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Election Coverage page 5
Volume 79 Issue 10 Nov. 2, 2012
Judging time, schoolwork and meat carcasses High demand meets high reward for students Dillon Brollier Editor
Photo by Rio Velasquez Emily Booth (No. 9) celebrates a point in the ‘Belles’ victory over Eastern New Mexico University. The victory came on Senior Day, just one day after the ‘Belles defeated defending LSC champions West Texas A&M.
‘Belles defeat conference rival for the first time in eight years No. 1 seed in LSC playoffs in sight Stephen Cogan Staff Writer There was shouting, there were tears and there was a flood of emotions going through the Junell Center last Friday when the ball hit the court floor for the final time in the ‘Belles victory over West Texas A&M. It was the ‘Belles’ first win over West Texas A&M since 2004. The ‘Belles defeated the six-time consecutive reigning champions in four sets by scores of 25-17, 18-25, 25-20 and 25-21 in front of a 1,312 strong crowd.
The ‘Belles, barring catastrophic losses, will host the 2012 Lone Star Conference Volleyball Tournament as the No. 1 seed. “I’ve been coming to ASU games for about seven, eight years now, and I’d rank that as the biggest match I’ve ever seen in this building.” ASU alumnus Rich Schumacher said. That match has put the ‘Belles in position to win the Lone Star Conference Championship, a feat that has not been accomplished since 1992, but one that Head Coach Chuck Waddington said he has his eyes zeroed in on. “Anytime you do something you’ve been trying to do for five years, you’re going to feel pretty good about it,” Waddington said.
But the first thing I said to our girls after we got done screaming was this is just a piece of the puzzle. This is a piece of something bigger that we want and this was something that we had to do to help us get it.” That puzzle is the Lone Star Conference Championship and the NCAA D-II National Championship that follows afterward, and the ‘Belles are just a handful of pieces away from completing that puzzle. After the first two sets were split, Waddington said he challenged his players in the locker room and re-energized them with words of motivation.
See ‘BELLES Page 6
When a steak is delivered to a table at local steak houses, most people just eat their meal without a second thought as to the behind-the-scenes aspects of that steak. The members of the ASU meat judging team do just the opposite. The team is full of students who take an in-depth look and analyze the carcasses of animals. While that skill can be helpful when picking out cuts of meat from the local grocery store, the team’s experience goes far beyond the meat locker. “One of the main reasons why we try to promote these judging teams is that they learn outside of the actual judging concepts,” said Dr. Kirk Braden, assistant professor of Agriculture. “Those would be things that are basically for career preparation: time management, problem solving skills and decision making skills, making industry connections and how to communicate; all of those basic functions that you have to have in a productive career.” Junior Kylee Weerland is a testament to the character-building the meat judging team presents. She said she holds a 4.0 GPA and is involved in nearly five different on-campus organizations. “Being on the team has reinforced how much being successful means to me,” Weerland said. “It has given me the extra push to work harder when it comes to time management and focusing on my classes.” Members of this team have traveled all over the state and the country to participate in contests. All of this traveling puts pressure on team members to keep their lives in order so they can be successful as students and meat judges. “I have really learned to balance everything, and it teaches you real quick to grow up,” junior Darren Seidel said. “You have got to take on these responsibilities head-on; you have got to be able to balance what you are going to do as far as priorities.” The team has traveled all around the country but have been mostly focused in the Midwest, in states such as Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa, Seidel said. This is only the sixth team ASU has ever fielded in meat judging competitions, Braden said. “Meat judging predates World War II,” Braden said. “ASU is the newest entrant in the senior college division.”
