12-03-09 Edition

Page 1

SMU Takeover

dorm residents must receive vaccine NEWS: New Page 2 cappella group to perform new, old favorites ARTS & LIFE: APage 6 of student gambling on the rise VIEWS: Popularity Page 8

Dallas-area rival stampedes over Mean Green Page 7

Thursday, December 3, 2009

News 1,2,3 Arts & Life 4,5,6 Sports 7,10 Views 8 Classifieds 9 Games 9

Volume 94 | Issue 55

Cloudy 45° / 32°

ntdaily.com

The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas

Health center to plan med school BY A MBER A RNOLD

“Our fea r is t hat if t hey don’t get enough funding they After more than a year of may take away from the osteodiscussion and debate, the pathic school,” said Baker, a UNT System Board of Regents doctor of osteopathic medivoted ‘yes’ to allow the UNT cine. “There’s going to be Hea lt h Science Center to a great temptation to ta ke begin planning its medical funding that was meant for degree school. However, some the osteopathic school.” To show its displeasure for member s of Oste opat h ic Me d ic a l A s s o c i at ion a r e creating the medical degree school, t he a ssociat ion voicing their concerns. Thomas Yorio, the Health decided to withhold money f rom t he resea rch S c i e n c e C e n t e r ’s center. provost, presented the “ We’re still plans to the board on funding indiv idual Nov. 19 to create the research grants but school. not basic infrastruc“We’re a compreture,” Baker said. hensive health science People on bot h center, a nd we like sides of t he a rg uto have choices and ment poi nted out opportunities for all THOMAS t he st ate’s doctor of our students,” he YORIO shortage. said. “Fort Worth is “The doctor shor tage in a growing city, and we need Texas is focused in primary more doctors here.” Yor i o s a i d t h e b o a r d c a re,” he sa id. “Here we members have yet to vote on a re w it h [t he Col lege of Osteopathic Medicine] that the program. Board members approved produces more primary care the steps for the school to take doctors than any other in the by next year to present its case state. “The UNT Health Science to the legislature. The stipulations are that Center should put its energy t he school must get start- in promoting that rather than up money estimated at $25 creating a new school.” Yor io a s su re s t hat t he million, it must make agreements with hospitals to take osteopathic school will not be students in its educational adversely affected, and that programming, its must artic- it will also benefit from the ulate assurances for other creation of a medical degree programs, and it must have a school. “The medical school has detailed business plan for the on ly got ten st ronger a nd new school. The start-up costs will be better with every additional generated through philan- school,” he said. “We’re one of the best osteopathic schools thropy, Yorio said. This is the main concern for in the country, and another school wou ld on ly add to doctors like Mark Baker. Ba ker i s a member of that.” Administration at the UNT t he boa rd of t r ustees for t he A merica n Osteopat hic Hea lth Science Center w ill Association that helps support work to meet the requirements t he research center at t he the Board of Regents set forth UNT Health Sciences Center and will present again at the Texas College of Osteopathic board meeting next year. Yorio said they are hopeful Medicine. T he average cost for a that they will be able to move medical degree school is $100 forward to meet with the Texas Legislature in January 2011. to $120 million, Baker said. Senior Staff Writer

PHOTO

BY RYAN BIBB / PHOTOGRAPHER

Head football coach Todd Dodge walks onto the field arm-in-arm onto the field with Mean Green players. Dodge will return for his fourth year at UNT.

Head coach back for 2010 BY ERIC JOHNSON Senior Staff Writer

Four days after an agonizing loss that ended the 2009 season, UNT made the decision to retain head coach Todd Dodge and keep his staff intact. There was much speculation by UNT students, alumni and the local media about whether the administration would keep coach Dodge for the fourth year of a five-year contract after a disappointing 2-10 season. The Mean Green was more competitive this season as six of its losses came by a touchdown or less and the team ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing offense. “This yea r did not go exactly how I had expected, but I have seen signs of improvement that validate my belief that we can turn this program around,” Dodge said on Monday morning after Saturday’s loss to Arkansas State University. “We were a very young team this season,

one of the youngest in the nation. The adversity we faced this season will help us win those tight games.” Three years ago, Todd Dodge took over a team that had won five games in its previous two seasons. Despite the 5-31 record since Dodge arrived, he has brought talented players into the program like running back Lance Dunbar, who finished in the top 10 in the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns. D o d g e’s p r e d e c e s s o r, Darrell Dickey, won fourstraight conference championships from 2001 to 2004 but was fired on Nov. 2, 2006 with three years remaining on his contract after a 2-7 record guaranteed his secondstraight losing season. Dodge a l s o i n her ite d academic problems that cost him scholarships, but he has improved the academic performance of his team and UNT will have its full compliment of scholarships next season.

“We brought coach Dodge into a tough situation,” athletic director Rick Villarreal said on Wednesday. “We looked at how many games we were in this season. We are getting better offensively and are going to go from being one of the youngest teams in the conference to being one of the oldest.” Villarreal also emphasized the improvement that would come from having the full compliment of 85 scholarships for the first time during Dodge’s tenure. UNT President Gretchen Bataille is out of the country this week and was unavailable for comment, but she did state in a news release issued by the athletic department that she stands behind Dodge. “W hen we hired coach Dodge, we knew that it was going to take some time to grow the football program,” Bataille said. “We believe we need to give him adequate time to turn the program around.” Next season’s expectations

will be much higher for the four-time 5A Texas High School state championship coach. “I have met with coach Dodge and discussed in great detail the current status of the football program and what my expectations are going forward,” Villarreal said. “While I recognize that progress has been made in certain areas, I believe that in the fourth year of the program, success on the field is imperative.” Dodge trusts that experience will help bring this program success with 19 of 22 starters returning. “We are very excited about what we have coming back,” Dodge said. “We have four or five offensive line starters coming back and 10 of 11 overall on offense returning. The offensive line guys will be third-year starters and we will have an offense with a lot of guys who will benefit from another year of experience. Nine of 11 starters are coming back defensively.”

Students volunteer to spread holiday cheer BY MELISSA BOUGHTON

Agencies and Drives in Need:

Senior Staff Writer

A familiar ringing sound made by an unfamiliar face catches the attention of many who pass by. The bell is a long-standing tradition as part of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Fund and its chime asks all to make a donation and make a difference. Many Denton residents have chosen to donate and volunteer their time at local centers, helping families in need have a brighter holiday season. “I get lots of calls about people looking to help,” said Amy Simon, director for the Center for Leadership and Service. Simon said the center gets more interest in students seeking to help donate food and toys during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The center connects UNT students, faculty, and staff with community agencies and individuals in need of volunteers. The center works with many local places including the Salvation Army, Our Daily Bread soup kitchen and The Shepherd’s Hand. The Shepherd’s Hand is a nonprofit ministry that distributes clothing and food on a daily basis to those in need.

• • • • • •

The Salvation Army Red Kettle Fund Our Daily Bread soup kitchen The Shepherd’s Hand Denton Community Food Center Communities in Schools toy drive United Way of Denton

14 to drop off their angel’s gifts. The Student Government Association adopted 150 angels from the Salvation Army to give to students, faculty and staff as part of the freshman internship philanthropy project. Jessica Walker, SGA director of internal operations, said that PHOTO BY MELISSA BOUGHTON / PHOTOGRAPHER all but 15 of the angels were The Salvation Army has an Angel Tree set up inside the Golden Triangle Mall. Volunteers can adopt an angel to fulfill adopted. children and families’ holiday wishes. “It has been ver y, ver y successful thus far,” the merchandising senior said. out,” Henderson said. The ministry is in need of clothes, toys, and money. The Salvation Army is also The tree is inside the Golden Patrick Henderson, Salvation food, clothing, money, surplus items and volunteers, according Army volunteer, helps run the Triangle Mall between Barnes debuting its cashless kettles Angel Tree drive, which allows and Noble Booksellers and throughout Denton in three locato its Web site. “They have been working with members of the community to Costume and Dance World. tions this year, meaning that us recently to try to get lots of fulfill the wishes of children and Students can adopt Monday members of the community can families in need for Christmas. through Saturday from 10 a.m. donate money with a credit or folks involved,” Simon said. “We’re always looking for to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon debit card, not just cash. If students can’t give their time “The money that goes to the to help and volunteer, there are more volunteers and there are to 6 p.m. Volunteers have until Dec. 13 Red Kettle Fund will benefit many agencies that seek dona- still angels on the tree, so we tions of items such as food, need more donors to come help to adopt an angel and until Dec. the Salvation Army in Denton

and help us continue to provide programs and services for clients,” said Kristen Bowman, Salvation Army public relations. Cherrel Adams, a marketing senior, said she donates to the Red Kettle Fund every year. “I know others need things, and it’s a nice thing to do during the holidays,” she said. Students also have until Dec. 9 to donate toys to the WFAA Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive on campus. “I know that they really need toys,” Simon said. Communities in Schools will also host a toy drive during student’s final exam week. The toys will be distributed to lowincome kids involved in their programs in elementary through high schools locally.

