Red Hot Chili Peppers Album Review
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Vol. 106, NO. 16 UATRAV.COM
PAGE 1 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Bagles Business Brings Big Bucks
Increased Parking Fines for Repeat Offenders
by MEGAN HUCKABY Staff Writer
by SARAH DEROUEN Contributing Writer
The UA Transit and Parking Department will implement changes to parking policies that include new fines for repeat offenders, a new parking lot on Razorback Road and a rise in the price of parking permits, parking officials said. In order to reduce the number of repeat offenders, the department has added a new policy in which parking violation charges increase $10 after the third citation for the same offense in a year, said Andy Gilbride, education and instruction specialist for transit and parking. UA Transit and Parking Department officials give out about 40,000 to 50,000 citations a year, Gilbride said. The most common parking violations for students are because of expired meters and students parking in unauthorized areas, for example, when a student with a green permit parks in a blue or yellow lot. The citation for being parked at an expired meter is $20 and for parking in an unauthorized area is $50, Gilbride said. “Usually, when we increase the violation fees, [the number of citations] drop[s] dramatically for a couple years and then slowly works its way back up,” Gilbride said. “The only time we raise [violation fees] is when we really have to.”
BEN FLOWERS ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
Students fill out a form in exchange for a year’s worth of free bagels from Einstein Bros Bagels after waiting in line for several hours. The bakery, which is located in Willard Walker Hall, gave a year’s worth of free bagels to the first 50 students through the door at their opening on Monday.
Brough Addition Approved:
Expansion to Aid with Crowd Control
see PARKING on page 3
by ADAM TABOR Staff Writer
Student Population Causes Spike in Internet by JANNEE SULLIVAN Staff Writer
With the addition of 4,400 freshmen students to the UA, University Information Technology Service has seen a spike in UA wireless and Residential Network traffic. “We have seen an increase in the Wi-Fi use since the semester started. Last semester, we were seeing peaks in the ranges of about 1,700 authenticated connections. This semester we see peaks that are more like 2,200,” said Craig Brown, associate Director of UITS. see NETWORK on page 2
University officials recently received approval to hire an architect and building planner for a supplemental dining hall near Brough Commons, a UA official said. The dining hall will compensate for a lack of adequate seating, said David Davies, assistant vice provost for finance and administration in student affairs. “More people are wantCHAD WOODARD ASST. NEWS EDITOR ing to eat at Brough than A group of students wait in line to get into Brough during the lunch hours. The large student body has caused population problems we have room for,” Davies on campus. The current parking sit- to have all the food in one tail, academic and adminissaid. “Brough is currently serving 2,800 students on uation and lack of avail- location because of the lo- tration, [with] retail dining on the ground level,” Johnable spaces is a contributing gistics of delivery. “This location is optimal son said. “Our enrollment went up 7 percent, The bottom-floor retail for food services,” he said. but our food demand increased by 15 “We need something in space will probably separate to 20 percent. [These students] have to the middle of campus,” said Quiznos and Papa John’s to be fed.” Lynne Williams, UA stu- give each more space, Da- David Davies, assistant vice provost for finance and dent affairs. “[However,] vies said. Both restaurants it is not solid what will be now share a location in administration in student affairs Brough. there yet.” There will be room for average during lunch, and factor, as well, Davies said. “The second level will it only has 625 seats, requir- Once people are on cam- have food services to help two other retail dining franing a very fast turn-around pus, they tend to stay, rather Brough Commons by add- chises in the new building, rate.” ing 200 to 300 seats,” John- Davies said. than leaving to eat. “We are wanting a local “Our enrollment went The McIlroy building son said, “which will inup seven percent, but our will be a separate facility crease [seating capacity] by provider with franchising ability, for example, Slim food demand increased by that connects to Brough, 40 to 50 percent.” 15 to 20 percent. [These stu- said Mike Johnson, vice “It will be a multi-use Chickens,” he said. dents] have to be fed,” Da- chancellor of facilities man- building with five or six see BROUGH vies said. agement. It is more efficient floors. It will be a mix of reon page 2
News
In This Issue:
ConstructionEffects Student Allergies
Crime Report
News
Poetry Slam
A list of September’s crimes from the UAPD website.
Students attend a poetry slam held at RZ’s.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 VOL. 106, NO. 16 8 PAGES UATRAV.COM
WEATHER FORECAST
Features
Features
Sports
Fayetteville is a “Green” Professor Shares City Research Experience
From installing solar panels to creating eco-friendly forms of transportation, Fayetteville has offically gone green.
Joseph Plavcan shares his experiences in Kenya doing research on human evolution.
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TODAY 95°
WEDNESDAY 83°
THURSDAY 76°
see CONSTRUCTION on page 2
RIC officials Repropose Gender Neutral Housing by JANNEE SULLIVAN Staff Writer
Residents’ Interhall Congress will continue to pursue the issue of gender neutral housing on campus, the RIC president said. Gender neutral housing is an alternative form of housing which allows students to choose a roommate regardless of their gender. Over 50 universities across the country have launched a gender neutral housing program, including Harvard, Stanford, Rutgers and Hendrix, according to the 2010 Campus Equality Index from GenderBlind.org. “The benefits of gender blind/gender neutral housing include the accommodation of individuals who must live on campus but who are perhaps uncomfortable with or would find it difficult to live with a person of the same sex, or for individuals who would prefer to live with a sibling or some other relative,” said Cameron Mussar, RIC see HOUSING on page 3
Opinion
Wilson Bouncing Back Road Rage in the Junior quarterback Tyler Plastic Age Wilson will “absolutely” be able to play against Troy, after being knocked out with symptoms of a concussion against New Mexico.
Page 7 FRIDAY 81°
Dust from construction can cause aggravated allergies, but should pose no threat to public health, UA officials said. Dust can cause an increase in respiratory problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency website, and allergies, but becomes diluted in the air and should cause no concerns, said Miriam Lonon, manager of environmental health and safety. “For all construction and renovation dusts, a plan to minimize exposure should be implemented. Appropriate containment should be in place to prevent disbursement into occupied areas. Certified and licensed contractors are required to conduct renovation,” according to the Center for Disease Control website. One of the main concerns is asbestos in Vol Walker Hall. Workers with specific training are brought in to safely remove the asbestos, Lonon said. “We will not do anything that releases viable asbestos into the air,” said Bob Beeler, director of design and construction services. “We have people that go through those old buildings and remove anything that might get released into the air.” The special crews brought in know exactly where the asbestos is and how to handle it, Lonon said.
SATURDAY 78°
SUNDAY 80°
A Traveler columnist discusses what aggressive driving is and what students can do to overcome it.
