UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018
VOLUME 59, ISSUE 12
The
Kaleidoscope SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
Campus events spotlight harsh realities of fear and discirmination, possible solutions surrounding sexual assualt
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Mallorie Turner Campus Reporter maturn31@uab.edu
Destiny Houston is a survivor and she’ll be the first to tell you. In the time since her attack, she’s learned to survive and, in turn, thrive. “I can honestly say I was able to grow by building trust in my relationships, not just romantically, but socially and with networking,” Houston said. “Getting past it affects my quality of life and ability to move forward each and every day.” It has motivated her to be the person she is today citing her survival as “the last push to go into [social work] and inspired a passion.” As part of the UAB’s recognition of Sexual Assault Aware-
Between 20 - 25 percent of college-aged women will experience actual or attempted sexual assault during the time they are enrolled,” Schuster said. “About 7 percent of college men will also experience sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault during the time they’re enrolled. —Saundra K. Schuster ness Month, Houston, a senior in social work, led Take Back the Night’s Survivor Speak-Out, Wednesday, April 11. The event provided a safe space for survi-
vors of sexual violence to come forth and give their experiences without restriction. “To me, it’s a month of awareness and being humble,”
UAB softball celebrates two dramatic walk-off wins this weekend at Mary Bowers Field Western Kentucky lead the Blazers 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning when UAB dropped a three-run bomb to steal the win Friday, April 13. The team secured their second win of the weekend on another walkoff the next day after an 11-inning stretch. Read more on page 6.
Houston said. “To me it’s a victory to overcome this and move forward. It’s a big deal.” In April, events across campuses nationwide work to raise awareness about sexual violence on campuses and elsewhere. “Between 20 - 25 percent of college-aged women will experience actual or attempted sexual assault during the time they are enrolled,” Saundra K. Schuster, J.D said. “About 7 percent of college men will also experience sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault during the time they’re enrolled. We know that more than half of the women fail to report [their assault] and we also know that about 30 percent of individuals who have been assaulted contemplate suicide.” Schuster, a partner with the
See AWARENESS, Page 4
MOVE-OUT DAY
Packing up for the summer Tips for leaving your dormitory
PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
Allie Milton Life & Style Editor miltona@uab.edu
While the notion of moving everything the student moved in with, as well as anything they may have accumulated over the past year, may be stressful, it does not have to be a daunting task. By following move-out guidelines and inquiring the RAs and
See MOVING, Page 8
Tuesday, April 17 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
here & there
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FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE
JOKE OF THE WEEK What does the chicken say when you ask it for advice? Here’s what chicken do.
THIS WEEK IN STUDENT MEDIA
- Kristina Balciunaite, Life and Style Editor If any poets are interested in being a part of our Voices of UAB series, they can contact our Editor-in-Chief Taylor Stewart for inquiry about this video series in partnership with UABTV. Our previously planned Poetry Festival was postponed due to weather, so we will announce a rescheduled in event in coming weeks.
PHOTO OF THE SEMESTER
Contact Aura at auraartsreview@ gmail.com.
PHOTO BY LAKYN SHEPARD/PHOTO EDITOR Little girl holds her homemade sign while she sleeps in her mother’s arms on the day of the March for Our Lives protest held at Railroad Park, March 24.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
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Opinion
Outgoing managing editor Wallace Golding shares his thoughts on the role of the newspaper on our campus and in Birmingham.
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Campus
Don’t be silly. Wrap your willy. Guest writers argue in favor of access to free condoms on UAB’s campus in residence halls.
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Sports Softball sweeps Western Kentucky at home, winning two in walk-off fashion, and baseball splits a series 2-1 at Old Dominion.
Metro
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The son of everyone’s favorite Birmingham mayor is running for Alabama Attorney General (read sarcastically). Find out who in this edition.
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Life & Style
Birmingham Oddities aims to capture the enigma that is Birmingham, Alabama. Read about the interesting store in this week’s issue. If you wish to see your event displayed in our calendar, please contact Chandler Jones at chanj1@uab.edu.
What: Baseball vs. Western Kentucky Where: Regions Field When: 2 p.m.
What: Baseball vs. Western Kentucky Where: Regions Field When: 1 p.m.
What: Market Who: Sarah & Winnie Designs Where: The Pizitz When: 11 a.m
What: Earth Day Celebration Where: Red Mountain Park When: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
What: 100th Year Crawfish Boil Where: Adamson Ford When: 3 - 8p.m.
sunday
What: Kyle Cox Show Who: The Loft Show Where: Make BHM When: 7 p.m.
What: Baseball vs. Western Kentucky Where: Regions Field When: 6:30 p.m.
aturday
What: Softball vs. Alabama State Where: Mary Bowers Field When: 6 p.m.
riday
What: Let’s Destress Who: Music Notes for the Soul Where: Hill Student Center When: 11 a.m.
hursday
ednesday
uesday
What: Bluegrass Jam Where: Ghost Train Brewing Co. When: 6 - 10 p.m.
Check out our coverage of BlazeRadio’s Spring Jam that will take place next Saturday, April 21, with special guest “H.E.R.” Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to keep up with all our new videos. shows and posts. We will keep the camera rolling all summer long so stay tuned!
Contact UABTV at morris95@uab.edu.
If you would like to be featured in our “From Your Perspective” please contact Will Harris at willhrrs@uab.edu.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Nontact BlazeRadio at alex96@uab.edu.
