Nov. 8, 2012 by The Echo

w w w. UCAE cho .n e t

Single Copy Paid For by Student Publication Fee

*SPECIAL EDITION* Volume 108 — Issue 11

November 8, 2012 Thursday

Opinion:

Elections:

Voice: Republican’s control of Arkansas house, senate bad sign for higher education

Politics: How UCA employees, students fared in local elections

4 page 4

4 page 2

President Obama wins second term

How your vote compares: Below are the unofficial numbers for the UCA polling place versus Faulkner County votes in the recent election.

UCA

Faulkner Co. President

LINDSAY

STEIN

ROMNEY

26,653

JOHNSON

694

243

OBAMA

45 371

13,559

U.S. Congress 189

RULE

12,134

HAYES

1,019

GRIFFIN

26,172

WARD

1,159

State Senate District 35 229

TYLER

13,299

RAPERT

15,827

State Rep. District 70 77

MEEKS

198

6,677

BASSHAM

4,066

County Judge 233

SCROGGIN

22,920

LESSMANN

17,251

County Sheriff 211

EARNHART

15,782

SHOCK

24,742

County Clerk 52

VAUGHT

17,990

228

REYNOLDS

22,199

By Clark Johnson Staff Writer

President Barack Obama will serve another four-year term after winning the 2012 Presidential Election Tuesday night. Obama received 303 votes in the electoral college. Republican challenger Governor Mitt Romney received 206 votes. Romney was awarded Arkansas’ six votes. The effects of Superstorm Sandy made for an interesting night in states affected. However, a storm south of the most affected states caused some stir on election night. Virginia had to delay reporting results from their scheduled time at 7 p.m. EST until 8 p.m. EST due to long lines at polling places. Voters who were in line by 7 p.m. were allowed to stay and fill out their ballot. Many believe this was a result of the ongoing coverage of Virginia as a primary “swing state,” along with Ohio, Florida, Colorado and others. One of the themes for the 2012 Obama campaign was “Keep Moving Forward.” After passing the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” Obama set the tone that his administration wants to continue what his administration started. Governor Romney’s campaign went on a slogan stating “Real Change From Day One.” The Romney campaign challenged the Affordable Care Act, Obama’s stimulus package, government debt and many other issues. In Faulkner County, Governor Romney received 64.5 percnt of the vote with 26,653 votes. President Obama received 32.81% with 13,559 votes. After Obama was declared the winner,

photos courtesy of Google Images

President Barack Obama is covered in confetti (left) after news of his re-election is announced Tuesday night in Chicago, Ill. Obama embraces Vice President Joe Biden (right) after giving his acceptance speech to unite the American people as “one nation.” reaction poured in from the nation. With the emerging prominence of social media, citizens made their opinions known. Reaction came in from the UCA

FIDDLER ON THE FLOOR

WHARTON

22,538

SOTALLARO

17,068

SIMON

23,846

HOOTON

16,120

by Marisa Hicks News Editor

Constable Cadron Township 219

EDWARDS

11,583

TILLMAN

10,956

Conway Mayor 21

HERROLD

1,452

104

ELSINGER

8,016

139

TOWNSELL

10,615

Conway Alderman Ward 1 Position 1 108

ROLAND

1,506

145

HAWKINS

2,891

Issue 1 (Half-cent highway tax)

photo by Clark Johnson

District 35 senate candidate elect Jason Rapert (R) plays the fiddle in his band at a watch party at the Country Inn and Suites on election night.

222

FOR

22,849

-ISSUE-

AGAINST

16,664

Medical marijuana fails in Arkansas

Issue 2 (Financial reform for counties and municipalities)

by Mary DeLoney Editor

154

FOR

17,112

124

AGAINST

21,205

Issue 5 (Medical marijuana) 229 72

FOR

19,723

AGAINST

20,818

See President- page 2

Romney loses to Obama in race, fails to capture swing state votes

Tax Collector 210

work is just getting started.

