TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2014 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 81 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894
SPORTS | GYMNASTICS
The pressure is on Crimson Tide gymnastics team sees record attendance numbers 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 average student attendance from first two meets average yearly student attendance
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By Marc Torrence | Sports Editor Braxton Burke showed up to Coleman Coliseum at 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 15 for a gymnastics meet that started at 7:30 p.m. Two weeks later, he walked up at 4:30 p.m., because he knew seats would be in high demand, and he wanted to make sure he had a good spot. Burke is part of a raucous student crowd that has shown up in droves this season to support the Alabama gymnastics team. “It’s another championship tradition we have here,” Burke, a junior majoring in biology, said. “And it’s the one thing that fills up Coleman. Men’s basketball can’t, but gymnastics can.” Alabama students have swarmed to gymnastics meets this season in massive numbers. According to data provided by the University, 4,885 students attended the first two gymnastics meets this season, the highest two-meet total since the 2010 season. Both meets have also overflowed the 1,800-seat designated student section. The Crimson Tide’s home opener against Missouri drew 2,705 students, the most for a single meet since the 2010 home opener against Georgia. No. 7 Alabama will face the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum. “It’s awesome, because no other college in the nation, especially college gymnastics, has that support like we do,” senior gymnast Sarah DeMeo said. “That’s one reason why I came here, just thinking that we can fill the whole coliseum. Especially with the students, those are your classmates and professors that you interact with each week. It’s really cool.” If Alabama’s current season average of 2,443.5 fans per meet continues, it would be the highest by nearly 800 over the last five seasons. But that’s unlikely to continue. The first two meets of the season are typically the most attended, as classes, jobs and other obligations ramp into high gear for students later in the spring semester. Still, 1,273 students need to attend each meet to surpass the 2010 season’s average of nearly 1,663 students per meet. “Our students and just all our fans are so awesome,” freshman Aja Sims said. “They help us. Their energy brings so much to the team. It just helps us really be more confident in ourselves. All that support is just great to have.”
CW | Lindsey Leonard, Graphic by Belle Newby This season’s first two meets drew crowds that overflowed the 1.800-seat designated student section.
SEE GYMNASTICS PAGE 9
CUTLURE | CRITICAL LANGUAGES
TODAYON CAMPUS Community health WHAT: Strive for Five WHEN: 7:30 a.m. WHERE: Strive for Five Conference Room
Alabama cuts back critical languages CLC terminates upper-level Arabic option, among others By Phoebe Rees | Contributing Writer
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Campus meeting
WHAT: Honors Weekly Coffee Hour WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Ridgecrest South Lobby
By Josh Mullins | Contributing Writer In 2013, the America’s Health Ratings report showed 13.9 percent of Alabamians did not have insurance through their employer or through the government. A new student organization, Bama Covered, now strives to reduce this percentage by educating the public about available health care options. “[Bama Covered is] a non-partisan, student-powered organization working to make sure every Alabamian is informed about their health care options,” Josh Carpenter,
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president of Bama Covered, said. “The bottom line is that people do not know their options.” Bama Covered’s goals include dispelling myths, training students and going into communities to explain the facts about health
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care eligibility. The organization is intended to be an objective source of information about health care. “The uninsured people, they’re people we interact with everyday, so all too often we put a number on it. We do that, and we just walk away, but it’s people we know, we love, people we worship with and people we go to school with,” Carpenter said. Bama Covered strives to be objective on the politically divisive issue of health care in the United States. Marlan Golden, a senior majoring in history and Spanish and a student captain for Bama Covered and, said the organization seeks to educate people on
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NEWS | HEALTH CARE
WEATHER
WHAT: Capstone Alliance General Assembly Meeting WHEN: 5 p.m. WHERE: 123 Lloyd Hall
CW | Austin Bigoney The University of Alabama ended its upper-division Arabic program this semester.
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WHAT: International Spouse Group WHEN: 9:30 a.m. WHERE: 105 B.B. Comer Hall
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Since Sept. 11, 2001, schools and universities across the nation have placed greater emphasis on their critical languages programs. Students are deciding to learn languages that are radically different from English, in grammar, speech and cultural heritage. Yet, counter to the trending need for Arabic speakers and knowledge of the Middle Eastern culture, The University of Alabama terminated its upper-level Arabic program this semester. The National Security Education Program defines critical languages as nonWestern-European languages critical to U.S. national security. “We call them critical because they’re important to learn,” said Koji Arizumi,
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Tuesday February 4, 2014
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SGA tables anti-smoking bill A resolution proposing a smoking ban on The University of Alabama’s campus recently failed to gain traction in the Student Government Association Senate, said Leela Foley, director of media relations for the SGA. It was given a first reading before being sent to two different committees, both of which tabled it. The resolution, which was authored by Zachary McMillian and sponsored by Jonathan Thompson, can still be discharged from committee if the senate body votes to do so. A similar resolution, which was also authored by McMillian and sponsored by Thompson, was debated in the senate last year and failed to pass. Speaker of the Senate Cole Adams said individual experiences of and opinions on smoking have influenced the debate in the past. “I think it is hard to gauge the feelings of the SGA as a whole because this issue is personal to so many people,” Adams said. “I think last year that came out on the floor. People who regularly smoke were opposed to the resolution, obviously, but some who didn’t smoke were opposed because they felt it violated a personal right. The camp that supported the resolution were non-smokers.” The SGA does not have the power to unilaterally ban smoking on campus, Adams said. Any change to the University’s current smoking policy would come from the administration. “These policies, as far as I know, seeing as how they are in the Student Handbook, governed by the division of Student Affairs, are set by the UA administration,” Adams said. “Therefore, any such policy would have to be implemented by them.” The University’s current smoking policy forbids smoking in all campus buildings. Smoking is also not allowed within 30 feet of the entrance to a building.
SCENEON CAMPUS
CW | Austin Bigoney Women of Delta Gamma sell “Flower Grams” at the Ferguson Center to benefit Service for Sight.
FBI taking internship applications The deadline to apply for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2014 Honors Internship Program is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The internship will give interested students a chance to work alongside special agents, intelligence analysts and other professional staff. The program lasts for 10 weeks in the summer, and after completion, interns will have opportunities to work at other FBI offices throughout the year. To qualify, applicants must be full-time students and United States citizens. For more information, or to apply, go online at fbijobs. gov.
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WEDNESDAY
LUNCH
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Grilled/Crispy Chicken Tenders Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich Meatball Stromboli Grilled Zucchini and Squash Baked Sweet Potatoes
Grillades and Grits Meatball Stromboli with Marinara Roasted Garlic Potatoes Corn on the Cob Peas and Pearl Onions
FRESH FOOD LUNCH
Steak Rueben Panini Green Beans and Carrots Italian Green Beans Vegetable Curry with Jasmine Rice
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IN THENEWS Veterans Affairs works, struggles to eliminate backlog of disability claims
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 © 2013 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.
