January 28, 2008

GRAFFITI
MISS
HANDI-CAPABLE
PAGE 4

NEELY HALL
GEEKS
PAGE 3

AT THE MOVIES
PAGE 10

This issue’s theme:

A Look Back and
A Look Ahead
 CO N T E N TS
In this issue:
THE REGULARS
2 Letter from the Editor:
Resignation and goodbye...
9 Derek and Daphne:
Once again, answering all the tough
questions.
11 GRAFFITI LITERARY CORNER:
More poems, coming at you reshall
style.
In this issue:
A LOOK BACK:
3 A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE MEALS:
Bob’s strikes again, in all the usual ways.
3 GEELY HALL (GEEKS OF NEELY):
Neely resident Erik Ogden gives us the
scoop on what the freshman engineering
hall is really like.
4 PEANUT BUTTER VANDALISM:
Stevenson Wing of Wallace has been hit 8
with an unusual sort of vandalism.
4 MISS HANDI-CAPABLE:
Housing Coordinator Emmalee Kearney
speaks out about Handicapped parking
abuse.
FINAL LETTER FROM THIS EDITOR
Dawn Cooper - Editor-in-Chief
Looking back over the academic year so far,
I would have to say that there have been a lot of
new experiences, obstacles, and overcoming for
myself and for all of RHA’s ever-changing
e-board. New experiences allow us to think in
ways that we wouldn’t necessarily think that we
could, obstacles teach us how to hang together,
and overcoming teaches us trust and brings us
closer. We’ve said goodbye to some on council
who needed to move on to new things, and said
hello to others just waiting to make their marks
on the reshalls. All in all, it has been a year to
remember thus far.
2 GRAFFITI January 28, 2008
In this issue:
A LOOK AHEAD:
5 IT’S A VANDAL’S LIFE:
Scholar Cory Griffard writes about his
vision for Scholars Hall.
6 MEET THE NEW EVENTS COORDINATOR:
Steve Hanna discusses his vision for RHA
events this semester.
6 READY FOR THE NEW FOOTBALL SEASON:
UI Football is looking up.
7 WALLACE CONCEPT ROOMS:
Concept rooms may be the future for
living in Wallace.
7 EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES:
Tried many classes outside your major?
Spenser Oldemeyer will tell you why you
should.
A UNIFIED VISION FOR GEM:
What Gem Hall is, and what they could be.
10 SUB THEATER MOVIES:
Checked out the SUB movies lately?
I say remember because I feel the need at
this time to resign my position and hand Graffiti
off to someone new, bright, and full of the kind
of enthusiasm that it takes to keep the residence
halls strong. Looking back, it has been a great
run, but looking forward, I think it will keep on
just as strong if not stronger.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
be the editor of the resident’s newsletter, YOUR
newsletter, and to help you all give voice to what
matters to you at this point in your university
career. Good luck, and keep on writing!
 A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE MEALS
Taylor Hasenpflug - McConnell Hall
This is the first article I’ve submitted to
the Graffiti, and I realize that this newslet-
ter has a long history of criticizing Bob’s (a.k.a.
the Wallace Food Court) so if I repeat any-
thing that has been said I apologize in advance.
Bob’s food, the so-called
nutrition we have all come to
know and love over the years
(sense my sarcasm), is some-
thing that we all get to expe-
rience while we are students
here at U of I. As much as I
love being a Vandal, I’m simply
ashamed at the excruciating
hoops and stomach-aches that
we are forced to jump through
simply because we live on cam-
pus. Let me put it this way- with my own personal
experience. I hardly ever eat at Bob’s. I’m forced
to spend over $1300 on the cheapest meal plan
that they allow you (10 meals/week and $500
flex), and I use my flex, but overall I use about 4
GEELY HALL (GEEKS OF NEELY)
Erik Ogden - Neely Hall
Our doors are closed, our network ports open,
and we game. If one walks up to the second floor
one will hear a cacophony of plastic guitar licks and
screams from Halo 3. The World of Warcraft play-
ers are a bit more subdued, though a wipe in a 20
man instance can cause quite an uproar amongst
normally passive gamers. To pass the time we run
raids and play red vs. blue and when the internet
is slow, Guitar Hero picks up. When we are bored
in class, the laptops come out and a Starcraft skir-
mish commences. Sometimes a Rubik’s cube will
be pulled out of a bag.
We are a generation
of gamers and think-
ers. Many of us con-
stantly browse Wiki-
pedia and Digg and
meals per week. The only reason I use that many
is because I run out of other food because I don’t
have the money to go to WinCo. Because we live
in the dorms, we are forced to buy the meal plan
too- whether we use it or not. Frankly, it would
be much cheaper for me to just
live off campus and shop and
WinCo every week and eat at
decent restaurants (that don’t
give me Bob’s stomach) than
to live in the dorms, pay over
$600 a month roughly with a
meal plan on top of that. And
what are we paying for? We
are paying for the courtesy
half-hour after we eat at Bob’s,
the “Freshman Fifteen,” and
a buffet that (at least I feel) guilty if I don’t par-
take until I am stuffed with less-than-nutritious-
Sysco-deep-fried-lamp-heated almost-food.
Author’s Note: The powdered eggs on
weekend mornings- try to avoid them if you can,
del.icio.us; “[our] knowledge is an inch deep and
four miles wide.” Lord of the Rings and Star Wars
