Issue 20, Volume 117-- March 8, 2022

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SINGLE COPY PAID FOR BY STUDENT PUBLICATION

WEDNESDAY

MARCH 9, 2022 Volume 117 — Issue 20

ucanews.live TODAY’S FORECAST CONWAY

Sports:

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Campus Life:

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BY EMILY KENNARD

THE NEWSDESK

Staff Writer

FROM THE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

I N T E R N AT I O N A L End of war not in sight, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, March 7, that he does not expect a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine for weeks.

He said that he has told the Russian leader that a ceasefire must come before any real dialogue, but President Vladimir Putin has refused.

“I don’t think that in the days and weeks to come there will be a true negotiated solution,” Macron said at a forum in Poissy, a southwest suburb of Paris.

N AT I O N A L

U.S. gas prices reach highs, $4 a gallon

The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline has raised 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA. In the past week, gasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest prive Americans have faced since July, 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil. Gas prices were rising long before Russia invaded Ukraine and have spiraled faster since the start of the war.

The week of Feb. 28 saw many efforts from Arkansas officials to support Ukraine, including legislative resolutions condemning Russia adopted in both the Arkansas House and Senate.

State Senator Jim Hendren filed two resolutions Feb. 28 condemning Russia — SR26 and SR27 — which were both co-signed by two Democratic senators and entitled “To condemn the actions of the Russian Federation taken against the sovereign nation of Ukraine and to call for action from the United States.”

Hendren is an independent who publicly exited the Republican party in February 2021 after citing a lack of accountability about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

“It’s really more to make sure that the people of Arkansas heard clearly from their leaders what the truth was. The folks who are fighting in Ukraine deserve that, and I was proud that the Legislature stepped up and clearly defined this was Vladimir Putin’s war, and he is an evil war criminal,” Hendren said to Arkansas

PBS. After working to make the resolution’s wording more bipartisan, senators changed SR33’s title to add “to call for action from the United States to penalize the Russian Federation.” They also added two clauses — one calls for the U.S. “to place sanctions on Russian oil and other natural resources,” and the other calls for the U.S. “to take steps to increase the amount of non-Russian oil available to the United States and other countries, and to take steps to make the United States an energy independent country.”

State Senator Terry Rice presented the resolution with 34 co-sponsors, and it passed unanimously in the 35-member body. The only state senator who did not co-sponsor the resolution was Senator Trent Garner, a Republican who submitted SR28, which blamed President Obama’s Administration for Russia’s 2014 Crimean invasion and President Biden for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In his speech before its unanimous adoption, Hendren said the resolution does the right thing by only condemning Putin.

“It wasn’t Barack Obama, or Donald Trump

or Joe Biden. It’s Vladimir Putin,” he said.

Though they don’t make or change policy, resolutions express a collective sentiment of the legislative body. That is why, upon their adoptions, both SR33 and its counterpart in the House, HR1035, were sent to President Joe Biden, Arkansas senators and representatives in the United States Congress, and the majority and minority leaders in the U.S. House and Senate.

Representative Aaron Pilkington filed HR1035 on Feb. 25, and the Arkansas House adopted it unanimously March 1.

The key difference between HR1035 and SR33 is that the House Resolution’s title adds “to penalize the Russian Federation and deter similar conduct from other nations.” It adds that the Arkansas House of Representatives “support the people of Taiwan and free people everywhere,” saying that the government’s failure to adequately respond to Russia could lead to China taking similar measures against Taiwan. It also calls for the production of more domestic oil and the reauthorization of the Keystone Pipeline.

HR1035 had no co-

Jury selection begins Tuesday, March 8, in the trial of four men who are accused of conspiring to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The kidnapping plot was in retaliation against her stay-home policies and other COVID-19 restrictions during the early months of the pandemic.

The suspects are accused of taking critical steps over several months, including secret messaging, gun drills in the woods and a night drive to northern Michigan to scout her second home and figure out how to blow up a bridge.

A.R. COVID-19 cases continue to decline The number of COVID-19 by

41 to 371, the Arkansas Department

of

Health

reported Saturday. This was the first time hospitalizations dropped below 400 since Nov.

29,

the

Arkansas

Democrat-Gazette reported.

“COVID-19 is still with us, but we have more tools now, more knowledge now, more people that are protected now, so we don’t need as stringent of public health measures,” Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

CEO

Joe

Thompson said in an interview on Friday, March 4.

Governor Asa Hutchinson instructed all Cabinet Secretaries to begin internal reviews of their departments to determine if any contracts between Arkansas and Russian entities existed.

“We must do everything in our power to ensure that Mr. Putin and his enablers pay for their actions,” the letter said.

Hutchinson spoke

See Bills page 2

GRANTS

BY

BRAYDEN BAILEY

Staff Writer

Photo by Milo Strain

Students met with local, national and international companies to network and discover employment and internship opportunities. The dress code for the fair was business wear.

Career fair offers opportunities, local businesses gather at UCA BY

MILO STRAIN

UCA Career Services held the Spring Job Fair, the final career fair of the semester, in the Ronnie Williams Student Center ballroom on March 2.

From 9-12 a.m. UCA students looking for internships or full-time positions could meet and network with the 66 businesses and employers that attended the fair.

“It’s very good for networking, even if you don’t get an internship out of it,” senior Aurora King said. “[Life Strategies Counseling] were potentially talking about opening up a marketing internship, and since I’m a public relations major and I’m very passionate about mental health services that was one I was looking at,” King said.

Index:

4Police Beat 4People of UCA 4Students Say

sponsors in the Democratic party.

“I tried to draft it and get it filed in a timely manner and that it would be on the calendar as soon as possible.

The lack of Democrat cosponsors is merely not having enough time to discuss it with many of their members,” Pilkington said.

“I think Arkansas and Gov. Hutchinson are doing a lot of the right things [about Putin and Ukraine],” Pilkington said.

In a Feb. 28 letter,

SURF aids graduate students

Opinion Editor

S TAT E

Photo courtesy of John Thurston’s Twitter

The Arkansas State Capitol lit up with the colors of Ukraine’s flag. Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston shared the photo to his twitter.

JOBS

Kidnapping trial to begin on March 8th

fell

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Arkansas Legislature signs resolutions in support of Ukraine

Sunny

hospitalizations

Baseball: Sophomore AJ Mendolia finds second home at UCA.

New release: Euphoria season finale is a comedown, maybe a letdown.

Art: UCA students showcase work at Baum Gallery.

While 66 employers and hundreds of students sounds like a sizable event, UCA career fairs were even larger before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Normally for the all majors fair we have at least 80 companies, but with COVID, we scaled it down,” said Crystal Romine, Cooperative Education Program Coordinator for Career Services and one of the organizers of the job fair.

Students of all majors were welcome to attend, and there were a variety of business sectors represented. Over half of the employers were looking for bilingual applicants, and employers that had internship positions, as well as full-time positions open, could be identified by a purple balloon attached to their table.

Many Arkansasbased businesses had a presence at the job

fair including Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp, Arkansas Federal Credit Union and Edafio, an IT management and consulting firm based here in Conway. There were several government departments and jobs present as well. The Arkansas Dept. of Finance and Administration and the Arkansas State Bank Department both had tables and were looking for students wanting to go into public service or management.

The North Little Rock Police Department also had a table.

The UCA Police Department was also in attendance, looking for students interested in working with them.

There were multiple nationwide and regional

See Jobs page 2

The Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship group held a zoom meeting on the opportunity for students to gain funding for their research and creative projects through SURF. The SURF program offers the chance for students to conduct their research and creative projects with the help of funding and the guidance of a mentor. The meeting encouraged students of any major, STEM or other, to apply.

Sarah Bailey, the proposal development specialist, assured students that SURF is a good opportunity for grant writing and impressing future employers with their resumes.

“I can’t say enough how willing we are to help and encourage you to come to us,” Bailey said.

Students will need to develop their own budget for their project, as well as choose a mentor for guidance and review.

Students will need a resume for themselves and their mentors to apply.

Though it may seem “tedious,” SURF has a checklist to help organize that process, and students “get a sense … this was worth it,” Douglas George, a faculty member for four different SURF brands, said.

However, the grant opportunity is not to be taken lightly. Many leaders of the meeting spoke of the importance of having very pronounced writing skills to stand out from other applicants.

“When we are reviewing the applications, we really are interested in those that

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Opinion:

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6 4Opinion 4 4Entertainment 7 4 4Sports 5, 8

are written in the students’ words and the students’ writing,” Pamela Ashcraft, a SURF reviewer for about 10 years, said.

Ashcraft shared some insight into what SURF reviewers look for when choosing applicants for funding and what every applicant should strive for when creating their application.

“There are some mandatory things that we look at like GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership activities … and we look at things like the significance of the study, the appropriateness of … study design, and the scientific merit … and the larger population as a whole,” Ashcraft said.

Students are also encouraged to attend academic conferences, and things of the like to get familiar with the process.

The deadline for registering for SURF is Sep. 30, 2022, and its deadline to complete the application for the SURF grant is Oct. 18, 2022.

