Issue #6 - October 13, 2010

Hilltop Views S t .

E d w a r d ’ s

U n i v e r s i t y

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Volume 28 | Issue 6

8 Entertainment: A look back at

the 2010 Austin City Limits Music Festival.

hilltopviewsonline.com

A free speech Sports: 10th14 Viewpoints: 12 zone on campus? The Hilltop ranked women’s Views editorial board says that may be redundant.

soccer team keeps rolling.

Vigil helps PRIDE move forward Anna Whitney awhitne@stedwards.edu

A St. Edward’s University student organization providing support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students is moving forward despite recent controversies.

PRIDE, an acronym for Promoting Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Empowerment, has planned a number of events aimed towards connecting with the St. Edward’s community, including a candlelight vigil that was scheduled for on Oct. 12 to remember students who have committed suicide due to anti-gay bullying.

Members of PRIDE re-

cently took on Campus Ministry for its decision to deny Equality Texas, a gay rights advocacy group, a chance to participate in the university’s non-profit fair Sept. 15. But now PRIDE has turned its attention to the vigil, in collaboration with Campus Ministry.

Andrew Guerrero, president of PRIDE, said that the idea for the vigil was inspired by the suicide of Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old freshman at Rutgers University, on Sept 22. Clementi committed suicide days after his roommate streamed video online of Clementi having a sexual encounter with another man.

“We’re having the candlelight vigil to promote the fact that bullying is real,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said he chose Oct. 12 to be the day of the vigil because it is the 12year anniversary of the hate crime-related death of Matthew Shepard, a homosexual student who attended the University of Wyoming.

“It’s kind of easy to forget about [anti-gay bullying] when you live in such an accepting city,” Guerrero said.

“We need to continue to fight.”

Guerrero met with Student Associated Press/ Mel Evans

PRIDE | 4

Clementi was remembered by his peers on Friday, Oct. 1 at Rutgers University.

Creative writing students honored for their works Michael McNally mmcnall@stedwards.edu

Two St. Edward’s University student writers were recognized on the state level for their work in creative nonfiction.

Sherrie Tatum, a participant of the Masters of Liberal Arts program and John Parks, a 2010 New College graduate, both placed in this year’s Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers awards. The awards recognize exemplary works of student fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.

TACWT has been bringing together teachers of creative writing in Texas since

the mid-1970s.

This year’s TACWT conference took place on Sept.

23-25 in Fort Worth.

Tatum’s work, a selection from her in-progress book, was nominated and submitted to TACWT by St. Edward’s professor Gail Folkins.

Tatum was thrilled when she discovered she placed third in the category of Graduate Creative Non-fiction.

“It just felt wonderful, first that [Folkins] even submitted my first chapter...that in itself was gratifying,” Tatum said.

Tatum considers her piece to be literary journalism, a genre, which describes real events in a narrative style.

Pursue the part of [writing] you want to do consistently and word will get out.”

- Masters student Sherrie Tatum Her book follows her perception of high school friend Larry Schacht, the doctor who created the poison that was responsible for over 900 deaths in the Jonestown Massacre, 30 years after the event. She said she is fascinated with how a close friend of hers could do something so seemingly uncharacteristic

of the person she thought he was.

Tatum had a recommendation for up-and-coming writers.

“Pursue the part of [writing] you want to do consistently and word will get out,” Tatum said.

Folkins also nominated the work of John Parks. Parks’

piece, which describes the loss of his shoes on a night train in Munich while he was studying abroad in Rome, placed third in the TACWT category of Undergraduate Creative Non-fiction.

“The recognition from the Association helped my confidence as a writer,” Parks said.

“It also helped me to know more about submitting work in general.”

Parks believes all students who are interested in writing should submit articles to as many venues as possible.

“I never thought of submitting one of my pieces but, luckily, I had a supportive professor who got me started and helped open my mind to

a world of writing that exists outside the university,” Parks said.

Both writers had something to say regarding the importance of writing. Parks believes good literature can reveal new perspectives on humanity and life in general.

“Life itself is a narrative, and when put to ink and paper, it can become a powerful and effective medium to growth, understanding, appreciation, joy or pain,” Parks said.

Tatum had something simpler to add. “[Writing] brings order to chaos,” Tatum said.

Page 2 | NEWS

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Hilltop Views

Residence halls get new doors

Public copiers become unplugged Leslie DeLaRosa

...it limits students’ ability to take care of their needs.” -Senior Carlos Mendoza

ldelaro@stedwards.edu

The alumni gym at St. Edward’s University is serving as a graveyard for some now archaic public copy machines.

The copiers were removed from public use after Auxiliary Services decided that the machines would not be economically efficient.

With the exception of the copier in the library, the copiers located on the second floor of Ragsdale, the Moody Hall atrium and the Professional Education Center student lounge were removed from St. Edward’s and are not going to be replaced.

“After reviewing the usage of the machines relative

to the expense of replacing them, it was determined that it was not cost effective to replace the existing copier,” Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Stone said.

As the copier lease was set to expire, Auxiliary Services determined that the revenue made did not cover the $167 monthly fee, plus an additional per copy charge for maintenance expenses.

“There are several reasons for the declining use of copiers, but one of the most obvious is the ease of print-

ing and scanning in campus computer labs,” Stone said.

Since July 1, the copier in Moody had been used 406 times while the copier in Ragsdale had been used 152 times. The Moody copier generated $128 in charges, and the Ragsdale copier generated $18 in charges.

Copy Center manager Pam McGrew has not noticed a substantial influx in student requests since the removal of the public machines.

“I haven’t noticed a large increase, but I have noticed

a few more students,” McGrew said.

Some students are not pleased with the removal of the copiers. For now only two options are available to make copies without having to scan the material through a computer scanner.

“I’m very disappointed, and I feel it limits students’ ability to take care of their needs,” senior biology major Carlos Mendoza said.

Mendoza, who said he uses the copier at least once a week, is upset about the fact that he has to walk farther to make copies.

“It makes the students walk longer to make copies, as where it was very convenient before,” Mendoza said.

Christina Villareal

New doors were installed at Lady Bird Johnson Hall.

Megan Ganey mganey@stedwards.edu

Construction on Hunt, Le Mans and Lady Bird Johnson Halls started on Friday to replace the doors at the entrances of the three residence halls. Work is projected to be completed by the end of the week.

The entrance doors of the three residence halls are being replaced and an internal frame is being added to increase stability and reliability. Because the entrances are high-traffic areas, the doors that were previously installed would loosen or get out of alignment. When that would happen or when the doors would wedge, the doors did not secure properly.

“It just needed to be done,” said Physical Plant director Michael Peterson about replacing the doors. “It is a stronger set-up.”

The construction is a preventative measure to ensure that the doors will secure properly in the future, said Residence Life Associate Director Brian Obert.

“It’s not a reaction to an incident. Overtime it just became clear it was time [to replace the doors],” Obert

said. “To do our best to prevent incidents from happening, we changed the doors to something more reliable.”

Obert added that the job, which is being done by hired contractors, is not as big of a project as it seems to be.

“It is really not a huge task,” Obert said. “Putting door frames in requires that they pull out part of the entrance.”

Obert said the swipe cards will work the same as in the past, and the new doors should be able to handle the amount of traffic that filters in and out of the building.

While work is being completed on the entrances, students living in the dorms will have to use alternative entrances. Students in Hunt and Le Mans can access their rooms from either entrance because the halls are connected on the second and fourth floor.

Students in Johnson, however, will have to check in with residence life staff and university police stationed at a checkpoint to enter the building because there is only one swipe card entrance.

The checkpoint ensures that “the building is still secure even when they are working,” Obert said.

St. Edward’s is storing the now-removed copy machines in the Alumni Gym.

POLICE BLOTTER

Christina Villareal

Date

Time

Incident

Location

Oct. 4

6:58 p.m.

Hit and run

Premont Parking Lot

Closed

Oct. 3

10 p.m.

Bicycle theft

Basil Moreau Hall

Closed

Oct. 3

5 p.m.

Hit and run

Dujarie Parking Lot

Closed

Sept. 26

1:52 a.m.

Investigation

East Hall

Closed

Oct. 1

10 p.m.

Agency assist

Off-Campus

Closed

Oct. 7

5:42 p.m.

Theft

Doyle

Closed

Oct. 7

6:25 p.m.

Hit and run

Moody Parking Lot

Closed

Oct. 2

9 p.m.

Bicycle theft

Holy Cross Hall

Resolution Closed

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

BRIEF

SGA senators elected Haleigh Svoboda hsvobod@stedwards.edu

The St. Edward’s University Student Government Association is welcoming new senators after the end of the 2010 fall elections.

