Page 3 Fundraising for a cure SGA Roundtable Page 4 Puerto Rican Culture
RAM PAGE Volume 79 Issue 4 Sept. 21, 2012
Page 5 Ram Page staff speaks
Petition to remove Chick-fil-A suspended Faculty member requests restaurant’s removal, students protest Dillon Brollier Managing Editor A petition to shut down the campus Chick-fil-A restaurant that has been circulating around ASU for the past few weeks has been suspended in light of news that the popular chain has ceased donations to anti-gay groups. According to the Huffington Post ”The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) cites Alderman Moreno as confirming that Chick-fil-A officials declared in an internal document that the company ‘will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual orientation.’” Professor of English, Dr. Linda Kornasky began circulating the petition as a response to reports that Chick-Fil-A president Dan Cathy gives money to anti-gay hate groups. However with recent news that the fast food chain has stopped funding to these groups the petition has been put on hiatus. “In light of these efforts on the part of Chick-fil-A to address campus concerns, we will suspend our current petition initiative as we assess whether Chick-fil-A follows through on its promises,” Kornasky said in an email to ASU faculty. One student is encouraged by the change of heart by the fast food chain. “It’s a great encouragement that Chick-Fil-A has promised to stop donating to harmful groups,” senior Kiah Rhea said. “While I’m not convinced that there isn’t any finger-crossing in this new promise, it’s a step in the right direction.” The petition originated in late August and was promoted by talks with fellow faculty members, Kornasky said. “Some of them were involved with the local protest at the Chick-fil-A on Sherwood Way,” Kornasky said. “I mentioned that the Chick-fil-A location within the university center was something that ASU faculty might redirect their attention toward.” That attention was turned toward the UC’s Chickfil-A to the tune of nearly 3 percent of all ASU faculty signing the petition, Kornasky said. The petition is not without opposition, however. A Facebook group called, “Don’t close down Chick-Fil-A! - Angelo State” has been created to battle Kornasky’s petition and keep Chick-fil-A on campus. “Some of the faculty of ASU has started a petition to get the Chick-Fil-A in the Houston Harte University
Photo by Rio Valasquez Freshman Rochelle Ann Flores purchases a chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A.
Center closed down,” the Facebook page said. “Please help us to prevent the loss of the finest eating establishment on the ASU campus.” The creator of the page is known by “The Lone Wrangler.” The Wrangler’s true identity is not yet known. Talks of a public debate between the two sides have been brewing as of late and Kornasky welcomes any and everyone who wishes to speak publicly about the issue.
“It would be a very nice thing to have a public debate on the subject,” Kornasky said. Greg Pecina, executive director of business services, said that no students have approached him over the subject and that he has met with Kornasky and Student Body President Hector Romo.
See RESTURANT pg. 2
Relatives come together at ASU
University hosts business event
ASU holds tradition of Family Day on campus
Entrepreneurs given a chance to gain advice
Allison Price Staff Writer
Family Day 2012 will kick off tomorrow with several events planned for visiting family members of the student body. “[Family Day] is a day we invite the families of ASU students back to campus for a day to visit various campus departments and programs,” said Nolen Mears, executive director of Student Life. Festivities begin on Friday with a presentation by The English Brothers in the C.J. Davidson Center. Tickets are $5 per person, and the program begins at 7 p.m.
