January 23, 2013

Red, White and Black: A Red Carpet Re-Cap Page 5

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

“About You, For You”

University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906

Officials Continue to Fix Budget Shortfall

Sarah Derouen News Editor

Music School Tunes Up Town

A new music school, Fayetteville Music Factory, opened on North Gregg Avenue.

Full Story, Page 2

Vol. 107, No. 69

UA officials are continuing to correct the problem that occurred with the Division of University Advancement’s budget and Chancellor G. David Gearhart has not approved a proposed policy, they said.

Gearhart has announced

that he will not approve a reinvestment fee policy for at least the remainder of the fiscal year. The policy, as previously stated in a Traveler article, would delegate a portion or fee of the donations given to the university to be allocated to the advancement division, Diamond said. This approach is commonly used by many universities and colleges.

Last December, Gearhart

released a statement saying that Division of University Advancement officials had mismanaged $3.1 million during the previous fiscal year.

At the end of the last fiscal year, Brad Choate, who was in charge of the University Advancement budget, notified the chancellor that they would be ending the budget year with a deficit. At the time, Choate and his budget direc-

tor thought that the deficit was about $500,000, said John Diamond, associate vice chancellor.

After a review of the spending conducted by the UA’s Division of Finance and Administration, it was determined that no inappropriate spending took place, according to the chancellor’s statement.

see BUDGET page 3

Semester In Full Swing For ASG Senators

Making the Most of a Degree The UA currently offers over 100 degrees, and after selecting the right one, there are many ways to make the most of it.

Full Story, Page 5

Mental Illness Cases Higher in College Age Students Pam DeRossitte Contributing Writer

College students are typically considered to be healthy, strong and unfazed by the more serious difficulties of life. Students, however, are a subset of the larger population and are affected by the same illnesses, accidents and dysfunctions that everyone else is.

There is one exception: College-age students are traditionally more susceptible to the onset of mental and emotional disorders than the rest of the population. Why this is so has never been specifically pinpointed, but the combination of naturally occurring neurological changes in the brain at this critical age along with the growing awareness of existential worries, as well as the cumulative effects of previous trauma and loss, seem to have a strong cause-and-effect relationship.

Historically, the percentage of students dealing with mental health issues has remained constant; however, in the last decade, researchers have noticed a spike in the number of

“Over the last 10 years we routinely find 1 in 5 college students have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder.”

Dr. Nate Williams

Associate Professor of Psychology

Combining Sports in Lacrosse The lacrosse team starts practice today. Read about this UREC club sport in the sports section.

Full Story, Page 7

For More Traveler Stories Visit UATrav.com Today’s Forecast

59 / 31° Tomorrow Cloudy 37 / 31°

Kris Johnson Staff Photographer Associated Student Government met Tuesday, Jan. 22 for the first meeting of the spring semester.

A large section of an upcoming student poll hosted by ASG will be dedicated to this idea of medical amnesty, said ASG President Tori Pohlner.

“It [the poll] should be out as soon as soon as possible,” Pohlner said. “It is getting cleaned up and editing for polling format.”

“One of the things adminis-

college students dealing with mental health issues.

“Severe mental illness is more common among college students than it was a decade ago, with more young people arriving on campus with pre-existing conditions and a willingness to seek help for emotional distress,” according to the American Psychological Association. “The rise in the more severe cases of depression and anxiety in college students may be because more students are coming to college with pre-existing mental health difficulties.”

Improved diagnosis, assessment, earlier intervention and a decreased stigma toward mental illness account for some of the increase in men-

see POLICY page 3

see MENTAL page 2

ASG to Ask Students’ Opinion About Possible Health Policy

Miranda Campbell Staff Writer

An upcoming student poll could determine the fate of a medical amnesty proposal made by Associated Student Government last year, which has since received little serious attention from UA administrators because it was not viewed

as a serious issue.

This proposal, which passed last year, sought to add a policy to the Student Code of Conduct so that students calling for medical help for themselves or a friend because of excessive drinking would not be subject to the UA judicial system.

“There is a need to protect students who require emergency medical attention from

possible policy violations or sanctions that may arise as a result of their receiving emergency assistance,” according to the bill. “ASG stands by the idea that students who seek medical assistance for themselves (Medical Amnesty) or another person (Good Samaritan) should not be subject to the judicial process during their first alcohol-related medical offense.”

New Exercise Machines Added to the HPER

Stephanie Pollin Contributing Writer

The HPER has added new machines for the spring 2013 semester, including bikes, ellipticals, treadmills and new weights.

The new machines have re-

ceived positive reviews among students.

“The new machines are more comfortable and easier to use than the other machines,” said Makynna Jorgensen, freshman. “They are something that I would start using a lot more just because of the comfort factor.”

see HPER page 3

“The new machines are more comfortable and easier to use than the other machines.”

Makynna Jorgensen Freshman

Gareth Patterson Staff Photographer Junior Garrett Campbell works out on one of five new Freemotion machines at the HPER, Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Page 2

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

Page 3

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

City Officials Add Bike Lane

Music School Tunes Up Town

Travis Pence Staff Writer

Contact

119 Kimpel Hall University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701

McKenna Gallagher Staff Photographer Instructor Mathew Sproles (right) plays along with his student, Zachary Liles, during his guitar lesson, Thursday, Jan. 17, at Fayetteville’s new music school, the Fayetteville Music Factory.

Bailey Deloney Staff Writer A new music school, Fayetteville Music Factory, opened on North Gregg Avenue.

Together, the six instructors at the school provide a variety of musical talent, offering guitar, drum, bass, ukulele and vocal lessons, said Dallas Harris, owner.

The original music school, NWA Music Lessons, first opened in Lowell, Ark., Har-

ris said. However, because Fayetteville seemed like a more music-oriented area, the school recently transitioned here, Harris said.

A number of UA students were taking lessons at the previous Lowell location, Harris said. Hopefully, there will be even more students who come and check out the new school, especially now that this location is even closer to the university, Harris said.

“Music entails discipline and getting to know yourself as a person,” said Elaine Cencel, UA vocal professor. “The

only way to be free in life is to be disciplined.”

