The Maneater -- Volume 76, Issue 22

Stephine Nwaneri crowned first Miss Africa Mizzou • PAGE 5

themaneater The student voice of MU since 1955

Columbia, Missouri • Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Vol. 76, No. 22

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Early applicants to MU on the rise Early out-of-state application numbers are up 14.8 percent from last year.

An increase in the number of applicants might be a sign of another large freshman class, but admissions officials say it is too early to draw solid conclusions from the available figures.

Vice Provost for Admissions Ann Korschgen said 9,914 applications have been received to date.

The number represents a 9.5 percent increase in applicants from this point last year, a year that featured the second-largest freshman class in the university’s history.

The largest increase in application totals come from outside the state of Missouri. Among Missouri residents, applications have increased 5.2 percent. That number is almost three times larger among non-residents, among

EARLY APPLICANTS

Through early November, the number of early applicants has increased relative to last year.

Total Number of Applicants:

9,914 (up 9.5%)

In-State Applicants:

5,628 (up 5.2%)

Out-of-State Applicants:

4,286 (up 14.8%)

Illinois Applicants:

2,759 (up 16%)

Source: Vice Provost for Admissions Ann Korschgen SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

whom applications are up 14.8 percent. More than half of the outof-state applications come from Illinois. Applications from that state increased 16 percent from last year.

Korschgen said the increase in out-of-state applicants stems from a number of factors, including more word of mouth from current and former MU students and a stronger connection with high schools in other areas. see EARLY, page 6

Missouri falls to Baylor SEAN LEAHY Sports Editor What started as a game to remember for Missouri’s offense quickly turned into one to forget for the entire team.

After scoring 27 points by halftime, Missouri managed five points the rest of the game as Baylor took charge in the second half for a 4032 come-from-behind win in front of 65,298 people at Faurot Field.

“We’re all pretty ticked off,” sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert said. “That’s a game we should have won. We just kind of threw it out the door.”

With the loss, the Tigers fall to 1-4 in the Big 12 and 5-4 overall. It is their third straight loss at Faurot Field and first ever defeat at the hands of Baylor since the formation of the Big 12.

As for the Bears, the win was their first in Big 12 play this season and snapped a four-game losing streak.

“Your guts are torn out,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “The beauty of this business, you generally get what you deserve. And we didn’t deserve to win the football game.”

With the Missouri offense stuck in neutral, the Bears clawed from a 27-16 halftime deficit to end the see BALL, page 6

3 7 10 13 15

MU NORML seeks policy reform JOHN GEHRINGER Reporter The Missouri chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws held their annual conference Saturday at Ellis Library.

Representatives from MU

NORML, in conjunction with the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, are working on local legislation that would enact a medical amnesty policy, protecting students who choose to seek help with drug- or alcohol-related problems from legal action.

“What we want to do is make

sure that students who are perhaps engaged in substance use that resulted negatively and are experiencing overdose problems can feel safe and confident in going to seek medical help without having to fear arrest and prosecution,” said Sean see NORML, page 6

Reallocation stabilizes MU Libraries KRYSTIN ARNESON Reporter

MIKE ZIEGLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Baylor senior defensive end Jason Lamb tackles MU sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert during Saturday's game at Faurot Field.

Gabbert was sacked four times during the game.

UPHILL BATTLE

Missouri’s chances in the Big 12 North are slowly evaporating. With three games left to play, the Tigers have a hole to dig out of.

Kansas State

Conference 4-2

Overall 6-4

Nebraska

3-2

6-3

Colorado

2-3

3-6

Iowa State

2-4

5-5

Kansas

1-4

5-4

Missouri

1-4

5-4

SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

Table of Contents

News...................................

Outlook.............................

Forum.................................

Arts......................................

Sports.................................

MIKE KURLOWSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Timothy Jones, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws member, listens to a presentation given on the safety of cannabis use Saturday in Ellis Auditorium. The Missouri chapters of NORML are working on local legislation to make marijuana legal for medical use.

Last year’s $850,000 reallocation

by Provost Brian Foster to the MU Libraries has stabilized its budget.

In September 2008, the library system was facing a budget deficit, according to Maneater archives.

“The main difficulty facing all academic institutions right now is that the costs of higher education are escalating, while support form the state and federal government is declining,” MU Libraries Director Jim Cogswell said.

This decrease in funding, along with the rising costs of inflation

and publication and journal acquisitions, contributed to the budget deficit.

The Library Committee, which is made of various faculty members and Missouri Students Association and Graduate Professional Council see LIBRARIES, page 6

College of Business to offer new three-week certificate program TRAVIS CORNEJO Staff Writer The College of Business will offer a new program, called the Missouri Business Institute, for a certiciate aimed at non-business majors, during the May 2010 intersession.

“We’re starting an intensive program for non-business majors before they go out and try to get a job,” Missouri Business Institute

Director William Carner said.

Department of Management Professor Daniel Turban said the business school is looking at how it can help out the campus more broadly and how the program is something that can add value to a significant number of undergraduates’ education.

“We’re doing this in part because of the interest we’ve seen see BUSINESS, page 6

On themaneater.com

'23:59'

Watch video coverage of '23:59 — A Revoltion of Plays' at themaneater.com/ multimedia.

Visit themaneater.com for additional stories and online-exclusive content.

Time was of the essence for participants in the playwriting event '23:59 — A Revolution of Plays' over the weekend.

Arts, page 13

MO BUSINESS INSTITUTE The three-week course will offer nonbusiness majors real world business skills.

Feb. 15, 2010: Application deadline (to qualify for $200 tuition discount) March 26, 2010: Final application deadline May 17, 2010 to June 4, 2010: Missouri Business Institute takes place Source: Missouri Business Institute brochure SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

Basketball The men's basketball team beat the Truman State Bulldogs 96-33 in an opening exhibition game Friday.

Sports, page 15

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Reporters for The Maneater are required to offer verification of all quotes for each source. If you notice an inaccuracy in one of our stories, please let us know.

CORRECTION:

There was an error in the article titled 'MU hosts Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant' in the Nov. 6 issue. Eritrea was liberated 18 years ago, not eight.

The Maneater regrets the error.

In the Nov. 6 issue, the information graphic from the football story and the scoreboard update graphic were both from the Oct. 23 issue. The correct graphics are available at themaneater.com.

The Maneater regrets the error.

In the editorial “MSA needs someone skilled with money” from Oct. 30, it was stated the Missouri Students Association vice president conducts audits that only occur during the spring semester. The audits are completed by the MSA Operations Committee during both semesters.

The Maneater regrets this error.

Top Stories

No. 1 — Column: Hype over Tebow might be warranted No. 2 — Les Bourgeois Vineyards undergoes investigations No. 3 — MU hosts Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant No. 4 — Web update: Missouri falls to Baylor No. 5 — Column: Bigotry makes a comeback

Weather Forecast Tuesday:

High 59, low 41; AM showers with a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Wednesday:

High 62, low 40; mostly sunny

Thursday:

High 63, low 44; partly cloudy with a 10 percent chance of precipitation.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 themaneater

N223 Memorial Union • Columbia, MO 65211 573.882.5500 (phone) • 573.882.5550 (fax) maneater@themaneater.com www.themaneater.com The Maneater is the official student publication of the University of Missouri-Columbia and operates independently of the university, student government, the School of Journalism and any other campus entity. All text, photos, graphics and other content are property of The Maneater and may not be reproduced without permission. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the University of Missouri or the MU Student Publications Board. The first copy of The Maneater is free, each additional copy is 25¢.

What are you up to? Copy editing?

Josh Barone, Editor-in-Chief Mary Daly, Managing Editor Zach Toombs, Krissy Tripp, Will Guldin, Lyndsie Manusos, News Editors Megan Stroup, Projects Editor Amanda Wysocki, Forum Editor Andrea Kszystyniak, Chase Koeneke, Arts Editors Sean Leahy, Sports Editor James Vestal, Online Development Katie Currid, Photo Editor LeeAnn Elias, Production Manager Theresa Berens, Assistant Editor Carter Parker, Production Assistant Katie Prince, Graphics Assistant Laura Swan, Copy Chief Katie Miller, Kristin Torres, Gabs Roman, Katie Moritz Copy Editors Lyndsey Garza, Spencer Pearson, Jessica Schuster, Rachel Krause, Eric Rees, Maura Howard Designers Ami Albert, Business Manager Kirstin Shew, Sales Manager Mike Razim, National Accounts Krista Meany, Promotions Manager Kristin Hogan, Graphic Designer Molly Paskal, Premiere Accounts Sarah Callen, Miranda Eikermann, Alex Witt, Carl Smith, Advertising Account Representatives Becky Diehl, Adviser

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

news

Reach Zach Toombs, U-news editor, at ztoombs@themaneater.com, Krissy Tripp, Organizations editor, at ktripp@themaneater.com

The Maneater 3

Office to highlight environmental issues ZACH MURDOCK Reporter MU’s Sustainability Office might only occupy a small corner of Virginia Avenue Garage’s first floor, but its goals and ambitions for promoting sustainability reach across campus.

“The University of Missouri is dedicated to environmentally sustainable policies and practices that promote responsible stewardship of existing resources and the environment,” Sustainability Coordinator Steven Burdic said.

The office, founded by Campus Facilities this summer, is working to make the campus a more eco-friendly environment. It has taken on tasks laid out by the MU Environmental Affairs and Sustainability Committee in its Sustainability Task Force Report, which tried to identify what sustainability means for MU. The office works directly with students and faculty on projects and policy, in addition to making sustainability a visible force on campus.

“We’re developing a survey along with two undergraduate researchers to assess MU student experiences and perceptions of sustainability in general and on the MU campus,” Student Sustainability Coordinator Cherith Moore said.

Although it is not the first time MU has made environmentalism a priority, it is the first office the university has specifically devoted to improving sustainability and bringing to light environmental issues on campus.

Burdic said the office is focusing on several issues, including providing programs, resources and incentives for students and faculty around campus to continue or begin sustainable practices, researching and testing new sustainability initiatives and taking steps to preserve and protect natural resources.

Burdic and the Sustainability Office are working to review old university policies and develop new, lasting policies.

“Each unit or department within the university is encouraged to evaluate current policies and prac-

tices on a regular basis with the goal of adopting or improving sustainability,” Burdic said.

One major issue the office needs to focus on is the creation of a campus-wide communication plan for sustainability, Burdic said.

Although so many are already taking small steps in the right direction, the office needs to take advantage of technology and its ability to spread sustainability’s message, he said.

Burdic said the office is looking into utilizing the MU Info mass emails for advertisements as well as seeking a story or advertisements in Mizzou Weekly, a publication for the faculty and staff of the university. Burdic and the office also look to distribute publications, such as a guide to recycling at MU, and make these guides available to students and visitors around the campus.

“An important force sustainability lacks is an office that can help coordinate and serve as a one-stop shop for individuals both on and off campus who want to learn about or engage in the university’s sustain-

NICK SCHNELLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sustain Mizzou Student Adviser Pat Margherio fills out a Green House Gas Emissions Report for MU on Monday in the Sustainability Office.

The Sustainability Office, where both administrators and students work together, was founded over the summer. ability practices,” Burdic said.

Although the Sustainability Office is still finding a way to put itself on the map, many students are already involved in the movement.

“I’ve been working on environ-

mental sustainability efforts since I was a freshman at MU,” Sustain Mizzou Student Adviser Pat Margherio said. “I’m a senior now and the Sustainability Office is the next step of learning and growing for me.