can be viewed at any time, for they are always
being played. In the early morning, the lights of
second and third floor are almost always lit up.
We are nocturnal on the weekends thanks to our
friends Mr. Mountain Dew and Mrs. Crack Cocaine
– together they make a lovely couple. When a girl
exits the elevator on the third floor we assume
they are lost and offer our assistance. Last week
when the power went out we didn’t know how to
have fun. This is Neely Hall.
h t t p : / / w w w .
randsinrepose.com/ar-
chives/2007/11/11/the_
nerd_handbook.html
January 28, 2008 GRAFFITI 3
 PEANUT BUTTER VANDALSIM
Samuel Spence - Stevenson Hall
There was peanut butter, EVERYWHERE. We
may be the Vandals, but that doesn’t mean we
have to vandalize. Over MLK week-
end, many people in Stevenson Hall
woke up to peanut butter smeared
all over their doors and stairwells.
It was disgusting. There were im-
mature and inappropriate images,
locks wouldn’t work, peanut butter
got on the carpets, and people end-
ed up with peanut butter all over.
We are college students. That
means we are adults, and some level
of maturity is typically implied with
this title. This doesn’t mean we can’t
think pranks are funny. Harmless,
well-thought pranks can sometimes
be hilarious. Spreading peanut butter all over walls
and doors is not a harmless prank. Stevenson Hall
MISS HANDI-CAPABLE
Emmalee Kearney - Upham Hall
Did you know
that it is a $500 fine
to park in a handi-
capped parking space
when you don’t have
a handicap placard
(that includes stop-
ping and turning on
your hazard lights
while you wait for
a friend)? Did you
know that if you use
someone else’s handicap parking plac-
ard it can be revoked by the State?
I am lucky enough to have a car and a Handi-
cap Parking Permit issued to me by the State of
Idaho. My biggest issue being temporarily handi-
capped this semester is being unable to find a
place to park. Unfortunately, perfectly capable
4 GRAFFITI January 28, 2008
is going to be forced to use hall funds to cover the
cleaning expenses, as well as the possible replace-
ment of door locks. Not to mention
the fact that this was an act of vandal-
ism, a crime. Other people vandalize,
but that isn’t us. We, as college stu-
dents and adults, do not vandalize.
I want to thank Austin Frates,
of Stevenson Hall. Austin took the
time out of his three-day weekend
to clean off his door, as well as a
few other doors in his hall. Person-
ally, I’m going to follow Austin’s
example of how an adult acts.
If you have any information re-
garding the above mentioned events,
please let your RA know. Let those re-
sponsible accept the consequences of their actions.
people keep parking in the Disabled parking plac-
es because they justify that it will just be five min-
utes. Did you know, in that five minutes there may
not be a parking enforcement officer but maybe
two or three different people who drive by, look-
ing for a handicap parking place and are out of
luck because you’re parked there? Did you also
know that if I am one of those people, I will take a
picture of your car and hand it over to the Parking
and Transportation office or the Moscow Police to
deal with you? If I suspect that you are using some-
one else’s parking placard to get a great parking
spot, I will take a picture of you next to your love-
ly car and turn it over to the proper authorities.
I don’t want to be mean but I get frus-
trated trying to get around. I will probably
take that frustration out on someone who
doesn’t think about others. All I ask is that
you get out a quarter and stick it in a meter.
 IT’S A VANDAL’S LIFE
Cory Griffard - Scholars Hall
Our theme this month is looking back at last
semester and looking ahead. In my opinion, we
look back to think about all of the good times and
bad times (hopefully not too much of the latter)
to analyze our college careers and think of how
to make the best of them. That’s kind of the neat
thing about the spring semester—if you find you
weren’t too happy in the fall, or didn’t feel like
you made the most of your college experience,
then you’ve got a chance to make things better
this semester.
Some people may
find themselves won-
dering how to make
their college lives more
fun, while others may
have been too busy
with studying and work
and stuff. Here are a
few hints that may help.
I feel that a fun college
experience, at least
if you’re living in the
dorms, includes talking
to and hanging out with
people from your hall,
doing fun events with them, participating in an ex-
tracurricular activity or two, seeing friends in the
area you’ve known since kindergarten, going to a
Vandal sporting event (if not for the team, then at
least for the marching band!), chasing after that
cute girl/guy you’ve liked for weeks if not months,
doing an intramural sport, or if you’re me, bring-
ing a keg of root beer into the top of the Theophi-
lus Tower, thus having the first legal kegger in the
Tower.
Please don’t take this the wrong way and
think you still shouldn’t do homework and what-
not. As a resident of the Scholars LLC, I feel obli-
gated to encourage you to study your asses off,
but not to the point of where you’re not having
any fun. That’s another thing you can look back
on—if you were taking any classes pertaining to
