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Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505
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Volume 94 | Issue 2 | Free in single copy | September 17, 2010
Gubernatorial candidates hold first debate at Tech Haslam, McWherter focus on the state budget, education
By CHRISTINE SEIBER Managing Editor
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam and Democrat Mike McWherter faced off for the first time in Wattenbarger Auditorium Tuesday night. Although the two agreed on illegal immigration policies and the disagreement surrounding the Islamic Center in Murfreesboro, the two clashed over topics such as the state budget. “What I learned as mayor is this—you don’t go in and make one huge cut anywhere,” Haslam said. “You make thousands of cuts in lots of different places.” McWherter responded, “Bill wants to terrify you
into thinking the budget is going to be a huge hole once the stimulus money runs out.” After complimenting Gov. Bredesen and the state legislature on their handling of the budget, he added, “Tennessee has the revenue to move forward.” Disagreements about the budget paved way for the candidates to discuss how to approach the state’s pre-K program. “I’m going to do everything I can to expand the [pre-K] program because I know how important it is to the future,” McWherter said. “Those are the kind of programs where we capture young students’ young minds at an early age.” “We’re going to have a billion and a half less in rev-
interviews. “Only 21 to 23 percent of Tennesseans have a college degree. The national average is 28 to 29 percent,” Haslam said. “If we’re going to compete for those jobs and be the state we want to be, we Haslam McWherter need to drastically increase that number of people with colenue than we’re going to have this year,” Haslam said, lege degrees.” McWherter said, referring to the state stimu“We’ve got to make sure we lus money. “Pre-K, to expand use our community colleges universally, will cost another $250 to $300 million. My idea and technology centers in a is that we leave pre-K where much more efficient way. it’s in place right now, and Getting an English credit when the revenue situation at Jackson State ought to be with the state changes, we transferrable. You shouldn’t have to repeat that. I think will look to expand.” Although the two fo- [education] and economic cused on pre-K funding dur- development are completeing the debate, both candi- ly tied together.” The candidates are dates responded as to how scheduled to hold two more they would prioritize higher debates in Knoxville and education during post-debate Memphis in early October. Early voting begins Oct. 13.
Health Services seeks Family Nurse Practitioner By HANNAH HARRIS Staff Writer
A change has taken place at Health Services, leaving the nurses limited in treating patients. After 30 years of dedicated service at Tech, Randy Tompkins, Registered Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner, has retired. Health Services is currently taking applications in search of hiring a new full-time F.N.P. “Along with change comes new beginnings,” Licensed Practical Nurse Phyllis Kilgore said. Health Services currently has twopart-time F.N.P. and a medical doctor who work when they can throughout the week. Number “We can still do anything that of nurse most real doctor’s offices can do,” practitioners said Cynthia Tompkins, who has a at Health bachelors in the science of nursing. However, because there is not a Services full-time F.N.P., the nurses are limited to what they can do for their patients. This means that appointments are moving slower than normal, and the doctor or an F.N.P. is not always in the office to treat patients. With this change taking place, the staff at Health Services gives students and faculty tips on how to make this transition easier.
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• Check the Health Services website or call to see when an F.N.P. or the M.D. is in the office. • If an emergency takes place, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. • Be patient. “It is not always going to be this slow, but transition takes time,” Kilgore said. Even though changes are taking place, not everything at Health Service has changed. They are still located in the basement of the Nursing and Health Services Building, and it is still free to be examined. However, medications, x-rays and lab work are to be paid for by the patient. Billing information can be provided to the patient for insurance purposes. “You can’t use your insurance here, but we will find the place with the lowest price to refer you to,” Bilbrey said. “We try to go the extra mile.” For more information, contact Health Services at (931) 372–3320 or visit www.tntech.edu/healthservices.
Environment, information security focus of new policy By WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor
Tech is in the process of implementing and enforcing a new recycling policy. New, secured garbage bins are located around campus in departments and offices. Detailed instructions are posted above existing garbage and recycling bins. The instructions detail where to dispose of nonshredded paper, shredded paper, magazines, newspapers, and non-confidential information. There are specific instructions for disposing of papers including confidential information, which must
be shredded and disposed of in secured garbage bins. The new program went into effect Aug. 23. “This is just another step in making the campus a more environmentally friendly place,” President Bob Bell said. “It is partly due to a need for higher information security.” Tech has established a partnership with Cintas, a document shredding company. The locked Cintas bins can only be unlocked by Cintas officials. Cintas bins can be used for any document if a shredder is not available or if the volume is too large for shredding in the office. Cintas then transports the paper to its offcampus shredding facility.
Gubernatorial straw poll results - Page 2
cilities. Because of the new program, only non-paper products should be placed in regular garbage bins. Custodians will no longer empty bins that contain paper. Cintas is the process of placing 100 blue 95-gallon locked containers at identified locations in every building. Tech pays $18 any time a bin on campus is emptied. Facilities will cover the Cintas fees. The new program is mandated to all departments on campus. “We are going to expect [abiding to the policy] from people,” Bell said. “It can have some pretty severe consequences if they don’t.”