From MCT Campus Despite a significant decrease in the backlog of veteran disability claims last year, a report released by an advocacy group said that without a better strategy, the Department of Veterans Affairs may struggle to keep up with future claims. The report from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released Monday warned that even as recent initiatives helped the VA cut its backlog by 37 percent from March to December 2013, the department’s claims process lacks both the accountability and the transparency necessary for the coming decades. “We still have a new generation of veterans coming home now, so we don’t want to see this issue fade away, regardless of whether we reach backlog zero,” Jacqueline Maffucci, the group’s research director and author of the report, said. “There is still plenty of work to be done after the VA reaches
There is this huge hole, in terms of transparency and data, within the VA. — Tom Tarantino
that goal.” The VA has a goal of eliminating the backlog of disability claims pending for more than 125 days by 2015; the backlog has hovered at about 400,000 since November. However, the deadline to end the backlog has resulted in pressure on disability claims processing, where the emphasis is more on the quantity of claims processed rather than on their accuracy, the report said. Mistakes in the claims process also lead to an increase in appeals, which take an average of four years to reach a final decision,
according to the report. In December 2013, more than 265,000 appeals were awaiting a decision. To ensure the majority of claims are processed both quickly and correctly, the report recommended the standardization of VA claims forms to speed up processing, as well as the creation of an electronic health record system that can be operated by both the VA and the Department of Defense. In a statement, the VA said it was working hard on addressing the issues raised in the report. The VA said it was “executing an aggressive plan to fix this decades-old problem and end the backlog in 2015.” It said many of the recommendations in the report are already being addressed. The report cited a lack of transparency and internal evaluation as the main problems with the disability claims process. While a number of new initiatives were launched last year with the goal of decreasing the backlog, the VA has not established a
way to track which initiatives are most successful and project what will be needed in the future, according to officials of the advocacy group. “There is this huge hole, in terms of transparency and data, within the VA,” Tom Tarantino, the group’s chief policy officer, said. Chris Young, a 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran who attended the news conference releasing the report, said he has been waiting four months for his medical records to be retrieved so his disability claim could be processed. “With the claims, there’s just not a lot of information out there,” Young said. “Most veterans don’t really know what to do or who to trust.” And with a growing population of veterans returning with complex injuries, a system that allows the VA to adapt to veterans’ needs will become even more important, the report said. “Then, not only is the backlog zero, but the word ‘backlog’ is not even part of your lexicon,” Tarantino said.
p.3 Mark Hammontree | Editor newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
CW | Austin Bigoney After returning from service, many veterans face a competiitive job field. Higher education increases opportunities for veterans and maximizes use of their skills learned in service.
UA designated a military-friendly university By Samuel Yang | Staff Reporter Hard-working, driven, team players – phrases like these are often used to describe ideal applicants and employees, and they are qualities that Kelly Fodel, editor of Military Advanced Education magazine, said military veterans usually develop during their service. “Unfortunately, despite their service to our country and their many skills, unemployment is a huge concern for veterans,” Fodel said. “Education levels the playing field and helps veterans compete for quality jobs.” To help veterans make informed decisions about their higher education opportunities, Military Advanced Education magazine makes a Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities. In the newest guide, available on their website, The University of Alabama is designated as a top school. “This year, institutes were evaluated on their military culture, financial aid for veterans, flexibility, on-campus support and online support services,” Fodel said. “Schools that passed a certain points threshold were designated as our top schools and receive MAE’s Military-Friendly logo to use in promotional materials. However, we don’t rank schools in the guide … Rather, we gather the information, organize it and present it so that the student can make an informed decision.” Alex Karagas, assistant director of Military and Veteran Affairs, said the University’s programs are designed to reach out to
We want to contribute more than just our GI Bill dollars to this university. — David Scott everyone affected by the military, regardless of whether they are receiving or using money through the GI Bill. “David Blair, who is our director, set the tone when he came in 2011 that we were going to be all-encompassing,” Karagas said. “That really set us apart when it came to our programming and services.” As a result, services include not only traditional programming, but also reflect aspects of Karagas’ background in student involvement and leadership. She credits the Campus Veterans Association for creating what she calls a hybrid office. “We really had to rethink the wheel when it comes to that aspect of it, but it’s really been very beneficial for us,” she said. The UA Office of Veteran and Military Affairs opened in Fall 2012 after a strong push by the Campus Veterans Association and continued backing from the administration,
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including then-Provost Judy Bonner, whom Karagas called their biggest champion. All students can be involved in programs like Caring for Camo, which sends letters and gift baskets to actively serving UA students, and Operation Military Kids, which draws attention to military dependents. The office itself offers services from career counseling to financial aid and Veterans Week, which involved 13 programs. “We really say, ‘From application to graduation,’” Karagas said. “We call ourselves the one-stop shop.” David Scott, a member of the National Guard and former combat veteran, is working on his Ph.D. He called the University’s infrastructure for military students “outstanding.” The resources and facilities they provide, as well as the arrival of VITAL (Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership), he said, will help the University continue to improve its status as a militaryfriendly school. “I think all of these things make The University of Alabama well-positioned in the future and well-deserving of the award,” Scott said. The next challenge, he said, falls on the student body to unite. “There is sort of a separation where I don’t think they come to the veteran’s center and understand that’s part of the interface that we as combat veterans have with them,” Scott said. “I call not on the UA administration, but on the general student population
to try and make the connection between students and dependent students.” Whether students are former combat veterans who might have a unique skill set useful to a student organization or military dependents who have developed resilience and stress management techniques, a connection between the populations would be beneficial, Scott said. “Those strengthening skills, those resiliency skills, we can impart some of them to the general student population. But there’s never a movement to tap them as a resource. There’s never an attempt to make the connection. There’s a whole series of skills that are being more or less missed,” he said. “This doesn’t require a new program on behalf of the University … this requires greater coordination and greater awareness.” It could be as simple, he said, as inviting veterans to join a co-rec team or checking to see if a veteran might be a licensed option for driving an organization’s bus. Beyond that, Scott said, veterans have knowledge that is useful not just in combat, but here in Tuscaloosa as well. “Co-rec sports teams, basic leadership skills, group dynamics, diversity, physical fitness, global knowledge, geography, cultural awareness – these are things that combat veterans have a unique perspective of,” he said. “We want to contribute more than just our GI Bill dollars to this university. We want to contribute to the life and academic vitality of the Capstone.”
NEWSIN BRIEF A-Team accepting applications to staff Camp 1831 The Office of First Year Experience is currently taking student applications for A-Team, who help staff Camp 1831. This group of student leaders supports incoming students during this three-day program. The A-Team leaders will provide camp participants with personal insight, advice and tips for having a fun and successful college experience at the Capstone and also facilitate activities that focus on several themes: adventure, leadership, service, and history and tradition. Applications and reference forms are due Feb. 7 by 2 p.m. For more information and to access the online application, visit fye.ua.edu/ateam or contact Mary Alice Porter at 348-8404.
Academic Affairs taking nominations for educator award The Office of Academic Affairs is currently taking nominations for the Capstone Inspiring Educator Award. The award is intended to recognize high school teachers who have inspired UA students to achieve their academic and career goals through outstanding teaching, mentoring and support. Graduating seniors are invited to nominate a teacher from their high school using the online submission form at inspiringteacher.ua.edu. Nominations are due March 5.
