September 18, 2012

Innovate Your Wardrobe for Autumn Page 5 Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

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THE BOMB THREAT WAS THE THIRD IN A WEEK AT US COLLEGES

Marijuana Proponents Respond to Criticism

Jannee Sullivan Senior Staff Writer

chief of The Daily Reveille.

“It took 30 minutes to get to a place that would normally take two minutes.”

The same paper reported that students and faculty said the evacuation order was vague, not clarifying which buildings to evacuate, despite the whole campus being given the order.

Some students that received texts were confused

Arkansans for Compassionate Care filed a brief with the Arkansas Supreme Court last week defending the Medical Marijuana Act against claims that the proposal is unclear and does not properly inform voters that marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

The brief seeks to defend the proposal from a lawsuit filed by the Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values, a group of conservative organizations seeking to strike down the Medical Marijuana Act from the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

After the lawsuit was filed Aug. 31, the ACC filed an intervention so they could be represented in the Supreme Court to defend the act.

The coalition’s main contestation with the legislation is that possession of marijuana would still be illegal under federal law, therefore deceiving voters.

“The intervenors are misleading the voters of Arkansas by failing to include fundamental provisions of the act in the ballot title,” they stated in their brief, filed on Sept. 12.

The ACC counters that the language does provide the in-

see THREAT page 2

see MEDICAL page 3

Get ‘SMART’

Students notice an increase in ‘SMART’ classrooms across campus Full Story, Page 3

Group Rolls Around World For Charity Arkansas residents travel the world to help a Mongolian children’s center.

Full Story, Page 5

Courtesy of Catherine Threlkeld of Daily Reveille LSU students wait for buses to take them off-campus Monday, Sept. 17 after a bomb scare.

Jack Suntrup Asst. News Editor The main campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge was evacuated Monday morning amid threats of a bomb on campus, according to news reports.

Reported traffic congestion and “vague” alerts during the evacuation raised questions here about UA’s evacuation plans.

Officials with UAPD and facilities management were not available for comment late Monday afternoon.

The 30,000 LSU students started evacuating at 11:32 a.m. after an emergency text message was sent out to students, according to The Daily Reveille, the university’s student-run newspaper.

Though no bomb was discovered, this marks the third all-campus evacuation across the country in the last week.

The University of Texas at Austin and North Dakota State University were evacuated Friday because of similar threats.

Some streets were closed at LSU, with alternate routes made. Car traffic on the alternative routes came to a stop because of the traffic, The Daily Reveille reported.

“The managing editor and I got into a car and traffic was an absolute nightmare,” said Andrea Gallo, the editor-in-

Beautifying Fayetteville Through Public Art Junior Tennis Player Wants to Step Up

Hall Fess finished 49th in the nation last year and wants to improve Full Story, Page 7

Students Use Refund Money For Luxuries Karen Stigar Staff Writer

Check Out More Traveler Stories At UAtrav.com

From iPads to scooter payments, students are covering more than just tuition with their student loan checks.

Students who receive financial aid that cover their tuition and fees receive a refund check that covers “cost of attendance,” said Phillip Blevins, associate director of financial aid.

Today’s Forecast

Cost of attendance for a dependent resident student without parental help, taking 30 credit hours per year, including tuition and fees, books, room, board, personal and transportation is estimated at $21,472, according to the office of institutional research website.

“I received $2,300 in a refund check from my financial aid my freshman year. I spent

see REFUNDS page 2

Democrats Look To Connect Students to Campaign Jobs

71 / 47° Tomorrow

Jannee Sullivan Senior Staff Writer

Sunny

78 / 55°

Rebekah Harvey Staff Photographer Public art sculptures are displayed at the Walton Arts Center on the corner of Dickson Street and West Avenue.

For Full Story see Public Art on Page 2

The UA Young Democrats have seen some impact from a site they launched designed to ease interaction between state and local campaigns, and college students.

“In the 2012 election cycle we are working to create volunteer opportunities, internships, and to register voters while having an impact. This website is intended to help us live up to those goals,” according to the

website, campusvotes.net.

A number of people have filled some of the internship opportunities offered through the website, said Matthew Seubert, president of the UAYD. The site is supposed to help students register voters and to get students involved in campaigns. “(It’s about) overcoming the feeling of ‘I don’t have enough time’,” Seubert said.

The website has also helped build communication between

see CONNECT page 3

Page 2

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

Page 3

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Transfer Students Number of Smart Adjust to UA Life Classrooms Increase

Officials Continue Effort to Bring Public Art to Campus

Jaime Dunaway Staff Writer

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Rebekah Harvey Staff Photographer Art sculptures are displayed in the Fine Arts Center courtyard on campus Monday, Sept. 17.

Travis Pence Staff Writer A new sculpture was installed on campus this year as part of the efforts of UA officials to bring more art onto campus. A new public art piece, named “18 Verticals, 70 Horizontals� was erected April 5 by the art department.

This project was led by former students Adam Crosson, a recent graduate of the Fay Jones School of Architecture, and Robert Lemming, a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sculpture. “It’s constructed with most-

ly cedar and poplar. They used lamination techniques to bend and shape the rods into shape.

The sculpture is 8 feet tall,� said Bethany Springer, associate professor of the art department. “The sculpture is illuminated from the interior and viewers can even enter the work.

It will stand for the next five years on the south lawn of the fine arts building,� Springer said.

The project was supported

by UA officials and other officials in northwest Arkansas. “This project was made possible through the generous support of the Associated Stu-

dent Government, the Contemporary Sculpture Society, NWA Steel, and through the expertise and effort provided

by University of Arkansas Facilities Management,� Chancellor G. David. Gearhart said in a statement. “The Project was commissioned by the Public Art Oversight Committee. Their goal is to express the value of art and education to the campus community, promote the UA, and support fundraising efforts,� Gearhart said Some students have taken notice of the artwork on campus. “I really appreciate the fact that the university is in-

REFUNDS continued from page 1 the money on my car and scooter payments, a computer, put a little in savings and spent like $500 on books.

I learned to not spend that much on books after that,� said Mekenzie Stone, junior community health promotions major.

vesting in this project. It’s nice to see that they are showing more support for the talent of art students,� said Lance Look, a senior photography major. “It’s nice to look at when I’m leaving campus in the late evenings.�

The UA has ramped up efforts to showcase student work. “The design was created during a project assignment for students that were enrolled in my ARTS 3213 and ARTS 4213 courses. We were able to get help from facilities management and the architecture department during construction,� Springer said.