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NEWS CRIME REPORT Friday, September 2, 2011 Minor In Possession Of Alcohol: A student was arrested in Northwest Quad B Building. Case Status: Closed Theft Of Property occurred at 4:52 p.m. Thursday Sept. 1. A student reported someone stole his sunglasses while the sunglasses were unattended on a table in the Arkansas Union Theater. Case Status: Active Possession Of A Controlled Substance (Marijuana); Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. A student was arrested in Gladson Ripley Hall. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication; Possession Of Fraudulent Or Altered Personal Identification Document Two students were arrested at the Sigma Nu Fraternity House. Case Status: Closed
Saturday, September 3, 2011 Public Intoxication: Disorderly Conduct. Two students were arrested on campus grounds between the Maple Hill Residence Halls. Case Status: Closed Theft Of Motor Vehicle: (Unfounded)A student reported someone stole her vehicle from the north parking lot at the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority House. Case Status: ActiveUpdate: Saturday 09/03/11 at 20:28The vehicle was found at The Crowne Apartments and the student stated she forgot she parked there. Case Status: Unfounded Public Intoxication: A student was arrested on campus grounds west of Bud Walton Hall. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A student was arrested at the football stadium. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A non-affiliated person was arrested at the football stadium. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A non-affiliated person was arrested at the football stadium. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A student was arrested at the driveway to Lot 59. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A student was arrested in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage. Case Status: Closed Public Intoxication: A non-affiliated person was arrested on Maple Street west of Leverett Avenue. Case Status: Closed
Sunday, September 4, 2011 Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A student was arrested in Maple Hill East Residence Hall. Case Status: Closed Criminal Trespass: A non-affiliated person reported he found a stranger asleep on his couch in his motor home in Road Hog Park. He did not want police to arrest the individual. The non-affiliated offender stated he had too much to drink and thought he was in his grandparent’s motor home. Case Status: Closed Theft Of Property (Unfounded)A student reported someone stole her iPhone while it was unattended on a table in a tailgating area in Lot 44. Case Status: Active Update: Monday Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. The student reported a relative who was cleaning up the tailgate area accidentally stuck the iPhone in her purse and it has been returned. Case Status: Unfounded Criminal Mischief occurred between 6:00 p.m. Friday Sept. 2 and 7:20 p.m. Sunday Sept. 4 A student reported someone knocked over and damaged her motor scooter while the scooter was parked in Lot 64. Case Status: Active
continued on page 3
AD SPACE
CLIENT: PWHC
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 CONSTRUCTION from page 1
All of the asbestos is removed, sealed in drums and disposed of as hazardous material, Lonon said. Facilities Management staff also insists that construction crews do as much as possible to control the dust that is created during earthwork, Beeler said. Sometimes, however, there is little that can be done to prevent stirring up dust, Beeler said. Allergies can be aggravated by the dust. “Many people are sensitive to dust and other particulates in the air and if you have allergies it will certainly not help those,” Lonon said. Students have felt the effects of the dust on campus. “If I have class on Tuesdays or Thursdays, I have to walk past where they are building the gate and I start sneezing,” said Geoff Hamby, senior political science major. Many of the allergies at this time of year are more related to pollen, Lonon said. Despite some students seeing allergy related symptoms, there has not been an increase in people visiting
the Pat Walker Health Center for allergy treatment. “We aren’t noticing any difference with the construction going on,” said Mary Alice Serafini, director of the Pat Walker Health Center. Facilities Management does everything necessary to ensure that harmful particles are not released into the air, Beeler said. It is almost impossible to know what kind of particles are being released into the air through dust without a chemical analysis, Lonon said. The dust from the construction is not considered a public safety hazard, Lonon said. The dust dissipates too quickly in the air to be a concern, she said. The only concern might be the health of the workers, however. They are trained to wear respiratory protection in situations that could be harmful as part of their safety plan, Lonon said. Vehicles have also been coated in some areas by the dust. Car wash vouchers have been handed out to people in some areas near construction, Beeler said.
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.
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STAFF EDITORIAL
SAMANTHA WILLIAMS
SABA NASEEM
BROUGH
from page 1 There will be an auditorium on the ground level with room for 150 to 175 students, and additional housing support in floors three through six, Johnson said. “It will have 140 to 190 beds,” Davies said. “We are short of beds, and this will address that issue and the same with the need for more classrooms.” The UA published an advertisement in the “Arkansas DemocratGazette” Friday to search for architects and building planners, Johnson said.
NETWORK from page 1
But not all of the new wireless connections are authorized by the university. “What's even more interesting to me is the growth in Wi-Fi connections that aren't authenticated. These are things like smartphones that sense the network, but aren't actually connected to use it. That has grown from peaks of around 2,500 to around 4,000,” Brown said. UITS works in conjunction with University Housing to provide Internet connections to students on campus. Despite the increase in traffic, housing hasn’t received more complaints than any other year, said Eric Roberts, associate director of technology for the department. “We’re not seeing extraordinary problems based on load from our perspective,” he said. “Our dedicated student staff has worked diligently to resolve problem reports in a timely manner. We also have a great relationship with University IT Services, who responds to deeply technical issues with ResNet,” Roberts said. ResNet is designed to provide campus residents with local network and Internet services, according to the Housing website. “A large spike in enrollment caused the need to expand the number of licenses used for student access in the dorms, and we had a few issues the first couple
“In the next few weeks, we will take five candidates from each position and have them give us a 45-minute presentation,” Johnson said, “We will pick the best one and hopefully be able to present our selection [during] the Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 18.” Construction could possibly start in Fall 2012, Johnson said, with dining and retail sections of the building opening in late 2013 or early 2014. “The building is still very much in the planning stages,” said Todd Furgason, UA campus planner.
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of weeks where some people were not always able to connect,” Brown said. Reliable wireless networks are only available in some of the residence halls, Roberts said. “Maple Hill East, Maple Hill West, Maple Hill South and Buchanan-Droke have better wireless coverage and capacity. Other residence hall wireless access is purely supplemental to the wired network or limited to common areas,” he said. Though wireless coverage has improved in classrooms, Roberts said there are still areas that have little or no coverage, and this can inconvenience residents. “It’s really, really annoying,” said freshman Margaret Gender, a French major living in Pomfret. “There’s no Wi-Fi there, we have Ethernet. It’s really annoying, you can’t even go out in the hallway, like if your roommate’s asleep.” Brown said UITS will continue to expand the wireless network on campus so students can at least have access in certain places. “We've been continuing to build more Wi-Fi, so that's not generally a problem most of the time. We might look into upgrading our Internet bandwidth appropriation if deemed necessary in the future, currently we are operating below capacity,” Brown said. “We've seen around 41,000 devices connected to the campus network,” he said, “and have the capacity to support more.”
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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.
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NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
RZ’s Hosts First Poetry Slam of the Year
CRIME REPORT continued from page 2 Monday, September 5, 2011
Burglary; Theft of property occurred between 12:00 a.m. Saturday April 30 and 12:00 a.m. Saturday May 7. A student reported someone stole his laptop computer from his room in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity House. Case Status: Active Theft Of Property (Unfounded):A student reported someone stole his wallet from his back pocket on campus grounds east of Maple Hill West Residence Hall. Case Status: Active Update: Wednesday Sept. 7 at 10:25 a.m. The student reported the wallet must have fallen out of his pocket because a friend found it on the ground and returned it to him with contents intact. Case Status: Unfounded
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Criminal Mischief occurred prior to 11:01 a.m. Tuesday Sept. 6. A staff member reported someone painted graffiti on a wall at the Field House. Case Status: Active
LOGAN WEBSTER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior Colin McNerny soaks up words and vibes during the poetry event. Guest poet Rachel McKibbens visited the RZ’s coffee house at the Arkansas Student Union Aug. 31st to perform. The event was sponsored by the University Programs Coffee House Committee. The public and students enjoyed an open minded atmosphere, even participating in open mic and “peotry slam” events before McKibben’s presentation.
Breaking Or Entering; Theft of property occurred between 4:10 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 30 and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 6. A staff member reported someone stole a parking permit from his vehicle while the vehicle was parked in Lot 46S. Case Status: Active
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Battery Third Degree occurred at 03:27 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 7 A staff member reported a non-affiliated person stuck signs in the ground around the Arkansas Union Mall without authorization and when she pulled the signs up the individual grabbed her arm, jerked the signs away and ran away. Case Status: Active Possession Of A Controlled Substance (Marijuana); Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia A student was arrested in Yocum Hall. Case Status: Closed
Thursday, September 8, 2011 Burglary; Assault Third Degree; Criminal Mischief occurred between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. Thursday Sept. 8. A student reported three unidentified people pushed their way into his suite in Maple Hill West Residence Hall, refused to leave when he told them, shoved him around and knocked a picture off the wall on their way out. Case Status: Active
SAMANTHA TUCKER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshman, Morgan Warren, Corey Jories, and Shayna Fuentes have fun watching the football game in Humphrey’s Hall lounge. Humphrey’s is one of the many coed dorms on campus.
