Sugar Bowl Bound? PAGE 12 PAGE 1 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
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Vol. 105, NO. 15 UATRAV.COM
OVER
y d Per Da
the Line by SABA NASEEM Staff Writer
It’s no secret that parking around campus can be complicated, and fines can be costly for violators. Find out where most tickets are given, what can be done to resolve a ticket and even whether ticket-givers are paid on commission. Story on page 5 Map on page 2
217 Parking C
itations Daily
More than 42,000 Tickets Last Year
Photo Illustration
Dead Day Hardly ‘Dead’ for Students by MIKE ROACH Staff Writer
File Photo Students storm Mullins library last spring for a flash rave during finals week. Dead day allows students to rest, study or find other ways to prepare for finals.
Every semester many campuses across the US choose to give their students a moment to breathe, prepare, and blow off the proverbial steam before the onslaught of finals week begins. This semester, Wed. Dec. 8 is Dead Day. Without classes to occupy their time, students will be able to do as they please, whether that means studying in Mullins Library or taking one last day to relax and have fun before getting serious about the series of tests and final papers that close out grades for the semester. With only one week of class left, the end of the semester is steadily approaching, for some students this may mean that time is now their most valuable asset, making Dead Day a precious commodity.
“Dead Day is hardly a ‘dead’ time for students—most of the students I teach and advise use this time productively to prepare for finals, recoup after an exhausting semester, and make the mental switch from absorbing new information to synthesizing it for exams and essays,” said Lisa Hinrichsen, an assistant professor in the English department. “It’s an important day for both undergraduates and for graduate students, many of whom use the day to work on producing the lengthy and demanding end-of-term essays that we require in the English department—you absolutely need a block of uninterrupted time to write these essays well.” “I rested. To me, in my head, that was prepping for finals—a day of rest,” said Meredith Miller, UA alumnus class of 2004. “I think that one down day is
good before the finals you have right after—that first day of finals, you need that one day to study for them, if it was back to back classes then it was kind of an unfair advantage.” The day off can also be beneficial to staff who have to prepare the curriculum for students. “When you are working as a teaching assistant or a research assistant throughout the semester, you need this ‘extra’ day to make the switch to finalizing and editing your own work,” Hinrichsen said. “As I have for the past two years, I’ll be using this day to host mock interviews for graduate students in the English department on the job market. Having a day without scheduled classes or finals allows us to be able to bring together faculty and students for this necessary event.” During Dead Day patron-
age on Dickson Street is traditional. “We just get a whole lot of studiers that are coming in,” said Irene Pritchard, a hostess at Hog Haus Brewing Co. “They kind of sit around just drink some beers and eat a lot of appetizers.” The same is true of Common Grounds Gourmet Espresso Bar and Restaraunt on Dickson. “We get a lot of studiers hanging out for several hours reading books, we both have Wi-Fi you know you can come in plug up get onto campus and get all of the stuff that you need,” Pritchard said. These trends typically continue throughout finals week as well, and offer students somewhere other than the library to study. Dead Day proceeds finals week this semester which will last from Dec. 9 until 15.
Saturday Finals Eliminated for Spring Lack of Legislation by KRISTIN COPOLLA Staff Writer
Finals week is undergoing changes once again to further student and teacher satisfaction. Beginning spring semester, Saturday finals will be eliminated. These changes have been in the making for quite some time. Mattie Bookhout, last year’s ASG President, worked to have 7:30 a.m. finals and Saturday finals removed. This semester is the first one with no 7:30 a.m. finals. “Sharon Gaber and I met with Mattie Bookhout,” said Susan McCray, vice provost
for enrollment and dean of admissions. “The Provost [Gaber] was very supportive of the changes that [ASG] wanted to make, and she asked that the Registrar’s Office review ways to make a finals schedule that was more student friendly as well as faculty supportive.” Rather than tacking on an extra day to make up for the missing Saturday finals, the schedule is being rearranged to fit all of the finals into five days. Because the schedule has been condensed, 8:00 a.m. finals will be the first finals of the day, unlike this
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 VOL. 105, NO. 15 UATRAV.COM
semester when the first final will begin at 8:30 a.m. This isn’t a drawback to many students. “I have no problem with 8:00 a.m. finals as long as there are no 7:30 a.m. finals,” said Junior Emily Timpe. “I think it’s really nice that there are no Saturday finals. It’s nice that people can take a break to sleep-in and study.” Another change being made in the scheduling is that finals will be closer to the time that the class actually meets. “We responded to a
WEATHER FORECAST
TODAY 53°
THURSDAY 58°
request that… if [students] were taking an afternoon class, they actually had a final in the afternoon instead of the early morning,” McCray said. “Students who deliberately didn’t take early morning classes because they didn’t perform well in the early morning, aren’t now suddenly taking early morning finals, which was happening before. Now the time frame of the final will approximately be the time frame of the class.”
see FINALS on page 6
FRIDAY 59°
WEEKEND 55°
Continues in ASG by JORDAIN CARNEY Asst. News Editor
With one senate meeting left, members of the ASG Senate passed about six pieces of legislation in the fall semester. The semester included a three-week gap during which no legislation was introduced. “I feel like we could certainly always be writing a lot more legislation,” said Veronica Johannesen, ASG Senate Chair. Writing legislation can be confusing, she said. She’s working on an improved training system to help the senators feel more comfortable with writing legislation. This was not the first year that there was a gap in the flow of legislation for the senate. The
gap between sessions without legislation was possibly longer last year, she said. “Unfortunately it is a quite common precedent in ASG,” Johannesen said. To help spur legislation in the future ASG executives are trying to come up with different ways to help senators write legislation. “Recently we’ve decided that the most effective tactic will be pinpointing specific senators,” she said. A particular senator would be asked to write the legislation, and then the ASG executives would work with them through the writing process. A variety of ideas have considered at the ASG retreat and
see ASG on page 5
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 2
ABOUT THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER 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 editor makes all final content decisions. One copy of The Arkansas Traveler is free to every member of the UA community. Additional copies can be purchased for 50 cents each. Mail subscriptions for delivery within the continental United States can be purchased for $125.00 per semester. Contact the Traveler Business Manager to arrange.
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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.
CAMPUS NUMBERS NEED EMERGENCY HELP? CALL UAPD 575-2222
The women and men of the University of Arkansas Police Department, in partnership with the community, are committed to protecting the future of Arkansas by promoting a safe and secure environment.
HAVE A TICKET? CALL 575-7275 TO RESOLVE IT
The Transit and Parking office handles parking permits and passes and transit for students, including bus routes and GoLoco Ride Sharing. Students with parking violations can contact the office to appeal their citation.
NEED A RIDE AT NIGHT? CALL 575 - 7233
Otherwise known as 575-SAFE, the mission of the Safe Ride program is to provide students with a safe means of transportation from any uncomfortable or inconvenient situation. Safe Ride brings you home safely.
NEED TICKETS? CALL 1-800-982-4647 Don’t forget to call early and reserve your student football tickets for the 2010-2011 season. The ticket office is located on Razorback Road next to Baum Stadium.
PAGE 3
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
PROFILES FROM THE HILL
A Conversation with Career Development Center Director Barbara Batson by JORDAN GRUMMER Staff Writer
Barbara Batson has been helping students at the UA find their career path for almost 17 years. She originally came to the UA as a career counselor, but eventually worked her way to being the director of the Career Development Center. Batson is set to retire at the end of the calendar year, and she sat down with The Traveler to talk about her time at the UA. Q: Can you talk about your position in the Career Development Center? A: My responsibility is for the overall leadership and supervision of the center, which means, a lot of times, understanding what students’ career planning needs are. Job searching has obviously changed a lot over the years. It’s up to me to keep up with that and to help provide leadership for our staff to keep up with that, so that we can continue to help students with their career planning. Q: How’d you come to the UA? A: Well, that’s a good question. This is actually my third career. I had been in corporate work for a while and also some non-profit work before that. So, I saw this job advertised where you help students with their resumes, help students with their career plans and teach them how to interview. I’ll
be real honest with you, it sounded like too much fun, and I couldn’t believe there was really a job like that. I applied for that—it was an entry level career counseling position here—and I was able to get that job, and I’ve progressed through the department.
Then, when I ask them what it is they really want to do, and they’ll begin to tell me that. Very often it’s still very do-able. Q: What’s some of the most important advice you can give to students? A: Plan early, but don’t stress out about it. When I say I like for freshman and sophomores to begin thinking about their career, I don’t mean be stressed or worried about it. Enjoy college. Come here and make friends and get involved. At the same time, recognize career planning is part of what you’re doing here.
Q: What do you like most about your job? A: What I really, really like best is helping a student figure out what they truly love to do and then to develop some type of a plan to be able to do it. That’s just the greatest joy in the world when you see it on a student’s face. You’re going to have to have a plan, and it may take some sacrifice, but you can really do that if you really want to. I just think it’s important to do what you’re passionate about. Q: Why the decision to retire? A: Good question and I’m not sure I have an answer for that. I just think it’s time. I think I want to invest my time in different ways. I want to do something different now. I love this job. I love working here. Never imagined I’d be able to work at the university, so working here has been an absolute blessing. I think I’m just ready to use my time in some different ways. Q: Do you feel you’re leaving the CDC in good hands?
Q: If I took a look inside your refrigerator right now, what would I find?
Courtesy Photo Barbara Batson, director of the Career Development Center will be retiring after 17 years of service at the UA. During her time in the CDC, Batson has helped numerous students find their career path. A: Oh, absolutely. Angela Williams, who is my associate director now, is the new director. The interesting thing about it is when I first came in 17 years ago as a career counselor, I filled the position that Angela had left. Then, she and I worked together for many years, and now she’s going to be taking over the directorship here. It’s just come full circle. She’s amazing. She’s a very multi-talented young lady, and she’s going to do a great job.
Q: Do you have any accomplishments you’re particularly proud of? A: Certainly not just me, but all of us. We’ve worked together on our Professional Development Institute program here, and, I think initially it may have been my idea, but it has taken all of us to put it together. So, we’re all very proud of that. We have almost 2,000 students in it right now. PDI recognizes students for what they’ve done, and their colleges recognize them, and employers understand what that is.
So it’s a nice program. It’s exclusive for UA students, and I feel really good about that program. Q: Is helping a student find their career the most rewarding part of the job for you? A: Absolutely. That could be freshman year or it could be senior year. The reality is we even have some seniors that are still working through that. I’ve seen seniors that’ll come in and they’re getting their degree, but there’s no real joy in their face.
A: Oh, a mess. I am so disorganized in my refrigerator. Of course, you’re going to find milk and orange juice, and actually pomegranate juice. I’ve just gotten onto pomegranate juice. There are eggs, French bread, and probably an old bottle of white wine in there. All the makings for a good salad, but it’s a mess. It’s not organized. I’m sorry, I wish it were. Maybe I’ll do that when I retire. Q: What CD is playing in your car right now? A: Andrea Bocelli is on my CD player. Andrea Bocelli is always on my CD player.
