Aug. 26, 2009

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VOL. 104, NO. 2 | Single Issue Free

Lifestyles The Second City comedians to visit Fayetteville page 7B Sports Hogs look to shore up offensive line page 1B

University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, Ark. WEATHER

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Managing Editor

Bicyclists on campus will soon be required to display a UA parking permit on their bikes, but because of student input last semester, these permits will be free of charge – for now. “You are going to be required to have a permit, but because of an overwhelming amount of students who didn’t want to pay for it … for right now there won’t be a charge,” said Andy Gilbride, program adviser for the Transit and Parking Department. The department has yet to receive the new permits, so students won’t see any changes in bicycle parking yet. But once TPD officials have the permits, they’ll begin tagging all bicycles on campus to notify their owners that they need to visit the parking office to register their bikes, Gilbride said. The purpose of the impending policy is to track bikes on campus and ensure they’re parked in the right areas, he said. “We want to figure out where the bicycles are and how many there are so we can get more parking, keep them from parking in the wrong spot and keep them from tearing up the landscape,” Gilbride said. The policy will specify that “bicycles parked in a manner that obstructs handicap access, blocks pedestrian paths or otherwise creates a safety hazard or are secured to trees and landscaping, sign posts, parking meter posts or painted light poles will be immobilized or impounded.” According to the policy, abandoned bicycles – meaning bikes that are habitually left unsecured, or bikes missing major components like handlebars or pedals – will be impounded for 60 days before disposal.

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Faculty bears brunt of tight finances What comes at no cost to students still comes at a price – just ask administrators and faculty members who this year accepted flat salaries to compensate for flat tuition rates. “With essentially no new funds, we had no new money to raise the salaries of the faculty,” said Don Pederson, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “That’s not desirable because our faculty are generally underpaid compared to peer institutions. If we don’t pay faculty competitive salaries, we might lose them to other institutions.” Pederson has been working overtime to find ways to offset the difference in revenue created by the stagnant cost of tuition, said associate vice chancellor Tysen Kendig – but, because of the nature of state appropriations this year, he still couldn’t salvage salary increases for administrators and faculty. The state government originally cut the university’s budget, but Governor Beebe was able to restore some of that projected cut with one-time money. That qualification – “one-time money” – was precisely what limited Pederson’s planning. “Even though the state appropriated more money, less money was available in a way that we could budget for the future,” Pederson explains. With the one-time money from the state, the university could have hired new faculty or raised current faculty salaries – only to have to fire or decrease salaries of those faculty next year, supposing the state could not provide the same amount of money. “That’s not something we want to do,” Pederson said. “When you hire someone from the general budget, you assume you’re hiring someone who’s going to be here for a while, and, when you make

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Matthew Sweetser, a junior social work major, rides his bike in front of the Arkansas Union Monday. Beginning

Lana Hazel

Assistant News Editor

Assistant Managing Editor

BAILEY MCBRIDE News Editor

Junior Erica Whitworth and sophomore Katie Rowan get water during lunch in Brough Commons Tuesday. Brough was recently remodeled for $925,000, Chartwells officials said.

the morning. This keeps the food fresher and ultimately better, Huff said. “Most students don’t necessarily know it, but we have six chefs on campus, one at each dining location, and people who really care about the food they are putting out,” Chartwells marketing director Kim Johnson said. “We want to know what students are thinking, particularly if

they like something and want to see more of it. If there is something that is not quite right, we hope they will ask for a manager like they would in a restaurant.” That kind of increased interaction is an important aspect of the new Brough, Johnson said. See

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See

ECONOMY on Page 6A

UA continues push for sustainability Jaclyn Johnson

“The food tastes the same, but it looks a lot fancier, so I’m more excited to come here,” she said. Brough chefs also plan to expand the number of menu options and replace mass food production with what Huff called “batch cooking.” This means only small amounts of food will be prepared at a time throughout the day instead of everything being cooked in

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Editor

Brough Commons receives facelift The renovation of Brough Commons, which incorporated both aesthetic and functional changes, lasted nearly four months and cost $925,000 – but it will ultimately enhance food quality, Chartwells officials said. “When the students come in they will be wowed by the changes, but we really want to wow them with the food,” said Lisa Huff, director of Brough Commons. Much of the project money went to the curvilinear design, better lighting, decorative red tiles, an area for lounge furniture, a bakery display case, a $6,000 wok and a second grill to be dedicated solely to cooked-to-order breakfasts. The improvements enable chefs to prepare food directly in front of students – a shift that emulates upscale retail restaurants. “In a fancy restaurant, such as an open kitchen, you might see the food being made in front of you, and we are using the same concept,” Huff said. Sophomore Sarah Kaminksi said the new look makes Brough a more enticing place to eat.

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Tina Korbe

Last semester, TPD officials considered a policy that would charge students $15 to register their bikes and receive a permit to park them on campus. Many students spoke out against the policy, and more than 1,000 people joined the Facebook group, “U of A Students Against Bicycle Parking Fees On Campus.” The creator of that group, UA student Jon Bame, said that though he’s pleased the TPD decided not to charge bicycle owners, he still has some concerns – namely, that Fayetteville residents who bike to campus for public events will have their parked bicycles confiscated for not being registered. “I think that this service has a good intent, but I do think there are still some kinks to work out, and I hope that this policy does not cause any nonstudent visitors to have their bicycles impounded. That’s the most important part to me,” he said. Though Bame’s not in favor of a fee, he said he’d be open to working with university officials if the TPD decided to charge for bicycle permits in the future. “I would say that if the university decided to honestly and seriously consult with and work with student bicycle commuters for a fee on this, there would have to be an open dialogue,” he said. Bame said he thinks there’s a shortage of bike racks on campus, and that’s why students have locked up their bikes in other areas. He also noted that members of his Facebook group have had good ideas for installing more costeffective bike racks on campus. “As long as I’m going to be on this campus, I’ll be ridSee

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Warm with a 10% chance of precipitation.

Bicycle registration, permits to be mandatory – but free – this semester KImber Wenzelburger

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With the rise of global warming and an emphasis on conservation, “sustainability” has become a popular buzzword around campus. In response to the national trend of going green, the UA has more than 42 research projects, 14 centers and academic programs, and seven institutional policies that address the issue of sustainability, according to the Sustainability at the University of Arkansas 2009 report. But what does sustainability really mean for the UA and its community? Three main components are necessary when a program or project of sustainability is put forward, said Nick Brown, executive assistant of sustainability. Social, economic and environmental concerns need to be addressed for a successful project, he said. How the UA thinks of sustainability on campus is based on the ideas of the Bruntland Commission, he said. This means that sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compro-

mising the ability of future generations to also meet their needs, he said. The Sustainability Council was established in spring of last year by the UA Executive Committee. The council is meant to direct university programs and projects so that they comply with the American University and College Presidents’ Climate Commitment, as well as find solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the UA, according to the report. Most important for the campus is its greenhouse gas footprint and trying to avoid fossil fuel energy or conserve it more wisely, Brown said. Several students have noticed some of the green changes around campus, many of which have occurred in the past few years. Catherine Breland, a senior psychology major, noted the inconvenience of no longer having lunch trays in campus dining halls, but said that sometimes going green is simply a trade off. “I do notice that they have a lot of recycling stuff around, and they’re convenient,” said Billy Quinn, a See

GREEN on Page 6A

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BRIEFLY speaking Center hosts blood drives on campus The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will host blood drives noon to 6 p.m. today in Humphreys Hall, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in the Union Ballroom, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, in the Union Ballroom. For more information, contact donor recruiter Lora Johnson at 957-2764.

NEWS

UA officials add more parking Kimber Wenzelburger Managing Editor

The UA Transit and Parking Department has seen an almost 300 percent rise in scooter and motorcycle permit purchases over the last year, and designated scooter parking areas have been added across campus to accommodate this increase, a TPD official said. “We actually added a lot of new scooter parking areas all over campus, and we’re still taking advice from people

Room décor available for UA students The Poster Sale, organized by University Programs, will last 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day until Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge. For more information, contact UP at upday@uark.edu.

Exchange T-shirt for a Razorback tee Hog T.E.E.s (T-shirt Exchange Extravaganza), an event where students may swap their gently used T-shirt for a Razorback shirt or purchase a shirt for $1, will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, on the Union Mall alongside Groovin’ on the Grass. All proceeds collected at the event will be donated to the Peace at Home Family Shelter.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

BIKES

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where they need parking, so we’re adding more as needed,” said Andy Gilbride, program adviser for the TPD. Some designated scooter parking areas include behind the Northwest Quad A Building, near Duncan Avenue Apartments, at the corner of Garland Avenue and Dickson Street, and behind the Old Geology Building. A full map of scooter parking can be found at Parking. uark.edu/parkmap.pdf. ***

Construction of the Garland Center Parking Garage is on schedule, and the deck is expected to be completed by next fall, Gilbride said. The parking garage will add about 1,500 parking spaces, and its permits will cost the same as permits for the parking garages on Stadium Drive and Harmon Avenue, he said. Though the new garage will help ease some parking congestion on campus, Gilbride said he doesn’t expect it will solve all of the overcrowding issues.

“We lost over 250 spaces with the nanotechnology building construction (on Dickson Street), so this will help, but it’s not going to take care of all the parking problems,” he said. Of those 250 spaces lost, 103 were faculty, staff and motorcycle parking spots, Gilbride said. To help offset the loss, the TPD has changed Lot 55 by the outdoor track to faculty-staff parking. But, he said, “if the staff doesn’t use it, we’ll definitely change it back to resident reserved.”

WELCOME WEEK POSTER SALE

ing my bike, and as long as I’m doing that, I’m going to be very concerned about this issue and involved as best I can,” he said.

