1-28-10 Edition

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Stress, economy drive students to seek counseling Page 2 Bike taxis provide ‘green’ transportation Page 4 Competition strengthens character Page 6

Mean Green still winless at Western Kentucky Page 5

Thursday, January 28, 2010

News 1,2 Arts & Life 3,4 Sports 5,8 Views 6 Classifieds 7 Games 7

Volume 95 | Issue 7

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ntdaily.com

The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas

Family, friends mourn freshman’s death

BY LISA GARZA

Senior Staff Writer More than 1,000 people attended a memorial service held i n honor of a UNT f reshma n on Saturday at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.

Friends and family said Raegan Davis will be remembered for her kindness and nu mer ou s ph i l a nt h r opic endeavors.

Her sudden death left family and loved ones mourning the loss of a young woman they said is gone too soon.

“If one’s memorial service is in anyway a measure of the lives touched, Davis’s service was a great tribute,” her father, Charles Davis, said.

Davis died on Jan. 18 at the age of 18.

The exact cause of death is unknown, pending the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s autopsy.

Davis’s father said he hopes

people will think fondly of her and the way she lived her life, not the manner in which she may have lost her life.

Davis, an interdisciplinary st ud ies f resh ma n, wa s a Highland Park native. She came to UNT so she could study to become a teacher, her father said.

“She really wanted to work with special needs children,” he said. “She had a huge heart.”

Cha rles Dav is sa id h is daughter had a passion for mission work and hoped to open a school in an underprivileged country where she could make an impact.

“She would always tell me that she wanted to combine her love for mission and her love for taking care of kids,” he said.

K at ie Wa rd, a fa sh ion merchandising freshman, went to high school with Davis and remained friends with her at UNT.

“We will miss her very much and live the rest of our lives with her loving memory.”

—Charles Davis Raegan Davis’s father

“It’s just weird that she’s not here,” she said. “She was a very special person who was patient, loving, caring and kind.”

Davis was a member of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where she was also part of the childcare staff.

She had just moved into her dorm days before she died.

“She felt drawn to North Texas and the community,” Charles Davis said.

Taylar Graf, a 20-year-old criminal justice sophomore, also went to high school with Davis and was on the softball

team with her.

Graf said they lost touch a few times but considered her a good friend.

“I miss spending time with her,” she said. “She always made ever yone laugh and gave me that overall feeling when I hung out with her that I was care-free and had no worries.”

Graf said she knows few people like that.

“We will miss her very much and live the rest of our lives w it h her lov ing memor y,” Charles Davis said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES DAVIS

Raegan Davis was a part of the childcare staff of her local church, and she decided to attend UNT so she could become a teacher.

Residents concerned over Fry Street project

BY MORGAN WALKER Senior Staff Writer

Alex Revier a painting freshman, has so far spent more than a hundred dollars on art supplies for his classes this semester.

PHOTO BY INGRID LAUBACH/PHOTOGRAPHER

Students face unexpected costs

BY NICOLE L ANDRY Staff Writer

It’s no secret that college isn’t cheap. Hav ing to pay for tuition, housing, food and textbooks can cost the average student a pretty penny over the course of his or her college career.

However, some students have to shell out more because their majors are tossing some pr icey su r pr ises i nto t he mix.

W hen sen ior M ichael Garman picked music composition as his major, he said that expenses weren’t what he was expecting.

“But, it’s not surprising.

Financially, most people don’t struggle,” he said. “There are small things that you don’t think about that might add up,” Things like pay ment for performers, purchasing music scores, and CDs for studying purposes or splitting the price on a timpani drum have crept into Garman’s pocketbook.

He’s a l s o h a d t o bu y computerized notation soft-

ware to produce his original scores.

“Bi nd i n g a s c or e a nd printing it is $12, and if I give it to someone, that’s a waste of a score,” Garman said. “They might need 80 parts. Parts cost 50 cents each, so that’s 40 bucks right there.”

David Schwarz, a associate professor of the music department, suggested that the costs of textbooks and any materials related to specific majors be outlined for students.

Most music students would benefit from notation software, and while they have access to machines in t he College of Music that have the software, they don’t have access to online, site-licensed programs like teachers do, he said.

“I’d like to see the university participate in any way that we can with bringing electronic resources to students,” he said. “I want to encourage students to reach out a nd talk to people about advice on how to close gaps. There are shortcuts that students

might not be aware of, so talk to faculty.”

Br i Myers, a v isua l a r ts sophomore, sa id t hat although her parents help her out with things like rent and tuition, most of the money she makes working at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant is spent on her art classes.

“Food a nd a r t supplies.

That’s it. You’ve got to eat a nd you’ve got to do your artwork, and that’s your life,” she said.

Although good art supplies can be expensive, Myers said she will stick with her major and encourages others to do the same.

“You do it because you love it. School will always pay off in the end,” she said.

E m i ly W i ley, a fa sh ion de s i g n s ophom or e , s a id that most professors she has encountered are not lenient when it comes to financial instability, and she suggested that those who can’t afford the supplies shouldn’t remain in the major.

Wi ley didn’t rea li ze she

would be spending at least $100 extra per month on art supplies for her graded projects.

“In order to complete the project, you have to buy the supplies. Projects a re due ever y two to three weeks,” she said.

Though many art students work to afford supplies, Wiley said she is too busy.

“Last semester, I pu l led two all-nighters per week,” she said.

L a u r e n Sm it h t e a c he s Design II, a required course for all visual arts majors, and said that she tries to give her students a break by offering a kit of supplies, but so far only one student has purchased it this semester.

“There’s always going to be surprise expenses, no matter where you are in life,” she said.

She added that she does not agree that professors should d iscou rage st udents f rom remaining in the major, but, instead, let them know what to expect.

Denton residents were able to express their opinions about a proposed student housing development for the Fry Street area Wednesday night in the Denton City Council chambers.

Josh Vasbinder, west coast partner for Dinerstein Properties, the Houston company that proposed the development, called the 6:30 p.m. meeting to allow residents to offer their input on the plans.

Dinerstein showed an interest in Denton because of UNT and its continued growth in the community, and the rareness of the property, Vasbinder said.

“It’s directly across the street from the campus, and I think it can be a catalyst to create a connection to the historic districts, the university and the Square,” he said.

The plans call for a 586 bedroom housing facility consisting of one, two and four bedroom apartments along with 600 parking spaces, a clubhouse, pool and courtyard area.

Mike Cochran, a former city councilman, suggested adding retail or restaurant space on the ground level to provide a mixeduse environment.