ASU has hosted Family Day for many years, Mears said. He said he believes it has been an event since the 1980s. “For Family Day, I’m just going to have my parents come here and get a better feel for the campus,” freshman Angela Marshall said. “This is where I will be for the next, I don’t know how long, and they deserve to see that.” According to www.angelo.edu/ parents/family_and_visitors.php, families are welcome to explore campus with several different tours to choose from. “[Family Day] is an opportunity for students’ families to experience some aspects of campus life,” Mears said. On Saturday, events begin at 9 a.m. and continue on all afternoon with the
Dillon Brollier Manageing Editor
The Center for Student Involvement and the Small Business Development Center will host E-day on Sept. 27 in the CJ Davidson Center in the University Center. The event is held to host speakers and custom “break out sessions” to help young entrepreneurs in possibly opening up a new business. “We really want to have a good turnout so we can possibly do this every year,’ UCPC event coordinator Allen Bennett said. Max Durovic, founder and CEO of Aarrow Advertising, is the featured
keynote speaker for the event. Durovic and his business partner Michael Kenney began AArrow Advertising, “Were in high school, they had after-school jobs advertising for local businesses with sandwich board signs they strapped to their bodies and carried around the San Diego area.,” Bloomburg Businessweek said in their profile of the duo for their 2007 best young entrepreneurs campaign. “I am hoping that we get a decent turnout for the break up sessions but I would really hope for people to come out for our main speaker, Max Durovic, Bennett said. “He is going to keep the crowd entertained.” The E-day event will be broken up into four different “break-out sessions” focusing on one particular aspect of
See MUSIC pg. 2
Page two
Fun for the whole family Campus conflict Event for potential business starters
Page three
Walk for a cure SGA Roundtable
See GUEST pg. 2
Page four
Celebration of different cultures
Page six
Soccer road trip Rams v. Wildcats
Page five
Staff editorial Nintendo column
Visit www.asurampage.com
NEWS
Page 2
Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week.
Friday, Sept. 21, 2012
Restaurant lies at the center of controversy
Friday, Sept. 21 Art Exhibit: “Fistula and Fisure” by Joseph Shores Aug. 31 through Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, Room 193 The English Brothers Show 7 p.m. Houston Harte University Center Studio Theatre: “Fresh Faces” 8 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building
Saturday, Sept. 22 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Check in/Registration: 8 a.m. Opening Ceremony: 9 a.m. San Angelo Riverstage 16 E. Avenue A San Angelo, TX SARL-Habitat for Humanity Home Run 5k/1M 8 a.m. 334 W River Dr San Angelo, Texas 76903 Ram Jam: Family Day 3:30 p.m. LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center Football: Rams vs. Abilene Christian (Family Day) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Studio Theatre: “Fresh Faces” 8 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building
Sunday, Sept. 23 Soccer: Rambelles at Texas Women’s University 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Denton, TX Monday, Sept. 24 UCPC Weekly Meeting 5:30 p.m. Houston Harte University Center Room 201 Blackboard Training: Collaborate 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mathematics-Computer Science Building –106 Tuesday, Sept. 25 Russian Enrichment Program: “Where Stalin’s Russia Defeated Hitler’s Germany: World War II on the Eastern Front” 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Zentner’s Daughter Restaurant Volleyball: Rambelles vs. Texas A&M - Kingsville 7 p.m. SMART Workshop: Motivation–Ready? Set…Goal! 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Academic Building 119 Wednesday, Sept. 26 Mandatory Music Major/ Minor Meeting 4 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, Eldon Black Recital Hall Art Major/Minor Meeting 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building room 101
Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo.edu
Photo by Rio Valasquez Staff wait for students to visit the Chick-fil-A in the Houston Harte Community Center for lunch.
Continued from page 1
“If we were to survey the students I do not know what they would say,” Pecina said. “But I think they deserve the right to at least have a major say-so in the decision that we make.” There is a process that would have to take place for Chick-fil-A to be removed before the end of their contract with Chartwells, ASU’s food service partner, and that process has not even begun. “She (Kornasky) is a faculty member and she would have to go through the faculty senate and the faculty senate does not even have that on their agenda,” Pecina said. “So it hasn’t even gotten past step one of maybe 10 steps.” The faculty senate would then go to Business Services and they would go through “due diligence”. “Typically what we would do is go to the student body and we would ask the student body ‘Is this what you want,’” Pecina said. “Our major costumer is the student body.” Chartwells is contracted under ASU to provide food to the entire campus, outside franchises included. Vendors on campus can be removed at anytime, but ASU must give Chartwells a 30 day notice before eviction, Pecina said. Kornaskys petition may still be growing, Pecina assured that Chick-fil-a will remain
for the foreseeable future. As of right now nothing will happen to Chick-Fil-A, Pecina said. The cost of removing and replacing the Chick-fil-A would be close to a $150,000 investment. “We use a very careful examination of what the purpose and cost is,” Pecina said. While gay rights is the hot topic of discussion among most who debate about the Chick-fil-A situation, freedom of speech rights are highly contested in debates regarding the conflict. Kornasky said this is not about prohibiting free speech, but only to bring awareness for gay rights. “This is not a case about Mr. Dan Cathy’s free speech,” Kornasky said. “This is a case of a policy decision made by an institution in regard to the consequences of a change to a company’s reputation made through free speech and extensive donations to groups that many people consider discriminatory.” ASU released a statement saying, “Angelo State University is an institution that believes in and supports diversity. Tolerance is the cornerstone of a diverse campus and tolerance runs both ways. Angelo State Uinversity has contractual agreements with vendors that support gay marriage and that oppose it. The university will not establish a political litmus test for its vendors as long as they are abiding by the law.” Likewise, ASU can also be rid of Chickfil-A and all other Chartwells contracted vendors when Chartwells’ contract with ASU expires in 2015.