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p.4 John Brinkerhoff | Editor letters@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
COLUMN | SUPER BOWL
Viewers quick to judge Super Bowl ad as unpatriotic By Rich Robinson | Staff Columnist
percent, robberies fell 18.4 percent, rapes fell 16.3 percent, and the murder rate fell 32.2 percent. The same report found that Texans who had been issued CHLs were far less likely to commit a crime than the average citizen – a seemingly intuitive assertion given the background check and training process one must go through to receive a CHL. While no single policy can be pointed to as the cause of any significant drop in crime, the results have been similar in other states that passed concealed carry bills around the same time. Additionally, states that didn’t pass similar legislation did not experience crime reductions of the same magnitude during the same time period. The state of Alabama recognizes the safety benefits of concealed carry, being one of the first states to ever issue concealed carry permits. The Alabama legislature even passed a law in May 2013 expanding the rights of concealed carriers and making it harder for sheriffs to deny permits to qualified applicants. The University, however, continues to deny those rights to students. In a world where gun-free zones – including universities such as Virginia Tech – have made prime targets for mass shooters, it seems evident that the best way to protect against such incidents isn’t to tell people who don’t even care about laws protecting life that the law prevents them from carrying a firearm, but rather to empower the innocent people they threaten to protect themselves.
The Super Bowl is a wonderful and strange spectacle that blends the right mix of sporting flare and commercialized hyperbole. It is a truly American event because it is fun with an agenda. Laugh, eat, but please buy this, too. Sure we watch the game, but most tune in to see talking babies flack for a financial serRich Robinson vices firm in a quickly forgotten commercial or another boob slip. Those in the latter category were sorely disappointed as all they saw was a bunch of shirtless 50-year-old men jam with a shiny-jacketed Bruno Mars. Unfortunately, many fans took their opinions to social media after Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” ad was broadcast to the 100 million-plus people watching the game. The ad was simple enough: a diverse group of Americans singing “America the Beautiful” in eight different languages. One portion showed a man with a cowboy hat riding his white horse across a beautiful western expanse. It looked like a scene ripped out of one of those HD default channels that you watch for about five minutes in order to validate your purchase and shore up your already dwindling self-esteem. Just me? Oh, well another section displayed a family watching a movie — Rich Robinson at a theater – typical Americana. And yet another part of the advertisement showed a gay couple teaching their daughter how to ice skate. Whoa, hold up. I didn’t know gay people could ice skate; I just thought they spent their time plotting the downfall of traditional marriage and the family unit. People on Twitter seemed to agree, according to a Tumblr page titled “Public Shaming,” which collects dumb things people say on social media. According to that source, one Twitter user tweeted in a rush of patriotism, “I feel un-American for drinking Coke today. I took an oath to defend this country. How is a song to our nation sang in different languages?” Another wrote in all caps, (maybe because he does not know how to turn them off) “WAS THE COKE COMMERCIAL USED TO PROMOTE AMNESTY? SORRY BUT NOT ALL MEXICANS AND FOREIGNERS ARE PATRIOTIC AND NEITHER ARE SOME AMERICANS.” Yet another needed to make something clear after watching such an outrageous ad: “I’m not racist but, This is America! We speak English! #Coke.” Notice the use of the #Coke to truly mark the import of her declaration, like a modern-day Martin Luther nailing her ninety-five theses to the front door of a over-sized carbonated soft drink. I love the smell of xenophobia in the morning, don’t you? But really, though, these people argue that multiculturalism is poisoning the country. As the tired “Schoolhouse Rock” cliché goes: “America is a great big melting pot and always has been.” We’ve always had a wrong-headed, reactionary element to changes in our culture. Only now we can mock them in real time and in 140 characters or less.
Andrew Parks is a junior majoring in political science. His column runs biweekly.
Rich Robinson is a junior majoring in telecommunication and film. His column runs biweekly on Tuesdays.
CW | Kasey Jowers
COLUMN | GUN LAWS
The University should allow concealed carry By Andrew Parks | Staff Columnist Following the Aurora and Newtown shootings, an issue that caught the attention of many students on campus was the University’s ban on concealed carry. Currently, students who would otherwise be licensed to carry a firearm elsewhere are not allowed to do so on campus. Why, even after training and licensing by the state of Alabama or a state with reciprocal concealed carry laws, the administration would prevent someone from carrying a firearm on campus is beyond me. Why anyone would oppose concealed carry at all despite the obvious safety benefits it provides is equally confusing. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence scores states based on their gun control laws. My home state of Texas has received four points out of a maximum 100. Given that information, the reader might assume that the streets of Texas are riddled with armed conflicts between gun-happy Texans keeping the shootout style of the old West alive. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The last time Texas had a shooting on par with Aurora was in 2009, when Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan shot and killed 13 soldiers and left 29 more wounded at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. However, this took place in a gun-free zone on a military base where state gun laws don’t apply. The last time such a shooting took place in the general public was on Oct. 16, 1991, when George Hennard crashed his truck into a Luby’s restaurant also located in Killeen, after which he went
Andrew Parks on a rampage that ended with 23 dead and 27 more wounded. Among the casualties of the “Luby’s Massacre” were Alphonse and Ursula Gratia, who were having lunch with their daughter, Susanna Hupp. Hupp carried a revolver in her vehicle but was not allowed to carry her weapon on her person in public places per Texas law at that time. Hupp later testified that Hennard passed near her several times during the massacre and that she would have been able to defend herself and end the bloodshed early had she been armed. Hupp’s testimony was instrumental in passing a concealed carry bill in Texas in 1995, despite extreme opposition from liberal anti-gun groups on the grounds that such a bill would result in frequent shootings. The reality since the passage of the bill has been quite different. According to a 2000 review from the National Center for Policy Analysis, in the five years after the Concealed Handgun Licensing law passed, aggravated assault rates dropped 13.8
We’ve always had a wrong-headed, reactionary element to changes in our culture.
COLUMN | SOCIAL MEDIA
Maybe you should consider a relationship break, too By Michelle Fuentes | Senior Staff Columnist Two and a half weeks ago I ended what I thought was a pretty perfect relationship. As a partner, he was dependable and loyal. As a woman who most appreciates love expressed through quality time and words of affirmation, I think he excelled in both these departments. He even encouraged my friends to write me notes on my achievements or to celebrate my birthday. He was, happily I think, available around the clock. He cuddled well and loved to watch all of my favorite movies and “Doctor Who.” And, as an important part of any
partnership, I could always turn him on. Toward the end of our time together, we developed some red flags. He didn’t ever seem interested in doing anything unless I was around to navigate him. He didn’t seem to like the outdoors. When we would go outdoors, he really shrank in size and was, frankly, just more difficult to understand. He preferred staying in on Saturday nights. And, whenever we did go to a party, he always seems to get a lot of attention, but he was never able to bring even the best of friends together in conversation. I think I may have been able to live with these faults, because, you know,
we all have our own baggage. He certainly always listened to mine. But, as a graduate student, I found him to be downright distracting from writing my dissertation. That was really the last straw. Just like many relationships that start out well but eventually go south, there are things that I am really missing about him. I miss telling him about my day in the evenings (um, morning, noon, afternoon, night and middle of the night, too). I loved showing him pictures of all my awesome adventures. He was just so enthusiastic to take in so much information. I also really miss his friends. Even though he isn’t great at bringing people in
the same room together in conversation, he had really loyal friends. And lots of them. Really, after some time, they became my friends. He was so considerate in the way he shared updates about their lives with me. He liked to share their pictures with me, and he was great at showing me articles and videos they found interesting. It was almost as if he was as close to them as he was to me. But, alas, my true and profound partnership with Facebook is not the great love story of my life. (And, I don’t think you should let him be the Romeo to your Juliet, Cory to your Topanga or Portia to your Ellen.) Like many who struggle in
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relationships, I needed help to get out. I had a friend change my password. Even just after these two and a half weeks, I’m starting to see my time fill with more fulfilling activities, actual school work and genuine engagement with people I value. I’ve promised my best friend that I won’t speak to him for at least a month. Just like I once threw out the shoebox of mementos from my high school sweetheart, I hope that one day I’ll delete him completely from my memory (but it’s hard to get rid of all of those pictures). Michelle Fuentes is a doctoral candidate in political theory. Her column runs weekly on Tuesdays.
