December 4, 2012

Happy Holiday Gifting Guide Page 5

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

“About You, For You”

University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906

!"#$%&'()(*+&# ,-./#$%00%1)

Vol. 107, No. 61

Architects Help ‘Can’ Hunger

TWO OFFICIALS’ JOBS TO CONCLUDE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AFTER BUDGET SHORTFALL Hillside Auditorium Grand Opening to Relieve Crowding The Hillside Auditorium is set to open Jan. 14 for classes in the spring semester, officials with facilities management said.

Full Story, Page 3

As Finals and Papers Stack Up, So Do Graduate School Applications

More and more students are realizing how important it is to make themselves stand out on resumes and applications to graduate schools.

Full Story, Page 5

The Choices Are Many, the Committed Are Few

Arkansas has 12 verbally committed recruits, according to Scout.com.

Full Story, Page 7

Today’s Forecast

Sarah Derouen News Editor Two UA staff members have been reassigned after the Chancellor G. David Gearhart released a statement saying that $3.1 million of the Division of University Advancement’s budget had been misspent.

Officials within the department spent about $3.1 million more than they had the resources to use, said John Diamond, associate vice chancellor for University Relations.

The department is responsible for “enhancing the university’s image, involving

alumni and other constituencies in proactive functions and raising private gift support,” according to their website.

The department’s vice chancellor, Brad Choate, will remain with the university until June. Joy Sharpe, a budget officer, who was responsible for managing the day-to-day budget, has been reassigned to the Human Resources Department, Diamond said.

Choate and Sharpe’s contracts will be concluded at the end of this fiscal year.

“With 32 years of proven loyalty, dedication, integrity and success, my career of service to higher education stands on its own,” Choate

said via email. “Most recently I have worked hard to lead University Advancement to benefit the students, faculty and staff of the University of Arkansas.

“I am certainly saddened by, and do not agree with, the chancellor’s decision to not renew my service after June 30, 2013, but that is his decision. As long as the university employs me it will be my pleasure and privilege to work hard to benefit this fine university,” he said.

There was no evidence of inappropriate expenditures or uses of funds, according to the statement. The mismanaged money was used to hire

see BUDGET page 3

Kris Johnson Staff Photographer Students take down their can sculptures after being judged on them Monday Dec. 3.

Leaders to Decide on Partial Stressed Students Dickson Street Closure Face Final Week Kayli Farris Senior Staff Writer Fayetteville City Council is scheduled to decide during a Dec. 18 meeting whether UA officials should control traffic through part of Dickson Street.

“The university in late July 2012 requested by letter to the mayor that we be able to exercise periodic operational control over a portion of Dickson Street and several intersections on campus (initially from Harmon Avenue to Garland Avenue) during the academic semesters, primarily Monday to Friday during the class day (approximately 7

a.m. – 6 p.m.),” Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities management, replied in an email.

The Fayetteville Street

day of classes for the spring semester, city engineer Chris Brown said.

A booth will be installed on Dickson, where officials

“Our major motivating factor is first and foremost our 24/7/365 safety focus, both pedestrian and vehicular.”

Mike Johnson

Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management Committee referred the proposal to the Town and Gown Committee about a week ago, Johnson said in an interview.

Town and Gown members unanimously approved the proposal.

If the City Council approves, the UA will take operational control Jan. 14, the first

will monitor and redirect traffic to turn left on Harmon, Johnson said.

Johnson and others reviewed “a range of options” on what they determined to be the best “operational control restriction” for Dickson.

see DICKSON page 3

Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer

As finals week nears, students’ stress may increase as their grades hang in the balance of assignments, papers and test results.

Stressing about finals is a common feeling among UA students.

“I tend to worry that even if I study or prepare, I fear I’ll miss something, or that I won’t do very well,” said Kyle Ates, freshman music major with elective studies in business. “I’m most worried about my basic musicianship class.

When you get into the complicated stuff, it’s really confusing.”

Other students are feeling pressure to perform from parents and are stressed about maintaining a high grade point average to retain scholarships.

“It is a lot more stressful when there is more on the line,” said Jerica Rolufs, sophomore electrical engineering major. “The one I’m worried about is my online class because I fell behind. I put it on the backburner.”

Stress has many negative side effects on the body that can hinder studying and test taking abilities.

“Students can have good stress to give them that extra edge to stay focused on studying and to do well

see STRESS page 2

Greeks’ Decor Spread Holiday Cheer Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer

Members of Greek organizations are getting into the Christmas spirit by sponsoring “Carol of the Greeks” in the Union Ballroom tomorrow night from 7-10 p.m. Members are also decorating their houses.

Carol of the Greeks is sponsored by the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Carol of the Greeks is a competition among the sororities that involves members singing and dancing to Christmas carols.

A panel of judges will choose the winner, who will receive a function with FIJI as a prize, said Matt Nowak, president of FIJI.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback in the past years, and attendance gets bigger and bigger every year,” Nowak said.

“We love hosting the event as well. Every year it’s a real blast, and it really helps us to serve our community.”

Greek and non-Greek students can attend the event.

Tickets are $5 if bought from a FIJI member and $7 at the door.

Proceeds will be donated to United Way because of the increasing rate and destruction of natural disasters, Nowak said. In the past, FIJI has also partnered with The Global Orphan Project.

“We try to give back whenever we can because one of our founding principle values is service, so this event gives us a great chance to help us remember it, as well as to show

it to the community,” Nowak said. “The holidays just seem to work out best for us as Carol of Greeks has really developed over the years.”

Along Maple Street, sorority houses decked with lights, wreaths and other Christmas decorations help spread holiday cheer.

“Decorating the house

see GREEK page 3

62 /37° Tomorrow Sunny 64 /40°

Ashley Swindell Staff Photographer

Page 2

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

Page 3

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Campus Council Fall Meeting

3:45 - 5:15 p.m.

Old Main Giffels Auditorium

Internship Panel

on their tests, but negative stress can disrupt sleep patterns which then can lead to poor studying because the student is tired,” said Karen Hodges, director of academic success. “Stress can also trigger the type of test anxiety caused by knowing you are unprepared for a test.”