HOUSING from page 1
president. This is a continuing issue for the RIC. Mussar stresses that this is a quality of life on campus issue and should be made a priority for the administration. “The resolution was passed by last year’s senate and because the nature of our organization we seldom have a large base of returning leadership that could facilitate the discussion with the new session of senate,” Mussar said. “It is not in RICs interest to move away from any issue that may potentially better the life of all students who have to live on this campus.” This issue also concerned a UA student living on-campus. “I think it’s important because other colleges have done it. The more colleges that start doing it , the bigger an issue it will be,” said freshman Lizzie Alvarez, a pre-nursing major living in Pomfret.
PARKING from page 1
The number of citations given out so far this semester is “normal,” Gilbride said. Rachel Harrison, a senior child development major, lives off campus and has to commute. She has to drive to campus every day because a bus route does not run past her home, she said. “I have to get here earlier to make sure I can park,” Harrison said. “It takes forever to find a spot.” Finding a parking place will be a little easier because a new temporary lot, Lot 2, has been added on Razorback Road, near the Transit and
Another UA student would like to see gender neutral housing. “I would definitely be interested in seeing a pilot program for gender neutral housing. RIC should keep focus on this issue because it is a revolutionary idea that will catch the attention of everyone at the UA if it were to be passed,” said Emily Bishop, a sophomore elementary education major. Although Bishop agrees that RIC should keep focus on its goal to establish gender neutral housing on the UA campus, she, like other students, is skeptical of the logistics. “It sounds like an interesting alternative to traditional housing but it also seems like it would cause a lot of problems for the university in the long run. I don’t feel like there would be a large market for gender neutral housing, I also feel there might be a massive outcry from parents,” Bishop said. Mussar urges that students not get bogged down
in the logistics of the issue, and concentrate on the betterment of the campus and improvement of residents’ UA experience. “I would say that individuals shouldn’t go into this thinking that it could never happen or that the board of trustees would never approve it, because that’s not the way one should ever confront an issue. If people stop short because a foreseeable bump in the road, then one too many ideas that have moved this nation forward and have even lead to its creation would have never have been acted upon,”Mussar said. “We will move forward with the Gender NeutralGender Blind housing issue and pursue all appropriate measures to ensure that the conversation is being had with the appropriate individuals so they may potentially develop something that addresses the issue,” Mussar said. Though RIC debated the issue thouroughly last year, RIC vice president Tyler Priest said, the housing ad-
Parking Department building, Gilbride said. The lot, which has 95 parking spots, will only be in existence for about a year, and, eventually, a building will be built over it, Gilbride said. The price of parking permits also went up by five percent, but this change normally happens every year, Gilbride said. In 2010, the price of a student permit was $73.88; this year, the price of is $77.57. If a student believes a citation to be unjust, they can appeal the ticket within five days, either online or at the Transit and Parking office. Students are charged a $10
fee for appeals filed at the office. In 2009, there were 512 written appeals and 58 oral appeals, according to Transit and Parking Department Annual Report. Megan Putney and Alyssa Sorgel are roommates in an off-campus apartment and commute to and from classes. “There really aren’t enough spots, and [the new lot] is about as far as Lot 56,” Sorgel said. Putney said that heightened campus activity makes finding a spot even tougher. “If there is an event on campus, I’m reluctant to go because of parking,” she said.
ministration is not making any plans to add gender neutral housing to campus. “As of now, I have not had the opportunity to discuss gender neutral housing,” said Florence Johnson the Director of Administrative Services. “It is always important to involve various stakeholders, students included, when considering new programs.”
Battery Third Degree occurred between 11:00 a.m. and 11:12 p.m. Thursday Sept. 8. A student reported unidentified members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity ordered him to leave their fraternity house and tried to fight him on his way out. Case Status: Active
Friday, September 9, 2011 Breaking Or Entering; Theft Of Property occurred between 3:00 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 7 and 3:48 p.m. Friday Sept. 9. A student reported someone stole shoes from his locker in the men’s locker room in the HPER Building. Case Status: Active
Saturday, September 10, 2011 No crime reported this date.
OPINION THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
PAGE 4
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EDITOR: SABA NASEEM MANAGING EDITOR: MATTIE QUINN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
FROM THE BOARD Pedestrian Hit Monday on Campus While we were sitting in the office mid-production Monday, our news editor received a call from one of her reporters. Police cars were around the Northwest Quads residence halls. She said she would try to find out what was going on and get back to us. She called back a few minutes later: A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle while crossing Garland Avenue, she said. UA Police Department officials later confirmed what our reporter had heard from people at the scene. Automatically we had questions: Was this person a UA student? With the UA Police Departments upcoming crackdown of jaywalking on campus, we wondered if he or she had been using a crosswalk. As a society we like to piece things together. We like to be able to say: “This is what happened and how; this is who we blame.” Realistically outside of the print of a newspaper or police reports these questions matter little. A person getting hit by a car on campus is a serious incident, and sadly one that seems to happen every year. It is easy to forget in the midst of our debates over UAPD’s recent announcement, that more than 64,000 pedestrians are injured in vehicle accidents per year, with a pedestrian being injured in a traffic accident once every eight minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. At the time of print, UAPD officials could not give more information other than that a pedestrian has been hit while crossing Garland Avenue, and had been taken to the hospital with a broken leg. Check www.uatrav.com throughout the day or in Wednesday’s paper for more information about the incident.
The UA: Grow, Growing, Grown The UA administration recently announced that it will consider an enrollment cap as we near the mark of 25,000 students at the UA. Unfortunately the details of this cap, and how it will be implemented are still being formed. Chancellor G. David Gearhart recently said that it might be a few more years until we reach 25,000 students. It is hard to imagine a campus more crowded with students, especially with many of the construction projects scheduled to last two to three years. As State Representative Greg Leding tweeted recently, it seems like there is hardly part of the UA campus not effected by current construction projects. The campus crunch, a mixture of an increased student population and walkways being closed off and buildings being under construction, has an undercurrent of a lack of planning on the administration’s part. We are glad, however, that the administration is looking ahead to figure out how to deal with our booming student population as we reach the self-regulated 25,000 cap. While details of the plan are still unknown, we at The Traveler hope that we will be getting more concrete —no pun intended— details soon.
Traveler Quote Of The Day “The benefits of gender blind/ gender neutral housing include the accommodation of individuals who must live on campus but who are perhaps uncomfortable with or would find it difficult to live with a person of the same sex, or for individuals who would prefer to live with a sibling or some other relative.”
- Resident Interhall Congress President Cameron Mussar, “RIC Officials Repropose Gender Neutral Housing,” pg. 1
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR OPINION EDITOR ENTERPRISE
Saba Naseem Mattie Quinn Jordain Carney Samantha Williams
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.
“It’s going to take an hour to find another bus that wasn’t full!”
