Talk of smoking ban on campus sparks debates Tanner Hancock News Editor
Cigarette butts are constantly piling up outside campus buildings. Will there finally be an end to this mess? MaryKate Leitch • The Daily Beacon
Volume 131 Issue 46
Of the 14 schools that make up the South Eastern Conference, only two allow either smoking or tobacco use on their campuses: Texas A&M and the University of Tennessee. While some students consider smoking on campus a privilege and a right, others view its use as both a nuisance to students as well as a risk to their health. Last Tuesday, student senate arts and science senator Morgan Hartgrove presented a resolution calling for the ban of smoking and tobacco use on campus. The resolution — which narrowly survived a general vote and an amendment eliminating any reference to tobacco products — now awaits the signature of both
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the student body president and vice president before it becomes valid. The controversy surrounding it has continued unabated. “We’re behind the times,” Hartgrove said of the measure. “Other schools have taken on this initiative and I think it’s almost ridiculous that we still have smoking on this campus.” Across the SEC, eight schools outright ban both smoking and general tobacco use on campus, including in-state neighbor Vanderbilt and nearby Kentucky. Twelve of the 14 schools prohibit smoking use, but allow the use of smokeless tobacco products on campus. Will Freeman, president of the student body, recognized similar policies implemented on other SEC campuses, but said he has a lot to consider before he reaches a decision. See SMOKING on Page 5
Thursday, March 31, 2016
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INSHORT
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
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FDA moves to change abortion pill process
Knoxville serial robberies under investigation
New BBQ joint plays tribute to ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’
This morning the FDA made a move on abortion that is expected to ease the process of the procedure. The group has relaxed the requirements for taking a medication that induces abortions. The changes include reducing the number of visits women have to make to the doctor, increasing the number of days women will have to use the drug, and decreasing the dosage of the pills. The movement is a victory for abortion rights advocates who have been fighting for such laws. Many doctors had already been following some of these regimens, despite the FDA label. Now, the labels largely coincide with physician practices. Rules on the previous label were based on studies conducted in the 1990’s, but new research surfaced lending to the changes to the label.
A Knoxville man was arrested this week for a chain of robberies reaching as far as Farragut. Clyde Hubbard was taken into custody Monday and charged with robbery and aggravated robbery. His latest robbery was of a Travelodge on Monday night. The first four robberies in the series occurred on Easter Sunday at four Subway restaurants across Knoxville during which the suspect assaulted many employees. One clerk at a hotel was able to stab Hubbard in the neck, but Hubbard was able to get away. The suspect performed a total of 7 robberies and attempted robberies. A woman found with Hubbard at the time of his arrest was taken into custody for questioning. The Knoxville Police Department is currently investigating the series of crimes.
In Bastrop, Texas, a setting from the 1974 horror classic ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ will soon be home to a new barbecue restaurant. Last Chance Gas Station was the site where Leatherface slaughtered a car full of teenagers in this vintage flick. Now the building will become We Slaughter Barbecue, and to capitalize on their location, the business will keep the original facade from the movie and pay tribute to the cult classic with their name. In addition to serving barbecue, the location will also act as a motel and music venue, creating what the owners referred to as “a horror barbecue resort.” A gift shop with memorabilia from the film will also be on the premises. We Slaughter Barbecue is set to open this July.
Vols coach called players day woman allegedly raped Associated Press
Editor-in-Chief: (865) 974-2348 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com Main Newsroom: (865) 974-3226 editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Editor, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. CORRECTIONS POLICY: It is the Daily Beacon’s policy to quickly correct any factual errors and clarify any potentially misleading information. Errors brought to our attention by readers or staff members will be corrected and printed on page two of our publication. To report an error please send as much information as possible about where and when the error occurred to Editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com, or call our newsroom at (865) 974-5206. The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Wednesday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com www. www w ww w w.utd The Daily Beacon is printed using soy based ink on newsprint containing recycled content, utilizing renewable sources and produced in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football coach Butch Jones’ phone records show he had two conversations with former Volunteers receiver Drae Bowles the same day a lawsuit states that Bowles assisted a woman who said she was raped by two other players. The records, obtained via a public records request, only detailed the time and length of the calls and didn’t indicate what was said. A Title IX lawsuit filed against Tennessee last month states a woman called 911 from Bowles’ car to report a rape in the early-morning hours of Nov. 16, 2014. The report eventually led to charges against former Tennessee players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams, who were indicted on February 2015. They have separate trial dates this summer. The plaintiffs’ complaint states Bowles later was attacked by teammates and told by Jones that he had “betrayed the team.” The complaint also states that Jones later apologized. Jones has denied doing anything wrong and has said he would “fight all of these false attacks on my character.” The records show Bowles called Jones at 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2014, and they spoke for
seven minutes, and that Jones called back at 9:46 p.m. and spoke to him for three minutes. The records also show Jones spoke to Bowles’ father, Dexter Bowles, for seven minutes at 8:03 p.m. “Regarding the calls to Drae Bowles and his father, I care about Drae as a person and as a player and have frequent communications with players or their parents,” Jones said Wednesday in a statement. “I am very comfortable with everything Drae, Mr. Bowles, and I discussed, and I wish him nothing but the very best. “My intent was to support Drae and make sure he was OK. There’s nothing more important to me than the ultimate success in the life of our students.” Phone records also show that Jones had multiple conversations with Johnson, Knoxville police chief David Rausch, Tennessee linebacker Curt Maggitt and athletic director Dave Hart from the morning of Nov. 16, 2014, to the afternoon of Nov. 17, 2014, when the school announced that Johnson and Williams were suspended from all team-related activities. Knoxville police identified Johnson and Williams as suspects in a rape investigation the following day. “Anytime we have a disciplinary issue with a player, we have as many conversations as needed with players, parents, law enforcement,
whomever until we can be sure that we are making the best decision possible,” Jones said in a statement. “These are decisions that can be lifechanging for these individuals. After taking into account all the information we could gather in this case, we made the decision to suspend two student-athletes from the team immediately.” Jones and Johnson exchanged six calls that lasted a total of 23 minutes on Nov. 16, 2014. Jones also had four calls with Maggitt lasting a total of 13 minutes that day. Jones and Rausch had four calls totaling 21 minutes on Nov. 16 and five more calls totaling 13 minutes on Nov. 17. Jones and Johnson’s uncle also spoke two times totaling nine minutes on Nov. 17. Some calls were reported to last only one minute, which means they may have been no more than someone leaving a voice mail. “When we investigate an alleged crime involving an athlete at UT, as a professional courtesy, our long-standing practice has been that we alert the head coach and staff,” Rausch said in a statement. “At no time is any information shared with the university that would hinder or jeopardize any investigation. The purpose of the notification is due to the scrutiny these events bring to allow appropriate time to prepare responses to the various interests.
