The UALR Forum - January 21 Edition

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ETTER IAL S S SC SOC I E N GY CES AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS EN OLO G B I N U ATION HN EERIN SIN DUC EC G E A S SS E NT AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS ENGI ND S INE ED IO TION NEER INF AT UCA U BUS I O N D P R O F E C S G S I O R NS EN ES RM AT AN AND HEALTH MA SS E GIN D NC TION I INE FO T O A E S I I E N O R N IN ING FO CIE D UC BU N D A R A ES SS E T SS S BUSINESS EDUCATION E A M E N N N C E C D D A AN ER HEAL D SIN CIEN TIO CH INF IEN TT H T BU INESS EDUCATION AND N RS S H S O E H N S E NG T SC LE A R LTH P PROF ES BU MA TE OLO RI LET CE RS TS EN C R E A CI C L E O S S O C T S Y I E N G RTS IEN SCI C I O S F L HN G E O AR E S O TT C N S OMM N SIO ION SC N A TERS N LE O TECH S T U N S RS E N TIO LET E ON S I I CH L C A T RT TTE E A NG NGIN TI IC RTS MA N O LE N UN N A NFOR AR INEE EER I T MM IO R S IN I O CAT AND LE G T T NI ING ER S ER

MATION ENGI TECH IONS S NOL S E M M O U C N F S I E C C A OG N T ION LE CIE RO S P L YS A T I T H C E T R O L OC S A S Y C S I E L N A EA C I C E S G O I AL S R H Y O A T G R L S TS LE LO O L O SC ND E N T N H T A T H ERS C TER I EN A E R T L S O L C E T N N T H T C E E E R SCI N T S SCIE SS T N CE IO O O I I E T T N T N NC CIE A A CES A SC M IO R M C E T O NC BUS F ARTS L SB U A S N OR OM E I F F D M I NE ETTE US ES E R PRO IN ND H R S L S T E R T A I T A MU S E T O R N S S D S E S L B F S F C ES ED US ES AN RING D HEA EALTH PRO OMMUNICATION IENCES B SCIEN IN NI S U N I I NE E CA G ARTS L D CE N H ED USIN CA SC S E E A D C N N I N E S N U N TIO SS I TTER UC IE N R A E A C B B S S G E O U N S I S SC E G N N A E S E AT ATIO OCIAL AN TIO IN GIN S E IEN DUC INE C S C U S N CE AT EN SIO S ED EDU OGY S B I O S ED D H E L S N US U ES NES ES NO IN A N C N I H I E S S C SS D H BU TE ED N

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January 21 - February 3, 2015

Opinions

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AN OPENING WORD

Executive Editor KenDrell Collins Advisor Sonny Rhodes Operations Manager Art Director Byron Buslig

News Editor Victoria Hickey

Features Editor Abigail Marshall

Sports Editor Maggie Rogers

Entertainment Editor Grant Fox

Business Manager Laura Rodriquez

Distribution Manager Jordan Anderson

Graphic Designer Tori Temple

Photo Editor Brady Jackson

Graphic Designer Chris Helliwell Staff

Brian Gregory Sashank Avvaru Alyssa Causey Morgan Drish

Ruth Houston Tanner Newton Jayme Goad Caleb Mitchell

Paige Mason Zachary Tallent Rachel Wright Lela-Tamara Fluker Andra Onecic

The Forum is the official student newspaper at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Forum is funded in part by the student activity fee; members of the UALR community are allowed one copy per edition. The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of UALR. Students enrolled in Journalism 3320 and other reporting classes are contributing writers for The Forum. Advertising inquiries should be referred to The Forum’s advertising office and can be reached by calling 501-569-3319. The Forum is published 7 times in each of the fall and spring semesters.

The Forum editor can be reached at 501-569-3265. All material published in this newspaper is copyrighted.

Letters to the Editor The Forum welcomes letters to the editor on any subject as well as comments on our news coverage and editorial position.

Letters must include the author’s name, classification, major or position and a contact telephone number for confirmation.

Letters are subject to editing to meet space limitations.

Please limit letter to 500 words or less.

The staff will not alter the meaning of the letter, but will correct spelling and punctuation and edit to conform to Associated Press and news style.

All letters are subject to publication. The editor has the right to reject any letter especially those letters that are libelous, obscene or incoherent.