“If we’re going to do research, if we’re going to collect data … let’s go to an academic conference,” George said.

Students have the potential to “receive either a $1250 or $2500 discretionary stipend (depending on project length) to spend and $750 conference travel funds to present their research or project,” according to SURF’s UCA page.

The amount of money received depends on the length of the study, ranging from one to three semesters, more semesters typically gaining more funding.

Grades shouldn’t matter in college.

E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @ucaecho The Echo ucaecho © 2022 The Echo, Printed by The Courier, Russellville, Arkansas.

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Police Beat

NEWS

ucanews.live

Grants:

The following information is compiled from UCAPD incident reports

by Assistant News Editor Kathryn Thornberry

4 Continued from page

Two students back Student’s bicycle Car wreck outside into one another stolen on camera Bear Village Apt.

Officer Colvin was called to Reynolds Performance Hall on Wednesday, March 2, after UCA students Riley White and Mary Zimmerebner backed their vehicles into each other’s.

Riley White said as he backed out of his parking space moving east, he was not aware that Zimmerebner was backing out at the same time. After hitting Zimmerebner’s car, he pulled back into his parking spot. Damage to the truck was estimated at $200, done to the driver’s side rear on the bumper.

Zimmerebner said when she was packing her car out, she also was unaware of the truck behind her.

Damage to Zimmerebner’s car was on the driver’s side on the bumper, including the tail light. The estimated damage was $2,000.

Bills:

On Wednesday, March 2, Officer Shaw reviewed camera footage showing a male stealing UCA student Cade Richesin’s bicycle in the courtyard area by Farris Center. Richesin reported the bicycle stolen. He said he noticed it missing that morning at 7:30 am. He also said that he had locked the bike to the bike rack.

The next day, on March 2, Officer Shaw reviewed the footage and saw Richesin park his bike at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, March 1. At 7:19 pm that night, Shaw saw a slender male ride a bike directly to the bike rack, and a couple of moments later, walk to Richesin’s bike. The subject removed something from his bag, and then removed Rickesin’s bike from the bike rack and exited the area on Richesin’s bike.

Mentors would also receive a $750 fund for the On Thursday, March use of aiding the student 3, Officer Hodgens in their research whether was dispatched to Bear it be for traveling expenses Village in response to or materials needed for the UCA student Talon Boyd student to conduct creative hitting the vehicle of UCA student Jaden Marsh.

Once Hodgens arrived at Bear Village, Boyd said that she had been backing into a parking space when she hit a red Camaro in the left rear side, with the left rear side of her vehicle.

The Camaro was legally parked and unoccupied at the time. While Hodgens was getting information for the accident, Jaden Marsh — the owner of the Camaro — arrived at the scene. He was advised of the accident, and both parties were given a report number and advised to contact their insurance companies to resolve the accident.

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projects and research.

The UCA SURF program submits every year and funds between “five and twenty-two proposals,” showing the opportunity for students to succeed.

More information can be found on the University of Central Arkansas Office and Research and Sponsored Programs website.

STUDENT VOICES

AR Legislature shows support for Ukraine

4 Continued from page

about how Arkansas is getting involved in the conflict in his March 4 weekly radio address.

“I directed a review of our investments, and our alcohol distributors agreed to no longer buy Russian vodka. We need to do more,” he said.

Hutchinson also talked about Conway’s Kateryna Pitchford, a Ukrainian

Jobs:

SURF program helps students

Graphic by Mia Waddell

1

associate professor at Central Baptist College who has friends and family in Kyiv and Dnipro.

“She is proud to inform friends in Ukraine that the Hellfire and Stinger missiles going to their country are made in her home state,” Hutchinson said. The missiles are being produced in Camden, Arkansas, by General

The logo of UCA’s Student Government Association. The student group, led by President Mya Hall, meets weekly with concerns of students.

Dynamics.

The rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol building lit up blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukraine flag, the night of Feb. 28. Frank Scott Jr., Little Rock mayor, tweeted Feb. 25 that the city’s downtown bridges would be illuminated with blue and yellow until Feb. 27 to show support for Ukraine.

Students network with employers

4 Continued from page

companies, such as fried chicken chain Raising Cane’s, Penske Truck Rental and SherwinWilliams Paint.

International companies were looking for future employees.

Dassault Falcon, an aviation company headquartered in Paris, France known for making luxury business jets, was at the job fair and was the only company giving oncampus interviews that

1

day, although they were only interested in finance majors. Dassault Falcon operates a service center for their jets out of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.

Students of all classifications filtered through the job fair before it ended at noon, all dressed in business attire per the event’s dress code.

“There’s benefits for

every classification …

You can network with everybody and then get your foot in the door, and they’ll know you for the next few years because normally it’s the same recruiters that come each year,” said Romine.

Students interested in attending the next career fair will have to wait until next semester and watch for announcements from Career Services.

To-go green box program to continue; Ukraine Q&A panel planned for April BY

KATHRYN THORNBERRY

Assistant News Editor

SGA met on Monday, March 7, in the College of Business to discuss events coming up on campus, as well as to recognize women of SGA amidst Women’s History Month.

SGA showcased a woman of the week: Montana Cramer, sophomore class president.

Allies in STEM presented an International Transgender Day event happening this month, with the goal of having students create their own buttons with their preferred identity.

Whether it be their sexuality, gender expression or nationality, students can gain support through diversity and visibility of different marginalized groups around campus.

Jim Nabors, the general manager with Aramark, addressed issues and improvements planned for the Go-Green containers available for students for takeout food from the cafeteria.

Nabors said that the

cafeteria can go back to styrofoam, but is really trying to avoid that. He said he knows the program needs improvement, and he is trying to revamp it.

“What I really like to do is continue that to-go program only with the green boxes going out,” Nabors said. “I just ordered another 20 dozen.”

Nabors explained how the cleaning process for these reusable to-go boxes work.

“It goes through the wash cycles, then the rinse cycles and then it goes through the hightemperature sanitizing cycles,” Nabors said.

Nicolette Stokes is the new sustainability manager with UCA Dining.

Stokes said she has been working on composting vegetable scraps and recycling the tin cans.

She also said she tries to have at least one sustainability event on campus every month at the Ronnie Williams Student Center.

One of the main events coming up is called the Green Growth fest, scheduled for April 7.

“The event is basically

going to be a farmer’s market/ food truck event,” Stokes said.

Stokes said they are trying to contact local vendors in Arkansas that sell produce, as well as local food trucks for students and faculty to come and purchase food, and have a good time.

UCA Day of Giving is Thursday, March 10.

The Academic Affairs committee is trying to get a panel of professors who are knowledgeable in political science, history, economics, etc. to answer questions and ease concerns of student’s involving the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The panel may be on April 5.

The Diversity Committee is hosting an event called The Sandbox to encourage students to “play like we did as kids in a sandbox,” set to be on March 31.

Senator Colby Wilson said the idea for the event is big, similar to tailgating.

“Imagine a Saturday afternoon, right before we play football,” Wilson said. “But this time, we’ll have food, games and music.”

Local News

The following information is compiled from local news reports

by Assistant News Editor Kathryn Thornberry

Two fatal shootings occur in Conway within 8 days Two shootings resulting in fatalities occurred within 8 days of each other in Conway.

Tyrius Harris, 24, was booked into the Faulkner County Detention Center at 3:33 pm Tuesday, March 1, in relation to a shooting that happened on early Saturday morning, Feb. 26.

Harris is facing charges of first-degree murder, terroristic act, two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a handgun by certain persons, and carrying a weapon.

Officers responded to a shots-fired call at 1:56 am,

Feb. 26 at 1150 Neal St., according to the CPD’s calls for service log.

When police arrived at the scene at the intersection of Neal and Garland streets, they saw the victim, who was later identified as 40-year-old David Hood Jr., had been shot.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

As of Wednesday afternoon, March 2, there is no bond amount or attorney listed for Harris.

This shooting was the second of the two that happended within 8 days of each other.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, at 4:41 am, cops received a

death call — a call received by the police that a person is dead.

Police arrived shortly before 5 am to the 1900 block of Rich Smith Lane in response to the call of an individual laying on the ground.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a suspect who is currently unidentified, deceased with a gunshot wound.

The only other current information on this shooting is that the victim was a male.

Because both of the cases are still active, information is limited.

Campus Life March 9, 2022

Around Campus:

Cram Jam: Coffee Bar, Art Kits and Music From 6:30-7:30 p.m. on March 9, the Student Activities Board will host an event in the Student Center Ballroom where students can go to relax and study. The event will have free food and art kits.

Tough Talk: Gender and Sexuality From 7-9 p.m. on March 9, the Honors College will host an event where the mentors in Farris Hall will talk about gender and sexuality in the Farris Hall Presentation Room

General Recital From 1:30-2:30 p.m. on March 10, the Music Department will host a general recital in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall where various performers will perform.

Artists in Residence From 7:30-9:00 p.m. on March 10, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will host an Artists in Residence public presentation event in the Bridges Larson Theatre in the Snow Fine Arts Center featuring Tanya Orellana and Isabel Rubio.

