WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 30 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894
CW | Austin Bigoney Barriers have been broken as Panhellenic sororities welcome minority women as a result of the continuous open bidding process.
TODAYON CAMPUS Art on campus WHAT: Beverly Semmes: Starcraft WHEN: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. WHERE: Garland Hall
NEWS | SORORITY INTEGRATION
Two weeks bring questions, answers Sorority integration efforts encourage campus diversity By Mark Hammontree and Jordan Cissell | CW Staff
Local art WHAT: Umoja: Spirit of Unity WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: Paul R. Jones Gallery
Free sno-cones WHAT: Share Free Sno-Cones with Friends WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m WHERE: Kappa Delta lawn
Food and fundraising WHAT: Environmental Council Fundraiser WHEN: 5-9 p.m. WHERE: Moe’s Southwest Grill on the Strip
The past two weeks have brought significant changes to The University of Alabama. After The Crimson White’s Sept. 11 article, “The Final Barrier,” detailed allegations of racial discrimination in the formal recruitment process of certain Panhellenic sororities, national media outlets picked up the story, and students and faculty members voiced their concerns about the culture of discrimination on campus. Numerous actions have since been taken by the UA administration and students, including a student- and faculty-led protest, the reopening of continuous sorority bidding and the suspension of block seating for the first home football game by the Student Government Association.
National attention The students who spoke to the CW for the initial article described alumnae interference in the bidding process, including the blocking of black students by alumnae and chapter advisors. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley spoke out against sorority segregation on The University of Alabama campus in response to The Crimson White’s article “The Final Barrier” in an interview with Birmingham’s Fox 6 WBRC-TV Thursday, Sept. 12, one day after the article was published. “I think it’s absurd that you don’t select the best person and that you would ever discriminate against anyone because of the color of their skin,” Bentley said. “So I feel the way the students do, and I believe that they should choose people on their qualities.” The story was quickly picked up by local, state and national media outlets.
CNN reporters visited the UA campus Friday, Sept. 13 and attempted to interview members of greek organizations, while USA Today and The New York Times ran subsequent articles on the controversy. Students, alumnae and faculty expressed outrage and urged the administration to respond to the allegations. In the wake of the original story, the administration was initially silent on the allegations before issuing statements two days later. Paul Bryant Jr., president pro tempore of UA system Board of Trustees, released a statement at the beginning of the Sept. 13 board meeting. “The Board of Trustees does not support the segregation of any organization at our institutions on account of race,” Bryant said in the statement. “We support the efforts of our administration to effect the change necessary to bring this principle to reality in the entire University of SEE SORORITY PAGE 2
NEWS | CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
New culinary lab allows student testing
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WHAT: Trivia WHEN: 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Innisfree Irish Pub
• The new and improved culinary lab houses 10 spacious experiment stations. • The lab is equipped with stainless steel cabinets and state-of-the-art observational areas for students’ experiments. • The program received a $1.5 million grant from Nestle for students to test its products in the new lab.
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Wednesday night trivia
Students walking through Doster Hall may notice enticing aromas wafting from one of The University of Alabama’s newest laboratories. This semester, the College of Human Environmental Sciences opened its doors to a state-ofthe-art culinary lab designed to allow students the opportunity to experiment with different chemicals and cooking materials in a way that teaches practical cooking and food-prep experience.
WEATHER
WHAT: Cody Canada and The Departed WHEN: 9 p.m. WHERE: Jupiter Bar
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By Clayton Santo | Contributing Writer
Out on the town
Kristi Crowe, a food chemist, dietitian and assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the University, teaches the courses offered in the food lab. Crowe said the new and improved food lab paved the way for broader discussion, experimentation and observation related to food and the food industry that is typically found only in the workplace. “If any of our students go out and want to do restaurant management or clinical dietetics, they are seeing what they would see out in the industry,” Crowe said. Crowe said an example of the
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WHAT: ‘Salvador Allende’ WHEN: 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 203 B.B. Comer Hall
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CAMPUSBRIEFS
Wednesday September 25, 2013
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Career Center hosts event The University of Alabama’s Career Center will host an event to inform students on business ownership as a career choice Wednesday in Room 360 of the Ferguson Center from 6-7 p.m. George Knauf, the speaker and a senior franchise business advisor, will discuss owning a business as a part of the Career Center’s Career Exploration Series. All students, parents and alumni are welcome to attend, and the dress for the evening is casual.
SCENEON CAMPUS
Sports ethics subject of lecture The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency will come to campus to discuss ethics in sports Friday in Room 247 of Bryant Hall at 1 p.m. USADA’s CEO Travis Tygart will present his lecture, “Playing Fair and Winning: An Inside View of Ethics and Integrity from the Lance Armstrong Case.” The talk is aimed at students in the College of Human and Environmental Sciences sports management program but is open to the public. Tygart will share his thoughts regarding why he believes it is critical for the next generation of leaders to hear firsthand that competing fair with integrity is the only way to win in sports and in life. CW | Austin Bigoney Student John Anthony instagrams a vibrant fall sunset after a string of showers came through Tuscaloosa Tuesday.
Homecoming events dates set This year The University of Alabama’s Homecoming theme is ‘Leaving a Crimson Legacy.’ The week of festivities will begin Sunday and end Saturday, Oct. 5. The week’s events will kick off with the 25th annual Roll Tide Run, with check-in starting at noon at Gorgas Library Sunday. Paint the Town Red will be held from 1-4 p.m. Monday. Students can pick up materials at the Ferguson Center SGA Office to show their school spirit across Tuscaloosa. The bowling tournament will begin at 9 p.m. Monday at AMF Bama Lanes. The annual Homecoming pep rally and bonfire will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 on the Quad. The main events for the week include the UA football game against Georgia State University set for 11:21 a.m. and the annual Homecoming parade at 7 a.m., both scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5.
