Cover Article FEATURE History Class Taught by Former Chiefs Player Digs Deep Into Kansas 8City’S Black History with Miller Nichols Exhibit

NIVERSITY

NEWSUMKC’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER Vol. 79, Issue 15 Jan. 9, 2012 Cover article FEATURE History class taught by former Chiefs player digs deep into Kansas 8City’s black history with Miller Nichols exhibit.

NEWS The University of Missouri 2system names a new president. Photo courtesy of UMKC

SPORTS The women’s basketball 7team is 3rd in the Summit League play after five-game winning streak. Photo courtesy of UMKC Athletics

Photo courtesy of Google Images 2|News Vol. 79, Issue 16

Timothy Wolfe named University of Missouri system president

UMKC medical students hope to bring an AMSA conference to campus. Students hope the conference will bring the school recognition and improve opportunities for students in the medical field. Left to right: Alexandra Armfield, Mindy Ashby, Stefanie Howard. Chancellor Leo Morton welcomes UM System President Photo courtesy of Alexandra Armsfield Timothy Wolfe to campus on Dec. 14. Photo courtesy of UMKC American Medical Student Association Lindsay Adams News Editor Students petition to bring Timothy M. Wolfe was announced the 23rd system president by the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Wolfe described the position as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” conference to campus After a search that spanned almost a year, the Board of Curators found a replacement for Gary Forsee, the system’s Lindsay Adams News Editor a discounted price since they will tap into their strengths and passions,” previous president, who resigned the post to care for his ailing be part of the host school. “In the Ashby said. “AMSA is about your wife. A group of students, many past, registration has been between voice, your passion, your goals. It’s The question that many wonder is whether Wolfe will be interested or involved in medical $50 and $200,” said Mindy Ashby, a where you take center stage. It is able to follow Forsee, a former CEO of Sprint Corp., who studies, are trying to bring an senior studying biology. your community and support as you brought a strong knowledge of business and applied it to the American Medical Student There are no AMSA conferences advance through medical school,” system’s schools, cutting millions of dollars in costs from the Association (AMSA) conference to that are located in the Midwest Armfield said. four universities. campus. region. “The Midwest is one of the The conference allows potential This is a high standard to follow, yet an important “The AMSA conference is a larger regions for AMSA connections for many different ér sumé builders. consideration due to the low economy and the probability weekend event for health care and we feel it is of great importance “AMSA Membership is viewed there will be less than plentiful state aid to the state schools in students, pre health students, and to host a conference here,” Armfield favorably by admissions committees the near future. This is juxtaposed with UMKC’s goal to build health care professionals to get said. and residency programs,” Ashby a separate campus for the Conservatory of Music and Dance, together and collaborate, learn, Their goal is to bring an AMSA said. “AMSA is where you build in which Wolfe will take a leadership role. discuss current health care issues and conference right to UMKC. “Having your résumé - You will have the “We’re doing the right economic development what is going on in medicine,” said AMSA at UMKC displays UMKC’s opportunity to present your original with business leaders and political leaders Alexandrea Armfield, the Pre-Med dedication to inspire and support research, author an article, write and our leaders on the campus,” Wolfe said. Society president and Mortar Board students to become a better person a blog post, be interviewed for a “[It’s] doing the right economic development to create jobs secretary. both personally and professionally,” podcast, or lead a peer seminar. This for our wonderful graduates to compete for and hopefully be The argument for the AMSA Ashby said. is where you are a leader.” placed in.” presence is that there is a need to According to the students who are According to Ashby, AMSA has This is a hopeful statement for students who are graduating, allow the Pre-Med and Med students pulling for the conference, this honor not yet made an approval decision on the whole, with more debt and fewer job possibilities. Part the chance to attend one of these will build the prestige of the school for a UMKC conference. “We need of Wolfe’s speech at the conference that announced his new conferences. “We understand the and the extracurricular opportunities everyone at UMKC (undergraduate position dealt with the need to increase returns and keep the struggle and cost for students to try for interested students. It can offer and graduate) students’ support,” she tuition costs low. and attend one of the conferences much to students who have not said. The announcement was made on the UMKC campus. “I throughout the year since they are so decided on a major or have an interest They are very close to their goal, think Kansas City will be very pleased,” said the chairman far away,” Armfield said. in medicine, but do not know where already having collected 91 of the of the UM Board of Curators who led the search, Warren There is a registration fee for they wish to go with their interest. necessary 100 signatures. If interested Erdman, who is from Kansas City. students to go to the Conference, “Often, students are unsure of in bringing AMSA to campus, the Wolfe plans to visit all four schools in the University of but if the students are successful in what they want to do – starting from petition can be found at www. Missouri system before he officially starts his position on Feb. bringing an AMSA conference to undergraduates to medical students ipetitions.com/petition/umkcconference/. Continued on Page 5 campus, UMKC students will have and AMSA helps the students really [email protected] Jan. 9, 2012 News|3 Year in review What happened at UMKC in

Left: Karen Vorst resigns as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, officially stepping down on Middle right: The newly-built Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts downtown. June 30, 2011. Right: Henry W. Bloch announces a $32 million donation to the school. Middle left: The Oak Street Parking Structure is demolished following commencement in May. Photos from U-News 2011 archives

