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Volume 95 | Issue 27
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Search for new vice chancellor begins BY LISA GARZA
Senior Staff Writer The UNT System is searching for not only a new president but also a vice chancellor. The newly created position of vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success will report directly to Chancellor Lee Jackson. A search committee has been formed to evaluate potential candidates for the vice chancellor position. Rey Rodriguez, associate vice chancellor of Government Relations, is chairman of the committee. “We’re looking for somebody who can come in and provide a level of academic and research experience and exposure at the system level that would allow us to communicate and coordinate with each of our component institutions,” he said. There are no applicants yet, but Rodriguez said a search firm has been contracted that is “visiting with folks.” Jackson could not be reached for comment at press time. None of the provosts for the universities in the System will report directly to the vice chancellor.
“We’ve been engaged in this process for a couple of months and have all the best interests represented across a ll campuses,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve identified those needs, who could best fill those needs and who can help facilitate us as a more g row n-up s y stem a s we mature into the future.” A listing for the vice-chancel lor posit ion is posted on the Academic Keys for Ad m i n ist rat ion Web site by the search firm, but the responses will be used to get a sense of who is interested in applying for the position, Rodriguez said. This process is t y pica l for searches to fill administration positions because it allows potential candidates to find out if the job “is t he right f it” w it hout endangering their current employ ment by inquiring about another job, Rodriguez said. W hen t h i s process i s complete, a formal announcement will be posted on the university’s Web site.
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PHOTO BY RYAN BIBB/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chancellor Lee Jackson answers questions from students, faculty, administrators and professors at the faculty senate meeting Feb. 17. The newly created position of vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Success will report directly to Jackson.
ntdaily.com
The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas
PHOTO BY MARIA WEBSTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
Sandra Spencer, the director of Women’s Studies at UNT, will host a lecture presented by Sarah Jakiel, the associate director of the Polaris Project. The lecture will entail topics of the modern-day practice of slavery and human trafficking.
Guest to talk sex trade, slavery BY A LEX CHEATHAM Staff Writer
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Studies Program at UNT is hosting a lecture on the modern-day practice of slaver y: human trafficking. The event is f ree to t he public and will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Eagle Student Services Center 255. T he le c t u re, pre sente d by Sa ra h Ja k iel, associate director of the Polaris Project, will seek to provide an understanding of human trafficking for those who are new to the topic and aim to offer insight to more complex questions about the different types of trafficking, emerging trends and the trafficking trend in Texas. “Huma n t ra f f ick ing is a hidden crime and is something that’s not readily evident,” Jakiel said. “Trafficking in the U.S. is definitely up there with underdeveloped countries; probably even greater.” The Polaris Project receives more hotline calls from Texas than any other state regarding human trafficking because of border proximity, the state’s size and high levels of migrant
labor, Jakiel said. “Hu ma n Tr a f f ick i ng i s much more prevalent than we’d like to t hink. It’s not just in countries overseas. It happens here just as much,” said Sandra Spencer, director of Women’s Studies. Ja k iel w i l l a lso d iscuss severa l loca l case st ud ies as well as Texas state-level
ficking by lobbying political officials. It also offers an anti-trafficking hotline, available 24 hours a day, as well as a Public Outreach Program to inform citizens and increase awareness of the realities of Human Trafficking. An estimated 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the
“Trafficking in the U.S. is definitely up there with underdeveloped countries, probably even greater.”
—Sarah Jakiel Associate director of the Polaris Project
legislation and provide ways for students and community members to get involved. The project is one of the la r gest a nt i-t r a f f ick i ng orga n i zat ions i n t he U.S. The organization works on commercia l labor a nd sex t ra f f ick ing w it h loca l a nd national programs. The project tries to advance public policy on human traf-
U.S. each year, Jakiel said, and 244,000 American children are at risk of being trafficked into the sex industry. Labor trafficking encompasses a wide range of operations, such as domestic servitude, small-scale labor operations, and large-scale operations. This means forced labor in places such as farms, sweat-
shops a nd major mu lt inational corporations. Jakiel said that some people who can be seen watering the lawn and taking children to the bus stop are trafficked labor. Unknown to outsiders, they are unpaid and likely under strict house arrest. Commercial sexual exploitation is prevalent in the U.S and one of the most lucrative trafficking enterprises, Jakiel said. Individuals are forced to engage in sexual acts against their will for the benefit of someone else. In ma ny circumsta nces, pi mps ret a i n t he prof it s and mainta in t he indiv iduals through beatings or by holding them captive. Traffickers generate billions of dol la rs each yea r, a nd trafficking holds no border, according to t he project’s Web site. “T here a re major t r a fficking problems in the United Kingdom, Japan, the U.S. and other industria lized countries. It’s not all relegated to under-resourced areas.” Jakiel said. “It’s definitely worldwide.”
UNT, Denton to receive new water main upgrades BY LISA GARZA
Senior Staff Writer UNT and the city of Denton are separately forging plans to improve the waterline system on campus and the surrounding area. The university contracted Schneider Electric last fall to evaluate utility usage on campus. The city has yet to choose a contractor for their proposed project. UNT’s project The largest portion of the proposed improvement work was to install a new underground chilled water loop that will be controlled by upgraded plants throughout campus, according to the Utility Assessment Report. “They came back and recommended improvements to things that will pay for themselves over a period of time,” Director of Facilities Charles Jackson said.
