The Shorthorn After Dark Raising Go online to view footage of the Kenya Safari Acrobats’ act at www.theshorthorn.com.
the Bar
T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
Learn how one baseball player is assembling one of the most impressive seasons in UTA history. SPORTS | PAGE 8 O F
T E X A S
A T
A R L I N G T O N
Friday April 9, 2010
Volume 91, No. 103 www.theshorthorn.com
Since 1919 STAFF
Buyout offered to 247 of 2,886
STUDENT LIFE
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
A Kenya Safari Acrobat slides under the limbo stick, missing the four sharp knives, at Lost in Africa on Thursday night in Texas Hall. The acrobats brought audience members on stage throughout the performance to assist them.
Acrobats show meaning of ‘hakuna matata’ The troupe delivered humor, jumped through hoops and showed feats of strengths. BY HANNAH DOCKRAY The Shorthorn staff
Students trekked through Kenya and watched a lost traveler create an African circus with wild natives without ever leaving campus. EXCEL Campus Activities sponsored the Kenya Safari Acrobats troupe that performed Thursday night at Texas Hall, delivering humor, feats of strength and acrobatic prowess to an audience of 487. An ominous narration accompanied the performers and the lost traveler on his journey
through the African safari to find the perfect circus troupe. Acrobats wore an array of bright colors, beads and animal prints while jumping rope in an unconventional manner by turning somersaults and completing backflips to cheers and yells from the audience. Lauren Almand, EXCEL Kenya Safari Acrobats chair, said the night was a definite success. “I’m really happy with the turnout,” she said. “It was so cool to see that many people enjoy the event.” Spectators witnessed an acrobat lay on a bed of nails and willingly let another performer place another bed of nails on top KENYA continues on page 4
COMPUTING AND TECHNOLOGY
Store holds sale before takeover 247 staff members are eligible for the buyout. There are 2,886 current full-time staff with benefits.
Voluntary separation to personnel offers $20,000 or half of annual salary. BY SHARAYAH SHERROD The Shorthorn staff
The university is offering buyouts to more than 200 staff as they try to whittle $9 million from UTA’s budget to comply with state mandates. “The university would make a one time voluntary incentive payment of $20,000 or 50 percent of the employee’s base annual salary as of May 31 — whichever is greater,” university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said. The Voluntary Separation Incentive Program, which the university will use to try to meet the 5 percent budget reduction mandates, does not apply to faculty, but to administrative, professional and classified
full-time staff only, she said. To be eligible, staff must have a total of 20 years of Texas state service or have a combined total of 80 from their age and their service to Texas, with at least 5 years of service to the state, all of which must be the case by May 31. “This is a step to help UT Arlington achieve the state’s mandatory 5 percent budget reductions over the next biennium,” she said. The university has already been working to make cuts in the budget through saving on expenses like travel, but more had to be done, to make up about $9 million, totaling 5 percent of the budget, Sullivan said. Should everyone who is eligible for the program choose to participate, a net savings of $16 million would result. However, university leaders don’t expect all eligible 247 staff members to participate, Sullivan said. BUYOUT continues on page 6 The Shorthorn: Laura Sliva
UTA Computer Store will be moved in the fall semester to the UTA Bookstore. BY WILLIAM JOHNSON The Shorthorn staff
Everything must go at the UTA Computer Store. A clearance sale is taking place in the campus computer store in preparation for the new store, which will be located in the UTA Bookstore in the fall. Follett Higher Education Group, the same company that owns the bookstore, will own and operate the new store. The Adobe and Microsoft suites will not be taking an additional cut, as the license is already discounted. The book-
store will also not be re-ordering the Adobe suites again this semester, but will keep the Microsoft suites in stock until the end of the semester. “Price cuts on items will vary depending on the day,” computer store manager Pam Tremaine said. Items are marked down based on when they were ordered, for how much they were originally purchased for, and how many are left in stock. Items that have no markdown today could sell for 50 percent off tomorrow, Tremaine said. The university’s decision to change vendors for the comSTORE continues on page 4
LIBERAL ARTS
Cadets face fear, leap out of comfort zone ROTC members swam 15 meters in full uniform and tread water for 5 minutes as part of training. BY RACHEL SNYDER The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Criminal justice junior Aivy Nguyen is greeted by nursing senior Ashley Seguin after finishing a 15-meter gear swim at the Water Combat Survival Training on Thursday afternoon in the Physical Education Building.
