WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22, 2014 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 76 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894
CULTURE | MUSIC
By Francie Johnson | Staff Reporter
Local residence cultivates underground music scene
y day, it’s just another house. But one night a month, Baby Haus transforms from a typical residence to a music venue, where anything goes and nothing is outside the realm of possibility. Baby Haus, which will hold its fourth birthday celebration this Saturday, emerged in 2010 as the brainchild of local musician and Green Bar talent booker David Allen. Allen initially attended the University of Montevallo and studied abroad in Brazil before relocating to Tuscaloosa and graduating from The University of Alabama in 2012. “The whole goal with moving to Tuscaloosa was specifically to start a music scene here,” Allen said. “There’s a certain kind of endearing desperation to a lot of people in Tuscaloosa. People are much more ready and susceptible for a scene here, like they really wanna make it happen. So it seemed like a natural fit.” Allen started out sharing a one-bedroom apartment with anywhere from four to six roommates, all between the ages of 17 and 22. The group used to hold shows near a set of railroad tracks. Eventually, Allen moved out of the apartment and into a house, and the shows followed him there. “The first people we were able to find to hang out with us were a couple of women in their late 20s who were studying book arts,” Allen said. “One of them kept calling us the ‘Baby Punks,’ and she started calling it ‘Baby Haus,’ and then it really stuck.” With Baby Haus, Allen said he sought to create a world that obliterated all preconceived ideas and expectations, a world where rules and social norms didn’t exist. “In Baby Haus, the explicit goal from day one was to come up with a place where everything can be its own precedent and there was never any inclination for how a room or the environment needed to be used,” Allen said. “It was very literally trying to make everything new all the time. If you look at the event posts and messages we would send out, we tried to make it sound like this place outside of reality where everything was permissible.” SEE HAUS PAGE 8
CW | Photo by Austin Bigoney, Graphic by Belle Newby and Mackenzie Brown Alumnus David Allen and his friends foster a special music scene from the Baby Haus location, a movement they have grown since 2010.
TODAYON CAMPUS Blood drive WHAT: Red Cross Blood Drive WHEN: Noon - 6 p.m. WHERE: 300 Ferguson Center
CULTURE | CAMPUS MOVIEFEST
Festival showcases student films Campus MovieFest sheds light on amateur movies By Phoebe Rees | Contributing Writer
Study abroad WHAT: Travel Abroad Interest Session: Italy WHEN: 12:15-1 p.m. WHERE: 200 Clark Hall
On the town WHAT: Ladies Night with DJ ProtoJ WHEN: 4 p.m. WHERE: Rhythm and Brews
University Programs WHAT: Alabama/Auburn rivalry discussion WHEN: 6-8 p.m. WHERE: 312 Ferguson Center
With Alabama’s hopes of a football national championship dead and buried, this semester UA students have their sights set on a new competition: Campus MovieFest. The program, which started at Emory University 13 years ago, launched Tuesday at The University of Alabama for its seventh consecutive year. Campus MovieFest provides students with all the equipment and support they need to make a short film. There are only two rules: The film must be under five minutes long, and it has to be shot in just one week. This may seem like a challenging prospect, but in this competition, Alabama students are proving to be rising stars. SEE MOVIEFEST PAGE 3
CW | Austin Bigoney LJ Sanchez, an intern with Campus MovieFest, rents video production equipment to students at the Ferguson Center Tuesday.
NEWS | DOCUMENTARY
Program brings arts, education to prison
10 9 9
Thursday Clear
Partly cloudy
44º/29º
39º/19º
CONTACT
INSIDE
Sports Puzzles Classifieds
Wednesday
recycle th i se
per • Ple a
2 4 6
tomorrow
pa
Briefs Opinions Culture
today
SEE PRISON PAGE 9
s
today’s paper
Ple a
WHAT: Music Faculty Chamber Music WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Moody Concert Hall
per •
Music scene
Kyes Stevens is an Alabama native and an Auburn graduate, so she knows what she’s talking about when she says the relationship between The University of Alabama and her alma mater can be polarizing. “I am completely steeped in the AuburnAlabama sports rivalry. And I get it, and I understand it,” Stevens said. But in 2001, Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project, started teaching poetry in a federal prison
WEATHER
WHAT: Law School mock admissions workshop WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m. WHERE: 222 Lloyd Hall
overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve found the students to be incredibly engaged and gracious,” Chisum said. “They’re active learners who are grateful to have instructors willing to take the time and effort to challenge them intellectually.” Kenny Kruse, one of two current recipients of a fellowship to teach with APAEP, teaches literature and creative writing once a week. “They’re the best students I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I know I’m in prison, I see all the things that say I’m in a prison, but I kind of forget I’m in a prison.”
pa
By Samuel Yang | Staff Reporter
School of Law
in Talladega, Ala. In 2003, she started forming a program that would become the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project. In 2007, she partnered with the University to provide graduate students with the same teaching opportunities she had. “What I love about our partnership is that we are breaking down that polarization and building a community of people who are invested in educating others,” she said. “And that is amazing.” Stevens described her experience teaching in the prison as challenging, powerful and educational for her. Alex Chisum, who is beginning a third semester teaching poetry through the program, said the experience has been
s
Film series documents inside state correctional facilities
recycle thi
WHAT: Girls Game Free Night WHEN: 6-10 p.m. WHERE: Hive Bang Gaming
se
Local gaming
editor@cw.ua.edu
website cw.ua.edu
CAMPUSBRIEFS
Wednesday January 22, 2014
p.2
Buildings reopen after gas leak A broken gas line near Rodgers Library forced The University of Alabama to evacuate three buildings and temporarily cancel classes Tuesday morning. “A construction contractor accidentally hit a gas line about 8:30,” Cathy Andreen, UA director of media relations, said. “As a precaution, first responders evacuated the buildings closest to the leak.” Students, faculty and staff were told to exit Rodgers Library, the South Engineering Research Center and the Science and Engineering Complex while the leak was fixed. Within an hour, the University sent a campuswide email warning students to stay away from the area. Classes in the SERC and the SEC were canceled, but resumed at 11 a.m. when the leak was stopped. According to its Twitter account, Bama Dining closed the Fresh Food Co. in the Ferguson Center around 10 a.m., but the dining hall was reopened by 11:15 a.m. No one was injured in the leak, and buildings were not damaged, Andreen said, and the broken pipe had been fixed.
SCENEON CAMPUS
Bone marrow registration open Be The Match On Campus, a student organization supporting the national Be The Match organization, will host a bone marrow registration drive Wednesday. The drive will be held at both the Ferguson Theater and the Lakeside Dining conference room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be The Match is a national organization operated by the National Marrow Donor Program. For more information, go online at bethematch.org.
CW | TK Scott A student strums his guitar as he crosses the street, providing music for commuters Tuesday morning.
THURSDAY WHAT: Law School Fair WHEN: 10 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. WHERE: Hotel Capstone conference area
Application deadline approaches The deadline to apply for Capstone Men and Women is noon Friday. Members of Capstone Men and Women give campus tours to prospective students and assist the University of Alabama president, administration and trustees with events throughout the year. Applications are available at cmw.ua.edu/tryout and must be turned in with all materials to 248 Rose Administration Building. A mandatory convocation will be held in 159 Russel Hall Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.
P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-8036 Advertising: 348-7845 Classifieds: 348-7355
TODAY WHAT: Red Cross Blood Drive WHEN: Noon - 6 p.m. WHERE: 300 Ferguson Center WHAT: Travel Abroad Interest SessionItaly WHEN: 12:15 - 1 p.m. WHERE: 200 Clark Hall WHAT: Ladies Night with DJ ProtoJ WHEN: 4 p.m. WHERE: Rhythm and Brews
EDITORIAL editor-in-chief
Lauren Ferguson
production editor
Katherine Owen
online editor news editor
Marc Torrence
Christopher Edmunds
video editor
Daniel Roth Austin Bigoney
lead designer
Sloane Arogeti Elizabeth Lowder Lauren Robertson
ADVERTISING
territory manager
special projects manager
creative services manager
account executives
WHAT: UA Study Abroad Healthcare in Ghana Interest Meet WHEN: 1:30-2:30 p.m. WHERE: K212 University Medical Center
WHAT: Men’s Basketball vs. Florida WHEN: 6 p.m. WHERE: Coleman Coliseum
WHAT: Always, Patsy Cline WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Bean-Brown Theatre
WHAT: Fireside Chat with Wesley and Katie Britt WHEN: 6-8 p.m. WHERE: Gorgas 205
BURKE
John Brinkerhoff
photo editor
advertising manager
WHAT: EveryWoman Book Club WHEN: 12:30-1:30 p.m. WHERE: The University Club
Mark Hammontree
sports editor
community managers
WHAT: International Coffee Hour WHEN: 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. WHERE: 121 BB Comer Hall
Mackenzie Brown
culture editor
chief copy editor
WHAT: Red Cross Blood Drive WHEN: Noon - 6 p.m. WHERE: 300 Ferguson Center
Anna Waters
Abbey Crain
opinion editor
WHAT: Southeast Guild of Book Workers Annual Exhibition WHEN: 8 a.m. WHERE: 2nd floor, Gorgas Library
Mazie Bryant editor@cw.ua.edu
managing editor
visuals editor
FRIDAY
LUNCH
Lemon Chicken Basmati Rice Sausage Pizza Greek Chickpea Salad
FRESH FOOD
LAKESIDE DINNER
Buffalo Meatloaf Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Panini Moroccan Vegetable Stew
LUNCH
Italian Vegetable Blend Scallion Mashed Potatoes Tuna Melt Grilled Eggplant Pizza Spicy Sweet Potato Salad Southwest Penne
DINNER
Chicken Tikka Masala Hot Dog with Sauerkraut Sauerkraut Kielbasa Soup Veggie Stir Fry with Noodles
LUNCH
Cumin-Rubbed Pork Loin Collard Greens Tangy Cucumber Salad Hungarian Cauliflower Soup
Tori Hall 251.751.1781 cwadmanager@gmail.com Chloe Ledet 205.886.3512 territorymanager1@gmail.com Taylor Shutt 904.504.3306 osmspecialprojects@gmail.com Hillary McDaniel 334.315.6068 Ali Lemmond William Whitlock Kathryn Tanner Camille Dishongh Kennan Madden Julia Kate Mace Katie Schlumper
The Crimson White is the community newspaper of The University of Alabama. The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students.The University of Alabama cannot influence editorial decisions and editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and do not represent the official opinions of the University. Advertising offices of The Crimson White are in room 1014, Student Media Building, 414 Campus Drive East. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The Crimson White (USPS 138020) is published four times weekly when classes are in session during Fall and Spring Semester except for the Monday after Spring Break and the Monday after Thanksgiving, and once a week when school is in session for the summer. Marked calendar provided. The Crimson White is provided for free up to three issues. Any other papers are $1.00. The subscription rate for The Crimson White is $125 per year. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama and sent to: The Crimson White Subscription Department, P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The Crimson White is entered as periodical postage at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Crimson White, P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2014 by The Crimson White and protected under the “Work Made for Hire” and “Periodical Publication” categories of the U.S. copyright laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of The Crimson White.