The Big Event From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 12, The Big Event, which is UCA’s biggest day of service, will kick off at the Farris Center before volunteers head off to their assigned job locations. The event is a chance for members of the UCA community to give back to Conway.

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Publishers share advice, field experience

BY EMILEE HAGEWOOD Sports Editor

workshops was how she got ahead in her publishing career.

Students spent time listening “I think the theme is like, to the pros and cons of being a just to always be submitting, that publisher in Arkansas from three would be my big advice. Just panelists as a part of the Arkatext always be exchanging work with Literary Festival on Wednesday, people and sending work out,” March 2.

Jackson said.

The three publishers were The network she built from Danielle Jackson from the those workshops has continued Oxford American, Erin Wood to help her in her career today. from Et Alia Press and David The other panelists agreed that Scott Cunningham with the the workshops were incredibly University of Arkansas Press. helpful in the long run and that The panelists started by they still reach out to their old sharing their day-to-day duties at colleagues for advice. their jobs and describing what it’s They explained how good like to work as a publisher. writing is a crucial part of being a Jackson said finding a good publisher because they do a publishing job is hard to do right lot of editing. out of college, as there isn’t a It’s difficult to edit work large market for it in Arkansas, so without a good background in she moved to New York. A lot of writing, and they encouraged her work consisted of marketing students pursuing publishing to and doing marketing research, take advantage of the workshops “all the while I was freelance offered on campus. writing,” Jackson said.

Wood is the owner of Et Being a publisher takes a Alia Press, a small publishing lot of writing, and Jackson said company that works mainly with that participating in writing first-book authors. Her story of

how she came to publishing was that she started out doing law school and working in law firms.

She loved the writing but felt like she was pleasing others in her work and not herself.

“I loved persuasive writing, forming arguments, thinking about what moved people to this version of facts, which is very similar, I guess, to what you do in creative nonfiction,” Wood said.

After her father passed away, Wood moved back to Arkansas and went back to school to get her master’s in technical and professional writing.

Towards the end of her education journey, one of her professors approached her and asked if she would be willing to join the small press he was forming.

She had no idea that saying yes in 2010 would lead her to her role of owner and publisher for Et Alia Press. Looking at other small presses that were doing well, she noticed that they all had a niche, and finding her’s would

lead to great success.

Wood said, “When I took it over four years ago by myself, it became very focused on nonfiction and children’s books with a strong tie to Arkansas. I thought, if I’m going to do three to five books per year, it’s like, why not promote the state that I’m from, the state that I love, there’s so much richness here.”

Although she’s had a great time working for Et Alia Press, there were, and continue to be, new challenges every day.

“It can be frustrating at times because I think some writers can lean on me a little bit too much. I always try to be very careful that the book stays within their vision and not my vision,” Wood said.

Cunningham spoke on how the relationship between publishers and writers can be complex and difficult at times.

“It’s a weird almost inappropriately close relationship between editors and writers sometimes,” Cunningham said.

There’s a lot of late nights

and pouring over words and lines, and publishers and writers are working closely alongside each other the whole time, he explained.

A lot of her time is spent doing what she said is “the boring mechanical stuff” such as typing emails, writing proposals for new books and doing social media campaigns to boost readership.

Wood said, “I’m just struck more and more how publishing is like gambling. It’s 10% how good the book is and 90% marketing.”

Cunningham agreed and said, “The type of book determines so much, it determines how you market it and the readers you send it to.”

Jackson said the biggest challenge print publishers face is a declining audience base.

Being competitive in advertising and marketing is key and relying heavily on network building and the resources that come with it is critical, she said.

S T U D E N T O R G A N I Z AT I O N

RSO Feature: Sociology Club & Alpha Kappa Delta

BY ANDRAEA AGUILERA Staff Writer

Through laid back documentary nights and team research, the Sociology Club aims to educate themselves and others on current events and societal issues in the world.

Members of the Sociology Club engage in research and meet with members of Alpha Kappa Delta, which is the International Honors Society of Sociology.

The two groups essentially operate as a single club. The advisors are professors Doug George and Matthew Moore from the sociology department.

Though each of the clubs has different officers, both clubs are committed to sharing the discipline of sociology with the community.

Members conduct sociological research that they often later present

at conferences. The Sociology Club and AKD also hold events throughout the semester to help sociology majors and minors in building their resumes, applying to graduate schools and preparing them for work in the field.

“Sociology is such a diverse subject that you can study really any area of society. I’ve always been curious about the world and how societies are created and reproduced. I decided to add sociology as my second major and have never looked back,” Alpha Kappa Delta President Aaron Conrad said.

In April, the Sociology Club and AKD will host a mental wellness event called Love Fest in front of the Ronnie Williams Student Center. This year’s Love Fest is the result of student Serenity Morrison’s capstone project and will feature booths from different RSOs and community members.

Ally Shook, AKD Vice President

said “I’m really excited for people to come out and see what all is set up. There will be activities and informational resources for mental health, as well as an opening speech from President Davis,” The research team has received multiple grants to present research at two conferences this semester.

During the weekend of April 16, Conrad, Shook and Morrison will present research on voter suppression in the 21st century at the Midwest Sociological Society conference in Chicago.

Other researchers in AKD will also report research in April at the Southwestern Social Science Association conference in San Antonio.

In addition to these conferences on April 7, the clubs will hear from Jeff Ferrell, a sociologist who studies subcultures and the meaning of the

word “criminal.” He dumpster-dives as a way of studying the wasteful tendencies of society.

The Sociology Club is open for anyone to join. Alpha Kappa Delta has more requirements to become a member, including certain GPA requirements, 12 credit hours in sociology and a $50 fee.

Members receive a cord to wear at graduation and a certificate. Members of each club typically meet once a month for movie nights and are considering starting game nights.

Students can reach out to George or Moore for more information.

“If anyone has an interest in sociology at all and would like to gain research or conference experience, this would be the place to do it, and all you have to do is reach out to one of the advising professors. It’s a great group of people,” Shook said.

ETIQUETTE

Students learn dining manners in ‘Dine with Style’

Greek Cup From 6-9 p.m. on March 11, the Athletics Department will host the fourth Greek Cup event during the baseball game at Bear Stadium. This is the final greek cup event and the attire is western themed.

Women’s Tea From 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on March 12, the Women of Excellence will host a Women’s Tea in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom with guest speaker Provost Patricia Poulter. The attire is Kentucky Derby casual, and the deadline to RSVP is March 10.

Pie a Coach From 1-4 p.m. on March 13, the Athletics Department will celebrate Pi Day at Bear Stadium during the baseball game and will have Pie a Coach.

Safe Spring Break Week March 14th - 17th, “How has alcohol affected you?” will have a wrecked car outside of Short Denney. Students will be able to sign.

Photo by Sydney Cyr

Students and faculty gather in the designated zoom meeting for ‘Dine with Style,’ an event hosted to educate students on etiquette in fine dining situations. Haley Donoway, in partnership with UCA Career Services, led the presentation, emphasizing points like dressing appropriately and using your napkin correctly.

BY SYDNEY CYR Entertainment Editor

Students learn about professional dining etiquette UCA Career Services hosted a “Dine with Style” workshop to teach students professional dining etiquette March 3 over Zoom.

Senior Skyler Austen defined etiquette as “proper behavior and procedures when you’re around others, especially in formal settings.”

Haley Donoway, a nutrition and family sciences graduate assistant and dietetic intern who led the workshop, began by defining etiquette with the workshop participants.

Donoway explained several things someone should do before a

professional dining event to prepare, such as making sure to RSVP, dressing properly for the occasion and making sure you are on time.

“Always plan an extra 15 minutes for travel time, so you can make sure you aren’t late,” Donoway said.

Once you are seated at the dining table, Donoway said to place your napkin on your lap and keep all personal items, such as your keys, phone and wallet, off the table.

During the meal, Donoway advised students to avoid eating until everyone at the table has received their food, always pass the salt and pepper together and always pass items to the right.

“Cut one or two bites of food at a time while you are eating. This

shows that you are pacing yourself during the meal and genuinely enjoying the meal,” Donoway said.

Donoway told students that they should take inventory of their dishes at the table. At formal dinners, there are usually multiple sets of silverware, a salad plate, a bread plate, the main plate, a teacup and saucer, a water glass and a secondary beverage glass.

Donoway also explained the two types of utensil-holding styles, American and Continental.

“An event might use one holding style over another, and you always want to match the holding style of others at the meal,” Donoway said.

Donoway told students not to tuck their napkins into their collars, in

between buttons or into their pants during a meal.

“Having your napkin tucked into your collar doesn’t look very professional or polished, so always keep the napkin in your lap. If you need to get up, place your napkin in your chair with the soiled side up, so you don’t get any mess on your chair or your clothes,” Donoway said.

After the meal, Donoway told students they should wait until everyone is finished eating before leaving the table.

Donoway also told students how to observe proper dining etiquette in a buffet setting by being mindful of sanitary practices and giving others plenty of space while they serve themselves.