Page 2 Thursday, December 3, 2009

News

Shaina Zucker & Courtney Roberts

News Editors ntdailynews@gmail.com

Students ‘prone to get sick’ during finals week BY TIM MONZINGO Intern

As the semester comes to an end, students are getting ready for a grueling week of final papers, exams, and little, if any, sleep. Although energy drink retailers and fast food businesses around campus may post higher profits, many of their student customers who are rushing to prepare for finals may be putting their health and grades at risk. Lovely Murrell, the Nutrition and Body Care manager at Cupboard Natural Foods and

Café, said students’ habits this time of year could have serious impacts on their overall wellbeing. “Besides just being stressed, people are not getting enough sleep, they’re probably not eating correctly, and if they are doing anything to stay awake and cram, that can definitely negatively affect your health,” Murrell said. Murrell said while stimulants like those found in Red Bull and Rock Star energy drinks can be OK in small doses, using a

lot of them can be a recipe for disaster. Many of the ingredients found in energy drinks can cause problems with the body’s adrenal glands, which are important for a variety of reasons. “Adrenals control everything in the body from energy to immunity to libido and even when it’s time to go to the bathroom,” Murrell said. K imberly Kel ly of t he psychology faculty said all the stress could also make students vulnerable to sickness.

“Anytime the body is stressed, you’re going to get a physiological stress reaction, and the result of some of those chemicals that are released do impair your immune system,” Kelly said, “so it makes you much more prone to get sick.” Kelly has done research on psychoneutroimmunolog y, which assesses the interactions between the nervous and immune systems and the relationships between mental processes and health. She said energy drinks and

coffee contain a lot of caffeine, which is a stressor for the body and can exacerbate the effects of chronic stress associated with finals. “When you talk about the weeks leading up to finals, you’re really talking about chronic stress,” Kelly said. “Chronic stress is certainly immune suppressive.” Aaron Stafford, a metalsmithing and jewelry junior at North Central Texas College, said he notices a difference in the way he feels around finals.

“I just feel more tired and run down in the time around finals,” Stafford said, “I drink a lot of coffee and stuff and try to eat well, but it’s hard with so much going on.” Both Kelly and Murrell said there are several ways to avoid getting run down and risking health during finals, the best of which is to not put studying off until pre-finals week. They also said they agree students should eat well, get enough rest and should not procrastinate.

Uncharted bodies found Vaccines required for CHICAGO (AP) — Officials at a historic black cemetery in suburban Chicago are again finding human remains in the ground when they try to bury someone else. T he cemeter y is where for mer workers a l leged ly dug up graves in a scheme to resell burial plots. Burr Oa k Cemeter y i n A lsip reopened to t he public in November a f ter being closed for nearly four months, but resumed burials in October. Officia ls said at a news conference Wednesday that w h i le prepa r i ng g r avesites since burials resumed, workers found a human bone in a spot where they didn’t know anyone was buried and twice found caskets. “We are trying to give a heads-up to fa milies t hat we’re dea l i ng w it h t hat t h i s m a y o c c u r a g a i n,” said Roman Szabelski, the one-time court-appointed

receiver at the cemetery who is now a consultant there. “It’s going to be a day-by-day, grave-by-grave situation.” The reason, he said, is that even after months of investigating, it remains impossible to find complete documentation of who was buried at the cemeter y, when they were buried and exactly where. Howard Korenthal, the cemetery’s chief operating officer, also said officials have been unable to find maps of the cemetery dating back to its earliest days. Cook County Sheriff Tom Da r t made simi la r assertions after his department launched its massive investigation in July at the 150-acre cemetery that is the resting place of c iv i l r ig ht s-era ly nch i ng v ict i m Em met t Ti l l a nd ot her prominent African-Americans. Dart repeatedly said that while authorities estimated 300 graves were dug up, the

bad record keeping — and in some cases records that had literally disintegrated — made it impossible to say how many corpses were disinterred or identif y a ll those whose remains were moved. Szabelski said he thinks the people whose remains were most recently uncovered had been buried in the 1930s, but of f icia ls don’t know that for sure. Szabelski said the cemetery has buried about three dozen people since October and said the discoveries of the remains — the last of which occurred last weekend — have not prompted the cemeter y to ha lt f u r t her bu r ia ls, despite a st rong recommendation from the sheriff’s department. “They need to slow down and go through all the records before they do more burials,” said sheriff’s spokeswoman Lisa Gordon.

new dorm residents BY LISA GARZA

Contributing Writer New and transfer students now have an extra item to pack before moving into the dorms this spring — their vaccination record. T h e Te x a s L e g i s l a t u r e passed a bi l l Ju ne 19 t hat requires new students to be vacci nated aga i nst bacterial meningitis before being allowed to live in university housing. University housing includes fraternity and sorority houses, apartments, dorms and any other place of residence on campus property. The law is effective Jan. 1, 2010, and does not apply to continuing students or those living off campus.

Important vaccine information for dorm residents: Time to become effective: 7 to10 days Duration: 3 to 5 years Date vaccine must be taken by: Jan. 3, 2010 Housing opens: Jan. 13, 2010

gitis among people ages 2 to 18. College freshmen who live in dorms have an increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease because they live in close quarters. “This isn’t a new concern. It’s been around for a while, but we want to take precautions to avoid an epidemic,” Housing UN T Housi ng opens on sa id Don na Ca rl i n, sen ior Jan. 13. The vaccination must pr og r e s s d i r e c tor of t he be received at least 10 days Te x a s H i g h e r E d u c a t i on before moving into any of the Coordinating Board. dorms. The St udent Hea lt h a nd International students Wellness Center w ill verif y Previous enrollment data vaccinat ion records a nd a predicts that up to 75 percent confirmation list will be sent of t he a f fec ted i ncom i ng to the housing office, Director students could be internaof Housing Elisabeth Warren tional. said. U N T-I nter nat iona l s a id T hose u nable to receive it is making it a priority to the vaccine before the start a n nou nce t he new law to of the spring semester must i nc om i ng s t udent s for a make other temporary living number of reasons, director arrangements. Eric Canny said. “There are no exceptions,” “This law ta kes ef fect in Warren said. January, and students might UNT has secured a reason- have applied to UNT, secured able rate for students at nearby their visas, purchased airline hotels for those who in need t ickets, etc., before it was of a place to stay. A list can be made public,” he said. “Given found on w w w.international. all these factors, we want to unt.edu. ensure all incoming students who will live on campus have the necessary information.” The vaccine Communication is T he law states t hat t he required vaccine is to prevent another concern in regards bacterial meningitis but that to informing internat iona l is a general term, according students. “We have st udents w it h to the Texas Department of v a r y i ng E ng l ish la ng uage State Health Services. The vaccine is mea nt to c a p a bi l it ie s , s o w e a l s o protec t people on ly f rom wa nted it to be prominent N e i s s e r i a m e n i n g i t i d e s as well as translated it into [meningococcal], which is a other languages,” Canny said. form of bacterial meningitis. “‘Laws can be hard to read and Ne i s s e r i a m e n i n g it id i s interpret when not in your can cause severe life-threat- first language.” en i ng i l l nesses, i nclud i ng septicemia as well as meninPrice of staying healthy gitis, according to the Centers The Denton County Health for D i s e a s e C ont r ol a nd Department and the Wellness Prevention. Center indiv idually adminIt is the leading cause of ister the vaccine. death from bacterial meninThe department offers the

