Falcon's Eye-Nov. 12

Falcon’sEye

the

November 2012

Pfeiffer University

When heading to class, especially one that is across the street, Pfeiffer students cannot help but notice the new pedestrian safety crossing that was put in place. The new signals are referred to as HAWKs, or “High Intensity Activated Crosswalk”. They were put up by the N.C. Department of Transportation as an added safety measure.

“I don’t necessarily care for them but I guess I could see how they were placed to help. Sometimes vehicles don’t always slow down,” student Todd Facemyer said. The lights have six different intervals: dark until activated, flashing yellow, solid yellow, solid/steady red, flashing red during pedestrian clearance, and dark again until activated. The new rule states

that before crossing you must push the button and wait for the walking man to appear before you start to cross. Crossing the street without pushing the button will cost you a citation, as senior Josh Roberts quickly found out. “It’s ridiculous to have a $50 fine for not pushing the button,” Roberts said. “I don’t think you should be fined for not pushing the button if there is no traffic coming. Also those lights are slow and confusing for drivers as well as pedestrians with all the

CAN YOU WALK THE (CROSS)WALK?flashing lights.” Many students are furious about the change and don’t agree with it. They feel like it was an unnecessary addition. “It’s ridiculous they don’t trust students to walk across a highway at their own discretion,” commented one sophomore who wished to remain anonymous. Some students are frustrated that the only way to legally cross Highway 52 is to use the two designated crosswalks. “It takes me double the time to get to my classes that are across the street. I live in Washington and have to walk across the yard to get to the crosswalk so I can get to the other side,” student Kayla Lookabill complained. “It’s a safety issue to make sure people wouldn’t put themselves in harm’s way. We will be patrolling the area heavily, and citations will be issued if there is danger present,” Misenheimer Police Captain John Brady said.

By Amanda McClure

http://media.pfeiffer.edu/falconseye/Nov12.pdf

Picture By Marie Wood

2 November

Pfeiffer’s Future Nightingales Honored As the junior nursing students filed in to the Stokes Community Room, Jill Maykut felt all the eyes in the room on herself and her colleagues. She walked toward the front of the congregation to receive her professional white coat as part of the official White Coat Ceremony. “My cheeks were hurting [from smiling],” said Maykut, a junior nursing student. Maykut was one of sixteen students to take part in this ceremony and be honored by receiving her white coat, a symbol to the nursing community of how far she’s come. “The White Coat Ceremony represents the significance of transitioning from the classroom to the clinical setting for the junior nursing students,” Dana Martin, Assistant Professor of Nursing, said. “The faculty of Pfeiffer’s nursing program believe it is important to honor the journey and hard work of the students to reach this nursing milestone.” “I’m excited and proud of my fellow colleagues and I can’t wait to start clinical work,” Maykut added. “I’m excited, but nervous because now the responsibility is on us,” junior nursing student Jaquelyn Hill said.

By Alexa Mamakos

This ceremony isn’t required at all nursing schools – only a few programs across the country honor their students with a White Coat Ceremony. The transition from the classroom to the real world can be a

challenge, but the nursing department has faith the junior nursing students will make them proud. The juniors will begin their clinical experience this month at various area hospitals.

The much anticipated game room in the Stokes Student Center remains unopened, and students are wondering why the promised Homecoming unveiling has been delayed. “I can recall the first time I visited this campus,” freshman student Gia Poynter said. “I came here for the first time in July and they were working on the place… Now it’s October, and there aren’t any balls being hit on the pool tables, and there aren’t any social activities being held in the so called ‘game room’.” For some students, the delay isn’t just costing them fun, but extra income.

“I’m counting on this game room to go ahead and open up,” work study student Summer McPherson said. “I can’t start earning money until it does so, and it’s near the end of the semester. My job isn’t a game.” “Renovations have taken longer than we thought, but they are quickly wrapping up,” Game Room Director Demond Hairston said. “We came up with some last minute changes that we thought would make the game room more user friendly for the students. Though we don’t have an exact date you should expect to see it open within the next few weeks.” The game room will be equipped with a pool table, foosball table and video gaming set up complete with both a Playstation 3

and Xbox with Kinect. Several games will be available to use with those systems, but students will be able to bring their own games as well. There will also be two large flat screen TVs available, one to be used for gaming and the other for multiple purposes. There will be various types of seating as well. “I predict that this in addition with the new Knapp Sack will make this area a prime location for students to come and ‘let their hair down’,” Hairston added. “I’m just looking to have a good time,” freshman Lindsey Shoaf said. “What can be better than sipping on a Caramel Frappuccino while dancing on the Wii.”

Students Get Played? by Cathyleen Rice

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After weeks of complaints, students are finally starting to praise the efforts of I-T staff and their services. “I-T works very hard to provide us the necessary services to make college successful,” student Kristen Hicks said. ”I feel that they are underrated heroes on campus, and their work goes unoticed!” Just before Fall Break I-T completed improvements and upgrades to wire ports, Wi-Fi, and other Internet dependencies. According to Director of I-T Bill Seward, the Internet was upgraded from 50MPS to 100MPS to keep students and staff members at a faster service. “We have tested the new service and found that it is working at its full rated speed,” Seward said of the new innovation.

