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Friday February 26, 2010
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Go inside the dugout with junior outfielder Michael Choice. SPORTS | PAGE 8 T E X A S
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Volume 91, No. 83 www.theshorthorn.com
Since 1919
2010 G N I M O C HOME
ring ories cove several st bration. of e on is le This ng ce the weeklo
SCIENCE
Shaking Texas Hall
Children needed for peer relations study University researchers are looking into the link between health and relationships. BY JUSTIN SHARP The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Nursing junior Braulio Cruz-Ortiz dances with UTA Dance Ensemble group at the Homecoming Step Show Thursday at Texas Hall. Six groups participated in the competition for a $1,000 prize.
UPCOMING HOMECOMING EVENTS Friday Noon • Spirit Friday, University Center Palo Duro Lounge 7 p.m. • Student Leader Alumni Reception, University Center Carlisle Suite 9 p.m. • The Bash, University Center 11 p.m. • The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (special engagement showing during The Bash), Rosebud Theatre Saturday 10:30 a.m. • Military Science Hall of Honor, University Center Palo Duro Lounge and Rio Grande Ballroom 1 p.m. • Reuniting Nurses at UTA, Smart Hospital • Maverick Parent and Family Association Meeting, University Club 2 p.m. • Shorthorn Alumni Meeting, Student Publications Office • Tailgate and Chili Cook off, Trinity Hall parking lot • Come Back and See the MAC, Maverick Activities Center 4 p.m. • Women’s Basketball vs. Sam Houston State, King and Queen Coronation at halftime, Texas Hall 8 p.m. • The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Rosebud Theatre
Delta Sigma Theta sorority members win the $1,000 prize BY HANNAH DOCKRAY The Shorthorn staff
Delta Sigma Theta sorority members took home $1,000 at the Homecoming Step Show on Thursday night in an almost packed Texas Hall. Delta Sigma Theta had the crowd screaming at their performance. The girls wore khaki and Converse shoes and stepped to hiphop, heavy on the bass. The empowering theme and no-nonsense attitude the girls exuded clinched the first place title. Their heavy stomps and loud shouts reached the ears of backrow audience members and had spectators vocally expressing their approval.
Jinger Cathey, social work graduate student and Delta Sigma Theta sorority member, judged the competition along with five others. “We critique the teams on creativity, crowd participation, uniqueness and consistency,” she said. Many of UTA’s Greek Life community showed up to represent their fraternity or sorority. The competitors included Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi and the African Student Organization. Mical Roberson, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity member and inSTEP continues on page 3
STUDY continues on page 4
STUDENT LIFE
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Host Tim Brown plays the role of a valley girl at Thursday night’s Homecoming Step Show.
Mavericks hope to avenge loss against Sam Houston State The Mavericks’ chances of elon of the conference. In their last game, the Mavrepeating as Southland Conference regular season champions ericks had a 10-point lead with 4:28 left, only to see are fading away, but they Lamar go on a 17-2 run still have an opportunity to take the lead and a to make the upcoming 79-73 victory. conference tournament. That loss put the A visit from a team Mavericks four games that only has two conbehind Lamar with ference road wins would three games left. The seem to help the MaverMavericks are currently icks, who have lost backfourth in the West divito-back games, but Sam sion and are two games Houston State beat the Mavericks earlier this Samantha Morrow, behind third place UTwomen’s basketball San Antonio. If the SLC year in overtime. tournament started The Mavericks will head coach today, the Mavericks try to avenge that loss 4 p.m. Saturday at Texas Hall and would hold the fifth seed. The Mavericks are currently keep themselves in the upper ech-
one game ahead of Sam Houston State, currently on a three-game winning streak; this makes Saturday’s game all the more crucial for a favorable seed in the tournament. The Mavericks have already been beaten this season by two of their next three opponents, Sam Houston State and Texas A&MCorpus Christi. Head coach Samantha Morrow said she wants her team to close out strong. “Its going to be them deciding where this team is going to go,” she said. “They don’t want to lose.”
— Travis Detherage
STUDENT LIFE
New program to cultivate greener living on campus EcoReps provides students with initiative to decrease environmental footprint. BY SHAMBHU SHARAN The Shorthorn staff
Sustainability Director Meghna Tare encourages on-campus
residents to get interested in helping the environment with a new program next fall. The new program, ecoReps, is a peer-to-peer educational program designed to help students in residence halls and on-campus apartments with their environmental footprint through environmental awareness and
behavioral changes. “The ecoRep program will train student leaders who will promote environmentally responsible behaviors in the residence halls and apartments,” Tare said. Residence life Director Mari ECO continues on page 6
Children can be cruel, but while sticks and stones may break bones, a study being conducted by university researchers shows that words can have a real impact. The psychology lab is looking for parents and GET INVOLVED their sixth- to eighth-grade To participate, children to contact Haylie participate Gomez in the in a study on UTA social lab: physical and utasociallab@ psychological hotmail.com or reactions to 817-272-6039 peer relationships. Peer relationships are shown to affect — positively or negatively — academic performance and physical health. Researchers are measuring these elements by responses to questions such as “How often do you have headaches?” as well as by looking at
Meghna Tare, sustainability director, encourages students to sign up for the new ecoReps program
Next week to glorify university’s uniqueness Diversity Week events to celebrate campus’ individuality through variety of activities. BY SHELBY WEIR The Shorthorn staff
