February 7, 2017 K scope

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 57, ISSUE 4

Birmingham welcomes all

UAB Womens Basketball

After protest and mass attendence to a regular city council meeting, the community decides to become a sanctuary city, ignoring federal regulations on immigration. Read more on Page 3 and Page 5.

The female Blazers split weekend Conference USA series, taking home a win and a loss. Childress adds name to the record book, and great guard play continues.

Read more on Page 8.

The

Kaleidoscope BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Body approves new CAS building Kristina Balciunaite Campus Editor The UAB College of Arts and Sciences will have its own building with the construction of the new facilities set to begin next year. The new building will take over a part of the classrooms and

offices that are currently in the Humanities building in addition to the new building in hopes to satisfy the needs of the college.

The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama is responsible for determining major policies in the University of Alabama System,

which includes revision of existing policies. Duties also include determining the mission, role and domain of each of the campuses. They ensure management and control over the three doctoral universities in the system.

On Feb. 2 and 3 the Board of Trustees had meetings on

UAB campus. One of the subjects on the agenda was the planning of the construction of a new UAB College of Arts and Sciences building.

Stage II of the project was approved by the BOT in February 2016. At the time, the project plan included a multi-story, 110,000-square-

foot building to accommodate students in the college of arts and sciences. The budget that was decided for the construction was $28 million and a total of $35 million for the full project.

An increase in the size of

See BUILDING, Page 9

MUSIC

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Festival highlights cutting edge beat Zach Aplin Staff Writer When Carlos Izcaray, the longtime director for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, approaches the podium a quiet emerges among the audience inside the UAB Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Izcaray captured the attention of Birmingham when he moved here in 2014 and, since then, he has gained the respect of his colleagues on stage and in the music community.

These days, he is readying the city for the Sound Edge Festival, a collaborative multiday event featuring some of Birmingham’s popular venues, introducing new and local music and breathtaking art pieces.

“Since visiting Birmingham for the first time in 2014, I sensed the city was on an upswing,” Izcaray said. “There’s a vibrant young scene, and the city has a sort of hidden gem: the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. This is one of the finest ensembles in the country, and I think people here are starting to realize the immense resource they are.

[The Sound Edge Festival] is a way to show how broad their musical spectrum is, and how much a lot of what we do and can do appeals to the young, hip generation. A lot of this was shown in a series of concerts devoted to this crowd in previous seasons, but evolving toward our full out celebration, the Sound Edge Festival, felt like the right direction.”

The festival begins Friday, Feb. 10 at Iron City with

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY UAB TV FROM CLOCKWISE: Muhammad Jaan, Zeeny Islam, Mahad Amjad, Muna Al-Sefarjalani and Affran Rizwan discuss how the immigration executive order has impacted their lives.

‘Concerned’

Third most diverse campus in the nation faces immigration ban Sufia Alam Online Reporter On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending entry into the United States by all refugees for 120 days. The order also barred entry for citizens of Muslim-majority countries Iran,

Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen — as well as legal U.S. residents originally from those countries — for 90 days.

Federal district Judge James Robart of Seattle temporarily blocked enforcement of the executive order on Friday, Feb. 3, setting off a legal battle between the Trump administration and the 9th Circuit Court of

Appeals, which denied the Justice Department’s request for an immediate reinstatement of the order.

The purpose of the ban, as stated in Trump’s executive order, was to prevent the entry of hostile persons who may enter the country with ill intentions.

See IMMIGRATION, Page 9

FOOTBALL

Inked: UAB signs new class Team adds nine high schoolers to roster Trinity Dix Sports Reporter Three years after UAB’s football program was eliminated, and subsequently reinstated six months later,

the university signed nine high school students during National Signing Day on Feb. 1. Of these nine students, eight of them hail from Alabama and one from Florida. This is the first sizeable high school class since the

program’s return.

With the nine signees, there are 11 midyear signees from December 2014 and several blue-shirt candidates. The 18 signees were given offers from other colleges such as the University of Arizona, the University of Kentucky,

See FOOTBALL, Page 9

See ASO, Page 9

INSIDE CAMPUS

2

|

OPINIONS

3

|

COMMUNITY

4

| LIFE & STYLE

6

|

SPORTS

8

Campus

Page 2 February 7, 2017

Celebrate the sound of something new Beyond Measures brings a capella music to campus Pierce Edwards Life & Style Writer Most everyone has heard of or already adores cult favorites like “Glee” and “Pitch Perfect.” Well that song and dance has made its way to Birmingham and landed right on UAB’s campus in form of UAB’s Beyond Measures A Cappella group.

Joanne Thomas, president of the singing group, said she developed the group so that students have alternate way to get involved in music outside of school or class.

Several of the members of Beyond Measures are in STEM majors.

“This way people can do it outside of class, so it is open to other students at UAB,” Thomas said. “People just get to enjoy music and have fun with it.”

Mark Borden, music director for Beyond Measures, said that prior to the creation of the club, there were no other a capella-style groups.

“It is different from other types of music, because we carry our instruments with us at all times,” Thomas said. “Our instruments are our voices. We are ready to perform whenever, wherever, so if there are any gigs out there let us know. We are not the usual stereotype of music. We are a bunch of singers who come together to emulate the sound of band. Our sound is a lot

“

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JOANNE THOMAS Beyond Measures A Cappella group performed at the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2016, the same competition featured in Pitch Perfect.

different from the music that is out there.”

The group, which at capacity with 18 members, will have a concert in March and will begin selling tickets for “Singing-grams” at the Hill Student Center on Feb. 7 and 9 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Students can buy a ticket and provide Beyond Measures with the phone number of their loved ones, and they’ll sing them a message either the day before or on Valentine’s Day. Borden said that the group plans to expand its repertoire with different songs,” Borden said. “We want to really get involved with the student experience at UAB.” Beyond Measures performed at the Varsity Vocals International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2016. For those who do not

It is different from other types of music, because we carry our instruments with us at all times. Our instruments are our voices. We are ready to perform whenever, wherever...

— Joanne Thomas, president of UAB’s Beyond Measures A Cappella know, that is same competition featured in Pitch Perfect.

“Qualifying for the largest a cappella concert in the world was pretty awesome,” Thomas said. “There were ten other schools there. We performed with The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and some schools from

North Carolina. We were the first a cappella group from Alabama to ever go to ICCA. We got to show the rest of the groups that Alabama does have the potential to have a cappella groups. We learned a lot from that experience and hope to go again next year.”

Thomas hopes that people take something away from Beyond Measures. She hopes that people realize that they can explore other interests in college.

