July 11, 2017 Kscope by Kaleidoscope UAB

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 57, ISSUE 15

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Five Points: The star of a city

Why is Vulcan on top of Red Mountain? Because he couldn’t find parking downtown

The area adjacent to UAB brings business, community and campus together for a full taste of Birmingham. Read more on Page 4.

Joke created by Kristina Balciunaite/Life & Style Editor. Submit your local or UAB-related joke to kribal@uab.edu.

The

Kaleidoscope UAB POLICE DEPARTMENT

#THERETURN

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST

New base of operations to finish 2018

Pam Benoit to enhance joint efforts across UAB

Building increases consolidation and access for the public

New administrator brings decades of experience to helm

Wallace Golding Managing Editor Officials broke ground in April on what will be a new headquarters for the UAB Police Department. The new building will serve the Department’s 111 sworn officers, who combine to make the UAB PD one of the largest accredited law enforcement agencies in the state. The $10.5 million, 25,000 square foot project is expected to be finished in July 2018 and will be located near the corner of 14th Street South and 11th Avenue South adjacent to the existing headquarters. As the UAB campus continues to grow in terms of area and population, UAB PD officials often found themselves spread thin in their current building, which was built in the 1960s. “The building and its systems had exceeded its designed lifespans,” said Thom Anderson, the project’s manager with UAB Facilities. “[The Department] is currently divided among three buildings. The new building will allow the UAB PD to consolidate the majority of its operations and personnel into a single site.” For Anderson, this project is about providing the department with what they deserve and what they need to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

See POLICE, Page 7

Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief

team had not scheduled a game after the 2017 or 2018 season, and the Legion Field contract was set two expire in two years. “I believe it was sometime around the Southern Miss game in 2014 that I started to see speculation about the program closing.” said Emily Chastain, a UAB alumnae and season ticket holder. The team had a stacked second half of the schedule that featured undefeated Marshall University. The Blazers entered the final week of the season with a record of 5-6. They needed to win the final game to be bowl

On the 10th floor of the sprawling UAB Administration Building, sandwiched between the Office of the Vice President and Office of the President stands the newly occupied Office of the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. Entering the offices that lead to the new headquarters of Pam Benoit, Ph.D., one passes three open offices filled with those diligently running the ins and outs of UAB. Benoit’s office is already cleanly decorated with a tray for teas and mugs. Benoit prefers tea over coffee and proclaims so without hesitation. The oldest “and bossiest” of two siblings, Benoit seems poised for administration. “She has a breadth of experience that matches our own,’ said Alison Chapman, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of English and member of the hiring committee for Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. “She comes out of a liberal arts department (Communication Studies), but as provost at OU, she worked extensively with their medical and

See FOOTBALL, Page 7

See BENOIT, Page 7

PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB ATHLETICS Coach Bill Clark leads his teams to the field before the April 1, 2017 Spring Game.

Resurrected

From ashes to the field: Chronicling our story Jack Ryan Sports Editor

the state of Alabama, period,” Clark said when introduced as head coach in 2014. “Every coach in the state will know who we are.” The team started the season by knocking off in-state rival Troy University. By the half way point of the season, the Blazers looked as strong as the 4-2 record they carried into the second half of the season. However, a rumor quickly began making rounds. All over various social media sites, there was a message going around Blazer fans that something seemed off, and they heard the administration might be looking to axe the program soon. People pointed to two facts: the

he number 1,007 seems insignificant to many. To the UAB faithful, this number carries extra weight. This will be the exact number of days since UAB Football last took the field Nov. 29, 2014 before the program was shut down and reinstated. The 2014 season began as one of hope for UAB. The team came off a 2-10 season the previous year. Now, they had a new coach, Bill Clark. Clark came to UAB after a successful two years at Jacksonville State University to try and turn the team around. “We are going to win

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Leaders poised to make big change Initiatives seek to resolve various campus issues Sufia Alam Campus Reporter As the new academic year approaches, the Undergraduate Student Government Association is hard at work preparing for future with new initiatives and programs to introduce this fall. Mugdha Mokashi, a

senior in neuroscience and a member of the Masters of Public Health fast-track program, will replace Fernando Colunga as USGA President. During the 2016-2017 school year, Mokashi served as the Director of Student Issues for USGA's Executive Council. According to Mokashi,

what will make this year like no other is the return of UAB football. “We finally have our team back," said Mokashi. “We get our school spirit back. We get our student athletes back. And this time, hopefully all of us will really get to experience some school spirit.”

Mokashi

Srikakolapu

Along with the return of football, Mokashi has hinted introducing new initiatives such as implementing new sustainability programs,

approaching and meeting the needs of many minority groups on campus and bringing awareness to issues such as feminine hygiene and mental health. Siddharth Srikakolapu, a junior double in neuroscience and philosophy, will rise to the position of USGA vice president. “My goals include

See USGA, Page 7

INSIDE CAMPUS

COMMUNITY

LIFE & STYLE

SPORTS

Campus

Page 2 July 11, 2017

GOIN’ GREEN

New Blazers find their f ire

Sufia Alam Campus Reporter

ew high school graduates prepare for the next chapter of their lives entering as UAB freshman and face their first new college experience, orientation. Goin’ Green New Student Orientation allowed incoming freshman and transfer students and their parents to tour highlights of the campus and learn all the aspects involved in becoming a Blazer. During the orientations, students registered for classes, discussed academic expectations, learned about campus housing and met other freshman. “I think the freshman orientation is definitely one of my favorite new college experiences already,” said Elishba Khan, an incoming freshman

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CLAYTON FREEMAN WITH THE OFFICE OF NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS Hope Colabrese (left) and Austin Keel (right) lead students and parents around campus during New Student Orientation.

who will be majoring in accounting. “I’ve already joined all the organizations I’m interested in and had the opportunity to ask about anything I could think of to the orientation leaders.” TrailBlazers and Orientation Leaders provided tours to the more than 2,200 incoming students

and were given information on student life. “It’s definitely exciting to see the new students start becoming a Blazer,” said Rabisa Kahn, a junior majoring in biomedical sciences and TrailBlazer. “We forget how scary this new environment can be because we’re all so used it.”

