious male was reported at Gabaldon Hall.

An officer, as well as FFD and GMT, were dispatched.

The person was transported to FMC and criminally deferred for underage consumption of alcohol.

At 5:47 a.m., CCSO dispatch reported a transient camp near Pine Knoll Drive and McConnell Drive. An officer was dispatched and the three subjects were warned of trespassing and left voluntarily.

At 8:19 p.m, the staff at Drury Inn reported a subject passed out in the second-floor hallway. An officer was dispatched as well as FFD and GMT. The subject did not need medical attention and was booked into the CCDF for trespassing.

April 19 At 1:41 a.m., a student at Morton Hall reported that another student had taken an unknown amount of painkillers. Two officers we dispatched, as well as FFD and GMT. The student was transported to FMC. At 1:16 p.m., someone called from a phone box in the elevator at the Health and Learning Center to report that the elevator was stuck and the doors would not open. An officer was dispatched and the person was able to get out of the elevator. After the subject was helped out of the elevator, the elevator appeared to be working fine.

Apr. 16 - Apr. 22, 2015 | The Lumberjack 3

News

Lettuce raise awareness about migrant workers

Protestors walk toward North Campus carrying lettuce and farm tools. (Photo

by J. Daniel Hud)

Protestors prepare for a march across campus from South Campus to North Campus Monday, April 20, 2015. (Photo by J. Daniel Hud)

Student activists dressed as migrants march in front of the Union to raise awareness about migrant farmworkers. (Photo by Nick Humphries)

S Emily Watson and Nick Ondrejech march by South Campus wearing masks and bandanas while others carry cardboard signs illustrating the issue. (Photo by J. Daniel Hud)

4 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

BY SCOTT BUFFON

tudents in two first-year seminar classes focusing on food and art activism walked from The W.A. Franke College of Business building to North Campus to raise awareness about migrant farm workers.

Twelve students wore identical white masks to represent the people lacking identities. Two other students wore a business suit and a Statue of Liberty costume. The student businessman and Statue of Liberty led the workers through a

constructed border wall made of painted plastic pipes.

After they crossed the border, the masked students started serving salads to observing students and an Uncle Sam character. While the students ate, the masked workers read political and personal slam poetry, but were shoved away by an angered Uncle Sam. The faceless workers walked back to the business building while holding signs about migrant rights and abuse.

News

Navajo one bill away from construction in Grand Canyon

LEFT: Signs of activism along United States Highway 89 on Navajo Nation territory. RIGHT: Wheat-paste artwork featuring Renae Yellowhorse overlooks Highway 89. (Photos by CJ Penido)

N

BY SCOTT BUFFON

ation wide, legislators are looking for more businesses to boost their economy by opening in their district.

This includes the Navajo Nation.

Confluence Partners, LLC is attempting to build the so-called Escalade project on the rim and inside of the Grand Canyon.

If Navajo leaders approve of the bill, the building will commence as early as this summer. The building site is located outside Grand Canyon National Park. This means that the Navajos’ part of the Grand Canyon can be built upon by whomever the Navajo deem worthy.

The building plans include a fourstar restaurant, hotel, gondola ride into the canyon, RV park, walkway along the side of the canyon, another restaurant, amphitheater and the ambiguity of future plans. This has caused a canyon-sized divide within the Navajo people. While some look to improve their economy, others look to defend their culture’s holy land: the Confluence.

Several honors students from NAU had the opportunity to visit the Confluence April 4, where the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River meet, to see the site and judge the plans for themselves. They traveled more than two hours off-road and through sheep grazing lands to find the site.

“I think this development is pretty inconsiderate. I think it deserves a lot more attention than it’s receiving,” said freshman environmental studies and sustainability major Emily Haworth. “It’s one thing to say that there should be more development, but there’s another thing to say that there should be an RV park on the Navajo’s most sacred land.”

Ted Martinez, Honors lecturer, helped explain the cultural significance of the site to the students.

“It is the actual origin spot for the Hopi people,” Martinez said. “They believe that their people actually came from the previous world into this world right at that location.

They also believe that when they die, [their souls] return to that world.”

Also, the salt mines in the area are a part of a rite of passage for youth of the land.

“For thousands of years, they would go to that location and retrieve the salt, bring it back to their family as sort of starting their adulthood,” Martinez said. “That’s just a small amount of the sacredness that I’ve heard.”

On the drive in, the van stopped where its travelers could see the local street art, art that Martinez called “Resistance Art.” Throughout the stops, one local artist made repeat appearances — Jetsonorama.

According to Martinez, Jetsonorama

lives on the Navajo Reservation and has become a key player in the resistance against the building. The first piece students were able to see stood on an old water tank, almost acting as a billboard. A Native American man dancing with the words “Love Life” written behind it.

Later, his work appeared again on the side of a repurposed highway stand.

In the piece, a man stands at the Grand Canyon building site in black-and-white while multiple red, blue, pink and orange gondolas float in the air around him; the gondolas block much of the view of the canyon. At the top, the words read “www. savetheconfluence.com.”

A video on the website claims that the group attempting to build on the canyon does not believe there is any cultural relevance to the place they are trying to build.

Tomas Robinson was the tour guide on the trip. He informed the students about the Navajo culture, about when the road developments on the way in would begin and which businesses would also be hurt by the installation of Confluence business.

Once the van ventured off the main developed road, the van could have been easily lost in the massive spider web of crossing roads without Robinson. He explained the modern cowboy to students as sheep, goats and sheepdogs crossed the

road. In the distance, a large pickup truck with ranchers inside sat on the top of a hill, watching the sheep cross the Navajo Nation lands.

After a several hours of driving, many students realized that the roads to the building site would have to be cleared and paved to make way for the massive influx of tourists. Students wondered about the massive amounts of water, electricity and trash that would have to be brought in and out of the canyon area.

Confluence Partners, LLC believes it is doing a service by bringing a once-hidden part of the canyon to the public. It also argues that it would bring in jobs to the Navajo Nation economy, which currently sits at 42 percent unemployment.

Haworth wonders if the permanent minimum-wage jobs from the amenities like the hotel, fast-food or four-star restaurants would contribute very much to the local economy.

“I would hope that people will learn more about this, contact their representative, and take action. Because we have a very limited time before this is actually going to start taking place,” Haworth said. “It’s more than just the Navajos’ land that’s at stake.

This development could mean that there will be even more developments like this along the rim of the Grand Canyon.”

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 5

School of Communication College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Advertising INTRO TO ADVERTISING ADVERTISING MEDIA SELECTION COOPERATIVE EDUCATION FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE

1239 1240 1241 1242

Lei, R. Lei, R. Mitchell, K. Mitchell, K.

COMMUNICATION ANALYSIS WRITING FOR COMM CHANNELS BASIC COMMUNICATION THEORY MASS MEDIA & SOCIETY RACE, GENDER & MEDIA

1414 1428 1415/1416 1418 1419 1420/1421 1429 2123

Staff Faust, R. Deterding, A. / Schutten, J. Sommerness, M. Foster, D. Torn, J. / Sommerness, M. Anderfuren, A. Neumann, M.

1488 1422 1423 1424

Staff Umphrey, L. Mahaffey, J. Baker-Ohler, M.

INTRO ELECTRONIC & NEW MEDIA INTRO TO MEDIA STUDIES CONVERGED MEDIA WORKSHOP I CONVERGED MEDIA WORKSHOP II THE ART OF CINEMA COOPERATIVE EDUCATION FIELD WORK EXPERIENCE INDEPENDENT STUDY

1243 1244 1245/1246/1247 1248/1249/1250 1251 1252 1253 1254

Anderfuren, A. Torn, J. Medoff, N. Medoff, N. Helford, P. Mitchell, K. Mitchell, K. Medoff, N.

JLS 104 JLS 105 JLS 208

GRAMMAR AND STYLE INTRO TO JOURNALISM FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE

1255 1256 1257

DuMity, A. Sommerness, M. Faust, R.

JLS 399 JLS 408 JLS 490 JLS 497

SPECIAL TOPICS: INT. JOURNALISM FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE JOURNALISM IMMERSION EXPER INDEPENDENT STUDY

2035 1258/2036 1996 1259

Camden, L. Faust, R. / Camden, L. Camden, L. Medoff, N.

ADV 207 ADV 310 ADV 389 ADV 408

Communication COM 101 COM 131 COM 200 COM 212 COM 301 COM 400 COM 402 COM 698

MASS COMM REGULATION/RESPONSIBILITY SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY SEMINAR IN COMM THEORY

Communication Studies CST 111 CST 315 CST 321 CST 472

FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING BUS & PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Electronic Media and Film EMF 121 EMF 122 EMF 251 EMF 252 EMF 382 EMF 389 EMF 408 EMF 497

Journalism

Photography PHO 181 PHO 199 PHO 281

COMMUNICATION PHOTOGRAPHY 1260 SPECIAL TOPICS: THEORY & PSYC OF PHOTOG. 1261 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY 1262

Mehmedinovic, H. Hessinger, J. Minkler, S.

INTRO TO PUBLIC RELATIONS NEW MEDIA ENGAGEMENT COOPERATIVE EDUCATION FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE

1267 1268 1269 1270

Sinaga, S. Thull, J. Mitchell, K. Mitchell, K.

1271 1272

Mitchell, K. Mitchell, L.

Public Relations

GET AHEAD IN YOUR STUDIES!!! nau.edu/summer

PR 272 PR 373 PR 389 PR 408

Visual Communication VC 101 VC 161

COMMUNICATION DESIGN HISTORY OF VISUAL COMM

News

Jared Gorshe selected as new ABOR student regent

N

BY AMY OWINGS

AU student Jared Gorshe has been chosen as the new Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) student regent.

ABOR is the governing board for the three state universities. It works in partnership with the university presidents in matters such as setting tuition, developing academic plans and public outreach.

The board chooses up to two student regents at a time from the three state universities, and these students each serve for a period of two years, one as a non-voting member and one as a voting member.

Gorshe, a senior political science and criminal justice major, was chosen based on his experience in ASNAU and his commitment to student affairs. Gorshe has attended ABOR meetings in the past for his position on ASNAU and has also served as the chairman of the Arizona Federation of College Republicans.

“This was an important step in continuing my work in serving the students. I feel strongly about student issues, I feel strongly about student voice,” Gorshe said. “So this is definitely a step that I think I’m qualified for to represent all students across Arizona.”

Gorshe has served on ASNAU since his sophomore year and currently holds the position of chief of staff.

“As chief of staff, I’ve had the opportunity and the ability to meet with a lot of different folks on campus, a lot of it’s been administrators, and see different perspectives, and understand the constraints that everyone is under,” Gorshe said. “I look forward to continue working on those things and continuing to meet people and continuing to discuss their concerns.”