Letters should be emailed to editor@ualr.edu or sent to: The Forum University of Arkansas at Little Rock 201J Donaghey Student Center 2801 S. University Ave. Little Rock, Ark. 72204

Race in America

By KenDrell Collins Executive Editor editor@UALR.edu

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ith the national Martin Luther King Day of Service in our rear-view mirror and Black History Month approaching, it seems appropriate to reflect on the state of race relations in our country. Florida and Trayvon Marin, Ferguson and Mike Brown, New York and Eric Garner all remind us that race remains a bothersome itch on the back of a country nearly a half-century removed from the Civil Rights Movement.

Obviously, the roots of racial inequality in American run deep, and the healing process for centuries of oppression cannot be expected to change overnight. Neither can it be denied that certain gaps exist between “racial groups” in America, most notable of which is the income disparity. Income serves as an important measure of racial progress because financial inequality points to a host of other ills, including educational inequality.

The U.S Census Bureau found that the median income for black Americans in 2013 was $34,598. The number for white Americans was $58,270.

One can easily be misled, however, into thinking that this is a problem for African-Americans only. The same report found that median income for Hispanic Americans was only $40,963.

Even more pronounced gaps were

seen among men and women. Man-led households with no wife in the home earned a median $50,625 in 2013.

“Those maintained by women with no husband present had the lowest income ($35,154),” according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The evidence is clear that chasms exists, but are we really as divided as media sensationalists would have us believe?

The answer could very well be yes, but not on the grounds of race alone.

Too often, issues of race get exaggerated in the media because race is the most elementary, yet explosive of attention getters. The focus on racial inequalities in isolation often only fuels the dwindling fire of past racial animosity.

All the while, issues such as gender inequality and inequality among Hispanic Americans and others are forgotten. It’s important that the conversation of race relations in America remain tied to its kindred issues like economic imbalances, cultural stereotypes, sexual discrimination and social persecution of individuals who hold different religious beliefs.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

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Opinions/News

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The Thinking Man: New Congress, Old Politics

By Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer SXAvvaru@ualr.edu

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Ottenheimer Library

brings change Spring 2015

Police Beat

T

he next two years in U.S. politics will be a whole lot of nothing.

There, I said it. After spending an incredible amount of time and energy trying to convince myself otherwise, the looming Keystone XL pipeline deadlock forced me to come to terms with the current situation.

The Keystone XL pipeline is a proposed elaborate labyrinth of oil pipes that, if built, will run all the way from Alberta, Canada to Texas. Ever since it gained national recognition, the President and his administration have attempted to nip the project in the bud. Arguments against the project include safety concerns, geographical feasibility concerns and possible environmental damages, in case of a disaster such as an oil spill.

However, what was once simply a pipeline establishment is now a political battlefield.

While Democrats continue to stand against the formation of Keystone, a majority of Republicans across the country pledged their support to what they hail as a milestone, and with good reason. The oil flow resulting from Keystone will reduce prices of natural gas and all its byproducts (everything from fuel to vegetable oil). The pipeline also has a bonus strategic advantage: the United States’ reliance on oil imports from the Middle East will reduce significantly, giving us increased economic and political leverage in the international community.

With the majority of Congress now bleeding Republican, it was no surprise to see the house voting in favor of the formation of the pipeline. The President now stands alone in his stance but not without determination.

He is ready to do everything in his power, including his veto, to ensure the Keystone XL never becomes a reality.

If this is a sign of things to come, then the next two years will be grand, expensive, strenuous and challenging.

January 21 - February 3, 2015

Jayme Goad

Suspicious Person in Library Caught On Surveillance

Illustration by Byron Buslig

Lela-Tamara Fluker so at least some food and drink

[resources are] on campus after Staff Writer the sections of the DSC close." ldfluker@ualr.edu says Director of Public Relations J.B. Hill.

"The students for a long time his semester, the have been asking for later hours Ottenheimer Library has in the library. We had never seen put some very beneficial the numbers to justify it. We did changes into effect. Beginning a survey several years ago with Jan. 12, the library introduced SGA to see what time people new operation hours and a cof- wanted the library to be open fee cart for students and other and the consensus was 12 a.m. patrons. and that's actually what's showThis semester will bring just ing in the data. This year we said the start of many renovations and we were going to try for 2 a.m. student requested assets that will and we're just seeing what the be added to the facility in order numbers show. We're hoping to to accommodate the needs of its continue it next year,” said Hill. visitors.

