University News // August 26 // Issue Two

Feature

News

Welcome Week Events, pg. 6

Student group barbecue, pg. 4

UMKC laid out the welcome mat for new and returning students.

Student organizations host multiple barbecues during Welcome Week.

UNIVERSITY NEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper Monday August 26, 2013

Editor’s Pocket: Roze Brooks Dear UMKC Faculty and Staff, The ball is still in your court. I have received various responses to last week’s cover story “Faculty Drops the Ball” and it’s your turn to share your stories. If you would like to weigh-in on the follow up article and provide input on late textbook orders, contact me at rbrooks@unews.com.

Please submit emails with “Textbook Follow-Up” in the subject line.

Responses will be considered consent to be quoted unless stated otherwise in the body of the email. I appreciated your patience and understanding as we work as a University to find the source of this issue and strive to alleviate it.

Roze Brooks// Co-Editor-in-Chief

A death in the family: UMKC loses incoming freshman Roze Brooks Co-Editor-in-Chief Robert Walter’s journey as an incoming pre-law student at UMKC came to a tragic halt as reports came in that the formerly missing 20-year-old was found submerged in a pond inside his car near Route H and 100th Street in Clay County.

Robert was set to begin the fall semester at UMKC, with a scholarship and several friends already anticipating his arrival. This anticipation was quickly shattered as the heartbreaking news broke on what would have been Walter’s first day of school.

“Robert and I have been friends on and off over the past five years,” said business administration student Zachary Manos. “We both were finally going to be going to the same college, and I was looking forward to hanging out with him on a regular basis.”

Robert graduated from Blue Springs High School class of 2011 and became a Specialist Trainer for Apple soon after. His passion for computers and technology was apparent in his work aesthetic.

A post to the Facebook group “Help Bring Robert Home” delivered confirmation on the evening of Aug. 19 and asked followers to allow time for family and friends to grieve and find understanding. The Facebook page had acquired nearly 2500 likes, serving as an update page requesting tips for information as to Walter’s whereabouts.

On the evening of his discovery, the page displayed one resounding sentiment.

“Robert was an adventurous spirit and loved by many,” the page said. “He is gone but never forgotten.

His legacy will live on through his friends and the work they will do for his favorite cause: gay rights.”

Accompanying Robert’s passion for digital gadgets, he enjoyed photography and involvement in political campaigns for politicians such as Claire McCaskill. Senator McCaskill personally flew from Washington to support the search

Continued on page 4

Volume 81, Issue 2

Haven on Hospital Hill

O

Joey Hill

Senior Beat Writer

pen for use by all organizations, s c h o o l s , U M K C departments and the Hospital Hill campus free of charge, the Diastole is a modern style building at 27th and Holmes.

Development on the house began in 1976 and it has become a site of beauty and tranquility. Designed

by Dr. and Mrs. E. Gray Dimond, the Diastole, known by its formal title “The Mary Clark and E. Gray Dimond Scholars Center” is just that: a scholar’s center. Accessible for an array of programming and events, the Diastole is a relaxed setting where business and planning can be conducted. The site is also the residence of the Dimonds.

The name Diastole is a term from cardiology. It refers to the moment in which the heart is at rest after a heartbeat and before the next. It is in this rest that the heart relaxes and is filled with blood after the systole, where blood is pumped out. Dr. Dimond, who worked as a cardiologist himself, clearly saw this connection to the spirit of the scholar: to build a place where the heart can rest and be rejuvenated once again.

The devotion and care that went into the design of the building is clear from the moment one enters the building. There is a tremendous feeling of openness, utilizing skylights and windows along with the tiered design of the main section of the house to create an almost cascade-like flow of natural light through the building.

The architecture, designed by Dr. Dimond, follows a modern scheme, and all rooms feel large and open.

A natural flow can be felt when walking through the structure, as if designed not just with the resident in mind, but the visitor as well.

One completely forgets this is a building on Holmes and suddenly is transported elsewhere.

Decorated ingeniously, the Diastole features an astonishing and diverse collection of art and architecture highlighting prints and paintings both contemporary and ancient acquired by the Dimonds though friends and trips around the world. Some of the most intriguing and intricate works are in the collection of hand-made woodcarvings placed around the building, many carved by Dr. Dimond himself. Complementing the angular structure of the house, the carvings are organic and lively.

Each and every room in the Diastole is unique while still exuding a feelingof contemplative comfort. The Piano Room features large glass doors along with a warm enclosure of couches around a modern working fireplace, adjacent to a pristine Steinway concert grand piano.

Adjacent to the Piano Room is the Sun Room, a long open room with an entire wall of glass windows curving upward. The Sun Room is styled with bamboo, exposed wood, tiling and earth tones, along with tall tropical plants. The Sun Room seems truly built for natural light. Also included are a dining area and a bar.

Leading up the stairs past a beautifully carved wooden multitiered table depicting a Buddha seated in a pond is a small grouping of offices featuring a collection

The main Diastole building at 27th and Holmes. scientist and of three-dimensional artworks, philosopher, ranging from modernist to ancient. astronomer, this room holds an Overlooking all this is the Third enormous collection of his works Floor Library, an expansive and including the “Rubaiyat,” a selection beautifully furnished area taking of his poems. The walls of the room up the entire third floor of the are decorated with framed, blownbuilding. The contrasting color up printings of pages from the scheme consists of white walls “Rubaiyat” including illustrations. and white carpeting dotted with jhill@unews.com a set of couches and seats of black leather and stained wood. The The Diastole features multiple overall look of the library would architectural styles, and modern be at risk of taking on an almost elements of interior design. brutalist aesthetic if it weren’t for the additions of the organic woodcarvings and the handmade Mexican desk and chair set, designed by Mrs. Dimond. A wall of windows gives a beautiful view of the Hospital Hill campus and the city skyline.

For events where a more open theater atmosphere is needed, there is The Kiva, a rounded theater with tiered seating. Keeping to a The Omar Kharyam room features modernist aesthetic, the walls are The exterior garden of the a wide collection of his works. angular, putting the structure into Diastole. a pentagonal-like shape. The space takes its name from the circular stone structures built and used by the Puebloans and features a fireplace and equipment for projections and oral presentations.

There is also a doorway leading out to the Diastole’s garden which has a lush, beautiful arrangement of trees and topiary set with various modern bronze sculptures.

What could be considered one of the most revered rooms in the entire building, the Omar Khayyam Room is an incredible space to behold.

Named after one of the most revered intellectual figures in history, a poet, ma t hema t i c i a n , The main lobbly holds this hand-carved multi-tiered table depicting Photos // Joey Hill Buddha.

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

UNIVERSITYNEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper

www.unews.com 5327 Holmes St. Kansas City, MO 64110 Editor’s desk: 816-235-5402 Advertising: 816-235-1386

Fax 816-235-6514

U-NEWS SENIOR STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF ROZE BROOKS ELIZABETH GOLDEN PRODUCTION MANAGER KYNSLIE OTTE ADVERTISING MANAGER JOSEPH SALAZAR BUSINESS MANAGER MOLLY BANKS MARKETING MANAGER JORDAN STRANGE PHOTO EDITOR SASHI NEKKANTI BROADCAST MANAGER TAYLOR SILVESTRO ASSISTANT BROADCAST

MANAGER PETEY MCGEE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ANDREW GRAFF SOCIAL MEDIA WEBMASTER CALEB-MICHAEL FILES COPY EDITOR MAL HARTIGAN KATE BAXENDALE CHLOE ROBBINS JANET SCHAAF SENIOR BEAT WRITER JOEY HILL DAN MORENO LINDSAY ADAMS JESSICA TURNER BOARD OF PUBLISHERS CHAIR STEPHEN DILKS

Mission:

To provide relevant, timely coverage of the UMKC community by seeking truth, fairness and accuracy in reporting while preserving the integrity of U-News as an independent student-run publication.

About us:

The U-News is the official independent student newspaper of UMKC, produced each week by a staff consisting entirely of students.

We publish 4,000 copies each week, and distribute to the Volker and Hospital Hill campuses and surrounding neighborhood businesses.

Letters to the Editor can be submitted by mail or to info@unews.com. Letters should be 350 words or less and are subject to edits for clarity.

U-News is printed by News Tribune.

U-News is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Us

TEXT US: 816-86NEWS8 FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/UMKCUniversityNews

TWITTER: @University0News INSTAGRAM: UniversityNews

2

RooSERVE looks to increase school spirit

Kate Baxendale

Copy Editor

After working diligently through the summer transition process from one party to the next, Student Government Association President Ben Campero is already visualizing extensive plans for UMKC. Campero, along with Executive Vice President Parker Webb, Administrative Vice President Kate Corwin and Comptroller Makayla Maslanka, is hoping to increase school spirit at UMKC. “We want to make students fall in love with UMKC,” Campero said. “Since UMKC is a commuter campus, I know it’s hard for a lot of students to get involved. I have found that the easiest way for students to get to know this campus is to join our student organizations.”

Campero said one of his primary goals is to help student organizations thrive by helping them grow to their full potential.

“If a student or an organization comes to me asking for help, I will do anything I can to help them achieve their goal,” Campero said.

Campero wants to initiate school traditions to create a sense of unity on campus. He cited Michigan State University’s tradition of The Rock as a good way to increase school spirit. Students at Michigan State University use this large campus boulder to write slogans, schoolrelated announcements or even political statements.

Another goal Campero has envisioned is for all student organizations to fall under a specific council. Organizations like business fraternities have obvious associations with particular councils, but organizations like Pride Alliance and Alternative Spring Break are more difficult to place.

“The idea is for every organization to be assigned to a specific council,” Campero said. “That way, the council will feel more obligated to fully represent the organizations under its supervision.”

Campero also wants each student senator, who oversees the councils, to become more acquainted with the academic unit from which he or she represents.

“If a senator represents a business fraternity, for example, I want that senator to be familiar with what is going on at the Bloch School,” Campero said. “It is important for each senator to know what is going on with both the student organization and the school with which it is associated.”

in Kansas.

“Since this legislation has already passed in Kansas, I think this will help the Missouri side do the same,” Campero said.

Campero will attend the Associated Students of the University of Missouri (ASUM) retreat in September to discuss the University of Missouri System agenda for this year.

“This textbook legislation will be at the top of my list,” Campero said. “I have been working with the

President Campero gets acquainted with his new office.

Campero plans to have UMKC’s voice heard within the University of Missouri System, which has been a challenge in the past.

“Since all of the main UM System events happen at Columbia, I plan to travel there as much as possible to attend the meetings and have UMKC included,” Campero said.

Campero also has been discussing a strategy to cut taxes on textbooks for students. He had an informal conversation with the Student Senate director at the University of Kansas about the issue since textbook taxes have already been cut

Photo // Kate Baxendale

bookstore director already because I will need some statistics in order for this to become a possibility.

We need everyone’s cooperation.”

Campero has some internal plans for SGA, including improving the formality of the organization and updating the SGA constitution.

“This year we are implementing a dress code, and we will have stricter policies for those who do not fulfill their duties in SGA,” Campero said.