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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.
TODAY WHAT: The GO System WHEN: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. WHERE: Rose Administration, Room G-54 WHAT: Environmental Council fundraiser WHEN: 5-9 p.m. WHERE: Moe’s Southwest Grill on the Strip
Students, faculty look toward future SORORITY FROM PAGE 1
Alabama System.” UA President Judy Bonner told board members and media that she supported the statement and that her administration was working to remove the barriers preventing students from doing the “right thing.” John England Jr., circuit judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit and one of three black members on the UA Board of Trustees, confirmed that his step-granddaughter was one of the potential new members dropped from the sorority houses. He also thanked Bryant for making a statement. “I view it, perhaps it means a little bit more to me than some of the others because it’s my granddaughter, and so I appreciate the board making this statement,” England said. “I particularly appreciate President pro tem Bryant coming out affirmatively where everybody gets a clear message that we don’t do that at The University of Alabama.” In “The Final Barrier,” a member of Chi Omega, who asked to remain anonymous, said her chapter dropped the black recruit because of its rush advisor, Emily Jamison, who is listed in the UA directory as director of UA president’s and chancellor’s events. When asked if the University would investigate these allegations, a UA spokesperson said it was not the University’s responsibility, according to AL.com. “Ms. Jamison’s role as chapter advisor is voluntary and is not related to her responsibilities as a UA employee,” a University spokesperson told AL.com Friday. More than 200 students and faculty members gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 18 for a protest march from the front of Gorgas Library to the steps of Rose Administration Building to urge the administration to address the systemic issues revealed by the sorority controversy. President Bonner briefly stood with the protesters before going back inside the doors of Rose Administration. Following her appearance on the front steps of Rose, Bonner addressed the media. Bonner said the administration has
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
WHAT: Free Waffles and Coffee WHEN: 7 a.m.-7 a.m. Friday WHERE: Waffle House on the Strip
WHAT: International Coffee Hour WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. WHERE: 121 B.B. Comer Hall
WHAT: Gregory J. Szulczewski Seminar WHEN: 11-11:50 a.m. WHERE: 1014 South Engineering Research Center WHAT: ‘Lore’ (German Movie Night) WHEN: 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 257 B.B. Comer Hall
been investigating allegations that alumnae blocked the integration of sororities. “The way in which I am working with the alumni is working with the national chapters,” Bonner told WVUA-FM. “The national Panhellenic and the national chapters are working with the local chapters in order to address any concerns – real or perceived – that are created by the alumni. Some of what is being reported may be true; some of what is being reported is not.” Bonner did not elaborate on what was being falsely reported. In addition to the protest, many students also spoke out against discrimination in columns, letters and interviews with multiple media organizations. Bonner and other faculty members said these students coming forth to voice their concerns are what have resulted in the change that has occurred so far. “What began as a few lone voices against inequality has quickly swelled to a chorus of hundreds,” Carl Bacon, president of the Black Faculty and Staff Association, said in a statement. “These young people have done more in a single week to change the deadening complacency and stagnant passivity inherent to our greek system than has been effected in decades.”
Bidding reopened Following a private meeting between Bonner and representatives from each Panhellenic sorority, the Alabama Panhellenic Association announced Sept. 16 that each sorority would be allowed to reopen its bidding process and could fill its membership up to 360 members. Sororities would be able to issue bids to any unaffiliated young women, whether they had participated in formal recruitment or not. Bonner released a videoed report on the bidding process Friday, Sept. 20, saying 11 black women had been issued bids, four of which had been accepted. Three more bids had been extended to other minorities, two of which had been accepted. “The process of open continuous bidding will continue,” Bonner said. “And we will see these numbers increase over the next few weeks.” The administration has not released an updated
WHAT: Judah and the Lion WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: First Baptist Church WHAT: CBDB WHEN: 8 p.m. WHERE: Jupiter Bar WHAT: Desperate Measures WHEN: 9-10 p.m. WHERE: Rhythm & Brews
report since Friday, but Cathy Andreen, UA director of Media Relations, told The Crimson White the names of students that had accepted bids would not be released as new member names were after bid day. “We do not plan to release the names of the students who pledge during continuous open bidding,” Andreen said. “The national organizations have asked that these girls have their privacy be respected and their names not be released.” Andreen said there is no university-implemented time frame for students accepting these bids, but each sorority will follow its own policies regarding continuous open bidding. Bonner said students were responsible for encouraging progress. “The students wanted to make this happen. The students were saying that there were barriers that were preventing them from making it happen,” Bonner told WVUAFM. “There were many barriers identified – one that was always discussed was media descending upon them.” Bonner said the media might be a real or perceived barrier but that the students have cited media as a barrier. She did not specifically cite the CW’s “The Final Barrier.” When asked how the administration would protect individuals who spoke out against segregation from threats or being ostracized from their sororities, Bonner said that might not be a valid fear. “See, that would be an example of what I would call a perceived barrier,” Bonner told WVUA-FM. “But we certainly will work with all of our students to support them as they take the steps that are needed in order to make progress.”
Moving forward With reports of several minority students accepting bids to join traditionally white sororities and the University pledging to continue to work toward a campus free from discrimination, many faculty members and students are hopeful of what the future holds but are aware that the issue is not yet resolved. Michaela Postell, a senior majoring in health sciences and the president of Collegiate 100 Black Women, told the CW she thinks the steps that have been taken so far are a move in the “right direction” but that the issue of racial segregation and discrimination has not been fully resolved.