UA student speaks at BOE meeting By Emily Williams | Contributing Writer A University of Alabama student spoke in front of the Tuscaloosa School Board Tuesday night about a recent controversy regarding a secret deal made for the funding of a new school. Adam Seale, a senior majoring in civil engineering and a graduate of the Tuscaloosa City School System, said he felt it was his responsibility as a citizen of Tuscaloosa to hold the school board honest and accountable. “The placement and financing of an entire school – one of the greatest projects our board of education can undertake – was planned in great part without consulting many of its members, much less we the voting citizens,” Seale said. According to The Tuscaloosa News, it was revealed Saturday that a deal had been made, without consulting the school board, giving the Tuscaloosa City School System 36 acres of land on Northridge Drive. The land is estimated at $3.6 million, and would be used to build a new public school. The deal was made in December 2012 by Gov. Robert Bentley, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Tuscaloosa
If millions of tax payer dollars and acres of public land aren’t worth discussing freely and honestly, what is? County Park and Recreation Authority and Ol’ Colony Golf Complex’s board. Members of the school board maintain they had no knowledge of this deal beforehand. Seale and other members of the community question why the school board was not involved in the negotiations for this land, and whether or not certain members of the school board knew about the deal before it was presented publicly. There is additional controversy regarding the proposed location of the new school and if there are other
areas that have a greater need for development. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the issue of the land deal was not officially listed on the agenda; however, there was discussion of plans for a demographic analysis of the current school structure. This would allow the school board to determine which schools were overcrowded or under-populated, which could possibly point to areas where a new school would be needed. “If millions of tax payer dollars and acres of public land aren’t worth discussing freely and honestly, what is?” Seale said. “How can we trust our city leaders, when even the people we ask to review such an expense of our public property can’t do so until after those plans have built too much momentum to be easily changed? Without transparency, what confidence do we have that its actions are in the best interests of our children?” Laurie Johns, a self-described concerned citizen, spoke in support of Seale, questioning Board Chairman Lee Garrison about his prior knowledge of the deal, after which Garrison denied any involvement. “I really don’t know what basis they’re coming from,” Garrison said. “It’s a conspiracy theory with no factual basis behind it.”
p.3 Mark Hammontree | Editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
University OIT warns of email phishing scams By Josh Sigler | Contributing Writer
CW | Austin Bigoney Students enjoy a night of discounted shopping and prize giveaways at Target Night, part of the annual Week of Welcome.
UA ranks No. 17 in happiness By Kailey McCarthy | Contributing Writer The University of Alabama was ranked No. 17 among the “20 Happiest Colleges” by The Daily Beast. The article included ratings of different sub-categories including freshman retention rate, best student health center, best student experience and “Would Do It All Over Again.” The survey was released by the website in October 2013. The University of Alabama’s fulltime freshman retention rate of 86 percent can be partially attributed to the First Year Experience Program. Sara Hartley, executive director of First Year Experience and Parent Programs, said the success of FYE is the result of successful program design. “With various programs and support resources devoted specifically to our first-year students and their success at UA, I can see why they made the list,” Hartley said. “We have designed programs such as Freshman
UA RATINGS Full-time Freshman Retention Rate: 86 percent Best Student Health Center: 9.2 out of 10 Best Overall Student Experience: 9.7 out of 10 Would Do It All Over Again: 9.7 out of 10 Forum, Camp 1831 and Ignite UA to assist with the transition to college which helps our students feel more connected and engaged on campus.” Hartley said students who are involved on campus tend to have a more positive experience at the University. “The research shows that students who are involved and engaged are both happier and more likely to be retained,” she said. Mark Nelson, vice president for student affairs, said he was not surprised by a 9.7 in the best overall student experience category. “I am not surprised that UA is
among the happiest schools because we recruit outstanding students from all across the globe,” Nelson said. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the overall student experience, which contributes to positive relationships, academic enrichment and personal growth” Nelson said the variety of programs and options for UA students creates positive experiences. “Our excellent academic programs, top-level athletics and more than 500 student organizations provide limitless opportunities for students to succeed and enjoy their experiences here,” he said.
Students search for textbook deals By Taylor Zimmerman | Contributing Writer By this point in the semester, most students have purchased or rented the textbooks needed for their classes, but textbook prices drive students to consider purchases outside of the SUPe Store. “Usually I look at Amazon and the SUPe Store and compare prices,” Samantha McPeak, a junior majoring in electrical engineering, said. “I buy it used if they have it. On Amazon, you’ll see sellers selling [books] with a 95-percent rating, and I’m able to buy it from them for half the price.” Other than Amazon.com and the SUPe Store, McPeak said she doesn’t usually venture into offcampus bookstores or any other places online. “If I knew there was a price difference, I’d probably go out of my way,”
CMF sees student growth each year MOVIEFEST FROM PAGE 1
Cayce Savage, a senior majoring in psychology and interdisciplinary arts, won Campus Best Picture last year for ‘Person-Able,’ the film she co-produced with her roommate. Savage and her team have taken part in Campus MovieFest for the past three years and plan to enter again this year. “We had been really itching to make a short film but could never quite find the time.” Savage said. “Campus MovieFest was an excellent endeavour, because it’s an organized event, and you only have to devote a good week. That’s really all the time you need for many successful projects, really, but I don’t think many people realize that.” Savage said she and her team were surprised that ‘Person-Able’ won Campus
McPeak added. “Engineering textbooks are ridiculously expensive.” Kristy Randle, a senior majoring in English and journalism, said she usually resorts to finding books online. “I order almost everything online because that’s where I find the best deals,” Randle said. “Amazon has been pretty good for me – cheap on books, cheap on shipping.” Some student purchase textbooks sold exclusively at the SUPe Store and Amazon because it is more convenient. “Usually if I can’t find it on Amazon then I’m going straight to the SUPe Store,” Josh McCoskui, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, said. “If I knew that the prices [on textbooks] were really cheap somewhere else, I’d make sure to go and find them, but I can hardly find them cheaper.”
Best Picture over UA graduate Connor Simpson’s “Manta,” which cleaned up at the national awards in Los Angeles, winning CMFH Best Picture, International best picture and MFA Best Director, to name a few. “We were hoping for Best Comedy, but we weren’t exceedingly confident in our chances,” Savage said. “We were so certain Manta was going to win that we just mumbled confusedly to each other when it didn’t come up on the screen. We didn’t even realize it was our film.” But not everyone has to be budding film protégés like Simpson and Savage to get involved with Campus MovieFest. Chris Dumas, a former UA student and promotions manager for Campus MovieFest, is working with participants on campus all this week. “We want to make sure every student, whether they’re a film major, a psychology major, whether they don’t even know what
By the end of the semester, many students will be eager to sell the books and buy cheaper books for the upcoming summer or fall semesters. The problem for many students is not knowing where to not only buy and sell, but also where they will get the cheapest prices and best deals. BIGWORDS.com compares textbook prices from multiple websites and claims they are able to find students the cheapest textbooks available. According to BIGWORDS. com, recent research suggests that students who sold their textbooks on its website received at least 90 percent of their money back. “The benefit of students selling their books back to the Supply Store [on campus] is it helps students stretch out their educational dollars,” Teresa Shreve, director of the University Supply Store, said.
PLAN TO GO WHAT: Campus MovieFest Finale WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. WHERE: Ferguson Center Ballroom
they want to do with their life, all have a chance to make a movie,” Dumas said. “There’s actually more students competing who aren’t filmmakers than who are.” The Campus MovieFest team offers technical support and advice, as well as renting free and state of the art equipment to all participants. Dumas has even given out his personal cell phone number in case participants run into difficulty. “We’re completely accessible to participants if they need anything. We’ve even
been called at 3 in the morning,” Dumas said. Veyonte Bynum, a freshman majoring in business, is one of several participants trying their hand at movie making for the first time this week. “[Campus MovieFest] provides an opportunity for freshman such as myself to branch out, meet new people and get hands on experience,” Bynum said. “That way, I can see if it’s really something that I want to pursue after graduation.” Vince Hill, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, is also a first time filmmaker, but he said he’s confident his strong theoretical knowledge will aid his project. The concept for Hill’s film is an action-packed thriller that combines romance with dramatic violence. Hill said his main difficulty so far has been organizing his team. “Getting people at the locations at the correct time might be an issue,” Hill said.