Students are more than happy to hear this news. “After dealing with I-T three times this year, I felt that I was better off handling my own problems,” freshman Janae Gill-Woods said. “But now that they are upgrading the system, I believe I won’t become annoyed anymore with the slow Wi-Fi, and henceforth I’ll check my email more!” “When people realize their faults, and later make an improvement, you know that they want to make a better name for themselves,” Hicks said. “Change means that what was before wasn’t perfect. People want things to be better,” philosopher Esther Dyson once said.

I-T InnovationBy Cathyleen Rice

4 November

By Mary Lindsaye Boyd

Junior Alan Allis really wanted to make sure he received a good grade in his science class so he sought help early. “For Science and Technology, I started tutoring a week before our first test, and I got one of the higher grades in the class,” Allis said. Allis is one of many students who have asked for help early in the semester. The number of Learning Center tutor request forms has skyrocketed from an average of 110 for an entire semester to nearly 200 before midterm grades were even announced. Why the dramatic change? Marketing! “I don’t think that’s because students are more dumb than they were,” Learning Assistance Coordinator

Chip Dennis explained. “It’s just due to some more marketing - I’ve talked to all the writing classes and I’m in the process of visiting all of the Journey classes.” “With midterms, it is harder for them to get as much benefit in terms of improving their grade as it is if they come out earlier in the semester,” Director of Academic Support Services Dr. Jim Gulledge said. “So I am actually encouraged that our numbers have been so high in the first half of the semester.” How has The Learning Center coped with the influx? “It’s definitely kept my tutors a little bit busier,” Dennis said. “We’ve also brought a Pfeiffer alumna to help tutor Chemistry.”

“Fortunately Dr. [Tracy] Espy is providing us with some more financial support if we can find some additional tutors to add,” Gulledge said. How can you get help? Just drop by the Learning Center in Stokes and fill out a tutor request form or drop by the Writing Lab to receive help for a paper. “My main job is making sure students are successful while they are here,” Dennis said. According to Gulledge, tutors’ jobs should be to work themselves out of a job, and Allis has been able to reduce his tutoring since receiving a midterm grade he is happy with. “It’s free for me to get help for a class and it gives a student a job,” Allis concluded.

Picture By Tyler Smith

What does the Learning Center offer?

EXTRA HELP CAN MAKE THE GRADE

- Free Tutoring In Any Subject - Writing Lab Services

- Study Groups for Test Prep for LSAT, GMAP, Praxis and more

- Monthly Culture Credit Workshops

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EXTRA HELP CAN MAKE THE GRADE

Proponents of education often talk about how real understanding comes from engaged learning, which often happens outside of the classroom. Pfeiffer’s Elections 2012 class was able to experience this first hand. Instead of having a normal class meeting on Wednesday evenings on October 10th Professor of communications, Deborah Burris, bought her class to the Stanly County Candidates Forum. The forum gave candidates running for offices such as the Stanly County school board and the County Commissioners an opportunity to publically broadcast why they believe they are the leadership Stanly County needs. “I was interested in having the class experience real life public speaking. I was disappointed that we weren’t able to attend any of the DNC events. I thought that exposing the class to local politics would be interesting and help the students figure out a good direction for their documentaries later in the semester.” Said Professor Burris.Many of the candidates running for local office proudly boasted Pfeiffer University as their Alma Matter. Even those who did not attend Pfeiffer recognize its value

within the county, Peter Asciutto, one of the four candidates running for the two open county commissioner seats praised Pfeiffer’s contribution to the community. “Local politics at its finest in Stanly County. It was very interesting to see the issues facing the county where Pfeiffer is located and hearing about how the institution positively influenced the community” expressed senior Ben Tobey. Not all students were impressed with the candidates’ performance during the forum. “The candidates have to do a better job with their delivery. It felt like a lot of recycled information, none of it really felt natural or something the candidates actually cared about. I kind of felt like they were trying to say the right thing to be elected,” said Pfeiffer student, Richard Lewis Spencer III. The upperclassmen in Professor Burris’s class witnessed a familiar make his case for why he should be elected to one of the county commissioner seats. Former Misenheimer Chief of Police, Tracey Wyrick, is running for County Commissioner. “Being actively involved in

professional, civic and political issues since the mid-nineties, I have sought to create effective change in Stanly County. For the last twenty-four years I have been a public servant in the law enforcement profession. Additionally, for the last four years I have served on the Stanly County School Board. My Family and I now feel that the time has come for me to offer myself to serve you as a County Commissioner. I am hopeful that I can bring a straight forward and fact based approach to the decisions being made in Stanly County and I am willing and able to make the hard decisions, not necessarily the popular decisions to move Stanly County in the right direction.” expressed Wyrick. The focus of Wyrick’s campaign is to improve the Stanly County school system, attract jobs to Stanly County and to eradicate the stagnancy and complacency plaguing the current County Commissioners board. For those who are registered to vote in Stanly County make sure to you educate yourself on what the candidates stand for and please exercise your right to vote and go to the polls on November 6th!