2005 - 2009 Meningitis cases in Texas Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Cases 61 45 55 70 44

* Provisional Data as of 12/02/2009

vaccine to residents for $20. Students with the UNT Student Health Insurance can receive the vaccine at the center for $25. Those without the insurance must pay $116. The cost of the immunization is based on the cost of the vaccine and an administration fee, said June Brownlee, co-director of the center, in an email. “We keep enough vaccine on hand to cover the needs of our students,” she sa id. “We only expect around 500 new st udents i nto u n iversity housing and we will be prepared to meet that demand if necessary.” Exceptions to the law St udent s ca n request exemption to the vaccination law if they comply with one of two options. A letter from a doctor stating t hat i n h is or her professional opinion, the vaccination would be harmful to the student’s health. A st udent may de cl i ne t he re qu i re d v ac c i nat ion for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, if they submit a signed form from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Page 3

News

SGA Chat

Shaina Zucker & Courtney Roberts

News Editors ntdailynews@gmail.com

What do you want to do in the Student Government Association next semester?

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“Next semester, I plan on developing a suggestion box system for student government that will allow SGA to connect to students and have students give us their issues.�

Drew Robertson Senate Speaker

“I would like to get the student body more involved in student government. My big initiative will be to get the senators, interns, and my staff to go out and actively get people involved in our organization.�

Flaviano Graciano Freshman Intern

“Recruitment is a major issue that we need to focus on. We have a lot of students on campus that can contribute to the Senate in a positive way, and I don’t think we do a good job right now of reaching out to them.�

Dakota Carter SGA President

Kevin Sanders

Sergeant at Arms for the Student Senate

{

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“As far as senate meetings, we only have one meeting that’s mandatory, so I want us to organize the freshman interns in the Senate and become more involved on campus.�

“I would like SGA to focus on wheelchair accessibility, to take that initiative and put it to work. We never tend to think about problems that affect other people, we just think about things that affect ourselves.�

Jamaal Sanders SGA Vice President

Police search for Christmas-tree-hunting couple MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Searchers combed dark and snowy forests near the crest of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon on Wednesday night for a couple who told their kids they were off to cut down a special Christmas tree but did not return. Police said Jennifer, 38, and Keith Lee, 36, of Medford set out Tuesday morning in their electric blue, all-wheel-drive Subaru but told no one where they were going. Keith Lee is diabetic, a relative said.

The couple did tell their four kids, ages 8 to 18, that they hoped to bring back a silvertip fir, a prized tree found only at high elevations. “We still don’t know where they’re at, but we’re going to spend all night looking,� said Jackson County Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Rowland. “We’ll saturate this area the rest of the night with Sno-Cats and ATVs.� The search focused on the high Cascades between Medford and Klamath Falls after police found a piece of paper in the couple’s

ADVERTISING CLASS TAKES ON LAW FIRM AS CLIENT

favorite Pizza Barn, the group had decided to venture out and try a new place. “I swear it was the scariest moment of my life,� Karl Winsey, a friend of Danny's, recalled. “It was like we time-warped into Italy or something. The waiter came over and started talking in Italian! Um... what? I had no idea what to do.�

home with the numbers 140 and 37 written on it, an apparent reference to two highways that intersect at Fish Lake near the crest of the mountains, police Sgt. Mike Budreau said. “It’s cold weather and not a lot of snow, but there’s ice out there,� making backcountry roads treacherous, said Rowland. “If the car tipped over, it’s not going to be easy to spot.� Helicopter a nd g round searches turned up nothing in the Siskiyou Mountains south of Medford, where the couple

A local college advertising class is taking on the law. In fact, it’s an entire law firm! The creative class is spending their semester trying to help the lawyers get more business. “We just don’t get it,â€? said Brian Fats. “We really need some creative help around here. Although, we really look forward to seeing all their ideas and work, then crushing them with legal speak and jargon, making them change things that don’t matter and basically trying to water it down until it’s either not funny, not creative or interesting in any way.â€? After submitting their first round of ideas, the class has been drowned in edits and changes, while deadlines oppor loomed and advertising opportunities were missed. As Senior Cliff Runge commented, “It’s like they are worried about %"$! getting sued or something. Talk A5A;3 $ ; = B Âś 3< B D 7> about paranoia.â€? /19 E6 0 B3FB Âľ C < 6 A / 1 @/ Cliff is currently being 9A 3FB B3FB0== sued for libel. 53B G= C @

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ITALIAN 101 HELPS STUDENT ORDER PIZZA AT RESTAURANT

What began as a typical dining-out experience quickly turned into a scary situation yesterday when sophomore Danny Rivers and his friends realized that the Italian restaurant that they had chosen for lunch... was completely Italian-speaking. Looking for something more authentic than local

Fortunately for the group, Danny Rivers did. “I’ve been taking Italian 101 this semester,â€? Danny explained, “so I was pretty environ comfortable in that environment. Once I heard him say ‘amici’ I knew he wasn't mad at us or anything, so I just stuck with what I remembered... ‘saluti,’ ‘il mio nome è Danny,’ that kind of stuff.â€? After breaking the ice, Danny managed to tell the waiter that he and his friends wanted one very much good pizzas on the large. It was exactly what they received, much to everyone’s surprise. “It was a good day,â€? Danny added. “Professore Vacanti would've been proud of me. Or maybe I should say would’ve been feiro di me.â€? Professore Vacanti refused to comment.

FACULTY FOUND TAILGAT TAILGATING BEFORE BIG EXAM

It was Thursday afternoon, hours before the big exam, and Professor Jay Limbaugh’s office was empty. As were Professor Rick Stein’s and Dr. Denise Carrol’s. Where was everyone during the last-minute question frenzy? Apparently, tailgating. According to Senior Ben Higgins, eight professors (including those mentioned above) were spotted in the faculty parking lot behind the school just after noon, watching football and playing hacky-sack. “They were freaking tailgating?� Ben exclaimed furiously. “Charcoal grill, coozies, Chinese horseshoes... the whole shebang! They're supposed to be helping ushere... not grilling hotdogs and high-fiving.� The faculty did not deny the claim. In fact, Art History professor Michael Fineman spoke with great liberty. “Did we eat too many Doritoes? Maybe. Throw a little Frisbee around? Sure. But teachers deserve to have a little fun too. And it’s not like it hurt

got stuck for four hours while getting their tree last year, Budreau said. A helicopter joined the search in the Cascades until darkness fell, Rowland said. Like thousands of Oregonians each year, the Lees bought their Christmas tree permit from the local national forest office and headed into the mountains, police said. They first went treehunting Monday but didn’t find what they wanted, so they set out again Tuesday after the kids went to school. Jennifer Lee asked a anyone,� said the 46 year-old Fineman. “In fact, I think the students should be thankful... I was so hungover the next day that I just gave everyone A’s anyway. I think it worked in their favor.� While students are demanding answers, there’s no word yet on how the school intends to respond. The matter Chancel is now in the hands of Chancellor Debra Pittman, who is rumored to have streaked through the tailgate earlier that day.

MONEY MASCOT FOUND BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF BOOK MASCOT

Sad news in local affairs today as officials seized a “money� mascot used to promote low prices at an off-campus bookstore after an incident involving its counterpart “book� mascot. Police reports indicate Money became agitated when confronted by Book on who was worth more. An altercation ensued that involved several blows to the head of Book and according to some witnesses, a flying dropkick off the ropes. While Book took the first swing, it was Money who finished it. Apparently, Money is always better than books. “It's not really a shock,� Sherrif Steven Kimbo stated at the press conference. “I don’t know of many books that people would prefer over straight cash money. Maybe a stack of inappropriate magazines or something, but not textbooks.� The Money mascot was released based on evidence proving it was right, while Book was thinking of hiding in a closet for the rest of its life hoping to be forgotten and never found.

