February 2011 Insight Magazine

INSIGHT U N R I N S I G H T. C O M

[THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO’S STUDENT MAGAZINE]

HELPING THE NEEDY JOINING A SORORITY QUIRKY CLUBS

FEBRUARY 2011 VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4

FIRST COPY FREE SECOND COPY $3.50

PHOTO BY GEOFF ROSEBOROUGH

2 | Insight | February 2011

Contents FEBRUARY 2011

4 EDITOR LETTER 5 BEHIND INSIGHT 6 UNRinsight.com Check out Insight’s web content.

7 MONTH BY MONTH Learn something you may not have thought to look up before.

8 PACK PROFILE

Insight sits down with one of campus’ importent staff members.

10 BUILDING A SISTERHOOD

Is joining a sorority the right move for you?

12 BLOOD, LUMBER & APPLES

Three quirky clubs you’ve got to know about.

18 ABOLISH ASUN

A look at the function of Students for Liberty on campus.

20 ATHELETIC MUSIC

The Wolf Pack Marching Band brings a unique spirit to sporting events.

22 GLOBAL VOICES Helping the less fortunate to overcome stereotypes among cultures.

28 CALENDAR Find out what’s going on in your area this month.

30 IN HINDSIGHT Insight looks back at the men’s and woman’s Glee Clubs.

2011 February | Insight | 3

LETTER {

FROM THE

} EDITOR

W

e are community-oriented creatures. Thank your ancestors, because their offspring were abnormally large. That’s right. It turns out, these helpless babies proved to be too heavy for their parents to carry and hunt wooly mammoths at the same time. In response, our ever-evolving species decided that making friends (code for babysitters) would cure this problem, according to the research of Jeremy DeSilva, an anthropologist from Boston University. While parents cared for the children, the village helped provide for the family. What nice people they were.

Lucky for you, you are not a Paleolithic homoerectus anymore. You’re a twentyfirst century homoerectus with daycares and grocery stores. Yet we crave the same sense of community that our society developed thousands of years ago. Fraternities, sororities, clubs and organizations are just some ways that UNR students find their likenesses.

As unlike our ancestors as we might be, our communities still provide support.

They carry the weight of our figurative (or literal) babies: stress from school, friends, work and relationships. Even as I write this letter on deadline (code for late), my friends at Insight joke and edit my error-laden work.

So readers, I implore you. When times get tough, let someone else carry your baby. And for goodness sake, outrun the mammoth!

Katie Goodwin Editor-in-Chief Katie Goodwin - Editor-in-Chief editor@unrinsight.com

Michael Gjurich - Multimedia Editor mgjurich@unrinsight.com

Jay Brissenden - Online Managing Editor jay@unrinsight.com

Jessie Gray - Assistant Multimedia Editor jessie@unrinsight.com

Sam DiSalvo - Print Managing Editor sam@unrinsight.com

Rachel Wright - Story Editor rachel@unrinsight.com

Geoff Roseborough - Design Editor geoff@unrinsight.com

Tara Verderosa - Story Editor tara@unrinsight.com

Sebastian Diaz - Photo Editor sebastian@unrinsight.com

Jazzmine Hudson - Publicity Director jazzmine@unrinsight.com

Derek Jordan - Webmaster webmaster@unrinsight.com

Nikki Grey - Web Story Editor nikki@unrinsight.com

The opinions expressed in this publication and its associated Web site are not necessarily those of the University of Nevada, Reno or the student body.

COVER PHOTO BY GEOFF ROSEBOROUGH

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www.unrinsight.com

Contributors: Rachel Alger Ray Eliot Marysa Falk Jess Ghisletta Samantha Pfisterer Cambria Roth Vicki Tam Amy Vigen Charlie Woodman

RACHEL WRIGHT

I grew up in the small town of Minden, NV. In my free time I enjoy reading, running, and pretty much any outdoor activity. My love for writing began at a young age, when I used to sit in my room and write fiction stories and poems. This love for writing turned into a passion after I wrote and did graphic design for my middle and high school yearbooks. By the time I was a freshman in high school, I already knew that I wanted to go to UNR and major in journalism. This was a goal I was determined to fulfill. After writing a couple of stories for Insight, I found a new passion: magazine writing. I know that I want to follow this career path and I’m excited to see what the future holds in terms of my writing!

Amy wrote “In Hindsight” on page 30.

Here’s the boring stuff about me. I’m (finally) graduating in May with a degree in journalism and digital media. I want to work in sports and never move back to Las Vegas, my hometown. I have a family and friends, and like them almost all of the time. I enjoy a number of hobbies, but also dislike things.

Here’s the information that makes me kind of awesome sometimes. My power animals are a Tyrannosaurus rex and Nicki Minaj. I like to sign my credit card receipts as “Magic Johnson.” One of my life goals is to race a cop. I’ve pet a baby lion before. I accidentally stabbed my mom once. I found out I was allergic to horses by ruining a Girl Scout trip. The SWAT team has been to my house...twice. I’ve eaten zebra, and it’s delicious. I’m afraid of whales. I’ve moshed onstage with the Dropkick Murphys. I marched in an Elvis Presley impersonator parade once. I got an A in one of my English classes thanks to my rapping skills. I hate Charlie Brown and the entire “Peanuts” gang. I punched someone in a haunted house.

Last but not least, if all goes according to plan, my degree will be made out to Rachel “Danger” Wright.

Writer

Story Editor

BEHIND [insight]

AMY VIGEN

2011 February | Insight | 5

Weekly Blogs:

Woman Writes

Monday

WORDS BY MARYSA FALK

Woman Writes: A feminist approach to current events

I Want My ESPN Please

The Political Machine: Eric Thornley follows politics.

Tuesday

This Band is Ugly: Charlie Woodman’s take on music.

Friday

Community Service: One student chronicles his experience as a volunteer.

Saturday

Overheard at UNR: Whose conversation will Sam DiSalvo hear next?

Sunday

Hollywood Briss: Jay Brissenden knows movies. He really knows movies.

There’s even more:

+ Photo galleries + Features and profiles + Music & movie reviews + Videos + Interactive graphics + Podcasts

Join the team!

Interested in writing, photography or multimedia? Insight meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Port of Subs in the Joe Crowley Student Union. For more information contact Jay Brissenden at jay@ unrinsight.com.

Women are not your average guys.

They can’t sit back with a beer and watch the game. They can’t understand “The Decision” without a pedicure and mimosa. They certainly can’t tune in for “SportsCenter” without their daily fix of beauty and fitness tips strewn in.

That’s what ESPN wants you to believe. espnW, a blog “for women who are passionate sports fans and athletes,” went viral in August. It’s the sports -news giant’s way of tapping into the biggest consumer-spending group in the world.

It’s an undisputed fact that women’s sports receive a disproportionately smaller amount of news coverage than men’s sports, but now ESPN is finding a way to please the women who have longed for a league of their own.