What: Velocity Accelerator 2018 Demo Day Who: Innovation Depot, Inc. Where: Iron City When: 5 - 7 p.m.
onday
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
April 17, 1970: Apollo 13 returns to Earth Apollo 13, a U.S. lunar spacecraft that suffered a severe malfunction on its journey to the moon, safely returns to Earth. April 18, 1906: Great San Francisco Earthquake An earthquake estimated at near an 8.0 on the Richter scale strikes San Francisco, California, killing hundreds of people. April 19, 1897: First Boston Marathon held John J. McDermott of New York wins the first ever Boston Marathon with a time of 2:55:10. April 20, 1980: Castro announces Mariel Boatlift The Castro regime announces that all Cubans wishing to emigrate to the U.S. are free to board boats at the port of Mariel west of Havana, launching the Mariel Boatlift. April 21, 753 B.C.: Rome founded According to tradition, Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, founded Rome on the site where they were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants. April 22, 1970: First Earth Day Earth Day, an event to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental problems, is celebrated for the first time in the United States. April 23, 1564: William Shakespeare born Great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare, author of such plays as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth is born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
BlazeRadio’s Spring Jam will take place next Saturday, April 21, with special guest “H.E.R.” Check for BlazeRadio at multiple events across campus this week! We’ll be there as the DJs! If you would like to be a part of BlazeRadio or UAB Student Media in general, stop by our office at HSC 130 to fill out an application!
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
opinion Spring 2018 Editorial Board Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief chanj1@uab.edu
Wallace Golding Managing Editor wsgoldin@uab.edu
Sufia Alam Campus Editor sufia@uab.edu
Bella Tylicki Metro Editor btylicki@uab.edu
Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor kribal@uab.edu
Connor Gentry Sports Editor zcgentry@uab.edu
Will Harris Social Media Director willhrrs@uab.edu
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SCHEDULING
May the classes be ever in your favor spurs cramming and begs the question: Are you really learning anything? Are students able to even retain any of the s the end of the spring material? Can students expect semester approaches, to get the same value from a many continuing stuMay session as they do regudents find themselves facing a lar term classes? daunting question: what to do “The pros are that it is a over summer. Applications for shorter time with a subject,” internships and fellowships said David Sellers, who is an loom. Decisions about wheth- academic advisor for English, er to move back home philosophy and music or pay for an apartment students. He has also demand attention. taught mini-terms One answer to this which are similar to question might be: sumUAB’s May session at mer classes. other universities. “This It’s the perfect way is great for fast learnto get parents and adviers. It is also better for Rose sors off your back and content-based classes. even get a bit ahead of Where it might have a your coursework. No extra disadvantage is with subjects application process or expecthat reflection should be a tations are required. part of the equation.” Summer classes aren’t all As an undergraduate in fun and games. Some, such as English, Sellers said he often the May session, pack a body found that the compressed of material normally taught classes proved disadvantaover the course of several geous because it was not long months into one 4-week after finishing a particular session. This learning style work that it was time to move Parker Rose Columnist pdrose@uab.edu
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onto the next. He said it was difficult to him to feel wellversed in or familiar with a text you only spent a couple days with. Moreover, what if students are attempting to take classes involving material they should be expected to know later in their career lives? I might have mixed feelings about my doctor if I knew that he completed his undergraduate degree by way of several labor-intensive, Adderall-infused shortened summer terms. But perhaps this is not even a valid or realistic concern to have. “While not ideal for all students, the May session isn’t really used to structure entire programs at UAB,” said Josh May, Ph. D., a professor in philosophy who has taught several of these four-week sessions. “Students can’t necessarily complete a degree while doing all or most classes during the May semester.” According to May, issues
regarding short-term sessions are similar to those regarding online classes. While some educators worry about such courses comprising an entire student’s curriculum, they can be quite useful for the right students. “I value the opportunities such programs provide for students who are working full time, are parents or otherwise can’t get a higher education without distance learning,” May said. Moreover, the educational value of the class itself seems to largely be up to the student and how much effort they are willing to put forth. If you have a good professor and consider yourself to be a fast learner, you shouldn’t have a problem. However, this does require that you have a good sense of your academic ability and are aware of your limitations. To quote Socrates: “Know thyself.” Yeah, you may just want to get a job.