THREAT continued from page 1

Tuition costs for resident students this year are $7,174 for 30 hours, and $17,606 for non-resident students, according to the office of institutional research website. “I got back $1,500 from my scholarship and financial aid money this semester and I bought an iPad, which I intend to use for school and then I went a little shopping and saved the rest,� said Keller Allgood, junior anthropology and earth science major.

Effective Fall 2011, UA officials increased base tuition, incorporating several mandator y fees into the

base tuition rate and consolidating several student program fees into a single student activity fees. The increase in the sum total of undergraduate resident tuition and fees for the 2011 to 2012 academic year is six percent, according to the office of institutional research website. “Some students receive higher refunded financial aid money than others. Students fill out their FAFSA and the aid they are eligible for is determined by a formula that includes cost of attendance,�

Blevins said.

To receive any kind of federal financial aid, applicants must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program, complete the application process through the office of financial aid, not be in default on any Title IV loan or owe a refund on any Title IV aid, not have a drug related conviction and be a citizen of the United States, according to the office of institutional research.

because the message did not specify what needed to be evacuated and where to go, Gallo said. “There’s 30,000 students and we were all trying to get off campus,� she said.

At UT, a similar text message was sent out at 9:45 a.m., 75 minutes after a caller told a university police dispatcher there were bombs placed across campus, according to The Daily Texan, the university’s student newspaper.

The caller said that bombs would start going off at 10:05 a.m., according to the article.

See Wednesday’s edition of The Traveler for information from UA officials on evacuation protocol.

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UA and NWACC Enter Transfer Credit Agreement

Chelsea Ruffin-Hawthorn Contributing Writer

The UA and Northwest Arkansas Community College signed a joint agreement not only to increase the number of Arkansas graduates from both institutions, but to make the transfer of credits from one college to the other an easier process for students.

Eligible NWACC students who transfer to the UA with at least 24 credit hours will be able to earn their NWACC associates degree by completing at least 12 additional hours of required courses at the UA. In order to be eligible, the student must have earned at least 60 hours total. NWACC credit hours can be used at the

UA toward the completion of the student’s bachelor’s degree, according to the agreement. “This is a great opportunity for students at both schools, and for the state as well,�

Chancellor G. David Gearhart said in a statement. “It is important for our students to have a transfer process that is seamless and productive. As a Students First institution, this is simply another way of serving our students, and our state.�

UA officials said they also think that this new agreement will give NWACC students an added incentive to transfer here. “This initiative will give our students the ability to have this important college milestone recognized as they continue studies toward a

bachelor’s degree. Ultimately, this agreement and the opportunities it makes possible will provide a valuable service to our students and our state,�

NWACC’s President Becky Paneitz said in a statement.

To qualify for the reverse credit transfer, a NWACC student will have to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average; maintain or improve that average after transferring to the UA; complete the state minimum core requirements and be a degree-seeking student in good academic standing at the university.

This is the latest in agreements, among many others, between the UA and NWACC intended to increase the graduation rate and access to higher education for students in both the region and state.

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needs of transfer students, but presents nearly identical information to new student orientation, Myers said. The biggest difference is that new student orientation is a twoday event that includes advising at the beginning of the summer, while transfer student orientation is a one -day event in August. “I wish orientation had been much earlier. It would have been a lot less stressful to know how to navigate campus and how to sign up for classes before the end of the “We had been summer,� Buchele said.

Transfer students are addoing a lot to make vised separately on campus, transfer students or by phone, email or Skype because of the diversity and feel welcome, and flexibility new students rewe are eager for quire, Myers said. However, some students said they still them to make the feel that the advising stage did UA their graduating not adequately prepare them for registering for classes. home.� “I wanted more direction during the advising stage,�

Suzanne McCray Buchele said. “I had no idea Vice Provost for Enrollment that I had to sign up by myself online for my classes. I wanted someone to sit down and make a two-year plan with transfer students is the office me. I thought someone was of transfer central, which was going to do it with me, but I created to ensure a smooth was just told how to do it. I transition to the UA. was just kind of sent on my “I communicate with way. I wish I had been given transfers via email, phone, more guidance.� on-campus visits and offThere are five transcampus fairs and events. I fer scholarships sponsored work directly with transfer through the UA that the finanstudents, their parents, col- cial aid office encourages stulege transfer advisors and in- dents to apply for. Most are redividuals who assist transfer newable for an additional year, students,� said Tony Myers, McCray said. associate director of admisTwo of the five are only sions for the transfer central available to students who have office. attended an Arkansas two In addition, Myers answers -year school. The Phi Theta questions about how courses Kappa scholarship was added taken at other colleges will this year and is available to transfer to the UA, explains transfer students who can propolicies and practices regard- vide proof of membership to ing transfer credit, explains the international honor socithe course equivalency guide ety of two year colleges at their website and connects trans- previous school. fers with other individuals “There were some transfer and departments that would scholarships, but it seemed a be beneficial to them during lot of scholarships were geared the transfer process. toward freshmen, Buchele Myers is also involved in said. With the options of more transfer student orientation. scholarships or financial aid it The transfer orientation is would increase the number of uniquely geared toward the students wanting to come.�

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Transfer students continue to adjust tat the UA. “Overall it’s been a pretty easy transition. Easy makes it sound like there was no struggle, but it wasn’t [like that].

There was a lot of work put into the paperwork and moving here and getting adjusted,� said Kendra Buchele, junior journalism and English major who graduated from Crowder College in Neosho, Mo. Buchele said she wanted to come to the UA because of the high academic standard and closeness to home. However, she said she still has mixed feelings. “It’s different because I came from a small campus and now there’s thousands,�

Buchele said. “I love how alive the campus is. There’s always something to do, but I miss my old school. I miss knowing everyone.�

Admissions accepts all transfer students who meet enrollment criteria.

The transfer population has grown over the last three years, but this is expected to be a flat year where transfer student enrollment neither decreases nor increases, said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment.

Official enrollment numbers for this year have not been finalized. “We have been doing a lot to make transfer students feel welcome, and we are eager for them to make the University of Arkansas their graduating home,� McCray said.

Many transfer students find the events on campus helpful for making friends. “It’s been easy to make friends,� Buchele said. “It’s easy to branch out because there are so many events and programs that encourage it.