“We think our campus is still pretty segregated in that black people don’t always go over and talk to white people, and white people don’t always go talk to black people,” Postell said. “I want to see the women in a Panhellenic sorority offering a black woman a bid without having to be told by Dr. Bonner or the administration that it’s okay. They just do it because that’s what they want to do. And we’re well on our way there.” Isaac Bell, president of the Mallet Assembly, whose members made up a large portion of students present at last week’s protest, said regardless of what steps come next, students should remain interested and involved. “While I can’t say exactly what comes next, we do know there will be more to come,” Bell said. “I encourage every student to pay attention to what’s going on, get involved, come to meetings and discussions and be honest about your ideas and feelings.” At a Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday night, the senators approved a resolution calling for the formation of a task force comprised of students, faculty and administrators that would work together to find ways to continue the push to make the campus and student organizations more diverse and open. Faculty Senate President Steve Miller told the senators it was important to maintain the momentum of the past two weeks to ensure that the administration continues to create positive changes. “We seriously need to take this energy and be fruitful with it,” Miller said during the meeting. There is a hopeful spirit among many students and faculty members that change will come and that the University will continue to reform the systems and organizations on campus that have perpetuated these issues over the past several decades. Postell, like numerous others, said the end has not been reached, but it may be in sight. “I think we’ll know [success] when we see it,” Postell said. “There will be a time when the girls in a Panhellenic sorority say, ‘Hey, I want to give this girl a bid because she’s outstanding, she has a great personality, and she has a 4.3 GPA,’ not, ‘She’s black, and we need one for this year, so let’s let her in.’”
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University grant provides funding for high-tech lab FOOD FROM PAGE 1
dynamic way that the food lab enables education and the real world to collide is the impressive grant of $1.5 million the University received from Nestle to use the food lab to test the company’s products. “Nestle wanted to fortify their soups with protein so that they could market them to long-term care facilities,” she said. “What they asked us to do is to conduct sensory analysis for the primary audience and have them taste and rate the sensory attributes of the soups.” Crowe said the Nestle grant has given the University the precedent to seek out new grant funding from additional food and development companies. Located in Doster Hall, the new food lab is a major renovation of the old food labs, which were
constructed in the 1970s. Crowe said faculty and students had to make the old kitchen work, but it was not ideal. “I show my students the before and after of the labs, and I’m like, ‘Don’t ever complain about this facility,’” she said. The new lab is lined with stainless steel cabinets, flat-screen TVs and booths for observational experimentation. Students working in the lab are given a spacious environment and a choice of 10 lab stations, all equipped with burners, sinks and plenty of counter space. Also available for student use are ovens, mixers, microwaves and important safety devices, including an emergency shower. The courses operating in the food lab have a classroom component as well. At the beginning of each week, students meet with their professors in a traditional classroom setting to watch PowerPoint presentations and to learn about what they will be testing in the next lab. Later in the week, students meet in the lab to begin their observations. While
there, students not only make food, but they also explore it, Crowe said. Oftentimes, the students will work in groups – one prepares a recipe, while the other observes how different ingredients and cooking methods can change the taste, smell, texture and appearance of the final product. The practical knowledge gained from the hands-on learning style practiced in the lab can be very valuable for both future careers and everyday eating habits. “With nutrition, it’s good because we’re learning how to cook healthier meals,” Virginia Brasher, a sophomore majoring in nutrition, said. “It’s really important if you want to be a dietitian or anything like that.” Michaella Costas, Brasher’s lab partner and a junior majoring in food and nutrition, said cooking in the class develops more than just culinary skill. “For me, since I don’t cook that often, we’re seeing healthier ways to cook,” Costas said. “We learn to work as a team. I know it’s just cooking, but we are.”
Submitted Classes learn how different ingredients and cooking methods affect the final food product.
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John Brinkerhoff | Editor letters@cw.ua.edu
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Clarifying support for the campus smoking ban On Aug. 21, The Crimson White published an article by Andy McWhorter titled “University considers smoking ban; other Alabama schools lead the way.” In it, there was a statement that “the Faculty Senate, the SGA, the Professional Staff Assembly and other groups are currently evaluating whether they should recommend that the entire campus be smoke- and tobacco-free.” I would like to correct that misunderstanding. The Faculty Senate, the Professional Staff Assembly, the Office, Clerical and Technical Staff Assembly, representing their constituents, passed resolutions in 2012 calling for The University of Alabama to become a smoke-free campus. In addition, the Tobacco Strategic Health Team, coordinated through the UA Department of Heath Promotion & Wellness, has recommended that the University move to become a smoke-free campus. That team has been working since 2005 on this initiative. In 2012, the Association of Residential Communities, the voice of students living on campus, passed a resolution in support of a smoke-free campus. The Student Government
The Student Government Association conducted a 2013 survey last year that leans toward a smoke-free campus.
Association conducted a 2013 survey last year that leans toward a smoke-free campus. Zac McMillian, an undergraduate student working closely with Truman Scholar and former SGA Senator Ryan Flamerich, surveyed the student body in 2012, the results of which pointed strongly toward a smoke-free campus. These University of Alabama organizations and individuals represent those who care a great deal about the well-being of staff, faculty and students and have spoken clearly about the desire for a clean and healthy smokefree campus.
MCT Campus
Steve Miller is the president of the Faculty Senate.
