June • 7 • 2016
what are UAB students doing with their education?
Volume 50 • Issue 43
an interview with UAB's White House "Champion for Change" p. 11
Students respond to second armed robbery with new movement p.6
2 EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
Hi friends, W
elcome to my first issue as Editor-in-Chief! I’ve been on the Kaleidoscope team for several semesters and you may know me as the former features editor or the former news editor. I’ve grown a lot as a person (personally and professionally) through Kaleidoscope and now it’s my turn to contribute to the growth of Kaleidoscope. I’ve got a great staff and I’m really excited to see additions to the team and where the paper goes (in print and digitally)—you see, I want it to grow organically and democratically—through the efforts of my team and through the UAB community. I want to produce a product that clearly presents the vision of the Kaleidoscope team and provides a platform for the voice of our students. This means more visuals, more content, more web presence. The works.
STAFF Sarah Faulkner editor@insideuab.com Tamara Imam managing@insideuab.com
Managing Editor
Corey Bright art@insideuab.com
Head Illustrator
Tessa Case news@insideuab.com
This issue, I’m interested in showing y’all what directions an education at UAB can lead you in. Our spread is intended to lift up members of our community who have earned national scholarships and other honorable awards as well as show what is available to students from many different subject areas. I’m an art history and sociology student—I’m looking for all the opportunities I can get to travel and learn new things and I’m sure many of you are too. We’ve got a story in here about Quang Do, a student leadership coordinator here at the Hill Center and a UAB alum. He was recently invited to the White House to discuss issues facing the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population and was chosen as the White House “Champion for Change”--one of our contributors had a talk with him about his vision and the AAPI community.
Surabhi Rao features@insideuab.com
But we have other stories--this paper may not have been produced during the traditional school year but there is plenty going on. We tackle the issue of concealed carry on campus after the second armed robbery at the 16th Street South parking deck. We discuss the INTO international students moving to UAB and how they are dealing about their first experience with the South and with the UAB community. And we’ve got a bunch of other stuff. Check it out guys!
Jackson Hyde socialmedia@insideuab.com
And after you read, I’d like you all to submit something to me. I want the student perspective on issues. Issues we bring up, issues you bring up. How did you react to our paper? Let us know. I want to work with students, faculty, administration and staff to make this the best paper it can be.
Editor-in-Chief
News & Science Editor Features & Opinions Editor
Alex Wright sportss@insideuab.com
Sports Editor
Ian Keel photos@insideuab.com
Photography Editor
Mark Linn copy@insideuab.com
Erica Webb online@insideuab.com Melvin Griffin Alex Jones Mark Linn Sean Duncan Marie Sutton info@insideuab.com
Copy Editor Social Media Editor
Online Editor Distribution Team
Advisor
With love,
Physical Address Suite 130, Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35205 Mail HSC 130, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-1150 Phone (205) 934-3354 Web UABkscope.com Email editor@insideuab.com
The Kaleidoscope is the official student newspaper of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Unsigned editorials and the opinions of the Kaleidoscope’s columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of individual student writers, editors, Kaleidoscope advisers or university administrators. Signed columns and letters reflect the opinion of the writer and serve as expressions of fact and opinion to Kaleidoscope readers. Letter Policy: Letters to Kaleidoscope are always welcome. Unless otherwise directed, all letters will be forwarded to the editor. Letters must be no longer than 200 words and must be typed. A name and a phone number must accompany each letter. Letters will appear at the discretion of the editorial staff and can be sent by mail, fax or electronic mail. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2016 by Kaleidoscope and protected under the U.S. Copyright Laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of the Kaleidoscope.
SOUND OFF 3 BlazeRadio spotlight: Sports Show about Nothing
Why get a college education? Dear Students, What’s the main purpose of a college education? Increasingly, we hear that it is to help you get a job. While no doubt securing a bachelor’s degree helps one on the job market, this thinking is dangerous. If we allow that the value of a degree lies primarily in what the credentials will get you, it suggests that fields of undergraduate study that don’t contribute directly to employment outcomes for its students should be scrapped. It means that we should tie the value of departments and programs directly to how their students fare on the job market. What’s so dangerous about this idea is that it grants control over what is worth learning to the wrong people. Your college teachers are there to show you the intrinsic value in reading Shakespeare, in discussing what justice requires in the allotment of transplant organs, or in learning about the way in which political treaties precipitated the First World War. You shouldn’t cede control over what is worth learning to what your future employers tell you is worth learning. Your future employers certainly don’t need to have a vested interest in you developing into a well-educated person. Your average employer requires someone who has the skills that are necessary to the role they have carved out for that position—no more, no less. If we turn the main function of college into job training, we adopt the wrong priorities. Of course, you will need money for survival. Basic necessities do not come free. So I do not advocate you devote yourself to idle fancy to the exclusion of all other pursuits or deny that some professions are tougher to make a living in than others. Nor will you err in adopting a degree of pragmatism in your long-term plans for life. The mistake is in thinking that what college should do, what college is for, is to serve the desires of those that will employ you. In my view, that is not at all what college should be about. College is for exploring new ideas while getting grounded in a range of diverse disciplines that have shaped our collective human endeavor. It should be equal parts curiosity and understanding. It should nurture you to ask bold questions and equip you with the skills needed to pursue them. This should be the case whether your major is astrophysics or accounting. In each field, there are new thoughts to think, and the point of a college education is to help you think them. Matt King, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Philosophy mattking@uab.edu
Image courtesy of Alex Jones
B
osnic Ledyard and Rickey Dixon are experienced, passionate and driven sports radio show hosts and reporters with an obsession with everything sports. While working towards their Bachelor of Arts degrees in communications management, they quickly learned that their infatuation with sports and their love of journalism was something that they were ready to take to a professional level. If it’s not catching up on the week’s top 10 plays or editing next week’s fantasy roster, you can be sure that they are reporting, hosting, traveling, blogging or getting down and dirty reporting on up-to-date news in the sports world. Rickey and Bosnic are keeping you in the know with everything sports, travel, entertainment, music and pop culture. Currently the hosts of the “Sports Show About Nothing”, they focus on what their audience wants and makes sports reporting not just a job, but a passion. You can catch Bosnic and Rickey on the “Sports Show About Nothing” (SSAN) every Monday and Friday on uab.edu/studentmedia from 1—2p.m. and every Wednesday from 5—7p.m. on 999theplugfm.com.
