w w w. UCAE cho .n e t Single Copy Paid For by Student Publication Fee
Volume 106 — Issue 10
April 3, 2013 Wednesday
Campus Life:
4 TODAY
70% Showers
Music: Guest artists perform pieces for audience in Snow Fine Arts
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4T H U R S DAY
Opinion:
Sports:
Voice: Hasty hiring process latest in series of quick university moves
Track: Men’s and women’s teams break five school records at UCA Open 4 page
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4 page 3
60% Showers
55/40
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University names Erstine chief of staff
4F R I DAY Partly Cloudy
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by Brandon Riddle News Editor
Fountain of News Student Government Association allocates funding to organization SGA passed a motion to allocate $1,350 to the nontraditional student organization for banners to advertise for the organization. A two-thirds majority vote was needed and the vote passed 30-2. In 2009, there were 135 members in the organization. The organization has grown to 1,000 members. Last year, the organization added transfer students and veterans. SGA did not pass the motion to allocate $895 for a computer for nontraditionals.
‘Vagina Monologues’ raises awareness of women’s health issues The “Vagina Monologues” March 27 to 29 featured performances of the original Eve Ensler narrative. Participants depict issues unique to women in a monologue format. The event raised money for the Central Arkansas Women’s Shelter. Ninety percent of the proceeds went to the women’s shelter and the other 10 percent went to the Eve Ensler Foundation. Buttons and vagina lollipops were available at the door for sale.
4 Full story online at ucaecho.net
International Engagement seeking global volunteers The Division of International Engagement is accepting volunteer applications for its Team Global program for the 2013-14 school year. Team Global volunteers serve as mentors to international students, helping them move to UCA and assisting the program’s field trips. Jon-Stephen Stansel, Intensive English Program instructor, said Team Global includes American and international students. Students can apply online at uca.edu/ international. The deadline is April 5.
Kelley Erstine, Sheridan native and former UCA board member, will join executive staff July 1 as Chief of Staff. UCA President Tom Courtway announced Erstine’s hiring March 27 in a Kelley Erstine press release. Since 2008, Erstine has served as chief executive officer of Independent
-JUDICIAL BOARD-
UCAPD and the Student Government Association hosted the Brake for Bears campaign March 27 to promote pedestrian safety. Volunteers and UCAPD handed out educational flyers and T-shirts to pedestrians, drivers and cyclists along traffic light crosswalks from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is the third year UCAPD has done Brake for Bears and the sixth for SGA. The focus was on traffic light crosswalks.
View more stories at MyFountainOnline.com Stories featured include articles written by Fountain writers.
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insurance fraud and one count of issuing a false financial statement. Gillean pleaded not guilty to the charges and his trial is set for later this year. Erstine was president of the UCA Foundation during Lu Hardin’s presidency at UCA and the FBI questioned him in 2010 during the scandal involving misuse of university funds. Courtway said Erstine knows the university well. “He will be a valuable asset to UCA as we continue to move forward,” Courtway said. “I am very pleased he has agreed to return to UCA.” Courtway did not return calls April 1 for additional comments on the hire.
- F A C U LT Y S E N A T E -
Potential hazing incident involves cheerleading team
Student fees account for 52% of athletic department budget
by Jordan King and Brandon Riddle
by Marisa Hicks Associate Editor
Fountain Editor and News Editor Six members of the UCA large coed cheerleading team will appear before the university Judicial Board following a potential hazing incident involving the taping of a freshman team member. Dean of Students Gary Roberts met with Maegan Dyson March 28, large coed cheerleading team coach, to discuss the incident. Roberts said he is working with the athletic department to investigate a “potential hazing incident.” According to the UCAPD report, an officer found freshman Cassandra Purtle, 20, bound to a lamppost outside the front doors of Estes Stadium at about 12:38 a.m. March 22. Police ordered the cheerleaders with Purtle to remove the duct tape around her chest, legs and hands. UCAPD identified the six cheerleaders as: junior Jamie D. Frey, 20; junior Natoya McLeod, 20; graduate student Dennis W. DePriest, 26; junior Lauren A. Goines, 20; sophomore Shalynn Denay Mills, 20 and junior Raymond Anthony McLeod, 22. The incident occured in 34-degree weather, leading officials to question the
See Hazing - page 2
photo by Daniel Becker
Freshman Taylor Brady (from left), senior Jennifer Wagner and sophomore Kolby Black hold signs to support same-sex marriage rights March 26 in front of Ferguson Chapel.
LGBT organization voices same-sex marriage support at ‘Visibility’ event by Brandon Riddle News Editor
Members of UCA’s PRISM (Pride, Raising awareness, Involvement, Support and Mentoring) student organization gathered in front of Ferguson Chapel March 26 to show solidarity for same-sex marriage rights. The month-long “Visibility” event promoted the idea of what the organization calls “marriage equality.” PRISM serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender student population at UCA through events, support meetings and promoting
awareness of LGBT issues. Senior Jennifer Wagner, PRISM president, said the events are intended to educate the public on important LGBT topics that are becoming increasingly important in American politics. “It’s just speaking issues we have and getting notice [through outreach],” she said. Wagner said she is nervous, yet hopeful about recent efforts to ensure equal rights for LGBT citizens. “As a lesbian, my hope is to one day
See Visibility - page 2
Athletic Department Director Brad Teague explained the department’s funding and expenditures and the faculty senate voted 15-8 in favor of a resolution to rename and restructure the General Education Council at the faculty senate’s March 28 meeting. Teague said 52 percent of the athletic department’s $9.4 million budget is student fee driven. External funding, including donations and ticket sales, make up 20 percent of the athletic department’s revenue. Auxiliary funding, which includes housing and food service revenue, accounts for 15 percent of the department’s funding. Education and General (E&G) funding, which includes academic funding from tuition and fees, make up 12 percent of the department’s budget and federal funding from work study revenue accounts for 1 percent of the department’s funding. “The major two expenses are scholarships and salaries,” Teague said. Scholarships and salaries account for 31 percent each in athletic expenditures. “Thirty-one percent of our budget is scholarships, there it is, $2.7 million,” he said. “There’s also some summer school [that’s not included in these numbers] so really it’s closer to $3 million. That’s what’s being paid back to the institution.”
See Athletics - page 2
-ENVIRONMENT-
- E D U C AT I O N -
Symposium provides Green Week educates on pollution, recycling, local wildlife Tanner Smith professional guidance by Staff Writer by Kwadi Higgins The sixth annual Arkansas Student Success Symposium on March 27 provided professional development for faculty members involved in higher education. It was UCA’s fifth year hosting the event. UCA, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and Pulaski Technical College hosted the symposium in the Student Center. Attendees were welcomed with breakfast and registration in the Student Center Ballroom. After, they participated in workshops and listened to speeches. Coordinator Julia Winden Fey, associate vice president for enrollment management, said over 200 people attended from across Arkansas, including representatives from 14 four-
See Symposium - page 2
4 Campus Life 4 Entertainment 4 Opinion 4 Sports
Green Week 2013 invited the UCA community March 25-29 to learn more about efforts to decrease pollution, reuse products and explore local wildlife. Junior Amanda Brown, Environmental Alliance co-president, said the event encourages students to “go green” through education. “[We] strive to educate students and the community about the environment, local efforts to help our environment, and what we can do to help,” she said. Informational booths, games such as a recycling relay and other activities were set up in Alumni Circle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guest speakers gave presentations on environmental topics in the evening in the College of Business Auditorium. Documentaries were presented that had an emphasis on protecting natural
See Green - page 2
Next Issue:
Index: Around Campus
Erstine is a 1979 journalism graduate of UCA. He previously served at the university as vice president of institutional advancement and development and as a UCA Board of Trustees member from January 2000 until December 2003. Erstine later became UCA Foundation president. In his new position at UCA, Erstine will earn $170,000 annually, an increase of about $20,000 from the previous chief of staff, Jack Gillean. Gillean earned about $144,637, according to university financial records. Gillean resigned in 2012 following allegations of misuse of a campus master key. He was charged with three counts of commercial burglary, one count of
-POLITICS-
Staff Writer
Brake for Bears promotes crosswalk safety
Insurance Agents of North Carolina, an association representing about 1,000 independent insurance agencies. In the press release sent out to the media, Courtway said: “[Erstine] is well known throughout the State of Arkansas and this region of the country, and is a proven administrator. He is thoroughly committed to the University of Central Arkansas, and he and his wife, Leslie, are very excited to have the opportunity to return to Arkansas to live and work.” The announcement is unusual because a Dec. 7 board of trustees agenda states in Board Policy No. 209 that the university “no longer has this position [of chief of staff ].”
