University News // Volume 82 // Issue 10 // 10.27.14 by University News

Disconnect between UMKC campuses?

Nelson-Atkins proposes cultural arts district

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October 27, 2014

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UMKC’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

Steven L. Kanter:

A dean’s story

RAFAEL LOzANO STAFF WRITER

UMKC’s School of Medicine selected Steven L. Kanter, M.D., to serve as the school’s new dean after Dr. Betty Drees, who held the position for 12 years. Kanter, a neurosurgeon, was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania since 1991, and served as vice dean from 2002-2014. He received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&I University and earned his M.D. at the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio. He completed residencies in general surgery and neurological surgery in 1982 and 1987, respectively, at the University of Florida. He also served as the Editorin-Chief of Academic Medicine, the Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges from 2008-2012. He received the Merrell Flair Award, the highest award given by the AAMC’s Group of Educational Affairs, for his contributions to the journal. “This is an important juncture in the history of the UMKC School of Medicine because it is nearing the end of its first half-century, and that raises interesting questions about what should be the directions and strategies and goals for its second 50 years,” Kanter said.

Kanter aims to use his past experience as vice dean at other medical institutions to lead UMKC’s School of Medicine down the right path. He said that his work at the University of Pittsburgh helped him transition into his new position as UMKC’s dean of the School of Medicine because he is used to working with urban populations in metropolitan areas. “I am enthusiastic about beginning a process with students, staff, faculty, alumni and other key stakeholders to contemplate in what ways the school should build on its existing strengths as it prepares to embark on this next very important phase of its journey.” Along with his clinical and administrative experience, Kanter brings his knowledge of medical informatics, which is the use of information to improve the quality of care for patients. Medical informatics also helps evaluate large amounts of data on patient populations so methods can be developed to maximize patient care and improve medical practices. One of the first things on Kanter’s to-do list as the new dean is to meet with students, faculty, staff, alumni and others on what he calls a “listening tour.” His aim is to gather as much information as he can about all aspects of the school,

so he can identify things that the school needs to address. My approach will be to pursue identifying those areas in a collaborative fashion, tapping the collective intellectual capital of those who come everyday to work and learn on Hospital Hill as well as many on the Volker campus and other sites,” Kanter said. Kanter said that Drees’ work over the last 12 years and the team in the dean’s office has helped make his switch from Pittsburgh to UMKC easier. Outside of his position as dean, Kanter enjoys showing and raising his two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, one of which is an American Kennel Club Champion. He enjoys learning new recipes, reading and traveling when he finds time outside of his administrative work. —rlozano@unews.com

UMKC hosts Chicano Studies conference HOPE AUSTIN STAFF WRITER

UMKC hosted The National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies Midwest FOCO Conference for the first time last week. The conference’s theme was “Latinas & Latinos in the Midwest: Past, Present and Future.”According to Chancellor Leo E. Morton, the theme encourages participants to remember Latino history and assess the needs of today. “Then, using our combined information, ideas, perspectives, candid interaction and feedback,” Morton said in a letter to conference guests, “we can plan for a better tomorrow—a tomorrow where each of has feels the dignity and appreciation for our unique heritage that gives our identity.” The event was open to the community and free for UMKC students, and many attendees were graduate students, Ph.D. candidates and professors from Midwestern universities. Students and professors held hour-and-a-half-long sessions to share and discuss ideas concerning Latino studies. The topics ranged from sociological to literary. Other sessions involved addressing institutional issues, such as demographic and budget concerns. In the session “Reshaping

the Multicultural Landscape at a Midwestern University,” Dr. Marcelo Sabatés, associate professor of philosophy and associate provost for international programs, and Dr. Gabriela Diaz De Sabatés, instructor of women’s studies, both from Kansas State University, discussed how to tackle the issue of Latino representation in the academic world. Some solutions included offering spaces that facilitate discussions between faculty and students; validating students’ culture and experiences and establishing community spaces that encourage peer collaboration across disciplines. In the closing plenary speech, Dr. Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, president of Northern New Mexico College praised the conference for helping establish legitimacy in the academic arena. “The Midwest FOCO, I believe, marks the culmination of our long journey toward recognition and legitimacy in the academy,” Barceló said. “It is also a reminder of how far we’ve come since the days when our voices were silenced and we were invisible in the academy. But some of us still are.” According to Barceló, the fight for legitimacy is far from over. “For far too long, ethnic studies are still viewed by

many in the academic world as elevating inferior or marginal works to an unearned status in competition with the established canon,” Barceló said. In the closing remarks, SGA President Juan BettancourtGarcia praised UMKC’s Latino/ Latina Studies program for breaking stereotypes that often hold ethnic studies back. “Time and time again, the Latino/Latina studies here at UMKC has proven to be an exciting interdisciplinary field where students engage with premier professors over the Latino transnational, transcultural and trans-linguistic experience and the significance of this important reality in the context of America’s diversity,” Bettancourt-Garcia said. Dr. Norma Cantú and Dr. Theresa Torres co-chaired the conference. Cantú jokingly called her desire to hold the conference “selfish” because she enjoyed seeing the collaboration between attendees. “I love to see people connect. I love to see students talking to professors and professors to professors. I love the questions and answers in the sessions,” Cantú said. Kansas State University is considering hosting the conference next year.

—haustin@unews.com

Faculty Senate highlights issues with administration, faculty ERIN HAMER STAFF WRITER

The Faculty Senate meeting on Oct. 21 gave insight into the inner workings of University professors and administration. The first topic on the agenda examined the recent national university rankings published by U.S. News and World Report. Provost Gail Hackett proposed focusing on the metrics used for the report rather than focusing on the specific rankings. According to the U.S. News report, UMKC was ranked in the top 75 percent of schools this year, and ranked well in faculty resources due to small class sizes and a 13:1 facultystudent ratio. UMKC continues to struggle with graduation and retention rates, but according to Hackett, UMKC has shown improvement in these areas, and has moved up seven points in the last five years. Hackett announced that the University budget has been balanced on paper, and University administration will not be in a position to make further cuts. The committee members on research integrity proposed creating a sub-committee to examine possible deficiencies in the administration from a faculty point of view. The subcommittee would provide an element of transparency on cost/benefit ratios in research and education. Dr. Susan B. Wilson, vice chancellor of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, presented a strategic plan for embracing diversity at UMKC. The plan aims to achieve a diverse and inclusive University environment, according to Dr. Wilson. The plan works in a collaborative mode of assistance by helping to problem solve and provide resources in education and training. The plan will look at other universities to find the

most cost effective strategies while encouraging feedback on retention and success and aims to create a dialogue between administrators and staff about these issues. The Division of Diversity and Inclusion will host a lecture on social justice featuring Rebecca Skloot, best-selling author of “The Immortal Live of Henrietta Lacks,” on Nov. 13. The final presentation, “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” featured a panel of professors from the College of Arts & Sciences. They expressed concern about the priorities and policies regarding allocation of UMKC’s resources, and presented research based on feedback from other professors in the College of Arts & Sciences. The research showed a loss of 31 faculty members in the last three years, including eight tenured and tenure track positions. In an anonymous poll, faculty members expressed they felt a lack of support from UMKC’s administration. The presentation stated that spending on research has decreased 13 percent, , tenured and tenure track faculty has declined by nearly 12 percent and due to the recent hiring freeze, departments have found it difficult to hire tenured faculty in these vacant positions. The presentation showed that UMKC’s administration has added 30 people to executive, managerial and senior level positions. The panel of A&S professors argued that UMKC should focus on attracting, retaining and developing good faculty to help with retention rates and graduation. Hackett, however, expressed doubts over the validity of some of the research, and asked that it be reviewed.

—ehamer@unews.com

October 27, 2014

slow acceptance for campus tobacco ban

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS ocT. 27, 6 p.M.: Intramural Volleyball, Monday Leagues – Swinney Recreation Center ocT. 28, 11 a.M.: Flu Clinic for Students, Law School – UMKC School of Law ocT. 28, 4 p.M.: Best of Bloch Scholar and Donor Reception – Bloch Executive Hall 331 ocT. 28, 6 p.M.: Pumpkin Carving – Student Union 401 A&B ocT. 28, 6 p.M.: Intramural Volleyball, Tuesday Leagues – Swinney Recreation Center ocT. 29: Last day for 40% refund (second 8-week session) ocT. 29, 11 a.M.: Flu Shot Clinic for Faculty/Staff – Hospital Hill Campus ocT. 29, 12 p.M.: Film Showing, Cancer Cell Research: The Way of The Flesh (story of Henriette Lacks) – School of Medicine ocT. 29, 12 p.M:. Book Discussion: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – Miller Nichols Library, Rm 303 ocT. 29, 6 p.M.: Book Discussion: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Miller Nichols Library, iX Theatre ocT. 29, 6 p.M.: Intramural Volleyball, Wednesday Leagues – Swinney Recreation Center ocT. 30, 9 a.M.: Flu Shot Clinic for Faculty/Staff – Administrative Center, Plaza Room ocT. 30, 11 a.M.: Flu Clinic for Students – School of Dentistry ocT. 30, 12 p.M.: UPB Cinema, The Purge: Anarchy – Student Union Theater ocT. 30, 7 p.M.: UMKC Women’s Volleyball vs. Bakersfield – Swinney Recreation Center ocT. 30, 7 p.M.: UPB Cinema, The Purge: Anarchy – Student Union Theater ocT. 30, 7:30 p.M.: Fall Dance Concert – White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center ocT. 30, 7:30 p.M.: Volker Brass: UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet – Folly Theater, 300 West 12th Street ocT. 31: Last day for a 20% refund (second 8-week session) ocT. 31: Last day to change credit to audit (undergrad, second 8-week session) ocT. 31: Last day to drop a class and have it not appear on your transcript (second 8-week session) ocT. 31, 4 p.M.: Harlem Quartet (Chamber Music Master Class) – Grant Recital Hall ocT. 31, 4 p.M.: Imani Winds (Chamber Music Master Class) – Diastole, 2501 Holmes St. ocT. 31, 7:30 p.M.: Fall Dance Concert – White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center nov. 1, 10 a.M.: Single Reed Day for Sax and Clarinet – Grant Recital Hall nov. 1, 12 p.M.: UMKC Women’s Soccer vs. Chicago State – Durwood Stadium nov. 1, 2:30 p.M.: Fall Dance Concert (free and informal) – White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center nov. 1, 3 p.M.: UMKC Men’s Soccer vs. Air Force nov. 1, 3:30 p.M.: Single Reed Day Recital: Matthew Charmichael, alto saxophone – Grant Recital Hall nov. 1, 7 p.M.: UMKC Women’s Volleyball vs. Grand Canyon – Swinney Recreation Center nov. 1, 7:30 p.M.: Single Reed Day Recital: Otis Murphy, saxophone – Grant Recital Hall nov. 2, 12 p.M.: Roos in the City: Kansas City Chiefs vs. NY Jets – Arrowhead Stadium, leaving from the Student Union and Hospital Hill nov 2, 7:30 p.M.: Martin Hackleman, horn (Faculty Recital) – White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center

hanan aLabdaLLa sTaff wRiTeR

“If I was going to smoke between intermissions at a concert or between classes, I would just do it anyway,” he said. Many students believe the ban was abrupt, and disregarded students’ opinions. “One of strategic plan areas for the University is to ’Lead in Life and Health Sciences.’ I don’t know how we do that and not address smoking/ tobacco,” said Eric Grospitch, dean of students. “I hope that ban allows us to continue to focus on the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.”

