TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 25 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894
Photo Illustration by Austin Bigoney
Panhellenic, Bonner offer integration opportunities By Deanne Winslett | Assistant Culture Editor
WHAT: Improving Reading Speed WHEN: 4 - 5 p.m. WHERE: 230 Osband Hall
Diversity in Media WHAT: Digital First Perspectives on Diversity in the News Business WHEN: 6 - 7 p.m. WHERE: 532 Gorgas Library
Through the Doors WHAT: Carol Lee: Re-visiting the Schoolhouse Door WHEN: 6 - 7:30 p.m. WHERE: 118 Graves Hall
Coffee Hour WHAT: Honors Weekly Coffee Hour WHEN: 7 - 8 p.m. WHERE: Ridgecrest South Lobby
The presidents and delegates of the Alabama Panhellenic Association announced Monday that each sorority would be allotted an amended 360 members, which permitted the sororities to reopen the bidding process. The announcements were made following a closed meeting Sunday night called by University of Alabama President Judy Bonner with advisors from each Panhellenic sorority, which The Crimson White was denied access to. APA President Brandi Morrison read a statement from The National Panhellenic Council manual of information that describes the continuous open bidding process. The manual recommends that in these “Continuous Open Bidding” cases the total for each sorority be determined either through average chapter size,
Voter fraud allegations prompts local initiative A petition on Change.org has been organized, seeking the investigation of alleged voter fraud in the Aug. 27 Tuscaloosa elections, the prosecution of illegal actions and the discipline of University of Alabama students for potential misconduct. The petition is addressed to Walter Maddox, mayor of Tuscaloosa; Jim Bennett, secretary of state of Alabama; Luther Strange, attorney general of
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Alabama; and Judy Bonner, president of The University of Alabama. The petition was created by a group listed as “Friends of Tuscaloosa.” So far, the petition has 263 signatures from community members signing for reasons listed such as “my child’s education should not hinge on free beer” or “the Machine should not control city elections.” Elizabeth Stanard, a Northport business owner and Tuscaloosa native, said the petition has now been sent to its addressees. “The original goal was to reach 250 signatures and to build a concerned coalition,” Stanard said. “If the
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petition surpasses its original goal, that would broaden its reach. However, this has set a promising foundation for further discussion.” Bonner issued a statement Sept. 7 stating the University would wait to take action until the results of the court proceedings and municipal and state investigations were known.
ONLINE See the petition at Change.org SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 5
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Residents petition UA, local, state leaders
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WHAT: Student Recital ft. Cindy St. Clair, piano WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Moody Music Building
rounded down to the nearest whole number, median chapter size or the size of the largest chapter. “Continuous Open Bidding is the opportunity for any Panhellenic chapter that has not reached its total chapter size in the formal recruitment process and/or is below Panhellenic total chapter size to pledge additional new members,” UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said in an emailed statement. All chapters are allowed, Andreen said, to extend bids or offers to unaffiliated
NEWS | LOCAL POLITICS
By Katherine Owen | Production Editor
Piano Concert
— Cathy Andreen
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All chapters are allowed to extend bids or offers to unaffiliated women up to the designated Panhellenic total number.
women up to the designated Panhellenic total number. They are allowed to extend these bids throughout the regular school year. President Bonner released a statement before the Board of Trustees meeting Friday and said the University administration was working in partnership with local chapters and organizations to “remove any real or perceived barriers.” This meeting came after The Crimson White released an article revealing discrimination in the Panhellenic sorority formal recruitment process. “We are going to help our young people do the right thing,” Bonner said after Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Andreen then released a statement Monday confirming she had mandated use of continuous open bidding. “Dr. Bonner, in cooperation with local sorority chapters and their national organizations, has mandated use of continuous open bidding to remove barriers in order to
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WHAT: Free Flu Shots WHEN: 7:30 - 11 a.m. WHERE: Rotunda Reese Phifer Hall
Sororities reopen bidding process
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NEWS | GREEK SEGREGATION
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Tuesday September 17, 2013
‘Out at UA’ initiative launches
In celebration of National Coming Out Day, Capstone Alliance will launch a new initiative called, “Out At UA: Online Campus Inclusivity,” a visual representation of LBGTQ and allied employees across campus. Capstone Alliance is a group that advocates for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered and queer faculty, staff, students and their allies. The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate that the University is a welcoming environment to all individuals. To participate, individuals should send a picture of themselves along with their name, employment title and department, their self-identification terms (i.e., lesbian, gay male) and their gender pronoun to kdwalter@sa.ua.edu by Sept. 27. The group will hold photo sessions available throughout the month for individuals who want to have their picture taken. Contact Kirk Walter at 205-348-5036 for more information.
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UA funds sustainability program The University of Alabama gave $1 million to the Sustainable Investment Program in order to fund and support environmentally sustainable projects aimed at improving the campus. The money, which is split into $100,000 a semester, over five years, is similar to “Green Funds” at schools such as the University of Tennessee, the University of Mississippi and the University of Georgia. “The SIP came to being because we saw the rapid growth of green funds around the country and thought that The University of Alabama should become a leader in the Southeast,” Pat Lang, a sophomore majoring in finance and the head of the Sustainable Investment Program (SIP), said. The SIP is an offshoot of the UA Environmental Council, and grants will be given out by a council made up of nine individuals, three of which are faculty and administration. The money for this grant comes out of the construction budget and will not cause any increases in tuition. “Optimistically, the application process will begin this spring, and the first grant will be given out the first day of classes in fall 2014,” Lang said. Kenneth Sylvain, a senior and a member of the SIP team, said the University is in a great position to hand out these funds because of the potential of the diverse student groups here at the University. “The SIP wants to focus on three main types of investments: infrastructure, curricular and entrepreneurial,” Sylvain said. “It means we could use our funds to either fund a small business that’s doing something environmentally sustainable or produce a documentary on a little-known environmental issue instead of focusing solely on things that will generate a positive financial return.”
P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-8036 Advertising: 348-7845 Classifieds: 348-7355
CW | Auston Bigoney Quarterback Mitchell Anderson scrambles to avoid a sack and to earn his team, Primetime, extra yards in an intramural game.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
WHAT: Free Flu Shots WHEN: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. WHERE: Southeast corner of the Quad
WHAT: Free Flu Shots WHEN: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. WHERE: Northeast corner of the Quad
WHAT: General Interest & Business Career Fair WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. WHERE: Bryant Conference Center
WHAT: Technical & Engineering Career Fair WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. WHERE: Bryant Conference Center
WHAT: Improving Reading Speed WHEN: 4-5 p.m. WHERE: 230 Osband Hall
WHAT: Developing Positive Assertiveness WHEN: 1:30-3 p.m. WHERE: Rose Administration Building
WHAT: Resume Review WHEN: 1:15-2:30 p.m. WHERE: 259 Nott Hall
WHAT: Homecoming Queen informational Meeting WHEN: 7-8 p.m. WHERE: Fergoson Center room 312
WHAT: Rose Gladney Lecture for Justice and Social Change WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: 205 Gorgas Library
WHAT: Mother Figure Exhibit: Kelly Parvin Artist Reception WHEN: 5:30-7 p.m. WHERE: Ferguson Center Art Gallery
TODAY WHAT: Free Flu Shots WHEN: 7:30-11 a.m. WHERE: Rotunda Reese Phifer Hall
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video editor
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BURKE LUNCH
Baked Jerk Chicken Steamed Peas Sautéed Cabbage Yellow Rice Cheddar Butternut Squash Casserole (Vegetarian)
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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.
