University News // September 9 // Issue Four

Feature

A&E

News

UMKC’s LGBTQIA Programs and Services celebrates 10 year anniversary.

Kansas City hosts the 6th annual Chalk and Walk Festival at Crown Center.

Dr. Vern Barnet discusses religion and atheism.

LGBTQIA, p. 6-7

Chalk and Walk, p.

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Community of Reason, p. 5

UNIVERSITY NEWS

UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper

Volume 81, Issue 4

Monday September 9, 2013

KANSAS CITY’S BLOOD RUNS THIN:

New general education Controversial eligibility requirements deter donors core leads way to University future Elizabeth Golden Co-Editor-in-Chief

This semester marks the beginning of the new general education requirements, titled the General Education Core, and focuses on “course-embedded assessments.”

In order to successfully evaluate the learned skills, the General Education Oversight Committee along with the Faculty Senate have designed a program that focuses on interdisciplinary teaching and paired courses.

“It was a faculty driven effort,” said Gerald Wyckoff, chair of the General Education Curriculum Committee. “It started with a small handful of faculty learning about how new general education and assessment efforts had happened at other institutions, and then it branched into a larger group of faculty working to hash out potential models. These models were presented to Faculty Senate, which then took the lead in helping gather input from faculty, staff, and students across the university. This effort was supported, but not led, by the Provost’s office. Ultimately, it was developed by faculty, aided by administration, and implemented by people at all levels of the university.”

The ways of assessment may involve final papers or projects where a rubric is provided to evaluate students’ performance.

UMKC’s learning outcomes include inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, creative thinking, written communication, oral communication, reading, quantitative literacy, information literacy, teamwork and problem solving.

On the verge of losing accreditation, UMKC was required by the Higher Learning Commission to revamp the general education requirements in order to provide room for assessment and growth.

According to a Feb. 2010 report by the HLC, “steps must be taken to assure the assessment of student learning outcomes in all academic and co-curricular programs throughout the Institution. Work must begin immediately to write assessment plans in all campus units as well as a formal institution-wide plan for the assessment of student learning.”

Before the official 2010 report, the university began an assessment process in 2009, but was determined to be unsuccessful.

“History department’s attempt to use portfolios was typed a “failure” with no post analysis seeking solutions to perceived problems,” wrote Mary Breslin, vice president for accreditation relations for the HLC. “Other invitations, supported by the Director of Academic Assessment, have not been adopted

Continued on page 2

limitations. One requirement Jessica Turner causing controversy surrounds Senior Beat Writer a particular group of potential “When our Kansas City donors.

“The Food and Drug community can use up to 600 units of blood in one day, it becomes Administration prohibits the apparent why there is currently following individuals from donating a critical shortage of blood in the blood or plasma: Men who have had Kansas City community,” Dean sex with other men, even one time, Wayne Vaught stated in an email since the beginning of 1977,” states announcement to the College of the Community Blood Center’s list Arts & Sciences. “At best, one blood of medical requirements.

Members of The Banned4Life drive can collect 50 to 60 units, so each donor’s contribution is Project, the American Medical Association, the National Student critical.”

But according to the U.S. Food Nurses’ Association, the American and Drug Administration, each Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers and the Red Cross are working with other organizations and individuals to reverse the limitation on prospective gay blood donors.

Recently, there has been an increased outcry for change from activists and supporters within and outside of the LGBT community, who claim that the ban on gay blood donors is outdated and discriminatory.

Illustration // Joey Hill UMKC student donor’s contribution will not be Tanner Johnson* described that in addition to being outdated and accepted.

The screening process to discriminatory—and sexist—the donate blood involves restricting restriction is also unverifiable. He individuals who are pregnant, has donated blood more than four weigh less than 110 lbs., have taken times.

“I usually lie,” Johnson said. non-prescription drugs by needle, have tested positive for HIV as “Because honestly, they don’t really well as a number of other various ask. They just check the sheet.”

UMKC student Katie LaCombe donates blood at the College of Arts & Sciences Blood Drive Wednesday, Sept. 4 in the Quad.

Photo // Jordan Strange

UMKC students donate blood in the Blood Mobile outside Royall Hall in the Quad on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Johnson added that blood banks Photo // Jordan Strange test for HIV and other disqualifying Medical Association Board Member characteristics in blood samples, Dr. William Kobler told TIME. regardless of the answers on the UCLA conducted a study in sheet. Whether or not a donor is 2010 that stated eliminating the gay, his or her blood undergoes the requirement surrounding gay blood same analysis. donors could potentially add an “I think that yes, gay people do, extra 219,000 pints of healthy blood. statistically speaking, have higher Johnson admitted that most incidents of HIV,” junior Garrett of the questions in the screening Clapham said. “But they’re going to process are necessary and valid, but test it first anyway. I am totally all because HIV can be transmitted for lifting the ban on gay blood. The to anyone, it is unjust to single out benefit outweighs the risk.” gay men. Aside from his natural Vaught reiterated in his sexual orientation for which the notification to students that the FDA deems him ineligible to donate benefit of donating blood saves blood, Johnson meets all of the lives. other requirements.

“I am personally asking our “That one question is the only one eligible Arts & Sciences students, that I can’t tell the truth on,” he said. faculty and staff to please sign up,” Banned4Life’s mission is to raise he wrote. “Thank you for helping awareness of the FDA’s policy that your community with this critical bans gay men from donating blood.. and vital need.”

“It’s astounding how unaware people are of this policy,” Johnson said he was inspired Banned4Life co-founder, Brett by the critical need and was going Donnelly, told NBC. “There’s no to donate regardless of a false social pressure for the FDA to declaration. change because nobody knows about it.”

According to the Red Cross, As a result, Banned4Life has Group O can donate red blood cells put a petition on its website, and to anybody. maintains the motto, “Our blood “I feel like I can help even though can save lives. Our hearts can I’m not allowed to,” Johnson change the world.” The petition can said. “My blood can eventually be be found by visiting http://www. literally saving someone’s life, very banned4life.org/. possibly.”

Those in need of blood donations have spoken against the ban. *Last name has been changed to “I’ll never ask, ‘Is that gay blood?’” protect identity of the source.

Banned4Life’s Emmy Derisbrun— who has sickle cell anemia—told jturner@unews.com NBC News in July. “I only care if it’s healthy blood.”

Many medical personnel agree that the ban’s legitimacy is lacking.

“The lifetime ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men is discriminatory and not based on sound science,” American

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

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by departments. Similarly UMKC faculty do not appear willing to adopt individual or departmental steps.”

Thomas Stroik, English professor and one of the main architects of the new general education program, said he believes the faculty has been behind the change and is required to weave learning outcomes into his or her syllabus.

“The last two accreditation reports faulted us for having a program that wasn’t being assessed on a regular basis,” Stroik said. “Before, there was no assessment, no overseeing faculty body and expectations varied unit to unit. Now, each class fulfills a goal in the overarching program and students are an active part of the process.”

The 30-hour General Education core revolves around three semesters of Anchor and Discourse classes and four Focus classes. All students, regardless of academic program, are required to take 100-level Anchor I and Discourse I in the same semester, which focus on reasoning and values. The second semester Anchor II and Discourse II focus on culture and diversity while Anchor III and Discourse III involve civic and community engagement.

“The pairing of the Anchor and Discourse classes will definitely

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Student Study Abroad:

Memories on the horizon

Jessica Turner Senior Beat Writer “On September 12, we have a Study Abroad Fair,” Ida Ayalew, premed sophomore, said. “And there will be multiple organizations here to inform you about which program in which designated country will fit right for you, because it’s like a shoe, you know? Not every program is going to fit every person. Everyone’s different.”

Ayalew spoke to students during Welcome Week about the advantages of studying abroad.

“A world of opportunities to study abroad will be presented at the fair by UMKC faculty and leaders, Study Abroad returning students and professional Study Abroad providers,” said Emma Spong, executive staff assistant with UMKC International Academic Programs.

Ayalew told students that although there is a lot of paperwork and communication involved when students approach their opportunity to study abroad, it pays off.

“It’s a very long process, but don’t feel discouraged,” Ayalew said. “It’s really worth the process.”

She explained her approach to the audience.

“I was like everyone else,” Ayalew said. “I wanted to go to Paris and be all Frenchy. I really wanted to go to Europe, but I hadn’t explored what else was out there, and what else I had to offer.”

Then she said she started thinking.

“Why is it that I want to go to France?” Ayalew asked. “They have — like America — a Westernized culture, a Westernized mindset and a Westernized government.

What is it that I’m going to get there that I can’t get here, besides the language? They speak French. We speak English. And I’m sure there are other very different aspects of their culture, but the whole pace of life is very similar to what we have here, in a First World country. People have access to education, and have the ability to progress themselves.”

The more she thought about it, the more she began exploring other options.

“So, I did a little research, and I was researching countries that spoke French languages, and Morocco came up,” Ayalew said. “I spoke

Capturing the scenery of Morocco. to my Study Abroad advisor, Kate [Wozniak], and she told me that she had been there. After I did a little bit more research, I decided I wanted to go to Morocco. I realized that [it] is a country that is caught in between African and Arab and European influences, so it [has] a little bit of everything.”

Once Ayalew had made her decision, she came to her first hurdle.

“I spoke to Kate and Emma and I realized: How am I going to fund this trip? It’s $17,900 [for one year]. It’s a lot of money,” Ayalew said. “That’s money I definitely do not have.”

She explained to the students that the amount would include her classes, her home and her meals, but she still didn’t know how she was going to come up with that kind of money.

“It’s a big chunk of change,” Ayalew said. “But I had to tell myself: I’m worth the investment. I’m worth people giving me the scholarships so I can go and represent my school and represent my country and learn something that I can bring back here. So I started writing scholarship

essays.”

Ayalew wasn’t kidding when she said the hard work eventually pays off.

“It’s all paid for,” Ayalew said. “The College of Arts and Sciences is a great way to get your scholarships funded.

That’s how I got my scholarships.

People really want to send those people who are underrepresented — low-income family household or minority students. These are people who don’t usually get the opportunity to go abroad. And they want to fund your future. You just have to put the work into it. You have to write the essays. You have to open up. Talk about who you are. Why are you special, you know? Why should I give you $5,000 to go across the world? People want to give you the money, they just need to know why.

Why am I the investment you should make?”

Ayalew left for Morocco on Aug. 29, but she didn’t leave unprepared.

Initially, she had many questions.

Because Morocco is a Muslim country, she had to research what she could wear, what she could say, with

Photo // Ida Ayalew

whom she could make eye contact, how she should approach people and how she should hold herself.

“These are things that are very critical to your success in another country,” Ayalew said. “Am I going to have the ability to express myself openly and communicate with people? Will my classes transfer back home? I had to make sure that all of my classes were going to be taught in a way that I could understand them.”

Ayalew said that not only is it natural, it’s beneficial that students have several questions upon exploring their Study Abroad opportunities.

Students are encouraged to attend the Study Abroad Fair this Thursday if they have an interest in studying abroad. It’s a place where students can address questions — like the ones Ayalew had when she first started her journey — and a chance to get answers from those who have been through the process. jturner@unews.com

Continued from Cover:

New General Education Core

enhance a student’s education because the topics will relate to each other,” said Lynda Plamann, coordinator for implementation of the program. “Students will be reading, writing and speaking about the same topics in both classes.”