By Kelly Hoey

Local Politics Through The Eyes OfPfeiffer Students

Wyrick and Sen. Bill Purcell

6 November

THE PFEIFFER VOTEBy Samuel Soto

It’s election time, and Pfeiffer students are paying close attention to the candidates and their platforms. What are the key issues? “Jobs man. Make the economy just like it used to be 10 years ago. The presidents are spending way too much money,” sophomore David Specian said. Freshman Morgan West believes that the upcoming president should “lower the unemployment rate. Help get more federal grants for college students.” This is something many of us can agree on. So, what is the political atmosphere at Pfeiffer? In a survey of 81 students, 28 said they would vote for our current president, Barack Obama. But the majority of students surveyed said they were going to

vote for Mitt Romney. Romney got 35 votes in the straw poll. Seven stated that they would not vote for various reasons, while one student said they were independent, and 10 remained undecided.

Which way are you leaning? Visit our Falcon’s Eye Facebook page to cast your vote.

INTERNATIONAL

To spice up life for International students, the International Office held an International Dance Party October 4th. Foods from different countries were offered as tasty treats. Ethnic music complimented the event.

By Tongtong Xue

DANCE

STRAW POLL FINDS MORE PFEIFFER

STUDENTS VOTING FOR ROMNEY

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DANCE

FEELING THE PRAXIS PINCH Pfeiffer University is one of the many Universities that require education majors to take and pass the Praxis I and Praxis II exams. Praxis I measures basic skills in Reading, Writing and Math and must be taken and passed prior to student teaching. Praxis II measures knowledge in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, and a passing score is required for students to have their teaching license. For many students, it is difficult to afford the costly testing fees. “I haven’t taken the Praxis I yet, due to financial issues,” student Emily Smith said. “I have been saving up.” The Praxis I costs $135 for the combined (reading, writing, and math) tests, each time the test is taken. It is $85 to split the test into sections. “I have spent $405 for Praxis I,” education major Lyndsay Tomlinson said. “I have children and that’s a lot out of my

pocket when my husband is the only one supporting us.” “In all, I have spent [almost $300] on taking the Praxis I and II. Luckily, I passed the Praxis I the first time and didn’t have to take it again,” student April Hinson said. Tutoring at Pfeiffer is currently being offered to help students prepare for Praxis I. Some students would like to see Pfeiffer help with the financial aspect of the tests. “I wish there was a way for our student account to be used for this. If they could use my financial aide toward this test, I probably would have passed it sooner,” Tomlinson said. “I know the University probably could not do much regarding the cost of the test or raising money to help students pay for it, simply because every

prospective teacher trying to get their teaching license is required to take the test,” senior April Hinson said. The Learning Center is currently offering tutoring sessions for Praxis I on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm.

By Kati Furr

ON THE HUNT When some seniors graduate they can be hit pretty hard by the real world. The stress of finding a place to live, paying off student loans and landing a job can be especially overwhelming for the unprepared. So how does Pfeiffer help with the job hunt? According to Pfeiffer’s website, the Career Services department is an excellent place to go to for help with these questions. “[We] are here to provide the resources and services you need,” it promises. The only problem is Career Services no longer exists. “Yeah, apparently it doesn’t exist anymore. That’s something we should have!” student Rhonda Benton said. “That’s the purpose of college. Get an education so we can get a job. Some students, like senior John Anderson, are running out of time. Hoping to graduate in December, Anderson is

focusing on life outside of school. Searching for guidance from Career Services, Anderson fell short. “Instead of going to Career Services, it was up to my personal advisor,” Anderson said. Laura Herrick, Director of Counseling Services, used to be in charge of Career Services before making the move to counseling. “I think there does need to be a [Career Services] department,” Herrick said. Even in her counseling role, Herrick still tries to keep students informed of job opportunities. “I do email out the job offerings,” Herrick said. “And I haven’t found a student that asked for help who hasn’t gotten it.” Herrick commented that career development is an area of need that should

involve freshmen through seniors. It helps to point students toward all of the online services that Pfeiffer offers. Instructions on how to write resumes, cover letters, and interviewing tips can be found under the Student Life – Career Services tab. But all the complaints from students have not gone unnoticed. “It is something we are trying to reestablish,” Dean of Students Dr. Russ Sharples said. “It’s the first thing on my list. I’m fully sympathetic to those entering their job search phase of their time here.” The best advice for those who are in need of career counseling or help is to check out the services on Pfeiffer’s website and sit down with their advisor.