“Don’t reach around

others while at the buffet.

Be patient and give people enough time to serve themselves,” Donoway said.

Students should also always taste their food before seasoning it themselves, never eat bread or rolls whole and always treat everyone with equal courtesy and respect.

“Avoid topics like politics and religion at dinner. Keep the conversation positive.

We all have emotions, so make sure you are treating people kindly,” Donoway said.

UCA Career Services has several resources for students interested in learning more careerrelated skills, like resume writing, which can be found on uca.edu/career.

4/ March 9, 2022

CAMPUS LIFE

ucanews.live

Campers brave outdoors in Jewel Moore

BY FELICITY AUXIER

Staff Writer

The Jewel E. Moore Nature Reserve served as the perfect spot for the first campus camp out along with many other events hosted by the Green Bear Coalition, department of biology, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Campus Outdoors, and the Society of Physics students on Thursday, March 3.

The campout event was held from 2 p.m. and lasted throughout the night. There were seven events held, including a nature walk, setting up camp, a knot tying lesson and more. Attendees also spent the night in the camp.

The lead director of this event was Rob Stine of campus outdoors.

“Rob’s penchant is getting people engaged with the outdoors — thus giving them a reason to care about the conservation and sustainability, which is where Green Bear Coalition comes in,” cosponsor of the event

Photos by Madison Ogle

Hammocks set up throughout the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve in preparation for a campout. The event was put together by the Green Bear Coalition, department of biology and other RSO’s.

and Green Bear Coalition Grant Williams said.

The event was structured to help students learn several different skills and experience new things dealing with the outdoors.

“Campus outdoors made this a one-stop event for many of their teaching events they would typically host throughout the semester.

Much of which relies on the expertise of staff and

volunteers, such as knot tying, fire building, tent set up and equipment and pack design,” Williams said.

Understanding our role in nature and the outdoors around us is a big message the event tried to convey.

“This event is to bring awareness to the outdoors in our backyards, literally and figuratively. Whether the Jewel E. Moore Nature

Reserve or the Buffalo River, our natural spaces are only as protected as they are cared about. Our impact as a species can alter these ecosystems indefinitely, so conserving requires caring — which happens naturally, if you interact and see value in a space,” Williams said.

With this being the first time the camp out was held, student attendance this year was low.

“Turnout was low this year since it’s a new event. In the future semesters, we will have more PR beforehand and set the date early on to ensure people can plan accordingly.

We hope to give more people the opportunity for their once-per-semester chance to spend the night in the nature reserve,” Williams said.

In the future, the Green Bear Coalition is teaming up with Bear Boots on the Ground to lead a trail building and waterfall hike at Jamestown Crag on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will also be hosting a Buffalo River clean-up on April 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EXHIBIT

Photos by Madison Ogle

Baum Gallery hosted the Annual Student Art Competitive, opening March 3, 2022, and remaining open until March 17. Left: Diablo Versey’s “No. XVIII,” not dated. Top right: Abigail’s Yanosick’s “On the Toilet,” 2020. Bottom middle: Christina Gomes’ “Coralscaped I” and “Coralscapes II,” not dated. Bottom right: Celeste Barnes’ “Disco Cat,” 2021.

Student work displayed in Annual Art Competitive

BY ASHLEY SAVAGE

Staff Writer

The Department of Art and Design hosted the Annual Student Art Competitive in the Baum Gallery on March 3, from 4-7 p.m.

Unlike other UCA exhibitions, this event opens the floor to students across campus, allowing them to submit their work to the department with the chance of having it shown in the gallery.

Baum Gallery Director Brian Young has worked with UCA since 2016. He greeted students and faculty throughout the gallery on opening night.

“The ASAC is an appeal to all students, and, since all students pay art fees, it feels right that once a year, they have a chance to see their work in a museum setting,” Young said.

The ASAC features all media types from students of various backgrounds and classifications.

Freshman Diablo Versey’s visual piece was featured in the exhibition and caught the eyes of many as it illuminated its own segment of the gallery with a deep

pink, purple and blue ambiance.

Versey occasionally lingered around his piece, hoping to witness a few natural reactions to his art from observers.

Versey said, “Getting to see people’s gut reactions to my piece without them knowing it was my work at first was the biggest reward of the night. I felt that I had achieved my goal of how I wanted them to react.”

For many students and artists, there’s an understandable fear that comes with the willingness to allow others to view the art they have created.

Knowing this, Young stressed the level of anonymity that comes with submitting art for the ASAC. “I would tell students that no one will know if their work was not accepted. There are no students present during the jurying,” Young said. “Just go for it!”

Aside from artist representation, this exhibition also allows students across campus to simply experience the exhibition and support the work of their fellow classmates and friends.

Senior, Cara Monk, visited the Baum Gallery on opening night.

“I went to [the exhibition] mainly to see the artwork of my friend, Jessica Taylor, but also to see the art of the other students at UCA,” Monk said. “I think it is so important for UCA to help their students get their names out there, especially when it comes to art students who can put information like this on their resumes. It is also important for people to see the talent that comes through UCA and appreciate the work that these people put into what they created.”

The ASAC, among other exhibitions, generates a sense of support and community among campus creatives and those that simply appreciate the work of others.

Versey said, “I love the events because it gives everyone a chance to share good art in a professional setting. You get gallery representation, but also the sense of a community that respects individuals from different walks of life.”

The ASAC exhibit will be on display until March 17. For any questions or information relating to the Baum Gallery or future exhibits, visit uca.edu/art/ baum.

STUDENTS SAY the U.S. “willDo goyoutothink war alongside Ukraine? ” Story and photos by Olivia Snelson

Abigail Senn Freshman

Michael Langely Senior

“I don’t think so. I think with Ukraine holding its own, I think Russia has taken a hit, and so I think it will just be between Ukraine and Russia and that will be it.”

“I could see it in the near future. Not right at the moment. But if Putin keeps rushing toward NATO countries, I can see it happening in like two years maybe.”

Zach Brabham Freshman

Reagen Bates Sophomore

“Honestly, I don’t think we’re going to declare war on Russia. I think we will most likely continue with a defensive position within Ukraine. And I don’t think that they’re quite frankly going to go against the entire line of US and NATO defenses.”

“I haven’t heard a whole lot. But what I’ve heard is that Ukraine is doing a really good job on their own and right now they’re just asking for resources instead of people. So as of right now, I don’t think so.”

Drew Strickland Freshman “No. Well I don’t know a whole lot about the situation and stuff. I don’t know if we have like a super strong tie to Ukraine. I don’t know our relations and stuff.”

People of UCA: Larry Lawrence

BY ADDI FREEMAN Editor-in-Chief

After 32 years and nine months at UCA, Associate Vice President for Facilities Larry Lawrence retired.

As associate VP for facilities, Lawrence’s responsibilities were spread among many facets of constant work at UCA. “Basically, if you put things under an umbrella, that position is really the head of the physical plant … it encompasses grounds maintenance, our motor pool … where we repair vehicles and take care of lawn mowers, housekeeping and then we have the front office, which greets the public,” Lawrence said.

While Lawrence and his physical plant team handled these day-to-day operations students see each day, they also help the university on bigger projects.

“We also manage construction, be it large

construction projects like Windgate and the Integrated Health Sciences building, renovations or small projects down to removing carpet,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence got his start in construction before coming to work at UCA. While dating his now wife of 43 years, Donna, he learned about the construction industry and its aspects through Donna’s father.

Donna already worked at UCA, and her schedule — having sick and vacation days and two weeks off at Christmas — stood out to Lawrence and got him interested in working for the university.

After encouragement from his father-in-law, Lawrence took the plunge and got hired as a painter at UCA. Lawrence said he made many good memories during his time at UCA, but his favorite part was the friendships he’s

made along the way.

“I can say this about many people, both at the physical plant and the university, are very good people and they work hard.

In my opinion, I happened to be at the right place at the right time,” Lawrence said. “I’ve always been taught to leave it better than you found it, and that’s what I tried to do. So 32 years and nine months later, now I’ve retired, I have super fond memories of UCA. I’ve made lifelong friends.”

Lawrence and Donna retired from UCA together.

Donna worked for the university for 42 years and retired from her position as a library supervisor in Torreyson Library.

“We’d just always joke about it. I said one of these days, ‘Girl, I’m going to drive over to the library … and I’m going to open the door for you, and you’re going to get in, and we’re going to ride off into the sunset,” Lawrence said.

For retirement, Lawrence wants to “try to have a stressfree life for a while” to get used to being retired.

He and Donna enjoy spending time with family and look forward to being even more involved in their grandchildren’s lives than before.

Lawrence encourages students to find a job based on an area they have a “burning desire” to be a part of, but he warned it may take some time to search for what’s right.

“You need to expose yourself to various things that you see,” he said.

Lawrence said that the people he worked with at UCA are “great people” and, if he could go back, he would still choose to work at UCA. “We love UCA,” Lawrence said. “We often talk about how we [UCA] change the lives of young people — students — but your faculty and staff, it changes their lives to me.”