“A lot of us are STEM majors and going to medical school, but you can still pursue your passion and have fun,” Thomas said. “College is not just about getting to your future goal. It’s about enjoying the experience. Even if you have never done music before, a cappella is a good way to involved in something to see if you have a passion for it.”

A cappella is just one of the many ways of getting your musical genes active so go and enjoy them and bask in the ambiance of talent.

Pierce Edwards can be reached at xander93@uab.edu.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE

Breathe in the future of pulmonary research UAB is one step closer to to the nintedancuring lung ib, four of the The UAB division of patients reacted to disease the pirfenidone, but Pulmonary, Aller-

gy and Critical Care only two of the paEmmanuel Dean developed mini-lungs tient’s pulmospheres did (pulmospheres) to analyze not react at all.

Contributor the effects of pulmonary fibro“Pulmonary fibrosis is a sis drugs on patients. disease entity which is still not “Pulmonary fibrosis is a concompletely understood”, Kulkarni dition in which there is scar tissue said. “Two drugs were approved for formation in the walls of the air sacs of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2014, but the lungs,” said Dr. Tejaswini Kulkarni, these drugs cannot reverse the scar tissue that Instructor of Medicine in the Division is formed in these patients. Newer studies have of Pulmonary. “This affects the oxygen reported potential pathways which can be targetexchange from the lungs to the blood and ed to improve the prognosis in these patients.” reduces the vital capacity of the lung, thus resulting The pulmosphere data from each of the patients in hypoxia.” were later analyzed and were found to be accurate To analyze the pulmonary fibrosis, the UAB due to their correct predictions of the patient’s conpulmonary research team created pulmospheres, a ditions over time. However, there were still parts of three-dimensional model of spheroids composed the disease that was unexplained. of cells from human lungs. The pulmonary team “There are several unanswered questions in the field gathered 20 patients with the pulmonary disease of medicine,” Kulkarni said. “For me, diagnosing patients and grew the pulmospheres from their idiopathic with some rare lung conditions that have very limited pulmonary fibrosis. treatment options and discussing these with the patient and “Before this three-dimensional model, we used family is quite challenging.” two-dimensional models of cell cultures,” said Dr. When diagnosing patients with lung disease, there are Veena Antony, professor in the Division of Pulmonary, many factors that persuade the treatment options. Often Allergy and Critical Care. “We would take a biopsy of the treatment of a patient’s pulmonary fibrosis will be the lung, culture one cell from the lung and it would be given based on how the patient acquired the fibrosis, but grown on a flat plastic surface. However, the lung is a this becomes difficult due to the large number of differmulticellular organ and contains over 40 different types ent causes of the fibrosis. of cells. So, if you truly want to understand the global “There are over 200 causes for pulmonary fibrosis effect of drugs on the lungs you have to test molecules including environmental injuries (for example: cigarette on a model that is representative of what happens in the smoke, asbestos exposure, chemicals), autoimmune diseases, microenvironment of the three-dimensional organ.” genetic causes and finally idiopathic (meaning the cause is When creating the pulmospheres, they were subjected not identified or the disease occurs spontaneously),” Kulkarto a biopsy then exposed to pirfenidone and nintedanib, ni said. the two fibrosis drugs that were being tested.

Each year UAB division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical

“Then the data of the tests was analyzed for Care increases their understanding on the mysteries of lung the purpose of helping people with disease,” said Dr. disease. And, although they celebrate how far they have Merry-Lynn McDonald, assistant professor of medicine come, they still have many goals that they are strivin Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. ing to reach.

The outcome of the tests results were: 11 patients “We are very passionate in taking care of peopulmospheres reacted to both of the ple with lung disease,” Antony said. “The goal is to drugs, three of the patient’s have no people in the world with lung disease. That is pulmospheres the ultimate goal.”

Emmanuel Dean can be reached reacted at ejdean02@uab.edu.

opinion Spring 2017 Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief editor@insideuab.com

Tessa Case Managing Editor managing@insideuab.com

Kristina Balciunaite Campus Editor campus@insideuab.com

Surabhi Rao Community Editor community @insideuab.com

Jack Ryan Sports Editor sports@insideuab.com

Jason Grover Life and Style Editor features@insideuab.com

Ian Keel Photo Editor photos@insideuab.com

Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager online@insideuab.com

Page 3

February 7, 2017

EDITORIAL BOARD

The rise and fall of UAB Chris St. John Head Opinions Columnist

T

ry this great conversation starter on campus some time: walk up to a random table and ask them to tell you their elevator horror story.

My first experience on campus with an elevator was also my first day. I was in the Humanities Building going down to the ground floor from the fourth floor. I got inside the elevator only to have nothing happen. I waited and I waited.

Finally, after a few moments, I got worried and pulled my phone out to call someone, and then the door opened. I mentioned this incident to another student, and they told me they never ride that elevator.

When speaking with faculty members, I soon learned that the subject of elevator incidents seemed to be like Voldemort, or those creatures from “The Village,” those-things-whichshall-not-be-named. All the faculty people I spoke to were disinclined to go on the record because they were afraid of being disciplined by the university.

I was amazed to learn from UAB Elevator Maintenance Department that they maintain

or supervise the maintenance of 290 elevators. That’s a lot of elevators. The elevators are completely safe but are still frightening to ride for most students.

I feel like UAB should really invest in repairing the elevators so their students wouldn’t be as nervous about riding them. As I watch them erect bleachers and buildings, I think to myself that the university should use the money these things bring in to make their students feel safer.

Just a little something that helps me feel like more than just a paycheck to the school.

After a small tip, I ventured to the School of Engineering building, walked into the dining area outside of Zime and approached a random group of students. I told them I heard about a scary elevator around here. Unanimously, they pointed down the hall and laughed.

After hearing these numerous stories such as this one.

I decided to confirm them by doing what many would be afraid to do: I went to each building and rode the elevators. The elevator in the engineering building groans and pops while ascending and descending. I wasn’t complete-

ly afraid, just nervous. The car deck elevators in the UBOB building feel very slow, and movement is questionable. I’ve seen the elevator at Mervyn H. Sterne Library move while the doors were still closing.

Granted, they were an inch from closing, but still there was motion before the doors were fully closed.

Let me explain what I mean by fear to those out there that are very literal in their speech. I am not saying I am afraid of an elevator, as if it is a magical box that transports me from one place to another like a portkey from the Harry Potter novels.

I understand the physics of the elevator, and I also know they have plenty of safety features to keep them from falling.