By Kane Hathcock

8 November

ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING Fall semester brings with it a new instructor in the field of economics. He is an instructor unlike any other in the way he delivers the subject matter to his students. Dr. Timothy Brooker is a new professor here, but brings with him 30 years of teaching experience. He has a government teaching background from Oral Roberts University, and has been a syndicated talk radio host at KFAY in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Brooker has also taught public policy at the Veritas Institute and ran a think tank in Oklahoma. “My purpose is to make students more marketable and competitive after school,” Dr. Brooker explained. “I want students to get involved in the process. Competition makes everything better; we have to be more competitive in this global economy.” Dr. Brooker teaches Macroeconomics but integrates the current political climate

and economic conditions into his lectures to create a real world outlook students find refreshing. “He is an awesome professor who has been able to enlighten students in regard to economics and politics,” sophomore Grey Owen stated. Dr. Brooker conveys faith based teaching principles and practical experience and expertise. He has been involved in politics, having run campaigns and events as well as being on the Murphy Commission, which audited the Arkansas state government. “It has been a real treat to get to know the Pfeiffer students. Coming from the Midwest to the East Coast, I didn’t know what to expect. I am impressed by the quality of students,” Dr. Brooker stated.

By John H. Anderson, III

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DEFINING FINESBy Shea McDonnell

“Unfortunately I have been written up a few times here and I’ve never understood the system for the fines. I mean how do you really put a price on drinking versus vandalism versus having a weapon? How do you figure out what is worse and costs more?” an anonymous Pfeiffer junior said. “The goals of the student conduct process are to; educate on rights/responsibilities, help students make educated decisions, teach students how to be productive adults who positively contribute to society, and to help students take responsibility for their actions,” Director of Residence Life Becca McQueen said. Rules and regulations can be found in the student handbook on pages 31-34, which can even be accessed online on the Pfeiffer website. Students are also always given an opportunity to discuss any incident and penalty with Residence Life. There are suggested sanctions and the hearing officer or hearing board has the right to sanction in the way that they feel best suits

the student and situation. The hearing officer and hearing board are charged with trying to resolve the situation with the best outcome for everyone - the accused student, any victims affected by their violation, and the university community as a whole. For some students a punitive fine will resonate with them less than an educational sanction or experience. “The wording of my charges was so weird. I didn’t know what I was actually getting in trouble for until I went to my meeting. What was on the incident report and what I actually got in trouble for didn’t make any sense until it was spelled out for me in person at my meeting,” a Pfeiffer freshman, who wished to remain anonymous, said. After being written up for a violation students are emailed by Residence Life regarding the charges they are facing. Students then have a meeting with Residence Life to discuss the incident and the penalties. According to the handbook fines range from $250 for having a pet in a dorm to $50 for a third smoking offense to $25 for a late key return.

“If students feel that fines should be revisited or have ideas about changes they would like to see, I would strongly encourage them to talk to SGA about starting that process. As the official voice of the student body, that would be the first step in making changes happen. I would definitely be open to that discussion and finding what is most beneficial to helping to create a positive academic and social experience on Pfeiffer’s campus while also enforcing state laws,” McQueen said.

THE TREE OF

“Taking the opportunity to help a child touches not only the child but also the family,” Elementary Education major Meghan Lowder said. The School of Education is accepting items to keep children warm this winter. Drop by the third floor of the library any time from November 1st through December 7th and hang your donation on the Christmas tree. All items must be new. Gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, and socks

are accepted. The items collected will be distributed to local elementary schools. Needy children from nearby counties will feel your love through the warmth you have provided. Last year the School of Education collected 506 items to give to children during the winter season. The items were given out to Stanly County Schools, Rowan County Schools, Montgomery County Schools, Asheboro City Schools, and Randolph County Schools.

WarmthBy Maddie Beattie

Picture By Jessica Homrich

10 November

Instead of the normal report of how freshman are feeling thus far at midterm, they offered these analogies of their perception of college life: Freshman Veronique Nero is wishing for more ethnic diversity on campus. “College is like a chocolate chip cookie; there are only a little chocolate chips here,” Nero comically stated. “College is like traffic on the highway; everyone moves too slow but once you’re at your destination you realize how quickly the time passed,” freshman Katie Peeler said. “College is like a strip club; it is fun, filled with cute boys and comforted by trusted friends that you know will not leave you at the end of the night,” freshman Christina Lukudu said. “College is like the saying ‘it’s on like donkey kong!’ You never know what’s going to happen,” freshman Senator Morgan West said.

Freshmen Torri Foster and Emily Clark share the same belief. “College is like the zoo,” they said. “College is like the zoo because it’s funny to watch people [act like monkeys] but you don’t want to get close enough to get bitten,” Foster said

“College is like the zoo because when you are a little kid you get to explore this new interesting place but you do not want to press your face against the glass

because it angers the monkeys,” Clark said. “College is like a soggy bowl of cereal; you get really excited to sit down and enjoy this bowl of cereal because you think it will be good. But then once you get into it, it turns out to be crappy and there is nothing you can do about it,” freshman Chritie Mello said. “College is like being a little fish in an expanding bowl. As time passes, more fish enter the bowl, which provides more life

experiences. Eventually that bowl becomes an aquarium and then one day it will be as big as the sea. I will either learn to swim or sink,” freshman swimmer Laura Fortner said. “College is like a big pile of poop; it just stinks. Sometimes it can be boring and other times it can be interesting. [If you’re lucky though], you will find friends that will clean up your crap,” freshman basketball player Matt Ellwood said. Most freshmen have different views of their college experience thus far. But one anonymous freshman perhaps sums it up best: “College is like a battlefield. You have to constantly work at trying to stay ahead of the bombs that are heading your way. There are no short cuts or simple routes to reach your destination. Everything gets dirty and a bit overwhelming. But going through all this hard work will provide you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. There is no better feeling than to reach the finish with the soldiers who fought every battle with you.”