Some students may eat a bit faster than others in order to test their strength and limits in Wednesday’s lunchtime MAVfest obstacle course. MAVfest, a new event featuring student organizations and a Movin’ Mavs sponsored obstacle course, will make it’s debut during Diversity Week 2010. Diversity Week, a week-long event co-hosted by Multicultural Affairs and the Office for Students For the with Disabilities, kicks off Monday. week’s All events are free schedule and some are open to the surrounding see page 6 community. This is the third year for Diversity Week. Ms. UTA Rosita Tran III said that she and Mr. UTA Omar Rosales will be emceeing MAVfest. “We wanted to do something that would be a campus-wide celebration,” Multicultural Affairs Director Leticia Martinez said. “MAVfest is a festival, not a tabling fair.” Every group that has a booth will either be running activities and games or handing out prizes and goodies, she said. DIVERSITY continues on page 6
Page 2
Friday, February 26, 2010
The ShorThorn
Calendar 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
Percussion can sing, too
African music is added to the Percussion Ensemble’s repertoire
UTA Homecoming: Student Leader/Alumni Reception: All Day. For information, contact Seth Ressl or Mike Taddesse at 817-272-2963 or seth@uta.edu or mtaddesse@uta.edu Tuition Raffle Countdown: All Day. Tickets are one for $5 or six for $25. University Center booth 6 by UTA Computer Store. For information contact Cody Early at 817-272-2594 or saa@uta.edu Thermal and Thermoelectric Transport in Nanostructures: 10 a.m. Free. 200 Woolf Hall. For information, contact Debi Barton at 817-272-2500 or dbarton@uta.edu Mobile-aware Network Optimization: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Free. 413 Woolf Hall. For information, contact Sajal Das at 817-2727405 or das@uta.edu Art Exhibition in The Gallery at UTA: Robert Grame and Robert Hower: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. The Gallery at UTA. For information, contact Patricia Healy at 817-2725658 or phealy@uta.edu Machine Learning for Control of Morphing Air Vehicles: 11 a.m. Free. Automation and Robotics Research Institute, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S. Fort Worth. For information, contact Theresa Culver at 817-2725991 or tculver@uta.edu Psychology Department Colloquium: Noon. Free. Life Science. For information, contact Department of Psychology at 817-272-2281 Marketing Brown Bag Series Spring 2010: 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Free and open to Students. 609 Business Building. For information, contact Ritesh Saini at saini@ uta.edu Creativity Test: 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Free. Santa Fe Station. For information, contact Megan Topham at 817-272-5988
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.
WEDNESDAy Criminal Trespass officers were dispatched at 4:53 p.m. to a suspicious persons call at the Watson Building on 219 Main St. A non-student was found on property looking into windows and was issued a criminal trespass warning for the entire campus. The case was cleared.
PersonavaCation by Thea Blesener
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
Music associate professor Michael Varner, left, demonstrates how to use a large African shekere as music media junior Josh Johnson, right, watches during the percussion ensemble’s rehearsal on Tuesday in the Fine Arts Building. The percussion ensemble’s Chamber Music Concert will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and includes a segment featuring traditional African drums, garb and singing.
By Jason Boyd The Shorthorn Scene editor
When walking past the Irons Recital Hall on Tuesday night, be prepared to start grooving. The Percussion Ensemble’s recital, which will include a segment featuring traditional African drums, garb and singing, will have 80 instruments on stage at once during the finale “Portico,” music associate professor Michael Varner said. “The concert will have something for every taste,” he said. He said percussion is popular in nearly every form of music — hiphop, classical, even Japanese traditional music — so the concert will not disappoint. One of the groups performing, the UTA African ensemble, is composed of students of various majors like nursing and architecture. Members of the ensemble will clothe themselves in the culture the instru-
only music, and he would consider ments represent, Varner said. And the ensemble is continually going. “It’s a little more modern” he growing in its repertoire, he said. This semester, the group added said. “It’s very upbeat.” He said concerts like this usually south and east African music to the mix. Two of the pieces, “Osun” and get the audience moving, at least by “Ogoun,” were personally transcribed tapping their feet. Listeners who by Varner during a faculty develop- aren’t exposed to percussion might be missing out on its ment leave over breadth, he said. seas. More photos at “Nowadays they “Every semesTheShorthorn.com associate it with, ‘Oh, ter we add new he’s the drummer in culture,” he said. this band,’ or ‘Oh, he’s Music educathe drummer in that tion senior Jesus Martinez joined both the percussion band,” Castillo said. “But it’s more and African ensembles in 2007. He than drums.” Because there are two ensembles, said percussionists might be misunwith several instruments to cover derstood by casual listeners. “They think of it as just back- between the two, the show will give ground music,” he said. “That’s our listeners a chance to sink into the music, our textures. There’s still mel- world of percussion, Martinez said. “It’s not a short show,” he said. ody behind it.” The performers accomplish a Accounting senior Chris Castillo full musical experience by using the said he’s always liked percussion-
when and where When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Irons Recital Hall Price: Free
percussion family’s diversity to its fullest, Martinez said. Just like in a band with the high-pitched flute, the low-pitched tuba and ranges in between, the ensembles use instruments with highs and lows to space out the sonic landscape, he said. For example, wood instruments have a more mellow, low sound, and metal instruments have a brighter, higher sound. And the resulting music is infectious, Martinez said. “All of this music has a certain groove to it,” he said. “You’re going to get into it.” Jason Boyd news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Right: Varner says that the Spring Chamber Music Concert’s objective is to communicate the joy and enthusiasm of music meant to be enjoyed by communities. Left: Metal instruments, such as the Agogo Bells, have a bright, high sound where as wood instruments produce a mellow, low sound.
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.
