T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
A R L I N G T O N
Tuesday March 3, 2009
Volume 90, No. 79 www.theshorthorn.com
Since 1919 INDEX Your Day News World View Scene Sports
MISSISSIPPI MUSICAL
2 3, 8 4 5 6
The UTA production of The Robber Bridegroom debuts Wednesday at the Mainstage Theatre.
SCENE | PAGE 5
CAMPUS MASTER PLAN
“I feel like I just came from a different world altogether.” Antriksh Luthra, aerospace engineering graduate student and first-time skydiver
More than $500,000 slated for new signs The university aims to complete the project by the start of this summer. BY BRYAN BASTIBLE The Shorthorn staff
The university issued a contract last week to Environmental Signage Solutions, Inc. (Asi-Modulex) to redo campus signs for $547,849.11. The university meets with the company today to discuss plan details. The goal is to install new signs by the beginning of the summer, said Jeff
Proposed course changes go to a vote Tuesday
Daredevil club spends afternoon free-falling through the calm Texas skies BY SOHANA KUTUB
Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane was the plan for the Skydiving Mavs Club last Sunday at Skydive Dallas in Whitewright. Flying almost 14,000 feet in the air only to have the side door opened with the intention of jumping, was a first-time experience for most club members. Antriksh Luthra, an aerospace engineering graduate student and
SIGNAGE continues on page 3
ACADEMICS
LIVE AND LET DIVE For video coverage and more photos, visit THE SHORTHORN .com
Contributor to The Shorthorn
Johnson, Facilities Management associate director. “Construction begins as soon as we finalize the drawings,” he said. Johnson said the current signs are outdated, and don’t give “good routing” or have new building names. “The existing signs do not meet our needs,” he said. He said the university waited to replace the signs until it received funding from university plant funds.
first-time skydiver, said he was scared but excited. “I feel like I just came from a different world altogether,” Luthra said afterward. “All I kept thinking was, ‘I want land!’ ” He said a roller coaster ride is nothing compared to skydiving. “You’re mind registers nothing except that you’re going to die, because there’s nothing down below
you,” he said. “And that idea makes it thrilling.” Friends and family of Skydiving Mavs’ members could participate with the club. Beth Jensen, a regular jumper at Skydive Dallas, said she’s made about 530 jumps. “Skydiving is the most stressSKY continues on page 8
First-time skydiver John Montalbo and his tandem instructor Will Caldwell glide through the air to their landing zone Sunday over Skydive Dallas. Nonstudent Montalbo and his girlfriend, a UTA student, skydive with the Skydiving Mavs Club.
A new nuclear engineering minor and increased math standards will be decided on. SARAH LUTZ The Shorthorn staff
The undergraduate assembly meets Tuesday to vote on several changes and additions to various schools and colleges, including a new nuclear engineering minor, updated math placement criteria and higher student expectations in chemistry prerequisites. Senior Vice Provost Michael Moore said the university will add the courses to the catalog once approved, but they may not be offered in the fall. He said most changes to the
math courses are because the Math Aptitude Test (MAT) replaces the current Math Placement Test before the fall semester. Students need a certain score on the placement test to enroll in certain classes. The MAT will be scored differently but measure the same skills, Moore said. Lynn Peterson, Engineering Senior Associate Dean for academic affairs, said the college requested to add the nuclear engineering minor because of an increase in demand. Peterson said 75 percent of those in the nuclear engineering field would reach retirement age in 2012. “We see a need for replaceUNDERGRAD continues on page 3
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
TUITION
SPEAKER SERIES
Students must make second payment of installment plan or be dropped Today is the second deadline for students to make payments on tuition installment plans. Those who don’t make the payment by 11:59 tonight will have enrollment canceled and their class seats released. Erin Cavazos, Finance and Administration administrative assistant, said 6,600 students are on an installment plan. Students can check their current amount due on MyMav under the student center. Final payments are due April 2. The installment plan is activated when the first payment of one-third of the total amount due for tuition and fees is paid on or before Jan. 14. Subsequent payments are a minimum of one-third of the total tuition, plus a $10 service fee. According to the financial services Web site, enrollment loans have been available since November for those meeting the minimum GPA requirement, 2.0 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate students, but are only available until the funds run out. Loan amounts cannot exceed total tuition costs.
— Ali Mustansir
Harvard professor to speak on diversity A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow the lecture Tuesday at the UC. BY CAROLINE BASILE Contributor to The Shorthorn
Harvard legal professor and civil rights expert Lani Guinier speaks at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the University Center Rosebud Theatre. Her lecture is part of the Maverick Speaker Series. It’s hosted in conjunction with Diversity Week and Women’s History Month and is a featured event of both programs. Guinier, a civil rights attorney, is the first tenured black female professor at Harvard University and was nominated by former President Clinton to chair the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Guinier has written six books, including her latest, The Miner’s Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, Trans-
WHEN AND WHERE When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Rosebud Theatre, University Center Tickets: Free, firstcome, first-served. Available at 6:30 p.m.
Lani Guinier, Harvard legal professor and civil rights expert
forming Democracy. The evening closes with a book signing. Following her lecture, the audience can attend a question-and-answer session moderated by criminology associate professor Robert Bing. He said the it should last 30 minutes, and quesGUINIER continues on page 4
The Shorthorn: Holland Sanders
TREE TRIMMER Groundskeeper Carl Land, a UTA employee of 19 years, stays busy Monday trimming trees outside Woolf Hall.
Page 2
YOUR DAY
CALENDAR
THREE-DAY FORECAST Today
Wednesday
Thursday
Mostly Sunny • High 65°F • Low 49°F
Mostly Sunny • High 77°F • Low 60°F
Mostly Sunny • High 86°F • Low 59°F — National Weather Service at www.weather.gov
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Calendar submissions must be made by 4 p.m. two days prior to run date. To enter your event, call 817-272-3661 or log on to www.theshorthorn.com/calendar
TODAY
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
THE SHORTHORN
MAR.
03
Student Art Association Art Exhibition: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., University Center Gallery. For information, contact the Student Art Association at saauta@yahoo. com.
