The Forum Jan. 30, 2013

Remember the lyrics

NASA scientist Sheila Bailey is scheduled to give a seminar at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in the Student Services Center Auditorium on how the agency foresees the use of innovations in nanotechnology to improve space flight. The expert in space photovoltaics will also give a presentation and discuss science and engineering jobs available at NASA.

Vice Chancellor for Development Bob Denman reported 50.1 percent employee participation in the 2012 Campus Campaign, according to a news release from Chancellor Joel Anderson. Thanking Denman in the release, Anderson announced that the rate was the “highest ever.”

According to a recent New York Times story, the University of Arkansas system “will choose which of their existing online courses to convert to a massive open online course, or MOOC, in [a] new program, called MOOC2Degree.” This tactic is said to be a way to attract students with free introductory courses in hopes that the students will enroll.

The UALR Opera Theatre is scheduled to host Songs from the Heart, a fundraising event supporting the vocal arts program, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Governor’s Mansion. The gala will feature live performances and a formal dinner. Tickets are $75 and available through the Department of Music.

UALR’s 3rd annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is scheduled to occur in the Donaghey Student Center’s Pool from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, March 1. The event, which is hosted by the Office of Campus Life, is described as a way for student organizations to compete and gain recognition on campus during Homecoming week. The deadline for submission is Feb. 22.

NLR's Arkansas Sports

Patrick Lindsey Staff Writer

The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame will host its 55th Annual Induction Banquet March 8, at its facility adjacent to Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, where a former UALR golf director is slated to become one of eight new inductees.

Wyn Norwood, who has been a member of the Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame since 2001, will add to his resume one of Arkansas athletics' top honors at the spring ceremony. Norwood’s record of success during his 20 years at the university includes earning the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year award six times and leading the Trojans to four Sun Belt

Championships, each of which resulted in repeat championships for both the men's and women's teams.

Icy pond crash fatal for alum

Police investigate 911 dispatcher’s failure to relay message to proper authorities

Cameron Moix News Editor

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock nursing school graduate was recently killed in a vehicular accident in which it took more than half an hour for emergency personnel to reach her submerged vehicle, according to reports.

Jinglei Yi, 39, died the morning of Jan. 14 after she lost control of her Ford Expedition while driving in icy conditions and crashed into a pond near Cooper Orbit Road in west Little Rock. Yi was able to dial 911 with her cell phone at 7:57 a.m. from the partially submerged vehicle, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. But Candace Middleton, who took the emergency call and stayed on the line with Yi for about 14 minutes,

Norwood mentored three Sun Belt Conference individual medalists in 1999, 2000 and 2005, as well as a series of all-conference performers throughout his tenure. He reached new heights in 2011, obtaining the honor of leading USA men's golf at the 2011 World University Games Shenzen, China.

When he arrived at UALR in 1992, Norwood faced the challenge of restoring the golf program, which featured an inactive men's team and a nonexistent women's team.

“Nobody is more deserving to be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame," Director Ray Tucker said. "Golf is said to be a gentlemen’s game and Wyn Norwood is a true gentlemen. It’s been a pleasure knowing the man all of these years.” Former student athletes also praise Norwood for his abilities as a teacher and mentor. “First of all, what Coach Norwood has done for the UALR golf program over the years is extraordinary," gradu

Tech park board leans toward

Nearly 15 months since planning began for the $50 million Little Rock Technology Park — and after a few dead ends — the authority board has narrowed the search down to three final sites for consideration, according to reports. The three locations, which the board narrowed down from an initial 23 strewn across the city, include:

• About 10 acres between Collins and College

streets and East Sixth and East Eighth streets;

• About 35 acres near John Barrow and Interstate 630;

• About 84 acres at South University and Asher Avenues. After the requested consultant, Charlie Dilks, studied the three sites, the expert sent a letter to the board Jan. 2 asking about potential challenges related to “the size, topography, zoning, utility placement and demolition costs for the three properties,” according to Arkan-

sas Democrat-Gazette reports. In his letter, Dilks noted concern for the University Avenue property, which is the location nearest to UALR, due to its U shape and asked whether “access could be granted through the UALR track and field facility,” according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Other issues he mentioned were related to the cost of demolition, environmental factors and traffic. Dilks was initially hired as a site consultant after a unanimous vote at the board’s April 18, 2012 meeting. His initial mis-

Yi was immediately rushed to Baptist Medical Center, where personnel made failed attempts to warm her organs and save her life, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m. Leo Yang remained in critical condition at Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s intensive care unit for several days. Little Rock TV station KTHV reported Tuesday, Jan. 28 that the boy has since been “listed in fair

See CRASH, page 3 neglected to relay the call to police and fire dispatchers due to an error, state officials have said. Nearly 40 minutes later, around 8:36 a.m., responders were able to retrieve Yi and her 5-year-old son, Leo Yang from the SUV.

Hall of Fame to induct former golf director

ate Niklaus Benton said, "putting in all of his effort to make sure us players have the best situation we can possibly have. He was always very organized and was adamant on us being on time, being prepared and giving our best effort in everything we do in life, not just golf." As a student at Arkansas Tech University, Norwood earned all-conference honors in both golf and football. Displaying an aptitude to do well at many things, Norwood was a Navy pilot from 1967 to 1972, prior to serving as President of the Arkansas State Golf Association, the Southern Golf Association and the Mid-South Golf Association.

Michael Hunter Schwartz has been named the new dean for the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, officials announced Jan. 15 in a press release.

Schwartz, who currently resides in Lawrence, Kan., will replace law professor and Interim Dean Paula Casey, who was appointed last July after former Dean John DiPippa stepped down. Casey will continue to serve until Schwartz’s duties officially begin July 1. Dipippa received Dean

sion was to review a study by civil engineers Crafton Tull of the three potential locations for the future Little Rock Technology Park. Acquisition of any of those locations was tabled as a result of a June vote by the Little Rock Board of Directors, which asked the board to spend six months looking for commercial properties that would not require the displacement of area residents.

The decision to study other possible locations for the tech

See TECH, page 4

I swear they’ll publish anything!

If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the paper

“Except as otherwise specifically provided … all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas.”

If you read our paper, or any other for that matter, you might notice some things.

In particular, we write stories concerning police reports. Usually they consist of a summary of the report on page three in the Police Beat box. Every once in a while we feel as though an incident deserves its own separated story.

We don’t make up information; we simply report what the police reports state. Sometimes they state some interesting things, things students would like to read. Unfortunately, the most interesting stories can also be embarrassing to the

subject of the story.

Sometimes, people want their names and stories pulled from the paper. To them, we can only say, “tough luck.” We do not need your permission.

A lot of people think we’re breaking the law, but that’s far from the truth.

In actuality, it is against the law to withhold most public records. Private citizens, as well as the media, have the right to access government documents, including police reports. This information is out there for anyone to see, not just us.

Reporters sift through these documents, pull out the pertinent information and condense it into a nice, readable format. We do this with little pay and little sleep because the public needs to know this information.

Students need to know what is going on at their school. They

need to know what crimes happen on campus. The Police Beat helps students identify which crimes to look out for.

Most people probably just read the Police Beat because it is entertaining. It is fun to read crime stories, to laugh about dumb criminals and to be horrified by the lengths that some people go to take the easy way out. Students don’t think the articles are funny when it is their name in the paper, however. That’s when the phone calls come, with allegations that we have overstepped our bounds.

As Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote in “Crime and Punishment,” “nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.”

Reporters know the painful truth to this quote. It is simple to flatter people, and people like to be flattered. They are

quick with praise for a complimentary story.

Newspapers are not here to flatter and compliment. They are not here to go along with whatever people say. They are here for truth, and, as Dostoevsky indicates, truth is the hardest thing to speak.

Truth can also be the hardest thing for people to accept.

Even if they did commit a crime, no one wants to read their name in the Police Beat.

No one wants their friends and family to see the story.

Which is, of course, the point. Crime stories are, in some ways, meant to be a deterrent. Seeing other people in the paper for committing crimes should be a sign that, if students are arrested, their name will probably end up in the paper, too.

So, do not do anything wrong if you do not want the credit.

University fails to keep doors functioning

This university has a terrible track record with doors. Until recently, no fewer than three doors to the library sported “do not use” signs - signs that had been hanging for the entire Fall semester and before.

The automatic doors of North Hall, which require the swipe of a resident’s UALR ID, sat unmoving for the entirety of winter break. As one of the residents who stayed on campus, I can assure you it was no small inconvenience to trudge from the parking lot all the way around to the front of the building - in the hopes that someone had left the little side door propped open - in the snow!