Chris Lorimer, a sophomore in political science, felt that his orientation provided a considerable amount of reassurance to his parents when he participated in the mandatory event last summer. “Looking back it now, I’m pretty sure most things came in one ear and out the other,”

ACADEMICS

Lorimer said. “But I remember my mom asking questions nonstop. By the end she was finally satisfied leaving me here for a year.” During the orientation, parents are given a separate tour and are informed of multiple resources available to the students such as free tutoring centers and the Health and Wellness Center. “I’m pretty sure many people would agree with me that the [student organization] expo is one the most important parts of the tour,” said Colton Clayton, a junior in biology and member of UAB’s Biology Club. “The college experience is so much more than just getting good grades, so it’s important for the new students to get involved as soon as they can.” Sufia Alam can be reached at sufia@uab.edu.

SUSTAINABILITY

Green and gold campus focuses on its green initiatives PHOTO BY WALLACE GOLDING / MANAGING EDITOR Solomon Gibson (left) and Emmanuel Oni (right) study chemistry in TRIO Academic Services.

Learning outside of the box

School-provided tutoring options change the game Trinity Dix a ‘Meet the Staff’ page General Assignment so students can get an idea of who our staff Reporter Students are often able to find the discipline-specific academic assistance they need right here on campus. University-funded offices such as the University Writing Center, Supplemental Instruction, the Math Learning Lab and TRIO Academic Services are four of the many organizations available to everyone. Even better, the tutors in these organizations are happy to help. The University Writing Center, tucked away on the bottom floor of Mervyn Sterne Library, helps students in any stage of the writing process. Furthermore, the University Writing Center is not limited to papers on literature. Tutors can assist students with papers from a variety of disciplines, encompassing everything from history to engineering. Even if students need help with scholarship essays and personal statements, the UWC’s tutors help students to understand and better themselves in writing. “We’re all trained to work with writers from varying disciplines and at varying stages,” said Kathleen Kryger, graduate student and UWC tutor. “Our UAB UWC website even has

members are before choosing a tutor.” The goal for UWC is to help students write and discover, apply and communicate information or ideas into their papers. The tutors also get something out of their meetings with students. “I enjoy meeting the students,” said Miriam Bellis, an adjunct instructor and UWC tutor. “I enjoy talking to people from various backgrounds, from various parts of the country and the world. I’m a talker so I love to communicate with all kinds of people and if I can help them, that’s very gratifying to me. It makes me feel like real even though I’m not teaching in a classroom.” Students struggling in their math and science classes can come to Supplemental Instruction sessions as a way to better understand the subject. SI is a review session instructed by peers who previously passed the course with an A and whom the professor trusts. These peers aid students in better understanding math and science classes with a high fail or withdrawal rate. “SI is really helpful to kind of guide them

[and] helps them review and keep up with the work instead of procrastinating and studying at the last minute,” said Yilan Liu, a junior in neuroscience. “We have so many topics, and it’s too much stuff to cram into one night. [It’s] not like high school.” Historical averages suggest that students who attend SI on a regular basis have increased their grade by one letter. If a student struggles with math and needs help, they can head over to the Math Learning Lab located on the second floor of Heritage Hall. Instead of giving students answers, the math tutors encourage students to attempt to solve the problem themselves. “They want you to do the work and ask questions,” said Heather Land, director of the Math Learning Lab. “Hopefully, they will guide you by asking questions, not just by telling you. Sometimes, [students] do need a little instruction or direct instruction. Though at all times, they’re going to ask to get students to think things their own way.” With tutors encouraging students, the latter would have a boost in confidence in their math skills. Students are urged to return to the MLL to finish homework or study for exams. Freshmen and sophomores who come from

a low-income household or have some sort of disability can receive academic assistance from TRIO Academic Services. Located on the third floor of the Hill Student Center, they aid eligible students until their graduation from UAB. Once proven eligible with an application, a FASFA report and either a written statement or copy of their home income, TRIO assigns freshmen and sophomores with a peer student as their tutor. Tutors help these students through coursework as well as other aspects of the college experience. “We also provide opportunities for graduate school exploration [and] cultural enrichment, because it’s not just based on the student’s academic progressiveness,” said Lisa Moore, tutor coordinator. “You also want to be able to expose students to cultural enrichment because when [the mind] grows, you grow.” While it is for everyone who qualifies, TRIO most emphasizes the freshmen and sophomore experience so they could say that they helped guide them. Through TRIO, freshmen are able to enter their sophomore years and continue, raising the retention rates higher than several universities. Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.