The report states that the “old underground piping is failing and just keeping it operating has led to large operation and maintenance costs in recent years.” The water that comes from the power plants on campus is used to cool and heat each building. Last fall, facility workers dug up the pipe connecting Terrill and Marquis halls after a pipe leaked, leaving Terrill without air conditioning. The pipe needed to be replaced, Jackson said. “It had finally just rusted away and water was just running out,” he said. Jackson said the pipes are more than 30 years old and that “we are fortunate that they are still moving water.” The chilled water/hot water plant for 14 buildings on campus is near the Physics Building. Underground pipes connect all of the buildings to that facility. A pipe will be constructed in
million worth of different utility improvements. Jackson said the next steps in the approval process are to go before the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in March and the Texas Bond Review Board later in the spring. “This [project] has been going on a long time already and we still have some time before we can sign the contracts with them to implement,” said Jackson. The contract may be finalized in June. About 30 months are GRAPHIC COURTESY OF UNT needed for completion, Jackson The section of line replaced by the city of Denton will be along Highland Street said.
from Avenue C to Maple Street.
a loop system that will connect to the future parking garage on Highland Street, which will contain a new chilling plant. The goal is to have two chilling plants to run the entire system on campus, which will decrease operation and maintenance
costs, Jackson said. “Our whole goal is to reduce the cost of operations for the university, save energy and help reduce our carbon footprint,” Jackson said. The Board of Regents approved a proposal consisting of $42
The city’s project The city has a waterline replacement project scheduled for the UNT area in the summer of 2011, said Jim Coulter, general manager for water utilities for the city of Denton. “We’re replacing the 6-inch waterline with an 8-inch waterline,” Coulter said.
The section of line replaced will be along Highland Street from Avenue C to Maple Street. “This line has averaged approximately 4 breaks per line per year and meets our replacement criteria,” said John Cabrales, the Denton public information officer. Though the line beneath Chestnut Street is in poorer cond it ion, Cabra les sa id replacing it was complicated by the fact that it passes within the UNT Campus and has landscaping and other obstacles. “We are currently evaluating the possibility of abandoning this line and rerouting service lines or using trenchless line replacement technologies for this particular line,” he said. The estimated cost is $200,000 with the money coming from a water utility maintenance budget.
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Scott McBride, Rebecca Hoeffner & Melissa Boughton, News Editors
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SGA passes bill for student vote on ‘green fee’ By Shea Yarborough Senior Staff Writer
The Student Government Association passed a bill allowing students to vote on a $5 “green fee� to go toward environmental and agricultural projects. If the students vote ‘yes’ in the April 19 to April 23 referendum for the fee, the UNT Sustainability Council will appoint students to the committee who will spend the money, said Nicole Cocco, a studio art senior and Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. “We want this bill, but we want what students want,� Cocco said. Increased recycling, organic food in the dining halls and bike lanes were a few of the projects Cocco listed in her presentation of the bill to the SGA. SGA is the student-led governmental body of UNT. Most people are skeptical of
fees, said Cameron Tharp, an international studies junior and president of the North Texas Energy and Environmental Club, but he still supported the bill, citing other universities that had passed similar measures. “A&M, UT and the University of Houston have all passed the green fee,� Tharp said. Bike lanes were an important topic covered by several questions and discussions. Devin Axtman, a physically disabled Arts and Sciences sophomore, was concerned about the lack of space on the existing sidewalks for wheelchairs. “The sidewalks are crowded as Photo by Alex Scott/Photographer it is,� Axtman said. If formed, the committee will SGA President Dakota Carter speaks while Kevin Sanders, a College of Arts and Sciences Senator looks on at the SGA be one of the first of its kind on meeting Wednesday night. campus, Cocco said. Students will be allowed in She said that transparency i s a committee that the student body support of the bill, she said. A few can choose where the money were hesitant until the purpose of the committee meetings, suggest top priority. the fee was explained. Students “This project is different goes,� she said, projects and say where they want When asked, students were in have voiced their concerns, and money to be spent, Cocco said. because it’s an appointed student
one of the complaints is the lack of recycling bins on campus, she said. “There isn’t more recycling because there are only six employees to take care of recycling. This money would go towards hiring more people.� Todd Spinks, director of the Office of Sustainability, voiced his support for the bill at the meeting. His office will be in charge of implementing projects after the student committee approves them. “My office will be held responsible for the funds, insuring transparency,� he said. The fee will be in effect for five years, expiring unless the students vote to reinstate it, though it may increase to $10. “Five dollars is not a lot of money, but we don’t know how students are going to respond, so we decided on $5 instead of $10,� she said.