Scheduling physical exercise to relieve stress and activate brain cells, sleeping and eating well are activities that Hodges said are keys to relieving stress.

“Especially at this time of semester, I tell my students to go into major time management mode so that they don’t get overwhelmed with everything they have to do at this time of the semester – which, of course, causes stress,” she said.

UA students feeling pressure have their own ways of coping with stress.

Ates said he plays the piano, while Rolufs said she takes frequent study breaks.

“It’s best to prioritize what classes you need to work the hardest on,” Rolufs said. “Exercise, browse the web, play some games, take a step back and get some sleep. Staying up all night is proven to be worse for you. Study in small chunks over a period of time is better.”

While students are given two semesters to keep their scholarship, and are therefore not at risk for losing a scholarship after the first semester, maintaining a high GPA is crucial for preserving academic good standing required for scholarships, said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment.

“Work toward keeping a scholarship at the beginning of the semester instead of at the end of the year—because that’s harder,” she said. “If you have waited until the last minute, start to prepare a plan in case what you hope doesn’t happen, does happen.”

Students who are worried about scholarships should make an appointment with the scholarship office and talk to their advisor, McCray said.

Advisors can help students plan when they take difficult courses that will help students avoid poor grades.

“Students who are worried about these things should not worry alone,” McCray said.

6 p.m.

Willard J. Walker Hall 427

Romance Diamond

Hillside Auditorium Grand Opening to Relieve Crowding

STRESS continued from page 1

Bridal Collection

Travis Pence Staff Writer

Contact

119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 Main 479 575 3406 Fax 479 575 3306 traveler@uark.edu

facebook.com/uatrav twitter.com/uatrav

Editorial Staff Chad Woodard Editor-in-Chief 479 575 8455 traveler@uark.edu

Brittany Nims Managing Editor 479 575 8455 travmgr@uark.edu

Mark Cameron Multimedia Editor 479 575 7051

Saba Naseem Special Projects Editor Opinion Editor 479 575 8455

Emily DeLong Copy Editor 479 575 8455

Jack Suntrup Asst. News Editor 479 575 3226 travnews@uark.edu

Sarah Derouen News Editor 479 575 3226 travnews@uark.edu

Shelby Gill Asst. Companion Editor 479 575 3226 travlife@uark.edu

Nick Brothers Companion Editor 479 575 3226 travlife@uark.edu

Haley Markle Asst. Sports Editor 479 575 7051 travsprt@uark.edu

Kristen Coppola Sports Editor 479 575 7051 travsprt@uark.edu

Sarah Colpitts Lead/Features Designer

Emily Rhodes Photo Editor 479 575 8455

Carson Smith Sports Designer

Marcus Ferreira News Designer

Here’s to the beginning of

a bright future

Come to our store and see how you shine in our exquisite collection of JB Star engagement rings ~ like this Platinum Diamond Ring with a 1.22 ct. Cushion Diamond surrounded by 0.85 ct. tw.

Round Diamonds.

Advertising & Design Staff Elizabeth Birkinsha Advertising Manager 479 575 3839 lbirkins@uark.edu

Jeremy Johns Account Representative 479 575 2223

Caty Mills Account Representative 479 575 3899

Chelsea Williams Account Representative 479 575 7594

Kayla Nicole Hardy Account Representative 479 575 3439

Amy Butterfield Account Representative 479 575 8714

Emmy Miller Graphic Designer

Guy Smith III Graphic Designer

Alex Brady Graphic Designer

Corrections 248 W. Dickson St | 479.443.9289 | www.romancediamond.com |

facebook.com/RomanceDiamond

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 479 575 8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.

The Hillside Auditorium is set to open Jan. 14 for classes in the spring semester, officials with facilities management said.

The completion date, which had already been pushed from Aug. 1 to Oct. 22, was put on hold again.

The building, which was rescheduled again to open four to six weeks after Oct. 22, is now officially set to open on the first day of classes for the spring semester, said Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities management.

“We did not want to force the completion of the auditorium; we wanted to make sure it was done right,” Johnson said. “Plus there is no reason for us to open the building in the middle of the semester. We might as well wait until the spring before we move classes into that auditorium,” he said in a previous interview.

There will be two different auditoriums within the building, Johnson said.

“The upper auditorium will hold 290 students while the lower will hold 487 students,” Johnson said. The two auditoriums will be connected by a lobby that runs transverse to the sloping site.

University officials have already scheduled certain classes to be conducted in the two auditoriums, Johnson said.

“All of the classes that were conducted in the Giffels auditorium this semester will be relocated to the smaller auditorium, while the classes that were in the Union ballroom will be placed in the

fayettevilleflyer.com.

During construction, there will be partial lane closures on College Avenue and the Fulbright Expressway. There will be some complete closures of the roadways, but only late at night for 30-minute intervals, Brown said Because of a 2006 federal earmark appropriation for the Fayetteville Expressway Economic Development Corridor, the $7.5 million project will only cost the city about $1.47 million, according to fayettevilleflyer.com.

The Street Committee approved three contracts related to the project. That includes the

Joyce and College Interesection McKenna Gallagher Staff Photographer Construction continues Dec. 3 on the Hillside Auditorium, adjacent to the Greek Theatre.

Targeted completion for this project is projected to be by the end of the year. larger section of the Hillside Auditorium,” Johnson said.

By relocating those classes, UA officials hope to ease pedestrian traffic in the area surrounding the union, Johnson said.

“With a growing student population, we want to keep congestion to a minimum,” Johnson said.

Some students have shown interest toward the university’s new auditorium.

“I am excited to see what the inside looks like,” said Jacob Evans, senior hotel and restaurant management major. “Hopefully certain areas will be less crowded, now that so many students will be able to take classes in this new building.”

The auditorium was originally scheduled to be completed on Aug. 1, Johnson said. The project was delayed for several months before construction began while officials made bids with local

contractors and for materials.

“August 1st is an original completion date that we use for most of our construction projects,” Johnson said. “Very rarely do we ever meet that deadline,” he said.

There have not been any recent causes for delays, Johnson said.

“All delays were on the front end of the construction process. We had planned to open the building for classes this fall semester, but we were under a tight schedule,” he said.

