Top 5 Videogames of the 2011 Fall Semester Page 7 PAGE 1
Vol. 106, NO. 56 UATRAV.COM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
Protesters Left Out in the Cold
In This Issue:
News
Mentor Program Expands
The cross cultural mentor program expands.
Page 3
News
Increase in Mobile Vendors
Sharp increase of mobile vendors in Fayetteville
Features
Page 2
Allergies while Dining
By following a few guidelines, students with food allergies can enjoy restaurant food with no worry.
Features
Page 5
How to Beat PreFinals Stress Exercise, music and television help students to combat stress during the final days of the semester.
Page 5
Sports
Eight Hogs Earn All-SEC Honors
Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson was named first-team AllSEC and was one of eight Razorbacks that earned SEC honors.
Opinion
Page 5
Proposed Piracy Legislation Goes Too Far Bill in Congress ignore how the average person uses the internet.
Page 4
MEGAN HUCKABY STAFF WRITER
The Occupy Northwest Arkansas Movement, including UA students, protested on the corner of Dickson Street and College Avenue 12 p.m., Monday. The group continues to have protests while Occupy protestors across the country have been arrested or evicted at their locations.
UA Venus Study Offers Insights to Earth’s Atmosphere by CHVEN MITCHELL Staff Writer
A new study by a UA student and professor aims to study why the atmosphere of Venus evolved so differently from Earth’s. “Though these planets are very similar, they have evolved in completely different ways,” said Vincent Chevrier, UA assistant research professor. The mass, diameter, density, gravity and escape velocity of Venus are almost identical to Earth’s, according to a fact sheet by NASA scientist David Williams. The UA study, called “Surface of Venus,” explores one theory in particular. “One of the theories is that there was an impact early on in the evolution of Venus,
and this collision slowed and somewhat reversed the planet’s rotation,” said UA graduate student Patricia Gavin. The same thing might have occurred on Earth’s surface, Gavin said. Such an impact might have led to the formation of the moon, which was crucial to the development of life. “At some point, it was natural to study Venus as a result of what we learned about other planets, mainly because the conditions are totally different but the mechanisms remain essentially the same,” Chevrier said. “Earth has two phenomenas that work together to maintain the climate,” Chevrier said — weathering and tectonics, both of which allow carbon dioxide to be recycled. “Venus has no tectonic activity, but the planet is covered with volcanos. CO2 rises to Venus’ atmosphere and never leaves,” Chevrier said.
see VENUS on page 3
COURTESY PHOTO MCT CAMPUS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 VOL. 106, NO. 56 8 PAGES UATRAV.COM
WEATHER FORECAST
TODAY 36°
WEDNESDAY 38°
THURSDAY 46°
FRIDAY 40°
Old Field House Possible Site for Future Concert Hall by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer
A campus concert hall could be built in the old field house pending the results of a feasibility study, officials said. The concert hall is one of three options. Other options include a ballroom or the new fitness center. The fitness center is being built in the Arkansas Union. The feasibility study will give officials a price range. If the price is too high the project will not go forward. Also, if officials think that the price is too low to offer a quality concert hall, the project will not be pursued, said Mike Johnson, vice chancellor for facilities. The project could become a serious financial undertaking, said Tahar Messadi, an associate professor in the Fay Jones School of Architecture. The investment would need to be made to transform the space from a normal building to a concert hall. There are peculiarities that arise when the space is considered for use as a music focused concert hall, Johnson said. Transforming the inside of the building requires extensive planning. Acoustics are a big obstacle, along with the shape of the building, he said. “Music is about enveloping the listener,” Messardi said. The structure itself needs to separate the listener from the background noise. Avoiding focused sound and echoing are key factors when designing a concert hall, he said. It is possible to turn the old field house into a nice concert hall, but it will require a multi-
SATURDAY 44°
SUNDAY 46°
tude of changes to the inside, including changes to the pitched ceiling and possibly cutting into the basement to create seating, he said. “I mean it’s a serious undertaking, it can’t be underestimated,” Messardi said. Despite the changes needed, it is possible to transform the building into a concert hall and it could easily seat 800 people, Messardi said. A new concert hall would lessen the strain put on the music department when they have to transport their instruments from where they practice to where they actually play. “If [the concert hall] is not on the core campus it takes away from class periods because you have to haul the instruments, even down the street you are going to have to pack them up and haul them,” he said. The music department staff uses the Walton Arts Center for their concerts. Logistics and functionality led to officials deciding that a concert hall would be a nice fit for the old field house building, Johnson said. Having a music center offers many benefits to the music department. “It is so important,” said Rhonda Main, music department chair. “I can’t tell you how important it is.” The students have no space to learn in with the current set up, she said. With the addition of a music hall on campus, the students would not have to transport their instruments to the Walton Arts Center, making it possible to rehearse during the day.
see CONCERT HALL on page 2
Follow us on Twitter at uatrav.com
NEWS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
PAGE 2
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ABOUT THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER The Arkansas Traveler, the student newspaper of the University of Arkansas, is published every day 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.
CONTACT 119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 Chi Omega brings a holiday celebration to the Kids Life program at Lifesource Monday afternoon
CRIME REPORT: Wednesday, Nov. 23 Theft Of Property
A student reported someone stole her laptop while it was unattended at a bus stop at Leverett Avenue and Maple Street.
Monday, Nov. 28
Burglary, Theft Of Property
A student reported someone stole a camera and gloves from his room in Humphreys Hall.
Tuesday, Nov. 29 Criminal Mischief
The house mother at Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity reported someone broke windows and doors at the fraternity house.
Thursday, Dec. 1 Criminal Mischief
A student reported someone painted graffiti on a wall at the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House. The investigating officer found graffiti there and also on Sigma Nu Fraternity House, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House and Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity House.
Friday, Dec. 2
Fraudulent Use Of A Credit Card
A staff member reported someone used a credit card to make an unauthorized purchase at the Razorback Ticket Center.
Friday, Dec. 2
Theft Of Property
A student reported someone stole his backpack while it was unattended on a patio at The Hill Grill at Maple Hill South Residence Hall.
Main: 479.575.3406 Fax: 479.575.3306 traveler@uark.edu
GRACE GUDE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Cross Cultural Mentor Program Expands by MATILDE BONIFAZ Staff Writer
The Cross Cultural Mentor Program, a UA organization designed to help new international students make transitions to the university, is growing rapidly, officials said. “Our program has been growing. This past fall we had more than 50 student leaders participate and help us with the new student orientation,” said Niharika Bajad, graduate retention assistant. The mentors help new students adjust culturally, socially and academically. This helps everyone involved gain leadership skills and cultural experience, Bajad said. “The best experience I had being a mentor would be making friends with new people and experience the diverse culture,” said Mengjiao Liao, mentor and service assisstant. “Cross Cultural Mentor Program makes me feel closer to this school and makes the UA
my second home.” The mentors serve as a bridge between students and the Office of International Students & Scholars, Bajad said. “Applicants need to go through one group interview and one individual interview. Finally, the selected applicants will have a group training day in April and there are three days of intensive training and info section before the orientation in August,” said Candy Hanfei Wang, cross cultural mentor for graduate and undergraduate students. Cross Cultural Mentor Program works only for the international students but the mentors can be from any country, according to an online article. Every year, the program invites guest speakers from the Pat Walker Health Center, the Quality Writing Center and the police department, Hanfei said.
