The Echo | Jan. 20, 2016

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION FEE

WEDNESDAY

JANUARY 20, 2016 Volume 110 — Issue 1

ucaecho.net 4 TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Opinion:

Sports:

Entertainment:

Editorials: Library doesn’t offer quiet spaces for studying

Basketball: Sugar Bears take home 45-44 win against HBU

Film: Leonardo Dicaprio earns Oscar Nominee for role in gruesome film

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Too warm for winter

52/39 4 THE NEWSDESK I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Migrant-caused sexual assualts in Germany Young women were sexually assaulted and robbed by hundreds of mostly migrant asylum seekers in Cologne, Germany on New Year’s Eve, along with reports of similar attacks in Finland and Austria. Police are focusing on strengthening forces to protect women as molestation allegations surface.

Zika Virus deforms children The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has advised pregnant women to not travel to many countries in the Caribbean and Latin America due to the spread of the virus.

The virus can cause infants to have abnormally small heads and cause brain defects. The Zika virus is mostly transmitted through the yellow fever mosquito, which is common in Florida, Hawaii and the Gulf Coast.

Although there are no vaccines for the Zika virus, attempts to make one are underway. If traveling, people are recommended to avoid mosquito bites by staying indoors or in screened rooms.

N AT I O N A L

Cruz fails to report one million dollar loan In 2012, Ted and Heidi Cruz received a loan from Citibank and an interest loan from Goldman Sachs, where Heidi Cruz works, that amounted to $750,000, eventually growing to $1 million. During a review of financial disclosures, no reports were found to account for the money Cruz spent on his campaign. All sources of money and private loans given to a candidate are required to be disclosed.

photo by Lauren Swaim

UCA Downtown is now open to the public as of Jan. 14. The new concept building is meant to serve as a way to connect the university with the Conway community by offering culinary, sewing, Tai Chi, hula hoop and cake decorating classes. The building will also host Tedx meetings and student art galleries.

University’s new Downtown location celebrates ribbon cutting

by Darian Whitmore Staff Writer

UCA Downtown officially opened its doors at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public reception.

Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of UCA downtown—a new off-campus venue providing campus-tocommunity involvement. UCA’s Outreach Department welcomed the visitors to explore the new venue while listening to live music, eating popcorn, candy and enjoying fresh coffee. The UCA

LOCAL

CPD make arrest for $12,000 in marijuana A Conway Police Department Officer arrested 26 year-old Rico Jernigan of Mississippi with two felony drug charges due to finding marijuana and a loaded handgun in his car after making a traffic stop for following another car too close.

4 WHAT’S AHEAD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE The first Baum Gallery exhibit this semester, “Finding Shelter: An Exhibition of Contemporary Fiber Art” will open Jan. 21.

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Gallery and the Black Box Studio on campus.

Besides the four weekly classes, UCA Downtown will be hosting a Ted Talk on reinventing liberal arts during the opening week. “It is my hope that this building will start making a statement about the arts,” Courtway said.

The venue will hold a Valentine’s Day couple’s cooking class taught by Chef Jason Knapp.

For $150 per couple, each pair will learn to make a dessert and be served a three-course meal while

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“Always march ahead and never look back.”

- Conway City Council Member Shelia Whitmore

by Makenzie Evans Staff Writer

The Student Center Ballroom was packed with students, faculty and community members Jan. 15 to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and historic impact.

“Always march ahead and never look back,” Conway City Council Member Shelia Whitmore said.

Whitmore was the featured speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast among other special guests.

President Courtway greeted everyone and began the morning with a quote Bill Clinton said at a recent Senator Dale Bumper’s funeral; “He made things better, and he made people feel bigger.”

Courtway said the same applied to Dr. King’s legacy and the change he brought in the world.

Mistress of Ceremonies Di’Anka Moton introduced the theme of the event: “Taking Pride in the Dream.”

The Reverend Emmett McNeil III of First Baptist Church in Pankey, AR opened the event with a word of prayer.

McNeil reiterated the importance of having a “spirit

of unity and understanding” and how it is possible to “see the dream become a reality.”

Autume Brunswick, 2015 Miss Black & Gold of UCA, sang the Negro National Anthem after McNeil’s prayer.

Event coordinator Angela Jackson, Director in the Office of Diversity and Community, acknowledged everyone who helped coordinate the event, recognized community leaders and introduced the next speaker, Nadia Eslinger.

Eslinger studied history at UCA and is the Membership CoChair of the UCA Black Alumni Association.

“Where’s our pride in the dream?” she asked.

Eslinger focused on the fact that King had pride because of the way he spoke and his determination to speak from his heart.

When she studied his speeches in college she found that his counsel for the “I Have a Dream” speech discouraged him from using that famous phrase.

Eslinger said that, like most Baptist preachers, King drifted away from his notes and spoke from his heart—resulting in one of the most famous speeches of all time.

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Young selected artwork from a first-year painting class and a senior’s ceramic project.

“This is the first of many installations,” Mehl said. Young will be rotating art displays and notifying the community frequently.

Courtway came up with the idea of UCA Downtown years ago after visiting Savannah College of Art and Design and seeing the connection that the college had with the community. Courtway and his outreach team hope that this new project will help inform the community of UCA’s student’s accomplishments and also increase attendance in the Baum

City Council members meet up with university to celebrate MLK Jr. Day

Index: 4Police Beat 4People of UCA

signings and receptions.

Outreach and Community Engagement Associate Vice President Shelly Mehl said during the winter season the venue will offer weekly sewing, Tai Chi, hulahoop and cake decorating classes.

“We are trying to offer a truly eclectic mix,” Mehl said. “We want to offer the arts, intellectual engagement and fun things for students, faculty and community people.”

The space hit capacity for the ribbon ceremony, but Mehl’s Outreach team—along with Art Department Chairman Dr. Jeff Young—set up a small gallery of artwork to display for the visitors.

B R E A K FA S T

U.S. stocks suffer due to international crisis Wall Street feels the risks from China’s slowing economy and cheaper oil due to the market’s drop of 10 percent or more from its most recent high. China’s economy can create pressure on energy companies, which overlaps onto oil companies. Also, interest rates are higher due to the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise rates last month, which makes it harder for U.S. companies to compete.

cheer and dance team welcomed the visitors with a cheer.

The University’s Outreach and Art Departments paired up to display student work. President Tom Courtway said showcasing student projects in downtown Conway strengthens the connection between community and campus.

“This is a multi-purpose venue to showcase the many good things at UCA,” Courtway said. The site will be used to not only show student works, but to be an “outreach source” with soon-to-come classes. In the future, Courtway plans to use the building to hold lectures, book

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Courtney Glass performed a lyrical dance to “I Was Here”

by Beyoncé to encompass the importance of the mark that Dr. King left behind.

Student Government Association President Zach Carter introduced featured speaker Shelia Whitmore.

Whitmore is a well-known figure in the Conway community.

She is the Human Resource Coordinator for Counseling Associates, Inc. and is a Conway City Alderwoman.

Whitmore focused on three points during her speech: the importance of finding a place in the dream, not being afraid of the dream and moving forward in the dream.

“King wasn’t afraid to profess his dream,” she said.

Whitmore researched Webster’s definition of ‘pride’ and ‘dream.’

According to the definition of ‘dream’ it only happens when one is sleeping, which of course did not fit Dr. King.

Whitmore encouraged the audience to “take pride in the dreams that have become reality—those were not ‘sleeping’

photo by Makenzie Evans

Autume Brunswick, 2015 Miss Black & Gold UCA, performing the Negro National Anthem at the Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, Friday January 15.

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Social:

Inside: Greek life distracts from God

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Fraternities don’t count as substitute for Christ

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2/ January 20, 2016

NEWS ucaecho.net BARD BALL

VETERANS

VA sets goals for a military friendly UCA

by Brody Arnold Staff Writer

photos by Waid Rainey

[Left] Guests line up for a buffet dinner, ranging from chips and salad to coconut shrimp and wine. [Right top] The house band created a classy mood for the night as guests participated in silent and live auctions, in which $40,000 was raised. [Right bottom] UCA alumnus Steve Griffith works on a community painting at the Bard Ball Jan. 16 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The event was sponsored by the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre raises funds for upcoming season

by Waid Rainey Assistant News Editor

Reynolds Performance Hall held the ninth annual ‘Bard’s Ball’ fundraiser for the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) on Jan. 16.

Created in 2006, AST is Arkansas’s only professional Shakespeare Theatre and operates largely on donations and grants.

Rebekah Scallet, AST’s Producing Artistic Director, said that since the fundraiser’s inception, its proceeds have risen steadily every year to over $20,000

in 2015 and that this year’s goal was $40,000.