UNT offers students spring break alternatives By A lex Cheatham Staff Writer
Some UNT students have chosen to forego the typical beach vacation this year and spend their spring break making a difference. The Center for Leadership and Service is offering students alternative, volunteer-based ways to spend their spring break. About 75 UNT students applied and were interviewed last semester for the Alternative Spring Break Program, and there will be 54 — nine per trip — participating. The center trained the participants and site leaders, who will travel in buses and stay at local churches or on-site to connect with the community and keep costs low, said Amy Simon, the
center’s director. “It’s not the same world as it was before. You don’t have to sign your life over to volunteer,� said Pamela Sybert, project coordinator for the Educational Consortium for Volunteerism. “There are so many short-term opportunities for people to get involved in.� UNT isn’t the only school offering alternative spring break programs. There are 150 schools nationwide who are involved with Break Away, the alternative break connection. “I chose to get involved with the Alternative Spring Break because it’s something different. I’ll be taking a vacation and putting it toward something good for someone else,�
said Erin Lipinsky, a public relations sophomore. Lipinsky, who is also a site leader, said her job entails coordinating events with the group and the site, finding out about various projects the group will engage in, and focusing on the internal aspects of the group to make sure people have fun and reach their goals. “There are so many reasons students choose to spend their spring break volunteering. They do it to make a difference, make friends, and travel. It’s a powerful experience,� Simon said. To maintain a democracy and keep it healthy, citizens need to participate in civil services, such as helping others, Sybert said. There are six trips, each sponsored by UNT and ranging from
$100 to $200 from March 13 to 20. The issues students will be working with cover a large spectrum of causes, such as health, disaster relief, environment, and youth and education. Each is partnered with a specific nonprofit organization. “Students going to the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis will be working hands-on with young kids and their families who are staying at the house. They will be doing everything from cooking to cleaning to planning activities,� Simon said. Students who are participating in disaster relief will be going to New Orleans and Waveland, Miss., to assist with
relief work, rebuilding, and restoration of houses and buildings destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Those interested in environmental causes will camp in Rockport near the gulf coast and volunteering at Goose Island State Park. “The students who go to [Goose Island State Park] will be restoring, planting and learning to improve the environment,� Simon said. The Youth and Education trips are in Memphis, Tenn., and Kansas City, Mo., and will offer students a chance to help care for young children with hands-on interaction. Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City is for students who are involved in UNT Serves, a
service group for students living on campus. “I’d really like to come back [to Denton] with a bond with the people I go with,� Lipinsky said. “I want to have the knowledge and satisfaction that I put all of my effort into this trip.� Because the Alternative Spring Break Program is new for UNT, Simon said she hopes students come back excited. The center is considering other service ideas such as “alternative weekends� for the future. “It’s so much more powerful to do an Alternative Spring Break trip as opposed to volunteering for only one day because you can create an experience — a lifechanging experience,� Simon said.
oversig ht of t he Sy stem’s academ ic budget mat ters, help in t he development of ac adem ic pl a nning processes and policies, and serve as a liaison
to other state higher education entities. Increasing administrative funding D u r i ng t he May 20 0 9 Board of Regents meeting, a spending plan was generated that included the position. It received a 9-0 approval from the Regents. Provost Wendy Wilkins said
she did not know much about the new position but said the “system has a budget for that.� During the 2009 Texas Legislative session, university systems were evaluated to determine the amount of funding needed to support System office operations. The UNT System received $2 million in in-state support for the
fiscal year ending August 2011. For the fiscal year ending August 2009, the state appropriated $82,845 for the System. “It is a big jump and part of that is because there is an expectation by the state for the university administration to operate in the way that we are trying to and we can move in the direction by having a vice chancellor for Academic Affairs,� Rodriguez said. Since Gretchen Bataille’s resignation as university president, costs continue to add up for t he universit y, w it h Bataille’s $598,600 severance package, Interim President Phil Diebel’s $90,000 90-day salary and a yet-to-be-determined salary for the interimpresident succeeding Diebel adding to the mix.
However, any concern that the appointment of the new vice chancellor would require f u r t her budget c ut s el sewhere or that the university would be picking up the tab is not necessary, said Deborah Leliaert, the vice president of University Relations. “UNT-Denton is not funding this position,� Leliaert said.
Funding for vice chancellor position to come from state Continued from Page 1 Accord i ng to t he job posting listed on Academic Keys for Administration, the new vice chancellor will have
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Arts & Life
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Professor to photograph world seeds in Norway By Graciela R azo Senior Staff Writer
A UNT professor will take her cameras and lenses to new, freezing heights this month when she visits Norway to photograph the world’s seeds. Dornith Doherty, a photography professor and Institute for the Advancement of the Arts fellow, will visit the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on Wednesday, in Longyearbyen, Norway, about 800 miles outside of the North Pole. “I am totally thrilled,” Doherty said. “It’s very exciting that they liked my work enough to invite me.” Nicknamed the “Doomsday Vault,” the seed bank contains seeds from all the known plants in the world, so they can be repopulated in case of extinction or world disaster. During her faculty fellowship this semester, Doherty will be one of the few invited to visit the high-security bank, which is only open twice a year. The professor has been working to photograph other seed banks in Colorado and England as part of her photography project, “Archiving Eden.” “I think what I’m interested in is that in face of climate change, we’re kind of going through a big decrease in the number of species right now, both in animal and plant life,” Doherty said. The seed bank is a complex web of cooperation from the countries of the world, which have worked together to make this botanical backup system, she said. “The possibility to look at the interfaces between technology and human agency and the human world, I think it’s a really interesting intersection of all those aspects,” Doherty said. However, the trip will come with some challenges. With taking two days to get to the location and buying equipment, batteries and a film-based mechanical camera, Doherty said she is still preparing for her trip. Snapping interesting photo-
Photo Illustration by Ingrid Laubach/Photographer
First Year Experience is an organization on campus that helps freshmen students adjust to college life.