“I have seen this successfully accomplished in other communities, and I think this concept has merit if done properly,” he wrote in an e-mail.

Howard Draper, a Denton resident, said he believes that a very small age group between 18 and 26 is already targeted for the Fry Street area.

“I think it’d bring a cultural maturity to the area if a patio or restaurant was there, and it’d be friendly to a wide age group,” he said.

As the questions came to a close, one resident said he still hadn’t heard the answers he was looking for.

Bob Clifton, a Denton resident, was the former owner of The Flick Inc., a movie theater popular during the sixties where the Corkscrew now stands.

“I don’t need to see 600 ca rs going up a nd dow n H ic k or y,” C l i f t on s a id .

“Hickory is a rollercoaster now because they can’t maintain the roads.”

—Bob Clifton Denton resident

“Hickory is a rollercoaster now bec au se t hey c a n’t maintain the roads.”

The area is distinct and it’s going to stay distinct, Clifton said.

Several residents brought their own ideas to occupy t he empt y lot, i nclud i ng open space, parks, a music venue or another local business.

Cochran expressed skepticism about the plans.

“At first impression, I’d say that these developers are a cut above United Equities, who, frankly, seemed like they were in over their heads with the previous proposal,” Cochran said.

In May 2007 Houstonbased United Equities Inc. bought an empty lot on Fry Street where the Tomato and Bagheri’s Italian Restaurant once stood. The company presented plans to build a drive-thru CVS Pharmacy on the property in 2008.

T he c it y cou nc i l shot down the plans after residents objected.

Vasbinder will return to Denton for another meeting Feb. 17 w ith more details a bout t he proje c t a f ter hearing the ideas from residents during Wednesday’s meeting.

“We’re very hands-on from day one,” he said. “We’ve never started a project and not f inished, a nd it’l l be built to the highest standard.”

To read more about this issue, see the Daily’s editorial on Page 6

News

Page 2

01.28.2010

Scott McBride, Rebecca Hoeffner & Melissa Boughton, News Editors

ntdailynews@gmail.com

Student government elects new members

By K rystle Cantu Staff Writer

The Student Government Association kicked off its first meeting of the semester Wednesday evening with the appointment of four new and three returning student senators.

The three returning senators are Sam Casey for the College of Education, Annalisa Vargas for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Taylor Toynes for the College of Arts and Sciences. The four newly elected senators are Britannica Scott for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, Whitley Poyser for the College Of Business, Katheryn Seidel for the College Of Education, and Stephen Cook for the College Of Arts and Sciences. “This is where the students’ voices are heard, and I do want to be a part of that,� Cook said. “I know SGA makes changes, and they can help change come to the university.�

Scott said the reason she joined senate is to help build programs

for students and obtain more academic tutors. “I want to join Senate to help build programs for our students, especially freshmen and sophomore students,� she said.

Seidel said her reason for joining the SGA was to be more involved with the student community, and to help her major. “I go around and I see a lot of the events that happen, and I’m kind of like ‘darn I’m not involved,’ and I decided that this was the perfect place to be in,� she said. “ Also, being an education major, I need lots of leadership skills and this is just the program to help me gain some more experience.�

Speaker of the Senate Drew Robertson for the College of Arts and Sciences was re-elected along with a new speaker pro-tempore, Kevin Sanders for the College of Arts and Sciences. “I’m very humble to have been re-elected in this position. It’s a great honor for me for serve my fellow senators and the students of UNT,� Robertson said. “We’ve

already got some ideas. We have five pieces of legislation on the table for the first meeting tonight.�

Josh Compton for the College of Arts and Sciences was elected sergeant at arms and Sara Tristan, a Spanish major, the election board coordinator from last semester for the was re-elected. “I think by us giving her a full term to run, she’ll do a great job again,� Sanders said.

Student body president Dakota Carter, a political science senior, also supported the re-election of Tristan. “She’s very active in planning meetings and trying to get people here,� he said. “She wants to be involved in an organization. She wants to do this job and she’s good at this job.�

After her re-election, Tristan appointed her six election board members — Brady McCoy, a psychology freshmen, Joel Snipes, a business sophomore, Stephen Scott, a political science freshmen, Turi Kuhn, a business sophomore, Alexandria Bird, a

journalism sophomore, and De’ron Scott, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore.

In Carter’s opening address for the semester, he said that he is going to try and reinstate the SGA’s concerns, as well as put on president and vice presidential debates this semester.

He said he plans to survey the students to learn what the SGA can do to improve. He also plans to address Texas Academy of Math and Sciences issues and work on community service.

Carter encouraged anyone who is interested in SGA to come forward.

“It’s important that we have people that are not afraid to lead up here and who are not afraid to get involved in the community or get involved on campus,� Carter said. “We need quality people in this senate. We need people who can take the reins one of these days.�

he said. Employers such as DATCU Credit Union and the Survey Research Center hire many UNT students. “Busi ness ha s received minimal impact over the last 12 mont hs,� said Veronica K r on v a l l , U N T ’s Su r v e y Re s e a r c h C e nt e r ’s F ie ld Director.

The UNT Ca reer Center of fers ma ny resou rces to help st udent s f i nd work, including job search workshops, several career and job fairs, networking opportunities, and help with resume

w r it i n g , i nt e r v ie w s a nd overall job success. “People think there are no jobs out there and they’re missing out on opportunities,� Naegeli said.

The center a lso of fers a Web site ca l led t he Eag le Net work t hat has 460 job postings, including 58 postings for on-campus jobs. The jobs listed include everything from babysitting services and tutoring to retail and waiting tables. “There are so many reasons I need to have a job,� said

Alycia Robertson, a hospitality management sophomore. “To help pay for school, for activities, for groceries, and to take some of the burden off my parents.�

The site allows students to search for jobs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and choose part-time, full-time or internship opportunities.

Naegeli said the problems are finding students to take t he job opportunities a nd expecting students to use the resources provided.

Rober tson sa id her dad

work s for UNT a nd helps financially, but there is still a need for her to work. “Everything piles up, and I need to contribute somehow,�

Robertson said.

Naegli said the economy’s downturn actually makes it easier for college students to find work. “Don’t be d iscou raged because the media is saying the job market isn’t good, I think it’s better for college students,� he said.

The Survey Research Center hires up to 120 UNT students

at one time and pays $7.50 per hour. They hire students because they’re motivated, ready to launch their career and willing to learn skills for future employments, Kronvall said.