With a practice rifle in hand, Cadet Pvt. Tachon McClaine stepped nervously toward the diving board‘s end, looking down at the water with a quick breath before diving in. McClaine was one of about 60 new Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. cadets who were pushed from their
comfort zone and into the water for the first time at the Combat Water Survival Training event on Thursday. The training was held in the Physical Education Building’s indoor pool. During training, cadets jumped from a diving board in full uniform for the unexpected entry event. The equipment ditch required cadets to shed their equipment quickly and swim back to the side of the pool. Trainees also swam 15 meters in full uniform and tread water for five minutes. McClaine participated in the training and said she had fun with the unexpect-
ed entry event despite being nervous. “It’s kind of hard to swim in your uniform,” she said. “You panic when you hit the water.” Cadet Cpl. Alecia Johnson has participated in the event about four times. “It makes sure you can swim with your combat gear on,” she said. The training is required for all ROTC students and for those who want to become an officer by Cadet Command. Cadet Capt. Megan Tracy organized the event, which is held twice a year. She COMBAT continues on page 6
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Friday, April 9, 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
Today
no socks, no shoes, more awareness
International Week 2010: All Day. for information, contact the international Student organization at iso.uta@gmail.com The Big Event 2010 Volunteer Sign-Ups: All Day. The Big event Web site. for information, contact Tiffany Kaminski at 817-2722963 or tiffany.kaminski@mavs.uta.edu downtown arlington Farmer’s Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Downtown Arlington, 215 e. front St. for information, contact the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation at 817-633-2332 art Exhibition in The Gallery at UTa: “Mementos: Matthew Patterson�: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. free. The Gallery at UTA. for information, contact Patricia Healy at 817-2725658 or phealy@uta.edu art Exhibition in The Gallery at UTa: “Michael noland/fred Stonehouse�: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. free. The Gallery at UTA. for information, contact Patricia Healy at 817-2725658 or phealy@uta.edu Reliability and Energy Efficiency of Wireless Sensor Networks: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. free. 413 Woolf Hall. for information, contact Sajal Das at 8177-272-7405 or das@uta.edu III- Nitride Micro- and Nano-photonics: Lighting, display and energy: 11 a.m. free. 601 nedderman Hall. for information, contact Weidong Zhou at 817-272-1536 “Timpani- New Woks� art Exhibition. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. UTA/fort Worth Center. for information, contact Megan Topham at 817-272-5988 or topham@uta.edu Material Characterization and Failure Predictions for Composites: 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. free. 200 Woolf Hall. for information, contact Debi Barton at 817-272-2500 or dbarton@uta.edu $2 Movie- Phantom of the opera: 5:30 p.m. $2. Planetarium. for information, contact the Planetarium at 817-272-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu International Week Global Extravaganza: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Bluebonnet Ballroom. for information, contact Lauren Cutcher at 817-272-2355 or lcutcher@uta.edu View more of the calendar at
TheShorthorn.com
PersonavaCation by Thea Blesener
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
around 20 barefoot students participated in the UTA volunteers’ first annual one Day Without Shoes march on Thursday at the University Center mall. Participants gave out fliers promoting awareness as the marched through the Central Library mall and back to the UC.
S
pirit chants and cheers rang through campus as bare feet marched for a cause. The UTA Volunteers hosted the first annual One Day Without Shoes at UTA on Thursday to spread awareness of the daily hardships that children in developing countries face by not having shoes. This event was part of a global initiative created by TOMS Shoes, who gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought, to raise awareness about the impact of a single pair of shoes. According to TOMS Shoes’ Web site, a leading cause of disease in developing countries are soil-transmitted diseases that can penetrate the skin and infect sores. UTA Volunteers director Tiffany Kaminski organized the event to show UTA’s support for the movement created by TOMS Shoes.
“We wanted everyone to experience what it would be like to walk through campus without shoes,� she said. Kaminski also said that around 1,500 events were taking place all over the globe with over 80,000 people expected to participate. Participants were also invited to draw on their feet with washable markers. “It was great to see people come out and paint their feet with cool designs to support the cause,� computer science graduate student Lokesh Chikka Kempanna said. More information about future events hosted by UTA Volunteers can be found on their Division of Student Affairs Web site or on the UTA Volunteers Facebook group.
— Andrew Buckley
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
Participants drew a variety of designs including flowers, stars and magic marker replicas of ToMS shoes on their feet.
PoliCe rePort
student organizations
The Secret Handshake chosen as final band for Springfest
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. 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 ............................. Mark Bauer editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Managing Editor ........................... Laura Sliva managing-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
University Events has chosen The the next Blue October or Toadies,� he said. “You never know Secret Handshake to To hear The Secret if this will be that group.� round off the acts for Handshake, visit The event will include this year’s Springfest TheShorthorn.com a disc jockey and activiconcert. ties that match this year’s The pop-rock/electheme, “Capture the Motronica artist will join sPringfest ment.� Activities include headliner The Bravery 2010 making picture flip books, and Waking Alice at picture key chains and pic5:30 p.m. on April 24 at When: 5:30 p.m. ture dogtags. the Central Library mall. April 24 Battle of the Bands winMike Taddesse, Greek Where: Central ner Waking Alice will open Life and University Library mall the stage with their heavy Events assistant director, Admission: free rock stylings at 6:30 p.m. said The Secret HandFood will also be for sale, shake continues the tradition of finding local artists to play but those who participate in The Big Event will get free meal vouchers. at Springfest. — Dustin L. Dangli “You never know if this will be
News Editor ........................... Dustin L. Dangli news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu assistant News Editor ............. Alanna Quillen assistant-news.shorthorn@uta.edu design Editor .............................. Marissa Hall design-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Copy desk Chief ...................... Bryan Bastible copydesk-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Scene Editor ................................ Jason Boyd
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features-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports Editor.................................. Clint Utley sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu opinion Editor........................ ..... Ali Mustansir opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Photo Editor .................... Stephanie Goddard photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu online Editor ............................... Scott Snider online-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
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 Minor accident officers investigated at 11:37 a.m. the report of a minor accident behind Health Services on 605 West St. A contractor backed into a vehicle that was illegally parked in a no parking zone. Citations were issued. The case was cleared. Investigation A student reported at 3:01 p.m. that some students were trying to intimidate her at the english Writing Center on 702 Planetarium Place. officers responded to the scene, however the subjects had left. Disciplinary refer-
Webmaster ........................... Troy Buchwalter webmaster.shorthorn@uta.edu Student ad Manager ....................... Mike Love admanager@shorthorn.uta.edu Marketing Manager .................... Kevin Green marketing@shorthorn.uta.edu Production Manager................ Robert Harper
fiRST CoPy fRee ADDiTionAL CoPieS 25 CenTS THe UniveRSiTy of TeXAS AT ARLinGTon 91ST yeAR, Š The ShorThorn 2010 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
rals were recommended. The case is active. Theft An officer at 4:58 p.m. was dispatched to meet with a student reporting that his debit card had been used without his permission at 700 Davis Drive. The case is active. Hit-and-Run accident An officer at 6:01 p.m. met with a student regarding a hit-and-run accident that occurred at Lot 49, which is located east of Centennial Court apartments, on 1101 Cooper St. The case is active.
