The Forum ~ September 24 - October 7 Edition

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Remembering

Ryan and Katherine Palludan PAGE 12 FARMER’S MARKET SIGHTED AT UALR Fresh fruits and vegetables invade UALR campus PAGE 5

UPC hosts gameshow to help students make some cash PAGE 8 (From left to right) Jason Hudy, junior Reggie Glenn, and Amber Alberts.

Glenn & Hudy show off the prizes that were given away at Thursday night’s event.

Photo by Lela-Tamara Fluker

TROLLEY UPGRADE Trojan Trolley will be getting replaced with a new shuttle service PAGE 7

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

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 Alexis Williams

Campus Life Editor Andra Onecic

Entertainment Editor Abigail Marshall

Sports Editor Maggie Rogers

Distribution Manager Jordan Anderson

Business Manager Laura Rodriquez

Photo Editor Brady Jackson

Graphic Designers Tori Temple Chris Helliwell Staff

Lela-Tamara Fluker Grant Fox Brian Gregory Ryen Staggers Alyssa Causey

Shashank Avvaru Natalie Doris Jayme Goad Pauline Mothu Alexander Mills

Caleb Mitchell Bianca McCrary Logan Sturgill Paige Mason Zachary Tallent

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

Why we love the First Amendment

By KenDrell Collins Executive Editor KDCollins@UALR.edu

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” - Amendment 1 to the U.S. Constitution

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ere at The Forum, we love the First Amendment. It gives us the freedom to express our individual opinions without fear of censorship or reprimand.

The First Amendment is what allows us to fulfill our mission of seeking truth and reporting it. We aim to report factual and unbiased news with the understanding that at times reporting the truth may offend some individuals or groups.

A distinct difference exists between factual news and opinion. Each has its place in the press. We dedicate the first two pages of our paper to opinions. We allow our writers to express sentiments on controversial topics.

It should be understood that what the staffers write is their own belief and is not a reflection of The Forum as a whole. Our team is as diverse as the UALR student body. It’s comprised of males and females, traditionals and non-traditionals, Greeks and nonGreeks, internationals and natives. It should come as no surprise that some-

times we disagree.

I may not fully agree with everything that an opinion writer thinks, but I do respect his or her right to share it.

Likewise, I expect him or her to respect my rights as well. It is this environment of freedom to express one’s ideas that The Forum embraces, because we know that diversity of thought breeds progress.

When we listen to the opinions of others unlike ourselves, instead of immediately shutting them out, we may learn something. We may even begin to notice our own biases and shortcomings. So we as a newspaper will continue to address the pros and the cons of issues that student’s feel are important, whether it be Greek life or gender equality.

Our utmost aim is to ensure that all perspectives are considered. If we fail, however, we expect our readers to hold us accountable. We especially encourage all UALR students, faculty, and staff to write with us and share your opinions.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

organizations aren’t “seen” that way, they ARE that way. In addition to networking we are also incredibly passionate about community service and campus involvement, imagine that!

Chi Omega, my organization, alone has donated over 12.9 million dollars to our philanthropy which is The Make-A-Wish Foundation. On a local level, our chapter granted a wish just last semester. Have I caught you attention yet? Those are the only exclusive parties that we host, but wait! NO ALCOHOL! My goodness, I didn’t think it was possible.

By Hannah Moix

First things first, I’m a realist. Yes I know that isn’t how it really goes and I also understand that not everyone understands what it means to be Greek. I value and respect that every individual is entitled to their opinion, and with that respect comes my duty to defend something so important to me. I realize that Greek life is not for everyone and that is perfectly fine. But, if you are going to publicly degrade something that so many people hold close to their hearts, expect some response. In the article contemplating the question “Greek life: do the pros outweigh the cons?” the statement that fraternities are “seen” as social clubs with networking benefits strikes me as a little odd. Greek

READ THE REST AT UALR.EDU/FORUM

Opinions

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Yes, free the nipple Ryen Staggers Staff Writer rmstaggers@ualr.edu

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eminism seems to always find its self in an awkward position. Many often see feminism as an excuse for “loose” women, while others see it as a way for women to seek more attention. However, feminism is and will always be a movement that stews in the roast of controversy, though rightfully so.

When we live in a society where everyone is a sheep in

Staff Writer tgfox@ualr.edu

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oes it really mean what the name seems to clearly state? Yes, actually, it does.

Basically, this movement’s goal is to make it legal for women to choose to go topless, just as men can.

Two of the movements most prominent promoters are Bruce Willis’ daughter, Scout, and a New York artist named Narcissister.

Willis joined the movement after she was barred from posting a picture on Instagram of her jacket which had two topless women on

The Thinking Man: Peace through war

By Shashank Avvaru Staff Writer SXAvvaru@ualr.edu

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enry Kissinger wrote: “There are two superpowers in this world. The first one is the United States and the second is the opinion of the public.”

The first superpower is busy because of a conflict with ISIS that threatens her very existence.

The U.S. is doing what any other nation would do: fighting fire with fire.

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stir up so much controversy? Is it the plumpness of the breast that makes being a topless woman unacceptable?

As far as I am concerned, chests are pretty sexual as well.

Yet, a woman walking around New York topless is fined and sometimes even jailed, while a man is not. It is interesting to see how jaded people can be.

Let us not forget that males have the nipples they do because they developed them while awaiting the 23rd chromosome. For all the little zygote knew, they were going to one day use their nipples to breastfeed their babies.

A mother who wants to breastfeed is made to feel as though she cannot do so in public because of the stigma that surrounds it. It

is seen as inappropriate while it is in actuality an act of compassion, a mother feeding her baby.

Baring breast appears as such a lewd act for some; yet, how are those feelings justifiable?

We’ve been trained to believe that a woman is to be prude, sensible and an avid wearer of bras.

That is not a realistic synopsis of what a woman is. Have you ever noticed how triumphantly a woman takes off her bra? The ritual of putting on a bra begins with good intent and ends with not only a physical discomfort but also the discomfort in knowing that wearing a bra is a choice.

However, we’ve made it into a requirement, making it feel like a chore. Women are diverse, and

if a woman wants to go without a shirt (or bra), who are we to tell her no. Why are we teaching children censorship, when that isn’t reality, the naked truth? Why doesn’t Ken have paint over his chest and Barbie does? The questions we had as young children are still both unanswered and relevant in our society now.

We need to reevaluate our society and embrace the fact that defining a woman and her role is something that we will never be able to do, as it is impossible.

Nipples are as common, if not more common, as fingers. Who knew a nipple would bring up so much hostility within the world?

Please wake up, it is not 1919. It is honestly time to free the nipples.

its back. Her response to the banning of her photo included walking across NYC topless.

In similar fashion, Narcissister has taken to performing several “works of art” by wearing a Barbie mask and walking through the streets of New York topless. The Huffington Post quoted the artist saying, “There’s this idea that women’s bodies are fundamentally sexual and consequently, inappropriate to be seen in the public arena,” Narcissister explained to Metro. “[This project] is about women enjoying a broader experience with their bodies and in their bodies the way that men do … I want to question whether this law or other

laws are built on stereotyping and discrimination have been unconsciously built into law.”

There is a problem with this statement and it’s not the problem that Narcissister was trying to convey. She said that “women’s bodies” are what are considered “inappropriate to be seen in public”. This is not accurate. Same as men, women’s bodies are accepted in public.

Certain areas of the body are expected to be covered. Without being too graphic, women must cover their chest and their groin area. Men also must cover their groin area. Doesn’t this restrict women’s “broader experience with their bodies”? Why should women have to cover their chest if men don’t?

Several students from

Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. Gave their opinions. Bobby Thompson said, “I don’t want to walk around and see private parts everywhere. It won’t make women any less objectified by society.” Matthew Wright said, “It’s all about modesty. There is a reason why breasts are seen as sexual in society.” But what do women think?

Abigail Maharaj mentioned several problems with the idea that women should be allowed to walk around topless. “First off, gravity will take hold. There is a reason the bra was invented.

Second, it’s immodest. Breasts are seen as something special, whether for a husband, boyfriend, or feeding your baby. Third, who really wants to walk around without a shirt on?

Most guys go shirtless when they are doing sports related activities and it’s uncomfortable for women to do those same activities topless.

Men and women are made differently and we each should embrace those differences.”

The truth is neither men nor women should be objectified. It is unfortunate that we view women’s and men’s bodies in a way that is dehumanizing . It has lead to a condemning view of the human body and has steered us away from what is really important.

Rather than getting to know someone, we now judge people off of their physical appearance. The Free the Nipples Movement seems to have missed the mark on fixing the problem, and made it into a sexist issue rather than attempting to attack the root of the problem.

But somewhere the second superpower has been forgotten.

Is it essential to battle ISIS? Absolutely. This draconian group bent on destruction and annihilation has to be stopped, not only for its actions which include beheadings of innocents and conquering areas by spreading fear but also a demented sense of justice that is spreading quickly and without much opposition. The most terrifying aspect of ISIS is the fact that this group is composed of welleducated, highly skilled anarchists who are using everything from advanced weaponry to the internet for their advantage.

The recent public beheadings of two journalists and the depraved “bravery” of the group are enough reason to be alarmed. More nations are standing with President Barack

Obama as he executes an elaborate strategy to destroy ISIS. Even a political rival such as Iran is contemplating providing support to the U.S. for this cause. Obama will spend the majority of this week addressing various councils of the United Nations about ISIS and the threats it poses to world order. All of this just isn’t necessary; it is the need of the hour. While the current retaliation strategy is based on a strict “boots-off-the-ground” condition, in the near future this could change.

But is it essential to battle ISIS just through violence? In all her infinite wisdom the United States is forgetting how valuable the opinion of the public can be. The power of a united community standing up to dictatorship will forever be etched in our memories because

of the Arab Spring. This domino effect of revolutions and establishing of new governments across the Middle East happened because of a firm belief that the West was built on: democracy. What helped the public throw down tyrannies? Their own opinions. Fueled by resources such as social media and mass communication (radio, TV, newspapers) the millions that stood by quietly for centuries trampled unjust rulers and began building a future based on equality and freedom.

This is what the focus of the U.S. must be. The people currently fearing for their lives under the oppression of ISIS need hope and faith more than they need a weapon thrust into their innocent hands.

Much is accomplished through murder and war but not a revo-

lution. A revolution is accomplished by a firm belief in the need for eradication of fear.

Peace cannot be achieved through war. Why did ISIS choose to behead journalists and not soldiers? A soldier, with his brandished sword, can kill efficiently. A journalist, with his pen, can start a revolution. The biggest enemy of ISIS is not the United States but the public that it commands over. What better way to remind the public of their power than media? An increased emphasis on the spreading of community resistance from the U.S. will prove more effective than a battle to the death.

Peace cannot be achieved through war. War causes more war.

tiger’s clothing, how do we expect people to react to a movement that encompasses women going against the grain and being liberated, not loosed? The lack of understanding makes it difficult for those who aren’t within the same or similar circumstances to understand.

The Free the Nipple movie and movement, created by Lina Esco, addresses many different issues surrounding society’s view on women and their breasts. What makes it acceptable for men to be topless and woman not? Why do nipples, which we all have,

Modesty, gravity, and the fallout Grant Fox

September 24 - October 7, 2014

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News

September 24 - October 7, 2014

Police Beat Jayme Goad Popping door handles at Hogan Field; suspects detained At approximately 5:44 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, all officers from the department were dispatched to Hogan Field.