My trepidation stems from the idea that I will be trapped in the elevator and either be late for class, or have to wait a long time to leave and go home, especially since I knew better than to get in them in the first place.

It is just frustrating knowing I pay thousands of dollars each semester, as do thousands of other students, and we shouldn’t be worried that if we step in an elevator that we’re

going to get stuck or delayed.

“Elevator entrapments during normal working hours are usually resolved in less than twenty minutes.” Facilities Management Assistant Vice President Mike Gebeke said in a statement, “Noise and ride quality can vary, depending on the age of the equipment, but no elevator is allowed to remain in service unless it is safe. Students, faculty and staff who have a concern about any elevator on campus are encouraged to notify Elevator Maintenance at 205-934-WORK so it can be addressed promptly.”

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the people that work in the Facilities Division of the school are hard-working and can only work with what they know and the money they have.

I know walking up the stairs is healthier for me, but at least give me the option to climb or ride. Instead, I feel forced to use the stairs, or face the consequences of knowingly going into the belly of the beast, and gambling whether or not I reach the other side.

Chris St. John can be reached at cstjohn@uab.edu and on Twitter at @cstjohn416.

Emily Cox-Oldham Assistant Photo Editor xander93@uab.edu

Chris St. John Head Opinions Columnist cstjohn@uab.edu

Anthony Roney Campus Reporter roney16@uab.edu

Wallace Golding Community Reporter wsgoldin@uab.edu

Trinity Dix Sports Reporter tri915@uab.edu

Connor Gentry Sports Reporter gcgentry@uab.edu

Sufia Alam Online Reporter sufia@uab.edu ILLUSTRATION BY TAHLA TESSIER/CONTRIBUTOR

Connor McDonald Opinions Columnist theconmcdon@uab.edu

Marie Sutton Advisor

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

A shining sanctuary city on a hill

masutton@uab.edu

Connor McDonald Opinion Columnist

Patrick Johnson

A

Production Manager plj3@uab.edu

The Kaleidoscope functions as a memeber of UAB Student Media in association with UABTV, BlazeRadio and Aura.

Website: UAB.edu/kscope Twitter @UABkscope Facebook facebook.com/uabkscope/ Instagram instagram.com/ uabkscope/ The Kaleidoscope is produced in the office of UAB Student Media.

Suite 130 Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd.

Birmingham, 35233 (205) 934-3354

t the Birmingham City Council meeting this Tuesday, Jan. 31, the council decided to move forward with becoming a “sanctuary city.” With Birmingham being an overwhelmingly liberal city surrounded by an overwhelmingly conservative state, this has sparked one or two polite, respectful debates among friends and family on Facebook. In addition, while it may sound like a big change, in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sanctuary cities are not that novel of a concept today. Most large American cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities and have been doing so since at least the 1980s.

Sanctuary cities function by setting up de jure or de facto policies encouraging against or prohibiting municipal officers from enforcing federal im-

migration law for the federal government. The logic here is that the federal government is supposed to perform these tasks, and municipalities do it as a favor and are not required to enforce those laws.

Sanctuary cities might sound scary to the uninformed, but it’s a very nuanced issue that’s been shown to have a net-positive effect in the communities that promote this type of policy.

For the most part, everyday life continues just as it did before for citizens in sanctuary cities with no change in lifestyle.

According to the Washington Post, sanctuary cities have seen an increase in cooperation between police and citizens. Before the change, many in these communities would avoid police out of fear of having their immigration status questioned.

Without this worry, individuals are more willing to work with police to investigate crimes and crimes are more frequently reported.

An additional benefit is

that police forces can be more efficiently used by not wasting resources on enforcing federal law.

There isn’t much of an argument that holds up against sanctuary cities. The federal government is in complete control of immigration and lower levels of government have no say in the matter. According to the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution, the federal government is responsible for its own immigration enforcement and no one else.

Because of this, municipalities have every legal right to simply quit enforcing federal immigration.

There are some issues, though. These policies can be taken advantage of by criminals evading deportation and, in some cases, this manipulation of the system has led to murders and other crimes that could have been prevented if the perpetrator had been deported.

That said, though, the con-

sensus is that crime rates have not changed with any statistical significance in sanctuary cities.

According to the Washington Post, some even speculate that there may truly be a fall in crime that is hidden by an increase in crime reporting by people who originally were too scared to interact with police, as previously mentioned.

As a side note, immigration has been shown repeatedly to more positively impact the country’s economy rather than hurt it. By deporting the people in these communities, one would only be slowing the economy by suddenly creating vacancies.

These people are integral members of their communities.

They already pay taxes. They already have jobs. They’re functionally full-citizens in their economic contributions just like everyone else is. What good does it do to take that away?

Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu.

Page 4 |

The Kaleidoscope

February 7, 2017

Bring us your: Plastic bottles Aluminum cans Paper & Flat Cardboard *No Liquids or Foods* Learn more about our mission at www.uab.edu/recycle.

HAVE YOUR

SAY

Participate in a survey about academics, advising, student services, and more.

You’ll be entered to win $100 in BlazerBucks.

SHAPE

YOUR UNIVERSITY

WIN

PRIZES

TAKE THE SURVEY AT uab.edu/students/home/survey or log into BlazerNET and click the link in your Student Satisfaction Survey message.

DEADLINE IS APRIL 17 One prize winner will be selected each week.

community

Page 5

February 7, 2017

BIRMINGHAM’S HISTORY

State legislation to directly impact city Landmark buildings may receive funding for renovations to revitalize certain areas Wallace Golding Community Reporter State Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) has vowed to reintroduce legislation that has provided funding for the renovation of nearly 20 historic buildings in Birmingham in the past.

The Alabama Historic Tax Credit was signed to a three-year term beginning in 2013 and was allowed to expire at the conclusion of the state Senate’s 2016 session. Waggoner says that the legislation is the culprit in the revitalization and growth Birmingham and Alabama have seen over the course of the past few years.

“The program has been responsible for $384 million in private investment in our state since it started in 2013,” Michael Ciamarra, a member of Waggoner’s press corps said on behalf of Waggoner.

Recent projects such as the renovations of the Redmont Hotel, the Pizitz Building and the Lyric Theater, all in the middle of the bustle of Birmingham’s downtown area, have been made possible by the law, and the State has been commended for its previous passage and use.

State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) asked the Alabama Department of Revenue to commission an independent evaluation of the law.

The study, performed by researchers at the University of Tennessee, resulted in a “B” rating for the legislation, according to a Birmingham Business Journal online report.

While the reintroduction of this bill is beneficial to the entire state of Alabama, it is certainly of the utmost importance to the State’s large metropolitan areas including Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville.