HEBRON S CHESTER STAFF CARTOONIST
How We Handle Road Rage in the Plastic Age Expanding Horizons
by Emily Hilley-Sierzchula Traveler Columnist
“Everybody’s in such a dang hurry,” my grandmother drawled, as she clenched the steering wheel with a white-knuckled grip. (She believed that hurrying was undignified; and further, incompatible with her stubborn conception of the lazy South.) Introduce the modern age of plastic cars with clownishly puny horns. It’s hard to be tough when you’re driving a piece of plastic. Yet people in plastic pods routinely rant and rave in traffic. Aggressive driving and its big brother, road rage, are monsters many of us have battled—as perpetrator, victim or both. Because nontraditional students nearly always commute to campus, road rage becomes just another trial, one more tribulation. Nearly 90 percent of drivers in
a survey conducted by AAA had experienced aggressive driving incidents within the last year. “60 percent admitted to losing their tempers behind the wheel,” according to the study. Consider that a tricked-out full-sized pickup truck can tip the scales at 12,000 lbs; a compact car weighs around 4,000 lbs. Mix this mass with speed and anger and you get danger. “An average of at least 1,500 men, women and children are injured or killed each year in the U.S. as a result of aggressive driving,” according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Even in a relatively mellowminded region like Northwest Arkansas, it is becoming common to be tailgated, cut off in traffic, or insulted with colorful gestures and ancient Anglo-Saxon words. Aggressive driving can progress rapidly into Mad Max incidents that make the 5 o’clock news—physical threats, sideswiping cars, fights and assault—road rage. So much for “Fayette-chill.” We all have our moments-a soundtrack of me in Houston traffic would make a sailor blush. However, I was all talk and no walk. The National Hightway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes
the difference between “talking” and “walking” in its definition of road rage for law enforcement: “Road rage differs from aggressive driving. Road rage is a criminal offense.” A muttered curse is one thing; assault is punishable by law. Another fact to consider is that Arkansas Code 5-73-120 allows the concealed carry of a handgun in vehicles without a permit “when upon a journey.” Interestingly, this law defines a journey as “traveling…outside a person’s normal travel routine.” You have no way of knowing if another motorist is “journeying,” however. An early researcher into the road rage phenomenon, in the 1960’s, astutely observed that there is no equivalent notion of “pedestrian rage.” It would be socially unacceptable if person rushing down a crowded sidewalk started pushing people aside, cussing, and threatening others with injury or death; yet a comparable scenario unfolds daily within the perceived safety and insulation of a vehicle. The capsule of a car lends itself to the impression that the other capsules on the road do not contain living, breathing human beings with families and perhaps interesting lives. The word “motorist” itself implies a lack of hu-
manity. Any biology textbook can explain road rage, up to a point. Powerful, primal emotions like rage and aggression originate in the limbic system; simultaneously, the more highly evolved neocortex contributes cold, calculating anger and desire for revenge. Road rage can be the result of this unholy union. So, before flying off the rails, pause for a moment. The jerk you flip off may one day interview you for a job. Maybe that slowpoke old man with the coke-bottle glasses deserves your respect, rather than your angry words, because he stormed the black-sanded beaches of Iwo Jima more than 65 years ago. The nincompoop who you furiously tailgate may be someone you would actually like as a friend (at least on Facebook). Most importantly, before the temptation to give in to your temper wins, make sure the offending driver doesn’t have a bumper sticker that says anything like, “my other auto is a Smith and Wesson,” or (my favorite) “I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.” Emily Hilley-Sierzchula is a Traveler columnist, majoring in journalism. Her column runs bimonthly.
Unemployment Numbers Still High for Recent Grads Stuck in the Middle
by Chris Sonntag
Traveler Columnist
I would wager that most students on campus know someone out of work or have had trouble finding employment themselves, especially as unemployment remains above nine percent again this month, a number which doesn’t fully reflect the lack of opportunity many recent graduates are facing, as their unemployment rate of those aged 20 to 25 is double that of adults aged 45 to 60. To make matters worse, the Congressional Budget Office is projecting that the national unemployment rate will stay above eight percent until at least 2014. While this can be kind of a dry topic to talk about, it impacts so many lives and has large real-world consequences. Because of that, it’s incredibly disconcerting to see politicians on the national level using unemployment as a weapon rather than recognizing it as a problem. At the latest Republican Presidential Candidate debate, Governors Rick Perry and Mitt Romney both tried to claim credit for their states’ job growth while simultaneously
attacking each other for not doing as well as either’s predecessors in Texas and Massachusetts, respectively. This is just one of the countless examples of political games being played with the economy right now. It’s also the kind of thing that made me eager to tune in to Obama’s “jobs speech” Thursday, Sept. 9, in the hopes that maybe I’d see something different. The American Jobs Act, which was a major topic of the speech, blends payroll tax cuts with money for fixing up schools, hiring teachers and building up the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, rail, airports and expanding the Internet by auctioning off parts of the wireless spectrum. It also creates incentives for hiring those coming back from deployment in the military and the long-term unemployed, and hopes to prohibit companies from discriminating against unemployed people in their hiring. Hopefully, these steps will bring some relief to those on the job hunt and create some more opportunities, because the “Wired Generation” most college-age students and recent graduates belong to continues to struggle. This reflects itself in the newest moniker that’s been attached to us, the Millennials— “Generation Vexed”—in reference to the confusion and frustration about the job market and our futures. Roughly 85 percent of all college graduates last May were projected to have moved back in with their parents, living under the same roof they lived in until they
were eighteen years old. And while about 1.7 million students are projected to graduate this coming May, about 1.94 million were either jobless or working part-time at a job that did not meet their needs from last September to January, according to the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University. I hate to sound like a prophet of doom and gloom in my column, but those kinds of numbers don’t really make me feel confident about the state of the job market for any recent or soon-to-be college graduates. But unfortunately, there’s more. Roughly half of all college graduates under the age of 25 are “malemployed,” a term coined during the recession of the 1970’s for those who couldn’t find jobs related to what they’d spent years in college studying, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those in this chunk of the graduate population are either jobless or working somewhere they’re completely overqualified for, such as at a Starbucks as a barista or as a cashier in a retail chain. And while those with college degrees that get a job in their field do, in fact, do well—those with a job that requires a degree earn about $761 a week according to the Chicago Tribune— those who are mal-employed barely make more than a high school graduate (about $43 more per week). But the number of graduates with a job that actually requires a college degree dropped 15 percent since 2000. Now, to be fair, UA students are
lucky compared to the average student nationwide. We are blessed to live in a little corner of the country that is better off than many at the moment. Even in the economic climate that our country finds itself in, grads from this university tend to find employment faster than others. Roughly 80 percent of the 2011 Walton Business College class was already employed at graduation, according to the Walton Business College website. But what this all means is that, for many, graduating with a degree is not enough anymore to ensure a good future. The four-year commitment most students make when they walk onto a university campus is simply not what employers are looking for. And so, if someone wants to be employed, they have to go above and beyond the college education to be fully employable. As having a degree is no longer a guarantee of employability, I can see the number of students going back into education after their bachelor’s degree is completed continuing to rise, as well as many graduates stringing along in whatever job they can take or perhaps trying their hand (literally) at a technical or trade school and taking an apprenticeship. I have hopes that things will still turn around. They usually tend to do just that. But for many, until that happens, it’s just a waiting game. Chris Sonntag is a 2011-2012 Traveler columnist. His columns runs bi-monthly.