Sticky notes: The adhesive on the paper dissolves during the recycling process Semi-glossy newspaper inserts: Newspaper and mixed paper can be recycled together
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Pizza boxes: If soiled with grease, cheese, and other toppings, pizza boxes cannot be recycled because the paper fibers and oils will not separate. Used napkins and paper towels: Many paper products have a thin plastic lining to aid absorbency. The plastic contaminates the recycling process. Source: Stanford University
IN THIS EDITION OPINION
Harvey’s debut sports column - Page 3
Alongside Cintas partnership, Tech has established its own in-house shredding and recycling program. In order for paper to be disposed within the University, shredded papers must be bagged separately and picked up by Facilities personnel. For items not shredded within the University, old recycling bins already located throughout the campus may still be used to collect preprinted bulk material and junk mail with little indentifying personal information. Recycled paper picked up by Facilities, including pre-shredded paper (strip shredded), will be taken to the county recycling center. Cross-shredded paper will also be collected by Fa-
Things you can and cannot recycle
Flamenco Louisville set to take center stage - Page 4
SPORTS
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OPINION
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Page 2 | September 17, 2010
Pro/Con: Should universities’ goal be personal development? Con: Education is rooted in training tomorrow’s professional workers
EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor
Education can open lots of doors. While colleges promote all the wonderful opportunities that come with higher education, the main focus of college learning should be professional development, not “finding yourself.” If I wanted to pay for personal development, I’d hire a therapist or a life coach. As it is, I pay tuition to be educated. Yes, part of being educated is to learn more about yourself and the world around you and to think critically. But personal development is an effect of good education and shouldn’t be the goal.
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party or at work.Personal development is personal, meaning you decide if you want to expand your world view or not. A teacher can make you think about something in a different way, but only you can chose to change yourself. Trying to make personal development another requirement on the teachers’ checklist isn’t fair to the teacher or student. Teachers who want to focus on it will; those who don’t, won’t. Same for students. It is just a side effect of university life. The real job of the university is to provide the opportunity and skilled
The real job of the university is to provide the opportunity and skilled faculty and the materials to develop a highly educated work force to better enrich the community. -- Emiy Booker Editorial Editor
Going to college is an investment. You invest time and money in hopes that you will become a qualified candidate for higher paying jobs. This isn’t about padding resumes but really taking the time to master the skills in your field and making contacts through projects and internships if possible. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use college to explore personal development. College is the perfect atmosphere for that; there are many different people and lots of activities, you’re on your own for the first time, you’re getting a feel of what field you want to pursue a career in. By all means, use the time you have in college to find yourself. But the responsibility is on you, not the school. It shouldn’t be the university’s responsibility to make sure that students take advantage of these opportunities. Personal development can happen in a classroom just as it can happen at home or at a
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faculty and the materials to develop a highly educated work force to better enrich the community. Sure, it would be great for the community if everyone sat in coffee shops had deep discussions about philosophy and literature and life. But at the end of the day, I don’t care if my doctor has read Kierkegaard. It’s much more important to me how well she did in medical school. And I don’t care if my accountant doesn’t know the physical differences of Australopithecus and homo erectus. I just want my taxes done correctly. In many countries, there are no general education requirements in college. Students only take classes needed for their field of study. I wouldn’t suggest we go that far. Some general education classes provide ways to see your field from an outside perspective, and they certainly help those students who are undecided about a major when they start school. But spending time taking
all these general education classes makes you start to feel like college is just a sample platter of education with the meat of study in graduate school. You float from speech to biology to music, and without goals being set in place there really is nothing to focus on except personal emotional growth. But the goal of college isn’t to get a small taste of everything. You shouldn’t have to go to graduate school to start to delve into your field of study. There should be a solid foundation and focus at the undergraduate level. Let’s face it: it’s possibly the worst time to graduate. As a senior, I’m seeing this for myself. In this economy, you have to be a knowledgeable, hard worker with a solid education to be a viable job candidate. Even then, there is no guarantee the investment will pay off right away. But it is certainly better to leave college with a solid academic foundation than only a better sense of self-esteem and no skills. College has always been a place of transition. Early in American history, colleges trained students to be ordained ministers and doctors. They later expanded to focus on agriculture and scientific research. Both missions intended for students to take their learned skills after graduation and apply them to society . In the twentieth century, more and more people fought for the right and the funding to go to college. It wasn’t because of the parties. It was because a college education meant higher salaries, more opportunities, and a better standard of living. Tech’s mission, as stated on its website, is “to provide leadership and outstanding programs in engineering, the sciences, and related areas that benefit the people of Tennessee and the nation.” As a technological university, of course Tech should focus on engineering and the sciences, and it also has strong programs in other fields. Whatever the department, the idea remains the same: train students to be beneficial community leaders through a solid education and opportunities for research and handson experience. Find yourself through your own endeavors and let colleges focus on education.