COLUMN | SYRIA
Handshakes could be difference between war and peace By Maxton Thoman | Senior Staff Columnist While The University of Alabama’s attention has been consumed by allegations of voter fraud in the recent Tuscaloosa Board of Education elections and the historical integration of The University of Alabama’s sorority system – both serious issues that deserve their fair share of discussion and action, no doubt – some have managed to remain somewhat oblivious to one of the biggest debates of the year. Once again, the United States of America has found itself in a sticky situation and is even contemplating war with Syria after its incessant use of chemical weapons against rebels, civilians, women and even children. The issue remains, however, that
Maxton Thoman the more military action the United States pushes in the Middle East, the higher antiwestern sentiments can grow. The more we push our global policeman power, the more likely we are to see some retaliation, especially from Syrian allies like Iran. Granted, the threat of war now has diminished thanks to the Russian-authored (and John Kerry accidentally
proposed) peace display within which the Syrian government would turn over all of its chemical weapons – the true “red line” and ultimatum that President Barack Obama set – in return for a handsoff approach from the United States. All the same, though, the threat of military action still looms in the Middle East, and in the past few days, some behind-the-scenes diplomatic action in that respect has made headlines. On Tuesday, for the first time in years, the President of the United States was presented with the opportunity to meet with Hassah Rouhani, the president of Iran, and turn systemic animosity into a diplomatic opportunity. Both men entered the U.N. building Tuesday, and behind closed doors it is unclear if they will meet, even for a
Th simplest handshake The could be the difference between war and peace in 10, 20 or even 50 years. ars.
handshake, or continue to deepen the trough between the two countries by remaining supercilious. No doubt, both countries hold onto considerable rationale as to their hostility towards each other – with demands being thrown back and forth, military action being pushed from either side, coups and hostage crises remaining prominent in our joint histories and seemingly opposite sets of allies back-
ing the both up – and unfortunately it seems as though this all might be too much to overcome. And yet, for the good of the United States, and for the good of Iran for that matter, the simplest handshake could be the difference between war and peace in 10, 20 or even 50 years. Political grudges are nasty little things; they just don’t go away. It’s been more than 20 years since the Berlin Wall fell, and still, many treat Russia the same as they did the Soviet Union. It’s even been 60 years since the 1953 Iranian Coup, and yet, that CIA effort to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh still haunts the United States, a catalyst – along with a long, sordid history of global policing – for the anti-western movement in the Middle East.
While we don’t think about these actions regularly, they remain in our collective subconscious pushing and pulling popular opinion. The events pass from time and memory, until only the grudges remain. Yet, what presents itself at this very moment is an opportunity for both countries to step up and attempt to show a little respect, if not a little peace. What presents itself now is an opportunity to mollify a bit of our past transgressions, and while a handshake won’t fix years of considerable international political damage, it can be a start. And I’ll tell you what, I’d take a handshake over a war any day. Maxton Thoman is a sophomore majoring in biology. His column runs weekly on Wednesdays.
COLUMN | SORORITY INTEGRATION
Reversing tradition, ending segregation have no quick solution By Amber Patterson | Staff Columnist Let me start off by saying that I am proud the University is finally addressing the issue of race and attempting to be active in making some changes. I was also glad to hear in the original story that was printed that the members of the sorority were willing to accept a black student, even if it went against their alumnae’s view of tradition. That shows me, as an African-American, that, as a world, we are progressing. To clarify: As a world we are progressing, but as the University, we seem to be a couple of steps behind. I remember when I first
Amber Patterson came to the University, my father explained to me how it was extremely rooted in “tradition.” I did not have a complete grasp of what he was saying before I spent more time on the campus. My father, in his effort to be protective,
sugar-coated the word “racism” with the word “tradition.” I have heard that word plenty of times throughout the campus and, quite frankly, it has turned into an excuse. After the story broke and gained national attention from all major news outlets, I saw the University actually take action. Of course, they had to act quickly, but I feel that the true issue is not being addressed. It appears that the University took a “give them what they want” mentality, rather than actually taking action against the sororities. Since the University forced the sororities to have open bidding, a small number of black students
have been accepted. This is a great step forward, but is it genuine? Those few members who were accepted seem to be “the token ones,” selected only to reach a quota or create an image. Will these girls ever be accepted into the fold, or are they being used for an image? This problem cannot be covered by planting blacks in sororities to save face. I believe the University should regulate all activities of the sororities until next rush or take disciplinary action. The University seems to be putting a Band-Aid over the issue until the attention dies down. This is not something that heals and leaves a scar. Segregation is not
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This problem cannot be covered by planting blacks in sororities to save face. something that just goes away; it stems from values by which people were raised. We as a University and a student body must show that this is not the social norm or acceptable. This “tradition” is not a part of the University anymore. Those who support segregation should not feel like they are a part of the majority anymore. I know this won’t force individual opinions to change, but it will make them think twice.
I do not think that we are stuck in this position, but we are going about it the wrong way. A slap on the wrist is not going to solve this, and just letting a few black members in the door is not going to solve it either. The University has to send the message that this is wrong without the help of national outlets. Amber Patterson is a junior majoring in public relations. Her column runs biweekly on Wednesdays.