BRING ABOUT A
THUNDEROUS ROAR. BRIGHT LIGHTS. BUMPIN' BEATS.
Shoot and send the JAGTAG below for a chance to win a concert on your campus from music sensation B.o.B. Careers For Everything You Are
Put your school in the running for a live performance from B.o.B. Use your phone to take and send a picture of the JAGTAG below. If you are a Verizon Wireless customer, text the picture to 524824. All other networks text or email the picture to vzwcampus@jagtag.com. And be sure to visit our Wireless Wednesday booth for a chance to win a number of cool devices, and enter your school again. We’ll be at the Arkansas Union on the first Wednesday of select months through April 2011. And we’re eager to tell you how Verizon Wireless has a career for everything you are. See you there.
Arkansas Union December 1st To learn more, visit vzwcampus.com/uark
Verizon Wireless is an equal opportunity employer m/f/d/v.
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
You can check out the Traveler online at uatrav.com or by scanning here:
PAGE 4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
EDITOR: Bailey Elise McBride MANAGING EDITOR: Mille Appleton
FROM THE BOARD
ASG Complicates Simple Opportunity On face value, the Associated Student Government Senate’s Resolution No. 4 seemed like it would be an easy pass. The legislation was a formal expression of support for Chris Armstrong, the University of Michigan student government president who has been in the news lately as the target of a hateblog written by Andrew Shirvell, the Michigan assistant attorney general. At the Nov. 9 meeting during the first reading of the bill, few senators had questions. Most of what was asked was in reference to the actual content of the letter, and why the ASG should act. At the Nov. 16 meeting, though, what seemed simple was made far from it. After Sen. Abby Brumfield gave her authorship report and answered some basic questions, debate began with a speech against the bill. Sen. Grant Hodges suggested that the it is not the role of the ASG to get involved with anything political, as that sort of advocacy is best done in local and state governments or political groups on campus. If the ASG’s Purpose is, as it’s Code and Constitution states, “promoting citizenship on campus and in the greater community,” voting down a resolution that directly pertains to both cyberharrasment and another student government seems directly contradictory. The ASG has done a disservice to our student body by immediately voting down a resolution that could have been a very easy way to show support to students on our own campus that might be in that position of being attacked solely because of their minority status. Furthermore, for senators to use the annoucement period of the senate to make personal attacks against the executive branch and other senators is absolutely unacceptable, both parlimentary procedure-wise and professionally. There are rare opportunities for the ASG to bring attention to the problems of underrepresented students on our campus. With a national example such as what happened at the University of Michigan, this seemed like the perfect (missed) opportunity. The suggestion that our student government is not a political body is laughable. The ASG Senate has the unique task of interpreting student opinion, debating campus and national issues that pertain to students and passing legislation based on those conclusions. In the same meeting where this incident occured, various members of the ASG annouced and promoted both a Call-Day to the state legislature to oppose the current pay freeze on salaries and benefits to University faculty, and a lobbying trip for the spring. To say that the ASG isn’t political is to take away one of its most important functions, which is to voice student opinion on important issues. At a minimum, the ASG Senate should have tabled this bill. Before they make decisions, all senators should seek the input of their constituents—that is what they were elected to do. Had the bill been tabled, the Senate could have started a campus discussion on cyberharrassment. They could have had an opportunity to speak frankly with students who seldom get a voice on this campus. Instead, under the guise of politicizing the body, the Senate shut down all of these options. We hope that next semester the ASG will be willing to take up meaningful legislation, political or not. Personal biases shouldn’t take away from what the ASG Senate could be doing to improve student life.
Thank You, Barbara Batson
We at The Traveler would like to thank Barbara Batson for her 16 years of service to the university at the Career Development Center. Although we know she will enjoy her next career as a photographer, the help she has given students in preparing for interviews, internships and jobs will not soon be forgotten. We encourage all students to take advantage of the hard work that Batson and her co-workers have put into the Career Development Center by visiting the center and using its services. All services at the Career Development Center are provided free of charge. You can visit the Career Development Center on the sixth floor of the Union, and you can check out career-related resources available to students at career.uark.edu.
‘Students First’ Should Apply to Parking MANAGING EDITOR Mille Appleton
travmgr@uark.edu
There is one issue on campus that will always bring people together. One issue that nearly every student has something to say about. One issue that has affected me and many others from the start of our UA career: parking on campus. Just say the word and students and faculty alike will utter groans and launch into their parking stories or how much they have paid in parking tickets. This issue is one of the most talked about problems on campus, and yet in my four years here, it seems as though nothing has been done to placate the students. My parking story begins my freshman year when I lived in Maple Hill. I didn’t sign up early enough for Resident Reserved parking and thought the Union parking garage was too expensive. As a result, my only options were to park in Lot 56 or other various lots lining Stadium Drive. As you can imagine, or have possibly experienced, this provides
Katherine Dawson travop@uark.edu
EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR OPINION EDITOR NEWS EDITOR
Bailey Elise McBride Mille Appleton Katherine Dawson Nick DeMoss
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 to the editor can be sent to traveler@uark.edu. Opinions expressed in The Traveler are those of the Editor, the Editoral staff or the writer of the column. They do not neccessarily represent the opinions of the UA Administration.
to because of a parking violation. Unfortunately I speak from experience. My parking story continues my senior year. Brief overview: I used my roommates’ parking sticker and had all my parking privileges on campus taken away for an entire year. My $575 Harmon parking garage pass wasn’t refunded on top of the $175 ticket and towing fee I had to pay. As I was dealing with my situation, it seemed that I was on the top of the priority list for getting in trouble for a seemingly innocent problem. Now let’s think for a minute about a few other things that might possibly be a tad bit more important than using my roommates’ parking sticker. Just a month ago, The Traveler ran an article about a former Phi Delta Theta fraternity pledge suing UA officials for damages relating to his alleged hazing in the fall 2009 semester. It is stated in the article, “Between May 9, 2008, and Nov. 7, 2009, members of Phi Delta Theta were reprimanded as a chapter six times for alcohol violations and once for hazing, according to the suit, which cites OCSSE records.” So let’s get this straight, fraternities are allowed multiple reprimands for alcohol violations and hazing, but I make one parking mistake and within hours, I’m banned from parking anywhere on campus for a year. Someone
please explain to me how this is fair. Please explain how it is okay for alcohol violations to slip through the cracks even though someone could die because of it, but my parking mishap that wouldn’t affect a single person is on the top of the stack. This is not okay. “As an institution, we need to be courteous, patient, and positive whenever we deal with students. We need to send a consistent and insistent message that they come first,” according to a statement on the university’s website. This is the commitment that the university makes to students, to put students first. Apparently my definition of commitment is different than theirs. Is the university putting students first when they gloss over fraternities that are illegally serving alcohol and putting lives are at risk? Of course there is something to be said about personal responsibility in those situations, but I don’t get “personal responsibility leeway” when it comes to parking. I’m not saying that students, including myself, shouldn’t be punished for their parking wrongdoings. What I’m saying is that the university needs to take a closer look at their system and really make sure they are putting students first in every aspect of campus life.
and she conceded to their request. Whatever the situation, it sparks questions about whether Santa Claus and other signs of the “Christmas” season still represent the Christian holiday. I have no criticism for anyone partaking in jolly holiday spirit, whether that is in the form of Santa’s lap, the Glee rendition of “Deck the Rooftop” or a stroll through downtown Fayetteville Square to enjoy The Lights of the Ozarks. All my friends know that everything about the Christmas season, commercialized or otherwise, makes me giddy. I’m the girl who began listening to holiday stations on Pandora well before Thanksgiving, and the day the sororities put up their lights, I circled Maple Street twice just to catch another glimpse. But this spurs the challenge: if Christmas is becoming so commercialized, how do Christians retain the religious significance of the holiday? In a country that spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas, according to the AdventConspiracy.org, celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday must be deliberate. On Dec. 1, I plan to read the first passage in my blue Advent book that offers 25 days of Bible verses and a short discussion about each. I hope to be more appreciative of my beliefs this month, and I want to worship more whole-heartedly and attentively every Sunday. The more I spoil myself with commercialized Christmas activi-
ties and items, the more challenged I am to celebrate this religious holiday in a more intentional way. As long as the commercialized Christmas season does not substitute for the religious holiday, Christians should not feel shame in enjoying the lights, activities and songs that illustrate the season. In the same vein, as long as Christians are enjoying commercialized Christmas for what it is, they should also feel free to learn about and celebrate other holidays during this time of year. Growing up, I attended The Cathedral School in Little Rock, Ark. The Cathedral School is an Episcopalian elementary school where students attend chapel multiple times a week and begin the school day in prayer. Still, around March or April for the first six years of my schooling, the entire school sat down at folding tables set up in the gym to celebrate Passover. We enjoyed a Jewish Seder complete with matzah, or unleavened bread; horseradish; a roasted egg; and salt water. As we ate each item, we were told what they represent in the Jewish faith. During the holiday season, Jews throughout the world celebrate Hanukkah. Hanukkah is an 8-day celebration that celebrates Jewish history. This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9. Sadly, many Christians don’t realize that during Hanukkah, Jewish participants are celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean
Revolt of 200 B.C. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah, enjoying foods fried in olive oil and spinning a dreidel clad in Hebrew letters that read “A great miracle happened there.” African Americans throughout the country will celebrate Kwanzaa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as the first specifically African-American holiday. Kwanzaa is celebrated both by African Americans who want to remember their African heritage and non-African Americans who want to learn about African culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated with colorful decorations, clothing sporting African prints, fresh fruit and the community sharing of a chalice. In her book, Karenga encourages people of all cultures to celebrate Kwanzaa, “just like other people participate in Cinco de Mayo besides Mexicans; Chinese New Year besides Chinese; Native American pow-wows besides Native Americans.” Like that Muslim woman who supported the commercialized side of Christmas last Friday, I too can celebrate the holidays of others. By learning and appreciating the history of other cultures, I am celebrating through knowledge. During the Christmas season, I celebrate the birth of Jesus, who I believe is the Son of God.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Holiday OPINION EDITOR
EDITORIAL BOARD
several problems for a young girl who has to park her car at night and walk 15 minutes alone to her dorm, sometimes carrying bags of groceries or heavy books. However, newly built this year is the parking garage across from Maple Hill. Though I relentlessly told parents during orientation this summer that it is completely worth the money, some students can’t afford to pay the $500 to $600 it costs to park in any of the three garages on campus. Next to the lack or expense of parking is the issue of ticketing, which is for most an even sorer topic of discussion. In the 20092010 school year, a total of 27,294 tickets were written on campus. I’ve always wondered how exactly parking is funded. Interestingly enough, no tuition or state funds are put into the parking program. All of the money needed to build new garages or parking lots comes from parking permit sales, parking meter fees and parking violation fees. Kind of ironic, right? And though the myth that parking controllers have a ticket-writing quota has been dispelled in The Traveler’s parking cover story, it is worth noting the importance of ticket writing for the revenue received. Parking is taken very seriously by the Parking and Transit Office and the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics, which one can be referred