There was a report of several suspects attempting to break into vehicles in the lot. A witness reported seeing six suspects “popping door handles” of the vehicles. When another witness yelled at the suspects, they fled the scene and began walking towards 28th Street. While officers were checking the cars at the field, one witness stated he saw the suspects walking down 28th St. Officers were speaking to the suspects, and one continued to put his hands in his pockets. When asked to “come here,” the suspect took off running. The officer was able to catch up to the suspect but the suspect continued to resist arrest. After cuffing the suspect during the search, a prescription bottle was found containing approximately one gram of a green leafy substance. The suspect was transported to the University Police Station and was later released to their guardians. This suspect was charged with fleeing, resisting arrest and possession. The officers detained the remaining suspects until contact was made with their guardians to pick them up. No charges were given to the others.

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UALR celebrates its 50th anniversary of desegregation Ericka Henson to Community” and will be held Staff Writer efhenson@ualr.edu tudents, who are participating in a 15-credit hour learning community themed around the 50th anniversary of UALR’s desegregation, are hosting an “edutainment” (educational entertainment) event for students.” The event is called “A Shot in the Dark: From Chaos

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in Ledbetter Hall at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, September 24.

“The event is intended to bring attention to issues of race and ethnicity and the hazards of stereotyping. Students from the learning community will perform to celebrate diversity and address issues of discrimination. Free food will be provided,” said Dr. Sherry Robertson, the Assistant Professor of Rhetoric

and Writing.

When asked the purpose and importance of this event, Dr. Robertson replied, “We believe this event is important to bring students into the conversation and generate opportunities for students to be proactive in their academic and civic communities surrounding issues of race.

Students will be led by other students, which we believe can be a powerful message to hear directly from your peers on the topics of race, ethnicity, stereotyping and discrimination.”

“A Shot in the Dark” is supported by the Chancellor’s office in partnership with the Institute of Race and Ethnicity. This is the second part in a series of events from the Chancellor’s office responding to the Ferguson crisis.

Fight erupts at Trojan Grill A fight between two males broke out at the Trojan Grill on Wednesday, September 3, at approximately 7:08 p.m. A witness said the fight started when the suspect approached the victim at the Grill and “called out” the victim to fight. The victim reportedly ignored the suspect and sat down to eat. That is when the witness said the suspect came up behind the victim and struck him, thus igniting the altercation. After another witness broke up the fight, both parties retreated to their vehicles and left. No charges were given.

Burglaries at Bowen Around 7 p.m. Friday, September 12, and 9 a.m. Saturday, September 13, there were vehicle break-ins at Bowen Law School. The victim stated several CDs, DVDs and a DVD player were missing. The glove box was open and items were scattered throughout the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The victim’s friend said he saw the passenger side rear door ajar and closed it around midnight. Materials taken were estimated over $1,000 but no greater than $5,000.

On Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Department of Public Safety will be out in front of the main office (Big Lots parking lot) collecting drugs that need to be disposed of properly. This also includes prescription and non-prescription drug bottles.

Photo courtesy of Institute of Race Ethnicity

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will be hosting “A Shot in the Dark” on Wednesday, September 24 at 6 p.m.

News

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

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Farmer’s market sprouts at UALR Victoria Hickey Like Yo Mama’s Fried Pies, Van’s Editor vxhickey@ualr.edu

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The UALR Farmer’s Market included a variety of products such as vegetables, honey, salsa and dog treats.

Photo by Brady Jackson

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

improving and protecting Journalists since 1909

"The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. Join the UALR campus chapter of SPJ in protecting the First Amendment and in making important professional connections that can lead to jobs in exciting career fields."

MEETING TIMES AND LOCATION Mondayʼs at 1pm at The UALR Forum Office •9/29 •10/13 •10/27 •11/10 •11/24 For more information, •12/8 contact the SPJ President Victoria Hickey at vxhickey@ualr.edu.

omething fresh has come to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. On September 12, faculty member, Janea Snyder hosted the first Farmer’s Market Friday in the University Plaza parking lot, across from the University District Partnership building.With a variety of vendors from all over Arkansas, the Farmer’s Market has drawn quite the crowd and has been successful so far.

Snyder and her co-coordinator, Angela Armstrong, are working with the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention with the goal to increase access to healthier foods in the University District.

Farmer’s Market Fridays were created in an attempt to help people in the Little Rock community eat healthier and use fresher cooking products. Each week there will be different vendors selling products such as fresh vegetables and fruits, raw honey and salsa.

Vendors from all over Arkansas brought their goods to sell. A few of the vendors that have attended the farmers market so far include: Monica’s K-9 Barkery, Pratt Family Salsa,

Coffee and Honey and Willow Springs Market Garden.

Robert Lashley of Willow Springs Market Garden said he has been in business eight years, growing vegetables, fruits and flowers with no chemicals. A few of the vegetables that Lashley grows at his farm include burgundy okra, lemon drop peppers, maules and green zebra tomatoes.

Lashley travels to many Farmer’s Markets around Arkansas, such as the Bernice Garden Farmer’s Market, and has decided to add UALR’s market to his route.

Another one of the vendors was one of UALR’s very own students, Cassandra Wade, with her business Cassie’s Corner. Wade is a senior, working towards her Bachelor of Social Work. She began traveling to the River Market this summer with products, which include unique jewelry, accessories and a wide range of styles of palazzo pants.

There is plenty to see at Farmer’s Market Fridays with different vendors each week. The event will continue to take place, every Friday from 11-1 p.m. until October 10. If you need more information, contact Dr. Janea Snyder at jlsnyder@ualr.edu or Angela Armstong at abarmstrong2@ualr.edu.

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News

September 24 - October 7, 2014

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Trojan Lane What’s with Yik Yak? slippery when wet

Brady Jackson Staff Writer bajackson4@ualr.edu

Victoria Hickey Editor vxhickey@ualr.edu

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ver this past summer , the University of Arkansas at Little Rock housing department decided that Trojan Lane, the walkway between the residents halls, was in need of repainting.

The two original companies hired for the job were Witsell, Evans and Rasco, an architectural company, and Baldwin and Shell, a contracting company. The two companies were contacted and began redoing the lane in midJuly. The project was finished shortly before the fall 2014 semester commenced.

After a rainy first day of classes on August 18, there were numerous reports of students slipping and falling while walking across Trojan Lane. Immediately, Trojan Lane was blocked off as the facilities management and housing departments looked into what was making the walkway so slippery.

After doing some research, it was discovered that the coating used to redo Trojan Lane was missing one important ingredient—aluminum oxide. The aluminum oxide is the ingredient that prevents the coating from getting slippery when wet.

The contractors for the project came out and repainted the Trojan Lane again - this time with a coating that included the proper ingredients.

David Millay, Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management, confirmed that Trojan Lane is now completely redone and is safe for traveling.

Illustration by Zachary Tallent

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he application “Yik Yak” has been stirring up some trouble across the United States in the past couple months, and within the past few weeks has caused some trouble at UALR. The app was launched in November 2013 with the idea that it would be used as a virtual bulletin board for people within close range of each other.

Unfortunately, the app is not being used the way it was intended. The app allows users to post anonymously, which has led to bullying and inappropriate comments about peers. Just in the past month since school began, students have been spreading rumors and talking unfavorably about others at UALR on a daily basis.

One may think what is being posted is anonymous, but Yik Yakers beware! What is posted is not untraceable. All electronic devices that have internet capability are assigned an IP address.

An IP address is a unique string of numbers that identifies each computer that connects to the network. Every time an individual posts something on any social media, Yik Yak included, one’s IP address is attached to it. Like a fingerprint, it is solely the the individual’s address.

Some of the posts, or “Yaks”,

as users call them are quite innocent, such as one posted recently stating, “Sometimes you just have to shamelessly eat a whole bottle of Nutella.” However, others are quite inappropriate. There have been posts talking about sexual activities, drugs, and sometimes the posts are just derogatory comments about people walking around campus.

There have also been posts saying that the user was going to kill him- or herself, and other Yik Yak users have encouraged it. If someone were to commit suicide, and it is connected to the Yik Yak app, there will be investigations and the people who were involved can be charged with assisting a suicide.

The Yik Yak app has opened up a new way for cyberbullies to attack students here at UALR. The housing department hosted a Trojan Talk meeting titled “Yik WACK”. The meeting was held in the West Hall lower lobby and discussed the disturbances that Yik Yak has caused so far. West Hall Director Leanna Payton stated that some of her resident assistants have come to her crying because of posts made about them on Yik Yak. The app was not meant to be a place where people can bully others and be disrespectful. There is no need for college students to be acting this way. Before one posts anything on Yik Yak, or social media in general, make sure it is something that one is willing to put one’s name on.

Courtesy of Yik Yak, inc.

News

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

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Trojan Trolley to get cheaper and greener replacement Hillary Perkins Staff Writer hdperkins@ualr.edu

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ALR is hoping to replace the Trojan trolley within three months. This idea originated from the UALR administration, with consideration of feedback from students and diligent research into other ideas of transportation. From there, the chancellor’s cabinet decided that it was best to replace the Trojan trolley.

“I believe students will appreciate and benefit from the larger electric shuttles that will provide transportation around the perimeter of campus as well as the smaller electric circulators that will provide more direct shuttle service from campus buildings and walkways,” said Chancellor Joel Anderson.

According to David Millay, the Associate Vice Chancellor of the Facilities Management and

Planning Department, the Trojan trolley will be replaced with three buses and three circulators. The buses will be for regular routes around campus and the circulators will be for security officers who ride around campus and pick up students.

The main reason that the Trojan Trolley is being replaced is to save money. While the trolleys run off of fuel, the buses and circulators run off of electricity.

The cost of the buses and circulators are $130,000. The cost of the Trojan trolleys were $200,000 per year. The trolley is also being replaced for more flexibility. In other words, these replacements will be more useful for organizations being held on campus.

The Trojan trolley operation hours usually end at 10 p.m.

However, it is unsure how the operation hours will be figured out once the trolleys are replaced.

The Department of Public Safety will be open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. With the new buses, if a student is staying in the

library late he or she can always call an escort to take them where they need to go.

“I think I will provide a much better service for everybody on campus,” said Millay.

A safety forum was held on campus Tuesday Sept. 16 to address the idea of replacing the Trojan trolley. According to Chancellor Anderson, the Chancellor’s Campus Safety Committee suggested that a safety forum should be held as a way to reach out to students and faculty to figure out how the university can improve campus safety. The safety forum will be an annual event for the campus and the community to express their concerns.

The Chancellor has given UALR an annual budget of $300,000 for shuttle service. That budget comes from tuition fees from students as well as state legislators.

This budget will also be invested into the three buses and three circulators.

Smaller trolleys are expected to help students get around campus more swiftly.

Photos courtesy of UALR

Top: New electric trolleys will help UALR save money.

Left: Coming soon, wheelchair accessible trolleys on campus.

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Campus Life

Students win

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Ted Talk Tuesday

a ‘Blizzards of Bucks’ E at UPC game show Lela-Tamara Fluker Staff Writer ldfluker@ualr.edu

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n Thursday night, September 18th, the University Program Council (UPC) held the Blizzards of Bucks game show. Students were invited to come to the SSC Auditorium for the chance to grab some cash.