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THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
FEATURES PAGE 5
FEATURES EDITOR: LAUREN LEATHERBY ASST. FEATURES EDITOR: KELSI FORD
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Professor’s Kenya Trips Bring Research, Philanthropy
COURTESY PHOTO
by CONOR WOODY Contributing Writer
Biological anthropologist Joseph Plavcan rummages through a collection of photos from his recent trip to Kenya like your eccentric uncle does when showing off his vacation pictures; recalling names of people he met, laughing at a memory that a certain scene sparks, and narrating digital camera videos like a PBS documentary. The difference between he and your uncle is that Plavcan’s pictures are genuinely fascinating: tenfoot-tall ant hills, poor Kenyan villages, children who have never had their picture taken, hot water geysers and a lake dyed pink with more than a million flamingos. “I could sit here and look at these pictures all day,” Plavcan said. Plavcan has researched throughout Europe, South America and Africa, but for the past four years, he has focused on Kenya, specifically a locality of fossils called Koobi Fora. “In June, I went to Kenya,” he said. “It was my fourth trip there. We gathered supplies, flew up to Lodwar and then Nariocotome, which is where a full skeleton of a Homo Erectus was found in 1984 by my colleague, Richard Leaky.” After Plavcan’s colleague found a foot bone, the group spent three days screen washing - a process of shaking dirt through a strainer, then meticulously picking through the leftovers - to see if they could find more of the specimen there. The trip included much research, planning for their January trip and traveling throughout the country, but Plavcan and his colleagues also took time to help local teachers. “We went to a local all-boys high school to present an award that a colleague and I sponsor,” Plavcan said. “The award is for the best science teacher there, and its purpose is to help the students there by giving teachers an incentive.” The prize makes an enormous difference for the teachers. “We presented the winner with 7,000 shillings. These are people who make 20,000-40,000 shillings a year. It’s a big award for them,” Plavcan said. “It’s 120 bucks out of our pocket, but it’s huge for them. We decided the award needed to be something that we could sustain and that would help the winner, but also an amount that they wouldn’t become dependent on.” Much of Plavcan’s time was also spent in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, scanning bones and fossils in a high-tech process of putting a fossil in a putty and scanning it into a computer, where the fossil’s 3D rendering can be compared with other fossils. “It takes a lot of work,” Plavcan said. Koobi Fora is an important research site because it has the fossils of four different species of bipedal hominids. The group will return there in January for more fieldwork. “None of the limbs have been found with a skull. So we’re trying to answer questions there like ‘how much variation between these species is there?’ and ‘how big are they?’” he said. The group’s other project is a little easier, Plavcan said. They are exploring a cave were a full skeleton was found and are looking to see how the fossils may be related. “It’s important to put this trip in a larger perspective,” he said. “The UA is doing a lot of research in East Africa on human evolution. This is the real context. We’ve been working there for a number of years.” The group publishes often, and is constantly looking towards their next research trip. “We’re learning to speak Swahili so we can work better there,” Plavcan said. “It’s part of a larger series of projects in a very active place, and the actual field work is very exciting.”
“Another project we are working on has to do with energy codes in new construction for homes, apartment complexes, and gas stations,” Coleman said. “We are trying to make them more energy efficient.” The City of Fayetteville staff has also tried to provide more ecofriendly forms of transportation by way of the recent walking and bike trails, a complex system that meanders through major destinations in the city. Coleman said that the city is working on getting LED lighting for the trails to make them more energy efficient. The city is also doing a project to improve the buildings of three non-profit organizations. The city received a large grant from the Department of Energy to renovate these buildings. Non-profits can apply for the funding and pay back the loans over a span of ten years. “For example, the Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center had $120,000 of renovation projects,” Coleman said. “We sent out a project manager who finds a way to fix the center and be more energy efficient. The money saved from the energy savings from the renovated building [is] used to pay back the loans.” Fayetteville Public Schools has also been making an effort to install greener practices in its classes. Recycling bins are set up in all the schools to recycle paper. Habitotes, totes made of postrecycled materials, were given to all the students facility, and staff. The schools are in the process of setting up workshops taught by members of the Fayetteville High School Green Team to introduce the importance of being ecologically friendly to students and facility members.
In response to such efforts, Root Elementary now has solar panels on its roof to make the school more energy efficient, and Fayetteville High School has also installed solar panels on its buildings that are being renovated. When the high school is finished being renovated, it will be a LEED-certified building. In the future, the Green Team hopes to find a way to install school gardens and use locally grown food in the cafeterias. They also hope to find a way to improve the quality of air in the schools through the Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Environmental Quality Tolls for Schools Action Kit. Student interested in pursuing a career in sustainability are in luck. Fayetteville is working towards developing a field of jobs to help make the city ‘green.’ In 2009, Mayor Lioneld Jordan announced training for green-collared jobs. The industry of ‘green’ jobs is expanding rapidly, causing a high demand for such workers. “A green job, or green-collar job, describes employment at Fayetteville businesses that work to lower pollution and waste or help clean and protect the environment,” according to evirotools.org, a website resource for ‘green’ business. Fayetteville’s training programs are for various jobs such as that of an energy auditor, a career in which the auditor would examine a home or building where CONTESSA SHEW STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER energy is being wasted and ofA solar panel sits atop the Fayetteville Public Library that is LEED certified. fer solutions to conserving energy. The training also offers careers in eco-tourism, a field by CAITLIN MURAD building and development prac- a building achieves ‘high perforwhich helps vacationers be more Staff Writer tices through a suite of rating sys- mance’ in five key areas of human environmentally friendly on tems that recognize projects that and environmental health, actheir trips. They also offer trainThe City of Fayetteville, Fay- implement strategies for better cording to the U.S. Green Building on using renewable energy etteville Public Schools and the environmental and health per- ing Council’s website. This insources and LEED certification. UA have teamed up in an initia- formance,” according to the U.S. cludes: sustainNorthwest Artive to make the city ‘green.’ This Green Building Counsel website. able site develkansas Community initiative involves changing the The library’s construction im- opment, water “We sent out a project manager who finds a way College and Pulasway the buildings in Fayetteville plemented several environmen- savings, energy to fix the center and be more energy efficient.” ki Technical College are constructed, taking advan- tally friendly features. The build- efficiency, matein Little Rock have - John Coleman, Director of Sustainability & Strategic Planning opened several green tage of locally grown food and ing was constructed with lumber rials selection and educating citizens on the im- from maintained forests and its indoor environcourses to train peoportance of sustainable living. furniture was made from recy- mental quality. ple to become enerThe Blair Library became the cled materials. The roof of the li“The city is working on sev“When I was on the Green gy auditors. Course will also be first “green” building in Fay- brary is white to reflect sunlight, eral projects to make Fayette- Team at Fayetteville High School, held to teach people techniques etteville when it was built in and the roof is also surrounded ville more eco-friendly,” said we passed out flyers and made to make their homes and busi2004. Its architects designed by plants that will help mini- John Coleman, director of sus- people aware of the green move- nesses more energy efficient. the space with the U.S. Green mize heat. Inside the library, the tainability and strategic plan- ment in Fayetteville,” said Erin For more information about Building Council’s Leadership lighting system uses as much ning for the City of Fayetteville. Moody, now a sophomore at the how to contribute to keepin Energy and Environmen- natural light as possible to cut Coleman is working on a proj- UA. “We were trying to get so- ing Fayetteville a ‘green’ city tal Design program in mind. down on the use of electricity. ect to use recycling programs lar panels on the High School visit greenteam.fayar.net. “LEED promotes sustainable LEED certification verifies that to divert trash from landfills. and the elementary school.”