The University of Alabama Office of Information Technology recently warned students to be wary of an email with the subject line “New Year Upgrading,” saying it was an attempt to steal usernames and passwords. The email was the latest in a series of scams attempting to steal students’ login information that began appearing increasingly frequently in inboxes during the fall semester. Last semester, the University routinely sent emails warning students not to fall for email scams. Students were warned not to open emails that looked like they came from the administration, but in fact came from fake websites and were trying to steal students’ email and password information. Ashley Ewing, director of information security and compliance, said spammers were responsible for the scam emails in the fall. “In order for a spammer to make money, he needs to send out millions of emails, and the easiest way to do that is to gather other people’s information,” Ewing said Ewing also said spammers are generally not interested in placing malicious viruses on your computer but simply in stealing your information. “They will lure you to a website in order to trick you into typing in your email and password information,” Ewing said. “The idea behind phishing is that for every thousand emails a spammer sends he will get 100 responses and 100 more people’s information.” Different online scams have been a problem for many in recent years. Frank Lopez, a fifth year senior majoring in kinesiology, was scammed last semester by someone who claimed to be leasing a house in Tuscaloosa. “We heard about the house from a mutual friend who had found the listing on Craigslist,” Lopez said. “To me, at least, it seemed a little sketchy from the start.” Lopez explained that the scammer used faith as a way to make himself seem more trustworthy, citing a mission trip to Africa as his reason for leaving the house behind in Tuscaloosa. “He was very accommodating and willing to work with us,” Lopez said. “One of my roommates even talked to him on the phone.” Lopez said he began to get suspicious when the person asked for a mailed deposit in order to receive the keys to the house. He eventually called the real estate agent listed for that neighborhood, who told him that the house had already been rented out earlier that semester. In another scam, Dan Mirolli, a 2013 UA graduate, almost paid a full semester of tuition to a fake study abroad company in China. He found the company through an email list and was told to send in his money for the program, but he felt compelled to research the company before he did so. “I went searching because I had read an article earlier that talked about completely fake Apple stores in China and thought, ‘If Apple can’t guarantee quality control in China, I better do my own research,’” Mirolli said. Mirolli was able to catch the scam before he sent in any money but warned students to be wary of certain signs that might indicate phishing. “Any delay in communication with an organization, mention of wire transfers, mailing checks can usually be proven as probable existence of fraud with a little digging,” Mirolli warned. Lopez and Mirolli were fortunate in that they were able to catch the scams in time. Ewing explained that there is no way of knowing exactly how many UA students were affected by the spammers, but he said that education is the best way to prevent it in the future. “We can’t stop emails from being sent, but we can teach people what to be suspicious of,” Ewing said.
WHAT TO KNOW • Scammers regularly send emails trying to get user information • Do research before donating money • Check for UA-sent emails warning of scams
“I had actual actors, but they both backed out, so I had to scramble to find friends who were willing to do it.” Participants are required to turn in their finished films Monday at 6 p.m., where they’ll be judged by a panel of UA faculty, staff and students. Then the top 16 films will be presented in a screening at the Ferguson Center Ballroom Jan. 30. The films selected as Best Picture, Best Comedy and Best Drama will then go on to compete at a national awards ceremony in Los Angeles at a four-day workshop followed by a red carpet event. Entries are judged on a variety of qualities, including story, cinematography and how creative the piece is, but Dumas says the key to creating a good film is to express your passion. “Don’t write a story that you think people are going to like; write a story that you like. Write the jokes that you think are funny.” Dumas said. “It’s more genuine. The
people that make the movies that they are passionate about, a lot of the time, end up doing better.” Successful participants in the past have had the chance to attend the Cannes Film Festival and have their films played on Virgin American flights as well as networking with top Hollywood bosses. Dumas said with participation growing each year, students at The University of Alabama are becoming key players in the CMF national competition. “There is a certain tenacity and drive that The University of Alabama has,” Dumas said. “I think it comes from a lot of the film students having a chip on their shoulder.” “Like with football, Alabama is always in the ranking”, Dumas said. “We’re always excited to come here and see who’s going to be that next person to really stand out from The University of Alabama. Each year it gets better.”
p.4 John Brinkerhoff | Editor letters@cw.ua.edu
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
COLUMN | LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Students benefit from small-group housing facilities By John Brinkerhoff | Opinion Editor
CW | Talia Scarpelli
COLUMN | ANIMAL RIGHTS
Humans have lost all humanity By Michelle Fuentes | Senior Staff Columnist Last Friday evening, some 250 bottlenose dolphins were captured and herded into nets in the famous Taiji Cove in Japan. This is the same cove that came to prominence through the documentary “The Cove.” (It’s on Netflix: Watch it.) Juveniles were ripped from their families, literally man-handled in nets and brutally moved into holding areas for selection by marine park trainers. These select few are hardly saved from the eventual slaughter of their families. Instead, these young intelligent beings, whose lives are centered around their family units, will face years of slavery encased in pools that are no more than glass bathtubs. Worse than the first scene in “Free Willy,” individual dolphins thrashed wildly as the floating pens were sliced again and again with more nets. These dolphins fought for hours as humans used wooden slap paddles and metal banging poles that tortured the sound-sensitive mammals through methods of confusion and disorientation. Adults were regularly trapped in the orange nets in attempts to escape the sounds and violence. The future marine park trainers of these animals, those who will no doubt tell us of their love for the creatures under their care, took a lunch break. This violence was made viewable through a live-stream via the Taiji Dolphin
All of this is the same. It is violent and sick, and it affirms that humanity is no longer humane.
Defense Campaign. Last week, the Dallas Safari Club auctioned off a permit to hunt and kill an endangered black rhino in Namibia for $350,000. The Safari Club insists the hunt will be wellmanaged and, thus, will only target an older, territorial male who may be preventing younger males from breeding with the age-appropriate females. Corey Knowlton, the once-secret buyer, came forward to say, “I’m a hunter. I want to experience a black rhino. I want to be intimately involved with a black rhino.” Since revealing his identity, a montage of hunting trophy pictures displaying bloodied bears, big cats and many other large wild animals has surfaced from his Facebook page. On campus, we cannot exit a parking lot without seeing several pro-hunting stickers on the backs
of trucks and cars. And right now hundreds of pounds of cow flesh manufactured through the factory farming industry are being prepared or consumed in hamburgers across campus. All of this is the same. It is violent and sick, and it affirms that humanity is no longer humane. We use the word “humane” to describe compassionate or benevolent care. But what aspect of humanity in our lives is humane? We choose to savagely destroy the lives of others in order to eat and clothe ourselves, to maintain our economy and standard of living, and to entertain ourselves. And this blatant disregard for other lives is not limited to species, but pervasive in attitudes and the actual lived realities between nations, races, genders and abilities. The beast is no longer the familyoriented marine mammal, the elusive large animals of the African plains, the electrocuted bull trotting toward his execution or the buck in the crosshairs of the newest rifle or compound bow. These “beasts” have no infrastructure committed to the torture and execution of thousands, no currency to support these systems and no greed to sustain them. The beast has become human. And we are to blame. Michelle Fuentes is a doctoral candidate in political theory. Her column runs weekly.
Besides the Ferguson Center expansion, perhaps the most visible representations of the Capstone’s continued growth and change are the new Presidential Village residence hall and recreation center under construction on the northwest corner of campus. These buildings, as well as the other suite-style residence halls that preceded John Brinkerhoff them, have changed the ways in which The University of Alabama recruits and freshman students interact with each other. To be sure, this new direction in student housing holds key benefits for Alabama. It is an incredibly powerful recruitment tool and has improved the quality of life on campus. Still, these new residence halls hold decidedly negative implications for living-learning communities on campus that threaten the way in which they operate. The demolition of the Parker-Adams residence hall several years ago displaced the living-learning communities that once occupied it. At the end of this year, Palmer Hall will be demolished, and the Mallet Assembly will be moving to the Highlands apartments, effectively ending the organization’s decades long tradition of having autonomy over its own building. While the University has been incredibly accommodating to provide these communities with common areas and options to reduce the higher costs of suite-style living, it is a far cry from the shared space they once held. These organizations have fallen victim to a campus that has shifted to prioritize mega-sized, suite-style residence halls at the expense of smaller, traditional communities. When these organizations needed new homes, there was nowhere to go. While these new residence halls are a net benefit for the campus, the University still should take steps to reduce collateral damage and preserve these organizations’ way of life. Should the transition away from autonomous buildings and into sharing a large building with other students become permanent, the very aspect of these communities that made them different from student organizations – autonomy over space – will disappear. As the University rapidly changes, it has a window of opportunity to take action to secure their future. Fortunately, options exist that do not require the University to change its course with housing or to construct new smaller, traditional-style residence halls. Rather, the solution already exists, albeit on a limited scale, in small-group housing. For years the University has provided small housing units, located on new row, largely to smaller greek organizations who need a facility to build up in size before moving to a traditionally larger house. We should build more of them. These houses have been highly successful in maintaining the aspects of community, autonomy and space necessary for a successful student group. Just ask the many fraternities and sororities that have lived in them. The benefits are clear. The University of Alabama could provide substantive spaces, constructed of various sizes, for these valued campus communities. These spaces would have the common areas, kitchens and outdoor space that once were enjoyed by these groups. If organizations shifted in size, they could shift in the houses to better fit their needs. On the other side of the coin, the University would only have to make a relatively small investment in these new houses and would not have to worry about empty bed spaces in a traditional residence hall occupied by one of these organizations. In return, these living-learning communities would continue to function as powerful recruitment and retention tools for the University. Living-learning communities at the University provide a valuable service to certain students that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The student who would call the Mallet Assembly home would likely not be the same type of person to rush an old row fraternity. It is incumbent upon this university to provide a sustainable, long-term solution to these storied programs. And as this university changes and grows, expanding small group housing might just be the way to go. John Brinkerhoff is the Opinion Editor of The Crimson White.