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Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Bama Dining to host local artists By Greg Ward | Contributing Writer Bama Dining feeds thousands of students across campus on a daily basis, but now it is giving student musicians and artists a chance to play for a meal. The “Don’t Be a Starving Artist” program allows students to showcase their talents to other students, faculty and staff in exchange for $25 in Dining Dollars per hour of performance. Sara Kolodziejczak, retail marketing coordinator for Bama Dining, piloted the project last fall and said she was pleased with the result. “The ‘Don’t Be a Starving Artist’ program was an idea developed and spearheaded by Bama Dining last fall as a way to bring local entertainment to on-campus dining,” Kolodziejczak said. Last fall, Bama Dining received more than 50 applications for the program. Most of the applicants were able to perform in several different dining halls to earn their dollars. Ben Wallace, a freshman majoring in political science, said he thinks the idea is great for singers and guitarists, and he might be interested in performing himself. “It’s a good way for student artists to get their music out there and for people to hear it,” Wallace said.
The only concern Wallace had was about the kinds of songs dining hall musicians might choose to play. “I just don’t want to hear cliché guitar songs everyone always plays,” Wallace said. “Mostly like the acoustic versions of overplayed rock songs like ‘Wonderwall,’ ‘Time of Your Life’ and songs like that.” Bama Dining is looking to continue the program’s success with previous and new artists on campus. “Although most of the program database consists of singers and acoustic guitarists, registered performers specialize in all forms of music and unique performing art styles,” Kolodziejczak said. “One of our most valuable and notable returning performers specializes on marimba, a large, wooden mallet percussion instrument that when struck produces key tones like a piano.” Katy Harp, a sophomore majoring in marketing, said she would be interested in performing. “I would do songs that are easy to sing,” Harp said. One song Harp said she would want to sing would be “Team” by Lorde. “It’s a popular song right now, and it’s pretty catchy,” Harp said. When artists apply, they can put which location they would most like to play and
what time they would prefer. Artists can perform in Lakeside Dining, Burke Dining Hall or the Starbucks in the Ferguson Center. Wallace said he did not care which location he would play at, while Harp said she would prefer Lakeside. While Bama Dining will do its best to accommodate the artists for what they want, it decides who plays which dining venue at what time. Both Harp and Wallace said they loved the idea that they would be paid in Dining Dollars. “It’s the most versatile, and everyone can use them. You can even use them off campus at places like Domino’s and Buffalo Phil’s,” Harp said. Student artists interested in finding out more about the “Don’t Be a Starving Artist” program can find Bama Dining online at bamadining.ua.edu, facebook.com/ bamadining, or on Twitter @BamaDining. “There is no guarantee that all of our registered artists will be hired, whether we have more musicians than space or whether we cannot find an appropriate space for the artist’s style,” Kolodziejczak said. “We work closely with the artists to make sure we can provide the best possible experience for the artist and for our customers.”
Courtesy of Bama Dining For payment of $25 Dining Dollars per hour, students showcase their talents at Bama Dining locations.
Student organization to discuss campus issues, solutions By Rachel Brown and Jenna Losh | CW Staff
CW | Lindsey Leonard Student Adam Beg talks to Everett Seecor to discuss ideas following the assembly.
In the wake of issues brought to light last fall, University of Alabama students and administrators joined together to create Students for Open Doors and Ethical Leadership, or SODEL. “[SODEL] was born out of seeing students struggle to address the issues of last semester with everything that was going on,” Ross Green, executive director of SODEL, said. “I think students wanted to come together and build an organization that was constructive – that wanted to bring people who wouldn’t normally be in the room to discuss problems in a pragmatic and positive way.” The group is designed to be an assembly for students from all areas of campus to discuss campus issues and propose solutions to organizations that can see the proposals through to fruition. Leaders said SODEL is independent from other similar organizations on campus and designed to create a safe environment for all students to address campus issues they find important. On Monday night, SODEL held its first general assembly meeting to build the
foundation of values on which they hope to operate as they grow and discuss issues such as communication and relationships between students and administrators, sexism, diversity within student organizations and free speech and grounds use on campus. Andrew Parks, a junior majoring in political science and SODEL representative for Young Conservatives of America, described his reaction to the creation of SODEL as “overwhelmingly positive,” as seemed to be the consensus among the students in attendance. “It was obvious from the participation that a lot of people are really excited about this type of thing,” Parks said. Samaria Johnson, representing the Alabama Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Justice, said she appreciated that this organization can exist to remind students they’re part of a greater university community. SODEL is intended to be a representation of student groups and organizations on campus. Organizations are free to nominate a representative to be part of the assembly. Students who may not be involved in orga-
nizations but have strong opinions about campus issues can apply for an at-large seat in the assembly. “We already know there are going to be disagreements,” Leigh Terry, public relations officer, said. “But that is why we wanted every viewpoint in the room so that we can constantly focus on, ‘What can we do?’ ‘What should we do?’ ‘What will we do?’ and do it.” The executive board serves as a group of liaisons for their constituents. Vice chairs currently only represent the Honors College, the Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Council, the National PanHellenic Council and the at-large community. Members of the assembly who are a part of these respective organizations are represented by their vice chair at meetings held with faculty advisors. Parker Graham, vice chair of the Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Council, said the executive board does not take part in the voting of the assembly. “SODEL is not designed to see our ideas and proposals through the fruition,” Graham said. “We just want to deliver them to the
p.6 Abbey Crain | Editor culture@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Student delves into commercial music major CW | Austin Bigoney Sophomore Brent McCollough combines business, production and musical performance classes to form his new major.