Students who started taking band or orchestra in school learned discipline at an early age, Cencel said.

“We do things a little differently than your basic music lesson,” Harris said. “Every lesson is completely tailored to that individual; there are no two lessons alike.”

One student may be in the marching band, while another may be more interested in rock music or country. Each lesson is personalized to that student’s style of music, which

Getting People Talking

is what sets the school apart, Harris said.

Another unique activity offered at the school is the opportunity for students to mix their personal musical talent with other instruments and artists, Harris said. This program allows students to play together with other musicians and get a feel for how to blend music in a more band-like setting.

Fayetteville Music Factory is offering a special during the month of January: $15 lessons throughout all of 2013 for anyone who signs up this month.

Briefly Speaking Club Sports Information Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Arkansas UnionConnections Lounge

Kris Johnson Staff Photographer Mohammed Boudoum speaks to students during a conversation club meeting. Conversation club pairs American students with international students to help with their cultural adjustment.

Dream B.I.G. (Believing in Girls) Mentor Interest Session 5 p.m.-6 p.m.

Arkansas Union Room 514

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

Kayli Farris 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

(near UA Bookstore and Walmart on campus)

Bank Better.

“Just that (University Advancement) had, over a relatively short period of time, hired more personnel than it had funding to support, and as a result, it created a large deficit,” Diamond said.

The Division of University Advancement’s responsibilities include fundraising, alumni affairs, communications and special events, Diamond said. The division has a budget of about $10 million each year, but division officials handle considerably more than that.

From July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012, the division raised more than $200 million, Diamond said.

Diamond lor for finance and administration are each giving $1 million for this year only to balance the budget, and the division is finding and using

“Just that (University Advancement) had, over a relatively short period of time, hired more personnel than it had funding to support.”

Courtesy Photo the shared lane symbols will make drivers more aware and cautious of cyclists on the road.”

There have not been any vehicular accidents or other incidents that lead to the installation of the shared lanes, Mihalevich said.

“The addition and placement of the shared lanes is all based on public input,” he said. “We’ve installed them in areas that would provide the most efficient route for cyclists as possible.”

UAPD has not reported an increase in accidents or any other factor of that nature

that could have caused the installation of the shared lanes, said Lt. Gary Crain of UAPD. Furthermore, UAPD officials were not even aware of the recent installation of the shared lane.

“There has been discussion of putting crosswalks in place due to the high pedestrian traffic,” Crain said, “but we have not received any information from the city about the installation of a bicycle lane on Arkansas Avenue.”

Some students are looking forward to the expansion of the trail system throughout Fayetteville.

“I think it’s awesome that Fayetteville is putting so much effort into going green,” said Judd Burns, senior choir major. “When it’s warmer out, I try to ride my bike as much as possible, and the trails make it incredibly easy to get around. I can literally travel from the university all the way to the mall and anywhere in between on just my bicycle.

“It’s a great way to save some money and stay in shape. Plus, the shared lanes would give me some peace of mind; I would know that most drivers are now keeping an eye out for cyclists.”

MENTAL continued from page 1

John Diamond

Associate Vice Chancellor UA officials are not in process of raising money at this time, Diamond said. Instead, officials are changing the “internal organization of what we spend our money on and when we spend money,” he said.

UA officials are working to make sure that the division ends the current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2013, with a balanced budget.

To finish this year with a balanced budget, the budget is being reworked. Also, the provost and vice chancel-

cost-cutting measures, Diamond said.

Gearhart decided to personally oversee the advancement division.

“He has put a hold on filling vacant positions within the advancement division except where he determines that a position must be filled to get the division’s work done efficiently and effectively,” Diamond said.

This problem will not affect student tuition or fees, Diamond said.

POLICY continued from page 1

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in Past Year among Persons Aged 18 or Older, by Location: Percentages, Annual Averages Based on 2008 and 2009 NSDUHs

tration was claiming was that they did not believe that students are actually scared to get help and therefore there is no purpose in a medical amnesty policy,” said J.R. Baxter, the ASG senator who wrote the proposal. “They wanted us to

same legislation and get the conversation going again,” Baxter said. “Last year when I passed it was the second year it passed. When you are dealing with one year terms it is something you have to work with.”

“They wanted us to show that the policy is needed and those questions give us something to show them.”

JR Baxter

Former ASG Senator

Marcus Ferreira News Designer

show that the policy is needed and those questions give us something to show them.”

Baxter, who is no longer an ASG senator, that he hopes to see the proposal move forward, he said.

“I would encourage someone in ASG to pass sort of the

Carson Smith Sports Designer

KEYWORD continued from page x

Advertising & Design Staff University Banking Center • 616 N. Garland, Suite 106 479.527.7040

Fayetteville is taking measures to ensure that cyclists have safe and comfortable options when traveling throughout the area, city council officials said.

Last month, city officials added a shared bicycle lane to Arkansas Avenue and Dickson Street, said Matt Mihalevich, trails coordinator for the city of Fayetteville. These two shared lanes serve as an extension to the Fayetteville Alternative Transportation and Trail Master Plan, Mihalevich said.

City officials will continue to add shared lane symbols on certain streets around Fayetteville as they see fit, Mihalevich said.

As a part of the FATT Master Plan, city officials strive to add 5 to 6 miles to the existing trail every year, Mihalevich said.

“One of our major goals for the master plan is to be proactive in getting people out of their cars and into more efficient modes of travel such as a bicycle,” Mihalevich said.

The shared lanes will also help to protect cyclists on those streets, Mihalevich said.

“Those areas always have a high concentration of vehicles and pedestrians,” Mihalevich said. “We hope that

BUDGET continued from page 1

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

Chelsea Williams Account Representative 479 575 7594

Caty Mills Account Representative 479 575 3899

Amy Butterfield Account Representative 479 575 8714

Kayla Nicole Hardy Account Representative 479 575 3439

Guy Smith III Graphic Designer

tal illness among students, according to a report by Ruth Harper and Meghan Peterson.