The city of Birmingham has taken a very aggressive stance on the tax credit, and city administrators say that it has had an extremely large effect on the city’s economy.

“It is a priority for our city, business community and legislative delegation,” April Odom, the Mayor’s director of communications said in a statement.

“To us in Birmingham, the Historic Tax Credit has had a major impact on our ability to fuel the economic revitalization we are all enjoying in our urban core.”

Moreover, city administrators are excited about the implications a restoration could have on the city and surrounding areas.

PHOTO BY EMILY COX-OLDHAM / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Lyric Theatre first opened on Jan. 14, 1914. It’s upkeep would be one of the many projects affected by the legislation.

“It is very encouraging that the recent [University of Tennessee] study affirmed what we know: that this is an important and positive incentive in our economic development toolbox,” Odom said. “We look forward to working with the legislature’s leadership to bring it back and make it work better for the State.

For many, the passage of the bill is important in sustaining the economic growth Alabama has seen since 2013. In this period, the State’s gross domestic product grew by nearly 4 percent, a rate comparable to other states in the southeastern United States and considerably higher than what Alabama has seen

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Humans of Birmingham “I’m an attorney for foreclosure, bank litigation and collection. I work for the creditors.

I’m in private practice, and I’m about to take a job with a large national firm. I do like my job.

It can be very challenging. Sometimes, though it can be kind of counterintuitive, I get the opportunity to help people deal with problems that they have. Usually my clients are not quite so ruthless, as you may think. They usually want people to be able to pay for their obligations and usually try to give them a chance if they are willing to try… Quite often, I deal with people who simply don’t understand how the law and finance works. So I’ve had a lot of times where I have to deal with people that are unrepresented. They don’t really understand whats going on, and um, I’m in the sort of unfortunate position of trying to tell them what they need to do to deal with me, because they don’t have anybody and of course I can’t represent two conflicting parties at the same time, so I have to try to get in touch with legal orders. It’s kind of unpleasant and it’s not really what I expected when I signed up to be an attorney. I originally wanted to work for corporate bond issuance…”

— Damon Riles, attorney at law

in the past.

“Passage of this legislation is vital not only for Birmingham but also for all of Alabama,” Waggoner said. “It has transformed downtown Birmingham, yes, but it has also transformed our other major cities and rural areas.”

Waggoner plans to introduce the legislation when the state Senate’s next session begins. The Legislature will convene for the 2017 session beginning on Feb. 7 at noon in Montgomery.

“

Wallace Golding can be reached at wsgoldin@uab.edu and on Twitter at @WGolding_4.

Right now, in Birmingham, there are families who are living in fear. Fear of being split apart. Fear of violence. Fear of not being able to re-enter the country if they travel. Fear of arrest and harassment. Fear of being forced from their homes. I’m talking about the Latino and Muslim communities … [who] will suffer from increased discrimination and hate crimes. Crimes that will not be reported for fear of retaliation and deportation.”

—Cara McClure, Birmingham resident

Council hears residents’ request for sanctuary city Hundreds flock to public meeting to voice concerns on Trump’s executive ban Surabhi Rao Community Editor Over 100 Birmingham civilians gathered at City Hall on Jan. 31 at the weekly meeting to ask City Council to turn Birmingham into a “Sanctuary City” on paper and in practice.

The meeting began with an Addendum being passed out, which added Item 60 as a new resolution, submitted by Council President Johnathan Austin of District 5. According to this resolution, “the City of Birmingham is a ‘Sanctuary City’ that strives to … uphold the commitment to be a community free of prejudice, bigotry and hate.”

Around 25 speakers shared their diverse stories and thoughts on the recent travel ban from Trump’s executive order.

The room was continuously filled with strong voices, applause, cheers and standing ovations as Birmingham residents came to the mic one by one to voice their concerns on what they felt was an un-American decision on Trump’s end.

Among those that spoke included immigrants, representatives from various progressive interest groups, a man who sheltered a refugee family in the past and a woman whose family

lost her Mexican husband to deportation.

Birmingham Black Lives Matter representative Cara McClure asked all in the audience that supported Birmingham’s move to a Sanctuary City to stand up.

The entire room responded by standing with arms raised in a fist, signs held up and an eruption of cheers.

“2017 for my organization is our year of radical inclusivity,” McClure said. “… Today I am asking you to take courage. I am calling on you to make a stand.

Right now in Birmingham there are families who are living in fear. Fear of being split apart.

Fear of violence. Fear of not being able to re-enter the country if they travel. Fear of arrest and harassment. Fear of being forced from their homes. I’m talking about the Latino and Muslim communities … [who] will suffer from increased discrimination and hate crimes. Crimes that will not be reported for fear of retaliation and deportation.”

Councilor Kim Rafferty of District 2 and Councilor Valerie Abbott of District 3 voiced concerns on the legal implications of being a “Sanctuary City,” with an interest in following any federal and state policies first and foremost.

There was a failed vote to

discuss the legal implications of this resolution behind closed doors in an executive session, with Abbott and Rafferty voting against a public discussion.

Instead, representatives from the law department openly stated that there were no losses in federal funding that could result from this resolution.

“I think that a lot of what’s been passed in the last week has been atrocious,” Hanna Murphy, Clipper Magazine Marketing employee and meeting attendee, said. “We have a lot of diversity in Birmingham, and I want to keep that. This is an opportunity for Birmingham to show that we are past our past.”

As of right now, there are around 440 Sanctuary Cities in America, none of which are in Alabama. Being a Sanctuary City implies that immigrants and refugees will be given shelter, despite any policies that may contradict this.

The public response to HB 56 in 2011 was referenced continuously to display a harsh comparison.

The Council approved this resolution unanimously after discussion that resulted in frequent outbursts from the audience. The legislative specifics of this resolution will be further discussed and passed over the next few weeks.

Surabhi Rao can be reached at surrao@uab.edu and on Twitter at @Cityrao17.

Life and Style

Page 6 February 7, 2017

TRIM TAB BREWING

The eyes of the beholder Local artist and musician continues family tradition Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager

F

or local artist and musician Lauren Strain, art is a family affair. A collection of colorful canvases hung on the opening night of a new exhibit at TrimTab Brewing Company, which Strain says is dedicated to the mother whose talent inspired her.

“She is, I would say, my main inspiration.

This whole show is for her,” Strain said. “She was always painting and making things.

She can sew, paint, all kinds of things.

I would go with her when I was a little girl to see her paintings in galleries all around.”

Strain created her paintings using plaster, acrylic, charcoal, ink and oil pastels — materials that she says are central to her artwork.

