Bulletin Board............................5Life .........................................6,7Sports .........................................8

InsIde

Phone: (731) 881-7780E-mail: thepacer@ut.utm.edu

www.utmpacer.com

Wednesday Weather

57 39Tomorrow, expect partly

cloudy skies with a high of 50 and low of 39. Friday, mostly

sunny with a high of 61.

Viewpoints .......................... 2, 3Editorial .................................. 2News .................................... 4, 5

314 Gooch HallMartin, Tennessee38238

thepacer — Free in single copy —

thepacerIndependent voice of the University of Tennessee at Martin Volume 83

Issue 21March 9, 2011

The Pacer continues the new series from Josh Weiss

page 3

blogger returns The Pacer reviews

the animated comedy starring Johnny Depp

page 6

rangoWe list 10 wants and want nots for spring break 2011

page 7

10 things

OVC CHAMPS!Women’s basketball team claims conference tourney crown for first time in program history

Josh Lemons Sports Editor

The Skyhawks women’s basketball team is going dancing for the first time in program history.

They will have to wait until Monday, March 14, to find out whom their dancing partner will be, and where that dance floor will be located.

The women defeated OVC regular season champs Tennessee Tech 82-76 Saturday, March 5, at Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The win gives the Skyhawks an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, trumping the already high expectations set for this program. To demonstrate this, rewind a few years.

Two years ago, the UTM women’s basketball program was in disarray. The team ended the season with an overall record of 2-28, with neither of the two wins coming in OVC play.

Then came the hiring of coach Kevin McMillan. Last season, the squad only suited up eight players and still finished fifth in the OVC regular season.

This season’s squad is the youngest women’s basketball program in Division I, something that second year head coach McMillan is well aware of.

“We’re the youngest team in the country, and I don’t know that it’s close,” McMillan said. “I really don’t.

We have two years of collegiate experience. For these kids to be able to do what they did really tells you a lot about what they’re made of, period.”

This year’s squad was not afraid to play anyone in the country,

including some of the nation’s top programs. Colorado, Air Force, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are just a few of the non-conference games McMillan scheduled this season, including a 10-game road trip during the middle of the season, something McMillan says paid off.

“We gambled and took a chance,

and it paid off,” McMillan said.The Skyhawks have five players in

double figures, including freshmen guards Jasmine Newsome and Heather Butler combining for 45 points in the win over TTU.

Butler knows that they will have a tough time in the NCAA Tourney, but believes in her teammates and their ability to compete with any team in the nation.

“We don’t know at all what to expect because we’re probably going to end up playing a big

team,” Butler said. “We’ve just got to go out there and give it our all and play for 40 minutes.”

The selection show viewing party will be at 5 p.m. March 14 at the Watkins Auditorium in the UC.

For more photos of the OVC champs, see page 8.

We gambled and took a chance,

and it paid off.Head Coach Kevin McMillan

“ ”

onlinePOLL“How far will the Skyhawks journey

in the NCAA Tournament?”

vote at utmpacer.comSkyhawk Jasmine Newsome aims for the hoop in the OVC Tournament championship game. Newsome, a freshman guard, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

(Pacer photos/ Trevor Ruszkowski)(Pacer photos/ Trevor Ruszkowski)

ViewthepacerMarch 9, 2011 Page 2

Spencer TaylorExEcutivE Editor

Jennifer DeYesoManaging Editor

Editorial Board

Serving UTM for 81 yearsFree in Single Copy

Editorially Independent

Editorial PolicyOpinions expressed in personal

columns are those of the writers and may not reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole. Editorials are written by members of the Editorial Board, with contribu-tions from other students, cam-pus administrators or community members on an as-issue basis.

SuBMiSSion guidElinESStory ideas or news tips may

be e-mailed to pacer@utm.edu or presented at our weekly staff meetings, held at 5 p.m. every Tuesday during the semester.

The Pacer welcomes comments, criticisms or ideas that its reader-

ship may have. We encourage you to send a Letter to the Editor through e-mail at pacer@utm.edu or via our Web site at http://www.utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor/. Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 250 words. Letters must contain the name, major and hometown of the author, as well as contact information. Submissions may be edited for grammar, spell-ing and brevity.

StatEMEnt of PuBlicationThis newspaper is printed every

Wednesday during the semester. Our press run ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 copies depending on the edition. The University of

Tennessee at Martin earmarks $3.60 per enrolled student to pay for staff salaries and overhead costs of running our office. The cost of printing the newspaper is covered by advertising revenue.

points pacer_opinions@ut.utm.edu utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor

Editorial

Marquita Douglas, nEwS Editor

Bruce Harbin, aSSt. nEwS Editor

Regina Emery, co- lifE Editor

Trevor Smith, co- lifE Editor

Joshua Lemons, SPortS Editor

Justin Hunt, viEwPointS Editor

Jasmine Brooks, Editorial aSSiStant

Troy Duncan, Editorial aSSiStant

Kara Kidwell, advErtiSing ManagEr

Layton Scarbrough, advErtiSing SalES

Tomi McCutchen Parrish, faculty adviSEr

thepacerThe Pacer

314 Gooch HallMartin, TN 38238

Newsroom: 731.881.7780Fax: 731.881.7791

E-mail:pacer@utm.edu

Web site:www.utmpacer.com

Don’t shame Sheen for playing to his paycheck

What’s up with Charlie Sheen and CBS?