The event was hosted by third-year AST actor Rober Girard Anderson who directed the live auction in which seven items were up for bid, including a community painting that was created during the event.

UCA alumnus, Steve Griffith convinced fundraiser attendees to help with the painting and sign the back.

There was also a silent auction, involving over 70 items.

Around $43,000 was raised,

passing their goal and almost doubling last year’s amount raised.

Funds raised from the Bard’s Ball traditionally go to fund production costs for the plays produced by AST every summer.

These costs, according to Scallet typically include the salaries of 100 staff employed during the summer, costume and set design and actor fees.

Housing for staff and actors are partially funded by Hendrix while the facilities are supplied by UCA. The remainder of the

$350,000 budget not covered by the fundraiser is supported by individual donations from various departments around UCA, grants and individual donors.

This year will be the first year that Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre produces four different shows, including such shows as “Romeo and Juliet” as well as “West Side Story.”

Jordy Neill has been with AST for five years. According to him, “Twelfth Night” is Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s first production to be co-produced

with an out of state theatre, Shake on the Lake, from New York.

Neill says that the show will begin in Arkansas at Reynold’s Performance Hall.

After which it will go on tour in New York.

When the show returns to Arkansas it will travel the state in an effort to bring Shakespeare to small communities.

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre Director Mary Ruth Marotte says that shows start June 7 and are performed until July 9.

D O N AT I O N

Nursing Department given $215,000 for interactive learning simulation lab

by Amanda Nettles Assistant News Editor

With campus upgrades such as the new Lewis Science Center and Dohnaghey Hall taking over last semester campus-talk, a new upgrade to UCA’s nursing department is following quickly behind.

The department recently received a $215,500 donation to be put toward the simulation lab in the department, allowing more interactive learning for nursing students.

Elizabeth A. Blankenship, along with her daughters Ashley Blankenship and Gretchen Humphreys, donated the check in

order to help aid the lab.

It will now have a generated manikin along with other equipment, such as microphones and cameras.

Students will be recorded while performing different simulated scenarios and able to correct themselves when seeing mistakes they’ve made.

“It’s such an incredible blessing to have such a generous donation to our program,” junior Elaine Gorgas said. “The donation will not only help the nursing staff, but the students as well. The purchase of advanced technology will further prepare us for clinical experiences we may have. The ultimate goal of a nurse is to provide the best possible

care to a patient and their family.

I believe this donation will help us to achieve that.”

Department Chair Dr. Barbara Williams said the simulation lab will provide a life-like experience for students.

“The lab can be used for different types of patient situations. It will make a phenomenal impact on the department and an incredible impact on the students,” she said.

The UCA nursing department webpage has a philosophy statement that says, “The process of learning involves studentteacher partnerships and cooperation in meeting student and program goals…. Learning is a life-long endeavor that fosters

intellectual and personal growth through critical thinking, active inquiry and creative endeavors.”

Junior Austin Berry said she was really excited when she heard about the donation.

“Nursing lecture is good for us information-wise, but I feel like if I’m going to be a great nurse it takes more than knowing terminology and concepts,” she said. “It takes hands-on experience and practice.

I feel as though all nursing students will greatly benefit from it.”

The advanced technology used for the simulation lab will allow nursing students to expand their learning, be more comfortable when practicing lessons and prepare them for their future careers.

“I think the donation is great because the Simulation Lab is very important for our education,” junior Savannah Sparrow said. “It gives us an opportunity to practice before we go out to an actual hospital. It’s nice that we received a donation to help towards that.”

Nursing department instructors will control the manikin and students will use different skills to solve various scenarios.

“With the instructor’s being in control of the manikin it gives us more experience with unexpected patient situations,” Gorgas said.

“Life can throw curve balls and having more practice will make us more prepared in the clinical setting.”

Making campus more military friendly is a current goal of UCA’s veterans department.

UCA’s veterans department will be looking to take extra measures to make the campus more military friendly, according to student Susan Marcus and UCA Veterans Service Coordinator David Williams.

Student-Veterans of America is a non-profit organization focusing on the needs of veterans pursuing higher education through scholarships, leadership opportunities and various services.

“We are trying to bring in a group to do readjustment counseling for veterans who are returning from Iraq,” Marcus said. “We also want to get funding to send students to meetings like these, because they are not always in state. We don’t have any funding right now, so we can’t send any of our students to these leadership trainings and job workshops.”

David Williams said UCA’s military history needs to be represented on campus.

“Before World War II, the school’s population was mainly military,” Williams said. “Veteran’s hall used to be a military place where all the guys stayed at. We had a large military presence here on campus. But now as you walk around you really see nothing.”

Williams said campus needs a resource for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We need a point of contact that our veterans can go to,” he said. “We need someone here on campus that is able to help them get transitioned back into civilian mode and can be able to answer their questions.”

According to ptsdusa.org, one-in-three returning troops suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—a psychiatric disorder caused by a traumatic event that can cause flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, along with several other crippling symptoms.

“They come in here, I can tell them my story on how I deal with PTSD, and sometimes that helps,” Williams said.

He said directing individuals to the counseling center is not always effective because the staff is not trained specifically in military help.

“A lot of us, we would rather just be able to go to someone to talk to. Rather than try to fix us, just hear what we have to say, But a lot of us don’t feel comfortable doing that, because most people won’t understand what we had to do,” he said “People question, ‘Why’d you do that? Why’d you kill them? Why? Why? Why?’ Well, we can’t answer why. We did our job. And some of us are having trouble with what we did.

So now you’re second guessing yourself, coming back here you’re going to be afraid, if I get put in a dangerous situation, am I going to revert and just kill someone and have no empathy or remorse?

Because that’s basically what you have to have when you go to war.”

Standard counseling methods are not effective enough for veterans suffering from PTSD Williams said.

“We need somebody here to talk to veterans having those episodes rather than waiting 30 days to go see someone that will just end up putting them on medicine,” he said.

Police Beat The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Jennifer Buckley.

UCAPD suspects false alarm in Baridon Hall is prank

Student caught with pipe in Bears Den parking lot

Student on scooter flees UCAPD, caught in red barn

Students pre-gaming arrested for public intoxication

A false fire alarm was pulled on the first floor of Baridon hall on Jan. 5 around 4:53 p.m. There was no fire or sight of smoke. Everyone in the hall went through the routine evacuation process. The UCA police department says the alarm was most likely a prank since there is no evidence of what caused the alarm to go off.

A UCAPD officer spotted a car driving with no headlights on around midnight Jan. 10 and pulled the car over in the Bears Den parking lot. Upon talking to the driver of the car, non-student Hannah Laws, the officer smelled burnt marijuana. Laws responded by telling him there was a pipe under the driver’s seat, which the police found and confiscated upon arrest.

Timothy Dezort, UCA student, was caught fleeing from the UCAPD while intoxicated around 10 p.m. on Jan. 8. Dezort was first spotted riding on a scooter near a fraternity house. He then turned into a parking lot west of the Farris Center when the cop got out of his car and told him to stop. Dezort ran from the police and was found hiding in a little red barn near the Stadium Park apartments.

Student Alec Reiners, along with two other nonstudents, Victor Silva and Clifford Griffin, were arrested for public drinking on Jan. 8th around 11:15 p.m. The individuals stated that they were pre-gaming for a party at the Sig Ep house. UCA police officer said the individuals were unsteady, had blood shot eyes and smelled of alcohol.

3/ January 20, 2016

NEWS ucaecho.net

STUDENTS SAY

BIENVENIDOS A LA UCA

“

What is your new years

”

resolution?

story by Jennifer Buckley photos by Lauren Swaim

Sophomore Essau Corona

Sophomore Pedro Leon

“I want to grow closer to Jesus and be more like him.”

“Be more awesome at everything that comes my way.”

Freshman Hannah Baltodano

Senior Chelsea Shaw

“My New Years resolution is to focus more on myself and build myself up more so that I can be more confident.”

“Not to procrastinate so much on my work.”

photo by Makenzie Evans

The Division of International Engagement partnered with the Fulbright Commision Argentina and U.S. Department of State and Embassy to bring 15 juniors and seniorswwWWww level students whose majors range from business and economics to education and political

P R E S E R V I N G N AT U R E

Jewel Moore Nature Reserve now permanent

by Logan Miller Staff Writer

The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve (JMNR) was declared a permanent fixture of UCA on Dec. 11, 2015. The Board of Trustees revisited an old proposal to make the reserve a protected part of UCA and voted to ensure its preservation.