Or something like that.

This blog (which holds the spark plug to becoming its own channel, depending on its success) is simply offensive–offensive to me as a woman and as a passionate sports fan. Laura Gentile, Vice President of espnW said in an interview with USA Today that the sub-brand will take a more active approach to showing sports, but also on talking about “being healthy and connecting to other women.”

To read the rest of this blog, go to www.unrinsight.com.

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Month by Month: Clubs and Activities Crazy Clubs Around the Country Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota has the Mustache Club, which promotes upper lip hair and philanthropy simultaneously. The University of Wisconsin strives to express the joys of flying a kite in their Kite Runner club. All members construct their own kites. If whimsical activities like growing a mustache and flying kites aren’t your thing, there’s always the Columbia inspired SOS: Students for an Orwellian Society.

The group, now nationwide, promotes the ideals of Ingsoc, the totalitarian society first articulated by George Orwell in 1984. The group’s website offers several examples of what they believe to be “doublespeak” in contemporary society, comparing the US with Oceania. If you just want to go ahead and become Big Brother, the University of Minnesota offers Campus People Watchers. After a good people-watching session, they write about it and even travel to other schools to compare people watch findings. They say on their website that the act of people watching makes you “happier and healthier,” assuming that the people you’re watching are not looking or doing any better than you are.

Popular Degrees at UNR Business is the most commonly sought bachelor’s degree because of its multiple disciplines (marketing, accounting and finance) and its high demand in the job market. Accounting is said to be an ideal job because it has a low stress level and a high compensation level. The number of bachelor’s degrees in business are double the next popular bachelor’s degree, which is in social sciences in history. However, the most commonly received master’s and doctoral degree is in education. The most popular majors at University of Nevada, Reno are biology, business, criminology, general studies, journalism, nursing and psychology. Keeping with national statistics, business is the most common bachelor’s degree at UNR, while education is the most common master’s degree. Degrees in the health professions are the most common doctorate doctorate given out by UNR. Degrees in area, ethnic, cultural and gender are the least common bachelor’s degrees sought by UNR students.

Journalism Class goes to Super Bowl XLV Twenty Reynolds School of Journalism students are headed to Dallas this month to launch the “On Air” marketing campaign created for the Air National Guard. While launching the “On Air” campaign at a Dallas high school, the public relations problems class will also work at Super Bowl XLV as part of their trip.

High school students are encouraged to create and upload videos about an Air National Guard member who has had a positive impact on them. The video with the most votes across various social media sites will air before the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

2011 February | Insight | 7

PACK PROFILE WORDS BY RAY ELIOT PHOTOS BY RACHEL ALGER

Otis Gay

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f you’ve ever stayed late in the Joe Crowley Student Union, you’ve probably met him. If you haven’t, you’re sure to have heard him. His name is Otis Gay, and he is one of the custodians who works to keep our campus clean. People may not notice him, or they write him off for one reason or another. They’re idiots for doing this. Otis is probably one of the nicest guys working at the University—a genuine nice guy. Soon, though, he will be retiring from his work, something he looks forward to.

W

hen I sat down with Otis for this feature, I already had a friendly relationship with him, from spending many a late night at Wolf Pack Radio. He would come in late at night and we would talk, neither of us having much to do but chew the fat for awhile. Otis is a great person to talk with because he will talk about pretty much anything. I always listen, because I always learn something.

This is a guy who ran away from the family ranch at 16 to fight fires in California. He’s driven trucks cross country, worked ranches and even raised horses and monkeys. Everything that he has done is a learning experience, according to 8 | Insight | February 2011

Gay. Otis is a man that loves life, and he will let you know it.

His life is still full of adventure, as breeding and raising horses has become a huge part of his life. During his vacations, he rides them across the states, camping and fishing.

“A man should never live without a horse” Gay says.

When he retires, he wants to continue the adventure, traveling the world with his girlfriend.

He will talk to people about pretty much anything. He is just as happy talking about his work as when he is talking about his hobbies. Next time you’re in the Joe late at night, take some time and say hello to Otis. He’ll certainly have something to talk to you about; just be willing to learn.

2011 February | Insight | 9

Building a Sisterhood the benefits of joining a sorority

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he endless party hopping, late-night studying and relationships built are all part of the college experience. To add to the ‘experience’ students join organizations for purposes such as networking and professional experience, or just to have fun with friends. A prime example of this would be young college women joining sororities. It is a society of women on the University of Nevada, Reno campus designed to encourage and develop leadership, character, service and life-long friendship. While many may consider it a divine sisterhood, there’s more to being in a sorority than displayed in movies such as “Black Christmas” or “Sorority Row.” While there is often bonding involved, it’s probably not over a dead body.

When choosing a sorority to join, one starts the rushing process by becoming an ‘interest’ of a sorority. All Greeks advise girls to do plenty of research prior to rushing. Unsure of which sorority to pledge her first year, biochemistry major Melat Mengistu makes sure new interests are making the right decision for the right reasons. To start, interests should find out about each organization by visiting the website says Mengistu.

“I wasn’t looking at the stereotypes,” says Mengistu.“I looked at the friendliness and how I felt I fit within that sorority.”

Sororities are known to take on mul10 | Insight | February 2011

tiple community service efforts—each taking on a specific focus whether it is literacy, pregnant teens or the homeless. Mengistu, member of Kappa Alpha Theta, said her sorority do community service with Casa De Vida: a nonprofit that provides a home and support services for pregnant young women.

“We work with pregnant teens,” said Mengistu. “We provide them with necessities such as food and help them with tutoring.”

Many Greeks feel that joining a sorority can be extremely beneficial to one’s college career.

Ashley Huff, past Panhellenic Council President and recent criminal justice graduate, says it is all about the learning experience. Better known as a unified movement for Greeks, the Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the sororities on campus. The council governs over Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi, and Sigma Kappa.

“As President and member of Sigma Kappa I learned values and personal growth,” Huff says. “I learned how to be a leader, a public speaker, time-management and friendship building.”

With up to 90 women in the organization, members have the opportunity to know and understand each other says Mengistu. Many Greek members will agree that sorority life is extremely time consuming. According to Huff, there are

WORDS BY JAZZMINE HUDSON PHOTOS BY JESS GHISLETTA

many socials, events and meetings that require all members to attend.

“There are weekly meetings, philanthropies and recruitment throughout the year,” Mengistu says. “You learn a lot of time management. Attendance is always required and you work everything within your schedule.”

Many Greeks agreed that joining a sorority is a learning experience of a lifetime that one cannot find on one’s own.

“You fall in love,” says Jennifer Young, Pi Beta Phi alumni and journalism major. “Greek life is an encouraging community and a supportive group. There’s always that competitive nature between the chapters, but we all have each other’s back.”