“Based on research data from here, over the last 10 years we routinely find 1 in 5 college students have a diagnosis of anxiety disorder, and 1 in 4 have a diagnosable mood disorder,” said Dr. Nate Williams, associate professor of psychology at the UA. The numbers disprove the myth that college students have led a sheltered life.

“We consistently find that between one-fourth to onethird of college females have

been sexually assaulted,” Williams said. “That’s staggering.”

Additionally, mental health and wellness issues have a definite cause-and-effect relationship with students’ academic performance and progress through school, Williams said.

“Mental health issues definitely affect retention and graduation rates,” Williams said. Some students drop out, while others may take a medical leave to recover and return to school at a later date.

Severe mental illness is a broad category that includes

psychological stress beyond the everyday blues, anxieties or compulsions. A variety of conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, eating and self-harm disorders, PTSD, ADHD, compulsions, and addictions, can manifest and seriously affect an individual’s mood, cognition and everyday responsibilities to the point of needing medical attention. These conditions are not to be taken lightly and should be viewed as any other serious medical disorder like cancer, diabetes or influenza.

Students who feel in psy-

chological distress can seek medical treatment from a qualified provider. On the UA campus, students can access a complete range of psychological services at Pat Walker Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) clinic. The CAPS clinic has trained staff who provide both individual and group counseling services.

Students are encouraged to be proactive in managing their mental wellness, and to see a professional as soon as possible if a condition is affecting their mood or behavior.

Studies show about 25 percent of college students work out as a way to relieve stress from classes or from their personal lives.

“It helps get your mind off of things and helps you stay in shape, so that is a plus,” Jorgensen said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that people get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week.

Exercise can lower blood pressure and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis in women

Dealing with issues as complex and as big as medical amnesty takes more than a year to get done, Baxter said.

“That is the hard part we are battling.”

Baxter encourages students take the poll and voice their opinions, he said.

later in life.

Steve Voorhies, manager of news and media relations, could not be reached by this writer for comments about the cost of the new equipment.

Since the addition of the new machines, the gym has not seen much of a difference in the number of people visiting, but the new machines have been busy.

The best time to visit the HPER is in the morning or later in the day, which is when the least amount of people are there.

AT T EN T I O N !

Emmy Miller Graphic Designer Is your RSO sponsoring an event on campus?

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 479 575 8455 or at traveler@uark.edu.

-Stop by the Traveler Office

Want The Traveler to cover it?

-Email news editor Sarah Derouen at sderouen16@gmail.com -Call 575-3226

*If you would like an event covered, please notify The Traveler staff at least one week in advance of event date.

Opinion Editor: Saba Naseem Page 4

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

From the Board Budget Shortfall Last December, the chancellor released a statement saying that the Division of University Advancement officials had mismanaged $3.1 million during the previous fiscal year.

However, the administration had known about the budget shortfall since July, said John Diamond, associate vice chancellor, in an email interview.

So why did it take months before this information was released to the campus community?

We, at the Traveler, are disappointed with the way the university has handled this situation. The statement should have been released in July or the immediate months after, not in December.

So, for a little perspective on this matter, the Division of University Advancement is responsible for fundraising, alumni affairs, communication and special events, according to the Traveler article “Officials Continue to Fix Budget Shortfall.”

It’s understandable that the university would wait to announce the shortfall to the public until a plausible solution had been formulated, but waiting six months to bring the issue to light seems excessive.

A spending review conducted by the university’s Division of Finance and Administration “found that poor oversight and mismanagement of the Advancement Division’s own finances and hiring practices caused the budget shortfall,” Diamond said.

As journalists, we ask, why and how? So, the department had a budget of $10 million, and instead they spent $13.1 million. They knew there was a deficit, but only thought it was about $500,000. That’s an approximately $2.5 million difference. How can someone miscalculate so badly?

We know this shortfall does not affect students, but it does concern us. It’s a bit troublesome that a department within the UA could mismanage $3.1 million.

A university of our size circulates millions of dollars throughout it and a mismanagement like this highlights the importance of holding those who spend and handle our money accountable for their actions.

Granted, this budget shortfall wasn’t the effect of wrongful spending or missing money. Hires were made within the department outside of what the budget could afford. Thankfully, people hired using the mismanaged funds within the department will not lose their jobs, but the department must now make up for the shortfall elsewhere.

We do want to make it clear that we understand this mismanagement was not the chancellor’s fault and he is not to blame. It was specifically the fault of those who were in charge of managing the money.

Parking Parking. The one issue that seems to never go away.

And how will it? As enrollment continues to increase, the parking situation seems to get worse, no matter how many garages are built. The parking spaces just can’t keep up with the enrollment numbers.

The Harmon Parking Garage has gotten pretty ridiculous. At certain times, it takes 15 minutes just to get into the garage. For many of us, who have paid hundreds to park in that garage, we expect to be able to park and run to class. If it’s going to take 20 minutes anyways, we could have bought a student parking pass for a lot cheaper. As the university grows, we believe it needs to be more efficient in terms of parking.

Traveler Quote of the Day I would encourage someone in ASG to pass sort of the same legislation and get the conversation going again.

J.R. Baxter, former ASG Senator

“ASG to Ask Students about Possible Health Policy,” Page 1

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

National Debt Affects Students Will Watson Contributing Columnist

For those of us who aren’t economics students, the current debate in Congress over federal tax policy and the national debt can be pretty sleep-inducing.

However, the growing national debt and modifications to our tax code are issues that have already started to affect our daily lives, and will certainly influence the economy as we advance in our careers.

Any student who brings home a paycheck has probably already felt the effects of the national debate over fiscal policy.

Effective Jan. 1, take-home pay decreased slightly as a 2 percent payroll tax holiday expired — a product of the thrown-together compromise in the last round of fiscal negotiations. This is a pretty clear failure of both the President and Congressional Republicans to protect the working-class voters they so eagerly sought during the election season.