View an interactive map at
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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.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
Page 3
The ShorThorn
science
BaseBall
Pigs will fly at Centennial Court this summer Grand Prairie AirHogs to live at the apartments until September. By chase WeBster The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher
Psychology professor Paul Paulus presents the Laurie & Paul Paulus Endowed Scholarship at the College of Science’s Awards Ceremony on Thursday night in the Lone Star Auditorium.
First recipient of new scholarship named on Thursday Psychology senior is the first recipient of scholarship named after professor and his wife. By Justin sharp The Shorthorn Staff
Students and faculty were honored at the annual College of Science Awards Ceremony Thursday night, and one student became the first recipient of the new Laurie and Paul Paulus Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship, awarded to psychology senior Casey Britt, was endowed by psychology professor Paul Paulus and his wife, Laurie, and will be given each year to a student in the psychology or biology department. “I pay for my own tuition and other expenses, so this will
really help out,” she said. “It feels like my hard work has really paid off.” Paulus, the former College of Science dean, began his career at the university in 1970 after receiving his PhD from Iowa State University. He currently has two grants, one for creating models of how groups generate ideas and the other for determining methods to increase creativity in engineers, computer scientists and architects. “I’ve had 40 years at UTA and this university has given me a great career,” Paulus said. He added that he has had many great groups of students over the years and that his time here has been a privilege. “We wanted to give back in some way and thought a schol-
arship would be a great way to do that,” Paulus said. His wife received her bachelor’s of science in nursing at UTA in 1981 and said that the university means a great deal to both of them. “We’ve essentially built our lives with UTA in them and we both love the sciences,” she said, adding that it’s natural they would want to honor students in the fields of biology and psychology with this scholarship. This year the scholarship awarded a total of $1,000. It is paid from the interest on a fund that the Pauluses pay into yearly. Paulus said students who receive this scholarship are selected by the college’s scholarship committee on the basis of GPA, campus activity and
service. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in child therapy at the School of Social Work. Britt has worked on a project studying physical affects of peer interactions in school children. “Working on this project has given me a lot of good experience before going into the master’s program,” Britt said. Paulus said that he is happy to be able to help students move along toward completing their degrees. At the ceremony other awards were given to doctoral candidates, graduate and undergraduate students from the various departments in the college, as well as two awards for faculty members. Justin sharp news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Minor league baseball is coming to UTA this summer. Centennial Court apartments will be housing the Grand Prairie AirHogs for their summer season. The team will move into the apartments in May and stay through September, the end of their third season. Approximately 20 players will occupy five four-bedroom apartments. Residents will be able to take advantage of free tickets and special events, such as a Centennial Court-hosted UTA night at the ballpark where all students can purchase tickets at a discounted price, said J. Willms, AirHogs group sales manager. “Basically, we were looking for something close that was going to be a good partnership,” he said. “It’s going to be a good, safe place for players to stay over the summer.” Usually, only college students occupy Centennial Court apartments, but this is the first time a non-university affiliated team will be taking residence there. The AirHogs have made deals through the complex that will be beneficial for the team, the complex and students at the university, said Kirby Hargis, Centennial Court apartments director. “In exchange for advertising for Centennial Court, they’ll get a bit of
a discount,” he said. “We’ll have a billboard at the park and ads in the programs.” Apartment management will also have access to AirHogs tickets on an as needed basis. The number of tickets available to residents has not been set, but they should be available through the season — so long as the number of tickets given away doesn’t become exorbitant to the team, Hargis said. “We’re going to set dates at QuikTrip Park and let people know we have tickets available,” he said. “Hopefully they make the playoffs so we can have an event after school begins. They said they will work with us for whatever we want to do out there.” Residents who wish to get tickets to games can get them after giving apartment management one to two weeks advance notice, he said. Information for upcoming games and Centennial Court sponsored events will be posted on the apartment’s Facebook page. The deal should make Centennial Court more appealing for current and future residents, Hargis said. “We want people to enjoy living here,” he said. “And to want to continue living here. We want students to have a good experience here.” The AirHogs will play their first game on May 14 against the Pensacola Pelicans at QuikTrip Park.
chase WeBster news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Start here
Live off campus? The Census needs y o u to return your f o r m . There are special programs in place to count students on campus. But if you live off campus, you have to complete your own 2010 Census form that arrived in the mail. By participating, you’re helping future students enjoy some of the same benefits and services that you have today. It’s just 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes. So fill it out and mail it back.
2010census.gov
Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.
Page 4
Friday, April 9, 2010
The ShorThorn
Business
Nanotechnology headlines at Business Week clude alumnus Bruce Tanner, Lockheed Martin Corp. chief financial officer, Jim Lewis, the university’s development vice president, and several By Johnathan silver other business alumni and The Shorthorn senior staff local leaders in the industry. Lewis will bring his perNext week, the College of Business will tackle a subject sonal experiences to a busiforeign to most of its stu- ness class when talking about leadership in the workplace. dents: nanotechnology. He said he would discuss As part of Business Week 2010, the college will pro- how to treat employees, and vide several programs that the differences between leadteach business students how ership and management. A technological changes in the lot of which is common sense, he said. marketplace Taraz Yacan affect zhari, Busithey way fuGet the full schedule at ness Constitture busiTheShorthorn.com uency Counness leadcil president, ers conduct plans to atbusiness. In tend Tuesaddition, the college will provide business day’s Business Week Execuexecutives to discuss leader- tive Dinner with his Goolsby ship and talk about topics like Academy cohort. He said transportation, real estate and Business Week 2010 plays an important factor in student’s energy management. Though some think of futures. “It’s a great way for stuit strictly as a science, the worlds of nanotechnology and dents to network with execubusiness are quickly merging, tives in the area and have acBusiness associate dean David cess to executives outside of their coursework,” he said. Gray said. Accounting junior Ziad “Ten years from now, there may be millions of jobs of- Syed said he was unsure about fered in nano-research,” he what programs he would attend, but said it’s a benefit to said. Gray said the college is students, the college and the putting together a Nanotech- university. “Hopefully, it will be good nology 101 presentation for students, simplifying the rela- for the college’s reputation,” tively new area of science and he said. engineering, as part of business week. Johnathan silver news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Some featured speakers in-
Week to highlight the technology’s benefits, what it means to leaders.