- D E F E AT-

Circuit Clerk 228

community, as well. Junior Cebron Hackett supported President Obama in the election. Hackett said although the election is over, the

Legalizing medical marijuana was failed by Arkansas voters this election. If the issue had passed, Arkansas would have been the first southern state to legalize marijuana. “I’m not surprised it didn’t pass,” junior Nick Lensing said. “Maybe the

next time around it will. [The vote] was a lot closer than I thought it would be.” Should it have passed, it would have allowed patients with certain conditions, such as cancer, AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease, among other conditions, to buy marijuana from dispensaries with a doctors prescription.

See Marijuana - page 2

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lost to President Barack Obama with 206 electoral votes. The election required 270 electoral votes to win, Obama received 303. Romney lost many of the swing states he was depending on to steal the presidency, including Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Nevada, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was a loss Romney was not expecting because he had put so much into winning the state’s vote. North Carolina, which supported Obama in 2008, sided with Romney. Florida polls were not in as of 9 a.m. Nov. 7. “This is a time of great challenges for America and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation,” Romney said at a hotel in Boston, Mass. “I trust that [Obama’s] intellect and his hard work and his commitment to principle will continue to contribute to the good of our nation.” Romney said he originally wrote one speech—a victory speech. Several parts of Romney’s campaign hurt his turnout in the 2012 election. Romney hurt his campaign when he made the 47 percent comment at a private campaign fundraiser in Boca Raton, Fla. Romney’s comment referred to Obama supporters as being too dependent upon government. His speech was leaked to the “Mother Jones” magazine on Sept. 17. “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what,” Romney said. “All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government

SHA RE YOUR THOUGHTS ELEC TI O N 2 0 1 2

Phone: 450-3446 E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com @ucaecho fb.me/ucaecho

Tweet your comments by using #EchoElection. Election stories can be found online at ucaecho.net.

photo courtesy of Google Images

After expecting to win the election, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney sheds a tear after hearing President Obama was reelected for a second term. has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it.” Recently, Romney released an advertisement that led many workers in the auto industry to fear job loss. The advertisement said Chrysler was moving its Jeep productions overseas to China. When a fact check reported the advertisement featured false claims Romney said he was “not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers.” The first presidential debate looked good for Romney, as he stood up to Obama. However, by the final presidential debate the results were in Obama’s favor. Romney said he was hoping to win the election but called to congratulate Obama on his victory.

Positive politics Election day feelings changed after working as student journalist

page 4

2 / November 8, 2012

ELECTION

ucaecho.net

- C A M P U S C A N D I D AT E S -

Employees, student participate in 2012 general election by Jeanette Anderton Associate Editor

This year five members of the UCA community ran in the general election. Mark Lowery (R), 55-yearold communication instructor, won the seat he was vying for, the Arkansas House of Representatives District 39. “The final numbers were closer than I thought,” Lowery said. “But after a 9-vote win in the primary, a four percent win seems like a landslide.” Lowery graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1984 and received his master’s degree in communication from the same university in 2000. He was a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors until 2011. “I wish someone had told me 20 years ago to find something I love doing and then figure out how to get paid for it,” he said. “If I had heard that years ago, I would have been happily teaching speech communication and coaching debate all these years. Working with young people has been the most gratifying

thing I have ever done.” Aaron Knight, advancement research and communications specialist, will be in a run off election for the Conway City Council Ward 2 Position 1 against Wesley Pruitt. Knight received 1,575 votes and Pruitt received 1,262. James Quinn, who also ran for the ward, received 1,058 votes, which was not enough to be in the run-off. Knight works full time in advancement at UCA and runs Smith, Knight and Associates, his marketing communications company. He is also working on completing his master’s degree in community and economic development at UCA. “Conway has had an incredible decade of growth and prosperity and that didn’t happen by chance,” he said. “I’m running because I want to protect Conway’s future.” Judy Riley (D), who lost Arkansas House of Representatives District 44 position to Joe Farrer (R) 452 to 566, is an instructor in the family and consumer sciences department. Riley teaches interior design,

apparel and sewing classes. Riley, 64, is from Farmington and currently lives in El Paso. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1969 and receieved her master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1975. She served as White County extension agent and Riley said improving infrastructure is her focus for District 44. She said during the campaign that the roads in rural areas need continued maintenance. The volunteer fire department needs to be financially supported and volunteers are needed, Riley said. She said factors in deciding how much support fire departments receive include cost and availability of service to residents. Green party candidate Michael Yoder won Justice of the Peace District 8 to (R) Mark Bailey 1,224 to 2,228. Bailey resigned from the race but his name still appeared on the ballot. Yoder, 43, is an associate professor of geography. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1981. He received his master’s