Korto Momolu to visit UA Anne Kittrell Art Gallery and Cultures and Concepts from University Programs will host Korto Momolu 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Arkansas Union Ballroom. Momolu was a finalist on the fifth season of Bravo’s Project Runway. The event is free and free VIP tickets are available. For more information, contact Sarah Busch, Anne Kittrell Art Gallery coordinator, at upart@uark.edu or 575-5255.

Music department welcomes guest artist The Department of Music will feature guest artist Iskander Akhmadullin on trumpet in a recital 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Center. The admission is free and the public may attend. For more information, contact the department at 575-4701 or visit Music.uark.edu/.

CORRECTIONS The Arkansas Traveler strives for accuracy in its reporting and will correct all matters of fact. If you believe the paper has printed an error, please notify the editor at 575.8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.

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The Arkansas Traveler is a member of the Arkansas College Media Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Arkansas Traveler, the student newspaper at the University of Arkansas, is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring academic sessions except during exam periods and university holidays. Opinions expressed in signed columns are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Traveler. The editorial that appears on the left side of the opinion page is the opinion of this newspaper. The editor makes all final content decisions.

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Hundreds of students browsed posters at the annual poster sale in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge. The poster sale, sponsored by University Programs, will run through 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

NEWS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 | Page 3A

HEALTH CARE OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO PREPARE FOR SWINE FLU PANDEMIC Bailey Elise McBride News Editor

As the number of H1N1 flu cases have continued to rise over the summer months, so have concerns of administrators and health care officials as flu season draws near. H1N1 flu – or swine flu – was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on June 11 because of the spread of the virus across the globe, not the virus’s severity. At the time of the declaration, more than 70 countries had reported cases of the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One hundred cases of swine flu have been confirmed by laboratory tests in Arkansas, with more than 1,000 unconfirmed cases reported across the state, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. “I think that it’s just another strain of the flu,” said Meghan Ness, sophomore agribusiness marketing and management major. “I’m go-

ing to take precautions, but I’m not going to let the swine flu stop me from living my life.” According to a memo sent to on-campus students through the Housing listserv, the staff of the Pat Walker Health Center will follow the CDC’s guidelines for controlling an outbreak. As of Aug. 15, a total of 7,983 hospitalizations and 522 deaths associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses had been reported to the CDC. For Region VI, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana, 830 cases have been reported to the CDC in the last three weeks, with 24.6 percent testing positive for H1N1. The first death from H1N1 in the state came on Aug. 10. “If I can’t see it, I don’t fear it,” said Adam Grasser, a second-year law student. “I haven’t heard much about cases in Arkansas, thus I cannot see them, in a sense.” Though some students don’t seem to be worried, other students’ first concern is what they can do to prepare

and prevent contracting the virus. In late July, the United States purchased 195 million doses of H1N1 vaccine and contracted for another 120 million doses of adjuvant, a compound which stretches the number of doses of vaccine needed, said Dr. Robin Robinson, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at a meeting of Food and Drug Administration advisers. According to the PWHC, seasonal flu shots will be available to students in late September or October. Health officials say the best way to protect against the disease is to follow CDC recommendations: cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; wash your hands frequently with soap and water; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people; and stay home if you are sick. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Mary Alice Serafini, director of the Pat Walker Health Center, emphasizes the importance of frequent hand washing as a recommended precaution against H1N1 flu.

TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS TO AVOID H1N1: • •

•

Get a seasonal flu shot each year, and when the H1N1 influenza A vaccine is available in Arkansas, get a shot. Stay home if you are sick. You should stay home until you are feeling better and after a fever is gone for 24 hours without taking fever reducers. While you are sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid close contact with people who are

• • • •

coughing or otherwise appear ill. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash hands frequently with warm, soapy water to lessen the spread of illness. When hand washing is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing and sneezing, and then wash your hands.

Source: Arkansas Department of Heath Courtesy Photo

The easy way to pay

ON CAMPUS & now OFF CAMPUS ON CAMPUS

Arsagas On Campus All Campus Coffee Shops* All Campus Dining Halls* All Club Reds* Harmon Deck Parking HPER Service Desk, Membership Desk and Outdoor Rec. Center Parking and Transit Pat Walker Health Center and Pharmacy Select Photocopiers Print, Mail, Copy Center Razorback Shop Student Accounts Union Hair Care University Book Store University Computer Store The Union Market* Select Vending Machines *Receive a 5% discount when used at Chartwells locations.

To check your balance, add more ™ or for more info go to http://razorbucks.uark.edu

OFF CAMPUS

Beat the Bookstore Chili’s Harps Food and Pharmacy (Garland St. Only) Hogwash Laundry Service Jim’s Razorback Pizza (Gregg St. Only) Oseguera’s Mexican Cuisine Papa John’s Pizza Rick’s Bakery Sassy’s Red House Sunrise Café Zaxby’s Chicken

For a complete list of merchants both on and off campus, go to http://ccampuscardoffice.uark.edu and click on the buttons on the left.

OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Page 4A | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

Remember to check out UATrav.com for daily updates.

Editor: Tina Korbe | Managing Editor: Kimber Wenzelburger

Phone: 575.8455 | E-mail: traveler@uark.edu

Keep bicycle policy discussion open among students, administrators Last semester, hundreds of students spoke out against a proposed one-time $15 fee for students to register their bikes on campus. And, apparently, the Transit and Parking Department listened to their concerns, settling on a policy that will require a permit but not a charge for students to use and park their bikes. Andy Gilbride, UA parking program adviser, said the department will begin implementing the policy sometime this semester, with the intent of tracking bicycles on campus, ensuring they’re parked in the correct locations and impounding those bikes that are broken down, abandoned or unsecured. The TPD’s compromise on this issue is much appreciated, and it sounds like administrators are taking Chancellor Gearhart’s motto of “Students First” seriously. But we can’t help but think that this policy is simply a temporary, watered-down version of its original self – and that a fee will pop up in the future to accompany the required permits. Not that a charge for bicycle permits is necessarily unwise. In fact, a fee might be just what’s needed to provide more bicycle racks on campus, ensuring students don’t resort to chaining their bikes to trees or pathways that block passersby. On the Facebook group, “U of A Students Against Bicycle Parking Fees On Campus,” created by UA student Jon Bame, Gilbride posted in April that “just like automobile drivers pay to improve parking on campus, cyclists should help improve the bike parking they need.” But, as Bame, an avid student bicyclist, told The Traveler, if a charge for bicycle permits is ever required, “there would have to be an open dialogue” first between administrators and students. And that’s the most important part. Students should be motivated by administrators to find more environmentally friendly ways to move around campus, and they certainly should be involved in the decision-making if TPD officials discuss attaching a charge to the permit policy. If nothing else, a more open process could help students see firsthand the need for such a fee. The TPD has done well by ditching the fee idea and starting the bicycle permit policy off slowly. And if this policy does happen to be a segue into a future bicycle registration fee, we hope department officials take this semester to hear students’ concerns and consider their ideas for affordable bike parking. With a little transparency and communication, this policy could be welcomed by both administrators and students. And, we’re glad to say, the TPD seems to recognize that.

Students really do come first When we first heard Chancellor Gearhart’s “Students First” motto, we hardened our journalist hearts and thought, “How easy to say – how much harder to uphold!” And “Students First” is hard to uphold. But, with the decision to hold tuition rates steady, UA administrators and faculty proved they have the grit to prioritize students even when putting students first entails personal sacrifice. This year, only those administrators and faculty who received a promotion - and, with it, increased responsibilities - accepted a raise. Did you get that? Upper-level university officials refused to pad their pockets with a self-administered salary increase. Clearly, Chancellor Gearhart and his colleagues are superior to Congress. But, while we couldn’t resist the temptation to slam our good men and women in Washington, we really don’t want to be snarky about this. Like Vice Chancellor Don Pederson, we recognize that competitive salaries are essential to administrator and faculty retention. If we want to be led by the best leaders, if we want to be taught by the best teachers, we have to pay the best pay. So, we hope students will recognize the magnitude of the sacrifice administrators and faculty are making for them this year - and not automatically feel entitled to the same sacrifice next year. Chancellor Gearhart said in his First Day Welcome that he will do everything in his power to keep costs down and quality up - and we believe him. We know he knows faculty salaries are an important component of the “quality” part of that promise. We just want our classmates and friends to know this: If, next year, Chancellor Gearhart decides faculty raises are more important than steady tuition rates, he’ll still be putting students first.

With student help, ASG can make a difference this year You incoming freshmen are probably overwhelmed by enough things that student government isn’t exactly high on your priority list. It should be. Nearly every day for the next four (or five, or six...) years will be controlled by the policies set by the University of Arkansas. If you don’t like how something works, you can’t just call your parents and complain. There’s a complicated system to work through. And your access to that system is the Associated Student Government. So, other than giving us free hot dogs at Welcome Week, what exactly does the ASG do? First, it’s important to understand that, despite the name, the Associated Student Government doesn’t actually “govern” much of anything. It has a certain amount of student fee money that the senate allocates to school clubs and other programs like Safe Ride or the Razorback Readership Program. But unlike student governments in many other southern states, the UA’s ASG doesn’t have any power to actually change university policy. It’s better to think of our ASG as a giant lobbying firm that works on behalf of the students. The senate can pass bills all day, but nothing happens unless the ASG president meets with the appropriate campus officials and convinces them to listen. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. The administration made a nasty habit of making major changes without any regard for student opinion. For example, tobacco is now banned on campus, and the bookstore is going to be moved from the Union to the expensive new parking garage on Garland Avenue. The fight for more student input is one I’ve been covering for years here at The Traveler and on UATV. And we have some success stories. Chancellor Gearhart set a positive tone last fall when he visited the ASG senate to

Jon Cox

TINA KORBE | Editor KIMBER WENZELBURGER | Managing Editor BAILEY MCBRIDE | News Editor LANA HAZEL | Assistant News Editor The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor from all interested readers. Letters should be at most 300 words and should include your name, student classification and major or title with the university and a day-time telephone number for verification. Letters should be sent to traveler@uark.edu. Letters appear in the order they were submitted as space permits. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse letters on the basis of length, accuracy, fairness, liability and sensibility.