Photo courtesy of UCA.edu

Larry Lawrence recently retired from after working more than 32 years for UCA. Lawrence was the Associate Vice President for Facilities, working mainly out of UCA’s physical plant.

Sports

5

March 9, 2022

Upcoming Games Men’s and Women’s Track and Field March 10, NCAA Nationals Softball 4 p.m., March 10 vs.

Southeastern Louisiana Baseball 6 p.m., March 11 vs.

UT Martin Beach Volleyball 8 p.m., March 11 vs.

Jacksonville State University

Editor’s Take

Photo by Madison Ogle

Basketball Season Reflection in ASUN BY

EMILEE HAGEWOOD

Sports Editor

The men’s and women’s basketball team’s have finished their first season in the ASUN Conference. Both teams made it into the ASUN Championship Tournament, but only the men’s team advanced beyond the first round.

The men’s team ended with two more wins than the women’s team and a better conference record. The men ended the conference with nine wins and seven losses. The Sugar Bears ended with four conference victories and 12 losses.

Compared to last year — the 2020-2021 season — the men’s team went 5-19 overall and 4-12 in conference. The women went 13-14 and 9-7 in conference.

It seems the trend was the opposite for the women’s and men’s teams. The women did great during their time in the Southland Conference, with an almost even split between games won and lost.

Their time in the Atlantic Sun Conference has proven to be a lot harder than many had hoped for. The women have done an outstanding job in all their respective positions but struggled to secure a win against many impressive teams.

The men’s team has had a different approach to the conference change, winning many more games than they did in the Southland Conference.

The men rose to the challenge, seemingly tired of the same-old competition.

As the women were moved out of their comfort zone, where they were winning a lot of games, the men got comfortable with change.

The men’s team went into the first round of the ASUN tournament and with a close game against Stetson (74-73), made their way into the second round.

Both teams fought hard for their way to the end of the season, both undoubtedly wishing it would never end.

The men’s team will be sad to lose graduate student forward Jared Chatham, a key figure in many of the games this season.

The Sugar Bears will be losing graduate student Hannah Langhi, who broke a school record for the number of games played.

For all the Sugar Bear’s losses, they gained two wins in another way. Junior Lucy Ibeh was named All-Conference second-team, and freshman Randrea Wright was inducted to the All-Freshman Team.

Bears end season in second round of ASUN BY

BENNETT TINNERMON

Associate Editor

The men’s basketball team ended their season with a loss against the Jacksonville University Dolphins, 7969, in the ASUN Conference Tournament on March 3.

The Bears never found the lead during the game at Swisher Gymnasium in Florida.

“They hit threes and got to a little lead, and from that point on it was just kind of back and forth,” coach Anthony Boone said.

The Dolphins started with a 4-point lead before UCA’s graduate student forward Jared Chatham responded with a 3-pointer. Chatham had been busy in the first three minutes of the game leading up to the 3-pointer, having made two offensive rebounds, one block and one foul.

Chatham then assisted junior Eddy Kayouloud in a 3-pointer to keep up with the Dolphins. The Dolphins ended the first half ahead by 11, at a score of 44-33.

During the first half, the Bears saw the Dolphins pull ahead by 14 points at times. But the second half is where the Bears found smaller gaps and got close to claw at the Dolphins.

“We never really could get close enough. They could never really pull away from us. It was a little bit frustrating. At times it felt like we were down more than we were, just because we had to work so hard to cut it to 10, cut it to nine, or cut it to eight or seven when we did at times,” Boone said.

The Bears cut the Dolphins to a 5-point lead a couple of times during the final few minutes of the game. Two good free throws from junior guard/forward Darious Hall and a good jumper from Kayouloud were the scoring moments that brought the Bears so close. Hall led UCA in scoring with 18 points, Kayouloud was close behind with 17 points.

From the 5-point lead, the Dolphins then pulled away with a free throw from redshirt sophomore forward Mike Marsh and four free throws from redshirt junior

guard Kevion Nolan.

The Dolphins beat the Bears for a 15-0 record on their home court in Florida. Boone said, “Jacksonville is a very good basketball team, and we were attempting to do something that no one else had been able to do this season — win in their gym, where they have been very tough to play against.”

The Bears were coming from a win at home against Stetson University. It was a close win at 74-73.

“It’s a difficult task,” Boone said about his team having to turn around from a home game and play in Florida two days later. “I’ve got a great group. I’m very fortunate to have the guys I have, and they have handled everything well.”

The game was the last of Chatham’s career at UCA, ending the game at Jacksonville with 15 points.

Jacksonville University went on to beat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in Alabama on Saturday, March 5. The Dolphins played Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, March 8.

SOFTBALL

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

Bears rock in Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic BY

OLYVIA GONZALEZ

Assistant Online Editor

The Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic tournament consisted of four games in two days, each of which was victorious for the Bears.

The women’s softball team played the Belmont Bruins and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions.

Opening day, March 4, started with a 9-0 win over Pine Bluff, swiftly followed by a 5-2 win against Belmont.

Games on March 5 followed the same structure with a 4-1 triumph against Belmont and an 11-0 game against Pine Bluff.

“After this weekend, I learned that to be the most successful in the game of softball, you have to play with a level of confidence and maintain a positive mindset,” sophomore outfielder Tremere Harris said. “Softball is a game of failure. You will fail 90% of the time, so you have to continuously remind yourself it’s OK to fail and not be at your best at all times. That’s why it’s a team sport to pick up each other when the other is not at their

best.”

That is exactly what the Bears did on their home field in Conway.

In the first pair of games, the Bears scored six home runs immediately against Pine Bluff, sealing them a win from the start. They picked up three more runs in the end and ultimately determined their fate in the next game against the Golden Lions.

The Bruins proved themselves to be a worthy competitor in the close game of 5-2. In the first inning, Central Arkansas pulled off four home runs, and the Bruins found their ground in the third inning, but their game was no match for the Bears.

“This weekend was a great all-around team weekend.

We put together a lot of offensive pieces, had solid defense and pitching to keep us ahead in every game,” junior pitcher and infielder Jordan Johnson said.

In the second pair of games, the pitchers were the star players, as sophomore Kayla Beaver and Johnson combined for 22 strikeouts in two games.

A new single-game record was set by sophomore outfielder Jenna Wildeman with five swipes against Pine Bluff.

Johnson struck out eight of the first nine batters, resulting in a clean game at the pitching mound. Batter number nine, Pine Bluff’s Alyssa Wesley represented the only hit of the day for the visitors, but it was not victorious in getting her around the bases.

Being that Belmont was their major rival in the tournament, the girls rallied together to get three home runs in the second inning and another in the fourth, while Bruins were only able to get one player around the bases.

“I think the team is on the right track to do more great things this season,” Johnson said. “There is always going to be tough games and things to work on, but as long as we continue to put the work in it will pay off. Being able to stay strong through four consecutive games and get some good wins was really exciting to experience with the team.”

Sophomore utility Kristen Whitehouse said, “I think the wins this weekend will give us some momentum going into this coming up week full of games.”

The Bears head to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to take on the Golden Hurricane Game at Collins Family Softball Complex on March 8 at 5 p.m.

Opinion

6

March 9, 2022

The Voice

Arkansas should follow New Mexico’s example, make college free

Grades should not matter in college

The Echo Staff Addi Freeman Editor-in-Chief Bennett Tinnermon Associate Editor Mia Waddell News Editor Kathryn Thornberry Assistant News Editor Madison Ogle Campus Life Editor/Cartoonist Olivia Snelson Assistant Campus Life Editor Milo Strain Opinion Editor Sydney Cyr Entertainment Editor Emilee Hagewood Sports Editor Will McDonald Assistant Sports Editor Delaney Van Wilpe Online Editor Olyvia Gonzalez Assistant Online Editor

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We are paying too much money to be shoulders would be partially lifted if courses graded. Instead, we should be graded on a placed less of an emphasis on grades and more pass or fail system. When grades are such so on nurturing our curiosity. a big part of our education, they can be the I know grades can be used as a proxy for only thing we strive for — never mind getting many scholarships. If you don’t get scholarships a better understanding of the subject or for your grades yet still pass classes, you will discipline. Students are going to do the graduate with the same degree but at a higher minimum amount of work and exploration to price than those with scholarships. This creates meet the mark or get the grade they want. even more of an emphasis on assessment over The emphasis placed on the grading content. system can stifle our willingness to learn and I think scholarships, and financial aid in explore, especially if that learning and general, should consider grades less. Students exploring won’t count towards our should be awarded more scholarships grade. based on their individual work, not Instead of grades, some classes just because they fit into a category. use a system called un-grading. UnPlus, how can students do anything grading is simple. Due dates are but chase grades if their financial more flexible, and there are multiple security depends on those letters times throughout the semester when and numbers. the student has a meeting with the “Yes, people with lower grades teacher to discuss their motivation. will still get the degree, but people At these meetings, the student with higher GPAs will get the job,” has a conversation with the some may argue. Therein lies teacher about what grade the problem. For example, they think their work and let’s take a student who effort deserves. graduated with a 3.0 The less we are GPA, juggled a partBY WILL MCDONALD reminded of how well time job and volunteered Assistant Sports Editor we are doing based on in their free time: this a letter or number, the student will — or should more we can focus on — stand out more to what we are actually doing. I’m not saying employers than a student who graduated with a that grades are bad or unnecessary. I just 3.5 GPA but only focused on school. think they shouldn’t matter nearly as much as There is nothing wrong with only focusing they do. on school, but there is more to be said about Grades can be an enormous source of the responsibility of the student who juggled anxiety for many. This anxiety is quantified more and still got good grades. Sometimes by the constant access we have to our grades students have to work multiple jobs to pay for through technology. If one desires, they can college as tuition rises across the country. have their email set up to notify them anytime School and college especially, should be their grade is updated or a professor posts focused on individual growth, not grades. something new.