NEWS
Around Rocky Top
Thursday, March 31, 2016 • The Daily Beacon
Flint official: State overruled plan for corrosion control Associated Press
Due to workers on the second level of Haslam, dust from their construction got into the smoke alarm and caused it to go off. There was an emergency drill in Haslam Business Building causing hundreds of students to evacuate minutes before class time. Alahnah Ligon • The Daily Beacon
FLINT, Mich. — Shortly before this poverty-stricken city began drawing its drinking water from the Flint River in April 2014 in a cost-cutting move, officials huddled at the municipal water treatment plant, running through a checklist of final preparations. Mike Glasgow, the plant’s laboratory supervisor at the time, says he asked district engineer Mike Prysby of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality how often staffers would need to check the water for proper levels of phosphate, a chemical they intended to add to prevent lead corrosion from the pipes. Prysby’s response, according to Glasgow: “You don’t need to monitor phosphate because you’re not required to add it.” Recalling the meeting Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press, Glasgow said he was taken aback by the state regulator’s instruction; treating drinking water with anti-corrosive additives was routine practice. Glasgow said his gaze shifted to a consulting firm engineer in attendance, who also looked surprised. “Then,” Glasgow said, “we went on to the
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next question.” In hindsight, he said, it was a fateful moment. For nearly 18 months, Flint residents would drink water that had coursed through aging pipes and fixtures, scraping away lead from lines that ran from water mains to some homes and schools. By the time Gov. Rick Snyder announced in October 2015 that Flint would return to the Detroit system, from which it had bought treated Lake Huron water for decades, scientists and doctors had reported dangerously high levels of lead in numerous water samples and a spike in the proportion of children with elevated lead in their blood. Even low amounts of lead are a health threat, especially for young children, as it is linked to lower IQs and behavioral problems. Flint residents still are advised not to drink unfiltered tap water. In a report last week, a task force appointed by Snyder to investigate the water crisis described the state as “fundamentally accountable,” partly because of the DEQ’s instruction to omit corrosion controls. It also assigned lesser blame to the state Department of Health and Human Services, local and federal agencies and emergency managers Snyder had appointed to oversee city operations.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
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NEWS
Student elected Republican Student-run philanthropy aids Children’s Hospital delegate at 20-years-old Heiler Meek
Staff Writer Michael Hensley attends classes and studies for final exams like many other students at the university, but his political experience and achievements may set him apart. The 20-year -old junior in political science has held multiple leadership positions on campus related to politics and public policy, and he has worked for Tennessee Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. for nearly a year. Super Tuesday’s primary election for the Republican Party granted him another credential. He was elected a representative for the second congressional district of the GOP in support of Marco Rubio. “Because Rubio came in second (to Trump), he only got one delegate. And (by number of votes), that happened to be me,” Hensley said. Hensley expressed both gratitude and amazement in response to being elected, saying he was surprised to be chosen among candidates with such political experience and influence. “He’s very capable (in politics), and he researches his issues,” said Jennifer Little, the bylaws chairman of the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women and a friend and mentor to Hensley. Little said Hensley came to her years ago with an interest in the Republican Party, and she connected him to the local Republican chapter. “I feel like (Michael) is my own child sometimes because he was so young when he first started, and he’s so sweet,” said Little of their friendship. Hensley said that from “word of mouth” of people who have been around the political circuit, he learned that the average age of RNC delegates is about 50 years old. “To have that youth representation at the convention, I was honored to go,” Hensley said. He explained that as a delegate, he will have
the opportunity to vote on the Republican Party’s presidential candidate when the RNC holds its nomination meeting. “I’m committed to support Rubio for the first two rounds (of voting), unless Rubio releases my commitment to him,” Hensley said. “(In the third round) I will see who is left and decide (what) candidate to support.” Hensley said that because Rubio has voiced plans “to move to Miami to continue his private life” after his Senate term is up, he does not expect Rubio to appear at the convention. Hensley also said he believes Rubio will release his commitment and allow Hensley’s delegate vote to go toward another candidate to prevent a Trump nomination. “In the years past, the (delegate) process was more of a symbolic process, because we usually go into the convention knowing who the (GOP) nominee is going to be,” Hensley said, noting that the last contested RNC took place in the 1960s. Hensley said that in a presidential race as historic as this one, it is momentous for a UT student to attend the RNC as a delegate. “It’s really neat that UT has a voice in a convention like this,” Hensley said. “The fact that a UT student has a seat at that table is pretty significant.” In regard to his future, Hensley said he is very interested in “conservative activism” as a career choice. “It could be a conservative think tank or working on political campaigns,” Hensley said. Despite his interest in Republican politics, Hensley admitted that he was hesitant to run as a delegate, saying he felt he had not achieved enough in 20 years of life to “earn a spot” at the RNC. Hensley said the most valuable life lesson his journey as a delegate has offered is that effort will eventually lead to fruition. “If you’re truly passionate about something, just go for it, and everything will fall into place,” Hensley said.