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friend to pick up their 8-yearold daughter. Each year, searches are mounted for a few who get stranded or lost while hunting for Christmas trees in Oregon, Rowland said. Keith Lee’s uncle said his nephew was familiar with the woods from frequent camping trips and back country motorcycle riding, was good with cars, being the manager of an auto parts store; and always carried a cell phone. “He loves the woods,� Hill said

FRESHMAN JUST REALIZES HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE STUDENT LOAN ALREADY

A frightening moment happened Saturday night as Freshman Dirk Polston pulled his last $20 bucks out of a local downtown ATM. His account balance was zero. “I swear there was $15,000 in there just a few months ago,� stammered the stunned student. “But I think I know where it went.� Dirk then rubbed his belly which was sticking out just a little below his shirt. In order to make it through the rest of the semester until his next loan kicks in, Dirk plans to sell everything he has on Ebay, sell his textbooks to the bookstore and mooch off his roommate for as long as he can.

AREA SENIOR GETTING REALLY GOOD AT WRITING ANSWERS ON TINY SCRAPS OF PAPER

Sixth-year senior Craig McGrott may not be good at a lot of things, but he’s the best there is when it comes to writing answers on tiny pieces of paper (commonly known as crib sheets). At least, according to the advertisement he ran on Facebook last week. “Look, everybody’s different,� Craig explained yesterday. “Some people are really smart. Others are just really good at tiny handwrithandwrit ing. That’s my gift. Wanna cheat and not get caught? Just call Craig ‘CribSheet’

just before leaving for Medford from Sacramento, Calif., where Keith Lee lived before moving to Oregon two years ago. “And he loves to rough it a lot. That’s why I’m not too worried about him at this point,� said Hill, a retired civilian employee on an Air Force base. “But the one who hasn’t done a lot of camping is his wife, Jennifer. And what really scares me about him is he’s diabetic now. If he forgot his insulin or something like that, it might be dangerous.� McGrott!� While some considered the slogan gimmicky, the testimonials spoke for themselves. And there’s no cheating that.

STUDENT WANTS TO RENT EVERYTHING

Junior Mick McConnelly has decided that he will no longer buy anything. Instead, he says with confidence, “I’m gonna rent.� Mick tells the story of renting his apartment, which is “waaaaay cheaper than buying one�, which led to renting movies, renting cars and even renting his textbooks. “Once I found out I could rent textbooks, I was like, duh, this is the future.� While Mick hasn’t had much success, he’s determined to find a way. The Junior is currently negotiating rental agreements for food, tuition, back massages and toiletries. “If I could rent all that, I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t ever need a real job.� And if he does? “I’ll probably rent a guy to do that for me too.�

GREEK SYSTEM RUNNING OUT OF LETTER COMBINATIONS

Panic struck the heart of fraternities and sororities across the nation this week when word spread that the number of unique remaining Greek letter combinations was in critical condition. “Unfortunately, with the induction of our newest chapters, Mu Mu Mu and Psi Phi Pi, we’ve exhausted just about every option out there,� said National Greek Board President, Henry Boggins. “There were only about 18,000 possible letter combinations to begin with, so you had to know it was coming.�

Page 4 Thursday, December 3, 2009

Arts & Life

Kip Mooney

Arts & Life Editor ntd.artslife@gmail.com

Students with disabilities handle stress of finals BY LISA GARZA

Contributing Writer T he week of f i na ls is a stressful time for many college students, but some must overcome learning disabilities to succeed. More t ha n 700 students have registered w it h UNT’s Of f ice of Disabilit y Accommodations this year, and many of them will have to use alternative means to complete their courses.

Coping with ADHD Blake Windham was first d iag nosed w it h at tent ion deficit hyperactivity disorder

# of students registered with UNT’s disability office

when he w a s 4. Now a 1 9 - y e a rold biolo g y sophomore, he continues to face challenges associated with the disorder. “A l ot o f people ca n study for long periods of time but I personally have trouble focusing,” he said. “It’s like I’m on a caf feine high but it affects me permanently.”

Developing regular study habit s a nd m i n i m i z i ng distractions are some of the ways students can sur v ive preparing for finals. But for

students with ADD or ADHD, it’s a lot more cha l leng ing,” W i nd ha m said. Windham w a s re-d iagnosed w it h A DHD la st year by a doctor at t he Student Health and Wellness students who have difficulty Center, who prescribed him concentrating, it’s a bit more the amphetamine Adderall. complicated. He took t he st imu la nt for “I know a lot of students about one week and noticed have trouble focusing, but for a significant change but at a high price. He was more focused but not himself. “T he me d ic i ne help e d me but it has negative sideeffects,” he said. “I was not the person I am normally. I just shut down and didn’t talk to anyone.” Windham said he would not use Adderall again despite the pressure of finals. “I’m a big believer that if you put your mind to it and discipline yourself, you can do it,” he said.

Help on campus The UNT Office of Disability Accommodation in University Union 321 serves as a liaison between students and professors by recommending tools and resources that can assist with the learning and testing process. “Our main goal is to take in documentation of a disability so we can make recommendat ions to professors a nd faculty for conditions that are considered permanent and substantial limitations in the academic setting,” director Ron Venable said. The office will administer 400 to 500 final examinations this semester. Finals are the busiest time of the semester, so it is required that substantial notice be given. Students were required to notify the office of their needs by Nov. 23 so arrangements could be made. One of the options students

have when taking their finals is alternative testing which is “any t hing t hat needs to be done to a llow students to acc ess ex a m i nat ion s,” Venable said. A n e x a mple w ou ld b e changing the original format of the test to suit the student’s needs, such as converting a written test to Braille for a blind student. “The No. 1 testing accommodation we provide is extension of time for exams,” he said. “This is necessary for a wide range of disabilities.” Tests are administered in t he of f ice, which prov ides a distraction-free env ironment. Windham qualifies to use the ser v ices offered by the off ice but chooses to work on his own. “They are useful to some people, but I think I discipline myself enough to do well,” he said. Many of his teachers are not aware of his disorder because he has chosen not to disclose that information. “I’m not look i ng for a n excuse for them to grade me easier,” he said. “I just want to blend in.”

Professors’ contribution A professor’s role is integral to ever y student’s success, but especially for those with disabilities, Venable said. “We call it the combination triangle,” he said. “Teachers a re pa r t of t he tea m w it h students and our office.” Clark Pomerleau is a history professor a nd t he depa r tment’s office representative. He makes himself available to a nswer quest ions f rom col leag ues about st udent accommodations. “We have this well-struct u red system w it h a ver y active ODA,” Pomerleau said. “They get everything set up ahead of time so everything runs smoothly.” Pomerleau sa id t hat t he services the office provides to students are essential because it “levels the playing field.”

Christ dumped from jury pool BIRMINGH A M, Ala. (A P) — Cour t of f icia ls say a Birmingham woman who changed her name to Jesus Ch r ist d id n’t l ive up to it when she reported for jur y duty this week. The woman, prev iously named Dorot hy Lola Killingworth, was sent to Judge Clyde Jones’s courtroom for a cr i m i na l ca se Monday. Cou r t of f icia ls told T he Bi r m i ng ha m News on Tuesday t hat t he 59-yea rold wa s exc u sed becau se she was disruptive and kept

asking questions instead of answering them. E f for t s to reach C h r i st for com ment were u nsuccessful. Court administrator Sandra Turner said people there were shocked when t he woma n insisted her name was Jesus Christ a nd some potent ia l jurors laughed out loud when her name was called. But Tu r ner sa id u n l i ke some Jefferson County residents, Chr ist didn’t t r y to get out of jury duty and was “perfectly happy to serve.”