By Kimberly Goodell

“COLLEGE IS LIKE A BIG PILE OF POOP…”

“College is like a battlefield...”

THE FALCON’S EYE

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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THE PRICE OFPFEIFFER PFASHION

If you’ve been upstairs in Stokes, you’ve noticed the new Pfeiffer Bookstore. And if you’ve been in the store you’ve probably noticed the price tags. Many are complaining that the cost of Pfeiffer apparel is just too high for the average college student’s budget. With $40 shirts and $50 sweaters, it can be hard to wear your love for Pfeiffer on your sleeve. “I don’t own a single article of Pfeiffer clothing. I’m not made of money,” sophomore Dale Ashford said. The Pfeiffer Bookstore is the only place you can buy Pfeiffer gear, so students have no other options to purchase items with the University logo. Larger universities

have apparel that you can buy at retail stores or online. This means that if a student can’t afford to buy Pfeiffer clothes from the store, then they aren’t wearing Pfeiffer clothes. And when a Pfeiffer student isn’t wearing any Pfeiffer clothing, some argue it takes the school spirit out of the school. The only time many students can go buy clothing is when they win store credit from school activity nights. “Last year I won $50 store credit from playing Blackjack at Pfeiffer’s Casino Night and all I was able to buy was a pair of shorts,”

By Ryan Goldsmith sophomore Corey Davis complained. Chandler Ligas, President of Campus Activities Board, says more and more of the prizes for game nights are going to involve store credit to help students out when buying Pfeiffer gear. Another option: school apparel is sold by sports team for much cheaper prices. “Pfeiffer Fury” shirts were sold last year for just $5. So the answer to sporting Pfeiffer fashion may actually involve getting more involved on campus.

Picture By Tyler Smith

12 November

ICE CREAM FOR

“We want to take their worry away…”By Katherine Deeck

Visiting Disney World and being able to eat ice cream at any time during the day, even during breakfast, is what terminally ill children are able to do at the Give Kids the World village in central Florida. A group of 20 students from Pfeiffer are volunteering at this magical place for five days over winter break. “It’s one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had,” said Mary Boyd, one of the group leaders. “We are there to keep stress off of the kids.” The Give Kids the World village allows families of terminally ill children to

visit theme parks in central Florida, such as the Disney and Universal parks, completely cost free. Pfeiffer students will volunteer five hours a day with the main goal of keeping the children happy and carefree. “It’s fun, but also heart-wrenching. This could possibly be their last vacation as a family,” said Dana McKim, Minister to the University. “We want to take their worry away, and take their anxiety away.” This trip has already doubled in size since last year and everyone involved plans

to continue participating in it upcoming years. Not only is this trip beneficial for the children visiting the village, but also for the Pfeiffer student volunteers. “Students cross the lines they draw for themselves. They make connections they would never have made before, although the 13 hour car ride probably has something to do with that,” McKim joked.

BREAKFAST

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Z ZZ Z Z

ZZ

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I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD

College students do not have much money or free time, but the one thing they have too many of are sleepless nights. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem on campuses across the country; Pfeiffer is no exception. According to the Director of Academic Support Services, Dr. Jim Gulledge, “It’s the most common problem that students come to me with.” Most students on Pfeiffer’s campus, according to Gulledge, get around five to five and a half hours of sleep a night. “If you can get around seven hours a night, you’re doing well,” Gulledge said. Sleep deprivation can lead to problems with your focus, concentration, coordination, memory, and if endured long enough it can lead to depression. Most students fight exhaustion by going back to their room between classes and taking a nap. A one or two hour nap is not uncommon for students during the day. But naps may be part of the problem. “If at all possible you shouldn’t take

a nap,” Gulledge said. “But naps during the day shouldn’t last more than about thirty minutes. A thirty minute power nap does not give your brain time to enter a sleep cycle. Anything longer than that will cause you to wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep. Waking the brain up mid-cycle can be worse than just not napping. Gulledge believes part of the problem is the dependency students have on their cell phones and computers. “[We’re] never unwired,” Gulledge said. “Students will roll over to read a text and often times respond.” Gulledge seems to be right. “I’m tired all the time,” sophomore Shea McDonnell said. “Staring at my computer late at night probably keeps me awake…It’s the Netflix!” Some students may choose to stay up late, while others have no choice. Lack of sleep has become second nature to senior Farrah Lilly. Whether it is her military

training or her experience as a mother, Lilly has learned to cope with sleep deprivation. “I have a four year old son. Lack of sleep doesn’t bother me. I’m a mother, I have no choice,” Lilly said. Although most can function on little sleep, perpetually depriving ourselves can get us into trouble. “It is when you don’t get enough sleep you turn into some petulant infant that gets days and nights mixed up and cries all the time,” Gulledge warned.