Art Exhibition: Michelle Dizon and Vincent Valdez: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Gallery at UTA. Free. For information, contact Patricia Healy at 817-272-5658 or phealy@ uta.edu. National Depression Screening Day: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., UC Palo Duro Lounge. Screenings Include stress, anxiety, depression, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD, alcohol and relationship problems. For information, contact Counseling Services Mental Health at 817-272-2771 or johnj@uta. edu. Planetarium Shows — Matinee: 8 1:30-2:30 p.m., Chemistry and Physics Building. Different shows each week. Tickets are $3. For information, contact 817-272-0649 or planetarium@uta.edu.
Events celebrating women and diversity begins BY CAROLINE BASILE Contributor to The Shorthorn
This week kicked off Diversity Week and Women’s History Month at the university, both hosted by Multicultural Affairs. The kickoff event was held Monday in the University Center Palo Duro Lounge and featured music and poetry by several students. Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority members hosted a cake walk to raise breast cancer awareness, which is the sorority’s philanthropic goal. Participants read facts aloud about breast cancer and received a sweet prize for their efforts. Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority president Evelyn Eguizabal said women are going above expectations. “There are women CEOs of major companies now,” she said. “And it’s even possible to have a female president in such a diverse time.” Diversity Week will focus on celebrating diversity across all dimensions said Leticia Martinez, Multicultural Affairs director. “We really wanted to be diverse across the board,” she said. “It’s a jam-packed week.”
DIVERSITY WEEK EVENTS
UTA Volunteers Meeting: 2:15-3 p.m., UC Student Congress Chambers. For information, contact Allison Bailey at 817-272-2963 or allison.bailey@uta.edu. Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert: 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall. Free. For information, contact Music Department at 817-272-3471 or music@uta.edu.
Tuesday What: Maverick Speakers Series: Lani Guinier When: 7 p.m. Where: UC Rosebud Theatre Wednesday What: LGBT Awareness Workshop When: noon-1 p.m. Where: 104 University Hall
The Shorthorn: Holland Sanders
Students participated in a cakewalk event hosted by Multicultural Affairs to honor Women’s History Month on Monday at the University Center Palo Duro Lounge. Breast cancer facts were written on each game piece and read aloud by students.
Thursday What: Movin’ Mavs 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Physical Education Building gym Friday What: Maversity Workshop: Biracial and Multiracial Identity When: noon Where: Multicultural Affairs office, UC lower level.
CANNON FODDER by Isaac Erickson
WEDNESDAY
Saturday What: Fourteenth Annual Benefit Pow-Wow When: 2-10 p.m. Where: UC Bluebonnet Ballroom
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS Tuesday What: Maverick Speakers Series: Lani Guinier When: 7 p.m. Where: UC Rosebud Theatre
Counseling Services and Mental Health Services host National Depression Screening Day 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today in the University Center Palo Duro Lounge. The purpose is to assess mental health and wellness for students, faculty and staff, Counseling Services Director Cynthia Bing said “We want to encourage students to ask for help early,” she said. “Screenings are free and anonymous. The screening is an opportunity to complete a brief screening questionnaire and speak one-onone with a mental health profes-
For the full calendar, visit
THE SHORTHORN .com
CORRECTIONS Bring factual errors to The Shorthorn’s attention via e-mail to editor.shorthorn@ uta.edu or call 817-272-3188. A correction or clarification will be printed in this space.
cial and Multiracial Identity When: noon Where: Multicultural Affairs Office, UC lower level. March 9 What: Destined to Break the Glass Ceiling When: 7 p.m. Where: UC Bluebonnet Ballroom
What: Femme FITale Series: Kickboxing When: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Where: 102A Maverick Activities Center Friday What: Maversity Workshop: Bira-
For the full calendar, visit
THE SHORTHORN .com
WELLNESS Mental health screenings held for students, staff
Student Art Association: Art Exhibition: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., UC Gallery. For information, contact Student Art Association at saauta@yahoo. com.
Wednesday What: Women’s Studies Lecture: Women and Hard Times When: noon Where: Central Library sixth floor
sional.” Event attendees may be referred to Counseling Services or Mental Health Services for further assessment, Bing said. Screening will address concerns regarding depression, anxiety, stress, eating and sleeping problems, alcohol use, ADHD and relationship concerns. Research shows that half of students suffer from mental health problems while they are in college, Bing said. “One out of four adults experience a depressive episode by age 24,” she said. “Nearly half of college students report feeling so depressed at some point in time that they have trouble functioning.“ She said depression is the major
cause of suicide among college students. “If left untreated, depression can lead to suicide,” she said. “Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for those ages 15 to 24 and the second-leading cause of death of college students.“ Bing said depression symptoms vary. “Symptoms may include depressed mood, decreased interest in activities of pleasure, weight changes, sleep disturbances and feelings of worthlessness or guilt,” she said. Screenings are open to students, faculty and staff.
— Shambhu Sharan
For the police report, see page 4 News Front Desk ......................... 817-272-3661 News after 5 p.m........................ 817-272-3205 Advertising ................................. 817-272-3188 Fax ............................................. 817-272-5009 UC Lower Level Box 19038, Arlington, TX 76019 Editor in Chief .............................. Joan Khalaf editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Managing Editor........................... Justin Rains
managing-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu News Editor ................................. Jason Boyd news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Assistant News Editor ................ Mark Bauer news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Design Editor .............................. Marissa Hall design-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Copy Desk Chief ................... Drew Williamson copydesk-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports Editor ......................... Stephen Peters
sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Scene Editor ................................Emily Toman features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Opinion Editor ................................ Cohe Bolin opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Photo Editor .................................... Rasy Ran photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Webmaster ........................... Troy Buchwalter webmaster.shorthorn@uta.edu News Clerk ................................ Jeanne Lopez
maverick baseball
TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD Clay Gould Ballpark 6:30PM UTA vs TCU FREE ADMISSION FOR UTA STUDENTS For more information, visit www..utamavs.com Game sponsored by
calendar.shorthorn@uta.edu Student Ad Manager .............. Colleen Hurtzig advertising-mgr.shorthorn@uta.edu Ad Representatives ............ Dondria Bowman, Shannon Edwards, Matthew Harper, Eric Lara, Mike Love, Pax Salinas, Kasy Tomlinson, Linley Wilson Ad Artists ............................. Antonina Doescher, Benira Miller Receptionists ....................... Monica Barbery,
Hillary Green Courier ................................... Taylor Frizzelle
FIRST COPY FREE ADDITIONAL COPIES 25 CENTS THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON 90TH YEAR, © THE SHORTHORN 2009 All rights reserved. All content is the property of The Shorthorn and may not be
reproduced, published or retransmitted in any form without written permission from UTA Student Publications. The Shorthorn is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Arlington and is published in the UTA Office of Student Publications. Opinions expressed in The Shorthorn are not necessarily those of the university administration.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Page 3
The ShorThorn
lecture Sociolinguist to give speech about the effects of southern hip-hop on African-American English
The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran
Bath time Soapsuds blanket the Fine Arts and Architecture buildings’ fountain Monday. Facilities Management was unaware of the incident and sourced it as a prank.