During Thanksgiving break, while indulging in Black Friday shopping at a Fort Hood, Texas mall, I spotted a trail of children lined up to sit on Santa Claus’ lap and have their pictures taken. As I passed, a woman wearing a hijab, a Muslim headscarf, and her two beautiful children approached Santa’s seat. I overheard a fellow shopper comment on the scene, and I began to think about what this holiday season means to individuals of different belief systems and how commercialized Christmas figures into that equation. I didn’t speak to this woman, so I don’t know how her family celebrates during the holiday season, nor am I in a position to make assumptions about such things. Maybe she plans to attend church on Christmas Eve, like other Muslims I’ve met who share in the Christian faith. Maybe she is a devout Muslim who recreates Santa for her children on Dec. 25th but does not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Maybe on this particular day, her children simply wanted a picture with Santa Claus,
PAGE 5
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
ASG Senate Fails Bill Supporting Michigan Student by JORDAIN CARNEY Asst. News Editor
The Associated Student Government Senate voted down a resolution to support the University of Michigan student body president Tuesday. The legislation failed by a vote of 19-21-4. The resolution was to support Chris Armstrong, who has been allegedly harassed by Andrew Shirvell, a Michigan assistant attorney general. Shirvell has publically protested Student Government President Chris Armstrong in an offensive and incendiary manner while encouraging Armstrong’s resignation under the context of only his sexual orientation, according to the ASG Senate resolution. “As ASG senators I think it’s important that we showthat we support- all kinds of students,” said Sen. Abby Brumfield, the bill’s author. “I really urge you guys to support Chris because he’s one of us.” “As a university we have policies against discrimination,” said Sen. Grant Hodges. “In order to enhance educational diversity, the University of Arkansas seeks to include and integrate individuals from varied backgrounds and with varied characteristics such as those defined by race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and intellectual perspective,” according to the UA’s diversity values statement. “I’m not going to politicize ASG,” he said. “This isn’t our territory. If you look at our constitution, I don’t see how
this bill fits into that.” This type of resolution belonged in the Arkansas State Legislature, not the ASG Senate, he said. If you want to deal with those issues, and are old enough, run for an office in the state or federal government, he said. “We’re pushing this guys social agenda on Arkansas and Arkansas students,” said Sen. Waldrop. Brumfield disagreed. She thought the resolution
did not have a political agenda, or have political undertones, she said. “There is something to be said about solidarity from one university to the next,” said Sen. Caleb Rose. “It’s our way of saying, we support you.” A few senators questioned if there was a precedent for senate members to pass legislation that did not directly pertain to the university. Sen. Sam Hall offered an amendment that would strike the clause requiring a copy of the letter of support also be sent to the Michigan attorney general’s office. Shirvell has been fired from his job. “If we are going to support this legislation, we should sup-
port it in its entirely,” said Senate Chair Veronica Johannesen, in opposition to the amendment. The amendment passed by a vote of 25-14. “I agree with supporting the fact that he shouldn’t be harassed,” Sen. Mike Norton. He would have voted against the resolution, however, if the amendment to not send a letter to the attorney general’s office had not been removed. “I am going to be very close watching in the future that we don’t have political issues come up, because this is not young democrats; this is not young republicans; this is not college republicans,” he said. Members of ASG were given a chance to speak after the resolution failed. “I would like congratulate you guys, because for the first time in about five years I’m actually embarrassed to be at the University of Arkansas,” said ASG President Billy Fleming. “For those of you who made this a political issue, shame on you, because it was not for me, and it was not for Abby.” “We had a very long debate about that bill. We all have our own opinions; we are all on an equal playing field, I don’t care what office you hold,” Hodges said. “I think that for the first time since you were elected that’s the first time I’m embarrassed that you’re my president.” “It was about creating an environment that is welcome to all the students at the University of Arkansas, not just the straight ones,” Fleming said. “All you did today was shut the door on those kids.”
PARKING from page 1 On an ordinary school day, Parking and Transit department workers issue an average of 217 citations and boots about 10 cars, an administrative specialist said. “The average number of citations a year is 40,000 to 50,000,” said Andy Gilbride, education and instruction specialist at the Parking and Transit department. “Last year, 42,269 were issued.” For the 2009-2010 school year, 14,553 citations were given for meter violations, 9,780 for parking with no permit, and 8,020 for parking in an unauthorized space. These are the three major violations for which citations are given, Gilbride said. Other violations include parking by a yellow line, in an unauthorized handicap space, in a driveway, over a sidewalk, and parking overtime. “We often hear complaints about parking citations and they are a concern of everyone – students, faculty, and staff alike – on our campus,” said Billy Fleming, president of the Associated Student Government. “We should probably have more parking, but I’m not sure where we might build those additional spaces.”
ASG from page 1 informal meetings, but the legislation has not been written yet, she said. “I always feel like the issue is that people need to be empowered,” she said. “People sometimes just need to be told very specifically how to do things.” New senators are taught how to write legislation at the first Senate meeting and during the ASG retreat. “I think that some of it is research; I think that some of it is the point in the semester,” said ASG Advisor Jessica Morgan. “For some reason every year, the two weeks around homecoming are kind of like a dead time,” she said. After two weeks of not having legislation to discuss, a few
Most citations are given for parking overtime in the Stadium Drive Garage and in the reserved lots, he said. Citations are written by parking control officers, many who are students. The control officers work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, periodically throughout the weekend, and there are some who occasionally check overnight in parking lots that are reserved 24/7. It is a common myth that controllers are paid on commission, however, they are actually paid an hourly wage regardless of the number of citations written, Gilbride said. Ticket prices vary for the different violations, but the ones that are paid most often are the $20 for meter parking, $40 for no permit parking and $50 for parking in the wrong space. Although students complain about lacking money, more than 90 percent of the tickets get paid, Gilbride said. “Once their car has been booted and they know they are not getting it back until they pay, they come up with the money.” Students who receive a citation have to pay within five class days. They can pay by person at the Transit and Parking department or Harmon Avenue
Garage, by mail, by phone using a credit card, or online at the Transit and Parking department website. Students with loans also have the option of paying through the treasurer’s office and using those loans to pay the citation. “If you fail to do any of those, then the next time your car is found parked illegally, it will be booted,” Gilbride said. A vehicle can also be booted if the owner has three or more citations and $50 or more in unpaid parking citations. Students have to pay a boot fee of $30 to get their cars back. “If we do not hear from the owner within a day, we tow the car to a lot on campus that is solely reserved for towed cars,” he said. “We have a contract with the tow service so students only have to pay $45-$65.” Students do have the option of appealing, although more often than not, appeals are denied. In the 2009-2010 school year, there were 512 appeals, of which only eight were granted. The parking policy is enforced throughout the entire year, except when the university is closed. The UA will be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, but the garages will remain open and students can park in any lot, Gilbride said.
ASG Executives and members of the Senate commented on the lack of bills. I understand this is a very busy time of year, but I would encourage you to remember why you’re here, said Billy Fleming, at the Oct. 26 Senate meeting. Johannesen echoed his sentiment, but Senate Parlimentarian Tammy Lippert gave senators some advice on writing legislation. “Do not let the lack of legislation make you think you need to turn in rushed, poorly researched legislation,” she said. To help have a more continuous flow of legislation, committee chairs should be held responsible for helping their committee members write legislation, she said.
Anyone can write legislation for ASG Senate; the only requirement is it has to be sponsored by a senator. Other options could be to require every senator to author a bill, she said. Two or three senators could write a bill together. Adding to a lack of legislation, the public comment portion of the ASG Senate meetings has not been used this semester. “I feel like some of that, I wouldn’t say it’s apathy or [lack of] awareness, but I feel like students are busy,” she said. There is one ASG Senate meeting left for the semester. A couple of senators have emailed her about submitting legislation for the meeting Tuesday, but no new legislation has been turned in, she said. The legislation deadline is Friday.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 6 FINALS from page 1
Erin Robertson Asst. Lifestyles Editor UA student, Juan Machado, buckles down for pre-finals preparation in the Mullins Library Reading Room. With finals drawing near, many students are taking up residence in “Club Mullins� to stave off last minute cram sessions.
  Students are responding very well to the schedule changes.    “If your class is closer to when your final is, you have more of an idea of what your final schedule is going to be,� Timpe said. “I think that is very considerate of them because it’s always such an inconvenience to have to try to remember when your final is when you’re already stressing out about studying,� said sophomore Sarah Arnold. Professor outlook ranges
from lukewarm to positive but with the interests of the students at the forefront. “I’m surprisingly indifferent to Saturday finals, but they always seem to put students in a bad mood,â€? said Professor William Quinn from the English department. “So I guess I’m glad, because you wonder if they perform as well.â€? “I guess [before] they just wanted to make school a full-time job, except Sunday which is still sacred,â€? said Eric Larson, a graduate assistant in the English department, who said he is more than pleased at the elimination of Saturday finals.Â
Rate of UA Tuition Increases Cold Weather Hits the Hill Stays Below National Average by SABA NASEEM Staff Writer
Although tuitions at public colleges and universities have risen an average 8 percent nationally at four-year institutions for the 2010-2011 school year, tuition at the UA increased less than 5 percent, a university official said. “Tuition went up 4.8 percent this year and last year we had a zero percent increase,â€? said Charlie Alison, spokesman for the university. “We were one of the few universities that did not raise tuition that year,â€? he said. “This was primarily because Chancellor Gearheart felt that with the economy the way it was, a zero percent increase would be better for students.â€? Tuition for in-state undergraduate students is $173.7 per credit hour, which would be $5,211 for someone who takes 30 credit hours in an academic year. Tuition for out-of-state students is $481.43 per credit hour, or $14,443 for 30 hours. Tuition, however, varies for students in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Â
The undergraduate in-state tuition for 2009-2010 was $167 per credit hour and for out-ofstate it was $462.93 per credit hour. The university tries to be as reasonable as they can and keeps the students needs in mind when deciding tuition costs, said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admissions. With college and university fees included, an in-state student pays an average $6,768 for a year. Nationally, the average for instate tuitions and fees is $7,600 at four-year institutions, according to an article in The Christian Science Monitor. Money for the university comes mostly through tuition and state funds, in addition to funding through a variety of grants and outside research funds. State funds have gone up, but “not as much as we like,� Alison said. “State finances are not as strong as they used to be and the state has not gotten as much revenue as was wanted, so the state had to scale back what had been budgeted for the university.� The decrease in state funding is probably the biggest factor in
this 4.8 percent tuition increase, he said. In order to keep tuition increases to a minimum, university officials reviewed the budget to see if any cuts or delays could be made. “Although we had some expenses go up because of increased enrollment, there were not many budget cuts,� Alison said. “There were some projects that were delayed, such as the project to put directional signs around campus. There is also a hiring freeze and a salary freeze. Because of that salary freeze, UA employees missed out on raises that they had initially been promise during the summer. The university has asked that if state revenues are better this year, that there be a salary increase for the next academic year, Alison said. Compared to other four-year institutions nationally and in the SEC, the university is lower than its peers in tuition increase. “We do look at what our peers are doing in their increases,� McCray said. “However, we mainly look at what students need and decide based on that. The university really has chosen a students-first approach.�
Maggie Carroll Staff Photographer Students try to stay warm with scarves and hats as they walk between Gibson Hall and te Brough Commons.. Temperatures have dropped dramatically in the past few days.