This brings me to an issue more pressing than mere inconvenience: security. How safe can these doors be keeping our residents if they are forced to prop the doors open with sticks, rocks, or cardboard. Even now, the doors only work if one stands

there jiggling the ID like the room key to a cheap motel room.

Not that I know anything about that.

Elevators have doors, and it is on this flimsy pretext that I segue onto the elevators. In at least two buildings, only one of the elevators is functioning. I have to get to my classes in Ross and Stabler Halls early to either climb the stairs (on the rare occasions during which my laziness fails me) or wait twice as long for the one elevator doing twice the business. Can we talk, for a moment, of the state of the tiles in there?

Well, no, I suppose we can’t, because there aren’t any and haven’t been for ages.

I have written before about the potentially negative effects that an unsafe campus can have on the overall learning experience; the same can be said for a visibly deteriorating campus. In much the same way as we all behave better in our church clothes, I believe we all learn better when the university is scrubbed behind its ears, too.

I won’t say they’ve done nothing; I have seen signs on the elevator in Stabler Hall proclaiming the situation to be under control, and that the elevator will be op -

erational again soon. No specific date, however, is given. After the seemingly endless months during which half of the library’s doors advertised their uselessness (“do not use”), I have little confidence that a sign is in and of itself a “sign” of imminent repair.

To give credit where it’s due, though, it must be said that the maintenance staff fir the dorms is very prompt, pleasant, and competent. Those guys are terrific.

I have chosen to make UALR my home: as a first year scholar it is requested though not required that I live on campus. I wanted the full college immersion experi-

ence, and so I moved into North Hall. As such, I consider the University my landlord -- I pay no small amount of money to live here and I should be able to get into my building without having to prowl around checking every point of entry like some excessively well-dressed cat burglar. College is about opening doors. I mean this of course in the metaphorical sense, but I think we can all agree that creating opportunity for the students is a lot easier when we have, to quote Michael Caine in “Noises Off,” “doors that open when they open, and close when they close!” Get it together, UALR

Strange girl, stranger world

SARAH DE CLERK

NRA ad a mistake

The National Riffle Association’s “Stand and Fight” ad has drawn plenty of media attention. The ad criticizes President Barack Obama for being “skeptical” about armed guards in schools. Although the NRA is entitled to its opinion, this ad is tactless and illogical.

The ad compares Obama’s children, who are protected by armed guards at their school, to public school children, who are not. This is an irrational comparison. The president’s children are more likely to be specific targets of violence than other children. It is necessary for them to have special protection. In addition, it is overly personal to bring up Obama’s children in a political argument.

The ad also accuses Obama of being an “elitist hypocrite.” This name-calling is tasteless and meaningless. It is not hypocritical for the president to have additional security – it is necessary. Also, Obama has been called an elitist throughout his presidency, regardless of what he actually does.

For example, the ad precedes this attack by referring to Obama’s insistence that the rich pay their share of taxes. This statement is confusing because equal taxation seems to contradict elitist hypocrisy. Furthermore, taxation has nothing to do with school safety, so why is it included in the ad?

Lastly, the ad criticizes Obama’s skepticism without any reference to his action. In actuality, Obama’s proposal to increase school safety would place more resource officers in schools. This means that more schools would be protected by specially- trained police officers, which is as close to armed guards as public schools are going to get. Therefore, the “Stand and Fight” ad was a rhetorical failure. It would be refreshing to hear a sound argument on school safety. Attacking the president and his family, however, is not the way to go about it.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I found the “Django Unchained” review tasteless, culturally insensitive, and felt as if the author of the article did not familiarize himself with the issue of slavery nor take the reality of it into consideration when writing that article. As a black person it was insulting that he made it seem as though slavery shouldn't have been a disturbing, tragic, and uncomfortable situation. It just sounded like he was ignorant to what slavery actually was.

Dariane Mull

condition” and “has been breathing on his own since last week.”

Middleton, the 911 operator who fielded the early-morning distress call, was placed on paid administrative leave the following day, Jan. 15, according to a Little Rock Police Department spokesman. While the operator has not been charged with any wrongdoing, her leave from the agency is currently pending investigation. The investigation into Middleton’s possible mishandling of the emergency call is being handled by the agency’s internal affairs detectives.

According to reports, Middleton notified Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services but failed to notify Little Rock Fire and Little Rock Police departments. So when MEMS arrived at the scene at about 8:17 a.m., they were forced to call for backup. Reports show that it took crews 12 minutes to drive to the site, keeping personnel from LRFD’s waterrescue team from getting into the water another 22 minutes after the call from MEMS.

“Little Rock Fire Department spokesman Capt. Randy Hickmon said that if Yi and Le could have reached the top of the SUV and been able to stay there, the first fire crew that arrived may have been able to toss them a rope and life jackets, and pull them to shore,” according to a Jan. 17 story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “Other than water-rescue team members, he said, firefighters are not equipped to walk into water above their boot tops, especially when the water is freezing. ‘With 30- to 35-degree water, a human won’t last after five minutes [of exposure],’ Hickmon said. If two firefighters had gone in, he said, ‘in this water, we would have been rescuing two more people.’” Yi graduated from UALR with an associate degree in nursing in Dec.. 2011. She was born in Shanxi, China and is survived by her husband Dayong Yang. Yi worked as a nurse at Baptist Medical Center.

BOWEN, continued from page 1

Emeritus status soon after stepping down and has returned to teaching part-time at Bowen.

“I know that faculty and staff at the UALR Bowen School of Law are incredibly excited about welcoming Michael to our school,” Casey said in a recent press release. “He is highly respected as an educator and advocate for helping create practice-ready attorneys, and his work in these areas will continue to strengthen our focus on legal skills education.”

Casey, who will return to teaching for a final term before her retirement in December, also participated in the process as a member of the search committee. The committee was chaired by Associate Dean Felecia Epps, who joined the Bowen faculty in 1999 and outlined a variety of criteria used to select prime candidates.

“We were particularly interested in those with leadership experience in an academic setting,” she said. “We also wanted to bring in candidates with substantial records of scholarly publication. Finally, and most important for our student-focused learning environment was the experience of working in an environment focused on student learning and achievement.”

According to Epps, it was Schwartz’s contagious energy and enthusiasm that helped him stand apart from other finalists.

“Dean Schwartz brought to the table his extensive teaching experience in addition to his leadership experience,” she

Children’s Hospital’s

care

said. “He has shown an exceptional commitment to legal education and improving the quality of law teaching and student learning in every position he has held.”

Schwartz currently serves as associate dean for Faculty and Development at the Washburn School University of Law in Topeka, Kan. Born and raised in New Jersey, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkley, he graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law with a juris doctor degree in 1987. He previously taught at Charleston School of Law and once worked as an associate for law firms in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, Calif.

While he applied for other jobs at several universities, he quickly withdrew his name from consideration when Bowen offered him the administrative position.

“I realized that, if I somehow were to decide that I did not want to be dean at Bowen, I would not want to be a dean anywhere,” he said. “The opportunities at Bowen and my sense of shared purpose with the Bowen faculty and staff were unique.”

In addition to applauding the school’s location and its job potential for students, Schwartz also hinted at some of his future plans for the uni-

Police Beat

License plate gets replaced

A UALR employee contacted DPS concerning a replaced license plate on Jan. 14.

Zvetomira Svetleff, 29, requested to make a report with Office William Hoolapa. She said that her vehicle was parked in Lot 13 East and that when she went to leave campus she noticed that the license plate was barely hanging on. After checking her vehicle’s registration papers, Svetleff discovered that the license plate was not her’s.

Hoolapa verified that the license plate did not belong to her and then confiscated it.

Wilks that the purse contained cash, credit cards, some medication and her child’s Social Security cards.

versity — notably a sense of collaboration between UALR and Bowen faculty. While several ties exist, he believes there is potential for greater endeavors between professors and programs at both schools.

“One cutting-edge trend in legal education is that law schools are starting to offer courses that match law students and [students from other majors],” he said. “I hope we can create similar experiences in Little Rock. Other possibilities include joint conferences and programs, additional joint degrees, and collaborative clinical programs, such as a small-business incubator collaboration between the business school and the law school.”

But even more important to Schwartz is driving Bowen’s reputation. While the law school is already held in high regard by other universities, he believes this can be expanded through program expansion and practical methods of education, which will ensure further success for law school graduates.

“I hope the law school can build on its efforts to offer a practice-focused legal education and can become a model for great law teaching, careful assessment, and data-driven curriculum design,” he said. “Most of all, I want those who hire new Bowen graduates to feel like they are hiring great lawyers, and I hope Bowen graduates feel proud of their law school and themselves and find challenging and meaningful work.”