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
A Kenya Safari Acrobat lies on a bed of nails while other performers put pressure on him at Lost in Africa on Thursday night in Texas Hall.
Kenya continued from page 1
of him to do a handstand. The troupe set up a limbo bar center stage, inviting audience members of all ages to join in the game. Participants were ushered off stage as the acrobats unsheathed their knives, attached them to the bar and limboed under them, inches off the floor. Performers literally jumped through hoops for applause, diving head first through a vine-entwined ring. Spanish freshman Helen Moyo said she was speechless at the end. “I’ve never really been to a circus or anything be-
fore so this was completely his hands to cheers and amazing,” she said. “I saw screams, smiling the entire an advertisement for the time and shouting “hakuna group and I am really glad matata,” a Swahili phrase meaning, “there I came.” are no worries.” The event also “This was Elester Wilincluded feats of liams, biomedistrength, with the definitely the cal engineering lost traveler re- single most said vealing his musamazing thing freshman, he couldn’t becles to the nalieve the stunts tives and lifting I have ever that were pernot one but four seen.” formed. performers and “I saw a swinging them elester Williams around the stage. biomedical engineer- preview in the library and A balanc- ing freshman thought the ing act had the event looked openmouthed audience snapping photos, cool, so I came,” he said. during the no-photography “This was definitely the show, as one acrobat slowly single most amazing thing stacked chairs on top of I have ever seen.” four drinking glasses. The performer then balanced hannah Dockray on top of the chairs on news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Kenya Safari Acrobats create an “L” shape by balancing each other at Lost in Africa on Thursday night in Texas Hall.
Store
stuDent life
Job fair held to encourage tutors
continued from page 1
puter store will displace current employees Tremaine and Debra Hass, the former of which has worked in the store for the past twelve years. The move takes the current employee out of business. After it’s move to the University Center, foot traffic increased dramatically, Hass said. Before this semester, the store was positioned in the back partition of Ransom Hall. “I understand why this is happening, and I respect the university’s decision,” Tremaine said. “I just wish it wasn’t happening. I’ve put
Computers will be set up for tutors to apply in the Central Library. By charlotte lee The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley
The UTA Computer Store in the University Center is selling everything in stock at discount prices due to its closing at the end of the semester.
my heart into this store.” Hass said she agrees with her manager. She said she felt like they were a part of
the student’s educational experience. William Johnson
news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
4001 W Park Row Arlington, TX 76013
See. Play. Taste. Membership Open House Sunday, April 18th 1:00 pm 9-Hole Scramble* 3:00 pm Reception*
Shady Valley, located 3 miles from UTA, can provide you, your family, and your colleagues with an exciting place to come for business and fun. Attendees will recieve preferred pricing on Membership Initiations and one month complimentary dues.
Kindly RSVP by April 14th to Brindley Tucker, Membership Director 817.275.3092 brindley.tucker@ourclub.com
*Complimentary child care will be provided.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Fifty positions for tutors, Supplemental Instruction leaders and Peer Academic Leaders are open for the upcoming summer and fall semesters. SOAR tutoring program is hosting a job fair for the first time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today on the sixth floor parlor in the Central Library. Computers will be set up to apply through the SNAP Job System. Eight information tables representing eight different subject areas will also be set up, and about 20 staff will be on site helping students register. International students can also apply for the jobs but cannot work more than 20 hours a week. PALs help first-time or first-year students with class work and social opportunities while teaching them how
to adjust to college life. PALs from to tutor in. Melton said he suggests advise students on matters such as academic policy and eligible students come to the procedure, departmental job fair and apply for it. “These jobs are useful for programming and they refer students to the appropriate their major,” she said. “They university official or office feel like they understand the subject better in a deeper when needed. level.” SI leaders atEducation junior tend the lectures Anna Gamwell, who for classes and hold When tutored in math at study sessions outanD Tyler Junior College side of class to help Where last spring, said she students improve learned a lot from their understandWhen: 10 tutoring. ing of the course a.m.-3 p.m. “I learned to be material and their today patient and how to grades. Within their Where: Sixth figure things out job, they serve as a floor parlor step by step,” she model student in in the Censaid. “I am going to class, design a study tral Library be a teacher, so it session based on helped me prepare.” the lecture and faSandeep Gacilitate study groups for students, SOAR director lande, graduate research assistant, said students should Robin Melton said. The basic requirement for bring their summer and fall tutors and SI leaders is a 3.0 semester class schedules and GPA, and PALs applicants résumé to the fair. must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Students need to have at least a B in the subject they charlotte lee will tutor in. Students have news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu at least 15 subjects to choose
Spring Government Elections Vote for Student Congress President, Student Congress Vice President, Mr. UTA, Ms. UTA & more!
View candidates’ statements at
www.uta.edu/studentgovernance/elections
Candidates’ Forum A sustainability display from The Freshman Leaders on Campus informs about healthy but affordable eating habits.
.com
PHOTOS AND STORY ONLINE AT
April 14th @ Noon • UC Mall Division of Student Affairs
ABOUT OPINION Ali Amir Mustansir, editor opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Opinion is published Wednesday and Friday. Friday, April 9, 2010
OPINION TH HE E SHOR HORTHORN HORT THO TH HOR ORN RN
REMEMBER The Shorthorn invites students, university employees and alumni to submit guest columns to the Opinion page. Page 5
YOUR VIEW
EDITORIAL/OUR VIEW
Let Them Know Students should be prepared to fight for staff should layoffs occur.