By Laura Testino | Contributing Writer Composer John Williams likely never anticipated his film score from “Star Wars” would be broadcast throughout the home of 5-year-old Brent McCollough from a “plastic, terrible-sounding” piano. Fifteen years and a few upgrades in instruments later, Brent McCollough still finds his niche in the organization and delivery of the ebb and flow of sound. “Since I started piano, I’ve always known that’s what I want to do: just play music the rest of my life,” said McCollough, a sophomore majoring in interdisciplinary studies in commercial music. Originally a major in jazz studies, McCollough transitioned over the summer to his new major – his own New College creation – in order to balance music performance classes with business and production classes as well. The title may be uncommon, but McCollough said he believes combining these classes with performance experiences will best prepare him for the music career he wants to have. “In the music field, if you can’t play, you’re not going to get gigs. They’re not going to be like, ‘Well, you can play really well, but what degree do you have?’” he said. Matt Wiley, a jazz piano instructor at the University, has acted as a mentor for McCollough and said he hopes to see him continue to focus on what he loves about music. “I believe we are all born with some form of creative ability. Unfortunately, academia has a way of stifling innovation. I think the best advice I could give Brent, or any of my students, is to study what speaks to you,” Wiley said. “It is the only way to get in touch with that inner artistic voice. The more we imitate what inspires us, the clearer that voice becomes.” Both Wiley and McCollough as well as Mark
Lanter, an adjunct drum set instructor of jazz phone and stand replaces what could be a studies, have had the opportunity to emulate floor lamp, and the computer sitting on the classic albums while playing with The Black desk includes Pro Tools, McCollough rarely Jacket Symphony, a group that focuses on rec- finds himself with nothing to do. He is capable reating entire albums “note for note, sound for of recording music in this home studio, and sound” in their performances. many of his tracks can be found on his website, “The music we play is great, but it is the www.brentmccmusic.com. people that make it so special. They are some “I learned a long time ago that you can’t of the most talented and humble individuals explain to somebody what you do, and that’s you will ever meet with relentless work ethic. why my website is so valuable. Because I’m Professionalism extends way beyond musician- able to present everything that I can do in a ship, and Brent is learning way that people can actually from the best,” Wiley said. understand it, or I feel like they Lanter has helped can kind of understand it,” McCollough expand his expeMcCollough said. rience by introducing him to Also featured on his website multiple performance opporare his music videos for covtunities, including the invitaers of songs he recorded and tion to play in his own band, produced. Recently, he worked Bonus Round. with Ben Carrasquillo, a junior “[McCollough] sang about majoring in jazz studies. — Brent McCollough three phrases, and I said, The pair created an uncon‘Okay.’ And then I asked ventional cover of Daft Punk’s him to play with my group “Get Lucky,” where Carrasquillo because I heard what I needplayed the trombone. ed to know: that he’s a natural musician, he’s “We went in on a Saturday after school was a great keyboardist, he has a great voice, and out in December … and just sort of locked ourespecially his range is something that’s also of selves in there for an entire day. We went from great value,” Lanter said. about one in the afternoon till about one in the McCollough said he believes versatility con- morning nonstop, just writing and recording tributes greatly to getting hired as a musician and shooting video,” he said. and said he enjoys both playing and writing McCollough edits the videos himself, a music in a variety of genres. process he said takes upwards of 40 hours. “Some people are confused, like why I take 18 Producing the audio never proves to be an easy hours, while I’m also doing a lot of performing task, but he said he appreciates the challenge. and learning and stuff, but I find it hard to not “The great thing about music and recording be busy. I don’t like not being busy. I like being and engineering and stuff, is – mastery is never focused. I like having to do stuff,” McCollough achievable – you can never stop improving on said. piano; you can never stop getting better at mixAnd because in his apartment a keyboard ing or mastering. There’s no way to not get betsits opposite the bed instead of a sofa, a micro- ter at it,” McCollough said. “You’re going to be
Since I started piano, I’ve always known that’s what I want to do.
thrown so many different recordings and that sort of thing. Everything’s different every time. I’ve noticed every single mix I do, I get a good amount better.” Sandy Draper, a senior majoring in choral music education, worked with McCollough in a praise and worship band and was impressed with his work ethic. The two collaborated on a cover of Rihanna’s “Stay.” “The thing I noticed just about him from the start is he knows what he wants, like in anything. He has a vision when it comes to what he wants to hear and how he wants stuff to overall look. He’s got like a natural ability for seeing the end result,” Draper said. “He’s just really good at coming up with ideas. He was very much encouraging and helpful.” Chris Kozak, associate professor and director of jazz studies, has worked with McCollough in the UA Jazz Ensemble and sees a bright future ahead. “The sky’s the limit for [McCollough]. He’s really ambitious, and he wants to be heard, which is important. And he’s willing to play with anybody, so he’s been branching out quite a bit since he got here, and that’s a great thing,” Kozak said. After graduating, McCollough said he plans to complete a six-month apprenticeship at the Recording Connection in Nashville, Tenn., where he will train in a professional studio to gain more experience in music production. “I think some of the most memorable moments are yet to come, because [McCollough] has got a lot of potential, and I think he’s going to surprise us with some really exciting things that he’s working on. I can say we had a performance with the guest artist Mace Hibbard, and he played exceptionally well in that concert,” Kozak said. “But I think the best is yet to come from Brent.”
COLUMN | HEALTH
Daily exercise sharpens concentration skills, elevates self-image By Katherine Metcalf The average college student’s to-do list usually consists of class, work, homework, meeting with friends, eating and studying. With this jam-packed schedule, it is almost impossible for students to find time to squeeze in a fitness routine most days of the week. But, being active is just as important as the three meals a day and the eight hours of sleep students should be giving their bodies each day and night. Exercise can sharpen concentration skills, combat stress and
elevate a student’s self-image. Many students believe they must get in at least an hour of exercise a day in order to reap the activity’s benefits; but Steffan Young, a personal trainer at the University of Alabama Student Recreation Center, said 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week is an ideal exercise plan. “Consistency is key,” Young said. “When students have actual plans written for themselves, they become habits for them, and they are more likely to stick to their plans.” Young suggested some key factors to
consider when choosing your exercise routine. Strength training is the most effective type of exercise – it builds muscle and helps strengthen joints. Be active on breaks: Take a 30-minute study break and go for a walk or do some push-ups. Work out with friends: Taking a block of time to be active with your friends will make exercise more enjoyable, and students are more likely to fit it into their days. You could try Zumba classes, play Frisbee or simply
take a stroll around the Quad. Students around campus find time to exercise at the Rec Center, outside around the Quad or even in the convenience of their dorm rooms. Other students think of exercise as a time to bond with their friends. Salvatore Joseph Arena, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering, said he does the “Crimson Couch to 5k” with his fraternity brothers and that he likes the supportive atmosphere. Excuses are just not enough anymore. There are plenty of ways for students to fit exercise routines into their schedules.