By knowing what is important to oneself, it becomes easier to rush for a sorority. Francein James, a member of the multicultural sorority of Lambda Phi Xi, says it is important to know what you can offer the sorority, and what the sorority can offer you.

“A sorority offers positions of leadership, a foundation for a future, professionalism and self-confidence,” James says. “These girls are about evolving women, representing power and being (yourself ).”

Dues are also required for each pledge.

The base price can run you almost $1200 going towards initiation fees, housing and other national, state and regional chapter fees. Prices vary after the first se-

mester and usually drop in price depend- James says. “Their potential and what ing on the sorority. As a pledging, one is they are able to offer to the sorority as obligated to pay for pledging materials well as learn. The feelings of the sorority such as pledge pins, handbooks and members are taken into account as well.” paperwork needed to become a member Interests are then given a bid card as of the sorority. a formal invitation to join the sorority Members of Greek Life and the Panif they have met all the requirements. hellenic Council encourage girls to read They are also required to meet with the about their mottos, service efforts and recruitment council to answer any queslist of other things they are ‘allowed’ to tions and go over pledging information. disclose. Sororities are built on secrecy On bid day, all Greeks have a big festival. to keep age old traditions and rituals Pledges are given Greek life t-shirts and within the organization. Many sorority have a chance to mingle with the sorority members agreed that the best way to find they were invited to join. Finally, interwhich sorority best suit you is to spend ests participate in the pledging process. time with the chapter members. Before During this initiation period, pledges induction, pledges “rush” and spend time learn a particular sorority’s rituals, secrets, getting to know the personalities of each founding history and values. The pledgsorority. Known as Rush Week, pledges ing process is between six to 12 weeks get an opportunity to do so through depending on the sorority and how long various events put on by the Panhellenic it takes everyone to learn the informaCouncil. They are made-up of sorority tion. Afterwards, there are ceremonies, members to help guide girls through fall and in some cases, probates depending and spring recruitment. As an interest, on the sorority. A probate is an induction you go to each Chapter House for orien- ceremony where they introduce the new tation. Row Gammas, informally called line to the campus community. your recruiters, break you into groups of “It is the same as the 1800’s,” Huff approximately 30. During rush, interests take house tours and attend social events such as Skit Night and Preference Evening.

Skit Night is a social about chapter pop culture. Preference Evening is where interests choose three choices of their top chapter houses.

The final decision, however, lies in the hands of the chapter houses. The amount of girls to each house is mathematically calculated. Interests are chosen based on whether they have met the requirements for their particular chapter of choice. Factors such as campus involvement and the amount of activities attended during Rush Week can determine whether you’re eligible to pledge a sorority. Interests’ GPA are also looked at before pledging and they are provided with academic help two hours per week.

“We look at their personaliTHETA sisters say goodbye. ties and any past achievements,”

says. “Pledges learn the pillars of success, meaning of the organizations colors, and what is symbolic to the chapter. Later we set up socials for them to connect with the Greek community.”

Although Greek life is sometimes known for hazing, the University and Greeks say they do not tolerate any rituals involving abuse to their members.

Jeanine Menolascino, coordinator of Greek life and member of Alpha Phi, has experience with hazing situations within the Greek community. She sets up retreats and conferences for Greek members specifically geared towards policy training, and, though not requited, 70 percent of the Greek community attends.

These conferences address personal concerns, policies, Nevada statute and how to report the issue of hazing.

Nonetheless, all Greeks deny they use hazing tactics during the pledging process. The University takes hazing seriously and students are allowed to report misconduct to any university official said Menolascino.

Ultimately, a pledge becomes a part of a sorority, but not without tremendous responsibility.

“It takes academic excellence, passion, drive, time commitment, involvement and contribution,” Huff says.

Young advises that sororities are only worth what you put into it.

“Participating in events, communicating with the community and taking on officer positions broadens your experience,” Young says. “It provides more of a connection with your sisters and fellow Greeks.”

All Greeks would agree that if developing strong friendships, enhancing your leadership skills and committing to community services are part of your core values, then sorority life is for you.

“We are building a sisterhood,” Mengistu says. “It takes dedication and time commitment to be part of something bigger than you.”

2011 February | Insight | 11

A collection of some of the most inventive clubs on campus.

BLOOD LUMBER & APPLES A collection of some of the most inventive clubs on campus.

WORDS BY SAM DISALVO PHOTOS BY SEBASTIAN DIAZ

S

tudents who have been through freshman orientation in the past few years at the University of Nevada, Reno have all heard the club spiel—if you have an idea for a club you want to start on campus, get an advisor, some friends and start it. I dreamt of establishing a club that sang the praises of cake and demanded it at every university function, while also demanding that pie be prohibited on campus.

If pie were to surface on campus, the possessor would be expelled, pie faced and feathered, stoned to death, or worse—forced to eat fruitcake (an admittedly flawed invention on behalf of Team Cake) for all eternity. Sadly, my dreams of organizing Cake or Death never got off the ground (nor did my cake walk for childhood obesity fundraiser). This was not the case for these club founders

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A

story could have been written individually on each one of these clubs describing their level of dedication and enthusiasm. These clubs are the ones that may not strike students as typical, but have managed to captivate many students on campus through use of their creativity, innovation, and varying athletic ability.

APPLE POPPERS

Do you like taking out rage on helpless fruits? I remember that question being asked of me when I had my freshman orientation. Although initially offended and horrified, I soon learned about the young men of Apple Poppers and their club that centered around smacking apples with golf clubs. I would not partake for three years, but once I did, I was changed, and needed to track down the source of this dynamic transformation. Come to find out, the legend of the Poppers began with one man’s struggle to perfect his baseball skills.

“The idea of apple popping was a

compensation for my inability to hit an apple with a baseball bat,” Apple Poppers co-founder and 2009 UNR alumnus Mike Higdon says. Higdon and Apple Poppers co-founder Nick Coltrain worked at The Nevada Sagebrush in the 2007 spring semester and wanted to put together an intramural softball team with members of the staff. “At the time, I didn’t fully comprehend the ‘keep your eye on the ball’ concept and would kind of swing wildly at the apples with a baseball bat,” Higdon says. “I thought it prudent to keep the apple stable by putting it on the ground, but using a baseball bat on the ground wasn’t particularly graceful, so a golf club replaced the bat and apple popping was born.”

The beginnings of Apple Poppers included Coltrain and Higdon convincing (or “browbeating,” as some people referred to it) members of the Nevada Sagebrush to get ASUN sanctioned. At the time, ASUN was giving out $50 to any new club, but once the Apple Poppers corralled enough members, they did

Five or six of us were hitting apples in front of the student union one night, and a police officer comes us and asks what we’re doing. We offered him an apple to hit—and he did.” not receive any money.

“Alas, they had no cash when we came around, so it was almost a waste of time until we realized we could hit apples and be zany in public for the club fair in fall of ‘07,” says 2009 alumnus Coltrain.