‘I’m With You’ Another Great Chili Peppers Album by NICK BROTHERS Staff Writer
After a long hiatus and much anticipation, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have returned with I’m With You, released August 30. Through and through, this album is a prime example of what the Red Hot Chili Peppers have to offer. Although much more experimental and different than the classic Blood Sugar Sex Magik, I’m With You is definitely funkrock, but it’s more on the mellow-rock side like the band’s previous album, Stadium Arcadium. Ten albums later, and many different band members later, veterans Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Michael “Flea” Balzary (bass, piano) and Chad Smith (percussion) are back without guitarist John Frusciante. Filling his spot is newcomer Josh Klinghoffer (guitar, vocals), who served as a touring back-up guitarist for the band’s live shows. Releasing their first album in 1984, it’s clear these guys have refined their sound at this point in their career. The RHCP have received seven Grammy awards over the course of their career and hold the record for most number-one singles on Billboard’s Alternative Songs, with 12 that have reached the top. On the positive side for I’m With You, musically, this album has all that is the Chili Peppers. Grandiose sweeping choruses, funky slap bass from Flea, atten-
COURTESY PHOTO
tion-grabbing drums from Smith and powerful easy-to-sing-along vocals from Kiedis. It’s hard to ignore how well the sounds on the album go together. All of the chord progressions, rhythms and musical phrases complement each other with gusto. The result is a very fun album. At the same time, the album is no instant classic like past albums have been. The new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, actually does a commendable job of filling in the shoes of John Frusciante. He does well with his parts and his vocals, but there just isn’t enough of them
throughout the album. Too often, the guitar sounds like background music rather than a featured, captivating riff like songs of their past have been known to do. His backup vocal work is pretty great, but it doesn’t shine enough throughout the album. Sadly and honestly, the main thing against Klinghoffer is that he just isn’t John Frusciante. Klinghoffer has the talent though, and in songs such as “Annie Wants a Baby,” he brings it. Speaking of bringing it, master funk bassist Flea and drummer virtuoso Smith put their all into the album, and it’s easy to
hear. The bass literally drives every song without rest, and the word “incredible” often comes to mind during the drum parts. Regardless of the controversy over vocalist Anthony Kiedis’s lyrical writing, Kiedis really sells it all with his commanding singing that makes you want to sing along with him, especially during one verse in “Look Around” when Kiedis sings, “It’s emotional, and I told you so, but you had to know, so I told you.” Also, a cool tidbit-- in the lyrics of “Look Around,” he mentions “Unless it’s for the folks in Fayetteville.” Now there are a couple towns called Fayetteville across the nation, and it’s mainly because it rhymes with “say it will,” but it’s still fun to take pride in the shout out. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers, listeners seem to have a love/hate relationship with their music. At the end of the day, the sound of this album and the consistency of their past albums garner the band respect. I’m With You is just as respectable, and it is a great listen. Not their best ever, but pretty great. Standout Tracks: “Look Around” is a pureblood RHCP funk-rock song. With its clapalong chorus, fun-to-sing vocals, and all-around stellar musicianship, it’s an easy favorite. “Meet Me On The Corner” is a very warm and mellow song that flows wonderfully and the guitar has a great “Under the Bridge” sound.
“Factory of Faith” has an awesome bass-heavy intro and is one of the funkiest songs on the album. Combining that with the sweeping chorus, it’s close to irresistible. Musicianship: 8.5 The Chili Peppers bring it on just about every track. Every chord progression, melody, drum beat and even the song’s key sound very well thought out and well made. There are many times in the tracks where it’s easy to be amazed at how all the sounds come together, notably the layered outro in “Brendan’s Death Song” and the entirety of “Annie Wants A Baby.” While not leaving a huge impression, as a whole, the album is impressive. Originality: 9 Try as you will, it’s hard to name a band that sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Being their 10th album, they’ve refined their sound to a musical symbiosis by working so naturally well together, the music just flows. Even for these guys, I’m With You is uniquely different from their others. Lyricism: 7 Honestly, the Chili Peppers have never been known for their amazing lyrical prowess, but it’s not an awful attempt either. As crazy and simple as some of the lyrics seem, the songs do have true meaning and inspiration to them. The majority of the songs are life-and-death, drugs-andromance themed, as the beautiful “Police Station” showcases.
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THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
DOWNTIME
Comics, Games, & Much Much More!
PAGE 6 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
LAUGH IT UP
SUDOKU
Q: How do you find will smith in the snow? A: Follow the fresh prints! Breaking news: A toilet seat has been stolen from the local police station. Police have nothing to go on.
Q: What do you get when you put a yellow hat in
Difficulty:
the Red Sea?
A: A wet hat. Q: Why couldn’t the lifeguard save the hippie? A: He was too far out.
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 Minister’s home 6 Inst. that turns out lieutenants 9 Poker game similar to Texas Hold ‘em 14 Polynesian greeting 15 Rock music’s __ Fighters 16 Tied, as shoes 17 Crest dispensers 18 Ceremonial uniform 20 Turf grabbers 22 Yo-yo string feature 23 Necktie knot 25 Tidal return 28 Ample shoe width 29 Temple with a minaret 31 PC key for getting out of trouble 34 Way up 37 Emanation detected by psychics, so they say 38 NCAA Elite Eight team 42 __ no good 43 Kept secret 44 Faux __: blunder 45 Main thoroughfare 48 41-Down sound in the comic “B.C.” 49 __ of the land 50 Parent whose kids have moved out 57 Civil rights org. 58 Work that ridicules folly 59 Dashboard device, and a hint to the starts of 18-, 23-, 38- and 50-Across 64 Carryalls 65 Out of port 66 What to add when the 59-Across gets low 67 Create, as a statute 68 Back at the track 69 The USA’s 50 70 Takes in tenants
1 Fire lighter 2 Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-__” 3 __ Prize 4 Grain bundle 5 How latitude lines run 6 On vacation 7 “This __ be the last time”: Stones lyric 8 Goes it alone 9 Rookie’s mentor 10 Make a dent in 11 Poker “bullet” 12 Bucks and rams 13 Commercials 19 Weaver’s machine 21 Seven, in Sinaloa 24 Approaches 25 Supply with gear 26 Sac between a bone and tendon 27 Cop’s rounds 30 Gal of song 31 The same 32 Old sporty Toyota 33 Spiteful, as gossip 35 “__ tree falls ...” 36 Swanky 39 Fish eggs 40 High hours? 41 Threat to tiny workers 46 ‘80s Cold War leader 47 Song spelled with arm motions 51 Spark providers 52 Pull on 53 Rosetta __ 54 Giant 55 Standing upright 56 Concludes one’s court case 59 Detergent brand 60 Jeep or Land Rover, briefly 61 Superlative suffix 62 Lion sign 63 Dollar sign shape
Crossword provided by MCT Campus
SOLUTION
TODAY’S SOLUTION
Tony Piro
SPORTS THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER
Scan here to go to the Sports section on uatrav.com:
PAGE 7 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
SPORTS EDITOR: JIMMY CARTER ASST. SPORTS EDITOR: ZACH TURNER FOOTBALL
Wilson Bouncing Back after Injury The junior quarterback says he will “absolutely” be ready for the Troy game Saturday
by ZACH TURNER
Asst. Sports Editor
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson will be able to play against Troy, despite being knocked out of the New Mexico win with concussion symptoms, the junior said. The first-year starter scrambled for 48 yards in the Razorbacks’ 52-3 win over the Lobos, but was shaken up after his final carry of the first half, a 7-yard touchdown run with 17 second left. He was held out of the second half for precautionary reasons. “You get your bell rung sometimes in football,” Wilson said. “I think that might have been more of what happened. Precautionary-wise we took that approach and that was the reason for sitting out in the second half.”
JIMMY CARTER jicarter@uark.edu
cleats. “I thought De’Anthony did everything well except he slipped a few times,” Petrino said. “I don’t know if that’s cutting off his inside foot or he had the wrong cleat on. We corrected the cleat problem. We’ll find out if it’s him cutting off the inside foot.” Wilson was able to contribute to the rushing attack early against the Lobos. On the
Arkansas won’t beat Alabama. Not if the offensive line doesn’t make marked improvement in the next two weeks. Take a quick look at the Arkansas-New Mexico box score and it looks like the line dominated the Lobos defense. The Razorbacks ran for 259 yards. Look closer and you realize that stat is somewhat deceiving. Tyler Wilson, Brandon Mitchell and Joe Adams combined for 138 of those yards. In the first half, the Hogs’ trio of running backs – Ronnie Wingo, De’Anthony Curtis and Kody Walker – combined for just 24 yards on 11 carries. The ground game was more effective in the second half, but still struggled against an inferior opponent for a second consecutive week. The run game managed just 102 yards and averaged 3.1 yards per carry against Missouri State in the season opener. If junior Dennis Johnson isn’t against Alabama, Arkansas will struggle mightily to run the ball, if the first two weeks are any indication. If the line doesn’t improve its run and pass blocking by Sept. 24, the Crimson Tide will win going away. The concussion Tyler Wilson suffered against New Mexico might not have been the line’s fault – they gave up just one sack. Wilson did have to spend much of the first half moving out of the pocket and making throws on the run to avoid the Lobos’ pass rush, though. If New Mexico, a bad team in the Sun Belt, can consistently
see FOOTBALL on page 8
see COMMENTARY on page 8
Tyler Wilson HEIGHT 6-3
RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson was taken out at halftime of No. 13 Arkansas’ 52-3 win over New Mexico after having symptoms of a concussion. Wilson said Monday he “absolutely” expects to play Saturday against Troy. Wilson, senior defensive end Jake Bequette and senior receiver Jarius Wright all suffered injuries Saturday.