According to Campero, many statements in the SGA constitution are outdated or unclear.

“During election season we ran into a lot of problems because many

of the election sanctions and codes are outdated,” Campero said. “So this year, we are focusing on updating the constitution to make it more efficient in the future.”

Webb added that SGA wants to increase its presence on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

“We want students to be engaged at all levels, and we want to use social media to get students more involved with student government,” Webb said.

Webb explained that he and his party ran as a progressive coalition, and they will continue to promote causes like diversity.

Webb would like to see more collaboration between student organizations.

“We have over 250 organizations on campus, and a lot of them are doing very similar things,” Webb said. “We’d like to find ways to pair them up and get them to actually start working together.”

Webb said SGA needs more “face time,” meaning the organization needs to be a presence on campus.

“We are going to send student government representatives to student organization meetings, who will then advocate for those organizations at the SGA hearings throughout the year,” Webb said.

Webb stresses how SGA is there to serve the student body as the intermediary between students and the administration.

“If students have an idea for how to improve UMKC, the best way to do that is through SGA because ultimately we have the most say,” Webb said.

Both Campero and Webb agree that each of their parties is respectful of each other and they are all motivated to achieve their goals.

“Everyone is here in the office almost every day,” Campero said.

“Our team is very passionate about UMKC and we are dedicated to our work in student government.” kbaxendale@unews.com

THE COMEBACK KIDS:

Arts and Sciences Student Council starts fresh Kynslie Otte Production Manager

The formerly defunct Arts and Sciences Student Council is up and running to kick off the fall 2013 semester. President Hunter Faris, a UMKC junior, was elected last spring and with the help of Faculty Advisor Stephanie Roberts, he and his fellow council members have begun to revamp the organization.

Faris redesigned the ASSC Facebook page and registered the organization on Roo Groups before he was officially elected president in February. He was re-elected in May to serve as president of ASSC for the 2013-2014 academic year.

According to Faris, the goals of the ASSC are to provide arts and sciences students with a council that can work with the Student Government Association, Student Activity Fee Committee and the Arts and Sciences Dean’s office to provide changes within the college that will better benefit the scholarship, lifestyle, opportunities, comfort, community strength and academics of A&S students.

The newly resurrected ASSC executive board worked diligently this spring to reach out to the approximately 44 organizations that fall under the council. In less

than two weeks, the board was able to compile an 85-page budget consisting of requests from each organization. ASSC requested a total of nearly $180,000 from SAFC. SAFC approved $69,213.82 of the original budget.

Though the council was not allocated the entire amount requested, ASSC is responsible for designating funds to its respective organizations based on budgets individually submitted by each participating group. Organizations that fall under the council are encouraged to request funds beyond their original requests from the council, creating a relationship based on accountability and communication.

Members of the ASSC hope to gain recognition among students and faculty in order to establish a strong foundation for the organization as well as to ensure its success in the future.

“I personally feel that many people are uninformed about ASSC and thus are unable to help make UMKC the university we want it to be,” said ASSC Auditor Christopher Wester.

“I hope that this year we can get more people interested and involved in ASSC.” The College of Arts and Sciences

encompasses a large number of departments and programs which are often underrepresented on campus.

“Many students are not aware of all the services, scholarships, programs, internships, research opportunities, awards, jobs and clubs the university has to offer,” Faris said. “We want the College of Arts and Sciences to become a close knit community, and our council is striving to make a difference for our students by providing activities to network, develop relationships and better enjoy this campus and all it has to offer.”

ASSC also plans to form relationships with organizations outside the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We would like to build stronger connections as a council with our dean’s office and other primary councils throughout the university,” Faris said. “We want to provide our students with the information to succeed here at UMKC.” The ASSC Executive Board also includes returning Comptroller Marvi Memon, Secretary Kelly Kapp, returning Vice President Christopher Kim, SGA senator Caleb-Michael Files and returning University Liaison Stephen Tran.

ASSC will host Arts and Sciences Celebration Week beginning Sept.

16. The organization has events planned for each day of the week designed to create a stronger sense of community among A&S students.

Events will include a theater design competition, movie night, an evening in the observatory, a criminology and criminal justice debate and a psychology and sociology research symposium.

Students wishing to get involved with ASSC are encouraged to attend the organization’s committee meetings. The first ASSC committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. in the Student Union, room 301.

ASSC will also hold two organizational meetings during the fall semester. The first will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 8:309:30 p.m. in the Student Union room 301. Organizations involved with the ASSC are asked to send one representative to these meetings to discuss upcoming events for all organizations within the College of Arts and Sciences, though all students are welcome to attend.

For additional information about ASSC, contact Faris at hjf6f8@mail. umkc.edu. kotte@unews.com

ARTS AND SCIENCES CELEBRATION WEEK Wednesday, September 18

Monday, September 16

Tuesday, September 17

Theater design competition

Meet and greet/movie night

Night at the Warkoczewski Observatory

The movie has yet to be determined, but refreshments will be provided.

Refreshments will be provided before the event.

Theater, art, architecture and art history students will compete to design a theater in small groups. The winning group will receive a prize.

Refreshments will be provided.

7-9 pm in the Student Union Theater

Time to be announced, event will take place in the Student Union Theater

Time to be announced, event will take place in Royal Hall

Thursday, September 19

Friday, September 20

Criminology and Criminal Justice debate

Psychology and Sociology research symposium

Criminology and Criminal Justice students will RSVP to the event in order to be divided into debate teams. All students are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be provided.

Time and location to be announced

Students are invited to bring presentation boards to be set up at the event. All students and faculty are welcome to attend.

Refreshments will be provided.

Time and locatoin to be announced

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

3

Union Programming Board ready to rally the Roos Erin Melrose Broadcast Assistant As the first week of school comes to a close and Welcome Week festivities subside, UMKC’s Union Programming Board is far from finished with the fun. This year has come with a larger budget and broader spectrum, and UPB’s Vice President Habib Hassan and Fine Arts Coordinator Khitam Jabr shed a little light on some recent changes to upcoming events during the fall semester.

“I would like to plan events that will have a life to them and are regenerated throughout the years,” Jabr said. “As a group it’s really important that we make an organization that is recognized by current students and future students.”

From Greek recruitment to the eccentric drag karaoke stealing the show Tuesday, the UPB is prepared to make this semester better than ever.

“Our unofficial motto is work hard, play hard,” Jabr said.

Along with free movie screenings, the UPB will also be hosting an open mic night once a month to showcase the eclectic indie talent throughout campus.

“As a group our goals are to give UMKC students opportunities to become more involved on campus and acquire more from their college experience than the typical but always important academic focus,” Hassan said. “We are all likeminded, driven students with a genuine passion for being involved with UMKC.”

With the recent transition from the Activities and Programming council, a recognized student organization, to an entirely separate student entity, the UPB has gained more leeway and a set budget to create a wider range of events on campus. Activities will be more involved and students will have a voice in the programming.

“The events we have on campus will be in the Student Union but we do have Roos in the City, where we take students to different events in Kansas City ranging from sports events to Broadway shows that are in town,” Jabr said. “Personally I’m really looking forward to going to see the musical ‘Wicked.’”

UPB is an opportunity to get to know some of the hidden ins and outs of Kansas City.

“Our advisor, LaShaundra Randolph, plays a huge role in the success of organizations like UPB,” Jabr said. “She holds us to a high standard and the last thing we want to do is let her down.”

UPB has mastered the art of fighting for a tight-knit campus and it is ready to deliver. Events are always being posted on the UPB Facebook page and students can also text “@umkcupb” to (816) 4823257 to receive text updates and reminders for future events. emelrose@unews.com

UMKC’s Union Programming Board pose at #Roosinthecity.

UMKC Student organizations gain new supporter Sumanth Koushik Kalli Beat Writer A passion for student development and an undergraduate degree in accounting and Masters in Student Affairs from Missouri State University landed Richard Monroe a position as Coordinator for Student Organizations.

“The biggest goal I have is letting students be heard,” Monroe said.

“Student groups and student voices are always asked upon but sometimes rarely used in a decision. I just want to be the biggest supporter of that.”

Monroe’s position is one of many within the Office of Student Involvement committed to helping students get the most out of their college experience. This position is a hybrid of what was previously two separate positions so Monroe has his work cut out for him.

Part of the hiring process involved Monroe sitting with four student leaders on campus, including representatives from student government, graduate programs and arts and sciences.

“I enjoyed meeting everybody and felt like I was already there,” he said, mentioning that he’d even saved the notes he made during the meeting.

“I was so excited when I got the call.”

One item already on Monroe’s radar is underutilization of the student organization spaces located on the third floor of the Student Union.

Parting ways with MSU and entering UMKC was a comedic transition for Monroe. A diehard St. Louis Cardinal’s fan, Monroe was sent off from his position in Springfield with a Kansas City Royals themed farewell party.

He said he must have raised his 18-month-old daughter well, who grimaced and tried to pop a Royals balloon leftover from the party.

Members of OSI decided to be a part of the joke as well, welcoming Monroe with a banner that read “A Big Royals Welcome to Richard.”

“I’m a baseball fan so I will be going to games at Kauffman Stadium—especially if the Cardinals are playing,” he said.

Among the office-related tasks he’s expected to fulfill, Monroe is primarily responsible for helping student organizations maintain accurate and balanced accounts and keeping each group on track with their goals and mission statements.

Within his first week at UMKC Monroe had to hit the

Photo // Erin Melrose

High student loan rates equals federal profits

Matt Melson Broadcast Assistant

Richard Monroe, Coordinator for Student Organizations Photo // Sumanth Koushik Kalli ground running as Welcome Week demanded his attention.

“I did everything from setting up tents for events to getting sprayed by the sprinklers,” he said. “This first week I’ve learned a lot but I know there’s more to learn. It’s a great opportunity to work with the students here.” A seemingly optimistic, altruistic person with clear-cut intentions for developing UMKC’s student organizations, Richard handles the pressure of his new workload with ease.

Monroe is a Missouri native, raised in Carl Junction, Mo. He received both his degrees from Missouri State University, where his leadership qualities started to develop.

As a proud first generation college student, he acknowledges the struggles some students have with figuring out their career paths. He was most inspired by his dean of students to pursue higher education.

“The best thing any student can do is get involved,” he said. “If there isn’t something there to be involved with that interests you, create it. Gather two or three people with common interests and make a constitution.”

During his study at Missouri State he worked in the bookstore part-time and worked his way up to Technical Operations and Marketing Manager, a full-time position held during the entirety of his graduate program.

One of his tasks included engaging students through the university’s website. He also handled various positions such as student advisor for accounting as a graduate assistant.

He was also involved in MSU’s student government.

“There is lots of potential for developing new traditions,” he said, indicating that UMKC has a good place to for him to finally put his degrees and interests to use. “I think I bring a fresh new outlook coming from an outside university. skalli@unews.com

Student loan rates are on the rise in the United States, and many college students are starting to feel the financial pinch. The rate increase have come at a bad time, with more students relying on some sort of financial aid than at any other time in the past 60 years. Seventy-one percent of students during the 20112012 school year were relying on some sort of financial aid or student loan, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

The average amount of aid students receive is up from $9,000 per year to $10,800. This 20 percent increase in the amount of loans to college students is making it even harder for middle class families to afford an undergraduate education. President Barack Obama has stated that he has “made it a personal mission to make higher education more affordable.”