Senior marketing major and ASNAU vice president of Academic Affairs Nick Startt, who has known Gorshe for two years through their participation in ASNAU, said that Gorshe is very qualified for his new position.

“Jared is very hardworking and driven. He always comes into work with a smile on his face and is very kind to everyone who steps in the office,” Startt said. “He has always laid out a plan of what he wants to see this position be.”

In order to obtain the student regent position, Gorshe went through a complicated application process that included meetings with the Arizona Senate and culminated in a nomination from Gov. Doug Ducey.

“I applied with the university, I applied with the governor’s office and I went and I had a committee meeting which was really interesting,” Gorshe said. “Going down to the Capitol and going through the Senate education committee and eventually the full Senate was a lot of fun and it was a neat experience to learn how not only this process works but how a lot of other processes work.”

While serving as the student regent, Gorshe plans to prioritize student desires and issues.

“The number one thing for me is insuring that I’m able to meet with students, student leaders, whether it’s in the student government or whether it’s campus leaders . . . in order to serve their interests in my role on ABOR,” Gorshe said.

Gorshe also wants to look at every issue brought to ABOR from an objective point of view.

“There’s a lot of complicated issues. It’s difficult to synthesize everything, and you have to take a step back and realize that everyone has their own set of concerns,” Gorshe said.

On April 20 NAU students and administrators gathered in the Extended Campuses building to participate in a public tuition hearing facilitated by the Arizona Board of Regents.

Jared Gorshe of ASNAU was recently appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents. (Photo by CJ Penido)

ABOR Treasurer Rick Myers said Gorshe will serve as a necessary addition to the board.

“The role of the students is critical to the effective operation of the board. They give us insights into student needs and help us to formulate policy to create the best situation for all,” Myers said.

Beyond serving on ABOR, Gorshe will continue his studies at NAU in the Master of Public Administration program. He hopes eventually to attend law school and become an attorney, and perhaps one day work in public policy.

Gorshe will officially start his position as student regent July 1.

UA will raise tuition for incoming in-state freshmen by 4.07 percent and 10.91 percent for incoming out-of-state freshmen. The rest of the undergraduate class will see their tuition remain the same thanks to a locked-tuition rate similar to NAU’ s Pledge Program.

And so by linking those two together, one climate change. I’m an evolutionary we are building a lot morehearing bridgesallowed between time ecologist so I’m really in looking The second part of the for students from interested each campus to biology and forestry, but it is also the way at how the traits of the trees evolve over express their the tuition proposals.

The majority the students who to combine all opinions these new on research projects,” time, using molecularof data,” Whipple said. spoke discontent over the state budget cuts butrecently supported the moderate Waringexpressed said.

Scientists discovered these There is currently funding for the traits can be passed on to the next generation increases to the universities’ tuition. program which will last five years, but both of white pine. For example, if temperature “Every year since 2008, 48.3 percent has been divested from higher education,” Whipple and Waring agreed that there are was to change, then the optimum said Aguilar, a sophomore history political science major ASNAU manyCesar questions to be answered and that and germination time would alsoand change.

The it is probable the project will go on for a tree could pass on this information to its member. “Education in Arizona has become a joke. I don’t think it’s the [Arizona] longer period of time. At the moment, it is offspring and over time, there would be a Board of Regents fault, and I know it’s the state legislature’s fault, and it’s definitely just Whipple and Waring along with a few change in germination time. something we have to fix.”on the project. graduate students working Before any of this research began, NAU They hope to involve more graduate students had to be awarded funding, Many students that spoke at the hearing also expressed theirthe support forwhich the took and undergraduate students in the future. two grant cycles.

‘DREAMers’ , undocumented students who were brought across the border at a While Waring is focused mainly on “I think we had a really good idea and I very young age,pines to receive in-state tuition rates financial theisstate studying white in relation to blister thinkand we had a really benefits good teamatwho going rust, Whipple is focusing her research on to collaborate really well together,” Waring universities, which they are currently denied.

Preventing southwestern white pine tree disease

problem.”

The project is a collaboration between AU has received $4.1 million to NAU and other institutions, including study the endangered southwestern Oregon State University and Virginia The participants the grant hearing were able toCommonwealth interact with students andNAU’s adminiswhite pine.ofThe is the largest University. major forestry-related grant ever awarded to NAU. contribution — along with research trators from ASU and UA through a large-screen broadcast that utilized a group One of the focuses for this research will conducted here — is growing the white web chat format include stream frompine eachseedlings of the three main campuses as be on white pine to blister rust,live a non-native that will be used by the well several satellite campuses. treeas disease introduced to the United States other institutions. The research to be by treesthe from Europe.the While Flagstaffofpines done by these other institutions During hearing, president each university first set forth his or herincludes 2016 have not been yet been affected, the blister temperature measuring using an unmanned fiscal year tuition proposal. rust has made its way to eastern Arizona. aerial vehicle and resistance testing.

NAU setitforth proposedittuition forbe entering in-state stuShould reacha Flagstaff, would amount kill off of $10,358 “We won’t able to do this same project many white pines as well as other types of for every tree species but we can use what dents and $23,000 for entering non-resident students, a 3.7 percent increase for we pine trees. learn here to help protect other species. We both.

The information technology fee will also increase by $1 a credit hour, and “When you get into the higher are hoping that this will be one of a couple the physician’ s assistant program increase $2,000. elevations, they can be graduate the only trees up fee of will model systemsbyfor management,” said there, so if you lose them you start to affect Amy Whipple, assistant professor “Because of the additional [state budget] cuts we’ve had to increaseresearch modestly, the watershed and the snowpack,” said at NAU and partner in the program. that amount is still within the range and our students will pick up a portion but a Kristen Waring, an associate professor of This project, however, is not just a small portion the overall $17.3 million ” said NAU between PresidentNAU Rita Cheng. silviculture andofpartner in the program.

“I cut, collaboration and other think because we are responsible for moving institutions, but a collaboration within NAU ASU has proposed no tuition increase for in-state students but rather a one-year some of these trees’ diseases around and as well. surcharge of $320, as well as a 4 percent increase“Itforcombines out-of-state students and an they are really problematic for the trees we applied forestry with 11.6 increasetofortryundergraduate havepercent a responsibility and solve that international more basic students. biology and ecology research.

N

BY BRIANNA FIELDS

epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of mechanisms that make certain traits in the tree active or inactive. “[The] specific project piece I’m heading up is looking at the epigenetic changes that might be happening in these trees and how that might affect their ability to withstand

said. And we brought in a lot of cutting-edge things like the molecular genetics and the unmanned aerial vehicles and some existing seed banks. We didn’t have to start from scratch; we’ve been kinda building toward this for a few years.”

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 7

News

Colorado River in Grand Canyon The most endangered river in the U.S.

BY JAMES GINGERICH

W

here the Colorado River runs through the Grand Canyon, we find a place of exceptional ecological splendor, but we also find an area at the center of one of the most contentious debates about the future of wilderness in America.

Citing proposed residential and tourism development, as well as a relevant and continued history of uranium mining, the nonprofit organization American Rivers has identified the span of the Colorado River that runs through the Canyon as the most endangered American river in 2015.

The designation is based on pending plans and legislation that American Rivers believes has the potential to radically alter and harm the waterways’ ecosystems. Although the Colorado River has appeared on the list before with the section running through Colorado appearing in 2013 and the full river appearing last year, this is the first slice of the river at the Grand Canyon that has been specifically named.

“The Grand Canyon is facing the biggest threats in a generation,” said president of American Rivers Bob Irvin as part of a press release. “The canyon faces three serious threats, each with a key decision this year: the massive Escalade construction project in the heart of

the canyon, pollution from uranium mining on the North and South Rims, and expansion of the town of Tusayan that could deplete vital groundwater supplies.”

The first of those mentioned was the proposed Grand Canyon Escalade project at the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. The plan, as part of a partnership between the Navajo Nation and Confluence Partners, LLC, would allow for the construction of a 420-acre resort with a tramway leading directly from the rim to the river itself.

“The Little Colorado River at the confluence is not only an extremely cherished location for several regional tribes, but it is also one of the last places that an endangered fish called the humpback chub still thrives and breeds,” said Alicyn Gitlin, conservation coordinator for the Grand Canyon branch of the Sierra Club. “The Escalade project would bring 10,000 people a day to the banks of the Colorado River, and with that kind of traffic, you have sewage contamination that could further threaten the river.”

Support for the project within the Navajo Nation is stemming from a grave need to promote development in that area. Up until 2006, this area of the Navajo Nation had been barred from developing for 40 years prior due to a land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi tribes, a moratorium that the local economy

suffered until the ban was lifted.

Yet, there are members of both the Hopi and Navajo tribes who see the project as a blight on sacred land and, along with environmental groups, vehemently oppose large-scale development of the Grand Canyon.

Pollution from uranium mining has faced steeper criticism from environmental advocates who claim that the Canyon Mine, which has been slated to reopen this year, will damage groundwater supplies and contaminate the surrounding environment.

“There are literally thousands of mining claims on the plateaus surrounding Grand Canyon that are held by companies with uranium interests,” Gitlin said. “The groundwater below those mines is the same water that feeds Grand Canyon’s seeps and springs, and therefore those mines threaten to contaminate and deplete Grand Canyon’s seeps and springs.”

Energy Fuels Inc. is behind the plans to resume mining for uranium at the Grand Canyon, plans that have faced perpetual legal challenges from environmental groups and Native American tribes. The latest lawsuit, which was tossed by a federal judge April 9, asserted that a full environmental review should be done before mining resumes as the current mine was approved by a study that took place when the claim was first staked back in 1986.

Beyond the highly publicized debates surrounding uranium mining and the Confluence resort, the town of Tusayan and its plans to more than triple the size of the community have contributed to the inclusion of the Colorado at the number one spot on this year’s list.

The Italian-based Stilo Group has been purchasing the land surrounding Tusayan, a tourist town that lies on the South Rim, since the 1990s and has gradually gained a pronounced influence in the community of less than 600 people. The development company has plans to expand the town by over 2,000 homes, putting what the National Park Service, the Havasupai tribe and environmental organizations see as an unsustainable burden on the Redwall-Muav aquifer. This is the same water supply that environmental groups claim could become contaminated by Energy Fuels’ uranium mine.

“The Colorado River is threatened by other things, too: dams, drought, river regulation and water pumping, contamination from oil and gas drilling, historic uranium contamination, contamination from coalburning electric plants and coal mines, agricultural runoff that includes herbicides and pesticides and new proposed pipelines,” Gitlin said. “Considering its state, I would not be surprised to see American Rivers recognize it again.”

Flagstaff group sues over minimum wage

On April 20 NAU students and administrators gathered in the Extended Campuses building to participate in a public tuition hearing facilitated by the Arizona Board of Regents.

The participants of the hearing were able to interact with students and adminis-

the physician’s assistant graduate program fee will increase by $2,000.

