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Emily DeLanzo brings you the Hike of the Week

Friday, March 30, 2012 Issue 51

E D I T O R I A L L Y

Vol. 119

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906

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http://utdailybeacon.com N E W S P A P E R

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T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

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T E N N E S S E E

FUEL carries 2012 SGA election Victoria Wright Student Life Editor Despite widespread student support for REVOLT’s policy initiative, voters this year soundly elected FUEL’s representatives. Adam Roddy, junior in political science, won the presidential election with just over 8 percent of student body support. The FUEL campaign carried the day, but REVOLT’s referendum received widespread student support with 4,287 votes. “We are so estatic that the referendum has passed with overwhelming majority,” Eric Dixon, vice presidential candidate for REVOLT, said. “SGA next year will carry that and see it through and the administration will really view this as something that’s a madate from the students and something that they will be amendable to.” Roddy was relieved that the tedious campaign process was over. “It was a big weight off of our shoulders,” Roddy said. “This week was very hectic and it was very stressful in a lot of ways, but it’s really rewarding to see all of these people here who just won senate seats and are really passionate.” Terry Nowell, junior in BCMB, won as FUEL’s vice

presidential candidate with 2,515 votes and Taelor Olive, junior in BCMB, won as FUEL’s student services director with 2,416. Nowell said despite not having all of FUEL’s senatorial candidates in office, he beleives senatorial relations should run smoothly. “I think (senatorial work) is something that’s really easy and once you get in senate, it’s a great equalizer,” Nowell said. Nowell served as a senator for the REACH campaign last year and this year found himself working with SPARK senators, the opposing campaign. “In all reality, it ended up being one of the greatest working relationships because it brought us in touch with different ideas and a passion for changing the university,” Nowell said. Daniel Aycock, REVOLT’s presidential candidate, was proud that some Revolt senators will serve in office, but was also pleased to make a strong connection with students during campaign week. “I think we started a structural and cultural conversation on campus,” Aycock said. “One of our main goals was to start a movement, and to let students know they can be Tara Sripunvoraskul • The Daily Beacon engaged stake holders in their experiences.” Adam Roddy, new SGA president, Terry Nowell, SGA vice president, and Taelor Olive, Student Services Director, celebrate their election win on March 29. Despite FUEL winning the majority of the positions, the student referSee SGA on Page 2 endum, started by Eric Dixon and a major part of Revolt's policy, passed as well.

Class Skypes with Titans player Matt Dixon Sports Editor Most University of Georgia football players aren’t well received by Volunteers fans. But most football players aren’t like Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon. Witherspoon, who played for the Bulldogs from 1998-2001, spent over 30 minutes on Tuesday doing a Skype interview with Dr. Amber Roessner’s advanced sports reporting class (JEM 475). “When I first contacted Will, I was in a bit of a crunch because my initial guest speaker for that class had fallen through,” Roessner said. “He agreed to do it, literally, with one day notice of off a Facebook message. “I was really surprised with how long he was willing to talk with our class. I knew Will when I was a young student journalist working at the University of Georgia’s student newspaper, the Red and Black. I was a sports reporter there and he was on the football team.” The interview was originally scheduled to take place on March 13, the Tuesday before Spring Break, but a timing issue came up

where Dr. Roessner and her class were expecting Witherspoon to Skype at 2:30 EST, but Witherspoon believed it was at 2:30 CST. When the interview finally took place, the 10-year NFL veteran discussed his journey through professional football, as well as his unique life away from the gridiron. “It was a great learning experience for our class,” Jason Hall, senior in journalism and electronic media, said. “Will Witherspoon seems to represent both the Titans and the NFL positively and was nothing short of kind and courteous to our class. Dr. Roessner also deserves credit for scheduling such an interesting guest. It was a nice change of pace from UT-oriented assignments and definitely an interesting assignment.” Witherspoon was raised in a military family and lived in Germany, England and Arizona growing up. He said he didn’t live in the U.S. full-time until he was 11 or 12. The different experiences help him now, in a business where players often change teams, because he’s been able to adapt to the different environments and cultures of NFL teams and cities. Witherspoon’s played for four teams: Carolina (2002-’05), St. Louis (’06-’09), Philadelphia (’09) and Tennessee (2010-current). See WITHERSPOON on Page 6

Matt Dixon • The Daily Beacon

Students in Dr. Amber Roessner’s JEM 475 class prepare to interview Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon on Tuesday via Skype. The NFL player answered the classes’ questions on various topics for over 30 minutes.

Vol Night Long promises to take everyone back to their childhood Wesley Mills Staff Writer For many, the 1990s were categorized by Dunkaroos, “Boy Meets World,” and *NSYNC, and on Friday night at the TRECS, UT students can relive all of that and more. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. students are invited to Vol Night Long, an event sponsored by the Campus Entertainment Board (CEB). The event is a ’90s-themed night filled with interactive games and the potential to make new friends while hanging out with old ones. Kelsea Hickman, committee vice-chair of CEB and senior in communication studies, said that the ’90s theme should really push people over the edge for wanting to come. “Who doesn’t love reliving their childhood at our age?” Hickman said. “We are pushing really hard to make it even bigger than last semester.” Over 600 students attended in the fall, the largest crowd ever for Vol Night Long. But Hickman said that they are really pushing for 1,000 plus on Friday night. “It’s open to anyone and everyone,” Hickman said. “If someone wants to bring someone who is not a student, they can most certainly do that. It is a completely free event.” Hickman said that events like these and others the CEB puts on over the course of the year provide alternative options for those less interested in the party scene. “We want students who don’t like to partake in the party scene to have a fun event that they can go to,” Hickman said. “Just be able to have fun without having to be crazy like most students might be once they get to

college. We also like to use it as a time for other students to interact with each other who might not necessarily have before.” Games like Bop-it and Skip-it, “Super Mario Kart” and Nintendo 64 will be readily available at the convenience of the students, as well as plenty of TVs to watch ’90s favorites. Human orbs and racecars are also on the agenda. Amelia Bivens, who helped coordinate and organize the event, said there are plenty of reasons students would want to come. “You never know what can happen at an event like this,” Bivens, senior in political science, said. “Win a free iPod from our event sponsor? Defeat your evil roommate in the inflatable jousting? You don’t want to miss out on these incredible opportunities for free food, free entertainment and free prizes.” Bivens said that while there will be video games and toys from the ’90s, some kids would prefer the more athletic memories. “We will also provide equipment to play large outdoor games from our days spent on the playground, such as dodge ball, red rover and kickball,” she said. Throughout the night students will be able to freely roam the intramural fields and TRECS plaza where the games will be played and prizes given away. Vol Night Long also has a dance party to cap off the night. “We have an entire ’90s playlist,” Hickman said. “We feel like that’s going to be a big selling point.” When asked about the Dunkaroos, Hickman said, “We are pushing for Dunkaroos. That’s confirmed. It’s going to be favorable that they are there.”


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