Homesick students discover ways to cope By Nicole L andry Staff Writer
Photo by Rebekah Gomez/Photographer
In March, Photography Professor Dornith Doherty will be heading to the Norwegian Islands to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, as part of her ongoing project “Archiving Eden”. graphs that tell the story is also a concern, she said. Robert Milnes, dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design, said Doherty’s trip to the World Seed Bank is not only a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her, but it will also benefit her students and UNT in the long run. “It’s an opportunity for her work to develop in ways that it couldn’t be done anywhere else,” Milnes said. “But it’s also wonderful for her students and the university, because it means she’ll bring back information she gets there.” Milnes said he looks forward to seeing the photographs Doherty captures because her work is always interesting. However, she does not just
capture an image and leave it to explain itself. She manipulates it so they are presented more clearly, he said. “Photography is not so much about capturing an image but to take the image and work with it, so that it becomes a duplicable base of an idea that can be used in art work,” Milnes said. Letitia Huckaby, a photography graduate student, has worked with Doherty for four years. She said she likes how Doherty is not only a professor, but also a working photographer who can bring back what she learns to her students. “It’s an inspiration, and it sets the bar for all of us so that we can see what we are able to do as well,” Huckaby said.
Students never know how their first year at college is going to go until they get there. The ones who thought they’d be calling home every day may only call about once a week, and the ones who thought they’d be happy to get out of their hometown may end up visiting every weekend, if they can. T he prog re s sion f rom freshman to senior is different for everyone, but it can include a lot of the same elements: responsibility, independence and getting involved on campus. “The biggest thing [with freshmen] is they’re so excited the first semester, then the realization kicks in,” said Abby Glavy, a public relations sophomore and Kerr Hall resident assistant. “Then it’s, ‘I can’t go out partying every night.’” Political science sophomore Brady Mayfield agrees. “I think in the first semester [freshmen] aren’t used to the freedom of college, so they get a little crazy. But by the second semester, they’re OK,” he said.
Mayfield, who lives in Maple Hall, said he wasn’t nervous about coming to college because he was rather independent in high school. But for students who might have trouble adjusting, he suggested they join a student organization. “I think any school organization can help you adjust because it’s like social networking, and I think it helps,” he said. UN T has prog ra ms to encourage students to get involved, such as its First Year Experience program in which upperclassmen provide new students with the resources to make connections across campus, Glavy said. “Obviously it’s hard coming into a new school without any experience,” said David Turner, a math sophomore and First Year Experience leader. “What we do is provide a kind of mentor aspect for freshmen and help them have a successful first year.” Though FYE is for freshmen, Turner believes that there are plenty of resources available for older students.
“Our programs are based off a collection of different programs in the university,” he said. Ben McCrary, a Spanish language senior, transferred to UNT from Collin County Community College but said he still experienced the same homesickness that freshmen do. “I wanted to come home a bunch,” he said. “I didn’t have a place to sit in my apartment, so that was no fun. I never wanted to be here.” One of the hardest things for McCrary was figuring out where everything is located on campus. He suggested that new students be given maps of the campus and set loose so that they can “find everything themselves.” However, he’s now become adjusted to being on campus — and he has a place to sit — so he feels more comfortable than he did in his early UNT days. Now, he only makes a trip home about once a month. “I talk to my parents really only when I’m home, not much on the phone,” he said.
training as a positive experience. “It gives people a chance to ask about GLBT issues in an open space and helps a lot of people who aren’t informed or not clear about certain GLBT issues,” he said.
The late Dan Emenheiser established the Ally Training program in the spring of 1999 when he was part of the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity staff. For more information, visit www.ally.unt.edu.
Ally training creates ‘safe zone’ for students By Brianne Tolj
Contributing Writer Students will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of a safe zone for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people on campus during UNT’s Ally Training program. The Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity will host the event from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday in the University Union. The program is aimed at achieving a discriminationand-harassment-free environment for people to live and work in, according to the UNT Ally Web site. “They work to create safe, welcoming environments for
students, staff and faculty and open their doors to anyone who needs help,” said Uyen Tran, director of organizational development for the Multicultural Center and Women’s Center. “Allies learn about injustice and human indignity and pledge to lend their voice to those whose voices have not been heard.” The training program will to provide an open environment where individuals can learn from each other and their different experiences, according to the Web site. Ally Training happens once every semester and is open to anyone — most allies are from the heterosexual majority, Tran said.