your major, did you enjoy them? The way I see
it, you should be passionate about you major and
enjoy what you’re studying, otherwise what’s the
point? Remember it’s not too late to change your
major if you’re not happy about it. I know some of
you are taking 18 to 20 credits and only have time
for studying, so perhaps you should talk to your
advisors for other op-
tions. You may ask “Why
bother? What makes
campus life so impor-
tant?” Believe it or not,
these are perhaps the
most important, most
fun years of your life.
I know, I know, that’s
what they said about
high school. But I seri-
ously doubt high school
even compares to col-
lege. Keep in mind (this
especially goes to you
freshman out there) college goes by way faster
than high school. I don’t care if you’re here eight
years, they will go by faster than those four of high
school. The first month or two may have been a bit
slow because you’re settling in and just getting to
know everything, but once you get moving along,
time goes by faster than a cheetah on crack.
With that in mind, do what you can to make
the most of your life here on campus, because it’ll
be over before you know it. Have as much fun as
you can (while still attempting good grades) and
enjoy your short time as being a Vandal!
January 28, 2008 GRAFFITI 5
 MEET THE NEW EVENTS COORDINATOR
Steve Hanna - McCoy Hall
Hey to all! I’m Steve Hanna and I’m so ex-
cited to begin an exciting semester of events and
pizzazz as the new Events Coordinator for RHA.
A little about me… I’m an English/Spanish major
with an emphasis in having a great time. I come
from the leadership staffing team of Youth 2
Youth International in Los Angeles, CA and I want
to make a semester full of dynamic and exciting
events. We’ll kick off the semester with The Dat-
ing Game on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00
PM, and the planning team has already lined out
a hilarious and surprising event. Come expect-
ing a good time and lots of laughs! We want you
there, even if you already have a date for Val-
READY FOR THE NEW FOOTBALL SEASON?
Christina Tewes - CNR House
Grant-
ed it’s only
January and
school just
started for
the spring
s e m e s t e r,
but several
students are
already look-
ing forward to the new football season. First of
all, the entire offensive line is returning next year,
young players who will get better as they continue
to work with each other. Our quarterback Nathan
Enderle has one year of college football experi-
ence under his belt so vandal fans are looking for-
ward to seeing him play this coming season. Also
the team doesn’t have to get used to a new coach
again, Robb Akey will continue to be the Head
Coach of the Vandal Football Team for a second
year. Same coach means familiar coaching style.
“I’m looking forward to Robb Akey having a full
6 GRAFFITI January 28, 2008
entine’s. You’ll see what I mean when it’s time!
Looking ahead, we’ll begin gearing up for
Spring Fling, Vandal Friday, and the Executive Ball,
which will be a high energy, high caliber dance to
finish off our semester. In the meantime, I encour-
age you to get your hall together for some Vandal
basketball action, as we’re finally starting to win!
If you have any suggestions for events, I want to
hear from you! Just put your suggestions in the
slot-box on the RHA office door (located in the
Wallace basement), and I’ll do what I can to serve
you. I look forward to seeing you at The Dating
Game on February 13, and have a great semester!
year to recruit” said student Keith Ligman. We will
also have freshmen All-American Deonte Jackson
returning to the team. And with sophomore Shi-
loh Keo on defense it looks like a promising new
season. “I’m looking forward to seeing our new
recruits on Letter of Intent Day” said student Dan-
ny Allen. “Also, taking comfort in the knowledge
that BSU is getting worse while we are getting
better, and having the BSU game here at home.”
When asked what advice could be given to
the football players, students responded encour-
agingly. “Don’t panic, put a lot of heart in it” said
Keith Ligman. “Give 110%, don’t quit at the 3rd
quarter” said
Tyler Gross.
Well, I don’t
know about
you, but I’m
looking for-
ward to a
new season!
 WALLACE CONCEPT ROOMS
Michael Messinese - Stevenson Hall
I live in the new concept room in Stevenson
Wing, Bora Hall. The new room is amazing; I love
the feel of the whole room, with the cozy car-
pet to the comfortable new bed. The new room
comes equipped with a card reader at the door
that locks itself, to a new shower and sink. The
new room is a real home for me; with the carpet
installed it makes it feel like home. It is a privi-
lege to live in the new room, and it is one of the
most amazing experiences of my life. I have vis-
ited the LLC’s at the University, and aside from the
stove and big fridge in the room, the rooms are
the same. If everyone could get the chance to live
in the new concept rooms I am sure that people
would love it. The room is cozy, and if you are feel-
ing a little home sick and do not want to spend
an extra thousand dollars to go and live in the Rooms like this in Wallace may someday be a
LLC’s, than apply for the concept rooms in Wal- thing of the past.
lace Residences, you will not regret the decision.