The fall elections mark the first time that students could elect senators from their residence halls.

“SGA congratulates each candidate, no matter the outcome of his or her race,” SGA spokesperson Marianne Shea said in a press release. “We are appreciative of their hard work and dedication and look forward to a great year of legislation.”

The St. Edward’s freshman class elected Rebecca May and Christopher Bynoe as the two freshman senators in one of two contested races. Leigh Anne

Winger finished third in the freshman senator race.

The Senators elected to the Hunt/LeMans senate seats include freshman Nick Cotrell and freshman Madison Shaft. The new senator for Teresa Hall is freshman Nicholas Fuentes, and the new Dujarie senator is freshman Curran Kelley.

In the second contested race, freshman Melina Tabibian, who ran against Catherine Hennessy, was elected East Hall Senator.

Senate positions for Basil Moreau Hall, the Casas and the apartments, which gets two seats, remain vacant.

SGA is working to fill the vacancies as soon as possible.

“Filling the vacancies is a responsibility of the residence hall executive senator

and vice president,” SGA advisor Marisa Lacey said in the Oct. 7 SGA meeting. “They must come up with a recruitment plan.”

The residence hall executive senator, elected after the Oct. 7 meeting, is Tabibian, Shea said.

Currently, residence hall senators are working with SGA Vice President Krista Heiden to fill the vacancies.

The organization has created posters to advertise the vacant positions and will be meeting with residence directors of each hall soon, as part of their duties.

Additional reporting by Arianna Auber

NEWS | Page 3

College saving remains priority in troubled times David Pitt Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Parents remain determined to save money for college even in the tough economy, but they’re not always choosing the methods that give them the best bang for their buck.

The nation’s leading college lender Sallie Mae released Tuesday its second annual study of college students and parents conducted by Gallup Inc. It shows 60 percent of parents have saved money for their child’s college education, about the same as a year ago. However, it is surprising that nearly a quarter of all college savings has been set aside in retirement accounts including 401(k)s or individual retirement accounts, said Sarah Ducich, senior vice president for public policy at Sallie Mae. The typical family saving for college has amassed an average of $28,102 and is projected to have saved $48,367 by the time their child reaches age 18.

The problem with relying on retirement accounts is that when money is withdrawn before age 59 1/2, the accountholder must pay taxes on the funds as well as a 10 percent penalty.

As an alternative, some families are choosing to take out a loan against a 401(k) account. This is also problematic because it removes a portion of the retirement fund, reducing the potential for growth. Also there’s the possibility that the loan will need to be repaid quickly if the accountholder changes jobs. Whether an outright withdrawal or a loan, either way, parents are shortchanging their retirement savings potential, Ducich said.

An additional disadvantage to using the 401(k) for college savings is that the money withdrawn this year counts as income for the parents. This means that when the family

applies for financial aid the next year, that amount will be included in income, reducing potential aid.

Of course not all savings is held in retirement accounts.

About 21 percent of money

priority on college for their kids.”

The study illustrates that point with 21 percent of parents saying college savings is their most important savings goal, up from 14 percent in

Twenty-one percent of parents say college savings is their most important savings goal, up from 14 percent in 2009. set aside for college is in investments and 14 percent sits in general savings accounts, which return very little interest.

About 12 percent is held in dedicated college savings 529 accounts.

A few responses in the 2010 study show signs that economic pressures have affected how families are setting their savings goals.

About 72 percent of parents say they expect to pay half or more of their child’s education costs, but that is down from 79 percent a year ago. Also, fewer parents intend to pay most of the cost with 27 percent saying that this year, compared with 33 percent in 2009.

That’s one more indicator that the recession has forced people to make decisions about their money, said Bill Diggins, a senior consultant at Gallup Inc., who helped conduct this year’s survey.

Economic confidence has dropped over the last couple of years and discretionary spending has gone down and continues to fall. Savings rates however, have increased.

Diggins said Gallup research indicates about two-thirds of those who are saving more say it’s a permanent change.

“We’re finding people will pay for and sacrifice for things they value,” Diggins said. “It’s clear from these studies that they continue to place a high

2009. Saving for retirement fell to 22 percent as the most important savings priority from 27 percent.

About 38 percent of families said they are saving the same this year as last year and 34 percent said they are saving less. About 28 percent boosted their savings.

The study also shows that families understand the need to start early. The average age when parents began a college account is about 3 years old.

It’s important now to educate parents on the most efficient ways to save, Ducich said.

The dedication to help children obtain a college education is there, it’s now a matter of helping families put that savings to work balancing earning potential with safe investments that help them reach their goals.

Page 4 | NEWS

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Hilltop Views

Dropouts costing billions Eric Gorski Associated Press

Dropping out of college after a year can mean lost time, burdensome debt and an uncertain future for students.

Now there’s an estimate of what it costs taxpayers. And it runs in the billions.

States appropriated almost $6.2 billion for four-year colleges and universities between 2003 and 2008 to help pay for the education of students who did not return for year two, a report released Monday says.

In addition, the federal government spent $1.5 billion and states spent $1.4 billion on grants for students who didn’t start their sophomore years, according to “Finishing the First Lap: The Cost of First-Year Student Attrition in America’s Four-Year Colleges and Universities.”

The dollar figures, based on government data and gathered by the nonprofit American Institutes for Research, are meant to put an economic exclamation point on the argument that college completion rates need improvement.

But the findings also could give ammunition to critics who say too many students are attending four-year schools — and that pushing them to finish wastes even more taxpayer money.

The Obama administra-

tion, private foundations and others are driving a shift from focusing mostly on making college more accessible to getting more students through with a diploma or certificate.

Mark Schneider, a vice president at the American Institutes for Research and former commissioner of the Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, said the report’s goal is to spotlight the costs of losing students after year one, the most common exit door in college.

“We’re all about college completion right now, and I agree 100 percent with the college completion agenda and we need a better-educated adult population and workforce,” Schneider said.

The report takes into account spending on average per-student state appropriations, state grants and federal grants, such as Pell grants for low-income students, then reaches its cost conclusions based on student retention rates.

The cost of educating students who drop out after one year account for between 2 to 8 percent of states’ total higher education appropriations, Schneider said. He said the report emphasizes state spending because states provide most higher education money and hold the most regulatory sway over institutions and can drive change.

Ohio, for example, has moved toward using course and degree completion rates in determining how much money goes to its public colleges and universities instead of solely using enrollment figures.

“We recognize an institution is not going to be perfect on graduation and completion rates,” said Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. “But at the same time, we know they can do better than they’re doing.

And if you place the financial rewards around completion, then you will motivate that.”

The AIR report draws from Department of Education data, which Schneider concedes does not provide a full picture.

The figures track whether new full-time students at 1,521 public and private colleges and universities return for year two at the same institution. It doesn’t include part-timers, transfers or students who come back later and graduate.

The actual cost to taxpayers may run two to three times higher given those factors and others, including the societal cost of income lost during dropouts’ year in college, said Richard Vedder, an Ohio University economics professor.

PRIDE sponsors vigil Continued from page 1

Life and Campus Ministry Sept. 29 to discuss the idea for the vigil. Fr. Rick Wilkinson and Monica Frazier of Campus Ministry voiced their support of the vigil.

“The candlelight vigil is an example of [PRIDE] moving forward,” Guerrero said.

“It’s all about open communication and making sure everyone’s on the same page with these events so hopefully we can move forward with them.”

PRIDE has also planned a host of other events for this semester, which have already been approved by Campus Ministry and Student Life, including events in October and November.

PRIDE also celebrated National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. Between Oct. 11 and 14, PRIDE members will set up a table in Ragsdale to ask for volunteers to sign up to participate in the National AIDS walk. From Oct. 18 through 22 will be Ally Week. PRIDE will host

events related to the group’s heterosexual allies.

“October is going to be our biggest month,” Guerrero said.

In November, PRIDE will have volunteer opportunities and may host a social event, and in December, the group will be proposing their spring calendar of events for approval.

“There may be disagreements with our plans for the spring,” Guerrero said.

“Hopefully communication will help get them approved.”

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

GAMES | Page 5

games Look for the answers to both games in next week’s issue!

Answer to last issue’s Sudoku:

FEATURES

Page 6 | Hilltop Views Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Poetry slam breaks all stereotypes Lesli Simms lsimms2@stedwards.edu

Standing on the black glittery stage, a bearded, bespectacled man prays to God. He thanks God for appearing in his early life, but then goes on to tell God he does not need him anymore. He ends by screaming his atheism, and walking offstage while being welcomed by thunderous applause and people holding dry erase boards with numbers on them.