You’ve probably heard (hasn’t everyone?) that Charlie Sheen was fired from his top-rated TV show, “Two and a Half Men.” CBS issued a statement saying that Sheen’s “statements, conduct and condition prevented him from performing his essential duties.”

That’s understandable. Have you seen this guy any time in the past 20-something years?

But let’s hold up a second and think about this hit TV show itself.

Sheen’s character is essentially a sex pervert who drinks a lot. Think it was hard for him to stay in character?

We are in no way condoning Sheen’s behavior, now or in the past. He has abused drugs and alcohol, been caught up in a prostitution scandal and been accused of violence against women more than once. It’s very easy to dislike Charlie Sheen.

But before we jump to any conclusions on how unscrupulous Sheen’s personal life appears to be, and before we deem his “conduct and condition preventative” to the show, let’s remember that’s why people have tuned in and made the show the success it is.

We think there has to be a set standard on what is considered acceptable.

If Sheen’s behavior got in the way of shoots, fire him. But don’t be mad when the man you pay to play a drunk on TV acts like it in real life, especially when he’s done it for years.

Campus Quotes“

“I’m going to Lambert’s with the boyfriend and

plan on having a 3 day shopping

spree with my mom”

What are your spring

break plans?

Pace

r Gra

phics

/Jen

DeY

eso

Susan MerymanFreshman Theater major

Dru DuncanSophomore Mgmt. & Info Sysytems major

Koty CableFreshman Art Ed. major

Laura FritscherFreshman HHP major

Featured Cartoonist: Mike Luckovich

“Absolutely nothing”

“I’m actually going to a ping

pong tournament in Missouri this

weekend”

“I’m going to visit friends I met in Australia and spend time with

my boyfriend. And I’m going to use my new Sony camera to take pictures of the spring blooms”

Funding Planned Parenthood builds a better future Spencer Taylor

Executive Editor

Last month, the House approved an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides reproductive health care and sexual education to both men and women. Abortions are included within their service descriptions, yet their website urges that 90 percent of their care is preventive.

Americans really shouldn’t be too surprised that Planned Parenthood has come under fire; Public Broadcasting is also facing defunding from the government.

As a newspaper editor, I believe that funding for Public Broadcasting is a big deal.

A really big deal. I could fill this page telling

you all the right reasons to maintain funding for PBS and NPR, but I also know that funding services that cater to

maintaining sexual health and preventative care is much more important.

The battle cry of the GOP-controlled House has been to reduce the budget deficit, and

in order to make these cuts, the money has to come from some place.

Truth is, while I’m passionate about what public broadcasting stands for, I also believe in the right for men and women to have access to proper

medical care

and counseling regarding pregnancy and sexual health.

I would personally prefer it to impact Sesame Street over any given American’s sexual health.

The abortion issue is obviously a large sticking point for many, yet Planned Parenthood doesn’t utilize federal funds for abortion services. Those monies go to programs that provide birth control, body image help, men’s sexual health, relationship

c o u n s e l i n g ,

sexually transmitted diseases screenings and women’s health.

Truly, “Parenthood” is a limiting title; breast cancer screenings, STD screenings and Ovarian cancer testing

are services that expand Parenthood and make it worth public funding.

Additionally, Jeff Teague, CEO of Planned Parenthood for Middle and East Tennessee, stated in a recent press release that Planned Parenthood legally cannot use federal money for abortion purposes.

Furthermore, spending

money on preventive health care, which is what Planned Parenthood provides, will save taxpayers money in the long run.

“For every dollar that we spend for preventative reproductive and sexual health care services we save four dollars in later health care services and needs,” said Teague in the press release.

Really, there is no easy fix to this problem. We live in an era in America where trimming the budget and saving money is the modus operandi for our representatives in Washington.

However, I believe that Planned Parenthood provides an essential health care service to all Americans, especially low income citizens. Eliminating funding on the basis of supporting abortion is wrong and cuts can come from other areas. Moving forward, Planned Parenthood should retain federal funding.

Spending money on preventive health care, which is what Planned Parenthood provides, will save

taxpayers money in the long run.

ViewpointsthepacerMarch 9, 2011 Page 3

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NewsMarch 9, 2011 Page 4

Rebecca Alsup Pacer Writer

Most people at UTM are on a four-year –or in some cases longer –plan focusing on that sought after college diploma.

But college students share the UTM campus with another type of student you don’t hear much about: graduate students.

What is the life of a graduate student like? Hunter Vincent, a graduate student here at UTM, gives some insight.

Vincent grew up in Martin and decided to pursue his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business right down the road from home here at UTM. He works at his family business, the Working Man, maintaining their website and working in Internet sales. After finishing his undergraduate degree last May, he decided to continue his education.