CONCERT HALL from page 1
Not transporting the instruments back and forth would also save money, Mains said. While the UA is stressed for classroom space, the field house was not a good option for classrooms, Johnson said. The new auditoriums will provide enough large classroom space when they are completed and a general classroom building will provide smaller seating classrooms. “We could probably [make it classrooms]. It would be difficult because anything more than 75-100 [seats] you need to tier it,” he said. The building, located between the Arkansas Union and Silas Hunt Hall, is part of the historic district of the campus, which spans from Arkansas Avenue to Garland Avenue and from Dickson Street to Maple Street, Johnson said. Because of this, the outside of the building must maintain its late 1930s look, he said. “You can take things out of, demolish – a word nobody likes to say, or you can add things to the district as long as you maintain the overall character of the district,” Johnson said. The feasibility study is being conducted now and the results will be given to the UA in a couple of months, officials said.
Scan to call us!
facebook.com/uatrav twitter.com/uatrav
STAFF EDITORIAL SABA NASEEM
SAMANTHA WILLIAMS
Editor -in-Chief 575-8455 traveler@uark.edu
Enterprise Editor
CHAD WOODARD
News Editor 575-3226 travnews@uark.edu
MATTIE QUINN Managing Editor travmgr@uark.edu
BRITTANY NIMS
LAUREN LEATHERBY
Asst. News Editor
Features Editor travlife@uark.edu
KELSI FORD
Asst. Features Editor
JIMMY CARTER
JORDAIN CARNEY
Sports Editor 575-7051 travsprt@uark.edu
Opinion Editor
SARAH CHAMPAGNE Photo Editor
ZACH TURNER
Asst. Sports Editor
BEN FLOWERS Asst. Photo Editor
ADVERTISING & DESIGN CANNON MCNAIR
MICY LIU
Sales Manager 575-3839 travad1@uark.edu
Campus Account Executive 575-7594 travad4@uark.edu
JAIME HOLLAND
AARON TAN
Account Executive 575-3899 travad2@uark.edu
Campus Account Executive 575-7594 travad4@uark.edu
ZACHARY FRY
ANDY KOUCHY
Account Executive 575-8714 travad3@uark.edu
Account Executive 575-8714 travad3@uark.edu
ERIK NORTHFELL
Lead Designer/ Web Developer
CELI BIRKE
SARAH COLPITTS News Designer
LEAH YOUNG
Graphic Designer
Features Designer
DYLAN CRAIG
TAYLOR WHITE Sports Designer
Graphic Designer
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
NEWS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
Sharp Increase in Mobile Vendors in Fayetteville by ANDREA BROWN Contributing Writer
One urban designer’s idea to raise awareness about the benefits of the mobile food trend is slowly turning into what some have called a “Food Cart Revolution” in Fayetteville. Neil Heller created the Fayetteville Food Carts Facebook page to gain support and foster enthusiasm toward the food cart trend. His idea soon transformed into an “everything mobile” venture, from food to retail, he said. “In today’s economy, getting a substantial loan is tough,” Heller said. “Using a mobile cart, such as an Airstream, allows for the business owner to get started at a relatively low initial cost.” Once the mobile restaurant or café is established, the vendor can decide whether to open a brick and mortar restaurant, he said. “This gives them options to grow,” Heller said. Mobile vending also gives existing businesses the ability to downsize, if necessary, without having to shut down completely, he said. Heller is working with Alderman Matthew Petty to amend the existing ordinance that prohibits permanent locations for mobile vendors. “It mainly pertains to the little cart you might see on the sidewalk,” Heller said. “The main issue is the mobile vendor having to relocate and then reapply every 90 days.” The goal is to give mobile vendors the ability to stay in one location permanently, he said. “It is key that there be no prejudice in the ordinance toward mobile vendors. They are just like any other funky, local business,” Heller said. Positive feedback on Heller’s Facebook page prompted him to meet with local architect Robert Sharp, who owns a parking lot at the corner of College and Trenton Avenues. There will be six Airstreams located on the College lot throughout the holiday season, he said. Silver Stream Café is the most recent Airstream to open on the lot. “We just launched a few weeks ago, but I wrote a business plan analysis, so I understand what my goal needs to be per day and what the margin needs to be,” said owner Angel Clower.
VENUS
from page 1 “There are very similar amounts of CO2 in Venus as there is on Earth, except Earth recycles all those gases and make a comfortable atmosphere, favorable to the presence of liquid water,” he said. “All these conditions make Venus a perfect example for the ‘Runaway Greenhouse Ef-
ANDREA BROWN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Mobile vendors and retailers, like Silver Stream Café owner Angel Clower, have more control over expenditures, she said. Clower, who employs two part-time workers, is able to keep payroll and utilities low in her Airstream, unlike a “brick-and-mortar building,” she said. “It’s seasonal right now, so we’re going into winter and colder weather, and obviously I don’t expect to achieve that 50 percent per day or whatever that goal is at this point in time,” Clower said. “But I’m working toward it.” One of the biggest advantages of using an Airstream is the low overhead cost, she said. Airstream owners don’t have to pay rent for a brickand-mortar restaurant or store. “I’m full-time, and then I have two part-timers. It keeps it simple. It keeps your overhead, both for payroll and utilities low,” Clower said. “I mean, anything can be executed in an Airstream without having that expense of having a true brick-andmortar building.” The economic benefits are not the only thing that attracted Clower to mobile vending. Her love for Airstreams came from growing up in a
fect.’ Venus is an extreme example of what happens when everything goes wrong,” Chevrier said. “Because we can apply this to earth, if we can identify the early indicators of a future runaway greenhouse effect, then we can try to do something to counter its development.” “We also decided to research the surface of Venus because NASA’s ‘Magellan
vintage environment. Her parents owned an antique shop and were always collecting things, she said. “I just wanted to do something fun and creative that would stand the test of time, and I feel like the Airstream really speaks for that,” Clower said. Molly Clark, who founded the Grey Dog Vintage Boutique last year, is the pioneer of the mobile vending trend on the College lot. “I had that Airstream for four or five years before I decided to open up shop,” Clark said. “I liked the idea of being mobile, and I wanted an intimate space. So I thought, why not renovate it and use that?” With help from a friend, Clark was able to do her own renovations to the Airstream at minimal cost. “The novelty of it is a huge advantage,” Clark said. “It’s something different, and it catches people’s eye.”