During the spring semester, the Career Center will host 32 events all over campus to aid students. “I t h i n k i f you use t he Career Center and its benefits, you can find a job,� Robertson said. “I found and applied for the job I have using the Eagle Network.�

Photo by Martina TreviĂąo/Photographer

Kevin Sanders, a political science sophomore, encourages the Student Senate members to put aside their personal preferences and select the most qualified candidate for Speaker of the Senate.

Recession job opportunities prove easy to find

By A lex Cheatham Staff Writer

The UNT Career Center on campus is attempting to help students find employment in a recession-driven economy.

Although harder than it was three years ago because of a slight decrease in companies looking to hire, there are still plenty of options for UNT students, said Dan Naegeli, director of the UNT Career Center.

There are many companies in the Denton area that are less affected by the recession,

Increasing number of college students seek counseling Senior Staff Writer The number of UNT students seeking the services of the Counseling and Testing Center has jumped 27 percent in the last several years.

More than 1,600 students were seen last school year,

compared with less than 1,300 during 2004-2005 school year.

The increase surpasses enrollment growth. There has also been a noticeable increase in crisis cases. “We used to have a few, and then one semester we had a year’s worth,� said Judith McConnell,

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director of the center. “Now, it happens almost every week.�

McConnel attributed the increase to a reduction in the stigma associated with mental health issues, the economy and associated family concerns “Things just get so overwhelming that they don’t feel safe to be by themselves,� she said.

The center considers a crisis case to be anyone who is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others. McConnell said they see more students wanting to hurt themselves rather than others.

Parents or others who are concerned can report a potentially suicidal person to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities and request a wellness check, said Maureen McGuinness, assistant vice president for student development. “If someone is exhibiting signs of distress, we will issue a welfare check,� she said. “We check on

GIVE Pets GOOD Lives

By Lisa Garza

them and see what’s going on and refer them to the counseling and testing center if we feel that is necessary.�

Welfare checks are requested every semester, she said. About 30 were carried out in the fall and the center has already received some requests this semester. “We never want it to be seen as something we’re doing that is punitive,� McGuinness said. “It’s to make sure that the student is OK and to provide resources for them inside and outside of the classroom to make them a successful student.�

Once a month, the Counseling and Testing Center offers suicide prevention training. The training, abbreviated QPR, teaches people how to question, persuade and refer students who may be at risk for suicide.

In addition to offering counseling to students with cases including depression, anxiety and

other mental illnesses, the center also provides career advising. Celia Bingham, a 25-year-old sociology senior, said she has been using the center’s services for two years. “I mostly do personal counseling, but since I am graduating soon, I also see a career counselor to make sure everything is on track,� she said.

Bingham said she initially had a little difficulty finding a counselor that she felt comfortable talking to but was encouraged by the center to continue to attend sessions until she found the right fit. She eventually met a counselor she clicked with and said she now finds the services very helpful. “They’re very understanding, especially of your schedule, and try to work with you as much as possible,� Bingham said.

College students have many responsibilities and pressures on them, and many find they don’t have the coping skills to deal with

Signs of Problems

• Not eating/overeating • Sleeping too much • Withdrawing from friends Suicide Prevention Training Feb. 16, 10:00 a.m.

Counseling Center 940-565-2741 them, McConnell said. Students are encouraged to see a counselor before their problems get bad and not wait until the end of the semester. “We want people to seek help because most of the time, problems can be fixed,� she said. “Our counseling center is here to keep people in school. A lot of things can happen and that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t stay in school, you just may need a little help.�

LIFE #5 – WINTER PET CARE TIPS •Indoors – keep your pet indoors if possible. It is a safer and more secure environment for them. Wind chill can kill. •Shelter – if your pet must be outside, be sure they have a warm and water proof shelter that is off of the ground with some type of bedding such as hay or straw. Appropriate size is important to maximize the pets body temperature. Shelter doors should be covered and facing away from the wind. •Warm engines of parked cars attract cats and small wildlife who may crawl up under the hood for warmth. Knock on your hood and honk your horn before starting to scare them away. •Water – even in cold weather pets need plenty of fresh water – not frozen. Pets typically need more food in the winter months. •Remember that antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is very poisonous for both pets and humans – make sure it is not accessible. •Rock salt and other chemicals used on icy steps or driveways can cut or irritate a pet’s paws and be very painful. •Spend time with your pet. Dogs and cats are social animals and deserve to live indoors with you. •For more information: http://www.nhes.org/; www.hsus.org

http://orgs.unt.edu/feralcat

01.28.2010 Amber Arnold, Arts & Life Editor

Arts & Life

Page 3 amberm.arnold@yahoo.com

Conference comes to Dallas, promotes equality

BY JENNIFER FLOYD Staff Writer

Da l las w i l l host t he National Conference of LGBT Equality for the first time in 16 years next week.

T he Nat iona l Gay a nd Lesbian Task Force will hold the 22nd annual conference at 9 a.m. on Feb. 3 to Feb. 6 and at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 7 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Nora Lewis, a UNT alumna, will contribute to the conference t his yea r as co-cha ir of the conference’s People’s Hospitality of Color Suite.

“I a m a l w a y s lo ok i n g for more oppor tunit ies to

learn how to affect change and network with my local, nat iona l, a nd even i ntern a t ion a l q u e e r c om munity,” she said. “As a black lesbian and a triple minority, I usually commit my energy to racial and women’s issues to ensure that we have at least one voice to speak up for us.

This conference allows me to do so.”

The People’s Hospitality of Color Suite is a space where attendees can feel a strong sense of community as double minorities, Lewis said.

Ac c ord i ng to t he t a s k force Web site, the confer-

ence’s purpose is to “hone [attendees’] skills, celebrate victories, build community, and be inspired by v isionaries for justice and equality,” and to promote “full equality, social justice and dignity for lesbia n, gay, bisex ua l a nd tra nsgender people in t he United States.”

“The most important thing for people to understand is t he need for a conference of this nature,” Lewis said.

“Grassroots mobilization and education are necessar y to prepare us to fight for the equa lit y and freedom t hat this nation claims to stand

for.”

Chosen gay a nd lesbia n act iv ist s f rom across t he nation will speak at the event to i n for m t hose in attendance.

This year, ageism activist Kate Clinton, Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a nd “A mer ica’s Nex t Best Da nce Crew ” contesta nt s Vogue Evolution will speak at the event.

Christina Rhoades, a radio, telev ision and f ilm senior, sa id she is glad t hat UNT is involved in a conference promoting equality.

“I chose UNT on the basis that it was liberal and I don’t see a lot of discrimination as opposed to other schools,” she said.

Currently, the Dallas-Fort Worth area contains a large population of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

It is also home to one of the largest LGBT congregation, the Cathedral of Hope.

