The Forum Oct. 17, 2012

Skaters roll up on Field House

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Turning the page on Echols

Sophomore kills it on court

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Volume LXXXV Number V

News in a

FLASH

The Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service is scheduled to host Food for Thought: A Symposium Devoted to Food, Policy and Community in Arkansas Friday, Oct. 26 at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. The event will feature panel discussions and presentations addressing food-related issues in the state of Arkansas. The free symposium is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bowen’s Friday Courtroom and is open to the public.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education recently awarded UALR its Bronze Status.

The award came from the association’s initiative known as Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Reporting System and recognizes the university’s efforts and achievements in sustainability.

Sonya Premeaux, associate dean for graduate studies in the college of business, was recently chosen to join the upcoming Leadership Greater Little Rock. The LGLR is a ninemonth class of 50 members who meet to discuss topics using speakers, panels, tours and presentations.

Donald Clark, Murchison professor of history and codirector of East Asian Studies at Trinity University in San Antonio, will give a lecture on art and politics in North Korea at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Arkansas Studies Institute at 401 Presidential Clinton Avenue.

The event will address the use of propaganda, national symbols, art and architecture, and its cultural relevance in North Korean society.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Student Newspaper

Forecast predicts less young voters for 2012 election

Campus housing requirement announced for 2013 freshmen Cameron Moix News Editor

Jacob Ellerbee

Asst. Entertainment Editor

With the 2012 presidential election just around the corner, UALR students are beginning to think about the election, but thinking about the election is as far as many of them will go. Predictions, based on recent trends, forecast that more than half of young people (ages 18-24) will not be voting in the national election next month.

The United States Census Bureau recently released extensive voter statistics from 2008, showing just 48 percent of citizens between ages 18-24 voted in the election. The report showed 25.7 million young people met all of the requirements to vote in 2008; however, only 12.5 million of them actually went to the polls to cast a vote.

Young people habitually have the fewest number of representatives when it comes to voter turnout statistics. So, the Census Bureau asked young people why they may not have voted. The most frequently cited reason was, “too busy, conflicting schedule.”

Another reason frequently cited on the survey was, “not interested.”

ELECTION, continued on page 4

Ricky Lewis, freshman computer engineering major, Lauren McNeaill, junior psychology and Spanish major, and Carlos Primus, freshman mechanical engineering major, visit in front of UALR’s recently completed West Residence Hall. A newly adopted UALR policy will require first-time freshman enrolled full-time at UALR to live on campus beginning Fall 2013. Photo by Chelsey McNiel

Cameron Moix News Editor

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UALR administrators announced late last month a newly adopted policy that will require first-time freshman enrolled full time to live in campus residential housing beginning with the Fall 2013 academic semester.

The policy, which UALR officials say should contribute to the academic success of applicable students, will also require students to purchase Sodexo meal plans for each semester of their freshman year.

The annual cost to live on campus with a basic meal plan is just over $7,300, according to the Office of Student Housing.

“National and institutional research has documented that students living on-campus are more successful in making academic progress,” according to the policy document. “UALR students living on campus have higher grade point averages and complete more credit hours leading toward improved retention and graduation rates.

In support of student success, entering students will be required to become a part of the on-campus community.”

The same document states

HOUSING, continued on page 3

Vice chancellor hired to bolster enrollment

Beats and eats

The three final candidates for the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs position have scheduled visits throughout the rest of October. From Oct. 18 to Oct. 26, the candidates will engage in on-campus interviews for the position.

Opinions News Campus Life Features Entertainment Sports

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Lucas Murray, senior applied music major, performs with his jazz trio, That Arkansas Weather, during a reception and magazine launch party for UALR’s 2011-2012 Equinox Oct. 12 at the Cox Creative Center in Little Rock. The Equinox is a literary magazine that features works of fiction, poetry, drama and visual art. Photo by Cameron Moix

Chancellor Joel Anderson announced Oct. 8. that a Western Kentucky University administrator will become UALR’s first vice chancellor of enrollment management beginning Nov. 5.

Dean Kahler, who has bolstered enrollment and retention at WKU in Bowling Green, Ky. since 2001, will become the university’s first vice chancellor of enrollment management early next month, according to university officials. During his time at WKU, Kahler served as the school’s admissions director, associate vice president for academic affairs and, most recently, executive director of Navitas (a program for international students).

“As UALR’s first vice chancellor for enrollment management, Dr. Kahler will bring experience and energetic leadership to increase overall enrollment and to achieve a mix of students at UALR that aligns with our purposes and our

strengths,” Anderson said in a press release. “This is an exciting opportunity for Dr. Kahler to bring clarified purpose and vision to the recruitment, admission, and retention of undergraduate and graduate students across all UALR programs.”

During Kahler’s stint as an administrator at WKU, it was the fastestgrowing Kahler college in the state, according to the press release.

“I do believe I can transfer that momentum to UALR to meet the future enrollment goals,” Kahler said.

Kahler worked as assistant director of the office of admissions and records at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale from 1995 to 2001, where he also received his Ph.D. in educational administration.

Faculty Senate and proponents make headway in core curriculum meeting Alexis Williams

Assistant News Editor

What began as a re-hashing of document language gradually progressed into deliberation for UALR professors and members of the Faculty Senate during the Undergraduate Curriculum Requirements meeting on Oct. 5.

The purpose of these assemblies is to discuss and amend recommendations to the UCR document that was presented before the faculty in April. The past UCR and Faculty Senate assemblies have yielded little advancement in the way of amending the document in question; recommendations were either not official motions or were heavily disputed. During the Friday meet-

ing, the voting body adhered to parliamentary procedures more sternly and voted on proposals and motions with far greater frequency than in previous meetings. “ T h i s making a motion, playing with the words, and making another motion? That’s not the way Jovanovic to come up with ideas,” said Rhetoric and Writing Professor JoAnne Matson.

The Senate chose to reduce discussion of the document’s

vague and controversial language to a succinct motion, motion second, minimal comment and debate, and then a final vote. The body voted to amend the educational outcomes and core competencies outlined in the UCR, while carefully distinguishing core competencies from graduation competencies.

“How do we assess a student’s commitment to ethical behavior?" English Professor Paul Yoder asked the Senate, quoting a focus of the UCR’s proposed educational outcome.

“Jail-time behavior?” Senate Secretary Andrew Wright said jokingly, in reply to Yoder’s question.

The Senate voted that the UCR document include, as per Yoder’s

recommendations, a paragraph stating the relationship between the outcomes and the “rest of the document”.

Nick Jovanovic’s curriculum proposal, which he has presented at every Senate meeting, finally received attention during this time as the voting body discussed its contents.

“I sent you all my proposal, and I think now is a good time for you to ask me any questions you have about it,” said Jovanovic, assistant professor of construction management and civil and construction engineering. “I’ll be happy to explain why I chose [each section of the proposal].”

SENATE, continued on page 3

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Opinions Staff Editorial

That’s what he said Ricky Harris

Relations with a tusked boar

Illustration by Sarah Melero

More obstacles in the way of education The Forum We understand enrollment and retention at UALR is a great balancing act. But the recent decision to require first-time freshmen to live in on-campus housing beginning fall 2013 has many students and faculty baffled.

UALR has had sluggish enrollment growth for years, so how does requiring students, many of whom could likely live with their parents nearby, attract more students?

Tuition went up significantly last year and now university administration has decided that adding a bill of approximately $7,300 a year is a good idea.

Seven grand is a lot of money, and that can long way for most people.

Non-traditional students are exempt from the requirement, but new students straight out of high school are going to be out of a lot of money. The kicker is that even if first-time freshmen live down the street from campus, they will still be required

Be polite with cellphone usage Ian Bennett Staff Writer

The ring of a cell phone, or a Facebook or email alert from a smartphone, can certainly break the concentration of the people around us from whatever subject matter is being presented, whether at work, or in a movie, but none revered so much as the atmosphere of the classroom.

One might place more responsibility on the professor to make sure their lessons are stimulating and interactive enough as to prevent students from being left to their own (electronic) devices, while others might say that the classroom cellphone policy is in the students’ course syllabi and should be respected. Math major Benjamin Rogers said, “If the class is boring, I’m going to have my phone out.” When one professor was asked about his opinion regarding the issue he said, “If students are not engaged in lectures then it’s the professor’s job to make them interesting.” He would go on to say, after showing his cell phone was concealed in his office desk drawer, that it is “unacceptable” for a professor to have his/ her cellphone in the classroom and that it was their job to set the example. Criminal Justice major Wendelette Johnson would later agree with this concept, saying “If they (teachers) want students not to have phones out and texting while they’re teaching then they should have their phones put away also.”

Emergencies are also a common reason people keep their cell phones close by during class time.

UALR offers the optional campus alert text notifications, along with

several other emergency communication services, including the outdoor emergency alert siren/ PA system, which could combat that issue. Dr. Joe Williams of the writing department says that he does not carry his phone to class and added, “If there’s an emergency, someone will come and get me.” He also acknowledges that students sometimes use their smartphones as a supplement to writing.

The opinion of cell phone use by students and teachers in the classroom seems to be widely accepted as more an issue of respect to others’ needs of learning than an annoyance. Almost all of us, whether you’re a college professor or a student, have made the occasional mistake of not silencing our cell phones before the start of class. It is also safe to say that some professors handle the disturbance differently; some may ignore the noise, expecting the student to realize their mistake and turn off their phone, others may give a stern look to the student, and some may use humor to lighten the awkwardness the student might feel about the simple error, while those more rigid about their classroom phone policy might create an example by asking the student to leave class for the day.

Most teachers have a cell phone policy in the course syllabus that is the student’s responsibility to know for the semester. The syllabus may contain statements like “please silence and put away your cellphones at the beginning of class each day”, where others may ask that all electronic devices be turned off and put away, unless otherwise given permission to use for academic purposes.

to live on campus. That is absolutely ridiculous.

Excuses for the requirement have included increasing retention rates and improve the campus environment. It is true that with the now more than 1,000 students living on campus the atmosphere has changed. But research needs to be done to determine why there is still lack luster enthusiasm for events and programs.