Familiar faces in the races

degree from the University of South Carolina in 1989 and a doctorate from Lousiana State University in 1994. “I’m politically left on economic issues; somewhere between a social Democrat and Democratic socialist,” Yoder said. “I’m moderate Aaron Knight Mark Lowery Zak Kubin of social issues.” Zak Kubin (R), who lost Justice of the Peace District 11 to Linda Jones (D) Paxton 752 to 1,410, is a senior political science major and economics minor. He is the president of the UCA chapter of the Michael Yoder Judy Riley Young Americans for Liberty. “I’m adopted and solve problems, the Peace since he has not had disappointed by not winning in then I think I won.” the political experience usually the traditional sense,” Kubin said. Kubin said he would not seek wanted by a voter for a higher “But I had the opportunity to office again and that he enjoyed office. spread my ideas to fellow voters running a straightforward “Win or lose, I’ll be able to and government officials. At the campaign. sleep at night knowing I tried,” end of the day, if my ideas are He said he ran for Justice of he said.

-POLITICS-

Channel 6 reporters cover election night through live streaming by Marisa Hicks News Editor

Channel 6 streamed election coverage from the Faulkner County Courthouse and watch parties around Conway from 6 p.m. to midnight. The coverage included the Democratic candidates’ watch party at Michaelangelo’s and the Republican candidates’ watch party at the Country Inn and Suites as well updates from the Faulkner County Courthouse. Election coverage was hosted by seniors anchor Kara Kellerman and scoreboard panelist J.D. Williams. Junior Ken Ashlin, producer for News 6, said Channel 6 teamed up with the Fountain on election coverage. Instead of exit polling, the reporters at the courthouse covered “more of what’s going on,” Ashlin said. Reporters were able to chat back and forth and stream live using Skype. Ashlin said the reports put their iPhones onto tripods as their camera to use Skype to

stream the election coverage. “We [were] constantly reporting throughout the entire process,” he said. Political science professors Gary Wekkin and Price Dooley were featured on-air in the Channel 6 studio “answering questions about Arkansas’ political situation and the race between Obama and Romney,” Williams said. Director Callie France, senior, said the reporters were able to cover the Democrats and Republicans because the candidates met up at centralized locations. “We’ll be [here] most, if not all, night,” she said. She said the coverage was a great way for Channel 6 to be able to connect with UCA students and inform them about political events around them. “A lot of them just don’t know about politics,” France said. News and sports anchor Justin Rotton, senior, said the coverage was a good experience for the reports. At first reporting from the

courthouse seemed dull because there wasn’t much going on, Rotton said. However, as more people began to show up things became a lot more eventful. A lot of the coverage aired on Channel 6 featured pre-election day interviews with candidates running in Faulkner County. Ashlin said there were 11 interviews with 11 candidates. “We tried to talk to almost all [candidates] for Faulkner County [races],” he said. Reporters stuck around at the three locations they streamed live from to “hang out after the polls closed” until the results were released, France said. The election coverage served as a way for reporters to show students the importance of politics in their lives, she said. France said she wanted to make it clear that reporters were not assigned to the locations they covered based on their political views but that they were randomly assigned. Channel 6 aired an election recap yesterday.

photo courtesy of Facebook

Political science professors Price Dooley (left) and Gary Wekkin (pictured beside anchor Kara Kellerman) answer questions from Kellerman and scoreboard panelist J.D. Williams (right) about Arkansas’ political situation and the presidential race live on Channel 6 on Nov. 6.