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Pro: Critical thinking, development are parts of well-rounded education
SARAH TOWNSEND Asst. Editorial Editor
Have you ever had a professor that made you think about your personal goals and aspirations? I think students, by this point in their academic careers, have had teachers who took no interest in them as individuals and focused mostly on lectures and exams. Though learning specific information for your field is important, since that is what you go to school for, personal growth in the classroom is something that is equally if not more important to the student. I don’t mean in the Hollywood movie way, where we all stand on desks like in “Dead Poets Society.” Of course, not every professor can touch the lives of their students like Sandra Bullock in “Freedom Writers,” and I don’t expect that from my college professors. However, I do think it is imperative for us to take something away from our years spent in Tech’s classrooms, other than technical knowledge for our jobs. For example, if you only learn the skills needed for your career and never explore any of your other talents or experience any personal growth, you may end up in a career that isn’t right for you
after you graduate. Maybe you will have the knowledge to do your work, but you may be unhappy in your job and do only mediocre work when you could have talent in some other field. This isn’t to say that you haven’t already made up your mind on your career path. I certainly have. I want to write forever, and I don’t see that changing. But even if you know what you want to do, teachers who use active learning techniques in class and hold discussions, instead of pushing us to memorize material for an exam, are more engaging. Pressures to make an A only stress us out; if the goal is learning and personal development, you get more than a high GPA. If you’re trying to learn for your own sake, a good grade will come with the territory. A technical school is for job training. A university is for learning academically but also about deciding who you are. Who you are as a person is partly genetics, partly your environment, but mostly who you are is the sum of the choices you have made in life. How many people graduate being exactly the same as
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they were before attending? Very few. You can get somewhere with memorizing dates and facts and coughing it all up for a quiz. You develop a strong work ethic by doing those tasks, and it is difficult at times. But learning to think critically and analyze your own work is by far, much more valuable in the “real world” because if you can do those things, you can learn anything you desire. Generally, we study (or cram, if necessary) for an exam or quiz, take it, and start forgetting the information before the class ends. I do believe in traditional textbook learning. It is the backbone of our career-oriented knowledge. It just benefits us more if we also do handson activities, when possible, to achieve the same goals. Over the summer, I visited Serbia, which is in Eastern Europe. The school system there differs a lot from ours, but the main difference is that instead of teaching technical skills, professors generally teach theory. In a language oriented course, this is not such a problem, but for engineering majors, this can be a huge set back in graduates’ careers.
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This mock election took place as part of the Constitution Day events and in conjunction with the gubernatorial debate held on campus on Sept. 14. Mike McWherter 26.37% Bill Haslam 73.63%
This poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of those who chose to participate. It does not reflect the public as a whole. Voting for this poll took place at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 14, 2010.
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Weekly. Student operated. | P.O. Box 5072 Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505
CHRISTINE SEIBER Managing Editor
SARAH TOWNSEND Asst. Editorial Editor
WILL HOUSLEY Asst. Managing Editor
BRANDON GOODWIN Sports Editor
SAMANTHA KENDALL Ad Manager
ROSS HARVEY Asst. Sports Editor
DAKOTA WEATHERFORD Ad Assistant
CHUCK ACHESON Entertainment Editor
EMILY BOOKER Editorial Editor
TALLULAH GILLIAM Copy Editor
BRENDA WILSON, Faculty Adviser
Tennessee Technological University--nondiscriminatory on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities including employment and admission of students to the University as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and regulations based therein and published in CFR, part 86. Tennessee Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
BEAT REPORTERS: Brittany Anderson, Kyle Buckner, Brandi Campbell, Courtney Clifford, Matthew Davis, Sarah DeRossett, Katrina Dvorken, Lee Ferris, Lindsey Gore, Julie Graham, Candice Griggs, Hannah Harris, Brandon Jelson, Pavel Koshkin, Jodi Lawrence, Leasa McCall, Bailey Morgan, Justin O’Dell, Ariel Perry, Aleksandr Peterson, Jonathan Pierce, Ashlee Polk, Christina Riddle, Brittany Ritzman, Kaitlin Salyer, Ashley Smith, Dustin Smith, Rachel Stine, Evan Taylor, Cassie Tesauro, Isaac Wright
SPORTS Page 3 | September 17, 2010
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Bulldogs bite Golden Eagles in 101st minute
4th and Long By BRANDON GOODWIN
Sports Editor bagoodwin21@tntech.edu
A dirty pearl in a bright orange suit
Sports Information
Sophomore Andrea Meloff scores for the Golden Eagles. By BRANDON GOODWIN Sports Editor
Tech’s soccer team lost a hard-fought battle to Louisiana Tech Wednesday as the Bulldogs earned a 3-2 victory in overtime. The Golden Eagles (2-6) trailed 1-0 when sophomores Andrea Meloff and Jacquie Watkins scored back-to-back goals within 4:02 of each other to put them up 2-1 at the half. “We started off coming out strong,” Meloff said. She contributed a game-high four shots, including one that was blocked to set up Watkins for her first goal of the season. Meloff now leads the team with three goals this year. Tech soccer Coach Daniel Brizard made a change at keeper at halftime, replacing sophomore Megan Polk with freshman Becca Toler. This proved to be a great call until the 78th minute, when Toler wandered too far out from the goal and Louisiana Tech’s Rachel King took advantage, tying the game at two all. “It’s just unlucky,” Meloff
said. “They got the momentum and took it the whole way. “After we scored, we took it up as much as we could, but then they scored and it just took them to a new level.” The match remained tied throughout the remainder of regulation, forcing a ten-minute, sudden-death overtime period. Louisiana Tech was able to get one shot to the Golden Eagles’ zero in the first overtime, but a save by Toler kept the Golden Eagles alive, forcing a second overtime period. A strong attack by the Bulldogs eventually overcame the Golden Eagle defense, however, as Louisiana Tech’s Kiva Greshman scored the golden goal in just 37 seconds to seal the game at 3-2. ”We came back and couldn’t put it together in overtime,” Meloff said. It’s a tough loss, but we can only move up from this point.” The Golden Eagles host Radford in their final outof-conference game before beginning Ohio Valley Conference play on Oct. 1 at
Morehead State. With 10 days before the Radford match, the Golden Eagles know what they need to improve upon. “We’ve got to figure out how to put together a whole game,” Meloff said. “If we can figure out how to keep [momentum] the whole game, then we’ll be doing well the rest of the year.” Wednesday’s game also included a student group contest, with prizes being given away to the loudest and most-spirited student groups in attendance. “It’s always nice to have a lot of fans,” Meloff said. “I think we play better when we have fans who come out and cheer for us. “We loved having extra people on the sideline making us laugh.” The match against Radford is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Tech soccer field. Admission is free to the public. The Golden Eagles’ first home OVC match is Oct. 25 against Southeast Missouri.