University officials have said that data proves students living on campus do better in school

and are more likely to graduate.

We have no doubt that is true, but is it statistically significant enough to make this requirement. And are outside variables such as the fact that many oncampus residents don’t have part-time or full-time jobs may have more to do with their increased GPAs and graduation rates than the fact that they live on campus.

With the goal of increasing college graduates in the state, there should be fewer obstacles in the way of potential students.

Woo! Pig Sooie! Yea, I said it. And you know what? It’s ok.

But only for another few weeks.

You see, it hasn’t been deemed appropriate to start a football program at UALR. It could be debated for hours upon hours and days upon days, but the fact is we don’t have a program and likely won’t be passing a pigskin anytime soon. And in the South, we need our football in the fall.

Either way, school spirit is something that I tend to be passionate about. If you go to a school, don’t wear other school’s apparel on campus.

Support your school.

Throw away your purple and gray. The red and black is unnecessary as well.

But you can keep the colors for now.

Ok. I know I’m sounding contradictory. But that’s the situation we have in the Trojan “nation.”

As much as I support the Trojans, I can’t help but bleed cardinal and white during football season. We don’t have professional football in Arkansas, so the Hogs are what we’re left with.

To all of you out there who are split when it comes to school spirit versus Razorback pride, I want you to know this: it’s OK. You are forgiven. Keep your Razorback gear and keep on callin’ those Hogs.

But only for another few weeks.

How to lose a friend in 10 minutes Frankly, my dear GEOFFREY BARA The upcoming Presidential election is easily the most important one I will have ever lived through. For the first time ever, we have a sitting President who supports same-sex marriage, and every reason to believe that should he become re-elected, that it will become a reality in the United States.

I’ve never been terribly good at censoring or filtering myself in general, but on issues of this grave importance, I find it completely impossible. It seems that what I am good at these days is alienating members of my family and people who considered themselves my friends.

It seems to be socially acceptable today to tell me that any marriage I would seek to enter is wrong, because the Bible and God say so. However, to reply to these people that their religious beliefs are wrong seems to be offensive to a higher degree. I think that’s ridiculously unfair and evidence of a preposterous double standard. Religion is just another social construction like any other moral framework, and as such it is just as deserving of criticism as any other.

Moreover, we live in a country that is meant to enjoy separation of Church and state. That being said, it really shouldn’t

matter what religious beliefs one subscribes to, as religion should have nothing whatsoever to do with statecraft in specific or politics in general. I would never tell someone what religion to practice or not to practice, but I reject the idea that theology is somehow beyond reproof.

These people who I am now severing ties with have the nerve to say it’s my fault; that it’s my intolerance of their beliefs that makes it impossible to be friends. Doesn’t it make more sense that what makes it impossible for us to be friends is that I can’t respect someone who sees me as a second class citizen?

How valid could these friendships ever have been? Not very, in my opinion. If I am guilty of being intolerant of something, then I suppose it would be the blatant disregard for my civil rights.

Because that’s what this is.

This is a civil rights struggle. We will all be found on either the

right or wrong side of history on this issue in the years to come, and I have the comfort of knowing that history will agree with me. I regret that some people are so enmired in antiquated faiths that they can’t see the bigger issue of human rights; I do not regret dismissing these people from my life. I regret that at the moment I seem to be unreasonable to some people; I do not regret my words or my actions.

I’ve never been the sort of person who found it necessary for everyone to be in agreement with me for me to feel secure with my decisions, and I refuse to keep silent at this time solely for the purpose of maintaining what are essentially acquaintanceships with people I knew from high school. It’s significantly more difficult when the person I am disagreeing with is family, but the fault doesn’t lie with me on this one. Sometimes people are just wrong, and sometimes they need to be told.

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.

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Please limit letter to 500 words or less.

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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 sent to editor@ualr.edu or

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News Editor Cameron Moix

Executive Editor Jennifer Ellis

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Managing Editor Ricky Harris

Sports Editor Greg Garcia

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Former Black Panther activist to speak on issues of race, justice Hilary Perkins

Contributing Writer

Civil Rights icon Angela Davis will be speaking at UALR at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at the University Theater.

Davis is an author, activist and professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Her lecture is titled “Race and Justice: The Consequences of Mass Incarceration.�

This lecture is based on racial issues and Davis the prison system. In the early 1970s, Davis spent 18 months in jail and was placed on the FBI’s most wanted list for murder and kidnapping, but she was later found innocent.

The lecture is sponsored by UALR’s William G. Cooper, Jr. Honors Program in English along with the Institute on Race and Ethnicity. “It makes sense to have her [Angela Davis] here in conjunction to the Black Women’s Activism course,� said Dr. Trey

News

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

3

Remembering Patricia Guardado

Philpotts, chairperson of the English department.

Laura Barrio-Vilar is the assistant professor of ethnic literature in the English department. Barrio-Vilar’s "Black Women’s Activism and Literature" seminar was the inspiration of the Davis lecture. “My hope is that it will be inspirational for everyone and that it will generate a dialogue about racial inequalities in the prison industrial complex,� BarrioVilar said.

Adoja Aiyetoro is the inaugural director of the Institute on Race and Ethnicity. Aiyetoro teaches Introduction to Race and Ethnicity at UALR as well as Critical Race Theory at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. Tamisha Cheatham is project coordinator of the Institute of Race and Ethnicity. Cheatham works with Donna Shelton and Adoja Aiycero to make sure the projects within the institute are completed.

There will also be a book signing followed by lecture. For more information, contact the Institute on Race and Ethnicity by phone at 501-569-8932 or email at race-ethnicty@ualr.edu.

HOUSING, continued from page 1 a goal of the UALR Strategic Plan that cites student success as UALR’s top priority. An objective of that goal states that UALR will strengthen the sense of community among students, and cites a first-time freshman housing requirement and meal plan purchase as a strategy. The policy also cites a state mandate to double the school’s graduation numbers by 2025.

The new policy will require each first-time freshman enrolled in 12 or more course hours to live in UALR’s newly completed West Residence Hall, unless he or she is approved for [an] exemption[s] from the policy. Any students who cannot or do not want to live on campus can be exempt if they are: • Students who are 21 years of age and older • Married students • Students who are parents or legal guardians who have a dependent living in the home • Veterans of active military duty • Participants in programs not on main campus • Transfer students who have attended college since graduating high school • Individuals who have documented mitigating circumstances.

If proven with the appropriate documentation, the first six exemptions are practically automatic, according to Debra Gentry, executive director of housing.

But applications for exemption that cite “documented mitigating circumstances� will be approved on a case-by casebasis by a review board, which Gentry says will likely include faculty and staff from across campus and at least one student. “We’ve been looking at this issue for a long time,� Gentry said. “Part of it came out of the strategic plan that was sanctioned by the university ... and part of what we looked at was policies at oth-

er schools,� Gentry said.

But not everyone on campus is supportive of the upcoming student housing requirement. Since the announcement, Engineering Professor and UALR Faculty Senate Member Nickolas Jovanovic has voiced his concerns on FacFocus, UALR’s faculty email listserv. Like many who critique aspects of the policy, Jovanovic seems to focus much of his attention on the lack of exemption for students who live in areas surrounding the university. There has also been a difference in opinion among students, some of whom share Jovanovic’s concerns. “I think that maybe the school needs money and this is a way of assuring they get it,� said Zachary Rutledge, freshman biology major. “However, if all the freshmen have to live on campus, there is always the risk that it will leave fewer rooms available for upperclassmen ... if someone is paying for college on their own they should be able to spend their own money how they choose.�

In response to concerns about whether the capacity of housing can sustain the new policy, Gentry said UALR has plenty of room for the foreseeable future. The university can now house 1,400 students due to the recent completion of West Residence Hall and purchase of University Village (formerly Coleman Place), according to the Student Housing page of the UALR website. “We’ve been a commuter school for years, but now we’ve got 1,400 beds and that’s a critical mass,� said Interim Provost Sandra Robertson. “We’re able now to do some significant programming for those students, which is designed to help them be successful.�

There are currently 612 freshman students living in student housing, according to student housing data. Of those freshmen, 87 percent (534) are instate students, and 46 percent (281) list home addresses “within easy commuting distance.�

Sophomore Spanish major Derrick Turner and sophomore psychology major Janitta Holman sign a guest book in remembrance of slain student Patricia Guardado. Sigma Delta Pi collaborated with students in Erin Finzer’s service-learning seminar on violence in Latin American literature to set up an alter in remembrance of Guardado in the Donaghey Student Center. A year later, no arrests have been made in the murder of Guardado, who went missing after parking her car in the lot behind Burger King on University Avenue. Photo by Chelsey McNiel

SENATE, continued from page 1 Jovanovic’s proposal lists several existing courses that a student can take to satisfy the requirements of each subject. It also contains a clause that allows for the addition of other courses into the curriculum, provided that they are added via a formal procedure (identified in the document).

The Senate also voted to delete ENGL 2338 (Literature Themes) from Humanities, and instead include ENGL 2335 (Intro to Literature) and ENGL 2339 (Mythology), on the basis that Themes classes were always nearly empty.

Students and faculty alike are encouraged to attend these open meetings of the Faculty Senate and undergraduate curric-

ulum requirements. Students are invited to voice their opinions during each meeting. Apart from Forum journalists, no student representation, governmental or otherwise, has been present in any UCR meetings conducted this fall semester. “I wish more students would show up to these meetings,� Secretary Wright said. “These matters affect them personally.�

The next Faculty Senate meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Donaghey Student Center's Ledbetter Hall, and the next UCR meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. Nov. 2 in Dickinson Auditorium.

The UCR document can be printed off from the “Office of the Provost� page on UALR’s website.

Police Beat Illegal entry to Village parking lot

Laptop stolen from academic office

Two students were searched for an illegal substance after following another car into the University Village parking lot on Oct. 6.

According to a police report, Officer Matthew Boyd observed a black Ford Escort tailgate another vehicle into the University Village lot without swiping a card at the gate. The vehicle was driven by Darius Toney, 22, with Abdulrahman Bin-Zaid, 25, as a passenger.