Nathan Zoschke Production Manager/Copy Editor return and teach economics after a sabbatical leave. Some suspect she was nudged to resign as Dean. January Conservatory of Music and Dance professor Dr. Zhou Long receives the Pulitzer Prize Gary Forsee officially steps down as President of the University of Missouri (UM) for Opera for his 2010 composition “Madame White Snake.” Mike Keefe, an editorial system. Forsee resigned amid his wife’s battle with cancer. She was in recovery at the 25cartoonist for The Denver Post who began his career at U-News in the 1970s, receives a 7time of the resignation. Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. Dr. Henry Louis Gates, a Harvard professor of African-American history who received May nationwide attention in summer 2009 after he was arrested outside of his own home in Demolition begins on the Oak Street Parking Structure following commencement. 14Cambridge, Mass., delivers UMKC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. keynote address. The 50-year-old structure was deemed to be years past its useful life. It lacked elevators, The UM Board of Curators recommends tuition increases at all four UM schools. 16wheelchair ramps and other handicap accessibility features. UMKC students will see tuition increase 4.8 percent beginning in summer 2011. The Volker campus temporarily loses 700 parking spaces. The $23 million Cherry • 28A particularly brutal winter leads to multiple class cancellations. Street Parking Structure will contain 1,500 spaces, skywalks to the Performing Arts • Kris Kobach, one of several controversial figures in the illegal immigration debate, does Center and Student Union, offices for the UMKC Police and Mail Services, shower not return to teach at the School of Law. In November 2010, he was elected Kansas facilities for commuters, bike parking and electric car charging stations. The project is Secretary of State. on track to be completed in July 2012 and is on budget, according to Associate Vice • Larry’s Giant Subs closes at Oak Place. Chancellor of Administration Bob Simmons. February June UMKC students approve a $14 fee per student per semester to fund an all-access pass Vorst steps down as Dean of Arts and Sciences, and is replaced by Interim Dean Wayne to KCATA Metro and MAX buses. Vaught. 17Kansas City voters effectively oust Mayor Mark Funkhouser, who came in 3rd behind 30 Sly James and Mike Burke in the municipal primary. July March22 A Kansas City Star article discusses the Conservatory of Music and Dance’s potential downtown relocation. Feasibility is currently being assessed by Helix Architects. The Activity and Program Council and the Office of Student Involvement bring artists 15 study will look at potential downtown locations, identify project needs, economic 11 B.o.B. and OneRepublic to Swinney Recreation Center. impact and impact on the Volker campus. Sly James is elected mayor. Council elections favor well-known candidates. Voter August turnout is surprisingly low, especially in the Northland. 22 The Human Rights Campaign Equality Bus visits UMKC as part of a nationwide tour April targeted at promoting LGBT rights. Dr. Karen Vorst resigns as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Vorst officially • 25Roo Groups replaces the old studo.umkc.edu web server. Roo Groups attempts to be 21 steps down June 30, and is succeeded by Interim Dean Wayne Vaught. Vorst plans to more user-friendly by using a WordPress format. Continued on Page 6 4|News Vol. 79, Issue 16 The battle of Police Blotter Other News the sweeteners Lindsay Adams News Editor $8.64 Finding a safe substitute for sugar Dec. 5 Dec. 24 Kara Hart Asst. News Editor 12:31 p.m. Assault 9:15 a.m. Larceny A [stevia], saccharin and sucralose A pencil was thrown after Officers witnessed a suspect are the only available low-calorie a verbal argument began breaking into a car in the Health With 2012 settling in, the health sweeteners (sugar substitutes) in between two students at the Sciences Parking Structure, but food companies are hyping up their the United States,” according to Bloch School. lost him when he ran from advertising campaigns and taking an article on caloriecontrol.org. the structure. Eyeglasses were advantage of this time when so many Alitame and cyclamate are similar found missing. people make New Year’s resolutions ingredients that are used in other $5.25 Dec. 7 to eat healthier and lose weight. countries outside the U.S. Most are Property Damage 8:58 a.m. Harassment 9:50 a.m. Trying to stay healthy is one way low-calorie or calorie-free, compared A car was broken into at the A woman was harassing students can improve their overall to the 15 calories per teaspoon that Health Sciences Parking her daughter’s roommate by college experiences. Some argue sugar has. They do not promote Structure by the suspect from telephone over the cleanliness alternative sweeteners, can help tooth decay like sugar and do not the previous report. of the bathroom at Oak Street students stay healthier. affect glucose or triglyceride levels. Residence Hall. 9:53 a.m. Property Damage Truvia is a calorie-free, natural However, the aspartame A car was broken into at the sugar substitute. According to the controversy has led many to be Dec. 10 Health Sciences Parking product’s official website, the essence cautious of sugar substitutes. Structure by the suspect from of the sweetness comes from a sweet Aspartame accounts for more 8:07 p.m. Trespassing the previous reports. $8.49 Officers responded to an crystal called rebiana, harvested than 75 percent of the side effect intrusion alarm at Swinney from the leaves of the Stevia plant complaints of the adverse reactions Recreation Center and found Dec. 29 through a process similar to brewing to food additives reported to people running on the track. 3:48 p.m. Threat tea. Its only ingredient other than the FDA. There are 90 different A suspect was reported at 4825 the rebiana is erythritol, a naturally symptoms listed in the reports as fermented sugar alcohol found in reactions to aspartame including Dec. 15 Troost Ave. insinuating he was going to burn down a building grapes and pears, and a few natural seizures, nausea, muscle spasms, 5:54 p.m. Suspicious Person on campus. flavorings. rashes, depression, insomnia, heart Officers responded to a call The company says its product is palpitations, breathing difficulties, of a party wandering into gluten-free, a great alternative for anxiety attacks, slurred speech and places he did not belong at the Jan. 3 diabetics and “provides the same memory loss. $12.48 Performing Arts Center. 3:35 p.m. Burglary sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar.” Recent research on Truvia, such as Students returned from a This product has not been FDA a 2006 World Health Organization Dec. 16 weekend break to find the approved, but has been issued a analysis, found no evidence of residence at 53rd and Charlotte “no-objection letter affirming and negative health impact. 1:03 a.m. streets broken into with a supporting the safety of rebiana,” A trip to the grocery store reveals Violation of University Rules Macbook and Canon camera according to the Truvia website. all sugar substitutes’ major flaw: they and Regulations missing. There are other sugar substitutes as cost slightly more for a significantly Officers stopped an intoxicated well. There are numerous brands, but lower amount of product. But with party for driving through 10:31 p.m. Suspicious Activity many use the same naturally sweet all the benefits, it’s understandable barricades in the University ingredients. “Currently, acesulfame why many students shell out the Center parking lot. Officers were called because of *Prices averaged between Walgreens, a smell of marijuana emanating potassium (acesulfame K), extra money. Walmart and Amazon.com. Prices based 4:51 p.m. Suspicious Person from a room at the Oak Place aspartame, neotame, rebaudioside [email protected] on 200-count. Officers contacted anApartments. intoxicated party at 51st and Holmes streets who had been 11:05 p.m. Republican presidential primary race kicks off with Iowa caucus ejected from the graduation Domestic Disturbance ceremony. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the Kara Hart Asst. News Editor on Paul based on his percentage of of those, only 122,255 voted in the parking lot of the Oak Place votes from people ages 18 to 29, Republican contest, for a turnout Dec. 22 Apartments. As 2012 arrives, the candidates for which was almost half. According percentage of 5.4 percent,” Jason 1:08 p.m. Auto Theft [email protected] the presidential election draws are to the same article, Paul said during Linkins said in the article. “And if The victim returned to the testing the waters with preliminaries a live interview on NBC’s Today any of the hype about Democrats, Rockhill Parking Garage and like the recent Iowa Caucus on Jan. Show on Wednesday morning, Occupiers, Anarchists, interlopers, found his vehicle missing. 3. “That’s where the excitement is, and stray ACORN activists … -- all Many articles and headlines and that’s where the changes are voting on the GOP side to gum up are just going by the numbers. If coming about,” in retaliation to some the works -- is true, it’s possible that that’s the case, Mitt Romney won Republicans who feel the support of there was an even smaller percentage by an eight-vote margin over Rick the youth isn’t relevant. of sincere GOP voters,” Linkins Santorum, which calculates to a Who really won though? An wrote. Come write for U-News! one-tenth of a percentage point. Ron article on huffingtonpost.com says With presidential primaries Make money while keeping up with campus events and having fun. Paul is nipping at their heels, behind that nobody really won because running through June, everything is Learn the basics of journalism while improving your writing and by a little more than three percent. there weren’t a sufficient number of still up in the air, and with candidates communication skills. Some articles debate which voters involved. “Of the 2,250,423 still coming and going, no one can be Interested? Republican candidate won, with voters in the state (using the higher certain what the results will reveal. Email [email protected]. regards to their campaigns. An voting-eligible population), only [email protected] article from globalpost.com is betting 147,255 came out last night. And Jan. 9, 2012 News|5