Dallas is the place where national sodomy laws were abolished in the landmark case of Lawrence v. Texas.

T he con ference focuses mainly on political leader-

ship and social justice for gay issues, and this year will zero in on anti-racism.

Lew is sa id she is “overjoyed” that the conference this year is addressing racism, as it is very alive, even in the gay community “Many attendants are especially interested in the AntiRacism, Racia l Justice and People of Color Organizing Institutes this year,” Lewis said.

For f ur t her infor mat ion on attending the conference, v isit t he Creat ing Cha nge Conference Web site at www. thetaskforce.org/events.

Study abroad scholarships cut students’ financial burden

BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Studying abroad gives students an increased understanding of the world and its cultures, but some students feel they cannot afford it.

In a time when finances are tight, finding money for the programs can be a concern and a set back for students.

However, UNT offers numerous scholarships to help students who do not have the money.

“In the past years we have accepted enrollment of 32 students so that the students can get a better experience of studying abroad,” Hospitality Management Study Abroad director Dee Knight.

“I do hope for an increase in the future.”

Knight said she noticed a difference during May 2009 when she and 22 students traveled to Hong Kong.

The study abroad global learning center offers students multiple destination options from Italy to London. The trips range from informative three-week trips to a full year of studying in a foreign country.

“We offer different travels for three different categories: faculty lead programs, exchange programs, and semester/yearly programs,” said Mary Beth Butler, the former director of the global learning center .

Butler agreed that the economy gave some relative insight into the reason why fewer students studied abroad.

“This is really the time to take the advantage of studying abroad,” she said. “Some students have come to me and said their parents lost their jobs, and the epidemic of swine flu has caused a drastic decline in our Mexico study abroad program. I think it’s a mixture of the both.”

Knight said not having the money isn’t the only reason a student may not be able to study abroad.

“Some students have work and family responsibilities that are an obligation,” she said. “There are also tuition scholarships that help pay for studying abroad as well.”

In May 2009, all 22 ChinaHong Kong study abroad students received a tuition scholarship

PHOTO BY KAITLYN PRICE/PHOTOGRAPHER

Students for a Future without Poverty is a group working to eradicate poverty. It is continuing its work in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Disaster creates hurdle for charitable students

BY K ATIE GRIVNA Senior Staff Writer

PHOTO BY REBEKAH GOMEZ/PHOTOGRAPHER

Dee K. Knight, an associate professor and interim academic associate dean, looks at work of students who are studying abroad in Hong Kong in her office on Tuesday. toward their study abroad trip.

There are a generous amount of scholarships available to help ease the financial woes.

“We offer a lot of scholarships through our program, which includes coverage for programs that last three weeks to a full year,” Butler said. “This ranges from $300 to $1,200 per student, based on how long one is abroad.”

Recently, the FAFSA organization offered the Senator Paul Simon Scholarship, one of many study abroad scholarships. The scholarship was recently passed by Congress to encourage foreign relations of studying.

“I have always wanted to

study abroad and experience traveling outside of the U.S,” said Jeanine Bowens, a fashion merchandising senior.

She also said that she might be able to act on her wish now that she knows about the availability of scholarships.

With scholarships within reach, there seems to be a fight that can be won against the economy crisis of money.

“One of the comments that was most insightful to me was one student that decided to study abroad because her friends were going,” Knight said. “In the end she said to me, ‘At first I couldn’t imagine myself going that far away.

Now I couldn’t imagine my life without that experience.’”

On Jan. 12, members of the UNT student chapter of A Future without Poverty, Inc. returned home from a retreat in Oklahoma feeling inspired and excited about their newly designed plans for the organization’s coming months.

Ho w e v e r, t h e s e p l a n s changed after they found out about the 7.0 earthquake the same day near Port au Prince, Haiti.

“We were going to go down there this summer to build a

school but now … we have to kind of back track a little bit,” said Jennifer Daniels, UNT alumna and member of the organization.

A change of plans Now, the student organization plans to raise money to build the school in the near future, she said.

The student chapter of A Future Without Poverty, Inc., a non-profit organization, is aimed at create awareness about poverty and eventually do away with it.

Tuesday night, the organization co-sponsored a benefit at The Garage in Denton and raised $1,429, said Mig uel Juanez, president of the UNT st udent orga n i zat ion a nd community service senior.

A l l proceed s f rom t he benefit will go to the Growing Hope for Haiti organization, which Nozea started before the earthquake, and will be used to pu rchase needed supplies for the relief effort, he said.

See UNT on Page 4

Arts & Life

Page 4 Amber Arnold, Arts & Life Editor

01.28.2010 amberm.arnold@yahoo.com

Pedal-powered taxi service rolls into Denton

BY DREW GAINES Staff Writer

Dylan Thomas Dunn is a taxi driver. When he is hailed by pedestrians needing a ride, he pulls over, lets them in and asks them where they need to go. Once settled, he engages the gears and pedals to that destination, for tips.

Dunn is a philosophy senior a nd employee at Denton’s newest privately owned transportation company, Denton Pedicabs LLC. T he c omp a ny ’s br ig ht t h ree-w heeled bi ke t a x i s have become common sites on downtown streets since their introduction in early January. “On a six hour shift, I make anything from nothing to $100.

The average is about $ 50,� said Cooper Barner, a senior histor y major and pedicab driver.

T he c ompa ny ’s ow ner, Laurent Prouvost, is a French tattoo a r t ist t u r ned loca l entrepreneur. He started the pedicab business to provide Denton with an emissions-free approach to transportation, one that would be a model of sustainability and provide economic growth.

Prouvost has trained more than 40 drivers to operate t he 150 pou nd ped icabs.

A fter completing training, drivers rent the bikes for $10 and embark on five to seven hour shifts. The ride is free for passengers, with the drivers working solely for tips.

Work i ng for t ips is a n essential business model for Prouvost, and his drivers don’t complain. “T here is a concept of trade. We trade ser vice for tips,� Prouvost said. “When the drivers go out, they make money. It boosts the economy.

They spend it in the bars, for food or rent ‌ It’s sharing on some level.�

Prouvost plans to use the pedicabs as mobile ad spaces as well. The three-wheel design and large canopy offer ample room for advertisements and passengers.

The pedicabs’ passenger seat is comfortable for two and functional for three. There is a 400 pound weight limit, not including the 150 pound dry weight. For drivers, having any weight in the back makes pedaling a little harder. “It’s not easy to do. You think you are in shape, but d r iv ing a ped icab puts it into perspective,� said Alex Garland, a UNT alumnus and pedicab driver.