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UMKC’s tobacco ban was implemented Aug. 1st, and bans tobacco use on campus sidewalks, campus parking lots, recreational areas, outdoor stadiums, University-owned and leased vehicles and buildings. Former smoker Julie Kostoff said she thought the ban would be more effective. “Sometimes when I see people smoking [on campus], it’s a trigger for me to want to have a cigarette,” Kostoff said. Some students, like Monty Taylor, simply forget about the tobacco ban. Taylor said he has smoked on campus despite the ban. Taylor said if he wanted to smoke, the ban wouldn’t stop him.

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Oct. 22, 2014, 4:29 a.m.

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July 2014 E 54 TH ST

NEWS

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

Unpaid internship woes JANET SCHAAF NEWS EDITOR

process, students must write a personal statement and request a letter from the employer. At the end of the year, stipend recipients meet with the donor at a banquet and talk about the impact their internships will have on their careers. Natalia Zanders and Meosha Smith-Russell are currently stipend recipients. Zanders works at Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Smith-Russell works at Phoenix Family. Zanders has had CASA on her radar for many years. She first heard about the organization 10 years ago while living in Texas working with a local youth shelter. “I was so enamored with the kinds of services that CASA provided to its youth that I knew I had to be a part of such a great organization,” Zanders said. CASA’s mission is “To be a child’s voice in court. We recruit, train and support lay volunteers who act as advocates on behalf of the best interests of abused and neglected children,” according to the group’s website. Zanders’ duties at CASA have included assisting in the recruitment and training department, case management and event planning. She said her experiences at CASA will be useful to her future goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling. “I have decided to begin to make every choice I make … to put me closer to that goal,” Zanders said. “My work with CASA is definitely related, as I have dedicated my life to helping to heal those affected by child abuse and neglect, and family violence.” Smith-Russell hopes to one

Two options for getting the experience you need Students looking for an internship sometimes face a difficult decision: take an unpaid internship in an area they feel passionate about, or hold out for a paid position. Greg Hayes, director of career services, wants students to know there is a program that can make this decision easier. “The Internship Stipend Program is designed for students who have internships that are normally not paid,” Hayes said. “It’s primarily geared toward undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences who would work for non-profit government agencies.” For the fall and spring semesters, recipients are awarded $2000 and work 150 hours per semester. The summer award is $4000 with a 300-hour work requirement. The program was funded by local philanthropists George and Ann Baum. To qualify for the stipend, a student must have already been offered an unpaid internship. A representative from career services will meet with the employer and begin the paperwork. Applicants must also be enrolled as a full-time student with at least 24 credit hours completed, and must be in good academic standing. The stipend cannot be awarded to a student more than once. There is no GPA requirement. As part of the application

day start her own non-profit. Phoenix Family’s mission to “[empower] people living in lowincome housing communities with the on-site support they need to gain stability and achieve self-sufficiency” fits right into her future goals. “Interning here helps me see how a non-profit is run and all the components of it,” SmithRussell said. “As a plus, I’m able to interact with some of the children of the residents.” She has been working with the program manager at Phoenix Family on enrollment events for the Affordable Care Act, attending meetings with enrollment professionals and reviewing new stipulations for the Act. She updates residents and service coordinators on enrollment dates and the events leading up to them. SmithRussell is also a volunteer with Phoenix Family’s HIKE reading program for children. “I’m serving the people to help them reach their full potential,” Smith-Russell said. Both Zanders and SmithRussell encourage other students to apply for the internship stipend. “Go for it” is Smith-Russell’s advice. “It’s important to utilize your resources, participating in an internship will allow for a learning experience as well as networking with others in the company. Also, it will allow you to see if the place you are interning is something you really want to do in your future career,” she said. For Zanders, the stipend has offset many costs of interning for a non-profit. “[The stipend] provides a unique opportunity for those

who want to intern with the employer of their dreams, show them your skills and gain firsthand knowledge all while getting paid for it,” Zanders said. “How awesome is that? I am extremely grateful.” For students graduating with an engineering degree, inexperience could be a plus. The Kansas Department of Commerce offers employers funding through the Engineer Training Grant Program. Workforce Partnership, a nonprofit organization that helps job seekers advocate for themselves, works with the KDC to connect Kansas employers interested in using grant funds and engineers looking for a job. “Some recent graduates don’t have the experience that employers need. These grant funds allow an employer to recoup some of those expenses related to training a new employee,” said Pam Harris, project manager for Workforce Partnership. The positions Workforce Partnership helps to find are full-time, not internships. Participants are hired and are paid as full-time employees, and when the training is over, they remain employed with that company. For graduates with other majors, Workforce Partnership can still help. The organization offers job search assistance similar to that of the UMKC Career Services office and has computers, printers and other office equipment available for use to assist in the job search. For more information, go to www. workforcepartnership.com.

—jschaaf@unews.com

Students connect across campuses TONY MAKOVEC STAFF WRITER

UMKC’s Volker and Hospital Hill campuses lie only four and a half miles apart, but that short distance can feel like 100 miles. Many students studying at the Volker campus struggle to find the time or the reason to travel to Hospital Hill. An anonymous freshman studying nursing mentioned that he has only taken classes on the Volker campus so far. He said that he joined a few student organizations, including one for nursing students, but has still not made the trip to Hospital Hill except to buy books at the Health Sciences Bookstore. Another student, who is working on his master’s degree in history but also spent his undergraduate years here, shared a similar story. “[Hospital Hill] feels like its own world unless you go to school there,” he said. He added that he could not think of a reason to go to the Hospital Hill campus since he did not take classes there.

However, he said that he has friends in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Nursing. Hundreds of other students have found one new reason to be at Hospital Hill—housing. The new Hospital Hill apartments, which had its grand opening on Oct. 2, can house 243 students, according to UMKC Residential Life. Many residents of the Hospital Hill apartments travel daily between the two campuses because they take classes and participate in activities on the Volker campus. Since the apartments are one of the stops for the shuttle bus that drives between Volker and Hospital Hill every weekday, students have access to free transportation with a valid UMKC ID. Students who do not live in these apartments may feel like the campuses have no connection to one other. However, Hospital Hill students tend to make use of resources on their own campus and the Volker campus. One fourth-year student in the School of Medicine

reported spending about 15 hours each week on the Volker campus to study in the Miller- Nichols Library. “I can’t stand studying in confined spaces,” said Kavi Thakkar, referring to the Health Sciences Library in the medical school. Thakkar is a part of numerous organizations that meet at Hospital Hill, including the Neurology Interest Group and the Endocrinology Interest Group. He also takes classes exclusively on Hospital Hill’s campus, but despite the convenience of having a library close by, he thinks the resources Miller Nichols offers are worth the commute. The connections that Hospital Hill students make with the Volker campus are apparent to UMKC faculty and staff. “Hospital Hill students fit in well at UMKC,” said Petra Bricker, an education team coordinator at the School of Medicine. “Students on Hospital Hill have classmates and friends from other disciplines, and [they] are also involved in

interdisciplinary activities that arise on our campus.” Bricker listed intramural sports and Greek life as a few activities that draw students to the Volker campus. Bricker works with upper year medical students regarding curriculum and School of Medicine policies. Concerning the administration at Hospital Hill and Volker, Bricker said that “The two campuses coexist and work together in many aspects.” School of Medicine Dean Steven Kanter agreed. Kanter, who filled the position as dean on Oct. 1, emphasized the importance of strong communication across all UMKC schools. He is hopeful for the future of the relationship between the two campuses. “I hope to continue to expand the dialogue between Volker Campus and Hospital Hill,” Kanter said. “We can achieve great things by working together.”

World NEWS JANET SCHAAF NEWS EDITOR

Canadian Parliament Shooting

- Shooting suspect is Michael Zehaf-Bibeau - Canadian Forces reservist Nathan Cirillio was shot at his post - Zehaf-Bibeau was stopped by the House of Commons sergeant-at-arms

Ben Bradlee, Washington Post editor, dies Oct. 21

- Served as editor from 19651991 - Post reported on Watergate and Pentagon Papers during his tenure

U.S. citizen Jeffrey Fowle released by North Korea

- Detained in early June after being charged with “antistate crimes” - Reportedly left a bible in the toilet of a restaurant - Two other U.S. citizens still in North Korean custody

Staples reports data breach

- The company contacted law enforcement Monday to report potential issue involving credit card data - Possible breach follows incidents at Kmart, Target and Home Depot

Turkey to help in fight with ISIS

- Will allow Iraqi Kurdish forces, known as pesh merga, to cross its border with Syria - Kurdish Peshmerga forces join the fight for Kobani, which lies on the SyrianTurkish border

Oscar de la Renta dies at 82

- Career spanned two decades, beginning in 1950 - Most recent work was wedding dress for Amal Alamuddin, George Clooney’s bride

—tmakovec@unews.com

Word on

Campus What are you going to be for Halloween? BAILEY HUGHES STAFF WRITER

Jill Kealing “For Halloween I’m going to be a Rubik’s Cube, and I’m making it out of a big box with lots of duct tape.”

Jessica Boshi “I’m going to be Taco Bell sauce. I didn’t make it though. I bought some fabric and had my friend sew it all together.”

Malik Dunn “For Halloween I’ll be Superman, because he’s my favorite super hero.”

Jacob Sumner “My Halloween costume will be the 40 Year Old Virgin because it’s funny. I saw the movie once and my dad told me that I was going to be that when I got older, so I decided to be that for Halloween.”

Deja Stewart “I’m thinking about going as a vampire because I wanted to do something with blood. So I’ll have the fake blood, which will be fun, and I can dress kind of cute.”

October 27 , 2014

FROm PAPER TO PODIum: Award winning screenwriter emphasizes importance of telling one’s stor WRITTEN by bARbRA jACkSON EDITED by: HOLLy HINDSIgHT

Academy-award winning screenwriter of the film “Milk” Dustin Lance Black delivered the 7th Annual Pride Lecture Keynote on Oct. 21 in Pierson Auditorium. The message of his speech was the importance of telling one’s own story—and he provided many stories of his own. In addition to being a recognized name in cinema, Black also has a rich LGBTQ+ advocacy background. He actively contributes to the work of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and is a visible voice for gay marriage rights. His emergence as an LGBTQ+ rights activist was a focal point of his lecture. Black, 40, reflected on his early life of being raised in a Mormon, military family in Texas. His mother was a prominent figure in all of his stories, including the time she found another man while her husband, Black’s biological father, was deployed and her experience with polio in Black’s later years. It became evident as Black spoke of his family that it wasn’t easy for him to come out to his mother and older brother. In fact, he never really did. Coming out was something Black had little control over, as he relayed the story of visiting his family during Christmas. At this time, Black was attending college at UCLA, where he found liberation in his ability to be his authentic self—a gay man living in California. While at home, he avoided having extensive conversations with his mother, but this wasn’t enough. Black’s mother came to him after dinner, though Black admitted this was a routine event from his years living at home. She voiced her opinion of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a former military policy that prohibited gay and lesbian identified service personnel from disclosing their sexual identity. Black’s mother was infuriated that LGBTQ+ individuals were allowed in the military at all, and Black was unable to hold back his tears. He left his hometown with feelings of dread, now certain his own identity would not be accepted by his loved ones. This newly discovered resistance to his sexuality was something Black didn’t want to bring up to his friends at UCLA. His lack of disclosure went awry when his mother later visited for his graduation. His friends