Diamond Café gets new executive chef

KenDrell Collins Staff Writer

Sodexo’s newly hired executive chef — a man who has worked for the vendor for 10 years now — has nearly twelve years of professional cooking experience and new ideas for improving students’ dining experience.

After Solon Pietilla graduated from Portland’s Western Culinary Institute in 2003, he went to work for Sodexo and has been with the company ever since.

Before his culinary career brought him to UALR, Pietilla prepared meals for the likes of former President George W. Bush, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, golf legend Tiger Woods and the pop group Destiny’s Child. Nonetheless, he is not above cooking for college students. Prior to coming to UALR, he was a chef at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash., and Texas A & M University in Commerce.

A native of Washington, Pietilla came to Arkansas for the first time in 2008 to be closer to friends, working at Ouachita Baptist University in Texarkana before coming to UALR. Pietilla said that he is eager to improve UALR’s dining services, so students can expect to see various changes at the Diamond Café this semester.

“Some things I want to focus on in the future will be getting to a fresher and more homemade approach for the salad bar, deli and classics line,” Pietilla said.

In addition to making fresher foods, Pietilla hopes to ensure the café accommodates individuals with various dietary needs.

“We will also be creating an area where individuals with gluten [in]tolerance will be able to eat without worrying about what is in their food,” he said.

Like many native Arkansans, Pietilla enjoys southern cooking and said that his favorites dishes include barbeque. He also said that he loves traditional Mediterranean foods — a love that you can see in his own cooking.

As a chef, Pietilla has tried many foods, but there is one he has never tasted: tuna.

“I am allergic to tuna fish, so I do not know if I like it or not,” says Pietilla. He makes an effort to stay as far away from the popular saltwater fish as possible.

Pietilla is traditionally a saucier, a French term for one who specializes in making sauces and soups. Pietilla said that he also gained a fascination recently for making cheesecake and baking bread.

“They are becoming a very potent part of my culinary repertoire,” he said. “Baking bread takes patience and the most minor details can completely change your outcome.”

Pietilla said that one of the best parts of his job is interacting with fellow foodlovers. He encourages students and faculty members who may have questions or special dietary concerns to contact at him at Solon.Pietila@sodexo.com.

Officer Josh Webb told Jackson to notify the banks of the stolen cards and to let the police department know of any unusual transactions made on her account.

Lost card used to purchase meal

A student’s ID card was lost and later used to purchase a meal, according to a police report.

Clara Childs, 18, contacted DPS on Jan. 22 and reported that her UALR identification card was lost. She said that she went to eat on the 23rd but was told that her card had already been swiped.

A custodial worker recently had her purse stolen, according to a police report.

Carla Jackson, 33, was working in the ETAS building second floor and said that she left the cart unattended for a few minutes. When she returned she noticed that her purse was missing. Jackson informed Officer Charles

Need assistance from law enforcement?

Former provost candidate vies for UAPB chancellor position

Cameron Moix News Editor

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has recently narrowed its search for a new chancellor to just four final candidates, one of whom was one of the three final candidates for the UALR provost position.

administrative search began after the retirement in May of UAPB’s 21-year Chancellor Lawrence Davis Jr., after which former Arkansas Rep. Calvin Johnson has worked as interim chancellor.

Laurence Alexander, who is the University of Florida’s associate graduate school dean, is currently one of four final candidates vying for the position of chancellor at UAPB. The other candidates, who are expected to visit the campus for interviews by early February, are Albany State University President Everette Freeman, University of Kentucky’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Robert Mock, and Kim Luckes, executive vice president and chief operating office of Norfolk State University.

“I’m grateful to Dr. [Robert] McGehee and the members of the committee for their diligent work in helping us find the very best person to serve as the next chancellor at UAPB,” said University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt in an official press release. “The high quality of these candidates is a testament to the work of our committee and to the attractiveness of the position as chancellor of this fine university. We are looking forward to getting to know them better as we move into the final stages of this process.”

During their campus visits, the four will each spend two days in meetings and interviews with students, faculty and staff members, as well as individuals from the Pine Bluff community, according to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports. Alexander’s visit, for which he said “I can’t wait,” is slated to be his first trip to both the university as well as the city of Pine Bluff.

“I bring a lot to the table,” Alexander said. “I bring a wealth of experience in higher ed and higher education administration; I bring experience at the graduate level; lots of experience with students and student affairs ... externship programs ... partnerships ... and the alumni board....”

The historically-Black university’s TECH, continued from page 1

park came after months of protest by residents of neighborhoods, including Fair Park and Forrest Hills, many of whom were concerned that the authority would use eminent domain to acquire their homes. In response to the possibility of displacement, many area residents had devised written and visual sentiments — petitions, “not for sale” signs and a “social contract,” which was submitted to the board by area resident and thenopponent Joe Busby.

“The candidates were selected with the help of an advisory search committee chaired by Dr. Robert McGehee, a UAPB alumnus, Pine Bluff native and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. An executive search firm assisted the committee,” according to the UA press release.

At the University of Florida, Alexander also serves as the director of the Office of Minority Programs.

“I think every university has challenges, and I think UAPB is no different,”

Alexander said. “I believe the primary issues for UAPB are student success ... that’s what we’re her for and that’s what we’re all about.” He also said that he plans to help combat enrollment at the school, which has declined in recent years, through more effective recruitment and retention strategies.

Alexander said that the UAPB chancellorship is the only position that he is currently vying for. The search has and continues to be conducted by Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. of Miramar, Fla., who contacted him about the position sometime last fall.

The UALR provost candidates, who were chosen to compete for the UALR administrative position with the help of a national academic search firm, included Alexander, Wayne State University’s Jerry Herron, Wichita State University’s Zulma Toro-Ramos and University of Missouri at Kansas City’s Kevin Truman. After nearly a year and a half of searching, UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson announced the selection of Zulma Toro-Ramos as the university’s provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs position.

The search began in July 2011 when former UALR Provost David Belcher stepped down from the position to take a job as chancellor of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. Sandra Robertson, UALR’s director of Budget, Planning and Institutional Research, has since served as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. When she assumed the temporary role, Robertson had six months of experience working as interim provost in 2003.

The final sites that were considered at the end of the first search included three separate 30-plus-acre tracts, all of which were residential and strategically located between UAMS to the north, UALR to the south and Arkansas Children’s Hospital to the east.

According to the Authority’s website, the first phase of construction at the not-yet-chosen site will only contain one building, while phase two will create nine more. Three criteria must first be met before Phase I can begin, according to lrtechpark.com: the acquisition of land; master planning and construction of site infrastructure; and development of the first building.

A Little Rock city sales tax passed in September 2011 allocated about $22 million for the construction of the Technology Park over the next 10 years, according to lrtechpark.com. This amounts to almost half of the estimated $45-million cost of Phase I.

“If Arkansas is going to compete in the global economy, we’ve got to have more people and more businesses in these areas; so a technology park really folds in well with that,” Anderson said in a Forum interview last August. “When the voters approved the tax support for developing the park, that was really a farseeing step. It’s not something that they will really get the full benefit of; it’s going to be their children and grandchildren.

It’s a long term undertaking.”

The Little Rock Technology Park Authority was created in 2011 with the creation of its board of directors. The board is comprised of seven members, each of whom were appointed to represent Authority sponsors such as UALR, UAMS, the City of Little Rock, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Those board members are Dickson Flake, C.J. Duvall, Ed Drilling, Michael Douglas, Mary Good, Bob Johnson, and Jay Chesshir.

A document titled “By-Laws of Little Rock Technology Park Authority,” which can be found at lrtechpark.com, dictates and explains what the organization is and how it functions. The document was written by Chairman Mary Good, former dean of UALR’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology and adopted by the board Nov. 9, 2011. It states that the LRTPA was created under Act 1045 during the 2007 Regular Session of the Arkansas General Assembly. The board’s seven members are to manage its affairs without compensation for their duties and are appointed for fiveyear terms following the initial period, during which term expirations are staggered.

“While great strides have been made in this effort, the work is only beginning,” according to the website. “But the end product certainly justifies the effort. A Little Rock Technology Park will be a vehicle for future economic development. It will stimulate more research and development (R & D) activity, facilitate commercialization of research, provide a tool for recruiting, and just as importantly, retain and attract research talent, assist in attracting R & D activities of established enterprises, and make Central Arkansas an attractive option for the R & D programs of

which have

Lecturer promotes renewable energy

The head of communications at a leading world-wide company producing wind turbines spoke about the future of renewable energy in Arkansas and across the country Jan. 23, at the Clinton School for Public Service's Sturgis Hall.