Alex Harward Staff Writer For The Kids began about 20 years ago in 1995 when a group of students began Dance Marathon. Today, it may be one of the fastest growing student organizations on the UT’s campus. The organization has raised over $1 million dollars since 1995. All of the money raised through this organization is donated to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s Hematology and Oncology Clinic to aid families impacted by childhood cancer and blood disorders. As the years went on, Dance Marathon morphed into “For The Kids at UTK” and has since been an important organization for the hospital. Jane-Anna Caldwell, senior in supply chain and president of FTK, explained how those involved with the organization work toward a large fundraising goal, all while providing the kids with support and friendships. “We raise money through online fundraising, fundraising events and canning at local businesses and on campus,” Caldwell said. “Our events are year-round, so the money is constantly coming in for the kiddos.” FTK is made up of an executive committee, but it also incorporates general members. The organization is one of UT’s largest student run philanthropies. Each spring semester, FTK puts on their annual dance marathon event. “We hold a huge event at the end of the year to celebrate the money we’ve raised throughout the year and dance all night for the kids,” Caldwell said. Caldwell said the dance marathon event is the most important event that FTK puts on throughout the year. Caldwell said the children from the hospital and their families enjoy a carefree night and the student members of FTK get to see how all of their hard work and fundraising has paid off. Kate Theobald, a senior in public relations and one of three entertainment executive chairs for FTK, explained how being a part of the organization has made an impact on her life. “Sickness and ailments happen, and it can mentally, physically, financially and emotionally tear apart a family,” Theobald said. “I feel honored to help raise money and awareness for such an incredible organization and hospital.” “I absolutely love that ETCH has never had to turn a family away because of financial reasons.” Prospective members can join at www.ftkutk. org. The website also allows members to set up a personal fundraising page and collect donations from friends and family.
FTK is a daily reality check. It constantly reminds me that life is precious. When I look back, I want to know that I did all I could for the kids at ETCH, fight an unimaginably tough fight.” Jane-Anna Caldwell, President of FTK
“Although I give countless hours of service and a lot of hard work to FTK, I know that this could never compare to the fight these children fight,” Caldwell said. “Any contribution will help, and all donations are tax deductible.” Ashley Job, a junior in public relations and one of three entertainment executive chairs for FTK, expressed how being a part of FTK largely affects its members. “Members of this club whole heartedly commit themselves to the cause,” Job said. “Not because they want to make themselves look good, but because they are completely in love with what they are doing.” FTK’s dance marathon will be from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. April 1. Everyone who attends will dance or stand for 12 straight hours in representation of the children who fight their battles with cancer and blood disorders. Last year, FTK raised $40,000 for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. This year, their goal was to raise $70,000, almost double what they made from last year’s fundraising. “This organization has stolen my heart,” Theobald said. “I cannot wait to see all of our hard work and funds put towards the beautiful children at the hospital.” Those interested may still register to be a part of For The Kids and attend the main event on Friday. Caldwell said the event on Friday is one of the daily reminders the organization provides her. “FTK is a daily reality check,” Caldwell said. “It constantly reminds me that life is precious. When I look back, I want to know that I did all I could for the kids at ETCH, fighting an unimaginably tough fight.”
CAMPUSNEWS
Thursday, March 31, 2016 • The Daily Beacon
Humans of Knoxville
Haslam remains opposed to making Bible official state book Associated Press
Thomas Hampton, Maddi Huston, Faith Holmes, Kyle Clendenon, Tori Marcus, Callie Katchey • Freshmen Q: What do y’all like to do together? A: We all met at VFC — Vols for Christ — we were all in the same core group. We hang out pretty much everyday. Today we are just doing homework together in our Enos. Mary Geiser • The Daily Beacon
SMOKING continued from Page 1 “I’ve talked to SGA presidents at SEC schools that have had the change happen on their campuses,” Freeman said in an emailed statement. “While I don’t know what action will be taken yet, I’ll be thinking of how students will be affected, how SGA will be affected, and how our campus will be affected.” A signature from the current senate leadership, however, might not be the final factor in the decision. UT’s Vice Chancellor for Communications Margie Nichols said the university would be unable to ban smoking or tobacco use on campus due to existing state laws. “This bill is not meant to ban smoking and tobacco. It is to show that (students) want a healthier campus by eliminating smoking and tobacco on campus,” Hartgrove said. “Passing this bill would show student support if (or) when we want to go to the state to change the law. This bill is a step in policy change, not the policy change in itself.” With SGA elections coming in the next week, several potential candidates have weighed in on the issue, including junior Matthew Morris of the Hardee Morris McCandless campaign. “I agree there needs to be steps made to improve student health around our campus, but I don’t know that banning tobacco across our
entire 580 acre campus is really the best solution,” Morris said. In a separate interview with The Daily Beacon last week, fellow campaign members Carson Hollingsworth and McKinsey Patterson also expressed concerns with the resolution, with Hollingsworth referring to it as “not the popular opinion on campus.” Citing particular concern for freshman smokers living on campus, who may be less inclined to live here if the resolution passes, Morris said he believes less extreme measures may be more agreeable to the student body, including a potential ban of smoking on Pedestrian Walkway. With a student population of over 27,000, there are bound to be at least a few students upset by the resolution, a fact made clearer by the resolution’s 28-19 vote last week. Michelle Tipton, a junior in English and Russian, said smoking on campus provides necessary relief between classes. “I understand that it would be healthier for everyone on campus, but as someone who is a stress smoker, I desperately need those few moments in between classes to regroup and calm down,” Tipton said. “We already have designated smoking areas with ashtrays, and that’s where I stick to.” Tipton said that if passed, the resolution would be “unfair” to a large portion of the campus population who smoke to and from classes. “I think it’s obnoxious that people smoke on Ped walkway,” Tipton said. “But to ban it completely? That’s unfair and ridiculous.”