“It’s important for individuals to understand how we are different and embrace our similarities,” Tran said. The program consists of two speakers and one panel, who will talk for one hour. Each will cover subjects like sexual orientation, respect, sexual identity, disability and inclusion. Clark Pomerleau of the political science faculty and Henry Ramirez, center programs manager for the Resource Center in Dallas, are the two main speakers. Pomerleau will present “Trans 101” and discuss basic issues related to transgender individuals and how allies can support transgender people on campus,
he said. Student attendance is important, Tran said, because “we all need each other to survive.” “Students benefit from Ally Training by being exposed to diversity issues that better prepare them for working and living in our world,” said Pomerleau. “[They will learn this] by learning the most salient issues facing LGBT students, beginning to train about how to support minorities, meeting other people committed to sympathetic listening, equity and diversity.” Diedrick Brackens, president of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Denton and a fibers junior, described the
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Group uses ‘Harry Potter as a catalyst’ to spread love BY K ATIE GRIVNA Senior Staff Writer
Students anxiously awaiting a Muggle Quidditch game at UNT might not have to wait much longer, thanks to UNT’s Harry Potter Alliance. The UNT chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance, a national nonprofit organization, aims to bring Harry Potter fans together for the purpose of volunteering and spreading love. “It’s just about loving your fellow human as we believe J.K. Rowling tells us to through the Harry Potter books and the Harry Potter community,” said Rachel Catlett, an English language sophomore and organizer for the chapter. When Catlett started the group last semester, she said, she wanted to bring Harry Potter fans and people who love volunteering together. “Our goal is just to spread the message of love,” she said. “I thought it was necessary to
start a chapter in the Denton community because there are already a lot of people who want to spread that message and who also have a lot of capacity for love.” Catlett said the group hasn’t had any programs yet this semester because she doesn’t have a lot of time. In the future, the organization plans to have activities, such as book drives, a Muggle Quidditch soccer tournament for charity and selling T-shirts, she said. Any money raised will be given to the national Harry Potter Alliance, Catlett said. Last October, members of the UNT chapter attended a Whomp, a concert where Harry Potter-themed bands like the Whomping Willows and the Mudbloods performed for $5 admission to benefit the national Harry Potter Alliance. A nat iona l a nd g loba l community has sprung from
the popular book series, and the alliance is using Harry Potter to connect to world issues and raise social awareness, Catlett said. Although most people she has talked to about the UNT alliance have been supportive, she said some people didn’t understand what the group was and thought it was a “nerd thing.” “Our organization is about helping people,” Catlett said. “It’s about spreading t he message of love and using Harry Potter as a catalyst to do so.” Ashley Johnson, an art freshman and member of the UNT chapter, said she likes the series because it is an escape from reality. “It’s a way to go outside of your normal life and experience something through imagination, which is something that most teenagers and young adults don’t do anymore,” she said. The UNT Ha rr y Potter
PHOTO BY CRISTY ANGULO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore Jeff Hartsock, freshman Ashley Johnson, and freshman Rachel Catlett, chapter organizer, want to bring Harry Potter fans together for a world of activism and volunteer work under the flag of love, Catlett said. Alliance is a chance for fans of the series to get together and make an impact by doing philanthropy while having fun at the same time, Johnson said. Vallari Chandna, a business master’s student and member of
the UNT Harry Potter Alliance, said when she learned about the national organization, she wanted UNT to have a chapter. She contacted the national organization about starting a UNT group, only to find it was
already in the works. “I find it interesting to see how a children’s book has lessons for us all in it,” Chandna said. For more information and tentative meeting times, search for the UNT Harr y Potter Alliance Facebook group.
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Thursday, March 4, 2010 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor
Sports
Page 5 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com
Mean Green’s ‘spokesman’ thrives against Sun Belt BY SEAN GORMAN Senior Staff Writer
When the UNT men’s basketball team was asked to chronicle its trip to Louisiana with a video camera for www.meangreensports.com last week, there was little doubt that Tristan Thompson was the man for the job. A communications major, the guard out of Angleton spent the weekend giving Mean Green fans a behind-the-scenes look at life on the road for the players and coaches through the device. “I g uess I’m t he tea m spokesman,� Thompson said. “They told me to take the camera around and be myself, so I really had a lot of fun with it.� Thompson looks to continue
working on camera in the future, with aspirations to be a television analyst. “The goal is to end up on ESPN or TNT and work as a basketball expert,� he said. “I enjoy being in that environment and love hearing myself talk, so I’m sure that is something I want to do.� The 6-foot-5-inch junior hasn’t only entertained Mean Green fans off the court, as he finished the year as the second leading scorer on the team while leading the team in three-point shooting percentage. “The success I had this year can be attributed to the hard work I put in during the offseason,� he said. “Every year has come with improvement for me, and I am confident I’ll
keep doing all I can to help this team win.� Playing his best basketball within the conference, T hompson averaged 16.8 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting and scored in double figures in all but one game against Sun Belt opponents. “It’s a strange trend because I prepare exactly the same way for every game,� he said. “Sure, conference games are critical, but each one is just as important as the next to me.� Strong play in the Sun Belt paid dividends for Thompson, who was recognized by the conference by being added to the All-Sun Belt Third Team earlier this week. “It’s a testament to how far we’ve come as a team to have
myself and three other guys acknowledged by the Sun Belt,� he said. “I’m proud of that accolade, but there are a lot more important things for us during the rest of this month.� Thompson says he believes one thing that helped him get to this point was playing basketball for a year at the Brewster Academy, a private boarding school in New Hampshire. “The competition was unbelievable,� he said. “Every team that we played had around six potential Division I players, competing against those kind of players really prepared me for basketball at UNT.� To read the full version of this story, visit ntdaily.com.
PHOTO BY REBEKAH GOMEZ/PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior guard Tristan Thompson finished the year as the second leading scorer on the team while leading the team in three-point shooting percentage.
Hurricanes, Wildcats wait in Oklahoma for tennis team BY ERIC JOHNSON Senior Staff Writer
After a 13-day layoff, the UNT tennis team will make the short trip Tulsa, Okla., where the Mean Green will try to quiet the No. 42 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes and the Kansas State Wildcats. Head coach Sujay Lama shuffled his top four singles players after an emotional loss to the No. 37 Florida International. The significant change to the lineup inspired the team to prepare itself better mentally and physically. “We all had to do some soul searching, and there has been such a drastic change in everyone’s attitude and work ethic,� head coach Sujay Lama said. “We have had some brutal workouts during our time off, and we are going into every match focused and relaxed.�
After a month-long absence, junior Narine Kazarova will make her return to the lineup. A decision by Lama to bench one of the team’s most talented players has ignited the former No. 1 singles player. “She has amazing talent, but we needed her to want it,� Lama said. “She knows what is expected of her, and you see that fight in her now. She has had some great victories in her career, and if she can keep her head in the right place, she is a huge asset to this team.� Kazarova will likely play in the No. 6 position in singles and will compete with freshman Paula Dinuta for a doubles pairing with junior Madura Ranganathan. After leading the team to victory against South Alabama from the No. 1 position, Ranganathan has
been entrusted with the top spot for this weekend. “There is a lot of responsibility and pressure that comes with that top spot, and I want that,� Ranganathan said. “We are all competitors and we all want to be the best, so I am going to do whatever I can to motivate my team and lead them from the front.� Sophomore Irina Paraschiv will remain in the No. 2 spot and will be counted on to jump-start the match as the half of the No. 1 doubles team. Junior Amy Joubert has shown great chemistry with Paraschiv this season, and the two have solidified UNT’s biggest strength. To read the full version of this story, visit ntdaily.com.
