What’s the latest buzz in Memphis, TN?  Well, let’s see.  Someone else has been shot, another police officer has captured a suspect, and etc.  However, that’s not really any “buzz” in Memphis – it’s just kind of plain ole news.

So, what’s new?  Oh yes!  Former Mayor of Memphis, Dr. Willie Herenton is in the news, again. Only this time, he’s not running for mayor after retiring from his Mayoral job. Oh no, he’s running for the 9^th congressional district seat currently held by his rival Steve Cohen.

Quite naturally, Dr. Herenton gets plenty of flap from media outlets everywhere. Herenton said, “I’m tall, good-looking, and smart. Other people may be dumb, short, and fat.” And yes, those were his words – not to mention he was speaking in front of a large group of high school students.

So, let’s face it. He may not be the world’s most modest person.  Nevertheless, the man was the mayor of Memphis for 17 and a half years. So I say give him some slack.

As a native of Memphis, me and other Memphians complained about Herenton during his time as our mayor. But amidst our nay-saying and whining, on Election Day we chose the familiar – holding on to our first black mayor like a dog with a bone. 

Barak Obama gave his support, or at least endorsement, to Steve Cohen. Cohen is a fine representative indeed. He’s been coined as the Father of the Hope Lottery Scholarship in Tennessee. As a college student, I can appreciate that.  All the early polls have him ahead in a landslide against Memphis’ former mayor.

Yet, Herenton has never lost an election and apparently a fight- if you can recall the overly hyped boxing bout with former heavy weight Joe Frazier.

Also, according to Herenton, he beat Cohen once he decided to enter the congressional race. How’s that for cocky?

Despite Herenton’s lovely persona and warm heart, the former Golden Glove Boxer, professor/teacher, superintendent, and mayor may just pull out another victory. Nevertheless, no one goes undefeated forever.

Willie Wheeler, 19 and returning U of M student, said, “I want to know that before I’m forced to pay more money for my education, that the U of M is doing its job to keep costs low. I want to know that Shirley Raines isn’t making me pay for the furniture in the new dorms.”

Aretha Milligan, Area Coordinator for Richardson Towers, emphasized how the department tries to recycle and reuse furniture to save money.

“We recycle it if we can use it. We put it in storage, we have several small halls, so we try to recycle as much as possible,” said Milligan.

Milligan explained exactly how the University recycles furniture. When West dormitory closed, the reusable furniture was dispersed to Rawls and Smith dormitories. The non-reusable furniture from all three buildings was then thrown out.

Milligan said, “Furniture has a life expectancy. If something is really old and looks raggedy, I mean we try not to reuse it, but we recycle as much as possible…what we can’t recycle we offer it up to U of M surplus.”

According to Peter Groenendyk, Director of Residence Life and Dining Services, surplus is an operation in their Physical Plant department that either reuses furniture on different parts of campus or auctions it off.

“We replaced Richardson Towers South furniture about a year ago. Some of those pieces had value, so they were either sent on to surplus or we kept them ourselves. The vast majority of it no longer had value,” said Groenendyk.

The new dormitories (Living Learning Commons), scheduled to open during next fall, will be using all new furniture according to Groenendyk. This is despite the University’s furniture recycling process and the closing of Mynders Hall.

Wheeler said, “Tuition is too high, books are too high, the UC just opened and I’m sure we’re paying for it. Now we’re going to be paying for some new dorms.”

According to an anonymous residential adviser, most old furniture just sits up in the basements until it’s thrown away or stolen.

“I’ve seen numerous people: staff; students; other RA’s; all come in and take furniture. After so long, I mean it just sits there, someone might come along and steal something. Some get away and some don’t,” said the residential adviser.

Both Milligan and Groenendyk don’t recall too many instances of people stealing furniture. However, Eric Detorres, a former campus residential adviser, actually admits to taking furniture.

“I never saw anyone take anything, but since I’m not there anymore, I’ll admit to taking a dresser.” said Detorres.

According to Milligan, the University does place some furniture in storage; however, Groenendyk said, “furniture doesn’t typically go to storage.” Yet, Detorres recalls 50 to 60 dressers being stored in the basement of the dormitories.

Nevertheless, Groenendyk stressed that money spent on furniture, including the recycling, is not too expensive. Although he did not know the annual budget the University spent on furniture, he did know 400,000 dollars was spent on furniture last semester.