GUEST COLUMN | AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Do we still have the right to make bad health care decisions? By Cruise Hall | Guest Columnist The Affordable Care Act is causing some serious head-scratching among doctors, insurance companies, lawmakers and especially the patients it’s supposed to protect. In my opinion, the most baffling aspect of the legislation is the concept of “mandatory minimum coverage.” We no longer have the right to make bad decisions when it comes to choosing a health insurance plan. Now, the government will hold our hand whenever we go shopping for insurance or something like that. Essentially, the law empowers Kathleen Sebelius - secretary of health and human services - to define which conditions health
insurance companies must cover. This year, insurance companies will be breaking the law if they offer consumers plans that don’t include benefits such as substance abuse treatment and maternity care, just to name a few. Of course, the president touts this policy of mandatory coverage as a “consumer protection” against menacing insurance companies, but the president’s mistrust appears to be equally directed toward the consumer. After all, when Obama denied their right to sell, he denied our right to buy. That reality is sinking in for the 5 million consumers whose 2013 insurance policies fell short of Sebelius’ mark, which became law at the beginning of 2014. That figure does not
include those who will forgo insurance altogether after determining that the increased costs do not outweigh the new benefits. The law that promised expansion of coverage has actually limited our ability to purchase insurance that fits our financial and medical needs. We can harp on these dismal consequences all day, but I think it’s important to understand why the law has to be this way. In a free economy, the market is governed by the voluntary decisions of the consumer. So if the government wishes to control the market, the government must make some decisions for the consumer. We can easily see how the law would be effectively neutralized if consumers were allowed to opt out of the mandatory
EDITORIAL BOARD
WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS
Mazie Bryant editor-in-chief
Letters to the editor must contain fewer than 300 words and guest columns less than 800. Send submissions to letters@ cw.ua.edu. Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published. Students should also include their year in school and major. The Crimson White reserves the right to edit all guest columns and letters to the editor.
Lauren Ferguson managing editor Katherine Owen production editor Anna Waters visuals editor
Mackenzie Brown online editor Christopher Edmunds chief copy editor John Brinkerhoff opinion editor
minimum requirements. In the end, compulsion is the modus operandi of every government solution. It’s up to you to decide whether the ends justify the means. I’d personally rather make my own bad decisions than have bad decisions made for me. I believe I’m perfectly capable of acting in my best interest and dealing with the consequences when I make mistakes. That’s how freedom works. Aren’t we all qualified to exercise free will when making our own decisions? If not, who is? Cruise Hall is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.
Last Week’s Poll: Who do you think will be the next Alabama quarterback? Showing results for top three. (FSU’s Jacob Coker, 24%) (Cooper Bateman, 18%) (Luke Del Rio, 18%) (Other, 40%) This Week’s Poll: How do you feel about your relationship with Siri? cw.ua.edu/poll
p.5
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
COLUMN | BOBSLED
ON THETWITTERVERSE
Olympic bobsled team fundraiser showcases generation’s potential
GAS LEAK CAUSES BUILDING EVACUATIONS
CARTOON GOES HERE
“Random guy walks in my lab… “EVERYONE OUT… there’s a gas leak!!! …calm down dude..buy hey I’m out of class now!”
“I’ve had class in the SEC building essentially every day since coming to college and the day there’s a gas leak where’s my class? Lloyd.”
@SkylarKynard
@hrmedwin
“Gas leak in the SERC? Maybe I won’t have FLUID Mechanics today. #engineeringjokes @UAStudentProbs”
“Gas leak sounds dangerous….maybe all classes should be cancelled. #safetyfirst”
@Warren2Warren
By Maxton Thoman | Senior Staff Columnist
@sljshaw
COLUMN | SGA ELECTIONS
Election rules need big changes By Rich Robinson | Staff Columnist Of all issues facing campus, SGA elections are one of the few that transcends the daily grind of University of Alabama goings-on and enters the realm of import. Well, at least it should, in theory. The SGA election scheduled for March 11 is heading toward irrelevance and will go down in history as another pre-ordained show election that has little value or impact on the student body politic as a whole. Last year, only 5,873 people voted, out of a then student population of roughly 33,000. Those anemic numbers were a 41.94 percent decrease from the year before, which weren’t that great either. The most egregious moment of the so-called elections of last year was the presidential contest. In that race, Machine candidate Jimmy Taylor swept in a landslide victory. Of course, nobody ran against him, which probably helped his chances. It’s not Taylor’s fault. He did his part by running a campaign and deserves kudos for standing up. Unfortunately, the rest of the student body decided they wanted no part in the election and stayed home. How can that be possible? In a true, free and fair election, it is almost unheard of for a candidate to win unopposed. And with all due respect to Jimmy Taylor, George Washington he is not. Heck, even brutal dictators in unfree countries receive some form of electoral opposition, like Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Vladimir
Rich Robinson Putin in Russia. While it is almost certain that the upcoming presidential election will be contested, it won’t really matter if the rules at the core of the campaign aren’t dramatically changed. The people with that power are those who sit on the SGA Elections Board. As a seemingly independent body, it can make some changes to the election system that will stoke the fires of democracy on campus and ensure a real choice for students. Here are some things it should do: 1) Allow campaign websites. Currently, candidates are only allowed to use a handful of social media websites to forward their campaigns. This is a silly, unnecessary and overbroad regulation that stifles speech. 2) Lengthen the time allowed for campaigning. As it stands, candidates can start their campaigns on Feb. 24. That allows roughly two weeks for an unknown person to rally enough supporters to win. That’s not a problem if you have a built-in get-out-the vote operation
on sorority row, which most potential candidates don’t have. Students should be allowed to announce their candidacy whenever they want and campaign for as long as they want. After all, it is their campaign, and the voters will be the ultimate deciders of proper campaign behavior. Again, this regulation does not protect anybody and only limits constitutionally protected political speech on campus. 3) Chalking should be allowed. It makes no sense for separate chalking rules to apply to candidates than for everybody else. As stipulated by the University’s grounds use policy: “Chalking is only permitted on natural gray concrete sidewalks and streets that are subject to being washed by the rain.” A discriminatory ban on candidate chalking is an affront to constitutionally protected political speech on campus. 4) Get out of the way of democracy. The SGA Elections Board can make some huge strides by just moving out of the way. They should make sure all candidates are playing by the same sensible rules, and that the voters have a real choice on Election Day. Anything more than this impedes true democracy from happening. The current electoral climate at the University is not democratic and must change if we are to live up to the Capstone Creed that strives to “foster individual and civic responsibility.” Rich Robinson is a junior majoring in telecommunication and film. His column runs biweekly.
Like something directly out of “Cool Runnings,” the Jamaican bobsled team has once again managed to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. Still, they have found themselves about $80,000 short of meeting the airfare, shipMaxton Thoman ping, equipment and living expenses that go along with the athletes’ sport of choice. To get to the games, which start in a mere two weeks, the Jamaican Bobsled duo of Winston Watts and Marvin Dixon needed something just short of a miracle. Luckily for them, one of the few differences between the world of the 1993 cult classic – based on the inspirational 1988 Jamaican team – and that of today is the possibility of globalization for every story, no matter how small, thanks to the Internet. What the 1988 team was missing was a true international expressway for the quick dissemination of their story. What the 2014 team has is a way to raise funds. With this in mind, the Watts and Dixon began an Indiegogo account to accept any and all donations. The response? Wow. Maybe this is a story that has been hyped up because of its due value, but I’d like to think that the unwavering support and compassion that several Internet communities and anonymous benefactors have shown is a shining example of just exactly what is right in the world. It all started with the Dogecoin, the result of the unorthodox concoction created by mixing the beloved Shiba Inu Internet meme and the growing Bitcoin and Litecoin crypto-currency communities. After hearing the Jamaican team’s story, the head of the Dogecoin Foundation, Liam Butler, along with the original Dogecoin founders, Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus, created a charity fund for the team. After a few emails, the fund was up and running on Sunday, and after a few posts on the Dogecoin thread of Reddit and several other Internet forums, doge-nations began flooding in. In a matter of two days, millions of Dogecoins were raised by random Internet users wanting to make a difference and wanting to make a dream come true. The fund raised the equivalent of 35 bitcoins, or more than $30,000. Overall, the bobsled team has raised nearly $200,000, according to the Washington Post. It would seem that Watt and Dixon will be heading to Sochi after all. Of course, all of this comes on a day where the sentiment of altruistic giving could be no more appropriate, as the memory of the Martin Luther King Jr. remains alive and well within not only the hearts of our nation, but also those of much of the world. Here at The University of Alabama, to celebrate the memory and revere the words of King, students and staff had the pleasure of listening to the inspirational words and incredible music of renowned artist and activist, John Legend. Legend, tying into the preaching’s of King, spoke highly of the possible impact of our generation particularly in the field of education. Speaking of King, Legend said, “We know that you, our nation of young people, are next in line to carry on his work.” He continued, “As students, you have so much potential to create change in the world.” If Dogecoin has taught me anything this week, it’s that this is the absolute truth. Our generation can create anything, change anything and do anything we want. The world that we are inheriting is chock full of issues from social to educational, to religious. We are going to be facing the absolute worst debt in history, some of the largest health dilemmas ever seen, and some of the largest moral questions that could possibly be raised. But in the face of adversity comes hope. If we can end segregation in the south and the rule of Jim Crow in 1963, if we can fully desegregate this campus’ sorority system fifty years later and if we can send the Jamaican bobsled team to Sochi in 2014 with a crypto-currency based on an Internet meme, I have no doubt that we can make an unforeseen impact on this earth. It just takes a little bit from each of us. One movement, one rally, one vote. Even one Dogecoin. Maxton Thoman is a sophomore majoring in biology. His column runs weekly on Wednesdays.