While Obama makes this promise to his nation, many are finding it hard to believe that the rate changes will occur in the near future. The frustration began after the Senate helped to pass a bill in mid-July that caused these increases. Obama stated that the action to halt this rise would come and the change “won’t be popular with everyone.”

If changes were to be made they would have to be drastic, since college tuition has increased by more than 250 percent over the past 30 years. The increase is likely a result of student loans. In essence, our current system has created a vicious cycle of loans and tuition prices.

This past year, students paid a maximum of 6.8 percent and 3.4 percent for subsidized and unsubsidized loans, respectively, but with the new bill passed in Congress the maximum can now reach up to 8.25 percent. According the Congressional Budget Office’s estimates, this means an increase of profits for the government of $715 million by 2023.

A spokesman for Senator Jeff Merkly stated that “lawmakers plan to amend the proposed legislation so that future education department profits would be directed toward reducing the borrowing costs for students, rather than being used to reduce federal debt.” mmelson@unews.com

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

4

STUDENT GROUPS BRING KC FAVORITE TO CAMPUS MSA holds annual barbecue Hope Austin Contributing Writer

August 13 Between 5 and 7pm An Apple iPad was reported missing from a property on the 5300 block of Holmes.

August 18 12:55am Police contacted residents at 54th & Holmes about people making noise in the street.

August 18 1:19am Police were called by a Johnson Hall RA who reported the smell of marijuana coming from a room.

August 16-18 Time unknown Apple computers were stolen from a UMKC biology IT lab.

August 18 11:24pm Officers investigated marijuana smoke in the Johnson Hall lounge area

Food, fellowship and fun were the main goals of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) barbecue held Wednesday at Loose Park. Hot dogs and hamburgers were served while some students were engaged in volleyball and other icebreaker activities.

MSA hosts the barbecue at the beginning of every school year as a way of welcoming new students interested in the organization.

While the primary objective of the organization is to serve Muslim students on campus, the MSA also welcomes and educates any curious student.

Co-Presidents Asad Helal and Hiba Querini said they hope to expand the MSA’s outreach to the

greater Kansas City community.

Their plans include service projects such as donating toys to Children’s Mercy Hospital and helping to renovate a local orphanage.

Querini said she aims to “dispel stereotypes of Islam by hosting many interfaith events and holding them [for] the general public.”

Some of those events may include an upcoming interfaith symposium and a weekly Quran study. The MSA would also like to increase the amount of volunteer work performed and the number of events held in the upcoming school year.

To learn more about the organization, email umkcmsa@ umkc.edu. haustin@unews.com

Top: MSA hosts annual barbecue in Loose Park.

Bottom: Students prepared large amounts of food for the MSA barbecue.

Photos // Hope Austin

Multicultural Student Organization Council takes over Oak Street Quad

August 19 11:00pm An insurance card and parking permit were stolen from an unlocked car in Oak Place Parking garage.

Hope Austin Contributing Writer The Multicultural Student Organization Council got comfortable in Oak Street Residence Hall quad Friday Aug. 23 for an evening of live music, outdoor activities and BBQ. UMKC student Jared Bell supervised the grill, serving up burgers, chicken wings and other tantalizing summer treats. Side dishes included corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, and all the fixings to make fajitas like pico de gallo and guacamole.

Vice Chancellor Mel Tyler paid a visit, interacting with students and showing his support. DJ Apsilum spun a vast array of remixes, blending songs of varying style seamlessly into

August 19 5:34pm Personal belongings were reported missing during movein.

August 19 8:13pm Police responded to a lease violation at Oak Place Apartments.

August 20 Time unknown Apple products and a personal checkbook were reported missing from a car in Parking Area 96

August 22 10:37pm Police charged a minor with “possession by consumption” for being intoxicated in the Oak Street Residence Hall.

haustin@unews.com

Top: MSOC hosts water balloon fight in the quad.

Bottom: Dj Apsilum performs at the MSOC barbecue.

Photos // Roze Brooks

August 20 11:56pm Police responded to a report of people smoking marijuana in an apartment.

August 22 Between 12:45 and 2:40pm A Parking Permit was stolen from a car in Parking Area 32 East

the next. The beats reverberated off the resident hall walls and brought much attention from those just walking through.

A water balloon battle broke out, clearing many students out of their seats as rogue balloons splattered across the sidewalk.

“It took an hour and a half to fill them up and five minutes to throw them all away,” said Mark Linville, UMKC and Lambda Theta Phi alumnus.

MSOC is the overseeing body of several multicultural organizations on campus including, The African American Student Union, Sister Circle and The Association of Latin American Students.

Continued from the cover:

Robert Walter Memoriam

Walter had acquired scholarships to attend UMKC. Photo //Robert Walter’s Facebook

and acceptance breached those who never even met him—which now includes the entire UMKC community.

“I’ve seen so many guys that vaguely look like Robert this week,” Manos said. “I could barely handle it.”

Mizzou senior Dakota Botts said he did not know Robert personally, but saw how saddened numerous mutual friends about the devastating discovery.

“I was inspired by the determination of everyone to help find him—especially his mother,” he said. “I don’t know how his relationship with his parents was, but I know a lot of people from the LGBTQ community feel that their parents think less of them or have issues with them because of their sexuality, but when his mother offered the $20,000 reward for information leading to where he was, I could feel her desperation and love for him.”

Botts struggled to wonder if Robert knew that his mother loved him enough to offer an award of that size in an effort to find him.

Both Botts and Manos had similar sentiments about Robert’s involvement with his high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Growing up in Blue Springs, they feel this was a

brave move, setting the bar for other students to feel comfortable at a younger age.

“Robert came out to everyone in middle school and would fight anyone who gave him sh*t,” Manos said. “This was like four to five years before Glee or Gaga or when it became a lot more acceptable.”

Robert’s leadership seemingly carried through his high school and early college career. Botts serves on the Executive Board of Mizzou’s LGBT organization Triangle Coalition, planning activities that promote awareness and activism for the LGBTQ community.

“Knowing that we now have one less person helping out the cause back in KC made me think I should put forth that extra effort here in Columbia,” he said. “It just makes me sad when someone who shared so many common interests and struggles that I face now is gone, so I try and continue their legacy through my work.”

Robert’s legacy will be carried in many ways. Instead of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Robert Seth Walter Foundation of Technology at UMKC. Donations can be submitted by mail to:

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 1055 Broadway, Suite 130 Kansas City, Mo. 64105 Attn: Robert Seth Walter Technology Education Scholarship Fund Robert had been out with friends and co-workers on Aug. 3, the night he went missing. Authorities say there is no sign of foul play. It appears that his vehicle was unable to negotiate a turn in the road. A couple discovered the car and reported to police. rbrooks@unews.com

Visitation:

Monday Aug. 26 2013 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home 11924 East 47th St. Kansas City, MO 64133 (816) 353- 6555

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

5

MSA HOSTS ‘SHOW ME SUCCESS’

Jessica Turner Senior Beat Writer

The students and board members of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs gatthered in Pierson Auditorium at the Atterbury Student Success Center Saturday for the organization’s Welcome Week orientation. Among the board members were Assistant Director Keichanda Dees-Burnett and Coordinator Lanee Bridewell.

“Our office is here to support the academic and collegiate experience of students of color,” Burnett said.

“But we also believe in educating the campus community on diverse issues and the unique needs of multicultural people.”

According to Burnett, multicultural education is a huge priority.

“We value everyone,” she said. “I think a big misconception is that our office is just for persons of color, but the thing is, we all have to bring to the table our own experiences, outlooks, traditions and perceptions.

It’s through those interactions that we really grow and learn from one another. We have to have everyone at the table, not just those persons of color.”

The MSA Office is located at the Student Union in Room 319, and according to Dees-Burnett, they maintain an open-door policy.

“We want students to visit us,” Dees-Burnett said. “We have a very vibrant lounge space in the open reception part of our office and it’s really for the students. We want it to be their living room. We want them to have fun and enjoy each other and interact.”

Although Dees-Burnett describes the space as a place for students to break up their school day and socialize, the MSA team also uses that time to get to know the students and to discover various ways to help them succeed.

“If there are ever any issues, MSA welcomes students to talk about their concerns and experiences on campus,” Dees-Burnett said. “And for us, those are the moments during which we really find out what we could be doing to support them. We really believe in taking our marching

Crusade makes the most of Welcome Week

Hiral Patel

Students and board members of UMKC’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs gather at the Atterbery Success Center Saturday, Aug 25 to familiarize themselves with the organization’s programs and services.

Photo // Jessica Turner orders from the students. We just important for students to get really value the student experience involved and embrace their college called “Black Women of the Civil and want to ensure that all of our experiences to the fullest.

Rights Movement,” featuring “Students have to be intentional speaker Ina P. Montgomery. students feel equal and welcome on about wanting to seek out those this campus.”

“It should be pretty interesting,” For new students, Dees-Burnett opportunities,” Bridewell said. Dees-Burnett said. “It will take a suggests taking advantage of as “They’re not going to fall in your lap. I feminist-type of approach because many experiences and events think we naturally gravitate towards it will [showcase] the women who possible. She pointed out that not people who are like us, and so in played a pivotal role in the movement everyone has the chance to go to order to diversify yourself, you have and how those individuals aren’t college and it is the responsibility of to seek out diverse experiences, and talked about much. It was a very the students to engage themselves approach them with an open mind.” chauvinistic experience, and so some In addition to mingling in the MSA of the women who played an integral in all they have available to them.

Most of the activities are free or Office, the organization offers several part in it are left out of history. This discounted, many include food, and events throughout the year that bring event will explore some of those most importantly, Dees-Burnett a wide range of students together to women.” believes that interaction is the path learn more about themselves and “Black Women of the Civil Rights multicultural people. to self-discovery.

Movement” will take place on “MSA is about creating Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 5245 Rockhill “Students really need to learn more about how others live and think, opportunities for people to learn Road. The reception will begin at because I think that’s how you truly about each other and appreciate 5:30 p.m. and the presentation will learn about yourself,” she said. “I each other,” Bridewell said. “It’s just begin at 6 p.m. To learn more about think [college] is the time you truly a good time and it’s a great way to get the Office of MSA, visit the website decide for yourself, aside from what support while also exposing yourself at www.umkc.edu/msa, or like them your parents have told you or what and growing as a person.” on Facebook.

MSA is co-hosting its next event you thought you should be based on your family traditions.This is where with the Women’s Equality Council. jturner@unews.com Located at the Culture House, the you really find out who you are.”

Bridewell agreed that it is occasion will consist of a presentation

Contributing Writer

Along with the many other organizations trying to recruit people, a small group called Crusade (CRU) held many events during Welcome Week to help their organization grow.