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Students help with Mayflower oil spill cleanup project
photo by Sean Shrewsbury
HAWK Association representative Lynne Slater shows her rehabilitated red tail hawk, Kate, to sophomore Ismail Altisan (from left) and freshman Ali Altisan at the organization’s Alumni Circle booth during Green Week.
Inside:
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2 / April 3, 2013
NEWS
Athletics:
Police Beat
The following reports and arrests are from the UCAPD docket. UCAPD reports any tickets issued as arrests, according to ucapd.com.
Basketball players cited for drug, alcohol violations UCA men’s basketball forward Jarvis Garner, 22, and guard Robert Crawford, 22, were given warnings for drug and alcohol violations at 10:06 a.m Saturday. UCAPD made contact with Resident Coordinator Danielle Badgett for a drug violation report. Badgett told UCAPD she was in the common area of room 113 to let Pest Control in to spray when she smelled marijuana and called UCAPD. UCAPD followed Badgett in the room and made contact with Garner and Crawford. They told UCAPD they had some female friends over the night before and the females had left the marijuana residue. They had a bottle of alcohol in the freezer, but said they hadn’t been drinking from it since returning from spring break. After running Garner and Crawford’s IDs, UCAPD found that Garner had an outstanding warrant from Conway for a failure to appear charge following a speeding ticket. Dispatch confirmed the warrant with the Conway Police Department. Garner was taken to Faulkner County Unit II for processing.
Nonstudent enters Phi Sigma Kappa house, cited for criminal trespass Nonstudent Patrick Brainard, 23, was issued a citation for criminal trespass at 12:48 a.m. Sunday.
UCAPD went to the Phi Sigma Kappa house, in regard to a student being held against his will. When UCAPD arrived they made contact with student Bennett Patterson. Patterson told UCAPD Brainard was still inside the house. UCAPD entered the house and saw Brainard in the kitchen making macaroni and cheese. Patterson identified Brainard as the person punching walls who trapped him in the bathroom. Brainard was calm and cooperative when UCAPD escorted Brainard outside. Patterson told UCAPD that another witness was on his way and fled out of fear of Brainard’s actions. Patterson also told UCAPD that Brainard was punching walls, doors and a trash can. He said Brainard prepared to fight another individual. Brainard is an alumnus of the fraternity but was asked to leave and then refused to do so. A few minutes later, student James Rutter arrived. Rutter told UCAPD that Brainard had showed up the day before and had been drinking all day. Patterson said Brainard had scared 20 people out of the house with his violent behavior. Patterson said he had locked himself in the bathroom to avoid Brainard and then crawled out a window to call UCAPD. Rutter and Patterson agreed to charge Brainard with criminal trespass. UCAPD took Brainard to the police department. At the police department, UCAPD gave Brainard a ban notification and a citation. Brainard was compliant but smelled strongly of alcohol. He also had watery eyes and his speech was slurred. Brainard was transported to Faulkner County Unit II for detox.
Green:
Booths educate public on environmental projects in Central Arkansas; deli cart gives out free hot dogs 4 Continued
from page 1
resources and promoting green initiatives. Daytime activities Friday were cancelled due to inclement weather. Each day had a different theme: Monday was “Green Businesses,” Tuesday was “Food & Water,” Wednesday was “Recycling,” Thursday was “The Natural State” and Friday was “Energy.” Booths during the week included representatives from Audubon Arkansas, Faulkner County Citizens Advisory Group, La Lucha Space and Faulkner County Urban Farm Project. Among the documentaries shown were “Kilowatt Ours,” a 58-minute documentary from Jeff Barrie about the
preservation of energy, and “The Natural State of America” a 77-minute documentary from UCA alumni Terrell Case, Timothy Wistrand and Matthew Gattin. Junior April Lane, Environmental Alliance copresident and representative from ArkansasFracking.org, said the organization against “fracking” that promotes the health and safety of families in the state who have been impacted by energy extraction. “We had a great response from students who attended the booth and who were very interested in the process and how that will impact our state in the long run,” she said.
Symposium:
Lane said she enjoyed serving on the Green Week Planning Committee this year and that the event was a success. The main purpose of the event was to inform students about how they can make differences in their community to improve the environment. “That is what it is all about,” Lane said. UCA’s Student Government Association worked recently to improve green initiatives on campus through recycling and hydration stations. SGA paid for hot dogs from the Green Cart Deli. The hot dogs were given to attendees March 28 in limited supply.
Annual event features keynote
speech from chancellor of Western Governors University Texas 4 Continued from page 1 year schools and 11 two-year schools. “We have faculty, vice presidents and academic advisers — all from higher education,” she said. “The focus is to help students successfully complete their education.” The goal of the symposium, according to its website, is to be the conduit of student success initiatives. Alisha Harris, education counselor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said the SSS mission is to encourage higher education professionals to be mindful that there is no onesize-fits-all solution. “For instance, nontraditional students who work full-time, raise children and enroll in college part-time have different needs than a traditional aged non-working, single student taking a full course load,” she said. “I believe the overall student populations’ primary need is education-career-life balance, which means institutions must provide a variety of services and programs to help students throughout all life stages.” Harris said every institution should send a representative to the annual symposium because it provides a forum to engage in a dialogue about student success with higher education professionals across the state. Mark Milliron, chancellor of Western Governors University Texas, gave the keynote address shortly after lunch. His keynote address, “NextGen Education as a Game Change,” discussed the changing education environment. Robert Parrent, vice president for enrollment management, introduced Milliron. He said the symposium was “a chance to pick up new knowledge for success.”
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Parrent discussed Milliron’s achievements, which included belonging to many organizations, receiving leadership awards and being involved at universities and elementary schools. Milliron started his keynote speech with a joke: “[Parrent] forgot to mention that I was president of my eighth grade class.” In his presentation, Milliron encouraged faculty to help students become lifelong learners. He said to be a successful lifelong learner, a student must find his purpose, work hard and develop academic tenacity. Milliron encouraged the crowd to engage students in the classroom by combining traditional and next-generation tools. “Help our students become critical, creative, social, courageous leaders — the pathway to opportunities,” he said. Presenters Laurie Hazard, Donna Younger, Deborah Maue, Mamie Voight, Jennifer Joslin and
Michael Cuyjet spoke during the three workshop sessions. Workshops included “The Perennial Problem of Teaching Motivation & Addressing Procrastination: Pedagogical Principles and Practical Solutions,” “Wired to Connect: The Scientific Case for ProblemBased Learning,” “Millennials: What You Don’t Know May Surprise You,” “How Data Can Drive Student Results” and “Enhancing the Retention of African American and First Generation Male College Students.” Cuyjet, University of Louisville professor, discussed “Enhancing the Retention of African American and First Generation Male College Students” He said interventions can include encouraging participation in extracurricular activities, developing communication and leadership skills and forming and maintaining support groups. “If you can’t bring people together, they can’t learn from each other,” Cuyjet said.
Travel, medical expenditures discussed; faculty senate votes in favor of changing name of General Education Council 4 Continued
from page 1
Travel expenditures make up 13 percent of the department’s expenses and paying off debts accounts for 6 percent. Medical expenditures account for two percent of the department’s spending and federal expenses account for 1 percent. Teague said that each of these expenditures is considered a fixed cost. Fixed costs account for 84 percent of the athletic department’s expenditures. Other expenditures include 9 percent toward the Maintenance and Operation (M&O) budget and 4 percent toward facility maintenance. “I’ve heard that the Division One move is the reason that differenced maintenance in housing was initiated; the Division One move was the reason housing couldn’t maintain their facilities.[That’s] not true,” Teague said. He said athletics supply a net surplus to housing. In other business, the
faculty senate voted in favor of renaming the General Education Council to the UCA Core Curriculum and restructuring the program. Membership under the changes include one department chair elected from each of the six academic colleges, two faculty members elected from the six academic colleges (with at least one of the two holding an assistant professor rank or higher), one faculty member who is elected by faculty members, one faculty member who is elected by the Honors College and two student representatives, one each from the Student Government Association and Alpha Chi. Director of General Education and English Professor Conrad Shumaker said that according to a survey among tenure and nontenure faculty, faculty members would like for more than half of the UCA Core Curriculum members to be faculty who teach general education courses. “This idea that consumers of
general education are not being represented, well consumers are going to turn into producers of general education,” he said. “One thing that you really have to keep in mind is the primary responsibility of faculty for the curriculum. It’s very important that we honor that by having the General Education Council be a faculty council.” College of Fine Arts and Communication Senator Brian Bolter said it didn’t matter if department chairs didn’t know how to assess because they could learn it quickly. Shumaker said department chairs struggle with assessment “just as much or more as faculty.” Economics, Finance and Insurance and Risk Management Interim Chair Tammy Rogers said chairs can catch things faculty members wouldn’t think to look for. “[Chairs] don’t outweigh the council, there’s six out of 22 [members] but they can provide a perspective and they are faculty members that do teach,” she said.