The Ottenheimer Library From Sunday to Wednesday, serves as a place for students to the library stays open until 2 a.m. study, socialize, prepare for tests, for late night studying and com- and even just have a peaceful puter use on the first and second place to relax. It's a place for genfloors. The coffee cart remains eral help and resources that isn't open until 11 p.m. most nights department or subject specific. for patrons to purchase snacks "When we were asking peoand drinks after the restaurants ple what they wanted… [for the in the Donaghey Student Center library] it was 24/7 access, cofhave closed. Even during the day fee, and food so I think that's the coffee stand is open to give [the coffee stand and later hours] options that are closer than the going to meet a big part of that DSC. demand because students aren’t "One of the things that student having to go across to other services wanted to expand on places to get food and leave the was the number of night options library." according to the Head of so we have that open until 11 p.m. Circulation, Shawn Manis.

T

“I am going to get you!” Those are the words spoken by an unidentified suspicious male to a library employee on the first day of classes this semester.

According to a report by the Department of Public Safety, officers quickly responded to a call of a suspicious man chasing an employee on the fifth floor of the Ottenheimer Library on Monday, Jan. 12, around 4:30 p.m. The victim said she was in route back to her office when this occurred.

A male approached her from behind and hit a door she was entering saying, “I am going to get you,” the report said. The victim said she ran to her office and immediately locked the door, but said she never got a good look at the suspect since he was behind her.

A witness said that once he saw the victim was in her office, he walked around the hallway to see if there was anyone lingering that was out of the norm. The witness stated he spoke with a white male between the ages of 20-23, brown hair, eyeglasses, approximately 6’2 in height. He said the male was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie. The male also had a distinctive goatee almost favoring the “shape of a triangle,” according to DPS. When the witness asked the man if he was looking for someone, the man responded, “Yes, the lady in red,” which was the exact color of the outfit matching the victim, the report said.

Detective Sharon Bowles Houlette at DPS stated the department has been reviewing surveillance video extracted from the library at the time of the event. This is an ongoing investigation.

Jeep Tire Theft Trend Continues A tire off the back of a student’s Jeep Wrangler was stolen on Tuesday, Jan. 13, between 10:20 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. The student said he parked his vehicle in the southwest corner of the University Plaza parking lot near the intersection of University Ave. and Asher Ave. Jeep tire theft has been a trend over the last several months according to DPS. They advise students or employees who are driving jeeps to back up against a fence or barrier when parking to help prevent their vehicle from being targeted. DPS also encourages students to engrave their “T” number on their property so if stolen they can identify the owner of the items retrieved.

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January 21 - February 3, 2015

Campus Life

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Student Organization Spotlight: Group fitness at UALR

Lawn Chair Club

Rachel Wright

Staff Writer rswright@ualr.edu

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he University of Arkansas at Little Rock offers over thirty group fitness classes to stu-

sleep.

“When I do it (exercise) on my own, I get bored,” said Alexandra Jawett, a Finance major.

“Exercise is a form of therapy,” said Karl Benz, fitness instructor, “yoga helps you relax and focus on proper breathing,” said Benz, this is a skill that students can use throughout their daily lives.

Fletcher said that students are afraid to attend group fit-

Illustration by Byron Buslig

Photo Courtesy of James Sellers

Members of the Lawn Chair Club enjoy relaxing with each other at various spots around campus.

Ruth Houston Staff Writer rxhouston@ualr.edu

U

niversity of Arkansas at Little Rock students James Sellers, Michael Burke and Caleb Tibbits, formed the Lawn Chair Club last semester and it became an instant hit. The club for students who are looking to hang out and have a good time.

Sellers said it all began as a joke when he and his friends were walking to class one day.

“We saw someone in a lawn chair and I said, ‘Hey we should get lawn chairs and sit them in

random spots around campus. It would be hilarious,’” Sellers said.

That joke turned out to be a reality, because now the Lawn Chair Club is a registered student organization with 100 registered members with about half of those being active. The members spend time together playing games such as Frisbee and sometimes just listening to music.

All UALR students are welcome to join the Lawn Chair Club and “you don’t even have to bring a lawn chair,” Sellers said.

No actual lawn chair is needed, according to Sellers.

“It’s just more of an idea, and if you want to just sit in the grass, the grass can be your lawn chair.

It makes no difference, people bring hammocks, some people even talk about bringing couches and stuff, and I think that’d be hilarious and awesome!”

“The purpose behind it is to give everyone a chance to escape from school, meet new friends and just have a good time with each other, and relax.”

