T H E
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Tuesday February 2, 2010
Volume 91, No. 67 www.theshorthorn.com
Since 1919
Across the pond
Perceptions
Andrea Silvers kicks off her Study Abroad blog with a trip to the golden arches.
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Black
History
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Out of the classroom and into the gallery.
UTA and Arlington are celebrating throughout February. Look for this icon highlighting related stories.
GREEK LIFE
The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher
Undeclared freshmen Alaina Cardwell talks to the other sorority sisters on the center bridge during the sorority’s Bid Day, which took place Saturday morning. Cardwell
was one of 68 students to declare which Panhellenic Council sorority they were pledging Saturday at Bid Day.
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
UTA alumnus Ron Abram speaks about his grandfather’s photographs Monday during Night at the Gallery in the University Center Carlisle Suite. The photographs that Abram displayed depict the life and culture of African-American communities in North Texas through five decades of social change.
Celebrating black history Alumnus Ron Abram shows photos from the past, such as the segregation period and famous figures. BY JOAN KHALAF The Shorthorn senior staff
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
Musician Matt Skates plays upright bass at the Night at the Gallery on Monday evening in the University Center Carlisle Suite.
The story of black history has always been told inaccurately — that they couldn’t hold their own, alumnus Rob Abram said. “But it was far from it,” he said. “We had an upper class, a middle class and a lower class. We were solid and totally self-sufficient.” Some of the works of Abram’s grandfather, Calvin Littlejohn, were displayed Monday night in the University Center Carlisle Suite for a Night at the Gallery, the first event celebrating Black History Month at UTA. Littlejohn’s photos of key moments in black history were displayed on easels around the dimly lit room. The photos are part of a larger collection available at the Doph Briscoe Center for American History at UT-Austin. Abram travels showing the images that documented moments in black history, including the segregation period, Mar-
UPCOMING BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS A Crystal Stair: “Journey Through Oppression” When: 6:30 p.m., Feb. 4 Where: UC Bluebonnet Ballroom A Place at the Table for Minority Students at Traditionally White Institutions When: noon, Feb. 12 Where: Central Library sixth floor The African-American Experience Panel When: noon, Feb. 17 Where: UC Concho Room Empowering Our Future When: 8 a.m.-noon, Feb. 20 (deadline for volunteering sign-up: today) Where: University Hall
GALLERY continues on page 3
Sororities welcome new members Over 60 girls declare what sorority they were pledging to during Bid Day on Saturday. BY JOAN KHALAF The Shorthorn senior staff
Alaina Cardwell said she couldn’t hear herself speak Saturday. The undeclared freshman’s new Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters chanted, screamed and jumped at the bottom of the center bridge, waiting for Cardwell to join them. High-pitched yells echoed off the walls as a sea of students in red waved signs cheering on new members. W h e n it was her turn, For a video and photo Cardwell gallery, visit ran toTHE SHORTHORN .com ward her future. She’s been waiting several months for this day. Cardwell was one of 68 students to declare which Panhellenic Council sorority they were pledging Saturday at Bid Day. Potential sorority members went to Preference Night on Friday and filled out a form with up to two sororities they would accept bids from. Sororities then give bids, or invitations to join a Greek organization, the next morning. The day allows new members to announce to the Greek community who they want to be a part of, said Julie Murphy, Greek Life and University SORORITY continues on page 3
STUDENT LIFE
Movies Without Borders kicks off Program begins it’s fourth semester of showing “eclectic” movies with the film Precious. BY DUSTIN L. DANGLI The Shorthorn news editor
EXCEL Campus Activities kicked off this semester’s run of Movies Without Borders on Monday night with a screening of Precious. Movies Without Borders, a program starting it’s fourth semester, is a series of films aimed in contrast to EXCEL’s Friday Night Movie series, which showcases blockbuster films. John Hillas, Student Activities assistant director, said Movies Without Borders shows independent films or movies shown at theaters
like the Angelika Film Center. “My hope is that students who normally wouldn’t watch one, will, and get a taste of something different,” he said. Precious follows the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones, who grows up illiterate and in a broken home where she is raped by her father and abused by her mother. With the guidance of a teacher and other mentors, Precious attempts to make a better life for herself. Theater arts freshman Stacia Gulley attended the showing. She said she saw a flier for the screening in the University Center that caught her attention, but the topics covered in the film drew her in. “I’ve heard that there’s a lot of
NEXT SHOWINGS Pan’s Labyrinth - March 1 City of God - April 5 All films are shown at 7 p.m. in the Lone Star Auditorium for free.
emotion to it and I like movies that get me emotional,” she said. Jasmine Brown, Movies Without Borders committee member, said she saw Precious and really pushed to have it shown. “It shows the amount of abuse she goes through and how important MOVIES continues on page 3
The Shorthorn: Michael Minasi
Film freshman Felipe Monjaras, left, and visual communications freshman Camille Salazar wait for the EXCEL Campus Activities presentation of the movie Precious Monday night in the Lone Star Auditorium. The Golden Globe award-winning film, starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique, is the first in EXCEL’s Spring Movies Without Borders. “I heard it was produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey so I have a feeling it has a lot of hard drama but hopefully some light moments too,” Monjaras said.