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Page 3
THE SHORTHORN
10 0 2 G N I M HOMECO
ring stories cove of several lebration. e on is s hi T g ce the weeklon
The Bash to hold ‘super’ party with dance, food and fun
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Step continued from page 1
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Top: Delta Sigma Theta sorority members performed a routine featuring the film Paranormal Activity at Thursday night’s Homecoming Step Show. The sisters won the competition along with $1,000. Above: Omega Psi Phi fraternity members, including host Tim Brown, perform a step routine at the Step Show on Thursday night at Texas Hall. The routine wasn’t part of the competition but rather to represent their organization.
“We’ve got style, soul, grace and expression.” Omega Psi Phi members
formation systems senior, performed in the step show with a drill sergeant routine. The group made sharp turns and hard steps all to the beat of a commanding voice. “We have been working hard and preparing for three or four months,” he said. Music could be heard outside the building and inside the deafening roar of an interactive audience reverberated off the ceiling. Fashion design junior Veronica Langston could not wait for the show to begin. She said she expected nothing but the best. “I expect it to be an out of body experience,” she said. “It’s going to be out of this world.” Alumni Tim Brown and
Keith Douglas hosted and provided the audience with comedic relief between performances. Each performance brought different combinations of people and dancing style together. Nerves and excitement were all psychology junior and UTA Dance Ensemble member Edrica Manuel could focus on. “We are all very excited,” Manuel said. “We even have a funny tribute to McDonald’s which is danced to ‘I’ll Make Love to You’ by Boyz II Men.” Although only one group won the first place prize, good spirits and friendly banter showcased the night. The brothers of Omega Psi Phi summed up the night, in their trademark gold boots, when they shouted, “We’ve got style, soul, grace and expression.” HANNAH DOCKRAY news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Students can climb like video and bouncy boxing Spider-Man, fly like Iron will also be included. The Complete Works Man and punch with Hulklike strength at The Bash. of William Shakespeare The event, at 9 p.m. to- (Abridged) will also be night throughout the Uni- shown at 11 p.m. in the Roseversity Center, will feature bud Theatre. The comedic atmospheres comshow goes through parable to Batman’s all of Shakespeare’s Gotham City and plays in 108 minTHE DETAILS Superman’s Meutes. tropolis. The Bash event When: 9 p.m. EXCEL Campus chair Julia Landro tonight Activities is expectsaid she’s looking Where: ing about 2,000 atforward to seeing University tendants, based on how the event looks Center Admission: last year’s numbers, altogether. free said John Hillas, “A lot of work student activities goes into this,” the assistant director. education freshman The free event is said. “It’ll be fun to one of the main celsee people actually ebrations of Homeenjoying the fruits coming week, and of all our labor.” anyone can attend. Attendees may come It will also feature digi- dressed in costumes to enter tal caricatures that take at- the costume contest, which tendees’ pictures and turn awards one winner with a them into superheroes and $50 Visa gift card. a “spider wall,” which is a Laser tag, a motion simclimbing wall made to look ulator and free hot dogs, like a spider web. Traditions popcorn, cotton candy and like the DJ room with music drinks will also be available. and a dance floor, or “Club Metropolis,” a place where attendees can make a music — Joan Khalaf
The Shorthorn: File Photo
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members sing “Your Love” by The Outfield last year at The Bash. Attendees were able to create their own music videos in front of a green screen.
HOMECOMING COURT
Online at
TheShorthorn.com
Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime during Saturday’s women’s basketball game. The nominees were announced at Wednesday’s men’s basketball game vs. Lamar.
• Photo gallery of Homecoming events, including pictures from the Golf Cart Parade, Paint Your Ride and men’s basketball game vs. Lamar.
The nominees are, from Left: political science junior Eleanor Khonje, finance junior Ricky Irving, nursing junior Caitlin Wright, management senior Travis Boren, mechanical engineering junior Omar Rosales and social work junior Nikki Boyd
• A video of Wednesday’s Golf Cart Parade, which featured 35 organizations’ golf carts. • Submit your own photos from Homecoming celebrations. E-mail them to u@shorthorn.uta. edu and see them in the gallery online. • Click on the Homecoming Section tab on the front page for stories about alumni, including one about alumni who now work at UTA.
What: Women’s basketball vs. Sam Houston State, King and Queen coronation When: Game begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, coronation is at halftime The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
Where: Texas Hall
The Homecoming court is presented at Wednesday night’s men’s basketball game vs. Lamar.
October 1 - November 5, 2010
Live & Work
Abroad Job Preview
Tuesday, March 2 College of Business Room 609 4 - 5:30 p.m. www.peacecorps.gov (800) 424-8580
Page 4
Friday, February 26, 2010
THE SHORTHORN
ARLINGTON
Site unearthing to resume this weekend with weather permitting Arlington Archosaur Site diggers will resume their search for fossils this weekend if weather permits, site director Derek Main said. Any student, no matter their major, can volunteer to help uncover 100 million-year-old fossils, Main said, who is also a UTA earth science doctoral candidate. Located in the North Arlington Woodbine Formation, the site’s proximity to the campus can give students handson experience without having to travel outside the city, he said. “I could use the help working on fossils, if any UTA students want to volunteer their time,” he said. The excavation of the site began in spring 2008 when landowner, Huffines Auto Group, granted land access to UTA. “Last year’s discovery of Crocorama, a large crocodile skeleton, was by far the most exciting,” he said. “We’ve removed
DIGGING IN For location and dig times, contact Derek Main at maindinos@ msn.com, Facebook group: The Arlington Archosaur Site
Derek Main, site director
most of the bones from the ground and are now working on them in my UTA lab.” To volunteer at the site, Main said anyone can join the Arlington Archosaur Site’s Facebook group or contact him for dig times and directions. “The Arlington Archosaur Site has 2,000 acres of open exposures,” Main said. “So it offers a unique opportunity to study a time frame in Earth history that is still poorly understood.”