The JMNR has been part of UCA since 1980 when it was first converted to preserve local flora and fauna. Since then, the JMNR has been utilized by the biology department and by students to study and observe nature in a local and convenient capacity.

At the time of the nature reserve’s inception, the Board of Trustees declared that while it was intended to be maintained by the biology department, it would not require it to be a permanent fixture of the university. In the meeting, the board decided it was not possible to forecast future needs with enough accuracy to make irrevocable commitments for the area.

In 2010, the Board of Trustees entertained a new proposal for the JMNR. A motion to ask for a conservation easement for the property, so that it could be maintained permanently as a part of the UCA campus failed by one vote. Instead, the board resolved

to make a five-year commitment to maintaining the JMNR. At the end of the commitment, the board would revisit the proposal.

In five years the board would have a better grasp on the campus community’s needs, as the school was entering a period of increased enrollment.

The UCA Master Plan was accepted in 2012, and stated that UCA would commit to maintaining and enhancing the current natural resources of the campus.

When the Board of Trustees met again on Dec.11, 2015 the JMNR five-year commitment was about to come to an end.

The proposal was revisited and

Cutting:

MLK:

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Community members, students, staff will be able to use new facilities it is cooking.

The building be available for members and UCA book small parties.

The venue will

will also community affiliates to be $350 or

$250 for half of the building for community members.

Renting the venue will be free for students and staff, but campus organizations will need a faculty advisor present during the event.

the board was once again faced with the same choices: they could either preserve it for another fiveyear commitment, at the end of which they would revisit this issue, or they could choose to preserve it for the duration of the existence of UCA. In a unanimous vote, the board determined that preserving the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve was within the best interests of the university and in accordance with the Master Plan.

As such, it has been officially declared a permanent fixture of UCA. A conservation easement will be acquired, and the reserve will be maintained for years to come.

Whitmore focuses on sacrifices, determination, faith necessary to achieve a dream dreams.” To conclude her speech, Whitmore described the path to achieving a dream: “[It] is paved with sacrifices and is lined with determination…and marked with faith.”

DuShun Scarbrough, CEO of Arkansas MLK, Jr. Commission, left everyone with a few special remarks and Mosaic Church Pastor Chuck Eastman closed the ceremony with prayer.

Sophomore Jazzmin Hayes

Sophomore Trace Medlin

“I want to go to the gym more.”

“I want to go to the gym and pass my classes.”

SPOTLIGHT

PEOPLE OF UCA Christopher Bell-Davis

by Des’ree Dallman Staff Writer

photo by Lauren Swaim

Junior Christopher Bell-Davis has a new home at UCA after transfering from Ouachita Baptist University. He’s active in the non-traditional student population and prides himself in being part of UCA’s fashion community.

Traditional UCA students grow up together from freshman babies—curious about the world around them—to passionate, strong, educated young adults conquering UCA’s buildings and halls with their power and wit.

But the non-traditional students enter UCA having to adjust to their new surroundings and circumstances to conquer UCA at their own pace.

Junior transfer student from Ouachita Baptist University, Christopher Bell-Davis, contributes to UCA’s nontraditional student population after transferring about a year ago into UCA as a sophomore.

Davis is from Little Rock originally but moved to Arkadelphia to attend college before moving to UCA. “It was culture shock,” said Davis. “The campus atmospheres were just so different. Ouachita is

smaller and we were really big on community there.”

Davis quickly began to miss the sense of community he felt at Ouachita Baptist with the Professors and classmates around him.

“I am naturally an extravert and I make friends easily but it took me a bit longer to make friends here,” Davis said.

Despite the culture shock, Davis has still managed to adjust and make himself at home on UCA’s campus.

As Davis continues his education at UCA he declared a major in Journalism with a Broadcast emphasis, began attending campus events and making friends.

“I have attended luncheons, social events, sporting events, pageants, seminars and even dinners at President Courtway’s house,” Davis said.

Developing a love for fashion in middle school, Davis also considers himself a part of UCA’s

fashion population—some of the most fashionable students on campus.

“In middle school, even though we wore uniforms, I started trying to make fashion statements and put things together that, now looking back, looked dumb,” Davis said.

Now Davis attends UCA’s fashion shows and keeps up with fashion weeks, while making a few statements of his own through UCA’s halls.

Because of his experience as a non-traditional student at UCA, Davis also works with the nontraditional student office hoping to improve the office’s reach with his own experiences.

“Students don’t really hear a lot about the office so they don’t really see the help or know it is available,” Davis said.

In the near future Davis hopes to assist the office in providing more help and being a better place for non-traditional UCA students.

Opinion

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The Voice

January 20, 2016

Veteran services needed on campus

The Echo Staff

Fraternities are no substitution for God’s inner healing

Joe Kramer Editor

Morgan Embry News Editor

Erica Nichols

Assistant News Editor

Jennifer Buckley Assistant News Editor

Jordan Johnson Opinion Editor

Jonathan Woodson Assistant Opinion

Taran Meyer Sports Editor

Malachi Thornton Assistant Sports Editor

Kayla McCollough Entertainment Editor

Maggie McNeary, Julia Kramer Online Editors

Julia Kramer, Morgan Embry Copy Editors

This isn’t to bash or condemn anybody, but to shed light and inform those willing to listen and take heed.

This can be applied to many things in life, but today it’s about fraternities and sororities. I wanted to join a fraternity until I received Christ and began finding myself.

This is not coming from a place of bitterness or hatred, but from a place of love and of wanting to see other people be liberated from spiritual bondage.

The Bible has many passages and laws that can be applied to fraternities and sororities; there is occult activity occurring in these organizations, for example.

However, the root of the true problem comes from inside the individual.

The Bible states: “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

Not only are people not interested in knowledge, they don’t know themselves.

They have different personalities manifesting throughout the week and don’t know who they truly are. Therefore, they are open to being manipulated and controlled by somebody else.

The only way to truly find yourself, believe it or not, is in Christ. God created us, so he knows what our true DNA and purpose is.

People must also go through a process of inner healing. This kills a person’s desire to deny God’s will and please the flesh and allows them to wait for God to please them.

People often go through periods of pain in their lives that damage them permanently as people.

Sometimes pain from these events persists, but often people become numb to it over time.

This pain has shaped them into the person that they are today.

It is necessary for humans to go through pain and uncomfortable situations in order to grow and encourage others in similar situations by their deliverance.

However, the problem is that our souls are still hurting if we don’t go through inner healing by the Holy Spirit.

I used to deal with a lot of low self-esteem, feeling unloved and like a failure.

I thought that joining a frat would make me somebody and make me feel loved, but no frat or sorority

by Dennwill ever match up to the true warren tafah love of Jesus.

Staff Writer Matthew 5:36-37 says “And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

This basically means that after we commit ourselves to God, his will becomes ours.

We shouldn’t pledge our lives to people or organizations who don’t have our best interests at heart.

James 5:12 says “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Exodus 20:3 states “You shall have no other gods before me.”

This means that nothing is supposed to replace the position of God in our lives as Christians. To do so is idolatry.

Lauren Swaim Photo Editor

Library should be quiet study haven, not social gathering place

Morgan Embry Editorial Cartoonist

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For many students, Torreyson Library is the place to go for all of their academic needs.

As it should, the idea of a library conjures images of a quiet study-haven away from the noise of an apartment, roommate or coffee shop.

It offers a change of scenery and the space to spread out and focus on your work.

All too often, though, these images turn out to be a mirage.

Some time ago, the first floor of the library became the designated area for groups to work on projects and study.

More group study rooms were made, walls were covered with whiteboard paint and projectors were added to the larger study rooms.

The goal was apparent: our dear old library was adapting to new times—focusing more on helping students study together rather than alone.

Along with removing the signage designating quiet areas, the changes encouraged students to study more effectively.

At the time they were implemented, all of these changes probably seemed perfectly logical.

Overlooked was the possibility that people’s behavior might change when they no longer feared the wrath of the mean, old librarian.

Let me be perfectly clear. I am not against studying in a group nor am I against talking to others when you study in the library.

I am, however, against people abusing these privileges and disturbing the peace of those trying to prepare for the next day.

Two people sitting across from each other should be able to communicate without disturbing people at the next table.

This was the way things worked before the first floor was redesigned for group study.

I can’t act like the patron saint of silence, though.

Occasionally when studying with other people, I will laugh too loud at a joke or speak too loudly without thinking.

These types of slips are tolerable; some noise every once in a while is reasonable to expect. People make mistakes. It is not tolerable to use the first floor of the library as your own personal social club.

Making rounds and talking to everyone you know or, even worse, coming to the library with the intention to socialize rather than study. is

By Michael Benzmiller unacceptable.