Hosts Jason Hudy and Amber Alberts intrigued students with an exciting evening filled with

laughs and cash prizes for competing in games such as “HipSwinging Slam Dunk,” “The Pantyhose Game,” and “Toilet Paper on the Plunger.” Names were randomly drawn from a basket and students came up to compete in several rounds.

Winners of these levels qualified to compete in the championship round. Students used props, money, food and even parachute pants to compete in the games.

There was not a moment that didn’t have the audience wanting more; more laughs, more cash, more fun.

The grand-prize winner,

Participants gather after the show to flaunt their earnings from the evening.

junior Reggie Glenn, was able to go 30 seconds in a wind tunnel filled with cash. However, no one walked away a loser, tee shirts were given to all who participated. Overall, between 250 and 600 dollars were given away that night. Glenn walked away with the grand prize of about $160.

The audience cheered on and participated in the events on stage. The level of energy and enthusiasm was through the roof.

“As they were playing each game the suspense rose and everbody leaned to the edge of their seat just to know what happened next.

That was when the excitiement

came rushing in.” says freshman Tia Wright.

The game allowed the students an evening of entertainment and the opportunity to possibly put a few extra bucks in their pockets.

UPC holds many entertaining campus-wide events throughout the semester. UPC is made up of UALR students who have firsthand knowledge of what college students find interesting and entertaining. They have more events coming up this September including Movie Night, Bubble Soccer, and stand-up comedian Paul Varghese.

Photo by Lela-Tamara Fluker

Brian Gregory Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

very Tuesday, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Student Support Services hosts TED Talk Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center. For those who don’t know, TED Talks are conferences run by a non-profit organization around the world. The word TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, which is based on the first TED talk in 1984 about those very subjects. Leaders in every field come and give talks of various lengths on a variety of subjects. Their motto is to promote “ideas worth spreading.”

September 16’s TED Talk Tuesday had three videos that dealt with how we as humans view and deal with choice. The first video presented Ruth Chang, a philosopher, who talked about how we go about deciding the hard choices of our lives. The second video featured Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist, who discussed how our choices create conflicts of interests that lie within us all. Ariely feels that it is a part of our human nature to make choices that create conflict. Lastly, psychologist Barry Schwartz spoke on how the multitude of choices has negatively affected humans. Afterwards, students engaged in lively discussion about the three talks on how they can be implemented into their own lives.

UALR Student Support Services is an institution that is meant to prepare students for life after graduation. They provide services in the form of tutoring, counseling, graduate school preparation, etc. Their goal is to make sure that students are successful in their life not only at UALR, but also beyond UALR. The TED talks are another way for students to be engaged in active discussion to hear what other people around the world are talking about. They are meant to inspire thought and creativity, and help students form their own ideas worth spreading.

For upcoming TED Talks visit ualr.edu/www/events/.

Campus Life

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

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Organizations look to surpass donations from last year Grant Fox Staff Writer tgfox@ualr.edu

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tudents at UALR have donated around 6,000 pounds of food to the Arkansas Foodbank which will amount to close to 5,000 meals for less fortunate families in Arkansas. The final count of non-perishable food items comes to 14,257, as reported by the UALR Chancellor’s Leadership Corps and the Reach 2k13k Food Drive Committee on UALR’s website.

The drive was started five years ago by the UALR Student Government Association. The goal of the drive is to raise food for the hungry. In the past three years, the CLC has taken responsibility for running the drive and provides a part of the donations to the UALR Staff Senate Helping Hands Drive.

The Leadership Institute led all other departments by donating an impressive 3,132 nonperishable food items. The LI is compromised of students from the African American Male Initiative, African American Female Initiative and Hispanic/Latino Initiative and was awarded a pizza party for their efforts.

The UALR Testing Service Department also surpassed their final tally from last year with an impressive 1,295 food items.

Other student organizations who donated include Brother’s Keepers, Housing Activities Council, Pi Kappa Alpha; AAMI, Donaghey Scholars, Engineering and Information Technology Scholars, Aikido Club, Chi Omega, Kappa Sigma, Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship, Younglife, Kappa Delta, and Environmental and Spatial Technology Scholars.

In addition to the student organizations who donated, UALR departments who contributed

include Speech Pathology and Audiology, Donaghey Student Center Administrative Services, International Student Services, TRIO Services, Children’s International, Public Safety, Nursing, Campus Life, Educational Leadership, Office of Communications, Transfer Student Services, Library, Financial Services, Academic Success Center, College of Professional Studies Dean’s Office, Office of Development, Department of International and Second Language Studies, The Chancellor’s Office, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dean’s Office, Human Resources, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Alumni Office, Academic Advising, IT Services, Scholarly and Technology Resources, Facilities Management, Sociology and Anthropology, Criminal Justice Department, Counseling Services, Health Services, Public Radio, and Arkansas Federal Credit Union.

Illustration by Logan Sturgill

Muslim Student Association seeks awareness

for similarities in belief systems Andra Onecic different language.

Editor alonecic@ualr.edu

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Photo courtesy of Retrocat Media

MSA President, senior Nora Bouzihay hopes for cultural and religious awareness among students at UALR.

uslim Student Association invites Muslims and nonMuslims alike to engage in various activities to promote cultural and religious awareness.

Islam has received many negative views especially from the media.

MSA aims to tear down those stereotypes that people and the media have placed on Islam. The word “Islam” literally translates to “peace.” This monotheistic religion “promotes nothing about violence,” said MSA President Nora Bouzihay. (first mention of NB with title) The negative views of Islam seem to be more prevalent in the South.

The Quran teaches principles very similar to the Bible, just in a

“The only difference is that to us Jesus is a prophet, whereas in Christianity he is the Son of God,” Bouzihay said. The Quran has never been altered or translated since it was first written.

Followers of Islam worship Allah, which translates to “God” in English.

Islam teaches that a woman should cover her hair with a hijab, or scarf, as a sign of modesty and purity. Many of the women who wear a hijab have suffered from negative stereotypes of women who cover themselves, and Bouzihay said that she does not wear a hijab “because of how one is quick to judge you just because you cover your hair.”

Bouzihay emphasized that the majority of Muslim women are not forced to cover their hair.

In some parts of Saudi Arabia, women are indeed forced to wear a hijab but due to cultural rea-

sons instead of eligious ones.

Although there have been a few instances in the news recently questioning the power of freedom of religion, Bouzihay claims that she has encountered comments of a negative stereotype of Muslims.

She is happy with the fact that UALR has such a diverse culture. MSA encourages students, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to join in continuing to raise cultural and religious awareness on campus and beyond.

MSA will host a banquet in the Community Center of the Islamic Center of Little Rock on Saturday, Oct. 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The banquet will provide a variety of foods and door prizes for the discounted price of $5 for UALR students.

If you have questions or are interested in joining MSA, email Nora Bouzihay at nxbouzihay@ ualr.edu.

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Features

The Struggle is Real: Brian Gregory

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Staff Writer bjgregory@ualr.edu

Elgin Baylor was not as good as Dominique Wilkins? What about whether or not Joe Namath was an elite quarterback or not?

eople who can be both rational and die-hard sports fans are probably one of the biggest mysteries in the world.

To those who do not share their passion, sports fans seem highly volatile, unstable and just plain weird. But being a sports fan does not mean you have to paint your body; it just means that you will passionately support your team.

You know when you and your friends are sitting in class and someone tries to tell you that

These might be simple questions to some, but to sports fanatics these are the debates that always seem to come up and dominate your life. Sports debates will consume up to 90 percent of your conversations.When people hear me argue, they roll their eyes, as they know a sports debate has probably already started.

When you are always involved in sports debates it is helpful to know the facts and stats. Without these two tools, you will never ever win a sports debate or an ar-

gument because without the facts to back it up, your argument is null and void. Who was the first quarterback to win three Super Bowls? The answer is Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Some people will try and tell me that Terry Bradshaw is not a top 10 quarterback all-time, but I disagree. One does not simply win four Super Bowls total without being a top 10 quarterback alltime. A sports fanatic will use the stats and facts that they know to win their sports arguments and become a great sports debater.

The third thing that sports fanatics will do, especially if they are dedicated,is to support their teams through the good and the bad. Watching my Lakers this

ualr.edu/forum

5 Things Only a Sports Fanatic Will Understand past season and the Arkansas Ra- watch hockey, soccer and golf. zorbacks the past two years test- You won’t just watch them; you will root and have a favorite team or a favorite player. People will find it ridiculous that you support Roger Federer and that Bayern Munich is your favorite soccer team. That shouldn’t matter. You are a sports fanatic.

The most common trait of most, if not all, sports fanatics is screen-yelling. Many sports fans will find themselves yelling at some type of screen for no reason whatsoever. To the normal man it inexplicable as to why you are yelling because a player of a team Illustrations by Logan Sturgill has done something good or bad. ed my mettle as a true fan of my You know that the players cannot teams. But I learned this year the hear you, but in your heart you extent of my fandom. We chase feel that your yelling or screamaway band-wagoners like those ing at the screen will somehow who say they are Cavalier fans affect the players on the field. It now that LeBron James and Kev- is utterly ridiculous, but you are in Love are on that team. True a sports fanatic.

In the end this is not about cafanatics will stick to their team sual fandom; this about claiming through thick and thin.

True sports fanatics will fol- justice for the die-hard fans out low sports almost religiously. there because everyone needs This doesn’t mean you only fol- to know the struggle of being a low the mainstream sports like sports fanatic. football and basketball. No, you’ll

English students transform service-learning project into new student organization Pauline Mothu

D.C., came into our class and did a presentation.” The presentation Staff Writer inspired Wyckoff to create UALR pxmothu@ualr.edu ONE with fellow students Gina Vanegas and Destiny Graves.

The international organizatudents can join dozens of registered organizations on tion ONE is devoted to eradicating campus depending on their poverty in third world countries. interests. While some clubs are To accomplish this, the organipopular—University Program zation raises public awareness Council, Greek life, honor soci- and work with political leaders eties, etc.—others like UALR to fight AIDS and other diseases, ONE are less-known but equally increases investments in agriculimportant. ture and nutrition, and asks for UALR ONE is a relatively new transparency in programs fightstudent organization created by ing poverty.

English major Sara Wyckoff.

According to the website “It was started as a service www.one.org, ONE is focused on learning project in Dr. Laura Bar- influencing federal legislators rio’s ‘Women in Literature’ class,” and executive branch officials Wyckoff said. “Jennifer Fraser, a in order to reduce and eradicate liaison from ONE in Washington poverty. It is a globally-active or-

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ganization that needs the younger generation, especially college students, to be involved in fighting against poverty. Therefore, the organization launched the ONE Campus Challenge to mobilize college students against poverty. Through their ONE chapter, students participate in advocacy challenges to take meaningful actions in ending poverty in the world.

As of today, the UALR ONE chapter is the only ONE campus chapter in Arkansas. Still in its early years, it is currently composed of members Sara Wyckoff, Gina Vanegas and Destiny Graves, who are all students in the English department.