Congress also raged with a debate over whether to extend the so-called “Bush tax cuts,” with the President wanting a $250,000 ceiling for extension and Congressional Republicans wanting no tax increase on any level of income. A compromise

emerged after Vice President Joe Biden took Democratic Senator Harry Reid’s place at the negotiating table, and incomes of $450,000 and under were spared from tax hikes, with those making more than that ceiling seeing a marginal increase in their income tax rate.

There are several parts of the argument that don’t presently affect us as younger people but may become important as we go on to careers and (I’m sure as many of us hope) a higher level of income. The new policies also saw a relatively high roof of $5 million for estate taxes — a tax the GOP refers to as a death tax.

All of these compromises were the product of a failure by Congress to act on the tax-cut expirations in a timely manner.

By putting off these negotiations and votes until the very last moment, they once again threw together a mottled plan that really only patched the problem. The same basic time-management skills that our professors require of us on a daily basis seem to have been discarded by the very people elected to make our laws.

We will probably have to revisit the same scenario in just a few weeks, with an encore of the 2011 debt-ceiling debate.

The debt ceiling is a contrived

formality, which Republicans and Democrats have always observed as a necessary evil.

The government accrues debt, the Congress pays the bills and the American public is pretty quiet about it. That is, until a man named Barack Obama was elected president.

Under President George W. Bush, Congress raised the debt limit seven times and the public heard very little about it. However, put in a position of controlling only one of the chambers of our federal legislature, Republicans have decided that they can use the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip to reduce government spending. In all fairness, the U.S. Constitution actually says that the government is on the hook for all debts it accrues, and the debt ceiling may or may not be a topic that will later be settled in the Supreme Court.

Until then, though, it appears we’ll have to deal with a hostage situation in the form of the financial standing of the U.S. government being endangered by those who don’t want to pay up for the debts we’ve already accrued. Movement from GOP leaders last week indicated that they might not put up a fight in raising the debt limit in February, so here’s hoping.

There are very fair argu-

ments to be made for entitlement reform, there is no question about that. The advance of the baby boomer generation to retirement age has endangered the long-term sustainability of programs like Social Security and Medicare, and there are only a certain number of levers that Congress can pull to modify the programs. This is certainly worrisome for those of us who have been paying into the system since we were legally able to work. A 2011 study by St. Norbert College showed that half of young people aged 18-29 believed Social Security would not exist by the time they retired.

The debt ceiling and fiscal negotiations may not be the most stimulating conversations we have, particularly as young people with a lot going on in our lives, but they are important parts of our government that will affect our generation for years to come. We need leaders who will prioritize the longterm growth of the middle class and a tax code that protects students, not hinders our ability to advance our careers and pay for our education.

Will Watson is a contributing columnist.

Never Judge a Book By Its Cover Thomas Stallbaumer Contributing Columnist

As a growing individual, I find myself regularly concerned with food. The question of where I will find food has taken me on many adventures, but I don’t often come away with a new appreciation for an age-old lesson.

I was at the store, looking like an individual who had just rolled out of bed. I was wearing sweatpants, a T-shirt and had a head of messy hair.

As I approached the checkout counter with a cart full of breakfast essentials, the gentleman behind the counter looked up at me and gave me what I will call “the look.”

I could feel that he saw something strange about me. Then, he posed a question I was not expecting: “Hi, are you going to be paying with food stamps today?”

Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with paying for food using food stamps.

However, that was not my intention. After informing the gentleman, he directed me to

a coupon book, so that I could “save myself as much money as possible.” Then, I gave him some cash, which he held up to the light and retorted, “What’d you do, print this this morning?”

We all do it. Maybe not to that extent, but every one of us has, at one point or another, seen someone and thought we truly knew something about them immediately. From a very young age, I was told we should never judge someone solely by his or her appearance. I’ve heard stories of very wealthy business owners who preferred to drive around in old pickups and wear overalls.

This might sound familiar to some of you who have heard of Sam Walton. More than one person may have judged him on his appearance and ended up paying the price in a lost opportunity.

Here at the UA, it can be even easier than most places to fall into the vicious cycle of judging everyone based solely on what you see of them. Every fraternity and sorority has its own stereotype, not to mention the sub-culture groups

who are judged immediately on the basis of something trivial like having a skateboard or dressing “hipster.”

At one point or another, we have all fallen victim to a judgmental individual who refused to give us the benefit of the doubt. According to an article published in Scientific American, the strength of first impressions is huge. We tend to judge people based on two things: their warmth and their competence.

On an unconscious level, these two qualities seem to be the most important indicators for a person’s worth. We assess them immediately after the person speaks, and then judge them based on these qualities.

You may have also heard of “The Halo Effect” — the assumption that just because someone is particularly good at one thing must mean they’re good at everything. The Halo Effect is likely the largest part of a first impression, where we judge someone based on what we perceive after a first meeting, according to The Economist. This trend is noticeable both in classrooms

and the world of business. If you’re looking to impress a classroom full of people on the first week of classes, simply make sure the first thing you ever say out loud is warm, competent and in every way redeeming, and everyone will like you. Not a bad formula, but there is quite a bit of room for interpretation.

Tomorrow, as you stroll about campus, I would like to challenge you to look at people without any judgment. Simply view them as another human, a fellow Razorback, worthy of the same chance you hope to be given — the chance to make a good impression, and ultimately, the chance to be remembered. We are all here for different reasons. But what we all have in common is an opportunity to make the world a little bit better. So, the next time you see someone giving you “the look,” don’t walk away, and don’t look at the ground. Say hello. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Thomas Stallbaumer is a contributing columnist. He is a sophomore journalism major.

“Making Your Journey Worthwhile” Companion Editor: Nick Brothers Assistant Companion Editor: Shelby Gill Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Making the Most of a Degree Stephanie Ehrler Staff Writer

Most people remember when they tour the UA for the first time. They imagine having their name engraved on Senior Walk somewhere across campus. It is a goal that many freshmen strive for as they enter college life, but once students become graduates, the goals for the future are not always so obvious.

A college graduate earns about $20,000 more than a high school graduate, and the unemployment rate for college graduates was just 2.2 percent last year, half the rate for high school graduates, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The UA currently offers over 100 degrees, and after selecting the right one, there are many ways to make the most of it.