ADAM CALL ROBERTS adamcr@uark.edu

explain his veto of an election reform and apologize for not consulting with students. This spring, the Transit and Parking Department backed down from a plan to charge students and visitors to park their bikes on campus, after massive student outcry – including a protest of riders at the HPER building. A lot depends on ASG leadership. This year, student voters rejected the more revolutionary ideas of perennial ASG candidate Jacob Holloway in favor of a moderate reformer. Incoming President Mattie Bookhout is finding ways to work with the current system to expand student power. Fortunately, Bookhout’s been involved with student government for years. She knows how to navigate the campus’s complex bureaucracy. Students have seats allotted for them on 34 different university committees, including the Transit, Parking and Traffic Committee, the Public Safety Council and the Campus Council’s University Distinguished Lectures Committee. Many of these committees don’t have much of a reputation for “putting students first.” Bookhout says that a large part of the problem is that the students appointed to these seats don’t always have the time or interest to actually attend the meetings. And when they do, they don’t have a lot of input from the student body at large and end up voting along with the rest of the group.

Bookhout’s plan is to fill the seats up with members of ASG senate committees as much as possible. When it’s not, the ASG Executive Committee will do its best to screen applicants and make sure that everyone on the committee is aware of ASG legislation and the results of the UA Student Poll. The ASG senate is undergoing some important reform, as well. Senate elections are very frustrating for those of us who care about the university. Many of the senators work long hours to serve the students, but a large segment of the candidates don’t know or care to know about campus politics. Students who run on platforms like, “I will do my best to represent all of you!” actually win. This will change. The new ASG senate application asks, “Why do you want to serve as an ASG senator and what do you hope to accomplish?” and informs candidates that their response will be made public. Bookhout has given me the thumbs up to use every form of student media to mercilessly mock anyone who fills in that box with a bunch of empty fluff. This is your warning. Go ahead and disagree with me on every issue – just take some sort of stand and tell the voters what you think. Senate Chair Tammy Lippert worked to move the senate meetings into the Union. We laypeople will have the opportunity to address the senate and hold senators individually accountable for how they vote. None of these reforms matter if students don’t get involved. Vote in the Student Poll next week, and log on to ASG.uark.edu to tell the student government what you need. This year, we can make the system work. Adam Call Roberts is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler.

A MORE PERFECT UNION Guest Columnist

EDITORIAL BOARD

Notes from Underground

When our forefathers set out some 211 years ago to resolve the problems within the Articles of Confederation and ultimately succeeded in writing the Constitution, they offered for their actions an apology. The Oxford American Dictionary lists one of the possible meanings of apology as “a reasoned argument or writing in justification of something,” a form typified to all of you introduction to philosophy students by Socrates and Plato. The apology of which I speak is the only part of the Constitution I have committed to memory, and is one of the most important phrases in the entirety of American expression. Yes, coeds and gentlemen, I am referring to the Preamble, which reads as follows: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure

the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Anyone can quickly point out to me that the Preamble has no legal application; it has been cited in but a few Supreme Court cases. It is not the legality of the Preamble that interests me, though. It is the spirit – the authors of this venerated document state first and foremost that it is their intention to create a “more perfect Union.” From a semantic viewpoint, “more” implies that the Union is neither perfect from its inception, nor will it ever achieve perfection. This is, in my opinion, a rather optimistic view, as it allows room for constant adjustment. The Union is, as I am sure you are aware, always being legislated – if we were to have staticity of laws, we would have no need for a legislature. Given these facts, and that it is still enshrined in the holiest of our texts that we shall never reach full perfection, it seems ridiculous to me to assert that a problem

should not be attacked simply because we “already have the best system.” It is a fundamentally American thing that there is always room for improvement. Furthermore, the way in which they foresaw us attaining more perfection was by strengthening somewhat the power of the federal government, and the executive branch, in particular. It is thus a continual source of embarrassment to me to see such hostile political climates as we have today. Hostility toward the government cannot seemingly mesh with a love for America. Without the federal government tying us together, we would not be a continental America. We would be the “Free and Independent States” spoken of in the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. And if it weren’t for a select number of representatives speaking for the will of the people as a whole, we would have never even issued a Declaration of Independence. It is our government that makes us more perfect, not less.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 | Page 5A

Area bookstores look to offer low prices to students UA Bookstore sells books for 7 percent less than national average, according to magazine Taniah Tudor

Assistant News Editor Bookstores on campus and around Fayetteville have been bustling as students scramble to buy low-priced books and supplies for the new semester. The UA Bookstore offers students a “110 percent low price guarantee,” meaning if students find merchandise at other stores of the same kind, quantity and brand of the merchandise at the UA Bookstore, the bookstore will sell the products for the same lower price, plus another 10 percent of the difference. That means that if a customer finds a book for $2 less at another store, the UA Bookstore will sell the book for $2.20 less than the original price. “Anybody who finds prices lower than ours, even 15 days after the purchase, we will give them the lower price plus 10 percent of the difference,” said Ali Sadeghi, manager of the UA Bookstore. “We just ask that it comes from a known business.” Sadeghi said the bookstore won’t accept prices from online trading systems like Halfprice.com or eBay.com. The UA Bookstore also has its own trading Web site, Hogauction.com, which was developed for students to get the latest information about textbooks and where students

can sell and trade books, Sadeghi said. The bookstore’s publication, “What’s In Store: The Incoming Student’s Guide to the University of Arkansas,” includes information taken from the national Association of College Stores Web Site, which compares average bookstore margins with the UA Bookstore. The UA Bookstore sells textbooks for about 7 percent less than the national average, according to the magazine. Bookstore officials have made the conscious decision to sell textbooks at the lowest possible price, Sadeghi said. “We think we owe it to our students to lower their costs as much as possible,” he said. “We feel comfortable in our prices; the data shows we have lower pricing.” The UA Bookstore isn’t the only local shop promoting its low book prices. The Campus Bookstore, located near campus on Dickson Street, spent the last six months preparing for the fall semester by acquiring as many used textbooks as possible, especially books with newer copyrights that have a higher buyback value, Manager Steve Wilson said. Wilson said his store takes advantage of sales platforms like Half.com, and he doesn’t think such Web sites take away from his store’s sales. “I think our numbers are

still very strong,” Wilson said. “Competition is a good thing, and we keep online prices in mind. You’d be shocked how many books in store we sell significantly lower than online.” Officials at The Campus Bookstore generally don’t offer prices over the phone, however – Wilson said their computer system makes pricing items difficult, and they have had stores in competition call to hear their prices. For approximate pricing and budgeting, he refers customers to the UA Bookstore Web site, which has all book prices listed, he said. “We guarantee prices are lower, but labor costs are considerably higher,” Wilson said. The Campus Bookstore also saves on labor costs by not giving out prices over the phone, he said. Wilson noted that UA faculty hold the key to lower textbook costs – the sooner they let bookstores know what books they are using, the sooner those bookstores can find low-priced used items. Still, textbooks remain a large portion of students’ costs, and they are beginning to cost more for bookstores, too, Wilson said. “Textbooks … have reached just ridiculous prices,” Wilson said.

STEPHEN IRONSIDE Staff Photographer

A student receives assistance from a bookstore employee at the UA Bookstore prior to the start of classes.

BROUGH

from Page 1A “Employees really do like interacting with students,” she said. “It makes the experience better for both them and the students.” Many students said they were pleasantly surprised when they entered the cafeteria Monday morning. “Half of it doesn’t even look different ... [but] the part they renovated looks really cool and modern,” sophomore Taylor Schultz said. “I like all the new tray things; they make the food look tastier.” Junior Erica Whitworth said she was “really surprised” about Brough’s new design. “The Brough smell is even gone,” she said. “It looks really good.”

Papa John’s to open in early September Lana Hazel

Assistant News Editor Construction on Papa John’s Pizza, located under Brough Commons, is underway, and the restaurant is set to open Sept. 8. “We polled students to see what they wanted, and pizza kept coming up,” said Kim Johnson, the marketing director for Chartwells. “It should work great with the Quizno’s.” The pizza franchise will do something a little different at this location because of the nature of a college

campus: It will sell pizza by the slice. Delivery is not going to be available, but students can call in an order for carryout, Johnson said. The hours for Papa John’s will be 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, the same schedule as the neighboring Quizno’s. The Chartwells team is also working on additional menu options for lunches at the Hill. In the Union food court, Chartwells will add a new burrito plate to the Grande Rojo and start a prepped-toorder salads and wrap station next to the Diner, Johnson said.