Grades are not one-size-fits-all. If a student Wherever we go, this anxiety and gets good grades, that doesn’t always mean expectation can loom over our heads as they are learning a lot just like if a student gets students. This anxious weight on our bad grades it doesn’t mean they aren’t learning.

The enduring nature versus nurture debate John Locke — an English Philosopher and Then those young toddlers grow into men physician in the 1600s — believed in what is and women. And they still are a combination known as tabula rasa. Tabula rasa is the idea of innocence and love- and the scars of their that the mind is born as a blank slate. hurt and their uncertainty.

Considering this notion, everything that Not all is fair in love and war. And it’s the we are and all of our knowledge is determined exceptions that make us who we are. by our experiences.

It is in our nature to know when we are This would back up the hypothesis that doing something wrong. It is our gut and our nurture is what makes us who we are. heart, even, that give us signals to let us know Nurture refers to all of the environmental that we are about to hurt someone’s variables that impact who we are. Like feelings, or we are not respecting our early childhood experiences and ourselves in the way that we know our social relationships. we should.

Nature refers to all of the genes It is our own experiences, and hereditary factors that make us nurture, that affect how we go who we are. The idea is that we are about these decisions. smart or hard workers because it is We think: “If I’ve been hurt in our genes. before, then why should I stop I’m not sure why the debate began myself from hurting this person in the first place. Of course, we are to gain something for myself?” a mix of what we experience We grow selfish. and who our DNA tells us I believe the debate to be. isn’t really what is But what creates us more important, but and affects our personal what comes first. Like

BY KATHRYN THORNBERRY beliefs more — nature or the chicken and the Staff Writer nurture? egg, nature vs. nurture I often wonder: what is not simple in order. makes us want to fight?

It is in our nature What makes us want to love? Is all fair in love to make wise judgments. We address and war? Bear with me. the situation naturally. We know, inside I do not believe that we come out of the ourselves, what the correct approach to take womb wanting to hate. Babies are the subject is. of innocence and purity. If we are born with a But our experiences can fog up our clean slate, then that slate is love. decisions. Just like we can make wise But as anyone who has witnessed “the judgments, we can ignore them. terrible twos” can see, babies grow up. They I suppose that mankind is good. I suppose grow impatient and bratty. They throw fits it is in our nature to be. and they don’t seem to understand why they But it is through nurture that our morals can’t get what they want all of the time. They change from what we know is right, to what we grow selfish. know is familiar and accepting.

On March 4, New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham signed a bill into law making college tuition-free for everyone in New Mexico. This is not a drill or a joke; it really happened.

Senate Bill 140, or the Opportunity Scholarship Act, devotes an initial amount of about $75 million to cover the tuition and fees of undergraduate students of any age attending any two or four-year institution in the state, with plans to continue the program in the coming years.

First of all, it is completely outrageous that this hasn’t been picked up by any major news organizations and isn’t a part of the national zeitgeist right now.

It’s probably not a coincidence, either, but that’s an entirely different conversation for another time. If you search “New Mexico free college tuition bill” or something similar on Google, all the results are from local news publications.

New Mexico has set a major precedent in affordable college legislation and proven that it’s doable, even in a state whose revenue largely depends on the extremely volatile oil and gas industry.

Gov. Hutchinson and Arkansas lawmakers would be smart to follow in New Mexico’s footsteps and draft legislation for free college tuition here in our great state. According to “The Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Arkansas Economic Data,” a book published by UCA, only 22.4% of Arkansas adults over the age of 25 had a four-year college degree in 2016, ranking 49th in the country. Removing the massive financial barrier to higher education would vastly improve the lives

Making college tuition-free would be a direct investment in the people of Arkansas, and would pay off in unimaginable ways of existing college students and provide so many opportunities for people who want to attend but can’t afford to.

College is already stressful when you don’t have to worry about student loans or spend all your free time working.

Imagine how much better your life as a student would be if you didn’t have to worry about the massive amount of debt hanging over your head that will grow uncontrollably like an angry tumor if you don’t pay it off fast enough.

Free tuition would also probably greatly increase student enrollment.

College enrollment is down nationwide, exacerbated by the continuing pandemic, and Arkansas has not been spared. Here in Conway, student enrollment at UCA has been declining, and Hendrix college has been operating for years now with multiple residence halls completely closed. Having the state take care of tuition and fees would certainly help.

Making college tuition-free would be a direct investment in the people of Arkansas, and would pay off in unimaginable ways. The Arkansas workforce would grow and diversify, making Arkansas a more attractive place for companies and businesses to expand and bring more jobs. People would be more likely to stay in Arkansas and make it a better place to live rather than move somewhere else.

Think about how tuition-free college would change your life. What would change immediately? How would your future be different without having to make student loan payments each month? The precedent has been set for a better future.

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Entertainment

7

March 9, 2022

New This Week

‘Euphoria’ season two: a comedown, but not a letdown

Movies

BY

EMILY KENNARD

Staff Writer

With the release of its eighth episode, “All My Life, My Heart Has Yearned for a Thing I Cannot Name,” Euphoria’s second season ended Feb. 27, officially giving the internet a rest from the weekly onslaught of fictional high school drama.

“Euphoria” is undoubtedly a polarizing show. Despite being about the lives and relationships of teenagers — its content, cinematography, dialogue and acting get ruthlessly analyzed and March 11 — Tyson’s Run (PG), criticized. All of this attention, negative and positive, has made directed by Kim Bass, starring Major Dodson, Amy Smart, Barkhad it the most-tweeted-about show in the last decade, according to Abdi, Rory Cochran, Tristan Twitter.

Timmons and Tyler Timmons Teenage curiosity about sex and drugs is completely — A boy with autism trains to normal, so we should expect become a marathon champion, fiction about teenagers to giving his father a second chance at reflect that. The show’s prioritizing his family depiction of addiction and withdrawal is devastating, a far cry from glorifying drug use.

The show begins with a little sister walking in on the main character’s overdose, finding March 15 — Phoenix Rising (NR), her unconscious, lying on directed by Amy Berg, starring Evan her bedroom floor. Then this season showed us every step Rachel Wood — Evan of Rue’s horrible withdrawal, Rachel Wood uses her experience beginning with her lashing out as a domestic violence survivor at all the loved ones she had left. to pursue justice, heal trauma It’s not just drug use for drug use’s sake, either — and reclaim her story in this “Euphoria” actually knows documentary what it’s talking about. The March 11 — Ultrasound (NR), directed by Rob Schroeder, starring Rainey Qualley, Mark Burnham, Bob Stephenson, Chelsea Lopez and Vincent Kartheiser — Glen gets car help from a strange couple while Katie questions an experiment she is involved with

Music March 11 — So Happy it Hurts — Bryan Adams March 11 — Impera — Ghost

March 11 — Classic Objects — Jenny Hval March 11 — Great American Painting — The Districts March 11 — The Jacket — Widowspeak Information from:

www.metacritic.com

Netflix March 9 — The Andy Warhol Diaries (Limited Series), directed by Andrew Rossi, starring Andy Warhol — After Andy Warhol is shot in 1968, Warhol begins to document his life experiences and emotional reactions, which reveal secrets behind his persona

March 11 — Life After Death with Tyler Henry (Season 1), produced by Toby Santos, Michael Corbett and others, starring Tyler Henry — Tyler Henry, a clairvoyant medium, offers messages from the beyond while searching through his family’s past

March 11 — The Adam Project, directed by Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynoldds, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Walker Scobell and Catherine Keener — Adam Reed, a time-traveling fighter pilot, teams up with his 12-year-old self from the past to save the future

Top 5 Death Grips Albums List compiled by Milo Strain Opinion Editor

traumatic and heart-wrenching when bad things happen, but they don’t yet have the emotional tools to process what happened to them. The casts’ resulting array of unhealthy coping mechanisms, along with their struggles with sexuality, abuse and loss, is what ultimately drives the plot, and its second season is really no different in this regard.

However, the character development and dialogue in “Euphoria” does not always keep up with its impressive cinematography. This season especially, I would feel immersed in a scene, only to

be ripped out of it by cringy dialogue. Elliot, a major culprit of this cringy dialogue, seemed to exist only to encourage Rue’s addiction and create conflict in her relationship with Jules.