COLUMN | GREEK LIFE
Greeks achieved racial diversity, socioeconomic should be next By Leigh Terry | Staff Columnist One of the reasons I chose the Capstone over other institutions of higher learning was my awareness and appreciation of the socioeconomic variety composed in its student body. I came to Tuscaloosa from a small town in rural Alabama where nearly half of my secondary school classmates were eligible for free or reduced lunch prices. Although I was not included in this category, I cheered, played soccer, ran track and learned alongside many funny, intelligent and inspiring people who lived far outside the one percent. Even among my more middle-class friends and siblings, almost everyone I knew worked at least a summer job, if not a parttime job during the school year. However, I have been dismayed over the course of my three semesters at The University of
Leigh Terry Alabama by how few interclass interactions I have on a monthly basis. This stark contrast from my pre-college days is most striking among my friends and acquaintances in the greek community. It is no secret that sorority and fraternity dues are expensive. According to the UA National Panhellenic Conference website,
the average sorority member (not living in-house) paid $3,300.25 per semester during the 20122013 academic year. That adds up to more than $26,000 – equal to 64 percent of the cost of four years of in-state tuition – over the course of a member’s four years in Tuscaloosa. To be clear, I am not arguing that greek organizations should lower their dues. I pay them myself, and I know that ship has long since sailed in our ever-expanding system. Rather, I would like to see each greek organization create opportunities to accept a few members per year to enjoy and contribute to the bonds of sisterhood or brotherhood through an active scholarship program. I know of a few organizations whose local or national chapters already have small scholarships to reward current members for outstanding
academic achievement or assist in the event of critical financial crisis, but more could certainly be done. I propose that a formal application process be created that would allow for incoming freshmen and sophomores with outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements to apply for half-to-full dues scholarships with the greek conference they are interested in joining. For NPC sororities, this could be accomplished simply by adding a check box to the online recruitment registration process stating, “I would like to be considered for a dues scholarship and allow the Office of Greek Affairs to verify my financial aid status with the University.” How simple is that? Both potential new members and greek organizations stand to gain from this solution. Many greek members and officers view
membership in their organizations as both a great opportunity for personal growth and lifelong friendships and as an obligation to contribute to the reputation of their chapters through exceptional scholarship and service. A healthy scholarship program would provide eager new students the opportunity to participate in the joys of sisterhood or brotherhood as well as the chapters the opportunity to gain members who bring to their chapter diverse talents, accomplishments and individual experiences. Gaining perspective starts with surrounding oneself with people with differing ones. We have made great strides in this direction over the past six months. Why not more? Leigh Terry is a sophomore majoring in economics. Her column runs biweekly on Wednesdays.
p.6 Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Abbey Crain | Editor culture@cw.ua.edu
Part-time students must balance school, work By Alexandra Ellsworth | Staff Reporter
CW |File Photo, Graphic by Belle Newby Some students find it difficult to balance classes and work, thus choosing to enroll as parttime students.
COLUMN | FASHION
Display company’s style during retail interviews By Bianca Martin At this point in our lives, we all know the basics of job interviews: Bring a resume, look your interviewer in the eye and be confident. Another general rule we all know about interviews is to dress up. Whether you are applying for a job at a fast-food restaurant or interviewing for your dream corporate job, the usual rule of thumb is to look professional to show you are serious about your potential job. Dress pants and a blazer or jacket are the go-to items for most interviews. But there is one industry in which a standard black business suit may not be the best way to go in to an interview: the fashion industry. Working in retail is about modeling the store’s style. Some stores, such as Hollister or Abercrombie, even call their employers “floor models.” Yes, the title may be a little disturbing and makes it sound like an employee is just a live mannequin, but it makes sense. They want their employees to be live representations of the clothes they sell and show how we well the clothes can be worn. So, when interviewing for a job in retail, you can rec receive extra points if your outfit represents the company’s style and b brand. It shows you already have an understanding of the compa company and will be a great asset. I have compiled a few tips on how ho to make your first impression at a retail store interview a sty stylish and successful one. First, let mee make this clear: I am not saying to dress casually. It is stil st ti l an in still interview, and you want to be respectful by nott showing up in jeans and a T-shirt. If the store is popular for its casual wear, try finding a button-down or a pretty blouse. Pair either blouse with slim-fitted dress pants pant and closed-toe heels. It is probably best to stay aw away from jeans, as they are the symbol of casual dre dress. However, if the store is very popular for denim, it m may not hurt to wear dark wash or black skinny jea jeans with the nice top and heels or boots. W Wh en tthinking about what to wear, think about When what the store sells. Look at the website to get an idea of who they sell to and to find examples of how to piece together their garments. Also, try search searching on the Internet for advice from people who h have interviewed with the store you are goin for. There are plenty of websites where going insi insiders will tell you what type of style a store lo is looking for in potential new workers. It also hel to go into the store and see how the curhelps rent employees dress. At many retail stores, worke have to wear garments from the store. the workers S eing how they style their own clothes will give you an Se Seeing idea of what the store is looking for. hel It may be helpful if you actually wear a garment from that company, bu but do not go overboard and wear one brand head-to-toe You want to show the employer what you from head-to-toe. can bring to the company; so showing that you can incorporate a store’s g garments into your personal style can be beneficial. Whether you a are making a career out of fashion or you are just looking for a part-time job at American Eagle, Submitted how you dress fo for the interview can help or hinder you. Working in retail Find a way to be professional, but go further than a basic requires modeling black suit. Think a about the type of style the store promotes, the company’s style. and let that be yo your inspiration to your look. Now go rock that interview.
With tuition costs rising every year, it is no surprise the percentage of students attending school part-time is rising as well. At The University of Alabama, 15 percent of the 2013 student population was part-time. In 2011, it was just 11 percent. USA Today published an article in December stating part-time students are less likely to graduate within six years, according to a a study from the National Student Clearinghouse. Balancing a heavy workload of classes can be hard for any student, but working a full, or even part-time, job can make it even more difficult. Wendy McMillan, director of advising in the College of Arts and Sciences, said when she advises students she takes into account what they are doing outside of school, whether that’s caring for a family, working a full-time job or other responsibilities. “We want to talk about how to balance those responsibilities and what classes they should take during each semester,” she said. “Taking two biologies in one semester can be very different than taking one plus a less demanding class.” Advising varies from student to student, but McMillan said it is important to weigh a student’s strengths and weaknesses when looking at what classes to schedule. For some students, finding that balance can be very difficult. Nick Rumore, a senior majoring in business management, said he never really found the balance he was looking for. Rumore was a part-time student for most of his college career, but recently had to quit his job so he could focus on school to be able to graduate next December. “I pretty much had to choose,” Rumore said. “My first semester at UA I bit off more than I could take, and I had to drop two classes so I could continue to work and do school.” Rumore was trying to work 25 hours a week at Chick-fil-A while taking 16 hours at The University of Alabama. But Rumore is not the only student who may have been a little unprepared for the college course load. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education reported 60 percent of first-year college students find they are not ready for postsecondary studies. Lena Dice, a part-time student at Shelton State Community College, said taking time
off was really beneficial for her. During her first year at The University, of Alabama she found it really hard to balance her work and classes, especially when tuition was so expensive. “When I first started college, I was fulltime, but I don’t think I was completely ready for that,” Dice said. “Some people are, but I wasn’t.” Like Rumore, Dicesaid she found it hard to balance her school work and her job, especially with such long days. “It can be so exhausting,” she said. “I was teaching pre-school and going part-time.” Dice ended up taking two years off from school to work and save money while also trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Rumore could attest to the long, exhausting days. He has noticed a huge difference this semester not having to work and being able to focus on his classes. “Instead of working for eight hours and then going to class for another couple of hours, I am able to just go to my classes,” he said. Time off from school, though it may push graduation back even further, can be helpful too. Dice said she didn’t expect to be out of school for two years, but that it was a really good time for her and it has made her appreciate being back in a couple of classes now. “It made me want my education more,” she said. “Taking some time to grow and mature made me appreciate it all so much more now.” Sometimes part-time students can feel disconnected from campus, and McMillan said she would encourage any student to come in and talk with an advisor about classes. “I do think it is important for students to make a connection with their advisor,” she said. “Typically they may not have the opportunity that a full-time student may have, but an advisor or faculty member can be a tremendous part of connecting to campus.” McMillan said she definitely encourages students to get a degree whether they are able to go full-time or not. “I think going to school part-time is difficult, but I think it is just as valuable,” she said. “Regardless of how you accomplish what you are working toward, being that persistent shows a lot of strength and perseverance.”