4 NEWS
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
America through green and gold tinted glasses UAB’s first INTO students arrive in Birmingham
Vi Kim Ngo is one of the students who came to UAB through the INTO partnership.
Mark Linn Copy Editor copy@insideuab.com he first new students recruited through UAB’s work with INTO University Partnerships have already arrived at UAB and have begun taking classes this summer. Around 30 students from several countries including China, Thailand and Yemen have already enrolled in classes, with another 100 signed up for the fall semester. International students at UAB have to deal with many of the same challenges as domestic students, such as being away from home for the first time and taking on increased academic expectations. They also face other challenges, such as language barriers and culture shock. “What I really like about teaching is connecting with the students and the opportunity to get to know them as people,” said Bryan Lowry, an English as a Second Language instructor at UAB. “When students come to us they are at a very challenging time in their lives, right? So they might have just graduated high school and might be 17 or 18 years old, they’ve never lived away from their family and suddenly here they are.”
T
One of the new students is Vi Kim Ngo, who grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. After graduating high school, Ngo began studying hotel management at a college in Vietnam, but had second thoughts about her chosen field. “I felt like I didn’t like that career, so I changed my mind and I said [to] my mom that I wanted to study abroad,” Ngo said. She was recommended to UAB by her sister, who also attended the university. Ngo’s sister told her that U.S. had the best education system and that UAB was a great school to study and learn English. Prior to arriving at UAB back in April, she had some idea of what living in the U.S. might be like, having been exposed to U.S. culture through movies and TV and having visited relatives in Atlanta on a few occasions. Although she has not had much time to become acclimated to UAB and Birmingham, she compared it favorably to Atlanta, saying that the latter city was very noisy and crowded with traffic, while Birmingham is relatively peaceful in comparison. The process of obtaining a visa to come study in the U.S. from Vietnam
Photo by Ian Keel
is filled with multiple requirements. Ngo failed to meet them all on her first attempt but was accepted on her second try after studying and ensuring that all of her required documents were prepared. “You have to be a good student in high school and university, you have to have enough money to study in the U.S. and you have to come back to Vietnam after graduation,” Ngo said. While she has not completely settled on where she wants to focus her studies, as of now she hopes to return to Vietnam as a teacher – specifically to teach mathematics, which she says was her best subject in high school. One of the key programs to help international students succeed at UAB has been the International Mentor program, which will continue to be prominent with the expansion of INTO. International mentors help new students become familiar with UAB and Birmingham, plan monthly outings for them and give advice on everything from how to find an apartment or a job to what to expect from different UAB professors. International mentors are often international students themselves, and are familiar with the
difficulties some new students might face with culture shock. One such mentor is Xinyu Zhai, a teaching English as a second language major who came to UAB from China last year. “I meet with the new students and I help them; sometimes I translate if they are Chinese students because my first language is Chinese,” Zhai said. “So during orientation I translate, I explain, I take them through the campus and those kinds of things to help them settle down.” Zhai said that he became an International Mentor because he appreciated the help he received when he had first arrived at UAB and hoped to provide the same help to the new students arriving through INTO. “When I first came here, I came here in 2014. I didn’t know anything about the United States and I was very worried and nervous,” Zhai said. “I got some help from some student assistants at that time and I felt that INTO was a great help for me. And now I’m doing the same thing as they did, so I’m trying to help the students feel better and to get the same help or even better help than I got.”