CRU is an “inter- denominational group of students who love Jesus, want to know Him more and love to have fun in college community,” CRU member Tiffany Will said.

CRU held various events last week and had great turnouts with people. Some of the events included a sand volleyball game at the Johnson Residence Hall, tie-dying shirts at the Quad, a game night at the Johnson Residence Hall and a boom ball game at the Quad.

“It was fun and we got to know a lot of new students,” Tiffany Will said.

Other Welcome Week events by CRU included a pizza party at the Oak Street Courtyard, Ultimate Frisbee at the Nelson Atkins Museum and a Graffiti Dance Party.

CRU meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on the top floor of the Student Union.

CRU also has an annual Fall Getaway Retreat with other schools from Missouri.

“We get to know new people as long as bond with each other,” CRU member Chris Estrada said.

This year it will be held from Sept.

27-29. Anyone who is interested in meeting new people and experiencing the faith-based event are encouraged to join. hpatel@unews.com

A robot lives in the library

Janet Schaaf

Copy Editor

Miller Nichols Library is home to a robotic automated storage and retrieval system, aptly named RooBot by students after the installation in 2010.

According to Mary Anderson, head of circulation services at Miller Nichols, RooBot holds more than one million of the library’s inventory, including some items from special collections such as archival material and sound recordings. More than 150,000 items can still be browsed on open shelving within the library.

The space saving feature of the robot allows for items to be arranged by size within each individual bin instead of by call number as they are on open shelving. There are bins to accommodate items ranging in size from four and a half inches to 18 inches.

Library patrons can still use the Merlin catalog online to find items

housed within the RooBot. “When you look at the library record it shows you that the item is held in the UMKC Miller Nichols Library RooBot rather than on a particular floor of the library,” Anderson said.

After a patron requests an item, a librarian logs into the computer system connected to the RooBot, which communicates with the library catalog to retrieve the correct bin. An automated crane locates the bin and delivers it to the librarian, who then selects the requested item for delivery to the patron on the first floor. The bin is then replaced on the shelving system by the crane. The entire process takes approximately 10 minutes.

RooBot tours are offered the third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. and originate from the main circulation desk on the first floor. jschaaf@unews.com

Students and board members of UMKC’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs gather at the Atterbery Success Center Saturday, Aug 25 to familiarize themselves with the organization’s programs and services.

Photo // Hiral Patel

Students can look forward to this week’s CRU events:

Monday , Aug. 26: Sports at Swinney Recreation Center from 4-6 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 27: Four Square at the Quad from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 28: Pancakes at the Oak Street Residence Hall at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 29: Lemonade Stand at the Quad from 12-2 p.m.

Roobot is a speedy delivery system.

Photo // Janet Schaaf

Friday, Aug. 30: Kickball at the Grant Hall lawn from 2:30-4 p.m.

Bonfire and S’mores at 6038 Locust St. at 7 p.m.

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

Dip, Dodge and Dive Jessica Turner Senior Beat Writer To kick off Welcome Week at Swinney Recreation Center, Roo Wellness hosted a friendly game of dodgeball last Thursday evening, during which the students of UMKC Residential Life competed against all other participating students.

“Swinney created Roo Wellness as a totally free program for students that provides fitness and wellness classes, educational and social workshops, and online resources, just to name a few,” Wellness Coordinator Shannon Hutsler said.

“The program continues to grow and offer more opportunities for wellness, education and socialization for our students.”

Roo Wellness aims to do more than just promote exercise. The organization incorporates an array of holistic health methods, such as nutrition, dance and meditation.

In fact, there are a total of eight Dimensions of Wellness on which Roo Wellness focuses: Physical, Cultural, Spiritual, Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Occupational and Environmental.

The staff at Swinney considers it a priority to make themselves available as resources for students of all ages and skill levels. Personnel are accessible for fitness equipment orientation, information about the Intramurals program or a tour of the facility.

“We offered more than eight hours of equipment training during Welcome Week to help students familiarize themselves with our faculty and its equipment,” Hutsler said. “We stress the importance of movement for all UMKC students, [but] staying active and healthy — and avoiding the “freshman 15” — does not necessarily mean that students need to be on a treadmill for an hour every day.”

Hutsler indicated that instead of creating unmanageable workout programs, it’s more realistic and effective for students to set smaller, attainable goals that they will be more willing to stick to.

“Good health should be fun and feel great,” Hutsler said. “If it feels like a chore, it’s very possible that your plan to stay well needs revision.”

Hutsler’s philosophy of fun was demonstrated on the dodgeball court Thursday. Music was heard throughout the gym, and participants did not appear to view the experience as “a chore.” Although they were running and sweating and jumping — probably even more than they would during a conventional workout routine — they were having so much fun that they didn’t seem to notice that they were also burning calories.

Roo Wellness also hosted other Welcome Week activities, such as orientation on Friday, and a pool party on Saturday, which featured open swim, diving boards and frozen fruit drinks.

To achieve or maintain a healthy lifestyle, Hutsler recommends these tips: 1. Make knowledgeable and wise nutrition choices. Think of food as fuel.

2.

Move! Take the long way to class, or run your errands instead of driving.

3. Play a pick-up game of basketball or badminton, or take a yoga class.

4. Perform a couple of total body exercises in your room regularly.

5. Set realistic goals. A 20-minute walk is better than nothing.

6.

Schedule rest, too. Adequate rest is equally important to regular exercise.

For more tips, articles and links, like Swinney’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/swinneyrec, or follow them on Twitter @SwinneyRec. jturner@unews.com

6

WELCOMEWEEK

COUNSELORS HELP STUDENTS DEAL WITH STRESS OF COLLEGE LIFE Janet Schaaf

Copy Editor

As College is a major source of stress for many people and speaking to someone about difficulties faced during this time of life can be helpful.

One of the many groups offering information to students during UMKC’s Welcome Week, the was the Counseling Center is available to assist students, faculty and staff during difficult times. Located at 4825 Troost, UMKC’s Counseling Center is available to students, faculty and staff Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some evening appoints available each Tuesday.

Of the eight permanent Counseling Center staff members,, all are licensed in their fields, one is licensed iin social work and seven in psychology.

Working under the supervision of the licensed staff, there are also 11 trainees who are pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees in counseling psychology or social work.

Approximately 700 students access the services provided by the Counseling Center each year.

Individual counseling is the most

commonly used service . Other services provided include group counseling, couples counseling (one member of the couple must be affiliated with UMKC), outreach (on-campus education and presentations) and drug and alcohol counseling. The counselors also help students with body image and eating disorder issues as well as and suicide prevention.

The counselors are interested in friends helping friends. If a student is concerned about a friend who seems to feel hopeless and doesn’t feel like they have any options for solving problems, they are encouraged to give the counseling center a call at 235-1635. Counselors are always available to consult.

“A lot of the students who come to us as clients report having thoughts of suicide,” said staff psychologist Rachel Pierce, staff psychologist and outreach coordinator, said. “We realize that if clients are reporting this, then there are probably other students who are not coming to us who have those thoughts and worries.

So we want to make sure that their friends, if they are concerned about

them, are empowered to intervene, express concern and get the help that they need.”

Intake sessions are provided at no charge. Students are eligible for eight free individual counseling sessions per academic year. (beginning each August). If a student feels the need to continue, sessions are $15 each. Faculty and staff pay $20 per individual counseling session. Group counseling is provided at no charge and there is no limit to the number of sessions one can attend.

“Our group program is really great.

We try to get students plugged into that because they get support from other students,” said Pierce said. “They can have that as many times as they want. They can go to a group and really learn new ways of relating to other people, which is often at the core of some of the issues people experience like depression and anxiety. This usually helps the underlying symptoms.”

The Mind Body Connection, aA joint collaboration between the Counseling Center and the Health Center, is Mind Body Connection located in the Atterbury Student

Success Center. Its focuses is on stress reduction. The program comes complete with and contains resources such as massage chairs and biofeedback for helping students learn healthy ways to cope with stress.

“Stress can snowball,”.; Pierce said. “Iit can turn into a bigger issue like depression, anxiety or isolation from other people, so we see that as a preventative service that we offer.,” said Pierce said.

Biofeedback used by the Mind Body Connection is a computer program that measures heart rate through a clip attached to an earlobe.

According to Pierce, the user’s heart rate is seen on the screen and the program teaches users strategies to lower heart rate and induce a sense of calmness. The user can actually see the heart rate change on the screen and gets immediate feedback that what heas to whether the body is responding to internal changes. or she is doing internally is actually changing the body. jschaaf@unews.com

Counseling Center staff gets ready to welcome students to new school year.

Photo // Janet Schaaf

Students enjoy “Chill Out with the Women’s Center” event.

Roo Wellness Coordinator Shannon Hutsler explains the rules of the game to dodgeball participants at Swinney Thursday, Aug. 22.

Photo // Jessica Turner

Women’s Center enters 41st Year

Ericka Chatman

UMKC students participate in a recreational game of dodgeball as part of Roo Wellness’ Welcome Week Thursday, Aug. 22.

Photo // Jessica Turner

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Staff Writer

UMKC’s Women’s Center has been a staple at UMKC since 1971.

Located at 105 Haag Hall, the Women’s Center serves as an outlet where all students can come in, relax, study, take a break, or just stop in to use the computers.

The Women’s Center’s mission is to advocate, educate, and provide support services for the advancement of women’s equity on campus and within the community at large.

The Women’s Center has a library where students can check out books that explore a variety of subjects regarding gender issues, women’s history, issues affecting lesbians, and current topics women are interested in and more. They also have a variety of women’s interest magazine subscriptions students can browse.

The Women’s Center provides various services around campus such as lactation stations, where nursing mothers can breastfeed or pump their breast in a distractionfree, private, and quiette area. They also have the, Violence Prevention and Response Office, located at 108 Haag Hall, which helps provide services to prevent violence. There is also a “Victim Services Adjudication Advisor”, who provides trainings on issues related to domestic violence,

sexual assault, and more.

The Women’s Center has numerous events throughout the semester. One of the popular events is the annual “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” walk, where men walk or run a mile in women’s high-heeled shoes.

This event helps raise awareness of rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. The walk also raises funds for the “UMKC Violence Prevention and Response Project.”

Another popular event the Women’s Center has is V-Day, a movement to end violence against women and girls. During V-Day a series of events are presented, including “The Vagina Monologues,” a play written by Eve Ensler, which is a collaboration of monologues that explore rape, incest, sex slavery, and domestic abuse. Auditions for “The Vagina Monologues” will be November 8-12th. For more details contactvisit the Women’s Center.

There are multiple ways to be involved with the Women’s Center, including volunteering to set up events, pre-prepare for events, blogging, and more. For a full list of events, and to find out more about getting involved with the Women’s Center visit thetheir website at www.umkc.edu/womenc. echatman@unews.com

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

7

WELCOMEWEEK

Student Organizations appeal to a variety of interests Jessica Turner Senior Beat Writer Every high school student has heard the spiel at some point.

They’re Every student has been told that upon entering college, they must be prepared to be well-rounded, get involved in organizations on campus, and start creating a network of connections with whom they can

keep in touch during their future professional lives. Well, guess what?