Anyone interested in learning about extreme poverty as well as

Photo by Pauline Mothu

From left to right Destiny Graves, Sara Wyckoff and Gina Vanegas stand to proudly display the ONE logo for the organization which they founded. its challenges and about how to help are welcomed to join UALR ONE. The organization will have its first meet-and-greet event of the semester on September 24

at 1 p.m. in the DSC, room 201R. For more information, interested students are welcomed to contact ONE President, Sara Wyckoff at sxwickoff@ualr.edu.

Features

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

11

Little Rock businesses offer students discounts to attract college clientele Jayme Goad Staff Writer jmgoad@ualr.edu

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ith tuition costs on the rise, according to statisticbrain.com, students are struggling to afford gas, food, insurance and general living expenses. Students are always looking for deals and discounts to fit their “brown bag special” budget.There are many restaurants, entertainment venues, retail stores, and car insurance companies that take part in offering discounts to current UALR students.

These places require students to present their valid student identification card at the time of purchase to receive the discount.

Retail stores in the Little Rock and North Little Rock areas offer a variety of discounts. The Limited, at both Park Plaza and McCain Mall locations, offers a 15 percent discount to students.

“They are branding us for the sophisticated professional. So, we know a lot of students that are going to the professional workforce will start needing to have that more professional wardrobe. We want to offer that additional discount to them to kind of make the shopping a little bit easier and also know that we do support them,” said Assistant Manager Cassandra Strahan.

Banana Republic at Park Plaza has an education discount for both teachers and students. Both can receive a 15 percent discount on full-priced purchases. Charlotte Russe at McCain Mall offers a 10 percent discount to students.

Located at The Promenade at Chenal Shopping Center in West Little Rock, J.Crew offers a discount of 15 percent on regularly priced merchandise.

Barnes and Nobles has teamed up with the UALR bookstore on campus. There is a membership available with Barnes and Nobles

for $25 down. Members will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases in-store and will qualify for free-expedited shipping online with the membership.

For full-time students under the age of 25 and who maintain a grade-point average of 3.0, discounted car insurance is available through some companies.

Allstate offers a discount of up to 20 percent off. Geico customers can receive up to a $200 discount.

The insurance company known for its quirky commercials, Esurance, also offers a discount to students. If students maintain a clean driving record, Esurance will lower premiums every 6 months.

“Like a good neighbor,” State Farm gives students a “Good Student Discount” that offers savings up to 25 percent. Even for students who have graduated, State Farm will let them continue to receive the special rate until the age of 25.

Students who are listed as single can receive the “Farmers Student Discount,” with Farmers Insurance.

There are numerous restaurants in the metro area that have teamed up to give discounts to UALR students as well. Subway and Popeye’s offer both a 10 percent discount with a valid student ID. Popeye’s general manager, Juan Carlos Ismail said, “We are trying to do a special price for anyone from UALR. We are trying to get from 10 to 15 or 20 percent discount.” Burger King offers students a 10 percent discount on Wednesdays only with no additional coupons.

A 10 percent discount is given to students at any Jiffy Lube location off the total purchase price.

Jiffy Lube offers anything from oil changes, to tire rotations, brake changes and alignments.

If you are outside of the Little Rock area, check and make sure the store is a participating location for student discounts.

Wendy Kay McCloud, non- traditional scholar

Nontraditional student redefines scholarship applicant pool Ryen Staggers

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Staff Writer rmstaggers@ualr.edu

ome students may believe that many scholarships available do not apply to them because they are not the right age. This was the belief of non-traditional UALR student, Wendy Kay McCloud.

The Forum interviewed McCloud in January for her role as a “student soldier” (college student who may be presently or was previously active in the military) and wanted to follow up with McCloud’s progress since that time. McCloud said the scholarships she received have given her the opportunity to attend college full-time rather than parttime like before. Though she did not receive all of the same scholarships this year, she was able to renew for a second year both her

AT&T War Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) and her Oliver Breeze Kennedy Scholarship ($1,500), which she received through the Rhetoric and Writing Department.

McCloud also received a private scholarship from UALR. McCloud is on track to graduate in spring 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing; she has applied for graduate school with the Rhetoric and Writing Department for fall 2015. She faces several challenges in her search for graduate school scholarships because many of them seem to be “niche”-based. McCloud said that the skills learned from applying for previous scholarships will be advantageous when applying for graduate scholarships.

At this point, McCloud’s biggest concern seems to be the lack of funding for someone who is not a minority, single mom, or pursuing a degree in business, account-

Photo courtesy of Wendy McCloud

ing, or nursing. She offered her words of wisdom to the more tentative students considering applying for scholarships.

“If you aren’t sure if you qualify for the scholarship, ask them!”

McCloud said.

Nontraditional Student Program Coordinator Cynda Alexander seems to agree. She said, “Overarching, yes, scholarships do apply to everybody.”

McCloud admits that she was unsure about the fate of her own scholarships. “I wasn’t sure if I could apply for the AT&T scholarship for a second year, so I asked and they said ‘Go right ahead,’ and BOOM—$2500! I wasn’t sure if I could apply for the ASIST scholarship last year, so I emailed someone and they said ‘Go ahead,’ and BOOM—$500! And then the PEO scholarship: I emailed the International folks because I didn’t know if they even had a chapter in Arkansas because it’s a very private group, and it turned out they did. BOOM—$1800!” she said.

“Always, always ask! It can’t hurt but it can certainly help!”

McCloud said.

12

September 24 - October 7, 2014

Features

In memory of Katherine and Ryan Palludan Natalie Doris Staff Writer nmdoris@ualr.edu

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yan and Katherine Palludan are siblings and two students at UALR who passed away within one year of each other due to the same condition: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.

Loeys-Dietz Syndrome is a heart problem which involves connective tissues in the heart and is prevalent very early in a person’s life. On average, a person is 26 when he or she first experiences serious issues associated with the disease, but more and more cases are surfacing in older people as well. Because LoeysDietz Syndrome is not very wellknown and it targets a younger generation, in many cases it is not properly diagnosed as doctors blame chest pains in young people on activity-related stress or intense emotions.

This was the case when Ryan Palludan, 18, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. Ryan experienced his first dissection in June 2013 and complained of chest pains. Once he was taken to the doctors, they decided that he had been exercising too much.

On Aug. 18, 2013, Ryan passed away in his sleep due to a ruptured aorta.

Katherine began her long battle with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome shortly after Ryan’s death, after their family began researching the disorder which had claimed her brother’s life. Upon finding that the syndrome is sometimes hereditary, the Palludans took immediate action and had Katherine tested. When the results came back positive, she underwent an open-heart surgery in Arkansas where she had her aorta replaced.

When she was not improving several weeks later, the family knew that something was wrong.

After a trip to Pennsylvania resulted in a medical emergency, doctors there discovered a foreign substance had somehow gotten mixed in with Katherine’s transplant and had grown in size.

The source of the infection is still under investigation, but it is speculated to have entered Katherine while she was undergoing surgery.

Katherine endured several open-heart surgeries before the infection claimed her life, and she passed away at her parents’ side in Pennsylvania on Aug. 17, 2014, at the age of 21 and almost a year after her brother’s death.

“It may sound cheesy,” said Deborah Palludan, mother of Ryan and Katherine Palludan.

“And I don’t know what we did right, but they were both just amazing kids. We never had teenage rebellions or excessive arguing; they were just good kids.”

The siblings were very intelligent; Ryan was starting out college in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps the year that he passed away and had plans to become a nurse. His love of children and kindness towards others led him to consider becoming a nurse, and Ryan always worked extremely hard to reach his goals.Katherine graduated as a CLC scholar and ambassador after attending UALR for the anthropology program it offered.

She was extremely involved with both CLC and the anthropology department.

“I can not say enough good about UALR,” Deborah Palludan said, explaining the way her children had felt about the university and her own feelings towards it after their deaths.

“UALR and the CLC program gave both of them the opportunity to reach for their goals and live every day to the fullest,” she said.

Currently, there are plans to offer a scholarship for UALR students in honor of Ryan and Katherine Palludan.

“Both had very different styles,” Deborah Palludan elaborated. “They had their own sense of humor and followed their own rules. They didn’t let others influence them.” At the memorial service for Katherine, friends and professors alike recalled her large smile and stories of her walking around campus barefoot and saving animals and insects in need.

Former boyfriend Parker Taylor said, “I just want people to know that Katherine was the smartest and most fun-loving person I have ever known. To know her was a gift, and I am going to miss her for the rest of my life.”

Ryan too is remembered for his big smile, kind heart, but also his love of the Florida Gators.

Deborah Palludan laughed as she recalled his personality.

“He knew he could get away with murder if he just grinned at me,” she admitted. “He was a sincere and loyal kind of guy, and his smile brightened up any day.”

One issue that concerns Deborah Palludan is the treatment of young people who have serious medical conditions. “Katherine and Ryan [w]ould still be here today,” she said, “if it had not been for certain flaws in the medical system. My advice to young people would be to keep a family record and not be afraid to tell somebody if they have chest pains or feel sick.”

A high percent of youth who complain of chest pains are ignored because doctors assume that they are experiencing stress from being away from home or they are exercising too much.

“Be aware and take responsibility for you medical care, “Deborah Palludan said. “Ask doctors to wash their hands. Don’t just accept anything a physician tells you. We did, and that is what led to Ryan and Katherine not being here today.”

ualr.edu/forum

French Pressed

By Pauline Mothu Staff Writer pxmothu@ualr.edu

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ike any other country, France is proud of its culture. It wants to protect it as much as possible from non-French entertainment programs, and that includes Netflix.

Of course, foreign companies such as McDonald’s, Amazon and Google managed to make their way to France, but it was not easy because of the government-enforced system that regulates the influence of the U.S. culture on French consumers.

Recently, Netflix was launched in France, but it had to face many challenges to be on the French market due to “Cultural Exception.”

The Cultural Exception principle is a set of rules designed by the French government to protect the French television and film industry from foreign competition. This principle requires broadcasters to produce 40 percent of their content in France, be it television, radio or movies.

Another French rule which may cause trouble for Netflix is what one might call the threeyear-rule. In France, a movie can only be proposed on SVOD/ VOD (subscription video on demand) three years after its launch in theaters. This means that a movie likely would have already gone to DVD and be shown on TV before streaming on Netflix.

Netflix also faces competitors such as Canal+ Play Service, FilmoTV and French internet providers that did not sign a deal with Netflix.

I do not really know how it

works in the U.S., but in France, all internet service providers offer their customers a set-top box in order to watch TV and use other movie and TV showstreaming services. There are four main internet service providers in France: Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom.

So far, only Bouygues Telecom has agreed to add Netflix on its set-top box. Others want Netflix to invest more financially.

Netflix was released in France on Sept. 15, 2014. It was supposed to be a revolution, but according to some French people, Netflix did not meet their expectations.

Indeed, many are disappointed by Netflix’s catalog because many TV series available on Netflix U.S. cannot be seen on Netflix France, such as “House of Cards”, “Revenge”, and “The Office”.

On the other hand, other French people are impatient to try Netflix for one free month and are thrilled to be able to watch their movies and TV shows on many devices, including their computers, phones, and tablets. Moreover, Netflix offers its French subscribers original content that cannot be seen anywhere else in France, such as “Orange Is The New Black” and “Hemlock Grove”.

