University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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breaking UIALLS e Writing on the Wall Project is a program at the UofA Qe signed to reduce hate speech on campus and in the community, Academic Engagement staff said. The Writing on the Wall Project allows students, faculty f n sta to write statements of injustice that they have e ard °ther s say that they would like removed from the 0r . said Stephanie Adams, associate director for cademic Engagement within University Housing. r TT 1 c project took place on the lawn near Maple Hill South, the wall stood from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. Several student r ganizations provided entertainment Oct. 2, and a brief Program with a keynote speaker took place before the wal1 was torn down. Considering the issues that are being discussed across e nation recently, I believe the Writing on the Wall °ject will provide an opportunity for discussion on °me of these issues, as well as open students’ eyes to the Way n w hich their word s and actions can affect those ir °und them, RIC President Russell Sharp said. , le °f the program is to show support for people who aVe been treated unfairly and alienated through hurtful words, Adams said. “Our hope is that when the wall comes down, it will demonstrate a dedicated effort by the university as a whole to eradicate and confront hateful speech on campus,” Adams said. The Writing on the Wall Project took place at other institutions and was recommended to University Housing by a coordinator for residence education. Housing partnered with Associated Student Government, Residents’ Interhall Congress, National Residence Hall Honorary, New Student and Family Programs and the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education to create this program, Adams said. “I have been a victim of hate speech before and see how hurtful it can be,” senior Jeff Thomas said. “This type of bullying needs to be put to an end, and I think this is a great movement to bring awareness to this issue. Just hearing about the project makes me optimistic that fellow students will gain something from this event, whether it is forgetting a hurtful thing that was said to them or learning from others how wounding words truly can be.”

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- iCZ+Z PHOTOS | Adams Pryor DESIGN | Taylor Little STORY I The Arkansas Traveler TOP LEFT Tyler Bishop helps with the process of demolishing the wall on Maple Hill lawn. BOTTOM LEFT Senior Michelle Carlson participates in the Writing on the Wall Project on Maple Hill lawn September 28, 2015. 32 AUTUMN

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RAZORBACKS READ There is only one age-appropriate book for every 300 children in Arkansas. The lack of home libraries is considered a primary reason for low reading levels and illiteracy in the state. To help combat this deficiency, the University of Arkansas Volunteer Action Center (VAC) launched a nationwide book drive with the help of Razorback Athletics, JB Hunt, and Scholastic. This program , known as Razorback Read, aimed to bring 25,000 books to children in grades K-3. “We want to get books into the hands of Arkansas children,” Scholastic Representative Sue McEvoy said. Razorback Read worked to achieve this goal by connecting students to the community’s cause during the Scholastic Book Fair that took place from Oct. 21 to Oct. 24. Students at the fair were able to purchase books for local children or make monetary donations, and as part of the Scholastic Dollar program, Scholastic Book Fairs agreed to match every dollar sold. Students were inspired to share the childhood memories that helped them learn to love to read with less fortunate children in the area. “It has been a great opportunity to watch students rediscover books they read 10 to 15 years ago, and see how excited they are to pass that experience on to someone else,” student volunteer Maggie Vandure said. PHOTOS | Courtesy of Jessica Guinn DESIGN | Taylor Little STORY | Hannah Lundry Reading is a central academic tool used to develop multiple aspects of a child’s success, and university students were eager to share the opportunities they gained from reading. “I am in graduate school now, and a majority of my learning comes from books,” UA student Holly Wallace said. “I have to know how to understand and apply textual knowledge in order to do well academically, so I think it is extremely important for students to learn those reading skills early on.” Other students spoke of the social benefits that children gain from reading. “I looked for books that I would have liked when I was younger, because when I had books I was actually able to read and enjoyed reading when I was able to connect with the characters better,” student Rachel Sites said. “It really helped me express myself and develop a better perspective about others.” Razorback Read began with a goal to improve home libraries in Arkansas, but the end result had a considerably larger impact. Not only were thousands of books raised for high-need communities, but a connection was also made amongst students at the University of Arkansas and the next generation of readers. This compassion, paired with an overwhelming enthusiasm to spread a love of learning, is sure to make for a continued tradition of excellence at the University of Arkansas. 34 AUTUMN