It’s all true.

According to a 2013 study by the Journal of College Student Development, “Student learning is increased when there is more involvement in both academic and social aspects of the collegiate experience,” and students tend to

have higher rates of success when they are “participating actively in student organizations.”.

But However, UMKC students needn’t worry, because their campus happens to be hyperactively booming with easily -accessible outlets that facilitate campus involvement. There’s something for everyone on this campus, and this

quick overview can will direct you students to the right places to allow those “social aspects” of your life to start developing.

Roo Groups is an online resource that allows students to browse for organizations on campus, and can be found at https://roogroups. collegiatelink.net/organizations.

In addition, students can always

stop by the Office of Student Involvement in Suite #320 in of the Student Union or to pay a visit to the Office of Student Involvement, whose them online at website is http://www.umkc.edu/getinvolved, and can also be found onor Facebook.

things going on this year.”

The fun K-ROO offers includes broadcasting over the internet, hosting parties and mixers, giving away prizes and presenting live concerts. Because K-ROO encourages membership from students of any major and maintains complete creative control over all of the programs they air, the station features an array of representative voices.

Tune in to K-ROO at www.k-roo. org. To let your voice be heard, stop by the studio in Suite #303B of the Student Union or find them on Roo Groups.

Student Mentoring and Recruitment Team (SMART) Ambassadors, it’s easy to get involved.

“Freshmen don’t have to have any prior knowledge or automotive experience to join the team,” said Frame Team Leader and Document Design Coordinator of the Society of Automotive Engineers, John Smith.

One of the projects assigned to the Society of Automotive Engineers is to build an off-road vehicle from scratch.

“We drive around campus sometimes, and it’s all off-road, so you’ll see us going off the curbs, and it’s—Iit’s pretty cool,” he Smith said.

Robotics Club Team Project Manager Cody Kaspzyk also welcomes underclassmen to the SCE. “It’s not limited to engineering students,” Kaspzyk said. “We really try to encompass aspects of all.

The Robotics Team, HumanPowered Vehicle Team and Society of Automotive Engineers are just a few of the programs that can be found on Roo Groups or the SCE’s website at http://sce.umkc.edu/ under Student Teams & Organizations.

mixer in October, and in January, the Annual Freedom Breakfast and Soul Food Friday in January.

UMKC senior and TAASU President Aurielle Young recommends the organization as a means of taking advantage of a professional networking opportunity.

“I would encourage freshmen to participate in TAASU because it’s a great way to get involved with student events on campus, as well as learning leadership skills,” Young said. “Most students who are a member of TAASU branch off and become involved in other organizations as well.”

All of the organizations within the MSOC can be found on Roo Groups, Facebook and its website at http:// www.umkc.edu/msa. jturner@unews.com

To get you started, Here’s a small sampling of just a few of the organizations UMKC has to offer: #1. K-ROO Student Radio.

Station Manager Cedric Hurtt encourages new members to participate in K-ROO, the studentoperated online radio station whose mission is to enrich the campus and community with quality information and entertainment.

“K-ROO has a really good environment with really cool people,” Hurtt said. “And the handson experience you get from working here really goes a long way.”

Now a senior, Hurtt is working on building his résumé.

“I realized last year that it’s important to get involved in school, and I don’t feel like I can get this opportunity at any other school,” Hurtt said. “I feel like I came to the right school at the right time to get this experience.

K-ROO’s going to have a lot of fun

#2. School of Computing and Engineering Teams.

There are 19 organizations within the School of Computing and Engineering (SCE), and thanks to the

#3. The African American Student Union.

The African American Student Union (TAASU) is one of several organizations within the Multicultural Student Organization Council (MSOC), and its calendar is always full of social affairs.

In the coming year, TAASU hosts an array of free events, such last Friday’sthe Welcome Back Barbeque during Welcome Week, a build day with Habitat for Humanity, its fall Photos // Jessica Turner

K-ROO Station Manager Cedric Hurtt sends music out to UMKC students from room 308B of the Student Union.

The School of Computing and Engineering (SCE) Student Mentor and Recruitment Team (SMART) Ambassadors in their workshop

The African American Student Union (TAASU) invites you to join them this semester for various activities and events.

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

WELCOMEWEEK Good Morning Roos! serves up hotcakes on the first day of school Aug. 19.

Drag performer Heidi Banks sings live at LGBTQIA Programs and Services Karaoke Aug. 20.

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Photo // Kynslie Otte

Students enjoy free ice cream courtesy of LGBTQIA Programs and Services Aug. 22.

Roos in the City view at Kauffman Stadium Aug. 24.

Photo // Caleb-Michael Files

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Students enjoy free shaved ice courtesy of LGBTQIA Programs and Services Aug. 22.

Students cool down with smoothies from the Women’s Center Photo // Ericka Chatman

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Community Organizations tabled at the LGBTQIA event in the University Walkway Aug. 22.

Photo // Ericka Chatman

TEDxUMKC students asked “If you could be anywhere right now where would you be?” in preparation for their event in September Photo // Ericka Chatman

8

WELCOMEWEEK Students danced during a break at the Drag Queen Karaoke event by LGBTQIA Programs and Servcies Student Veterans Organization held different events during Welcome Week

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Students on the ‘Roos in the City’ event enjoyed the Hall of Fame Suite at Kauffman Stadium

TEDxUMKC students asked students what was on their ‘Bucket List; in preparation for their event in September

Photo // Ericka Chatman

Photo //Caleb-Michael Files

Students had the opportunity to pose with Sporting KC and UC Men’s National Team Star Graham Zusi during the week Photo // Ericka Chatman

Illustration // Joey Hill & Caleb-Michael Files

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

Students get fit at Swinney Prannoy Kiran Saride Contributing Writer Recreation is an essential service for health and mental stress. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and recreation is important as a daily routine. It is an empowering dynamic treatment practiced by recreation professionals in facilitating a healthy life.

UMKC has identified the importance of recreation and created a large program that students are fortunate to have in the university.

The Sweeney Recreation Center at UMKC not only has a large but also a wide range of recreational programs that give a chance to all the students, bringing themto a common setting for recreational exercise.

There are several programs offered that include a trainer to helpi with diet and exercise. It is open all week, leaving many chances for students to find a break. This also increases interaction between students that also boost their interpersonal relations. Many students make good friends at the Recreation Center that

10

Shanon Hutsler introduces students to the Swinney weight room and stretching exercises.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran Saride One of the most attractive features viewed in terms of calories burnt of Sweeney is the television that rather than time spent. displays all the equipment available Total Abdominal, or Rotary along with the instructions to show Torso, helps stretch the lower and how to use them. Students found it upper back, while the chest press, shoulder press and vertical traction exercisethe upper part of the body. Multi-Hip is a one-of-a-kind machine that burns calories faster and produces noticeable change. The rowing machine gets a feel of actual rowing, exercising the body at the same time.

A machine called Abductor allows user to exercise both the inner and outer legs. A new piece of equipment named Glute has been introduced for the gluteus. There are different types of trigger push downs that make the life easier for professionals. Different features on the cardiac equipment like the music system, a small video television that allows students to keep exercising to their favorite music, really get them going.

Hutsler can demonstrate every piece of equipment to help people Students should remember to stretch before all physical activity. know how to use it in any case of Photo // Prannoy Kiran Saride confusion. Sweeney also provides volunteers with red shirts who show help them in a long run. to be really helpful and easy to use. visitors how equipment works. They Wellness Coordinator Shannon “The yellow button that is Hutsler guided a tour by going attached to any equipage gives the can be called at any time for any through each piece of equipment, option to change the weight of it,” reference. Equipment instructional videos are also available at the gym from the 1/8-mile running track to a Hutsler said. and lockers provide safety to any machine aimed to increase flexibility.

Using the options at Sweeney is There is a set of mats that allows as good as exercising but only if it is students’ properties . psaride@unews.com students to do their pull ups, dips

Stay Healthy, Save Money, Shed Pounds Lindsay Adams Senior Beat Writer To paraphrase Shakespeare, it’s easier to teach 20 people what they should do than actually follow one’s own teaching. The main reason people often don’t reach their health goals is because they are unrealistic, and if they waver or don’t follow through on any part of their healthier life plan, they get depressed, binge eat and give up.

The word “diet” has negative implications and evokes feelings of dissatisfaction. This column is focused not on dieting, but eating and living healthier and smarter.

The right foods fill a person up faster, meaning people don’t have to be starving to lose weight or to feel more energized and healthy. Eating well isn’t just about losing weight.

People who are skinny can be out of shape and unhealthy. What people eat and how they exercise is tied in with how the whole body works and effects more things than expected.

Many students say they don’t have time with crazy school and work schedules, or they can’t afford it.

However, it is still easy to find time to exercise and eat well cheaply when one knows how.

Yoga: Making you smarter

Frank Lawlis, a fellow of the American Psychological Association and author of “The IQ Answer,” argues that many people don’t breathe right, which causes more stress and less oxygen to your brain, which harms the memory. However, yoga can correct breathing patterns.

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have found that yoga may be superior to other forms of exercise in its positive effect on mood and anxiety. They demonstrate an association between yoga postures and decreased anxiety.

Researchers at the University of Illinois say that their study shows that yoga improves memory, speed and focus, significantly more than other workouts. Following yoga practice most people are better able to focus as well as process and retain information more effectively. These bonuses to doing yoga, beyond physical benefits, make yoga a great workout for students.

Places to get yoga for free

Gym memberships can be expensive, and adding the costs of yoga classes on top of that can empty out pockets faster than a person can say Namaste. Here are some places

Students can watch tv while exercisiing on the elliptical.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran Saride

that offer free yoga and are an easy walk or bike from campus.

Lulumon Athletica 444 Nichols Rd. The Lulumon Athletica store on the Plaza offers free Brunchasana yoga classes, in store, every Sunday at 11 a.m. Every week the class is led by different yogis from the Kansas City community. Not only do they have the weekly class, but they also have a Hot N Heavy yoga class they are offering Thursday, Aug. 29, from 6-7 p.m., on the Nelson-Atkins south lawn near The Thinker statue. It is a complimentary outdoor yoga class to cap off the summer season. They will mix with a rapid pace yoga and cardio for the optimal workout, while blastingenergy-boosting music. Kate Lindholm of Westport Yoga will lead the class. For more information, check out their calendar of events at countryclubplaza-store@lululemon. com.

Kansas City Public Library (Waldo Branch) 201 E. 75th St. The Kansas City Public Library offers a free yoga class focusing on the yoga basics on Sundays at 1 p.m. and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Both are located in the library’s multipurpose room. The library is a bike or walk away down the Trolley Track Trail.

The schedule can change slightly from month to month, so check their website for more information at http://www.kclibrary.org/waldo.

