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Flowers and Robinson preview next “Assassin’s Creed,” “Halo”

Lady Vols soccer set to host first round of NCAA Tournament

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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Issue 58 I N D E P E N D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906 http://utdailybeacon.com

Vol. 118 S T U D E N T

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Vol Walk helps students find opportunities Event assists students in finding out more info about various colleges, clubs at UT Deborah Ince Staff Writer On Wednesday, SGA Academic Affairs hosts the annual Vol Walk of Life from 11 a.m.3 p.m. in the UC Ballroom. “The Vol Walk of Life is an annual event where students have the opportunity to learn about and interact with different colleges, offices, departments and organizations on campus,” Taylor Odle, Academic Affairs Committee director, said. The walk informs students about academic resources that will help them succeed in the future and introduces them to many new and exciting educational and professional opportunities. Many different clubs, organizations and businesses will be in attendance and will provide information and guidance to all student participants. “The Vol Walk of Life is a great event for students to explore more opportunities during their tenure here at UTK,” SGA Student Services Director Drew Shapiro said, adding that the event is unique to UT. Modeled after the “Game of Life,” students fill out a game card as they visit the different tables set up by the colleges and organizations in attendance. Each table’s representatives will then provide students with information about their respective organization, college, club or business and how they can get involved. Guidance will also be offered to all those who have questions and inquiries about succeeding academically and professionally. Students can also register for prize drawings consisting of UT gears, meal plans and an assortment of other items as they walk around to different tables. The first 100 student participants will also receive a free UT T-shirt,

and food will be available for all attendees. This year, Lady Vols’ softball coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly will speak to students about the significance of education and succeeding in the academic and professional worlds. The Academic Affairs Committee of SGA works closely with the provost and the deans of each UT college to address academic concerns on the Knoxville campus. The committee prides itself on aiding students in their educational and career walks and conducts research directed toward improving academics and educational and professional outreach on campus. Academic Affairs uses the Vol Walk of Life to connect with students and encourage them to take active roles in their academic and professional careers. Well respected by UT administrators, the event has been very successful on campus for many years, as it encourages students to strive for success while providing a place for on-campus clubs and off-campus organizations to give students information about their group. All students are encouraged to attend the Vol Walk of Life, as it is a very educational and informative event that will help students continue their academic journeys further into their professional occupations, according to organizers. Students will also be exposed to many organizations with which they can become involved. “It is extremely important that students understand the importance of academic achievement and success,” Odle said. “However, it is equally important that they be made aware of the resources that the University of Tennessee can provide to them File Photo • The Daily Beacon in order to achieve their academic goals and to make their undergraduate career much easier. Students sign in and receive information for the Vol Walk of Life on Feb. 16, 2010. The Vol Walk of Life accomplishes both of SGA Academic Affairs will be hosting another Vol Walk of Life Nov. 9 from 11 a.m.3 p.m. in the UC Ballroom. these goals.”

company Sarkozy criticizes Israeli leader Homegrown sees increasing success The Associated Press PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has labored to improve French relations with Israel, said he “can’t stand” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called him a liar in a chat with President Barack Obama. The conversation between Sarkozy and Obama was overheard by reporters last week at the Group of 20 summit in southern France, via headsets that were to be used for simultaneous translation of an upcoming news conference. Obama, whose remarks were heard via a French translation, was not heard objecting to Sarkozy’s characterization of Netanyahu. Through the interpreter, Obama was heard asking Sarkozy to help persuade the Palestinians to stop their efforts to gain U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state. In Israel, the frank assessment elicited shock from some viewers — and chuckles and agreement from others. Several French-speaking journalists, including one from The Associated Press, overheard the comments but did not initially

report them because Sarkozy’s office had asked the journalists not to turn on the headsets until the press conference began, and the comments were deemed private under French media traditions. A French website that analyzes media coverage of current affairs, Arret sur images, reported the fragments Tuesday. Sarkozy’s office would not comment Tuesday on the remarks, or on France's relations with Israel. The White House and Netanyahu’s spokesman also said they had no comment. In the remarks Thursday in Cannes, Sarkozy said: “Netanyahu, I can’t stand him. He’s a liar.” According to the French interpreter, Obama responded, “You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day.” The journalists heard only fragments of the leaders’ conversation. Since becoming president in 2007, Sarkozy has strengthened French ties with Israel while also seeking to use France’s traditional good relations with Arab allies to encourage peace talks. His latest comments reflect his increasing frustration with Netanyahu, and may complicate French efforts toward Mideast peace.

