February 11, 2013

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Road Woes Continue for Razorbacks Page 7

Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

“About You, For You”

University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906

Vol. 107, No. 79

Legislation Questioned After Shooting, Forum

Founders Hall, set to open Aug. 1, will add much-needed space to Brough Commons and beds for students of all class levels.

“I don’t think it would help because I don’t think the theft would happen in such an obvious way where you would have to use a gun to solve anything.”

Full Story, Page 2

Paying attention in class can be as challenging as the course itself. Inside are some tips to help. Full Story, Page 5

Hogs Focused on Steps Toward CWS in Omaha

The pre-season No. 1 Razorback baseball team opens up play Feb. 15 against Western Illinois. Head coach Dave Van Horn met with the media Friday to discuss the upcoming season and the expectations his Hogs are facing. Full Story, Page 7

Today’s Forecast

53 / 32° Tomorrow Cloudy 49 / 33°

Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer

The Arkansas General Assembly passed a bill Monday allowing concealed weapons to be carried in churches and places of worship, said Sen. Bryan King, sponsor of the bill.

Founders Hall to Open in Fall

Experiencing the Action of Distraction

Gun Debate on Campus Extends to Churches

Lindsay Schoolcraft Addison Morgan Staff Photographer Members of the Fayetteville community gather for a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building to discuss the proposed concealed carry bill. State senators will return Friday, Feb. 22 to further discuss the legislation.

Staff Report Less than four hours before a citywide open forum in which gun legislation was discussed, a UA student was injured after accidentally shooting himself in the hand at the KUAF radio station in Fayetteville, bringing to attention recent state and student government legislation concerning concealed carry on Arkansas college campuses. The state proposal, which will be presented to the

House Tuesday, is “an act to allow trained and licensed staff and faculty to carry a handgun on a university college ... campus under certain circumstances,” according to the bill. Members of the Fayetteville and campus community addressed concerns about the bill at Friday’s biweekly legislative public forum, which took place at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Dozens of people attended the forum, many of whom were forced to stand around and outside the meeting

room. Those who made a public comment during the forum spoke against passage of the bill, said Mike Norton, chair of ASG Senate. The forum was not a good representation of either side of the argument, Norton said. Sponsor of the bill Rep. Charlie Collins was absent from Friday’s meeting; instead, he was addressing similar concerns at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Sen. Jon Woods, Sen. Jim Hendren, Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, Rep. Greg Leding and Rep. David Whitaker

Sophomore Hospitality Student

were present. Lindsey, Leding and Whitaker generally opposed the bill. “I really wish that Rep. Collins could have been there because I kind of felt like the Republican delegates (Sens. Woods and Hendren) were really taking a lot of the heat for him,” said Abigail Brumfield, a senior political science student. During the last week of January, chancellors of Arkansas two- and four-year universities voted strongly to oppose recent legislation

The Church Protection Act was proposed because of the need for citizen-protection measures in the midst of increasing violence, King said. Churchgoers have a right to protect their lives and their property, he said. “Society in general is looking at this situation and wants to be allowed to protect themselves instead of being defenseless,” he said. There have been numerous reports of churches being robbed, even while a service is taking place, King said. Churches are also a com-

see SHOOTING page 3

see CHURCHES page 3

Mardi Gras Celebration Kicks Off on Dickson

Connor Malone Staff Writer

Last week marked the beginning of the city of Fayetteville’s 21st annual Mardi Gras celebration. Last Saturday continued the festivities with the Fat Saturday Parade of Fools. The parade was held, as it is every year, by the Mardi Gras Arkansas Group, a nonprofit volunteer group whose goal is to introduce the concept of Carnival to northwest Arkansas and establish a local Mardi Gras tradition, according to their website. Floats, costumed marchers and decorated cars followed a route around Fayetteville Square, down Block Avenue, along Dickson Street and finally coming to a close on West Avenue. It was a familyoriented event with candy and beads being thrown everywhere. Entrants in the parade included local business and interest groups. One costumed marcher, Jeffrey Collins, brought his family to watch him march. “This is my second year walking in the parade … it’s a big family event, so I’ll probably keep coming back as long as there is a parade,” Collins said.

A few memorable groups from the day include radio station New Rock 104.9 the X, which drove around in a gigantic boom box blasting music; Jose’s Mexican Restaurant, which featured a float carrying around a live performing band; Mr. Blue, who will be playing Tuesday at Jose’s; Razor Hills, a local liveaction role-playing group, who stopped and skirmished with one another along the route; and Penguin Ed’s, which featured kids dressed as penguins and a large metal penguin painted with a Mardi Gras theme.

“...it’s a big family event, so I’ll probably keep coming back as long as there is a parade.” Jeffrey Collins

Parade Participant Jacob Hilton, a junior at the UA, was in attendance at the parade and discussed his favorite part of the afternoon. “A lady dressed like a bird stepped off a float, walked up and handed me some beads, then flapped her wings and walked off,” Hilton said. “It was outstanding.”

Kathleen Pait Staff Photographer Fayetteville residents attend the Mardi Gras Parade of Fools on the Fayetteville Square Saturday, Feb. 9. Local organizations built floats while participants threw candy and beads into the crowds that lined the streets. Festivities will continue Tuesday, February 12 with a pub crawl along Dickson beginning around 7 p.m.


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