See MEAT Page 2
Veterans’ Vigil will honor fallen heroes Nov. 7 Remembering those who served before Sawyer Ricard Contributor ROTC Detachment 847’s Arnold Air Society (AAS) plans to hold the 19th annual Veterans’ Vigil on Nov. 7 at the ASU Memorial Oak Grove. This event has been held since 1994 to honor the ASU veterans who lost their lives during World War II, Cadet Kenneth Chalupa said. The Veterans’ Vigil starts with an opening ceremony and a flag retreat at 5 p.m., he said. The opening ceremony will include speeches given by cadets and a guest speaker. Kurt Kelpe, a veteran of World War II, will talk about his experiences, Cadet Ray Chhith said. “We’re really excited to hear from him,” he said. “We’ll get to learn what it means to be a veteran and hear things from his perspective.” Chalupa said the opening ceremony lasts about an hour. “After the speeches, we’ll name off all the students who lost their lives in World War II,” he said. Along with this, ROTC cadets will talk about each person individually,
he said. “Each time we read a poem about the person or what they did we’ll lay a flower on the cement stump with all of their names,” he said. This is a custom held every 10 minutes, he said. Though the ceremony lasts about an hour, there is more involved in the event, Chalupa said. The Oak Grove consists of 29 oak trees that represent the ASU students who gave their lives fighting in World War II. “We have a cadet who has to guard the Memorial Oak Grove,” he said. After the cadet is there 30 minutes, a new one will take his or her place, he said. “I helped guard the memorial last year,” Chhith said. “I was glad I volunteered and thought it was really honorable.” The vigil of the Oak Grove will continue until midnight, Chalupa said. Overall, the event is a humbling experience, he said. “It’s one of the reasons I wanted to join the honors society (AAS),” he said. The Veterans’ Vigil helps the detachment show its appreciation, he said “I feel that this is a great way to show the veterans that we do care,” he said. “It’s a way to show that they will not be forgotten.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.
Photo by Rio Velasquez Cadets of ROTC Detachment 847’s practice marching with the flag in preparation for the Veterans’ Vigil. The Vigil is held to remember ASU alumni who fell in World War .
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Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week. Friday, Nov. 2
NEWS
Basement lab seeks to find usability issues, offers course Eye tracker among technical marvels Rachel Riggs Staff Writer
HSI Speaker Series: “Meet Generation NeXt: Understanding, Serving and Teaching Today’s Learners” with Mark Taylor 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. @ Houston Harte University Center ASU Philosophy Club: “Philosophy In Motion” 8 p.m. @ Mayer Administration Building, ASU Auditorium Saturday, Nov. 3 6 Hours of the Dinosaur Race 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ San Angelo State Park, North Shore Ram Jam (Military Appreciation) 11 :30 a.m @ LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center Sunday, Nov. 4 HEB’s Feast of Sharing will be at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 50 E. 43rd Street. There will be a free meal from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 Registration Graduates, Post-bacs, and Seniors until Nov. 19 UCPC Weekly Meeting 5:30 p.m.@ Houston Harte University Center, room 110-111 Tuesday, Nov. 6 Student Social Work Association (SSWA) Monthly Meeting 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. @ Academic Building, room 113 Music: Jazz Band Concert 7:30 p.m. @ Mayer Administration Building, University Auditorium Wednesday, Nov. 7 Registration Juniors until Nov. 19 Art: Graduating Senior Exhibitions 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. @ Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, room 193 ASU AFROTC Det. 847: Flag Retreat and Candlelight Vigil Ceremony 5 p.m. @ Mayer Administration Building, 2601 W. Avenue N Thursday, Nov. 8 Music: Night of Brass 7:30 p.m. @ Mayer Administration Building, University Auditorium
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
The solution to your problems just might be tucked away in the bottom floor of the Academic Building. The Usability Lab located in room 004B provides students, faculty and community members with high-tech tools and equipment to research human reactions to documents, game designs and web layouts. The coolest feature in the lab, according to Assistant Professor of English Kevin Garrison, is the “eye tracker,” which is an infrared camera that records what people look at on a computer screen. This allows researchers to see what people notice and ignore on a web page, Garrison said. “What we do in the lab specifically is test whether or not people can navigate their way through a document without getting frustrated,” Garrison said. “You are looking for efficiency or how quickly someone can get from point A to point B.” According to Garrison, the lab works like this: the researcher will set up a test, the test taker will sit in front of a computer screen and the moderator will watch them throughout the test. During the test, the test taker is recorded and asked questions. Afterwards, the researcher collects data, quotes and video from the test. Graduate Student Javier Medina was the student lab assistant for the usability lab in the spring semester of 2012. “For that position, I used the lab to create and run two usability tests, one for the Travel Office and one for the Department of English and Modern Languages M.A. Pro-
gram,” Medina said. Medina said he also used the lab for two class projects. In one project, Medina’s group tested the SMART Online Writing Center module to determine if students could easily access functions, he said. In a second project, Medina’s group used the lab to test a website they had built for an oil field electrical contracting company. In both projects, Medina said he brought in students from a variety of majors and classifications for testing. “The lab provides students with a hands-on project that goes beyond a routine lecture or group project,” Medina said. Senior Ryan New said usability testing helps products like websites, computer programs and documents become less frustrating and more user-friendly. “I think the usability lab is important because there isn’t any other lab like it on campus,” New said. “The capabilities of the lab are tremendous due to the hardware and software that is housed in the usability lab.” Although usability is an aspect of technical writing, its use reaches across disciplines. Psychology majors, marketing majors, mass media and communications majors, computer science majors and technical writing majors may all find this lab useful, Garrison said. “Any time you have a poster, brochure, flier, website or document, you are trying to navigate through the information presented to you,” Garrison said. “If you get frustrated because you don’t understand how to get from point A to point B, that’s a usability issue.” Usability can be summed up with the acronym M.E.E.L.S., which stands for Memorability, Errors, Efficiency, Learnability and Satisfaction, Garrison said. “One of the definitions of usability is invisibility,” he said. “You