Signage
Undergrad
continued from page 1
Johnson said the university chose the company because of its experience and pricing. Some updated signs, such as maps and kiosks, may have granite bases, but the majority will be post and panel signs, he said. Current signs will be replaced except for lettering on buildings, he said. The university last updated signs in 1994, and there was a color-scheme change in 2001 and 2002, Johnson said. He said there had been discussion about redoing the signage before the original Campus Master Plan came out in 1999. Some objectives for the “way-finding system” on campus, or on-campus signs, is to identify destinations, show visitors the right route and celebrate the visitor’s arrival, according to the Campus Master Plan. Amelia Whatley, Facilities Management environmental graphic designer is involved with the project and said the university chose the sign locations and will know more details by the end of the week, like how the contractor plans on making the signs. Business management freshman Tierra Chatmon
continued from page 1
The Shorthorn: Monica Lopez
The university issued a contract last week to Environmental Signage Solutions, Inc. (Asi-Modulex) to replace current on-campus signs for $547,849.11. The university also plans to modify signage for city-owned and state-owned streets and highways. Courtesy Photo: Facilities Management
said she finds the current signs helpful, but more detailed signs would be beneficial. “I think it would be very helpful for incoming freshman and helping them in knowing where to go,” she said. The university also has plans for working on cityowned and state-owned
streets and highway signage. “The university is working closely with both the city of Arlington and the Department of Transportation on these signage packages,” Johnson said. Bryan BastiBle news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
“I think it would be very helpful for incoming freshman and helping them in knowing where to go.” tierra chatmon,
business management freshman
ment personnel in these areas, let alone in what expansion there may be in nuclear power facilities,” she said. “We’ve got the faculty, the interest and the demand.” Peterson said she noticed a high demand when a speaker from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission came to speak to the Institute Electrical and Electronics Engineers student branch, and students packed the room. “We project quite a bit of interest, so I think the next logical step — I don’t know how many years down the
FOX News’ referral to Michelle Obama as Barack Obama’s “baby mama” is one way of how media behavior suggests a negative view of the African-American culture, a university linguist said. The term “baby mama,” which refers to an unwed mother, is common in mainstream music like hip-hop and rap. Jennifer Bloomquist will give a lecture Tuesday titled “The Dirty Third: Contributions of southern hiphop to the study of regional variation within African American English.” Bloomquist is a sociolinguist from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania whose work focuses on Africana studies. The “dirty third” refers to the southern portion of the United States. “Smart researchers see a gap in knowledge and seek to answer questions that are raised by the gap,” said Colleen Fitzgerald, linguistics and TESOL chairwoman. Bloomquist, unavail-
able for comment Monday, has argued that as southern American rappers have become more dominant in popular music and have had a significant impact on African-American English (AAE). “The talk is about the way in which southern rap is having a influence on hiphop as a whole,” Fitzgerald said. “In linguistics, there is virtually no research on dialect variation within AAE.” Dialects are just another venue for people to claim supremacy, fight and contribute hatred, she said. “When a language variety is stigmatized, it doesn’t have anything to do with the language itself,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s all about the people that speak the language.” The talk will be 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. in 200 Trimble Hall. A reception in 303 Chemistry and Physics Building will follow.
road — will be to begin offering graduate courses,” she said. “Maybe not a whole program, maybe a certificate first.” One agenda item proposes requiring students to earn a “C” in certain chemistry classes to enroll in higherlevel courses. “In the past, I’ve talked to a number of students who have made a ‘D’ in a chemistry class and planned to go back and get a better grade, but went to the next class anyway and couldn’t pass it,” said Jimmy Rogers, chemistry senior lecturer. “We believe that’s going to improve the success of students in chemistry and help them to succeed in higher level courses.” Four of the proposed
courses are part of a new a scholarship program called Undergraduate Training and Theoretical Ecology Research (UTTER), biology adviser Jane Pugh said. The other five courses suggested by the biology department have been taught as special topics. “The marine biology course is a new course. Dr. Miller will be teaching that every spring, so we’re excited about that course,” Pugh said. “It was offered this spring as a special topic, and [the department] thought that would be a course there would be demand for and thought it would warrant its own course number as well.”
— Johnathan Silver
sarah lutz news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
World VieW
Page 4
The ShorThorn
weather
washington
in texas
obama releases secret Bush-era anti-terror memos the associated Press
WASHiNGToN — The obama administration threw open the curtain on years of Bush-era secrets Monday, revealing anti-terror memos that claimed exceptional search-and-seizure powers and divulging that the CiA destroyed nearly 100 videotapes of interrogations and other treatment of terror suspects. The Justice department released nine legal opinions showing that, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Bush administration determined that certain constitutional rights would not apply during the coming fight. Within two weeks, government lawyers were already discussing ways to wiretap U.S. conversations without warrants. The Bush administration eventually abandoned many of the legal conclusions, but the documents themselves had been closely held. By releasing them, President Barack obama continued a house-cleaning of the previous administration’s
Guinier continued from page 1
Guinier’s presentation on race and class will be fascinating to hear after Barack obama’s election, he said. “She is one of the best legal minds in the country and really a pioneer,” he said. “She’s a champion of women’s rights.” Bing encouraged students to attend to learn about Guinier’s career and research. Multicultural Affairs director leticia Martinez said Guinier was high on the selection list when it came to choosing the speaker for this semester’s
most contentious policies. “Too often over the past decade, the fight against terrorism has been viewed as a zerosum battle with our civil liberties,” Attorney General eric Holder said in a speech a few hours before the documents were released. “Not only is that school of thought misguided, i fear that in actuality it does more harm than good.” The obama administration also acknowledged in court documents Monday that the CiA destroyed 92 videos involving terror suspects, including interrogations — far more than had been known. Congressional democrats and other critics have charged that some of the harsh interrogation techniques amounted to torture, a contention President George W. Bush and other Bush officials rejected. The new administration pledged on Monday to begin turning over documents related to the videos to a federal judge and to make as much information public as possible.