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES

Spencer Oldemeyer - Scholars Hall
After three semesters and three weeks of col-
lege I’ve come to realize the best classes that I’ve
taken are the ones that have nothing to do with my
major. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a ME major and I
really enjoy what I’m studying. But it’s the classes
that break away from the math and physics and
engineering courses that are the ones that I seem
to remember the most. I had a seminar about the
development trajectory of Africa last semester that
I really enjoyed, the semester before that my best
class was my English 102 class, and before that I
had a globalization class that really caught my in-
terest. This semester, the class that I look forward
to the most is a philosophy class about ethics.
The thing about these courses is that they
force me out of my comfort zone of math and
science and give me a glimpse of what else is
out there. One of the reasons that I decided
to go to the U of I was because it allowed me
to explore other areas besides engineering. I
find it interesting and rewarding learning more
about subject areas that are new or foreign
to me and the U of I is a great place to do it.
I guess what I’m getting at is that I’ve found
that venturing out of a person’s major can be a
valuable experience and with so many opportuni-
ties the U of I is a great place to do it. I know that
there are many reasons why a person wouldn’t
want to take a class like this but I challenge ev-
eryone to get out of their comfort zone and take
something that has nothing to do with their ma-
jor. Even if you love your major and you have no
intention of changing it you might be surprise
how easily it could turn into your favorite class.