NEWS 5
First-of-its-kind simulator developed in part by UAB faculty Sarah Faulkner Editor-in-Chief editor@insideuab.com
U
AB has opened the first-ever SUV driving simulator laboratory in the world and the first full-cab driving simulator in Alabama, as of this, April through a partnership with Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, making national news and appearing on the “Today” show. The laboratory, which is housed in the former SouthTrust bank building on 19th Street South, contains a full-bodied 2016 Honda Pilot with a fully functional steering wheel, gear selector, turn signals, dashboard and brake and throttle pedal. The simulator, designed by Realtime Technologies, Inc., is “placed on a motion base system allowing the vehicle to be at normal ride height for ingress and egress while providing the driver with pitch cues for acceleration and braking. The simulator provides sensitive haptic feedback to the driver for a realistic driving experience,” according to the UAB’s Translational Research for Injury Prevention lab’s website. The simulated driving experience is displayed on three LCD projection screens in front of the car in order to present an 180 degree view of the scenery and speakers are installed to provide authentic passerby sounds. Additionally, a screen is placed behind the vehicle and LCD displays installed in the side mirror housings in order to enhance the sense of realistic driving. In order to minimize sickness, the simulator has implemented a standalone air conditioning system. This cools the cabin air significantly and creates moving air to reduce feelings of nausea. In addition, drivers take a brief “calibration” test drive in order to become acquainted with the simulator. Spearheaded by Despina Stavrinos, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and the director of TRIP lab, the simulator aims to aid in better understanding distracted driving to better prevent motor vehicle injuries and to save lives resulting from traffic crashes. “I strongly believe our work in motor vehicle injury prevention at UAB will have enormous life-saving potential,” Stavrinos said. “It will help alleviate a major public health and highway traffic safety problem. [...] The results of the driving research undertaken here at UAB will provide policymakers and industry leaders with sound, immediate,
and actionable data that will lead to significant changes in personal responsibility and social norms– changes that will save lives and reduce injury.” Stavrinos is joined by both UAB faculty as well as undergraduate and graduate students in the TRIP lab and in other studies related to distracted driving conducted at UAB. In the future, she hopes that the lab will partner with both community and industry leaders around the state. “I can envision a near future where we have developed standardized simulator driving assessments for teen drivers so that we can train them and hopefully accelerate their learning,” Stavrinos said. “Similar methods could be used to assess fitness to drive among patients with a variety of health conditions including traumatic brain injury or chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.” The first study utilizing the simulator will focus on teens The inside of the TRIP lab simulator. Even the rear-view mirror displays a simulated image to immerse the driver. Photo by Ian Keel between the ages of 16 and 19 and and lane-changing cars. After driving being fully immersed in an actual realadults over 65. without distractors, drivers are asked world scenario. A virtual experience “This study will examine the impact to have a phone conversation with a provides key learning opportunities for of roadway and driver factors on rural researcher that is then compounded both researchers and participants in a road crashes–which are a big problem with an additional text conversation controlled, safe setting.” for our state in particular,” Stavrinos with the same researcher. The cameras, After establishing the TRIP lab, she said. found that there was “an important In addition, students interested in the accompanied a computer keeps track need for a high fidelity driving TRIP lab are encouraged to get involved of any unsafe driving behavior, allow researchers to watch the effects of simulator to complement the work we and participate in the research. escalating amounts of distractors. were already doing in the area of motor “We are always looking for bright, Stavrinos’s interest in studying vehicle injury prevention – which motivated, creative, proactive, and transportation began during her included work in distracted driving, energetic young scholars to join our doctoral training in developmental drivers with developmental disabilities, team! I have mentored nearly 100 high psychology at UAB. While serving as teen drivers and older drivers.” school, undergraduate and graduate a graduate research assistant, she was “Fortunately, we found the right students since the establishment able to take on leadership positions in stakeholders who had significant of the TRIP Lab,” Stavrinos said. studies concentrating on cell phone interests in the safety of Alabamians,” “TRIPsters participate in a variety distractions and its effects on early Stavrinos said. “Without these partners, of tasks in the lab. Students assist adolescents and adults. In addition, this state-of-the-art driving simulator with the development of protocols, she designed her own study focusing laboratory would not have been recruitment of research participants, on the safety of child pedestrians with possible. [...] Together, we will make run participants through experimental developmental disabilities, including a lasting impact on traffic safety in protocols, process and enter the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alabama.” data into statistical software and or ADHD. This study was the first time disseminate research findings through that Stavrinos was made acquainted If anyone is interested in participating in presentations at scientific conferences. with virtual simulation for the purpose this study is encouraged to call the TRIP lab at Students who commit over one year of bolstering injury prevention efforts, 205-975-9440 or visit their website at www. may also consider publishing their as the study utilized virtual reality to triplaboratory.com. work under our mentorship.” investigate pedestrian behaviors. Studies will be conducted in part “I quickly realized how important The full version of this story is available by utilizing cameras installed behind simulation could be for understanding online at uab.edu/studentmedia. the steering wheel that track the and preventing transportation-related participant’s eyes as common driving injuries,” Stavrinos said. “Simulated challenges are introduced within the environments give the user a sense of simulator such as pedestrians, cyclists
6 NEWS
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
Students respond to second armed robbery with new movement Tessa Case News Editor news@insideuab.com
I
n response to recent muggings on campus, a new student-led group is advocating for the right to carry concealed firearms on campus. UAB Students for Concealed Carry, led by sophomore Jonathan Lackey, is advocating for the “safe, legal responsible, licensed carry of firearms on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham” according to their Facebook page. UAB’s current firearms policy, which is available online, prohibits any form of dangerous weapons or firearms, and extends to all property owned by the University, including any parking decks, lots, affiliated foundations or healthcare entities. The exceptions to the rule include law enforcement, private security with expressed permission from the UAB Police Department and members, coaches and authorized staff of recognized teams or course who are acting within the scope of activities pre-approved by the UABPD. Students are also permitted to carry pepper spray and blades no longer than three-and-a-half inches long. UABPD declined to comment any further on the official campus policies. Students for Concealed Carry has a nationwide presence, and Lackey said that when he heard of the group, he decided to bring a chapter to UAB. After an interview with the state director, Kenneth Majors, Lackey was given the lead to fight for concealed carry at UAB. “I don’t want anyone to fall victim to anything as heinous as rape or murder, or school shootings,” Lackey said in response to why he feels so strongly about students being able to carry. Lackey specifically cited several of the recent B-alerts regarding armed muggings, as well as the incident that occurred in 2014 in which four students were robbed and sexually assaulted on the 16th Street parking deck on campus. Some students, however, don’t feel as though arming other students or faculty is the answer to on campus crime. “I personally don’t think that having weapons would be the answer to people getting mugged,” said junior Miles Essix, a communications and economics major. “The police’s job is to
protect and serve, and we don’t have to take it into our own hands. Trust that law enforcement is going to handle it, and trust that the people around you aren’t going to harm you.” Lackey, though, said that crime is inevitable, and that everyone, including students, should be able to have the means to protect themselves against incidents like this. “The UAB police are wonderful, but they are not there all the time,” Lackey said. “Obviously they are not there when people are being raped in the parking lots, or being mugged outside of the library. They’re humans.”