Fortunately workers experienced a mild winter, enabling them to continue construction throughout the colder months, Johnson said.

“The Hillside Auditorium will replace the old Science Engineering Auditorium and Geology Building,” Johnson said. “Both buildings were outdated and did not meet our efficiency standards any longer,” he said.

The location and slope of the hill played a role in the design of the construction.

“The site for this project required a very sensitive approach,” said Bob Beeler, director of design and construction services. “The auditorium is being tucked into the hillside so that it does not overshadow the view of the Greek Theatre.”

The building will have a terraced design, Beeler said.

“Vertical surfaces are treated like site walls, and horizontal surfaces are treated like landscape, with vegetated roofs,” according to jonesarch.com.

The budget for this project was approximately $9.7 million, Beeler said.

“We wanted to make it as efficient as possible. This way we will not only cut spending during construction but we will also have less maintenance costs in the long run,” Johnson said.

Joy ce

ht rig way b l Fu ress p Ex

Bl vd .

Courtesy of maps.google.com The flyover should reduce overall congestion and provide better access to restaurants and stores in the mall area, said city engineer Chris Brown, city engineer.

Recent traffic studies show that 25 percent of left-lane drivers on College Avenue make a U-turn at Joyce Boulevard, Brown said. During rush hours there may be as many as 300 to 400 cars that make a U-turn at Joyce Boulevard, he said.

With the construction of the overpass, drivers may use a left-lane bridge that extends over southbound College Avenue traffic. Drivers can then head west on the Fulbright Expressway or exit into the Mall Avenue and Shiloh Drive area between Logan’s Roadhouse and Olive Garden, according to

aforementioned overpass, plans to realign Van Asche Drive and a roundabout at the intersection of Futrall Drive and Millsap Road. The entire project will help to alleviate traffic in that area, according to a slideshow from City of Fayetteville officials.

Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc. will handle construction of the bridge and roadway improvements, Jacobs Engineering, Inc. will provide construction management and inspection services and Sourcegas, Inc. will relocate a gas main, according to fayettevilleflyer.com.

If the contracts are given final approval by the City Council later this month, the project should be complete by mid2014, according to fayettevilleflyer.com.

GREEK continued from page 1

Kris Johnson Staff Photographer City officials will decide if a portion of Dickson will be closed during the Dec. 18. meeting.

BUDGET continued from page 1 staff for the department, but they will not be losing their jobs, Diamond said.

“The chancellor feels that it was the right thing to do to hire those people,” he said.

The chancellor has begun investigating why this occurred and is working to make sure it does not happen again, Diamond said. The chancellor notified the campus of the situation through a formal statement released through Newswire.

“The review determined flaws in the division’s budget management process at the senior level,” according to the statement. “Those with ultimate budget oversight did not follow campus policies

Travis Pence Staff Writer In January, construction will begin on an overpass that will connect the northbound traffic of College Avenue with the Fulbright Expressway and shopping centers that surround the area near the Northwest Arkansas Mall.

This construction project will provide an alternative route for northbound College Avenue drivers who would normally have to make a Uturn at Joyce Boulevard to access the Fulbright Expressway.

DICKSON continued from page 1 “Our major motivating factor is first and foremost our 24/7/365 safety focus, both pedestrian and vehicular,” Johnson wrote.

“This safety concern is mainly focused on the McIlroy Avenue and Dickson Street intersection for this effort, where we have a huge volume of pedestrian traffic interfacing with vehicular traffic of various types during the class day.”

Johnson thinks the proposal will pass, he said, because the idea has broad support.

“The administration is in support of this, with a few requirements/stipulations,” Brown said.

Officials would restrict traffic in this area to allow only emergency vehicles; transit buses; UA private service and delivery vehicles and university-affiliated drivers with appropriate parking lot stickers, Johnson said.

New Bridge to Connect College Ave. to Fulbright

College Avenue

Briefly Speaking

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

and inadequately monitored finances. Consequently, the division lacked financial resources sufficient to support the personnel growth it experienced in recent years in preparation for an upcoming capital campaign.”

The Division of University Advancement is responsible for about $10 million. This is the first time that the budget has been unbalanced by this much, Diamond said.

“In every department,” he said, “it’s not uncommon for a budget to unbalanced by a small amount.”

Choate notified the chancellor of the discrepancy at the end of this fiscal year on June 30.

The money to balance the budget will come from a university reserve fund and a plan initiated by the chancellor, Diamond said. The plan, a cost-recovery assessment, will help replenish the mismanaged money and ensure the budget remains balanced in the future.

A portion or fee of donations given to the university will be allocated to Advancement, he said, as part of the plan.

This situation will not affect faculty or tuition, Diamond said, but the chancellor has taken steps to ensure the best outcome for the UA and its affiliates.

“Like many of you, I am

3 Days until Dead Day

deeply disappointed by what occurred.” Gearhart said in his statement. The steps we have taken and will take will ensure the sound and prudent operation of the advancement division while also maintaining its high level of productivity.”

Available Now!

Condo

2 bed 1.5 Bath 1250 SqFt Walking distance to campus

Call Today 841-4641

makes everything feel more festive, and I also think that decorating helps the ADPi house feel more like home,” said Mandy Degner, sophomore biological science major and Alpha Delta Pi member. “I definitely look forward to the decorations being put up, and I know a lot of my sisters do, too. After all, who doesn’t love getting into the holiday spirit?”

While the potential for competition exists among the sororities about whose house is decorated the best, most agree it’s a collaborative effort to benefit the community and make the holidays more enjoyable.

“Personally, I think decorating is more of a collaboration between the sororities than a competition,” Degner

said. “There might be a bit of competition in there, but overall, everyone just wants to help spread the holiday spirit.”

The sororities are also responsible for adding to the winter scenery on campus and getting people excited about Christmas, Degner said.

“I think it helps bring unity to the UA campus and community because everyone works together to give the campus some festive cheer,” she said. “Seeing the campus all lit up and decorated for Christmas helps get people excited about the holiday season.

Everywhere you look there is something to remind you that Christmas is coming. Also, the campus just looks beautiful with all of the lights and decorations everywhere.”

ELF.

Make a child’s Christmas bigger, brighter and better than ever!