Organization expands work to UAB Dining Sufia Alam Campus Reporter As Alabama’s largest single employer, UAB strives to lead Alabama in meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. UAB Sustainability has dedicated itself to transforming the campus and city to become as energy efficient and sustainable as possible. Programs such as Tree Campus USA, green labs, UAB Gardens and Blazers for Recycling have been implemented to allow UAB to wisely save and expend energy. According to Julie Price, Ph.D., UAB’s Coordinator of Sustainability, the university is focused on collecting data, setting sustainability goals that are unique to UAB, and integrating those goals into education, research, patient care, economic development and service. “We are the largest electricity user in the state, and the single-biggest contributor to Birmingham’s economy,” Price said. “We have a responsibility more than others to set the standards of sustainability.” The office recently involved UAB Dining and Campus Restaurants and the Commons on the Green in sourcing local meat for use in campus restaurants when possible to avoid the monetary and

energy costs associated with using out-of-state sources. Additionally, arrangements were made to install accessible waste and recycling receptacles for both organic and inorganic materials. Because of these changes, UAB Dining and Campus Restaurants is expected to reduce waste by 80 percent in the upcoming year according to UAB Campus Affairs. Last year, UAB was awarded a silver rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System for addressing sustainability needs in its operations, academics, engagement, planning and university administration. According to UAB President Ray Watts, Ph.D., 2016 was the ninth consecutive year of decreased energy consumption per square feet on campus. This reduction saved the campus an annual cost of $13 million. UAB has installed multiple recycling programs such as Dorm Recycling, Electronics Recycling and Campus Recycling to encourage students to be more conservative. Additionally, UAB offers more than 90 courses to students to allow students be part of the sustainability community on campus. Students may enroll in specific courses or major or minor in specific programs recommended by UAB Sustainability to more meaningfully contribute to the university’s progress. Sufia Alam can be reached at sufia@uab.edu.

community

Page 3

July 11, 2017

CONSTRUCTION

PHOTO BY WALLACE GOLDING / MANAGING EDITOR Much of the AT&T City Center, located at the corner of 6th Avenue North and 19th Street North, is being marketed as hotel and residential space after AT&T announced plans to vacate the building.

Reaching new heights Birmingham’s building boom brings restaurants, retail, rent and rooms Connor McDonald Community Editor Several new projects around town have been announced in the last month including both new construction and renovations. New Construction •Plans for a $40 million 17-story high-rise apartment complex were announced for the Five Points Neighborhood and will be built on the current site of the Break on 20th Street South. The building will be 183 feet tall and will include 14 efficiency units, 28 studio units, 14 one-bedroom units, 42 two-bedroom units, 14 three-bedroom units and 84 four-bedroom units. The ground floor will include 3,844 square feet of retail space. •The third and largest building in the 20 Midtown development is set to begin construction. The building, located in the

Midtown area, will take up a full city block and will include 246 apartments and a pool on the fourth floor. The first floor will contain about 40,000 square feet of space for retail and office use. •UAB announced plans to build a $60 million dorm that will include 780 beds. The building, which will include a 400 seat dining hall, will be nine stories and will be located at the corner of 10th Avenue South and 16th Street South. •UAB announced that $4.8 million will be used to construct new intramural fields between 5th and 6th Avenue South and 11th and 12th Street South. UAB also announced a new $3 million building for the ROTC program and a new $3.5 million track and field facility next to the soccer stadium. •UAB announced the demolition of the Purple Onion and Formaggio’s buildings on 10th Avenue South.

Renovations •The top 18 floors of the 30-floor AT&T City Center are being marketed for hotel and residential development. AT&T had previously announced plans to vacate the building. While plans are far from solidified, one proposal includes 163,000 square feet of office space on floors two to 10, a 130-room upscale hotel on floors 11 to 14 and 200 residential apartments starting on floor 15. The proposal also includes additional improvements such as possible retail or restaurant space on the ground floor. •A new sushi and ramen restaurant will open in Five Points South in the former dry cleaners space next to Golden Temple. The restaurant, which will be known as Ikko, is expected to open August 1. •The Woodlawn Foundation announced plans to convert a former Title Bucks at 5803 59th Street North into a restaurant

and food incubator. The Woodlawn Foundation is partnering with REV Birmingham for the project. REV Birmingham plans to develop a rentable, commercial kitchen for use by the community in the space. •Plans were announced by Joseph McClure Commercial Real Estate to renovate the former Bon Ton Hatters building. The plans include retail space on the first floor with lofts on the floors above. As a nod to what Birmingham’s oldest business, McClure plans to restore and use the old Bon Ton Hatters sign and may name the building after it. •The high-end men’s streetwear shop Alchemy 213 has closed its 20th Street North location in preparation to move into the newly-renovated Pizitz building. Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu and on Twitter @theconmcdon.

CHEAP EATS

From parking lot to pipin’ hot New park dedicated to food trucks is open for business

Connor McDonald Community Editor In an unused parking lot sandwiched between two buildings downtown, food trucks gather around colorful tables to serve equally as colorful and diverse types of food. The parking lot, known as the Birmingham Food Park, is one of the latest additions to Birmingham’s ever-growing food scene. The park, which is located near the intersection of

1st Avenue North and 24th Street North, provides guests with seats, shade and local food truck vendors. “I think it’s got huge potential,” said Mallory Shepherd, owner of Rooski’s Flatbreads and More. “I think it’s a really cool concept to be able to put all the food trucks in one location so people aren’t running around town and looking for different trucks. It’s almost like a food court. If you have a group from the office, it gives you variety.”