Illustration by Corey Bright
The police reports available at the UABPD’s office offer insight into the frequency of crime at UAB. According to the monthly reports for 2015 and 2016, which includes all crime cases claimed by the UABPD and not those undertaken by the Birmingham Police Department, there have been no incidents of robbery—defined as including a victim and the use of force or threat in the act of stealing—oncampus, off-campus property or in student housing, although one robbery did occur on public property nearby. In addition, there has been only one incident of burglary—which is defined
as only including unlawful entry to a structure—on-campus but none offcampus or in student housing. Essix said while incidents of crime don’t occur every day on campus, students being allowed to carry would be a daily thing. “I don’t want to walk into a classroom and feel like someone has the ability to pull a gun on me,” he said. He expressed concerns of increased fear, paranoia and threats amongst students. Lackey argued that individuals planning on committing crimes are not being mindful of the law anyway. He also added that a study done on 150 campuses that allow concealed carry showed there was no increase in firearms related violence. The data and sources for this statement can be found on the official website for Students for Concealed Carry. Essix said other available options they would rather see than students being armed. “Students need to have increased mindfulness of their state of being, or where they are,” Essix said. Kaustubhi Udipi, a senior, also expressed the desire for alternatives to concealed carry. “In general, I’m not completely against it, but on campus I am,” he said. “One of my fraternity brothers carries, but he’s also 25 so I feel more comfortable that he won’t make a rash decision as opposed to a 19-year old carrying. Boosting security on campus and being aware of your surroundings help considerably more than letting 18 to 22 year-olds, who are likely to get drunk, carry guns.” However, Lackey feels that a college campus is no different than a restaurant, mall, movie theater or other public spaces where licensed young individuals already carry. For those concerned about crime at UAB, campus resources are available to offer safety. The Blazer Express Safety escort is an escort system available daily from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. that UAB highly encourages students to use. Additionally, if the service is not available, an individual can call UABPD or use a help phone in order to be escorted for personal safety.
SPORTS 7
What you need to know about UAB’s future football operations building UAB’s new football operations building is being advertised nearby the Bell Building.
Alex Wright Sports Editor sports@insideuab.com
T
he Blazers have not taken the field for an official football game in over a year. Despite the lack of game play, the recently reinstated program is continuing to move forward with the planning stages of the future football operations building. In early February, the Board of Trustees approved plans for the first two stages of the design and construction of the new football facility. Now, it is approximately a year from the estimated completion date and the team’s return to competition. Here’s what you need to know about the new space: The new 46,000-square-foot facility will be located off of University Boulevard on the south side of 6th Avenue between the George C. Wallace Building and 11th Street South, carving a new space for the born-again program. “I think building the [football operations building] is a necessary investment whose payoff includes, among other things, increased school spirit,” said Ala’a Abuspetani, junior neuroscience major who came to UAB the year the football program was
discontinued. “In my freshman year at UAB, I saw our football team rise to a level greater than ever before. And in the same year, they fell. In the wake of the dismantling of the football, bowling, and rifle programs, I personally saw a surge of school pride that I hadn’t previously witnessed at UAB. It showed that the student body as a whole wanted these programs to remain alive.” Many details in regards to the design and amenities of the future facility are not yet confirmed or decided. A team of architects from Goodwyn Mills and Cawood have been assigned to the mission and have started the process of creating outlines for the $15.3 The former football operations building in its current state. million project, which is funded new practice field will join the Dowdy in part by proceeds of a future locker room, which was finished UAB bond issue and, for the in August 2014, shortly before the time being, pledges. football program was cut and cost The timetable for the completion of approximately $700,000. the facility is unclear at the moment, This month, the Board of Trustees but the optimistic completion date is scheduled to meet to potentially is the summer of 2017, according to approve the final two stages of the AL.com. construction. Along with the new facility the “Every major investment is a little Blazers will build a new turf practice risky,” Abuspetani said. “With every field, giving the team an improved successful endeavor, there was a playing surface and a fresh start. The
Photo by Ian Keel
Photo by Ian Keel
person on the front end wondering if it would be worth it. From the passionate response of the student body after the fall of the football, rifle, and bowling programs, I think it’s obvious that this (project) will definitely be worth it, and it’ll go a long way in fostering the kind of spirit other universities take for granted.”
8
A Summer of Scholarships what are UAB students doing with their education? Tamara Imam // Managing Editor // managing@insideuab.com
A
record 28 UAB students won competitive merit-based national scholarships to fund their endeavors in research, study abroad or graduate school. Among the scholarship recipients, UAB boasts a Boren Scholar, a Marshall Scholar, a Goldwater Scholar and two National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows, in addition to a number of honorable mentions. Courtney Walker, a senior neuroscience major, is one of three Goldwater scholarship recipients from the state of Alabama and the lone scholar from UAB. Aidan L. O’Beirne and Hriday Bhambhvani were recognized as honorable mentions by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Excellence in Education Program. According to the program, the purpose of the Goldwater Foundation is to “provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.” The program awarded 252 scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year to college sophomores and juniors across the country. The prize covers the cost of the winner’s tuition, fees, books and housing up to $7,500 a year, according to the program’s website.