don’t know there is a usability problem until you see it. The purpose of this lab is to make usability a visual concept.” Social decorum is a main reason why usability labs exist, Garrison said. “No one ever says that a website sucks to a guy who designed the website,” Garrison said. “You may say it behind the scenes, but you never go to the people who actually designed the page.” There is a usability testing class, English 4365, which is offered every spring that uses the lab, Garrison said. “The class is for anyone who is even remotely interested in how people interact with documents,” he said. “We have waived most prerequisites for this course, so all a student needs are English 1301, 1302 and a sophomore literature class.” New said the course was a mix between a business and computer science course “with a little bit of English on the side.” “Once learned, the software and hardware used in the usability lab are easy to use, and Dr. Garrison was great with his lectures on usability and the process of conducting different kinds of usability tests,” New said. “Overall, I would say that Usability Testing was the highlight of my semester last school year and I was certainly satisfied with the course.” The English 4365 course is intense, but enjoyable, Medina said. “The first three or four weeks involve learning the theories and methods involved in usability testing,” Medina said. “After the theory is out of the way, the client project work begins.” Anyone interested in using the usability lab or enrolling in English 4365 is encouraged to contact Garrison. Send Garrison an email at kevin.garrison@angelo.edu or stop by his office in the Academic Building in room 019.
Stand alone
We Are A Culture Not A Costume
Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo. edu
Sitel
Photo by Rio Velasquez The Multicultural Center spread the spirit of Halloween and also spread an important message at their “We Are A Culture Not A Costume” event Wednesday. Their goal was to educate students about stereotypical costumes was a hit in their haunted house-themed office where food, refreshments and prizes were offered. Angel Chavez took prize for the Best Costume dressing as “Superman” and AMAS won the pumpkin carving contest. The idea was inspired from the Ohio University group STARS, Students Teaching About Racism in Society.
Meat judging team travels to High Plains for competition Continued from page 1 At competitions, the team judges beef carcasses, pork carcasses and lamb carcasses. A perfect score for an entire team at any competition is 4,600 points. ASU scored a total of 3,960 points in their last meet. The only other teams to score higher were Texas Tech (4,074 points) Oklahoma State (4,019 points) and Kansas State University (4,003) points. The senior college division is made up of primarily division one
schools, such as Texas A&M and Texas Tech, Braden said. “The opportunities to compete against bigger schools make you push yourself and make you want to represent Angelo State to where D1 schools open their eyes,” Seidel said. Weerland said one competition in particular was her personal favorite moment with the team. “One of my personal high points with the team was winning the Southeastern Contest, Weerland said. “It was an awesome feeling to know that all of our hard work paid off and the time
was well spent practicing.” The ASU Meat Judging Team will compete next in the High Plains competition on Nov. 4. While the team is housed primarily within the Agriculture Department, Braden said he wants his team to highly represent not only his department, but the entire university. “Our slogan is ‘building a culture of distinction,’” Braden said. “And that is really what we want to do. We want to build a culture of distinction for the program and the university.”
NEWS
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
Page 3
New strings ensemble nearly 30 years in the making Performances set to begin in 2013 Rachel Riggs Staff Writer ASU’s new Chamber Strings ensemble will kick off next semester for students, faculty and community members who are interested in taking an elective strings course. The last time ASU has had a strings ensemble was 1985, Professor of Music Maurice Kelley said. “We have a pretty good theatre department here, but right now we don’t have an orchestra to put in the pit,” Kelley said. “The choir does all of these wonderful concerts, but they don’t have an orchestra to accompany them. Having a strings ensemble exponentially Photo Illustration by Tim Peevy expands opportuni-
ties for our department.” Junior Demarcus Parker, who is a music major and member of the choir, said he thinks this ensemble will boost the number of music majors. “A lot of people who are interested in music like to play strings but they don’t have their [own] instrument,” he said. “By bringing the orchestra here, it would bring more options for students. I know a lot of people in the band who play the violin or other instruments.” Kelley said he hopes the response this spring leads to a new strings degree plan here at ASU. “My hope is that everything will go through the curriculum committee, then hopefully next fall we can offer the degree plan,” Kelley said. This ensemble will help ASU be competitive with other small colleges, Kelley said. “University of Texas at Permian Basin has less than half of the student enrollment that we have, yet they have an orchestra program,” Kelley said. “There are kids from around here that are going to UTPB because they have that program. The fact that a school that is smaller can support the program makes us at ASU want to do the same sort of thing.”