President:

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Obama

outlines his second-term plans 4 Continued from page 1

Sophomore Sloan Gray examines her ballot before selecting her candidates on Election Day, Tuesday in the UCA Student Center.

Marijuana: 4 Continued

photo by Sean Shrewsbury

“I just hope that Republicans and Democrats can work together and push our nation in the right direction,” Hackett said. “The reelection of President Obama is only the first step.” Junior Josh Harrell supported Romney in the election. Harrell said Romney’s background and ideals would have made him a great president. “Romney is a business man that understands how to make America to a healthy, responsible economy,” Harrell said. Vice-President Joe Biden will continue his duties. In his acceptance speech Tuesday night, Obama praised Biden, stating Biden is the best vice-president he could ask for. Obama outlined his idea for the nation in his remaining four years. Obama also discussed his growing sense of enthusiasm for

the office. “I return to the White House more determined. Tonight, you voted for action,” Obama said. Obama also outlined experiences he had with voters in the election process, claiming he met many new voters who weren’t originally on board with him, but voted for him in this election. Obama ended his acceptance speech with a statement that received a rousing applause from the audience at his Chicago headquarters. “I believe we can seize this future together, because we aren’t as divided as the politics may seem. We are and forever will be the United States of America. Together with your help and God’s grace, we will continue our journey forward,” Obama said. President Obama will be inaugurated for his second term on Monday, Jan. 21.

Issue No. 5 failed statewide despite overwhelming support from UCA students

from page 1

Senior Travis McGill said, “I think there should have been more severe causes for needing it on there. I don’t think not being able to sleep at night or having a hurt knee is worth being able to smoke [marijuana].” If it would have passed, it also would have allowed patients or their designated caregiver to grow marijuana plants if the patient lived more than five miles from one of the dispensaries. Senior Daniel Meador said, “If [marijuana] was meant to be legal

it already would have happened. It changes your state of mind and I believe we should stay in our original states of mind.” The Arkansans for Compassionate Care group gathered over 62,000 signatures to get the issue on the ballot. Even though the issue failed in the state overall, at the UCA polling place it would have won by an overwhelming majority. The unofficial numbers state that out of the 308 people that voted at the UCA polling place Tuesday,

229 of them or 76.08 percent of the voters were for passing the issue and 72 of them or 23.92 were against. There were seven people that did not vote on the issue either way. Lensing said, “I voted for it. I think there’s merit in it medicinally. The stigma around it is outdated and it shouldn’t be viewed as harshly as it is. I think it can help in certain situations … I don’t see a problem with it.” Senior Chris Deaville said he was surprised with how many of

his peers voted to pass the issue. “I wouldn’t have thought it would be that high,” Deaville said. “I think people were just trying to voice their opinion. It was a situation where they could take something that’s not legal and make it legal.” Of the other issues on the ballot, the issue about the half-cent sales tax to provide additional funding for state highways and other surface transportation passed in the state passed and the issue

amending the constitution for financial reform for counties and municipalities failed. Meador said he voted against the half-cent sales tax and for the financial reform. “I voted against issue one because I think we’re already taxed enough,” Meador said. “You would think they would be able to find enough money in the budget to put toward roads.” It looks as though most UCA voters disagreed with Meador, with 222 people or 75.77 percent

of voters voting to pass the issue. 15 people did not vote either way. “I voted for issue two because it was basically just letting the counties restructure,” Meador said. Even though the issue failed in the state, the majority of people voting at UCA voted to pass the amendment. 154 people or 55.40 percent of the voters voted to pass the amendment and 124 people or 44.60 percent of the voters were against it. 30 people did not vote on the issue either way.