LUNCH
Country Fried Steak w/ Country Gravy Fresh Capri Blend Vegetables Steamed Peas Mexican Chili w/Brown Rice Cream of Mushroom Soup (Vegetarian)
DINNER
Baked/Fried Chicken Beef Brisket w/Lemon Tenders Onion Chili Sauce Fresh Cut Fries Cheddar & Chive Fresh Steamed Carrots Mashed Potatoes Fresh Creamed Spinach Fresh Sautéed Zucchini Eggplant Parmesan & Squash (Vegetarian) Fresh Seasoned Broccoli Florets Vegetable Alfredo w/ Linguine (Vegetarian)
FRESH FOOD LUNCH
Fried & Baked Fish Steak Fresh Broccoli Corn on the Cob Baked Potatoes SautéedMushrooms (Vegetarian)
INTHE NEWS Mass fish kill in Hawaii linked to molasses spill MCT Campus Fish began dying off en masse in the waters around Honolulu after hundreds of thousands of gallons of molasses spilled into Honolulu Harbor early this week – and there’s nothing officials can do to clean it up. Thousands of fish have died from the sugary sludge. Crabs lay dead along the floor while more fish floated listlessly in the harbor, with some seeming to gasp above the surface of the water, so contaminated by the thick, syrupy sweetener. The spill is one of the worst man-made disasters to hit Hawaii in recent memory, officials said, not least because no one has quite seen anything like it. “There’s nothing you can do to clean up molasses,” said Jeff Hull, a spokesman for Matson Inc., the company responsible for the leak. “It’s sunk to the bottom of the harbor. Unlike oil, which can be cleaned from the surface, molasses sinks.” Put another way by Janice Okubo, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of
Health: “It’s sugar in the water. If you know a scientific way to remove it from water, let us know.” Once at the bottom, wildlife officials said, the sludge replaces the oxygenbearing seawater that bottom-dwelling fish use to breathe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday said it will dispatch two coordinators to assist in the response, according to Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. The EPA, he said, could recommend a technique known as “air curtains,” a technique that uses long tubes to oxygenate the water and help disperse and break down contaminants, to protect particularly sensitive affected areas. Officials have urged residents to stay out of the water, worried that sharks and eels were coming to feed on the dead fish, which officials were trying to clear away to discourage predators. “The public is advised not to enter the ocean if they notice a brown color in the water,” the Department of
Health said in a statement. “The nutrient-rich liquid could also cause unusual growth in marine algae, stimulate an increase in harmful bacteria and trigger other environmental impacts.” The crisis was first reported early Monday when a Matson Inc. ship was being loaded via pipeline with 1,600 tons of molasses for shipping to the West Coast. A brown haze was reported in the water shortly after the loading began. Matson dispatched divers into the harbor, and the leak was finally detected Tuesday morning near one of the piers and was patched. As much as 1,400 tons of molasses may have fouled the water, though, health officials said. Matson, in a statement, said it “regrets that the incident impacted many harbor users, as well as wildlife. … We are taking steps to ensure this situation does not happen again.” The company has been shipping molasses from Honolulu for about 30 years. Shipping officials weren’t the only ones caught off-guard.
“It came as a shock to all of us,” said Robert Harris, director of Sierra Club of Hawaii. “I don’t think any of us were aware molasses even existed in Hawaii.” Harris said the Sierra Club planned to push officials to strongly enforce existing environmental regulations, but cautioned, “I’m not sure there’s anything to do. They do have officials out there removing the dead fish to keep potential sharks from gathering, but I think the damage was too quick – once it was reported, it was too late.” Health officials said they expect the molasses plume to go from Honolulu Harbor into the nearby Ke’ehi Lagoon and then dissipate in the ocean. But there was no timetable for when that may happen, and David B. Field, an assistant professor of marine sciences at Hawaii Pacific University, said there was no predicting the possible consequences: What kind of bacteria will come to consume the sugar? How low will oxygen levels go? Will the water become more acidic?
p.3 Mark Hammontree and Sarah Elizabeth Tooker | Assistant Editors newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Rocket Girls aim higher
Photo courtesy of Brooke Searcy In their fourth year together, UA’s Rocket Girls hope to establish a Tuscaloosa chapter with the National Association of Rocketry. By Kelsey Brown | Contributing Writer For the last three years, the University of Alabama Rocket Girls have represented UA at NASA’s University Student Launch Initiative, one of the most challenging, high-caliber competitions in rocketry for university students. Although NASA will not be hosting USLI this year as they have in the past, the team members have many plans for how they want the team to move forward from here. Now in their fourth year together, the team’s goals include establishing a Tuscaloosa chapter with the National Association of Rocketry. Creating a local NAR chapter will provide the team with better opportunities to inform Tuscaloosa about rocketry through events such as community rocketry workshops and a local
launch site in Tuscaloosa. The team is also looking into other competition opportunities through NAR. Although not competing in USLI this year will be an adjustment, it will allow the team to have more flexibility for different kinds of competitions, members of the team said. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard now that we’ve been through that [USLI competition,} and we want to maintain that standard moving forward into any competition we do just because we’ve learned so much, and we don’t want to backtrack,” Noelle Ridlehuber, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering and the chief engineer for the Rocket Girls, said. Part of competition in the USLI required the Rocket Girls to reach out in the local community, particularly to middle school
students. Although this outreach is no longer required of the girls for competition eligibility, the Rocket Girls said they want to continue encouraging students as they have in the past. The team said they will continue to present expositions at the McWane Center in Birmingham and to visit local schools. “The outreach is a wonderful thing. Rockets are cool. They shoot off fire, and they go high. It’s highly visible, and it’s a good lead into the junior high and high school group,” Paul Hubner, faculty advisor for the UA Rocket Girls, said. The UA Rocket Girls want the team to continue to be a strong part of The University of Alabama. They are now integrating the group to include male UA students. “We’ve established a lot of notoriety here and for our college, and I think that we want
to continue that. If we need to bring guys on to do it, we’ll do it,” Shelby Cochran, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering and project manager for the Rocket Girls, said. Cochran said the team members want to pass on the knowledge and experience they have gained to others who are interested. “We have been privileged with this team to be able to have leadership experience and technical knowledge and technical writing abilities that other design teams on campus don’t have. We want to continue that for others as well,” Cochran said. For more information about the UA Rocket Girls, visit the team’s website at rocketgirls.eng.ua.edu, follow them on Twitter @UARocketGirls or like their Facebook page.
Cemetery serves as reminder of history, hope for future By Ellen Coogan | Staff Reporter
CW | Austin Bigoney Several graves rest in the cemetery next to the Biology building on campus.
Vote approves quota of 360 SEGREGATION FROM PAGE 1
increase diversity in our sororities,” Andreen said. As permissible by Bonner’s mandate, the APA met Monday evening to discuss a proposal on how many new members each sorority should be allocated. An amendment was brought forward by representatives of Phi Mu to allow each sorority an allocated 360 members. The amendment was seconded by representatives from Chi Omega and was only opposed by one of the sororities present at the meeting, Sigma Delta Tau. The amendment was approved by majority vote. After the meeting was called to an end, the APA released the following statement: “The Presidents and Delegates of the Alabama Panhellenic Association voted to raise Chapter Total to 360, which is size of the largest chapter, to allow all NPC member groups to participate immediately in the
continuous open bidding (COB) process.” The bidding process is open to any girls who have not previously been offered a bid and who are not already affiliated with the greek system. “Students who went through the recruitment process but did not receive a bid can be considered,” Andreen said. Andreen said freshmen and upperclassmen who did not participate in the formal recruitment process are also eligible for consideration. “The only stipulation is that they be a fulltime female student at UA and meet the sorority’s members requirements, which include academics,” she said. The implications of what this means for the University Panhellenic system are still unclear, as well as whether or not alumnae will be involved in the process. “We’ve never done this before,” Kat Gillan, director of greek affairs, said. Andreen said all Panhellenic sororities are included in the process but did not specify whether or not it will be mandatory.
Nestled beside a building dedicated to studying the science of life sits a memorial to the end of life and a reminder of its imminence. Next to the Biology building is a small cemetery that gives curious students a hint about life in the past on campus. “In a place like UA, where traditions are so much a part of the student culture, I think it’s really nice that the University tells about the rich and sometimes difficult past. There are few universities, if any, that I think have changed as much as Alabama has in the 182-year history,” Alfred Brophy, Judge John J. Parker Distinguished Professor of Law at The University of North Carolina and former professor of law at The University of Alabama, said. “Over nearly two centuries, the University has changed dramatically from a place that owned human beings to a place where it embraces all students.” The grave site marks the burial ground of two slaves, Jack Rudolph and William “Boysey” Brown; a student, William J. Crawford, from the antebellum period; and at least four members of professor Horace S. Pratt’s family from around the onset of the Civil War. While there are markers for some of the graves, it is unknown where exactly Rudolph and Brown were interred and whether other slaves were buried there. “The rest of the cemetery now probably lies under the Biology Building, constructed in 1971. Were the graves of the student and slaves inadvertently disinterred by its construction? The staff of Alabama Heritage prefers to believe that the three bodies rest in peace in the front lawn of Kilgore House,” Pam Jones said in an article for Alabama Heritage.
