Volume 81 Issue 1 August 29, 2014
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President May makes a big splash
ALS challenge goes viral On Friday night at the spirit rally, President Brian J. May Ph.D. completed the ice bucket challenge after being challenged by Dr. Jesse Rogers, president of Midwestern State University. In turn, May challenged Dr. Robert Duncan, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. “I donated $100 and I asked Chancellor Duncan to donate the same,” said May. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. According to the ALS website, it is a “progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.” The ALS challenge all began when former Boston College Baseball athlete Pete Frates and his family posted the starting of the ice bucket challenge on social media sites. Frates is 29 and was diagnosed with ALS in 2012. Organizations on Friday August 29 “Fragments and Causality” Art Exhibit in the EFA Building’s Gallery 193 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 12
Lela Howard Staff Writer campus have been participating in this act to raise awareness. The student orientation program staff finished the challenge on Sunday evening at ASU’s lake house to wrap up Rambunctious Weekend. They were challenged by Jarett Lujan, the historian of Association of Mexican-American Students or AMAS. They challenged the UREC staff, Dr. Javier Flores, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and Dr. John Klingemann, assistant professor/department chair of History. The Ram Band was nominated by their director of bands Constance Kelley. They completed the challenge and individual band members decided to donate to the cause. ASU women going through sorority recruitment nominated themselves to complete the ice bucket challenge and they challenged the rest of ASU’s Greek life. The Saturday August 30 Library Hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday August 31 Library CLOSED
Photos by Marsalis Mahome women finished their challenge by standing in a line of 70 and poured buckets of ice water on themselves in a domino effect. They posted a video on the ASU Greek Life Facebook page and they will donate a dollar for every like that they receive. “We received enough likes on our video to donate about $300 to the ALS foundation,” Jennifer Johnson, greek life coordinator, said. Four of San Angelo’s police chiefs completed the ALS ice bucket challenge at the park on East Twohig
Avenue. Before getting buckets of ice water dumped on their heads, assistant chiefs Jeff Fant, Kevin Hollway, Robert Martinez and Chief of
Police Tim Vasquez challenged the Abilene police department and the Lakeway police department. They wanted to raise awareness because the
disease has affected family members and workers of the SAPD. They are currently collecting money to donate to the ALS foundation.
SGA re-vote clarifies election Cameron Niblock Staff Writer
The scoop on what really happened in the spring election ASU’s Student Government Association Elections took place at the end of the 2014 school year, and in a rare occasion the student body had to vote for a second time for their student body president. The election proceeded to have a recount because “each party filed violations” of the Election Code, Dr. Flores, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment, said. Both parties had argued that their op-
ponent had violated a clause in the Election Code, the base rules for the elections. Both candidates made every effort to communicate with students, Dr. Flores said. These rules had not been changed to accompany the new contested election. “There were errors” regarding the violations, but this was to be expected considering “there had not been a contested race” in some time at ASU Dr. Flores said. The violation being
considered at the time was the use of sending emails to the student body asking them to vote for their party. This is a legal way of communicating with students though “it had not been considered by the code” Dr. Flores said, with an understanding of how difficult it would be to monitor all email usage. When the recount had been established students wondered who had won the election the first time around, Dr. Flores
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
ASU Student Veterans Organization Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Center
Career Development: PartTime Job Fair from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Center
IM Flag Football Registration Meeting from 7 pm to 8 pm in Cavness 100
Pop into the CSI from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Center
University Holiday: Labor Day Library CLOSED CHP hours: noon - 4 p.m. UC hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
said. It left both the students and candidates having “no idea one way or the other” who had won the election before the recount, Jared Goecker, current SGA president, said. Regardless of the many different opinions regarding the recount, the election was concluded as a fair election because stricter campaigning had been established, and both parties had the opportunity to be heard, Dr. Flores said. Thursday Spirit Rally from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sunset Mall Risk Management Education Program for RSOs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2014
InstaRam
Submit your photos to rampage@angelo. edu to see you and your friends’ pictures featured on Insta Ram
The Angelettes premiere their new dance routine during the pep rally.