MSO hosts Gaza eyewitness reports MSA executives attend Big 12 conference THE GAZA STRIP

Humanitarian group Viva Palestina plans to send a third humanitarian aid convoy into the Gaza Strip this December, entering through Egypt.

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Jabalia

Beit Hanoun

Gaza

Mediterranean Sea Deir al-Balah

Israel

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Lebanon

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Khan Yunis

Syria

Four eyewitnesses who helped deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip spoke about their experiences Monday night in Mumford Hall at an event sponsored by the Muslim Student Organization.

The speakers were affiliated with Viva Palestina, a humanitarian group founded by British Parliament member George Galloway in order to help the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Viva Palestina has sent two humanitarian aid convoys with medical supplies and vehicles into the Gaza Strip. A third convoy will leave in December.

Viva Palestina volunteer event coordinator Mohamed ElHousiny returned to Gaza for the first time in approximately 20 years on the Viva Palestina convoy in July 2009. He said he stood on top of the rubble of a building destroyed in the Gaza War and gazed at the rubble-littered ground against the moonlit Mediterranean backdrop.

“You’re just blown away,” El-Housiny said. “You feel like all your senses are heightened.

You get this adrenaline rush.

You see how fragile life is. They wake up every day, and they don’t know if they’re going to live.”

El-Housiny’s guide brought the Viva Palestina volunteers to see the building he had been trapped under at one point in the Gaza War, which occurred during December 2008 and January 2009. He showed a picture of himself bloodied and buried under the rubble.

El-Housiny’s co-volunteer Thaer Ahmad said their guide

told them it was impossible to remove all the bodies from underneath the building he had been trapped underneath.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Ahmad said. “I just wanted to get on the floor and pull somebody out, to bring peace to a family.”

El-Housiny encountered many scenes of devastation including schools dented by bullet holes, kids running barefoot and a woman cradling her baby in the balcony of a half-ruined building. He said these scenes shocked and moved him.

“You can never really love something, stand up for something, feel the pain that they’re feeling to the full extent, unless you’ve been there,” El-Housiny said.

MSO Vice President Belal Al-Rawi said he hoped people who attended the event would become aware of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. MSO members e-mailed professors and put up fliers in order to raise awareness about the event.

“There are a lot of people there who have nothing to do with the politics, and they’re suffering,” Al-Rawi said. “They don’t have electricity, water or food. They don’t have access to basic necessities. I wanted to share their experiences with students so they can broaden their perspectives.”

Some groups, such as the Anti-Defamation League, have suggested donations to Viva Palestina could possibly be funding Hamas, labeled by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization. To address concerns, Viva Palestina wrote a response on its Web site

West Bank

Me

CATHERINE NEWHOUSE Staff Writer

Abasan al-Kabera

Israel Jordan

Egypt

Egypt

Source: CIA World Factbook KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

to emphasize all donations fund humanitarian aid. Viva Palestina National Organizer Fatima Mohammadi said the organization’s nonprofit fiscal partner, the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, receives and documents all funds.

Mohammadi said Viva Palestina is not affiliated with any political or religious organization. She also said many Jews, including a group of four Rabbis who wore shirts that read “Jews Not Zionists,” went on the Viva Palestina convoy.

“If people can see how devastating the siege is, the participation of other people will lead to change,” Mohammadi said.

“People will start to participate and call for the siege to end.

Slowly we can start rebuilding Gaza, and then we can start talking about actually getting to a place of self-determination.”

MEGAN PEARL Staff Writer Missouri Students Association President Jordan Paul and Director of Student Communication Tim Noce drove 15 hours to attend the Big 12 Student Government Conference in Lubbock, Texas, this weekend.

“The Big 12 Student Government Conference has all of the student governments from the Big 12 schools get together once a year to discuss what we’re doing, bounce ideas off each other, and get new ideas,” said Noce, who is running unopposed for MSA president.

The conference was held at Texas Tech University. The conference invites the schools specifically from the Big 12 because they share common features such as size, population and Midwest location.

The conference provides a few days for speakers, round table discussions, presentations and an exchange of ideas, Paul said.

“It’s much better for us to talk with peer institutions,” Paul said.

“It’s a lot easier for us to relate to Nebraska rather than a school such as Southeast Missouri State University or the University of Southern California because we are more similar in size and structure to Nebraska.”

According to the conference Web site, the conference focused partly on effective lobbying and developing a relationship with local governments.

“Once a year, in the spring, we all go out to Washington, D.C., to lobby for higher edu-

cation,” Paul said.

Noce said it’s important to work with local businesses and city councils because towns and universities must work together to succeed.

“There were lots of community relations ideas, like the student government at Iowa State has a city council liaison serving as a council member,” Noce said.

A factor of the conference is comparing what works and what does not between the different schools and their programs, legislation and experiences.

“One of the areas Mizzou does really well in is finances,” Paul said. “But an area we are doing less well in is student senators talking with constituents.”

An appealing idea used in other universities was setting up tables with surveys, which brings the student government members closer with the rest of the student body, Paul said.

The University of Colorado showed a very beneficial model for sustainability on a college campus, Noce said.

Tailgating was another issue discussed between the leaders.

“We’re getting a tailgating solution in the works and Texas Tech has their tailgating event through their student government, and I got a lot of ideas for that,” Noce said.

Only Paul and Noce represented MU. Many of the other student governments sent anywhere from eight to 10 members of their organizations.

“I thought it was a good experience, and hopefully we can bring some more people next year,” Noce said.

4

the maneater

NEWS Alana N. Brown, 19, of 901 Richmond Ave., on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor

POLICE

DEPT.

the BLOTTER The following investigations are in progress, and the following people were arrested or issued summons, according to police reports.

MU POLICE THURSDAY, NOV. 5 John L. Acuff, 18, of 515 S. Fifth St., on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana Tim A. Miller, 19, of DefoeGraham Hall, on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and theft of property services less than $500 from building James P. McDonough, 22, of Texas, on suspicion of public nuisance Michael O. Spencer, 21, of St. Louis, on suspicion of public nuisance FRIDAY, NOV. 6 Colin C. Sickel, 21, of 1500 Rosemary Lane, on suspicion of driving with obstructed windows and driving while intoxicated

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 Elijah C. Smith, 21, of 3001 S. Providence Road, on suspicion of possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage on a city street, sidewalk or parking facility Kurtis J. Allen, 21, of Lebanon, Mo., on suspicion of possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage on a city street, sidewalk or parking facility Christopher E. Cook, 18, of Dogwood Hall, on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Shawn D. Kunz, 18, of Normal, Ill., on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Wesley T. French, 19, of Stafford Hall, on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Abigail C. Luzecky, 19, of Jones Hall, on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Francesca M. Scarafile, 18, of Responsibility Hall, on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Zachary W. Tuthill, 20, of 3923 Snowy Owl Drive, on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Timothy M. Ross, 19, of 210 Waugh St., on suspicion of purchase or possession of intoxicants by a minor Adam M. Stine, 18, of South Hall, on suspicion of driving under suspension Timothy R. Waltenberger, 18, of South Hall, on suspicion of pur-

chase or possession of intoxicants by a minor SUNDAY, NOV. 8 Dustin L. Roberts, 21, of 2427 Churchill Court, on suspicion of driving at a slow speed as to impede normal traffic and driving while intoxicated — Armeen Mistry, staff writer

COLUMBIA POLICE THURSDAY, NOV. 5 Joseph E. Maurer, 21, of 602 College Ave., on suspicion of selling alcohol to minors David E. McKenzie, 37, of 1524 Native Dancer Court, on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault Christopher O. Mullins, 20, of 2701 E. Nifong Blvd., on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license Dwayne L. Porter, 22, of 1615 Sylvan Lane, on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license Caren M. Rudd, 26, of 812 W. Spring St., on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license FRIDAY, NOV. 6 Andrew D. Adams, 19, of 602 S. College Ave., on suspicion of possession of alcohol by a minor Shane C. Booth, 22, of 2401 E. Broadway, on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license Julian M. Cave, 19, of 309 W. Phyllis Ave., on suspicion of thirddegree domestic assault Bruce D. Johnson, 21, of 2914 Argyle Road, on suspicion of third-

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009 degree assault and resisting or interfering with arrest Steven S. Mayfield, 20, of 1121 Ashland Road, on suspicion of possession of alcohol by a minor Elizabeth D. Moffett, 34, of 123 Benton St., on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license Samuel L. Norwood, 19, of 520 Huntridge Drive, on suspicion of theft Sherry A. Price, 26, of 714 Ridgeway Ave., on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license Allen D. Purvis, 35, of 2904 Rangeline St., on suspicion of thirddegree domestic assault Adam G. Wibbenmeyer, 25, of 914 Eight St., on suspicion of second-degree domestic assault SATURDAY, NOV. 7 Brandon E. Barnhart, 22, of Centralia, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated Samuel Bell, 17, of 407 E. Broadway, on suspicion of possession of alcohol by a minor Dontia M. Clay, 31, of 2401 Broadway, on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license Paul F. Gilzow, 36, of 2400 Ridgefield Road, on suspicion of second-degree domestic assault Matthew W. Jenkins, 24, of 227 E Clayton St., on suspicion of seconddegree sexual misconduct David C. McClain, 28, of 105 N. Garth Ave., on suspicion of distributing controlled substances Joseph J. Trad, Jr., 21, of 406 Conley Ave, on suspicion of firstdegree trespassing and third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 Ebony D. Betts, 24, of 107 E. Forest Ave., on suspicion of seconddegree assault of a law enforcement officer Mulugeta M. Chekol, 20, of Tiger Diggs, on suspicion of theft Julio Landero, 32, of 1108 St. Christopher St., on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and driving while intoxicated Mallory R. Recker, 20, of 1616 Anthony St., on suspicion of false identification Jason T. Scott, 24, of 3406 Rangeline St., on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and possession of controlled substances Jamaal G. Tatum, 25, of 206 Covered Wagon Road, on suspicion of first-degree trespassing Brittany E. Utterback, 20, of Davisville, on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana Andrew Parker Wood, 22, of 504 Campusview Drive, on suspicion of second-degree assault and thirddegree assault Daniel Brian Wyssmann, 22, of 1501 Spiros Drive, on suspicion of first-degree trespassing — Brook duBois, staff writer If you have information on these crimes, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS. All calls are confidential.

If a court authority later proves innocence of a charge stated in the Blotter, contact The Maneater to request an updated entry.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

NEWS

a c i r f A s s i M Mizzou ASA hopes to make African students feel more connected to MU.

the maneater 5

crowned

GREGORY ZAJAC Reporter The African Students Association crowned Stephine Nwaneri the first Miss Africa Mizzou on Sunday.

Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant Coordinator Patricia VewendaMabengo said she felt something was missing from the ASA calendar when she first started at MU. She said she began working with an idea for an event that would involve the community and present a different side to Africa with which most Americans are not familiar, which eventually became the pageant.

“I wanted to do something light and fun about Africa for the campus of Mizzou,” Vewenda-Mabengo said.

“Although I do use the show to educate on different platforms, I wanted people to come and see Africa for its beauty and not have to solely talk about wars, poverty, diseases and failing economies.”

In September, ASA women were invited to try out for the pageant. Vewenda-Mabengo said about 10 girls came to an informational meeting and the potential participants gradually withdrew from the pageant until the four contestants who finally competed were left.

“It just happened that the girls that did decide to actually go through with it, were all from different countries, so we didn’t

Members of Les Belles de KU perform at the Miss Africa SARAH HOFFMAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Mizzou pageant Sunday night in Stotler Lounge. The event was put on by the African Students Association and included a variety of performance arts entertainment. have to cut ipated in fundraisers, comnot tomorrow, but or choose girls,” Vewenda- munity service and rehearsals. someday, will be my day.”

