January 29, 2013

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Local Artist’s Whimsical Shadowbox Displayed at Arsaga’s Page 5 Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013

“About You, For You”

University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906

RIC Concealed Carry Bill Fails

RIC SENATORS VOTED 19-11 AFTER TENSE DEBATE MONDAY NIGHT

A UA doctoral student was the first among a group of researchers to identify the nature of a meteorite that landed in California and Nevada. Full Story, Page 2

Mezza Luna, an Italian restaurant located on south Razorback, has delicious food at an affordable price. Full Story, Page 5

Bielema Aims for Two 4-Star Running Backs As National Signing Day approaches, head coach Bret Bielema tries to form his first recruiting class at Arkansas from top recruits. Full Story, Page 7

Today’s Forecast

Retail Strip Coming to New Founders Hall Building Travis Pence Staff Writer A portion of Founders Hall, which is still under construction on campus, will serve as an extension to both Brough Commons and the retail stores located underneath the commons, Chartwells officials said. The first and second floors of Founders Hall will connect with the existing Brough Commons building, said Kim Johnson, marketing director for Chartwells Residential Dining Office. “With the addition of the Founders Hall dining area on the second floor, we will add around 240 seats to the Brough Commons,” Johnson said. “Plus, a certain area will be dedicated as an additional serving line.”

UA Doctoral Student First to Identify Nature of Meteorite

Mezza Luna: Homemade Italian on a Budget

Vol. 107, No. 72

Joe DelNero Opinion Editor RIC senators voted against Joe Youngblood’s argument for concealed carry on the UA campus Monday night in a vote of 19-11.

Connor Malone Contributing Writer The Residents’ Interhall Congress voted Monday night against a bill to allow students to have concealed carry weapons on campus in 19-11 vote. State law claims that for most of Arkansas it is legal to carry a concealed weapon if the person has proper documentation. Concealed carry on college campuses is left at the discretion of university administration and faculty. Other laws prohibit the carrying of weapons inside of campus buildings regardless of university decisions. The current policy at UA states that the campus is a “gun-free zone;” no weapons are legally allowed on campus. Joe Youngblood, the RIC senator who wrote and argued in favor of the bill, said these laws leave students defenseless against attacks and

are unfair to those who have a concealed carry license. “Disciplinary action can be taken against students, faculty and staff who are able to carry weapons in the rest of the state,” Youngblood said. There have been 387 recorded school shootings in the U.S. since 1992, according to Stop the Shootings, an online database for statistics about school shootings with information dating back to 1992. Youngblood said the bill is an effort to curb those numbers. “No university that goes through one of these attacks thinks that they need this legislation the day before it happens,” Youngblood said. Many students say that if they or those around them are able to carry concealed weapons, they would feel safer because they could better defend themselves in the case of a shooting. Devyn Grathwohl, a senior UA ambassador who attended the RIC meeting, opposed the bill. “I understand

the need for guns as protection, but it scares me to think that anyone could have a gun on them,” Grathwohl said. “I want to feel safe walking around campus.” Youngblood also said that more than 200 college cam-

mediately verify this information. Officials proposed two separate bills. The first was proposed to allow anyone with a concealed carry license to take their weapons with them onto campus grounds and parking garages, but not into any university buildings. “I want to feel safe The second bill would show university officials’ supwalking around port for state legislators to allow faculty and staff with concampus.” cealed carry licenses to carry within university buildings. Devyn Grathwohl The debate that preceded Senior UA Ambassador the vote was tense with high support on all sides. Matt Seubert, a former ASG member, argued against the bill. The steps necessary to gain a puses now allow concealed concealed carry license “(do) carrying and that those cam- not qualify an individual to puses have reported no harm act in a life or death circumcommitted by anyone carry- stance,” he said. ing a concealed weapon. Tensions on the floor “Concealed holders are forced senators to a secret bal300 times less likely to com- lot vote, so no record of each mit a crime with a firearm senator’s vote was officially than the general population,” kept. The bill failed 19-11. Youngblood said. UAPD officials declined to The Traveler could not im- comment on the issue.

“I don’t think that there was a single person who was against this decision.” Kim Johnson

Marketing Director for Chartwells The first floor of Founders Hall will serve as additional space for retail stores located underneath Brough Commons, Johnson said. “As of now, the Papa John’s will be moved into the new space, along with the addition of a Slim Chickens and the Innovation Cafe,” Johnson said. Both students and faculty are excited about the addition of Slim Chickens in the retail area, Johnson said. “We’ve had plenty of feedback from both students and faculty over the addition of Slim Chickens in the Brough retail center, and it seems as though everybody is very excited,” Johnson said. “I don’t think that there was a single person who was against this decision.” The decision to have a local business on campus “is great for the business, the university and its students,” said Christina Crowder, director

see RETAIL page 3

Bicycles Remain Large Target for Thieves

Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer

64 / 38° Tomorrow Sunny 43 / 27°

Bicycle theft remains a problem on the UA campus as several thefts have already been reported since the start of the semester, police said. Last semester, 17 bicycles thefts were reported, and six have already been reported stolen since Jan. 14, said UAPD spokesperson, Lt. Gary Crain. However, only one-third of bike thefts are actually reported to the police, according to the National Bike Registry. “This number is unacceptable,” Crain said. “Somebody is stealing these bikes, and until we catch them, they’re going to keep coming back.” Many of the stolen bikes

were left on campus during winter break and were missing when students returned to campus in January, Crain said. Bicycle theft is so common that 53 percent of fouryear college students get their bike stolen, according to the National Bike Registry. Bikes are a common target because they can be sold and disposed of in several different ways, Crain said. Many stolen bikes are sold on internet sites like Craigslist or taken to pawn shops for easy money. Bike wheels and other parts can also be sold individually, while the rest of the bike is discarded. Bikes left unchained or chained to a bicycle rack are easy targets for thieves who

see BICYCLES page 3

McKenna Gallagher Staff Photographer Students attempt to keep their bikes safe by locking them onto the provided bike racks scattered throughout campus, Friday, Jan. 25.


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