Mission to Venus’ revealed the existence of distinct radar anomalies that reflected much stronger signals at higher altitudes,” Chevrier said. These anomalies produce defined lines similar to Earth’s snow line, a phenomenon that
But there are disadvantages to owning an Airstream on the College lot, too, Clark said. Running water isn’t readily available, and Clark’s trailer doesn’t have a restroom. The trailer allows very little storage space, she said. “I have a lot of inventory that I have to keep at my house, just because I don’t have room in there,” Clark said. “So it would be nice to have the floor space just to show everything that I have.” Since Clark’s space is limited, she must decide which pieces of inventory to display at a certain time to satisfy her customers’ wants and needs. Clower gathers information from various demographics to decide what type of food to put on the menu. “It’s about being adaptive, right? I just built this beautiful kitchen; it’s state-of-the-art, and I’m adapting to the needs and requests as well,” she
occurs in mountainous terrain at certain altitudes where ice becomes stable in a cooler atmosphere. Gavin and Chevrier secured funding from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium to look at exotic com-
said. “We’re doing some frittatas. We have a wonderful Ozark shiitake mushroom soup that’s going to be on the menu.” Clower orders from Ozark Natural Foods and Sweden Creek Farm, which delivers fresh shiitake to the café every Tuesday. She buys from the Farmer’s Market to keep the food fresh and local. Clower also uses Wren Thicket Gardens, which is a part of the new winter Farmer’s Market. “I try and support as many local farmers, bakers and growers as I can,” Clower said. “We’re looking at seasonal menus, of course, in order to do that.” The Café is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturdays, but Clower plans on opening earlier to accommodate the breakfast crowd.
pounds that might explain the radar anomalies. “We thought we could make a more significant contribution in a smaller community on this Venus project, especially since we are actually in the lab physically conduct-
ing experiments and not simulating situations,” Gavin said. Gavin partnered with the Goddard Space Flight Center to test and monitor samples in a “Venus Simulation Chamber.”
Someone you know is planning her future.
3729 N. Crossover, Ste. 107 | Fayetteville 1.479.443.7791 | www.ppaeo.org
OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
PAGE 4
Scan here to go to the Opinion section on uatrav.com
EDITOR: SABA NASEEM MANAGING EDITOR: MATTIE QUINN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
Growing Up Changes Our Perspective of the Holidays It’s been hard for me to wrap my head around the idea of Christmas since I entered the vague age of maturity. Leaving behind my childhood perspectives forced me, like many others, to leave behind the inherent magic of Christmas. The safety, security and promise that Christmas used to bring is a thing of the past. The Christmas of the past few years has brought about, at very best, a desire to showby BARRETT LEWIS er appreciation on the ones around Traveler Columnist me that I truly love, and at worst, a contrasting loneliness that echoed off the happiness and gaiety of my friends and family around me. I truly thought this Christmas would be like no other. Money is tight during December, as always, and I didn’t have my usual foresight of buying gifts before it came down to the wire. There seemed to be no change in my life, and until a day ago that was correct. Last Saturday, my parents informed me that they would be moving to Lincoln, Neb. shortly after News Year’s Eve. This is not an entirely sudden decision. My older sister, and only sibling, lives there, and my parents tried a similar move earlier this year shortly before she gave birth to my beautiful niece, Molly. I am not shocked or fearful of what that brings. I’ve lived my entire life within a close range of their bubble, never permanently located more than 30 minutes away, but I’m older now, and it’s time for this to happen. This year I am a senior, but I will be one for a while longer. I’ve made decisions that have caught up with me in time, and I’m simply going at a slower, yet happier rate, than I have before. I am alone in this easygoing process, however. The good friends that I have had in college I made in high school. They are the longest friendships I have ever maintained, and most, if not all of these friends, desire to leave the area in just a year’s time. I am increasingly confronted with the realization that shortly, many of my closest and trusted companions will have capitalized on the want, need and opportunity to leave the area and make a life for themselves somewhere else. My own life path remains open ended. The end of school is almost an abstract idea; one that seems perpetually in a fog of distance, and truth be told, I do love Fayetteville and have no current desire to vacate. This holiday season has, in a matter of days, turned into a sudden and overwhelming need to not just shower appreciation on my friends and family for one day, but spend what may be the last few free weeks of time with people who I should have been showering respect and appreciation on for years worth of time. I am not alone in this. I realize that as long as I live in Fayetteville, each year there will be those who enter my life as their social circles create a venn diagram with my own. However, preceding this collision of social interactions is an increasingly apparent annual emigration of friends, both newly acquainted and adolescent-deep. Christmas is bound to take on many meanings through my life. While I someday expect it to extend to the joy of children and even the solitude of old age, I did not expect this kind of meaning. Christmas is, for very many, a very sad time of year. This meaning of spending time with those who I have a limited time with is sad, indeed, but there is also something very joyous about it. It means my life is rich with not just a quantity of loved ones, but more so a very select quality of them. It means that my priorities are right after all, if I can love the same people for so long and love them so much the whole way through. I do not dedicate this holiday season to the future or the past, but the always-real present. Many readers digesting this article may relate to my earlier accounts of Christmas apathy. I hear it more all the time, but for those of you experiencing this, I beg of you to consider who is important in your life. For those of us living the college life, our social connections are never as permanent as they seem, and people move in and out of your life with an ease that can be hard to swallow. For many of us, a certain phase of our life is coming to a close in the near future. This is the last Christmas that I have a certain expectation of. I have no idea who will be next to me next year and what I will do. It’s time to take the last few free weeks of the year I have left with my family and friends, and not just give gifts, but pure and shamefully belated love. This is what I should have been doing all along.
Fayetteville Spotlight
Barrett Lewis is a columnist for The Traveler. His column appears bimontly.