Study continued from page 1
cortisol levels. “We have discovered a link between peer relationships and health,” said Haylie Gomez, psychology graduate student and project manager. “Elevated cortisol levels over prolonged periods have negative health effects.” Cortisol, a hormone released in elevated levels as a stress response, causes physical reactions such as increased heart rate and lower sensitivity to pain. Students who report a pre-
— John Harden
ponderance of negative peer interactions have also reported a greater frequency of stomach and headaches. Heightened cortisol levels may be the cause, Gomez said. One focus of the study is to find physical causes for ailments reported by children. “If we can find a biological underpinning for reactions to negative relationships, then there will be more than just psychological treatment options,” Gomez said. There is also a more personal benefit to parents and their children. “It’s relieving and in-
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
FEEL THE RHYTHM Film freshman Nicodemus Montez practices with his new snare drum Thursday night on a fourth floor balcony of the Fine Arts Building. Montez is preparing to try out for the The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps next summer and enjoys playing in this spot because of its seclusion since he found it a week ago.
“A lot of people seem to think this is normal peer behavior and that the kids will get past it, but the research indicates that for some of these kids it is more important than that.” Priya Iyer, experimental psychology graduate student formative for parents who don’t want to question whether their children are faking illness just to get out of school,” Gomez said. Erika Venzor, experimental psychology graduate student, is involved in the study and helps conduct the questionnaire sessions. “I really enjoy working
with the families,” she said. “Most of the kids are happy to participate. They really like getting paid and having saliva samples taken – which they do themselves.” The children are given cotton swabs with plastic sheaths with caps to rub on the insides of their cheeks. These samples, along with data collected from the
questionnaires, are used by Priya Iyer, the principle investigator in the lab and an experimental psychology graduate student. She will use data from the study for her doctoral thesis, looking for genetic components that may influence how children respond to negative social interactions.
“A lot of people seem to think this is normal peer behavior and that the kids will get past it, but the research indicates that for some of these kids it is more important than that,” Iyer said. She also said that part of her hypothesis is that friendships may buffer against bad reactions to negative peer interactions. Participants in the study will receive $40 — $20 for the parent and $20 for the child — for each of the two required visits.
JUSTIN SHARP news-editor@shorthorn.uta.edu
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Ali Amir Mustansir, editor opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Opinion is published Wednesday and Friday. Friday, February 26, 2010
EDITORIAL/OUR VIEW
It’s just common census Everyone should get ready and participate with the 2010 U.S. Census
The Shorthorn invites students, university employees and alumni to submit guest columns to the Opinion page. Page 5
Room for Everyone A permanent setting would provide peace without protest
r ho tho :T rn a he s Ble er en
DISCOMBOBULATION by Houston Hardaway
THE SHORTHORN
REMEMBER
eS Th
“The Census is full of government money waiting to be spent on you!” According to the UTA Census 2010 Web site, that is why students should care about the census. The 2010 Census has a much larger impact than funding for the university, after all most of us are only in school for four to six years. The census is taken every ten years, for the traditional college student the last census was taken in elementary school or junior high. Census data is used to determine how the federal and state governments distribute money. A lower population may receive less federal funding and have to impose a larger tax to keep roads repaired and police officers paid, while a larger city may not get adequate funding because census data was incorrect. According to www.civilrights.org, the 2000 census missed about 16 million people. The 2000 census results show Arlington had 332,969 residents in that year, which is about one-forty-eighth the number of missed people in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the census affects the numbers of seats Texas occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. According www.polidata.org, it is estimated that Texas could gain four new representatives in Washington D.C. if people respond to the census. Census data is also used to advocate for causes. Population counts provide demographic data that can be used to show what portion of a population would support that cause. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an accurate count helps to allocate how more than $400 billion of federal funding is spent each year on things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, emergency services, tunnels and other public-works projects. The UT Arlington Public Relations Student Society of America is pushing for a large student turnout for the census, and they have set up a Web site and had a help center in the University Center. The center had a competition to see who could fill out a super-sized practice census form fastest. According to the Web site the winner filled it out in 20 seconds. The Web site also has a practice form for students to fill out in preparation and parody videos showing issues that may arise. The census starts in March and has an impact on students’ lives while they are in college and after they have graduated. Take advantage of the services on the UTA PRSSA Web site, then, in March, fill out the form for your benefit.
OPINION
T
his week Student Congress passed a resolution that requested establishing a specific room or area for meditation and reflection on campus, and I applaud them for that. The resolution “Can I Live” called for a set room or space for anyone from the university community to use, regardless of belief. Having a specific room or area on campus for reflection purposes could be beneficial to the university. According to a recent Shorthorn article, the first resolution in 2007 didn’t pass because it appealed for a room for use by a single religion. The second resolution in 2008 was killed in committee because the committee felt there wasn’t enough space for all religions and that it would “entangle the University with religion.” Since the university is a public institution, critics would argue that having a room for meditation or reflection would cross the line. However, since it wouldn’t be tied with
one specific religion, it could still be beneficial when purposed for anyone. The university could follow in the footsteps of other institutions that have one, such as the University of Michigan — a Tier One university. Its room is called the Reflection Room and allows anyone from its university community to meditate, pray and spend time in quiet reflection. In finance senior Niddal Abedrabbo’s presentation to Student Congress, he talked about how a student was meditating quietly in a corner of the Central Library and was interrupted by a student who saw him and complained. By having this room, it could prevent an instance like this from happening. The room could also be used as a recruiting tool for students by having a specific place to go for religious purposes. There are more than 3,000 students who live on campus. Some may not have a vehicle to drive to religious services. By having the room, it could give them a place to
BRYAN BASTIBLE Bryan is a journalism sophomore and copy desk chief for The Shorthorn. Join the discussion by commenting at theshorthorn.com. conduct their rituals. The university is known for its diversity and has over 25 different religious groups on campus — that’s a lot of different views that could benefit from the room. The passed resolution will now make its way up the chain of command, ending in President Spaniolo’s office. The university needs a separate, quiet place where people can go for their religious practices without distractions.