Law School launches PLUS:diversity initiative Lindsay Adams News Editor

“Right now, the legal profession does $IFE not reflect the expanding diversity of our society,” said Debbie Brooks, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Multicultural Affairs--UMKC School of Law. financial This is the belief that spawned The Pre Law School Undergraduate Program. That corner is also the reason why the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) established the DiscoverLaw.org campaign. Welcome back Roos! At the beginning of each “The Pre Law Scholars Undergraduate year, many people around the world set their goals (PLUS) program is part of this campaign for the year, whether it’s losing weight, making targeted to racial, ethnic and other more money or taking their dream vacation. For underrepresented students,” Brooks many college students, the goal can be finally said. The goal of that program is to help moving out of their parents’ house or out of the students cultivate the skills they will need residence halls. This is a huge step which requires in law school. Students who participated in the summer PLUS program in 2011. one to start building a credit score. The program is open for undergraduate Photo courtesy of UMKC School of Law Finding a place is exciting, but make sure to look students in their first and second years of at all your options. Be sure to consider: college. “Discovering law early in their experience,” Brooks said. The PLUS program is part of a diversity career exploration makes it easier to The first institution of the PLUS initiative at UMKC’s School of Law. Cost choose a path that will lead them to a law program was held last year in over the “PLUS increases the likelihood The cost of a home or apartment isn’t as simple degree,” said Brooks. summer semester. The program is a that students who are traditionally as the rent and utilities. Having roommates or Twenty scholars are accepted to four-week-long residential program underrepresented in the legal profession finding a place that gives the first month of rent for participate in the program every summer. on weekdays. Through this program, will apply to, be admitted to, and enroll in free saves money. Another cost is renter’s insurance, The application and supporting materials “students gained a first-hand look at the law school,” Brooks said. though some discounts are available through a are due March 1. legal profession on the UMKC campus,” Interested applicants should visit: parent’s insurance company. There can also be “Scholars who participate in the according to a press release. www.law.umkc.edu/prospective-students/ a huge difference in paying rent that includes PLUS Summer Institute are introduced The program includes classes and discover.asp for additional information and amenities and paying rent and utilities separately. to the academic and social environment workshops hosted by alumni of the law to download an application form. Usually, having all-inclusive rent is the best way to of law school as well as the legal school and lawyers in the community The diversity initiative at the School go, because monthly rent also includes utilities. community including courts of law,” around UMKC, that cover important of Law also offers the Diversity Pipeline Location Brooks said. “Therefore, if a student topics such as the LSAT, admissions to law Scholarship Location, location, location. Not only does it is thinking about attending law school school, and how to write a strong résumé. The Asian Pacific Islander, Black, and matter based on your preference, but a dream but remains undecided or uncertain about At the end of the program students are Hispanic Law Students Associations, also apartment can cost a lot more depending on its their ability to meet the academic rigors of placed in internships in Kansas City, known as APILSA, BLSA and HLSA location, in regards to the neighborhood, shopping law school, PLUS can provide motivation usually in legal or business offices. joined forces to create the scholarship. area and the housing market around it. With the and guidance.” According to the press release, the It helps to provide financial aid to high new UMKC bus pass, finding a place that’s located UMKC was carefully chosen to students who participated, “gained school students, undergraduate college near a bus stop will be beneficial as well. Living in have one of only nine national PLUS exposure to the professional world and students, and first-year law students who the city, it is nice to find the place that is a short programs by LSAC; both an honor and received mentoring from community are pursuing a career in the law field. To commute from school, work, groceries, and for a testament to UMKC’s commitment to leaders.” Participants are also given a learn more about this opportunity, visit nightlife. furthering the school’s diversity. summer stipend and receive three college www.law.umkc.edu/prospective-students/ Questions “Participation in the PLUS program credits when they complete the program. scholarships.asp. is another aspect of fulfilling UMKC’s Brooks said she was drawn to the Most importantly, don’t forget to ask questions. Leases are for 9-12 months, so it is important to mission whichis includes developing a program because, “It allows us to become [email protected] professional workforce and collaborating involved earlier in prospective students› make sure there are no loose ends. A lot of questions in urban issues and education; and to lives and provide motivation for life can be answered online, but there will be many create a vibrant learning and campus life beyond post-undergraduate education.” different questions that come up at the complex. What’s the average age of the residents? What’s the average cost of utilities? Have you treated this room for bedbugs? How much is the deposit? Do Wolfe: Continued from Page 2 you have any specials for college students? It can go on and on. The more questions asked, the clearer it 15. Wolfe said, “They are our customers, so However, as UMKC Chancellor Leo Missouri (MU) school of business. He has becomes whether the apartment is the right fit or I want to hear from the students.” Morton explained, “Who you hire has a previously been an executive with Novell not. While business knowledge is important lot to do with what is needed at the time. Inc., which is an infrastructure software for the president, he will be required to I don’t think we need any one helping us provider. The SIFE Financial Corner is created by work with both the business side and the redesign any curriculum. What we need “I will work tirelessly to help all our members of UMKC Students in Free Enterprise. academia. The president’s duties include is someone helping us in getting the rest campuses reach their full potential,” Wolfe For more information, find us on Facebook and overseeing the campuses in Columbia, of the state to appreciate the value of this said. “I can’t wait to get started.” Twitter, or attend our weekly 7 p.m. Tuesday Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla and their university, and that is marketing.” [email protected] meetings in the Brookside Room of the combined 72,000 students, 7,814 faculty Wolfe certainly has the credentials. Administrative Center. members and 16,718 staff members. He is an alumnus of the University of 6|News Vol. 79, Issue 16 Briefly 2011 retrospective: Continued from Page 3 September November Mentioned Henry W. Bloch personally announces a $32 Starr Symposium brings women’s rights activists million donation to his namesake School of Gloria Steinem and Deloris Huerta to UMKC. 15 Management. The $32 million gift will fund a 5The University Center closes for $7 million in Engineering professor new building to house the school’s executive and renovations. The cafeteria will remain open, but the honored as one of graduate programs. 7rest of the building will be modified to accommodate The new building will be located in the parking new programs geared toward student accessibility. ‘Most Influential People’ lot between the existing Bloch school and The new center will introduce academic advising for Chancellor’s residence. Construction is expected undeclared majors and an area for undergraduate Kara Hart Asst. News Editor to begin this March with a planned completion in students to work on research projects with faculty. fall 2013, according to Associate Vice Chancellor It will also include the Writing Center, Center of Administration Bob Simmons. for Academic Development, Career Services and John Kevern, assistant professor in the School The $300 million Kauffman Center for the Disability Services. University employees in a of Computing and Engineering, has been named Performing Arts opens downtown. one-stop shop area will be cross-trained in several one of Concrete Construction magazine’s Most 16U.S. Bank opens a full-service Student Union different administrative departments. Influential People in 2012. branch. Inspired by the occupy movement that has swept Kevern, who received his M.S. and Ph.D. 19Sept. 23 is recognized by Mayor Sly James as the county, occupy UMKC, an unofficial student degrees in Civil Engineering from Iowa State “UMKC SIFE Day” in recognition of UMKC 15group, decides to hold its own occupation in University, has influenced how pervious concrete 23Students in Free Enterprise’s community service Herman and Dorothy Johnson Residence Hall. is specified and tested.“Kevern likens pervious contributions. Infractions of several university policies result in concrete to a popular rice cereal and marshmallow • Newsweek lists UMKC as one of the top five gay- protesters being told to leave by UMKC police. treat,” according to the UMKC Public Relations friendly U.S. colleges. • Chancellor Leo Morton unveils “The Campaign press release. “But instead of satisfying a sweet October for UMKC,” an initiative to raise more than $250 tooth, his recipes for pervious concrete are reducing million over the next seven years. ice-related falls, creating undergraduate research • Red Mango becomes the third Oak Place business December opportunities and improving the environment.” to close in 2011, joining Taco Factory and Larry’s Pervious concrete has little or no sand, compared Giant Subs. No explanation was given. The Henry W. Bloch School of Management is to traditional concrete, and also has craters that • Kin Lin announces plans to expand into the retail recognized as the top school internationally in gather rainwater, which allows the water to seep spot on 51st Street previously occupied by Muddy’s 5the field of innovation management research. into the ground and reduce run-off. With less water Coffeehouse. The new space will accompany an ex- Additionally, Dr. Michael Song is recognized as accumulating on top of the concrete, that means panded menu and karaoke performances. the top innovation management scholar in the less icy conditions and fewer falls and injuries. world. Dr. Mark Parry and Dr. Lisa Zhao are also Pervious concrete also offers environmental recognized. benefits. According to research done by Kevern, [email protected] pervious concrete could reduce the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The UHI effect is when typical concrete causes downtown areas to be up to 22 degrees warmer than rural areas in the vicinity, due to its bulk mass and heat absorption capacities. According to the press release, Kevern has performed several research projects that were nationally funded, including testing more than 14 types of pervious concrete on a sidewalk east of Miller Nichols Library. Kevern serves on committees at the American Concrete Institute, American Society for Testing and Materials, American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Transportation Research Board. He has also written more than 60 journal articles, papers and reports and has presented at several U.S. and international conferences. Dr. Kevern will give a one-day seminar this March titled “Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete Pavements: A Seminar for Engineers, Architects, Contractors, and Producers.” [email protected] Jan. 9, 2012 Sports|7 Basketball Lady Roos third in Summit League Play

Luke Harman Sports Editor 17, Head Coach Candace Whitaker’s hard-working outfit Utah 81-61 on Dec. 29. has been unstoppable, boasting a five-game win streak. The Golden Eagles of Oral Roberts proved no match for Despite the men’s team’s disappointing season start, the This is important timing for the Roos. Most of the the Roos just two days later as they were downed 92-79. Lady Roos now have an impressive 11-5 record, improving remaining games are conference games, and it is important Senior Dayon Hall-Jones hit a whopping 43 points, a feat to 3-2 in the Summit League Conference play. to peak at the right stage of the season when crucial contests that earned her a Summit League Player of the Week award. After the loss to the University of Kansas 77-52 on Dec. approach thick and fast. With an impressive 70-67 win at Again, the Roos made full use of their home-court Saint Louis on Dec. 20 and 68-57 win at New Mexico State advantage as they blew the South Dakota Coyotes away on Jan. 4, the Roos have proven to be a real handful for anyone Saturday night 61-49. Hall-Jones was again impressive as who crosses their paths as of late. she led the team with 17 points, while Sophomore Eilise While these non-Conference games are great to build O’Connor totaled 13. momentum and confidence for the team, the Summit League Although scoring has not been a problem as of late, the Conference games are what really matters as the team heads unsung hero has been the team’s solid defense. into the business end of the season. Against the Coyotes, this was no different, as the Roos After holding up the conference with two initial losses, the held their opponents to just 24.1 percent shooting from the Roos have responded with striking performances and are now field and recorded eight steals. 3-2 in the conference. Next up is a non-conference game versus Nebraska-Omaha The team is now back in contention for Summit League at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at Swinney Recreation Center and a trip honors as it sits in third position, just one game back from the to Brookings, S.D. to play South Dakota State on Jan. 14. 4-1 South Dakota State Jackrabbits. [email protected] The Roos proved untouchable by their Summit League peers and won their first conference game against Southern