MCT CAMPUS
Proposed Piracy Legislation Goes Too Far Uncommon Perspecitive
by CHRIS SONTAGG
Traveler Columnist
Recently, senators and congressmen have introduced bills that could change the face of the Internet as we know it, with farreaching censorship, spying and legal penalties including jail time for your online actions. The Stop Online Piracy Act of 2011 introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) and others, including Arkansas’ own Rep. Tim Griffin. It is supposedly aimed at killing Americans’ access to “rogue sites,” what the Hollywood and music industry lobbyists have taken to calling any pirate websites based in foreign countries whose legal codes aren’t very harsh against infringement. As these sites are not in the U.S. (where lawsuits against the owners would likely carry heavy fines), there is little copyright holders can do to counter them. Under SOPA and its brotherbill in the Senate, the PROTECTIP Act, once a website owner is accused by a copyright-holder of “committing or facilitating the commission” of copyright infringement, the Attorney General can serve a court order that forces Internet Service Providers to take down or block a website’s domain name service without actually even having to verify that the website is, in fact, breaking any laws. It would also force search engines, like Google, to remove these sites from their listing. It also allows groups
like the Motion Picture Association of America to directly send notices to internet advertisers and payment processors, like PayPal, which must then sever connections with these websites as if the order had come from the Attorney General himself. The “rogue websites” in question would not have to be notified. In hearings on SOPA, the MPAA argued that sixteen other countries already practice internetblocking, as if it’s no big deal. They didn’t mention that among these are China, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, who use similar methods. Supposedly, piracy causes a $200-250 billion loss each year, according to an FBI report from 2002—although, later, FBI officials admitted that it had “no record of source data or methodology for generating the estimates and that it cannot be corroborated.” Don’t mind that it is “difficult, if not impossible, to quantify the economy-wide impacts,” according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. Don’t mind that in 2009, Google noted that nearly 60 percent of its takedown requests were from businesses targeting their competitors and nearly 40 percent weren’t valid copyright claims at all. Don’t mind that every single sponsor of the bill has YouTube videos uploaded with material from C-SPAN and their local news stations. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Opposing SOPA are many of the largest tech companies in America and others, including Google, Facebook, Twitter, Zynga, eBay, Mozilla, Yahoo, AOL, LinkedIn, Microsoft, several law groups including the ACLU, the European Parliament, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and hundreds of thousands of people all over the United States who have already called their leaders’ offices. And yet, more and more bills like it are
being introduced, often with the push of. Smith. Another of his bills, the Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011, would require your Internet providers to hold onto every customer’s name, address, phone number, credit card and bank account numbers and IP addresses—a history of every site you visit and a lot of your personal information—for an entire year. Supposedly it would help police catch child pornographers, but with 272.1 million Americans online and only about 10,000 such arrests made by the FBI since 1996, according to the Denver Post, I can’t help but feel it would do little to help children and is only named the way it is to make voting against it political suicide. This info would likely be accessed by anyone with sufficient legal influence—much like the Patriot Act has been used most for drug offenses than fighting terrorism—so this could be used to figure out if you’ve been downloading music. I frankly don’t understand how anyone could support treating every American as if they already committed a crime to supposedly help fight a few isolated crimes. Meanwhile, the “Commercial Felony Streaming Act” would make it a felony to stream copyright-infringing content. Get caught uploading a Michael Jackson music video, and you could be jailed for five years—one more year than the doctor who was just convicted of killing him. Embedded a YouTube video in your Facebook profile? Too bad—you just got your Facebook shut down; now where will you go to share content and connect with your friends? Frankly, all of this shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the way the Internet works, why people pirate, and civil rights. For one, most of these attempts would do almost nothing to actu-
ally stop piracy—many of those who pirate have private servers— but only fragment the Internet by creating something like the “Great Firewall of China.” The very nature of the Internet is that it can survive having random parts shut down, only to have everything important show up in different locations the next day. A clear example was that of MAFIAAFire, a Firefox add-on that can reroute web traffic to new websites if the original had been shut down by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, something that has happened hundreds of times without due process or prior restraint. The creators made MAFIAAFire over a period of five days, though they previously had no idea how to create Firefox addons, creating enough publicity that Homeland Security tried to get Mozilla Corporation to shut down the add-on. And these are the kinds of people these legislators are up against. Now, I realize piracy is a problem, especially to those who have their creative works stolen (although the amount of damage piracy actually does is up for debate). However, these attempts to sidestep procedure and protections for the average internet-goer are ridiculous, a clear attempt at Orwellian control and censorship by lawmakers who don’t understand the Internet and the issues behind it, and are frankly ineffective at actually stopping piracy—only cutting up the Internet for the average user. And until more content is available easily online, even if we have to pay for it—Spotify, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon, NetFlix and Steam show it’s possible and profitable—piracy will continue to happen. In the meantime, please don’t break the Internet. Chris Sontagg is a Traveler columnist. His column appears bimonthly, every other Tuesday.
From the Editorial Board: Finals Advice
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR Saba Naseem MANAGING EDITOR Mattie Quinn OPINION EDITOR Jordain Carney ENTERPRISE EDITOR Samantha Williams CONTACT US The Arkansas Traveler welcomes letters to the editor from all interested readers. Letters should be at most 300 words and should include your name, student classification and major or title with the university and a day-time telephone number for verification. Letters should be sent to traveler@uark.edu.
“Take care of yourself. Eat a good breakfast the day of a big test, and don’t pull an all-nighter if you can help it. Also, keep in mind that after finals a month of freedom awaits, it’ll keep you from going crazy.”
-Managing Editor Mattie Quinn, senior, journalism
“The best advice is to sleep well, eat well and make sure you don’t stress out. But, we all know that’s not going to happen. So, just pile up on energy drinks, bury yourself in a corner in Mullins, and knock out those essays you’ve known about since the beginning of the semester. Good luck!”
- Editor Saba Naseem, senior, journalism, French and Middle Eastern Studies
“Keep calm and carry on? But seriously, don’t wait until the last minute to study, get sleep when you can and hopefully you’ve saved some of your Flex Dollars so you can buy a lot of coffee.”
-Opinion Editor Jordain Carney, senior, political science, journalism and English
“The best advice I have for getting through finals is to first deactivate your Facebook. After you’ve done that, deactivate your Twitter. Next, deactivate your MySpace if for some odd reason you still have one. Good luck?”
-Enterprise Editor Samantha Williams, senior, political science
SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
Scan here to go to the Sports section on uatrav.com:
PAGE 5 MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
SPORTS EDITOR: JIMMY CARTER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: ZACH TURNER FOOTBALL
Eight Hogs Earn All-SEC Honors by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
CONTESSA SHEW STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas junior Tyler Wilson is the first Razorback quarterback to be named first team All-SEC. Wilson threw for 3,422 yards and 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
FOOTBALL
Report: Smith to Weber State by JIMMY CARTER
John Smith KSL sportscaster Rod Zundel. Smith is the second Razorbacks assistant to take a head coaching job in three days after offensive coordinator Garrick McGee accepted the AlabamaBirmingham job Sunday. Smith was an assistant for the Hogs under Petrino for the last three seasons. Petrino worked on Smith’s staff when Smith was the head coach at Louisville. Smith also had head coaching positions at Michigan State, Utah State and Idaho. He compiled a 132-86 record and won six conference championships in 18 seasons as a head coach.