This is not some anti-religious group. This is slam poetry.

Shadowed by I-35, The Independent on E. 5th St. is home to slam poets and their fans every Wednesday night as a part of the Austin Poetry Slam.

Twelve poets from all around Austin come to this snug venue looking to compete and rack up points from the Austin Poetry Slam in hopes of becoming a part of the APS National Team.

Illuminated by blue lantern light, slam poets have three minutes to perform an original piece that will hopefully propel them through three rounds and catapult them on to victory.

On Oct. 6, Lacey Roop won all three rounds and received seven points that would go towards her overall APS scoring. In one of her poems for the night, Roop left her audience breathless by relating her lover to the books found in a library, the rhythm of words and undiscovered authors. Her performance was met by thunderous applause and a score of “10.”

Though she is relatively new to the slam poetry scene with only a year and a half of competing under her belt, Roop is determined to spread awareness and bring attention to slam poetry.

The graduate student admonishes academia for virtually ignoring performance poetry as a recognized art form.

She describes slam poetry as being the most neglected academic expression.

“Most people hear ‘slam poet’ and think ‘So, you couldn’t get published?’”

Roop said. “That’s just not true at all.”

Roop describes performance poetry as an introspective art that allows a poet to bare his/her soul for three minutes while a crowd of peers and strangers watch.

“Before humans could read or write, we could speak,”

Lesli Simms

The Independent on E. 5th St. hosts the weekly slam.

Roop said. “Slam poetry is interactive in the most primal level. Everything a poet speaks about is passion.”

After receiving the per-

fect score of 30 on her first slam poetry contest, Roop has been steadily making a name for herself in the slam poetry community both na-

tionally and locally. Google her name and multiple hits of her poetry, volunteering and influence will appear on the screen in seconds. With her newfound and hard-earned success as a slam poet, Roop has been touring the country and spreading the gospel of performance poetry in competitions such as the Women of World Poetry Slam 2010.

Roop has participated in various panels that discuss slam poetry, and she spends her free time teaching at poetry workshops for high school students.

“The voice is an instrument and gets shut down first,” Roop said. “Art should never be repressed-it’s an injustice.”

As the young poet described the after-school urban youth program for poetry she is helping with, an audience member walked by and called her “dreamy.” Roop smiled shyly, then she softly apologized for the interruption before launching back into her description of the program.

But, before she could further discuss the need to introduce young people to performance poetry, a redfaced man interrupted her mid-sentence.

“I just wanted to tell you

thank for exposing me to this,” the nameless man said.

“I’ve never heard this before, and man, you really showed me what [poetry] is.”

Roop immediately stood and embraced the man who forgot to introduce himself in a friendly hug. He left, looking awed.

Honestly, both fans were right; there is an undeniable allure to Roop and her poetry. Her Mississippi drawl sounds surprisingly Germanic and gives her voice an unmistakable and individualized quality. In the span of three poems, she tackled everything from critical lovers, literary love and mystical creatures. Every time she spoke, the audience became enthralled by her metaphors, personal passions and distinctive voice.

“Never underestimate the audience,” Roop said. “I try to write as if the five most intelligent people I know will be in the audience.”

As the newest addition to the APS National Tour, Roop is looking forward to traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota to compete in the National Poetry Slam with four fellow slam poets. Fans of slam poetry are excited to see what she will do next.

Texas Monthly editor shares experiences with students Sara E. Sanchez ssanchei@stedwards.edu

With the sun setting on the horizon through the windows of the Maloney Room on Sept. 30, Texas Monthly Editor Jake Silverstein took his place at the podium. He greeted the crowd with a charming smile and a calming voice, and began to read from his book, “Nothing Happened And Then It Did.” Earlier that same day, Silverstein spoke to a small group of people in the lobby of Andre Hall about internship opportunities at Texas Monthly.

Silverstein, 35, has been editing for Texas Monthly since 2008.”

Everyone in the brightly lit lobby paid rapt attention as Silverstein described some of the tasks an intern would be responsible for, and many attendants went home with a flyer and a craving to know more about the internships.

In St. Edward’s second installment of the Visiting Writer’s Series this semester, Silverstein spoke to students about the challenges of jour-

nalism, his experiences as a journalist in Marfa, Texas, and his book.

Silverstein read chapter three of “Nothing Happened And Then It Did,” a passage that recounts his days participating in a poetry contest held in Reno, Nev., where he won a $1,000 prize.

As Silverstein spoke to the audience about his experiences in long-form journal-

ism, the audience could see a spark light up in his eyes and the beginning of a smile creep up.

After finishing his reading, Silverstein invited questions from the audience.

A student asked, “Everyone knows newspapers are dying.

How is this affecting journalism and magazines?”

Silverstein responded with a joking gasp and a smile.

“Everyone? Bite your tongue!

The situation is far more dire for newspapers than for print magazines, “ Silverstein said.

Silverstein went on to explain how the newspaper industry is not a good business

model, and how print magazine circulation has not declined during the recession.

Silverstein, 35, has been editing for Texas Monthly since 2008. In that time, the magazine has received two awards for excellence.

Silverstein addressed the shrill political atmostphere of post-9/11 America, touching on the effect of the terrorist attacks on political journalism and how it has become harder to communicate across political divides. He reminded the audience that the duty of the journalist is to be skeptical.

As Silverstein answered

questions, he dotted his dialogue with witty asides.

“If more than two people showed up at a journalist’s funeral, the journalist would be a disgrace to his profession,” a smirking Silverstein said.

Lou Brusatti, dean of the School of Humanities, also attended. Brusatti said he was pleased with the turnout. “[The Visiting Writer’s Series] is becoming more known to students,” Brusatti said. “Faculty are talking about it more and giving extra credit to students, and students are reading works from the writers that visit.”

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

FEATURES | Page 7

‘Tique of the Week Wendy Cawthon Matt Frazier wcawtho@stedwards.edu mfrazie2@stedwards.edu

Tique of the Week is an Austin-wide search for unique and interesting antiques.

With dozens of antique shops around Austin, oneof-a-kind items from the past are not in short supply.

Each week we’ll find a new favorite item and feature it as our “Tique of the Week.”

We found this week’s ‘tique at a vintage store on North Loop Boulevard, Room Service Vintage.

The store buys and sells vintage and antique furniture, clothes and decorative items.

Most of the store resembles a living room from the

60s, with endless orange couches. Tucked away in the corner we found a 1960s Dr. Pepper machine that made us wish we were alive when a bottle of soda only cost a dime.

But our favorite item in the store, and this week’s ‘tique, was hidden in a crate of old records next to the decorative ashtrays.

In the crate, amongst The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Carpenters, we found a copy of Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of “War of the Worlds” on vinyl.

Originally aired on Oct. 30, 1938, the program was broadcast as a Halloween episode of the radio drama “Mercury Theatre on the Air.” The program was pre-

sented as a news bulletin, interrupting weather reports and music. Welles voices a fictional astronomer who announces Martians landing outside of New Jersey.

Welles’ tale of the invaders also landed at St. Edward’s last year when the Transit Theatre Troupe put on a production of the play in 2009.

The program is Welles’ claim to fame, with approximately six million listeners tuning in that night.

Reports of widespread panic from people believing the “news reports” to be true followed the broadcast.

The prank has become folklore, and the recording has become our favorite ‘tique this week.

Wendy Cawthon

Science Fiction treasures found on the shelves at Room Service Vintage.

Duo turns summer job into booming business Rian Lowe rlowe3w@stedwards.edu

If you’re a typical financially struggling American college student, chances are you are aware of Facebook co-founder, CEO and world’s youngest billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, and not simply because Facebook is one of the topvisited sites on the Internet, or because you’re one of 500 million members.

Keeping in mind Zuckerberg’s sudden bank account boom, it is easy to look back back to one’s own struggling reality as a college student and wish that it were possible for a college student to become a millionaire doing something he or she loves.

Not just anybody can be like Zuckerberg, making billions off of an innovative service. Gaining that wealth seemed unattainable for recent college graduates Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman.

Thanks to a summertime whim, Friedman and Soliman started the company College Hunks Hauling Junk, and became millionaires before the age of 25, without any debt or bills to stress about.

In a recent phone interview, Friedman (whose business partner Soliman was not available for comment) revealed the origins of the business that would propel the two young men to financial success.