Lakyn Shepard Photo Editor layshep@uab.edu
Marie Sutton Student Media Director masutton@uab.edu
Patrick Johnson Production Manager plj3@uab.edu
ILLUSTRATION BY LEISHA CHAMBERS/ILLUSTRATOR
FROM THE DESK OF THE MANAGING EDITOR
Still a fan of Oxford commas Letters to the Editor can be submitted to Chandler Jones, Editor-in-Chief, at chanj1@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
people like former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Senator Doug Jones have humbled me and inspired me. It is ast week, one of my hard to quantify what I have colleagues asked me to learned from these assignments, describe my job as but I can assure you the managing editor in three lessons have been more words. It was an easy influential than I would question to answer. The like to admit. job itself forces me to I stepped into the reflect on my own work role of managing editor and the staffing decisions in April 2017 after the I make. After a few secGolding notorious Tessa Case onds of internal delibergraduated. At that time, ation, I decided that my job is I was completely unaware of frustrating and time-consumwhat I was inheriting. The ing, but more importantly than staff we had was phenomeanything else, it is rewarding. nal, but to say that we were In my time at The Kaleidounderstaffed moving into the scope, I have been fortunate summer semester would be an enough to cover everything understatement. This was my from Governor Robert Bentfirst challenge as managing ley’s sex scandal and subseeditor, and I like to think that I quent resignation to UAB handled it well. My colleagues football’s historic return to may be more able to give an Legion Field to Mayor Randall unbiased opinion. Woodfin’s momentous win The paper has faced many over long-time incumbent Wilchallenges similar to this since liam Bell. Conversations with last April, and a year to the day Wallace Golding Managing Editor wsgoldin@uab.edu
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later, we find ourselves at the same crossroads. That is what makes this job so frustrating: the constant push and pull of employee demand and supply and navigating the seemingly unnavigable sea of higher education’s bureaucracy. We say it quite often in the newsroom: we’re all students first, but sometimes it doesn’t seem that way. Still, through all the frustration and time put into creating something worth reading, the opportunities I had—and that everyone on our staff has—define my time with The Kaleidoscope. We catch some flack. We publish columns that question decisions made by administrators. We print articles that highlight some of our campus’ greatest achievements and articles that discuss some of our most contentious issues. (Parking is one of the latter. If we had published just one more article on parking in my
time here, I would have quit.) Our pride, though, is that we truly aim to be the voice of students. Above all else, above the selfishness of having your name on a byline, above the narcissism of seeing your story on the front page, we strive to act as a valuable source of information in an ever-growing and ever-questionable news environment. And as I reflect on my time here, I’m forced to admit that it’s not the articles on Woodfin and Bentley and Jones that make this job rewarding. It’s knowing that your job influences thousands of people, that you have a responsibility to share others’ stories and to do it well. So, to the next managing editor and to our readers, please remember The Kaleidoscope’s purpose. We are a soapbox for your complaints, a soundboard for your accomplishments and a broker of valuable, pertinent, local news.
campus Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
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PHOTOS BY LAKYN SHEPARD / PHOT EDITOR UAB Gardening garden welcomes local resients and students to, plant, grow and buy fresh vegetables. Events with area stustanaiblity groups are held here often.
Gardening made simple Students learn tricks and tips to grow plants at home and on campus Juwayriyah Wright Life & Style Reporter juwright@uab.edu
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eople wishing to start gardening may have crazy ambitions and envision a bountiful oasis. Despite this enthusiasm, it’s best to maintain a sense of patience. Bethany O’Rear, Jefferson County Regional Extension Agent for the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, and UAB Sustainability recently held a Spring Vegetable Gardening 101 event to give an overview of best practices gardening with vegetables and small fruits in spring. “You don’t want to overcommit yourself and try everything all at one time,” O’Rear said. “Maybe just try your favorite two or three vegetables and get your feet wet with that. See how that works out and you can expand going forward. A lot of gardens fail because you get so excited and you plant too much.” O’Rear said plants are easy to care for and require little maintenance, which is favorable to those who have a busy lifestyle and can’t necessarily put hours of effort into their growth. “Tomatoes, peppers, squash and zucchini are super easy,” O’Rear said. “You can harvest a good bit from just one or two plants. As for flowers, you just have to put perennials likeBlack-eyed Susans, Purple coneflowers and sedums in the right spot for sun.” Convenience is a key part of planting. If your garden or plot is far away from you or your schedule doesn’t permit you the time to tend to them, issues like pests or drying-out can run away with you. Having a small indoor garden is an option. Stu-
Awareness From Page 1
National Center for Higher Education Risk Management, led a two-part conference in Volker Hall, Tuesday, April 10, to educate students and employees on the purpose of Title IX. Title IX, created in 1972, is a law to prevent discrimination based on one’s sexual identity in educational programs and to cover cases of sexual assault or sexual harassment. The first Title IX Employee workshop was designed to help participants understand their responsibilities in reporting discriminatory incidents. The second session, Title IX Student Leadership Training, gave students tips on how to identify and actively respond to sexual discrimination. Victims of sexual assault commonly fail to report incidents due to fear of social
dents with a busy schedule should put their plants somewhere accessible and constantly in view. “I have a patio. Since my plants are out in the rain I can neglect them a bit more and let nature do its thing,” said Rachel Rice, graduate student in public health and epidemiology. “I have my inside plants right next to my bedroom door, so I check them when I’m either going to bed or wake up in the morning or just going in and out of my room. I put my finger into the soil about an inch in, and, if it’s dry, you need to water them.” Smaller yet charming plants are also an option for students with very little space, be that inside or outdoors. “A succulent or cactus is also a great al-
ostracization by peers, Schuster said. “Sometimes individuals don’t initially identify what they experienced as a sexual assault,” she said. “Sometimes individuals are distrustful of the institution or distrustful of law enforcement, so they don’t want to make a report. And sometimes they are not emotionally ready. It was a traumatizing experience and they don’t want to continue to re-live that by making a report about it.” Title IX Coordinator Kasey Robinson, JD, MPA, introduced Schuster as the speaker for the evening’s conference. “Members of our community need ongoing education to continue to foster a climate of civility and respect on our campus,” Robinson said. “These trainings provide the tools for all members of our community.” Ashley Turner, a graduate student in the Department of
Genetics, was an attendee at the student training session. Turner said that she has a personal interest in equity and equality in terms of gender and gender-based issues. Her involvement with UAB’s GRADient LGBTQ organization sparked her interest in learning about the options Title IX provided for these concerns. “[I wanted to] learn more about the particular laws that are in place.” Turner said. “I was unaware that federal law doesn’t provide coverage for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression however UAB has added [these] rights.” UAB Wellness Promotion’s Take Back the Night provided a space for students and others in the Birmingham community who had been affected by sexual assault. This year’s planning committee choose Time’s Up as the theme.
ternative,” Rice said. “Especially for college life when you want just a little bit of green. They’re indoor plants but they need a lot of sun, so put them in a nice strong window area. They don’t need a lot of watering.” Saving money is another advantage of gardening. Mualla Eraslan, biomedical researcher in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, grows garlic, dill, onion and parsley at the UAB Gardens. “If you have a small pot, you should consider vegetables that don’t take too much space,” Eraslan said. “You might want to plant a lot, but if one of the plants take up so much space, like sunflowers, it will take up too much energy from the soil. You need to consider the size of the plant or the vegetable.”