Everyone has been so receptive.�

She said Friday Night Live and Welcome Week events as being especially helpful in getting her involved with oncampus organizations.

For transfer students

wanting to get involved and connected to campus and other transfer students, the registered student organization Student Transfers Advocating New Development assists, encourages and supports transfers through current students. It was created last year by Ashyle Horton, a UA transfer student who came to the university in 2011.

Another resource to help

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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.

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Nick Brothers Companion Editor Mike Duncan, UA systems analyst, chose the functionality of LifeSize high-definition streaming which can be used in the classroom to live-stream lectures.

Nick Brothers Companion Editor The UA now has more than 120 “smart classrooms� across campus. That is a sharp increase in nearly five years and 30 more are planned next year, a UA official said.

There are 148 general classrooms across campus, and 331 special-purpose classrooms, giving the university about a 51-1 studentto-classroom ratio, even though that includes auditoriums, said Jean Mitchell, UA room scheduling coordinator.

President Obama requested $1 billion to support educational technology for higher education, according to spending proposed in the education technology national budget.

UA professors, when presenting lessons have several lecture options because of advancements made in the effort to make smart classrooms common.

Now professors have the ability to record lectures and post them online for review, make video conference calls to guest lecturers, stream media and other applications from the Internet, store class materials with the cloudbased service — Dropbox — make digital notes on slideshows and soon will be able to stream lectures in high definition to up to 1,000 users using an application called LifeSize, the UA systems analyst for the Faculty Technology Center said. “(The smart classroom

initiative) started a couple years ago,� Mike Duncan said. “Before, it was each individual college and they would manage their own classrooms’ technology, so there wasn’t consistency. The university saw it as a problem.�

Faculty moved to other classrooms on campus, and none of the rooms were equipped the same way. In response to this, the UofA started the smart classroom committee to tie the university’s technology together, Duncan said.

A smart classroom’s standard equipment is a dual boot tablet computer with both Mac and PC operating systems that can, a highdefinition projector (some larger classrooms have two), a Blu-Ray player for media, a document camera that can be used for video conference and lecture capture and an array microphone to capture audio up to 15 feet away.

During the course of three years with the technology of lecture recording software Echo360, UofA professors set a milestone of more than 10,000 video-taped classes this fall semester.

This year, there is a 30 percent increase in faculty use, said Susan Adkins, associate director of information technology services. “The faculty’s No. 1 concern was students would quit coming to class if they start recording,� Duncan said. “We’ve found that it had no tangible effect to students skipping class. The students who would skip before still

CONNECT continued from page 1 students and campaigns on a state and local level.

The website has actually been up since about a week before the start of classes, Seubert said.

The site is an easy, onestop option for students looking to get involved with the Democratic party, on campus and in the community. Often the hardest part of getting involved can be getting a foot in the door; something that the website helps with, he said.

The site also includes links to the campaigns and organizations the UAYD are partnered with. “It puts it right there at your fingertips,� Seubert said.

Lists of upcoming intern and volunteer opportunities with various democratic campaigns are provided, including phone banking for Barack Obama and several other state and local candidates, according to the website.

The UAYD have been involved in virtually all the major Democratic cam-

paigns. The group had help from state Rep. Greg Leding, D-92, in launching the website, Seubert said.

Leding will be running against Republican Brian Scott, who was one of the local candidates introduced at the College Republicans meeting earlier in the month.

Among the candidates with listed volunteer and internship opportunities available through the site are Adella Gray, who is running against the incumbent Republican Charlie Collins for the 84th District House seat, and Diana Gonzales Worthen running for the District 7 state Senate seat against Republican Jon Woods.

In addition to helping out these campaigns, the UAYD have been registering voters. “Right now that’s one of the main goals,� Seubert said. “(and) Driving traffic to all the resources.�

The first step, he said, is choosing to get engaged.

skipped and the ones who went before still came to class.�

Most students find the technology beneficial. “The smart technology in the classroom makes it easier to present lessons. I like it,� said Matt Seaton, junior. “I have a few professors that do lecture capture, but I don’t usually use it unless I missed class or need to go over the lecture again. It’s nice to have that option.�

Jacob Lewis, a world literature and English professor, said he finds the Dropbox service to be especially helpful for getting access to teaching materials. “I use a Dropbox account to store all of my teaching materials. I find it more useful than using flash drives,�

Lewis said. “It can help in a bind, too, I had to print out some materials earlier today and all I had to was stop by a computer lab and access what I needed through my dropbox.�

However, not all professors like the technology.

English professor Robert Madison said he was “absolutely a chalkboard kind of guy.� “It took me three semesters to figure out how to turn off my projector. I had to have an IT guy come and turn it off each time,� he said. “They would tell me it was real easy to turn it off and on, however they never taught me the whole sequence. The tech people are wonderful though, I just don’t like dealing with it. Give me a white board any day.�

MEDICAL continued from page 1 formation voters need. “It is a fair and impartial summary of the act and leaves out no provision of the act from the ballot title that would give the voter serious ground for reflection,� according to ACC’s brief.

The next step will probably be oral arguments in front of the court, after the Supreme Court reviews both organizations’ briefs, said Chris Kell, campaign strategist for the ACC. The ACC spent several months gathering the necessary signatures for the act to be added to the ballot. “We’re just disappointed he (Jerry Cox, president of the Arkansas Family Council) decided to go this route,� Kell said. “They (the coalition) had plenty of time to challenge it before it was on the ballot and now they’re trying to take it away from the voters.�

The latest polling information, from a Hendrix College poll, showed that 47 percent of voters were in favor of the act, but that was before the lawsuit was filed.

Opinion Editor: Joe Kieklak Page 4

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

Greed Runs Rampant in US

Blake Mertens Staff Columnist

As I discussed my career goals with a friend, I thought about that eternally important question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

We talked about how doctors are projected to make less money in the future. He was glad he was going into dentistry because they are not taking as much of a pay hit.

Geriatric specialty doctors, the lowest-wage specialty position, make an average of $188,000 per year, according to about.com.

The average household income of an American family is around $52,000, according to the United States Census Bureau. If you make that much money, you are estimated to be in the top 1 percent of the world’s wealthiest by the World Bank Research Group.

Actually, doctors have it made. If they did receive a pay cut, it shouldn’t matter anyway.

