December 4, 2013 by The A&T Register

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Colleges test new tactics for remedial math JOHN KEILMAN MCT Campus

PHOTO BY ADAM WOLFFBRANDT • MCT CAMPUS

REBEKA SENDROLU works on math problems during the Intermediate Algebra class at Oakton Community College.

CHICAGO — Unlike a lot of people her age, 20-year-old Kelsey PearsallBrandon of Lake in the Hills, Ill., has a clear career goal. She wants to be a police ofﬁcer. But something is standing in her way: -24 equals 5x plus 1 < 6 That was a problem put to her recently in a remedial algebra class at Elgin Community College. The class cost more than $400, and she must pass it to earn a degree that could boost her job prospects. Does she think she’ll use algebra as a cop? “Not really,” she said. “I gotta catch the criminal. ... I’m not going to be ﬁnding X.” That sounds like the timeworn complaint of many a struggling undergrad. But with more than half of American college students enrolled in remedial classes, which consume more than $3 billion in yearly tuition and government support yet rarely lead to graduation, experts are start-

ing to take it seriously. Math, the subject that most often holds students back, is coming under heaviest scrutiny. Some researchers and teachers are calling for a fundamental redesign of the subject in community college, saying algebraheavy requirements are often irrelevant to students’ career plans, while the statistics and quantitative reasoning they do need goes untaught. This disconnect, they say, leaves many students trapped, forced to spend money on classes that don’t count toward degrees and greatly increasing the odds that they will drop out. “(Remedial) mathematics is the graveyard,” said Anthony Bryk of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. “This is where aspirations go to die. If you can’t get through this, you can’t go on to career opportunities.” That has led some Illinois community colleges to experiment with a new model that takes a real-world approach, giving students a chance

Handling stress in college KEENE-ANN JAMES Contributor

Stress is common among college students but there are ways to manage it. Most students want the full “college experience,” not just the academics. The college experience can include going to class, joining organizations, making friends and of course partying. How can you get good grades and enjoy your college years? There are some days when the “full college experience” is extremely stressful. Have you ever experienced days when you have a paper due the next day, a club meeting to go to and a friend asked you to hang out with them? Sammy Ngetich, a counselor with University Counseling Services, said the first step in tackling your stress is figuring out what is causing it. Most students are stressed out because they have issues balancing their time, you have to figure out, “where your time is going,” he said. There are 168 hours in a week and 24 hours in a day what do you do with that time? Your time can be split between classes, work or school activities. You may also dedicate an hour every week to Vh1’s

“Love and Hip Hop” and then another hour to another “Hit the Floor.” You may also be watching the latest episode of Catfish on MTV. The time it takes to watch these programs accounts for three hours of your day. What if you go to a block party after catching up on your shows? That can add up to about another three hours. Once the block party is over how long do you spend on the phone talking about the block party? There isn’t anything wrong with enjoying these activities but students need to prioritize the importance of each activity, he said. Student stress can also come from relationship and financial struggles. Breakups, friends or even family issues can cause stress. Once you figure out what is causing you stress you can move on to the next step — handling it. If your issue is balancing your time, then you need prioritize, figure out what is most impor- STUDENTS study in the library a week before final exams. tant to you. A few questions each day and then build up to that can help are: each week. If you are not used Did I over commit myself to being on a schedule, start to some activities? with a prioritized “to do” list. What activities can I cut Add these “to do” lists to each out? day of the week. The next step is to create a Free agendas are availschedule. Plan a schedule for able in Murphy Hall 104 for

KATY MURPHY

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two years before this month’s explosive hate-crime charge ignited outrage and intensiﬁed scrutiny of race relations at San Jose State University, an in-depth study found that black students experienced troubling and sometimes racist behavior from professors, coaches and other students. But the 100-page report _ commissioned by a previous San Jose State president and submitted to the new administration in 2011 _ was never publicized, and incoming Pres-

ident Mo Qayoumi disbanded the advisory group behind the project to start his own committee on diversity. That group has met only once this fall in the months before last week’s revelations that four white students had been charged with tormenting a black roommate in their dorm for weeks. Some student leaders say they stumbled upon the report this spring _ after trying to convey to the school very similar concerns about faculty diversity and stereotypes. “I was just surprised that pretty much everything we were trying to bring to the uni-

versity’s attention was already brought to the university’s attention two years ago,” said Gary Daniels, a student and president of the Black Unity Group, “and nothing was done about it.” The hate-crime case has focused national attention on San Jose State, with black students and community leaders protesting under one of the campus’ enduring symbols of the civil rights movement: the towering Black Power statue of Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos with ﬁsts raised high. Sociology associate professor Susan Bell Murray, who