Staff Writer It’s not entirely the fault of these students for disturbing the peace.

When you are in one of the study rooms you can hear the conversations from other students just a few rooms away.

It may be because of shoddy wall insulation or the positions of the air vents, but people in different rooms can be heard if they say anything even slightly above an “inside voice.”

Considering all of the above, it is important to remember that abusing the layout of the first floor for socialization not only disturbs those trying to study, but also contradicts the point of a library.

Those who took a mile from an inch and turned the library into a social place ruined it as a academic place for those trying to study.

Please just shush and let me study.

Dallas Smith, Business Manager

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Write a letter to the editor at ucaechoeditor@gmail.com Letters to the editor don’t just have to be about Echo content.

If you’ve noticed something on campus that’s positive or negative, we want to hear about it.

If you have ever spent a good amount of time in any metropolitan area, chances are good that you have run into a homeless veteran. The image of a “homeless veteran” conjured in your mind is probably that of a Vietnam vet, perhaps with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Encounters with homeless veterans can be uncomfortable, not only because you may feel bad for their situation but also unsure how to interact with someone who exists on the fringes of society. There is an added element of discomfort, because you know that that veteran probably sacrificed a lot for a country that didn’t care to look after him or her forty years later.

This concept of a homeless veteran is becoming slightly outdated, though the incidence of older homeless veterans is still a very real problem. It is becoming more and more common to see Iraq and Afghanistan veterans holding up signs on the side of the road, despite efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to stem homelessness and joblessness in veterans.

Many of these veterans are under forty, much closer in age to the typical university student than veterans from other wars.

And though there are educational assistance programs for veterans returning to school, only about 9,000 veterans took advantage of these programs in Arkansas in 2013, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

One of the major issues facing veterans returning home from war is PTSD. This disorder can make it nearly impossible to hold down a job or complete school, especially when there is little support in the veteran’s life outside of the notoriously slow and underfunded VA office.

Employers will not provide a support system to veterans trying to transition back to civilian life, and many schools don’t have the funding or staff to do so either.

On this note, UCA has decided to take steps to make the campus more veteran-friendly. The Student Veterans of America plans to work with the Veteran’s Department to provide scholarship and leadership opportunities, but more importantly, it plans to bring in counselors for soldiers who are transitioning to college life after serving in the Middle East.

Having resources on campus for dealing with the effects of PTSD would give veterans and those who love them some peace of mind.

Programs that fund veterans getting their degrees are certainly a step in the right direction, but we have had such programs for decades. If we are to avoid a new generation of homeless veterans, there needs to be an equal emphasis on programs that offer psychological and social support to returning veterans.

UCA’s plans are certainly on the right track, but without funding, the university can only do so much.

Many of the leadership programs cited by the Student Veterans of America are out of state, which seems to indicate how important such programs are to local universities and governments.

The goals outlined by the Veterans Department are admirable, but there needs to be a more concerted effort on the part of state and local governments as well as universities to provide resources on campus for the men and women who have served our country at great personal risk and, in many cases, loss.

If these men and women aren’t worth the time, effort, and, it seems most importantly, funding, then what were their sacrifices for?

How do you convince a new generation of citizens to fight for a country that has made it obvious that it will do the bare minimum for them when they get back home?

The Echo is printed weekly at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, Ark. Decisions about content are made by the student editors.

The views published are not necessarily those of the University of Central Arkansas. All material is subject to respective copyrights.

If we are to avoid a new generation of homeless veterans, there needs to be equal emphasis on programs that offer psychological and social support to returning veterans

ucaecho.net

OPINION

January 20, 2016 /5

Courtesy of moviepilot.com Rey draws her bo staff in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film made 528 million dollars during its opening weekend, breaking an opening day record previously held by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II.

Bipartisan cooperation crucial in navigating world affairs Star Wars’ Rey not a “Mary Sue” despite being attractive female As President Barack Obama’s final year of his a day to Israel via US lobbying. Netanyahu turns second presidential term begins, a harrowing around to press the button and give orders to forcibly question comes to the forefront of my mind: What remove Palestinian farmers and workers from their will US politics look like in five years? homes in order to capture the remaining percentage I have hope. After seeing Paul Ryan and President of land still under Palestinian control.

Obama on copacetic terms during the state of the We feign responses to the atrocities of Boko union address last week, there is a glimmer of hope Haram and the more than 17,000 people since 2009, that a red congress and blue president might be able including over 10,000 in 2014, who have been victims to begin curing the bipartisan divide in its extremes. of the group running rampant in swaths of the This will be the most important part of our African continent. next president’s term in office. The challenges our As the political race for president gears up in new president will face will range from social and 2016 we must pay serious attention to what the new environmental to geopolitical with increasing administration might bring to the table. The Obama intensity. This should make a vigilant voter nervous administration did its best to fix the problems left seeing who the prospects are. for them back in 2008. But now we face a whole At some point between President Truman’s new monster. We have candidates pushing for two decision to become involved in “policing” in Korea extreme political agendas and a slurry of candidates and President Bush’s decision to muscle his way into hoping to have eight years in the White House with the Middle East, we hit the point of no return. History as little collateral damage as possible—leaving the shows that geopolitical moves nation at the whim of the have become increasingly “investors.” important—often times As voters, there must superseding the basic needs be a consensus that of the country at home, the whomever takes over must US in particular. not only fix the problems President Obama has we have at home, such as

by Joe Kramer pushed for a return of infrastructure and education, Editor focus on the home front. but also the environmental The United States has for and geopolitical issues too long muddled in world threatening to throw the affairs seeking an outcome world out of balance. that doesn’t necessarily help the nations that we Though our efforts overseas have been often claimed to help. Often the reasons for intervention times ridiculed while our domestic issues often that are pitched to the people as grandiose public get left behind, we must focus on the messes relations moves are motives that seek only to help us we’ve caused and also make domestic advances. economically.

Leadership is needed from both political parties in While the need to fight for democracy and order to achieve this. freedom in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan was To keep things the way they are is not only the preached, it was soon discovered that we only entered antithesis of what it means to be an American, but the fray to come away with a grip on oil and, in turn, it is the antithesis of what is means to be human— monetary advancement. While our men and women always in search of self-betterment and revolution. are sent to die for oil in the name of democracy, there 2016 needs to be the election year of the are over 200,000 men, women and children that have moderate. already been bombed and gassed to death by their It must serve as a stepping stone to the dismissal leader President Bashar al-Assad. of extreme political agendas making their way into We shake hands and give nearly 8 million dollars the political mainstream.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is what some film never setting their relationship up like that). would argue is the movie event of the past decade.

His critiques became trending topics for two This opinion is supported by the box-office weeks and the starting point for many click-bait records that are not only being broken by a large stories. They were are all wrong, though. margin, but are being broken quickly when compared It is clear to the audience through character to previous films in the franchise. design that she grew up on a dangerous planet with This film’s success isn’t just because of the nothing but a bo staff for protection, which explains excitement viewers had for a new Star Wars film. It why she doesn’t need a training scene in the movie. has been highly regarded by Also, the whole scene critics. of Rey struggling to fly the There is a percentage millennium falcon and then of vocal people writing getting insulted by Han over it opinion pieces to any news was apparently missed by the website that will listen, film critics.

Huffington Post being one Let’s also ignore that a

by Johnathan Woodson for example.

Mary Sue character would be Assistant Opinion Editor This small group is a character who is never in expressing its disdain danger. and hatred for this film In reality, however, Rey is because they find the main kidnapped and interrogated, protagonist Rey to be a “Mary Sue.” and throughout the fight with Kylo Ren she is shown A “Mary Sue” is defined as a fictional character too backing up in attempt to get away. This is another competent in too many areas, physically attractive visual cue of weakness instead of lazy exposition. and viewed as being heroic by other characters.

One could argue that quickly running through The person credited for introducing this the points and not countering each every specific “problem” to the masses is famous screenwriting point people who believe she is a Mary Sue raise. cynic, Max Landis.

However my argument to that is that I do not In his review, he claims that she is a “Mary Sue” have enough space in this column to fully collapse because she is able to fight off Kylo Ren, fly the the Mary Sue criticism.

Millenium Falcon and is not saved by Han Solo (who Just know that I fully realize the futility of arguing Max Landis decides is Rey’s Ben Kenobi despite the an opinion with an opinion.

Courtesy of instyle.com Amy Schumer, Olivia Wilde and Jennifer Lopez pose for the camera on the red carpet at the Golden Globes on Jan 10 in Hollywood. The fashion choices of female celebrities have traditionally been the focus of the media.

