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Thursday february 12, 2009
volume 90, no. 69 www.theshorthorn.com
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pulse | section b
Facilities
Events center vote held today the ut system Board of Regents will decide on the proposal in Austin. by bryan bastible the shorthorn staff
The special events center was approved Wednesday afternoon by the Facilities
Planning and Construction Committee of the UT System Board of Regents. The project is part of an amendment for the fiscal years 2009-14 Capital Improvement Program, which passed by a voice vote unanimously. The full board votes on the
proposal today in Austin. According to the agenda, the facility’s estimated $73 million cost would be paid with $28 million from Revenue Financing System bond proceeds, $10 million in gifts and $35 million in Unexpended Plant funds. Unexpended Plant
funds is cash the university has at hand, said Michael O’Donnell, associate vice chancellor for Facilities Planning and Construction Committee. He said at the meeting he doesn’t believe the university has received the gifts yet, but the school is capable of raising it.
The center was one of 10 possible additions to the fiscal 2009-2014 Capital Improvement Program brought before the committee. The committee approved all of the additions concerning the CIP but deferred No. 6, which was regarding a new bookstore for UT-Dallas.
The center, which would be located between Pecan and Center Streets across from Arlington Hall, is intended to host events like graduation ceremonies, convocations and athletic events. bryan bastible news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
arlington
Bridge to ease traffic near I-30 progressing
student liFe
the construction is part of a project that aims to make downtown Arlington more accessible and i-30 less congested. by sarah lutz the shorthorn staff
Construction on Interstate 30 and additional area bridges nears the first milestone in the project designed to open traffic flow on I-30 at Collins and Center streets. Although the construction isn’t complete, commuting students can look forward to less congested roadways when the Center Street bridge opens to divert traffic from the Collins Street overpass, said Fiona Allen, capital investments deputy city manager. “On the new Collins Street bridge, we’re going to have what we call a one-way couplet,” she said. “The construction that needs to be done on Collins and I-30 is in a very small space, and we’re concerned about traffic congestion.” Allen said beginning in late February, northbound Collins traffic would continue using the existing bridge while southbound lanes would be diverted onto Lamar Boulevard, then over the new Center Street bridge, onto Road to Six Flags Street and finally back to Collins Street. “Back when we planned this way before the I-30 continues on page 3A
under construction
the shorthorn: Jacob Adkisson
Off the Course
Above: Honors College Council showcases its golf cart Wednesday on the university Center mall during the homecoming Golf Cart Parade.
Homecoming Golf Cart Parade grows in size and skill by sarah lutz the shorthorn staff
Students flooded the sidewalk on the University Center mall scrambling for candy, T-shirts and other goodies during the Homecoming Golf Cart Parade. The parade was expanded this year to include any group that wanted to participate, due to the success of last year’s parade, UTA Ambassador Toni Alvarez said. Last year, only certain organizations or departments could par-
Left: An Arlington Hall Pirates sign is bound to the top of their golf cart Wednesday on the university Center mall.
ticipate. More than 30 groups participated this year. “It’s everything from Student Governance to Greek Life to Multicultural [Affairs], just about everything — even Wells Fargo is here,” she said. “It’s just our version of a Homecoming parade. Instead of doing it with floats, we’re doing golf carts just to make it our own tradition.” Parade participants could win GoLf continues on page 3A the shorthorn: Jacob Adkisson
the shorthorn: Brad Borgerding
student aFFairs
Mediation services offered the program aims to help resolve student conflicts and disputes. by caroline basile Contributor to the shorthorn
University administrators have implemented mediation services to help students resolve disputes with fellow students. Established this semester, the program aims to aid students who have conflicts concerning anything from living arrangements to relationships. By adding these services, the
university looks to help address student conflicts before they escalate. “There are situations where students have had to be referred to Student Conduct, and then there is a judicial record,” said Frank Lamas, Student Affairs vice president. “This gives them the opportunity to resolve issues in mediation and a neutral environment.” The services, which are not tied to any university offices, will also be available to student organizations and group members.
mediation services 817-272-3108 mediation@uta.edu
Student Conduct Director Heather Snow added that even disputes between couples could be resolved via the program. “A good example is if you’re part of a fraternity and you don’t get along with another fraternity,” Snow said. “Those two organizations could come medIAtIon continues on page 3A
saFety
False fire alarm disrupts lunch Dust in a janitor’s closet led to the evacuation of students from the uC. taiba sheerin ahmad and Johnathan silver Contributors to the shorthorn
A fire alarm disrupted lunch at 12:43 p.m. Wednesday at the University Center. Dust in a janitor’s closet caused the fire alarm to go off, said Robert Smith, Fire and Life Safety assistant director. “The fire alarm was only
detecting what it was designed to do,” he said. Confused students were forced to evacuate but questioned why. “I was having lunch when I just looked up and saw the emergency sign go off,” said engineering freshman Michael Razo. “I wasn’t sure if it was an actual emergency or just a drill.” The best thing to do was to evacuate, he said. Mike Knox, Student Affairs assistant vice president, said false alarms have
gone off six or seven times in the past 18 months. “This is the first alarm during lunch,” he said. Engineering junior Cynthia Brown said she was amazed that no one ignored the alarm, instead leaving in an organized manner. Organized evacuation is something the university trains students for by using fire drills, she said. taiba sheerin ahmad Johnathan silver news-edit or.shorthorn@uta.edu