Elvis Mull, a member, said he enjoys the club because “it’s really chill, no stress, everybody is having a good time, and it attracts a lot of people. Plus its outdoors and I love the outdoors.”

For more information, contact James Sellers at jtsellers@ualr. edu.

dents in the D.S.C Fitness Center.

“We have a little bit of everything,” said Naomi Fletcher, fitness director. “We have Boot Camp classes, strength and conditioning classes, high intensity interval training and water exercise. We have a bar formatted class. We have yoga and Zumba.”

Fletcher said students can choose what classes they want to attend.

“It’s fun. I like it with the music. It’s tough though,” said Taylor McClanahan, Mathematics major, about the Zumba class and Pound class.

Fletcher said the benefits of group fitness, as well as improving health, are making new social connections, lowers feelings of depression and a better night

ness, because they are afraid of being left behind. She said that the classes have different levels of experience and students between 18 and 71. Instructors encourage participants to work at their own pace, and show modified exercises for those who do not have a full range of motion.

Fletcher said she encourages students to work within their personal level of fitness, and to check with a physician, especially if they are prone to injury. She advises students to start at the beginning of the semester. She asks students to dress comfortably for the gym and wear cross trainer shoes for impact. The Fitness Center has a list of classes for students as well as times.

Campus Life

ualr.edu/forum

January 21 - February 3, 2015

5

Major Spotlight

Philosophy Andra Onecic we live today, with information Staff Writer alonecic@ualr.edu

O

ne of the many majors offered at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is Philosophy. Although this degree may not guarantee a job in the field, it offers valuable skills applicable in any workplace, such as problem solving and critical thinking. Some may argue that the degree has given them an advantage in the workplace.

So, why study Philosophy?

Philosophy is processing the information we receive from our environment into ideas. At an early age we are encouraged to think for ourselves and develop our own concepts and opinions.

However, in the fast-paced lives

as our fingertips, we seldom have the time to reflect on the information thrown in our faces throughout the day.

Not taking the time to process information for ourselves can be a danger to falling prey to the uninformed opinions of others.

Our ideas form who we are as people; more importantly they often dictate our role in society.

People who have a clear sense of self and are great problem solvers are typically more successful in landing a higher-paying position or tend to receive promotions quicker.

But looking beyond the workplace, a course in philosophy provides opportunities for personal growth, ”to take philosophy is to open your mind to new, alien ideas and wrestle with them until you have a basic understanding—only then can you

really decide whether you agree with them or not,” said George Wilson, Senior double major in Philosophy and Political Science.

Personal growth is the key to confidence. Confidence in our abilities can take us further in life than we ever anticipated.

Wilson also encourages anyone interested in Philosophy to seriously consider joining the Ethics Bowl team. “The Ethics Bowl is a debate competition centered around everyday moral conundrums,” said Wilson, and the team welcomes all majors.

For those interested in majoring in Philosophy, a BA in Philosophy requires 30 credit hours and a minor with 18 credit hours or a double major. The Department of Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies also offers a minor in Religious Studies. For more detailed information, visit http:// ualr.edu/philosophy/.

Illustration by Brady Jackson

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January 21 - February 3, 2015

Features take away part of my summer to make up snow days.

Finally, the biggest struggle of them all is it is too cold. We are used to our warm springs,

Ruth Houston Staff Writer rxhouston@ualr.edu

G

rowing up in the South, we aren’t used to ice. We usually have really bad weather for a week or so. So when the snow/ice hits, it is usually disastrous. Compared to the North, the South is unprepared for any wintry weather. I can’t stand the cold so when the ice hits, I am not to be seen until it is all gone.

Here in the South when the weatherman calls for winter weather, you better hope you have bought your groceries for the week because the shelves are going to be empty within 15 minutes of that forecast. We like to call it "Bread and Milk Syndrome," because it seems like those are the first two to go. Probably the best example to how crazy Walmart gets when they forecast snow in the South is Black Friday for groceries, only no discounts here. Even after the weather has cleared up, it takes the stores at least a week to get fully stocked shelves again.

W h e n the weather hits, expect to be at

home until it all melts! The South doesn’t have enough snowplows to clear out neighborhoods. At the highway department for Baxter County, I have seen about four snowplows. Up until last year they never used deicer-they only salted the roads. This

ualr.edu/forum

Seeking Adventure in your Academic Life

our hot humid summers, and our lukewarm fall. When winter rolls around, we will come out wearing at least five layers of clothing. The struggle is REAL. Photos courtesy of UALR Study Abroad

TOP: UALR students enjoy a leisurely walk on the beach while studying abroad.