Female celebrities have much more to contribute than fashion Courtesy of abcnews.com Powerballs are shuffled and drawn at the Florida Lottery Studio on Jan. 9 in Tallahassee, Florida. The January powerball amount was 1.5 billion dollars and was split between three winners across the country.

Powerball tickets can be fun, harmless way to spend money Buying a Powerball ticket has supplied a natural 26,110,646 winners across the nation, according to Powerball.com. high to many for the past two weeks.

Though a person’s likeliness of hitting the jackpot Although people know the odds are not in their favor, they do it anyway because someone will is incredibly low, they still have a chance of winning a small amount of $4.00, which means you’ve won the eventually win and that person may just be you.

The ticket itself allows each individual who money you spent on the ticket back plus a dollar or two. purchases one to dream for a Buying a ticket isn’t minute, but even winning does harmful. People shouldn’t be not guarantee the whole lot. frowned upon for buying a Once a person has Powerball ticket even though discovered they have a winning their chances are slim. ticket they must choose There are more between taking the lump sum

by Jennifer Buckley dangerous things a person or payments over time.

Assistant News Editor could do than spend two There is also a tax to three bucks on a lottery reduction, a 30-40% loss of the ticket. money if taken all at once and With the purchase of the possibility of having to split every ticket, people gain the money with other potential the ability to dream. They are given an opportunity winners.

From a different perspective, many view the to connect with their friends and discuss what they would do if they won and they give themselves lottery as a waste of money.

While it can be for many, it is also a way to win just something to look forward to for the week. a little bit of extra pocket money or maybe something Log isn’t a big deal, knowing the odds. It’s the to look forward to each week. With the most recent experience an individual is given for spending only Powerball drawing on Jan. 13 there were a total of two bucks. It is well worth it.

#AskHerMore is the trending hashtag their physical appearance. surrounding the ongoing awards season.

Instead of being critiqued by their actual work The term originated in response to the biased and performances, the women are judged for the ten questions presented by media on the red carpet. minutes that they spend walking into the event or The quality of the questions asked to the men awards show. compared to the women is starkly different.

However, the obvious divide between the quality Male singers, directors and actors were asked of questions directed at men and women is only the questions regarding upcoming projects and beginning of the gender gap in entertainment. reflections on their work, There is a whopping 30 whereas women actors million dollar difference in and entertainers were income between the highest overwhelmingly asked paid actor of 2015, Robert one question: Who are you Downing Jr., and the highest wearing tonight? paid actress of 2015, Jennifer Fashion is a crucial

by Kayla Lawrence. aspect of awards shows. mccullough Issues such as equality The exposure of the Entertainment Editor in the industry are far more carpet allows the launch complex questions than, “Are of budding designers and showcases the talents of you wearing Chanel or Giorgio fashion greats.

Armani tonight?”

However, the questions directed toward female The push to ask women about their actual work entertainers should not be primarily dependent on is only a start to solving the problems women face in their outfits. the industry.

The Representation Project encourages its By focusing on a woman’s work, there is a shift readers to tweet various reporters #AskHerMore. from the harsh critique women face concerning The hashtag is a simple request that confronts their appearance, to a more concise representation the numerous problems regarding the coverage of of what a certain female entertainer is trying to add the red carpet. to the industry with her performances.

With shows like the Fashion Police and “Best and #AskHerMore is a brilliant tactic to level out the Worst Dressed” lists bombarding the Internet after playing field for female entertainers. every award show, women are targeted based on

Entertainment

6

January 20, 2016

New This Week Movies

Jan. 22 - Dirty Grandpa (R), directed by Dan Mazer, starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Aubrey Plaza, Zoey Deutch and Julianne Hough Jan. 22 - The 5th Wave (PG-13), directed by J Blakeson, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Liev Schreiber and Maggie Siff Jan. 22- The Boy (PG-13), directed

by William Brent Bell, starring Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, James Russell and Jim Norton Jan. 22 - Exposed (R), directed by Declan Dale, starring Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Christopher McDonald and Mira Sorvino Jan. 22 - Caged No More (PG-13), directed by Lisa Arnold, starring Loretta Devine, Kevin Sorbo, Alan Powell and Cassidy Gifford

Music Jan. 22 - Dystopia -Megadeath Jan. 22 - Adore Life - Savages Jan. 22 - Moth - Chairlift Jan. 22 - Night Thoughts - Suede

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in gruesome Native tale

by Kirby Smith Staff Writer

“The Revenant,” released Jan. 8, is already one of the most talked about movies in theaters.

The film, inspired by true events, is directed by Academy Award winner Alejandro González Iñárritu starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. The beautifully brutal and brilliant plot captures the audience from the beginning.

This is the second film Hardy and DiCaprio have appeared in together.

They were both in “Inception” in 2010 and have remained good friends. Although they are playing enemies, the men have a good energy between them.

The film opens with a bloody battle between Native Americans and settlers.

It is a stunning representation of those violent battles and the feud between the two groups. To its credit, the film doesn’t portray either side as the “good guys” or the “bad guys.”

The survivors, including Hugh Glass (DiCaprio), escape the battle and start hiking into the fierce wilderness for shelter.

It is no shock that the film is nominated for Best Production

committed to this one 110%— eating raw buffalo liver and crawling inside a dead horse to keep warm.

The only negative of the film is the length, which is about three hours long.

Despite the film’s length there is never a dull moment. I was glued to the screen the whole time.

Already dominating the awards season, “The Revenant” has already won three Golden Globes: Best Motion Picture, Best Actor in a Motion Picture and Best Director.

It is the leading Oscar nominated film with 12 nominations, including Best Best Director, Best photo courtesy of www.rogersmovienation.com Picture, Leonardo DiCaprio aims for an Oscar in his latest role inspired by true events, The Revenant premiered Supporting Actor, and Best Actor.

Be prepared for gory, violent, on Dec. 25 nation-wide. and raw moments. This film is not Design, Best Costume Design, and while and leaves the audience and travels across the country through for a weak stomach.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling by Glass’s crew wondering how he is horrendous weather conditions, At some parts, I was absolutely the Academy. still alive. with barely any supplies and disgusted and had to turn away. I The viewer is immediately Although I knew the scene was faces many obstacles on the way. think my hands were covering my transported to the 1820s. All coming, the scene was extremely I honestly expected Glass to die at mouth 90% of the movie to keep the actors bear an uncanny difficult to watch. least 15 times during the movie. from gasping. resemblance to 1820s hunters Glass’s troop believes there is DiCaprio says about twenty But if you can handle bloody, through their clothing and rugged no way he can survive after the words the entire film, but this brutal and savage scenes, then go looks. attack and leaves Glass for dead. could easily be remembered as see this movie as soon as possible.

The most intense scene of the Thus, the theme of revenge his best performance. I cannot “The Revenant” is currently whole film is the bear attack. While begins. Glass is barely breathing, imagine anyone else playing Glass playing at Cinemark Theaters in out in the woods hunting, Glass but he ultimately finds the besides DiCaprio.

Conway. It is rated R for strong is attacked by a massive grizzly strength to seek revenge on the He has such a wide variety violence, sexual assault, language bear. The mauling goes on for a crew that left him behind. He of characters he’s played, but he and brief nudity.

RELEASE

Netflix Jan. 22 - Sharknado 3 (2015), directed

by Anthony C. Ferrante, starring Ian Ziering,Tara Reid, and Cassie Scerbo Jan. 23 - Chelsea Does (2016), directed by Eddie Schmidt, starring Chelsea Handler and Jeffrey Patrick Olson Jan. 25 -Turbo Kid (2015), directed by Anouk Whissell, François Simard, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, starring Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf and Michael Ironside

Rock band returns with catchy, smooth new album

by Austin Savell Staff Writer

They may claim that there ain’t no rest for the wicked, but hey, everyone needs a break eventually.

After an absence of a little over two years, Cage The Elephant returned on Dec. 18 with their newest album, “Tell Me I’m Pretty.”

The Kentucky based band got the party started on their new album when they released hit single “Mess Around” on Oct. 29.

This short, fun song, while maybe lacking a little bit in the lyrical department (two repeated lines make up over half the song), but

this catchy tune without a doubt does a great job of getting stuck in your head for hours and is without a doubt one of the catchier tunes on the album.

They followed up “Mess Around” by ultimately releasing two more singles before the release of the new album, the heartbreaking “Too Late To Say Goodbye” and the thought provoking “Trouble.” While the first single may fall slightly behind lyrically, these two come back with a vengeance and more than make up for its shortcomings. It would be a challenge for anyone to listen to “Too Late To Say Goodbye” without thinking about that one person

who they gave a little too much of themselves to or to “Trouble” without becoming an emotional mess thinking about losing what they care about the most.