Bruce Pearl should no longer be coaching at the University of Tennessee. Nor should Mike Hamilton be the University’s Athletics Director. Bruce Pearl cheated. He illegally recruited players. What does that mean? He was excessively calling potential recruits. We’ll have to wait for the full report to see just how excessively. The NCAA also says he used an illegal phone. To clarify, coaches are assigned a phone by the University for recruiting purposes. This helps monitor the number of calls made by a coach. Using a phone other than the one assigned for recruiting purposes is illegal. Not only did Pearl cheat, he lied. He knowingly cheated, and, when questioned by NCAA investigators, he denied everything. Searching through Pearl’s history will show that he has ties to another coach who lost his job in the Ohio Valley Conference for illegal practices. In 2005, Pearl hired an assistant by the name of Scott Edgar. Pearl claimed that he wanted to hire someone with great recruiting experience. Edgar left his position at UT to become the head coach at Southeast Missouri State in 2006. After just two seasons at the helm, he was fired. Why? For giving athletes improper benefits and holding illegal practices. SEMO’s athletics director was also fired due to both Edgar’s actions and investigations into its women’s basketball program.
Q: Why do UT athletes wear orange? A: Because they can wear it while playing, hunting and picking up trash on the highways.
Who’s Hot?
The Tech intramural program has already started off the semester. This semester offers sports such as flag football, tennis, soccer, and disc golf. The flag football and tennis portions of these events have already begun, but it is not too late to still get on a team. Games for both football and tennis started last Monday. There are many different divisions for the football portion that are tailored to fit all different types and make the games more enjoyable. They are split into Men’s Pro, Men’s Collegiate, Men’s PFR, Women’s Open, PHC and Women’s PFR. “We have 118 teams signed up for the football portion of intramurals,” Jerry Keaton, intramural account clerk said, “which exceeded our expectations, but these teams can add players up until the last game of the regular season.” Tennis is played a little differently. While there are still the divisions and different levels of play, tennis has implemented a “play by” date. In the instance that there is a time conflict on either end of the competitors, the players are responsible for contacting each other and rescheduling another time within the required days of play. Failure to do so or to report the game back to the intramural office will result in a double forfeit.
“We also have exceeded our expectations in the tennis portion with 111 participants this year,” Keaton said. “This number is a final number and there are no late admissions to this event. “ With flag football and tennis already in action, the intramural soccer and disc golf portions are not far behind. The soccer portion of intramurals is set up similarly to the flag football and tennis portions and will be played on campus, whereas the disc golf portion is an off-campus weekend event. The soccer sign-up deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 29. All registration forms must be turned into the intramural office by that time. Also, there is a mandatory player’s meeting that is to take place at that time. Each team should have at least one representative at the meeting. The disc golf weekend tournament also has a 5 p.m. deadline on Sept. 24. All registration forms should be turned in by that time. There is no meeting required for this sport. There should be two players on each team who must have valid Tech IDs to participate. This weekend tournament will be played at Cane Creek Park on Sept. 25. “Overall it’s going to be a great year,” Keaton said. “We are looking forward to all the students coming out and participating in the events.” To get more information about the intramurals program or to find out more about participating, email the intramurals office at intramurals@tntech.edu or call (931) 3723907.
CORRECTION • In “Golden Eagles take on 4th Ranked TCU,“ TCU was incorrectly identified for playing Oklahoma State instead of Oregon State for its Sept. 4 game.
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Who’s Not?
A.J. Kirby-Jones. In his first season in the minor leagues, AJ hit a franchise record 14 home runs and was named the MVP of the Vancouver Canadiens. He also drove in 42 runs in 75 games played.
Fall intramurals underway By JOSEPH GWYNN Staff Writer
Despite what UT fans are claiming lately, these charges are not Pearl’s first blemishes on his coaching record. Eight of Pearl’s players have been arrested in the past four years: Anthony Passley, Jordan Smith, JaJuan Smith, Ramar Smith, Tyler Smith, Melvin Goins, Brian Williams, and Cameron Tatum. Those eight players were arrested on charges of either drugs, assaults, weapons, or combinations of the three. Discipline has been a huge problem under Mike Hamilton. How has he been able to keep his job even to this point? Yes, he hired Lane Kiffin and Bruce Pearl. Both of them brought excitement and promise to the program, but they also brought cheating tactics and disgrace to the already failing programs. Among the poor grammar and misspelled words on UT message boards, fans cry out that Pat Summitt is the only thing keeping Hamilton on campus. What these fans fail to realize is A) Summitt was hired long before Hamilton arrived and B) Hamilton is the men’s Athletic’s Director, so Summitt isn’t even his to claim. UT’s best move lately was hiring a lawyer to coach its football team. Now it just needs a warden to take over for Hamilton and a correctional officer to head up the basketball program. Until then, the Rocky Top Penitentiary and Escort Service will continue to crumble.