Naomi Lovinger of Nordex, the company that opened a wind turbine plant in Jonesboro in October 2010, focused her lecture on political and economic landscapes, often centering on the need for renewable energy to play a larger role in America’s future. Lovinger emphasized the broad-based support that exists for wind energy, in particular, regardless of Americans' stance politics and party affiliation.

“The business we’re in is popular," Lovinger said. "Eighty-three percent of American voters want wind energy as a major provider of the country’s energy supply. Ninety-three percent of Democrats, 72 percent Republicans and 81 percent of independents agree as well.”

She said there is a frustration felt by people at Nordex, a German company, as well as at American-based companies that reflects a consensus regarding political gridlock, and how it relates to how the legislative process affecting the future advancement of more diverse energy resources.

“Our primary policy question remains whether we continue to do the same old thing, or whether we decide to

prepare for the future," she said. "Security demands robust, diverse energy. So does our economy.”

Implicit in any attempt to diversify America’s energy portfolio is the need to restructure part of the nation's tax code, she explained; the current structure of which provides substantial incentives toward the fossil fuel industry.

“The fossil fuel industry receives support five times greater than that extended to renewables in the contemporary U.S. tax code," she said. "This reveals itself through targeted subsidization and loopholes which are not considerate of the future.”

Lovinger said that without fossil- fuels the United States would not be in the position it is in today. But, she said, the nature of climate change mandates that discussion involving wind energy should be more commonplace and significant.`

“The decision regarding wind energy as a primary source of energy is the same decision as selecting an energy policy which addresses long-term scenarios or simply satisfies the short term," she said. "Politicians like to talk about all of the above scenarios. Unfortunately, these approaches too often mandate incremental changes which are difficult to consider as serious.”

Lovinger replaced Ralph Sigrist, chief executive officer and president of Nordex USA, as the speaker due to illness.

Actress to headline Black History Month events

Hillary Perkins Contributing Writer

The Office of Campus Life's Diversity Programs will kick off Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 4, with a keynote address by actress Taraji P. Henson. Henson, a 42-year-old Academy Award-nominated actress, currently has a role as a detective on the CBS series, “Persons of Interest.” She has also appeared in movies such as “Baby Boy,” “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” and “Hustle and Flow.”

“The purpose of choosing Taraji P. Henson to speak for Black History Month was to bring someone to UALR who is influential not only to African-

Do

their goals in life.

Americans, but to the entire student body and will be able to share a positive message amongst our peers,” said University Program Council member Eboni Franklin, a senior media production and design major who has been part of the organization for nearly two years.

Since 2011, the university has been choosing speakers for Black History Month every year. The first speaker for

Black History Month was Ntozake Shange, playwright of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf." The second speaker in 2012 was actor Hill Harper.

“I feel this is a step in the right direction for UALR, by showing the community that we are invested in bringing the best to our school no matter the cost,” said Lucia Okaro, the special chair for executive events for the University Program Council. Okaro is a junior management information systems major.

The topics that will be discussed at this event will be “Finding Faith in Yourself,” to inspire students to achieve

“This will enrich the university by learning cultural values and issues of our community,” said Kara Matthews Brown, diversity programs coordinator. Other events planned for Black History Month include a Jabali Afrikan Dance Performance in Ledbetter Hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13; a showing of the film "Flight" in Ledbetter A at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18; a talk by Robert L. Green titled "How Teacher Expectations Can Increase Student Achievement" in the Student Services Center Auditorium at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20; and a discussion forum on hair in Ledbetter A at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.

That damned Ellis kid

DAv ID E LLIS

1-900

you’re busted

Parents are usually very inept at talking about sex because they try to sugarcoat everything and make it sound a lot more complicated and wondrously mysterious than it really is. Because we could not get practical or realistic answers to our questions from Mom and Dad, we did not rely solely on them for information about sex. As a matter of fact, most of the practical knowledge we gained came from other sources.

One source was pornographic magazines. We were underage and couldn’t buy them and no one would do it for us, so we procured them by our favorite method, which was the five-finger discount (theft). We would ride our bikes to the grocery store up the hill from our house. The magazine rack was right in the front by the door. They didn’t keep them behind the counter like they do today; the rack was in plain sight so everybody could see it.

We were veterans of trouble making, so this was not even a challenge for us. Two of us would create a disturbance which would distract everyone in the store so our master thief, Adam, could slip a magazine or two into the back of his pants and out of the store.

We all would meet up at one of the wooded lots or back home to peruse our newly-acquired source of info and entertainment. From pioneers of porn like Hugh Hefner and Larry Flint, we received a good portion of our knowledge about the taboo subject of sex. We didn’t learn everything but we figured out the mechanics of the whole thing. We knew where everything was supposed to go, basically.

One day, while perusing a newly-nicked nudie magazine, we stumbled across an advertisement for several 1-900 numbers. This was before the requirement of fine print disclaimers and before you had to have a credit card, so we just thought this was another version of a toll free service.

We called the numbers. Each one was different but they all had a recording of an erotic fantasy acted out by one or two women with sexy voices, and all of them contained either faked or real female orgasms. Needless to say, we thought this was awesome. So we called these numbers everyday, sometimes three or four times for up to a half an hour or more. We invited all of our friends over to show them what we had found.

We spent all summer calling these 900 numbers and checking out the new storylines and different girls. We were all sitting around one day, shooting the bull with a new friend who had just started hanging out with us. We told him about our discovery of the 900 numbers and how we had called them all summer. We were expecting him to be in awe of us and say how cool we were to have pulled it off. Imagine our surprise when he said, “You dumbasses, don’t you know they charge that to your phone bill.”

We all looked at each other, our eyes wide with the knowledge that soon we would all be dead men. The moment of dread arrived and Mom got the phone bill, screaming in confusion and anger about the amount. “Three hundred damned dollars! The phone bill has never been that high! What the hell are all these 900 numbers on here, Wayne?”

To which my dad replied that he didn’t know. “Call one,” he said. She did. My devout Catholic mother almost had a heart attack. She yelled for my dad and for all of us.

We were busted. We were subjected to a hysterical lecture from my mother about what a great sin we had just committed, how disappointed she was in us, all the punishment we were going to receive for this and how we were most certainly going to hell.

While I don’t believe I’m going to hell, I do believe there was a lesson in there somewhere. Don’t be too eager to croon about your achievements or discoveries. You might just end up finding out how big of a dumbass you really are.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Sleepiness harmful to health, grades

Sarah De Clerk Features Editor

Sleep is one of the body’s most natural and necessary processes, yet 28.5 percent of Arkansans have trouble getting enough sleep, according to the Center for Disease Control.

The CDC recommends adults sleep seven to nine hours per night. Insufficient sleep can lead to physical and mental deterioration. It can also hinder academic performance.

“I think people don’t realize how important sleep is,” said Marie Sandusky, advanced practice nurse with Health Services. “It’s as important as drinking water or getting food.”

Sleep is essential to health.

Sleeping helps your body regain energy, repair muscles, regulate hormones and process memories, the National Sleep Foundation said.

Sleep loss can lead to longterm health problems, including diabetes, obesity and heart problems, it said. In addition, the National Sleep Foundation found that sleep loss can hinder the immune system. This means that students who do not get enough sleep are more likely to catch colds and other illnesses, which can lead to missed school days.

Sleep also has a dramatic effect on mental functioning. A clinical review entitled “Sleep loss, learning capacity and academic performance” found that students are chronically sleep deprived, and that this sleep deprivation can have severe academic consequences. Sleepiness reduces mood, attention, memory and problemsolving skills, all of which are necessary for students to succeed, it said. Therefore, students who skimp on sleep will have more difficulty in class than their well-rested counterparts.

Mike Kirk, the director of UALR’s Counseling and Career Planning Services, said he believes sleep deprivation is a major problem among students. Students may be unable to sleep because of physiological needs or a changing environment, he said. He added that, on weekends, students may socialize instead of catching up on sleep. “I’ve always been

a morning person, but when I was in college, my group that I ran with stayed up later - I stayed up later,” he said.

There is no match for a good night’s sleep, but, in a pinch, students can nap to re-energize their bodies and minds. Napping for 20 to 30 minutes during the day can improve alertness, mood and performance, the National Sleep Foundation said. Short naps and caffeine can improve performance at night jobs and help people avoid drowsy driving, it said. However, it added that napping can have negative effects as well, like grogginess or disorientation upon waking. Napping late in the day can also make it harder to sleep at night.