Dustin Lance black.

were under the impression his mother was aware of Black’s sexual identity, and took the opportunity to share their own stories with his mother—stories about their own experiences as young LGBTQ+ people. Once alone, his mother motioned for him to sit down. She told him that she’d met one person in particular that evening—a 22 year old graduate student who was Black’s love interest. She told her son that she had advised the grad student to start treating Black better, and promptly wrapped her arms around her son in a strong embrace. It was that moment, Black said, that he knew his mom was holding her son for the first time as his true self. Black emphasized the impact of storytelling, and that his mother was able achieve understanding by hearing the personal anecdotes of his friends. “It didn’t happen because people were debating her on political points,” Black said. “It’s because actual gay and lesbian people were telling their personal stories. In one night those personal stories dispelled all the myths and the lies she had heard from generations. It was gone. In one night. That’s the power of personal story telling.” Although Black found liberation while attending UCLA, his time spent as an undergraduate was not devoid of controversy. He explained the time he was nearly expelled from school after approaching a professor who gave the entire class lower grades than the students could comprehend. Black was the designated spokesperson of the class, being told that the professor liked him most. However, the professor was not receptive. She immediately accused Black of “grade coercion,” and within the week, Black was assessed by an expulsion board

Photo courtesy of umkC

comprised of the professor, the dean and other administrative figures from the university. Black was able to bring the hearing to a close rather quickly, posing two questions to his professor when given the opportunity. The first question was “What grade do you think I was trying to get?” The professor bitterly responded that Black was bloodthirsty for an A. Black’s second question elicited the most outrage: “And what grade did you give me?” After fumbling with her gradebook, the professor sprung up from her seat, exclaiming “You’re all hungry jackals!” and stormed out of the room. She had given Black the only A in the course, which disproved allegations of grade coercion. Black was approached by the dean, who said he liked him because he was a “troublemaker.” “Just because it’s the status quo doesn’t mean you should keep doing it,” Black said. “Feel free to be a trouble maker when you know that something is right.” This was the first time such a label had been attributed to Black, but this set the standard he held himself to through his journey after college. This mentality allowed him to endure the obstacles he faced when he found inspiration to write “Milk.” Black originally approached Warner Bros., in the hopes of capturing the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician elected to public office in California. Warner Bros. owned the rights to a book published about Milk, and Black wanted to write the screenplay. The company was not immediately receptive to the idea, and Black set off to compile research and interviews to do the project justice. A year later, when he revisited the conversation with Warner Bros., he was told the film

company didn’t expect him to complete so much work, and it would prefer an award-winning screenwriter to take on the project. Black turned this rejection into determination, and set off to complete his own version of the project on his own time—and dime. Slowly, he reached out to partners for the film. Sean Penn and James Franco emphatically committed to the production, and before Black knew it, he had a full team to fulfill his dream. His agents were shocked when he revealed the work, advising him that “creating waves” may not be a wise career move. But Black persisted, and was rewarded with an Academy Award for his work on the film. Beyond his career, Black holds himself responsible for taking action in the LGBTQ+ movement. He quickly became immersed in the most recent changes in marriage equality, lending his voice to monumental historical moments when marriage equality was achieved in different states. However, this work took a bittersweet turn when his brother called him in the thick of the early marriage equality successes. Black continually described his brother as hypermasculine, and a figure in his life with whom he struggled to be his true self. In this phone call, the tone had changed. His brother was audibly upset and had called Black to admit he’d been dating another guy, and that they’d broken up because his brother’s partner was not comfortable being out and visible. It was hard for Black to tap into what his brother was feeling. For Black, living in California where gay marriage has been recognized for much longer than other states, it was hard to truly empathize with what his brother was feeling.

Black’s brother lived in Virginia during this time—a state in which he couldn’t marry someone of the same gender, and could be fired or evicted on the sole basis of being perceived or discovered as gay. It was a different life his brother was living, Black admitted. This realization further propelled Black into the work of marriage equality, but the timing wasn’t ideal for his brother. Black disclosed that his brother died of cancer in the last few years—a death that is worsened by Black’s realization that his brother, and many other citizens of states that do not recognize gay marriage, will never be able to experience full and equal rights—that he died with less rights than his heterosexual neighbors. Black recently experienced another severe loss, when his mother also succumbed to her battle with cancer. In the same way his brother never experienced full rights, Black said, his mother will never be able to witness her sons as happily married men in their home state of Texas. Black struggled to maintain composure during this part of his lecture, but he proceeded, channeling his pain into a positive message for the audience. Concepts of intersectionality and allowing space for stories from all marginalized and oppressed people were prevalent in Black’s closing message. He said that he is fed up with the myopic lens society has taken to alleviate issues involving racism, homophobia and other forms of oppression. He implied that all forms of identity are important and that each civil rights movement is connected. “Sometimes it’s hard to rip the shame off your differences,” Black said. “Rip. It. Off.”

—bjackson@unews.com

Photo contest challenges stereotypes of aging HANNAH COPELAND STAFF WRITER

The UMKC Consortium for Aging is holding the Be BOld photography contest until Nov. 10th that encourages photographers to portray older people as vibrant and active members of their community. The UMKC Consortium for Aging is comprised of 35 faculty members who have expertise or interest in issues facing the world’s aging population. The Consortium works to find adequate responses to an aging world. “The World Health Organization

considers the aging of the human population the most significant demographic shift in human history,” Co-Director of the Consortium for Aging, Kelli Wright said. “We’re really not ready for those changes. It’s not that aging is coming – it’s here.” This is the first Be BOld photo contest. “One of the Consortium’s priorities is to be provocative and to challenge traditional ideas,” Wright said. The Consortium seeks photos that break aging’s negative stereotypes. “People don’t like to talk about

aging. Older adults often talk about feeling kind of invisible in society, not having much of a voice and not having social capital,” Wright said. “These [feelings] are all based on stereotypes...and most of them are not true.” The Be BOld photography contest rules do not include specific age requirements. “This is because age is truly relative,” says Wright. The U.S. legally considers anyone age 65 or older as a senior citizen. “By 2050, there will be more people on this earth over [age] 60 than under [age]14. The human

face will be permanently an older face...The fastest growing group of people in the world are 85 and older,” Wright said. Submissions will be reviewed by seven judges, who include civic leader Alvin Brooks, Hispanic community advocate Freda Mendez-Smith, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Curator Dr. Jan Schall and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Kati Toivanen. Wright said submissions are open to the public because the Consortium finds it important to involve the community. The Consortium is looking for organic

images that are not heavily manipulated in order to honor the integrity of the subjects. Photos should challenge aging stereotypes, not confirm them. ”Society often equates healthy aging to old people acting like young people”, Wright said. She said the 2013 film “Last Vegas” is an example of what judges do not want to see. “If we’re lucky, we live a long life. That means that we live many stages,” Wright said. “Life is to be lived in the moment in which it’s happening.” —hcopeland@unews.com

UMKC prioritizes veterans VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

NEWS

HOPE AUSTIN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration will allow students of nursing, pharmacy, psychology and social work to receive special training on working with veterans. UMKC secured the threeyear grant through an interprofessional partnership between the schools of Nursing and Health Studies, Pharmacy, and social work, as well as the department of psychology. The grant is part of federal initiative to engage healthcare providers in intra-professional collaboration. Jane Peterson, a clinical associate professor in the School of Nursing and project director of the grant, hopes the inter-professional grant will lead to better communication between health officials. “Often communication is not as planned or as intentional as we would like,” she said. “We deliberately are working together to improve the quality of care.” While better communication between health officials is one goal the training program strives to meet, the ultimate focus is on effectively meeting the needs of veterans. The training will involve paying special attention to physical and psychological issues many veterans may face,

Jane Peterson, clinical associate professor in the School of Nursing and project director of the grant.

such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and moral injury, which is a condition that occurs when someone is in a combat situation and suffers trauma by doing something morally conflicting. The student training program will involve consulting student veterans about what they feel they need from faculty and health professionals. To Peterson, it is imperative that student veterans can give their input at whatever level they can

be involved. “I think it will have some additional benefits if we learn to work with veterans,” Peterson said. “We’re hoping to take what we’ve earned and do better work with veterans.” Peterson met with student veteran Theo Coney, graduate assistant in the Office of Student Affairs, and Coney made suggestions about how faculty and health professionals can better serve student veterans. These suggestions

include faculty workshops about working with veterans, making accommodations for students who get deployed and encouraging faculty members to be more direct when giving suggestions to student veterans. “In faculty, we often say ‘come see me during my office hours,’” Peterson said. According to Peterson, phrasing like this can be too vague for people who are used to taking direct orders, so faculty should be more direct

how many other older students are coming back to college just like myself, and realize age is just a number,” she said. “UMKC is a very diverse college and they embrace all of those diversities, including age.” As of the fall 2014 semester, UMKC has 1,238 undergraduate students over age 29, according to UMKC’s Department of Student Affairs. UMKC offers programs that provide students with off-campus conflicts flexible options to complete their bachelor’s degree. The PACE program allows students who work or may have a family to schedule classes at their convenience. Professor Reginald Bassa, director of PACE, says the program aims to reach out to students who feel overburdened. “From the very beginning, we start to get involved in their lives,” Bassa said. “We try to find out what their academic interests are, what their work situation is and what their family issues are. We know that some students can’t be on campus all of the time. They have to be selective with their hours.” The PACE program offers a variety of ways for students to take classes, including night and online. “Students come to our

program and we make sure we come up with a schedule that meets their needs,” Bassa said. UMKC also offers scholarship programs for older students. The Osher Reentry Scholarship is for older students who have returned to continue their education. “The program is for students that have a five year educational gap, who are between the ages of 25-50,” Liz Barton, director of Arts & Sciences Scholarship Programs, said. “We look for students who can be contributors to society. We have 10-12 scholars every year, and they are on a full ride.” Cardona works full-time at Kohl’s. She admits working and going to school full-time has been difficult. “I am unable to work enough hours to support myself well,” she said. “I’m always scraping by, and after a while, the stress starts to get to me. I find myself just trying to survive. When you have the stress of trying to hold down a job and prepare for class, it can be too much.” Cardona graduated with an associate degree in dental assistance from Penn Valley in 1985, and married the same year. She worked as a dental assistant for a few years, but was diagnosed with endometriosis, and became a housewife for 20 years. After

Cardona divorced, she found herself alone, and knew she needed to find a career that didn’t involve hard labor. “I got a job in a distribution center, and quickly realized I was getting too old to do that kind of physical work,” she said. “I knew I needed to use my brain rather than my muscles.” Cardona decided to enroll at UMKC and earn a degree to help her later in life. “I’m trying to build my future,” she said. “I know I’m late and have a lot of things stacked against me, but I am very driven.” Cardona encourages anyone who is considering going back to school to step up to the challenge. “You can do this,” Cardona said. “Focus on what is right in front of you, because sometimes looking at the big picture is overwhelming. It’s been hard work, but I am accomplishing my goals and I am thrilled. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.” Deeter shared the same advice. “Relax and be confident,” Deeter said. “Age is only a number. You can do anything if you want it badly enough. Graduation is a big accomplishment. We only live once, so I say go for it.”