The RSO Phi Beta Lambda guides their members into planning for the future by encouraging professionalism and networking.

“FBLA — formerly Future Business Leaders of America, and also known as Phi Beta Lambda on the college level — is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service,” said Eric Pacheco, a UA sophomore majoring in Spanish and economics. “It is the largest student business organization in the world.”

It is important for college students to make professional connections before they go out into the career world, and Phi Beta Lambda allows its members to socialize beyond the UA campus.

“There are several networking opportunities on the state and national level,” Pacheco said. “Students get to go interact with special sponsors and businesses specifically directed to PBL members during state and national conferences.”

The 2013 national conference is being held in Anaheim, Calif., where members will learn about shaping their career, compete in leadership events and interact with people from different chapters, according to the national website.

Phi Beta Lambda requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 as well as community service hours. Students can join by emailing epacheco@uark.edu.

While the RSO focuses on build-

Page 5

Enrich Your New Year

Mason Sams Staff Writer

Ashley Swindell Staff Photographer Student, Lindsay Bordelon, applies for a job at the Union Tuesday, Jan. 22. ing a successful future, they have also built strong friendships along the way.

“We are fairly new on campus, and this organization was started by five Fayetteville High School graduates of 2011,” Pacheco said. “We all have been very close for years, and all of us took great experience and knowledge through the high school version of PBL, known as FBLA.” Phi Beta Lambda is an organization for business majors, but any student can use the advice that they adhere to.

“Get involved, get involved, get involved,” Pacheco said. “With so many students applying for internships nowadays, a way in which we can help set ourselves apart is by proving that we not only have the knowledge, but people and customer skills as well.

Students need to take all opportunities in their path to better their leadership, communications and networking skills.”

The UA Career Development Center website is the key to finding a degree-related internship or co-op. Even

if students are not sure what to major in, the career website has a list of all of the degrees offered and information about jobs related to that major.

“For college students, relevant experience is typically gained through internships,” said Angela Williams, director of the UA Career Development Center. “In fact, an internship can be a student’s best way to get their foot in the door to a job with many employers. In a separate NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) study regarding internships, responding organizations reported that 42 percent of their 2011 college hires came from their own internship programs.”

There is a UA career fair for all majors on Feb. 14 from 1-3 p.m. in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.

“Simply put, employers are looking for evidence that students can do the job; the internship provides students this evidence,” Williams said. “UA students should visit their career services office for guidance on internships that can support their career goals.”

So, let’s face it, every year the same resolutions are made ad nauseam. While many attempts are valiant, like getting in shape or eating a healthier diet, people continue to make these promises to themselves every January. Just take a stroll through the HPER for the next few weeks to see if more evidence is needed.

Perhaps this year could really be different, though. After all, there is hardly anything more refreshing than a new start. But first things first — after some self-evaluation, decide what could need improvement or what seems to be missing from life.

Then, take the time to plan out a course of action so that once a decision is made, it will be accomplished with intent.

The first step is to categorize problems of interest. If weight or fitness is not a problem, then perhaps a different course should be explored.

If your wallet is empty after each paycheck, maybe contemplate why it is empty.

“My New Year’s resolution is not to dote on myself, and buy things that I just want,” said Kahlilah Fleming, a senior German major.

This led Fleming to start her own personal budget system that accounts for necessary things — like rent and bills — that have a set amount, and other things that do not have a set amount, such as toiletries, groceries, gas and clothes. Then, she made a category for extracurricular activities such as crafting, going to the movies and eating out so that she can plan around her weekdays and weekends.

Fleming made an Excel spreadsheet that divides each category by way of payment. The bills are paid with a credit card or a check, and the extracurricular and non-definable financial quantities are paid with cash, so she knows exactly how much she is spending. She also keeps her receipts so that she can make amendments to her totals each month.

“I can track each category with my receipts and see if I am overspending or underspending, and then adjust so I can see exactly where my money is going,” Fleming said.

Some have personal fitness and financial concerns. But what else is missing? If there does not seem to be an answer for you, then that leaves space for some personal growth.

Cami Fergus, a senior international relations and German major, decided last year she would become a better gift-giver by the end of the year.

“It worked out really well for me,” Fergus said. “I started to focus less on myself because I was intentionally saving money with my friends in mind. It required me to be more thoughtful and creative, and I feel like I’ve become closer with my friends.”

Last year Fergus focused on others, so this year she intends to focus on enriching her own life.

“I used to be in choir, and I loved singing every day,” Fergus said. “This year I plan to do that.”

The success of last year’s resolution has now become something Fergus hopes to continue — isn’t that the intention of making a New Year’s resolution?

“I’m excited to see my results at the end of the year,” Fergus said. “I know I will be better.”

Perhaps this could be the year you learn an instrument, learn to juggle or knit a sweater. Do not do it because these talents may seem useless; do it because they may enrich the one life you have.

Even if starting a new talent does not seem appealing, that does not mean there is no space for growth.

Try asking out that cute classmate this year, watch a TED talk once a day to broaden your mind, join one of the UA’s many RSOs or take advantage of the free newspapers provided for students.

There are endless avenues for exceptionally interesting resolutions this year, and it is not too late to start.

Do not let this year become like every other year’s wasted attempt. Do something special to enrich 2013.

Red, White and Black: A Red Carpet Re-Cap Justin Bryant Staff Writer Follow him on Twitter @Just_InStyle

With awards season in full effect, there is no better way to find inspiration, search for new trends or come up with new ways to reinvent your style in the new year. This article will recap the colors, trends, best/worst dressed and silhouettes worn by celebrities at the Golden Globe Awards.

Winter white was the breakout color worn by the starlets this year, and after seeing some of the gowns, I’m sure you will agree. Anne Hathaway wore a Chanel Couture sleeveless constructed top with a lace overlay. I really liked this dress because it had a beautiful hemline, but it could’ve been tailored more to avoid the shapeless body-cast appearance.

Glee star Lea Michele finally pulled it together with a beaded Elie Saab halter top with a thighhigh slit. Although she was over-tanned, Lea had a more relaxed, youthful and fresh appearance on the red carpet.

