TV anchor to lecture on diversity

     Award winning journalist and anchor Soledad O’Brien will speak to students Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom. O’Brien’s talk, “Diversity: On TV, Behind the Scenes and In Our Lives,” will touch on her experiences as a multi-racial professional working in the journalism field.

Submitted photo

     “[My hopes are] that people will attempt to understand Soledad as an individual, that she is a multi-cultural, multi-racial individual and understand her story, her reporting style and disparities that exist in America,” said Lowell Davis, assistant dean of students.
     
     “To talk and have discussion with students about those I think is good and fantastic. We need to have hard conversations with students on campus, and I don’t know if we necessarily do enough of that. We need to give students honest answers.”
     
     O’Brien is well known for her award-winning “In America” documentaries. Journalism professor George Daniels has done work with O’Brien on the series in the past. Daniels has helped to organize viewings and discussions on installments of “Black in America” and “Latino in America.” One of his classes also did a Skype interview with O’Brien.

     “The idea of having her on our campus to have some discussion about not only diversity in the projects she’s producing, but in the journalism field, I think is outstanding,” Daniels said.  One of the partners hosting the event is Capstone Conversations, whose goal is to bring all colleges and students together through conversation and nationally acclaimed speakers twice a school year.

     “After Cornel West came to campus, we decided the University of Alabama needed to take some efforts to bring people of his caliber to campus on a regular basis or at least more frequently,” Davis said.

     All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the event that focuses on an important part of American culture. Daniels said the event brings someone to an environment that has had issues with addressing racial and ethnic diversity, while providing the opportunity to interact with someone who’s experienced it first hand.

     “[People should come] because they need to hear from the horse’s mouth why an Afro-Cuban named Soledad O’Brien is the face of an unprecedented effort to bring issues of race, ethnicity and other kinds of diversity, the untold stories to air,” Daniels said.

     “I think often times students don’t understand the importance of going to hear someone who has expertise in a field,” Davis said. “I think to hear her story, to hear how she became a journalist on CNN, to understand why she reports what she reports and why she selects her topics for her documentaries is important for students to understand and listen to.”

     O’Brien has worked for the network since 2003 according to cnn.com. She has also been an anchor for NBC News and MSNBC. O’Brien’s new documentary and latest installment of the Black in America series, “The New Promised Land: Silicon Valley,” will air on CNN Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

print/web 11.8.11

Athletes help rebuild Tuscaloosa

It’s been six months, and Tuscaloosa has made progress toward rebuilding. Volunteers came from across the state and from across the nation to clean up and piece back together a city that was ravaged by the April 27 tornado. Nonetheless, there are young adults who have taken it upon themselves to help as many people as they can.

While there are few Alabama student-athletes who have called Tuscaloosa home since birth, each one came together with his or her respective team to assist the people of Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas.

Sophomore women’s tennis player Mary Anne Macfarlane did a lot of philanthropic work with her church. Sophomore men’s tennis player Carlos Taborga worked as an interpreter for those who could not speak English at all or very well.

Over the summer, the women’s basketball team partnered with Russell Relief for a school supplies drive. Senior guard Ericka Russell started the relief organization. The team gathered supplies, ranging from backpacks to crayons, for students at elementary schools that were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.

“I think it showed the community that athletes do think about other things besides sports,” Russell said. “I think people are just happy to see us go out and give back to the community and just show that we do have a heart and care about the community as well. It touched my teammates as well, just being able to help to do whatever they could do.”

Junior guard Jessica Merritt got involved with tornado relief efforts with the team by doing volunteer work through Habitat for Humanity, helping to build houses for those who lost their homes during the tornado.

“Tuscaloosa is our community,” she said. “I’m not from here, but being here, I feel like I’m a part of it. If anybody can help their community, I feel like we should take a big part in that because this is our home now. This is our community.”

Junior Ben Eblen spoke on behalf of the men’s basketball team’s tornado efforts. The team participated in projects including helping at Holt. Eblen said working with tornado relief helped bring the team together and gave them the opportunity to help those in need. After the season starts, Eblen said he looks for the team to continue its work helping to rebuild the city throughout the semester.

The softball team recently worked with student-athletes from The University of Notre Dame during the school’s fall break service trip. The groups worked in Alberta City, cleaning up debris. Notre Dame students also got to tour some of the University’s sports facilities and meet athletic director Mal Moore. The volunteering was done through Project Team Up.

The football team has been recognized for its efforts helping the city that the players carry on their backs. Since the season kicked off, players have donned the yellow ribbons on their helmets as a means of recognition and remembrance. There is also the Houndstooth painted ribbon on the field that is to be put on other athletic playing grounds. Some other teams will be sporting embroidery on their uniforms as well.

The football team recognized first responders at the first game of the season and will have the uniform and field markings through April 27, 2012. While almost all teams are about to be deep into their regular season schedules, athletes said they still want to help any way they can.

“I would love to keep helping in tornado relief,” Merritt said. “It’s fun knowing that you’re giving back."