The food trucks at the park are intended to change daily. Vendors will also rotate between lunch and dinner services. “I think the food truck park is a wonderful thing,” said Tanya Wilson, owner of Fat Mama’s Lunch Box. “Right now, they’re working on getting an increased number of vendors so they can have four different sets of trucks in the morning and the evening. Once they fill that up, it’s going to be terrific, but it has already kicked off to a great start.” The food truck park comes at a time when many Birmingham food trucks are making the transition to

brick and mortar restaurants like Eugene’s Hot Chicken and Big Spoon Creamery. Birmingham Food Park owner Terry Damsky said he hopes the park can give food trucks a regular venue for operation. “With all the new apartments downtown and new businesses coming downtown, we thought that something like this was needed,” Damsky said. “Birmingham is starting to get a lot of publicity for its foodie aspect, but there still really aren’t that many dining options down here, especially for the lunch crowd.” A weekly schedule with vendor time slots is provided

by the Birmingham Food Park via social media. For more information, visit Birminghamfoodpark. com. “Our very first day open, we were so busy that everyone ran out of food,” Damsky said. “Right now, we’re only opening for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but we’re planning to start dinner service in the future. We’ve had a great response so far, but of course, we’d love to see even more people.” Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu and on Twitter @theconmcdon.

Page 4 | Community

The Kaleidoscope

July 11, 2017

FIVE POINTS SOUTH

‘A tight-knit community’ Historic area unites campus with area’s past Connor McDonald Community Editor

vibrant mix of early 20th century architecture decorates buildings and homes throughout the streets of Birmingham’s well-known neighborhood of Five Points South. Located adjacent to the UAB campus, Five Points South has long been the heart of Birmingham’s Southside and is easily one of Birmingham’s most relevant neighborhoods. Five Points South began as a busy streetcar suburb of Birmingham in the then-suburban town of Highland. Five Points South has always enjoyed higher commercial and residential development compared to other neighborhoods. Today, almost 10,000 people live within its borders, according to a housing study done by The Department of Community Development. During the middle of the 20th century, Five Points South began to develop a proud reputation as the Birmingham area’s hub for everything counter-culture and bohemian, which it still enjoys to this day. Record stores, tattoo shops and a wide variety of bars cater to the underground vibe of the area. “We’ve been here 40

PHOTO BY WALLACE GOLDING / MANAGING EDITOR Five Points South features restaurants, bars, retail business and community happenings. It is adjacent to UAB’s campus and has a high rate of student and faculty traffic.

years,” said Marian McKay, owner of Charlemagne Records. “We just liked that it was just a tight-knit community and that our neighbors were great. It’s just a great place to hang out and walk. You get to go to cool restaurants and places to shop. It’s just a great touristy area.” UAB’s campus is mostly located within Five Points South and forms the border between the historic neighborhood and the newer developments in the Parkside District and Midtown area. Since UAB is the state’s largest employer and its

campus is the busiest area in Birmingham, the university provides a steady supply of people who work and live in the Five Points South neighborhood. From the Nick, Birmingham’s most infamous dive bar, to Highlands Bar and Grill, arguably one the most popular restaurants in the entire state, there’s something for everyone in Five Points South. “I really like how there’s just a lot of different activities,” said Nita Morgan, general manager of the Pancake House. “I love the

MONTH AT A GLANCE

Compiled: City Council Connor McDonald Community Editor • City Council approved the use of over $2 million to upgrade police body worn cameras and related software. • City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a grant agreement between the City of Birmingham and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham for a study on converting 20th Street into a pedestrian mall. • City Council set a public meeting for

Aug. 1 to amend an ordinance that would reduce the number of members on the Storm Water Appeals Board from seven to five and further provide for the operation of the board. • City Council approved the vacation of the Loveman Village housing project so that the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District can begin redevelopment of the property. • City Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Jefferson State Community College

for the development of job training programs, apprenticeships, basic skills and educational enrichment programs and services for unemployed and underemployed Birmingham residents to address a widening skill gap. • City Council approved a resolution granting Iron City Rickshaw Company LLC to begin operating a pedal bus service on Birmingham city streets. Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu and on Twitter @theconmcdon.

building we’re in. I really like Jim N’ Nicks Barbecue and, of course, Jimmy Johns. We definitely have Insomnia Cookies bring stuff over whenever we have meetings, and Waffle House is always nice whenever we’re closed.” Recently, a wave of vacancies has washed over Five Points South, but with two brand-new 17-story apartment buildings, a bowling alley and new restaurants in the works, the stage is set for the heart of the city to start beating once more. “I’ve seen it come and go,” said George Cowgill,

owner of Black Market Bar + Grill. “It’s always been like a rollercoaster. While there have been good times and bad times, it’s always been eclectic. When I say bad times, I mean that a lot of businesses would shut down and there would be vacant buildings. These are really good spots that’ll be vacant, and eventually those spaces will open up again. I think we’re about to see it come back around soon.” Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu and on Twitter @theconmcdon.

Life and Style

Page 5 July 11, 2017

PERSONALITY TEST

Where is the best place for you at UAB? Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor

AB’s campus is as diverse as the people living, working and studying in it. Find out which location best fits your personality by answering the following questions. Whichever number you collect the most determines the location that fits you best. If you had one day left to live, what would you do? 1. Take as many selfies as possible. 2. Go skydiving. 3. Get the plain bagel instead of whole grain. 4. Just relax and enjoy your last day as it is. What kind of phone do you have?

1. The newest iPhone. Always. 2. A cracked iPhone 5. 3. Don’t even know, I barely use it. 4. Some kind of Android. Are you generally organized? 1. No. 2. I try to be. 3. Yes. 4. Not really, but I manage to keep track of everything I need nonetheless. Which day of the week do you enjoy the most? 1. Friday 2. Every day is equally great! 3. Monday 4. Saturday What is your preferred form of transportation?