Brophy said the complexity of the University’s history mirrors that of the nation as a whole. “I think in a lot of ways you could write the story of American history out of the state of Alabama and, in fact, The University of Alabama’s history. You could use Alabama as a microcosm for talking about our country’s history from the 1830s until the present,” Brophy said. Many campuses have small cemeteries on campus providing a memento of the fragility of life in the 19th century and a connection to the past, Brophy said. “I’m more interested in understanding the past – not so much the history but the memory. So, you know there are events that happen in the past, and history isn’t antiseptic; it’s not clean. It’s not as easy as point A to point Z. It’s not as easy as one person did this, another person did that on this date. And that’s kind of how we learn history proper,” Jason Black, associate professor of rhetoric and public discourse and affiliate professor of gender and race studies, said. “I’m more interested in memory, and what memory is about is understanding that the past is sort of nebulous, and it’s constructed, that our past is really the stories that we tell ourselves from times previous to where we are right now.” Black leads an African-American heritage tour several times a year, highlighting and reflecting on landmarks of campus with significant historical ties. “One of the things I think UA has done really well is preservation of the landscape. So, you can look behind the President’s Mansion and see the brick sort of small structures where enslaved people lived. So, you’ve got that direct, physical connection to the institution of slavery,” Brophy said. “I’m also proud of the University’s, and particularly the faculty’s, role in recognizing and apologizing for their connections to the institution of slavery.”
Student to travel to Russia for relations program Submitted Sophomore Amber Ausley plans to bring her proposal overseas to improve relations between the United States and Russia. By Morgan Funderburk | Contributing Writer Amber Ausley, a sophomore double majoring in international studies and political science, is preparing for a trip to Russia to participate in Stanford United States Russia Forum. The program is aimed at bettering relations between the two nations, which have remained tense since the Cold War. Currently, the political unrest between the United States and Russia has come to a climax over the Syrian conflict. President Vladimir Putin of Russia has declared to protect certain interests of Syria, an allied nation of Russia, which is currently under control by the dictator Bashar al-Assad. Ausley will land in Moscow, Russia in early October, although the political atmosphere between the United States and Russia remains unknown. Each student in the program sends in a policy proposal to the program that would help the United States better its
relationship with Russia, and the best proposals are selected. Ausley’s proposal deals with women’s rights and education. “In the Duma, and in [Russia’s politics, women are completely underrepresented,” Ausley said. “My proposal was to have a forum where U.S. and Russian women can come together to talk about how they can improve themselves.” Although Ausley said her parents were extremely proud of her, they expressed concern regarding her travel plans. “They were super excited but then they were nervous about it with everything going on in Syria.” Karl R. DeRouen, a University of Alabama professor and director of the international studies program, said that even in times of political unrest international student programs can still be positive. “I think grassroots types of student programs definitely have a positive
effect between countries,” DeRouen said. “It would be hard for me to think how they wouldn’t.” DeRouen said that he didn’t believe government relations generally translated to how citizens view other citizens. Brittnay McMillian, a study abroad coordinator at the University, said in her four years with the office they have never experienced a problem with their students abroad. “When students do go to a place with a negative stereotype of Americans, we encourage them to dispel those stereotypes,” McMillian said. Ausley remains excited about her trip even with all the political uncertainty in the weeks ahead. “There is a lot of anticipation and anxiety with it, but I think it’s going to be so cool to go over there at a time like this,” Ausley said. “The first thing I do every morning when I wake up is read my Wall Street Journal to see if there are any updates.”
p.4 John Brinkerhoff | Editor letters@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
GUEST COLUMN | GREEK SEGRETATION
Now is the time for an honest conversation on race here at UA By Victor Cuicahua | Guest Columnist
CW | Hazina Houston
COLUMN | GREEK SEGREGATION
Campus needs new framework for solutions By Rich Robinson I Staff Columnist I love The University of Alabama. Our success on the football field is how many people know us, but we all know there is much more to this special place. Our campus is one where anyone can learn and grow from some of the best thinkers in the nation, be part of the best debate team in America or engage in research with supremely talented professors. Our engineers and educators are the envy of the South, as is our knack for success. The Capstone is a powerhouse in nearly every aspect, and I’m proud to call it home. But objectively, this past week was embarrassing to the place that we love. We know that we are better than we were 50 years ago and yet the job remains unfinished. Due to the extraordinary efforts of this newspaper, the national attention is gazing upon our Quad. Outrage pervades the airwaves, and calls for change
Rich Robinson are growing louder and louder. The time has come, and the stars are aligned. The only real question is, what do we do now? The University doesn’t condone it; neither do the national chapters of the sororities or fraternities. Most students and many greeks think it’s shameful and sad. And yet year after year, the practice of de facto segregation and racism continues. Why? The spotlight is bound to go away. The national media has the attention span of a 4-year-old and will lose interest. On campus, the anger of the moment
will fade with the heat of the summer. Students will predictably complain about some other issue, and administrators will be forced to focus on another crisis. It would be shameful to allow this moment to pass. If we don’t act to solve this problem now, it will be back next year. I propose we solve the problem, now. Instead of allowing a select few to decide behind closed doors, let’s do it in the public eye. No more secrets or silence. Before this month is out, WVUA-FM and other campus media outlets are going to host an event titled “Breaking the Gridlock.” We will be inviting leaders from all walks of life on campus and in the community to join in a roundtable discussion in a public venue. We will broadcast the event live over the air and solicit student input beforehand in order to make sure we are asking the right questions. Instead of a debate where the participants are more likely to talk past each other
without listening to alternative viewpoints as legitimate, or a forum where people are prompted to stick to talking points, “Breaking the Gridlock” will have a set goal. And that is to create a framework to solve the problem and move forward. This is not just some pie in the sky idea. It was done on a smaller scale last spring for other topics including gun control, education reform and ways to reform the NCAA. In each one of those cases, some level of common ground was found with the participants. We can send a powerful message if our experiment in civility and humanity works. The problems that divide us may be great, but we have the ability to come to a solution. Isn’t UA worth it? Rich Robinson is a junior majoring in telecommunication and film. If you are interested in “Breaking the Gridlock,” then send an email to wvuaradionews@ gmail.com.
Meeting someone in a different part of the country, whether it is as international as New York City or as small as Dodge City, Kansas, there is one question I dread answering. It is not because I lack an answer, but because I know the reaction that will follow: You’re from Alabama? Oh… The vision of Alabama that is ingrained into the minds of Americans across the country is one that does not represent all of its citizens, but it does represent an underlying problem that not many are willing to speak on. It is our unwillingness to speak and work on it that is holding us back. Fifty years after a new page was written in American history, which opened the doors of equality for some, we must ask ourselves one question following the most recent scandal involving institutionalized segregation within the greek system: How far have we really come here at Alabama, and how far do we need to go? Before my first day of class here at Alabama, I made a pilgrimage of sorts to a spot on campus in which my eligibility to enroll at the University was in question before I was even born. I went to Foster Auditorium, the building Vivian Malone and James Hood would enter in 1963 to shatter one of the most important barriers for colored communities – access to higher education in the segregated Deep South. In the same decade, the world saw a collective resistance from oppressed communities across the U.S. The path for racial equality is paved with the sacrifices of those who came before us, with the hopes and aspirations of millions and with the knowledge that the fight is still not over and that anyone can have a role in it. In 2013, the University faces a moral dilemma that it must address in a manner different from instances before it in which avoiding culpability was the goal. Will it look to uphold modern segregation based
Ultimately, the student body can have the last word, but it is in our hands whether we choose to speak up or not.
on racial lines under the guise of tradition within the greek system, or will it stand with the brave girls who wanted to do the right thing and judge an individual based on the content of her character? What stake do we as students have in this whole ordeal? How is it that the University is the flagship for the UA system but is not as inclusive or reflective of the people it claims to represent? Sorority recruitment is an issue, yes, but it cannot be the only issue we speak of. To shamelessly quote activist Audre Lorde, “There is no thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.” While Birmingham, Ala., – my hometown – is struggling to reconcile with its own racially volatile past, the University must face its own problems, and it must do so now. As students, we cannot continue to accept the uncomfortable realities of the University as postulates; we must actively challenge them. We cannot wait for diversity, inclusiveness and equality for all at this school, and, so, we must actively want and strive towards it. The first step is talking. The next step is doing. In the coming weeks, the decisions made by University officials regarding the sorority ordeal will speak on just what the University values, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Ultimately, the student body can have the last word, but it is in our hands whether we choose to speak up or not. The time is now. Let’s talk. Victor Cuicahua is a freshman majoring in journalism.