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PAGE 7 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Zombie Love on the Rise
FEATURES EDITOR: Lindsey Pruitt ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: Erin Robertson
by WYNDHAM WYETH Staff Writer
Although Halloween may be over, the dead are still walking. It seems like there has been a growing fascination with the undead for several years now culminating recently with the record-breaking Halloween premiere of AMC’s newest original series, “The Walking Dead.” While zombies are nothing new to the vast rogues’ gallery of creepy creatures that we love to fear, their presence in pop culture today casts an increasingly long shadow that is following in the footsteps of another fellow freaky fad, vampires. Some of the earliest references to zombies date back to the 1920’s with works by H.P. Lovecraft and “The Magic Island” by W.B. Seabrook, a book about Haitian voodoo that introduced the word “zombie” to the U.S., according to Time magazine. However, their permanence in pop culture was solidified in 1968 with the release of George A. Romero’s cultclassic, “Night of the Living Dead.” Since then, zombies have become a staple character of the horror genre, but up until recently, they have somewhat fallen by the wayside becoming a generic
and cliché type of monster. The concept of zombies has matured over the last 10 years or so beginning most likely with the release the 2002 film, “28 Days Later,” by Academy Award-Winning Director, Danny Boyle. No longer do zombies simply shuffle about slowly. They are running, jumping, killing machines that will do whatever it takes to get their hands on some fresh meat. After the release of “28 Days Later,” there has been a slew of popular zombie films that hit the big screen including the 2004 remake of another Romero classic, “Dawn of the Dead;” “Shaun of the Dead,” a send-up of the zombie genre; and more recently, 2009’s
which spent four weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and is currently being adapted for film. “Pride and Prejudice and
“People are tired of vampires, we’re saturated with it.” -Anne Riha “Zombieland.” However, the zombie comeback is not only limited to cinematic ventures, but has made an impact on literature as well. Max Brooks, son of entertainment jack-ofall-trades Mel Brooks, has written several books on the subject including “The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z,” the latter of
Zombies,” a mash-up novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, is another New York Times Best seller that has been deemed film-worthy. Not to mention the fact that “The Walking Dead” was inspired by a comic series of the same name. The University of Arkansas Bookstore currently has six zombie-related titles in its
inventory that are constantly being re-ordered, according to the staff. After the lighter, more romantic treatment of both vampires and werewolves in the “Twilight” series, zombies are “one of the few monsters that are still monsters,” said Sandy Nieves, assistant manager. “People are tired of vampires,” said Anne Riha, Trade Books manager. “We’re saturated with it.” Riha associates the fascination of zombies with a fascination of terror in general. “We seek it out,” she said. “It allows us to get closer to our fears about death.” Many zombie fans have even chosen to take their interest to the next level. This year, three different cities in Arkansas hosted “Zombie Walks,” events that encourage participants to
COURTESY PHOTO dress up and act like zombies as they parade through city streets, many of which also served as fundraisers for various charities. The Little Rock Zombie Walk even offered zombie makeup lessons and featured a zombie beauty pageant. While zombie interest is still on the rise, it seems that AMC’s “The Walking Dead” has become one of the most
popular additions to the genre. The pilot episode garnered a viewership of 11.6 million, the highest-ever series premiere for AMC, the biggest cable series debut in 2010 and the largest basiccable premiere for the 1849 demographic since 2003, according to the show’s
see ZOMBIES on page 5A
Air Force ROTC Cadre Member Donates Stem Cells to Anonymous Leukemia Patient
COURTESY PHOTO
“For Colored Girls” Appeals to All Movie Hog Amanda Springer STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Captain M. Hawk, assistant professor of aerospace studies, was part of an anonymous program that donated stem cells to those in need. She was contacted last year to donate to a woman whose last chance to live rested in the hands of Hawk’s stem cells. by ANDREW VAN GENDEREN Staff Writer
Every day 3,000 patients worldwide with leukemia, aplastic anemia and other fatal blood diseases are searching for a life-saving bone marrow match, according to the New York Blood Center. For many of these patients, a blood marrow transplant is their final hope; without one, death is often imminent. Despite significant advances in stem-cell research and increases in donor registrations, the problem of finding donor matches for those in need of blood marrow transplants remains significant. There are more than 70 different types of diseases that can necessitate a bone marrow
transplant. The most visible killer is leukemia, which kills nearly 22,000 people per year in the United States alone, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. To her surprise, Captain Michelle Hawk, the unit admissions officer at Air Force ROTC Detachment 030, was given a chance this summer to donate to one such patient in need. “I had forgotten all about registering and ten years later someone needed my help,” Hawk said. “I am so thankful that I was in the registry and when my recipient needed help they found me, a perfect match to save her life.” The phone call came while directing cadets on the flight line at Maxwell AFB, dur-
ing one of this summer’s Air Force ROTC Field Training sessions. In the midst of jet noise and military training instructors snarling commands, the voice at the other end of the line was incongruent with the mission-oriented situation at hand. “Are you still interested in donating bone marrow?” the voice asked. Hawk was both shocked and impressed. Her response was, “Yes, I am interested! But…how did you find me?’” Hawk had registered with the Department of Defense Marrow Donor Center back in 1996. The process – a cheek swab and a short information form - took less than five minutes to complete. Since then, she has deployed to multiple
countries and been stationed at various bases around the country and the world. Her phone number had changed several times, and she had never updated any information herself. “I am still curious as to how they dug up my phone number,” she said. “But I am thankful that they were able to.” After the DOD reviewed her medical history, she had blood drawn at a local laboratory to confirm that she was the best match for the patient in need. That patient remains anonymous to her to this day. “There are so many other patients who need a match
see STEM CELLS on page 10
MORGAN HENARD For Colored Girls (Lionsgate)
Starring: Janet Jackson, Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Anika-Noni Rose, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington Directed by: Tyler Perry Written by: Tyler Perry Adapted from: the play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, by Ntozake Shange Rating: R Runtime: 134 minutes Grade: B
From the writer-director of “I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” “Madea Goes to Jail,” “Meet the Browns,” “Daddys Little Girls” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” comes the film-adaptation of the play, “For Colored Girls.” In what features some of today’s best working African American actresses we have Jo (Janet Jackson), a rich, coldhearted unhappily married woman, Alice (Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg), a zany, dressed in all white, crazy religious mother, Tangie (Thandie Newton), a nymphomaniac and the eldest daughter of Alice, Crystal (Kimberly Elise), an emotion-filled abused wife and mother of two, Yasmine, a gifted ballet dancer, Juanita (Loretta Devine), a tenderhearted health worker who’s in love with a womanizer, Gilda (Phylicia Rashad), a motheresquire, nosy-yet-caring neighbor of Tangie and Crystal, Kelly,
see MOVIE HOG on page 8
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 8
UA Program Provides ‘Safe Zones’ for LGBT Community by WYNDHAM WYETH Staff Writer
Everyone wants to have some degree of safety in his or her life. Individuals take constant measures to ensure safe environments for themselves and others so that they may remain free from harm. However, for members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community, safety does not always come so easily. An organization at the University of Arkansas has made it their goal to change that. Safe Zone Allies is a volunteer program coordinated through the University Ombuds office, which serves as an on-campus conflict resolution resource which is made up of members of the UA “who believe that all students and people in the campus community should be treated equally and fairly regardless of sexual orientation,” according to the program’s website. Allies with the program are students, faculty and staff members at the UA who are affirming of all affectional or sexual orientations and identities and who provide a non-judgmental environment for anyone who might be in need of their services. “As a Safe Zone Ally, I provide a welcoming space and a friendly voice and ear to members of the UA community who want to talk or ask questions in a safe, supportive environment,” said Leslie Yingling, the director of Gifted/Talented Scholars. “I’m proud to encourage and support anyone who walks through my door, regardless of sexual orientation.” Allies with the program are “good listeners,” said Sue Theiss, Director of the University Ombuds office. While they are not counselors, they provide an impartial atmosphere for concerns to be shared and
can then refer their visitors to the most appropriate resource, which is often another ally. “Someone might come to me, and maybe their issue is related to something going on in housing, and I can refer them to a Safe Zone Ally over in housing. So I know that that is a safe place for them to go talk,” Theiss said. All of the counselors at CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) at the Pat Walker Health Center are Safe Zone Allies as well. Most people who volunteer for the program are already an ally before they officially join, Theiss said. “They already know what the program is about and what that means.” However, becoming an ally is a very simple process. Once enough people have contacted the program with interest about joining, facilitators coordinate an orientation discussion. Volunteers then sign an agreement confirming their understanding of the program, and their name and contact information is added to the list of allies. When it comes to being an ally, Theiss said that the program always wants to make sure the allies know that it’s not anything extra on top of their jobs. They’re just communicating to students and employees here on campus that ‘This is a safe place to come talk to me. I’m not going to judge you,” Theiss said. “I volunteered to be a Safe Zone Ally because I think it’s important for everyone to feel welcome and comfortable on our campus,” Yingling said. “As a member of the Office of Diversity, I’m already here to help students and community members connect with the University staff and resources. Being a Safe Zone Ally feels like a natural part of that.” The program has been
COURTESY PHOTO around for about three years in its present volunteer-based incarnation, but in the future, Safe Zone Allies hopes to expand their outreach. This has been a challenge in the past because the program currently doesn’t receive funding although they do
receive some administrative support. However, next semester the program will be working with a Master’s student from the Social Work department to evaluate possible methods of expansion. “Not only are all students
and employees welcome here,” Theiss said, “but we want them to feel included.” Presently, there are about 250 Safe Zone Allies all over campus from different backgrounds, religious beliefs and orientations. “There is a wide variety of support for
these folks on campus,” she said. For more information about connecting with a Safe Zone Ally or volunteering with the program, call (479) 575-4831, or visit the website at http:// ombuds.uark.edu/1425.php.