Sleepy students may use energy drinks to make up for missed sleep. Currently, the

Food and Drug Administration is investigating deaths allegedly related to energy drinks. Although a moderate dose of caffeine is not harmful, too much caffeine can lead to jitters, dehydration, dependency and cardiovascular problems, the FDA said. It added that drinking caffeine during the day can make it difficult to sleep at night.

“You end up kind of being on a roller coaster with your energy levels,” Sandusky said, “it doesn’t create a healthy, organic balance of energy that’s going to be sustainable over time.”

Kirk agreed that relying on energy drinks was not the way to go. “There’s probably not a shortcut to make up for lack of good nutrition, regular exercise and regular sleep,” he said.

With work, students can get enough nighttime sleep and reduce their need for caffeine. Routine is very important to sleep, and it helps to maintain a regular sleeping schedule and bedtime routine, the National Sleep Foundation said. It also noted the importance of a comfortable bedroom and of regular exercise. In addition, it said, people should avoid exercise, food, alcohol and nicotine for a few hours before they sleep. Students should also keep a sleep diary if they are having trouble sleeping, Sandusky added. Between homework at night and classes in the morning, sleep may seem elusive and impractical. The evidence suggests that getting enough sleep is worth it, however. An early bedtime could be the key to passing that 8 a.m. class.

What’s keeping you up at night?

Dustin Rhodes

Sophomore early childhood education major

“Homework, video games ... not doing anything really. Hanging out with friends.”

Blake Bingham

Freshman German major

“Insomnia.”

Alex Darell

Sophomore computer science major

“I sleep just fine.”

Geoffrey Ellis

Sophomore psychology major

“All of my sorrows.”

Student assists hit-and-run victim

Sarah De Clerk Features Editor

It was a quiet Sunday morning on Kavanaugh Boulevard. Lois Sandusky, 61, was walking home after eating breakfast at Leo’s Greek Castle. Joseph Payne Colton, 20, sophomore biology major, sat in his parked car, about to go to work. These two strangers had no idea that their lives were about to collide.

Sandusky’s walk home was cut short. While she was crossing Beachwood Street, a man in a white Ford pickup struck her with his car and drove away. Sandusky lay immobilized in the street. Colton saw the whole incident and immediately took action.

“When I heard the initial hit it was almost like I went into acting mode,” Colton said. “It was like time stood still and I was just doing what I could.”

While the man drove off, Colton got a description of the truck, its driver and most of the license plate – information that would lead to the suspect’s arrest.

“At that moment it was so quiet,” Colton said. “The first thing that came to mind was that I have to do something now because if I don’t, no good will come out of this situation.”

Colton called 911. Sandusky was still lying in the street, so Colton had a van block the intersection. He would not let anyone

move her. Colton tried to reassure the injured woman.

“The first thing I said was, ‘I got the guy. They’re on the way. You’re going to be fine,” he said. Colton also alerted her family. He

picked up her phone and started calling every one with the same last name, he said.

“He talked to them calmly and responsibly,” Sandusky said. “He was reassuring, but he was honest.” When the ambulance and police came, Colton spoke to them, as well.

“I felt secure and safer, somewhat grounded, because Payne was in charge of things,” Sandusky said. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if he hadn’t been there.”

Sandusky went to the hospital with serious injuries. Colton visited Sandusky multiple times while she was in the hospital.

“I love Lois,” he said. “For some reason, I feel like I’ve known her for longer than I really have.” He added that her family has been very appreciative.

“I don’t know what would have happened to me if he hadn’t been there,” Sandusky said. “I will always stay in contact with him. I owe him a great human debt.”

Colton attributes his speedy action to his large family. Being one of seven children, he learned to react quickly, he said. He added that he might go into the medical field.

“I like to help people,” he said. Colton remains humble despite his bravery. “I don’t want to be called your hero. I just want to be there for you,” he said. “I hope you would do the same thing for someone else.”

Lifetime artist, 14 year department chair to retire

Sarah De Clerk Features Editor

When Department of Art Chair Win Bruhl retires in June, his legacy will remain, embodied in “Red Bud,” his contribution to UALR’s permanent art collection.

He creates landscapes, like “Red Bud,” because he enjoys the solitude and quietness of it, Bruhl said. “It’s particularly important to me in the context of a time in which things seem to be moving faster and faster,” he said, and added that technology can obstruct communication between people and the landscape.

“I sometimes think I’m living in the wrong century,” he said.

Bruhl pursues printmaking because of its long, drawn-out process and the mystery that unfolds in that process, he said.

“You don’t know what the print’s going to be until you devote hours and hours to it.” Bruhl estimated that he spent at least 200 hours on “Red Bud.”

Bruhl has been an artist since he was “old enough to hang on to a pencil or Crayola,” he said.

In elementary school, Bruhl made a mosaic on the school wall and sold crafts at recess with his brother. They got their creativity from their father, who was a cabinet maker, Bruhl said.

In 1966, Bruhl earned his bachelor’s degree in studio art.

“Initially, I just wanted to be a famous artist,” he said. Then, in 1967, Bruhl was drafted. He served two years as an army artist in Germany.

His GI Bill allowed him to earn three more degrees, two of which are in art education.

Bruhl has taught at four universities. At one point, he thought about giving up teaching and opening a blueberry farm, which he would have called “Blueberry Thrills.”

In 1998, Bruhl moved to Arkansas to be department chair at UALR. “This is the best place I’ve been,” he said.

After 43 years of teaching, however, Bruhl said that it is time for him to do something else. “I have a lot ahead of me,” he said. If Bruhl stays in Arkansas, he will spend more time at his studio, Southern Flyer Press. He and his wife may spend an extended period of time in Italy, where his son and grandchildren live.

Bruhl’s proudest accomplishment as chair is the addition of the applied design program, he

said. The program, which focuses on traditional crafts, is the only program of its kind in the state, he added. Bruhl said that the program “gives people the option to pick up on the American craft movement and try to revitalize that movement.”

This spring, the art department is honoring Bruhl with the gallery, “Collecting Prints.” Bruhl had no part in the selection and said that the exhibition was put together “almost secret-

ly.” He is very pleased with the exhibition, he said. “It’s really diverse and, because of that, it’s quite exciting.” The exhibition also has excellent educational potential, he said, because all four types of printing are represented.

Bruhl is “very grateful” that the exhibit includes “Red Bud.”

He is especially glad to see it hanging next to another landscape, which was printed by his hero, Gustave Baumann.

Sarah De Clerk Features Editor

The Trojan stands on the lawn of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house, looking regal and amusing at the same time. He is a tattered conqueror; his boots are held together with binder clips and his cape with Velcro. He also wears a maroon leather skirt.

A fan calls out to him and he waves back, his padded muscles rippling. Then he runs into the house for an impromptu dance lesson. Dance class is on the to-do list, said the Trojan’s alter-ego, Jeremy Martin, 25, junior international business and music composition major.

The Trojan takes the stage at home games and at events like Welcome Week. The mascot has to “have some fun and do whatever it takes to get the crowd going,” Martin said. He added that the Trojan’s responsibilities include taking pictures with fans, signing autographs and eating a bunch of hotdogs before the game. “It’s their job to be the most enthusiastic fan in the stands, even it they’re not in the stands,” said Patrick Newton, interim sports information director.

UALR’s mascot was the Trojan long before any costume, however. In 1930, UALR’s first football team voted for the Trojan as their mascot, said James E. Lester, Jr. in his book, “The People’s College.” It has been the mascot of all UALR athletic teams since. When the football team was reinstated in 1947, Lester said, Trojan t-shirts were all the rage. Now, the Trojan can be found on anything from hats and flip-flops to pens and water bottles.

School spirit is the idea behind the mascot, Newton said. “It’s a consistent, unifying symbol that everyone can see and associate with UALR athletics,” he said, and added that the symbol helps promote the department, as well.

“The Trojan is a good mascot for UALR because it shows honor, strength and courage,” Martin said. He added that he became the mascot to conquer his stage fright. In true Trojan spirit, he advised anyone with a similar phobia to “just go out there and take a risk. You won’t overcome your fear unless you face it.”

Bad Religion directs political and societal angst with 'True North'

Jacob Ellerbee Sports Editor

When your band has been around for more than 30 years—still touring successfully and putting out quality music since 1979 — you must be doing something right. Bad Religion decided there is no reason to reinvent the wheel on their 16th studio album; that is why you hear familiar punk music reverberating from start to finish on “True North,” the follow-up to 2010’s “The Dissent of Men,” released Jan. 22 via Epitaph Records.