PHOTO BY ERIC JOHNSON/SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Sophomore Irina Paraschiv fires a backhand during Wednesday’s practice. The UNT tennis team will take on Tulsa and Kansas State this weekend in Tulsa, Okla.
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Views
Page 6 Josh Pherigo, Views Editor
Thursday, March 4, 2010 ntdailyviews@gmail.com
Stop bickering and start talking
Coach praises thieving football team Editorial The Texas A&M Commerce football team wasn’t so happy about the lead story in the Feb. 25 edition of its campus newspaper, The East Texan. So the team formed and carried out an ingenious plan to swipe the papers before students arrived for classes. For those of you who didn’t pick up a copy, — everyone not on the team — the story was about two Commerce football players arrested in a drug bust earlier that week. Apparently Commerce has the Internet, because — much to the chagrin of the team — word still spread. Head coach Guy Morriss commended his team’s valiant efforts to suppress the negative publicity, saying he was “proud” of his team’s actions. Morriss, who’s apparently never taken the players to a rope’s course, said it was the “best team-building exercise [they] have ever done.” And that’s not all. When shown a copy of the stolen paper, Morriss dismissed its content by saying “I don’t read that crap.” He also questioned the charge of theft by asking how taking large quantities of a free newspaper could be illegal. University authorities cleared that up by informing the former Baylor coach that the paper has a printed note stating that only the first copy is free and subsequent copies are 25 cents each. Oops, should have read “that crap,” coach. But in a surprise move, Morriss admitted he, in fact, has both read and stolen the newspaper in the past. He said he sent several copies to friends and family members when the paper ran a story about his hiring. Then, mocking the severity of the crime, Morriss said, “I guess I’ll be the first one out the door in handcuffs.” A&M Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper didn’t necessarily agree with Morriss’ proud papa stance, saying he didn’t believe the student-athletes were smart enough to come up with the plan on their own. He also issued an apology to The East Texan staff. **** To the A&M Commerce football team, the Editorial Board suggests a better team building exercise: make headlines on the field. To Morriss, the Editorial Board recommends you stop enabling juvenile antics and start behaving like the responsible role model that your student-athletes deserve. Acting like a professional on and off the field will only prolong your career.
Campus Chat
Last week, political tensions came to a boil at the University of California campuses. For many, it is no surprise, because those campuses — especially the Berkeley anchor campus — are no strangers to controversy. This time, however, it was different. At UC San Diego, a noose was hung in the library. At UC Davis, a swastika was drawn on a Jewish student’s dorm room door. Recently, a fraternity held a “Compton Cookout” party at UC Davis, where members and other attendees dressed and behaved in a manner to depict negative stereotypes that many would deem insensitive. College campuses are a breeding ground for hate. We see it all over, from Ole Miss and their fight song controversy to university students in Canada spouting anti-Semitic and other
hateful rhetoric to other groups on campus. These events, while laughed at by some, are not something to just glance over. In this era of political correctness and extreme sensitivity, it hurts more than usual. What causes students to do this? Do they not have anything else to do with their time than to plot hate? It is unfortunate, and it starts at the top with administrators, professors and those in a position of power. These problems stem from the opinion espoused by many as a “divided America.” No longer do we classify people as “smart” and “stupid.” The divide is “right” and “left.” No one wants to talk anymore, and when they do, they spout pure unsubstantiated rhetoric, which does nothing but make for good sound bites on late night talk shows.
Racial problems were not quelled by the election of President Barack Obama either, to the disbelief of many. Instead they were intensified. With the “birther” movement on the right, and Democrats comparing Republicans to Nazi Germany with regards to health care, and Keith Olbermann, Glenn Beck and others using hateful language to describe public servants, it comes as no surprise that this would trickle down to college campuses. How do we solve this problem? By talking to one another. In this age of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, no one has any time for discussion anymore, and that is dismaying. If people actually listened to each other and used grievances aired as a springboard for action, we would not have circumstances that unfolded on
the UC campuses. Talk is cheap, but action is pointless if one’s aim is to upset. It is time for students to not turn their hatred at certain groups, but at policies. We must turn to something that was once forced upon us in middle school, and start READING and researching. Research is necessary, and informed opinions must be conjured from this reading, which will in turn give us a better understanding of people, places, cultures and motives. Understanding leads to trust, which in turn leads to friendship. And friendship leads to a more cohesive society. The culture math is complex, but the solution is blatantly obvious. Adam Rosenfield is a political science senior. He can be reached at adam_rosenfield@yahoo. com.