1 - THE COMMONS You are a social butterfly. People and fun are synonyms in your mind. That is why the Commons cafeteria is the ideal place for you. You never sit alone for long because you know everybody and everybody knows you. Sometimes you may swipe yourself in, even though you’re not hungry, just to hang out with your buddies.

1. Car 2. Bike 3. Walking 4. Skateboard

homework. 4. Just chill with friends.

Which state would you most like to travel to? 1. California 2. New York 3. Alaska 4. Colorado Which of these animals do you identify with the most? 1. Tiger 2. Monkey 3. Turtle 4. Seahorse What would you ideally do on a Friday night? 1. Party. No question. 2. Go jogging, then do some charity work. 3. Read, maybe refine my

2 - THE GREEN You like to be a part of as much as possible. Boredom is the least of your problems, because you always have something going on, which is why you like to be where it all happens - the Green.

4. Procrastination.

When you pass by a person you slightly know in public you are most likely to: 1. Greet them if they greet me. 2. Be the first to greet them, maybe even give them a hug. 3. Look away and hope they don’t see you. 4. Gesture with a subtle nod. Your friends call you? 1. Lit 2. Enthusiastic 3. I don’t really have friends. 4. Chill

Fraternities and sororities? 1. I like the parties they throw. 2. I’m in one/I wish I was in one. 3. Indifferent about them. 4. They’re stupid. If you could have a superpower it would be? 1. Telepathy 2. Teleportation 3. Invisibility 4. Flying

What is the biggest challenge in your life? 1. Paying attention in class. 2. Finding enough time for all my activities. 3. Talking to people.

3 - THE QUIET SECTION OF STERNE LIBRARY You’re not really a fan of social events or loud noises. For you, your own company is always the best. That is why you feel most comfortable in the quiet sections in the library where no one is allowed to bother you.

Do you own a ukulele? 1. Not really into them. 2. No, but they’re cool. 3. No. 4. Of course. Kristina Balciunaite can be reached at kribal@uab.edu or on Instagram @kristinaib.

4 - THE HAMMOCK PARK You believe in enjoying life as much as possible. You never really stress or rush. Relaxing is what it’s all about. And is there a better place to kick back than a hammock? You don’t think so. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF UAB IMAGE GALLERY

HOW-TO-GUIDE

Framed for coolness Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor What do John Lennon, Kim Jong Un and Neo from The Matrix have in common? They have found their perfect pair of sunglasses. Finding it, however, is easier said than done. Many factors are in play when it comes to selecting the perfect pair of sunglasses and it is a decision that should be made carefully. SHAPE The first thing you need to do is determine your face's shape. Although your face might not be resembling a definite, traditional shape, it will fall into one of these categories: round, square, triangular or oval. If you are really in doubt, use a marker or lipstick to line out your shape in the mirror and determine your category or snap a selfie from an eye-level angle and draw an outline of your face on a smartphone. Round If your face does not have many “sharp” edges and your cheeks stick out as being the widest part of your face, you need to make sure to find sunglasses that will juxtapose those features and balance your visage. The best set of frames would be some that are angular, such as rectangular. Try not to go too wide in the thickness of the rim, as this would also widen your face. Triangular (Heart shaped) If you have a “pointy” chin you will want to find a shape that will accentuate it in the most flattering way. Soft-edged sunglasses will look good on you. Pick out frames that are not necessarily round, but perhaps cateye or aviator. The cateye frames especially will accentuate your chin. You will also not go wrong with retro semi-rimless shades. Feel free to experiment with the thickness of your frames, as your facial structure will look good in both thick and thin frames.

Oval The oval shape is the most universal face shape of all. Most frames tend to fit. Nonetheless, make sure that the frames are not too wide or too narrow, as they would over-accentuate the longness of your face. Square If your chin does not particularly stick out and you have a wide jawline, you must try not wear sunglasses that are angular in order to soften the appearance your facial structure. Round frames will look especially well, but you can also pull off aviator sunglasses or any frame that is soft-edged. LENSES Your eyes are fragile and damageable. The sun also happens to be their biggest enemy. Lenses that do not provide UV protection can in fact be more harmful to your eyes than not wearing sunglasses at all. This is because the pupils dilate when the surroundings around them get dimmed, letting more UV radiation in. Look out for labels that say “cosmetic” when you pick out sunglasses, as they tend to not provide UV protection. That being said, there are several types of UV protected lenses, in all price ranges, fit for different activities. Here your decision making should reflect your budget and lifestyle. The two most popular lenses are tinted and polarized. Tinted That the lens of the sunglasses is tinted means that the glass itself is not colored, but the thin layer of wrapping around it is. This is usually the cheapest and most student-budget-friendly option when selecting sunglasses. Polarized The polarized lens, although a bit more expensive, has several valuable features. These lenses block glares both from the sun and reflecting objects, putting your eye more at ease. Kristina Balciunaite can be reached at kribal@uab.edu.

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sports

Page 6 July 11, 2017

#THERETURN

If you build it, they will come Shaq Jones stays to help rebuild program, looks to tackle new season Sam Mabry Sports Reporter

O PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB ATHLETICS UAB redshirt junior Collin Lisa prepares to receive the ball at the UAB Spring Game on April 1, 2017.