The Shorthorn: Thea Blesener
Monitor the monitors
Priority in the computer labs should be given to students who need to work
F
acebook and online games are more important than school work. At least that’s the way it seems at about noon in 412A Fine Arts Building. Room 412A is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is the only room in the Fine Arts Building that caters to students’ computer needs. But a lot of times, those computers aren’t available. Sure, you could always find an empty room that doesn’t have a scheduled class at a particular time. But no other rooms have guaranteed hours. Last semester, I did an assignment that required an interview with a professor. Before the interview, I wanted to go online and find extra information that may have been helpful in asking more questions. I headed to the Room 412A, only to find five students waiting in line. As I walked around the room, I noticed several screens displaying Facebook and MySpace. I was unable to use a computer before my interview. Am I the only one tired of waiting in line for an available computer to do actual school work while most of the computers are occupied by Facebook-surfing students? I think it’s time we start enforcing the ban on online recreation during peak hours. I have both a Facebook and MySpace account, but there is an appropriate time for
KEVIN NAIL Kevin is a journalism senior and guest columnist for The Shorthorn. Join the discussion by commenting at theshorthorn.com. that. There should be no online gaming or online community visiting from noon until 1 p.m. to allow computer time for students needing to do school work. The Architecture Building, Business Building and the Central Library also have computer labs, as well as the Maverick Activities Center, Nedderman Hall and University Hall. But when students like me only have an hour break from class, staying in close proximity is a must. It isn’t too hard to ask to eliminate pointless Internet surfing for one hour. Some students obviously have no care or sympathy for others needing to get work done, so a rule needs to be put in place. Comment on your friend’s pictures when there are available computers so in the rare case that someone wants to work, it can be done.
I am guilty of using the computers for pointless Internet surfing. However, I relinquish my computer when I notice a line starting to form. I understand many students need to do actual work. The Central Library is open 24 hours during the week, students should update their Twitter status there. They need to be considerate and realize that some students actually need to work. Believe it or not, some find school work to be more important than YouTube. We are college students, not high school students. I’m not saying there should be a ban on virtual communities the way high schools ban students from visiting any Web site remotely entertaining, but there should be boundaries. Perhaps another solution may be to put time restraints on computer usage. One or two hours on a computer should give you enough time to do whatever it is you’re trying to do. Maybe students should have to sign in with their student identification cards, and after two hours, it’s time to log off. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., time limits should be reduced to one hour. My requests are simple. I just need a little help from the authorities. Maybe a little help from my fellow students as well. Please understand that some people have to work, and your web browsing for countless hours isn’t helping. Let’s monitor those monitors and get some real work done.
Spirit has no color
DISCOMBOBULATION by Houston Hardaway
Spirit is shown through emotion and dedication, not the amount of merchandise
I
f you walk the streets of Austin, you will find the roads paved with people in UT-Austin Longhorn shirts, mugs and hats as far as the eye can see. The football team is trumpeted and paraded around like kings among men, the band is their harbinger. If this is to be the measure of school spirit, then our school is greatly lacking. But then again, spirit doesn’t need a parade, a football team or hats. Such trappings may be associated with spirit, but are not spirit itself. Walking the campus, students won’t see people covered in blue and orange paint, or people talking about school heritage, and they definitely wouldn’t feel consumed with an over-abundance of UTA Athletics. From a base perspective, it would seem that our university has no school spirit; however, spirit has no colors. Real spirit doesn’t need use-
Since 1919
DEVONTE HEDGE DeVonte is a criminal justice sophomore and columnist for The Shorthorn. Join the discussion by commenting at theshorthorn.com. less merchandise or cheerleaders, but rather real school spirit comes from the community: students, staff and faculty. They are the life blood of the university. They are its soul. If you want something, the university provides, and it’s as simple as stepping inside the University Center and talking to your nearest large group. If
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Bauer E-MAIL editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
The university announced Thursday that 247 staff members will be given the option to voluntarily separate from the university. Eligibility requires someone to have worked for the state for a total of 20 or more years. Alternatively, their age and time worked added together must equal 80, with at least five years in state service. The people who would meet those requirements are often the ones who may have the most experience and do the best work for the university, the people who have a positive impact on the university community. But Gov. Rick Perry announced a mandatory five percent budget cut for all state institutions earlier this year. Though the university has been working to meet that requirement, more needs to be done. Universities have two distinct sides to them. One side is academic, the other is more business-oriented. It is not uncommon for businesses to offer this kind of deal to employees in order to trim the budget. It doesn’t make those people any less important, nor does it mean the institution is happy to see them go. It just means action had to be taken, even if it is an action that people may not like. The budget cut is a precaution to take place over the next two fiscal years, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Across the country, people and businesses are tightening their metaphoric belts to get through the recession. While Texas has mostly been spared, we now need to do the same. When a voluntary separation program doesn’t fully succeed, it is often followed by layoffs. Many times, a position looks different on paper than it does to the people affected by it. Should involuntary layoffs occur, the university community needs to step up to ensure the administration knows who the students absolutely can’t do without. Students, faculty and staff have the ability to assist administrators if it becomes apparent that they have to make that decision. Write letters to administrators, comment on www.theshorthorn. com, submit letters to the editor; do something to make your voice heard if the time comes.
you seek camaraderie, our campus has groups specifically dedicated to everything from volunteering to martial arts, and with our variety of Greek Life organizations, brotherhood is but a rush or a sign-in slip away. The university staff will not hesitate to make you feel at home, from the cafeteria workers serving smiles to the information desk staff. It’s the feeling you get when you thank the heavens for the Central Library when you need to print for a class that you have in five minutes, that’s spirit; your love of the convenience of people selling burgers on your way to class, that’s spirit. Even people just standing outside saying hello in front of the Central Library counts as spirit. The spirit of UTA is alive and well, and the next time someone says otherwise, you can tell them: spirit has no color. It comes from the community, and our community is strong.