COLUMN | GREEK SEGREGATION
Bipartisan discussion with open minds necessary for campus now By Beth Lindly | Staff Columnist You’ve heard the saying before – a chain is only as strong as its weakest link – we all have. We rolled our eyes in high school at the motivational posters lauding teamwork littering our teachers’ walls. But I wonder now if our college classrooms wouldn’t benefit from the cheesy colorful posters. There are many issues on our campus right now that could divide us as a student body irreparably if we let them. With tensions between greeks and nongreeks higher than I have ever experienced in three years at the University, it
Beth Lindly would be easy to be swept up in the “us versus them” mentality. It’s easy to have someone on whom to pile all the blame, but right now, what The University of Alabama needs is bipartisan discussion that leads to opened
minds on both sides. This shouldn’t be a war within the University – we should all be fighting this together. Discussion between two people or groups who disagree is healthy and part of the college experience. We came to this school not just to get a degree, but to have our eyes opened to other viewpoints and even have our own opinions change as we grow and learn more about the world. And despite the seemingly glaring differences between a person who’s in the greek system and a person who isn’t, you’d be surprised at how few members of either side fit the stereotypes that have
been perpetuated. University of Alabama students are great at fostering lively discussions amongst the student body. The new series of speeches, Tide Talks, is one example of educating and informing students about new topics. A forum engaging the University about relations between greeks and nongreeks might be beneficial in our growth as a school. Debate is almost always a good thing, but right now it might be wise for us to choose our battles when it comes to getting into arguments. The Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson had a great point when he pointed
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What The University of Alabama needs is bipartisan discussion that leads to open minds on both sides. out, “There are three things you must ask yourself before you say anything. One, does this need to be said? Two, does this need to be said by me? And three, does this need to be said by me now?” If what you want to add to a discussion will not benefit anyone but yourself, you might want to rethink saying it. Unity is always absolutely imperative as a University,
but especially right now. We really are only as strong as our weakest link, as clichéd as it sounds. University of Alabama students have to come together, if only for discussion, or this wedge will just be driven further and further in. Beth Lindly is a junior majoring in journalism. Her column runs biweekly on Tuesdays.
Last Week’s Poll: Do you think UA President Judy Bonner’s response to student voter fraud allegations was appropriate? (No: 66%) (Yes: 34%) This Week’s Poll: Do you think the University should take an active role in making the greek system more inclusive? cw.ua.edu/poll
NEWS
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IN THE
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Petition addresses school, local policies ELECTIONS FROM PAGE 1
“The University of Alabama does not have the authority to investigate the outcome of a municipal election, including allegations about which students chose to vote in that election, for whom they voted or why they cast the votes they did,” the statement read. The petition lists excerpts from the Code of Alabama, pertaining to voting and election laws, and the UA Student Code of Conduct, The University of o u t l i n i n g Alabama does not organizational misconhave the duct and the authority to investi- o b s e r va t i o n of state and gate the outcome federal law. The comof a municipal ments refer election to the alleged voter fraud that occurred — Statement from leading up to, Judy Bonner during and after the Aug. 27 Tuscaloosa municipal elections. The alleged fraud centers around the Board of Education race, specifically pertaining to District 4, where students hold a significant portion of the votes. Allegations assert that Cason Kirby, the challenger for the District 4 seat, who defeated incumbent Kelly Horwitz by 72 votes, won by bribing UA students, specifically sorority and fraternity members, with free drinks, rides to the polls and Panhellenic and in-house points for voting. Just three days before the election, the University’s TV station WVUA reported that 10 unrelated individuals were registered using the same single-family home address to vote. Public records show these individuals were all registered UA students. As of Sept. 6, Horwitz has officially filed to challenge the results of the election. Kirby’s attorney, Andy Campbell, denied the allegations and called Kirby a “good and honest person” in an emailed statement. See the petition at change.org.
Submitted The Study Abroad Fair introduces opportunities for students to gain atypical learning experiences. By Samuel Yang | Contributing Writer Students walking through the Ferguson Center’s main thoroughfares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, might be surprised to find people, places and pieces of the world on display. The Study Abroad Fair, organized by Capstone International Academic Programs, is a showcase for the many study abroad programs offered by and through The University of Alabama and is designed not to overwhelm, but to guide students on the first step of their journey. Heath Thompson, a study abroad coordinator and advisor, said CIAP will be there to direct students to their best options as well as to support them throughout the entire process. “The fair is about informing and inspiring students. We want to give them the information they need to make the process possible, but we also want to inspire them to actually do it,” he said. “It can be the first step for students, and then they’re directed towards us.” Thompson encouraged students to stop by the CIAP table first. “We’re the first people you see when you walk in,” Thompson said. “Talk to us and say, ‘This is what I’m interested in,’ ‘This where I want to go,’ ‘I want to go at this time.’” From there, he said, it would be CIAP’s job to figure out and direct students to the option that most meets their needs and wants. “Not only is [the fair] promotion, it’s also to really show students that yes, there’s tons and
tons of options, but that just means there’s an option tailored to you,” he said. Thompson said students should never feel like studying abroad is unfeasible or “just not for them.” “The main thing I like to preach is that there is a program for everyone,” he said. For Clare Garrett, a senior majoring in management and Spanish, that program was a faculty-led trip to San Lorenzo, Spain, during the summer of 2012. “The only advice I ever give anybody is to do it early because you fall in love…and want to do it again,” she said. “Once you go the first time, you go, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do this.’” Summer faculty-led trips like the one Garrett took are the most popular programs. The UA in Oxford program, a faculty-led summer excursion to Worcester College in England, is entering its 35th year. Caitlin Smith, a sophomore majoring in English, said the program was one of the most magnificent experiences of her life. “I heard about it from several older students who had gone and recommended it heartily,” Smith said. “Then, I did some research of my own online to find out more about it.” Smith advised students to consider programs that complemented their majors, but said international travel was ultimately an “enriching and worthwhile experience” in and of itself. “I wholeheartedly recommend studying abroad. Immersing oneself in a different country and different cultures is an eyeopening, life-changing experience,” she said.
Fair informs students of study abroad programs “Seeing life from another culture’s perspective widens one’s worldview.” Students who miss the fair or need more guidance after taking the first step have resources available to them through CIAP, which runs a website with an advanced search engine, hosts regular information sessions and offers personalized advising year round. Still, the fair, which occurs once a semester, offers students the chance to see the many facets of the program, from the financial aid office to the various affiliate organizations that partner with the University to the exchange programs that send and receive students every year. “It’s basically a one-stop shop for study abroad…basically, everyone involved in the study abroad process [will be there],” Thompson said. “It’s a really unique opportunity to see the whole process in one place.” Even those passing through might find themselves presented with an opportunity they never imagined. Thompson, who spent a summer in Spain and a semester in Argentina, said his study abroad experience – and the benefits that came with it, like being able to learn more about himself, as well as graduate with both a BA and a BS – started at a study abroad fair he accidentally walked into his freshman year. “I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I didn’t think it was possible being a freshman, and I knew nothing about a summer program. I was just very ignorant about the opportunities that were there,” he said. “If it hadn’t had been for the fair, I would not have studied abroad in Spain.”
