11-24-09 Edition by North Texas Daily

First Win

group to offer safe rides home NEWS: New Page 2 Alumnae start interactive photography business ARTS & LIFE: Page 3 college students: A trend that needs to end VIEWS: Married Page 4

Women’s team needs big comeback to beat ‘Roos on Sunday Page 6

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

News 1,2 Arts & Life 3 Sports 6 Views 4 Classifieds 5 Games 5

Volume 94 | Issue 51

Sunny 63° / 39° The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas

ntdaily.com

Students vote ‘no’ UNT officials, alumni dig deep on referendum BY CHRISTENA DOWSETT Photo Editor

BY CAROLYN BROWN

their EUIDs on the SGA’s Web site or by paper ballot in the SGA Students voted down the office. Earlier this month, Stephen Student Government Association’s Benavides, a political same-sex Homecoming science junior, attempted referendum last week to block the election by with 58 percent against going through the SGA the measure. Supreme Court. The result was posted He said he was not 5 p.m. Monday on the surprised by the results, SGA’s Web site. which he predicted The bill was intended when he tried to block to a llow same-sex DAKOTA the election. couples to run for CARTER “We have a perfect example Homecoming court beginning fall 2010. However, the student here where you put minority rights vote means that the senate cannot to a popular vote and they’re consider counter legislation until discriminated against,” he said. “Social opinions are not up to date after fall 2010. A total of 4,895 students voted with equality.” Benavides said the election in the election, or 13.5 percent of the students at UNT. Of those who reflects badly on UNT and the voted, 42 percent voted “yes” and students. “They lost a chance to set an 58 percent voted “no.” SGA president Dakota Carter example and be progressive,” he said. said he was pleased Kenneth Regetz, a with the turnout after business junior, voted weeks of working with “no.” SGA members to spread “I’m pleased to see awareness of the electhat Homecoming didn’t tion. succumb to political “We had one of the correctness,” he said. highest turnouts we’ve “I don’t believe anyone ever had,” he said. “As STEPHEN was being deprived of SGA president, all I can BENAVIDES do is ask people to be engaged and the opportunity to run based on sexual orientation.” express their opinions.” Regetz said he thought allowing The referendum resulted from a months-long controversy caused same-sex couples to run could by the Student Senate’s rejection hurt gender equality. He said he likes the traditional of a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to run for structure, but would prefer that positions on the Homecoming the SGA change the rules to allow candidates to run as individuals court. After threats of senator rather than as couples to take removals, multiple protests, away the implication of a relaa barrage of emails and phone tionship. calls, and three Supreme Court hearings, the senate voted to take To read the Daily the issue to the binding refereditorial on this endum. story, see Page 7 Students were able to vote with Senior Staff Writer

Referendum Results YES

42% or 2,059 votes

58% or 2,836 votes

• Students who voted in last week’s referendum: 13.5% or 4,895 • Students who voted in Homecoming court elections: 9% or 3,248

Shovels lined the future end zone of UNT’s new stadium at t he g roundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning. Dist i ng u ished a lu m n i such as “Mean” Joe Greene and Jordan Case, as well as members of the board of regents and Denton Mayor Ma rk Bur roug hs helped turn over freshly laid sand as a symbol of the start to construction.

“We are building this stadium with the quality of life of our neighbors in mind.”

—Gretchen Bataille UNT President

Former UNT quarterback and member of the UNT Hall of Fame Jordan Case said he’s been looking forward to this day for 30 years. “Really this whole thing sta r ted back when t he students passed the bill for the athletic fee increase,” Case said. “That ... gave us the momentum to continue growing and we are very proud of the student body because they stepped forward and made their commitment.” Greene sa id t he new stadium will help the UNT football team recruit players who will take the team to a new level. SGA president Da kota Carter said building the new stadium would take UNT closer to becoming a tier-one school and said he was proud of the commitment students were making towards that goal. “Essentially, it was a simple question,” Carter said. “We were asked to help fellow students who work hard