The white angel of the night was Amanda Seyfried in a Givenchy curvaceous sleeveless lace gown with a high neckline and ethereal draping.

This dress was truly Amanda’s beautiful nightmare: The creamy white hue of the dress, when placed against her skin, flushed her out rather than making her stand out. The dress, in turn, was wearing Amanda instead of it being the other way around, so a more colorful dress probably would’ve have been a better choice.

Jennifer Lopez brought Hollywood glamour to the red carpet in a skin-tone white applique dress

by Zuhair Murad. This dress truly pushed all other winter white dresses to the side, although my one hint of criticism would be that it looked a little bit too much like a costume.

Wine reds were featured by women on the red carpet who wanted to infuse sex appeal and edge into their normal red carpet fashion.

Newcomer to the Hollywood scene Jennifer Lawrence wore a lipstick-red sleeveless Christian

Courtesy Photos Jennifer Lopez (left), Kate Hudson (center) and Taylor Swift (right) all showcased inspirational formal wear at the Golden Globes.

Dior Haute Couture dress. The dress featured a highly constructed bodice that flowed into a ballgown skirt paired with a black belt to add a little contrast. The only issue was that it was overly constructed in the bust.

Naomi Watts stunned everyone with her body in a sleek, fitted Zac Posen key-hole gown with a train. This dress was very retro and timeless, and although the color was very dried out, the tailoring was exquisite.

Taylor Swift brought sexy back to the red carpet with an eggplant red spaghetti strap paneled Donna Karan mermaid gown. This dress was dubbed the revenge gown of the night because it was completely backless and presented a new, more mature Taylor. The strongest part of the dress was its hombre train panels down the back sides of the dress.

Black will always make an appearance at the red carpet, but it is always great to see how stars take an innovate approach toward presenting it.

Surprisingly, this year’s theme for black was daring.

Eva Longoria put leg on the menu this awards season in a revealing and somewhat controversial Victorian Emilio Pucci key-hole plunge and keyhole back beaded lace dress. This dress was gorgeous and showed a more daring and mature approach toward covering up from Eva, although the dress faltered because of its shocking hip-high slit.

If the slit of Eva’s dress were just about half a foot lower, the dress would’ve been perfection.

With a new Grace Kelly movie in the works, Nicole Kidman wore a sleeveless Alexander McQueen dress with a net corset design. The best part of this gown was that it had the perfect balance between simple and complex.

The black beauty was Kate Hudson in a deepplunge slinky Alexander McQueen dress with an embellished collar. Nothing could’ve improved the construction of this dress, and the best part was the

embellished winged belt that matched the collar.

Although there were tons of breakout gowns and innovative pieces being worn down the red carpet, one fashionista stood out beyond the rest.

The Golden Globes’ best-dressed celeb was Lucy Liu, who wore a truly daring sky-blue floral Carolina Herrera strapless ball gown. This dress had pockets, was tailored to her body impeccably and still managed to make the petite actress still look small in the midst of all the material.

Unfortunately, Jessica Chastain underwhelmed everyone in a powder-blue Calvin Klein halter dress with pleating on the bust. Tailoring is what really hurt Jessica in this dress, especially in her bust and around her waist.

Awards season has just gotten started, and I’m sure there are tons more surprises up these stars’ sleeves. Take inspiration from these looks, and find ways to incorporate them into your own wardrobe.

Page 6

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Comics Pearls Before Swine

Dilbert

Calvin and Hobbes

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

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 Mark Feldman

The Argyle Sweater

Scott Hilburn

ACROSS 1 Exemplar of cruelty 7 Approach furtively, with “to” 14 Split and united?

15 2001 Disney film subtitled “The Lost Empire” 17 Pioneer transports 18 Animal’s paw warmer?

19 Boston-to-Providence dir.

20 Strauss’s “__ Rosenkavalier” 21 Neighbor of Ger. 22 Subject of a China/ India/Pakistan territorial dispute 26 Tokyo airport 29 Animal’s hiking gear?

30 Animal’s laundry?

31 Put in a zoo, say 32 Tippy transport 33 Suffix like “like” 34 Sets the pace 36 Marcel Marceau character 39 Indian spice 41 Assistant professor’s goal 44 Animal’s golf club?

47 Animal’s undergarment?

48 Like some bagels 49 Undoes, as laws 50 Heart lines: Abbr.

51 Brief life story?

52 HEW successor 54 Animal’s apartment?

58 Melodic 61 Wet ink concern 62 Night noises 63 One on the lam 64 Hot spots DOWN 1 Stitches 2 The Palins, e.g.

3 Animal’s timepiece?

4 Wall St. debut 5 Obama, before he was pres.

6 NFL stats 7 More secure 8 “Do __ else!”

9 CCLXXX x II 10 Trail 11 Lab blowup: Abbr.

12 Paradise 13 Turns on one foot 16 Psalm instruction 20 Cartoonist Browne 23 Health resort 24 Crone 25 Neil __, Defense secretary under

Eisenhower 26 Continuous 27 Past 28 “The American Scholar” essayist’s monogram 29 Portuguese king 30 Swindled 32 Low islet 35 Coastal flier 36 Animal’s instrument?

37 It surrounds the Isle of Man 38 Vigor 39 Gp. in a 1955 labor merger 40 Coffee holder 42 Ram’s mate 43 Ultra-secretive org.

44 Burns bread and butter?

45 Tips may be part of it 46 Lively Baroque dances 47 Corp. head honcho 49 Fingerprint feature 51 Ruination 53 Cong. meeting 55 Anatomical bag 56 Victorian, for one 57 Die dot 58 Donkey 59 Biological messenger 60 Debtor’s marker

Sports Editor: Kristen Coppola Assistant Sports Editor: Haley Markle Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

CLUB SPORTS

Page 7

TENNIS

Combining Sports in Lacrosse Potential Match Cameron McCauley Staff Writer

The team finished 3-5 last year, which was a big step over

A so-called hodgepodge is always a good thing when it comes to sports. The more action it involves, the better.