Arkansas Awards First Team QB– Tyler Wilson WR – Jarius Wright All-Purpose – Joe Adams
Second Team OG – Alvin Bailey All-Purpose – Dennis Johnson MLB – Jerry Franklin P – Dylan Breeding
Honorable Mention
Overall SEC Awards Offensive Player of the Year
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Defensive Player of the Year Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU
Coach of the Year Les Miles, LSU
Freshman of the Year Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia
S – Tramain Thomas
cord set in 2006. Wright led the SEC in receptions and his 93.5 receiving yards per game was first in the conference. Adams averaged 85.6 all-purpose yards per game and scored receiving, rushing and punt return touchdowns. He had 630 receiving yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 138 yards and had a 92yard touchdown run. He returned three punts for touchdowns and his 16.2 yards per punt return led the nation. Sophomore strong-side offensive tackle Alvin Bailey, junior
Razorbacks Streaking
running back Dennis Johnson (all-purpose), senior middle linebacker Jerry Franklin and junior punter Dylan Breeding were all named second-team All-SEC. Bailey anchored the offensive line, while Johnson’s 135 all-purpose yards per game was second in the SEC. Franklin’s 93 tackles leads the team for the fourth consecutive year, while Breeding’s 45.2 yards per punt leads the conference and ranks seventh in the nation. Senior safety Tramain Thomas was named honorable mention after finishing with 87 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Women’s basketball has won six straight
Sports Editor
Arkansas special teams coordinator and linebackers coach John L. Smith will be named head coach at Weber State at noon Tuesday, according to Utah-based
Eight Arkansas football players were named to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team Monday, including three first-team selections. The Razorbacks’ eight selections trailed only No. 1 LSU’s 11. No. 2 Alabama also had eight. Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson and senior receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams (all-purpose) were named to the first team. Wilson became the first Hog quarterback to earn first-team AllSEC honors and the first quarterback to earn first-team all-conference honors since Quinn Grovey earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1988. Wilson threw for 3,422 yards and 22 touchdowns with just six interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder led Arkansas to its second consecutive 10-win season in his first year as a starter. Wright has 63 catches for 1,029 yards this season, both single-season school records. His 11 touchdown catches is tied with Marcus Monk’s single-season re-
2011 AP All-SEC Awards
by MONICA CHAPMAN Staff Writer
Arkansas’ women’s basketball team will try to keep its home record unblemished and six-game winning streak intact against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday. The Razorbacks (6-1) won 59-53 at Middle Tennessee State University and hasn’t lost in more than three weeks since their season-opening 68-60 loss against Minnesota. “I think we’re getting a little bit better,” Arkansas coach Tom Collen said. “You know we made some free throws down the stretch, which was a positive thing. I think most of those were from Sarah Watkins. Yeah, I saw some life in us and I think we got a little better. We were sort of playing in a hostile environment. “We needed to make some big shots in the end and we got big shots from several players.” The team will begin a fivegame home stand against the Ladyjacks (7-0). “Pretty quick turnaround,” Collen said. “Stephen F. Austin, good team. 7 and 0. When you sched-
ule these teams a year or two in advance you don’t really know what to expect, but I probably didn’t anticipate that we would be playing a team that was on such a good as they are right now. So now all of a sudden this game has crept up on us and has quite a bit of significance I think because of the fact they’re off to such a good start. “We’re working hard. We’ve worked hard the last two days. We’re not going to overlook anybody and hopefully we’re prepared for it.” The Razorbacks average 60.3 points per game and will face a Stephen F. Austin team that plays up-tempo. “The main thing is they pressure everything,” sophomore freshman Dominique Robinson said. “Wherever the ball goes, they’re there. It’s kind of like the opposite of what Middle Tennessee did. I think we’re more prepared to handle the trap and more pressure from them, but it seems like we’re at practice like coach we’re doing this. “We’re doing this, but then we got into the game and they’re not trapping, they’re not pressing, but it helped because this team is
LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Arkansas sophomore forward Dominique Robinson and the 6-1 Razorbacks are on a six-game winning streak entering their home matchup against undefeated Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday. so we didn’t do it for nothing so it actually helps.” The Razorbacks have continued to improve their shooting at home, increasing from 35.7 percent in their first home game to 53.3 percent in their last home game, a 69-49 win against Gram-
bling State on Nov. 25. “I think it’s more of a team bond, like we trust each other more, so our offense flows more with each other,” junior forward Quistelle Williams said. “People coming off the bench, it’s not really a change because everyone is
just flowing into the offense. Everybody’s buying into, so it’s working out for the better good.” The five-game homestand is Arkansas’ final nonconference stretch before beginning Southeastern Conference play in January.
COMMENTARY
Progress Evident for Anderson, Hogs Extra Points
JIMMY CARTER
jicarter@uark.edu I don’t believe in moral victories. UConn beat Arkansas by 13 points. The Razorbacks didn’t win. It was easy to see the Hogs’ progress in a 75-62 loss, though. The game had all the signs of being another big road loss, similar to the 76-49 debacle in Austin against an average Texas team last season.
The Huskies were the more experienced team, had the homecourt advantage and the talent advantage. Arkansas started fast, taking an 8-1 lead in the first four minutes. UConn responded with a 21-4 run and it looked like the game would be over by halftime. A funny thing happened, though. The Razorbacks hung around. Not only did they hang around, they were in the game with less than seven minutes left. The Huskies were clearly the more complete team and pulled away late for the win, but the Hogs didn’t make it easy or lay down. What a difference a year makes. Arkansas is just seven games into the season, but it’s easy to see the difference
with Mike Anderson on the bench. The Razorbacks play with passion and purpose. There’s a system and everyone on the team has a job. UConn shot 59 percent, while the Hogs managed just 31 percent. That stat shows how impressive and gritty an effort it took for Arkansas to keep the game close. The Razorbacks are going to be a tough out for anyone they play because they play smart, aggressive and are well-coached. That’s not to say there won’t be growing pains this season. There might be a lot. It was clear Saturday that there was a talent gap on the floor. The Hogs’ older guards struggle to consistently get a shot off on the perimeter
against good defenders. Arkansas grabbed 27 offensive rebounds and outrebounded the Huskies 4735, but are undermanned inside and need a low-post scorer. *cough* Jarnell Stokes *cough* There is talent there, though. BJ Young showed why he was a consensus fivestar prospect, scoring from 3-point range, driving to the basket and doing it all while letting the game come to him. He was the most impressive player in a game against the defending national champions and on a court with seven of the top 100 players in the 2012 recruiting. He and fellow freshman guard Ky Madden have skill and savvy. If the Razorbacks can keep the duo for three
years, they will be one of the most dynamic backcourts in the Southeastern Conference, if they aren’t already next year. Freshman forward Devonta Abron hadn’t shown much in the Hogs’ first six games, but played like a beast against a UConn team with seven players 6-foot-8 or taller, grabbing 16 rebounds, including 12 offensive. He and fellow freshman forward Hunter Mickelson weren’t on the court much together, but played well when they were. Mickelson’s skill and length compliments Abron’s strength and width. The freshmen’s play against the Huskies was impressive, especially in their first collegiate road game and against their first ranked opponent. It’s clear that they
can play Anderson’s system and will get better with experience. It’s also clear not everyone can play his system and this isn’t a team talented enough to accomplish what he wants – a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. It is a team that proved it can compete with anyone and won’t back down, though, a staple of Anderson’s coaching tenure. Add in a player of Stokes’ caliber and Arkansas could become a team that will not only compete with anyone, but can beat them, too. What a difference a year can make. Jimmy Carter is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Tuesday. Follow him on Twitter @jicartersports.