“Because of the additional [state budget] cuts we’ve had to increase modestly, that amount is still within the range and our students will pick up a portion but a small portion of the overall $17.3 million cut,” said NAU President Rita Cheng.

ASU has proposed no tuition increase for in-state students but rather a one-year

BY SCOTT BUFFON from undoing or modifying the will of the voters without a Some people are in favor of the current legislation, and surcharge of $320, as well a 4not percent for out-of-state and an supermajority,” said Mik Jordahl, the coalition’s attorney, in a asdo think increase that it should be changed. students Stuart McDaniel, § 23-204, was an end run the chamber government affairs director for the Flagstaff group in Flagstaff is filing a lawsuit against the state press release. “The 2013 law, A.R.S. 11.6 percent increase for undergraduate international students. around voters,aand without that required Chamber of Commerce, believes that changing of Arizona to return the power aoflarge-screen setting a minimum trators from ASU and UA through broadcast thatthe utilized group UAsupermajority will raise tuition forinincoming in-state freshmen by 4.07 percent the andminimum 10.91 both houses.” wage has downsides. wage to the cities. web chat include live stream from each the three Ifmain campuses percent forcase, incoming out-of-state freshmen. resttoofsee thethat undergraduate the courts decideas to preside over the the coalition “We are alreadyThe starting when you go toclass Fry’s, Theformat ArizonatoState Legislature created a law in of 2013 current minimum wage in or the grocery are seeing therate electronic well as several satellite see their tuition remain thetosame thanksstore, to ayou locked-tuition similarcheckto saying that it had the solecampuses. power to set the minimum wage and assumes the answer is clear. Thewill Arizona is $8.05. out, ” McDaniel said.

“The labor cost gets to a certain level and amount of benefits employees receive in all cities in Arizona.

During the hearing, the president of each university first set forth his or her 2016 NAU’s Pledge Program.

“Everybody talks all of the time about Flagstaff being [the people] are replaced by robots.”

According to the new lawsuit, this directly contradicts Arizona fiscal year tuition proposal.

The second partand of laugh, the hearing allowed time forisstudents from each campus to nod our heads ” Bader says there a possibility that Attorney General Proposition 202, passed in 2006, that grants cities the right to poverty with a view. We all stand, NAU set forth a proposed tuition amount of $10,358 for entering in-state stutheir said the coalition’s spokespersonexpress Joe Bader.

“I opinions think that’soa Mark Bernavich, the main defendant in the case, will agree set their own minimum wage.

The group that filed the lawsuit phrase that increase is should be is theand Flagstaff Living Coalition. dents $23,000 forWage entering non-resident students, a 3.7 percent forput in the dustbin of history and we with their lawsuit and not take it to trial, but they will not know until they hear back from the state.

“The Arizona Constitution prohibits the state legislature should look at Flagstaff as prosperity with a view.” both. The information technology fee will also increase by $1 a credit hour, and

A

8 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

Build a better future

“

to build a better world.

ASU’s New College is focused on instruction that is innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative and solution-based.

Contact a graduate studies advisor today at 602-543-6295 to learn more about our graduate programs.

• Social Justice and Human Rights

We support Cash for Local Change.

• Communication

• Social Technologies • English

• Interdisciplinary Studies

• Psychology

New College’s Social Justice and Human Rights program helped me become a more effective communicator, fundraiser, networker and leader for my organization.

Rocket Runway Benefit Show at the Continental Country Club on July 3rd supporting local United Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

Kuol Awan Executive Director, Lost Boys Center for Leadership Development

Apply Now: 602-543-6295 newcollege.asu.edu

Good Vision is Cool.

Dr. robert Koppany, optometrist

U C B E R K E L E Y G R A D U AT E

Examinations for Glasses and Soft Contact Lens.

Treatment for Eye Injuries and Emergencies.

JC Penney Optical – Flagstaff Mall: 928.526.2580 Exam Hours • Tuesday 11:00 – 7:00 • Friday 10:00 – 6:00 • Saturday 10:00 – 5:00 Eyemed and other insurances accepted.

Same day walk-ins possible but appointments are advised.

Black and Birch Apparel Co. Offering cutting edge fashion to men & women throughout Northern Arizona New Work Shifts-

Overnight Stays NOT Reqired

We have new work shifts that give you the option to work P/T or F/T. Weekends and weekday shifts avaiable. We pay for training and give you the opportunity to work hands-on as a Direct Support Provider.

Come work with us and make a difference in someone’s life. Find out why we are an award winning provider for adults with disabilities.

!

Independent Designer apparel, jewelry and shoes with Image consultations available! Come in through the month of April and save 20% off everything in store for our Pre Graduation Celebration!!

Flagstaff Office

928.526.7944 - Phone 928.526.5909 - Fax

Offer extended to NAU students and faculty only!

Prescott Office

928.445.6996 - Phone 928.445.6985 - Fax

www. hozhoni.com

We support a drug free work environment. EOE 14041vF Koppany_NovemberAd_BW.indd 1

11/21/14 4:19 PM

EMPIRE SELF STORAGE ATTN: STUDENTS Reserve Storage Unit Today For Summer Break Discount rates for students w/College I.D. 4951 E Empire Ave. Flagstaff ,AZ 1-­‐(928)-­‐527-­‐3277 E-­‐mail: empiremini@msn.com www.empirestorageflagsaff.com

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE To Advertise, Contact Marsha.Simon@nau.edu

Editorial&Opinion

H

Staff picks: Game of Thrones Who should win the Iron Throne?

ere at The Lumberjack, opinions sometimes sprawl outside the section and into the office. With the start of Season 5 of HBO’s Game of Thrones, here are some of the picks from Lumberjack editors and writers on who should sit on the Iron Throne of Westeros. *Spoiler Alert*

only problem with Jon ruling is his Night’s Watch vows, which apparently he could only break for Ygritte.

—Rachel Dexter, Opinion Writer

Daenerys Targaryen Who is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne? That question in itself is one of the major plot lines of the entire Game of Thrones series. I feel the person who should be sitting on the Iron Throne is Daenerys Targaryen because of how she rules over her subjects, regardless of any birth or family rights that may exist. She is kind but firm, flexible and open to change and listens to other’s opinions. But most of all, she is fiercely dedicated to her people. It should come as no surprise that her people follow her so willingly because of her qualities as a ruler.

—Zakii Bradley, Photographer I support Daenerys for the following reasons: (1) Dragons; (2) Daenerys is a strong independent woman who doesn’t need no brother, husband or king; (3) She will take what is hers by blood and fire: (4) Daenerys stole an army, I mean, who does that? (5) Dragons; (6) People followed her and she inspires loyalty; even after Drogo died, many of the Dothraki were loyal to her. She freed the Unsullied and they fight for her; (7) She was born with a royal name but made herself a queen; (8) She’s not Joffrey; (9) She actually cares about justice; (10) Dragons (in case you forgot).

—Brianna Hamilton, News Reporter Daenerys deserves the Iron Throne because she has dragons, and dragons are awesome. However, she is also the most capable leader out of all the candidates.

She is ruthless when necessary and kind and generous when possible. She is the people’s queen and she would be the most beloved. She also has dragons.

—Dalton Davidson, Opinion Writer

Jon Snow In a perfect world, Ned Stark never would have died and would have instead ruled the Iron Throne. But, this is not a perfect world and Ned Stark no longer has his head. The next best option is Jon Snow. While he is the illegitimate child of Stark, that does not mean he shouldn’t be able to take the Iron Throne. Jon Snow is his father’s son. He has fought in battles and he has led the men of the Night’s Watch to victory against the wildings. He was also elected to be Lord Commander, which means men have and will put their lives in his hands because they trust him. He is the perfect person to take a seat in the Iron Throne. The

should be next in line for the throne. But because Renly was killed, presumably by Melisandre, that only leaves Stannis Baratheon to rule. As much as I don’t really care for Stannis, he has the only legitimate claim to sit on the Iron Throne. In a perfect world, Ned Stark would still be alive and the Starks of Winterfell would rule Westeros, but he’s not, and Winterfell is gone, and they didn’t have any legitimate claim to the throne anyway, so that only leaves Stannis.

—Vincent Peña, Head Honcho

Tyrion Lannister I doubt Tyrion will ever sit on the Iron Throne, but I absolutely think that he should. Tyrion is easily the best character in Game of Thrones; he’s complex, well-read, versed in history, brave, loyal, politically savvy, an excellent negotiator and to top it all off, he is also a decent human being.

—Carrie Bindschadler, Copy Editor

Margaery Tyrell

Graphic by Naomi Blackwell

Stannis Baratheon By all the laws of men and history, Stannis is the rightful ruler of Westeros, and should be sitting on the Iron Throne. He is also the only contender that does not seek the throne for selfish reasons, but rather sees it as his duty and responsibility. Stannis may not be the most religiously tolerant, but no one is perfect. He has the military and leadership qualities necessary to defeat the evil houses and defend the realm, like he did at the Wall. Stannis is the only choice for the Iron Throne; his wife however, is another story.

—Kevin Morrow, Opinion Editor After King Robert Baratheon died, the next in line to take the Iron Throne would be his oldest son, Joffrey.

But let’s be real, Joffrey and the rest of his siblings are not Robert’s children, but rather the product of the incestual relationship between Cersei and Jaime Lannister, so therefore, by the laws of gods and men, Robert’s brothers

Although my love for Daenerys Targaryen is sometimes the only thing fueling my desire to the watch the show, I believe Margaery Tyrell will rule Westeros and sit on the Iron Throne. Not only is she cunning and intelligent but Margaery also has a hold on Tommen Baratheon and is close enough to the current seat of power to take over and rule. As revealed in a recent episode she may be part of a destructive prophecy told to Cersei Lannister. She has a powerful but low-key family and she is a real underdog in the fight to be the Queen of Westeros.

—Grace Fenlason, A&E Editor

Joffrey Baratheon Can we assess? We can argue all we want about who is the best fit for the Iron Throne, but I believe that the best-fit individual is the illegitimate Baratheon, Joffrey.

Ultimately, he is the heir, and even though he may have a fascination with crossbows and mutilation, he deserves to be king. If he wasn’t poisoned, imagine the kind of leader Joffrey could have become. In the end, I don’t feel as though Joffrey was given a fair shot at the Iron Throne. With his maniacal mother and a power-hungry grandfather, Joffrey was never given a chance to spread his tyrannical wings, and I feel that Joffrey could have turned into the heartless monster that would rule the seven kingdoms with the iron fist that it truly deserves.

—Jacob Hall, Life Editor

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 11

Editorial&Opinion

A letter from an undecided voter

“F

our score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” This quote, attributed to one of the greatest United States presidents, Abraham Lincoln, is one of the most memorable statements made by one of our nation’s great leaders. Now, 152 years later, two recently announced presidential candidates look to campaign for a more equal and free nation.

Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio have both announced their candidacy for president and confront some of the major social debates in their campaigns, focusing on family and equality.

I should add that I’m not a Democrat nor a Republican, I’m still determining my stance in the political world. So, this is not to say that one is better than CHEYANNE the other, but more of a view from an undecided voter.

Despite being in the public’s eye and one of this MUMPHREY nation’s leaders, Clinton’s campaign speech was not Multitalented informative, professional or appealing in any way. Yes, she portrayed ethnic and sexual diversity, college debt, retirement, business owners, employment and economic struggles; however, compared to her opponent, she had no basis of information on any reforms or even a plan of action.

Clinton specifically appealed to the majority through social media and visual aesthetics compared to an honest and meaningful speech. She changed the way of campaigning and it has yet to show a positive or negative effect. We do not know how social media will impact the way candidates run and the way the public votes for our next president. However, I do not think it will benefit Clinton to appeal to minors on social media who cannot vote.

If Clinton is relying solely on appealing to people’s sense of patriotism with a phrase like “Because when families are strong, America is strong,” to get her votes, then she has some work to do. It takes a lot more than two minutes, makeup and actors to get a vote from the public.

Rubio did a much better job appealing to his audience compared to Clinton, even though he is not as politically experienced, or I think, publicly known. What I like about this guy is he has guts. Even though he came from a middle-class family with little funds to go on, he still has pride and hope for this country.

Even though both candidates mention the same political, economic and social issues, Rubio knows how to speak well. Choosing to speak at the Freedom Tower in Florida only enhanced his relationship with his audience. “It is a symbol of our nation’s identity as the land of opportunity.

And I am more confident than ever that, despite our troubles, we have it within our power to make our time another American Century,” Rubio said.

“Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to yesterday,” Rubio said — and he is completely right.

Clinton is not a bad candidate; however she should definitely work on her campaign. She has plenty of time to appeal to the masses and I would love to see Clinton make history as the first female president; however, I need to see some compelling changes and action plans.

Besides, if she becomes president, then the First Man will have been a former president and the former First Lady would be the president. Think about that.

12 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

I

Little superhero, big deal

f there is one truth in the comic book universe, it is that Ant-Man is the stupidest name for a superhero ever created.

Even worse, of all super powers among major superheroes, shrinking oneself has got to be as lame as it gets. The best part about these two truths is that Marvel’s newest film, Ant-Man — set to be released July 17 — may be the biggest surprise of the summer blockbuster spectacular.

After all, Paul Rudd playing Ant-Man (Scott Lang) may be the best matchup of superhero and actor since Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man. Rudd’s goofy personality and comedic tendency make him perfect for a superhero who is already the laughingstock of the superhero universe. Rudd, while certainly not a joke of an actor himself, DALTON has no problem humbling himself for the good DAVIDSON of comedy, and that skill will be a necessity as The Pokémaster Ant-Man. He may start the movie as a funnylooking Gambit, but there is a lot of room to grow in maturity for a character famed for stealing a shrink-suit.

With Michael Douglas playing Hank Pym (the creator of the Ant-Man suit and the original wearer of it), Corey Stoll from House of Cards as Yellowjacket, Evangeline Lilly from Lost as Hope van Dyne, and the rapper T.I. doing something, apparently, the film’s cast is far from loaded but certainly strong. However, Ant-Man lacks a big-name director or writer, and the producer, Kevin Fiege, seems to have experience quite exclusively with superhero films, mostly for The Avengers series (not necessarily a bad thing, but it might be something he wants to fix on his resume). Fortunately, music will be done by Christophe Beck from the Frozen crew, so the audience may be charmed with a musical performance by Rudd.

The important part of this film is that it directly follows what happens in The Avengers: Age of Ultron, which many speculate will begin a chain of death among the main superheroes. The main candidate for this is the Hulk, seeing as he is the only member of the big six not slated to return in either Captain America: Civil War or Thor: Ragnarok. Death begets replacement, and that has always been a main theme of The Avengers comic book series.

Therefore, Ant-Man has been brought in either as a replacement for a coming death among the main crew or as a harbinger for the approaching climax of the series, the latter being more likely given the huge list of upcoming superhero films like Dr. Strange and Black Panther and their assumed priority over Bugsy.

Now, while all the speculation about the future state of Avengers canon is wonderfully entertaining for nerds, it has also has plenty of value for economists and film theorists. The first Avengers film grossed over $1.5 billion, third highest in film history, with the series as a whole totaling over $7.1 billion over 10 movies. If those numbers fail to impress, there are currently 11 more films planned for release between May 1, when Avengers: Age of Ultron is released, and in 2019, when the series is expected to conclude with Avengers: Infinity War – Part II. It is likely that the series will double, possibly even triple, its gross performance in those five years.

For those concerned with the future of the film industry, the trailer for Ant-Man opens up a new door for computer generated imagery (CGI) technology that the film industry simply has not seen yet. While Age of Ultron will certainly have some showy animated movements, Ant-Man’s trailer shows complex fights involving the transformations between human-height and insect-height and back again, manipulating sci-fi physics to the extreme in the oddest creations of force redistribution (not that anyone watches superhero movies for the physics lessons). For this film to look good — and it certainly appears to from the trailer — some true ingenuity from the editors and producers will be required on the CGI and cinematography front in order to properly capture a battle effectively fought on two different planes of vision like in a video game.

While Ant-Man may seem to be a stupid idea for a superhero, the impact this film will have on the box office, on The Avengers saga and on the film industry cannot be understated.

Age of Ultron will take center-stage to kick off the campaign of summer blockbusters, but Ant-Man may end up being the more important film for the future of the franchise as it will determine the path that the various extra-Avengers initiative might take.

Cartoon by Eric Paul Johnson

Editorial&Opinion

Redefining ‘Girl’

Cartoon by Eric Paul Johnson

G

rowing up, I heard the phrases like “you throw like a girl” and “stop being such a girl” more times than I could count. My response was always “but I am a girl.” I never understood why my being a girl was a bad thing. I thought I was strong and just as capable as the boys. Instead of listening to the insults, I tried to find solace in the strong female characters I saw on television and in movies, but even there, I was confused. I heard the insults that were told to me being repeated by even the female characters. Can a female character actually be strong while degrading her own gender? Strong does not just mean physically strong, but also intellectually strong, emotionally strong — strong without having to break standard feminine ideals.

I am tired of supposedly strong female characters only being able to wear black and leather and say things RACHEL like “you hit like a girl” or “stop being such a girl.” Sayings DEXTER like these are degrading to women, whether one wants to The Initiator believe it or not. It conveys the message that girls are weak and fragile and incapable of being strong. Female characters should not be insulting their own gender. They should also not be seen solely as an asset to the main, typically male, character, creating the illusion of a strong female character.

Growing up, some girls see this example of what they believe is a strong female character and it influences them. They grow up to believe that a female is there to be pretty, strong and supportive to the main character, when in reality, they are the main character of their own life.

The media need to have better representation of what women and girls are like. Female characters shouldn’t be an accessory for the male characters.

Female characters can stand on their own without male counterparts and they definitely don’t have to be the love interest.

A strong female character does not need to be masculine to be strong.

She doesn’t have to be strong because of the male influence she was raised with. She does not need to use phrases such as “you hit like a girl” or “man up.” These characters do not need to be one of the guys, rely on a guy or even have a masculine presence to be strong.

Having strength is not dependent on male persona or how muscular one can be, but rather the intellectual, emotional capability and independence a female can possess.

I want to see a strong female character who is feminine and wears dresses and is intellectually strong. I want to see a strong female character who wears black and leather and helps other girls instead of calling them weak or saying “stop being such a girl.” I want to see a strong female character whose strength is her kindness or her intellect. I want to see female characters who are not just the result of one typecast.

Girl should not be used as an insult, and masculinity should not be used as an identifier of someone’s strength.

SoundOff

T

he Lumberjack encourages an open forum on appropriate public issues and welcomes letters to the editor.

All letters must include the author’s name, majors and/or profession and year at NAU, if applicable. The Lumberjack reserves the right to correct accuracy and grammar errors or cut for length.

Deadline for submissions is noon on Monday for publication in that Thursday’s issue. Letters to the Editor can be submitted by E-mail to the Editor-in-Chief at vcp6@nau.edu.

All-Natural Doesn’t Mean Better

G

enetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are a highly contentious issue. I do not think that GMO technology is to be feared, but I also think that product marketing is using our unsupported fears of the unnatural to manipulate consumers, and that this is causing a heightened distrust of scientific progress in crop production.

Arguments against GMOs strongly depend on the idea that natural is better. Stop by almost any purveyor of produce and you will find an abundance of labels pronouncing that the products are organic, all-natural, non-GMO or GMO-free. Just as celebrity endorsement AUSTIN draws us to certain products, appeals to SHANNON nature draw us to food. The idea is almost The Scientist inherent to us that if something has not come about as a result of nature, it is thereby unsafe or unfit for consumption; something that people do not think about when consuming a whole bag of gummy worms, but insist that we refer to when growing crops. What many people fail to consider is that we have been modifying our food for thousands of years by way of cross-breeding and artificially selecting traits that we desire, just as we have done with our canine companions. GMO technology is simply speeding up a process that often takes many generations.

Often, GMO opponents refer to genetically modified crops as frankenfoods. This is to induce a strong response of disgust and to continue to play upon the naturalistic fallacy.

Crops with DNA from bacteria or animals are then treated as contaminated. Imagine for a second all of the bacteria in and on our bodies. The amount of bacterial cells in and on you actually outnumbers the amount of cells that your body has. That’s just considering your body. Do not get me started with the bacteria on every surface you touch or morsel of food you put in your mouth. Does it not seem strange that people are worried about a single bacterial gene in their corn, helping it to resist disease, when they are constantly

covered in and consuming millions of bacterial genes on a daily basis?

The truth is, GMOs are the most highly monitored, tested and scrutinized crops on our shelves. It is of great importance to us that what we consume is tested for potential health and environmental risks as well as for overall nutrition. Here, we can see that our caution about the supposedly unnatural is a good thing. But often, caution is taken too far and the amount of evidence needed for those who are anti-GMO to be convinced of GMO technology importance is beyond what is possible. It is a tactic to completely remove GMO technology options, not to make them safer.

Regarding the safety of GMOs, there is no valid evidence that suggests they pose a health risk. In fact, GMOs have been shown to provide comparable nutritional value to conventionally-grown crops. This does not, however, stop marketing companies from waving their supposedly allnatural, non-GMO flags, as though they indicate any real benefits. I laugh when I see bananas that say all-natural on them because all of our yellow, sweet, delicious bananas are derived from a small, green and tough variety of fruit that was full of seeds. All of our bananas have been genetically modified to be what they are today. Then, I try not to shed a tear when I think about what that banana company is trying to accomplish with that phrase and the actual damage it is doing to scientific progress on crop production.