“…It’s the Netflix!”

Picture By Marie Wood

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By Kane Hathcock

14November

Junior athlete and upper division nursing student Melissa Roberts strives to stay healthy as she focuses on her rigorous academic and athletic career. “As the holidays, midterms, swim season, and winter weather approaches, I do not have time to be sick,” Roberts says. So what are some ways Roberts can avoid getting the usual sneezes and sniffles? The number one advice given by Pfeiffer’s nurse Jennifer Carrick is to “simply follow the general hygiene rules and wash your hands often.” “I carry around bottles of hand sanitizer to use to repel pathogens before I eat, because I can’t afford to miss a class in nursing school,” junior-nursing student Alexa Mamakos says. To avoid getting the usual colds, and occasional flu, get plenty of rest in-between classes and extra curricular activities. It is important to stay caught up on your sleep

especially when you are stressed, and worn out, otherwise your immune system will be worn down. Wash your hands on a regular basis, and eat healthy. All of these daily hygiene tasks will help your immune system work fast to ensure good health. “If nursing school has taught me one thing, it is the importance of protecting yourself against the crud. If that means washing my hands 100 times a day, I’ll do it,” Roberts adds. Flu shots can be another effective way to fight illness. Check with Student Health Services or your local healthcare provider for more information on flu shot availability and cost.

Germ FreeBy Kimberly Eurillo

Pfeiffer Students receive 10% off on Saturdays

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Heel to toe is the typical way to get from class to class, but how many steps are actually being taken? Between students, faculty and staff, we are constantly moving from point A to point B with only minutes to spare. Although a few use scooters to travel, most of us are walking. So we decided to see just how many steps students take in a day. “Honestly I thought I took more than 3,296 steps in a day,” observed student Jessica Burgess after walking and counting the steps she took around campus on a typical day. Not many of us sit around and think about how many steps we actually take. But just imagine that 2,000 steps adds up to roughly one mile for the average person. For every mile you walk, that is 100 calories burned. For every 100 calories burned, you have the potential to lose between a half a

pound and three pounds per week with a healthy diet. Freshman Matt Ellwood takes 5,286 steps on his daily schedule. That just counts going to and from classes and practices, without even taking his actual workouts into account. He was surprised that he takes that many steps on a day-to-day basis. “Maybe I should eat more food since I’m burning so many calories,” Ellwood said. Eating more food may not be the best idea, but maintaining a healthy diet is. Students are constantly on the move around campus and many don’t even realize the amount of exercise they are getting. Perhaps if students counted steps and ate balanced meals, the weight they hope to lose will eventually fall off or at least begin to walk off.

By Laura FortnerScooting and Stepping

There is no doubt that tattoos have become more popular on campus. While there are no specific restrictions concerning tattoos at Pfeiffer, students and faculty that choose to display their tattoos may still feel discriminated against. Many workplaces require employees to cover up any type of body art that would normally be visible. People may also feel as though they are being judged just because they use tattoos as a form of expression. How do Pfeiffer students and teachers react in these situations? “The weird thing about tattoos is that you don’t know people are judging

you,” English Professor Myra Tannehill (who herself has a tattoo) said. “People who get tattoos have to have a certain rebellious quality. Where on your body you choose to get a tattoo and when you choose to show it, shows a politeness. You just do not show them in certain, polite situations.” “I have three tattoos and I will never regret them. Each one is special,” student Deva Rummage said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that more than 45 million Americans have one or more tattoos. People get tattoos for various reasons, and they have different meanings for everyone. Sophomore Ryan Goldsmith is one of many students on campus with tattoos.

“I hate when people say that my tattoos do not have any meaning. Tattoos are an art form, and art doesn’t need meaning,” Goldsmith said.

By Jane Meyer

Tatted Up at Pfeiffer

Picture By Tyler Smith

Picture By Tyler Smith

16 November

It isn’t often that college professors dress as if they were going to be teaching spells or potions classes. Wearing long black robes and a variety of hats, the professors’ ‘Academic Regalia’ was worn, and noticed, at Opening Convocation. “It was interesting seeing the variety of colors and styles in their attire. So much tradition from so many colleges in one room,” freshman Taylor Neal stated. The many colors displayed on the sleeves and backs of the black robes have different meanings. The colors of the silk hoods represent the colors of the institution from where the graduate earned their advanced degree. If they have black or blue horizontal stripes across their sleeves, it means they have doctorate degrees. Velvet stripes on the edge of the hoods signify the subject of the advanced

Are we atby Katherine Deeck

Hogwarts?degree. Many students not only noticed the colors, but also the interesting variety in the caps. “I liked how each of their hats symbolized what degree they had,” freshman Morgan West said. Advanced degrees are often represented by six or eight-sided hats instead of the traditional four-sided hat. Some institutions get creative with their cap styles. Freshman Caity Lowder noticed the pillow-styled cap of Professor Kevin Taylor. “The professor with the funky hat studied at Cambridge in England,” Lowder observed. Regardless of the style or coloring of the robes and caps, each professor is a visual representation of the institution(s)

where they gained their advanced degrees as well as the subject(s) they studied. Even though, at first glance, they may have reminded you of Professor McGonagall or Professor Snape, the diverse Pfeiffer professors are very much alive and real and ready for what the new school year brings.