The officer initiated a stop for suspicious activity and asked why Toney had entered without swiping a card. Toney informed the officer that he did this because he had to use the bathroom, according to the report.

Officer Boyd smelled the odor of marijuana and proceeded to search the occupants of the vehicle as well as the vehicle itself.

He found no evidence of an illegal substance and let the two go after informing them that in the future they must use an access card to gain entry to the parking lot.

A laptop was stolen from a Ross Hall office on Oct. 8, according to a police report.

Officer Cody Jones responded to a call by Morris Suttles at 1:37 p.m. Suttles stated that he left his office to print some materials and returned 15 minutes later and noticed that his Dell Inspiron, valued at $600, had been stolen.

Suttles said that nothing else was touched.

Bricks trip up woman near Stabler Hall A woman tripped and hurt her ankle on Oct. 4 while walking on the brick pathway outside of Stabler Hall.

Officer Tanner Peck responded to a call by Wanda Jones, 58, who said that she was walking between Stabler Hall and Student Union A when she stumbled on an unlevel brick. She refused when Peck asked if she needed an ambulance.

She had another person drive her to get an x-ray.

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News

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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ELECTION, continued from page 1 Some UALR students expressed their opinions about the voting process. Abby Pyland, a sophomore nursing major, said it is an important experience for young people to attain, “I think that it shows a level of maturity and is an important rite of passage for teenagers into adulthood and it is very important to let your voice be heard.”

As evident by the Census Bureau data, not all young people share the same view as Pyland. In fact, Carlos Sepulveda, a junior economics major, said she feels it’s a waste of time to vote, “I don’t generally agree with the consensus, so I don’t bother to register [to vote].”

This November, there are a couple of issues on the ballot that may be of interest to young voters. At the local level, Arkansans will vote on authorizing the use of medical marijuana and increasing sales taxes by a half-cent. At the national level, voters will be choosing who they see best fit to lead the country out of an economic recession and into a time of ubiquitous job growth. And on a global level, a key issue will be finding a way to calm the tensions between Iran and Israel.

Iran says it is enriching uranium to develop nuclear energy. Israel says Iran is enriching uranium to develop a nuclear weapon to attack its country. In the next term, the President will need to make tough choices regarding military action, foreign diplomacy and an anemic world economy. A young person’s vote will directly affect many or all of these issues.

Unbeknownst to some, a vote cast for President of the United States could also be a vote which influences potential judicial appointments. In a conversation with Bruce Plopper, a UALR School of Mass

The Reach 13,000 food drive as collected more than 7,000 items that are on display in the Donaghey Student Center. The items will be donated to the Staff Senate Helping Hands project and the Arkansas Food Bank at the conclusion of the campaign Nov. 13. Photo by Cameron Moix

Communication professor who helped pass the Arkansas Student Publications Act in the mid-’90s, he predicted that the next U.S. President is likely to appoint a new Supreme Court Justice. There are three Supreme Court Justices of the United States that are in their mid-to-late ‘70s: Justice Antonin Scalia (conservative), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg (liberal) and Justice Anthony Kennedy (whom Plopper calls a “swing voter”).

Plopper reminds young people to pick their presidential candidate wisely, because “whoever is elected in November will most likely have the chance to appoint one or more justices who could change the complexion of the Court.” Experts speculate that if Gov. Mitt Romney is elected president, perhaps conservative justices will be appointed. If President Obama is re-elected, perhaps liberal justices will be appointed.

According to the Associated Press, issues already on the Supreme Court of the United States docket include affirmative action, national security issues and human rights issues. Possible cases that may be added to the docket during the coming months include same-sex marriage, voting rights and abortion rights.

If any Arkansas resident is unsure if he or she is registered to vote, the Secretary of State offices have provided a mobile site to quickly check voter eligibility in next month’s election. By going to sos. arkansas.gov/voterview/m, you can view a sample ballot that will be similar to the one used on Election Day. Within the mobile site you can also find out where you need to go to vote on Election Day. The 2012 United States presidential election will be held Tuesday Nov. 6.

Can’t wait to graduate!

Nonprofit program operates food drive to ‘Reach 13,000’ Kerissa Acetta Staff Writer

Reach 13,000 is a service project managed by Chancellor’s Leadership Corps senior student Amber Standridge, who is working to amass more food for the needy.

“The big goal is to [gather] 13,000 nonperishable items to donate to the [Staff Senate Helping Hands and Arkansas Food Bank],” said Standridge, “[and] to reach out to the community to show that even though we are college students, we care about helping the community.”

The Staff Senate puts together food baskets for staff members at UALR for the holidays, and the Arkansas Food Bank similarly distributes food and other items to underprivileged families in the community. CLC students are also encouraged to volunteer at the Arkansas food bank to help organize and distribute the items.

Reach 13,000 is the largest service project taken on by the UALR community. Reach 13,000 is called so because there are 13,000 students at UALR, and all of whom are encouraged to participate.

“I think it helps build unity and create involvement and engagement within the university,” said Nick Steele, coordinator of CLC. The Reach 13,000 project has already collected more than 7,000 items, according to Standridge. Many of the contributors have been departments and organizations within the school, including many Greek organizations, the EIT Scholars, EAST Scholars, TRiO, and Housing Staff. The department and the organization that donates the most nonperishable items will win a

pizza party.

So far, CLC has organized a kickball tournament Aug. 21, which brought in 3,000 items, and on Constitution Day Sept. 17, where they collected about 2,000 items. On Oct. 1, Sodexo partnered with the Helping Hands Across America initiative, offering free lunch to those who donated five nonperishable items.

“I would love to be able to see us reach 20,000 items… [But] we need help. We need involvement from our community and from the student body,” Standridge said.

Opportunities to contribute include the online auction through the Staff Senate Helping Hands project, which began Sept. 25 and will end on Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. To participate in this auction, visit 32auctions.com/ualrhelpinghands, create an account, and start bidding. Items up for bid include a Dell Latitude St Tablet, paintings, gift cards, and tickets to the Little Rock Zoo. The UALR fall open house on Oct. 25 will include a teacup auction. All proceeds and donations will be used to buy food or Kroger gift cards to be donated to needy families, according to Steele. Staff and students can also help by dropping items off in the boxes located around campus.

The last day to make contributions to the food drive is Nov. 13. The same day, CLC will host the Battle of the Talents competition, where Yesterday’s Tomorrow, a band featuring three UALR students, will compete to defend their title as champions. This will take place in the DSC Field House from 7 to 9 p.m. It is free to participate, but has a fee of five non-perishable items to come out and watch the show.

Soon-to-be graduates flocked to the Donaghey Student Center’s lower concourse, Oct. 11 for UALR’s Fall GradFest event. GradFest is a program of the Office of Counseling and Career Planning that offers upcoming graduates the chance to take care of their various commencement needs. Photo by Chelsey McNiel

On-campus event inspires students to plan for the future of Central Arkansas Ian Bennett Staff Writer

“Imagine Central Arkansas”, the name used to identify the planning effort by Metroplan, visited the UALR campus Sept. 26 to hear the input of students on how Little Rock may be improved in such areas as the quality of transportation, economic development and quality of life.

Several students lined up throughout the day around the blue tents set up with tables offering complimentary popcorn, and representatives ready to educate them about the association and collect opinions on where they see central Arkansas within the next 20 to 30 years.

Representatives of “Imagine Central Arkansas” asked students to write their ideas down on a dry-erase marker board and then hold the board in front of them so that their pictures could be taken to be posted on the organization’s Facebook page. “This has been great” said Richard Magee, deputy director/director of planning, “A lot of participation from the students so far.”

Another member, when asked about why the decision was made

to hold an event at UALR, said, “The opinion of young people is important because you are the future.”

While “Imagine Central Arkansas” focuses on improving and providing more transportation options throughout central Arkansas, it also “strives to be all-inclusive so that each and every voice has an opportunity to be heard,” according to the initiative’s website. Other than suggestions for improved public, eco-friendly transportation system, proposals include better park maintenance, bicycling education, more and better downtown housing options, etc.

“Imagine Central Arkansas endeavors to engage citizens and other stakeholders in a dialogue about the future,” according to the organization’s mission statement. “With that in mind, the visioning process is broken down into five distinct objectives.”

Those “five distinct objectives” include listening, creating, educating, collecting and prioritizing.

For more information about “Imagine Central Arkansas” visit at imaginecentralarkansas.org, or to learn more about Metroplan visit metroplan.org

ualr.edu/forum

Where’s It At?

5 RSO Event highlights impact of poverty

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Spotlight

Recognizing campus involvement and achievements of UALR’s registered student organizations

University Program Council Sabin Terry

??

Do you know what this is a picture of?

If so, let us know!

Email rrharris@ualr.edu or visit The Forum office with your answer & win a prize!

?

Last edition’s answer: UALR sign in front of the Student Services Center

October 19th Friday

Discover UALR Day: Sodexo Tent @ Trojan Grill 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trojan Grill

22nd

Monday

UPC Week Kickoff 11 a.m.

Diamond Café

Neon Party

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

DSC A/B/C

23rd

Tuesday

Comedian: Tiffany Haddish 7 p.m.

DSC A/B/C

24th

Wednesday

Campus Sustainability Day

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DSC Upper Concourse

Movie Night: The Dark Knight Rises 6 p.m.

DSC A/B/C

25th

Thursday

Game Night

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

DSC A/B/C

Do you have a non-academic event that you want posted on this calendar?

If so, email rrharris@ualr.edu

Contributing Writer Movies, games and fun, oh my! The University Program Council (UPC) offers these and many other activities for students to enjoy. Whether it’s the amazement of a magician, the laughter from a comedian or the bizarreness of a hypnotist, the UPC is guaranteed to provide a good time.

The UPC is a registered student organization within the Office of Campus Life that provides entertainment of all kinds to the student body. The University Program Council is funded by student activity fees, which means all events are free to students. The UPC offers a chance for students to come together and have a good time.

UPC has three executive committee members this fall.

They are Eboni Franklin (Movies/PR), Lucia Okaro (Special Events), and Vernon Wilson (Entertainment).