Labeling food as all-natural, organic and GMO-free has led to further stigmatization of a highly promising practice. By brandishing these phrases as marks of nutrition or health, these companies are implying that other products are inferior or inherently bad. This is not true, and forcing GMO crops to be labeled as such will only further this undeserved stigma. There are legitimate things to consider with this technology, such as environmental impact and Monsanto-esque corporations, but it is unfair to outright disregard GMOs on appeals to naturalism.

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 13

Comics

14 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.com

HELP WANTED Do you need help this summer?

The Lumberjack wants to help you staff your buisness this summer.

Advertise your help wanted Ad in the Lumberjack.

Many students who stay on campus are looking for summer jobs, and we want to help lead them to you.

Please contact SMCsales@nau.edu or Marsha.Simon@nau.edu for more info.

Photo of the Week

Sophomore business major Dakota Howard skurfs Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Saguaro Lake in Mesa, Arizona. Howard celebrated his twentieth birthday with friends from NAU. (Photo by Ryan J. Wesson)

16 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

TRIVIA NITE

THURSDAYS!!

$2 Topless Cans & $6.95 Yard Jars Sign Up Starts at 7pm - Seating Starts at 9pm Game Starts at 9:30

COUNTRY WEEKENDS! FREE DANCE LESSONS - 9PM FREE ADMISSION- 21 AND OVER

FRIDAY: $5.95 32OZ YARD JARS SATURDAY: $2.99 PINTS OF

DOUBLE WELLS & LY BREWS

STAY CONNECTED

DRINK SPECIALS STARTS @ 9PM, DANCE FLOOR OPENS @ 10

LUNCH - DINNER - LATE NIGHT MICROBREWERY TOURS AVAILABLE

HAPPY HOUR 2PM -6PM MONDAY - FRIDAY

www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com 5 S SAN FRANCISCO ST | 928.779.2739

Everyday Happy Hour Nightly Specials 7pm - Last Call 11am-7pm

$3.50 22oz Imperial Pints $1.99 Well Drinks $2.99 Long Islands BS Margaritas, & Bloody Mary’s $5.99 STARTING . . . Grapefruit Shandys $1 OFF 1/2 Liter of Sangria Thursday 1/27 $2 OFF Liter of Sangria

Full Size Pool Tables Board Games

Margarita Monday $2.99 BS Margaritas

Pint Night Tuesday $2.99 Imperial Pints

Thursday

$4.99 Beertails

Friday

$3.99 BS Moscow Mules

Sunday - Wednesday 11am - 1am Thursday - Saturday 11am - 2am Food Until Midnight STAY CONNECTED

www.beaverstreetbrewery.com 3 S Beaver St | Flagstaff, Az | 928.779.0079

MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM - 9PM SUNDAY 10 AM - 8PM (928) 779-0296 4:00 PM UNTIL

CLOSE!

Dine in Only

TACO TUESDAY

FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT

HAPPY HOUR $ 2 H o u s e M a r g a r i t a s 4:00 PM - Close

9 Ta9 cos¢!

We now have draft beer & great lunch specials everyday!

May the forest be with you

Life

Flagstaff Earth Day celebration

T

BY SAMANTHA SCHNEIDER

he Flagstaff community gathered in Heritage Square on April 18 for an Earth Day celebration to venerate Flagstaff ’s participation with new green initiatives. Part of Aspen Street was closed off for the festivities.

The event lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a variety of activities were available during the time span. Although the booths were there to educate the community on things to do in order to have a positive impact on the earth, there were also performances and activities that lured people of all ages to the event.

“I know there’s a lot of young children here learning about how to make bird feeders with pine cones and fun things,” said Flagstaff resident Margaret VanCleve.

“You really have to start with them young so they become lifelong advocates of sustaining the environment.”

Piles of used computers, TVs, cords/cables, chargers, microwaves and other electronic waste is brought to the Wheeler Park parking lot to be recycled during the Flagstaff Earth Day celebration Saturday, April 18, 2015. (Photo by Nick Humphries)

18 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

Flagstaff celebrates Earth Day Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Heritage Square. Activities included live music entertainment, upcycled fashion show and an abundance of booths and exibits. (Photo by Nick Humphries)

The goal of the organizations present was to inform Flagstaff citizens on how to become more environmentally friendly. The Arizona Department of Environmental Equality’s mission is to help enhance public health and the environment.

“I’m letting people know that Arizona Department of Environmental Equality is here,” said community member liaison Sybil Smith. “I manage a team all over the state. We have people covering all of the counties. Each of us has three or four counties but we have people designated outside of Phoenix so that we’re your people. We live among you and we know what the issues are.”

Earth Day instills a number of different precautions that people can take in order to become a “greener” person.

In order to live green, people can do simple things such as changing light bulbs, recycling, taking shorter showers or buying locally.

“We are always promoting our energy efficiency programs through APS so it’s a great venue for us and there are a lot of people interested in learning about it,” said Arizona Public Services program manager Julie Gidley.

A number of different companies set up booths along the street. The booths ranged from APS, Flagstaff Watershed Protection Program, NAU Forestry, American Red Cross, Flagstaff Bike Hub and many more.

The majority of booths were there to promote their products; however, a few of the booths aimed to educate both children and adults through interactive activities.

NAU’s Forestry Department set up a booth and informed residents about what the program does. It also strives to get individuals to participate in its summer camps so that it could educate different generations on how to protect the environment.

NAU has a few different clubs that students can become involved in to help implement the “go-green attitude.”

Green NAU is an information center that provides people with news, events and community programs. Green NAU’s goal is to help the demonstrate sustainability.

The NAU Forestry club is another organization that reaches out to students and allows them to participate in land management projects as well as other activities.

“We have the society of American forestry and each year we go to a convention,” said junior forestry major Laura Brown. “We go out there and we talk to a bunch of people and we learn what professionals are doing and we learn what other students and schools are doing and we collaborate and try to make something of it.”

The Earth Day Celebration was a day that helped educate the residents of Flagstaff on what they can do to improve or continue upon their attempts to go green.

This community event opened to doors for individuals to become involved in helping better our earth and our community. Through the celebration and the number of organizations throughout Flagstaff, it is easy for everyone to become more involved in the attempt to preserve the environment.

Life

It’s on us

“T

Take Back the Night

BY KATIE SAWYER

wo, four, six, eight, stop the violence, stop the rape,” screamed the demonstrators at NAU’s Take Back the Night event on April 16. The protesters made their way through downtown, holding their homemade signs, and continued chanting throughout the night. Women and men alike joined together to “take back the night,” and put an end to sexual assault.

Take Back the Night was founded in the 1970s and has been a strong contributor to raising awareness about sexual assault and giving support to victims around the world.

Graduate student Rikki Vaughn, is the director of the event, and is very passionate about the security of campuses everywhere.

“This event rose out of the fear of being assaulted, and the fact that people should be able to walk by themselves on campus or in their communities without feeling like their unsafe,” Vaughn said.

This year’s The Take Back the Night event stressed the amount of sexual assaults that happen in colleges across the country every year. One in five women and one in 16 men will be sexually assaulted in college. That means that at NAU, over 2,000 students will have become a victim of sexual assault by the time they graduate.

Senior public health major Caitlin Winton spoke out about this disturbing statistic.

“Any sexual assault is too many, let alone 2,000,”

Winton said. “This event helps people think about the cause, and how many sexual assaults happen. It helps them think about their own actions, and what they can do to stop other people from becoming victims.”

Sophomore business management major Aaron Betts, a member of Theta Chi, came out to show support for this event with some of his fraternity members. Betts addressed how important this event was to him and his fraternity.

“We thought it was really important that we come out here and show that we care about the community,” Betts said. “This event shows how on campus or off, we’re not going to stand for this.

Things need to change.”

When asked what the event meant to Betts on a personal level, Betts recognized that he knows some victims of sexual violence.

The event help show the NAU campus and surrounding community that their voices have power and that through the rallying of college students and community members alike, they could create change in the way that rape and sexual assault are viewed by society.

Winton spoke about the way that she believes society portrays rape.

“If we educate people that it’s unacceptable to make jokes about rape, and look out of the people around us, especially at parties, we can make a change,” Winton said. “We need to make sure that the social norm is that sexual assault is

A female protestor holds a sign at “Take Back the Night” Thursday, April 16, 2015 by the Science Labs Facility. (Photo by CJ Penido)

“Take Back the Night” featured a protest march through downtown Flagstaff.

Members held signs and repeated chants to raise awareness. (Photo by CJ Penido)

unacceptable.”

The subject of sexual assault is often hushed, especially on college campuses, where coincidentally there is the highest rate of sexual assault.

Vaughn hopes that this will change, and that the way people treat assault will not be to react in shame.

“It’s a very taboo subject, but it happens so often that we can’t afford to ignore it,” Vaughn said.

“Take Back the Night gets people’s attention, it really

raises awareness around sexual violence and sexual assault.”

Take Back the Night ended with a dance party, and a lasting message from Vaughn.

“The prevention of sexual assault is everyone’s responsibility, it’s on us.”

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 19

Life

Earth Jam kicks off celebratory Earth week

BY MEGAN TROUTMAN

D

espite wind tunneling through the South Quad and dark clouds swirling above, music continued to accompany environmentalists across campus who came together for Earth Jam, an early celebration of Earth Day. Earth Jam, organized by the environmental club Green Jacks, was created to raise awareness about sustainability and other organizations around campus. Students were jamming to music about the Earth, while various organizations held booths lining the corner of the quad.

Although the weather was more tumultuous than planned, students still came to enjoy to the event and learn about sustainability.

Sophomore environmental science major Dylan Lenzen was excited for the event.

“Yeah I’m excited. This is actually a really good turnout for the weather,” Lenzen said. “I’m actually surprised that everyone came out who did.”

Lenzen is the vice president for Green Jacks, and will be president for the club next semester. For Earth Jam, Lenzen worked to pass out invitations to environmental organizations to come table for the event.

“We were trying to get as many groups as possible and we weren’t sure if everybody would show up, and I think everybody did show up,” Lenzen said. “More people keep coming too, which is great.”

Earth Jam was made as a pre-Earth Day event to kickstart more events for Earth week.

“We wanted to boost the sustainability awareness on campus and for everyone to get together and have fun right before Earth Day,” Lenzen said. “And also to let everyone know what’s going on, like Take Back the Tap, and other organizations on campus.”

One of the booths was decorated with a line of

20 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

plastic water bottles, representing the amount of bottled wateraverage American drinks in one year. This booth was for the campaign Take Back the Tap, an organization to ban water from university vending machines and build more

just sent out a big invite to all the groups to just do it. So it worked out pretty well.”

Meyer is involved with several environmental groups on campus and is also an active member of Green Jacks.