PHOTO BY CHRISTENA DOWSETT / PHOTO EDITOR

UNT President Gretchen Bataille and athletics director Rick Villarreal move the first mounds of dirt Saturday in the future end zone of the stadium to replace Fouts Field. Many UNT officials were present at the stadium’s groundbreaking. just like us everyday, academ- find “creative, responsive, and flexible solutions to ically in the classnoise and traffic.” rooms, but take it a “Beyond building little bit further as with the environambassadors of our ment in mind. I university.” assure you, we are U N T P resident also building this Gretchen Bata ille stadium with the consoled Denton resisafety, security and dents and neighbors quality of life of our to the new stadium neighbors in mind,” that a task force “MEAN” JOE Bataille said. has been created to GREENE

Case said although Fouts Field holds a lot of memories for him, he is definitely ready for a new stadium. “It kind of feels like Christmas to me,” Case said. “To know that this 30-year dream is finally coming to fruition, it’s really hard to put into words.”

To see multimedia for this story, visit ntdaily.com

Loop 288 construction completed after five years of work $1 million added to $39 million expected budget BY K ELSEY K RUZICH Contributing Writer

Drivers on Loop 288 will no longer have to worry about how t he y w i l l avoid t he constant construction. As of Nov. 16, major work on t he loop is completed, f ive mont hs a f ter its original summer deadline. “It ’s about t i me,” sa id Angela Lira, a photo specialist at Walgreens on Loop 288. “Maybe the roads won’t be so crowded anymore.” Nov. 16 was t he second deadline extension for the project. The first deadline extension to Sept. 23 was missed because of weather complications. Engineering work for the $40 million project began in 2003, and the actual construction began in 2005 to make improvements on the road. T he add it iona l work

build the other adde d about s i d e ,” s a i d $1 million to Bailey. t he ex pected The constant budget of $39 c on s t r u c t ion million. resu lted in Now t hat multiple la ne work on t he closu res at a loop is finally time and led to complete, the frustration dr ivers w i l l and confusion f i nd it much of many drivers easier to access on the loop. the businesses “T he worst a nd restaupa r t was t he ra nts a round la nes being it. closed a nd Lira also opened again,” said she sa id Jorda n t h ou g ht t h e Hosk i ns, a completion psycholog y shou ld br i ng junior. in more busiB a i l e y ness to t he said he origis tor e s a long PHOTO BY KELSEY KRUZICH / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER nally gave the the road. Most of the construction on Loop 288 fi nished Nov. 16, as seen above at the Brinker Road and Loop 288 intersection. c o n t r a c t o r s G a r y 40 mont hs to Bailey, project Inclement weather caused workers to miss a Sept. 23 deadline for completion. complete t he m a n a ger for He said t he f irst year of construction. t he Tex a s Depa r t ment of Loop 288 included widening A s t he const r uct ion Tra nsportation in Denton, the road from four to six lanes construction included moving s a i d , “ t h e c on s t r u c t i on of traffic, improving and relo- ex ist i ng ut i l it y l i nes a nd progressed to this summer, the final deadline was extended process went really well, and cating utilities, sidewa lks, adding new pavement. “We had to keep t ra f f ic to November for additional i l lu m i nat ion, a nd vegetathe quality is good.” moving on one side and then work on utilities. Ba i ley sa id t he work on tion.

Hoskins said that he thinks the completion of the road will make it easier to access

“It’s about time. Maybe the roads won’t be so crowded.”

—Angela Lira Photo specialist for Walgreens on Loop 288

the businesses on the loop and that there will be a lot less congestion on the road. He also said that the completion would help increase business on Loop 288. “I hope people enjoy the additional lanes and pedest r ia n element s, a nd t hat they help citizens get around better,” Bailey said. There are still a few minor procedures such as clean up being done to fina lize the construction, but drivers are now able to take full advantage of the new amenities of the loop.