Collin Lisa comes home to finish what he started as a 2014 freshman Sam Mabry Sports Reporter

ollin Lisa was a freshman on the 2014 UAB football team before it was disbanded. Shortly after the disbanding of the program, Lisa transferred to University of Buffalo in New York to play wide receiver. At just 5’10” and 166 lbs., Lisa has a small stature for a Division I receiver but still finds a way to be productive on the field. While Lisa did not have much of an impact his true freshman year at UAB, he was a productive wide receiver at University of Buffalo. He tallied 31 catches for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns in his only season with the Bulls. Buffalo was one of his offers coming out of high school before he initially picked UAB. “My time in Buffalo was good but it just felt off from the moment I got there, because I still wanted to be at UAB,” Lisa said. “[UAB] is where I wanted to be. It was close to my home. It was easy for me to decide to come back.” Lisa returns to UAB entering his junior year so he still has two years of eligibility to play for the UAB football team. During this year’s spring game, Lisa came out and performed like a star. He suited up in the No. 13 jersey with the starters on the green team. Lisa had more than twice as many receptions as the next player in the game, with 5, and also led everyone in the game with 115 receiving yards. To top it off, 58

of those yards came on his only touchdown of the day. Soon, the team will move into a new facility that rivals that of any college in the country. With this new facility, Lisa sees investment in the future for the program. “It’s going to be awesome,” Lisa said. “It really shows all the hard work of Coach Clark, the boosters and everyone else in the city who helped the program come back. That right there shows all the work.” The team has a countdown clock in their offices. The clock started back in June 2015 counting down to the exact time the team will take the field for its first game back. “When I first got here it was 400, 500, whatever it was,” Lisa said. “Everyone is itching to play, now it’s only 60 days away, right around the corner.” Various sports outlets are uncertain about the Blazers. With the many new pieces there are on campus, and the team not playing in two years, no one is quite certain how UAB will do. However, the players feel optimistic about where they stand going into the season. “We’re not going out there to have fun,” said Lisa. “We’re trying to win every game we play. We’re not scared of anyone. We just want to win.” Lisa and his teammates complete the historic return on Sept. 2 when they take the field against Alabama A&M University. Sam Mabry can be reached at sjmabry@uab.edu.

riginally part of the 2012 recruiting class, Shaq Jones committed to former UAB Head Coach Garrick McGee to play football for the Blazers. Now, five years later, he remains one of the few players who played for UAB both before and after the twoyear hiatus. As a 6’3”, 250 pound outside linebacker, he is an imposing presence on the football field. In UAB’s last season in 2014, Jones was the third leading tackler with 50 tackles. Of the recorded tackles, 12.5 of these tackles came for a loss. Five years removed from last playing in high school, redshirt senior Jones is entering his last season as a member of the UAB football team, as he will have exhausted his college eligibility by the end of the year. In this year’s spring game, one of the first glimpses UAB fans had of the football team since the 2014 disbanding of the program, Jones played with the starters on the green team and wore the same No. 42 he donned in that 2014 season. While he wasn’t the game’s most impactful defensive player, finishing with only 2 total tackles for the game, he did come up with a big play in the form of a half sack he split with defensive lineman Garrett Marino. “It was more like a bad dream, like an unbelievable moment, a dream you just want to wake up from, but it was a dream I could never wake up from,” Jones said about the team being cut in 2014. “Going

through the spring, I was looking at some schools, trying to decide if I wanted to play or not but ultimately, I made the decision to transfer in the fall.” However, after learning of the football team’s potential return, he opted to stick around, continuing his education here in Birmingham, hoping to be able to play for the Blazers yet again. He now has the opportunity. Jones was one of only a few that stayed to serve as the building blocks for the new team. Because he stayed, he was one of the first to see the new football facilities go up and see real change for the program that he had not seen before the shutdown. “We had practice fields that any time it rained we couldn’t practice on it,” Jones said. “On days we did practice, we were practicing in slop and the water came up to our socks. It was hard to move around and maneuver in practice. It gives us the opportunity to grow and helps us in recruiting.” Now, the Blazers are fewer than 60 days from taking the field for their first game back, and Jones is excited to be back and get on the field. “I haven’t played a football game in two years so just being able to compete again and get on the football field. That’s the most exciting part for me. I was excited when it [the football countdown clock] got to 100 days, now it’s under 60 and it’s like, man, only a few more weekends until we can play football.” Sam Mabry can be reached at sjmabry@uab.edu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB ATHLETICS Redshirt senior Shaq Jones prepares to tackle a player during the Spring Game on April 1, 2017.

TRACK AND FIELD

Running toward new season Team gets first stage approval for new multipurpose practice facility upgrades Jack Ryan Sports Editor As community support continues to pour in, the Athletic Department reaps many benefits. The new beneficiary will be the Women’s Track and Field Team. At the last Alabama board of trustees meeting, the governing body of the University of Alabama, UAB and University of Alabama at Huntsville, the body approved the beginning stages of a new track and field facility for the Blazers. “I wish I knew what it was going to look like,” said UAB Track and Field Head Coach Kurt Thomas. “We are in the early planning stages. They just got the first board approval last month. It’s going to go over at the