NAU students celebrate Earth Day by playing music in the du Bois Bowl on South Campus April 17, 2015. The event, Earth Jam, kicked off the Earth week festivities at NAU. (Photo by Garrett Harper)

water bottle refilling stations across campus.

“We’re basically doing it because we think that bottled water should be a public service and not a corporate commodity,” said senior environmental studies major Bobbi Wilson.

“Having big corporations like Nestle and Coca-Cola basically owning our water and selling it back to us for two times more than it’s worth.”

Wilson is the campus coordinator for Take Back the Tap, and was invited to run an informational booth at Earth Jam. Her booth had pledges for students to sign to use tap water instead of bottled water. If the university gathers the most pledges out of 30 other involved campuses, then $1,500 will go toward refilling water bottle stations.

“We’re mostly just excited to get signatures,” Wilson said. “To get more signatures and see if we might end the contest and get the new refilling stations.”

Take Back the Tap is run by an organization known as Food and Water Watch. The project will officially be taken on by Green Jacks next year to make sure the pledges follow through.

“Originally, it was just a jam,” said freshman environmental studies major Jack Meyer.

“When we were planning, that was supposed to be it — a bunch of people just jamming all day everywhere, but then groups started coming out asking to come table, so we

“Everybody came out and all the booths just did their own thing,” Meyer said. “We gave them tables but that was it — everyone doing their own thing while enjoying the Earth.”

Green Jacks hopes to make Earth Jam an annual event to start Earth Day activities. They also hope to start up a series of events called “Seminars for a Better World,” described as similar to TED Talks.

“The ‘Seminars for a Better World’ will be awesome,” Lenzen said. “As for sustainability, I think the overwhelming thing from students is how they can get involved.”

With these talks, students will be able to hear from professors and experts about what they can do to take part in saving the Earth.

Lenzen is excited for the new programs Green Jacks will bring to campus. This year, Green Jacks was focused on expanding the program, so now they will work on specific programs and events.

“This year did a really great job growing the club,” Lenzen said. “We want Green Jacks to be that base for people to tap into, so if you have an idea you come to us and we can help you set it up and then the whole group is there to use as a resource for volunteering or helping you.”

NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign PhotoComicsLifeA&ECopyEditing NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign PhotoComicsLifeA&ECopyEditing NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign PhotoComicsLifeA&ECopyEditing Finding Relevant Stories NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign FOR YOU PhotoComicsLifeA&ECopyEditing NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign PhotoComicsLifeA&ECopyEditing NewsOpEdDesignPhotoComicsLife A&ECopyEditingNewsOpEdDesign

Bringing the Beat to You For more information visit www.kjack.org

Student Housing NAU.com

LIMITED SPACES REMAINING FOR FALL 2015 A P P LY AT T H E S U I T E S B E F O R E I T ’ S TO O L AT E

THE SUITES

HILLTOP TOWNHOMES

great locations—walk to class + fully furnished suites & townhomes + private beds & baths available + resort-style amenities

Amenities subject to change.

Life

l o d I l a n o i ICnetleebrrantinagt global diversity D

BY KYNDALL ARNOLD

iversity is a significant characteristic of the NAU campus. Whether it is the students or just the physical campus that makes up this dynamic, NAU is constantly celebrating what makes the university unique. The Center for International Education put on its 10th annual International Week April 13-17. International Week is a celebration of international education that features interactive global events each day.

More than 1,200 international students populate the NAU campus, and international students represent roughly 71 countries. International Idol gave the NAU and Flagstaff community a look into those countries’ cultures.

The week kicked off with an intramural world cup soccer tournament and parade of nations, and ended with an international-themed

talent show known as International Idol. Students and members of the Flagstaff community gathered in the du Bois Center Ballroom April 17 to support the performances from around the world. The show was hosted by International Sponsored Students coordinator Andrew Janusz, and mimicked the popular television show American Idol. Other international student advisors dressed up as rapper Nicki Minaj, singer Pitbull and the Jennifer Lopez, as they played the role of celebrity guest judges. International Idol contestants performed various acts from singing to beat-boxing.

The talent show started with the performance of a popular Hindu song, and then progressed to Hula dancing and Mexican folklorico dancing.

Graduate biology student Refat Ara Ality is a native of Bangladesh. She wore a red traditional Indian sari and danced to different Bangoli and

Lauren Pantages stretches in preparation for a Tahitian dance that she performed for International Idol on Friday, April 17, 2015. Most of the performances were dances and songs. (Photo by J. Daniel Hud)

Indian music, such as classical Indian music, Bangla folk, belly-dancing songs and Bollywood freestyle.

“I’m a member of the International Club, so I know all the dates and events for things like this,”

Judges interact with the performers and the crowd at the International Idol at the du Bois Ballroom. The judges were dressed as J-Lo, Pitbull and Nikki Minaj. (Photo by J. Daniel Hud)

Ality said. “I am also a trained dancer and I saw International Idol as an opportunity to show my talent and my culture.”

Junior biomedical sciences major Julie Wechara is from Kenya. She and her sister performed a dance routine to a popular Kenyan song. The choreography had a combination of moves from different African countries and showcased the different cultures on the continent.

“I think events like this are good for the NAU community because people get a firsthand look at how diverse our campus is, and how rich our culture at the university is made by the different countries that are represented here tonight,” Wechara said. “It felt really good to hear the students cheer me on. I was really happy to perform something that showed them a little bit of my culture.”

Representing France, sophomore French major Celina Vargas sang a rendition of Les Miserables’ “On My Own” in French.

“I speak French, German and Spanish,” Vargas said. “I am a member of the French and German club, and am really involved in the French theater guild and the Gold Cabaret, so when I got five emails about the International Idol, I just couldn’t resist. I had sung the song before, but I never had to memorize it so it was just a matter of singing it every day along with the music.”

There were over 15 acts during the international talent show and over $700 in prize money for winners. The judges made comments on the contestants’ performances throughout the night and handed out NAU apparel to the audience. The judges determined a winner at the end of the show and dealt out the monetary prizes accordingly.

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 23

Sports

A bounce-back weekend secures a playoff spot for men’s tennis

LEFT: Sophomore Alex Locci returns the ball against Portland State Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Continental Country Club. Locci would go on to win his match 6–2, 6–0.

RIGHT: Senior Jordan Gobatie prepares to forehand the ball during his match against Portland State. Gobatie went on to lose his match 2–6, 7–5, 1–0. (Photos by Robert Tyler Walker)

A

BY RICHIE TRUNZO

fter going on a four-game losing streak, the NAU men’s tennis team bounced back with two wins against Southern Utah and Portland State April 18-19 to clinch the final spot in the Big Sky Conference (BSC) Championships.

Going into the final two matches of the regular season at 5-4 put a lot of pressure on the Lumberjacks, as they had to perform well in order to continue on to the BSC playoffs.

“Everybody stepped it up a level this weekend,” said head coach Ki Kroll. “We wanted to gain some momentum because conference is coming, and everyone played really well.”

After clinching a playoff spot with a win over Southern Utah, NAU finished its regular season with a win over Portland State appearing to be in top form.

With two wins at the No. 1 and 3 positions in doubles play, the Lumberjacks put themselves in a good position to finish out the season with a win.

NAU improved its lead to 3–0 by winning the first two singles matches. Freshman Felix Schumann won his match at

the No. 5 position 6–1, 6–3, while freshman Eden Peleg won 6–4, 6–4 at the No. 4 position.

Portland State attempted to stage a comeback, earning its first point of the day with a 6–3, 6–3 win over freshman Adi Zilberstein at the No. 6 position, but it did not give the Vikings a spark to win the match.

Senior Kester Black won his match in comeback fashion 3–6, 6–0, 6–2 at the No. 3 spot, which clinched the match for the Lumberjacks. With the two finals wins at the No. 1 and 2 spots the Lumberjacks took the match 6–1, finishing the regular season at 7-4 in the BSC. The match also served as senior day for the Lumberjacks.

Both seniors, Black and Gobatie, won their matches and were sent off on a high note. Black and Gobatie have been important leaders for the Lumberjacks over the years and have been large contributors their success.

“It felt great, you really want to finish your college career with a win,” Black said. “We wanted to gain a lot of confidence and momentum for the tournament too.”

In the match against Southern Utah, NAU dominated

SportsShort Football

Men’s Tennis

Women’s Tennis

Spring Game April 25 at 2 p.m.

Lumberjack Stadium

@ Big Sky Championships April 24 at 10 a.m.

Sacramento, Calif.

@ Big Sky Championships April 24 at 2 p.m.

Sacramento, Calif.

24 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

throughout, and quickly took the doubles point with a threematch sweep. NAU won 6–1 at the No. 1 position and 6–0 at the No. 2 and 3 positions.

“It was important to win because we needed to win to get into playoffs,” Black said. “Everyone played well and it gave us a lot of confidence.”

The Lumberjacks’ drive stayed with them going into singles play, as they quickly won all six of their matches within two sets apiece. Zilberstein had one of the most dominant performances of the day as he swept his opponent 6–0, 6–0 at the No. 4 spot, which clinched the match for NAU. “I think it’s just a matter of working right now with one common goal, and that is to win conference,” Kroll said. “We’re not going to see how we can do in conference, we’re going to try and win conference.”

The BSC playoffs will begin April 24, with NAU scheduled to play against Montana in the first round. The momentum gained from their victorious weekend will be vital in their playoff success.

Follow the Lumberjack Sports reporters on Twitter Vincent Peña: @vincent_pena7 Brian Wade: @bwade329 Jasmyn Wimbish: @JasmynWimbish

Sports Lumberjacks post more qualifying marks at Mt. Sac Relays

T

Sophomore distance runner James Fisher competes in the men’s 200-meter dash Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at the Walkup Skydome. Fisher would go on to finish first with a time of 21.49. (Photo by Nick Canaday)

BY SARAH BROWN

he NAU track & field team traveled to Walnut, California, for the Mt. Sac Relays from April 16-18, and set more qualifying marks for the Big Sky Conference (BSC) Championships held May 14-16.

“I was really pleased with the overall performance,” said head coach Eric Heins. “In track & field, you’re always going to have some good things and bad things, but definitely more good than bad over this past weekend. Our number one goal is to be competitive at the Big Sky Conference Championships, and you can’t be competitive if you don’t have athletes there. To get that large number of athletes we are trying to bring out the whole squad, and we’re pretty close to doing that pretty soon.”

On the final day of the meet, none of the Lumberjacks qualified for mastery, but it was the previous day that NAU excelled.

Sophomore Brooke Anderson posted a first-place mark in the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 63.19m, ranking in the top 10 in the nation.

“I feel really good about my meets this weekend. I was really consistent so that was nice,” Anderson said. “It’s really a privilege to be in the top 10, because the NCAA is so competitive this year with all these amazing women throwers, so it’s really nice to put my mark in there.”