They always tell you that you should pick a career that you are passionate about, one that you don’t see as a “job.”

Sometimes, you may need to reflect on what you have a passion for.

Money is a necessary evil, but it is not something that you should allow to be the motivation for what you do.

Money cannot buy us friends or lovers, nor can it make us happy, according to writer Stacy Johnson from MoneyTalksNews. If that is the case, who will we share our big dream homes with?

Nowadays, I read the paper more than I used to. Both home and abroad, there is always some story about some natural disaster here, some famine or human rights violation there.

I look to Syria and see one of the worst crises in history.

When I examine the Arab Spring, which was once held such peaceful promise, I see tough progress and violence.

Recently, we’ve lost public servants who gave their lives for diplomacy and mediation.

We all silently await to see just how well diplomacy will

work in the future.

I check my Facebook and Twitter accounts, and I see everyone’s day is ruined because the Razorbacks lost a football game.

How much did you pay for that ticket? Parking? Concession? Meals? The nice car you came in? The gas you put into the nice car?

There are people in this community you meet whose families and friends, from all over the world, are in the 99 percent (the non-wealthy).

The World Bank estimates that 80 percent of the world lives on $10 a day or less.

They may live in other countries, but how would it make you feel to see your neighbor go home and not eat?

I’ve met lots of people from around the world since I’ve been in Fayetteville, and they are not different than the rest of us. All are human beings seeking health and happiness. You just spent $10 on what? Beer at the game?

Compassion for others is what brings us true happiness, says the Dalai Lama. We come to understand that all people want to end their suffering.

People who make $250,000 are no more happy than people who make $75,000, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

Basically, their research showed that people plateau at $75,000 on average, maybe less in rural areas (essentially, when their most basic needs are met).

The question is: What do we do with the rest of this money? Hoard it? Spend it on a football game? Invest in a future that offers relief for the many who aren’t so lucky?

As college students, we are the movers and shakers of the next generation. We have to wake up to the world around us and educate ourselves on what is right.

Money is necessary in this world, but don’t get too caught up in it.

Blake Mertens is a staff columnist. He is a senior biochemistry major.

Traveler Quote of the Day There’s 30,000 students and we were all trying to get off campus.

Andrea Gallo, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Reveille Bomb Threat at LSU, Page 1

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Opinion Editor

Chad Woodard Brittany Nims Joe Kieklak

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.

Correction: In the Monday Sept. 17 issue of The Arkansas Traveler, Gareth Patterson’s photo of Brandon Mitchell on page 1 was incorrectly attributed.

Jackson Been Staff Cartoonist

Involvement, Voting: Using Student Liberties

Ruth Bradley Staff Columnist

Many journalists and political scientists alike fear our age group will not come out for the 2012 election. Based on the numbers, their fear is legitimate.

The voting group with the lowest participation is always the youth vote. Even in 2008, when a record number of voters between 18 and 29 voted, they still made up only 18 percent of eligible voters in that age group, according to the Roper Center Archives.

Only 58 percent of registered voters between 18 and 29 say they definitely intend to vote in 2012, according to the MayJuly 2012 Gallup poll. That is 20 percent less than any other group and 20 percent less than the 18-to-29 group in October 2008.

Because our age group has such low participation, we get very little attention from politicians and policymakers.

We simply do not have the financial resources needed to get our issues on the agenda, which means we need to turn to participation. By 2015, our generation will make up one-third of the electorate, according to Young Democrats of America.

We make up a substantial portion of the total voting population.

We could potentially determine an election. Our issues ought to be addressed, but they won’t until

we mobilize.

What a lot of students may not realize is that policy affects us and our futures, so our participation matters.

In July, President Obama signed an important transportation and student loans bill. The bill prevented interest rates on student loans from doubling. Had it not been signed, interest rates on nearly 7 million student loans would have doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, according to an article published by USA Today.

Policy affects us even more as we graduate and begin looking for jobs.

The health of the economy is often seen as reflective of the economic policies of an administration. Although it is impossible for a presidential administration to control the economy entirely, things like economic deregulation, tax cuts and stimulus checks alter the state of our economy and ultimately the job market.

People our age have increased concerns about the economy and getting jobs after graduation, but it becomes hard to complain when we don’t take the opportunity to participate in shaping the economy through voting for the policymakers who can influence the economy the most.

It is also important to remember that, as the youngest voting group, policies passed now will affect us the longest.

Bad policy, or even just policy that our age group does not

support, can be hard to overturn and may become something we simply have to live with.

Basically, anything that happens now will undoubtedly have repercussions affecting our future.

As students, it is particularly important that we vote. We make up a very educated voting block, one capable of making informed choices. Through the UA, we have access to a number of academic resources not available to the general public.

There is no reason to be an uninformed voter, and there is no reason not to vote.

There are several ways to get involved and participate in politics on campus.

The UA has a Young Democrats group, which plans to meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 in the Union Art Gallery. They also have weekly phone banks on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. at the Washington County democratic headquarters.

“People have called this a choice election — choice in leadership and direction for the country,” said Matthew Seubert, president of Young Democrats, “but before that choice can be made, students have to choose: ‘Am I in, or am I out?’ Voting is a way of saying ‘I’m in,’ and so is volunteering.

“I’m in for a stronger America and a recovery based on investing in our students, our middle class and our future. I’m in, and if you are too, you can join the UAYDs at

our next event.”

To get involved, like their Facebook, follow the UA Young Democrats on Twitter @uayd or visit their website, campusvotes.net, for volunteer and internship opportunities.

Not a democrat? The UA also has a College Republicans group, which had 150 students show up for their first meeting last week. Check out University of Arkansas College Republicans on Facebook, follow them on Twitter @ UofAGOP or visit their website, arkcr.com.

Both groups are always accepting new members and would be glad to fill you in on their party’s platform.

Once you become an informed voter, be sure to register by Oct. 3 to assure that you can vote in the Nov. 4 election. You can register at your DMV, online, or this week at the ASG voter registration drive. ASG will be set up around campus throughout the week providing registration forms and sending them in to make sure you are registered in time.

To protect our future and remain relevant in the eyes of policymakers, we have to participate. It is not hard to get informed and registered.

Help shape our government and our future, and vote Nov. 4, 2012.

Ruth Bradley is a staff columnist. She is a senior art and political science major.