Jules, who was a memorable and exciting character last season, gets practically no limelight this time around.

Most of her scenes this season are her making mistakes and being yelled at. A big aspect of her plotline this season is her attraction to a man, which comes after a revealing special episode where she expresses doubts about her gender expression and says she needs

MOVIE

PBR show: dirt flying, tense with excitement MACI ENGLAND

Staff Writer

— Rex Orange County

show’s creator and writer, Sam Levinson, was addicted to hard drugs as a teenager, and many of Rue’s experiences are informed by his own. If the scenes with drugs and sex are overdramatized, it’s probably because those scenes reflect the exaggerated fantasies and complex inner-workings of emotionally intense teenagers.

Or maybe it’s because it’s a drama show that exists for entertainment.

One message “Euphoria” gets across well about adolescence is that it can be confusing and tumultuous. For many characters, life becomes

BULL RIDING

BY

March 11 — Who Cares?

Photo courtesy of www.hbo.com

The first episode of “Euphoria” season two aired on HBO Max Jan. 9 and the final episode of season two aired Feb. 27. Season two contained eight episodes, with each episode lasting 45 minutes to an hour.

to take a break from the male gaze.

Cassie is another character that could have used more development. Last season, we saw her make emotional transformations after breaking up with her college boyfriend and experiencing a nevermentioned-again abortion.

She even dedicated herself to enjoying being single. This season, after bewildering plot twists, she was essentially the show’s villain. Despite what I would consider excessive screen time, “Euphoria” puts her actions in a bubble and attributes it all to “daddy issues.”

I could repeat similar criticisms for Kat and even Maddy. Really, many characters deserved more depth and better backstories. I found it odd that the school bully’s awful dad received the season’s most thought-out episode, one that explored his sexuality and life choices.

For a show that focused so heavily on its ensemble, cast, and intertwining plots in its freshman season, it’s unfortunate that it failed to pay as much attention and thought to them this time around.

Still, it brought us incredible performances from every actor, stayed true to Rue’s story and struggles and looked amazing while doing so. What more could you ask for from a gritty teen drama?

Although I’m from rural Trumann, Arkansas, a small farming community at the northern edge of the state, I’ve always felt more comfortable in city museums and coffee shops than anywhere with dirt and animals.

I’m what you would call a city girl, except I don’t live in the city. I’ve never been the cowboy-hat-and-boots type Southerner and I’ve never really understood those who are.

So, you might be surprised when I say that attending the Professional Bull Riders Bad Boy Mowers Mowdown was the most fun I’ve had in a while.

Even the name — PBR Bad Boy Mowers Mowdown — screams the opposite of the kinds of things I like. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the event and how much I enjoyed it.

I attended the competition with two fellow Echo staff members, and we were lucky enough to get in for free as a part of PBR’s media. I’ll be honest: if it hadn’t been for the invitation, I wouldn’t have come on my own.

I was completely out of my element walking into the event at Simmons Bank Arena. The type of event was obvious by the number of buckles, boots, and cowboy hats around me. I felt incredibly out of place with my sweater, slip-on shoes and lack of belt decoration, but didn’t feel too bad because most of the media we were with dressed casually as well.

We got media passes and went to the section of the arena where media was located, and this just so happened to be on the front row.

I was very nervous because, being so close to the bulls, I was worried that one might just run into the fence set up right in front of us and knock it down.

Once the show began, my fears of being trampled by a bull were alleviated, but as the first bull ride started, another fear of mine came to be: getting dirty.

As soon as the bull came out, large clumps of dirt from the floor of the arena went flying and hit those of us who were 1. Exmilitary (2011) “Exmilitary” was Death Grips’ first project, and it remains one of their strongest releases. There is not enough room in this blurb of text to praise all the amazing aspects of this album. Right from the start, it grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go for a second.

The opening track “Beware” has one of the most hypnotic instrumentals ever combined with an onslaught of intensely dark lyrics brooding on dying and full of references to the Biblical apocalypse. Then it’s banger after banger for the rest of the album. This is probably their most accessible work and a good place to start if you want to give them a shot.

seated on the front row. I was so concerned with picking the dirt out of my hair and brushing it off of my purse and pants that I didn’t pay any attention to the bull riding going on before me.

Luckily after that first misfortune, flying chunks of dirt were few and far between, and I didn’t really mind them that much. I started watching bull riding and soon found myself invested.

Going in, I had no prior knowledge of bull riding, but it was very easy to pick up. Points are rewarded to whoever can stay on the bull the longest.

I was very impressed to see not only the nation’s top bull riders compete but to see the world’s top riders go head to head.

It was exciting to watch as the riders came out on top of the bucking bulls, holding on for dear life and a chance to win a hefty sum of money as a timer above counted their ride time.

The audience made the show even more entertaining.

Everyone in the stands was cheering and clapping, and their applause was contagious.

Even if I didn’t know who we were cheering for or why I couldn’t help but get in on the excitement by clapping too.

By the end of the night, I found myself at the edge of my seat, genuinely invested in what I previously thought was something I could never get into.

At the end of the competition, once the last rider competed and the scores were announced, I was disappointed that it was over. I wanted more.

Although I still flinch around large animals with the fear that one might trample me and my dislike for getting dirty has not gone away, I was surprised to find myself enjoying the sport of bull riding more than I thought I would.

The excitement and tension of bull riding make it a worthy watch even for those of us who aren’t familiar with the sport.

I highly recommend going to a Professional Bull Riding show at least once. The event and the atmosphere were a brand new experience to me, but it was the perfect way to start a weekend.

Photo courtesy of www.netflix.com

“The Weekend Away” was written by Sarah Alderson and directed by Kim Farrant. The film stars Leighton Meester, Christina Wolfe, Ziad Bakri and Luke Norris.

Netflix’s ‘The Weekend Away:’ a typical thriller full of plot twists BY

OLIVIA SNELSON

Assistant Campus Life Editor

“The Weekend Away” started streaming on Netflix on March 3 and is based on the book by Sarah Alderson.

I do not usually expect much from Netflix movies because they tend to be somewhat mediocre, but I was pleasantly surprised by “The Weekend Away.”

The film stars Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” as the main character. The movie centers around two best friends, Beth and Kate, who go on a weekend getaway to Croatia. Beth, portrayed

by Meester, begins to worry when Kate goes missing after a drunken night out.

I did not think much of this movie at first, other than wondering why these two girls were friends to begin with when they are clearly total opposites. Meester’s character Beth is an introvert who does not like to take risks and is very responsible, while her best friend Kate is anything but that.

If you watch thrillers often, like me, you might find this movie to be pretty predictable at first. The audience can see that Kate is hiding something from her friend and is making herself feel better with drugs and alcohol.

Unfortunately, just about every character in the movie, except for her best friend, brushes Kate’s behavior off and uses it as an excuse to not bother with looking for her. It’s not until Beth finds evidence on her own that she talks to the police, and they start to take Kate’s disappearance seriously.

It’s this, and all the twists and turns that come with it, that make this movie so interesting.

The best kind of thrillers are always the ones that keep you guessing until the end, and “The Weekend Away” achieves this. The movie constantly has its audience asking themselves who they think murdered Kate and then surprising them with even crazier details. Plot twists

2. Bottomless Pit (2016)

3. The Money Store (2011)

4. The Powers That B (2015)

This album is an absolute monster. If “Exmilitary” is like getting punched in the face, then “Bottomless Pit” is like being hit by a freight train. Coming five years later, this release is very abrasive and can be pretty punishing for someone who isn’t used to loud, scary music. The beats on this record are ferocious, combining elements of noise, industrial music, rap and so much more to form an incredibly unique, aggressive sound. The entire tracklist is impressive but standouts include “Spikes,” “Bubbles Buried In This Jungle” and “Three Bedrooms In a Good Neighborhood,” to name a few.

“The Money Store” is Death Grips’ most popular album, and for good reason.

This record, while not quite as consistent front to back as the first two, saw the band experimenting and taking more risks musically, and gave us many of their greatest songs.

“Get Got,” “The Fever (Aye Aye),” “System Blower,” “Punk Weight” and “Hacker” are all cuts that will melt your ears and get you moving and grooving, whether you’re rolling at a rave or hanging at a house party.

Even the parts of the album that aren’t as memorable are still amazing. This list is really just splitting hairs; they can’t all be the best album.

“The Powers That B” is a double album and Death Grips’ most personal, emotionally cathartic work, and one of their most experimental. The first part of the album uses choppedup vocal samples from Icelandic singer-songwriter, Björk, to create a sonic landscape of glitched-out vocal loops, complex rhythms and cryptic lyrics. It’s pretty out there.

The second half sounds more in line with the rest of their catalog while still retaining a distinctness unheard anywhere else. The songs on this end deal with heavy themes like suicide, mental illness and addiction. This one will put you in a hole if you let it.

seemed to be the main point of this movie, designed to keep the audience watching, and I think it was done very well with this movie.

What I liked most about this movie was a plot twist in the last 20 minutes that changed everything. Before this twist, the audience was led to believe that a random cop had killed Kate. This original ending had felt very odd because it did not make any sense. I was kind of disappointed by this ending, and it made me feel like I watched this whole movie just to be unsatisfied with the ending.