BOTTOM: Several UALR students stand in awe of the Indian landmark, the Taj Mahal.

Morgan Drish

can lead to damage of your cars and doesn’t do much help. Also, everyone doesn’t know how to drive on slick roads. The ones who are brave enough usually end up in a ditch.

Because we are so short on equipment, s c h o o l buses can’t run, which means no school. Yes, of course d u r i n g the school years when school got cancelled due to the snow I was so excited.

However, when summer rolled around I was so mad, having to

Staff Writer madrish@ualr.edu

Illustrations by Paige Mason

I

t’s Monday. You begin your walk through campus to start your same set of classes for the week. Ross Hall, Stabler Hall, then back again to Ross. You are learning so much in your classes but you feel like you are missing out on things like... adventure.

Studying abroad could be that missing piece in your academic life. It could turn your classroom into the experience of a lifetime.

“There are some things that you can just learn when you travel and you are there for a very short term but when you are able to stay there and actually get to know people, you don’t get to see like just the tourist side anymore. I got to learn the dynamics between the cultures and their view on society and their view on America and education systems,” said Jessica Young, a UALR

student who lived in Sweden for one year.

The UALR Study Abroad program offers students the opportunity to study in over 10 different countries including places like England, India and France for a semester, or a year. They also offer the same experience over the summer or during spring break. You only need to have completed one year of schooling at a university, have a GPA of at least a 2.5 and a recommendation letter from a UALR faculty member.

Studying abroad allows students the opportunity to see and live in another country while still paying nearly the same price for school. You gain cultural awareness, communication skills and it could potentially be what sets you apart when applying for future jobs after graduation. You can gain all of these things while still working towards graduating with your own major and adding adventure to your life in academia that you will never forget.

Entertainment

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Eat Beat:

Ali Baba’s Restaraunt Review

By Alyssa Causey Staff Writer arcausey@ualr.edu

L

unching at Ali Baba’s is a good idea. I imagine that dinner from Ali Baba’s would be an equally delicious and satisfying experience.

The intimate restaurant, only able to seat upwards of a dozen diners, is attached to a grocery store. There’s a small meat market, supplying 100% halal meat. There are several aisles of groceries with unique canned goods, tahini, olives, tomato paste and foods that I’m ashamed to admit I’m not familiar with and can’t pronounce.

The back wall of the grocery store is lined with coolers full of drinks. When you dine-in, you buy a drink from the fridges instead because the restaurant doesn’t have a soda fountain; this is just one of the countless endearing differences between most restaurants and Ali Baba’s.

There are drinks you’ll be familiar with and many that you won’t; we all purchased French sodas, oddly enough.

The first time I ate at Ali Baba’s, I ordered the chicken kebab. Served on top of absolutely perfectly cooked rice (let’s face, rice is difficult to cook correctly). The meat was flavored with warm, exotic spices, tender and juicy. The meal came with a small salad of cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, and tangy thick tahini sauce.

The second time I lunched at Ali Baba’s, I ordered a vegetarian option: the Vegetarian combination. This entrée comes with dolmas (grape leaves wrapped around rice and marinated in olive oil), falafel, another salad,

and hummus. The falafel was hot because it was freshly fried, although I think that “freshly fried” is an oxymoron. I’ve tried all three of the meats offered at Ali Babas: chicken, lamb, and beef. The meat was tender and juicy, something that not all small restaurants with varied menu options can boast. There is no way that the hummus could have been any smoother. The hummus is served with warm pita bread.

Ali Baba’s staff is attentive and polite. Each employee was friendly; it was apparent that my dining experience was a priority to them. The menu variety is large enough to offer something that everybody will enjoy but not overly simplified.

Granted, I’ve never had the pleasure of dining overseas and eating genuinely authentic Arabic food (that’s on my bucket list, though). Even though my palate isn’t as experienced as I would like it to be, I can still say that the food was incredible.

And although I can’t compare it to authentic Middle Eastern food, I am hooked. I excitedly returned a second time with three friends, who all shared my opinion of their cuisine – flavorful, fresh, and cooked with care.

Everything is averagely priced. The combination plate with three kinds of meat is around $10, but there was so much food that the Styrofoam plate that the food was on almost broke when our server brought the food to our table. The soups and salads are cheap, fresh and delicious.