p.7
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Student finds fame in filmmaking TCF senior’s film screened at Cannes festival By Elayne Smith | Contributing Writer Walking down the streets of France, Alex Beatty found himself in the same bustle as an Alabama football game day as the small city was crammed with people. Yet the chatter was not about rivalries or predicting which team would take home the victory. Beatty, a senior majoring in telecommunicaton and film, had found himself in France for the Cannes Film Festival for the second year in a row. “Being there for two and a half weeks was a great learning experience that inspired me to continue and want to do bigger projects,” Beatty said. The Cannes festival is an acclaimed film festival that places blockbuster directors, amateur filmmakers and aspiring beginners elbow to elbow. Beatty’s film, “Rise,” was selected last year for the festival. While there, he went to workshops, saw early screenings of films and networked. “It was a once in a lifetime experience I never thought I’d have again,” Beatty said. After trying out broadcasting, Beatty got into filmmaking. He started his own film production company in tenth grade to give his name an association as he did films for schools, weddings and churches. Over the past years, Beatty has submitted to various competitions and received numerous awards in different categories. “We all have high expectations, and I like to challenge myself,” Beatty said. “Competitions are nice because they have a deadline and it gets people motivated.” With index cards always on hand, Beatty jots down ideas as they pop up. His films don’t come from one source of inspiration, but instead draw upon a collaboration of different ideas scribbled on notecards. For his current film, “Glimpse,” Beatty spent three days in his room writing things that came to mind and watching videos that explored similar ideas until he mapped out how he wanted his story to develop. “I like to do a lot of different categories of film,” Beatty said. “There’s nothing in particular that inspires me. I like reading stories that are based on true events and finding one that hasn’t yet been told on film then try and make it relatable to people.” Beatty was the director of photography for “Zom Com,” a student and faculty production at the University. The project was Beatty’s biggest, as they shot for 12 days straight all over Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Adam Schwartz, an assistant professor of media production, worked with him and said Beatty acted as
ssional. a professional. “Alex has a very strong drive and motivation eed, something that cannot be taught,” to succeed, z said. “His passion and energy is Scwartz ous and makes you want to do the contagious at you can.” best that y has experience in Beatty almost all positions on a film e said this gives him crew. He er perspective as a a better r, as he can work director, better with his crew and hers when they need help others tty said he makes it. Beatty sure things are done ir best. He has to their with ex p e r i e n c e special effects, but if he cannot do it rightt or find ne who someone can do it right, Beatty o it. won’t do ry to “I try keep it as real rofesand professional as possible,” Beatty said. “I try and do what I can do to help further the story and e away from it.” not take y said trying Beatty nce all of his to balance ts projects and his work can be schoolwork ging. He knows challenging. chers well and his teachers works with them if he has a film due. A lot es it means late of times nights and filming on ds, but in the end weekends, kes es k n wing no he said he lik likes knowing ing everything he he’s doing can to be ahead of the game and his class. y said he does not know where Beatty oing with his career, but he he’s going orward to future projects. He looks forward ted other students get suggested nce and get involved with their experience s. passions. CW | TK Scott e a chance while in “Take Alex Beatty’s films college because now is the time to have won awards in ment,” Beatty said. “Get as much experiment,” numerous categories. nce as you can.” experience
COLUMN | FOOD
Communal dining experiences developing in restaurants, online By Tara Massouleh Growing up, my dad, like so many dads before, always made a big deal about eating dinner with the whole family. With only four of us in our immediate family, if one person was missing from a meal, their absence was noticeable and the irritation on my dad’s face was even more noticeable. The concept of meals bringing people together is one that is certainly hard to argue against. In nearly every country, cooking a meal and sharing it with others is a major part of the area’s culture. When people want to celebrate an achievement, they throw a dinner party. When a family is going through a hard time, friends bring them dinner. And let’s not forget that one of America’s favorite holidays is centered solely around eating a huge meal with friends and family. Outside of sharing meals with those we know, a new trend in dining has recently surfaced that encourages sharing meals with those we don’t know. The idea is simple – one host, one meal and multiple random diners come together to mingle, discuss, eat and hopefully forge new relationships. On websites such as Feastly and EatWith, participants can search for welcoming hosts based upon location and menu. Hosts post a short description of their home’s location as well as the types of dishes they will serve, and then those interested can make a reservation to be a guest in their home by paying a “suggested donation” price set by the host. The major goal of Feastly and EatWith is to encourage strangers coming from diverse backgrounds to come together over a meal to build community in a comfortable environment that incites discussion and human connectivity. And these opportunities are not just restricted to the big cities within the U.S. Hosts on EatWith live in more than 30 different countries from Japan to Peru. In addition to the services provided for those
seeking new company through meals, many restaurants have made a push to install communal tables that seat between eight to 15 people rather than the traditional four. Trendy restaurants all over the country have begun offering diners the option to eat at a private table or take a seat at a communal table with other diners. The first time I experienced the charm of the communal table, I went to Flip Burger Boutique in Birmingham shortly after it opened and found myself faced with the option of either waiting an hour and a half for a booth to open or sitting at the long white communal table that took up the length of the restaurant. I begrudgingly chose to sit at the communal table. At first I was intimidated. The restaurant was buzzing with conversation, and I found myself silently staring at the other diners cheerfully chattering with their neighbors as if they had known them their entire lives. However, as the evening went on I met three of my fellow communal table diners, who ranged in age from early 20s to late 50s, and soon I found myself discussing the pros and cons of eating spicy foods with them. Other restaurants such as Miss Mary BoBo’s in Lynchburg, Tenn., offer strictly communal dining by making it play into their interpretation of a Southern dining experience, where meals are served family style, meaning everyone seated at the table is treated like family. In fall 2012, The University of Alabama jumped on board with the founding of the Dinner with Strangers program that brings together students and prominent community members to engage in casual yet meaningful conversation through the universal act of sharing a meal. Sure, it may seem a little uncomfortable, or dare I say awkward, to sit down to a meal with a person you’ve never met, but in most cases the food acts as a buffer between you and your fellow diner, and ultimately you might find that you have more in common than just the food on your plates.
Food acts as a buffer between you and your fellow diner, and ultimately you might find that you have more in common than just the food on your plates.
p.8
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Crimson Tide to face Emory at home Saturday PLAN TO GO WHAT: Alabama vs. Emory WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m. WHERE: Alabama Aquatics Center
CW | Austin Bigoney The Alabama swimmers that have secured a spot in the SEC Championship will try different events in Saturday’s meet versus Emory. By Sean Landry | Staff Reporter With the SEC Swimming and Diving Championship growing ever nearer, Alabama coach Dennis Pursley has turned his attention firmly toward championships, with the Alabama swim team set to begin its final tuneups when they host Emory University this Saturday. “We’re starting to round the corner to the home stretch of the season,” Pursley said. “We’re
trying to continue to close the gap with areas of race skills – our turns, our starts, that kind of thing.” Saturday’s meet will offer a rare opportunity for many of Alabama’s individual athletes to compete in events they wouldn’t normally – a product of some swimmers’ early qualifications to the conference championship meet. “This is kind of a unique opportunity for us,” Pursley said. “We’ve got a number of swimmers
that, based on their performances up to this point, have secured a spot on the SEC Championship roster. For those swimmers, they will, in most cases, not be swimming their primary events. … They will be swimming other events that they’ll be competing in at the SEC Championships.” The SEC Championships, which will be hosted by the University of Georgia from Feb. 18-22, will be a distinct challenge for the Crimson Tide. With the meet spread out over several days, swimmers are asked to compete in more events than a normal dual meet, and many will be competing in races they are less experienced in. The meet against Emory will offer a chance to prepare for some of those complications, Pursley said. Some swimmers, however, will be using their final home meet of the season to try to qualify for the conference championships. “It will serve a different purpose for the swimmers on the bubble, still trying to earn a spot on the championship roster,” Pursley said. “They will again swim their best events and try to post a time that will secure a spot on the roster for
them. It will serve a different purpose for all the people on the team.” Heading into the last month of the season, Pursley said he wants to use the meet against Emory, and the following away meet against Georgia, to sustain some momentum heading to the SEC Championships. “As far as the team is concerned, we want to stay on track with where we were in our last competition against Kentucky and Arkansas, as far as team spirit and the energy they bring to the deck,” Pursley said. “We hope to see that equalled or even improved upon this weekend.” Beyond simple competitive importance, the Saturday meet will hold special significance for a group of Alabama swimmers. The final home meet of the season is traditionally designated as Senior Day, and Pursley said he will be looking to send the Crimson Tide’s seniors off with special memories. “They’ll fall into one of the two categories, so we won’t be doing anything different for them in that sense,” Pursley said. “I did try to get them all on a relay – their last opportunity to swim a relay in their home pool, in front of their home crowd, including some that don’t normally get to swim a relay. … I will talk to the seniors before the competition. I haven’t thought yet about what will be said, but it is a special day, and in some ways a little emotional. We just want to make sure it’s a positive one.”
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Women’s tennis team to host first home spring meet By Caroline Gazzara | Staff Reporter For the first home meet of the spring indoor season, the Alabama women’s tennis team will host William and Mary, Oklahoma and Ole Miss for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend. This will be the first time in recent years the Crimson Tide will face William and Mary and Oklahoma. Last weekend, Alabama took a ride up to Evanston, Ill., for the Northwestern Invitational. Coach Jenny Mainz said the three-day event helped prepare the team for the rest of the season. “[It was] a great learning tool for everyone, and I mean for the players and the coaches,” Mainz said. “It was a great evaluation of where we are and what we need to work on in pressure situations and under stress when we’re competing against someone in a different color uniform. We had the opportunity to play an invitational, so everybody got to participate, and that was a great start to the 2014 season.” Unfamiliar with two of its competitors, Mainz said the Crimson Tide is not fazed by the
House sees 10 to 60 guests at each show HAUS FROM PAGE 1
In its glory days, Baby Haus walked a thin line between breaking rules and breaking, well, everything else. Graffiti, public fornication and destruction of property were all commonplace in the venue’s early years. “Shows at Baby Haus aren’t just shows,” said Nicola Walls, a junior majoring in English and Allen’s friend. “There aren’t rules at Baby Haus, or at least, there weren’t rules. It really was a place where you could just do whatever you wanted, but the people there kept it from descending into absolute chaos.” From one show to the next, Baby Haus never stayed exactly the same. “The house was different every time,” Allen said. “Nothing was a bedroom; nothing was a living room. It was always changing. We had a lot of elaborate props, and the kids were just kind of nuts. And after they’d been shown that they didn’t have to respect formal rules of interaction in Baby Haus, they just kind of took to it, and it became the norm there.” Despite this lack of structure, Walls said Allen always managed to keep the crowd from getting too out of control. “There was a sense of professionalism at Baby Haus that I’ve never seen at another house venue,” Walls said. “It could be a scary place to the unwitting onlooker, but there was never any real danger there.” However, a world without rules can become pretty exhausting, so Allen eventually moved on. Not only did he physically move into another home, but he also changed the way Baby Haus operates. The anything-goes policy still exists ,but to a lesser extent. “It’s really hard to live like that,” Allen said. “People just
unknown. Instead, Mainz said she is only worried about her team. “If you talked to most coaches they would tell you this; most importantly it is what we control on our side with the tempo, mindset and the energy,” Mainz said. “In the end, we can’t control what William and Mary does. They are a very good team, they are very well coached. I have a lot of respect for their coaching and their program. I think the coach there has done a commendable job of really getting that program going, and they’re a really good team. So all four of us – Alabama, William and Mary, Oklahoma and Ole Miss – are very good teams. But at the end of the day, it’s what we bring.” Mainz said star player Maya Jansen excelled last weekend and was named the singles champion at the invitational. Jansen said she’s feeling good about this season but still wants to work more. “I’ve only had three [singles] matches, but I try to focus on being a good teammate and helping my teammates beside me play,” Jansen said.