Page 2 Tuesday, November 24, 2009

News

Shaina Zucker & Courtney Roberts

News Editors ntdailynews@gmail.com

Receiving recognition

UNT purchases land for center BY T.S. MCBRIDE

for universities. Harris said the land at 2600 N. I-35 was purchased for “land UNT may have a new autism research center after the Board of banking,” meaning the univerRegents approved the purchase sity did not yet have specific of two parcels of land for about plans for it. He said a warehouse on the $5 million Friday. Both properties are on land would most likely be torn down. Interstate Highway 35. “We wanted to make sure The university will purchase an office building at 490 S. I-35E we controlled the land and for about $2.6 million and a someone else didn’t use it for vacant lot at 2600 N. I-35 adja- another purpose,” Harris said. “It’s important for the cent to the university university to have some campus. say on what’s happening The 20,000-squarein the property adjacent foot office building will to the campus.” most likely be used for Also approved in an off-campus autism Friday’s board meeting research facility, said was a plan to consoliAndrew Harris, vice date information techchancellor for finance ANDREW nology and human for UNT. HARRIS Facilities like the proposed resources services at the univerresearch center are better off sity, said UNT spokesman Buddy campus, where non-students Price. Under the revised plan, can access them more easily, UNT will hire a chief informahe said. “They’re better served if we tion officer to handle informagive them a property off the inter- tion technology decisions. The state with easy parking and easy officer will report to the Board of Regents. access,” Harris said. Friday’s meeting also saw Most of the funding for the property will come from the approval of measures to name Higher Education Assistance a wildflower garden after former Fund. The money was estab- first lady Ladybird Johnson and a lished in 2007 for land purchases, proposal to protect wetlands near renovations and other expenses the new stadium, Price said. Senior Staff Writer

PHOTO BY CHRISTENA DOWSETT / PHOTO EDITOR

Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenbeck (above) swore 13 members of the UNT ROTC into the Army during the halftime ceremonies at the Mean Green football game against the Army Black Knights on Saturday. They will not be put on active duty until after graduation. Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, who led the press conference at Fort Hood after the shooting, presided over the coin toss at the beginning of the game. UNT President Gretchen Bataille asked everyone in a speech earlier that day to remember those affected by the Fort Hood shooting and to be respectful during the game Saturday night.

Program to offer alternative transportation to students BY TIM MONZINGO Intern

A nationwide transportation service will begin operating in Denton next year, offering students an alternative to taxis and buses. Sa fe-R ide is a prog ra m t hat prov ides free rides to students in need of a ride home T hu r s d a y t h r ou g h Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Michelle Sims, president and founder of Safe-Ride, said the organization is designed to help communities. “T he pu r pose of t he program is to make the UNT community safer by providing free reliable rides home for UNT students,” Sims said. To keep the program free,

S a fe -R ide op er at e s w it h student volunteers for drivers and navigators and relies on local businesses and families for funding. Sims said the program is based on the Carpool program at Texas A&M, which is the largest Safe-Ride organization in the country. Attempts at programs have been made at UNT in t he past but Sims said she feels confident that it will succeed this time. “We have a phone number, we have a headquarters and Enterprise has worked out a deal to give us a discounted rate,” Sims said, “It’s really exciting. It’s really going to happen.” Safe-Ride is similar to the

e-Ride service offered by UNT Parking and Transportation Services, but it differs fundamentally. “O u r e-R ide ser v ic e i s o n c a m p u s o n l y,” s a i d Joe R ich mond, a s soc iate director of UNT Parking and Transportation Services. “It’s only available to the university community.” Richmond also said that e-Ride has a different client e le t h a n t he S a f e -R ide program. Often, Safe-Ride programs are promoted as an alternative to driving for students that have been drinking and part y ing, which is not t he focus of the e-Ride service. “We’re not the drunk bus,” Richmond said.

Sims said that Safe-Ride is not intended only for people who have been drinking, but

of commitment and a lot of resources to make it work,” Richmond said.

“A lot of times, even designated drivers don’t stay sober. People will drive after drinking because they have no other way to get home.”