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday that he remains opposed to a renewed effort to make the Holy Bible the official state book of Tennessee. Haslam initially voiced opposition to the measure before it was derailed over constitutional concerns in the state Senate last year, and sent back to committee. The bill is now awaiting a new vote in the upper chamber of the Legislature. “The Bible is the most important book in my life, and I think in the world,” Haslam told reporters at the state Capitol. “But that’s very different than being the state’s official book.” But the governor stopped short of saying he would veto the bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Southerland, R-Morristown, because he wants to see the measure in its final form before making up his mind. Southerland told the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that his bill is aimed at honoring the historical significance of the
Bible in Tennessee, and not as a state endorsement of religion. State Attorney General Herbert Slatery warned last year that the bill would run afoul of both the U.S. and state constitutions. Some opponents, including Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, have argued that the Bible is far too sacred to be trivialized by being placed alongside other state symbols such the tomato as Tennessee’s official fruit, the cave salamander as the state amphibian and the square dance as the state folk dance. Lawmakers earlier this year added the .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle as Tennessee’s official rifle. But it will be difficult for lawmakers, especially in an election year, to cast a vote that could be portrayed by political rivals as being as opposed to the Bible. The bill passed the House on a 55-38 vote last year despite House Speaker Beth Harwell’s opposition. “I really think it demeans the holy word of God by making it just a book with historical significance,” the Nashville Republican said at the time.
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The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
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The sun is not your friend The temperature begins to rise and — just like that — it is time to leave the jackets at home and break out the Chacos, Vols. Personally, summer is my favorite. Nothing but warmth, pools, the smell of sunscreen and grilling out while catching fireflies. But with the greatness of summer just around the corner, there are some precautions we all need to take that come along with enjoying the sun. I always found it odd when people carried umbrellas to protect themselves on sunny days. Most of the time, after doing some research, I found it was a cultural thing. In some countries, having fairer skin was viewed as a social status of wealth and beauty, and darker/tanned skin was viewed as being poor. Now, because I grew up in the South and with a mother who used baby oil to tan and laid out in the sun for hours, this was an alien concept to me. However, the more I researched, the more I discovered that not only is it a cultural practice to stay out of the sun, it’s actually a sound decision and one of the best things you can do for yourself. My mother got into skin care a couple years ago, and it was then that my eyes opened to the seriousness of sun worshiping. Years of mistreat-
Emily Moore Day to Day
Now, because I grew up in the South and with a mother who used baby oil to tan and laid out in the sun for hours, this was an alien concept to me. ”
ing her skin and exposing it to harmful rays took its toll on her and the rest of the population who tan frequently. Dark spots, uneven skin tones, wrinkles, advanced aging and looking basically like a shriveled up piece of leather are the lesser side effects from over exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is a more serious one. Ever since beginning my research, the results
On columns, working and real estate Clint Graves If I’m Honest
I’m not entirely sure if I’ve ever written about my other work. You know, what I do when I’m not dutifully toiling away over each and every one of these painstakingly researched and crafted columns. Ahem. I know it must be confusing. The Daily Beacon doesn’t pay its columnists? As it turns out, public demand for student newspaper columnists is about as large as the body’s demand for the appendix. They’re generally not required and typically end up catching some sort of infection. Who knew that bitterly complaining about the overuse of turn signals or rendering gut-busting STD puns would garner such a small market value among the bustling industry of studentrun journalism? It’s tragic. It’s like they think just anyone can sit behind a computer screen and type 600 random words about whatever illformed drivel pops into his or her… You know what? Forget I said anything. My point is this: I have to work outside of school at two jobs. Now keep in mind, I’m not fighting the poverty line here; I live at home. I pay some bills to be sure, but the reason I have two jobs has less to do with my material needs and more to do with my clear psychoneurosis. I just feel bad when I’m not working on something. As a result, I try to juggle as many things as I possibly can. I’m typically not satisfied until I’m right on the
edge of losing it. Now, I’ll limit this piece to just one of the jobs and save the other for a rainy day, when I totally forget to write a column and my deadline is hastily approaching. Not that that ever happens. Much. I know the suspense is killing you, so I’ll just come right out and say it: Hi. My name is Clint Graves, and I’m a realtor’s assistant. And as you may imagine, I’ve got a few words to say about it. As far as I can tell, real estate should be the easiest job in the world. Every real estate deal should work like this: Somebody calls you and says they wish to sell their home. You scuttle quickly across town in your sensible — probably beige — four-door sedan and have them sign a few papers, snap a few pictures and write down how much the house will sell for. And then you make six percent commission. Repeat, ad infinitum. Of course, it doesn’t always work that way. In fact, it pretty much never works that way. Somehow, the entire industry has managed to make a mess of a process that should be no more difficult than family holiday functions or dental visits. Sure, a couple of things are going to go wrong—blood will be spilled, someone will probably choke—but things should pretty painlessly turn out fine by the end. But it doesn’t.