Adopt a Salvation Army Angel.

1

Visit First Security Bank and choose a child to help.

2

Purchase gifts for the child.

3

Return unwrapped gifts.

Member FDIC

First Security will donate $10 – up to $2,500 – for every Angel adopted at our banking centers! fsbank.com

University Banking Center • 640 N. Garland, Suite 106 • 479.527.7040

Opinion Editor: Saba Naseem Page 4

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

!""#$%&'"%'()*' +,$&)('-$.*/' 0121021301

Mary Gowdey Staff Columnist The last two weeks of the semester are upon us-- a time of stress, pulling of hair, gnashing of teeth and a time when the physical appearance of the average student falls into a state that can only be described as haggard. On top of the impending doom of academics, 2012 has a little something extra to throw our way: the impending doom and end of the world!

Thirteen hundred years ago, the Mayan citizen who was tasked with making the 3114 BCE Calendar got a little carried away and ended up throwing the next thousand or so years in with it. However, because of a few miscalculations, he ended up not having enough room to fit all of eternity, resulting in the calendar cutting off in a pretty foreboding place just 10 days before the end of 2012 AD. Years down the road, now 2012, we are faced with the nagging feelings and classic ‘what if ’s’ that go along with the possibility of Armageddon. But why not focus on the positive aspects and opportunities that can come with the last two weeks of humanity?

First off, you know those finals and papers that are making your life into a nightmare that you literally cannot wake from? Yeah, those don’t matter anymore. If the world was truly about to end, the only way exams could still matter is if they look at your GPA wherever you are headed next.

My money is on that not happening. Speaking of money, you know that parking

ticket you got from the UA parking trolls? The one that started at $10 for “crooked parking” that you forgot to pay and has now grown to $70? That is now null and void. The financial hold on your ISIS that is preventing you from being able to enroll in spring classes is irrelevant.

The world is literally not a thing anymore. Heck, money in general is no longer a thing.

Oh, and forget about those conversations hanging over your head that you keep putting off; like the one you need to have with your roommates over housing drama or the one where you tell your friend that he is too old to still want to go to a rave on New Years Eve. Those are now off the table. Let’s look on the bright side everyone. The end of the world means the end of stress!

Of course, the end of the world would also mean the end of the good things: Christmas mornings with loved ones, moments with friends that make you feel so blessed to have them and just all the good times in general. These last two weeks have positive implications for those things too. In the time we supposedly have left, why don’t we take time to serve and show our love for these people all the more? Compliment the little things that make the ones you love so lovable. Take time to have nostalgic conversations over fond memories that have been collected over the years.

Laugh about these memories. Go out of your way to help people. Buy somebody’s groceries. Contact the person you’ve been in love with silently for far too long and tell them. Go to Vegas. Marry them. Wait. No. Maybe don’t do those last few things. Or maybe do. The world is about to end, what does it really matter?

The last few suggestions aside, when you wake up unscathed on the morning of December 22, continue to do these things.

Mary Gowdey is a staff columnist. She is a junior creative writing and English major.

Corrections

These are corrections in a Nov. 27 story about food banks.

Tyson Foods is not involved in the turkey business and has never donated turkeys to LifeSource International or any food pantry, Worth Sparkman, Manager, Public Relations wrote in a Nov. 30 letter.

The company has made changes to its charitable giving in the past year, but not changed their donation policy with regards to food pantries, Sparkman wrote.

A $15,000 grant was made by Tyson Foods to Lifesource at the end of October specifically for feeding programs.

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Opinion Editor

Chad Woodard Brittany Nims Saba Naseem

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.

Hebron Chester Staff Cartoonist

Rush Your Resolutions, Start Now

Ashley Flippin Staff Columnist Finally, the long-awaited Winter Break is on the cusp of realization. Holiday parties, reunions with old friends and family celebrations are all just around the bend; we need only wait until December 14 to be swept away in the festivities. Oftentimes, it is our behavior during these times that turns into the inspiration for our New Year’s Resolutions come January.

Nothing quite matches the optimism of New Years.

If we simply kept our resolutions, America would boast organized, trim, relaxed and financially responsible individuals who all have perfectly aligned priorities.

Sounds like a lovely place to live.

However, just a few minutes of people watching will show you that harried indi-

viduals, unsatisfied with their current lives, roam about our nation.

Every year, people grab sheets of paper and list their good intentions for the year to come — effective immediately.

Ever so slowly, the motivation to accomplish these goals peters out until wellmeaning individuals join the ranks of people bailing off the side of the reformation bandwagon.

A New York Times article reported a University of Scranton study that found over a third of people scrapped their resolutions by the end of January. By the time July rolled around, only half the people were still trying to be their better selves.

Since most people want to start anew in January, they frequently use December to indulge in the habits that they’ll soon be quitting.

This attitude is especially prevalent among people who want to lose weight, since the holiday period provides an ample number of opportunities to splurge.

December becomes a gluttonous month-long version of Fat Tuesday because, hypothetically, December shouldn’t matter. In theory, any less-than-desirable behavior will be righted starting in January.

However, if you cast your resolutions in the ditch after

a few weeks (which unfortunately happens all too frequently), you’re stuck with an awful lot of December decisions to atone for.

Now don’t get me wrong; I am a firm believer in New Year’s Resolutions. I adore the idea of people striving to be their best selves. I just don’t believe the all or nothing approach is the most effective.

Instead of jumping headfirst into a new lifestyle, cheat – incorporate some of your new goals into your life starting in December. Ease yourself into your new habits by having a month-long trial period.

Granted, there’s no catchy ”New Year, New You” phrase to inspire promise in the hearts of the reformists. Still, December is alluring because it provides a less intense path to the realization of your goals.

Instead of focusing on perfection, concentrate on rationality. Can your January resolutions actually be attained?

When you start in December, you can guiltlessly see how well you can accomplish your goals. If you try them out and realize that they are utterly unfeasible, you still have plenty of time for revision. No harm done.

Don’t deny yourself all the wonderful pleasures of the holiday season. Just be sure

Letter to the Editor The confetti has settled.

Homecoming has passed. The debates over “Best Float” or “Best Lawn” have ended. Yet, one debate has just begun: the debate between the hypersensitive purveyors of political correctness and its endless list of offenders.