“I feel like anybody can go to college in this day and time due to the lottery scholarships and emphasis put on getting a college education, so I decided to take my education one step further by getting my MBA to put myself ahead in the job world,” Vincent said.

“Because college degrees are so popular now, the job market is more competitive

and a college degree alone isn’t enough to put you in those managerial spots,” he said.

What made Vincent stay at UTM to pursue his MBA instead of transferring to another university? He says he’s established here. His friends and family are all in Martin; not to mention, he already has a job that gives him experience in his field of study. Vincent says it’s just easier to stay and get his Masters in 18 months, instead of uprooting his life.

“UTM’s MBA program has that small town environment while allowing me to get a quality education,” Vincent said.

For those interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, here’s a glimpse into the everyday routine of a grad student. Vincent is up at 7a.m. every morning. He works an 8 - 5 job while being a full-time student. He has classes three nights a week lasting from 5:30 to 9.

“The hardest part of the program for me is working all day and then going to class at night,” he said. “It takes up my entire day.”

How different is undergraduate from graduate school here at UTM? Master’s classes are generally all night classes since many of the students are nontraditional

students with full-time careers. Each class meets once a week and consist of about 40 students.

Vincent says the classes are in a more formal, business-like setting, but the teachers treat the students with more respect because it is a more mature atmosphere.

“My favorite part of the program is that the classes are more laid back and open to mature discussions while maintaining a business-like environment,” Vincent said.

In the classroom, there is no busy work. Every assignment serves a specific purpose. The grading scale is the same as undergraduate classes. Vincent says there is a lot more group work with the focus being on building leadership and managerial skills.

Also, there are a wider variety of people from all ages and walks of life. The workload includes getting involved in the community and gaining real world experience. Vincent says in one of his marketing classes, they worked with a restaurant in Union City by doing a marketing analysis on how to better promote the restaurant. The groups presented their research findings to the owner. They also have to come up with a fundraiser idea for a local

organization. What comes after the MBA

degree for Vincent? He graduates in December

and has already been sending out resumes. He plans to move to Nashville or Memphis and work in Pharmaceutical sales, marketing or finance. He would ideally like to skip right to a corporate position.

“Several of the professionals I’ve talked to say they require a Master’s degree to work in their corporate structure, which will allow me to skip the entry-level sales jobs straight to a management position,” Vincent said.

Vincent also gives some good advice about tackling the dreaded entry test, the GMAT, required for the MBA program.

“The GMAT is hard,” he said. “But if you focus on studying the format and take the Kaplan course, you’ll be fine.”

Vincent’s life isn’t totally consumed by school and work. He enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, running half marathons and being active with his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha.

Vincent gave some great insight into the life of a graduate student and what it means to have an MBA degree in the working world.

Hunter Vincent, a graduate student at UTM, believes pursuing his MBA will not only expand his education, but allow him to compete in his job field. (Provided Photo)

Grad school worth the challenge

Sarah RowlandStaff Writer

Last Wednesday night, March 2, SGA passed new legislation during a rescheduled Senate session from the previous week concerning a $10 green fee slated to begin in the fall 2011 semester.

SGA met in UC 206 to hear a proposal by the new student organization Green Energy and Renewables Society (GEARS), about implementing the new fee.

“SGA is so excited to have passed this fee,” said Mary Jean Hall, SGA senator and UTM senior Communications major from Covington, Tenn.

James Allen, GEARS president and UTM junior meteorology major from Arlington, Tenn., said he hopes to make the fee self-sufficient, a principle he is borrowing from schools in California.

“We haven’t really discussed it in detail but I’m trying to see if I can get some kind of green revolving fund, which is we monitor all the energy savings that we get from our projects on campus, we get the money that we save from saved energy, put it back into the account and then we get more and more money that we can start spending on huge projects,” he said.

The savings from green projects

on campus would begin to replenish the budget and the fee could then be dropped, Allen said. Hall said the goal is to be able to drop the fee.

Karoline Null, GEARS advisor and UTM assistant professor with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, said the fee will be applied to each full-time student per semester.

Allen said the fee, in all, will total about $51 thousand which will then be budgeted under the supervision of a committee consisting of five voting representatives: two SGA representatives, two GEARS representatives appointed by the organization’s faculty advisor and one voting faculty appointed by the faculty senate. Two other non-voting representatives will also serve on the committee: one chairperson from the Office of Student Affairs and one advisor from the Department of Facilities and Grounds.

Allen said, though, a general budget has already been approved for the fee.

One-third of the budget will go to energy efficiency upgrades, such as small projects like replacing light switches to more energy efficient ones, said Allen, as an example of such projects.

One-third will go to student opportunity projects, through which UTM students willing to head up sustainability projects can apply for

funding through the budget committee. The last third will go to TVA’s Green

Power Switch program, through which UTM will buy electricity generated from renewable resources such as wind and solar power.

However, the fee must be approved by the Board of Trustees, a delegation of the UT system in Knoxville, Tenn., before going into effect said Allen and Hall.

Hall said now that SGA has passed legislation for the fee, GEARS students and SGA senators are working with the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Finance to get the fee on the Board of Trustees agenda around April. She said in June or July the SGA president will present a proposal before the Board of Trustees in Knoxville.