Last Week’s Poll: Do you think the University should take an active role in making the greek system more inclusive? (Yes: 65%) (No: 35%) This Week’s Poll: How do you feel about Alabama football right now? cw.ua.edu/poll
p.5 Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Mark Hammontree and Sarah Elizabeth Tooker | Assistant Editors newsdesk@cw.ua.edu
UA alumnus to speak on Middle Eastern studies By Collin Jones | Contributing Writer University of Alabama alumnus Richard Chambers will discuss the development of the field of Middle Eastern studies when he returns to the University to give a lecture titled, “Middle Eastern Studies Then and Now: An Insider View.” The lecture, sponsored by the department of religious studies, will take place on Thursday at 4 p.m. in Room 205 of Gorgas Library. “Given that we’ve just hired a scholar of Islam who teaches for both religious studies and history, it is especially exciting to see professor Chambers coming to Tuscaloosa to speak
on the important field of Middle Eastern studies,” said Russell McCutcheon, chair of the department of religious studies. Chambers has written, organized and presented papers at more than 50 conferences, workshops, seminars and congresses, both domestically and internationally, throughout his professional career. “Dr. Chambers is one of the college’s most distinguished alumni and a recognized authority on the history and development of the Middle East,” said Robert Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Turkish Student Association plans to formally recognize Chambers
Student teaches, leads community
for his work in the field and his relationship with the Middle East, specifically Turkey. Huseyin Ergin, president of the Turkish Student Association, said Chambers has visited the University in the past and the Turkish Student Association is excited for his return. “We will also give him [Chambers] a plaque just to remind us and make him happy that we didn’t forget him,” Ergin said. While he is well acquainted with the history of Turkey, he is also familiar with the country’s society, as he has been to Turkey before. As a lecturer, he has accompanied a number of tours to Turkey sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, the
Field Museum of Natural History, the University of Chicago’s Center of Middle Eastern Studies, Smart Museum of Art, Oriental Institute and the Alumni Association. Olin said Chambers’ experiences and research give him a valuable insight into studies of the Middle East, and students will benefit from his presentation on the subject. “His lecture promises to provide a rich and stimulating perspective on the history and complexities of the Middle East. Dr. Chambers’ talk shouldn’t be missed by anyone interested in understanding this important and volatile region and its influence on the world,” Olin said.
UA News Richard Chambers plans to return to the University to present his research on Turkey and the Middle East.
By Jason Frost | Contributing Writer
years learning how to assist different organizations. Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Involvement Rosalind Moore worked with him for more than a year at The SOURCE and was impressed by what she saw. “I think that he is an amazing student. He has a lot of great ideas and knows how to put them into action. He is very passionate about anything he puts his hands on,” Moore said. Phelps is best known for founding Tide Talks. Katerina Peña, who serves as vice president, remembers the very moment Phelps helped start the campus discussion forum, which they hoped to be “less lectures, more student series.” “David reached out to me after meeting through a friend. We were sitting around my apartment wondering how cool it would be if TED Talks came to Alabama, but we didn’t know it had so many restrictions. We decided we wanted a student
forum instead, so Tide Talks was born in my living room,” Peña said. Phelps is not just known for Tide Talks. He said he deeply cares about social issues, especially those dealing with education. This prompted him to begin the campus organization Unlocked to help low-income students get through college and improve local K-12 education. “My major is civil engineering, but my passion is to teach middle school math and science,” Phelps said. “I’ll probably end up in New York or Brooklyn one day.” Phelps has spent his summers interning at schools - once teaching eighth-grade physics - and for kids’ clubs. He remembers the first moment he discovered his love for teaching in Fresh Food at the Ferguson Center. “I had just bombed a test and didn’t know what to do with my life. So I’m sitting there contemplating when these two guys, who are standing in front of that school fight song, block my
Classmates say that when senior David Phelps enters a room, he brings an energy unlike any other. Phelps has played in the African Drum Corp, visited Ghana, attended Well College Ministry and joined Honors College Assembly. When he arrived at The University of Alabama, he joined The SOURCE, where he learned how student organizations develop. “I’ve been incredibly blessed from freshman year with people who mentored me, and they put me on the right track to go help other people, so it’s fulfilling to see that legacy of assistance continuing,” Phelps said. Phelps was born in Minnesota but calls New Orleans, La., home. He enjoys music and playing drums, guitar and piano. His hobbies include putt-putt golf and watching Louisville football. He began with The SOURCE as a freshman, Photo Courtesy of David Phelps where he worked for three Tide Talks and Unlocked founder and senior at UA David Phelps sees his future as a middle school teacher.
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view. And between them are the words ‘go teach.’ It was like divine intervention – that was when it all clicked for me,” Phelps said. He continues to champion social change and considers campus organizations to be one of the best ways to achieve progress. “He has done everything under the stars, and he makes it look so easy,” Peña said. “After Tide Talks 3, I told him there better be other David Phelps out there. He has changed my college career.” Phelps said he hopes the groups he has started at the university will continue their work after he graduates and stresses the idea that any student can make a difference. “We just perceive ourselves to be apathetic,” Phelps said. “We just have to change what people see in themselves – to encourage a culture that creates change and makes things better. There’s a lot of diversity here, and everyone can do it.”
NEWS INBRIEF Faculty Senate proposes discrimination task force The Faculty Senate will suggest the formation of a task force composed of students, faculty and administrators charged with facing issues of discrimination and corruption on campus. In a special meeting Tuesday, the Faculty Senate spent more than an hour debating and refining the language of a statement addressing the events of the last several weeks that will be issued to the UA administration. Several students involved in organizing the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door 2013 protest that occurred Wednesday, Sept. 18 were present for the meeting and were recognized several times by senators. Several changes were made to the proposed statement that was eventually approved unanimously by the senate. The main portion of the statement that was approved dealt with the formation of the task force, which will include five faculty members, three students and two administrators. The statement outlines that the task force will be charged with assessing the appropriateness of several issues, including the Code of Student Conduct, the election process for student government officers, the regulation of student organizations and UK policies concerning diversity in all organizations o n c a m p u s .
