The Weevil
On-Line
 April 24, 2003
Volume 3                                                        No. 8
Staff:  Meghan Amaroso, DaQuita Hardeman, Will Whiting
Advisor: Dr. Linda Webster
News
SGA Election Protest
Profile: Sarah Waltermire
A Funny Thing at UAM
UAM All-Campus Debates Prove Entertaining
UAM Debaters End Season With Another Win
"Just A Minute" at UAM
UAM Pi Kappa Delta Officers Announced for 2003-2004
R.A. Positions Still Available
Wildlife Festival on Campus
UAM Ambassadors on Local Television
Cheerleader Try-outs
Cancer Programs
Ecology Camp
Mandatory Stafford Loan Exit Counseling
Federal Work Study Jobs Available
SGA Election Protest
by Charlie Belin
     In a special session meeting of Student Government Association (SGA) on Tuesday, April 22, the election commission voted 10-2 to uphold a previous decision to allow  presidential candidate, Brett Eckert, to remain on the ballot.  The election committee previously voted during a special hearing on April 14 to allow Eckert to remain on the ballot after a complaint was filed by Jessica Smith, senior criminal justice major.
     According to Smith, Eckert campaigned for himself on April 8 to Intercollegiate Debate and Forensic students during class time.  The SGA constitution prohibits any candidate from making a campaign speech to a class. 		     The constitution further indicates that a candidate doing so will be removed from the ballot. 
     Betty Dintelman, an SGA senator and election commissioner, stated, “Jim [Boney] read the charges and said that Ms. Smith made her case but provided no evidence and that Mr. Eckert said the debate class was not a class nor was it in session during the alleged charges. Jim went on to say they allowed witness. Jessica had none and Charlie Brown, a senior speech communication major, testified on Eckert’s behalf." 
     The following election results were released via campus e-mail on Thursday, April 24: 
President- Brett Eckert
Vice-President-  Rickey Booker
Secretary-  Sammi Jo Warren
Treasurer-  Will Collins

A Funny Thing at UAM


 

Brittany Taylor
 
Photos by Charlie Belin
Front Row: Mark Wyers (Senex), Ellen Stanley Harrod (Domina), Tracy Sutherland (Philia), Taylor James (Hero). Second Row:  Thad Webb (Protean), Cindy Stringfellow (Panacea), Rayburn Ezell (Protean), Brittany Taylor (Vibrata), Shaun Martin (Pseudolus), Brent Miller (Hysterium), Carmen Pruitt (Tintinabula), Christian Feazell (Lycus), Kent Skinner (Erronius), Lindsey Harper (Gymnasia). Third Row: Amanda Kilcrease (Geminae), Heath Swain (Miles Gloriosus), Jeanette Emory (Geminae)
Profile: Sarah Waltermire
by DaQuita Hardeman
     Sarah Waltermire, Director of Student Programs and Activities, joined UAM from Arkansas State University i Jonesboro.
      “Taking this job has been a total change for me. I had been teaching English and going to graduate school at ASU, so I was used to a completely different schedule with night classes, studying constantly, and preparing to teach classes.” explained Waltermire.  “I am always working on upcoming events including Spring Fling, Student Appreciation
Week, Greek Week, so I try to balance my time firming up plans with entertainment agencies and keeping students, Dr. Brown and Dr. Doss updated on the progress of upcoming events. 		 I also have a steady stream of students coming in and out of my office, so I get to take a break from my telephone
and computer and talk with them about their organizations and how their day is going.”
 She has a list of short-term goals.
     “I would like to increase communication among student organizations, their advisors, and me. I want to provide safe, fun activities for the students to participate in and maintain good contact with all the student organizations on campus. It is very important for me to build a positive relationship with students.  I want to find a way to get students excited about what is happening on their campus, keep them informed of upcoming events and activities, encourage students to work amongst themselves.  Basically, I want to help
make their college experience great.  I absolutely love the students! Even though I haven't been here very long, 
I already feel a part of this campus- and the students are a big reason why I do.” 
UAM All-Campus Debates Prove Entertaining
by Will Whiting
     The UAM debate team held the All-Campus Debates on Thursday April 17 in Spencer Gallery. The theme for this year was the "Balloon" Debates.  The audience was to imagine the participating debaters were in a hot air balloon that was quickly losing altitude and all but one could stay on board.  Debaters were allowed to choose a character or person to play in the debates.		      The following were the debaters and the characters who they impersonated: Dorothy Thompson as Mae Jamison; April Jacks as a 9 year old girl with cancer; Matt Baumgarten as Yoda; Brett Eckert as Ray Ramano; Will Whiting as David Ray; Brandi Morgan as Jessica Lynch.
      The audience voted to decide the one person allowed to stay on the balloon. 
     After the votes were tabulated, Dorothy Thompson was the lucky winner.  Thompson is a senior marketing major from Wichita, Kansas. 
      The UAM debate squad hosts this event each year as a way to allow the campus to see the talent which lies within the UAM debate team.
UAM Debaters End Season With Another Win
by Will Whiting
     The University of Arkansas - Monticello Debate and Forensics team ended their 2002-2003 season with another win.  UAM’s team competed in the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) National Debate Tournament and Convention held on the campus of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana April 11-13. 
     In all, the team brought home ten awards including 3rd place in Novice Public Debate Sweepstakes and 7th place in Varsity Public Debate Sweepstakes for the 2002-2003 debating season.  The team also was awarded the 5th place overall national sweepstakes for debate.
     In novice debate, Matt Baumgarten, a freshman criminal justice major from Monticello, was awarded his second trophy of the year at this tournament.  Baumgarten was an octafinalist.   Betty Dintelman, a junior political science major from Hamburg, was awarded a quarterfinalist trophy.  Dintelman was also named the 7th place Novice debater in IPDA debate for the 2002-2003 season.  She made a strong showing in the novice division early this year by winning first place at the Ouachita Baptist University tournament in September.		     Brandi Morgan, a freshman political science and speech communication major from Crossett, brought home her first win of the season.  She was an octafinalist and also received the 9th place speaker award for the tournament. 
    In the varsity debate division, Dorothy Thompson, a senior marketing major from Wichita, Kansas, was a quarterfinalist.  Thompson, who ended her debating career with a win, is set to graduate this May. 
      In other year-long awards, April Jacks, a freshman speech communication major from Star City, was named 5th place IPDA debater for the season. Jacks won 77% of the debates she participated in this season and advanced to elimination rounds in the majority of the tournaments.
     The team is coached by R. David Ray, Dean, School of Arts & Humanities and Director of Forensics, and Teresa Minter, Assistant Director of Forensics and instructor of speech communication.  Minter, who is leaving in July to pursue employment in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area commented on the team’s success. 
     “The UAM debate squad did an outstanding job at the IPDA debate championships as they have done all year.  It has been a pleasure working with the UAM debaters.  I will truly miss them.”
 The UAM debate squad will hold a summer workshop in July to begin preparing for next year’s competitions. 
"Just A Minute" at UAM