College can prove challenging for nontraditional students THOMAS SAUNDERS STAFF WRITER

For non-traditional students who are older than age 29, readjusting to college and campus life can prove difficult. “My very first day on campus, I was completely awestruck,” said Wanda Cardona, a 53-year-old English major. “I felt strange because I was an older student.” Michelle Deeter, a 45-yearold psychology major, shared the same view. “When I first arrived at UMKC, I was a bit overwhelmed,” Deeter said. “To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t sure that I was going to be cut out to make it at UMKC.” Adjusting to campus life is one of many challenges older students may face. They may feel out of place on a campus full of younger students. Cardona said adjusting to campus life wasn’t easy, but with the help of friends and professors, she eventually settled in. “I had a friend that told me to just look around and see how diverse UMKC is,” Cardona said. “I began to feel comfortable, and realized I was okay as an older student.” Deeter says age has bothered her personally, but believes it isn’t a problem for anyone else. “I find myself having to do some self-talk to remind myself

—tsaunders@unews.com

Photo courtesy of UMKC

when giving suggestions. The grant will be used to create a course that will help healthcare professionals communicate more efficiently with veterans. The course will include both classroom and clinical aspects, the latter being carried out at the Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center, and will be offered in the spring. VA staff will work with students in the clinical setting. —haustin@unews.com

October 27, 2014

OPINION Children, Taking a stand against online harassment family and sports AUSTIN RICHARdS-STRASSlE STAFF WRITER

CHRIS YOUNG STAFF WRITER

I grew up watching sports with my father and brothers. We regularly attended Royals, Chiefs and Blades games throughout our childhoods. Every Sunday during the regular season we made a ritual of church, lunch and then football. Although I look back on these moments fondly and with nostalgia, I have to admit that I didn’t really appreciate them until recently. As a kid, sports were always something I just experienced with my family. Some families have game night, but for us it was often sporting events. In my youth, I never really grasped why they were important beyond the importance of “family time.” At baseball games, I looked forward to singing during the 7th Inning Stretch and the chocolate malt I was rewarded with for my patience and good behavior. During hockey games, I always enjoyed watching the Zamboni clean the ice and the mascots playfully slide across it like in cartoons. And for football, it was hot chocolate and chants. In junior high, I actually started watching the games. I became more involved in the dialogue of sports, more aware of my home teams and was genuinely concerned with their successes. After years of this, I developed a passion for sports. However, it wasn’t just exposure over time which made me appreciate sports. Part of me feels guilty for not watching the games more closely as a kid. Part of me believes that most children don’t appreciate a sporting event for the game itself. Now, I am just thankful I had these experiences—experiences which give me context to the hurricane of excitement currently surrounding the Royals in the World Series. When my older brother called and told me we were going to buy a package of tickets for the second game of the World Series, I felt an immediate surge of joy. I didn’t care how much they cost and I still don’t. It could be a once in a lifetime event and seeing the Royals succeed, a team which I grew up expecting to fail, is something I’m proud to be a part of. My father, brothers and I tailgated for hours before the game, reminiscing and drinking, not just to our team that has been revived, but to ourselves. Here we were again, reliving an experience that helped shape us and something which we all knew and could always come back to and enjoy together. It occurred to me then, as it had before, why sports matter to us - or at least why they should. They unite us. They are part of our identity and because of that they can remind us of who we are when we need it most. They give us a reason to be excited. They open a dialogue with those around us as readily as talking about the weather. They reaffirm and redefine what we believe to be true about humanity and ourselves. They give us hope. Living in Kansas City is part of who I am. The Royals are giving me another reason to celebrate my city, my family and myself. Expect to see me covered in blue for the next few weeks. It’s just who I am.

T h e Internet is a wonderful place. It f o s t e r s creativity and ingenuity and we would be lost without it. However, look into any online comment section, thread forum or chat room and you will begin to understand that there is a dark side of the Internet, as well. Online harassment has become a major issue. Not many people can say they have used any form of online platform and not witnessed some form of harassment. According to the Pew Research Center, over 73 percent of adult Internet users polled stated they had seen some

form of online harassment. Of that figure, 40 percent have experienced it personally. This is a staggering figure and when it is broken down to the type of harassment, it becomes clear there is a serious problem that many face when they login online. Over 18 percent of adult Internet users have experienced some form of severe harassment. This includes being physically threatened and sexually assaulted. Who are the victims? The primary target subject to this form of harassment is women and minorities. The recent exposure of hundreds of female celebrity nude photos is an example of how pervasive this issue is right now. The comments that followed ranged from messages of support to calling the celebrities “sluts” and “whores.” Why does this happen?

Harassment has long been a topic of discussion. Workshops and seminars are a common staple in offices and universities. Why is it so pervasive online? There is the aspect of anonymity to consider. Online, the harassment can occur over a distance of hundreds of miles. That is what makes online harassment so scary. Unlike what happens in real life situations, online a harassed person can never know who is causing them so much anxiety and fear. They may live a block away or three cities away. Many are afraid to speak out against such behavior and those who do are subject to a flurry of harsh attacks. Female activist and gaming critic Anita Sarkeesian was forced to cancel an event at Utah State University when a threat was made against her life and all those attending.

Campus police told her they could not guarantee the security of the event because of Utah state gun laws. Actress Felicia Day had her personal information hacked and posted online an hour after she commented on how she was afraid of Internet trolls. This type of behavior has to stop and the only way it can be done is if people take a stance against it. There is power in numbers, and with 73 percent of adult Internet users witnessing this type of behavior, it is possible to stop online harassment. If you see it happening, flag the comment and report the incident. All social media platforms are required to have some protocol to deal with harassment. If it is a threat of violence, report it to the local police. These issues have to be taken seriously and that will happen only when a large enough group stands up to fight them.

Mantra from nirvana: Seek wisdom, not sex MORAYO BAkARE SENIOR STAFF WRITER

I attended a seminar called “Aging and Innovation” in the Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Oct. 17-18. At the time, I did not have a significant interest in the aging population, but attended anyway hoping to get more insight into the world of entrepreneurship. Cultural differences involving the relationships between the elderly and society were discussed. At one point, a young Malaysian woman said that the youth in the U.S. command more authority and respect than the elderly do, and felt that people in the U.S. do not respect wisdom. When she said this, I had a little “aha!” moment. Sexual imagery, alcohol and drugs permeate America’s media, but I never once viewed it as encouraging a “lack of wisdom.” It’s never been explicitly stated in pop

culture that we should disregard intellect or learning, but when you think about it, the shoe fits. For example, how often are intellectual discussions encouraged amongst young adults? One of my friends even commented that it is now more acceptable to talk about what people do in bed, but it is taboo to simply discuss beliefs, whether political or religious. How many people consult their grandparents on important matters in their lives? Do they just decide that grandma and grandpa are too old to help them? I’m not even a stickler for tradition, but I believe you can learn from anyone, regardless of age. We forget how useful grandparents can be, and possibly even that they are people, too. It’s almost like being old isn’t acceptable anymore, especially with everyone trying so hard not to age. A friend of mine once said that the nation spends too much on geriatric care and we might as well euthanize senior citizens after a certain age. In her opinion, the elderly don’t actively contribute to

society as the rest of us younger, pre-retired, people – even though they’ve done their part and deserve their retirement. You might as well die after 60. I witnessed a similar mindset on an episode of Project Runway. Kini, one of the designers was having his his collection critiqued by the judges. Kini is projected to be the best candidate to win the season. He works fast, produces great designs and pays attention to detail. Out of the four designers, however, the judges had more issues with his collection. They claimed it was too “old.” Sure, in his beautifully pleated dark denim trench coat I could see some 1940s inspiration, and his other two looks did look like work wear, but that didn’t make them “old.” That made them classy, clean, sophisticated, smart and professional, clothing. The judges said it lacked “sex appeal,” “youth” and “edginess.” They critiqued the hair and makeup on his models, saying “the styling was too old.” To me, this translated to: “Your hemlines are too low and your makeup and hairstyles aren’t loud enough.

Don’t dress for a well-paid, working woman or a conservative lady. Dress for the high class, over 30 year-old woman who wants to turn that 25 year old man on and look young again.” Making the connection between what was discussed during the seminar and what the judges on Project Runway saidto Kini was shocking to me. His work was well executed with incredible attention to detail, yet his vision was destroyed because it lacked sex appeal. Nothing is worthwhile without sex. As John Norton, the coordinator for the Aging and Innovation seminar said, “The fashion industry sells fantasy, not reality.” Well, so does the rest of the nation. In a society where disregard for responsibility and ignorance to the consequences are more appreciated than learning the truths of life and living enlightened, we might as well not live past 55. If we cannot treasure our knowledge and enjoy aging beautifully, then there is no point in the advancement of medicine and our long lifespans.

Students self-sabotage in the classroom HANNAH COpElANd STAFF WRITER

Some teachers compare it to heroin addiction. Students sabotage themselves with it, and it gets worse year after year. Crack cocaine? No – UMKC students using and abusing technology in class. Texting, browsing the Internet, Facebooking, watching videos— you name it – UMKC professors across campus agree that it is hugely distracting when students engage with technology during class. “It’s pretty damn obvious,” UMKC Gallery of Art Coordinator and Art Department Lecturer Davin Watne said. Generally, professors say there is no need and no time to penalize students who tune out lectures to play on computers and on phones. However, weaker test scores and poor participation tend to come from students who are constantly on their laptops and phones. When a professor takes time to prepare a lesson, it begs the question: How does it feel when a student ignores them? Associate Professor of Anthropology Jenny Huberman said it’s profoundly disappointing

and “downright rude.” Huberman works hard to engage students. “When they are zoned out on their devices it makes me feel like my efforts were a waste,” said Huberman. Watne also spends time to craft lectures he is passionate about. He said if students don’t listen, it’s annoying. Bloch School Adjunct Professor Alan Weber says he does not take students’ lack of attention personally. “I realize that students sabotage themselves in a variety of ways,” said Weber, “and frankly, I’m willing to let them. It’s a lesson they have to learn on their own.” Not reading course material and not coming to class are equally detrimental to a student, says Weber. He chooses not to view any of those mistakes as his own fault. “I realize that we now have generations addicted to this stuff like heroin. Breaking the addiction is very hard to do. I recognize that,” said Associate Professor of Anthropology Shannon Jackson. Jackson knows some students can’t help but glance at their phones in class, so she doesn’t take their inattention to heart. To fight distraction in her classroom,

Jackson says she enables learning by eliminating technology almost entirely. “I don’t like the way [PowerPoint] creates a disembodying effect on the learning process. I’ve learned the more you own the process of learning, the more you are likely to participate and benefit from it,” Jackson said. Jackson believes when studentprofessor interaction is moved to a screen, students don’t buy-in to the information. Watne believes that responding to texts and social media has become an immediate obligation to students. When students are even slightly bored, they reach for their phones. Social media decreases class engagement, but at the same time it can start revolutions like the Arab Spring, said Watne. He sees it as a wide spectrum of positives and negatives. Most professors believe students are, to some degree, addicted to their devices. Watne says both his nine year old daughter and 19 year old students are hooked on screentime. When Facebook ramped-up in the mid 2000s, distractions

worsened, Watne said. He said when the iPhone came out, the floodgates really opened. He believes some students today equate media entertainment to education. “If I’m teaching, I’m not entertaining you,” Watne said. “ I’m giving you information.” Sometimes, that information can be boring, and it’s tough for students to accept.” Jackson finds that the larger the class size, phones and laptops come out at a greater rate. In gened anthropology courses of 150 to 200 students, “It is a constant daily battle to keep everyone participating,” said Jackson. “It’s like a yawn. It’s contagious. As soon as one person is [on their phone] ten more feel that they have permission. If you don’t nip it in the bud… it just spreads until half the class is on the phone,” she said. Professors all hinted at the importance of unplugged quiet times. Preferably, that time is during class, which students pay to attend. Jackson pointed out that after a 50 minute class, students’ friends will still be there. They can wait.