VIEWPOINTS are more than clear. The sun is not your friend, people. It is your enemy. And don’t get me wrong, I’m more than guilty of eagerly waiting for the sunny days where I can lounge in a pool chair with some sweet tea and SPF 15 at the most. With a heavy ancestry of American Indian, I tan well and rarely burn. So giving up tanning is something I’m still working on and probably still in denial about a little. In the U.S., tanning is a huge market, and the vast majority of the time, it is thought to make you more beautiful. But I say to hell with that. Whatever your natural skin color is, it is time to embrace it and feel beautiful inside your natural self. Whether you are pale or dark or somewhere in between, you are gorgeous. Take care of yourself and stay out of the sun. If you are going to be in the sun for any extended period of time, take the precautions necessary and wear sunscreen. Tanning is a terrible habit that most people aren’t willing to accept is bad yet. But taking care of your body should be your main concern in this life. Emily Moore is a sophomore in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at emoore52@vols.utk.edu
And I think I’ve figured out why. First, whenever people put their house up for sale, they suddenly become experts on “the market.” Now, far be it from me to knock actual experts, but by and large, most people have no clue what they’re talking about. As a result, it’s a hindrance when clients set the price of their own property because everyone overvalues their own stuff. And ultimately, it just leads to disappointment when Johnny Financier has to reduce his “aggressively priced” starter home by $100,000 to get it to sell. But the public is not entirely to blame. I mean, what can be expected when their main resource for real estate information is Zillow? If you don’t know, Zillow is a massive online database of homes available for purchase right now. Most of the time, however, clients using Zillow will ask to see a home that sold four years ago because Zillow keeps records with the same sort of precision exercised by toddlers being potty-trained. I could go on about needlessly redundant phrases, like “motivated sellers,” the pointless soirees known as open houses, and the selfrighteous FSBO crowd. But if I gave away all of the trade secrets, I might be out of a job. And then what would I write columns about? Clint Graves is a junior in communication studies and English. He can be reached at bhr713@vols.utk.edu
Columns of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
ARTS&CULTURE
Thursday, March 31, 2016 • The Daily Beacon
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Strange Fruit brings students together through love of dance Hannah Moulton
the arts.” Strange Fruit Director and senior in social work Jasmine Ledsinger explained that while there is an audition process to join the company, no prior dance experience is necessary. College organizations are formed to be This one-day audition is primarily used to a place where students can congregate to determine who is willing to work and who is find community and shared passions. Strange passionate about dance. Fruit Dance Company is one such organizaWillingness to work hard and to try new tion that welcomes all who share a passion forms of dance is something Strange Fruit for dance. Dance Company emphasizes. Strange Fruit Dance Company was formed “I think we are very open and fluid in in 2001 when a group of students saw the what types of dances that we participate need for an organization where multicultural in,” Jasmine Harper, junior in English and students could showcase their talents. member of Strange Fruit Dance Company, Originally, Strange Fruit focused on theatre said. “Our dancers are outgoing and adamant and acting as well as dance. However, over about trying new forms of dance styles that the years, the plays were dropped and danc- they may not be used to in order to grow.” ing took center stage. The dance company is not only welcoming Today Strange Fruit has a roster of 36 to students with varying degrees of dance members who perform a variety of dances experience, but also students of varied and ranging from hip-hop to ballet. The compa- diverse backgrounds. ny’s members choreograph all of the dances, “Going to a predominantly white instiso there is no restriction on what dance style tution, it’s kind of hard and discouraging they can do. sometimes for people of color or of different Destiny Sirivong, an admissions counselor cultures or backgrounds to feel welcomed,” in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Ledsinger said. “Especially with dance.” and former member of Strange Fruit Dance For Ledsinger, Strange Fruit is a comCompany, said that the dance company munity where all should feel welcome and makes it a point to encourage students to comfortable. It strives to be an outlet for stuchoreograph routines. dents looking to relieve the everyday stress of “It’s really empowering when you finally college, work, family and personal life. see your piece come together; it’s just a really “I know for a lot of people here if they had beautiful artistic process,” Sirivong said. “It not had Strange Fruit Dance Company as a really empowers students to get involved in way to let go of some of that stress and pour it out into dance, then I don’t know how they would cope,” Ledsinger said. With Tennessee legislators’ recent decision to strip funding from UT’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Ledsinger said that she fears what that would mean for Strange Fruit Dance Company since the organization is based out of the Office of Multicultural Student Life. However, Strange Fruit receives its funding from the Student Programming Allocations Committee as well as though any proceeds made during their yearly showcase and dues paid by members. Each year the dance company puts on an annual spring showcase featuring 10 dance pieces, each choreographed by a member. Members can chose to be as involved in the organization as they want, and for those participating in the showcase, each piece has practice only once a week. Members can perform in as many pieces as they choose. In addition to the spring showcase, Jasmine Ledsinger, director Strange Fruit also performs pieces throughout the year by request from organizations or members of Knoxville’s community. Copy Chief
UT Skate Club member listens to music and coasts downhill. Akshata Dusa • The Daily Beacon
Club teaches mechanics of skateboarding, longboarding Sam Kennedy Staff Writer
Have you ever been walking to class, and suddenly you’re watching someone zip past you on a skateboard? Do you ever find yourself wishing that you knew how to do that? Skateboarding and longboarding have been popular activities for years, but Skate UT has only been in existence since Fall 2013. The club is dedicated to teaching students the basics: working to educate members about safety, proper equipment, different types of longboards and longboard styles and keeping everyone updated on longboard news. Additionally, they strive to bridge the gap and unite the Knoxville skateboarding and longboarding communities. Corey Combs, junior in material science and engineering and president of Skate UT, joined the club when he was a sophomore. Combs has been skating for a little over three years and heard about the club from some of his friends who were already members. He stopped by the Skate UT table on Pedestrian Walkway and joined right away. After his first practice, Combs knew he loved the Skate Club and was hooked. The club meets for a variety of purposes, but they can be found every Sunday at Cherokee Farms where they practice riding and tricks. The club also hosts events such as downhill races and slide jams to raise money and support the skate community. “I like being president because I get to make of it what I want,” Combs said. “I can organize events — like races — and I get to come ride
with everyone, which is a lot of fun.” Skateboarding originated in the 1950’s when the people of Hawaii wanted to bring their love of surfing to land. A few years later, longboarding was invented and remains popular. Ever since, the boarding community has continued to grow. There are a lot of differences in skateboards and longboards — one of them being that longboards have a longer deck, narrow sides for stability and larger, softer wheels for a smoother, faster ride. Longboards come in more sizes than skateboards and can be used in more situations and over more terrains. However, most riders agree that the skateboard has more advantages when it comes to doing tricks because of its the curved edges on each side. For club members, one benefit of owning a skateboard or longboard is the creativity that comes along with it. Riders can customize the bottom of their boards with any design they want. They can also choose the shape of their skateboard or longboard, different trucks, grip tape and wheels. Dillon Dunn, junior in architecture, joined the club in 2013 when he was a freshman and has continued to be an active member ever since. “Skateboarding just has a really strong community to it, it always has. A lot of my friends that I have today, I met through skating,” Dunn said. “Also it’s just a lot of fun to come out here every week and skate.” Skate UT recruits’ new members during table events on Pedestrian Walkway. To stay updated with Skate UT and their events, add them on Facebook.com/SkateUT or on the Skate UT page on CollegiateLink.