Mack Brown for thinking Vince Young should be handed the 2005 Heisman trophy. Yes, Young finished second in voting that year, but take into account that Matt Leinart would have likely received a lot more votes had Reggie Bush not been eligible for the award.
The Extra Point By ROSS HARVEY
Asst. Sports Editor raharvey42@tntech.edu
Fantasy Football update: week two As you prepare for the upcoming NFL week two, take time to make sure your Fantasy Football roster is ready to go. These players made a surprising impact in week one: Jamaal Chalmers Kansas City Chiefs running back: If he’s free in your league, pick him up immediately. His 92yard, 1 touchdown performance was not a fluke. Look for him to continue these results en route to a 1,000-yard season. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback: I saw Vick being used as a Wildcat-style QB in week one, but what I did not see was Vick piling up 175 passing and another 100 rushing after starting QB Kevin Kolb went down with a concussion. Since Kolb is probably out for week two, and Vick look very good in action, think about getting him for next week and the foreseeable future. On the other hand, these players did not perform up to par in week one. If they keep performing badly, you may want to sell: Any Colts wide receiver
Not Named Reggie Wayne: Wayne will get his yards, but with the large number of weapons at Peyton Manning’s disposal, it is hard to tell who will perform on a week-to-week basis. Until a number-two target emerges, stay away from the Colts’ wide outs. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars wide reciever: The top-ten Fantasy wide receiver from last year had zero Catches in week one. Zero. Yes, he was covered by All-Pro champ Bailey, but with WR Mike Thomas catching six balls and tail end Marcedes Lewis catching two TD passes last week, it seems like there are other tools in the arsenal for QB David Garrard. There are many strategies to use when picking players to sit or start each week. Here are a few bargain players you may be able to acquire for a low price: Vince Young, Tennessee Titans QB: although Young went 13-17 for 154 yards and 2 TD’s in week one, I doubt that coach Jeff Fisher will let Young throw more than 25-30 passes in a game. But if Young
continues to manage the game efficiently, he can get you decent stats each week with his arms and his legs. Brandon Jackson, Green Bay Packers RB: Jackson only had 63 yards on 18 carries after starting RB and Fantasy stud Ryan Grant was lost for the season with an ankle injury (might want to drop him now). If you did have Grant, don’t be afraid to pick up Jackson. After a week of reps with the first-team offense in practice, look for Jackson to produce. He is a quality, experienced back, and he will get carries for the Packers. Fantasy Pick of The Week: Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders RB: The St. Louis Rams gave up almost six yards a carry against the Cardinals last week. Who does McFadden face on Sunday? Those same Rams. McFadden played pretty well against the Titans last week, and with QB Jason Campbell still struggling to find his groove, look for McFadden to rack up yards on the ground in week two.
ENTERTAINMENT
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Page 4 | September 17, 2010
The Esencia del Flamenco is in the air By TALLULAH GILLIAM Copy Editor
Courtesy of Flamenco Louisville
Steeped in rich cultural history, the event promises to be both exciting and enlightening.
The Flamenco Louisville dance troupe is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Derryberry Auditorium stage. Co-founder Diana Dinicola is leading a quickstart introduction to Flamenco dance workshop open to all students at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the Derryberry Auditorium stage. “This Spanish dance form is an exciting way to express your feelings with beauty and strength,” Dinicola said. “La Esencia del Flamenco” is a 90 minute to two-hour production that includes two or three musicians, one or two singers, and three to six dancers. The performance showcases cante (singing), baile (dancing), and toca (playing of musical instruments) and incorporates elements of melody, poetry, rhythm, and movement. The performers utilize fans, shawls, hats, and castanets during their shows. “The costuming is great. It’s a very important part of it,” said Leslie Burk, history department secretary, whose idea it was to bring Flamenco Louisville to Tech. “La Esencia del Flamenco” includes original works and “pieces created from the shared imaginations of some of the great living masters of the form,” according to Flamenco Louisville’s promotional package. The workshop begins with a short Flamenco dance demonstra-
tion before attendees try the moves themselves. Flamenco dance elements for men and women are covered. • Brazeo: arms and upperbody movement • Zapateado: footwork • Compas: Flamenco’s rhythmic underpinning • The structural path to ward improvisation These elements will be combined into a short choreography. “Bring your creative self, your cultural curiosity and get ready to shout ‘Ole!’,” Dinicola said. Workshop participants are urged to wear the proper shoes. Shoes with a stable heel and a secure instep strap are ideal, as are character shoes, a dance shoe similar to heeled mary janes. Ankle boots or cowboy boots are also acceptable. Do not wear flip flops or tennis shoes. Going barefoot is also not allowed. “The class will offer a taste of culture and a dance for both men and women,” Burk said. “It really promotes being connected to your body.” Traditionally, female Flamenco dancers wear a full skirt while performing, and you are encouraged to do so for the workshop. Flamenco dance and music originated in the Andalusian region of Spain. It is a blend of native Andalusian, Islamic, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures with Latin American and Cuban influences. There are more than 50 Flamenco music styles, palos flamencos, classified by such criteria as basic rhythmic pattern and geo-
graphic origin. “It’s a complex art form,” Burk said. “It’s beautiful to watch, challenging to do, but so rewarding.” Dinicola has an advanced-level intensive training diploma from the Cristina Heeren Flamenco Art Foundation in Sevilla, Spain and returns to Spain for continued training annually. She is a Flamenco Louisville co-founder and an active educator who teaches Flamenco dance in Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and the surrounding cities, as well as for Kentucky’s Governor’s School for the Arts. “I saw [Diana] perform and studied with her in a workshop she sponsored. It was clear to me that she was excellent at what she does.” More than five years later, Burk began trying to bring the troupe here, working with Center Stage as a member of the programming and publicity subcommittee for the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. “I study Flamenco and am interested in it,” Burk said. “It made sense for Center Stage because they focus on cultural subjects.” This is a Center Stage event hosted by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, which provides educational opportunities about specific issues and events that enhance a general awareness and appreciation for diversity on campus. The commission also promotes an awareness of women’s issues and oversees Tech’s Women’s Center.