Chartwells also released a statement commenting on the controversy. “We value a safe and enjoyable dining environment that contributes to the wellbeing and academic lifestyles of all of our guests in a diverse and inclusive dining atmosphere,” Chartwells said in a prepared statement. “Although Chartwells respects the rights of others to express their beliefs, the statements, views and opinions attributed to Chick-fil-a management do not reflect those of Chartwells.” According to the Huffington Post Chickfil-a has agreed to cease donating funds to anti-gay groups. “In a press release The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) cites Alderman Moreno as confirming that Chick-fil-A officials declared in an internal document that the company, ‘will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual orientation,’” the Huffington Post said. Even if the petition fails to get rid of the campus Chick-fil-A, Kornasky may not consider that a true failure. “I think that the most important outcome for this petition is the raising of awareness about gay rights issues as they affect ASU and the San Angelo community,” Kornasky said.
Musical act to open Guest speakers to kick Family Day on Friday off E-Day next week Continued from page 1
ASU football game against Abilene Christian University at 6 p.m. “I am going to the football game and after that the BSM (Baptist Student Ministry) is going to have a late night event at the lake house,” senior Chris Allen said. According to the Family Day Schedule of Events, some of the programs that will take place Saturday include the Chemistry Magic Show, “Are You Smarter Than A Freshman in Mathematics?,” a physics show and the Ram Jam pre-game festivities with food. “We have some student organization-sponsored events and demonstrations [such as] a show at the Global Immersion Center,” Mears said. Unfortunately for some students family day will be bogged down by other engagements.
“Pretty much all I do is end up working,” sophomore Kyle Wildenauer said. “My mom works, too, and I am so there is nothing much I can do.” Tickets for the football game Saturday evening will be available outside the ASU Bookstore in the University Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “It is always hard to get an accurate count on how many family members come to campus, but we usually give out about 2,000 football tickets for family members,” Mears said. If families need any information about the times and locations of all of the events that will take place during the weekend, please visit www.angelo. edu/services/student_life/ familyday_schedule.php. Also, on the website are hotel listings within the area and a campus map. “My mom is coming down with her boyfriend to have a family dinner, visit and to celebrate a family birthday,” senior Val Soto said.
Continued from page 1 business. The event is free to anyone who would like to go, but those planning to attend must register at either www.angelo.edu/ eday or at the event the day of, Lambert said. Those who register before the event will get updates and extra information. All of the events will be hosted by SBDC advisors, staff, ASU professors and finacial planners with special guests coming in from Angel Network. All talks will be housed in the CJ Davidson Center and the room will be split up in order to house all of these events in accordance to the schedule. Times for the “break out session” are 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and each talk will last for one hour and 15 minutes. Durovic will make his keynote address at 6 p.m. The “planning for success” talk will focus on, “The basics of what it takes to get your business started,” Business development training coordinator Jessica
Lambert said. “Legal issues, hiring questions and just basic issues that come up when you are starting a business will be covered.” The “how to fund your dream” discussion will hone in on how to fund a new business. There are new trends going on to get more funding, Lambert said. There is crowd funding, using website like kick starter. “There are a lot of options out there for funding,” Lambert said. “Idea Gold” will focus on getting patents and trademarks for your product and business. All of the information about patents, why you need one and how to get them will be covered in this meeting, Lambert said. The final discussion will focus on marketing and, “Writing a business plan and working with strategic planning,” Lambert said. It will cover the next step after determining the businesses that someone will want to open, Lambert said. “ The E-day event is still a relatively new event, so a strong showing would go a long way in making this event a yearly tradition.