Straight out of the gate, “True North” hits the listener with a guitardriven triple-threat and fierce drumming that leads one to think Brett Gurewitz (guitar, backing vocals), Brian Baker (guitar), Greg Hetson (guitar) and Brooks Wackerman (drums) are attempting to trump each other’s speed and technical prowess.

While the title track, “True North,” is a rapid assault that discusses cheating death and finding your moral compass, Bad Religion has also made room for politics. “Robin Hood in Reverse,” the album’s third song, is a narrative detailing the Occupy Wall Street movement from the perspective of one in favor of wealth redistribution and justice in the United States. Gurewitz tells Revolver magazine that the song is “about the Occupy movement and the new climate of xenophobia brought on by the Tea Party.”

The album’s first single, “F--- You,” is filled with passion, bursts of energy and gang vocals. Jay Bentley (bass, backup vocals) can be heard furiously pounding his bass guitar and participating in those gang vocals throughout the track. Gurewitz, again speaking to Revolver, said this song would bring them back into good graces within the hardcore community.

“It really goes for the jugular,” Gurewitz said of the single. “I think it also sends the signal out there to people that we made a punk record again.”

Greg Graffin, who graduated with a doctorate in philosophy from Cornell University, usually handles lead vo -

cals, but he handed the torch to Gurewitz on one particular song. “Dharma and the Bomb” is one track that really stands out on this album. The song’s lyrics are poetic and they give the listeners an opportunity to interpret the song for themselves.

The simple song structures and jabs at social and religious issues are standard when making a punk album — and don’t expect any vocal miracles. The singing is pretty cut-and-dry and mostly used to tell a story rather than demonstrate vocal range or ability.

The tracks may seem uncharacteristically short for a listener not acquainted with the fast, hard pace of punk. Of 16 tracks, only one clocks in over the three-minute mark. But the collection of songs packs a mean punch, leaving no room for filler material. As a result, the listener is served only the finest meat and the heartiest of potatoes.

The album ends on a puzzling note with “Changing Tide,” and listeners can only hope the lyrics are not a cryptic farewell message aimed at the fans.

“Realizing all your most cherished beliefs are subject to rot and mold,” Graffin sings. The band decides to end the song with the chorus, “Brothers say goodbye/Sisters don’t you cry. All embrace the times/Wade into the changing tide.”

Perhaps the band is signaling a major change for themselves, or maybe they’re simply giving the listener something concrete in which to relate. Or maybe, the band is leaving this one as something that can be open for interpretation. Make up your own ending, that’s the punk thing to do.

"American Horror Story," FX's latest hit, has garnered a unique, passionate audience since its 2011 inception. While initially thought to be derivative of previous horror milestones, the series has catapulted from contender to fan favorite with jolting depictions of rattling stories. While the first saga, now dubbed "Murder House" in light of the anthology designation, brought palpable, "Shining"-esque fare to the table, it was "Asylum," the second and most recent installment, that displayed evidence of maturity.

In its infancy, "American Horror Story" reflected the naked, sometimes bumbling ambition of creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The series dealt with predictable elements -- corpses, ghosts, ultraviolence -- and the plot was largely centered on one family plagued with deep-seeded issues. But with "Asylum" came spiraling stories and a characters with exceptional depth and hearty backstories, all against a backdrop of alien abduction, demonic possession and a hint of anti-religious schtick that enticed and rattled viewers for a twelveweek period.

Despite its scattered beginnings, it was the season’s religious underpinnings that propelled its popularity. There is something deliciously sinful -- pardon the pun -- about a possessed nun (played expertly by Lily Rabe) who encourages the evils of Thredson (Zachary Quinto) and Arden (James Cromwell) within a holy artifice. Tiny details, notably the attention given to sacrilege and religious hypocrisy, demonstrate literary maturity and render Murphy and Falchuk a collective to be reckoned with.

For all its assets, “Asylum” also had its drawbacks. The opener, “Welcome to Briarcliff,” introduced alien abduction as the series’ first supernatural event, which was outright corny to those preferring the bloodlust of “Murder House.” Even Kit Walker’s partial nudity (courtesy of handsome AHS veteran Evan Peters) and Dr. Arden’s Naziaffiliated past couldn’t distract from mundane episodes like “The Origins of Monstrosity,” during which the twists were predictable and hard to enjoy.

Perhaps the biggest flaw is found in “Spilt Milk,” the eleventh and third-tolast episode. While it could never be classified as “boring,” this particular

installment reverts back to the rushed fashion with which the first season of “American Horror Story” was written.

Several deaths, though gallant exits for those involved, are crammed into one 46-minute slot, making the plot too busy and rendering the series’ remainder futile for those caring at all for the fates of three primary villains. Sure, there are a handful of continued story arcs, but even these are handled with abruptness, disappointing any viewer who hoped the writers had mastered the art of pace.

This was a problem that also permeated the finale, which was filled to the brim with disappointments. The irrelevant and ultimately unsatisfying alienabduction arc was concluded with Kit Walker, who, in middle age, had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. His disappearance, in addition to Sister Jude's death of natural causes, only served a cop-out that wasted any potential writing talent. Even more predictable was the fate of Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson), who came to face-toface with her demon of a son -- a debacle that ended with a simple, point-blank murder and a brief, blurry revisit to Briarcliff. For someone who had such high hopes for the season after its midsection propelled its mystery, "Asylum's" conclusion lacked its expected luster and served as an easy end for the series and all the characters involved.

Nonetheless, the spotlight elements of "Asylum" -- the diversity of character, the fluctuating timeline, the disturbing images -- culminated into a tour de force of a television series. While the beginning and conclusion were plagued with inconsistencies and pace flaws, the second season of "American Horror Story" ended up being a resonant work of art. Fans will forever be plagued with foreboding concepts derived from this series and upon knowing this, the creators will almost certainly nod their heads in satisfaction and accomplishment.

Yo La Tengo continue indie romantic trends with 'Fade'

Liz Fox Entertainment Editor

For nearly hitting the three-decade mark, Yo La Tengo stands as a relevant rarity. While the last few years have been fraught with musical dissolution -- Sonic Youth on hiatus due to the unfathomable Kim-Thurston split, R.E.M. calling it quits after fifteen years of mediocre output -- the indie rock ensemble continues to bathe itself in superstardom while also living the life of influence. Their latest release, “Fade,” continues the trend of showing growth and experimentation while also adding a tighter grip on consistency to the band’s catalogue.

2009’s “Popular Songs” saw incohesive and ambitious ventures into drone, free jazz, ‘60s pop and post-rock territories. But while “Fade” possesses many of the same structural characters, there appears to be a definitive focus and less of an attempt to mirror Apple’s shuffle function. The path from opener to conclusion is more logical, centering itself around an accessible blend of indie pop and art rock that still excites and keeps critics at bay. It’s also worth noting the album’s time, which clocks in around the 45-minute mark, is a subtle move in a different direction, considering Yo La Tengo has releases that extend well beyond the average album length.

While the radio-friendly half of “Fade” entices listeners with clap-worthy grooves and drone descents, the album continues in the same fashion as “Popular Songs” with a thoughtful, wistful side B. “Stupid Things” and “Before We Run”’ contain an uncomfortable ambiguity that addresses age and love in an era of uncertainty, drawing upon

half-familiar themes all-but-true for Ira and Georgia’s creative and romantic partnership. If there’s any consistency to the band’s history, it’s the startling degree of intimacy that both individuals, with the help of James McNew, manage to convey through song.

But it is “The Point of It” a gem obscured by a batch of deep tracks, that serves as the album’s magnum opus. The lonesome lilt revolves around worry, insecurity and passion that accompanies a long-lasting commitment. Those keeping up with the band may heed this as a nod to the uncertainty of Ira’s health scare, which prompted the band to reschedule their traditional batch of Hanukkah shows in 2011. But despite its depressing state, the track is worth a few schoolgirl swoons -- sweet, sensible and serving as an ode to mortality and what-ifs that linger with time. Like “Popular Songs,” “Fade” is a testament to relatable romanticism. It strips away the pretension and cheese of mainstream pop by offering bare-bones, real-world honesty that could only be written by a group that’s endured the ups and downs of a decades-long career. And if there’s any fact Yo La Tengo’s output can account for, it’s that being in love is not only okay but also a beautiful experience.

Orchestra director encourages students to attend performances

Tatsiana Karaliova Staff Writer

"I'll never stop being a student," says Philip Mann, music director and conductor for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. "“I love my job because I never stopped learning and in a sense I never left school."

A curly-haired Rhodes scholar, Mann has performed with several orchestras and has also been praised by the BBC, who pinned him as a "talent to watch out for." He moved to Little Rock with his family over two years ago and his wife, Tatiana Roitman, is a pianist and serves as part of the faculty in UALR's Music Department.