However, I soon found out that this was not the actual ending, and I was in store for yet another plot twist that perfectly wrapped up all the details and made for a satisfying ending.

I’m happy I watched this movie, and I would suggest anyone interested in the true crime or thriller genres watch this movie as well. It is definitely one that I will watch again.

5. No Love Deep Web (2012) “No Love Deep Web” is easily Death Grips’ most paranoid album. It sounds downright sinister at times like dark forces reside within the album itself. It’s remarkably aggressive and raw, although not as sonically harsh as something like “Bottomless Pit.” The lyrics on this album are steeped in paranoia and violence, and they scaled the production way back compared to other projects. The beats, though minimal and strippeddown, don’t lose a single ounce of the anger and aggression found on other releases. Songs like “Come Up and Get Me,” “Lil Boy” and “No Love” are all major highlights of this album.

ucanews.live

SPORTS

8 / March 9 , 2021

UCA STATS CORNER SPORT

OPPONENT

RESULT

RECORD

Men’s Basketball

Jacksonville University

79-69 L

11-20, 7-9

Women’s Basketball

Jacksonville University

65-55 L

9-19, 4-12

South Dakota State

9-1 L

3-7

11-0 W

10-7

4-3 L

7-6

Baseball

Pine Bluff

Softball

Tennis

Louisiana at Monroe

Photo courtesy of ucasports.com

FEATURE

Sugar Bears finish season with loss against Jacksonville Lady Dolphins BY

ASHLYN LITTLE

Staff Writer

The Sugar Bears basketball team ended their season 9-19, 4-12 ASUN in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday, March 2, against the Jacksonville University Lady Dolphins, losing 65-55 in a hard-fought game.

In the first half of the game, the Sugar Bears struggled to put the ball in the net, scoring two in the first quarter and 12 in the second. The Lady Dolphins managed to score 31 points in the first half, leaving the Sugar Bears with a 17 point lead to catch up to.

Coach Sandra Rushing said, “I knew we had the fight in us then, but you’ve got to have the fight for 40 minutes. When you come in and play in the playoffs — you’ve got to play.”

The team had a strong second half, cutting into the lead the Lady Dolphins took early on. They outscored the Lady Dolphins 41-34 in the second half of the game. This was accredited to the Sugar Bears’ perfect night on the free-throw

line. The women sank all 17 free throw attempts, with freshman guard Randrea Wright making six in a row in the second half to bring the score within 6 points for the first time since early in the first quarter.

“The difference between the regular season and postseason is, during the postseason, anything can happen regardless of your record; it’s like everyone’s 0-0 again. This time around, everyone is playing to win, so the energy is way more intense,” Wright said.

The Sugar Bears couldn’t close the gap enough though, and eventually lost by 10.

“We came in trying to contain the drive. They got really deep on us several times, and that’s frustrating, but they’re talented, well-coached, and a good ball team,” Rushing said.

The team was able to fix its turnover problem it experienced in the last match-up against Jacksonville, forcing 18 turnovers for the Lady Dolphins with 14 for the Sugar Bears.

Senior forward Hannah Langhi managed to keep the Bears afloat while the Lady

Dolphins swam ahead in the first half. Langhi scored six of her 13 points in her final game as a Sugar Bear. Langhi and senior guard Carley Hudspeth tied as leading scorers for UCA against Jacksonville.

Wright said, “Last night we fought until the end. However, we couldn’t pull through with the win. It really hurts me that the season has ended for the seniors. There was a lot to learn as a returner, and all that’s left to do is work to get better and prepare for next season.”

Rushing said the team’s firstyear experience in the Atlantic Sun Conference was great. The team got to experience great coaches, players and teams.

She said this first season in the ASUN conference showed her where they needed to start recruiting.

The game against Jacksonville marked the end of the Sugar Bears’ first season in the ASUN Conference. Several players will be returning to the team next season, but until then, the Sugar Bears are planning to work hard to improve during the off-season.

NON-CONFERENCE

Photo by ucasports.com

Mendolia enjoys lessons learned on the field, spending time with friends BY

MEGAN HOLDER

Staff Writer

Photo by Mia Waddell

Baseball wins three-game series against South Dakota Jackrabbits BY

MIA WADDELL

News Editor

The Bears won out against the South Dakota Jackrabbits in a non-conference series at Bear Stadium.

“It felt really good. We had been playing really well without getting the result we wanted. We have a lot of faith in this team.

We are a solid, disciplined team, but the result was not at the end of the game on the scoreboard,” sophomore left-handed pitcher Tyler Cleveland said.

“Getting the series win was expected by the team, and we hope to continue that momentum moving forward,” Cleveland said.

Three games were held over the weekend. The Bears won the series opener 5-3 on Friday, Feb. 4.

Saturday’s doubleheader led to a 5-0 win in the first game of the night and a loss of 1-9 in the last. Sunday’s game was canceled due to weather conditions.

In the first game, the Bears scored five runs from the fourth through sixth innings. They finished with 10 hits and 13 runners left on base.

Trey Harris, junior outfielder,

finished three for five with three runs batted in.

Sophomore center and infielder AJ Mendolia was two for four with a pair of runs batted in.

Kolby Johnson, sophomore outfielder, was two for three and scored twice.

The Bears stole six bases, two by freshman outfielder Drew Sturgeon and freshman infielder Tanner Leonard.

The team drew seven walks and were hit twice. The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader was a win for the Bears.

The Jackrabbits and the Bears made slow progress, with six scoreless innings from senior opener Logan Gilbertson.

The Bears had six hits and four walks. Johnson and junior infielder Hunter Hicks both drove in two runs. Senior shortstop R.J. Pearson added the run on base.

In the seventh inning, UCA scored four runs on just three hits.

The second game brought a loss for the Bears. The Jackrabbits grabbed five runs in the first and one more in the second.

“I would say that we could have avoided the big inning

better in game three. It has really hurt us all year long and is something that we are continuing to work on as a team,” Gilbertson said.

The Bears only got one run in the second game of the doubleheader, occurring in the fourth inning thanks to senior first baseman Connor Emmet, sophomore Connor Flagg, and a sacrifice fly by Mendolia.

“That is one of the best things about the game. You can battle in an at-bat, hit a ball really hard, get out and still contribute to the team by providing a run for the team,” Mendolia said.

The Jackrabbits finished the night with 12 hits, including a three-run home run.

The fourth and final game of the night was canceled due to inclement weather. Still, the Bears came out on top.

“I feel like the strength of our team is the unity and energy.

When someone is struggling we continue to pick them up with support and performance from another player. When the going gets tough, the true character comes out of players, and we are showing that we have each other’s back again and again,” Gilbertson said.

AJ Mendolia is a studentathlete from Fort Worth, Texas, who found his second home at UCA on the baseball team.

He decided to come to UCA because the baseball coaching staff showed interest in him during his junior year of high school.

Mendolia said, “They reached out and said that I could come to camp, and I went to camp and had a good time. I visited the campus a little bit, and it was down to this school and a school in Texas. I felt like I clicked with this program a lot more than the one in Texas, and I’m really glad I chose to come to UCA.” He has learned some valuable things since joining the baseball team. Mendolia said, “Our coaching staff is big on us not just improving as an athlete but improving as a man.”

He has learned better time management skills and how to be on time. He has also learned how to set good examples for others and how to be a leader on and off the baseball field.

He said all of these things will help him in life in the long run.

“These are some things that the coaching staff has really instilled in me so far,” he said.

Sophomore Andrew Pollum is also a UCA baseball player and is someone who Mendolia looks up to.

Mendolia said, “He’s somebody who has kind of taken me under his wing, not only baseball-wise but spiritually too.

We became really close in our small group, and he leads me to be a better man and a better person for other people.”

Mendolia is majoring in business statistics analysis. “I plan to go work for a Major League Baseball organization and work some statistical analysis for the organization.”

He said he would specifically like to work for the Texas Rangers baseball team because he’s from Texas.

“That’s my dream job, but any of the 30 clubs would be nice,” Mendolia said. Mendolia’s batting average as of now is .314, while his fielding average is .833.

Although Mendolia spends

a lot of his time on the field, he likes to have fun outside of playing the sport.

He said, “I hang out with my roommate and my girlfriend a lot.”

Mendolia likes to watch movies and play games with them. He also likes to play the Wii with his small group.

Mendolia’s favorite holiday is Christmas or his birthday. He is a big country music fan and loves to listen to Luke Combs.

“I’m a country music fan all day every day,” he said. Two of his favorite songs by Luke Combs are “Beautiful Crazy” and “I Got Away With You.” An inspirational quote that Mendolia tries to live by is his senior quote from high school.

Mendolia said, “Derek Jeter is one of the best shortstops to ever play the game. He said, ‘There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do,’ and I believe that.”

Mendolia said the quote is hanging up in his room. He said it’s a daily reminder that he will work harder on the field than anyone else will.

Photo by Mia Waddell