NEWS
Page 3
Friday, Sept. 21, 2012
San Angelo residents and ASU students walk together against Alzheimer’s $26,000 goal in fundraising within striking distance Allison Price Staff Writer
thinking and behavior. There is no current cure but treatments are available and researchers continue to seek a cure. “San Angelo has a growing Alzheimer’s community, and we hope to provide increased resources and opportunities for individuals facing this disease process,” Hallmark said. “This event is vital for raising funds for future resources and educational opportunities.” According to www.alz.org, the Alzheimer’s Association was founded in 1980 and currently, the association has reached out to millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s across the globe. “So many people are affected by Alzheimer’s, and I am so passionate about helping and making a difference,” Hallmark said. According to www.alz.org, Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging and is a progressive disease that worsens over time. “There is a large part of the population facing Alzheimer’s,” Hallmark said. “The significance of this walk is to raise money for the cause, as well as raise awareness about the organization.” Since there are no entry fees for the walk, there are opportunities to make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hallmark said. “If you’re participating with a team [during the walk] and you raise $100, then you and your [team mates] will receive a t-shirt,” Hallmark said. “We always welcome donations of any amounts.”
Walk to End Alzheimer’s will begin at 8 a.m. with the opening ceremony starting at 9 a.m., proceeded with the walk, Hallmark said. Each walker will join in a ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s. The walk is non-competitive, and it is less than two miles, she said. “I feel like this year’s walk is on track to be even bigger and better than last year’s event,” Hallmark said. “Our biggest goal is to increase attendance thus increasing awareness about this devastating disease and what the Alzheimer’s Association is doing to fight it.” The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is advertised to be the Nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. “Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions,” the alzheimers asociation website said. Registration is available online at act.alz.org/ sanangelotx or walkers may register Saturday morning, she said. The Riverstage is located at 16 E. Avenue A. If you have any further questions you may contact Jessicca Hallmark at jessicca.hallmark@gmail.com or at (325) 315-8556.
Sigma Kappa and Pi Kappa Alpha will be among those walking Sept. 22 at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Riverstage in San Angelo for the second year in a row to raise awareness of the disease. “Walk to end Alzheimer’s is more than a walk,” walk chair Jessicca Hallmark said. “It is an experience for hundreds of participants in San Angelo [to] learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with the critical cause.” Sigma Kappa, a sorority at ASU with about 50 members, has made Alzheimer’s the sorority’s national philanthropy project, as well as Gerontology, which is the study of aging. “Nationwide Sigma Kappas raise money and awareness for the disease,” said Erika Boyd, sophomore and vice president of Philanthropic Services for Sigma Kappa. “We participate in the walk every year.” Hallmark said she encourages student organizations to take part in a great cause and go to the walk. “As a sorority, [us participating in the walk] means that we want to cure this disease,” Boyd said. “We hate to see this disease affect our members and family members.” Pi Kappa Alpha, the brother fraternity to Sigma Kappa will also attend the walk in support of their “sisters.” “Our main goal by participating in this is to foster unity within sorority and fraternity life here at ASU so we can see it flourish and grow in the future,” said Connor Frankhouser, junior and president of Pike’s ASU chapter. Sigma Kappa has been fundraising money for the Alzheimer’s walk since August and they have raised $2,500. “[Pi Kappa Alpha] is raising a bit of money for [the walk] but not near as much as the ladies,” Frankhouser said. For this particular Alzheimer’s walk, Hallmark said they are hoping to raise $26,000. “Sixty-five percent of what we earn at the walk stays in San Angelo to provide education, health care, etc.,” Hallmark said. “A small portion goes toward administrative costs and a small portion is also sent Photo by: Rio Velasquez to national headquarters to fund research projects.” According to www.alz.org, Alzheimer’s is a type Sigma Kappa has been fundraising money for the Alzheimer’s walk since August and they have raised $2,500 of dementia that causes problems with memory,
Students and faculty meet to discuss current 2012-13 school year Alix Henry Contributor The Student Government Association Monday evening hosted their annual Roundtable event at the ASU Lake House. Roundtable is a chance for the student senators to talk with various faculty and administration members about any concerns they may have about campus and the student body. One of the big issues at the meeting was what ASU plans to do if San Angelo goes into a Level Three drought phase. “Because we are experiencing a water shortage on campus, there is not enough water to keep the plants and flowers alive, so the university will be doing ‘zeroscaping’ throughout the grounds to clean up some of the dead plants, said Jay Halbert, director of Facilities Management Operations. There is no way to keep the plants from dying without water so throughout the winter months a lot of trees will die and need to be cut down and some flower beds will be filled with rocks and gravel. The Chick-fil-A debate was brought up at Roundtable and the university has released an official statement. “Angelo State University is an institu-
tion that believes in and supports diversity,” said Preston Lewis, director of Communications and Marketing for the university. “Tolerance is the cornerstone of a diverse campus, and tolerance runs both ways. Angelo State University has contractual agreements with vendors that support gay marriage and that oppose it. The university will not establish a political litmus test for its vendors as long as they are abiding by the law.” The senators and faculty also discussed how the university is planning on increasing enrollment and retention rates at ASU in the upcoming years. Provost and Vice President Brian May said that the university will initially focus more on enrollment than retention. The admissions office travelling more to help spread ASU’s name in the academic arena. Revisions to the university standards for acceptance are also being revised. The minimum ACT and SAT scores for high school graduate percentiles are being raised one to two points in the 40 percent rank range and third-quarter rank range. Fourth-quarter ranked high school students will be placed under file review. and they will be looked at as a case-by-case basis .