All Anchor classes are team taught and take an interdisciplinary approach to education. The Discourse classes aim to enhance speaking and writing skills and Focus classes serve as a strong foundation for all majors.

studies professor.

The University College has crafted its own Anchor I course that focuses on helping students transition to the university, both academically and personally. The course is taught by four faculty members from varying disciplines and each faculty member focuses on individual and group behavior, sciences, human expression or numbers and technology.

“The separate tracks began with the University College and the idea

after the first year,” McNeley said.

“With our Anchor course and the University College in general, we aim to support students who need to figure out what they want to do or are transitioning from the prospect of another career path. This program puts students first.”

Peggy Ward-Smith, chair of the Faculty Senate, shares a similar viewpoint and believes the new program will enhance the education of all students, not just those who

“This interdisciplinary approach is closer to what students will experience in the real world,” Plamann said. Approaching a topic from different disciplines, different points of view, working with others to solve a problem are all situations students will encounter after graduation.”

For instance, the Anchor I course “Intro to Urban Studies” involves aspects of Black Studies, Urban Planning and Design and Urban Studies and is team taught by an economics professor and an urban

that students needed to hear other perspectives before they could properly choose a major,” said Kim McNeley, associate vice provost for the University College. “With our Anchor course, the students are divided into the four subsections and are essentially able to try a major on for size.”

According to McNeley, the University College strives to enhance the first year experience and aims to increase the retention rate.

“Before the University College, 50 percent of undeclared students left

have yet to choose a major.

“This will allow students to be citizens of the world, instead of just knowing English and writing,” she said. “The world has become a complex place and students have to deal with more complex situations in order to become well rounded.”

Stroik said one of the main motivations behind the new program is to give students motivation to take their general education at UMKC. “We want students to take the general education requirements here.

This will allow students to be citizens of the world, instead of just knowing English and writing. - Peggy Ward-Smith

Other places lose the enrichment that our faculty brings,” he said.

The program, however, is friendly toward transfer students and the Anchor I and Discourse I classes are equivalent to other universities’ freshman level classes.

“We have taken transfer students into account,” Plamann said.

“Students who come to UMKC with transfer credit for an English 110 equivalent will have satisfied the Discourse I requirement. However, I don’t consider the classes to be equivalent since a generic English class is a very different experience than our Discourse courses.”

According to Plamann, the program is cost effective and should pay for itself by shifting resources.

“There isn’t any new money coming into this program, but it will require faculty investment and time,” Plamann said.

The new General Education Core went into affect Aug. 2013 and will continue to evolve.

“Context matters so we will tweak the program based on the needs of the student population,” McNeley said. egolden@unews.com

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

UMKC librarian named ‘Champion of Change’ Hiral Patel

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Contributing Writer

Gloria Tibbs, teaching and learning services librarian at Miller Nichols Library was surprised when she was announced a White House Champion of Change.

The White House Champion of Change program focuses on varying topics, which are important for society. This forum discussion revolved around “creating lifelong learners.”

According to the White House announcement, “this Champions event will focus on libraries and museums who make a difference for their neighborhoods and for our nation. The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature groups of Americans – individuals, businesses and organizations – who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.”

She received an email from the Institute of Museum and Library Services about being given the honor.

“When I read this email from a stranger, it didn’t click that this was actually happening,” Tibbs said.

She saw a need for diversity when she first started working at UMKC in 2001, long before being named Champion of Change. Tibbs received the honor due to the extensive time and passion she put into events to

Gloria Tibbs presents at the White House.

African American authors, at the iX Photo // UMKC Theatre in Miller Nichols Library. research and institutional librarian.

Within the past two years, the event The novel connects these has expanded to the Hospital Hill influences to show how important Campus. they are in creating a person.

These read-ins include more than Tibbs bases her programming on reading excerpts, but also other collaboration. She said she makes forms of communicative works by sure there are other people involved African-American authors such as to give input on events and to know dancing, singing and acting. what interests others.

Tibbs was acknowledged for the “Gloria is an exceptionally tireless Social Justice Lecture and Book worker at knitting people together Discussion that she holds under the and making programs that are university’s Division of Diversity bigger than any one of us could do by and Inclusion. The division contacts ourselves,” Curtis said. an influential author, while Tibbs Tibbs said she put an exceptional researches the subject matter for the amount of work into the Africandiscussion.

American Read-In and the Social This year Wes Moore, author of Justice Book Discussion and Lecture.

“The Other Wes Moore,” will be “Before I knew it, I was on my way attending the discussion. His novel to the White House,” Tibbs said. “I depicts two men with the same name couldn’t believe it, I felt like I was in a dream.”

Tibbs describes her experience with a quote by Maya Angelou in her book “Wouldn’t Take Nothing from my Journey Now:” “A person is the product of their dreams. So make sure to dream great dreams. And then try to live your dream.”

“Nowhere in my professional career, I can tell you, had I dreamed this dream… had I dreamed that I would be going to the White House,” Tibbs said. Obviously I hadn’t been dreaming large enough, but I’m glad it happened.”

This year’s Social Justice Lecture and Book Discussion will be held Book display at Miller Nichols Library for the African-American Read-In from 3-4:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 in the iX featuring Wes Moore.

Photo // Hiral Patel Theatre in Miller Nichols Library.

Students interested in issues of help expand diversity awareness. but completely different lives. family and race are encouraged to She has a background of creating The influences that Moore attend. programs that focus on diversity to considers are “family situations help enhance cultural understanding. at the time, external signals and hpatel@unews.com Influenced by an English professor environment at that point and what read-in, Tibbs started an annual their internal motivations were African-American read-in, which at that point,” said Scott Curtis, is based on sharing the works of

ERICKA SAVE$ Money Saving Apps Ericka Chatman

Staff Writer

Many people are sticking to tighter budgets, and living a frugal lifestyle to save money. Many people say they don’t have time to clip coupons or search sales ads, but still want to live frugally. In college it’s worse because students complain that studying takes up the majority of their time.

Almost everyone has a smartphone or tablet, and dozens of money saving apps have been developed to help consumers save money.

Shopkick Shopkick is a free rewards program where users are rewarded with kicks (points) for simply walking into a variety of stores. Extra kicks are rewarded when participants view look books on the app, and scan items within stores. Shopkick users can also link their Visa or Mastercard to the app to maximize the earning of kicks via purchases made.

Kicks are gathered to redeem gift cards from stores such as Target, Best Buy, Starbucks, Macy’s, Sephora, Old Navy, Game Stop, Nike and more. Visit Shopkick.com for more information.

Ibotta Ibotta is a money-saving app that offers cash rewards for making purchases on groceries and household items. The Ibotta app is valid at over 75,000 locations, including Walmart, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS, Whole Foods Market and more.

Ibotta works by allowing participants to purchase different offers from a gallery, and receive a certain amount of cash back. A short video or survey may be required to claim the offer. After the participant purchases the offer, cash is directly deposited into his or her PayPal account. Visit Ibotta.com for more information.

Target Mobile Coupons Target Mobile Coupons are delivered directly by text to smartphones and are sent monthly.

These coupons usually save money on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, meat, canned items, household items, clothing, shoes and more.

Special coupons are sent around upcoming holiday seasons. Mobile coupon alerts are sent a maximum of five times per month, and must be shown to the cashier to redeem.

Target Mobile coupons can also be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons to get free items.

Text HELP to 827438 to find more information and get started, or visit Target.com for more information.

Wrapp Wrapp is a gift-giving app, which allows users to gift Facebook friends with free promotional gift cards,

Ericka Chatman which usually vary from $5 to $15, offered for stores such as Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Office Depot, Guess and more.

To use Wrapp as a way to save money and send friends free gift cards, visit Wrapp.com for more information.

Viggle Viggle is a rewards program that allows users to earn points for watching television shows. The app listens to the television and automatically “checks in” to verify the show being watched. Points are earned for every minute the show is on. Bonus points are rewarded for watching featured programs, participating in live tweet chats and planning trivia games throughout the show. Sports games earn the most points, and points earned can be used to redeem gift cards. Visit Viggle.com for more information.

Gas Buddy Gas Buddy is an app that uses a satellite locator to find the cheapest gas prices nearby. The app is easy to use: just type in the nearest zip code or use the GPS function. The app displays a current list of gas prices and addresses for surrounding gas stations to compare prices. Visit gasbuddy.com for more information.

Mint.com Mint.com helps users manage their personal finance goals. Users are able to budget and track all accounts, including checking, savings, investments, retirement, credit cards, bills and more, all in one place. The user has total visibility of their finances and where their money is spent.

For specific savings tips send me an email at: echatman@unews.com

Missouri gun bill attempts nullification of federal law Erik Gandara

Beat Writer

Missouri House bill HB 436, cited as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” has put Missouri in the national spotlight as the bill’s sponsor, State Representative Doug Funderburk (R, St. Charles), and co-sponsor Timothy Jones (R, Eureka), fight to override Governor Jay Nixon’s (D) veto from early July.

The legislation remains a controversial attempt by Missouri’s Congress to ensure the rights of resident gun owners are protected under the Constitution’s Second Amendment by declaring the federal government’s existing gun laws and regulations “invalid,” “unrecognized” and “rejected” in the state, written in Section 1320.3 of the bill.

“The states cannot nullify federal law,” said Dr. Greg Vonnahme, assistant professor of political science who specializes in state law.

“Even if this passes, no one should violate federal gun laws – there is no defense if the state says it’s okay.”

The act cites the Constitution as the nation’s ultimate authority, and

intends to “support and defend” the Constitution “against every aggression” that limits the power of state government and the people’s rights. The act also suggests the federal government holds too much “supremacy,” and has enacted “federal statutes” that restrict the ownership or production of firearms.

The legislation would also grant Missouri school districts the ability to select “one or more elementary or secondary school teachers or administrators as a school protection officer.” It also seeks to prohibit publishing an individual’s firearm license, permit or other associated documents.

Similar legislation denying the federal government’s authority of gun regulation laws was attempted in Kansas earlier this year, but was met with a federal lawsuit when Attorney General Eric Holder threatened action against the state.

The media’s critical response has not dissuaded the Missouri Congress’s pursuit to override HB 435’s initial veto. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster expressed

his disapproval of HB 435, calling it “flawed public policy,” and Nixon’s veto referenced the Constitution’s Supremacy clause, which declares the Constitution, its statutes and the federal government’s resultant legislation as the nation’s highest political authority.

Despite this, the act was strongly supported by Missouri’s Congress, passing in the Senate 26-6 and in the House of Representatives 116-38.

State Republicans will attempt to override Nixon’s veto on Sept. 11.

Andrew Miller, chairman of the College Democrats, said he believes it’s unlikely the override will succeed.

“I think more than anything it’s an embarrassment to Missouri,” he said.

Rather than a legitimate attempt to change Missouri’s firearm laws, Miller said the motivation for introducing the bill is political.

“It’s to send a message,” he said.

“It’s to say ‘Missourians love our 2nd Amendment and we’re not going to let Obama and the Democrats in Washington infringe on our rights.’

I think there are a lot of people out there who believe the government is

trying to act in a tyrannical fashion and take away their rights.”

Firearm regulations have become more permissive in recent years, with ‘conceal-and-carry’ and ‘stand your ground’ laws implemented in several states.

Army Staff Sergeant and UMKC senior Jon Bonjour said he believes the public outcry for gun restrictions is too hasty.

“They’re knee-jerk reactions,” Bonjour said. “Instead of being against illegal guns, they’re attacking law-abiding citizens who are exercising their rights.”