Franklin believes that more students should become involved.

“We provide events we think students would enjoy,” Franklin said, “but it would make it easier if we had more students attend UPC meetings to tell us exactly what they want to see on campus.”

Franklin also stated the goal of the program is to provide events for students so they can enjoy them and allow the students to get involved with campus activities.

“The best part about being in UPC is knowing that we are putting on events that could possibly be a memorable moment in a students’ college experience,” Franklin said.

Emily Cox, the UPC adviser, has been with the program for two years. She graduated from Arkansas Tech (ATU) in Russellville. Cox was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, served as a resident assistant, worked with student government and collaborated with other offices on campus. She has devoted her time and effort to helping others.

“Being so involved in many campus entities, I discovered my passion for working with students,” Cox said.

Cox received a master’s degree in college student personnel from ATU, and during her time as a Graduate Assistant she spent time working with the Students Activities Board.

“I knew after that experience that my heart and passion lied in student affairs and student activities,” Cox said.

UPC’s next series of upcoming events will include UPC Week. UPC Week starts on October 22 and will have a week-long event of activities including: a showing of The Dark Knight Rises (keep in mind that movie won’t be out on DVD for at least another two months), old school game night with games such as Pacman, Frogger, and the original Donkey Kong, a carnival that will include a mechanical bull, games, and free food, and a neon-themed bash where you will need to wear white and come dance like there is no tomorrow. Not to mention, they will also feature comedian Tiffany Haddish, who has appeared on HBO and Comedy Central.

Anyone that wants to get involved with the UPC can do so by attending meetings which are held every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in the DSC in room 201T. All students are encouraged to come out and give their ideas on how to make their college campus experience better.

If you would like to get more information on the UPC, visit their website at: www.ualr. edu/UPC or by their Twitter: @ UALRUPC.

Campus Life

Alexis Williams

Assistant News Editor The Student Government Association hosted the third annual hunger banquet on Oct. 10, recently renamed Clash of the Classes. This event coincides with the Reach 13,000 food drive.

The event was organized so that it would be representational of the reality of income distribution in the world today.

“The hunger banquet is an event started in 2010 to teach students about hunger and poverty in the world,” said Simone Lewis, SGA Senator for the College of Professional Studies.

“It’s an issue that I’m passionate about. My dad taught us, ‘Don’t take things for granted, because you never know what will happen to you,’” she said.

Students who either donated four canned goods or paid a $2 entry fee were asked to select a blank envelope with a gold seal from the table that was set up outside Ledbetter Hall. They opened the envelope and found their income level typed on a card. Typed below the class was a short description of an individual they represented. Each student was seated according to his or her income level, which was decided from the enveloped that the individual randomly chose.

Christi Kim, SGA secretary and sophomore biology major, said that the banquet was effective in making people think of the problems the world faces today “not just locally but nationally and internationally. We can’t quite experience what these people in poverty are going through.

“But because it is interactive, it allows us to get a general idea of what it feels like to not have an adequate meal each day,” Kim said.

The “upper-income” class, which comprised very few guests,

Sergio Tolentino, sophomore health sciences major, and Erica Patterson, junior middle school education major, eat rice as part of the Clash of the Classes event Oct. 10 in the DSC. The event, sponsored by the Student Government Association, highlighted hunger throughout the world. Photo by Alexis Williams was seated in a well-lit area of the room at grand tables, decorated with tablecloths, silverware and floral centerpieces. They feasted on garden-fresh salad, lasagna, chocolate brownies and lemonade. This class was invited to return to the buffet for seconds.

The slightly larger “middleincome” class was herded to the dimly-lit half of the room at plain tables with no tablecloth or flora.

This class received soup and water.

The “lower-income” class, roughly half of those in attendance, was left to scavenge for seating on the floor around legless tabletops in the corner of the room, littered with torn newspaper pieces. They were rationed a Styrofoam cup of water and a small bowl of white rice. Having been furnished no utensils, this class was forced to eat the rice with their fingers.

“They’re eating good, and I’m over here slurping chicken broth!” was the reaction of Haven Lockeby, a sophomore psychology major.

While the three classes dined on their respective meals, Senators Simone Lewis, Jeremy Jenkins, sophomore broadcast journalism and business major, and Adele Hernandez, freshman Member-at Large, informed the audience of world hunger facts.

The guests discovered “upper class” represented 15 percent of the world’s population considered "upper-income", the “middle class” represented 35 percent of the planet who are middle-class, and the overwhelming “lower class” represented 50 percent of the world who are living in poverty.

After the guests were dismissed, Lockeby said, “I didn’t realize that half of the world lives in poverty. It was an eye-opening experience”.

“This banquet made us realize all that we [Americans] have that other countries do not,” said Kelsay Williams, a sophomore speech communications major.

“We put so much toward buying things that we don’t need. It doesn’t make sense.”

6

Features

That damned Ellis kid David Ellis

Roasting Bananas When you’re a kid nothing beats summer break, except maybe Christmas break. There’s no school, no getting up at the asscrack of dawn and playing outside is a daily job. For my brothers and me it also meant plenty of time for our next misadventure. One summer will live in infamy for “The Roasted Bananas Debacle.”

Our bedroom had a window two feet from the ground; a fact which we took advantage of many nights. On this particular outing we decided to camp in a wooded lot down the street.

It was a known fact my brother Adam was a thief and a damn good one. So we sent Adam to the kitchen to pilfer food for the trip, while Joe and I gathered everything else. We needed to move with absolute stealth and speed, but when Adam didn’t come back for about thirty minutes we began to worry.

We had prepared to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. You can imagine our surprise when after half an hour, our burglar brother came back with a bunch of damned bananas. We were pissed, but we were short on time and needed to get going. We were going to roast something, if it had to be bananas well, so be it.

We made our way out the window trying hard not to make any noise, but we woke every damn dog for three blocks. It was a good thing that most of the neighborhood was used to dogs barking at night, including our parents, or we’d have been busted on the spot. When we made our way to what we thought was the center of the woods, we prepped the area for a small fire.

None of us had ever attempted to make a camp fire before; we gathered pine, lots and lots of pine. For kindling we used pine needles. What we didn’t know and what any fire aficionado will tell you is that pine, especially the needles, smoke terribly when burned.

So there we were down on all fours lighting a bunch of pine needles, blowing into them with our eyes burning and coughing like men who had tuberculosis.

But we were proud of ourselves for pulling all of it off, meanwhile our fire was smoking like a factory stack.

Happy with ourselves, we started sharpening roasting sticks for the unskinned bananas. As we were getting ready to skewer the bananas a car pulled up to the edge of the woods and stopped.

Being veteran troublemakers we knew immediately no one but a cop would be out at that hour.

Our fire was small, but the smoke could not be missed.

The cop flashed his spotlight at the edge of the woods while my brothers made a frantic whispered scramble to stomp out the fire. I rose to help, banana still in my hand, and the cop’s spot light hit me right in the eyes. I panicked and froze, crouching down in the undergrowth, praying I was unseen. I was so scared I began to squeeze my banana.

It began with a long fart, which was so loud I know the cop had to have heard, then the tell-tale heaviness in the pants. I knew I had soiled myself. My brothers and I had an escape route through a deep drainage ditch which ran all the way down the back of the wooded lot and let out not too far from our house. Lacking a flashlight, we ran through the woods tripping over roots and rocks until we reached the ditch. I of course, was bringing up the rear with banana all over my hand and a load of crap in my pants.

Just as we broke out of the woods, the headlights of the cop car hit us and we had to run like hell to get home. We vaulted the backyard fence like a herd of deer, sliding under the deck just as the cop passed. We managed to get back in the house undetected.

I threw away my soiled clothing to hide the evidence of my lack of bowel control.

In the aftermath I learned some lessons which have served me well. The first; don’t use pine for a fire, unless you’re in a survival situation. The second; life puts you in some uncomfortable, even downright embarrassing situations, but if you can handle running with banana on your hand and crap in your pants you can hack just about anything.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

ualr.edu/forum

Field House to host women’s roller derby Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

When Skate World in Jacksonville closed down, Girls Rollin’ in the South Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby League had to search for a new central location for their fan base. The UALR Field House was chosen in hopes of raising awareness of the sport’s popularity, according to Campus Life Research Assistant Michael Castens.

“Administration was worried about the affects of the skates on the field house floor,” Castens said. “But after a demonstration they were satisfied and the bouts were approved.”

The Breakneck Brawlers will face the Tulsa Derby Brigade Oct. 20 at the UALR Field House.

Castens, known as Mr. Duzzit in the derby world, has

“We started out with three skaters, but we wanted to do derby and we wanted to stay local.”

-Daisy Fever been an announcer for GRITS for about a year.

“If you asked every announcer in roller derby how they became the announcer, I bet it was because some guy didn’t show up and they had to do it,” he said.

Castens said as announcer he likes to focus on the rules, so the audience can understand the events of the fastpaced sport.

A roller derby bout begins with four blockers from each team, also called the pack.

On the track behind the pack are two jammers with stars on their helmets. When the first whistle blows, the blockers take off followed by the jammers when the second whistle blows. The jammers race around the track to pass the pack and become the lead jammer. During their second flight around the track, the jammers try to pass blockers to score points. “[Roller Derby] is an exciting contest; it is something that is different and something that is grass roots; sort of home-grown,” Castens said.

“Maybe not totally polished, but that’s the appeal; it’s not corporate.”

The Breakneck Brawlers’ captain, Daisy Fever, established GRITS in March 2010.

The Breakneck Brawlers, who practice at Joyland Skate Cen-

Reptar (left) and Captain Daisy Fever warm up during the Breakneck Brawlers’ practice at Joyland Skate Center in Cabot. The Brawlers will face the Tulsa Derby Brigade at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the UALR Field House Photo by Chelsey McNiel ter in Cabot, were the first team established under GRITS. “We started out with three skaters in November of 2009,” Fever said. “But we wanted to do derby and we wanted to stay local.”

Two and a half years later GRITS has a core group of girls Fever said and that she couldn’t have picked a better team.