diversity lecture Series. “it’s quite an honor for her to be speaking here,” Martinez said. “Guinier has had a huge impact on civil rights and how we define it.” Martinez said it’s an honor to have Guinier speak at “a campus that prides itself on its diversity.” The event’s ushers will be members of the Women in leadership program, which consists of women in campus and department leadership positions, she said. The lecture is also the second in the diversity lecture Series sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs office. Author robert Takaki was the speaker
Polygamist sect teen refuses baby’s testing
AP Photo: Ron Edmonds
Snow blankets the White House grounds in the early morning hours Monday as a storm moves up the East Coast.
Storm dumps heavy snow on east Coast the associated Press
NeW YorK — A ferocious storm packing freezing rain, heavy snow and furious wind gusts paralyzed most of the east Coast on Monday, sending dozens of cars careening into ditches, grounding hundreds of flights and closing school for millions of kids. The devastating effects of the storm were seen up and down the coast. A crash caused a 15-mile traffic jam in North Carolina, forcing police and the red Cross to go carto-car to check on stranded drivers. The storm was
for the fall 2008 lecture. Bing said he is looking forward to Guinier’s lecture because he is familiar with her work and research. “i’m especially interested in her research on political representation that she’s done concerning the challenges and impediments politically in a democracy,” he said. Tickets are free and will be available at the rosebud Theatre box office at 6:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Martinez said the theatre is expected to fill up.
caroline Basile news.editor-shorthorn@uta.edu
blamed for 350 crashes in New Jersey, and a Maryland official counted about 50 cars in the ditch on one stretch of highway. By Monday, the storm had moved north into New england, and most areas in the storm’s wake expected to see at least 8 to 12 inches of snow. The weather contributed to four deaths on roads in Massachusetts, rhode island and on long island. diane lugo, of Yonkers, N.Y., got a ride with her husband to avoid walking 10 minutes in the slush to her bus stop. “Getting out of the drive-
way was pure hell,” lugo said. “He got to work late. i’m obviously late.” The South was especially hard hit, dealing with record snowfalls, thick ice and hundreds of thousands of power outages in a region not accustomed to such vicious weather. in North Carolina, raleigh got more than 3 inches of snow; the March snowfall for the city has exceeded 3 inches only 11 times in the last 122 years. The Weather Service said parts of Tennessee received the biggest snowfall since 1968.
Police rePort This is a part of the daily activity log produced by the university’s Police Department. To report a criminal incident on campus, call 817-272-3381.
Sunday Suspicious circumstances Police responded at 11:51 a.m. to the Maverick Activities Center, 500 Nedderman Drive, to investigate a report of suspicious circumstances. A staff member told the responding officer he had discovered the entrance door was open when he arrived. MAC staff told police the door may have been left open by accident. Loud noise disturbance Police responded at 2:24 a.m. to Arbor Oaks apartments, 1006 Greek Row Drive, to investigate a loud noise report. Police contacted the neighbor who agreed to keep the noise down.
Saturday Burglary of a coin-operated machine At 12:30 a.m., an officer patrolling Centennial Court apartments, 700 Mitchell Circle, discovered a nonstudent burglarizing a coin-operated machine. Loud noise disturbance Police responded at 1:31 a.m. to University Village apartments, 900 Greek Row Drive, to investigate a loud noise complaint. Police contacted the individual responsible, who agreed to turn the noise down.
For a crime map, visit
The ShorThorn .com
SAN ANTONIO — Texas child welfare authorities have asked a judge to order a 17-year-old mother from a polygamist sect to submit to a psychological evaluation after she showed up to an appointment with Child Protective Services claiming someone else’s child was hers. The teen had previously refused to disclose the whereabouts of her infant born in June, when she was 16 and shortly after she and the other 437 children taken from the Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado were returned to their parents from foster care. The teen produced a baby purported to be her biological child for an appointment with CPS, but DNA tests taken during the appointment revealed she is not the infant’s biological mother, said CPS attorney John Dolezal in a court filing on Thursday. State officials believe the girl was married to a man in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when she was 14. In Texas, someone younger than 17 generally cannot consent to sex with an adult, and The Associated Press is withholding her name because it generally does not name possible victims of sex crimes.
in the world
Raul Castro ousts top Cubans loyal to Fidel HAVANA — President Raul Castro abruptly ousted some of Cuba’s most powerful officials Monday, remaking the government in the biggest shakeup since he took over from his ailing brother Fidel Castro a year ago. The changes replaced some key Fidel loyalists, including the longtime foreign minister, with men closer to Raul. They also reduced the enormous powers of a vice president credited with saving Cuba’s economy after the fall of the Soviet Union. But analysts saw no immediate indication that the changes are related to hopes for closer U.S.-Cuban ties now that both countries have new presidents. Several ministries were consolidated in response to President Raul Castro’s calls for a “more compact and functional structure” for the often unwieldy communist bureaucracy that oversees nearly all public activity on the island. The most sweeping leadership shakeup in years was dropped on Cubans almost as an afterthought — at the end of the midday news, following the weather and sports. The most prominent of those ousted, Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, was the youngest of Cuba’s top leaders and had been widely mentioned as a possible future president.
about scene Emily Toman, editor features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Scene is published Tuesday. Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Scene
remember Check out Thursday’s Pulse for a review of Watchmen, the graphic novelturned movie opening Friday.
The ShorThorn
Theatre arts junior Alan Pollard, as Jamie Lockhart, holds a knife against theatre arts sophomore Jackie Pickard, as Clemment Musgrove, during rehearsal Feb. 23 at the Mainstage Theatre.