Page 6A | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

GREEN

from Page 1A senior English major. But Quinn said he’s not sure how hard teachers are trying to be “green� because of how much paper they often use for classes. Last year, Razorback Recycling saved 503 tons of waste from the landfill through the collection of paper, cardboard, cans and bottles, according to the sustainability report. In addition to at least 20 other recycled materials, 27 tons of vegetable oil, 7.5 tons of tires and 2.2 tons of carpet were recycled in 2008, according to the report. Other students, however, still see several ways in which the university can improve. “I haven’t noticed too much except that all of my syllabi have been in electronic form this year,� said Craig

Follmer, sophomore international marketing major. Follmer said he thought the UA could do better by placing recycling bins near all trash cans. The university has won numerous awards for green initiatives, including 27 listed awards for the School of Architecture alone. Also, in 2008 the UA became the SEC champion in the Grand Champion competition in the ten-week RecycleMania event held nationwide, according to the report. The RazorsEDGE, or Efficiently Delivering Green Energy, buildings include 56 campus structures that are undergoing or will undergo changes in the future to “reduce energy consumption,� according to the RazorsEDGE Web site. The goal is to decrease energy consumption by 30 percent, according to a recent press release. Renovations

NEWS

will take place over the next two years and enough energy will be saved to make up for the costs of the changes and construction within a 13-year time frame, according to the report. The Bruntland Commission ideals that have helped lead UA sustainability were laid out for the United Nations in 1987 when the World Commission on Environment and Development presented a report called “Our Common Future.� The report’s purpose was to increase government and general public awareness of “the imperative need for making the transition toward sustainable development,� according to the United Nation’s Web site, UN.org. Addressing environmental problems, and the human and economic activities that encourage them, is a vital part of sustainable development, according to the report.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

ASG WELCOME WEEK COOKOUT

LARRY ASH Staff Photographer

Patrick Moroney from the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement cooks hundreds of hot dogs at the ASG Cookout on the Union Mall Monday.

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a commitment to salary, you expect that (the faculty receiving that salary) are going to be with you for more than just one year.� In other words, new hires or raises backed by one-time revenues just don’t make sense. The state, however, mandated a raise to support staff members - like facilities management employees and secretaries - and the university did comply with that mandate - although not to the degree Pederson would have liked, he said. Fortunately for students, though, the university’s financial pennypenching should not substantially alter the number and variety of oncampus opportunities. “To the extent that there are no changes to the fixed costs of any particular unit - any program that students have through the student government, for example - students should be able to benefit from the same programming as they did last year,� Pederson said. That statement doesn’t neces-

sarily extend to classes, though, because preliminary enrollment counts indicate that there are more students at the university than ever before - and the same can’t be said of faculty. Students would rather risk a seat in a class or two than pay higher tuition rates, though, they said. “Not raising tuition is the one good thing I’ve seen the university do in four years,� said senior biology major Rebecca Tryon. Senior psychology major Catherine Breland agrees. “Not raising tuition was a statement to say administrators are keeping student finances in mind,� Breland said. Stacey Hall, deputy spokesperson for Governor Beebe, also commended the administration for its decision not to raise tuition. “Chancellor Gearhart and the Board of Trustees have done an excellent job of living within their means without sacrificing the quality of education and services available to students,� Hall said.

NEWS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

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NEWS

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

ASG launches new Web site, expands external relations Kimber Wenzelburger Managing Editor

Through the launch of a new, interactive Web site and the revival of a position that takes student voices to the city level, the UA Associated Student Government is working to enhance representation and better connect with students, ASG members said. “You hear a lot that the ASG is not representative, so our No. 1 goal this year is really to up the representative factor,� said Tammy Lippert, chair of the ASG senate. “That’s exactly what our purpose is, and we have a lot of potential to improve there.� To encourage the kind of student feedback that will enable them to represent students more effectively, ASG executives redesigned the organization’s Web site, ASG.uark.edu. The revamped site, which launched last weekend, allows students to comment on campus issues, said secretary Geoff Storm, who helped develop the new site. “That’s going to be one of the

best parts about it,� Storm said. “If we have an issue, all of that can be commented on right on the Web site.� The site will also eventually include links to agendas, minutes, legislation and the UA 52, a document touted by ASG President Mattie Bookhout and Vice President Andrew LeNarz during their run for office last semester. According to Bookhout and LeNarz’s platform, the UA 52 will increase transparency and accountability by outlining a plan to achieve the executives’ goals and by measuring their weekly progress. At the time of publication, the document wasn’t yet available on the new Web site. ASG executives are also considering their representation of those students who don’t live on campus, and law student Cody Kees will serve as this year’s ASG director of external relations and the voice of off-campus students. “The marching order I’ve been given is to build relations with external players, particularly the city of Fayetteville and other

(Arkansas) university student governments,â€? Kees said. “What we’re trying to do is have a presence in the community, which is something that, to my knowledge, we haven’t really been strong in in the past.â€? Kees’ work began this summer when he helped guide an effort to write letters to Fayetteville officials after a city rezoning issue led some residents to complain that students weren’t adequate neighbors. “There were just some really poor things said about university students ‌ but you can’t really stereotype students like that,â€? Kees said. “We’re saying, listen, we’re a huge economic leg of this community, and it’d be great if you could kind of respect us for that.â€? Kees will continue his work with the city as student-related issues emerge, and he’ll also consult with other student governments in Arkansas if they want to join forces on state-level policies, he said.

ASG Senate Elections The ASG will kick off the semester with senate elections Wednesday, Sept. 9, through Friday, Sept. 11. Applications are available in the ASG office on the fifth floor of the Arkansas Union, and candidates must attend an orientation session either on Sept. 2, Sept. 3 or Sept. 4 and turn in their application by noon Sept. 4. Contact Tammy Lippert, senate chair, at asgsen@uark.edu for more information, and read next week’s Traveler to find out more about the ASG senate.

ASG Executives Mattie Bookhout President asgpres@uark.edu

Geoff Storm Secretary asgsec@uark.edu

Tammy Lippert Senate Chair asgsen@uark.edu

Andrew LeNarz Vice President asgvp@uark.edu

David Brophey Treasurer asgres@uark.edu

Erica Harmon Chief of Staff asgcab1@uark.edu

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SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Opener Nearing Hogs enter final week of preparation for Missouri State. Next Wednesday in Sports

Page 1B|WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

Sports Editor: Matt Watson | Assistant Sports Editor: Harold McIlvain II

Did you know? Bobby Petrino has the seventhhighest career winning percentage among active NCAA coaches

Phone: 575.7051 | E-mail: travsprt@uark.edu

FOOTBALL

Razorbacks manning the line Jimmy Carter

Assistant Sports Editor When discussing the Arkansas offensive line’s performance in 2008, the numbers 43 and 118 tell the story. The first number is the amount of sacks that Arkansas’ offense allowed in 2008. The second number is the team’s national ranking, out of 119 teams, in sacks allowed per game. The Hogs figure to need both numbers to be much lower in 2009 to improve on their 7-5 record and 21.9 points per contest a year ago. With a returning cast of playmakers at running back and receiver and the addition of strong-armed gunslinger Ryan Mallett at quarterback, the offensive line will likely determine whether the Razorbacks offense sizzles or sputters. “(The offensive line is) bringing up the rear end; we’ve got to bring all our stuff,” Arkansas senior guard Mitch Petrus said. “The quarterbacks, receivers and running backs, D.J. Williams at tight end, they’re there. We’re the ones holding us back. If we don’t give up as many sacks, we’re going to be good. “We’re holding up our end of the bargain, because we know they’re going to (hold up their end). It’s a personal pride issue.” The return of Petrus should pay dividends in the upcoming season. After sitting out the 2008 season, the senior will start at strong guard and is one of the strongest players on the squad. “The experience is something that will really help us,” Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino said. “The fact that he’s been out there, he’s played SEC games, he knows the speed of the game. He’s a very physical player. He’s the strongest guy on our team, probably. “He’s very, very motivated. He wasn’t able to play last year. It actually ended up being a benefit to everybody, although a year ago at this time I didn’t

JONATHAN GIBSON Staff Photographer

The Arkansas offensive line was second to last in the country in sacks allowed per game, with the Razorback quarterback taken down 43 times in a dozen games.

feel that way. He’s in a position now where he’s going to get his degree.” Petrus will be joined on the strong side of the Razorback offensive line by junior tackle DeMarcus Love. Love was moved to tackle after playing 11 games, including eight starts, at strong tackle. “DeMarcus Love is a guy that’s going to play real well at tackle,” Petrino said. “It’s the position that he should be playing. He’s very athletic and he can get out and run.” Love and Petrus create a strong

run-blocking tandem for the Hogs and provide experience and maturity for an offensive line that will be looking to replace graduated Rimington Awardwinning center Jonathan Luigs. “I really feel comfortable with Petrus and ‘D’ Love playing right next to each other,” Petrino said. “They’re getting to know each other well. They’ve really helped us in the running game. Both of them play with great effort and toughness, and that helps us a lot.” Love went through the adjustment of facing faster, more agile defensive

ends after making the move outside to tackle, but he feels like he’s up to speed and comfortable at his new position. “It’s just being able to adjust,” Love said. “I played offensive tackle in high school before but nothing like on the college level. I had to work on my pass (blocking). With defensive ends, you have to worry about them making so many moves and using speed and coming inside you. “You have to have really good feet. That’s one thing I’ve always worked on is my footwork this summer.”