That’s why it’s called a ‘bill’ Even when the government does the right thing, it can go it wrong Some people talk about which new thing will be a “game-changer.” Many say the iPhone from Apple was just such a product, for example. Game-changing usually seems progressive, but when the government frequently changes procedures and rules, it promotes confusion and inefficiency. For at least a century and a half, the United States has rewarded veterans — albeit inconsistently — with education benefits for having served. Many people do not know that when a person enlists in the American military, he or she waives many personal rights under the Constitution. Military personnel become something legally different than civilians during their terms of service. Besides putting their own lives at risk on behalf of the nation, service members suspend most of their freedoms of selfdetermination, entering a sort of indentured servitude. It is by no means slavery, but is also not typical freedom. While still serving, or after discharge, the nation helps to repay their sacrifices by various incarnations of a GI Bill. It often seems, however, that the federal GI
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CLIFF HALE Cliff Hale is an interdisciplinary studies junior and guest columnist for The SHorthorn Join the discussion by commenting at theshorthorn.com. Bill “wheel” is reinvented with every new Congress or executive administration. The moving target of this or that newand-improved bill is even harder to hit when the day-to-day implementation of the legislation has to filter through the human labyrinth of bureaucracy. Some UTA students feel the sting when the system fails and recovers badly. One of the reasons that the government can get away with lackluster responses to its own missteps is the scarcity of orderly complaint. Most public offices report very little outcry over bad recoveries when aid
checks are late or in error. A bureaucrat will always look for the most efficient way to end a problem — efficiency meaning least amount of time, work or money spent on the problem. How the fix impacts individuals is of interest to the desk jockeys working out the solutions, but the only way this corps of number-crunchers can know if their rescue plans work — or need adjustments — is through feedback from those affected. Recipients of benefits are noble for being patient to a point, but when the system fails and the repairs are slow or ineffective, they should make a personal effort to report the problem to as wide a chain of authority as they can discover. Certainly one or two will always file complaints, even unwarranted ones, but bureaucracy measures feedback in quantity as well as quality. Government officials will always respond more quickly to 100 e-mails than to one phone call. Do your brothers and sisters a favor when the trolley leaves the tracks: make a timely and considered report. Don’t leave one or two to go wailing alone through the desert of official channels.
Kent L. Hurst commented at www.TheShorthorn.com in response to the Feb. 23 story “New lab dedicated after multiple biofuel breakthroughs”: “Please do not besmirch the mission of the Center for RENEWABLE Energy Science and Technology laboratory just to get ‘Smokey Joe’ to cough up the funding for it. Congratulations for your success in generating hydrogen from coal through electrolysis, but even that doesn’t magically confer the status of ‘renewable’ on one of the most polluting fuels currently in use.” Marjorie R. Asturias commented on the UTA Shorthorn Facebook page post Your View “Tanning Beds” video with the Feb. 24 column “A killer tan provides great looks with grave side effects”: “I don’t think there’s ANYTHING good about using a tanning bed, unless you really like the idea of skin cancer and the possibility of an early death.”
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Friday, February 26, 2010
THE SHORTHORN
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MONDAY TCC Northwest Dance Company noon-1 p.m., Rosebud Theatre Comedy Night with Tissa Hami 7 p.m., Rosebud Theatre TUESDAY Welcoming Diversity 8:30 a.m.-noon, University Center San Jacinto Room Maversity: Why GI Joe Enlisted Barbie 12:30 p.m., University Center San Saba Room WEDNESDAY MAVfest Noon-1:30 p.m., University Center mall Diversity Lectures – Dr. Maura Cullen 7 p.m., Rosebud Theatre THURSDAY Safe Zone Ally Training 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m., 601 Nedderman Hall 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament 6:30 p.m., Maverick Activities Center FRIDAY Maversity: Disability is a part of Diversity! Noon-1 p.m., 104 University Hall
Eco continued from page 1
Duncan said ecoReps has two benefits. “It is a great way to get involved for a great cause,” Duncan said. “It will make students more active and involved.” Students should be residents and interested in sustainability to become ecoReps, she said. The ecoReps are volunteer positions. “I hope they become proactive members of their community and implement some of the ideas and some of their ideas in regards to
Diversity continued from page 1
“UTA has a lot of pride in diversity,” Martinez said. “People tend to think it’s just race and ethnicity, but we have all types of diversity here, and we’re really excited about it.” Over the past two years, Diversity Week and Disabilities Week have been separate events. This year, with help from a $5,000 Campus Grant from Target, the two weeks will be combined into one big event, she said. “Sometimes I think that people think diversity is one-dimensional,” she said. “We have so much diversity here, but it’s all around you. Multiculturalism is actually learning about it.” Another featured event of next week is comedy night with standup comic Tissa Hami at 7 p.m. Monday in the Rosebud Theatre. “She isn’t something you see every day,” Martinez said. “She recognizes that some of her material may be controversial. Maybe you’ll love the comedy, maybe you’ll hate it, but it will spark discussion.” Hami was featured in a PBS documentary about Muslim comedians. According to a diversity week flier, her comedy is aimed towards breaking stereotypes and building understanding between Iranians and Americans. “I’m really looking forward to the comedian because she’s different,” accounting senior Lupe Leyva said. “I’m curious to hear the jokes
sustainability,” Duncan said. The office is hoping to elect 14 ecoReps, two from each residential community in April. Tare said she wants students’ participation and involvement in the sustainability’s new program. The elected eco-representative will implement ideas like green movie screenings, green speeddating and residence hall gardens. Resident assistant Kelsey Jackson said she hasn’t heard about ecoReps, but thinks the initiative would provide resources for other programs like RecycleMania. “I will be joining the program to represent Brazos House,” she
,,and it sounds like a lot of fun.” Popular diversity speaker Maura Cullen will be speaking about her book, Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say, at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre. Cullen’s lecture on Wednesday was actually secured two years ago, Martinez said. She donated her honorarium to benefit a foundation that provides opportunities for higher education. Martinez won her honorarium at an auction. “I will be shocked if Cullen doesn’t get a standing ovation,” she said. “I guarantee you will be talking about it later.” Movin’ Mavs will also be hosting the 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament. Teams who participate in the event will actually be playing in wheelchairs, just like the Movin’ Mavs. “I’m really excited for the 3-on3 tournament,” Leyva said. “Since you’re actually in the wheelchairs, it really gives you a different perspective.” Other events during the week include a performance by the TCC Northwest Dance Company, Maversity lectures and a Safe Zone Ally Training. “I’m really looking forward to the university celebrating the wonderful diversity we have here at UTA,” Student Congress President Kent Long said. “We get an entire week to just concentrate on diversity.”