Hazing:
Dyson says taping part of ‘team building’ exercise; Purtle does not wish to pursue criminal charges 4 Continued
from page 1
motive behind the taping. UCAPD said the cheerleaders told them they were participating in an activity “similar to a scavenger hunt,” but he was skeptical of their explanation because it was sleeting and raining and Purtle was only wearing a T-shirt and black jogging pants. The cheerleaders were taken to UCAPD where cheerleading sponsor
Jayme Ryan was waiting. Five cheerleaders were released, but Frey had a warrant for his arrest from the Conway Police Department and was taken to jail. Dyson said the cheerleaders’ decision to place Purtle outside was a “very poor judgment call.” She said Purtle’s being taped to the lamppost was part of a yearly “team building” exercise that takes place during the cheerleaders’ spring break practices.
Visibility:
Dyson added that members place recruits in a dark room and “kidnap” one of them. She said two of the cheerleaders involved in the Purtle incident were previously “kidnapped.” Despite her assertion that the event happens annually, Dyson said the exercise “will not happen in the future.” She said Purtle does not wish to press criminal charges.
PRISM members give personal accounts for
same-sex marriage support 4 Continued
from page 1
be able to marry,” she said. The marriage issue has been a topic for debate recently as the Supreme Court weighs two court cases involving state and federal recognition of same-sex couples. Supreme Court justices heard arguments for and against Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Freshman Taylor Brady said the Supreme Court has five options, including upholding Prop. 8, which bans gay marriage in California. “I personally believe there will be a positive outcome,” she said. Despite her positive outlook on such decisions as overturning Prop. 8, Brady said she believes that a decision for all 50 states is unlikely. DOMA, signed into law by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1996, is before the Supreme Court. Polling from The Washington Post and ABC News shows a shift in public
opinion regarding same-sex marriage. The March 7-10 poll shows 58 percent of Americans supporting gay marriage with 36 percent of the population opposing equal marriage rights under the law. March 26 was also a day for supporters of same-sex marriage to wear red in support of “marriage equality.” The Human Rights Campaign organized the nationwide event. According to data released by Facebook, the social networking website had an upsurge in profile picture changes to the red equality graphic from HRC. About 2.7 million users changed their profile picture March 26 in support of the HRC goal of “marriage equality.” Freshman Maia Larson said she sees herself marrying one day, but doesn’t want to drive to the nearest state where samesex marriage is legal. “[The issue of same-sex marriage] is being discussed, so there is hope,” Wagner said. Junior Addie Rule said same-
sex marriage is a natural right and everyone should be able to marry. Rule said she received support at the protest against restrictive laws in the form of high-fives and hugs from the UCA mascot. “It feels good to have support from people you don’t even know,” she said. Rule said if organizations keep educating the public on what she called the truths about same-sex marriage, the public will be more willing to accept that change is inevitable. “Regardless of how they [supporters of “traditional marriage”] feel, everyone should be able to live as they want,” she said. Rulings on both cases involving same-sex marriage are expected before June. PRISM meets during x-period Thursdays in Harrin Hall 131. The Recognized Student Organization hosts support meetings at 5 p.m. Tuesdays in the Student Health Center.
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Interviews will be conducted during x-period Tuesday, April 9, and Thursday, April 11.
Campus Life April 3, 2013
3
Guest artists receive standing ovation
Around Campus:
Gun control forum
The staff senate is hosting an open forum about gun control from 3 to 5 p.m. today in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom. This meeting gives faculty and students an oportunity to voice their opinions about gun control on campus.
Keynote author
Alberto Rios, poetry and short story author, will visit campus from 6:45 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. Rios is the keynote speaker for the UCA Graduate Conference on literature. The event is free and open to the public.
Caring for cancer
The UCA soccer field complex will host Relay for Life from 6 p.m. April 5 to 6 a.m April 6. The American Cancer Society is hosting the event to raise money for cancer research. The all-night event includes games, entertainment and food. The minimum donation to attend is $1 and everyone is welcome.
Fun Fest
The UCA Indian Student Association is hosting Holi 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6 at the UCA Soccer/Softball Complex. The festival will include color throwing, water balloon fights, dancing, music and food.
Kwadi Higgins Staff Writer
The College of Fine Arts and Communication and the music department sponsored performances by Jeffery Zehngut and Tatiana Roitman Mann. Zehngut and Mann performed at 7:30 p.m. March 28 at the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall. Zehngut, violinist, and Roitman Mann, pianist, performed pieces for their audience. Presenting themselves on stage in all-black attire, a large black piano and a brown violin, Zehngut and Mann lit up the room with their distinctive sounds. After the duo took the audience to different heights with the many pitches and paces of their instruments, they would leave the stage, gathering applause, and would return shortly to perform their next pieces. Their performances featured pieces by Dmitri Shostakovich, Johannes Brahms, W. A. Mozart, and Sergie Prokofiev. Sophomore Kendle Carter said she enjoyed the performance. “The violinist and pianist were very good at juxtaposing between slow and fast, playful and serious, melancholy and happy rhythms,” she said. “It created an exciting and beautiful work of art. I really enjoyed it because it kept me eager for their next pieces.” The show’s program states that Tatiana’s interpretations of solo, concerto and chamber repertoire are characterized by their warmth and emotional
photo by Pham Minh
Violinist Jeffrey Zehngut and Pianist Tatiana Roitman Mann perform “Adagio” March 28 in Snow Fine Arts. The duo played multiple songs and entertained the audience with their musical talents. intensity. Sophomore Nathaniel Trent said he was impressed by the act. “The performance went well,” he said. “Using not only the piano, but also the violin, they were able to portray happy and sad sounds. In every piece, I could relate a background story
to go with it. Both instruments were able to come together to form a beautiful sound. I enjoyed it.” The program provided background coverage on the two musicians. Zehngut, for the past few years, has gone on tour
throughout the United States and Europe. He performs regularly as a soloist and as a chamber musician. He has positions with the Orchestra Nova and California Chamber Orchestras. Tatiana Roitman Mann has
traveled across North America and Europe. She is currently an Artist-inResidence at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The crowd stood in ovation as the two musicians bowed after their performance, showing its appreciation.
Fab five
The 5 Browns are coming back to UCA at 7:30 p.m. April 15 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The singing quintet played at the university in 2007 and are said to be back by popular demand. The group includes Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae Brown and has been featured on “ The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “60 Minutes.” The quinted has performed all around the world. Tickets are $30-$40 for the general public and free for UCA students with a current ID.
Submissions
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-SUPPORT-
Several organizations sponsor ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,’ hope to raise awareness about rape, gender violence, abuse by Brandon Riddle News Editor
Men at UCA are asked to trade in their typical shoes for high heels to raise awareness of important women’s issues April 4. The second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event — which is a march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence — is part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. At the event, men wear high heeled shoes to have the experience of being in someone else’s shoes. According to the organization’s website, marching can be critical to opening communication about difficult subjects related to sexualized violence. Participants are asked to meet
Senior Brittany Madalone “No. I’m an art major and the art facilities are pretty bad and I think it could use improvement.”
at the Crafton Alumni Pavilion on Bruce Street during x-period to march and learn more about preventing sexual assault. The walk will start at the pavilion, continuing past Christian Cafeteria and the Student Center. The Interfraternity Council (IFC), UCAPD, UCA’s athletic department and the Division of University and Government Relations are hosting the event. Scott Isenga, fraternity life director, said this year’s event differs from the inaugural campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month event because of new advertising techniques. “We are registered [this year] with the national organization and will promote the event using logos sanctioned [nationwide],” he said. Donations will be accepted
during the event. Proceeds from the march will benefit the local HAVEN (Help for Abused Victims in Emergency Need) House in Conway. HAVEN House is a local shelter for girls, ages 6 to 18, who are in need of shelter. The house offers long-term living from six months to an unending contract in some instances. “Our goal is to help women in need of transition and safe haven,” he said. Tables with information about local women’s shelters and support groups will be set up at the event. Volunteers, including students involved with Greek organizations, will hand out flyers related to sexual assault safety. Jenny Morse, HAVEN director, said the shelter will have
Students Say story by Spencer Griffin photos by Sean Shrewsbury
information available to students interested in putting an end to violence against women. “I think it’s a great cause to stop domestic violence,” Morse said. “We were asked to participate and one of our board members is on the planning committee.” Isenga said it is important for men to show support and realize the importance of women’s issues, especially in regard to sexual assault and rape. “Even if they can’t walk in heels, we still encourage them to come out [and support the cause],” he said. Any individual or Recognized Student Organization can participate in the event. Wearing women’s shoes is not a requirement to participate. While the event generally
focuses on the effects an unfamiliar setting has on men, anyone is welcome to march in solidarity to support the cause. Isenga said he hopes to continue partnering with the HAVEN House in the future to promote local shelters. “It’s good to show solidarity that we’re not supportive of violence,” he said. Frank Baird, walk founder, created the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in 2001. According to its website, the international march “started out as a small group of men daring to totter around a park” and has become a worldwide movement with tens of thousands of men raising money for local crisis centers and domestic violence shelters and educating about sexual violence.