I do not have a Netflix account so I do not know what is available on Netflix U.S., but it seems that Netflix France could be good for the ones who watch a lot of TV shows and like movies more than three years old. Netflix France just launched in France, and I think we need to wait to see how effective it will be there and if it will be as popular as in the U.S. A bientot pour de nouvelles aventures!

Your news.

Your way. ualr.edu/forum

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Features

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Purported fitness phenomenon

may explain surge in ‘Biggest Loser’ boot campers

Junior Thomas Morris makes use of the workout equipment offered in the Fitness Center. Morris is an information science major.

Alyssa Causey Staff Writer arcausey@ualr.edu

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verybody knows somebody who is getting fit. What is inspiring this phenomenon, and what has motivated so many people to improve their health?

The Fitness Center provides a variety of opportunities for students to exercise individually or in a group setting. One especially valued service offered is “Biggest Loser” Fitness Boot Camp.

Fitness Coordinator Naomi Fletcher has been instructing fitness classes at UALR since she was a student. Fletcher instructs and coordinates fitness classes throughout the week that include group fitness, personal programs, and personal training. Fletcher also oversees the fitness boot camp which began on Sept. 8.

UALR has offered the fitness boot camp for 10 years, ever since the premiere of the hit television show “The Biggest Loser.”

The boot camp is an eightweek program that entails nutrition guidance and exercise. The

program aims to help people improve their lives through fitness and healthy eating habits.

Participants must attend at least three fitness classes a week. Two of the three classes must be boot camp classes but the participants are free to choose the third from a list of approved classes. Each participant is held accountable with a weekly weigh-in. Students take two nutrition classes as well.

These nutrition classes utilize excerpts from “The Biggest Loser Diet Cookbook.”

“The most useful thing they learn is portion control,” Fletcher said. “They get a nutrition journal to record their daily activities and food. The class teaches them to think about food as fuel rather than reward. It’s about getting back to eating whole foods. There is some teaching about calorie control, but we focus on portion sizes and structuring meals.”

Freshman Hannah Patterson is a biology major enjoying the boot camp. Her weight gain from shoulder surgeries inspired her to want to participate in getting fit. So when she saw the promotional signage in Ross Hall on her way to the math lab for the boot camp, she joined.

“I’ve enjoyed the boot camp.

I’ve lost weight,” Patterson said.

Photo by Alyssa Causey

She wakes up at 5:45 a.m. to attend the boot camp classes at 7 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Her favorite ‘other’ class is KickButt.

Patterson considers the boot camp motivating.

“We all encourage each other, and it gives you incentive to go. We text each other and hold each other accountable,” she said.

The boot camp has been challenging, she said. “I’ve gotten better at it. The first time I [attended a class] I was super sore. I do it now and I’m not sore after it.”

On average, between 20 and 30 people participate in the boot camp. But this year, the boot camp exceeded its goal of 30 participants. People who are not in the obese range can still participate in the challenge but they do not compete for prizes.

The variety of classes offers something for everybody. There is the boot camp class but also Latin Expressions, Zumba, Step and Strength Fusion, POUND, H.I.I.T, and Intensity. Some classes use dumbbells and others emphasize use of bodyweight.

There is some running or fast walking. Ultimately, participants are encouraged to work at their own level while still pushing themselves. Classes range in times from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. all days of the week.

Thomas Morris is a junior information science major who, while not a boot camper, regularly uses the fitness center.

“I started going to the gym around this time last year, all because my roommate suggested I go with him,” he said.

Morris said that he and his roommate would motivate each other to exercise at the gym at least four days a week.

“After being so consistent [with going], it became a habit. So now I treat going to the gym differently. It’s something I always give

Illustration by Paige Mason

time for in my day because it has turned into a hobby. As for how often I work out, I try to be at the gym five to seven days a week,” Morris said.

Fletcher does not doubt why the fitness boot camp is successful and motivating to participants.

“A lot of them want to change their lives for the better. Seeing the success of others is helpful.

And [they like] competition,” she laughs. Participants are held accountable for their fitness goals. They are reminded that they are responsible. Their weigh-ins inspire them to stay on track.

Fletcher’s experience gives her insight as to what motivates fitness.

“I think part of the reason is that at the beginning of the school year, it’s a new year, academically,” she said. “Society values self-improvement. And fitness improves both your life and your health. People like to reinvent themselves. Plus the human body is just made to move.”

Setting goals is one way stay motivated and hold yourself accountable, Fletcher suggested.

“It doesn’t have to be a weight goal, though. It can be a fitness goal, or to fit in a piece of clothing,” she said.

There is no fee for the group exercise classes because student activity fees helps fund these programs.

“Don’t be intimidated. People of all fitness levels come to the classes,” Fletcher said. There are approximately 25 group fitness classes, ranging from barre to aqua Zumba and strength and condition to Latin Expressions.

This semester’s boot camp ends Nov. 2. One should not be too upset if one missed registering for the boot camp this semester. It is offered every semester and will be offered again in the spring.

Features

ualr.edu/forum

September 24 - October 7, 2014

15

‘How is Village life?’ Campus Energy Conservation Project Residents and RAs weigh in Bianca McCrary spaces, forcing the students to park farther, which could lead to Staff Writer dangerous events. blmcrary@ualr.edu Village Resident Assistant Roko Miocic said he has had a pleasant stay thus far. Miocic is a fourthith a full-sized kitchen year student and computer sciand individual bath- ence major. room for each resident, “I have had nothing but posiUniversity Village may seem like tive experiences as a resident or a Trojan’s perfect housing plan. an RA,” Miocic said. He said he Even with the housing office’s feels the communication between informational video about resi- the housing staff and residents dential life, current and prospec- helps in maintaining a constant tive students may benefit more dialogue that produces underfrom talking to current residents standing and exchange of vital about what life is really like at the information.

Village.

The Village is offered to sophoInternational student Jean- mores, juniors, seniors, graduate Lambert Kubwimana was happy students, international students, to share his opinion. Kubwimana and athletes. There are two floor is a senior physics and engineer- plans available for students: four ing major. bedrooms and two bedrooms.

“There is much privacy and it With each plan, students will is very quiet. It is a safe place to have their own bedrooms and live,” he said. Kubwimana mostly bathrooms and share the living attributes this to the fact that he room and kitchen space. and his neighbors have built up Executive Director of Housing a strong rapport, which alleviates Debbie Gentry, oversees all of the misunderstandings and ensures housing facilities on campus. She respect. “The Village is better has worked in housing for 30 than any other hall because it years but specifically with UALR teaches you how to take care of for 23 years. She said there is a your things and be responsible,” long roster of housing employKubwimana said. ment.

Doniece Allen, junior human Gentry, who also serves as resources major, does not share associate dean of students said, Kubwimana’s sentiment. Her big- “We employ student workers, gest complaints are housing staff maintenance, custodial, RAs and and maintenance. office staff, as well as information “I feel that maintenance should technology staff.” have a notice indicating that they The associate dean said the have been there and what they Village was built in 2006 as have worked on. These are all the Coleman Place apartments. The routines that are regularly prac- university bought Coleman Place ticed and I would expect UALR in 2012 for $14.7 million and Housing to be the equivalent,” renamed it “University Village.”

Allen said. She is not fond of the Gentry said the bedrooms and meal plan requirement that all bathrooms are smaller than UALR residents must comply other housing options, but that with. is because each student is offered Allen said, “Seeing that we their own bedroom and bathhave a fully furnished kitchen, it room. would make no sense to purchase Gentry believes the future of a meal plan.” resident halls is fine and intact.

She also finds the safety to be “People still want the campus lackluster. She feels there is an experience and interaction,” she insufficient amount of parking said.

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to save university nearly $2.5 million Alexis Williams

Editor aawilliams3@ualr.edu he $30 million project broke ground in spring 2014 and is expected to be completed in summer 2015. Once implemented, it will cut campus utility costs by about 50 percent, according to the UALR website.

Ian Hadden is the director of energy management services.

Along with a few others, the university hired Hadden to support the project and oversee its completion.

“The primary goal is to reduce total energy expenses,” Hadden said. “The energy conservation project will achieve this in three phases: construct our own energy generation facility, expand the University District heating and cooling [method], and upgrade building control systems.”

Currently, UALR pays about 8 cents per kilowatt/hour for electricity. After the project is completed, the price is estimated to drop to closer to 5 cents per kilowatt/hour which results in a projected annual savings of nearly $2.5 million.

“But we hope the engineer’s projections on our savings are conservative and we will actually save more,” Hadden said.

The project is funded through a bond that UALR has agreed to pay back over the course of the next 18 years. Hadden’s hope that the savings estimate are “conservative” is well-founded, since the university gets to keep any extra money it saves.

Hadden mentioned the project will occur in three phases. Phase one involves building an on-campus power plant, which is under construction at the Worth James property on Fair Park Boulevard.

Phase two covers the expansion and centralization of heating and cooling systems on campus.

Under the current steam system, each building is independently heated and cooled.

“The idea is to get everybody on one system, which is more efficient,” Hadden said.

Phase three concerns upgrading building control system on campus. At the moment, --right

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now, electricity consumption readings for the university come from only three meters. Hadden said that one single meter supplies electricity to about half of the campus, but the new control system would allow meter readings about the energy consumption of each building.

“You can’t change what you can’t measure. So if we don’t have any information about how energy is being consumed, we can’t troubleshoot,” Hadden said.

The current energy system is a steam-powered, which Hadden said can be a “very efficient heating source, but also a challenge.”

The energy conservation project will shift from steam-powered to hot water-powered systems. “[Steam systems] are maintenance- and personnel-intensive, but they can also be very dangerous because the staff has to monitor the high-pressure steam boilers and and make sure they don’t explode,” Hadden said.

He explained that the university does not have adequate staffing to make all the necessary repairs on a steam system and also maintain other systems on campus.

“It’s also challenging, because steam likes to be turned on and left on. But in our climate, we have some days where we need some heat in the morning and cooling in the afternoon. Steam is not an ideal operation for that type of climate. We get better efficiency if we shift to hot water system,” Hadden said.

Hadden said that staff did well enough to “fix things that are broken”; they had no time to begin preventative maintenance on the system.

According to Hadden, the majority of savings go to pay back the 18-year bond on the project any amount left over will go back to UALR. PHASES 1. electrical generation plant 2. heating/cooling 3. building control system GOAL: reduce total energy cost for utilities (electric and gas for this project) PHASES 1. energy generation facil-

ity--we buy our power from entergy,power campus generators, 2.expansion of District heating/cooling loop--Worth James on Fair Park, idea is to get everybody on one system, which is more efficient 3. Upgrading building control system--right now, electricity consumption readings at only 3 meters, “one meter supplies electricity to about half of the campus”--new control system allows for getting readings about the energy consumption of each building…”you can’t change what you can’t measure. So if we don’t have any information about how energy is being consumed, we can’t troubleshoot.”

Operational Interruptible Service RIDER: interruption request for Entergy (power source) that says that they can shut off UALR’s power during peak hours of energy consumption, as part of agreement.

During summer, mid-day, winter, early morning hours until around lunchtime, are peak times the savings will come in for UALR, when the university powers itself a little each day. Call with 24 hour’s notice that UALR will need to disconnect campus from Entergy, and that’s when we’ll need to power ourselves. That’s the need for the on-campus power plant. We have not been on the rider yet, we will not go on the rider until we build the generation plant. The benefit they give us for disconnecting from their power is that they give us discounted utility rates.