Open Mic Night September 19 October 17 November 21 At 7 PM, join Marr’s Field Journal at the Open Mic Night Experience every third Thursday at Starbucks in the Ferg
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NEWS IN THE
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
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“Leaving a Crimson Legacy,” the theme of this year’s Homecoming week, hopes to immerse new students into the atmosphere of Alabama pride.
Small organizations new focus of UA Homecoming By Rachel Brown | Contributing Writer In just a few weeks the University of Alabama campus will be overflowing with school pride, adorned with crimson and white décor, savoring the spirit of competition and preparing to defeat Georgia State in a week, familiar to all, known as Homecoming. Homecoming week is set to begin Sept. 30, and the Homecoming Committee has big plans for the campus this year. “It is a big week where the whole entire campus comes together and celebrates Alabama,” Ashley Hays, executive director of the Homecoming Committee, said. “It’s not just about football.” In an effort to make Homecoming week inclusive for everyone who attends the University, the SGA Homecoming Committee is making a concerted effort to reach out to small organizations and freshman students, Kendall Roden, the director of Campus Outreach for Homecoming, said. “Homecoming is a really good opportunity
We also want people that aren’t in organizations or people that are maybe in other organizations to be able to become more involved in Homecoming... — Kendall Roden to ease freshmen into what Alabama pride really looks like and what standing up for your school really looks like,” Roden said. “I think it is a really good opportunity to immerse freshmen in that kind of atmosphere and allow them to see upperclassmen and organizations really love Alabama.” Roden said this year the committee is trying to involve students who are not a part of large organizations. “We also want people that aren’t in organizations or people that are maybe in
other organizations to be able to become more involved in Homecoming and feel like they are just as important, even though they might be a smaller division of the University,” Roden said. The committee has reached out to the freshman housing communities and is in the process of speaking with several smaller organizations such as Creative Campus. “One of the things we cherish in Creative Campus is reaching out to our school and community,” Kyerra Dexter, a senior majoring in telecommunication and film and Creative Campus intern, said. “It was refreshing to see the Homecoming team do the same with us. Their representative was energetic and passionate about linking up with Creative Campus to make Homecoming a success, and we look forward to helping.” Roden and Hays both said they hope to see smaller organizations participating in the Homecoming events. They encouraged smaller organizations to get involved in the community events or put together a sports teams to participate in the evening events.
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Fulbright scholars enjoy year abroad teaching, studying Submitted Emma Fick teaches English in Serbia. By Jon Vincent | Contributing Writer Last spring, the Fulbright Program, founded in 1946 with the purpose of encouraging the exchange of information among different cultures, awarded four University of Alabama alumnae and one professor the recognition of Fulbright scholars. Rachel Hunkler, Carolyn Bero, Emma Fick and Anna Foley are all spending this school year abroad teaching English and researching. Hunkler will spend her Fulbright year in Madrid, Spain. “I studied abroad in Spain with the UA in Spain program two summers ago and completely fell in love with the country. After graduation, I knew I wanted to go back for a longer stay,” Hunkler said. While there, she will assist an instructor in teaching Spanish. She also plans to form a club that will allow students to learn more about American culture and the English language outside of the classroom. Bero will join Hunkler in Spain, teaching in a suburb of Madrid. She also has plans to teach students more about American culture. “I’d love to work with an outside-ofschool program to encourage cultural interaction and appreciation or with a Model United Nations group,” Bero said. Fick, who studied both English and art history while at the University, is also teaching English – but in Serbia. “My grandmother’s family escaped Vienna during World War II because of the generosity of a Serbian man who paid for their passage to Serbia, and from Serbia to Ellis Island, New York City,” Fick said. “I applied to Serbia because I wanted to learn about and give back to the culture that showed astounding generosity to my family so many years ago.” Fick also plans to study the Byzantine
“I don’t know if people know that we have the small organization division,” Hays said. “The large organization and the small organization winner get to go on the field at halftime and accept the trophy in front of everyone…I would love to go on the football field during halftime in front of 100,000 people and get a trophy for how awesome my organization is.” The committee has planned an outreach event at TCBY for Sept. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. Roden said the event is designed to reach out to all students and organizations on campus, regardless of size. The organization with the highest attendance percentage in relation to the number of people in the organization will win all of the proceeds from that night. The Homecoming theme this year, created by Hays, is “Leaving a Crimson Legacy.” “I think that ties in really well with what we want to do at this university,” Roden said. “We want to leave our legacy, which is bringing the campus together and making it more of ‘Alabama.’”
artwork in many of Serbia’s monasteries while abroad. Foley, who graduated from the University in 2011, was the final UA alumna to receive a Fulbright scholarship. Before being named a Fulbright scholar, she had taken a position with Teach for America as a bilingual instructor in Colorado. She will be taking a break from her job for a year in order to teach English to students in Brazil. These graduates have varying plans of what they want to do after they finish their Fulbright ventures. Hunkler plans to use her year abroad to prepare for her career as a Spanish teacher in America. Bero plans to continue teaching English abroad until she can study political science at the graduate level. Fick hopes to work with AmeriCorps for a year before pursuing a career in arts administration at a university. In addition to these graduates, the Fulbright Program also provided a professor from the University the opportunity to travel abroad to achieve her professional goals. Catherine Roach of New College is in the United Kingdom this year in order to conduct final interviews with members of the U.K. Romantic Novelists Association. She will use these interviews to finish her book on the influence of the romance genre on popular culture. “[Romance’s] central narrative – ‘find your one true love and live happily ever after’ – is one of the core cultural stories about how to live the good life, omnipresent in movies, music lyrics, advertising, etc. This story is hugely influential in cultural productions and in individual life. We pursue love, sex and romance sometimes to our benefit but also to our detriment. I’m writing this book so I can think about how and why,” Roach said. Her fellowship will enable her to publish her book in 2015.
Computed CAPEX and OPEX. Then learned how to cook Tex-Mex.
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p.7 Abbey Crain | Editor culture@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Director brings global experience to local community Submitted Courtney Thomas will be the new director of the University of Alabama Community Service Center. By Lauren Davis | Contributing Writer Whether she is coaching a local soccer team or traveling abroad, the new director of the University of Alabama Community Service Center, Courtney Thomas, is always looking for ways to serve others. Thomas said she believes that service is not only a way to give back to the community, but also an integral part of finding oneself. “To serve is to see the faces of the world,” Thomas said. “With every new face, we learn a little more about our own character and beliefs: what we believe we should fight, where we believe we should advocate and when we believe we should be a loud voice for those who don’t have one.” Thomas first discovered her passion for community service after a six-week trip she took to Africa when she was 18 years old. The trip changed her perspective, and, at that moment in her life, poverty became more than a statistic. It was real. “It changed everything about my entire life,” Thomas said. “I decided at that moment that I wanted to devote everything about myself to helping others and to helping fight poverty, both locally and around the world. Before, I wanted to be a politician and study public relations, but after seeing poverty firsthand, I felt it was my calling to dedicate my life to serving. At that point, I changed
my major to social work.” Subsequently, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work from Auburn University before continuing her education at Baylor University. There she earned a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in physical and mental health and a specialization in global and social issues of poverty. Since her life-changing experience in Africa, Thomas has participated in numerous service projects domestically and abroad. While she pursued her undergraduate degree, Thomas spent a semester in postKatrina New Orleans, La., doing cleanup, helping with missing persons and working for the Crisis Hotline Center. “[New Orleans] was a very meaningful experience because I had never seen disaster on that level here in the United States. It was very humbling,” Thomas said. More recently, Thomas spent a year resettling 47 refugee families from the African country Burundi. Once they arrived in America, Thomas helped the families adjust to life in the U.S. by teaching them simple skills, such as how to use a shower or what type of food to keep in the refrigerator. “Some of the sweetest moments were being able to welcome families to America and watch as the look on their faces changed because they knew they were safe,” Thomas
said. “That was one of the best days of my life.” However, despite her extensive degrees and wealth of experience, Thomas said her greatest skill is willingness. Because of this willingness, she was able to travel with the organization Doctors Without Borders to volunteer in medical clinics in Honduras. “If you’re willing to serve, there’s always a place for you,” Thomas said. “I may not have had the skills to be a doctor, but I could wash the feet of the patients with foot diseases. So that’s what I did.” Now employed at The University of Alabama, Thomas oversees all community service projects that go through the University. She also supervises UA programs, such as Al’s Pals, visiting senior citizens at Capstone Living and serving meals at Jesus Way Homeless Shelters. “I help develop relationships with nonprofit organizations locally, as well as throughout the rest of the state, The United States and in other countries to give students opportunities to participate in meaningful transformational services, experience new cultures and use educational skills to address issues, theories and ideas discussed in class,” Thomas said. Although Thomas has been at The University of Alabama for only one month, she has already gained esteem among her
colleagues. In the three most hectic weeks of the school year, Thomas has been a significant help in organizing Al’s Pals, a popular mentoring program among students. “[Thomas] has already proven to be a problem solver who is able to handle many and varying tasks in a professional manner,” Star Bloom, Al’s Pals coordinator said. “We are so glad she is here.” Similarly, Assistant Director of Community Services Kim Montgomery said she is also happy to have Thomas as a part of the University. “I am excited about what students can gain by working with her,” Montgomery said. “[Thomas] may be young, but she has a wealth of experience, both domestic and international, and she brings many attributes to the University.” In her new position, Thomas hopes to make the Community Service Center more well-known on campus. One of her goals is to grow the Community Service Center so much that no student can say he or she graduated after four years of college without serving the local community in some way. “Gandhi said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,’” Thomas quoted. “That’s so true, and I hope that as the Director of Community Services, I can inspire that attitude in the students at The University of Alabama.”