6.875x16

Alien search costs school worker job

www.transylmaniathemovie.com

STARTS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

Camp A

CRUDE AND SEXUAL CONTENT, NUDITY, DRUG USE, LANGUAGE AND SOME VIOLENCE

M ESA , A r i z . (A P) — A former Arizona school district employee is accused of using school computers in an experiment to find space aliens, costing the worker his job and the district more than $1 million. Schools officials say Brad Niesluchowski, who was Higley Unified School District’s information technology director, downloaded free software on district computers in 2000. The progra m, k now n as SETI(at)home, uses Internetconnected computers worldwide to analyze radio telescope data in an experiment

to find extraterrestrial intelligence. But Superintendent Denise Birdwell told the East Valley Tribune that the program also bogged down the district’s system and interfered with tech nolog y u se i n cla ssrooms. Birdwell said it will take more than $1 million to fix the problem, including removal of t he SETI sof t wa re. She said police are conducting a broader investigation. Niesluchow sk i resig ned from the district Oct. 22. His lawyer did not return calls for comment.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Page 5

Arts & Life

Kip Mooney

Arts & Life Editor ntd.artslife@gmail.com

Strike causes some Paris museums to close PARIS (AP) — On a gray, drizzly day just made for a Paris museum visit, the city’s premier art institutions were hit by strikes that left tourists out in the cold and had some French people worried about the image their country projects to foreigners. T he Pompidou Center modern art museum and the

Musee d’Orsay, with its famed paintings by the Impressionists, were closed Wednesday after workers angry about a government cost-cutting measure voted to strike. Workers at the Louvre, the crown jewel of Paris museums, also voted to strike, but by midmorning parts of the sprawling complex had been opened to

visitors. The museum reduced its price from nine euros ($13.50) to six ($9) for the day. Strikers are upset about a government policy of not replacing half of retiring public servants, which they insist will prove catastrophic for the country’s national museums. Union officials said the Rodin Museum, dedicated to French

sculptor Auguste Rodin, the Arc de Triomphe and the Palais de Versailles, the sumptuous former royal palace west of Paris, were also affected by the strike. Washington D.C. native Ali Dart said she was surprised to learn of the partial work stoppage at the Louvre and she still hoped to be able to see museum’s star pieces — like the “Venus de

Milo” statue and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” “If we can’t see them, it’d really cramp our style,” said Dart, who runs an arts and crafts supply store and was visiting the French capital for the first time. Asked whether the strike would cloud her vision of France and make her less likely to return, Dart responded: “There are plenty of

other countries to visit.” In an open letter to French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand, Joseph Thouvenel of the Pompidou’s CFDT union said “not giving the Pompidou Center the means to fulfill its mission means allowing consumer culture to suffocate a bit more the capital’s identity.”

Entertainment Listings THURSDAY

THE SKATALITES with Fatty Lumpkin and Hickory Street Hellraisers - ADV TICKETS ON SALE NOW @ The Boiler Room Katsuk, Hatch, Spank @ Andy’s Bar BUBBA HERNANDEZ y Los Super Vatos @ Dan’s Silverleaf No Justice LIVE! W/ Ausin Allsup & Highspeed Hayride @ Rockin Rodeo 7th and Oak, Smart Foke, Brute Force @ Rubber Gloves The Craziest Party In North Texas @ RBar Christmas Carols & Cider! @ Hydrant Cafe The Hottest Body in North Texas Bikini Contest $500 Cash Reward @ Electric Cowboy

“I wanna go to NTDaily.com!”

FRIDAY

Pentagrass / Charlie Shafter and the Gnomes @ The Boiler Room Jungle Gym (CD Release), Pelican Skeleton, Logic Engine @ Andy’s Bar JAY-B and the ZYDECO POSSE @ Dan’s Silverleaf Arts and Crafts Sale @ Dan’s Silverleaf The Vic Chesnutt Band Featuring Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) and members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion, Liz Durrett, Sans Soleil @ Hailey’s Club Girls Night Out! @ Rockin Rodeo Whiskey Dick, Red Light Kills, Hello Lover @ Rubber Gloves Xegesis @ RBar Benefit Concert Open Mic. @ Hydrant Cafe Biggest and Best Party in Texas! Electric @ Cowboy

SATURDAY

Saturday

$3 Vodka Blasters $4 Dbl. Vodka (Tonic, cranberry or energy drink)

www.drinkatlous.com

www.drinkatlous.com

WAYNE “THE TRAIN” HANCOCK with The Camptown Ladies - ADV TICKETS ON SALE NOW @ The Boiler Room Benefit Show Featuring : Spooky Folks, RTB2, Western Giants @ Andy’s Bar Never a cover! Never a cover! THE KING BUCKS 100 Damned Guns The Will Callers/ Arts and Crafts Festival @ Dan’s Silverleaf Telegraph Canyon, Monahans, Doug Burr, Seryn, Baruch the Scribe, Glen Farris, The Fox & The Bird, The Hand Combine, Spooky Folk @ Hailey’s Club The Stampede @ Rockin Rodeo The Uptown Bums, TwentyFourHourPeople, Kick it on Lou‛s Porch. Bring Forth The Fallen @ Rubber Gloves Biggest around. Sinful Saturday’s @ RBar Chocolate Friday Tasting ($$ Cover) @ Hydrant Cafe $4 Beam & Coke Biggest and Best Party in Texas!Electric @ Cowboy

SUNDAY

BOB DYLAN HAPPY HOUR with Tex Zimmerman @ Dan’s Silverleaf ISAAC HOSKINS S.I.N (Service Industry Night) Micah Schnabel @ Dan’s Silverleaf SING AND All Happy Hour All Night Long SWING NIGHT @ Electric Cowboy 1207 W. Hickory 940-484-5550 Never a cover! COWBOYS AT NY GIANTS WATCH Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. alcohol for members only, PARTY @ Public House Sunday

365 days / year

membership available

MONDAY

PAUL SLAVENS @ Dan’s Silverleaf ACOUSTIC SHOW: Wade Bowen, Sean McConnell, Seth James & Adam Hood @ Rockin Rodeo

TUESDAY

Sunday

S.I.N (Service Industry Night) All Happy Hour All Night Long

Monday&Wednesday

$2 Ritas Frozen or on the Rocks $2.50 South of the Border Cerveza

Tuesday

Lucky Lou‛s Brew BUY THE BEER, KEEP THE GLASS $3 Import Drafts & Bottles

Thursday

$4 (14 oz.) Double Long Island Ice Tea $4 (14 oz.) Double Rum and Coke

Friday

$4 Beam & Coke

Saturday

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www.drinkatlous.com

Kick it on Lou‛s Porch. Biggest around.

$3 Vodka Blasters $4 Dbl. Vodka (Tonic, cranberry or energy drink) 1207 W. Hickory 940-484-5550

Open 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. 365 days / year

alcohol for members only, membership available

*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

MARIACHI QUETZAL @ Dan’s Silverleaf Kick A$$ Karaoke! @ RBar

ARMORED (PG-13) 12:10pm 2:45pm 5:10pm 7:30pm 10:00pm

WEDNESDAY

BROTHERS (R:I.D. Required) 11:25am 2:05pm 4:50pm 7:35pm 10:20pm

Pterradacto / Hatch / Katsuk @ The Boiler Room Ishi, Yeahdef, Fizzy Dino Pop, Kashioboy, Sore Losers, Whoa!coder, visuals by marcus webb @ Hailey’s Club XS Winter Wonderland, ~XS~ Too Much Never a cover! Is Never Enough @ Rockin Rodeo DJ LEEDS presents, EIGHTIES DANCE PARTY! @ Rubber Gloves Moosehound Jazz Fest @ Hydrant Cafe Live Music and Entertainment @ Electric Cowboy

Never a cover!