Current cost is $.0.08/kWh. “Projected decreased costs are closer to 4.5-5 cents/kWh, which is a project annual savings of slightly less than $2.5 million, but we hope the engineers’ projects are conservative, and we will actually save more,” according to Hadden.

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Entertainment

ualr.edu/forum

The Rise of EDM Grant Fox still popular today.

With the release of Avicii’s Staff Writer album “True” featuring songs tgfox@ualr.edu such as “Wake Me Up” and “You Make Me” and the increasing popularity of Calvin Harris and vicii, David Guetta, Martin David Guetta mixes, it is hard to Garrix, Deadmau5, Calvin find anyone who has not heard Harris, Afrojack, Swedish of the budding EDM industry.

House Mafia, Skrillex; many Many young people worldwide people are aware of these artists now have a place on their bucket and their very upbeat yet difficult list to go to an EDM focused music festival such as to define style of Tomorrowland music. Welcome in Belgium or to the world of Ultra Music EDM (Electronic Festival in Dance Music). The Miami. budding industry, Hein Hillmer, which has taken who currently the world by storm works in the PR and includes a curdepartment of rently estimated Excel Models market worth of and Talent here $6.2 billion a year, in Little Rock, is is sweeping the one person who United States party hopes to attend and club scene. an EDM concert.

EDM is defined “EDM is the comby its reliance pilation from on electronically medieval ages developed sounds to today’s modthat are played ernized music.

by DJs who proIt involves all duce and create forms of what their own mixes was and still is using a variamusic, but at a tion of percusmuch deeper sion recordings. level. It can be Usually emphapurely instrusizing bass and mental and have always containing strong bass and/ a large variation or include vocals of sounds, EDM and solos poris either a custom traying a mesmix of sounds sage. It’s the revand beats or it olution of music! is a remix to an It causes the subalready popular conscious tapsong. ping, and urge The birth of to dance neuroEDM happened logical synapse around 1988 when at its finest! At house music, the the end of it all, European name EDM is what you for EDM, burst Illustration by Byron Buslig make of it. It’s an onto the seen.

Acid house, which involves elec- acquired taste.”

Whether you attend a local tronic synthesizer and heavy bass music, and Rave music took hold party or just need to get up and of the warehouse party seen and move, EDM might be what you a title wave of new music flooded are looking for. Don’t be afraid to Europe. The mid-90’s brought YouTube some of the aforemenEDM, then known as electronica, tioned artists and search through to the US and Daft Punk’s per- the available suggested songs. formance in 2006 added to the Join the wave and enjoy some demand for visual effects that are amazing music!

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courtesy of Arkansas Arts Center

Rocks Little Rock Abigail Marshall

Editor almarshall@ualr.edu

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he Arkansas Arts Center is at the epicenter of Little Rock’s cultural influences in the downtown area. Not only does the center provide central Arkansas with access to renowned works of art, every second Wednesday of the month the Rocktown Poetry Slam is held in the Lecture Hall located near the lower Lobby Theater.

According to their Facebook page, the Rocktown Poetry Slam is the “oldest, continuouslyrunning poetry slam in central Arkansas.” Open to the public and held from 7 p.m. with open mic starting at 7:30 p.m., the Rocktown Slam runs until the last poet has spoken. Attracting all ages and ranges of topics from

nature, life, love, etc. all are welcome to compete. Performances during open mic are not by any means limited to poetry-- singing, interpretive dance, rapping, beatboxing, etc. are all welcomed and encouraged. The admission price is $5 for audience members and $10 to compete.

Started in 1991, Rocktown Poetry Slam has graced the poetry world of Little Rock. Originally held at local pizzeria, Vino’s, from the beginning until 1999, the first slam master was HK Stewart.

Ginna Wallace held the title of slam master from 1999 to 2000.

Since 2000, the current slam master is Amoja Sumler, otherwise known as “The Mo-Man.” Since 2003, The Mo-Man has been responsible for the formation of the Rocktown Poetry Slam Team that represents central Arkansas at the regional and national level in competitions

and venues. The Mo-Man has also overseen the Rocktown Poetry Slam inclusion in venues such as The Looney Bin, the Arts Scene and the Arkansas Community Arts Cooperative (ACAC).

The Rocktown Poetry Slam also frequently features slam poets from around the nation, who come to share their poetry, sell merchandise, and speak with attendees about their styles of poetry and their lives. The most recently featured poet was New Orleans native, Sha’Condria Sibley, who performed at the Rocktown Poetry Slam on her birthday-- September 10.

The next poetry slam will be held on October 8. This slam will be Rocktown’s cover slam-- poets and audience members alike are encouraged to wear masks and poets competing will be performing works by their favorite authors and poets.

Entertainment

ualr.edu/forum

College Classics:

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ing and entering his house. Also hot on his tail is Jeanie who is Staff Writer determined to prove to her parsxavvaru@ualr.edu ents that she is the “good one.”

The world of Ferris Bueller is a fairy tale land where the Zach Martin high school kid in every one Staff Writer of us goes. Where your parents zrmartin@ualr.edu believe your feeble attempts to fool them that you’re too sick for school, and you have amazing moments with your best friends ith a storyline that that you never knew would be revolves around every possible. college student’s dream Occasionally Ferris breaks the – a day off, characters who are just fourth wall and talks to us about confident and mindless enough to his philosophy. He gives us tips, be funny, and underlying revela- advice, warnings … All of which tions that hit us from seemingly are both hilarious and heartnowhere. How could we not have warming.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on our There are a few coming-of-age movies that touch our soul and College Classics list?

Within two minutes of wak- stay with us. Ferris Bueller’s Day ing up Ferris Bueller (Matthew Off is one of them .

John Hughes made every one Broderick) convinces his parents that he is sick. He doesn’t of his movies with one amazjust convince them, he entices ing motif, to give our teenagers them into believing that he is a voice and to show their lives too tired to even move a muscle. and everyday struggles. This is His plan works, much to the Hughes’ dreamland version of his envy of his sister Jeanie. Ferris cinematic ideas. All of his other begins preparations for his movies involve relationships and grand escape from the mundane teen hijinks mixed with misuneveryday high school life that derstanding and teen struggle. he is seemingly forced to lead. The story of Ferris Bueller is a Joining him on this fateful day story where everything goes right are his best friend Cameron and and the kids beat the adults. It’s an his sweetheart Sloane. Equally advisory tale to live life to the fullconfident and careless about the est and do things you’ve always world around them the three wanted to but never thought were students decide to make the best possible.

We recommend every college of their rebellious accomplishment by exploring the wonders student to watch and re-watch of Chicago in Cameron’s father’s this movie so that it may remind us to live our college lives to the 1961 Ferrari.

All this celebration is not with- fullest. College is a new world out trouble. Hunting them down for all of us and among all of our is Dean Edward Rooney (Jeffrey responsibilities we can lose sight Jones). Ferris has already been of our ability to make amazing memories. absent for 9 days on various It’s like our wise friend Ferris pretenses and Edward has had said, “Life moves pretty fast…if enough. He is willing to go to you don’t stop and look around any lengths to catch Ferris red- once in a while, you could miss handed, lengths such as break- it.”

Shashank Avvaru

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Entertainment

Freaks, geeks, and comic book heroes fill fall TV lineup Caleb Mitchell John Cho finds a marketing guru freak show. Series regulars Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Evan

Staff Writer in a seemingly hopeless situation: cfmitchell@ualr.edu to help a technologically obsessed social media mogul realize there’s more to life than Facebook and Candy Crush Saga. very fall the weather starts to change, students are getThe Flash | The CW | Premiere ting back into the school routine, and, best of all, a bevy of Date: Oct. 7 The CW has decided to add new and returning shows grace our TVs once more, saving us from that summer slump of reruns and bad reality shows. This fall is no different, but with such a large amount of old favorites and new series, it can be a daunting task to figure out what you should be watching and what you should be skipping.

But never fear - for The Forum’s Fall TV Preview is here!

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Once Upon a Time | ABC | Premiere Date: Sept. 28 This surprise hit, about fairy tale characters trapped in the real world, has proven to be a ratings powerhouse for ABC. However, after the heavily divisive third season, will Season 4 be a bit of a fixer upper for Once Upon a Time, or will this be the season that has fans screaming “let it go” to ABC?

Illustration by Zachary Tallent

another DC Comics character into their fall lineup, this time going with lightning-fast crime fighter Barry Allen (aka The Flash). A spinoff of the CW’s hit Arrow, will The Flash speed by its predecessor in the ratings war or be left behind to bite the dust?

American Horror Story: Freak Show | FX | Premiere Date: Oct. 8 After Coven’s wild ride, the new Selfie | ABC | Premiere Date: Sept. season of Ryan Murphy’s horror 30 A modern-day twist on the film anthology series promises to take My Fair Lady, this new comedy viewers on a trip that we won’t series starring Karen Gillan and forget, taking place in a 1950s

Peters all return for Freak Show, as do Coven favorites Kathy Bates and Gabourey Sidibe.

The Walking Dead | AMC | Premiere Date: Oct. 12 This zombie-filled horror-drama show has proven to be a veritable smash hit over the years, often topping the ratings charts each season. With Season 5 fast approaching, viewers will finally have all their questions answered from Season 4’s cliffhanger finale.

Constantine | NBC | Premiere Date: Oct. 24 C o m i c books continue to take over films and televisions ever ywhere, and NBC is no different, releasing a new series this fall based on the popular “Hellblazer” c o m i c s .

Whether the show will be as successful as the 2005 film of the same name remains to be seen, but if you’ve found yourself complaining lately about the lack of demons and hellfire in your primetime television, Constantine is a show to keep your eye on.

Looking forward to any of these shows this fall? Or maybe one of the dozens that wasn’t mentioned? Contact us at The Forum and let us know which new show or returning favorite you’re looking forward to most.

ualr.edu/forum

Eat Beat:

Fall Food Festivals

By Alyssa Causey Staff Writer arcausey@ualr.edu

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all is a busy time of the year for Arkansas foodies. We eagerly anticipate the plethora of pumpkin spice flavored everything, the abundance of crisp autumn apples, candy corn, and Thanksgiving feasts. What we get the most excited about, perhaps, are the food festivals that we can fill our weekends with.

Saturday, September 13 featured one truly carnivorous festivals – the Bacon Bowl in Bentonville. Wednesday, September 24 Eureka Springs hosted its Bikes, Blues and BBQ. In case you missed these two meaty festivals, do not fret.

Arkansas is just getting started.

Fried chicken or barbecue ribs? You’ll have to make a choice September 27 because the 67th Annual Mt. Nebo Chicken Fry will take place in Dardanelle, Arkansas and the 12th Annual Rods and Ribs will be in Ozark, Arkansas. For of-age beer connoisseurs, the Little Rock Zoo will be hosting its Zoo Brew on Thursday, September 24.

Steak lovers take notice.

The Northwest Arkansas Steak Cook-Off is Saturday, September 27 in Springdale, Arkansas.

North Little Rock kicks off the beginning of October with the 21st Annual Taste of the Town at Verizon Arena on October 1.