Page 5
A Southern FAiry tAle
Theatre arts junior Alan Pollard wraps up a musical piece as Jamie Lockhart during The Robber Bridegroom rehearsal Feb. 23 at the Mainstage Theatre. The musical, running Wednesday through Sunday, is an adaptation of Eudora Welty’s novella set in Mississippi.
Student musical shows that things aren’t always what they appear
T
hey’re talking funny in the Theatre Arts department these days. not funny for the deep South, perhaps, but funny for Arlington. For the past five weeks, students have spent their weekday evenings practicing southern drawls, folk dances and bluegrass music for the spring musical, The Robber Bridegroom. They will show off their newly learned personalities at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Mainstage Theatre. Based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale and the eudora Welty novella, the musical tells a Southern folk story of Mississippi-based people who entangle themselves in love, lust, fraud and greed. “In a larger sense, it’s about people with duality,” said Anne Healy, director and theatre arts lecturer. “each of the characters has a face or personality that they show to everyone, and one that’s deep inside of them.” Set in the 18th century, the rousing tale revolves around the love story of Jamie Lockhart, a suave robber in the woods, and Rosamund, a wealthy planter’s daughter. For theatre arts junior Alan Pollard, who plays Lockhart, the production has given him many firsts. Despite his experience with on-camera acting and other staged productions, Pollard landed his first-ever lead role and musical in his theatrical debut at the university. “I’m doing things I’ve never done before and haven’t been responsible for this much work,” he said. “It has been quite a workout.” Pollard said he can’t relate to his character and beWhen and lieves it’s always a Where challenge for actors to identify with the When: 8 p.m. Wednesrole. day-Saturday, 2:30 “Lockhart is the p.m. Saturday and puppet master in Sunday the grand scheme March 4 through 8 of things,” Pollard Where: Mainstage said. “I’m not a conTheatre, Fine Arts trolling person, so Building Price: $11 general I had to figure out admission, $8 for stuwhat the character dents, faculty, staff really wants and try and senior citizens to make a connection within myself.”
As her first lead in a musical, theatre arts senior Jill Deramus plays Rosamund. Deramus said her character has an innocent and rebellious side to her personality. “She’s a bratty, sweet-loving, high school-aged girl who wants all aspects of love at the same,” she said. “She falls for Jamie simply because she wants a man, regardless of who he is.” Because Lockhart conceals his face with berry stains, the characters don’t know his true identity and deem him the “Robber Bridegroom.” Healy said that once characters step on the stage, they stay there throughout the performance. “It’s not a traditional musical,” she said. “It’s just like sitting around a campfire and telling folk tales.” The set’s construction began in January, and 60 students helped design costumes, props and lights. Healy said the cast has worked with a certified clogging instructor, who has taught them a dance style called Appalachian flat footing. The style comes from the same roots as Irish step dancing, tap dance and european folk dancing. Performers wear hard-soled clogs for sound effects. Before auditions last november, those who tried out attended two clogging workshops to practice dancing. “It felt very awkward at first,” Pollard said. “I’ve had a little tap dance experience, so it wasn’t an enormous jump for me.” The cast also adjusted to bluegrass music, with a professional orchestration of banjos, fiddles, keyboards and harmonicas, which plays on stage along with the characters. “The cast is also the set because it’s just one big moving piece,” Deramus said. “You don’t see many schools doing a bluegrass genre.” Theatre arts senior Melissa Kendall has her first-ever musical role and said she watched country music performers like Loretta Lynn to get into the shoes of her character, Salome, the story’s evil stepmother. “It’s like ‘Little House on the Prairie’ mixed with a wicked witch from the fairy tales,” she said. Theatre arts freshman Wes Farnsworth plays Goat, a young simpleton who has childish fun. “Think of the most fun you can have as a kid, and that’s my character,” he said. Theater arts senior Jason Villarreal said he has worked toward a spot in the musical since
last April, when the about the play show season was posted. The Robber “I knew the moBridegroom ment that profesMusic by Robert sor Healy was diWaldman recting it, I had to Lyrics by Alfred Uhry be in that show,” he First developed in said. “I knew hav1975 by the Acting ing this role would Company at The be a challenge, and Juilliard School and she could guide me opened on Broadway through doing the in 1976. character justice.” Villarreal said he isn’t as selfish as his character, Little Harp, but enjoys a challenge. “Little Harp wants money, food and women and is ready to gain it in any way possible,” he said. “But what really draws me to my character is his determination.” Pollard looks forward to Friday’s opening, despite the audience reaction. “I tend not to worry about what the audience thinks,” he said. “My job is to go out there and be the best I can be at what I’m doing.” Above: Theatre arts senior Melissa Kendall engulfs herself as Salome during rehearsal Feb. 23 at the Mainstage Theatre. Left: Theatre arts sophomore Stephen Howell braces physical contact as Clemment Musgrove’s understudy Feb. 23 at the Mainstage Theatre.
SToRY BY ALAnnA QuILLen | PHoToS BY RASY RAn
ABOUT SPORTS Stephen Peters, editor sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports publishes Tuesday through Friday. Page 6
SPORTS
REMEMBER Wednesday’s page will have coverage of the baseball team in action against county foe Texas Christian.