With a strange title harkening back to older releases like “Japanese Buffalo” and “Sabertooth Tiger,” another standout song from the album is “Portuguese Knife Fight.” This single has a decidedly different sound than the rest of the album and gives it a unique change of pace, without a doubt becoming a key part of the album.

A personal favorite of mine from the new album would have to be the catchy “Cold Cold Cold.”

MEMOIR

Multitalented Lena Dunham declares “Not That Kind of Girl” in newest novel

by Mary Kate Mansfield Staff Writer

Lena Dunham, 29, the comedian and producer extraordinaire, proclaims she is just “Not that Kind of Girl” in her 2014 memoir of the same name where she offers up the most prized wisdom of her relatively short life.

This collection of essays is witty, relatable to anyone who has had the awkward experience of growing up and a great read all across the board.

Lena Dunham shows this unique personal correlation numerous times in her lists throughout the book.

One such list is “18 Unlikely Things I’ve Said Flirtatiously” which includes but is not limited to statements like “I’m obsessed with the curtains in your van!” and “Come to my party! We can’t talk or make noise because my neighbor is dying, but I spent a ton of money on salami.”

In the introduction of her possibly premature memoir she gives this disclaimer: “I am not a mother of three or the owner of a successful hosiery franchise. But I am a girl with a keen interest in having it all. What follows are hopeful dispatches from the front lines of that struggle.”

Dunham covers the angst of

Top Five Most Basic New Year’s Resolutions List compiled by Jennifer Buckley

being an adolescent with OCD and mild hypochondria, the trials of an experimenting college student and of course the narrative of the never-ending carousel of boys (with the occasional girl thrown into the mix).

Dunham is a writer and the producer of the hit show on HBO aptly named “Girls” and the creator of the indie film “Tiny Furniture.” Dunham is constantly referenced and praised by other media superstars, for her unabashed attitude.

Dunham’s honest approach to her image and life is refreshingly relatable to many girls navigating their way through their early 20’s.

Dunham relies on her intelligence and wit in tricky situations, opposed to focusing on improving her looks in order to solve her problems.

“Not that Kind of Girl” is filled with prose that is not only hilarious but sheds light on the mysterious generation society calls the millennial generation.

Not only does she shed light but she calls attention to the fact that the millennials are not so different than the generation before us.

In one essay Dunham describes having her heart broken, breaking more than one heart and trying to shake that one clingy guy she can’t seem to break up with, which is something every

1. Going to the gym Almost everyone knows a person who claims that in the New Year they are going to workout more and become fit.

For some, this plan may stick but for most this plan only lasts for about two weeks. People crave the thought of losing weight and having a perfect body but they do not want to do the work that it takes to achieve that goal. When the people who make these goals don’t see results within a few days they become discouraged and give up.

generation of women can relate to.

Though possibly a bit early in the writing of her memoir Dunham addresses her relatively young age well before the reader even starts the book by proclaiming on the cover that this book is about “A young woman tell[ing] you what she’s ‘learned’.”

Dunham shows a witty nature in her writing style by not only writing traditional narrative prose in her memoir but also including a chapter on e-mails she would send to various people (sadly remaining anonymous) if she were braver . Dunham also incorporates several entries into her food diary chronicling her love-hate relationship with food.

Dunham is famous (or infamous) for this blunt and witty style that graces this book and her other writing endeavors.

Dunham has faced harsh criticism for some of the content in her book; her blunt tone is poorly received by critics who fail to grasp Dunham’s unique prose.

Despite this criticism Dunham’s memoir was a New York Times best-seller and reached a new audience of women that have never been able to read about some of their personal struggles so transparently until now.

“Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned” is available on Amazon. com for $10.00.

2. Eat healthier Many people decide to cut junk food out of their diet with the start of the New Year, but often don’t follow through. The thought of eating more fruit and vegetables while cutting out cokes and Twinkies is really appealing, but like going to the gym, people do not follow through with it. This resolution is even more shortterm because cutting out those delicious sugars and carbs is just too difficult. Many may try, but few will succeed.

With its hypnotic rhythm and memorable lyrics, this is one song that you will without a doubt catch yourself turning all the way up to 11 and jamming to alone in your car on the way to work.

Rounding out “Tell Me I’m Pretty” are the fun and energetic “Sweetie Little Jean,” the emotional heartbreaker “How Are You True,” an upbeat but forgettable song in “That’s Right,” an aggressive, headbanging potential hit in “Punchin’ Bag,” as well as the song that kicks off the album, the depressing, yet somehow motivational “Cry Baby.”

Ultimately, it appears that Cage The Elephant have another

hit album with “Tell Me I’m Pretty.”

While it may lack some of the harder, more aggressive types of songs like “In One Ear” and “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” that made the band popular, it continues the band’s transition to a smoother, more melodic style that was previously seen in singles such as “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Shake Me Down.” Overall, “Tell Me I’m Pretty” is a very good album that should be picked up by any fan of the band or anyone looking to get into some of today’s best rock music.

“Tell Me I’m Pretty” is available on iTunes for $9.99.

WESTERN

Tarantino produces another spectacular action film

by Morgan Embry News Editor

“The Hateful Eight” is director Quentin Tarantino’s newest action film that relies on the expertise of an eclectic group of brillant actors to carry the film with smart dialouge that Tarantino is famous for.

The western is set after the fallout of the American Civil War and features a group of various rugged characters.

The film takes place in a remote cabin known as Minnie’s Haberdashery. The action takes off as the hateful eight seek refuge from a blizzard.

With a wide range of colorful characters including bounty hunters, criminals, war veterans and law enforcers, the story throws them all into a cabin for three days and invites you to watch what happens.

The stellar cast includes notable faces from past Tarantino films, such as Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth and of course, Samuel L Jackson. The carefuly chosen cast will not leave the viewer disappointed.

All the actors in the film are awesome. Madsen brings his usual charm and charisma and it’s great to see the return of Tim Roth, but for me, particular note has to go to Kurt Russell.

The veteran actor plays John Ruth, a notorious bounty hunter known as ‘the hangman’, who

3. Get more sleep Sleep is a crowd favorite, especially among college kids.

College students are starving for some Z’s, so it only makes sense for them to come up with a ridiculous resolution like this.

This really isn’t even a goal worth achieving. Sleep automatically becomes second priority to cramming for finals and a social life. Humans must sleep in order to function properly; therefore, this is yet another a basic resolution.

rocks up to the cabin handcuffed to his prisoner Daisy Domergue, intent on taking her to Red Rock to hang.

Ruth is simply a great big bastard of a man with a reputation for retribution and it’s Russell’s best role in years.

Jennifer Jason Leigh is a revelation as Daisy, a wildeyed, psychotic, nasty piece of work who basically serves as the films punching bag. Leigh’s performance is Oscar material.

Then there is Samuel L. Jackson. The man who was born to speak the words that Tarantino writes, who garners more monologue references than Shakespeare and who always ends up stealing the show.

He is in absolute top form as bounty hunter Major Warren, a badass gunslinger who thinks he has the whole thing sussed out.

He has some of the best dialogue in the film and a particular passage concerning a certain appendage of his, is delivered with expected menace.

It’s a clever film with an intriguing, murder-mystery style premise, fuelled by great dialogue and played out by an A-class ensemble.

“The Hateful Eight” is one of Tarantino’s best works as a whole.

The premise of the film revolves around the viewer deciding who to trust, but slowly realizing that no character is who they say they are.

4. Procrastinate less Just like each of the basic New Year’s resolutions already listed, this one is especially basic. We all attempt to avoid the work that we need to do by finding useless tasks to perform, binge watching Netflix, or cleaning parts of our room that have not seen attention for over a year. This particular resolution really means that the person could not think of anything better than the simple goal of prioritizing time more efficiently.

There’s no denying the director’s talent for storytelling. A story that takes place in one room and relies heavily on character and dialogue might sound boring to some, but when Tarantino’s at the helm it is brilliant.

It’s a tightly-woven, intricate story that has all the trademarks we’ve come to expect and many twists and surprises that make the three-hour run-time fly by.

Anyone expecting another “Django” may want to realign their expectations, as it’s more reminiscent of “Reservoir Dogs” than anything, which I’m sure you know is no bad thing.

“The Hateful Eight” would work just as well on the stage, as the complex and engaging characters, make up for the lack of a varied setting. The director has hopes for his film to grace the live stage.

But for now, his latest film can sit proudly alongside an expansive body of work, proving once again that Tarantino is a master filmmaker with the best dialogue in Hollywood who simply never fails to deliver. We are, quite frankly, very lucky to have him. If you love Tarantino then you’ll love “The Hateful Eight.”