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p.6 Abbey Crain | Editor culture@cw.ua.edu
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
COLUMN | FILM
October brings intriguing fall film line-up By Drew Pendleton | Contributing Writer The weather isn’t the only thing that changes when summer segues into fall. While the weather may begin to cool down, the fall film season heats up, bringing a wave of new, intriguing films to wide audiences. The month of October will bring new films that are potentially huge box-office hits and may end up in awards conversations come December; they are interest-piquing, to say the least. For the first film, the wait isn’t long at all. Already being advertised on television in preparation for its Oct. 4 release, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” director Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” stars box-office juggernauts Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts who find themselves stranded in space after an accident disables their space station. From the terrifying trailers alone, the film looks to be a visual stunner. The film has already received critical acclaim following its screenings at film festivals in Venice, Telluride, Colo., and Toronto and is drawing comparisons to last year’s “Life of Pi,” with praise going to its visuals, music and acting. It looks fantastic and is definitely one to check out. The second week of October, brings Tom Hanks back to the big screen in the first of his two reality-based films of 2013 in “Captain Phillips.” (“Saving Mr. Banks,” in
which Hanks stars as Walt Disney himself, is due out in December.) Directed by Paul Greengrass, whose credits include “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “United 93,” the film follows Hanks’s titular captain, Richard Phillips, as he attempts to ensure the survival of himself and the crew during the 2009 hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama cargo ship by Somali pirates. From the early trailers, Greengrass and Hanks make a good combination, as the film looks to be full of suspense and excitement. Early reception to the film has been positive, with Hanks’s name being thrown around as a potential nominee in the Best Actor category for next year’s Academy Awards. Awards attention or not, the film looks good, worth checking out when it hits theaters Oct. 11. Oct. 18 sees a Stephen King novel brought to the big screen once again as “Carrie” is released. A new adaptation of King’s 1974 novel – already notably adapted in 1976 with Sissy Spacek in the title role – stars “Hugo” and “Kick-Ass” actress Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie White, a bullied teen who discovers she has strong telekinetic powers. Remakes and adaptations can be tricky to pull off; they can either capture the spirit of the original or completely separate themselves from the original’s legacy, which can be good or bad. Judging from the first trailers, the film seems to have captured the horror well. However, it remains to be seen how the talented Moretz
and her director, “Boys Don’t Cry” filmmaker Kimberly Peirce, can make a good final product. Originally due out in March, the film was pushed back to October, just in time for horror fans to get a glimpse of it before Halloween. The final Friday of October, Oct. 25, brings one of my most anticipated films of the year to the big screen: Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor.” A crime drama set in the American Southwest, the film – notably the first screenplay from the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of “Blood Meridian,” Cormac McCarthy – follows a lawyer only known as “Counselor,” played by “X-Men: First Class” star Michael Fassbender, who tries to enter the drug trade without being sucked in. Judging from the film’s gripping trailers, this plan doesn’t work out that way, and the counselor finds himself in a world of deception and danger that he may or may not be able to escape. Outside of Fassbender, the film features an ensemble packed full of star power, featuring Oscar-winner Javier Bardem as a wild-haired drug dealer, Oscar-winner Penelope Cruz as the counselor’s fiancé, Brad Pitt as the counselor’s mysterious contact and Cameron Diaz as a sociopathic femme fatale. With this massive cast and prestigious writer/director combination (Scott’s works include “Alien” and “Gladiator”), “The Counselor” sounds like a crime drama that is not to be missed.
Photo Courtesy of MCT Campus “Carrie” and “Captain Phillips” will debut in October.
Belle Adair to play, promote debut album at Green Bar Sept. 26 By Tara Massouleh | Contributing Writer Muscle Shoals band Belle Adair will once again visit Green Bar Thursday as part of its tour to promote its debut album “The Brave and the Blue.” The band formed more than three years ago as a recording project and has since undergone many lineup changes. However, lead singer and guitarist Matt Green says the current lineup is steady and has been performing together for more than a year. For Green, Belle Adair served as a cathartic creative outlet during a time when he experienced a
Submitted The Muscle Shoals based band will visit Tusclaoosa Thursday. series of unfortunate events. After his Birmingham apartment caught fire two years ago and he became seriously ill, Green decided it was time to move back home to Muscle Shoals. This is where he formed
Belle Adair and set to work creating “The Brave and the Blue.” “A lot of the songs reflect my move from my Birmingham home,” Green said. “There is a certain kind of narrative art to the record that reflects that time in my life.” With its variety of instruments and musical techniques employed, Belle Adair creates a rich sound designed to transcend genres by including sound from pop, folk and indie rock. Green Bar’s event coordinator and talent buyer David Allen said he continues to book Belle Adair simply because he loves its music and sound. “[Belle Adair provides] very
dynamic, lush music, performed by people who play as well as they walk,” Allen said. “They talk about youth and the South in a way I can relate to.” Belle Adair’s stop at Green Bar is the band’s second performance in a two-and-a-half-week tour that will take the band from the deep south of Alabama all the way to New York and back. For part of the tour, including the band’s stop at Green Bar in Tuscaloosa, as well as stops in Auburn, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., Belle Adair will share the stage with Athens-based band Futurebirds. Belle Adair’s debut album has
received a number of positive reviews from major publications, including The Oxford American, Spin, NPR Music and Paste. The band was also invited to record a Daytrotter session. Despite the recent success, lead-singer Green’s goals for the future of the band have remained humble. “For me, rather than focusing on specific moments, I’m just looking to build the band, which I think right [now] we’re doing a fairly good job of,” said Green. “We’re kind of expanding our reach.” Belle Adair will be taking the stage at Green Bar Thursday at 10 p.m.