“We even made a tarp-and-PVC pipe catcher for (the fair).”

After the smash at the club fair, Apple Poppers mostly dissipated. Aside from Higdon hearing that non-members had began to take part in late night popping on the quad, meetings ceased. The club was a distant memory, becoming merely an amusing resume filler than a breathing organization. That was until Apple Poppers was saved by 22-year-old business

2011 February | Insight | 13

major Eric Green when he sought out Green says the event wasn’t as successful the club in the fall of 2009. Green was as he had hoped, mostly due to people looking for a club to participate in and not wanting to look stupid.“It was really remembered hearing about the club at intimidating (for participants) to hit an his freshman orientation. He contacted apple on the spot because they might Higdon, who then gladly switched the miss,” Green says. “People didn’t want to presidency over to Green. Green applied pay a dollar to look like an idiot.” for funding from ASUN, with every Green says that doesn’t stop him, his cent going fellow club to purchase members “We need time to relax and do apples. Since or even law something absurd; something absurd enforcement then, he has added the that won’t get you expelled, arrested from taking philanthropic part in the or strung out in the gutter.” ingredient to joys of popthe club. In ping.

November, “The most Green united fun we’ve the forces had is the of Apple Poppers with Delta Sigma Pi, times when it’s been small with friends,” a fraternity he belonged to, in order to Green says. “Five or six of us were hitting raise money for Alzheimer’s. The event apples in front of the student union one provided clubs and apples for one dolnight, and a police officer comes us and lar a hit to anyone who wanted to try. asks what we’re doing. We offered him an apple to hit—and he did.”

Higdon believes the club is “a quintessentially college invention” and that, although humorous, it can be the ultimate relief for the inevitable pressures college will bring.

“In a time where your life is stressful, your days are long, your sleep is sparse and we’re all trying to race for something like ‘success,’ we need time to relax and do something absurd; something absurd that won’t get you expelled, arrested or strung out in the gutter,” Higdon 14 | Insight | February 2011

says. He adds that Apple Poppers’s lack of structure and seriousness is exactly why it’s appealing to the college crowd.

“You don’t pay dues, you don’t have to show up on time, you don’t have to be anywhere or really do anything,” Higdon says. “But, you can still in be in a club that means something to the people in it and still manages to have created a status for its members. And it’s a damn good conversation piece.”

Green says he plans to have more charity events and his goals otherwise are simply to “have fun, integrate as many people as possible in the organization, and to feed the hungry animals of the world.”

THE LUMBERJACK TEAM There is no doubt 21-year-old forestry management and range land management major James Gardner is the Lumberjack Team president; he is donning a Lumberjack Team sweatshirt, shorts and striped socks, as if this winter weather doesn’t even faze him anymore since he spends so much time working outside in the early morning. This guy looks like he could take down a tree with a snapped saw.

Gardner says the tradition of the UNR Lumberjack Team is one that is older than he is, and he took over the role of president in spring of 2010. Although the club technically counts as a class in the National Resources and Environmental Science department, it’s a class that many people train hard for and stay in long past the two semesters in which one can receive academic credit. Gardner, for example, is in his fourth semester of the class. The team meets at the Knudsen Research Center every other Saturday morning to fine tune their woodsmen skill. The arduous effort is out of both enjoyment and preparation for the Association of Western Forestry Clubs (AWFC) Conclave Competition which will take place at Cal Poly this spring.

The event involves treacherous timber sports, like obstacle courses that entail taking a 20 to 30 pound cable all the way through to tie it around a log, then

JAMES GARDNER is the president of Lumberjack team at the University of Nevada.

going back through the obstacle course, as if the participant is marking his or her territory in true lumberjack fashion.

Another event called the obstacle pull involves the participant running up an inclined log with a chainsaw, going all the way to the top, and chopping off a piece of the log, only to run back down the log. Gardner says the chainsaw is “hopefully” off at this point. These ax-wielding warriors strive for victory; safety can wait.

Of course, not all the events are for the brawny. Some are for those more skilled in tree identification—otherwise known as “nerd events” by the team.

Gardner says being skilled in these types of events is just a side effect of working hands-on with the trees for all the physical events. In other words, everyone on

the team can excel in these events. “(On the team) you learn a lot about trees that you wouldn’t learn in the classroom,” Gardner says. “I can do them all; it’s just a matter of ‘do I want to go do them?’ Physical events are more fun.”

The team has done well at Conclave in the past. Gardner, for example, has placed first in the caber toss, which he describes as “throwing a really big stick as far as you can.” He says, given the limited resources of Nevada’s area, the team pulls through at competitions.

In fact, some of the handicaps of using Nevada’s resources actually give them an advantage when competing.

“We typically practice with pine,” Gardner says. “Ideally, we’d like hard woods like cottonwood and aspen, but

they’re hard to come by in Nevada.

That’s what they use in competition, and our axes and saws do better in them. They don’t get dull as fast. It’s like cutting through butter in comparison to the pine.”

Until the competition, Gardner wants to get the word out about the Lumberjack Team and get funds for the team.

Although items such as firewood permits and fuel for the chainsaws are paid for out of Gardner’s own pocket, the team does sell firewood to try and raise money for other expenses. They collect, cut and split the wood themselves.

Gardner says people have misconceptions about the Lumberjack Team, such as the members simply being a bunch of people in flannel who like to cut down trees for fun. Although Gardner 2011 February | Insight | 15

says that what they do is “amazingly besides Shakespeare. fun,” it’s not without a purpose. They “I enjoyed it because it’s funny and difuse the wood they cut for firewood and ferent than any other play I’ve read,” says for practice; they cut 23-year-old Rhea. “It “You don’t need any wood to help the was good to read a play environment, not to that wasn’t written by wigs, tights, daggers, destroy it.

Shakespeare, (and) to skulls or talent. You “We’re thinning know there were other the stand so the stand only need enthusiasm.” playwrights during that will be healthier,” time.”

Gardner says. “If you The readings typicallet them grow and ly have between 13 and grow, it becomes a fire 18 people, with some hazard. If the fire rips actors having to double through, then there will be no trees.” up on roles, which can become confusThe winter obligation of chopping ing, yet equally entertaining. Club treawood has become a sport, a diversion surer and dual English and International and a crusade for the brave on the LumAffairs major Christy Markwell attributes berjack Team. much of the entertainment to the coldread nature of these readings.“We all get to do a little impromptu acting, which is THE BLOOD, LOVE AND sometimes hilarious, sometimes uncomRHETORIC SCHOOL fortable,” says 21-year-old Markwell.

“Sometimes accents are required. MarThe all-inclusive name comes from dock is usually the only person who has Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz & had time to read the entire play through, Guildenstern Are Dead, and the memso we all do our best with it. No practice. bers of UNR’s Blood, Love and Rhetoric No do-overs. That’s half the fun.”