WEIGHT 220
YEAR JUNIOR HOMETOWN GREENWOOD, ARK.
Wilson met three New Mexico defenders at the goal line, but bowled over for a score giving the Hogs a 31-3 halftime lead over New Mexico. “I felt fine even after the touchdown run,” Wilson said. “I got up, celebrated and was fine heading into the locker room.” It was the second consecutive week he took a hard hit trying to score. He was flipped into the air when diving for the end zone against Missouri State in the season opener. “Obviously you want to minimize the amount of contact you get during the course of a game,” Wilson said. “I am going to try and lessen my approach as I move forward, but I will probably try to get out of the way a little bit more.” Arkansas met for condi-
position affected by the injury bug in the win. Senior defensive end Jake Bequette and senior receiver Jarius Wright suffered minor injuries. Bequette tweaked his hamstring late in the first quarter, while Wright left the game prior to halftime with a strained knee. Neither returned after their injuries. “I don’t know a lot new on Bequette and Wright,” Petrino said. “They were both here yesterday and had treatment, but I haven’t met with Matt Summers (athletic trainer) today. They rode bikes while the rest of the guys ran, but that’s not unusual.” Bequette registered one tackle before leaving the game, while Wright helped get Arkansas on the board during its first drive with a 12-yard touchdown catch from Wilson. The senior receiv-
Line Will Determine Success Extra Points
tioning drills Sunday night and Wilson was an active member, coach Bobby Petrino said. “Tyler (Wilson) was doing fine last night,” Petrino said. “He ran and conditioned with everybody else.” Arkansas has already had to adjust with star running back Knile Davis out for the season with an ankle injury and said he doesn’t like to think about the thought of others getting injured. “I try not to think about those things, my opinion doesn’t matter when it comes to that,” Petrino said. “It is what the trainers and doctors say. I know he took the tests yesterday and they allowed him to run last night so he must’ve did good on the test.” Quarterback wasn’t the only
POSITION QUARTERBACK
COMMENTARY
er hauled in five catches for 63 yards in the game. Petrino is confident both will work hard enough to be available for the third game of the season against Troy, he said. “They know the clock is sticking on their opportunities to play in our stadium, so I know they’re going to do everything in their power to get ready to play in the game,” Petrino said. Run Game Making Strides Arkansas increased its production on the ground from 102 yards in the season opener to 259 yards against New Mexico. Although a chunk of the total came from the Razorback quarterbacks and wide receiver Joe Adams getting carries, starting running back Ronnie Wingo led all rushers with 73 yards on 12 carries. Wingo assumed the starting role after Davis’ injury. “I thought they really improved from game one to game
ARKANSAS 2-0, 0-0 SEC NO. 14 AP, NO. 13 USA
Troy SATURDAY, SEPT. 17
TROY 0-1, 0-0 MVC LAST MEETING ARKANSAS 56-20 (2009)
6 PM CSS
SERIES ARKANSAS 3-0-0
two,” Petrino said. “I thought Wingo hit the holes harder. He came real close to breaking a couple. He can’t fumble. He’s got to take care of the ball.” Wingo lost a fumble at the 3:04 mark of the third quarter, a mistake that Petrino said was a “sin around Arkansas.” Senior running back De’Anthony Curtis also helped out in the running and passing games. Curtis had 47 all-purpose yards on 10 touches, even while having problems with his
FOOTBALL
MEN’S GOLF
Smith Ready to Turn it Loose Golf Wins Gopher Sophomore defensive end Chris Smith wants Hogs to turn up pass-rush heat
Tracy’s fifth-place finish leads Razorbacks
by UA MEDIA RELATIONS
by JIMMY CARTER Sports Editor
Arkansas’ defensive has just two sacks in its two games this season, including no sacks Saturday against a New Mexico team that allowed 10 the previous week against Colorado State. Sophomore defensive end Chris Smith and the other Razorback defensive linemen haven’t been able to let loose and rush the quarterback yet, though, he said. “I guess it’s just because the quarterbacks we’ve played play a lot of zone-read things where everybody’s got to stay in their gap and play their responsibilities,” Smith said. “When the time is right, (coach Bobby Petrino) will let us loose.” Missouri State quarterback Kierra Harris was a running threat the Hogs had to account for in the opener, tempering the line’s ability to turn it loose with their pass rush. New Mexico quarterback Taurean Austin led the Lobos with 32 yards rushing Saturday, evading several potentials sacks. “I maybe didn’t turn our defensive front loose last week,”
RYAN MILLER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore defensive end Chris Smith (42) recorded two tackles in relief of senior starter Jake Bequette after Bequette tweaked his hamstring in the first quarter of Arkansas’ 52-3 win over New Mexico Saturday. Petrino said. “I was trying to make sure we were concerned about our rush lanes and the quarterback running the ball. We did a really nice job of it except for when we blitzed and he
beat two of our guys outside on the blitz, which shouldn’t happen. Both of those should have been sacked. They went to the wrong shoulder. “We were controlling our in-
side guys and we’re going to cut them loose a little bit more now.” The defensive line returned
see SMITH on page 8
WAYZATA, Minn. – Senior Ethan Tracy fired a final round 71 to lead the UA’s men’s golf team to an opening-event victory at the Gopher Invitational in Wayzata, Minn., on Monday afternoon. The Razorbacks overcame a four-stroke deficit over the final 18 holes to win by three strokes over North Texas and the 14team field. Course conditions on Monday were tougher than the field had seen on Sunday, forcing most of the scores to rise. The Razorbacks were able to deal with the 14-mile-per-hour winds and shoot a team score of 299, 11-over par. Notre Dame entered the day as the team leader and carded 19 over on Monday to drop to third behind North Texas who recorded the best round of the day at five-over par. “It was tough out there today, but I am really proud of the way that they guys hung in there and picked up the win,” Arkansas coach Brad McMakin said. “Ethan had a tremendous day with his 71 and shot one of the lowest rounds of anyone here. This is a great way to start
the season.” Tracy’s final round of 71 was the fourth lowest of anyone in the 75-man field at the Spring Hill Golf Club. His twoover par for the tournament was good for fifth position individually, Tracy’s seventh top five finish of his Razorback career. The Hilliard, Ohio, native opened Monday’s round with a birdie and was quickly threeunder par by the sixth hole. A bogey and double bogey on seven and nine moved him back to even par at the turn, but he rallied with three more birdies in six holes before back-toback bogeys ended his day. Junior Austin Cook and sophomore Sebastian Cappelen each tied for sixth individually with Cook carding a final round 74 and Cappelen scoring 76. Cook also began his final round with a birdie on the first hole and was two-under par after a birdie on six, but the ninth hole was a stumbling block for four of Arkansas’ players and a double bogey moved him back to even par. Cook remained at even through 11 before bogeys on three of his next four holes moved him to three over. A birdie on 18 concluded his day.