Calling All Poets to Get Slamming

Juan Holmes Staff Columnist This semester ushers in one of the biggest and most prestigious poetry events of the year as Fayetteville hosts the Individual World Slam Poetry Slam Competition.

The Individual World Poetry Slam, one of the largest performance poetry festivals in the world, is coming to downtown Fayetteville Oct. 3-6. More than 70 of the best poets from across the world will perform on Dickson Street for a four-day festival boasting open mics, workshops and special events, including the battle for the World Poetry Slam Championship.

The poetry scene in Fayetteville and on campus has grown during the last several years with events at RZ’s Coffee House and on Dickson. Despite such an amazing event coming to our town, some students may not know what slam poetry is.

Slam poetry allows the audience to interact with the poet in different ways than other forms of poetry. Imagine if we could hear “The Raven” read by Edgar Allan Poe — it would be dramatically different than if someone read it today.

Slam poetry capitalizes on this dynamic between the written and spoken word.

Slam poetry is a type of performance poetry competition in which performances are limited in time and are judged by randomly selected members of the audience. This ensures that poets are always entertaining.

This type of poetry was started in Chicago in the 1980s as a counter-movement to traditional poetry. It attempts to make poetry readings enjoyable for the audience

by encouraging poets who are lively and enthralling and punishing those who are boring. This rule will surely be carried on to the UA. “This is not boring poetry, but it’s not rap battles either,” said Houston Hughes, event coordinator and local poet. “It’s people who have spent years becoming incredible writers and performers, and each of them has a very limited time with your attention. So every performance is part theater, part poetry and part rock show.”

The festival kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 3 with a free competition at the Union Theater, during which poets will compete for the last of the 72 spots in the main competition.

Thursday and Friday will feature exciting events all day, including a haiku death match, Extreme Championship Poetry (which combines professional wrestling and poetry) and writing and performance workshops taught by acclaimed poetry authors and performers.

From 7-11 p.m., competing

poets will take stage in multiple venues across the city in the preliminary rounds of the competition.

Every night, there will be special midnight events, including an erotic poetry and burlesque show and a music and poetry improvisation session.

After rounds of competition, the 12 poets remaining in the competition will go head-tohead at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Verizon Ballroom.

We’re happy to have so much of the city involved, Hughes said.

Festival passes are available on the website, iwps.poetryslam.com, or by emailing iwps2012@gmail. com. Students with a current ID get $10 off of festival passes and discounts at certain events.

More details and a full calendar of events are available on the website.

Juan Holmes is a staff columnist.

He is a senior English- creative writing major.

“Making Your Journey Worthwhile” Companion Editor: Nick Brothers Assistant Companion Editor: Shelby Gill Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 5

Arkansas Group Chugs Across World for Charity

Caitlin Murad Staff Writer

Road trips are always a part of an adventurous summer. What if your road trip entailed traveling over 10,000 miles from London to Mongolia in a car with a 1-liter engine?

The Arkansas Chuggabugs, a team of four Arkansas residents, Joseph Vance, Chase Green, Michael Buckner and Alyx VanNess, traveled across one-third of the globe in a tiny yellow car they nicknamed “The Wiz.” They joined 875 participants from all over the world in the Mongol Rally to raise money for the Lotus Children’s Center in Mongolia.

The Lotus Children’s Center is a non-profit organization that works with orphaned and abandoned children in Mongolia, providing them with food, shelter and education. The money raised by the adventurous teams in the rally is donated directly to the Lotus Center.

In addition to raising money for the Lotus Children’s Center, the Chug-

gabugs also raised money for Heifer International, an organization that provides food, livestock and agricultural training to povertystricken families around the world.

The Mongol Rally began in 2004 with six teams. Each team was required to raise a minimum of 1,000 euros for charity. The goal of the rally was to travel from London, England, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in less than six weeks using a car or motorbike with a 1-liter engine.

This summer, the rally included 297 teams who were able to raise 2 million euros for the Lotus Children’s Center.

The Arkansas Chuggabugs began their journey on July 14 at the UK launch party at Goodwood Motor Circuit.

They were able to meet other ralliers and camp out before starting their journey.

The Mongol Rally has no specific route for its participants. Teams are encouraged to travel however they like as long as they begin at the starting point and end in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, during one of the three finishline parties.

After leaving Goodwood, the Chuggabugs decided to travel through France and stop in Brussels, where they stayed the n i g ht with Green’s

Fall Fashion: Innovate Your Wardrobe for Autumn

This fall, fashion is taking a blast into the past like none we’ve ever seen in both men’s and women’s fashion.

This season’s collections are giving homage to the 70s and the styles popular during that time. On the runway, both sexes have placed a large emphasis on primary colors, prep-style pieces and oversized jackets, and the trends have followed suit all the way down to our everyday department stores.

WOMEN The most important trends to look out for in women’s fashion are prints.

Dark floral prints are taking over dresses, tops and now even jeans. Floral-printed tops and dresses are pieces that can easily go from day to night with a simple change of shoes and accessories, with little change necessary to hair and makeup.

In addition to basic floral prints for your everyday look, there is a new style called “flomo,” a blend of floral and camouflage. It’s a great motif for a cocktail dress at Thursday socials or even Saturday shopping with the girls.

For the less daring girl, mod-like tops with colorblocking are also popular.

Most of these tops feature the primary colors red and blue, with hints of burgundy and mustard yellow. These tops combine daring colors with more subdued neutrals like blacks, grays and tans.

Only three basic staple jeans are needed this fall in your wardrobe, and each pair features its own distinctive style. The first is dark-wash denim, in your fit of choice, preferably slim to straight.

This everyday jean can be worn to class, will provide you with the comfort needed for long wear and will look great with every top and pair of shoes. One suggestion is to spend a little more

for these, as durability and quality of material will be a very important factor in which pair you purchase.

Pattern-printed and jewel-tone colored jeans are the newcomers on the block but are definitely taking their place in fashion. In floral prints as well as in dynamic shades of blues, greens and yellows, these jeans provide a center of focus for an outfit that might have previously been too simple.

The last is the straight-cuffed boyfriend jean, for weekends at Razorback games when you want to be stylish and feminine while also comfortable.

They are also great for date nights, and because of the slim cut and cuff, they are the perfect partner for a pair of rocking high heels.

The final pieces necessary to round out your wardrobe are a great trench coat and a motorcycle jacket. This fall, trench coats are oversized but still have touches that make them feminine enough for any wearer, while motorcycle jackets are sleek with tons of studs and zippers.