“The Hateful Eight” is currently playing at Cinemark Theaters in Conway. It is rated R for strong bloody violence, a scene of violent sexual content, language, and some graphic nudity.

5. Focus on myself This basic resolution is summarized by, “I just want love myself more and find my place in this world.” How is this even a resolution and why is it becoming a “thing?” It is most likely some type of excuse used to explain that person’s lack of friends or social life. The fact is, no one cares how many friends you have or about your social life so quit coming up with lame excuses to make yourself feel better.

Sports

7

January 20, 2016

Week at a glance

Bears and Sugar Bears earn streak of SLC honors

Malachi Thornton Assistant Sports Editor

UCA ties for most to receive Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll honors.

The University of Central Arkansas is proud to have 105 students placed on the 2015 Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor roll for the fall semester.

Honorees of the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll are members of all sports that are sponsored by the league as well as member institutions.

UCA had 14 students this past semester with a perfect 4.0 grade average which included five from cross country, one from football, five from women’s soccer, and three from volleyball.

The student-athletes who scored perfect GPA average’s were: Megan Nash (SLC volleyball student-atheleteof-the-year), Samantha Anderson and Nicole Peters from volleyball; Albert Maedor, Ian Smith, Alex Dorch, Rhandi Jackson and Madison Sewell from cross country; Anna Hughes, Sarah Mayorga, Allie Moroney, Chele Naudin and Peyton Reisch from soccer; Jatavious Wilson from football.

The honor roll is determined at the conclusion of the fall and spring semester and is released 30 days later, students who maintain minimum of a 3.0 GPA qualify.

The student-athletes that qualify are nominated by their academic advisors and must have been eligible to compete in a conference sport during that academic year the nomination takes place.

It is always very impressive to see student athletes competing and being successful not only on the field of play, but also in the classroom.

Congratulations to all those who made the conference honor roll for the fall.

Upcoming games Men’s Basketball

Jan.19 vs Houston Baptist in Conway at 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Jan. 21 at New Orleans in Lakefront Arena at 7 p.m.

Men’s Track and Women’s Track

Jan. 22 vs Arkansas State in Jonseboro at TBA Women’s Tennis

Jan. 23 vs Univeristy of North Texas in Denton at 12 p.m.

Bears take down HBU behind Proffitt, McWilliams

Malachi Thornton Assistant Sports Editor

The Sugar Bears endured a tough battle this past Thursday Jan. 13 against the Houston Baptist Huskies in a game that was decided by just one point.

Central Arkansas came off a very strong victory earlier in the week against Lamar and were going into the next home game with some confidence.

None of that mattered to the Lady Huskies as they started off the scoring for the night.

The Bears began to come back and pull away afterwards with a 7-2 run started by junior guard Brianna Mullins.

Both teams played tough and didn’t allow much scoring in the first quarter but an amazing shot from nearly half-court by senior guard Jameka Watkins sent the bench railing and the crowd on their feet.

The Sugar Bears went into the second quarter with adrenaline and started off with another threepointer by Mullins but couldn’t seem to get hot again on the court.

The Bears had played below

photo courtesy of UCA Athletics

Freshman guard Olivia McWilliams celebrates the Sugar Bears’ win over Houston Baptist on Jan. 13th.

McWilliams made three free throws with 3.3 seconds left in the game to win the game. potential for much of the quarter in a low-scoring effort but still remained with the lead and a seven point margin ending the

first half 21-14.

“They just need to slow down and let the game come to them,” boyfriend Vincent Love said,

“Brianna and the girls are playing good but they need to be more aggressive.”

The women would return

leaving the woes of the first half in the past but allowed a comeback

by Houston Baptist.

The opponents came out of the break with a game-plan and began to play more aggressively with their big players allowing them to do most of the damage close to the basket.

The Sugar Bears struggled to contain senior forward Monet Neal of the Huskies as she completed a double-double scoring 18 points with 15 rebounds. She would eventually tie the score at 31-31 with 7:06 left on the clock. The Huskies would soon quiet the crowd by earning a lead late into the fourth quarter.

UCA was given a slight lead when junior Raquel Logan converted one of her shots from the foul line, bringing the score 40-39.

Houston Baptist followed with one of the most climactic moments of the night—scoring a quick three-pointer which gave them a two-point lead with 27.5

See Basketball- page 8

LOSS

Bears fall to Lumberjacks 64-85; moving to 1-3 in SLC

by Jordan Johnson Opinion Editor

The UCA mens basketball team (2-12) lost 64-85 to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (10-5) Jan. 18 at the WRJ Coliseum in Nacogdoches, Texas.

The Lumberjacks made their first field goal within 25 seconds of the first half and maintained their lead for the next 39 minutes.

The Bears were unable to gain the lead in either half of the game, but came close to a tie with roughly eight minutes left in the first half. Sophmore point guard Jordan Howard and junior guard Derreck Brooks made a three-pointer each within thirty seconds, bringing the score to 20-18.

The largest lead by the Lumberjacks was 28 points with four minutes left in the game.

The Bears’ total percentage of field goals made was 45.8 percent, making 27 of 59 attempted field goals.

The field goal percentage dropped from 50 percent in the first half to 42.4 percent in the second half as the Lumberjacks’ lead rose from eight points to 13 points.

The Bears had a total of 24 turnovers over the course of the game as compared to the Lumberjacks’ 14. Justin Foreman

photo courtesy of UCA athletics

UCA Sophomore point guard Jordan Howard starts the play against Stephen F. Austin on January 12th. Howard led the Bears with 19 points while playing 40 minutes. led the Bears in turnovers with a total of seven; Jake Zuilhof led in blocks, making two of five total blocks by UCA. Sophomore point guard Jordan Howard led the Bears in field goals as well as total points.

Howard scored a total of 19 points in Tuesday’s game—successfully making seven of 18 attempted

field goals (39 percent).

This was a slight drop from Howard’s average of around 43 percent, but he scored more points than his average of 17.3 per game. Howard’s season record of total points scored was 36 points against Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Jan. 5.

Brooks trailed Howard

slightly in total points with 16, but surpassed his field goal percentage. Brooks scored seven of 12 attempted field goals, with a resulting 58 percent field goal percentage, surpassing his own average of 44 percent of field goals attempted.

Brooks also made 13 of the Bears’ 37 rebounds, with five

offensive rebounds and eight defensive rebounds.

Tuesday’s game was the Bears’ fourth in the Southland Conference and their third loss, leaving UCA at 1-3 in the conference. The Lumberjacks are currently 3-0 in the Southland Conference.

M O V I N G F O R WA R D

ROAD WIN

Sugar Bears nearly shuts out Soccer parts ways with assistant coaches Oral Roberts with 6-1 win Erica Nicolas

Assistant News Editor UCA women’s tennis pulled off a 6-1 win to start the 2016 season against Oral Roberts on Jan. 17 at the Case Tennis Center in Tulsa.

Senior Nataly Yoo and Sophomore Amiru Shimoguchi slayed the first doubles match against Jovanna Antonijevic and Ceijenia Cornelius, 6-1.

The second match was not won as easily as Yoo and Shimoguchi’s, but Freshmen Xylia Chunan Xiang and Marli Van Heerdan snatched the win from Andrada Gordon and Petya Semonova, 6-6 (9-7).

The final doubles match resulted in Freshmen QiLi Ma and Rada Manataweewat completing the winning streak 6-2 against Ximena Puentes and Valentina Maya Gisbert.

In the first singles match, Yoo and Cornelius battled head-tohead with Yoo earning the win 6-2, 6-3.

Victory followed Xiang into the second match as she defeated Antonijevic 6-0, 4-6, 10-2.

Ma lost the third match against Simonova with a consistent score of 4-6, 4-6.

In the fourth match, Shimoguchi was able to pull the team back up with a win of 6-4, 6-3 against Gordon.

The fifth match was easily won by Van Heerdan against opponent Gisbert with a solid 6-0, 6-2.

The winning streak continued on as Manataweewat slammed opponent Puentes by 6-2 in both sets of the final match.

Along with the new season, there is also a new rule regarding sets per match.

The rule requires a match to consist of six sets instead of eight.

This causes players to give it their best shot as soon as the first ball is served.

“It’s going to make a difference how we come out and play from the get-go. We have to be very intense from the start,” Yoo said.

Yoo, who started playing tennis at the age of four, has been a Sugar Bear since Spring 2015.

Over the years, she has learned how to play to her opponent’s weaknesses. This tactic enables her to play not only stronger, but also smarter.

“I used to play just one way, hard and attacking all the time,” Yoo said. “Don’t get me wrong, I still do but when it’s necessary, I play to win.”