CINEMARK AT DENTON - SHOWING FRIDAY

EVERYBODY’S FINE (PG-13) 11:55am 2:30pm 5:05pm 7:50pm 10:25pm TRANSYLMANIA (R:I.D. Required) 4:30pm 10:50pm 2012 (PG-13) 11:30am 3:00pm 6:40pm 10:05pm A CHRISTMAS CAROL - REAL D 3D (PG) 12:00pm 2:40pm 5:20pm 8:00pm 10:30pm

OLD DOGS (PG) 11:35am 12:55pm 2:10pm 3:20pm 4:40pm 5:55pm 7:10pm 8:25pm 9:40pm 10:55pm PLANET 51 (PG) 12:05pm 2:25pm 4:55pm 7:45pm 10:15pm THE BLIND SIDE (PG-13) 11:40am 1:10pm 2:55pm 4:20pm 6:05pm 7:25pm 9:15pm 10:40pm THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX (PG) 1:05pm 3:30pm 5:50pm 8:10pm 10:35pm THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (PG-13) 11:45am 1:20pm 2:50pm 6:10pm 7:40pm 9:20pm

NINJA ASSASSIN (R:I.D. Required) 11:50am 2:20pm 5:00pm 7:55pm 10:45pm

Raiders of the Lost Ark weekend of 12/3

Showtimes valid for Fri 12-4

OLD DOGS |PG 11:30 | 2:00| 4:15 | 6:30 | 9:00 PIRATE RADIO |R 11:00AM | 1:45 | 4:30 | 7:30 | 10:30 | 12:00AM

THE BLIND SIDE |R 12:30 | 3:45 | 7:00 | 10:15 THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON |PG13 12:00 | 3:00 | 6:15 | 9:30 |

Page 6 Thursday, December 3, 2009

Arts & Life

Group to perform new songs, Jackson tribute By K atie Grivna Senior Staff Writer

One of Michael Jackson’s chart-topping hits will resound throughout the Lyceum tonight. But the “King of Pop” isn’t back from the dead. Instead, the Green Tones, UNT’s first contemporary a cappella group, will perform a new take of a popular song at their free concert at 8 tonight in the Lyceum. “We do things because we want to do them, which makes us very passionate about what we do. We don’t sing a song unless we have passion behind it,” said Kristen Skillman, Green Tones treasurer and elementary education junior. The group arranges contemporary songs and older pop hits and uses their voices to play the parts of both instruments and vocalists. “We connect people from the wide spectrum of UNT and bring them back to a common ground: our love for music,” Skillman said. Only four of the group’s 17 members are studying music. The Green Tones also combine different songs to make a new tune. Skillman’s favorite song, “Somewhere I’m Yours,” will

debut at the concert tonight and is a medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “I’m Yours,” and “A Little Bit of Love.” “It really shows the diversity of our group,” Skillman said. Trent Bynum, co-founder and secretary of the Green Tones and a radio, television, and film sophomore, said the group’s goal is to perform music people have heard before in a new light as well as modernize older songs to appeal to their generation.

To see multimedia for this story, visit ntdaily.com “We don’t want people to come out and hear things that have already been heard a million times. We want to give them songs they have never heard before,” he said. “Even if they have heard them, they’ve never heard them this way.” The Green Tones also write, teach each other and perform their own music, which is composed by Photo by Cristy Angulo / Staff Photographer group members. “I feel that it’s important to Hannah Klopfenstine, a Spanish language sophomore, rehearses with other Green Tones members Wednesday. The Green Tones will perform at 8 tonight in the have original music to show that Lyceum of the University Union. The Green Tones is UNT’s first contemporary a cappella group. not only can we take great hits from other people, but we can and co-founder of the Green semester, the Green Tones have ments and become a larger but reasons he founded the group. perform our own new type of Tones and a journalism soph- expanded their song selection to more structured group, he said. “I love music more than I love songs and still make it great,” omore. Alexander also called music anything else,” he said. “It is my appeal to more people, carefully said Brian Alexander, president Since their performances last re-planned their musical arrange- his greatest passion, one of the creative distraction from every-

‘It’s a battle’ for Mean Green sign-designer By K rystle Cantu Contributing Writer

John Green begins his work at 6:30 every morning. He spends much of his time in meeting after meeting, debating designs with his clients, but his

passion is making signs. “It’s a never-ending battle,” Green said. Green started out in a T-shirt shop while he was in school. He found there was more income in signs and banners and began

working for several different sign shops before starting at UNT. “I just got into signs,” he said. “We bought a machine and started doing banners, and it just kind of mushroomed from there.”

When his former employer started making banners, Green was one of the first to jump to the task, sometimes attempting more complex projects. “People would always ask me if I could do something, and I’d always say ‘yes,’” he said. Green admitted that when he first took the job in the sign shop at UNT, he didn’t expect the amount of paperwork and sign jobs that have been bestowed on him over the past three years. The job has proven challenging for Green, but he likes it better than his past retail jobs. “It’s a good trade,” he said. Green makes all the designs for the campus’ signs with graphic software like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. He also uses an engraving machine and an inkjet printer that cuts vinyl for the signs. “I’ve got all the software I

need,” Green said. Green installs and delivers all his work around campus, save for larger projects. “Anything I can do, I do,” Green said. Green works on everything from nameplates, room numbers, athletics event signs and advertising, gate signs, stadium signs, campus signs, and some of the signage on the scoreboards. He also replaces lettering on doors and walls of buildings, even patrol cars. One of Green’s most recent projects was three-foot lettering on the front side of the Discovery Park building. Green did the installation by himself with the help of a lift. “My job is to keep things consistent and well-designed,” he said. Green said that he thinks signs are definitely a big part in helping

the campus community, especially when they are consistent and properly placed. “Everything has to look uniform,” he said. “That way when you’re on campus, you know you’re on campus.” Cathy Turner, one of Green’s clients and administrative specialist for the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT, said Green’s recent work didn’t go unnoticed by the school’s faculty and staff. “We were very happy and thrilled with the work that he did,” Turner said. “He does a very good job, very precise, and is a very pleasant person to work with.” Green’s boss, Keith Cook, wishes he had more employees like Green. “He stays on top of his projects,” Cook said. “I really don’t have to worry about much with him.”

Obamas ‘reflect, rejoice, renew’ at first term X-mas WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is celebrating Christmas with recycled ornaments, natural materials and, of course, a gingerbread White House. The 390-pound work of culinary art is covered in white chocolate and has a marzipan replica of family dog, Bo. “Reflect, Rejoice, Renew” is the theme for the Obama family’s first Christmas in the White House. Previewing the holiday decorations Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama said the theme was chosen because her family spends the holidays reflecting on its blessings, rejoicing in the company of friends and family, and renewing their commitments to each other and causes they believe in. “I wanted to continue that part of the tradition during our first holiday season at the White House,” she said at an event where she also thanked more than 90 volunteers from 24 states who since last weekend logged some 3,400 hours transforming the mansion into a Christmas wonderland. “And this year has been filled with an infinite number of blessings for me and my family,” the first lady said. The centerpiece of it all is in the

Photo Courtesy of Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT

First lady Michelle Obama presents the Christmas decorations and thanks volunteers “who helped ready the White House for Christmas,” in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Blue Room: an 18½-by-13-foot Douglas fir that was delivered last Friday and is lit with environmentally sound LED lights, decorated

with huge gold ribbons and bows and more than 650 ornaments from prior administrations, and is tied to the ceiling.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sports

Page 7 Justin Umberson

Sports Editor ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Mustangs overwhelm Mean Green in 80-58 loss By Justin Umberson Sports Editor

The UNT women’s basketball team (3-5) could not dig itself out of an early hole against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6-1) and lost its first home game in more than two weeks. The Mean Green fought back from 16 points to be within three points of the Mustangs in the first half, but SMU raced away in the second half for a 80-58 win Wednesday at the Super Pit. “It was an awful display of basketball,” head coach Shanice Stephens said. “I think for us to have taken so many steps forward, and to take that many steps back, it is very disappointing. And that takes nothing away from SMU. I think they are a strong NCAA Tournament contender.” The Mustangs raced out to an early 16-point lead by forcing six Mean Green turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game while only giving the ball away once themselves. “They came out ferocious and we were tentative,” Stephens said. “To be a winning ball team, you have to fight regardless of the situation.” Turnovers would be key throughout the game, as UNT gave the ball away 23 times, which turned into 23 SMU points. The Mustangs committed eight turnovers. “We weren’t being smart,” said Jasmine Godbolt, a kinesiology freshman. “We saw the right looks on the fast breaks, but we weren’t composed like we should have been.” The offense starting clicking when forward Godbolt, became more involved in the attack. Before she fouled out, the standout freshman added 12 rebounds and 16 points, tying the best scoring output of her young career. Stephens said Godbolt is a 20-point and 10-rebound a game caliber player. “I love that part of Jazz’s games,” Stephens said. “We just have to get her to be more consistent. Get her the ball more, get her some more touches, and I think she can do that night-in and night-out.”