Mabengo said.

“We had practices two times Then the contestants The four who decided to a week, each practice was about appeared onstage again, compete in the pageant were three hours,” Nwaneri said. “I this time sporting tradisophomore Kiarah Moore, rep- had to really balance my time tional African dresses.

Stephanie Nwaneri won Miss Africa resenting Liberia; sophomore management as well.”

While still in their Mizzou, but everybody won something.

Stephine Nwaneri, representVewenda-Mabengo said the African dresses, the conMi ing Nigeria; freshman Yohana contestants competed in the testants stepped up to the Stephanie Nwaneri: Miss ss Afr Nigeria, Miss Devoted, Ghirmazion, representing categories of evening attire, tal- microphone to present their ica Miss Africa Mizzou Mi Eritrea; and freshman Mrembo ent segment, traditional attire platform for the evening, Mrembo Palai: Miss Tanzania, zzo u Palai, representing Tanzania.

Miss Photogenic, first runner-up and a question and answer ses- where they were supposed Miss Africa Mizzou In the time leading up the sion. Judges were told to pay to address a serious issue Moore: Miss Liberia, Miss pageant, the contestants partic- special attention to creativ- facing the people of their Kiarah Gentle ity, individuality, relevance to home country and Africans Yohana Ghirmazion: Miss Eritrea, Miss Congeniality African culture and intellectual today. Ghirmazion, who mind frame. spoke first, discussed Source: Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant Christopher Okonkwo, ASA inflation and how the SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT adviser and associate professor increases in prices make of English and African Diaspora, it difficult for families AEISEC presentation and perLanguage Resource Laboratory in Eritrea to buy necessities. formances by Les Belles de KU coordinator Jenifer Pilz and Palai spoke about how preven- and No Genre, both groups of International Admissions tative health care could improve University of Kansas students Evaluator Chidimma Agwu- the quality of life in Africa. She who contributed to the pageant, Jones were judges. put emphasis on educating the and deliberation by the judges, The pageant began at 6:30 public on how to keep healthy as awards were announced. p.m. in Stotler Lounge with a pre- a realistic solution to the health “ASA has not done anything show performance by Universal problems in Africa. this big, and this spectacular, in Drum Appeal, followed by a Nwaneri’s speech also focused a couple years,” ASA President slideshow about the contestants on health care with a focus on Chimereze Oji said. “So this and what they had to do leading sanitation as a preventative event has brought people from up to the pageant. measure to prevent to spread of outside the community, in the At 7 p.m., the contestants malaria and AIDS. community, entertained the came on stage and performed a Moore spoke about female community and also help the dance wearing skirts patterned circumcision and genital muti- community with the fundraising after the flags of the countries lation from a multicultural per- aspect of it.” they represented and gave short spective and promoted underOji said the event benefited speeches introducing them- standing and tolerance of this the university by making MU selves and their platforms to the controversial practice. more diverse. audience.

“Because, if an African group “There are a lot of reasons why The contestants came on stage a lot of women undergo this pro- has an African event like this again in formal eveningwear. cedure,” Moore said. “It makes and they can have a different In the talent portion of the them more pure, it reduces sex- kind of event, like the Asian pageant, all four contestants ual desire, therefore reducing events, it makes them feel that danced. Moore and Nwaneri also infidelity and then prevent vagi- MU is not only a one-sided camrecited poems they wrote. nal cancer. Culturalism, on the pus, it’s diverse, it has differSARAH HOFFMAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER “I want to be seen,” Nwaneri other hand, is the breakdown of ent cultures, different people at Stephine Nwaneri, Mrembo Palai, Kiarah Moore and Yohana Ghirmazion said. “I want to step out of the culture and understanding that MU and it makes more students huddle together before the second runner up is announced Sunday night darkness. I want to show every- there are no objective standards want to come here,” Oji said. in Stotler Lounge. The contestants represented four African countries: body what type of Nigerian I to any one belief.”

Feature designed Nigeria, Tanzania, Liberia and Eritrea. am. Maybe not today, maybe After an intermission, an

by Jessica Schuster

MISS AFRICA MIZZOU AWARDS

6

the maneater

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2009

NEWS

EARLY: Admissions NORML: Students told their rights requirements unchanged Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 “I think we have very effective recruiters in Chicago and in Dallas, which has helped make a difference with our out-of-state recruitment efforts,” Korschgen said. “We’ve had people there several years and they’ve established a relationship with guidance counselors. Mizzou has become a known entity and a respected entity.”

Korschgen said it was important to keep in mind that the increase in applications at this point in the year does not necessarily lead to a larger incoming class.

“Our admissions folks have encouraged people to apply early to make sure they have residence hall space,” Korschgen said. “Therefore, it’s too early to make any judgment about what these numbers mean.”

Despite the increase in applicants, MU admissions requirements for incoming freshmen remain unchanged.

“If your ACT composite score is 24 or higher, or the total of your SAT critical reading and math

scores is 1090 or higher, and you have completed the required curriculum, then you meet the requirements for admission to Mizzou,” according to the MU admissions Web site.

The mean ACT score of last year’s incoming freshman class, a 25.6, marked the highest average for the university in eight years.

MU has had ongoing discussions about capacity issues, but officials’ main priority is ensuring all students are receiving a quality education. Korschgen referenced the recent increase in instructors and advisors as evidence of MU’s support for the larger classes, which haven’t been a problem for the university academically.

“Our retention rate this year is the second highest in the school’s history even though we had a large freshman class,” Korschgen said.

“I think that says something that we’re accommodating our students with success.”

— David Conway, staff writer

Randall, MU graduate and NORML Conference coordinator.

MU’s drug policy was discussed at the conference. The university’s marijuana policy is similar to those enforced by other major state universities: Students caught using or possessing marijuana in campus housing are almost always placed on residential probation or evicted upon their first offense.

That is a far cry from the alcohol policy on campus, which typically requires first-time offenders to complete an alcohol education course at their own expense.

“If (residential advisers) come to you and they find pot in your room, they’re not just going to ask you to flush it,” Randall said. “They’re calling the cops, they’re holding you there until those cops arrive and you’re getting punished.”

Dan Viets, criminal defense attorney in Columbia and MU NORML coordinator expressed similar sentiments. Police are almost always called in cases of suspected marijuana possession or use in the residence halls but extremely rarely in cases of under-

age drinking or alcohol possession.

“There is no mandate, no legal requirement for them to call the police because of marijuana possession,” Viets said.

The Department of Residential Life policy requires the police to be contacted when marijuana possession or use is suspected, as department staff cannot legally be in possession of the drug, even to dispose of it.

“Marijuana is against the law for all people,” Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said. “In that situation where we believe marijuana might be present, if we come in contact with it, we can’t possess that, even if we’re just going to put it in the dumpster or turn it over to the police.”

Minor said police involvement is not necessary in cases of alcohol possession because as the department can summon a staff member of the legal drinking age to dispose of the contraband.

With MU drug policies in place, Viets and Randall both sought to remind students there are still ways to protect themselves from legal trouble.

“The safest thing is not to be in

the dorms (with marijuana),” Viets said. “Although you have all the same rights against unreasonable searches and seizures in dormitories, the truth is that you’re in a much more enclosed, high population area and the odds of you getting caught are much greater.”

Residence hall residents enjoy the same rights against unwarranted police searches as homeowners and renters and need not open their doors to police unless presented with a valid search warrant.

“Marijuana is illegal, and nothing you say will change (a police officer’s) opinion,” Randall said. “Exercise your constitutional rights, remain silent, ask to speak to an attorney and don’t submit to a search.”

Randall reminded students of their rights.

“If they’re asking to come in, the reason that they’re doing so is because they need your permission,” he said.

Visit to listen to Paul Armentano’s thoughts on drug reform.

LIBRARIES: Budget no BALL: MU to face K-State on Nov. 14 longer topic at meetings Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 representatives, had been watching expenses exceed funding in the past few years. In addition, financing from the university tended to spike and fall unpredictably.

With input from committee members, Robert Bauer, Library Committee chairman and associate professor of geological sciences, said he sent off what he called a “fairly expensive proposal” to Foster. Although it didn’t specify a certain amount of money needed, it did emphasize the budget was in dire shape.

Foster was able to reallocate $850,000 by drawing from funds what normally would have been allocated to the deans for use in the university’s various colleges.

Bauer said the deans raised little complaint about having to make due with less.

“Libraries are such a foundation across campus,” Bauer said.

“A certain amount of credit should be given to the deans for realizing that the libraries are critical.”

Some long-term expenses in the library are harder manage. Bauer said the price of books and journals go up at a higher rate — between 7 and 12 percent annually, Cogswell said — than the consumer price index and effectively outpace it. In addition, Bauer said many of the presses are located in the Netherlands and other European countries where the U.S. dollar is very weak.

“To be a little more crass, all the publishers are basically trying to make as much money as they can,” Bauer said. “It’s not a monopoly, but they have a very strong position in bargaining power.”

This combination of inflation, the weak dollar and money-minded publishers means the libraries must pay more each year for journals, even if they’re not actually acquiring more subscriptions, Bauer said.

According to the libraries’

GREGORY ZAJAC/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore Deron Leslie studies Wednesday, Sept. 23 in Ellis Library. Last year, $850,000 was reallocated to the MU Libraries from other colleges.

expenditure spreadsheet, the cost of journal acquisitions in fiscal year 2007 was about $5.1 million, but that figure increased to about $5.8 million by fiscal year 2009.

Most of the provost’s bailout went to making up the deficit from this steep increase, with some left over to anticipate any shortfall in this year’s budget.

Cogswell said the money from the provost and an additional $240,000 in continuing funding for fiscal year 2010 with a 5 percent adjustment for inflation starting the next year, is helping the libraries plan ahead.

The Library Committee meetings, once occupied with talk of budgets and finances, now focus on less alarming matters, said Judith Mabary, a new committee member and associate professor of music history.

With the budget no longer a topic of committee meetings, Bauer said libraries are no longer operating a deficit budget.

“While it was a fairly critical issue a few years ago, it’s been stabilized,” Bauer said.

third quarter behind 29-26. Two fourth quarter touchdowns gave the Bears the lead for good.

“Obviously what we’re doing isn’t working,” Pinkel said. “I’ve taken a lot of great pride in fixing problems. And if you don’t fix them, you’re sitting right where we’re at.”

The Tigers’ offensive output in the first half made the second half doldrums look even more dramatic.

Gabbert and senior wide receiver Danario Alexander lit up the stat sheet with their first half performances. Gabbert threw for 322 yards, and Alexander had 11 catches for 171 yards. That number of catches was already a career best for Alexander, but the Missouri single-game record of 16 catches didn’t seem far out of reach.

Along with the performance of the offense as a whole, the two saw their production curtail in the second half. Alexander still finished with a career high in receiving yards (214) and catches (13), but thought his performance took a backseat to the game’s outcome.

“It was a career day, but we’ve got to get the win,” Alexander said.

Gabbert finished with 468 yards passing and 30 completions — both career highs.

Both teams scored on their first possessions, with Tiger junior tailback Derrick Washington getting a 1-yard touchdown run on a direct snap, and Baylor notching a field goal to bring the score to 7-3.

Baylor then took the lead on an 8-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Nick Florence.

Two field goals from sophomore

kicker Grant Ressel put Missouri back in the lead.

Gabbert then found Alexander for an 84-yard touchdown pass to increase Missouri’s lead to 20-9.

The play was Alexander’s longest reception ever and the longest-ever completion for Gabbert.