Ram Page photographer Marsalis Mahome takes a selfie with the ASU girls’ soccer team.
Members of the Ram Band head to the pep rally at Rambunctious. Sydney Gregg, junior, smiles with two children she met in Haiti on a mission trip with Chi Alpha in early August.
Senior Sayde Hirt plants trees on a mission trip in Haiti with the Christian organization Chi Alpha. “The trees we planted went to individual families in the village, so they had their own tree to grow and get fruit from,” Hirt said.
NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2014
Page 3
Texas changes core
New curriculum comes into play this fall A statewide revision of the core curriculum will come into play at ASU starting this fall semester. The last major statewide modification of the core curriculum was in 1997. “The main changes were really an emphasis of what we are assessing,” Dr. Paul Swets, dean of arts and sciences, said. “We have to make sure that we address an instruction and then assess and maintain records of assessing some different student learning outcomes.” The Texas of Higher Education Coordinating Board in Austin set the new core curriculum. Two years ago, they redefined what core curriculum in Texas meant. Swets said that it meant that learning outcomes had to change, rather than classes changing.
“In some ways, the focus is going to change a little bit, so some of the coursework has changed,” Swets said. Current students could change over to the new core, but they would have to go with all of the changes in the new catalog. “I think the new core is a good opportunity for new students, but as a senior I don’t see myself changing over to the new catalog,” senior Zach Doyle said. Minor changes include some additional classes while some classes won’t be required anymore, such as the computer literacy course. “I would have liked to have the new core when I was a freshman so I wouldn’t have had to take a few of my classes,” Doyle said. There were not a
Sydney Wegner Editor
lot of major changes, just a few alterations in the classes. “For most students, they can take 90 percent of the same courses,” Swets said. “What’s changed a little bit is some of the focus of the courses, and what they are measuring, what they are assessing, and how we are reporting to the state what we are doing.” The new core will be more relevant to student’s learning, according to information released by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Six core objectives in the new core. That includes: Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, Teamwork, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
New faculty arrive 17 faculty begin fall semester
This year, ASU welcomes 17 new faculty members. The number of faculty members depends on the number of open postions. his year is relatively normal, Nancy Allen, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said. One of the new faculty members, Joel Sugg, is an agriculture
instructor from Lampasas. Sugg received his Masters of Science from Texas A&M University in Animal Science in 2013. “The size of the university allows instructors to have the opportunity to work closely with their students,” Sugg said. Dr. Lesley Casarez, an assistant professor of curriculum and
Lela Howard Staff Writer
instruction, obtained her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Educational Psychology in 2013. Before completing her degree, Casarez worked at ASU as a graduate programs adviser. When she heard there was going to be an opening for new faculty close to the time of her graduation, she said she was
Photo by Summer Almaguer
Associate professor of teacher education, Dr. Christine Purkiss, receives the award for Outstanding Faculty member at this years University Assembly.
Welcome ASU’s New Faculty Members
College of Arts and Sciences: • Dr. Susan M. Abernathy, assistant professor of mathematics • Dr. Jason M. Abrams, visiting assistant professor of chemistry • Dr. Juan Blandon, assistant professor of physics • Dr. Eddie F. Holik III, assistant professor of physics • Eduardo V. Martinez, instructor in security studies • Shawn S. Morrow, instructor in criminal justice • Dr. Ben R. Skipper, assistant professor of biology • Joel D. Sugg, instructor in agriculture • Dr. Jesse Taylor, assistant professor of mathematics College of Business: • Gayle L. Randall, instructor in management and marketing. College of Education: • Dr. Lesley L. Casarez, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction College of Health and Human Services are: • Steven T. Brewer, assistant professor of psychology • Pamela B. Darby, clinical instructor in nursing • Dr. Wrennah L. Gabbert, professor of nursing, department chair/program director of nursing • Dr. Veronica Snow, assistant clinical professor of kinesiology • Billie J. Sheeran, clinical instructor in nursing • Lisa A. Spurgin, clinical instructor in nursing
ready to become a part of the faculty. “My goals this semester include developing a strong instructor presence in my online courses and trying to get some research published,” Casarez said. Dr. Wrennah Gabbert, a professor of nursing and department chair and program director of nurs-
ing, earned her post masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification in 1996 from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Post MSN Family Practitioner Certification in 1997. In 2007, Gabbert acquired her Ph.D. in Education from Capella University in Minnesota. Gabbert was a
faculty member at ASU in the Nursing department from 1997 to 2007, remained in the Texas Tech system both in Lubbock and in El Paso, and has been teaching for 20 years. Happy to be back home in San Angelo, Gabbert said “ASU is in a very exciting period of development and growth.”