Walker sought the coveted Goldwater prize as early as her freshman year, and says that her friends were influential in her decision to apply. “I first heard about the Goldwater scholarship when I was a freshman, and I thought I could be a good fit for what they were looking for, so I kept it on my radar,” Walker said. “[...] Initially, I wasn’t going to apply because I didn’t think I would stand out in the applicant pool, but after one of my friends told me I should apply, I decided to go for it, regardless of what I thought the outcome would be.” She also credits the Office of National and International Fellowships and Scholarships for her winning the award. “Dr. Michelle Cook helped extensively with revisions to my application. I don’t think I would have been selected for the Goldwater without all of her help. Dr. Ashley Kuntz and Dr. Joe March also helped me with my application as well,” Walker said. Armed with the funds provided by the Goldwater award, Walker intends to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience upon graduating. Her long-term career goals include conducting research on mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, the latter of which she is already researching under the mentorship of Rosy Roberts, Ph.D.
9 “When I found out I was selected as a scholar, I was shocked. I wasn’t expecting to be selected, and seeing my name on the list of scholars for the state of Alabama was surreal,” Walker said. “I was in lab when I found out, so I shared the news with my mentor, Dr. Rosy Roberts, and she was really excited too. Then I called my parents and my sister, and they were probably happier than I was.” Additionally, a record 21 students from UAB were accepted into the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Global Initiative University network, a program founded in 2007 by former president Bill Clinton to engage college students in addressing modern global challenges.
UAB’s Clinton Global Initiative University students.
Photo from UAB News
Students from across the United States came to the annual conference in April, which was held at the University of California, Berkeley, armed with “Commitments to Action”—comprehensive, innovative plans for forging global change in one of five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health. Mallack Jaber and Aseel Dib, both neuroscience and pre-med students, were among the 21 students from UAB who attended the conference. The duo’s Commitment to Action initially focused on targeting Islamophobia in Birmingham through a lecture series that would bring in speakers both of different faiths and no faith, but Jaber says they are taking a different route entirely after attending lectures at the conference. “I went to the ones focusing on refugee education and human rights sorts of things. The main point of the conference is to build connections with people that can help you with your commitment to action,” Jaber said. “Aseel and I became really interesting in refugee education so we’re changing our commitment completely and focusing on that. We haven’t put it together though because of schoolwork and MCATs [Medical College Admission Tests] so after everything hopefully we’ll put it together.” According to Jaber, UAB provided her and the other CGIU fellows with at least some funding for their projects. Michelle Cook, Ph.D., the assistant director for the Office of National and International Fellowships and Scholarships, attributes the number of scholarship winners and CGIU fellows in part to increased outreach to students. “UAB’s students are incredibly competitive for national awards, and the more students we have applying for awards, the more winners we will see,” Cook said. “This was also the first year the Office of National and International Fellowships and Scholarships had two people, which allowed us to do more outreach than ever before to make students aware of fellowship opportunities.” Cook says that she and her colleague Ashley Kuntz, Ph.D., help students, sometimes through communicating with professors and advisors, find programs that align with their interests and career goals and then guide them through the application process, from brainstorming and working through personal statements to polishing resumes. “Most often, students don’t self-identify as being good potential applicants,” Cook said. “Getting a nudge from a professor they know or from someone like me can be helpful.”
Courtney Walker displays her Goldwater Scholarship alongside her father.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Walker
10 OPINIONS
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
“Those without the capital get the punishment”: bias and inefficiency in the death penalty
Illustration by Corey Bright
Erica Webb Online Editor online@insideuab.com
L
ast year, Dylann Roof walked into a church only to murder nine innocent African-Americans as they offered him sanctuary and kindness. He embodied an institutionalized evil in the United States—violent white supremacy upon which he felt the nation was losing its grip.
Now, the federal government is calling for the death penalty in his case. The first time I heard this, I couldn’t help but immediately think, “Good. He deserves it.” Anger. Frustration. From one moral standpoint, an eye for an eye punishment is the best justice possible, especially when the evidence seems so clear. From another moral standpoint, take the words of Martin Luther King
Jr.: “Capital punishment is against the Time.com states that classism also best judgment of modern criminology affects who gets the death penalty and, above all, against the highest because the wealthy can afford the expression of love in the nature of best lawyers while the poor have to God.” Mercy. Nonviolence. As I scrolled settle for less—a saying on death row through cases on Time.com, a bright goes: “Those without the capital get the red ad from the Murder Victims’ punishment.” Families for Human Rights caught my Now let’s talk about one of the attention: “No. Killing Killers Won’t greatest fears of the legal system: Bring Back Victims.” executing an innocent person. The But it’ll sure cost less money to DPIC statistics show that since 1973, taxpayers to sentence them to death 156 people have been exonerated from than life sitting in a cell, right? Well, death row. Some of them spent decades no. But people on death row are of their lives in jail. undoubtedly guilty, right? Nope, young The most conservative argument: grasshopper. money. According to Time.com, federal The more I looked into it, the more trials for capital punishment cost an I realized that we as a nation have to average of $620,932—eight times think more analytically on this issue as much as those for a life sentence. than emotionally or morally—we’re California alone could save $200 million losing taxpayer a year by abolishing the death money to a complex, In 1972, according penalty. inefficient and biased Why does it take that much to History.com, time system. to actually execute the Supreme Court perpetrators? Why waste In 1972, according to History.com, temporarily ruled taxpayer dollars after a guilty the Supreme Court Like I said, death is the death penalty to verdict? temporarily ruled serious business. People are be unconstitutional going to appeal that until they the death penalty to be unconstitutional because of the literally can’t anymore. The because of the they can do that is so the “arbitrary and reason “arbitrary and system makes sure it doesn’t kill capricious” capricious” execution innocent people, like it almost execution styles and did at least 156 times. styles and racial bias against Africanracial bias against Also, the system is tangled Americans. They slow. For example, Time African-Americans. and proceeded to try to states that half of California’s set better standards 750 death row inmates haven’t for jury sentences and executions. even started the appeal process because No matter how you look at it, when they have to wait for a lawyer from the it comes to death, it’s different. It’s state’s underfunded defense system. permanent. It’s playing God. The Only three have been executed in 10 standards for who gets to live and die in years. a court of law are constantly evolving, In Roof ’s case, I don’t believe there’s or as Republican federal judge Cormac racial bias against him. There’s obvious J. Carney puts it, “unconstitutionally evidence—he’s proud of it. But his case random.” Over 40 years have passed is seemingly much more clear cut than since the 1972 ruling, yet judges from many other death penalty cases have both major political parties continually been. Even then, he will still get clogged turn away from the death penalty in the system while costing us more because, according to Time, the results money. remain unpredictable at a high cost. Now I know there are still people An element that has been predictable reading this who are thinking, “Okay, throughout history is racial bias. so if something so awful happened to According to the Death Penalty your loved one you wouldn’t support Information Center (DPIC), 96 percent this?” Look, I may be a journalist, but of states in which race in relation to the I still have some human qualities. Of death penalty has been studied show course I’d be enraged. But can I support a pattern of anti-black discrimination. this system as a whole? No. Maybe in a Black perpetrators are more likely to perfect world where everything is clear receive the death penalty than whites, and just to everyone, but definitely not and cases with black victims are less in this one. likely to receive it than those with white victims.