CULTUREIN BRIEF Class brings Columbian salsa dancing to campus By Hannah Widener | Contributing Writer The fiery passion of salsa dancing is alive and well at The University of Alabama, and students and adults are kicking up their heels to the beat of ballroom’s spiciest dance. David Ortiz, a senior majoring in English, started a class to bring together students from accross campus to learn the dance. The class meets in the Presidential Village Community Room at 7 p.m. on Monday nights until Oct. 7. “My first idea to meet people and give to UA something from my culture and from my knowledge was proposing the salsa class and conducting it with the people of the Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers,” Ortiz said. Ortiz teaches the class the Columbian style of the dance, which is the faster of
three different styles of salsa. The two other styles of the salsa, and the more widely known, are the Los Angles and New York styles. Jimmy Kunz, faculty advisor for the group, usually brings his wife to classes. “My favorite part about dancing is I guess just meeting all kinds of different people from all over the country who are interested in ballroom dance,” Kunz said. Kunz has been dancing for more than 12 years and used to work with the Tuscaloosa Concert dancers until he decided to branch out and take on the Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers. In the spring, the Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers are hoping to compete with several other schools such as LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The club hopes to see a SEC competition in the future.
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Southern oral history is latest focus of University center By Bianca Martin | Contributing Writer Preserving Southern voices is the idea behind the upcoming event for the Frances S. Summersell Center for the Study of the South. The center will be presenting an academic talk titled “Southern Voices, Digital Spaces” Thursday in the Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence building. According to its website, the mission of the Summersell Center is “to investigate and promote understanding of the history and culture of the American South through research and public programming.” Joshua Rothman, professor of history and African-American studies, is the director of the center and plans many events dedicated to the history of the South. “Basically, the center exists to furSubmitted ther research on the South and bring programming showing as many aspects A collection of 500 oral histories will of the Southern past and present as be made available online.
PLAN TO GO WHAT: Southern Voices, Digital Spaces WHEN: Thursday at 4 p.m. WHERE: Room 110 AIME Building possible,” Rothman said. The center has paired up with the Southern Oral History Program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to bring awareness to preserving oral history. UNC’s program dedicates itself to recording interviews of people’s accounts of Southern historical events and immortalizing them on the Internet. “History is made of the voices of the past,” Rothman said. “So having as many of them as possible marks the ongoing building of an irreplaceable archive.” Seth Kotch, the digital projects
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director of the Oral History Program, will be speaking at the event. He said he looks forward to sharing the program’s efforts and ideas with The University of Alabama and contributing to the Summersell Center’s work. “The Summersell Center is an awesome digital humanities center that’s been doing really good work in the field,” Kotch said. “I was honored to be asked to come, and I’m glad to come share what I can.” Rothman said he is also excited about the talk and that Kotch is a very knowledgeable source for information on digital humanities. “Mr. Kotch’s position as digital projects director puts him right at the intersection of Southern history and digital history,” Rothman said. “Having him come to campus is a perfect opportunity for the Summersell Center, which endeavors to bring a wide array of programming in Southern studies.” Kotch will be speaking about the
numerous projects the Oral History Program runs to promote oral history. These projects include “The Media and The Movement,” which focuses on journalism from the 1960s, and “The Oral Histories of the American South,” which relies heavily on digital humanities. “It’s a collection of 500 little oral histories that we’re working to make accessible and listenable online,” Kotch said. Because digital humanities is a developing field, Kotch said he believes the talk will be a learning experience not only for the audience, but for himself. “It is an exciting new field that’s exploring new ways of thinking and learning,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to learn something from [the audience’s] reaction to the projects that I’ll be talking about.” For more information on the Southern Oral History Program, visit sohp.org, and for the Summersell Center, visit scss.ua.edu.
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (09/25/13). Broaden your education this year. Whether through formalized study or personal experience, immerse yourself in new cultures and enthusiasms. Re-assess your priorities as you plan adventures. Water and tend your garden (and finances) with regular discipline for thriving. Balance work and play for health and wellness. Share love. 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 6 -- Others help you advance. A private connection proves valuable. Money burns holes in your pockets. First things first. Do what you promised, or renegotiate. Set longrange goals. Then spend a little. Keep to your budget. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- A friend solves your problem by encouraging you to try alternatives you hadn’t previously considered. They inspire you with the missing piece that makes the connection. Upgrade workplace technology. Relax with something delicious and refreshing. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Success! Don’t hide or diminish it. Accept offered benefits. You put in the necessary effort. Keep your promises to an elder. Consider possible costs of upcoming actions. Gain security. Be decisive. Put your heart into your work. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Delegate to perfectionists for a job well done. New contacts lead to opportunities. Ease into new responsibilities. Let intuition be your guide. Take appropriate action. Surprise your partner with tickets. Simply enjoy the moment. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Financial opportunity knocks. Accept a gift. Count your labor as money saved. Work harder to protect your investments. The cash may arrive at the last minute. Flex your mind. Put in the extra effort and succeed.