Prouvost said his f leet of three pedicabs will soon be outfitted with electric motors, making hills a little easier for the drivers.

The motors will add to the many features the pedicabs a l ready have. T hey come equipped with brake lights, blinkers, head lights, seatbelts and weather canopies that are designed to make street life a little safer.

Still, some say Denton’s streets need improvement to

safely accommodate pedicabs and cyclists. “The city of Denton needs to push for safety measures so that pedicabs and motorists can cohabitate on the road.

A majority of students could use alternative transportation but it needs to be safe. It calls for a change of infrastructure,� said Heidi Bamberg, an international studies senior and intern at UNT’s Office of Sustainability.

Prouvost said Denton has yet to adopt city ordinances that would govern the pedicabs.

This could change however, as the city of Arlington recently passed ordinances regulating pedicab safety features and t he a mou nt of pe d ic abs allowed on the road. Austin has similar ordinances.

Provoust notes that cooperation between Denton Pedicabs LLC, the city and UNT is still in its infancy. However, there has been talk of collaboration bet ween the company and UNT’s Office of Sustainability, Bamberg said. “I do hope we can support Denton Ped icabs a nd see UNT student involvement,�

Bamberg said. “I would like to see us all together to promote sustainability.�

Prouvost has big plans for Denton’s first pedicab business. “My next goal is to double the f leet as quick as we can,� he said.

For more information, visit dentonpedicab.com.

for irrigation so people could grow vegetables or alfalfa to feed the chickens, Juanez said.

Nozea planned to build a school with the help of students of the UNT student organization.

international aid hasn’t reached residents, he said.

Students of the organization learn about the conditions in Haiti through a blog on the couple’s Web site, www,growinghopeforhaiti. org, which the pair updates when they can.

The organization is going to raise as much money as it can to help pay for immediate costs and for infrastructure development in the future, Juanez said. It will also focus on finding a way to use local resources to create jobs and give people access to water.

PHOTO BY DREW GAINES/PHOTOGRAPHER

Dylan Thomas Dunn; a philosophy senior and Denton Pedicab driver waits for passengers in front of Big Mike’s Coffee Shop on Hickory St. Drivers work solely for tips.

UNT students raise money for Haiti relief Continued from Page 3 Improving the community Two attendees and members of the international organization, Fritz Armand and Gerson Nozea, are from Haiti and had separate plans for improving their communities at home.

Armand planned to build a self-sustaining, cyclical fish and chicken farm. Droppings from the chickens would feed the fish and run-off water would be used

Keeping in touch After the earthquake, Nozea and his wife Heather went to Haiti. They are distributing medical supplies in villages outside of Port au Prince where

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to be thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Juanez wishes he could go to Haiti now, but it might be a burden to use other organizationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; networks and contacts to get around the country, so at this point it is better to prepare, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to be there. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to be pulling rocks, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to be moving all this stuff around,

getting people out of there,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personally very frustrating.â&#x20AC;?

In t he mean time, t he members of the group are waiting on requests from Nozea for supplies or people as well as preparing as much as possible for when the time comes, he said.

Staying aware Daniels said she feels being aware and educated about what is going on in Haiti and setting tangible goals are the best way to prepare to help. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we stay updated on what is going on, who is going on, and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going wrong, and how we can fix it so then when we get there itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not something that Haitians canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not something that we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touch,â&#x20AC;? she said.

To create awareness about what is going on in Haiti, the organization is planning a

The Port-au-Prince, Haiti, area map shows field hospitals and food distribution sites. U.S. troops are helping to deliver aid to Haitians. panel discussion in the middle of February so group members can get an idea of what people think about it and share ideas, said Nicholas Booth, a hospitality management sophomore and organization member. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as someone else knows about it, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be fine with me,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The UNT student organization members donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect in Haiti, Booth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right now, since we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been there, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have a full plan because we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know until weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course we hear stuff on the news and stuff, but that only tells you so much.â&#x20AC;?

Role-playing game a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;threat to securityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MADISON, Wis. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A ma n ser v ing life in prison for f irst-degree intentiona l homicide lost his legal battle Monday to play Dungeons & Dragons behind bars.

Kev i n T. Si nger f i led a federal lawsuit against offi-

cials at Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Waupun prison, arguing that a policy ba n n i ng a l l Du ngeon s & Dragons material violated his free speech and due process rights.

Prison officials instigated t he Du ngeons & Dragons ba n a mong concer ns t hat playing the game promoted gang-related activity and was a threat to security. Singer challenged the ban but the 7t h U.S. Ci rcu it Cou r t of Appeals on Monday upheld it as a reasonable policy.

Du ngeons & Dragons players create fictional characters a nd ca rr y out t heir adventures, of ten work ing together as a group, with the help of complicated rules.

Si nger, 33, ha s been a devoted player of the fantasy role-playing game since he was a child, according to the court ruling. After the ban went into effect, prison officials confiscated dozens of Dungeons & Dragons books

and magazines in his cell as well as a 96-page manuscript he had w ritten detailing a potent ia l scena r io for t he game that players could act out.

Pr ison of f icia ls enacted t he ba n i n 2004 a f ter a n inmate sent an anonymous let ter ex pressi ng concer n about Singer and three other inmates for ming a â&#x20AC;&#x153;ga ngâ&#x20AC;? focused around playing the game.

Singer was told by prison of f icia ls t hat he could not keep the materials because Dungeons & Dragons â&#x20AC;&#x153;promotes fa nta s y role playing, competitive hostility, v iolence, addict ive escape b e h a v ior s , a nd p o s s i ble gambling,â&#x20AC;? according to the ruling. The prison later developed a more comprehensive policy against a ll t y pes of fa nta s y ga mes, t he cou r t said.

The appeals court said the prisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy was reasonable

and did not violate Singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A f ter a l l, pu n i sh ment is a fundamental aspect of imprisonment, and prisons may choose to pu n ish inmates by preventing them from participating in some of their favorite recreations,â&#x20AC;? the court said.

Singer was sentenced to life in prison in 2002 after being found guilty of firstdegree intentional homicide in the killing of his sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boyfriend. The man was bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer.

Department of Corrections spokesman John Dipko said the department was pleased w ith the decision and w ill continue to enforce rules that are designed to maintain a safe environment.

Singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s court-appointed attorney, W.C. Turner Herbert of North Carolina, also did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Sports

01.28.2010 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor

Page 5 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Lady Toppers topple Mean Green women

BY BEN BABY Staff Writer

The Western Kentucky Lady Toppers prevented the UNT women’s basketball team from winning consecutive games, dismantling the Mean Green 101-53.