Beat “senioritis” before it gets you. Sometimes in college, students get tired of doing school work and are anxious to graduate, however, there are ways to overcome these feelings. “Senioritis” is a phrase used by students to describe the desire to finish school. This phrase can be broken down into senior and “-itis.” Senior stands for a student in their last year of school and the phrase “itis” is added on to make the word sound like it is a disease. This isn’t a real medical condition, but most students “catch it.” Have you ever had senioritis as freshman in college? Most students have experienced this feeling whether they are in their first year of school or their senior year. “Senioritis” is a lack of motivation and interest in school. There are ways to stay motivated and excited about school. The first way is to try to remember why you chose to go to school. If that doesn’t work, think about the bill you’re racking up. N. C. A&T junior Renard Davis says when he is lacking motivation he re-evaluates, “why I’m doing it and the motivation is in the reason.” If you are experiencing senioritis at the end of the semester try to remember that the grades you’ve worked for all semester may be hurt if you don’t complete your assignments. A&T senior Danielle Cameron says” I just think about the outcome to keep myself going, that’s the only thing I’ve been doing. How many people are counting on me? I have to get this finished. It can’t be a waste of time.” Setting goals, changing your routine, commending yourself on achievements and having support can help cure senioritis. Setting daily goals can help you to be aware of what is important.

After completing a few of your goals it can give you a feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of accomplishment can help you stay on track and move on to the next goal. Shaina Bodrick said, “ I am still motivated to push through. I’m ready to get over it but I’m still motivated. You do what you have to and when it’s all done then you can relax.” Changing your routine can also help to keep school interesting. When your days are too repetitive they become boring. Try to change what you do after classes or on the weekends. You can also try different study methods. Commending yourself on achievements can help you to stay motivated. An achievement can be something as small as getting out of bed and going to class, especially on days when you don’t feel like doing anything. Other achievements may include completing an assignment early or getting a good grade on an assignment. Sometimes talking to someone about how you feel can help. Reaching out to friends and family can help to relieve any stress that may cause you to lose interest in school. If you prefer to speak to someone other than family, an on-campus resource is University Counseling Services. It is located in Murphy hall room 109. Their phone number is 336-334-7727. Staying positive can also help give you the last push you need. Combining positive thoughts and remembering why you are in school can help. Surround yourself with things that motivate you. For example, if you are going to school to become a doctor you can post a picture in your room with a doctor you admire. You can also stay positive writing quotes in your notebook or posting it in your room. Giving yourself a slogan like “I won’t give up” or “I can do this” may also help with senioritis.

WEATHER

KEENE-ANN JAMES Contributor

PHOTO BY KEITH JONES• THE A&T REGISTER

students. But if you’re not a paper person, there are lots of electronic options for scheduling: apps and Google. Jacquline Maxwell, a senior public relations major from  See STRESS on Page 3

conducted the study for the school’s former Committee on Campus Climate, had hoped the research would improve students’ experiences on campus. “Basically, I got an email saying, ‘Thanks, we read the report. We don’t want to put it on our website,’” she said, echoing concerns of students who have felt ignored by the campus’s top leaders. The report now posted on Murray’s faculty Web page opened a window into the experiences of black students as well as Hispanic, Vietnamese,  See RACISM on Page 3

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Keep up with breaking news on our Web site. Slideshows, videos and more are available online.

After two executive vacancies at the beginning of the year, see how the SGA did for midterm grades.

After three years of Rick Ross, SUAB brought new headliners to homecoming, check out the grades.

Read about USC’s decision to hire former Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian.-

After the unexpected death of “Fast & Furious” franchise star Paul Walker, what’s next?

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 See MATH on Page 3

Do not let ‘senioritis’ keep you from succeeding in school

Black students described racism years before hate-crime case MCT Campus

to speed through remedial math by tackling practical problems instead of theoretical ones. It’s known as “math literacy,” and it’s designed to help students build the skills they’ll need to succeed in nontechnical careers, while speeding past the skills they’ll likely never use. “We’re not saying, ‘Let’s reduce standards.’ We’re saying, ‘Let’s change the way we teach (them),’ “ said Kathy Almy, a professor at Rockford’s Rock Valley College who has written a math literacy textbook. Illinois students must take only three years of high school math, and many skip the subject their senior year. That rust shows up when they take college placement tests and are sent to the remedial level. The lowest scorers start with basic arithmetic and must work through intermediate algebra, a sequence that can require three or more classes. None counts toward graduation.

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MATH From page 1 Experts say the expense and frustration often leads students to abandon school: Complete College America, a nonproﬁt that advocates for changes in the remediation system, says that only 14 percent of Illinois community college students who take remedial classes graduate in three years. Chicago-area colleges have responded by coming up with new ways to help students navigate algebra, ranging from preplacement refresher courses to in-class tutoring and computerized “modules” that home in on weak areas. But the math itself is usually the same as it has always been. “I took all this in high school,” said Rebeka Sendroiu, an aspiring ultrasound technician from Lincolnwood who was working on algebra word problems at Oakton Community College. “I don’t think I should be taking it again, but it’s a requirement.” That’s what the math literacy