Bonjour said that America is experiencing a wave of infringements.

“All I want to do is preserve the rights that I already have,” he said, and quoted Thomas Jefferson. “I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” egandara@unews.com

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

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Baja racing team calls for students Cerner recruits

new students from UMKC

Prannoy Kiran Contributing Writer UMKC Society of Automotive Engineers’ Baja Racing Team has students from various departments working hands-on to design and manufacture an archetypal off-road vehicle. The team consists of mostly engineering students and their faculty on the campus. The team creates vehicles with innovative ideas to apply theoretical concepts learned in class.

The team is recruiting students and encouraging freshmen to become involved. Last year’s team included many mechanical engineers, and this year features many electrical and computer science students.

Veterans encourage the team to foster a practical education culture .

This helps students develop project management and business skills.

There is a workshop where the bridging team actually makes the car. The team is divided into sub teams to get the maximum efficiency for their work.

While the mechanical students are in charge of manufacturing, the electrical team works on suspension and steering and the computer science team works on monitoring the machine’s speed, acceleration and pick up. They suggest new members attend weekly meetings and actively participate in discussion so they learn quickly.

Sumanth Koushik Kalli Beat Writer

Baja Racing’s vehicle from 2013.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran

pkiran@unews.com

UMKC’s School of Computing and Engineering’s Career Connections presented a recruitment session with Cerner Corporation for computer science and management information systems students on Sept. 4.

The human resources team from Cerner informed students about company details and recruitment needs. Cerner looks for people with multiple skills rather than knowledge of coding alone. They also look for database engineers and system engineers. The Kansas City unit offers part-time and full-time apprenticeships.

Cerner has a work-friendly environment and provides benefits such as a health plan, dental plan and offers mentors to discuss any issues an employee might have. Cerner also offers international transfers, but the support provided to employees varies by country and may fluctuate if transferred overseas.

Students can apply online a year in advance with unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts are required when an offer letter is extended.

Cerner Corporation’s officials have expressed the importance in training employees to promote their success within the company. skalli@unews.com

Baja Racing members speak to potential new members.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran TH

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Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

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Community of Reason: International Student

Minister offers religious riddle Hope Austin Contributing Writer

Members of the Kansas City c o m m u n i t y gathered to hear Dr. Vern Barnet’s lecture “A God Atheists Can Believe In: A PostmodernM e d i e v a l CyberspacePrehistoric Perspective,” hosted by the Community of Reason.

The Community of Reason is a center for free thought that, according to its website, “focuses on examination, explication and analysis of important social, environmental and community issues based on scientific understanding and critical rational thinking.”

Dr. Vern Barnet speaks at the weekly Community of Barnet explained Reason meeting.

Courtesy // cres.org how he, a Unitarian word, Barnet explained that one minister and Episcopal layman, can also be an atheist. To make his point should think of “belief” as something Barnet drew upon many different akin to respect or love. He used the subjects in his lecture, including example of loving one’s spouse as history, mathematics and linguistics. opposed to only believing they exist.

As for creed, it can be thought of Barnet expanded on his own as something purely poetic, like the background to give the audience phrase, “I give my heart.” a sense of where he was coming According to Barnet, it’s easier to from. He began by talking about his childhood and growing up read the Apostle’s Creed as poetry fundamentalist. Barnet eventually rather than as any kind of “verifiable, discovered Thomas Paine’s “Age of scientific statement.”

What about god?

Reason,” which caused his faith to “When I say god, I mean reality,” collapse and led to his conversion to Barnet said. deism. Barnet became a full-fledged He encouraged the audience to “militant atheist” after reading think of god as truth or reality rather Bertrand Russell’s “Why I Am Not a than a supreme omnipotent being.

Christian.”

Barnet was able to reconcile Barnet explained that god is a “veiled” his atheism and religious passion reality, the veil being the limits of and eventually started a career in human perception. He claimed ministry. He completed his doctorate that it is “arrogant” to assume that of ministry in 1970 at Meadville humans are able to see reality when Theological School and is currently the human eye cannot even perceive the minister emeritus of the Center the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

The lecture concluded with a for Religious Experience and Study, discussion in which everyone was a Kansas City community resource invited to participate. for exploring spirituality in all Among those in attendance faiths, which he founded in 1985. He currently focuses much of his time on were former Kansas City Mayor Charles Wheeler and former Kansas writing, teaching and consulting.

In order to help the mostly non- Attorney General Bob Stephan.

Barnet is also the founder of the theistic audience better understand the idea of a god, Barnet asked what Greater Kansas City Interfaith kind of god the audience didn’t Council. To learn more about him, believe existed. The answers ranged visit his webpage at http://www. from “punitive” to “patriarchal” cres.org/team/vern.htm The Community of Reason is to “judgmental.” Barnet further held in Haag Hall, room 301, at 1 confused the audience by saying that p.m. every Sunday and sponsors he did not believe in any of those lectures on many topics, ranging gods, either.

Barnet explained his point from theology to environmentalism. by deconstructing three words To learn more, visit http://www. many would consider vital to the communityofreasonkc.org/. understanding of God and religion in general: belief, creed and God. haustin@unews.com Drawing on the history of the

Affairs Office Offers Session on Curricular Practical Training Prannoy Kiran Contributing Writer The International Student Affairs Office recently led a session that briefed the application procedures, rules and regulations related to applying for Curricular Practical Training. Geared toward students looking for CPT, the session discussed the various opportunities and conditions. It is an integral part of the established curriculum for an international student’s degree.

CPT is an employment authorization for international students enrolled in a college degree program, which aims to provide underachieving students with the opportunity to work in the U.S. by engaging in practical training during or following an accredited degree program.

Students can be employed part-time or full-time by providing additional supporting documentation. Full-time CPT is allowed during semester breaks as long as the student does not work more than 365 days during the entire degree-seeking period. Ideally, the student should not exceed 20 work hours per week, including their CPT and on-campus job, if any.

The basic requirement for the CPT program is possession of a lawful F-1 visa with full-time enrollment in college. Completion of a minimum of two academic semesters in the

Students listen closely for ways to elevate education.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran is dependent on the review of the advisor.

Once the application is student’s application by ISAO. Once authorized, the student is eligible to submitted to the online services, the work as long as guidelines continue course instructor would receive an email regarding the student’s profile to be met.

The authorization process takes that helps ISAO for evaluation.

A complete application should a minimum of five to seven business days if the application is complete, have the signed CPT application, job but will take longer if the application offer letter and course expectations is incomplete. ISAO needs two provided by the professor. This weeks to process the application. program also expects the student to The application also requires a complete Blackboard exams.

An authorized application will field-related job offer from an offcampus employer which should receive a new I-20 and any information be on letterhead and include the regarding the employment changes employment duties, number of would be updated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program record.

A work authorization permit is required even if the CPT is a non-paid internship. Any case of extension of the training program beyond the end date or the transfer of the program would need a new application for the process as it is completely employeespecific.

The session includes a lot of examples, giving students a crystal clear idea regarding what comes under CPT and what does not. One point that is stressed was that a volunteer work to any organization doesn’t come under this program.

ISAO ended the session by notifying the students regarding their academic advisors according to their first last initial. Students with last name ‘A-F’, Marisa Moreno is the CPT advisor. Students with last name ‘G’ would be guided by Marci Information regarding practical training for International Students in the Barajas and Robyn Cooper would classroom.

Photo // Prannoy Kiran take care of students with last names ‘H-Z’.

United States, including summer sessions, is required. No student will weekly work hours and start and pkirran@unews.com be eligible for this program with any end dates of employment.

Documents needed for this other visa status.

The authorization for the program program are a completed CPT needs an official Form I-20 from the application signed and dated by the student. The final authorization student and the academic or course

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

6

UMKC celebrates 10 years of

advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, Jessica Turner trans, queer, questioning, intersex, Senior Beat Writer asexual and ally students this year.

Vikki Lampton Though this acronym may seem long and overwhelming to some, UMKC’s Staff Writer history of pride and progress has paved the way for the success of not Roze Brooks only the decade-old resource center, Co-Editor-In-Chief but for underrepresented students LGBTQIA Programs and Services across campus.

The LGBTQIA Resource center, celebrates 10 years of dedication and

The Rainbow Lounge, boasts an expansive array of reading and study space. Orchestrating the center and all related events on campus is a university position many campuses are fighting to acquire: Coordinator of LGBTQIA Programs and Services.

This position, held by Jonathan Pryor, serves as the primary voice in the Office of Student Involvement, and the University, for keeping the

LGBTQIA community prominent at UMKC. Events during Welcome Week brought a colorful set of programming, including Drag Queen Karaoke and an Ice Cream Social.

T-shirts and a promotional “10-Years” logo aimed to reel incoming students into the celebration.

However, 10 years of LGBTQIA Programs and Services is just a small

sampling of a rich University history of struggle, visibility and acceptance.

Generations of UMKC faculty, staff and students have built a secure for the present and future, many never anticipating the University’s LGBT-friendly reputation. Scaling through the monochromatic pages of UMKC’s LGBT history, the facts clearly display a campus of growth and value.

Blast from the past: Celebrating from the Starting Line “Forty years ago, I could have never imagined that we would have such an inclusive environment for our LGBTQIA students,” said Jim Wanser, associate director of Counseling, Health and Testing Services. “While we still have students that come from families and communities that are judgmental and not supported, they soon learn that when they come to UMKC, they are expected, welcomed and find community.”

Wanser is one of few individuals at UMKC that remembers a time before programs for the LGBT community existed, especially in 1975 when Wanser became open on campus about his sexuality. “While there were various student support groups that formed throughout the 70s and 80s, Pride Alliance became the first recognized student organization for gays and lesbians,” he said.

Wanser served as the faculty adviser to the Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance, an LGBT organization co-founded in 1990 by

Stuart Hinds, director of special collections and Pride Alliance

Illustration // Joey Hill co-advisor, oversees the Gay and Lesbian Archives of Mid-America in the Miller Nichols Library. Though most of Hinds’ duties involve collecting items to preserve Kansas City’s LGBT history, he’s also lived through much of it during his time at UMKC. “I came to this school in 1980 as an 18-year-old undergraduate,” Hinds

1970s Gay Rights demonstrators.

Jim Giles, Reese Isbell, Julie Riddle and JJ’s restaurant explosion victim Megan Cramer.

Photo // Kynslie Otte said. “And there was no mention of L, G, B, or T at all. I mean, it was

completely invisible.” this group still had hurdles in its Student Involvement in the Student Hinds explained several factors attempt to be visible on campus and Union next to the Rainbow Lounge contributing to the ongoing dissipated until 1990 when the Gay in Room 325, which is a safe space development of the LGBT presence on UMKC’s campus. Then, the topic was considered taboo. There wasn’t as much of a presence or interest and it was much more of a commuter school then than it is today. Hinds reflected on how impressed he is with how far UMKC has come in just the span of his one adult life.

“It just wasn’t visible like it is now,” Hinds said. “And to me, one of the most important things that resulted from the University’s support of this effort is just visibility. LGBT students coming in now know their options, and they can take advantage or not. It’s their choice, but those options are there.”