Each of the pieces depicts obscure figures

lost in a sea of colors, from deep blues to fiery reds. Her paintings are impressionistic and expressive, with broad brush strokes that give the viewer a glimpse of the artist’s hand movements, and are inspired

by Russian-French artist Marc Chagall and Italian contemporary artist Francesco Clemente.

The faces portrayed in Strain’s works are not marked by clear lines or edges and tend to fade into the colorful background, but the eyes of her subjects are focal pieces and a central theme throughout the collection.

“I usually just pick up some paint and start going. There’s no method really to my madness. Sometimes as I’m painting I can already see the face on there and I can already tell what it’s going to look like,” she said.

Strain moved to Birmingham in 2004 after graduating from the

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL / PHOTO EDITOR Several pieces of Lauren Strain’s artwork are on display at Trim Tab Brewery through the end of February.

University of Alabama with degrees in fashion design and studio art.

While she says much of her time now is dedicated to her art, she is also a singer, songwriter and guitarist for local band “Lolly and the Pops.” Her boyfriend, Lee Shook, describes music as “her first love.”

“She’s been rediscovering her artistic

sensibilities,” Shook said. “I think watching the process of rediscovery has been the most fun part for me as an outsider looking in.”

Strain’s show at TrimTab is her first in Birmingham, according to Shook.

“It’s something she’s been wanting to do for a while, to show people another side of her that they

haven’t seen here in Birmingham because most people know her for her music,” Shook said. It’s been interesting to watch how she’s put this stuff together as another reflection of herself.”

Strain’s works will be on display at TrimTab until March.

The pieces range from $125 to $500 depending on the size of the

canvas and the time spent painting. In the meantime, she plans to swap out pieces that are purchased as well as adding brand new paintings.

“I still have a living room full of paintings that aren’t finished,” she said with a laugh.

Tamara Imam can be reached at online@insideuab.com.

Style profile Saturn receives an CONCERT REVIEW

Angelic visitation Jason Grover Life and Style Editor

Home” were lo-fi affairs, marked by their somber ambience, predominantly featuring Olsen’s reverb-ladn excited roar filled the air as en vocals over fingerpicked guitar. five figures dressed in matchWith the release of “Burn Your ing tonic suits, white shirts Fire For No Witness” in 2014, she and bolo ties crossed in front of a began a move to a more pop-orientsilver tinsel backdrop and took up ed sound. their instruments. A sixth figure fol“My Woman” shows a similar lowed, contrasting with the others 50s-inflected style on tracks like in a white satin blouse, burgundy “Sister,” the album’s third single.

Sta-Prest slacks and a semi-bouffant Elsewhere, “My Woman” shows hair-do.

Olsen’s experimental side. The Armed with a vintage elecalbum’s first single, “Intern,” tric guitar, Angel Olsen apabandons bass, drums and proached the microphone and guitars in favor of a single began to sing, as the applause synthesizer to accompany grew louder still.

Olsen’s vocals.

The singer-songwriter Olsen’s albums have often played a sold-out show at been somewhat melancholy Saturn on Feb. 3 in support of Grover affairs, but “My Woman” “My Woman,” her fourth fullshows her stepping into new length album and second release for emotional territory. Songs like Jagjaguwar Records.

“Never Be Mine” and “Shut Up and The set list consisted primarily Kiss Me” are surprisingly upbeat. of songs from “My Woman” and “Those Were the Days” is wistfully her 2014 effort “Burn Your Fire for jazzy, recalling early 90s R&B more No Witness.” Olsen and her band than lo-fi singer-songwriters like her played a 90-minute set followed by collaborator Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy. one encore, reproducing the sounds “My Woman” contains no of these two albums almost perfectshortage of tear-jerkers, but, on ly. the whole, it is hardly a depressing She proved to be completely in affair. Olsen shows a remarkable command of her instrument and ability to take an almost light-heartvoice, showing that, unlike many ed approach to the gloomy subjects of today’s popular vocalists, she of love and loss. requires no studio wizardry or auOn “Intern,” Olsen sings to-tuning.

“Doesn’t matter who you are or Olsen began building a reputawhat you’ve done, still gotta wake tion in 2011 by backing Drag City up and be someone.”

Records artist Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy Here and throughout the album, on the albums “Island Brothers,” Olsen proves that she has matured “Wolfroy Goes to Town” and “Now past the broken, painfully emotional Here’s My Plan.” sound of her earlier albums.

Olsen’s popularity continued Olsen is on a national tour in to grow with the 2011 release of support of “My Woman.” She will “Strange Cacti” followed by “Half play Mohawk Austin in Austin, Way Home” in 2012. Both albums Texas on Feb. 7, then Trees in Dallas featured intimate songwriting deliv- on Feb. 8. ered by Olsen’s striking voice, which “My Woman” is available bears the influence of crooners like through Jagjaguwar Records.

Roy Orbison while remaining comJason Grover can be reached pletely distinctive. at features@insideuab.com.

“Strange Cacti” and “Half Way

A

Name: Erie Jackson Year: Freshman Major: Finance Shop this look: Jackson wears a cooltoned beige blazer over a white oxford shirt topped off with a tartan plaid bow tie, all from J.C. Penney. He wears navy Forever 21 chinos over brown wing-tip boots, also from J.C. Style Inspiration: “Growing up I wouldn’t dress up to my mom’s standards, and she would spaz out. One of my aspirations in life is to become a model… I dress up every day! You never know what opportunity you may get.

You have to be ahead of it all!”

February 7, 2017

Page 7 | Life & Style

The Kaleidoscope

SPOTLIGHT ON: BRIGHT CHANG

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIGHT CHANG LEFT: “Traveling through Time” depicts a common scene where the underpass of bridges and surrounding areas near a railroad are deteriorated and “damaged” by graffiti. But even in graffiti, there is beauty. That beauty combined with the background scenery of a revitalizing Birmingham takes us on a journey through time, from past to future, from decay to beauty. RIGHT: “Traveling through Colors” illustrates the rainbow tunnel next to the Railroad Park. In the past, this stretch under the bridge didn’t have any LED lights and was merely another underpass people drove through. Now, it has become a nightly activity for many. It illustrates that life encompasses a spectrum of colors and that beauty is everywhere for us to enjoy. BELOW: Bright Chang studies dentistry at UAB. His photographs will be featured in the Spring 2017 AURA Literary Review.

