LIFESTYLES
11 Gus Van Sant ‘Milk’ is a masterpiece
Friday, December 5, 2008
Happy holidays from the staff of the Crimson White
Serving the University of Alabama since 1894
Vol. 115, Issue 65
Sig Ep hazing details emerge University investigating fraternity By Brett Bralley, Corey Craft and James Jaillet The Crimson White
Hazing information • The University provides a 24-hour Hazing Hotline at (205) 348-4258. • Your message will be a confidential communication to the Office of Student Affairs. • Alabama is one of 31 states with anti-hazing legislation.
The Crimson White has confirmed details with a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity about the hazing incident that resulted in that fraternity’s removal from campus. The fraternity member, who requested to remain anonymous, confirmed the incident, which occurred last month, involved the heating of a metal chair by means of a blowtorch or iron. Once the chair was heated, pledges were asked to sit down on the heated
• In Alabama, hazing can be charged as a Class-C misdemeanor and is subject to criminal and civil prosecution.
See HAZING, page 8
—All information from the Office of the Dean of Students
• Both individuals and organizations may be held accountable for hazing activities. • Individuals participating in or knowingly permitting hazing forfeit entitlement to public funds, scholarships, awards and grants.
UA decorates for the holidays
CW | RF Rains
LEFT: A wreath hangs above the main entrance of Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library. RIGHT: A Christmas ornamant rests in the limbs of the tree in the basement of Palmer Hall.
By Patty Vaughan Contributing Writer
prepare for the holiday season. There is the annual Hilaritas concert, the Luminaries on As the semester comes to a the Quad and the new tradiclose and finals draw near, the tion called “Crimson Tidings.” University has started to deco- However, it is a key concern for rate and celebrate for the holi- the University that all holidays are recognized. days. “We typically refer to this There are numerous activities students can participate to break as the winter break, or
UA weather
TODAY
INSIDE Today’s paper
Crime Report .............2 Students prepare for finals .......................3
Clear
47º/25º
Saturday
54º/31º
Sunday
49º/31º
Partly cloudy Clear
Opinions: Panel proves war not working ......5 Lifestyles: Movie Review: ʻMilkʼ .................... 11 Sports: ESPN ʻRoad Tripsʼ to Atlanta................14 Womenʼs basketball wins against UCF ........... 16
P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-4116 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifieds: 348-7355 Letters, op-eds: letters@cw.ua.edu Press releases, announcements: news@cw.ua.edu
occasionally the holiday break. This terminology is more inclusive, and fits with other break periods, which are spring and fall break,” said Associate Director for Information and Communication and Director of Division Communication Alicia Browne. Along with different
programs on campus, residence halls are also able to celebrate the holidays. Browne said that, under certain restrictions, students are able to decorate their doors and their rooms. RAs are able to decorate the bulletin boards posted around each dorm, Browne. Upon
these bulletin boards said, the holidays that are typically represented are Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. Many times, there are just the typical decorations of a snowman or a snowflake to represent the winter break.
See HOLIDAY, page 7
Kirby nixes tuition freeze By Drew Taylor Senior Staff Reporter SGA President Cason Kirby announced Wednesday that he would not sign legislation calling for a tuition freeze by the University. In a written statement, Kirby said the University does a superb job of keeping its students aware of any tuition increases and that the proposed legislation was “unnecessary” for the time being. “While we all fully feel and understand the burden tuition increases place on our fellow students and their families, your student government is actively working with the Alabama Legislature with the goal of equitable funding for higher education, which could minimize the need for tuition increases,” Kirby said.
The legislation, authored by SGA Sen. Tyler Valeska, representing the College of Communication and Information Sciences, called for the UA System Board of Trustees to enact a tuition freeze by the University, which would cause the tuition rate to remain the same from the time a student becomes enrolled in the University to graduation. Currently, tuition rates change for all students, regardless of class standing. The resolution was passed by the Senate unanimously when it was introduced three weeks ago. Gordon Stone, a lobbyist with the Higher Education Partnership, said the state is experiencing nearly $150 million in tuition cuts for colleges, causing a 12 percent increase in tuition for these institutions. Stone said the
government needs to reexamine its priority on higher education and, most importantly, its students. “Our students are the future of our state,” Stone said. “We need to make sure that we are investing in them.” Valeska said Kirby met with him Wednesday to discuss the resolution, saying he found problems with it, but that it was a step in the right direction. “The most important thing that we can do is to keep the dialogue open to what some possible solutions to this could be,” Valeska said. The resolution will be given back to the senate to modify, given that the body does not override Kirby’s veto. Valeska said there is no hostility
See TUITION, page 7
Student found dead By Karissa Bursch Staff Reporter
A female student died Tuesday from unreleased causes, University Relations said Thursday. The student was identified as Jeannie Scott, a 21-year-old senior from Foley majoring in nursing, said UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen. Brent Chunn, a senior majoring in advertising, said he became close friends with Scott over the past three years of college. “People should be aware of what a good friend she was,” Chunn said. “She was genuine and caring. You could call her at any time of the night for a favor, and she would do anything to help you.” Shane Blalock, a senior majoring in accounting, said he had known Scott for about six or seven years, because they went to Foley High School together. “She was a great person and will be missed by a lot of people,” Blalock said. “She was able to lift the spirits of everyone she was around.” Blalock said that as long as he has known Scott, she always wanted to study nursing. “Nobody has anything bad to say about her,” Chunn said. “People need to know how much of an impact she left on everybody.” A memorial service will be held on the steps of Denny Chimes Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Another memorial service will be held Saturday from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at Saint Paul Episcopal Church in Magnolia Springs.
Bowl tickets to go on sale next week By Phil Owen Managing Editor
Student bowl-game tickets will be sold next week in the same manner as SEC Championship tickets, according to an email sent to students by the University Thursday night. Students can place their names on a ticket request list by swiping their ACTion cards scanned at Coleman Coliseum Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This time, 80 percent of student tickets for the game will be allocated for undergraduate students, with the remaining 20 percent going to graduate students. If the number of request is greater than the number of tickets that have been allocated, tickets will be sold based on credit hours earned at the University through the summer 2008 semester. The list of selected names will be posted on the doors at Coleman Coliseum Wednesday and online at www.rolltide.com. Selected students will be allowed to purchase one ticket each at a price to be determined once the bowl game has been announced. Those selected must purchase their tickets at the ticket office at Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday or Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Student tickets will be will call only and only available for pickup at the site of the bowl game.