School do their best to incorporate all Mardock agrees that the fun comes three of those elements into their own from the people who are assembled and performances. Advised by English profesthe atmosphere created. It’s less about sor James Mardock, the club’s members getting the perfect performance, and try to get together regularly to informally more about enjoying one’s self and havread early English plays as a performance ing the right attitude. art. Mardock typically puts up posters in “You don’t need any wigs, tights, the English department and advertises daggers, skulls or talent,” Mardock says. on the Blood, Love and Rhetoric School’s “You only need enthusiasm.”

Facebook page about upcoming perforClub member and English major Ammances. People RSVP to Mardock and ber Johnson says the club is very relaxed, he determines what role they will read in and it’s enjoyable no matter what level of the play and emails the script to the actalent or confidence a person has. tors. Contrary to popular belief, the plays “I’m really shy, but when I go to meetare not typically Shakespearean. Though ings, it’s really laid back and there’s no the school has put on Titus Andronipressure to be amazing,” says 21-year-old cus, they have also performed tragedies Johnson. such as John Webster’s The Duchess of Rhea adds that being willing to go Malfi (1612) as well as comedies such slightly outside one’s comfort zone is key as Thomas Dekker’s The Shoemaker’s to getting the most out of the reading.

Holiday (1599). In fact, president of “Be open and take risks,” Rhea says. the club and secondary education major “Be flexible to try parts that you may Nic Rhea says his favorite reading was have originally thought were not for Ben Jonson’s Every Man in His Humour you.”

(1598) because it taught him about the The venues for these performances style of other early English playwrights range from casual places like Mardock’s 16 | Insight | February 2011

home to bars such as Se7en Teahouse.

Mardock first experienced this type of performance while completing his masters degree at the Shakespeare Institute and desired to bring the tradition to UNR. He started up the club in 2007, recruiting most of the members from the classes he taught on drama of the middle ages and early Renaissance. Mardock estimates they’ve done about 15 readings since the club was established, and he is impressed with the club’s growth since its start.

“I’m really quite gratified that there’s enough interest even if [students] are not getting [academic] credit for it,” Mardock says. “They’re doing it for fun and love.”

As the club continues to grow, members unanimously agree that they’d really like to fund a trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Mardock says that it would not only make a fun road trip, but would expose students to performance that isn’t present in Reno.

Until then, the club continues to glorify (or butcher) early English plays in a way that is spreading across the community, and are always looking for fresh blood to come read. *** These are just a few of the many innovative clubs on campus. For more information, you can visit http://asunclubs. orgsync.com/ to find a club that suits your fancy, or to see how you can start your own newfangled organization.

2011 February | Insight | 17

Students for Liberty aim to expose absurdity of student government WORDS BY CAMBRIA ROTH PHOTOS COURTESY OF STUDENTS FOR LIBERTY

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here are nearly 200 student groups on campus, but no group has stirred up the amount of controversy within the student government that Abolish ASUN has this year. The name insinuates to most that it is merely a group that calls for an end to the University of Nevada, Reno student government.

However, the club’s motives are easily misconstrued and actually aim to do much more.

“The whole point of the movement is for people to understand the nature of bureaucracies and governments,” says Abolish ASUN president Barry Belmont.

“It’s to foster discussions about how people let authorities manage and allocate their resources. Essentially the idea is for people to draw the larger parallel to real governments when they think their student government does dumb things.”

Belmont says, while there is no direct mission, they strive to educate others and bring attention to the errors in government.

“Our pointlessness is intrinsically tied to the inherent pointlessness of all governments (and) all bureaucracies,” says Belmont.

While Abolish ASUN feels that government is pointless, the student government sets out to represent the people and promote personal opinions and beliefs.

“I believe the creation of Abolish ASUN represents what the student government stands for, in that any opinions or views are open for free expression, and 18 | Insight | February 2011

we encourage just that,” says ASUN president Charlie Jose.

After researching for other methods to improve student government and finding no result, UNR Students for Liberty posted a petition in February of 2010 that called for the abolishment of ASUN. The petition on the clubs website, AbolishASUN.com, states five things that are wrong with ASUN. First, that ASUN is doubling student fees with no end in sight. Second, that ASUN justifies their waste through the inexperience of elected “leaders”. Thirdly, ASUN is elected by only 12% of the undergraduate population, yet controls 100% of everyone’s ASUN fee. Fourthly, ASUN currently will collect at least $600 per student during the college education.

And lastly, that ASUN redistributes funds from the apathetic to the annoyingly active.

These reasons led to the members of Students for Liberty seeking the establishment of Abolish ASUN as an official club at the University. However, it was hard work and dedication that eventually led to the club being recognized in ASUN.

5 things Abolish ASUN say are wrong with ASUN: • Doubling student fees • Justifies waste through the inexperience of elected learders • ASUN is elected by only 12% of undergrads and controls 100% of ASUN fees • Collects at least $600 per student by graduation • Redistributes funds from the apathetic to the active

In September of 2010, Abolish ASUN was denied club recognition because they failed to bring a faculty adviser to the hearing or give notice that one would not be present. The Poi Club, another unrecognized club, also failed to uphold to the same requirements, yet was given recognition, according to audio minutes of a club commission hearing. This immediately led to accusations of discrimination against the club because of what they stood for.

“The process of becoming and maintaining a club is too hard and too easy in all the wrong places,” Belmont says.

“However, since it is a governmental institution in charge of establishing those rules and procedures, they are unable to properly gauge how to correct these issues. They lack the fundamental corrective nature of a market.”

However, ASUN denied those allegations and stated that they upheld the policies for each and every club that was recognized.

“I think the confusion about whether or not ASUN enforced this with other clubs is the fact that other clubs provided written notice prior to

the funding hearing that their adviser would not be present,” Jose says.

Abolish ASUN arranged for an appeal of recognition and were then approved in less than thirty seconds. Once approved, Abolish ASUN decided to test the funding policies of ASUN and received $4,995 in less than 15 minutes. Last March, Students for Liberty used more than $3,000 to fund a carnival with ponies, pizza and bounce houses to spread the word about the petition for Abolish ASUN. Abolish ASUN used more than $900 in October to illustrate that public goods will lead to rationing or shortages.

Hundreds of students lined up outside of Las Trojes, a Mexican restaurant in the Ansari Business building, to receive free food. Within twenty minutes, the money was spent for the event and several students walked away with grocery bags filled with free tacos and burritos.

“The idea that an organization in charge of properly managing funds would allocate a significant portion of those funds to a movement that expressly states that it will mismanage those funds speaks to the ridiculous situation that governmental systems place people in,” Belmont says. “We

buy ponies for everyone to enjoy, we buy enough pizza for everyone to get a slice, we get bounce houses for everyone to play on. We waste our money for everybody.”