Sophomore James Fisher led the BSC in sprints on the men’s side with his 10.49 finish in the 100-meter dash, and his 21.10 finish

in the 200-meter dash, which were his career bests.

“I feel it was pretty solid, I’ve been waiting to drop for a while now and it’s about time that it happened,” Fisher said. “I’m pretty blessed. It feels good to be on top because of my training, my coach and all the people who support me.”

In the women’s sprints, senior Shamelle Pless finished the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.22, moving her up to the second spot in the conference.

Senior Vernon Jamison finished the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.12, extending his lead in the Big Sky. “My performance, I felt it was good, but I know that I can do better,” Jamison said. “Overall, it was good being consistent. I feel good because I want to defend my title from indoor and outdoor like last year, so I will do that and I know that I can improve my times and become even faster.”

In the distance running, senior Cody Reed and junior Alejandro Montano helped the Jacks with their qualifying marks in the 5k race with their times of 14.10.72 and 14.12.97, respectively.

On day one of the Mt. Sac Relays, in distance running, sophomore Heather LaPlante, senior Kylee Kieser and senior Taryn Treadaway led the women’s side with their debut 10,000m runs, all qualifying in Big Sky. NAU will have a week off before the Lumberjacks compete in the Southern Utah Invitational May 1, followed by the Stanford Payton Jordan meet May 3.

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 25

Sports NAU football adds former high school standout from Arizona

F

BY BRIAN WADE

or the NAU football program, the 2015 spring camp is proving to be successful both on and off the field.

On April 12, head coach Jerome Souers was pleased to announce that former Arizona All-State and All-Region quarterback Connor Brewer decided to transfer from the UA to NAU, and will be eligible to play in the fall.

“We’re extremely excited as a staff and program to be able to add a player like Connor,” said offensive coordinator Tim Plough. “As a staff, this offseason we have been able to have FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) players reach out to us and show interest in NAU. In the world of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football, that is a definite sign of a program going in the right direction.”

After leading Peoria Chaparral High School to three state championships from 2009-2011, Brewer will graduate from college without throwing a pass since his prominent high school days.

“Timing is a big part of it,” Souers said. “[Connor’s] had a chance to see football at different levels, and I think the chance to come and play here is appealing. Being near his family is appealing to him, and he knows a lot of guys on the team. Overall, I think it is a really good fit.”

Highly touted out of Chaparral, Brewer committed to the University of Texas, where he redshirted his freshman season in 2012.

Following his redshirt season at Texas, Brewer found himself stuck in a logjam at the quarterback position, subsequently causing him to transfer to Arizona for the 2013 season.

Brewer was forced to sit out the entire 2013 season for the Wildcats in order to fulfill NCAA transfer regulations, and soon found himself battling redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon entering the 2014 season in Tucson.

Solomon eventually won the quarterback position for the Wildcats on his way to leading Arizona to a 10-4 record, and a berth in the PAC-12 Championship game.

Brewer did not record a pass for the Wildcats during the 2014 season, but did manage a rushing touchdown at the end of regulation during the Wildcats’ 58–13 victory against UNLV in the opening game of the season.

Once Brewer arrives on campus as a graduate student to compete for the quarterback position this fall, he will undoubtedly attempt to replicate the success he reached in high school.

“Connor’s a great kid, a fine player and we are looking forward to his arrival,” Souers said. “When he gets here, he is going to have to earn his way around just like everybody else. He is a very talented young man, and we just want to continue to improve the quarterback position and the fact that he has two years remaining of eligibility really adds value to his presence.”

On his way to leading Chaparral to three 5A State Championships, Brewer posted an impressive 41-2 record as a starter, along with over 100 touchdown passes for over 3,000 yards.

The remarkable success at the high school level, along with his prototypical quarterback frame at 6’2” and 205 pounds, helped push Brewer inside the ESPN top 150 recruits back in 2011.

Brewer’s arrival to Flagstaff will only add fuel to the fire in regard to the Lumberjacks’ quarterback competition that has been developing during the spring.

“The great thing about Connor is that he’s your prototypical pro-style quarterback who’s accurate, great in the pocket and very intelligent, which is huge in our offense,” Plough said. “We think he fits great. I think he is going to be able to impact the entire group [of quarterbacks] with his positivity and maturity.”

Senior quarterbacks Kyren Poe and Jordan Perry both return in 2015 after each received significant playing time last season due to injuries at the position.

While Poe played in seven games compared to Perry’s four, each totaled five touchdown passes. Yet Poe finished with a 61.7 completion percentage and seven interceptions, compared to Perry’s 69.4 completion TOP RIGHT: Senior quarterback Jordan Perry scrambles during a team drill at the practice field during spring practice Thursday, April percentage and one interception.

In the four games Perry appeared in, he totaled five touchdowns for over 500 yards, while Poe threw for five 16, 2015. NAU looks to improve on their last season’s record of 7-5.

BOTTOM LEFT: Senior quarterback Kyren Poe throws a pass during touchdowns and over 1,100 yards over the course of seven games.

“If you look at the top FCS programs, it seems that they get FBS players when they can, and we want to start spring practice Thursday, April. 16, 2015 at the practice field. (Photos by opening that door to more local statewide talent,” Plough said. “We want the four or five star recruits who leave Nick Canaday) the state to know they will always have a home to come back to at NAU.”

26 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

Sports

Men’s and women’s tennis headed to Big Sky Championships

T

(Photo by Cory Walters)

BY JASMYN WIMBISH

he men’s tennis team is headed back to the Big Sky Conferene (BSC) Championships as the No. 6 seed, and will face No. 3 seed Montana April 24 at 10 a.m. in Sacramento, California. Earlier in the season, the Lumberjacks lost to the Grizzlies, 6–1.

The Lumberjacks are going into the conference tournament with a 7-4 BSC record, coming off back-to-back wins to cap off the regular season. NAU has four players going into the playoffs with overall records of 11-9, and will look to get the biggest contribution from seniors Jordan Gobatie and Kester Black.

Gobatie is 8-2 in his last 10 singles matches, with one of those two losses coming against Montana. In the March 28 match against the Grizzlies, Gobatie lost in two sets, 3–6, 4–6. Black has been dominant in the latter part of the season, on a nine-game winning streak dating back to March 22. Black was the only Lumberjack who won a match against Montana with a 7–6 (7–5), 6–1 victory.

Doubles play has proven to be big for NAU in the BSC, with a 15-11 record. The doubles team that has fared the best throughout the season for the Lumberjacks is Gobatie and sophomore Alex Locci. They have an overall record of 8-8, going 5-4 in conference.

This matchup against Montana will be a rematch of last season’s conference semifinals, where NAU lost 4–1. Gobatie won his singles and doubles matches, while Black lost in the singles and doubles competition.

If the Lumberjacks win, they will face No. 1 seed Weber State in the semifinals, April 25 at 10 a.m.

E

ntering the Big Sky Conference Championships as the No. 4 seed, the women’s tennis team will face Weber State in the quarterfinals April 24 at 2 p.m.

The Lumberjacks beat the Wildcats earlier in the season in a close 4–3 match, so there is no doubt the match on April 24 will be another close one. NAU dominated in conference play, going into the playoffs with an 8-3 record, and junior Jordan Denesik is one to look out for to lead the Jacks.

Denesik has a singles record of 15-6, and is 7-3 in her last 10 matches, but lost her match when NAU faced Weber State earlier in the season.

Sophomore Marta Lewandowska has proven to be another bright spot for the Jacks, going 14-7 in singles play, and being part of the strongest doubles team with senior Johanna Vang. The pair have an 8-6 doubles record, and the Lumberjacks overall have a 16-11 doubles record in the conference.

One of the biggest problems NAU has faced all season is the ability to perform on the road. The Jacks are nearly unstoppable at home, only dropping two of their home matches, but on the road NAU has struggled, finishing the regular season with a 4-6 record.

Since NAU is the No. 4 seed, there is still some uncertainty as to who the Lumberjacks would play, should they advance. There is a possibility for the Jacks to play the reigning Big Sky champions Sacramento State, the team NAU lost to in last season’s semifinals.

(Photo by Robert Tyler Walker)

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 27

Cutting edge stories

Arts&Entertainment The School for Lies highlights the hidden truth in our society

A

BY TIM NUTTING

t NAU, the theater department is known for producing impressive but sometimes peculiar performances. This month, the theater department is producing a comedy called The School For Lies at the studio theatre on campus.

The School for Lies is a sassy, off-color and modern adaptation of The Misanthrope by Moliere, written by David Ives.

Considered a play full of lies, deceit, power and hypocrisy, Ives’ interpretation of the play still follows the same formula of poking fun at French society as well as modern society.

Kathleen M. McGeever, the director of the play and professor and chair of the theater department, was eager to attend the play.

“It is a raucous, irreverent comedy adapted by one of America’s top comic playwrights,” McGeever said.

Rehearsal began in February, allowing the actors to attend classes and lessons on physical theater, which gave the performers the ability to create unique and distinctive

portrayals for their upcoming roles.

Auditions and rehearsals are a major part of the theater process. Meeting numerous days a week in the evenings takes a lot of practice and effort. The rehearsals tend to take a toll on the performers.

Senior theater performance major Jordan Reinhart, who plays a lead character named Frank, describes his character as being very peeved by society — he sees everything around as being boring and lackluster.

“Frank is a role unlike any other I have played,” Reinhart said. “His personality is nothing like mine, but I have definitely been able to include pieces of myself in the character.”

He also notes how much his character begins to change as the play progresses.

Freshman biology major Kishan Bachelor plays the role of Oronte, a character in a major conflict with Frank. Throughout the play, multiple problems culminate with other characters.

“There is so much greed and lying in America, partly because of its capitalistic views,” Bachelor said. “The play shows what happens when people put up facades to keep with the

rules that our society has created.”

According to McGeever, this play has a significant message about American culture. Although the original play is a more hypocritical take on French society, Ives’ interpretation follows the same suit, but with a modern American society.

McGeever states how hypocrisy and bullies still exist in the world and are reasons why there are problems and conflicts in our society.

“My mother always said, ‘telling a white lie to save someone’s feelings is sometimes necessary, but telling lies for gain and throwing slander around for malice and greed destroys humanity,’” McGeever said.

In my opinion, this play includes underlying themes and ideas that can overlay into people’s minds and make them think about society as a whole.

This play makes the audience think, instead of merely laughing or crying. The cast’s hard work and determination make for an unforgettable show.

The play will run through Sunday April 26 at the studio theatre.