     What would you do to win a 27" Stereo Television, a Playstation 2, or a DVD player? What if you only had sixty seconds? 
     In the tradition of such classic game shows as "Beat The Clock" and "Double Dare", the UAM Student Activities Board will present the comedy game show "Just A Minute" on Wednesday April 30 at 6:30 PM in the University Center Gym. 
     Students must have a valid UAM student ID in order to participate. 
     A total of 60 prizes will be awarded including: a 27" Stereo Television, a Playstation 2, DVD player, HI FI VCR, prepaid cell phone, MP3/CD Player, Camcorder, CD Stereo, 13" Color TV, Handheld Karaoke, Fishing Gear, Jewelry, Mountain Bike, Mini Fridge, Microwave, Luggage, 35mm Camera, CD Boombox, Polaroid Camera, gift certificates, t-shirts, and much more! 

      "Just A Minute" is a comedy game show where students compete to complete wild challenges within a sixty-second time limit. 
     The first person to complete the challenge within the time limit may choose from two prizes of different values. The second place contestant would then receive the other prize. If neither contestant successfully completes the challenge then both contestants receive consolation prizes and the prizes that would have been awarded for that challenge will be awarded in a drawing following the show.
     The show is divided into three rounds: The Wimp Round with cash values up to $50, The Sweat Round with cash values up to $100, and The Mother Round with cash values up to $300. Each round contains five challenges. Each round will also increase in the level of difficulty of the challenges.
     For more information on "Just A Minute" visit:
http://www.geocities.com/just_a_minute_2003/ 
UAM Pi Kappa Delta Officers Announced for 2003-2004
by Will Whiting
     The Arkansas Theta Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta recently held elections for the 2003-2004 academic year. 		   Those elected to serve as officers for the Arkansas Theta Chapter are: Will Whiting of Monticello, president; Matt Baumgarten of Monticello, vice president; Betty Dintelman of Hamburg, secretary/treasurer; Lydia Rice of Monticello, historian.
     The Arkansas Theta Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta sponsors the All-Campus Talent Show held each fall as well as other things.  It is the only honorary debate and forensics organization at UAM. 
R.A. Positions Still Available

Resident Assistant positions are now available for the Fall, 2003 semester. 
 