January 28, 2008 GRAFFITI 7

 A UNIFIED VISION FOR GEM
Virgina Batha - Gem Hall
When I envisioned college life and living in nity Service Hall. After all this is how I thought it
the dorms I pictured many late nights with people would be when I was considering what residence
doing things together and having lots of fun. How- hall would be a good fit as some might say.
ever, I found that once I finally moved in to my first Many people don’t know that we have this
dorm or community house as is more appropriate theme and I would like to invite others to take a
a term, I found that that assumption was not alto- look at Gem if you like helping out your commu-
gether correct. nity and joining in with
I live in Gem hall others. I think that by get-
or LLC #1 and I’ve now ting this article out there
found myself in the posi- other students looking for
tion of President of the the same vision might take
hall starting this semes- our hall into consideration.
ter. I thought that since As I see it, the first step is
our theme is “The Com- getting those living in the
munity Service Hall” that hall active first, but at the
I would a group of people same time inviting those
more like myself: people who are looking for this
who like to be active and kind of community house
social as well as help out life the invitation to look
in the community. Now at Gem.
to be fair there is a good number of people who My main objective for this semester is to
live there that are active and like to do things as a take action and be creative and have fun with a
group and take part in community events, but it is variety of ideas that those living within our hall
not by far the vast majority of our residents. would enjoy. I want to see our hall unified, and
I suppose you could view this as a calling to taking a step higher than that I would like to see
others who are looking for the same kind of com- all of the residence halls make that leap. I know
munity life. I would like to see us unified and for that there are many other halls that are very ac-
us to finally live up to our “theme” as a Commu- tive and I want Gem to take that step.

YOU HAVE AN OPINION, USE IT

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE
LIVE IT
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ticles including human inter-
est, political commentary,
letters of opinion, poems,
stories, photos, com-
1 ics, and feedback to
Graffiti staff.
W RITE IT
Here at Graffiti, we’d like you to
keep your articles to 300 words,
but we want you to write exactly
what you have to say, so don’t
be afraid to go over the
2 limit. Don’t forget to in-
clude your name and hall!
3 forget to attach your
S UBMIT IT
Please submit your articles
online at www.reshalls.org
on the Graffiti tab. Enter
your name, hall, a short
description, and don’t
article.

8 GRAFFITI January 28, 2008

 DEREK AND DAPHNE
DOCTORS OF THE HEART
Dear Derek and Daphne,
My friend and I arrived at the track meet on time and the morning was going slow until she
walked by. Beautifully tanned legs, fried chicken right out of the bucket, and abs that tempt-
ed my mind more than the lemon pound cake I had purchased for breakfast. You might think
I am in love with food, but that is far from the truth, for I was in love with her, and food. But
man, she was an amazing athlete. I waited by the sidelines taking pictures, cheering her on,
and then I called her name out after she completed an amazing long jump, but all I got was a
cold shoulder and stone face. Derek and Daphne, can you help me with my problem?
Sincerely,

Shut-down in Scholars
Dear Shut-down, Dear Shut-Down,

Dude, that chick sounds smoking hot, but
she’s totally too stuck up for you. There is
no way that any dame with any sense will be
able to resist your charms once you bust out
your mad writing skills. Look at this guy! He’s
writing into a crappy dating advice column,
and he writes a frickin treatise on awesome.
“Fried chicken right out of the bucket”. This
is the mark of a true genius here. He noticed
what few writers are observant enough to
see. When I look at a fresh, greasy, Colonel’s
Secret Recipe injected shank of avian glory,
I get a feeling in my gut... The same feeling I
get when I look at a totally bitchin set of legs!
Yeah, the ones that go ALL the way up, aw
yeah...
Here’s a hint: most girls appreciate the chase.
Call it head games or primal urges, lots of
women enjoy a man who will put forth ad-
vancements without any flickers of encour-
agement. It may be a bit twisted but trust me,
it’s all a ploy to see how far you will go.
Fucked up, ain’t it? But can you blame us, re-
ally? In light of one-night stands and friends-
with-benefits, we HAVE to test whether your
intentions are honorable... or at least honor-
able enough. Some girls abuse this power of
knowledge... we call them bitches. Although
there are many bitches out there, there are
the few rare ones that can make everything
worth it.