James Wallace and the Naked Light Local Honey with KASSI THOMAS Though James Wallace and the Naked Light as a unit can exist in forms varying from three to nine members, we’re really here to talk about James himself, a young gent from Virginia who wheels and deals in sophisticated yet apocalyptic folk tunes, subtly weaving musical influences from both the States and China while contriving tall tales in the vein of
Spin Dat Record With KYLE BUCKNER
We’ve all noticed that sly old fox, fall, sneaking up on summer, which means that soon the humidity and heat will give way to chilly winds, crisp leaves, campfires, and overall coolness. I could gush about fall for the rest of this article, but I’m going to refrain so I can fulfill my duties. I’m always poor in the fall. I’m always poor because I spend all of my money on concert tickets and fuel for my vehicle. I always welcome this, however, because being poor and going go to shows is better than having money and doing nothing. I’m going to give you the run-down on 10 shows that I’m really excited about, ones that I think should be enjoyed by everyone who digs music. 9/25Jenny (Lewis) & Johnny (Rice) - Mercy Lounge, Nashville. Tickets are $17. Jenny Lewis, of the indie act Rilo Kiley, has been pursuing several side projects for some time now. Her first project away from Rilo Kiley
Dylan or Twain. James Wallace is a strange creature. He is fluent in Chinese, he drives a Volkswagen Bus, and I’m pretty sure he only owns three shirts. Every moment of his existence is spent outside of the box. Some people think he looks like Jeff Goldblum, but everyone knows he’s Nashville’s standing champ at wild-eyed wailing. Currently only two new tracks, “Colored Lights” and “Worse Things Have Happened,” can be heard on JWATNL’s Myspace page. When all but the most resolute leaves have given into a vivid decay and cheap department store aisles are brimming with kid-sized clearance costumes and kitschy novelty items, please redirect your attention to James Wallace’s tour page in between shoveling handfuls of cavity inducing guilty pleasures into your mouth. By this time, 100 cassette tapes, each with an individual digital download code, will be available for purchase at Naked Light gigs. This would be a great opportunity to experience the most creative minds on the highbrow low-end of the local music scene creat-
ing what James calls “a thick, gooey paste of Folky Noise.” The Naked Light will supply the soundtrack to Wallace’s fables, which he delivers with emotional fervor: shouting, sputtering and shaking. Plus, you could be one of the lucky 100 with a limited run copy of “More Strange News From Another Star,” and maybe the guys will even play an old gospel cover. Following the sale of the cassettes, an official release will be set. Technically, the limited release of “More Strange News…” is Wallace’s first full length album, though it’s a mere 50 seconds longer than his 2008 EP, “I Smile All Day I Smile All Night,” which was riddled with instrumental interludes and one eleven-minute opus of teenage angst. This forthcoming record is a cleverly orchestrated, independent, ten-track release featuring Wallace’s distinct narrative voice paired with some interesting new instrumentation. It astounds me that this could ever be overlooked, which is why I am warning you. This album is coming for you. And it won’t stop until it has assaulted your every neuron. Courtesy of James Wallace
Fall concerts around the state that you should check out was 2006’s “Rab- One never really knows what great performance. His latest released “Permalight” this bit Fur Coat,” to expect at a Devendra show. album, “What Will Be,” is a year, and Midlake followed a collaboration I’ve seen him twice, and, I was good one, so the show should with “The Courage of Othwith the Watson surprised at the arrangement be also. ers.” This should be a pretty Twins. Jenny of the set both times. The first Rogue Wave/ Midlake- awesome indie rock showreleased a solo time I saw him, I was expect- The Mercy Lounge, Nashville. case. record, “Acid ing flamboyant freak folk and Tickets are $17. This show is Blitzen Trapper w/ Fruit Tongue,” in Devendra in crazy clothes and going to be really good be- Bats and Pearly Gate Music2008. Now, she’s face paint, but it was surpris- cause these two bands com- Mercy Lounge, Nashville. on tour with her ingly chill. The second time, I plement one another really Tickets are $17. This is another folkie beau, Johnathan Rice, expected what I saw the first well. Rogue Wave is poppy show that’s going to be a realin support of their recently time, but was surprised when and energetic, for the most ly interesting blend of music. released record, “I’m Having he changed it up. Either way, part, and Midlake tends to be Blitzen Trapper brings throwFun Now.” The show should you’re bound to witness a more mellow. Rogue Wave back folk tunes, funk-fueled be a big ole’ country jive songs, and somber twangin’, cutesy ball of ballads to the table, fun. They usually play while Fruit Bats offers some good covers, too. a cornucopia of dreamy 9/26- Of Montrealelectro-folk, steel guitarThe Cannery Ballroom, backed feel-good tunes, Nashville. Tickets are and zoologically laced $27. Women’s clothlullabies. This will be an ing, vivacious outfits, epic show, guaranteed. onstage theatrics, elecLocal Natives w/ tro-pop…it’s all there at Ruby Suns & Union an Of Montreal show. Line- Cannery Ballroom, You’ll definitely get a Nashville. Tickets are heapin’ helpin’ of all $18. Local Natives Burst things weird and wild. onto the scene in 2009 Their tenth studio alwith “Gorilla Manor,” a bum, “False Priest,” lively, fast-paced album was just released this featuring fantastic vocal past Tuesday, and it’s and percussion arrangea doozie. If you haven’t ments and excellent seen an Of Montreal songwriting. The Ruby concert, you have to go Suns just released “Fight to this. They do not disSoftly,” and it’s a great appoint. indie/pop release that Courtesy of Jenny and Johnny I’m looking forward to 10/5- Devendra Banhart- The Exit/In, Nashhearing live. ville. Tickets are $20. Jenny Lewis and Johnny Rice kick off Kyle’s list of Fall concerts.