The Shorthorn is the official student newspaper of the University of Texas at Arlington and is published four times weekly during fall and spring semesters, and weekly during the summer sessions. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of THE SHORTHORN EDITORIAL BOARD and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of individual student writers or editors, Shorthorn advisers
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will not be published. Students should include their classification, major and their student ID number, which is for identification purposes. The student ID number will not be published. Signed columns and letters to the editor reflect the opinion of the writer and serve as an open forum for the expression of facts or opinions of interest to The Shorthorn’s readers.
Page 6
BUYOUT continued from page 1
Detailed information packets will be mailed Friday to those eligible for the program. Eligible employees have until 5 p.m. on June 15 to sign a voluntary separation agreement with the university. Sullivan said layoffs are not being considered right now for those who do not take the separation incentive or who are not eligible to do so. Future decisions will depend on the effectiveness of this offer, she said. “This is the only program that is being offered at this time,” she said. “This is the university’s first effort to reduce personnel costs through a voluntary program. The university may need to consider further staff reductions.” Any staff reductions, voluntary or otherwise, have to be made with the utmost care, said Jerry Lewis, Media Relations vice president. “The administration, the senior leadership, all the vice presidents — they really took this very seriously because you’re dealing with people’s livelihood and people’s lives, and you always want to make the most sensitive decision you can,” he said. Cost-saving personnel decisions have been a reality for the university already, as vacated positions must be reviewed before they are filled. “In the past year, all requests to fill open positions have been subject to review by a special personnel committee,” Sullivan said.
Friday, April 9, 2010
The ShorThorn
by the numberS 247 Staff members eligible for the program $16 million Money the university would save if all eligible staff accept 2,886 Current amount of full-time staff with benefits
“We put together the plan and vetted it through the Office of General Council at UT System to make sure it was a plan that fit in with the system’s regulations and policies,” Lewis said. Bobbitt said that when the president spoke to about 150 campus managers Thursday morning, a woman who has been through budgetary changes at several campuses in her career made a comment about the program. “She thanked the president,” Bobbitt said. “She said the plan is compassionate, it’s very carefully considered and will achieve the goals that it is intended to, and at the same time will not adversely affect people — some of whom have given a tremendous part of their working careers to this institution. I guess I would just echo her comments.
Tier One goals not hampered
President James Spaniolo said in a letter e-mailed Thursday that the budget reductions will not affect Tier One aspirations. “Our strategic vision to become a major national research university within the A plan from next decade remains front and center, and we will conthe top trickles down tinue to make necessary inLewis said the decision vestments to stay on track,” to put together the incentive he said. plan was shared by the presiA Tier One plan submitted dent; Jean Hood, Human Re- to the Texas Higher Educasources vice president; Rusty tion Coordinating Board last Ward, Business Affairs vice week included the univerpresident; and 3/25/10 was prepared intentions to increase bw_5x10.5_Alloy_2 6:26 sity’s PM Page 1 in consultation with Provost the budget by $4 million Donald Bobbitt. each year during the next 10
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years to propel UTA toward becoming a nationally recognized research university. For this reason, the separation incentive program will not be an option for faculty, deans, associate deans or assistant deans with tenureappointments, Sullivan said. She said it is not expected that implementing the incentive program would deter research faculty from the university. She said the economy in Texas, among other things, attracts top-notch faculty to UTA. Though the program is a one-time offer, it has the potential to provide continuous budgetary relief to the university, Sullivan said. “The reason it has a longterm impact on the budget is because personnel costs are ongoing,” she said.
Mavericks not the ‘Lone Ranger’ in separation incentives
The plan is not unique to UTA. In mid-March, St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y., offered a voluntary buyout to about 1,700 full-time employees. The weak economy in part prompted the offers made to 350 faculty and 1,345 administration and staff, said spokesman Dominic Scianna. “The economy has affected every university,” he said. The school has trimmed budgets, enacted hiring freezes and halted capital improvements over the last few years. Scianna said St. John’s will not lay off anyone in the near future. Tennessee State University’s Voluntary Buyout Plan was used to assist the university in addressing budgetary constraints due to state appropriation revisions and potential budget reductions in the 2009 fiscal year. The buyout was offered to active employees with at least 12 months of service to the university as of May 1, 2009. UT System spokesman Matt Flores said, to his knowledge, no other school in the
2
UT System has implemented a separation incentives plan similar to that of UTA’s. Sullivan said that should a UTA employee participate in the program, they would agree to not seek employment at UTA in the future. They would not, however, be barred from being employed at another UT System university, she said.
A view from Student Affairs No matter how many participate in the separation incentive or how many positions are consolidated, students’ needs will be met, said Frank Lamas, Student Affairs vice president. “Regardless, there will be someone here to handle the needs of the students,” he said. “None of us are indispensable. Whether they’ll be replaced or not and from where will those replacements come from, depends on the scenario.” The turnover of staff is imminent, with or without an incentive program, he said. “It’s a life cycle that we all go through,” he said. “There will always be people retiring, and they’ll always have people behind them.” In this particular instance, the outcome can be positive no matter what the decisions, he said. “We have very valued individuals,” Lamas said. “It’s a win-win situation. If a person takes it, I’m happy for them. If they don’t, they’ll continue working with us.” Lamas said very few are eligible for the program in Student Affairs because it is a largely young staff. Sullivan said the number of staff eligible in each department on campus has not yet been broken down.