Although women’s fashion is ever-evolving and always interesting, men’s fashion has actually undergone the most change this season.

MEN Men’s fashion this fall is all about color, and for most men that can be quite the risk to take. Shirts, sweaters, pants and even some overcoats this season are sporting dynamic primary colors and even some jewel tones. Men’s

kia, Hungary and Romania.

They camped and stayed in hostels.

The Chuggabugs finally arrived in Mongolia on Aug. 23. They updated their fans and

supporters on Facebook by posting, “After six weeks of grueling roads and hospitable ralliers, the Chuggabugs have arrived in Ulaanbaatar.

We are kind of in one piece.”

Courtesy Photo

FASHION

Justin Bryant Contributing Writer

brother. After a couple of days in Brussels, the team continued on their journey to meet the rally in the Czech Republic at the “Czech Out Party.” They camped and met other participants in the rally from all over the world.

The travelers then went on to Krakow, Poland, Prague, Slova-

trousers are featuring colors such as royal blue as well as touches of auburn and sandstone.

The chino-style trouser with a shorter length is the most necessary staple in every male’s wardrobe, even if in the most basic of colors like navy and khaki. These can be worn to class, meetings or even nights out on the town.

Next, men’s button-downs and T-shirts are undergoing some serious construction in the style department. No longer are the traditional basic stripes being seen; more feminine, non-traditional ink-blot patterns in various colors like fuchsia, emerald and gold are being displayed.

These stylish tops can really make you stand out as an individual in any setting.

Crew and v-neck T-shirts are necessary in any closet.

As a tip, crew necks are for the more slender male, while v-necks are suited for the more muscular fella.

In the outerwear department, more sweaters and cardigans are featuring the “Mr. Rogers”-style pattern. The turtleneck is also slowly being brought back into existence.

This fall, blazers are becoming one of the most desired articles in men’s fashion.

Dad’s old, tan tweed blazer and the navy prep-style jacket are great ways to mix up Thursdaynight cocktail attire.

The most important tip for men this fall is to remember the slimmer, “James Dean” fitted look of clothing and model that.

Fall is the most creative and innovative season in fashion, and these trends are reflecting that notion entirely. I encourage you to take advantage of these new fashions, find ways to incorporate them into your own personal style and make fashion a part of you this season.

PROFILE

Student Graduates After 21 Years

Casey Freeman Staff Writer

It’s often said when finally reaching a destination after a long journey, “Better late than never.” If there is anyone who knows the truth in this phrase, it would be 39-yearold Don Faulkner.

This fall, Faulkner will be graduating after taking 21 years to complete his degree.

Faulkner began attending the UA in 1991 right after high school and has just recently completed the last class necessary for his degree.

After his first few years of classes, Faulkner left school to pursue a business opportunity. After living in Los Angeles for several years, he came back to work in Fayetteville and began taking one to two classes per semester in hopes of completing his degree.

In 2008, Faulkner accepted a job at the university in information security, and as an employee he was able to receive a significant discount for the rest of the classes he had to complete.

“When I had the opportunity to come back here and finish the degree, I jumped at the chance,” Faulkner said.

“I was the first person in my family to go to college, so it was something I wanted to do for myself. For what I do, a degree is helpful but not necessary, but for my own self, it’s something I wanted to do.”

Faulkner’s major is in computer engineering, which is also the field he works in.

“There were no degrees like that in the mid-90s, so people like me have built the profession from the ground up,” he said. “The people who were building it didn’t need a degree. I don’t need the degree professionally, but it’s still important to have.”

One way Faulkner has experienced the importance of having a college degree is in the way it influences his foster children. He is a foster dad to several kids and has been able to encourage them to follow his example in their schooling.

One of his foster children is in college right now, and

Emily Rhodes Photo Editor father and daughter raced to see who would finish first.

“I won,” he said.

“I would hope that the persistence that I’ve shown on this has been noticed by them,” Faulkner said. “I can’t control their lives, but at least I can say, ‘Hey, I’ve done it, too.’”

Dr. Phyllis Miller was the professor of the last class Faulkner had to take to complete his degree.

“I have nothing but admiration and respect for Don Faulkner,” Miller said. ”I know the sense of accomplishment that comes with earning a college degree, and the more difficult it is to come by, the greater the victory that accompanies walking across the stage. So, naturally, I think it's awesome that Don is finally getting his diploma after 21 years of pursuing it.

His remarkable journey is an impressive testament to the power of endurance.”

One unique thing about Faulkner’s experience is that he has been able to see how the university has changed over the past 21 years.

“The first thing that comes to my mind is size,” Faulkner said. “Things are a lot bigger now than they used to be, and there’s a lot more people.

Also, a lot of my perspective is different because I’m older and things are a lot different in my life.”

Faulkner said that as a

freshman, he spent time in the dorms and participated in traditional student activities.

When he became older and established in the community, though, his perspective began to change.

“One thing that strikes me about the whole process is that when I came back here to restart again, professors I knew from when I was originally here still remembered me,” Faulkner said. “I don’t know how many thousands of students they had seen since last time I had been on campus, and that made an impression on me.”

To any other adults who are considering going back to school, Faulkner wanted them to know that “the amount of time that’s involved in doing something like this is significant, but it isn’t that hard.”

“I thought I was working myself to the bone when I was younger,” he said. “Once you’re out in the real world, though, and have worked a 9-to-5 job, the things you do in a normal class aren’t so hard anymore.”

“If I had to do it all over, I would hope I could find a way to finish my degree faster,” Faulkner said, “but if I found myself in the exact same situation, I would absolutely do it again. It’s been a challenging process but a good one.

I’m very excited and looking forward to what I might do next.”

Page 6

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Comics Pearls Before Swine

Dilbert

Calvin and Hobbes

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 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 Julian Lim

The Argyle Sweater

Scott Hilburn

ACROSS 1 President after JFK 4 Totally absorbed 8 Made like a kangaroo 13 Papers promising payment 15 “The Andy Griffith Show” tyke 16 Bonus 17 *Keep charging drinks 19 Pierces 20 Rectified, with “for” 21 “... __ a lender be” 23 Comic on a roll 24 *Occasion to say “Whew!”