It all started in college, where Friedman and Soliman were not doing what most aspiring entrepreneurs would do at this time (i.e. majoring in business, studying around the clock and making learning the absolute priority of all activities). Instead, they were celebrating the true national pastime of all student bodies in higher education establishments: partying. The idea to haul junk began as simply an avenue for extra money.

“Most of our friends were working typical ‘college student’ jobs like waiting tables, boring retail jobs and intern-

ships,” Friedman said. “We wanted to do something different.”

So they did, and it started with a borrowed van from Soliman’s mother that she had been using for deliveries for her furniture store.

“We decided hauling junk would be our summer gig,” Friedman said. “After putting up flyers that said College Hunks Hauling Junk around the neighborhood, we started getting calls for our services.

After going back to school, Omar submitted a business plan for College Hunks Hauling Junk at an entrepreneurship competition at the University of Miami that won first place and $10,000

able long-term.

“The biggest obstacles we’ve encountered as young entrepreneurs was not knowing what we didn’t know,” Friedman said. “In other words, because we had no formal entrepreneurial training or background, we had to just figure things out as we went along.”

The two entrepreneurs have since published a book entitled “Effortless Entrepreneuer: Work Smart, Play Hard, Make Millions.” Most business strategy books are written from the perspective of veterans of the business world who have been inventing new trends and mastering older traditions for years.

Most of our friends were working typical ‘college student’ jobs like waiting tables... we wanted to do something different.”

- Nick Friedman

out of over 150 entries.”

Initially, most who heard of it and knew Friedman and Soliman personally swore they were joking and wrote the two men off without second-guessing.

But soon, the business would prosper into one of the largest junk removal franchises in the country. The seven-figure salaries soon followed, along with high-profile appearances in the New York Times, ABC’s Shark Tank, and Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker. Friedman said that he and Soliman did all this while defying the stereotype of such successful workaholics. They were, and in many ways still are, just ordinary people.

Friedman said he and Soliman took what is considered by some to be an overdone concept and made it into something they believe is uniquely relevant and profit-

However, Friedman and Soliman offer their personal Ten Business Commandments appeal to the mentality of working smarter, not harder, in order to play hard later on.

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 8 | Hilltop Views Wednesday, October 13, 2010

ACL [in review] Logo courtesy of Austin City Limits

Vampire Weekend rock giddy crowd Sara Sanchez ssanchei@stedwards.edu

As the sun set on Austin City Limits Music Festival, the lights on the stage came on, the crowd waited in hushed anticipation and Vampire Weekend began to play.

Hailing from Brooklyn, the band made up of four Columbia graduates never failed to leave their audi-

ence in complete musical awe and appreciation.

Their set included hits and favorites from their self-titled album and their newest album, “Contra.”

The band seemed very happy to be in Austin, and fans felt equally as giddy to hear them play.

The crowd was further excited as giant red balloons were being buffeted around the crowd.

Up-and-comers thrilled with crowd Sara Sanchez ssanchei@stedwards.edu

In the shiny October sun, Two Door Cinema Club played to far-sprawling Austin City Limits crowd.

“We didn’t expect to be playing to a crowd this big,” confessed the Irish lead singer Alex Trimble.

As the show progressed, fans could feel the excitement and happiness of the

well-surprised band.

Two Door Cinema Club pulled the crowd out of a heat coma by playing upbeat, sparkling hits such as “I Can Talk” and “Something Good Can Work.”

Despite the heat, the crowd seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, dancing and singing along, grateful for every breeze that hit their faces.

FRIDAY Swedish trio plays synth-pop delights Caroline Wallace

Two Door Cinema Club also played the Rock the Vote afterparty at the Music Lounge Saturday.

Holly Aker

Vampire Weekend were a Friday crowd favorite.

SATURDAY Indie giants team up for folksy set Caroline Wallace Holly Aker

Miike Snow played tracks from their debut album.

Holly Aker haker@stedwards.edu

Miike Snow took the Honda Stage on Friday at Austin City Limits during the heat of the day. However, no one would be able to tell the temperature was rising by the looks of the band. Dressed in their trademark black jumpsuits and chrome masks, the Swedish three piece immediately got the whole crowd

dancing with their hard-hitting, heavy-bass infused electropop music. About halfway through Miike Snow’s set, lead singer Andrew Wyatt invited Vampire Weekend’s lead singer, Ezra Koenig on stage. With the addition of Koenig’s fine-tuned vocals, Miike Snow performed their remixed cover of Vampire Weekend’s “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance.”

cwallac2@stedwards.edu

Though relatively small in numbers, Monsters of Folk is a supergroup of sorts.

Making up this talented quartet are Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and solo artist/the him in She and Him, M. Ward. Their protracted, captivating performance on the Austin Ventures stage Saturday proved that a bunch of frontmen can easily share the spotlight. Over the course of

their lengthy set, the band, dressed in their Sunday best, cranked out tunes from their 2009 self-titled release. Just as exciting were surprise renditions of the individual member’s solo work, such as “Soul Singer in a Session Band,” a real treat for Bright Eyes fans. While some people complained that the band’s more mellow tunes were drowned out by competing stages, that was not our experience. From front and center, it was all folky riffs and soulful vocals.

Famed DJ starts massive party

Sara Sanchez goers seemed to forget that they were a part of a threessanchei@stedwards.edu day festival, and instead The fresh air of the Aus- chose to lose themselves in tin evening was nowhere to the one-hour time slot. be felt amidst the crowd at As the bass cooled and Deadmau5 (pronounced the show ended, ecstatic dead mouse). dancers left in total awe of As the DJ lit up the stage what happened, and many on his LED light cube, his failed to check their pockthousands of fans danced ets to count their belongthe hour away, not wor- ings. On the floor lay the rying about losing keys or remnants of a good show: other personal items. broken glasses, car keys and During the set, concert- stray shoes.

Sara Sanchez

Deadmau5 used LED lights for an electric show.

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT | Page 9

SUNDAY

Benders get crowd swaying

Sharpe makes it a party Caroline Wallace cwallac2@stedwards.edu

Though based in Los Angeles, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are no strangers to the Austin music scene. This being the umpteenth time they’re visited

our fair city, they have developed quite a reputation for spirited performances. Clearly this was a crowd that had caught one of these shows before. When the band broke into their hit “Home” near the end of the set, seated concert-goers and conversing

fans where instantly driven to rise up, dance and shout with glee. The band also welcomed friends, family and other VIPs watching from the side stage to join them front and center for a blissful finale. Expect their next Austin tour date to sell out, fast.

Holly Aker

The Morning Benders played an energetic set for a sizeable crowd Sunday.

Caroline Wallace cwallac2@stedwards.edu

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros got the crowd moving.

Caroline Wallace

While The Morning Benders aren’t exactly a household name, they have toured with some of the biggest acts in indie music, everyone from Death Cab for Cutie to Grizzly Bear.

Hitting the scene in 2008 with their album “Talking Through Tin Cans,” The Morning Benders have continued to garner critical success this year with the release of their second album “Big Echo.” Still more impressive, they all met while working together on Mr.

Toad’s Wild Ride at Disney Land. Fitting, because their performance Sunday took the audience on a ride of their own (cliché noted) as they churned out smooth, pop-driven tunes filled with starry lyrics and hip-shakin fun.

Mr. Toad would be proud.

Page 10 | ENTERTAINMENT

Mates of State to play on campus

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Hilltop Views

Five shows still finding their legs Danny Salazar dsalaza4@stedwards.edu

During any given season, there are a number of shows that do not get the recognition some may think they deserve. This could be due to an unfortunate time slot or poor advertising on the network’s part. There are lives, jokes, relationships and whimsical events of some fictional characters people may not even know of. Here you are presented with some pop culture underdogs you should be watching, if you are not already.

Community

Associated Press

Mates of State will play on campus Oct. 22.

Ryan Lester rlester@stedwards.edu

St. Edward’s University will be celebrating its 125th anniversary with a giant party and live music on the Main Building Lawn Along with several university performing acts and lots of free food and cake, it has been confirmed that indie pop group Mates of State will be the headliners at this year’s celebration, scheduled for Oct. 22.

Mates of State are the husband and wife duo of vocalist/keyboarder Kori Gardner and vocalist/drummer Jason Hammel. While it may seem like a bare-bones combination, the band has a full and tight sound, filled with both musical and lyrical hooks.

Mates of State is known for their boy-girl harmonies and abundance of energy, and they will undoubtedly bring those qualities to St. Edward’s.

Junior Alex Simons, the concerts and talent coordinator for the University Programming Board, explained that the decision to bring Mates of State to campus was the direct result of hearing student’s voices on the issue.