After a Baylor touchdown made the score 20-16, Gabbert connected with sophomore wide receiver Wes Kemp for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 0:01 left in the half.

It was the last touchdown Missouri scored in the game. The points Missouri scored in the second half came from a safety and another Ressel field goal.

“We came out in the first half and everything was going pretty good,” Alexander said. “We came out in the second half and we just didn’t get it together.”

BUSINESS: Class to begin May 2010 Continued from page 1 from the schools around here,” Carner said. “We’re following the lead of several other schools that have an intensive certificate program. It fits in with the administration wanting more courses that will go across campus.”

Carner said the institute is a three-week-long certificate program designed for students in either their junior or senior years.

“It’s six hours a day,” Turban said. “I think they can get a good foundation for business knowledge and skills that can help them in their career.”

Carner said students would receive the basics, such as accounting, marketing, management and finance. The career center will help with resumes and job interviews.

Turban said the program is going provide people with knowledge and skills about how to conduct a successful job search.

“It’s basically the core of the

business program,” Carner said.

“Stuff you learn before starting your business major.”

The Missouri Business Institute brochure said the initial class would run from May 17 to June 4.

“We’d like to do it for both intersessions,” Carner said.

The brochure said the program costs $2,450. Books, related materials, luncheons, refreshments, special presentations and three evening dinners are included in the cost.

“We’ll be providing guest speakers and some outside talent to talk to the students as well,” Carner said.

The brochure stated applications for the inaugural class of the Missouri Business Institute are due March 26, 2010. Students who register by Feb. 15 will receive a $200 discount.

“This could be a good course for someone considering going back to school and possibly getting an MBA,” Carner said. “There are people out there who want to

change careers and they’ll go and get an MBA from a school that may not be nationally accredited.”

Carner said there are a lot of students out there who don’t have time for a minor in business and this would help them get a job and possibly start a business.

“We have a business minor,” Turbin said. “It’s just at a different level. We have a number of non-business majors taking our courses.”

Carner said he knows the program would be popular for parents and this could help engineers or journalism majors get jobs.

“I think understanding how businesses work could be quite beneficial,” Turbin said. “The entry-level employee can provide as much value as possible to that business.”

Carner said maybe down the line, the business school could have a program targeted at law majors or those in the School of Medicine.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

outlook

Reach Will Guldin, city, state and nation editor, at wguldin@themaneater.com and Lyndsie Manusos, crime editor, at lmanusos@themaneater.com

Black, Gold and Blue

Jordan Stein Politics Columnist

Liberals lack gumption My last article prompted some pretty severe condemnation from some readers who took issue with my views. In fact, when my mother read the comments section, she was outraged at some of the remarks. I told her I was glad people were engaged by what I wrote. Some of the comments were unforgivably rude (my conservative boyfriend IS real and is not ready to dump my Obama-loving butt on the curb yet), but I admired the immediate and forceful conservative response to my tiny, oft-overlooked column.

That’s something distinctive about all the right-wingers I know. They’re very passionate about what they believe and they sure as hell are ready to let you know about it. Don’t get me wrong, I know plenty of fiery liberals, ready to debate whenever and wherever. But most of those liberals are in college, belong to the College Democrats and have some sort of extra-curricular political experience.

Conversely, I encounter vocal conservatives of all ages and levels of political involvement.

Somehow, when liberals get out of the safe enclave of college, they start to get weak-kneed and soft-spoken.

And who can blame them? When you’re outspoken about something you believe, political, you’re usually met with lots of static.

People are quick to cast aspirations about your sanity, your lifestyle or the position of your lips in proximity to someone’s rear end. It really sucks to endure but conservatives tend to just plow through the antagonism and use it to fuel their political passion. Liberals, when met with hostility, usually retreat apologetically.

I don’t know why this happens. I’m not sure when or how it became culturally necessary to apologize and be ashamed of liberal beliefs.

Nonetheless, we liberals have been dealing with it the wrong way. We need to take a leaf out of the conservatives’ book and refuse to apologize for what we think.

This technique would be useful in the legislature. If liberals were as unrelenting in their desire for universal health care as conservatives are unrelenting about everything, we wouldn’t have gotten bogged down in the public option compromise. It seems the liberals in both the House and Senate are so afraid to stir the waters with a liberal agenda, they just stick to as close to the middle as they can.

Typically, the hope of being re-elected drives this pathetic behavior.

Somehow, we have a majority in Congress, a liberal in the White House and public opinion still swinging toward approval for both branches, according to Gallup polls. Now is the time to get accomplished what we set out to do in 2008, before the power pendulum swings the other way. We need to be unforgiving and infinitely stubborn about what we think is right. That attitude is how the conservatives got us in this mess in the first place and may be the only way to get ourselves out.

So, listen up, Congressional liberals, Missouri liberals and liberals who get into political conversations in line at the supermarket: Stop being such a pansy. Meet the debate with your game face on and stop apologizing.

Jordan Stein is a senior political science major. She can be reached at jesf25@mizzou.edu

The Maneater 7

House passes health care legislation WES DUPLANTIER Staff Writer Health care insurance reform passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a narrow margin Saturday, but a group who supported the act used Monday to protest the no votes of two Missouri congressmen at their district offices.

The House passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, by a vote of 220-215. One Republican voted in favor of the bill and some conservative Democrats broke with their party to vote against it.

Grass Roots Organizing, a Mexico, Mo.-based non-profit

HOUSE HEALTH CARE VOTES Members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed health care reform legislation Saturday by a vote of 220-215. Representatives from Missouri's nine districts mostly voted against the bill, with support coming from Democrats in districts nearby large cities. voted no voted yes Columbia Kansas City St. Louis

Source: Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, opencongress.org KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

organization, sent members to the Jefferson City district office of Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and the Columbia district office of Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., in specially decorated Cadillac sedans.

The group said it chose those cars because it believes Congress should extend to all Americans the health insurance plan given to Congress members and their families, which is often referred to as the “Cadillac of insurance plans.”

House Republicans, including Luetkemeyer, have called Democratic health care reform proposals attempts at a “government takeover of health care” in the months leading up to Saturday’s vote.

GRO spokeswoman Lily Tinker Fortel said Monday’s news conference was aimed at dispelling that notion and perhaps persuading the congressmen to change their votes when the House and Senate bills are reconciled.

“We believe that people always have a chance to correct misinformation and the bills in the House and Senate are not a ‘government takeover of health care,’ “ Fortel said. “Our representatives have a duty to vote for what is in the best interests of all Missourians and H.R. 3962 moves us in the right direction.”

Six of Missouri’s nine congressional representatives voted against the House

bill. The three Democrats who voted for it were Reps.

Emanuel Cleaver II, Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan, who represent Kansas City, St. Louis and St. Louis’ southern suburbs, respectively.

Fortel said GRO Director Robin Acree thanked Missouri representatives who did vote in favor of the House bill and spoke about benefits Skelton and Luetkemeyer enjoy as part of their congressional insurance plans.

During the news conference she said she also read statistics from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce showing how the H.R. 3962 would benefit Skelton and Luetkemeyer’s districts if signed into law.

Spokesman Paul Sloca characterized the GRO protest as brief and said Luetkemeyer believes the House bill amounts to a government takeover of the private insurance industry. He said Luetkemeyer would never vote for such a takeover.

“He’s aware that some people support the bill,” Sloca said. “But an overwhelming majority do not, based on the phone calls and e-mails we’ve gotten.”

Carnahan, who represents part of St. Louis, voted in favor of the House bill Saturday and Carnahan spokesman Jim Hubbard said Monday that Carnahan has been supportive of health care reform

MANEATER FILE PHOTO

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act on Saturday by a vote of 220-215. The bill now moves on to the Senate, where it is expected to meet stiff resistance.

since Congress began debating the issue.

In August, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., hosted a town hall meeting to answer questions on health care reform legislation in Hillsboro, which is in Carnahan’s district. She faced many skeptical questions about such legislation. But Hubbard said in spite of such objections, Carnahan felt now was the time to pass the reform legislation.

“Momentum is still on the side of the consumer in terms of lowering costs and increasing preventative care,” Hubbard said.

Columbia investigators seek the truth ALICIA STICE Staff Writer Cheating spouses are one of many cases private investigators in Columbia are hired to watch; people who have skipped out on their debt are another.

Melinda Kidder, owner and lead investigator of Columbia Investigations, said her team’s specialty is surveillance and undercover work.

Private investigators are sometimes hired to find out if a customer’s spouse is having an affair. Kidder said in these cases, investigators follow the spouse around and see if they are actually being unfaithful.

Ron Rugen, of Rugen Team Investigations, said he handles mostly civil cases. That means serving a large number of court papers like subpoenas.

“This month alone I’ll probably get 30 to 40 summons,” Rugen said.

Those summons are in addition to other cases Rugen might be investigating at any given time.

Private investigators also help people locate old friends, family members they haven’t

seen in a while and people who owe them money.

Rugen said he does not directly give customers the information he finds during these person locations. He gives the information to the client’s attorney to ensure it is handled properly.

“That helps avoid cases of stalking,” Rugen said.

The work of a private investigator is not limited to domestic and civil cases, Kidder said.

People who have been accused of crimes often hire private investigators in hopes improving their case.

Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said CPD does not interact with private investigators.

Haden said because the burden of proof is on the prosecution, it wouldn’t surprise her if someone accused of a crime utilized available tools, such as a private investigator, to produce reasonable doubt.

“It would simply be an extension of what someone’s defense attorney would do,” Haden said.

Kidder said when her team works criminal cases, they help

BACKGROUND ROSTER Melinda Kidd, owner and lead investigator of Columbia Investigations, works with employees who have diverse backgrounds.

Some background among Columbia Investigations employees include: Private security services Degree in administration of justice A pending degree in forensics Preliminary military training Source: Melinda Kidder, owner and lead investigator of Columbia Investigations KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

find whatever evidence exists and hopefully it will help exonerate the client.

“Our goal is to find the truth whether the client likes it or not,” Kidder said.

Kidder also said Columbia Investigations is working on the appeal case for an unjustly convicted person. She said it is important to her the investigators working for her are qualified and dedicated.

Missouri does not require private investigators to get a license but Columbia does, Kidder said.

“The process is pretty simplistic and easy which is great for us but it doesn’t provide the client with as much of a

guarantee,” Kidder said.

According to the city of Columbia’s Web site, the Columbia Code of Ordinances states prospective private investigators must pay an application and license fee. A criminal background check is also conducted.

People often think the best background for a private investigator is in criminal justice, where there are a variety of skills that can be useful in the field, Rugen said.

His own background as a news reporter helps him get quality surveillance footage.

Rugen said someone with a background in accounting would be able to conduct financial investigations.

For Kidder, she said one of the most important qualities in a private investigator is drive.

“One of the first things I ask a prospective employee is, ‘Why do you want to be an investigator?’ “ Kidder said.

Kidder has one investigator with preliminary military training, one earning a degree in forensics and one who has lived in the area his whole life and seems to know everything about everyone.

8

the maneater

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

OUTLOOK

Columbia joins federal CPD, MUPD address complaints campaign for fire safety COMPLAINTS AND ALICIA STICE Staff Writer

CAITLIN JONES Staff Writer Fire companies from the Columbia Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 7:16 a.m. Sunday at 1110 West Worley St. Responding fire crews arrived at the home of Arthur and Deanna Trass to find light smoke coming from the eaves of the home, a CFD news release stated. Its arrival only took three minutes. Firefighters were able to put the fire out in less than five minutes.