FEATURES 11
An interview with UAB’s White House “Champion for Change”
Quang Do currently works in the Hill Student Center as a coordinator of student leadership.
Shambi Anshumali Contributor shambi@uab.edu
U
AB’s Quang Do, an alumnus and the current student leadership coordinator, was among 10 people selected from across the country as a finalist for the “White House Champions of Change for AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling.” This event was hosted to honor artists and advocates that have used their channels and platforms to empower members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. With AAPI being the fastest growing racial group in the U.S. according to the Pew Research Center, these individuals have played an important role in telling new stories, increasing awareness around key AAPI issues and encouraging diversity and inclusion in all sectors of society. After graduating from UAB in 2012 with a degree in political science, Do became a full-time teaching and touring artist, where he traveled to various academic institutions and used his love of spoken word poetry to facilitate performance-based workshops. “When developed as a platform for change, spoken word, like all art, can be used as a tool for transformation
and to give people a voice to be the stigma around the “model minority” heard in a world where words rule,” myth—the notion that AAPI students Do said. “As an AAPI community, are more academically, economically we cannot underestimate spoken and socially successful than other racial words’ power to move us, challenge groups. others, create change, and connect Even though these problems may us. We must be willing to bring up exist, according to Do “UAB does a good difficult conversations that often have job in pushing to have difficult, real complicated, difficult, and multilayered conversations that encourage change intersectional answers.” within our community.” When the UAB With a drive to give a voice to the community sees an issue, they not only many Asian-Americans who don’t seek to find a solution, but also push have one, Do students to creatively offer continues to their views. As an AAPI community, we advocate issues A product of this push within the AAPI within UAB was the cannot underestimate spoken community development of Do’s words’ power to move us, through diverse Poetic Justice event three challenge others, create platforms, years ago, hosted by UAB’s change, and connect us. including those Student Activities Council -Quang Do and Multicultural Council. within UAB. The AAPI “This program has a community focus on helping students encompass nearly 6 percent of the develop cultural, interpersonal and undergraduate population, according social understanding through the to the UAB Fall 2015 demographics, as performance of spoken word poetry,” provided by the Office of Institutional Do said. “Over the years, Poetic Justice Effectiveness and Analysis, Do said that has grown beyond my wildest dreams recognition of these demographics but the core idea has remained the encourages the UAB community to same—change happens when we are shed light on the various issues that willing to listen to each other.” college students encounter, such as Within the UAB community, Do has health, economic and social disparities, been recognized by his colleagues for language barriers, college access and his work.
Photo by Ian Keel
“Of course [I’m] so proud of him for being recognized and honored in that capacity,” said Jennifer Griffin, interim director of student involvement and leadership. “I know that this is a very big passion of his and he’s spent some time going around to local schools and sharing that passion with those communities and I think he was very honored and excited about being recognized and having the opportunity to go and do that, and I think not only represent himself but represent UAB and the work that he’s done. Quang has specifically kind of grown up at UAB [...] And so I think it’s always cool to see someone pursue a passion like that, that was home grown here at within UAB.” Kristin Bowen, the assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, who has worked with Do for around ten months, agreed with Griffin’s sentiments. In addition, according to Griffin, Do has expressed interest in working with the Multicultural Greek Council due to his “passion” and “specific tie” to that community. “He’s done a wonderful job in terms of helping them understand what the definition of multiculturalism is, that identity within themselves,” Bowen said. “[Over the past nine or ten months,] it’s been really rewarding to see the students move forward.”