Fever has been out since April with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will not be cleared for competition until the season is over in November; however, she said she is grateful the team allows her to remain captain.

Junior nursing major Casey Tyson is in her first competitive season with the Breakneck Brawlers.

“I like jammin,” she said.

“But hitting is the most challenging. It takes skill to line up [with another player] without tripping and still put power behind it.”

Co-captian Miss Crasherella said she must rely on her sisters to function as a team.

“We have fun and cut-up,

but we get serious with drills,” she said. “Jammers get focused and we work together.

I can count on my sisters to have my back.”

Modern roller derby teams are usually connected to a community organization, according to Castens.

“Typically, [the charity] will

“It’s real people that build this from scratch, on their own, for free.

Someone who would do all that must love the sport.”

- Michael Castens have a booth at the bout where people can ask questions and make additional donations,” he said.

This season the Breakneck Brawlers have partnered with the Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center of Lonoke.

Wade Knox works toward reducing “the trauma of child abuse in a child-friendly and safe environment; foster professional collaboraton and cooperation; and promote education and advocacy regarding the prevention of child abuse within the community,” according to its website.

“We have a lot of players who are moms and this organization is close to their hearts,” Crasherella said.

Castens said the league pays dues and fundraises in order to keep the league going.

“It’s real people that build this from scratch, on their own, for free,” he said. “Someone who would do all that must love the sport.”

The Breakneck Brawlers compete in Arkansas and surrounding states. They are currently 4-5 this season. First whistle blows at 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door or $6 for students and military. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wade Knox Center. For more information visit gritsrollerderby.com

Compiled by Chelsey McNiel

What would your roller derby name be?

“Deadly Diva.

I’m a diva and if I was in roller derby I would be very violent.”

“Thunder Smash.

When I would smash into people they would hit the ground and it would sound like thunder.”

Amber Hammond Junior nursing

Keshavia Floyd Junior biology

major

major

“Magtheradon Gondwanaland, because it just sounds massive.”

“The Rocket, because it rhymes with my last name.”

Jeremy Grandison Sophomore mass

Matt Crockett Junior mass

communication

communication

major

major

ualr.edu/forum

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Features

7

Nonprofits gather to increase trafficking awareness Liz Fox

Entertainment Editor

Many people consider slavery to be a thing of the past and an unethical practice that disappeared in America with the end of the Civil War. But not only does enslavement of all kinds remain among popular markets in the modern era; it is also happening in our home state unbeknownst to thousands of Arkansas residents.

Human trafficking is a contemporary version of slavery that forces individuals into black markets for purposes of prostitution, illegal employment or other forms of exploitation.

According to statistics provided by the United Nations, an estimated 2.5 million people from hundreds of countries are forced into the industry at any given time, while a total of 27 million have been in slavery for years. Ninety-eight percent of those forced into the sex trade are women, and profits skyrocket into nearly $32 billion per year.

In Arkansas, many young women are dragged from their homes and left at truck stops for sex, then continue to be shipped along I-40 in the most deplorable and broken of conditions. Louise Allison, the founder of Partners Against Trafficking Humans (PATH), saw these horrors firsthand.

“We were drugged frequently without our knowledge,” Allison said in an interview with FOX16’s David Goins. “We were put in cars and taken places.

We were often transferred from one group of men to another group.”

Allison is one of many anti-trafficking representatives making an appearance at “Stop Human Trafficking Night,” an event being held for the first time at UALR on Oct. 18. Others joining her will be members of Rush Hour [Traffic], a Conway-based

nonprofit founded in 2010 that spreads awareness through public outreach and policy advocacy. According to RHT director Christina Branson, the organization also provides other services to those who have been affected directly by the sex trade.

“We work with legislators to present new legislation in 2013 to get some good laws in the books,” said Branson. “We [also] currently work with survivors and we provide housing, utilities and other resources they might need.”

In addition to appearances by these organizations, a documentary will be shown. The film, “Ne-

“Only together can we stop this injustice - one life at a time.”

-Rush Hour [Traffic] farious: Merchant of Souls,” was produced by Exodus Cry, a Christian ministry based in Grandview, Mo. that’s devoted to abolishing human trafficking around the world.

“Nefarious” has received over 17 honors since its release in 2011, including Winner for a Feature Documentary Film at New York’s Moondance film festival. Director, producer and writer Benjamin Nolot is one of many crew members who believes the film has made a difference in both national and international arenas.

“Significant strides have been made in the way of awareness and coverage,” Nolot said. “Also, legislative changes have been made in many of the countries where we filmed.”

According to an annual report released in Au-

gust by Washington, D.C.-based organization Polaris Project, Arkansas is one of the worst states when it comes to human trafficking laws. The state received a rating of 2 (out of 12) based on the strength and number of laws that have been put into effect.

Because of these disheartening numbers, state officials including Attorney General Dustin McDaniel have worked with local and regional nonprofits in an effort to raise awareness and increase prohibitive legislation.

But, outreach events are what prove to be the most helpful. Human trafficking awareness organizations have recruited thousands of volunteers from churches, communities and college campuses, and they help in many ways with donations, care packages and health care for victims.

Behind the UALR event is Rachel Hoskins, a junior anthropology major, who is not only interested in human trafficking, but is devoted to the cause of preventing it - so much that she planned the event.

“I want students to rise up with me and declare what is happening to these girls,” she said. “[To realize it is] evil and then to do something about it.”

Hoskins also encourages people in Central Arkansas to get involved in the cause through a variety of means.

“That is why we invited them to come in the first place, for people to watch the movie and right after it find out ways to get involved to stop this problem,” she said.

But the ultimate goal, according to RHT, is simple: “Only together we can stop this injustice - one life at a time.”

UALR’s first “Stop Human Trafficking” event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center (Ledbetter Hall A) on Thursday, Oct. 18. For more information email rdhoskins@ualr.edu.

The Color Run Little Rock: how to survive the planet’s happiest 5K Chelsey McNiel Features Editor

The Color Run Memphis was my first 5K and it was less about making good time and more about enjoying a color-filled day with friends. The race welcomes all types from casual strollers to Olympic athletes, but the most important thing is to have fun and cross the finish line covered in “Willy Wonka goodness,” according to thecolorrun.com.

Become a color runner The Color Run Little Rock registration does not have a deadline, but it’s first come first serve. The website warns runners to sign up fast because there is a cap on the registration slots. The event costs $50 as of Oct. 15, but increases to $55 starting Nov. 1. If you can assemble a team of four or more, it’s $5 cheaper per person.

The fee includes your registration, a Color Run T-shirt, a color runner headband and after party color packet. Participation also benefits Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation which is sponsoring the race, according to thecolorrun.com. I had only one worry signing up for The Color Run; no refunds, not even due to inclement weather.

Whether you choose to run solo or with a team, I highly recommend a costume.

At The Color Run Memphis I saw tutus, rainbow wigs, and white Elvis jumpsuits.

The only requirement at the starting line is a white shirt; almost anything else goes.

Team costumes will not only help you locate your running mates in a sea of a thousand white shirts, but are also part of the crazy, friendly atmosphere.

Another benefit to costumes is maximum skin coverage. The weather in Memphis on Oct. 13 was still comfortably warm, but in another few weeks Little Rock could be seasonably chilly. Also, the colored powder made from corn starch and dye, which is showered on you during the entire event, can be a little tricky to remove from your sweaty skin. (I’ll cover that later.) For now, just know the more skin covered, the less you will look like a multi-

colored smurf the next day.

After registering you will receive an email about a week before race day giving you specifics on what to bring, where to park and where to pick up your Color Run Packet. A designated place will be available a couple days before race day to pick up your packet which includes: a Color Run T-shirt, headband, runner number and a color packet of brightly colored powder.

My team and I picked up our packets the morning of the race and had to stand in line for about 15 to 20 minutes. The Color Run Memphis staff worked quickly, but I would recommend picking up your packet the day before. That will also prevent you from having to carry extra baggage during the race.

On race day Make the first “wave” of runners. Runners are sent through the starting line a few hundred at a time so the color stations do not become too congested. Color stations are spread throughout the race route and are where you get sprayed with different colored powder at each station.

At The Color Run Memphis I was in the fifth wave of color runners, which was about the middle of the crowd; however, it was still too late for a couple stations. Volunteers had run out of colored powder before my wave of runners made it through.

A couple of my teammates and I resorted to rolling on the ground to pick up the extra powder and get our coloring.

To achieve maximum color coverage, of course wear a mostly white outfit, but also run to the left or right side when making your way through the color stations. Volunteers are lined up on both sides of the stations with squeeze bottles and buckets full of colored powder to lavishly decorate you. One volunteer may be in the middle of the station but not at all of them.

If you have trouble breathing in dusty places, I would recommend wearing a mask or tying a bandana around your mouth as you pass through the color stations. It will not only keep the powder from staining your teeth, but help you breath a little easier. Swim goggles or sunglasses are also nice to have on hand.

Above: A wave of runners race through the first color station on the Memphis route. Color Run volunteers stand on each side of the lane to pelt participants with yellow powder Right: Memphis color runners gather post race on Oct. 13 for The Color Run after party to dance and get showered with yellow, pink, orange, and blue powder. The Color Run will make a stop in Little Rock Nov. 10 Photos courtesy of Gillian Chastain

Melissa LeMay of Cabot throws a teal color packet on her teammates (left) Gillian Chastian, Karley Stoll and Alyssa Rasnick during the after party. The team participated in The Color Run Memphis on Oct. 13 Photo by Chelsey McNiel Water stations were set up at two locations during The Color Run Memphis.

One at the mid-point of the race route and at the finish line. You can also carry your own water bottle.

Because The Color Run is a “fun run,” it’s “open to all speeds, ages, shapes and sizes,” according thecolorrun.com. Don’t expect to make your personal best time on this route. The day is more about family and friends being healthy together and having fun. Numerous families show up pushing strollers and toting small children, so keep an eye out while maneuvering through the crowd.

The after party Save your color packet until after the race; you’ll want it for the after party. Once a couple waves make it past the finish line the after party picks up with blasting dance music and free merchandise tossed to the crowd. The Color Run calls itself the “happiest 5k on the planet,” so don’t be afraid to show of your dance moves and join in the fun.