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Tuesday, February 4, 2014
UA students participate in Sundance Film Festival By Drew Pendleton | Contributing Writer For one week every January, filmmakers and filmgoers alike converge on the small town of Park City, Utah, nestled in the mountains east of Salt Lake City, for the Sundance Film Festival. For 10 students in the telecommunication and film department at The University of Alabama, this year’s festival was course credit and more. “The Sundance course is made up of the trip to Park City as well as a 15-week spring class called Film Festivals and Independent Cinema,” Kristen Warner, an assistant professor of telecommunication and film, said. “The two parts complement one another and help students grasp the ecosystem that makes up the necessary components of a film festival, including the kinds of films that are programmed, the place of business, stars as well as publicity/press.” The idea for the course, which was first offered in Spring 2013, was rooted in Warner’s own collegiate experience as a graduate student and Sundance attendee at the University of Arizona. While there, she worked for the Arizona International Film Festival, where her primary job was to go to Sundance and recruit short-film filmmakers to submit the films to the festival. “I learned a lot about the business and industry of film festivals and always thought it would be great to bring students once I became a professor,” Warner said. “When I arrived at [The] University of Alabama in 2010, it was one of the first things on my list to accomplish.” Rachel Raimist, an assistant professor of telecommunication and film who also teaches an interim course that takes students to Los Angeles, said the Sundance program is taught in a different way than other courses. “We gave the students a scavenger hunt of sorts. We based the assignments
on photos and articles put on Instagram and Tumblr as an exhibit of their experience, with each photo or post having a different point value,” Raimist said. The posts allowed students to show how they saw the different elements of the Sundance experience, such as business, culture, fashion and the film industry, in action. The festival, which is run by the Sundance Institute and has been the premiere site for notable recent independent films such as “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Winter’s Bone,” provides aspiring filmmakers with opportunities to interact with the writers, producers and directors through workshops such as “filmmaker speed dating,” participant-run panels and casual discussion. “Sundance is a premier independent film festival that is unique,” Raimist said. “The entire industry, from all over the world, descends on Park City. All the key players are in one place, and it’s a fun, hands-on and very immersive experience that allows the students to ask questions and interact with prolific people in the industry.” Warner chose Sundance as the program’s destination because of its opportunities for students to interact and network with industry professionals. “Sundance is easily one of the more accessible festivals for filmgoers,” Warner said. “It is not exclusive like Cannes or tied to a number of competing entertainments like South by Southwest or functions primarily as a marketplace like Toronto. Sundance tries to balance its interest between being a business festival and an audience festival and as such is the perfect place to introduce students to the film industry while giving them exposure to independent films they may not see outside the festival if not granted distribution.” Brandon Sparks, a senior majoring in
telecommunication and film who attended the festival and also interned at the Cannes Film Festival in France, said he felt the laid-back atmosphere at Sundance made the festival a great experience. “Everyone’s there for movies, and it’s really secluded and relaxed,” Sparks said. Sparks said his favorite part of the festival was the workshops that the Sundance Institute formed for students. At these workshops, they were able to meet with officials from the Sundance Institute as well as attend labs for writers and directors with other student filmmakers and professionals. “It’s more about how the film industry works, rather than the glamour of Cannes,” Sparks said. The experiences the students were able to have at the festival were what stood out for Warner. She said she was grateful for the panels the students attended because they were able “to see that there were more than the traditional five careers in film for them to consider for their own professions.” Warner, who is also currently planning a student trip to the Telluride Film Festival in September, said the festival trip has many benefits to students. Its goal is to give students the confidence and skills needed to break into the film industry, despite coming from a region that is not the industry’s primary location and marketplace. “Unlike for other colleges and careers, there is no job fair for the film and television industry,” Warner said. “Thus, it behooves us as faculty to find opportunities to connect our students to the industry when we can and ensure that they are equipped, aware and prepared for the vast and expansive and sometimes completely impossible workforce they desire to enter. Bringing them to Sundance or to Los Angeles as Dr. Raimist does is a way to achieve that goal in making those opportunities possible.”
Submitted
Submitted The class, Film Festivals and Independent Cinema, teaches students about various elements of the film industry.
COLUMN | FOOD
CULTUREIN BRIEF Improbable Fictions hosts Shakespeare hearing Improbable Fictions will host a staged reading of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” The reading will be held in the Black Box Theatre at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center downtown, Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Brain Matters to return to radio for spring semester The Counseling Center’s “Brain Matters” radio show is set to begin again for the spring semester Tuesday. Hosted by University counselor B.J. Guenther, the show discusses various mental health topics. Past topics have included suicide and eating disorders, including an in-depth interview with former Miss Alabama Amanda Ward. For Tuesday’s broadcast, Guenther will be discussing time management. She will have two guests present to help her analyze the topic. The show, which broadcasts from 90.7 The Capstone, will air from 6-7 p.m. It will air regularly at that time for the duration of the semester.
Mental Health Monologues to be held Feb. 6 Mental Health Monologues: Erase the Stigma, a dramatic re-enactment of real-life experiences of The University of Alabama students living with mental health issues, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6. The performance is free with the presentation of CWID. There is a $5 suggested donation for community members, and there will be a free reception and refreshments. The performance will be held in the Ferguson Theater from 7-8:30 p.m.
Novelist to lecture, present book on civil rights The Alabama Center for the Book is pairing with The University of Alabama Libraries and The University of Alabama Press to offer a free lunchtime presentation of “Darkroom” by Lila Quintero Weaver. “Darkroom,” an autobiographical novel about civil rights in Alabama, follows Weaver’s experiences growing up Latina in the Black Belt in the 1960s. Weaver will be present to discuss her novel. The event will be held in 205 Gorgas Library Thursday from noon - 1 p.m. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches.
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MCT Campus Sriracha sauce is becoming a popular addition to many restaurant and homemade dishes.
Spicy foods see rise in popularity By Tara Massouleh The red plastic bottle, green top and rooster logo synonymous with the Asian hot sauce Sriracha has been a staple in my house since I can remember, but recently it has taken on an exciting new role as America’s favorite condiment. In the past few years, Sriracha sales have increased by almost 20 percent each year without a single advertisement put out by their distributor, Huy Fong Foods. Restaurants have started featuring it in many of their dishes, Lay’s made it one of their top three new chip flavors, and even Subway has started offering Sriracha chicken and steak melts as regular menu items. The way things are going, pretty soon the next time you order a burger or sandwich, you’ll receive a Sriracha packet along with the standard ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. Sriracha is just the tip of the iceberg with the spicy foods trend that has taken over the nation. Chipotle, habanero and jalapeno are among other foods that have recently become more popular in snack foods, as well as on restaurant menus. For example, we all know the standard Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese Doritos, but there have actually been 102 different varieties of Doritos produced. Of the 102 flavors, most of them have involved spicier flavors, including Doritos Fiery Habanero, Chile Limon and Wasabi. Restaurants and food trucks that feature Mexican or Asian foods, and often the fusion of the two, have come to make up a large number of newly opened eating establishments. The
common denominator in these cuisines is their dedication to cooking spicy dishes, which is perfect for satisfying America’s growing craving for spicy foods. Fifty-four percent of consumers said spicy or hot foods are appealing, compared to 48 percent in 2011 and just 46 percent in 2009. The largest demographic of those who eat spicy foods comes from the 18-to 34-year-old age group. As college students, we are at the height of our spicy food tolerance. While Tuscaloosa is a town more dedicated to having at least 20 different barbecue joints than providing groundbreaking spicy cuisine, there are a few spots to hit on your quest for heat in the home of sweet barbecue sauce and even sweeter tea. Sure, you can stick to getting the Sriracha sandwiches at Subway or the spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A, but you can also uncover more exotic and considerably spicier meals if you know where to look. At Sitar Indian Cuisine on 15th Street, dishes on the lunch buffet are generally pretty mild, but if you go at dinner, you can order your chicken vindaloo or chicken madras as spicy as you want. Similarly, at Ruan Thai on the Strip, you have the choice of ordering most meals mild, medium, hot or Thai hot. The Szechuan beef noodle soup at Mr. Chen’s on Hackberry Lane is also a good go-to meal on a cold winter day. If you find your budget is more in line with $0.25 Ramen packets than $15 restaurant entrees, you can always splurge on the $3 bottle of Sriracha and just keep squeezing it until the Ramen tastes good or your mouth is too numb from the heat to notice the difference.
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Use a commercial car wash that treats its wastewater or wash your vehicle in a yard. Dispose of used fluids and batteries at designated recycling facilities. Clean up fluid spills immediately. Properly maintain vehicles to prevent oil, gas, and other fluids from being washed into the storm sewer system. For questions, concerns, or to report potential stormwater violations, contact the Office of Environmental Safety at 348-5905
p.8 Marc Torrence | Editor sports@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
ROCK CLIMBING
T-Town Pull Down continues to grow By Danielle Walker | Staff Reporter
Submitted T-Town Pull Down hosted around 30 climbers.
Climbers from all over the Southeast traveled to Tuscaloosa this weekend to compete in the ninth installment of the T-Town Pull Down, which took place in the University of Alabama Student Recreation Center’s climbing facility. About 25 to 30 climbers from The University of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia State, Georgia Tech and Valdosta State competed in Saturday’s tournament. Next year, the Outdoor Recreation Center plans to host the competition in their new facility at Presidential Village. In preparation for the annual event, the Rec Center’s climbing wall was temporarily closed for two weeks. The Outdoor Recreation staff stripped the walls and created new routes for the competition. “We’ve been working pretty steadily for several weeks getting the routes set, getting the competition ready, getting the gifts and the prizes, everything set up to go,” Sam Bates, a senior majoring in human performance exercise science, said. “All our staff
helped set the routes, and therefore, we get to climb them and have fun, so it is a really fun time. We get to use our imagination and climb the routes and climb each other’s routes.” Throughout the day, climbers tested out the routes the staff created and tried their best to complete them. The routes varied in difficulty and the climbers could attempt each one with as many tries as needed in the set time frame of about two hours. Outdoor Recreation staff member and bike shop manager Wren Smith said there are two ways a climber is scored. The first is by “flashing” a route, which is to complete the route on the climber’s first try and earns the climber more points. The other is to finish the route on several tries. The climber’s top five route scores were totaled together, and they were then ranked into certain subdivisions: men’s beginner, intermediate and advanced and women’s beginner and advanced. The top three male and female competitors were chosen to compete in the final round, which featured new routes. In the finals, climbers had three
routes to conquer with five minutes devoted to each route. “The last round was rough,” Brandon McChristian, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, said. “You just have to trust the pads, though, when you fall.” McChristian was one of the finalists. He was the first competitor to try the routes and said it was difficult to be the first one out there. McChristian finished third overall. The finalists for men in the order they placed are Ryan Copeland, Hayden Ligget and Brandon McChristian. For the women, Caroly Coffey took first followed by Linae Maganini and Krys Kittredge. The T-Town Pull Down has continued to grow each year and climbers of all levels enjoy competing. McChristian said he thought the event was well put together, and because he had a good time, he will definitely come back to future events. “Everybody’s kind of established this is a really good place to climb, really good routes,” Bates said. “Everybody seems to enjoy it and have a good time.”
COLUMN | SUPER BOWL
Seahawks win all-around in Super Bowl XLVIII By Charlie Potter Super Bowl XLVIII can be summed up in two words: complete domination. People who did not watch the game can come to that conclusion after seeing the 43-8 blowout of a score. But to those who sat and watched the bloodletting, the dominating performance from the Seattle Seahawks was apparent after the Denver Broncos’ first snap of the game. Denver’s first offensive snap sailed over Peyton Manning’s head and bounced into the end zone for a safety, giving the Seahawks an early 2-0 lead and the football. It was the fastest first score in Super Bowl history, and it only took 12 seconds. After the Broncos punted, Seattle marched right down the field and kicked a field goal, increasing its lead to 5-0. And that is when things got ugly for Denver. Hard hit after hard hit after hard hit, the Seahawks unraveled the Broncos’ offense. The Legion of Boom, along with a relentless pass rush, disrupted Manning all night and
CLC cuts languages, citing lack of tutors, participation LANGUAGES FROM PAGE 1
director of the Critical Language Center at The University of Alabama. The center offers approximately 20 critical language courses at a beginner level, including Korean, Farsi and Arabic. However, with the termination of the upper-level Arabic program this semester, students enrolled in the critical language center said they have questioned the program’s approach. “I’ve always loved studying languages, and when I first came into contact with Arabic, I thought, ‘This is so cool,’” Anne Lewis, a sophomore majoring in anthropology and Spanish, said. “I want to become fluent in Arabic and do something with it in my career. It was my goal, even before I came to college, but Alabama has slowed that down for me.” In 2007, the number of Americans studying in Arabic-speaking countries jumped to 3,399 from 562 in 2002, according to a 2010 study by the Institute of International Education. “I’m from the D.C. area, and almost all schools there have Arabic programs,” Fifi Wang, a senior majoring in political science, said. “They see there’s a need for that. And I think, why not Alabama? “As a political science major, I’m told that the answer to getting hired in a government job is to be good at a critical language. When you take the Foreign Service exam, you get more bonus points for being competent in Arabic than for any other language.” The CLC has also stopped offering courses in Hindi, Swahili and Vietnamese this semester due to lack of participation and the absence of tutors. Despite this, there are more than 200 students enrolled in the CLC, including its online classes. Although the CLC continues to offer courses in Korean, Hebrew, Portuguese, Turkish, Thai and Farsi, students cannot progress beyond a 200-level course. “It’s good to know a critical language, even just the basics, for a future career,” Casey Delker, a sophomore majoring in marketing and international studies, said. She studied Korean 101 and 202 through the CLC. “It’s not necessary to communicate fluently, because a lot of people speak English, especially in the business world, but the main thing is understanding a different culture.” However, Wang and her peers participating in the Arabic 300 class last semester said the stress of learning Arabic at the University hindered their progress. “When I signed up for the independent study, I expected to work with tutors on an individual basis to further the Arabic I’d already learned,” Lewis said. “But the class felt like a waste of time.”
forced him to throw two interceptions. Spearheaded by safety Kam Chancellor and Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith, Seattle held the NFL’s No. 1 offense to 306 total yards. Manning and his stable of receivers, who have appeared other-worldly at times this season, were stripped of their cosmic abilities and brought back down to Earth in a rather embarrassing fashion. Russell Wilson, on the other hand, managed the game with the utmost efficiency and led the Seahawks down the field for three touchdowns and two field goals. But it was easy for the second-year quarterback with his defense playing the way it did Sunday night. But the unfair part in all of this was that Seattle unleashed its secret weapon. Wide receiver Percy Harvin was a full-go for the game and caught Denver off guard early with an end-around run for 30 yards. On that play he reminded the Broncos, and the world, why he was once considered one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. Also backing up that belief, Harvin returned
the opening kickoff of the second half 87 yards for a touchdown. After that, the Seahawks motioned Harvin consistently throughout the remainder of the game, keeping the defense honest and distracted by Harvin’s potential to bust a big play. That led to other receivers like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse getting open down-field. As a whole, Seattle executed a perfect game plan and showed how strong defenses are still the key to winning championships. But what stuck out to me was that all of the Seahawks players seemed to be having the times of their lives. After Chancellor leveled Denver wide out Demaryius Thomas in the first quarter, fellow defensive backs Earl Thomas III and Richard Sherman screamed and laughed like children on a playground, while Thomas embraced Chancellor, congratulating him on an enormous hit. It reminded me that football is just a game and meant to be fun. Well, perhaps not for Manning and the Broncos. Fall training camp cannot get here soon enough for them.