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FEATURES
Page 4
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friends made at Rambunctious
Incoming freshmen spend time with upper classmen before the school year begins
Members of the UCPC show off their dance moves at the ASU Lake House Sunday evening.
Photos by Marsalis Mahome Alyssa Galpin, sophomore, and Rachel Washington, junior, laugh together as they slid down the waterslide at ASU’s Lake House.
Downtown movie night off-campus relief Inexpensive way to have fun
The smell of sweet kettle corn filled the air downtown on Friday night as people of all ages sat in their lawn chairs and got lost in the way Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey slowly fell in love on screen. Groups of all ages flocked to the parking lot between the Cactus Hotel and Miss Hattie’s on Friday night to watch “The Wedding Planner” at the KCSA Friday Night Downtown Movie. KCSA radio station has hosted the movie night for six years, Rick Whitworth, manager at KCSA Radio, said. “I went and saw one of the newer movies,” Lance LaBedelle, a junior, said. “I had a lot of fun and it was free, so it was perfect for a college student’s budget.” The movies shown range from older westerns to newer movies such as Disney’s Frozen. Movies are shown downtown every Friday night starting Memorial Day weekend until the last weekend in September, Whitworth said. When the economy took a dive eight years ago Whitworth proposed that the radio station come up with an inexpensive place for families to go, he said. After six years the movie night’s success is only growing. In the beginning years they were happy to have 100 people show up— their record for this year is 1,302 people with an average of about 500 people showing up each week, Whitworth said. KCSA wants to make it a fun
Sydney Wegner Editor
place for people of all ages to come out and have fun without spending a lot of money, Whitworth said, people of all ages are welcome, along with their dogs. The movie night is made possible by the community’s donations, Whitworth said. People can bring their own snacks— no glass or alcohol— but a concession is available. After each of the movies, KCSA gives away prizes such as Schlitterbahn tickets and restaurants gift cards. On the last Friday of every month they host family night and give away two bicycles donated by Republic Services and Concho Valley Republican Women, Whitworth said.
IF YOU GO: What: KCSA Friday Night Downtown Movie When: Friday 9 p.m. Where: In the parking lot at 17 East Twohig Cost: Free! What else: Bring blankets or lawn chairs
Friday, August 29, 2014
OPINIONS
Page 5
Changes coming your way
Sydney Wegner Editor After a busy summer of doing an internship with the StandardTimes and going to Costa Rica for a mission trip, it’s hard to believe that classes have already started. I learned a lot from the Standard-Times that I will use to guide my days as editor.
I am excited but very nervous and I hope to make the paper exciting and make you want to come back for more next week. I have changed a few things and am anxious to see what people like and don’t like. One thing I’m adding is more pictures. I hope to compile pictures from various clubs, organizations and individuals every week to feature in the Ram Page. The pictures can range from groups of friends at the ASU football game or a representative picture of students in an organization. Individuals
and organizations are encouraged can send these pictures to the Ram Page email, rampage@angelo.edu and see them featured in the next issue of the Ram Page. My hopes for this are that more of you are reached and everyone knows a little bit more about what is going on at ASU. Though it is a big weight on my shoulders I know that I am not alone, I have an amazing managing editor and staff to help me stay sane and deliver news to the campus.