According to the news release, fire damage was contained to a utility closet, where the fire was later determined to have started, and one bedroom. Some smoke damage occurred throughout the home. Fire investigators determined the fire started when combustible materials were unknowingly placed to close to the water heater.

The residents were home at the time of the fire but were alerted when the fire detectors sounded, the news release stated.

The Trass couple and their dog were able to safely exit the home and were outside awaiting the arrival of the firefighters.

Damage is estimated at less then $10,000, the news release stated. The homeowners were insured.

On average, 3,000 people die in home fires each year in the U.S., most of which are in homes without working smoke alarms, a Columbia fire department news release stated.

The United States Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sponsoring a nationwide Install, Inspect, Protect campaign designed to raise awareness about how working, properly installed smoke alarms can lower a person’s chances of dying in a fire, the news release stated.

“The United States Fire Administration recognizes that we have a fairly serious fire problem in the U.S.,” Fire Marshal Steven Sapp said. “First this program hopes to prevent fires, and secondly if a fire does occur, help people get early warning and fire suppression.”

According the news release, the United States Fire Administration’s campaign is aimed at encouraging Americans to practice fire safety by installing and maintaining smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, practicing fire escape plans and performing a home safety walkthrough to remove fire

FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS According to a Columbia Fire Department news release, the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is sponsoring a nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. campaign designed to raise awareness about how properly installed smoke alarms can lower a person’s chances of dying in a fire.

Safety tips: Properly install and maintain smoke alarms Interconnect smoke alarms for one sound Get smoke alarms that can sound fast Install residential fire sprinklers Source: Columbia Fire Department news release KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

hazards from the home.

“Half of the 90 percent of residential buildings with smoke alarms installed are not working,” Sapp said. “The most common cause is missing or dead batteries.”

The campaign is being promoted through free Campaign Toolkit disc, educational material, public service announcements, children’s materials, community organization-sponsored events and a consumer-friendly Web site campaign, the news release stated.

“One person killed in a home fire is just too many,” Fire Chief William Markgraf said in a news release. “Together we can educate our communities and help save lives.”

When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82 percent, when compared to a residence without either, the news release stated.

“As of late the United States Fire Administration has championed the cause or made a call of action to have people install smoke alarms and test them,” Sapp said. “By doing so you are saving the loved ones that live with you.”

Local law enforcement agencies keep careful records of complaints filed by citizens in Internal Investigation Reports.

The Columbia and MU police departments accept complaints in a variety of forms, including phone calls, via the departments’ Web sites and by mail.

MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer organizes and keeps track of all complaints MUPD receives, MUPD Capt. Scott Richardson said.

Supervisors can handle minor complaints, but more commonly the commander in charge of the division or a person assigned by the chief deals with them, Richardson said.

MUPD’s standards for internal investigations are based on national requirements.

“We base our policies on the standards from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies,” he said.

CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said the department receives all kinds of information on the city’s online feedback form. Citizens can use the form to complain about or compliment a CPD officer.

Complaints are either categorized as administrative or criminal. If an officer violated department policy, such as failing to explain what they were doing, the complaint is administrative, Haden said.

Criminal complaints are filed if an officer is accused of breaking the law. CPD’s Investigative Division handles these cases.

CPD has also received complaints about officer misconduct from people who were not present during the incident, Haden said.

Several months ago, more than 10 people complained about an officer and only two of them were actually there when the alleged misconduct occurred.

Haden said the recordings from police cars are particularly useful when sorting out who actually witnessed an event.

In some instances, Haden has received interview requests on the feedback form.

“The way you find out if a complaint is legitimate is to treat it as if it is. You have to thoroughly investigate each and every one,” she said.

Haden also said complaints usually go through the chain of command before being seen by CPD’s Professional Standards Unit.

The Professional Standards Unit became operational in 2008 and consists of a sergeant and a lieutenant, CPD’s Web site stated. These people have undergone specialized training in

COMPLIMENTS

CPD releases complaints filed against officers in its Internal Investigation Reports. The reports detail the complaint and whether the officer was found improper. The most recent report released by CPD is from April 2009.

Internal Investigation Report of April 2009: • Total number of complaints: 31 • Internally generated complaints: 14 • Criminal complaints: 0 • Serious administrative complaints: 11 • Minor administrative complaints: 20 • Number of investigations assigned to PSU: 18 Investigative Findings: • Proper: 5 • Improper: 7 • Undetermined: 2 • Unfounded: 3 • Pending: 6 Source: April 2009 Internal Investigation Report found on CPD’s official Web site KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

internal affairs investigations.

Internal investigations can also result in policy changes. A complaint filed in an internal investigation report last November about improper use of a Taser led to clarifying changes in the Department’s Taser Policy.

The first thing CPD does when handling an internal investigation is notify the officer in question.

Officers have the right to waive the investigation and admit fault, Haden said.

Otherwise, the Professional Standards Unit contacts anyone involved in the case and looks at the audio and video recordings from the officer’s police car.

If an officer’s behavior is found improper at the conclusion of the investigation, disciplinary action will be taken, Haden said.

Penalties vary on a case-by-case basis.

If it seems like a one-time mistake, it is likely the officer will receive a written warning. If the misconduct is a pattern of behavior, a suspension might be in order, Haden said.

Haden also said it is important officers behave appropriately.

“Our police chief is a real stickler for customer service,” she said.

m

work for the maneater. get paid.

buy food.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

OUTLOOK

the maneater 9

MIKE KURLOWSKI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Paul Armentano, deputy director of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, presents a report on the safety and efficiency of cannabis use Saturday in Ellis Auditorium. NORML presented this review as part of a daylong event focusing on marijuana law reform.

Conference discusses medical marijuana LUKE UDSTUEN Staff Writer The National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws sponsored a meeting Saturday at Ellis Auditorium for the purpose of informing attendees about marijuana and inspiring grassroots drug policy reform.

“I want to argue that marijuana isn’t just uniquely safe in comparison with other drugs, but that it’s also safe in general,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said.

Armentano and attorney Dan Viets, both of who spoke at the NORML conference, pointed out there have been no deaths recorded to the usage of marijuana, and with other drugs this is not always the case.

“Several hundred people die each year from eating aspirin,” said Viets, who specializes in the defense of marijuana charges. “Not even getting to OxyContin or other narcotics, just aspirin kills several hundred people each year because of its immediate toxic effects.”

Drugs laws in Columbia have already seen some changes, with a voter initiative passing in 2004 that eliminated the possibility of jail time for possession of up to 1.25 ounces of marijuana in Columbia, and reduced the maximum fine for this level of marijuana possession to $250.

MU Health Care spokesmen Jeff Hoelscher said in an e-mail he did not know of anyone being treated for marijuana use alone.

“To my knowledge, we have not had anyone admitted or treated strictly for marijuana use,” Hoelscher said. “That being said, it is very possible that someone could have been under the influence of any kind, or kinds, of moodaltering agent, or agents, such as

alcohol, marijuana, etc., while being treated for some other issue.”

Hoelscher also said though there hasn’t been anyone admitted to the hospital because of marijuana use, it does not mean it is any safer to operate a motor vehicle while using the drug.

“That distinction is inconsequential,” Hoelscher said about the difference between alcohol and marijuana use while behind the wheel. “Both are mood-altering drugs and neither should ever be used in conjunction with any kind of vehicular use. Marijuana, of course, is illegal.”

Greg Boyt, Daybreak Treatment Center of Columbia program director, said marijuana was not safe.

“Marijuana is not safer than alcohol,” Boyt said. “It can have a variety of sensory responses, anything from being a depressant, stimulant or a hallucinogen.”

He said the unpredictability of marijuana is different than using alcohol.

“Alcohol is a depressant,” Boyt said. “There’s not always the same predictability with smoking marijuana as compared to alcohol.”

Viets also said drug issues receive unequal coverage from the media. Despite this coverage, he said attitudes on drug policy are shifting.

There are also exorbitant costs both socially and monetarily of incarcerating citizens for nonviolent drug offenses, he said. In addition to feeding, clothing and taking care of additional inmates, Viets said some other indirect costs are ignored.

“The indirect cost, which I think the media and most politicians tend to ignore, is that the great majority of people in prison, is that if they weren’t in prison, they would be working and paying taxes,” Viets said.

10 The Maneater

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Josh Barone, editor-in-chief — jbarone@themaneater.com Mary Daly, managing editor — mdaly@themaneater.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Letters to the editor must include phone numbers. Guest columns must be about 450 words and include e-mail addresses. All letters must be signed to be published. The Maneater reserves the right to edit letters and columns for style and length. Letters and columns can be e-mailed to forum@themaneater.com, faxed to 882-5550 or dropped off at N223 Memorial Union.

Letter to the Editor

MUTV, KCOU offer Twitter trash talk: best real-world experience Our Opinion

EDITORIALS REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OPINION OF THE MANEATER EDITORIAL BOARD.

response is no response

Saturday’s disappointing loss left a lot of Tiger fans looking for a way to vent their frustrations. But one fan took his complaints directly to the team, sparking an ordeal between him and MU players. Unfortunately, it all played out in the public eye, on Twitter.

After the MU loss to Baylor on Saturday afternoon, former MU football walkon Austin Huff tweeted directly at Blaine Gabbert, saying “@BlaineGabbert is the worst leader I have ever seen at quarterback. Don’t ever get up slow and limp off our field again.” Huff then claimed Gabbert responded with a direct message calling him an idiot, albeit a bit more colorfully.

Huff proceeded to make the contents of the message public on his Twitter and posted another tweet at Gabbert. At that point, teammate Derrick Washington came to Gabbert’s defense, sparking a more civil discussion.

Huff later apologized to Gabbert on his Twitter.

Although Huff was out of line, not to mention misguided — Gabbert set a personal record for passing yards in Saturday’s game — student athletes and other student leaders need to remember what they say can be blown out of proportion, as it was in this case.

Regardless of whether Gabbert sent the direct message to Huff, student athletes should stay above the fray and let attacks like Huff’s roll off their backs.

It’s something athletes should get used to. Why dignify critics with a response, much less let them know that they’re getting to you?

Without a response from Gabbert, Huff would have been just one of the many fans unfairly pinning their disappointments on MU’s sophomore quarterback Saturday.

This does not only apply to Gabbert. Other student athletes, student government leaders and prominent students across campus should learn from this incident.

Being a prominent college student at a Big 12 school is vastly different from being in high school. Blogs and the Associated Press can pick up statements made on a public forum such as Twitter and, as seen in this situation, even a direct private message isn’t really private.

Although we realize Gabbert tried to keep it between Huff and himself, he also should have figured out a message like that might not stay in confidence.

There will always be fans who will voice their disappointment, and social networking sites, such as Twitter, give them the opportunity to take it directly to the players. Sometimes in these cases, the best response is no response at all.

Students need a second option in MSA election The Missouri Students Association presidential election began Monday night.

However, calling it an election is a bit of a stretch.

The only choice students have is to click the button to vote for Tim Noce and Danielle Bellis.

There is no option for no confidence or anything similar.

Offering literally no other choice makes the election pointless. That is not because of Noce and Bellis, personally, but for the sake of a competitive election where the best slate succeeds.

It could also help motivate Noce to work even harder if he could see the number of students who not only voted, but also voted specifically for him. He can’t see this without a no confidence voting option. If 10 percent of people who voted were to vote no confidence, he might work to show those people why he is the best person for the job.

There were also minor technical problems that stopped people from being able to vote for about two hours.

This is much better than last year when the election had to be completely moved back a week because of technical difficulties, but it still sours some people on voting.

Having any sort of election in which there is only one option is undemocratic.

It might also dissuade people who do not know very much about MSA from voting in future elections.