This is also six month tornado coverage for the CW's special issue. For the sports desk.

print/web 10.26.11

Nicole Mixon

Nicole Mixon | Submitted Photo

It’s been six months since the University lost six classmates due to the April 27 storms. Nonetheless, each student has left a lasting impression and their lights still shine today. Melanie “Nicole” Mixon was a junior accounting major and an honor student.

Following graduation from Minor High School in 2008, Mixon completed her business associates degree at Jeff State Community College in 2010. While at JSCC, she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society. After leaving her mark in her hometown, Mixon moved on to begin her college career on The Capstone.

“Nicole had this positive attitude that was infectious,” said Jill Hershman, president of Golden Key International Honor Society. “She would walk into the room and the mood would instantly become happier.”

Mixon was involved in a number of organizations on campus including Golden Key and Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She stepped in as treasurer for Golden Key during her first year in the club and was elected as Vice President for this year.

“Nicole was like a breath of fresh air,” said Golden Key advisor Lynn Hamric. “Immediately upon joining Golden Key she became an active member and inspired others to enjoy membership opportunities. She approached service projects with the same determination as she did academics.”

Hershman said, “Nicole had great ideas that improved our Golden Key chapter. She was elected Vice-President due to her leadership skills and her motivation. She is greatly missed.”

Hershman said the society will recognize Mixon during the scholarship presentation at its induction ceremony in November.

Mixon was a 2010 initiate into the Epsilon Lambda chapter of Gamma Phi Beta.

“Nicole was the most amazing person and definitely not someone that will ever become forgotten,” Lauren Whitten, president of the chapter, said in a statement. “In our organization our mission is to promote the highest type of womanhood, and I can honestly say that not only did she achieve that, she inspired each and every one of us as well as everyone she encountered to achieve as well. Nicole was one of the most beloved sisters of our chapter and will be deeply missed.

Many people that were around Mixon attest to her joy, dedication and positivity. “Nicole was one of the most incredible people you could have ever met,” Hershman said. “Always with the brightest smile on her face, she lit up everyone’s day. Never could I walk into our chapter house and see her and not feel warmth inside. She was not only our sister, but our best friend.”

Hamric said, “Following the last regular Golden Key meeting, Nicole wanted to stay and talk with me. We visited for over an hour. She shared much about her life growing up and family background as well as her aspirations. Her life was cut short for a reason and it is not mine to question why but rather to see her short life as an example for me to strive to follow. I know her parents are proud of her. UA GK is proud to have had her as a member. Personally, Nicole Mixon is a young woman I would be proud to call daughter.”

This story was a part of our six month tornado anniversary coverage. There were reflections on each UA student that passed in a result of the storm.

print/web 10.26.11

Health Center juggles increase in traffic

Students wait for their name to be called at the Student Health Center.
CW | Bryce Denton

The Student Health Center has seen an influx of students during this cold and flu season. The waiting room has been full of students seeking attention, everyday at all hours of the day, for anything from simple colds to broken limbs. In September alone, the SHC saw nearly 4,000 students.

While the center may be convenient for students, the wait times are causing many to complain.

Steve Galvez, certified registered nurse practitioner at the SHC, said wait times are shorter in the morning, ranging from 10-15 minutes, and greater around lunchtime, when waves of students come in at once.

“With our staff, during that time, we try to as much as we can to change our schedule around it and accommodate [the students],” Galvez said.

Samantha Jordan, a freshman majoring in criminal justice and psychology, said she was in and out of the SHC within an hour and a half, and that the wait time was not too long for her. Jordan said wait time generally depends on the services the student needs.

“[People may be complaining] because of what they have to wait for,” she said. “I know there was a time when a lot of kids were getting sick, so it was probably a lot of kids in here with hours of waiting.”

To compensate for the times, the facilities have opened a new wing that includes six additional examination rooms to fulfill different student needs. There are now 27 rooms.

Galvez said the SHC is aware of the possible student complaints and said building a larger staff and having more space is essential with the growing student body. The center will welcome a new practitioner at the beginning of November to assist with the student load.

Some students opt to not wait for a visit with the doctor because they do not want to wait for a long time.

“[If] I need to get something checked out, and there’s such a long wait, I’m not even going,” said Britton Rogers, a freshman majoring in biology. “That’s a big factor – that you can’t even go in because you don’t want to wait an hour and a half or two hours.”

There are other options in Tuscaloosa for students, such as DCH on University Boulevard, MedSouth and Urgent Care. However, these places do not charge fees to a student’s school account, and they are not on campus.

“A lot of people don’t have cars,” Rogers said. “It’s maybe cheaper, people may not have insurance with them and [the SHC] is maybe a more comfortable setting.”

“I’ve gone to MedSouth before, but it’s hard because their copayments aren’t billed to your student account. With my insurance, it’s around $300 just to walk in the ER [at DCH], and more than to get seen and get a prescription with treatment,” sophomore Robert Campbell said.