 Applicants must have a minimum 2.50 GPA, an on-campus resident for one year, and have excellent written and verbal skills.  Applications are available in the Office of Residence Life in the Student Service Center and are due on April 28. 
Wildlife Festival on Campus

     The University of Arkansas at Monticello Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society will sponsor a post-festival tour of award-winning films from the International Wildlife Film Festival on Thursday, May 1 at the Fine Arts Center on the UAM campus beginning at 7:00 p.m. 
     The Wildlife Society has selected several top award-winning programs to present to local audiences, including the Best of Festival film Wild Africa, Spiders from Mars, and Night of the Bogongs.
     The International Wildlife Film Festival located in Missoula, Montana is now in its 25th year, making it the longest running event of its kind in the world. 

  The Wildlife Society is proud to sponsor the Festival, which features films from around the world that are entertaining, and excel in scientific accuracy and educational value.
     Some of the world’s best wildlife filmmakers participate in the Festival each spring, which receives more than 200 entries every year.
     The Wildlife Society, founded in 1937, is an international non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education. In 1973, the UAM Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society became the first chartered student chapter in Arkansas.
     The Film Festival is free to the public. For more information, please contact Erin McCammon at (870) 367-7223 or Dr. Philip A. Tappe at (870) 460-1352.
UAM Ambassadors on Local Television

     A group of UAM Ambassadors will be visiting "Good Morning, Arkansas" on Friday, April 25. 

 The show airs at 9:00 A.M., on channel 7 with Steve Powell and Melinda Mayo. 
Cheerleader Try-outs
From Student Activities and Programs
     IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO TRY OUT TO BE A UAM CHEERLEADER!!
     Come by the Office of Student Programs and Activities to pick up an application packet.		 Pre-Tryout Clinics: 
    Thursday, April 24th 6-9pm
    Friday, April 25th 6-9pm

Cheerleader Tryouts: Saturday, April 26th  10am
     All clinics and tryouts will be at the Steelman Fieldhouse Gymnasium.
Cancer Programs

     The UAM Biology Club is sponsoring two talks on Living with Cancer during the week of the Relay for Life.  Both talks will be in the Science Center Auditorium from 12:05 - 1:00 p.m.
      Wednesday, April 23, 12:05 - 1:00 p.m., Dr. Laura Hutchins, MD, Oncologist from the AR Cancer Research Center at UAMS will be talking about melanoma and breast cancer. 

 She will also be discussing new clinical trials in the treatment of cancer and will be available until 1:30 for a question/answer session.
      Friday, April 25, 12:05 - 1:00 p.m., Dr. David Jacks, MD, from South Arkansas Urology will discuss prostate cancer.
      All faculty, staff, and students are welcome.  Feel free to bring a sack lunch to the presentations.
     The Relay for Life will be on April 25-26 at the UAM stadium. 
Ecology Camp
provided by Dr. Jim Edsen
     The AAS Halberg Ecology Camp sessions in 2002 marked our 23rd year. We are excited to be able to add a second session by partnering with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. 
     The setting, Camp Clearfork, gets rave reviews from camp staff and others for its biological diversity that allows the staff to show campers a variety of habitats and natural disciplines-aquatic biology, botany, entomology, geology, ornithology, mammalogy and herpetology. Many of the staff members return year after year and those positions are prized by educators. 

 

     Funding comes from student tuition ($225) or from scholarships, both full and partial, given by a number of Audubon chapters and other nature groups and individuals from across the state. So there is some assistance available for those families with financial needs. I
     n effect every student gets at least a partial scholarship as it actually cost the Ecology Camp $366 per student to hold last June's camp session. 
     The Arkansas Audubon Society Halberg Ecology Camp is held each June at Camp Clearfork, a U.S. Forest Service camp between Hot Springs and Mt. Ida. Starting in 2001 the camp expanded to two sessions (from one in past years) with each session having sixty-two 11- and 12-year old youth, about equally boys and girls.
     Go to the following website for more information:
http://www.arbirds.org/halberg_ecology_camp.html
Mandatory Stafford Loan Exit Counseling

     If you have borrowed a federal stafford loan while you attended UAM, and you will:
1. Graduate in may 2003;
2. Transfer to another school following the spring 2003 term;
3. Enroll less than half time at UAM during the fall 2003 term; 
4. or no longer be enrolled at UAM following the spring 2003 term, 
     the federal government requires that you complete mandatory exit counseling within 30 days of the completion of the spring term, or within 30 days of withdrawing or falling below half time enrollment.
     Visit http://mapping-your-future.org/ to complete online exit counseling.   Visit http://www.nslds.ed.gov/ to access your loan history. 
     Please contact the financial aid office, located in bbc 205, or call 460-1050, if you have any questions.

 
Federal Work Study Jobs Available
     Desk Assistantsare needed for both Summer and Fall 2003 semesters. 		     Students must have a minimum 2.50 GPA and must qualify for federal work study. 
     Applications available in the Office of Residence Life
Student Service Center