Bright Chang Contributed Report

BEHIND THE CAMERA

P

Name: Bright Chang Major: Dentistry Age: 23 Art Medium: Photography Favorite Color: Rainbow Example of work: “Traveling through Colors”, “Traveling through time”, “A New Beginning” (AURA Volumes 42/43) Advice for aspiring artists: You never know when opportunities will come knocking at your door. If you really love doing something, just go for it and practice as much as you can. Someday, the world will recognize your talents.

hotography captures the essence and mood of a specific situation and externalizes it in a personal and meaningful way.

Throughout my life, there were many instances where I would have loved to capture the precious moments. However without a camera, I could not capture these moments.

When I decided to pursue photography, I was determined to document every part of my life in my perspective and to

share the beauties of life with the rest of the world. There are many people who live day to day at school or work and

don’t realize that there is much more to life than just a successful career. I want to be able to offer them a way to appreciate life and enjoy their journey throughout their career.

I’ve lived in Birmingham for 5 years now and I’ve seen it grow so much. In the past, Birmingham was a city

that had a stagnant growth.

The city started to deteriorate as businesses left and building withered away. I would drive through downtown Birmingham and I’d see so many buildings and neighborhoods torn away by nature and time. But now, I see so much growth, so much development, and so much beauty in a place that was once…frozen in time.

Through my two photographs, I wanted to portray the change that Birmingham has undergone within the past decade and its revitalizing beauty.

Our lives are full of colors, opportunities and potential. Only time will tell in what ways life becomes meaningful and beautiful to us. Let’s look at our lives and our surroundings with a new perspective, a perspective that looks for the beautiful things.

Artist Spotlight is presented by Aura Literary Arts Review. Deadline for the Spring 2017 edition is Feb. 27.

FOR YOUR ON CAMPUS COMPUTER AND CELL PHONE SERVICES!

UNIVERSITY COMPUTERS & MOBILE VISIT US FOR : • COMPUTER REPAIRS AND SALES • PHONE REPAIRS AND SALES • COMPUTER AND PHONE ACCESSORIES

VISIT US AT: 1027 11TH PL S., BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35205 (across the street from the UAB school of business) CONTACT US AT: 205-202-4183

sports w

Page 8 February 7, 2017

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Blazers axe Miners Childress sets new career record to send UAB past UTEP Trinity Dix Sports Reporter The UAB Women’s Basketball team returned home to take on the University of Texas at El Paso Miners on Feb. 2. In their previous match-up, UAB lost to the Miners by three points during overtime, knocking them out of the Conference USA quarterfinals last year.

This time, the Blazers overcame UTEP and won their fourthstraight home game.

In the first half, UAB held onto their lead with freshman forward Rachael Childress’ help. In total, Childress scored a career-high of 22 points, drained a career-high of six 3-pointers and had a career-best of eight field goals. Her 22 points were the most made by a woman Blazer this season.

“She’s a coach’s kid,” said UAB Women’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Norton. “She lives in the gym. She wants the ball in her hands, and not every player is that way. She wants the ball down the stretch. She hit a huge three for us when [UTEP] was making their run, and that’s what great players do. Great players step up. They make the big free throws. They make the big shots when it’s crunch time, and Rachael’s done that all year for us.

I’m just really proud of her.”

During halftime, Norton gave the team the challenge to “battle” UTEP offensively. UAB stepped up and got out to an 18-point lead in the third quarter, the Blazers’ largest lead of the game.

Throughout the second half, UAB held UTEP’s senior guard Sparkle Taylor below her season average of 17.1 points per game.

The Blazers disrupted UTEP by making the starters work to get the ball up the floor, and the Miners lost a lot of time on the shot clock to score. The Blazers’ play forced UTEP to turnover the ball 14 times.

“

Great players step up. They make the big free throws. They make the big shots when it’s crunch time, and Rachael’s done that all year for us. I’m just really proud of her.

— Randy Norton, UAB Women’s Basketball head coach The Blazers shared the ball with 19 assists. Of those 19 assists, a total of nine came from both senior guard Janeka Williams and freshman guard Miyah Barnes.

“I’m really happy for Janeka,” Norton said. “We’re talking about a kid that’s a senior that wasn’t in the rotation about seven weeks ago. She was on the scout team. She wasn’t even getting to go with the first group. She kept working hard. She got an opportunity, and she jumped on it. Then [with] Miyah Barnes, I thought this was one of her better games. I thought she stepped up and [hit] the big free throws down the stretch. [She] took care of the basketball, distributed it well [and] hit some big shots at the end-of-shot-clock situations.

So, I’m very, very happy for them.”

UAB won against UTEP 74-61.

This brought the Blazers’ C-USA record to 4-6 and their overall record to 11-10.

The Blazers will play away at Charlotte, N.C., against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.

Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR UAB junior guard T’erra Lewis is guarded by a University of Texas at San Antonio player in Saturday’s game.

UAB stumbles against UTSA efficient offense Roadrunners blow past Blazers to end home-win streak Connor Gentry Sports Reporter

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR UAB freshman guard Rachael Childress looks over the offense in Thurday’s game.

On a bright Saturday afternoon, the UAB Women’s Basketball team squared off with the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners inside UAB’s Bartow Arena.

“Life and sports is all about when you get an opportunity: stepping up and producing,”said UAB Women’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Norton.

UTSA was efficient at converting the shots they took by making 30 of their 60 attempts for 50 percent. Tesha Smith led the Roadrunners in scoring with 20 points. Smith made seven of her 12 shots for 58.3 percent. Carlie Heineman added a career-high 18 points for the Roadrunners. Heineman did all of her damage from outside the arc, shooting six of nine from 3-point range for a percentage of 66.7.

“They surround [Smith] with outstanding 3-point shooters, but [Smith] is a senior,” Norton said. “[Smith] has been around and is a really good player.

[Smith] was never ever supposed to be one-on-one in the post, she is just too much to handle. You have to double her and dig the ball out, and we did not do a good job of that.”

UAB made 25 of their 60 attempts for a final shooting percentage of 41.7. The Blazers were led by Rachael Childress, freshman guard, who tallied 16 points. Childress finished the game 5-15 from the floor for 33 percent.

T’erra Lewis contributed 12 points with ten of those coming in the second half.

“We all know as a team we are capable of winning games, and everyone on our team can play and contribute,” said sophomore guard Deanna Kuzmanic. “We’re just trying to stay together and know we can beat anyone and just put it all together.”

No matter how much UAB trailed, Norton said they never gave up. This was evident when the Blazers missed a layup, gathered the missed shot and repeated this three times. During this sequence of events, the Blazers tallied 3 offensive rebounds and exhibited grit and determination as well as scoring an easy layup.