The group choose to capitalize on the national movement because they said it was so rare to have a national conversation about sexual assault, according UAB’s Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator Mandy Parente, M.Ed., who helped organize the internationally recognized event. “Take Back the Night is really important because it’s a space for survivors of sexual violence and folks who know survivors of sexual violence to come forward and be able to say, ‘We don’t accept this,’ ‘This isn’t our fault,’ but also to be able to stand up and say: ‘I’m a survivor. I’m going to heal. I’m going to move forward.’” Parente said. Original spoken word poetry pieces were presented by members of the Sister City Connection, an ensemble of passionate women who shared their grievances with sexual assault through pow-
erful oral compositions. Houston said that a person can be an ally to sexual assault victims by simply being a support system by saying that it is not okay to contain your feelings and that you are free to speak your truth. “I feel the Take Back the Night event is so important because it gives students and others a free space to openly expose the stigma of sexual violence being so contained and so hurtful but it can also be a voice to others to be free,” Houston said. The event ended with a march from the New Freshman’s Residence Hall around the Campus Green with ralliers reciting chants that embodied the unwavering strength of sexual violence survivors everywhere. “I walked away feeling empowered, and that we are doing the right thing at UAB for our survivors,” Parente said.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
The Kaleidoscope
CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE
UABSOM Alex Reddy (left), fourth year medical student won a Juror’s Choice as best art. PHOTO BY MAC HOWLEY/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Doctors trade in their Rx pads for canvases Lauren Moore Campus Reporter lrm33@uab.edu
Elizabeth Davies, a third-year medical student, stood next to her embroidery on display at the 2018 School of Medicine Art Show. Her piece titled “Goldfinch,” depicts a yellow bird stitched into grey fabric and set in a circular frame. “This style of art is kind of new for me,” Davies said. “I started felting about a year ago, and this is my first time doing this kind of piece. I find art to be very relaxing after being at the hospital all day.” Students and faculty buzzed about the Lister Hill Library’s Edge of Chaos enjoying the various pieces of art up for auction at the Tuesday, April 10, event. “The School of Medicine Art Show was created in 2000 with the same inspiration and
Campus | Page 5
goal as it has today,” said Stefanie Rookis, curator for Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences. “To showcase the artistic ability of medical students, and to give them an outlet and an opportunity to share their talent. The event has since grown to include faculty, residents and fellows of the School of Medicine.” All auction proceeds to benefit Children’s Hospital of Alabama’s Hope and Cope Program. The programs provides support and services for families of children suffering from cancer or blood disorders from diagnoses onwards. Stephanie Reilly, M.D, associate professor in pathology, displayed a painting titled “Magazine Street.” The painting depicts a red doorway and is inspired by a photograph she took of a building in New Orleans, Louisana, “I went to medical school in New Orleans,
as well as have family in the area,” Reilly said. “I did art in college and then didn’t do it for many years, but I started doing it again when I got involved in this art show.” Erin Baumgartner, M.D., chief resident of clinical pathology, drew a piece in graphite titled “Phantomwise.” The art depicted a woman’s back as she leans forward, spine protruding and hair covering her face. Attendees voted on their favorite pieces. The People’s Choice winner was “RBD,” graphite drawing of a crumpled ball on paper by Lily Mahler, a first-year medical student. The Juror’s Choice for the night was the set of three pieces of mixed media by Alex Reddy, a fourth-year medical student and Priyanka Patel, a second-year medical student, titled “Heart of the City,” “State of Mind” and “Voice of the Nation.”