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FEATURES
Friday, Sept. 21, 2012
Puerto Rican Celebration University teaches customs, facts and traditions of Puerto Rico in festival Allison Price Staff Writer The Multicultural Center Wednesday celebrated Puerto Rico with activities, food and music in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. “The Multicultural Center celebrates different cultures every year,” said Adriana Balcorta, Multicultural Programs Specialist. “Students understand Puerto Rico as U.S. territory, but they don’t really know about their culture.” This is the third year that the MC has had celebrations showcasing different countries and their cultures to the students, Balcorta said. “I have been to about six or seven of the [festivities] that the [MC] has had and my favorite was South Africa,” senior Joshua Rogotzke said. “It is fantastic. You learn a lot about the cultures and the food is [wonderful].” The main significance of these events is to help students learn and to be exposed to all of the diversity within the world, Balcorta said. “I think it is really nice of the [MC] to bring in a different culture to show us,” junior Lucy Ramirez said. “They have [celebrated] the African American culture, a part of Mexico and [now] Puerto Rico. So every time there is an event, I try to make it out here.” The MC provided food and beverages for the students to enjoy while they walked around to look at all of the information about Puerto Rico. “We always have traditional dishes to serve,” Balcorta said. “What we did with drinks this year is we had regular cups, but we also had plastic coconuts. If you wanted to get a plastic coconut then you had to tell an interesting fact about Puerto Rico other than the capital.” Balcorta said that students chose Puerto Rico as the country to showcase. “We did a questionnaire on Facebook and students chose Puerto Rico,” Balcorta said. “This is the first year that we have done Puerto Rico.” At the celebration, students learned about Puerto Rico’s economy, culture and religion among other topics, Balcorta said. “It was kind of cool,” freshman Ryan Fleener said. “This brings people together and lets people know other cultures exist.” One of the activities that students were able
to participate in was the making of azabache bracelets, Balcorta said. These bracelets are red and black and the charm is in the shape of a fist. “The azabache bracelets are given to babies in Puerto Rico because many have “mal de ojo” which means evil eye,” Balcorta said. “When you have excessive admiration or jealously for a baby because they are pretty it is a belief that you will give them the evil eye. The students are doing something fun but they are also learning the meaning.” There were a few local San Angelo residents who are Puerto Rican that played music at the event, she said. “There would be one person playing drums and someone would challenge a dance,” Balcorta said. “As long as there were people dancing, the drums would continue to be played.” The students enjoyed the celebrations, Balcorta said. It is a learning experience and if students only learn one piece of information about the featured country, it is good. “My favorite parts of the events are people performing and the arts and crafts that are provided for us to make,” Ramirez said.
We don’t want “ [these events] to be
known as free food events. Students don’t understand what we are celebrating, but this is a chance to learn [interesting information].