It is Mann’s third season with the symphony and he says the connection between the orchestra and himself hasn't ceased for one moment. But he sometimes misses the nostalgia and interaction he had in his previous years of schooling.

“I definitely miss my Oxford days," he said. "I miss the camaraderie of staying up all night in practice rooms and working until you have blisters on your fingers. ... I miss the kind of friendships that only those circumstances and settings could create.”

Mann also said one of his most memorable mentors was his high school English teacher, who had high standards and was difficult to please -- so much that it was hard to enjoy his class.

“But looking back on it, it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Mann said. “He made it all the time clear that to be successful in anything, particularly in academia

or in life, you have to be persuasive and you have to do it with grace, elegance, and accuracy.”

Despite many reputable orchestras sinking into financial trouble, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra made efforts to survive and, according to Mann, they've broken their alltime attendance records in the last two years. As a result, many people are saying the heyday of the Arkansas Symphony is back and that the musicians' collective effort has made their story among the most compelling in the country.

“Our individual contributed income has been up dramatically. People had really bought in; it’s an incredible story that is happening right now,” Mann said.

The orchestra also won in the competitive Orchestra Residencies Program, which was established by world famous violinist Midori and aims to advocate the arts and art education. Midori will perform with the ASO in April and, according to Mann, “Midori plays Tchaikovsky” is definitely the highlight. She will not only perform; she will also be holding workshops and classes to teach aspiring musicians about technique and the industry itself.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra launched a new performance series this year, which is known as "Intimate Neighborhood Concerts." Mann says this is a major development for the orchestra because it marks the beginning of performances in new spaces, neighborhoods and other places the symphony hasn't performed or been exposed to in the past. When

choosing its repertoire, the orchestra looks for a balance of what they present and tries to select music from different periods and schools.

“We really like to bring people who bring something creative, unique, and special and have a very compelling presentation,” Mann said. “Our audiences are incredibly receptive and warmly generous with new artists.”

But Mann's primary goal is show that classical music can be for everyone, just as it was in the past.

“Symphony can be for anybody and can play anything,” he said. “I think the more modern life changes ... it makes classical music and experience of seeing an orchestra more and more special. Because to go into a hall that’s built for a specific purpose and concentrate on something, activate your imagination and all your viewer faculties and have all of your senses engaged – that’s a really special thing today.”

Mann says that it’s very exciting to see UALR students and young people at the ASO concerts. He encouraged UALR students to come to their concerts and come backstage to be introduces to young musicians. “We all have thousands of songs on our computers, iPods, iPhones […], but there will always be a place for live music, because nothing offers what live music does,” Mann said.”You can hear the best performance of a piece in the world in your headphones, but it pales in comparison to hearing the same piece played in person.”

'Gangster Squad' misses mark with predictability

David Ellis Staff Writer

"Gangster Squad," the newest film in the mob genre, delivers on action and thrills, but misses some opportunities at "great movie" status. The film is the latest endeavor by director Ruben Fleischer, whose other works include such original, quirky films like "Zombieland" and "30 Minutes or Less."

"Gangster Squad" is set against the backdrop of Los Angeles circa 1949. Police sergeants John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) lead a band of misfit cops, under orders to run former-boxer-turned-gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) out of the city by any means necessary. The movie delivers on action with gritty fist-fights, wild shoot-'em-up battles, car chases and explosions. Where it falls short is that it follows a cookie-cutter, predictable formula of the gangster flick, so much that the actor’s abilities are wasted. It shoots for a great gangster film but comes across as a remake of "The Untouchables;" it was almost like a T.V. crime drama and a Dick Tracy comic meshed together.

There are obvious liberties taken with historical accuracy. When the claim is made that the film is based on true events, it really should have the word "loosely" placed before "based," which is too bad because the real story would likely make for a better film.

The story and film are good, but it could have been great with more emotional investment in character development. The actors are what save this film; they take a predictable storyline

MOVIE REVIEW

and mediocre script and make it work. But for all of its predictability and lack of originality, the story has a moral: live by the sword, and you will die by the sword. There is a satisfying vindication of the good guy when he claims victory. If nothing else, the audience will be able to identify with the personal catharsis of standing one's ground in the face of almost insurmountable odds.

Brolin gives a believable performance, which has the viewer rooting for the strong, silent hero while Penn delivers the goods as a ruthless, violence-driven mob boss. The fun of the car chases, along with the excitement of chaotic gun battles, make this an entertaining film in spite of its shortcomings. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling also churn up the romantic chemistry of their earlier work in Crazy Stupid Love. The Real Picture Experience, or RPX, is shot at faster frame rates and makes for a sharper, more detailed image which enhances the experience. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score this film rates at a 3.5, and it was worth the investment of a couple of hours.

CJ

Waters Assistant Editor

"Subway Surfers," a game released by Kiloo Games and Sybo Games last year, is becoming the new "Temple Run." With its high-definition graphics and unique concept, this game is an extremely addictive piece of entertainment.

Jake, the main character of the game, is a graffiti artist, skater and surfer who gets caught in the act of working on his latest masterpiece by a train conductor. From that point forward, the inspector and his pit bull are chasing him through the streets. In order to help Jake escape from these two frightening characters, one must simply move their fingers to slide under train signs (slide finger down), jump on top of moving trains (slide finger up), and dodge them to(move finger left and right). There

are also jet pack and hovering skateboard features to help Jake run from the police without

tional

known

character.

Horoscopes

By Sarah Melero By

By Taylor Hoffard

Try something new, Aquarius. You will find that by getting out of your comfort zone, you learn new things about yourself, and may find new talents. Or even a new major. Keep your eyes open.

New things are hard for you to adjust to. So take baby steps to being on your own. Try living on campus or preparing your own meals, without your parents. Break away from your old habits this semester.

Have you tried taking a step back to consider other opinions, Aries? Your assertiveness gets in the way; you may even get a new perspective on a passionate subject.

A professor might give you a complicated explanation, and you might give up instead of trying to understand the explanation. Give the professor your attention, and good grades will come your way.

You may find a blessing in disguise coming your way. A class you can’t stand might end up being a bridge to finding a true, solid major or minor for you.

You tend to make decisions based on your emotions instead of logic, Cancer. Try separating your emotions from situations; you may see a whole new side to things.

You are a born star, Leo and you love your time in the spotlight. But, sometimes it isn’t all about you. Let others have to shine in your classes.

Someone you know isn’t very mature, Virgo and it gets under your skin. Try being practical and expressing how you feel. Let out some steam. If you can’t tell the person because of a fear of hurting their feelings, try to look past the immatureness.

You are very intellectual, Libra which is not a bad thing. But, get in touch with your creative side and you will find there is more to a personality besides logic. Take that Introduction to Visual Art class!

You rarely forget when someone rejects you, Scorpio and it’s going to bring you down. Just because you didn’t get the grade you wanted, doesn’t mean you’re being rejected. Look at what you think of as rejection as an opportunity to challenge yourself.

You constantly feel the need to prove your independence, but everyone already sees it, Sagittarius. Instead of flaunting your independence, show how you can help others in classes. Your peers will grow to like you more.

You are a natural goal setter, Capricorn. But, you are hard on yourself when you can’t handle everything on your plate. Take a step back and re-evaluate your time, it will only help you in the long run.

Trojans win come-from-behind thriller

Jacob Ellerbee

Editor

Sports

After a rough first half, the UALR men’s basketball team received words of inspiration at halftime to help lead a second half rally in overcoming a 22-point deficit to defeat Florida Atlantic University Jan. 24, at the Jack Stephens Center.

FAU got off to a hot start against the Trojans. The first 12 points for the Owls all came from beyond the three point line and hitting all four attempts.

UALR’s game plan revolved around getting the ball inside the paint in attempt to utilize an asset FAU did not have: height. Steve Shields, head coach for UALR, used combinations of junior Will Neighbour, sophomore Gus Leeper, sophomore Michael Javes and freshman James White, who all stand 6’ 8” or taller, in an attempt to utilize their height as much as possible. The Trojans would only encounter one player taller than 6’ 8” on FAU’s roster and that was Dragan Sekelja, a 7-foot-tall Croatian.

UALR struggled to make baskets throughout the entire first half, shooting 7 for 25 from the field and demonstrating that height can not make up for poor shooting.

At the start of this contest, FAU’s Greg Gantt was third in the nation in points-per-game, averaging 22.5ppg. The Trojans were able to drive the ball at Gantt and drew fouls against him. Gantt was called for three fouls in a span of eight minutes, forcing Mike Jarvis, head coach of FAU, to sit his star player for the remainder of the first half.