Students call for access to condoms on campus
students. Research shows it is beneficial to provide easy access to condoms and it does not promote sex or encourShreya Pokhrel age those who are not sexually Sophomore, Public Health active to become sexually active. shreya3@uab.edu Easy access to condoms is a public Shreya Pokhrel, sophomore in health intervention inspired by the public health and UAB Planned abysmally high rates of STI’s in Parenthood: Generation Action vice Jefferson County. president, recently created an anonAlabama consistently ranks as ymous survey created to answer one one of the worst states in the nation seemingly simple question: Do you regarding STI rates-- it has the second highest rate for new gonorrhea support easy access to condoms in infections and the third highest rate UAB residence halls? for new chlamydia infections The survey means to in the nation, according to measure student demand for research done by the authors. easy access to free condoms A large percentage of in Rast Hall. Pokhrel aims to students reside in on-camobtain as many signatures pus housing with over 400 as possible and present the located in Rast Hall. Many of results to Housing officials these students will engage in in hopes of having free Haq sexual practices in residence condoms available on every halls, where the authors floor of the residence hall. If believe hope the presence of this program is implementcondoms could spark convered successfully, she plans sation between partners and to push to expand it to all friends about sexual health residence halls on campus. and safe sex. The survey attained over Residents also engage in 400 responses with the Pokhrel sexual behavior off-campus, vast majority voicing their in which the convenient presence support for the cause in the name of public health, lowering STI rates of condoms on every floor reminds and encourages them to be safe as and preventing unplanned pregthey exit the hall. Individuals have nancies. no legal right to tailor public school An anonymous survey response programs to meet their individual stated “UAB has one of the lowest religious or moral beliefs, according sexual health ratings in the nation. to the authors. We can’t pride ourselves as a top As determined by Curtis v. level medical school if we promote School Committee of Falmouth unsafe sexual practices within our (1995), providing access to conresidence halls.” doms and sexual health information The few opposing responses to students is not an infringement express beliefs based in religion upon one’s religious liberties. and practicing abstinence. HowIf students are interested in parever, several responses have recticipating in the survey to evaluate ognized that they would be more likely to use a condom if it was free student demand for student access to condoms, they may contact and easily accessible 24/7. It also proves one less routine expense for Shreya and Nadia. Nadia Haq Junior, Public Health nadiahaq@uab.edu
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
sports
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SOFTBALL
OPINION
Blazer basketball shake-ups Connor Gentry Sports Editor zcgentry@uab.edu
PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS UAB senior Rachel Rogers celebrates as she rounds third base after hitting the walk off three-run homerun for the 4-2 victory over WKU.
Walk-off sweep Lady Blazers take home series victories in dramatic fashion Savannah Snowden Sports Reporter savsno@uab.edu
After a rollercoaster of a week, the UAB softball team is now 16-26-1 overall and 10-4-1 in conference play. Three weekend wins, and one big C-USA victory, followed two losses on Tuesday and Thursday. UAB played in-state rival Troy University on Tuesday and lost 6-4. The team had a hopeful start, scoring a run in the first inning, but four isolated runs couldn’t keep up with Troy’s offense. On Wednesday UAB played a non-conference game against Chattanooga, and fell 3-1, only scoring once in the fifth inning due to a pitching error followed by some powerful hits by the lady Blazers to bring senior Megan Smith home.
The lady Blazers then turned their attention to conference foe Western Kentucky University for a three-game series. UAB found themselves down 2-0 at the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore Natalie Erwin advanced to first base on a throwing error and proceeded to steal second. Erwin then advanced to third on a bad pitch by WKU. Senior Rachel Rogers batted in a run, hitting a fly ball high into centerfield to give Erwin the start she needed to score. In the seventh inning, UAB trailed 2-1 with two runners on base. Rogers stepped to plate once again and blasted her fourth homer of the season, scoring three runs for the 4-2 walk-off win. The second game on Friday followed the same trend as the Blazers found themselves down once again, this
time down 1-0 at the bottom of the sixth inning. With two runners on base, Erwin bunted low and a shortstop error allowed two runners to reach home. Erwin was able to advance to second base. Rogers once again stepped to plate and shot a long ball into the outfield, bringing Erwin home for a third run. WKU answered in the top of the seventh with another run of their own, but it was not enough to dethrone the comeback minded Blazers. UAB won 3-2. On Saturday the lady Blazers won the last of three games against WKU, sweeping the Hilltoppers. Saturday’s game was a long haul, going to eleven innings. WKU scored the first run of the game in the first inning, and again in the fourth and sixth. WKU led 3-0 as UAB stepped to plate in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The lady Blazers tied the game up at 3-3 until the eleventh inning when Erwin was batted home to take the 4-3 victory.
UAB head softball coach Amanda Ellis announced that UAB softball had three new signees. “We’re extremely thrilled about all three of these young ladies coming into our program and the impact they are going to have,” Ellis said. “They are very talented and we look forward to them joining us in Birmingham.” Reece Martin, Brett Parker, and Debora Fernanda are set to join the team in the fall. Martin is an outfielder from Portland, Oregon at Westview High School, leading them to three Metro League Championships. Martin won 6A State Championship Player of the Game award. Brett Parker is an infielder from Opelika at Lee-Scott Academy, and the winner of Beauregard Slugger Award. Debora Fernanda will join UAB as a transfer student from Chipola College. UAB softball returns to the field against Alabama State University at Mary Bowers Field Thursday, April 19.
The UAB men’s basketball team will look much different next season with new faces aplenty. William Lee and Chris Cokley are graduating and four, yes, four, other Blazers are transfering to other schools. Nick Norton, Nate Darling, Deion Lavender and Thomas Smallwood are all packing their bags and basketball shoes and taking their talent elsewhere for various reasons. So where does that leave the program? The coaching staff must replace four starters and as much experience. I believe this is exactly what happened with the women’s basketball the past few seasons. The team made several personal moves after a couple of okay seasons, and look at them now. The lady Blazers set a program record for wins and advanced to the second round of the NIT. The Blazers have already inked one of the best recruiting classes in UAB history, and the No 1 recruiting class in Conference-USA, with several weeks left in the recruiting period. The talent heach coach Rob Ehsan has coming in should be able to compete at the same level as the talent leaving. The only big question mark will be how the new guys respond to playing at the collegiate level as they gain experience. As the Sports Editor and a Blazer fan, I feel like the men’s team has a bright future ahead of them with the current coaching staff and recruiting class.