Kelley said he has talked to people from junior colleges that do not have strings programs who are interested in transferring to ASU. “Somewhere along the lines they (the junior colleges) found out that ASU has a strings guy,” Kelley said. “Students really want to come.” The ensemble will perform at the F.A.M.E. Concert on March 19 next semester. F.A.M.E. is an acronym for Friends of Art and Music Education. The ensemble will also help increase retention rates, Kelley said. “We are not a huge school, so in order to draw in students we need to offer all of the same opportunities that students have at a bigger school,” Kelley said. “We may not have the quantity of bigger schools, but we can definitely offer the quality.” The public school systems here in San Angelo have “huge” strings programs, Kelley said. “The potential is huge for the things we can do,” he said. “If anybody is interested in participating, I would encourage them to contact me.” Kelley’s e-mail address is mkelley3@angelo.edu, and his office is located in the Carr Education and Fine Arts Building in room 293.
Most continents open to ASU students choosing to study abroad, program among best in the nation garia, Greece, Italy and Spain with a focus on International Management and Logistics Issues; Austria, Czech Republic and Poland with a focus on Rachel Riggs Management; China with a focus on Staff Writer Art; China with a focus on Education; France, Germany and Belgium with a focus on the European Union and EuAttention, aspiring world travelers! ropean Culture; Malawi with a focus The last day to apply for one of the on Nursing; South Korea with a focus nine study abroad trips next summer on Criminal Justice; and Spain with a has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 1, focus on Spanish. and students are encouraged to apply “With the exception of the proearly because spots are limited. grams traveling to Malawi and South “We have already received around Korea, all of the programs are open to 150 applications for the study abroad any major,” Professor Sharynn Tomlin trips thus far,” International Business said. “Anyone can take those courses. Professor Sharynn Tomlin said. “Many Last summer, I had Biology, Biochemof the programs are actually nearing istry, English and History majors—a capacity now, but there are still a lot little bit all over.” of programs with a lot of room for stuJunior Suzanna Tolboom traveled dents.” to Spain last summer with the study All of the programs vary in size, but abroad program. She said her favorite average at 20 to 22 students, Tomlin part of the trip was how the Spanish said. culture was slower-paced than AmeriAccording to the Study Abroad Pro- can culture. grams handout, students can travel to “They have a set time every day for every continent besides South Ameri- nap time – from 2 to 5,” Tolboom said. ca and Antarctica. “Everyone goes home and takes a nap. The trips and their focus of study If you are 20 minutes late, they don’t include: London, Edinburgh and care.” Dublin with a focus on International Students should travel abroad “to San Angelo and CivicPolitical Ballet “Philosophy In Motion” Business Policy Issues; learn new cultures,” Tolboom said. RamPage England, France, Czech Republic and “Studying abroad gives students a size: 3 column Germany withx a5”(H) focus on Biology; Bul- new experience, makes students more
Deadline to apply is approaching quickly
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mature and makes students appreciate the United States,” Tolboom said. If there is not a program offered in a student’s specific major, he or she is encouraged to pick a region that he or she has always wanted to see, Tomlin said. “If you have always wanted to go to London, use this as an opportunity to go,” Tomlin said. “The course will at lease count as an upper-level elective.” Applying is almost too easy, Tomlin said. To apply, students log on to Ram Port, click on the Student Services tab, click Rams Logon, and then click the Study Abroad link. “It’s so easy, it’s ridiculous,” Tomlin said. “We have been trying to think of ways to make it harder.” Students who are interested must meet the following criteria: they must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA; they must have completed two semesters at ASU and they must have completed 30 hours. Transfer students can apply if they have transferred in at least 39 hours, according to the 2013 Study Abroad pamphlet. “Studying abroad shows that you have confidence, creativity, and curiosity,” Tomlin said. “Studying abroad says a lot for you on your resume.” The summer program counts for six hours of advanced credit. For basic information about each trip, students
can go to the Center for International Studies home page at www.angelo. edu/dept/cis/. Every student accepted into the study abroad program receives a scholarship. Other financial aid, like the Carr scholarship, also helps with the cost, according to Tomlin. “The world as we know it is getting smaller in the sense that we are much more connected with each other,” Tomlin said. “Understanding globalization is really critical and that is what study abroad does. It opens your mind up to different ways of doing things.” Traveling abroad has a profound impact on students’ lives, Tomlin said. “They become so mature and so much more comfortable with themselves and confident when they have participated in the study abroad program. I have whole families who I have taken over the years through the study abroad program.” In 2010, ASU won an international award for having an innovative study abroad program, Tomlin said. “We are always wondering here at ASU, ‘What is our niche?’” Tomlin said. “In many ways it is our study abroad program. We are well known all over Texas for our study broad program.”