About every 20 minutes a “color throw” will be announced, so get ready to use your color packet. Once your first color packet is gone, that may be it for you unless you are

lucky enough to grab one that The Color Run staff are chunking out into the crowd.

But don’t fret, the community of color runners will be more than willing to spread the love. A medical tent is also available if you acquire any wounds along the way.

Cleaning up Visit The Color Blower station before you leave the after party. The Color Run recommends getting all excess powder removed before applying any water. The powder is made from corn starch and dye so soap and water should remove most of your hard earned art, but it may take a couple of good scrubbings.

A good body scrub and lotion will help, but don’t expect to be completely color free for a day or two. Coconut or olive oil will help prevent coloring in your hair if applied pre-race, according to thecolorrun.com. Or you can just wear a hat. You can take a few precautions but the colored powder is like sand, it gets everywhere.

If you have never ran a 5k, The Color Run Little Rock would be a great place to start. For more information visit thecolorrun.com.

8

Entertainment

ualr.edu/forum

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Film contest seeks screenwriters ALEXIS WILLIAMS

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The Ozark Foothills FilmFest, an annual film festival held each spring, is hosting a screenwriting contest for writers seeking to produce their work.

For its screenwriting competition, the Ozark Foothills FilmFest is now accepting entries until Dec. 1; the entry fee is $20. Students can submit entries under two categories: Feature Screenplay (90-130 pages) and Short Screenplay (30 pages or less).

“Winning means money, but more importantly, it will help with either graduate school or in future careers in film [for the students],” said Bob Pest, co-founder and president of the Ozark Foothills FilmFest.

Cash prizes are awarded from $400 to $600, depending on each category.

Those who enter will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the next

FilmFest on April 3-7, 2013 in Batesville. Winners will be announced during this time.

Pest said that the initial goal of the FilmFest was to “bring a wide variety of films to the Ozark Foothills region.

As for meeting our goals, we have surpassed them.”

Judges of the competition will be screenwriters Dawn Winkler and Pola Zen. Zen is also a professional filmmaker and editor.

“The best advice that I can give UALR film students,” Pest said, “is to do what you love, take your work seriously and watch a lot of films made before you were born.”

Students can view the entry form, guidelines and format requirements at ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org. Contact Bob Pest at (870) 251-1189 or bobpest@ wildblue.net for further details.

Food and fun begin at Arkansas State Fair

Benton resident Ray Pennington of State Fair Funnel Cake prepares his tasty treats for sample tasting at the Arkansas State Fair media day. The fair is in town until Sunday, Oct. 21. Photo by Chelsey McNeil

Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterston, Dev Patel and Emily Mortimer star as television journalists on HBO’s “The Newsroom.” Photo courtesy of HBO

HBO gets political in ‘The Newsroom’ CAMERON Moix NEWS EDITOR

The most recent mark made on a timeline where television revolving around journalists is scarce is one that deserves a shot at future syndication — a show that turns the camera on itself and brings the newsroom to its viewers.

The latest brainchild of awardwinning writer and producer Aaron Sorkin is aptly titled The Newsroom, which aired its inaugural season on HBO from June 24 to Aug. 19. The new 60-minute series may seem atypical compared to some of his other creations, but Sorkin used similar methods to depict institutional inner-workings in “A Few Good Men,” “The West Wing” and “The Social Network” that he does to reveal those of the watchdog in “The Newsroom.”

First of all, the cast is killer. It doesn’t matter if you know Jeff Daniels from his goofy role opposite Jim Carrey in “Dumb and Dumber,” or his appearance in Woody Allen’s “The Purple Rose of Cairo;” this is a different Jeff Daniels — one that astounds and appears unbearably human. Daniels plays the cynical and heartbroken nightly news anchor Will McAvoy, whose News Night newsroom is the focus of the series.

Others in McAvoy’s newsroom include British actress Emily Mortimer, who plays the quirky Mackenzie McHale, and Slumdog Millionaire protagonist Dev Patel, who plays brainy conspiracy theorist Neelamani “Neal” Sampat. Both of these characters are of considerable importance to McHavoy; the prior involving an unresolved romantic relationship and the latter as the writer of the star journalist’s blog.

Each episode revolves around a major news story of the recent past. Some of the first season’s most memorable events include the explosion of British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the resulting Gulf Coast spill, the evolution of the Arab Spring uprising and Tokyo’s Fukushima nuclear crisis

in the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

In one of the first season’s finest episodes, the band of news junkies is given word of and covers an event that turned out to be the assassination of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces on May 1, 2011. The event was depicted with both historical and emotional context, attempting to convey what reporters and Americans felt as the news broke of seeming retribution more than ten years after Bin Laden’s alleged attack on the World Trade Center buildings in downtown Manhattan.

But with all of its bright lights and fancy footwork, the series is not without its flaws. Hindsight is 20/20, and the conflict and energy audience members see while watching the show may not be adequately portrayed as the rare breed it really is. However, the series does a great job of painting a colorful portrait of journalistic triumphs as well as the skillfully-handled fumbles reporters sometimes make.

But Sorkin rarely shows his viewers the boring meetings, slow news days and dead-end leads that are bound to pervade any news agency.

That said, the news environment that Sorkin has created is not the stereotypically cynical one, but a vibrant and inspiring institution filled with awkward office romance, evolving careers, and ultimately, McAvoy’s selfinvented “mission to civilize.”

Print journalists — writers who craft content for media like newspapers and magazines — are at constant odds with broadcast journalists, who write and create radio programing or televised newscasts. But the conflict posed between the two major parties of the Fourth Estate seems to have cooled “The Newsroom”, an excellent series in an era crowded with less savory media.

“The Newsroom” will not only give any newspaper man or woman a sense of respect for the rival medium that he or she might never have had, but will fill any audience member with great pride for the craft itself.

CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS OCTOBER 17 — OCTOBER 31, 2012

THURSDAY, OCT. 18

SATURDAY, OCT. 20

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT @ UCA Renown Canadian-American singer-songwriter offers concert as part of UCA’s “Public Appearances” series at Reynold’s Performance Hall. Admission: $30-$40. Show starts at 7 p.m.

CHILI FIGHTS IN THE HEIGHTS Annual chili-tasting event benefiting the Arkansas Foodbank Network.

Event starts at 2 p.m. with awards given at 5 p.m. Prices vary by vendor.

SUNDAY, OCT. 21

TUESDAY, OCT. 30

MATISYAHU @ REV ROOM Reggae-influenced pop star brings his unique sound to downtown Little Rock. Admission: $22 advance, $25 day-of-show. Show starts at 7 p.m.

“WEST OF MEMPHIS” New West Memphis Three documentary produced by Peter Jackson.

Free admission on a first-come, first-serve basis. Screening starts at 7 p.m.

BOO AT THE ZOO

Oct. 18 — 21+ preview, 6-9 p.m.

Oct. 19-21, 26-31 — all-ages main event General admission: $6 for members, $7 for non-members Free parking; children under 1 get in free! littlerockzoo.com/boo

ualr.edu/forum

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Entertainment

9

After being released last year, former convict Damien Echols combined his death row journals with new writings to create his memoir, “Life After Death.” Photo courtesy of Blue Rider Press

KISS just wrapped up a successful North American tour with Mötley Crüe. They will be heading to South America next month to play at least six shows.. Photo courtesy of Universal Music Group

KISS unleashes classic analog sound with 20th studio album JACOB Ellerbee

ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

With nearly four decades of experience under their belts, classic rock stalwarts KISS has unleashed their 20th studio album,”Monster.”

Very few bands stay together long enough to record 20 albums, so KISS decided to record an album like they used to do in the 1970s and ‘80s. The band chose to record “Monster” using only analog equipment and vintage gear. This means the band did not have the safety nets of digital technology like auto-tune, digital mixers or digital editing at their disposal. Today, it’s commonplace to exclusively use digital equipment to record an album.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley was asked why the band decided to record using analog tape and he said, “Gear that looks like ‘Star Trek’ isn’t what any of our heroes played on. If you can’t get a great sound with your guitar plugged into an amp, you need a new guitar or a new amp.”

The band’s line-up is cemented with founding members Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Gene Simmons (bass guitar, vocals); however, the positions of drummer and lead guitarist have seen a revolving cast come and go since the ‘90s. Currently, Eric Singer holds down the drum kit while Tommy Thayer shreds on lead guitar.

The band has found it increasingly hard to please the “KISS Army” ever since founding drummer Peter Criss and founding guitarist Ace Frehley left the band. “Monster” is only the second album that features the current incarnation of the band, and there are many things that need to be proven before KISS enthusiasts embrace Singer and Thayer as one of their own. KISS certainly had this in mind when recording “Monster” in Hollywood and Los Angeles, Calif. The album is jam packed with 12 songs that were cre-

ated using previous hit-singles as a blueprint for success. The band use familiar hooks to generate new anthems that long-time KISS fans will surely appreciate. Additionally, the band wrote all of the songs and had no outside writers contribute to the album.

“Hell or Hallelujah” may be the lead single from “Monster,” but it’s “Eat Your Heart Out” that generates the most excitement from this disc. The opening of the song begins with all four members singing a-cappella, “Eat your heart out, baby! / Oh won’t you give me something sweet? /Eat your heart out, baby! / A hot mess is just awhat I need.” A slithering solo guitar riff creates a bridge into a smooth stadium-sized attack. Simmons handles lead vocals on this track but, as the chorus kicks in the band transition into their signature gang vocals. This song has vintage KISS written all over it.

While Simmons and Stanley share the bulk of lead vocal duties, occasionally they allow other band members to shine in the lead singer light. This only happens one time throughout “Monster.” Thayer provides lead vocals on “Outta This World” and he does a great job. He has a smooth delivery that blends in perfectly with Simmons’ voice. In addition to providing the lead vocals on this track, Thayer also wrote the song. This could be a sign that Simmons and Stanley have vested their trust in him and fans should do the same.