BASEBALL
Dethroning the Monarchs Blazers travel to Virginia for threegame confernce series throwdown Sarah Oetken Sports Reporter sarahoak@uab.edu
It took a team effort for the UAB baseball team last weekend in their three-game series against Old Dominion. A multi-homerun night from Brett Blackwood propelled the Blazers past the Monarchs Friday night, but they fell the next day thanks to hot bats on the ODU side. UAB moved to 16-18, 8-7 on the year while ODU moved to 11-23, 4-11 after the series. “We got to the ballpark tonight and the wind was blowing straight out to left and it was a matter of who was going to get enough balls in the air to left field tonight and thankfully we did,” UAB Head Coach Brian Shoop said. “All four of our home runs were hit well, but they probably don’t go out at Regions Field. Thankfully they did tonight and then Tanner [Graham] took it from there.” The Blazers struck luck in the first inning Friday night as Blackwood gave the team a 3-0 lead after launching his second homerun of the season over the center field wall, bringing in Cole Collins and Colton Schultz. In the third inning, Carter Pharis led off with a solo shot to left field,
which Blackwood followed up with his second long-ball of the game, also hit towards left field. The next Blazer player to step up to the plate was Stephen Dobbs, and hit the third Blazer home run of the inning allowing the Blazers to gain a 6-0 lead. Graham threw five perfect innings and garnered his third win of the season after tossing the first Blazer complete game since Thomas Lowery went the whole nine at Western Kentucky in March 2017. “After the game one that was all Old Dominion, our kids had to get off the mat three times in game two,” Shoop said. “We took the lead and then put a three-spot up, Old Dominion put a three-spot up, we tied it, Carter missed a home run by inches that ends up as a triple and we don’t score, they score on a ground ball that bounces over our first baseman’s head and that’s their lead run. Then we got up off the mat again, we got some help with some walks and then Cole got the big hit with us and a sacrifice fly. I’m proud of them. It’s a great win and one we really needed.” The second game Saturday evening, Old Dominion at first took the first lead of the game, but the Blazers countered the Monarchs in the second inning after Blackwood and Pharis hit back-to-back singles.
PHOTO FROM KALEIDOSCOPE ARCHIVES UAB pitcher Ryan Ruggles pitches to a La. Tech batter at Regions Field in March.
Thomas Johns followed his teammates as he walked to load the bases with no outs. Later in the inning, Price Visintainer was able to advance Johns and Dobbs right before Antonio Ralat hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Blazers a 3-1 lead. However, the Monarchs answered this attack from the Blazers in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits to regain the lead at 4-3. The Blazers fired back as they tied the game at 4-4 in sixth inning.
Schultz then provided a run as he hit a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the Blazers lead to 7-5 and this secured the Blazers third consecutive C-USA road series win. The Blazers will wrap up their five-game road trip on Tuesday April 17 at Auburn. First pitch between the Blazers and Tigers is slated for 6 p.m. at Plainsman Park. UAB then returns home to Regions Field on Friday in a three-game conference matchup with Western Kentucky. First pitch Friday is set for 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
metro
7
CITY COUNCIL
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HORIZONS SCHOOL Student shows off his final exam project, steak and potatoes, for a nutrition course.
Happy horizons Young adults with learning disabilities gain independence Ceri-Lune Renneboog Metro Reporter cerilune@uab.edu
Laura Vines has taught at the Horizons School for six years, teaching the importance of nutrition and meal planning, apartment living, time management and how to navigate public transportation. The school in downtown Birmingham is one of 15 schools in the nation to offer young adults with learning disabilities a comprehensive program to establish social, academic and professional independence. “There is no such thing as an average day,” Vines said of the student experience at Horizons School. Horizons School provides an alternative to dependent living and traditional educational systems. Through providing them with the confidence to build social relationships and to secure jobs and start a career path, they are empowered to claim independence within their lives. Horizons’ curriculum focuses on four core values: personal in-
dependence, social independence, career independence and self-determination. The school’s prerogative is for graduates to live either fully or semi-independently. Students spend time “learning daily living skills [such as] how to budget their expenses, how to maintain levels of hygiene at home and how to cook healthy and nutritional meals,” said Katie Cusimano, the school’s student recruiter and financial aid coordinator. Cusimano said that while there are many “similar programs popping up geared toward the same population, the difference between what [Horizons does] and what other programs do is that [they] focus much more on real world applications rather than providing [their] students with a college experience.” The facility, located in Five Points South, offers students a culturally inclusive experience and exposure to music, art and a multitude of culinary cuisines. Students live “on campus” in a residential building owned by the school. They have roommates
and participate in class activities at their homes and around the community. With an average of four to six students per classroom, teachers have a chance to focus on each student and to cater specifically to their needs. According to the Department of Education, autism, attention deficit disorder, mild forms of cerebral palsy and other developmental difficulties affect between 5 – 10 percent of students in the American educational system. The school hosted their second annual Healthy Hearts for Horizons Fundraiser, Friday, April 13. Students worked with chefs from Taziki’s restaurant and Jefferson State Community College’s culinary department to create and serve appetizers to family, friends and guests. Students participated in a friendly competition in which guests and judges evaluated appetizers and awarded prizes. Each year, the fundraiser goes toward students’ tuition and aims to raise awareness of the school and its students.