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FEATURES Baptist Student Ministry holds 5K Paint Run Page 4
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
BSM hosts Paint Run as fund-raiser for future missions
Allison Price
Features Editor The Baptist Student Ministry is hosting Saturday, Nov. 10 its first 5K Paint Run on campus as a fund-raiser to benefit BSM missions. “This is a 5K, and at every K there are going to be people with different colored powder made from cornstarch, which is environmentally safe,” BSM Missions Coordinator Kimberly Skiles said. “Then they will throw [the powder] on you as you run by. By the end [of the race, runners] will be covered in different colors.” BSM had a 5K run last year, but it was not successful, she said. Adding color to the run was an idea that BSM saw on social media sites. “We decided to add the color because it will make the race more of an interest to students,” Skiles said. The student body is encouraged to take part in the run even if they are not a part of BSM, Skiles said. “A lot of students are nervous to take part in certain events especially if they don’t know much about the organization hosting it or about the event itself,” freshman Kenia Cruz said. “There is always those first few [people] who decide to do it and that pushes other students to attend.” Since this is the first year for the Paint Run there will be no prizes given away, Skiles said.
Image courtesy of BSM
“We are having photographers at the event,” she said. “We are hoping to sell before and after shots of students as well as CDs of the whole [run]. Students can still get something out of the event. We will also have official timers if you want to know your official time.” There is not a particular goal set for the run since this is the first year for the event, Skiles said. “All Texas BSM’s do missions through an organization called Go Now,” Skiles said. “Our yearly goal as a BSM is $3,500, and we give that money to Go Now. The money we raise at the Paint Run will go towards our yearly goal as an organization.” This run is supposed to be fun for students, and there are hopes for a good turnout Skiles said. “I think this run will be something different
and [enjoyable],” Cruz said. “If [students] saw their friends participating in the race then they too would want to be in the run also.” Registration forms can be found in the Baptist Student Center or students may e-mail angelobsm@gmail.com for a digital copy, Skiles said. “Registration costs $15 for students and $25 for non-students,” Skiles said. “Each person registered will receive a white shirt saying BSM Mission Paint Run 2012 with the BSM logo.” Volunteers are still needed for the paint run and interested students can contact the Baptist Student Center, she said. “If you want to throw colored powder on people then you can volunteer and we will place you at a station,” Skiles said. “Volunteers also receive a shirt.” The colored powder will wash out of clothes, but Skiles said the BSM hopes to turn the shirts into something participants will be able to wear on a daily basis. “We are hoping the week after the run to do a tie-dye party so you can tie-dye your Paint Run shirt,” Skiles said. If this Paint Run goes well, the BSM plans to have another run next year, Skiles said. “We plan to make this an annual [event],” she said. “Next year we may hold the run in the spring so that it will not be so cold.” The BSM is a student ministry on campus dedicated to helping ASU students connect with God, each other and the world, according to the BSM Facebook page. For more information visit the BSM Facebook page or stop by the Baptist Student Center on
Historic Downtown San Angelo Hot Spots
Photo by Rio Velasquez The Office Bar is located at 113 E. Concho Ave. Suite 150 This bar offers a laid back atmosphere with two TV’s and several paintings. In addition to indoor seating, there is outdoor seating. During happy hour on Friday, you can hear live local bands and on Saturday live out-of-town bands begin to perform around 9 p.m. For more information you can check out The Office Bar Facebook page.
Photo by Rio Velasquez Mesquite Bean Cafe and Catering Company, also known as Bean on the Bayou, is located at 36 E. Twohig in the Cactus Hotel. Bean on the Bayou has been open for four years serving the community Cajun inspired dishes. For more information about Bean on the Bayou, turned into Mesquite Bean in the evening, you can visit their Facebook page or website at beanonthebayou.com.