FOOTBALL

Offensive line coach Mike Summers said the line has displayed an improved attitude and understanding of the offensive system in fall practice. “We’ve got a better understanding of what we’re trying to do, which allows us to play faster,” Summers said. “I’m encouraged that we have a better attitude and a more cohesive attitude than we had last year.” Sophomore Seth Oxner and junior Wade Grayson entered fall camp in a battle to replace Luigs at center. Grayson held the edge following spring practice, but Oxner overtook the Harrison, Ark., product during summer workouts and hasn’t looked back. “At center we still have a lot of competition,” Petrino said. “Grayson is just itching to get more guard work. Last scrimmage he had to play a lot of guard because of the injury, and he played it very well. But we’re keeping him at center right now, understanding that he will definitely play some at guard. There’s no question about that.” The battle at center is indicative of the depth the Razorbacks have stockpiled on the offensive line, a far cry from 2008 when then-true freshman Matt Hall was forced to practice with the second team and travel to games in case injury forced him into action. “We have much more depth there,” Petrino said. “We can actually line up three-deep now, which is really good. I think our offensive line is getting better. I think they’ve improved in the last week.” Sophomore weak tackle Grant Freeman has impressed coaches after moving into the starting weak tackle spot, following an injury to junior Ray Dominguez. “On the weakside tackle we’ve had some injury problems with Dominguez,” Petrino said. “Freeman’s See

O-LINE on Page 3B

VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Newcomers provide depth, talent to secondary Matt Watson Sports Editor

The Southeastern Conference keeps a statistic called “pass defense efficiency,” and it’s not one that measured Arkansas favorably in 2008. The Razorbacks ranked 12th out of 12 SEC teams last season in pass defense efficiency, giving up more passing touchdowns (22) than any other team in the conference. It’s not like the Hogs’ run defense fared much better – it surrendered 20 yards more per game than the second-worst SEC rushing defense. Arkansas allowed 375 yards of total offense per game to opposing teams a year ago, by far the poorest mark in the league. The Razorback secondary lacked depth even before being depleted by injuries in 2008, and a preseason injury has already cost Arkansas starting cornerback Isaac Madison for 2009. But the return of injured players from last season and new additions

to the roster have bolstered the defensive backs unit for this season and beyond. The question for ’09 isn’t where the help will come from, but how soon the cavalry will arrive. The Hogs recruited four defensive backs with a chance to contribute immediately: two highly touted freshmen and two juniorcollege transfers with big-time experience. True freshmen Darius Winston and David Gordon could figure into the cornerback rotation behind Ramon Broadway and Greg Gatson. Rudell Crim, a junior transfer from Butler County Community College (Kan.), will also try to help fill the void left by Madison’s season-ending injury and the departure of last year’s other starting corner, Jamar Love, to the NFL. Anthony Leon, whose path to Arkansas included stops at Florida State and the College of the Sequoias, will be counted on for help at safety. “We’re working to play these kids up until that first game (against Missouri State) until we figure out where we are depthwise

and healthwise. They have to be figured into the game plan,” Razorback defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “We haven’t approached them with what they are going to do or where they are going to be or what the plan is with them. We continue to see how far and how fast they have come along.” Winston is a five-star recruit from West Helena; Gordon ran the fastest 200-meter time in the country by a high school senior last year, doubling in track and football at East Central HS (Tulsa, Okla.); and Crim won two national championships at Butler County. All three will figure into the mix of inexperienced cornerbacks – Broadway has six career starts in two years, while Gatson, a red-shirt sophomore, didn’t record any statistics his freshman season. Leon played for FSU coach Bobby Bowden, who is second on the NCAA career See

SECONDARY on Page 3B

Young volleyball team looks to improve defense Harold McIlvain II

Assistant Sports Editor When it was announced the Arkansas Razorback volleyball team was predicated to finish fifth in its division, second-year volleyball head coach Robert Pulliza wasn’t surprised. Pulliza said it was to be expected with such a young roster heading into the season this weekend at the Texas Christian Invitational. “Any time you have a roster in which 10 of the 12 studentathletes are freshmen or sophomores, it’s going to reflect in preseason rankings,” Pulliza said. But despite the low ranking, Pulliza said it was good to see where others around the conference feel the team is at right now. “It’s always good to know what your opposition’s thoughts are about your team before the season gets underway,” Pulliza said. “But ultimately, preseason rankings don’t mean anything.” And that is even truer for Pulliza and the Razorbacks, who See

VOLLEYBALL on Page 4B

COMMENTARY

Predicting the football future, game by game It’s that time of year again. School’s starting, sororities have rushed and you’re back on the Hill, contributing to both you and your parents’ delight. Oh, and the Razorbacks are less than two weeks from kicking off the 2009 football season. So what’s more appropriate than a game-by-game breakdown of how the Hogs will fare in 2009? Not much, since I made up my mind to write about Arkansas this week (you’re lucky, Brett Favre). So without further ado, here are my game-by-game picks for the ’09 Arkansas football campaign. Mark them down. Sept. 5 vs. Missouri State (Little Rock) Last year, Arkansas squeaked past Division II heavyweight Western Illinois, 28-24. If the Razorbacks only post 28 points this year, it’s because Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson catch swine flu. The Arkansas offense showcases its big-play ability and depth at the skill positions, while allowing the newly dubbed “Red Swarm” defense a chance to work out the kinks before entering SEC action.

Extra Points

JIMMY CARTER jicarter@uark.edu

Arkansas 41, Missouri State 20 Sept. 19 vs. Georgia Everyone is pointing out that the Bulldogs lost star running back Knowshon Moreno and No.1 draft pick Matthew Stafford to the NFL, seemingly reasoning that the ‘Dawgs lost all their talent with the two. Newsflash: Georgia is still Georgia. The Razorback Stadium crowd will be rocking for the Razorbacks’ ESPN-televised home opener, but the Bulldogs are still more talented and deeper than the Hogs. The Mallett-led offense moves the ball effectively, but ultimately can’t keep

the pace as the Bulldogs shred Arkansas’ defense. Georgia 35, Arkansas 24 Sept. 26 at Alabama Things don’t get easier as the Hogs head to Tuscaloosa to take on Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. The Alabama offense, lead by first-year starter Greg McElroy, will be greatly aided by their stellar defense. The middle of the defense is anchored by monstrous nose guard Terrance Cody (6-5, 365) and the starting linebackers average out to 6-foot-4, 244 pounds. Ultimately, Alabama is just too big and strong for the Razorbacks, though the Hogs don’t go down without a fight. Alabama 27, Arkansas 17 Oct. 3 vs. Texas A&M (Arlington) The Razorbacks renew their old Southwest Conference rivalry with the Aggies in the aptly named Southwest Classic in the Dallas Cowboys new $1.15 billion stadium. The Aggies are in a similar situation as Arkansas. They are entering their second

season under an ex-NFL head coach and are still in rebuilding mode. The Razorbacks appear to be the farther along of the two programs, but not by much. Arkansas 34, Texas A&M 20 Oct. 10 vs. Auburn The Hogs 25-22 win on the plains last year was one of the biggest victories of the season, despite it coming against an Auburn team mired in mediocrity in Tommy Tuberville’s final season as the Tigers head coach. This year Arkansas faces an Auburn team with uncertainty on an offense run by new coordinator Gus Malzahn. The Hogs capitalize and improve to 2-0 against their former coordinator in as many years. Arkansas 27, Auburn 16 Oct. 17 at Florida The Razorbacks face the season’s most daunting task in this mid-season trip to Gainesville. The Florida defense returns 21 of the 22 players listed on the 2008 two-deep that held mighty Oklahoma to 14 points in the national championship.

And the Gators return Tim Tebow, the true definition of an American hero (I’d tell Favre to take notes, but I fear it’s already too late for No. 4). I’ll admit I was among the students who cheered for No. 15 when he descended into Razorback Stadium for warm-ups last October. Simply put, the Gators are better than Arkansas in every phase of the game right now. There’s never a doubt about the outcome in this contest. Florida 48, Arkansas 17 Oct. 24 at Ole Miss Heading into the 2009 season, Houston Nutt has stockpiled NFL talent and a solid coaching staff as the Rebels attempt to make the jump into the upper echelon of SEC programs. Junior quarterback Jevan Snead is regarded by many as the top NFL prospect at his position in the SEC and he has too many threats to utilize for the Hogs defense to slow Ole Miss down on the road. Ole Miss 31, Arkansas 20 See

CARTER on Page 3B

SPORTS

One-on-One

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

Page 2B | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

with a Razorback

Junior tight end D.J. Williams took a few questions from Traveler sports editor Matt Watson to talk about the upcoming season. Williams led the team with 61 receptions and 723 yards last season and has been named to the 2009 watch list for the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. What’s it like to be the focal point of the opposing team’s defensive scheme, now that everyone has seen what you can do on the football field? It’s a good and bad thing, because one, I won’t be a secret like I was at the beginning of last year, but the good thing is it will open up other players on the team and make everyone better.

What have you seen from the rest of the receiving corps since last year that will cause trouble for opposing defenses and take some pressure off you? These teams will find out quick, I already told Joe (Adams) and J-Wright ( Jarius Wright), the new nickname I have for them is Barnum and Bailey, because they’re going to be the greatest show on turf. These two guys – Joe is Mr. Allusive and J-Wright has all the speed – they’re going to be a great one-two punch in the SEC. You’re going to hear a lot about them this year. What’s one thing you want to change this season compared to last season? After every game, when I watch film, I hope I never want to go back and do another play over again. I want to be conditioned to go every play my hardest. What’s the best food you’ve ever eaten? Filet mignon, medium rare, with the bacon wrapped around it. What kind of car do you drive? An Infiniti ... but you can put Rolls Royce on there. What plays on your phone when someone calls you? Just a business ring tone. I mean business.

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Who’s the bigger star in Arkansas: D.J. Williams or Kris Allen? Well, it’s got to be Kris Allen. But I did have a class with his wife, and I told her I want to be in a concert with him and play the piano while he sings. I’ve been playing for five or six years now, so I can learn one of his songs and we can start a band. If there was a band of just players from the team, who else would make up the band? Reggie Fish is the up-and-coming rapper on the team. Ray Dominguez and Malcolm Sheppard both have a good voice. I’m just the instrument. I’d make the beat come to life.

FILE PHOTO

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

SPORTS

SECONDARY from Page 1B

JONATHAN GIBSON Staff Photographer

Junior transfer Anthony Leon (left) works on jamming techniques in practice Tuesday. Leon hopes to contribute to the safety rotation this season.

he’s going to be an exceptional player here before it’s over with. “The young (Anthony) Oden kid’s going to be a good player someday. He’s just got to get it all figured out.” Bailey has a combination of size and agility that may put him in a similar position to Hall’s in 2008. “To be as big as he is and as strong as he is and to be able to move like he does at 17 years old would catch anybody’s eye,” Summers said. “He’s an amazing athlete. He just needs the experience now to be able to

compete. The gap for him is a lot shorter because of his physical ability.” For the Razorbacks’ offensive line, the goal for the 2009 season is simple: be physical and keep the quarterback clean. “We made a pact this year to not get our quarterback touched,” Grayson said. “We’re going to keep him clean this year and not give up near as many sacks. As well, we’re going to try to run the ball a lot more and be more dominant at that and be a more physical, dominant force.”