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I know for a lot of people here if they had not had Strange Fruit Dance Company as a way to let go of some of that stress and pour it out into dance, then I don’t know how they would cope.”
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ARTS&CULTURE
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
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Student group brings freestyle to Knoxville JoAnna Brooker Contributor It all started with a passion for music. Specifically, freestyle rap or hip-hop is what drove founders Clinton Ricks, junior in English, and David Hamilton, junior in mechanical engineering, to create StudyBreak Cypher — a group that allows for a space to create music and hone their improvisation skills. Originally called UTK Cypher, the group began with an event where students could come out to Pedestrian Walkway and practice their freestyle skills in a battle royale format. According to urban dictionary, a cypher is a cyclical rap freestyle where MCs go one after the other or a process of tapping into your subconscious via freestyle or breakdance. StudyBreak replaced UTK in the club name shortly after, to show students how the group was a place to relax and be open with their creativity. “It’s the best kept secret on campus,� Hamilton said. “You’ve got to know someone
to know about StudyBreak right now. And we want to grow bigger than that, but it’s a cool space to be in and marinate.â€? So how does StudyBreak Cypher work? Well, each Cypher — which happens on the last Thursday of every month — has generally been on Pedestrian walkway. A core group of six to eight MCs will come out and do an exposĂŠ of their skills, while other members will go through the crowd to find attendees who want to participate. These attendees will fill up the bracket to challenge the MCs and have 30 seconds after being given a word to show their stuff before their opponent responds. After both MCs perform, the winner is decided by audience response. But MCs aren’t the only part of StudyBreak that are highlighted; there are also producers who put out the beats for the freestylers to rap over, and many campus and local producers are able to fulfill this role. “(The producer) is like the heartbeat of it,â€? Hamilton explained. “He keeps the beat pumping.â€?
Outside of the once a month Cypher, Study Break also has workshops every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. for those who want to work on their freestyle skills. “I went to the last Cypher of last semester, and I ended up freestyling and winning two rounds, losing the last one. But I really liked it,� Nainika Sudheendra, junior in supply-chain management, said. “So I started coming to workshops, and it’s just helped me take a greater appreciation for what goes into rap and hip-hop. I’m not scared to do it anymore.� For each Cypher that has happened since its inception this past fall, the turn out has been close to 100 people, and it’s growing. “It’s promoting an art form that people don’t really teach in class,� Sudheendra said. “It’s pretty cool and a great space for creativity.� To learn more about StudyBreak Cypher, visit www.facebook.com/StudyBreakCypher. The next Cypher is today: Thursday, March 31 at 9 p.m. in the courtyard by Haslam Business Building.
It’s the best kept secret on campus. You’ve got to know someone to know about StudyBreak right now. And we want to grow bigger than that, but it’s a cool space to be in and marinate.� David Hamilton, founder
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PUZZLES&GAMES
Thursday, March 31, 2016 • The Daily Beacon
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Get Fuzzy • Darby Conley
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz 1 7
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I’m Not A Hipster • John McAmis
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Cartoons of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
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ACROSS 36 “Junk” Squelch 38 Veterinarian’s branch of sci. Landlord on “Three’s 40 Bird watcher Company” upon spotting the rare California Jumped up and condor? down, perhaps 43 Bobs and buns Towering over One of the rooms 44 ___ Fridays in Clue 45 Friend of Fidel Neighbor of Miss 47 Types Gulch 49 Focal points South American of many F.A.A. monkey’s investigations … handhold? or a description of 18-, 24- and Mount that’s a 40-Across? poker term when read backward 53 Figure in Matisse’s “Le Urge Bateau” Give ___ whirl 55 Soften Verizon FiOS, e.g., 56 Boston specialty for short 57 Out of service? [Insert your least favorite 58 Landlocked congressman European here]? 59 “America’s diner Secondis always open” class person, sloganeer informally? “Quit your DOWN excuses” 1 Spread out “___ con Dios” (Spanish farewell) 2 Pennsylvania senator Pat Affectation I M E U R B A N D U E S M A C L O R N A I N S T E C H T A I N T P I S A A H O E S T A G G T E N N O L S T S E N B A N C I N G I N B O U R R E E T E A H O U S E A D S S U B M E R G E S A B S P A N E L I S T L E E V E S S A L A A M I T R O N K I T T S P A E A A R T O O E T H E R N M E A S A N A K I R I E A S P A L I N O M E N E X T T R A C T S I D E
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
FOOTBALL