Photo

by Ryan Bibb / Photographer

Photo

by Ryan Bibb / Photographer

Guard Niqky Hughes, a sociology junior, holds off a Southern Methodist University defender while trying to make her way toward the basket.

Mean Green guard Brittney James, a criminal justice senior, holds off an SMU defender while trying to find an open teammate to pass to. UNT outrebounded the Mustangs 46 to 34, but the team couldn’t turn several boards into scoring opportunities to put when SMU players would strip the ball away from the rebounders’ hands. “Coach told me to be strong and I tried my best,” Godbolt said. “Every time I got a board, it seemed like there would be a guard down there getting the ball

out of our hands.” The UNT offense lacked the chemistry it had shown in previous games with point guard Brittney Hudson, a chemistry sophomore, out with a knee injury. Hudson, who had started every game this season, received an MRI this week and Stephens said the results should be known soon. “The point guard by committee

Brittney James attempts a lay up against SMU in Wednesday’s 80-58 loss at the Super Pit. is killing us,” Stephens said. “We just need a stable point guard and that’s why I am excited about the roster for next year when we will have three, but this year we need someone to step up and own the position.” Hudson, who sat out last season because of NCAA transfer rules, had an injury in a similar area last season that kept her

from participating in practice in the latter part of the year. Playing without Delisha Wills, the team’s leading scorer from a year ago, because of a seasonending injury, center Christine Elliot piloted the Mustangs with a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards. Guard Haley Day added 16 points and eight rebounds to the SMU cause.

Photo

by Ryan Bibb / Photographer

Mean Green guard Tamara Torru, an interdisciplinary studies sophomore, added 11 points off the bench. The Mean Green has two nonconference games left before Sun Belt Conference begins. UNT will return to the court at 7 p.m. Saturday when it travels to Houston to play the University of Houston Cougars.

The Script: The good, bad, and ugly during 2009 Opinion By Sean Gorman Senior Staff

There’s no doubt that with ever y year in the world of sports, there comes a handful of memories that fans will both cherish and dread. No matter what sport you may pay attention to, every year comes with monumental events that you are able to use as stories for future generations. As a Boston sports fan, the years have allowed me to tell my kids that my teams broke an 86 year curse, brought back dignity to a failing basketball franchise and won three NFL championships. I will be sure to avoid any discussion of the 2007 Super Bowl and quick to instruct my children that if they want to find any information on it, turn to www.wikipedia.org. When looking back at 2009, it’s clear that many of these important moments in sports have transpired, for better or for worse. All things considered, 2009 had the good, the bad and, most recently, the ugly.

players on the field, the New Orleans Saints have proven that they are both the best team in football and one of the best stories of the year. Since the catastrophe, the team has given the recovering victims hope and to see them go undefeated so far this year is one of the reasons why 2009 has been so good to us. You won’t find a tougher pl ac e to pl ay t h a n t he Superdome because the people in Louisiana live for the New Orleans Saints. This is no longer only a foot-

ball team, it’s a source of inspiration. To see them succeed can only make one feel happy and hopeful for the people in New Orleans.

Holtz took heat for saying that the Irish would compete for a national title while the Notre Dame defense never gave Jimmy Clausen and the offense a chance. The team finished with its The Bad: second-straight six-win season. What ever happened to Notre The mystique of this team is Dame football? Since winning a champion- lost and many people have ship with Lou Holtz more than said expectations should be 20 years ago, this team has lowered. After an abysmal season in failed to meet expectations. Sadly, it was a disappointing 2009 by their standards, that year for the sometimes-delu- may be the logical thing to do. sional Holtz and his beloved Fighting Irish. The Ugly: There’s no need to think back too long for this one. In fact, the

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The Good: Four years removed from t he d isa ster su r rou nd i ng Hurricane Katrina, this is an easy choice. After making the Patriots defense look like it had four

Photo

courtesy David T. Foster iii / Charlotte Observer / MCT

New Orleans Saints Devery Henderson runs past Carolina Panthers Richard Marshall (31) and Chris Harris (43) on his way to a 63-yard gain in third-quarter action at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The Saints won 30-20.

House Ads/DRC/2009 house ads DRC_Connect 1x4 bw

ugly part of 2009 has blown up in front of everyone this week. As a Stanford graduate who has dominated his sport while showing the media the utmost respect, Tiger Woods has always been seen as a model athlete and person. No matter what you think, that image was destroyed in 2009 when word broke of an affair between Woods and a 31-year-old cocktail waitress. Woods “apologized” in a way but never explicitly said anything. He didn’t really have to, as there is an understanding for what has happened. Maybe in the long term

Woods can focus on golf and rebuild his reputation as a good human being, but for now this good-boy image is tarnished. This is because our initial impression of Woods was so great, even the slightest incident would have some effect on our perception of him. Sadly, this was something way more than that. 2009 wasn’t good to Woods, whose reputation was completely altered this year. In 2009, we offered some good, bad and ugly sports stories. Look for the same to be said about 2010 and the years to come.

Page 8

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Views

Josh Pherigo

Views Editor ntdailyviews@gmail.com

Dead week should return

Gambling risks go unaddressed Editorial

When 21-year-old Michigan native Joe Cada dropped out of Macomb Community College last year to pursue a career in professional poker, his future was uncertain. But a pair of nines cleared up that uncertainty on Nov. 10 as Cada beat 6,494 players and won the final table of the World Series of Poker. He became the youngest player to win the prestigious gold bracelet. At more than four times the average lifetime earnings of a college graduate, the $8.5 million Cada took home, represents the large incentives that draw millions to the poker table. However for many, those possibilities of reward can end in defeat and have damaging financial affects. The editorial board draws a distinction between gambling for entertainment and gambling as a harmful addiction. We urge participants to treat the activity responsibly in both the pursuit of entertainment and pursuit of education to prevent associated problems. Whether on a poker web site, in a living room tournament with friends or at a table in one of 460 commercial casinos across the nation, it is clear that gambling has attached itself to a new generation. But is it a problem? Not necessarily, said counselor David Mumaugh of UNT’s Meadows Center for Health Resources. In an interview, Mumaugh suggested that while the addictive activity affects the brain in the same way as cocaine use, it can also be a healthy and fulfilling form of entertainment, if done in a controlled manner in the appropriate mindset. Nationally, 2 percent of college students are compulsive gamblers and 8 to 10 percent accumulate significant debt as a result of the activity. UNT has more than 33,000 students and is located just under an hour’s drive from Oklahoma, a state that has legalized gambling for adults 18 years and older. The closest casino to North Texas, WinStar World Casino, is the fifth largest on earth. With the combination of relatively easy access to casinos for nearly all students and the already popular online gaming format, one might assume that UNT is more susceptible to the problems associated with gambling than other colleges. Does UNT have a bigger gambling problem than the national average? “It’s impossible to know,” said Mumaugh. “There has been no official assessment done by the university looking into the extent of student gambling.” Unlike Oklahoma whose government provides funds for counseling and services to help students overcome gambling addiction, Texas universities receive no state money. Since Texas state law prohibits gambling other than the lottery, state funding is not offered to UNT for gambling education programs. Such programs would have to be paid for by student services fees, which already fund many campus projects. Yet until there is a big event forcing them to act, it’s unlikely the administration will address the matter. Assuming UNT is not below the national average of colleges of the same size, the Mean Green student population will accumulate more than $1.4 million of debt this semester alone. In an economy that shoves college graduates into the worst job climate in nearly three decades, students need more protection and more education against the risks that can be associated with gambling. The administration should officially assess the affects, harmful or otherwise, and prevalence of gambling at this university, and establish a program for the counseling and prevention of harmful gambling addiction among students.