For a band that’s built on visuals and an out-of-this-world stage show, it’s easy to neglect the quality of music the band creates. Thankfully, KISS does not disappoint on studio album number 20. Casual fans of rock music will enjoy this album as much as any KISS fanatic.

“Monster” has been released under the Universal Music Group label.

KISS has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.

Echols of ‘West Memphis Three’ fame reveals prison experiences in new book LIZ FOX

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

There are few people out there who have lived lives as notorious as Damien Echols. At 18, he was one of three teens convicted of murdering three second graders in West Memphis in 1993. His goth-outcast persona was only used to fuel the fire against him as members of his community deemed him a unruly individual of the Satanist persuasion. But after new evidence and much support, including that of Johnny Depp and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, the three men were officially released in August 2011 with Echols having spent half his life on death row.

From the time of his arrest, the now forty-something Echols has been a figurehead for many topics, including judicial injustice, occultism and even white trash. But his new memoir, “Life After Death,” offers details that go beyond the public facade while providing insight into death row that deems it a modern classic in the captivity narrative genre.

Though it is hard to judge a piece of work that’s bursting with such extreme aspects of the human condition, Echols succeeds in giving a heartbreaking account of his life on death row. Apt, colorful storytelling makes for vivid scenery enveloping a man dealing with internal demons while the public eye is turned to his small concrete hovel. He chronicles alleged abuse by guards and employees in a unique fashion, balancing the horrors of the Arkansas Department of Corrections with humorous accounts of convicts who have the oddest of quirks.

However, there are rays of light that seem to break through the blackness. During his time in prison, Echols devoured many books and chose to explore a variety of beliefs, which culminated into a reasonable stash of literature as well as a 1999 Buddhist wedding with architect Lorri Davis .

This gives “Life After Death” a refreshing, spiritual autobiography-oriented facet that may seem surprising to those who have followed or studied the West Memphis Three case over the last two decades. His stories regarding his choice of belief and lifestyle

are told in a positively appealing light that’s capable of leaving the reader satisfied.

But while Echols’ account is every bit as gripping as one would expect, there exist portions of his language that are hard to get past. A very downto-earth account sometimes gives way to pure melodrama, with “art for art’s sake” passages stifling stories that need no embellishments. His concept of “magick” is easy to understand, as he chooses to make it synonymous with beauty instead of Pagan practices, but it is one that he abuses. He often peppers his speech with the word magick, which suggests a gung-ho spiritualist in lieu of a death row prisoner. These bad habits detract from the seriousness of his autobiography and make some portions lighter -- and unintentionally funnier -- than they should be.

Fortunately, it is Echols’ handwritten entries that appear during the last quarter of “Life After Death” that seal the deal with the reader. The journals reek of the personality and desperation felt in his later years in prison, but for those familiar with the case, it was merely a hitch in what would later become his freedom. After years of failed appeals, he filed an Alford plea, which offers a defendant the opportunity to assume innocence despite the evidence against him. Once freed, he was again planted in a new environment.

But instead of being rushed into a life of cruelty, he was greeted with a happier kind of mayhem: entering a luxurious hotel with amenities and nutrition he had not experienced for 18 years, all with his wife by his side. For audiences who adore happy endings, this conclusion is gratifying at best.

“Life After Death” is the ultimate literary testament that one would expect from someone such as Damien Echols. It bridges the gap between true crime and sensationalism to create an enticing book that’s hard to put down. While I would recommend that most should familiarize themselves with the case prior to picking up this behemoth, it also suffices as a piece of entertaining literature for the casual reader interested in deeper aspects of the human experience.

App allows iPad users to ‘flip’ through news, social networks C.J. WATERS

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

UALR athletics app enhances college sports experience for students, faculty C.J. WATERS

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Just as UALR released their app for every campus-related need out there, the athletics department has created a UALR Trojans app for both students and fans of the university.

The primary purpose of the UALR Trojans app is to keep students and fans updated on Trojan sports with the latest news, game scores, schedules, rosters and live stats from all athletic teams. But the best thing about the app is what it provides for those who are unable to make it to the games: they are now able to receive live updates

for both teams as well as get the scoop on what’s going on with the athletic department. Because of this, cons have yet to be found with this app.

I found out about this app on the headlines from the UALR Trojans web page. After I downloaded it to my phone, it proved very helpful, handy and active. When I missed the Lady Trojans volleyball game against South Alabama, I logged on for updates on the game’s score and final win. As a result, I really suggest this app to everyone who enjoys watching UALR Trojan sports.

The UALR Trojans app is free for download on iPhone and iPad devices, and requires an updated version of iOS. It was last updated on Sept. 28.

Flipboard, an innovative app developed for multiple apps, has made it easy for smartphone users to have access to different apps by literally flipping through them.

Developed by Mike McCue of Tellme and Evan Doll of Apple engineering, Flipboard is displayed in a magazine format that allows you to seamlessly interact with multiple apps at once.

This can be used with any app, but it is especially convenient when used with social networking, news and internet browsers. When you’re logged into to websites like Twitter or Facebook, you can easily sift through tweets or your timeline, allowing for easier, flawless use.

Flipboard has received many accolades since its creation. The app has been named iPad App of the Year by Apple, the “top social app” at the 2012 Webby Awards and easily ranked as one of TIME’s Top 50 Innovations. According to USA Today, the hit app has garnered the company more than eight million users since it launched for iPad in 2010.

But while the award-winning app has many assets, there are some cons to consider. There are currently no versions available for tablets outside of iPads, and it’s impossible to read stories offline without a supplementary app. The phone version is also far

less innovative, as the size of smartphones don’t provide for comfortable and longer reading sessions like the ones available on iPad. Nonetheless, Flipboard’s pros outweigh its cons. I think this a very cool, easy and helpful app, and I would highly recommend this to fellow students as well as company employees who want easy access to news, social networking and other apps without the wait.

Flipboard is currently available for iPhone, iPad and Android through various app stores, and was last updated on Aug. 3 in a 1.9.6 version.

Those interested in the app’s development and story may log on to flipboard.com for details.

10

Sports

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

ualr.edu/forum

Recording kills and taking names Sophomore Edina Begic is having a season for the record books as she leads the Trojan volleyball team to the top of the Sun Belt Greg Garcia Sports Editor

In sports, the cliché “sophomore slump” gets tossed around a lot after a player exceeds expectations in their first year, only to see their performance regress in their second season.

For sophomore volleyball player Edina Begic, the aforementioned does not apply.

Begic is currently putting together a magical season, the likes of which has never been seen before in UALR volleyball history.

Begic came into the 2012 season fresh off a stellar freshman campaign where she was named the 2011 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. In addition, she was also a second team All-Sun Belt honoree and was named to the All-Tournament team at both the Memphis and New Mexico State Invitationals.

Begic started in all 110 sets last year and in that time led the team in kills with 432 and finished second in digs with 287. What she did in her freshman year, most players dream of doing throughout their entire career.

No way to top that, right?

Wrong.

Through twenty games, Begic has all eyes on her as opponents attempt to game plan on how to slow her down. As head volleyball coach Van Compton said, “they know Edina is our go-to player.”

Compton is aware that teams have a target on Begic’s back and that can sometimes come with a bit of anxiety.

“I think that she understands some of the pressure is on her,” Compton said. “It’s hard to deliver night after night after night.”

So with teams and players around the conference centering attention on Begic and pressure mounting, the logical conclusion would be that Begic’s performance would slow down a little in her sophomore season, right?

Edina Begic soars over the net as she tacks on to her nation-leading mark in kills in a confernce home game at the Jack Stephens Center last week. Begic is on pace to lead the nation in kills and shatter her freshman season total from a year ago. Photo courtesy of ualrtrojans.com Wrong again.

Begic is on a torrid pace yet again this year, dominating competition, and racking up accolade after accolade.

This season Begic has been named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team, was awarded the Sun Belt Conference’s Player of the Week twice, and as of Oct. 13, was leading the nation, that’s right, the nation in kills and points.

Even more impressive though, is the way Begic is handling all the success and attention. Too much success can sometimes go to a player’s head as they get wrapped up in the limelight.

Again, the aforementioned does not apply for Begic.

“She is so unselfish, no ego at all,” Compton said. “She is very humble.”

When asked if she keeps up with her own stats to see how she stacks up with the best volleyball players in the country, Begic grinned and admitted she does a little.

However, the difference with Begic is that when she looks at those stats,

it’s not to stroke her own ego. It’s for something much bigger.

“America is a huge country and I come from a very small country,” Begic said. “When you come here and you lead the nation, it’s a really great feeling. I want to lead the nation for my university, coaches, and teammates.”

A native of Bosnia, Begic is about 5,486 miles from home, but that hasn’t kept her family from watching their sophomore superstar on the court. Begic said her family watches every single game online and is aware of how well she is doing.

“I am in touch with them every single day,” Begic said. “We talk through Skype. They are happy for my team that we are doing good. My family really supports me.”

The mature 6’ 2’’ outside hitter has also been named the captain of volleyball team and garners tremendous respect from her teammates.

“When I go to the court, I always want to give 110 percent,” Begic said.

“I always want to give my best to not

make many errors, to help my team and my teammates.”

Begic’s success has been contagious as the Trojans are atop the west division of the Sun Belt conference. Good players are notorious for not only their great play, but also making their teammates better. This year, Begic is doing exactly that.

Despite being picked to finish third in the division, the Trojans have quietly been the surprise of the conference.

“I credit this group of girls with the success of our team. They’ve been really bonded as a team real well,” Compton said. “They worked extremely hard to overcome some adversities and injuries.”

With the regular season winding down and the conference tournament on the horizon, Compton remains optimistic, but still knows her team has to remain focused and play point-bypoint.

“If we can continue to do what we’ve done up until this point, we have a shot at winning our side,” Compton said.

ualr.edu/forum

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Sports

11

Freshman dives right in Soccer coach to resign Greg Garcia

kerissa accetta

Sports Editor

Staff writer

Freshman Megan Scott, hoping to pursue a degree in nursing, made a splash at UALR’s first home swimming and diving meet.