12 FEATURES
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
Red Planet Review: a soundtrack for your summer Jared Chesnut Staff Writer redc@uab.edu
S
ummer: The sun is shining bright, humidity is in the top ten percentile, and the frost trolls have skulked away to their system of tunnels under Olympus Mons. Now is as good a time as any to let the top down, pour up a few Arnold Palmers and put some records on. We here at UAB’s radio show Red Planet put together a summer playlist. We felt like it’d be best to just chill a little, be cool and bestow some tunes that’ll be the SPF 50 you’ve been looking for. 1. Radiohead – “Burn the Witch” Dropping in out of nowhere like ninety degree temperatures, Thom Yorke and company’s “A Moon Shaped Pool” is a breath of fresh air after previous album “The King of Limbs,” and the opening track “Burn the Witch” features a plethora of strings, a “Wicker Man” evocative stop-motion video, and
a spirit that feels ripped out of “OK Computer” for a bit of an epic kickoff. 2. El Guincho – “Comix (feat. Mala Rodriguez)” An electro artist from Spain that’s specialized in quirky, unconventional beats for the past decade (dig up 2008’s Alegranza!), “Chef P” cooks up some hip hop infused cuisine in this track from his April release “Hiperasia.” Might be Iberia’s hippest export since MessiNeymar-Suarez. 3. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Dark Necessities” Anthony Kiedis’s recent health issues and statements that “rock n’ roll is dead” stand as grim reminders that California’s favorite sons aren’t getting any younger, but if their newest single is any sign, we’re getting a band that is veering away from their rut of typical love songs to the West Coast in favor of more personal and deeper subjects. Flea’s unmistakable bass tones, Will Ferrell’s evil twin Chad Smith keeping time on the skins and Josh Klinghoffer serving as a solid replacement for John Frusciante on guitar immediately throw the song back into familiar territory.
we get out what you put in,
put that recycling in the right bin.
Open for drop-offs Mondays 6:30-9:30am 3:00-6:00pm 620 11th Street South (205) 996-9043
4. Magic Sword – “Legend of the Keeper” Pulled from the waning days of April, this is a heroic epic told by white knuckle drums, majestic guitar solos and synths. By the end of the song you’ll feel like dropping the top on that Trans Am, throwing your Ray Bans on, and taking over the night like it’s 1985. 5. Bear Hands – “2AM” Fresh off of playing Hangout Fest, Brooklyn’s Bear Hands bestows upon us this vibey affair that combines elements of MGMT and The Bravery for something that is equally at home at that low-key beach party as it is the drive to work down 280. 6. Chance the Rapper – “Summer Friends (feat. Jeremih)” In between repping the only Chicago baseball team that’s won anything lately, Chance dropped a serious contender for top mixtape for the season, if not 2016, “Coloring Book,” and this R&B heavy track is the epitome of chill. Kick back, throw some cans on and vibe out. 7. Alabama Shakes – “Gimme All Your Love” This track from 2015’s “Sound & Color” is just too good to pass up. Brittany Howard’s powerful, soulful delivery and that sick guitar riff to close out the song make for a sharp drill that’ll pierce the heavens, or at the very least cut through the humid Alabama afternoons. 8. Massive Attack – “Voodoo in my Blood (feat. Young Fathers)” We played this for Red Planet Radio when it first released in March, and
Illustration by Sarah Faulkner
our stance hasn’t changed: it’s a return to form for the British trip-hop group after 2010’s lackluster “Heligoland.” A raw, almost primal beat and bars from Scottish trio Young Fathers stand in sharp contrast against Robert Del Naja’s synths, yet form a union that hits at the baser parts of your id and commands you to swivel your hips and toss yourself around the room. 9. The Strokes – “OBLIVIUS” Julian Casablancas just threw this one out there right as our submission deadline hit and it’s not too unlike a Steph Curry bomb from half-court at the buzzer: Powerful, attention grabbing, yet appearing so effortless in execution. Nick Valensi’s guitar is the Draymond Green that makes the whole track work. 10. Don Henley – “The Boys of Summer” Yeah, this may be a bit on the nose and overdone, but the Eagles lead singer was arguably at his best in his run as a solo artist, and this 1984 hit has stood the test of time more so than the handful of covers that have been put out in the decades since. There you go, 10 tracks that will fit any vacation plans or summer getaways.
Feel like there’s something we missed? Hit us up @blazeradio or @UABkscope and help us stay fresh!
FEATURES 13
Date night dining: Birmingham’s Bottega
“Frank’s Favorite Cake” is one of Bottega’s many decadent dessert options.