Eilise O’Connor in great scoring form on Saturday night, hitting 13 against the Coyotes. Photo courtesy of UMKC Athletics Upcoming Events

Men’s team disappoints Men’s Basketball North Dakota State Fargo, N.D. Jan. 12 7 p.m. with losing streak South Dakota State Brookings, S.D. Jan. 14 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball Luke Harman Sports Editor in a 67-point tie at the end of regulation time. The defeat was not without controversy Nebraska-Omaha Swinney Rec. Jan. 11 7 p.m. After a promising 72-67 victory against though, as a breaking UMKC player was South Dakota State Brookings, S.D. Jan. 14 5 p.m. Canisius on Dec. 16, the men’s basketball pushed over the scorer’s table in the dying team has had some bad luck, losing its last seconds of the game and no foul was called. Track five outings. The Roos’ frustration was also pierced by Kansas State University Invitational Manhattan, Kan. The Roos (7-10) lost 89-54 against No. 20 an incorrectly set shot clock. The resulting Michigan State on Dec. 19 before falling 87- delay seemed to halt the team’s flow, with 62 to New Mexico on Dec. 20. the Jaguars sealing the contest in double These top opponents were a wake-up overtime. call for the Roos, and despite punishing While the Roos’ 24 turnovers were self- scores, served as tough preparation for the destructive, leading to 31 Jag points, there Conference games that lie ahead. were a lot of positives to take from the While it is always great to post a well- contest as Junior Thomas Staton led with a earned winning record, at the end of the day career-high 15 points, and senior Bernard if a team don’t win its conference games, then Kamwa had a career-high game as he hit its season ultimately counts for nothing. 12. Kirk Korver pitched in 13, and Reggie This will no doubt be the message Head Chamberlain contributed 11. Coach Matt Brown will preach to his players As the Summit League Conference season as they set about combatting their fellow gets into full swing, the Roos currently post a Summit League members. record of 1-4 and sit in 9th place. Unfortunately, in a tight game with Oral The 12 remaining conference games will Roberts, the Golden Eagles eventually took spell the Roos’ fate, as the team looks to place the contest 72-65, while Southern Utah in the top 8 and book themselves a place in proved to be clinical from beyond the arc, the conference tournament. winning 91-77 at the home of the Roos. Next up for the Roos is a challenging In perhaps the team’s best performance trip to the Dakotas as they face North of the holidays, the Roos were downed in Dakota State on Jan. 12 in Fargo before a double-overtime by the IUPUI Jaguars 83- Jan. 14 battle against South Dakota State in 74 on Jan. 3 in Indianapolis. Brookings. Junior Thomas Staton had a career-high 15 points versus the IUPUI Jaguars. The 24 turnovers and a 21-point [email protected] Photo courtesy of UMKC Athletics inferiority from the free-throw line resulted 8|Feature Vol. 79, Issue 16 Jan. 9, 2012 Feature|9 Former Chiefs player scores as UMKC professor

Teresa Sheffield Staff Writer “While I was playing I was still class called “Bar-B-Que, Baseball and learning in the off-season. I actually Jazz,” where he assigned the class to Bar-B-Que When an NFL player has the title attended and was part of an online make an exhibit that is now on display at of “professor,” it’s usually to laud his course at UMKC for a master’s degree the Miller Nichols Library until Jan. 29. successes on the field or it’s a facetious in history,” McDaniels said. “I’ve always “I told them well you know, we don’t nickname. In the case of UMKC read and always had this desire and need have any papers, I don’t give you any tests assistant professor of history, Dr. Pellom to know how things happened, why or exams; what you do is you’re going McDaniels, it’s because he actually is things happened, what makes people to build an exhibit,” McDaniels said. Baseball one. do the things that they do, and so when “We’re going to provide the community “I’ve had a love affair with Kansas City I finished playing in the NFL I had a with a way in which to look at itself, to r. Pellom McDaniels III, assistant professor it seems since I moved here, especially number of options.” understand itself and we’ll do this in all McDaniels attended a presentation at of 12 weeks. The students did a great of history and former Chiefs player, taught a the history and baseball and jazz and the D community,” McDaniels said. “I played Emory University by Henry Louis Gates job.” special studies class in the fall semester of 2011 for the Chiefs yes, but I found myself Jr. and was so inspired, he applied to the The exhibit focuses on the influences about “Bar-B-Que, Baseball, and Jazz.” Jazz more a part of the community.” American Studies graduate program. He of barbecue, baseball and jazz in Kansas The students in this class worked with UMKC’s Originally from California, McDaniels was accepted in 2001 and left six years City, and highlights McDaniels’ hands- LaBudde Special Collections and Marr Sound played football at the University of later with a graduate degree and Ph.D. on style of teaching that incorporates Archives to research and put together an exhibit Oregon, where he graduated in 1990 in American Studies. the Socratic Method. of the same name. & with a degree in communications. His McDaniels returned to Kansas City “I’m interested in cultivating thinkers. The exhibit, which explores the evolutions of first job out of college was at Proctor in the fall of 2007 and began teaching I’m interested in having students the African-American community in Kansas City, and Gamble, where he worked for a year at UMKC. His areas of expertise are question why things are the way they are,” is on the second floor of Miller Nichols Library, until he quit after deciding not to give American Studies, Black Studies, McDaniels said. “I think if anything, my Sports and Masculinity, but he doesn’t students are more important to me than and will remain open through Jan. 29. up on his dream of playing professional football. McDaniels became a free- find himself bound to those specified anything else.” agent, and after a few years ended up in expertise. McDaniels is the author of two Kansas City where he played defensive “Because my work is interdisciplinary, books and is currently researching his end for the Chiefs for seven years. I think that the questions are boundless,” third book about a 19th-century African While in Kansas City, he had a talk McDaniels said. “When we have a American jockey, which he hopes to Exhibit explores show on Metro Sports and started his question that is a burning question you finish within the next five months. own business selling a dental hygiene can’t just look through one lens, through “I may be a faculty member who is product, which he invented and later one source. It should not be discipline- teaching and a Ph.D., but you know I Kansas City’s early sold the patent. bound.” feel like a student all the time because Dr. Pellom McDaniels played for the Chiefs from 1993 to When McDaniels retired from This semester he’s teaching a graduate I’m always learning, so it’s the perfect professional football in 2000, he decided course on biography and is team- place for me, perfect occupation,” In the early 20th century, Kansas City’s African-American population surged as blacks moved from the rural South to industrial cities 2000. Now, he teaches at UMKC full-time as an assistant in the Midwest and Northeast, known as the Great Migration. As a result of segregation, a vibrant culture emerged at 18th and Vine professor of history. A scholar of American Studies, Black that at the age of 31 he wanted to go teaching a cluster course on race in film McDaniels said. black culture Studies and Sports and Masculinity, McDaniels’ uses his and in surrounding neighborhoods. back to school and study history. at the Tivoli. Last semester he taught a [email protected] Photo by Nathan Zoschke diverse interests in an interdisciplinary manner. Photo courtesy of Google Images Nathan Zoschke Restrictive covenants forbade the popularity of Kansas City jazz Cleaver II Production Manager/Copy Editor blacks from living in white to other cities. Today, Kansas City residents Fall semester history class research project neighborhoods. In baseball, the Kansas City can experience a slice of history by Placards and vintage books, The East Side neighborhoods Monarchs prevailed as the longest- visiting the district’s American Jazz evolves into Miller Nichols Library exhibit records, posters and other artifacts around 18th and Vine housed running franchise in the Negro Museum, Negro Leagues Baseball on display at Miller Nichols the city’s rapidly-growing black Leagues. It also managed to send Museum or one of several jazz Ericka Chatman Staff Writer City’s African American community The exhibit highlights a variety of Library tell the history of Kansas population. 18th and Vine quickly more players to the major leagues clubs. and the individuals who became part subjects, with titles such as “A Great City’s African-American culture. became the cultural center of than any other major league team, Stuart Hinds, Director of Special Students in the class taught by Dr. of the city’s most marginalized group, Migration,” “Kansas City Sound,” An entire semester of original Kansas City’s black community. take two Negro World Series titles Collections at Miller Nichols Pellom McDaniels III began their according to piece showcased at the “Kansas City Barbeque,” “The Black student research culminated with As the community grew, its and 13 league titles. Library, has worked closely with research as soon as class began and the exhibit. Church” and “Lincoln High School.” the Dec. 8 opening of “Bar-B- culture flourished. Municipal Stadium, near students from the beginning of the requirements were stated. Research for the exhibit was done at The exhibit also shows the history Que, Baseball and Jazz,” an exhibit Neither Prohibition nor 18th and Vine, housed both the semester to prepare the exhibit. “On the second day Dr. McDaniels Miller Nichols Library, where students of The Call Newspaper, which started in prepared by students in Dr. Pellom the Great Depression seemed Monarchs and the Blues, Kansas “It gives people a really strong said, ‘The honeymoon is over.’ I said, utilized resources from UMKC’s 1919. The paper at that time covered McDaniels’ history class. to particularly affect Kansas City’s white baseball team. sense of context of how things ‘Well, I want a divorce,’” said senior LaBudde Special Collections and Marr local and national news and included Each student chose a topic City. Under political boss Tom Likewise, Kansas City were before and how they got to be Tiffany Dorris. Sound Archives. They also used previous events held at local churches, centers, relating to African-American Pendergast, both gambling and barbecue originated in the same where they are now,” Hinds said of The exhibit focuses on the history of scholarly works, photographs, sheet and anything going on in the African history and culture in Kansas City drinking went unpunished. Stuart Hinds, director of the Marr neighborhood. the exhibit. African American social, cultural and music and lyrics, personal accounts, American community of Kansas City. between 1914 and 1938. Jazz flourished and helped put Sound Archives at Miller Nichols Arthur Bryant’s, which opened Hinds said students conducted Library and co-author of ‘Kansas political life in Kansas City from 1914 to newspapers and census data. The Call is still one of the six largest Topics varied from black Kansas City on the map. in 1930 four blocks from Municipal exhaustive research through the City Jazz.’ 1938. It captures and showcases how life Research was also gathered from the African American weekly papers in the churches, schools and civic Chuck Haddix, Director of Photo by Nathan Zoschke Stadium, has remained as one of LaBudde Special Collections at was in the 18th and Vine district during American Jazz Museum, the Negro country. organizations to fashion and the Marr Sound Archives and few original businesses remaining Miller Nichols Library, the Kansas co-author of “Kansas City Jazz,” near 18th and Vine. City Public Library’s Missouri that time. Leagues Baseball Museum, the Kansas “I conducted a lot of my research at popular culture. was popular into the `20s, which described the pivotal role of the The incessant gambling and Valley collections and the Black The exhibit began as a project City Public Library’s Missouri Valley The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” The realities of segregation gave rise to blues, and eventually music genre. boozing came to a halt when Archives of Mid-America. to understand the origins of three Room and the Kansas City Museum at Dorris said. “It was interesting learning may seem unthinkable to college big band performances with “Kansas City was one of four Pendergast’s political machine fell “We’ve had nothing but positive Kansas City institutions (barbecue, Union Station. about African American baseball players students living in the 21st century, improvised solos. cradles of jazz,” he said. “It evolved apart in 1938. feedback,” Hinds said. “My favorite black baseball and jazz). It became an “The exhibit was one of the hardest like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil.” but for the rural Southern blacks By the late 1930s, artists like from ragtime to bebop in 20 years.” As nightlife waned and aspect was watching the students exploration of the various struggles, projects I’ve ever done,” Dorris said. “It relocating to Kansas City and other Charlie Parker were improving [email protected] Four distinct styles influenced Kansas City’s black community put it together. It’s always gratifying successes and failings of a people, which, took a lot of hard work, research, and industrial centers during the Great at jam sessions late into the night Kansas City jazz, Haddix decentralized, 18th and Vine began to expose students to these unique when combined, provide a historical long hours, but it is one of my greatest Migration, segregation was life. with other artists. explained: ragtime, blues, brass to deteriorate. For decades, the materials. It was a really nice perspective on the evolution of Kansas accomplishments.” Establishments, both public Musicians like Parker and band and bebop. neighborhood was badly neglected opportunity for everyone involved and private, were designed to keep Count Basie gained widespread Patrons attend the opening of ‘Bar-B-Que, Baseball and Ragtime piano, lacking the before redevelopment efforts in the to collaborate.” Jazz’ at Miller Nichols Library on Dec. 8. blacks and whites separate. fame and renown, helping spread Photo courtesy of Miller Nichols Library improvisation of other jazz styles, `90s, led by former Mayor Emanuel [email protected] 10|Arts & Entertainment Vol. 79, Issue 16 satire Mayan calendar-inspired New Year’s resolutions