LEFT: Alexia Coppell as Arsinoe discovers an unexpected letter during a dress rehearsal Friday, April 10, 2015 in Ardrey Auditorium. RIGHT: Ethan Hoover as Clitander walks in the room with confidence during The School for Lies. (Photos by Christina Flores)

30 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

Upcoming from

nau.edu/sun

April 24th & 25th

April 30th & May 1st - 2nd

Arts&Entertainment

Winners of The Big Lebowski night costume contest line up for a group photo Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the Orpheum Theatre. (Photo by Nick Humphries)

Praising the Dude; “The Big Lebowski” returns to the Orpheum

Y

BY CHARLOTTE EVANS

ou can’t go wrong when supporting the local community by watching a film with a group of friends and free popcorn. The showing of The Big Lebowski April 16 brought the Flagstaff community together for a fun-filled movie night.

The Orpheum Theater’s 10th annual Big Lebowski screening event was met with excitement and nostalgia as Lebowski fans of all ages dressed as their favorite characters for the occasion. The lively party included events like trivia and a costume contest, which offered prizes for the winners.

The Big Lebowski, a cult classic, features a hilarious plot line and a great cast that includes some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi and John Goodman. Jeff Bridges plays the main character Jeffrey Lebowski, also known as “the Dude.”

The 1998 film takes place in Los Angeles and centers around the Dude, a White Russian-drinking and potsmoking guy who likes bowling with friends. His life gets complicated when he gets confused for a millionaire with the same last name and his beloved rug gets soiled.

32 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org

After being confused with the millionaire, the Dude embarks on a topsy-turvy and sometimes dangerous adventure that leaves him with a wrecked car, the death of a friend and even the possibility of a future child. Although not everything goes as planned, the Dude’s casual, laid-back attitude allows for everything to unravel and resolve itself by the end of the film.

“We love the movie and it really speaks to us as a couple, which is why we love to get together every year and come to this event,” said Michelle Miller, who was dressed as the sassy character Maude from the film.

The event was split into three parts, which included two viewings and a brief intermission. Miller was accompanied by her partner, who was dressed as none other than the Dude himself. The couple won a few prizes, including a moviesized poster of the film cover from the trivia contest that was held during the intermission.

The movie was screened with brand new equipment, including a 24 by 18 foot roll-down screen and new projection system, which the Orpheum Theater got after a recent renovation.

“It was really nice to feature our new components in

the theater and it really went over very well tonight,” said Orpheum owner and operator Chris Scully.

The audience truly enjoyed the movie and the gathering.

It is a tradition that is definitely worth carrying out.

“I think The Big Lebowski lends itself pretty well to the vibe of Flagstaff and the vibe of NAU,” Scully said. “It’s just a fun, kind of hip movie and we’re a fun, kind of hip town, so it works out.”

The Orpheum Theater features some of the best events in Flagstaff and draws the town together in both a communal and cultural sense.

“I’m here visiting from Colorado and I thought this event was a great way to introduce myself to Flagstaff and experience a little Flagstaff culture,” said movie-goer Ryan Smith.

As the 10th annual showing of the movie, some fans were well-seasoned Lebowski fans, while others were walking in to see the movie for the first time. Either way, the reception from the entire crowd was positive and it looks like the tradition will be here to stay.

Arts&Entertainment

Caught in Vance Joy’s Riptide

J

BY KRISTIAN FOSEN

ames Keough, the lanky Australian better known as Vance Joy, performed April 17 in a packed Prochnow auditorium. The audience was full of screaming girls with flower headbands and equally excited suburbanites, all eager to hear radio’s newest golden boy from Down Under.

NAU student Mikayala Khramov, also known as Theone, opened the show with an exceptionally varied set list, ranging from an acoustic cover of Milky Chance’s “Stolen Dance” to an unorthodox reworking of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Also included was an original song, “Empty Feelings,” about her father that she wrote while living in Sechrist Hall last year.

Khramov had excellent stage presence and even paused to take a selfie with the audience.

Khramov definitely shined while playing original material and it was apparent that her love for a diverse number of artists and genres has made her a more well-rounded musician.

Vance Joy came on around 8:40 p.m., playing the entire

Dream Your Life Away album, opening with “From Afar” — a song that immediately hit the hearts of the audience.

After performing a few songs, Joy commented on Flagstaff ’s high altitude. Being from relatively sea-level Australia, the elevation of Flagstaff must have posed a challenge.

“Even just standing here stationary, singing to you, is a workout,” Joy said.

Throughout the concert, Joy continued giving unusually relatable anecdotes about his life, revealing that just like a lot of us, he also has an uncontrollable obsession with Facebook.

He even accidently set the lyrics of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song his uncle had posted to his profile page to a tune he had written as his own. He later reworked this song into “My Kind of Man,” which sounded eerily similar to “Simple Man.” It seems artistic inspiration comes from all sorts of places these days — even Facebook.

The Vance Joy ensemble really shined on a number of tracks including “Mess is Mine” and “From Afar,” which

seemed to resonate with the crowd.

What was just a lone girl dancing in the aisles erupted into an audience rushing to the stage by the end. Aside from energizing the audience, this seemed to raise the enthusiasm of the band as well. What first appeared to be a lazy reception to Joy blossomed into a warm reception of the act.

Finally, the ukulele came out and everyone again reacted with fervor, which made it obvious that at this point in his career, Joy is still a one-hit wonder with his radio-repeat “Riptide.”

This served as the end to the show and as Joy has only produced one album, he had no other songs left to perform an encore. In a little over an hour, Joy ran through his entire list of material.

Overall, Vance Joy gave an exceptionally enjoyable performance, executed precisely. When more material has been amassed, Joy will return to Prochnow to give an equally satisfying concert. Maybe that time around, Joy will look forward to playing his heart out at 7,000 feet.

LEFT: Vance Joy performing his hit song Riptide at Prochnow Auditorium Friday, April 17, 2015.

Riptide has been certified platinum in the United States and has gone five times platinum in Australia. RIGHT: Vance Joy sings his heart out. (Photos by Robert Tyler Walker)

Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 33

Tell your Graduate how proud you are of them in Student Prices:

The Lumberjack!!

Non-Student Prices:

1/16 page $30.00

1/16 page

$30.00

1/8 page

$60.00

1/8 page

$65.00

1/4 page

$100.00

1/4 page

$130.00

1/2 page

$200.00

1/2 page

$250.00

full page

$400.00

full page

$500.00

1 sentence $5.00 (i.e. Congratulations Krista and good luck from Robert)

2 sentences $7.00 (i,e. Congratulations Krista and good luck. We love you and wish you the best, your besties)

3 sentences $10.00 (i.e. Congratulations Krista and good luck. I wish you the best.

Don't forget the little people when you make it big. Karl)

GRAD GRAMS Contact Marsha Simon at marsha.simon@nau.edu to place your ad!

Arts&Entertainment

Album Review: Instant Gratification

Album Review: Citizens! European Soul

U

BY ANDREA GARCIA

pbeat dance floor anthems encompass Citizens!’ new and refreshing sound on European Soul, released April 13.

These dance songs take on a new approach to your typical pop dance songs — the beats are dance-heavy but in a smoother, more mellow tone, which tactic works out in the band’s favor.

The feel-good vibe of the album makes for the perfect party playlist as songs like “Have I Met You,” “I Remember” and “Are You Ready” pump up the volume — they are great songs to instantly energize the atmosphere.

The album is somewhat inspired by soul music, which is easily identified through the beats and harmonies of each song. Songs like “Only Mine,” “European Girl” and “Trouble” showcase this soul element very well.

Though the band is classified as a pop group, it is exciting to hear a breathier, stripped-down version in the band’s sound as well. Only a few songs on the album show off this new technique and the songs are easy to identify. Songs like “Waiting For Your Lover” and “My Kind of Girl” incorporate breathier spots that make the songs surprising and even more likeable.

The vocals on European Soul are fantastic and show vast improvement from the previous album. This album shows passion and commitment. Each track does a great job in showing what the band is actually capable of creating and what the music can make you feel.

Citizens! has delivered the perfect summer album, perfect for bonfire beach nights, road trips and the ever-so-popular music festivals.

“Lighten Up” is my favorite off the 11-track album — the song has a soft bubbly beginning and quickly transitions to an upbeat dance song with vocals layered perfectly throughout.

Having listened to Citizens! before, knowing they were releasing a new album did not excite me. I figured the band would deliver another album just like the first, but I was incredibly wrong.

The band pleasantly surprised me; the album is 10 times better than the last and every single song has its own individual character. It is entertaining to listen to because the sound is constantly changing — you can easily tell when one song ends and the other begins.

European Soul is a carefree, pop album that introduces a fun, new take on dance floor music that will be stuck in your head even after you’ve left the dance floor.

$10 and under events of the

D

BY TIM NUTTING

ance Gavin Dance is a band on my radar recently. Their new album, Instant Gratification, did a great job living up to my expectations.

Released April 14, this post-hardcore masterpiece is loud and in charge. This album is colorful and full of all kinds of different sounds.

Dance Gavin Dance does a nice job of mixing electronic sounds, melodies and harmonies, as well as adding in thrashing screaming to become an excellent piece of music.

“Death of a Strawberry” delights with its soothing sound, but it also has a heavy and upbeat portion as well. Tilian Pearson and Jon Mess do a terrific job of going back and forth with their distinct styles of singing.

“Cuddler” is another great song due to its cheerful happy sound. This song is in my top five from the album.

As of now, my favorite track is “Eagle vs. Crows.” It is not heavy when compared to the rest of their album, but it sounds really interesting because of all the electronic

sounds, rap-like singing and screaming infused into this song.

“On the Run” sounds like an anthem and of course the screaming adds the thrill factor to this song.

Unfortunately, Jonny Craig is not on this album, since he departed from the band in 2012. Craig’s voice is simply amazing; it is extremely melodic and sexy at the same time.

Now the lead singer of a different band called Slaves, his voice gave the band the extra kick that they needed for me to listen and think about them.

It is weird how I am getting back into this genre of scream-o/hardcore-punk style of music because I haven’t listened to this kind of music since middle school. Once high school hit, it was all about Beyoncé and Calvin Harris for me.

Fortunately for me, my two great friends got me back into this genre of music.

I forgot how exhilarating and fresh it was. I will definitely be downloading and listening to this album on repeat for the next month or so.

W W EE EE K K

Whateverfest Music & Arts

The Robot Apocalypse

BFA Show Reception

April 25

April 25

April 24

@ 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The Green Room

Beasley Art Gallery

Central Quad

@ 7 p.m.

@ 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Free

$10

Free Apr. 23 - Apr. 29, 2015 | The Lumberjack 35

ZOOM

GRADUATE

EARLIER

SUMMER

CLASSES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON

Accelerate Your Education Summer classes can help you earn your degree faster.

By enrolling in summer classes you can: > > > >

Earn credits toward early graduation.

Enroll in classes that fill quickly during the regular term.

Gain professional development credits for your job.

Take advantage of convenient online class options.

nau.edu/summer

•

(800)426-8315

•

summer@nau.edu