Oct. 31 vs. Eastern Michigan (Homecoming) After facing BCS opponents in six of their first seven games, the Hogs get a much-needed nonconference breather in the first of four consecutive home dates as the Eagles play the role of homecoming fodder. The ensuing rout gives Petrino career college win No. 50. Arkansas 48, Eastern Michigan 13

fensive starters from an 8-5 2008 campaign and are no stranger to playing, and beating, big-name BCS schools. If the Trojans’ past wins over BCS schools aren’t enough motivation, Troy coach Larry Blakeney recently stated that his squad would upend the Razorbacks. A focused, fired-up Razorback team punches its postseason ticket and denies the Trojans another notch on their BCS victim belt with a solid nonconference victory on Senior Day. Arkansas 31, Troy 16

Nov. 7 vs. South Carolina The Gamecocks handled the Razorbacks 34-21 in Columbia last season and this game will provide one of the most evenly matched contests of the year for both teams. The Hogs ultimately make more plays down the stretch and contribute to Steve Spurrier’s less-than-stellar November record at South Carolina. Arkansas 34, South Carolina 31

Nov. 21 vs. Mississippi State (Little Rock) The Hogs play their second and final Little Rock date against a new-look Mississippi State squad led by former Florida offensive coordinator and first-year coach Dan Mullen. Arkansas racks up their fourth consecutive win and avenges last season’s last second 31-28 loss in Starkville. Arkansas 27, Mississippi State 10

moves to Saturday for the first time since the Hogs 1995 SEC Western Division championship campaign. For this contest, the Razorbacks are the ones providing the bulletin board material. Arkansas senior wide receiver Reggie Fish released a rap song titled “I Ball” over the summer in which he boldly declared that the Hogs would hold onto the boot for a third consecutive season. Rap aside, LSU has too many playmakers on offense and new defensive coordinator John Chavis will spark a resurgence in the LSU defense. LSU 38, Arkansas 17

O-LINE

from Page 1B improved a lot. He’s much stronger and playing with more confidence.” Despite the depth, the Hogs have two freshman offensive linemen that have vied for early playing time in guard Alvin Bailey and tackle Anthony Oden. “The young Alvin Bailey, freshman, is going to be a great player,” Petrino said. “The biggest decision for us on him is going to be, ‘Do we try to redshirt him or play him?’ Because

CARTER

from Page 1B

Nov. 14 vs. Troy The Trojans return eight of-

Nov. 28 at LSU The “Battle for the Boot”

There you have it. Their 7-5 record, 3-5 in conference, will send the Hogs to a bowl game and signify a solid step in the right direction of Petrino program heading into a potentially big 2010 season. Jimmy Carter is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every other Wednesday.

wins list behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno. He will see time with starting safeties Matt Harris and Tramain Thomas, along with Elton Ford and converted cornerback Jerell Norton, both of whom missed significant time last year because of injuries. “It is extremely important, the fact that you have Anthony Leon who is a two-year guy and Rudell Crim, both highly rated players at their positions. We didn’t bring them in here to be back-ups,” Robinson said. The problem for all four newcomers, Robinson said, is conditioning, staying healthy and learning the Razorback defensive scheme. “I feel good about (being

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 | Page 3B able to contribute immediately). I want to go out there and make plays and force turnovers for the team and make the defensive backs into a strongpoint for the defense,” Leon said. “(Playing at Florida State) is going to help me a lot. I learned all the plays and their system – there’s just different terminology here. I have to learn the checks at the safety position and be like the quarterback of the defense.” Leon spent the summer taking a full slate of classes and has been behind getting into shape and learning the playbook. Crim said his biggest problems have been reinforcing his fundamentals and learning the system, too. “These (returning) guys understand the system already. With me coming in and playing corner or safety or nickel or anywhere, with those guys

helping me learn the system, I feel like I can come in immediately and help the defense as much as possible,” Crim said. But the thing holding back all of the newcomers so far has been health concerns. Crim and Leon have both missed practices this fall, and Robinson said they need to figure out ways to stay on the field. “We have said it before, they have to know the difference between pain and injury. Continue to push themselves. We brought those kids in to play for us and to start. They are very talented young men,” Robinson said. The Razorback secondary doesn’t seem to be lacking talent for 2009, but it’s getting the talent on the field that will be the challenge for Robinson’s defense.

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SPORTS

Page 4B | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 FOOTBALL

Winston impresses after late start Harold McIlvain II

Assistant Sports Editor Sitting in a small office, Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino couldn’t help but notice a theme while viewing a recruiting tape. He watched as No. 23 kept making plays on the film that wasn’t suppose to even showcase that player’s talent. Although the film wasn’t submitted to show the skill of freshman Darius Winston while at high school, it made a great impression on Petrino. “We were trying to find somebody on the video and all the sudden (Winston) keeps popping up,� Petrino said. “I said, ‘Who are we looking at? Find the number.’ Obviously, we weren’t looking at (Winston), but he kept popping up.� The performance sparked Petrino to learn even more about the West Helena, Ark., native, who fielded more than 25 scholarship offers and was ranked by many publications to be a top-five cornerback in the nation. But it took Winston a little more time to show that same talent after being cleared to play for Arkansas later than the majority of the other incoming freshmen. “It’s been a tough, tough summer,� Winston said. “I’m still getting accustomed to college. It’s a brand new thing for me.� And so is the playbook. “It’s been pretty tough,� Winston said of learning the playbook. “The one thing that makes it easier is studying and paying attention in meetings. That’s the only way to make it easier other than a lot of studying. I’m like a year behind from these guys around here in the secondary.� But it is that ability to learn from and take advantage of the secondary meetings that has impressed defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. “Darius has done a tremendous job,� Robinson said. “When we are sitting in our meetings I always try to get continuous feedback from them so I ask them about alignments and assignments. He doesn’t (pause) after my

question. He can respond.� Robinson said he isn’t surprised by it, but he does appreciate Winston and the effort to learn the defense in such a small time frame. “In my mind’s eye he is studying the game, and he is taking notes,� Robinson said. “I think that as long as those kids continue to do that and not just watch themselves in practice but watch their position, they understand the position better.� Although Winston might make mistakes while at practice, Robinson said the effort is always there from Winston. “The thing that Darius is doing is he is going full speed,� Robinson said. “At least he makes mistakes at full speed.� Winston said the more experienced cornerbacks around him have helped with the playbook and have shared experiences from the Southeastern Conference. “It’s been pretty good working with guys that have been here already,� Winston said. “They have the experience against the best in the SEC.� Despite allowing 22 touchdowns from the air last year, the most in the conference, Winston said the secondary unit has shown improvements. “They are playing like a much improved secondary,� Winston said. “It just seems like every day the secondary comes out with an intensity and confidence to try to shut down the receivers. I just try to go out there and do my part.� And with that receiver core accounting for the second most yards per game in the SEC with 259.6 last year, Winston said he feels he is going against great competition. “Competing against those talented receivers is making me a better player,� Winston said. “I feel they are the best receiving core in the SEC.� Although Petrino won’t see Winston in the jersey number of 23 this year, as it was taken, Petrino still does hope Winston can show the talent he displayed on that video while at Arkansas.

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

VOLLEYBALL from Page 1B

feel positive about making improvements from last year’s 7-23 record, especially on the defensive side. “We are certainly a better defensive team,� Pulliza said. “That comes along with being organized. We have some athletes that can hit the ball. But we just have to put our players in position to execute.� Pulliza said the team wants to turn the defensive stats in the Southeastern Conference around after finishing near the bottom last year. “I think we are pretty good,� Pulliza said. “But I think we can be better. When we looked at goals, we want to be top-five when it comes to defensive statistic in the SEC. That just tells us how much we want to pride ourselves on the defensive end.� Pulliza said the team now understands what is being asked of them with a year under the new system. “Everyone knows what the expectations are,� Pulliza said. “No one is surprised now. That is what is great about

this group. They are not shying away from the ability to be great.� But with six true freshmen on the roster, the two seniors will have to step up for the Razorbacks, Pulliza said. After improving in nearly every statistical category last year, senior Lindsay Scanlan, who ranked ninth in the conference with 6.58 assists per game, will again help set up the offense. “We are looking to our seniors for leadership. Scanlan is our returning setter, which is like our quarterback,� Pulliza said. “Our offense will go as far as the quarterback goes. We are looking for her to show us the way.� Pulliza said senior Kristin Seaton, who was a part-time starter for the Razorbacks, will look to manage matches for the younger squad. “Seaton will be in the lineup and play a big part for us,� Pulliza said. “She will lead by example. We are looking for her to help people in the right direction.� But Pulliza said it will be a team effort to improve from last year. “Everyone needs to make a big impact,� Pulliza said. “We

can start four freshmen in our first match, so all of them have to be ready to go. We have pretty much every athlete ready to play in our rotation. Everyone is going to need to step up.� Pulliza said the expectations have changed, and the team is all right with being held to a higher standard, especially with practice. “With having so many newcomers, we really needed to take advantage of practice every day,� Pulliza said. “We felt the kids were ready to go. And that was good to see. A team usually doesn’t practice as much as we did.� And with so many new players, Pulliza said team unity was a big focus during the offseason. “A lot of things come down to improving with unity,� Pulliza said. “It just comes down to that. When we play, we want to be organized early.� But now Pulliza and the team are waiting for the results. After playing TCU, Loyola Marymount and Grambling State this weekend, Arkansas will host its first home game of the season Tuesday against Texas-Arlington.