COURTESY PHOTO from MOVIE HOG on page 7 a social worker who can’t have kids and Nyla (Tessa Thompson), a cute, energetic dancer in Yasmine’s class and the younger sister of Tangie and daughter of Alice. Don’t let all the characters and their descriptions overwhelm you. Tyler Perry, who has taken a huge departure from his typical formula, does a great job at fleshing out each and everyone of these characters. Some of the best acting is showcased when each of the women break out into beautiful monologues of poetry as their characters
are at their most vulnerable moments. All the women are holding secrets and deal with some very painful situations in the film. You feel for each and every one of them to the point of tears, anger and shock. Themes of sisterhood and man-bashing are within the film, but it explores more of learning to love one’s own-self and what that means when you’re a woman and African American. Although “For Colored Girls” is aimed at African American women, every gender of any color can relate to most of the issues the film touches upon. This is a true ensemble piece
of acting and the reason the award for “Best Ensemble” at the Screen Actors Guild Awards was created. Though every actress brings her best acting to the table, I have to single out Kimberly Elise, who goes through every parent’s worst nightmare in the film. I also want to mention Loretta Devine, who with one tear can make my heart break for her. The final call is even if you’re not a Tyler Perry fan typically, you will still enjoy what he does with this depressing-yetpoignant film. It may not be “Precious,” but it will still pull at every muscle in your heart.
PAGE 9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Holiday Fashion Staple UA Students Create Makes a Comeback Event Finding Website by JOCELYN SMITH Staff Writer
A website that helps students keep track of events on campus was recently developed by two UA computer science majors. The new website, Eventfinderbeta.com, is an easy way to have current up-to-date information on events that are happening on campus for a given day up to the coming week. “I got frustrated with forgetting events I wanted to attend and found it hard to keep track of information on flyers,” said co-founder Andrea Samuel. “Also, I am a part of the Society of Women Engineers and a problem we encountered was that a lot of our flyers got pulled down or covered up.” This problem gave Samuel and other co-founder Levi Bucao the idea to create a place where upcoming events for students are all in one place. When searching online for events Samuel said that there is too much information and not all of it was relevant to students. Event Finder filters upcoming events that are strictly of interest to students. Samuel and Bucao began developing the website in the spring of 2010 as part of their senior design project. Now Event Finder is complete and free for students to check out daily events. The site also allows students to register for an account in order to create their own events. Since the site is less regulated than Newswire, there is more opportunity for any student to add events that take place on campus or in the community. “Event Finder is for students, by students,” Samuel said. The site is easily manageable and registering for
an account is just a quick step. Each event listed has a detailed description of the event for more information. Users also have the option to go into their account and view the events that they have uploaded, including updating or deleting any event information. The homepage provides an overview of daily events, but there are also categories such as “Lectures,” “Sports,” “Performing Arts,” “Student Life,” etc., to narrow down one’s search. “I believe that our layout of categories is much easier to search for events as opposed to the current layout of the UA Calendar,” Samuel said. “We also allow users to drill down within a given category. For example, within ‘Colleges,’ users can use the subcategories of the College of Engineering, Walton College of Business etc., to specify their search further and find specific events that are of interest to them.” Considering all the activities on campus, the creators hope Event Finder will act as a helpful way to catch anything that could easily be hidden behind other flyers around campus. Those interested in advertising an event can do so with limited regulation. “We will only delete inappropriate material,” Samuel said, “but we trust users on being careful on what they post.” Samuel said she is looking forward to more active support from users in the future and encourages students to play around with it to see what they like. “The more feedback we get, the better we will be able to improve the services offered by the site,” she said. To check out the site, go to Eventfinderbeta.com.
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by JOSEPH PORTER Columnist
Thanksgiving is out and the New Year is around the corner, so greet the season’s elegant events with a holiday sartorial staple : velvet. If you had to pick one luxurious fabric that reminded you of the holidays, it would be velvet. Velvet is a holiday mainstay. You can always find smart velvet blazers and velvet mini and maxi dresses in deep burgundy, emerald and sapphire but, what about black velvet? I’m aware many of you might associate black velvet with a bad Stevie Knicks outfit or with a horrible dress your grandmother wore in the 80’ s, but this is 2010 and black velvet is enticing, edgy and glamorous – like a 1970s beauty queen’s Black Beauty, just without the dire consequences. This season’s shapes are sharp and structured, and vary from velvet high-waisted skinnies to interesting accents, trims, panels and patterns on cocktail dresses, shoes and accessories. As for accessories, nothing says evening more than beautiful black velvet paired with sparkling silver acces-
sories, or match your black with colorful ruby, emerald or amethyst accessories and shoes. Either way, a big messy updo and a bold lip are the only way to pull off the seductive “strong southern style.” Two words of warning: 1) Keep your velvet simple. This fabric is like the friend who’s a blast, but you only can have fun with once a year because you might end up in jail, only this time it will be the fashion police arresting you. 2) Velour is NOT velvet! Velour is the material used for a stretchy ‘J-Lo’ sweat suit, but velvet or velveteen has a short, plush pile and is luxurious in appearance and feel. So, no (tacky) “velvet” sweat suits at Bubbie’s Hanukkah bash, OK? As for you men, now is the time for you to breakdown and purchase that black velvet blazer your girlfriend is always trying to get you to buy. A well cared for velvet blazer is a staple piece you can wear for years. Pair it with dark or black jeans or slacks. This is the single evening jacket you can wear without a tie, and still present a polished appearance. So, black velvet, if you please…
from ZOMBIES on page 7 website. Due to the success of the show, it has already been renewed for a second season after airing only two episodes. Patrons at The Smoke & Barrel Tavern in Fayetteville
tuned in for the first episode of the show as part of the bar’s Halloween festivities this year. However, the watch party was such a success that the bar decided to host a watch party each Sunday for “The Walking Dead.” “We had really good attendance, and it was a lot of fun,” said
Sammie Stephenson, coowner of the bar. “So we’re just gonna keep showing them as long as they keep playing them.” “The Walking Dead” airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on AMC. Join the horde down at The Smoke & Barrel Tavern if watching it alone proves to be too frightening.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 10
Happiness In The Holidays: A Christmas Date For Two
COURTESY PHOTO by HAILEY RAY Staff Writer
Don’t let end of semester assignments and tests turn you into a Grinch. Take a break from your studies to enjoy the holiday festivities with your special someone. Enjoy the crisp winter air when you take a romantic walk in downtown Fayetteville to see the lights. According to the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau, the square alone has 450,000 lights. Stop into Moonberries to warm up, and fix each other a unique frozen yogurt blend complete with hot fudge or caramel. Flavors like Eggnog, Peppermint and Gingerbread are now available at most locations for a little holiday cheer. Wander back towards campus and see the lights at Old Main. Rest at the Peace Fountain for a few minutes and catch a glimpse of the starry night sky. Then gain a different perspective by driving around Mount Sequoyah together and looking over all of Fayetteville. Search for Old Main’s towers and see who can recognize the most places around town. The Walton Arts Center has several shows that work with student budgets and still keep the season close to the heart. The University Theatre will present “A Christmas Carol” three times this weekend. Tickets for Charles Dickens’ classic story are only $10 for students. Start a new tradition by reading the original story together, or by watching a different version each year. The King’s Singers may add the bit of foreign flare you need. The British a capella group has sold out shows worldwide, and will be performing at Baum Walk-
er Hall Friday Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Student tickets are $10, so if you don’t have a final on Saturday there is no reason to skip. Their beautiful renditions of holiday classics will have you swaying in each other’s arms all evening. Those looking to step outside the typical holiday celebrations should go see “The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue.” From the company that brought you “Sassy Gay Friend” and “Harriet Tubman: The Sexiest Abolitionist,” no area is taboo. There will be two performances on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m., for $15, and 9 p.m. for $10. If studying for finals has left you too exhausted to consider a night on the town, cuddle up to a classic Christmas movie and fix two steaming cups of hot chocolate. Rent a classic that one or both of you have not seen, or revisit a childhood favorite like “Home Alone” or “The Santa Clause.” Moviefone.com composed a top 25 list covering everything from the traditional “A Christmas Story” to “Die Hard,” and more suggestions are only a quick Google away. Browse together until you find the movie that makes you both smile. Watching anything from “The Holiday” to “Love Actually” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas” could be the perfect cozy ending to your holiday adventure. Or take the opportunity to help a less fortunate child if you have the extra funds. The Salvation Army has Angel trees at Walmart stores and is working with JCPenney this year, also. Spread the happiness you’ve found together, to help a child believe in Santa Claus and Christmas miracles for another year.
from STEM CELLS on page 7 yet cannot find one in the registry,” Hawk said. “I find comfort knowing that when she needed me I was right there waiting for her. I may not know her or ever meet her, but I know we have a special bond for life.” According to The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the world’s largest bone marrow registry, only one in every 200 people registered will be a match for someone in need. The majority of recipients are young children diagnosed with leukemia, and the time window for finding a suitable match can range anywhere from several months to a few years. The primary reason it is so difficult to find marrow donors for leukemia and cancer patients is the genetic rarity of finding a match. About 70 percent of patients do not have a suitable donor in their own family, according to the NMDP. The organization states that blood tissue type is an inherited trait, and therefore patients are most likely to match a donor of their own ethnicity and racial background. Minority group donors are in extremely high demand. Out of the current registry of more than 12 million donors, the NMDP reports that there may only be one that matches a patient. Too often, it says there are none at all. The NMDP asks volunteers to donate in one of two ways. The most direct method is to actually make an extraction from the back of the donor’s pelvic bone. The donor is put under anesthesia and a special hollow-point needle, inserted into the core of the bone, collects the marrow. The second method is a process called peripheral blood stem cell donation. This is a less invasive and more painless procedure than an extraction, accord-
ing to the NMDP, and yields the multilaterally useful stem cells for insertion into the patient’s body. The donor is given filgrastim, a drug that increases the number of naturally occurring blood stem cells in the body, for five days. After the filgrastim has taken effect, the stem cells are gleaned from the rest of the blood and collected for use. Hawk’s patient required a PBSC donation. “It was pretty simple,” she said. “All I had to do was sit in a chair for four to five hours and let the machine work. Really, literally everyone could register.” The procedure is very doable, said Hawk, although not entirely painless. She, along with most other donors, describe bone and muscle ache, minor headaches and fatigue during the week of donation. However, Hawk said all of these were easily remedied with Tylenol, and the side effects disappeared quickly. “Really, it was just enough to whine about,” Hawk said, “but not enough to keep me down.” Post-donation, the donor may receive updates on the recipient’s condition. However, for reasons of confidentiality and privacy, Hawk said contact between donor and recipient is restricted for at least one year after donation. After that time both parties must agree independently to meet one another before personal information can be exchanged. “Potentially, I could meet her,” Hawk said. “But right now, really, I worry about her. This is sort of her last hope. I ask myself all the time, ‘how is she doing now?’” BeTheMatch.org, operated by the NMDP, provides a wealth of information for those interested in donating. Registering is extremely simple. To volunteer to be a donor, one merely has to visit the website and provide a mailing address, receive a small envelope in the mail a few days later, take a cheek swab, fill out some basic information and mail the package to the NMDP headquarters in Washington D.C. The most difficult task is actually travelling to make the donation. Neither Washington Regional nor Highlands Oncology performs the actual process of withdrawing the marrow or cells, said staff members at both institutions. Instead, the nearest facility to donate blood marrow or PBSC is at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. However, the NMDP states that it will cover all transportation expenses, including airfare, to fly out to Washington D.C. to their aphaeresis facility. Donation avenues are slightly different for military members, who are required to donate at select bases around the country according to the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense Marrow Registry, which is coordinated alongside more than 70 other registries in the United States by the NMDP, was Hawk’s route to donation. The age and health of donors is of great importance. Prime candidates for donating blood marrow are young, healthy, physically fit adults, although the acceptable age range is anywhere from 18 to 60 years old. Donations from members of the military comprise the majority of marrow donations in the United States, according to the Department of Defense. Oftentimes, the greatest hardship is not the actual procedure, but the week of work missed. However, even that was not an issue for Hawk. “Giving someone a second chance at life is an awesome feeling,” Hawk said. “I wish everyone who could would register so others could benefit from being either a donor or a recipient. All my medical bills and travel expenses were covered. I just had to be available to travel that week and be willing to sacrifice so little of myself to help another in a huge way.”