As Samuel Jackson walked into the room wearing black slacks and a blue collared shirt, he sternly cleared his throat and said, “Guys let’s get started, I hope you all are ready to focus.”

After finishing his statement, Jackson calmly walked toward the television in the large room and reached for his game controller. Tonight was study night at Jackson’s house; however, this was not a typical study session.

“I’m picking the Lakers, so who is ready to get demolished,” said Jackson as he was turning on the Playstation 3 gaming console.

Jackson, 20 and former student at the University of Memphis, knew that finals was around the corner. In response, he hosted game/study night at his house last Friday.

“The central idea, for everyone who wants to come, is to kick back and eat some pizza while studying. Once you need a break from studying, you can stop and start playing video games for a while, and then it’s back to the books,” said Jackson.

After 30 maybes, 50 not attending, and 16 confirmed guests via Facebook events, ten people showed up. Amongst those ten people, Joseph Smith, sophomore at the U of M, was both skeptic and pleased with the event.

“In all honesty, I think Sam threw the study part in there so that his dad would go along with it. But, I think it’s cool. Free food, entertainment, and a place to study isn’t bad. I mean even if you don’t study, sometimes you just need a break,” said Smith.

As rain fall, thunder, and the increasing chances of a tornado escalated outside last Friday night, it did not deter Willie Wheeler, returning U of M student, from concentrating on his gaming.

“A little thunder has never scared me. I just wonder how much studying is going to get done here tonight. I mean, who chooses to put their head in a book when there’s a video game right in front of them. That’s like deciding to check Facebook real fast before writing a paper, somehow that paper doesn’t get done,” said Wheeler.

After about three and a half hours of gaming, a loud thundering commotion was heard. Five seconds after, the television, game console, and lights were all out. The low melodious buffering grunts of a few were heard in response to the power outage.

 “I think it’s a sign from God. We need to study,” said Smith jokingly.

The small crowd decided to remain in the house due to the storm; and sure enough, flashlights and books were pulled out. The house remained distinctly quiet, with the exception of some snoring and turning pages, for the next four hours.

When the lights came back on, big full smiles were seen across the room.

“Well, let’s start the game back up, I’m tired of studying,” said Wheeler.

There’s a group of students who love watching basketball and there’s another group that loves playing it. So it’s not unusual to see the Rec. packed with students seven days a week.

According to the university Web site, the Intramural Sports and Activities Program focuses on providing opportunities for competitive play in selected sport events. It’s an organized amateur sports league made up of different sports like flag football, basketball, and softball, just to name a few.

Roderick Brooks, a worker in the Intramurals Clubs Sport’s Department, said, “The refs are hired by the Rec. The players, they pick who ever they want to play with them and that’s basically it.”

Brooks said he thinks that intramurals bring people together and the competitiveness acts as a bond; however, he feels that overly aggressive players are one of the cons.

“Some people take things out of hand when they’re losing; they let emotions get the best of them,” he said.

Brooks isn’t the only one who feels this way. Beth Piriano, a front desk worker in the Rec., said, “It’s crazy, I guess since I’m a front-end worker I see so many people come in and I’m just waiting to see someone get into a fight…I mean this is intramurals, this isn’t the real thing. I had someone come complain about a ref the other day. He like threatened a player. A ref! Refs shouldn’t be threatening players.”

Referees are often the objects of blame, criticism, and controversy at the collegiate and professional level. Student Rec. workers are allowed to be both players and referees.  To many participants, that raises questions about the validity of their calls. 

Rodney Echols, a participant, said, “The refs try their best to keep it from being biased. Of course they can’t control everything, but yeah, I think they are pretty fair.”

Paul Kwami, a participant and referee said, “I definitely try not to be biased, I try to call my games fair. Most of the time it’s pretty easy even if you have friends, you try not to have all the calls go their way to be fair to the other teams. I’m not going to be able to call a perfect game. No matter how perfect you call it, they’re still going to accuse you of being biased.”

Nonetheless, for some students, the pros out way the cons. Travis Butler, an equipment manager in the Rec. said, “I think it is a great sport. I think it is great event for all the guys, sororities, frats, all the girls, and you know, everybody in general. It creates a bond and it creates a great sense of sportsmanship.”

Jordan Fields, a participant, said, “The competition is good. We didn’t play all the way to our ability; if we played to our ability we can beat anybody. But I think the competition is good. I use to play varsity sports; I played football when I was an undergraduate. It’s a different level of athleticism than I was used to but it’s good.”