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BLISS | Harry Bliss

Featuring

WEDNESDAY’S SOLUTION

LIFESTYLES THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER

Fun Ways to stay fit! Jazzercise, Zoomba and more! Wednesday in Lifestyles.

Phone: 575.7540 | E-mail: travlife@uark.edu Lifestyles Editor: Brian Washburn | Assistant Lifestyles Editor: Lindsey Pruitt

CATCH A LAUGH THIS WEEKEND WITH CHICAGO COMEDIANS Brian Washburn Lifestyles Editor

Seth Weitberg

COURTESY PHOTO

UA students might find themselves in stitches this weekend, courtesy of Chicago’s The Second City comedy troupe, whose members will be performing their improvised sketches at the Walton Arts Center 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. And though the six comedians performing at the WAC are largely unknown to UA students, with The Second City’s track record, they won’t remain underground for much longer. The Second City, founded in Chicago in 1959, is embarking on its 50th anniversary tour and has become a training ground for some of comedy’s best and brightest. Notable Second City alumni include John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, John Candy, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina

Fey and many others who have thrived in the comedy world. But the six comics performing at the WAC this weekend – Brook Bagnall, Abby McEnany, Rachel Miller, Sam Richardson and Seth Weitberg – are just beginning their climb up the comedy ladder. “It’s a joy (working for The Second City),” Weitberg said. “We get to travel the country, make people laugh and sleep in hotels where people fold the end of the toilet paper into a triangle whenever you leave.” The phrase “all joking aside” might not apply to The Second City troupe, but the topics they address might not seem like joke material at face value. Political and social satire, everyday relationships and figuring out who runs this country are all fair game, Weitberg said. See

COMEDIANS on Page 9B

e t o o u ft Q

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 |Page 7B

Spencer Pratt... because no one cares.

4. Picking up The

Traveler only for the crossword...

A Maple Street Mishap

Life with Lindsey

LINDSEY PRUITT lpruitt@uark.edu

It’s a sunny day on campus. The Chi Omega Greek Theater welcomes hundreds of anxious girls, who join screaming sorority sisters in themed T-shirts carrying brightly colored balloons. The girls hold their white envelopes tightly, as if they might burn a hole through them with their sweating, shaking fingers. Some girls will conveniently place themselves near the

sorority of their choice in the hope that when they rip open their envelopes they will be overjoyed. Others will put themselves near the back, unsure of what awaits them within the white envelope and ready for a tearful escape if need be. Bid Day. Some see it as a new beginning, an opportunity to gain a close-knit group of friends to help them through the trials and tribulations of college life. And some see it as the beginning of a conformist lifestyle, a trendy college mistake that leaves girls putting their hopes and dreams in the hands of superficial upperclassmen with unclear intentions. Whatever the opinion on the subject, Bid Day can either make or break these girls and they know it, so standing shoulder to shoulder awaiting their

cue to open their envelopes leaves them more than anxious, more than insecure, more than afraid. And then it happens. From a distance, there is an explosion of cheering and excitement as the lucky ones are delighted with their bids and sprint to their welcoming sisters, who place a T-shirt over their heads and lead them back to their houses. But from the inside, in between the pleased are the tormented, those who must wear a smile through their heartbreak, lie and say their tears are from joy, and be forced to walk past the sorority of their choice and into the one they turned down. Rejection. It’s not an easy thing for any girl to endure, and it hurts everybody, no matter how or where it happens. I have a close friend who

was among the rejected on Bid Day. She put on the mask of excitement over her tears and anguish only to release the fury later that night in her dorm room. Rejection is a very delicate emotion, especially in front of hundreds of girls cheering in delight. The night before she was at the house of her dreams being told how excited that house was to see her on Bid Day and how much she would fit into that particular crowd of girls. Hours later, all of that was ripped out from under her and she found herself in a sorority that she didn’t like, didn’t want and couldn’t see herself in. What’s important to recognize is that this sort of rejection is not so different from being rejected for a job, rejected from a position See

because that’s one of the only parts we don’t have a hand in, and it hurts.

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because Bret Mi chaels sucked in the ‘80s and he sucks now and because, what time is it? Time for Flavor Flav to retire.

Check Traveler Top 5 next week for weird illness remedies.

MISHAP on Page 10B

Hardaway and the Commoners unleash new organic hip hop Brian Washburn Lifestyles Editor

Organic Hip Hop. Not many artists can have that term attributed to their musical abilities and sounds. While rap and hip hop artists today are perfecting their techno beats with computers and other synthesizers, Fayetteville’s Hardaway and the

Commoners are keeping the hip hop genre fresh with live instrumentation and give listeners a different perspective on the music they perform. And with their new record “Off the Records,” Hardaway and his backing band look to take their self-proclaimed “Certified Organic Hip Hop” to the masses. The group -- vocalist Hard-

away, guitarists Will Collins, bassist Dan Hicks, drummer Brad Haj and Saxophonist Barrett Barker – will unleash their album at George’s majestic Lounge this week when they take the stage Saturday night with The One-Ups and Grooverment. But while this is a show to promote the CD release, the band thrives off their live perfor-

mances. “We put a lot of effort into making our performance memorable for everybody in attendance,” Collins said. “Hardaway and the Commoners is essentially a group of musicians who have been playing improvisational music for many, many years and, although we like our shows polished and structured,

we also love to take a tangent when it’s called for.” Improvising shows as well as the raw feel of the instruments sets the band apart from many acts today, specifically around the NWA area. While this comes from the band’s influences, it also comes from their experiences as musicians. “We all have many differ-

ent influences and I think that is what makes this band so interesting. As a band we listen to everything from Charlie Parker and Shuggie Otis to Erykah Badu and Lupe Fiasco,” Collins said. “Our experience as musicians and our range of instrumentation allows us to cater to a much See

HIP HOP on Page 8B

Page 8B | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

LIFESTYLES

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

‘Earth to Moon’ showcases photographer’s natural essence

STEPHEN IRONSIDE Staff Photographer

Erin Robertson

Contributing Writer

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UA Professor Michael Peven has been taking photos for 41 years. Though photography is not his original artistic focus, his new exhibit in the UA Fine Arts Center Gallery exemplifies the refinement of his craft and the reaffirmation of his creative pursuits. In 1968, Peven was a design student at the University of Illinois. While taking pictures of examples of architecture for a class, it was the photography that offered more excitement than his original area of study. Though Peven continued in his pursuit of his original undergraduate degree, he kept his excitement for photography alive on the side by learning to develop his own film in a tiny closet darkroom he built with the help of his father. Soon, taking pictures took full prominence. After graduating, Peven worked professionally in a commercial studio before returning to school to gain his MFA in photography at the Art Institute of Chicago. Peven has been a part of the University of Arkansas Fine Arts program ever since, and, for the 32 years he has been in Fayetteville, he has witnessed many changes within the academic system, as well as within his field. One of the largest advances in photography is the switch from film to digital: he still uses his first camera (a 35mm Leica M3) but his current exhibit was shot entirely with a Panasonic Lumix 10 MP “point-and-shoot� camera. The colors are surprisingly vivid and the light patterns complex, all of which was accomplished without digitally retouching any of the photographs. The philosophy of “From the Earth to the Moon� shows the return to old ideas gathered throughout Peven’s career. One of the greatest muses for the exhibition was the idea of “significant presentation� proposed by Edward Weston (American photographer, 1886-1958). As an artist, he was interested in showing the “life rhythms� of an object. “Weston’s work is very emotional. I don’t know if I would call my work emotional, but it does try to get to the essence of the object, whether it’s a blade

of grass ‌ or a dead mushroom growing in my yard,â€? Peven said. “I really want to present it in a way that not only just describes it but allows the viewer to understand its essence.â€? The exhibit begins with daylight shots of found objects and progresses into eerie fog pictures until its conclusion with night shots. The night photography had particular significance to the entire exhibit. “(The night photography) is where it all started,â€? Peven said. “(Blue Obelisk) was actually taken last December at a friend’s house. I was babysitting their dogs and went out with the camera after an evening walk and took that picture of this sculpture he has in his yard. And since then I’ve been out taking pictures at night for every (full) moon.â€? The consistency of the full moon in every night shot is another persistent theme in Peven’s exhibit. “It’s kind of like (1990’s Japanese artist) Hokusai’s 100 views of Mt. Fuji. Mt. Fuji isn’t necessarily the subject of those 100 views, but it appears in the 100 views somewhere or another,â€? he said. “And it’s the same thing with these pictures of the moon: The moon is there, not necessarily the subject of the photograph, but it is there in all of them.â€? However, Peven returns to Weston as his main influence. “When you look at his work you can see it. He would take pictures of rocks or vegetables or nudes or sand dunes. When you’d look at them you’d see the same thing in all of them. A (photo of a) dead pelican has the same vibrancy as a sculpted sand dune.â€? Peven’s artistic prowess is obviously a source of personal pleasure: this is not only his job, but also his passion. He speaks as a man drawn to an art form that is effusive and ever-changing, and who enjoys the challenge of adapting with the ebb and flow. “Everything is beautiful. People say it’s the photographer’s job to bring that (beauty) out, but it’s not always the photographer’s job; sometimes it’s to show people how ugly things are‌war, famine‌ But there’s beauty all around. It’s right at your feet,â€? he said.