1977 Columbia Daily Tribune, front page.

However, support from the University hasn’t always been an Photo // Kynslie Otte identifiable sentiment. and Lesbian Student Alliance was Opinions of the LGBT community established. for any student believing in UMKC’s were quite clear throughout the 70s As the student first group evolved, core values: diversity, inclusiveness when the UM Board of Curators were the acceptance and diversity on and respect. Members of Pride making statements encouraging campus grew. The first official LGBT Alliance, LGBTQIA students and identifying students to “seek medical student group at UMKC was called allies alike are all welcome to come treatment for the medical illness of “The Gay People’s Union”. In the and relax or socialize. homosexuality” and fearing they ‘90s, it was the Gay and Lesbian “I think the biggest hurdle is just would enable “others who are Alliance, which was renamed the getting the recognition of the student similarly ill and abnormal” to share Queer Alliance, and finally the Pride group,” Hinds said. “Because with their sexual orientations.

Alliance, which is the still the name that recognition comes the ability Within the same year, the board of the official LGBT student group to coalesce and chip away at those rejected proposals for organizational today. smaller things, like gender-neutral status from LGBT groups at both “I can’t believe UMKC and Mizzou. UMKC’s it’s been ten years,” student group has been formed as Hinds said. “It’s early as 1971, but their attempts as changed a lot since recognition were foiled. then. You know, A lawsuit was filed by members of when I first came the organizations in a case called Gay it was over in the Lib et al, v. University of Missouri. ground floor of The 8th District Court of Appeals what’s now the ruled in favor of the students, Student Success requiring the University to provide Center—but it was official recognition to LGBT student the Student Union groups. at that point— Many petitions for appeal were tucked back in submitted by the University system a corner, kind of but were denied by the Supreme hidden. And now, Court, forcing the decision of the again, it’s much lower court to be upheld. more visible. Of Through this newly acquired course, a lot of that support, the first LGBT organization has to do with was officiated in 1978. However, the new building, Stuart Hinds, founder of the GLAMA archives. but it’s more Photo // Mal Hartigan prominent.”

The changes Hinds has witnessed range from the attitude toward housing or preferred name policy or LGBT issues to the location of their same sex benefits on the staff and organization’s gathering places. faculty side. So I really think that’s Today, LGBTQIA Programs and your biggest hurdle, and then that Services is located in the Office of provides the venue through which you work to implement additional U-News coverage of first LGBT change.” organization at UMKC.

1990: Five UMKC students create the first long-standing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization on campus, the Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance

1969: Riots follow a police raid of Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York and is now seen as the start to the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

1970

1978: First LGBT organization granted provisonal recognition for 60 days, known as Gay Student Union. The GSU was organized in 1970 but not offically recognized until 1978 after a U.S. Court of Appeals lawsuit the previous year, Gay Lib. et al, v. University of Missouri. The Gay Student Union disbanded in 1979.

1980: The Democratic Rules Committee states it will not discriminate against homosexuals. At their National Convention on Aug. 11-14, the Democrats become the first political party to endorse a homosexual rights platform.

1980

Photo // Kynslie Otte

1987: AIDS advocacy group ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is formed in response to the devastating affects the disease has had on the gay and lesbian community in New York.

The group holds demonstrations against pharmaceutical companies profiteering from AIDS-related drugs as well as the lack of AIDS policies protecting patients from outrageous prescription prices.

1993: The policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is implemented.

The Department of Defense issues a directive prohibiting the U.S. Military from barring applicants from service based on their sexual orientation.

“Applicants... shall not be asked or required to reveal whether they are homosexual, “ states the new policy, which still forbids applicants from engaging in homosexual acts or making a statement that they are homosexual.

1990

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

7

LGBTQIA Programs & Services

Progress in the Present: Keeping the Changes Alive

In 2003, a group called Diversity in Action, comprised of 10 campus diversity leaders including Wanser, came together and decided UMKC could use a few progressive changes. One suggestion was a full-time paid LGBT Coordinator.

“The goal was to provide better support for our LGBT students,” Wanser said.

And hence, the Coordinator LGBTQIA Programs and Services position was drafted.

In addition to values, recognition, and involvement, Pryor plans activities that allow LGBTQIA students to connect with and learn from each other.

Pride Alliance Secretary Roze Brooks is planning conversations to encourage students to address LGBT issues.

“This is something that the Pride Alliance Board has been formulating,” Hinds said. “It’s just an opportunity to get into small groups and talk about some of these issues—like language, like the coming out process, like work issues—that are relatable to LGBTQ students, so that you can talk through some of the things that are in your head or that you might be encountering or that you have questions about in a really safe environment—you know, no judging, no repercussions—to explore whatever you want to explore.”

In the past, the programs and services coordinator and LGBT student organization have worked separately of each other. This year, the two entities are working together to enhance the quality of Each year, the Pride Empowerment Scholarship Breakfast raises thousands of dollars for students whose financial stability suffered after coming out to family, or other extenuating circumstances.

In addition to this emergency fund, UMKC offers two other LGBT specific scholarships.

One is housed through the College of Arts and Sciences and focuses on student’s personal accomplishments. However, the newest scholarship, the LGBTQIA Leadership Scholarship, was awarded for the first time this semester.

The funds for this scholarship stem from an interesting source: Chick-Fil-A. At the suggestion of Vice Chancellor Mel Tyler, this award was created out of funding funneled into the University through the ChickFil-A on campus, operated by Sodexo. After the announcement of this scholarship at last year’s Lavender Graduation, an award ceremony for LGBTQIA students and graduates, the scholarship was endowed, ensuring its accessibility for years to come.

Few colleges provide official campus programming groups for the LGBT community. The New

programming and exposure.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the work that Jonathan and his crew do,” Hinds said. “It’s just amazing, and I’m so pleased that he agreed to be co-advisor to PA this year. It’s just a natural fit. He’s so good at what he does, and it’s so beneficial for the students, which is the ultimate goal.”

Direct descendent of the Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance, Pride Alliance, hosted a meeting in honor of Welcome Week on Aug. 23 to familiarize students with the group’s mission and philosophies.

Pride Alliance board members were delighted as students filled up the Rainbow Lounge to learn more about the organization. Pryor explained the objective of the room

space, so please feel free to use it,” Pryor said. “I want [it] to be a safe space and what that means is that we respect each other—regardless of our identities—whether LGBTQIA or others. I hope that you’ll help maintain that. I think within our community, we have a lot of diversity and that provides a lot of great topics for conversation.”

Pryor indicated that those conversations, although diverse, should be welcomed and respected.

“The LGBTQIA represents a big part of our community, right?”

Pryor asked. “And I think a lot of our conversations often tend to focus around LGBT, but the intention is for it to be as inclusive as possible. We want to respect all genders and sexual identities here.

The intention of this is to get to know your peers, and realize that you all may have different backgrounds, but we’re all here for a single purpose.”

Pride Alliance President Kalaa Wilkerson addressed students with a lighthearted sense of humor as the board was introduced.

“The purpose of this event is to get to know each other,” Wilkerson said.

The crowd didn’t have a problem fulfilling that purpose.

With the help of refreshments, games, group activities and free t-shirts and pens everyone in the room knew at least one new thing about a handful of their Jonathan Pryor is interviewd by peers by the end of the session.

KCUR. From its Drag Show in October Photo // Roze Brooks to its Slut Walk participation to new members. next semester, Pride Alliance will “The Rainbow Lounge is your host several events throughout the

Painting the future: Sharing the Safe Space York Times covered this in a January article called “Generation LGBTQIA.” UMKC was mentioned as one of these colleges providing an LGBTQIA Resource Center along with many other resources such as gender-neutral restrooms on campus. UMKC is continually being recognized for efforts in the LGBTQIA community as a whole.

In 2011, Newsweek ranked UMKC the 5th most LGBTfriendly campus in the country.

“It’s an amazing story,” Hinds said. “I mean, it’s really, really something. The language from the Board of Curators and representatives at the University was just harsh and ugly and hateful.And what I find really interesting now, 33 years later, is that it’s as unthinkable to not have an LGBTQIA Programs and Services Office as it is to not have a Women’s Center or to not have an Office of Multicultural Affairs. It’s so integrated and people are so conscious of this particular minority group that you just wouldn’t dream of not having services to provide for that population. It would have had to have happened somewhere. “It’s just interesting that it happened in Missouri.”

In February 2014, UMKC will host the largest LGBTA regional college conference in the country.

The Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference is expected to bring in more than 2,300 LGBTQIA identified students for a weekend of workshops, keynote speakers and networking. Janet Mock and Robyn Ochs are already listed as presenters at the event.

Running for its 22nd consecutive year, this will be the first time the conference will be held in Missouri.

Although UMKC is making a name for itself, Wanser believes there is more that can be done.

“We have an excellent LGBT Coordinator and many great activities, but do we have a standalone entity? That was the original intent of creating the LGBT Office and coordinator position,” he said commenting on the current position being housed in OSI. Wanser believes progression on campus would benefit specifically from more services being provided for the transgender community and from diversity-based groups garnering more LGBT students in its membership, and finally, eliminating institutionalized debate about LGBT students on

2009: The Matthew Shepard Act is passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on October 28th. The measure expands the 1969 U.S. Federal Hate Crime Law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

2000: Vermont becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize civil unions and registered partnerships between samesex couples.

1996: President Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act into law.

The law defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman and that no state is required to recognize a same-sex marriage from out of state.

2003: LGBTQIA Programs and Services is created at UMKC. 2003: Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage. The court finds the prohibition of gay marriage unconstitutional because it denies dignity and equality of all individuals.

In the following six years, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Iowa and Washington D.C. will follow suit.

2000

2009: President Obama signs a Presidential Memorandum allowing samesex partners of federal employees to receive certain benefits. The memorandum does not cover full health coverage.

Pride Alliance members stop for photo at Drag Queen Karaoke.

Photo // Pride Alliance academic year. The organization will also present a number of educational events and has lined up celebrations for occasions such as Bisexuality Awareness Day on Sept. 23, National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 and Day of Silence on Apr. 19.

“We have a lot of stuff coming up this semester,” Wilkerson Hope Austin Contributing Writer said. “We’re a pretty open group, so if students want to stop by, People of all races came out to Hyde we’d encourage them to. We Park to enjoy the 4th annual Kansas City don’t shut out anyone, no matter Latino Gay Pride on Sept. 7. Live music, their gender, sexuality, heritage, food and fun were all on the agenda, but color, or anything else. If students the event also addressed some major have an interest in [Pride issues in the Latino/a and LGBTQIA Alliance], they can just come and communities. hang out in the Rainbow Lounge.

The event had several booths Someone’s always in there.” dedicated to various causes, including housing, domestic violence, workplace discrimination and AIDS. Two booths even offered free testing for anyone who campus. wanted to know their status, not just for “The legitimacy of who we are attendees who identified as LGBTQIA or as a community should no longer Latino. . be part of our academic debate” According to Maria Dolores Reyes, a he said. Hate is hate. Oppression case worker from Guadalupe Centers, Inc., is oppression no matter how it is “It’s not just gay and Latino men [who are framed.” at risk for HIV]. Men who have sex with The climate for LGBTQIA men, men of color – it’s everybody.” students at UMKC has come a long A volunteer form the Kansas City way since 1975 and continues to Health Department was concerned with evolve. An LGBTQIA Partnership the lack of knowledge about sexually Committee comprised of transmitted diseases. approximately 20 members from “A lot of people don’t even realize that each facet of campus serves a they might have [chlamydia] until they’re similar charge as the Diversity in a new relationship and will blame their in Action group Wanser was partner for cheating on them,” they said. involved with 10 years ago.