The Club Commissioner was not available for comment on the issue of funding Abolish ASUN. By establishing Students for Liberty and Abolish ASUN, Belmont set out to understand who was right, ASUN or these clubs. Belmont knew that his “arguments were sound, his evidence was freely available and he had logic straightforward.” He believed if ASUN was correct and could present solid evidence, he would have to accept it.

“It appears, time and time again, that the claims I make about a number of topics like money mismanagement, inefficiencies and poor decisions seem to invariably manifest themselves in the institution,” Belmont says.

Whether students agree or disagree with what this club stands for, no one can deny the impact it is having on the University of Nevada-Reno campus. For better or for worse, students are questioning where their money is going.

2011 February | Insight | 19

Athletic Music: What it takes to be in a marching band WORDS BY CHARLIE WOODMAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WOLF PACK MARCHING BAND

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fter a week of soaking, the strips of wood are pulled from the solution. He spends a couple of hours shaping them to his liking. They need to be thin, they need to be perfect. Too much force and they crack, becoming unusable. After all those hours of soaking, crafting and sculpting, he is finally ready to begin.

Music major Matt Facque is a bassoon player for the University of Reno, Nevada’s band. To be more precise, he is the only bassoon player in UNR’s band. In order to play for the band, he spends hours crafting reeds (small wooden chips that produce the sound in his bassoon’s mouthpiece) before he can even begin to practice. Not including reed preparation, Facque says he still practices “probably around 18 hours” per week.

Despite his many hours of practice, Facque

20 | Insight | February 2011

says he didn’t join the Wolf Pack Marching Band because of the daunting time commitment being a part of the band entailed.

And Facque isn’t alone; many players in the university band are not members of the marching band because the two organizations are very different. The regular band practices indoors, and host concerts in the Nightingale Concert Hall on campus several times each semester. They prefer to work on classically arranged music, perform in tuxedos or formal dresses, and are conducted by a professor. On the other hand, the Wolf Pack Marching Band performs on a football field, wears uniforms plastered with hundreds of sequins, are conducted by a fellow student (called the Drum Major) and play music selected to pump students full of school spirit.

A good number of students see the marching band perform during the half time show at UNR’s home and occasionally away football games, but what they don’t see is the staggering amount of work every marcher puts into each performance.

While the marching performers appear to carry themselves with ease, it takes a lot of muscle strength to carry their heavy brass instruments, march with excellent posture in controlled, fluid movements, and actually play at an audible level. “Other people refer to it as an athletic band, and it is,” says Will Marsh, the band’s Drum Major.

And like any athletic sport, Marching Band requires a lot of practice. Before

school starts, the marching band meets for a week in order to begin working on their routine. Once semester begins, members attend six practice hours each school week.

When game day finally comes, they fine tune their performance for six hours before the game, including the four hours each football game takes. This means that most weekends for the marching band have a 10 hour work day. On top of all that scheduled practice, members are expected to practice and memorize the music on their own.

Drum Major Marsh’s position looks easy, but is actually rather difficult. He’s the student who stands in front of the band, moving his hands to match the beat for each performance. Every member of the band relies on him to keep time, remember all the time changes, and conduct the music, all without missing a beat. Marsh says that, while it’s a lot of hard work, he enjoys being a part of the band. “Knowing that the crowd appreciates you there, it’s like community service… It’s like volunteer work, we entertain people,” Marsh says.

“Plus you get to go to the games.”

And the games really do mean something to members of the marching band: when the football team succeeds, they get to travel. Every year, they try to plan for

at least one large marching band trip. This year, the marching band accompanied the Wolf Pack to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

They worked hard to make sure they were at their best when Nevada beat Boston.

Marsh says that performing at the bowl felt like an accomplishment. “It was just a great honor to march at AT&T Park,” Marsh says. “Very few people get to set foot on that field.”

The group activities, from grueling practice hours to fun road trips, build a strong sense of community between the marching

band members, but marching band isn’t for every music fan. Music major Kevin Swanson chooses to play in the school orchestra because it’s an opportunity to stand out instead of blend in. “All the parts are more solo parts” Swanson says. “You don’t have the rest of the section backing you.”

And even though Swanson doesn’t march any more, he does still concede that being a marching band member is a lot of work.

“A lot of work” might be an understatement.

2011 February | Insight | 21

Global Voices Breaking down stereotypes among culture

WORDS BY VICKI TAM PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLOBAL VOICES

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hortly after New Year’s Day, a group of high school and college students prepared to fly out of the country for a place in need of their service. Traveling at least 2,000 miles away from Reno to a town in Mexico named Loreto, they learned to form long-lasting bonds of friendship through living together as a small family, working in activity workshops and doing minor construction. Not only do these students plan to make a difference globally, but they also take what they’ve learned from their experiences to reform their own communities locally. They are whom Lennon would call dreamers.

22 | Insight | February 2011

G

lobal Voice was founded in 2003 by Co-Founder of Community Chest, Inc. Deborah Loesch-Griffin, along with her sons Nevada and Cody Griffin and their good friend, Alix Cirac, during a world trip to Northern Ireland. The hands-on youth volunteer program focuses on servicelearning (a concept in which people learn through providing services to others) to overcome stereotypes between cultures and develop leadership skills to achieve social justice in local and global communities. It is one of many programs within Community Chest Inc., a non-profit organization in Virginia City that works to serve youths and families for a better tomorrow.

“You just feel good about yourself when you’re done,” says Global Voice member and chemistry major Joshua Hughes, 21. “You have fun while you’re down there [and] you’re giving back. It’s not all about me, me, me. I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life.”

Since their first cultural exchange in 2003, Global Voice has traveled to Teacapan (2006 & 2010), Loreto (2008 & 2011), and Ajijic (2009) in Mexico. Even though, the group has been to these cities and towns in previous years, they have worked with different schools within the community.

“You can really see how people in other countries and cultures live, and how little things that we don’t think [about] affect their daily life,” says coleader of Global Voice and journalism major Rachel Breithaupt, 21.

On previous trips, welcome ceremonies were hosted for the Global Voice group by the visiting town in Mexico to show their appreciation. In the past, the youths that Global Voice works with, ranging in ages from infants to early teens, have given little inexpensive gifts to the Global Voice members such as magnets, candy, jewelry sets, and crafts that they’ve made.

“One of the kids last year gave me a little necklace, earring set, and a little bracelet,” Breithaupt says. “(And they would give me) all these little notes that they would write (to) me: ‘Rachel, it’s

such great pleasure to know you. Rachel, you’re a very good friend and it gave me such pleasure to meet you. I hope that you return soon.’’’

Traveling to Loreto Again After sorting through scattered supplies of colored markers, flattened basketballs, colored paper, and paintbrushes into two black suitcases, the youth group prepared to travel to Loreto, Mexico in early January; their mission being to service a community as well as develop a strong bond with the people there.