Portugal. The Man. The Mercy Lounge, Nashville. Tickets are $14. Portugal. The Man. is a four-piece psychedelic rock band from Alaska. Their music is fuzzy, harmony-laced, and riddled with raunchy guitar riffs. This show is going to be intensely awesome, and I plan on having a sore head-bang neck the day after the show. Enough said. Kurt Vile & the Soft PackThe Mercy Lounge, Nashville. Tickets are $12. I’m so stoked about being able to finally see Kurt Vile. Kurt’s 2009 release, “Childish Prodigy,” still blows my mind every time I listen to it…and he’s just one guy. Kurt writes great songs and fully utilizes the versatility that is made possible by effects pedals in his guitar playing. He’s simply an amazing musician. While I haven’t listened to much of the soft pack, friends have told me that they can dish out some pretty crunchy indie rock. I can’t wait for this one.
This story continues
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ENTERTAINMENT Page 5 | September 17, 2010
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“Festival of Voices� set to fill the air with music at Tech with performances tonight By KYLE BUCKNER and LINDSEY GORE Staff Writers Rehearsals for the second annual “Festival of Voices� begin this morning, and a concert will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in Bryan Fine Arts Building’s Wattenbarger Auditorium. The event, coordinated by assistant professor and choral director Craig Zamer, invites High Schools from across the state to participate in a collaborative performance, while giving each school the opportunity to showcase its individual choir. “I really had two motives in coordinating the event,� Zamer said. “The first is to provide an opportunity for my student organization, the American Choral Directors Association, to experience teaching from professors other than myself. It gives them a chance to see how other professors rehearse, and
it gives them that much more experience with a master teacher. “The second is more of a recruiting effort. We bring high school students here and we show them the campus. They’re going to eat lunch in the University Center, we’re going to provide dinner in the evening, and we’re giving them a great opportunity to see our department and perform in our auditorium.� Seven high schools responded to the invitation to participate in the event, including Cookeville, Wilson County Central, Upperman, White County, Farragut, Mt. Juliet, and Franklin County. The concert is an all-day event for the participants from the visiting high school choirs. Members of the visiting choirs will attend a clinic with Sandra Snow, associate professor of music education and choral conducting at Michigan State University. Each visiting choir will be given the opportunity to
perform two pieces for Snow. Snow will then work for approximately 30 minutes with each choir. The Tech Chorale will perform briefly and then join the visiting choirs to rehearse two new pieces of music to be performed tonight. The concert will include individual performances from the visiting choirs, and the Tech Chorale will also perform. The visiting choirs, along with the Tech Chorale, will perform the two pieces they learn earlier today as the finale of the concert. “Each High School will perform their respective pieces, then the Tech chorale will perform.� Zamer said. “At the end of the night, all of the schools, along with the Tech Chorale, will perform the two pieces that they learned. Over 300 voices will be singing in the culmination of this event.� This event is free and open to the public.
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Milla Jovovich takes on the role of Alice in this sequal to the popular video game and movie franchise.