absolutely destroy your house every time – it’s dirty, anything could happen at a party. These days it’s more of a venue rather than an art project. In those days, it was a social experiment. Now, it’s a thing that I can do and still stay sane.” “Since Baby Haus is kind of, these days, for me, I think about what bands I wanna see, and I book them,” Allen said. “Often Baby Haus involves booking a lot of bands that otherwise people might really dislike … But really just bands that I love and want to see live.” These days, Baby Haus shows attract anywhere from 10 to 60 people, and Allen said he’s expecting as many as 80 to show up for Saturday night’s show. The exciting, unpredictable nature of Baby Haus attendees, and of house shows in general, attracts many different musicians, he said. Baby Haus used to host as many as three shows per week, but now that number is closer to once a month. Allen said Baby Haus has brought different acts to Tuscaloosa that might not have come here otherwise. Some such artists include noise musicians, who work specifically with sound composition by blending the categories of noise and music. “If you’re talking about noise musicians, which is really where a lot of new things are happening these days, that almost only exists in house venues and DIY venues,” Allen said. “You’ll never go to a bar and see a noise act. So in some ways, house venues are the only outlet for a lot of very new kinds of music.” Chris Seifert, a member of the band Dead Balloons, played his first Baby Haus show in 2010, and the band has been performing there sporadically ever since. “Everytime we play at the Baby Haus, something different is going to happen,” Seifert said. “Somebody might flip off of our drummer’s kick drum. Somebody might climb on the
roof. Somebody might just be asleep on the floor, and the band is right in the middle of it. There is no divide besides the drummer’s drums and the singer’s microphone stand.” Seifert said although Baby Haus has evolved, it still has the same fundamental goal. “The house is larger, the floor isn’t caving in, and things are a little less crazy,” Seifert said. “There’s less graffiti. But it’s still the same venue. It still has the same purpose – to promote live music.” Baby Haus shows aren’t as destructive as they used to be, and Allen said he’s developed a system to minimize damage even further. “I’ve got it down to a science by this point,” Allen said. “I take the blades off the fan before the show so they don’t get snapped, anything broken gets cleaned out, [I] put down some crappy carpets on top of the real carpets so they don’t get smothered in beer. I’ve got it pretty well handled. But people are usually pretty respectful.” Baby Haus has always been all-ages, and Allen has never charged a cover charge, so no one would ever be excluded from attending the shows. “I’ve lived in mostly small towns my whole life,” Allen said. “When you’re underage, there’s just nothing to do. All the shows are at bars, and you can’t get in, so you wind up hanging out in parking lots just wasting time. So it’s really important for me and for a lot of musicians to give people something to do.” Allen said Baby Haus will hold its last show in May, but he expects house shows to continue to be a part of Tuscaloosa’s music scene. “If you’re disappointed in the town you live in, it’s entirely within your responsibility and ability to change it,” Allen said. “If you feel like a scene is missing, it’s up to you to create one.” Baby Haus will hold its fourth birthday party Saturday, at 9 p.m.
PLAN TO GO WHAT: Women’s tennis tournament WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. WHERE: Roberta Alison Baumgardner Indoor Tennis Facility “I don’t think about winning or losing when I’m playing, obviously. But I’ve just got to keep doing what I have been doing, and the results will take care of themselves.” Like Mainz, Jansen said this weekend will be a good test for Alabama. “I think if we stick to what we’ve been doing and what we’ve been successful with, we should be okay, we should be able to play our games and have the best chance that way,” Jansen said. “We don’t really focus on them. We probably will have some strategy, but we just have to focus on what we do best with us.”
UA Athletics Maya Jansen said the home tournament this weekend will be a good test for the Alabama women’s tennis team.
Everything You Want, Exactly Where You Want It. ANNOUNCING RIVERFRONT VILLAGE. Located in Tuscaloosa’s New Downtown Entertainment District.
Take a tour today and find out how to save $250! Amenities List: X Individual leases X Fully furnished with modern furniture package
NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2014
X 42” HD TV in living room X Cable & high speed internet included X Amazing VIP units with stunning river views X Walking distance to downtown Tuscaloosa
205.727.8400
RiverfrontVillage.com
Facebook/Riverfront Village
X Next door to UA campus X Over 30,000 sf of shops, food & entertainment at your door step X Pick-up/drop-off location for the Crimson Ride & Tuscaloosa Trolley
@RiverfrontLife Instagram: RiverfrontVillage
L e a s i n g O f f i c e X 2 107 U n i ve r s i t y B o u l e v a r d X N e x t t o M o e’ s B B Q
p.9
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Education integral to prison systems PRISON FROM PAGE 1
Education is a part of the prison system on many levels. Both Stevens and Kruse teach classes where students who never completed elementary school sit next to students with master’s degrees. “That’s the thing about prison,� Kruse said. “It’s the entire range of experiences.� Stevens said flaws in the K-12 system let students fall through the cracks. What waits for them on the other side can be incarceration. Once in the prison system, though, education can be a powerful part of
the rehabilitation process. “Education impacts the system. The more education someone has while they’re incarcerated, the less likely they are to come back,â€? she said. “To me, it’s a common sense thing here. ‌ Why not invest in helping them do something different with their life?â€? As a result, Stevens said, APAEP offers as many classes as it can fund in topics from women’s studies to engineering. “Our classes teach problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills,â€? she said. “And that’s what individuals need for employment.â€? Kruse, who is in his second semester with the program,
said rehabilitation is not an explicit goal of his literature class, but can be a result. “When you read fiction or poetry, you’re reading the world from someone else’s perspective. I think literature helps improve your sense of empathy,� he said. “I think that kind of understanding is part of their rehabilitative process.� His time with APAEP has driven Kruse to consider prison education as a career path. As a result, he has created a film series sponsored by APAEP and the University’s department of gender and race studies. The series will show monthly documentaries about prisons, two of which are about prison education. Students who will be seeing the film,
Kruse said, are not only taxpayers who fund the system, but also leaders-in-training who can affect it. “The vast majority of people in the U.S. don’t have to think about prisons,� he said. “I think educating people who are future leaders about prison is really important.� According to Kruse, the films chosen provide balanced viewpoints on the challenges of prison systems, debating not so much the existence of prisons as their development. “All the films that we’re showing walk that line,� he said. “The films all are nuanced.� The first film shown will be “Concrete, Steel, & Paint� – a documentary about a mural
MARKETPLACE HOUSING 2 Nice Lofts Downtown: 2 bedroom, 1 bath Available: August $950/$1150 (205)752-9020-or-(205)657-3900
ANNOUNCEMENTS Part-time Maintenance Grass cutting, light painting and clean up. $8/ hour. 205-657-3900 / 205-752-9020. NEED HELP STUDYING? CoolFlashcards.com free online flashcard maker. It allows you to study any topic, any time, online. Create as many card decks and cards as you need to study the topics important to you.
in a Pennsylvania state prison created by men in the prison alongside victims of crime. It will be shown in Smith Hall 205 Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.,
accompanied by snacks and discussion moderated by Stevens, Trudier Harris, a UA English and Joshua Rothman, a UA history professor
RATES
$1.25 for the first 5 words, $0.25 for every additional word A border around your ad is an additional $0.50 per ad
IN THE
How to place a classified: For classified line ads visit www.cw.ua.edu and click on the classifieds tab. For classified display ads call (205) 348-7355 or email cwclassmgr@gmail.com for a free consultation. The Crimson White is published four days a week (M, T, W, TH). Each classified line ad must run for a minimum of four days and include no less than 16 words.
Submitted Participants in the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project create artwork at a federal prison in Talladega, Ala.
DISCOUNTS:
5% off for 4 issues - 10% off for 8 issues - 15% off for 16 issues
DEADLINES: Classified line ad deadline is the previous business day by 4:00 p.m.