“We have such a high-character group,” Norton said. “This team is just going to continue to play hard. As a coach and with this game, we didn’t quit… our kids fought until the end, and as a coach that makes me proud.

Good things are going to happen for this team.”

The statistics showed UAB fell the most in the game at the 3-point line. The Roadrunners connected on eight of their 19 attempts from beyond the arc.

“Just get back in the gym, you know,” Kuzmanic said. “You have good days and you have bad days; it’s just a part of basketball. Keep working on it [shooting].”

Throughout the majority of the game, the Blazers kept the difference in score to single digits, but the Roadrunners could not miss during the third quarter of the game and extended their lead to 13 points. UTSA was able to coast from there until the final buzzer.

The Blazers dropped the game to the Roadrunners by a final score of 82-67, breaking a four-game home win streak for the Blazers.

“Credit UTSA to death,” Norton said.

“I thought they played outstanding. [I] watched a lot of tape on [UTSA], and they have had an outstanding season.

Today they shot lights out in the second half, 72 percent in the third quarter and 64 percent in the fourth quarter. I thought our kids were guarding them hard. They were making shots with a hand in their face. This was just one of those days that we kinda ran into a buzz saw.”

The Blazers hit the road this week taking on University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Feb. 9 at 6 pm.

Connor Gentry can be reached at zcgentry@uab.edu and on Twitter at @zcgentry.

February 7, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Page 9

SOFTBALL

Team readies for season’s start

Senior heavy lineup looks toward Conference USA Championship Jack Ryan Sports Editor The UAB Softball Team starts their 18th season on Feb. 9 in Hawaii, and Head Coach Marla Townsend has been there for all 18 seasons.

The team holds a 511-474 record in their 17 previous seasons.

Their opening game will be against Oregon State University at the Paradise Classic in Honolulu. This season, UAB plays four tournaments during the year including the first one in Hawaii.

“Not only is it a great way to start your season, the beauty they are going to see is great,” Townsend said. “We have been before, and you

Building

From Page 1

the building, however, was found necessary. The reason for this is that there has been a significant increase of enrollment of biology students at UAB. The department of biology is located in Campbell Hall along with the department of mathematics and the department of computer and information sciences. The initial plan did not include a space for them in the new Arts and Sciences building, but the scarcity of space for

ASO

From Page 1 indie rockers NYCO pairing with the ASO to perform classical works by Beethoven and Charles Ives.

Feb. 11: Seasick Records is hoping to present a layered music performance based on pre-recorded sound that will bring audiences’ senses to a new level.

Feb. 12: At “Artikulation: Graphic Sources of the Avant-Garde,” graphic arts and music collide at Saturn. The establishment

Immigration

From Page 1

“Just like there is no room in Islam for targeting individuals based on race, religion or national origin, the Constitution of the United States of America calls for the same,” The Muslim Student Association said in a statement in response to the new policy. “The facts of the ban can be found by a simple search on the internet, but it is not just the ban but what the ban stands for [that] makes us Muslims fear for our safety and our freedoms.

We as Muslims need to condemn what is wrong, whether it is radicalism or whether it is discrimination based on national origin, religion, or any other trivial matters that divide us as people.”

According to the Princeton Review, UAB is ranked number three in the nation for student diversity. UAB is home to student organizations such as the Muslim Student Association, United Muslim Relief and Students for Justice in Palestine.

Around 200 international students are attending the university presently, according to International Mentors.

While no UAB students have been directly affected by the ban, many Muslim and international students have voiced their opinions of feeling further marginalized

are playing ball and all of the sudden have a beautiful rainbow appear. They are excited about facing an opponent not in a green and gold uniform.”

Coming off of a 14-10 season in Conference USA and a second place finish in the CUSA tournament, UAB is looking to get back to the NCAA tournament this year.

“We want to be the No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament,” Townsend said. “We do that by taking care of business, whether that is a three-game series at home or on the road. Conference games matter and I think that if we have everything come together, the defense works hard, the offense has been putting runs on the board,

the pitching staff has five players, it’s just exciting.”

UAB looks to fill the role of experienced players that graduated last year. One of those holes was at shortstop.

Caitlin Attfield, shortstop from 2012-2016, was the first UAB player selected in the professional draft and holds multiple career records at UAB. “We have been working hard on drills,” senior middle infielder Amy Waters said. “We have been working well to fill in her hole.

She was big on range and we have been working to fill that in.”

UAB will be led by eight seniors. Those seniors include: Joanna (JoJo) Fallen, Madison Hir, Danii Fernandez, Lauren Beshel, Amy Waters, Mary Warren, Cara Goodwin and Olivia Black.

Fallen was selected to the

Preseason All-Conference Team.

Fernandez leads the charge on the hot corner at third base in her final season of play. The UAB defense ranked third in conference last year in fielding percentage.

Last season, pitching was more inconsistent than Townsend wanted. This season, Goodwin leads a deep bullpen full of versatility.

“We have a lot of diversity (on the pitching staff),” Goodwin said. “We can throw our opponents off because we have all different types of pitchers. We have up and down and side to side with different speeds. I have been taking lessons from a couple of people. I added a drop ball to my rise ball pitch.”

Townsend has mentioned multiple times the impor-

the colleges within Campbell Hall made the board reconsider whether to include those colleges in the new building.

The BOT came to the decision to also move the department of math and the department of computer and information sciences to the new facilities. The intended result is to free up space for biology students. Thus, the meeting resolved to increase the ground square footage of the building to 116,000 and the new total project budget to $39.5 million.

The new facilities will

include modern classrooms, that will accommodate lecture halls, teaching studios, laboratories, spaces for student interaction, faculty offices, administrative support spaces and a storm shelter.

This meeting concluded stage II of the project and proceeded on stage III of a total of four stages before construction starts. The next meeting is scheduled for April.

The construction is to be started in 2018 and the location will be on the available property on the southwest

corner of the Campus Green, which is the downhill park space in the crossing of 10th and 14th st s. ”I think it will be great for UAB and the greater Birmingham community,” said member of the Board of Trustees of University of Alabama Judge John H. England. ”It’s well deserved and it just shows that UAB is the place to be, where there’s a great deal of growth and I’m just glad to have a small part in it.”

will showcase music performances based on graphic notation. These works are sometimes free-form and follow scores that are often striking works of visual art in their own right.

Feb. 13: The Birmingham Museum of Art will display the many aspects of art through an exhibit called “Life Out of Balance”, along with a showing of “Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance”: a true work of art, music and film.