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Dialing Dependency by Jane Meyer Students depend on cell phones for just about everything: email, news, talking, texting, and staying connected with one another. Some might even say that within the past few years, the constant use of cell phones has become an addiction. “Our generation has developed an addiction for SMS communication to a degree that many people feel nervous when they do not have access to their phones or when a recipient does not immediately respond,” sophomore Taylor Neal said. “It is a constant distraction that may prove detrimental to long-term productivity skills.” Lindsay Tomlinson is studying Elementary Education at Pfeiffer and is also a mother. “I think we have just gotten used to talking or noise all the time and that

Pfeiffer students!

Ask Zach

is why we use them so often,” Tomlinson said. “We are a society that thrives on drama and gossip and they provide that link. I’m not sure why people text in class. I guess they have zoned out for a minute. Although, as a parent, I have to keep a check on my phone in case they need me at my child’s school.” A study published for a Hack College technology magazine in 2011 reported that 94 percent of college students send a text message every day, 73 percent use cell phones to make calls at least once a day, and 75 percent of college students are never without their cell phone. “I love technological advances,” Communication Professor Deborah Burris said. “But as educated people, we should

understand when and where it is appropriate to use technology. A student is not present when they are monitoring Facebook and text messages while they are in the context of a classroom. It’s a disservice to self.”

Do you have problems with life on campus? Do you have questions about Pfeiffer, relationships, religion, parenting? When you can’t ask your friends, why not ask Zach? I’ll be starting up an advice column in your very own Falcon’s Eye! I’m not easily shocked so be sure to ask anything under the sun and if I don’t know it, I’ll pretend like I do. Send your questions in a message to The Falcon’s Eye Facebook page, and I’ll choose a few and respond to them in the next issue. Don’t be shy!

18 November

After Fall Break ends everyone tends to think about the next break, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a holiday to spend with your loved ones and appreciate all the things you are thankful for. But some students can’t go home and spend time with family. Instead they have to stay on campus. Most international students have to stay on campus, since Thanksgiving break is only two days. “I can’t go home for Thanksgiving, because I live in China,” international student Tongtong Xue said. “I just want to eat turkey no matter where I am at.” Some students may be upset they do not get to spend time with their families for Thanksgiving this year, but others seem to be excited to start a new tradition. “I am not really sad about staying

by Ashlyn Freeman

Thanksgiving...on Campus?on campus for Thanksgiving,” international student Jing Yoxi said. “I like being here at Pfeiffer, it feels like home.” Some faculty and staff members will encourage students to come to their homes and have Thanksgiving with them and their families. “They don’t really do much on campus. They do have a Thanksgiving meal, but you don’t get the full Thanksgiving experience,” student Caleb Brophy said. “Last year I got to spend the holiday with some faculty and staff members. It was a lot of fun. This year I plan on going to some of my friends’ houses to spend Thanksgiving with them.” What are your Thanksgiving plans? Share them with us on our Facebook page.

A Goal in Mindby Rodd Baxley Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Donald Trump and Oprah. All of these people, while different in many ways, share a common mindset. They all put a great emphasis on setting goals and taking the steps to accomplish them. Some Pfeiffer students share that same view. “I think setting goals is the most important variable in the road to being successful,” junior Richard Spencer said. “Without goals, or setting goals, it’s hard to really be able to get to where youwant to be.”“It’s important to set goals in school and in life so you have something to work toward and for the happiness that comes after reaching your goals,” sophomore Tripp Moore said. “I believe setting goals in life is beyond important because we are all given potential and living up to that makes the roller coaster ride we’re on worthwhile,”

freshman Laura Fortner said. “I don’t want to get off the ride and look back and say ‘I wish I could do that again’.”“Making sure my actions speak louder than my words in setting goals is big for me. I always make sure I follow up on what I have planned out,” Spencer added. “Because if you don’t, there’s no real point in having a plan in the first place.” So you may not win an NBA championship, you may not be the chairman of your own organization and you may not be the most famous philanthropist on the face of the earth, but if you set goals and take the steps to accomplish them, you can be successful in whatever you set out to do.