Upon arrival, Global Voice spends their time working on various projects and workshops to promote their major goals of leadership, service-learning, and a cultural exchange of two different cultures.

“We’re going to do a lot of crafts with the kids because we want to be personal with them so we can get to know more about them,” Breithaupt says. “That’s a really big part of the cultural experience, being with them and seeing how they live. You can really learn that while you’re making a book or while doing an activity. You can learn a lot about people in different ways like that.”

For several years, the program con-

sisted of more high school students than college students, but this year, there are more college volunteers. Because three members have gone to Loreto previously in 2008, the group planned to do similar projects, such as painting dormitories at schools. During their time in Mexico this year, they have planned new projects like making a bike trail and working with a special needs children facility.

“I’ve never been to Mexico (and) I’ve never really gone on a volunteer group,” says new Global Voice member Peter Zikos, 21, about his first Loreto trip. “I don’t even help out kids and volunteer here in Reno, so to go into a country that I barely speak the language and be helping out a bunch of strangers who are going to affect me too. It’s exciting.”

Both American and Mexican youths work together on projects that may require minor construction, such as building a chicken coop, repairing damages, and providing basketball courts.

Not only do they bond together through physical labor, but they also come together to pick up trash, paint murals, and learn about each others culture through activity workshops, such as cooking, making journals, and dancing. One of the main goals for Global Voice is to establish a cultural exchange 2011 February | Insight | 23

between youths of different cultures. To do just that, each member of the group is responsible for their own workshop, in which they teach and engage the youths in activities they enjoy. Previously, Hughes has taught youths to juggle, and this year’s trip will be no different. One of his cherished Global Voice memories was when a student he was teaching to juggle finally was able to do the task successfully.

“One of my favorite parts of the whole Global Voice crusade is the group dynamic, like the people you go with,” Hughes says. “You become really good friends with (them). You live in close quarters. You’re eating meals together.

You’re problem-solving, (and) you’re working together.”

24 | Insight | February 2011

For Hughes’s 19-year-old brother, Jaycob, a political science major, his first year with Global Voice started when he was a sophomore in high school. His specialty workshop is cooking, in which he teaches his students how to make a quiche and small snacks.

“I called it ‘Cooking with Hot Coco’ (because) that’s how they say ‘Jaycob’ in Spanish—that’s what I was told,” Jaycob says. “It’s kind of weird for them because normally, they only allow the girls to cook, so it was weird for them to let me do that.”

Behind the Scenes Planning Before flying to another country, the volunteer program begins planning

months before its yearly trip in January.

Sometime between mid-September and October, Global Voice started planning for their most recent trip to Loreto. Like many trips beforehand, they had to fundraise and meet continuously until they left the United States.

“It is fun and it’s a good learning experience, but we can’t just go down there and wing it,” Breithaupt says. “It has to be something that is organized. It’s a commitment.”

They plan their flights and collect health and passport documents, applications, and the activities they will be doing in another country for two weeks.

Many of their trips are based on local connections and contacts that allow the group to find a place to stay together.

“Having a partner in a country is another way that we organize these trips so we don’t have to scramble as much,” says Darren McKay, co-leader of Global Voice and Youth Enrichment Specialist at Community Chest Inc. “When we get down there, it’s like day one—we’re going to go meet all these organizations, size up the projects, meet everyone involved, and then we go back and brainstorm, figure out if our plans that we made are going to work and what we need to do.”

With these contacts in another country, Loesch-Griffin sees it as a way to get closer to the community that the Global Voice group will be working with.

“We don’t just show up some place and don’t have in our minds necessarily what we think we should be doing,” Loesch-Griffin says. “It’s really a conversation with the community or the school we work with.”

For this recent Loreto trip, the group hosted a Haunted House in Virginia City, a benefit show with a few local bands downtown, and a hunger banquet as their fundraising events. Such grants as the Hart Foundation and Kohl’s Associates in Action also help pay for some of the trip’s costs. But, even after their trip, they had to host more fundraising events.

Some other challenges the group faces include being able to find the right supplies to complete a certain task, work within the short two-week period and overcoming the language barriers.

“Some people say ‘Oh, the language barrier doesn’t really matter,’ but when you’re trying to find specific things, like you don’t know how to say ‘screwdriver,’ or when you’re trying to sort out times or places to meet, that’s kind of a big deal not being able to speak fluently in Spanish,” Hughes says. “But, at the same time, you can overcome it by having someone who can speak fluently in Spanish talk to the person you want to talk to.”

Traveling about 2,000 miles away and developing leadership skills through service-learning is not all that the youths do in this program. They take what they’ve learned from their experiences

and transform them into projects within their local communities.

“We want to come back here and see how our community can change and see what we can do to make our place better,” Breithaupt says. “It’s not like we’re just going abroad and having this fun trip and remembering these things, and then come back and forget about them.”

In mid-April, the group participates in an annual worldwide event called Global Youth Service Day, in which youths become involved in their communities and countries through volunteer service projects. Aside from volunteering and creating friendships, the group also keeps records of their activities through journaling and blogging. By keeping documentations of their trip, they are able to look at what they’ve done for other people, and from there, they can begin planning for Global Youth Service Day, one of the largest youth community events in the world. Each year, they bring a group journal for each member to write anything about the trip so that they can reflect on the main purposes of Global Voice and to remember what they have done.

“Each person writes a reflection about an experience that they learned through-

out the day, the activities that we did, something that happened,” Breithaupt says. “Whatever they want—we leave it to each person to decide what they want to write.”

As a program that is stationed in Virginia City, Global Voice has done projects within Storey County in Nevada.

They’ve done projects such as revamping a park just outside their county and setting up a community garden at Community Chest Inc. For Jaycob, he was one of the people in charged of the garden project that involved the entire Virginia City High School.

“We got a day that the teachers and the principal let us take all the kids and do various community service projects around town like cleaning up garbage and repainting signs for businesses,” Jaycob says. “I think it’s good for them to have that opportunity given to them rather than having them going out and finding it.”

2011 February | Insight | 25

How to Join Global Voice Every year, both new and seasoned Global Voice members fill out an application and pay a deposit fee of a $100, but the program costs vary depending on the amount of funds raised and how many people are attending next year’s trip. The application only asks applicants to have a committed attitude throughout the year as they begin planning.

“I know I tell people about it.,” Jaycob says. “Word of mouth is huge. If you have friends who have done similar things in the past, then they’re often interested in doing more.”

Global Voice is not only a volunteer and service program, but a program that allows youths to understand different cultural traditions between the people of another country and themselves. It also promotes leadership skills as the group travels to learn about other cultures and then continue to educate others about what they can do to help.

“The purpose to the cultural exchange is not that to just service another community and learn their cultural traditions so that they get a whole different way of thinking about what does it mean to be in a community, [but to] look at where we are in our community-building process and what can we do as young people to educate others [and to] raise awareness,” Loesch-Griffin says.