Students deserve more than one choice for the leader of their governing body.

The Maneater undercut its own position in the opening paragraph of its editorial in reference to the KCOU and MUTV internships when it wrote, “... but not all internships are created equally. For instance, having an internship with CNN would be considered a bigger deal than working for the public access station in one’s hometown.” The Missouri Students Association would never argue that an internship with KCOU or MUTV would be equivalent to an experience at NPR or CNN. What is the point of an internship? At the most basic level, an internship is designed to provide the student with a practical out-of-classroom experience.

Regardless of the prestige of KCOU or MUTV, the interns who work at these outlets receive real experience via work in an actual radio or television station, which is the entire point of an internship.

In fact, if these students go on to apply to an internship with NPR or CNN, they have an advantage over other applicants as they have actual work experience in a studio. In fact, it is asinine for the Maneater to claim that these internships are not real world experience. Students have the opportunity to work in a fully functional radio or television station, which inevitably involves working with equipment, meeting deadlines, and ultimately delivering a product.

Regardless of the management or audience of these outlets, students receive an out-of-classroom experience that helps them apply skills they have learned in the classroom to the

real world.

Especially at Mizzou, where the market for these mediums is frequently dominated by journalism students, providing communications students (and hopefully students of other disciplines down the road) with an additional avenue of learning is an important service that MSA can provide at no additional cost to students. Especially in light of the fact that KCOU and MUTV are sometimes charged with not being relevant to the student body, it seems odd that The Maneater is critical of this initiative.

Moreover, apparently The Maneater has not had a great number of job interviews. The resume is merely a document that facilitates conversation about one’s experiences.

An internship is valuable to the intern only insofar as they are able to discuss their experience. If the intern has taken advantage of the internship and acquired a level of comprehension, which is the design of the program, they will have ample opportunity to “validate” their internship through conversation.

Lastly, I find it amusing that The Maneater closes with “At the end of the day, a student news organization is just not real-world experience.”

First, what does this say about the Missourian, which is an important aspect of student learning for a significant number of journalism students?

Second, what does that say about The Maneater?

— Jordan Paul, MSA president

Think you can do it better?

Applications for the spring 2010 editorial board are now online at themaneater.com!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

the maneater 11

FORUM

The opinions expressed by The Maneater columnists do not represent the opinions of The Maneater editorial board.

Rihanna shows courage in interview ChaToyya Sewell chatoyyasewell@gmail.com

The American Bar Association states one in five high school women report being either physically and/or sexually abused by a relationship partner. The inclusion of the word “report” allows the number to potentially be higher because survivors of these types of violence often don’t report it.

Women who should be playing lacrosse, soccer, basketball or nothing, should be learning calculus, loving science, hating science, reading history, watching television or eating junk food are instead forced to deal with the trauma of relationship and sexual violence.

This is disturbing. All too often, those who are not directly involved in the situation ignore these stories.

But in the past year, the topic of domestic violence in general and relationship violence against young women has been thrust into the media glare.

Yes, I’m talking about Rihanna and Chris Brown. After months of keeping her silence, while Brown cavorted over talk shows, tweets and apology tracks,

Rihanna spoke up this week, sitting down with Diane Sawyer on “20/20.”

I’d like to give Rihanna a round of applause. Talking about relationship and partner violence is undoubtedly a terrifying thing for a survivor. To have this talk knowing millions of fans, journalists, foes and lowly feminist college paper opinion columnists are waiting to dissect your every word can only add stress.

I think it is important to allow all survivors of intimate partner violence tell their stories. An important part of abusers’ behavior is control, and in hearing these stories, it is important to give the survivors control over their own stories.

Disclaimers aside, Rihanna was articulate, brave and inspiring on “20/20.”

Nothing she said was from the perfect can of PR statements.

It was clear she still had a lot of healing to do, and, quite frankly, I found that inspirational. It is unfair Rihanna, who went through publicly what sadly occurs frequently behind closed doors, is forced into the role of “abused singer.” At times you can hear the burden in her words. For example, she talked about fearing young girls in abusive relationships would stay or return to their boyfriends after seeing her brief reconnection with Brown. It is an unfair burden, being a woman who is

clearly still in the healing process herself but one she bears gracefully.

Brown spoke (again) to the media this week in a sit-down interview with MTV’s Sway. He, on the other hand, does not seem to understand that in no way, shape or form does he have ownership over any victimhood. He spends most of the interview illuminating the hurt he feels over people who just don’t like him anymore after what he calls a mistake.

Relationship and intimate partner violence is not a mistake. Failing a test is a mistake. Drinking a little too much on a weeknight is a mistake. Using violence as a means to control someone is not.

I’m not sure what I would want to hear from an abuser on a public forum such as MTV, but I am positive I would not want to hear it so soon. Words mean little, as Rihanna proved through her characterization of their relationship. If Brown truly understands the magnitude of his actions, then he would know now is not the time. An afternoon of picking up litter on the side of the road, an auto-tuned apology and six months of therapy does not make a reformation. Unlike Rihanna, he is not in the position to make demands of the public nor to offer advice for those in these situations. It will be a long time before (if ever) he will be.

Chris Brown misuses media outlets Christina Stiehl cmshd4@mizzou.edu

Remember Chris Brown’s violent attack on his now-ex-girlfriend Rihanna last February? Amid a new single, album and 19-city tour, Brown fans and supporters seem to have forgotten.

We all saw the photo of the battered 20-year-old pop star and couldn’t escape the media frenzy that followed. A few days following the incident, Brown released a public statement of apology, confirming he was in fact the attacker.

Doublemint Gum immediately dropped its endorsement deal, and several cities nationwide pulled his music from their radio stations.

While everyone from Oprah to Roseanne Barr gave their opinions on the situation, reports surfaced of a reunion between the young couple in Miami a mere week after the attack, portraying Rihanna as a PSA for young girls on how not to handle themselves in an abusive relationship.

Nine months later, Rihanna decided to come forward in her first interview since the attack. On “20/20” last Friday, the R&B singer opened up to Diane Sawyer about her former relationship with Brown and the altercation that left her beaten and bloody.

In case you have forgotten, here is a recap: According to the police report, Brown and Rihanna began arguing on a drive home and as the disagreement heated up, Brown physically attacked her, slamming her against the passenger window, punching her eye, biting her face and holding her in a tight headlock, leaving her unable to breathe.

During the beating, Brown threatened, “I’m going to beat the shit out of you when we get home,” and, “Now I’m really going to kill you.” Hearing Rihanna’s screams, a neighbor in the residential area where they were parked called 911.

Sure, Brown publicly apologized.

He also reached a plea bargain in the felony assault case, requiring him to serve probation, community service

ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA MYERS and counseling, according to CNN.com.

But now, he is using his media attention more for monetary gain instead of redemption.

Brown’s latest album Graffiti was scheduled for release Dec. 15 but has since been moved up a week, most likely to capitalize on all of the recent publicity surrounding him and Rihanna.

I understand Brown’s career requires him to continue to make music and tour, but the success of artists in the music industry relies solely on fan support, which I don’t believe Brown deserves.

Yes, Brown is donating a portion of proceeds from his current Fan Appreciation Tour to a domestic violence intervention organization, but this is a cleverly planned PR maneuver.

One might argue people’s personal lives shouldn’t interfere with their occupation. After all, countless domes-

tic abusers out there still have jobs. I have a hard time lending support to anyone who resorts to abuse, let alone an extremely popular and influential superstar. Even though an R&B singer might not be the best role model, young people still idolize him, so what kind of message does that send?

Not that Rihanna is exempt from using her personal life to propel her career. I doubt it was any coincidence the television interview aired a mere two and a half weeks before her new album drops. I would much rather support the woman who survived a violent attack and continued on with her career than the man who was the cause of said abuse.

I do believe Chris Brown is a talented performer, and I’m not an advocate for holding grudges. I just think Brown’s return to the music industry is poorly timed and ill-motivated.

Sami Hall

smhbt8@mail.missouri.edu

Open the forum to religious discussion I never understood why discussions of religion were always considered taboo. Then again, my experience with religion is also a lot different than most — I was raised by a Catholic father and a Shinto-Buddhist mother, and they decided to raise me without religion. This was partly due to their differences and partly due to their desire for me to choose my own path, be it eight-fold or otherwise.

So far, I have had no real religion in my life. At most, I could say I am Shinto, which is the indigenous religion of Japan, but even most Japanese do not consider Shinto a religion. I hesitate to say I am agnostic, but by definition, I probably am.

It has always been a point of confusion to me that agnostics and atheists in the United States are virtually invisible.

The U.S. Census Bureau 2009 Statistical Abstract estimates more than 16 percent of Americans identify themselves as “unaffiliated,” and 51 percent are Protestant, the division of Christianity considered the norm and the standard. There are as many “unaffiliated” Americans as there are black Americans, Asian Americans and American Indians combined. When one thinks of a minority, one usually imagines someone of what is traditionally considered an underrepresented race, not someone of an underrepresented religion (or a person with a lack of religion entirely).

Despite the significant number of unaffiliated Americans, religion is still found everywhere in our society and government. Our dollar bills are printed with the words “in God we trust” emblazoned on them and our president was criticized throughout the election for possibly being something other than Christian. Our elected officials are sworn in on the Bible (not the Constitution, which would be the logical choice since that is the document they are sworn to uphold), and our pledge of allegiance includes the phrase “under God.” The under representation of agnostics and atheists within our country worries and concerns me. When there are approximately 51 million Americans being disregarded, something needs to change.

I know what I am saying might rile some readers. But I am not writing despite that, I am writing because of it. Frank conversations about religion are far too few and unfortunately, rarely contain discussion of the concept of no religion. I am in no way saying people should not participate in religions, nor am I saying religion is bad. I am merely saying given how the United States prides itself as being a country in which people of all backgrounds can live comfortably together, we should continue to strive to achieve this point of inclusion and acceptance.

I am in no means asking you to forsake your religion in order to make others comfortable. Whether you are Catholic or Pagan or whatever, it is my firm belief you should exercise your religious rights as far as reason allows. But I am asking the American populace to rethink religion’s place in our society. Although it definitely has a place in homes, churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, shrines and other locations of personal religious importance, having the president of the United States pledge to uphold the Constitution while his hand is firmly pressed against the cover of a Bible is inherently exclusionary. I am, though, asking we stop assuming everyone has made religion a part of his or her life.

There is no way with the 600 words I am allotted for this column I will be able to convince everyone my perspective is one which deserves consideration. Many will call me oversensitive or even sinful. And according to your faith, that might be true. But let me ask you this: Have you not also sinned?

read the maneater. it's the logical decison.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Reach Andrea Kszystyniak and Chase Koeneke, MOVE editors, at akszystyniak@themaneater.com and zkoeneke@themaneater.com

Tough Crowd

Thomas Leonard Movie Columnist

‘Man’ balance of depth, humor Armed with an earnest title and sharp interrogation of Jewish tradition and ritual, “A Serious Man” seems at face value to be a solemn look at the trepidations of ‘60s suburbia in the vein of last year’s hyper-tense “Revolutionary Road.”

But leave it to the Coen Brothers (writers and directors of modern classics “O Brother Where Art Thou?” and “No Country for Old Men”) to turn a tale of a mid-life crisis laden with adultery and death into the quirkiest and funniest American black comedy since their 1996 smash “Fargo.”