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One of the hottest topics spreading throughout sports is concussions. A concussion is defined as a “traumatic brain injury.” It is typically caused by a head to head collision in sporting activities. Concussions are being more seriously examined due to the number of individuals who have suffered permanent disability and even death due to a traumatic brain injury or a second impact. A second impact occurs when a second concussion occurs before symptoms from an earlier concussion have subsided. Freshman soccer player Amanda Ross has had five concussions. This year, she had a terrible accident at one practice when she collided heads with one of her own teammates. Doctors told her that she should have stopped playing a while ago. For now the only focus is getting healthy. “I used to think they [concussions] weren’t a big deal but now they are definitely not something to mess around with,” Ross said. “Everyone should be well aware of the symptoms because they aren’t outward signs and to tell someone if you feel different than usual.” It is more typical to get concussions in certain sports like men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, baseball, and basketball. All these sports are considered contact sports by nature and have the highest risk of head to head, ball to head,

Concussionsor floor to head collisions. Taylor Ferree, a freshman soccer player, got her first concussion at practice when the ball was kicked at her head. “It is very upsetting, makes you more emotional, and you’re just not yourself. It is a terrible feeling. I never thought I would ever get a concussion but it happened,” Ferree said while sitting in the training room. The athletic training staff has to be a lot more aware of concussions and keep a close

eye on student athletes who may have concussions or had concussions. “As an athletic training staff, the job we take when it comes to a concussion is to recognize, evaluate, and manage student-athletes who have

sustained a concussion. The best thing for a concussion is rest. You can never get enough of it,” said Brandon Johnson, a member of the athletic training staff at Pfeiffer. There have been a disturbing number of concussions in Pfeiffer sports, especially in women’s sports. Just this year, trainers estimate about eight female athletes at the University have had concussions. Concussions are not just a little injury, but a major trauma that can affect the rest of your life, long after your playing days are over.

“It is very upsetting, makes you more emotional, and

you’re just not yourself…”- Taylor Ferree, freshman

by Arianna Papaj

on Everyone’s Mind

Graphic By Jessica Homrich

20November

As we welcome in November, many are wondering how well Pfeiffer Women’s Basketball is going to do this year. Players seem to have high hopes for the season. “I think it’s going to be different, since we had a really tough preseason. I feel like we are more prepared. Our new assistant coach basically changed our training while in preseason,” player Felicia Gibson said. “Training has been a lot more intense this year. We run more; we have a completely new weight program and a new assistant coach whom was in charge of everything this year,” senior Kaela Bellefeuil said.

Bellefeuil seems to think the team has more strength this year as well. “We are definitely more in shape, so we can get around the floor better. We have good team chemistry and we can shoot really well, so our three-point shots will score us the points.” “I think we are more prepared than we have ever been. Our girls are as mentally and physically strong as they have ever been. Every player on our team this season is going to play a very big role for us!” Head Coach Jill Thomas said. The new season tips off November 10th against Anderson.

NEW SEASON, NEW GOALSBy Hannah Causey

“I think we are more prepared than we have ever been. Our girls are as mentally and physically strong as they have ever been.” -Coach Jill Thomas.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH The women’s volleyball team had a pretty rough start this fall. But throughout the season they have improved by working together as a team. The biggest goal now is finishing strong in their division. The team’s coach has confidence in his players. “The volleyball team just has to work on being consistent when they play matches, home and away,” Coach Gregory Walker said. “We’ve made a lot of changes and have overcome a lot of adversity this year. I’m confident in our team and our ability to take teams out. We’ve worked really hard so far this season and we’re not backing down,” sophomore Jessica Homrich said. “It’s not always about how you start, it’s about how you finish,” player Meghan Davis added. And this team hopes they can pull together and finish on top.

By Mariana’ Melvin

Picture By Jessica Homrich

Picture By Jamie Alcala

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“It’s been really intense. We’ve been preparing for the season and we’re all really focused on being in shape and good condition,” freshman men’s basketball player Seth Still said. Pfeiffer University Men’s Basketball will begin the 2012-13 season with an exhibition contest against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte November 1st at 7pm. “We’re really looking forward to it,” Still said. Players are responding to Head Coach Jeremy Currier’s leadership. “He’s pushing us in the right direction. He’s preparing us to win the championship,” freshman LeMarquis Goods said.

Freshman players are working to overcome preseason jitters. “I’m kind of nervous about the tempo: the change between high school basketball and college basketball,” Goods admitted. In preparation of the upcoming season, coaches are forcing the men to stay in shape and stay focused. “They’re really pushing us. They’re hungry. It’s really labor intensive. They’re working hard and we’re happy with the results of our guys. Three mile run, pull-ups, dips, and a 400 yard sprint four days a week. Two hours of conditioning. They’re really getting after it,” assistant coach Matt Adams said. This year’s team is younger, but don’t see this as a drawback.

“It’s time to win a national championship.”

ONE TEAM,ONE GOALBy Sarah Hill

“We have a lot of potential. We have a young team and it’s going to be a challenge for us. Overall, our guys bought into the system as far as winning games. Everybody gets along with each other. It’s time to win a national championship,” sophomore Montez Singleton confidently stated.

Pictures By Jessica Homrich

22 November

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Staff ListEDITOR-IN-CHIEF: RODD BAXLEY

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