TH HE E SHOR HORTHORN HORT THO TH HOR ORN RN
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
MEN’S BASKETBALL
TOP THREE SCORERS IN HISTORY
The Shorthorn: UTA Athletics
The Shorthorn: Chris Hudson
The Shorthorn: File photo
Anthony Vereen
Willie Brand
Steven Thomas
2005-2009 1,413 career points*
1987-1991 1,907 career points
2002-2006 1,411 career points
*through SaturdayÕ s game
Vereen second on all-time scoring list Mavericks earn seventh consecutive playoff spot with Saturday’s victory. BY STEPHEN PETERS The Shorthorn sports editor
Behind a 22-point effort from senior forward Anthony Vereen, the men’s basketball team clinched a playoff spot in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament with a 95-85 victory over Sam Houston State on Saturday afternoon at Texas Hall. Vereen also moved to second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,413 points, passing former Mavericks great Steven Thomas. “When I came here as freshman, Steven Thomas took me under his wing,” Vereen said. “Being able to surpass him, see all the hard work he put in and being in the company of Willie Brand, it’s humbling.” Second is his likely finishing place at UTA behind Brand, who scored 1,907 points from 1987-1991. Vereen needs 12 points in his final games to move into the top 20 of points scored at UTA in a single season. Needing one win to secure a seventh consecutive playoff, the Mavericks (16-11, 9-5) shot 62.3 percent from the floor — the highest percentage this year — after coming off their worst shooting performance against Lamar last Wednesday, when they shot 33 percent. It wasn’t all Vereen, though, as the team found solid contributions from three others who scored in double digits. Junior guard Marquez Haynes, a solid candidate for SLC Newcomer of the Year, scored 19, followed by junior guards Rogér Guignard and Brandon Long’s 16 each. Sam Houston State’s (1611, 10-4) leading scorer, junior guard Corey Allmond, scored a game-high 23, 21 of which
came from behind the 3-point line. The Bearkats were also able to exploit the Mavs’ lack of size, coming away with 18 offensive rebounds, resulting in 21 second-chance points. Head coach Scott Cross said his team did a “solid” job on defense, holding the ‘Kats to 38.9 percent shooting. He categorized the win as “huge.” “Year in and year out, they’re at the top of the conference and extremely talented,” he said. “You got to feel great about a win like this. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, and I’m glad we got back on track tonight.” UTA has clinched a playoff spot each year that Cross has been head coach. Saturday’s win sealed the first time the Mavericks will finish the conference season with a winning record in the Cross era. The Mavs last road game of the season tips off at 6:30 Wednesday, when they travel to Thibodaux, La. to take on Nicholls State (17-10, 10-4). A win there will secure at least a fifth seed in the tournament. Vereen recognizes the importance of keeping this winning momentum up as the regular season winds down against two of the top four teams in the conference. “You always want to evaluate yourself against top-tier teams,” he said. “Sam is in first place, Nicholls State is near the top, and Corpus is near the top. So, anything else, it will boost our confidence knowing we can play with the top-tier teams.” “If we play defense and rebound, we can play with anybody,” he said. “When our guards are knocking down shots, it’s tough for anyone to guard us.” STEPHEN PETERS sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
UTA 95, SHSU 85 Sam Houston State Player Ramirez Brown Falkner Mitchell Allmond Murray Crow Pevehouse Bootle Kvedys Totals
MIN FG-FGA 28 3-7 20 3-11 34 3-10 32 2-11 35 8-17 15 2-3 11 3-3 20 4-8 2 0-1 1 0-1 200 28-72
FT-FTA O-T 8-9 2-2 2-3 0-3 4-5 5-11 2-4 1-7 0-0 0-2 0-0 2-2 0-0 2-3 2-6 2-2 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 18-27 18-37
A 2 0 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 11
PF 2 4 3 5 3 2 4 1 1 0 251
PTS 14 9 10 6 23 4 7 12 0 0 85
Pct.: FG .389, FT .667 Three-point goals : 11-30, .367 (Brown 1-3, Mitchell 0-5, Allmond 7-14, Murray 0-1, Crow 1-1, Pevehouse 2-6). Team rebounds: 37 Blocks: 1 (Ramirez) Turnovers: 9 (Falkner 3, Allmond 3, Mitchell, Murray). Steals: 10 (Ramirez 3, Crow 3, Mitchell 2, Murray, Pevehouse). Technical fouls: none
UTA
Player Moffitt Vereen Haynes Guignard Long Smith Parker Reed III Totals
MIN 22 36 35 34 27 13 11 22 200
FG-FGA 2-3 10-14 5-10 5-7 4-8 3-5 0-0 4-6 33-53
FT-FTA 0-0 2-3 8-9 3-4 8-9 0-0 1-2 1-2 23-29
O-T 0-4 2-4 1-4 0-5 0-3 1-1 0-5 0-7 4-35
A 1 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 17
PF 5 4 4 2 0 1 3 3 22
PTS 5 22 19 16 16 7 1 9 95
Pct.: FG .623, FT .793 Three-point goals: 6-13, .462 (Moffitt 1-1, Haynes 1-3, Guignard 3-4, Long 0-2, Smith 1-2, Reed III 0-1). Team rebounds: 35 Blocks: 5 (Parker 3, Moffitt, Guignard). Turnovers: 13 (Guignard 4, Reed III 3, Haynes 2, Long 2, Smith, Moffitt). Steals: 5 (Haynes 3, Moffitt, Guignard). Technical fouls: none A: 705 Officials: Rick Hall, Brad Fowler, Scott Davis
“You got to feel great about a win like this. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, and I’m glad we got back on track tonight.” Scott Cross,
The Shorthorn: The Shorthorn: Chris Hudson
Senior forward Anthony Vereen shoots over a Sam Houston State defender in the Mavericks’ 95-85 win Saturday at Texas Hall. Vereen’s performance moved him to the No. 2 spot on the university’s all-time scoring list.
head coach
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Movin’ Mavs split even on Saturday The team is now preparing for its run in the national championships running March 12-15 in Wisconsin. BY CORY ARMSTRONG Contributor to The Shorthorn
The Movin’ Mavs hosted the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets wheelchair basketball teams for a regional tournament at the Physical Education Building on Saturday. The team played the exhibition games in preparation for the upcoming national championships March 12-15 in Whitewater, Wis. “We scrimmage against Dallas just about every Wednesday night for the most part, and they’re back-to-back championship division champions, so we’re playing the best in the country,” said Ian Pierson, Movin’ Mavs sophomore guard. The Mavs lost the first game of the day to Dallas 58-73. They stayed within 20 points throughout the game but were unable to finish in the second half. “They played well as a team,” Pierson said. “It’s rough to play against them, especially when they get all their guys out. On Wednesday, they don’t always get all of their guys out.” Head coach Doug Garner said it was a psychological battle against Dallas. “I think maybe they get in our guys’ heads a little bit,” he said. “We just played real tight against them. We can play better.” The Movin’ Mavs bounced back in
The Shorthorn: Chris Hudson
Senior Aaron Gouge tries to block a pass during the Movin’ Mavs 87-37 victory over the Houston Rockets wheelchair basketball team Saturday in the Physical Education Building.