Yoga in the Park! at the NelsonAtkins 4525 Oak St. FFrom spring to fall as long as weather conditions allow there is Yoga in the park. It takes place every Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on the south side lawn. They meet at the base of the south side steps and suggest bringing sunscreen and water. The yogi brings a few extra mats, but if you have one, bring one. It is a free Vinyasa-style class that is completely open to the public. It is for all ages, experiences and sizes. Their Facebook site gives updates on other events any changes in times. Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/ YogaInTheParkKC. ladams@unews.com

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

11

FROM CARDINAL TO KANGAROO Bump, Set, Spike

Head Coach Kareem Richardson promises exciting season

Dan Moreno Senior Beat Writer

Before the season starts, UMKC volleyball Head Coach Christi Posey and her team are feeling anxiety and excitement as they head to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Arkansas Invitational Aug. 30-31.

Posey will be entering her third season in charge of the Kangaroos and will try to have an even better overall record (17-13) than last year’s, which was the second best in school history and its last season in the Summit League.

Heading to the Western Athletic Conference, Posey mentioned that the girls can’t wait any longer for the season to start.

Dan Moreno Senior Beat Writer

Head coach Kareem Richardson promises to bring excitement back to the UMKC’s basketball team.

Richardson was the former assistant coach at the University of Louisville who helped legendary coach Rick Pitino lead the Cardinals to win the NCAA Championship in 2013.

Many things have changed since Richardson was last at UMKC, when he served as the men’s basketball assistant coach during the 20072008 season. This time Richardson says he will incorporate his personal seal and style on the game.

“The main difference is that UMKC has trusted me to lead the program this time as the head coach,” Richardson said. “But also, I want to put my footprint on the program in a positive manner.”

Richardson intends to bring the same style that took the Cardinals to the national championship to UMKC. “There are a couple things I will take from him [Pitino] and apply here,” Richardson said. “One is the professionalism of the whole coaching realm and our humility in the profession; you can’t let your ego get in the way, and on the floor you have to be able to have the blueprint of what it takes to be successful in our style of play to implement with our team.”

Five players were added to the roster , and Richardson feels the team is looking stronger already.

“We brought in really highcharacter guys” he said. “We are expecting the team to play very hard and bring tremendous effort night after night out on the floor and hopefully down the road, but mainly bring an exciting style.”

Richardson said the announcement Chancellor Leo E. Morton gave last spring about UMKC leaving the Summit League and joining the Western Athletic Conference was great news.

“I think this change is really positive, it is going to be a really competitive season and we are ready for that challenge,” Morton said. “It all fits; new coach, new league, new court.”

The UMKC athletic department also announced earlier this year that the men’s basketball home games will be played at the Municipal Arena in downtown Kansas City, which Richardson visualizes as a great opportunity to help the team grow in every way.

“We have received really positive

Richardson plans to utilize past experience to lead the men’s team to success.

Photo // Matt Cook feedback, and I think the community of Kansas City is excited about it,” Richardson said. “I believe the fan experience will be a really pleasant one.”

On July 24, Richardson and his former team were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House, which was a surreal moment for Richardson.

“Going through security, being inside of the White House and finally President Obama walking into the room before we went out to our ceremony was probably a once-ina-lifetime opportunity,” Richardson said. “It was one of those experiences you will never forget.”

On Dec. 4, the Roos will play an exhibition game against Richardson’s former team and defending NCAA champions at Louisville, Ky. “It’s going to be neat and nerve-

racking all at the same time,” Richardson said. “I am looking forward to it and hoping they take it easy on us.”

A great response from both students and Kansas City’s community is all that Richardson asks for.

“We need your [the fans] support and your excitement to make Municipal, our home, a true homecourt advantage,” Richardson said.

“I won’t guarantee wins but I do guarantee we will have an exciting and entertaining brand of basketball and our guys will play with unbelievable effort.”

The Roos will open this year’s season on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. against Rockhurst University at Municipal Arena. dmoreno@unews.com

returners and our new players,” Posey said. “We have seen the effort and the improvement made by every single one of the girls.”

Nine returning letterwinners and six starters, including last year’s Honorable Mention All-Summit League All-Freshman Team selection Emma Hagedorn, and the only senior Chloe Jarema, will join five newcomers.

One of the newcomers the Roos added is former University of Missouri Tiger Melissa Hartsel.

“Melissa brings a great deal of depth to our middle position, mostly because of her experience and physicality,” Posey said.

Posey promised the fans that

The volleyball team prepares for its first match in Photo // Dan Moreno the Arkansas Invitational.

“We are really excited to go to her team will play hard and have a new places and seeing some different great deal of energy in the gym along volleyball,” Posey said. “Other than with the great entertainment that what we can see on the website and volleyball is. study the rosters and sizes of kids, we After the Arkansas Invitational, don’t really know what to expect.” the Roos will host an exhibition It has been two weeks of hard game at the Swinney Recreation work as the team prepares for the Center against the University of season with twice-a-day practices.

Kansas on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m.

“Preseason has been great. There is nice chemistry between our dmoreno@unews.com

The volleyball team also plans to prepare for an exhibition game at Swinney.

Photo // Dan Moreno

The volleyball team practices basic fundamentals.

Photo // Dan Moreno

Kasey says...

Show us some love.

Like us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/UMKCUniversityNews

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

12

Documentary sickens and captivates audiences

Erik Gandara

Beat Writer

“The Act of Killing” documents the filmmaking ambitions of Anwar Congo, a former mass murderer from the 1960 Indonesian killings. Director Joshua Oppenheimer allowed Congo and his cohorts to tell the story as they saw fit, resulting in a bizarre hodgepodge of Hollywood mimicry and first-hand re-enactments of brutal war crimes. As more than a rally against inhumanity, the film explores the nature of impunity with its unprecedented clash of horror and vulgarity, which make for an unsettling story.

When the president of Indonesia was overthrown in a military coup in 1965, a wave of killing ensued.

The military organized civilians into death squads and began murdering anyone deemed a communist. By 1966, more than 2 million had been executed. Many of the young men in the death squads were poor street hustlers and gangsters.

The chilling depiction begins with Congo in black-clad attire with his arms outstretched, conducting some kind of service, along with a man next to him in electric-blue drag and dancers on a rocky slope in the foreground. Behind them is a breathtaking waterfall while a director’s voice yells out “Smile,” “More teeth” and “Don’t the let the camera catch you looking bad.” The faces are angelic and peaceful.

Such bizarre scenes are common throughout the film.

But these men are merely acting out their own warped perceptions of mass murder. They are boastful and merry, sometimes nostalgic as they recount the brutalities in which they took part.

As Congo said, “Sometimes it was like we were killing… happily.”

The documentary has a constant corniness that is only offset by the grizzly details the killers discuss as they shoot their own biopic. Adi Zulkadry, a fellow death dealer, described how he murdered his girlfriend’s father because they were Chinese.

“Crush the Chinese became Crush My Girlfriend’s Father,” Zulkadry said.

Through Oppenheimer’s skillful lens, the men improvise scenes from American movies. Sometimes it’s a gangster movie, sometimes a Western or film noir and even musicals serve as the settings where they re-enact their crimes, fussing like artistic directors over style and historic accuracy.

One of the actors, a survivor of the genocide, described his experience during a shoot. The death squads had kidnapped his stepfather and killed him when he was a child.

“We found his body under an oil drum,” he said as the old killers look on in silence. ”We buried him like a goat next to the main road.”

Lindsay Nelson Broadcast Assistant

Later the actor is brought to tears as he re-enacts a murder and interrogation.

The documentary is unusual because of the distance between the atrocities. People willingly audition for the farce of a movie that glorifies themurder of his or her ancestors.

The crimes have been forgotten.

Indonesia has become a more modernized country and no one truly knows the extent of the horrors that occurred many years ago. Crimes against humanity served as the birth of a nation and now the same unpunished butchers are regarded as heroes. Indonesia appears as a country where the criminals have control over the present and the past.

“The Act of Killing” manages to

Photo // actofkilling.com be gruesome and fascinating, and at more than two hours in length, offers plenty for the viewer. Not simply a “Faces of Death”-style exploitation film, “The Act of Killing” delves deep into the Congo’s torment, and ends with the revered killer retching at the thought of his own savagery.

This documentary sickens and captivates with its surreal scenes which the audience must first trust that the director will deliver some point to the story. When it finally delivers, it is powerful. egandara@unews.com

Reel Talk Grand Summer film recap: the good, the bad and the Street hungover Café impresses Vikki Lampton

Staff Writer

Grand Street Café, located at 4740 Grand Ave., could be classified as bourgeois , mostly filled with customers rushing to and from work. The menu appeals to a more experienced palate , and the décor is luxurious.

However, the ambience is casual and comfortable. After ordering a main entrée and drinks, one can enjoy the buffet, which presents fresh salad options, pastries and other side dishes. The service is exceptional and the waiter was knowledgeable of the menu.

Dinner prices range from $8 small plates to $27 fish dishes. The Sunday brunch may be the most reasonably priced option. For $16, the customer receives any entrée and free range of the appetizer buffet.

The brunch option contains a variety of classics, such as Eggs Benedict and homemade pancakes. Diners also have the option to create their own omelet.

Grand Street Café is a practical place to come and dine , especially if one is looking for exceptional quality food in a comfortable atmosphere.

The Café is also recognized for its Happy Hour, which offers a broad selection of authentic style martinis and other beverages. Happy Hour runs from 3-6 p.m., Mon. – Fri. Martinis are $5 each on Martini Mondays. Private dining is available for banquets, and the Café offers catering services as well.

The Grand Street Café is worth the visit, open Mon. – Thurs. from 11a.m.

–9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sun. 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Phoenix Goes Bankrupt

final installment of “The Hangover” Lindsay Nelson trilogy.

Broadcast Assistant It was a funeral—an unexpected “Iron Man 3:” and morbidly humorous turn of The summer movie season began events—that brought the four with sold-out midnight showings together for their last escapade. This of Robert Downey, Jr. in “Iron Man installment includes an intervention, 3.” Director Shane Black understood stolen gold and Carlos, and it all the expectations that came with comes to a close back in Vegas. Well releasing the first continuation of done, Todd Phillips. the highly anticipated Marvel films to follow “Avengers.” Audiences may “Man of Steel:” have expected the film’s dramatic As if audiences weren’t geeking events, but probably did not out enough already, Director anticipate rooting for the bad guy – Zack Snyder released his highly twice. However, it was hard to avoid anticipated film, “Man of Steel.” with Guy Pearce countering Downey With Producer Christopher Nolan, on the screen. Downey and the rest of who directed “The Dark Knight” the cast easily set the blockbuster bar trilogy, fans were confident “Man high. of Steel” could do no wrong.