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

OPINION

Cultural appropriation: The real American Horror Story HOLLY HINDSIGHT STAFF WRITER

Put down that black face paint. Toss out that fauxfeather headdress. If your Halloween costume requires impersonating another culture, you’re doing it wrong. If you’re a hardcore Halloween enthusiast, your anxiety about what costume to wear begins somewhere around the end of summer. However, no tactful costume idea—whether handmade or store-bought—should include appropriating, or insensitively borrowing, tropes and symbols from cultures different from your own. For those of you wondering if your master plan of a costume is a culprit of cultural appropriation, here is are some costumes that make the list of wrongdoings: - Blackface: painting your face black in order to portray a black/African American character or individual.

- Head Apparel: Turbans, hijabs, sombreros, Native American headdresses or any other cultural adornment worn on one’s head is a clear crossing of cultural lines. Many of these articles of headwear hold significant meaning to the cultures in which they’ve originated, and wearing them for the sake of a costume diminishes and mocks the value of those symbols. - Perpetuating stereotypes: a costume perpetuating stigma can carry weight that is sure to ruin any Halloween festivities. This could include outfits denoting “teenage pregnancy” or “a redneck.” Though these costumes are rooted in Westernized, American culture, it is still insensitive to emphasize elements of these identities, because they further contribute to prejudice and judgment of groups that already experience disdain beyond this holiday. Sometimes the worst

offenders are the ones that not only claim symbols of another culture as their own for Halloween, but also the context of the costume sends even worse messages on a day that’s meant to be entertaining. Recently, a photo went viral of a maleidentified individual wearing blackface and posing as Ray Rice—a professional football player who was suspended “indefinitely” after video footage was released of Rice abusing his then-fiancée (now wife), Janay Palmer. Also in the photo is a female-identified individual in blackface, posing as Palmer. The costume was taken a step further when the woman depicting Palmer also applied makeup to appear as though she had a black eye. Not only is this couple’s costume racist, it also fuels unhealthy rhetoric around rape culture and negates the importance of discussing domestic violence issues. Unfortunately, Rice Halloween costumes have

made several debuts across the Internet—each making jest of this serious issue. It’s fair to place some of the blame on manufactured costumes. The range of culturally and societally insensitive products for purchase during Halloween are numerous—“ghetto wigs,” and “sexy geisha” are just a few absurd taglines that have no place at the checkout counter, let alone at your next big costume party. But Wal-Marts and Johnny Brock’s Dungeons are only able to continue mass-producing prejudiced apparel if consumers continue to invest in the products. Blood and gore can be achieved without bigotry. Princesses and fairies can be achieved without xenophobia. Ideally, it would be great to see a future Halloween where kids can eat candy and college students can bob for alcohol-infused apples without encountering a series of needless microaggressions,

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offensive costumes and culturally insensitive antics. The important thing to understand is that dressing as another culture for Halloween is dehumanizing to individuals who identity with that community. In the same way that “blonde jokes” or phrases like “women are bad drivers” don’t bode well for the people impacted by the punchline, members of marginalized groups witnessing their culture on display for Halloween reminds them that their lives are regarded as something that can be laughed at or repurposed for the sake of humor. These individuals experience adversity and oppression every day of the year—not just one. So unless your costume comes complete with being catapulted into the experiences of the subordinate group you wish to dress as, it may be time to pull out an old white sheet and be a ghost this year.

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VOLUME 82, ISSUE10

Three straight victories for the men’s soccer team DAN MORENO SPORTS EDITOR

UMKC men’s soccer secured dramatic back-to-back victories over Seattle and Utah Valley this weekend at Durwood Stadium. On Friday, the Roos trailed Seattle for most of the game, and stood 0-2 until the last 17 minutes. However, in only 11 minutes, the Roos turned the tables and scored three goals, securing a 3-2 win. Forward Wes White scored UMKC’s first goal. With less than five minutes left in the game, the Roos tied Seattle 2-2 after Austin Wilcox scored his first career goal. Nick Cramer scored the game-winning goal less than a minute later off of an assist from White. The Roos’ victory over Utah Valley on Sunday marked the team’s third consecutive win. The game remained scoreless until defender Guerrero Pino scored his first career goal in the 88th minute. The Roos will host Air Force on Saturday at 3 p.m. before ending the regular season with games against Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word. —dmoreno@unews.com

PhOTOS by DAvID PETERlIN

Volleyball remains unstoppable DAN MORENO SPORTS EDITOR

UMKC volleyball pushed its winning streak to 16 consecutive victories after defeating the Chicago State Cougars twice this past weekend. The team stands 20-3, 8-0, and is in first place of the Western Athletic Conference. UMKC has six games left in the season before the WAC Tournament. On Friday, the Roos’ offense was led by Melissa Hartsel and Jessica Hendin, who both tallied 10 kills and hit .600 and .450, respectively. UMKC hit a season-high .415, the 2nd highest total in the WAC this season. UMKC won all three sets 25-7, 25-14 and 25-15 in Friday’s match against Chicago State. Taryn Miller totaled 14 defensive digs and Skyler Muff recorded five kills. The Roos won all three sets 25-8, 25-10 and 25-9 on Sunday. Hendin recorded another 10 kills, and Sydney Crimmins totaled eight kills. Miller recorded 16 defensive digs, and Hartsel totaled seven blocks. Kaylyn Brandt and Nicole Wemhoff led the team in assists, totaling 17 and 15, respectively. Next up, the Roos will host Bakersfield on Thursday at 7 p.m. —dmoreno@unews.com

& treats 2B

SPORTS & HEALTH

October 27, 2014

Halloween tricks

Halloween is on Friday. This means there are five days to prepare for anything “Halloween Party” related. Costumes are relatively easy to throw together. Preparing a party, however,can prove slightly more daunting. But have no fear (pun intended). These quick and easy creations will solve any Halloween snacking dilemmas. And it is scary how healthy they are (pun also intended).

LINDSAY NELSON MANAGING EDITOR

Appetizers Ghostly Strawberries Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz) package Vanilla Candiquik Coating • 24 fresh strawberries • Mini chocolate chips (dark chocolate)

Directions:

Pretzel Broom Sticks

Makes 12 brooms. For a larger party, multiply the recipe as needed.

Ingredients:

• 12 slices of preferred cheese • 12 pretzel sticks • 12 fresh sprigs of chive

Directions:

1. Fold each cheese slice and cut the fringes of the broom using a pair of scissors. 2. Roll the slice of cheese around pretzel stick with the fringes pointed downward. 3. Tie the cheese to the pretzel with a sprig of chive. 4. Chill until served.

1. Melt Candiquik in tray according to directions on package. 2. Place a large piece of wax or parchment paper on a flat surface. 3. Dip strawberries in melted Candiquik. Remove and allow excess coating to pour off onto wax paper to form the “tail” of the ghost. 4. Slide the strawberry back and set on wax paper to dry. 5. Before coating has set, place two mini chocolate chips on as the eyes. 6. For the mouth, cut off the tip of a mini chocolate chip and place on the strawberry with the bottom side facing up. 7. Chill until served.

Priceless Pumpkin Seeds Ingredients:

• Seeds from 2 large pumpkins • 1/2 tsp. Lawry’s seasoning salt • 1/2 tbsp. olive oil • Salt

Directions:

Thai Deviled Pumpkins Ingredients:

• 6 eggs • 2 tbsp. coconut milk, cold (or mayonnaise) • 2 tbsp. Thai Curry paste • 1 tbsp. ketchup • 1/2 tsp. paprika • 1/2 tsp. mustard (of choice) • 1/4 tsp. Sriracha or other red chili sauce • salt to taste For pumpkin look: • Additional paprika • 1 green onion

Directions:

1. Cover the eggs with an inch of cold water and bring to a boil. Boil for one minute, then cover and set aside for 10 minutes. 2. Drain and fill the egg pot with cold water. Let cool for five minutes then peel the eggs. 3. Slice each egg length-wise and gently remove the yolks. 4. Place the yolks and the rest of the prepared ingredients in a small bowl and mash until very smooth. 5. Mound the yolk mixture into the egg whites or transfer the mixture to a Ziplock bag and pipe it out. 6. Using a toothpick, draw lines to make the pumpkin indentations. Sprinkle with paprika. Cut up the green part of the onion to make tiny stems. 7. Chill until served.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Scrape out and remove seeds from pumpkins. Wash and clean seeds in a collander, making sure to remove pumpkin rinds or deformed seeds. 3. Soak the clean seeds in a bowl of water for half an hour or overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the seeds, discarding the water. 4. Fill a pot with water and a dash of salt (enough water so that it will cover the seeds). 5. Bring water to a boil. Place seeds into the boiling water and boil gently for approx. 10 minutes. 6. Turn off the heat, drain the seeds and place back into empty bowl. 7 Toss seeds with olive oil. Lay out seeds in thin layer onto a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with Lawry’s Seasoning Salt. Place in oven and flip seeds over every 10 minutes, to avoid burning. 8. Seeds are done after approx. 40 minutes or when they become firmer. 9. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

Entrees

Quesadilla Pumpkins Ingredients:

• Six tortillas • Preferred cheese • Knife/Scissors • Refried beans and sour cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Start by stacking two tortillas on top of each other and cut three small circles. 2. Split them apart. Cut jack-o-lantern faces on one side and put cheese on the other. 3. Place the face tortilla over the cheese tortilla and microwave for 30 seconds - one minute. 4. Add refried beans to make the stem and pipe sour cream on to make a leaf, if desired.

Meatball Mummies Ingredients:

• 1 roll of prepared Pizza Dough • 18 cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen & defrosted) • 6 strands raw spaghetti • 12 edible eyeballs (tiny circles of mozzarella and black olives, see image) • 1 tbsp. melted butter (optional) • Pasta Sauce for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cut pizza dough into thin strips, approx. 1/4” wide. 3. Thread three meatballs onto a strand of spaghetti (this holds them in place). 4. Begin wrapping dough around meatballs, stretching and criss-crossing until meatballs are completely covered. Be sure to leave a little space open for the eyes. 5. Gently remove the spaghetti strand and place the meatball mummy on a parchment-lined pan. 6. Bake approx. 19-23 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven, brush with melted butter and add eyeballs. 7. Serve with warm pasta sauce.

Desserts

Witchy Oreos Candy Corn Parfait Ingredients:

• 1 large can diced pineapple • 6 cuties (small oranges) • Whipped cream • 1 bag candy corn

Directions:

1. In a clear glass, layer pineapple then oranges and top with whipped cream and a couple pieces of candy corn. Simple as that. 2. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate Creme Oreo Cookies • Hershey Kisses • 1 bag candy corn • Orange tube of icing

Directions:

1. Take one Oreo and one Hershey Kiss. 2. Squirt orange icing on the bottom of the Hershey Kiss and press it down onto the Oreo. 3. Cut tips off candy corn so they are square shaped. 4. Place candy corn centered in the excess orange icing from the kiss. 5. Chill until served.

October 27, 2014

SPORTS

Missouri Comets start season with huge win la Res Life inconvenient?