Football schedule provides opportunity A disappointing 2-10 season that saw UNT blow six fourthquarter leads left a lot of questions about a talented Mean Green football team, and a “win-now-or-we-will-blow-itall-up” view of the coaching staff. Head coach Todd Dodge was told that UNT could not suffer through another losing season if he wanted to keep his job. With most of the Sun Belt reloading, six home games and the likelihood of two nonconference wins, the Mean Green has the potential for its first winning season since 2003. UNT returns all but four starters, and with all-conference running back Lance Dunbar leading the charge on offense, the Mean Green has a chance to improve on last year’s offense that ranked first in the conference. The Mean Green will start the season on the road against Clemson, and despite the Tigers losing 10 starters and their best player in C.J. Spiller, this will be a huge test for UNT.
A home ga me aga inst a mediocre Rice team that is coming off a 2-10 season of its own and a road game against Army will be must-wins for the Mean Green. UNT will play its final game at Fouts Field against Kansas State in the final game of the regular season. U N T shou ld enter Su n Belt play with a 2-1 record, a nd w it h t he exception of Middle Tennessee and Troy, the Mean Green will likely be the favorite in the other six conference games. Florida Atlantic, LouisianaMon roe, A rk a n s a s St ate, Flor ida Inter nat iona l a nd Troy will all be breaking in new quarterbacks. Western Kent uck y a nd L ou isia naMonroe will both enter the season with new coaches. Six of the Sun Belt’s nine teams will lose at least half of t heir sta r ters f rom t he previous season. The defending champion, Troy, lost 14 starters, but the Trojans always bring in the best talent and once again had
the Sun Belt’s top recruiting class. Middle Tennessee is coming of f a 10-w in season a nd a victory in the New Orleans Bowl. With quarterback Dwight Dasher and head coach Rick Stockstill returning, the Blue Raiders are the clear favorite to win conference. Dodge’s job i s on t he line, but a great recruiting class will vastly improve his defense and new offensive coordinator Mi ke Ca na les will add a new wrinkle to the Mean Green offense. UNT w i l l split t he nonconference games and have t he of fensive f irepower to outscore a ny tea m in t he Sun Belt. I predict quarterback Riley Dodge a nd t he Mean Green take a giant step forward and finish the season 8-4. Eric Johnson is a journalism senior and senior staff writer for the Daily. He can be reached at EricJohnson3@ my.unt.edu.
2010 Football Schedule Sept. 4 at Clemson Sept. 11 Rice Sept. 18 at Army Sept. 25 at Florida Atlantic* Oct. 2 Louisiana-Lafayette* Oct. 9 Arkansas State* Oct. 16 Florida International* (Homecoming) Oct. 30 at Western Kentucky* Nov. 6 Troy* Nov. 13 at Middle Tennessee* Nov. 20 at Louisiana-Monroe* Nov. 27 Kansas State * Sun Belt Conference Game
What are you most looking forward to this Spring Break?
{ { {
“Looking forward to partying it up in South Padre.”
Odis Banks
Radio, television and film sophomore
“Partying and having fun with friends and family.”
Bianca Rodriguez Social work freshman
“Having a break from classes and for some sun.”
NT Daily Editorial Board
Darra Narramore
English Language Arts Junior
The Editorial Board includes: Shaina Zucker, Josh Pherigo, Rebecca Hoeffner, T.S. McBride, Melissa Boughton, Amber Arnold, Kip Mooney, Abigail Allen, Sydnie Summers, Brianne Tolj, Clinton Lynch, Justin Umberson, and David Williams.
Want to be heard? The NT Daily is proud to present a variety of ideas and opinions from readers in its Views section. As such, we would like to hear from as many NT readers as possible. We invite readers of all creeds and backgrounds to write about whichever issue excites them, whether concerning politics, local issues,
ethical questions, philosophy, sports and, of course, anything exciting or controversial. Take this opportunity to make your voice heard in a widely read publication. To inquire about column ideas, submit columns or letters to the editor, send an e-mail to ntdailyviews@gmail.com
Note to Our Readers
The NT Daily does not necessarily endorse, promote or agree with the viewpoints of the columnists on this page. The content of the columns is strictly the opinion of the writers and in no way reflects the belief of the NT Daily.
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Page 8 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor
Sports
Thursday, March 4, 2010 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com
Mean Green ready for Sun Belt tournament Godbolt impresses in first year By Ben Baby Staff Writer
In t he f ina l home ga me of t he reg u la r season, she sits on the bench, anxiously wa it i ng for t he Super Pit public announcer Rob Coffee to introduce “the lady in the middle.” The line “She’s on fire” goes through her head, hoping Lil Wayne’s words will be descriptive of her play on the court that night against Louisiana-Lafayette. On the hardwood, freshman forward Jasmine Godbolt has been torching opponents all season for the UNT women’s basketball team, one of the few br ig ht spots in a dim season. Godbolt, who ranks No. 16 in the nation in rebounding among freshman, has been vital to the success that the Mea n Green has had t h is sea son. Before Sat u rday ’s game, Godbolt was averaging 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. “She’s really talented for a f reshma n,” senior g ua rd Brittany James said. “Normally they come in ner vous. She ca me in ready. She work s hard, and she’s just a great player overall.” Godbolt who would rather be snacking on some homemade macaroni and cheese, has had a plate full of tough interior players from the Sun Belt. Western Kentucky senior for ward A rnika Brow n has been one of the many difficult match-ups for Godbolt. Brow n went of f for 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 48-point drubbing of UNT.