Nathan Zoschke heavy smoker quitting cold turkey or an over weight person waste, because none of us will be around next year to care. Production Manager/Copy Editor dropping a few pounds at the gym. Forget credible journalism or helpful advice columns, This year, let’s forget all of that productive garbage. If the because none of these New Year’s resolutions will sound very If the Mayan calendar is correct, this year may be the best world is going to end, let’s bring it on. smart on Jan. 1, 2013, just in case you are still alive. of them all. Most constructive New Year’s resolutions go nowhere as it That being said, here are four New Year’s resolutions Typical New Year’s resolutions require a bit of agony, like a is, so to heck with them all. To even try would be an absolute designed with the end of the world in mind.

1. Start your own religion What better way to make money than with a new religion? True, you could make millions as a mega church pastor, but getting there takes years of theological study and seminary training. Unfortunately, we’re counting days, and you don’t have time for any of that. Instead, let’s take our cues from the great L. Ron Hubbard, who founded the Church of Scientology. True, it took Scientology a few years to take off, but with today’s social media and mass communications, not to mention the impending apocalypse, establishing a new religion should be less of a hassle, but could be even more lucrative than ever before. The son of a Navy sailor and schoolteacher, Hubbard left behind a $600 million estate upon his 1986 death. Even more impressive, Hubbard did all of this without a degree, having dropped out of college as a young man. Left: L. Ron Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology and left behind a $600 million estate upon his death. Right: Sarah Palin as portrayed by ‘South Park’ in ‘About Last Night.’ In the episode, which aired after the 2008 election, Palin tells supporters she will ‘run for vice president again in 2009.’ Photos courtesy of Google Images

2. Secure the Republican VP nomination What better way to ensure any doomsday prophecy is fulfilled than with another GOP commander-in-chief? Scared of the responsibilities? Don’t worry; your administration won’t even be sworn in. You’ll just tag along for the media blitz and make a few sappy jokes about pit bulls and lipstick along the way. Tina Fey might even rehearse a new comedy routine. After all, in 2008, Sarah Palin proved that just about anyone can be the Republican VP nominee. In GOP celebrity land, it doesn’t matter if you’re a small town mayor or former pizza company CEO as long as you hate taxes… really, really, really hate taxes (especially for the rich). And Barack Obama.

3. Kill your credit score AND the environment If the world is going to end, who needs electric cars, solar power or recycling bins? Don’t conserve, splurge! Global warming should be the least of our concerns; however few there ought to be given our certain fate. If you own a car that gets more than 20 mpg, consider trading it in for an eight-cylinder SUV or sports car. We will most certainly die before we run out of oil. The more expensive, the better. Don’t let those monthly payments deter you; as long as you can make it through 2012, you’re golden! Forget about the polar bears and other endangered species too. They’ll be going with us Dec. 31 anyway.