Men’s Soccer (5-8-2, 3-3-1)

W 3-2

vs. Seattle U

W 1-0

vs. Utah Valley

Women’s Soccer (10-4-3, 6-1-1)

October 6, 2014

T 1-1

@ Seattle U

L 2-0

@ Utah Valley

Volleyball (20-3, 8-0)

HIRAL PATEL SENIOR STAFF WRITER

much to receive her education. Kiani Mehr was placed at the Hospital Hill Apartments despite U M K C having classes only on the Volker Residential Life Campus. Being an international claims to be a very student, she does not have a versatile part of driver’s license or car. the University. “My main problem is that I The University cannot afford [the] Hospital Hill claims it tries to Apartments. In addition, it is too give students more than a place far,” Kiani Mehr said. to live and eat. It wants to build a Kiani Mehr takes the UMKC community in which the students Shuttle or the Troost MAX interact with each other and are every day to school. This makes allowed access to their dorm it a hassle for her to access her or apartment at any time, but apartment whenever necessary, this may just be a way to attract despite paying almost $10,000 for students to live in UMKC dorms the nine months. In addition, she and apartments. . Here’sDAN MORENO UMKC and the Comets have has decreased access to necessary Sheyda Kiani Mehr, an worked need toSPORTS EDITOR together throughout the places like grocery and clothing Interdisciplinary Studies graduate years. After playing four years for stores. Kiani Mehr did not have studentCity at UMKC, is having trouble spread Kansas is often referred to UMKC men’s soccer, Bryan Perez withSoccer the way Residential Life has sheets or a blanket to sleep with with aas the Capital of America. and John Sosa were recruited by treated her. Having onlyKansas moved to during her first few weeks of You can’tLast season, both FC theschool Comets and played because it wasimportant so difficult U.S. Sporting from Iran KC a week before a roomCitytheand became roles in last year’s season. for her to get to a place that sold school began, she did not realize it is notchampions in their respective UMKC men’s soccer Head these necessities. that she would be struggling so leagues, and so did the Missouri Coach Rick Benben, who has n’t workComets. remained the team’s head coach ood old The Comets are Kansas City’s for 17 straight seasons, served s. Washprofessional indoor soccer team, as the Comets’ Head Coach from carry awhich reemerged in 2010 after 1984-1987, with an overall has achieved a record-breaking y diluteplaying HOPE AUSTIN in the original Major record of 47-57. SENIOR STAFF WRITER status of 100 women in office, this rier. Indoor Soccer League from 1981This year, Head Coach Vlatko still means women only comprise s’ travel1991.I’m Thesure Comets manyplay home Andonovski boasts not one, about 20 percent of Congress. aftergames have atseen, the read Independence but two championship winning Worldwide, the stats are not sk areasEvents aboutCenter. and shared teams. led FC Kansas toCity much He better. According the . Know GIFs about Emma Last season, the Comets to the National Women’s Soccer Inter-Parliamentary Union, as of ountries Watson’s speech on won its first championship in League Championship only three July 1, 2014, only 21.8 percent Guinea). feminism for the club history after defeating the months after clinching the Major of parliamentarians worldwide Brussels U.N. For those who Baltimore Blast in three games Indoor Soccer League title This e flights have not, here’s the gist: Watson, are women. The worst part?with at the championship series in the Comets. number is an increase from 11.3 ere your the face of the HeForShe campaign, After the won last percent in Comets 1995. Women also hey haveMarch. gave a speech encouraging men to make up a whopping 5.9 percent of the past stand with women in solidarity in heads of state and a staggering 7.8 e a high the fight for gender equality. percent of heads of government. ell them In her speech, Watson delivers And I need not remind anyone Health this whammy of a line: but Thompson feels students how women’s voices have been lean andHOPE AUSTIN “How can we affect change in the may be better served by having SENIOR STAFF WRITER ot touch world, when only half of it is invited systematically silenced. Even health services located on called the Watson recalls how she was or feels welcome to a participate into “There” is just little Volker campus. things like “bossy” for having the riminate the conversation?” UMKC to Student audacity speak herHealth mind. and than desired Anyonefurther And she’s got a point there. no longer features All around the world, women t just an Gender inequality and imbalances Wellness UMKC’s center for Student anfaceon-site mockery,pharmacy. silencing and“We even are seen across many developed and Wellness, located were deathlosing if they speak their minds. money with the gh feverHealth nations via media and social 4825 Troost Ave., provides pharmacy And yetopen,” Watson Thompson believes that followedat institutions. Although Congress ea andstudents with helpful and said. sposableconvenient services, such as “We would have to be on on hand.treatments and consultations. campus in order to utilize the haven’t “Student Health can do pharmacy.” ple, it’salmost anything your primary The pharmacy filled care can do,” said Scott prescriptions written by e drinks,Thompson, administrator of UMKC health care personnel influence of his childhood. I know w whomStudent CHRIS YOUNG Health and Wellness. and by non-UMKC affiliated STAFF WRITER this because I, too, have felt and hom youFrom the stomach flu to mental physicians, and Thompson fumed whenever a book I enjoy healthI issues recentlyand hadpreventative said a pharmacy located on gets madewould into a mediocre movie test forcare, Student encourage a conversationHealth and campus or whenever a newer, and worse, have riskWellness offers treatment for more students to get their with my friend “Transformers” movie is released. for thestudents at a low about “The cost. Most prescriptions from UMKC. What I suggested to my friend, re is noappointments that do not It may be years before Amazing Spiderwhat I too am trying, is that r Ebola. require labwhere work he aretolme free.all of the a andStudent Man 2,” Health and we get ourselves. Adaptation Africa “We’re always trying to plot. offerHe Wellnessover inaccuracies of the film’s is able to change its is nothing new, but because it has extremeservices for as about low [ahow price] was steamed littleasthe location. In the meantime, become so popular in Hollywood, ucation,possible,” Thompson film represented thesaid. comics and Thompson wants to focus on we experience a rash of films being or public Ahow poorly iconic more tangible goals, such as UMKCit represented shuttle thecan made with adapted screenplays thosetransport figure, Spider-Man. students to and expanding the options of birth from books, comics, television but it isfrom Ithe hadVolker to take a step back and control available to students. Campus to the shows, plays and even toys. We can’t utious. Student try to determine why Wellness he had such “We want to add to Health and to your an angry reaction. He explained change film production practices center in the Troost building, services down the road,” said your flu to me that he read Spider-Man overnight, but we can change how we react to it. growing up and had a lot invested For many of us, these original at www. in this character who taught him sources are a big part of our about responsibility, loss and identity. To see a work we identify philanthropy. with become less than what they It was clear that this movie are in our hearts and imagination had offended his sensibilities is painful. It is an affront to the by misrepresenting a seminal core. Have we become so entitled

“I ask[ed] him [Will Ross, professional staff of Hospital Hill Apartments] to move out to a cheaper place. I always complain about how far this place is,” Kiani Mehr said. After speaking to Ross multiple times, he responded by saying that there needs to be a committee discussion for the matter. It has been almost two months into school and Kiani Mehr is still reluctantly living at the Hospital Hill Apartments. Along with these apartments being inconvenient for where she is most of the day, Kiani Mehr is also stressed about the costs. season, the MISL announced “I really [have] money itsproblem[s] fusion with Professional and the I need to move Arena Soccer League to out; my family cannot(PASL) send me form the new Major Arena Soccer money… it is illegal in my country,” League, which features teams Kiani Mehr said. “If they23 accept my from the U.S. and Mexico. cancellation, I can stay at [the] US. MASL season IfThe they 2014-15 don’t, I think I should give kicked weekend up my off Ph.D.this and past [go] back to my with the Comets crushing former PASL powerhouse, the Dallas Sidekicks, 13-4 at the Allen Events Center. Altogether, seven players it is men, not women, who feel scored for the Comets on like they’re not welcome in the Saturday. Leo Gibson, who led conversation. This is the very the league in goals and assists next line in her speech: “Men, last season, scored four goals and I would like to invite you to the totaled three assists. conversation. Gender equality is The Comets your issue too.”will visit reigning PASL champions, thewhy Chicago Here’s my problem: do we Mustangs, on Nov. 8 before the need to convince men that gender home opener against the Wichita equality will benefit them before B-52s 15. it? I believe in they on canNov. support gender —dmoreno@unews.com equality because without it, America will never be able to achieve a true democracy. I believe in gender equality because it is necessary for peace. I believe in Thompson. gender quality because it is the Currently, Student Health right thing to do. and I understand Wellness provides feminism has an prescriptions for birth control image problem – the man-hating pills, the patch, Depo-Provera stereotype has been around almost injections as long asand the the wordNuvaRing. “feminist.” InHowever, the Ifuture, don’t thinkThompson the solution is to give more of voice and than hopes thatmen Student Health they already Wellness canhave. administer IUDs and Nexplanon, a form of birth control that is implanted into the arm. The Student Health and Wellness center is open on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-12 that we resistant top.m., new p.m. andare 1:30-4:30 ideas? Are we to enter the movie and Tuesday and Wednesday theatre8:30only to begrudgingly from a.m.-12 p.m. and compare the film to ourtoimpossible 1:30-6:30 p.m. Due budget expectations? We can’t keep restrictions, having student judging adapted films based on services open for longer hours their similarities to original source is “not feasible,” according to work. To judge adaptation only Thompson. as a goal of imitation undermines The Student Health and the complexity and beauty of the Wellness center offers an transition, and also denigrates the after-hours resource guide to cultural insights given by these rehelp students locate piece. health imaginings of the original services in the area. My suggestion to my friend,

W 3-0 @ Chicago State country.” It is a rareW 3-0 and exciting vs. Chicago State opportunity for students from strict countries to be able to travel abroad and receive a higher education. It is ridiculous that housing can pose an issue for these ROYALS students. L 7-1 vs. San Francisco Giants (WS G1) There are many other W 7-2 vs. San Francisco Giants (WS G2) international students that live in the but Hospital Hill Apartments, W 3-2 @ San Francisco Giants (WS G3) have classes on the Volker Campus. of these students L 11-4 @ San Francisco Giants (WS G4) Many have a fullride scholarship to UMKC from CHIEFS (4-3) the government, but they still have transportation trouble with W 34-7 vs. St. Louis Rams and access to housing. Pushing students to call the apartments SPORTING KC (15-11-6) and dorms a “residence hall” is a bit L 2-0 @ Saprissa (Costa Rica) of an overstatement, if they aren’t receiving necessary L 2-0 vs. New York Red Bulls resources and VOLUME 82, MISSOURI COMETS (1-0) assistance from UMKCISSUE Residential 9 Life. Life needs UMKC Residential W 13-4 @ Dallas Sidekicks to overhaul its image, because its portrayal can be extremely misleading to students.

Opinion Feminism’s affair with men ADVERTISE May t ever i

Student Health is there for students

Embrace adaptation: Resist entitlement

U-NEWS SENIOR STAFF

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news.com St. Kansas City, MO

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MANAGING EDITOR LINDSAY NELSON ADVERTISING MANAGER KYNAN DANCY BUSINESS MANAGER

SPORTS EDITOR DAN MORENO SENIOR EDITOR MAL HARTIGAN BOARD OF PUBLISHERS CHAIR STEVE KRASKE

to myself and to readers is to try —haustin@unews.com to look past how Michael Bay ruined “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” or to look past how much better “The Hunger Games” books are than the movies. If we expect these characters and narratives to survive, we need to be open to how they are reinvented for future audiences.