their second game, beating the Houston Rockets 87-37. The Rockets unable to capitalize on the few chances they were given, only scoring 12 points in the first half. “We don’t really get to practice much,” said Hassan Elkadi, a Houston Rockets
player who will transfer to UTA next season. “We are player coached.” Garner took advantage of the mismatch and spread out the offense. “One of the things we saw in our Illinois game was we got 52 points from our top three scorers, and only 10 from the rest of the team,” he said. “One thing we’ve been working on is trying to get the rest of the team involved in the offense more, and I think that second game was a good chance for us to do that.” UTA is 16-5 this season and ranked third going into the national championships behind No. 1 Wisconsin-Whitewater and No. 2 Illinois. The Movin’ Mavs will first play the sixth seed, Southwest Minnesota State, March 12 in the national championship tournament but will turn most of their attention to Illinois. “We beat [Southwest Minnesota State] by 40 when we played them last weekend,” Garner said. “We need to win that game, I think we will, but we are really focusing on a rematch with Illinois to get back to the championship game.” Going into the tournament in March, Garner wants to keep the team focused. “One of our big things all year has been to get more consistent,” Garner said. “We’re still not there yet. Always something to work on.” CORY ARMSTRONG sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Page 7
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EMPLOYMENT
Egg Donation
General
$5,000$45,000 PAID EGG DONORS for up to 9 donations + Expenses. N/smokers, ages 18-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24GPA>3.0 info@eggdonorcenter.com
Events The Shorthorn and UTA proudly present
Housing Fair 2009 Wednesday April 8 10:00AM-3:00PM University Center Palo Duro Lounge FREE ADMISSION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC www.TheShorthorn.com 817-272-HORN (4676) Smash out AIDS Gospel Hip Hip concert March 6, 20009 $4 in the Lonestar Auditorium in the MAC. Benefits AIDS in Africa!
Personals Kaity Wilson! I loveeee you! Happy 19th Bday! You are a grerat friend, sister, and blessing in my life! LITB, Hillary
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
HIRING STUDENTS Now hiring students to read government flood maps for banks. No experience necessary. Competitive starting wages. Part-time a.m. and p.m. shifts available.
Great Experience Apply in person. LPS Flood Services. 1521 N. Cooper St. 4th floor Arl, TX 76011 (817)548-7128. Make up to $75 taking online surveys. www.cashtospend.com
The Shorthorn is currently accepting applications for the following positions for the Spring Semester; • Reporter • Ad Sales Rep Get a job description and an application TODAY! Student Publications Dept. University Center, lower level. Also available online at: www.TheShorthorn.com All are paid positions for UTA students. For more information call; 817-272-3188
EMPLOYMENT Office/Clerical
HOUSING
HOUSING
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Apartments
Mobile Homes
Medical Services
Arlington Law Firm is seek- Quadrangle Apt. 509 Bowen 2001 mobile home for sale. ing a Part-time Clerk/Runner Rd. 1/bd 2 level apt. 475/mo 3 bd. 2 bth. 1380 square feet, for 20-25 hrs/wk. You must includes water. $150 deposit in park on corner of Ballpark have reliable transportation, (817)274-1800 and Brown. $20,000 Call: good driving record and car 682-551-8201 insurance. Must be able to 2bd/ 1ba, all new apt. $525 Roommates work 1:30-5:30 M-F. Please w/ UTA ID. Water included. e-mail resume to: Walk to Arl Memorial Hosp. 2 rooms for rent, $550 ea. inkathyg@rockywalton.com 1218 Gibbins Rd cludes util, cable and internet. or fax your resume to: Tel: 817-907-4932 7 mi. to UTA, in SW Arl. (817)429-3469 Nice area. Call 817-734-5730
Teaching/Tutoring Need a tutor for grades 9-12. Contact Lucy at 817-561-0770
HOUSING Apartments Meadow Creek Apartments one and two bedrooms 817-274-3403 Remmington Square Apts 1006 Thannisch. Large 1 bd/ 1 bath. $450/mo. Free cable and internet. 817-274-1800. 704 Lynda Lane 1 bd/ 1 ba $400/mo laundry on property, free basic cable & water paid. (817)-274-1800
NEED A PLACE TO LIVE?
Come to The Shorthorn’s
2009 Housing Fair
2 female roomates for a 2 bd 1 1/2 bth house. $725/mo. Near UTA. All appliances, all lawn equip. 817-201-6974
Townhomes
Get information about; • Off-campus Apartments • Campus Housing • Moving & Storage • And MORE!
600 Grand Avenue 2 bd/1 bth townhome. Washer/dryer, water, and cable provided. $600/mo 817-274-1800
Wednesday April 8 10:00AM-3:00PM University Center Palo Duro Lounge FREE ADMISSION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC www.TheShorthorn.com
Happy 19th Birthday Kaity! Me, Matt, your family and your AXΩ sister all love you! STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM xoxo, twin for life Paid Survey Takers needed in Sergio, Arlington. 100% FREE to Glad we’re friends again. Psjoin. Click on Surveys. Stop by. I’ve got something SURVEY TAKERS for you! NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per Miscellaneous survey. GetPaidToThink.com Help Needed! Ink cartridge Sperm Donor Wanted: refiller. No prior experience GPA greater than 3.0, necessary. 10 minutes from healthy; fitness and personal- UTA. Cartridge World. 3647 ity, contract required. Matlock Road. 817-557-0300 Will pay cash for each donaHospitality/Service tion. 817-300-8809 !Bartending! $250/day potential No experience nec EMPLOYMENT Training provided age Driver/Delivery 18+.ok 1-800-965-6520 x.137 Excellent part time job! -Valet drivers -Cashiers $8-14/hr w/ tips. Call Darren (469)323-2126
General SELL AVON, $10 start Jen McCown (817)938-8539 YourAvon.com/JMCCOWN CHEF’S BISTRO AND BAKERY Small family operated restaurant/ bakery looking for part-time counter and kitchen help. Looking for energetic, friendly, and customer oriented individuals. Experience preferred but not necessary. Close to UTA. Please contact Paul @ (817) 303-7174
Bartender Apprentice wanted $$$$$$$$$$$$ Showdown (817)-233-5430 Part-time Bar/Food Server/ Beverage Cart/Cart Attendant positions available. Includes hourly wage plus tips. No bar experience required, training can be provided. Golf course located in Grand Prairie Call 972-264-6161
Office/Clerical The Shorthorn is seeking a Receptionist for the spring semester. Must be a UTA work-study student available to work MWF, 10-1 & T/Th Noon -1 Apply online at www.uta.edu/snapjob For more information call 817-272-3188
DR. RUTH Q: Since living with my boyfriend, we have not had sex as frequently as we used to. I love him, but he is always the one to initiate lovemaking now. What can I do to be as passionate as we once were?