Left: The Lincoln Navigator gets 16 mpg combined. Its starting MSRP is $57,775. Who can’t appreciate such pragmatism and frugality? Right: It’s alive! Well, barely at least. Harold Camping falsely predicted the world would end- twice- in 2011. Photos courtesy of Google Images

4. Create a new Doomsday prophecy for a different year You plan meticulously for the world to end, but wake up hungover on Jan. 1, 2013. If you followed steps one through three, you are now more than likely partying it up in your brand new Range Rover anxiously awaiting the generous tithes of your proselytes to support your opulent lifestyle. But there’s a glaring problem: everyone thinks you’re a lying hypocrite, and your presidential campaign was a huge flop. Your best option is to come up with a new end-of-the-world prophesy and convince everyone else to believe you this time around. It worked for Harold Camping and all the other end-times prophet, at least for a while. [email protected] Jan. 9, 2012 Arts & Entertainment|11 series review ‘His zit cream is making him loco’

Left: Napoleon steps out angrily into his living room when he discovers the zits the gas station chicken gave him. Right: Pedro offers his advice to his agitated best friend Napoleon. Photo courtesy of Google Images

Johanna Poppel Photo Editor animation series,” said Heder, the voice of Jemaine Clement as “Professor Koontz” and of humor. Napoleon Dynamite. Jennifer Coolidge as “Mrs. Moser.” The show’s executive producers are Jared The new animated series, “Napoleon The fun, unique and awkwardly awesome It is endless what you can do with and Jerusha Hess, who wrote and directed Dynamite,” will be airing on FOX on crew will be sure to make you laugh again. Napoleon’s character. The first episode the original film, as well as directing “Nacho Sunday, January 15. Two episodes will be Some of the cast includes: Napoleon starts with his family having a meal of gas Libre” and “Gentlemen Broncos.” Producer premiering; “Thundercore” at 8:30 p.m. EST (Heder); Pedro (Elfrem Ramierez), a station fried chicken and Kip and Napoleon Mike Scrully’s work consists of “The and “Scantronica Love” at 9:30 p.m. EST. new-to-town stereotypical Mexican who fighting again. There are new quotes from Simpsons,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” “Napoleon Dynamite” brings me back to befriends Napolean upon arriving, Deb Napoleon, such as, “Kip, quit hogging all and “Parks and Recreation.” The animation my middle school days in 2004 when my (Tina Majorino), a shy girl whose passions the good breast meat.” Kip responds with, is done by Rough Draft Studios, which friends and I would repeat the lines and are photography, what she considers fashion “Napoleon, I already called this, baby.” Soon has provided us with works such as, “The accents of the quirky comedy film featuring and a love for Napoleon; the impatient and you will see Grandma spraying a six-pack of Simpsons Movie” and “Futurama.” John Heder as an oddball, nerdy high school adventurous grandma (Sandy Martin); and abs onto Kip for his next hot date he met on The show incorporates fun and awkward student. He has a dysfunctional family and my personal favorite, Kip (Aaron Ruell), the internet. Napoleon has to buy zit cream humor that pokes fun at aspects of modern an eccentric, awkward set of friends who the soft-spoken older brother that still lives to heal the rash the gas station chicken gave society and an American middle class small experience misadventures living in the small at home. He speaks with a sharp lisp and him. The zit cream offers some rather strange town. I must admit, seeing this show in town of Preston, Idaho. feminine flair. His only concern is to chat side-effects that make Napoleon lustful with a cartoon leaves the show to become too I always thought “Napoleon Dynamite” with hot babes on online dating websites all disastrous powers. With these disastrous random. Although, I would recommend you was a thing of the past. After a few years day. You will also see Tina the llama, Unlce powers, Napoleon accidentally steals one of tune in this Sunday to see the show. I had “Napoleon Dynamite” has made a comeback Rico and Rex. Kip’s women he met online, right after Kip some good laughs and the show brings the that includes the same unique cast from Along with the new adventures the show drops the line, “Grandma, here is the cowgirl same quirky, funny humor that is reminiscent the movie but now in cartoon form. “The brings, some new characters will be added as that finally tamed this wild stallion.” You will of the popular “Napoleon Dynamite” movie. characters of Napoleon Dynamite they are well. The first episode features guest voice of have to check out the first episode coming [email protected] so timeless. It is the perfect setup for an Amy Poehler as “Misty” and the second has up this Sunday to catch these random bursts 12|Arts & Entertainment Vol. 79, Issue 16 classic movie review ‘You’re not blind; you’ve just got blood in your eyes’ Cult Classic: Why are they important?

any cult films enjoyed by various audiences permeate pop culture and are responsible for a vast array of references. Cult films usually attract a small or specific audience, so many habitual movie-goers aren’t familiar with notorious cult titles. Though Moftentimes derogatory with language and humor, cult films in the late 80s and 90s were unarguably progressive for their time. Quentin Tarantino and Stanley Kubrick are notable directors who typically produced cult movies. Our goal here is to unearth some of the greatest cult titles that you may have heard about, but never got around to watching. Next time you plan a movie night, reconsider re-watching your favorite film and substitute it for a classic cult movie that reformed the film industry. Mal Hartigan ************************ Lindsay Adams News Editor The cast is filled with brilliant actors: Harvey Keitel as Mr. White, Tim Roth From the opening lewd roundtable as Mr. Orange, Chris Penn as “Nice Guy” analysis of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Eddie, Eddie Bunker as Mr. Blue and the argument about tipping waitresses to the Lawrence Tierney as Joe Cabot. Steve Above: One of the posters final four man stand-off, “Reservoir Dogs” is Buscemi kills as Mr. Pink, a character that for “Reservoir Dogs.” The film was the first to have seperate electric, comical and gritty. Quentin Tarantino intended to play himself character posters. Six crooks who are complete strangers until Buscemi auditioned for it. Tarantino are hired to pull off a jewelry store heist. acts in the film as Mr. Brown as well as Instead of using real names; instead they directing and writing. The film helped to are codenamed Mr. White, Mr. Blue, Mr. jumpstart Roth and Buscemi’s careers. Both Brown, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Orange and Mr. were cast again in Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” Pink. When the job immediately goes south, This is the film that created one of the it becomes clear that one of them is a snitch. scariest and most magnetic psychos of film— They are left in a warehouse trying to figure Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen. He out which one ratted out the job. The movie can slowly torture a victim, which he admits escalates as the tension between the men is for the thrill of it, and then ask, “Was that builds to the breaking point. as good for you as it was for me?” He slices off Right: Harvey Keitel as Mr. White (standing) suspects They have no proof which one is the rat, a man’s ear and then holds the disembodied Steve Buscemi as Mr. Pink (on but as Joe Cabot, the mob boss that hired ear and talks into it in front of his victim. the ground) of being a rat. them says, “You don't need proof when you Its obscure pop culture references cement Photos courtesy of Google Images have instinct.” it among great camp films, from “The The film is very stylized. The slow-motion Partridge Family,” to Madonna’s “True Blue” walk toward the camera to the rock strains of to Mr. Orange’s protest to “I'm trying to “Little Green Bag” of the six criminals, boss watch 'The Lost Boys'!” Cabot and his son, “Nice Guy” Eddie, during “Reservoir Dogs” was also one of the first the opening credits is one commonly copied major independent films. It had a budget of in more recent films. The tiny flashback only $1.5 million, and the budget was only segments of the heist are sharp and in that high due to Harvey Keitel’s involvement constant motion. as a producer and actor. The violence, however, is anything This film has been vilified and deemed but stylized in the film; it is real. From mediocre by many critics and hailed as Mr. Orange slowly bleeding out on the a masterpiece by Tarantino fans. It has warehouse floor filled with coffins, to the been on lists of the most dangerous and infamous ear scene, the violence is graphic most influential films. While not very high and disturbingly realistic. grossing in its opening release, the film was The violence and dark lewd humor plays a huge hit in Britain and has noticeably a jarring, yet classic counterpoint to the DJ influenced directors of crime capers there. K-Billy's narration during the "Super Sounds This film is striking on its own merits, of the Seventies" weekend on the radio that but it transcends that to become a classic. is played throughout the film. The film touts “Reservoir Dogs” has a special sort of a brilliant soundtrack with classics like, Blue nostalgia to the viewer now, knowing this Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling,” Bedlam’s was Tarantino’s first movie, and the one that “Harvest Moon” and “Magic Carpet Ride.” first started the beautiful odes to violence, Many of the songs I am unable to hear on kitsch and the “f ”-word that have become the radio without picturing the scene they trademark of Tarantino films. correspond to in the film. After watching [email protected] The boys strut down an alley in the stylish, classic opening credits. this film, listening to “Stuck in the Middle Photo courtesy of Google Images with You” will never be quite the same. Jan. 9, 2012 Arts & Entertainment|13 Let me tell you what I think: Happy New Year’s resolutions