Both Wang and Lewis said the department’s use of native speakers, rather than certified professors, was part of the problem. “It was very clear to me when I took 300 level that [the teacher] didn’t know the technical differences in the language,” Wang said. “I don’t think she ever fully explained a grammar concept to us.” Arizumi said the department uses native speakers rather than instructors, bringing in external professors to moderate the examinations. Arizumi said the possibility of employing certified professors in the future may not be financially possible. “Instructors are needed, but we also need money to research how we can develop our program,” Arizumi said. However, Arabic has seen a success at other SEC schools. The University of Mississippi has a four-year program that takes students to a graduate level of study and also offers two semesters abroad. Their program director holds a doctorate in education and a master’s in Arabic. The University of Georgia has been offering an Arabic major since 2008 and has a partnership with a program in Morocco. Arizumi said the Arabic 300 class at The University of Alabama was cancelled because students were failing to keep up with the pace of work. “This university is a little bit behind,” he said. “Many students think this is just preparation to get a job, and that notion should change. Good students should not think of the classes just in terms of credit because credit doesn’t mean anything to companies. You need to be able to speak and understand the language.” Despite this, students such as Wang said they have a passion for critical languages and their cultures. “In ways, I don’t have words to describe what I love about the Middle East. It’s just a place where I feel like I belong,” Wang said. “I get very detailed memories of moments, like the smell of shisha on a summer night with the breeze in Jordan or taking boats down the Nile at sunset.” Both Arizumi and the students said they feel that the University needs to consider whether the critical languages program is going to advance in the long run. “I do feel like the University looks backwards,” Wang said. “China, the Middle East, Africa … They’re different from western countries, and everyone knows that, but I feel like the University emphasizes Western European culture, language and history.” “The administration needs to be thinking five or 10 years down the line,” Arizumi said. “But they are near-sighted. They only look at the immediate results. “Before it’s too late, I hope The University of Alabama makes critical languages more popular, because they’re important for the students. They’re important for the future of the United States.”
SPORTSIN BRIEF Alabama places 3 on All-SEC Three Alabama softball players were named to the preseason All-SEC team. Making the team for the University were Jackie Traina, Kaila Hunt and Haylie McCleney. Each candidate was also named to the preseason Top 50 Watch List for U.S.A. Softball Player of the Year. The softball team begins its season Feb. 7 against Kennesaw State in Troy, Ala.
Gymnastics ranked No. 7 The Alabama gymnastics team is ranked as the No. 7 team in the country for the third straight week. The Crimson Tide is also ranked No. 4 on both vault and balance beam, No. 6 on uneven parallel bars and No. 13 on floor exercise. The University will host No. 5 Georgia Friday, at Coleman Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. Compiled by Keegan Elsner and Charlie Potter
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Bama Covered looks to mobilize volunteer base INSURANCE FROM PAGE 1
wise health care decision making, rather than playing political games. “We are simply an education campaign,� Golden said. “We believe people should have the right to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to health care. This idea is born out of a frustration with politics as usual; the current atmosphere is about pointscoring and punditry. Health care should be about people, not politics.� Bama Covered is recruiting 125 UA students to join in their efforts.
The organization is seeking students to work as connectors, who are responsible for connecting the community to resources, and as catalysts, who will be trained, certified application counselors. “Our volunteer training prepares students to serve as Bama Covered connectors,� Golden said. “Connectors connect people to information and resources about their health care options. All Bama Covered volunteers will complete the connector training. We also have opportunities for volunteers to become further involved as catalysts, who work with hospitals and health organizations to walk citizens through their health care options. These volunteers are required to complete
additional training.� Bama Covered provides a comprehensive two-hour training session to all volunteers, and catalysts will also partake in an online, at-your-own-pace certification course, which takes about five hours to complete. Volunteers will be responsible for community outreach, both door-to-door and at targeted community events. Health care insurance enrollment ends March 31, so Bama Covered hopes to mobilize students quickly. Students can get more information about Bama Covered at bamacovered.org, including signup information, communication about Bama Covered events and locations for training.
Tide gymnastics team sees six championships GYMNASTICS FROM PAGE 1
More than other campuses, UA gymnasts attain a certain amount of celebrity among their classmates. Six NCAA championships give the team more than any other on campus besides football. And winning it all in 2011 and 2012 adds the recency factor for students currently at school. “Sometimes when I’m walking to class, people will see me and be like, ‘Oh, you’re a gymnast, right? We went to the meet, and we’re going to the next one,
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HOUSING 2 Nice Lofts Downtown: 2 bedroom, 1 bath Available: August $950/$1150 (205)752-9020-or-(205)657-3900 Efficiency & 1 Bedroom Units Available now. Also, pre-leasing for Fall 2014. Starting at $425 per month. Walking distance to campus. No Pets.
rooting you guys on. You’re doing really good,’� Sims said. “And hearing that is awesome.� It helps, too, that coach Sarah Patterson has pushed for giveaways like iPads and gift cards that are geared toward students. And the seats aren’t half bad, either. The first group of students to show up gets a group of risers next to the floor exercise mat. And when the student section hits capacity – which it did both times this season – students overflow into empty seats throughout the arena. The proximity to the floor is especially helpful for the gymnasts during the last rotation. “Oh yeah,� Patterson said. “It makes a difference.�
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (02/04/14). Get out and play this year. Grow physically and spiritually by actively pursuing fun, dreams and passions. Express your vision. Home renovations flourish around March and April, while your eventful love life opens a new door around the June eclipse. You can balance desires for freedom and partnership, travel and domesticity. It’s possible to have it all. 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 an 8 -- Navigate a disagreement about priorities. Don’t over-extend. Notice where the cash is going. Create or grow a nest egg. Check for errors in your assumptions. Point out the potential. Postpone your trip until conditions improve. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Discuss how to allot resources. Slow and easy does it. Take care not to step on toes. Prepare documents. Don’t touch savings. Postpone purchases if possible. Get everyone aligned on it first. Focus on romance. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Postpone household chores. Focus on making money, or it could fall short. Hold your temper, and handle a family matter privately. Carefully choose the course of action. Not everyone agrees. Wait a few days for a romantic tryst. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -Today is a 6 -- Hand over some of the cash, but be careful. Don’t fund a fantasy. Spend intelligently. Set priorities. Others vie for your attention. Get yourself a useful treat, and relax into a peaceful pursuit. Take it easy. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Confront a barrier. Take notes. Stick to your budget. Be respectful and polite. Stay home instead of going out. Don’t play poker, either. Stay cool. Postpone a celebration. Get involved in a passionate, relaxing (inexpensive) diversion. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Expect some resistance, with the possibility of error high. Don’t talk about
work in progress. Use caution, and don’t push (no matter how much your partner wants it). Stash away enough to keep the budget. Rest. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Take care of important details. Your partner applauds your effort. Push your personal agenda. New information disrupts old assumptions. Keep an open mind. Magnetic personalities come together. Work could intrude on family bliss. Postpone a private moment. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -Today is an 8 -- Don’t borrow or lend today. Others could get confrontational. Energetic friends stir emotions. A better time will come. Consider options carefully before choosing the right path. Put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Calibrate your power. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -Today is a 6 -- Don’t spend your money on entertainment alone. Wait for a better time. Get into creative work. You obsess over finishing touches. Be honest, above all. Modifications may be required. Take care traveling. Quiet productivity can be fun. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -Today is a 5 -- More planning is required at home. Seek answers from a professional money manager. Go to extra trouble to keep costs down. Voice your opinions. Favor optimistic approaches. Relax into domesticity, and leave big decisions for another day. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 6 -- Don’t let a discouraging remark stop you. Don’t talk back, or gossip. Improve morale by indulging in simple pleasures. Be careful not to double-book. Finish an important job before relaxing. Get productive in peace and quiet. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- It looks like everything works. Ask probing questions to check. Advance planning helps. Don’t throw your money around. Leave it stashed. Quietly assume more responsibility. Not everyone needs to agree. Eat well, and rest mind and body.
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