Freshman Scores First Goal of Season Page 8 Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012
“About You, For You”
Football Frenzy
Interim Coach John L. Smith met with media Monday afternoon to discuss Saturday’s game. Full Story, Page 7
Improv Comes to University
For the first time in several years, the drama department is offering an improv class for students. Full Story, Page 5
ETSY: A Tool for the Collegiate Small Business A UA Student uses ETSY for her crafts. Full Story, Page 5
Check Out More Traveler Stories At UAtrav.com Today’s Forecast
University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906
Vol. 107, No.6
!"#$%&'%'!(%&$'! )*+!,&!-*../0/!1#/2 Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer Freshmen who succeeded academically in high school may be surprised to find themselves struggling with college coursework because of a lack of college preparatory in high school. “I don’t feel like my high school prepared me for college,” said Shauntell Mathis, freshman chemical engineering major. “I am very swamped with work which was not what I was expecting. I’m just trying to balance school work, organizations and my social life.” Arkansas schools have not kept pace with high schools across the country. The state is ranked 45 on the national list of educational achievement levels, dropping one spot from the previous year, according to The American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative lobbying agency. The report ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia in performance from kindergarten through 12th grade. The surrounding states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri fared worse than Arkansas, while Oklahoma had a slightly higher score, respectively. Texas was ranked 11 on the list. Massachusetts received the top spot while West Virginia came in last, according to the report. Arkansas students also underperform on the ACT. While 91 percent of Arkansas high schoolers take the ACT, the Arkansas students’ average score is only a 19.9, according to act. org. This is below the national average of 21.1. Only 17 percent of Arkansas high schoolers met the benchmark in all four subject tests, which means that those students would have a 50 percent chance of earning a B or better in a college course. Arkansas only requires a 20
Enrollment on Steady Rise
Aneeka Majid Staff Photographer Freshmen Edwin Alobuia (left), Aaron Tricoche (middle) and DeShon Landry (right) do some late night studying in Mullins Library, Sunday, Aug. 26. Mullins is open through 2 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday. on the ACT to be automatically accepted. Many faculty and staff members are aware of the challenges some freshmen students can face in regard to their transition to college coursework. “Freshmen entering the
university will find that the rigor, speed and volume of material covered in the courses they take will often exceed that of those courses they took in high school,” said Charlotte Lee, director of the Enhanced Learning Center (E.L.C). “Many
students are not prepared to shoulder this load and to better manage and prioritize their time.ththv “In addition, many still approach their learning as the acquisition and under-
see PREP page 2
Freshman Fifteen: From Fact to Fiction Bailey Deloney Contributing Writer A fact for some and fiction for others, the freshman fifteen resurfaces annually as legend when the newest UA freshman class settles in and school gets underway. The dining hall experience is what many consider the prime suspect in the yearly plumping. “You don’t realize how much you are eating because at the buffets you get a little on your plate and think you aren’t eating much,” said Ashleigh Coomer, sophomore chemistry major. “Then you go back and get a little more and still think you aren’t eating much. But it all adds up.” I ate pizza every day, sometimes for both lunch and dinner, said sophomore Ahjah Johnson. Veggie burgers, tofu substitute and gluten-free food options are all offered at UA dining halls, as well as fruit, a large salad bar and various soups. However, while these wholesome foods present freshmen with the opportunity to eat healthy, the onus to actually choose these options lies on the shoulders of the students. With ham, cheese, bacon and dressings available at the salad bar, this can make even eating salad a potential calorie overload. “Eating well gives students an edge - physically, mentally and socially. A healthy balanced diet, together with physical activity, keeps stress manageable and helps them
see FIFTEEN page 3
For Another Story on Staying in Shape see “Change Your Workout to Reap Benefits” on Page 3
Athletes Celebrate as Semester Begins
Staff Report
93 / 62°F Sunny Tomorrow’s Forecast 93 / 63°F
Chancellor G. David Gearhart announced preliminary enrollment numbers saying that the university again has record numbers this year. This year, UA has 24,600 students enrolled this year of which about 4,500 students are freshman. Gearhart also spoke highly of the quality of students who are enrolled on campus. “Many times growth at colleges and universities comes at the cost of academic standards, but the growth the University of Arkansas has been experiencing over the past few years is different— it’s quality growth coming mostly from existing students
see RISE page 3
Logan Webster Staff Photographer Razorback Coaches and Student Athletes gathered for a “Welcome Back” dinner Sunday evening to unofficially kick off the new school year.