Lacrosse takes aspects from a few different sports to create something fast, smart and exciting all at the same time.

“The best way to describe it is a mix between basketball, soccer and hockey, on a soccer field,” said senior Trey Toller, the team president.

The Arkansas men’s lacrosse team combines competitiveness with the teaching and learning of one of the country’s most interesting sports.

T h e y have

been hard at work preparing for the 2013 season, for which practices begin Wednesday, Jan. 23.

The team was founded in 2005 and participates in the Gray River Lacrosse Conference, a 12-team club sport conference that is part of the bigger Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. With

schools like Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin all fielding competitive teams, the GRLC is a quality conference to be a part of.

2011’s 1 - 7 c a m paign.

They have had to b o u n c e back after

GYMNASTICS

some poor management nearly shut them down a few years ago, but have continued to show significant improvement each season. Arkansas’ coach, Blake Whicker, has been with the team for two seasons and has helped the team make significant strides along the way.

“The president before me

turned the club around, and now we’re getting back to what we had, we’re starting to win games, and gain players and funding,” Toller said.

The team members annually pay $650 dues that help cover travel expenses and uniform and practice gear costs. The club team will have 27 players this semester according to Toller, as they continue to get bigger by the year because of increased awareness. Though many of the players on the team have had high school or earlier experience with the sport, some on the team are just venturing into lacrosse.

“We have a open policy as far as who we allow on the team, so if somebody wanted

see LACROSSE page 8

with Top Ranked Virginia at ITA Andrew Hutchinson Staff Writer Heading into the first round of the ITA Indoor Team Championships, the Razorbacks men’s tennis team must not look past their first opponent.

Arkansas will face No. 63 Georgia State at 2 p.m. Friday in the first match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. If they defeat Georgia State, they will most likely face No. 1 Virginia Saturday.

First-year head coach Joerg Barthel, who was previously the associate head coach at Nebraska, leads Georgia State. “(Barthel) is familiar with our student-athletes, but we’re not that familiar with Georgia State student-athletes,” UA head coach Robert Cox said.

“From what I can see, they’re very talented.”

With a potential showdown with the No. 1 team in the country on the horizon, Cox knows he must make sure his team is focused on the Panthers.

“I’m not looking ahead, but I know (the players) are.

That’s just natural,” Cox said.

“I have to grab their attention today and tomorrow.”

He believes that once the team arrives in Charlottesville, Va., he’ll be able to “pull them in a little bit” and make them realize the importance of beating Georgia State first, Cox said.

Arkansas’ matches against Nebraska-Omaha and South Dakota State last weekend provided them with a chance to “get back on the court and back to our winning ways,” Cox said.

“I’m not looking ahead, but I know (the players) are.

That’s just natural.”

Robert Cox

Men’s Tennis Coach

On the court, Cox expects seniors Mike Ward and Gregoire Lehmann to continue growing into leadership roles.

Last weekend, Ward and Lehmann won both of their singles and doubles matches.

Freshman Santiago Munoz also had a solid weekend in his debut matches.

“He played like a veteran

see TENNIS page 8

Gym‘Backs Still Trying for First Win of Season Tamzen Tumlison Staff Writer

The Arkansas gymnastics team has been unable to catch a break so far in the 2013 season, but hope to improve their 0-2 record against No. 11 University of Denver Friday, Jan. 25 in Barnhill Arena.

Denver leads the series with Arkansas 4-1. Arkansas topped the Pioneers only once in 2011 at the NCAA Regional meet held at Denver.

“Denver’s a strong program,” co-head coach Mark Cook said. “They’re up there in the top 20, 25 every year, and so they’re a little more improved this year and they’ll come in and they’ll definitely compete hard.”

Denver’s meet at Arkansas is the second weekend in a row that Denver will be on the

road for competition.

“They would like to come in here and get a road win,” Cook said. “It helps their score as well. Again, we can’t be affected by what they do. We’ve just got to get back and focus on what we’re capable of doing.”

SEC Freshman of the Week honor after earning a thirdplace finish for the meet and second-place finish within the Razorbacks.

This is Denver’s second week to be ranked No. 11 in the GymInfo poll. The Pioneers maintain impressive

“Again, we can’t be affected by what they do. We’ve just got to get back and focus on what we’re capable of doing.”

Mark Cook

Gymnastics Co-Head Coach Freshmen Sydnie Dillard and Heather Elswick proved that they were capable of tying for event title wins in separate events. Dillard earned a 9.825 on the beam and Elswick scored 9.825 on vault.

Dillard also received the

stats and are ranked in the top 15 in the country in each event.

The Razorbacks feature some impressive stats of their own, including junior Kather-

see FIRST page 8

Traveler Archive Scarlett Williams performs her beam routine at the 2012 Arkansas v. Auburn meet.

The Gym‘Backs face the Denver 7 p.m. Friday in Barnhill Arena.

COMMENTARY

The Lying Games: Why Sports Stars Aren’t Heroes

Liz Beadle Staff Writer In my utopian little mind, I really thought I might not have a whole lot to write about this week. And to my most unpleasant surprise, I am wrong.

I will refrain from hopping up on my soap box as much

as possible, but in a week that has shown us a hoax of a dead girlfriend and consistent, borderline-pathological lying when it comes to doping, it is hard not to be a little cynical and in turn, a little judgmental.

As I was filling out an internship application this past week the question, “what is the greatest problem facing college sports?” was posed to me. I was lost at where to even begin.

I was writing this the day after Manti Te’o’s girlfriend was exposed to be nonexistent. This, of course, is no on-the-field problem but it is something that Notre Dame’s athletic department and possibly even the NCAA will be dealing with for months, if

not years.

I presume it is possible that athletes, coaches and athletic directors make the same mistakes that we all do and are just held to a higher standard than the rest of us because they are in the public eye. And because of that logic, I don’t throw a fit when athletes get things like DUI’s and MIP’s because, I mean, they’re human.