France’s government has not said so officially but appears to see Netanyahu as partially responsible for the deadlock in peace talks. France has repeatedly urged Netanyahu to stop building Jewish settlements in the West Bank and come to the negotiating table, to little avail. “I think all this must not make us lose sight of the basics — which is to say there’s not a minute to lose to continue to work on the Israeli-Palestinian issue,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters Tuesday. “In our relationship with Israel, as with our relationship with the Palestinians, what we want is to continue to work so that things move ahead — because they’re not moving ahead,” Valero said. Obama, meanwhile, is thought to be cool to Netanyahu. At meetings, their lack of personal chemistry is clear. Netanyahu has cultivated close ties to the Republican Party and is widely believed to consider Obama naive about the Middle East. After a meeting in the Oval Office five months ago, Netanyahu lectured the U.S. president on his view of Middle East realities even as cameras rolled, with Obama listening glumly by his side.

Taylor McElroy Staff Writer

As any true Volunteer would know, there is nothing that hits home more to UT like tradition. It is something that sticks with you from the moment you step on campus, and for Mason Jones, it is a way of life. Jones’ company, Volunteer Traditions, began in 2006 while Jones and his good friend Brock Dosson were in their second year of law school. Both happened to notice another student proudly displaying his South Carolina belt buckle. After making some snide remarks about how the student was not even from there and held no real ties to the state, Jones was struck with an idea. Why not make products for people who are proud of our state? Due to a lucky connection, their first product attempt was selling belts at tailgates. Unfortunately, when they finally arrived they were much too small to fit anyone. Several attempts later they found that customers wanted more variety, such as caps and ties. Both Jones and Dosson finished law school, but Dosson was offered a job, which left him with no spare time to devote to the endeavor. Jones, realizing his true passion was indeed his company, bought Dosson’s share, moved to Nashville and started working with the company full time. Since then sales have doubled in the last three years. Though based in Nashville, the company has reached out to many states throughout the South. Using the same traditional themes, Auburn, Taylor Gautier • The Daily Beacon Oxford, Fort Worth and more Sisters of Phi Mu participate in Lip-Sync with a song including samples of “Thriller” and “Heads Will Roll” on Oct. have all taken to the brand. 26. Phi Mu won Crowd Favorite at the event. The company’s current

marketing operations manager, Kimber Billard, who was originally from Texas, expressed her enthusasim about the growth. “It’s been exciting to step into a growing company and help it expand across the South,” Billard said. Politicians are great supporters of Volunteer Traditions. Bill Haslam has been spotted wearing their products on several occasions. Jones really enjoys working with the campus representatives and even entrepreneurial students due to their interests in entrepreneurial studies and other related subjects, such as manufacturing and online expenses. He feels that this connection is what keeps him aware of what students really want. He has even taken to hiring interns and will be looking for a new one for the upcoming Spring Semester in the next few weeks. Jones believes this would be an excellent opportunity for any aspiring entrepreneurs on campus. For more information about this position, interested students are asked to check the Volunteer Traditions Facebook page. The current UT intern, Jimmy Beard, was able to reflect fondly on his time with the company. “One of my favorite parts about working with Volunteer Traditions is seeing so many people across campus wearing the brand.” One thing is for sure, Volunteer Traditions has certainly come a long way, starting with an idea formed while joking around in class. If you ask Jones, his response is indicative of why the company was first founded. “I don’t think we are changing the world or anything,” Jones said. “But I hope we have at least made customers proud to be where they are from.”


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