ucaecho.net

ELECTION

November 8, 2012 /3

- COMMUNIT Y-

Local candidates host watch parties, await election results by Echo Staff Candidates awaited results with supportes and media at the Hole in The Wall Café, Simon Park, Country Inn and Suites, Michaelangelo’s and the Faulkner County Courthouse. Republicans Andy Shock, Mark Vaught and Jack Sotallaro spent a good portion of election night at Shock’s watch party at the Hole in The Wall Café. Shock, who won Faulkner County Sheriff over Tommy Earnhart (D) 24,724 to 15,782, said being a lifelong Conway resident, having an affiliation photo by Zachary O’Neal with the Sheriff’s office and receiving a lot of support Faulkner County Sheriff candidate Andy Shock (R) gives his acceptance speech at Hole in the Wall Cafe after early helped him win the race. vote numbers were announced. Unofficial numbers show Shock won the race. “You throw [professional downtown renovations during his percent of the votes at 3,775 in the state.” contacts] into the mix with term as mayor. votes, while his opponent, Craig Vaught said he made time some of the people who were “We’ve made Conway a better Cloud received 28.91 percent of to vote at 3:30 Tuesday and that willing to support me vote-wise place,” he said. “I think it’s the the votes at 1,535 votes. he only had to wait about 10 and financially, it’s a huge team record of success that we’ve had Ledbetter said it is his “first minutes. effort,” Shock said. over the past 14 years [that won try at politics” and “it hasn’t been Sotallaro, who lost to Now that he’s won, Shock me the election].” the lively firestorm” he thought it incumbent Democrat Rhonda said he plans to spend the next Andy Hawkins, who ran would be. Wharton for Faulkner County week relaxing and recuperating against Darrin Roland, won Simon won his race against Circuit Clerk 17,068 to 22,538, before getting to work. another term as Conway Josh Hooten by nearly 20 percent said he wouldn’t do anything “I’m in the position where alderman Ward 1, Position 1 with of the vote, receiving 23,846 differently if he had the I’m going to get back to work in 65.7 percent (2,891) of the vote. votes, while Hooten received campaign to do over again, but the Sheriff’s office,” Shock said. Hawkins said he believed 16,120. that he wished voters were better “I’m not Sheriff yet, but I will be he won re-election because his Simon said he ran a low-key informed. Sheriff so I can start laying some campaign outlined and defended campaign. This will be his sixth “There are a lot of people groundwork right now.” the “good things that are going term as tax collector. in Faulkner County who aren’t Shock said his on in Conway right now.” He said Simon said, “We’re actually aware of the biggest issue facing administrative experience Tuesday nights’ votes showed there to help people. It’s the county, which is that we still helped him tremendously in the that Conway residents support surprising how much people have a party line vote,” he said. race. the direction the city has taken don’t know about their property “This county has been single “My opponent’s a great guy; the past four years. and what to do to save money. party rule since Reconstruction a good street cop,” Shock said. “People like what they see We’re here to help people in those and that makes people get lazy.” “I’ve done that also. I’ve done going on in this town right now,” areas.” State Senate District 35 the criminal investigation side Hawkins said. “They like the new In Faulkner County, Rapert candidate Jason Rapert (R), [and I’ve had] administrative jobs we bring to town and they received 15,827 votes which is Faulkner County Tax Collector experience. This is a new world. love the parks.” 