HIP HOP

from Page 7B larger audience. Hip hop with a band is just something you don’t see very often and it still holds that certain authenticity reminiscent of the glory days when samples were cut straight from vinyl records.� Hardaway and the Commoner’s unique blend of music also catches audiences who don’t usually listen to hip hop off guard. With “Off the Record,� the group looks to catch more audiences off guard throughout the Midwest in 2009 when they promote the record – a record written mostly with improvised musicianship and lyricism. While new Hardaway songs usually start with a guitar riff or a melody, the band tries different transitions and put the rest of the instrumentation together piece by piece. When the band is putting their pieces together Hardaway is in the corner “getting excited and typing lyrics like a madman on his laptop,� Collins said. “On days like these, our creation process is completely spontaneous. [Hardaway] feeds off of our energy as a band and we structure the verses and choruses around what he has come up with for the tour,� he said. The energy and spontaneous improvision is what seems to have Hardaway and the Commoners getting fans to come back to shows across the area. While they have garnered a following in Northwest Arkansas, reaching the nation’s ears is going to take hard work and dedication, which Hardaway and the Commoners are willing to do. “We all have aspirations of making a steady living doing what we love to do,� Collins said. “Needless to say, this takes a lot of dedication, practice and discipline, but has been a top priority with this project and in our personal lives.�

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

COMEDIANS

LIFESTYLES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009 | Page 9B

Check Us Out @ UATrav.com

from Page 7B

COURTESY PHOTO

Back row, L to R: Abby McEnany, *Jesse Case, *Steve Waltien (*Jesse & Steve are not appearing in this tour) Front row, L to R: Seth Weitberg, Brooke Bagnall, Sam Richardson

And for Weitberg, the road to The Second City took much hard work and a lot of dedication. “I moved to Chicago after graduating from college because I wanted to work for The Second City, but it was two and a half years of hard work before I actually got a job offer,� Weitberg said. “During that time, I was studying in classes, putting up my own shows, doing lots of improvisation and working in all areas to improve. My first job with them was a show called ‘Jewsical The Musical,’ and I was hired as an understudy for the Touring Company after that.� Hard work at The Second City seems to pay off in the end, especially considering

the long list of accomplished alumni gracing TV and movie screens around the nation. And though some might assume being a part of a group with famous alumni could put pressure on the new performers, Weitberg said he’s excited to know that so many Second City comics have gone on to great success. “When (the alumni) worked at The Second CIty, they were all young actors trying their hardest to do good work that they cared about,� he said. “To be honest, it doesn’t factor in too much to how we take on the work on a day-to-day basis. If we spent all of our time being overwhelmed, it wouldn’t leave much time for pool parties. “Oh, yeah – we also spend

all of our free time having pool parties,� Weitberg joked. The audience probably won’t be expecting a pool party when they show up at the WAC Friday or Saturday night, but they can expect a two-act, sketch comedy show with a decent amount of improvisation thrown in to the mix that cranks from start to finish like a train running on buttered rails, Weitberg said. The Second City 50th Anniversary Tour is open to all audiences, but UA students can purchase $10 tickets this week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Arkansas Union, by calling the WAC box office or by visiting Waltonartscenter. org and using the promotional code SECONDCITYSTUDENT.

MOVIE REVIEW

TARANTINO RELEASES BEST MOVIE SINCE ‘PULP FICTION’ Adam Roberts

membered as a grand adventure that gave us many great movies. Director Quentin Tarantino knows this, and uses his latest film -- Inglourious Basterds -- to satirize the Hollywood version of the European front. This is Tarantino’s best movie since Pulp Fiction. Al-

Contributing Writer For Europe, World War II was the climax of a 30-year traumatization that ended faith in progress and plunged the continent into its current existential crisis. For America, World War II is mainly re-

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though it is marketed as an action pic, and does have plenty of blood, this isn’t District 9. Like every film Tarantino makes, most of the movie is made up of long stretches of witty conversation between colorful characters who carry See

MOVIE on Page 10B

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What do Steve Carell, Tina Fey and Chris Farley have in common? They all got their comedy start at the world-famous Second City. Celebrating 50 years of turning out America’s great improv and sketch comedians (including some of SNL’s finest), The Second City returns. No topic is off limits, no subject too sensitive; get ready for a hilarious, side splitting night of laughter with a fresh, young cast of up and comers! ## * &- & / * % +) * '(&$& & ( & *& , #*&% (*) %* ( &( % &( ( * % &+%* +)!% '(&$& & * % #! " &% . ! " *) % &- / 0 *& (&,) *& * ) &, Limit - 2 tickets per ID. Students must show ID at ticket pick up.

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Page 10B |WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

LIFESTYLES

THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER |www.uatrav.com

MISHAP

MOVIE

from Page 7B

from Page 9B

BAILEY MCBRIDE NEWS EDITOR

Sorority members and PNM’s (Potential New Members) gather at the Chi Omega Greek Theater Sunday for Bid Day where they will learn which sorority has invited them to become a pledge.

in a Registered Student Organization or rejected by a member of the opposite sex. All these scenarios can be devastating. Those who find the rush process a way to “buy your friends” and “conform” should look closely at their own lives and the way they acquire their own friends or get into clubs or RSOs. Do you not court a girl by offering her a series of dinner dates that cost money, or pay a fee to get into many of the clubs on this campus? Those are just a couple of examples, but there are definitely more. The feeling of rejection on Bid Day is just as real as any other rejection, regardless of whether others think it is pathetic and fake. Anytime someone puts her heart and soul into a decision or a task and it ultimately ends badly, heartbreak results, and my friend was certainly heartbroken. She was not a girl who was used to experiencing

failure. She went to a prestigious school, was a cheerleader, had tons of friends and enjoyed a great reputation. She was the average golden girl for most of her life, and to see such a hefty disappointment so soon into her college career was quite crippling for her. I followed her closely and supported her throughout the transition, hoping that she would find some similarities between herself and some of the girls in her new sorority. She decided to give it a shot and began making friends, attending all the events and eventually gaining leadership positions. Although the sorority she had been invited to was among the lower-ranking Greek organizations, she took it as a personal challenge to improve its credibility on campus. Now, two years later, her sorority has a whole new standing. By taking the fuel from her rejection and heartbreak and putting it

toward the improvement of her situation, she has really turned things around. Now, she has plenty of friends, continues holding a leadership position and has gained some of the most fun and exciting experiences of her life through this organization. The heartbreak of failure has vanished and her Bid Day experience is simply a distant memory she doesn’t visit often. Rejection is a theme that will be revisited by many in their lives, and although it hurts and can leave a lasting impression, it is important for everyone to learn from those experiences and use them to improve their personal situations. So I say to all you rushees out there who have been rejected: stick it out. Things might get better, and you aren’t alone. Don’t throw in the towel on Greek life now; there are many opportunities that Greek

life offers, including community service, a support group of friends, a resume booster and a lifetime full of good parties and great memories. Don’t miss out on the fun when you’ve made it this far. And to all the haters out there who put themselves on the outskirts of social identity by making negative comments about Greeks, I say: Grow up. We are all trying to make a place on this campus, academically and socially. Some find rush a great way to make friends and get involved, so let them. This campus would be much less philanthropic, brightly colored, decorated, intelligent and interesting without Greek members. Not to mention the lack of parties and, of course, the epic annual Row Week. Greeks benefit everyone, so if you were looking for an anti-Greek school, you shouldn’t have ever called the Hogs in the first place.

guns and have masters degrees in Film History. Watching a Tarantino movie is like watching an especially creative 8-year old boy play with action figures. If Charlie Brown grows up to be Woody Allen, then Calvin grows up to be Quentin Tarantino. (Hobbes gets lost along the way and becomes Wes Anderson). He makes fun movies, and he has fun making them. We never really get to identify with any characters, but that’s OK, because he’s more worried about style and cool ways to kill people than anything else. Yes, he’s a little weird and more than a little self-indulgent, but that’s why we like him. This isn’t a movie about World War II; it’s a movie about World War II movies. As you guessed from the trailer, the “Basterds” are a group of Jewish-American terrorists. They make the Dirty Dozen look like the Red Cross. They can barely breathe without committing a war crime. Tarantino has them commit atrocities that, in real life, the Nazis actually did to the Jews. Much of what both they and their allies do is disturbing. At least in my theater, the climactic scene was met with stunned silence instead of the sort of applause and elation you might expect. No one gives speeches about freedom or peace. There’s no tearful singing of “La Marseillaise.” If this movie were screened for an audience ignorant of 20th Century history, they wouldn’t be likely to conclude that the French and Americans were the ‘good guys.’ Pointing out Allied war brutality and saying “we’re no

better than our enemies” isn’t anything new. But the critique has never been this harsh. Spielberg’s “Munich” also features Jews committing murder in an anti-Nazi revenge fantasy, but the audience left that movie with a smug condescension toward the Mossaid agents. Throughout the movie, it’s obvious to the viewer that violence is wrong. You think “well, those particular people were overcome by hate, but not me -I’m enlightened.” “Inglourious Basterds” doesn’t allow for this illusion. You genuinely cheer on some classic Tarantino bloodletting, and then later see Hitler doing the same thing. Tarantino piles it on. He reminds us that if the Nazis had won the war, they’d have their own versions of “Sergeant York” and “Saving Private Ryan” that we’d all go see. Yes, the U.S. was on the right side in the war, but Americans are just as human as Nazi Germans were, and down deep, the same sadistic depravity exists. To drive the point home, torture porn director Eli Roth is cast as an American POW murderer – one that we root for. Whether this is right or wrong isn’t addressed. Tarantino seems to only bring the issue up to show off his cleverness, and perhaps to justify the violence he likes so much. “Inglourious Basterds” is a fun movie, not a serious one. But the satire is ruthless enough that it might be hard to take this fall’s crop of Nazi drama Oscar-bait as seriously as usual. Strongly recommended to everyone, except those who don’t like seeing Nazis scalped alive.

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