movement aims to address. The idea, based on research by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges, took shape about four years ago, with Almy and her colleague Heather Foes taking the lead in Illinois. Traditional math classes begin with theory and proceed to problems, but Almy and Foes designed a one-semester course that works in reverse: Teachers give students real-world questions figuring out how an Internet video goes viral, for example, or evaluating a scientific claim about global warming and then show them how to use math to find the answers. Almy said students who struggle with math respond to practicality. Consider a problem her class took up: You go to a restaurant’s 25-cent wing night with a $20 bill. After buying a $5 pitcher of beer, how many wings can you get? The class had no trouble with that answer 60 but the problem grew steadily more difficult as Almy added factors like side

dishes, tax and tip, eventually spawning an equation with parentheses, brackets and decimals. “Would algebra make it easier?” Almy asked. “If it does, try it.” Verenice Sandoval, 18, a business major who aspires to open her own photography studio, said she appreciated the class’s method. “What’s different about this course is that it applies more to real life, so we’re doing a lot more with something we’ll actually use compared to algebra class in high school, where we’re just working with formulas,” she said. “In some situations it’s really helpful because it seems more understandable.” Almy said the course allows students to complete their remedial math requirement in one semester, rather than two or three. Its overall passing rate of roughly 65 percent is about the same as other remedial math classes at the college, though there are no good data yet to indicate whether students who take it are more likely to get their degrees.

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theBLOTTER November 20 12:45 am Pride Hall Communicating Threats Prosecution Declined 2:14 pm Merrick Hall Simple Assault Further Investigation 11:35 pm Off Campus Off Campus Robbery Closed November 21 1:19 am Cooper Hall Vandalism Further Investigation 2:10 pm Dehughley Bldg. Service of Warrants Closed November 22 12:15 pm Dowdy Hall Lost Property Closed

RACISM From page 1 White and gay students. Black students interviewed in focus groups reported: An ever-present expectation that because of their skin color, they were not likely to measure up. A feeling that others expected them to speak for the whole race, and about racial stereotypes. A sense of racist treatment; one student said a professor refused to recognize her raised hand and later called on a white student. Black athletes felt criticized for low-slung pants and hats while similarly attired white teammates in the same group were left alone. Last week, after news broke of the hate-crime allegations, Murray said she reminded the president and his team of her

9:11 pm Morrow Hall Disorderly Conduct Prosecution Declined November 23 1:34 am Barnes Hall Found Property Closed 9:22 pm Benbow Rd. Service of Warrants Closed November 24 3:02 pm Aggie Suites E Affray Prosecution Declined November 25 8:54 am Dowdy Bldg. Personal Injury Closed 9:30 am Price Drive Vehicle Accident Further Investigation

study, directing them in particular to the section about white students feeling “invisible” in the discussion about campus diversity and race. Meanwhile, gay students felt that their presence in group discussions at times made their professors uncomfortable. While the Campus Climate Committee conducted some workshops based on the research, it didn’t have a chance to roll out broader reforms. Qayoumi was not available for an interview on Tuesday, but San Jose State spokeswoman Pat Harris said the problems documented in the report were widely known hardly a secret being swept under the rug. “Yes, it’s been long documented that San Jose State, despite being one of the most diverse universities in the country, is not immune to the challenges that diversity brings,” she said.

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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, December 4, 2013

PHOTO EDITOR: Symone’ Austin COPY EDITOR: Brianna Harrison SENIOR REPORTER: Kamil Lockley REPORTERS: Jeremy Days, Kimberly Fields, Laci Ollison, Ziris Savage, Taylor Young CONTENT DIRECTOR: Anjan Basu FACULTY ADVISER: Emily Harris

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STRESS From page 1 Charlotte said, “I schedule my life through Google, from time frame to time frame.” Maxwell, a former member of the swim team, graduates in December. She relies on her calendar to keep her on task. Maxwell was on the swim team, where her life was planned around practice and meets. Another way to handle stress is by brieﬂy removing yourself from the situation. If you are stressed out, it helps to make a moment for yourself. Taking a walk can help give your mind a break. Listening to music or doing an activity you enjoy can also help you to calm down. Ngetich said three of the contributors to stress for students can be lack of sleep, lack of exercise and a poor diet. “If you stay up all night, the next day you wake up tired and you didn’t get something to eat you will spend the whole day tired and hungry,” he said. If this behavior continues you can sometimes even spend the whole week feeling like this. When making your schedule for the week ensure that you put some time for exercise and an adequate amount of time to sleep. Try to take some time out to cook at least once a week. Try to also choose healthier choices in foods when eating at the cafeteria or the Sit-In. Talking to friends or family can also help with handling stress. Doing this may help you to feel less alone. If you feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to, call Counseling Services at 336334-7727. The main ofﬁce is in Murphy hall room 109 but they have satellite locations across campus. —Email Keene-Ann at theatregister@gmail.com and follow The Register on Twitter @TheATRegister

THE A&T REGISTER is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters by students at North Carolina A&T State University. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional copies may be picked up at the Register’s newsroom (subject to availability). All subscription requests should be directed to the Business department. THE A&T REGISTER has a weekly circulation of 5,000 copies on-campus and in the community and is a member of The Associated Press, The Associated Collegiate Press and the Black College Wire.

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2013-2014 SGA Administration Midterm Grades

2013-2014 SUAB Administration Midterm Grades

SGA President

SUAB President

Secretary

GOOD:— Strong leadership and communication skills. State of the campus addresses keep students informed.