“When other jewelers say no, Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today Tom says yes” is a 6 -- Apply what you’ve recently learned to your work. Act quickly. Accept assistance. Come up with a new idea. Costs are higher than anticipated. Incite excitement. Check out a distant bargain, but not by going there. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- You get a bright idea about work, and it meets an urgent need. Your excitement is contagious. Prepare to use what you’ve learned to pay the bills. Apply creative energy. Provide facts. And get a bonus. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Relax before a new endeavor. Scrub-a-dub-dub! Sudden inspi2300 McFarland Blvd East ration excites your creative efforts. (205) 758-2213 Re-arrange the furniture. Feed the work machinery. Get farther than expected. Keep digging and find the clue. Add a surprise conclusion. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -Today is a 7 -- Buy a household item you’ve been needing. Find just the right place for it, but first, make sure Limousine it’ll work. You’ve earned it. Do what needs to be done. Logistics are a significant factor. Family shares joy. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Luck fluctuates wildly. Hit pay dirt. Keep a lid on spending though. You’ll see how to use what 205-758-3875 you’ve recently learned. Provide motivation. A journey begins. A loved facebook.com/ one provides valuable information. crownlimousine Get lost in the reading. twitter.com/ crownlimou Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 6 -- Discover hidden treasure, or www.crown-limo.com call in a debt that’s owed to you. You can find a use for the extra money. Inject an enthusiastic spark to your work. Your fame travels. Send someone else ahead. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Try something new. You gain an insight. Others ask your advice. Your friends now believe you can do just about anything. Choose your battles carefully. This will be fun. Find solid facts to support your theory.
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p.8 Marc Torrence | Editor sports@cw.ua.edu
Wednesday, y, September p 25,, 2013
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Tide hopes to build on success in fall season By Andrew Clare | Contributing Writer The Alabama women’s tennis team looks to son this continue rolling through its fall season weekend as it travels to Greensville, S.C., to compete in the Furman Fall Classic. Last season, the Crimson Tide had a successful season as it went 21-6 and made it alll the way rnament. to the third round of the NCAA tournament. Head coach Jenny Mainz was named last seasociation son’s Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Coach of the Year. “Last year was the best season we have had in program history,” Mainz said. “It wass fantasd on that tic, but the goal is to continue to build momentum, confidence and experience we had.” abama to The fall season is a great way for Alabama improve heading into the spring regular season. Junior Emily Zabor said the team has already accomplished a lot this fall and continues to work hard. “The fall season is a great time to learn and
develop new things,” Zabor said. “I can guarantee you this is the hardest we have worked in any fall I have been here.” At the Furman Fall Classic this weekend, Alabama will be competing against Furman, Florida State, Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Iowa. Mainz said the amount of competition at the Furman Fall Classic will help the team prepare for the future. “I feel like our fall schedule is designed for us to gain a lot of confidence, but the strength of schedule is very steep,” Mainz said. “It’s good for us to have a tough schedule because that’s what we’re going to face in the spring. It’s only going to help us.” After this weekend in South Carolina, senior Mary Anne Daines and freshman Erin Routliffe will travel to Los Angeles, Calif., to compete in the ITA/Riviera All-American championships. Daines and Routliffe are one of 24 doubles teams to qualify for the main draw at this tournament. In addition to playing in the doubles main
draw, Daines will be competing in the singles main draw due to her national ranking, as she is ranked 28th in the country. Mainz said competing in the main draw is a huge achievement and hopes to see the duo play with momentum. “That’s a preview to the NCAA championships. It’s a high-caliber and quality tournament,” Mainz said. “It’s great to play it this early in the season, and if you can go out there and make some headlines, gain some confidence, only good things are going to feed off of that.” Zabor said everyone on the team is really looking forward to Daines and Routliffe representing the Crimson Tide at a big tournament. “It’s a great tournament just to show people how hard we have been working this year and what Alabama wants to do this year,” Zabor said.
UA Athletics , Photo Illustration by Sloane Arogeti The women’s tennis team has great expectations coming off it’s most successful season.
VOLLEYBALL
Tide volleyball team beats Alabama State in 3 straight sets By Kelly Ward | Staff Reporter
CW | Pete Pajor The Tide are on track to dominate in the SEC as they improve
The Alabama volleyball team made short work of Alabama State Tuesday night, winning the match in three straight sets. The Crimson Tide made it look all too easy with 39 kills and 40 digs. Setter Sierra Wilson didn’t look like she had sprained her ankle only a month and a half ago. She earned 34 assists. The injury is behind her, she said. “Right now, personally, I plan to try and focus on keeping a balanced offense,” she said. “My job is to try and really get my hitters one-on-one with the blockage and good looks. That’s something I need to really focus on. And as a team, it’s just staying competitive 100 percent of the time.” Brittany Thomas, Krystal Rivers and Katherine White each notched eight kills. Mattie Weldy played all three sets, earning three kills in the process. Head
coach Ed Allen said he used the match to play some athletes who hadn’t seen much playing time. “We really wanted an opportunity to play without being maybe necessarily stretched or over-tested going into what we expect to be a pretty exciting match on Sunday against Kentucky,” he said. “I know [head coach Penny Lucas-White] is doing a terrific job of building that program there at [Alabama] State, and we felt like, for a midweek match coming off a very difficult weekend at Clemson, it was probably one of the most ideal situations we could ask for.” Overall, the team hit .273 and had three blocks. It wasn’t quite the performance Allen was looking for, but he said the team executed well enough for the win. “I felt like the ball control was fairly consistent,” Allen said. “[We] could’ve done a better job from an attacking
perspective. I think [Alabama State] had six or seven blocks in the match. Really could’ve done a better job of seeing the block and working around that block. As far as offensive production, I think we had fairly good balance across the board as well.” Alabama improved to 12-2 on the season as it heads into SEC play. The team averages 14.3 kills per set on the season with an average of 13.0 against Alabama State. Despite the below-average offensive performance, Wilson said the match was good to get the team playing together. “It was really just all about focusing on ourselves and executing what we knew we could do,” Wilson said. “And also, the speed of the play allowed me to kind of distribute it more to my other hitters and get them some new looks. So all around it was a good match for us before we enter into SEC play.”