Hall said she does not think there will be a problem getting the fee approved by the Board of Trustees since a green fee has already been implemented at the Universities of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Knoxville.

When asked if the fact that green fees are being implemented in schools throughout the state had anything to do with SGA’s legislation Hall said, “Yes, everybody else in the state has a green fee but let’s be the first ones to really just turn it around and do something amazing with it. Really get a lot of student support for it.”

Sammie Linton, SGA president and UTM political science major from Selmer, Tenn., said he’s very excited about the fee.

“I want students to understand that this is very important to begin” because, the goal is to prepare now for a better future at UTM and to give UTM more opportunities to save money, which will help students save money in the future. “Essentially we’re investing in UTM,” Linton said.

Allen said GEARS is still seeking more students to complete their sustainability survey to strengthen their cause on the Board of Trustees agenda in April. For more information on how to complete the survey online, contact James Allen at jamgalle@ut.utm.edu or Harrison Woodard at hwoodard@utm.edu.

GEARS meets every Monday at 4 p.m. in UC 125, the room in the back of the cafeteria. No meal plan is necessary to attend the meeting, said Allen, just let the worker at the door know you are going to the meeting and will not be eating.

The Sustainability Series, hosted by GEARS, will also begin on Thursday, Mar. 10, at 7 p.m. in UC 206 with a representative from ECOtality discussing the Nissan Leaf Electric Car.

SGA passes new green fee

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says he’s willing to make deeper spending cuts if Congress can compromise on a budget deal that would end the threat of a government shutdown.

Obama’s appeal for common ground came Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address, but lacked specifics on how to bridge the $50 billion gulf that divides the White House and Democratic budget proposal from the deeper reductions offered by Republicans.

The competing plans are headed for test votes in the Senate in the coming week; neither is expected to survive, setting the stage for further negotiations.

The government is running on a temporary spending bill that expires March 18, so the parties have until then to come up with a plan to pay for the remainder of the budget year through September.

“We need to come together, Democrats and Republicans, around a long-term budget that sacrifices wasteful spending without sacrificing the job-creating investments in our future,” Obama said. “My administration has already put forward specific cuts that meet congressional Republicans halfway. And I’m prepared to do more.”

But the claim that Democrats are meeting Republicans halfway only stands up under the Democratic explanation of the intricate numbers game being played on Capitol Hill.

Facing a federal deficit of $1.6 trillion, Republican leaders are under pressure from tea partiers to stick to a deep lineup of $61 billion in spending cuts for the current budget year that’s been passed by the GOP-controlled House.

Obama has threatened to veto that plan, and a Democratic offer of $6.5 billion in cuts — on top of $4 billion already signed into law — restores money the House GOP cuts from education, health and other programs.

Obama offers compromise, deeper cuts

‘Stars’ raises money for RelayBrandy Hardy

Pacer Writer

“Dancing with the Stars” winners for the 2011 West Weakley County’s Relay for Life competition were Natalie Boyd, PSEPP coordinator at UTM, and Willie Campbell, a part-time coach at Westview High School.

Winners were determined by who raised the most money from the audience because of their entertaining dance skills.

The event raised $815 overall, and proved to be quite a success. All proceeds from the event will go to the Weakley County Relay for Life Event that will be occurring in June on the university’s campus.

There were no bruised toes or egos with these competitors. Competition was stiff among the contestants, but the atmosphere was light and pleasant.

Hosting the event was Linda Ramsey, retired Health and Human Performance

professor, who also teaches ballroom and swing dancing.

Contestants, composed of teams of two, were: Maddy

Rosenbaum and Chris Wright, Cliff Hopkins and Linda Ramsey (Ramsey was Hopkins’ pinch-hitter because

his original partner was unable to make it to the show), Ann Gathers and Matthew P r i t c h e t t , winners Natalie Boyd and Willie Campbell, Jessica and Jerry Garcia, and Laura and Jim Fieser.

The Garcias and the Fiesers tied for third place and M a t t h e w Pritchett and Ann Gathers snagged the s e c o n d - p l a c e spot.

By the way the judges were praising the Garcias, one may have

been under the impression that they were going to take the gold. After the Garcias finished their tango, one of

the “Dancing with the Stars” judges, Dr. Richard Robinson of Communications, told the audience, “The only thing missing was the rose from Jessica’s mouth.”

Robinson was a tough critic. “Remember, with tango, you are two lovers that are angry with each other,” said Robinson after Hopkins finished the tango with Ramsey.

When asked what the key was to their first-place success, Campbell replied, “Just try to be relaxed and have fun with the dancing.”

In order to get ready for the competition, each contestant took six weeks of dance lessons with Ramsey, who taught them the dance routines they performed. Dances such as the cha-cha, the rumba, the tango, the foxtrot, and others allowed the contestants to dance for a good cause.

Relay for Life is a series of events, culminating in a June all-night event, that raise money for cancer research.