54.34 percent of the votes. His Steve Simon (D), and Conway It’s not the sheriff rides into Hawkins said his margin of district includes some areas City Council candidates Mark town on a horse and takes victory for Conway alderman was outside of Faulkner County and Ledbetter and Aaron Knight were somebody to jail for whooping a surprise. the majority of the county with among the many politicians to somebody two or three days ago. “All day long I had been the exception of Greenbrier. His come through the courthouse. It’s a different world.” talking with my wife and my opponent, Linda Tyler, received All poll results are unofficial, Shock said it’s important to supporters and we were thinking 13,299 votes, which is 45.66 but with the results given it looks focus on administrative duties, it would be in the 55-56 percent percent of the votes. as though each of the mentioned but that he will also be a “visible” range,” he said. “To have 65 Democrats had reason candidates won their race, with sheriff. percent is a mandate. It’s a to rejoice last night at the exception of Knight who did “You got to have somebody mandate for what I was talking Michelangelo’s after learning get the most votes in his race in that office who knows what about.” Mayor Tab Townsell, Andy but will have to compete in a they’re doing,” Shock said. For Conway alderman Hawkins and Steve Magie won runoff election against Wesley “I don’t want to keep beating Ward 2, Position 1, Knight will their races. Pruitt. The runoff will likely be my own drum, but that’s the participate in a run off election Tyler lost to Rapert for state November 27. Knight received difference. I’m going to continue against Pruitt Tuesday, Nov. 27, senate seat 35 with 45.7 percent 39.98 percent of the Ward 2 votes to go talking to schools. I go to because he did not receive the (13,299) of the vote. Tyler said she at 1,575 votes and Pruitt received talk to schools all the time and I majority vote, or beat the next did not know if she would seek 32.04 percent of the votes at enjoy it. Why would I stop now?” candidate with the most votes by office again, but that it was an 1,262. Their opponent, James Vaught, who lost the 20 percent. “honor to run” as the Democratic Quinn, received 27.98 percent of Faulkner County Clerk race to Knight won about 40 percent candidate. the votes at 1,102 votes. He will incumbent Republican Melinda of the vote (1,575); Pruitt received Townsell defeated challengers not be included in the runoff Reynolds (D) 17,990 to 22,199, 32 percent (1,262) and James Randy Conservative Herrold and election. said he learned a lot from this Quinn received about 28 percent Mark Elsinger with 53 percent Knight said, “The runoff is campaign. Vaught previously (1,102). (10,615) of the vote for Conway truly about getting your people ran for and was elected to Ward “In a three-person race it’s mayor. Elsinger received about out to vote. We’ll have to run a 2 Position 1 of the Conway City hard to win outright, but we tried 40 percent (8,016) in the election ground game.” Council. as hard as we could,” Knight said. and Herrold received about 7 Knight said he raised about “It’s a lot different Magie won his race against percent (1,452) of the vote. $3,200 and that it is more money campaigning for the entire Rocky Lawrence (R) for the state Townsell said he attributed than any other city council county versus one ward,” he house representative District his win Tuesday to the reform candidate raised. said. “It’s hard to coordinate a 72 seat with about 60 percent Conway has experienced Ledbetter won Ward 3 by campaign of this size; Faulkner (5,153) of the vote. through roads, jobs and the city’s a landslide. He received 71.09 County is the fifth largest county