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
DOWNTIME Comics, Games, & Much Much More!
PAGE 6 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
LAUGH IT UP
SUDOKU
Q: Why are pirates so popular? A: They just arrrr.... Q: Did you hear about the pilot who went on sick leave?
A: He had the flew. Most people know the legend of William Tell and his unique method of making applesauce, but not many know that he and his family were championship bowlers. Highly skilled, their team was sponsored eagerly by local merchants. To have “Tell’s Terrors” represent your firm was a great honor.
Difficulty:
Even now, to be able to claim that the Tells once represented your family business would be of great advertising value. Unfortunately, the old records have been lost, and today we can’t be sure for whom the Tells bowl.
WELCOME TO FALLING ROCK
Josh Shalek
THAT MONKEY TUNE
Michael A. Kandalaft
BREWSTER ROCKIT
Tim Rickard
BLISS
Harry Bliss
CALAMITIES OF NATURE
CROSSWORD ACROSS
DOWN
1 Traveler’s reference 6 Baldwin of “30 Rock” 10 A month of Sundays 14 Go after 15 “Later, dahling!” 16 Fictional sleuth who first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post 17 Comedian for hire? 19 Expresses delight 20 Finis, in Frankfurt 21 A month of Sundays 22 Euripides tragedy 23 What Shakespeare’s parents had to do? 27 Zoo re-creation 30 Hippy dances? 31 More than portly 32 Frost, for one 33 Opening 36 __ chic 37 Low grade, or an appropriate title for this puzzle 39 18-Down’s love 40 Orch. section 41 Quarry 42 Post-tonsillectomy treat 43 Gauchos’ gear 45 Tabloid fodder 47 Green that’s hard to swallow? 50 Material for some balloons 51 Couple’s pronoun 52 Continental wine region 56 Punta del __ 57 Memoir title for Sela? 60 Massage therapy pioneer Ida 61 Way 62 Support in a loft 63 South Dakota’s Wounded __ 64 Hudson River city 65 “That’s just crazy talk!”
1 Part of a plot, often 2 “All righty __!” 3 Developer’s need 4 Star of “61*”? 5 Ross __ 6 Buttonhole 7 Retired NPR host Hansen 8 It may be lent or bent 9 Grand Banks catch 10 Slide specimen 11 Easy to babysit, say 12 Number no longer used? 13 “Such a shame” 18 Princess with great buns? 22 Get weak in the knees 24 Had 25 K or G 26 Shades 27 Big bikes 28 Stand watch, say 29 Colt 45 holder 32 Layer 34 Teatro __ Scala: Milan opera house 35 Parlor game 37 Movie monster, casually 38 Tip of the Yucatán peninsula? 39 Banish 41 Movie house suffix 42 Vase, in a pinch 44 Michael of “Caddyshack” 45 Like many ski slopes in April 46 Italian sweetheart 47 Uriah Heep, by profession 48 Is sporting 49 Numbers game 53 Freelancer’s enc. 54 “South Park” co-creator Parker 55 Empty 57 On-target 58 Wheels 59 Neither masc. nor neut.
Crossword provided by MCT Campus
SOLUTION
TODAY’S SOLUTION
Tony Piro
Scan here to go to the Features section on uatrav.com:
THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
FEATURES
FEATURES EDITOR: LAUREN LEATHERBY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: KELSI FORD
PAGE 7 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
by MIKE MAHARDY Contributing Writer
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Widely considered the best series in video game history, the Zelda franchise never ceases to amaze with its blend of puzzle solving, fighting and adventure. The newest chapter is no exception, using fluid motion controls on the Nintendo Wii to enhance swordplay and engage the player more deeply in the game. The Wii has finally manifested the player’s motions on the screen, requiring patience and precision with each sword strike.
While the ubiquitous mind-bending puzzles are still present and the fighting is innovative once again, it is the storyline of Skyward Sword that sets it apart from other games this year. A deep connection with the characters is established and the player will find himself itching to progress through the story as the saga continues. Not only is the newest installment one of the best Zelda games ever made, but it’s one of the best video games to date.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim As a series, the Elder Scrolls games are synonymous with exploration, addictive character progression and a vast amount of content. Skyrim delivers all of these aspects like no other game this year, via a massive open world that dwarfs any other title in the series. While exploring the province of Skyrim and completing quest after quest are engaging mechanics of the game, it is the character
improvement that will cause addicted players to delve even further into the virtual world presented in this title. As the player levels up his created character (created from races such as elves, orcs and humans), new abilities can be unlocked to change the dynamics of the way one explores and fights. This formula paves the way for the most addictive game of the year, guaranteeing that gamers will continue to explore Skyrim for months to come.
Batman Arkham City For Batman fans and video game fans alike, Arkham City proves to be a stunning classic that provides days of gameplay in an open world. Gliding over the streets of the city filled with criminals is a thrilling journey in itself, providing a lengthy list of objectives that can be completed at any time. The storyline unfolds with a gang war between various Batman villains such as Joker, Two Face, the Penguin and dozens more. If a character is not involved in the main storyline, there is a good
chance he or she is presented in one of the many side missions available. The combat controls are as crisp as ever, with new moves and gadgets that flesh out the Dark Knight’s arsenal. In addition to the gameplay, Arkham City’s visual style and animations make an already amazing title even better.
Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception With amazing animations and picture-perfect graphics, Uncharted and Uncharted 2 blurred the line between Hollywood and video games. In Drake’s Deception, players will once again take control of Nathan Drake as they fight through yet another riveting epic. While the gunplay and fighting mechanics implemented in the third Uncharted title are nothing to marvel at, the amazing set-piece moments and dynamic characters place this game
at the top of the 2011 list. Whether it be hanging on to dear life in a plummeting cargo plane or surviving a bar fight with a monster of a human, Drake’s Deception is never short on breathtaking sequences that have been scripted specifically to feel like a movie. With easily the best storyline of the year, Uncharted 3 will amaze both players of the previous games and those new to the series alike.