JOBS Office Maintenance-Runner Law office needs a part-time maintenance person to paint, clean office, cut grass, rake yark, run errands, serve legal documents and other miscellaneous duties. Good references required. Starting pay is $9.00 hr. 15-20 hrs per week. Send Resume to legal_sec7@ yahoo.com Email cjones@jonesandmoses.com Programming Assignment? Hire us to help/do it. www.hmjava.com
Sudoku
“When other jewelers say no, Tom says yes�
Tom’s Jewelry Repair Like on Facebook & get a free cleaning! Jewelry Sales
2300 McFarland Blvd East (205) 758-2213
HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (01/22/14). Maximum personal and financial success this year comes from infusing passion at work and at home. Consider what you enjoy and love. Balance freedom and commitment, especially with young people. Around the June 10 eclipse, a new romantic door opens. Your health grows stronger with care. Act to realize a dream. Follow your heart and spirit. Inspire others. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Don’t start more work yet, or take romantic risks. Victory is uncertain at best. Revise the plan. You’re attracting attention. Passion lies around the corner. Check orders for changes. Only fools rush in. Collect more opinions. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Keep your objective in mind. Emotions guide your decisions. Work with a dream image for a flash of insight. You’re the one with good sense. Others agree. Relish the moment. Reward yourself with simple home-cooked pleasures. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Bring your partner along. Steer your companion away from an over-priced purchase. Listen carefully. Don’t be intimidated. You get unusual results. If serenity gets disrupted, take time out. Relax with fun and games at home. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Insight comes gradually. Put in a correction. After a disagreement about household matters, get the new agreement in writing; it doesn’t require frills. Test your routines and make adjustments as necessary. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Increase your savings initiative. Small steps add up. Consider the future, and set inspiring goals. Don’t try a new trick yet, or make foolish promises. You don’t have to be the big spender. Enjoy peace and quiet. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Stand up for what’s right.
You can afford to be generous. Take on a new creative challenge. Invest in your home. Do all the factors balance? Don’t be hasty. Consider all options. Plug a hole. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Keep costs low, as you may need to put in more time than budgeted. Coordinate schedules and tasks with the team. Repair something neglected. Watch out for surprises. Move slowly to avoid accidents. Slouch on the couch. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Sudden insight impacts creative activities. A proposition could get expensive. It’s an awkward time for travel, risks or negotiations. Save that visit to a romantic destination for later. Others vie for your attention. Don’t flash your money. Priorities present themselves. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Take on more responsibility. Change your environment and wardrobe to reflect the new you. A rude awakening could occur when complications arise. Playing fair is better. A party ensues after you work things out. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Jump-start an event. Travel looks adventuresome today and tomorrow, but the possibility of error is high. Share secrets behind closed doors. Consider the consequences. Anticipate disagreement, and have backup options. Take regular small actions. Your status rises. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Today is a 7 -- Don’t over-extend, or throw your money around. Provide compassion and listening more than funding. Don’t try out a new idea yet. Take time to care for yourself; others can handle themselves. Focus on abundance. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Watch out for conflicting orders. Work interferes with travel plans. Stay skeptical of a hard-sell. Adjustments are required. Think fast and solve the problem. Let the chips fall where they may. Take the high road (home to rest).
Public Intoxication? Minor in Possession? Driving Under Influence?
Leasing NOW & Fall!
Randal S. Ford, Esq. (205) 759-3232 www.tuscaloosacourt.com
“No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.�
1HZN¡V H[SUHVV &DIH %UXPILHOG¡V 5HVWDXUDQW DUH QRZ KLULQJ FDVKLHUV VHUYHUV EDUWHQGHUV OLQH FRRNV &RPSHWLWLYH ZDJHV HPSOR\HH PHDO GLVFRXQWV &DOO WR VHW XS DQ LQWHUYLHZ
1HZN¡V %UXPILHOG¡V
1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms
Minutes from Campus & Malls
*Monitored Security System
*Gas Logs/Fireplaces *Tanning Beds
PER M U B R to CARE E P BUM TAL CAR TO
Fitness Center; 2 Resor t Pools
205-556-8411
Onsite Management
TIDE DISCOUNTS 12% OFF
3201 Hargrove Road East
205-554-1977 palisadesapthomes.com
up to $100 Mention Crimson White when you drop off car. Other terms apply.
3017 McFarland Blvd
p.10 Marc Torrence | Editor sports@cw.ua.edu
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
MEN’S TENNIS
Crimson Tide to compete in ITA Kick-Off By Leila Beem | Contributing Writer Alabama tennis player Andrew Goodwin said the Crimson Tide always goes out to compete with energy, and the team seeks to continue its winning streak on the road in Southern California this weekend. “No matter what the situation, we’re always pumped up,” Goodwin said. “Our energy is always very high, which is great to see.” The Crimson Tide will make the trip to Malibu, Calif., to play in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, an event governed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association that will give Alabama the chance to move on to national indoor championships. Sixty universities at 15 different sites around the country will compete in four-team tournaments as a part of the event. Alabama will face the University of California first, then will either play San Diego University or Pepperdine University. If the Crimson Tide wins both matches, it will move on to the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Houston, Texas, in February. Following last week’s sweep in a triple-header over UAB, Alabama A&M and Troy,
We’ve just been brushing up on the little things. Staying in shape is probably the biggest thing for us right now. — Nikko Madregallejo
ub bles in which the team won six of its seven doubles se e its matches, the Crimson Tide is looking to use momentum to play well this coming weekend. o the Coach George Husack, who led the team to p NCAA Tournament during his first year in the posieam tion last season, said with the limited time the te team w has, starting the season strong was a positive way to begin getting ready for the spring. “We don’t have a lot of time to prepare forr this s I weekend, which is an important weekend, so id d. “I think we did as best as we could,” Husack said. e. S So, wanted to make it as challenging as possible.
having three matches iin n a da ay mi m ig gh ht h ha ave ve day might have been perceived as a little little le bit bitt crazy, cra azy zy, but zy, bu b ut I thought it was good, good d, an nd iitt wo w ork rked ed o utt and worked out really well.” After a strenuous fall fall season sea ea e aso son on filled filled fi lled ll ed with wit ith ith training, the Crimson Tid de h ass e nter nter nt ere ed iits ed ts ts Tide has entered challenging spring season se easo on – a dual-match du ual al-m -m ma attch ch season involving both h sin ngles an ngle a nd do dou uble ub les singles and doubles play against teams acr rosss th he n na attiio on n. across the nation. The team received a 2014 14 IITA TA n atiio at ional nal na national preseason ranking of N o. 333, 3, a 3, nd d ttwo wo w oo No. and off the members are rank ked iindividually, nd n divid di dua ally, lly, ll y ranked with Daniil Proskura at N No o. 14 1 a nd n d No. and Becker O’Shaughnesey y att N No o 51 o. 1. No. 51. Nikko Madregallejo o, a fres shm man n Madregallejo, freshman on the team, said the ath hlettes a re e athletes are working on their fundamentals fun ndam men ntalls to o make sure that they can can compete com mpe ete to to their utmost this seaso on. season. “Honestly, I’ve just been bee en trying tryiing to to play my best tennis,” Ma adrega allejo Madregallejo said. “We’ve just bee en bru ushiing been brushing up on the little things s. Staying Stay ying in things. shape is probably the b igg gestt thi ing biggest thing ffor us right h now.””
CW | Lindsey Leonard The men’s tennis team will join 60 universities at 15 different sites around the country for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
COLUMN | FOOTBALL
SPORTSIN BRIEF
Richard Sherman rips ‘sorry’ Michael Crabtree
Softball team ranked No. 6
By Nick Sellers | Staff Reporter
The Alabama softball team is ranked No. 6 in the first USA Today/NFCA poll for the 2014 season released Tuesday. The SEC had eight total teams in the top 25, the most of any conference. Tennessee was voted No. 1, while Florida joined Alabama in the top 10 at No. 4.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is loud. Richard Sherman is proud. Most importantly, though, Richard Sherman doesn’t care what you may think of his postgame interview after his Seahawks beat their divisional rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, to clinch a spot in the Super Bowl. In a most candid interview, one that will likely rival Bart Scott’s “Can’t Wait” speech he delivered after his New York Jets defeated the New England Patriots in the 2011 playoffs, Sherman railed against “sorry” receiver Michael Crabtree, whom he had just gone up against and gotten the better of after Sherman tipped a pass intended for Crabtree in the end zone. The interview was fiery, and Fox producers elected to end the inter-
Green earns SEC honors Alabama freshman Jeremiah Green was named the SEC Field Athlete of the Week, the SEC announced Tuesday. In the first meet of his college career at the Auburn Invitational, Green set a facility record with a triple jump of 16.01 meters, a mark that is also fifth in Alabama history.
Ali and Sherman walked the walk, but is it necessary to talk the talk as well if the former is true also? view after two questions for fear that Sherman would slip a swear word in. The usual Twitter firestorm ensued, with many calling Sherman a “thug,” while others rushed to his defense. The truth is, Sherman is not a thug. He had many chances to be, as he grew up in Compton, Calif., a
hotbed for gang activity and other forms of unsavory violence. Instead, he played football at and graduated from Stanford, one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The rest is history, as he is now the “best corner in the league.” His words. Now, that statement is not untrue. Everyone knows he is the best cornerback in the National Football League – partly because it is true, but mainly because he never fails to remind us all every time he has an audience. Of course, there is nothing wrong with speaking the truth. Muhammad Ali was famous for telling everyone he was the best. Some liked it. Others hated it. Ali and Sherman walked the walk, but is it necessary to talk the talk as well if the former is true also? After the game, reports surfaced
that Crabtree attempted to fight Sherman at a charity event before the 2013 season. Whether or not that is true, months have passed since the alleged incident, and the embers should have died down by now. Sherman also clarified that Crabtree talked trash on the field Sunday. Uttering trash talk on an NFL field? It can’t be so. Except it is, and Sherman knows that better than anyone. Trash talk should stay on the field where it belongs. Ripping a “sorry” receiver when he’s not there to defend himself goes a little too far. In totality, Sherman is a likable person. He’s fun to watch, both on and off the field. His charitable acts are both numerous and documented. Call it getting carried away, but I would have liked to see a bit more restraint after Sunday’s game.