Willie Campbell, left, and Natalie Dickerson-Boyd, both of Martin, danced their way into first place Monday night at the 2011 “Dancing with the Stars.” All proceeds benefit the West Weakley County Relay for Life. (Pacer Photos/Glenda Cagle)

March 9, 2011 thepacer Page 5

2-25-11 at 1:07 p.m. - Off Campus - Subject reported receiving unwanted texts and phone calls.  Report was taken and the subject was advised on warrant procedures.2-25-11 at 11:40 p.m. - Clement Hall - Report of a subject who refused to leave the building when it was being secured.  The subject was contacted and advised of closing procedures.

2-27-11 at 1:47 a.m. - Browning Hall - Report of vandalism in a room.  The investigation continues. 2-27-1 at 8:14 p.m. - Student Rec Center - Report of a subject who had injured a foot playing basketball. Officers and EMS responded and treated the subject who was later taken to the hospital by a friend.

Fire Call-2-27-11 at 8:55 p.m. - Cooper

Hall - Report the smoke alarm was sounding.  Officers and MFD responded and determined it to be caused by steam from an appliance.

Fire Call-3-1-11 at 7:00 p.m. - UV Phase II - Report the smoke alarm was sounding.  Officers and MFD responded and determined it to be caused by steam from an appliance.

3-2-11 at 8:38 a.m. - Elam Center - A student was arrested pursuant to a failure to appear warrant from Weakley County General Sessions Court and turned over to the Sheriff ’s Department. 3-2-11 at 10:54 a.m. - Hurt Street - A subject was issued a citation for an expired license plate (City Court) and no proof of insurance. (General Sessions Court)

Police Report1

2

3

4

5

3

Take note!of upcoming

events on campus

Pacer Graphics/Bruce Harbin & Jen DeYeso

52nd Annual Juried Photography Competition

Categories include Advertising, Books,

Multimedia, Editorial work produced

For Sale, Institutional, Self-Promotion

and Unpublished. Enter online at

www.commarts.com/competitionsby March 25.

Campus

Map

6

7

8

56

4

7

2

UTM Students!Feed Your Need,Fill Your Tank!

Register for a chance to wina $100 GAS CARD!

FOOD

FUEL

Entries must be filled out completely, no copied entries eligible. No purchase necessary, a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Voidin Florida and where prohibited. See official rules for details. Sweepstakes begins on February 24, 2011 and ends on March 15, 2011. Entries mustbe received by March 15, 2011. Entrants must be registered University of Tennesse - Martin students. Odds of winning depend on number ofeligible entries received. In lieu of register to win box, you may also mail a 3”x5” card with your name, address, age, and phone number toTaco Bell, 849 University St., Martin, TN 38237. ©2011 Taco Bell Corp.

Name:_____________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

Phone #:___________________________________________________________________

b I want a chance to win a $100 Gas Card!

_______Yes, I am a registered UTM student

Drop your entry off at the TACO BELL® restaurant at849 University St., in Martin

Eliott Eddings Pacer Writer

As spring break draws near, the midterm progress reports are rolling in.

Although many students may be dreading their midterm progress reports, the good news is that, with effective study habits and by seeking the assistance of UTM’s numerous tutoring resources, midterm progress reports do not have to be all doom and gloom.

This is also the time that many students begin rewarding themselves for their good work by missing class and not giving their assignments as much effort as earlier in the semester. However, this can be detrimental to student’s overall grades, as there are usually many assignments given after midterm progress reports that could lower a student’s grades, even if they had done well up to that point.

Additionally, the midterm progress reports can give students insight into what classes they might need extra help on. Even though the semester is half over, there is still time for students to improve their grades by utilizing effective study habits.

Some of these study habits include setting aside a particular time of day just for studying. Having set study times can prove very beneficial to student grades, and they also help students become better at time management.

In addition to things that students can do on their own, there are also many resources on campus that can be used to help students. One of these is the Hortense Parrish Writing Center. The writing center offers students free tutoring and help writing their papers. They won’t write your papers for you, but they still can provide help to those who need it.

Also, the math lab offers free tutoring and help with math and the Student Success

Center has staff ready to assist students. Many classes also have supplementary instructors who meet with students outside class to provide help understanding the material. To see if your class or department has a supplementary instructor, simply ask your professor.

The Hortense Parrish Writing Center is located in 209 Humanities. The Math Lab can be found in 408 Humanities. The Student Success Center is located in 210 Clement Hall.

Tips to help improve mediocre midterms

149th Anniversary of the

Battle of Shiloh

Shiloh National Military Park will be offering in-

depth guided hikes April 6-8 in commemoration

of the 194th anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh.

Hikes are by registration only.

Park admission is $3 per adult, $5 per family.

For more information, call 731-689-5696.

SkyhawkBasketball Selection Show Viewing PartyCome support women’s basketball as they find out whom and where they will play in the NCAA tourney! March 14 at5 p.m. in Watkins Auditorium.

Fourth Annual FundraiserMartin Housing Authority is hosting its fourth annual Gold Tournament Fundraiser for theAfter-school and summer programs for low-income children on Thursday, April 28, at Persimmon Hills Golf Course, Sharon, Tenn.For more information contact Kristy Robinson at 731-587-3186, ext. 230

pacerTIPFollow these simple study tips to finish the semester out strong!