Looking to avoid back-to-back losses, the Lady Toppers had a chokehold on the game from the opening tip, scoring 22 of the game’s first 24 points. The Mean Green (6-15, 3-7) was unable to get its offense on track, shooting 32 percent from the field.

“I just feel like we went way away from our game plan,” head coach Shanice Stephens said. “We didn’t take care of the ball. We just were rattled.

We just didn’t do anything in the half court, and then we did not defend. It just really fell apart.”

Western Kentucky (6-15,3-7) applied a constricting fullcourt press for most of the game, forcing 31 turnovers by the Mean Green.

Sophomore guard Brittany Hudson led the Mean Green

in the loss with 10 points.

Senior guard Brittany James and freshman forward Jasmine Godbolt, the team’s top scorers, were contained while the game was in question. James contributed seven points, while Godbolt added six points and a career-high 15 rebounds.

Godbolt and freshman guard Raquel Cuffie fouled out of Wednesday’s contest.

“I feel that our focus as a whole just really didn’t exist,” Hudson said. “It wasn’t there.

We came out not focused. We

just weren’t focused on our game plan and what we had planned to do out on the court, and we just didn’t execute it at all from the start.”

The Lady Toppers were led by freshman guard Lashay Davis, who topped all scorers with 18 points off the bench.

The Mean Green was unable to slow down the Lady Toppers, who shot 55 percent from the field, including 43 percent from beyond the three-point-line.

WKU’s leading scorer, guard Amy McNear, had two points.

With the loss, the Mean Green remains w inless at Western Kentucky, going 0-7 at E.A. Diddle Arena. The 57-point loss for North Texas comes after a stunning upset of South Alabama, who at the time were atop the Sun Belt East Division.

“Our problem right now is that we are not a consistent team,” Hudson said. “We don’t consistently stay focused for 40 minutes every game. It just doesn’t make sense, and we haven’t figured out why yet.”

With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Mean Green has plenty to work on before the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The team will try to bounce back from the disappointing loss on Saturday when it faces the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

“We have to work on our composure,” Stephens said.

“We have to work on our team offense and team defense.

I’m just ready for my team to find its identity and stick with one.”

The Script: Lama’s recruiting genius has built strong foundation Opinion

BY ERIC JOHNSON Senior Staff Writer

The goals for the Mean Green tennis program are centered on a conference championship and a national ranking — ideas that would have been laughed at four years ago.

But thanks to the gold mine that is Sujay Lama’s ability to recruit, UNT has gotten exponentially better since he took over in 2007. The Mean Green went a miserable 8-37 in the two years before Lama took

command of the program, but the team has a 31-16 record during his tenure.

“We are earning the respect of the rest of country, and that was evident with the reaction we got from the Florida coaches and how impressed they were with our program,” Lama said.

“We are right on the verge of breaking through and we have the talent, now we just have to believe that we can.”

UNT’s tennis team is made up of a majority of international players, and Lama’s connections throughout the world have helped him to bring in some of

the top talent. The confident coach has brought in players from Romania, India, South Africa and the Czech Republic.

Romanian sophomores Irina Paraschiv, from Bucharest, and Paula Dinuta, from Pitesti, were instant successes, and Paraschiv even earned an invitation to the ITA All-American Tournament in the fall. Junior’s Madu ra Ra nga nat ha n, a native of Coimbatore, India, and Amy Joubert, a native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, have proven track records and are two of the biggest leaders on the team.

Right before the spring season started he brought in his latest international standout, freshman Barbora Vyk yladova from Šumperk, Czech Republic.

“She is a future star,” said associate head coach Jeff Maren.

“She has made the transition look seamless, and she really has that passion and that drive that I can see her having a lot of success at this level.”

Senior team captain Catalina Cruz, a native of Bogota, Colombia, has helped to ease the transition for each of these women, and is the foundation for the team.

“I think that it makes it easier on them because I have been through the same thing,” Cruz said. “I just want to help them get comfortable here and show some maturity so that they are able to play at the level they are capable of.”

That does not take away from the American-born players on the team, juniors Ashley Akin, Shannon MacKenzie and Narine Kazarova.

Kazarova has developed into one of the best doubles players on the team, and her pairing with Ranganathan makes for a dangerous team.

Akin has the ability to cover the entire court and plays with high energy, and MacKenzie is the one of the most tenacious and tough players in any match.

W it h t he add it ion of Vykyladova, the Mean Green has a dangerous and deep lineup.

“You can already see that she is going to be a great player, and I think that makes us that much harder to match up with,” Joubert said. “When you look at all the different skills that we have and how they mix together, and I think that we are going to be right there with the top teams.”

Entertainment Listings Thursday Science and the sea, Sugar Glyder, American Mantra, One Red Martian @ Boiler Room Jason and the Punknecks, The O’s, Aaron Barker @ Andy’s Bar The King Bucks, Western Giants @ Dan’s Silverleaf Jason Boland & The Stragglers with Jackson Taylor @ Rockin Rodeo BENEFIT FOR HAITI featuring Billy Ratcliff, and The Economy Lazy Native Enemies @ Rubber Gloves The Craziest Party in North Texas @ RBar Friday Mescalero, Red Light Kills, Enormicon, Bad Decision @ Boiler Room Constant Seas, Talk to Strangers, Mammal Animals @ Andy’s Bar Dear Human PVC, Street Gang Sore, Losers Kaboom @ Dan’s Silverleaf Girls Night out @ Rockin Rodeo The Sword Woodgrain @ Rubber Gloves Brandon Bush Band LIVE! w/ Tyler Jermstad @ RBar Rick Adkins @ Hydrant Cafe

CINEMARK AT DENTON - SHOWING FRIDAY *Adult Evening $8.00 *Adult Fri/Sat $8.25 *Child/Senior $6.25 *Adult matinee before 6 p.m. $6.25 *Student w/ID $6.50 EDGE OF DARKNESS (R: I.D. Required) 12:45pm 3:50pm 7:00pm 10:15pm

SHERLOCK HOLMES (PG-13) 1:10pm 4:15pm 7:15pm 10:30pm

WHEN IN ROME (PG-13) 11:50am 2:30pm 5:05pm 7:50pm 10:25pm

THE BLIND SIDE (PG-13) 12:30pm 3:45pm 6:45pm 10:00pm

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (PG) 11:45am 2:10pm 4:55pm 7:25pm

THE BOOK OF ELI (R: I.D. Required) 11:35am 1:15pm 2:25pm 4:05pm 5:15pm 6:55pm 8:05pm 9:45pm 10:50pm