When it came to the visuals and “Star Trek Into Darkness:” the acting, there were minimal “Star Trek Into Darkness,” the complaints. Henry Cavill and Amy second volume of J.J. Abram’s Star Adams were welcomed with open Trek revamp, dominated theaters arms as the new Superman and two weeks later. The exquisitely Lois Lane. The change of aesthetic, designed visual effects and however, received the most cinematography kept eyes glued to criticism. Snyder’s interpretation the screen, along with the impeccable took out certain elements that had bond between the leading actors been played up too much over the . The chemistry between Kirk years. Cavill delivered a Superman (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary for the current generation. And he Quinto) is seamless. The characters’ may have done just well enough to snide remarks were effortlessly ignore a certain liberty Snyder took executed. To top it off, Abrams with a key plot point. tossed Benedict Cumberbatch Between the summer films’ (from BBC’s “Sherlock”) into the heroes and space traveling, many mix. Cumberbatch’s performance titles fell under the radar. Baz alongside Pine and Quinto intrigued Luhrman’s adaptation of “The fans enough to gross over $453 Great Gatsby” was magnificent. million during its eight week run.

It was lively, glamorous and

captivating. Leonardo Dicaprio “The Hangover Part III” (Gatsby) and Carey Mulligan Phil, Stu, Allen and Doug reunited (Daisy ) were all that Fitzgerald as the Wolf pack once more in the readers could have imagined.

Joss Whedon’s modern take on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing” was brilliantly funny from start to finish. Kristen Wiig snuck into the mix with “Girl Most Likley,” as did Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell in “The Way Way Back.”

The band Phoenix recently released its newest album entitled “Bankrupt!” The first single released earlier this summer was “Trying to Be Cool.” The most current single is “Entertainment.” Both have been played on high-rotation on local radio station 96.5 The Buzz. The two tracks are easy to pick out as the album’s singles. The lyrics are easy to follow, the choruses repeat enough to get engraved into the brain and the melodies are overall the most likely to be mainstreamed.

The rest of the album has the distinct Phoenix sound listeners have either adored or detested since the 2000 release of “United,” the group’s first album. “Bankrupt!” proves the band has stayed true to its sound. Musical variation from track to track, however, was simply not distinctive. Excluding its two singles, the first song that stands out is seven tracks into the album.

The introduction of “Chloroform” takes it down a notch, in a good way.

The song begins with a chime-like arpeggio, the bass levels are slightly less syncopated and the melody keeps a smooth pace . The lyrics are difficult to understand at times, but when listening to Phoenix that is to be expected on occasion.

The following track “Don’t” is entertaining, but before the album is through “Bourgeois” saves the day.

This is the song to put on repeat. It is somewhat reminiscent of “Fences” from “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” the group’s 2009 album.

“Bankrupt!” was not a complete bust, but it did not have the anticipated impact. None of its tracks lived up to the legacies of “Lisztomania” or “1901.”

Phoenix will play at Buzz Beach Ball, hosted by 96.5 the Buzz at Berkley Riverfront Park on Friday, Sept. 27 at 10:45 p.m. on the main stage. lnelson@unews.com

lnelson@unews.com

vlampton@unews.com

Illustration // Joey Hill

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

UMKC theatre student awarded new scholarship Alisa Lynn and the Gary C. Holcombe scholarship a “perfect fit” Lindsay Adams Senior Beat Writer Alisa Lynn, a senior theatre major, is the first student to be awarded the Gary C. Holcombe Scholarship. The new scholarship was established for students pursuing careers in acting or singing .

“It’s such an honor. I feel incredibly humbled and excited about it,” Lynn said.

The scholarship was named in honor of Gary Holcombe, a Broadway veteran and one of Kansas City’s most respected actors who passed away in 2011. He also served on UMKC Theatre’s faculty beginning in 2001, where he was a visiting professor, but joined the department until his 2009 retirement. Holcombe’s best known Broadway role was Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” Holcombe once guessed he had performed the role more than a thousand times.

Holcombe worked at many professional theaters in Kansas City, such as the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, the New Theatre and Starlight Theatre. He left an indelible mark on the city’s theater scene. The new scholarship is another addition to his legacy.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that [Alisa Lynn] is the first recipient of the Gary Holcombe Scholarship Fund, which was established by Gary’s wife, Donna Thomason,” said Mark Robbins, the director of “Picnic” and one of the co-founders of Kansas City Actors Theatre. “Gary was one of the original founders of Kansas City Actors Theatre, and was also much beloved by his UMKC students in theatre. With Alisa being a UMKC student, she and the fund were a perfect fit.”

Lynn received word of the scholarship when she was already in rehearsals for “Picnic.”

“John Rensenhouse and Jim Mitchell both walked up to me one day, and I thought, ‘Oh geez. I must have done something really terrible, here we go,’” Lynn said. “But instead they informed me that I was receiving the scholarship in Gary Holcombe’s name and I could hardly believe it.”

Lynn has proved her abilities in “Intensity 2.0” and “Picnic,” yet she remains modest about her own talents.

“I was, and still am, floored that they’ve seen so much in me,” Lynn said.

Robbins was highly complementary of both her talents and her attitude in his experience working with her.

“Alisa Lynn was, I believe, the very first person we cast in ‘Picnic,’ many months ago,” Robbins said.

“In her very first audition for us, she seemed so perfect for the character of Millie Owens, she became the standard by which we measured all subsequent auditioners for that role.

13

ERICKA SAVE$

Saving Money on Groceries

Ericka Chatman

Staff Writer

Food is one of the biggest expenses next to tuition, on a college student budget. Many students blow through hundreds of dollars each month on takeout food and fast food, and the meal plan option is just as expensive as tuition. Most dorms have a kitchen located on the premises, and all of the Oak Place apartments have a kitchen, so there’s no excuse not to save money. Making a weekly trip to the grocery store will slash the price of food , and allow students to survive on foods other than Ramen noodles, and tuna.

Make A Weekly Budget Before going to the grocery store, know exactly how much money to spend. Sit down and sort through finances to set the amount allotted for groceries. Once the budget is set, stick with that limit and try not to spend more.

1. Check Your Pantry/ Cabinets Before grocery shopping, go through your cupboards, cabinets and pantry to make a checklist of items you already have.

2. Only Shop What’s On Sale A sales circular ad from each grocery store in the area is distributed in “The Kansas City Star” newspaper, which can be picked up for free around campus. The sales ad is usually in the Wednesday’s paper.

Flip through the sales ad and only shop for the items that are on sale.

Even stores such as Aldi and SaveA-Lot have sales ads, and the prices are usually cheaper than the already low prices. Shopping the sales ads only will slash 20 to 40 percent of the grocery bill.

Alisa Lynn performs as Millie in ‘Picnic.’

She also showed herself to be highly adept at taking direction quickly, and brought an intelligence and a brightness of spirit to the process.”

Lynn cites her parents and all of the talented artists she has in her life as her encouragement and inspiration.

“I know a lot of people hear that I’m going into an artsy career and they give me ‘the look,’ you know, the really skeptical ‘Oh, you poor starving artist. Get back to me when you decide to go after a real career,’” Lynn said. “But my parents have never been like that. They’ve stood by me and encouraged me and I can’t ask for more.”

Lynn also credited the UMKC theatrical staff, saying “[They] have really invested in me and kept me in check as I continue down this crazy path.”

Lynn is involved in the Undergraduate Theatre Association, and has recently been named copresident.

Lynn has been involved in theater since a church play in third grade, and her passion continued through junior high when she started to consider theater as a career path.

“By high school I knew that

Photo // Brian Paulette there was absolutely nothing else I could do with my life and still be as passionate about my career,” Lynn said.

One of the things that drew Lynn to the theater was the fact that every performance of the same show is different.

“No one will ever play your role in quite the same way on the same stage for the same people and there’s just a vibrancy and immediacy to theater that’s really wonderful,” Lynn said.

“I also just love that I get to help provide an escape for people. Every show is a journey not only with your cast and crew, but with the beautiful audience who comes to see it, and there’s just something awe-inspiring about putting life and struggles aside and experiencing this one thing all together, even just for a few hours.”

Lynn plans to continue pursuing her dream. After she graduates she plans to move to Chicago and work as an actor.

“But for now I’m just loving the Kansas City experience,” Lynn said. ladams@unews.com

3. Use Coupons Using coupons on already reduced sales prices can help slash a grocery bill by more than 50 percent.. For example, if an item is on sale for $1.00 and there was a $1.00 off coupon in that week’s paper, the item would be free.

4. Shop For Meat On The Last Day Of The Sale Befriend the butcher at the grocery store, and ask when meats are marked down. Most local stores mark down their meats the morning of the last day of the sale. The meat is marked down because it’s nearing the expiration date.. Once the meat is frozen, it will last for months.

Stocking up on meats the morning after a holiday is another great time to find decreased prices.

5. Banish Brand Loyalty Banishing brand loyalty opens up the opportunity to try new products that are cheaper and sometimes better than the original product. Also, many store brand items are actually created by the same manufacturer, has the same ingredients and works just the same. The only difference is it has a generic name.

6. Shop for Produce At The Farmers Market Kansas City has a huge “Farmers Market” at the City Market each weekend as well as a more organic market is located in Brookside.

There are a variety of vendors to buy fresh fruit and vegetables that cost a fraction of the grocery store price.

Bartering with vendors for lower prices will also cut cost. If bartering and shopping directly from the farmers is not something of interest, shop for produce at Aldi. Each week Aldi has a variety of fresh produce on sale.

To view the full list of “Saving Money on Groceries,” visit unews. com.

For specific savings tips, send me an email. * Stay tuned next week for a beginners guide to couponing, “How to Coupon 101, “ make sure you pick up your copy. * echatman@unews.com

App Review: Outlines Outloud Prannoy Kiran Contributing Writer Outlines Outloud is a powerful iPhone application that converts one’s lectures and study sessions into an audio track. Having audible access to notes and class discussions is an efficient way to increase the effectiveness of studying. The app is available through the iTunes store for $4.99, but its educational benefits are worth the price.

In the same way students may write outlines, plan assignments or create study guides, this digital aid allows one to make the most of his or her time.

Outlines Outloud also converts outlines created through c o m p u t e r applications, such as Microsoft OneNote, into audio clips that can be accessed through the phone application.

Once the OneNote files are saved, they can be dragged into iTunes and can automatically sync to an Apple device.

The app features the ability to set the pace in which the notes are read and also offers playback, rewind and skip controls.

This app is perfect for those who learn and retain information best

through auditory means.

Occasional problems with the app occur when documents fail to be converted from the computer program to the mobile app, and written outlines are sometimes formatted differently when opened through Outlines Outloud.

Overall, this application provides a convenient way to study and gives users the most control over his or her study experience. pkiran@unews.com

Photo // Outlines Outloud

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

14

Disclaimer: The views of individual writers expressed below in this section do not represent the official stance of U-News. U-News welcomes participation from all UMKC students.

Letters to the editor may be submitted to Editors-in-Chief Roze Brooks and Elizabeth Golden, editor@unews.com.

The wicked witch of the east: living on the ‘wrong’ side of Troost Kynslie Otte Production Manager For students who live off campus, it is no secret that affordable housing in close proximity to the University is difficult to find. Many homes within walking distance of campus are owned by the University and are generally old, poorly maintained and costly. Housing to the west of campus near the plaza is often outrageously priced, and those that aren’t are only about as spacious as a large walk-in closet. This leaves students with few options aside from congested midtown apartment complexes, suburbs with long commutes and the dreaded east.