Teresa Sheffield Staff Writer this time in June, only 46 percent of people out of willpower, which social scientists no will have kept their resolutions. longer regard as simply a metaphor,” John Rules are made to be broken, and so are That percentage isn’t exactly impressive, Tierney said in the New York Times. “They’ve New Year’s resolutions. but it’s the number that resurfaces each recently reported that willpower is a real “May all your troubles last as long as year. Year after year, 54 percent of people form of mental energy powered by glucose your New Year’s resolutions,” comedian Joey give up on their goals and wonder why we in the bloodstream, which is used up as you Adams said. make resolutions anyway. According to Dr. exert self-control.” It’s a new year, baby. Father Time is dead John Norcross, a clinical psychologist and According to psychologist Roy Baumeister, and gone and Baby New Year is too busy professor of psychology at the University of exercising willpower in large amounts can hitting the gym to mourn him. Scranton, we can blame it on the Romans. result in “ego depletion.” are 10 times more likely to change by It’s resolution season, so moms expect more “It begins with history,” Norcross said. When you completely cut yourself off from making a New Year’s resolution compared phone calls from their children, treadmills “Worshippers in ancient Roman times things that you want, that stringent regimen to non-resolvers with the identical goals and expect the cobwebs to be cleared, cigarettes would offer resolutions of good conduct to can result in mental fatigue and make you comparable motivation to change.” expect to see the lining of a garbage can and the god Janus, the two-faced deity looking quit all together. It’s easy to be cynical about New Year’s bosses expect their employees to secretly look backwards and forwards. And since that Instead, experts say it’s better to ration resolutions because it’s not easy to change. for better jobs behind their backs. time, it’s become a socially-sanctioned time your willpower. Be realistic with how much It’s hard to look at yourself and decide you Statistically, according to Time Magazine, where the plate is clean and everyone has a self-control you have and direct it towards don’t like what you see. It’s difficult to wake there’s a 50 percent chance you made a New new opportunity.” one specific goal at a time. It’s also important up every single morning and consciously do Year’s resolution. You probably chose one of According to www.psychcentral.com, to reward yourself when you succeed. something your body doesn’t want to do. the most popular resolutions: losing weight, humans don’t make resolutions because “If you use willpower only to deny yourself It’s easy to rationalize, procrastinate and be exercising, quitting smoking, reducing debt they’re masochists who like to see themselves pleasures, it becomes a grim, thankless form apathetic. At the same time, it’s easy to look or spending more time with family. fail. They make resolutions because it feels of defense,” Tierney said. “But when you use in a magazine or at someone else’s life and There’s also a 50 percent chance you didn’t good to start over and begin anew and it to gain something, you can wring pleasure resolve to not be you. make one at all. humans intrinsically want to become better. out of the dreariest tasks.” “We spend Jan. 1 walking through our “Many years ago I resolved never to “Most of us have a natural bend toward According to Time Magazine, it’s better lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work bother with New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve self-improvement,” psychologist Dr. John to have resolved and failed than to have to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this stuck with it ever since,” Dave Beard said. Duffy said. never resolved at all. The success rate of 46 year, to balance the list, we ought to walk If you did and you’ve already broken one It’s easy to start the year starry-eyed and percent of New Year’s resolvers suddenly through the rooms of our lives not looking of your resolutions hopefully you made optimistic, but it’s a little tougher four weeks looks spectacular when compared to the for flaws, but for potential,” journalist and another one to not to get disappointed with into it when those doughnuts you’ve been only 4 percent of people who succeed in author Ellen Goodman said. resisting start to look really good. Most of accomplishing a goal after not making a failure. But don’t worry; you’ve got plenty of An unpolished diamond may be rough, us wouldn’t accept failing so miserably at resolution. undisciplined company. but its flaws don’t take away from the fact anything else in our lives, so why do we fail “Contrary to widespread public opinion, According to www.proactivechange.com, that it’s still a diamond. by this time next month only 64 percent of with our resolutions? a considerable proportion of New Year people will have kept their resolutions and by “They’ll fail because they’ll eventually run resolvers do succeed,” Norcross said. “You [email protected] The Yawpers make savage sounds from the rooftops Mal Hartigan Copy Editor expect from a band called “The Yawpers.” with enough variation on the guitar to make tempo right back up to speed. Clapping is Nate Cook, the lead singer, doesn’t sport a it interesting. featured in the background on top of rapid The Yawpers, a three-piece band from Southern accent and whine about how his “Angel Wings,” the third track, keeps the and steady guitar, along with quarter notes Boulder, Co., released their first short-length tractor broke down. gruffly characteristic vocals. There’s more on the bass pedal. These qualities provide album Nov. 29. Only five songs in length, The Yawpers defy a listener’s traditional twang in a few guitar lines in this song, but the grounds for an ambitious and fun-loving but not claiming EP status, “Savage Blue” notion of country and almost reform the genre it’s expertly executed; any country fan would tempo. attempts to provide song quality rather than with rough, unmelodic vocals. Unmelodic appreciate this album, and non-country With only a five-track album, The Yawpers quantity. shouldn’t carry a negative connotation, fans like myself would consider themselves have nearly reformed the country/indie With original and intriguing artwork, a however. He may not swap pitches frequently halfway converted to the genre. genre as a whole, melding them together clean cover design and an interesting band enough to be considered an incredible singer, This song features an instrumental break, and creating a stunning hybrid as a result. name, The Yawpers are sure to draw your but he certainly isn’t talentless. The driving again highlighting easy-going guitar lines. Even with a minimal number of songs, The attention for one reason or another. back-beat makes it easy for any listener to A pleasant bass line also sees an opportunity Yawpers were able to demonstrate steady and If you’re not familiar with the term bob his or her head, and the recurring guitar to shine through. “Angel Wings” may not innovative guitars, gruff and original vocals, “yawper,” never fear; it isn’t commonly used line is original and likeable. be an uppity and feel-good as the previous flawless tempo fluctuation and the necessary in ordinary conversation. When typing If occasional profanity is reprehensible two tracks, but it’s still musically interesting ability to stand out from the vast crowd of the word “yawper” into Google Chrome, it in your book, this may not be your ideal nonetheless. blossoming musicians. insisted it wasn’t a word, but www.dictionary. album. “Jesus Car” has a momentary curse, “Runner,” the fourth song, slows down the Instead of tossing together mediocre com provided the standard definition: “to but it’s tasteful nonetheless. This is the most tempo and provides an acoustic intro over melodies, basic acoustic chords and a shout, cry, or talk noisily.” If you’re still innovative and enjoyable form of country to which Cook layers his vocals. His singing questionably tone-deaf singer characteristic curious about where this word emerged, which I’ve ever been exposed. ability is demonstrated more heavily in this of emerging bands today, The Yawpers stand you can thank Mr. Whitman for that. The The second song, “Heart on a String,” song compared to the gruff shouts heard in a fighting chance for the band’s talent to Yawpers’ Facebook explains where the band keeps the driving tempo of the five-track the first few songs. surface. It undeniably takes talent for a band name came from: “[The Yawpers are] named album, plowing ahead with exciting guitar Vocally, this song is undoubtedly the to mix and mold genres together while still after Walt Whitman’s promise to ‘sound my lines. The acoustic lays the foundation for the strongest and the most pleasant. Shouting converting fans who are partial to neither barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.’” chords, and another guitar layers over it with would undo the pleasantry of the gentle genre. This well-read, literary-savvy trio begins a more melodic guitar line. acoustic and various percussion instruments [email protected] with “Jesus Car,” emitting subtle hints of During the chorus, Cook repeats (or rather, clanking in the background, and Cook is country in the instrumental guitar intro. shouts), “I’ve got your heart on a string,” just certainly intelligent for recognizing that. This isn’t the twangy, whiney country you’d as the title suggests. It’s an enjoyable tune The last track, “Worthless,” picks the 14|Roo Views Vol. 79, Issue 16 album review ‘People and Things’ too breezy to be memorable