Junior Chris Eaton “I think it’s too high. It could be used to improve facilities.”
“Do you think the $35,000 spent per year on Spring Fling is appropriate? ” Freshman Elizabeth Lyles “Of course because I’m trying to have fun and I already paid my tuition.”
Freshman Leanna Mitchell “Tuition could be cheaper if they didn’t make stuff so high.”
Freshman Brione Davis “I believe it’s appropriate because it’s all free. It’s like it never affected us.”
Freshman Kinsey Hickerson “For just one day, I think that’s too much, but if they have the money, it should come back toward us with events like this.”
w w w. UCAE cho .n e t / c ampu slife
Freshman Keshia Grooms “Spend it if you got it.”
Junior Donnie Madden “That sounds like too much because my tuition is too high.”
ucaecho.net
CAMPUS LIFE
April 3, 2013 /4 BY JENNIFER HICKS
CONRAD AND SYD
-CINEMA-
Digital filmmaking students showcase movies for degrees Tanner Smith Staff Writer
The UCA Graduate Thesis Film screening featuring digital filmmaking students was presented at 7 p.m. March 30 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The event showed two graduate thesis films,whose creators hoped to receive Masters of Fine Arts for their short films. The two short films shown were graduate students Chris Paradis’ “A Wheel & the Moon” and Lyle Arnett, Jr.’s “December 1982.” Before the event began, audience members socialized in the lobby. Some talked with the filmmakers and others took pictures of themselves in front of a “December 1982” poster that was set up in front of the auditorium doors. Some students attended to receive extra credit in their film classes, while others were more interested in the films than the points. Bruce Hutchinson, graduate studies of digital filmmaking director and associate professor of digital filmmaking, introduced the event. “A Wheel & the Moon,” written and directed by Paradis, was adapted from a short story by Jonathan Carroll, titled “A Wheel in the Desert, the Moon on some Swings,” and was screened first. The film is about Norman, a young man who learns he is losing his vision. As the film’s
photo by Emily Lawrence
A screening for “A Wheel & The Moon” by Chris Paradis showed at 7:30 p.m. March 30 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The digital filmmmaking screening was for students in the field trying to get a Masters of Fine Arts Degree. Facebook page describes, “The people Norman meets, while he avoids dealing with his circumstances, lead him to an unlikely miracle.” Immediately following was
“December 1982” by Arnett, Jr. This 30-minute drama was about a high-school student named Tim who writes letters to a Lebanese girl, Yara, for his high school’s adopt-a-school in Beirut.
They send each other letters with pictures of moves and counter-moves on a chessboard, and develop a pen-pal relationship. While Tim is having trouble
mapping out his future, Yara is faced with her own problems. Her family find themselves caught in a war when Israeli military forces invade their country. Both films were met with
good audience reception. Sophomore Michael Xiques and freshman Jake Lurvey, digital filmmaking majors, said they enjoyed the event. “It was absolutely like I expected,” Xiques said. “Maybe even more.” He said that both films were “awesome” and “entertaining.” Xiques and Lurvey said they were enthusiastic about seeing thesis films and that they hope to be part of the MFA program in the future. Allison Bristol, an alumna of the digital filmmaking MFA program whose graduate thesis film “Still Life” was completed last year, also attended the event. “I was in [the screening] last year and I just wanted to show support for the guys in the classes below me,” she said. She said she enjoyed the films, adding that she feels Paradis and Arnett are “super talented.” “I knew what to expect because I’ve seen films from Lyle and Chris before,” Bristol said. “But, I think they took their talents so that they utilized them really well. They both know what kind of personalities they have, and you could really see it in the films. It’s a good reflection of their work.” Little Rock actor Johnnie Brannon also attended the event. “I was expecting two great films and I watched two great films,” he said.
-PUNCH OUT-
-SONG-
Opera theater program to host Sig Tau ‘Fite Nite’ tournament back comedic ‘Pirates’ performance by Clark Johnson Sports Editor
by Anastassiya Khvan Staff Writer
Following along the original Broadway performance, Opera Theater workshop students will present “The Pirates of Penzance” April 5-7 at Reynolds Performance Hall. “The Pirates of Penzance” is a two-act comic opera, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert. The opera’s official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on Dec. 31, 1879. The two-hour performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 5 and 6 and at 3 p.m. April 7. The opera features Frederic, who was apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted orphaned pirates by his nurse, who — being hard of hearing
— had mistaken her master’s instruction to assign Frederic a pilot’s apprenticeship. Upon Frederics’s 21st birthday, he was able to leave his apprenticeship. Once out in society, Frederic fell in love with Mabel, the daughter of MajorGeneral Stanley. However, Frederic finds out he was born Feb. 29 and is forced to serve the pirates for another 63 years because he hadn’t technically had 21 birthdays. Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to faithfully wait for him. Voice professor Robert Holden and associate voice professor Wolfgang Oeste said rehearsals began in November. Staging for the opera began in February.
Holden said one of the reasons the opera department will perform “The Pirates of Penzance” is the relative easiness of singing for the students. Oeste said the performance is family-friendly. “People will be able to come with children because it’s a comedy accessible for everybody,” he said. “Also, this is a famous Gilbert and Sullivan piece, so people are familiar with the title.” Holden said he believes the opera will be an interesting performance. “I think it will be wonderful,” Oeste said. “My expectations are [that] if the performance goes as well as it did [the other] night, I will be very happy.” Admission is free and open to the public.
Students and Conway residents will have the opportunity to compete in boxing matches at the 34th annual Sigma Tau Gamma Fite Nite April 3 and 4 at the Conway Expo Center. Sigma Tau Gamma has sponsored the event since the inaugural Fite Nite in 1979 to raise proceeds for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Fite Nite allows students and residents to compete in sanctioned boxing matches in front of a live audience. The fights are set in a tournament-style bracket, cumulating to an annual champion. Ten fights are scheduled on each night of the event, even though there is time and space for 12 fights per night. In past Fite Nite events, “grudge matches” have been held, where an impromptu match takes place, typically between audience members. Brent Ashcraft said the most rewarding part of being
involved in Fite Nite is keeping the tradition going. “The coolest thing about Fite Nite is its tradition,” Ashcraft said. “It’s amazing, yet humbling to know that you and your brothers are in charge of something that has been running for that long.” Fite Nite has drawn soldout crowds in recent history. The event is attended by UCA students and Conway residents. Ashcraft said he feels the event is a big part of UCA’s and Conway’s culture. “There are people out there who will tell you that Fite Nite is just as much a part of Conway as Toad Suck Daze,” he said. Ashcraft said the story of the father of one of his fraternity brothers, senior Dillon Richard, competing in the inaugural Fite Nite gives the fraternity’s history an idea of the event’s history. “David Richard finished second in [the first] Fite Nite and was the champion the following two years,” Ashcraft said. “He’s proud to tell you that the guy he finished second to ended up
winning Little Rock Toughman five years in a row. It’s very cool to hear these kinds of stories.” Sigma Tau Gamma junior Taylor Knox said the event always draws a large crowd. “I think Fite Nite is such a successful event because we put in a lot of hard work and have great alumni around Conway,” Knox said. “Who doesn’t like to see a couple of guys they know go at it?” In addition to the competitors, the event has a Miss Knockout competition. Ashcraft said the title typically goes to the most energetic ring girl at the event. The ring girls are typically UCA sorority members. Ashcraft said the event is entertaining and the competitors have been preparing. “Some of the guys have trained for months to fight this week,” Ashcraft said. “Come watch them get in the ring and go at it. You won’t regret it.” Admission for Fite Nite is $8 per night. $50 ringside seats are also available.
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Entertainment
5 -DRAMA-
April 3, 2013
New This Week Books
April 8 — Blue Book of Gun Values by S. P. Fjestad April 9 — Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods April 9 — My Way: An Autobiography by Paul Anka, David Dalton
photo courtesy of www.amctv.com
“The Walking Dead” was developed by Frank Darabont and produced by Robert Kirkman, Glenn Mazzara and Scott Gimple.