Randolph, Williams shine at Vols’ Pro Day Trenton Duffer Copy Editor He has hair like The Weeknd and “the strength of Samson.” Brian Randolph is a one-of-a-kind guy. On Tuesday, the 5-foot-11, 207 pound safety announced to the world that on Wednesday’s Pro Day he was going to bench press 225 pounds at least 30 times and run a 4.4 40-yard dash. As the rest of the world doubted and judged Randolph’s comments, the former Vol waited for his chance and took it. Randolph finished the day with 31 reps on the bench and ran an unofficial 4.47 and 4.40 in his 40-yard dash times. “People thought I would run a 4.7,” Randolph said. “I could backpedal a 4.7, man.” Randolph later thanked God for giving him the strength of Samson, one of the final judges of the Israelites mentioned in the Book of Judges in the Bible. But he wasn’t about to let the media get off that easily. “I told y’all,” Randolph said. “God blessed me with the strength of Samson. That’s why I never cut my hair.” Randolph’s 40-yard dash times were reported to be the fastest on the team. His 33 inch vertical jump was also one of the highest on the team. The safety helped his draft stock and pushed away the rumors of a former shoulder injury holding him back. “My shoulder’s fine,” Randolph said. “I’ve been smacking people for five years and it’s been holding up.” Always known for being a bit of a wild card, Randolph said that if football doesn’t work out for him, he will find another passion to participate in. “I’m good at bowling, dancing, singing,” Randolph said. “I have many skills. Sky’s the limit.” Williams’ benching marathon: As defensive tackle Owen Williams approached the bench, he inhaled and exhaled deeply. He laid back, grasping the bar above him. Then the show began. Williams repped 225 pounds a grand total of 42 times. Since 2006, only six other athletes who attended the NFL Draft Combine saw 42 reps on the bench press. Kyler Kerbyson, who finished with the second highest total on the team Wednesday with 32 reps, said that he thought Williams could have done more if he wanted to. “I was striving for those 30 reps, and while we were working out, we would do all of our weights benched and then we would max in the
end just to see where we were when we were tired,” Kerbyson explained. “I’d maybe hit 27 or 28, and they’d tell Owen to stop at 35 because they don’t want to strain him because they know he can do more.” Williams posted a 27.5 inch vertical. He didn’t have his 40-yard dash finalized, but some experts at Pro Day said that it was in the upper 4.9 range. “I’ve kind of joked with him and said ‘you’re just a big ball of muscle’ and he is,” Kerbyson said. “He’s a strong kid.” Receiving numbers: Marquez North and Alton “Pig” Howard were both at Pro Day and both did well in the categories they participated in. North was invited to be a part of the NFL Scouting Combine in February, and North’s 40-time then was 4.48. The 6-foot-4 receiver improved on that time, chipping it down to a 4.42 on his first run. North admitted that he has worked out with the Dallas Cowboys so far this offseason. Former UT coach Derek Dooley is currently the wide receivers coach for the Cowboys, and North says that he saw Dooley and talked to him a bit before working out. “I’m hearing some good things (from teams),” North said. “I would say last year was mentally draining for me … I got hurt and couldn’t perform to (high expectations). I feel really good right now.” Howard was also working out at Pro Day, running a 4.62 and 4.60 time on his two 40-yard dashes and saw 11 reps on the bench press. Howard, who was dismissed from the Vols in October, said that he was proud of his accomplishments at Pro Day. “I felt like I did pretty good overall,” Howard said. “I think I could have ran a better 40, but I’m pretty satisfied.” When Howard was asked why he was kicked off the team, the former Vol did not deny nor confirm a reason, simply saying that the event was “in the past.” Other standouts: Offensive lineman Jacob Gilliam, who played in the 2015 Taxslayer Bowl with a torn ACL and a broken hand, saw 25 reps on the bench, a 25 inch vertical jump and an unofficial 5.46 and 5.33 40-time. Gilliam was just glad to be able to play after his surgery in February 2015. “I decided one last little time, I’m gonna give it a try and see if anyone’s interested in me,” Gilliam said. “I was out starting in late December and starting working out all the way up to this week, going once or twice a day to get the knee healthy.” Tight end Alex Ellis surprised many with a solid workout, running an unofficial 4.78 and 4.70 on his 40-yard dash attempts. Ellis also did 20 reps and had a 34.5 inch vertical.
(Top) Pig Howard, #2, practices plays for the next big game. • File Photo (Bottom) Kyler Kerbyson, #77, chest bumps another teammate to get them pumped up for the game. • File Photo “I don’t know if I ran as fast as I wanted to, but it was a good day overall,” Ellis said. “It was just fun being out with the guys for one last time. We grind all that time together, and it was a good time. It was a pretty good turnout.” Curt Maggitt also participated in some events at Pro Day. Maggitt did not run a 40-yard dash
or do a vertical jump, but the linebacker did get 22 reps on the bench. Safety Max Arnold turned a few heads with his team-high 36 inch vertical jump. Arnold’s 4.51 and 4.45 40-yard dashes were also some of the top times between all runners. The safety finished with 19 reps in the bench press event.
SPORTS
Thursday, March 31, 2016 • The Daily Beacon
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Student managers staging their own version of Final Four Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kansas and Michigan State are participating in the Final Four after all, albeit on a much smaller scale than expected. While the Jayhawks and Spartans didn’t make it to Houston after getting eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, student managers of those programs will be there playing in their own tournament along with Iowa State and Tennessee. “We were hoping we’d be with the main team for the main event,” Iowa State student manager Tyler Schaul said, “but it will certainly be a cool kind of consolation prize.” The student managers’ version of the Final Four may be the biggest March Madness Cinderella story of them all. For several years, student managers took a break from their grueling schedules to stage pickup games against one another. For instance, if Tennessee and Vanderbilt were scheduled to play on a Saturday afternoon, student managers for the schools would play each other the night beforehand, either in the main arena or at a practice facility.