A Thanksgiving display was recently put on by Pi Beta Phi sorority as a part of the Homecoming “Hog Holiday” Competition. The presence of construction paper headdresses and hand-painted teepees appear to have unintentionally prompted the scorn of one of our faculty members. This faculty member found these displays to be a distorted representation of Native Americans and, having complained to the appropriate university authorities, was successful in forcing the sorority to forgo them to avoid disqualification from the event. This leads us to ask, “What about such displays is

offensive?” Would this faculty member have preferred that the sorority leave Native Americans out of their presentation of the Thanksgiving tradition? Would not displaying only the European pilgrims be exclusive? Were the symbolic decorations inadequate? Perhaps these costumes are not worthy of the Smithsonian; They may not have been painstakingly accurate in detail. But in what way does that make them derogatory towards Native Americans?

Furthermore, representations of other holidays could easily be interpreted as offensive by someone willing to adopt this absurd rationale.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s unlikely defeat of the French Army. Exchange students and those with French heritage might feasibly protest any celebration of their loss. Valentine’s Day originated with a

Saint. This could offend Atheists and Catholics alike! Finally, where were the Hanukkah and Kwanza displays? This logic invites a potentially infinite series of complaints; Anyone with personal preferences can be offended by any given act if they so choose to be.

This specific event on our University’s campus is a microcosm of the sad state of affairs that is plaguing Universities nation-wide. The University of North CarolinaChapel Hill has made a motion to eliminate “Freshman” from their official vocabulary in favor of more “gender-neutral language”. Louisiana State University came under fire for altering a photo to remove a cross from students’ painted bodies at a football game.

Academia has opened a Pandora’s box of political correctness, creating an entire generation of victims and villains; a catastrophic tangle of oversensitive whistle-blowers. The

to throw in some aspects of your ideal self, whatever your goals may be. Go for a jog before you eat that second gooey gingerbread cookie.

Reward yourself with the Charlie Brown Christmas special after you finish your calculus homework. Only buy one pair of the fabulous shoes you find during a winter sale, or limit yourself to a few less glasses of holiday cheer than what you’re used to partying with. It all depends on what type of person you aspire to be.

When our resolutions are manageable, we are much more likely to stick with them. They still won’t be easy, but at least you know that you’ve got a fighting chance of seeing them through. Isn’t the thought of a better you worth a little difficulty?

If you fall off the bandwagon, you still have January to try again. Only you’ll be much better prepared — and thus, much more likely to succeed —the second time around.

If you’ll be making these lofty New Year’s Resolutions anyways, why not try to accomplish them that much faster? Instead of a roadblock, use December as a bridge to the new, post-resolution, better version of you.

Ashley Flippin is a staff columnist. She is a senior creative writing and English major.

original aim of political correctness was to facilitate intellectual conversation about sensitive topics, but it has since become a barricade to sharing honest thoughts and ideas for fear of even potentially causing offense. Apparently, even light-hearted renditions of actual historical events are apt to stir the hypersensitive to action. This fear of misrepresenting others keeps us from candid expression. Consequently, diversity is quelled and the very goal of political correctness undermined. The University of Arkansas is too reputable an organization to participate in this petty game of political correctness. We need not waste our limited energies tiptoeing about an expanse strewn with artificial eggshells.

This letter was sent in by Catherine Kirby, a junior nursing student and Ellie Keffler, a junior history student

“Making Your Journey Worthwhile” Companion Editor: Nick Brothers Assistant Companion Editor: Shelby Gill Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 5

As Finals and Papers Stack Up, So Do Graduate School Applications

Mason Sams Staff Writer

While most students are worrying about their final exams, papers and projects, there are a select few in their last year of school who are also stressing about turning in their admissions applications to graduate and professional schools on top of their normal end-of-the-year course load. Given the average admissions rate among graduate programs in 2012, students have every reason to be anxious about their futures.

According to the Huffington Post, 2012 was a record low for admissions rates among highertier universities and Ivy League institutions. The Huffington Post’s reason for such low admissions rates: “It is because everyone is so incredible.”

Now, to add to the stress of sending in applications for admission, students have to find new (or efficient) ways to ensure they stand out in the admissions process.

However, there is some good news despite some dismal admissions numbers. Last year, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates was 8.9 percent — just under the national unemployment average, according to a report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. In contrast, 31.5 percent of young high school dropouts were jobless, and those with only a high school diploma were 22.9 percent jobless. On average, college graduates are earning twice as much as high school graduates.

But one of the major problems today is that the job market has the advantage of choosing from a large pool of qualified candidates. While this is good news for employers, it is bad news for students graduating with high-interest loans and minimal job experience. Moreover, students are forced to accept jobs they are often overqualified for just so they can pay bills and loans back on time. In short, the “dream job” that students

pursue an undergraduate degree for is often available only after postgraduate studies.

More and more students are realizing how important it is to make themselves stand out on resumes and applications to graduate schools because that is where the job market is directing them. But there are a few important things to remember when putting together a graduate or professional school application.

“In order to get into our program, you need letters of recommendat ion from professors who are familiar with your work, a competitive GRE score, a statement of purpose and a writing sample to show what sort of work you can do,” said Trisha Starks, professor of history at the UA and head of admissions in the history department.

While it may seem easy to gather all of these require-

ments, it is difficult to create an application that is unlike every other one presented to an admissions board.

“It would be beneficial to invest in language training, study abroad programs or even publications in inhouse journals,” Starks said. She said that in most majors, learning a second language and studying abroad shows “you have a broader set of interests outside of your field of study.”

“In addition to making an impressive resume, it is also important to do your own personal research on schools you might want to do graduate work at,” said Kaylee Christie, a senior history and German major.

By researching various institutions, students are better able to discern where they may want to end up someday.

“In your statement of purpose, you should explain why going to that certain school will work the best with Courtesy Photo

Happy Holiday Gifting Guide Justin Bryant Staff Writer Follow him on Twitter @Just_InStyle

The holiday season has finally arrived, and the pressure to find the perfect gift for our loved ones has fallen upon us. But never fear — the Happy Holiday Gifting Guide is here! This year, don’t opt for the traditional gift card. This guide will provide you with tips to make easy, affordable and personalized gift purchases for your friends and family.