Tuesday, April 10, the Birmingham City Council passed a “brunch bill” to allow restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The previous policy prevented the sale of alcohol between the hours of 2 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sundays. However, this shortening of dry hours only applies to sales for on-premises consumption. Package stores still are not privileged to open before noon on Sundays. “The current law has been an unnecessary burden on both taxpayers and local businesses that take the biggest hit from not being able to serve alcohol before noon on a day when a lot of people are off work and often feel inclined to have a mimosa or Bloody Mary at brunch,” said Councilor Hunter Williams. Montgomery and Huntsville have adopted similar policies and seen significant tax revenue increases. “Alcohol typically accounts for a substantial percentage of a restaurant’s overall sales, and the current law has only served to hinder a major source of revenue for small local businesses,” Williams said. The Council also approved a resolution granting 11 Certificates of Public Necessity and Convenience to Groome Transportation of Alabama to begin operating a shuttle service from Birmingham to Atlanta. A CPNC is a permit issued by a public entity that is charged with the supervision of public facilities that authorizes the permit holder to operate such a facility within a particular jurisdiction. Groome will offer 14 trips daily for just $29 per trip.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ELECTION
Former governor’s son seeks Democratic bid Siegelman’s platform prioritizes opioid crisis and protection for women, children, elderly Bella Tylicki Metro Editor btylicki@uab.edu
Joe Siegelman wants to forge his own path in politics separate from the tarnished legacy his father left leaving the Office of Governor of Alabama more than a decade ago. Don Siegelman was the last Democrat to be Alabama’s governor, and, throughout his 26-year political career, he also held the offices of Alabama secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor. In 2006, three years after his gubernatorial
term ended, D. Siegelman was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for fraud, bribery and corruption in collusion with Richard Scrushy of HealthSouth. After two failed attempts to turn over the charges, D. Siegelman was released in February 2017 on supervised probation. “Because far more people know my father than know me at this point, I expect that many will associate me with him along with whatever views they may have of him,” J. Siegelman said. “But this campaign is not
my values, my priorities and what I can offer the Alabama Attorney General’s Office,” J. about him — it’s about Siegelman said. “One the people of Alabama of the most important and making sure the roles of the Attorney Office of the Attorney General is to administer General does what it justice fairly, equally should on their behalf.” and impartially. In my J. Siegelman’s view, there’s priorities are to simply no way combat the opifor the Attorney oid crisis, ensure General to both safe schools, and do the job and increase protechave a political tions for disagenda.” abled and elderly Although J. Siegelman he is running citizens against fraud and abuse as a Democrat, and for women and J. Siegelman said “the children against sexual office requires unparalmisconduct and trafleled independence.” ficking. He voiced admira“As the campaign tion for today’s students continues, I hope people for organizing to bring will get to know me: important issues to the
forefront of politics. “If I could share one message with younger voters, it would be that we (yes, we) owe it to ourselves to take ownership of Alabama’s problems sooner rather than later because we will be inheriting the bad with the good,” he said. “I need young people, who perhaps haven’t yet, to recognize the urgency in being informed and getting involved, and, most importantly, making sure you’re heard on election day.” “I believe young voters should vote for Joe Siegelman, because he is listening to our generation’s voice,” said Courtney Cole, freshman in Commu-
nications. “Siegelman is transparent and is a new generation of politics. He listens to our voices, and I think having your voice heard is the most important thing in politics.” Joining J. Siegelman on the ballot for the Democratic nomination is Chris Christie. Troy King, Alice Martin, Sam McClure and Steve Marshall, the incumbent, seek the Republican nomination. The statewide primary election for attorney general, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and several other offices will be Tuesday, June 5th. The general election will follow up this November.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Volume 59, Issue 12
life & style
8 TRACK TAKES
BIRMINGHAM ODDITIES
Museum of wonder A peek into a jungle of quirky curiosities and local artworks
Mason McGalliard Operations Manager for BlazeRadio masonbm@uab.edu
Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor kribal@uab.edu
Horse skulls, pickled doll heads and a live cat are just a few of the things that decorate the inside of a regular seeming store at the edge of Downtown. Birmingham Oddities is a gallery/store that showcases and sells interesting, old and unusual objects. The three-year-old enterprise started out as a small collection of exhibits, but has become a mixture of art, hand-made crafts and objects that you would expect to see in a witch’s chamber. “My whole life I’ve been a collector of things,” said Adam Williams, owner and founder of Birmingham Oddities. “It’s like a drug, a sense of wonder. I love the opportunity to feel that wonder and evoke that sense into people.” Having a lifelong fascination for things that are not typical to the everyday life, Williams started his hobby for collecting oddities as a child, gathering fossils, arrowheads, turtle shells and coral crystal rocks. In 2015, Williams decided to turn the hobby into an enterprise. Since then his inventory has sextupled. “I hear the word ‘wow’ two thousand times in a day in this place,” Williams said. “It’s kind of like a hodgepodge of anything that could interest you.” According to Williams, an oddity is “anything that makes you wonder,” which is the theme of the gallery. However, not only
random, old collectables fit the definition. The gallery’s inventory is made of artwork and crafts
meet the community and participate in events.” Expanding beyond the walls of the gallery, Bir-
from a large handful of local artists. It has become a hub for artists to showcase their work and connect with other artists and the community. “I think the Oddities is an important component in bringing people together,” said Stephanie Stone, a mixed media artist. “They bring artists that didn’t have a home before, who otherwise might not have had other opportunities, together and allow us to
mingham Oddities takes an active part in the art community, by hosting and supporting art events. The participation of artists has extended the operation to become more of a community than just a gallery. Bemele Candles is one of the local artisan enterprises that can be found at the gallery. The family business was created after the loss of their daughter, and the candle production has been an outlet to “share and spread warmth
and light among people.” Having their candles available for showcase and purchase at the gallery has helped them market their business and to get involved in the art community. “Birmingham Oddities are excited to help local artists be successful,” said Melissa Peeples, owner of Bemele Candles. “Having the store helps everyone get their name out more. The people who are here right now all do things that are very different. I think it’s cool that we can all mix together, create and be able to encourage each other.” The prospects for Birmingham Oddities itself are also in development. Williams is arranging plans to move the gallery into a larger space, but this time, hybridizing the gallery with a bar. The space will continue the magical, oddity driven theme, adding elements such as mythological stories that are related to the community for the drinks, including a green drink that is on fire, in honor of Blaze the Dragon. According to Williams, the art community is an intrinsic part of the city and is only to grow in the future. “I describe Birmingham as the new cultural arts center of the south,” Williams said. “I am just a small artist gallery and these other people promote the hell out of me.”