Set aside a dedicated time each day for studying

Take advantage of the many tutoring services available on campus

Go to bed early and get lots of sleep!

Drink in the evenings rather than late at night

Correction: The bottom photo on page 4 of the March 2 edition of The Pacer was mistakenly credited to Jeremy Jones. The proper attribution goes to Eliott Eddings.

LifeMarch 9, 2011 thepacer Page 6

pacer_features@ut.utm.edu

From left: Eric Smith, Rachael Cagle, Kayla Ballard, Diane Jackson and Katrina Moeller. (Not pictured: Cody Williams) The mural was painted on a recycled bulletin board from 309 Gooch. It features the silhouettes of women and circles that symbolize unity.

Women’s Center gets spruced up with student artwork

Trevor SmithCo-Life Editor

The old saying goes that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

And sometimes, more specifically, it can be another woman’s treasure.

In the newly opened UTM Women’s Center, a recycled bulletin board was used as the canvas for the mural that now hangs in the room.

The mural was painted by a group of students after the director of the Women’s Center, Dr. Teresa Collard, mentioned to a student that she wanted some art to hang in the room.

“I had mentioned wanting a painting to hang over the couch. Kayla Ballard had said that maybe she and some others could paint one. Then, I salvaged the old bulletin

board, but it was too big to be a bulletin board in the Women’s Center. I said it would be great for it to be a painting. Kayla said, ‘I think we could paint it,’ and she began sketching out a design.”

Ballard then recruited five more students to help with the project: Eric Smith, Rachael Cagle, Diane Jackson, Katrina Moeller and Cody Williams.

“There is nothing greater than students coming together synergistically to complete a task. The painting of this artwork was truly a group effort. They all worked together to make this generous contribution to the Women’s Center. I love the painting both for what it represents and for the teamwork involved in its creation,” Collard said.

Ballard said the painting represents women and unity. The design features three

women amidst lots of circles that represent the world. The painting is called “309” because the bulletin board it was painted on hung for many years in 309 Gooch, the Communications Department’s reading room.

“When the project was finished, there were women throughout the painting,” Collard said. “We try to count the circles that look like women and keep finding more.”

The students who painted the mural met three times in a shed behind Collard’s home to complete the project.

“She was so gracious to allow us to use the shed,” Ballard said.

Ballard seemed extremely happy to have been able to contribute the mural to the Women’s Center.

“They were going to throw the board away, but we saved it and turned it into something

beautiful,” she said.Since the Women’s Center

opened three weeks ago, Collard said, things have been off to a great start.

“It was great to see the large turnout of students, faculty, and staff at our open house. I think we are off to a good start, but we have just started. There is much to do in the coming days, weeks and months,” she said.

The UTM Women’s Center is located in 11-D Grove Apartments, and those involved have plenty of work and upcoming projects ahead of them, Collard said.

But even with that work schedule looming, don’t expect anyone in the Women’s Center to tack a reminder note up on that old bulletin board.

It serves a different purpose now.

Erin CreechPacer Writer

UTM students are leading the hunt for four famous mischief-makers: Moony, Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail.

Yes, that’s right, the Marauders may be among us.

Mark Lassiter, a sophomore Theater major, has always been interested in J.K. Rowling’s infamous pranksters. But after being unable to find engaging Marauder material on the Internet, Lassiter took matters into his own hands.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now,” he said. “I decided, ‘If no one else is gonna do it, I’m gonna do it!’”

So now, with the help of the UTM student body, he’s hoping to create a short mini-series about the Marauders’ lives at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Lassiter wants to start the film project in the Marauders’ fifth year of school and continue through to the seventh.

In some ways, this will be a coming-of-age story, describing the characters’ transformation from joking pranksters to adults in a world of wizarding warfare.

“Year seven, that’s the final stage. That’s when they realize, ‘There’s a war going on, we’ve got to grow up,’” Lassiter said. This seems to be an angle with which college students, to some degree, can relate.

Lassiter and his friends are

sending out a campuswide all-call for actors, directors, script writers, film editors and students with special effects experience. Students without theatrical talents are also invited to come and enjoy the experience.

Lassiter said the group has garnered even more interest than expected, and that they have more members than expected.

The project could be one episode or an entire mini-series, depending on student interest and participation, and will be promoted primarily on Youtube. Some of the filming will occur on campus, but other locations are being considered as well.

Kayla Ballard, a sophomore Communications major, wrote on the group’s Facebook page, “The Fan Film will be non-profit (due to copyright laws) and will focus mainly on the Marauders; however, we are open to ideas. The only qualification that MUST be met is that you must have a love of Harry Potter!”

Official meetings will not be scheduled until all the necessary actors have been found. Lassiter is hoping to complete his primary cast this semester and begin filming in the fall.

If you are a Harry Potter fan interested in being a part of the fan film project, or simply a theater student looking for potential portfolio material, contact Mark Lassiter at marrlass@ut.utm.edu, or search for the “Harry Potter Fan Film Group” on Facebook.