AVATAR - REAL D 3D (PG-13) 11:25am 2:55pm 6:35pm 10:10pm

THE LOVELY BONES (PG-13) 1:05pm 4:20pm 7:30pm 10:35pm

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (PG) 11:30am 2:20pm 5:00pm 7:45pm 10:40pm

THE SPY NEXT DOOR ( PG) 1:00pm

IT’S COMPLICATED (R: I.D. Required) 4:00pm 7:05pm 10:05pm

TO SAVE A LIFE (PG-13) 12:55pm 3:55pm 6:50pm 9:50pm

LEAP YEAR (PG) 9:55pm

TOOTH FAIRY (PG) 11:40am 2:15pm 4:45pm 7:35pm 10:20pm

LEGION (R: I.D. Required) 12:00pm 2:40pm 5:20pm 8:00pm 10:45pm

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Friday January 29

Red light kills with Mescalero

Sunday January 31

Don Chain

Saturday Jan 30 Rabbits Got the Gun, Deric Merrill, Rip the System @ Boiler Room Comedy Night! Paul Varghese, John Tole, Nic Pozderac, Nick Puente, Mark Agee, Nick Cedergren @ Andy’s Bar Querencia Benefit @ Dan’s Silverleaf The Stampede @ Rockin Rodeo All the Day Holiday, Kinch, The City Lives @ Rubber Gloves Sinful Saturday’s @ RBar

Ivan Neville’s with Dumpstaphunk

Young Frankenstein

Sunday Jan 31 Don Chani, DJ Dubbist @ Boiler Room Tuesday Feb 2 Kick Ass Karaoke @ RBar Wednesday Feb 3 Ivan Neville’s DUMPSTAPHUNK, Moosehound, Fatty Lumpkin @ Boiler Room -XS- Too Much is Never Enough @ Rockin Rodeo Basement Poetry @ Hydrant Cafe

Wednesday February 3

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Showtimes valid for Fri 1-29

AVATAR 3D |PG13 11:00AM | 2:30 | 6:15 | 10:00 THE BOOK OF ELI |R 12:30 | 3:30| 6:30 | 9:30 LEGION |R 11:30AM | 2:15 | 4:45 | 7:30 TOOTH FAIRY |PG 11:15 | 2:00 | 4:30 | 7:00 | 10:15 9:45

Views

Page 6 Josh Pherigo, Views Editor

Fry developer works with community Editorial Local residents and business owners packed City Hall Wednesday night to make their voices heard about the proposed plan to build a student living complex on the vacant Fry Street lot. The lot sits adjacent to the northeast corner of campus.

At the outset of the meeting, Josh Vasbinder, a representative of the Houston-based real estate developer (The Dinerstein Company), explained the details of the current proposal and emphasized a willingness to incorporate local input into the design.

Speakers varied in age, background and connection to Denton, but all stressed the cultural significance of the area and expressed a unified desire that the development maintain the history and revive the personality of the treasured neighborhood.

The developer articulated a desire to construct an environmentally friendly student apartment complex that would promote a “green” lifestyle. Acknowledging public concern, Vasbinder expressed an intention to “trash” the current plans for an apartment complex only, and instead incorporate a street level design that would “cater to pedestrians” and house commercial space that he said he hoped would be used by local businesses.

While an endorsement is premature, the editorial board commends the Dinerstein Company for its willingness to listen to the community and in its expressed commitment to the long-term revival of the Fry Street district.

Questions still remain, and many issues (such as: parking, structural height and specifics about the nature of the living spaces) have yet to be resolved.

But the genuine attitude of the family-run development company instills a sense of promise that they accept the responsibility of reviving a beloved neighborhood that can thrive once again. If the final plan fits with this hopeful outlook, the future is bright for Fry Street.

There will be a second public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Denton City Hall. The Dinerstein Company will then unveil a reworked proposal that will include a design that adheres to the specific needs of the Denton community.

Campus Chat

Are you planning on donating to the Haiti relief fund?

{ { { {

“I have not donated yet, but I have been following the relief efforts on Facebook. I am waiting until I have some money.”

Jennifer Skeith English sophomore

01.28.2010 ntdailyviews@gmail.com

Competition is a guide to life As I was watching TV on Saturday afternoon, I saw a commercial for Monopoly. The narrating mother is talking about how her daughter is cleaning house while the little brother is miserable, but the mom is touched when her daughter gives her brother some properties and hotels. I was outraged by this act of mercy/sibling love.

Before I explain the reasoning behind my anger, I’m going to start from the beginning.

I am competitive. There is no other way to put it.

I enjoy competing, no matter what it is, and I enjoy winning even more. The point of a game or sport is to win, and that’s what I strive to do. Sure, I’ll have fun while participating, but it’s like Herm Edwards said, “You play to win the game.”

Thinking back, my competitive nature was instilled into me by my dad. My mom is a sweet person and wouldn’t hurt a fly, and it showed when we would play games together. She would let us win, sometimes, or go easy on us.

My dad, on the other hand, never let up. He did not show weakness, and if we beat him in something we earned it. It was a proud day for me when, at the tender age of 7, I finally bested him in “Joe Montana’s Football” on the Sega Genesis.

Since I was busting my behind to beat my family (I’m the youngest of three boys with my brothers being five and seven years older than me), contending has become second nature.

My first name is Irish and means little king, and being THE king is what I aim to do.

Whether it’s in a game of Sorr y, Pictionar y, softball, “Mario Kart 64” (the only “Mario Kart”) or fantasy football, I want blood and I want to be victorious. One fateful birthday night is a prime example.

I turned 19 and became a man on that cool, crisp February evening.

My friend, and now roommate, Taylor, challenged me to an eating contest at CiCi’s. I

was neither backing down nor losing on the day of my birth.

When we started loading up on slices, I got the smallest pieces possible and ate those.

They counted as one whole slice because Taylor never specified what counts as an actual piece of pizza. It is a shady strategy, but I was simply exploiting the rules. I may or may not have sabotaged his Dr Pepper en route to the winner’s circle (OK, I did).

Like I said, I don’t mess around.

When the Xbox 360 came out, it introduced the Gamerscore concept.

If while playing a game I accomplish something, an icon pops up, awards me points and let’s me know I am awesome (this is called an Achievement — each full game has an amount of achievements worth 1,000 Gamer points).

Ta y lor a nd I s t a r t e d competing in that, too.

As he began to pull ahead of me in the race, I pulled a Dick Dastardly (from Wacky

Races) by renting the first generation sports titles. They only had six or seven achievements that netted me an easy G in points.