Photo by Rio Velasquez Eggemeyer’s General Store is the go-to spot for souvenirs for the folks back home. Located at 35 E. Concho Ave. , Eggemeyer’s has several candy counters and as you make your way around there are kitchen gadgets, preserves, soup mixes and sauces for sell. Stop into Eggemeyer’s General Store today to check out the different knickknacks for sale.
Rowdy’s Rockin’ Bar and Grill is at 125 E. Concho Ave. Rowdy’s has several tables in front of their corner stage for performers and if you walk down a couple of steps there is an open area with more seats. Rowdy’s has a typical bar atmosphere with TVs and dart boards for customers. For more information about Rowdy’s, check out their Facebook page or call (325) 617-7719.
Photo by Rio Velasquez J. Wilde’s Boutique is known for their creative style selling retail clothing, wall decor, decorator fabrics, and vintage furniture. J. Wilde’s is located at 20 E. Concho Ave. across from Eggemeyer’s General Store. For more information you can check out the J. Wilde’s Boutique Facebook page or call (325) 655-0878.
Photo by Rio Velasquez
Photo by Rio Velasquez Sealy Flats is a diner but they also have The Blues Inn which is off to the left of the diner. Located at 204 S. Oakes St. The diner is open Monday through Friday during lunch hours and diner hours. On Saturday, Sealy Flats opens at 8 a.m. for breakfast. There is live music that plays five nights a week with open mic night every Monday. Every Tuesday Sealy Flats hosts Blues History Night giving customers a chance to learn more about blues and where it formally originated. The Blues Inn was built in 1908. The inn offers one master suite and two mini suites. For more information about Sealy Flats you can visit their website at www.sealyflats.com, their Sealy Flats Facebook page, or at (325) 653-1400.
OPINIONS
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
You Decide
Mitt Romney on the issues
Page 5 Barack Obama on the issues
Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief
Election time is among us friends. This is the time when we decide who will lead this great nation into the future. Politics is a topic that can divide even the most united of groups. I implore you on this election week to simply look at the issues and choose the candidate that you agree with the most. Please go out and do more research if you are undecided. Do not let this page be your lone source of information. Learn as much as you can so when you go in to vote, you can do so with the confidence that you are making an informed choice. No matter who wins or loses we must not forget that the man elected is an American like me and you. The choice is all up to you now. It should be fun.
On Jobs: Romney’s plan to create jobs includes a heavy investment in “Human Capital,” a plan to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent, repealing health care reform and continuing the Bush-era tax cuts. On Gay Marriage: Believes marriage should be between a man and a woman On Abortion: “I was always personally opposed to abortion, as I think almost everyone in the nation is.” On Taxes: Mitt Romney announced that his plan would reduce the current top rate paid on income from 35 to 28 percent, with similar reductions across all tax brackets. Americans in the lowest bracket would pay 8 instead of 10 percent. Individuals closer to the middle would pay 20 instead of 25 percent.
All information from www.cnn.com
On Gay Marriage : Supports gay marriage
On Abortion: President Obama supports Roe v. Wade and has voted in favor of pro-choice initiatives, including opposing a Supreme Court ruling that supported a partial birth abortion ban and a repeal of a Bush prohibition on international funding to groups that supported abortions. On Taxes: Obama announced he would seek to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for those earning less than $200,000 individually and $250,000 for married couples. Romney said the plan would hurt small business owners because many of them fall within the $250,000 and above range.
On Foreign Policy: “I pledge to you and to all Americans that if I become commander-in-chief, I will use every means necessary to protect ourselves and the region, and to prevent the worst from happening while there is still time.” On Health Care: While the governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed a health care bill into law that penalized Massachusetts citizens for not having health insurance. At the time, Romney said the purpose of “Romneycare” was to provide, “Every citizen with affordable, comprehensive health insurance and, finally beginning to reign in health care inflation.”
On Jobs: By rolling back the Bush-era tax cuts for those making over $200,000 individually and $250,000 as a couple, the President hopes to make up some of the revenue currently being lost by the government.
On Foreign Policy: Obama’s foreign policy has been defined as pursuing negotiation and working with other nations instead of taking unilateral American action. On Health Care: In what could be considered his benchmark moment in his presidency, President Obama supported and was able to pass his Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It is an effort to get more American medical insurance. 100 ASU students responded when polled asking who they would choose for president of the United States.