Feminist spaces are created by women, for women. The purpose of these spaces is to allow women to have a voice without fear of being silenced. ROYALSIf menwithfeel uncomfortable in these spaces, there is a space vs. San Francisco (WS G6) for them: it’s called the rest of the vs. SF Giants G2 10/22 @ 7:07 p.m. world. Don’t get me wrong, I love CHIEFS Like most other Watson. 11/2 12 p.m. millennials, I grew vs. New York Jets up on Harry Potter films. And I love that so SPORTING KC many high-profile celebrities, such vs. TBD (MLS Playoffs) 11/1 TBD as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, are embracing the “F word.” LINDSAY NELSON Ultimately, I agree with what MANAGING EDITOR HeForShe is trying to accomplish. I have lived Feminists need allies, and a lot of in the Kansas those allies should be men. But as MEN’S SOCCER City area since allies, men must understand that vs. Air Force 11/1 I was an infant.3 p.m. their role is not to feel comfortable inWOMEN’S SOCCER women’s spaces – their role is Each year, I to support women, and educate find a new love1 p.m. @ Chicago State way to 10/31 others to do the same. and appreciate vs. Chicago State 11/2 1 p.m. the city in which my VOLLEYBALL life has been vs. Bakersfield 10/30 7 p.m. established. vs. Grand Canyon I declared 11/1 7 p.m. the painstaking life of a die-hard Chiefs fan when I was 12 years old, but only valued the city’s other sports teams from afar. It was better that way. I am not sure I could have handled the agony of hopelessly supporting Interested in a fast-paced job with three fruitless teams—one careerjob advancement opportunities? Interested in a fast-paced with career was enough. But aslast Joinhard the FedEx Ground team a advancement opportunities? Join the FedEx Ground year, strange and mystical package handler. team as a part-timethings package handler.happening. The started Chiefs made it into the NFL AUTO - HOME - LIFE -

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T.V., read it in the newspaper or just feel it walking on the street that Kansas City is the place to be right now for sports fans, and if you aren’t one, you will become one trust me. Everyone seemed so happy when the Royals made it to the playoffs after 29 years, and yet they’ve had more in store for us. The Royals swept the best team of the league in the Division

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VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

Nelson-Atkins Museum proposes Entertainment headlines new cultural arts district Sharks set to descend on D.C. in ‘Sharknado 3’

The SyFy network has confirmed that a third installment of “Sharknado” will be released next summer. The announcement came after SyFy set a record viewership total for an original television film on the network. As the official movie website states, “No seaboard city below our nation’s capital is safe.”

Lorde’s “Royals” banned in San Francisco during World Series

Radio stations in San Francisco have voluntarily banned the hit single from playing while the Giants take on the KC Royals during the World Series. The New Zealand artist did state that inspiration for the song came from Royals player George Brett, whom she saw wearing a team jersey in an issue of “National Geographic.”

YouCoalition presents Safer Community Pledge

Renderings for the proposed cultural arts district.

Photos courtesy of Nelson-Atkins

AUSTIN RICHARDS-STRASSLE STAFF WRITER

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art hosted a lecture last Thursday to discuss creation of a cultural arts district that will incorporate more cultural hotspots in Midtown Kansas City. Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, founders of the New York City urban design firm Weiss/Manfredi, presented the lecture and discussed how similar designs could be used in Kansas City. The Nelson-Atkins hired the two to conduct a study on the feasibility of a cultural arts district surrounding the museum. “We’re living in an increasingly fragile and interconnected world,” Weiss said. Weiss and Manfredi highlighted the importance of creating a fluid network between manmade architecture and the natural landscape. They showcased their previous work across the country that utilizes natural landscapes to create dynamic architectural spaces. The proposed cultural arts district is not a new plan. In August, Museum Director Julián

Zugazagoitia told KCUR the idea has been around since the museum’s opening. “We have records that [J.C.] Nichols was already thinking about how the museum and everything he was building could be an anchor for the neighborhood and the University,” Zugazagoitia said. The district would stretch west toward Broadway Blvd., north toward 44th St., east toward The Paseo and south toward 55th St. Under the proposal, UMKC would be a southern anchor within the cultural arts district, connected to the Nelson-Atkins Museum via a pedestrian bridge that would cross Brush Creek and feed into the sculpture garden. While there is support for the plan, some criticism has been raised. Dr. Michael Frisch, program director of UMKC’s Urban Planning and Design department, is concerned with plans to raze a number of historic buildings surrounding the museum. “Some of the concepts are not well thought out and would

destroy the historic character of the land and neighborhoods surrounding the Nelson,” Frisch said. “The plan to move Rockhill Rd. would change the character of the Bloch Building and the historic Rockhill neighborhood.” Joy Swallow, chair of the Architecture, Urban Planning and Design department, also raised concerns about proposed retail space surrounding the museum. “Retail needs to stay in the Plaza and not interrupt parks and neighborhoods that surround the Nelson,” Swallow said. The museum promises to continue conversation with the community regarding the proposal while plans develop. Museum officials also plan

Reeves revives the screen in “John Wick” CHRIS YOUNG STAFF WRITER

Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski transport viewers into the fantastic world of contract-killers with stunning visuals, an all-star cast at the top of their game and well-choreographed action in the new action film, “John Wick.” John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, leaves behind his life of contract-killing to be with his wife, who dies of unspecified medical complications early in the film. Wick receives a final gift from his wife when a puppy arrives at his doorstep with a letter asking him to never mourn alone. If there is one certain way to grab the hearts of an audience, it is with a puppy. Home invaders steal Wick’s car and kill the puppy, which subsequently prompts Wick to go on a killing spree for revenge. Wick’s killing spree may be one of the most gratifying things shown

on screen this year. With nothing to lose on his quest to avenge his fallen canine companion, Wick butchers his way through dozens of Russian mobsters and lackeys with grace and smoldering contempt. “John Wick” takes place in a mysterious world of hit-men, which is surprisingly well-developed given its vague explanation beyond visualization. A portion of the film takes place at The Continental, a hotel which caters exclusively to an elite community of assassins who share a common code and pay for everything in gold coins. A shady body disposal service exists in this universe, which will clean up the aftermath of any killer who places a “dinner reservation” with them for the price of one gold coin. Few directors pay this level of attention to detail in the choreography of action sequences. Leitch, who has a background in stunt-acting, directs impressive long takes where Reeves moves

from henchman to henchman in a dance of death. These compelling sequences, often scored to diegetic club music are mesmerizing. Reeves is electric. His subtlety demonstrates a depth of character not demonstrated by Reeves since “The Matrix,” and his mournfulrevenge is played out in every scene, which reminds the audience that there is a character at the center of the film, and not just bullets and explosions. In what could revive his career and begin a franchise, Reeves delivers a solemn yet driven performance which shapes both the protagonist and the film. Rotten Tomatoes, which delivers grades to films based on aggregate critical reviews, gave “John Wick” an 86 percent on the Tomatometer. “John Wick” graduates from the typical stock of action films with its compelling narrative and hypnotizing action, and is worth the admission price. —cyoung@unews.com

to look at other cultural arts districts across the country as a starting point for Kansas City’s own plan, including Millennium Park in Chicago, High Line in New York City and Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle. The latter was designed by Weiss/ Manfredi and is what originally made Nelson officials interested in the duo. —astrassle@unews.com

To learn more about the proposed cultural arts district, a formal presentation by museum officials is tentatively scheduled on Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. in Katz Hall. Check the Architecture, Urban Planning and Design department website, as the date is subject to change.

YouCoalition is a task force designed to combat sexual abuse within the online YouTube community. The group recently presented its “Safer Community Pledge,” which asks individuals to be active participants in the conversation regarding sexual abuse, both online and off. The pledge comes after allegations of sexual abuse from British YouTuber Sam Pepper surfaced, which accused him of manipulating women to have sex with him.

Actress Felicia Day’s private details posted online by hackers

Within an hour of speaking out against the online movement GamerGate, actress Felicia Day became victim to “doxxing,” the stealing of personally identifiable information and posted online. Day joins a growing number of female icons that have been targeted by GamerGate supporters.

J.K. Rowling releasing new Potter story on Halloween While not directly about Harry Potter, the story will feature Dolores Umbridge, whom fans should remember. Umbridge appeared in the fifth installment of the book franchise. The 1,700 word story will be published on Rowling’s website, Pottermore.

LIFE HACKS

Tea for 10: 10 uses for old tea bags FRANK LILLIG STAFF WRITER

Many people drink tea for its health benefits. Others maydrink tea simply for its great taste—the health stuff is just a bonus. Here is a list of 10 uses for used tea bags. • For tired or injured eyes, soak an old tea bag in cold water and place it over your eyes. • Old tea bags can make a great marinade for any kind of meat. Fill a plastic bag with a little water, and then add the tea bags and your meat. Let sit overnight. • Mix alcoholic or soft drinks with an old tea bag. Brew the tea to mix with about half of your drink. • Clean the house. Make a cold or hot brew and use it to wipe down floors and countertops. • Deodorize shoes, chests and closets with old tea bags. Make sure the bags are dry and then let them

sit for a while in odorous areas. Replenish the bags as needed. • Let canker sores heal with time or soak a tea bag and bite down on it. This will ease the pain and speed up the healing process. • Clear up sunburns or other body blemishes. Place a couple of tea bags in a hot bath or let a tea bag steep in warm water and use it to clean your skin. • Used tea bags work well as fertilizer. Tear them open and place them in potting soil or in a compost pile. • Old tea bags can be used in many artistic ways, because they can stain surfaces and leave rich colors. Soak them and set them on stationary, then use a wet brush and paint with it like watercolor. Soak paper in tea to give it an antique look, and let it dry on a baking sheet. —flillig@unews.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 27, 2014

Students help celebrate 30 years of dance

Youth participate in Kcfaa. alexiS dupree Staff writer

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), a community dedicated to making dance accessible to the city and surrounding areas, celebrated its 30th anniversary last weekend. KCFAA is dedicated to using dance to teach youth life skills and to promote community diversity. Alvin Ailey’s dance company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, first performed in Kansas City in 1968. In 1984, KCFAA was created as the second home for Ailey’s growing dance company,

photo courtesy of Kcfaa

and continues to represent Ailey’s vision to unite people of all races and ethnicities to promote respect, friendship and social change through dance. “Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey has endured three decades of change, continuing to present excellent art and develop programs that address the evolving needs of youth,” said KCFAA President Robin C. Royals. “We have been challenged at times, but have remained focused on our vision-to make dance accessible to the people through its educational efforts, such as being the home of Ailey