—Adan Garcia UNT alumnus

that the program can be used in that capacity. Richmond, a self-described cha mpion of a l l k i nds of transportation, said that it takes a lot to start a program like Safe-Ride. “It takes a lot of effort, a lot

Adan Garcia, a UNT alumnus, said he isn’t sure that people will take advantage of the program. “I t hin k a lot of people won’t want to leave their cars on Fry Street or the Square because t hey ’l l be a f ra id

of getting tickets or being towed,” Garcia said. Garcia said the program sounds like a good idea as an alternative to drinking and driving because people can be unreliable. “A lot of times, even designated drivers don’t stay sober,” Garcia said, “And people will drive after drinking because they feel like they have no other way to get home.” The prog ra m w i l l beg in carrying passengers on Jan. 21, Sims said. Students who a re interested in getting involved with the program can attend meetings at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3 or Dec. 17 in Chestnut Hall 301 or e-mail saferide.unt@gmail. com.

Correction In the Nov. 20 issue of t he Da i ly, t wo cut l i nes in t he Scene cover stor y incorrectly identified band members i n t wo of t he photos. T he le f t-h a nd phot o should have read, “Ryan McAdams, an advertising senior, is the guitarist and

lead singer of local Denton band This Old House.” T he r ig ht-ha nd photo should have read, “Kennon Talley, an advertising senior and guitarist for This Old House, strums along with the band at one of its first house-show appearances in the Denton area.”

THE DAILY IS HIRING Want to get involved?

Come by GAB117 and pick up an application or go online to ntdaily.com. We are looking for students interested in photography, writing, video, editing, design, and more. You can be any major!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Page 3

Arts & Life

Kip Mooney

Arts & Life Editor ntd.artslife@gmail.com

Alumnae launch party photography business BY GRACIELA R AZO Senior Staff Writer

When Christina Shoto and Kimberly Berba filled in as stylists and photographers for a Dallas fashion event, they photographed the first partygoers for their unconventional photography business. Shoto and Berba manage Vanity Stand, an event photography business that gives guests a chance to be fun and silly in front of the camera. “It wasn’t an intentional kind of thing,” said Shoto, a UNT alumna. “It just happened from there.” From graduation parties to larger events, Vanity Stand sets a theme and designs a backdrop according to the type of party and allows visitors to let loose with a variety of different vintage props from Shoto’s boutique, Circa ’77 on West Oak Street. With themes like Asian flare, ’80s party and prom night, Vanity Stand gives parties unusual visual mementos with professional photographs, some often printed right at the party complete with paper frames. If photos are not printed on the spot, guests can go to Vanity Stand’s online portfolio to order prints at www.vanitystand.zenfolio.com. The pictures range from $6 to $10 depending on size. The

to her subjects and discover what ma kes people more comfortable when they have their photos taken, she said. “T he more I work w it h people, the more I can find a way to loosen them up,” Stafford said. “Christina is really good about making feel comfortable, and she has a really good eye for poses.” Tanner Dunn, an anthropology sophomore, attended a party at Hailey’s Club where Vanity Stand was capturing the dancing and partying. The set up was useful since people do not want to worry about taking photos during parties, Dunn said. “I like the idea because the pictures always turn out really cool,” Dunn said. “It’s a fun thing to have because it adds to the atmosphere, and it’s fun to look at the pictures afterward.” Vanity Stand photographs mostly Dallas-area parties, but PHOTO BY INGRID LAUBACH / PHOTOGRAPHER the next time people will be Kimberly Berba, a UNT alumna and photographer, shoots photos Sept. 23 at Hailey’s Club in Denton. Berba and Christina Shoto are the artists behind Vanity Stage, able to get dressed up in front a business with custom-tailored backdrops, props and vintage accessories for photography at parties. of their camera will be at the Spune Christmas Party on Dec. 5 at Hailey’s. fake mustaches and wigs or a step further.” Mattie Stafford stepped in to service is set on a sliding scale “It’s just a silly business,” They encourage guests to donning lavish furs and pearls, take photographs. depending on each event. “I really like photography, participate, but they under- Shoto said part ygoers are Shoto said. “We just want to “Ever yone does a photo booth, so it’s kind of separating so I thought it would be some- stand if they become shy in often eager to get their photo have fun and not take ourselves too seriously.” yourself from what everyone thing new to try,” Stafford front of the camera, because taken. For more information, visit The interact ive photogsaid. “I really like the concept Shoto herself does, too, she else is doing,” Shoto said. raphy business has also helped w w w.va nit ysta nd.blogspot. When Berba moved to Austin, behind it because it’s essen- said. But in the middle of wearing Stafford find new ways to talk com. photographer and UNT alumna tially a photo booth, but we go