27 Biblical haircutter 30 Letter between upsilon and chi 31 Cavity filler’s org.

32 Trait carrier 35 Actor Milo 39 *Annual April paperwork 43 Greet casually, with “to” 44 Affectedly dainty, to Brits 45 Piddling point to pick 46 Writer’s undergrad deg.

48 Devastates 51 *Running amok

56 Not yet eliminated 57 PC file suffix 58 Bygone Toyotas 62 Collectible print, briefly 64 *Overnight work assignment 66 Phillies infielder Chase 67 Chichén __: Mayan ruins 68 Under sail, say 69 Scholarly article reviewers 70 Mopey look 71 Each answer to a starred clue ends in one DOWN 1 Old Italian coin 2 Ring contest 3 2007 title role for Ellen Page 4 Violent reaction to traffic 5 Proper 6 Movers’ challenge 7 Noted kneeling NFLer 8 Turkey helping 9 Curer of the demonpossessed 10 Cardiac chambers 11 Before surgery, briefly 12 Stylistic judgment

14 Largest division of Islam 18 Prolonged ringing 22 Gym unit 25 Butler of fiction 26 Dealer’s dispenser 27 Orator’s platform 28 Outlandish Dame 29 Like some nightgowns 33 “I ain’t doin’ that!”

34 Apply 36 Unable to decide, as a jury 37 Toledo’s lake 38 Sugar bowl invaders 40 Woeful words from Winnie the Pooh 41 Vex 42 What shotgun callers shun 47 Pass and then some 49 RSVP part 50 Top dog 51 Prepare to shine in a bodybuilding contest?

52 Band together 53 Champ’s holding 54 Primrose family plant 55 “Far out!”

59 Chance 60 For __: not gratis 61 Time at the inn 63 Yiddish laments 65 Shih __: Tibetan dog

Sports Editor: Kristen Coppola Assistant Sports Editor: Haley Markle Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012

The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

Page 7

TENNIS

Junior Tennis Player Looks to Expand Role Raya Clay Contributing Writer

The Razorback men’s tennis team has started preparing for the season by practicing for the 2012 Louisville Fall Invitational. The invitational will be held Sept. 21-23 in Louisville, Ky. The team finished last year with a 14-13 record in singles and a 1-10 overall record in the Southeastern Conference.

Second-generation Razorback men’s tennis player Hall Fess has great expectations for this year’s season.

“It’s a dream come true,” Fess said. “It’s awesome, growing up having my dad, who played here, talk to me before and after every match. When my dad calls he gets me pumped and going. But because he did play tennis here he instills goals in me that I try to pursue.”

Fess was the tennis team

captain at Little Rock Christian Academy and was the No. 1 singles player all four years he was there. Last year Fess, along with his doubles partner Matt Walters, pulled a win over the No. 7 team in the country.

“That has to be my biggest accomplishment so far,” said Fess.

Last year, Fess had an overall record of 8-13 in singles and was 3-5 in dual matches. The talented Little Rock native redshirted his first year and is now on the courts and ready for a successful season.

“I redshirted my freshman year so I couldn’t compete, and it’s hard to focus because you know you have a year and a half before you can play,” said Fess.

“But it really helped me mature and experience social life.”

Fess and Walters opened eyes last year on the court. Fess and Walters were the de facto No. 1 doubles team for the Razorbacks all year.

“For our team, my goal is getting in NCAA and breaking in top 25, top 30. Personally, it’s all about the team -- whatever helps get us there.”

Fess and Walters ended the season ranked as No. 49 in the nation and don’t plan to stop there.

“It’s never easy. You have to work on being a student athlete.

You have to juggle homework, practice, and working out. Time management really helped me throughout the years. It’s exciting and it’s all worth it,” said Fess.

“Since I’m a upperclassman now, being able to step into whatever role is needed is something I have to do. I used to be the younger kid being pulled along, and now I’m already a junior in college,” said Fess. The men’s tennis team has a few new additions this year including Manfred Jeske from South Africa who is expected to play high in the lineup.

Photo courtesy of Athletic Media Relations Redshirt junior Hall Fess finished last season ranked No. 49 in the nation and hopes to improve this season.

FOOTBALL

Razorbacks Aim to Gain SEC Network to Air Focus After 52–0 Loss A&M-Arkansas Matchup Andrew Hutchinson Staff Writer

Despite the Razorbacks suffering their first shutout at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium since 1966, UA interim head coach John L. Smith maintains a jovial attitude.

“Pick it up a little bit! Get your chin up! Smile! Smile!”

Smith told the media at the beginning of his weekly press conference.

“I am going to do everything I can do to get back to play quarteback with this team this week.”

Tyler Wilson

Senior Quarterback He has put the 52-0 loss to No. 1 Alabama behind him and is now focused on Rutgers, who the Hogs play this Saturday.

“We’re excited about Rutgers,” Smith said. “They’re a good football team.”

Smith said that they are “traditional” on offense. He knows they are able to run and pass the ball effectively and

that the Hogs will need to step it up on defense.

Arkansas’ offense will need to be prepared as well.

“They move it around a bunch on defense,” Smith said.

“They’re maybe not as big as some of the other teams we’re going to see, but they move (around) a lot.”

Against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Razorbacks had five turnovers, including two interceptions and three fumbles.

“We can’t afford to turn it over, period,” Smith said. “It’s very alarming.”

Who will be leading Arkansas’ offense at quarterback is still up in the air. Redshirt freshman Brandon Allen and junior Brandon Mitchell each took snaps last week, while senior Tyler Wilson sat out with a head injury.

This week, Arkansas hopes to have Wilson back on the field. “(Wilson) looks extremely good,” Smith said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll get cleared before game time. We would rather have him with us than not with us.”

Wilson took tests Monday morning and said he is “extremely optimistic” that he’ll be cleared to play this Saturday.

“The results were much better than the previous time,” Wilson said. “I am going to do

everything I can do to get back to play quarterback with this team this week.”

Even with all of the backlash from the fans toward John L. Smith, the players are still behind him.

“I respect every one of the coaches on the staff,” Wilson said.

Junior defensive end Chris Smith believes the players are also part to blame.

“There’s only so much a coach can do,” Smith said. “It’s all up to us to go out and execute the plays.”

Smith also said that he is still positive that the Hogs can turn this season around.

“It’s still the first half of the season. I’ve always believed that it’s not how you start; it’s how you finish,” Smith said.

“We’ve been through adversity before and we know what it takes to win.”