Last April, Student Life conducted an annual survey to request feedback on

a number of Student Life programs, and 339 students participated. One of the first questions asked students to rank their top five choices for bands to play at the 125th Birthday Celebration.

“Of the five listed, which included The Cool Kids, Copeland, Eric Hutchinson and Matt & Kim, Mates of State was at the top of that list,” Simons said in an email interview.

UPB then went through the process of contacting the band and booking them for the celebration.

“When UPB books a band, we contact the band’s booking agency. Or, for smaller bands, we contact the band directly,” Simons said.

In the case with Mates of State, UPB contacted their booking agency and asked for their availability for the date of the 125th Birthday Party. UPB uses the university’s contract and the band’s contract to confirm event details. In addition, UPB works with vendors to arrange sound, stage and lighting.

Simons said Mates of State is scheduled to perform from 6-8 p.m., and that UPB plans to begin the hunt for bands to perform in the spring within the coming weeks.

(NBC, Thursdays 7 p.m.)

Joel McHale (host of “The Soup”), comedic legend Chevy Chase (yes, the one from those old “Vacation” movies), comedian Yvette Nicole Brown (“Tropic Thunder,” “Repo Men”) and an array of other underrated stars shine in this prime-time show. What more could you need?

The show revolves around a community college, including great comedic timing and a group of peculiar but slightly stereotypical characters. The show has proved that in its second season, it still has the chops to fight “The Office” any day of the week.

“Community” has depth, pull and enough dark humor to satisfy anyone who is still upset over Steve Carrell leaving “The Office.”

a group of diverse actors such as Rashida Jones (“The Office”) and newly added cast member Rob Lowe (“The West Wing,” “Brothers & Sisters”).

The show has enough energy, awkwardness and selfdeprecation to shine on its own without the help of its well-known star. Yet this show has failed to achieve the stardom and recognition it was initially expected. But make no mistake—“Parks and Recreation” is a show not to miss.

The Middle

brilliant. With the help of the lovable janitor from “Scrubs,” Neil Flynn, and “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Chris Kattan, the show soars in a midst of hit shows.

“The Middle” might remain mostly unknown for many due to the fact that it plays before “Cougar Town” and the public’s favorite, “Modern Family.” Yet this show seems to achieve what other family shows haven’t: brilliance in simplicity. Think of it as the “Malcolm in the Middle” of this decade, but without the teen angst.

(ABC, Wednesdays 7 p.m.)

Who would have thought that Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) would still have it in her after 2007’s failed sitcom “Back to You”? Yet the lovable star comes back with a bite in this show, which is still fresh and entertaining as it enters its sophomore year.

The show is about a middle-class Midwestern family and their everyday lives. One would think that America has had enough of family comedies, yet “The Middle” proves to be different, with a cast that is nothing short of

(NBC, Tuesdays 9 p.m.)

Based on the 1989 film of the same name, “Parenthood” is about the three generations that make up the Braverman family. Think of it as NBC’s response to “Modern Family.”

The show brings with it a familiar group of faces, including insanely upbeat Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”), TV veteran Craig Nelson (“Coach”) and comedian Dax Shepard (“Punk’d,” “Without a Paddle”).

The cast provides a sense of wit and warm intelligence that other family dramas may

Parenthood

not possess, which brings it closer to our hearts. The show’s well-developed characters and three-dimensional storylines bring it to life in a way its ABC counterpart could never do. Once it grows on you, it won’t let go.

The Good Guys

(FOX, Fridays 8 p.m.)

“The Good Guys” is yet another buddy-cop show to grace our TV sets this season. The main difference about this one is that instead of showing some glamorized version of crime fighting, it shows more mundane situations.

Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) brings honesty to the main character, who is unlike anyone he has played before. The Dallas-based show also features Tom Hanks’ son Colin Hanks, an actor in his own right who plays a modern-day detective alongside Whitford’s washed-up, stuck-in-the-past character.

The show brings the right mixture of comedy and drama. The two lead actors convey a sense of honesty and mundane normalcy that the show’s counterparts do not seem to possess.

Parks and Recreation

(NBC, Thursdays 7:30 p.m.)

While you were crying over “My Name Is Earl” being canceled, another potential cult favorite emerged from the love to portray people hating their jobs.

“Parks and Recreation,” starring the ever-so-funny and extremely charming Amy Poehler (“Saturday Night Live,” “Baby Mama”), is a dark mockumentary about the mundane, yet hilarious, everyday occurrences of the painfully upbeat main character and her unmotivated employees. The show features

Associated Press

Amy Poehler stars in NBC’s Parks and Recreation, now in its second season.

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT | Page 11

MOVIE REVIEW

ALBUM REVIEW

Remake on par with original Tunstall tries new suit KT Tunstall Tiger Suit Amber Burton aburton3@stedwards.edu

In a world dominated by angst-ridden, sparkling vampires, it seems surprising that two preteens would stand out in a positive way.

However, with “Let Me In,” Chloë Grace Moretz (KickAss) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road) do just that.

Adapted for mainstream American audiences from the Swedish film “Let the Right One In,” “Let Me In” follows the story of 12-yearold Owen (Smit-McPhee) and the little girl who moves in next door named Abby (Moretz), who proves that appearances can in fact be deceiving.

The film manages to capture the haunting themes of the original film and the novel, thanks to the adept writing and cinematography of director and writer Matt Reeves (Cloverfield). The tone glides effortlessly from the kids’ endearing and sweet friendship to suspenseful, frightening moments, with-

Danny Salazar dsalaza4@stedwards.edu

Associated Press

“Let Me In” opened Fantastic Fest at the Paramount.

out giving viewers emotional whiplash.

The acting on the parts of Moretz and Smit-McPhee is laudable. The pair’s friendship will simultaneously warm hearts and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

While the story strays from the original in a few places, these changes do not take away from the plot—in fact, they make it easier to follow for those who might have had a hard time understanding the original. Only those who have read the book, or paid special attention to the Swedish original, will notice a major difference between Abby and the vampire Eli

from “Let the Right One In.” “Let Me In” is more openly violent than its Swedish counterpart, but the violence is still significantly less prominent than in many horror films.

Overall, the film is the rare exception of an American remake that neither copies exactly nor insults the original film. Although “Let Me In” came out only two years after “Let the Right One In,” the movie feels neither rushed nor unnecessary. While foreign film purists may tout the superiority of the Swedish original, it’s likely that a broader range of Americans will enjoy “Let Me In.”

The Scottish singer-songwriter that brought the hits “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Suddenly I See” and “Hold On” is back with a sting.

KT Tunstall, 35, has just released her third LP, poignantly titled “Tiger Suit.”

The album features a brand new sound and perspective for the artist.

The project represents a vision of interesting proportions, one which graces the listener from its brave beginnings to its humble ends. From the first track “Uummannaq Song” to the assertively written “The Entertainer,” Tunstall shines with sheer brilliance.

She admitted that for “Tiger Suit,” she wanted to achieve a sound that is not harmonious with the safe haven she usually approaches songs from.

For this reason, she enlist-

ed a number of international musicians who helped her achieve this goal. From Linda Perry to Jim Abbiss, from Greenland and Berlin to the U.S., this album truly shows a world well traveled.

Recorded at the Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, the album achieves the brilliance of the world acts, who have recorded albums in that same space. Sitting next to the Berlin Wall, the famous German studio gave birth to David Bowie’s “Heroes” and U2’s “Achtung Baby.”

On this album, Tunstall flirts with what she accurately named “Nature Techno,” which is a very organic approach to electronica that still retains the folk/rock/ blues style her fans know her for.

The singer achieves what few of her contemporaries have been able to do: She is able to skillfully marry the experimental and alternative sound of electronica with a unique brand of folk that would make Bob Dylan proud.

Songs like the lead single “Fade Like A Shadow” and

the entertaining “Glamour Puss” show the artist flirting with a sense of liberation she may have been cautious to touch before.

Not to say that this album is perfect, but it is the closest that music has gotten in a while.

Tracks like the haunting “Golden Frames,” as well as the raw “Madame Trudeaux,” showcase a different side of Tunstall. The singer-songwriter lets loose and sings from her gut, not aiming to achieve the perfect sound, but merely sincere emotion. These songs give the listener a peek at the new attitude of self-reliance Tunstall gained from recording the album.

“I’m still a weirdo, after all these years.” Tunstall claims on “(Still A) Weirdo.” She definitely is, and we love her for that. “Tiger Suit” is fantastically brilliant, an experiment of an artist not trying to impress anyone.

The album stimulates and challenges our senses, leaving us wanting more.