Students learn marketing from sports professionals BY K ATIE GRIVNA Senior Staff Writer

In a sports-saturated state like Texas, one UNT organization shows the business side of athletics. T he Spor t s Ma rket i ng Association, which has seen members go on to work for teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, started around 2006. “A lot of our members are successful with the sports industry,” said Alysha White, vice president of financing for the group and a marketing senior. In order to help students get their foot in the door of the sports marketing industry, the associ-

ation offers members interns h i p s , volu nteer oppor t unities, and profess i o n a l development such as résumé building, interview, and presentation skills. They also arrange for professionals to speak at meetings. “They can teach you everything in school, how to be a marketer, but it’s up to the person

Felicia Cruz

how they sell themselves, so we just try to give them experience,” said Tamika Fuimaono, association vice president and marketing senior. T he Spor t s Ma rket i ng Association is important because it is student driven and allows members to share experience with each other, Fuimaono said. Association president and journalism junior Felicia Cruz described the group as for “people who enjoy sports, but can’t play them in other words and want to be a part of them somehow.” While there are 15 active members, White said she hopes to

recruit more people so the organization will cont i nue a f ter she g raduates in May. “I want to come back and be like ‘Dang, has SMA gotten huge. SMA is the number one organization on campus,’” White said. While there will be no more meetings this semester, members are already looking to the spring

Tamika Fuimaono

semester. For their Second Annual HalfCourt Shootout, members will sell raffle tickets for a student to be eligible to win $500. Whoever is chosen gets the opportunity to shoot a basket from half-court at a UNT basketball game. If the person makes the shot, he or she wins $500. If not, they get a $100 consolation prize. The remaining money allows the members to go to a game together, tour the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and have a meeting in one of its conference rooms. “We do these things to kind

of get a reward at the end,” Cruz said. Francisco Guzman, the organization’s adviser, has been influential and helpful about creating ideas to recruit new members, Cruz said. “He’s passionate about us thriving, that gets us excited,” she said. Students benefit from the organization because marketing professionals show students how the business works, said Justin Flowers, a criminal justice junior. For more information, search for their Facebook page “Sports Marketing Association.”

Lightwell Gallery’s silent auction benefits local charities Community bids on art for United Way BY GRACIELA R AZO Senior Staff Writer

Colorful and intricate 3-D drawings lined the walls of the Lightwell Gallery on Sunday for an auction benefitting the United Way of Denton County. The American Humanics

student organization put together “Shhh!” a silent auction of drawings made by UNT art students. “We wanted to do something on campus that would benefit the community,” said Kristin Sale, chairwoman of the auction and secretary of American Humanics. “We decided we wanted to pick an aspect of our student body that isn’t particularly known for their service.” Nearly 160 art students were put into groups to create a piece of

To see stories about author Gregory Maguire’s Denton appearance and an exhibit featuring a professor’s art, visit ntdaily.com

work representing local nonprofit organizations affiliated with the United Way. 26 organizations were shown through 33 art pieces at the auction. “The students were given complete freedom,” said Sale, a sociology senior. “There is a lot of color in them, and they are wonderful works of art.” Jordan Diamond ,a social work junior, said she was planning on

bidding on a colorful 3-D piece representing the Denton City County Day School because of her love of children and the piece itself. “I love how it comes off the page three-dimensionally and used different school supplies to bring in the organization they are reflecting on,” Diamond said. The drawing showed children holding hands with rulers and paper clips coming off of the

edges of the sheet. “I think it’s fantastic art students were able to use their strengths to reach out and support these organizations,” Diamond said. Art professor Bernardo Cantu had 19 students displaying work in the auction. The students’ participation in the auction showed how art can be helpful to society, Cantu said.