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
UA alumnus attends 120 consecutive games By Allie Ellsworth | Staff Reporter Alabama alumnus Aaron Blackwell attended his 120th consecutive Alabama football game at Texas A&M Saturday in College Station, Texas, which was happily met with a win. The last game he missed was Nov. 29, 2003, in Hawaii. Calling Blackwell a dedicated fan would be an understatement; however, Blackwell said he didn’t set out with the goal of never missing a game. He just loves Alabama football. “It’s my hobby,” Blackwell said. “I don’t hunt, fish or golf. Going to games is what I do for fun. I’ve never had a goal and didn’t aspire to get to any certain number. It’s my team, my school and I’m grateful I’ve been able to go to as many games as I have.” Blackwell, the assistant manager of Alumni Fund at the University, has seen countless big moments of Alabama football in over eight years of uninterruptedattendance.Alabama’srecordis92wins and only 28 losses during Blackwell’s consecutive streak. He has seen three national championships, two SEC championships, the “Rocky Block” and Alabama going to the BCS Championship, despite a one-loss season, twice. His favorite game is the 2009 SEC Championship against Florida, though. It had been about 10 years since Alabama had an SEC title. The win signified the start of a new era in Crimson Tide football. “That game meant a lot to me,” Blackwell said. “Just to have some success and knowing I was going to the National Championship in Pasadena after that. It was amazing.” Often, Blackwell attends games with his wife or with his brother or father, as is the case of the Iron Bowl. Sometimes, though, he goes with his longtime friend, Brennan Shores. Shores accompanied Blackwell to College Station Saturday and expects that Blackwell will continue to attend Bama games for years to come. “It’s crazy,” Shores said. “He doesn’t show any sign of slowing down either. By the time we are old
and have grandkids, there is no telling how many games he will have been to.” Like many children growing up in Alabama, Blackwell’s love for the Crimson Tide was embedded in him as a child. His dad began taking him to games when he was just a kid. One game stands out in his mind, in particular: the 1992 Iron Bowl. Alabama won 17-0 that day, and Blackwell’s dad bought him a cushion seat. After the game, they went down to the field, his dad leaned over the railing at Legion Field, and Coach Gene Stallings autographed the seat. “That was probably the most memorable game I went to as a kid,” Blackwell said. Blackwell hopes to pass on the same love of Alabama and football to his daughter. Blackwell has never added up the cost of tickets, gas, hotels, food and souvenirs, and he is certain he does not want to know the total. He has missed weddings, funerals and other family events to go to games. “I wouldn’t be able to do this if I didn’t have such a supportive wife and family,” Blackwell said. “They know that I love Alabama football, and they wouldn’t want me to be anywhere else.” He is often asked when his streak will end, but his response is always the same, Blackwell said. “When I no longer enjoy going or can’t afford to provide for my family and still go,” he said. “The latter will probably occur long before the former.” An Alabama football game becoming unenjoyable seems foreign to Blackwell. Attending a game is an experience unlike any other, and at this time, when winning is not uncommon for the Crimson Tide, it is just that much more exciting for Blackwell. “Winning is always more enjoyable than losing, but the fun is in winning,” Blackwell said. “But it’s also in the atmosphere. It’s in the roar of the crowd. I’ve never enjoyed a game I’ve watched on TV the same as when I am in the stands. You just can’t replicate the experience.”
Submittef Aaron Blackwell attended his 120th consecutive Alabama football game Saturday.
COLUMN | HEALTH
Fight against ‘freshman 15’ weight gain with small lifestyle changes By Heather Combs | Contributing Writer
+ 15 Fighting the “Freshman 15”: – Walk to campus or class whenever possible – Avoid taking the bus if you don’t have to – Take the stairs instead of the elevator – Take advantage of the rec’s group classes – Reevaluate your eating habits – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables Belle Newby | CW
“Freshman 15” – two words that capture the fear of almost all college students. The “freshman 15” is considered to be the excess weight many students gain when they enter college. The expression claims to only affect freshmen, but it can actually affect a person at any year, or even at any age. College life is a brand new experience. You have dining halls with what seems like unlimited food and delicious restaurants all around campus that, let’s face it, may not always have the healthiest options. Plus, even if they do, who would really choose the grilled chicken with steamed vegetables rather than the deluxe bacon cheeseburger and curly fries? I sure wouldn’t. Most college students are living on a pretty tight budget. We are also fighting the battle of time – not having enough time to finish all your homework, to study, to do any extracurricular activities and to maintain a social life. It is pretty safe to say that exercise is not always on the mind of a college student. Then to top it off, a campus transit system is offered to drive you to your classes. College life is not always conducive to a healthy lifestyle/weight management. If you feel you may be a casualty of the dreaded “freshman 15,” you are not alone. I gained weight my freshman year, mostly due to the buffet-style dining halls and the lack of exercise. However, I fought the freshman 15 and won. It’s not impossible. In fact, all it took was a slight lifestyle change. Keeping off extra weight is really not as hard as you
may think. The first thing you can do is stop taking the easy way. What I mean by this is do not always take the bus to your class. Walk. If you live close enough, walk to campus and walk to your classes. When going to the grocery store, park farther away from the doors. Take the stairs rather than the elevator, and when you have time, go to the gym. Grab your friends and make it a regular part of your weekly routine. Now you may think that exercise and physical activity is the only way to prevent/eliminate the “freshman 15,” but it is not. Any time weight loss is concerned, it is actually 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise. So you will have to consider your eating habits as well. This does not mean you have to exclude carbohydrates (carbs) and fat from your diet. In fact, I encourage you not to do this, because your body needs a certain amount of carbs, fats and sugars to function at its optimal level. The key to any diet is moderation. Enjoy the things you love but in small amounts and not every day. Make healthy decisions. Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables, choose grilled foods over fried, try side salads rather than french fries and get light/fat-free products (i.e. light butter or fat-free cream cheese). Also, reward yourself. If you have made healthy food choices all week and have exercised at least three days, treat yourself to a delicious dinner or to your favorite dessert. These are only a few tips, but by just making these small changes to your lifestyle, you will see a world of difference. If I can fight the “freshman 15” and win, so can you. So my challenge to you is to make the change and fight.