“Our main focus is the students, but if the community wants to come and learn something then they are more than welcome,” Balcorta said. Next month the MC will have a presentation about disabilities and ways students can relate to those who have disabilities, Balcorta said. “Last year we explained disabilities but this year we will talk about a new topic,” Balcorta said. “We will be talking about famous Americans who have succeeded in the public light with disabilities.” The MC will continue to bring bits of countries to ASU so students can learn about different cultures she said. “We don’t want [these events] to be known as free food events,” Balcorta said. “Students don’t understand what we are celebrating, but this is a chance to learn [interesting information].”
Upcoming Events • Hispanic Heritage Month • Disabilities Awareness Day • Veteran’s Day • Native American Celebration • Martin Luther King Day
• Black History Month • Women’s History • Asian Pacific Islander • Juneteenth
”
- Adriana Balcorta Balcorta said that the community is welcome Photo by Rio Velasquez to attend the cultural events and gain knowlStudents enjoy the native food offered during the Puerto edge of the countries. Rico Celebration.
midnightrodeosanangelo.com
$1.50 DRAFT BEER
Photo by Rio Velasquez Senior Rauol Kabona, sophomore Maria Barron and sophomore Henry Luna learn how to play native Puerto Rican instruments during the celebration.
Fun Facts
• Population: 3,989,133 (July 2011 est.) • Capital: San Juan • Area: 3,515 square miles • Language: Spanish and English • Religion: Roman Catholic • Currency: U.S. Dollar • Life Expectancy: 78 • Literacy Percent: 94 Facts courtesy of ASU Multicultural Center
OPINION
Friday, Sept. 21, 2012
Wii would like to play with U Dillon Brollier Managing Editor
The new generation of home video game consoles will arrive in November when gaming giant Nintendo releases their 6th home console, the Wii U. On top of me hoping they bring back those hilariously creepy commercials they had for the Wii’s launch, I am hopeful that this new system will give Nintendo the hardware firepower they lacked in the last console cycle. The Wii was an absolute giant. It nearly out sold the PS3 and Xbox 360 combined and created a phenomenon unlike many other we have seen in gaming. But we all know how that ended up. Hardcore gamers scoffed at the childish graphics and lack of strong third party support. Those shortcomings are already addressed as the launch line up for the Wii U includes Bayonetta 2 (what a steal!), Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and everyone’s favorite ending, Mass Effect 3. Then you have other titles such as New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, FIFA 13, ZombiU. These give the Wii U the strongest all around opening lineup out of any Nintendo system. Where is Zelda? Where is Metroid? Where is my Super Mario Galaxy 3? Well, those won’t be around for a while, with the new Zelda being slated for a 2014 launch and no news on a new 3D Mario or Metroid. But in my humblest of opinions, the launch line up that Nintendo has set up should be more than enough to get people excited and to get people out to pick one up. IGN reports, “It comes in two mod-
Ram Page Staff
2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Sawyer Ricard Managing Editor: Dillon Brollier Copy Editor: Lisa Dees Photo Editor: Rio Velasquez Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer Allison Price Photographer: Tim Peevy Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson
Food and Politics
els: Basic and Premium. Basic comes with 8GB of memory, the console, a gamepad, sensor bar, HDMI cable and AC adaptor in the US, and without a sensor bar in the EU, AU and NZ. Premium comes with 32GB of memory, console, gamepad, sensor bar, charging cradle and stands for the console and gamepad, and Nintendo Land.” The basic package will run $299.99 and the premium package will cost $349.99. Personally, I say you have to go for the Premium. More memory that you know you are eventually going to use, a free game and a sleek looking console. No doubt premium is the way to go. The new console is expected to graphically exceed the current generation consoles by quite a bit. Although no game play has been shown, a Wii U demo shown at last year’s E3 convention has me excited to see Nintendo finally ramp up and try to play with the big boys. I have always bought Nintendo’s system first and they have never failed me. I will once again go Nintendo when everything is said and done. They are the industrys leaders and have been for the past 25 plus years. At least that is what history says. In the Wii U commercials I do hope the guys from the original Wii commercials come back. Love those guys.
What do you have planned for ASU’s family day?