Scott won the inaugural Sun Belt Conference Diver of the Week for her performance against the University of North Texas on Oct. 5 and against Tulane on Oct. 6.

This is the first time in the university’s history that a diver from UALR has ever won the award.

“I’m really not sure how I got it,” Scott said. “It was kind of a shock.”

On Oct. 5, Scott placed third on the one-meter dive and third on the three-meter dive.

The following day, she took second place on the one-meter dive and fist place on the three-meter dive.

“I used to be in gymnastics, but I kind of got bored with it. My body started to fall apart, [so] it was kind of a toss up between cheer and diving,” Scott said. “At first I didn’t want to go into [diving]. My mom said I was going to try it out and I fought her until I tried it out that first day. And then I told her, okay, I like it.”

“My favorite part is when I get a new dive and when I accomplish something in a practice that I didn’t think I could do,” Scott said.

“My least favorite [part] is doing dives like optionals, which are hard dives. Or smacking, when you land on your stomach,” she said.

Before competing at the collegiate level, Scott dove for Alamo Area Aquatics Diving and the Brandeis High School in San Antonio.

“My second year diving I got to go to state. I beat out this girl by .23 points and so I got to go to state, which surprised a lot of people,” said Scott. “I won districts two years in a row after that.”

Scott said her competitors are much more mature in college.

“The high school divers would try to get into your head. They tried to overthrow you mentally before they [beat] you physically.”

Even though Scott doesn’t swim, she still feels like a part of the girl’s swim team.

“I really like [the team],” she said.

“When I went to the recruiting trip here, I noticed how close nit the swimmers [were]… I’m part of their team, they’re part of my team. We root for each other.”

Scott added, “I’m always checking up on the team. Like, I make the team [homemade] cookies a lot … And they’re all organic.”

Scott described her hometown as big and crazy.

UALR head soccer coach Freddy Delgado recently announced his plans to resign from his position at the end of the 2012 regular season.

During his five year tenure at UALR, Delgado assembled a .329 winning percentage (32-61-4), but is currently in the midst of his most disappointing season.

The Trojans are winless in seven conference games and only have one win to its credit through 15 games.

Delgado joined UALR in 2008 after being an assistant coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe for seven years.

Delgado’s best year at UALR came in 2009 when he led the Trojans to a 9-121 record and a berth in the conference tournament.

In that tournament, the eighth-seeded Trojans knocked off the heavily favored Florida International Panthers by a score of 1-0. It was the first time in Sun Belt Conference history that an eight seed defeated the number one seed.

But, that was the last time the UALR soccer team would reach the postseason, as Delgado was unable to find any consistency after that season.

Delgado will wrap up his five year stint at UALR with three remaining games on the conference schedule, including the season finale at home against Arkansas State on Oct. 26.

Freshman diver Megan Scott makes a splash at her first competition winning the inaugural Sun Belt Confernce Diver of the Week.

Photo by Chelsey McNiel

“[There were] a lot of different types of food,” she said. “[In Little Rock,] it feels like we have a lot more parks and things you can do outside.”

So far, the college life has pleased the young diver.

“I miss my family and my friends, but at the same time, it was nice to kind of move on and grow up,” Scott said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

As the year progresses, Scott is eager to “You have more freedom, but also it’s more of a challenge. No one can just sit there and say okay you need to do this and this. I really like it.”

Arkansas native provides spark on volleyball defense, uses height to advantage kerissa accetta Staff writer

Allison Wyatt, a sophomore majoring in health sciences with an emphasis in health education and promotion, has always aspired to play volleyball for a Division I school, like UALR. Even though she only stands at five-foot-two, when most college volleyball women are about six feet tall, Wyatt has never been intimidated.

“I don’t feel like I’m that short,” Wyatt said. “I feel like I’m just as tall as them.”

Wyatt has played volleyball since she was 7 years old.

“I just always watched it whenever I was little. I always watched the high school team and said, I am gonna do that some day,” Wyatt said. “[and] I just loved it from the first time I played it.”

Wyatt grew up in Jonesboro, where she attended Nettleton High School.

During her senior year of high school, Wyatt’s team won the state title. She was selected as the most valuable player for her high school and was chosen to play on the all-star team, where she was also awarded MVP. Wyatt also played for the Arkansas Juniors, a club team in Nettles.

When she played for high school and for the Arkansas Juniors, Wyatt played as an outside hitter. Now, at UALR, she is the defensive specialist, meaning she only plays half of the rotation in the back row. Her teammate, Eva Xie, plays the front row positions. “[Playing back row is] different because when you’re a hitter, you get the points, but being [on] defense, you have to depend on other people [to score],” said Wyatt. “It makes me feel good when someone is able to get a kill off of a good pass [or when I make] a play that people don’t expect [me] to get.”

“College is a lot harder than every other level that I ever played at. It’s a lot faster,” Wyatt said. “You can be the best in your high school but in college everyone is good, everyone is there to play.”

Choosing to come to UALR was not a hard decision. Wyatt grew up knowing about the school and the team.

“I came to camp [at UALR] my senior year. The coaches asked if I would stay and talk to them, and then, after that, they offered me a scholarship,” Wyatt said. “I considered going to Arkansas State Univeristy because I’m from Jonesboro [but] I really wanted to get a scholarship. I didn’t want to just walk on [to any team]” “Once I met the girls, I knew I made the right decision because all of them were so sweet. I couldn’t have picked a better team. There's not one single person I cannot stand. I think we have really good chemistry [on the court],” Wyatt said.

Wyatt has always set her goals high.

“To get here was a great accomplishment,” said Wyatt, “[but] I would love to get defensive player of the year.”

Wyatt has spent much of her life looking forward to playing volleyball for a Division I school. Now that she has reached her goal, she has to decide what she wants to do when she graduates from UALR. “I don’t really know what I want to do [after college], but I think I’m going to go back to Jonesboro,” Wyatt said.

“All my family is there [and] I am a family person.”

During volleyball season, the team is constantly busy and traveling. “[The season is hard] because I’m so close to Jonesboro. When we are in season I don’t get to go home, but the girls have created kind of a home here,” Wyatt said. “[It also helps to have] teachers that are really understanding and appreciate what you do.”

Season: 2008-2009 Record: 8-11-2 In his first year at UALR, Delgado helped the Trojans reach the Sun Belt Conference Tournament for the third consecutive year.

Season: 2009-2010 Record: 9-12-1 In his most successfull season, Delgado racked up nine wins, including two in the conference tournament.

Season: 2010-2011 Record: 7-12-1 For the first time in four seasons, the Trojans failed to reach the conference tournament. A 1-7 record to start conference play doomed the Trojans.

Season: 2011-2012 Record: 7-13 Delgado and his Trojans dropped its final five conference games resulting in the second consecutive season where the Trojans missed the conference tournament.

Senior Amber Kelly competes in the 200 butterfly against North Texas. In the race, Kelly placed third with a time of 2:12.83. Kelly also took third place in the 200 IM. Photo by Chelsey McNiel

Trojans shine in swim meet Greg Garcia Sports Editor

Behind junior Kara Raney and the freshmen duo of Natalie Swindle and Megan Scott, the UALR swim team opened up its 2012-2013 campaign with two successful meets against North Texas and Tulane University.

Raney, a native of Kingwood, Texas, placed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.77 against North Texas. The following day, Raney was at it again as she tied for first place in the 50 free with a time of 24.51 against Tulane.

Swindle was just as good as she opened up her career as a Trojan with a first place finish in the 500 freestyle

with a time of 5:14:13. Swindle also tacked on a second place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:59.01.

The freshman class shined again as Scott recorded two third place finishes in the one-meter and three-meter dives against North Texas. On the following day, Scott won the three-meter dive for her first career win as a Trojan.

Another bright spot for the Trojans during its two swim meets included a second place finish of the 400 freestyle relay. Raney, along with seniors Amber Kelly and Rebecca McEachern, and freshman Valeriya Teplva, recorded a time of 3:53.66 in the relay.

A front row defense consisting of Eva Xie, Adisa Hodzic and Edina Begic (left to right) attempt to block a possible kill from a North Texas player during conference play. Photo by Marcus Lowe

Volleyball stumbles on the road, remains atop SBC West division CJ Waters

Assistant Sports Editor

The UALR volleyball team lost its second straight conference matchup by losing to Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 13 at Lafayette.

With the loss, the Trojans fell to 5-2 in Sun Belt Conference play and 9-10 on the season.

UALR lost to the ULL 3-0 (25-18, 2927, 25-20).

Edina Begic led UALR in doubledoubles with 12 kills and 13 digs. Eva Xie added nine kills in the loss. Danielle Souza Moura finished with 10 digs in the match and Marleen De Zoete had 32 assists for the Trojans.

Last week, UALR escaped in a 3-1 victory over South Alabama on Oct. 5 and lost its first SBC game to Troy (3-1) on Oct. 6 at the Jack Stephens Center.

UALR won the first two sets, (25-23, 25-21) but South Alabama came back to

win the third set (25-12). In the last set, UALR came out with a 25-19 win after a kill Begic, who finished in double-figures of 16 kills and 11 digs in the win.

Sophomore Middle Blocker Adisa Hodzic had 13 kills and senior Outside Hitter Eva Xie added 12. Senior defensive specialist Emily Pepperman led the the team with 16 digs followed by Souza Moura’s 15 digs. Sophomore De Zoete led UALR in the assists category with 44.

Begic led UALR with 25 kills and nine digs, but it wasn’t enough as the team lost its first SBC game to Troy.

Against Troy, UALR dropped the first set (25-20) and won the second set (2516), but inthe last two sets, the Trojans fell 25-18 and 25-14 and lost 3-1.

Xie followed Begic with 17 kills in the losing effort. Souza Moura chipped in with eight kills to go along with her 13 digs. Allison Wyatt led the Lady Trojans with a game-high 18 digs.

2012

BEST OF Vote now ONLINE! ualr.edu/forum

Winners will be announced in the Oct. 31 edition of The Forum in a special edition insert.

Anyone affiliated with UALR can vote once online and once in person using a paper ballot on Oct. 17 and 18 in the solicitation area of the Donaghey Student Cetner.