“If there’s anything where art can be helpful to the community, it’s a plus,” Cantu said. “It helps the students see art isn’t just an inside thing, but also a thing between the community and themselves.” Sale said the auction raised $1,500 for the United Way of Denton County. “The event completely surpassed our expectations,” Sale said.

Page 4 Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Views

Josh Pherigo

Views Editor ntdailyviews@gmail.com

Vote doesn’t reflect students’ values Editorial

Students voted not to allow same-sex couples to run on the Homecoming court, and the result will likely and unfairly be viewed by many as a reflection of the close-mindedness of a university community that has been a diverse and accepting environment for a wide range of people and ideas for years. During the months of unrelenting debate that preceded the vote, vocal supporters and opponents centered the argument on equal rights. Supporters claimed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students’ rights were being violated by not allowing same-sex couples on the court, while opponents said the rights of an entire gender would be violated should a same-sex court be allowed. The editorial board believes the result of the referendum should not represent students’ unwillingness to advance equal rights, but rather the idea that the institution of Homecoming court is not the appropriate venue on which to apply such an important aspect of social progression. On a national level, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students do not receive equal treatment in all areas. It is an alarming situation that needs to be rectified. Last week, students declared with a 16 percent margin of victory that UNT’s Homecoming court is not a suitable battleground for that resolution. Sexuality is not a factor in the election of couples to the court. Homecoming court is viewed by many as a popularity contest strongly rooted in the actions of student organizations vying for recognition among the student body. While few consider the tradition a strong symbol of heterosexual love or relationships, there is still an undertone of association between heterosexuality and the couple-based electoral process. The same-sex referendum has been defeated, but the university remains divided. The SGA must take action to tear down that wall. Swift action must be taken to remove sexuality from bylaws pertaining to homecoming. It must no longer be assumed but explicitly stated that a person’s sexual orientation will in no way pertain to their participation in the Homecoming election. It is now the Student Government Association’s responsibility to bring the two sides together. Those with suggestions can e-mail SGA senators, whose addresses can be found at www.untsga.com.

Campus Chat Are you planning to do any schoolwork during the Thanksgiving break?

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Mob rule limits progress In modern democracies, governments put safeguards in place to protect the majority rule from being overrun by mob rule. By utilizing a system of checks and balances, governing bodies put enough of a roadblock in the way in order to protect the public from the whims of the vocal yet uninformed few. An example would be when a city in California t r ied to ba n Di hyd rogen monoxide, otherwise known as water. Last week, UNT students were given the power of mob rule to answer a question that is as frivolous as it is ridiculous. We got to vote on allowing sa me-sex Homecom i ng couples. It seems obv ious that a same-sex couple should be treated exactly like any heterosexual couple. T houg h I suppor t gay e q u a l it y a nd v ot e d f or allowing gay couples to run for Homecoming court, I find it ludicrous to elect pseudoroyal figureheads to represent

the university’s students. But since we do seem to vote on this, I have to ask a few questions about this election. A re t he nom i ne e s for king/queen an actual dating couple? Should we investigate the couple or set up rules defining what permits them to campaign as a couple? Does infidelity between the pair render them ineligible? I never saw a platform for this year’s candidates, nor have we been told how long these candidates have dated each other, or if their love is true. The fairest resolution would have been to make these candidates run unpaired rather than set up more court positions to satisfy a gay and lesbian couple quota. Just like real life, we can stick t wo people toget her under public scrutiny and watch them slowly turn to hate each other like Jon and Kate do now. In a perfect world, men and women alike could run for any position and we would stick a homophobic candidate for king

with a homosexual queen. Si nce t he SG A a nd its Supreme Court allowed the students to refuse gay couples to be treated like their heterosexual counterparts, please allow me to suggest a few more ballot referendums: allowing students to smoke in class, a declaration to keep Jesus legal and require Creationism to be taught in Biology, and banning interracial and homosexual public displays of affection. Though these are some of the hot-button issues of today and the general public may not be fully informed on the issues, we should and must allow the loudest voices of the students to be heard. To do any less would undermine such historic socia l issues where the voice of the voting majority was heard and respected, such as granting women the right to vote, overturning anti-miscegenation laws, and ending legalized segregation. It’s a good thing we didn’t have radical judges back then who would have forced racial integration in schools and

instead we had a peaceful public vote to do just that. So hear my plea, SGA. Let our voices be heard, and give the student body the right to vote on banning Dihydrogen monoxide and keeping Jesus legal. After all, we have already proven that we can be trusted to vote on allowing gays to be treated just like the straight people. Only through the will of the majority (that is, the majority of the 13.5% of student-voter turnout) can we truly make our university a shining beacon of progress and equality.