Dude, just pick a gal and bust out some
“You’re so sexy” wordplay, and she’ll be a
freakin stick of butter in your arms. You’ve
got the gift, bro, don’t let this get you down--
they’ll be crawling on their knees!
Hells Yeah!
Derek
Keep up the hard work, don’t be creepy (via
facebook stalkin’), and be smarter than the
game.
Oh, and another hint... if you ever want lady
attention again, never EVER compare a wom-
an to food, especially fast food.
Rock on,
Daphne

January 28, 2008 GRAFFITI 9

 SUB THEATER MOVIES
Kelsey LaRoche - Campbell Hall
As you look back at the last semester, you
probably saw a lot of movies: Movie channel
movies playing repeatedly (Chuck and Larry for
the fourth time, anyone?), old movies borrowed
from hallmates, and free movies watched on the
internet. This semester, it’s time to upgrade your
movie watching experience and head over to the
movie theater!
The Student Union Building has its very
own movie theater and it is perfect for those of
us looking for something cheap and fun to do.
Bonus: You can get hall points by bringing a group
from your hall! The movie theater is located on
the second floor of the SUB in the Borah Theater.
Tickets are only $2/student and $3/nonstudent.
Movie showtimes are 7:00 and
9:30 pm.
This coming weekend, Feb-
ruary 1st-2nd, the theater is play-
ing “Margot at the Wedding.” In
this movie, Margot Zeller (Nicole
Kidman) is a smart, razor-tongued
short-story writer who creates cha-
os wherever she goes. She goes
on a surprise trip, with her rapidly
maturing son Claude, to the wedding of her es-
tranged and free-spirited sister Pauline (Jennifer
Jason Leigh).
10 GRAFFITI January 28, 2008
From the minute Margot meets Pauline’s fi-
ancé, the unemployed artist Malcolm (Jack Black),
she plants the seeds of doubt about the wedding.
With the wedding approaching,
one complication crashes into
the next: vengeful neighbors,
a beloved tree in the back-
yard, and Margot’s own mari-
tal turmoil. The two sisters
find themselves at the edge
of an unexpected transforma-
tion and realize that when your
family is about to implode, the
one thing you can cling to for comfort is your im-
ploding family.
So this weekend, Friday and Saturday,
bring your whole hall to the SUB and check out
“Margot at the Wedding.” If you bring seven or
more people, not only will you have an awesome
time for a cheap price, but you will also be able to
get hall points!
For more information about upcoming mov-
ies, please contact klaroche@vandals.uidaho.edu
*synopsis and pictures courtesy of
www.imbd.com
 Graffiti Literary Corner
Jeremy Castillo - McConnell Hall
WEARING WORDS
I was sitting in the shopping mall food court
when a young brunette woman walked by.
Her three, gargantuan, brown shopping bags
yelled “HOLLISTER, HOLLISTER, HOLLIS-
TER.”
On her khaki-colored hat were the letters “G-A-
P” spaced out.
She got up to get rid of her trash and leftovers
and
Her barely-there bicycle shorts said “HAW-AII”
on the back
The pink fabric across her chest said “Abercrom-
Taylor Hasenpflug - McConnell Hall bie”
ODE TO THE E-BOARD Why do people like wearing words?
Labels are meant for soup cans
RHA’s president’s name’s Eric We should be reading newspapers
With a robe you’d think he’s a cleric Not text on the fall fashion line
He sits in the middle
He’s as fit as a fiddle What’s funny is, even though I remember the
And some might consider him barbaric. words,
Every single stinking word that girl was wearing,
I couldn’t tell you what she looked like at all,
Erin Morra’s a volunteer Guess I was too busy reading her wardrobe.
Especially when it involves beer.
She appears a small girl
As cute as a pearl DISCLAIMER:
And is always full of good cheer. The content presented in this publication does
not necessarily represent the views and opinions
There once was a VPMC named Dawn,
She was one you wish you could pawn. of the RHA. Due to the sensitive nature of these
She wrote the Graffiti opinion articles, the Graffiti staff extends an open
Typed it up Neatly invitation for rebuttal from any reader, staff
And when you read it, it ends with a yawn. member, or student.

GRAFFITI STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Dawn Cooper (vpmc@reshalls.org)
Associate Editors: Taylor Hasenpflug, Brandie Lyday, Tyler Mayfield
Photo Credits: Paul Jorritsma, CNR House, Campbell Hall and www.imbd.com
Special Thanks to: RHA E-Board, Neely Hall, Upham Hall, Campbell Hall, CNR House, Gem Hall, Stevenson Hall, McConnell Hall,
Scholars Hall, McCoy Hall
Join the GRAFFITI: Freedom of Speech Facebook group
This edition of GRAFFITI is brought to you by Residence Hall students like you.
Thank you for your support.

January 28, 2008 GRAFFITI 11