Magie said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the margin he won against Lawrence and said he “thought it was going to be a lot closer than that.”                         Earnhart, Faulkner County Sheriff candidate, met with supporters Tuesday night in Simon Park. Earnhart ran against Shock for the position. Earnhart is a retired police chief. He worked for the Greenbrier Police Department and the Arkansas Transportation and Safety Agency, which merged with Highway Police. Shock won with 24,724 votes, or 61.04 percent of the vote. Earnhart received 15,782 votes, or 38.96 percent. At approximately 9:45 p.m., Earnhart said he was ahead in polling data and attendees congratulated him on his early lead. After learning that Shock was projected to be the winner, Earnhart said he would not have changed anything during his campaign. “Campaigning is a lot of hard work,” he said. “It consumes your personal life. You’ve got to be totally devoted to it.” Earnhart said he voted Tuesday morning and volunteered at polling stations and campaigned throughout the day. At the end of the watch party, Earnhart said he would run for office again, beginning the process of campaigning a year from now. “I’m like an old bulldog,” he said. “I’ll be back.” In the short term, Earnhart said he will remain devoted to the community and address issues in any way he can. “I’m going to keep working like I’m doing,” he said. Earnhart said Shock was able to gain more attention because of media bias that was in his favor.

“[Shock] won the ballot, but he may not have won the war,” he said. Rapert’s victory was the center of a Republican watch party at the Conway Country Inn and Suites. Rapert won over opponent Tyler with a total of 15,390 to 13,376 in an expensive and highly contested race. In his acceptance speech, Rapert said over $200,000 was spent on the race and that he ran against the entire Arkansas Democratic Party because his opponent’s race was run behind the scenes by Gov. Mike Beebe. “I’ve been beat up pretty good in this election,” Rapert said. He said his only regret was that his opponent ran a negative race. Rapert said his campaign had not run any negative ads. Rapert spent Election Day at the polling place at Salem Road and Prince St. as well as a polling station at Donaghey Ave. and Dave Ward St. He said he planned to meet with the Arkansas Senate Republican Caucus on Wednesday. The newly redrawn district 35 includes a large part of Faulkner County and a small part of Perry County. Other Republican winners at the Country Inn and Suites were State Rep. David Meeks, who beat his opponent Cody Bassham (D) with a margin of 6,677 to 4,066. Meeks said he was happy with his campaign and applauded his opponent for not becoming negative. Meeks’s biggest criticism was not for his opponent, but for Tyler. “Tyler has done a terrible job tonight,” Meeks said. “She hasn’t updated her website.” During his teary-eyed acceptance speech, Meeks said he was glad voters had rejected Democratic policies. “Arkansas must declare its sovereignty,” Meeks said.

The Echo Staff w

Mary DeLoney Editor

Jeanette Anderton Associate Editor

Marisa Hicks News Editor

Brandon Riddle Assistant News Editor

Christina Huynh Campus Life Editor

VOTING VOLUNTEERS

Zachary O’Neal Assistant Campus Life Editor

Brad Smith Opinion Editor

Lee Hogan Sports Editor

Spencer Griffin Assistant Sports Editor

Stephen Reynolds Entertainment Editor

Daniel Becker Photo Editor

Chase Blasingame Web Editor

James Johnson photo by Sean Shrewsbury

Volunteers, freshman Sarah Booth (left) and senior Brooklyn Cousins sift through registered voters to verify voter legitimacy Tuesday in the Student Center. Unofficial numbers state that 308 people voted on the UCA campus.

Editorial & Feature Cartoonist

- I N V O LV E M E N T-

College Republicans, Young Democrats show support at watch parties on election night by Marisa Hicks News Editor

The Young Democrats and the College Republicans attended watch parties in support of their parties on election night. Senior Seth Bradley, Young Democrats president, said voter turnout at the UCA polling site

was “good, though [it] could have been better.” Of the ballots cast on campus, 79.41 percent of the 308 total student ballots cast were for Obama and 17.65 percent of students who voted on campus voted for Romney, with two people not voting at all in the presidential election. “On a national level we did

very well, we took the senate,” Bradley said. “We’ve pretty much lost the [Arkansas] legislature.” Members of the Young Democrats attended a Democratic watch party held at Michaelangelo’s in Conway and the College Republicans attended a Republican watch party, representing UCA at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.

Junior Lydia Dillon, president of the College Republicans, was unavailable for comment yesterday morning. Bradley said the Young Democrats sponsored fundraisers prior to the election for the Democratic campaign and held a voter registration drive at Simon Park.

To inform UCA students on political issues that could affect them, Bradley and Dillon attended a debate, “The American Discussion,” on Oct. 30, featuring the differing stances of the Young Democrats and the College Republicans. Members of the debate team helped Bradley and Dillon.

Sophomore Stephanie Gray, a member of the debate team, accompanied Bradley on the Democratic stances. Junior Kyle Tabor, a member of the debate team, accompanied Dillon on the Republican stances. Throughout the semester, Bradley said the Young Democrats focused on “mainly getting people out to volunteer.”

Opinion

ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

The Voice

November 8, 2012

State Congress flip bad

for higher education

Channel 5 election night coverage positive experience Election Day will always hold a different feeling and emotion now, after my experiences Nov. 6. In the past, I’ve never been one to take much interest in the political world, much less elections, but this semester I enrolled in a political reporting class, which meant I would suddenly need to gain an interest in the area. Through the many articles, the endless research and countless debates, I found that politics was one of the most thoughtprovoking, interesting subject matters I’ve covered as a student journalist. I also knew more about the candidates than I ever had. I could tell you that Bill Milburn was running for city alderman Ward 4, Position 1. I could also tell you that the state representative for District 70 would represent most of west Conway and part of Perry County. Four years ago, I couldn’t tell you much beyond who was running for President. My positive feelings grew with my experience on election night. Working for Conway Corporation Channel 5’s election coverage, I was up front and personal at the Faulkner County Courthouse until the final votes were tallied late Tuesday night. As floor director of the broadcast, I was in charge of wrangling candidates for interviews, helping to set up the shot, giving the host and interviewee a countdown to air and making sure things went smoothly during the interview. It didn’t take long for things to get crazy, interesting and stressful all at the same time, but it was always fun. From scrambling to get interviews to waiting for the next round of results to be read, I was hooked. It was a blast to get to be that close to