‘Dead’ finale could be better
April 9 — Don’t Go by Lisa Scottoline April 9 —Midnight at Marble Arch by Anne Perry April 9 — The Art of BioShock Infinite by Ken Levine, Nate Wells, Irrational Games
Movies April 5 — Evil Dead, directed by Fede Alvarez, starring Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez April 5 — Trance, directed by Danny Boyle, starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel
April 5 — Jurassic Park 3-D, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern
Music April 9 — House Of Gold & Bones Part 2 - Stone Sour April 9 — Machineries Of Joy British Sea Power April 9 — Device - Device April 9 — Resilience - Drowning Pool April 9 — Wheelhouse - Brad Paisley April 9 — Except Sometimes Molly Ringwald April 9 — Right Place, Right Time - Olly Murs April 9 — Monkey Minds In The Devil’s Time - Steve Mason April 9 — Shaking The Habitual - The Knife April 9 — Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies - Volbeat April 9 — Three Chords And A Half Truth - Face to Face April 9 — Electric Sounds - Sad Baby Wolf April 9 — Cyclops Reap - White Fence April 9 — The Beat - Boney James
Video Games April 16 —Injustice: Gods Among Us, Xbox 360, PlayStation, PC April 16 — Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, Nintendo 3DS
photo courtesy of www.nme.com
“I Am Not a Human Being II” is rapper Lil Wayne’s 10th studio album. It is the sequel to his 2010 rap/ rock project “I Am Not a Human Being.”
‘Human Being’ sequel continues trend by Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor
The reactions to Lil Wayne’s new album, “I Am Not a Human Being II,” released March 26 will cover both extremes. Some people will absolutely loathe the album because of the strange roads Wayne seems to take and some will completely fall in love with the album. Some will love it because of the musical diversity and some will enjoy it simply for the fact that it is Wayne and he is guaranteed to have at least some good songs on the album. With that being said, “I Am Not a Human Being II” may be one of the strangest albums released by Wayne. On one hand, the album contains several great songs that have Wayne rapping. On the other hand, it has Wayne trying to continue down the rock/pop path like he did on his album “Rebirth.” If Wayne had stuck to his bread and butter, which is rap, “I Am Not a Human Being II” could have been some of his best work, but he felt he had to challenge himself with the rock/pop game. Listeners will be able to hear
Weapons Used in Zombie Movies and TV Shows List compiled by Durrell Green
musical choices on the album, Wayne managed to produce some great tracks on “I Am Not a Human Being II.” Most people already know a few songs on the album that were released earlier. These songs include “No Worries,” “My Homies Still” and “Love Me.” These songs are top of the line and the type of music quality the public expects of Wayne. These songs have already reached popularity and continue to rise. Other good songs on the album, aside from those that have already been released as singles, include “Curtains,” “Trippy” and “Rich as F*ck.” These songs will remind the listener of what Wayne is capable of. “I Am Not a Human Being II” was released weeks after it was reported that Wayne had a stroke and was hospitalized. The rapper said he will release one more album, “Tha Carter V.” “Tha Carter V” is rumored to be released in 2013, but Wayne, like most rappers, will probably push back the release date of his album. “I Am Not a Human Being II” is available on iTunes and Google Play for $14.99 for the deluxe edition and $11.49 for the regular version.
Entertainment Editor
AMC’s “The Walking Dead” reminded fans why television is awful. It concluded its third season March 31, and the episode felt less like a finale than December’s mid-season finale did. “The Walking Dead” was developed by Frank Darabont and produced by Robert Kirkman, the author of the graphic novels, as well as Glenn Mazzara and Scott Gimple. It has been running since 2010. While episode 16, “Welcome to the Tombs” answered a lot of questions for the season and the long-awaited war between Rick’s, played by Andrew Lincoln, group and the Governor’s, played by David Morissey, finally happened, fans were left wondering what will happen to the Governor when the prison group repelled his attack. Lincoln revealed in an interview that 27 characters were going to die in the finale. Most of them were minor characters from Woodbury, but at least two main characters were killed. Several major changes happen to many of the characters in the show. Carl, played by Chandler Riggs, crosses the line when he shoots a boy who looks like he’s going to surrender his weapon. The Governor loses his last bit of sanity and guns down the surviving members of his army when they refuse to fight any longer.
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by Tanner Smith Staff Writer
“Spring Breakers” is surreal, oddly-executed, vulgar, raunchy, ambitious, unique, powerful and effective. It was written and directed by Harmony Korine and is like a bizarre, candy-colored fantasy about wild, reckless teenage girls having a blast on a most peculiar spring break. Anyone who knows of Korine’s work will most likely expect something strange out of a fairly simple concept, capturing the lives of ordinary people as characters. The results are usually not as simple as they would seem—the characters in his stories don’t feel like characters in execution; actually, they’re not even very likeable, but they seem all too real. That was the case with the loathsome teenager Telly in “Kids,” and this is the case with the four teenage girls in “Spring Breakers.” Teenage girls Faith, played by Selena Gomez, Candy, played by Vanessa Hudgens, Brit, played by Ashley Benson and Cotty, played by Rachel Korine, are lifelong friends who seek a memorable spring break vacation. But they lack the money for room, board, booze and drugs. Three of the girls get the money by robbing a chicken restaurant with ski masks
A shotgun is perfect for killing zombies for several reasons. From more than 40 yards away, depending on the gun, a shotgun can blow a zombie’s head off. Shotguns are relatively inexpensive, easy to acquire and easy to maintain. Shotguns come in a variety of variants from a simple single-shot break action to a fully automatic. Almost every zombie film and television show uses shotguns throughout them, making them a staple for the genre.
and fake pistols to make them look threatening. That scene is very well done, by being shot in one sequence from the camera’s exterior perspective. For the first 40 minutes, “Spring Breakers” is thin on story, but rich with style as the girls enjoy their spring break out of town by drinking, getting high, gyrating, fooling around with strangers, cruising around on rented scooters and enjoying sunsets with their arms wrapped around each other, while Korine uses handheld camera movements and a particularly effective soundtrack to make it look like an even more perverse version of “Girls Gone Wild.” The film suddenly takes a new story turn, as the girls are bailed out by a “gangsta rappa” dubbed “Alien,” played by James Franco, in exchange for their company as he and his posse enjoy Spring Break their own way. Alien deals drugs, is filthy-rich, has a ridiculous amount of weaponry and has twin henchmen to look out for him. This is where “Spring Breakers” takes a turn, as the girls have fun with their new predatory acquaintance by playing with guns, fooling around and losing more of their innocence. Things get even darker when Alien’s enemy and his allies warn Alien to stop selling in his territory. The casting is spot-on. To see Franco
2. Machete/Knife A machete is a large knife with a sharp blade used for clearing brush. The beauty of a machete is that it can be used throughout a zombie apocalypse, it just requires sharpening periodically. All of the charcaters in AMC’s “The Walking Dead” carry knives as secondary weapons. The only problem with knives is that in order to use them, it requires the user to be in close proximity to a zombie, thus increasing the chances of getting their brains eaten.
Tyreese, played by Chad Coleman, and Sasha, played by Sonequa Martin-Green, decide to join the prison group. More questions left unanswered include: how Daryl is taking his brother’s death, how Rick will cope with Carl being a killer and whether Daryl and Carol will to become a “thing?” The cast was great, as usual, but the episode just didn’t have the punch of a season finale, especially compared to season two’s finale. Where it was lacking was the war. I felt like the episode was rushed and the war wasn’t quite long enough to make up for the suspense the whole season had built up. You could tell that they left a few plot lines untied to keep fans guessing until season four. This has always bothered me about television and “The Walking Dead” is no different. The only part of the episode that really felt like a finale was the ending sequence of shots showing Rick, Daryl and Michonne returning to Woodbury and bringing the remaining people to the prison, while the Governor remained at large. The Governor deserted the massacre scene with his henchman Cesar Martinez. Although it was obviously rushed and a little shorter than necessary, “Welcome to the Tombs” was still a great episode, just not a great finale. “The Walking Dead” will begin production in May for its fourth season. The season premieres in October.
-TELEVISION-
‘Breakers’ gives audience original look at film cliche; shows problems of partying
1. Shotgun
The Top Five
these genre attempts immediately when they listen to the first song, “IANHB.” The song opens with a long piano riff and then includes Wayne rapping. While this song is not extremely off genre, most would say it should be considered rap. It has a different feel to it and that is what Wayne was going for. One of the most extreme cases of Wayne attempting the rock game is his song, “Hello.” There is so much going on in this song including hectic drumming, guitar riffs and Wayne rapping/ rocking out. This is by far the worst song on the album, but like I said, this is one area where most people will disagree. One extreme standout on the album is “Hot Revolver.” This song contains less rock, but more pop, which is not what we are used to. This track has an extreme boyband vibe and can be included with “Hello” in the conversation of worst song on the album. It may simply be that we are not used to hearing this side of Wayne. Regardless, it is a strange listen when one is expecting the old Wayne. Even with the diversity and
by Stephen Reynolds
in this performance is to believe him. Very rarely do I see Franco in a performance, but here, he really steals the show. This character deserves its own movie. For those who saw that Gomez and Hudgens, both former Disney Channel starlets, and Benson, from “Pretty Little Liars,” listed above as three actresses who co-star in this film and wondering if you read that correctly, you did. These actresses, along with Korine, are undeniably convincing. What “Spring Breakers” does differently is it doesn’t emphasize on the fun that these young people seem to have. Instead, it gives us something completely original. The only thing about “Spring Breakers” I didn’t find fitting in comparison to everything that followed it was the ending. Without giving too much away, it’s supposed to show the growth of certain characters who resort to ultimate destruction to end their paradisiac holiday. I felt the development of moving along a better path was somewhat sporadic. It also seemed a little conventional, which is odd, considering that the rest of the film is far from conventional. “Spring Breakers” runs at 94 minutes, is rated R and is playing at the Cinemark Towne Center in Conway.