Behind the restaurantgrocery store is a hookah bar.

Though I’ve never been, it’s a popular hangout spot, especially after authentic, satisfying Middle Eastern. Students who live on campus can easily walk to Ali Baba’s. Ali Baba’s Grocery & Restaurant is located at 3400 S. University, next to Subway and across from UALR.

January 21 - February 3, 2015

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Inherent Vice: Watch it twice

Illustration by Byron Buslig

Tanner Newton Staff Writer tgnewton@ualr.edu

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honestly cannot remember ever watching a more confusing movie in my life. Inherent Vise is infuriatingly hard to follow. I found it hard to enjoy the film because for every single minute of the movie, I was trying to keep up with it and failed miserably. So, like countless other college students, I consulted Wikipedia. Then a few days later, I re-watched the movie and discovered that the movie is actually really entertaining once you get

past how incoherent it is.

The story is about a pot smoking private detective who is trying to solve a case that includes but is not limited to: neo-Nazis, Black Panthers, murder, the FBI, corrupt police, heroin smugglers, prostitutes, kidnapping and a mysterious boat. Joaquin Phoenix plays the hero of the story wonderfully. Even though I was left frustrated and extremely confused after the first screening, I could tell that this man should have won an Oscar for his performance. In a just world he would have won back-to-back Oscars for The Master and Her. Once again this year the Academy will name somebody the best actor of the

year while the true really best actor of our time will be left out.

Speaking of the Oscars, a few days after my first screening it was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. I balked at this at first; angry that Wild was left out, but now I am hoping it wins. It is amazing how much this movie improves on a second viewing. I was far too occupied trying to piece this movie together to just sit back and enjoy what was happening. Director Paul Thomas Anderson has received Oscar nominations for his Boogie Nights, Magnolia and the all-time classic There Will Be Blood and lost all of them. I’m hoping for an upset win.

"All About That Bass" singer's debut is charming and confusing Caleb Mitchell

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Staff Writer cfmitchell@ualr.edu

eghan Trainor is a confusing artist. The singer’s hugely anticipated debut album “Title” is finally here, and instead of being the pinnacle of retro-pop perfection that its prereleased lead singles hinted at, it is a confusing mess, at times amazing, at times amazingly bad.

A fully fleshed out expansion upon her EP of the same name, “Title” features all of the original songs from the EP in addition to Trainor’s newest smash single “Lips Are Movin’” and plenty of new songs. The album starts off with an utterly forgettable interlude and then immediately pulls out the big guns with “All About That Bass,” “Dear Future Husband,” and “Close Your Eyes,” three of Trainor’s best and most

popular and successful songs.

These tracks show off Trainor’s strengths as a singer and songwriter, particularly her knack for writing sassy and hilarious girl power, positive body image anthems.

Because of this, it’s particularly puzzling that other songs on the album contradict these viewpoints and come across as juvenile and whiny. “3am,” while catchy, is a song about drunkenly, desperately texting a boy; “Walkashame” about stumbling to your car the morning after a one-night stand while looking a hot mess; “Credit” about demanding an ex’s new girlfriend give Trainor credit for ‘improving’ him. Then there’s “Bang Dem Sticks,” allegedly a song about Trainor’s love for drummers, but it’s filled with so many lyrics that sound like innuendos that it makes one wonder.

Further adding to the confusion is Trainor’s insistence throughout many of her songs that her ‘daddy knows she’s a good girl,’ that she’s not ‘talking dirty,’ and so on and so forth. I’m not judging Trainor for the questionable content of her music, but it certainly sends mixed messages when she has so many songs that seem to speak against this kind of behavior and lyrics that insist she’s ‘just playing.’

Regardless of all of this chaotic confusion, Trainor’s track record for airplay and sales numbers is already staggering, so it seems like she’s headed down the fast path to success either way. One can only hope that when Trainor releases an inevitable second album, it’ll be a more cohesive follow-up that builds on her strengths rather than following in the muddled footsteps of her debut effort.

8

January 21 - February 3, 2015

Sports

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the love Gault continues to improve on the court For of sports

Photo courtesy of UALR Athletics

Senior Taylor Gault has played ball since she was little, and continues to show her skills for the women’s basketball team.