SHELBY WEIR news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
GET INVOLVED To become an ecoRep contact your resident assistant, residence director, sustainability director Meghna Tare, or visit www.uta.edu/sustainability/ for more information.
said. “It will show student involvement not only faculty and staff. It sounds like a good program.” Tare said the students involved in the university’s sustainability program will gain recognition through awards. The students will be listed on the Association for the Advancement of Sustain-
ARLINGTON
Warrant roundup begins March 6 Students with outstanding tions and other charges. There are over 250 police warrants should take care of them before the March 6 Great agencies participating in the Texas Warrant Roundup if they warrant roundup this year, and want to avoid possible jail time. there are currently over 88,000 Police statewide will crack outstanding Class C misdedown on those who have not meanor warrants in the city of taken care of their outstanding Arlington, Richard said. The revenue made during citations. Anyone with a citation is able to take care of it at the the annual roundup has nearly at Arlington Municipal Court doubled each year, and Arlington police expect simiprior to the March 6 lar results this time deadline if they don’t around, she said. want to face arrest MORE INFORMATION “It’s been very sucand jail time. To clear an outcessful,” she said. “Last Police are able standing warrant year we cleared 5,000 to arrest those with before March 6, apwarrants worth almost outstanding warpear in person at $2 million.” rants anywhere and the Arlington To avoid arrest, resat anytime, said Municipal Court, idents can have cases Tiara Ellis Richard, 101 S. Mesquite St. paid in full. Those with Arlington Police DeMonday -Friday 7 fees that have been repartment spokesa.m. to 5:30 p.m. mitted to the court’s woman. collection agency will “We can show up have an additional 30 at your work, your home, or your classroom,” she percent fee added to the amount said, “Anywhere we can have any due, which cannot be waived. “Being arrested is never coninteraction with people. Most arrests occur at traffic stops, venient,” Richard said. “Go to but we are going to make a con- the court and set up a payment certed effort to clear as many plan or make your payments in full.” warrants as possible.” The roundup will last until Police are targeting those with outstanding Class C mis- March 20. demeanor warrants in all infractions related to traffic, parking, city ordinance, penal code viola— Chase Webster
ability in Higher Education Web site. They receive opportunities to participate in public forums and meetings and interact with other universities. Students wanting to be an ecoRep for their halls or apartments can contact their residence assistants or residence directors. Students can visit the Sustainability Office in Preston Hall Room 204. Fore more information about the various programs and events, visit http://www.uta. edu/sustainability/.
Online at
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UTA’s production of Dead Man Walking begins tonight. Look for a review of the play Friday night on TheShorthorn.com and on Tuesday’s Scene page.
SHAMBHU SHARAN news-editor.shorthorn.com
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in the question of sex without seeming too forward. The fact that you’d be mixing religion and sex might throw these men off, but it also would allow you to find out their potential for being a good lover. Q: Does a Brazilian bikini wax make a difference, sexually and healthwise?
A: I’m sure you’d have a hard time con- Dr. Ruth vincing most young Send your A: I can’t speak men, Jewish and non- questions to about any health conJewish, that they’d be Dr. Ruth Westheimer sequences, though I better off reading the c/o King Features doubt there are any. Syndicate Torah than Penthouse, And while I certainly 235 E. 45th St., but I agree with you New York, NY don’t think it’s necthat most young men 10017 essary for women to would get more out remove some or all of the former than of their pubic hair, if the latter. If a man understands it makes a woman feel sexier, how to please women, he will then I’m all for it. If a woman have better sex. Selfish sex just does this just to follow the isn’t as fulfilling. Since quoting trend, then going through the from the Torah might be a good expense and the bother seems way to make conversation, and like too much. But if the end improve your sex life, I sug- result is that it raises her libido gest you give it a try. If you when she considers the aptake a few quotes not having pearance of her genitals, then to do with sex as subject mat- I would say by all means, go ter, it will allow you to throw ahead.