Beginning at the 11:51 mark of the first half, FAU went on a 14-2 scoring run against UALR. During that run, at the 5:40 mark, FAU drained a three point shot putting the Owls up 25-11 over UALR, and Shields called for timeout. On the very next FAU possession, another three point shot was made and Shields screamed for a timeout as he was visibly disgruntled with his players’ lack of defensive intensity. As Shields called for time, the score was 28-11.

Going into halftime, FAU led 35-19. Neighbour led the Trojans with 9 points and 4 rebounds. FAU’s Stefan Moody led his team with 14 points and 2 rebounds. As a team, FAU shot 14 of 25 from the field in the first half, grabbed 19 total rebounds and enjoyed an 11-point contribution from its bench.

Over the course of the first half, Shields used all 12 of his players to find a combination that would help cool FAU’s three point shooting (7 of 8) in the first half.

According to Shields, a rous-

ing halftime speech by senior Ted Crass rallied the Trojans to turn things around going into the second half.

“He [Crass] talked about having only four and a half home games left and how hard everybody’s worked [dating] back into the summer and to not have regrets, basically,” Shields said.

“He challenged all our guys and that’s what Ted’s done for this team,” Shields said. Adding, “He’s the only senior.”

“Ted: he’s a fiery guy, he’s been with us for a while and he’s an effort-based guy. That’s why, that’s why he came out,” Shields said, pausing, fighting back emotion in a moment in which the head coach was visibly moved by the actions and leadership of Crass.

As Shields glanced down at the podium, shaking his head, he said, “Man, I love him like he’s my own,” his eyes returning to members of the media and regaining his train of thought. “And that’s why he came out last year and he’d been a manager for me for three years.” Again, Shields paused, looking down at the podium trying to distract himself, and said, “He’s tough. He’s going to be a heck of a coach, too.”

The buzzer sounded and the players returned to their respective benches to begin the second half, fresh off of Crass’ halftime speech and Shields’ strategic maneuvers.

UALR attacked the paint to start the second half and began making shots. Meanwhile, FAU began to struggle in finding an offensive rhythm.

The Trojans continued to chip away at the score, cutting the deficit 43-52 with about 10 minutes remaining in the game.

UALR and FAU continued to trade baskets through the next six minutes, leaving the score 52-59 with 4:11 remaining and FAU on top. The next two Trojan possessions resulted in four made free throws, making this a three point game with just over three minutes to play.

As the two teams came back onto the floor, the crowd at the Jack Stephens Center was on its feet and chanting “defense.”

The Trojans forced a turnover and Neighbour knocked down a two point shot with 2:32 left in the game, making it 58-59.

FAU’s Gantt, the number

three-leading scorer in Division 1 basketball, went to the line to shoot two free throws with 2:20 left. The crowd of about 3,300 came to a deafening roar as Gantt shot and missed the first free throw. His second attempt was good and he extended FAU’s lead 60-58.

Hagins drained a long two point shot from near the top of the key to tie the game with 1:57 left in the game. FAU’s next possession resulted in a miss and Neighbour grabbed the rebound and was fouled 90 feet from his basket. The Trojans were in double bonus, so Neighbour went to the free throw line for two shots and a chance for the Trojans to take their first lead of the game. Neighbour sank both free throws and gave the Trojans a 62-60 lead.

The Owls were scrapping to find two points and they came from Jordan McCoy, who knocked down his first and only basket of the game to tie the score at 62 with 1:05 left in the game. Shields and the Trojans called for a time out.

Out of the time out, the Tro -

jans set up a play to burn some of the clock. The Owls played tough defense and forced junior Leroy Isler to shoot an offbalance three point shot. The ball missed the rim by a few inches, but freshman Kemy Osse was there for the rebound and tipped the ball in to put the Trojans up 64-62 with 37.8 seconds left.

The referees stopped play momentarily to review the shot on instant replay to find out if Osse beat the shot clock buzzer.

After review, the referees declared that the ball left Osse’s hand before the shot clock expired and the shot would count.

On FAU’s next possession, they turned the ball over by fumbling it out of bounds near their own bench. The Owls fouled freshman John Gillon as soon as the Trojans put the ball into play. Gillon missed the first but made the second, giving the Trojans a 65-62 lead.

The Owls got the ball to Gantt, who raced down the court with 8.3 seconds left in the game. He dribbled down the sideline and toward his coach, picking up his dribble

Swimming and diving sends seniors off with victory

Sports

UALR's swimming and diving team ended its final home meet of the season on a positive note winning 10 events and defeating Rhodes College of Memphis, Tenn. 64-46 and Hendrix College of Conway 75-30. This was the final meet at the Donaghey Center Natatorium for seniors Amber Kelly, Rebecca McEachern and Amy Tran. Prior to the start of the first event, the seniors were recognized for their commitment to the UALR swimming program. Teammates, friends and family members embraced the three swimmers near the starting blocks with hugs and flower arrangements.

Amy Burgess, head coach of the UALR swimming and diving program, talked about the significance of these three student athletes and the impact they have had on the program.

"These three girls are actually the first girls I kind of recruited as a head coach," Burgess said. "They committed to me as a young coach, and to kind of a younger program, and really have just been there all the way through: pushing with the recruiting, being involved in a lot of stuff, starting traditions, starting the whole program."

"These girls are great and they're going to be missed," Burgess said. "They're very organized and they're loving what they're doing."

McEachern, a Star City native, is working toward a mas-

ter's degree in accounting. Kelly, a Juneau, Alaska native, will graduate with a degree in health sciences, placing an emphasis in health promotion, and a minor in education. Tran, a Medina, Tenn. native, will graduate with a mass communication degree, placing an emphasis in strategic communication, and a minor in music. At the conclusion of the ceremony honoring the three senior swimmers, the night of events began. The first event of the evening, the 400 yard medley relay, included a team of junior Kara Raney to start things off, sophomore Meghan Petersen going in next, followed by Kelly and ending with freshman Valeriya Teplova. The relay group finished first overall with a time of 4:04.58.

The next event, the 1,650 yard freestyle, had two UALR swimmers competing in the long-distance race. Sophomore Alexis Stone took first place with a time of 19:03.19 and sophomore Sam Thompson took third with a time of 19:56.92

The 200 yard freestyle featured four UALR swimmers and they all took the top four fastest times. Freshman Natalie Swindle finished first with a time of 1:57.74. Kelly took second with a time of 1:58.99, while junior Holly Myers took third (1:59.10) and Raney took fourth (2:00.86). McEachern and Tran took first and second, respectively, in the 50 yard freestyle with times of 25:31 and 25:70.

Junior Hope Myers took second place in the 400 yard individual medley with a time of 4:58.13.

As swimmers took a break, the diving portion of the meet began. UALR sent freshman Megan Scott to face Mary Portera of Rhodes College in the one meter diving competition. Scott outscored Portera 248.30 to 201.25 to claim victory for UALR. Swindle represented UALR in the 200 yard butterfly by taking first place with a time of 2:10.26. In the 100 yard freestyle, Teplova took first for UALR with a time of 53.73. McEachern finished in second with a time of 56.60.

and attempting to call timeout. FAU was out of timeouts, so the referees could not award the Owls a timeout and Gantt was called for a traveling violation, which ended the game.

Neighbour finished the game with 24 pints and 11 rebounds for the Trojans. Osse scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds off the bench.

Gantt, the third leading scorer in the nation, was held to 13 points in 27 minutes of action. After the game, Neighbour, like Shields, attributed the turn around to Crass’ halftime speech.

“He [Crass] got pretty emotional in there and he really picked us up,” Neighbour said. “That was a big part of the game right there. People didn’t see it, but honestly, what he did behind the scenes was massive for us,” Neighbour said. Adding, “It picked us up.”

The Trojans improve to 13-9 on the season and 7-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. UALR is in first place in the SBC West. The team will take on South Alabama Feb. 2 at the Jack Stephens Center.

The night ended with the 200 yard freestyle relay. UALR had two groups competing in the relay. Burgess called on Raney, Teplova, McEachern and Kelly to compete as the "A-group" and Holly Myers, Petersen, Swindle and Tran to compete as the "Bgroup." A-group finished first with a time of 1:39.00, the Agroup from Rhodes College took second place at 1:43.32 and UALR's B-group took third with a time of 1:45.54.

Holly Myers took first in the 500 yard freestyle by finishing at the 5:20.66 mark. The swimmers took another short break to allow for more diving competition. The divers competed at the three meter mark and Scott prevailed again for UALR, outscoring Portera 271.50 to 176.45.