October 4 may be the busiest Saturday for foodies this season. More barbecue is in your future if you head to Dardanelle (again) for the Taste Along the River and BBQ Festival on October 4th. That same Saturday, the 4th Annual Sweet Potato Pie Cook Off is happen-

ing in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

The 7th Annual Chili King Cook Off is taking place in Clinton that day too. Harvest Fest in Hillcrest, the Main Street Food Truck Festival in Downtown Little Rock, and Chili Fights in the Heights will also be competing for your attendance and stomachs.

The 75th Arkansas State Fair will be from October 10 to 19. The state fair is bound to have your favorite food and have it fried. Will it be fried ice cream, fried Coca Cola or a standard funnel cake this year?

We can’t escape barbecue in Arkansas – but we’re not complaining. Alpena is hosting their second Smoke in the Pass BBQ Cook Off . More meat? Why not? The 2014 Mid South Great Steak Cook Off in West Memphis takes place on Saturday, October 18.

31 years of Beanfest ensues on Friday, October 24 in Mountain View. A festival has got to be doing something right when they successfully host a festival featuring bean cook offs and outhouse races.

The weekend of Saturday, October 25 will present you with another dilemma – cheese dip or sorghum? The Sorghum Festival at Mount Ida will teach guests the sorghum making process. But the World Cheese Dip Festival makes its 4th debut at Bernice Gardens in Little Rock that same day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One of the last food festivals that you’ll want to be sure to attend is the Arkansas Cornbread Festival on Saturday, November 4 in Downtown Little Rock on South Main St. If you miss these foodie festivals, don’t fret. Communities across the state celebrate with their own fall and Halloween carnivals, festivals and parades. Check local listings for one near you.

Your news.Your way. ualr.edu/forum

Entertainment

ualr.edu/forum

September 24 - October 7, 2014

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New vintage market gives shoppers a timeless alternative Natalie Doris Staff Writer nmdoris@ualr.edu

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utdoor atmosphere, whimsical sculptures, live piano playing from old hymnals.

All of these elements blend together to set the stage for the Vintage Market on South Main Street.The market is set up on the second Sunday of the month from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, the upcoming market day, Oct. 12 will be the last until it is picked up again in the spring. Different vendors offer handmade jewlery, upcycled antiques, vintage records, clothes, and many other retro and vintage items.

“I am a collector and I have quite a few things to share with others,” Caroline Hartstein said.

She has been married for 54 years and collecting for just as long. Hartstein, like many vendors at the Vintage Market, upcy-

cles many of the items that she has for sale, refurbishing old doll houses and using scraps of material from unusable items to create pillows and unique works of art. She also has a strong feeling of community and a sense that drawing people to the market is good for the area.

“I got involved to draw people to our downtown area,” she said.

“It’s my contribution to the South Main Street area.”

Nancy Dunning, another vendor, sells items that she has had from being in the antique business for 25 years. Antiquing is her passion, as she said,“it is always a history lesson; everything has a history and a meaning to someone.” This is a common sentiment among people who go antiquing.

The possibility of giving an old item a new life excites many.

Ben and Elizabeth Hall, 22 and 23, are one year married, and they decided to attend the fair after hearing about it online.

The two have a love for different

kinds of vintage items, and they brought this passion to their wedding.

“The dress that I wore for the wedding was vintage, from the fifties,” Elizabeth said, “and many of the items used in the wedding were vintage.”

A common sentiment expressed by both visitors and vendors at the Vintage Market is the need for students to share in the experience of antiquing.

Many of the items that are on sale would be great for decorating a dorm and lately buying records and record players has come back into popular culture; Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry, and other modern singers have come out with vinyl versions of their albums. Book enthusiasts would appreciate digging up some forgotten treasures to add to their collection.

In short, there is something for everybody at the Vintage Market on South Main Street.

Photo by Natalie Doris

Little Rock’s 2nd Annual “Urban Raw Festival” Ryen Staggers

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Festival attendee with Sistah Melanie of Yum Yum Vegan Cafe’

Photo by Ryen Staggers

Staff Writer rmstaggers@ualr.edu

n Saturday, September 20,2014, Little Rock’s downtown SOMA District set the stage for the 2nd annual “Urban Raw” festival located off Main Street. The event, sponsored by Sol Catering, kicked off at 9 a.m. and ended around 10 p.m. The event cost $8 with proceeds funding the N.A.T.U.R.E’s Workshop (Nurturing Arkansas Treasures in an Urban Raw Environment).

Sol Catering describes the festival as a “unique day-long festival that seeks to nurture our creative and spiritual potential by bringing people together who want to celebrate sustainable and cruelty free- living.” The event brought out some of the wisest in the industry. “We eat the cow to get the ‘protein’ but the cow eats the grass. Cut out the middle man!” says Sistah Melanie of Yum Yum Vegan Café’. The aim of the event

was to bring awareness to the community about leading healthy lives with the help of food and a clean spirit. Though the event was marketed towards vegans, it did have options for herbivores and carnivores alike. The event consisted of food demos, musical performances, and vendors with an array of different goods.

The vegan community within Little Rock is not only welcoming, but somewhat of a family unit. Poets, musicians and chefs alike gather together, share ideas, and ultimately pass around good vibes. Local businesses, such as The Green Store, within the district also came out to support and served as lounge areas for attendees in the hot weather. Dance sessions were held by UALR’s own Alexandrea Tolbert. Her session explained the importance of stretching and connecting to one’s physical self to promote a healthier lifestyle. Many of the food demonstrators offered catering and customizable meal plans

for those in transitioning lifestyles as well as those who are pros in the vegan game. Most catering plans were available for reasonable prices.

The Urban Raw Festival is also a time for clothing and jewelry vendors to showcase their goods.

Many had the opportunity to sell books, art, and handcrafted jewelry to participants as they were set in the perfect location. One booth had bags available for purchase that were handcrafted in Africa. Most vendors were not niche based-- many were jacks of all trades. For instance, their was a jewelry vendor selling their poetry book on the side.

Overall, the event was a great way to introduce healthy living to those unfamiliar but also reaffirm the importance to those within the lifestyle. If anyone is interested in participating in the 3rd annual “Urban Raw” festival contact the organization at urbanrawfestival@gmail.com or call 903-272-0930.

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September 24 - October 7, 2014

Sports

Denman brings new ideas as Interim Athletic Director Maggie Rogers

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Editor mjrogers1@ualr.edu

ob Denman will serve as the interim director of the UALR Department of Athletics.

Denman feels overwhelmed with this prestigious position.

“Overwhelming in a sense that I’ve got my other job which is a big full time job, trying to do as much of that as I can,” Denman said.

He is vice chancellor for university advancement, in addition to his new responsibility as the interim athletic director.

“University advancement is

development which is fundraising, alumni relations, and the communications office,” Denman said.

Denman will serve as the interim director until Jan. 1.

Chancellor Anderson is getting prepared to start looking for a permanent person to fill the position.

“The chancellor has said he wants to try to get a search committee together by the first of October and then use the fourth quarter of the calendar year to do that search and maybe have someone in here as early as January,” Denman said.

Denman mentioned how wel-

coming everyone has been as he is getting adjusted to his new position.

“While it’s probably been one of the busiest weeks of my life, it’s been real rewarding because the staff over here is so enthusiastic, they’re great,” Denman said.

There are a few things Denman would like to accomplish while he is the interim athletic director.

One particular point of interest is getting the student body more involved with the athletic teams.

“We’ve already started working on doing more to get students involved,” Denman said.

“We met with all the presidents of all the student organizations and

ualr.edu/forum knocked around some ideas.”

One of the first things they’re going to do is tailgate, according to Denman. There is a big soccer game coming up over at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex, so he wants as many students to come and join in on the fun. Grilled burgers and hotdogs will be provided. Denman added that the first hundred students to attend will receive a free t-shirt. He stressed the need for more student involvement.

“If I can do anything to begin to broaden the basis of financial support for the program, we need to work on getting more people in the arena for the games, basketball in particular,” Denman said.

He added that they’re going to involve students during the timeouts and how they’re going to try and make it more fun then what it has been in the past.

“We’ve done things the same

way for a long time, and we’re going to do a bunch of new stuff,” Denman said.

Denman isn’t for sure what ideas will work and which ones won’t, but he has no doubt in the new ideas working.

“I don’t know what’s going to work and what’s going to fail but I do know this, if we try some new things, some new things will succeed,” Denman said.

The staff is also coming up with more ideas to raise student involvement, possibly tailgating during some of the big basketball games coming up this basketball season. In addition to the activities during the timeouts, there will be activities for the students to participate in during the half times as well.

“We want to involve our students, we want to get a little tradition going, a little Trojan spirit going,” Denman said.

Multitude of errors lead to easy victory for Lady Trojans Brian Gregory quick 11-five lead. This led to

a timeout by Lady Cajun volStaff Writer leyball coach Heather Mazeitisbjgregory@ualr.edu Fontenot who instructed her players “to play hard and not he UALR Lady Trojans vol- give up.” At five minutes, she leyball team continue their called another timeout to calm winning streak to gain her players down. After trading a sweeping victory over the points the last half of the set, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 25-19, the Lady Trojans won going into 25-14, and 25-17. The dominat- the second set and broke up two ing victory is attributed to the 14 sets. Once the break ended, the total team blocks at the net and errors that plagued the Cajuns the countless errors made by the throughout the first two sets continued. The offensive attack Cajuns.

“They really played with their for the Cajuns was never able to hearts and their minds today,”said put together a consistent run of Head Coach Van Compton. The 14 good offense as they had 24 total blocks at the net were the second attack errors for the game.

For the entire game, the UALR most in team history in the rally had a 42-28 edge in total kills scoring era.

During the first set the Lady and 11 less total attack errors.

Trojans jumped out to a quick They were lead by 19 kills by five-one lead, which led to a sev- Senior Edina Begic, who also en-three run by the Lady Ragin’ had a career high nine block Cajuns who tied the game up assists.

“Tonight Edina played a comeight-eight. The Lady Trojans after three straight points were plete game. It was a complete left reeling by a six-one by the game from a complete player”, Cajuns, which gave them a 14-12 Coach Compton said of Edina’s lead over the Trojans. After a terrific performance.

Edina’s performance was not timeout, the Trojans closed out the set with a 13-five run that saw the whole story though. The Lady Trojans played a well-oiled six Trojans record a kill.

When the second set began, machine as sophomore Megan the Lady Trojans contin- Mathis recorded 35 assists, ued their evisceration of the which was her sixth game of Cajuns as they jumped out to a the season of 30 assists or more.

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Head Coach Van Compton gave the girls a pep talk before they went back into action

The best overall game came from junior Sonja Milanovic who recorded her 12th career double -double with 10 kills and 13 digs.

“We respected Louisiana and we knew they were a good team.

We just came out and executed which led to us staying positive and playing well,” Begic said.

Playing in front of a crowd of 558, Coach Compton felt that the crowd was a key factor in

the game.

“I was really proud of how the fans got involved in the game. They gave good support and helped us pull through with a victory,” said Compton.Begic added, “It felt to have great support and it contributed to us having a good attitude.” Next week the Lady Trojans will travel to Atlanta to play Georgia State and to Boone, North Carolina

Photo by Brian Gregory

to play Appalachian State. Both are Sun Belt Conference newcomers. When asked how they plan on attacking those teams Begic said, “We are going to give them their proper respect, get some good scouting, and hopefully play well.”