All Information from www.cnn.com
Ram Page Staff
2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Dillon Brollier Managing Editor: Mariah Powell Copy Editor: Lisa Dees Features Editor: Allison Price Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer: Rachel Riggs Circulation Manager: Mariah Powell Photo Editor: Rio Velasquez Photographer: Tim Peevy Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Editor: (325) 942-2323 Newsroom: (325) 942-2134 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
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.
or f m o c . e nd g a a p s m l a l r u po s a e . n w i w l w on t i , Vis ives h c r a e r o m Photo by: Tim Peevy Share your thoughts on issues and let us know what’s happening on campus. www.asurampage.com rampage@angelo.edu
SPORTS
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‘Belles take their shots in the LSC tournament Team stands confident, proud of season Mariah Powell Managing Editor The (10-7-1) Rambelles won Oct. 26 their last game of the season, 1-0, against Incarnate Word. “The game was pretty intense,” sophomore Kayla Gregory said. “We had our chances to score early on, and we should have finished on those shots.” Senior Lauren Carnes got injured in the first 10 seconds of the match and was out the entire game, head coach Travis McCorkle said. “We played terribly in the first half and still ended up winning the game,” he said. Incarnate Word was the No. 1 seed in the conference at that time. “For the first time in a long time I think that anyone has the ability to win it,” he said. “In the past I would have said 99 out of 100 that the No. 1 or 2 seeds were going to win the conference, but this year there is a fifty/fifty chance of the top two teams winning.” The team enters the Lone Star Conference on Nov. 1. “The season has
gone very well and we have been really positive,” freshman Ashley Exford said. “We are starting really good up-forward, but we are working on shooting as a team for this conference.” The one tournament winner will advance to regionals. “For us, win, lose or draw, I am very pleased with the team,” McCorkle said. “There are so many things that could happen during a season and our team went through those things with injuries and stuff. No issues with team chemistry. Defending always helps a team feel confident and our team did fantastic with that, so from start to finish it’s been a really good season.” The ‘Belles, No. 3 in the conference, play No. 6 Texas Women’s on Thursday. If that game is won, the team will move on to face Incarnate Word again on Friday. “We have been connecting as a team, and working it through the midfield up to the forwards work really well,” Gregory said. “I’m looking forward to the first game of this conference because we have a lot to prove. No team is unbeatable and we can definitely win the tournament if we play right.”
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
Rams set to fight hard on Military Appreciation Day
Photo by Tim Peevy The Rams practice for their final home game against Incarnate Word on saturday.
Final home game of season looms large Stephen Cogan Staff Writer The Rams have had an up-and-down season with a 4-5 overall record and a 3-3 conference record, but look to earn a win in their last home game of the regular season. The Rams face the University of Incarnate Word on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m., but the game is not just about playing in their home stadium for possibly the last time this season. The game against Incarnate Word doubles as a “Military Appreciation” game for the men and women in this country’s armed forces. Several players have family ties to branches in the military, so the game means more to them than
throwing pigskin around. Senior wide receiver C.J. Akins’ father is a sergeant major in the army and Akins said he will be thinking about him and other military personnel as he plays. “First and foremost, just thinking of all the men and women who serve in the military,” Akins said. “Thinking about the great appreciation to my dad, who has been in the military for 28-plus years and is still serving, so [having a game] will be a good thing to do.” Akins leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns with 766 and six respectively. His 47 catches are second on the team and his 85.11 yards per game have made him a constant threat in the Lone Star Conference. Senior defensive back Terrence Holland is another Rams player who said he has significant ties to the military with
two family members in the army. “My dad is retired and my brother-in-law is in active duty right now,” Holland said. “My dad retired, he did 20-plus years and my brother-inlaw has done three tours overseas.” Holland said he is hoping his father can get off of work to watch him play. “My dad laid his life on the line for me and that helped me get to where I am,” Holland said. “My brother-in-law, he’s doing the same thing my dad did. We’re bringing him back home; that’s the most important thing.” Austin Benson, the senior defensive end and owner of three sacks and eight tackles for losses this season, said his family has served in multiple military branches from the air force to the marines. “You got to go out there and you got to put on [a game],” Benson said. “We
live in the greatest country because of those guys, and without those guys I wouldn’t be here at Angelo State, I wouldn’t be able to go to school, and I wouldn’t be able to do something I love. You definitely go out there with a heavy heart and get the job done.” Benson said he’s had a great career at ASU and has mixed emotions about the fact that Saturday could be his last home game as a Ram. “I treated it throughout my career that every game could be my last game because nothing is ever promised,” Benson said. “You can go out there and you can be done in just one play, so I treat every game like it is my last game.” With that in mind, Benson said he still is excited to get on the field. “It is bittersweet, but I’m excited because we’re about to give it to Incarnate Word.” Benson said.