3. Baseball bat A baseball bat is a blunt object that can be used to down a zombie. The idea is to use force to break bones in a zombie’s head instead of cutting like a knife. In the film, “Zombieland,” Talahassee, played by Woody Harrelson, almost exclusively uses a baseball bat to kill zombies. He uses the weapon because “it’s more badass.” Baseball bats have the same problem as knives in proximity requirements and require more force, making it undesirable for weaker people.
‘Bates Motel’ shows promise by Anastassiya Khvan Staff Writer
“Bates Motel” premiered March 18 on A&E. Ten episodes are included in the first season. Vera Farmiga plays Norma Louise Bates and Freddie Highmore plays Norman Bates. This drama was based on the novel “Psycho” by Robert Bloch and Alfred Hitchcock’s film, “Psycho.” It tells the story of Norman and his mother Norma’s life before the events in Hitchcock’s movie. The first episode starts when Norman finds his father dead. He and his mother move to a fictional town, White Pine Bay, Ore., to start a new life. The creators of this drama were able to intrigue the viewers from the first seconds of the first scene, which is very important. I did not watch “Psycho” nor have I read the book, so I was not sure what to expect. Sometimes in a television series, the plot can be interesting and well thought out and have tiny details worked out, but there is a feeling that something is missing, and after couple of episodes (if you were lucky enough to have patience and watch them) you get bored with the show. However, in this case I can definitely say that I am going to watch at least the whole first season. This series is an example
4. Fire Fire can be used in many ways, including killing zombies. Fire works by cooking a zombie until it can no longer function. Fire comes from several sources such as an active fire or from a flamethrower. Although fires are highly effective, they are hopelessly impractical. Fires require trapping zombies long enough to kill them. In “The Walking Dead,” Rick scores a huge zombie kill by trapping a herd in a barn, pouring gasoline on them and lighting them on fire.
which shows that all pieces of a puzzle are in their places, creating a strong picture – such combination is rare among television programs’ production due to high competition on the market. Almost every month many new TV shows are advertised and it is quite difficult to choose a really good one. “Bates Motel” is worth watching for a couple of reasons. Farmiga brilliantly plays Norma Bates, hardly anyone can doubt her acting skills. I was not sure that Highmore’s role of a future psychopath fits this shy and nice-looking guy. I was pleasantly surprised how this young British actor managed his responsibilities and made a strong tandem with Farmiga. The first two episodes did not show Highmore’s potential, but the audience will be able to see Highmore’s talent revealed in further episodes. It has been a tendency to take a classical Hollywood movie as a base and make up a plot that goes beyond the original plot. “Psycho” was a good finding for a new TV drama scenario and such shot on the home viewers’ screens was made pretty accurate. Of course, we have no idea how the events will twist in the show but we can expect more unpredictability very soon. “Bates Motel” airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on A&E.
5. Chainsaw A chainsaw is a gasolinepowered saw that rotates sharp blades along an extended blade. Chainsaws are highly effective but they run into several big problems. They require maintenance, such as cleaning and sharpening. Chainsaws also require a steady flow of gasoline. In Zack Snyder’s “Dawn of the Dead” remake, the charcters keep zombies off their escape vehicles by cutting them down with chainsaws when they climb up the side of the vehicles.
Opinion
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The Voice
April 3, 2013
Rushed executive hire doesn’t help school reputation
The Echo Staff Bus drivers important part of campus system w
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Jeanette Anderton Editor
Marisa Hicks Associate Editor
Brandon Riddle News Editor
Andy Robertson Assistant News Editor
Spencer Griffin Campus Life Editor
Brad Smith Opinion Editor
Clark Johnson Sports Editor
Hunter Brooks Assistant Sports Editor
Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor
Daniel Becker
In last week’s issue of the Echo, I wrote an in-depth article about the shuttle bus system at UCA and the kinds of things the drivers do and go through. The bus drivers made sure to let me know that I made some questionable decisions on who I interviewed and the information I received. After speaking with the drivers, I realized I was wrong and that I should have talked to the drivers as well as the people in charge of the system. I take full responsibility for my errors in judgment when it comes to whom I interviewed for the article. I am absolutely thrilled that the drivers, two or three in particular, took it upon themselves to let me know how they felt. These men treated me with respect as if I was one of their friends. It sounds cheesy for me to say something like this, and probably makes it sound like I don’t have many friends, but I really appreciate the little things like this that make me appreciate people around campus. I wrote a column last semester expressing my appreciation for the drivers and maintenance workers around the university and that appreciation still exists, but this action by the bus drivers made me feel like they appreciate the articles I write and the things I have to say about them. I would have never imagined that someone cared that much about what I put in the newspaper, but that just goes to show that some people appreciate more things than you might think. This being said, students around campus should realize through this and other actions that campus workers do care about the students and
strive to make make their college experiences pleasant. I have seen this countless times from different workers around campus. Cashiers in the Student Center will often have big smiles on their faces and be happy about their jobs for no reason. This should make the students appreciative for the brightness this brings to daily life on campus. These workers, as well as bus drivers and other workers, will often stop what they are doing and talk to students about how their day has been, things going on around campus and more. If students stopped and took time to cherish these conversations, they by Spencer would realize that they Griffin have more people around Campus Life campus to talk to and Editor make them smile than they think. These small, seemingly petty conversations not only benefit the workers’ lives, as I stated in my previous column, but the students can also get insight, advice and, in my case, constructive criticism. I would have never imagined that my profession as a print journalism major would be improved by shuttle bus drivers. They had the willingness and respect to approach me and let me know what I have done wrong. That is not to say that the drivers only point out when I make a mistake. In fact, these men have expressed their appreciation of my work on countless occasions and I respect them immensely for that. If students take a short time out of their busy day to stop and talk to some of these workers, they can realize that sometimes what they have to say is more valuable than imaginable and can provide a serendipitous spark of motivation or change.
Photo Editor
Chase Blasingame Web Editor
Jennifer Hicks Feature Cartoonist
James Johnson Editorial Cartoonist
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Taking time to relieve stress good for social, professional lives Taking a few minutes out of a busy day can help break away from the stress of school. As college students we are overloaded with homework, studying and jobs. There is not a lot of free time to enjoy. For some students, spring break was a time to get away from doing school work and have fun. For others, it was a time to catch up on school and study or work. As we get closer to the end of the semester, large projects will be coming up and we will be working harder than ever to bring up our grades. The end of the semester can be very stressful to many students. Instead of stressing about upcoming projects, tests or homework, set aside time for yourself. I understand that school comes before fun but we all need some time to wind down and get away from stress. I like to spend my free time a few different ways. I like to play guitar, hang with my friends and play or watch sports. Doing these things helps me feel relaxed and takes my mind off school. I know that all of our time is not spent on school, but some students do stuff for school or work all the time. A couple of months ago I got in touch with one of my friends that I haven’t talked to in a year and a half. I asked her if she wanted to hang some time.
She told me she did but she couldn’t because she is busy with work and school. She has been like this for as long as I’ve known her and I respect her for it. If I remember right, she seemed like she was stressed out quite a bit because she was always doing stuff. Because we are so wrapped up in finishing schoolwork, our sleep suffers. Lately, I have been tired a lot because I have been working on school assignments or for The Echo. The work for The Echo is not bad because I only work on Monday nights and by Andy write stories throughout Robertson the week. I recently Asst. News Editor started a second parttime job so my time to do schoolwork and fun things will grow slim. Not everyone needs free time, but it really helps me function. I don’t want to be stuck in one place doing the same thing all the time so I will study or work on school assignments for about an hour at a time and take a 30-minute or so break. The breaks help me stay focused when I need to get stuff done. Everyone needs to find what makes them happy or something they enjoy doing for a little bit of time to get their minds away from stress. It may be reading a book, going on a bike ride, watching a movie or playing an instrument. We all have stress and we all need to get away from it.