The Lady Trojans, eight-four, will be back on Friday, Oct. 3 to face the UT-Arlington Mavericks at 7 p.m.

ualr.edu/forum

Sports

September 24 - October 7, 2014

Carolee Dillard wins Sun Belt DPOW for TCU Nike Invitational

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Brian Gregory 5 and 6. This led to her DPOW. and 69 blocks.

Also during the tournament she Staff Writer had 25 kills as she and the Lady bjgregory@ualr.edu Trojans had a 4-0 record in the TCU Nike Invitational.

Carolee is a 6’2” redshirt ady Trojans volleyball play- sophomore that started out as a er Carolee Dillard received basketball player when she first Defensive Player of the arrived on campus. Her sophoWeek Award in the Sun Belt more year she played both basConference. This is Carolee’s first ketball and volleyball. Her first award of conference recognition. year playing volleyball she was “It is a good reward and that 5th on the team in kills with it is just a result of the hard work 111, and led the conference with I’ve put in with my teammates,” 35 solo blocks. This year she is said Head Volleyball Coach Van strictly a volleyball player.

“Basketball is more of an Compton. “Blocks, she is becomindividual were as volleyball it ing a great defensive player”.

Her position on the volleyball requires you to be more of a court is Middle Blocker, which team”, Carolee said when asked situates her right at the net. about why she switched sports.

Carolee’s job is to make sure that It also helps that she is able to she stops the opponent’s offen- scream and show more emotion. sive attack. This requires her to “In basketball if you show to often read the eyes and motions much emotion then you might end up getting a technical foul” of her opponent to stop them.

“I have to maintain a focus she said with a laugh. She genuon the court while having good inely loves volleyball.

Her play contributed to an 8-4 agility and quickness, basically reading and reacting,” Carolee record through the non-confersaid. She has done a great job ence schedule and the first two as she had 23 blocks during the games of conference play. This TCU Nike Invitational on Sept. year Carolee has a total of 66 kills

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Senior Edina Begic had a lot to say about Carolee’s contribution to the team. “Carolee is aggressive, works hard, hits hard, and plays hard,” Begic said.

Carolee believes that this team is on the right track to be successful.

“The first thing I would like to achieve is being first in the conference for both the regular season and the conference tournament,” Carolee said. She also hopes to get more DPOWs this season. When asked her about her top individual goal, “I want to be 1st team All-Defense and hopefully be on the All-Conference team as well.”

During the TCU tournament Carolee was one of three Trojans named to the all-tournament team. Carolee and the Lady Trojans look to continue their three match win streak away from home against Georgia State and Appalachian State on Sept.

26 and 28 respectively. The Lady Trojans will be back at home Oct. 3 to play against UT-Arlington.

Come out and support your Lady Trojans volleyball team.

Sophomore Carolee Dillard wins SBC Defensive Player Of the Week award for outstanding plays in volley ball.

Photo by Brian Gregory

New Director of Baseball Operations for the Trojans Maggie Rogers to offer.

University. He assisted with facil“It was wonderful, I did my ity management and the day-toEditor b a c h e l o r ’ s day operations mjrogers1@ualr.edu and my masfor TCU athletics. hawn Redd will serve as ter’s there and Being the the Director of Baseball I also worked Director of Operations for the UALR for the footBaseball operTrojans baseball team. He stated ball team and baseations is “nonthe responsibilities that come also ball directly,” stop” busy, with the position. said. according to “Baseball operations handles Redd Redd. the day-to-day items within the “ B a s e b a l l “If you’re organization,” Redd said. “That was my main not doing can mean travel, office work, sport and I something, emails, assisting one of the got to experithen you’re coaches with camps, assisting ence that first two not doing your with on campus recruiting, and hand, job,” Redd also anything and everything the college world series, it was said. coaches need internal.”

He also Redd graduated from Texas just a great served as head Christian University, located in experience.”

B e f o r e coach for the Fort Worth, Texas in 2010 with to Dallas Patriots a degree in Communication coming baseball orgaand stayed to receive a mas- UALR, Redd Photo courtesy of UALR Athletics nization and ter’s degree in Communication was Facilities Research Studies. He enjoyed all Manager and Head of Baseball he was a catchers/hitting coach of the experience that TCU had Grounds at Texas Christian at the Batters Cave Training

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Academy.

Redd mentioned that he has seen how stressful a position like this can get first hand. “This is my first time being in operations with baseball, but I’ve been with operations with football before and it’s similar stress levels, but I’ve seen it get even more stressful for other people who have been in this similar role,” Redd said.

Even though he used to be in operations with football, Redd would choose baseball instead of football every time.

“I prefer baseball over football all day, every day,” Redd said.

When asked what his favorite professional baseball team is, Redd had to go with the Texas Rangers.

“I grew up in Dallas, so I’ve always been Rangers fan,” Redd said.

With all of the preparations

the team and coaches are doing, Redd mentioned how talented he thinks the players are.

“I think they’re extremely talented, I don’t think they’ve been pushed in a way like this before and I think they’re responding positively,” Redd said.

Redd stated that the team is going to win some games but also lose some games in their upcoming season.

“We’re going to win a lot of games, we’re going to win a lot of close games that they may not have won last year and we’re going to lose some games, but that’s the nature of baseball,” Redd said.

He also said that the team is going for more than just winning ball games, their goal is to go the distance.“The end goal is not to win, the end goal is to win a college world series and we’re going to make it there, just need time,” Redd said.

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Sports

September 24 - October 7, 2014

ualr.edu/forum

Crass named new Assistant Basketball Coach Maggie Rogers for UALR being an alum and a going to run.”

whole lot of passion for Little Editor Rock,” Crass said. mjrogers1@ualr.edu The non-conference schedule for the men’s basketball team was announced with 10 games total. It’s a little early to tell how ittle Rock native Ted Crass well the team will perform, but will serve as the assistant Crass thinks the schedule will coach for the men’s basket- help set the team up for a great ball team. year.

“It’s exciting, I’m honored to “This is probably the better get the opportunity,” Crass said. non-conference schedule we’ve When he was the Director of had since I’ve been here,” Crass Basketball operations, he was said. “We have a lot more home a travel coordinator and an games than normal, it sets up academic advisor for the stu- well for a successful year.” dent-athletes. He managed the Since the rules changed this players and made sure they got year, the team was able to start where they needed to be on a practicing earlier in the year daily basis. to prepare for their upcoming Before he was the Director of opponents. They are starting out Basketball operations, he was with team workouts then they the student manager for the will have team practices on Oct. men’s basketball team for the 6.

2008-09 season for about three “Right now we’re doing our years. Crass then became a play- fundamentals on defense and er for head coach Steve Shields. putting in our team defense, and He played point guard. then starting in probably about Crass is from Little Rock, October we’ll start putting in our played basketball for Little Rock team offense,” Crass said. “We Central, and graduated in May start about a week earlier than 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in we used to so it gives the guys speech communications. more time to adapt to the new “I have a whole lot of passion style of offense, whatever we’re

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Photo courtesy of UALR Athletics

Former player and UALR alum Ted Crass is now the Assistant Coach for the UALR men’s basketball team.

The Trojans start their nonconference schedule against the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils on Sunday, Nov. 16. Crass wants to win the upcoming games not only for the school, but for the city too.

“I want us to win for the city, for the school, and I want us to have a successful team,” Crass said. He also hopes the players represent the Trojans to a good standard.

“I want the guys to represent what I think a UALR Trojan is supposed to be like,” Crass said.

With this being a high-pressure job, Crass said it does get stressful sometimes but tries not to focus on that stress. To him, just getting this opportunity helps him overlook it.

“There’s a whole lot of variables to it between recruiting and scouting the opposing team and coaching on the floor that, as the Director of Basketball operations, my previous position, or the manager, didn’t have to deal with,” Crass said. “Those jobs are more black and white where this job is a lot more result based.”

Sports Schedule Soccer

Friday, September 26th 7:00 P.M. Against Appalachian State at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex Sunday, September 28th 7:00 P.M. Against Texas State at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex

Track and Field/ Cross Country Women’s Golf Men’s Golf Volleyball

September 27 All Day Rhodes Invitational at Memphis Tenn.

September 29-30 All Day Johnie Imes Invitational at Columbia, Mo. October 6-7 All Day Utah Ogio Invitational at Park City, Utah Friday, October 3rd 7:00 P.M. Against UT Arlington at the Jack Stephens Center

ualr.edu/forum

Sports

September 24 - October 7, 2014

23

Benedict gives insight to the UALR dance team Maggie Rogers Editor mjrogers1@ualr.edu

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uring this past summer, the UALR dance team held tryouts. Jordan Benedict, a member of the team, talked about some of the requirements for trying out.

“When you first get there, it’s specified how you’re supposed to look, what you’re supposed to wear, even nail polish is specified,” Benedict said.

The women trying out had to wear a half top, dance shorts, tights, and jazz shoes. Benedict mentioned what their head coach, Sara Beth Wyatt, expects from the women trying out.

“Sara Beth is very particular and she models it after how like the Memphis Grizzlies or the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders would conduct their tryouts,” Benedict said. “It’s super professional.”

Benedict talked about some of the technique requirements the women had to know going in to tryouts.

“Basically you just come in and you do high kicks, turns, leaps, jazz walks, things that we would do in dances or choreography throughout the season,” Benedict said.

The women that tried out had to do those things so Wyatt could know their skill level. After that, Wyatt would make cuts according to Benedict. After the cuts were made, the women came back into the room to learn choreography.

“So basically it’s like three to four eight counts of something that we would do during the season so that she (Wyatt) can see how quickly you pick up on the choreography, how well you can do the style of dance that we do and that sort of thing,” Benedict said.

After that process, final cuts are made and that’s when the dance teamed is formed for the year. Benedict noted that practices usually last a long time.

“During the summer, we will do mostly just weekend practices but we will be there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or longer,” Benedict said.

T h e team gets about an hour break for lunch and water breaks during these long practices.

“It’s definitely long days, but we just hit it hard and we learn all of our band dances,” Benedict said.

Benedict me nt ion e d how the team learns those dances in the beginning so they can practice them during the year for the upcoming season.

They also video their routines and the team members study it to help remember their routines.

W h e n the season starts, there is a pressure to always look their best because of the fans and This year’s members of the UALR dance team other dance teams in the area that on the floor with the media may come watch them, accordpeople and blend in. ing to Benedict.

“There’s normally specific “We really have to be on our games where they have people toes all the time to look our there and we know ahead of best,” Benedict said. time, but sometimes they just Sun Belt representatives show up,” Benedict said. also come watch the team to With everything going on, make sure they are following one might think Benedict has to the rules. Those representatives be really nervous, but she’s not. usually sit in the boxes or down “I think it’s because I’ve been

Photo courtesy of UALR Athletics

dancing for so long and always in like a dance team kind of format, but it’s just kind of second nature to me now,” Benedict said.

This is Benedict’s fourth year on the team, so she has a lot of fun memories made from games and trips with her fellow team members.

“I think my favorite would

probably be last year at our Sun Belt Conference,” Benedict said.

“Normally Sun Belt has been in Hot Springs, well last year they got a new contract and they moved it to New Orleans.”

Benedict had never been to New Orleans, so being there with her team made the trip an even more treasuring experience.

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