THE TOP FIVE Best Places to Study on Campus #1 COURTESY OF SouthernLiving.com
Club Mullins
Where all the cool kids go to write term papers, especially when the doors are open all night long.
#2
Starbucks
This campus cafe is much less crowded late at night than during the mid-afternoon coffee run. Grab some herbal tea and settle down for a cozy night of review.
#3
The Union
There are plenty of tables and a Chick-fil-A. What more does a student need for a successful study session?
#4
Hidden Libraries
Your department will often have a secret library with ample privacy and academic inspiration. Who even knew that the Chemistry Building contained a library?
#5
Dorm Study Rooms
Every dorm is equipped to accommodate the studious with secluded, quiet study areas. Take advantage of the proximity to your bedroom and make those flashcards in peace – and your pajamas.
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
You can check out the Traveler online at uatrav.com or by scanning here:
PAGE 11 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Comics, Games, & Much Much More!
WORD SEARCH
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THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
LAUGH IT UP Q: Where does a snowman keep his money? A: A snow bank!
Q: Why do seals swim in salt water? A: Because pepper water makes them sneeze!
GIRLS & SPORTS Justin Borus & Andrew Feinstein
WONDERMARK David Malki!
BREWSTER ROCKIT Tim Rickard
CALAMITIES OF NATURE Tony Piro
CROSSWORD ACROSS
1 Smart 5 Use a user ID 10 Look at 14 “Rendezvous With __”: Hugowinning Arthur C. Clarke novel 15 “Brusha, brusha, brusha” toothpaste 16 Morlock fare 17 Gp. dissolved in December 1991 18 Hybrid big cat 19 Half an ice grabber 20 Shrink for a noted Vulcan? 23 Feature of Incan farms 24 What serious players play for 28 Act that gets you a hand 29 Reason for a laundry odor? 33 Dry, as wine 35 Untrained 36 TV production co. whose mascot was Mimsie the Cat 37 Neighborhood garage sales? 42 Point 43 “This American Life” radio host Glass 44 Fin. neighbor 45 Collection for an artist’s garment? 49 “Tiny Toon Adventures” bunny 52 Mount also known as Horeb 53 Exterminate 56 Some employee benefits, and this puzzle’s title 60 Slung food 63 Initial strategy 64 It precedes di or da, in a Beatles song 65 Sommer of “A Shot in the Dark” 66 Many a surfer 67 Roulette bet 68 Diamond spoiler 69 1954 event coded as “Castle Bravo” 70 Lushes
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1 Pie maker’s pride 2 Locked, in a way 3 Marathoner’s lament 4 Traffic blocker 5 Bath salt fragrance 6 Speaks one’s mind 7 Infatuated 8 First-year law student 9 Not even one, with “a” 10 Chevy sportsters 11 UN workers’ agcy. 12 Two or more eras, in geologic time 13 Artificial locks 21 Infant who escaped Krypton 22 Jet __ 25 Salinger title girl 26 Green stroke 27 Where to study for a Th.D. 30 Orson, e.g., in a ‘70s-’80s sitcom 31 Word with nanny or web 32 Nine-time U.S. skating champ 34 Hairdo 37 Ventura County’s __ Valley 38 “Let’s go!” 39 French wine term 40 Many an Asimov character 41 Three-course military supplies 42 Symbol of stubbornness 46 Some kind of nut 47 Tool holder 48 Goes on monotonously 50 Playground mishap 51 Bright, as a porch 54 Dizzying genre 55 Nicholas I and II, e.g. 57 Hawaiian food fish 58 Lump 59 Broccoli relative 60 Mag mogul with a mansion 61 __-American 62 Reggae precursor
SOLUTION
Crossword by MCT Campus
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
You can check out the Traveler online at uatrav.com or by scanning here:
SPORTS EDITOR: Jimmy Carter ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: Danny Meyer
PAGE 12 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
byJIMMY CARTER
Sugar Bowl Bound?
Sports Editor
No. 7 Arkansas has done its part. The Hogs (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) took down then-No. 5 LSU 31-23 Saturday, clinching second place in the SEC West. “This is a special, special group of players,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “It’s made my job easy. It’s been one of the most enjoyable years I can remember in coaching because of our attitude and the way we go about our business.” More importantly, the Razorbacks locked up the first BCS berth in UA history, provided No. 2 Auburn takes care of business and beats No. 19 South Carolina in the SEC championship game. “It was really hard to root for Auburn (against Alabama),” Petrino said. “Next Saturday they need to win. That would be nice.” A Tigers win would leave the Sugar Bowl needing to replace its spot reserved for the SEC champion. ESPN’s Brad Edwards projected an Arkansas-Ohio State matchup Jan. 4 in New Orleans. “They’ve had a great year and we’d be thrilled to have them,” Sugar Bowl president David Melius said to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporters after the LSU game. “If the opportunity comes, we would love to have Arkansas.” It would be the Hogs’ sixth
FOOTBALL
Little Rock
Legend
Sophomore Cobi Hamilton makes big plays at War Memorial Stadium by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Arkansas beat then-No. 5 LSU 31-23 Saturday to finish the season on a six-game winning streak. The Razorbacks are projected to play in the Sugar Bowl after the win. If the Hogs earn the bid, it would be the first BCS appearance in UA history.
Sugar Bowl appearance and first since losing 24-9 to Alabama in the 1980 Sugar Bowl. “Hopefully if the right teams win that’s where we’ll end up,” junior defensive end Jake Bequette said. “That’s what we were playing for (against LSU), so hopefully that will happen. I love New Orleans. I’ve never been, but I know I love it.” The BCS was instituted in 1998 and the Razorbacks haven’t earned a berth to college football’s promised land. Arkansas came close in 1998 and 2006, but had to settle for the Capital One Bowl – widely
Bounce-Back Game
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Hogs try to rebound against struggling Sooners after first loss of the season.
considered the top non-BCS bowl. “I haven’t been here a long time, but they said it hasn’t happened in a long time,” sophomore receiver Cobi Hamilton said about going to a BCS bowl. “That’s always good to accomplish something that hasn’t happened in a long time.” Petrino led Louisville to a BCS win – an Orange Bowl victory over Wake Forest – in 2006, his fourth year with the Cardinals. If the Hogs earn the Sugar-Bowl bid, he will have accomplished the feat in just three years with the Razorbacks.
Undefeated Razorbacks Shooting to Improve by PATRICK GRINNAN
Arkansas is coming off its first loss of the season and looking to bounce back against a familiar foe. The Razorbacks (3-1) dropped their annual game in Little Rock to an aggressive UAB team in overtime. Oklahoma (3-3) is next for the Hogs and the Sooners have also struggled, dropping three straight in the Maui Invitational, including a loss to Division II Chaminade. “Oklahoma is coming in here with a little more time off then us, but they are going to be ready to go,” Pelphrey said. “ Arkansas point guard Julysses Nobles is coming off a 10-point, four-steal performance
The Arkansas women’s basketball team is off to a 7-0 start this season, with a squad with five players averaging in double-figures scoring. The Razorbacks have outscored their opponents by more than 13 points per game, averaging 69 points per contest. “We don’t feel that because we are 7-0 that we’re ready to set the world on fire and conquer the SEC,” Arkansas coach Tom Collen said. “We do feel like we’re getting better as a team and gaining confidence as we go, which was missing down the stretch last year.”
Staff Writer
DELVON JOHNSON against UAB and is leading the Razorbacks with 10 steals in the Hogs’ first four games. Despite Arkansas’ tough loss in overtime, Nobles said the Razorbacks morale is good.
see OKLAHOMA on page 15
see SUGAR BOWL on page 13
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
by ZACH TURNER Staff Writer
“It says a lot,” Petrino said about the progress of the program. “Our players have been mature all year long. There’s been a number of times I’ve been concerned and wondered how we’ll come out and practice or how we’ll prepare in the meetings, whether that was after a big loss or preparing for a team we’re better than. “Sometimes you have upsand-downs, but our guys have learned how to work hard,
Arkansas receiver Cobi Hamilton appears to have an affinity for playing in Little Rock. The sophomore has put up gaudy numbers and produced highlight-reel touchdowns in the two Southeastern Conference games he’s played at War Memorial Stadium. Hamilton caught three passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the Hogs’ 31-23 win over then-No. 5 LSU. Combined with his performance as a freshman against Mississippi State, the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder has totaled six catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns in Little Rock conference games, averaging 71.8 yards per touchdown reception. “I’ve been hearing that a lot – everybody is telling me I love Little Rock,” Hamilton said. “I guess it feels like home. We’ve got a lot of guys from Little Rock on the team and when you come here you want to help them, you want to win and play hard for those guys. “I’m just taking advantage of it. I knew I was going to have to step up this game. The receivers were all going to have to have a good game for us to win. I knew coming into this game, I had to be the guy.”
His two touchdowns against the Tigers resulted in him being nominated for the Capital One Impact Performance of the Week. The first score came when quarterback Ryan Mallett found him open on the sideline and Hamilton outran the Tigers’ secondary for an 80yard score, putting the Razorbacks ahead 14-7 in the second quarter. LSU tied the game and Mallett’s first interception in the contest deprived Arkansas of a scoring opportunity inside the Tigers’ 25-yard line with less than one minute remaining in the half. The Hogs forced LSU to punt, but the Razorbacks got the ball with just six seconds remaining in the first half and 80 yards to cover. Arkansas’ players assumed coach Bobby Petrino would call a running play, content to go into halftime tied. “I thought we were going to give it to (running back) Knile (Davis) and go into halftime with a tie ballgame,” Hamilton said. Instead, Petrino told Mallett the Hogs were going to take a shot. “The thought process is al-
see HAMILTON on page 13
Junior guard Lyndsay Harris leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.6 points per game. She has made 38 percent of her 3-pointers and her 22 made 3-pointers are 18 more than the next Razorback. Junior C’eira Ricketts averages 11.6 points per game, adding 18 steals and 33 assists this season season, leading the team in both categories. Rounding out the excellent guard play for Arkansas is freshman Keira Peak, who has shot 50 percent while averaging 10 points and pulling down 5.4 rebounds per contest, tied for second-best on the team.
see PERFECT START on page 14
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Arkansas sophomore receiver Cobi Hamilton has caught 16 passes for 366 yards and five touchdowns since Greg Childs’ injury.