As it turns out, many would rather live in a bug infested building in a popular neighborhood than even consider moving into a home too far east of Main Street .

Most neighborhoods to the east of Troost are considered “bad areas” due to worn out stereotypes created by the redlining of the city in the 1950s’ as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Brown versus Board of Education case, which declared the blatantly racist idea of “separate but equal” unconstitutional.

Shortly after the overturning of “separate but equal” doctrine, Kansas City officials established Troost as the dividing line for school districts in an attempt to legally segregate the city into a “white side” and a “black side” without being scrutinized for discrimination. As the city west of Troost grew into an economic goldmine, the east was neglected and gained a reputation for being a hotbed of crime and poverty.

Though the city has since put forth

some effort to undo nearly 60 years of injustice and segregation, many Kansas Citians seem to believe that the west is still wonderful and the east is still dangerous.

After living in this city for several years, I’ve formed a different opinion.

I spent my first year in Kansas City in a small pre-war apartment just off of Troost, and it was the most pleasant, non-threatening neighborhood I’ve ever lived in. The people were friendly, and there was no real reason to worry about walking around alone after dark. Most of the time, I didn’t even feel inclined to lock my front door.

I have since moved into a larger apartment in Westport in what most would consider a “good area.”

In the first six months I lived there, the complex was broken into and

the front door shattered twice, and a police standoff took place across the street due to a tenant who was allegedly running a meth lab in his apartment. Needless to say, I wish I’d never moved.

It is true that much of the housing in the east is depreciated from lack of city support and funding for renovations. However, well maintained homes east of Troost are generally inexpensive due to low property value, and are therefore ideal for broke college students.

Though there is no such thing as a completely crime-free neighborhood, choosing a new place to live based on tired stereotypes and hearsay seems foolish. Instead of perpetuating stereotypes that pre-date the civil rights movement, we as residents should be working to disprove them.

Kynslie Otte College students need access to affordable housing, and the east side of our city needs people like us to help it shake a reputation it never deserved. kotte@unews.com

SportingKC rejuvenates soccer in Kansas City

Dan Moreno

Senior Beat Writer

Soccer has become one of Kansas City’s main attractions in the last couple of years. From toddlers to the elderly, soccer as we know it is known inin America, or football as it is called in the rest of the world, is rapidly growing amongstin the American culture.

November of 2010 changed Kansas City’s mind about soccer.

The Wizards, a low- profile team, which which waswas introduced as one of the 10 charter members of the MLS (Major League Soccer) in 1995, announced whose home games were held at the T-Bones stadium announced the re-branding of the team to Sporting Kansas City.

With the new name, came its new home. Sporting Park is one of the top soccer stadiums in America;,;.

Pproof of this is the “Venue of the Year” award in 2012, given by The Stadium Business awards. Often called the bBlue hHell, the venue’s cost was approximately $200 million dollars and has a capacity of more thanover eighteen 18 thousand viewersspectators. Since it openedthe opening, every home game has been sold out.

But what is it about this team that has influenced and inspired a whole city? U.S. National team

central defender and Sporting KC’s center back Matt Besler, who is an Overland Park,. Kan., native, continued with the team through the name transition, despite offers from other teams described what he thinks in a few words .

“Kansas City needed a winning team, a team to be proud of,.” Besler said.

Over the last few decades, the city’s professional teams the Royals and the Chiefs have been unable to put Kansas City on the map due to bad results and forgettable seasons.

However, but since Sporting Kansas City came along, the team has already won the 2011 and 2012 MLS Eastern Conference titles and the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which earned the team the right to be part of the 2013’s CONCACAF Champions League joining the best teams of north and central America.

Such has been the success of this team and the fan response that Kansas City is beginning to has now beenbe called the “Soccer Capital of America.”.

On Last July 31st the MLS chose Kansas City to host the annual MLS All-Star Ggame against one of the most important teams of Italy and Europe, AS Roma, which ended with a 3-1 victory for the Rromans.

MLS Ccommissioner Don Garber

revealed Kansas City was chosen because “the energy the fans bring to the stadium and transmit to the players is one of a kind.”

Another proof that Kansas City was proven to be the soccer city once again in the recent is a soccer city is the recent “sneak peak” that Sporting Club’s CEO Robb Heineman posted on his Twitter account. about the training, coaching and referee center that will be built in Kansas City where the U.S. National team will gather for its preparation for international matches. in the future.

The spring of 2013 brought to America more soccer as the National Women’s Soccer League’s inaugural season began in April 2013.

Kansas City did not hesitate about jumped on the chance to haveing a professional women’s soccer team in town after the success that Sporting Kansas City has brought the city by forming FC Kansas City. “The Blues’” home games are played at the Shawnee Mission District Stadium.

F.C. Kansas City Professional Women’s SoccerFC Kansas City surprised everyone by ending the regular season tied in first place with Western New York Flash and the Portland Thorns FCFC with 38 points after twenty-two22 games played. where they finished with a 11-6-5 record.

tax, income tax, sales and use taxes, use tax nexus, and the transportation development tax” HB253 was one of 29 bills vetoed by the Democratic Governor, Jay Nixon, this session. HB 253 sought to impose a reduction for business income on personal tax returns and reduce the corporate income tax. If the legislature overturns the veto this bill will cost the State of Missouri close to $800 Million annually. The bill essentially lowers taxes on the rich and taxes the poor and imposes

a sales tax on prescription drugs and textbooks.

We heard last month UM System President Tim Wolfe coming out in support of the Veto noting, “the bill would indirectly impact funding for state higher education. To make up for the loss of funds for the University of Missouri System tuition would have to be raised on all four campuses ranging from 8 to 16 percent.“If not steeply raising tuition, we would have to look at things like cuts in our workforce, decreased wages and

The amount of success that professional soccer in Kansas City has had also has influenced UMKC, which last spring announced its addition to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as one of the major changes for the school’s athletics.

In order to provide one of the top soccer facilities in the Midwest, UMKC opened the Stanley H. Durwood Stadium and Recreational Field in 2009 with a cost offor $9 million$9 million. Both the men and women soccer teams play the home games at this venue and just lastLast week, the stadium recorded had its best entrance wherea record number of 2,457 fans gathered for the annual “Battle of the Blue” game, wherethat the men’s soccer team lost to Rockhurst University.

UMKC’s men’s soccer head coach Rick Benben attributes the growth of “the beautiful game” in America to time.

“Over the last few decades more and more kids have been introduced to the game,.” hHeBenben said. “They have passed it on to their children and the game is being played in every part of the U.S. The connection to the World game has also helped.

The USA participation on both the men and women sides over the last number of World Cups has had a

Dan Moreno continuing impact. The number of Americans playing and watching continues to multiply.”

In the near future soccer is expected to continue its growth. The MLS hopes to become one of the top professional leagues in the world.

As soccer continues to grow in America, thisThis sport has been around for more than a century.

It is said that soccer unites people no matterof all religions, cultures, genders and races. dmoreno@unews.com

Why HB 253 and other bills are BAD for Students.

Caleb-Michael Files Social Media Editor

Hey you, yeah you, the person reading this op-ed. I know you most likely have no idea what HB 253 is or why holding the Governor’s Veto of this bill is so important, so let me help you out. House Bill 253 (HB 253) introduced by Representative Berry (R - Kearney) “Changes the laws regarding the streamlined sales and use tax agreement, tax amnesty, the community development district

Photo // Coalition for Missouri’s Future

Caleb-Michael FIles even enrollment caps,” Wolfe said Republican lawmakers are hard at work in Jefferson City passing bills that have no chance of being enacted once passed, one being the Nullification Bill that passed the House and Senate earlier this year. Governor Nixon vetoed HB 436 which, “Establishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act which rejects all federal acts that infringe on a Missouri citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution” or in layman’s terms seeks to Nullify any Federal Gun Legislation enacted in the wake of the Sandy Hook Shootings. I had the opportunity of being the only person to sit in the Senate Committee Public Hearing on SB 150, which sought to do nullify federal gun legislation, and was the only person to speak against the bill. I was questioned for nearly 20

minutes by Senator Brian Nieves (R-Washington) who challenged my belief and understanding of the Second Amendment, in full disclosure, I used to shoot skeet and go hunting every year for a period of time, I grew up in Knob Noster, Mo for Lord’s Sake. I challenged that “Federal Law was supreme and that States should not be defiant of the Federal Government” and Sen. Nieves tried equating my rationale to Slavery being okay.

Lawmakers need to hear our voices, as student’s often our voices are not heard, we need our representatives down in Jefferson City to know that we have opinions on these issues and that we expect them to pass real legislation that moves the State of Missouri forward, not backward. It is time that lawmakers stop trying to balance the state’s budget by playing keep away with the millions of dollars that our universities need to continue to educated the workforce of tomorrow.

Republicans met for a caucus meeting on HB253 two weeks ago and are short of the votes needed for an override but you must act! Call your representatives and tell them to side with the Governor and hold the Veto on this HORRIBLE bill amongst others. cfiles@unews.com

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of the University Newspaper.

From the President’s Desk, Call to Action

Benjamin Campero SGA President Fellow Roos,

Welcome back and welcome to UMKC, I have had a great first week back on campus getting to know new and returning students alike. I am so excited about what the year has to come, from working on the issues set forth by the previous administration, including instituting a Smoke Free Policy and working toward equality in the Residence Halls with the Gender Neutral Housing Resolution that overwhelmingly passed Senate last year, and our purpose to provide an orderly method of government representative of all students that acts on the will of the majority while protecting the interest of the minority and stands for all students of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), in all matters that concern them.

SGA’s mission is to stimulate the intellectual, political, cultural and

social growth of all students and in the spirit of keeping you in the loop, there is one thing we must let you know about.

House Bill 253 (HB253) passed the Missouri Legislature last session and was sent to Governor Jay Nixon’s desk for approval. Governor Nixon vetoed the bill and it has been sent back to the legislature.

HB253 seeks to cut taxes for the wealthiest of Missouri’s tax payers, and slashes more than $800 million from revenue. Higher Education is unprotected by law and one of the most vulnerable places to lose if the HB 253 Veto is overridden.

If the Veto is overridden, the University has ONE option: to raise tuition for all four University of Missouri campuses. UM System President Tim Wolfe has announced that passage of this bill will necessitate anywhere from an 8 to 16 percent hike in tuition for students.

This is simply unacceptable. It is time that Missouri Politicians quit playing games with the education

Benjamin Campero and future of Missouri’s workforce.

You can help! We ask that you call your State Representative and ask them to stand with students across Missouri and hold the Governor’s Veto.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, 816-2351426 or email me at umkcsga@umkc. edu Your President, Benjamin Campero

15

Monday August 26, 2013 | Issue 2

16

UNIVERSITY NEWS

WEEKLY FORECAST Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sept 1 High 95°F High 94°F High 95°F High 94°F High 94°F High 92°F High 92°F Low 72°F Low 73°F Low 72°F Low 72°F Low 69°F Low 70°F Low 70°F

CROSSWORD

Kasey says...

Show us some love.

SUDOKU

Like us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/UMKCUniversityNews