COLUMN | FOOD
Current cooking shows less about cooking By Tara Massouleh | Contributing Writer Despite my mom’s incessant half-joking threats that I will never find a husband unless I learn to cook and her earnest attempts to teach me to cook before college, I’ve never had much interest in the culinary arts. Sure, I appreciate a home-cooked meal, and I’m certainly not shy when it comes to trying new and unusual cuisines, but the thought of actually having to prepare said dishes is enough to make me consider living off frozen pizzas and PB&J well past my college years. So it may seem surprising that the most frequently visited channels on my beloved basic cable are the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. However, these two food channels aren’t just for cooking anymore. Gone are the days when Emeril Lagasse “bammed” his way into America’s heart, teaching us how to make the perfect bowl of Cajun gumbo. And long-gone are the days when we were invited into Paula Deen’s Southern kitchen to learn that “butter balls” are exactly what they sound like (cream cheese, butter and health complications all rolled into one delicious deep-fried ball). Of course, the lack of Paula on our home TVs may be for reasons having less to do with food choice and more to do with word choice. Nevertheless, over the years, the Food Network and the Cooking Channel have undergone some major transformations, the biggest being the shift from an emphasis on cooking shows to an emphasis on what I like to call “eating shows” as well as food competition shows. Food Network host Guy Fieri is a perfect example of this trend. He first became employed by the Food Network after winning the second season of “America’s Next Food Network Star” and then went on to prove his title not through his instructional cooking show “Guy’s Big Bite,” but through his hit eating show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” where he travels the country visiting local eateries. And Fieri’s not the only one who has found success eating instead of cooking. Food Network’s favorite female hosts Rachel Ray and Giadi De Laurentiis have
also branched out to host eating shows in addition to their cooking shows. Even the Cooking Channel, whose name seems to promote strictly instructional cooking shows, now offers “Chuck’s Eat the Street” and “Unique Eats” along with numerous other eating programs. In addition to the growing popularity of eating shows on TV, reality competition shows have also begun to take over nearly every network – including the Food Network and Cooking Channel. When it first debuted in 1999, “Iron Chef” was little more than a kooky cooking competition show with a small cult following. Now, 14 years later, it has become the pioneer for other popular reality competition food shows including “Chopped,” “Dinner: Impossible” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” where chefs compete to cook gourmet meals given limited ingredients and limited time. The stakes are higher, the drama is intensified, and, as a result, viewers are much more interested. So what does all this say about the American viewers who have made eating and competition food shows far more successful than traditional cooking shows? Does it say that our attention spans have shortened, as we are no longer able to sit through a 30-minute program in order to learn how to make a meal? But then again, why should we when we can instead watch a restaurant chef prepare a dish from start to finish in a three-minute segment on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and then multiply it by 10 to fill the half-hour? Does it say that Americans have come to value the final product over the process of obtaining it? Or does it say that Americans have simply become obsessed with drama and can no longer be stimulated by mere instructional programming? Maybe it says that as Americans we live in a world full of lazy dogs, sleepy cats and noisy yellow ducks ready to eat the bread, with few red hens to do the work to get it. One thing I can guarantee is that my weeknights will continue to consist of me downing boxes of Easy Mac while drooling over whatever new food Guy Fieri has annoyingly gotten stuck in his beard and dubbed the new mayor of Flavortown.
Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/MCT Guy Fieri, restaurateur and Food Network chef, enjoys a quick meal at his new restaurant Tex Wasabi’s in Sacramento, Calif., March 27, 2007.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
KAYAK FISHING
Students start first kayak fishing club in state By Jake Woodham | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of UA Kayak Fishing Team Most competitions and outings take place at the Cahaba River, Lake Lurleen and Lake Nicol.
Kayak fishing is quickly becoming one of the most popular and practical methods for anglers to catch fish, and two pioneering students have started the state’s first club of its kind at The University of Alabama. The sport offers a much greater chance of success than if one were simply fishing from land or a traditional boat. The versatility of kayaks offers increased stealth and mobility in order to sneak up on unaware catches. Not only is one able to fish from the entire pond, which would not be the case with land fishing, but a kayak’s lightweight design allows for easy access from pond to pond and over land as well. Tyler Clark and Evan Yell brought the sport to the University because they wanted to share their hobby with others and were concerned with the lack of representation on campus. Founded on March 4 of this year, the club already boasts nearly 40 members and is continuing to grow. With an entrance fee of $20, one of the lowest member fees for any club on campus, students are flocking to the club as a way of socializing and competing in their favorite sport. Clark said “most other bass fishing clubs can charge as much as $200,” so this club’s cheap price offers a more financially viable solution. Students are not required to obtain extra equipment upon joining the club, since the kayaks are provided at each outing. The only equipment that must be provided by the prospective members are rods and reels, which Clark and Yell help purchase at
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (09/17/13). With power comes responsibility. Both are available this year, and they arise socially. Participate. Contribute time and energy generously to the ones you love for magnified returns. Build your nest egg with persistent savings. Share skills and knowledge. 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 -Clarify your direction with friends. An idealist needs to be held to facts. That path is a dead end. Your words inspire others to take action. Get a flash of scientific inspiration. Phone home. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Conversing with friends clears up a misunderstanding. Do the homework. Provide motivation. A book reveals brilliant insight. Play, but remember your budget. Glamour disguises a few flaws. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Career matters most now. Study recent developments. Get farther together than any of you would have alone. Edit later. Make a spiritual connection. Set lofty goals. It takes patience. Keep a secret and gain respect.
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Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Your friends encourage you to try something interesting. Set long range goals, including fun and travel. Your savings are growing. Take only carefully calculated risks. Accept encouragement. You could just go. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -Today is an 8 -- Get into the competition. Count coins and pay bills. Figure the costs. Discuss shared finances. Listen carefully, even if you don’t fully understand. Write down what a wealthy elder told you.
-Tyler Clark discounted prices through the club’s sponsors. The club is supported by 13 sponsors, the most prominent of which are Mann’s Bate Company, Backwater Paddle Company, Double Catch Lures and Yak-gear.com. These sponsors provide donations and discounted prices for the club’s members. The founders’ goals are to spread the sport to other Alabama campuses so students of the state can experience Alabama outdoors. “Alabama has nearly 53,000 miles of waterways,” Clark said. “And our lakes are famous for their fishing.” The state has one of the longest navigable inland waterways in the nation, and the club’s purpose is to explore and fish these areas. They also expect to compete against other teams from the Southeast in the future. In the meantime, they compete with each other, with the victor winning prizes and gift cards to outdoor stores. These competitions and outings are mostly held at the Cahaba River, Lake Lurleen and Lake Nicol, but members also go to various places across Alabama. The club is always seeking new members, and the best way to get information about joining is to go to The University of Alabama Kayak Fishing page on Facebook.
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Alabama has nearly 53,000 miles of waterways, and our lakes are famous for their fishing.
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Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- It’s easier to delegate. Spend on supplies. Clear up confusion before proceeding. It’s a good time to get your message across. Ask probing questions. Try a new tactic. Divine intervention isn’t cheating. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Focus on your work. Keep track of your earnings. You’re determined to succeed. Realize a sweet dream. Steady action provides the results. Collect fringe benefits for later. Cultivate love. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Encourage creative thinking. You’re entering a cuddly phase. All isn’t yet revealed. Details still need to be worked out. It’s getting easier to advance now. Fulfill a fantasy. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Add structure to your home. Dreams and visions make sense. Is it time to buy the tickets? Pay back a debt. Play with long-range plans. Dispel any illusions. Investigate the improbable. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Hold on to what you have for a while. You’re sharp as a tack. Count your blessings. Imagine a new venture. Negotiate a partnership deal. Elicit a promise. Discuss, don’t argue. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9 -These days can be potentially quite prosperous. Keep the goal in mind. Also fix something at home to increase efficiency. Handle a household emergency. The more you learn, the farther you’ll go. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 6 -- A startling revelation provokes. You’re getting more sensitive; this phase feels exceptionally powerful and confident. Wax poetic. Be the brains behind the operation. Consider consequences. Record your dreams today.