Freshman Madeline Wyly “Obama because of his stance on gay rights.”

the action, to see the reactions of those who were having the nights of their lives and to see those who had begun to wish they had never run for office in the first place. by Lee Hogan At the courthouse, we interviewed candidates Sports Editor from both ends of the spectrum. The one that stands out the most was our interview with Darrin Roland who ran for Ward 1, Position 1 against Andy Hawkins. The early voting numbers were released a few minutes prior to me asking Roland for an interview on Channel 5, and the numbers were less than exciting for him. Nonetheless, Roland did the interview, which was admirable under the circumstances. It’s never easy to talk when things aren’t going your way, but Roland did it anyway. Sometimes in elections it’s easy to forget that these people are real human beings. Roland was a reminder that these are indeed real people who have put their hearts and souls into running for political office. Election night has a way of captivating the country, including the media, because of the impact the decisions have on the country. It’s also fun to see all the crazy twists and turns and how they play out throughout the night. In the past, my election coverage consisted of periodically checking CNN for the latest results, but Tuesday night changed that for me. It’s hard to go back to that after getting to see the excitement of an Election Day firsthand. It indeed can be one of the most maddening and stressful 24-hour periods of the year, but the sheer emotion of Election Day is no longer worth missing for this journalist.

Students Say

The elections are over and the Arkansas Senate has flipped to Republican control by a 21-13 margin. The House of Representatives also flipped to Republican control with a margin of 50-48-1, with one race undecided, as of early Wednesday. This marks the first time since Reconstruction that Republicans have taken control of the Arkansas House of Representatives or Senate. While this means many changes to the way Arkansas legislates, what this means to college students is probable cuts in higher education. With more fiscally conservative politicians in office, tax cuts and budget cuts will be more prevalant. This means cuts to programs that are not legally required to be funded, which will translate to cuts in funding for universities. While K-12 education is legally required to be funded, higher education is not. Budget cuts will force money allocated to universities into primary education, meaning less funding for higher educations, which results in higher tuition rates. Tuition rates have already skyrocketed recently due to budget cuts. The general consensus for university funding is tuition rates can always be raised if budget cuts must be made. This may make sense to lawmakers, but already struggling students should not have to pay higher tuition rates. As students, you will bear the burden of cuts to higher education. The people who represent you are partisan, but if you take the time to call or write them to tell them how you feel, they will listen. College loans for many students are already a heavy burden. No lawmaker should make things worse for already struggling students.

Sophomore Devin Wilson “Obama because he will help the middle man and not just the rich.”

story by Zachary O’Neal photos by Sean Shrewsbury Freshman Atacier Finley “Obama because I need financial aid for school.”

Freshman Ashley Washington “Obama because I believe in change and in helping the middle class.”

Freshman Justin Land

Students were polled as they left the voting booth in the Student Center and asked, “Who did you vote for and why?”

Junior Ethan Espe

“Obama because I like what’s he done; he’s gotten the country back on track and there’s no reason for a new candidate in office.”

Freshman Bradley Rooks “Obama because I think he deserves the chance to finish what he started.”

Sophomore Jherrika Whitted “Obama because I need money for school.”

Freshman Katelyn Wilkins “Obama because I agree with his ideas more than Romney’s.”

Freshman Kayleigh Baker “Obama because I agree with his policy on keeping student loans publicized.”

“Romney because his policies are bi-partisan.”

Freshman Andrea Davidson

Sophomore Kameron Lovelace

“Romney because I think his ideas will be more beneficial than Obama’s.”

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.

“Obama because he has done all that he said he was going to do and Romney is against FEMA.”