COMMENTARY
LSU Win a Program-Changer for Petrino, Arkansas Extra Points
JIMMY CARTER jicarter@uark.edu
didn’t take long Bobby Petrino. If heavily-favored and undefeated Auburn tops No. 19 South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference championship game, Arkansas’ coach will have needed just three years to get the Hogs for
It
to their first BCS game. Petrino didn’t take over a good situation, either. Houston Nutt left the cupboard bare when he jumped ship to Ole Miss. If Petrino doesn’t take the job, the program would look drastically different. Ryan Mallett would have never come to Arkansas. The difference Petrino made in the less than two months from being hired to National Signing Day was enormous. Not only would Arkansas not have gotten Mallett, Tyler Wilson would have gone to Tulsa. Nutt didn’t deem him scholarship-worthy. Nutt also didn’t offer junior defensive
tackle Zach Stadther. Receiver Joe Adams was committed to play cornerback at USC before Petrino persuaded him to switch his commitment on National Signing Day. Safety Tramain Thomas, linebacker Jerico Nelson and defensive end Tenarius Wright – all starters – signed with the Hogs in February. The turnaround Petrino has orchestrated in such a short span is remarkable considering the Razorbacks play in the toughest division and conference in the nation. His hire gave Arkansas instant credibility. His character might have been questioned after leaving Atlanta, but
everyone acknowledged his coaching ability. Petrino’s offenses are always ranked among the best in the nation, but the Hogs’ defensive improvement this season is the reason the Razorbacks are ranked No. 7 in the BCS. All the progress was on display against LSU. The Tigers struggled to stop Arkansas and the Hogs held LSU to just 71 yards in the second half, forcing and recovering a fumble to seal the win. The Razorbacks are an Auburn win away from having a chance to play for their first top-5 finish since Lou Holtz’ first season in 1977. Don’t expect Arkansas
to slow down once Mallett goes pro after the season. Wilson showed he has the ability to pick up where Mallett leaves off in action against Alabama and Ole Miss. If Jake Bequette, Greg Childs and Joe Adams stay, the Hogs would return 15 starters – including kickers – in 2011. The Razorbacks will return playmakers on offense. Scoring points under Petrino doesn’t look to ever be an issue. Defensively, Arkansas will return seven starters from a unit that made vast improvement this season. Petrino is piecing together what might be the Razorbacks’ best recruit-
ing class ever. Arkansas is ranked No. 8 in the nation – third in the SEC – according to Scout.com. Hog fans need to be ready to do whatever it takes to keep Petrino. He’s giving them the program they’ve clamored about for so long. Petrino will get courted by big names and it will be up to the UA administration and Razorback fans to show him their commitment to being a top-tier program. If they do their part, he’s showing he can do his. Jimmy Carter is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Wednesday. Follow him on Twitter @jicartersports.
PAGE 13 from SUGAR BOWL on page 12 count on each other and take care of each other.” Arkansas is one of the hottest teams in the country. The Hogs have won six consecutive games since losing 65-43 at then-No. 7 Auburn on Oct. 16. The Razorbacks’ signature win might have come against LSU, but Arkansas turned the corner in a hard-fought 38-24 home win over Ole Miss one week after losing to the Tigers. “I think in the Ole Miss game, that might not be a game that people point to, but we were really down after that Auburn loss and we really came out strong and won that game,” Bequette said. “We kept telling ourselves, ‘We’re going to get on
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a roll here. We’re going to get on a roll and win out.’ “That was our goal and we accomplished it.” The Hogs beat three ranked teams – South Carolina, Mississippi State and LSU – in their winning streak, recording just their second 10-win season since joining the SEC and fifth in the last 30 seasons. “We’re making a huge name for ourselves,” sophomore defensive end Tenarius Wright said. “To be on a roll, to win and play against top SEC schools and come out with victories shows a lot about our program.” Auburn has an NCAA-best five wins against current BCS top 25 schools. Oregon has two, while TCU, Stanford and Wisconsin have one victory each against BCS-ranked teams.
Ohio State has zero. Arkansas has four. “For us to go through losing Dennis (Johnson) the last time we were (in Little Rock), to losing Greg (Childs), who’s one of the best players in this conference, nobody flinched,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “They just kept coming to work every day. Nobody felt sorry for themselves about it. We just kept coming to work. “I told these kids it’s really been a privilege coaching them. I really appreciate them buying into us and playing ball the right way.” The Auburn loss was tough to get over, but the Razorbacks will be cheering for the Tigers Saturday, hoping for a chance to make history. “You can only control what you can control,” defensive co-
Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl
OPPONENT Alabama Ole Miss Georgia Ole Miss Alabama
OUTCOME L, 10-3 L, 17-13 W, 16-2 L, 27-22 L, 24-9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
FINAL AP RANK No. 9 No. 6 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8
COACH Frank Broyles Frank Broyles Frank Broyles Frank Broyles Lou Holtz
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Joe Adams 39-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-3 gave the Hogs a 28-20 lead in their win over then-No. 5 LSU. The win might have punched Arkansas’ ticket to its first Sugar Bowl since 1980.
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore running back Knile Davis has been instrumental in the Hogs’ six-game winning streak. He leads SEC running backs with 1,183 yards and has 13 rushing touchdowns.
from HAMILTON on page 12 ways, ‘Let’s go for it,’” Petrino said. “Ryan (Mallett) said, ‘What do you think?’ We called one of our plays that we like a lot. We have an in-cut with the post over the top. When (LSU) lined up, I thought, ‘Oh, man, we’ve got a chance here.’” Hamilton lined up right and ran a deep post. Mallett hit his fellow Texarkana, Texas, native in stride. Tigers safety Karnell Hatcher went for the knockout hit, Hamilton sidestepped and Hatcher decleated cornerback Morris Claiborne. “I saw the safety coming and tried to cut underneath him, like Greg (Childs) did against Georgia on the last play,” Hamilton said, referencing Childs’ 52-yard, gamewinning touchdown. “He was going for the kill shot. I guess he had his eyes closed or something, because he totally missed me. “I heard the collision, but I really didn’t see what happened until after I scored and saw the replay. It was pretty amazing. They were coming to kill me.” Hamilton raced untouched into the end zone as time expired, getting a key block from receiver Jarius Wright. The touchdown put the Razor-
backs ahead 21-14 going into halftime, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. “I think it swung the momentum completely around,” Hamilton said. “I think (LSU) went into the halftime saying, ‘These guys aren’t playing. They’re for real.’ It gave us a boost in the locker room.” Hamilton has emerged since junior receiver Greg Childs injured his patella tendon against Ole Vanderbilt, to-
COBI HAMILTON taling 16 catches for 366 yards and five touchdowns in Arkansas’ last four contests. “You never know what to expect with Cobi Hamilton,” sophomore defensive end Tenarius Wright said. “He might take it 40 yards or he might take it 80 yards for
a touchdown. It’s good to see Cobi stepping up behind Greg Childs and making all those plays.” His two touchdown catches might not have been his biggest snag of the contest, though. LSU’s Josh Jasper kicked a 36-yard field goal to draw the Tigers within 31-23 with 1:58 remaining. LSU lined up for an onside kick and Hamilton was on the Hogs’ hands team. “I have a pretty good idea the ball is coming to me,” Hamilton said. “I’m right there in that hole, so there’s a pretty good percentage it’s coming to me.” Jasper’s kick bounced once and Hamilton skied high to recover the ball for the Razorbacks. “They said it was the biggest play of the game and I agree,” Hamilton said. “I took a pretty good shot on that.” Hamilton’s efforts might have given him an opportunity to showcase his talents in the Arkansas’ first BCS bowl appearance. The Hogs are projected to play Ohio State Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl by ESPN’s Brad Edwards. “We were cheering for Auburn (against Alabama) and we’ll be cheering for Auburn next week,” Hamilton said.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 14
Enroll, Transfer, Repeat. Don’t Panic
COMMENTARY
This Space for Rent
DANNY MEYER dxm010@uark.edu
I learned a lot of things during my last semester of college. I learned that I’m tired of school. This Herculean college trek that I’ve taken four schools in three states - has begun to take its toll. I’m worn out, man. My brain hurts. But I’ve also learned that I’m going to miss it. The routine I’ve had almost everyday for the past 5 years will be gone; the relatively moderate level of responsibly that I’ve encountered will evaporate. And what will that be replaced with? Well, I don’t know. As far as the professional arena goes, I’m not even a contestant. I don’t have a solid plan. I have a liquid plan. Okay, more like a green, sticky amorphous plan. But that’s all right. College wasn’t about having tunnel vision towards a job - ignoring all the glitz and glamour that comes with being a young, empowered college kid. That’s how I started, seeking fame as a college athlete. My first stop was Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. After a typical mildly successful senior season a lot of small town kids experience, I signed as a running back, filled with feelings of under apprecia-
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tion from schools that had ignored my skill set. This frustration bordered on anger, which intensified when I was redshirted, and I entered practice with a gigantic chip on my shoulder. That chip was promptly and violently removed by a group of even more gigantic men. So football didn’t work out, and neither did Pittsburg. Once I stopped playing ball, I didn’t want to be in Kansas anymore. But it wasn’t a total waste. I learned that I wasn’t a college athlete, I managed to have some fun here and there, and I met a guy on the team that would become one of my best friends. So I knew I wanted to leave. But where to? Since I had been at Pitt a year and a half, and since my intent to transfer was extremely short notice, I ended up moving back home to West Plains, Mo. and went to the two-year college there for a semester. It might be a little more obvious what I learned here. I figured out that I wanted to get back into a school that wasn’t in the same place I had been for most of my life. Been there, done that. But I had nowhere in mind, nowhere I was considering. That was until one night when I got a call from my buddy who was on a golf recruiting trip at a college in Batesville. “Dude,” he said over the phone, “you have to come here with me.” “Is there a journalism major there?,” I asked. The words surprised me; they just slipped right out. I knew I wanted to change majors, at Pittsburg I had majored in nursing - I’ll
pause while you snicker. I’d been thinking about what I wanted to do, and I guess journalism was at the front of my mind that night. “Um, I think they have a journalism concentration,” he said. Good enough for me. I went to Lyon College that next semester with him and another buddy and preceded to have a blast. When people ask me what my favorite college was on my Midwest Tour, I don’t hesitate with an answer. Lyon was fantastic. You’d work your butt off Monday through Friday afternoon, then it was time to let loose. Every weekend there was something happening; every weekend was more fun than the previous. But it was expensive. Very expensive. And when my parents divorced after my first and only semester there, I wanted to go home. I felt obligated to be around and help out however I could. I went back to West Plains and got a job at Great Rivers Distributing, a local Anheuser-Busch delivery company. I had worked there before during a few summers, and I knew the guys and knew they would hire me. A few months on the job and I had another decision to make. Should I stay or should I go? I was making decent money, enjoyed my job and was around beer all day. Not a bad gig for a 21-year -old. But alas, the pull of academia was too much. Or was it my mother’s constant nagging in my ear? Either way, I ended up at the University of Arkansas, again at the request of my aforementioned buddy, who had skipped out
on Lyon too and was already in Fayetteville. Man I’m impressionable. I knew journalism was what I wanted to pursue, and the professors here confirmed that. They taught me what I needed to know, what I wanted to know and what I didn’t even know I needed to know. It’s one heck of a department, filled with caring, capable and compassionate people. And I don’t care what anyone says - Bret Schulte is the best damn teacher I’ve ever had. So now it’s here. I’m only a couple weeks away from leaving the friendly confines of college and heading into the dangerous domain of professional pursuit, and as mentioned before, with only a skeleton of the traditional post-college plan, which consists of finding a job while still enrolled - sacrificing location for expectancy - beginning that job posthaste and promptly suffering from a combination of homesickness and disdain. Seeing this model far too often, I began to understand this: It’s not where you are or what you’re doing, it’s who you’re with. Don’t exhaust yourself with constant job fairs and resumés. Like my dad says: take a breath. And like I say: outrageous student loans build outstanding character. You’re the best of the best. Inherent with a college degree is employment. So don’t worry. A job will find you. Just make sure you find yourself. Danny Meyer is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. This is his last column before graduating.