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Less than two weeks after getting Provost Steve Runge confirmed as permanent provost behind closed doors, President Tom Courtway appointed Kelley Erstine as his chief of staff. Erstine will begin his new job July 1. As with Runge, the issue is not his qualifications, but the way he was hired. Erstine was hired out of the blue with no time for discussion or a public selection process. Courtway technically has the power to hire three positions in his executive staff. Two of them are now filled by Executive Assistant to the President Gilbert Baker and Erstine. The third position is vacant. Erstine and Baker were hired with little to no warning. Courtway does not seem to understand that having the power to do something does not mean that it should be done. Courtway does not have to say anything to the UCA community about the executive positions, but this is not effective leadership. The last three prominent hires at this university have been done with as little conferring with campus governing bodies as possible. UCA is not a good place to do this. If Courtway wants to finally get this university’s reputation back on track, he needs to hire people in an open way. Compounding the problem is that Erstine was hired as a replacement for former Chief of Staff Jack Gillean. Gillean resigned amid an investigation into several crimes, which resulted in him being charged with several felonies. Before Erstine moved to North Carolina, he was on the UCA Board of Trustees during the administration of former President Lu Hardin. Erstine left immediately before the turmoil with Hardin began. Erstine has likely never done anything wrong in his career serving UCA and North Carolina, but his connections to the Hardin administration at least deserved a public second glance before the decision to hire him was made. This is especially important because of the position he is filling. Erstine is paid well above his salary cap, adding to the handful of administrators at UCA who are paid above the normal salary limit. While legal, it has not been explained what makes Erstine so valuable to UCA. Erstine’s experience as the chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina does not have an obvious benefit to an executive position at a university. Erstine, like Baker and Runge, may turn out to be a good addition to the campus. However, the way top administrators have been hired recently raises questions about the administration’s ability to keep open, honest lines of communication with the university’s community. If Courtway wants to get rid of the stigma hanging over his office, he must realize that hiring good people can be undermined if it is done in a way that seems shady or suspicious. UCA is under serious scrutiny for all the serious problems it has had. These problems can be remedied, but it will require a step back to get a little perspective on what causes the campus’ problems in the first place.
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.
The way top administrators have been hired recently raises questions about the administration’s ability to keep open, honest lines of communication with the university’s community.
Sports Baseball goes 2-1 in home series against Lamar 7
April 3, 2013
Week at a glance
Baseball takes Lamar series
The UCA men’s baseball team downed Oklahoma State 11-3 March 26. It earned its first conference win of the sesaon against Lamar. The Bears won the March 28 game against Lamar10-0 and the March 29 game 12-7 before falling 3-2 in the series finale March 30.
Softball splits at home The UCA softball team split a home series against McNeese State over the weekend. The Bears won the first game of the March 29 double-header 4-3, but fell in the second game 8-0. The final game scheduled for March 30 was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Records set at UCA Open Despite wet conditions, the UCA track team set a handful of records at the UCA Open March 30 at the Bill Stephens Complex. Edward Limo set the school record in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 14:47.12. Louis Corentin finished second with a 14:53.92 time.
Tennis falls in road trip The UCA tennis team fell twice over the weekend in a two-game road trip. The Bears lost 7-0 to Lamar March 29 in Beaumont, Texas. UCA took on McNeese State March 30, earning two wins but falling 5-2 to the Cowgirls.
Upcoming games
by Clark Johnson Sports Editor
The UCA baseball team earned its first conference wins on the season, splitting a threegame series against Lamar 2-1 at Bear Field over the weekend. The Bears (21-7, 2-4) took the first two games of the series against the Cardinals (22-8, 2-5). UCA played 12 of its last 13 games away from Bear Field before the series. In the opening game March 28, UCA shut out Lamar 10-0 in a five-inning game, shortened by the Mercy Rule. UCA senior pitcher Caleb McClanahan pitched the shut-out, picking up his fifth win of the season in the game. McClanahan allowed three hits in seven complete innings, earning four strikeouts. The Bears were led by senior second baseman Blake Marchal’s three RBIs. Marchal sent a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the bottom of the third, the first of his career. UCA held a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, where the game was blown open. UCA batted around in the inning, tallying six runs to put the run-rule in effect and end the game in five innings. The Bears kept the bats rolling in the second game of the series, downing the Cardinals 12-7 to officially take the series March 29. UCA was in control early, scoring three runs in the second and fifth innings to hold a 6-1 lead over the Cardinals heading into the sixth innings. However, Lamar answered with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to trim the
Bears lead to 7-6 in the seventh inning. UCA never let Lamar get close to the lead for the remainder of the game, sending five runs to the plate in the bottom of the seventh on just two hits. Junior center fielder Jonathan Davis’ three-run single generated the offense for the Bears in the frame. Davis finished 3-4 with three RBIs. Senior pitcher Jeffery Enloe collected the win, his fifth of the season. Enloe allowed six hits and three runs in six innings pitched, throwing six strikeouts. Lamar got one back in the final game of the series, downing the Bears 3-2 in 11 innings March 30. The Bears took advantage of a difficult first inning for Lamar junior pitcher Jonathan Dziedzic. Dziedzic gave up a pair of singles to the Bears’ first two batters. Both runners advanced on a balk and then a stolen base saw runners at second and third. An intentional walk loaded the bases, but Dziedzic walked in the first run of the game when his walk sent senior third baseman Garrett Brown to first. Marchal added to the UCA lead with his second home-run of the series in the bottom of the third. The solo shot gave the Bears a 2-0 lead, but proved to be the last significant offense UCA generated. The Bears held on to a 2-1 lead going into the top of the ninth. With two outs, a wild pitch scored Lamar sophomore pinch runner Joe Arechiga to tie the game at 2-2. The Bears couldn’t find a run to close the game, sending the finale into extra innings. In the top of the 11th, Lamar senior first baseman Brad Picha sealed the victory for the Cardinals on an RBI single to
center field. The Bears went down in order in the bottom of the frame to drop the final game of the series. Senior right fielder Forrest Allday said although the team was unable to get the sweep, winning the series against a strong conference opponent was big for the Bears. “I feel overall we did pretty well this weekend,” he said. “We swung well Thursday and Friday and pitched well all weekend in the tough conditions. Unfortunately, we couldn’t hang on and get the sweep Saturday, but it was good to get our first conference and series wins.” Senior left fielder Ethan Lewis said while the team performed well throughout the weekend, they should’ve completed the sweep. “It felt good to get a series win, although it was kind of a bittersweet game Saturday,” Lewis said. “We really felt like we should have won, but it felt good to bounce back from a rough series against Oral Roberts.” Lewis said the team was able to put together a complete effort in the first two games to get the wins. “Thursday and Friday we really came out and played good baseball in all three aspects,” Lewis said. “Saturday we had a lot of opportunities early that we didn’t take advantage of.” Junior pitcher Bryce Biggerstaff pitched 10 innings Saturday, allowing nine hits and tallying four strikeouts. Lewis said the team was unable to match the pitching effort to complete the sweep. “Biggerstaff pitched outstanding, we just didn’t get it done with the bats.”
photo by Sean Shrewsbury
Senior pitcher Jeffery Enloe collected his fifth win of the season in the 12-7 win Friday.
-DOUBLE HEADER-
-HISTORY-
Track breaks records during rainy Open
Baseball Friday at Northwestern State. 6 p.m. Saturday at Northwestern State. 2 p.m.
by Andy Robertson Assistant News Editor
Sunday at Northwestern State. 1 p.m. Tuesday vs. Grambling State. 6 p.m. Softball Today vs. Mississippi Vally State. 4 p.m. Saturday at Northwestern State. 4 p.m. Saturday at Northwestern State. 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Northwestern State. 11 a.m. Tuesday at Missouri State. 5 p.m. Tennis Today vs. Oral Roberts. 2 p.m. Friday vs. Alcorn State. 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at ArkansasPine Bluff. Noon. Men’s Soccer Saturday vs. Iowa Western Communty College. 10 a.m. Saturday vs. Delta State University. 2 p.m.
photos courtesy of ucasports.com
Junior first baseman Taylor Dear drove in the game-winning run in the first leg of Saturday’s doubleheader against the McNeese State Cowgirls.