Students join to pay tribute

to Harry Potter with

fan-made film

Depp’s cowboy chameleon tale refuses to blend inRegina EmeryCo-Life Editor

During a weekend where several big name films hit the big screen, Rango hit the spot.

In a nutshell, it’s an animated comedy about a pet chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) trying to find out who he is in a desert of diversity (irony, anyone?).

Within the first five minutes, he’s literally catapulted into conflict: his fish tank home crashes onto the highway, leaving him alone in the open.

After stumbling into the aptly-named town of Dirt, Rango taps into his thespian background. He develops for himself a mash-up of great Western icons and becomes the sheriff who “killed all seven Jenkins brothers with a single bullet”.

As the town’s water crisis comes to light, it’s Rango who must come to the rescue and save his newfound friends.

I’ll admit that the only reason I was drawn to the film was a result of the big name game. Having enjoyed so many of his other films, I’ll buy a ticket for anything with Depp in the credits.

That being said, I’m

not normally a big fan of animated films. Fortunately, I was mistaken.

Why? Glad you asked. There are several reasons.

•It’s not in 3-D.•The story. Some people

may condemn a film as u n o r i g i n a l for borrowing plots and utilizing stock characters. I call it paying homage to greater films that came before.

W h i l e t h e r e ’ s o b v i o u s l y an obvious A Bug’s Life meets the Wild West vibe, there are a lot more subtle r e f e r e n c e s in the film that allude to without ripping off other movies. Examples include Blazing Saddles, Star Wars, Django, Apocalypse Now and yes, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

In fact, the Hawaiian shirt-clad Rango encounters a

convertible exactly like the one driven by Duke and Dr. Gonzo.

•The animation. Pixar has long worn the CGI animation crown for their vibrant, likeable characters

and family-friendly plots. With Rango however, that top spot may now have a substantial contender.

The Nickelodeon film is the first to come out of the studio founded by George Lucas himself—Industrial Light

& Magic. And it couldn’t have come out of the gate any stronger. Somehow the animators make rodents and reptiles seem cute and cuddly while simultaneously feeding my snake phobia with the

lifelikeness of Rattlesnake Jake’s scales.

•I laughed. A lot.•The script. Sure it has

slapstick (it is an animated comedy after all) but it has tons of wit as well. John Logan does an amazing job

of creating a cartoon for adults, rather than an adult cartoon.

While kids will still enjoy the film, adults will appreciate the levels of wordplay and wit of the writers. And speaking

of kids, the film does have some dark moment s—n a m e l y i n v o l v i n g a morbid m a r i a c h i band of owls and a villain that’s quite venomous—so little ones who scare easy may want to sit this one out. M e a nw h i l e the well-versed movie buffs will have fun picking up on all the

innuendos and allusions.

•The actors. A great script goes nowhere if the voice talent is terrible. Thankfully the film’s immense budget was enough to pay some A-listers to bring their A-game. Depp’s enthusiasm is intensely felt as always

(refer back to Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride) and Isla Fischer provides a wonderful female lead as Beans, the independent iguana. Abigail Breslin is an adorable looking but sharp-snouted mouse, while Bill Nighy and Ned Beatty provide voices for the villains.

•The scenery. Why are there so many movies about little animals? Because little animals make cute little houses and towns out of little everyday objects.

Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) lets his crew get creative and it’s fun to see the “sets” they come up with.

Again with the animation, the dedicated detailing of the fowl’s feathers and sun-scorched earth is impressive indeed.

•It’s not in 3-D.There are some minor flaws.

For example, the villain’s token “evil master plan” wasn’t very well explained. Similarly, the climax was a little anti-climactic and the happy ending came rather easily.

Still, I enjoyed the film from start to finish. With so many decent films releasing right now, be sure and make time to see this one.

Rango (voiced by Johnny Depp) finds himself in hot water when he meets Beans (Isla Fischer) and promises the thirsty folks of Dirt that he’ll find them their water

March 9, 2011 Page 7Life

10 things you would and wouldn’t want to do for Spring Break

Edited by Trevor Smith & Spencer Taylor

Pacer Graphics/Jen DeYeso

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600 R.B. Wilson Dr.Huntingdon, TN 38344Phone: 731-986-2213

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Phone: 731-587-2202

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Phone: 731-641-6461

Dr. Hampton and Dr. Blankenship are available on an appointment only basis at our three clinics and are available at all times for phone consultation with our mid-level providers.

“Providing Quality Care When You Need It Most!”

Do you feel depressed, anxious, or just plain stressed out?need someone to talk to who will not judge you?Well, call Tri-County Family Medicine & Urgent Care for a

counseling appointment with Parker Thompson, LCSW.Tri-County Family Medicine & Urgent Care is a regular family

medicine and walk-in clinic, so coming in for a visit with a counselor will be discreet. Your confidentiality is guaranteed.

Parker Thompson, LCSW is available in the Huntingdon Clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the Paris Clinic on Mondays and

Wednesdays, and in the Martin Clinic on Fridays.

counseling is covered by most commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and tenncare.