Danielle Pellett is a chemistry graduate student. She can be reached at DaniellePellett@ my.unt.edu.

Students should wait to get married Take a moment to gaze at the shiny diamonds on the ring fingers of your classmates. Swoon for few seconds and ponder about the fact of being married. Oh, the joys of being a young student: class, homework, study sessions, repeat. To t op it of f, y ou’r e engaged. Why are students getting married at such a young age? W hy are students pledging themselves to be with someone forever and ever? MT V’s True Life aired a docu menta r y ca l led “I’m a Sout her n Bel le,” wh ich followed young girls either struggling to find their lifelong partner or getting ready to walk down the aisle in the next few weeks. T he show emph a si z e d the fact that young couples

in the southern parts of the U.S. tend to get married much earlier than other parts of the country. Take a look at the students wa l k i ng a rou nd ca mpus. There have to be reasons why this happens. Myspace a nd Facebook ser ve as social networking tools to keep in touch with others. Have you ever really looked at t he stat us updates or pictures people post? It’s a lmost as if getting married is the “cool” thing to do. A girl looking at her friend’s engagement pictures can find herself thinking, “Oh, I wish Johnny would buy me a ring like Olivia’s.” Just li ke a ny t hing else, getting ma rried ea rly has turned into a trend. Ha rdin-Simmons

Universit y, a school affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, hosted a “Twogether in Texas” seminar last February. The program focuses on helping students “learn love for life” and save money for the big day. If you are that concerned about money, shou ld you really be saving for a wedding dress? The ma in reason t hese young couples should wait is because statistically more than half of the couples that marry in their teens will be divorced within 15 years. Ask yourself if your reasons are valid. Don’t get married because all of your friends are doing it. Don’t get married to experience “Twogether in Texas.” If you are 100 percent certain you have found your soul mate,

do it because you want to, not because you have to. Before ta k ing t hat vow, just remember that you are committing to spend the rest of your life with that person. That’s a really long time. Being in a relationship is one thing. Promising a life with that person is another. Think about it and just wait.

Stephanie Daniels is a journalism senior. She can be reached at StephanieDaniels@ my.unt.edu.

“One day of relaxing and then back to work on my 15-page paper due when I get back from the break.”

Nicholas Groesch Philosophy senior

“I have to develop a thesis for my two papers that I have due in two classes, pretty busy. “

Preston Mays

Philosophy senior

“I will definitely be doing homework. I just have way too much going on with my journalism and design classes.”

NT Daily Editorial Board

Lauren Moore

Journalism junior

The Editorial Board includes: Andrew McLemore, Josh Pherigo, Shaina Zucker, Courtney Roberts, Brooke Cowlishaw, Kip Mooney, Abigail Allen, Sydnie Summers, Brianne Tolj, Christena Dowsett, Justin Umberson, and David Lucio

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 6

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sports

Justin Umberson

Sports Editor ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Army shoots down UNT First win for women’s team By Eric Johnson