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Staff Editorial
With the potential closing of Chick-fil-A on campus, ASU is facing a much bigger dilemma than whether people agree on gay rights. If Chick-fil-A closed, so would our first amendment rights. The Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law...” The freedom of speech is essential to the freedom of this nation, and it is the very heart of every mass medium, including this newspaper. Everything that is happening with Chick-fil-A on campus boils down to one point. Free speech is being denied. Sending out a petition to shut down the Chick-fil-A on campus just because someone disagrees with their view is harsh, and in that harshness it does prohibit free speech. The argument exists that Chick-fil-A should be shut down because they are discriminatory to the beliefs of some individuals. Where is Chick-fil-A’s first amendment rights? Do they not have the same rights as those protesting their business? President of Chick-fil-A Dan T. Cathy’s personal views had nothing to do with the business itself. Cathy was stating his opinion when he said he did not support same-sex marriage. He did not say that his company has a “Don’t ask, don’t tell or don’t eat” policy. He did not saying that he would deny anyone a meal.
He is just saying something that many people have said. That he doesn’t believe in gay marriage. One can have free speech about a subject, but they must be prepared to face the backlash of sporting an unpopular opinion. But if one has to worry about backlash in the form of threats, being fired, or of one’s business being shut down, then is that truly free speech? It is, in fact, judgmental and hypocritical to demand someone to keep his or her opinions quiet while one boasts his or her opposing opinion. We understand where the petition stems from. It is attempting to uphold equal rights for all students in an environment that is meant to promote unity at ASU by eliminating a figure head that is at the center of controversy. By eliminating that icon, one is only promoting the concept that an opinion, no matter how unpopular, can and will be punished. The fact that we are writing about it, and the fact that this has created as much attention as it has is proof that the first amendment is in jeopardy. Perhaps not at a federal level, but at a level that is more important and fundamental to our day to day lives: the social level. So, whether one agrees or disagrees about Chick-fil-A’s quality of chicken or their president’s stand on marriage,think about the detriment to free speech that the closing of this business would bring.
“I might go vist them”
“I’ll probably spend time with my grandma”
“Just stay here. I see them all the time”
“Probably spend time with my friend’s family”
“I’ll probably go see my host family”
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Page 6
SPORTS
Friday, Sept. 21, 2012
Rams face ACU for last time as conference foe Rams look for big win after two game skid Stephen Cogan Staff Writer Since football teams are generally considered to be families, it is only fitting that ASU’s game against rival Abilene Christian University be on Family Day weekend. ASU and their 1-2 record will take on Abilene Christian’s 2-1 record Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. to start their Lone Star Conference schedule. Despite losing two games in a row, team members have said they are ready and excited for conference play. “One of our best practices of the year was tuesday,” junior quarterback Blake Hamblin said. “We came out with a different edge. We’re excited. We’re looking at this week like we’re 0-0. So, we’re excited and we think we have a good opportunity to go out there and win.” Hamblin said that a lot of the players seemed more motivated and more excited to be out on the field in this last practice.
“My father is driving in from Houston, so I don’t want him to cover a six-hour drive and watch me not play well. I want to play well for my family.” - defensive tackle Wayne BlackWell
The Rams signal caller has passed for 683 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions through the season and will look to improve those numbers against No. 19 ranked Abilene Christian. The Rams look to upset a team that is fresh off of a comeback win where they trailed 20-10 against Tarleton State at the half, but won the
game 34-31 after a strong second half. will be Family Day weekend and players’ par“If they’re down, they’re going to go for a ents will be coming to see their sons play. home-run ball, senior defensive tackle Wayne “I’m not going to lie and say that it doesn’t Blackwell said. “Hail Mary passes, shovel pass- [motivate me],” Blackwell said. “My father is es, bubble screens, so we’ve got to stop all big driving in from Houston, so I don’t want him to plays and make them work down the field.” cover a six-hour drive and watch me not play The Rams have had inconsistency in their well. I want to play well for my family.” level of play and players know that has to be Come game time, though, at 6 p.m. on Sataddressed. urday Sept. 22, it will not be about what maga“We’ve got to stay consistent,” Hamblin zine pre-ordained what quarterback to be a said. “We can’t have these ups and downs and star, it won’t be about the last three games and these lulls we’ve had the last couple of weeks.” it won’t be about Family Day either. A major key to the Rams winning will be “First and foremost, our minds are going