Q: My daughter and her husband, who is a pastor, just got married less than two months ago, and for some reason he has no sexual desire. He is 34 years old and was a virgin when he married my daughter. She had been married once before. He doesn't think he has a problem, and always uses excuses and tries to blame other people for the reason he has no desire. I told my daughter that this is not normal for a man, and he needs to get some help before it ruins the marriage, but she said he doesn't think he has a problem. What can I suggest to her?
A: I'm going to try to read between the lines here. It seems that before you moved in together, you used to initiate sex, but now you're not in the mood on your own, so you two have sex only when he initiates it. In that scenario, it would appear as if moving in together has had a negative effect on your Dr. Ruth desire for sex. What might cause that? Actually, lots of Send your A: This couple things. Perhaps he talked you questions to Dr. into it and now you feel Ruth Westheimer needs to see a sex therapist or some other type of counguilty. Such guilt could cause c/o King selor. Only if a counselor a loss of libido -- desire for Features sex. Or maybe now that Syndicate, 235 E. gets to ask him in private what is going on can the you're living together, you've 45th St., New root of the problem be disdiscovered aspects about him York, NY 10017 covered. And without that you find not so pleasing knowing exactly what's -- for example, maybe he expects you to take care of all the causing him to have no desire for sex, household chores -- and that's lowered it's going to be impossible for this sityour desire for sex. Or perhaps when uation to improve. And then it would you moved in together you thought that be up to your daughter to decide was a step toward marriage, and he's whether she wants to remain in a sexsince said that it isn't. So, my advice to less marriage. So, she needs to make you is to examine what's changed about an appointment with a counselor, and your relationship since you took this hopefully he will accompany her, if step and see if you can spot what might not on the first visit, then subsequently. be affecting your libido.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9 with no repeats. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
Solution Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
Page 8
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The ShorThorn
Flight RepoRt The Shorthorn writer chronicles the experience of her first dive by Sohana Kutub Contributor to The Shorthorn
From the moment I sat in the lobby of Skydive Dallas, signing my life away with each paragraph stating something about “risk of injury or death,” until the moment I stared out below me into nothing but gusting air, I thought I was completely insane for doing this. But the second I jumped – OK, who am I kidding – the second the instructor I was strapped onto pushed me off the plane because I was scared out of my mind, it was seriously the most amazing rush I’d ever felt in my life. I felt like I was flying, when I was really free-falling thousands of feet per second. I thought it would’ve felt more like a massive drop in a roller coaster, where you feel like your stomach hasn’t caught up with the rest of your body, but it wasn’t like that at all. It truly felt like flying, until I felt the jerk of the
parachute. And then it felt like I was gliding through the air. As crazy as it sounds, the dive felt so peaceful. The scariest part was watching the people in front of me jump off and seeing how fast they were falling, rather than my own jump. The scene in the air was like looking out an airplane window when almost landing, except you’re looking down without the security of anything between you and the vastness of the earth. Seeing people speechless and watching their faces glow with exhilaration after they jumped was unlike anything. I couldn’t comprehend what people were feeling until I jumped. I think it’s the most natural high anyone could experience. It makes you feel like you’ve seen the whole world — in six minutes. Sohana Kutub news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
The Shorthorn reporter Sohana Kutub stands in front of the plane that she jumped out of minutes earlier Sunday at Skydive Dallas.
Sky continued from page 1
relieving thing,” she said. “When you’re up there, you’re not thinking about anything but having fun and saving your life. There’s no work, no bills to think about while you’re up there.” The Skydiving Mavs Club was started in spring 2009 by mechanical engineering junior Chris Johns and environmental biology junior Joe Mowery, who both have two and a half years of skydiving experience. The regular cost for tandem jumps at Skydive Dallas is $229, but club members paid $159 Sunday. Several universities have established skydiving clubs that compete at intercollegiate competitions. Johns would like UTA to eventually recognize skydiving as a sports club — like the fencing club — so members can compete at a national level. Amidst the fun that skydiving presents, it can also be dangerous, as outlined in the
The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
waivers that Skydive Dallas requires participants to sign. Johnny Kuczaj, Skydive Dallas general manager, said most injuries and fatalities occur with experienced skydivers who are more likely to push their limits. “There are two or three injuries per year, mostly ankle injuries, usually during an improper landing,” he said. “There were no fatalities last year, however there was one fatality in 2007 and one in 2005, and they were both experienced skydivers.” Kuczaj said while skydiving can be a dangerous sport, it can also be safe. Three security devices are packed to ensure safety, the main and reserve parachutes and the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) – which automatically deploys the reserve chute at a certain altitude or pressure. A short training class before the jump includes learning about malfunctions and proper exiting and landing techniques. Inexperienced skydivers must jump attached to an instructor in a tandem
Above: Skydivers and instructors file into a Twin Otter airplane Sunday at Skydive Dallas, on the outskirts of Whitewright. Forty members of the Skydiving Mavs Club made the 90 minute drive to the northeast Texas town for what would be many member’s first-time jumps.
Left: Aerospace engineering graduate student Antriksh Luthra suits up before his first sky dive. Luthra called the experience “better than a roller coaster.” The Shorthorn: Michael Rettig
jump, and after about a minute of free fall, the instructor pulls the parachute. The whole jump lasts about six minutes. Business freshman Glen Gay said to expect a dry mouth and tingling skin after skydiving. “If you want to go skydiving, go with Skydiving Mavs,”
he said. “Because there’s a discount and beer.” Participants aren’t allowed to drink before a jump, however. “But there is beer,” Johns said. “It’s just waiting.” Sohana Kutub news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu