World On a String Page 5 Tuesday, April 2, 2013
“About You, For You”
University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906
Vol. 107, No. 103
NWA Homeless Population On Rise
Rock That Rainy Runway
New Vice Provost Chosen Travis Pence Staff Writer
A professor was appointed in March to be the director for research assessment and promotion.
With our current weather situation, a sturdy raincoat is definitely a must-have this season. Full Story, Page 5
Mulvenon
Hogs Finish 2nd in Bryan National
The Arkansas women’s golf team traveled to Brown Summit, N.C., to compete in the Bryan National Collegiate. Full Story, Page 7
Hogs Earn Weekly SEC Honors
Softball player Devon Wallace and baseball player Tyler Spoon earned SEC Honors after their performances last weekend. Full Story, Page 7
41 / 34° Tomorrow Rain 45 / 39°
see HOMELESS page 3
see APPOINTED page 3
Whitney Green Staff Photographer Robert Buchanan, sits next to his “home” in Fayetteville in February 2011. “What happens when you become homeless? You have nowhere to shower, nowhere to sleep, you’re lucky if you can even eat,” Buchanan said.
Jaime Dunaway Senior Staff Writer The homeless population in northwest Arkansas increased to more than 2,000 people in 2013, while national averages fell, according to the Point-in-Time Homeless Census conducted by Kevin Fitzpatrick, UA sociology professor. Fitzpatrick, who is also the Community and Family Institute director, has con-
ducted the census every two years since 2007. The number of homeless was counted
homeless shelter in Washington and Benton counties for a 24-hour period, Fitzpatrick
“I think the biggest challenge is creating the kind of momentum and energy required to put a stop to this.” Kevin Fitzpatrick
UA Sociology Professor by more than 100 volunteers who were sent to every known food bank, soup kitchen and
said. Census results revealed that the homeless population
Spring Expected to Be Warm, Rainy Megan Smith Staff Writer
Today’s Forecast
has grown by more than 1,000 people in the past six years, he said. The number of homeless, however, is most likely much higher because of the large portion of homeless people who do not seek services from assistance programs and shelters, Fitzpatrick said. “Homelessness has been on this linear trajectory, and there hasn’t even been a dip,” he said. “I think the biggest challenge is creating the kind of momentum and energy re-
Sean W. Mulvenon said the UA hired him for the position based on his background and experience in data modeling as well as his work with modern educational systems that are applied at the UA. “I assume that the UA felt that these factors were appropriate and necessary for the position of director for research assessment and promotion,” Mulvenon said. Furthermore, Mulvenon is a professor of educational statistics and director of the National Office for Research, Measurement and Evaluation Systems (NORMES) at the UA. “My research office at NORMES provides some additional resources to assist my efforts in this position,”
Spring will be warmer and drier and rainier than average this season, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. Every week in April is predicted to have thunderstorms but rarely be cloudy apart from those times. Northern Arkansas will experience more rain than southern, but even with increased rain in the north, the average rainfall is predicted to fall 2 inches below average. Springtime has historically been the best time for thunderstorms in Fayetteville. Around 40 percent of the time on May 12, there is some type of rainfall, according to Weatherspark. This is the rainiest day of the year for Fayetteville. Thunderstorm chances fluctuate from 17 to 24 percent chance in the spring. The chance for any type of rain stays right around 40 percent until the end of spring, where there is a dramatic decline in rain chances. There has been snow in past Aprils, but the chances are very slim, according to Weatherspark. At the beginning of May, there have only been one or two days when it has snowed before. Unless this rarity occurs, Fayetteville can say goodbye to snow and hello to rain. May should have more rain-
fall than April, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, and also be slightly warmer than usual, much to the joy of some students. “I can’t wait for spring,” said Samantha Key, a junior social work major. “I have nothing against winter, but its time has passed. I’m ready for this warmer weather to become a normal thing.” Warmer weather at UA means more students lounging on the Old Main lawn and outside of the Greek Theater, as well as the inevitable allergies. Tree pollen is historically high in northwest Arkansas at this time of the year, according to the Weather Channel. The peak of tree-pollen season hit during mid-March, and grass pollen will peak in mid-May. Weed pollen season will not begin until the end of spring. Indoor dust and dander levels are an issue right now, according to Accuweather. The levels are at an extreme level due to the temperature, low humidity and wind. Springtime brings relatively good weather to northwest Arkansas. While areas in the north are still at freezing temperatures and areas farther south are experiencing temperatures in the ’90s, Fayetteville stays in a good range. It’s doubtful that any winter weather will linger at this point except at nighttime.
Mckenna Gallagher Staff Photographer As spring approaches, students enjoy the warmer weather by relaxing on the lawn by the Greek Theater, Thursday, March 28.