“Tiger Suit” was released on Oct. 5 in the U.S.

ALBUM REVIEW

ALBUM REVIEW

Stone Sour goes hardcore Album shows inventiveness Stone Sour Audio Secrecy Chelsea Crenshaw ccrensh2@stedwards.edu

Is Stone Sour’s “Audio Secrecy” really worth buying?

If you’ve listened to any rock station lately, you’ve probably heard the generally agreeable single, “Say You’ll Haunt Me.” However, as is typical of Stone Sour, there are only two songs on the entirety of “Audio Secrecy” that are worthy of downloading.

“Say You’ll Haunt Me” is the only single released so far.

It has a catchy beat and lyrics, sounding similar to older songs such as “Bother” and “Through the Glass.” “Hesi-

tate” and “Dying” also follow this familiar style, which helped launch the band into fame and popularity in 2003 and again in 2007.

Although “Say You’ll Haunt Me” sounds nice, the lyrics actually deal with themes of possession and domination: “Say you want to stay, you want me to, say you’ll never die, you’ll always haunt me, I want to know I belong to you, say you’ll haunt me.”

“Hesitate,” on the other hand, sounds like a song written by a broken man: “I need you, but I can’t need you anymore, you hesitate.” The lyrics contrast well with the comparatively appealing feel of the music.

“Dying” sounds like the next possible single with its

soft melody and awesome guitar solo. The chorus, “I don’t want to live without you, but God only knows what I’ve been through,” is a mantra that expands on the themes of the other songs.

Out of the 14 songs on the album, only these three keep away from the hardcore genre. It appears that Stone Sour would rather play this heavier style, even though their popularity is based entirely on sweeter-sounding music. In the spirit of another song on the album, “Let’s Be Honest.”

Overall, “Say You’ll Haunt Me,” “Dying” and “Hesitate” are the only songs on “Audio Secrecy” worth a listen. Only hardcore fans will prefer to buy the entire album.

Jimmy Eat World Invented Michael McNally mmcnall@stedwards.edu

Although most can agree that “The Middle” is by far Jimmy Eat World’s most popular song, the band isn’t a one-hit wonder. Jimmy Eat World consistently comes out with solid, talent-driven records, and “Invented,” their newest venture, continues this legacy.

While the album is filled with ‘90s sensibilities, especially in the intro to the opening track, “Heart is Hard to Find,” for the most part, Jimmy Eat World has successfully achieved a

more mature, contemporary sound. The single “My Best Theory” seems to be an oddity on “Invented,” with its almost youthful rock anthem sound. In “Evidence,” gorgeous three part harmonies abound, and lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins showcases his emotion-inducing vocal talent.

While quite a few of the songs deal with typical themes of romances gone wrong, the album has its profound lyrical moments as well. In “Action Needs an Audience,” Adkins aggressively sings “Are you tuning into our conversation, oh yeah you’ll get your chance,” referring to how private domain is becoming increasingly public. Adkins con-

tinues with, “The bigger the brighter, the illuminated, control the audience,” expressing his discontent with the media’s influence on our lives and ideas.

The best talent the band showcases is their ability to catch the audience’s ear with familiar musical ideas in song openings and then transform those ideas into something greater. Simple running bass lines and guitar power chords explode into orchestral themes with horns, strings and a host of angelic voices.

“Invented” is a shining example of a band successfully adapting to a modern audience, and the members of Jimmy Eat World should be proud.

SPORTS

Page 12 | Hilltop Views Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Women’s soccer kicks to a victory

Hilltop Views Archives

Jordan Ynostrosa attempts to complete a pass to her teammate Katy Sutton.

Kelli O’Donnell kodonne3@stedwards.edu

With a 4-0 victory over UT-Permian Basin, the 10th-ranked St. Edward’s University women’s soccer

team remains undefeated this season.

The Hilltoppers took on UT-Permian Basin in Odessa on Oct. 9, scoring a goal in the first half, and following it up with three more goals in

the second half. St. Edward’s kept the Falcons scoreless the entire game, giving them their fifth shutout of the season.

“We know that UTPB would be a tough team, but we treat every match the

same way and prepare the same way,” junior Kelly Servage said. “We set a goal before the game of getting a shutout, and we were happy that we were able to achieve that.”

Freshman Rachel Murray scored the Hilltopper’s first goal in the 14th minute, giving St. Edward’s a 1-0 lead that held through halftime.

In the second half, Servage scored off a penalty kick in the 50th minute, her sixth goal of the season.

Senior Janae Averett added to the score seven minutes later when she kicked a 20yard shot, and senior Katy Sutton gave the Hilltoppers their fourth goal of the game, scoring in the 73rd minute.

The Hilltoppers only allowed the Falcons five shotson-goal the entire match.

“UTPB is a dangerous team and we had difficulty keeping them out in the first half,” head coach Nick Cowell said in a St. Edward’s press release. “Early in the

second half we were awarded a penalty kick, and at 2-0 you could see the motivation drain out of the Falcons. Our fitness and strength in depth allows us to keep up the pace for 90 minutes.”

Servage said that the team has great camaraderie and that they don’t have a problem staying focused. She also said that it is easier for the team to stay focused when they know their exact goals.

“We don’t think about being undefeated,” Servage said.

“Our goal is to win every game, but we take each game one at a time. We focus on the upcoming game and preparing for that, so we are not thinking ahead right now.”

The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Thursday when they host St. Mary’s at home at 4 p.m.

Upcoming SEU Home Games Women’s Soccer Oct. 14 vs. St. Mary’s Oct. 16 vs. Texas A&M-International Oct. 21 vs. Newman Oct. 23 vs. Dallas Baptist Oct. 30 vs. UT-Permian Basin

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

In Texas, Yankee fan still faithful to hometown team Kristina Schenck kschenc@stedwards.edu

Long Island native Vinny Caruso is no fair-weather fan. For Caruso, being a New York Yankee fan is about following family tradition.

“My father has always been a Yankees fan,” Caruso said.

“Growing up in New York, people like either the Mets or the Yankees, and you like whoever your father likes.”

Caruso has been following baseball and the Yankees since Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter’s rookie year in 1995. Jeter is Caruso’s favorite player, and Caruso and his father always root for the athlete together. If you happen to catch them at Yankee Stadium, they will be sporting the baseball star’s gear.

“I usually wear my Derek Jeter shirt and my dad wears his Jeter jersey,” Caruso said.

Caruso has attended games at both the old and new Yankee Stadium. He saw the Yankees play the Boston Red Sox at the new stadium last fall.

“A decent amount of Boston fans come down to see the game…it’s the biggest rivalry in sports and it’s awesome to have that chance to watch,” Caruso said.

Caruso has witnessed firsthand how personal the rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees becomes for fans.

“People get into fights, like yelling fights,” Caruso said.

Growing up on Long Island, Caruso had to hold his own against New York Mets fans.

“Most of my friends are Mets fans because Long Island people like the Mets. My dad is from Brooklyn and my Mom is from Brooklyn and that’s close to the Bronx, so

Courtesy of Kristina Schenck

Caruso still finds ways to follow his favorite team.

it’s where your parents grow up,” Caruso said.

Caruso’s favorite Yankees

memory is watching the cross-town rivalry between the Yankees and the Mets on

television in 2000 when they played for the Major League Baseball World Series Championship.

“It was a Subway Series, and I remember arguing with my friend,” Caruso said. “I was like 10 years old.”

That year, the Yankees went on to win the series four games to one against the Mets, garnering the franchise’s 26th world series title.

“It was their third straight World Series [win] and their fourth in five years…they’ve won five in my life and it’s shame it took nine years between the last two,” Caruso said.

After witnessing the team’s success, Caruso dressed up as a “Crazed Yankee Fan” that Halloween.

Though he attends school far from home, Caruso still finds a way to follow his favorite team.

“It’s been hard to watch the Yankees since I came to Texas because we don’t get the games on TV, so I have to watch stat trackers on Yahoo,” Caruso said. “It just gives you updates and stuff, and there is no video or audio.”

When living in New York, Caruso and other fans in the New York Metro area had the advantage of watching the Yankees play on their own television network, Yankees Entertainment Sports (YES) Network.

He was able to watch the Yankees play the Twins in the playoff games on ESPN, though due to previous obligations, he couldn’t watch the first two games live.

He hopes to see the Yankees win their 28th series this year.

“It’s just such an exciting team to be a part of,” Caruso said.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Hilltop Views

Tennis teams ready to swing Kristina Schenck

SPORTS | Page 13

SPORTS COMMENTARY

Cowboys disappoint fans

kschenc@stedwards.edu

The St. Edward’s University men’s and women’s tennis teams are back on the court preparing for their spring seasons.