Let â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talk About CHUCK ACHESON Movies By Entertainment Editor
Prepare yourselves, another Resident Evil movie is upon us. Based on the popular video game franchise, this is the fourth installment in the movie series. The opening of the movie featured the clones of the heroine Alice (Milla Jovovich) attempting to kill Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts). She fails but survives. Following her failure, the movie shifted focus to her search for Arcadia, a mysterious refuge for any survivors of the apocalypse. After finding a group of survivors trapped in a prison, she finds Arcadia, but not everything is as it seems. If that paragraph didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make sense to you, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been lucky enough to not have seen the other movies in the franchise. And, this brings me to the criticism that without having seen the previous installments, you will likely have no idea who these people are, what happened to Earth, or why you should care. Basically, the zombie apocalypse has ruined Earth and the Umbrella Corporation, chaired by Wesker, was to blame. Now that the summary is out of the way, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get down to why this movie sucks. The plot jumps all around with a very odd pacing. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get two minutes of super, over-the-top action, including repetitive and stupid slow motion, followed by long periods of awkward inaction. Throughout the movie, the CGI is hokey. It looks like someone gave the Syfy channel a budget for one of their movies, but instead of spending it on effects, they bought energy drinks and pixie sticks, which could explain why the movie jumps around so sporadically. Speaking of effects, the 3D wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bad, but wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too good either. The main problem was the decision
to show something flying at the screen every minute or less. I tried counting the sheer number of things that flew at my face, and I lost count after 75. So the use of 3D fell into the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This Movie is going to be Terrible, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s add 3D to Make More Money per Ticketâ&#x20AC;? category instead of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Push Technological Boundaries.â&#x20AC;? I know this is not the movie to see if you want Oscar hopefuls, but every character was a stiff, cardboard cutout of what you get from the game franchise. For Wesker, it makes sense, but not for any of the other main characters. However, for being a stiff, Wesker can dodge bullets like a pro; unfortunately, that skill doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t translate to dodging knives. Let me clarify he can dodge knives kicked at him, but he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dodge someone trying to stab him. Really? I mean, I can see it happening once; it would be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fool Me Once, Shame on Youâ&#x20AC;? thing. But, twice? At least I learned something during this movie. If ever assaulted by a superhuman who has mastered martial arts and can dodge bullets, calmly walk towards him with a knife and gently caress it into his cranium. Avoid this movie like the plague. Every time something is done right in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Resident Evil Afterlifeâ&#x20AC;?, ten things are butchered. I think I should try to end on a high note: it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as bad as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Last Airbenderâ&#x20AC;? by M. Night Shyamalan. Speaking of which, check out next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s column when I will review Shyamalanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Devilâ&#x20AC;?. Oh joy.
Final Grade: DMPAA Rating: R
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NEWS
More stories at www.tntechoracle.com Freshmen in hotels set to move on campus New military science professor juggles jobs TBR focuses on graduation rates
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Page 6 | September 17, 2010
TBR plans changes in teacher licensing, education curriculum By LEASA MCCALL Staff Writer
universities and 13 community colleges in the TBR system. One initiative is developing infrastructure on which to build teacher education programs. “One thing is for certain. The TBR is transforming the way teachers are licensed in the state,” Teacher Education Director Sandy Smith said. In the past, student teachers would go out for one semester and student-teach. Part of the TBR initiative is that student teaching will become more
The Tennessee Board of Regents is currently in the middle of revamping the teacher education program. This means big changes for Tech’s education department. Ready 2 Teach is a special program in the state that focuses on improving pre-K through 12 outcomes and engaging all six
like a residency. Instead of one semester, a student would spend an entire year student teaching. This change means that Tech’s procedures, requirements and curriculum need to be reviewed and possibly overhauled. The Teacher Education Committee is responsible for some of these changes. “We are heavily involved with this, due to the changes with licensing teachers,” Smith said. “Every change they make requires that we make
changes to the way we do things. Something is always changing.” “The Teacher Education Committee has been busy working on adjustments in curriculum and procedures”, said Larry Peach, College of Education dean, “and we have two clinicians who are helping Sandra with the redesign.” Ready 2 Teach is a three-year initiative but will not be effective until Fall 2011. The education department spends most
Students show demand for Arabic class By JON PIERCE Staff Writer
about the possibility of an Arabic course, the foreign language department approached Extended Programs and informed them of the interest. “The people I have talked to personally have all been pleased the campus is offering something like this to better improve themselves,” Tennant said. The positive reception of the course has encouraged Extended Programs to begin looking at expanding the program. “We intend to advance from a beginner class to an intermediate and then an advanced class,” Tennant said. “We look forward to growing the program.” Interested people who missed the class this semester can begin in the spring. The 12-week be-
A growing desire among some students to learn Arabic has led to one of the most successful turnouts for a non-credit class at Tech. Nineteen out of the 20 seats available for the “Basic Arabic” class that started Monday have been filled, and plans for more classes are being drawn up for the spring. “This one has been the biggest as far as the number of people and the amount of interest shown in it.” Dennis Tennant, Extended Programs and Regional Development associate director, said. After students inquired
of its time making sure that students are well informed about any changes. “It’s important that our students are aware of what’s going on and don’t get stuck in the middle,” Peach said. The student teaching residency will be split into two parts. Residency one will consist of problembased learning cases, observation, and mentoring. Residency two will involve five days a week in the public school system. Instead of learning in
the classroom, students will be immersed in the classroom to learn vital skills and practices of teaching. The changes being made are many, but these changes will “keep us accountable and more responsive to the TBR needs,” according to Smith. “We have dealt with changes for two years,” Smith said, “and will continue to do so.”
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ginner class, taught by Amel Alouani, is designed for non-Arabic speaking students and covers the Arabic alphabet and basic communication skills. The course is non-credit and is offered as a basic self-improvement course at a cost of $100. In the 2000 census, 1.2 million people reported themselves as having Arab or Arabic-speaking ancestry. The Arab American Institute estimates that Arab Americans have a national population of over 3.5 million. The Extended Programs and Regional Development department offers many credit and non-credit courses as well as online certification classes for job training, personal enrichment and skill building.
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