GOOD:— Provides efficient minutes from executive board meetings and monthly calendars. BAD:— N/A

BAD:— N/A

GOOD: Attended every event and overseeing all executive board decisions.

GOOD: Effectively leads SUAB interns and manages executive board.

– Great work with homecoming variety and week of events.

BAD: N/A

BAD: Failed to submit all materials for executive board.

KAYLA

CANISHA

BAKER

TURNER

Grade

WARD

Grade

SECRETARY

treasurer

GOOD:— Holds town hall meetings, formed senate for academic year, provides opportunities for students to communicate with administration.

ISIAH

Grade

GUINYARD

VP-external affairs

Grade

JONES

— Secured all venues.

BAD:—N/A

BAD: N/A

CASH

Grade Parliamentarian

BAD:— N/A.

MELANIE

GOOD:— Organized budget.

Grade

RAVEN

DAVIS

BAD:— N/A

BARTELL

Grade

miss a&t

Grade

RAQUAN

COTTON

BAD:— N/A.

Grade antonio

smith

treasurer GOOD: Planned excellent block party and has maintained detailed budget.

Grade

GOOD:—Multiple appearances at events and community service projects.

AMBRIYA

A-

NEAL

Grade misTER a&t

PATREIKA

WHITEHEAD

DAVIS

GOOD: Great work and planning with variety of community service events.

Grade DEVAN

COTHRAN mr. suab

JELISSA

MORRIS

GOOD: Great work with community service and C.A.S.E. approved events. BAD: N/A

KEON

media/marketing chairperson GOOD: Promotion of events –Students informed of events from numerous posts from social media and flyers posted around campus in advance. BAD: N/A

Grade AMEERA

DAVIS

Overall WARD administration

BAD: — Minimum amount of community service programs.

ANTHONY

We, The A&T Register editorial staff, asked for certain materials to be submitted in order to sufficiently grade the executive board members.

FITZHUGH

Grade

A-

Overall TURNER administration

SGA reporter Taylor Young assisted with grades.

★how we grade★ 1. Requests are sent to all executive board members for all tangible materials related to their elected positions 2. Our editors review the items sent, along with each’s entities of the constitution. 3. Editors sit down and go through each e-board member reviewing each person’s constitutional duties and how well they’ve fulfilled them thus far. 4. Each editor then gives a grade and the reasoning behind his or her decision. 5. The grades are then averaged.

Grade

MITCHELL

GOOD: — Multiple appearances at events and community service projects.

★Special note★

BAD: N/A

GOOD: Successful event planning with Casino Night and Laser Tag.

Grade

Ms. suab

campus programming chairperson

BAD: N/A

A-

HELEN

GOOD: Successful event planning cultural program: International Food Night. BAD: N/A

BAD:—Minimum amount of C.A.S.E. hour programs.

BAD: Submitted materials late.

Cultural affairs chairperson

attorney general GOOD:— Effectively appointed members to Student Judiciary Council.

WILLIAMS

GOOD: Has run productive meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order

GOOD:—Sufficiently keeps order of meetings.

GITORY

TAMIRA

Parliamentarian

BAD: N/A

Grade

GOOD: — Has detailed and accurate minutes for each meeting.

ALEXIS

GOOD:— Adequately held position on homecoming committee and responsible for organizing events.

A-

CAMERON

VP-internal affairs

BAD:— N/A.

VICE PRESIDENT

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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, December 4, 2013

AGGIES RUNDOWN men’s basketball

Photo by robert willett • mct campus

north carolina’s Marcus Paige (5) pushes the ball up the court on a fast break.

Tears of defeat for UNC after Birmingham upset andrew carter MCT Campus

Photo by lori shepler • mct campus

steve sarkisian has accepted the USC head coach job, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.

Sarkisian isn’t Kiffin and that’s good thing for USC Bill Plaschke MCT Campus

LOS ANGELES — At first glance, sure, it seems USC is outrageously placing its wobbly football program in the hands of a guy who was part of the regime which sent it staggering. How could the Trojans hire Steve Sarkisian when he is so closely tied to a coach they just fired two months ago, his former coaching buddy, Lane Kiffin? How could they hire Sarkisian just four seasons after USC was punished by the NCAA for infractions that occurred while he worked as a top assistant to coach Pete Carroll? Why do they continually insist on piecing together the program with remnants of a Carroll era _ from Kiff to Sark, c’mon! _ whose two national titles resulted in ensuing years of frustration? It’s simple. Steve Sarkisian was hired Monday because he is greater than the sum of his past and a nice fit for USC’s future. “He knows how to build a program and create a culture that we value,” Athletic Director Pat Haden said in a statement. “He understands the heritage and tradition of USC.” It is a move that will cost them some buzz, and has already cost them popular interim coach Ed Orgeron, who immediately resigned to pursue a head coaching job that many wished would have been here. But it is a move that, while bringing up some bad Trojans memories, builds on only the best parts of Trojans tradition. A winning college head