Drawing on that film’s courageous, character-driven comedy and the subtle, atmospheric cinematography of “No Country,” the Coens have made what could be their most richly layered film to date. It’s a hauntingly hilarious and discomforting joyride that is, while unmistakably Movie: ‘A Serious Man’ Director: Ethan and Joel “Coen,” unlike any Coen movie you’ve seen. Best Featuring: Michael of all, “A Serious Man” Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, is seriously funny. and Fred Melamed “Man” is a modern Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, spin on the story of Job 45 minutes (if Job were Jewish) set in a 1967 Minnesota 5 out of 5 suburb; Job is the unassuming Larry Gobnik (the convincing Michael Stuhlbarg), a physics professor whose professional and personal life begin crumbling around him. His son, Danny, two weeks from his bar mitzvah, smokes pot and fights with his bratty teen sister. Each tiptoes around Larry’s live-in brother, Arthur (the wonderful Richard Kind), a mentally disturbed man who spends most of his time in the bathroom.

Keeping up appearances has not been easy for Larry, but matters only worsen when his emasculating wife Judith (an acid-tongued Sari Lennick) announces she’s having an affair with a family friend and needs a divorce. Larry hurtles into an existential tailspin. His ensuing crisis of family, career and faith inspire the hilarious soul-searching that make “Man” such an immensely grim yet incredibly fun trip.

What a trip it is! Leave it to the Coens, the men behind “The Big Lebowksi,” to orchestrate such a controlled chaos. There are drughazed dream sequences and creepy neighbors (thanks to the deadpan and hilarious performances by nearly every supporting cast member) that make every scene a surreal gem.

Still, the film’s heart is the writing. When Larry visits one rabbi, he hears a meandering story about a dentist searching for answers after seeing a Hebrew message inscribed on a patient’s teeth. The extended tale makes for a tedious but uproarious scene, ending with Larry asking, “Well, what does it all mean,” to which the rabbi replies “Eh, who cares?” This is a microcosm for the film itself — it’s filled with questions, if not many answers, asked with a kind of deadpan humor that his you right on the funny bone.

This is far from traditional comedy: The humor is biting, the characters are often unlikable and the themes unapologetically sinister.

MO V I E REVIEW

a&e

It's all about time ANGELA CASE Senior Staff Writer

Five directors, five playwrights, 12 actors and five lines for inspiration, and 23 hours and 59 minutes to put it all together. For participants in MU's inaugural "23:59 — A Revolution of Plays," it was about time — literally.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, groups in the event, hosted by the MU Graduate Theatre Organization, had 23 hours and 59 minutes to write, memorize and produce a 10minute play inspired by the theme of time.

Friday evening: time to begin

The event began Friday when participants met in the basement of Memorial Union to receive their assignments. Groups of actors, directors and playwrights were determined from random drawings.

Then each playwright drew a piece of paper from a bag containing lines of dialogue containing the word "time."

Event organizer Matt Fotis outlined the ground rules: Each playwright's selected line must appear in his or her play, playwrights had until 7 a.m. Saturday to e-mail their plays to Fotis and participants were responsible for their own props and costumes.

Saturday morning: time to rehearse

At 8:00 a.m., the 12 actors, five directors and a few playwrights met in the Arts and Science Building to begin rehearsals.

Fotis, who had finished writing his play "The Music Shop" by 1 a.m., said the writing process went OK. "I got stuck a few times," he said. "I panicked a few times. I spent a lot of time on Facebook."

After munching on bagels and cream cheese, Fotis distributed scripts, and participants split up into classrooms to begin rehearsals.

"Happily Ever After"

At 8:55 a.m., the cast and director of "Happily Ever After" were working through the play, penciling notes and blocking provided by director Laura Nelson into their scripts.

"This is the most work I've done before 10 a.m. this year," actor Dillon Cassidy said.

Nelson said she was pleased with the group's progress.

"I think it's going great," she said. "I think it's going to be really funny."

Playwright Heidi Schmidt said she had written a rough draft of "Happily Ever After"

The Maneater

13

23:59 a revolution of plays "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" Written by Heidi Schmidt Directed by Laura Nelson Actors: Dillon Cassidy, Elizabeth Trovall and Cole Headrick Line: "Check your damn clock why don't ya!"

Director's take: "A hilarious fractured fairytale."

Summary: With the help of an unconventional fairy godfather, fairytale couple Cindy and James P. Charming tries to bring the magic back into their relationship.

ALLAN J. VESTAL/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Cast members from the festival, '23:59 — A Revolution of Plays,' take a curtain call Saturday night in Allen Auditorium. The festival featured five plays that were written, directed and staged by students in less than a day. by 3:30 a.m. She took a nap and then got up at 6 a.m. and made a few minor adjustments.

"There's a point at which you stop caring," she said.

"The Music Shop"

At 3 p.m., "The Music Shop" actor Frank Lasik was lying on the floor during a read-through, using his backpack as a pillow.

"At this point, it's easy to start feeling a little tired," he said.

Actor Mark Walsh said the group was easily distracted.

"We don't have the lines fully down," he said. "We've spent the last two hours laughing."

"Time is the Fire"

At 5:05 p.m., "Time is the Fire" actors Kristina Castor and Milbre Burch, like most of the actors, were having trouble remembering their lines.

Director Matt Davis told them to be more confident.

"It's rough, but you have to remember it's there," he said.

"English"

At 6:28 p.m., director David Marcia and actors Tammy Mullins and Brian Scanlan were rehearsing "English" with props and costumes.

"My brain is a little crisp right now," Marcia said.

Marcia wasn't sure how he got involved in "23:59."

"I either went to a meeting or missed a meeting," he said. "However it was I got involved in this, I'm happy I did it."

Mullins, who played a prostitute, described her part as interesting and refreshing.

"This role is very different from anything I've done," she said.

"English" playwright Fonzie Geary, who is a graduate student, said "23:59" was a welcome change of pace.

"This has actually been a

nice break from being in the library every night," he said.

"Saturday School"

Charles Willis, director of "Saturday School," said one of the actors, high school student Elizabeth Burch-Hudson, took the SAT Saturday morning and wasn't available for rehearsals until 2 p.m.

"The sections she's not in got worked really well," he said.

Willis said the biggest challenge was remembering to censor his language around Burch-Hudson.

"I tend to be rather profane when I direct," he said.

Friday evening: time to begin At about 7:45 p.m., audience members began filing into Allen Auditorium. At 7:59, the first play began.

The audience of about 100 people reacted with shrieking laughter throughout the performances, and at the end, a curtain call incited enthusiastic applause.

After the show, several participants congregated in the back of the auditorium, hugging, congratulating each other and singing along jubilantly to one of the timethemed songs playing in the auditorium: "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."

Fotis said he and the Graduate Theatre Organization would be hosting another "23:59 — A Revolution of Plays," perhaps as early as next semester.

"It went really, really, well," he said. "I was really pleased."

Visit for a behind-thescenes look at the production process.

"ENGLISH" Written by Fonzie Geary Directed by David Marcia Actors: Brian Scanlan and Tammy Mullins Line: "Time is not on your side."

Director's take: "Overall, it's about what you want frequently not being what you need."

Summary: A nervous college graduate has his first sexual encounter with a sarcastic, street-smart prostitute.

"SATURDAY SCHOOL" Written by Andy Pierce Directed by Charles Willis Actors: Grant Watkins, Melanie Schneider and Elizabeth Burch-Hudson Line: "Time is of the essence."

Director's take: "A heartwarming family comedy about coming of age in a world where ambition is everything."

Summary: A mother-daughter day dissolves into a tension-ridden discussion about ambition or lack thereof.

"TIME IS THE FIRE" Written by Ron Zank Directed by Matt Davis Actors: Kristina Castor and Milbre Burch Line: "There's a time for everything, even this."

Director's take: "Family drama with an onion."

Summary: As a wildfire ravages their neighborhood, a daughter tries to convince her mother of the value of life.

"THE MUSIC SHOP" Written by Matt Fotis Directed by Noah Lelek Actors: Frank Lasik and Mark Walsh Line: "I thought you said patience was a virtue?"

Director's Take: "Two generations meeting at a music store and what ensues after."

Summary: A heated discussion about music between men of two generations leads each of them to question their own ideas about happiness.

14 the maneater

ARTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

COURTESY OF ANTICON RECORDS

The band Why? has been steadily climbing the ladder to fame. Be sure to check them out before they get too famous this Wednesday at the Firebird in St. Louis.

Get snowed in with Why?’s Eskimo Snow Let's count all the way up to The Maneater's age!

1... ...2... ...3... ...4... ...5...

54!

Yoni Wolf of Why? answers all your musical questions.

lot of MF Doom.”

In albums Elephant Eyelash and Alopecia , Wolf focused on rapping, but that formula certainly changed this year with Eskimo Snow .

Recorded at the same time TOM CARBONE as Alopecia in 2008, Eskimo Senior Staff Writer Snow is an album that wasn’t released for nearly a year and Back in 1998, seven art- a half after it was done being ists who focused mainly on recorded and is a polar oppoexperimental and indie hip- site to the work Wolf has done hop started Anticon, a San in the past.

Francisco-based independent Instead of focusing on record label.

Wolf’s rapping, harmonies are Known for their frequent emphasized and the instrucollaborations and unique mentation from the band has approach to music become a lot more and art, the foundcomplex. ers, known as the “We went into Anticon Collective, the studio with have s t e a d i l y Who: Why? about 20 different released material Performing with: Au and songs and started since their concep- The Moore Brothers recording when we 8:30 p.m. tion and have grad- When: realized there were Wednesday, Nov. 11 ually gained more Where: Firebird, 2706 two pretty distinct fans and press along Olive St., St. Louis things happening,” Price: $10 in advance the way.

Wolf said.

Yoni W o l f , and $12 at the door “And instead of Anticon founder making it one long and creator of Why?, one of weird, sort of eclectic album, the label’s most successful we decided to make two difbands, has been recording ferent albums that were a bit music for a large portion of more homogenous.” his life.

Sometimes when artists Before he even went to high realize this in the studio, they school, Wolf was experiment- release a double album, but ing with rapping and recording Wolf decided to wait for a using an old four-track he found while to release Eskimo Snow . in his father’s synagogue.

Wolf explained the delay What began as a solo between the albums. endeavor slowly turned into “We had actually finished a more serious collaborative Eskimo Snow before Alopecia , effort in 2005, resulting in but it didn’t feel quite right,” Why? releasing three albums Wolf said. as a band.

“We toured for another year Earlier this fall, Why? put and a half after ( Alopecia ) and out their third record since then decided to go back into 2005, Eskimo Snow . Since his the mixing studio to finish it earliest recordings, Wolf has up.” been known for his tendency Fresh off the heels of a sucto rap and speak lyrics over cessful release, Why? has been self-produced beats. featured on ABC and Fuel TV Lyrics and wordplay have for Eskimo Snow and are now always been one of Wolf’s touring the nation with plans strongest talents as a musi- to go overseas at the end of cian. Many credit Wolf’s the year. descriptions of events and Yoni Wolf and company are feelings as some of the best playing this Wednesday at the around today. Like most writ- Firebird in St. Louis and promers, Wolf’s lyrics have a vari- ise a wide variety of material, ety of influences. from the new albums as well “There’s a little of every- as older fan-favorites. thing in there,” Wolf said.

“Things are on the incline “Sometimes it’s autobiograph- now,” Wolf said. “We’re not ical, sometimes it’s made up. one of those blow up bands.

Lately I’ve been listening to a We’re steady climbers.”

CONCERT PREVIEW

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

sports

Gameday with Gerstner

Matt Gerstner Sports Columnist

I'm leaving you, coach Look, Gary Pinkel. Things just aren't working out. I'm ending this relationship. It's over.

It's not you, it's me. Wait, no. That's a lie. It is you.