Campus Chat

How do you feel about the snow this morning here at UNT?

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With finals approaching, I am incredibly relieved that I have dead week to study and adequately prepare for finals. Oh wait, I don’t. In a faculty senate clarification last year, dead week was placed under professor discretion, and at least in my case, that means it is nonexistent. Well, not explicitly non-ex istent — dead week has been shortened to Friday through Sunday. The shortening instead of elimination was offered as a compromise and claims to offer enough time for students to prepare, but for students taking 15 or more hours, one weekend is an insufficient amount of time to prepare for five or more finals. It also does not take into account those students who work or have children to care for that take up a substantial amount of time and prevent

said students from studying for 72 hou rs st ra ig ht, t he length of the shortened dead week. Why is there not a full week for dead week? Those who oppose dead week cite research that the majority of students wasted t he t i me a nd t h at de ad week, like all other aspects of class, should be left up to the professor. This is logical to a point. However, I ca nnot f u l ly believe that shortening dead week is beneficial to students and thereby to the university. The week before finals should be low-stress so that students ca n prepa re a nd, heaven forbid, relax before the last week of the semester. An Associated Press and MTVu survey found that one in five undergraduate students is constantly stressed, and four out of 10 say they feel stressed often.

Fina ls ca n considerably add to this stress, and dead week was a small solution to this problem­­— a break from the constant stream of information and assignments to prepare for a week of intense, important tests. It is also difficult to absorb new i n for mat ion wh i le preparing for finals that are often cumulative, a fact not taken into account by those w ho i nt r o duc e i n for m ation until the last possible second. St u d e nt or g a n i z a t i on s still conform to the old rules and are not allowed to have programs or meetings during dead week. W hile t his is a relief for ma ny students, especia l ly t hose who are involved in mu lt iple orga n i zat ions, it seems as i f t he r u le is unequally applied. If students need the week before finals off, as the orga-

nization rule suggests, why then are professors allowed to assign projects and present new material? I am afraid that a call to action in this case would be misplaced. I would simply like to state an opinion that I feel sure many of my classmates share. I miss dead week and would like to have it back.

Jessika Curry is a journalism junior. She can be reached at Jessika.Curry@unt.edu.

America weakened by foreign debt The federal government reached a distressing milestone this month — $12 trillion in debt. That’s about $39,000 for ever y man, woman and child in the U.S. In 2001, the national debt stood at about $5.5 trillion. In the past eight years, Washington piled up more debt than the nation had accumulated in its entire history. Foreign countries hold $3.5 trillion of our country’s debt, led by China at around $800 billion and Japan at $730 billion. Unless the U.S. starts living w it hin its means, foreign lenders could decide to end our free-spending ways. What does this record debt mean? With interest rates at historic lows, the government is paying about $200 billion per year in interest on the debt. But as rates inevitably rise and the government borrows even more, interest payments are projected to soar to $700 billion annually within 10 years. Pay i ng a n ex t r a $ 50 0

billion per year is equal to the combined costs of fighting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, plus the budgets of the U.S. Departments of Education, E n e r g y, a n d Hom e l a n d Security. There’s just no room in the federal budget to absorb that kind of increase. The bailouts under former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, as well as the $787 billion package of tax cuts and spending in Februar y to stimulate the economy, were needed to prevent an economic meltdown. But t hese act ions have

partisanship. Too bad they stayed silent as debt soared under Bush. But their argument — that the government is living beyond its means — is as correct now as it would have been a year ago. The mushrooming debt is unsustainable. This crisis hits at the worst possible time. Baby boomer s w i l l Courtesy of MCT continue to put pressure on the government for only increased pressure on retirement benefits. Tax increases would help Congress and the president to get long-term fiscal policy t he government’s ba lance sheet but also would likely under control. The only solutions are tax hamper economic recovery. increases, or massive spending The taxpayers on the hook for the bill have been squeezed cuts, or both. This is not a partisan issue. by stagnant wages, declining For decades, under Democratic home values and blows to their and Republican administra- retirement funds. Easing the debt burden will tions, under liberal and conservative Congresses, Washington take a sustained commitment has spent more than it has from leaders in Washington, an collected in taxes and borrowed effort that is now absent despite the urgent need. the rest. The so-ca lled tea-pa rt y T his editorial appeared protesters ra i ling aga inst Obama’s spending policies in the Philadelphia Inquirer have generated accusations on Sunday. It is courtesy of that they are motivated by MCT.

“My first instinct was no class … but I am still, unfortunately, going to class.”

David Wolpert

Journalism freshman

“It’s cool to see, because I have never seen snow before. But I hate cold weather, so now I’m done.”

Caitlin Easterling

Speech pathology freshman

“I like it, I love it, and I like to play in it, preferably with shorts and a muscle shirt.”

Max Milam

Political science freshman

NT Daily Editorial Board

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

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Sudoku requires no calculation or arithmetic skills. It is essentially a game of placing numbers in squares, using very simple rules of logic and deduction.

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Page 10 Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sports

Justin Umberson

Sports Editor ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Mean Green wins, but can’t slow Evans UNT uses homecourt advantage in 91-62 win BY SEAN GORMAN Senior Staff Writer

Despite struggling on the road, the UNT men’s basketball team had no problem defending its home court this season. O n St a f f a nd Fac u lt y Appreciation Day, the Mean Green picked up where it left off at the Super Pit on Wednesday with a 91-62 w in over the University of the Southwest Mustangs. “It’s always great to get a win coming off a loss in what was a winnable game against Boise State,” said guard Josh White, a sociology junior. “Being able to come back home and win this game … allows us to feel better about ourselves before we travel to play a tough Rice team.” UNT got off to a fast start, going on a 19-9 run to start the game, while making its first eight free throws. While forward Eric Tramiel, a sociolog y senior, sat out because of a minor ank le injury, forward Jacob Holmen, a kinesiology freshman, took full advantage of the chance to start, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the game’s first 10 minutes. “My teammates were finding me open down low and the players on the block weren’t as tall as me,” he said. “Every game we play, the more comfortable I get.” The Mustangs cut the deficit to four with six minutes left before the break, but Tristan Thompson’s third three-pointer helped the Mean Green pull

ahead for a 50-32-halftime lead. Not allowing the Mustangs to stage any type of comeback, UNT cruised into the second half en route to the win. “We made sure to continue to play hard,” White said. “Every game is important to us, home or away.” Jones rotated bench players throughout the game and they responded by outscoring the Mustangs’ bench 30-1. “We needed a chance to get a look at guys who haven’t played much so far this year,” Jones said. “This is going to be a tough stretch coming up and conference play is right around the corner.” Demetrius Evans gave the Mean Green headaches all game, overwhelming the UNT defense with 40 points. “When someone’s in a zone like that, they’re confident enough to feel like they’ll never miss another shot,” White said. “He was tough to guard because he was making all the shots. White made plays early and often, finishing with 21 points on 9-11 shooting. “I just do whatever I can to help this team win,” he said. “I got a couple chances to score thanks to my teammates and I was able to help on offense.” Mustang mistakes turned into UNT offense, as the Mean Green scored 22 points from turnovers. “Any time you get points off turnovers, it’s going to help,” Jones said. “We got plenty of extra opportunities to score and we took advantage of them.” The Mean Green will face a challenge on the road when they travel to play the Rice University Owls at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

PHOTO BY RYAN BIBB / PHOTOGRAPHER

Guard Tristan Thompson, a sociology junior, tries to go up for a quick shot against USW in yesterday’s 91-62 win against the University of the Southwest.

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