3See a shark

4Be attacked by a shark

5Party hard

6Get arrested

7Get a tan

8Get a sunburn

9Hook up

10Get kidnapped

1Chill with the guys from The Hangover

2Hang out with Snooki

Do want:

Don’t want:

Do want:

Don’t want:

Do want:

Don’t want:

Do want:

Don’t want:

Do want:

Don’t want:

March 9, 2011 thepacer Page 8

Sports pacer_sports@ut.utm.edu

Sports Information

The UTM softball team went 3-2 this past weekend in the Stephens Industries Florida Gulf Coast University Tournament in Fort Myers.

The Skyhawks opened the tournament with victories over Colgate, Florida Gulf Coast and St. Francis, but suffered setbacks to Dartmouth and St. John’s.

“I thought we played well in the first three games,” UTM head coach Donley Canary said. “We didn’t play well at all in the last two games.”

The Skyhawks beat Colgate 2-1 in nine innings. Senior Jordan Garrett drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Skyhawks needed one extra inning to beat Florida Gulf Coast University. Senior Laurie Lindow, pitch hitting for Megan

Chesney, drove in the winning run in the top of the eighth inning with a single to left field.

The Skyhawks scored five runs on three

hits in the fifth inning to claim a 5-2 victory over St. Francis.

The Skyhawks took advantage of two St. Francis’ errors in the inning. Garrett drove in a run with a single to left field and freshman Amanda Brandenburg drove in two runs with a home run, her third of the season, to

right center.Brandenburg also claimed the win in the

circle. She pitched five innings and gave up

three hits. She walked two and recorded five strikeouts without giving up a run.

The Skyhawks suffered a 4-3 loss to Dartmouth after jumping out front to a quick 3-0 lead with two runs in the first inning and one in the third inning. Dartmouth scored all four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning

when third baseman N. Ramirez hit a grand slam home run.

The Skyhawks piled up 11 hits and scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning against St. John’s Sunday morning but could not catch St. John’s which scored four runs in the second inning and five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Senior Megan Latimer hit a three-run home run, her first of the season, in the top of the sixth for the Skyhawks. The senior from Humboldt was 2-for-4 at the plate with the homer and three RBI.

The Skyhawks are 10-8 on the season and will open the OVC portion of their schedule this weekend when they host Murray State at Bettye Giles Field. The two teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13.

“I thought we played well in the first three games. We didn’t play well at all in the last two games”

Donley CanarySkyhawk Softball head CoaCh

All smiles from Nashville!

After the final buzzer sounded and UTM was crowned OVC Tournament champions, the smiles abound from all

the Skyhawk fans and players in attendance.

Top right: The players rush the court and embrace at mid-court after defeating

Tennessee Tech 82-76 Saturday, March 5, at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.

Top left: Freshmen standouts Jasmine Newsome (left) and Heather Butler (right)

pose with their post-season hardware. Above: Head coach Kevin McMillan is

assisted by his daughter, Alli, in cutting down the nets during the post-season

celebration. . At right: Members of the “Orange and Blue Crew” were all smiles

after the OVC win. (Photo Credits/Trevor Ruszowski)

Men’s hoops advance to quarterfinals, lose to tourney winnerSports Information

The UTM men’s basketball team saw its season come to an end tonight in the quarterfinals of the OVC Tournament at Municipal Auditorium. No. 4 Tennessee Tech posted an 83-59 victory over the No. 8 Skyhawks.

Kevin Murphy led the Golden Eagles with 24 points, while Jud Dillard scored 16 points and Zac Swansey added a dozen points.

Tech jumped out to a quick lead in the first half, but UTM came roaring back to take its only lead of the game at 10:01 when freshman Terence Smith made a 3-pointer. Senior Benzor Simmons followed with a 3-pointer and added a jumper to cap an 8-0 run that propelled the Skyhawks to an 18-12 advantage with 8:26 to

play in the first half.Tech took the lead, 21-20,

when Murphy made a layup with 5:50 to go in the first half. Swansey knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:45 to go and Tech led 24-20. UTM senior Reuben Clayton answered with a layup with 4:25 to play and that was it for the Skyhawks who failed to score again until there were nine seconds left in the half.

“We couldn’t make a shot and we got offensive-sensitive late in the first half and allowed them to balloon the lead out,” UTM head coach Jason James said. “The same thing happened in the second half.”

Tech led at the break 38-24 and stretched its lead to 25 points with 12:36 to play in the game.

Smith and Simmons

scored 16 points each for the Skyhawks, while Clayton finished the game with 11 points.

The Skyhawks finish the season with a 12-21 record and lose four seniors - Clayton, Simmons, Andres Irarrazabal and Daron Hood.

“Jason did a great job,” Tennessee Tech head coach Mike Sutton said. “He’s a good young coach. He took a team that was picked to finish 10th in our league and got them to the conference tournament.”

Tennessee Tech advanced to Friday’s semifinals, where they defeated No. 1 seed Murray State. Tech eventually lost in the OVC Championship game to Morehead State, which earned an automatic berth to the NCAA tourney.

Softball goes 3-2 in tourney during weekend

(PhotoCredit/ Submitted)