West Campus Soccer Fields. We are trying to build a firstclass facility.” For the indoor track portion of the team, this will be the first on-campus facility for their use. Currently, they practice at an off-campus location. “We practice at John Carroll Catholic High School,” Thomas said. “We split time a little bit. In the fall, runners and jumpers can be done on grass so we go over to West Campus fields. It’s nice and cushioned so it’s great to start on. Once we need to start getting on a track regularly, we go over to John Carroll. They have been great to let us come over there with open arms. It sure will be nice to start staring at a track going up over there.” As with any sport, the addition of on-campus facilities

that rival other schools helps to draw talent. Thomas hopes by seeing the commitment to the sport, he can try to attract high-level talent. “It’s going to make a world of difference,” Thomas said. “We have made do with what we have, but we have produced seven All-Americans in the past five years and we have had an NCAA runner-up. This is going to help us build on the team we do have. It’ll be a game changer for us. This makes all the difference in the world trying to get kids to UAB.” With this new facility, Thomas said they can use it for numerous other things. He said they are looking to host different high school and college tournaments to help recruit and bring eyes to UAB. It was also announced that UAB would continue to host the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships for anoth-

er five years. The Blazers currently compete and host tournaments at the Birmingham CrossPlex facility on the outskirts of the city. “There are positives to hosting the championships,” Thomas said. “We get to sleep in our own beds which is nice. We have hosted it so much it’s just kind of what we do. Even the athletes who have been here for a few years, it is no big deal with them. It is a little extra work for our staff to get ready, but we have a good group to help. It helps provide some of the family of the athletes to let them see them not just at the tournament, but at some of the meets we host in the season there. It’s just really cool. You get to see some of the best athletes in the world competing who end up going on to the world championships or Olympics.” The Track and Field team consist of three entities that compete at different times throughout the year. They are

comprised of the cross-country members, outdoor members and indoor members. After a disappointing end to the season last year, Thomas looks forward to a new opportunity. “We just have to continue development,” Thomas said. “We had a lot of young athletes that showed us a lot last year. We were really close on a lot of things. I am just really excited to see these kids continue to develop. The chemistry of some of the groups is heading in the right direction. They are working really hard from day one to be good. Add in a couple of these freshman who can surprise you, and do really good, to add to what we have done. We saw what we could do and did not quite get there so we are just looking to help them achieve that success.” Jack Ryan can be reached at jackryan@uab.edu and on Twitter @kscope_sports.

July 11, 2017

Summer 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Football From Page 1

Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief chanj1@uab.edu

Wallace Golding Managing Editor wsgoldin@uab.edu

Jack Ryan Sports Editor jackryan@uab.edu

Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor kribal@uab.edu

Connor McDonald Community Editor conmcdon@uab.edu

Trinity Dix General Assignment Reporter tri915@uab.edu

Sam Mabry Sports Reporter sjmabry@uab.edu

Sufia Alam Campus Reporter sufia@uab.edu

Marie Sutton Director of Student Media masutton@uab.edu

Patrick Johnson Production Manager plj3@uab.edu

OPINIONS section to return in Fall 2017. Send letters to the editor 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

eligible for the first time since the 2004 season. The Blazers traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss. and beat the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 45-24. The team and fans that made the trip reveled in the opportunity that they might go to a bowl game. However, those hopes were quickly dashed. As bowl teams were announced, UAB was overlooked even for 5-7 teams. No one really knew why the Blazers were ignored, but they would soon find out. The rumor that swirled earlier seemed to be coming true. In an effort to fight back, the students and community erupted in marches and protest to save UAB football. It was too little too late. On Dec. 2, 2014, the team gathered in their meeting room while outside, a small band, cheerleaders, students and community members gathered trying one last time to have their voices heard. In the meeting, UAB President Ray Watts confirmed the team would no longer play football along with bowling and rifle being cut. “The Athletic Department

faces many challenges given the rapidly evolving NCAA landscape and soaring operating costs, which place extreme pressure and a growing financial burden on programs like UAB’s,” Watts said. “Costs are continuously spiraling upwards driven by cost-of-attendance payments to players, meals, equipment, facilities, coaches, travel and more. In eliminating football, UAB will be better positioned to invest in programs where the institution can be sustainably competitive on a conference and even national level. Funds from discontinued programs will be redirected to more fully support UAB’s priority sports and build those into championship programs.” Outside of the meeting, a student stood on the back of a car and read aloud the email Watts sent to the entire university. It confirmed what was going on inside. As Watts finished inside, emotions boiled over as he was escorted back to his office. The team came pouring out of the room, many in tears, not knowing the future. “I never thought any of the administration would make a decision that could disrupt the life of the university in the

Page 7P way that this decision did,” Chastain said. “I remember feeling numb when the decision was announced, wondering if something else at UAB might be dismantled next. It was an incredibly somber situation that affected people far beyond just the football program. Fast forward to June 2015, many of the players moved away to finish their careers. In Birmingham, the community continually fought to bring back the programs. Rumors began to swirl again that the administration might reinstate the programs. On June 2, 2015, Watts announced that they would bring the programs back, but football would not play until 2017 for various reasons. This brought joy to the community who fought so hard for their team to come back like never before. “We must and will be successful because so many depend on us,” Watts said in a news conference. “There is a lot of work to be done, and by working together, we are up to the task.” For the next two years, the team would recruit and prepare for the return. They had about 13 players left

from the 2014 season that stayed on campus. The plan for recruiting was to go after junior college players initially to add experience, and then go after high school students to fill out depth. The Blazers received more good news. Because of the generous donations from the UAB supporters, the team would receive a large facilities upgrade. The upgrade, which is now almost complete, featured three practice fields and a new operations building. “Initially we raised $17.2 million for bring back the program and the facility upgrades,” said Brad Hardekopf, senior associate AD for external affairs. “We are looking to have a big turnout for all six home games not just the first one. Everyone that gave money to the program is a hero.” The Blazers now have a full depth chart. After over two years of practices and scrimmages, the Blazers will once again take the field on Sept. 2 against Alabama A&M University to complete the return and make new history. Jack Ryan can be reached at jackryan@uab.edu and on Twitter at @kscope_sports.