The men and women’steams have competed in two tournaments so far, the first collegiate match play for new players on both teams.

Men’s Tennis

The Hilltoppers took to the courts for the first time this fall with four new freshman international players at the UTSA/ITA South Central region tournament in Maryvill, Mo. from Sept.

24-26.

“We do have a lot of young talent,” senior Mick Walter said.

Walter and freshman James Rogers advanced to the round of 16 in singles, but they both lost to opponents that went on to play in the tournament finals.

“We had a real good result…we did good as a team,” Walter said.

Walter and doubles partner junior Ned Boone competed against Hans Hach and Bryan Joiner of Abilene Christian University in the men’s doubles championship. The pair took home second place.

After winning its second-consecutive Heartland

Associated Press After a loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Cowboys are at the bottom of the NFC East.

Brendan Yancy byancy3@stedwards.edu

Courtesy of Sports Information Men’s tennis competed in their first tournament of the fall.

in the Small College Tournament.

Women’s Tennis

Women’s tennis has competed in two tournaments so far this fall: the UTSA/ITA

We’ve worked on individual rankings to help contribute to the team’s spring rankings.”

-Heather Brien

Conference Championship last season, men’s tennis advanced to the Elite Eight Round of the NCAA Division II tournament in June, losing to Concordia in a 5-1 decision.

“It’s the best the program has ever done,” Walter said.

“We’re hoping to build off that.”

The men are back in action on Oct. 14 when they travel to Mobile, Ala., to compete

South Central Region championship tournament and the Stephen F. Austin Fall Invitational.

The team returned six players and added two new freshmen to this year’s roster.

In the USTA/ITA South Central Region championship tournament hosted by Abilene Christian University, sophomore Paige Rachel advanced to the quarterfinals in singles play. Rachel eventual-

ly lost to No. 3 seed Amanda Moberg, 6-2, 6-1.

In doubles action, Rachel and doubles partner Audrey Tompkins went on to the semifinals, ultimately losing to Moberg and partner Puckhaber, 6-3, 6-2.

The Hilltoppers also traveled to Nacogdoches for the SFA Fall Invitational on Oct. 2-3. The SFA Fall Invitational was a Division I tournament and did not count toward the team rankings.

Even so, the Hilltoppers gained experience playing against NCAA Division I opponents.

“We’ve worked on individual rankings to help contribute to the team’s spring rankings,” junior Heather Brien said.

Women’s tennis will next participate in Texas State Play Day at Texas State University in San Marcos on Oct. 16.

The start of the 2010-2011 NFL season has left some of the typical league giants questioning if the post season can still be considered a reality. The Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts, some of the best teams in recent seasons, are currently swimming around mediocrity.

The most disappointing and shocking of these performances has come from the Cowboys, a favorite team to many people.

“America’s Team” has had far from the season that most people expected them to have. Coming into the season, Dallas was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. However, losses to the division rival Washington Redskins followed by an unexpected home field loss to the Chicago Bears left the Cowboys with a dismal record of 0-2.

This poor start was something Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was not going to tolerate going into week three, given his aspirations of playing for the Super Bowl in his own stadium. The last time the Cowboys started a season 0-2 was in 2001, when rookie draft pick Quincy Carter took over for Hallof-Famer Troy Aikman at quarterback.

However, Cowboy die hard fans and optimists alike will likely cite the 1993 season, when the Cowboys also started out losing their first two games. Dallas eventually turned their season around and ended up beating the Buffalo Bills 5217 in Super Bowl XXVII to win the second of three Super Bowls in the decade.

In week three, the Cowboys showed traces of the team that reached the NFC divisional playoffs last year, and even of the 1993 Super Bowl team. However, after coming out of a bye week, the Cowboys have potentially put the nail in the coffin before the midpoint of the season with Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The loss not only puts Dallas at the bottom of the NFC East, but has killed the morale of both the fans and the team. The heart and soul of the Dallas defense, veteran Keith Brooking, had nothing else to say except, ”I’m in disbelief.” The feeling of disappointment got only worse with wins from the Redskins and Giants, making the conference record 2-0.

The Cowboys should be less concerned with other teams and more concerned with their own performance. Major problems exist on both sides of the ball,

the most noticeable coming from offense and defense penalties. The team has a severe lack of discipline, and that lack was very apparent when they played the Titans. The Cowboys were penalized a season-tying 12 times for a season high 133 penalty yards. David Buehler has made the unsuccessful transformation to field goal specialist in the wake of Nick Folk’s release.

Buehler missed crucial field goals in both of the the first two games, as well as another 44-yard attempt to take the lead in the 3rd quarter against the Titans, leaving him an unsatisfactory three of five on the season.

In other words, the Cowboys are far from the team many thought they were going to be. Serious changes will need to be addressed in order to save the 201011 season in Dallas. As the weeks go on we will see if this team will be able to recover and compete in the NFC East, and in a long shot, possibly the playoffs.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, 367 teams have started a season 1-3 since 1933. Only 8.4 percent of those teams made the playoffs, making the aspirations of playing in the Super Bowl in the new Cowboys stadium very slim.

VIEWPOINTS

Page 14 | Hilltop Views Wednesday, October 13, 2010

OUR VIEW

Campus free speech zone redundant St. Edward’s University’s decision to turn away gay rights advocacy group Equality Texas from its non-profit fair has been on the minds of students since the academic year began. Now, a group of students have banded together to try and create a “free speech zone” on campus so that students have a place to speak freely about their opinions and ideas without the university interfering.

These students should be applauded for taking the initiative to make their campus a better place. However, the question remains: in what way have students’ voices been silenced?

Inside and out of the classroom, St. Edward’s has remained open to dialogue about controversial topics.

The university has been

There are campuses all over the world where students struggle to be heard. But St. Edward’s is not among them. consistently open to opinions that aren’t necessarily in agreement with Catholic teachings in most cases.

If anything, the Equality Texas situation stirred discussion about the Catholic church’s stance on homosexuality and where the university stands on the issue among faculty, students and the university’s administration.

Campus Ministry even took the admirable step of hosting an open meeting with mem-

bers of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual student organization PRIDE, which now has a larger platform than it has had since its inception. Students and faculty have also been talking about the issue inside and outside of classrooms.

In addition, Hilltop Views has covered controversial issues with straight reporting in the news section and in opinion on the viewpoints pages.

Aside from Hilltop Views, students have the ability and access to many other mediums. Facebook, Twitter, personal blogs, as well as student organizations like Student Government Association, give students the ability to voice their unfiltered opinions, which are now available to many people outside of just the relatively-small St. Edward’s community. Students are taking full advantage of these platforms.

However, here is nothing fundamentally wrong with the idea of a free speech zone at a private university.

All First Amendment rights should be strongly defended, especially on a college campus.

There are campuses all over the world where students struggle to have their voices

heard. But right now, St. Edward’s is not among them.

A free speech zone at St. Edward’s, a campus that has allowed free speech, is redundant and unnecessary at this time. Even referring to a place on campus as a free speech zone could inaccurately paint the rest of campus as a place where speech is restricted, a proposition that is insulting to all of the members of the St. Edward’s community who have allowed the university to be a place where students can exchange ideas without censorship.

It is also more likely that a free speech zone would become a distraction than a beneficial place for students to express themselves. To campus visitors, parents, and prospective students, a free speech zone could be nothing

more than a sideshow that reflects poorly on the university and its students.

After the Equality Texas controversy, the Hilltop Views editorial board called for discussion on campus in the same way that St. Edward’s was willing to discuss so many other topics. The university obliged, and while the results of the discussion may not be what many students wanted, there is no doubt that the university allows free speech.

These types of discussions need to continue on all topics, and no views should be shut down. But should be allowed to do so without the unnecessary barriers of a specific zone designated to free speech.

Texans deserve chance to see Perry-White debate Russ Espinoza respino2@stedwards.edu

Incumbent Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his Democrat opponent, former Houston Mayor Bill White, are marooned in a standoff of their own selfish making. Perry’s hubris in demanding that White’s campaign release income tax returns from his tenure as deputy energy secretary in the President Bill Clinton administration from 1993-1995 as a precondition to a scheduled Oct. 19 debate in Austin is an appalling stunt.

Conversely, White’s staunch resistance to comply with Perry’s decree appears suspicious, and invites legitimate questions about the contents of those returns - to Perry’s obvious advantage.