A large red ball was rolled around so A climate study will be circulated people could sign it and show support for throughout campus this semester those affected by HIV/AIDS. to gather real statistics about While there was a focus on adults at the student’s experiences on campus event, kids got to have fun as well. They with LGBTQIA issues. Laverne enjoyed playing in the bounce house and Cox of Orange is the New Black inflatable slide. There were also rainbow has been announced as the Pride beach balls for kids and adults alike.

Keynote speaker sponsored by the Despite some entertainment noDivision of Diversity, Access and shows, the festival still had plenty of Equity. And the Martha Jane Starr performances including drag routines Foundation has granted funds for

by Nikita Carrington, Juanita and KC programming in March 2014 for Sunshine. Also featured was Alexis Mateo a speaker and breakout sessions of reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. revolving the topic of LGBTQI haustin@unews.com families to be held at UMKC. “Think of the future,” Wanser said, “When one’s sexual orientation or gender identity has 2014: Midwest Bisexual Lesbian no merit of conversation because Gay Transgender Ally College it has been fully accepted as the normal that it is.”

Conference, largest LGBTA Regional

Pride Festival celebrates with purpose

college conference in the country, to be hosted for the first time in Missouri by UMKC students.

2011: President Obama states his administration will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans the recognition of same-sex marriage.

2013: Spring 2013 - Gender Neutral Housing Resolution is approved by Student Government Association.

2011: Newsweek ranks UMKC as 5th most LGBT friendly campus.

2013: LGBT Leadership scholarship is created out of funds from ChickFil-A on campus at the suggestion of Vice Chancellor Mel Tyler.

2011: “Queer in the City:” cluster course offered for the first time at UMKC

by Brenda Bethman and Michal Frisch.

2010: The U.S. Senate votes 6531 to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. Military.

2010

2013: Megan Cramer, cofounder of official organization in ‘90s dies in JJ’s explosion fire.

2012: Jonathan Pryor is hired as coordinator of LGBTQIA Programs & Services.

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

8

Gamer’s Haven:

An inside look at today’s top sports videogames

Screenshot of EA Sports’ FIFA 2014 soccer.

Screenshot of Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.

Screenshot of 2K Sports’ NBA 2K14.

Dan Moreno Senior Beat Writer Sports and video games have been linked together for decades. In 1977 when the Atari 2600 was released, the top selling games were “Real Sport Boxing” and “Double Dunk,” which tried to emulate the decade’s greatest athletes.

Peyton Manning might throw seven touchdown passes in a game.

LeBron James can score 30 points in four quarters. Derek Jeter might hit a homerun in the ninth inning and Cristiano Ronaldo can score a 40-yard goal. Now players can do all of this and more without moving anything but some fingers.

Today, video games offer more than just playing. They provide a true experience when people sit down on their couches and turn their platforms on.

However, sports video games are

not just entertaining. Even though much has been said about video games causing negative effects on young gamers, the average age of a gamer is 33 years old.

It has been proven that video games increase creativity, develop keener eyesight and improve concentration and attention.

The top sports video games companies are EA Sports and 2K Sports, which compete to have the best product on the market. Aside from the four following sports, golf, tennis, boxing, ultimate fighting, NASCAR, Formula 1 and many other sports are available as well.

UMKC’s men’s soccer player Diego Figueroa plays soccer video games to relax, have fun and try new things on the soccer field.

“I like playing with Chile. Playing as my heroes and scoring goals

Screenshot of EA Sports’ Madden NFL 25.

Screenshot of 2K Sports’ MLB 2K13.

Screenshot of EA Sports’ NBA Live 2014. with them on a screen is really fun,” Figueroa said. “Sometimes I want to try stuff that I do in the game in real life and I think this is part of the awesomeness of video games.”

Soccer

EA Sports’ “FIFA” and Konami’s “Pro Evolution Soccer” are the top two soccer game series that come out every year with better graphics and game playing improvements.

These two have divided the soccer fan community and it is said that if someone plays “FIFA,” they can’t like “PES” and vice versa.

Both “FIFA 14” and “PES 14” allow the player to pick from a vast amount of clubs from all over the world, including Major League Soccer and national teams.

Manchester United’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who was chosen to be on the cover of “FIFA 14,” said he plays the game most of

the time.

“Ever since I was young I played “FIFA,” not just for fun but I also felt inspired by it and always was motivated to be on the game one day,” Hernandez said.

Basketball

EA Sports will fight for the top spot with its “NBA Live,” this time against 2K Sports’ “NBA 2K .”

When it comes to basketball these two games offer the best graphics possible. When playing, the fans can feel the atmosphere inside the arena and the pressure of the game.

The fans can pick any of the 30 teams in the National Basketball Association and play as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and many more.

Football

EA Sports owns football. In this case, Electronic Arts offers both “Madden NFL” and “NCAA

Football.” If a player likes the Chiefs but would rather play as the Jayhawks, the Wildcats or the Tigers, he can do so. “NCAA Football 14” features 126 college teams and stadiums from all over the nation.

“Madden NFL” is by far the greatest football video game in the world, offering the best graphics ever seen in a football game and this year’s game will come out tomorrow , so get ready.

Screenshot of EA Sports’ NCAA Football 2014.

Screenshot of 2K Sports’ MLB 2K13.

Baseball

2K Sports’ “MLB 2K14 ” is without a doubt the “one and only” baseball game that can really deliver the best game play. All Major League teams are featured in this game where players can take the Royals all the way to the World Series. dmoreno@unews.com

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

Roos take set from Jayhawks Kate Baxendale

Copy Editor

The UMKC volleyball team lost 3-1 to the University of Kansas at Swinney Recreation Center Sept. 3, but history was made in Kansas City that night. The Roos took a set from the Jayhawks for the first time since 2001, beating KU 25-23 in the second set. Additionally, a record-breaking crowd of 852 fans were in attendance to see the two rivaling teams.

“UMKC was such an exciting place to play at,” KU defensive specialist Jaime Mathieu said. “The fans were wild and the team was so competitive and it made for an awesome game night.”

UMKC’s Sydney Crimmins and Melissa Hartsel recorded careerhigh blocks, with nine and eight

respectively.

Taryn Miller and Crimmins both recorded career-high digs in the back row, with Miller notching 30 and Crimmins notching 19.

“We had a slow start. Obviously the first set wasn’t our best,” Head Coach Christi Posey said in a UMKC Kangaroo press video.

KU beat the Roos 25-17 in the first set, but UMKC battled back with its history-making win in the second set. The Jayhawks finished out the match by winning the third and fourth sets 25-22 and 25-21 respectively.

“Tonight was disappointing in some ways,” Posey said. “I thought we had the opportunity to extend the match to five games. KU is a

9

quality opponent. They are wellseasoned and well-coached and they play hard.”

“The atmosphere was very high energy and the fans were really into the game,” KU setter Erin McNorton said.

KU libero Brianne Riley said the UMKC has a great volleyball facility and fan section.

The Roos finished out the weekend with a 2-1 record at the Maryland Invitational in College Park, Md. UMKC defeated the University of Pennsylvania 3-1 and Long Island University-Brooklyn 3-1, but fell 2-3 to the University of Maryland.

Up next: Kangaroo Klassic Sept.

13-14 at Swinney Recreation Center kbaxendale@unews.com

Sophomore Jessica Hendin makes an attack at the net.

Photo //UMKC Athletics

Sophomore Emma Hagedorn makes an attack at the net.

Photo //UMKC Athletics

Health Journal:

What’s sleep got to do with it?

double whammy when it comes to Lindsay Adams sleep, as they are high in magnesium Senior Beat Writer and potassium.

Between procrastinating and A 2012 study in the Journal of partying, students are often plagued Clinical Sleep Medicine found by lack of sleep. strong correlations between daytime One step to solving this problem sleepiness and vitamin D deficiency. is eating well. What people eat The best way to get this vitamin affects their sleep patterns. A is from the sun’s rays, but there new study from the University of are also a lot of milk products that Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of have vitamin D added. Vitamin D Medicine reported that people with can also be found in many types of the healthiest sleep patterns had the fish and mushrooms. If students are most varied diets. unsure about the amount in their Regular sleeping schedules with diets, a vitamin supplement can be seven to eight hours of sleep actually beneficial. Start working fish and make people look prettier, according mushrooms into one’s diet, as they to a 2010 study published in the are also high in potassium.

British Medical Journal. The study Students can rejuvenate from a was based on a group who looked sleepless night with vitamin C. Lack at a set of photos of people with a of sleep usually significantly raises healthy amount of sleep and another cortisol, which kicks in when one image of them while sleep deprived. feels stress. It is good in some cases, Sleep is a beauty treatment that but can lead to impaired cognitive doesn’t cost anything. performance when students are Sleep loss also affects stressed and don’t get enough sleep. concentration. Studies published Vitamin C lowers cortisol and by researchers at Harvard and decreases stress reactivity. The top McGill Universities reported that food sources of vitamin C include participants who slept well did a pineapple, strawberries, citrus, bell better job of retaining information. peppers, broccoli and kale.

They suggest that sleep plays A 2013 study from the University a critical role in flagging and of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School storing important memories, both of Medicine found that people who intellectual and physical, and had healthier sleep patterns also observing subtle details. consumed more selenium, which is in The first step is to make sure fish, shellfish, mushrooms, bran and that one gets certain vitamins and nuts, and lycopene, which is found nutrients that aid sleep. in tomatoes, guava, watermelon, Ingesting more magnesium can grapefruit, asparagus, dried parsley help people fall asleep because and basil. it plays an important part in the To find more foods with important body’s sleep regulation. Insomnia is nutrients, check out the United a symptom of magnesium deficiency. States Department of Agriculture’s Spinach, kale and almonds can help National Nutrient Database at with magnesium intake. www.usda.gov. Also, check out Ingesting more potassium can some recipes which contain many aid those who get restless sleep. of the nutrients mentioned in this Bananas, avocados and low-fat dairy article. such as plain non-fat yogurt are a

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

Friday the 13th in Kansas City Satisfies Horror Lovers Chloe Robbins-Anderson $20 cover. The theme is Freaky Copy Editor and Fashionable Friday the 13th has transitioned Friday the 13th from a day of fear and superstition and guests are to to a tradition of fun horror. This encouraged year, Kansas City has provided many dress in their best options to satisfy a horror lover’s horror apparel.

The emphasis is Friday the 13th demand.

The Armour Screenland, located creativity at its Doors at 408 Armour Rd. in North darkest.

Kansas City, will start festivities open at 8 p.m., on Thursday the 12th with an but the event is “Insidious” double feature, starting expected to run at 8:30 p.m. “Insidious: Chapter 2,” all night.

The Riot is scheduled for release on the 13th and the double feature offers horror Room has booked fans an early opportunity to get the its own brand of Friday the 13th full experience. Tickets are $15 total magic with death metal band At for both movies and include entry the Left Hand of God. The group to a haunted house upstairs in the is influenced by The Black Dahlia Murder and Between the Buried and Armour Loft.

The Armour Screenland will show Me, so the venue is sure to be packed “Friday the 13th” at 10 p.m. on Friday with energetic metal fans.

At the Left Hand of God will the 13th.

The Alamo Drafthouse at 14th play with Wrath and Ruin, The and Main St. will show “Friday the Cast Pattern and Sorrow by Truth, 13th” at 10:30 p.m. and features full making for an evening of screams.

The Riot Room is located at 40th in-theater dining services.