ACROSS 1 Predatory group 5 Grifter’s ploy 9 Jerk 14 Stadium near Citi Field 15 Pear, for one 16 From the other side 17 Topical treatment 18 Bring down 19 Has coming 20 Taking pictures of potatoes and pasta? 23 Has a connection with 24 Diamond brothers’ surname 25 DJIA part: Abbr. 26 PC key under Z 27 Circuit 30 Trapdoor in an Old West saloon? 35 “Baudolino” novelist 36 Massage target 37 Lee who founded the Shakers 38 Ink holders 39 Sixers, on a scoreboard 40 Group of showoffs? 44 “Kidding!” 45 Project’s conclusion? 46 Meat seasoning mixture 47 Chiseled abbr. 49 Like radon 54 Spiel from a maestro? 56 Talia of “The Godfather” 57 Harrow rival 58 Sound after ah 59 Less brusque 60 Kevin’s “Tin Cup” co-star 61 In a bit, poetically 62 “Brigadoon” composer 63 Sibling, in dialect
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. By Doug Peterson
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ABOUT SPORTS Clint Utley, editor sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports publishes Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Page 8
Chalk Talk
SPORTS MICHAEL CHOICE STATS
NUMBERS GAME
41%
UT Arlington Baseball 2000s All-Decade Team (OF)
Men’s defensive field goal percentage puts them second in the Southland Conference
2010 Baseball America Second Team Preseason All-American
29%
2010 PING! Second Team Preseason All-American
Men’s defensive 3-point field goal percentage puts them second in the SLC
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Moffitt’s ‘intensity’ turns team around The men’s basketball team travels to Huntsville, Texas this weekend to face the Southland Conference’s best team, Sam Houston State University. The Mavericks (16-10, 8-5 SLC) have won three straight and eight out of their last nine games. After a 1-4 start to the conference schedule, the team has gone 7-1 with the only loss coming on the road to UT-San Antonio. The matchup will pit the conference’s No. 1 scoring offense in Sam Houston (78.8 ppg) against the conference’s No. 4 scoring offense of the Mavs (75 ppg). Sam Houston (20-6, 12-1 SLC) features 6-foot-6-inch junior forward Gilberto Clavell, who ranks third in the conference with 15.9 points per game. In the previous meeting between the two teams, Sam HousTommy Moffitt, ton desenior forward feated the Mavs at Texas Hall, 67-64. Senior forward Tommy Moffitt didn’t play in that game due to a broken foot. When asked in practice on Thursday if he was ready to face Clavell, Moffitt had a simple answer. “I hope he’s ready to face me,” he said. Head coach Scott Cross attributed his team’s turnaround this season to Moffitt returning from that broken foot. Moffit’s first game back was a Jan. 25 win against Houston Baptist University. The Mavs have lost only one game since Moffitt’s return. “You gotta give, obviously, a lot of the credit to Tommy,” Cross said. “He brings a lot in terms of toughness and intensity. Having another scorer, another body, another leader out on the floor, he’s helped us out tremendously.”
— Clint Utley
2
AVG/OBP/SLG/HR/RBI/SB .396/.469/.618/18/103/13
2010 First Team Preseason All-Southland Conference
OICE
+2.7
CH MICHAEL her
nc : Will LaVo Photo by
The women’s basketball team hosts Sam Houston State at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Texas Hall. Friday, February 26, 2010
THE SHORTHORN
O O X X X
Men’s scoring margin puts them fifth in the SLC
REMEMBER
2009 World Baseball Challenge All-Tournament Team (Team USA)
a Sliva n by Laur
Illustratio
Prolific player prepares dream
Michael Choice is on road to the majors and is intent on making it. BY SAM MORTON The Shorthorn staff
UTA baseball has a rich history of producing Major League Baseball players, one that includes John Lackey and Hunter Pence, Lackey being the new $82.8 million Boston Red Sox pitcher. Michael Choice is likely to be drafted within the first two rounds of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft on June 7th. Until then, Maverick fans have 29 more chances to watch him play at Clay Gould Ballpark. “Kids play because they want to be a major leaguer one day,” Choice said. “So to be able to get drafted, that’s the start of being on my way to the dream.” Collegiate accolades have been awarded in droves for Choice, who’s been the Southland Conference’s most prolific player in recent history. He’s been named to the 2010 Baseball America Second Team Preseason AllAmerican team. “Awards, to me, I don’t really pay attention to them,” he said. “I don’t really play to win awards. I just play hard and if I get the awards, then great. If I don’t, then that’s fine. They’re always great to have, but my parents probably cherish my awards more than I do.” As only the second-ever SLC player to play for the USA Collegiate Baseball National Team, Choice excelled at the plate, hitting .350 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI’s in 60 at-bats. The junior center fielder is well on his way to achieving his lifelong dream, but he said he knows it’s going to take more than talent and awards to fulfill his goal. “I’m a hard worker,” he said. “I come to the field every day to work hard and get better. A lot of guys in Minor League Baseball start struggling, they give up and they don’t really bring their effort. It’s my dream to play Major League Baseball, so I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there.” Guiding him on his path to the majors is former UTA standout and current hitting coach, K.J. Hendricks. Hendricks played three seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization from 2002 to 2005. “I try to help out in the mental aspect of