There are three easy questions to ask yourself when deciding on gift purchases: Is it a quality item? Will it provide utility to the recipient? Is it compatible with the recipient? If your purchase answers those questions to your satisfaction, then the likelihood of it being a good gift is pretty high.

Other important notions to take into account are the myths that price is important and that large, expensive items are more valuable.

These notions are false because the price of items is not important to most people and just because an item is large and expensive does not mean it is compatible with or useful to the recipient. A better and more financially efficient suggestion would be to purchase smaller, more intimate and useful items.

WOMEN This year, fashion and apparel are the top items on every girl’s list. Aside from the routine sweaters, jackets and coats, there are tons of pieces you can put on your Christmas list to ask for from Santa Claus.

One must-have item this holiday season is a wool, “Little Red Riding Hood”-style peacoat cape.

This is a great item to purchase because it provides utility in the form of warmth and compatibility for the fashionistas looking for something innovative and fresh to add to their wardrobes.

Another item to look into this season is the knee-length faux-fur vest. Vests like these have been

worn recently by the likes of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Blake Lively and Nicki Minaj.

Oversized boyfriend blazers are a great blanket gift for anyone and can be found in thrift stores or even bought in the men’s department.

These blazers are perfect gifts because they can be worn year-round and size doesn’t matter.

Skin-care products have become very popular, and when sizes aren’t known, they can be a great gift choice. Microdermabrasion brushes have become a staple in almost every great skin-care regimen, and because of high demand they are now starting to become relatively inexpensive compared to when they first entered the market. Clarisonic makes a wonderful charging brush that is affordable and can be found in most department stores.

In addition to a brush, Kiehl’s line of skin-care products is a very helpful addition to the list of popular gift items.

The accessory on every woman’s list this year is a Michael Kors watch. Found in several varieties such as gold, tortoise and rose gold, I’m sure any girl would be happy to receive one. Chunky earrings and princess-style headpieces are also working their way back into fashion and would be lovely additions to anyone’s collection.

MEN Coats and jackets are the top items every guy wants this holiday season. Trench coats, preferably in a water-resistant style, are great gifts because they provide utility for more than one season and quality because of their durability. Knitted sweaters, cardigans and turtlenecks can also provide sophistication, warmth and style to any guy’s clothing repertoire.

The ’80s are now making a comeback in the form of old-school cinched sweatpants in the harem

C ou

yP r te s

h ot

your research,” Christie said. “If you could go anywhere, why would they let you go there?”

Most students agree that having an easy course load the fall of your senior year is ideal for applications, although that is not always possible.

“The semester you apply for graduate school should be your easiest semester in college,” said Jacob White, a 2010 UA graduate and now student at Harvard Law School. “Now is the time to take that online class everyone was talking about. No one gets extra points for taking hard classes while applying.”

The important thing to remember is that resumes, GRE scores and statements of purpose are all things within the control of the individual.

“Resumes are a great way to reflect on how much time you’ve wasted in college,” White said.

“So if there is a lot of white space, think about volunteering next break.”

While volunteering is certainly an important tip, it is also crucial to get involved on campus.

“Get involved in one RSO that involves service and one that involves academics,” Christie said. “It shows you can do more than pass a test or do classwork.”

Lastly, while it may seem easy to remember, double- and triple-checking for typos can make a resume or application stand out.

“A well-edited piece of writing exhibits preparation and organization,” White said. “Mistakes indicate the inverse — don’t send the wrong message.”

In generations past, a college degree was impressive enough to get a job; today, a college degree demonstrates competence but not necessarily exceptionality. A master’s degree or a Ph.D. are what can set apart a candidate from the rest.

Since graduate programs are becoming more and more difficult to get into, it is paramount that a resume or application be the best it can be. Now is the time to plan and prepare for the future.

Students Paint Outside the Classroom

o

style. This new twist on sweatpants really makes them a popular item to purchase because they can go from lounge to everyday wear with little to no change at all.

Guys are taking grooming and their appearances more seriously than ever these days, and with new weather changes, you’ve got to be prepared. Acne and moisture control are the two main issues men face, so I have some suggested gift items that are great for any skin type.

Cetaphil brand provides some wonderful low-maintenance skin products, including their “Daily Facial Cleanser.” For the male who’s a little more into grooming and comfortable with higher maintenance, Anthony For Men is the premiere product line for a full range of skin-care products for day and night use.

Faux-fur trapper hats are fun and innovative gifts that can be bought in a variety of styles to fit any guy’s style or personality. And although they are the newcomer to the accessory world, knit ties are starting to become very popular on the market and are great gifts that can be formal or casual.

No matter what the gift, remember that it’s the thought that counts at the end of the day. By remembering to find something that is of high quality, provides utility and is compatible to the recipient, I’m sure the Happy Holiday Gifting Guide won’t fail you.

Mary McKay Staff Photographer

The Painting with a Twist instructor helps a class paint canvases on Saturday Dec. 1. Painting with a Twist offers two hour and three hour classes and a complete schedule of class times can be found at paintingwithatwist.com.

Page 6

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Comics Pearls Before Swine

Dilbert

Calvin and Hobbes

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

Sudoku Stephan Pastis

Scott Adams

Bill Watterson

© 2011 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

Crossword

Doonesbury

Non Sequitur

Garry Trudeau

Wiley Miller

By Marti DuGuay-Carpenter

The Argyle Sweater

Scott Hilburn

ACROSS 1 Ho-hum time 5 Ship’s command post 9 Zip preceder 14 Really-really 15 Verdi’s “Celeste Aida,” e.g.

16 Hypothesize 17 Quits worrying 19 Oohed and __ 20 “Luncheon on the Grass” painter 21 Law firm bigwigs 23 Group with many golden agers 26 Failed firecracker 27 Like 56 minutes of each hour of The Masters telecast 34 Federal Web address ending 35 Office betting groups 36 Curaçao neighbor 37 TV’s talking horse 39 Drum kit drum 41 “Want the light __ off?”

42 “Stick Up for Yourself ” nasal spray 44 Glittery topper 46 Molecule with a + charge, e.g.