For a permanent way to show love and Broadway Blvd. in Westport, for this eerie day, The Ink Parlor at and doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are 34th and Main St. is offering horror- $5 for general admission.

In the West Bottoms, haunted inspired tattoos for $20. The shop will provide multiple designs from houses The Beast and The Edge which to choose or customers can of Hell are available for a night get a custom design starting at $30. of horror. The houses include encounters with The number 13 is incorporated into frightening many of the designs to commemorate demons, dark rooms, haunted woods a love of all things horror. To secure a and more. Tickets are $27 to attend session with one of The Ink Parlor’s one haunted house, or $40 for both houses. The Beast is located at 1401 tattoo artists, call (816) 984-4465.

Grimm Tattoo at 3915 Broadway W. 13th St. and The Edge of Hell at Blvd. is offering a similar special on 1300 W. 12th St . Both attractions are the 13th, with $20 tattoos available owned and operated by Full Moon from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Appointments Productions.

The Macabre Cinema and The are walk-in only, determined by a Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe are two first-come first-serve basis.

A pop-up gallery on Grand smaller haunted houses in the West Boulevard. across from the Western Bottoms, with tickets available at Auto Building, will feature a DJ , www.fullmoonprod.com.

For horror fans spending the an open bar and hor d’oeuvres for a

10

Illustration // Joey Hill evening at home, Netflix only offers “Friday the 13th” on DVD, so get it on the queue quickly. The films may be hard to find at Redbox or Blockbuster’s website, because it is scarce. This goes for all 10 original “Friday the 13th” movies, the 2009 remake and “Freddy vs. Jason,” so buying the films may be the best solution.

However, these websites provide many other quality horror films for instant streaming. Turn the lights down low, grab a Bloody Mary and make it a night in with classic horror selections like “The Wolf Man,” 1970s splatter films like “I Spit on Your Grave” and 1980-’90s B-horror like “Return to Horror High,” which features a young George Clooney.

For horror fans interested in more modern viewing options, look to a foreign film like “Dumplings,” and meta films like “Tucker & Dale vs.

Evil” and slashers like “Mask Maker.”

The options available to enjoy this eerie Friday are vast, but for horror fanatics, it’s a rule to celebrate the day like an early Halloween. Whether going out or staying in, fans are sure to find their fix in Kansas City this Friday the 13th. crobbins@unew.com

“Friday the 13th” Holds Up Under Today’s Horror Standards

Chloe Robbins-Anderson not just wandering off, but no one knows who is doing it – not even the Copy Editor audience. Until the end of the movie, Classic horror movie fans already the audience only sees a looming know the story: camp counselors shadow, and maybe a hand gripping allow boy to die in lake, years later a knife. Kids these days typically new counselors are stalked by crazed forget that the iconic mask doesn’t killer with huge knife . show up until the third film.

Hollywood decided “Friday the Unlike a typical slasher flick, 13th” needed a remake in 2009 and “Friday the 13th” gives the impression produced the basic premise of the that the killer could be anyone, original film, without the twist and makes audiences hesitant to ending. However, a remake was trust any character. Viewers will unnecessary as the original film not want their favorite characters stands the test of time. to be alone in a room with other In this classic, young Jason camp counselors or in a car with a Voorhees drowns when his neglectful stranger, and certainly not out alone camp counselors at Camp Crystal to fix a generator in the middle of Lake are doing the nasty instead of the night. Although something is watching the campers . Jason is not appealing about an anonymous but the only casualty: two other couples more evident masked killer like die before or immediately after Jason in later films or Leatherface having unprotected sex. “Friday the in “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the 13th” remains an iconic film with idea that the shadowy figure could a negative twist on young adult be anyone or anything is what horror sexuality. . and suspense are built on.

Two decades after the incident, As with many recent horror films the son of the original camp owners and almost every “Friday the 13th” attempts to re-open Camp Crystal sequel, there is a lone survivor at the Lake. Despite warnings about the end. When the police tell her nobody camp opening, the teenagers begin was found at the camp aside from the repairs on Friday the 13th. One by counselors, she says wonderingly, one, the kids begin to disappear “Then he’s still there…” as the camera – including Kevin Bacon in one of shows a serene Crystal Lake, ready his first major film roles. They die for campers to return. in various creative ways, which No wonder there have been so inarguably trump the deaths from many films, comic books and even the “Friday the 13th” remake, which a television show paying homage turns the incidents to comedy. to “Friday the 13th:” This franchise The later films seemed to forget knows how to make sure Jason is to add the suspense of the original still around for the killing.

1980 film. Everyone knows the crobbins@unews.com teenage campers are being killed,

Sounds from across the sea:

UMKC graduates spread bluegrass across Europe

Joey Hill

Senior Beat Writer

Former UMKC students Andrew Morris and Julie Bates met while teaching English in Germany and formed the band titled The Matchsellers.

“We were both placed in Leipzig in East Germany,” Bates said, “and Andrew approached me and said ‘I play guitar and really want to find a band and play some music while I’m here’ and I told him I played the fiddle, I had to rent one, I didn’t bring mine.”

The pair began playing together in September and in March of the following year, facing the expiration of their educational contracts in June, the two devoted themselves to the band and booked a two-week European tour.

“We played in the Czech Republic a little bit, went down and work[ed] in Switzerland for a while,” Morris said. “We were kind of bumming around Europe for a bit just playing music.”

The Matchsellers play a genre called alternative bluegrass, borrowing elements from various forms of bluegrass and blues and creating a soft, yet poignant sound perfect for comfortable, intimate spaces. While deeply rooted in American sound and taste, the duo was still able to hold the ears of listeners across the Atlantic.

“That’s one of the weird things when you’re over there playing more traditional bluegrass, something like that is almost as exotic as African tribal music,” Morris said. “To these people in Germany and Eastern Europe it’s like nothing they’ve heard before.”

Speaking on their experiences as teachers in Germany, both taught English and Morris additionally taught history. Both were working in public schools with Bates teaching 5th through 12th grade and Morris teaching 6th through 10th.

“It’s interesting because the German school system is broken up into three different levels, there’s the Gymnasium which is where all the really smart kids go after scoring well on a test they take in the 4th grade.

It’s largely like preparing for college,” Morris said. “Then there’s the Realschule which is a middle field for those who score in the mid-range, and then there’s the Hauptschule for the people who score the lowest.”

The two were able to afford the trip because of the Fulbright Program, a program providing academic funding that was founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator James William Fulbright.

The program gives students a chance to study abroad as well as encourage cultural exchange and scientific research in more than 165 countries.

“It’s basically a really prestigious scholarship funded by the American government that gives a select number of people the chance to go abroad,” Morris said. “We met a guy doing M.R.I. research, there are people in Turkey doing research, people in Africa doing sustainability research, people in Germany teaching English. Essentially you’re like a cultural ambassador where you can bring your culture abroad whether that’s through teaching, whether that’s through your art or whether that’s through what you’re researching.”

Bates said she believes all UMKC students should enhance their

educational experiences by studying abroad.

“At UMKC, I think so few students study abroad, though the Study Abroad office is so helpful,” Bates said. “I remember going in there and saying ‘I’m an art major and I know German, and there are no art programs set up for German majors in Germany. What do I do?’ and I remember Kate Wozniak in the office was like ‘Julie we gotta get you out of here!’ and she was calling people and sending emails and was like ‘We’ll get you out of here, Julie, don’t worry.’”

Most recently, the duo performed at the Riot Room on Sept. 2 and have recently started on a U.S. tour through Texas with plans to come back for a show at the recordBar on Sept. 20.

“It’s kind of empowering what we’re doing, we can go where we want to go, we can do what we want to do, we can play where we want to play, we can say we’re going to have a tour in Texas because we have a couple buddies down there,” Morris said. “It’s easy to pick up an acoustic guitar anywhere for me, I used to play in a blues band and a rock band and it’s just really hard to take all that stuff around everywhere I mean your amps and your pedals and cords and cables and now we can just go up on stage and play.”

Bates comes from a classical music background and found some major differences switching between styles.

“It’s a different world, the classical world,” she said. “I remember practicing one passage perfectly trying to get all the notes in, and then I’d have to go to a place like the

conservatory to try and find a job in an orchestra somewhere. It’s a lot more intense I think, and I really like playing this music because it’s just a lot of fun.”

The Matchsellers recently released an EP titled “Claypool Dog Race” on April 8, containing songs like “Beaver Dam Blues,” an energetic romp played fast with fun, ramblinglike lyrics reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder. The song brings to mind a sound outside of time, not trying to sound older, or recycled, but true to itself. One of the most mystifying tracks on the EP is “Take My Body,” a quiet almost ethereal

Illustration // Joey Hill song with few lyrics but a brilliant composition. Beginning with a simple instrumental beat their voices come in as if out of the darkness like choral arias. Morris said the song was inspired by an encounter with a man in Texas who had a fear he would die before returning to his family.

The Matchsellers will be performing at the recordBar Sept. 20 at 10 p.m. The band’s EP “Claypool Dog Race” can be found at http:// thematchsellers.bandcamp.com/ jhill@unews.com

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

11

“The Tallest Tree in the Forest” stands a head above the rest Lindsay Adams Senior Beat Writer “The Tallest Tree in the Forest” recounts the story of singer, black icon and political speaker, Paul Robeson.

Robeson was a controversial figure in the early Civil Rights Movement.

The play is a one- Daniel Beaty as icon, singer and civil rights activist man tour de force Paul Robeson.

Photo // KC Reportoire Theatre held together by the astonishing work of Daniel Beaty to various characters of many both onstage and off. Beaty not only nationalities. He plays a Welsh stars in the show – he wrote it. miner, a Russian poet, a French It is a powerful story of one man’s announcer and British reporter, struggle to make a difference in among others. He plays both men the world. When the world turns and women, sometimes multiple against him, he refuses to cave in to characters in a scene together. His the political machinations going on depiction of Robeson’s wife, Essie, around him. The actual Robeson was an absolute revelation. His quote used in the show that sticks portrayal didn’t come off as mere with audiences is, “The artist must mimicry. He played a person, not a elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I caricature. Essie was as fleshed out have made my choice.” Robeson did, as Robeson. and he suffered for it.

Not only are Beaty’s acting chops Robeson, however, is not depicted to be commended, but his deep and as a saint. The play acknowledges majestic singing voice will stun mistakes he made throughout his audiences. From Robeson’s iconic life, but didn’t brush over Robeson’s song “Ol’ Man River” to Negro personal struggles in favor of spirituals, the audience is held highlighting his political struggles. breathless.

The storyline deals candidly “The Tallest Tree in the Forest” with his infidelity and difficulty is a transformative experience and controlling his anger. But Robeson’s a show of optimal quality. It never goal to aid those facing injustice, misses the mark. Every decision whether through racism or made in the production is spot-on, terrible work conditions, deserves from projections, acting, blocking, admiration. costuming to sound design, for Beaty’s depiction of Robeson is which Moises Kaufman’s deft hand perfect. It’s hard to imagine anyone at direction is highly commended. else filling the role. Beaty portrays The lighting and projection work him with intelligence and poise. is fantastic. The projections enhance Beaty has an inner strength and fire the mood and shift easily from time that shines through, especially with and place as the play moves across his expressive singing. many continents and locations.