Maggie Rogers

“I started playing when I was four,” Gault said. “I’ve played my Editor whole life.” mjrogers1@ualr.edu During her high school years at Conway High School, Gault ver since she was a little played basketball and ran track, girl, Taylor Gault developed noting that she was offered schola passion for the game of arships at various colleges for her talents on the track, but she had basketball.

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a deeper love for her childhood sport.

She chose to attend UALR and play for the women’s basketball team, which was a difficult transition coming from high school ball to a college team.

“It was pretty tough,” Gault said. “My freshman year was really hard, considering I had upperclassmen that were on me every day.”

Gault adjusted well, during her freshman year she achieved numerous honors, and the Trojans won the conference championship, which is her favorite memory with the team.

Since her days as a freshman, Gault said she has matured and understands how to handle certain game situations.

“Knowing that defense is what wins games,” Gault said. “I learned that a lot this year.”

As a player, she has a few strengths that contribute to the team.

“My shot is pretty good, my elevation, and I’m quick,” Gault said. “My defense has gotten better so I would say that’s a strength now.”

There are some things that Gault says she works on to improve her all athletic abilities.

“Being consistent every day, playing good defense, and making good percentage shots,” Gault said.

All of the things that Gault and the team work on in practice has paid off, only having two losses so far this season, to Tulane and South Dakota State. Gault is confident that team will keep on defeating opponents.

“I think we’re going to continue to win, as long as we keep playing together and play good defense,” Gault said.

Trojans kept fighting until the end Brian Gregory

T

Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

he 2014 UALR Trojans volleyball team made a run for the ages this past year. It was a season that will be remembered for a long time by those who followed the team. The team accomplished a lot this year, a 25 match-winning streak, an undefeated conference season, and a first ever victory in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. At the end of the season, UALR ranked 24th in the coaches poll and 29th in the RPI rankings. This was their highest season ending ranking ever. Head coach Van Compton spoke as someone still trying to process the magnitude of the season.

“You are always happy to win,” Compton said. “But your focus is always to win the next match.”

For Compton, it will be a season that will mean a lot more as

the years go by when she reflects on all they have achieved. This was UALR’s first time to ever win a NCAA Tournament game, and Compton was proud of the fact that her team was two points away from a sweet 16 birth.

“A lot of times we would be a real low seed and we would play a high seed, usually a number one seed. While Kansas was ranked, our team was much better prepared to play against them,” Compton said.

They will also be losing three incredible seniors: Edina Begic, Adisa Hodzic and Capri Rino.

Compton spoke highly about all three of them.

“Adisa and Capri were both solid, hardworking team players who had the same team mindset and the same goals as everyone else. But Edina, she is a superstar, and she is without a doubt the best player to come to UALR,” Compton said.

In any case, she will have a good nucleus with four start-

Photo courtesy of UALR Athletics

The UALR Trojans volleyball team excelled during their season by breaking school records and extending their winning streak. ers coming back, two outstanding players, Marina Avram and Stephanie Phillips, and hopefully

a good recruiting class that will continue to build off their success of last season.

Brian Gregory

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Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

ello, my name is Brian Gregory and I am hear to talk and to give my commentary on the inside world of sports. What makes me qualified?

I love sports. Every day I check espn.com, form my own opinions and read other people’s opinions on how they look at the sports world. The only things I seem to care about in this world are politics and sports. But, my love for sports is not even comparable.

Even though you might find my assertions to be wrong and completely stupid, please know they are made out of a deep philosophical love for sports and nothing else.

The Super Bowl is the biggest sports spectacle. It’s one of the few days on my calendar that I clear absolutely everything out of the way just so I can watch the football game. Everything about it is, well, super. The two teams we will be watching that Sunday are also super, each facing a bit of scrutiny after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The New England Patriots after week four and the Seattle Seahawks after week seven played them and lost. All the pundits left them for dead, but they ended up getting the number one seed in each of their respective conferences. Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of this generation (sorry, Peyton Manning.) To me, he is the greatest quarterback of all-time (sorry, Joe Montana and Peyton Manning.) The Seattle Seahawks defense is great, the greatest defense since 2000. At every position on defense they are absolutely loaded. Those two are going to play to a stalemate. What is going to determine the game is if the Patriots’ defensive line limits the amount Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and those boys will do on offense. I think they can with guys like Christian Jones, Brandon Browner, and Darrelle Revis. At the end of the day though, I have to go with the Seahawks over the Patriots. They won’t be able to run on the Seahawks and Russell Wilson will step up again in the big moments. I’m going 24-20 Seahawks.