Jackson Hyde Social Media Editor socialmedia@insideuab.com
B
ottega is an Italian restaurant in Birmingham known for its high price tag, masterfully prepared food and distinguished atmosphere. It is a sister of two other well known, sophisticated restaurants in Birmingham, Chez Fonfon and Highlands Bar and Grill. Although Bottega’s cafe opens at 11 a.m., its dining room doesn’t open until 5:30 p.m., where the more expensive meals are served. Preparing to dine at Bottega is a trial of its own. The official dress code is business casual, but when people in Birmingham get an opportunity to dress up, many do. As long as you don’t wear shorts or sandals, you’ll be admitted to Bottega. However, may feel awkward wearing a T-shirt and a pair of khakis while other diners are eating in jackets and dresses, so I’d recommend wearing something that makes you feel sophisticated. Also keep in mind that Bottega has mandatory valet parking in their lot, so if you don’t want to pay for that make sure you can survive a trek from wherever you found a free spot. Once you do make it to the front doors of Bottega, you may be awed by
Photo by Jackson Hyde
its imposing structure. The building is solid, showing off a stone exterior, massive Ionic columns and hard, precise edges to Roman arches. Bottega pushes its Italian theme pretty hard. Walking to the left side of the entrance and past the more casual groups enjoying Bottega’s cafe, you will enter the doors of Bottega’s dining hall and be greeted by a host and asked if you have a reservation. A word of advice: reserve a table, especially on a Saturday night. If you reserved a table or one is available, you’ll be led through a dining room featuring dark woods and low lighting until you arrive at your table. There are giant mirrors on the walls of Bottega, and facing them you can accidentally get a little too intimate with the diners next to you, so if you don’t want to eavesdrop I’d recommend facing away from those. Once you’ve been seated you’ll order your food. The entree menu changes daily, so if you pick up a favorite it can be hard to catch it again, but the food will be good regardless. If you don’t know what to order, ask your server. I ordered the halibut with late spring vegetables, it’s pricy but if you dress up to eat then go big or go home. The entree was delivered quickly to my table in a deep, steaming dish. The
halibut was practically falling apart on its own when it was set in front of me, a knife would not be required for this meal. The fish sat on a bed of fresh carrots, turnips, asparagus, peas and carrots that made it appear to be surrounded by its own personal garden. Not an image I’m used to seeing with fish in this steak-loving country, but it looked good regardless. As predicted, the fish fell to pieces with just a few stabs of my fork. The halibut was tender, buttery and fatty, an indulgent meat to say the least. The greens it rested on were all just cooked enough to bring out their flavors, but were still firm and crunched in my mouth. The carrots were my favorite of the veggies, they were cut into little heart shapes and incorporated the stalk like a little apple stem. It’s the little things. In between bites you’ll hear the southern diners around you gossiping and discussing personal subjects that you really shouldn’t care about. The old woman’s retelling of her first honeymoon to her grandson and his
bride-to-be will still intrigue you, though. I’m not going to pretend that you can’t hear every word spoken by the tables next to you, I just suggest that you pretend you’re not paying attention like everyone else. After you finish your entree, you’ll be able to order a dessert if you so desire. I did so desire. I ordered “Frank’s Favorite Cake,” a sponge cake layered with red wine-infused cream and topped with meringue. It’s a strangely light dessert for how rich it tastes. Frank’s cake is served with strawberries and a strawberry sauce, so it might remind you of a huge strawberry shortcake. After my entree it was hard to stomach the whole cake, but I persevered. In conclusion, Bottega is what you should expect from an expensive restaurant in Five Points: good food, good service and a cultured atmosphere. Bring a friend or a significant other for a fun night, because although the food is good, it’s the experience you’re paying for.
14 FEATURES
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016
WHAT’S UP 15
FRIDAY, 06.10-12
SUNDAY, 06.12
Magic City Con Hyatt Regency BirminghamThe Wynfry Hotel Celebrating fandoms of Sci-fi, gaming, cosplay, anime/manga and more. Featuring panels, vendors, authors, artists and special guests. Order tickets online at magiccitycon. com
“Weird Al” Yankovic BJCC 8:00 p.m. Weird Al will be at the BJCC as part of his 78-date North American tour in support of his 2014 “Mandatory Fun” album. Tickets on sale at TicketMaster.com
SATURDAY, 06.11
THURSDAY, 06.16
SliceFest 29th Street South, outside Slice Pizza & Brewhouse. 5:00 p.m. 5th annual day-lone block party featuring local and regional musicians, craft beer, and Slice’s own speciality pizzas. Advance tickets avaliable at SliceFest. com
Magic City Chocholate Challenge Old Car Heaven 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Area bakers, chefs and caters come together to see who can create the best chocolate dish. There will be tastings, food trucks, dancing, a cash bar and silent auctions. Benefits go to individuals with disabilities.
Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host Alys Stephens Center 8:00 p.m. Ira Glass, the host of “This American Life” comes together Monica Bill Barnes & Company for a night of dance - and radio. Tickets avaliable online at at alysstephens.org
SATURDAY, 06.18 Pop into Panhellenic HSC Ballroom 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. An informational meeting for women interested in joining one of UAB’s five national panhellenic conference sororities in the fall. Includes a popcorn bar and refreshments.
BCRI Juneteenth Cultural Fest Kelly Ingram Park The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is hosting its 3rd annual Juneteenth event, featuring free, familyoriented activities such as music, contests, free admission to BCRI galleries and other special activities. LOCAL Festival Alys Stevens Center Engels Plaza 5:00 p.m. Celebrate all things Alabama at the third annual LOCAL festival. Alabama’s best merchants, farmers, artists, musicians and food truck vendors will attend.
WEDNESDAY, 06.29 Film Series presents Batman vs. Superman HSC Alumni Theater 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. A viewing of Batman vs. Superman in the Alumni Theater. Free for students with their One Card; $2 for student guests; $3 for general admission.
BY PHONE:205.934.3354 BY EMAIL: masutton@uab.edu ONLINE: www.uab.edu/studentmedia
ANNOUNCEMENTS KALEIDOSCOPE PUBLISHES every Tuesday when classes are in session. Phone: 205.934.3354 Email: masutton@uab.edu Deadlines: Please place your ads by the Thursday prior to publication no later than 4p.m.
LEGAL LEGAL NOTICE— The Kaleidoscope, and its online affiliates, reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at its sole discretion.
FOR RENT Very spacious 3 br/1 ba apartment, lots of character, high ceilings and freshly painted. Close to UAB, local amenities in a quiet neighborhood. Ideal for two or three students to share. Nonsmokers preferred and no pets Available June 1. $600 per month plus a $500 damage deposit.
Very spacious 1 bd/1 ba apartment with 9-foot ceilings and city views of downtown Birmingham. Close to the UAB. Newly painted and decorated. Non-smokers preferred and no pets. Available June 1. $495 per month and $500 deposit Billing address: 820 30th Street South Apartment 1 Birmingham Alabama 35205 Call Diana for an appointment: 205-447 0654