47 “Get off my back!”

50 Mischief-maker

51 Hose fillers?

52 Wide-awake 57 Wanted poster word 61 Longish skirts 62 Unfinished business, or, in a way, what 17-, 27and 47-Across have in common 65 Temporarily unavailable 66 Sask. neighbor 67 Macro or micro subj.

68 Help desk staffers, usually 69 Hornet’s home 70 Tebow throw, say DOWN 1 Quarter of a quad, perhaps 2 Perlman of “Cheers” 3 Part of YMCA: Abbr.

4 Pep rally cry 5 Possess, in the Hebrides 6 Christian __ 7 Speech impediment 8 Honduras native 9 Patty turner 10 How a pendulum swings 11 Tennis great Arthur 12 Row at Wrigley 13 LAX guesstimates 18 Email doesn’t require

one 22 Nutritional abbr.

24 1920s-’30s Flying Clouds, e.g.

25 Chop-chop 27 Greek vacation isle 28 For all to see 29 Insurance case 30 Knesset country 31 Written in mystical letters 32 Kindle download 33 Deservedly get 34 Former car-financing org.

38 Dwindle 40 Hebrides tongue 43 Archrivals 45 Aquarium accumulation 48 One seeking intelligence 49 In dreamland 52 Leave out 53 “Ponderosa” tree 54 PTA’s focus 55 Lust for life 56 Charitable distribution 58 Machu Picchu resident 59 Fusses 60 Federal IDs 63 Extra NHL periods 64 Did nothing

Sports Editor: Kristen Coppola Assistant Sports Editor: Haley Markle Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 7

BASKETBALL

Razorbacks to Face Oklahoma at Home Liz Beadle Staff Writer

The Razorbacks will attempt to break a three-game losing streak tonight against the Oklahoma Sooners. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Hogs are 3-3. The Razorbacks lost two games to Arizona State and No. 24 Wisconsin in the Las Vegas Invitational before coming back to Fayetteville and losing to No. 5 Syracuse.

BJ Young has been leading the Hogs in scoring and accounted for 25 points in the loss to Syracuse. Arkansas is averaging 9.5 steals per game, the highest average for an Arkansas team since the 20012002 season.

The Sooners are 6-1, with their only loss coming to No. 12 Gonzaga at the Old Spice Classic Tournament in Orlando.

The last time this game Arkansas and Oklahoma met was in 2011 in Norman, a game that the Sooners won 78-63.

In that meeting, the Hogs got down early and never recovered from the deficit.

A vast majority of the Razorback roster has played against this Oklahoma team.

They have experience with them and should know how to defend against some of their veteran stars like Andrew Fitzgerald and Stephen Pledger.

Last year in Norman, Young led Arkansas offensive-

FOOTBALL

Irish, Tide Top Final Rankings Jessie McMullen Staff Writer

Ryan Miller Staff Photographer UA guard B.J. Young fouls Syracuse’s Michael Carter-Williams during the second half Friday. Syracuse defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 91-82 in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks look to end their losing streak against Oklahoma tonight. ly, shooting 9 for 16 and marking up 24 total points.

This most recent series with Oklahoma started in the 20072008 season. This will be the sixth straight season the two teams will meet.

Arkansas is 2-3 so far in the series, and the home team has won every single game — including a thrashing of the No. 4 Sooners in Fayetteville in 2008.

Last week against Syracuse, more than 4,000 students filled

up Bud Walton Arena. Since the home team has won every one of these Arkansas-Oklahoma games it will be important for Arkansas fans to once again create an hostile environment for the Sooners.

After taking on Oklahoma Tuesday night, the Hogs will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face No. 3 Michigan. That game will be Saturday at 11 a.m. and will be televised by CBS.

Six Southeastern Conference teams are in the top 10 of the final BCS rankings, which were revealed Sunday night.

The No. 1 spot in the BCS standings remains with Notre Dame, which did not play this past week. Notre Dame finished their regular season at 12-0 and will be heading to the BCS National Championship.

The Irish have not been there since 1988 when they defeated West Virginia.

The Fighting Irish will face the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide for the title. The Tide is heading back to the National Championship for the second straight season. Last season, Alabama defeated LSU to take home the title.

After a loss late in the season to Texas A&M, many analysts thought the Tide would have no chance to make it back to the title game, but thanks to a few upsets, the Tide will get the chance to defend its title.

Florida finished the season at No. 3 with a record of 11-1 with a loss to Georgia causing the Gators to fall short of taking the SEC East. Florida’s defense only allowed an average of 12.9 points per game. The Gators will play in the Sugar Bowl.

The No. 4 spot went to the

see BCS page 8

FOOTBALL

The Choices Are Many, The Committed Are Few

Tamzen Tumlison Staff Writer

Among 12 verbally-committed recruits, Arkansas has one four-star, eight three-star and three two-star athletes coming in with verbal agreements, according to Scout.com.

After a long season, Razorback players and fans alike are not only looking forward to discovering who the new head football coach will be, but who the incoming recruits are.

Austin Allen, ranked No. 32 as a four-star quarterback in Scout.com’s poll, expressed no interest in any institution other than Arkansas, and has verbally committed. Allen led the Fayetteville High School Bulldogs to a second consecutive state title and won the Gatorade Arkansas Football Player of the Year award.

Allen is the younger brother of redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Allen.

Directly following Allen in the rankings is Marcus Robinson, an outside linebacker from Memphis, Tenn. Robinson is

rated three-stars and committed to Arkansas, with no interest expressed in other schools, although he has received other offers.

Not too far down the line at No. 42 is Arkansas-commit safety Khari Harding from Edmond, Okla. Harding received offers from schools like Arkansas State, Kansas State and Indiana, but verbally committed to Arkansas.

The highest nationallyranked player that has expressed any interest in Arkansas is wide receiver James Quick from Louisville, Ky. Quick is also interested in quite a few other Southeastern Conference schools, including Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri and Auburn, which have also made offers.

Hunter Henry, from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, is ranked as a No. 3 tight end nationally and has made a soft verbal commitment to Arkansas. However, Henry is also considering Arkansas State and various SEC schools, with some interest in Notre Dame and Oklahoma as well.