26 | Insight | February 2011

To apply for Global Voice, contact Coleader Global Voice member Darren McKay via email: communitychestdarren@gmail.com or visit the Community Chest Inc. web-page at: http://www.communitychestnevada.net/. You can also find Global Voice’s Facebook profile and blog at http://globalvoice2011.blogspot.com/.

2011 February | Insight | 27

FEBRUARY EVENTS ALBUM RELEASES Feb. 8 Tao of the Dead, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Feb. 14 Let England Shake, PJ Harvey Hotel Shampoo, Gruff Rhys Feb. 15 The People’s Key, Bright Eyes Degeneration Street, The Dears 100 Lovers, Devotchka Simon Werner a Disparu, Sonic Youth Elgin, Ginuwine

THEATRE Feb. 3-5 Shakespeare’s Richard III, Bruka Theatre, 323-3221; www.bruka.org Feb. 11 & 13 Samuel Barber’s Vanessa, Pioneer Center, 686-6600; www.pioneercenter.com Feb.18, 19, 24, 25, 26 History Of America Abridged Bruka Theatre, 323-3221; www.bruka.org Feb. 25, 26 Fat Pig, Nevada Repertory Co., Nightingale Concert Hall, 784-6829; www.unr.edu/nevadarep

MUSIC/SHOWS Feb. 2 Dead Kennedys at Whiskey Dicks, 9:00 p.m., 21+, 530-544-3425, $20

28 | Insight | February 2011

Feb 8 Rob Zombie at the Knitting Factory, 8 p.m., all ages, www.knittingfactory.com

ROB ZOMBIE

Feb 11, 12 Bassnectar at Montbleu Resort, Spa & Casino, 8:00 p.m., All Ages, www. montbleuresort.com/ Feb 17 Chromeo at Knitting Factory, 8 p.m., all ages, www.knittingfactory.com, $22-50

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Feb. 6 Russian Festival with food, vendors performances and more. 1 p.m., www. renorussians.wordpress.com; $5 students Feb. 7 Student budget forum with President Glick and Provost Johnson, 5 p.m., JCSU theater Feb. 8 Comedian night presented by Flipside Productions, 7 p.m., JCSU ballroom C Feb. 10 Spring movies series screens “Due Date” at 6 and 9 p.m. at the JCSU theater.

Feb. 13 A Valentine’s Day concert performed by Reno Wind symphony at the Nightingale Concert Hall, 3 p.m., free.

Feb. 17 Spring movies series screens “Deathly Hallows” at 6 and 9 p.m. at the JCSU theater.

PJ HARVEY

C

Februa

Friday, F Starbuc Saturda Rock Ban Friday, F Lombard Saturda Rock Ban Friday, F Starbuc Saturda Rock Ban Friday, F Starbuc Saturda Cantina

Campu event always nights gym c late-n

Campus Underground Your one-stop shop for late-night activities at Nevada!

March February Friday, February 4 -- Stand-Up Comedy Starbucks inside the Joe @9:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 5 -- Dance Lesson @ 15th St. Food Court @ 9:00 p.m.

Rock Band Tournament (week 1) @ Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, February 11 -- Indoor Triathalon Lombardi Rec. @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 12 -- Dance Lesson @ 15th St. Food Court @ 9:00 p.m.

Rock Band Tournament (week 2) @ Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, February 18 -- Trivia Night Starbucks in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 19 -- Dance Lesson @ 15th St. Food Court @ 9:00 p.m.

Rock Band Tournament (Final Week) @ Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, February 25 -- Open Mic Night Starbucks in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 26 -- Poker Night Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

Campus Underground hosts FREE weekend events on campus so every student can always find something to do! From poker nights & comedians to video games & Lombardi gym challenges, Campus Underground has the late-night acitivity for you!

All events are FREE!

Friday, March 4 -- Zumba & Ultimate Frisbee Lombardi Rec. @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, march 5 -- “Super Troopers” & “Monty Python & The Holy Grail” Movies & Costume COntest Theatre in the Joe @ 8:00 p.m. (Doors @ 7:30) Friday, March 25 -- Trivia Night Starbucks in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 26 -- Poker Night Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

April Friday, April 1 -- COmedy Series Theatre in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m. (Doors @ 8:30) Saturday, April 2 -- Scavenger Hunt Across UNR Joe Crowley Student Union @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 8 -- CrossFit COmpetition (week 1) Lombardi ReC. @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 9 -- Capture the Flag Front of Ansari Business Building @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 15 -- CrossFit COmpetition (week 2) Lombardi ReC. @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 -- Hypnotist Theatre in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m. (Doors at 8:30) Friday, April 22 -- CrossFit COmpetition (Final Week) Lombardi ReC. @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 23 -- Poker Night Cantina del Lobo @ 9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 29 -- Live Music Starbucks in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 30 -- COmedy Series Theatre in the Joe @ 9:00 p.m. (Doors @ 8:30)

More info at facebook.com/campusunderground and unr.edu/campusunderground!

2011 February | Insight | 29

In Hindsight

M

Glee

WORDS BY AMY VIGEN PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARTEMISIA

ore than 100 years ago, women of the University of Nevada, Reno organized the first Glee Club. It was the year 1905 when the Glee Club was created for woman with an interest in vocal music. It dwindled after a year or so and went out of existence, but was soon re-created under the organization of director Charles Haseman in 1913. That year that the men’s Glee Club was also created. Glee Club became a permanent college organization in 1922.

T

he purpose of Glee Club was, as written in the 1922 Artemisia, to “stimulate an interest in music on the campus; to build up a repertoire of singable choruses for its members, thereby creating a taste for the best in music; to further train the voices of its members, and to furnish vocal music for the various college activities.”

As they continued to add members, the men’s and women’s Glee Clubs performed at various events including faculty functions and the Commencement ceremony at the university. The Glee Clubs traveled to cities and towns across Nevada including Elko, Winnemucca and Gardnerville to perform concerts. In 1932, the Glee clubs faced financial difficulties that led to the cancellation of a concert in San Francisco by the Northern California and Nevada districts 30 | Insight | February 2011

of Associated Glee Clubs of America. However, even with the financial crisis faced during this year, the men’s Glee Club took part in more concerts and activities than during any previous year, as written in the 1932 Artemisia.

Four years later, in 1936, the men’s and women’s Glee Clubs faced a year of great change when they were consolidated into one group called the Campus Choral Club.

With this change came “one of the most successful years in university history of the Women’s Glee Club,” as written in the 1936 Artemisia. Today, Glee Club and the Campus Choral club no longer exist at UNR. No ties link them to current clubs at the university, but they can be remembered and looked back upon through numerous black and white photos in the university’s old Artemisias.

1913

SIA

1921

1921

2011 February | Insight | 31

JESS GHISLETTA

This publication is made possible by the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno

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