Dead Island Seeing as how the video game industry is clogged with a myriad of zombie titles, it may be surprising that another game involving flesh-eating corpses could contend with the blockbuster titles of 2011. Not only does Dead Island provide a hairraising zombie apocalypse experience, but it demonstrates that new innovations to classic formulas can be a phenomenal approach to video game design. What sets Dead Island apart from other zombie games is
its open world and character ranking options, allowing for the learning of new abilities, along with an abundance of weapons with which to fend off the undead. Trekking across the island of Banoi is an equally terrifying and satisfying experience that rivals the greatest zombie games ever made. COURTESY PHOTOS
Pakistani Student Living the Dream by EMILY RHODES
our trip in an orientation, learning how we would manage here and what we should do and expect,” she said Just a few days after arriving in a new country, Sadaf made her way to her new home in Fayetteville. Though Sadaf takes business classes that count for college credit in Pakistan, “the program is more of a cultural exchange program,” she said. “Along with the studies, the students have to do a lot of activities to learn about the American culture.” Sadaf was paired with a “friendship family,” which makes the transition into American life a
the students received a passport when we got here, and get stamps for taking part in American Many students complain about cultural activities,” Sadaf said. the distance from their off-camThe students in her program are pus housing to the classroom, but only required to have six stamps, for one student, the 7,000-mile but Sadaf already has 60 stamps. journey to becoming a Razorback “It was such a great motivation was not a complaint — it was the to take part in the daily Ameriopportunity of a lifetime. can life, and it really inspired me Sonia Sadaf, an undergraduto become integrated in American ate business student from Laculture, so I am thankful for that,” hore, Pakistan, came to the UA she said. in August for a semester-long While enjoying the cultural asstudy abroad opportunity to learn pects of the trip, Sadaf’s UA classes more about the American culture. count towards her February 2012 Growing up in a small village and graduation back home. Though then later moving to Lahore to she got into all of the classes she attend Punjab needed for both busiCollege, Sadaf ness and required “I am just so happy that I was given said she had no American studies this opportunity, and now I finally idea that she courses, Sadaf had isget to live my dream.” would have an sues enrolling in class-Sonia Sadaf, international student opportunity to es at the start of the setake her studies mester. to another country. little easier and gives the students “It was a bit difficult in the first “I came to the United States an American family with whom two weeks of being here, because in August through a program in to connect. I wasn’t getting into the courses Pakistan called the United States “I was lucky to get a great I wanted. It was so hard, because Educational Foundation of Paki- friendship family. I really consider I had to take specific classes to stan, which is a program that al- them my American parents and graduate on time when I got back, lows undergraduate students to they consider me their Pakistani or I would have to wait another six come to America for a semester daughter,” Sadaf said. “We cook months until graduation at home,” and learn how Americans live and together, travel together, and I take she said. study,” Sadaf said. “I had previous- part in their family activities. My After overcoming academic isly applied for the program but was friendship mother is a very good sues and the culture shock of livnot selected, so when I got the op- painter, so I am learning how to ing in a different country, Sadaf portunity to come this year I was paint while I am here also.” settled quickly and made many very excited.” While Sadaf takes part in their new friends in her classes and After waiting through the six- holiday celebrations like family dorm room, she said. month application period and birthdays, she also received a Uni“In the first two weeks, it was taking numerous tests, Sadaf was versity mentor and a great deal so different that I didn’t like finally selected to participate in of help through her new home at being here. After being here for a the study abroad program. With Holcombe Hall. few weeks, though, I adjusted to a 3.93 GPA and receiving schol“My program had some the change and love being here arships throughout college, Sadaf requirements along with the now,” Sadaf said. “Holcombe is arrived in Washington, D.C., just friendship family, like taking part the perfect place for international a few weeks before classes began. in a mentor program and the DREAM “We spent the first four days of cultural passport activity. All of on page 8 Staff Writer
BRITTANY WULF STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER In addition to finding allergy-safe foods at restaurants around town, students with allergies can find healthy food on campus. The Wok, in the Union’s cafeteria, offers meals that are made with ingredients not containing gluten.
Students With Allergies Use Caution While Dining by NICK OLIVER Staff Writer
Students who suffer from food allergies can enjoy eating out once again. By following a few simple guidelines, even students with allergies can enjoy their favorite local restaurant without a hitch. Food allergies affect about 2 percent of adults and 4 to 8 percent of children in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When dining out, students with allergies must communicate with restaurant staff to ensure their meals are safe, according to the Consortium of Food Allergy Research. “If I had an allergy and went into a restaurant, I would be very clear to my server what the allergy was, and I would make sure he or she understood how to prepare the food,” said Shana Babione-
Vargas, restaurant manager at Mellow Mushroom Pizza. The dangers of not preparing food properly for a person who has food allergies have the potential to be very severe, according to the USDA. “Each year in the United States, it is estimated that anaphylaxis to food results in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths,” according to the USDA website. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction, and when it happens, it affects the whole body, and blood vessels widen so much that blood pressure plummets, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. To prevent allergic reactions, those preparing food must avoid cross contact, according to the FDA website. “In the context of food allergens, ‘cross contact’ occurs when
a residue or other trace amount of an allergenic food is unintentionally incorporated into another food that is not intended to contain that allergenic food,” according to the FDA. To avoid cross contact certain measures are taken by restaurant chefs. At Mellow Mushroom, if a food is to be prepared glutenfree, the cooks must immediately change their apron, wash their hands and put on gloves, Babione-Vargas said. The area where the food is prepared is cleaned and sanitized, which reduces the level of bacteria. Special pans are used for gluten-free materials, and they keep the crust from ever touching the oven surface that is also used only for gluten-free products, BabioneVargas said. Gluten-free food materials are
ALLERGIES on page 8
FEATURES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
PAGE 8
Razorbacks Find Ways to Beat Pre-Finals Stress by CAITLIN SWAIN Contributing Writer
The ominous toll of lecture notes printing in Mullins Library can only mean one thing: the infamous pre-finals jitters are upon us. And if you find yourself incessantly tweeting about your impending doom while standing in line at Starbucks for today’s third skinny peppermint mocha latte, you’d better stop and assess your stress level. Every student experiences stress differently, but all are familiar with its symptoms: sleeplessness, uncontrollable appetite for coffee drinks and increased irritability. First it’s the three term papers, then a lab exam, then two quizzes. Then, before you know what hit you, you’re knee-deep in note cards and lashing out at strangers like Mel Gibson at a Black Friday sale. Fortunately for you (and the pencil you’ve chewed to bits), relief from stress is possible - and it’s a lot closer than you think. “Each year at this time, I warn my students not to be seduced by the promise of hearth and home too soon,” said Dana S. Dunn, professor of psychology at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Penn. Imagining lying on the couch, enjoying claymation Christmas movies and nosh-
ing on sugar cookies may seem relaxing, but being too distracted by the approaching carefree yuletide while attempting to crank out an argumentative thesis may not be your best bet. That being said, Razorback students are still striving to alleviate stress during this dreaded week. Emily Reams, a UA junior majoring in dietetics, works at the HPER as a student personal trainer. When her classwork becomes too much, Reams enjoys popping in her earbuds and going for a run. “Exercise releases endorphins and can help improve your mood. If you’re stressed out, working out can make you feel better,” Reams said. “Yoga can be a very relaxing workout since it focuses on your breathing and can help you calm down. There are many yoga classes offered here at the HPER, along with several other class varieties.” The HPER’s group exercise classes will continue to meet until Dec. 8. A full schedule of these classes is available on the HPER website at urec. uark.edu. “I like listening to fastpaced, upbeat songs, like songs from LMFAO because they energize me and crack me up,” Reams said, laughing. Reams also stressed the im-
LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Junior Emily Reams enjoys the benefits of frequent exercise even in the cold. Running helps Reams feel more relaxed when final exams come around.