Avoiding roommateinduced rage matthew mcdowell Staff writer

Do you have the roommate from hell? If so, the Residential Life Office and the Counseling Center are here to help. At the beginning of each school year, new UMKC students who live in the residence halls are assigned a roommate at random. For many students, this random assignment can work well, but for those who want to switch roommates, the only option is to wait until the beginning of the next semester. Students may swap rooms within the first three weeks of the new semester. At the beginning of the school year, the Residential Life Office had 29 students requesting a room swap in both Johnson and Oak Street halls. “This is a pretty typical number of requests,” said Sean Grube, director of Residential Life. This accounts for 3.2 percent of all students living in the dorms. Most universities have compatibility tests that pair students together, but UMKC does not. “Our current housing information system is not compliant with most of the compatibility systems that are available in the marketplace,” said Grube. In October 2015, the Residential Life office will upgrade its information system, and compatibility features will become a built-in aspect of the software. Lynette Sparkman-Barnes, associate director of the UMKC Counseling Center, has advice about how to deal with roommate conflicts. “Learning to get along with

other people is an important skill for all college students. This is a fairly common concern seen at the Counseling Center,” Barnes said. More specific concerns regarding roommates involve cleanliness, having guests over frequently or overnight, noisiness, different sleep cycles, using others’ belongings, security and space. Barnes’s advice for students starts with taking care of oneself first and foremost. Find a good support network, talk to someone when struggling with stress and take responsibility for your part in the conflict. When addressing conflict, be open and honest, be assertive and take responsibility in the issue, listen to the other person even if you disagree and try to come up with compromises. It is important to respect cultural differences. New ideas may be different, but it doesn’t mean they are bad. RAs and the Residential Life Office emphasize that problems and conflict shouldn’t be bottled up, and should instead be sharedwith each other. The first step is to talk it out. Usually small problems can be resolved if they are confronted. Many students may try to ignore small issues, but sometimes, the problems tend to snowball. If you are unhappy with your current living situation, talk with your RA. Your RA can help to mediate a situation that will mutually benefit those involved. Depending on the problem, other members in Residential Life may also assist, and the Counseling Center is available for additional assistance. —mmcdowell@unews.com

Camps.” KCFAA has hosts the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Ailey believed the quality of a person’s work mattered more than a person’s race and/or ethnicity. Dancers in the company come from different backgrounds and walks of life. This year’s performances commenced on Wednesday at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and ran until Saturday. The celebration featured 30 students from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance in the opening sequence entitled

“Memoria.” Friday’s performance began with the premiere of “Odetta,” which featured Michael Francis McBride, a sixth-season dancer. McBride felt the process was rewarding. “There was an incredible energy on stage. Everybody really fed off of each other and we had a really great time,” McBride said. The recital had effervescent energy from start to finish in each piece. “Four Corners” and “The Untimely Revelations” followed “Odetta.” The annual Gala was on Saturday and featured a cocktail reception,

more performances and closed with a dinner and dance party. Gabriel Muñoz admitted to never seeing dance in the way KCFAA presented it. “I had actually never heard of Alvin Ailey, but now, two hours later, I’m completely blown away by what it is,” Munoz said. Jeroboam Bozeman said he has experienced great enjoyment during his time with KCFAA. “Dancing for Alvin Ailey has been a dream come true,” Bozeman said. “I’ve always enjoyed the company. I work with some amazing artists.” —adupree@unews.com

tips to avoid the student debt crisis

cait meStaGh Staff writer

Nearly 20 million Americans attend college each year, and 60 percent of students utilize student loans to cover the cost of education. The average student who utilizes loans graduates $33,000 in debt, and more than 40 million Americans currently have outstanding student loan debt. This year, the Department of Education reported that about one in four borrowers is at least one month behind on their federal student-loan payments. The number of defaulters has increased by more than 500,000 in the past year, with the total number of student loans defaulted at about 7 million. That’s roughly two percent of the U.S. The total of outstanding student loans has risen to $1.1 trillion, compared to $300 billion from a decade ago, according to the Department of Education’s study. Here are a few tips to get rid of student loan debt:

1. Know what you owe.

Be proactive and contact your lender or visit the Department of Education’s student loan site (www. nslds.ed.gov) to look up your federal loans. Many lenders will mail notification with required monthly payments once the loan is in repayment. When you have all of the information, make a list of your loans, including the lender’s name, balance, interest rates/ costs and repayment status.

2. Choose a repayment plan.

Federal student loan programs automatically enroll all borrowers in a standard 10 year repayment plan, with the first payments due six months after graduation. The government offers other repayment options that may result in lower payments now, or allow delaying repayment. Visit UMKC’s Financial Aid and Scholarships website (www.sfa.umkc.edu) to review these repayment options. Take some time to carefully consider what each repayment plan means. Take into account the length of repayment and how to accelerate your repayment as you continue to increase earnings. Once you’ve determined which repayment plan works best for the present (and future) circumstances, create your own repayment planto help you keep track of your payments and to ensure efficiency. Decide on your timeline and how much you can sensibly repay .

3. Put payments on automatic.

If you sign up for automatic debit, most lenders cut rates or offer other bonuses to automatically deduct your student loan payment from your bank account each month. This is also a foolproof way to ensure your payment every month.

4. Pay more than the minimum amount.

If you make the suggested payments, you will prolong repayment. Minimum payments are often a representation of the interest accumulated over the previous month. Paying a little extra per month can reduce the interest and total cost over time. To ensure loans are paid off more quickly, tell your lender the extra amount you’re paying is not to be put toward future payments. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you’re paying off your higher interest rates first while paying minimums on the rest, and that payments are being applied to the principal balance.

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TORY fOULk PROdUcTION ASSISTANT

“Halloween” – The Misfits

This horror-punk staple is a favorite of many. The Misfits used to scare many a worried mother out of her wits. While “Halloween” may have lost some of its hair-raising power, it’s still a classic track paying tribute to some of the more fearsome things people think about on this October holiday.

“Red Right Hand” – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

“Heads Will Roll” – Yeah Yeah “Moar Ghosts n Stuff” – deadmau5 Yeahs This single from Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ third album “It’s Blitz!” is perfect for those looking for an upbeat, dancefriendly Halloween song that also happens to be about decapitation.

“I Was A Teenage Werewolf” – The Cramps “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads A reference to a 1957 horror film

of the same name, “I Was A Teenage Werewolf” is a punk-psychobilly Alternative rock amalgam Nick hybrid from the 1980 album “Songs Cave is no stranger to eerie music, the Lord Taught Us.” It’s a wonderful and his band’s 1994 single “Red Right Halloween selection for fans of Hand” proves it. The title is an allusion rockabilly, werewolves or both. to a line in John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost” that refers to the “I Put A Spell On You” – Screamin’ vengeance of God. However, Cave Jay Hawkins takes it to a new level of creepy by This 1956 blues number is the making the song about a murderer. quintessential witchy love song.

“Dracula” – Gorillaz

Released as a B-side on the group’s 2001 debut album, “Dracula” is a signature Gorillaz track with a smooth voodoo vibe. “Everybody party time/ Some of us will never sleep again,” vocalist Damon Albarn drones, reminding listeners of the undead feeling that comes from perpetual partying. The song also features a sample from the Merrie Melodies Bugs Bunny cartoon “Transylvania 6-5000.”

Containing a sample from the film “The Brain from Planet Arous” as well as a snippet of Chopin’s funeral march, this electronic track from beloved DJ deadmau5 is another good choice for those looking for a danceable Halloween number. “Psycho Killer” is possibly one of the most memorable songs in rock and roll. The lyrics seem to follow the train of thought of a serial killer, and flawlessly combine with intermittent French and a driving bass line to form one of the funkiest songs ever recorded.

“Lust for a Vampyr” – I Monster

Dream pop group I Monster explores the familiar plight of being Even Hawkins seemed somewhat in love with a vampire. While the track bewitched while recording – in deviates a bit from I Monster’s usual an interview for “Contemporary slow psychedelic pace, it’s a good Musicians: Profiles of the People change and it works well. in Music, vol. 8,” Hawkins explained that he had originally planned to “Witch” – the bird and the bee record the song as a run-of-the-mill “Yes, I am a witch, and I have blues ballad. However, the producer conjured you for my bidding,” Inara “brought in ribs and chicken and George croons in this spellbinding got everybody drunk, and we came song, putting listeners in mind of old out with this weird version…I don’t jazz standards. This song is ideal for even remember making the record,” séances, cauldron-stirring or having a Hawkins reported. few brews with friends.

– Rihanna “Zombie Graveyard Party” – Be “Little Ghost” – The White “Disturbia” A dance-pop hit, Rihanna’s Your Own Pet Stripes “Disturbia” hints at themes of anxiety, Be Your Own Pet, which disbanded Expressing the more adorable side anguish and paranoia and is possibly of Halloween, this 2005 tambourine one of the catchiest songs of all time. and mandolin-driven love song is a It’s like a horror movie set in the club. great addition to any spooky playlist.

in 2008, is famous for raw aural power. “Zombie Graveyard Party” is unapologetic and playfully aggressive and tells the age-old tale of “girl meets boy, girl turns into zombie, girl convinces boy to let her eat his brain.” —tfoulk@unews.com

ILLUSTRATIONS: JOEY HILL | PRO ILLUSTRATOR

8B ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 27, 2014

UMKC Theatre and its Caucasian Chalk Circle UMKC MFA acting students recently produced Bertolt Brecht’s play “The Caucasian Chalk Circle.” Under the direction of Maegan Sandberg-Zakian, the cast and crew superbly execute a captivating performance. Brecht is known for his alienation of both classical and modern theatrical production styles. Brecht’s main focus was to make sure the audience always remained aware that they were watching theatre. He loved when sets would come apart and break away throughout a production. He loved for characters to face and/or address the audience directly and loved integrating music and songs to expose unseen and unspoken things. The UMKC graduates incorporate all of these features into their production with proficiency and ease.

ABOVE: Nick Papamihalakis (left) played Lavrenti, an old rich lady and a bumbling policeman named Shauva. Papamihalakis has a knack for luring in the audience. His charisma spills from every character he plays and steals the empathy of the audience. BELOW: Nihan Yesil was the sound designer, composer and music director. The music carried both the actors and the audience through the splendor of the story. Yesil composed beautifully articulate melodies for each emotion and climax. The production would not have had the same resonance without her score.

LINDSAY NELSON MANAGING EDITOR PHOTOS BY BRIAN PAuLETTE. COSTuMES BY TYLER WILSON. RIGHT: Joseph Fournier (left) and Daniel Fleming (right) played an array of characters. Fournier notably portrayed the governor, a heinous German Sergeant and Jussup. Fleming jumped in and out of characters, including Adjutant, a drunken monk and an “old woman with milk.” Both Fournier and Fleming possess a great command of the stage even when they are not speaking. FAR RIGHT: Joshua Gilman portrayed several roles that ranged from a hysterical lady to a drunken Scotsman to a snobby lawyer. Fat Prince (seen here) was his most glamorous and hilarious character. BELOW: Nikky Badejo (right) was the only undergraduate actor in the production. She played Michael, the baby Grusha takes under her wing. Badejo stood for the emotional disposition of the baby and served as the puppeteer for Michael as a little boy. She did a remarkable job presenting and keeping attention on the puppet as opposed to herself.

Laura Jacobs (left) and Edwin Brown III (right) delivered standout performances along with the rest of the cast. Jacobs and Brown played the first and second doctors (seen here) together. Jacobs’s other characters included the cook, a soldier and Jussup’s mother. Brown also played the young rich lady to Papamihalakis’s old rich lady as well as Simon, Grusha’s fiancé.

Maya Jackson portrayed Grusha, a woman who, through great turmoil and strife, saved and raised an abandoned baby. Jackson sang, endured, consoled and fought her way to the happy ending her character deserved—and she charmed the hearts of the audience the whole way.

ABOVE-CENTER: Caroline Vuchetich played various roles including the governor’s wife (seen here), Aniko, and Ludovica. Vuchetich is a gem to watch. She has a resilient poise and voice that give her an undeniable presence on stage. ABOVE: Spencer Christensen played both Singer and Azdak. Singer is the narrator of the play and Azdak is a hero driven by logic and a dash of Robin Hood-like ideals. Christensen delivered a virtuosic performance. He swiftly and seamlessly transitioned between each character.