coach? Check. After seven seasons as a USC assistant, Sarkisian took over a winless Washington team and led it to a 34-29 record in five seasons that, counting this season, will result in four bowl games. He is responsible for one of the worst USC defeats of the Carroll era, a stunning 16-13 upset of the third-ranked Trojans in 2009. A coach who knows how to win on USC’s giant stage? Check. Sarkisian was 74-15 as an assistant under Carroll and 22-3 when serving as his offensive coordinator. He is not Lane Kiffin. He is not Kiffin 2.0. He is not a Kiffin encore. They are friends, but their personalities are far different. During the five seasons they worked together on USC’s offense, Sarkisian was on the field while Kiffin was in the booth. Sarkisian is a strong and visible leader while Kiffin kept his nose in a playbook. And, oh yeah, it was Kiffin, not Sarkisian, who called that doomed fourth-down run by LenDale White against Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl. Sarkisian is a product of the Carroll era without the arrogant penchant for breaking the rules. He is a disciple of Norm Chow but with much more presence. He is a Torrance, Calif., native who is a savvy local recruiter _ 34 players on the Huskies roster are from Southern California. “He is an innovative coach who recruits well and develops players,” Haden said in the statement. “He is a proven and successful leader. He connects with people.” Many folks, especially tearful

and Twitter-mourning players, are upset that Orgeron did not get the job. But by losing to Notre Dame and UCLA, those players made it impossible for Haden to keep him. Orgeron was also upset, and the program suffers a big loss with his resignation. He deserves to be a head coach somewhere, and his passion-driven style would work well in a smaller market with lower expectations. Another point of distress for some is that Sarkisian is not the defensive specialist that many feel is necessary to lead the Trojans back to greatness. Well, wasn’t being an offensive mind good enough for John McKay and John Robinson? And isn’t Sarkisian the best possible tutor for new quarterback star Max Browne? When Kevin Sumlin received a contract extension at Texas A&M, the Trojans lost their first choice. When Chris Petersen again decided to remain at Boise State, the Trojans lost their most interesting choice. But Sarkisian is certainly no consolation prize. Remember, he was a leading candidate to replace Carroll in 2009 before taking himself out of the running because he had just finished his first year at Washington. He might not be a favorite of Trojans fans longing to separate themselves from their recent past but, despite the claims of revisionist historians, many good things came out of the Pete Carroll era. Steve Sarkisian was one of them, and should be welcomed home.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — It would have been an emotional moment for Roy Williams regardless of the outcome, and regardless of what happened between North Carolina and Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday night. Williams was coaching against Jerod Haase, the Blazers coach who played for Williams at Kansas, and then spent 13 years working under him. And so Williams, in his 11th season as the Tar Heels coach, spoke with tears in his eyes after his team’s 63-59 loss against UAB. The Tar Heels offered a performance that would have made Williams upset no matter what, but maybe it was more difficult for Williams to take because this defeat came against someone so close. “It was hard for him, and it was hard for me,” Williams said of the moment when he and Haase shook hand and spoke when the game ended. “(You’ve) got to feel some pride in what he’s doing. You’ve got to feel some sadness for what we’re doing, and what we did today. “We tried hard in the second half. We just didn’t come up with the loose balls off the board and didn’t come up with the plays.” And that was it: Williams’ primary way to explain his team’s second confounding defeat in the past three Sundays. The Tar Heels on Sunday failed to adequately rebound against UAB (6-2), which Williams said had 17 more possessions than the Tar Heels. And then, even when No. 16 North Carolina (4-2) had opportunities, it couldn’t capitalize on them – either through its own failures, like missed layups or ill-fated jump shots, or because of the Blazers’ defense, which clearly frustrated the Tar Heels. “Our execution tonight was kind of poor,” said UNC sophomore forward J.P. Tokoto, who led the Tar Heels with 16 points. Tokoto’s assessment might have been an understatement.

The Tar Heels during the first half appeared as out of sync offensively as they have been this season. In the second half, the Blazers shot a woeful 21.9 percent from the field and went more than seven minutes with making a shot from the field. Still, though UNC couldn’t break through. “They weren’t really doing anything different than what we’ve seen,” UNC sophomore guard Marcus Paige said. “We’ve seen zone. We’re going to see more zone, just because of the way we score. “Teams are going to zone us. But we worked for that, we prepared for it. We just couldn’t get anything to go, even though we were getting some stops.” “They paid attention to me, obviously,” Paige said. “But I just tried to crank it up another notch when we started making a run (and) tried to get back into the game. ... (I) decided that if I get in the paint, it might make some opportunities, because we weren’t getting a lot of easy shots in the first half.” And even when UNC had easy shots, sometimes it didn’t matter. Junior forward James Michael McAdoo faltered from the perimeter and on the interior, where he missed three layups. McAdoo missed all but three of his 13 attempts from the field. The Tar Heels scored 28 points in the paint, and few came easily. During the past three Sundays, UNC has experienced the abyss and the pinnacle. There was the defeat at home two weeks ago against Belmont, which gave the Tar Heels their second nonconference home loss under Williams. And then there was the jubilation that followed the victory against Louisville last week in Connecticut. And now this. Williams, uncommonly emotional afterward, seemed most disappointed with his team’s effort, which he found lacking. He didn’t appreciate the way his team defended UAB guard Chad Frazier, who scored 25 points – 12 from the free-throw line. The Blazers, Williams said, seemed to secure every loose ball, every up-forgrabs rebound. Effort wasn’t an issue against