portance of moderating caffeine. “The American Dietetic Association states that 2 to 3 cups of coffee (200-300 micrograms) is the upper limit of caffeine intake that won’t cause too much anxiety or
Other Helpful De-Stressers!
other side effects,” she said. “Students should make sure they drink plenty of water as well, because caffeine can be dehydrating.” Other students find an escape from academic stress by turning to pop culture. Car-
Album - Strung Out on OK Computer - The String Quartet Tribute to Radiohead by Vitamin String Quartet A refreshing take on Radiohead, Vitamin String Quartet covers the complete OK Computer album. With all Thom's complex arrangements and none of the vocals, this album makes for an excellent study soundtrack. Movie - Beginners - Directed by Mike Mills Beginners follows the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor) and the unpredicted love he finds just months after the death of his father (Christopher Plummer). Beautifully styled, Beginners is touching and surprisingly funny.
Book - Keep Calm and Carry On - compiled by Andrews McMeel Publishing Now a popular campaign for self-esteem and optimism, Keep Calm and Carry On is a small but genuinely inspiring little book full of quotations from writers, politicians and other public figures.
COURTESY PHOTOS
❄
melodramatic stage moms remind me that my life isn’t all that stressful,” Garner said. Garner also finds relaxation in the company of her guinea pig comrades, Butter and Margarine.
ALLERGIES from page 7
guarantee that no trace of anything is going to be there,” Lee said. Greenhouse Grille is a privately owned restaurant that also caters to gluten-intolerant customers looking for an alternative, but it also discourages diners who have severe allergies, said general manager Gretchen Schlump. “If you have strict allergies, there’s nothing in our kitchen that’s going to be a guarantee,” Schlump said. “We’ve had customers order off the gluten-free menu and they’ve said that they’ve still gotten a little bit of effect from something with gluten,” Schlump said. Mellow Mushroom also has had at least one person experience an allergic reaction, but it could have been prevented, Babione-Vargas said. The person ordered a Caesar salad with no croutons, but when they took the first bite the guest had an immediate reaction and had to take a pill, Babione-Vargas said. The guest had an allergic reaction to tiny crouton crumbs, but they did not inform the server of the allergy, Babione-Vargas said. “If I would have known it was an allergy, I would have made it in a completely different bucket. I would have made it completely out of the way of anything that gluten would touch so I do recommend any time you go into a restaurant specify what the issue is,” Babione Vargas said.
stored separately from ingredients used in non-gluten-free items as another step to avoid cross contact, Babione-Vargas said. Even with all these steps taken to prevent cross contact, there is still a risk of illness for someone who has severe allergies, BabioneVargas said. “I would discourage someone with severe allergies to eat out at all,” said Jim Lee, the district manager of HuHot Mongolian Grill. At HuHot, certain measures are also taken in order to prevent cross contact, Lee said. First, guests must inform their server of allergies so that they can communicate the allergy to the manager and the cooks so that they can scrape the grill to bare metal, use only one set of tongs, and separate the food from any others, Lee said. This checks-and-balances system helps prevent any type of cross contact, but those who have severe allergies still might be at risk, Lee said. “If it’s going to put you in the hospital, then you need to eat at home. I hate to say that, but there are very few restaurants where you can absolutely positively guarantee that there’s not a tiny trace of something,” Lee said. The trace may even come from the manufacturer and not the restaurants, Lee said. “There are just too many hands in the supply line to absolutely
DREAM from page 7
Make this a
Christmas to
Remember The Mémoire® Collection Exclusively at Romance Diamond Co.
❄
479.443.9289 ~ romancediamond.com ~
oline Garner, a UA sophomore majoring in psychology, winds down by watching her favorite television shows. “I really enjoy reality TV, particularly ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, but it’s funny, and the
facebook.com/RomanceDiamond
248 W. Dickson St. ~ Fayetteville, AR 72701
students – I have made so many new friends which has been so good for me.” The main thing she misses from home? The community. “In Pakistan, your family is the center of the household. We do everything together, and my friendship family here does a lot of things alone. Everybody is separated here, and in Pakistan you don’t see students studying or living on their own,” Sadaf said. Though Sadaf’s family was extremely excited to hear the news of her opportunity, Sadaf didn’t tell her parents at first that she was applying for the study program. “I thought I would give my father a surprise, and I didn’t think that he would deny me the opportunity if I had already done all of the work and been accepted, ready to go. When I found out that I had been selected, I told my family and they were so happy for me. They really appreciated that I had done all of the work and I am so happy that they let me come to study here,” she said. “Being selected really inspired me to come and just do it,” Sadaf said. “I had been a good student in Pakistan, but I wanted to gain some global experience and live out of the box.”
Though Sadaf wishes to visit and study in other countries in the future, she “wanted to come to America because of the many different people.” “It’s not just about Americans here,” she said. “It’s such a diverse place and people are here from around the world.” As her first time abroad, Sadaf described the trip as “as great cultural experience,” and has plans to return one day. “I’ve never stayed far from home, but during my time here I have found that most Americans are such courteous people,” she said. “They will stop doing what they are doing to help you with anything you need, which is so nice.” After she returns to Pakistan in just a few weeks, Sadaf plans to travel much more in the upcoming years, she said. “I wish to complete more education abroad, because I know that I need more time to learn more. It was such a good experience for me culturally, but as far as studies are concerned I need more time,” she said. “I want to learn from more developed countries and then in the future implement what I learned back home in Pakistan. I am just so happy that I was given this opportunity, and now I finally get to live my dream.”