Advising process challenged Zane Callens Staff Writer When I decided to transfer and apply to ASU this past spring, I was given something between caution and support from my family and friends who have attended this school in the last few years. While I took all the advice and reasoning in support of attending ASU, it became clear to me that many people whom I had asked about what to expect here had a complaint about the same subject. Whether it was being made to feel like they were a burden to an individual adviser, told to come back at a different time despite a set meeting, or a simple mistake of not being informed of a class requiring labs on days they were not available, all complaints surrounded advising. I met with an adviser in May to discuss what classes I should take during Summer I. Much to my surprise, I discovered almost none of the 70 plus credits that I had would transfer to ASU. This was not only concerning because of the amount of effort it took to obtain those credits, but also because my GI Bill would expire before obtaining a degree if I was set back to such an extent. To minimize the blow, advising instructed me to obtain the syllabus of
four different classes at my old school and send them to the individual departments for credit approval at ASU. After sending emails and making multiple phone calls to my old university, I was able to obtain two of the syllabi and I emailed them to my adviser while I awaited a third syllabus by mail. After waiting two days, I called my adviser to follow up on the progress of my requests and was told plainly that she would contact me when she knew anything. Two weeks passed while I heard nothing from her or anyone from the advising. The dates for Summer I had already passed and I had deferred to a later semester when I decided to take my syllabi directly to the necessary departments. I found the Accounting department to be very helpful when I explained my situation to them and with their help I was able to see each course number I needed from every department I would be visiting and where those departments where located. Less than an hour later I had the signature of three departments approving specific courses taken at another university to count for accreditation at ASU. However, when I took these
into the advising office and explained what I had done, my adviser displayed her frustration, to the extent of literally pounding her desk, as she informed me it was her job. After she briefly explained her annoyance, I requested copies of the signatures and left. Three weeks later when I returned to advising to meet with my new adviser concerning this fall semester, I discovered that none of the signatures that I had given my previous adviser had been submitted into my file. I showed my new adviser, who apologized through no fault of her own, the copies I had in my possession and I was advised accordingly. Without being too extreme, this type of effort, I feel, was a direct reflection of the amount of respect and concern advising has for the student body. I never treat customers in the place I work similarly, and it should not be an acceptable practice. Perhaps I am wrong, but I do not believe those I consulted prior to my transfer and myself are the only ones that have experienced such difficulties. Advising often is, as it was in my case, a student’s first impression of the university; may it be better for those to come.
What is your opinion on how the town of Ferguson is reacting? “It could have been anyone. He shouldn’t have shot him that many times. He could have done something to not kill him.”
Chelsea Roman Junior “I’m not really for violence with the whole riot thing, but I do think the people deserve answers. We should try to handle things in a more civil way. Whenever you start riots like that and put it all up to the world, the world looks at us differently, and it’s no longer that peaceful place to go.” Luz’Ce Baca Graduate Student “I would want justice, but I don’t think I’d riot about it. Find a more peaceful way to find answers.”
Nicholas Ritter Freshman “I would definitely want my group to respond like that but he did do some bad but the police officers didn’t have a right to shoot him down like that. He definitely had a little power issue going on. I would be with the protesting, but not with destroying my own neighborhood—that’s wack.” Collin Turner Freshman “The United States is the nation of the free. They have to respect the people and not become corrupted.”
Raymundo Gonzales Freshman
Ram Page Staff 2014-2015 Angelo State University
Editor: Sydney Wegner Managing Editor: Hannah Bozeman Online Editor: Erika Walker Photo Editor: Carli Robison Photographer: Marsalis Mahome Photographer: Summer Almaguer Designer: Lindsey Green Staff Writer: Erika Walker Staff Writer: Zane Callens Staff Writer: Lela Howard Advisor: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909-0895
Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Newsroom:(325) 942-2323 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Asscoiation
PUBLISHING POLICY Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position and a phone number and/or e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the newspaper’s office, Room 324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
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