You just don't have your crap together. You're not giving me any effort anymore. You're not trying. Your offense is a disaster. Your defense is inconsistent. Your quarterback is the newly discovered reciprocal of Iowa junior quarterback Ricky Stanzi (good in the first half, atrocious in the second). You just threw away a perfect opportunity to win the Big 12 North.

The rest of the North basically handed it to you. All I asked you to do was win four lousy games. It wasn't like I asked you to give me the moon. It was Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas State and Kansas. Was that too much to ask for?

But no. You can't even beat Baylor. You let that nobody freshman quarterback Nick Florence walk all over you. The most yards he had thrown in a game before you: 235. The most passing touchdowns in a game: one. He torched you for 433 yards and three touchdowns.

Where's your excuse? There isn't one. Your secondary is some of the worst I've seen, and I sat through Kansas City Chiefs' games when they had Greg Robinson as their defensive coordinator. You've got to figure something out.

Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert can't seem to finish a game. You don't know when to use the run. You don't need to be Miss Cleo to know when you're going to run. It's so obvious.

You're not even trying. Your preparation is terrible. I thought we moved on from Bowling Green. It seems not.

Your screens and dump-offs were cute in the beginning, but now they're just infuriating.

Gabbert isn't anything like what you promised us, not like what you gave us the past few years.

Brad Smith was amazing. Chase Daniel was brilliant. Maybe I'm just getting spoiled.

I hate to go the low-blow route, but your offense just isn't satisfying anymore. The passion is gone.

Look Gare-Bear, you're a good guy. You get me a lot of things (players). You're a great recruiter — one of the best I've ever seen.

But your coaching is what's driving us apart.

I'm past beginning to think it's just the players you have that get you where you are. But when you're faced with opposition, you just fold up. I can't have that kind of man in my life.

Now men's basketball coach Mike Anderson is a real man. He wins the games he should win and wins them how he's supposed to win them.

Did you see that Truman State game? 96-33?

Giving up one field goal in the second half?

That's sexy. Sure, it was only Truman State. But it was a for-sure win. He's reliable. That's what I need in my life, something reliable.

It was fun for a while, but I'm moving over to Mizzou Arena. You've just caused me so much disappointment and embarrassment that I don't think we can come back from this. I know you're going through a rough time; the talent is nearly non-existent, you're surrounded by coaches who know football about as much as Britney Spears does and you're getting emasculated by every coach in the Big 12 South. But I just can't do it.

Maybe I'll see you in Kansas City against Kansas on Nov. 28, but I can't make any promises. Goodbye, Gary.

The Maneater 15

Reach Sean Leahy, sports editor, at sleahy@themaneater.com

Tigers shred Truman State for exhibition win EVAN GLANTZ Senior Staff Writer

It did not have quite the effect of knocking off Memphis in the Sweet 16, but Missouri took care of business in its opening exhibition game against the Truman State Bulldogs, winning 96-33.

"Everybody came out and competed," senior guard Zaire Taylor said.

"As a whole, I felt like guys started fitting into their new roles. It's a learning process for the team, so it was a big game for everybody because you need games like this to be able to gel the way we're going to during the season."

Senior forward Keith Ramsey put the Tigers on his back in the early part of the game. Ramsey scored the team's first five points and six of the first 11. His team-leading nine points in the first half contributed to Missouri's 50-25 lead at halftime.

GETTING THE JOB DONE

Under coach Mike Anderson, Missouri has had no trouble with opponents in exhibition games.

Margin of

Score victory 2006 Rolla (now Missouri S&T) 105-67 38 2006 Lithuanian Academy 94-40 54 2007 University of Missouri78-51 27 St. Louis 2007 Missouri Western 113-55 58 2008 Lincoln 97-54 43 2008 Missouri Southern 87-58 29 2009 Truman State 96-33 63 KATIE PRINCE/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

"I just came in like it was practice," Ramsey said.

"Coach always talks to me about being aggressive on both ends, so I felt like I needed to attack and attack.

And that's what I did."

The Tigers took control of the game early in the first half and never looked back.

Already up 7-3, Missouri went on a 16-0 run, which proved to be an insurmountable deficit for Truman State.

Sophomore forward Laurence Bowers and freshman guard Michael Dixon led the charge.

Each netted four points during the run and both finished the first half with eight points.

Dixon, playing in his first inter-collegiate game, finished the night with 10 points.

"When you talk about guys coming off the bench, what do they bring to the table?" coach Mike Anderson said.

"He's a guy that can knock some shots down as he showed tonight. But he can also do some other things.

And he's only going to get better."

Bowers acknowledged the important roles of young players.

"I think it's real important for all the young guys to get an opportunity, because we're going to need our bench this year," Bowers said. "Last year, our bench was our bread and

MADISON MACK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore guard Kim English blocks the shot of Truman State center Vesko Filchev on Friday night during the Tiger’s first exhibition game at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers defeated Truman 96-33. butter. And this year we're going to need our bench to be successful. So getting those guys quality playing time is huge for when we get into conference."

When play started in the second half, Missouri picked up right where it left off.

Senior guard J.T. Tiller started things with two field goals. Later, sophomore guard Kim English scored seven of his 10 points in less than a minute to widen the lead to 67-28.

As productive as the offense was, the defense was just as stingy. Truman State

managed only 25 points in the first half, but that seemed like a outburst compared to the second half. The Tigers held the Bulldogs to five points for over 17 minutes and gave up only eight points overall in the final 20 minutes.

"I thought the first half and the second half were kind of different," Anderson said. "I thought our defense really kicked into high gear.

Nerves were going early on, and that was very obvious.

But I thought for the most part our defense dictated the tempo of the game."

Women's basketball downs Central Missouri EMILY DURFEY Staff Writer The Missouri women's basketball season officially started Sunday as the Tigers defeated Central Missouri 80-59 in an exhibition match at Mizzou Arena.

Senior forward Amanda Hanneman led all scorers with 20 points (18 coming in the first half), and junior forward Shakara Jones finished with 16 points in 38 minutes. Senior guard Toy Richbow, junior guard RaeShara Brown and senior forward Marissa Scott each grabbed a game-high six rebounds and sophomore center Kendra Frazier led the team with two blocks.

"I'm pleased with our effort," coach Cindy Stein said. "I thought our energy was good, but there are a few things we need to get better at."

The Tigers jumped out to a 6-0 lead at the beginning of the game. Turnovers and sloppy play allowed Central

Missouri to fight back and tie the game at 17.

The Tigers worked together to take a 40-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Missouri posted a 59.3 percent field goal shooting percentage during the first half, including Hanneman's seven of eight from the floor and made six free throws out of seven attempts. The Tigers committed 15 turnovers in the first half, something Stein discussed during halftime.

"We kept trying to make things happen," Stein said.

"We needed to be patient, control our emotions and take care of the ball better."

In the second half, Jones continued the Tiger's hot scoring streak with seven points, and the Tigers grabbed their largest lead of the game, 5023. Although Central Missouri fought back with a 12-2 run after that, the Tigers never let their lead shrink to less than 13 points throughout the rest of the game. Frazier finished the game on a positive note,

ON THE REBOUND?

Amanda Hanneman has battled injury at time during her career. Here’s how her stats on Sunday compare to her season averages.

Season or game

Minutes per game

Points per game

3-pt. goals per game

Freshman

6.9

2.7

0.6

Sophomore

21.8

7.6

1.4

Junior

7.5

1.7

0.3

Sunday

28.0

20.0

2.0

SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

scoring 10 of her 12 points in the final four minutes of the match.

Jones said the Tigers played with passion and heart.

"I got my confidence up, and my teammates' confidence helped me as well," Jones said.

"We concentrated on what Coach Stein was saying during halftime, and we worked on taking care of the ball."

Hanneman said a big part of the victory came from extra time put in at practice working on shooting.

"I just kept shooting, and everyone was shooting well," Hanneman said. "We all came in after practice and over the

summer just to work on our shooting."

Before the game, the team found out sophomore guard Bekah Mills was lost for the season with an ACL injury suffered during practice. Senior forward Jessra Johnson and sophomore forward Christine Flores also sat out the game with injuries.

"We didn't want to expose them," Stein said. "If it was a regular day, they would have played. But we have to play the healthy kids."

For Hanneman, Sunday's game was more than just an exhibition game. She is hoping to stay healthy throughout the season after injuries cut short her previous two seasons and said she first felt truly healthy over the summer.

"Words can't describe the feelings I'm experiencing right now," Hanneman said. "I'm just taking it all in."

The Tigers open the regular season at 5 p.m. next Sunday at Mizzou Arena against Northern Iowa.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

SPORTS

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NICK FORRESTER/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior Paola Ampudia spikes the ball against the Texas Longhorns during Saturday's match at the Hearnes Center. Texas defeated Missouri, winning in three sets.

Missouri volleyball swept away by Texas The Tigers had their lowest hitting percentage and kill total of 2009.

BELOW AVERAGE

Tigers’ season averages vs. averages in two matches against Texas: 2009 Average

PATRICK HUNLEY Reporter In its worst hitting performance of the season, the Missouri volleyball team (1511, 6-8 Big 12) lost to the No. 2 Texas Longhorns (19-1, 14-1 Big 12) in three sets (25-21, 25-8, 25-24) Saturday at the Hearnes Center.

The Tigers posted their lowest hitting percentage (.075) and kill total (26) of the season and had more errors than kills through the first two sets. Junior outside hitter Paola Ampudia, who had led the Tigers in kills in the previous nine matches, finished with a negative hitting percentage.

"We were trying to overplay and do too much and not just do our jobs," junior middle blocker Catie Wilson said.

"Everyone was trying to make big plays when you don't need to make big plays."

In the first set, the Longhorns never put together a dominant run to pull away, but they consistently went on short point streaks whenever the Tigers threatened their lead and were ahead almost the entire set.

After taking a 4-3 lead to start the second set, the Longhorns followed with a 102 run and established control.

The Tigers notched only four kills compared to 10 errors in their lowest single-set point total of the season.

"It's a game of serving and passing," senior setter Lei Wang-Francisco said. "If we serve tough, we can stop their offense. At the same time, if we pass, we can run our offense.

We were weak about that in the second set."

Texas went up 7-1 in the third set, but the Tigers finally put things together, going on a 6-1 run at one point and climbing

vs. Texas

Hitting percentage

.219

.140

Kills/set

13.5

10.0

2.1

3.1

Opponent blocks/set

SPENCER PEARSON/GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

within two points of the lead.

After Texas went up 24-20, the Tigers won three straight match points before Texas called timeout to set up star senior outside hitter Destinee Hooker for the final kill.

Hooker led the match with 17 kills and posted a .400 hitting percentage.

"It's hard when you play a team that has that much talent and is that good, when they find something that works, find a matchup to take advantage of and you can't seem to stop it," coach Wayne Kreklow said.

Wilson wasn't nearly as involved in the offense as usual, posting only one kill in the whole match after averaging 2.3 kills per set through the team's first 25 matches.

"They were trying to use me as a distraction to hold the middle blocker so our outsides could get more one-on-one swings," Wilson said.

Kreklow said several players, including Wilson, Ampudia, junior libero Caitlyn Vann and junior outside hitter Julianna Klein have dealt with injuries or illness in recent days.

The Tigers are still looking to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume and only have seven matches left to do so.

Kreklow said the loss to Texas wouldn't hurt their case.

"Winning against a team like Texas would be a huge plus," Kreklow said. "Losing to a team like Texas isn't really going to hurt you. We just have to focus on the next stretch and try to get some wins against the midlevel teams in our conference."

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