Saturday’s game against Rutgers is Arkansas’ next opportunity to get their second win this year. “Attention to detail” is the key in doing so, Wilson said.

“We have to approach practice like every play is on the line,” Wilson said.

Coach Smith feels that the Hogs need to “get back on track” against Rutgers.

“Right now we have to eliminate the mistakes, make plays and get a win,” Smith said.

Tamzen Tumlison Staff Writer

The Arkansas Razorback football game against the Texas A&M Aggies will be broadcast on the SEC Network Sept. 29 with kickoff scheduled for 11:21 a.m.

This is the first time for the teams to meet as confer-

ence foes since 1991 and the fourth consecutive season for the teams to play each other.

The Razorbacks have won the last three games of the series in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Razorbacks also lead the all-time series 41-24-3.

Rutgers will play Arkansas this Saturday in Fayetteville.

The game will be broadcast

on ESPNU at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the home game are on sale and can be purchased online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com, in person at the Razorback Ticket Center or via phone at 800982-HOGS. All online tickets have the option of being printed off from home in accordance with the University’s new eTicket system.

Aneeka Majid Staff Photographer Junior defensive end Chris Smith addressed the media Monday. The football team looks to put the 52-0 loss to Alabama behind.

COMMENTARY

National Title Aspirations? Not So Fast, Hogs Zack Wheeler Staff Writer

The UA football team came into the season with the goal of reaching the National Championship game. After losing two straight games, the focus at this point needs to be on making a bowl game at all.

I won’t say this a problem that

one part of the team needs to fix; it is a team problem that will require each player on the roster working hard and doing his job to correct.

There seems to be mass confusion from the coaches, players and especially the fans for what has transpired these past three weeks. The Razorbacks have been injury ridden, shocked and cannot get the chips to fall in their favor.

I’m not here to say the season is lost, because if you look back in history, that is far from the truth. When Arkansas lost to USC in 2006 they reeled off 10 straight wins, eventually making the Southeastern Conference Championship game for the Western Division.

I believe this team truly has the talent to win 10 straight, but things must start clicking and must do so quickly. Rutgers will be a good start to getting back on track.

Quarterback Tyler Wilson spoke with the media after the game Saturday and said, “If you’re not on the ship, then get out.”

Wilson was fired up after the game, and he hoped that his words would light a fire under everyone associated with the program.

I’m not like some people who are overreacting to the point of making themselves look foolish. People want their team to win and compete well, but those kids playing are actual people — not

robots as some people may view them.

The amount of hatred and vulgar comments directed towards the players is just asinine to me. I know the team is out there working hard every day and that they want to win. The players just need to focus on one game at a time instead of looking ahead, which is one of the problems that have occurred this year.

On the other hand, fans should demand excellence and be harsh at times. One example that always sticks out to me is the Chicago Cubs.

Wrigley Field is sold out almost every game, and yet the Cubs have not won a World Series in over 100 years.

Not to say that Razorback fans should quit coming to

home games, but they should demand better, more consistent play from their players and coaches. The Cubs accept mediocrity, and that’s what they have been for the past century. Hog fans need to yearn for quality play, and I believe Jeff Long has a plan in place that will right the ship and get us to the next level.

The season is not over, not lost, and the players will do everything in their power to play better the rest of the way.

Leaders such as Wilson, Knile Davis, Alonzo Highsmith and others need to get everyone on the same page and going in the right direction.

The coaches and everyone will work harder to correct the wrongs, and they are far from satisfied with where

things stand right now.

The season has been a disappointment thus far, but let it be noted that it doesn’t mean things can’t be corrected. The Hogs can still have a special season despite it not being what they set out at the beginning of the year to accomplish.

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

Page 8

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 The Arkansas Traveler Newspaper

BASEBALL

Razorback Baseball Team Starts Fall Practice Cameron McCauley Staff Writer

Fall is around the corner and the Razorback baseball team began fall practices Sept.

7. After a strong run to end the season and only one win away from the College World Series finals, the Razorbacks are now gearing up in the fall for a repeat trip to Omaha, Neb. in the spring.

The Razorbacks were able to live up to some high expectations last season, finishing the season ranked No. 9 by NCAA Baseball RPI. The 2013 season may be six months away, but coaches and players believe that the fall is crucial to success because it gives the team more time to learn and improve.

They boasted one of the more intimidating pitching staffs in the country, having a team earned run average of 2.83, good for fifth-best in the country. The pitching staff returns most of its talented players from last season, aside from ace D.J. Baxendale, who signed with the Minnesota Twins.

Ryne Stanek will take over

as the ace pitcher and the Hogs will again have one of the best bullpens in the country with Barrett Astin and Colby Suggs closing out games.

The coaches may move Astin out of the bullpen and into the starting lineup, but that shouldn’t slow them down. Suggs spent the summer pitching in the Cape Cod League, where he gained valuable experience on the mound, and is looking forward to fall practices to perfect his craft even more.

“Fall is all about learning and perfecting, crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s,” Suggs said.

The infield has the most holes to fill as three of the four starters from last season have moved on. Matt Reynolds, Tim Carver and Bo Bigham all logged many hours in the infield during their time at Arkansas and their leadership will be missed. However, first baseman Dominic Ficociello was a star last season in the field and at the plate and is looking to become even better in the fall.

Head coach Dave Van Horn said that Ficociello will spend a lot of time in the fall practices and scrimmages at second and

third base to help him learn the positions and get more experience. But expect to see him at first base come spring time. “(Ficociello) I feel like, is one of the best defensive first basemen in the country,” Van Horn said.

Sophomore Brian Anderson gained some experience in the outfield as a true freshman last year, and should fill one of the open third base or shortstop positions in the spring.

The fall practices will culminate in the annual CardinalWhite series, a seven-game scrimmage to finish out the fall for the baseball team. The Cardinal-White series schedule will be determined at a later date.

“We do have a lot of questions to answer, more than in the last couple years,” said Van Horn. “But at the same time we have some kids with a lot of experience all the way to the College World Series, so that’s a major plus.”

By the end of fall practice, some of questions about the Hogs might not be answered, but it is a good time to get a feel for how the team will look when the season starts in the spring.

Gareth Patterson Staff Photographer Redshirt junior Ryan Stanek will take over as the ace pitcher for the 2013 season.

D.J. Baxendale was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the offseason.