An interesting issue in the play One of the show’s best moments is Robeson’s battle with his own is when Robeson tries to stop the status as a black symbol. This added lynching epidemic in America. He incredible pressure on his attempts tells the story of a young man who to continue his acting career. At was lynched after he returned from the time, roles for a black man were fighting for America overseas. A reel hardly progressive. of different images and film from this His internal debate over taking time period is on one wall, and on the part of Joe in “Show Boat” based other walls, shadows of hanging men on stereotypes of black men and slowly appear around him. use of racially derogatory language On opening night, Beaty received onstage proved difficult. Robeson a long standing ovation. There was wanted to be an inspirational figure, no doubt in anyone’s mind they had but in order to become a star, many witnessed what all theatre aspires to roles he accepted were either twobe. dimensional or were altered in an “The Tallest Tree in the Forest” is editing room to portray something a show that will change audiences, he did not support. provoking thought and emotion long Beaty played many characters after the lights go down. from Robeson’s life, including J. Edgar Hoover and Harry S. Truman ladams@unews.com

Website Reviews: Man Repeller

Erin Melrose Broadcast Assistant Finally, a fashion website dedicated to women dressing for outrage and not adoration. Leandra Medine is the brain behind this operation and has created a style guide for dummies. Upon scrolling through mass amounts of DIY’s, how to’s and rising trends, readers are given a quirky look inside the designer world. Medine encourages women to seize their right to repel men and embrace the art of fashion. http://www.manrepeller.com

Funky fresh apparel repelling even the trendiest of males.

Leandra Medine, founder of Man Repeller gives readers the skinny on keeping it cool.

Photos // manrepeller.com

Uncrate

Prepare to geek out on innovative cutlery sets and Dr. Dre air fresheners.

Ensuring five of the latest, greatest gadgets each day, Uncrate has given males a reason to shop. Ranging from style to body to vices, the website promptly reviews each product with links to purchase included.

After recently being crowned one of Time Magazine’s 50 best websites, Uncrate is quickly becoming one of the largest online men publications. http://uncrate.com

The freshest of scents come from the Dr. himself.

On the days when Spotify and iTunes fail to entertain, immerse in The Kollection. What began as Brian Lovine’s effort to share unknown music has spiraled into a playground for underground junkies to unite.

Dubstep, electro, hip-hop and dance remixes reign with originals constantly being reviewed as well.

Featuring spotlights of artists on the rise, each track is introduced with a voice behind the music. http://thekollection.com

Photo // uncrate.com

Layne Lynch, featured artist on the Kollection bringing passion back to songwriting.

Photos // thekollection.com

Elite Daily

Generation Y has been given a voice. 20-somethings everywhere will find inspiration, motivation and aspiration all weaved into one online magazine. Story content ranges from dumbed down versions of Syrian conflict to the advantages of refusing to accept complacency. http://elitedaily.com

Elite Daily believes in traveling as a twenty something.

Photo // elitedaily.com

Meet Up Contrary to first perception, this is not a dating website. Meet Up provides easy access to others with similar interests. The website will list an array of groups catering to queries, such as running or music, within a convenient radius. http://www.meetup.com/find/

emelrose@unews.com

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Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

12

Chalk and Walk colors Crown Center Jacob Halpern, volunteered at the Jessica Turner festival with seniors James Nixon Senior Beat Writer and Tiffany Friend and other fellow The 6th annual Kansas City Alpha Kappa Psi members.

Chalk and Walk drew community Alpha Kappa Psi occupied a big members together to share and tent and served as guides for artists observe creative works of colorful and visitors. art filling the pavements of Crown “This is actually the first time that Center Sept. 7-8.

Alpha Kappa Psi has done anything Chalk and Walk is a non- like this, so we’re really excited profit organization that promotes about it,” Friend said. “We’re here educational arts programs for checking in the artists, handing out children in the community. The chalk to them, giving them water Children’s Creative Corridor was and goodie bags, so there’s a lot of

UMKC’s Alpha Kappa Psi members volunteered for the Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Photo // Jessica Turner at the top of the stairs near a row of fountains under an enormous white stuff going on. There are a lot of really shaded canopy, enclosed by a safety good drawings out here.” parameter.

The chalk that Friend distributed “I decided to start this festival was donated by Crayola and in because that’s really my love,” said addition to helping the artists Friend Lotti Halpern, executive director explained they also encouraged and founder. “I love doing this. You people to buy tickets to help aid get to see the children’s area, you see children in art schools. Halpern the street performers, you get to see works year-round to gather sponsors how beautiful it really is.” and make the event possible.

Halpern said she thinks this year “One of our members, Jacob brought in the best turn-out the Halpern—his mother, Carlotta, festival has ever had. Her son, senior is actually the one who put all of

UMKC graduate and professional artist Amy DeSitter’s team work to complete a chalk painting for the ‘Around the World’ theme.

Photo // Jessica Turner

this together and she invited us to volunteer here,” she said. “We’re having a really good time, and we also had a bunch of friends come with us.”

“It just shows that Kansas City is definitely still about the arts,” Jacob Halpern said.

One volunteer, junior Saige Stortz, was inside the corridor with fellow Jumpstart members, helping children make friendship bracelets and other crafts.

“We’re a volunteer organization and what we do is we go into communities where they don’t have as many resources, and we teach those children language, literacy, social skills and we get them prepared for kindergarten,” Stortz said.

Carlotta Halpern said Jumpstart students volunteer every year, and the area serves as the perfect place for the children to experience the festival. Children were able to have their faces painted and create makeand-take arts and crafts. Some of the children were on the lawn hula hooping while others drew mini versions of chalk art on the pavement.

Children could also participate in workshops by Michael’s Arts and Crafts.

The Chalk and Walk began in 2008, and Halpern received feedback from Crown Center furthering the sentiment about a great turnout.

“I think it’s because it’s just so laid back,” she said. “And it’s like— like that—how many people do you see that can do edible art? He’s making edible art right there. Paseo Academy [of Fine and Performing Arts] students are playing [stringed instruments] right behind you.”

The guests at the Kansas City Chalk and Walk leisurely walk around the intertwined paths of vivid artistry. They may eventually grab some complimentary yogurt

by Chobani or run into alumna and professional artist Amy DeSitter.

This year, she was working on her piece “Small World” to fit one of the festival’s themes, “Around the World.”

Her plot consisted of several small buildings, houses, locations and decorations inspired by multiple cultures.

“I always do the drawing and this year I have a team of five so my team usually just fills in the colors from there,” DeSitter said. “Most of these people have been with me ever since our first year.”

DeSitter was complimenting a story in the Kansas City Star published in the Saturday issue about her life and artistry. The article explained that DeSitter had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction in the past, but Halpern led her back to art and education. She

UMKC’s Jumpstart Kansas City’s Saige Stortz and Rachel Neff help children make crafts in the Children’s Creative Corridor.

Photo // Jessica Turner has now been sober since the Chalk and Walk started six years ago. the chalk artists.

“I graduated from UMKC last “It’s a 16th-century tradition in spring with a bachelor’s in Studio Italy and in 16th-century, did they Art and I plan on going to grad school have concrete or bricks? They had next fall,” DeSitter said. bricks or something that looked like Many artists encourage attendees bricks,” Halpern said. “So this is very to not just view the art, but get to traditional.” know the artists as well.

The skill levels of artists ranged “The whole idea is to talk to the from amateur to student to artists, talk to the visitors and interact professional. Some had perfected with them,” Halpern said. “And it their process and propped umbrellas gives the artists an opportunity to to shade themselves and wore come out and say, you know, ‘Look. kneepads to ease the pressure of the Look what I can do’.” bricks. Some laid on their stomachs

UMKC graduate and professional artist Amy DeSitter shows off her story in the Kansas City Star at the Chalk and Walk Festival on Saturday Sept. 7.

And with two full days of artistic activity, there is plenty of time to absorb everything Chalk and Walk has to offer.

“We encourage people to come back both days of the festival, so they can kind of see the progress,” DeSitter said. “That’s half the fun.

Really, it is.”

Halpern enjoys the historical and multicultural aspect of the festival and because Crown Center’s walkways are made of brick they serve as the perfect grid canvas for

Photo // Jessica Turner on skateboards casually coloring with their pastels.

Regardless of particular techniques, however, all the artists and visitors enjoyed the outdoor gallery and the opportunity to share creative beauty with the Kansas City community. jturner@unews.com

Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

13

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”

A lyrical tale of love and loss Lindsay Adams Senior Beat Writer “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” is an unexpected gem among the last of this summer’s films, styled with Western elements while delivering the storyline like a character drama. The movie’s undercurrent of tension and dread interweaves with longing and hope. Moments where the characters have little to no dialogue are built as slowly and carefully as the film’s violence.

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” follows a young couple, Bob (Casey Affleck) and Ruthie (Rooney Mara), who attempt to steal money with the help of a friend. The theft turns sour and ends with a cop and the couple’s friend being shot. The officer, named Patrick (Ben Foster), survives the shooting, but Bob and Ruthie’s friend is killed.

Bob goes to jail, leaving Ruthie pregnant and alone to raise her little girl. Skerritt (Keith Carradine), whose son died during the theft, looks after Ruthie. Ruthie builds a life for her and her child, Sylvie, when Bob escapes prison to reunite with Ruthie and his daughter.

Patrick, the officer who was previously shot, leads the search for Bob and grows closer to Ruthie in the process.

Affleck brings life to a role given little chance for self-expression. His perfectly understated intensity and chemistry with Mara holds the film together. The audience can feel Bob and Ruthie’s intimate connection, which remains unbroken despite Bob’s imprisonment.

Bob yearns for the life he lost, but his persistent journey to find Ruthie and his daughter puts them in danger.

Mara as Ruthie is a quiet, stoic survivor. She is full of expression even during quiet moments with her daughter. Her character has an inner fire that draws in the viewer.

Foster as Patrick Wheeler could

Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara play a young outlaw couple in “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.”

Photo // Google easily come off as a typical nice guy or a complication in the story.

Instead, his character is insightful, but simultaneously frightened. Like Ruthie and Bob, Patrick looks to fill his life with intimate moments and people to care for.

The supporting cast rounds out the story with fantastic performances.

Carradine as Skerritt is fiercely protective of Ruthie and her daughter. In his dialogue, he emits a sense of menace and strength . He threatens to kill several men if they come near Ruthie, and as he says, “That’ll be that.”

Nate Parker as Sweetie, an old friend of Bob’s, gives a subtle, rooted performance.

David Lowery, the film’s writer and director, doesn’t take overwrought steps with the story. The relationships between characters are dense and complicated rather than oversimplified. Lowery doesn’t try to justify his characters, but allows them to simply exist. The film is tightly knit, focusing on relationships rather than plot points.

Lowery’s style meshes with the wonderful cinematography by Bradford Young, who shot with real film. Young finds beauty in simplicity and broken down, worn out houses without giving them a false appeal. He doesn’t try to add

beauty. Instead, he finds beauty and importance inherent in the small moments and settings.

The lyrical story is filled with moments of hushed speech and song. “Aint Them Bodies Saints” is reminiscent of an old ballad that tells a story, or the style of southern writers like Flannery O’Connor.

The letters Bob writes to Ruthie while in jail are expressively poetic in his attempt and failure to encapsulate his feelings on the page.

The film’s modern classic feel and atmosphere are accentuated

by Daniel Hart’s score. The film’s foundation is the beautifully understated soundtrack. The music includes various instruments and rhythmic hand claps.

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” is a modern tale of crime and punishment with nuanced shades of redemption and sin. It is an emotional tale of the struggle to forge connections with one another and keep those connections alive even during difficult circumstances.