— John Harden and Joan Khalaf contributed to this article Sharayah Sherrod news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
The Shorthorn: Aisha Butt
Kinesiology sophomore Ricardo Reyes climbs up the diving board to make a blindfolded jump at the Water Combat Survival Training on Thursday afternoon in the Physical Education Building.
Combat continued from page 1
said all cadets are expected to complete the events by the task, conditions and standards set by Cadet Command. She said Military Science Level 1 and 2 students participate in the event, which means the cadets are mostly freshmen and sophomores. Tracy said the training serves as a common experience between cadets and helps them get over their fear of diving in water in full uniform. The training also helps identify and assist weak swimmers. “Everything seems to be going smoothly,” Tracy said during the training. “We’ve had to pull a couple people out of the water, though.” Senior military instruc-
tor Maurice Peebles said the training is important because if cadets find themselves in the water during combat, they have to be able to swim, handle their equipment and go through obstacles — all while leading the troops. Cadet Capt. Morghan Eby helped cadets out of the water and said the event is a test of their skills in water combat and prepares them for the required Leadership Development and Assessment Course. “This year we’ve had a lot of good training,” Eby said. Platoon Leader Aaron Ballard also helped cadets out of the pool and was happy with their performance. “It’s going great, we have good communication with the cadets,” he said. rachel Snyder news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Friday, April 9, 2010
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DR. RUTH Q: What is your opinion of rape if one or both parties are drunk?
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A: I know there are people who Q: What’s a good way of showing believe that rape is rape, no mat- interest in a guy without coming ter what the circumoff as being too aggresstances, but I think there sive? are times when a young woman has to take some A: In olden times, a of the responsibility, and young lady would drop that should happen beher handkerchief, and fore the incident. So if actually, dropping preta young lady willingly ty much anything still gets very drunk and could work today. He winds up raped (as oppicks it up, and if you Dr. Ruth posed to having had her lock eyes when he hands Send your drink doctored in some the object back, that’s questions to way), then I would say probably a sign that he’s Dr. Ruth Westheimer that her actions were a interested. If your hands c/o King Features contributing factor. It happen to touch during Syndicate doesn’t excuse the rape, this interchange, that’s 235 E. 45th St., but it made it a lot more another way of signalNew York, NY likely to occur. So what ing that you want to 10017 I tell young women is show your thanks with that in order to protect more than just a simple themselves from being raped, they “Thank you.� Smiling at him is need to keep themselves from get- another. If you are talking and you ting very drunk or high, and also reach out and touch the other perthat they should not climb into bed son on his arm or shoulder, that naked with a man. Just because also can be a sign that you are a young woman doesn’t want to interested. You can use one or all have intercourse, if she’s com- of the above to get your message pletely naked with a naked man, across. Of course, if he doesn’t even if both are sober, she might respond, that doesn’t necessarily find herself penetrated by his pe- mean that he didn’t get the mesnis whether she wanted to be or sage, but rather that he’s not innot. Again, I’m not saying that it’s terested, and in that case, you just right, only that common sense dic- have to move on. tates that you take certain precau-
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36 Olive __ 37 Burden 38 1950s-’80s Chevy utility vehicle 40 Runner’s problem 41 Big bell sound 42 Two-footers 43 Spanish pronoun 44 Retailer whose middle name was Cash
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about sports Clint Utley, editor sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu Sports publishes Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Page 8
Chalk talk
O O X X X
sports
mark Cuban, Dallas mavericks owner
uta SportS CalenDar Friday Baseball at Southeastern Louisiana, 6 p.m. Men’s Tennis vs. Utah, 2 p.m., Tennis Center Saturday Baseball at Southeastern Louisiana, 2 p.m. Softball vs. Stephen F. Austin, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Allan Saxe Field Women’s Tennis vs. Northwestern State, 11 a.m., Tennis Center Women’s Tennis at Southern Methodist, 6 p.m. Women’s Track and Field at North Texas Classic, All Day Sunday Baseball at Southeastern Louisiana, 1 p.m. Softball vs. Stephen F. Austin, noon, Allan Saxe Field Women’s Tennis vs. Central Arkansas, 11 a.m., Tennis Center
BaSeBall
Southland Conference Standings Texas State Southeastern Louisiana McNeese State Northwestern State Stephen F. Austin UTA Sam Houston State Nicholls State Lamar Texas A&M-Corpus Christi UT-San Antonio Central Arkansas
SLC 9-3 8-4 8-4 7-4 7-4 7-5 6-6 5-7 4-8 4-8 3-9 3-9
Overall 17-10 24-6 16-12 19-9 19-9 14-15 13-17 14-14 17-13 12-18 12-15 9-19
SoftBall
Southland Conference Standings Stephen F. Austin Texas State Nicholls State UTA Texas A&M-Corpus Christi McNeese State UT-San Antonio Central Arkansas Northwestern State Sam Houston State Southeastern Louisiana
SLC 9-3 8-4 8-4 7-4 7-4 7-5 6-6 5-7 4-8 4-8 3-9
Overall 17-10 24-6 16-12 19-9 19-9 14-15 13-17 14-14 17-13 12-18 12-15
numBerS game
61
Number of strikeouts this season for senior pitcher Jason Mitchell
The softball team hosts SLC foe Stephen F. Austin this weekend, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Allan Saxe Field. Friday, April 9, 2010
The ShorThorn
maverick shines as no. 1 starter Jason Mitchell, after multiple college transfers, settles in to his role as the team’s ace pitcher.