Again, I took advantage of the situation to prevail. Now I am ahead of all my friends with 27,393 points.

Anyway, back to the brother and sister playing Monopoly.

She should have crushed her brother’s hopes and dreams by bankrupting him.

I know it sounds harsh, but it will teach him worthwhile lessons: “Life isn’t fair, no one is going to take it easy on me, my sister is a cruel human being” and other valuable tidbits.

Besides, Monopoly is a beast of a game and will last well past the kids’ bedtimes because someone wanted to play nice.

That is unacceptable! If you have the kill shot, take it.

I would have, and I would be going to sleep the champion of the world.

Ryan Feuerhelm is a journalism senior. He can be reached at Ryan.Feuerhelm@unt.edu.

Around this time last year, U.N. leaders decided t hat the best way to cut rampant corruption in its ranks was to aggressively ... stop looking for it.

They yanked funding for a special anti-corruption task force that the U.N. created in 2006 after the infamous oi l-for-food sca nda l. They promised that they were just consolidating the task force into an existing U.N. division, not killing its investigations.

Move along, folks! Nothing to see here!

But w e s u s p e c te d t he U.N. task force had been too successful, that it had mightily embarrassed U.N. leaders and member countries.

R e m e m b e r, t h e t a s k force had ex posed about $ 630 m i l l ion i n a l leged ly tainted contracts. Its work led to criminal convictions of a U.N. employee a nd a contractor, and disciplinary actions against 17 other U.N.

employees. It triggered the suspension or banishment of more than 45 private companies f rom t he cont ract ing process. There were scores more investigations in the pipeline.

So what has happened since then? Exactly what we feared.

The Associated Press reported recently that the U.N. has “cut back sharply” on corruption a nd f raud i nvest igat ions, including five major cases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa.

It dismissed most former task force investigators and the highly regarded leader of the unit.

A nd then there was this astonishing paragraph: “Over the past year, not a single significant fraud or corruption case has been completed, compared with an average 150 cases a year investigated by the task force. The permanent investigation division decided not to even pursue about 95 cases left over when the task

force ceased operation, while another 80 unfinished cases have languished.”

Not a sing le sig nif ica nt case.

U.N. Of f icia ls i nsist — insist! — that their commitment to root out cor r uption is undiminished. “The investigations division, I am conv inced, is doing a ver y good job, and is continuing the good work,” U.N. management chief Angela Kane told the AP. Not a sing le sig nif ica nt case, Ms. Kane.

Here’s what else that AP investigation found: Several task force reports involving accusations of major theft or embezzlement by U.N. staffers languish on the desk of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The few investigators who remain are hamstrung, using a standardized form to interview witnesses, rather than r el y i ng on c a s e -s p e c i f ic

examination techniques and pointed questioning.

Officials changed guidelines so that U.N. staff members can get away with fraud, embezzlement or theft, simply by quitting their jobs.

For yea rs, U.N. leaders snoozed wh i le Sadda m Hussein skimmed money and shoveled out kickbacks to U.N. officials and 4,700 companies worldwide.

That was embarrassing to the U.N., but apparently not as embarrassing as all those future cases of bid-rigging, bribery and corruption that the special task force would ferret out. So it’s naptime again.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told the AP that the loss of the task force “remains a source of concern to the United States.”

It’s a lot more than that. It’s a worldwide disgrace.

T his editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday Jan. 27.

U.N. accepts internal corruption

“I already did. I donated through text message which sent $10 to the fund.”

Terrence Sanders

Music education sophomore

“I have not donated yet.

I am waiting for my paycheck to come, then I will donate to the Bruce Hall Haiti fund at the front desk.”

Amber Wiest

Theatre performance sophomore

“I was not planning on donating. I feel like other natural disasters don’t receive this much attention, but they have damage just as bad.”

NT Daily Editorial Board

Andrew Friedrich

Entrepreneurship 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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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword ntdaily.com Puzzle

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Sports

Page 8 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor

01.28.2010 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Mean Green faces desperate opponent in WKU

BY SEAN GORMAN Senior Staff Writer

In the middle of the race to win the season’s conference championship, the UNT men’s basketball team looks to advance in the standings when it takes on Western Kentucky at 7 tonight in Bowling Green, Ky. The Mean Green (12-7, 5-4) sits at fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference West Division, but it could move up to tie for second with a win combined with losses from the teams ahead of it.

“Our guys have made great progress all season, and this game will be a good challenge for them,” head coach Johnny Jones said. “Any time you play on the road, it’s going to be difficult, but a win this weekend could give us a lot of confidence as we begin the final stretch of the year.”

After last week’s defeat of South Alabama, a team that beat perennial NCA A tournament invitees Florida and Arkansas this season, the Mean Green could be clicking at the right time.

“That’s the kind of win that can help teams gain momentum as the year goes on,” senior forward Eric Tramiel said.

The Hilltoppers (11-9, 4-4) have not been as fortunate recently, dropping their last four games while getting swept

by Sun Belt East leader Middle Tennessee.

“Western’s still Western.

T hey ’re a ta lented tea m who has gotten some tough breaks recently,” Jones said.

“They always give us a tough game.”

History is on Western’s side, as the Hilltoppers own an 11-2 record against UNT all time and a 5-1 record against the Mean Green at home.

“I see this game as a great chance to move up in the con ference a nd prove to ourselves that we deserve to be in the conversation about the Sun Belt’s best teams,” junior guard Collin Mangrum said.

Out of the 13 teams in the conference, the Mean Green ranks ninth in the Sun Belt in scoring defense and seventh in field goal percentage defense, and is focusing on playing

tighter defense and forcing more turnovers in practice.

“It’s somet hing t hat we work on every day,” freshman forward Jacob Holman said.

“We’ll always focus on conditioning no matter what, but recently coach has stressed that we defend better in the half court.”

UNT’s defense will have its hands full when it tries to cover WKU guard A.J. Slaughter, who leads the Sun Belt in scoring with 16.8 points per game and will likely declare for the NBA Draft at season’s end.

“It takes a real team effort to shut down a guy like him,” Holman said. “He’s capable of scoring every time they have the ball.”

With first place in the conference still up for grabs, this game has high stakes for both teams, as they are two of the 11 teams with between four and six in-conference wins.

“There are a lot of these teams in the conference that could rise up and take the top spot,” Jones said. “That is why these in-conference games are so important.”

Student Ad 62 x 10.2

PHOTO BY RYAN BIBB/PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior guard Josh White attempts a lay up against South Alabama at the Jan. 21 game. The Mean Green will try to build off last week’s win against South Alabama when it plays the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tonight at 7.

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