Afterwards, Brown gave her props to the scrappy Mean Green forward. “[Brown] was like, ‘You have so much potential. You’re a good player, and keep it up because your future is going to be bright,’” Godbolt said. “For her to grab me at the end of the game and tell me those things in my ear, was... exciting.” W hen most players were honing their handles, Godbolt, a devout Christian, was living the simple life in Arkadelphia, Ark. In search of better jobs, her parents migrated to the then-fertile economy of the Dallas area when she was in third grade. T he s i x-fo ot f r e s h m a n didn’t pick up the game until eighth grade at Webb Middle School i n Ga rla nd. From there, Godbolt didn’t have too many girls to play against, so she played against whomever she could find at the Granger Recreation Center. “I’d be going to the park wanting to play against girls, but girls weren’t really out playing,” Godbolt said. “So I just thought, ‘Well, they’re guys. They’ll probably help me get better.’ And they really did.” Godbolt, a sociology major, sta r ted her jour ney under head coach Derik Short at Naaman Forest High School in Garland. She played on the varsity level for her final two years of high school, where she began to earn the attention of TexasArlington, Colorado, Stephen F. Austin and UNT.
Photo by Ryan Bibb/Staff Photographer
Freshman forward Jasmine Godbolt ranks No. 16 in the nation in rebounding among freshmen. Goldbolt and the rest of the Mean Green opens Sun Belt Conference Tournament play against the Florida International Golden Panthers at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Hot Springs, Ark. “I thought she had just halfway touched the potential of what she could be,” head coach Shanice Stephens said, referring to Godbolt while she was in high school. “When she gets to a consistent clip of working day in, day out, regardless of the situation, she is going to be able to reach her full potential and be a phenomenal player.” In her f irst year at UNT,
t hings have been far from pleasant, as the Mean Green has struggled in a rebuilding year, going 5-13 in conference play and 8-21 overall. During that time period, she has grown into a leadership role on a team that only had two seniors on the roster. Against ULL, Godbolt had a mon s t er p er for m a nc e, s c o r i n g 16 p o i n t s a n d snatching 12 boards in the
Mean Green’s 90-67 defeat of t he Rag in’ Cajuns. The double-double that Godbolt collected was her eighth of t he season, which adds to the most double-doubles by a freshman in a single season, a record Godbolt has secured for herself. The spectators who were in attendance saw UNT’s most dom ina nt per for ma nce of the season, and a freshman
phenom who had just begun her reign of terror on opposing post players. “Individually, I thought it would be harder than it is now, especia lly as a freshman,” Godbolt said. “I’m glad I’ve gotten the opportunity this season with the two seniors leav i ng. I’ve enjoyed my first season, and I’m looking forward to the next year, and better.”
Mean Green begins tough trek against FIU By Ben Baby Staff Writer
After a tough regular season, the UNT women’s basketball team will try to make amends for the first 29 games of the season. The No. 7 Mean Green (8-21, 5-13) will square off against the No. 10 Florida International Golden Panthers (14-15, 9-9) in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Championship at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Convention Center Court in Hot Springs, Ark. “I think we still are playing in spurts,” head coach Shanice Stephens said. “We have a little inconsistency, and we’re not generally taking care of the ball. But I think then, when we get a game plan and we focus on it, and our backs are against the wall, I think we’ll play better.” A victory would push the Mean Green one step closer in its pursuit for a conference title. If UNT were to win its initial match-up, it would face No. 2 Middle Tennessee in the second round. The Mean Green finished the season in fourth place in the SBC West, two games back of third place Arkansas State. UNT stumbles into the tournament, going 2-5 in the month of February. The Golden Panthers had their way with the Mean Green during the season. In the two meetings between the teams, FIU swept the season series, winning by an average of 13 points. UNT is 4-8 against FIU all-time. “We saw that we’re playing FIU, and it’s hard to beat a team three times,” senior guard Brittany James said. “I feel like they’re going to have their hands full with us.” The last time the two teams squared off, UNT kept making runs, only to be thwarted by FIU. The Mean Green had a tough time picking up rebounds in the
Photo by Ryan Bibb/Staff Photographer
Freshman guard Ravven Brown plays keep away with Louisiana-Lafayette last week. UNT will play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournment this weekend
Mean Green’s Record When: Trailing at the half Opponent scores 61-70 It scores 81+ Opponent shoots 41-46% Game decided by 5 points or less
second meeting on Feb. 6, giving up 14 offensive rebounds. “[FIU] has the height advantage,” Stephens said. “Now we not only have to null-and-void their advantage, we have to make the most of our advantage, which is athleticism and quickness.” Two Mean Green standouts were recognized this week, as freshman forward Jasmine Godbolt was na med SBC Freshman of the Year and James was named to the Third-Team All-Conference. “I was hoping I would do better than third team, but I’ll take that over nothing at all,” James said. “I’m glad that I can be on a Sun Belt All-Conference
2-19 5-4 3-1 1-7 0-4
Team my last year here, and hopefully I can continue to do better things.” Stephens will receive muchneeded reinforcements to bolster the bench, as sophomore guard Tamara Torru and junior guard Niq’ky Hughes will be available for Saturday’s game. “I’m pretty sure, pound-forpound, we’re a better team than FIU,” James said. “But when we don’t play together, and when people do their own thing, just get away from the game plan, things start to fall apart. If we can stick with the game plan that we have for them, play together and play defense, there’s no way that we can lose.”