Softball splits rain-shortened series against Cowgirls, moves to 23-12 by Peyton Olsen Staff Writer
The UCA Bears softball team shared the winner’s circle after splitting Friday’s double-header against the McNeese State University Cowgirls. The Bears won the first game 4-3 and lost the second 8-0, placing UCA 6-5 in the Southland Conference and 23-12 overall. Senior pitcher Kelsie Armstrong (15-7) showed off her arm with 10 strikeouts. During her seven innings in the circle, Armstrong allowed three runs on six hits and three walks. MSU’s freshman pitcher Jamie Allred (13-3) took the loss after 6.2 innings in the circle with nine strikeouts, but allowed the Bears to make it home four times off six hits and a walk. Even with the game one loss, Allred’s skill and 3-0 week earned her the title of Louisiana Softball Pitcher of the week. It was the first weekly award of her career. Game one was home run heavy. The first five runs of the game were products of home run drives. UCA’s offense marked the scoreboard first with sophomore shortstop Lissa Avita’s explosive three-RBI hit to right center. Avita’s home run was her first of the season. McNeese answered during the
top of the sixth inning with a pair of solo shots that put it one run behind the lead. In the top of the seventh inning, the Cowgirls tied the score 3-3 with the combination of a lead, a sacrifice blunt, a single and a Bears’ error. The Bears redeemed themselves with the gamewinning RBI in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore Tiffany Roby mimicked the Cowgirls’ tactics, advancing to second base off a large leadoff and a sacrificial blunt. Roby made it across to third. `With the help of junior first baseman Taylor Dear’s pinch hit on the first pitch she saw up the middle of the field, Roby made it home for the win. Head Coach David Kuhn said, “Taylor has helped the team in pressure situations before. She is a very mature and responsible athlete and she thrives in the high pressure.” Dear said she was happy she had the opportunity to perform for the team. “I get a little nervous, but I know my team has confidence in me and it helps me to have confidence in myself,” she said. The second game of the day saw the Bears get shut out by the Cowgirls. The softball women have not
made a habit of losing in shutout blows. This game marks the second occasion of the season— the first being a 10-0 loss to Sam Houston during the Bears’ spring break on the road. In the second game of the day, McNeese jumped all over the Bears, putting up four runs in the top of the first inning. The Cowgirls added four more in the fourth to push the score to 8-0. “[The team] got shutdown early and the homerun start gave McNeese a good lead,” Kuhn said. Junior outfielder Alanna DiVittorio smacked the ball into a two-RBI home run, and sophomore Ashley Modzelewski followed suit with a two-RBI hit. During the fourth inning, the Cowgirls’ offense exploded with a single and two doubles that resulted in four more runs. UCA reached base six times, but could not manage to generate enough offense to get on the board, falling in the second game of the series to move to 6-5 in conference play. Sophomore pitcher Ciara Clampitt took the loss for the Bears, her second of the season (3-2). McNeese State moved to 27-9 and 8-2 in Southland Conference play. Game three of the series was cancelled due to Saturday’s rain.
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The UCA men’s and women’s track teams combined to break five school records this weekend at the UCA Open. Assistant Head Coach Beau Theriot said the team performed better than expected with the tough weather Saturday. “For the conditions, it was great,” Theriot said. “Lots of personal records and five school records.” The UCA Open started Friday night at Hendrix, where junior Edward Limo broke junior Amos Gerber’s record in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 14:47.12. Limo finished second behind University of ArkansasLittle Rock junior Shaun Koehn. Three UCA freshmen finished in the top 10: Corentin Louis, third (14:53.92), Albert Maeder, seventh (15:20.12) and Grant Miller, tenth (15:42.00). Freshman Brooke Cassar broke the women’s 5,000-meter with a time of 17:21.70. The previous record of 18:21.57 was held by Stephanie Simpson. Freshman Jordan James placed fourth (18:43.20) and junior Jill Carson was sixth (18:45.60). Cassar was third in the 1,500-meter (4:44.00) and junior Kayla Nehus finished fourth (4:47.27). Sophomore Jean Black broke her own record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:02.81. She finished three seconds faster than her previous record of 1:05.34. Junior Erika Seltzer set a school-record in the 3,000 steeple chase with a time of 11:20.48, breaking Michelle Pitoniak’s record of 11:51.50. Senior Jasmine Ellis won the javelin with a school-record throw of 38.43 meters. Gerber won the 10,000meter with a time of 31:43.65 and sophomore Connor Ryan placed sixth (33:10.53). Sophomore Chance Tanner won the 400-meter with a time of 48.54. Junior Powell Bryant also finished under 50 seconds (49.99) for fourth place. Sophomore Dustie Smith was fifth and sophomore Kelton Ray was sixth. Tanner was second in the 200-meter (22.15).
Louis won the 1,500-meter with a time of 4:00.09, followed by Limo in second (4:06.04) and Gerber in fourth (4:08.08). Junior Trevor Peacock won the 400-meter hurdles in 53.97. Freshman Ryan Davidson was second in the 3,000-meter steeple chase (9:54.34) and freshman Anthony Faris-King finished second in the triple jump (14.14 meters). Junior James Leonard took third-place in the 800-meter (1:56.31). UCA’s men’s 4x100 relay team (freshman Roy Lowry, junior Trey Carter, Ray and Tanner) was second with 42.15. The 4x400 relay team (Tanner, Bryant, Ray and Smith) finished second with 3:15.95. Senior Daniel Reese turned in a fourth-place finish in the high-jump (1.73 meters), while Faris-King was sixth in the long jump (6.20 meters). Freshman Benjamin Jordan finished fifth in the 110 hurdles (20.15). Senior Baykal Altiner placed second in the hammer (37.90 meters), sixth in the shot put (1.44 meters) and seventh in discus (31.01). Carter finished second in the javelin (51.29) and sophomore Tanner Tolbert was seventh (45.08). Junior Tenesha Maxwell took the 100-meter with a time of 12.05 and sophomore Taniah Cash placed sixth (12.83). Freshman Khadijah Smith won the 200-meter in 25.10 and Ellis finished fourth with a time of 25.65. Smith also placed fourth in the 400-meter (58.34), while sophomore Jasmine Johnson finished fifth (59.37). Sophomore Anilah Bashir placed second in the 100-meter in 14.92. She was third in the 400-meter in 1:05.62. Black came in third with a time of 15.06 and sophomore Nicole Okeke placed fifth (15.88). Junior Jordan Chadwick finished third in the 800-meter (2:18.26). Junior Emily Carroll finished fourth in the 10,000meter in 40:25.32. Senior April Martin placed second in the triple jump (11.23). Head Coach Richard Martin said the annual meet at home is an advantage for the team. “It’s always good to run at home, we’re so used to traveling. It’s nice to have everyone sleep in their own bed,” Martin said.
8/ April 3, 2013
SPORTS
ucaecho.net
-SERVE-
Tennis downed by Lamar, Cowgirls by Brandon Riddle News Editor The UCA women’s tennis team lost in two Southland Conference road matches March 29 and 30. On March 29, the Bears lost to the Lamar Cardinals in Beaumont, Texas 0-7 and on March 30 the McNeese State University Cowgirls defeated the Bears 5-2. Head Coach Jeff Borengasser said the team tried hard in both matches. “We came out a little flat,” he said. “We competed hard, but it was just too inconsistent.” During the first day of singles competition, Cardinal senior Carolina Salas defeated junior Simona Horsikyan 6-4, 6-2. Cardinal sophomore Carolina Maso defeated sophomore Allison Murphy 6-1, 6-0; Cardinal junior Dariya Dashutina defeated sophomore Kristina Horsikyan 6-1,6-4. Cardinal junior Alicia Porte defeated freshman Krizia Buck 6-0, 6-1; Cardinal senior
Alessandra Pennesi defeated junior Sasha Ruocco 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 and Cardinal senior Natalia Mayagoitia defeated freshman Anna Buyukyan 6-0, 6-1. The Bears lost in all three doubles matches. Cardinal junior Helene Czudek and Salas defeated Simona Horsikyan and Murphy 8-5, Maso and Porte defeated Buck and Ruocco 8-5 and Dashutina and Mayagoitia defeated Buyukyan and Kristina Horsikyan 8-3. Borengasser said the Bears didn’t stay focused during the matches, especially on March 29 when the team failed to score. On March 30, the Cowgirls trailed UCA 1-0 after dropping the doubles point but came back to win five of six singles matches to win against the Bears. In singles, Cowgirl senior Lara Pujol won against Murphy 6-4, 7-5; Cowgirl junior Anastasia Surkova defeated Kristina Horsikyan 6-4, 6-4; Cowgirl sophomore Andreea Nenu won against Buck 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Cowgirl freshman Annabelle Peacock defeated Buyukyan 6-4,
1-6, 6-3. “We have to be 100 percent focused every day and practice,” Borengasser said. “We’re out there for a few hours and it takes concentration.” Horsikyan said the remaining matches this season will be a test for the team. “We’ve had strong and full-effort practices during the past few weeks,” Horsikyan said. “Since we only have a few matches left, we all want to do well in them.” Borengasser said Horsikyan stood out at the two matches last week. “[Horsikyan] had a big comeback,” he said. “She was definitely a standout.” Horsikyan said the Bears worked hard in both matches to build on previous play this season. The team is 6-13 this season. “Even though we lost this weekend, we all gave 100 percent effort, concentration and had a good attitude,” Horsikyan said. “All the matches were close and the difference in winning and losing in tennis is always small.”
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