B y J ustin U mberson

Senior Staff Writer

A day to remember turned into a night to forget, after the Mean Green (2-9, 1-6) got its heart ripped out by the Army Black Knights (5-6) in front of the fifth-largest crowd in Fouts Field history. The Mean Green celebrated the birth of its new stadium Saturday morning but an Army score in the game’s waning moments resulted in a 17-13 loss. Saturday was the fifth time this season that the Mean Green let a game slip away in the final quarter. “Right now I don’t have any explanations about what happened as far as the meltdown there at the end,” head coach Todd Dodge said. UNT turned the ball over five times, missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked, which prevented the offense from building on a lead, despite 447 total yards. Running back Lance Dunbar was visibly shaken after another 100-yard performance failed to ensure a victory. Despite only 13 carries, the “Green Blur” rushed for 132 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown that gave UNT the lead and ignited the largest Mean Green crowd of the season. “There have been a couple of games like this and it hurts,” said Dunbar, a sociology sophomore. With the offense struggling to put points on the board, UNT’s defense rose to the occasion. Facing a difficult assignment, the triple option, the Mean Green did not back down from the challenge and held the Black Knights

Sports Editor

The UNT women’s basketball team (1-3) started the busiest part of its schedule by splitting two weekend games. Beginning its stretch of five games during an eightday period, the Mean Green lost 96-52 to the 13th-ranked University of Texas Longhorns (3-1) on Friday in Austin, but rebounded Sunday. At the Super Pit, UNT overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the University of Missouri-Kansas City ‘Roos (2-2) on Friday 79-65, ending the team’s four-game losing streak that dates back to last season. “I’m glad it came out the way it did,” head coach Shanice Stephens said. “I know we can play better though.”

Photo by Ryan Bibb / Photographer

Jeremy Phillips, a criminal justice redshirt freshman, makes a tackle against the Army Black Knights in Saturday’s 17-13 loss. to 287 yards of total offense. The Mean Green defense did not allow Army a big play for 57 minutes. But after the Black Knights blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt, quarterback Trent Steelman burst through the line for a 55-yard run to the Mean Green 7-yard line, setting up the game-winning touchdown. “That is the way that offense is run,” said UNT defensive end Eddrick Gilmore, a criminal justice senior. “They will go negative-two, plus-one, plus-50. They

don’t change their game plan.” Quarterback Riley Dodge turned the ball over four times in the defeat, including an interception in the final minute during UNT’s attempt to answer the Army touchdown. The Mean Green has a 2 p.m. Nov. 28 date with the Arkansas State University Red Wolves (2-8, 1-5) in Jonesboro, Ark., in its final game of the season. The Red Wolves will be without its starting quarterback, Corey Leonard, after he tore his ACL in his right knee.

Friday: The Mean Green was no match for the nationally ranked Longhorns. In front of 4,453 at the Erwin Center, UT center Ashley Gayle dominated inside. The 6-foot-4-inch sophomore nearly completed a triple-double, contributing 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks in her 25 minutes on the court. While UNT’s usual scorers remained silent, guard Denetra Kellum, a criminal justice junior, contributed a season of 10 points in the loss. “Defense is more impor-

tant because it starts your offense,” Kellum said. Sunday: Down 15 points early in the second half, UNT used its best defensive output of the season to defeat the UMKC. Coming into Sunday, UNT had allowed an average of more than 49 points to its opponents in the second half, but the Mean Green defense held the ‘Roos to 26 on Sunday, while the offense exploded for 52. “I was glad that we came out and got back to our game plan that we had put forth for UMKC,” Stephens said. A big part of the Mean Green’s comeback came at the free throw line. After attempting one free throw in the first half, the team went to the line for 33 in the second. Because of her efforts against the Longhorns, Kellum earned her first start of the season and made the most of it.

The guard contributed game highs in points, with 21, and steals, with four. Kellum said she thinks her performance has earned her starts in future games. After the pair of games, guard Brittney James, a criminal justice senior, is 12 points away from becoming the 12th UNT women’s basketball player to reach 1,000 points in her career. “I’m excited,” James said. “Not many people get a chance to do this. I feel like it’s an honor to be put in a category with all the great players that have come through North Texas.” The Mean Green has three games remaining this week. UNT will host the UT-Pan America Lady Broncs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Super Pit. The team will then travel on Friday to Birmingham, Ala., for the UAB Thanksgiving Classic tournament.

Photo by Ryan Bibb / Photographer

Guard Brittney James, a criminal justice senior, dribbles against Newman University on Nov. 11. James needs 12 points to reach 1,000 for her career.

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