Her doubles partner, Shimoguchi, is very excited about

See Tennis- page 8

photo courtesy of UCA Sports

UCA’s 2015 Men’s Soccer Squad

By Taran Meyer Sports Editor

The University of Central Arkansas Men’s Soccer program has already had a busy offseason and it’s not even two weeks into the semester.

Over the Christmas break, the program released Associate Head Coach Ryan Webb and Assistant Coach Michael Brown.

Both of whom were looking for new challenges in their coaching careers.

Junior striker Wes Carson said he was sad to see these individuals leave the program, but knew it was in the interest of moving the program forward.

“It’s a tough loss for the program, but the changes made look to be positive,” he said.

“The goal is to move the program forward and for that to happen,

changes need to be incorporated.”

The team finished last season 2-15-1, and made an early exit from the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Frustrations began to mount as far back as two seasons ago when the team had a few stagnant seasons in a row.

“This program has a positive future,” said alumni Daylon Schiffel. “These changes have invigorated the players they are once again excited to prepare for the upcoming season,” he said.

Schiffel who is training with the team for part of the spring semester to prepare for professional tryouts, says he enjoys the new life that the changes have brought to the entire team.

With results not going the way the Bears prepared for them to go, new ways of implementing training tactics was the decision that was made. With all of the

players spending time in the weight room and on the practice field, as well as the classroom, all of the players said they wanted to start winning games.

Sophomore goalkeeper Harrison Veith said, “It’s frustrating to work hard every day and not get the results in the game. The team never quit and we always worked hard. Hopefully the changes in the staff can be that final piece that we need.”

There was no animosity from anyone and the players wished the best of luck to both Webb and Brown whereever their future takes them.

The team will continue the offseason by working hard in the gym and on the field to prepare for next fall.

They will play six games this spring against, Missouri State, Memphis, Oral Roberts, Ouachita Baptist, John Brown, and will end with playing the UCA Alumni.

8/ January 20, 2016

SPORTS

Basketball:

DOMINANT

ucaecho.net

Strong performance from freshman carries the

Sugar Bears to the win

4 Continued from page 7

McWilliams seconds left on the clock.

UCA turned the ball over on their next possession but the

women refused to give in to the pressure.

On the Huskies next possession Mullins forced a charge that gave them the ball again with 10 seconds on the clock.

The game landed in the hands of Freshman Guard Olivia McWilliams of Little Rock Arkansas as she went up for a three and was fouled with three seconds left on the clock. Until that point in the game, McWilliams had not taken a shot She would goon knock down all three free-throws, propelling the ladies toward victory.

“We played hard, we played really hard and we struggled a lot but we came together at the end and pulled out another win. We have fun with each other off the court and we’re really tight like that…we support one another,” Junior Brianna Mullins said.

The Sugar Bears are feeling confident off the win and look to carry it onto their next game at New Orleans when they face the Privateers.

The women will have a week off before the next game in New Orleans in Lakefront Arena at 7 p.m.

E A R LY R U N N I N G photo courtesy of ucasports.com

The University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears celebrate their convincing win over Lamar University, 74-49. The Sugar Bears led the game a total of 32:49.

Women’s Basketball convincingly beats Lamar, improves SLC place Malachi Thornton Assistant Sports Editor

The UCA Sugar Bears put up a convincing win over Lamar University this past Monday, Jan. 11 at home in The Farris Center.

The Sugar Bears were coming off two back-to-back road victories and looking to gain some momentum by beginning another home stand after suffering a loss in their last game at home to Abilene Christian University on Jan 2.

Both teams came out aggressive and battled it out for the first points until Lamar reached the foul line two minutes in.

UCA started off hot regaining the lead early after a three-pointer by junior shooting-guard Maggie Proffitt and pushed the margin by forcing themselves to the foul line repeatedly.

Lamar smothered UCA by playing strong defense by interrupting the passing lanes and forcing ball direction, creating turnovers.

The opponents stuck to their

physical style of gameplay until they were able to slim the margin even after it cost them a number of attempts from the foul line courtesy of UCA. UCA soon regained composure and went on a tear, resulting in a 9-0 run, ending the first quarter with a three-pointer right at the buzzer by Proffitt.

“The girls have been playing like this which is good to see and they’re looking good, starting the games off with a lead and playing good team basketball,” UCA supporter Cam Robinson said.

Much of the second quarter continued the same, starting off with exchanges of threepointers and jump shots as Lamar attempted to climb back out of the deficit lead.

The Sugar Bears held true and ended the first half with a sixpoint margin.

Coming out of halftime Lamar continued their aggressive plays and tried to retake the lead but UCA withstood the attack and fired back with attacks of their own by seniors Jameka Watkins

and Kendara Watts.

The Sugar Bears wouldn’t allow Lamar to come within 10 points for the remainder of the game by playing lock down defense and pushing the ball in transition.

UCA moved the ball all around the court finding good shots building a 25-point lead which was the largest of the game to hold the final score 74-49.

Nearly five players on the UCA roster ended the game with double digits in points and the bench provided for 16.

Proffitt led all scorers on the evening with 26 points going 9-20 and hitting 5-11 from long range.

“We’re feeling good right now and we’re having a lot of fun on top of it,” Watkins said.

The women are focused and on a three-game winning streak while receiving high support from their fans.

The Sugar Bears have their sights set on Houston Baptist next and the game will be played at home on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Farris Center.

Central Arkansas shows well at Kentucky T&F Invitational

Online Editor

Strong performance starts the season off right, paves the way for the rest of the season 4 Continued from page 7 her first wins as a Sugar Bear.

Shimoguchi has only been in America for two weeks and is proving her skill in the collegiate world of tennis.

“I think I can improve my skills [on] what I could not do for the first match,” Shimoguchi said.

“I am practicing playing tennis everyday, so [a] good result is coming soon.”

The Sugar Bears will compete in their next games on Jan. 23 at noon in Denton at the University of North Texas. photo by UCA Athletics The Bears look to clinch a Freshman Marli Van Herdeen hits to score a point against Oral win as they grow stronger in both singles and doubles play.

Roberts. Van Herdeen won her match 6-6 (9-7).

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Senior Josh Quiroga races at the Kentucky Invitational. Quiroga finish the 800 meter with the fourth best time in school history with a 1:53.59.

By Maggie McNeary

Tennis:

Sports photographers needed

photo courtesy of ucasports.com

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Sixteen members of the UCA men’s and women’s track and field teams placed in the Top 10 at the Kentucky Track and Field Invitational at the University of Kentucky Nutter Fieldhouse.

Several members of the men’s team placed in the Top 10. Sophomore Daniel Lawson finished the 400-meter dash with a time of 49.92.

Senior Josue Quiroga finished fourth overall in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53:39. Lawson and Quiroga were also on a relay team that placed seventh out of eleven teams in the 4x400.

Fellow members of the relay team were senior Anthony Hamilton and junior Aaron Hamilton.

Quiroga said he was pleased with the track team’s results at the Kentucky Invitational and called the 800-meter open “a very close race.”

“The team did well. We started the meet off well with the DMR [distance medley relay], [we] ran 10:11 which was only 1 second of the school record,” he said.

Both men’s and women’s teams did well in the high jump.

Sophomore Eric Moore placed fourth out of 20 jumpers with a length of 2.09 meters, while junior Fulani Petties placed fourth out of 36 jumpers with a length of 1.70 meters.

According to UCA Sports, Petties tied her own school record in this jump. Men and women also placed high in the triple jump.

Sophomore Jaheel Lilly placed sixth in the men’s triple jump with a length of 14.14 meters.

Two members of the women’s team placed in the Top 10: Jasmine Campbell in sixth place with 11.45 meters and Aysia Oliver in eighth with 11.29 meters.

Lilly, as well as teammate and fellow sophomore Anthony FarrisKing, also placed in the Top 10 of the men’s long jump.

Lilly placed tenth out of 27

jumpers with a length of 6.83 meters. Farris-King placed a little higher; he was sixth and jumped 7.02 meters.

Even though the first meet of the season was on Dec. 4, 2015, Quiroga said many members of the team didn’t run because the coach was resting them. For many team members, this was effectively their first meet.

“Well it was the first meet of the season for myself as well as other members on the team and it looks like some of us are off to a good start and others may need a little work, but overall the meet went well,” he said.

Quiroga was optimistic about the season to come.

“The season ahead looks promising as long as everyone is working hard, I could see a lot of individuals scoring at the Southland Conference this upcoming indoor season,” he said.

The UCA men’s and women’s track and field teams will next run on Jan. 22, 2015 at the A-State Invitational.

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