Benoit

Police

professional schools.” Benoit began her educational administration career at the University of Missouri where she worked for 25 years in a variety of positions: an assistant professor, an associate professor and began moving her way through the ranks to become a department chair before working in the graduate school. Her final title was Vice Provost of Advanced Studies and Dean of the Graduate School/ Interim Dean of the Graduate School. Before becoming a Blazer, she served as the Executive Vice President and Provost at Ohio University for eight years. On UAB’s campus, Benoit is learning all she can about this school. She said the kinds of things are not radically different, but she is facing new elements. “One of the things is what are the opportunities for more of cross-collaborations,” Benoit said. “I know there are already a lot with the centers, but how do we build off of that? How do we do more joint-degree programs? How do we find opportunities for faculty to work more together? How do we build even stronger programs that students are going to be attracted to? The university is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s pretty interesting. This is great time to be here, because there is so much going on.” Chapman spotlighted this excitement for growth and expansion.

“Our police department is a vital part of the UAB community,” Anderson said. “Providing adequate facilities for them will only enable them to grow in their size and the amount of coverage they provide.” Police administrators believe the new building will do the same, while also increasing the Department’s effectiveness in all aspects of their mission. “The new building will provide an environment more conducive for the work of our officers and administrators,” said UAB PD Deputy Chief Marvin Atwell. The UAB Police Department regularly provides several training courses, ranging from topics on rape aggression defense to active shooter. The agency currently conducts these classes for the UAB community and neighboring law enforcement agencies within a very limited space. However, in building a new headquarters, the UAB PD will be able to accommodate a larger number of participants in each class and could potentially begin offering more examining different scenarios in the

From Page 1

PHOTO BY CHANDLER JONES / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Pam Benoit, Ph.D. began her new role with UAB on July 1.

“The search committee held listening sessions to find out what the campus community wanted in a Provost and Senior Vice President,” Chapman said. “About 4-5 months from beginning to end. It’s really interesting to talk to all these smart, accomplished people from universities all over the country. One consistent comment was that UAB is right on the cusp of becoming a true comprehensive university of the highest order. I’m looking forward to Dr. Benoit’s leadership as we take that next stride together.” Benoit is now adjusting to Alabama’s humidity but enjoying the typography and geography of the state as she settles into her new home in Vestavia with her husband of 42 years. “It’s very beautiful,” Benoit said. “I have a little stream in my backyard with trees and rocks. You can see the hills in the distance. It’s very pretty.” In her free time, she paints in a variety of styles from abstracts to florals, one painting of a cherry blossom still hangs in Tanaka Hall Residence Hall. She’s also met both President George H. W. and George W. Bush along with President Bill Clinton. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, she attended Ball State

USGA From Page 1

empowering USGA Senators to accomplish their own initiatives by providing them with greater resources and guidance, expanding recycling while reducing the use of Styrofoam at campus restaurants, working with UAB Dining to make small but achievable improvements to the Commons [on the Green]

University in Muncie, Indiana for her bachelor’s in communication with a minor in English then went on to study at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for her master’s degree and finished off with Ph.D. from Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan. “I was interested in interpersonal communication and I was on the debate team,” Benoit said. “I did a lot of public speaking and was interested in the way in which people put together speeches and different kinds of rhetorical artifacts. I wrote a book about persuasion. I was interested in narratives, how people told stories and how people argued in their relationships so I did a lot of work on conflict.” Benoit published four novels in her time before UAB, one of which was on persuasion. She’s also not afraid to have a little fun. For a homecoming week at her previous university, she sported white and green hair over her usual blonde. “She’s a warm and genuine person, but she also has the tough-mindedness that is needed to steer a complex academic enterprise,” Chapman said. Chandler Jones can be reached at chanj1@uab.edu.

future. In stark contrast to the existing structure, the new building will feature a more public-oriented lobby on the first level as well as room for records and evidence storage, staff offices and locker rooms with showers. However, the bulk of this level will be dedicated to the communications department, which oversees all emergency calls and dispatches for the Department. The second level will be comprised almost exclusively of senior administrative and investigative offices along with a large conference room and a training room. However, the functionality of the new building is not the only upgrade resulting from the project. “We also feel that the new facility will make much more efficient and attractive use of the site, fitting in better with the surrounding neighborhood,” Anderson said. Birmingham-based TurnerBatson Architects designed the building, and construction will be completed by Wyatt General Contractors, LLC under the direction of UAB Facilities. Wallace Golding can be reached at wsgoldin@uab.edu and on Twitter at @WGolding_4.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UAB MEDIA RELATIONS A rendition of the $10.5 million, 25,000 square foot building is set be finished in July 2018 and will be located near the corner of 14th Street South and 11th Avenue South adjacent to the existing headquarters.

and supporting mental options on campus. health by building a “Every student on stronger connection campus should have between USGA and clear communication UAB Student Counselwith their judicial ing Services,” Srikakobranch as well as know lapu said. what to do in their time Renuka Srivastava, Srivastava of need,” said Srivasa junior in political tava. “We’re definitely science and international here to help.” studies, will serve as the USGA One initiative all three Attorney General this year and members of the USGA look plans to bring more awareness forward to is involving the of student's representation upcoming freshman this year.

“I’m excited to help them learn when you’re very passionate about something, UAB will almost always let you peruse it,” said Mokashi. “I’m doing HIV research on the LBGTQ community at the Dominican Republic all fully-paid by UAB. As a 20-yearold, that’s amazing, and it’s all because I asked.” Sufia Alam can be reached at sufia@uab.edu.

Page 8

The Kaleidoscope

July 11, 2017

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