to if the defense can pressure Abilene Christian’s be on the game,” Hamblin said. senior quarterback Mitchell Gale. “I was very impressed with him while watching his film,” Blackwell said. “He likes to stay in the pocket, doesn’t want to leave. Even if there is pressure, he’ll stand in there and step up and try to make a play, which is something we have not seen a lot of this year.” According to Abilene Christian’s official website, Gale “enters his senior season on the verge of setting every significant passing record in ACU and Lone Star Conference history. Gale has already been selected as the NCAA Division II Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year by Lindy’s magazine and the LSC Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year.” “We want to bull-rush him,” Blackwell said. “Because Mitchell [Gale] wants to stay in the pocket and bull those guys into his lap and get them uncomPhoto by: Tim Peevy fortable.” The added motivation The Rams prepare for their final inter-conference battle with ACU for some players is that it
‘Belles hit the road for a four game road trip A&M Commerce first in line for the “Belles season long road trip Stephen Cogan Staff Writer After a 3-2-1 start, the Rambelles’ toughest part of their season awaits them as they will play four road games over the next two weeks. The road series starts with a trip to Commerce on Friday Sept. 21 to face Texas A&M University-Commerce at 7:30 p.m. After Texas A&M-Commerce, the Rambelles will face Texas Woman’s University on Sept. 23 in Denton, Texas, for the first week. In the second week, the Rambelles will go to Canyon to challenge West Texas A&M University on Sept. 28 and then go to Portales, New Mexico, on Sept. 30 to face Eastern New Mexico University. All remaining games are Lone Star Conference games, and each win/loss will affect the team’s overall standings for the conference tournament at the end of the season. After back-to-back losses in Colorado, the Rambelles started conference play by tying Midwestern State University 1-1 at home and then defeating Abilene Christian University 1-0 at home.
“Our team defending, not just our back four, but our middles, our forwards, everybody, it has definitely been our strengths for us,” - head coach Travis McCorkle “I think we just started playing better,” Head Coach Travis McCorkle said on the team’s rebound after the two losses in Colorado. “I think we were up in Colorado and we were playing two very good teams. They are two of the top teams in the region. Fort Lewis, I think, is ranked number five in the country. I think what we need to do is just do the simple things better, and that was really what we focused on in training since Colorado.” Unlike many other sports, soccer games can end with a tie and have their own effect on con-
ference standings at the end of the season. “It’s different in soccer,” McCorkle said. “We lost basically lost two points on Friday when we gave up that goal for a tie. If you win, you get three points, for a tie you get one point and for a loss you get nothing.” For example, if a team has a 9-2-1 record, they would have 28 points, whereas a team that has a 9-3-0 record would have 27 points. So at the end of a season when teams are tied for the numbers of wins and losses, ties come in there,” McCorkle said. “If we have three ties, it counts File Photo only as much as one win. That’s how they Defender Jordan Benfield has started every game in her ‘Belle career do the seeding for the conference tournament.” Corkle as they named junior defender Kara The Rambelles 1-0-1 record in conference Edwards the Defender of the Week for her efplay would equal four points. forts in ASU’s shutout 1-0 win over Midwestern Junior defender Trisha Killen is a veteran State University. to ASU’s road trips and has her own strategies Texas A&M-Commerce has a 2-3 overall reto combat the effects of long drives. cord with a 1-1 conference record and one can“The good thing to do is never let yourself celled non-conference game, but Killen is not get too cramped up on the bus,” Killen said. “Al- underestimating them. ways be up and moving around if you can, and “We always have a real hard time competdon’t let yourself get too caught up sleeping ing with them because they are very physical, because we tend to sleep a lot on the bus. Keep and we tend to play possession,” Killen said. yourself mentally prepared as well as physi- “They play a different kind. It’s direct and they cally alert.” kick it up and run and chase it, so we’re goThe Rambelles’ strengths in camaraderie ing to have to alter our game to theirs while and defense will be two focal points as the seastill playing our game on offense.” son continues. McCorkle is prepared for a tough game, but “Our team defending, not just our back four, is determined to compete for the win. but our middles, our forwards, everybody, it has “It’s going to be a very physical game and definitely been our strengths for us,” McCorkle they play differently from most of the teams we said. “Also, I think the chemistry of the girls play all year,” McCorkle said. “They are very [has been a strength.] I think they’ve done a direct, so it is not going to be an attractive game great job of building chemistry throughout the of soccer, but there’s still three points out there preseason and regular season and on road trips. to be had and we’ve got to get them.” It just has been building the whole year.” The Lone Star Conference agrees with Mc