PHOTOS BY LAKYN SHEPARD/PHOTO EDITOR
Moving From Page 1
housing staff, students can successfully move out and move on to their anticipated summer plans. According to Brian Johnson, Director of Residence Life for UAB, move out can be time consuming, but Student Housing tries to make it easy for residents. Closing and checkout expectations would be given during individual floor’s closing meetings. “What worries me the most are the charges for damages,” said Matthew
Jensen, freshman in industrial distribution. “You have to be out within twenty-four hours of your final exam and you have to make sure everything is fine, plus have time for cleaning.” Students should sign up for a check-out time and make sure everything in their room is clean and tidy for the RA walk-through. After both student and RA sign a Room Condition Report, the student must turn in their keys. “You and your roommate should probably go ahead and do a deep clean of everything,” said Stephanie Edwards, junior in healthcare management and desk assistant in New Freshman Residence Hall. “Then, you can take turns maintaining and tidying up the space. Make sure everything, including the shower and the air vent, are nice and clean.” It is also advised that residents should make sure they know how to properly remove their Command strips, or otherwise seek help to remove them. If they accidentally chip the paint, they will have to pay for it. Furniture, bedding and other household items should not be put into UAB trash dumpsters, which will
be set up to accommodate students moving out. Instead, these items should be donated. During move-out, students don’t have to take all the items they brought at the beginning of the year but found unnecessary. Donation boxes for household items, personal care items, cleaning supplies and unopened non-perishable food will be set up in residence hall lobbies. As for packing, it is a good idea to use plastic, reusable tubs to store all the things students may need for their dorms if they are returning but will not need during the summer. This way, everything can be transported, kept together and stored easily. Fragile items like dishes can be swathed in bed sheets or towels as a space-saving option to keep them safe and unbroken. “Start moving out early,” said Kimberly Shaw, RA and junior in nursing. “You won’t get caught in the big crowd of people if you start moving stuff every day.” Some students have decided to go ahead and pack up all of their belongings except for a
The queen remounts the throne
suitcase or duffel bag full of clothes, books and necessities. This way, those with cars can go ahead and pack everything and grab their bag to leave right after their exams and checkout. However, this can be difficult for some. “I think the hardest part will be getting out within twenty-four hours after my final exam,” said Gracie Nemec, freshmen in biology. “I live out of state, so I only have a short amount of time to get everything out.” Residents will be charged for any violation of move-out procedure in addition to any damages or uncleanliness reported in the dorm room.
T
he “queen of rap” entered 2018 in a strange way. She posted last on Instagram Dec. 30, 2018, and posted last on Twitter Dec. 26, 2018. After that, she vanished from all of social media. Many believed she disappeared to work on her McGalliard next album as they eagerly awaited to hear new music from her. Now, Nicki Minaj has returned and in a huge way. The last song listeners heard Minaj’s voice on was the remix to A$AP Ferg’s “Plain Jane” in December. After months of remaining silent, she took to Instagram to tease the debut of her two newest singles. Both songs were released on streaming platforms everywhere Thursday, April 12, and have left listeners shook ever since. The first single, “ChunLi,” is beat-focused while its lyrics put a spotlight on Minaj’s ability to remain relevant. She proves that she has no time or patience for the haters as her rapping ability matches perfectly with the beat. It is in this song that listeners can’t help but pick up on that Nicki feels like she’s been made out to be the “bad guy” in the industry. The second single, “Barbie Tingz,” gives loyal fans everything they love about Minaj, whose fanbase has come to be known as the “barbs.” Listeners across the world have come to appreciate her unique rapping ability, which is showcased in this song. While this song is not so focused on the beat, it definitely makes up for it with its sizzling lyrics and disses. This song proves that time away has not at all affected Minaj’s ability to rap, just like the queen she is. Nicki’s return could not have come at a better time. In the past year, all eyes have been focused on newcomer Cardi B, who has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the rap game. While many argue that both can exist within the industry, there are those that say only one can be “queen.” If her lyrics are any indication, however, she does not in any way feel threatened by any other artist. Since releasing these songs, Minaj has made it a point to feature #chunli and #barbietingz in many of her social media posts. Both songs have also taken top spots on the iTunes charts. It also seems like she has missed social media, since she’s now posting more than ever and her fans cannot get enough of it. Minaj is undeniably one of the leaders in the rap industry and possibly in music overall. Her return to music has been a warm welcome and listeners are absolutely eager to hear even more from her. BlazeRadio Operations Manager, DJ MB and “Keepin’ it Real with DJ MB.”