RECENT GAMES: Friday vs. Longwood West Long Branch, N.J. W (85-78) Saturday vs. Monmouth West Long Branch, N.J. L (61-76) UPCOMING GAMES: Thursday vs. Wright State Corbett Sports Center 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Radford Radford, Va. 4 p.m.

women’s basketball RECENT GAMES: Sunday vs. Richmond Corbett Sports Center W (69-60) UPCOMING GAMES: Today vs. Appalachian State Corbett Sports Center 6:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg Corbett Sports Center 2 p.m. Tuesday vs. UNC-Asheville Asheville, N.C. 7 p.m

Louisville. Williams struggled to explain why it had been against UAB. (They’re) “17-, 18-, 19-, 20year-old kids, I guess,” Williams said. “I always put three things up on the board (before games), and backboards was one of them.” “Backboards” is one of Williams’ synonyms for rebounding. Sophomore forward Brice Johnson led UNC with seven rebounds but played only 16 minutes. McAdoo had four rebounds in 34 minutes, and he lamented a performance that, statistically, was among his worst since he became a full-time starter last season. Perhaps the past three Sundays are indicative of UNC’s reality without P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald, the team’s two most experienced guards who missed their sixth consecutive game amid NCAA eligibility concerns. A week earlier, Williams had “bounced around,” he said, with his players following the victory against Louisville. What transpired at Bartow Arena against UAB, though, offered the shorthanded Tar Heels a reminder that the best of times might come with its share of the worst, too.

Bryan Burwell: Mizzou still has work to do bryan burwell MCT Campus

COLUMBIA, Mo. — By Sunday evening, the mind-blowing buzz from the best darned football party this college town had witnessed in years had finally receded. The polls were out, the Bowl Championship Series rankings had been released and the harsh reality was right in front of Mizzou like a bracing slap in the face. As great as this season has already been, there still is work to be done. The penultimate BCS standings came out Sunday evening and listed the 11-1 Tigers at No. 5. That’s close enough to see the top of the mountain, but still just out of reach of ascent to college football’s highest plateau. With the SEC championship game showdown against No. 3 Auburn just five days away in Atlanta, the SEC East champion Tigers still haven’t done enough to impress the pollsters fully. It’s going to take a small miracle – actually a string of complicated miracles – for Mizzou to leap over Ohio State, Auburn and Alabama to reach the

No. 2 slot in the BCS standings and the golden ticket to the BCS championship game. It’s going to take a series of rather fortunate events for Mizzou to rise to No. 2, and the Tigers all know it. But for the time being, the journey starts with a victory over Auburn for the SEC title. Win that and the rest takes care of itself. “We’ll see what happens,” coach Gary Pinkel told reporters on a Sunday evening conference call. “Bottom line is we’re playing a terrific football team, and we’ll see where it goes.” The BCS has been haunting us, tormenting us, driving us nuts for years. It has been this annual winter hair-pulling show that keeps reminding us why major college football is lagging behind every other intercollegiate sport. It is this constant reminder that the BCS has never gotten it right, will never get it right and will go out swinging in a manner befitting its flawed and phony existence. You see, I don’t know whether Mizzou deserves legitimate consideration for the BCS title or not, and neither do you. I also

don’t know if Auburn or Ohio State or Florida State or even poor old frustrated and confused Alabama ought to get an invite either. And that’s the fatal flaw of the darned BCS and why we’re so glad this is the final year of this maddening folly. We’re supposed to guess which teams belong in the top two. Everything about the final week of this regular season is about conjecture, not competition. It should be about a system that allows the best teams in the land to go at each other on the field of play and settle this thing just like every other sport in college athletics does. With a playoff. But we have to endure one more annoying month of this mess that won’t truly give us a legitimate national champion. Over the course of the next few days, we’re going to hear a lot of folks from all five schools doing their best lobbying, politicking and schmoozing in front of any microphone they can find. On Sunday morning, Auburn AD Jay Jacobs was all over ESPN making his pitch for his once-beaten football team. On