from PERFECT START on page 12 The Razorbacks won the UTEP Thanksgiving Tournament in El Paso, Texas. Arkansas had three players receive all-tournament honors. Ricketts won the defensive MVP award, while Harris and center Sarah Watkins also earned accolades for Arkansas. Watkins finished the tournament with a 15-point, eight-rebound performance in a 59-56 win against host UTEP. Watkins has been emerging as a post player, along with junior Ashley Daniels. Watkins averages 11.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while adding 11 blocks. Daniels leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per game and is the fourth leading scorer, averaging 10 points
per game. Both players are shooting 50 percent. The emergence of his team’s post game is a good sign for the Razorbacks, Collen said. Arkansas still has areas to improve. The Razorbacks are shooting just 62.1 percent from the free-throw line, have turned the ball over an average of 16.6 times per game and are shooting just 32.1 percent from 3-point range. “I feel good about the fact that we haven’t played great basketball yet, but are headed in the right direction,” Collen said. Arkansas will be play at Utah – Collen’s first coaching gig – Saturday. “They are not going to be intimidated and Utah has been near impossible to beat in Salt Lake City,” Collen said. “We are not going to overlook them.”
UA MEDIA RELATIONS
Junior guard Lyndsay Harris is leading the undefeated Razorbacks in scoring, averaging 13.6 points per game.
PAGE 15 from OKLAHOMA on page 12 “We are going to have our ups and downs,” Nobles said. “We just have to stay together and keep working hard.” Oklahoma is the first major conference school on the schedule for the Hogs this season. The two teams will meet for the 25th time and the contest will be Pelphrey’s fourth matchup against the Sooners. Despite the border rivalry, Nobles said Arkansas will approach it like any other game. “It is just another game to us,” Nobles said. “We like to go out and play everybody the same and just play hard.” The Razorbacks are just 1-2 against the Sooners under Pelphrey, but lead the overall series 13-11. Arkansas senior center Delvon Johnson is coming off an18point, 13-rebound performance against UAB, both career-highs. It was Johnson’s first career double-double, but Nobles said if the big man continues to play at a high level, it will only make the team better. “We need more games like
that every game,” Nobles said “If he comes and plays like that every game we will be a much better team.” Johnson played in 42 of the 45 minutes in the overtime defeat against the Blazers. With the heavy minutes placed on the Chicago native due to lack of depth in the Hogs’ frontcourt, Johnson will need to continue to be a bright spot, Pelphrey said. Sophomore forward Marshawn Powell is one of the Razorbacks limited by an injury. The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder is still trying to build stamina after missing two months after suffering a broken foot in August. Powell missed the two games prior to the UAB contest, but scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in 25 minutes against the Blazers. He struggled from the field, making just 3-of11 shots. “I thought in the game he was more aggressive than any point he’s been this season,” Pelphrey said. “I wouldn’t say that he was 100 percent, but he was 100 percent better than anything we’d seen this year. Hopefully that’s a good sign and he’ll continue to get up there. “He was probably 75 percent
the other night. We need him at 100.” The Newport News, Va., native practiced Saturday and Pelphrey said he’s confident Powell will play against the Sooners. “The reality is he’s not quite 100 percent yet, but he’s pushing toward it,” Pelphrey said. “We’re all used to seeing him score some of those balls and he will, but I thought that his assertiveness and the fact he practiced the next day was good.” For the Sooners, senior forward Cade Davis leads the way. Davis is averaging 16.7 points per game, while also pulling down more than five rebounds per contest. The Elk City, Okla., product has improved his scoring average by nearly seven points from last season and has improved in other areas as well, Pelphrey said. “Cade Davis has really really worked hard you can tell on his body, worked hard on his game,” Pelphrey said. “He stands out to me as someone who has gotten better.” The Sooners are led defensively by 6-foot-9 inch Nick Thompson, who is the OU’s leading rebounder, averaging six rebounds per game.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Oklahoma at Arkansas 3-3
Wednesday, Dec. 1 7 p.m. Bud Walton Arena
3-1
Series: Arkansas leads 13-11 overall, 6-5 at Bud Walton Arena Last Meeting: OU won 67-47, Dec. 2, 2009 OU coach Jeff Capel
ARKANSAS PLAYER Glenn Bryant Delvon Johnson Marcus Britt Rotnei Clarke Julysses Nobles
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey
Projected Starting Lineups POSITION F C G G G
HEIGHT 6-7 6-9 6-3 6-0 6-1
CLASS So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So.
PPG 5.3 10.8 6.0 15.8 8.8
RPG 4.3 8.8 2.5 2.5 4.5*
OKLAHOMA PLAYER POSITION HEIGHT CLASS PPG Nick Thompson F 6-9 Jr. 4.0 Andrew Fitzgerald C 6-8 So. 13.3 Cade Davis G 6-5 Sr. 16.7 Steven Pledger G 6-4 So. 10.5 Cameron Clark G 6-6 Fr. 5.5 PPG - points per game, RPG - rebounds per game, * - assists per game
JONATHAN GIBSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior forward Delvon Johnson has emerged for the Razorbacks. He set career-highs against UAB, scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds in the Hogs’ 70-65 overtime loss.
RPG 6.0 5.2 5.2 2.3 4.0
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 PAGE 16
Julysses Nobles
Sophomore, Guard 6-foot-1, 170 lbs 2010-11: 8.8 points, 4.5 assists
Arkansas Traveler staff writer Zach Turner sat down with Arkansas sophomore point guard Julysses Nobles, discussing the Hogs’ mindset after their first loss and Nobles’ improvement in the offseason. The 6-foot1, 170-pounder leads the Razorbacks with 10 steals.
What is the team’s mindset after the loss to UAB?
We just have to come back to practice and work hard. We let that one go and came back the next day and worked hard to try and get that off our mind.
Coach Pelphrey said before the season started that you were probably the most improved player on the team. Talk about the improvements you have made.
During the offseason I was working on my weaknesses. I got in the gym more, the weight room more, I got stronger and I was just doing anything to make my team better. I feel I got better and it is showing now.
What part of those weaknesses do you think you worked on the most?
Well my jump shot wasn’t consistent and my decision making either. It was just a learning experience I think too.
You and Jeff Peterson have been sharing the point guard spot, how do you feel that is going?
I think it is going well. We can both get rest and we can both run the team so it is working well.
OLYMPIC SPORTS
Norton, Santos Receive Conference Accolades by ZACH TURNER Staff Writer
Arkansas’ volleyball team had two players placed on the All-Southeastern Conference teams, announced this week. Outside Hitter Jasmine Norton was awarded AllSEC second-team honors for the second consecutive season. The sophomore from Rowlett, Texas, led the SEC in kills this season with an average of 3.83 kills per set. Norton was able to accomplish eight double-double performances this season. She tied a career-high in kills in a match with 29 against UAB. “Jasmine Norton continues to grow as a player and as a person,” Arkansas coach Robert Pulliza said. As a freshman last season, Norton was named SEC Freshman of the Year in addition to her placement on the All-SEC Second Team. Coach Pulliza said although Jasmine was aiming for the All-SEC First Team selection this season, she is willing to do what it takes to make that next step in her final two years as a Razorback. “She certainly wanted to be first team and keep on growing,” Pulliza said. “She did some good things and could have been First Team this year. We just fell short in our efforts. I know that she is engaged and ready for more to become one of the best in the country.” The All-SEC first-team was comprised of nine players, eight of whom were upperclassmen, and one freshman. Pulliza said he fully expects Norton to be able to place next season. Freshman setter Ray-
mariely Santos earned AllSEC Freshman honors. The Puerto Rico product was one of seven athletes on the team while leading Arkansas this season in assists during con-
make it.” Arkansas finished the season with a record of 14-17, going 8-12 in SEC play. With no seniors on the roster, the Razorbacks return their entire team next season. Arkansas on Three-Meet Winning Streak
JASMINE NORTON
RAYMARIELY SANTOS ference play. Santos started her first career match in the conference opener against Georgia and produced her highest assists total of the season with 50. Santos finished fourth in the SEC in assists, averaging 8.75 during conference play. “We certainly felt she was deserving of the award,” Pulliza said. “It is always good when you have to be voted in by the opposing coaches because they are the ones who believe that you should
No. 17 Arkansas swim team is currently on a three meet win streak and looking to improve on that this weekend. The Razorbacks will compete against Brigham Young Friday night then traveling to Utah for a morning meet against the Utes. Head Coach Jeff Poppell sees this weekend as a good and tough challenge for the Razorbacks. “BYU is a team that is flying under the radar,” Poppell said. “Individually they are a team that can compete with the teams ranked 15-25 nationally. Utah on the other hand gets better and better every year, they have some individuals that will step up and challenge us.” Arkansas will be competing in two meets in less than a day’s rest. “In a 24-hour period we are traveling and competing in two meets,” Poppell said. “We are competing in altitude this weekend as well which is going to present his own challenge. Another thing we are very cognoscente of is when we go to an SEC Championship or an NCAA Championship is it’s a three day, six session format.” The Razorbacks are coming off their biggest meet of the season, winning the Purdue Invitational. During the meet, sophomore Chelsea Franklin broke the Arkansas school record in the 500-meter freestyle.