Alabama and Georgia made offers to Henry, and are the only other two schools Henry has expressed medium interest in. Henry went for an official visit to Alabama in early November and is waiting until a new head coach is hired at Arkansas to make an official commitment.

No. 6-ranked cornerback Mackensie Alexander, from Immokalee High School in Florida, has expressed medium interest in seven SEC schools including Arkansas, all of which have made offers.

Arkansas’ recruiting class is the not the best in the SEC, where Alabama still reigns supreme, in terms of the game and the recruits. Arkansas falls among Kentucky and Missouri in the number and ranking of committed recruits, according to Bleacher Report.

In the nation, Arkansas ranks 38th in recruiting classes on ESPN.com. Florida, USC and Alabama round out the top three in national recruiting classes. More than 10 of the top-40 recruiting classes belong to the SEC.

Photo by Andy Shupe: Courtesy of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers Fayetteville High quarterback Austin Allen has verbally committed the Razorbacks and has shown no interest in other programs even though he has received other offers.

COMMENTARY

Hog Fans Can Enjoy Bowls, Look Forward to Future

Zack Wheeler Staff Writer The bids are finally in. College football fans across the country tuned in to see the selection of this year’s bowl games. Razorback fans are, of course, disappointed that their team did not make it to a bowl this year, but can still

enjoy the games that will take place.

Let’s start with the most heralded game of them all, the BCS National Championship game. Alabama survived a test against Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship game to find their way into a showdown with No. 1 Notre Dame.

The game will likely be a defensive battle. The Crimson Tide are No. 1 in total defense and the Fighting Irish are No. 6. These two historic programs will face off Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

A BCS buster was also amid the highlights of the bowl selection night. MidAmerica Conference cham-

pion Northern Illinois earned a spot in the Orange Bowl against Florida State.

Northern Illinois defeated Kent State in their championship game to earn an automatic bid with a final regular season record of 12-1. Many people have a hard time accepting a team from that conference making a BCS game, but it’s nice to root for the underdog sometimes.

The rest of the BCS bowls were filled by more familiar names. The Rose Bowl will feature Wisconsin vs. Stanford at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

The Allstate Sugar will play host to Louisville and Florida, the game that Arkansas occu-

pied just two seasons ago. The final BCS bowl is the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which will feature Kansas State and Oregon.

To avoid monotonous naming of the vast amount of bowl games, let’s look at the importance these bowl games will possess. Many people not associated with the SEC are ready for the streak of National Championships to come to an end. Not only do they want the BCS championship dominance to end, but every team is aiming to knock off an SEC opponent in any bowl game to be played.

Along with the target on the SEC’s back, this is the second-to-last year of the BCS bowl system. After another

round of this BCS system, a four-team playoff will be implemented to replace it.

I am in support of the new playoff system, but I will also enjoy the drama-filled environment the BCS does bring about. Right or wrong, we must live with it, so it’s better to enjoy the games than dwell on the system.

As a Hog fan, I hope that this time next year, the discussion will be focused on the Hogs’ opponent in whatever bowl game they might make it to. Whoever the new coach is, he will be working with some talent that gained valuable playing time this season.

Although it was a losing season, many players received

valuable reps in the toughest conference in the nation.

People are gearing up for the Christmas holiday, finals and even graduation for a few.

This time of year is exciting for everyone in a vast variety of ways. Many players and fans will be excited for their team’s bowl game, just like a lot of people are excited to be away from class for a month.

Whatever it is that makes you happy, I hope everyone has a happy holiday season..

Zack Wheeler is a staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Tuesday. Follow the sports section on Twitter @UATravSports.

Page 8

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

BCS continued from page 7 11-1 Oregon Ducks. The Ducks suffered a loss to Stanford at the end of the season that crushed their national title hopes. The Ducks averaged 50.8 points per game on the season.

The only game that Oregon did not score over 40 points was in their loss to Stanford, where they were held to only 14 points.

Oregon will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

Kansas State was picked fifth in the BCS standings. Kansas State, like Oregon, also had its national title hopes crushed, in the same night, with a loss to Baylor. Kansas State is led by quarterback Collin Klein, with 2,490 passing yards and 890 rushing yards. Kansas State will be Oregon’s opponent in the Fiesta Bowl.

The first two-loss team in the in the BCS standings is No. 6 Stanford. Stanford suffered losses to Washington and Notre Dame early on. Stanford was predicted to struggle this season after losing star quarterback Andrew Luck, but they have proven many analysts wrong. After a win over UCLA to end the regular season and then again in the PAC 12 title game, they will be heading to the Rose Bowl.

The No. 7 spot goes to the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs fell from the No. 3 spot after suffering a loss to Alabama in the SEC championship. They also suffered a loss to South Carolina earlier in the season. With the loss to Alabama, Georgia lost their bid to a BCS bowl game and will be playing in the Capital One Bowl.

The LSU Tigers hold the No. 8 spot in the BCS standings. The Tigers fell short to Alabama in winning the SEC West and possibly picking up a BCS bowl game. LSU’s two losses come from Florida and Alabama, both close games. The Tigers will be going to the Chick-Fil-A bowl.

No. 9 in the standings are the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies are 10-2 on the season

Photo Courtesy of Gett Images Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is a quarterback who can run around and make plays. He could be a big factor in the BCS Championship game, as Alabama has struggled against dual threat quarterbacks this season. with losses to Florida and LSU. The Aggies are lead by Heisman hopeful, redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny “Football” Manziel. Manziel has 3,419 passing yards and 1,181 rushing yards and leads the team in both. Texas A&M will be playing in the Cotton Bowl.

The South Carolina Gamecocks get the No. 10 spot in the BCS standings. The Gamecocks are the sixth SEC team in the top 10 of the BCS standings. South Carolina is 10-2 with losses to LSU and Florida. They will be playing in the Outback Bowl.

The 11-15 spots in the BCS

standings are Oklahoma, Florida State, Oregon State, Clemson and Northern Illinois. No. 16-20 goes to Nebraska, UCLA, Michigan, Boise State,and Northwestern. The final spots are filled by Louisville, Utah State, Texas, San Jose State and Kent State.