SportS QuoteWorthy “the Lakers have been playing worse than us. utah has been playing well, but not as well as they were now that andrei Kirilenko is out. and if we dial in, we know we can kill anybody.”
remember
By Sam morton The Shorthorn staff
In case you haven’t heard, senior pitcher Jason Mitchell is putting together one of the most impressive seasons in school history. Want proof? Mitchell was defined as “strasburg-ian”, referencing last year’s No. 1 overall pick stephen strasburg in the MLB draft, by Aaron Fitt, college writer for the prestigious publication Baseball America, after he struck out 18 batters and was one strike shy of a no-hitter on Feb. 26 against Missouri state. only four Division I pitchers have thrown more strikeouts than Mitchell’s 61 going into the weekend. He’s thrown three consecutive complete games, including a three-hit gem last week against Nicholls state, where he didn’t allow a baserunner past second base. And he’s laid claim to three southland Conference pitcher of the Week Awards this season. It’s been a tremendous season for a guy who’s been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself as an elite college pitcher. “It’s been a pretty special season,” Mitchell said. “I’ve known what I can do for a while, and this year I’ve just been locked in and seeing results.” Head coach Darin thomas, who called Mitchell’s 18-strikeout game the best he’s seen as a coach, compliments the senior right-hander’s makeup and thinks he has what it takes to pitch at the next level. “there’s no reason at all he couldn’t pitch in the big leagues,” thomas said. “We’ve had a lot of guys move on to the next level, and right now he’s a step above where most of them were.” But the road to his recent success wasn’t handed to him. the phoenix, Ariz., native
started his collegiate career close to home at Arizona state University, where he pitched sparingly out of now-resigned head coach pat Murphy’s bullpen. After pitching 10 innings and striking out 10 batters in his limited role, Mitchell felt he needed to give himself an opportunity to produce in a starting role. He transferred to Central Arizona College the next spring and quickly validated his decision, winning 11 games and striking out 100 batters. “It was nothing against coach Murphy at all,” he said. “I just wanted to go somewhere and prove I could be an effective starting pitcher.” He was effective enough to draw interest from a number of Division I schools, including UtA. “they told me I had an opportunity to be a weekend starter, but I’d have to earn it,” he said. “I decided that it was the right decision for me and worked on getting better during the summer.” He took his game 1,000 miles from his Arizona home to Arlington and got the opening day nod for the Mavericks in 2009, earning a win in his first Division I start. He would only start five more games last season, pitching primarily out of the bullpen and posting a 4.63 ErA. But when a majority of the baseball team graduated after last season, leaving Mitchell and junior pitcher rett Varner as the only two pitchers with starting experience, Mitchell took the opportunity and hasn’t looked back. Junior catcher Chad Comer, whose behind-the-plate vantage point gives him a first-hand view of Mitchell every Friday night, said his command of the strike zone is a big reason he’s been so effective this season.
Senior pitcher Jason Mitchell was named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season after throwing two consecutive complete games. Mitchell is tied at fourth in the nation in complete games, and he is 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA. Mitchell is someone to keep an eye on in up coming games.
“I’ve known what I can do for a while, and this year I’ve just been locked in and seeing results.” Jason mitchell senior pitcher
The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher
By the numBerS Year
team (League)
Ip
W-L
era
so
bb
2007 2008 2008 (Summer) 2009 2009 (Summer) 2010
Arizona St. Central Arizona College Santa Maria Indians (CCL) 43.0 UTA Anchorage Glacier Pilots (Alaska) UTA
10.0 116.1 6-0 58.1 52.1 55.0
0-1 11-3 1.47 4-5 3-2 4-2
6.30 3.17 46 4.63 3.61 1.96
10 100 18 42 42 61
5 18
335.0
28-13
3.33
301
87
Career
“He pounds the zone so well,” Comer said. “He’s throwing fastballs, sliders, cutters, changeups all for strikes and with great command. I call the pitch and he throws it right where I need it, and half the time I don’t even have to move my glove.” Comer is more than impressed with Mitchell’s dominance on the mound, but
24 13 9
finds Mitchell’s leadership the most impressive aspect of his game. “As a senior coming into the season, he was expected to lead the team and he’s done way more than that,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of him.” Sam morton sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
SoftBall
4th place Mavs gear up for 1st place Ladyjacks Team brushes up on fundamentals in time for conference rivals SFA. By Will Doan The Shorthorn staff
the softball team looks to battle stephen F. Austin, the first place team in the southland Conference, this weekend. the fourth-place Mavericks, sitting at 10-7 in the sLC, will take on the Ladyjacks (13-2) at Allan saxe Field. the Mavs, fresh off a series victory against Northwestern state last weekend, are looking to improve their standings.
Head coach Debbie Hedrick said the team needs to get over a hump and finish what they started. “I’m a team stats person,” she said. “If the individuals do well, the team does well.” Hedrick refers to hitting as the hump. During practice this week, she had the players work on taking swings. she also added pitching has got to go the full game. “We had some great moments and innings,” she said. “But if you look at a couple of our losses, there’s that one or two innings we had key troubles.” Hedrick added that this year, stephen F. Austin is leading almost every hitting category. “their kids swing well,” she said. “I
know if we carry a little bit of last year and confidence from this year, we will be oK.” In last year’s series, the Mavs swept the Ladyjacks in close games. senior catcher samantha Chumchal also added that if the hitters are on, they should dominate this weekend. “If we come ready to swing and hit, we will get to them,” she said. Freshman pitcher teri Lyles, who has been leading the team with a 9-9 record and 1.72 ErA and 75 strike outs, is gradually growing in to a dominant role. senior pitcher Cara Hulme said since Lyles has never faced sFA, she should do fine.
“We don’t have to strike everyone out,” she said. “sFA is our rival team, and we can beat them.” Hulme leads the team in wins and strikeouts with a 10-8 record with 110 strikeouts on the season. Hulme also said the team, including herself, shouldn’t press too much when it comes to hitting. “We have to stay comfortable,” she said. “It’s about staying positive mentally.” the Mavs will take on the Ladyjacks this weekend with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. saturday and at noon sunday at Allan saxe Field. Will Doan sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
“I know if we carry a little bit of last year and confidence from this year, we will be OK,” Debbie Hedrick, head coach
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