the game,” he said. “Things I’ve been through, things in my playing days and try to relate those to him. If there’s anything I can do to help out, I’ll definitely try.” Hendricks doesn’t hesitate to give every credit Choice deserves. “He’s a special, special, special athlete,” Hendricks said. “The sky’s the limit. He can do everything there is on the baseball field and he’s only going to get better. He’s a good kid, he works hard, he’s humble and those are the recipes that make a championship athlete.” The mild-mannered Choice has faced a tumultuous offseason following his summer with Team USA. It’s no secret that scouts have begun making regular appearances to watch him practice, but head coach Darin Thomas is confident the Mansfield Timberview product won’t be affected. “I think he’ll be fine,” Thomas said. “Once he gets out there and starts playing, it’ll just come for him. The offseason and practices are the toughest part, but once he gets out on the field, he’ll do what he does and he’ll be just fine.” With 19 newcomers to the roster, Choice knows the 2010 season will have its peaks and valleys. But without using the clichéd “rebuilding” term, Choice is confident that the new Mavericks on the roster have the ability to win the SLC. “I expect a lot out of them because I see they all have good talent,” he said. “It’s not like a bunch of freshmen coming in that are just clueless. I see flashes of guys that make me think that when these guys are juniors, I expect UTA to be the top program in the Southland because that’s what they’ve shown me.” Choice is a quiet person, but he’s unmistakable on the diamond. His desire to be great is taking him to heights unmatched in university history. “When I come to the field, I want to do good in every aspect of the game so bad, I think that takes over into my physical ability.” SAM MORTON Sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
BASEBALL SCHEDULE 02/19/10 02/20/10 02/26/10 02/27/10 02/28/10 03/02/10 03/04/10 03/05/10 03/06/10 03/09/10 03/10/10 03/12/10 03/13/10 03/14/10 03/16/10 03/17/10 03/19/10 03/20/10 03/21/10 03/23/10 03/26/10 03/27/10 03/28/10 03/30/10 04/01/10 04/02/10 04/03/10 04/06/10 04/09/10 04/10/10 04/11/10 04/13/10 04/14/10 04/16/10 04/17/10 04/18/10 04/20/10 04/23/10 04/24/10 04/25/10 04/27/10 04/30/10 05/01/10 05/02/10 05/04/10 05/07/10 05/08/10 05/09/10 05/14/10 05/15/10 05/16/10 05/18/10 05/20/10 05/21/10 05/22/10
vs. Dallas Baptist at Dallas Baptist at Dallas Baptist vs. Missouri State vs. Missouri State vs. Missouri State at Oklahoma vs. BYU vs. BYU vs. BYU vs. TCU vs. Creighton vs. Sam Houston State * vs. Sam Houston State * vs. Sam Houston State * vs. Oklahoma Christian vs. Oklahoma Christian at UT-San Antonio * at UT-San Antonio * at UT-San Antonio * vs. Louisiana-Monroe at Northwestern State * at Northwestern State * at Northwestern State * at TCU vs. Nicholls State * vs. Nicholls State * vs. Nicholls State * vs. Oral Roberts at Southeastern Louisiana * at Southeastern Louisiana * at Southeastern Louisiana * vs. Baylor at Baylor at Mcneese State * at Mcneese State * at Mcneese State * at Texas vs. Central Arkansas * vs. Central Arkansas * vs. Central Arkansas * at Oklahoma State at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi * vs. Dallas Baptist vs. Stephen F. Austin * vs. Stephen F. Austin * vs. Stephen F. Austin * vs. Lamar * vs. Lamar * vs. Lamar * at Texas A&M at Texas State * at Texas State * at Texas State *
Clay Gould Ballpark Dallas, Texas Dallas, Texas Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Norman, Okla. Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark San Antonio, Texas San Antonio, Texas San Antonio, Texas Clay Gould Ballpark Natchitoches, La. Natchitoches, La. Natchitoches, La. Fort Worth, Texas Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Hammond, La. Hammond, La. Hammond, La. Clay Gould Ballpark Waco, Texas Lake Charles, La. Lake Charles, La. Lake Charles, La. Austin, Texas Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Stillwater, Okla. Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi, Texas Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark College Station, Texas San Marcos, Texas San Marcos, Texas San Marcos, Texas
L, 13-2 L, 9-4 L, 11-6 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:05 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 6:35 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 1 p.m.
BASEBALL DEPTH CHART Left Field 03 Bryant Lopez 34 Eric Wright 35 Jake Pinchback
Center Field 02 Michael Choice 34 Eric Wright 09 David Walsh Second Base 04 Daniel Jordan 07 Cody Dyvig
Shortshop 12 Jesse Payne 04 Daniel Jordan Third Base 10 Brian Nephew 24 Shane Hopkins 05 Preston Beck
Pitcher 21 Rett Varner 29 Jason Mitchell 11 Logan Bawcom
Designated Hitters: 36 Steffan Guest 05 Preston Beck Catcher 16 Chad Comer 36 Steffan Guest 06 Daniel Garcia
Right Field 26 Nick Orr 41 Taylor Mabra 09 David Walsh
First Base 25 Jordan Vaughn 24 Shane Hopkins 05 Preston Beck
Bullpen: 05 Preston Beck 17 Brody Walker 20 Josh Christenson 13 Adam Boydston 18 Brian Watson 23 Mark Picca 28 Sam Hansen 37 Calan Pritchard 27 Garrett Laird 19 Cody Wilson 38 Stephen Krolick
THIS WEEKEND’S SERIES The match up UTA Mavericks (0-3, 0-0) vs. Missouri State Bears (0-3, 0-0) All Time Series: UTA leads 6-5 Last Meeting: Missouri State defeated UTA 9-6
Game 3 1 p.m. Sunday at Clay Gould Ballpark Probable Starters: LHP Brody Walker (0-0, 5.40) vs. LHP Mike Kickham (0-1, 18.00)
Game 1 3 p.m. Friday at Clay Gould Ballpark Probable Starters: RHP Jason Mitchell (0-1, 4.50) vs. LHP Aaron Meade (0-1, 3.60)
3 Things to Know: 1. Missouri State went to No. 6 Georgia Tech last weekend, dropping all three games by a combined score of 37-3. 2. UTA will honor the 2000s UTA All-Decade Team on Sunday prior to the game. 3. Michael Choice is currently riding a 15-game hit streak.
Game 2 2 p.m. Saturday at Clay Gould Ballpark Probable Starters: RHP Rett Varner (0-1, 12.46) vs. RHP Pat Doyle (0-1, 9.64)
– Sam Morton
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