SPORTS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Get to Know a Razorback Sam Wolf t GPPU t +VOJPS t 0VUTJEF )JUUFS t 7BSHBT 7FOF[VFMB
from COMMENTARY on page 7 get pressure and force Wilson out of the pocket, how soon will Alabama’s defense, loaded with five preseason first-team All-SEC players, knock him out? If the Razorbacks can’t improve their run game, the Crimson Tide will be able to make the Hogs one dimensional, then pin their ears back and
rush Wilson, much like they did two years ago in Tuscaloosa, sacking Ryan Mallett three times and flustering Arkansas’ offense in a 35-7 Alabama win. Nick Saban must be licking his chops at the opportunity to confuse the Razorback offensive line and improve to 5-0 against the Hogs, 4-0 against Bobby Petrino. The Hogs have the defense to compete with the Crimson Tide. I’m not sold on A.J. McCarron as a solid quarterback yet. Trent Richardson might be better than Mark Ingram, but Arkansas doesn’t have to worry about Julio Jones.
Arkansas Traveler staff writer Liz Beadle kicked it with Razorbacks freshman defender Sam Wolf. The two talked about how the soccer team has responded to adversity in its 1-4 start this season, Wolf ’s adjustment to college life and her favorite pizza place in Fayetteville. The Plano, Texas, native has played 413 minutes, fourth-most on the team. She has recorded one of Arkansas’ three goals this season. This Razorback team is young. How do you think the team is growing? We’ve improved tremendously from when we first started. Ev-
The Razorbacks have to be able to score, though. Replacing starters Ray Dominguez, DeMarcus Love and Wade Grayson on the line hasn’t gone smoothly. Wilson is more mobile than Mallett, but isn’t Cam Newton or Mike Vick. If the line plays like it has the first two games, the Hogs will struggle to move the ball. It might not all be on the line, though. Wilson struggled with decision making at times Saturday and might not be getting rid of the ball quick enough. He’s started just two collegiate games, so that will improve.
ery practice we come out and work hard. How important is the leadership of the three seniors on this team? What is your relationship with them like? I can’t say a bad word about them. They’re just the sweetest girls. They treat everyone equal— even the freshman, they treat us like we’re their age. They respect us as much as we respect them. As a team, you all have been through some tough losses this season. How are you moving on from that and what are your goals
None of the three running backs have stellar credentials or results. Wingo is a freak physical talent, but has had most of his success as a receiver out of the backfield. Curtis was moved back to running back after Knile Davis was lost for the season, while Walker is just a freshman. Johnson is the most proven runner on the team, but has battled a hamstring injury the last three weeks. He’s had big games against Florida and LSU in past years and might be Arkansas’ best option. Petrino said Johnson might be available for the Troy game, the Razorbacks’ final tuneup for Alabama. The outcome of the matchup with the Crimson Tide can determine the course of the season. The line was the biggest question mark entering the season. After two games, it’s clear why. Jimmy Carter is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Tuesday. Follow him on Twitter @jicartersports.
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from here? All we can do is just keep our heads up and focus on what we did wrong and what we can improve on. Since you’re a freshman, you’ve been in Fayetteville for less than a month. What do you think of the city and of the U of A so far? I like it better and better every day. It’s just really nice to get to walk around because it’s so different from where I’m from. What is your favorite restaurant you’ve been to in Fayetteville? Mellow Mushroom—they have really good pizza.
from SMITH on page 7 six players with starting experience this season, including preseason All-Southeastern Conference defensive ends Jake Bequette and Tenarius Wright. Arkansas ranks fourth in the nation in scoring defense and eighth in total defense, but are tied for 77th in the nation in sacks. “Me, Jake, Tank [Wright] and all the defensive ends are ready to go get some sacks,� Smith said. “Hopefully this week [Petrino] will turn us loose a little bit so we can get after it.� Smith got extensive playing UJNF JO UIF XJO PWFS /FX Mexico after Bequette tweaked his knee in the first quarter. He finished with two tackles and had one quarterback hurry. “I was real happy with Chris,� Petrino said. “I think he’s getting a better understanding of what we’re doing. He’s playing faster. He’s very athletic. He made some great plays out in space and some real good tackles. He’s still can rush the passer better and he knows that. He’ll do that better.� It was the most playing time UIF GPPU QPVOEFS IBT had for the Razorbacks. He played in six games last season, registering three tackles and one pass breakup. “I was winded a little bit,� Smith said. “(Bequette) will be all right and be back. When somebody gets hurt, you’ve just
from FOOTBALL on page 7 second play of the game, he rolled out to the write after a fake handoff and picked up a 30yard gain, the longest rush of his career. “It is good to have something like that happen early in a game,� Wilson said. “You gain some confidence off a big gain and it was a great way to start the game. That is what you want to look for.� Arkansas Taking Advantage of Adam’s Versatility The most surprising play of Arkansas’ rout of New Mexico might have been the very first one. Senior receiver Joe Adams lined up as a running back, taking a pitch to the right side for a HBJO PG ZBSET Adams is familiar with the running back position from his days at Little Rock Christian High 4DIPPM XIFSF IF SVTIFE GPS ZBSET BOE UPVDIEPXOT JO IJT senior season. After returning two punts for touchdowns in the first game of the season and rackJOH VQ UPUBM PČ FOTJWF ZBSET JO the second, the coaching staff put him in the backfield to get him more touches.
got to step up to the plate. I feel like I did that. I’ll improve this week.� Smith was behind Bequette, Wright and then-senior Damario Ambrose on the depth chart last year. “I learned from guys like Jake Bequette and Damario Ambrose,� Smith said. “I learned a lot. Most people said I should’ve redshirted, but you can only control the things in front of you, so that’s what I did. I took it as a learning experience and when spring ball started I was ready to play and showed the coaches.� This season, he’s gotten a chance to play standing up as a hybrid defensive end-linebacker in the Hogs’ Eagle package, a position Ambrose played last year. “In fall camp, I wasn’t really comfortable with linebacker, but as practices went on, I started practicing at that,� Smith said. “Jerry Franklin and Bret Harris helped me out a lot and I just got comfortable with it. Anything the coaches ask me to do, I just try to be coachable and do it.� The coaches might ask him to rush the quarterback this week. The Mount Ulla, N.C., native reDPSEFE TBDLT IJT ĕ OBM UXP seasons at West Rowan High School, committing to Arkansas and sticking with the Razorbacks after late offers from Penn State, Georgia, Wisconsin and others. “Hopefully coach Petrino will turn us loose this weekend and we’ll be ready to go,� Smith said. “We’ve got to get him touches,� Petrino said. “We’ve got to be creative and get the ball in his hands. We know how explosive he is, whether that’s running routes at receiver, running routes at running back, tossing the ball to him. He needs touches.� Junior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton is not only a teammate of Adams, but also a huge fan. “I love it,� Hamilton said. “Joe is fun to watch and he likes to make people miss. You see the ball in his hands and you never know what he is going to do with it.� Hamilton led all receivers against New Mexico with ĕ WF DBUDIFT GPS ZBSET BOE B touchdown. Adams quarterback, junior Tyler Wilson, said he thinks the senior wide out is having success because of being extremely confident. “I think Joe is really confident right now and that is something I have seen through him,� Wilson said. “He is a special player and I am glad to have him on my team.� "EBNT IBT QMBZFE JO games as a Razorback and has an active streak of that same number of at least one catch per game, the longest active streak in the Southeastern Conference.
GARETH PATTERSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Coach Bobby Petrino said senior receiver Joe Adams (above) 10-12 touches per game catching passes, lining up in the backfield and returning punts. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has 295 all-purpose yards in two games for the Razorbacks.