Saturday night after the exciting victory over Alabama, Jacobs told USA Today, “An SEC team can’t get left out of the (BCS championship game) with one loss. We just beat the No. 1 team in the nation... and a one-loss SEC team that wins in Atlanta – if it’s us or Missouri – you can’t get left out of the BCS after you beat the No. 1 team. We have a better argument because we beat the No. 1 team... It would be a disservice to the nation if we got left out.” On Sunday evening, Pinkel responded to a question about why his team should be considered for the BCS championship game, and while not stumping outright, the Mizzou coach didn’t back away from the opportunity. “Well, like with anyone who plays in the SEC, I would have to think strength of schedule (is Mizzou’s best case),” Pinkel said. “I think hopefully that will be taken into consideration hopefully. ... I think that people should look at that.” If this were next season, we wouldn’t have to deal with this. Next year the four-team playoff begins. Next season, the winner

of the SEC championship game would be a lock for the playoffs. But for now, we’re left with this final BCS hangover with everyone searching through hypothetical possibilities to figure out how either Auburn or Mizzou could _ or should _ leap ahead of unbeaten Ohio State or Florida State to get into the championship game. If you asked my opinion today who belongs in the BCS championship game, I would vote for Florida State for sure. Even though the No. 1 team in the country hasn’t exactly done a lot of heavy lifting with its soft ACC schedule, the Seminoles have dominated everyone put in front of them. If you look at them on TV, the Noles look a lot like an SEC team, loaded with big, fast, strong and gifted athletes up and down the lineup. With or without a loss in this weekend’s ACC championship game, I feel like FSU belongs in this championship game. But I also wonder why there is such resistance to the idea that either Auburn or Mizzou might be deserving, too. When you weigh the simple fact that the SEC dominates

the latest BCS rankings, with three teams in the top five, four in the Top 10, five in the Top 15 and and seven in the Top 25, shouldn’t that be the most emphatic evidence of just how demanding the SEC is and why it’s not so outrageous to leap the SEC champion over an unbeaten Ohio State? If Mizzou beats Auburn, it will have played four teams in the BCS Top 25 and beaten three of them. If Mizzou beats Auburn, it will have played six opponents who were in the Top 25 at the time of the game and beaten five of them. But I still don’t know if the Tigers are better than Ohio State because they haven’t played each other. The spirit of sports, the greatness of the ultimate championship competition, is putting the best teams in the room together and see who rules the day. This is why I’m so glad we are saying good riddance to the BCS’s fraudulent championship format. As exciting as this regular season has been, it still is going to leave us with more questions than answers at the conclusion of next weekend.

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Actor Paul Walker’s Death Shakes up Hollywood

Scene heard

steven zeitchik

Los Angeles Times

Applause!

Mother Monster, also known as Lady Gaga, is not only taking over the charts but the runway as well. It was recently revealed that the pop star is the new face for Versace’s spring/ summer campaign for 2014. Ads can be seen in December’s Vogue. K.P.

All Tied Up

Dwayne Wade recently linked up with Chicago based company, The Tie Bar, to launch a new collection. This collection includes 29 silk ties, 15 neckties, and various pocket squares all in signature colors and patterns. K.P.

The death of actor Paul Walker in an automobile accident Saturday has left fans and the film community reeling _ and Hollywood facing a series of tricky business decisions. As filmmakers and fellow performers remembered him as a deeply likable everyman with a taste for adventure, principals on the late actor’s signature “Fast & Furious” franchise were left to deal with Walker’s tragic passing on the screen. Walker’s death in a singlecar crash in Santa Clarita, Calif., came as he was preparing to resume production on “Fast & Furious 7,” with a return to the Atlanta set scheduled for Monday to shoot more scenes as rogue ex-cop Brian O’Conner. Earlier in the fall, Walker had shot an unspecified number of scenes for the car-themed action picture, which this goround centers on a vengeful rivalry between racing crews. With Walker’s death, director James Wan, lead producer Neal Moritz and executives at Universal Pictures have a decision to make on the film, set for release July 11. It is believed that there is not nearly enough material in the can to close O’Conner’s character arc in the picture, which would mean rewriting the script to allow for a new resolution _ a complicated and timely process _ or cut-

ting Walker out of the film entirely. Walker’s planned scenes this week will almost certainly mean a schedule shuffle and could also lead to production being halted. Universal would not comment beyond a brief condolence message sent to reporters by a spokeswoman late Saturday. Moritz did not reply to a request for comment on plans for “Fast 7” in the wake of Walker’s death. While the sudden passing of a director can throw an entire project into jeopardy _ Tony Scott’s suicide in summer 2012 effectively derailed a planned “Top Gun” reboot _ actor deaths have often meant the film is released as a tribute of sorts, providing their work has been completed. James Gandolfini, Heath Ledger and James Dean all had well-received posthumous releases. Walker’s role in “Fast 7,” though, is a tightrope walk for Universal, which understandably would want to promote the actor’s final film without appearing to be capitalizing on it. Walker’s sudden death also raises questions about the longterm viability of the series. “Fast & Furious” movies have grossed $2.3 billion worldwide, with the most recent, 2013’s “Fast Six,” the highestgrossing ($789 million). While the series _ which already has an eighth film in development _ has rotated characters in and out over its