This year, the games got a bit more serious. The teams had their own power rankings, with celebrity followers, supporters and fundraisers — thanks in large part to the efforts of Michigan State assistant athletic director Kevin Pauga. Pauga started using a mathematical formula — the KPI — which he created in 2003 to rank NCAA men’s basketball teams during his years as a student manager at Michigan State, to rate the managers’ teams for each program. He put his rankings up on a Web site (www. KPISports.net). “We kind of wanted to add some fun to it,” Pauga said. Word spread about Pauga’s system. Pauga said more than 130 schools from 25 conferences played a total of 275 games this season, trying to move up his rankings. “We’d thought it was a joke, that no one really did that, no one sat down and took the time,” Tennessee senior Parker Ratcliff said. “But we checked it and it was legit. Then we just decided to try to keep going up from where we started” in the rankings. The next step was to have the managers’ own version of a postseason tournament. Pauga set up a bracket with help from Michigan State trainers Andrew Novak and Ian May. Logistical restraints prevented most schools
from actually playing their assigned games in the tournament the vast majority of the time. When a game couldn’t be played, a team’s ranking in Pauga’s system and a fan vote would determine who advanced. Pauga said more than 150,000 votes were cast over the course of the tournament. The voting got particularly hectic when Tennessee met Georgia in a semifinal. Los Angeles Rams running back and former Georgia star Todd Gurley sent out a tweet asking fans to vote for Georgia’s managers. Tennessee football coach Butch Jones and quarterback Joshua Dobbs and Miami Heat guard and Tennessee alum Josh Richardson tweeted in support of the Volunteers’ managers. The Atlanta Hawks and Tennessee Titans used their Twitter accounts to stump for their home-state schools. And in the biggest celebrity coup of all, Kevin Durant also sent out a tweet in support of Tennessee. Durant played for Tennessee coach Rick Barnes’ staff at Texas and was informed of the contest by Volunteers assistant Chris Ogden. That Tennessee-Georgia matchup received 23,393 votes. Kansas manager Tim Skoch believes he knows why these games have started to catch on with the general public. “Everyone loves an underdog story — and
the managers are just the people who do the laundry,” Skoch said. “People like to rally around things, good causes. ... It’s cool to see the managers have an opportunity to play.” The semifinals and championship game will take place Friday at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, where the NCAA Fan Fest is taking place. Pauga has set up a GoFundMe page that has raised over $1,800 for travel costs. As for the quality of the basketball, well, it’s probably best described as running the gamut from so-so to pretty good. Most of the managers at the Final Four at least played in high school, but Tennessee’s team might be an indicator of the talent. The Vols squad includes 5-foot-6 I.J. Poole as well as Drazen Zlovaric, a 6-9 graduate manager who played collegiately at Georgia and Chattanooga and had a three-year professional career overseas. But they all figured their playing days were behind them after becoming managers and performing such grunt work as monitoring video and setting up practice drills. Now they’re stepping out of the shadows of laundry rooms at college basketball’s biggest event. Said Poole, “I would have never thought I’d be going to the Final Four to play.”
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Thursday, March 31, 2016
SOFTBALL
Leach’s growth at second base boosting team’s chemistry David Bradford Staff Writer A house divided against itself cannot stand. Freshman Aubrey Leach has done her part to ensure the Tennessee softball team doesn’t face that problem. On the brutally competitive field of Texas softball, where the University of Texas and Texas A&M routinely grab the state’s top talent, Leach, a Texas native, decided to be different and become the first player from the Lone Star State to play softball for co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly. Leach, who is a political science major, attributes her interest in political science largely to her father, who works for the government as a federal agent. Interestingly enough, with the 2016 Presidential Election just months away, the fields of politics and athletics contain a host of similarities. Congress has developed a dysfunctional reputation, with the majority of the public
viewing politicians as self-serving and untrustworthy. These qualities that have caused gridlock over significant issues. In athletics, results on the field can suffer if the team suffers the same dysfunction. But the Vols (26-8, 6-3 SEC) have bonded despite 11 incoming freshmen. “This team’s chemistry (off the field) is awesome,” Leach said. “We gel really well together. I guess the hardest part was working together on the field.” On the field, Leach has grown into her role as the team’s starting second baseman, displaying characteristics every teammate and leader strive to achieve. 1) Experience. Despite being a freshman, Leach’s tenure as the Texas Sudden Impact softball club’s captain for four years helped ease the transition between club softball and college softball. “Ralph and Karen (Weekly) expect a lot from us and we don’t play by classes,” Leach said. “Being in the infield you have to talk it up and be loud… being a leader is finding a way to motivate people even when they don’t want to be motivated.” Leach is certainly leading by example,
batting .333 in 34 games this season. 2) Dependability. There is no question that this Volunteer softball team is a batch of talented, yet young and inexperienced players. However, rather than using youth as an excuse, the freshmen established an inseparable bond through their common ground, especially between Leach and Brooke Vines. “Aubrey has been my companion,” Vines said with a smile. “When it comes to trying to figure things out or trying to calm each other down, she’s been someone I can rely on and just have someone to talk to.” 3) Flexibility. Second base has been Leach’s home all season, but in the lineup, the Weekly’s have moved her from top to bottom. “Aubrey can bat at the top,” Weekly said. “She can bat one, two, or nine. For us, nine is the second leadoff hitter… I don’t expect her to hit nine her whole career.” Maybe she should. In the nine slot, Leach is batting .556. 4) Passion. Leach might only stand at 5-foot-4, but her competitive spirit
and drive remind Weekly of Tennessee softball legend Lauren Gibson, a former All-American and SEC Player of the Year. “Aubrey has had some ups and downs,” Weekly said. “But she is clearly a very good SEC player with a bright future. I think Aubrey is very hard on herself, she expects to make every play, and I want our players to be that way, but nobody makes every play.” Leach did not detail her personal political views, but revealed a humorous observation. “I think a lot of the controversy (in politics) is from the candidates being on such a differing range of spectrums,” Leach said. “It’s kind of like the lesser of two crazies.” Tennessee softball established a pipeline in Texas when it snagged Leach, increasing its range of influence, but the team remains on the same side of the spectrum. “I think we’re kinda hitting our stride right now and being that aggressive Tennessee softball team we know we can be,” Leach said.