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p.10 Marc Torrence | Editor sports@cw.ua.edu
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
FOOTBALL
Saban addresses injuries, Yeldon issues By Nick Sellers | Staff Reporter Two days after defeating Texas A&M 49-42, Nick Saban addressed injuries to Deion Belue, Kevin Norwood and Anthony Steen at his Monday press conference. Saban said all three players are day-to-day, with Belue and Norwood being questionable and Steen probable for Saturday’s game against Colorado State. Belue suffered an apparent turf toe injury and was wearing a walking boot and sweatpants for the entire second half in College Station, Texas. Norwood, who scored first for the Crimson Tide, limped off the field in the third quarter. Steen, the offensive line’s veteran presence, was replaced by senior Kellen Williams on the team’s final drive. Williams played extensively against Virginia Tech after early struggles in the season opener. “[Williams] deserves a lot of credit,” quarterback AJ McCarron said. “For a guy to sit there the whole game and have to stay in the game mentally, and to come in on the last drive to help lead us down the field, [he did an] unbelievable job. It really says a lot about him as a player, as a teammate and as a person,
This is something that I will learn from, and I will use better judgment in the future. —T.J Yeldon
too … He really made some good blocks to help us put points on the board.” Belue was bothered by a nagging hamstring injury in the 2013 preseason that kept him sidelined from several scrimmages.
Tide a 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff and an earful from Saban upon his return to the sideline. “This is something that I will learn from, and I will use better judgment in the future.”
Yeldon releases statement on touchdown celebration
Sunseri scores for second consecutive game
Before Saban’s comments, Alabama’s athletic communications distributed a statement from running back T.J. Yeldon regarding the personal foul that incurred after his touchdown in the second quarter. “I want to apologize to everyone for my selfish actions on Saturday,” the statement read. “That is not the way I want to represent myself, my family and our team. That is not the way we do things at Alabama.” Yeldon, who finished with 149 yards off 25 carries and the one touchdown, earned the Crimson
Also discussed Monday was Vinnie Sunseri’s interception return for a touchdown in the early third quarter. “It was a great opportunity to make a play during the game,” Sunseri said. “And all credit goes to [defensive back] Jarrick Williams. He made the play. I was just there to catch the ball and run it in for him.” The score was Sunseri’s second pick-six in as many games. The interception was his fourth career turnover and capped a mid-game 35-point run for the Crimson Tide.
CW | Cora Lindholm After several mental errors in the Texas A&M Game, the tide looks to regain focus.
BASEBALL
Diamond Dolls a big baseball family
Submitted Diamond Dolls has continued to grow after to returning to campus last year. By Danielle Walker | Staff Reporter Every good athletic team has a great support system behind it, and The University of Alabama’s baseball team has the Diamond Dolls to back them up. The Diamond Dolls is an on-campus organization that works with the baseball team to promote, market, get fans to attend the games and help with recruiting. They also work during the games to help fans find seats or retrieve foul balls on the field. “We actually get to be a part of it. We’re actually there participating and helping,” Hayley Kilgo, a sophomore
majoring in public relations and restaurant and hotel management said. “You get really involved. It’s like a big baseball family.” The club has been on and off since the 1980s but returned to campus last year. “Just within a year, you can tell so many people know about us now,” Kilgo said. “It’s continuing to grow.” For some of the women, Diamond Dolls is a way to stay involved with athletics without playing a sport. Jasmine Wells, a senior majoring in public relations, transferred to Alabama from Faulkner State Community College, where she played softball for two years.
SPORTSIN BRIEF Players of the week announced Eight members of the Crimson Tide football team were named players of the week after the 49-42 win over Texas A&M. AJ McCarron, Cyrus Kouandijo and Brian Vogler were named this week on offense. C.J. Mosley and Jeffery Pagan recognized for defense. Cade Foster, Christion Jones and Cody Mandell were acknowledged on special teams.
Kickoff announced for Ole Miss Alabama’s kickoff against Ole Miss on Sept. 28 will be at 5:30 p.m. CT and televised on ESPN.
Men’s tennis brings in victories After the three-day Southern Intercollegiate Championships this weekend, The University of Alabama men’s tennis team acquired 19 wins with 14 from singles matches and five from doubles. Junior Andrew Goodwin advanced to the Division II finals of the singles match.
Women’s tennis claims 12 wins Alabama’s women’s tennis team returned from the Duke Fab Five Tournament with 12 victories – eight wins from singles and four from doubles matches. Alabama’s next tournament will be the Furman Fall Classic Sept. 27-29. Compiled by Alex Accetta
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“It’s something to keep me close to the field,” Wells said. This year, the Diamond Dolls have 14 returning women and are hoping to expand their group to 30-35. At this year’s Get On Board Day, about 120 girls signed an interest list. “We haven’t even started yet, and I’m just really impressed with how many girls have signed up,” Amber Lewis, a junior majoring in journalism, said. Lewis said the club is looking for women who like baseball, are outgoing and can dedicate their time to the club and the baseball team. Even though Diamond Dolls is a yearly time commitment, many members still participate in other on-campus organizations as well. “I feel like as the years go on this is going to be a big part of Alabama baseball. We’re just in our first year, but it’s grown a lot. I think it’s going to continue to keep growing like that,” Kilgo said. To apply to be a Diamond Doll, visit rolltide.com and click on “baseball” under the sports tab. On the baseball page, click on the “more info” tab, and select “Diamond Dolls” to view the application. Applications are due Sept. 19. For more information, find the Diamond Dolls on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Julio Jones • Wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons • 11 catches, 182 yards • 1 touchdown
Eddie Lacy • Running back for the Green Bay Packers • 1 carry, 10 yards • Left the game with a concussion • Status uncertain for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati
Dont’a Hightower • Linebacker for the New England Patriots • 8 tackles, 4 solo
Kareem Jackson • Cornerback for the Houston Texans • 6 solo tackles • 2 passes defended
OUTDOOR REC
Outdoor Rec. hidden gem on campus Danielle Walker | Staff Reporter The state of Alabama has many outdoor activities to offer, and students can take full advantage of all this state has to offer through the Outdoor Recreation Center. Many students are not aware of the Outdoor Rec and all that it can offer to them, said Cameron Butler, a senior majoring in political science. Butler is the student manager at the rental center. “Time and time again we hear, ‘Man I’ve been here for four years, and I never knew this place existed,’” Butler said. “We want to get the word out to the student population to let them know that we do exist and we have a great deal to offer.” The Outdoor Rec is located within the Student Recreation Center and offers a rental center, bike shop and a climbing gym. Toffer Mohr, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering and an Outdoor Rec bike shop mechanic, described the Outdoor Rec as “a way to get students out and doing more outdoor things.” The rental shop allows students to rent any gear they might need to enjoy the great outdoors, from sleeping bags and tents to canoes and kayaks.
2013 Fall Trip Calendar Date - Location, Student price Sept. 22 - Tumbling Rock Caving Trip, $30 Oct. 6 - Anvil Cave trip, $30 Oct. 13 - Palisades Climbing, $30 Oct. 20 - Oak Mountain Mountain Bike, $30 Oct. 20 - Walls of Jericho, $30 Oct. 31 - November 3-Smokey Mountain Backpacking, $125 Nov. 16-17 - Sipsey Backpacking, $60 Nov. 24 - Horse Pens 40 Bouldering, $30 *Prices may be higher for non-members of Outdoor Rec.
CW | Belle Newby The bike shop is open for students to rent bikes to ride around campus or mountain bikes for trips. Butler said the shop rents out four types of bikes: Bama bikes, Bamboo bikes, road bikes and mountain bikes. The bike shop is also a full-service bike shop that allows students to get their bikes repaired quickly on campus. “Our prices are competitive with the shops around town, but we’re running it a little bit lower,” Mohr said.
Besides a rental and bike shop, the Outdoor Rec also includes a climbing wall located in the back of the Rec Center. The wall is open during the week during normal business hours for students to train or climb for fun. The Outdoor Rec also plans numerous day and weekend trips throughout the semester for students to get out and try new things. Trips include whitewater kayaking, caving, backpacking and mountain bike rides.