It is a Western without the largerthan-life characters duking it out in a duel of good versus evil. Instead, the characters are realistically forced to make difficult choices and live with the consequences while trying to discover what kind of person they are.

Indulging Fandoms One Direction at a Time

Lindsay Nelson Broadcast Assistant It all started when Beliebers everywhere received the ultimate gift of fandom: a movie that documented Justin Bieber’s life, and specifically, the 10 days leading up to his biggest concert to date. After grossing over $70 million, other artists’ managers realized this wasn’t a bad idea.

A documentary following Katy Perry’s “Part of Me” tour was released last summer, and this summer, “One Direction: This Is Us” hit theaters on Aug. 30.

The movie follows the band from its hometown and through its competition on The X-Factor to embracing a fandom unparalleled since the days of *NSync and the Backstreet Boys.

Amidst the home videos, backstage footage and inside jokes in the film, the segment including Martin Scorsese is unbeatable. Viewers can tell Scorsese is fulfilling a favor for a young girl tagging alongside him, but he shakes hands with all five boys and says, “I like your stuff.”

Although the movie caters primarily to an already established fan base, it includes enough footage and intimate moments with the band to provide the casual viewer with insight into these five young men. There are several scenes where Niall and Liam look out at masses of thousands of exuberant fans, but the best part is that the boys are genuinely excited to see the fans.

While screening the movie in 3-D may have been unnecessary, the movie overall isn’t a waste of film.

After only a week, “This is Us” has grossed nearly a third of what Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never” grossed during its three month run. Ten points for Directioners.

lnelson@unews.com

ladams@unews.com

Illustration // Joey Hill

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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.

Human rights don’t end at the U.S. border

Jordan Strange Marketing Manager The people of Syria are caught in the midst of a civil war between the Shiite, endorsed by President Bashar al-Assad and the Sunni-led Free Syrian Army. Thus far, thousands of innocent people have been murdered and millions have fled to neighboring countries to seek refuge. The United States has accused al-Assad of using chemical weapons on his own people, a clear infraction among the global community, which has now forced the United States to consider a military strike.

President Barack Obama announced Sept. 3 that he is seeking permission from Congress to carry out a limited strike on Syria, creating large-scale debate It is hard to justify how a country as powerful as the United States could look the other way while thousands upon thousands of innocent people are being murdered. The crimes against humanity taking place in Syria need to be addressed, and the evil people who are responsible for such crimes deserve to meet the business end of the U.S. Navy.

Human rights don’t end at the U.S. border. There are people in the world who are not as fortunate as the citizens in this country, leaving them defenseless when their basic civil liberties are under siege. Unfortunately, the global community has yet to provide much

Jordan Strange assistance to the region and it hasn’t shown any signs that help is on its way.

“The world cannot be silent spectators to slaughter,” Secretary of State John Kerry said.

A strategic military strike coming from the United States will play an integral part in protecting the men, women and children of Syria from alAssad’s deadly regime.

If the United States doesn’t respond to al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons, then the world norm regarding these weapons will undoubtedly be challenged in the future. America needs to make an example out of the Syria situation in order to maintain its credibility and deter other hostile countries like Iran and North Korea from assuming the use of chemical weapons doesn’t come with punishment. jstrange@unews.com

Stay out of Syria congressional authorization of force Lindsay Adams will expressly forbid committing Senior Beat Writer ground troops. However, if one There was an attack on the Syrian recalls, in 2011, Obama didn’t seek people “allegedly” spearheaded by Congressional authorization before Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, allowing the American military to and now, President Obama wants attack Libyan government forces. to strike Syria. His argument is What’s to say he doesn’t decide to that it will be done in a way to only use an executive order to send U.S. incapacitate al-Assad, however how troops to Syria after we are already the United States will be able to involved? target him or his chemical weapons If we strike Syria, it will not without any collateral damage has end with this air strike. We have yet to be explained. seen this again and again. Iraq The United States could very easily and Afghanistan are not a distant end up miscalculating and killing memory. We are still recuperating more citizens. Just look at the Al- from those wars. If you recall, those Shifa pharmaceutical factory fiasco were promised to be non-invasive as during the Clinton presidency, where well, but look how that turned out. the United States acted without clear Supporters of the strike also argue evidence or information and ended that the cost will be minimal. The up destroying a plant that made 50 proposed strikes would only cost us percent of Sudan’s medicines. a few million, so that makes it okay, We have not been given any clear right? It’s not like that money could evidence that al-Assad was behind be better spent, say, paying off the the attack. Either they have no national debt? substantive evidence or they don’t It is abundantly clear that this think making sure American citizens is about more than the Syrian lives support this war actually matters. lost. Obama wants to restore his The rather important rule that sets international reputation, and he is us apart from many other justice willing to risk American and Syrian systems, that men are innocent until lives and exacerbate an already proven guilty, doesn’t seem to apply violent war in a torn country to do in this case for some reason. The so.

United Nations hasn’t even done its Going to into Syria seems like investigation into the event. Yet, here Obama trying to save face after Syria Obama is jumping at the bit to get crossed his ‘red line.’ Syria is already into Syria. war torn; how is the United States He and his cabinet are throwing making an air strike not going to just around inane jargon like ‘No boots add to the carnage? on the ground.’ The argument is that A Sept. 4 Gallup poll showed

Lindsay Adams that this intervention is the least supported by Americans of any in recent history. Americans have clearly spoken. The majority doesn’t support going into Syria.

We are tired of the United States caring more about their international image and power rather than trying to work on our own issues here.

Fifty-one percent of Americans do not favor the United States taking military action. The minority, 36 percent, approve such action, while 13 percent are unsure.

Our president and our representatives are meant to do just that, represent us. The people have spoken. The question is will Obama and Congress listen? ladams@unews.com

Syria for dummies Matt Melson Broadcast Assistant

The Middle Eastern country of Syria has been in the midst of an intense civil war for two years.

In order to provide some background, Syria is a republic run by President Bashar al-Assad.

A republic is a representative government ruled by law, not to be confused with a democracy which is ruled by the majority. A republic recognizes the inalienable rights of individuals while democracies are concerned with group wants and needs. To add some perspective, the United States is also a republic.

The Syrian conflict began when protests against the Syrian government escalated into rioting.

The government took strict military actions, which resulted in the deaths of a group of rebels. The rebels, in fear for their lives, started to organize and build a full scale attack on the Syrian government.

According to Obama administration analysts, al-Assad used nerve gas, a form of chemical warfare, which killed more than 1,400 men, women and children.

The use of chemical warfare has been banned in the international community since 1925. After wide scale use during World War I, chemical weapons were banned on an international level with the Geneva Protocol. Therefore, Syria has violated the international agreement.

President Barack Obama and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved military actions to be taken against al-Assad and his army Sept.

4, but would not go further without the approval of Congress. These military attacks would consist of strategic long range missile attacks.

“It’s very clear on the House side that there is no support for boots on the ground,” Representative Edward Royce (R-Calif.) said.

According to Secretary of State John Kerry, “If we don’t answer Assad today, we will erode a standard that

Matt Melson has existed for those hundred years.”

The administration further believes other nations may acquire and use chemical weapons in the future if Syria is not punished now and is advocating to “hold the Assad regime accountable, degrade its ability to carry out these kinds of attacks and deter the regime from further use of chemical weapons,” according to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Skeptics feel the intelligence of the attacks is being misconstrued to fit the agenda of the administration.

William R. Polk, who served in the State Department during the Kennedy administration, stated that “Assad had much to lose and his enemies much to gain [from the use of chemical weapons].”

Military action is still waiting for approval by Congress. Obama has clearly stated that he wants to take action as soon as possible, so if Congress approves, there may be military strikes on Syria as early as Sept. 12, according to senior U.S. officials.

We must do our duty as citizens and become educated about this Syrian conflict and foster a discourse among ourselves. Should we take military action? Should we intervene in a civil war? Is this a problem that the United States should solve? We can only answer these questions after we are educated on the issues. mmelson@unews.com

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Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

To twerk or not to twerk?

Kate Baxendale

Copy Editor

Oxford Dictionaries Online recently added popular colloquialisms such as “twerk” and “selfie” to its collection of words.

According to an Aug. 28 Forbes article, upset concerning these latest additions is most likely due to what scholars call “prestige.”

We assign certain types of words, like words used in academic writing, hierarchal values they don’t have.

Words used on the internet or slang terms associated with youth are not assigned prestige, but they are still considered valid because they are used to communicate. Certainly if you told your friend about someone “twerkin’ it” at the club last night she would know exactly what you meant.

I suppose then, as a journalism major, I assign said “prestige” to words and that explains my disappointment in the addition of “twerk” to the online dictionary.

Thankfully, this word has only been added to Oxford Dictionaries Online.

The more official Oxford English Dictionary rarely adds words. As I am writing this, Microsoft Word is underlining in red any form of the word “twerk” that I use. It may only be a matter of time until Word adds “twerk” to its own dictionary.

In case there is any confusion, allow me to provide you with ODO’s definition of “twerk:” Twerk (v) informal - dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance I understand ODO’s dedication to the preservation of a living, changing language, and its purpose of preserving such proud moments in American history. However, perhaps some of us don’t wish to remember such vulgar terms which are audaciously demonstrated on national television. Yes, a rant about twerking cannot exclude mention of Miley Cyrus’s 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance.

Sadly, such a crude demonstration of “pop culture” like Cyrus’s surpasses Federal Communications Commission regulations, yet a woman breastfeeding her child is sometimes deemed indecent.

Many critics have called Cyrus’s performance downright racist. The former Disney star had African American backup dancers on stage for the sole purpose of using them as sexual objects. These women were just the background to Cyrus’s raunchy performance as she twerked all over the stage, spanking them and imitating sex acts with her backup dancers.

Twerking is associated with black music culture, and according to “The History of Twerking” compiled by

Kate Baxendale VH1 the word “twerk” was first used on the New Orleans bounce scene in 1993. DJ Jubilee is claimed to be the first person to command dancers to twerk.

The Guardian’s Hadley Freeman highlighted the irony of the timing of the VMA performance, which occurred near the 50-year anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

“Sadly, King omitted to say whether he also dreamed of ‘little white girls from Tennessee mimicking anilingus on little black girls wearing giant animals on their backs’, so it’s impossible to know how he would have reacted,” Freeman wrote.

Although many young people may attribute the word’s sudden rise to fame to Cyrus, Oxford Dictionaries’ Katherine Connor Martin told the Associated Press that twerking has been around for nearly two decades.

The word’s origin is likely a variation of the word “work”, and perhaps the “t” was added as a combination of “work” and “twist” or “twitch,” according to Martin. “Twerk it” is likely the evolution of the phrase “work it,” as is commonly said to encourage dancers.

Others recognize that this type of provocative dance has been around for some time. A recent Facebook status on my newsfeed read, “I love how the media keeps talking about twerking like it’s something new... been twerking since ‘04.”

This whole “twerk” phenomenon needs to come to a screeching halt. It is vulgar, unladylike and demeaning, and I am disgusted by how casually the word is thrown around by people my age and younger.

I may sound like your mother right now, but I beg you to justify why anyone would want 2013 to be remembered as the year of twerking.

I seriously doubt you are looking forward to proudly explaining the definition of “twerk” to your grandchildren. Let’s clean up our act and try to redeem our reputation as the generation of selfies, hash tags and twerking. kbaxendale@unews.com

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Monday September 9, 2013 | Issue 4

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