But things like allowing child rape to occur in your facilities, things like participating in a hoax about the death of a young woman for publicity (which is the only conclusion I can logically draw, regardless of what the athletic department at Notre Dame has to say), things like doping through seven Tour de France

titles and lying all the way, things like hiring your mistress then lying about her involvement in a motorcycle accident — these are the things that are inexcusable.

They are also all bizarre misuses of power and media influence that scare me. I feel okay about judging people like Manti Te’o and Lance Armstrong for the same reason I don’t feel okay about judging athletes who make more common mistakes: they are people.

They are people like your parents and your friends and your siblings. Think about the standards you hold those people to; surely they are high.

Yes, occasionally people in national spotlight are judged more severely, but sometimes

we unnecessarily let them off the hook as well. The people I’m talking about are pathological liars, people who use their power and popularity to do things that are, in my opinion, actually evil.

So, the greatest problem in sports is that it is just too easy for one person to become bigger than the program, bigger than reality. People like Joe Paterno, Lance Armstrong and Manti Te’o literally become mythical and untouchable.

Te’o did so in such a short time, but he did so nonetheless. Armstrong even confessed to Oprah Winfrey that he loved the story of himself — his cancer, his family, his success — and he didn’t want to ruin the myth. I imagine

Te’o felt the same way.

This is hard because we want to have heroes, and as humans we want to believe in what we thought was the spirit of people like Armstrong and Te’o. The idea that every story like this is probably just too good to be true is a hard idea to accept. And I really don’t think it’s accurate.

I think there are heroes out there somewhere, but the people we give endless media influence and power to are probably not going to be the heroes we’re looking for.

Liz Beadle is a writer for the Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday. Follow the sports section on Twitter @UATravSports.

Page 8

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

FIRST continued from page 7

LACROSSE continued from page 7

ine Grable’s position as sixth in the nation in all-around competition. However, Grable did not compete against Kentucky.

“Katherine doesn’t let things really phase her,” Cook said. “She actually trained some while we were on the road, so she’s fine. She’s back in work-outs. She’s ready to go.”

After the Kentucky meet,

the Razorbacks fell from their top-10 ranking to unranked.

“We had a rough competition in Kentucky,” Cook said.

“We went out there fresh and performed in warm-ups really well; we won warm-ups.

When the lights came on and the judges put their flags up, we kind of had some hiccups across the board in all events.”

Cook hopes that the fresh-

men will grow into the competitions and learn how to improve for each meet while only going at it one meet at a time.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Cook said.

The Gym’Backs return to Barnhill Arena Friday at 7 p.m. for competition against the Denver Pioneers. After the match, the team will be signing autographs.

TENNIS continued from page 7 out there,” Cox said. “I know he was nervous. I was nervous for him.”

Austin Robles and Christian Lee began their careers with the Razorbacks as freshmen, both earning their first collegiate victories.

Redshirt junior Pete Thomason also picked up his first victory with Arkansas.

“It was good to get the nerves out,” Cox said. “I know they had the jitters for a little bit, but they did well.”

The Razorbacks must face Georgia State seniors Lucas Santa Ana and Victor Valente, who are 10-1 and 10-3, respectively, in singles matches so far this season.

If the Razorbacks get by

Georgia State and play the top-ranked Cavaliers, they will have to face junior Alex Domijan and senior Jarmere Jenkins, the No. 2 and No. 4 athletes in the ITA singles rankings, respectively, and reigning All-Americans.

The other team in the Charlottesville regional is No. 64 North Florida.

Photo Courtesy of Razorback Lacrosse Pictured from left to right, the 2012 Razorback Lacrosse captains: Penn Wenzler, Brett Atkinson, Trey Toller, and Brandon Toller. to come and play, even without any experience, they are welcome to come and play,” said Toller, who has played since his sophomore year of high school.

Toller also said that if someone has a background in another sport, lacrosse would be an easy transition, because the sport has aspects of others. If you grew up playing hockey but want to get out of the rink more to work on a sun tan, lacrosse is probably your cup of tea.

“The plays involve a lot of picks and moving around a goal, but then there’s also the running and wide-open space of soccer, and then you have the sticks and the checks and fast-paced play that you get from hockey,” Toller said.

Lacrosse, similar to soc-

cer, has defense, attack and midfield positions, as well as a goalie. There are nine position players, but only six are allowed on one side of the field at one time, making “halfcourt” situations crucial to the team’s strategy, much like basketball.

Popularity has spread about the team over the last few years mostly through word of mouth, but they are now looking to broaden their horizons and open up Facebook and Twitter accounts that are tended to regularly.

The team is working on fund raisers to help alleviate the cost of traveling, as the team will visit Colombia, Mo., and O’Fallon, Ill., for away games in 2013.

Traveling with fellow teammates gives the team

BASEBALL

Two Razorbacks At Hearing Today Staff Report

Two freshmen baseball players were arrested Sunday in connection with shoplifting and have hearings scheduled for today, according to news reports.

They were booked at 7:26 p.m. Sunday at Washington County jail . The two were released on a $565 bond later that day.

Head coach Dave Van Horn has not released a statement re-

Poche

Meyer

Left-handed pitchers Adam Meyer and Colin Poche were apprehended by Fayetteville police after attempting to leave the Walmart Supercenter on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. without paying for sandwiches and two cases of beer.

garding any repercussions they might face during baseball season.

The Razorbacks begin practice Friday in preparation for the season opening series against Western Illinois Feb. 15 – 17 at Baum Stadium.

more of a family aspect and many of the players have built friendships through lacrosse.

“My favorite part about being on the team is probably the camaraderie I have built with many of the guys. I’ve got to build friendships with a bunch of people coming from different backgrounds,” said sophomore Stephen Valentine, who has been playing lacrosse for 10 years.

The lacrosse team has given many of its members the opportunity to try out an intriguing sport, and as it continues to grow will see more and more brighter days ahead.

“This was a small program starting out and was small last year, and this year its been expanding even more and making the team even better,” Valentine said.

Logan Webster Staff Photographer Senior Gregoire Lehmann returns the ball at the 2012 Arkansas v. Vanderbilt match. If the Hogs win the first match, they will face no. 1 Virginia this weekend.