Volleyball remains red hot, looks to wrestle away conference title Continued from page 1 “I told them wanting it is not enough.” Waddington said. “There is no question that I want to win and you want to win and we all want to win, but unless you’ve got something extra right now, you’re not going to win. I said you’ve got to have that gear, that knob to turn it up, whatever it is, you’ve got to find it and crank it up. Otherwise, it is not going to happen.” The ‘Belles wanted it, they found something extra and they cranked out two more successful sets to win the match. “There was definitely a lot of adrenaline going on,” junior Shelbi Goode said, who had 20 kills. “When we had that really long rally and came out on top of that, I looked at my team and said we’re going to win.” The ‘Belles won after Goode made the final kill and senior Alex Woolsey said she was at a loss of words to describe it. “It was just amazing,” Woolsey said. “I don’t even know what to say. It was just unbelievable. It was an unreal feeling and hopefully we have it again.” Others said they rejoiced that they had finally achieved their goal of beating the champs. “I just thought it’s about time,” senior Emily Booth said. “We’ve been trying since our freshman year and fighting and working our butts off. It just feels really good to accomplish the goals that we set out to do.” The ‘Belles never gave up despite losing all those matches, including their one conference loss this year, to West Texas A&M. “It was frustrating over the years when we just couldn’t get that win,” Booth said. “But we all knew we could do it. We knew it would come, so we never had a doubt.” Booth said her favorite all-time memory at ASU so far is the win over West Texas A&M. “Our season’s not over yet, so it may change,” Booth said. “But right now I would say the win over West Texas. Nothing can compare to that so far.” Woolsey said she agreed with Booth and said, “Beating WT is my favorite memory. Yesterday it would’ve been different, but now it’s definitely beating WT.” Even Goode, a transfer from the University of Alabama, said she had high opinions for the game. “This goes down as one of my favorite games to ever play,” Goode said. “It was a blast from start to finish, and I’m just so proud of my team and I’m really glad
we could pull this off.” Junior Maddie Huth led the team with 21 kills, and sophomore Shelby Wilt set a new career high with 41 digs. As for where to rank the match in ASU moments in sports, Waddington had this to say. “Well, for volleyball it is pretty high,” Waddington said. “But the people that won those national championships up there [indicating the banners that hang from the ceiling in the Junell Center] I’m sure they felt just a little bit better than we feel right now.” The ‘Belles capped off the weekend with their Senior Day game on Saturday against Eastern New Mexico University and won in three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-10 and 25-14. The Senior Day game is always the last home game of the regular season and after the game, the ‘Belles honored the five seniors, who were Waddington’s first full recruiting class. Woolsey, Booth and fellow seniors Katie Coleman, Chelsea Gibson and Alisa Meredith were given bouquets and special jerseys to commemorate their time at ASU. However, what normally would be a tearful goodbye, was really a party with cake, juice and laughter because none of the five women believed that this was their last home game. “It’s hard to be sad when you’re not,” Woolsey said. Woolsey is the team’s leader in assists with 1,000 of the entire team’s 1,206 total assists and is second on ASU’s all-time list with 4,691 career assists. The ‘Belles have been perfect at home this season, while winning 11 consecutive matches with a 22-3 overall record. The ‘Belles’ 15-1 conference record is two wins better than the runner-up, Tarleton State University, but Waddington said he will not let those numbers distract him. “Nothing is concrete,” Waddington said. “Everything is fluid in this game, and in our conference anything can happen. We want to finish off our year playing at the highest level possible. We’re going to continue to train hard and get better. We want to be the best that we can be. We don’t want to be thought of as good and we peaked and beat West Texas and that was it. That’s not the legacy of this team, and that’s not what they want either.” The ‘Belles’ first of their four remaining games
Photo by Tim Peevy Senior Alex Woolsey sets the ball Oct. 26 in their game against West Texas A&M where the ‘Belles won 3-1. The ‘Belles are 15-1 in the LSC with four games to go.
is Friday, Nov. 2 against the University of Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. in San Antonio. “I don’t think this is going to be our last home game,” Alex Woolsey said, who is 96 assists away from becoming the ‘Belles’ all-time leader. If the ‘Belles go undefeated over the next four games, it won’t be.