Lindsay Adams News Editor vocalist expresses how he has “never felt this way before.” Unfortunately, we’ve all heard “People and Things” is Jack’s Mannequin’s these lyrics before. The language in the lyrics third CD. The band features vocalist is realistic, but too familiar to be considered Andrew McMahon, who was the frontman innovative. for Something Corporate, guitarist Bobby “Hey, Hey, Hey” allows for a stronger vocal Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner feature with a focus on the lyrics and melody, and drummer Jay McMillan. with a featured background of melodic piano The album is pleasant and breezy, but and also with steady drums and less repetitive doesn’t break a lot of new ground, nor is it vocal harmony. It is also the first song on the especially ambitious. It is content with being album with lyrics that I found compelling, an easy listening take on the rock genre. There and a convincing emotional connection isn’t much that distinguishes it from other between the lyrics and the singer. rock albums. It is a nice album to listen to The album continued in a stronger vein with while driving with its simplistic rock/pop “People, Running.” The lyrics were memorable melodies and harmony. It is a stripped look with a strong drum beat and interesting at relationships without the overblown tropes, electric shading to the instrumentals. instead using simple structure. “Platform Fire” proves Jack’s Mannequin The instrumentation is an interesting mix does better when the band isn’t trying too of string ensemble, acoustic and electronic hard to be hip and instead sticks with what intertwining within a single song. it’s good at. McMahon’s vocals shine with less “My Racing Thoughts” is an upbeat song hectic, poppy backgrounds, especially when with introspective lyrics. The contemplative the melodic strains of electric instrumentation lyrics, however, tended to stick squarely with complement his voice rather overpower it. the surface thoughts referenced in many pop “Restless Dreams” and “Casting Lines” have songs. The lyrics, for the most part, fall into a decidedly somber and subtle feel to them, unassuming, unelaborate rhyming schemes. without being depressing. “Casting Lines” “Amelia Jean” and “Hostage” sound light again shows how much potential and skill is and pleasant, but aren’t exceptional. “Racing behind the album, with a stronger portrayal Jack’s Mannequin treads familiar ground in “People and Things” Thoughts” is a little more memorable than of the emotion behind the song and the Photo courtesy of Google Images some of the songs that follow it; many importance of the meaning of the story being seemed to use it as an outline and attempted told. It is quite the inspirational finish to the to replicate it. This causes a repetitive feel to album. the album. “Release Me” cranks up the tempo Dashboard Confessional does a lot of what and has a catchy feel. There is a lot more range Jack’s Mannequin seeks to achieve. Dashboard from vocalist McMahon as well as a nice Confessional has less electric additions, but use of rhythm, piano and bright major key brings vulnerable lyrics rather than frail ones, harmonies. with compelling story and sensation rather “Television” has a strong driving beat than mere sentiment. during the chorus, but falls into repetitive “People and Things” is an easy listen with its vocal harmony and instrumentation. The mellow rock instrumentation. It is gone with lyrics are better since they aren’t quite as neatly the breeze, but leaves a pleasant memory. structured, but are not particularly striking. [email protected] In the track “Amy, I,” the bridge and the verses try to spice up the arrangement with different rhythm. However, in the chorus, the Join the U-News Family!

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Only three semesters in to Tips to lose weight in the new year college, but I have already been to three different colleges. I graduated from Leeton Here we are again at the beginning Most household glasses hold two cups High School in May of 2010. of a new year. People bubble over with of water as does bottled water. Waking My first semester after high spirits of motivation and determination up early to eat a good breakfast breaks school, I moved 100 miles as resolutions assure a bright, promising the fast sleeping created. That’s why south and went to Missouri 12 months. The top three resolutions it’s called “break-fast.” This is when State University (MSU) in I’ve heard so far are: consuming the most calories possible is Springfield. It was a great 1. get my life right with God, done. Go to www.freedieting.com/tools/ school with tons of campus 2. spend more time with family, and calorie_calculator.htm to see how many events that were always widely Kara Hart 3. lose weight. calories you should eat and drink every advertised. While I definitely can help with the day. As I mentioned in a previous article, The campus and community first two resolutions, it’s the last one calories are literally units of energy. So, were very accepting of everyone and their crazy quirks, and that has proved most popular and is put good energy into your body (fruits, it seemed that every culture, background and lifestyle was also at the top of my own list. Since I vegetables, nuts, etc.) instead of bad accounted for. Although the official demographic report had my son last September, I have lost energy (junk food, pop, fast food, etc.). will probably reflect differently, it seemed there was a large 14 pounds. I smile at the statement, but I was a big time snacker. Luckily, there population of students who came from outside the United I still have 20 more pounds to go. I’ve Kharissa Forte is a delicious alternative to junk, the 100 States. It really felt that everyone I met was from a foreign learned a lot concerning what to eat and of your fish of choice Calorie packs that have all of my favorite country. what I need to avoid. For starters, lay off with extra virgin olive options (Cheez-Its, brownies, chocolate I originally chose MSU so I could study musical theater, the fast food. McDonald’s, Burger King, oil and season it with onion powder, covered pretzels and more) packaged up but after some deliberating, I decided to choose a more Wendy’s and Taco Bell are all big no- garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper in perfect portions. Another guilt-free viable path and started studying journalism. no’s. I don’t care how cheap it is; the price and basil. Cook it in the oven for 15–25 snack is Kellog’s Special K cracker chips. My parents had also made a move after I graduated you pay may be great for your wallet, but minutes and enjoy. Take note of the It’s 27 chips for 110 calories? That’s high school, but it was 65 miles in the opposite direction it’s also vile for your body. Re-learn how seasonings I mentioned: onion powder, amazing! Most chips only have half the to Kansas City. Your first year in college is hard enough, to cook fried foods. Try oven-frying garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper and serving size for about 200 calories! For but moving so far away from your parents and not knowing instead of pan-frying or use extra-virgin basil. These are the essential seasoning. my soda lovers, try Mio, a calorie-free anyone else on campus makes things even harder. olive oil instead of any other kind of oil. Using powder instead of salt (unless it’s liquid water enhancer. Mio comes in After a semester away from my family, I was homesick To oven-fry chicken, pre-heat the oven sea salt) keeps sodium levels low. This is tons of different flavors and one bottle and was ready to move closer to them. I transferred to to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a pan optimum because sodium retains water. flavors 18 cups! If you need that fizz, try University of Central Missouri (UCM) in Warrensburg, with extra virgin olive oil. Season the As a result of water retention, weight is adding Mio to sparkling water and – which was somewhere in-between the friends I had grown meat, and then roll it in whole wheat gained. Price Chopper has an amazing abracadabra – you have pop! Oh, I could up with and my family, so I had plenty of people close by flour. Place the meat in the oven for 45– selection of healthy seasonings just for go on all day about teaching different that I could visit often. 60 minutes. The downside: oven-frying $1 each in the dollar section of the tips, tricks and recipes, but I suppose UCM was also a good school, but there were very few does not work on fish. The upside: store. Speaking of water, we all know this is enough for now. Until next week. campus events and they weren’t well advertised, so I never baking fish is much tastier, quicker and the old eight cups a day rule. In weight [email protected] knew about them until after I heard someone in class healthier anyway. Pre-heat the oven to loss land, however, 16 cups of water a talking about it. Also, the majority of the students weren’t 350 degrees. Simply paint the top side day is ideal. Measure your cups, too. very accepting of people who were different than them; it was much like high school with its cliques. I definitely thought I wasn’t ever going to have to deal with them after high school. Still, I was feeling bored and alone. For those reasons, along with some breakup issues, I moved in with my parents and transferred to UMKC, only a 20-minute drive from home. I found it particularly hard to get involved in campus, being a commuter. The level of activity on campus, in my opinion, falls somewhere in the middle between my two previous colleges, but I have experienced that most of the events either occur while I’m in class, or after I’ve left the campus. The diversity of the UMKC campus and population also fall somewhere in the middle, not quite as diverse or accepting as MSU, but nowhere near as close-minded as UCM. My favorite thing about the campus is the Swinney Rec Center, although after many self-promises, I still haven’t managed to test the pool. I also like the food on campus, especially Chick-fil-a and Einstein Brothers, but it’s missing the Taco Bell that UCM had. My favorite university was MSU. I loved the atmosphere and the acceptance. UMKC is a great place too though, and I am glad that it’s close to my family. I think it will be much better this semester compared to last, now that I am involved in something. [email protected] word on campus sudoku Johanna Poppel Photo Editor Did you think the winter break was long enough? Mal Hartigan Michelle Meiman Arts and Copy Editor Entertainment Editor “What break?.” “Even if it was two months, it wouldn’t be long enough”

Lindsay Adams Kara Hart News Editor Assistant News Editor “Hell no!” “My nephew that is in elementary school, goes back to school a week after we do.”

Kharissa Forte Jeremy Van Ryn Forum Editor Video Editor “Yeah because if it is too long we will “No, I wish I had get out of the swing more time to of things.” crochet.” U-News! [email protected]

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