Feb. 14: Work Play will host “Contemporary

Visions: Inspired by Shakespeare”, bringing modern takes on Shakespeare by Leonard Bernstein and the ASO’s Sound Investment composer in residence Susan Botti to the stage.

Feb. 15: Local band, Future Elevators, will bring an energized performance to the Syndicate Lounge.

Feb. 16: The ASO performs Susan Botti’s “EchoTempo”, which embraces “original” instruments to create a modern take on Native American poems, along with Anna

Clyne’s “Within Her Arms.”

Feb 17: Woodlawn will throw a block party to celebrate the whimsical artistry surrounding music in various cafes, shops and recording studios. Step Pepper, a local music label, will curate the event.

Feb 18: The festival will end with a spectacular finale: Max Richter’s More information about the performances can be found on soundedgebham. com.

after the implementation of this new policy.

“I think it’s very ignorant of the fact that Muslims are 99 percent of ISIS’s targets,” said Muna Al-Safarjalani, senior in chemistry. “And a lot of people say we’re just trying to keep our country safe, we’re just trying to protect ourselves, put America first. But you’re not really putting America first.

You are denying the rights of refugees, of immigrants, of people of have done nothing to harm you.”

In response to the immigration ban, UAB President Ray Watts issued a statement on Monday, Jan. 30.

“We are aware there is confusion and concern over the rapidly evolving situation concerning the Executive Order that has suspended entry into the United States for non-U.S. citizens from a number of countries,” he said in an email to students and faculty.

Muslim international students, such as Muhammad Jaan, graduate student, and Ahsan Tariq, freshman in mechanical engineering, have all expressed concerns of their status in the U.S. as well the risks of now travelling outside the country.

“This does not really sound like an immigration ban, but a religion ban,” Jaan said. “I am now concerned for my status as an interna-

tional student who is from a Muslim-majority country.”

Tariq expressed concern saying he will be uncertain of his future when he leaves the country to visit his family back in Pakistan but is now uncertain of the validity of his student visa.

Despite the temporary lift on the executive order, some students are still uncertain of the rapidly evolving situation.

Non-Muslim students have also expressed their opinion on the immigration ban.

“Honestly, I think it’s a good thing, I understand good people are trying to get away from wars and from oppression,” said Janica Harris, junior in biomedical sciences. “But for all those good people who want the best for their family, you have bad people coming over here to hurt Americans.”

Laura Bard, junior in education, said that the motive behind the ban was not racism, but out of necessity to protect the country.

“It’s like locking your house door at night, it’s not because you hate your neighbors, but because you love the people inside your house,” Bard said.

Adamu Shauku, Ph.D. and visiting assistant professor in the department of government, says that ban is written in facially-neutral terms but that Trump’s Administra-

tion’s intended target was Muslims.

“It is fair to say that the executive order was a half-hearted, carefully calculated attempt by the President to fulfill his campaign promise to ban Muslims, at least on a temporary basis,” Shauku said.

However, as for if the ban is unconstitutional or not, Shauku said things are not that black and white.

“When it comes to citizens, this type of governmental action is easily unconstitutional,” Shauku said. “When it comes to legal residents who are not citizens, I think the same goes. It gets trickier when we start talking about foreign nationals who deal with our government at arm’s length. These individuals might largely be regarded as outside the scope of the Constitution’s protection. In essence, they are arguably not persons within its jurisdiction.”

During the week of President’s Trump executive order, organizations such as International Mentors, URGE UAB, Students for Human Rights, Students Justice Advocacy Council and UAB Institute of Human Rights have all shared solidarity to those affected by the immigration ban via public statements.

Kristina Balciunaite can be reached at campus@insideuab.com.

Zach Aplin can be reached at zachapli@uab.edu

Sufia Alam can be reached at sufia@uab.edu

tance of playing an early difficult schedule to help develop the team for Conference USA play. This season’s schedule features eight teams that made the Regionals of the NCAA Tournament last year.

“That’s what we want,” Townsend said. “We want to face the top teams in the country before conference and then mix in some big time teams, like Oklahoma, on our off weekend during our conference season. Our ultimate goal, yes we want to win conference and be conference champions, but we want to play when there are only 64 teams left.’’

The first home game takes place Feb. 27 against Murray State University.

Jack Ryan can be reached at sports@insideuab.com and on Twitter at @kscope_sports.

Football

From Page 1

Marshall University and more. This reveals what UAB Football Head Coach Bill Clark had always thought about UAB: “[their] taste is expensive.”

“I want us to be a national team,” Clark said. “That’s what we expect to be. That’s what we should be. So we’ve got to do a good job of recruiting. I will say this: one of the hardest things for us was that we knew we had to still come in and take in some junior college guys into midterm. I didn’t know exactly what those numbers were going to be.”

One of the signees was four-star recruit Thomas Johnston who was a linebacker at Spanish Fort High School. He chose UAB over the University of Mississippi, Auburn University, the University of Arkansas and Iowa State University. His brother, freshman quarterback Tyler Johnston, is a UAB student who talked highly of the school and its staff members.

“I think [it is] one of the things that’s so exciting about Thomas,” Clark said.

“Obviously, we’ve got his brother, Tyler. I think that having his brother was important. I think that family is a big deal for us, but he made his own decisions.

He took his trips. He’s got all his offers, and for us to kind of come out of that as the destination really puts the spotlight on where the program is headed.”

With the new signees coming in from local areas and out of state, Clark saw the importance of giving them as plenty of opportunities to play together before their first game. By making the signees scrimmage with the ones and twos, Clark is able to mesh the new players with the veteran players. Doing so allows the players – old and new – to be granted game-like experiences before their first game against Alabama A&M University on Sept. 2, 2017 at Legion Field.

“When we had our meeting three weeks ago now, the sense in that room was totally different,” Clark said. “You could feel it. Even though I thought our guys did really well, they know it is coming. Now, the clock is set for within a year. They can taste it. I see a difference in their attitude. This spring is going to be very competitive even though I thought we did a good job before.”

Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.

Page 10 |

The Kaleidoscope

February 7, 2017

Spaces filling fast for Fall 2017!

SECURE YOUR SPACE TODAY

Rates as low as

$479 PRIVATE BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE

AMENITIES FOR A FIT & HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

ACADEMICALLY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT

INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY LEASES

ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE

APPLY ONLINE @ BIRMINGHAMSTUDENTHOUSING.COM

500 Palisades Dr | 205.943.8427 Rates/installments & amenities are subject to change. Rates/installments do not represent a monthly rental amount (and are not prorated), but rather the total base rent due for the lease term divided by the number of installments. Limited time only. See office for details.