Students feel if the SHC could be more organized, it would help immensely with the wait times.

“They could probably sort out what you’re here for better and have more nurses that can help with general stuff,” Jordan said.

The SHC offers a fast pass opportunity where students can call ahead of time to let the office know when they want to come in. Many times, this takes the place of making a traditional appointment. With a fast pass, students can get treatment before walk-in patients.

Since the SHC opened, the University has seen a growth in the number of students on campus. Galvez said it is evident that this has affected the number of students coming into the SHC.

“We have a smaller student health center compared to other student health centers,” Galvez said. “We know that we’re going to have to expand more and more to accommodate the students and their needs.”

print/web 10/12/11

Is the Student Health Center too crowded? (Video)

Goes with the following posted article. The multimedia editor and I took a camera and got students on camera to talk about the student health center.
web 10.11.11

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger set to kick off

The Community Service Center and the West Alabama Food Bank are teaming up to host the annual food drive competition to fight hunger while competing against Auburn University. The Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Kick off festivities begin Monday, Oct. 10.

“Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is one of the oldest traditions and most unifying things on campus that allows students to give back to the community that is in such great need,” said Charlotte Brown, CSC student director for hunger and homelessness.

At 11 a.m. there will be music, food, giveaways and Big Al in the Ferguson Center Plaza marking the beginning of the food drive. Students can stop by the Plaza or Reese Phifer and make a donation towards the pie-throwing contest.

Contestants for the contest include Shane Sharpe, dean of the Honors College, and Barrett Jones, offensive lineman on the football team. The contestant with the most money in their jar will receive a pie in the face on Oct. 12 at noon in the Ferg Plaza. The person who donates the most will throw the pie.

“I would like to see students and student organizations come out and start the food competition off strong and come out, spread the word around campus and get energized for the six weeks ahead of us,” Brown said.

All proceeds from UA go to the West Alabama Food Bank and donations from Auburn go to the East Alabama Food Bank.

“The West Alabama Food Bank helps the Tuscaloosa community, but it also helps the counties surrounding Tuscaloosa, as well,” said Wahnee Sherman, director of the CSC. “This is a wonderful way for students to get involved in a very practical way. Students have been so great since the tornado; this is another way for them to continue what they’ve already done and to make an impact here in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area.”

Each year, the sponsoring groups try to implement new activities for students to get involved in. On Monday, there will be the Stamp Out Hunger letter-writing campaign in Gorgas Library Room 205 from 6 to 10 p.m. Participants can personalize letters and emails and send them to family members and friends. There will be refreshments and prizes for the student who sends the most letters and/or emails. All envelopes and stamps will be provided, along with the pre-made letter.

The 5K race will take place Nov. 6 and is open to everyone in the community. Registration forms can be found on the BABH website, beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu.

The creation of volunteer committees has also been added to the mix.

“Having the committees helps a lot more people get involved,” Sherman said. “We know that people want to give donations every year, but this is another way for them to get involved and really feel like they’re helping out, because we need their help. We want more people to feel involved and invested in the process.”

Students can sign up to volunteer on the BABH website.

BABH will run until Nov. 18, and the winner of the competition will be announced at the Iron Bowl in Auburn. According to Brown, 13 of the 17 BABH winners have gone on to win the game. Although Alabama came in second place last year with nearly 220,000 pounds of food, the University met its goal. This year, Brown said the goal is 250,000 pounds.

Donations can be made around campus, in the community and also via text message. For more information on BABH, visit beatauburnbeathunger.ua.edu.

print/web 10/6/11

Bama Dining wins dining dollar lawsuit

The Alabama Supreme Court upheld the decision of a state trial court to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit against Dining Dollars at the University of Alabama, Auburn University and UAB Friday.

“The University is pleased that the Alabama Supreme Court unanimously affirmed Judge Vance’s dismissal of all the claims brought by the plaintiffs in the Dining Dollars lawsuits,” said UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen. “In doing so, the court validated UA’s food service model that has existed for the past 16 years.”

Last August, a group of students filed a lawsuit against the University because of mandatory dining dollar fees. An article on The Houston Chronicle’s website, chron.com said that the students claimed the dining dollar policy violates antitrust laws, illegally supports private businesses and charges too much for services.

Andreen stated that early in UA history, it was required that the University have mandatory meal plans and on-campus dining services have been contractor-operated since 1965.

“Like Judge Vance, the Alabama Supreme Court readily acknowledged the board of trustees’ broad authority to manage its own operations, including mandating that students participate in an on-campus dining plan and having the authority to enter into an exclusive management contract with a food service vendor to govern the provision of meal service on campus,” Andreen said.

In 1996 Aramark began managing the University’s dining services. Semester dining dollar fees are $300 at UA, $225 at UAB and $995 at Auburn. While Aramark is the managing company on campus, Sodexo is in charge at UAB and Compass Group USA at Auburn.

print/web 10/4/11