12-year history, the nucleus has been the buddy dynamic of Walker’s O’Conner and Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto, who have been in every movie but “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” the series’ least successful installment. Still, many in Hollywood expect it to continue, with the brand considered a larger draw than any single performer. Walker, 40, died as a Santa Clarita charity event and car show was winding down, when he and friend Roger Rodas went for a ride in a red Porsche, a witness said. Jim Torp heard a loud boom and said he knew in his heart that his friends had been in an accident. The smoke from the crash was visible from Always Evolving, the automotive shop where car enthusiasts and supporters were gathered. The event was held in support of Walker’s first-aid organization, Reach Out Worldwide, with proceeds earmarked for families affected by the typhoon in the Philippines and a tornado in Indiana, Torp said. Sheriff’s officials said speed may have been a factor in the crash, which occurred on a quiet street with a 45-mph limit. The car knocked over a tree and a concrete lamp post. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, sheriff’s Deputy Kim Manatt told the Los Angeles Times. Walker has several other pictures already shot; Saturday’s news had those films’

distributors contemplating their options. Walker’s survival drama “Hours” had been set by the boutique company Pantelion Films for a limited theatrical and VOD release on Dec. 13. On Sunday morning, Pantelion Chief Executive Paul Presburger and “Hours” producer Peter Safran convened to discuss whether to push that date. “We thought long and hard about pulling the release,” Presburger said. “We were trying to determine what was the best way to honor him and this movie that he was very proud of. But this is the plan we pitched in the room to Paul _ the one he was excited about _ and we’re going to move forward with it.” In the film, Walker plays a man trying to keep his infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The movie represents perhaps Walker’s biggest role and certainly one of his most emotional. Shot in New Orleans in just 18 days, “Hours” was also the first movie Walker produced. In September, Walker had also finished shooting “Brick Mansions,” a crime drama penned by Luc Besson. Relativity Media has weighed a release in the first quarter of 2014, with nothing finalized yet, a spokesman said.

Jhené Aiko takes on 2014 jerrell leeper

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Every year, there is a breakout artist in the music business. This year, singer Jhené Aiko is definitely R&B’s next star. After starting her career as a background singer for B2K, releasing solo material, and landing features on some of Hip-Hop’s biggest albums, she finally put out a new project. The seven track EP entitled “Sail Out” is a continuation of her debut mixtape “Sailing Soul(s),” which was released in 2011. This EP is a prelude to her debut album “Souled Out” which is expected to release some time next year. The EP starts out with a subtle smooth tempo-sounding track called “The Vapors” featuring Vince Staples. This song gives off a relaxed vibe as it implies her medicinal use, but it can be interpreted as her love for life. Underground rapper, Vince Staples delivers the perfect verse for this song. Her single “Bed Peace” features the multitalented Childish Gambino. In this song, both of the artists play on the topic of a successful relationship and love. Many of Aiko’s fans began to question whether the two are in a relationship of their own. Track three “Stay Ready (What a Life)” is receiving the most hype because it features Hip-Hop’s golden boy, Kendrick Lamar. Fans of both artists know that this is not their first collaboration, and they picked up right where “Growing Apart” left off. Just as “Stay Ready” ends it transitions into “What a Life,” and the tone goes from playful to serious as she eloquently sings on the realization of

truth. On “WTH” featuring fellow TDE rapper Ab-Soul addesses how they feel when they are way too high. “The Wo r s t ” has a personal feel as Aiko explores a past relationship and how she still loves him, but he is not good for her. The EP’s other single is “3:16AM.” The title has a lot of meaning to it. She stated on her tumblr when the song dropped, “I am born on March 16, John 3:16 is a popular bible verse, but it’s around 3 am when I have my darkest thoughts.” This song is very introspective as it discusses the struggle as a human and how one thinks on a daily basis. The EP ends with “Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle).” This song is a venting track where she talks to her listeners about which guy has betrayed her and why. She also touches on the death of her brother and how his death made her susceptible to vulnerability in a previous relationship. Even with great features from as Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Childish Gambino, Aiko stands out as they only add to their respective song instead of make the song. This EP puts any listener into a zone of peace and tranquility, as Jhené vocals are soothing to the ear. With her currently on Drake’s “Would You Like a Tour” tour and her expanding her fan base, 2014 maybe the year she reaches full stardom.

— Email Jerrell at theatregister@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter @TheATRegister

hotlist

thescene

Dec. 4 to Dec. 11 The A&T Register’s list of the top movie hits of the holiday season.

on screen The BEST MAN HOLIDAY It has been 14 years, and the gang is back together for the holidays. Things have not been the same between former best friends Harper and Lance since the wedding. However, Mia has plans to get everyone back together in hopes that the holiday spirit will mend broken bonds. With new found love, careers, and families, the group soon realizes that time does not change true friendship. This film is sure to bring tons of laughs and even a few tears.

on screen BLACK NATIVITY This Langston Hughes classic is getting a modern day upgrade. “Black Nativity” is the perfect movie for the family this holiday season. There are tons of messages and joyful songs throughout the film. With a star studded cast including Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige this film will be a hit.

on screen the HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE The plot continues to grow as District 12’s new heroes Katniss and Peeta return home after the 74th annual Hunger Games. However, the home they left is no longer the same after Katniss and Peeta learn that their victory caused an uprising within the other districts. Now under the microscope, the duo must fight to keep their family and themselves alive. “Catching Fire” is full of adventure, mystery, and has audiences on the edge of their seats.

Happy Holidays from theScene