The unwillingness of both campaigns to budge from their stubborn positions is increasingly foreshadowing that the upcoming Texas gu-

bernatorial election will be the first in 20 years to take place without a real debate.

American political campaigns are as formulaic as they are phony. While the lion’s shares of staples are easily disposable to the voting public - baby-kissing, gratuitous photo-ops, ubiquitous media-presence and incessant TV and radio ads - the right of the public to witness debate on neutral ground and tailor their opinions accordingly is not expendable.

Ultimately, Perry alone has the power to retract on his imperious vow and engage White, in the scheduled Oct. 19 debate, as he concocted the “no debate without said records” ultimatum.

Though White could easily concede to Perry’s call for complete transparency via disclosing the records in question, it is not Perry’s place, governor or not, to dictate rules about what the competition must do to be

Associated Press

Former Houston Mayor Bill White and Gov. Rick Perry are unlikely to debate.

eligible for running for office.

A fact that bears reiterating is that White has released his federally-required personal financial disclosure forms as deputy energy secretary and his tax returns as mayor of Houston.

Insofar as it seemingly wouldn’t be politically wise for White to release the

targeted records, Perry is indirectly conveying that confronting his Harvardeducated challenger would weaken Perry’s prospects for re-election, either by virtue of White’s platform, or by a feared inability to come across to undecided voters in a positive light.

If Perry no-shows on Oct.

19, the sponsors may question one candidate for an hour, while a live feed would be made available to TV stations throughout Texas. The result would be a travesty made notable only by the void of Perry’s long shadow.

White’s constituency will watch; Perry’s choir will boycott. As a result, the “swing”

voters of Texas will once again get stiffed by the tiresome, self-serving rudiments of politics-as-usual: Perry comes off as a pompous bully dictating terms of political discourse, and White - evidently caught in a no-win situation - exacerbates the insult to the voters by not taking the high-road.

Because of its foundation, history and lore, Texas - more so than any other state - deserves the standoff a debate would deliver for ideological, practical and symbolic reasons.

This charade of a campaign, in which the possibility of even a single debate is highly jeopardized by selfish grandstanding, mostly by Perry, is tantamount to a gunslinger moping in the saloon while his opponent stands at the ready on Main Street because they can’t agree on what type of bullets to use.

Hilltop Views | Wednesday, October 13, 2010

VIEWPOINTS | Page 15

Political comedy provides opportunity for honesty Rina Gandhi rgandhi@stedwards.edu

We all read the news, sure.

Scanning headlines, only stopping to read full articles if they sound interesting or familiar. But after a long day of school and work, nothing sounds less desirable than watching the news to hear about natural disasters, wars or celebrities.

We are good people, though. We want to be informed; we just do not want to curl up and cry out of frustration with our world. So we turn to comedy. We learn about the world through the television shows we watch.

From “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” to David Letterman’s Top Ten List and Saturday Night Live’s

Weekend Update, we like to laugh while being informed.

The real news gives us a few unsatisfying details over and over again. Fake news shows give us the same details with a punch line and analysis.

Increasingly, comedians are stepping up to fill the role of the news. We look to these political satirists to not only give us the reported details, but also show us from their knowledge and experience where to call foul. This relationship has wider effects than simply education and laughs; it gives both political power. Because we trust their analysis and more and more are turning to them than the real news, comedians are rapidly becoming a common face in politics.

Stephen Colbert is allowed

Hilltop Views 3001 S. Congress Ave.#964, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 448-8426 Fax: (512) 233-1695 seuhilltopviews@yahoo.com www.hilltopviewsonline.com Proctor Anderson Tristan Hallman Editors-in-Chief Megan Ganey Haleigh Svoboda News Editors Phil Bradshaw Jake Hartwell Viewpoints Editors Holly Aker Caroline Wallace Entertainment Editors Amber Burton Rachel Winter Features Editors Emily Blasdell Kelli O’Donnell Sports Editor Shaun Martin Head Designer Andrew Hatcher Blair Haralson Sara Reihani Designers

Nicole Ryder Advertising Designer Daniel De Los Santos Christina Villarreal Photo Editors Sharla Kew Videographer Arianna Auber Copy Chief Wendy Cawthon Stephanie Grogan Danny Salazar Anna Whitney Copy Editors Samantha Littlepage Advertising Manager Gio Reyes Business Manager Jena Heath Faculty Adviser

Hilltop Views is a weekly student newspaper published by the School of Humanities and serving the community of St. Edward’s University. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the university, whose mission is grounded in the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Letter Policy: Hilltop Views welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for space, grammar and clarity.

Letters will be published at our discretion. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Associated Press

Colbert and Stewart perfom at a charity event.

to speak before a House of Representatives committee; campaigning politicians are sure to make their rounds onto “The Daily Show”; comedian Kinky Friedman even ran for governor of our great state. We appreciate comedians because it is common knowledge that they are playing a character; they do not pretend or believe they are actually this facade. And yet, their underlying message still manages to be honest and resonate with the audience. Conversely, major news

networks are well-known for their specific bias while claiming to present the facts as they are.

Therefore, we watch comedic shows and specials, we attend the rallies and we give comedians a large audience.

Politicians are starting to notice this power. They are realizing that we no longer trust them or the news, and instead look to the guidance of these comedians. They are realizing that they must get on board, or risk not being elected. So they agree to

appear on SNL, like Gov. David Paterson, regardless of how much they have been ridiculed. They go on “The Tonight Show,” allowing themselves to be made fun of like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Comedians do not force politicians to do their bidding. We give comedians their power by watching their shows. At the end of the day, they are meeting our demands for truth with a dollop of humor. While politicians have their backing of loyal groupies, they are not winning any hearts and minds via the usual venues during a campaign. Appearing on a comedy show is the new kissing babies. Why? Because that is what we want. We want to see them relax and open up. Plus, we know they will be held accountable for screwing up by the host.

Washington, politicians and the media all recognize the power of political satirists. Obama endorsed The Daily Show’s rally. Rick San-

chez was fired from CNN for making many insensitive, racist and wrong comments, but the remarks he made about comedian Jon Stewart received far more attention.

HBO satirist Bill Maher is single-handedly calling to question the legitimacy of Delaware Republican Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell because he has that kind of power over politics.

We determine what comedians will end up on top, and these comedians go on to influence politics. Politicians go on comedy shows, where these comedians give us an analysis of the politician’s views and actions. Hopefully this means we are not turning in a circle, and instead are progressively spiraling upwards towards honesty and openness in politics. With our remote, we control what views the media aligns with.

Even we lazy Americans can make a difference and rock the vote.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Hilltop Views, The October 6 staff editorial “Campus guns debate should cool off ” makes a handful of partially-formed arguments against allowing licensed concealed carry (of handguns) on Texas college campuses but fails to address the facts of the issue.

The editorial spends two paragraphs talking about the Second Amendment, despite the fact that the case for “campus carry,” as made by organizations such as Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, does not hinge upon and seldom, if ever, mentions the Second Amendment.

Absent any corroborating evidence, the editorial suggests that, because col-

lege students are so young, the background checks that must be passed by concealed handgun license (CHL) applicants “are poor indicators of a student’s capacity to responsibly carry a weapon.” The editorial fails to mention that, with the exception of military personnel, a person must be 21 years old to obtain a Texas concealed handgun license. It also fails to show any evidence that CHL holders of typical college age are any more likely to commit a violent crime or potentially-lethal mistake while carrying a concealed handgun.

If 21-year-old license holders are trusted by the state of Texas to carry concealed handguns virtually

everywhere else, why not on college campuses? According to DPS statistics, CHL holders are five times less likely than others to commit violent crimes. A Texan is 20 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be killed by a CHL holder.

The editorial continues, “If concealing and carrying were ever to be allowed on a college campus, applicants should have to pass much more strenuous tests and regulations to determine their capability for responsibly and legally carrying a handgun.” Aside from passing two sets of fingerprint/background checks, one performed by the state police and one performed by the FBI, CHL applicants must also complete

a 10-hour class and pass a shooting test that meets or exceeds all but one of the state’s minimum requirements for testing the proficiency of law enforcement officers (the one difference being that officers are also required to perform one timed reload).

The editorial concludes, “[U]niversities should be able to decide their handgun laws.” While that may be true of private institutions, such as St. Edwards, state-funded institutions should not be allowed to arbitrarily refuse to honor state-issued licenses. The legality of concealed carry in a public building should not be determined by the whims or prejudices of unelected state employees.

W. Scott Lewis scott@campuscarry.com Texas Legislative Director, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus

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Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Hilltop Views

Austin City Limits Music Festival Photos by Sara Sanchez

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